ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
The backward bicycle experiment demonstrates that a lot of skills are adopted on the unconscious level in the mind and usually a person is not aware how a certain learned activity is performed. The way skills become adopted and learned is through practice. For instance, in order to start riding a bicycle that always goes the opposite direction than where you turn it, you need to unlearn the way you rode regular bicycles before. The experiment demonstrates that people with learning disabilities still may master certain things even though he or she may need to do it “backwards.” Through practice any habit or any past knowledge can be altered entirely. Classical Conditioning The development of negative feelings to studying due to reception of bad marks in a certain subject can serve as an example illustrating the principle of classical conditioning. In this case, a bad mark accompanied by condemnation on behalf of a teacher stimulates a negative emotion (an unconditioned response). Suppose that the subject in which the student fails is math: the math textbook may become a conditioning stimulus. In other words, the child may show a similar negative response to studying the subject simply by looking at the math textbook. It can happen because the student will recall negative emotions linked to bad marks and anticipate negative learning experiences. Operant Conditioning In the episode of the Big Bang Theory, Sheldon used the method of operant conditioning to make Penny change her behaviors in accordance with his preferences. To do so, he offered her a chocolate candy each time she did something in the right way and sprayed water on her whenever she did something wrong. This method works because a person who learns new behaviors starts to associate them with positive emotions in case they are reinforced by pleasant stimuli. In contrast, one will avoid repeating certain behaviors if they are prevented through punishment. In this case, an undesirable behavior will be psychologically linked to negative feelings, which an individual will naturally aim to escape. Bandura Bobo Doll Experiment Bandura’s experiment demonstrated that children learn by observing adults. The children who participated in the study and saw adult participants beating the doll aggressively, imitated them afterward and were violent to the doll as well. I do think that the mechanism of imitation plays a crucial role in adopting aggressive behaviors. Moreover, I think that when a person observes violence a lot (especially when growing up), he or she can eventually see aggression as something entirely normal. In this situation, it may become an automatic response and one can be aggressive almost without understanding that he or she does something wrong.
Technology has been evolving at a tremendous speed over the years. Internet applications have been increasing in number due to endless innovations.The discovery of podcasts is among the most creative Information Technology innovations. The term podcast has had many definitions due to its many features. Consolidating all the definitions, a podcast is simply defined as a series of audio or video files that can be downloaded from the internet through a process called syndication (Bergey, 2006). The media files commonly referred to as web feeds are released in episodes by the distributor’s server (Bergey, 2006). A podcatcher is special application software used by clients to access the media files present on the internet. The concept of podcasts will be discussed in this paper together with how podcasts can be utilized in learning and training. The distributor of web feeds has the responsibility of creating and placing the media files and other content on the web. The process of creating podcasts is a bit technical and requires a lot of attention and focus. The podcast is first recorded and then published (Bayer, 2011). The recording stage is the most demanding and there are three fundamental recording tools needed for efficient recording. The three tools include recording software, a microphone and headphones. The preferred software is Audacity which has editing features. Another software known as LAME mp3 encoder is needed to convert and save the podcasts in the MP3 format (Van Orden, 2008). A good microphone is needed to transfer the audio sounds to the mixing unit. Headphones are very important in monitoring recording levels so that proper adjustment can be done on the mixing unit. In the recording process, Audacity is first opened and the sound card verified for playback and recording. Only one recording channel is necessary for proper recording. Quality of recording is very important and some quality parameters need to be observed. The Default Sample Rate is chosen from the quality tab and it ranges between 44,000 Hz and 44,500 Hz (Van Orden, 2008). The Default Sample Format is normally 16-bit. After recording, a copy of the file is normally made before editing is done. The recorded audio files are then compressed into Audacity to prevent the risk of accidental overwriting of the files. MP3 Expor
Introduction The text discusses the concept and definition of documentary films. It focuses specifically on its definition, as this type of art cannot be described as fictional movies, although both of them share a lot of similarities. While it is easy to assume that documentaries are just narrating a story behind a realistically framed set of images, they are still subject to terms that are way more complicated than this basic framework. The definition of documentary films addresses such features as the level of control, the institutional base, the structure of texts, and the attitude towards viewers. All of these elements create a three-dimensional perspective, including filmmakers, text, and viewers. Practitioners There is a common public opinion that documentary filmmakers have less control over their product than their colleagues who create fictional movies. It is grounded by the point of view that it is enough to film a set of