ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
“Lives of all great men remind us that we can make our lives sublime and leave footprints in the sands of time.”-Anon. Science and Technology have played a major role in our lives. The advancements in this field have made our lives simpler, manageable, entertaining, and above all, “advanced.” All this advancement didn’t come by in the period of a few years or so but rather is the outcome of the struggle of millions of countless people striving for the betterment of this planet ever since its inception. The part played by scientists and inventors cannot be overruled. These are the people who have made this possible. Without them, the concept of life at hand is unimaginable. People often argue that science has made our lives easier and comfortable, but on the other hand, the inventions of bombs and ballistics have increased the threat of total annihilation of this planet. This can be explained by the fact that one needs to harness the resources at hand in the best possible manner for the interests of mankind. Of the many inventors and scientists, the name of Thomas Alva Edison needs no introduction. He was an institution in his own right. His life is the stuff that the American Dream is made of. From humble beginnings to the giant that he was, Edison’s life is a source of inspiration to the thousands of young people trying to make their mark in the world. The Wizard of Menlo Park, Thomas Alva Edison, was born in Milan[1], Ohio, in the year 1847. Having only three months of formal education and being regarded as retarded by his schoolmaster, Edison ventured out to give more than a thousand inventions to this world, many of which are still there and providing solace to millions around the globe. To go through the inventions of Edison is no walk in the park. I wish to take you through Edison’s achievements in chronological order so as to have a feel for the immense work he has done in the field of science and Technology. When Edison was 12 years old, he started selling newspapers on the Grand trunk railway, and in one of the carriages later, he developed the world’s first newspaper to be published from a carriage. Grand Trunk Herald, published in 1862, was a weekly newsletter published from a freight car. The same place also served as Edison’s “laboratory. He once saved the life of a child of a railway officer, who had connections in the telegraph office, and he posted him there. Edison learned telegraphy, and along with that, he also invented the automatic telegraphing machine, which could send messages without the presence of an operator. In 1868 when he was 21 years old, Edison invented an electrical vote recorder. Being an invention ahead of its time, the electronic vote recorder didn’t sell, and thereafter Edison concentrated on inventing objects that he expected were readily marketable. Sometime after, in 1869, Edison went to New York. By chance, he came to Gold and Stock Telegraph Company. Keeping in mind the fact that he had some training as a telegraph operator and had the mind of a genius, he was able to repair a broken down ticker apparatus, which nobody could repair and was given a job at three hundred d
Introduction Homelessness is a state of affairs in which an individual lacks a place that he/she calls home. It is a major problem in the United States because of its profound effects. The issue disturbs policy makers because of its vast effects that affect nearly every person in society. It is also true that deformed policies are some of the causes of homelessness. The existing policies do not address the problem of homelessness in the US. The government spends many resources in resolving issues related to homelessness. People spending their nights in the cold are susceptible to diseases such as tuberculosis. They are also affected by nutritional deficiencies such as gastrointestinal disorders. Furthermore, the affected individuals are prone to mental illnesses (Herbert, 1976). Many homeless people have complained of physical and sexual assault. The state spends many resources in curing such diseases and disorders. Moreover, maintaining security is costly because of street dwellers. This calls for policy makers to come up with policies that would allow the state to plan effectively. This paper evaluates the existing policies and suggests a policy that would solve the problem. The existing policies are not well positioned to handle the problem. The policies have been overtaken by events because the issue should be handled logically. Overview of the Problem The US supports the Universal Rights, which state that each person must be provided with shelter among other basic needs. The constitution was adjusted in 1949 to cater for the needs of the poor in society. The 1949 Housing Act asserted that each person should be assisted to acquire a decent home. The Act made it illegal for any person to be denied housing rights on allegations of race. Each person was to be provided funds to acquire a place that he/she could call home. Unfortunately, the two policies have never solved the problem of housing in the US. The US government withdrew support of the mentally challenged in 1970, which increased the number of homeless persons. In 1980s, the number of homeless persons skyrocketed mainly because the state transferred federal dollars to a big military buildup. The funds were transferred to sustain the Star Wars, which was completely unsuccessful. In 1986, Americans joined hands to support the internally displaced and homeless persons. Subsequently, the government came up with McKinney Act, which permitted the state to fund housing projects for the poor. The housing department, together with the McKinney Act attempted to solve the problem but in vain. The project could not sail through due to some reasons. The government policy makers never involved all stakeholders in designing the policy. Homeless persons were not involved in decision-making, making it hard to implement the project. Furthermore, there was lack of good will from politicians and senior government officials. This served as a lesson to policy makers because policies are never implemented without informing all stakeholders. Existing Policies Several policies have been designed to combat t
