Compensation and benefit programs Essay

Compensation and benefit programs for employees need to be an exceptional offer that is developed to attract and retain the best and talented employees. A merit pay compensation strategy is used for an incentive pay based on goals and achievements set by the employer. Compensations that are recommended for this company is a health benefit package that is managed by the employees. This package consists of medical, vision, and dental coverage. The medical insurance is PPO and HMO of choice. Dental coverage has a limit per person of $1500 of service a year. Vision has free yearly eye exam and discount cost on eyewear. This will make the employees feel proud and valued to work for this organization. Conclusion The fundamental purpose and the objective of the organization compensation are to provide equitable rewards that are appropriate for employees that highlight from their abilities, skills, and the contributions to the company. Employee compensation has key factors and strategies would help this company maintain satisfactory of the employees and the organization as a whole. A compensation structure and benefit strategy is analyzed for a medium size organization and market evaluation and position. The company strategy consists of cost, ability to pay, legal requirements, which motivate and maintain skilled employees. The plan has provided performance incentives and merit pay for the employees that are suitable for their employees. The laws of benefits and pay programs are provided so that the organization has proper and informed choices that would benefit the employer and employees. The compensation and benefit program is essential to new hires decision to remain employed for the company.

Sociological Analytical Theories

SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYTICAL THEORIES Name:Stanley Mutagurwa Professor: Arlis Barclay Course:SOC291 Date:October 17th 2012 Sociological analytical theories are ideologies based on observation and empirical analysis of societies and their behavior. We have come to learn more about societies and their behavior through the use of different sociological analytical theories. However, some theories have lost favor from people due to changes in both time and space while others have widely been accepted by the public sphere as a whole as they stand upon values well supported by people at large.The theories have contributed to increased knowledge on the society status and the social behaviour tremendously. In this review, I have analyzed the social status of New York regarding their view on homosexuality, and how it has affected the behavior of the society members using a press release on the suspension of a Blue Jay shortstop, Yunel Escobar. The suspension is as a result of the slur eye black he had on his face before the game commenced. The slur gave an impression of indifference to the gay people all around North America. The eye-black sticker reduces the sun’s glare hence it’s worn under the eyes.The purpose of this article will be to outline a sociological analytical theory approach to the study on the understanding of homosexuality in New York, and the influence homosexuality has brought to the members of New York. In the course of this study, the presentation of the assumptions and concepts of the social theories will resurface clearly. The article will focus mainly on Five sociological theories recognized and analyzed. The sociological theories are; Functional, critical, symbolic interactionism, postmodernism and feminism theories.In the newspaper, Blue Jays shortstop Yunel Escobar comes into the Toronto playground wearing a homophobic slur under his eyes. The slur, written in Spanish, results in a three-game suspension for Yunel Escobar from playing. T he words â€Å"TU ERE MARICON† are the words inscribed on the sticker worn by Escobar which is a homophobic slur in Spanish. This press release reveals the functionality of the team officials. The functional theory brings about aspects of order and stability of a society, and this leads to a consensus on what deems expedient and worthwhile.It embraces the ideology of evaluation and ranking of a society according to performance. Functional theory depends on a stratification method in which a society can be ranked in a social system depending on the existing common value system. The best successful performer in terms of productivity and development, receives high ranking and legible to rewards and accordance of prestige as a form of gratitude due to personification of the societal common values. In the Newspaper, a meeting between team officials emerges meant to discuss the actions of Escobar in relation to his sticker on homophobia.The General Manager, Alex Anthopoulos and man ager John Farrell flank Escobar, resulting to his public apology. This reveals transparency and a call on integrity. The managers are committed to providing improved moral values in the community. Thus, players will learn from the punishment of Escobar, outlining the officials as responsible leaders. Every society has its own common values which, if followed to the point, support the survival and operation of a society efficiently. This entails proper allocation of roles to each respectively, training them and reminiscent satisfaction through effective provision of their daily needs.Social stratification is one of the mechanisms emergent from the article done by assigning roles to respective people, that is, a general manager and a manager, and the disciplinary committee which handled the case of Escobar. This gives confidence to the people on their team leaders against any verbal abuse from any member of the community. The team officials decide to assign the Escobar’s forfei ted salary to the ‘you can play and the Gay & Lesbian Allegiance Against defamation, a great sign of concern for the gay community.In the article, postmodernism highly outlines the technological development of the state. Postmodernism produces new social and political theories, refers to several and different economic, political, social and cultural transformations. Postmodern social transformation can be brought about by technologies such as media, computers, and change in socioeconomic system and innovated forms of knowledge. It involves higher stages of capitalism, which produces increased fragmentation of the culture, new mode of experience and different traditions.The use of media to present the general conference held by the officials, and the public apology of Escobar to Newyork is a clear impression of an improved technology in New York. The Baseball commissioner Bud Selig observes that the Major Baseball League officials embrace postmodernism in terms of adopting new ideologies and social responsibility. This also comes out through the innovation of new ideologies, educating and training the people on the rules of Major Baseball League to avoid mistakes based on illiteracy. Escobar proofs to be in the era of Modernism by pleading guilty based on his lack of knowledge on social responsibility.There are only men involved in this article as it evolves around men. Male dominancy in sports is emergent from the article study. The slur under Escobar’s eyelids simply brings out an effeminate ideology. Female sport leader’s appear nowhere in the article. The Feminist theory is an outstanding contemporary sociological theory, which studies the male and female social status in a given society, purposely, to better the lives of women. It strengthens and empowers women by outlining how they have contributed to the society. The newspaper outdoes feminism by supporting homosexuality.Men tend to survive and work alone in the community without assi stance from women. Homosexuality has not been adopted by everyone. Culturally, homosexuality erodes, debases and degrades moral values traditionally. Symbolic interactionism is a perspective that depends on the symbolic impression that people develop from the process of social interaction. The Major Baseball League officials express their feelings in an open stage conference, whereas the Baseball commissioner Bud Selig complements the judgement taken on Escobar.The judgement gives an impression of a situation handled appropriately and promptly, says Bud Selig, the Baseball commissioner. Integrity, humility and emotion control are some of the moral standards evident from the article. Escobar apologizes publicly and says that his statements are illiterate and ignorant. Escobar tries to remain harmlessly composed and humble before the National Television thus giving a confusing impression to the public regarding his former statements.Critical theory aimed at critiquing a society, chang es the way of thinking of the society, based on the whole societal changes towards creating more dynamic ideologies. The theory entails studies that go beyond the surface of social relations and reveals the conclusions that hinder us from getting the true understanding of how the society operates. Through the newspaper, we come to a better understanding of how North America supports homosexuality. The reactions on the sticker with a slur reveals that there are many people in North America supporting homosexuality as the story forms the wallpaper of the Newspapers in Toronto.In conclusion, the theoretical study of this article brings out NewYork as a homosexual supporting state, against homophobia. The punishment from the officials brings out the transparency required in leadership. Escobar’s public apology reveals a high standard of integrity and humility which gives a lesson to the society in cases of conflict resolution. Feminism is to be encouraged ans supported, thus wome n should be brought aboard in sports leadership as they can bring an influence to the sports industry through leadership.