events and put it together, while actions develop themselves. The natural sequence of events is often opposed to the creation of fiction, where actors, plot, light, and other elements must be considered and artificially put to work with each other to achieve the planned outcome. However, some cases require documentary filmmakers to control the situation even more than it is done in fictional movies. Even the most realistic images call for controlling the process. For instance, there is sometimes a need to present things just like there was no person behind a camera. This takes a lot of planning and research on how to move, work with light, etc. All of it is planned and done to present people or other creatures acting naturally . Another factor that requires a lot of control to be used is the process of post-production. Documentaries require a logically structured sequence of events, which cannot be achieved if the collected material is not put so that it addresses a topic in a structured way. This way, documentary films are defined by their makers through the high importance of control on each stage of production. The documentary filmmaker community has its fields of interest supported by distributors. Companies and associations are focusing on specific issues that use these films to promote their values and beliefs . Each of these associations “definite guidelines and criteria”, with which filmmakers must comply to distribute their product. Various festivals and award sessions also have guidelines that are used to measure the su
Introduction Eli Lilly can be described as a global pharmaceutical company with worldwide operations. The company has its headquarters in Indianapolis United States (Price, 1997, p. 12). It is named after Eli Lilly who started it in 1876 as a pharmaceutical chemist. Currently, it should be known that the company is the largest market player in the world as far as the distribution and manufacture of psychiatric medications is concerned. It should be known that the company is a fortune 500 corporation. As a matter of fact, it has revenues of more than 20 billion (Lilly, 2011, p. 13). As far as the largest companies in the USA are concerned, Eli Lilly is ranked 148. On the other hand, it is the tenth largest company is sales (this as far as global pharmaceutical sales are concerned). Apart from trading on the New York stock exchange market, the company is a member of other pharmaceutical organizations and associations (Murphy, 2008, p. 23). As far as this paper is concerned, we will focus on the company’s domestic operations. In this case, we will look at economic indicators that are prevailing in the USA market. This is because they have an impact on the company’s operations. These economic indicators are of great relevance to the company in a broad way. As a matter of fact, the company should respond to such economic indicators with a motive of maximizing its sales and revenues (OECD, 2011, p. 21). This is because they define the environment that the company works and operates in. For Eli Lilly to move forward and enhance its operations in this domestic market, it should come up with good measures to respond to these economic indicators for sustainability. This is based on the fact that shareholders will always want the company to grow its revenues and profitability as time goes by (Tracy, 2000, p. 17). Economic Indicators Economic indicators should be interpreted and evaluated as some basic statistics about a given economy. In this case, economic indicators will help us to know the economy’s performance and any other predictions that might dictate its future performance. It should be known that economic indicators will help us in understanding the economy’s business cycles. These indicators have a big impact on the market and that is why they should be evaluated for sustainability (OECD, 2011, p. 34). It important for Eli Lilly and other investors to understand such metrics because of their short term and long term impact on the pharmaceutical market and industry as a whole. Therefore, we are going to analyze these economic indicators and evaluate why they are important to the company’s operations. In this case, the paper will look at the consumer price index, employment cost index, employment situation, Producer Price Index, Productivity and Costs, Inflation, consumer confidence index and GDP. The consumer price index measures various changes in the price level of consumer services and goods. This is as far as price changes and the income tha
Background and Description The main objective of the official website of the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide (SPTS) is to substantially minimize the number of teen suicides and attempted suicides being witnessed in the United States and globally by not only enhancing public awareness through the creation and promotion of educational training programs, but also providing accurate information on suicide (Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, 2011). The website seems to target individuals in their early adolescence (teens) and late adolescence (college students), as these groups of the population face a lot of challenges and anxieties related to their developmental phases. The website offers several benefits to the target audience, including providing educational training programs on how to cope with problems or thoughts that may lead to suicide, availing information on suicide, linking adolescents to a 24/7 suicide prevention hotline where they can share their thoughts and worries with professionals, as well as presenting mental health resources for college students. Design In usability, it can be argued that the website is easy to use and the numerous links provided in the various sections of the website are easy to load. In navigation, the designers have ensured that users do not experience difficulties when searching for information by placing all the important links at the top. Links to important resource content are placed at the left to ensure ease of access and navigation; however