Chemiluminescence and Bioluminescence in Nature

Chemiluminescence and Bioluminescence in Nature Bioluminescence is a scientific phenomenon that is complex in character because luminous organisms possess unique light-producing chemical reactions and have varied methods of controlling light. Luminous organisms do not fall under order of animals but are unevenly distributed across multiple animal orders. Furthermore, luminous organisms are often adapted to specialized environments and can be difficult to physically research. This paper will cover the background of bioluminescence, luminous reactions and their regulators, and the practical applications of knowledge in this field. The purpose of the research is to gain an adequate understanding of chemiluminescence in nature in order to predict the nature of future research and gauge its potential in the modern world. Research for this paper was accomplished through the reviewing of published scientific papers and literature on the subject. Some of the results reached include that bioluminescence is different in terrestrial and aqua tic organisms and that a wide range of techniques are used to moderate light in both habitats. The conclusions that have been reached are that research of bioluminescence will surely accelerate and that further research of bioluminescence has potential in the areas of evolutionary biology, lighting technology, and medicine. Introduction When Christopher Columbus embarked on his voyage in 1492, he had to overcome many strong prejudices rooted in European folklore. Tales of sea monsters have captured the minds of Europeans for centuries, and Columbus was utterly mesmerized when the waters surrounding his ship began to shine. The alluring glow of bioluminescent organisms has continued to perplex humans all the way through modern times. Although science has illuminated the surprisingly dark realm of bioluminescence, further research is still required. This paper will cover the background, reactions, and uses of this complex, yet common phenomenon to determine the nature of future research and its applicability in other areas of science. HISTORY During the seventeenth century, the English physicist Robert Boyle conducted an important experiment concerning bioluminescence. Robert Boyle encased a piece of glowing wood within a glass bell and then proceeded to suck the air out the enclosure. As he took out the air, he observed that the glowing of the wood grew fainter and eventually was extinguished completely (Simon 114). This was scientific experiment demonstrated a principle concept of bioluminescence: oxygen plays a key role in luminous reactions. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, the French physiologist Dubois began to research luminous organisms in his marine laboratory. His major contribution was his experiment involving the Pholas clams. In his experiment, Dubois prepared two different solutions of clam juice. For the first solution, he mixed the clam juice with cool water and observed it glow for a while before it faded. He then mixed clam juice with hot water, but this solution failed to produce any light at all. In a stroke of genius, he decided to mix the two nonluminous solutions together. As soon as they were combined, the bluish light characteristic of the Pholas shone forth once again. This led Dubois to assume that in the cold solution, one substance was exhausted after luminescence and that in the hot solution, a different substance was destroyed. Thus, Dubois concluded that the unknown substance destroyed by the hot water was almost certainly an enzyme. An enzyme is an organic catalyst. Dubois identified that bioluminescence required an oxidizable substrate, an enzyme, and oxygen. He named the substrate luciferin and the enzyme luciferase (Simon 116). This major advancement was the stepping-stone into future research on this perplexing phenomenon. FUNCTION Although terrestrial habitats seem to be devoid of bacterial modes of light-production, there are a few cases of bacterial luminescence on land. Many supposed bioluminescent organisms such as mole crickets do not produce light themselves, but have turned out to be infected with parasitic forms of luminous bacteria. Luminous bacteria multiply within the hemolymph of arthropods (which is analogous to human blood cells). The infected creatures end up eventually end up dying (Nealson and Hasting 508). For example, the luminous bacteria X. luminescens live in the gut of a certain nematode belonging to the genus Heterorhabditis. Farmers greatly value nematodes because these un-segmented roundworms parasitize pest insects. The Heterorhabditis nematode enters the body of a host caterpillar through orifices like spiracles or the mouth. Once inside the caterpillars body, the nematode will proceed to penetrate the caterpillars hemocoel, the area containing hemolymph. When in contact with the he molymph, the nematode will then release its fertilized eggs along with the bacteria X. luminescens. The bacteria then multiply and produce extracellular chitinase and lipases that the nematode uses to complete the its life cycle. X. luminescens also produces antibiotics that arrests the growth of bacteria that would otherwise outcompete it and also prevents the caterpillar from putrefying (Havens 1). It is interesting to note that the bacteria only glow while in the hemolymph of the caterpillar, but not inside the nematodes themselves. This land bacterium uses a biochemical reaction very similar to its marine counterparts. The overall general reaction is the same: the flavin-mononucleotide and long-chain aldehyde (fatty aldehyde) are oxidized in the presence of luciferase to produce water and light. FMNH2 + RCHO + O2 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ FMN + H2O + RCOOH + Light (Havens 1). FUNCTION The most important luminous bacteria are the commensal forms that thrive inside the gut tracts of marine animals. Its not unusual to find 5ÃÆ'-106 to 5ÃÆ'-107 colony-forming units of luminous bacteria per meter of intestinal surface (Nealson and Hastings 508). Colony-forming units are used in the area of microbiology to express quantities of viable bacteria capable of forming colonies or clusters visible to the human eye. This relationship between the bacteria and the host organisms seems to be commensal because luminous bacteria produce the enzyme chitinase, thereby benefiting their host if they eat marine crustaceans (a regular staple of marine diet). However, studies of the senorita fish Oxyjulis californica, the blacksmith fish Chrormis puntipinnis, and the half-naked hatchetfish Argyropelecus hemigymnus show that the occurrence of each fish was connected with the species composition of the planktonic luminous bacteria population (Nealson and Hastings 508). Fecal pellets were l uminescent and contained colony-forming units of luminous bacteria. Similarly, luminous fecal pellets have been reported from the Antarctic cod and a species of midwater shrimp (Nealson and Hastings 508). Because the fecal pellets of these marine animals contain viable bacteria populations, it is possible that luminous bacteria mutually benefit through unintentional propagation by their host organisms. Historical accounts from 19th century battlefield hospitals have shown that luminous bacteria in the open wounds of soldiers were considered to be a sign of healing (Nealson and Hastings 507). It is interesting to note that Xenorhabdus is known to produce antibiotics (Nealson and Hastings 508). TYPES Bioluminescence can be divided into two subcategories: terrestrial forms and aquatic forms. Terrestrial forms of bioluminescence are sparse and restricted to insects and their relatives. Beetles in particular have unique chemical reactions. Non-insect relatives include certain centipedes. Luminous centipedes are unique in that they secrete luminous slime (Simon 57). Land is largely devoid of luminous animals that utilize bacterial forms of light production. Luminous land animals are usually found in humid, heavily forested environments. Contrarily, luminous bacteria dominate the majority of aquatic environments. Luminous bacteria even thrive in arctic waters. Luminous bacteria can exist as free-living bacteria, saprophytes, and as symbionts in relationships with various marine animals. Luminous bacteria in their free-living forms are regularly present in seawater. Recent studies give further insights on luminous bacteria demography. A sampling of the waters off the coast of San Diego, California showed that Beneckea were common in the winter while P. fischeri was prevalent during the summer (Nealson and Hastings 505). A study of luminous bacteria depth distribution demonstrated that P. phosphoreum were most abundant in the midwater layer of the open ocean. Saprophytic forms of bacteria are also extremely common. These forms of luminous bacteria are quite common and live on the surfaces of dead organic material. In fact, researchers often swab the outer surface of freshly killed fish or squid to start a culture of luminous bacteria. BACTERIA REACTION As opposed to most terrestrial forms of bioluminescence, bacterial