Athletic Leadership Development Program Essay Example for Free

Athletic Leadership Development Program Essay There is great need to develop effective athletic management programs in high schools. Apart from the fact that students derive direct benefit from such programs, it is also a good training resource since today’s high school athletes will eventually take shape as tomorrow’s sports leaders as coaches, trainers, athletic administrators, sports physicians, sports psychologists and other capacities (Lanasa, Ciletti & Lackman, 2005). High school is a very important stage in which students prepare for the future by getting a good education, making friends and participate in other activities such as athletics. It is unfortunate, that many schools have adopted budget cuts that under provide for sports, taking the opinion that money would be better spent on academics. Though it is right that academics come first, sacrificing high school sports is dangerous to the students’ high school experience as it affects their ability to perform at optimum academic levels (Amorose & Horn, 2000). Sports are also an important component that helps students develop into well-rounded adults who give full benefits to the country at large. INTRODUCTION This paper will carry out a literature review to illustrate how a School Athletic Leadership Plan works to give students full benefits. In extension, the school as an institution also derives high levels of achievement and satisfaction from the same. It will show how students with an interest in the field of training and treatment of athletes can effectively be prepared by the school athletic training programs. They are a perfect opportunity of gaining college and career preparation. These programs give an appropriate opportunity to the attainment of information, certification, scholarships and networking for students (MacGregor, 2005). HOW TO DEVELOP A LEADERSHIP PROGRAM This section will evaluate the leadership program adopted by Wheeler High School in Indiana. It presents a situation that is appropriate to most high schools where there are potentially good players but their hopes and targets fail to materialize due to lack of a well organized sports framework and leadership in the school. On evaluation of the progress and areas that need change, Snodgrass notes that the foremost problem was the lack of player leadership in the students’ teams coupled with the lack of senior talent (2005). Borrowing from the plan adopted by this school, this paper will give guidelines on how a school athletic leadership plan can be developed. Structure of the program An effective leadership program should start by identifying players that can participate in the plan. For starters, the first class could be made up of six senior and two junior students who would meet weekly for two to three hours over a ten week period (Snodgrass, 2005). In this period, they would they would participate in the curriculum by carrying out the following; Interaction They are expected to visit and spend one or two hours in the curriculum each night (Snodgrass, 2005). From this interaction, the head of the plan identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the selected team by observing how they interact and how committed they are. This is the stage at which the leaders and those with skills valuable to the plan are identified. As they share ideas, hopes and aspirations, this pilot group can come up with an excellent blueprint of the plan since they are better positioned to know what would work with their fellow student athletes and what would not. Activities strengthening core values The activities that strengthen core values are important as they set the plan in motion with the rest of the student athletes. The pilot group of eight should each be assigned a group of student with which they carry out these activities. This could occur in class for discussions and after knowing each other, the group members should engage in out of class activities. Group leaders are expected to call incoming players and engage with them with an aim of getting to know them intimately (University of Wisconsin, 2007). This is a very important step as the group leaders get in a position to identify strengths and weaknesses that might be hidden from the coaches and teachers. This enables the teams to avoid failures that commonly arise from the lack of proper understanding within the team. Leadership in youth camps The eight members of the pilot team should serve as counselor at the summer youth camp. They are expected to take up roles such as teaching a position, coaching the team in flag football, running the punt-pass-kick contest etc (Young & Edmonson, 2010). It should involve activities such as story narrations to emphasize the importance of team playing. The plan should be sure to implement a youth summer camp. The Handbook of Organizational Consulting Psychology underscores the importance of such camps in the development of leadership plans. It is from such camps that the members emerge as a team understanding each other, with strong leadership and ready to work together (Fiedler, 2002). The above activities lay the foundation on which the plan can be built upon. After getting the required individuals to spearhead the program and the necessary team sprit, the plan can proceed into the next step in which it formally assembles the best ideas and strategies for the leadership program in form of a blueprint discussed in the following section. PLANNING THE BLUEPRINT Snodgrass defines a blueprint as the process of designing a leadership program in any field from start to finish (2005). It guides the implementation of the whole process and it gives guidelines on how to check progress and success levels. This paper will provide a blueprint that is divided into steps as follows; Step 1: Assembling the planning team According to the program adopted by the Leigh University for the summer of 2007, the planning team should comprise all the key stakeholders to build a program that is acceptable campus wide (Fiedler, 2002). It is imperative to ensure that all individual stakeholders understand the importance of athletics in the life of the students. Teachers and other members of staff should be ready to sacrifice some academic hours in order to bring the plan into track. In this university, the team consisted of coaches from the Athletic Department, administrators and student-athletes as well as staff from the Dean of Student’s Office to attain a healthy balance (Young & Edmonson, 2010). They should meet weekly to discuss the rest of the steps in the blueprint. Step 2: Conducting a leadership audit â€Å"The leadership audit is a systematic assessment of leadership development opportunities at the institution and beyond. A complete audit includes both internal and external reviews and inventories all leadership opportunities† (Lanasa, Ciletti & Lackman, 2005). Internal audit: The information from this audit should find out whether there are other leadership initiatives on campus in which student-athletes can participate (). Fiddler finds that often these programs are not designed to directly increase the value of the student’s leadership and do not fundamentally impact Athletics as a whole(Amorose & Horn, 2000). There should be goal setting and skill building workshops that are conducive to the unique schedules of student-athletes and athletics department staff. External audit: This involves researching specific leadership opportunities at other institutions. This should particularly look for leadership development programs and delivery options within other institutions (Robinson & Skinner, 2008). It can be done in neighboring schools that have highly successful leadership development programs to identify crucial aspects that can be adopted. It can also be done online or from other literature on the issue to set good standards for a comprehensive plan. Step 3: Identification of an anchor The anchor is another crucial aspect of the plan that should be in place. Young and Edmonson define it as the â€Å"existing institutional purpose, outreach or reason that makes the program’s efforts essential and justifies the investment of time, energy and resources to support the effort (2010). It helps in the acceptance of the plan since it does not appear as something totally alien. For instance the mission statement of Lehigh University is; â€Å"To advance learning through the integration of teaching, research, and service to others† (Young and Edmonson, 2010). To be in tandem with the school’s mission statement, the Lehigh Athletics Mission Statement could be made to capture that of the institute, e. g. â€Å"Our mission in the Lehigh Athletics Department is to advance learning to develop leadership, and to foster personal growth through comprehensive athletics programming. † (Young and Edmonson, 2010). This way, the plan manages to entrench itself within existing institutional goals and hence all stakeholders can comfortably identify with it and work towards its implementation. As such, teachers for instance would drop their hard line stance towards the plan as they feel it helps in academics. Step 4: Determining the scope The scope is the extent of the leadership experience which encompasses aspects such as how deep the program will be embedded in institutional culture and the programmatic mission and learning objectives (Robinson & Skinner, 2008). The scope should be connected to the vision, mission, and learning outcomes of the school’s sports department. Vision: the plan should be aimed at cultivating a culture of leadership which encourages self-awareness, commitment to team playing, and emphasis on values and actions that enhance a good athletic experience. (Amorose & Horn, 2000) Mission: the sports department should use the plan to complement and support the larger missions of the institution as a whole. This can be achieved with the use of the transformational leadership theory that enhances student’s leadership skills and understanding (Fiedler, 2002). It should accomplish a sense of community among al stakeholders focusing on the value of positive leadership. Learning outcomes: these are the benefits that the students should derive from participating in the Athletic Leadership Program. Firstly, they enhance their knowledge of basic leadership skills and principles. Others are interpersonal skills, integrity, peer motivation, self awareness and the value of diversity in every situation (University of Wisconsin, 2007). This will enhance their wellbeing in every field of life in school and beyond. Step 5: Shaping the philosophy A philosophy is important in shaping an appropriate vision, mission and goals for a comprehensive Athletic Leadership Program. Robison and Skinner put forward two examples of philosophy that can be used to achieve this end. They do so by addressing the unique needs of student-athletes, teams and coaches (2008). The Transformational Leadership Theory is the primary philosophy in which the program is embedded. â€Å"It describes a course of action where both leaders and participants engage in a mutual, ongoing process of raising one another to higher levels of motivation, moral reasoning, and self-consciousness† (Robinson & Skinner, 2008). This encourages collaboration and interdependence within participants by appealing to social and community focused values. Principle-Centered Leadership Theory: this theory is based on principle based leadership. Leaders are required to center their practices in natural based practices. Their values can only be effective if they remain true to these guiding principles, which are identified as; â€Å"continually learning, service-oriented, radiate positive energy, believe in other people, lead balanced lives, see life as an adventure, are synergistic, and exercise for self-renewal† (Robinson & Skinner, 2008). Step 6: Selecting delivery framework These are the strategies and individuals to be used for teaching participants about leadership. This includes positional leaders and emerging ones. Positional leaders include coaches and captains who are directly responsible of development of athleticism in individual-student athletes which will ultimately lead them to winning championships (Fiedler, 2002). Emerging leaders include students joining the program and those who have been it for a while and want to further their leadership skills. This way, the plan ensures that it has a never ending supply of talent and new leadership, i. e. it is sustainable. Step 7: Select Assessment and Evaluation Strategies This step ensures that intentional assessment and evaluation tools will are available. It is recommended that the implementation of the blueprint is assessed after the first full year of implementation. The tools to be used for this assessment may include â€Å"focus groups, student-athlete exit interviews, pre- and post-surveys, student-athlete post-season evaluations, etc† (University of Wisconsin, 2007). This process is meant to explore needs, outcomes and satisfaction derived from the plan. CONCLUSION A School Athletic Leadership Plan like the one outlined above will go a long way in accomplishing a varied range of needs in the school. It clearly shows the need to implement an effective plan from which students can derive numerous benefits. The step by step process is imperative in creating a leadership program which is self sustaining and which is deeply rooted in the institutional goals and vision. This ensures that it is embraced by all. REFERENCES Amorose, A. J, and Horn T. S (2000). Intrinsic Motivation: relationship with collegiate athletes’ gender, scholarship status, and perceptions of their coaches’ behavior. Journal of sport and exercise psychology. 22(1), 63 – 84. Fiedler, F. E (2002). Proactive ways to improve leadership performance. Handbook of organizational consulting psychology, 76 – 105, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Lanasa, J. , Ciletti, D. and Lackman, R. (2005). Designing a Model for Improved Outcomes Among Students- Athletes in Sports Education. Left Coast Press. Retrieved, 6th August, 2010 MacGregor, G. M. (2005). Designing Student Leadership Programs: Transforming the Leadership Potential of Youth. Youthleadership. com Robison, T. I and Skinner, T. (2008). The Athlete and the Grade Change. Cases in Educational Leadership. Retrieved, 6th August, 2010 Snodgrass, S. (2005). Building a high school leadership program. Gale, Cengage Learning. University of Wisconsin. (2007). A Grounded Theory Of High Quality Leadership Programs: Perspectives From Student Leadership Development Programs In Higher Education. Madison: University of Wisconsin. Young, J. and Edmonson, S. (2010). High School Athletic Directors and Educational Leadership Traits: A Conceptual Analysis of the Literature. Retrieved, 6th August, 20 10 Athletic Leadership Development Program. (2016, Sep 17). We have essays on the following topics that may be of interest to you

Management accounting & decision making Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Management accounting & decision making - Essay Example As at September 30, 20X0 Property, Plant and Equipment 1,840,000 Less: Depreciation (133,167) Net Book Value 1,706,833 Inventory 9,000 Receivables 144,585 Cash 172,700 Total Assets 2,033,118 Owner's Capital 2,000,000 Profit for the year (92) Creditors 12,960 Overhead cost payable 20,250 Total capital and liabilities 2,033,118 The above statement presents the cash budget, income statement and the statement of financial position for the six months ended September 30. In the forecasting of the cash budget, the effect of inflation has been ignored. During the six months period the inflation is expected to rise and it will impact all the variables of the projections. In addition, it has been assumed, in the cash flow forecast, that the credit sales will be settled at the end of two months. Same assumption has been applied in the cost of purchases which is being assumed to be settled at the end of the next month in which the sales were made. It has also been assumed that purchases, in orde r to maintain the inventory level to ? 10,000, are included in the total cost of purchase. In the income statement, it has been assumed that China glass and cutlery, bed linen and towel and miscellaneous items including toiletries are revenue expenditure and will be consumed entirely during the current period. The loss in inventory is proportionately divided between the two half of the years and half of the expected loss is taken. The corresponding impact has been taken in the inventory. Task 2 (a) As per the given scenario, the average spending has decreased by 15% which means that the average spending in actual turned out to be 127.5. If we substitute this figure with the current expected occupancy rate, the revenue is likely to decrease. The following table presents the revised income statement Income Statement In ? For the six months ended September 30,20X0 Revenue 386,325 Cost of Purchases (77,265) China glass and cutlery (10,000) Bed linen and towel (10,000) Miscellaneous item s including toiletries (5,000) Labor Cost (77,265) Overhead Cost (96,581) Depreciation (133,167) Losses in inventory (1,000) Net loss (23,953) As apparent from the above table, the net loss has further increased which would adversely affect the financial outlook of the company. In order to maintain the previous less of profitability (in this case net loss of 92) the company is required to maintain the same level of sales. This can only be done by increasing the level of occupancy so that the sales remain the same at ?454,500. In order to maintain the same level of sales the monthly occupancy should be increased by 20% monthly. Since the occupancy rate of august is already 90%, it can only by increased to a perfect 100%. Following is the revised occupancy rate if the previous level of sales is desired Monty Occupancy Rate April 24% May 36% June 61% July 97% August 100% September 73% Average 65% Thus the revise sales

