The law, imagery and televised campaign advertising: A legal analysis of the constitutionality of restricting external imagery in televised campaign advertising for federal office

The possible effects of external imagery in televised political campaign advertising upon our electoral system, coupled with the current public interest in this area, could lead to a call for legislation restricting televised political advertisements to a talking head format. This study found that a statute regulating televised political campaign advertisements in this manner would violate the first amendment to the United States Constitution. The regulation of external imagery would not be a valid time, place and manner restriction because external imagery is compatible with messages on the television medium and the regulation of external imagery would not be content-neutral. It is unlikely that the courts would find the regulation to be a valid content-based restriction because a compelling government interest does not exist. This study concludes that the best solution to the problems presented by external imagery in televised political advertising is not for government intervention, but for the citizens and the press to be actively involved in political affairs

Assessing User Requirements for an Automated System to Support Programmed Depot Maintenance through Use of a Rapid Prototype in a Group Support System Environment

The purpose of this thesis was to assess user requirements for an automated information system to support programmed depot maintenance (PDM). To accomplish this, the Integrated Technical Information for the Air Logistics Centers (ITI-ALC) program\u27s rapid prototype was evaluated. The evaluation focused on users\u27 perception of how well the prototype met system and human computer interface requirements for PDM technicians and managers. A group support system (GSS) was used as an analysis tool to evaluate the prototype and collect evaluation data. Using the prototype as a requirements baseline for the ITI-ALC system, this thesis had three objectives: to perform an assessment of the prototype and illicit modifications; to determine prototype compatibility with user\u27s needs; and to investigate using OSS for prototype analysis. A total of seven users composed of PDM technicians and supervisors evaluated the prototype by following a scenario, and documenting their ideas using the GSS. Results indicate the prototype functionally meets user\u27s requirements, however suggested modifications to enhance the prototype and gain more user acceptance. Results also indicate that a 055 is effective and efficient for performing prototype analysis. The primary recommendation was to make suggested changes and perform further tests to refine the ITI-ALC system baseline

Redistributing under fiscal constraint: partisanship, debt, inequality and labour market regulation

Labour market regulation varies significantly, both within and between developed democracies. While there has been extensive research and debate in economics on the consequences of labour market regulation, the political causes for levels and changes in labour market regulation have received less scholarly attention. This article investigates a political economy explanation for differences in labour market regulation building on a theoretical argument that labour regulation can be used as a nonfiscal redistribution tool. Consequently, partisanship, the demand for redistribution and government budget constraint jointly determine whether labour market regulation will increase or decrease. Consistent with this argument, panel analyses from 33 Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development countries reveal that labour market regulation increases under left-wing governments that face increased market inequality and high government debt

Workplace Dispute Resolution and Gender Inequality

Despite substantial bodies of research on employment differentials between women and men and on conflict in the workplace, little prior research links the two. This article summarizes preliminary results of a study which attempts to fill this knowledge gap. We conceive of workplace disputes as having origins, processes, and outcomes. We theorize that these three components are patterned by sex roles, sex segregation of jobs, and work structures (unions, firms, industries). Our findings indicate that workplace jurisprudence operates differentially for women and men employees, as hypothesized. The results suggest linkages to other aspects of employment inequality and provide a theoretical framework for further research and policy making

A league of their own: demographics, motivations and patterns of use of 1,955 male adult non-medical anabolic steroid users in the United States

Background: Rule violations among elite-level sports competitors and tragedies among adolescents have largely defined the issue of non-medical anabolic-androgenic steroid (NMAAS) use for the public and policy makers. However, the predominant and oft-ignored segment of the NMAAS community exists in the general population that is neither participating in competitive sports nor adolescent. A clearer profile of NMAAS users within the general population is an initial step in developing a full understanding of NMAAS use and devising appropriate policy and interventions. This survey sought to provide a more comprehensive profile of NMAAS users by accessing a large sample of user respondents from around the United States. Methods: U.S.-based male NMAAS users (n = 1955) were recruited from various Internet websites dedicated to resistance training activities and use of ergogenic substances, mass emails, and print media to participate in a 291-item web-based survey. The Internet was utilized to provide a large and geographically diverse sample with the greatest degree of anonymity to facilitate participation. Results: The majority of respondents did not initiate AAS use during adolescence and their NMAAS use was not motivated by athletics. The typical user was a Caucasian, highly-educated, gainfully employed professional approximately 30 years of age, who was earning an above-average income, was not active in organized sports, and whose use was motivated by increases in skeletal muscle mass, strength, and physical attractiveness. These findings question commonly held views of the typical NMAAS user and the associated underlying motivations. Conclusion: The focus on cheating athletes and at risk youth has led to ineffective policy as it relates to the predominant group of NMAAS users. Effective policy, prevention or intervention should address the target population(s) and their reasons for use while utilizing their desire for responsible use and education