bioluminescence is the dominant form in marine habitats. Currently, six species of marine luminous bacteria belonging to the genera of Photobacterium and Beneckea have been identified. There is one species of freshwater luminous bacteria (Vibrio). Like all forms of bioluminescence known to man, light of bacterial origin involves a luciferin-luciferase reaction. Luminous bacteria generate light through the luciferase-catalyzed oxidation of the substrate flavin-mononucleotide (FMNH2) with the associated oxidation of a long-chain aldehyde. What is unique about this reaction is that it is very slow; it takes ten seconds for a single luciferase cycle to occur, making it one of the slowest enzymes (Nealson and Hastings 497). Luciferases from various luminous bacteria have been isolated; although they all share high specifity for flavin-mononucleotide and long-aldehyde, the luciferase of Photobacteria exhibits fast decay whi le that of Benecka exhibits slow decay. Recent amino acid sequencing of P. fischeri and B. harveyi support the theory that the luciferases of these two species evolved from the same monomer. Bacterial luminescence has high oxygen affinity and occurs under low concentrations of oxygen or microaerophillic conditions. It is also interesting to note that facultative anaerobes, produce extracellular chitinase, and have specific requirements for sodium ion (Nealson and Hastings 497). FIREFLY REACTION The most widely known example of bioluminescence is in the fireflies. Bioluminescence in members of the beetle order is very unique. Fireflies use precisely timed light signals to attract mates. Specialized cells within the lantern section of the abdomen like all forms of bioluminescence involve a luciferin-luciferase reaction. This reaction can be divided into two steps. First, luciferin combines with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to form luciferyl adenylate and pyrophosphate (PPi). This first step requires the prescence of magnesium ions (Osamu 5). Next, the enzyme luciferase speeds up oxidation of luciferyl adenylate to form oxyluciferin, adenosine phosphate (AMP), and light. This two-part process can be expressed as: Luceferin + ATP à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Luciferyl adenylate + PPi Luciferyl adenalte + O2 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Oxyluciferin + CO2 + AMP + Light FIREFLY CONTROL Although the reaction has been studied, the methods firefly use to control these flashes is still not well understood. Fireflies release the neurotransmitter octopamine that triggers a luciferin-luciferase reaction within the firefly lantern structure. However neurons synapse on tracheolar cells and not on firefly photocytes. Thus, there is a 17 micrometer gap between tracheolar cells and the photocytes. When fireflies were placed in a dark observation chamber with a steady flow of NO gas at 70 parts per million, adult Photuris fireflies immediately started to flash (Trimmer et al 2). Another not complexity in firefly light production is that fireflies can display different wavelengths of light. Because their luciferin molecules remain the same, scientists proposed that it was the color variation was the result of changes in the size of the luciferase protein cavity. Theoretically, a larger cavity would allow for more energy loss and thus lower-energy red light. Conversely, a smaller cavity would reduce energy loss and allow for higher-energy yellow and green light. Though this explanation seems to be logical, recent studies published by a team of scientists in Beijing suggest that the color of firefly light is affected by the polarity within the lantern microenvironment. Ya Jun Liu of the Beijing Normal University reports, Weve shown that the light wavelength [of the Luciola cruciata firefly] does not depend on the rigid or loose structure of luciferase but on the water H-bond network inside the cavityà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Mutations of luciferase on residues involved in this network should modulate the color (Zyga 2). Though a little light is shed on how fireflies may actually the color of their light, clearly further research on the exact process is required. Marine Control In the marine environment, equally diverse techniques are employed to regulate bioluminescence. However, because most marine creatures house bacterial symbionts, light is constantly being produced and is difficult in a sense to turn on or off. Although light can attract prey and is useful in underwater communication, it also attracts unwanted attention from predators. The flashlight fish uses a retractable fold of skin as a shutter to conceal its bright photophore that lies below its eyes. In a similar sense, various luminous squids expand their chromatophores (color pigments) as to block off the emission of light. However, just recently scientists have discovered the first case of bioluminescence controlled by the use of hormones. Unlike the firefly luminescence, the velvet-belly lantern shark Etmopterus spinax relies on hormones to regulate luminescence, not nerves. Etmopterus spinax is now known to melatonin, prolactin, and alpha-MSH. These hormones are not new to science; theyve been known to control skin coloration in sharks and their cartilgenous relatives. Melatonin yields a slow, long-lasting glow on the underbelly of the shark, supposedly serving as counterilumination. On the other hand, prolactin elecits a quicker shine that only lasts up to an hour. Scientists hypothesize that the Etmopterus spinax use these relatively fast shines to singal to mates. Lastly, alpha-MSH inhibits luminescence. Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland and is known as the dark hormone for its role in sleep patterns in animals. As the shark descends deeper into the water column, its pineal gland senses the increasingly dark environment and compensates by producing melatonin. Therefore, melatonin is an ideal regulator because it is linked to the established biological processes of Etmopterus spinax. Quality of Light Chemiluminescence is the production of light through chemical reactions. Bioluminescence is simply chemiluminescence by a living organism. Therefore, bioluminescence can be considered to be a subset of chemiluminescence. The chemical reactions used to produce light are extremely efficient when compared to other methods of light production. Hence, bioluminescence is also known as cold light due to the relatively low amounts of heat that are produced. Conversely in incandescence, most of the energy used to create light is wasted as heat, and is accordingly dubbed hot light (Simon 13). Fluorescence on the other hand is the result of a special coating on the bulb that absorbs ultraviolet energy and then emits the energy as a longer wavelength of visible light. Phosphorescence is similar to fluorescence, but takes more time to re-emit light and is an overall slower process (Binger 1). INNOVATIONS The chemical luminol valued for its use as a chemiluminescent detector in crime scene investigations. Forensic investigators use luminol to specifically detect trace amounts of blood at crime scenes. To produce light, luminol needs to be activated by an oxidant. Often, a solution of hydrogen peroxide and a hydroxide salt is used to activate the luminol (Harrison 1). When a solution of luminol and the activator is sprayed upon a crime scene, trace amounts of iron present in the blood serves as a catalyst and speeds up the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. The products of this chemical reaction are hydrogen and water. The luminol reacts with the hydroxide salt to form a dianion. The oxygen (produced by the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide) then reacts with the diananion to form organic peroxide. This compound is unstable and immediately decomposes to produce 5-aminophthalic acid. Electrons of the 5-aminophthalic acid are initially in an excited state, but they soon return to their ground state and release their excess energy as visible photons. Thus, a blue glow is generated and lasts for up to 30 seconds. Although this technique requires a fairly dark atmosphere, the glow can be recorded by a long-exposure photograph. Bioluminescence is finding its unique applications in many fields. A team of researchers headed by Ohio State University have discovered how to manipulate a firefly gene to fight a form of cancer. These researchers were hoping to find a way to fight the cancer adult T-cell lymphoma and leukemia (ATLL). Laboratory mice had ATLL tumor cells injected into their abdomens. Normally, the tumor would progress unnoticed until it reached its later more serious phase. However, the ATLL tumor cells were genetically modified to produce firefly luciferase. Upon receiving the altered ATLL cells, the mice were injected with luciferin. This immediately triggered the biochemical reaction characteristic of the firefly, allowing the researchers to clearly record the visual progression of the tumor. Using this precise method of tracking the tumor, the were able to discover that the drug PS-341 killed over 95% of the cancerous cells (Firefly Genes 1).