Songs of Solomon (Bible) Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Songs of Solomon (Bible) - Research Paper Example Other scholars views Song of Songs as Israel’s salvation as it has been picturesque in the Chapter 3 of the Bible. It is not foreign in Hebrew literature to represent Yahweh as a lover and the Shulammite girl as Israel. Throughout the Old Testament, the relationship of God and Israel has been compared to lovers, in the book of Hosea 2:19-20, God has told Israel that He would take her as wife likewise in Isaiah 62:4-5 that almost same message would want to be delivered. This paper , however will not focus on the allegorical interpretation of the Song of Songs, as scholars of the contemporary times have presented it from its literal interpretation which reflects the stages or the development of human love. Such interpretation has more value to our current generation which seemingly has thread way from the Christian value of loving and faithful relationship. The Position of Song of Songs in the Bible King Solomon is known for his wisdom which brought him fame and fortune. It made him attractive to women. It was presented in I Kings Chapter verse 11:3 that he had 700 wives and 300 concubines. In 1King Chapter 3:4-10, Solomon asked Yahweh for wisdom so he could identify right from wrong. Yahweh was very pleased that for Solomon did not asked for wealth, long life nor death for his enemies but rather asked for wisdom. And thus, Yahweh gave him wisdom and even the things that he did not wish for. However, he had sinned against Yahweh brought by his womanizing. King Solomon defied Yahweh, to the extent of worshipping other gods and idols. At the end, there was no account that King Solomon ever repented from his sins and submitted himself again to Yahweh in the book of Kings. It somehow reflects that Solomon was corrupted by his fame and glory. Thus Ecclesiastes reflects his emptiness and questioning the worthiness of life. Song of Songs which is an account of faithfulness, lasting commitment and fidelity in a relationship was placed after Ecclesiastes to show th at hope and love have triumphed over sin and emptiness. Interpreting the Song of Songs The first chapter of the book reveals that its author is King Solomon, the son of King David to Bathsheba. The succeeding verses and chapters illustrate the courtship, engagement, wedding and the enduring love that evolve between King Solomon and the Shulammite girl. Chapters 1:2— Chapter 3:5 beautifully narrates the courtship of King Solomon and the Shulammite girl. Though, the Shulammite woman felt insecure because of her darkened skin brought by her taking care of their vineyard. It is significant to note that in this period of their relationship, the Shulammite woman has been very vocal and was the first to express his longing for Solomon. On the other hand, Solomon expressed his deep admiration for her, as he likened her to Pharaoh’s chariot and to a flower Sharon. The following verses convey the blossoming of flower and the passage of winter, which can be likened to the feeling of bliss that young couples feel on the early stages of a relationship. At the same time, the first few verses of Chapter 3 where the Shulammite woman dreamt of losing Solomon clearly reflects the fear of losing one’s relationship and her search for him reflects her desire in having a relationship for keeps . It should also be noted that the opening verses of chapter 1 is related to the concluding verses of Chapter 8. It speaks of the vineyard and the role of the Shulammite’

Media Technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Media Technology - Essay Example The truck can be designed around the Panasonic MX-70 8-input SDI production switcher because of its powerful features and small form factor. It has a 8'x10' control room, space is a primary consideration. To accommodate monitoring all switcher inputs and on air elements Miranda Kaliedo Alto screen splitter feeding a Panasonic 50" Professional Series HD Plasma Display can be selected. Because of limited production schedules and some very expedited editorial needs, the system design includes an Apple X-Serve Raid, disk array supplying real time SDI video in and out of the switcher.At the front end of this Apple system, are three Final Cut Pro HD workstations for all the pre and post editorial, networked with Apple X-Serve and Xsan policing file management. This SAN configuration allows all the workstations to share files in real-time and drive SDI video to the switcher live and back to the X-Serve Raid. For b-rolls and live to tape two Panasonic AJ-SD93 DVCPRO 50 VTR's are selected.In addition, the truck is outfitted with a Sony J30-SDI so Amp'd can roll-in betacam formats as well. Because of the nature of the live events Amp'd shoots, a Doremi two-channel, SDI, MPEG 2, 4:2:2, 3-hour video server, was installed for instant playback and record with slow-mo. The audio of for Amp'd #1 starts from the embedded SDI external source, de-embedded and then is routed throughout the truck in analog pairs. A Mackie 1604-VLZ Pro, 16-channel analog mixer then handles the final mix. The Genelec 8020a's near field audio monitors handle program audio. Because this truck is also equipped with a talent voiceover booth and often takes external camera feeds, a Clear-Com MS-232, 2-channel communications system is installed as a master user station with number of Clear-Com RM220 fixed user stations and Clear Com RS-602 belt pack stations. For live talent a Clear-Com AB-100 Announcer console is used with a Sennheiser HMD-25-1 Headset for IFB (Interrupt Feedback). The truck and chasis ar e designed by Renegade. With a full motor home front configuration for support on location and plenty of power from its on-board 50 amp generator.1 2) Bock shemantics The video system consists of the following: - High Data Rate Digital ENG System - Single or Multiple Video/Audio - Optional DVB-ASI or SDI Inputs/Outputs - Video Encoding 4:2:2 and 4:2:0 - Video Low Delay Mode - Occupies - Occupies - ATSC VSB Modulation with Superior FEC - Robust Adaptive Equalization - Switchable Bandwidths 12, 17 and 25 MHz for Flexible Operation between 2, 7 and 13 GHz - Ideal for Multiple DMA Area Operation - Operates with any ENG Digital Radio - Small, Compact and Low Cost. Advantages of the VSB Modem: - High Data Rates over 12 MHz BW - Data Rates to 80 Mbps - Multiple Video Channels over a Single ENG Microwave Link - Ideal for Component HDTV - Low Cost and Small Size - Resilient to Multi-Path Block Diagram of the Three Video ENG System The audio system would consist of the following: As technologies continue to advance, audio is no exception. Surround sound, audio effects, descriptive video, and multiple languages or maybe combinations of these are required, thereby increasing the number audio channels. In the analogue days, each audio signal required a balanced pair of wires and an XLR connector. This is no longer practical for multiple audio channels, and at least with AES/EBU digital audio, we can accommodate stereo on one coax cable. (Even in Europe, where engineers traditionally use balanced digital audio, most outside broadcast facilities are adopting coax cables for unbalanced AES audio). Surround sound comes in different flavors, the most popular being 5.1. This means Left, Center, Right, Left Back,

Critical legal issues in criminal justice Research Paper

Critical legal issues in criminal justice - Research Paper Example Legal regime permits individuals’ right to self-defense and justifies the employment of force in times of danger so that people may defend themselves from external harm and secure their lives and properties. Dictionaries define physical self-defense as the employment of physical force to counteract an immediate attack. Physical self-defense may be armed-defense or unarmed-defense. Individuals can use a wide variety of weapons as part of armed self-defense adhering to the policies of the concerned jurisdicti Unarmed self-defense involves different styles of martial arts. In many jurisdictions, law permits people the right of self-defensive killing. However, the law states that the employment of physical force in self-defense must be proportional to the fatality of the violence. In order to avoid the misuse of the self-defensive killing, the law ensures aggressors do not claim the right of self-defense. It is on the assumption that aggressors are responsible to the attack or fat al situation, and hence they do not have the right to claim self-defense. In addition, law considers the reasonableness of belief while evaluating the self-defense claim of a defendant. Explicitly, the use of physical force must be reasonable to justify the self-defense claim. What constitutes reasonable employment of force is usually uncertain, and hence the jury has the potential to determine whether or not the defendant’s act (use of force) was reasonable.... Wallie Howard, a federal agent working for the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration and the confidential informant Luther Gregory planned to arrest this drug racket through a buy-bust scheduled on 30th October 1990. However, their plans flawed as Davidson and his team had attempted to rob Gregory using firearms. During the process of assault, the gang broke Gregory’s wrist. In order to counter attack them Howard took his gun and shot off. At this time, Lawrence (one of the gang members) fired at agent Howard and killed him. As cited by the United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit (1994), all the defendants were found guilty of charges alleged including narcotic conspiracy, murder, robbery, and international killing of a federal agent, and consequently all of them were sentenced to life imprisonment. During the course of trial, Lawrence argued that agent Howard would have killed him unless he had not shot him down. However, the court observed that the defendantsâ€℠¢ need to defend themselves emerged out of their own aggression. The court held that the person who commits robbery using deadly weapons and gets murdered by the targeted victim on the victim’s counter-attacks to defend may not obtain the benefit of self-defense. Based on this observation, the court clearly stated that â€Å"it has long been accepted that one cannot support a claim of self-defense by a self-generated necessity to kill† (United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit,1994). This paper will critically evaluate the above court judgment and discuss why â€Å"one cannot support a claim of self-defense by a self-generated necessity to kill.† Reasonableness of Belief Reasonableness of belief is an important factor in determining the necessity of

Analysing the components of the gender pay gap in the u.k (year 2003) Dissertation

Analysing the components of the gender pay gap in the u.k (year 2003) - Dissertation Example The reasons why the gap exist and persist, can be attributed to the social and psychological efforts of men as well as women; men have consistently throughout the ages traditionally seen women in specific roles. Statistics show that  ¾ of working women are still found in five occupational groups and in the five c’s- caring, cleaning, catering, cashiering, clerical and child care. Jobs which are classified as women’s work command lower wages than men’s work even when they require similar qualification levels, leading to inequalities in pay and income. (Sex stereotyping in education and work-Investigation; free to choose-tackling gender barriers to better jobs) Up until the 18th century in the UK, when a girl left home, she did so to become someone’s wife. She left her father’s house with her mothers recipes and wisdom, which would fortify her to care for her husband and her children. Neither was she allowed nor was she expected to accept employment outside of the home. The attitude of most men was duly espoused by Queen Victoria and accepted by the Church of England, concerning the subject of female employment when she said; a woman is not to compete with a man for employment, she is to do the work which God intended her to do; a wife to her husband and a mother to her children.

