Advantages and Disadvantages to Society Essay

Humans have become so dependent on electricity and society’s evolution to a great extent has been based on it. In the absence of lights, computers, most methods of transportation and communication, the last hundred years of advancement could be set back. With these things considered, electricity could clearly be regarded as man’s greatest discovery. However, in as much as electricity has played a major role in the progress of humankind, it has also contributed widely into the sluggish destruction of society. Therefore, electricity has both an advantageous and disadvantageous effects on society. Electricity is an invisible form of energy created by the movement of charged particles, a phenomenon that is a result of the existence of electrical charge. It flows into our homes along wires and can be easily converted into other energy forms, such as heat and light. It can be stored in batteries or sent along wires to make electric trains, computers, light bulbs and other devices work. The comprehension of electricity has directed to the invention of generators, computers and nuclear-energy systems, X-ray devices, motors, telephones, radio and television. (Grolier Encyclopedia of Knowledge, 2002) Everything in the world, including humans and the air they breathe, is made of atoms. Each of these tiny particles has a positively charged center, named as nucleus, with smaller, negatively charged electrons whizzing around it. Electricity is created when one of the electrons jump to another atom. This can be caused by the magnetic field in a generator, by chemicals in a battery, or by friction (rubbing materials together). Early History The breakthrough discovery that an electric charge could be created by rubbing two materials together was first made by the Greek Philosopher Thales around 600 BC. He found that if he rubbed the fossilized tree sap, amber, with silk, it attracted small light objects such as feathers and dust. However, the first realistic device for the generation of electrical energy was not invented until 1800 when the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta constructed the first crude battery. For centuries, this strange, puzzling property was thought to be limited to amber. Two thousand years later, in the 16th century, William Gilbert provided evidence that many other substances are electric. He gave these substances the Latin name electrica, originating from the Greek word elektron (which means â€Å"amber†). According to the 2008 Encyclopedia Americana, the word magnet, comes from the Greek name for the black stones from Magnesia in Asia Minor. Sir Thomas Browne, an English writer and physician, first used the word electricity in 1646. Relationships between electricity and magnetism were devised in 1820 by the Danish physicist H. C. Oersted and the French physicist D. F. J. Arago from studies of the effects of a current-carrying conductor on a compass needle or iron filings. That same year, the French physicist Andre Ampere showed that an electric current flowing through a wire created a magnetic field similar to that of a permanent magnet. In 1831, the English physicist Michael Faraday conceived a device for converting mechanical energy to electrical energy. Faraday’s machine, the first dynamo (DC generator), was made up of a copper disk rotating between the poles of a permanent magnet. A year later, Hippolyte Pixii of France, built both an AC generator and a DC generator, the latter being fitted with a commutator. Such primeval generators were widely used for experimental purposes. Nonetheless, they could not generate a great deal of power because the field strength of their permanent magnets was slight. In 1866, the German inventor Werner von Siemens initiated the use of electromagnets instead of permanent magnets for the field poles of a DC generator. In 1870, the Belgian inventor Zenobe Gramme further