Ways to Prevent Human Trafficking | Essay

Ways to Prevent Human Trafficking | Essay Throughout the world today, a silent plague has been sweeping the nations. Although it may be more prevalent in third world countries, its presence also roams the streets of more progressive nations (Kelly, 2001). According to the Bureau of Public Affairs of the United States Department of State (2004), human trafficking is modern-day slavery, involving victims who are forced, defrauded or coerced into labor or sexual exploitation (para. 1). Anti-trafficking initiatives are already in place and, while this may be a step in the right direction, it cannot be denied that more needs to be done. Because human trafficking is a worldwide predicament, government and non-government organizations must strengthen their initiatives and extend these efforts to create and to implement laws that would reduce trafficking, improve the lives of the victims, and make the community more aware of this inhumane act. In relation to this, the purpose of this research paper is to provide the reader with sufficient information on the different efforts of government and non-government organizations (NGO) to abolish human trafficking. In addition, suggestions on the improvement of these existing programs are also tackled. Lastly, the goal of this paper is to raise awareness about human trafficking as an intolerable crime. In order to reach these objectives, extensive research on the causes and effects of human trafficking was done. Aside from this, the researchers also examined various anti-trafficking efforts all over the world and the needed measures for the total abolishment of human trafficking. A Heart of Steel Human trafficking clearly violates numerous human rights, particularly those pertaining to personal freedom. It can be considered a modern form of slavery because, aside from the fact that victims are bought and sold like commodities, they are subjected to forced labor that ranges from manual work in sweatshops to prostitution in brothels (Sharma, 2001). Women and children are mostly the victims of this horrendous crime. Across international borders, it has been estimated that 600,000 to 800,000 men, women, and children are trafficked, and the number is only getting higher. 70 percent of these trafficked individuals are women and 50 percent are children (Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons of the United States Department of State, 2004). On one hand, women serve as domestic workers, prostitutes, and mail-order brides to abusive employers or husbands without their full consent. Children, on the other hand, become pitiful victims of sexual exploitation and child labor. Despite receiving promises of well-paying jobs and legitimate employment from their recruiters, the victims find themselves in a constant state of abuse and helplessness under their employers (Kelly, 2001). The control their employers have over them can be attributed to two things. The first is debt bondage, wherein victims pay off the amount their employers paid for them through forced labor. They receive no pay or little pay until the money has been reimbursed. When they are able to pay it off, they are informed that they have incurred additional debts through lodging, food, and other expenses. In some cases, the victims are told that the money is being held for them or sent to their families back home (Kelly, 2001). Because they do not directly receive the money, they are unable to escape from their jobs. The second factor trapping the victims is the lack of legal documents needed in order for them to flee. Most of the victims have been transported through illegal means, including falsified documents and passports (Kelly, 2001). This makes it impossible for them to contact the authorities and to ask for help, in fear of being seen as illegal immigrants and being deported to their home country shamefully. Also, upon arrival at their destination, recruiters and employers confiscate whatever documents the victims possess and forbid them from contacting anyone, including members of their own family. Deprived of any means of escaping, they are forced to continue with their work, no matter how deplorable the conditions may be. Because of their powerlessness, they are left vulnerable to many forms of abuse (Bureau of Public Affairs of the United States Department of State, 2004). Domestic workers are prone to physical and sexual abuse. Several of them report that they have been battered, sexually assaulted, and raped (Cheung, Karlekar, De Dios, Vichit-Vadakan, Quisumbing, 1999). Prostitutes recall being verbally abused, being assaulted, and being forced to have intercourse against their will. Since they have no control over the sexual acts they will perform, they are often brutalized by their customers (Kelly, 2001). They are unable to refuse because their pimps or managers beat them up or threaten to stop sending money to their families once they do so (Sharma, 2001). In children, they are beaten up, molested, and sometimes, forced into child pornography or prostitution (Katsuma, 2001). Even after the ordeal is over, trafficked victims continue to carry scars from their horrifying experiences. Women who once worked as prostitutes end up with unwanted pregnancies or, worse, HIV/AIDS (Sharma, 2001). Aside from this, child laborers are severely malnourished and suffer from various respiratory infections and diseases as a result of exposure to toxic fumes in factories. The children have underdeveloped intellectual and mental capacities, not only because of the lack of education, but also because of exposure to an environment not fit for their age. Trafficking victims are often psychologically damaged, left with a feeling of inferiority and a low self-esteem (NGO Group for the CRC Sub-Group on Child Labour, 2002). Trafficking and the Mafia Aside from human rights violations, trafficking is a major global concern because of its contribution to the growth of international organized crime. According to Salt (as cited in Bruckert Parent, 2002), because human trafficking involves source, transit, and destination countries, it requires considerable amounts of money, connections to powerful people in many countries, and good organization, in order to be carried out successfully. Aside from this, the routes used for trafficking are the same as those used for the drug trade, and it is a known fact that the drug trade is controlled by these criminal groups. All these establish and support a link between human trafficking and international organized crime. In fact, several criminal groups have been reportedly involved in human trafficking activities. Chinese triads traffic women from Russia and the Ukraine into brothels in Macao and Hong Kong (Ovchinsky, 2007). Also, the highly notorious Russian mob smuggle women from the former Soviet Union into Israel, sometimes using them to hide weapons that they are smuggling as well (Israel- A Human Trafficking Haven, 2004). Despite these facts and reports, it remains hard for authorities to apprehend traffickers because of the clandestine nature of human trafficking itself. Even illegal recruiters who run small-scale operations in rural areas are hard to track because they can easily disguise themselves as acquaintances of the family of the victim. Also, human trafficking is made possible by political corruption. Recruiters may initiate the process, but the furtive transfer of the victims from one area to another requires some sort of conspiracy between the traffickers and certain authorities. Traffickers are known to bribe government officials in order for them to pass through the borders and for the falsified documents to be disregarded. For example, in Bosnia, local immigration officials were reported to have received free sexual services from prostitutes in brothels in exchange for deliberately ignoring the fact that these women were trafficked (Agbu, 2003). Working Things Out Actions done by governments and non-government organizations have greatly reduced trafficking and have protected those most susceptible to it (Bureau of Public Affairs of the United States Department of State, 2004). Just by beginning with rural areas to local urban communities where human trafficking is egregiously present, different government and non-government organizations (NGOs) have shown concern regarding this issue by implementing ordinances and laws to serve as a halt to the mentioned illegal deed. Both international and national laws have likewise been passed to stop human trafficking. In view of the fact that trafficking is an international social predicament, plans made by governments for protection and prevention have been well-promulgated among societies. Nevertheless, people who are of full-knowledge regarding the laws and its impact on culprits and still choose to infringe it may be punished depending on the gravity of lawbreaking. Given that children and women are surveyed to have the most number of trafficking cases, most international efforts give much attention and focus to such cases. The United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children aims