Digital Nation

Social media, handheld devices and the Internet have greatly improved the quality of life in the 21st Century. This is a good time to be alive because of all the modern forms of communication. This is the statement which I think is correct and is the main theme of the documentary â€Å"Digital Nation: Live on the Virtual Frontier. † The world is now in the age of information and highly advanced learning — specifically in the field of science and technology. It can practically be felt by almost all people in most parts of the world as the globe has become smaller and more manageable, so to speak.Communication from opposite sides of the planet – which was only possible through long distance voice calls less than two decades ago — can now happen in the blink of an eye through chat and e-mails. Education has become more advanced, information has become more readily accessible, and learning has become less rigid. Offices have now adopted new technology, some ev en setting up their virtual offices online without necessarily reporting to a regular office to work.Even military combat – which some years ago entailed much casualties – has become less risky, thanks to virtual technology. As shown in the said video, most kids these days are already trained on the computer shortly after they begin to read and write. This means that the children of today will be more equipped with technological knowledge when they reach our age. It is just amazing what the video shows where very young children can already create blogs, manipulate videos and do other high-tech stuff on the computer.This confirms what one of the interviewees in the video said that these kids are the natives in this technology, and we are mere immigrants. Some of the things they know were not taught to them but they instinctively knew how to feel their way into this environment which they readily adapted to in an effortless manner. Therefore, at the rate the standard of education is going, it is expected that the world will be more inclined to become a more technologically-dependent world in the near future.As of now, most people cannot function normally anymore without their being wired to their gadgets and/or not being online. Five or ten years ago, this was not a common scenario as there were lesser technological gadgets, devices and contraptions available, but things have changed a lot since then. These days, students at the M. I. T. who are supposed to be the most intelligent students in the U. S. have become a distracted bunch as they claim to be multi-taskers but fail at all aspects of the test given to them.Still, there is hope for these kids as they still have the academic capabilities within them – all they need is just a little adjustment from the distractions affecting them so they can be more focused on their tasks. The virtual world has also given most offices the capacity to allow their employees to work on telecommute. This m eans lesser effort and expenses for the worker to go to his/her regular job and makes work more efficient and cost-effective. This set-up would not have been possible a decade ago since work then meant reporting to the office and actual presence was needed for the 8-hour job.Furthermore, the prevalence of online jobs on the internet confirms this proclivity towards more virtual employment in the offing as the virtual environment becomes a more familiar venue for human activity. In conclusion, there are numerous advantages which have been brought about by the so-called Age of Technology, and these far outweigh the disadvantages like addiction to internet gaming, gambling and other similar problems. The future is certainly worth-anticipating as current advances in technology are already mind-blowing, hence, a higher degree of advancement will be most likely indescribable.

Question 1: What Management, Organization, and Technology Issues Should Chrysler Have Explored When Deciding Whether to Outsource to Tcs?

Management Issues One of the main management issues that is vital in outsourcing is whether Chrysler wants strict management control for day-to-day activities. By outsourcing to TCS, Chrysler will be outsourcing its maintenance and support services, particularly its sales, marketing, product development, shared services and after sales functions . Although Chrysler has the general oversight of the project deliverables, it is still done by the outsourcer. This would impact project approach, employee morale, customer interaction and feedback. For example, a recent outsourcing which proved to not be a good idea was customer support for computer equipment sales by Dell. Dell could not control the interaction with their customers and there were numerous complaints about communication skills, product knowledge and general attitude of the outsourced technician . These services that are outsourced to TCS are part of Chrysler’s daily operations and thus stringent management control over these activities must be carefully explored to ensure quality services and excellent customer service. Organization Issues The main organization issue that Chrysler should have considered would be the morale of employees and public reputation during their decisions to outsource. It was reported by Bertsch that, 200 people, 20 percent of the full-time employees, were scheduled to lose their jobs because of the new outsourcing arrangement . By laying off workers, many labour unions have been protesting against outsourcing and want the government to step in to stop the outsourcing . Labour Unions have tremendous political power and have a strong impact on the company’s public image. This will not only dampen current full time employees but also potential employees who are seeking for jobs in Chrysler. Chrysler must consider the impacts of their company’s reputation and labour unions reaction when they decided to outsource to TSC. Technology Issues Before outsourcing their technology to TSC, Chrysler has to consider certain key factors before doing so. One of which is security. Chrysler has to ensure that TSC has a strong protection against virus, spams and threats from hackers . Chrysler has to keep a record of all the security products and procedures used so that they can be sure of their company’s protection despite outsourcing. Secondly, Chrysler has to evaluate TSC’s products and current operations more in depth. For example, Chrysler can assign a qualified person or team to assess the quality and efficiency of TSC’s technology and services. This is especially important for outsourcing technology as blade server and storage area network capacity and 24/7 worldwide accessibility will be critical .

Lab four Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Lab four - Essay Example They read very little from books but spend much time on Facebook and internet web pages. Some even said how they only read 42 pages for classes in a semester but write 500-page essays on mail. With 24 hours a day, they sleep for 7 hours each night. They spend 3.5 hours online, and 2.5 hours listening to music, 2 hours on a cell phone, 2 hours eating, 2 hour working and only 3 hours reading (Wesch Min. 3). They have to multitask even when they do not want to. Some will even be in debts by the time they are graduating. They even claim of how their laptops cost more than what most people make in a year. They hope to get jobs after they graduate. However, they do not get there through books. A problem affects them even though they did not create it. They believe that it is only through technology that all these will end. Q3. From personal opinion, I agree with most of the students claims. We buy expensive books that we do not use. We also spend more time online than we spend in class. Most of the teachers do not even know their students by their names. Education is just a routine that most people follow. Most of the things we learn do not even apply in our daily lives. On the other hand, I differ with the fact that most students usually think that after graduating, they will not get jobs. Some even think that it is not through education that they can achieve a better life. In my opinion, technology does not solve the problem but rather worsens it

Leadership in Clinical Practice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Leadership in Clinical Practice - Essay Example Good leaders can develop their staff through education, training, experience, and self-study. Symptoms of a good leader are that they always keep on working and try to improve their leadership skills. Managers should be well versed and experience enough to guide the staff in relation to the convertibility of their academic knowledge in practical performance. In an emergency situation, mostly in clinics, there is a requirement of strong management and executive skills. This means not only the doctors, all other staff in a clinic should be efficient enough to deal with the situation. Managers should work for the development of staff members. Training and education programs should be implemented for staff. The evaluation process should be conducted in order to control and monitor the activities of members. Incentives, bonus and better compensation plans should be enforced to keep the staff members motivated towards the organization. Communication and leadership can also lead to the tran sformation of an organization. Culture and structure of a clinic should be flexible, so that staff members can share their preferences and knowledge with the managers. Therefore, communication and leadership are the main pillars for the success of clinics (Butler Gillian & Hope Tony, 1996). 1.2 Leadership Leadership is a key factor for an organizations success. It mainly depends on how managers are able to handle the organizational and management structure. A leader should have infinite flexibility. This means one should be able to adopt a leadership style in accordance to a particular situation. Leadership plays a most important role in clinical areas such as leading role of the doctor towards nurses and other staff, similar to that nurse play a lead role in guiding the supporting staff and trainees. These shows at all levels there are different leaders. (Blagg Deborah & Young Susan, 2001). Factors of leadership Mainly there are four factors in leadership, which are present in ever y organization i.e.: Leaders Followers Communication Situation Leader Leaders must have a clear understanding of who they are, what they know and what they can do. Therefore, it is imperative that doctors should have all knowledge in relation to their capabilities so that they can guide nurses and other staff appropriately. Before guiding other people they should know their inner capabilities, strength, and weaknesses. Because it is the nurses who help to identify whether a doctor is successful or not, therefore one will have to satisfy his followers not the boss, as they are the ones who are dependent on a leader. Followers In hospital many people are followers such as nurses, supporting staff, trainees etc. and each person has different styles and nature. Therefore, each one of them requires different leadership process and style. One should know the follower's nature, needs, emotions, and motivation. Communication Leading should be done through two-way communication, most of whic h is nonverbal. But in clinical areas, verbal communication is most important. It plays a vital role in the performance of the staff members. For instance in the case when one sets an example, this communication to people will lead them to perform only the things guided by the leader rather than performing in their own way.

All Shooting Is For Editing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

All Shooting Is For Editing - Essay Example Editing is important to ensure the footage has been used to the level best, there is proper pictorial continuity and the goal of the film has been met. In regard to editorial judgment, it â€Å"is exercised before shooting by means of advance planning† (2006, p. 53). For editing to be done properly and thoroughly, a complete footage is crucial. The main goal of editing is to remove unwanted footages, selecting the best footage, creating a systematic flow, adding effects, graphics and music, and giving the film particular angles. Although the process of filmmaking can be regarded as a traditional one since it began decades ago, editing implements digital technology today. The editing process is classified into three stages, that is, the selection of takes and their lengths, the arrangement and timing of shots, scenes, and sequences. Editing begins immediately after the film has been shot. Occasionally, the actors are given a chance to view their early scenes. The directors ofte n prevent showing actors the edited scenes for fear that it will affect their performance. The first editing is called rough cut and can take approximately three months to finish. The sound designers and music composers make the final stage of editing. When the editing is said to be complete, it means that the directors and producers have approved the final version of the video. In the past, editors worked with negatives called work prints. These were plain films, scenes, and transitions. Once an editor got satisfied with the final film.