improved the performance of DC generators by using armatures of iron wound with rings of insulated copper wire. Powered by counteracting steam engines, Gramme’s generators were used to supply current for arc lamps in lighthouses and factories. Electric arc street lamps were installed in Paris in 1879, in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1879, and in New York City in 1880. However, the carbon filament incandescent lamp invented by Thomas Edison and Joseph Swan in 1880 provided a far better and more suitable source of light than arc lamps did. This invention created a great demand for electric power as it marked the beginning of the electric power industry. Electricity was a mystifying force. It did not seem to occur naturally at initial appearance, except in the frightening form of lightning. Researchers had to do an atypical thing to study electricity; they had to manufacture the phenomenon before they could analyze it. We have come to realize that electricity is everywhere and that all matter is electrical in nature. Many innovators in the study of magnetism and electricity become known between the late 1700s and the early 1800s, many of whom left their names on several electrical units. These scientists include Charles Augustin de Coulomb (the unit of charge), Andre Ampere (current), George Ohm (resistance), James Watt (electrical power), and James Joule (energy). Luigi Galvani gave us the galvanometer, a device for measuring currents, while Alessandro Volta gave us the volt, a unit of potential, or electromotive force. Similarly C. F. Gauss, Hans Christian Oersted, and W. E. Weber all made their mark and established their names on electrical engineering. Only Benjamin Franklin failed to leave his name on any electrical unit, despite his noteworthy contributions. All of the afore-mentioned scientists contributed to the study of electricity. However, the two real giants in the field were 19th century Englishmen, Michael Faraday and James Clerk Maxwell. The widespread use of electricity as a source of power is largely due to the work of pioneering American engineers and inventors such as Nikola Tesla, and Charles Proteus Steinmetz during the late 19th and early 20th centuries (Microsoft Encarta Reference Library 2002). One of the most well-known perhaps is Thomas Alva Edison, most famous for his development of the first commercially practical incandescent lamp. He was one of the most prolific inventors of the late 19th century and his greatest contribution is the development of the world’s first central-electric-light-power-station. By the time he died in West Orange, New Jersey, he had patented over 1000 inventions. (Jenkins, R. 2000) II. BODY Electrical activity takes place constantly everywhere in the universe. Electrical forces hold molecules together. The nervous systems of animals work by way of weak electric signals transmitted between nerve cells called neurons. Electricity is generated, transmitted, and converted into other forms of energy such as heat, light and motion through natural processes, as well as by devices built by people. Over the period from 1950 to 1999, the most recent year for which data are available, annual world electric power production and consumption rose from slightly less than 1,000 billion kilowatt hours to 14,028 billion kwh. A change also took place in the type of power generation. In 1950, about 2/3 of the electricity came from thermal or steam-generating sources and about 1/3 from hydroelectric sources. In 1998, thermal sources produced sixty-three percent of the power, but hydropower had declined to nineteen percent, and nuclear power accounted for seventeen percent of the total. The growth in nuclear power slowed in some countries, markedly the United States, in reaction to concerns about safety. Nuclear plants generated twenty percent of U. S. electricity in 1999; in France, the world leader, the figure was 76 percent.