Abstract Different people across Los Angeles and the entire USA have often complained of police harassment citing the use of excess force while executing their action. From the case of Rodney King and other individual who faced police torture and inhuman treatment, are some acts of the LAPD police officers reflecting their disrespect to people’s culture and traditions. Culture defines the inherent behaviors of individuals acting either in groups or alone. Since culture affects various facets of a person’s life, policing need to understand various concepts of ranging culture for the community they serve. In the last two decades, debates on whether to include cultural awareness took center stage in almost all conflict issues involving the police and the community. Thus, an insight into this matter may provide more understanding of policing in Los Angeles. Similar sentiments from other states in the US such as California lead to research in policing department leading to improved services. Generally, people view law enforcement officers as enemies or potential adversaries. Part One: Introduction Focusing on the problem This research paper is critically important in addressing various issues faced by federal law agents and state police officers in enforcing conflicting laws. In particular, I find it interesting to present views of people arrested while going about their normal businesses but end up misconstrued by the police for breaking the law in bliss. The general assumption that even in a civilized society such as the one in the USA, enforcement of state and federal laws often conflicts with the view of most people who are predisposed to classical lifestyles unheeded by the same laws. Therefore, in this research I intend to learn more about various areas where lines of conflict can be drawn between unwarranted police actions in interrogating individuals and cross-cultural beliefs and actions lies. What I want to know and why The processes of socialization and civilization in the lives of average Americans have often presented a culture shock to civilians and administrative officers alike. Probably, the knowledge of traditional culture would serve as the basis of understanding certain behavior of individuals and the society. Hence, I thought of the proposal to conduct regular classes for police officers on various cultures of people resident in America. In my opinion, this would resolve some of the problems associated with police interrogation on petty offenses considered by some people as normal. Indeed, it is interesting to note that police continue to ran into conflict with civilians they are hired to protect and defend against because some of the practices in the public domain create poor impressions, that are only provided by certain states’ by-laws and rules as minor offences but still attract strict and tough measures. In sum, these views present my intentions and motive in developing this research. Part Two: Searching for Information There are two typ
James Brown was born on May 3, 1933 in Barnwell, South Carolina in the United States to Susie Behlings and Joseph James Gardner (Brown and Eliot 1). His parents had meant to name him after his father but the hospital officials made a mistake on his birth certificate and made James his first name instead of Joseph (Brown and Tucker 3). Growing up, however, James Brown was naturally called Junior -going with original intention of being named after his father. Brown’s family was plagued with extreme poverty and when he was only two, his mother found the living conditions unbearable and abandoned her family to move in with another man. Brown continued living with his father and from time to time one of his girlfriends would move in with them for a number of days and then leave. In 1939, his father relocated to Georgia and left him under the care of one of his aunts who ran a brothel (Brown n.p. ). Even though Brown technically lived with his relatives, he spent a lot of time alone, in the streets and devising ways of survival. He continued with his schooling but he did not get to the eighth grade. In these early days Brown became street-smart and made some money doing menial jobs like cleaning stores and washing vehicles. Aside from this, Brown gradually nurtured his singing and performing talents by singing in talent shows as well as taking part in buck dances to entertain troops as they crossed a canal bridge near his aunt’s house (Rhodes 170). Brown also learnt to play the harmonica he had received as a present from his father as well as the piano from some of the men who frequented the brothel (Rhodes 17). This was probably the time when Brown developed most of his musical talents and he should have realized this at the time had he been given the opportunity. By the age of sixteen, Brown was committed to perfecting his many skills and spent most of his time in the stalls within Augusta. He also could not resist the temptation for petty crimes associated with life in the streets and in 1949 he was arrested an charged with taking part in armed robbery. Since he was not legally an adult, he was sent to a juvenile detention facility in Toccoa. While in prison Brown made an acquaintance with Bobby Byrd . Byrd was well impressed with Brown’s singing to the extent that he helped him secure an early break (Brown n.p.). Brown was released with instructions to get a job and not to ever show face in Augusta, failure to which he would be re-a