Innovation and Management of Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Innovation and Management of Change - Essay Example The innovation is a result of knowledge management, value chain management, customer partnership, distribution, finance, manufacturing and competitiveness. The innovation and changes it brings in the organizations can be analysed by a frame work and different models. These are useful in assessing the effectiveness of innovation and change. The structure, systems, style, skills, staff and shared values are the key elements in making any organization successful. This tells that the innovation and change also should be brought in these elements uniformly so that they effect each other's operations positively. This helps the managers to address and manage the difficulties posed by changes that are necessary for long term development of the company. In general the initiation of the innovation by leaders in the managers will lead to break the rules. The declaration of the future by the leader will involve a purpose for the company in the future. This involves the enterprise wide approach t o business process management and can remove the obstacles blocking execution of management intentions. This increases agility and focus on the activities of the business. When organizational structure defines the framework, there is less probability for innovation. The innovation and successful change is possible by it when work defines the organizational structure. The organizational defined such will be flexible, permeable and fluid. 1 2. Organisational Culture Today's business environment needs innovative techniques in the way they work. Identification of work place practices that respond to the challenges of innovation and change is necessary. In case of Fel Pro all the practices are concentrated on employee welfare and less on innovation. The organisational culture has driven the work and work did not drove the organisational culture in the organisation. Though the company is exemplary in taking care of employees, it lacked innovation in production, products, marketing. Innovation and change in positive direction will help the organisation to create better jobs and better business. Though in 1993 the company is in good position, after 10 years, the company is in a fix to hold its customers who are big manufacturers. Though it has minimum attrition rate of the employees, the company is facing the risk of loosing the market for its products. The reluctance of the management to globalise the company can be an example for innovation. The com pany is successful in using all the funds available to develop fixed assets that are not useful to innovate production like employee entertainment and recreation. Even the basic steps that help to create better jobs and better business results are absent. The company followed more conventional methods than the innovative changes. The high performance of the company is due to the discipline and perfection in a particular are of the production and that are has not been innovated in the course of time. The staff should intend to high performance that is innovative and changing according to the market needs and changes. The company has improved the benefits for the employees and employee relations with the management but did not forecast the decrease of the market for gaskets, for which it has mastered the production activities. Though

Recycled toothbrushes makes sense Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Recycled toothbrushes makes sense - Assignment Example 2) In addition to advertising recycled-plastic toothbrushes through the character of Harold Crick, Recycline could make use of a variety of sports stars to help promote its products. Sports stars are instantly recognizable to many in the general public and will help consumers to identify the product with their favorite role models. Sports are a big part of most people’s lives and thus are an attractive advertising medium. 3) As the company grows larger, it will have to come up with additional ways to supply its recycled toothbrushes. Currently, the company’s operations are quite small and can cope with the influx of recycled products. If and when the company expands its influence nationwide, it will have to come up with a strategy to continue to receive recycled products. One such way could be to open up recycling centers in main cities and collect recycled products locally. From there, all the recycled materials could be sent to one large distribution warehouse and then made into the final

Improving telecommunications networks are a positive development for Essay

Improving telecommunications networks are a positive development for human impact on the environment - Essay Example Telecommunication act as a tool for sustainable development of the environment. The conduct of communication on various platforms such as visual or electronic form acts as alternatives to physical transport. Transport in the modern days has resulted to challenges of urban congestion and traffic, in both developing and developed countries. Telecommunication enables the sustainable reduction in unnecessary transports through telecommuting and on-line trading (Sioshansi, 2011, p. 14). Development of the telecommunication infrastructure has enabled the reduction of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. This action has reduced the atmospheric pollution that supplements the reduction of respiratory problems among people, as well as the protection of the ozone layer. Telecommunications has impacted positively the environmental field by enabling successive implementation of environmental programs. Improved access to information about agriculture has enabled the sustainable production of agricultural products. Improving telecommunication systems in the rural areas discourage people from migrating to congested towns. Through retaining workforce in the rural areas, the development of the rural economy is accelerated thereby improving living standards of the rural people. An integrated rural development enables development of infrastructure and other public services and foreign investment (Sioshansi, 2011, p. 21). Satellite images have also enabled the uncovering of digital terrain models used to evaluate catchment areas that are possible sites for putting up retention

CheckPoint-Audience Analysis and Reception Essay Example for Free

CheckPoint-Audience Analysis and Reception Essay Communication is the most important key to any relationship, in the business world it is the way to keep the business running smoothly. This is why analyzing the audience is the most important task a writer can perform in order to effectively communicate or present any information to their audience. In this particular scenario, I have been assigned to write a report to the management team at my work place. Therefore it is important for me to analyze all of the characteristics of each of the member of my management team to ensure the effectiveness of my report. Since I will be writing a formal report, I would need to ensure that it is legible, use appropriate wording in order to create the proper business tone in my report. I need to ensure that all information written on my report is accurate. Check that all of my sources are credible and that there won’t be any misunderstanding in the report. The writer’s credibility is an extremely important thing to have; this is why I would have to make sure that all of the data posted on my report is accurate. By doing so it will show the management team that I am trustworthy, reliable and I get the job done correctly. I would also need to think about what would motivate them and interest them in my report. Therefore, I would make sure my report includes facts that would motivate them such as weekly and monthly sales reports, financial gains and productivity. These are all very important points for me to keep in mind when writing the report. If my report was poorly written and not in a business professional tone, would make me look bad in their eyes. Also failing to provide accurate information or present it in a professional way, will affect my credibility greatly. They will not see me as the honest hard worker that I am. They would instead see me as an uncaring person that did not bother to do the research and gather facts to present before them. Also if my report does not contain any information that does not pertain to the management team, I would lose their interest quickly.

Medical Billing and Coding Essay Example for Free

Medical Billing and Coding Essay Medical Billing and Coding (current student) 2013 Medical Administrative Assistant Diploma (GPA 3.34) 2012 Includes: Disease Processes, Surgical Procedures, Life Cycle of an Insurance Claim, Health Care Settings, Health Care Payers, Procedure and Diagnosis  Coding from Medical Records, Reimbursement Systems, Facility Billing, Word Processing and Medical Practice Management Systems. * Promoted a welcoming and safe learning environment for children, helping to develop a well-rounded and respected educational organization. * Assisted the school director in playing a key role in developing a diverse and enlightening curriculum in strict accordance with state mandates. * Communicated effectively with children, peers, parents and directors to ensure smooth operations and eliminate potential issues before they could negatively impact the school. Packer Express Personnel – Jamestown, NY2001 – 2002 Bush Industries – Jamestown, NY2001 – 2001 * Duties included: Packing, stocking and accurately completing labor tickets. * Load materials and products into package processing equipment tools. * Record product, packaging, and order information on specified forms and records. * Performed any combination of light cleaning duties to maintain the establishment. * Inspected for defects and recorded items packed.