Employment Legislation Affecting Recruitment

ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEET Name:| Pancho Pablo Fernandes| Address:| PO Box, 491, Doha, Qatar| Post code / Zip:| 491| Telephone No:| 00974 55485261| Email Address:| [email  protected] com| Date:| 1 September 2012| Course Name:| Diploma in Human Resources| Tutor Name:| Ms. Kirsty Cousins| Assignment Name:| Recruitment and Selection| Assignment Title:Recruitment and Selection Unit Title:Examine employment legislation with regard to recruitment Course Title: Name:Pancho Pablo Fernandes Date:01 September 2012Introduction In this assignment I will discuss the employment legislation in force that ensure fair manpower hiring protocol thereby safeguarding candidates from being discriminated on different grounds. The assignment task is: * Evaluate current employment legislation as it affects recruitment and selection of personnel Background Employers during the pre-industrialization era were more focused on having the most suitable manpower in terms of strength, color, ethnic background, gender, religion etc.Child labor was well practiced by employers with intention of saving on overheads. There was no concern for safety & suitable working conditions due to inequality of bargaining power between employer & worker. It was through rise and fall of Governments that created various acts outlawing discriminations most of which pertained to employment. Discriminations related acts have come into force mostly during the second half of the 19th century and till date undergo revisions / modifications thereby ensuring fair employment protocol.This assignment will share light on some important legislation concerning recruitment & selection of workers. Analysis Most countries have a set up legal authority / body which monitors company’s recruitment practices. Employment discriminations can be direct or indirect. Direct discrimination is when a group of candidates are treated less favorably in comparison to another group. Indirect discrimination is when certain criteria is impos ed which limits particular group/s of candidates from applying or being appointed for a job, such as built, height, weight.The Equality Act of 2010 (UK) protects discrimination of people under protected characteristics that include age, disability, gender, race, religion, marital status, pregnancy, sex & sexual orientation. The evolvement of following acts defines legislations prohibiting discrimination while promoting equal opportunity and diversity to all; a. Gender – Gender discrimination is controlled by; i. Sex Discrimination Act of 1975 (UK): This act protected both men & women from being discriminated on fronts of sex or marriage. ii.Employment Equality Regulation of 2003 – Sexual Orientation (UK): This act prohibited the employer to discriminate employees on sexual orientation. iii. Equality Act of 2010: Part of this act enables an employer to appoint / promote a candidate although he/she has equal merit that the other but is classified under the protected char acteristics or is thought to suffer a disadvantage of being in such category. A positive action example would be a lady being offered a General Manager role in our organization instead of a male candidate, since the organization mostly awarded such roles to males. . Race / Religion – This discrimination is controlled by; i. Race Relations Act of 1963 (UK): This act prohibited discrimination on grounds of race, color, ethnical background / national origin. ii. Equality Act of 2010 – Part of this legislation defines the â€Å"Positive Action† clause that can be used by an employer to recruit. As an example, a Sri Lankan Muslim candidate could be recruited instead of a Filipino or Indian candidate since the company had most of its workforce from India (Hindus mostly) & Philippines (Christians) c.Age – Age discrimination is controlled by; i. Employment Equality Regulation of 2006 – Age (UK): In addition to gender & race discrimination; employers could not discriminate employees on grounds of age. However the Equality Act of 2010 has superseded this act. ii. Equality Act of 2010 – Part of this legislation defines the â€Å"Positive Discrimination† clause that can be used by an employer to recruit within certain age groups. Example: Since majority of our company’s office level workforce aged below 40, the next recruitment phase could set age criteria as + 40 years. d.Disability – The Disability Discrimination Act of 1995 (UK) was replaced by the Equality Act of 2010. One of its clauses describes that an employer cannot use discriminative questions to asses a candidate’s disability unless the candidate has to complete an exercise as part of the selection process. However, an employer can lawfully question the candidate, asking if he/she needed any reasonable adjustment to enable them perform at an exercise. Conclusion Employment legislations define guidelines for non-discrimination on basis of vari ous factors such as ethnic background, disabilities, gender, age & race.Most developed countries have its own employment legislation defined in a way that it covers most of its population. In the modern world, employers violating employment regulations can be penalized by the law. Sources of Information Internet Research 1. Wikipedia a) http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Employment_Equality_Regulations b) http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Employment_Non-Discrimination_Act c) http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Equal_Pay_Act_of_1963 d) http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Sex_Discrimination_Act_1975 e) http://en. wikipedia. rg/wiki/Race_Relations_Act_1976 2. http://www. homeoffice. gov. uk/publications/equalities/equality-act-publications/equality-act-guidance/employment-health-questions? view=Binary 3. http://www. homeoffice. gov. uk/publications/equalities/equality-act-publications/equality-act-guidance/positive-action-recruitment? view=Binary 4. http://www. homeoffice. gov. uk/publications/equaliti es/equality-act-publications/equality-act-guidance/positive-action-practical-guide? view=Binary 5. http://www. equalrightstrust. org/ertdocumentbank/bob%20hepple. pdf

