ScholarWorks (California State University)
Not a member yet
87523 research outputs found
Sort by
Transgenerational Plasticity as a Mechanism of Thermal Adaptation in Petrolithses cinctipes
No full textClimate change is increasing global temperatures, leading to a rise in the frequency and duration of atmospheric heat waves. An organism's ability to adapt to increasing instances of extreme heat will be crucial for survival. I hypothesized that transgenerational plasticity plays a crucial role in the short-term adaptation to extreme heat using the intertidal zone porcelain crab, Petrolisthes cinctipes, as my model organism. I tested the physiological responses to heat shock in P. cinctipes embryos from parents exposed to varying frequencies of heat stress and compared them to their unshocked, control siblings. Parental treatment groups included: control (no heat stress), low (heat stress once every other week), medium (heat stress once a week), and high (heat stress three times a week- mirroring the frequency of atmospheric heat wave events). I then analyzed embryo growth rates, yolk consumption rates, and hatching success of control and heat-shocked embryos across every brood collected from the female crabs during the experiment. Petrolisthes cinctipes demonstrated effective transgenerational responses, as heat-shocked embryos from the high parental group showed higher survival rates than those from the control parental group. There were also distinct trends in growth rates and yolk consumption rates as parental heat stress frequency increased. Yolk consumption rates increased in variability and growth rates declined as parental heat stress exposures increased. Understanding the capacity of organisms to respond to increased instances of heat waves is critical for predicting their persistence under future climate scenarios.https://doi.org/10.46569/ws859r89
Looking for Historical Joteria: An Introduction into the Difficulties & Biases of Transnational, Queer History
No full textThis work is an introductory exploration as to why queer histories from the Global North (GN) are more disseminated than those from the Global South (GS), with a special inclusion of queer, 20th century Mexican history from Mexico City. This stance was evidenced at the micro level through comparative data collection done within this project on the respective inclusion or exclusion of queer historic individuals, organizations/institutions and locations from the Global North versus those from the Global South within the following four titles: Before We Were Trans: A New History of Gender (2023), The Dictionary of Homophobia: A Global History of Gay and Lesbian Experience (2008), Global Encyclopedia of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) History (2019) and Sapphistries: A Global History of Love between Women (2009). Qualitative interviews of four academics, knowledge producers which vacillate between micro and meso levels of analysis, were then also conducted to observe the potential reasonings behind these biases and the difficulties academics engaging in transnational queer history contend with, like the experience of queer ephemera, language barriers and difficulties of categorization. Lastly, by looking at existing knowledge production hierarchies and biases in academic publishing which favors GN interests and institutions through the theoretical framework of Southern Theory, we see that all these interactions have an interconnected correlation, ultimately leading to the propagation and mainstream popularity of queer histories from the GN over those from the GS.https://doi.org/10.46569/gx41ms83
Navigating in the Shadows: Undocumented Latina Experiences in Early Care and Education and Workforce Equity
No full textThis dissertation explored the lived experiences of undocumented Latinas who participated in California's Early Care and Education Realizing Employment and Creating Hope (ECE REACH) program. Using portraiture methodology, this study constructed narratives that highlighted the resilience, systemic barriers, and transformative potential of these educators. Rooted in undocumented critical theory, this research challenged deficit-based perspectives and amplified voices of a workforce that is critical yet often invisible in early care and education. Through purposive sampling, the study engaged five alumni of ECE REACH, examining how their cultural identities, immigration status, and labor conditions intersected with their pursuit of educational and professional opportunities. Key findings revealed structural challenges that limited access to degree attainment and employment, role of community-based initiatives in fostering success, and urgent need for equitable pathways into the early care and education workforce. By centering undocumented educators as knowledge producers, this dissertation advocated for systemic reforms that move beyond inclusion toward full professional and economic recognition. Implications extend beyond education policy, offering a critical lens on workforce development, racial linguistics, and sociopolitical realities shaping the lives of immigrant educators.https://doi.org/10.46569/47429k92
The Suspicious Slaying of the Non-Final Girl: Gender, Violence, and Queer Spectator Identification in Slashers
No full textThe slasher genre's relationship to women has been fraught and troubled, yet its most prevailing figure is the Final Girl, the tomboyish heroine who outlasts her peers and defeats the oafish killer using her own wits and intense rage. This figure was coined by Carol Clover in her essay, "Her Body, Himself," where she details the various aspects of the Final Girl, noting her physical attributes, the way she's virginally coded, and how she becomes triumphant and how the audience—male and female—identify with her. With Clover's studies focusing on films of the 70s and 80s, I will highlight examples from the early 2000s to present day, tracing this character archetype and the way she follows similar trajectories in each iteration, including: a sexually explicit disposition, emphasized through filmic devices and through the ways character talk about her; the character herself is often objectified and her "to-be-looked-at" nature is exaggerated, with her sexuality and femininity at the forefront; her campy gender expression, often emphasized by curvaceous figures or hyperfeminine styling; her equally horny boyfriend, who ultimately meets a less gruesome demise; and the obligatory annihilation of this character, with her torment and suffering often a prolonged act. The case studies I will focus on are Cabin Fever (2002), House of Wax (2005), Friday the 13th (2009), The Cabin in the Woods (2011), and X (2022). Comparing this trope to the Final Girl, and analyzing the ways these depictions are curiously problematic, I will also look at the way these depictions can also be viewed in a retroactively powerful position, specifically notingthe queer appeal of this character and how her characteristics make her a memorably doomed character.https://doi.org/10.46569/9880w176
Transitional Kindergarten in California: A Three-Pronged Policy Analysis