Relationship between price earning ratio and stock returns

Relationship between price earning ratio and stock returns There have been a large number of literatures during the past years on price earnings and stock return. The existing literatures propose different theories to how the price earning ratio may affect the performance of a company and also the factors that may influence it. Price-Earning Ratio There are several measures to determine the valuation of a security. Most often, the measures are determined by comparing the securitys price to different fundamentals such as earnings and dividends. One of the most respected stock valuation measures is the Price Earning ratio, which compare the price of the security to the companys earnings. Graham (1933) was the first to introduce the concept of the price earning ratio as a measure of performance of the stock market and the application of the P/E ratio was based on the idea that earning are related to value. Basu (1977) identified P/E ratio as predictor of subsequent performance and in particular high P/E firms underperformed and low P/E firms outperformed. The study done by Basu (1977) also state that P/E ratio, due to exaggerated investor expectations, may be indicators of future investment performance and he also validated Nicholsons results which state that low companies having low P/E ratios on average subsequently yield higher returns than high P/E companies. Gonedes and Dopuch (1974) declared that price models are conceptually inferior to return models under the presence of under-developed theories of valuation. Additionally Christie (1987) argues that price models present more econometric problems than return models. On the contrary there is a majority of studies that declare the superiority of the price model on explaining the return-earnings relation such as Bowen (1981), Olsen (1985), Landsman (1986), Barth et.al (1990, 1992) Barth (1991). However, the P/E ratio as it is commonly used is the result of network of influences, similar to the way in which a companys share price is influenced not only by idiosyncratic factors particular to that company, but also by movement in prices on markets as a whole, and the sector in which the company operates. Four main influences on a companys P/E ratio have been identified: The year the average market P/E varies year by year, as the overall level of investor confidence changes The sector in which the company operates. The size of the company there is a close positive relationship between a companys market capitalisation and the P/E accorded. Idiosyncratic effects. Companies examined in the same year, operating in the same sector and of similar size nevertheless have different P/Es. Idiosyncratic effects, that do not affect any other company account for this. Stock returns The CAPM developed by Sharpe (1964), Lintner (1965) and Mossin (1966) has been the most widely accepted among the many models developed to explain the relationship between expected returns and risk. According to the CAPM, the market can only compensates the investors for bearing systematic risk or common risk, which is measured by the assets beta. The beta measures the contribution of the risky asset to the riskiness of the entire efficient portfolio. The relationship between the expected return and risk can be expressed in CAPM model: E(Ri) = Rf + ÃŽÂ ²i(E(Rm)- Rf) Where E(Ri) = the expected return on the ith risky asset Rf = the expected return on a risk-free asset E(Rm) = the expected return on the market portfolio ÃŽÂ ²i = beta coefficient of the ith risky asset The establishment of the CAPM are based on the following assumptions: Investors are risk averse. Therefore investors prefer the highest expected return for a given standard deviation and the lowest standard deviation for a given expected return. The returns from investment are normally distributed. Therefore two parameters, the expected return and the standard deviation, are sufficient to describe the distribution of returns. All investors have a common single-period time horizon for their investment decision making. All investors can borrow and lend unlimited amount of money at a given risk-free rate. All investors have the same estimates of the expected return on each asset, the variance of return for each asset, and also the covariance between returns for each pair of assets. All assets are traded in the perfect markets; that is, all assets are marketable, there are no transaction costs or taxes, and all investors are price takers. The CAPM is challenged by the evidences on anomalies in stock returns. The CAPM says that all diversifiable risks will not be compensated and the only relevant risk is the market risk. Therefore, besides the market factor, no other factors should systematically affect the stock returns. The firm specific factors are capture by the error term, which is random. But the findings of the anomalies such as size, book-to-market equity and earning-to-price ratio suggest that investors can earn abnormal returns based on these trading rules. This may imply that the CAPM is mis-specified. Many empirical studies have been conducted and it has been found that stock returns are affected by some factors such as: Book-to-Market Equity effect Rosenberg, Reid and Lanstein (1985) and Stattman (1980) found that there is a positive relationship between stock returns and book-to-market equity. By the means of the time-series regression, the t-statistics obtained clearly show a positive result for their hypothesis. In study of Lakonishok, Scheifer and Vishny (1994), all the stock in the US market was divided into ten deciles portfolios from 1968 to1989 based on the book-to-market equity (BM) ratio. The results show that the average annual returns for deciles with the highest BM was 10.5 percent higher than the lowest BM deciles. Size effect The size effect is among the most prominent phenomena identified. Banz (1981) documents that there is size effect in the US stock market, using a test period from 1963 to 1975. The result of this study shows that small firms (measured by market value) on the average earn higher risk-adjusted returns than big firms. Seasonal effect Another evidence of the existence of the anomalies is the seasonal effect. In certain period of the year, stock returns are found to be higher as compared to the rest on the calendar year. The most common example of the seasonal effect is the January effect where stocks repeatedly earn higher returns in the month of January than the rest of the months in the year. The seasonal effect is also found in countries including Japan, Australia and Canada documented by Officer (1975), Berges (1984) and Jaffe Westerfield (1985) respectively. Many researches illustrate the relationship between the price earning ratio and the stock return of a company. Lakonishok, Scheifer and Vishny (1994) implemented P/E ratio as an expected future earnings growth indicator, in an excessive cross- sectional analysis. They proved that investors tend to favour stocks with exceptional past and current performance glamour stocks as they believe that past success will continue in the future, that is, they attribute the extra returns from value shares to psychological factors affecting market participants. According to Burgstahler and Dichev (1997), when the earnings to book value ratio is high, earnings are a more important determinant of equity value and vice versa. Moreover, Kormedi and Lipe (1987) and Collins and Kothari (1989) among other, identified that the earnings persistence is one of the major determinant of the magnitude of the earnings-return relation. EMPIRICAL REVIEW Several papers examined the ability of price and return models (along with some alternative forms) to accommodate the return-earnings relationship. An important ratio for the more low-risk, defensive investor was introduced by Graham and Dodd in 1933. They introduced the Earnings/Price ratio which is simply the Price/Earnings Ratio but flipped around as a benchmark for equity valuation. After the 1929 stock market crash, they recommend the investors that rather by trying to guess what the future bring, they should concentrate on other factors such as the companys past earnings or the value of its assets. According to Graham and Dodd, a company with strong profits and a relatively low stock price was probably undervalued. Also the fact that each share is value a number of times its current earnings became commonly satisfactory as a specific P/E level enables financial investors to make their buy/sell decision. The authors specified that P/E ratio, which is calculated by current fundam entals, never provide an exact appraisal for stocks. As a conclusion, P/E ratio was first regarded as a rough benchmark for selective stock investment and a tool for applying specific financial strategies so that in the long term, above-market returns can be generated. One of the first works showing the effect of the Price Earnings ratio was done by Nicholson (1960). The first study was based on a sample of 100 stocks which were mainly from industrial issues of trust investment quality and the stock was taken from the period 1939-1959. The stocks were arranged into groups of five according to their P/E ration in ascending order and were rebalanced every five years. The author found out that the twenty lowest multiple stocks had larger price gains as compared to the twenty highest multiple stocks. Those with the lowest P/E would deliver 14.7 times its original investment after the 20-year period, whereas the portfolio with the highest P/E stocks only earned 4.7 times its initial investment. Eight years later, Nicholson (1968) conducted another study where he looked at the earnings of 189 companies between 1937 and 1962. By dividing companies into groups of five, he found out that the average return for companies with a P/E ratio below ten was 12.7% per annum as compare to companies with a P/E ratio above twenty which had an average return of 7.97% per annum. Another studies done by Basus papers (1977) confirmed the results of Nicholson. The author tried to find the relationship between the investment performance of common stocks and their P/E ratio. He studied the price performance of NYSE industrial firms from 1957 to 1971. Two or more portfolios will be computed whereby risk-return relationship is weighted against each other and their performance is measured in pre-determined terms. Price to earnings ratio for every sample was calculated and they were ranked. Five portfolios were formed according to their P/E ratio. Considering the inter-quartile range, dispersion of the P/E ratio over the 14 years period can be noted where the low portfolio earned a return of 16.3% per annum compared to 9.3% for the high portfolio. Later researches (Jaffe, Keim and westerfield (1989) and Fama and French (1992)) supported the effectiveness that stocks with low P/E ratios produce higher returns. However a possible rejection of Nicholson and Basus studies on the Price Earnings ratio was made by Ball (1978). He conceded the apparent of such effects and argued that abnormal returns could not be produced on the basis of information available in the public area as they are of little or zero costs. Other reasons that could account for this irregularity are the systematic experimental error, transaction and processing costs and failure of Sharpes two parameter CAPM model. Beaver and Morse (1978) found out that when combining stocks into portfolios based on their price to earnings ratio, the differences among the portfolio continued up to the 14 years and that growth is not able to explain the existence of these little differences. I the years in which the portfolios are created, the price earnings are negatively correlated with earnings growth but positively correlated with earning growth in the next year implying that investors are considering only short-live distortions. In the study, the correlation of earnings growth in 1957 is negative 0.28 and the median correlation over the 19 years is negative 0.28. This is due to investors belief that earnings have been affected by temporary, random events or accounting management policies (rate of inflation, change in accounting treatment), firms which have low earning growth tend to have a high P/E ratio in the same year. As the portfolio are formed on the basis of ratio of price to realised earnings, stock s with transitory earnings will be grouped together meaning portfolio with the highest P/E ratio will be likely to include firms with negative transitory elements, that is, realized earnings are lower than the expected earnings. In the next year, while investors expectations are confirmed and earning growth increases, there is a positive correlation between P/E ration and earning growth. The author concluded that differences in accounting methods are the most evident explanation in differences in the P/E ratio rather than risk and growth. Studies that relate to accounting and price data normally derived the accounting measures from the COMPUSTAT database and for the quality returns they use CRSP data. However some difficulties may arise when using the COMPUSTAT database and Branz and Breen (1986) explained on the two possible problems that may crop up, that is, the ex-post-selection bias and the look-ahead bias. The ex-post-selection meant that companies which have merged, gone bankrupt or otherwise disappeared are no more included in the COMPUSTAT database and also new companies appeared with a full accounting history which does not exist before. The look-ahead bias resulted because of a dating problem where investors would not have access to portfolios that were formed at the end of the year and they had to wait several months before having access to it. Branz and Breen eliminated these factors by collecting certain COMPUSTAT items on a monthly basis that contain information on companies that was available to the in vestors and which also include all companies that had gone bankrupt, merged or disappeared on the COMPUSTAT. They concluded that even though the size effect was present, the Price Earning ratio was no more important as it is the data biases that had generated the evident P/E effect. Alford (1992) studied the accuracy of the valuation of the price to earning ratio when comparable firms are selected on the basis of industry, risk and earning growth. Alford (1992) used a sample of NYSE, ASE and OTC firms for the years 1978, 1982 and 1986 to analyse the accuracy of the price earning valuation. Each of the selected comparable firms predicted stock price is compared to its actual price and the author found that the price to earning ratio is an accurate measure of equity valuation. The findings of his research concluded that much of the diversity of P/E is attributed to the variety in the level of risk and earning growth of the individual firm. In addition, the industry factor appears to be a good proxy for risk and earning growth realed to the P/E ratios. Alford (1992) showed that the use of the industry P/E multiplied by the firms earnings per share (EPS) was proved to be an accurate estimator of its equity. The assessment of the accuracy of the P/E estimator was mad e under the efficient market hypothesis. In an efficient market, the market price changes randomly to reflect all new information. Thus, it can be used to test the accuracy of the theoretical price that Alford (1992) calculated, using P/E ratio. However this condition might not hold for different market. Value strategies have been defined by lakonishok, Schleifer and Vishny (1994) as the buying of stocks whose price are low as compared to other indicators of fundamental values such as earnings, dividends, historical prices, book asset or other measures of value in a comprehensive treatment of the issue of value strategies versus glamour stocks. They collected and studied stock prices between the periods 1963 to 1990. Firms are then classified into value or glamour stocks based on their past growth in sales and expected future growth as implied by the then-current P/E ratio. Differences in the expected future growth rated between the value and glamour stocks were found and as shown by the P/E ratio, investors were always overestimating them. For the first couple of years, the glamour stocks grew more quickly but afterwards the growth rates for the two types of stocks were almost identical. Glamour strategies were outperformed by 10-11% per year by the value strategies which used both past low growth and low multiples. Thus, glamour stock became overestimated, failed to meet investors expectation and were gradually abandoned. Stocks with temporarily depressed earnings are lumped together with well-performing glamour stocks in the high expected growth/low E/P category. These stocks with depressed earnings do not experience the same degree of poor future stock performance as the glamour stocks, perhaps because they are less overpriced by the market is the possible reason why the P/E did not produce a large effect as he other measures of fundamental value such as price-to book value or price-to-cash flow. Lakonishok, Schleifer and Vishny (1994) argued that such strategies offer higher return because they take advantage of investors sub-optimal behaviour. They came across little, if any, support that the value strategies were riskier and also found that the value stocks performed better than the glamour stocks. As a conclusion we can say that there has been much research that has been done on the price earnings ratio. Also many studies have been done throughout the world on different stock exchange market such as the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE). These studies concentrate on the impact of the price earning ration on the stock returns and it has been seen that price earning ratio do affect the stock returns, for example, Basu (1977) confirmed that stocks with low P/E ratio produce higher returns. However these researches had focus mainly on the empirical review rather than the theoretical review and this is the reason why we concentrate more on the empirical review.

malvo case, death penalty :: essays research papers fc

Malvo Case: Beltway Sniper Issue: Should minors be put to death for the crimes they commit? Relevance to Case At Hand: Malvo was 17 when him and his accomplice (Muhammad) killed more than four people in a sniping spree. I believe that Malvo’s major influence was Muhammad, 41. Malvo did most of the shooting, but as an adolescent it may not seem fair to be put to death. As a minor, it is so easy to get manipulated and peer pressured into doing things that occur only because their maturity level has not developed. At ages 16-17 a juvenile is still immature and does things without realizing the seriousness of the consequences. At the same time there are juveniles that are leaders of gangs and have a lot of criminal intent on injuring or permanently harming others. How can we separate the children that do not know the seriousness of crimes they have done, from children that matured a lot faster and know the seriousness in everything they have done? Research Findings: It is a tough decision when it comes to determining whether a juvenile should be put to death or not. Research has also claimed that the human brain is not fully developed, specifically the frontal lobe, until the early 20’s. (Cassel, 03) All of our sources of organization, planning, strategizing, judgment, reasoning, and impulse control is not fully complete till the ages of 21 or 22(Cassel, O3). Malvo was 17 at the time of the murders and very easily persuaded by Muhammad. Should he be accountable for his mistakes by death or is it possible that a weekly dose of counseling and jail time be seen as a better punishment for him. â€Å"Adolescents as a group, even at the age of 16-17, are more impulsive than adults. They underestimate risks and overvalue short-term benefits. They are more susceptible to stress, more emotionally volatile, and less capable of controlling their emotions than adults.†(Cooperman, 04) If a child is raised around violence then it’s likely for the child to engage in violent behavior. This also depends how the violence is staged in front of the child. In this case, Malvo was taught violence rather than just seeing it second hand. This makes it more likely for Malvo to do violence acts, but how much of this is really his fault? He is still a minor and has not reached any stage of maturity.