Discuss your educational and professional goals, short and long term, Essay

Discuss your educational and professional goals, short and long term, and address how earning the Doctor of Nursing practice (DN - Essay Example I am currently working as an inpatient psychiatric nurse at the Green Oaks Psychiatric Hospital where I have been working for more than a year and have volunteered at the Great Mission Rehab for the homeless and for psychiatric patients. Prior to my job at Green Oaks, I had worked as a medical and surgical nurse but I find more fulfillments working as a psychiatric nurse. As a psychiatric nurse I have more opportunities to connect with my patients by understanding their feelings and emotions, by understanding the meaning behind their stories and finding explanations for their psychiatric problems. I define my patients holistically, by their total personality, as a whole person, and not by the disorder that afflicted them. In my experience as an inpatient Psychiatric RN, I have come to know the prevalence of mental disorder and it is affecting all ages. If not treated on time, serious mental disorder could be totally disabling and could be a source of pain for the whole family, and a loss to the society. I have also known that medicines alone cannot heal a person with a mental problem.

Health Service Provision for Older Patients Essay

Health Service Provision for Older Patients - Essay Example The current rise in elderly population due to improvements in health care systems (WHO, 2006) has caused an increase in the number of patients suffering from dementia and hence more research, education, understanding and training with regard to management of dementia patients in hospital setting is warranted. In this essay, the most common cause of dementia in the elderly, Alzheimer's disease, will be discussed through review of literature. The signs and symptoms of the disease, the pathophysiology and various aspects of nursing intervention will be elaborated. Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common degenerative disease of the brain that leads to dementia (Anderson, 2010). Infact, it is the most common cause of dementia and is incurable. The disease is an acquired condition in which there is impairment of cognition and behavior of the individual that is severe enough to disrupt normal occupational and social functioning of the individual. AD is a major public health problem associated with significant morbidity, impairment and economic consequences (Anderson, 2010). More often than not, the disease is mainly diagnosed after 65 years of age, although, an early-onset variety of AD does exists which presents much early. According to Brookmeyer et al (2007), 1 in 85 people in the world are likely to suffer from AD by 2050. The course of the disease is different for different individuals and thus is the prognosis. The most common early symptom, which is often ignored as an aging feature or stress consequence is the lack of ability to acquire new memories. Other symptoms include changes in cognition and behavior of the individual like irritability, confusion, aggression, mood swings, breakdown in language, withdrawal and long-term loss of memory. As the age advances, various functions of the body are gradually lost, terminating in death. AD imposes severe burden on the caregivers and can influence various aspects of the life of the caregiver detrime ntally. Diagnosis of AD is mainly established through tests for cognition and assessment of behavior. Brain scan is often used as an adjunct to establish the diagnosis. The mean life expectancy of the individual following the diagnosis is about 7 years (Molsa et al, 1995). Pathophysiology The exact cause of AD is still not understood well and there is no treatment which can either cure the disease or prevent the progression of the disease. Even the prevention of the disease is unknown although some researchers are of the opinion that regular exercise, balanced diet and mental stimulation prevent AD (Anderson, 2010). There is some evidence to tell that AD is associated with tangles and plagues in the brain (Ding et al, 2007). Previously, it was hypothesized that decrease in the synthesis of acetylcholine causes the disease. Infact, several treatments for AD were based on that. However, since patients did not respond well to those treatments, the hypothesis could not be maintained. Su bsequently, the amyloid hypothesis was developed, according to which, deposits of amyloid beta were the cause for development of the disease.