Critically evaluate the relevance of cultural theories to the study of Assignment

Critically evaluate the relevance of cultural theories to the study of International HRM - Assignment Example There are several theories that relate to culture including globe theory, Hofstede theory and Trompenaar theory. The Hofstede theory is retrieved from the research of a Dutch researcher Geert Hofstede, who derived his model from studying employee’s behavior at the work place. Some cultures value equality among people, while others value power. However, Geert focuses on five cultural dimensions that include power distance index, individualism, masculinity, uncertain avoidance index, and long-term orientation. In power distance index, the junior staff expectations are for the power to be distributed appropriately and equally, since they do not have authority in the organization or in the society. According to Hillebrand (2008 pp 3), in Low power distance model, people tend to see the members of the society as equal such as the western cultures. They believe that power should be equal and that managers or leaders should not have a lot of power compared to the subordinates; this a pplies to countries like Israel. However, the high power distance reveals that those in authority should have more power than the subordinates; this is applicable in Malaysia. Nevertheless, societies cannot be equal; there is always an element of un-equality among them (Jais, 2007, pp 34). Individualism dimension interests are divided into two - individual and group interests. In the society, every individual has a duty of looking after himself and his nuclear family. Collectivism come in where the extended family is involved, in which, one has the duty of taking care of them due to the strong ties in the family. This dimension only focuses on family interests. The third dimension is the masculinity verses femininity dimension, which focuses on the femininity concentrating on the distribution of duties between the two genders, male and female. The study shows that women and men values differ. For instance, male are believed to value material wealth and money, they also work hard to pursue their expected goals in life; it could be buying a Mercedes. In fact, most men in different countries are competitive when it comes to the way of living. However, in comparison, women have a strong value for the quality of life, social interactions and they have concern about the welfare of others; for instance, most women contribute to charity concerning children. The fourth dimension is the long-term versus short-term orientation, in which long-term orientation mainly concentrates on relationships, Work, and life and it involves the perseverance value. If a culture is willing to work for the long-term goals, then the culture has long-term orientation (Torun, 2007 pp 10). This orientation involves hard work and dedication. Short-term orientation is mainly concerned with the past and the present, whereas its values involve fulfilling of social obligation and respecting the values of tradition, in addition to protecting one’s image. This orientation is common in the Phi lippines (Bhagat and Steers, N.d). The fifth and final dimension is the uncertain avoidance index, this index deals with the level of uncertainty and to which level can it be tolerated and its impact on decision making in a society (Hofstede G, 1983 pp 83). Cultures that avoid uncertainties implement measures such as implementing strict rules and regulation and security measures this

Human Resource Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4750 words

Human Resource Management - Essay Example The legislation states that redundancy can happen on the part of the employer when he or she ceases to run a business which tends to employ a large number of people. Again the employer may happen to change the place of business activity for which employees residing in one area may turn redundant to the corporation. The employer may also feel that there is less requirement of employees pertaining to a certain segment and thus tends to reduce the number of people in such segments. Finally the employer may also decide to cease the business segment in operation where the employees redundant were previously employed. However the above cases reflect situations which cannot be taken as legitimate from the legal standpoint and hence requires some procedural followings. (Taylor, 2005, p.360-361; Gernard and Judge, 2005, p.329). Process Firstly the employer is asked to consider the different feasible alternatives like conducting layoffs or putting employees in short term contracts rather than making them fully redundant. However if it is felt that redundancy is the only option then the employer is required to act on such in an unbiased manner whether conducted on a group or in regards to some specific individuals. The employer is required to render some salient points or objectives for which redundancy is best chosen. Secondly in regards to making specific employees redundant the employer is required to render a written declaration to them stating the rationale for which the company desires to cease their employment. Such employees are also required to be invited for gaining their views on such. However in cases where in 20 or more employees are made redundant then adequate rationale is required to be put to the body called Department of Business as well... According to the essay findings these happenings of redundancy are often related to the degradation of the productivity factor of the employees. Further the Employment Rights Act of 1996 in practice in United Kingdom states hints many factors which are related to the cause of redundancy. The legislation states that redundancy can happen on the part of the employer when he or she ceases to run a business which tends to employ a large number of people. Again the employer may happen to change the place of business activity for which employees residing in one area may turn redundant to the corporation. The employer may also feel that there is less requirement of employees pertaining to a certain segment and thus tends to reduce the number of people in such segments. As the research declares the best employment practices based on the Civil Rights Law of the European region pertain to abolishment of discriminatory practices in regards to different races, gender differences and also differences based on employment of people pertaining to different religions. Thus the employers of United Kingdom focus on strictly abiding by such legislations to help sustain a clean and productive atmosphere in the work zones. Discrimination based on gender and race differentiations are strictly avoided and also protection is rendered to help minorities work in a productive manner along with other employees.

School Papers Essay Example for Free

School Papers Essay You can buy school papers online, but qualified school papers are difficult to come by; that is why we developed a service where you can order custom papers for school. We provide you will all the help to write your school paper at the high standard requirements of your school. Papers that are always 100% guaranteed custom school papers for sale that are from professional school writing help. Professional school paper writing help Our online school paper assistance team is developed from degree-holding writers experienced in writing the highest quality school papers. When you use our school writing service, you know that you will get the best grades possible. Our school papers are developed using accurate formatting APA, MLA, Chicago, Turabian, or Harvard format. All custom school papers are written from scratch! School papers are developed with 100% satisfaction guarantees. School essays for English classes, school term papers for science classes, school papers for math, and even school research papers for social studies are available when you order custom papers for school, from our professional writing services. We are dedicated to your success in school, papers from writers who have written literally thousands of papers and received top grades for all of them. Writing School papers in more than 90 disciplines Since 2005 our company has already provided thousands of students with professional school writing assistance in the following disciplines: English Language, Law, Business, Art, Management, Marketing, Economics, Literature, Sociology, Religion, Technology, Nursing, Biology, Math, Chemistry, Communications, Media studies, Medicine, Political science, Psychology, Computer science, Philosophy, Education, Teaching, Engineering, History, Physics, Anthropology, Architecture, Archaeology, Geology, Geography, Sports, International studies, Music etc. Get a 100% non-plagiarized custom work! Every school essay comes with guarantees, and your school term papers include  the critical thinking and research. Additionally, your school research papers and all your school papers include 100% plagiarism free work and 100% custom guarantees. When writing school papers, you may decide you need professional school writing help, and we are here for you. Only high-quality custom school papers for sale You can get the best help to write your school paper. We provide only custom school papers for sale. Our online school paper writing service includes a 24/7 support team, safe payment processing, confidentiality with your information, and school papers written for the best grades possible. Your school papers will always receive the highest praise and the highest grades when you use our school paper writing services. School papers are hard, and time consuming, meet your deadlines using the best school paper writing service. We will find the best writer for you! When you need high quality school essays for social studies, school term papers for programming, school research papers for Biology, or any school papers, you can get the highest quality school paper writing service from our expert writers. Meet all your deadlines when writing school papers, when you buy school papers online from our dedicated and committed school paper writers. You can order custom papers for school, for any course work, any instructions, and any grade level. We always help write your school paper using the best practices recognized by your school. Dont settle for free school paper writing services that can get you kicked out of school for plagiarism, you can get custom school papers for sale, from our professional school writing help, available when you need it. Still hesitating whether to order school papers with us? Here are the key points to remember from our online school paper writing service 24/7 support teams to keep you in touch with your writer, safe payment methods, 100% satisfaction guarantees, 100% custom orders for school papers, privacy for all your information, and the best grades possible for all your school papers. You can complete your school papers successfully, every time, when you use our professional writing service. We are dedicated to your success, and every writer we hire is experienced with getting the  best grades possible.

Religion and Education Essay Example for Free

Religion and Education Essay In this aper, I will discuss and explain the influence of religion and education on societies since the beginning of mankind. 1) Religion deals with almost all aspects of human life. 2) History cannot be taught in education without the mention of religious influences on civilizations. 3) The role of religion in public education is not limited to America alone, since the beginning of mankind every civilization has shown some type of evolution within their religious and educational institutions. There are several examples from different parts of the world to prove how widespread the problem is. ) All societies and civilizations are made up of individuals that belong to families. Families are the core of all societies and the religious choices of each family will society as a whole. 1) It may have influence in education, marriage, work, and even food. American religious education, as a kind of spiritual support, has been playing a supportive role in Americans outlook on life, the realization of life value, the shaping of personality, ethic concepts and national spirit. Its important role is manifested in the economic and political fields. (MENG Xianxia/Cross-cultural Communication Vol. No. 2 1001, p. 231) Religion influence many aspects of day to day issues such as life choices, dress, and education. As shown in the article, Religious Experience and Progressive Education, published in the American Educational History Journal by Jared R. Stallones, A recent survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life revealed that fully eighty-four percent of Americans identify themselves as adherents ofa specific religion. Eighty-eight percent are absolutely or fairly certain of the existence of God or a universal spirit, including fifteen percent of self-identified atheists. Eighty-two percent of the population considers religion to be very or somewhat important in their lives, and seventy-five percent of Americans, including ten percent of atheists, prayed at least once per week. (p33) This demonstrates how religion is an important entity in the daily lives of many. This is because religions deal with the human life as a whole. For centuries people have searched for the meaning and truth of their own nature and the nature of the universe, religions are the result. We view religions as communities of people who share practices and beliefs, who gather together in special buildings to worship, and ho have a special way of living. More than three-quarters of the worlds population consider themselves members of some kind of religion. Religion influences almost all aspects of human life. It may have influence in education, marriage, work, and even food. ) The United States was founded on the principles of religion, the citizens of this country can practice whatever religion they like without being persecuted. The liberties provided under the Constitution allow individuals to practice their religious beliets openly and without Judgment. These beliets provide guidance and structure in the lives of these individuals. After the founding of the United States, although the Constitution clearly regulates secularism, rel igions in America are always closely intertwined with the process of American history, and play a huge impact on the political, economic, legal and cultural fields. American sociologist Richard Newhouse said, A basic fact about the United States is that Americans themselves claim that most of them are Christian and the moral foundations of American society are Jewish-Christian morality Just as non-Christian believe. (Zhang, 2007, p. 13) (MENG Xianxia/Cross-cultural Communication Vol. 7. No. 2, 2011). There are thousands of religions and thousand more subdivisions of those. Religions are divided mainly into ancient and modern religions. Not to say that the modern religions Just originated in the past couple years, Just they are still practiced in present times. Some of the ancient religions include Egyptian, Zoroastria, Greek, Norse, and Celtic. (Source and Cite) 3) People have been shunned, ostracized, sacrificed, and killed because of their religious beliefs. These acts take place because individuals have different views. There are several examples from different parts of the world to prove how idespread the problem is. American society is a blend of secularized and religious elements. Anderson (2004) noted that these two elements have always posed a dilemma for public education. The struggle is how to accommodate both of these societal characteristics. He pointed out that the secular nature of American public culture and its underlying pluralistic character are important aspects of the context for our system of education. The role of religion in public education is not limited to America alone. There are several examples from different parts of the world to prove how widespread the problem is. Thomas (2006) reported a case in France in which a Muslim girl was expelled for wearing a traditional Islamic headscarf. The President supported the move saying that religion should not be permitted in public schools. Islamic leaders protested that the ban was prejudicial, singling out Muslims for discriminatory practices. Hinsliff (2004) reported an interesting controversy in which Christian evangelists in England wanted to have the strengthening of faith teaching in schools. They dropped the idea when 4) Families are the core of all societies and the religious choices of each family will affect society as a whole. The religious choices of a family will influence an individuals decisions that will in turn affect society as a whole. What in individual puts out into society will come back as their decision and actions affect society as a whole. Religion is an important entity in the lives of many. According to the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, Religious freedom includes the right to assemble for private and public worship, determine the conditions of membership, give religious instructions, preach its message publicly, and publish and circulate religious material (International Religious Freedom, Sec. (3) Article 18). The United States is one of the nations with most fantastic religious background, and in reality religion and religious education permeates all aspects of American life. Religion lies in American family education, school education, political activities and social life, playing a role that cannot be ignored. (MENG Abstract p. l) Conclusion: Although religion has been and is a heated topic at times and since the beginning of mankind, we cannot deny the fact, the influence it has had in educational institutions through the development of all civilizations, I teel that this is a great thing. ou will not get very tar into any educational issues without somehow bumping into religious themes. Marty goes on to explains in Christianity and its legacy in education that We Americans are taught to think of American society as a secular one in which religion does not count for much, and our educational system is organized in such a way that religious concerns often receive little attention. But if you think for a moment, you may realize that a better question is, where does religion not come into all this? (Burke and Segal p. 631). To have religion thwarting together with education is what gives us history. It is what takes us to the next point in life. It gives us guidance and even sometimes warnings. As a young boy that has been brought up in the ministry and to see how religion has played a key role in my life and education applaud this. It is known that religion and education has been around for thousands of years and I believe it will continue for many more. From teaching your grandson to assemble a tomahawk to worshipping the Greek god of war, people show religion and education in many different ways. As, David P. Setran referenced in the Teachers College Record article More Religion in Education and More Education in Religion: Liberal Progressivism and the Educational Common Faith, 1917-1940, The Kingdom of God proved to be a powerful image of the ideal democracy and a powerful representation of religion and education working together to build a better world. It is recommended that future scholars continue to look in other parts of the country and among other individuals to trace these powerful cooperative relation, thus restoring the place of religion as an important source and ally of progressive education. (p. l, abstract) (Teachers College Record, vl 14 nl 2012. 29pp. Religion and education have been wedded in western culture for as long as schools have existed, and as long as religious diversity and democratic decision-making endure in American society, then struggles between and about religion and education will continue in American schools (Religious Experience and Progressive Education, published in the American Educational History Journal by Jared R. Stallones, p33. ) Religion and education has been around for thousands of years and it will continue for many more.