Essay --

Jack the Ripper and the murders of Whitechapel is a mystery that still plagues the world today. Even after hundreds of years, no one has been able to decipher who the Ripper really was. Jack the Ripper was and is an unsolved mystery. It is important however, for people to be informed of what happened in those dark days, even if they do not know who the killer was (Biography 1). Though there were several other serial killers before Jack the ripper, he was the first one to get the attention from the media. At the time he was murdering, newspapers were beginning to become a big deal so word out fairly quickly. Because of the press coverage, more people were aware of and invested in the case (Casebook 1). During time of the murders, several different police forces were involved, including something similar to a neighborhood watch. Anyone who looked remotely suspicious was questioned. Of all of the people investigated, the first to be talked to were the doctors and the butchers, mainly due to the way the Ripper handled the women. Sadly, no one was ever officially charged with the murders (Whitechapel 1). Jack the Ripper was one of the few serial killers that were never caught. Because of that, there are still people today who try to solve the age old case. There are only five proven murders, though people suspect he killed up to eight women. One of the things that made Jack the Ripper so mysterious was the fact that his victims had very little in common with one another. Usually serial killers will have a certain type of victim, but not the Ripper. All of the victims of the Ripper were of different ages and appearances. The only thing the girls had in common was their occupation of prostitution and a love of alcohol (... ...oaxes (Casebook 4). Although officials never figured out who the Ripper was, there were people they suspected, such as an assistant schoolmaster named John Druitt. Druitt is considered a suspect because he committed suicide right after the murders were committed. However, that is the only link police forces were able to find linking the two. Sources outside of the police force claimed that Druitt committed suicide because he was fired from the school for homosexuality, though that wasn’t ever proven (Whitechapel 4). Another commonly accepted suspect is George Chapman, who moved to the UK just before the murders began. Chapman was sentenced to death in 1903 for the murder of three of his wives. What keeps some people from believing he was responsible for the Ripper murders is the fact that he had poisoned his wives rather than using a knife (Whitechapel 4). Essay -- Jack the Ripper and the murders of Whitechapel is a mystery that still plagues the world today. Even after hundreds of years, no one has been able to decipher who the Ripper really was. Jack the Ripper was and is an unsolved mystery. It is important however, for people to be informed of what happened in those dark days, even if they do not know who the killer was (Biography 1). Though there were several other serial killers before Jack the ripper, he was the first one to get the attention from the media. At the time he was murdering, newspapers were beginning to become a big deal so word out fairly quickly. Because of the press coverage, more people were aware of and invested in the case (Casebook 1). During time of the murders, several different police forces were involved, including something similar to a neighborhood watch. Anyone who looked remotely suspicious was questioned. Of all of the people investigated, the first to be talked to were the doctors and the butchers, mainly due to the way the Ripper handled the women. Sadly, no one was ever officially charged with the murders (Whitechapel 1). Jack the Ripper was one of the few serial killers that were never caught. Because of that, there are still people today who try to solve the age old case. There are only five proven murders, though people suspect he killed up to eight women. One of the things that made Jack the Ripper so mysterious was the fact that his victims had very little in common with one another. Usually serial killers will have a certain type of victim, but not the Ripper. All of the victims of the Ripper were of different ages and appearances. The only thing the girls had in common was their occupation of prostitution and a love of alcohol (... ...oaxes (Casebook 4). Although officials never figured out who the Ripper was, there were people they suspected, such as an assistant schoolmaster named John Druitt. Druitt is considered a suspect because he committed suicide right after the murders were committed. However, that is the only link police forces were able to find linking the two. Sources outside of the police force claimed that Druitt committed suicide because he was fired from the school for homosexuality, though that wasn’t ever proven (Whitechapel 4). Another commonly accepted suspect is George Chapman, who moved to the UK just before the murders began. Chapman was sentenced to death in 1903 for the murder of three of his wives. What keeps some people from believing he was responsible for the Ripper murders is the fact that he had poisoned his wives rather than using a knife (Whitechapel 4).

Work Culture

* Career Interest Profiler, Competencies, and Work Culture Preferences * After completing the Career Interest Profiler, Competencies, and Work Culture Preferences activities I have a better understanding in how I will fit in and how my strengthens can help me be successful in my desired field of study. The Career Interest Profiler activity has determined a good career match would be; a credit analyst, auditor, risk management specialist, and an accountant.Possible degree options that would better fit these potential careers are Bachelor’s of Science in accounting, in business with a concentration in finance, and a Bachelor’s in Science in business with a concentration in global management just to name a few. The competencies activities have revealed my strengths are in Delivering Results, Following Instructions, Coping with Pressure, Organizing, Taking initiative, and finally adhering to Values.The Work Culture Preference activity has determined that my ideal work envir onment would have a very high work load, be a fast moving, demand goals and expectations of high performance, have career advancement, high salaries with rapid promotions and other benefits, career development, and the chance to learn new skills, career would be secure and stable, the company would focus on employment welfare, and have lots of personal development and feedback.A couple possible employers based, on my strengthens determined by the competence activity in relation to the job market research tool are McGladery, PriceWaterHouseCoopers, and Ernst & Young. McGladery, McGladrey LLP is the largest U. S. provider of assurance, tax and consulting services focused on the middle market, with nearly 6,500 professionals and associates in more than 75 offices nationwide.McGladrey is a licensed CPA firm. (www. mcgladery. com/about/about). PriceWatersHouseCoopers, PwC focuses on  audit and assurance,  tax  and  consulting services. Additionally, in the US, PwC concentrates on 16 key industries and provides targeted services that include — but are not limited to —  human resources,deals,  forensics, and  consulting services. We help resolve complex issues and identify opportunities. (www. pwc. om/us) All three of these employers are here in Tucson. McGladery in specific offers a few different internships in different seasons throughout the year, in different fields. These internships are offered to students that have 12-16 months left in obtaining there bachelor’s degree. After some research I believe a career in accounting, risk management, audit planning, and compliance would fit my Work Culture Preferences activity well.

Pttls Assignment Essay

1. Types and methods of assessment used in lifelong learning 1. Types of assessment used in lifelong learning 2. Assessment methods used in lifelong learning 3. Strengths and limitations of assessment methods 2. Importance of involving learners in the assessment process 1. Evaluation of involving learners in the assessment process 2. The role of peer and self-assessment in the assessment process 3. Requirements for keeping records of assessment in lifelong learning 3.1 Reasons to keep records of assessment of learning 3.2 Summary of requirements for keeping records 1. Types and methods of assessment used in lifelong learning 1. Types of assessment used in lifelong learning Macmillan Dictionary defines assessment as `the process of making a judgment or forming an opinion, after considering something or someone carefully` Assessment is aimed to measure the breadth and depth of learning.( Geoff Petty) According to Ann Gravells assessment types include initial, formative and summative which could be on a formal or informal basis. Initial assessment called diagnostic usually takes place before commencing a particular programme when students are diagnosed what they know about the subject they are going to look into. Formative assessment called continuous is part of the learning programme where assessment occurs continuously to measure the students progress of learning. Summative assessment called final and always takes place at the end of the course or programme taught. 2. Assessment methods used in lifelong learning Assessment methods are different from assessment types. Usage of assessment methods can be formal or informal depending on what the teacher is going to assess: knowledge, skills or attitudes states Ann Gravells. Formal assessment methods include: assignments, essays, examinations, tests, observations, professional discussions, multiple-choice questions Informal assessment methods include: discussions, quizzes, role plays, puzzles and crosswords, self-assessment, peer assessment 3. Strengths and limitations of assessment methods 2. Importance of involving learners in the assessment process 3. Evaluation of involving learners in the assessment process 4. The role of peer and self-assessment in the assessment process 3. Requirements for keeping records of assessment in lifelong learning 1. Reasons to keep records of assessment of learning 3.2 Summary of requirements for keeping records Reference: 1. Gravells, A. (2012) Preparing to Teach in Lifelong Learning Sector, 5th ed, London, Learning Matters/SAGE 2. Petty, G. (2009) Teaching Today, 4th ed, Cheltenham, Nelson Thornes Ltd 3. Cohen, L. et al (2010) A Guide to Teaching Practice, rev. 5th ed, Oxon, Routledge 4. Cowley, S. (2007) Guerrilla Guide to Teaching, 2nd ed, London, Continuum International Publishing Group 5. http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/assessment 6.