Gun Control Unit 2 Part 2 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Gun Control Unit 2 Part 2 - Research Paper Example This could have been a much needed move to woo supporters into his unpopular camp. Apparently, only four senators had publicly declared their support for the bill. However, President Bush’s personal physician, Dr. Burton Lee, was quoted saying that the bill would get support from the White House. A turn of events was what Senator Chaffee prayed for as he sought support from the reluctant public as well as the Congress (Mulligan, 1992). According to Hutcheson (1994), gun control was winning the debate in a 216-214 majority support of lawmakers. It appeared that the NRA constitutional interpretation and hence gun possession proposal was losing approval of the legislature. Rises in death toll by way of drive-by shootings as well as criminal mass killings prompted the decision of the lawmakers. Hutcheson further observes that NRA crackdown on possession of guns would go in line with the new law established by the lawmakers. Runkle and Rock, in the York Daily Record (2001) recorded that more than any anti-crime campaigners, including anti gun campaigners, safety and responsibility agenda was its top agenda. Media portrayal of the National Rifle Association (NRA) as shooters was a major deception that continued to thrive among the public. On the contrary, no other association had attempted to educate the media on safety and gun possession responsibilities than NRA did yet condemnation was in the giving. The Washington Post recorded a series of attacks in protest to the unfair media bias to issues on anti-gun lobbying against the NRA attempts to campaign for education on safe and responsible gun possession. There was a heated debate as to whether the public should continue to be misguided on the issue of gun possession which is legal in the first place. Guns or no guns in the public possession as member argued, giving of wrong information was the cause of all the squabbles in the debate. Apparently, NRA m embers

None Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 28

None - Essay Example Furthermore, they respect the ancestors as a sign of adhering to the religion. Paganism is practiced in the modern day world. Some even carry out practices of paganism without realizing. In fact, many practices of paganism have been incorporated in the modern religions. Most religions practice festivals which revolve throughout the year. Pagans celebrate festival according to calendar. This has been adopted by religions such as Christianity. Paganism has the characteristic of using physical objects to represent their gods. This ritual has been adopted by Christians to represent certain aspects of worship. For instance, Catholics use images of Jesus on the cross I their worship. This is not different from paganism. It amounts to worshipping of what one can see (Davy 87). Though there are sacred explanations to these rituals, the fact remain that physical objects are used to make images of God. This is a case whereby the Christians practice paganism but they are not ware. I prefer that they stop using the images. There has been the battle of whether to approve or ban the use of tattoo. Tattoo is a common activity among the youth whereby they draw images on their bodies. Many parents have differed with their children on the matter regarding it an ill activity. Some people have been advocating that the laws should reflect parental rights. This would enable the parents to make decision on whether to allow their children to use tattoos. Many states have laws that make the practice illegal to minors if it is done without parental approval. To be exact, at least 45 states in America have laws that illegalize the use of tattoos among minors (PBS, 1). According to the laws, the people who perform the tattoo are considered as the violators. The law is appropriate. The state gives parents an opportunity to exercise control over their children. Children should make such life decisions with the consent of parents. Children should not be allowed to make

Comon Law Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Comon Law - Case Study Example The defendants were owners of Company making medicinal compounds used in the treatment of breathing ailments. They issued an advertisement claiming that they would offer ' 100 to anybody who could contract influenza after using their smoke balls and claimed that they had deposited '1000 in a bank as a token of their sincerity for their claims. (Lindley and Smith, 2004). The Company remonstrated that there was no contractual obligation between them and Mrs. Cargill, since she had not informed the Company of her acceptance of contract - testing and using the product. The Courts, comprising of Judges Lindley, Bowen, A. L. Smith L. JJ. held that the very fact of buying and using the product constituted acceptance and could be enforceable in a Court of Law. (Old Cases with Weird Facts Still Define our Law of Contract. 2006). 2. Terms of contract: The terms of the contract should be clear and understood by contracting parties. It should be lawful and not against public policy, and should not have "unusual hazards for the contracting party" (Contract Unenforceable Transactions) 3. Legal relationships The main objective of the parties to the contract is to enter into valid contractual obligations and create legal relationship. "The parties must intend that the offer and acceptance be binding upon them. There is a presumption operating in commercial contracts that the parties intend to create legal relations." (Contract Law). 3. Consideration: This is an important aspect of contractual law since without consideration the contract may be voidable at the option of the parties. The aspect of consideration has been the bedrock of many legal disputes but the landmark case of PepsiCo Co needs to be mentioned. In the case of Leonard v PepsiCo Inc. 88.F.Supp 2 d 116 (SD NY 1996) in which a young man sued the PepsiCo Company in an attempt to enforce an offer made through television commercial for redemption of 7,000,000 Pepsi Points for Harrier jet fighter aircraft. In this case decided in 1999, the Judge, Kimba Wood ruled that this case could not be enforced on three counts: A. PepsiCo's commercial been only an advertisement and did not constitute a valid offer to the world at large, or in other words there was no consideration flowing from the parties. It would be difficult to imagine that one could get a fighter jet aircraft for $ 7,000,000,when" the cost of a Harrier Jet is roughly $ 23 million dollars, a fact of which plaintiff was aware when he set out to gather the amount he believed necessary to accept the alleged offer." c. There was no communication between the alleged contracting parties which was enough to satisfy the Statute of Fraud, which the applicant had claimed from the company. (Leonard, 1999, p.10). Absence of consideration from both the contracting parties could be witnessed in cases of gifts, payments made for charitable purposes, etc., where there may not be mutual consideration 4. Capacity to enter into contracts: The parties entering into contract should have capacity to enter into it, like being of majority age, free from mental disabilities or under state of inebriation when entering into con