to establish a clearly defined international standard regarding trafficking cases (Raymond, n.d.). The United Nations (UN) provides a comprehensive account of the many challenges facing the international community and of the joint ongoing efforts to find solutions. This action by the UN (2000) towards the prevention of human trafficking upholds that effective action to prevent and combat trafficking in persons, especially women and children, requires a comprehensive international approach in the countries of origin, transit and destination that includes measures to prevent such trafficking, to punish the traffickers and to protect the victims of such trafficking, including by protecting their internationally recognized human rights (p. 2). Also, governments have implemented measures to provide for the physical, psychological, and social recovery of trafficked women and children, including, in appropriate cases, the cooperation of NGOs, other relevant organizations, and other elements of civil society. An example of the aforementioned organizations includes the International Labour Convention (ILO). The ILO recognizes the newly approved law of Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act or RA 9231. This law eliminates the worst forms of child labor such as slavery, prostitution and pornography, drug trafficking, and any work that is hazardous to the health and safety of children. By any violation to this law, a person will automatically be imprisoned, the length of time depending on how grave the trafficking act is (Establishments employing children warned, 2005). At the present time, most third-world countries implement a kind of judicial reform that would allow victims to demand strong penalties for the traffickers-enough to provide deterrence to an extremely profitable criminal activity. The Anti-Human Trafficking Law of the Philippines allows victims to take action against traffickers. Basically, this law not only provides the right for victims to decide on how grave the chastisement they want the traffickers to go through, but also the assistance, recovery, and rehabilitation of trafficked victims from their traumatic experience under these criminals. This way, the Anti-Human Trafficking Law does not only reduce the number of trafficking cases, but also alleviates the pain caused by this crime to its victims (Solidarity Philippines Australia Network, 2003). A Victims Plea International and local groups have been established to specifically combat human trafficking. Different governments and NGOs have come up with departments that can help stop human trafficking. In the Philippines, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) launched a National Family Violence Prevention Program where families are informed about the rights of women and children as well as the necessary actions to protect them. To prevent trafficking in children, social workers have been posted at the airports to monitor the travel of children abroad. As to NGOs, GABRIELA, which is the national alliance of womens organizations in the Philippines, is actively involved in massive awareness campaigns to prevent the trafficking of women and girls from the country along with the National Commission on the Role of the Filipino Women (NCRFW) who has been aggressively advocating policies and programs to stop trafficking in women and children, foremost of which is the enactment of a n anti-trafficking bill into law (Espada, 2003). In addition to that, an anti-human trafficking confederacy such as the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women works with international policymakers and human rights advocates to promote womens rights and to stop human trafficking (Kelly, 2001). In this case, laws and ordinances do not only cover local communities nor nations as a whole, but also includes international or world-wide policymaking. With the help of the UN and other global federations, a basic notion of equity in terms of policies and laws can be implemented among nations. Moreover, under local cases, the Visayan Forum Foundation raises awareness about trafficking in the Philippines and provides halfway houses for trafficked victims (Odronia, 2008). Awareness about the effects of trafficking among its victims and the consequences that traffickers may go through is a vital aspect for the organization. Averting an Unambiguous Malfeasance Because human trafficking in not yet completely abolished, there is a need to improve existing programs and to create new ones that are more efficient and comprehensive. Kelly (2001) asserts that, since human trafficking is a major global concern, there is a need to develop a legal framework with appropriate penalties, which provides redress for all the ways in which traffickers and exploiters violate womens human rights and is effective in prosecuting these crimes (p. 35). Furthermore, she stresses the need to improve on current anti-human trafficking initiatives, suggesting that, including measures directed at the young men who recruità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦and daring to target demand, at home and abroad, would be a radical and welcome step (p.35). The government should also see to it that the criminals involved in these crimes get the right punishment. There have been incidences wherein the government has turned a blind eye to these issues, therefore making the existing laws ineffectual. Despite the existence of laws, trafficking remains widespread particularly because of the corruption and the indifference of government officials (Sharma, 2001). A single policy will not be able to solve the problem entirely, but it will greatly contribute to the solution. In addition, combating problems such as crime, poverty, migration, labor, mental health, and law enforcement, should also be part of anti-trafficking initiatives, as these problems are related to and often lead to trafficking (Sharma, 2001). By addressing these issues and finding solutions to them, there would be a lesser need for people to resort to illegal means such as human trafficking. Awareness vs. Oblivion Bringing awareness to the people about anti-human trafficking initiatives should also be one of the main concerns of these government and non-government organizations. As Sharma (2001) stated, public awareness campaigns are imperative to bring issues of sexual trafficking before the public in order to stimulate community based support (p. 49). It is important to a society to have citizen cooperation because without this, more people become vulnerable to becoming victims of these illegal and degrading crimes. Traffickers capitalize on their victims ignorance and desperation to get out of poverty. As a matter of fact, poverty is the leading cause of human trafficking. Because of poverty, people are deprived of the essential education that they need to acquire jobs (Cheung, Karlekar, De Dios, Vichit-Vadakan, Quisumbing, 1999). These people end up considering illegal options, and human trafficking is one of them. This does not just pertain to the victims, but the traffickers themselves. They take advantage of those people who are willing to work and deceive them with false promises of legitimate employment. The victims, seeing no other alternative and completely unaware of the possible consequences, succumb to the lures of migration and find themselves in forced labor or slavery-like conditions (Kelly, 2001). Because of this, local governments, especially in rural areas, should educate the citizens on how to recognize human trafficking and what to do when faced with such an ordeal as they cannot be proactive if they are not well-informed about the situation (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, n.d.). This can be done through various forms of media such as infomercials, documentaries, print media, and the like. These forms of media can serve to inform the viewers about the telltale signs of human trafficking and to promulgate existing laws in order to deal with the increasing number of human trafficking cases. As a matter of fact, various NGOs and other groups have utilized the media in order to spread vital information about human trafficking. The Save the Children organization has worked with networks for the broadcasting of television segments containing hotline numbers of various anti-trafficking organizations (Anti-Sex Trafficking Organization, 2005). Under local cases, the Phil ippine Overseas Employment Agency has released an anti-trafficking infomercial airing on local TV networks (United States Department of State, 2007). Aside from this, the different anti-human trafficking campaigns should have full support and cooperation from the government in order for them to be as effective and well-spread as possible (Kelly, 2001). These campaigns are mostly needed in more rural areas of a country since most of the victims come from these areas. As stated earlier, these people are usually desperate to get out of poverty that they do not know the true nature of this horrendous felony. Hand in Hand: A Conclusion The eradication of human trafficking cannot be done overnight. Even the toughest anti-trafficking