Profile of an Adolescent Bully Essay

From 2000 to the present time, there have been well over 600 peer-reviewed articles published on bullying. When compared to the less than 190 articles that were published from 1980 to 2009, one has to acknowledge that this area of research has exploded. Research indicates that between 10% and 30% of children and youth are involved in bullying and that bullying also increases during the middle school period as children enter adolescence (Cook, Williams, Guerra, Kim & Sadek, 2010, p. 65). Talk to any adolescent in school today and they will have their own story about their experience with bullying and there is a consistent agreement that it is becoming more complex to address. This essay is intended to inform the audience of some of the different behaviors and characteristics of bullies, the different methods of bullying, and to explore the possible reasons for origination in order to assist in future prevention and intervention efforts. Where is the Research? While performing research for this paper it became quickly noticeable that studies profiling a bully’s traits are scarcely performed. The focus of most research is in areas such as the methods of harassment used by bullies (i. e. cyber bullying), or the ramifications towards society caused by being bullied [i. e. school shootings (Barnett, Miller-Perrin, Perrin, 2011, p. 280). ] There is little research focused solely on profiling the bully him/herself. If society is going to make a longstanding change and truly break the cycle of harassment between adolescents than the background of the bully should be explored and assessed. While a profile of a potential victim is offered, it is used to better complete an accurate understanding of the adolescent bully. Definition of a Bully Bullying is commonly defined as a specific type of aggressive behavior intended to distress a vulnerable person and includes intent to cause harm, occurs repeatedly and involves a power imbalance (Barnett et al. , 2011, p. 160). During childhood, bullies are rejected, isolated, and disliked by their peers. Social acceptance for the bully changes during adolescence to being well accepted and liked by their peers. This could be due to the children’s gradual transition into adolescence resulting in an increased knowledge in social problem solving, or gaining an ability to negotiate a confrontation with others thereby diffusing volatile situations (Cook et al. , 2010, p. 71). Two Types of Bully’s Currently, there are two types of bully’s that are invading American grade schools, the typical bully and the bully victim. The typical bully.  An adolescent described as being loud, assertive, somewhat socially and academically challenged, hostile, possesses negative attitudes and beliefs about others, minimal problem-solving skills, and comes from a family environment typically characterized by conflict and poor parental monitoring (Cook et al. , 2010, pp. 75-76, Batsche & Knoff, 1994, p. 166). The bully victim. An adolescent holding negative attitudes and beliefs about him/herself and others, has minimal social competence, does not have adequate social problem-solving skills, has poor academic performance, and s not only rejected and isolated by peers but also negatively influenced by the peers with whom he or she interacts with (Cook et al. , 2010, p. 76). A possible motive for a bully victim to become aggressive at school is that they may be experiencing their own victimization due to the emotional and psychological effects of being a victim at home (Rivers, Poteat, Noret, Ashurst, 2009, p. 212), and are exposed to family models of aggression resulting in violence contributing to violence (Barnett et al. , 2011). Beyond Primary Roles There has been a significant change as to how bullying behavior is understood. With the expansion past primary roles such as bully and victim, Rivers et al. have defined secondary roles that can categorize all participants of a victimization scenario. The assistant bully plays an active but secondary role to the bully. The reinforcer is considered to be a pupil that joins in laughing at the victim or encouraged the bully. Outsiders are aware that the bullying is taking place but will actively remove themselves from the situation. Lastly, the defender is seen as one that directly intervenes or displays help-seeking behavior when involved in bullying situation, and is most times a female (2009, p. 12). Motives The motives of bullies range from satisfying the need for power or to be affiliated with another person or group that is powerful, to a partial or total inability to manage anger. Dependent on their environment at home, they may exert themselves to attain a sense of control in their lives. On closer observation, bullies often demonstrate problems with impulsivity, a need to dominate others, and show little sympathy or empathy for their victims. Some bullies even admit that they â€Å"like† being a bully and may have a slightly justified outlook on their social role. Parents of Bullies Research has shown that parents of bullies prefer authoritarian parenting styles, will sometimes reject their child or show hostility, may show inconsistent parenting while supervising at a minimum, and have poor problem-solving skills (Batsche & Knoff, 1994, p. 166). The parents of adolescent bullies have failed to model positive conflict resolution or how to satisfy their need for attention, therefore the bully will continue with harassing others because it has proven to be an effective strategy (Cook et al. , 2010). The bully may also be witnessing interparental violence at home (Barnett et al. , 2011, 161). Rivers et al. have shown that children who witness violence at home regularly are more likely to require counseling to overcome the emotional and relationship difficulties they experience (2009). Not addressing negative behavior patterns may result in the behaviors continuing into adulthood, resulting in bullying others at their workplace, and increasing their likeliness of being convicted of a criminal offense during adulthood than their noninvolved peers. They are also at a higher risk for experiencing psychiatric problems, difficulties in romantic relationships and substance abuse problems (Cook et al. 2010, p. 79). Leaving this issue unaddressed also allows for the bully to possibly simulate the same environment that was conducive to their becoming a bully while raising their offspring therefore possibly making bullying intergenerational. Different Modes of Bullying Once seen as mostly physical in nature, bullying has now transformed into a ten-headed monster that spans from physical/direct bullying to various forms of indirect bullying such as turning friends against their peers, threats, and teasing. Bullying has also been made more complex and autonomous with the introduction and ease of accessibility to technology. Now bullies use tools such as text, e-mails, websites and chat rooms to torment their victims (Barnett et al. , 2011, p. 279). Measures of bullying. These measures need to encompass the three broad domains of behaviors that constitute bullying: direct physical bullying, direct verbal bullying, and indirect bullying in which the person or group of persons doing the bullying is not necessarily identified (Carbone-Lopez, Esbensen & Brick, 2010, p. 334). Most common types of bullying are verbal, then physical, then threats. Boys have always gravitated more towards physical bullying while girls tend to verbally bully their victims (Barnett et al. , 2011, p. 280). One of the reasons suggested was that girl verbal skills develop earlier than boys and until recently, it was seen as socially unacceptable and unladylike to physically bully (Strohmeier, Wagner, Spiel & von Eye, 2010, p. 187). The general concept of bullying entails a distinct type of aggression characterized by a repeated and systematic abuse of power. There are many acets to bullying that include but are not limited to physical aggression, verbal aggression (e. g. name calling and threats), relational aggression (e. g. , social isolation and rumor spreading), and cyber-aggression (e. g. , text messaging and e-mailing hurtful messages or images), a new venue for inflicting harm in an increasingly electronic youth culture (Strohmeier et al. , 2010, p. 187 ). The technology boom of today has brought new ways of communicating with each other. E-mail, instant messaging, Facebook, Myspace and texting are some of the new facets of communication. Gone are the days of writing letters or simply giving someone a phone call; people find personal confrontation easier to avoid and use these technologies to hide behind instead. The art of conversation is quickly giving way to this type of messaging and avoidance. Today’s society finds it much easier to verbally attack someone behind a phone or computer than to do it face-to-face. Victims Characteristics. Victims are characterized as submissive and non-assertive (Barnett et al. , 2011, p. 161). More often being smaller than the bully; the victim may be more sensitive, unhappy, cautious, quiet, and/or withdrawn (Cook et al. 2010, p. 65). Because the victim allows for the bullying to continue, one can only assume that they have passive or submissive characteristics. They may also be insecure and will not normally assert themselves. When attacked they withdraw and cry and since they are vulnerable, they will not retaliate. There is also an alternative type of victim termed the â€Å"provocative victim. † These victims are overactive, may have irritating behaviors, and are anxious along with showing aggressive traits (Green, Felix, Sharkey, Furlong & Kras, 2012, p. 1). These types of victims could possibly be a bully victim in the making. Age range. Victims are normally the same age and in the same class as the bully (Rivers et al. , 2009, p. 212). Therefore the bully will spend enough time with the victim to know them well. The bully does not have as much opportunity to victimize younger students since the chance to be around them lessens as they progress through school. The number of older pupils with opportunity to bully at decreased risk to selves decreases as the bully ages. Gender specifics. When explored, the reasons for bullying another peer differ by gender. A study done by Beaty & Alexeyev states that boy bullies pick on others because they â€Å"do not fit in,† are physically weak, or due to the clothes they wore (2008, p. 2). Victims also include those that are special needs, deviate from the norm, or differ in sexual orientation or race (Barnett, 2011, p. 161). Girls also primarily bully others because they â€Å"do not fit in,† but differ greatly when choosing who to pick on according to cognitive abilities. While boys have a tendency to victimize other pupils with special needs, girls chose to victimize what would be considered as â€Å"overachievers† (Rivers et al. 2009, p. 213). Conclusion Now knowing all of this information, how can it be put to use when addressing bullies in their earliest stages? Schools can use this profile of a bully as a window into what makes them become the people they are. Teachers will be able to identify a bully and address background situations such as family structure to offer counseling to the bully and their family. They could also assist victims within the school in learning social skills to deter bullies from picking on them as well.

Ethical Considerations Reflection Paper Essay

  Teachers must take into consideration the school policies and the code of conduct that is appropriate in the educational work place. These policies and codes affect the ethical thinking of teachers and how they must act towards their co-workers, parents, and students. It focuses on what is considered as good decisions and the correct actions as well as the moral responsibility teachers must uphold. However, the opinion of the public is also a contributing factor to what is considered as acceptable/unacceptable conduct for teachers both in and out of the work place. So what is primary ethics? What are the primary ethical considerations for teachers in a K-8 educational setting? One definition for primary ethics is a branch of philosophy (a theory or system of moral values) that examines ethical concepts and issues within a profession (Primary Ethics Ltd, 2013). Every school sets a standard or code of ethics that every teacher must adhere to and use as a guide which can help teache rs perform effectively while setting an example for their students. Teachers must acquire the ability to support the goals and mission under the code of ethics. This means acknowledging a commitment to the students, the profession, and to the community. The Oklahoma Department of Education (the state in which I live in) requires a standard for performance and conduct for teachers. The site lists three main principles for teachers to follow which include: a commitment to students, the profession, and to the provisions of the Teacher Due Process Act of 1990 (The State of Oklahoma, 2013). The first two principles of the ODE correspond with the National Education Association principles from the code of ethics. Both share a commitment to the students and to the profession. The primary ethics that K-8 teachers should consider is to serve the needs of all students by providing an educational environment that will promote the interests, social growth, and learning of the students as well as promote academic integrity, respect for others and the accountability for their actions.

Chemical Hazards In The Working Environment Environmental Sciences Essay

Chemical Hazards In The Working Environment Environmental Sciences Essay Chemical Engineering is defined as the branch of engineering which is involved in the application of physical science and mathematics to processing and converting raw materials and chemicals into more useful forms. The outputs and methods of these processes are not always safe and chemical hazards need to be overcome to make the working environment a satisfactorily hospitable for everyone that the process affects. This includes the general public and the environment as well as the workers involved. Chemical Engineers need to ensure that the safety measures which they devise regarding certain processes are adequate enough not to pose hazards and to meet the regulations of the law. This term paper will outline some of the hazards which Chemical Engineers and other workers in the industry need to neutralise to ensure that the working environment is safe for those involved. A hazard is defined as anything which could result in an accident. Such hazards include those caused by the releas e of noxious chemicals which can prove damaging to the health of people and the environment. Chemical hazards can be especially dangerous due to the toxic nature of the substances used in the industry. Plant Safety The health and safety of plant workers is a major concern to the chemical industry. Accidents which result in loss of life or injuries are especially damaging due to the high costs they inflict. Costs in retraining personnel, repairing equipment damaged in have huge costs, as well as the interruption in business that ensues after an accident. The trends have shown that over the years fatalities have decreased but property costs have increased. This trend is due to the increased automated systems used in plants. These systems have increased complexity and productivity to older designs. In earlier designs the workers were more exposed to the chemical processes taking place in the plant, and were in turn exposed to more hazards. This however poses another problem because if workers are more isolated from a process, even if this greatly reduces health and safety hazards then if a malfunction occurs in the plant it is much more difficult to have experienced personnel available to fix a process problem. Due to this action compensation must be made in the case of higher property costs as opposed to loss of life and injury to workers. â€Å"As of the early 1990’s, annual worker fatalities ran about 9 per 100,000 employees; annual lost time disabling injuries ran about 4,000 per 100,000 employees. Property Losses increased fourfold from the 1970’s†. Safety assessments are now undergone on chemical plants to ensure that they adhere to safety levels proposed by regulation standards. Quantification of hazards such as overpressure potential and flammability were done by measurements of vapour pressure and of flash points and flammability limits. The process designers need to make use of data that gives information pertaining to the hazards o f a process such as information of reaction rates and the energies involved in exothermic reactions in which heat is given out, that of unstable chemicals, of temperature limits in which explosive decomposition can occur, rates of generation of gas and vapour and emergency fail-safes such as pressure releases for high pressure systems.