Automobile Market at a Glance In any automotive company, every model of the vehicle they manufacture has an impact on both the profit margins and the popularity of the company. Hence, each department within the structure of the company plays an imperative role in the survival and success of the company. For example, according to Chris Woodyard (2009), Ford Motors showed the worst outcome rates in 2008 which made the company face “an extraordinary slowdown in all major global markets”. However, a company that manufactures SUVs is likely to get popularity among the economically affluent persons who do not mind so much on fuel consumption and have been found to generate a profit margin of up to $ 10 000 to $180 000 for Ford (White, 2000). Evidently, the people who are targeted by the SUV manufacturers are the unionized workers who enjoy relatively higher salaries and have access to funding by financial institutions. On the other hand, the department dealing with small fuel-efficient cars is capable of attracting young customers who may not have the capacity to buy an SUV and meet its running costs. These buyers are conscious of the average fuel consumption while at the same time t wanting to drive to work or school. The Financial, Social, and Environmental Implications The recent economic recession has witnessed the automotive industry in peril (Deloitte, 2009). This has been reflected through declining sales of SUVs in the United States. Although companies are trying to woo the consumers to buy them through discounts and other forms of incentive, they are yet to register the previous sales as a result of dented consumer confidence in the economic future. Thus the period of conscious spending has already emerged and consumers globally are in pursuit of car models that favor their pockets and at the same time enjoy maximum utility (Deloitte, 2009). This has seen Asian companies such as Toyota register tremendous sales in America and Europe when compared to Chrysler and Ford. A recent Deloitte Consulting LLP study has revealed that automotive consumers are changing their taste from SUVs to smaller low-consumption models due to economic hardships (Deloitte, 2009). These consumers have diverted their interest to smaller cars. This interest has prompted the manufacturers to concentrate on enhancing the safety and value as imperative features in small cars. In addition, it has been found that the majority of players in America’s ‘cash for clunkers’ plans have resulted in exchanging their SUVs and small trucks for small fuel-efficient models (Simon, 2009). Various studies show that there is an increase in car ownership among the first buyers in the developing countries, with small cars continuing to gain popularity due to the cost consciousness of the customers (“Automotive Industry Briefing & Forecast. World Outlook”, 2009). According to Matt O’Leary (Deloitte, 2009), a large population in China has been found to shift from the use of motorcycles to small cars in search of identity and the feeling to be part of the global society.
Environmental conservation has become more important than ever. This is mainly because of unpredictable weather and other natural calamities experienced throughout the world. Greenhouse emissions continue to deplete Ozone layer, which in turn expose environmental hazards to plant and animal species. Consequently, animals and plants shift to colder regions in order to survive. Global warming has had several implications on the earths’ ecology. In fact, according to recent research completed by Scottish Marine Institute (SMI), change in climate could severely affect marine species. This is mainly because they have limited room for movement as opposed to land species. The article, which is available from Science Daily, was conducted with help of several researchers, among which include Dr. Mike Burrows and Dr. John Bruno. This paper will reflect on the article as well as explore its importance to environmental conservation (Scottish Marine Institute 1). The article describes a research which was conducted by among others, the above named researchers with the aid of United States’ National Science Foundation. Moreover, other funds came from United Kingdom’s NERC (Natural Environment Research Council), among others. This research tried to compare change in temperature for both sea and land as well as from one place to another between the years 1960 and 2009. This was then used to project how fast species from each region would shift to cooler regions. Surprisingly, it was found that there was little to separate movement of species in the two regions (land and sea). Taking into consideration other facts such as the rate of heating in land in comparison to that of sea (land heats 3 times more than the sea), it was found that most land species would shift to higher grounds, which are usually cooler. On the other hand, aquatic species would move to lower regions or deeper levels, to escape the heat. In the process, they may be trapped, and be affected by warmth. This is said to have severe effect on their growth, reproduction, movement and survival, among others. Ultimately, they predict that climatic change and most specifically the increasing temperature are bound to cause shift of habitat for plants and animals. Moreover, it has the capability of making some marine species homeless (Scottish Marine Institute 1). This article is very important to conservationists as well as environmentalists. This is mainly because it sounds alarm to issues that may arise in the future as a result of climatic change. Ecology is very in