Media Content Analysis of Maria Miller Resignation

Media Content Analysis of Maria Miller Resignation Zina Christofi Critical Evaluation Essay on Maria Miller’s resignation as the Culture Secretary In this essay the author will analyze the story of the resignation of Maria Miller as Culture Secretary in the 9th of April 2014. The author will see in depth the different approach over this story, between online websites and printed newspapers. Also, the essay will investigate how this story has been treated in accordance to various platforms; for example, the use of multimedia, space devoted, updates, etc. One of the most important platform to see is the space devoted to the story. Most of the times the story that is on the front page is a long and highly important story, that not only deserves to be on the front of a newspaper, but also be continued on further pages (Keeble, 2005). In the article of the Culture Secretary resignation, the Daily Telegraph has devoted half of its front page on the 9th of April 2014, on Maria Millers resignation. The story continues on half of the page two and half of page six, where a picture and several quotations have been used. The newspaper has used two different headlines, one on the front page and one on page six. The headlines are bold, big and black, attracting the eye of the reader. Furthermore, the story also covers a part on 19 with letters from readers to the editor. The title on the front page is as big as the logo of the newspaper, in order to attract the attention, but there is no picture. In contrast, the newspaper has published one pictu re on the next part in page six, where a big picture is covering most of the section devoted for the story, while near it there are several boxes with highlighted quotes over the incident. On the Daily Telegraph website, the story is also among the top new, since it is the first one you see. A picture is attracting the attention, while the word ‘live’ near it leads the reader to the assumption of continuous updates. One of the most important strengths of a website story is that it is updated over the day, while a newspaper story is printed, distributed and cannot be edited later on the day. In accordance to Ward (2002:19, 23), â€Å"Online newspapers have faster access to far more information than previously, and can enchase both the research and reporting process.† The Daily Telegraph website has treated the above story with updates on every 90 seconds. They are using a timeline to present the new information they receive and update regularly the story with new facts, information, photographs, videos and also further reactions from British politicians. Their live coverage over the story started at eight o’clock in the morning and continued updating until 7 pm at the same day. Many newspapers chose to print a wide range of correspondence from their readers and use these pages as forums of opinion, dialogue and debate (Richardson, 2007). Through this technique the newspapers allow their readers to feel a sense of importance and as a result they are the most popular features of a newspaper (Gregory and Hutchins, 2004). The Daily Telegraph newspaper has published several articles on page nineteen (‘Letters to the Editor’ section) for Maria Miller’s story. One big letter is analyzing the story in depth, while other smaller have been published under a specific section for this story. In contrast, the newspapers website has a modern section of comments where the reader can argue and discuss about the story, and at the same time debate with other readers. Furthermore, the website also has a live link with their twitter account, in which people retweet their opinion, while the website adds the most important of them as an update under the story. Through modern technology, the website also offers a ‘Share’ bottom for Facebook users who can share the story and in sequence discuss about it with their online friends. The difference between the two stories in this platform is that the editor is choosing which letters to publish on the newspaper; to be interesting and follow th e news agenda of the newspaper (Wahl-Jorgensen, 2002), while online the reader can comment his opinion and publish it immediately under the comments section; unless if it is inappropriate. The use of sources is another important platform for news stories. For many journalists an interview is the basic ingredient for a story (Harcup, 2004), since it covers the news angle and attracts the reader’s attention (Boyd, 2001). In accordance to that, the Daily Telegraph has used several interviews for its article of Maria Miller’s resignation. They have published quotes form Miller herself, British MP’s and gave emphasis to ‘Tories’ quotes. ‘Tories’ quotes were placed near the picture of the woman in page six, and were highlighted inside an italic and bold text. Approximately they have used ten different sources. In contrast, the website of Daily Telegraph also used the same sources. However, the website interviewed more politicians during the day from all the political parties, updating the story’s details and as a result concluded to have approximately forty different sources. The writing and use of language between a website and a published newspaper varies. The newspaper has more length and provides a deeper analysis, in a continuing article. In contrast an article in a website is straighter forward, provides only the most necessary information and gives emphasis on multimedia use, that the essay has analyze above. According to Pape and Featherstone (2005:176), â€Å"Online journalists must keep the language simple and direct.† Online article about Maria Miller in the Daily Telegraph website followed this platform and also used active sentences, avoiding at the same time short forms, like: won’t, don’t, etc., except in the cases of direct quotes. Furthermore, the online article was consisted of short sentences following the guidance of Pape and Featherstone (2005:176) that, â€Å"Online less is more†. In addition, the online story used a standfirst (text under the headline) to emphasize new information added to the story. Furthermore, the online story used bullet-points and subheadings to break up the text. The printed article also avoided to use short forms words. However, in contrast with the online article, the newspaper used lengthy sentences to describe the event and had a big constructed article. Also, the printed article did not break up the text, but instead divided it in short paragraphs to help the reader. In addition, an online article shall not use commas, semi-colons, since they are difficult to be identified on screen (Pape and Featherstone, 2005). The online article of Daily Telegraph avoided to use semi-cons, but used several comas, mainly because of the amount of quotes used. Instead the journalist used a dash, which stands out much better, as Pape and Featherstone (2005) believe. The printed version on the contrary, avoided to use any dashes and preferred to have plenty of commas. Both articles, in the printed version of the Daily Telegraph and the one in the website had a narrative content that followed the sequence of the events as they occurred in the actual story (Richardson, 2007). However, the printed article used the ‘pyramid’ structure for the writing of a hard news story, which places the most important information at the head of the story (Franklin, 2005). Online news is also using the ‘pyramid’ structure, but in this case, the Daily Telegraph website has used a timeline to describe the events. They did start with the most interesting information on the story, but since they created a live blog over the report, it meant that the most basic information of the story stayed at the bottom, because updates were taking place during the day, and had to be placed on the top. Most of the National newspapers are using pictures to emphasize the important stories, while the websites are having a far richer multimedia use. In accordance to Pavlik (2001:217), â€Å"New media technology means content can be presented in a far richer way than possible in the traditional mediums of print and broadcast.† The above belief leads to the creation of contextualized journalism, which uses multimedia, interactivity and customization (Reddick and King, 2001). In its article for the resignation of Maria Miller, the Culture Secretary, the Daily Telegraph newspaper has only used one big picture of Miller in page six, where it analyzed the story in more depth. In contrast, the Daily Telegraph website has a wider approach over the story, in accordance to the use of multimedia. They have published a big image on top of the story of Maria Miller, and while scrolling down they have published several different images of the Culture secretary, the Prime Ministers and other politicians who have spoken about the incident. Furthermore, they have used a collage of images from previous newspapers front pages that talk about Maria Miller and her expenses scandal. In addition, the website has used videos with interviews of politicians talking about the incident, and by late at night they created a video that described the facts of the story from the beginning, through images. Furthermore, in their website they published statistics about politician’ s expenses. As it has been stated before, online journalism is using short sentences and publishes only necessary information. In sequence, online newspapers are using more pictures and other multimedia platforms (more than the printed versions) in order to colorize the article and attract the visitor to click on the story and read about it. Pictures add information, animation and emotion to the story (Keeble, 2005). Also, pictures allow the reader to extract information easily. Another important reason on why online newspapers are using more pictures is the lack of space in a printed version of a newspaper. The Daily Telegraph has used only one picture because they had to fit all the information they had in the space provided for the story. Writing is lengthier on a newspaper and the pages are allocated in accordance to contents, while on a website there is unlimited space for images and videos. Stories around the Culture Secretary were concerning the media for weeks, before its resign. The Daily Telegraph website links the previous stories with the one on the 9th of April 2014. In their article they presented photographs from previous headlines of the newspaper that wrote about the Culture Secretary; they link the previous writings with the one that the author analyzed in this essay, presenting that the newspaper considered previous incidents around the person. They presented six old front pages and stated that the Daily Telegraph also covered the incident of Maria Miller on previous publications. On the printed version of the article, the journalist referred to an article of the newspaper the previous day that was talking about Maria Miller’s scandal and its impact over the Tory MPs. Furthermore, the newspaper had a small section over the previous day article and refereed to it as a connection inside the main article about the resignation of the Culture Secretary. A dditionally, the article was linked to previous articles about the woman, which were published by other newspapers. In conclusion, both printing and online version of the above story have used similar platforms on their approach towards the story. However, each one of them used each platform on a different way. Both of versions have used images and devoted enough space for the story. Though, the online version used several multimedia (videos, graphics, etc.) in order to give emphasis to the story. Furthermore, both versions had an opinion section and used a specific presentation of language, but each one of them had used the above platforms on the most suitable way for a website or a newspaper. The only platform that was used just on behalf of the website approach was updating, since the online story had updates through the day, in contrast with the printing version which had updates only until the printing of the newspaper. Bibliography Keeble, R. (2005) Print Journalism: A Critical Introduction. London: Routledge. Ward, M. (2002) Journalism Online. Oxford: Focal Press. Richardson, J.E. (2007) Analyzing Newspapers: An approach from critical discourse analysis. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Gregory, L. and Hutchins, B. (2004) ‘Everyday Editorial Practices and the Public Sphere: Analyzing the Letters to the Editor Page of a Regional Newspaper’, Media International Australia Incorporating Culture and Policy, 112, pp.186-200. Wahl-Jorgensen, K. (2002) ‘Understanding the Conditions of Public Discourse: Four Rules for Selecting Letters to the Editor’, Journalism Studies, 3(1), pp.69-81. Harcup, T. (2004) Journalism: Principles and Practice. London: Sage. Boyd, A. (2001) Broadcast Journalism: Techniques of Radio and Television News. 5th edn. Oxford: Focal Press. Pape, S. and Featherstone, S. (2005) Newspaper Journalism: A Practical Introduction. London: Sage Publications. Franklin, B. (2005) ‘McJournalism: The Local Press and the McDonaldization Thesis’, in Allan, S. (edn) Journalism: Critical Issues, pp. 137-150. Maidenhead: OU Press. Pavlik, J.V. (2001) Journalism and New Media. New York: Columbia University Press. Reddick, R. and King, E. (2001) The Online Journalist: Using the Internet and Other Electronic Resources. 3rd edn. Florida: Harcourt Brace and Company.