legislation will be ineffective without the support it needs. This is why programs by both government and non-government organizations call for global cooperation and local participation in order for the complete abolishment of human trafficking to be achieved (United Nations Population Fund, n.d.). Human trafficking is an issue that needs to be addressed because, aside from the fact that it perpetuates crime all over the world, it severely damages the lives of its innocent victims. Measures to reduce trafficking have been taken by governments and non-government organizations, and these include the creation of both international and national anti-trafficking laws and programs for the prevention of trafficking and rehabilitation of trafficking victims. However, it is evident that more needs to be done. Aside from having more aggressive campaigns against human trafficking, raising awareness for prevention should be at the forefront of all anti-trafficking initiatives. With an activity as clandestine and as lucrative as human trafficking, it may appear that the battle cannot be won. Initiatives taken to eradicate trafficking have only been successful in reducing it. However, in the 19th century, slavery was abolished worldwide. If it has been done once, then surely it can be done again. With the needed support from the international and national level, the dream of abolishing trafficking may soon be realized. Effects of IPods on Childhood | Annotated Bibliography Effects of IPods on Childhood | Annotated Bibliography Are iPads healthy or poisonous apples in early childhood? Have we ever thought there was too much technology at early years? In the past few years, technology has developed rapidly. Electronic devices have been applied everywhere. Since the launch of iPad in 2010, it has become increasingly popular in early-years learning. Nowadays in early age, children are more accessible to the iPad devices than ever before. Parents are buying them for their children and allowing them to use freely. They consider iPad as their â€Å"electronic nanny† which engages the child throughout, allowing parents more free time for themselves. They believed that iPad is not only harmless but also function as an educator to their children, pushing their technological intelligence to the next level. As a teacher, I am often asked by the parents to recommend some educational apps, which could help their children learn at home. In my opinion, the existence of latest mass communication media symbolizes the rapid advancement of our modern world. This breakthrough enhances the convenience of sharing and searching information amongst the children. Media exposure enriches their knowledge in terms of life quality. However, the British leading psychologist Dr. Aric Sigman indicated ‘‘Children should be banned from using computers until they are 9 years old because the early use of technology is destroying the development of their intelligence.’’ (2010, British Dailymail) Furthermore, the recent report of Singman’s relevant research pointed that using electronic equipment for long period of time would affect children’s attention as well as their social skills. In addition, a child who watches the popular 3D movies frequently would affect his/her perspective development. Based on Sigman’s view, I have the urge to read more literatures, and thus explore the impact of technology usage on children in early years. Annotated Bibliography Bandura, A. (2001). Social cognitive theory of mass communication. Media Psychology, 3(3),  265-299. doi:10.1207/S1532785XMEP0303_03 Bandura promoted the concept of â€Å"social cognitive theories†. In this article, it focuses on discussing the increasing role of the media and the effects of modeling. He indicates that behaviour can be learned via social prompts, and values are learned through human modeling behaviour. Bandura’s theoretical structure describes how observational learning including direct pathway and socially meditated pathway that influence extensive behaviour changes. Bandura puts a lot of effort of developing social cognition study and has published many books and journal articles about this theory. This article links social cognition theory with the roles of electronic media and mass communication, gives us an in-depth understanding of how children change their behaviour based on the models of others. Media has strong impact in the learning of social roles and responsibilities. Cicconi, M. (2014). Vygotsky meets technology: A reinvention of collaboration in the early  childhood mathematics classroom. Early Childhood Education Journal, 42(1), 57-65.  doi:10.1007/s10643-013-0582-9 This journal article examines the implications of Vygotsky’s social learning theory in the early- childhood classroom. The findings suggest that the use of educational technology increases children’s confidence and willingness to share their knowledge, fostering communication and collaboration in learning mathematics. The author discusses the use of three web-based tools, Voke, VoiceThread, and Vodcasts, which engage children with great enthusiasm, and empowering them of all abilities. The research also indicates that children, who armed with instructional technology, the amount of interaction, collaboration and scaffolding are increased. As an educator, the author stresses that the practical instructional technology demonstrates positive impact in learning where children could collaborate effectively. Elliott-Hall, G. (2013). Learning together with iPads. Every Child, 19 (4), 22-23. In this article, Giulia Hall gives an overview of how iPads enrich the learning environment and enhance children’s learning. She states the importance of using iPads to support young children and meeting their learning needs. With iPads, the selection of learning activities is mainly focus on literacy and numeracy. In order to function it well, teacher should develop rules for children by following instructions while using iPads in class. Hall also describes the advantages of using iPads. They are: documenting children’s learning, keeping track on children’s learning progress, developing independence of individual learning and promoting interaction by grouping kids in pairs and using iPads as a positive reinforcer to reward for positive and on-task behaviour. In summary, Hall indicates that iPads helps provide more guidance and modeling in a small group setting, children’s experience with digital technologies enable them to interact, share ideas and create new things. Haddon, L. (2013). Mobile media and children. Mobile Media Communication, 1(1), 89-95.  doi:10.1177/2050157912459504 This article examines a range of research issues with regards to children and digital devices. They are 1.Children’s screen time. There is a growing trend that children spend more time in screen activities; 2. The need for establishing rules of children’s use of technology devices in different social spaces; 3. Challenges of handling the increment of technological options, in terms of age and social norms; 4. The impact on children’s cognitive development; 5. Problems that associate with parental involvement and the difficulties of monitoring, such as bedroom privacy; 6.The potential growth of new logistical challenges, including problems with picking children up in the car; 7. The possession of digital devices within peer groups. All these issues were discussed in various contexts with different cultural perspective towards children and adolescents. McCarthy, C. (2014). Should babies and toddlers use iPads? Harvard Health Publications.  Harvard Commentaries on Health. This article discusses the impact of traditional screen devices towards toddlers in terms of interaction and creativity. It also made contrast between traditional devices and iPads. The author stresses the ideal activity for toddlers is to involve active and exploratory play together with adult, displaying a sense of human touch. Toddlers sitting long time in front of a screen leads to problem with attention. Children imitating TV program with high level of violence can make them more aggressive. In comparison between iPads and traditional screen devices, the former has the quality of better than play toys, more interactive and at the same time tailor to children’s age and learning needs. The author advises that old fashioned play is better than an iPad for children’s development, the amount of time for children to play iPad should not exceed an hour a day. In addition, parents can refer to the reviews on the selected Apps and determine its level of suitability for thei r children and interact with them. Sigman, A. (2012). Time for a view on screen time. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 97(11),  935. doi:10.1136/archdischild-2012-302196 The author indicates that watching screen media is the main leisure of children in this computer age. Children nowadays spent high amount of time on all sorts of screen devices. It has become part of their lives. Undesirable information affects children’s cognitive development. Prolong usage of view screen media contributes to personal health risk, lacking physical activities. Children who watch television and consume food affect its duration of consumption, as it extends beyond the usual time of watching. Body fat mass increment is largely affected by continuous hours of TV watching. Depriving physical activities result in unfavorable health condition. Extensive computer games addiction causes subsequent attention problems and in childhood and even late adolescence stage. Children, who spent more time watching television or using computer exhibit higher level of psychological and emotional difficulties, Social skills diminish as more new technologies skills are acquired. A reduction in screen exposure significantly elevates improvement in child health and development. The impact of uncontrolled and unscreened media that are made available to the children is generally unhealthy life styles. Sherman, T. M. Kurshan, B. L. (2005). Constructing learning: Using technology to support teaching for understanding. Learning Leading with Technology, 32(5), 10-39. In this journal article Sheman and Kurshan advocates that online mass communication allows students and adults to work together from apart effectively solving specific problems under their umbrella of advance technology. It is a tool where students can utilize and maximize their learning capability even from home. Technology is considered as multiple platforms for social interactions. Through network learning platform, students and teachers could discuss questions in different locations, which enables students to express their thoughts as well as expanding their understanding. Technology-based activities not only develop students’ intelligence but also facilitating their collaboration of problem solving. Sherman and Kurshan conclude that through organised interaction, it becomes another form of social activities. Stein, M. T. (2011). The effects of media use in children. Journal Watch. Pediatrics Adolescent  Medicine, doi:10.1056/PA201112280000002 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) conducted a research on media exposure in early childhood, and its effect on children and adolescents in 2011. In the process of the survey, children under the age of 2 denote that 90% of children watch media, such as television and videos. At age 3, 30%of children have televisions in their room, which drastically affects their sleep pattern. Over exposure to TV affects their speech expression, a drop in their executive function and attention problems. Delayed sleep, obesity and fatigue results from over exposure of TV watching are unhealthy practices. Parental intervention, guidance and discussion with their children are necessary to handle their emotions and social behaviour. This article provides strong evidence of supported data in terms of the children’s behaviour in the presence of long duration media exposure. Suazo-Garcia, B., Attewell, P. A., Battle, J. (2003). Computers and young children: Social  benefit or social problem? Social Forces, 82(1), 277-296. doi:10.1353/sof.2003.0075 This research involves school-age children and examines the correlates of time spent at home with computers. It reviews the popular topic of whether computing promotes or reduces young children’s cognitive skills, well-being aspects and learning development. It indicates that computers rob away some normal experiences, such as outdoor activities and social interaction time with peers or other adults. Most children rely largely on playing computer games and stay away from pure educational programs and activities. It reflects on a decline in participating social networks and tends to be more of a loner. The research also reveals that computer integration should be implemented into classroom teaching as many school works are done via computer. Heavy usage of home computers for eight or more hours weekly is linked to less time on physical activities. Furthermore, long term sitting can cause vision problem and bad posture problem. This article highlights on the importance of reduci ng time spent on home computer. Wood, E., Specht, J., Willoughby, T., Mueller, J. (2008). Integrating computer technology in early childhood education environments: Issues raised by early childhood educators. Alberta Journal of Educational Research, 54(2), 210. This study explores the issues faced by the educators with regard to the integration of technology in early childhood education environment. It addresses different perspectives of the children, parents and the educators through the survey responses. Educator pointed that computers is not age-appropriate for very young children, it limits their social interaction with peers and the engagement of social problem-solving. Through the group discussions, they revealed their concerns about the potential loss of traditional educational formats, such as hands-on learning experiences. However, they did acknowledge that computers are the useful learning tool for older children, as it allows children to share information and learn independently. This article discusses the role of computers and provides a better understanding to parents and early childhood educators. Conclusion: Technology is a double sided sword, it has its advantages and disadvantages. Its application depends largely on the integrity of the user. For instance, iPads are like cars and the iPad user are like the drivers. Many accidents are caused by reckless drivers, the problem lies in the mentality and the skills of the driver, rather than the function of the car. As our children are innocent, dependent and vulnerable, parental guidance and engagement is crucial at this junction. Constant monitoring and interaction with the children’s engagement with their iPad is of utmost importance. Parents and teachers involvement in constructive learning with the children, results in more closely monitored in their engaging activities. Establishing rules, controlled timing on iPads usage and careful selection of suitable Apps are the key settings towards healthy learning environment. It promotes their mental and social development in a positive way. We can simply say that a healthy apple is attained when the above mentioned criteria are met.

Elie Wiesels Night and Alicia Appleman-Jurmans Alicia :: Elie Wiesel Night Essays

ElieWiesel's Night and Alicia Appleman-Jurman's Alicia    Wars between groups of people over race, religion, and beliefs have been fought throughout human history. Millions of people have been killed simply because of what they look like, whom they worship, how they live, and what they believe in general. However, it was not until after Hitler's Holocaust that the terms "genocide" and "ethnic cleansing" - the systematic destruction of entire groups of people for petty and irrational reasons - came into use. Hitler's holocaust was different than all of the wars fought for cultural reasons that came before the Holocaust. The Nazis did not wish to simply subdue the Jews, oppress them, and try to force their beliefs upon them. Instead, Hitler and the Nazis wanted nothing less than the complete annihilation of the Jews, and everything related to Judaism. Hitler's campaign against the Jews was hardly a war. Rarely did the killers encounter large, armed and organized bodies of Jewish soldiers. Rather, the Nazis encountered largely defe nseless ordinary people: women, businessmen, farmers, and the elderly. Most vulnerable of all the victims were the children. On the weakest members of society, the Nazis showed perhaps the least mercy.    Children are always less suited for physical hardship than all but the frailest of adults. Children can not travel on foot long distances, go without food, or resist disease as well as adults. Clearly, this made them extremely vulnerable to the will of the Nazis during World War II. They could not endure the long death marches, starvation, and disease inflicted upon them by the Nazis as well as adults could. As a result, in a purely physical sense, the Holocaust must have been far more torturous to children than to adults.    Often, the Nazis specifically targeted children. Upon his arrival at Auschwitz, ElieWiesel was told to lie about his age by a Jew already imprisoned there. If he had given his real age, fifteen, he would have likely been immediately sent to the gas chambers. Instead, by saying he was eighteen, he was spared immediate death in order to be put to work (Wiesel 28). Shortly thereafter, Wiesel witnessed "a lorry ...at the pit and [delivering] it's load - little children.

The Great Depression Essay -- Papers History New Deal Market Crash Ess