No full textTransitional kindergarten in California is a mandated expansion that began in the early years of the pandemic and disrupted the early childhood education system in California. This paper is structured as three separate policy analyses to explore the impact on the quality of the transitional kindergarten classroom, on the current early childhood education workforce, and on family access and needs. Each policy analysis was conducted in a different style and contained recommendations for better supporting early childhood education across all programs. The mandated expansion of transitional kindergarten is still in its early years of implementation and so the true effects on the community-based centers and family child care programs is yet to be fully understood. In the quick expansion of transitional kindergarten, the voices of those most impacted by the rapid rollout were not included, and so this dissertation includes their voices where possible. At the end of the three different policy analyses is a table in which all the policy recommendations made throughout are listed in order from most to least likely to implement.https://doi.org/10.46569/2z10x132
PEDDLING PATRIARCHY: A SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS OF JORDAN PETERSON'S YOUTUBE CONTENT
No full textMy research is a semiotic analysis of Canadian psychologist Jordan B. Peterson's YouTube content, with the aim of understanding how he constructs and embodies hegemonic forms of masculinity for his online audience. I examine Peterson as a de-facto advertiser, employing both direct observation of his YouTube content and autoethnography of my viewing experience as a member of a highly relevant demographic (young, cis-het, White men). I find that Peterson constructs and embodies an intellectual, hegemonic masculinity via his clothing choices and language style, which taken together index capitalistic success, power, and intelligence. Peterson further employs direct address and framing choices to apply negative pressure on his audience (as an advertiser) pulling them into an "us vs them" Manichean struggle against wokeness, led by him as an intellectual, masculine hegemon
Exploring Mental Well Being Among Female Latina Domestic Workers
No full textThis study explores the mental health experiences, workplace conditions, and challenges faced by Latina domestic workers in the United States. Through qualitative interviews with eight domestic workers, key themes emerged, including work conditions and responsibilities, financial instability, job insecurity, mental health challenges, coping mechanisms, workplace treatment, immigration-related fears, and the desire for better working conditions and resources. Findings highlight the significant stressors these workers face, including low wages, unpaid extra labor, job instability, and limited access to mental health care. Many participants reported symptoms of anxiety, stress, and sleep disturbances while relying on informal peer networks, faith, and family for emotional support. Structural barriers such as immigration status, labor exploitation, and lack of legal protections contribute to their vulnerability. This study underscores the need for policy changes, mental health resources, and stronger labor protections to improve the well-being of Latina domestic workers. Findings have important implications for social work interventions at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels, emphasizing the role of advocacy, direct support, and community-based initiatives
Development, implementation and assessment of a sports nutrition curriculum for incoming first-year collegiate student-athletes
No full textOptimal nutrition is vital for enhancing athletic performance, yet many collegiate student-athletes lack necessary nutrition knowledge, affecting their dietary choices and performance. The purpose of this project was to develop, implement, and evaluate a sports nutrition curriculum through the assessment of experts and nutrition knowledge by incoming first-year collegiate student-athletes. The curriculum was evaluated by three registered dietitians using a modified rating rubric. The feedback and assessment responses from experts indicated that the curriculum provides adequate general sports nutrition knowledge. Additionally, they suggested future enhancements, including more sport-specific content and addressing barriers such as Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-s) and disordered eating. Their insights highlight the curriculum's effectiveness while identifying areas for further development to better support student-athletes' nutritional education
Postpartum Depression among Black and Hispanic Women and Postpartum Maternal Care: A Systematic Literature Review
No full textStudy Purpose: The purpose of this systematic literature review is to investigate the level of care Black and Hispanic women have for their PPD. Methods: Four databases were searched, and twenty-four articles were selected to address three research question. Findings: The finding of this review shows the prevalence of PPD in Black and Hispanic women is higher than their white counterparts due to barriers to care, inadequate access to current level of care, and poor coping mechanism. Discussion: These findings emphasize the role of social workers in addressing systemic barriers that hinder Black and Hispanic women from accessing postpartum depression care. Key actions include advocating for culturally competent services, improving access to supports like Medicaid and childcare, reducing stigma, enhancing provider communication, and ensuring better representation of minority women in maternal mental health care and research
Organizational Culture and the Public Sector's Hiring Practices
No full textHaving a strong level of diversity within any organization is one of the keys to its success. Promoting a diverse workforce can lead to increased production of resources, greater creativity, and more opportunities to hire talented and experienced individuals from a larger pool of candidates. The public sector is lauded for having numerous safeguards and legislation to promote a diverse workforce. A more diverse workforce can make policies more impactful for the population, especially those in minority groups. The demographics of areas public sector organizations often serve are typically diverse in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, age, religion, language, culture, nationality, socioeconomic status, physical ability, and sexual orientation. The effects of key legislation, such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, on the balance of public sector diversity are explored to determine its strengths and weaknesses. With such legislation, the public sector has created a structure restricting discrimination. However, an organization can only achieve the intended diverse workforce when the organization's culture strives to cultivate a diverse workforce. The relationship between the effects of organizational culture and the discrimination of minority groups is explored, and how biased organizational culture can nullify existing safeguards against discrimination. The study uses a mixed-methods, descriptive design, combining a quantitative survey and a qualitative questionnaire to evaluate the effects of organizational culture on hiring practices. Data is collected from applicants across 12 government organizations at the local, state, and federal levels, with equal representation from ethnic majority and minority groups