MGT 501 MoD 5 Cases Managing the Organization Essay

MGT 501 MoD 5 Cases Managing the Organization - Essay Example Highly skilled personnel are the most important valuable of a business enterprise. Qualified workers enable the tasks and the objectives of the company to be achieved appropriately thus putting the organization to a benchmark of great level of success. These goals are ultimately achieved through effective coordination as spelled out in an organization structure that the company might prefer (Buhler, 2008). The type of structure and design a company might opt for, have explicit and implicit effect on how each employee relate with one another in terms of communication. A well designed business structure has significant effects to its members. These effects are portrayed based on how members react to changes within their work environment and their ultimate output. Organizational structures which are well planned are easy get accustomed to and enhance collaboration between employees for the best interest of the company (Buhler, 2008). Effective Communication is a crucial tool within an o rganization which enables it to thrive. Authorities are distributed among different level of ranks. For example, a new employee who has just been hired will know where to report and where to seek for help when confronted with a hard situation. Most companies prefer addressing issues affecting the organization through departmental official who is in turn forward the complain or a request to the executives of the companies for subsequent analysis and coming up with solutions. An organizational structure enables the employees to communicate with the authorities following the right channels which have been put in place (Buhler, 2008). A well-built organization design boosts the morale and confidence of its members. Respect is an important value which motivates workers at their work place. Employees need to feel valued by their employers in terms of their contribution in achieving the organizational main objectives. Giving Incentives to the members is an important motivational factor, wh enever they are faced with challenges in the course of their practice. Incentives help them see more opportunities which might enable them to advance in their carrier. Conversely, organization structure might also have a negative impact on the employee spirit and morale (Walker, 2002). For instance, raising salaries for the heads of projects and giving them incentives e.g. bonus while delaying payments of team member salaries, can demoralize the minor employees involved in those projects. How a business is structured to operate plays a crucial role in relation to the level of motivation an individual might have (Klewes & Langen, 2008). Decision making is an important aspect of an organization structure. How fast or how slow an organization makes decisions depend on the efficiency of a company’s executive coordination. For a simple structure composed of the manager who is answerable to the director, the decision making process is faster hence the quick growth. Big companies ha ve a stratum of management. Responsibilities are more elaborate thus it is important to identify the individuals that are the overseers of certain functions and practices of within the company (Puffers, 2004). Productivity of each employee is best evaluated and determined by a well organized organization structure. Supervisors are able to gauge the efforts that are put in by their subordinates according to the work assigned to them. Supervisors are

Papper 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Papper 2 - Essay Example The explosion at Deepwater Horizon can be traced back to several key missteps by all the companies involved. Their actions, purposefully or not, changed the lives of many individuals and ultimately deprived them of their fundamental international rights, hence violating their minimal duty and acting in a completely unethical way. In addition, the Deepwater Horizon spill is the exact opposite of the utilitarianism theory, because it actually minimized utility for everyone who was affected. The spill devastated coastal beaches and businesses that relied on tourism and fishing besides being a health hazard. This was unethical because the oil spill caused more harm than good to the society. However, the profits from the BP spills benefited the new wildlife fund. Still referring to the Deepwater Horizon case, an engineer’s responsibility to safety was violated. United States federal report blamed the worst spill in the US history on poor leadership and poor cement job by BP and its engineers. The explosions were as a result of poor risk management, last minute changes to plans, failure to observe and respond to critical indicators, inadequate well control response, and insufficient emergency bridge response training by companies. In relation to the code of ethics view, BP failed to institute safety and risk management policies that would help protect individuals from deprivation. Furthermore, their disaster preparedness plan was poorly

How art embodies cultural identity (Aztec Vs.New nations of the US) Essay

How art embodies cultural identity (Aztec Vs.New nations of the US) - Essay Example nited States, which is predominantly Christianity, at times forbids artistic expression of the religion (Hollingsworth, 2004, p341) and at others is often limited to Renaissance-style depictions of Bible stories with a heavy focus on the central character, Jesus Christ. Most art in the United States is of no obvious religious character. One of the most famous examples of Aztec sculpture is known as the calendar stone, which depicts the sun god surrounded by bands that depict various days and eras. This stone shows the seamless integration between art, religion and daily life, because it is at once a piece of art, a depiction of a deity and a useful object. The carving of the central sun god is created in typical Aztec style, having a close relationship with that found in the Phonecian culture and representing the intricate relationship between man and nature (Miller, 1986, p205). There are many more examples of Aztec sculpture which feature depictions of a sun god, and countless stone carvings depicting aspects of the religion. Conversely, it is fairly difficult to find one such shining example of religious sculpture which has originated in the new nation of the US. Religious sculpture in the United States is often commisioned for use outside religious buildings. One such example is known as the King of Kings, a 62 foot tall statue of Jesus that adorns the entrance of a megachurch in Ohio. The artistic value of this sculpture has been debated (Williamson, 2004, p89) although the Aztec calendar stone was also probably of questionable artistic value to those who used it as a ceremonial basin (Morà ¡n & History, 2007, p157). However, whether the King of Kings is considered art or not, the main value this had (until it was hit by lightening in 2010) was to adorn the baptismal pool and depict the central character of Christianity. It had no additional usage, highlighting the distance between religion, art and everyday life in the new nation of the United

Negotiations And Business Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Negotiations And Business Strategy - Essay Example This will require the negotiator to prepare effectively before engaging into any negotiation (Van Heerden & Barter, 2008). During the preparation, the negotiator should learn the goals and objectives of the company for use in the negotiation. Preparation will also equip the negotiator with useful skills and tactics that are required during the negotiation. Negotiations are not competitions although they appear to be. An effective negotiator should utilize the negotiation meeting to discover the values, beliefs, and interests of their partners. This will help them improve their negotiation strategies and prepare for future negotiation meetings. A good negotiator should be proactive. This requires the negotiator to raise issues of contention, rather than supporting or criticizing their partner’s views. Been proactive enables the negotiator to develop opportunities and additional value for themselves and their organizations. A good negotiator should be in a position to separate p ersonal issues from negotiating issues. This is of particular importance since most failed negotiation result from mixing personal and business issues. Separating personal issues from negotiating issues enables the negotiator to overcome potential barriers that might affect the agreement (Van Heerden & Barter, 2008). ... Lastly, a good negotiator should have the capacity to close a deal. Closing a deal is the most significant aspect of negotiation. Your company is about to take a team into Beijing China to negotiate a 3-year supply contract. What should you know about advantages and disadvantages of negotiating terms of a contract in China? Cross-cultural negotiations require thorough groundwork on cultural disparities. In particular, when dealing with the Chinese community cross-cultural understanding becomes essential. It is a well-known fact that most negotiations fail not because of a common ground but because of ignorance and lack of cross-cultural understanding. Unlike Westerners, the Chinese consider themselves superior in many ways and therefore an effective negotiator should be concerned about cultural difference (Marin, Ruiz, & Rubio, 2009). Negotiating with the Chinese is advantageous and it enhances development of negotiation skills. Firstly, the Chinese are confident and they are not qui ck to sign contracts as westerners do. The team will acquire this essential negotiation skill. The second advantage of negotiating contracts in China is the two-phase negotiation process. In China negotiation are conducted through a technical and a commercial phase. The technical phase contains most of the terms of the contract and it usually comes before the commercial phase (Marin, Ruiz, & Rubio, 2009). The Chinese consider a contract to be a commercial document rather than a legal document. This is of particular importance since most negotiation fail to distinguish between commercial and legal aspects of negotiations. Lastly, the Chinese community has a centralized leadership system. This applies to most of their

I.R Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

I.R - Essay Example This is clear in the theory of comparative advantage attributed to David Ricardo as well as in the â€Å"standard theory of international trade† that are both discussed in many of the undergraduate and graduate books of economics. One of the books discussing the two topics, for example, is that one by Krugman and Obstfeld (2003). A policy of trade liberalization adopted by policy makers through the political process commit a country to an economic environment that requires the conversion of tariffs to quota as well as the reduction of tariffs which are the standard policy prescriptions under the World Trade Organization (WTO). On the other hand, a policy of autarky emphasizes on the policy of â€Å"self-reliance† wherein nations produce all what they need. In contrast, the policy of trade liberalization emphasizes on interdependence among nations wherein self-reliance is achieved through domestic production as well as trade with other nations. In other words, the forego ing emphasizes that policy regimes that are adopted through the political process determine trade policy and, consequently, policy regimes or politics determine people’s access to higher welfare levels. Second, the discipline of economics recognizes that there is a definite and solid political economy dimension in the adoption of protectionism rather than trade liberalization. For example, this is clear in Salvatore (2001, p. 293-298).

The Fog of War Documentary Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

The Fog of War Documentary - Research Paper Example As the discussion stresses  McNamara served as the president of World Bank between 1968 and 1981.The Public policy system analysis which later developed into the recent discipline referred to as policy analysis was instituted by McNamara. After the Second World War, he contributed into reestablishment of the Ford Motor Company while serving as its president before becoming Defense Secretary. He became the company’s director in 1957 and its president in 1960.He was then requested by President John F. Kennedy to abandon his position in the company and serve as the Defense Secretary of the United States. He also served as a member of the board of directors in various corporations as well as non-profit making organizations. He has written documents on several issues and topics like world hunger, nuclear arms, relationships between east and west, the environment, population and development.This essay declares that  the film provides an analysis of McNamara’s controversia l issues in the course of Vietnam War, his contributions during World War II, his upbringing and educational background at Berkeley and Harvard and finally, his service as the president of World Bank for a period of thirteen years. The subtitle of the film is â€Å"Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara†.  At the age of 85, Morris interviewed McNamara; the film was produced based upon that interview. In addition, the film contains television and new reports of 1960’s and cabinet photos during the reign of President Kennedy.... ysis of McNamara’s controversial issues in the course of Vietnam War, his contributions during World War II, his upbringing and educational background at Berkeley and Harvard and finally, his service as the president of World Bank for a period of thirteen years. The subtitle of the film is â€Å"Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara†. During his study, he did statistical analysis with the aim of improving bombing strategies during World War II. At the age of 85, Morris interviewed McNamara; the film was produced based upon that interview. In addition, the film contains television and new reports of 1960’s and cabinet photos during the reign of President Kennedy. Information was recorded during Vietnam War, Cuban Missile Crisis, bombings of World War II, and air attacks against Vietnam to help in understanding what was going on during those periods. Some of the major contributions of McNamara are seen in the Vietnam War which caused deaths of over fif ty eight thousand Americans and 3.4 million Vietnam Citizens. Vietnam War was a conflict between the Northern part of the country under the support of communist countries against the southern part that was supported by the United States and other countries that were against the communist policy. The reasons for the United States’ engaging in the war was to prevent communism from further spreading while Vietnam government wanted to unify the country under a communist government (Morris 38). During World War II, McNamara acted as the commander under General Arch-hawk. He was among the group that came up with the decisions and bombed 67 cities in Japan during which large numbers of civilians were killed. For instance, in the city of Tokyo alone, more than one hundred thousand civilians died after the bombing

