LAS
Course Team Project
Topic and Outline

Team A

Team Members

Loretta Abbott

Brandon Ballesteros

Dalyn Bell

Byron Carter

Phillip Cleary

Abraham Contreras

Kristina Paver

Cell Phone Technology and the Dangers It Present To Society

Cell phones are a growing and continuing trend that has presented many hazards and dangers, since creation. Group A will discuss multiple and popular patterns that society has grown accustomed to, while utilizing cell phones. We will discuss the negative affects it has on society. Although the dangers are present, known, and many proven, the popularities of these trends are steadily rising, and causing tremendous detrimental issues today. This project will shed light into serious concerns associated with cell phones, and hopefully enlighten, and open people minds to ways of preventing many ongoing issues that currently exist. We will research, inform, and furnish our audience with detailed information regarding the dangers, risks, and threats associated with cell phone technologies that occur on a daily basis. Group A want to reveal ways to reduce the number of incidents and injuries related to cell phone usage. By doing this, people minds will ease knowing their loved ones will go home, the same way they left, safe.

Cell Phone Technology and the Dangers It Present to Society
Distractions
• Texts 1. Vehicle Accidents 2. Vehicle Fatalities 3. Road Rage • Social Media Networking 1. Social Media Violence through Media Networks 2. Addictive Behavioral Patterns 3. Cyber bullying • Web Usage 1. Security Issues 2. Information Easily Accessible via Web on Cell Phones
Economic Questions • Economic Impact

1. Dangers of technology

2. Types of technology contributing

3. Chart defining changes over years • Considerations

1. How has technology helped

2. Technology advancements

Health Concerns • Harmful Radiation 1. Cancerous Tumors Concerns 2. Non Cancerous Tumors to neck, glands, and brain • Sleep Pattern 1. Sleep Disorders 2. Increase Risk of Medical Issues • Irritability 1. Depression Issues 2. Anxiety Concerns • Lack of Patience 1. Lack deep-thinking capabilities
Social and Personal Life • Family Neglect 1. Family Quality Time Reduced 2. Relationship with Family Altered • Attention Span Reduced 1. Concentration Issues (Deteriorating Attention Span) 2. Diminish Cognitive Ability • Unaware of Surrounding Dangers 1. Dangers Nearby are not Recognized 2. Not Paying Attention to the Lurking Dangers
Technology in its cultural context and Media Influence Kristina

I. Cultural a) Smartphones are a way to connect everyone together: Texting, emailing and talking. b) Smartphones can be used to track lifestyle and important events in your life. c) Some Jobs are now using smartphones to improve how you connect with the company’s information. II. Media a) Social media is used to keep everyone up to date the second people post or update a status. b) There are apps for just about everything to keep the owners connected to find out what the weather or news.

Moral and Ethical Implications Loretta 1. Barriers of Communication A. Emerging Mobile Technology and The Shift In Society Communication B. Mobile Technology Intrusiveness on Personal Lives 2. Distractions and Risks A. Vehicle Accidents Associated with Cell Phone Usage B. Medical Risk Concerns C. Privacy Concerns
Economic Questions Phillip • Economic Impact

2. Dangers of technology

2. Types of technology contributing

1. Chart defining changes over years • Considerations

3. How has technology helped

4. Technology advancements

Historical development and context of the technology 3. Mobile Development A. Development History B. Mobile device evolution C. Drivers that influenced development 4. Cell phone technology D. Technology Background E. Technology Features a. Text Messaging b. Sound Quality c. SIM Card F. Manufacturers G. New Technology a. Smart Phones H. Laws a. While Driving b. Mobile Banking and Payments c. Tracking and privacy

References: Development: http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/05/the-evolution-of-cell-phone-design-between-1983-2009/ http://readwrite.com/2014/07/04/cell-phone-evolution-popsugar http://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/guides/history_of_mobile_phones/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2014/09/09/the-history-of-the-mobile-phone/ https://www.artinstitutes.edu/blog/the-history-and-evolution-of-cell-phones http://my-life-in-second-stage.blogspot.com/2013/04/cell-phone-development-history-and.html

Technology https://www.wattpad.com/1823977-cellular-telecommunications-and-cell-phone

The Bionic Plant – An Analysis of Supercharged Photosynthesis
Berdecia-Grauer, N., Blake, O., Brewer, A., Burnett, S., Cassidy, R., Cole, M., Cox, Douglas
DeVry University

Author Note
This report is for submission as the Course Project for LAS432, Technology, Society, and Culture, led by Dr. David Scoma, a capstone class at DeVry University. The Bionic Plant – An Analysis of Supercharged Photosynthesis is prepared by a team of students led by Douglas Cox. Nydia Berdecia-Grauer authors ‘Psychological considerations and sociological effects’. Olivia Blake researched and wrote the sections ‘A brief description of the technology and an explanation of the associated science’ and ‘The historical development and context of the technology’. Antionette Brewer wrote ‘Moral and ethical implications’. Rebecca Cassidy discusses ‘Economic questions and considerations’. Sandra Burnett composed ‘Implications for the environment’. Michael Cole is the author of ‘The technology in its cultural context, media influence.’ Douglas Cox penned ‘Political and Legal Influences’, as well as the Abstract, Introduction and Conclusion.

Contents Week 1 Assignment: Research Topic and Outline (noting each team member’s research sections); Selection for a team leader. 3 Outline 3 Summary for Week 1 4 The Bionic Plant 4 A brief description of the technology and an explanation of the associated science. 4 The historical development and context of the technology. 5 Political and legal influences 5 Economic questions and concerns of Supercharged Photosynthesis 5 Implications for the environment 6 References 7

Week 1 Assignment: Research Topic and Outline (noting each team member’s research sections); Selection for a team leader.