The Great Depression The great depression hit the nation quite hard with an un-comparable feeling of instability and weakness. The United States and other nations including Europe and Great Britain were quickly affected. The depression, caused by the fall of the stock market in 1929, caused many individuals to panic and the depression was everywhere by 1932. Many people were affected by the depression. Investors, the ordinary work force and consumers sank rapidly with the panic that spread across the world. The United States tried to gain security through several attempts at restoration. With the help of president Roosevelt and his attempt to restore security with The New Deal the nation would overcome the onset crisis. The ordinary people affected by the crisis experienced many forms of mass unemployment. As the workforce began to panic the anxiety grew stronger. The stress of unemployment and anxiousness forced thus individuals to look to the government for the answers. Governments quickly responded to the anxiety by raising taxes. Which in turn only seemed to make matters worse. The United States attempts at restoring the nation with confidence failed. Some believe that the main reason being that the United States had developed an enormous economy of mass production, but the larger picture consisted of analyzing more than the mass production. Instead there was a problem arising. How would the nation survive with a population of mass production and a decrease in consumption became the main question being analyzed. As the stock market crashed and the United States economy began to as well the U.S. government began to focus on the idea of every nation for themselves. The... ... New Deal solved the depression because it didn?t, but I think that it gave the nation the fundamentals that they needed to solve their problems themselves. All that was missing was the structure and strength in the citizens themselves to reunite as a nation and not as individuals. The New Deal helped many individuals perceive these morals and values by setting the standards for economic equality, limited production, and fairness for the rich and poor and it also provided equality in the field of competition. All in which were needed to be restored. After all we did create The Pledge of Allegiance, which plainly states the fundamentals of The United States by saying we are ?One nation under god, individual with liberty and justice for all.? Meaning justice for all people in our country and resembles the unity we should all feel in our nation together as a whole

Mohamed Ali Essay -- essays research papers

Beginnings Clay, named after his father and Kentucky abolitionist Cassius M. Clay, was born in Louisville, Kentucky. At age 12, he had his bicycle stolen, and reported the fact to a local policeman (and boxing trainer), Joe Martin. Martin suggested that Clay learn to fight; under his guidance, Clay rapidly advanced through the youth ranks. A low achiever academically, Clay won six Kentucky Gold Gloves while at high school and was allowed to graduate despite his poor grades. Presciently, his principal announced during a staff meeting about the issue that Clay would someday be "this school's claim to fame." Clay later joked about his lackluster academic record saying, "I said I was the Greatest, not the smartest." At the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, he won a gold medal as a light heavyweight boxer. He then turned professional under the tutelage of boxing legend Angelo Dundee and quickly became famous for his unorthodox style, his spectacular results, and his tireless self-promotion (the latter inspired in part by professional wrestler Gorgeous George and singer Little Richard). He made a name for himself as the "Louisville Slugger" by composing poems predicting in which round he would knock out his opponent. He boisterously sang his own praises, with sayings like "I am the greatest" and "I'm young, I'm pretty, I'm fast, and no one can beat me." In Louisville on October 29, 1960 Cassius Clay won his first professional fight. He won a six-round decision over Tunney Hunsaker, who was the police chief of Fayetteville, West Virginia. From 1960 to 1963, the young fighter amassed a record of 19-0 with 15 knockouts. He defeated such boxers as Tony Esperti, Jim Robinson, Donnie Fleeman, Duke Sabedong, Alonzo Johnson, George Logan, Willi Besmanoff, and Lamar Clark (who had won his previous 40 bouts by knockout). Among Clay's more impressive victories were against Sonny Banks (who knocked him down earlier in the bout), Alejandro Lavorante, and Archie Moore (a boxing legend who had won over 200 previous fights). Cassius became the number one contender for Sonny Liston's title. Liston was greatly feared, and some have said that he was the Mike Tyson of his era. Almost no one gave the young boxer a chance of beating Liston. The date was fixed for February 25, 1964; during the weigh-in, the boisterous Ali declared that he... ... Americans in Lebanon. In 1996, he had the honor of lighting the Olympic flame in Atlanta, Georgia. At the same Olympics, Ali was also presented with a replacement gold medal. He had supposedly thrown the previous one, won in 1960, into the Ohio River after being refused entry to a restaurant, confirming his own suspicions that even with a gold medal, he would not be treated any different in the South. His daughter Laila Ali also became a boxer in 1999 despite her father's earlier comments against female boxing in 1978: "Women are not made to be hit in the breast, and face like that... the body's not made to be punched right here [patting his chest]. Get hit in the breast... hard... and all that." The $60 million Muhammad Ali Center is scheduled to open in downtown Louisville, Kentucky in the Fall of 2005. In addition to displaying his boxing memorabilia, the center will focus on core themes of peace, social responsibility, respect, and personal growth. Muhammad Ali currently lives in Michigan. His current wife Lonnie Williams (his fourth) is also from Louisville. He has nine children: Maryum, Rasheeda, Jamillah, Hana, Laila, Khaliah, Miya, Muhammad Junior and Asaad. Mohamed Ali Essay -- essays research papers Beginnings Clay, named after his father and Kentucky abolitionist Cassius M. Clay, was born in Louisville, Kentucky. At age 12, he had his bicycle stolen, and reported the fact to a local policeman (and boxing trainer), Joe Martin. Martin suggested that Clay learn to fight; under his guidance, Clay rapidly advanced through the youth ranks. A low achiever academically, Clay won six Kentucky Gold Gloves while at high school and was allowed to graduate despite his poor grades. Presciently, his principal announced during a staff meeting about the issue that Clay would someday be "this school's claim to fame." Clay later joked about his lackluster academic record saying, "I said I was the Greatest, not the smartest." At the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, he won a gold medal as a light heavyweight boxer. He then turned professional under the tutelage of boxing legend Angelo Dundee and quickly became famous for his unorthodox style, his spectacular results, and his tireless self-promotion (the latter inspired in part by professional wrestler Gorgeous George and singer Little Richard). He made a name for himself as the "Louisville Slugger" by composing poems predicting in which round he would knock out his opponent. He boisterously sang his own praises, with sayings like "I am the greatest" and "I'm young, I'm pretty, I'm fast, and no one can beat me." In Louisville on October 29, 1960 Cassius Clay won his first professional fight. He won a six-round decision over Tunney Hunsaker, who was the police chief of Fayetteville, West Virginia. From 1960 to 1963, the young fighter amassed a record of 19-0 with 15 knockouts. He defeated such boxers as Tony Esperti, Jim Robinson, Donnie Fleeman, Duke Sabedong, Alonzo Johnson, George Logan, Willi Besmanoff, and Lamar Clark (who had won his previous 40 bouts by knockout). Among Clay's more impressive victories were against Sonny Banks (who knocked him down earlier in the bout), Alejandro Lavorante, and Archie Moore (a boxing legend who had won over 200 previous fights). Cassius became the number one contender for Sonny Liston's title. Liston was greatly feared, and some have said that he was the Mike Tyson of his era. Almost no one gave the young boxer a chance of beating Liston. The date was fixed for February 25, 1964; during the weigh-in, the boisterous Ali declared that he... ... Americans in Lebanon. In 1996, he had the honor of lighting the Olympic flame in Atlanta, Georgia. At the same Olympics, Ali was also presented with a replacement gold medal. He had supposedly thrown the previous one, won in 1960, into the Ohio River after being refused entry to a restaurant, confirming his own suspicions that even with a gold medal, he would not be treated any different in the South. His daughter Laila Ali also became a boxer in 1999 despite her father's earlier comments against female boxing in 1978: "Women are not made to be hit in the breast, and face like that... the body's not made to be punched right here [patting his chest]. Get hit in the breast... hard... and all that." The $60 million Muhammad Ali Center is scheduled to open in downtown Louisville, Kentucky in the Fall of 2005. In addition to displaying his boxing memorabilia, the center will focus on core themes of peace, social responsibility, respect, and personal growth. Muhammad Ali currently lives in Michigan. His current wife Lonnie Williams (his fourth) is also from Louisville. He has nine children: Maryum, Rasheeda, Jamillah, Hana, Laila, Khaliah, Miya, Muhammad Junior and Asaad.