Equity in the Workplace :: Workplace Essays

Equity in the Workplace  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Employment, Inc is committed to a policy, as stated by the Federal Employment Equity, of achieving equality in the workplace so that no person is denied employment opportunities, pay or benefits for reasons unrelated to ability. Employment, Inc is therefore committed to equal employment opportunities, as stated by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, for all applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability or any other unlawful grounds. In order to ensure an equitable workplace, Employment, Inc abides by a number of objectives as required by law. These objectives consist of::Workforce Survey - a collection of data on existing employees and determine those that fall into one of the designated categories. Workforce Analysis - compares the levels of representation of the designated groups on staff to representation numbers in the general population from which the company hires and record any gaps that might exist. Employment System Review - determines potential barriers to hiring, promotion and retention of employees from the designated groups, particularly where gaps exist. Elimination of Barriers- puts short-term measures in place to remove systemic barriers that exist as identified in the Employment System Review. Accommodation - puts measures in place that allow employees to request special consideration, up to the point of undue hardship to the company, to accommodate physical accessibility issues. Positive Policies and Practices - ensures employment equity goals are met. The policies are aimed at improving opportunities for under-represented groups. Hiring and Promotions Goals - addresses areas where under-representation exists for designated groups. Monitoring, Review and Revision of Plan - ensures that it remains current. In addition, the monitoring process is backed up by full managerial accountability for the success of the plan. Provision of Information - keeps employees and prospective employees aware of Employment, Inc’s Employment Equity initiatives. Consultation - seeks input from employee groups on the development, implementation and revision of our Employment Equity plan. Maintenance of Records - ensures all Employment Equity records are maintained in a secure fashion to ensure strictest confidentiality. In order to achieve the objectives listed, Employment, Inc has taken on a number of initiatives including: Completion of Workforce Surveys and Analysis Completion of Employment System Review and ongoing exploration of additional barriers for specific designated groups Continual work to remove physical and attitudinal barriers through: Management and employee sensitivity and diversity training, anti-harassment training and other educational initiatives

JOB DESIGN AND JOB CHARACTERISTICS :: essays research papers

Job design and job characteristics are very interesting topics for discussion. In my opinion the modern route, that of fitting jobs to people, is the best decision a manager can make when designing jobs. It leaves employees more space to experience new challenges and take more responsibility in their job. While reading the Overview of the Job Characteristics Model each of the concepts mentioned brought several examples in my mind. I do not want to cite the concepts from the book, but I will give some examples from my own experience and that of my colleagues. The organisation where I work is undergoing several major changes, such as replacing the IT system, changing the work process and procedures, launching new products in the market, putting all the branches online, etc. This has generally lead to dissatisfaction of employees, since they are working long hours and even weekends and are not being motivated enough. Their salary has not changed and no bonuses are promised. This may lead to inefficiency and absenteeism. People may be less efficient to finish work earlier and even take sick leave from work to be more with their families. Another issue related to the change is that employees are required to learn how to use this new system and procedures in a very short period of time and this has caused increased stress, apart from the fear that this change can bring about understaffing in the near future. People are really trying hard to fit into the new system and rules, but their expectations are not always met. Since I am talking about meeting expectations, I would like to be a little more specific. When I was first interviewed for the job position I currently have, I was told that I would have a salary increase. Yet, after ten months, nothing has changed – it still remains a promise. And I have even started thinking about looking for another job, at a time when I didn’t even think about leaving my current job. Unmet expectations can lead to such situations and managers have to be really careful this does not happen, or at least they must try to find a system of prevention. Moreover, people feel they are not treated equally as regards pay and promotions. There are new employees coming in the organisation and they receive higher salaries than the existing employees, who have been working there for years and have much more experience.

The Chicken Incident :: Personal Narrative, Autobiographical Essay

The Chicken Incident Everyone has an extremely embarrassing experience, that seems horrifically terrible at the time, but upon reflection becomes a completely hilarious occurrence in their life. This episode can be anything from falling down the grand staircase in high school, to splattering a pan of chicken in the walk-in cooler at work. This is mine. I had been working for the Culver’s Franchise Association for virtually three years, in which my primary job was drive-thru and other â€Å"front house† positions. I occasionally worked in the kitchen, but not enough to know the entire swing of things that well. This particular night was a pretty ordinary night at the restaurant. I was situated on drive-thru, and was also scheduled to close that same position. As closing time rolled around I found myself bombarded with a plethora of tasks, and to accomplish them I needed to be able t! o access the sink. I walked over to the sink to find an enormous bucket filled to the brim with water and chicken. This bucket needed to be carried to the cooler for the night, but whoever left it there had forgotten about it and it remained in my sink. Well, instead of calling for my co-worker to carry the chicken to the cooler, I decided to take it upon myself and help them out. Looking back in hindsight, I now ask myself, â€Å"What wa s I thinking?† I hoisted the pail of chicken and water out of the sink and headed towards the cooler. As I approached the cooler I rested the bucket on a nearby shelf, and proceeded to pry open the heavy metal door. As the door opened I was greeted with a cool, clammy breeze. I entered the cooler and found that the floor had recently been mopped and was still quite damp. On approximately my third step into the cooler I felt my feet slide out from under me. In an effort to brace myself I dropped the bucket of chicken and began flailing my arms in an effort to grab on to anything in sight! I was now lying on the frozen floor saturated in chicken water, while there was an massive puddle of water around me with various pieces of chicken scattered throughout. I managed to peel myself up off the floor and prepared myself to face the management. As I crept to the front of the store, I found Frank, Bruce, Becki, and Jim standing in a huddle discussing the inventory they had been working on that night.