Douglas Cox: I have been selected as our team leader. Our research topic is “Supercharged Photosynthesis.” We will explore the new technology of “The Bionic Plant” and its potential impacts.

Outline

The outline is a draft attempt to note all the content that should be included for our course project. From the American Psychological Association (2013, pp. 23-40), in the description of journal article reporting standards, and from DeVry Education Group (2014) Course Project Guidelines, ‘Required Elements,’ the following outline is suggested as a start: • Title Page – Olivia Blake; Douglas Cox • Table of Contents – Douglas Cox • Abstract – Douglas Cox • Introduction – Douglas Cox • A brief description of the technology and an explanation of the associated science – Olivia Blake • The historical development and context of the technology – Olivia Blake • Political and legal influences – Douglas Cox • Economic questions and considerations - Rebecca Cassidy • Psychological considerations and sociological effects - Nydia Berdecia-Grauer • The technology in its cultural context, media influence - Michael Cole • Implications for the environment - Sandra Burnett • Moral and ethical implications - Antionette Brewer • Conclusion – Douglas Cox • References • Footnotes • Appendices and Supplemental Material

Summary for Week 1

Members of the team have contributed to the summary by offering a few paragraphs about where to begin research and topical questions that may be addressed.

The Bionic Plant

Olivia Blake: For this assignment, most of my research will be heavily relied on articles found on the internet. I’ve already found quite a lot of information about these “bionic plants,” and posted the references at the end of this assignment. I’ve also offered a brief description of each of my topics that I will be tackling for the duration of this class.

A brief description of the technology and an explanation of the associated science.

Scientists have found new ways of supercharging computers and our mobile phones, so why not supercharge a plant? A team of scientists are demonstrating that it can be possible. With the ultimate goal of speeding up plant photosynthesis, researchers from the US and UK have successfully upgraded a carbon-fixing enzyme vital to photosynthesis in a tobacco plant with two enzymes from cyanobacteria that function at a faster rate. If photosynthesis can be performed more efficiently, plants would grow larger and crops could have up to 60% in higher yields if the computer models prove correct.

The historical development and context of the technology.

Members of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the US National Science Foundation have funded researchers from Rothamsted Research and Cornell University to look into using the Sun’s energy in improving the efficiency of photosynthesis. “Photosynthesis is one of the earliest forms of energy production, arising and most likely prompting a key moment in Earth’s primordial history called the Great Oxidation Event more than two billion years ago (Stallard).” The study of this technology relies on an altered enzyme that significantly works faster to convert CO2 into glucose [energy], compared to a plant’s traditional rubisco enzyme. A faster energy conversion means greater production and higher yield.

Political and legal influences

Douglas Cox: I will begin my research on the political and legal influences of supercharged photosynthesis and bionic plants by reading more on how researchers and scientists have increased the natural rate of photosynthesis, paying special attention to any political and legal discussion. I may address the political and legal influences that other similar technological advances in agriculture currently face. Questions this section may attempt to answer is if there are any politicians with strong opinions on the topic of supercharged photosynthesis, and, what are the existing regulations regarding supercharged photosynthesis or the use of enzymes in crop production.

Economic questions and concerns of Supercharged Photosynthesis

Rebecca Cassidy: In order to begin my research on the economic questions and concerns of Supercharged Photosynthesis, I will first need to educate myself on Supercharged Photosynthesis. From there I will do my research in the DeVry library. I will also be looking for articles expressing the questions and concerns of Supercharged Photosynthesis. In addition to the library, I will research government sites in order to see what questions and concerns they have.

Implications for the environment

Sandra Burnett: I selected implications for the environment because I am very interested on how new technologies impact the environment and our lives. In order to complete my research, I realized I need to learn more about Supercharged Photosynthesis as well as bionic plants as I don’t know a lot about this subject. I have briefly looked in the internet and done a small research about this topic and I am realizing, I will need to depend more on library material, science journals as well as internet articles to complete my research. I have noticed from my small research, that this topic can be controversial for the environment so I am eager to learn more about the pros and cons of Supercharged Photosynthesis.

References

American Psychological Association (2013-05-14). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Sixth Edition. American Psychological Association. Kindle Edition.
Bullis, K. (n.d.). Supercharged Photosynthesis. Retrieved March 5, 2015, from http://www.technologyreview.com/featuredstory/535011/supercharged-photosynthesis/
DeVry Education Group (2014). Tech, Society and Culture. Course Home Page Shell [Online Course Material]. Retrieved from https://devry.equella.ecollege.com/file/59fad46f-eb5c-49e2-aec1-080a3d992bca/1/BUSN427_CH_Introduction.html
Greenscaper. (2014, September 21). Supercharging Plant Photosynthesis. Inside Urban Green [Blog]. Retrieved March 5, 2015, from http://www.insideurbangreen.org/2014/09/supercharging-plant-photosynthesis.html
Mitchell, P. (n.d.). Supercharging rice photosynthesis to increase yield. Retrieved March 5, 2015, from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2006.01855.x/full
Saltarin, A. (2014, March 18). Scientists produce bionic plants using nanotubes to boost photosynthesis. Retrieved March 5, 2015, from http://www.techtimes.com/articles/4507/20140318/scientists-produce-bionic-plants-using-nanotubes-to-boost-photosynthesis-can-this-be-the-answer-to-predicted-great-famine.htm
Stallard, B. (2014, October 7). Scientists Want to Improve Photosynthesis, but is That a Good Idea? Retrieved March 5, 2015, from http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/9442/20141007/scientists-want-improve-photosynthesis-good-idea.htm
Trafton, A. (n.d.). Bionic plants. Retrieved March 5, 2015, from http://newsoffice.mit.edu/2014/bionic-plants