Employment Law HRM Strategy Essay

Employment law is critical to an organization allowing it to fulfill needs and business ventures applicable to state and federal laws. In this paper we will be discussing the laws that allow and disallow seasonal employees from another country to be able to work in the state of Georgia. In the paragraphs below I will explain to you the reader the scenario listed above, I will set a plan in accordance to the HRM situation, justify my approach to HR management, state the competitive advantage, and describe the situation that may occur from not properly following the appropriate laws. Everyone has the right to work, and there are many opportunities in this country. In order to enjoy these liberties workers need to be documented in order to be legally able to work without consequence to them, and the company that they are occupying a position. Employment law consists in the body of laws and rules regulating civil rights and non-union related conduct in the workplace (Stewart, 2012). Civil rights include a workplace free from discrimination and harassment for people who fit into one of the legally protected class (Stewart, 2012). Conduct law refers to equal and fair pay immigrant and employment at will laws (Stewart, 2012). These laws are the laws that are pertaining to the laws that are corresponding with the situation of seasonal employees from another country. The Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA) provides employment-related protections to migrant and seasonal agricultural workers and is administered and enforced by the Wage and Hour Division of the U. S. Department of Labor (DOL,2012). Within the confines of the law I came up with a plan for seasonal workers, first these are the parameters that we must follow. Every non-exempt farm labor contractor, agricultural employer, and agricultural association must: * Disclose the terms and conditions of employment to each migrant worker in writing at the time of recruitment and to each seasonal worker when employment is offered, in writing if requested; * Post information about orker protections at the worksite; * Pay each worker the wages owed when due and provide each with an itemized statement of earnings and deductions; * Ensure that housing, if provided, complies with substantive federal and state safety and health standards; * Ensure that each vehicle, if transportation is provided, meets applicable federal and state safety standards and insurance requirements and that each driver be properly licensed; * Comply with the terms of any working arrangement made with the workers; and * Make and keep payroll records for each employee for three years (DOL. 012) The plan that we will use to manage the situation will be by appointing two or three HR professionals, and a project manager to oversee the project. They will coordinate events as per the MSPA which regulates the seasonal workers. The MSPA requires farm labor contractors, agricultural employers, and agricultural associations, who recruit, solicit, hire, employ, furnish, transport, or house agricultural workers, as well as providers of migrant housing, to meet certain minimum requirements in their dealings with migrant and seasonal agricultural workers (DOL, 2012). Our plan resembles closely to what is already in state as per state, federal and local legislations. Human resource is the greatest asset that any organization possesses and it must ensure that this potential is harnessed to the maximum to contribute positively towards the growth of the organization (Amillionlives, 2010). Every non-exempt farm labor contractor, agricultural and seasonal agricultural association must; disclose the terms and conditions of employment to each migrant worker in writing at the time of recruitment and to each seasonal worker when employment is offered in writing (DOL, 2012). HR management would use this information to aide in writing the offers of employment for the migrant and farm workers. There are many competitive advantages of HRM practices meets the employment laws, typically business are more competitive with a structured HRM practice in place. Having an HRM in place makes it easier to organize employment according to the laws. An effective HRM in a competitive advantage will use information provided from the Department of Labor (DOL), one instance that would be useful in this situation is Employers must provide each migrant and seasonal day-haul worker with a written disclosure at the time of recruitment that describes the terms and conditions of his or her employment. When offering employment, the employer must provide such isclosure to all seasonal workers upon request. The disclosure must be written in the worker’s language. If the HRM is effective they will be able to utilize different commodities of the job in order to provide the service as per employment laws and contract obligations. If the situation of the need for seasonal employees who may be from another country were not to follow proper laws could result in major fines and penalties to the company. Ethics related problems are faced by the organizations whenever there is a practice of using favoritism rather than ability or job performance for managerial decisions regarding employment, promotion, pay and discipline. These problems can be reduced and eliminated by maintaining the highest standards of professional and personal conduct, encouraging employers to make fair and equitable treatment of all. Severe penalties may arise from the state and federal departments for not following proper protocol. Immigration may also be informed of the situation due to the fact that they are dealing with non-citizen workers. In the paragraphs above I have explained to you the reader the scenario of the seasonal workers, provided a plan, justified the approach of HR management, competitive advantage, and provided the consequences that may arise from not following proper laws and protocol.

Pop Music

The themes of pop music also help to characterize this genre of USIA. Typically, pop music centers on themes such as love and relationships. For example, â€Å"Am I Wrong† by â€Å"Nice & Vine† is a pop song that explains a longing for a relationship he thought was more than it was. This theme is so popular because everyone can relate to it. At a point in every persons life, they will experience love; those who have not experienced it, long for it, and thus relate to the theme of love as well. 3. What is disco? What are the characteristics of this music? I.Developed in 1 970, disco began outside of mainstream America, but t ended up crossing over into mainstream pop music. Mixing â€Å"soaring† vocals with a beat that encouraged dancing, disco became the dance music of the decade. The music often had 100 to 130 beats per minute (a relatively fast tempo) and the pulse of the rhythm was often emphasized. 4. What was the British Invasion? Which famous group was a pa rt of this movement? What impact did the group have on pop music? In the 1 9605, some of these British groups became influential in North America as well.The biggest group of the British Invasion was, of course, the Beetles. While the Beetles sometimes sang about social issues, they also had songs with catchy lyrics and melodies. This would be the centerpiece of pop music through the next several decades. 5. What is a boy band? What are some characteristics off boy band? I. Boy bands, such as New Kids on the Block, Boozy II Men, Backstreet Boys, and ‘N Sync, featured between three and six young adult males who typically sang, but did not play instruments. Critical Thinking Questions 1 .Some of the music in the 1 sass was used to protest social and political issues. Is music still used as a form of protest? Why or why not? I. Music is used, and will always be used, as a form of speech. It gets ideas and concepts out to the public in an appealing, and passionate way. However, it is less politically influenced nowadays. I believe this is because the public shows much more interest in love songs rather than politics; therefore, music composers aim to please the public. 2. One of the changes in the music industry during the twentieth century was the increasing centralization of music.Has music become too commercial? Why or why not? Do you think that artists are creating music for money or for other reasons today? I. Although big stars make a significant amount of money, all pantomimic artists are financially struggling. It is such a rough patch to make it to fame that if that artist is in it for the money, they will never make it in order to endure the hard times, they must really love what they do. Music has become highly commercialese, but will continue to evolve just like everything else. 3. How has technology impacted pop music?Describe at least three genealogical changes that impacted and shaped pop music today or in the past. I. The Beat Machine elimina tes the need for a real drummer. The internet allows for promotion and exposure that was not possible before. Finally, music videos are now a â€Å"must† when it comes to pop music. It increases the need for â€Å"the look† of the artist. 4. Pop music has often been seen as youth music. Why do you think pop music appeals to younger individuals? How has the industry promoted this idea? I. Pop music appeals to you anger generations because it is upbeat and easy to dance to. Pop Music ? The Center for Popular Music For information on specific research collections: Sheet music and Broadsides Rare books Sound recordings Periodicals Reading room collection Archives Music Trade Catalogs Posters Playbills and Programs Photographs Background: The Center's collection documents the diversity of American music. We take as our starting point the European and African origins of American culture, selecting items which document the music of our national vernacular culture. From the 18th to early 20th century music was disseminated largely in printed form: sheet music, songsters, broadsides, instrumental instruction books and song anthologies. After 1920 recorded sound gained dominance. The Center's collection reflects this change in the commodification of music. The Center recognizes the interplay between musical styles in American culture by providing study-level collections in all genres. Rather than duplicating the collection depth in specialized archives, the Center strives to support local research needs in all genres while providing research-level collections in specific areas: rock & roll and its roots, the various forms of vernacular religious music, and music of Tennessee and the Southeast. The key element supporting the study of rock is a sound recordings collection strong in blues, rhythm and blues, early rock, mainstream rock from the 1960s to the present, and alternative rock. The Center also has extensive holdings of rock periodicals as well as biographical, historical and critical books. Research in vernacular religious music is supported through a collection of approximately 2600 scores, including southern gospel songbooks, 19th century oblong songbooks, New England hymnody, shape note music, Sunday school songs, Negro spirituals, African-American gospel and denominational hymnals. Our collection of southern gospel songbooks is thought to be the largest institutional collection held by a non-religious repository. The Center's sound recording collections is also deep in various African-American traditions, contemporary Christian music and southern gospel. In addition to commercial issues, the Center has approximately 100 hours of original field recordings of African-American religious music. The Center's collection of Tennessee and southeastern materials recognizes that Tennessee provides a marvelous laboratory in which to study popular music. Ragtime, jazz, blues, Anglo- and African-American folk music, country, gospel and rock have all flourished within Tennessee. The music business of Tennessee has long been an important segment of Tennessee's economy. In addition to Nashville, the cities of Memphis, Knoxville, Bristol, Chattanooga, Cleveland and Lawrenceburg have played significant roles in music publishing, broadcasting and recording. The Center's collection documents these business activities as well as musical ones.