Abstract This paper presents a research proposal that will confirm that sediments of the small pond discussed in the paper, like larger bodies of water, will contain significant amounts of P and N, and that these sediments will be one of the sources responsible for the increasing incidence of eutrophic or hypereutrophic in the nation's systems of ponds, rivers, lakes and streams.
From the Paper "Over the millennia, water has provided humankind with numerous products and services, including transportation, food, drinking water, irrigation, recreation, and protection. Unfortunately, the world's lakes, rivers, and oceans have also been used as a dumping ground for by-products of industrial development and residential refuge. Until recently, however, there was very little attention was paid to water quality (Faeth & Greenhalgh, 2001). Today, the contamination of natural waters such as ponds, lakes, and rivers by anthropogenic organic chemicals has assumed major importance for environmental protectionists. A number of studies over the years have documented how many synthetic organic compounds, although applied or introduced to confined locations, tend to become widely dispersed even to the "ends of the earth" (Schwarzenbach, Haderlein, Muller & Ulrich, 1998). Today, the diffuse loss of phosphorus (P) from agricultural land is generally regarded as a major contributor to eutrophication of fresh water, and there has been a significant increase in research into this issue recently (Fertilizer Applications Influence Phosphorus Runoff, 2004)."
Abstract This paper examines how the presence of others affects our performance and behaviour. The author argues that the presence of others effects simple/practiced tasks and complex ones differently. Included is an anlysis of group consensus and conformity, social impact theory, and a look at possible outcomes such as: diffusion of responsibility and pluralistic ignorance.
From the paper:
"Our behaviour is influenced in many ways by the actions, views and mere presence of those around us. Many studies in Social Psychology have been carried out on how this influence effects us and how much. It seems that the presence of an audience is beneficial only when the task at hand is simple or well practised. If not, the audience causes performance to get worse. When acting as part of a group, individuals tend to conform to a common group consensus. This is especially the case when such a consensus in unanimous. However, minorities do have the ability to change group norms or perceptions. Individuals are less likely to help those who maybe in trouble when there are other potential helpers around. This is mainly due to pluralistic ignorance and diffusion of responsibility. Social impact theory states that the level of influence on an individual depends on the number, status and proximity of the observers as well as on whether he is acting alone or with others."
Abstract This paper explores the topic of television violence and the impact it has on children. In recent years there have been increasing allegations that television violence is having a negative impact on child development. The writer begins with an overview of the problem, looking at specific examples of television in America. Next, the paper defines some key terms for understanding the topic as well as providing a background about why this topic is important to society. The writer concludes by arguing that children are not developmentally advanced enough to separate fantasy from reality and that the increased violence they are seeing on television is creating more violent and aggressive children.
From the Paper "In recent years there have been increasing allegations that television violence has a negative impact on child development . There have been school shootings, children acting out both at home and in classrooms and other developmental traits that have been laid and the feet of television violence".
Abstract This paper examines how architecture is inseparable from its social purpose and from its environmental setting. This concept is demonstrated through first examining the function of architecture and how the impact of a specific function directly impacts those who come in contact with a given building, and then by describing how the building impacts the local environment.
Abstract The debate in Canada over free trade with the United States has always been heated. Both sides have consistently pointed to evidences that appear to support their own argument. There has, for instance, been reason to believe that free trade has had a beneficial impact on Canada. But this story is somewhat more complicated since the overall impact of free trade on Canada appears to remain negative. Because the American and Canadian relationship is uneven to begin with, it has been no surprise that the United States has benefited disproportionately to the agreement.
Abstract The paper discusses the environmental impact assessment and how it is more complex than other types of impact assessments. The paper notes that the ecological impact assessment is a form of risk assessment to indicate what the risks of an action may be. The paper considers this in terms of various examples as well as what will be required for an EIA for a massive project in Hong Kong in the near future.
From the Paper "Assessment is required for all major construction projects and for other mass alterations to the natural or urban landscape and there are different types of EIA that can be made according to the needs of the project, the requirements of the law and other parameters of change. Some types of impact assessment are more difficult to attain than others and the Ecological Impact Assessment is the most difficult, more than other types, with more uncertainties to be included and a broader potential for change to be considered. The ecological impact assessment is a form of risk assessment to indicate what the risks of an action may be. This will be considered in terms of various examples as well as what will be required for an EIA for a massive project in Hong Kong in the near future."
Abstract This paper attempts to estimate what the real total economic cost of the Vietnam War was to the United States. The paper concludes that a reasonable estimate of the economic impact of the Vietnam War on the American economy is that an entire year's worth of productive activity was used to fight the war.
From the Paper "The Vietnam War was the defining experience for a generation of Americans. Indeed, it is arguably one of the defining experiences of America as a whole in the Twentieth Century. Its impact on the men who fought there, the men (and women) who did not, the American military in general, American society and popular culture during and following the war has been well documented. However, it was not just a life changing experience for soldiers and protestors, or a force for social change, or even an inspiration for thousands of books and dozens of movies. War is not least an economic event. In addition to being a military defeat, a political blunder and a human tragedy, the Vietnam War was also an economic disaster."
Abstract This essay discusses the impact of the Cold War on Canadian society. . While the Canadian government was more liberal in dealing with internal security, it also tightened up on democratic rights to a certain extent.
Abstract This paper addresses demographic changes regarding the aging of the population and its impact on nursing practice. Included in the paper is a review of three journal articles. The paper also takes a look at the implications all this has for the health care of older Americans.
From the Paper "According to Carol Gavan, in an article in Holistic Nursing Practice, over the next thirty years America will see a dramatic increase in the number of older adults in the United States. This increase in the size of the older U S population will have significant implications for the health care system as well as changes in family..."