Influnce of greek mythology on the modern world Research Paper

Influnce of greek mythology on the modern world - Research Paper Example This corpus of materials includes a huge collection of narratives, some of which explains the origin of the world and others that detail the lives and adventures of various gods and goddess, heroes, heroines, and mythological creatures. These accounts were initially disseminated in an oral poetic tradition primarily referred to as written Greek literature in modern world. Tames (2009, p 40) notes that Greek mythology is rich in stories of heroes and heroines who were victorious, gods and goddess that quarreled frequently and also creatures that were usual and mysterious. The Greek mythology provided entertainment to the Greek people while at the same time trying to offer answers to question about how the world and human beings came into existence .This tales were very powerful and provided a great inspiration to ancient Greek arts and materials for their play. In additional, these tales provided important and valuable records of history and provide encouragement to the Greek to take pride in their cultural past that was very vibrant. Tames states that the Greek myths were traditionally passed from one generation to the other orally. Also many at times, poets were paid in order to make a recitation of poems which they had memorized. Later on, these tales were put down onto written .documents. Tames (2009, p 40) The influence of Greek mythology on modern society According to enotes.com, (2011), Greek mythology has continued to exert an extensive and profound influence on various fields on modern society for hundreds of years. The impacts of Greek mythology in today’s modern world can be noted in various areas including; language, sport, literature, psychology, Astronomy, modern Art, Films and Drama. The influence of Greek mythology in the aforementioned areas will be dealt with below in a detailed and comprehensive manner and where possible appropriate examples provided. enotes.com, (2011) Language Even though few people speak Greek language internationall y, Greek mythology has shaped English and other languages over the world. For example, the phrase â€Å"Herculean task† means a task that requires great input and effort. The drug which is known as morphine derives its name from the Greek god of sleep; Morheus.The concept â€Å"venereal disease† has specific reference to god Venus. The term â€Å"aphrodisiac†, which refers to any substance or circumstances that arouses sexual desire originates from the goddess of love In modern days, a woman who may not be beautiful can be called a â€Å"happy†, that is, a winged monster with a woman’s torso and birds feet. On the other hand, a man who is handsome is referred to as â€Å"adoris†, that is, the mortal man who was so handsome that Aphrodite goddess fell in love with him. Computer viruses known as â€Å"Trojan â€Å"have their comparison to the Greek –built Trojan horses, that were used by the Greek to gain access to Troy and end the Tr ojan war.Myth-and-mythology.com,states that the impacts of Greek mythology on language is not confined to individual words in modern world but extends to many other expression, proverbs and clinches . For example, the expressions â€Å"caught between a rock and a hard place† and â€Å"between the devil and the blue sea† both came from the tales about sailors being caught between the monsters Scylla and Charybdis of the Greek mythology.(enotes.com,2011) Some of the other commonly used expression that demonstrate the impact of Greek mythology in modern society include; on Achilles heel meaning a single fatal

Navy Uniform Regulations Essay Example for Free

Navy Uniform Regulations Essay In dress uniform, civilian bags will be hand carried only.  All bags worn with the working uniform must conceal its contents and be either solid black or navy blue. No personal ornamentation. No tattoos/body art/brands that are prejudicial to good order, discipline and morale or are of nature to bring discredit upon the Navy are prohibited. Do not wear skirts or dress shoes aboard ship. Do not wear corfam shoes for normal work aboard ship, only when immediately departing or returning to the ship. Same applies for V-Neck/Sleeveless shirts. SOPA – Senior Officer Present Afloat Hair cut for men – Hair above the ears and around the neck shall be tapered from the lower natural hairline upward at least  ¾ inch and outward not greater than  ¾ inch to blend with hairstyle. Hair shall be no longer than 4 inches and may not touch the ears, collar, extended below eyebrows when headgear is removed, show under front edge of headgear, or interfere with properly wearing military headgear. Bulk shall no proceed 2 inches. Color must look natural and compliment the individual. Sideburns shall not extend below a point level with the middle of the ear, shall be of even width (not flared) and shall end with a clean-shaven horizontal line. Hair for women – The hair may touch, but not fall below a horizontal line level with the lower edge of the back of the collar. With jumper uniforms, hair may extend a maximum of 1- ½ inches below the top of the jumper collar. Bulk shall not exceed 2 inches. A maximum of 2 small barrettes/combs/clips, similar to hair color, may be used un the hair. Hairnets shall not be worn. Hair ornaments shall not present a safety hazard.