the website does not have a search area and it takes a substantial amount of time for a user to come back to the home page. The website performs poorly in interactivity as it fails to not only offer visual stimulation and attractive graphical interfaces, but also to provide forums and avenues for questions to be answered by support personnel. Although the website has a Facebook link where people can share experiences, it appears not to have been updated ever since it was created in 2011. In general design, the website seems professional but boring if consideration is made to the numerous technological tools which could have been employed to develop a website that appeals to the youth. Content The website offers insightful information and resources on how adolescents can enlist the services of professionals to address their problems and worries instead of keeping quite or confiding in friends. In the teen link, for example, the website provides important information on the warning signs of suicide, how to deal with the death of a friend, where to seek instant help when faced with problems, mental health resources for college students, as well as the top five mental health problems facing college students in contemporary times. Such infor
Introduction Legislators have for a long time traded favors when it comes to the safe passage of bills and policies that affect their districts and personal interests. Parties which could be least affected or slightly negatively affected by a certain bill will vote in support of the bill. In return, a party will have movers of the passed bill to support another bill introduced by the party so that both parties have both bills pass almost unchallenged through congress; this is also known as political logrolling. The term logrolling was originally used to mean neighbors helping each other to move logs and eventually neighbors helping each other to accomplish a given task where each would benefit. The first legislator to mention the term logrolling on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives was Congressman Davy Crockett, and that was in 1835. Ever since, logrolling has been used to mean political favors shared among parties with a mutual interest. Discussion Logrolling is the term used in the House of Representatives and the Senate to mean an informal pact between members to vote for each other’s priorities. It is viewed as the trading of political power, support or votes among legislators and politicians in general to achieve the desired goal of the passing of bills, laws and policies that are of collective interest to the parties involved. Logrolling entails arriving at a compromise involving two or more issues at a given time. Politicians are required to maintain their preferences on some political or legislative issues against their preferences on others; sacrificing their preferences for others since it is impossible to acquire both. A concession may be made to a party on a low impact issue on their agenda in exchange for the other party’s support on a
The computer has in the last few years become indispensable to humans in performing a whole lot of functions with convenience and speed that could not be imagined before computers became affordable and a household name for almost everybody in the modern world. Computers allow us to shop online, play interesting games with people, and work from home in regard to several personal and official functions. Large amounts of information can be stored in the computer that is instantly available with the click of the mouse, which enables the ordering and tracking of resources in a very convenient and fast manner. Computers allow people to interact with each other and to conduct meetings from different locations for business purposes. Businesses use computers in conducting their financial and accounting work with speed and accuracy, most of which was previously done manually by office workers with possibilities of human error that could cause a setback to the predictions of company objectives which were based on such data. Computers are a big asset in enabling education by way of the internet, allowing access to thousands of options to extract relevant research material as relevant to the subject of study. It also allows colleagues to interact with one another to enhance learning experiences and to come to required conclusions. People across the world can communicate with each other with convenience and without any high cost. The internet is the biggest asset for the common man in benefiting from the use of computers, while it is an excellent means of entertainment in providing a wide array of choices in choosing the modes of entertainment which are readily available (Joshua Givens 2008). Indeed man has become extensively dependent on the computer for meeting his needs for several of his requirements, and life without is absolutely unimaginable. The extent to which we have got addicted to the computer is evident from the fact that a few years back we had difficulty in picking up the phone and calling someone without assistance from an operator. Parents whose children were studying away from home used to send them letters by post or telegrams for urgent work, much in contrast to the instant messages and emails that are used today. Indeed we have travelled a great distance with the technological advancements that are the order of the day in today’s world. It is impossible for the average urban citizen to do a single day without using a computer, mobile phone, printer or fax machine. People in all circles of life have now started to wonder whether it is appropriate and a healthy practice for mankind to continue becoming so severely dependent on advanced technology of this kind which may put us all in extreme jeopardy if one day the entire computer technology failed and vanished. This would entail severe negative consequences in creating a vacuum for all human roles and ways of doing things. Agreed this is a purely illusionary thought, but it is essential to ponder over the issue in the light of our over-dependence on computers. There is n