Tags: demographic changes, aging of the population and the impact on nursing practice, geriatric, health care gap, nursing, medical school, stereotypes, senility, rigid patients, nursing home
Abstract This paper discusses the psychological impact of film as conveyed through its visual, nonverbal elements, arguing that visual choices are more important to the story than dialogue. The paper cites details from the films "Sunset Blvd", "Working Girl", "Blonde Venus" and "Richard III".
From the Paper To suggest that nonverbal aspects of film communicate psychological and sociological realities may seem like the most commonplace and self-evident tautology. Even so, the power of images to dominate the narrative and psychological sense of film and indeed to convey more of the narrative truth of a motion picture than its dialogue can be overlooked particularly if the onscreen talent speaking the dialogue has star power. It seems perfectly natural for a film spectator to wait for every next moment that something comes out of the mouth..."
Abstract This paper studies the economic impact of apartheid in South Africa between 1948 and 1991. It looks at post war economic problems and the rise of the National Party, its ruthless enforcement of apartheid and South Africa as one of the most unequal countries in the world.
From the Paper "This sent shock waves through the white community particularly among white South Africans in the lowest economic strata who feared that companies would replace them with lower wage earning Black workers. This resulted in a knee jerk reaction among the all-white electorate. According to Stephen Lewis this reaction resulted in the surprise election victory ..."
Tags: Economic impact, apartheid, south africa, mandella, anc, sanctions, united nations, national party, poverty, minority, majority
Abstract This paper discusses the impact of the vast technological advances on education, as well as delving into the topic of whether technology is making the teaching profession obsolete. The position taken is that technology is extremely important in the delivery of classroom information but that education involves more than a technological base and therefore, ultimately, human teachers will always be needed.
From the Paper "Technology and technological advances have changed the world in which we live. Given the acumen of today's scientists, there appears to be no limit to the manner in which goods and services are delivered. While several years ago cable television and cellular telephones were considered luxuries, today these very same items are part and parcel of almost every household. Similarly, society is faster paced because of the advances technology has wrought. Technological advances do not stop at the front door of educational institutes, instead these advances have altered the manner in which students learn; the question, however, is have these changes improved the quality of education and, moreover, is the burgeoning growth of technology making the profession of teaching obsolete? Throughout the course of this paper I shall present the position that technology, in fact, does not - and cannot - make the profession of teaching obsolete."
Abstract This paper explains that, in lakes that have suffered years of external loading, high levels of bound phosphorus are released from pools into the surrounding water column. Phosphorus in pools is bound in many forms including redox-sensitive iron compounds and loosely bound organic compounds. The paper describes the microbial action, chemical reactions and physical disturbance to the sediment layer, which contribute to the release of phosphorous into the water column. The paper also reviews several management techniques, such as removing heavily contaminated sediment from the lake floor and precipitation by the addition of iron or alum, which help speed the recovery process of the lake.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Phosphorus forms in Sediment
Phosphorus Release Mechanisms
Chemical Release Mechanisms
Physical Release Mechanisms
Biological Release Mechanisms
Management and Restoration Techniques
Source Reduction Strategies
Physical Reduction of Phosphorus Availability
Chemical Removal
Analysis and Summary of Findings
Analyzing the Unknowns
Conclusions/Recommendations
From the Paper "The first is the use of physical means such as dredging and flushing to remove sediments containing high concentrations of phosphorus. Another method is the use of agents such as Aluminum Sulfate or gypsum to bind phosphorus in the water system. Yet, other methods have focused on long term reduction of external loading as the ultimate solution to the problem. The success or failure of these methods depends on the source and fractionation profile of the lake.
It was once thought that reducing external loading of the lake would rapidly decrease phosphorus levels in lakes."
Abstract In this paper, the output of a soil nutrient, phosphorus, is examined and it is demonstrated that transpiration plays a role in the phosphorus cycle as transpiration can lead to phosphate output from the soil by initiating soil water extraction by plants. Definitions of key phrases are included within the text of the paper.
From the Paper "Importantly, phosphorus, as an element, is present in phosphate, a water soluble compound characterized by one phosphorus atom for every four oxygen atoms. The water-soluble characteristic of phosphate is very important from the perspective of plant nutrient intake because, when phosphate is dissolved in soil water, it can enter a plant that draws soil water through its roots. However, in order for a plant to draw in soil water that may be enriched with phosphate, usually transpiration must occur first. For this reason, an analysis of how transpiration leads to the intake of soil water by a plant is necessary in order to understand transpiration's role in instigating the output of phosphorus from soil."
Abstract The paper identifies the chemical and physical properties of nitrogen dioxide and its sources in the environment. The paper discusses its interaction in the environment, its effects on the human body and its toxicity. The paper also looks at emission standards for nitrogen dioxide gases and provides suggestions for reducing reactive nitrogen dioxide exposure.
Outline:
Chemical and Physical Data
Occurrence/Sources in the Environment
Interaction in the Environment
Effects on the Human Body
Toxicity
Regulations
Suggestions for Action
From the Paper "Nitrogen Dioxide or NO2 is a red-brown or yellow liquid, which becomes a colorless solid at a specific temperature (EPA 2007). It is a non-combustible component of automotive exhaust fumes. It can be derived during the intermediate stage in the oxidation of ammonia to nitric acid. It is highly poisonous and even fatal when inhaled. Tolerance in the air is at 5 ppm. Nitrogen dioxide can react strongly with reducing materials. It occurs as environmental tobacco smoke and artificially as kerosene heaters, un-vented gas stoves and heaters. Among its effects on health are irritations on the eyes, nose and throat; pulmonary edema and diffused lung injury; chronic bronchitis; decreased lung function; and increased risk of respiratory infections, especially in young children (US Environmental Protection Agency)."