Air Pollution from World War Ii Production

Air pollution From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Air pollution from World War II production Smog over Santiago, Chile Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or damages the natural environment into the atmosphere. The atmosphere is a complex dynamic natural gaseous system that is essential to support life on planet Earth.Stratospheric ozone depletion due to air pollution has long been recognized as a threat to human health as well as to the Earth's ecosystems. Indoor air pollution and urban air quality are listed as two of the world's worst pollution problems in the 2008 Blacksmith Institute World's Worst Polluted Places report. [1] Contents[hide] * 1 Pollutants * 2 Sources * 2. 1 Emission factors * 3 Indoor air quality (IAQ) * 4 Health effects * 4. 1 Effects on cystic fibrosis * 4. 2 Effects on COPD * 4. Effects on children * 4. 4 Heal th effects in relatively â€Å"clean† areas * 5 Reduction efforts * 5. 1 Control devices * 6 Legal regulations * 7 Cities * 8 Carbon dioxide emissions * 9 Atmospheric dispersion * 10 Environmental impacts of greenhouse gas pollutants * 11 See also * 12 References * 13 External links| [edit] Pollutants Main articles: Pollutant and Greenhouse gas Before flue gas desulfurization was installed, the emissions from this power plant in New Mexico contained excessive amounts of sulfur dioxide.Schematic drawing, causes and effects of air pollution: (1) greenhouse effect, (2) particulate contamination, (3) increased UV radiation, (4) acid rain, (5) increased ozone concentration, (6) increased levels of nitrogen oxides An air pollutant is known as a substance in the air that can cause harm to humans and the environment. Pollutants can be in the form of solid particles, liquid droplets, or gases. In addition, they may be natural or man-made. [2] Pollutants can be classified as either pri mary or secondary.Usually, primary pollutants are substances directly emitted from a process, such as ash from a volcanic eruption, the carbon monoxide gas from a motor vehicle exhaust or sulfur dioxide released from factories. Secondary pollutants are not emitted directly. Rather, they form in the air when primary pollutants react or interact. An important example of a secondary pollutant is ground level ozone  Ã¢â‚¬â€ one of the many secondary pollutants that make up photochemical smog. Note that some pollutants may be both primary and secondary: that is, they are both emitted directly and formed from other primary pollutants.About 4 percent of deaths in the United States can be attributed to air pollution, according to the Environmental Science Engineering Program at the Harvard School of Public Health. Major primary pollutants produced by human activity include: * Sulfur oxides (SOx) – especially sulfur dioxide, a chemical compound with the formula SO2. SO2 is produced by volcanoes and in various industrial processes. Since coal and petroleum often contain sulfur compounds, their combustion generates sulfur dioxide. Further oxidation of SO2, usually in the presence of a catalyst such as NO2, forms H2SO4, and thus acid rain. 2] This is one of the causes for concern over the environmental impact of the use of these fuels as power sources. * Nitrogen oxides (NOx) – especially nitrogen dioxide are emitted from high temperature combustion. Can be seen as the brown haze dome above or plume downwind of cities. Nitrogen dioxide is the chemical compound with the formula NO2. It is one of the several nitrogen oxides. This reddish-brown toxic gas has a characteristic sharp, biting odor. NO2 is one of the most prominent air pollutants. * Carbon monoxide – is a colourless, odourless, non-irritating but very poisonous gas.It is a product by incomplete combustion of fuel such as natural gas, coal or wood. Vehicular exhaust is a major source of car bon monoxide. * Carbon dioxide (CO2) – a greenhouse gas emitted from combustion but is also a gas vital to living organisms. It is a natural gas in the atmosphere. * Volatile organic compounds – VOCs are an important outdoor air pollutant. In this field they are often divided into the separate categories of methane (CH4) and non-methane (NMVOCs). Methane is an extremely efficient greenhouse gas which contributes to enhanced global warming. Other hydrocarbon VOCs are lso significant greenhouse gases via their role in creating ozone and in prolonging the life of methane in the atmosphere, although the effect varies depending on local air quality. Within the NMVOCs, the aromatic compounds benzene, toluene and xylene are suspected carcinogens and may lead to leukemia through prolonged exposure. 1,3-butadiene is another dangerous compound which is often associated with industrial uses. * Particulate matter – Particulates, alternatively referred to as particulate matt er (PM) or fine particles, are tiny particles of solid or liquid suspended in a gas.In contrast, aerosol refers to particles and the gas together. Sources of particulate matter can be man made or natural. Some particulates occur naturally, originating from volcanoes, dust storms, forest and grassland fires, living vegetation, and sea spray. Human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels in vehicles, power plants and various industrial processes also generate significant amounts of aerosols. Averaged over the globe, anthropogenic aerosols—those made by human activities—currently account for about 10 percent of the total amount of aerosols in our atmosphere.Increased levels of fine particles in the air are linked to health hazards such as heart disease,[3] altered lung function and lung cancer. * Persistent free radicals connected to airborne fine particles could cause cardiopulmonary disease. [4][5] * Toxic metals, such as lead, cadmium and copper. * Chlorofluoro carbons (CFCs) – harmful to the ozone layer emitted from products currently banned from use. * Ammonia (NH3) – emitted from agricultural processes. Ammonia is a compound with the formula NH3. It is normally encountered as a gas with a characteristic pungent odor.Ammonia contributes significantly to the nutritional needs of terrestrial organisms by serving as a precursor to foodstuffs and fertilizers. Ammonia, either directly or indirectly, is also a building block for the synthesis of many pharmaceuticals. Although in wide use, ammonia is both caustic and hazardous. * Odors  Ã¢â‚¬â€ such as from garbage, sewage, and industrial processes * Radioactive pollutants – produced by nuclear explosions, war explosives, and natural processes such as the radioactive decay of radon. Secondary pollutants include: Particulate matter formed from gaseous primary pollutants and compounds in photochemical smog. Smog is a kind of air pollution; the word â€Å"smog† is a portmanteau of smoke and fog. Classic smog results from large amounts of coal burning in an area caused by a mixture of smoke and sulfur dioxide. Modern smog does not usually come from coal but from vehicular and industrial emissions that are acted on in the atmosphere by sunlight to form secondary pollutants that also combine with the primary emissions to form photochemical smog. Ground level ozone (O3) formed from NOx and VOCs. Ozone (O3) is a key constituent of the troposphere (it is also an important constituent of certain regions of the stratosphere commonly known as the Ozone layer). Photochemical and chemical reactions involving it drive many of the chemical processes that occur in the atmosphere by day and by night. At abnormally high concentrations brought about by human activities (largely the combustion of fossil fuel), it is a pollutant, and a constituent of smog. Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) – similarly formed from NOx and VOCs. Minor air pollutants include: * A la rge number of minor hazardous air pollutants. Some of these are regulated in USA under the Clean Air Act and in Europe under the Air Framework Directive. * A variety of persistent organic pollutants, which can attach to particulate matter. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are organic compounds that are resistant to environmental degradation through chemical, biological, and photolytic processes.Because of this, they have been observed to persist in the environment, to be capable of long-range transport, bioaccumulate in human and animal tissue, biomagnify in food chains, and to have potential significant impacts on human health and the environment. [edit] Sources Main article: AP 42 Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors Dust storm approaching Stratford, Texas Controlled burning of a field outside of Statesboro, Georgia in preparation for spring planting Sources of air pollution refer to the various locations, activities or factors which are responsible for the releasing of pollutants n the atmosphere. These sources can be classified into two major categories which are: Anthropogenic sources (human activity) mostly related to burning different kinds of fuel * â€Å"Stationary Sources† include smoke stacks of power plants, manufacturing facilities (factories) and waste incinerators, as well as furnaces and other types of fuel-burning heating devices * â€Å"Mobile Sources† include motor vehicles, marine vessels, aircraft and the effect of sound etc. * Chemicals, dust and controlled burn practices in agriculture and forestry management.Controlled or prescribed burning is a technique sometimes used in forest management, farming, prairie restoration or greenhouse gas abatement. Fire is a natural part of both forest and grassland ecology and controlled fire can be a tool for foresters. Controlled burning stimulates the germination of some desirable forest trees, thus renewing the forest. * Fumes from paint, hair spray, varnish, aerosol spra ys and other solvents * Waste deposition in landfills, which generate methane. Methane is not toxic; however, it is highly flammable and may form explosive mixtures with air.Methane is also an asphyxiant and may displace oxygen in an enclosed space. Asphyxia or suffocation may result if the oxygen concentration is reduced to below 19. 5% by displacement * Military, such as nuclear weapons, toxic gases, germ warfare and rocketry Natural sources * Dust from natural sources, usually large areas of land with little or no vegetation. * Methane, emitted by the digestion of food by animals, for example cattle. * Radon gas from radioactive decay within the Earth's crust. Radon is a colorless, odorless, naturally occurring, radioactive noble gas that is formed from the decay of radium.It is considered to be a health hazard. Radon gas from natural sources can accumulate in buildings, especially in confined areas such as the basement and it is the second most frequent cause of lung cancer, aft er cigarette smoking. * Smoke and carbon monoxide from wildfires. * Volcanic activity, which produce sulfur, chlorine, and ash particulates. [edit] Emission factors Main article: AP 42 Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors Air pollutant emission factors are representative values that attempt to relate the quantity of a pollutant released to the ambient air with an activity associated with the release of that pollutant.These factors are usually expressed as the weight of pollutant divided by a unit weight, volume, distance, or duration of the activity emitting the pollutant (e. g. , kilograms of particulate emitted per megagram of coal burned). Such factors facilitate estimation of emissions from various sources of air pollution. In most cases, these factors are simply averages of all available data of acceptable quality, and are generally assumed to be representative of long-term averages. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has published a compilation of air p ollutant emission factors for a multitude of industrial sources. 6] The United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and many other countries have published similar compilations, as well as the European Environment Agency. [7][8][9][10][11] [edit] Indoor air quality (IAQ) Main article: Indoor air quality A lack of ventilation indoors concentrates air pollution where people often spend the majority of their time. Radon (Rn) gas, a carcinogen, is exuded from the Earth in certain locations and trapped inside houses. Building materials including carpeting and plywood emit formaldehyde (H2CO) gas. Paint and solvents give off volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as they dry.Lead paint can degenerate into dust and be inhaled. Intentional air pollution is introduced with the use of air fresheners, incense, and other scented items. Controlled wood fires in stoves and fireplaces can add significant amounts of smoke particulates into the air, inside and out. [12] Indoor pollution fatalities may be caused by using pesticides and other chemical sprays indoors without proper ventilation. Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and fatalities are often caused by faulty vents and chimneys, or by the burning of charcoal indoors. Chronic carbon monoxide poisoning can result even from poorly adjusted pilot lights.Traps are built into all domestic plumbing to keep sewer gas, hydrogen sulfide, out of interiors. Clothing emits tetrachloroethylene, or other dry cleaning fluids, for days after dry cleaning. Though its use has now been banned in many countries, the extensive use of asbestos in industrial and domestic environments in the past has left a potentially very dangerous material in many localities. Asbestosis is a chronic inflammatory medical condition affecting the tissue of the lungs. It occurs after long-term, heavy exposure to asbestos from asbestos-containing materials in structures.Sufferers have severe dyspnea (shortness of breath) and are at an increased risk regarding several different typ es of lung cancer. As clear explanations are not always stressed in non-technical literature, care should be taken to distinguish between several forms of relevant diseases. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO)[dead link], these may defined as; asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma (generally a very rare form of cancer, when more widespread it is almost always associated with prolonged exposure to asbestos). Biological sources of air pollution are also found indoors, as gases and airborne particulates.Pets produce dander, people produce dust from minute skin flakes and decomposed hair, dust mites in bedding, carpeting and furniture produce enzymes and micrometre-sized fecal droppings, inhabitants emit methane, mold forms in walls and generates mycotoxins and spores, air conditioning systems can incubate Legionnaires' disease and mold, and houseplants, soil and surrounding gardens can produce pollen, dust, and mold. Indoors, the lack of air circulation allows these ai rborne pollutants to accumulate more than they would otherwise occur in nature. edit] Health effects The World Health Organization states that 2. 4 million people die each year from causes directly attributable to air pollution, with 1. 5 million of these deaths attributable to indoor air pollution. [13] â€Å"Epidemiological studies suggest that more than 500,000 Americans die each year from cardiopulmonary disease linked to breathing fine particle air pollution. . . â€Å"[14] A study by the University of Birmingham has shown a strong correlation between pneumonia related deaths and air pollution from motor vehicles. 