Team Strategy Plan (Strategies for team building) Assessments tools help individual members discover one unique skill, abilities, and capacity to perform a role. Exercises: An organization may arrange different exercises that will help the team to understand and appreciate the involvement of each member. Coaching uses structured and purposeful dialogue. The main aim of coaching is to make people aware of how well they are performing. Group discussions enable the team members to participate actively in group decision making. STRATEGY           STRENGTHS                                                                         WEAKNESSES                                                                       Assessment tools   The tools are capable of improving the skills and abilities of the team members.  Assessment tools may not be helpful where there are frequent employee appraisals Exercises          They are easy to administer as they do not require much supervision.              Exercises can be overwhelming to the individual members.                         Coaching           There is a personal involvement between the coach and the members.                It may be difficult to get the right and willing coach to perform the task.      Group discussions  The facilitator monitors all the activities, hence good results.                  The number can be overwhelming to the facilitator.                                Appropriate Strategy The most appropriate technique is the use of group discussions. This is because many employees are from other divisions. The new employees can also benefit from group discussions because they can raise other important issues. The benefit of this technique is that it gives room for everybody to air his/her own views without discrimination. A facilitator is always present to ensure transparency of the process. Challenges to team building Lack of proper communication channels that ensures that there is good communication flow. To address this challenge, the organization has to ensure that there is a clear reporting channel and tools for transmitting the information are clear to the members. Another challenge is the lack of conformity of the organizational objectives to the team objectives. If there is a clash in objectives, then none of the objectives can be achieved. To mitigate this challenge, the organization has to ensure that its objectives have a clear outline and are understandable by the teams. Evaluation of the team’s success The success of a team can be evaluated by measuring its level of performance and its ability to achieve the organizational objectives. Another evaluation technique to determine the success of a team is whether the team can perform its roles in peace and harmony. In case of any conflicts or lack of understanding among team members, then the organization should encourage the teams to resolve them at an early stage before they get out of hand. The spirit of togetherness should be present. Another technique is to measure the number of jobs that team members can accomplish as a team and indi
Introduction The basic challenges faced by international and transnational organisations include establishment of rules and strategies appropriate for the cultural peculiarities of different nations. In other words, the issue of cultural diversity should be correctly approached. Moreover, the examples of Bharti Airtel Limited shows that it is necessary to cultivate a global mindset before addressing the needs of a foreign market. In addition, proper assessment of resources and changes introduced in the sector of human and financial resources to reach the goal will result in adoption of an effective approach. Establishing connections with all representatives of the international market including competitors, partners, and potential and already existing customers will make the company’s performance more productive. It is important to address the issues of cultural diversity, use advantages and incentives provided by the market, and conduct a research needed to operate effectively in the market. Besides, cross-border organisations implement different competitive innovations such as price reductions, improvement of budgeting, and investments targeted at the foreign market but the first step that should be taken is the exploration of the market and its peculiarities. Challenges Faced by Transnational Organizations As reported by Chernev and Kotler (2009), diversity goals are one of the challenges outlined in the running of the multinational corporations more so in regard to the expansion concerns that are likely to be the aim. Goal implementation is a second factor after setting and the monitoring part is needed to ensure they are implemented properly, which is only made realistic by an effective communication both across and between all levels operational in the organization (Chernev and Kotler, 2009). For multinational corporations to achieve the diversity goals implementation there must be a reward scheme and a reprimand for the less concerned with goals achievement. As transnational organisations struggle for customers’ satisfaction through improvement of quality and product delivery, some vague demands may not be well understood hence leading to poorly defined and documented product designs. Larson and LaFasto (1999) argue that there should be a clear definition of the organizational operational scope to ensure that the product brought about and documented is addressing the regards of the clients and meets their demands. According to Saloner, Shepard, and Podolny (2000), business member group conflicts are also one of the challenges. This involves not being at par of the systems analysts, project head, and leader of the business and amongst others the information technology specialist. Larson and LaFasto, (1999) explains being a multinational is not a simple task to handle, the integration of different specialists located at varying areas in not simple either. Due to such a thing organizational expansion and growth is a