Globalization is the increased interdependence of nations due to increased integration of individuals, finance and trade (Ritzer 2011, pp. 2). It is characterized by increased integration and interaction of individuals, governments and companies (Scholte 2005, pp. 2). International trade and investment are the key factors that drive globalization. These two elements are the essential components of globalization. Additionally, advances in information technology allow the process of globalization to occur. Globalization affects the environment, political systems, culture and the economy. This paper seeks to determine whether globalization has resulted into economic growth in various countries. The process of globalization began after the end of World War 2. However, in the 1980s, technological developments and liberalization of the capital markets and trade accelerated the process of globalization. Improvements in technology resulted into a reduction in transportation, computation and communication costs. The reduction in these costs enabled firms to undertake different phases of the production processes in different countries. Liberalization of trade has made many governments not to offer protection to their domestic industries. Therefore, industries in such countries face foreign competition. Hence, firms must produce high quality goods and services to be able to compete globally (Anwar 2002, pp. 411). This promotes economic growth of different countries. Globalization increases the market that a country’s producers can access. Notably, countries that participate in globalization benefit from unrestricted trade with other countries (Phelps 2007, pp. 371). Producers in a country are able to market their produce worldwide. In addition, a country’s economy can benefit from global division of labour. International division of labour makes domestic producers specialize in lines of production. This results into efficiency in the production processes. The result of efficiency, specialization and international competition is increased variety of products in the domestic market due to domestic and foreign production (Gup 2005, pp. 155). Additionally, consumers in a country that participates in globalization enjoy goods and services of high quality at lower prices. This is likely to result into economic growth of that country. Furthermore, countries that trade internationally due to globalization benefit from technological developments that occur in other countries. A country can benefit through acquisition of knowledge used in the manufacture of imported products (Breckenridge & Moghaddam 2012, pp. 600). The country can then use this knowledge to begin the production of products that it normally imports. Moreover, the country will create more employment opportunities for its citizens due to domestic production of formerly imported products. Certain governments prefer to protect domestic industries from foreign competition. In many cases, these governments argue that domestic industries require protection until they develop competitive advantages (Thoumrungr
Introduction Virtual learning communities are those “based on shared purpose rather than actual geographical location” (Lewis & Allan, 2004). The learners from different parts of the world are drawn together and they can form their learning groups formally or informally. This is facilitated by appropriate information and communication technologies such as the internet and video conferencing (Lewis & Allan, 2004). Since virtual learning communities are based on real-time communication, the learners can be taught at the same time by a single instructor. Consequently, most online degree programs focus on building virtual learning communities to enhance their teaching and students’ learning process. This paper seeks to analyze the importance of virtual learning communities in an online degree program. The challenges likely to be faced while building such communities will be illuminated. The Importance of Virtual Learning Communities Initial Cohort Seminars Most online degree programs have an initial course that focuses on introducing the students to the online learning process. Such courses facilitate the building of social relationships among the students. Through such relationships, the online instructor and the students can easily explore both social and academic challenges faced by distance students (Assaf, Elisa, & Fayyuoum, 2009). To build strong relationships between the instructors and the students at the beginning of the program, they must interact for a long period. This means that the normal online class time needs to be extended through a system that facilitates a seamless exchange of information among the students and their instructors. This objective is best achieved through a virtual learning community that promotes unlimited exchange of ideas among the stakeholders in the learning process (Assaf, Elisa, & Fayyuoum, 2009). This is because the students can integrate their office hours with the learning process thus enabling them to access more information. Continuous Mentor Involvement According to the behaviorism theory, learning is enhanced if students can follow and master the facts or skills taught by the instructors (Lewis & Allan, 2004). This means that the instructor must be constantly in touch with his or her students to impart knowledge effectively. The virtual learning communities enable instructors in online degree programs to share knowledge with the students as well as get frequent feedback from them (Brown, 2001). This helps in assessing the students’ progress as well as recommending timely remedies for the underperformers. In addition to this, the virtual learning communities enable the online degree programs to provide a student mentor. The mentor, through the virtual learning community, works closely with the learners throughout the program (Brown, 2001). Through the mentorship programs, students can acquire skills that enable them to overcome the challenges they face in learni