15] Worldwide more deaths per year are linked to air pollution than to automobile accidents. [citation needed] Published in 2005 suggests that 310,000 Europeans die from air pollution annually. [citation needed] Causes of deaths include aggravated asthma, emphysema, lung and heart diseases, and respiratory allergies. [citation needed] The US EPA estimates that a pro posed set of changes in diesel engine technology (Tier 2) could result in 12,000 fewer premature mortalities, 15,000 fewer heart attacks, 6,000 fewer emergency room visits by children with asthma, and 8,900 fewer espiratory-related hospital admissions each year in the United States. [citation needed] The worst short term civilian pollution crisis in India was the 1984 Bhopal Disaster. [16] Leaked industrial vapors from the Union Carbide factory, belonging to Union Carbide, Inc. , U. S. A. , killed more than 25,000 people outright and injured anywhere from 150,000 to 600,000. The United Kingdom suffered its worst air pollution event when the December 4 Great Smog of 1952 formed over London. In six days more than 4,000 died, and 8,000 more died within the following months. citation needed] An accidental leak of anthrax spores from a biological warfare laboratory in the former USSR in 1979 near Sverdlovsk is believed to have been the cause of hundreds of civilian deaths. [citation need ed] The worst single incident of air pollution to occur in the United States of America occurred in Donora, Pennsylvania in late October, 1948, when 20 people died and over 7,000 were injured. [17] The health effects caused by air pollutants may include difficulty in breathing, wheezing, coughing and aggravation of existing respiratory and cardiac conditions.These effects can result in increased medication use, increased doctor or emergency room visits, more hospital admissions and premature death. The human health effects of poor air quality are far reaching, but principally affect the body's respiratory system and the cardiovascular system. Individual reactions to air pollutants depend on the type of pollutant a person is exposed to, the degree of exposure, the individual's health status and genetics. citation needed] A new economic study of the health impacts and associated costs of air pollution in the Los Angeles Basin and San Joaquin Valley of Southern California shows that mo re than 3800 people die prematurely (approximately 14 years earlier than normal) each year because air pollution levels violate federal standards. The number of annual premature deaths is considerably higher than the fatalities related to auto collisions in the same area, which average fewer than 2,000 per year. 18] Diesel exhaust (DE) is a major contributor to combustion derived particulate matter air pollution. In several human experimental studies, using a well validated exposure chamber setup, DE has been linked to acute vascular dysfunction and increased thrombus formation. [19][20] This serves as a plausible mechanistic link between the previously described association between particulate matter air pollution and increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. [edit] Effects on cystic fibrosis Main article: Cystic fibrosisA study from around the years of 1999 to 2000, by the University of Washington, showed that patients near and around particulate matter air pollution had a n increased risk of pulmonary exacerbations and decrease in lung function. [21] Patients were examined before the study for amounts of specific pollutants like Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Burkholderia cenocepacia as well as their socioeconomic standing. Participants involved in the study were located in the United States in close proximity to an Environmental Protection Agency. clarification needed] During the time of the study 117 deaths were associated with air pollution. Many patients in the study lived in or near large metropolitan areas in order to be close to medical help. These same patients had higher level of pollutants found in their system because of more emissions in larger cities. As cystic fibrosis patients already suffer from decreased lung function, everyday pollutants such as smoke, emissions from automobiles, tobacco smoke and improper use of indoor heating devices could further compromise lung function. 22] [edit] Effects on COPD Main article: Chronic obstructive pu lmonary disease Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) include diseases such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and some forms of asthma. [23] A study conducted in 1960-1961 in the wake of the Great Smog of 1952 compared 293 London residents with 477 residents of Gloucester, Peterborough, and Norwich, three towns with low reported death rates from chronic bronchitis. All subjects were male postal truck drivers aged 40 to 59.Compared to the subjects from the outlying towns, the London subjects exhibited more severe respiratory symptoms (including cough, phlegm, and dyspnea), reduced lung function (FEV1 and peak flow rate), and increased sputum production and purulence. The differences were more pronounced for subjects aged 50 to 59. The study controlled for age and smoking habits, so concluded that air pollution was the most likely cause of the observed differences. [24] It is believed that much like cystic fibrosis, by living in a more urban environment serious health hazards b ecome more apparent.Studies have shown that in urban areas patients suffer mucus hypersecretion, lower levels of lung function, and more self diagnosis of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. [25] [edit] Effects on children Cities around the world with high exposure to air pollutants have the possibility of children living within them to develop asthma, pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections as well as a low initial birth rate. Protective measures to ensure the youths' health are being taken in cities such as New Delhi, India where buses now use compressed natural gas to help eliminate the â€Å"pea-soup† smog. 26] Research by the World Health Organization shows there is the greatest concentration of particulate matter particles in countries with low economic world power and high poverty and population rates. Examples of these countries include Egypt, Sudan, Mongolia, and Indonesia. The Clean Air Act was passed in 1970, however in 2002 at least 146 million Americans we re living in areas that did not meet at least one of the â€Å"criteria pollutants† laid out in the 1997 National Ambient Air Quality Standards. [27] Those pollutants included: ozone, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead.Because children are outdoors more and have higher minute ventilation they are more susceptible to the dangers of air pollution. [edit] Health effects in relatively â€Å"clean† areas Even in areas with relatively low levels of air pollution, public health effects can be substantial and costly. This is because effects can occur at very low levels and a large number of people can potentially breathe in such pollutants. A 2005 scientific study for the British Columbia Lung Association showed that a 1% improvement in ambient PM2. 5 and ozone concentrations will produce a $29 million in annual savings in the region in 2010. 28] This finding is based on health valuation of lethal (mortality) and sub-lethal (morbidi ty) effects. [edit] Reduction efforts There are various air pollution control technologies and land use planning strategies available to reduce air pollution. At its most basic level land use planning is likely to involve zoning and transport infrastructure planning. In most developed countries, land use planning is an important part of social policy, ensuring that land is used efficiently for the benefit of the wider economy and population as well as to protect the environment.Efforts to reduce pollution from mobile sources includes primary regulation (many developing countries have permissive regulations),[citation needed] expanding regulation to new sources (such as cruise and transport ships, farm equipment, and small gas-powered equipment such as lawn trimmers, chainsaws, and snowmobiles), increased fuel efficiency (such as through the use of hybrid vehicles), conversion to cleaner fuels (such as bioethanol, biodiesel, or conversion to electric vehicles). [edit] Control devices The following items are commonly used as pollution control devices by industry or transportation devices. They can either destroy contaminants or remove them from an exhaust stream before it is emitted into the atmosphere. * Particulate control * Mechanical collectors (dust cyclones, multicyclones) * Electrostatic precipitators An electrostatic precipitator (ESP), or electrostatic air cleaner is a particulate collection device that removes particles from a flowing gas (such as air) using the force of an induced electrostatic charge.Electrostatic precipitators are highly efficient filtration devices that minimally impede the flow of gases through the device, and can easily remove fine particulate matter such as dust and smoke from the air stream. * Baghouses Designed to handle heavy dust loads, a dust collector consists of a blower, dust filter, a filter-cleaning system, and a dust receptacle or dust removal system (distinguished from air cleaners which utilize disposable filters to remove the dust). * * Particulate scrubbersWet scrubber is a form of pollution control technology.The term describes a variety of devices that use pollutants from a furnace flue gas or from other gas streams. In a wet scrubber, the polluted gas stream is brought into contact with the scrubbing liquid, by spraying it with the liquid, by forcing it through a pool of liquid, or by some other contact method, so as to remove the pollutants. * Scrubbers * Baffle spray scrubber * Cyclonic spray scrubber * Ejector venturi scrubber * Mechanically aided scrubber * Spray tower * Wet scrubber * NOx control * Low NOx burners Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) * Selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) * NOx scrubbers * Exhaust gas recirculation * Catalytic converter (also for VOC control) * VOC abatement * Adsorption systems, such as activated carbon * Flares * Thermal oxidizers * Catalytic oxidizers * Biofilters * Absorption (scrubbing) * Cryogenic condensers * Vapor recovery systems * Acid Ga s/SO2 control * Wet scrubbers * Dry scrubbers * Flue gas desulfurization * Mercury control * Sorbent Injection Technology * Electro-Catalytic Oxidation (ECO) K-Fuel * Dioxin and furan control * Miscellaneous associated equipment * Source capturing systems * Continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS) [edit] Legal regulations Smog in Cairo In general, there are two types of air quality standards. The first class of standards (such as the U. S. National Ambient Air Quality Standards) set maximum atmospheric concentrations for specific pollutants. Environmental agencies enact regulations which are intended to result in attainment of these target levels.The second class (such as the North American Air Quality Index) take the form of a scale with various thresholds, which is used to communicate to the public the relative risk of outdoor activity. The scale may or may not distinguish between different pollutants. [edit] Cities Air pollution is usually concentrated in densely populated metropolitan areas, especially in developing countries where environmental regulations are relatively lax or nonexistent. However, even populated areas in developed countries attain unhealthy levels of pollution. [edit] Carbon dioxide emissionsMost Polluted World Cities by PM[29]| Particulate matter, ?g/m? (2004)| City| 169| Cairo, Egypt| 150| Delhi, India| 128| Kolkata, India (Calcutta)| 125| Tianjin, China| 123| Chongqing, China| 109| Kanpur, India| 109| Lucknow, India| 104| Jakarta, Indonesia| 101| Shenyang, China| Total CO2 emissions Main article: List of countries by carbon dioxide emissions Countries with the highest CO2 emissions| Country| Carbon dioxide emissions per year (106 Tons) (2006)| Percentage of global total| China| 6,103| 21. 5%| United States| 5,752| 20. 2%| Russia| 1,564| 5. 5%| India| 1,510| 5. %| Japan| 1293| 4. 6%| Germany| 805| 2. 8%| United Kingdom| 568| 2. 0%| Canada| 544| 1. 9%| South Korea| 475| 1. 7%| Italy| 474| 1. 7%| Per capita CO2 emissions[30] Main article: List of countries by carbon dioxide emissions per capita Countries with the highest per capita CO2 emissions| Country| Carbon dioxide emissions per year (Tons per person) (2006)| | Qatar| 56. 2| | United Arab Emirates| 32. 8| | Kuwait| 31. 2| | Bahrain| 28. 8| | Trinidad and Tobago| 25. 3| | Luxembourg| 24. 5| | Netherlands Antilles| 22. 8| | Aruba| 22. 3| | United States| 19| | Australia| 18. | | [edit] Atmospheric dispersion Main article: Atmospheric dispersion modeling The basic technology for analyzing air pollution is through the use of a variety of mathematical models for predicting the transport of air pollutants in the lower atmosphere. The principal methodologies are: * Point source dispersion, used for industrial sources. * Line source dispersion, used for airport and roadway air dispersion modeling * Area source dispersion, used for forest fires or duststorms * Photochemical models, used to analyze reactive pollutants that form smogVisualization of a buoyant Gaus sian air pollution dispersion plume as used in many atmospheric dispersion models The point source problem is the best understood, since it involves simpler mathematics and has been studied for a long period of time, dating back to about the year 1900. It uses a Gaussian dispersion model for buoyant pollution plumes to forecast the air pollution isopleths, with consideration given to wind velocity, stack height, emission rate and stability class (a measure of atmospheric turbulence). [31][32] This model has been extensively validated and calibrated with experimental data for all sorts of atmospheric conditions.The roadway air dispersion model was developed starting in the late 1950s and early 1960s in response to requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and the U. S. Department of Transportation (then known as the Federal Highway Administration) to understand impacts of proposed new highways upon air quality, especially in urban areas. Several research groups were activ e in this model development, among which were: the Environmental Research and Technology (ERT) group in Lexington, Massachusetts, the ESL Inc. roup in Sunnyvale, California and the California Air Resources Board group in Sacramento, California. The research of the ESL group received a boost with a contract award from the United States Environmental Protection Agency to validate a line source model using sulfur hexafluoride as a tracer gas. This program was successful in validating the line source model developed by ESL inc. Some of the earliest uses of the model were in court cases involving highway air pollution, the Arlington, Virginia portion of Interstate 66 and the New Jersey Turnpike widening project through East Brunswick, New Jersey.Area source models were developed in 1971 through 1974 by the ERT and ESL groups, but addressed a smaller fraction of total air pollution emissions, so that their use and need was not as widespread as the line source model, which enjoyed hundreds of different applications as early as the 1970s. Similarly photochemical models were developed primarily in the 1960s and 1970s, but their use was more specialized and for regional needs, such as understanding smog formation in Los Angeles, California.