The progression of photographic image manipulation in communication: An argument against the revolution of technological change

The technology of photographic image manipulation has evolved faster than our ability to consider its implications. This thesis looks at the recent evolution of image manipulation, which some regard as a revolution. The various stages of technological progression are examined using examples according to Brian Winston\u27s model of technological change. These stages include: scientific competence, ideation, prototypes, supervening necessity, invention, the \u27law\u27 of the suppression of radical potential, and technological performance. A review of literature on the topic of photography in communication is included as well as an examination of the early photographers who used image manipulation in their work. A discussion of the revolution theory verses the steady progression over time theory is presented. The thesis concludes with a discussion on the impact of the current technological capabilities upon the viewers, which results in a change in our understanding of photographic reality

Factors Influencing College Decision-Making for First-Generation Appalachian Students

This investigation determined the degree of importance for selected personal-psychological, academic, peer, financial, and family factors influencing the decision to attend college by first-generation, Appalachian (FGA) sophomore students. Outcomes were further related to the degree of academic and social integration in college and the likelihood of participants returning (persisting) to the next term or year. Participants were a purposeful group of 3,264 sophomores enrolled at three universities. Data were collected using the Transition to College Survey (TCS), which participants completed via an email invitation. Two-hundred, seventy-three responded (273) as follows: 110 (41%) first-generation status, 214 (78%); Appalachian status and 90 (33%), first-generation and Appalachian status. Results found that personal-psychological factors were by far the most important influences for ALL respondents and especially for first-generation (FGA) students. Financial factors were also important influences, though differences were noted among the groupings. Overall, academic, peer, and family factors were not important influences. Participants reported modest levels of academic and social integration in their college settings and FGA participants reported even lesser degrees of integration compared to ALL or OTHER groupings. However, significant differences were found among the groupings for several social integration descriptors. Large percentages of ALL (83%) and FGA (87%) indicated to be very likely to return to college next term/year. No academic or social integration descriptors were significantly related to persistence, with the exception of “spend time with friends on campus” for FGA respondents. Implications are if school personnel and families enhance personal-psychological factors of students, it may influence a greater number to consider transitioning to college. Also, providing students and parents with information about financing college early on in high school may ease financial concerns. Once there, it is important that FGA’s engage the college milieu and build academic and social relationships which can lead to persistence

How Not to Incorporate Voluntary Standards into Smart Regulation: ISO 14001 and Ontario\u27s Environmental Penalties Regulations

In June, 2007 the province of Ontario, Canada, released environmental penalties (EPs) regulations. EPs (or administrative penalties, as they are called in the US) are the environmental equivalent of speeding tickets for facilities that violate pollution laws. They are found in numerous jurisdictions and are widely understood as part of a move toward smart regulation. The Ontario regulations offer reduced EPs to facilities with an environmental management system (EMS) that meets the requirements of ISO 14001 or the chemical industry\u27s Responsible Care initiative. We argue that non-governmental, consensus-based standards such as ISO 14001 can and should play a constructive role in smart regulation and the pursuit of sustainability, but that the Ontario government\u27s attempt to incorporate them into its EPs regulations was anything but smart. We present six tips for how to incorporate voluntary standards into official regulation. First, don\u27t reinvent the wheel. If a standard exists that fulfills the objectives of a proposed regulation, and the standard was developed by a recognized standards body through a multi-stakeholder consensus process, regulators should incorporate the standard into the regulatory scheme as far as possible and appropriate, rather than drafting a new standard from scratch. Second, avoid unexplained discrepancies between the regulation and the standard. Third, if an existing widely accepted standard does not, on its own, meet all the public policy goals of the proposed regulation, indicate clearly how the standard is deficient and what more is required to meet public policy objectives. Fourth, should consult relevant standards development committees when developing regulations. Fifth, take advantage of ongoing opportunities to participate in the work of relevant standards development committees, to keep abreast of developments and influence the content of standards. Finally, and this is the biggest challenge, both regulators and standards development bodies should address the special characteristics and challenges of small businesses

How Not to Incorporate Voluntary Standards into Smart Regulation: ISO 14001 and Ontario\u27s Environmental Penalties Regulations

In June, 2007 the province of Ontario, Canada, released environmental penalties (EPs) regulations. EPs (or administrative penalties, as they are called in the US) are the environmental equivalent of speeding tickets for facilities that violate pollution laws. They are found in numerous jurisdictions and are widely understood as part of a move toward smart regulation. The Ontario regulations offer reduced EPs to facilities with an environmental management system (EMS) that meets the requirements of ISO 14001 or the chemical industry\u27s Responsible Care initiative. We argue that non-governmental, consensus-based standards such as ISO 14001 can and should play a constructive role in smart regulation and the pursuit of sustainability, but that the Ontario government\u27s attempt to incorporate them into its EPs regulations was anything but smart. We present six tips for how to incorporate voluntary standards into official regulation. First, don\u27t reinvent the wheel. If a standard exists that fulfills the objectives of a proposed regulation, and the standard was developed by a recognized standards body through a multi-stakeholder consensus process, regulators should incorporate the standard into the regulatory scheme as far as possible and appropriate, rather than drafting a new standard from scratch. Second, avoid unexplained discrepancies between the regulation and the standard. Third, if an existing widely accepted standard does not, on its own, meet all the public policy goals of the proposed regulation, indicate clearly how the standard is deficient and what more is required to meet public policy objectives. Fourth, should consult relevant standards development committees when developing regulations. Fifth, take advantage of ongoing opportunities to participate in the work of relevant standards development committees, to keep abreast of developments and influence the content of standards. Finally, and this is the biggest challenge, both regulators and standards development bodies should address the special characteristics and challenges of small businesses

Remediation of Contaminated Soils by Solvent Flushing

Solvent flushing is a potential technique for remediating a waste disposal/spill site contaminated with organic chemicals. This technique involves the injection of a solvent mixture (e.g., water plus alcohols) that enhances contaminant solubility, reduces the retardation factor, and increases the release rates of the contaminants. A simulation model is developed to predict contaminant elution curves during solvent flushing for the case of one‐dimensional, steady flow through a contaminated medium. Column experiments are conducted with a Eustis fine sand that is initially equilibrated with an aqueous naphthalene solution, and then eluted with different methanol‐water mixtures to remove the naphthalene. The model simulations, based on parameter values estimated from literature data, agree well with the measured elution profiles. Solvent flushing experiments, where the soil was initially equilibrated with a solution of naphthalene and anthracene, show that compounds with different retardation factors are separated at low cosolvent contents, while coelution of the compounds occurs at higher contents. In general, the smaller the retardation factor in water and the higher the cosolvent fraction, the faster the contaminant is recovered. The presence of nonequilibrium conditions, soil heterogeneity, and type of cosolvent will influence the time required to recover the contaminant.\u