Threats to Urban Bird Populations

Threats to Urban Bird Populations Emily Bailes, Ann Bailey, Matheus Blezer Plumm, Tom McClellan-West, Lizzie Yarwood Introduction The enigmatic creatures of the sky, birds are creatures that are treasured by many around the world, by some as cultural symbolism, others a hobby to indulge in and some just find their presence a pleasant addition to a grey and largely urban world. Human colonisation has had a huge impact on nature, birds included, with some able to utilise the new urban habitat to great effect; feral pigeons (Columba livia domestica) exploit waste products and buildings as a place to nest. However, some species have found it much harder to adapt to the threats that are present within the ever increasing urban environment. In recent reports, the conservation status’ of 246 bird species were evaluated of which 52 (21.1%) were placed on the Red list, 126 (51.2%) were on the Amber list and 68 species (27.6%) were placed on the Green list (Eaton et al. 2009). Over a period of 35-45 years, there were 28 species with statistically significant population declines of greater than 50%. One of these species is the Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur); according to the CBC/BBS trend it has showed a severe decline in abundance since the 1970s (Figure 1), and it is a priority species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. In the period of 2002-2012 the Turtle Dove had an 80% decline in population size in the UK. Whilst there are many threats facing urban bird populations, there are four key threats that have been focused on in this review. Cat predation, window collisions, habitat loss and general human disturbance all have variable effects on bird abundance and have been discussed in the following paragraphs. Predation by Felines Whilst there are several high risk threats to urban bird populations, the most severe is that of cat predation. Cats have long been known to have a negative ecological impact. They are responsible for multiple cases of extinctions in ground nesting birds in island habitats, where they come into contact with species possessing little or no defence mechanisms against predation. This inevitably leads to extinction. The current global impact of free-ranging domestic cats on bird mortality is estimated to be up to 4 billion birds, annually (Loss et al. 2013). In the UK alone it is estimated that across a 4 month period, up to 100 million prey items are caught by cats, 24% of these being bird species (Woods et al. 2003). With cats bringing home an average of 13.4 prey items per year (Heezik et al. 2010), this can have a drastic impact on wildlife populations. One study that focused on the bird populations of a typical urban UK village found that 16% of birds caught in a year were House Spa rrows (Passer domesticus) which are a red listed and highly endangered species (British Trust for Ornithology 2002) (Figure 2). It was also found in the same study that cats were responsible for 30% of Passer domesticus deaths in that area. Cats are also responsible for the deaths of many other red listed species such as the Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) (British Trust for Ornithology 2002) (See fig 3). Another more worrying issue is that the number of bird deaths increased if that household was providing food for birds (Woods et al. 2003). This is especially troubling as cat owners trying to conserve endangered species may be doing more harm than good. These trends all point to cat predation being the number one threat to urban bird populations. However, research has been conducted that suggests that the impact of cats on ecosystems may not be wholly negative. As an apex predator, an animal with no natural predators of their own, cats have free reign to hunt in UK ecosystems without fear of predation. As well as suppressing the abundance of birds they also frequently predate other animals and some mesopredators such as rodents. Whilst their impact on bird diversity and population is clear, they also play a key ecological role in the suppression of bird’s natural predators (Ritchie Johnson 2009). Window Collisions Window collisions are considered to be the second largest cause of bird fatalities in urban areas (Loss et al. 2014). This however may not be accurate due to the lack of quantitative estimates and research on other continents (Bayne et al. 2012). There have been few attempts to estimate the number of fatalities per year within populations, however the US and Canada have had some input. Klem JR (1990a) estimated a range of 100 million to 1 billion birds killed per year within the USA, which was later considered to be a conservative estimate (Klem 2006). Bayne et al. (2012) believed these estimates to be unlikely due to a lack of research in other geographical areas. Windows pose a threat as birds do not perceive glass within their vision, and they will see windows and corridors as a route to other habitat areas (Klem et al. 2009). Reflections from windows are also perceived as a continuation of the sky-both of these things occur during light hours (Machtans et al. 2013). At night, windows become a source of light pollution which is particularly a problem for migratory birds (Loss et al. 2014). Upon collision, birds suffer fatalities due to head traumas, intracranial pressures and bleeding on the brain, rather than the â€Å"broken neck† explanation (Klem 1990b), fortified by the results found by Veltri Klem (2005) in which 91% of birds found dead from window collisions had no skeletal or cervical fractures. Urban environments, and the increase in buildings that feature glass, are proportionately linked to collision mortality rates (Hager et al. 2012). Glass is considered to be a non-selective lethal hazard by Klem (1990a) who found that sex, age and resident status does not affect the mortality rates of window collisions, neither is there a differentiation between smaller and larger species. However, this result may not be universal, with data only collected from two different buildings in differing locations. It would be favourable to take samples from a range of buildings in a number of locations around the world to see what impacts exist to which species, because although there is plausibly no difference between small and large species in terms of collision rate, those collisions impacts on individual species could be more profound. Whilst being a threat to individual birds in large quantities globally, in the US there is a lack of research into the effects of this particular mortality along with other collisions on population dynamics, with one study going as far to suggest that collisions with man-made structures, including windows has ‘no discernible effect’ on the population trends in North America (Arnold Zinc 2011). Bayne et al. (2012) explain that more research needs to be done to obtain a reliable estimate for bird mortality caused by window collisions. Research can then be done to get a better perspective of what the mortalities are doing to the population numbers. This should also be done in other locations to give more clarity on the issue, and provide greater understanding moving forwards. Habitat Loss Habitat loss is becoming a big issue over the world due to urbanization from human development. On average in the United States, urbanised areas have as few as 35% tree coverage, with another 118,300km2 of forest land expected to be lost in the next 50 years. Forest land is important as not only does it provide shade, it also provides hidden nesting areas and food (Lerman et al. 2014). Habitat fragmentation and habitat loss not only causes a community diversity loss within the animal kingdom, it removes the nesting areas for these birds, leaving them vulnerable. Bird feeders that can be found in peoples gardens can help to reduce the lack of food caused by the removal of plants and trees, of which birds and their prey feed from. However this cannot prevent, or even counterbalance, the decrease in the diversity of species which are lost and replaced by non-native species (Shochat et al. 2010). In Malaysia, nearly half of their land has been urbanised and changed by humans, causing a l oss in biodiversity. However they have created little ‘pockets’ within the urban areas for wildlife, such as nature reserves, local parks and plazas. Although, it has been noticed that exotic vegetation is not popular with the native insects and their prey-which impacts majorly on the bird population. Despite exotic plants not helping to increase native bird numbers, they are still being planted for ornamental reasons and as part of their local plants scheme so this does not help with the conservation of native birds (Idilfitri Mohamad 2012). Human Disturbance Human disturbance is a threat to bird species in urban areas and can come in many forms ranging from pollution of waterways to introduction of non-native species into the environment. Habitat fragmentation and introduction of exotic species to urban environments has seen a decline in urban bird populations. Within urban areas there are a range of habitats, from parks containing primarily native tree species, to recently developed streetscapes that do not contain any mature tree species. Here, many of the tree species found are non-indigenous. Other habitats that can be found in an urban environment are streetscapes with only native tree species, and those with only exotic tree species (White et al. 2005). Higher species richness of birds and abundance is observed in habitats with more resources, such as parks, with the greater availability of food and nesting sites. In habitats with non-indigenous tree species, nectarivorous birds are less prolific as flowers that they specialize in are not present. Insectivorous birds are also less common in such habitats; native insects have evolved with native plants, so will be absent where these trees are absent, thus insectivorous bird species will be absent. Recently developed and exotic streetscapes often lack the shelter required for certain bird species, so these birds are driven out of potential habitats (Bhuller Majer 2000). Bird species require specific flora species within distinct habitats that meet all of their requirements; some bird species are more tolerable of disturbed habitats with exotic species, whilst other species are dependent on the native flora and undisturbed habitats. Urbanisation may lead to an increase in non-indigenous bird species and the simplification of bird communities if exotic plants are planted and streetscapes continue to be created. Therefore native vegetation must continually be planted and parks protected in order to maintain complex bird communities and conserve native bird species (White et al. 2005). The effects of light pollution from urban areas on birds are also of particular concern. A study conducted on European Blackbirds (Turdus merula) showed that birds exposed to 0.3 lux of illumination at night time had an irregular molt pattern with respect to individuals that were exposed to a dark night. Male European blackbird’s production of testosterone is stimulated annually by light, in a process called photorefactoriness. After the breeding season, the birds stop being photosensitive, and so the gonads are diminished whilst they are not in use. Gonads re-develop after photostimulation by shorter daylight hours in the autumn and the increase in day length thereafter. Following long periods of exposure to light at night time, the reproductive cycles of male birds stop, with testosterone concentrations in the plasma at a minimum. Thus, it can be suggested that artificial light could confuse birds, as they miss important photo-cues for photorefactoriness. Without these cues, testosterone concentrations remain at a minimum, gonads fail to re-develop and the bird will not reproduce come breeding season. The light pollution caused by urban environments is a threat to urban bird populations, as it leaves individuals unable to reproduce through confusing their photosensitive reproductive cycles. (Dominoni et al. 2013) Conclusion It is apparent that the threats mentioned in this review all have the potential to impact urban bird populations around the world and have all been reported in literature to have a negative effect on birds. However the threats mentioned have a great deal of complexity about them due to the interchangeable effects each threat can have on one another which may make distinguishing the effects of one individually difficult. A great example of this is the provision of bird feeders in gardens. Whilst the benefits of providing food will be greatly received by a number of bird species, it can increase the frequency of predation by cats (Woods et al. 2003). It is also shown that providing bird feeders near urban buildings can increase the frequency of bird-window collisions (Klem 1990a). However, a dynamic could be present, where the ‘fear factor’ of cats is influencing the birds into quick flight paths that lead them to collide with windows. It is here that the two dynamics of the threats are interlinked. Mortality rates of birds killed by window collisions with single building may be small, but deaths from window collisions with several buildings across the urban environment accumulate to give a high percentage of mortality. To reduce this high percentage of mortality, something must be done to the structure of buildings (e.g. urban residences) so birds do not confuse window panes as a pathway, thinking that it is clear for them to use (Loss et al. 2014). Furthermore our constant introduction of exotic non-native species to parks and streetscapes changes the habitat and prey items available to urban birds which will further increase their population decline- some bird species have easily adapted to changing conditions, whilst populations of others have been disturbed with the loss of specific habitats. Not only do the exotic species disrupt the local ecosystems, they also replace habitats that would otherwise be suitable for many native invertebrates that are an important source of food for birds. Whilst this threat isn’t as obvious or as directly damaging to birds, it is still a serious threat to be considered and further researched. Exotic plants are leading to declining native bird populations, but in spite of this they are still being planted for ornamental reasons (Idilfitri Mohamad 2012). Urbanisation may lead to an increase in non-indigenous bird species and the simplification of bird communities if exotic plants are planted and streetscapes continue to be created. Therefore native vegetation must continually be planted and parks protected in order to maintain complex bird communities and conserve native bird species (White et al. 2005). All things considered there are a number of aspects that need to be addressed. Bayne et al. (2012) pointed out how there is a lack of quantitative estimates and lack of research in other geographical areas as reasons why window collision mortality and its effects on a population may not have particularly accurate data. The statement could be extended to various aspects of urban bird population. Threats mentioned above would benefit from extra research, however this is difficult to achieve when the practicalities of working in an urban environment, resources and time are taken into consideration. References: Arnold, T.W., Zinc, R.M. (2011) Collision Mortality Has No Discernible Effect on Population Trends of North American Birds. PLoS ONE, 6, e24708 Bayne, E.M., Scobie, C.A., Rawson-Clark, M. (2012) Factors influencing the annual risk of bird-window collisions at residential structures in Alberta, Canada. Wildlife Research, 39, 583-592. Bhuller, S., Majer, J.D. (2000) Arthropods on street trees: a food resource for wildlife. Pacific Conservation Biology, 6, 171-173. British Trust for Ornithology. (2002) Investigation into the causes of the decline of Starlings and House Sparrows in Great Britain. Norfolk: BTO Dominoni, D.M., Quetting, M., Partecke, K. (2013) Long-Term Effects of Chronic Light Pollution on Seasonal Functions of European Blackbirds (Turdus merula). PLoS One, 8, e85069. Eaton, M.A., Brown, A.F., Noble, D.G., Musgrove, A.J., Hearn, R.D., Aebischer, N.J., Gibbons, D.W., Evans, A. Gregory, R.D. (2009) Birds of Conservation Concern 3: the population status of birds in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. British Birds, 102, 296–341. Shochat, E., Lerman, S.B., Anderies, J.M., Warren, P.S., Faeth, S.H., Nilon, C.H. (2010) Invasion, Competition, and Biodiversity Loss in Urban Ecosystems. BioScience, 60, 199-208. Hager, S.B., Cosentino, B.J., McKay, K.J., Monson, C., Zuurdeeg, W., Blevins, B. (2012) Window Area and Development Drive Spatial Variation in Bird-Window Collisions in an Urban Landscape. PLoS ONE, 8, e53371. Heezik, Y.V., Smyth, A., Adams, A., Gordon, J. (2010) Do domestic cats impose an unsustainable harvest on urban bird populations? Biological Conservation, 143, 121-130. Klem JR, D. (1990a) Collisions between Birds and Windows: Mortality and Prevention (Colisiones de Pà ¡jaros con Ventanas: Mortalidad y Prevencià ³n). Journal of Field Ornithology, 61, 120-128. Klem JR, D. (1990b) Bird Injuries, Cause of Death and Recuperation from Collisions with Windows. Journal of Field Ornithology, 61, 115-119. Klem JR, D. (2006) Glass: A Deadly Conservation Issue for Birds. Bird Observer, 34, 73-81. Klem JR, D. Farmer, C.J., Delacretaz, N., Gelb, Y., Saenger, P.G. (2009) Architectural and Landscape Risk Factors Associated with Bird-glass Collisions in an Urban Environment. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 121, 126-134. Lerman, S.B., Nislow, K.H., Nowak, D.J., DeStefano, S. King, D.J., Jones-Farrand, D.T. (2014) Using urban forest assessment tools to model bird habitat potential. Landscape and Urban Planning, 122, 29-40. Loss, S.R., Will, T., Loss, S.S., Marra, P.P. (2014) Bird-building collisions in the United States: Estimates of annual mortality and species vulnerability. The Condor, 116, 8-23. Loss, S.R., Will, T., Marra, P.P. (2013) The impact of free-ranging domestic cats on wildlife of the United States. Nature Communications, 4. Machtans, C.S., Wedeles, C.H.R., Bayne, E.M. (2013) A First Estimate for Canada of the Number of Birds Killed by Colliding with Building Windows. Avian Conservation and Ecology. 8, 6. PECBMS (2014)  Trends of common birdsin Europe, 2014 update.  CSO, Prague. Ritchie, E. G. Johnson, C. N. (2009) Predator interactions, mesopredator release and biodiversity conservation. Ecology Letters, 2, 982-998. Idilfitri, S., Mohamad, N.H.N. (2012) Role of Ornamental Vegetation for Birds’ Habitats in Urban Parks: Case study FRIM, Malaysia. Procedia- Social and Behavioural Sciences, 68, 894-909. Veltri C.J. and Klem JR, D. (2005) Comparison of fatal bird injuries from collision with towers and windows. Journal of Field Ornithology, 76, 127-133. White, J.G., Antos, M.J., Fitzsimons, J.A., Palmer, G.C. (2005) Non-uniform bird assemblages in urban environments: the influence of streetscape vegetation. Landscape and Urban Planning, 71, 123-135. Woods, M., McDonald, R. A., Harris, S. (2003) Predation of wildlife by domestic cat Felis catus in Great Britain. Mammal Review, 33, 174-188.