Management and Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Management and Research - Essay Example 3. Innovation in business is a route that represents a high risk for any business endeavor. A higher risk implies the possibility of failure is more likely than normal. Many times the technological concept is solid, but not economically viable. Another deterrent is when a firm runs out of funds to continue developing a concept or the market does not accept a new product despite its technological superiority. 1. An individual can achieve an internal state of mind that allows for creativity since the person controls all dimensions to take the idea and convert into innovation that creates income or contributes a valuable service to society. Universities use innovation as a general guideline to foster R&D. Companies focus on innovation to create value. Governmental organizations use innovation to spark economic activity. Non-profit organizations value innovation since it opens new doors that lead to solutions to solve social, environmental, and other community concerns. \ 4. The relationship between company creativity as a function of the creativity of the individual associated with the firm is a hypothesis that a mathematical model could test to determine the correlation between the independent and dependent variable. In a business model with multiple variables such as structures, routines, incentives, etc. a multivariable regression model can accomplish the desired objective. A company that uses employee creativity to as part of its operating activities is IBM with its wide array of personalized high tech business solutions. 5. Collaborative research agreements allow for technological transfers among participants in the research alliance. Different geographical points across earth have certain characteristics that are unique to the region and may be of interest for foreign investigators, thus collaborative research agreements are imperative to foster

E-commerce Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 3

E-commerce - Essay Example When utilized properly, it allows companies and organizations to enhance their profitability, move into new markets and also provide the consumers with better services and products. It is due to the advantages of the practice that several enterprises, both small and large, continue to incorporate it into their operations and procedures. By 2005, the e-business revenue exceeded $2 trillion (Laudon & Guercio 2014). This is a strong signal that additional businesses are becoming aware of the opportunities that are available and exploiting them for their own benefits and that of the customers. Some of the brick and motor enterprises which had only physical presence have decided to embrace it to realize the benefits of the innovation (Chaudhury & Kuilboer 2002). It is, however, important to remember that for a brick and motor business to embrace and benefit from e-commerce, it must be ready to counter some of the challenges inherent in the practice. With the right approach, positive outco mes will be realized both in the short term and long term. E-commerce can be defined as a business that is transacted electronically. In most instances, the internet is used (Frieden & Roche 2006). Majority of people take e-commerce to be only about buying commodities over the web. However, it is much more than this. The practice includes purchasing various items from online sellers, online banking services and paying for travel services and accommodation. The basic idea is that there is minimal or no physical contact between the seller and the buyer of the commodity (Graham 2008). This is unlike the brick and motor business model, which requires the buyer to come to the physical location of the commodities and products and buy them or pay for them. Brick and motor businesses rely on traditional selling platforms (Humeau & Jung 2013). This is the same model that Coventry Books has been using. For a customer to transact any business with Coventry