ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
List the title, author, and main characters (protagonist and/or antagonist) of the book. Title of the Book: The Joy Luck Club Author: Amy Tan Main Characters: An-Mei Hsu (Protagonist) Lindo Jong (Protagonist) Waverly Jong (Protagonist) Rose Hsu Jordan (Protagonist) Lena St. Clair (Protagonist) Ying-Ying St. Clair (Protagonist) Jing-Mei Woo (Protagonist) Suyuan Woo (Protagonist) Protagonists Mothers & daughters are protagonists in the novel. All are in favor of Chinese culture and members of The Joy Luck Club. Antagonists The antagonist is the war that comes in the hurdle of Suyuan and forced her to leave her homeland China and her twin daughters. What were your feelings after reading the first chapter of this book? Why? The readers feel sadness, loneliness, hollowness, and nothingness in the life of Chinese women who are living their life in America, San Francisco after war-ravaged in 1949. Jing-Mei is the main role in this book whose mother, Suyuan Woo dies due to a severe attack of cerebral aneurysm. We feel the estrangement between mother-daughter relationships as this is expressed by Jing-Mei Woo herself too. “Over the years, she told me the same story, except for the ending, which grew darker, casting long shadows into her life, and eventually into mine” (Chapter 1, pg. 21). There is a generation gap between old and new ones as both mothers and daughters are unable to communicate their exact thoughts and feelings to each other plainly. There is also a difference between the two civilizations, western and Chinese, the mothers belonged to Chinese culture and want to be in touch with it but daughters are ignorant of all such cultural perspectives of china. The influences of past stories of their life have been still intact and they couldn’t escape them from these past bitter realities of life that’s why their life is full of sorrows and pains! Did the book make you laugh? Cry? Cringe? Smile? Cheer? Explain your reaction. The book has serious thematic concerns of life, provoking our thoughtful ideas about the bitterness of life of the Chinese people who take refuge in an American city, San Francisco. “I wanted my children to have the best combination: American circumstances and Chinese character. How could I know these things do not mix” (Chapter 15, pg. 254)? All characters of the novel are depicted as the embodiment of grief-stricken and alien individuals who don’t find any destination in the American cultural setup. It depicts the deplorable state of mind of the people who still feel alienated in spite of living so long in the American civilized social setup. What connections are there between the book and your own life? (Please give a general answer) The book demonstrates the realities of common human life, showing the pain, sorrows, bitterness, hollow
Introduction Historically, women in prison and their children have attracted minimal interest from scholars, policy makers and mainstream commentators in spite of the deleterious effects occasioned by incarceration on inmate mothers, their children and all of society (Luke, 2002). With the dramatic increase in female incarceration rates in the United States due to radical shifts in sentencing and drug policies, however, concern for the population has substantially grown in recent years (Allen et al., 2010). The present paper aims to discuss the effects of incarceration on mothers and their children, drawing on current literature to analyze these detrimental effects using three theoretical perspectives of human behavior, namely the ecological systems model, family systems model and the rational choice theory. Statement of the Problem & Justification A meta-analytic review of literature demonstrates that inmate mothers, their children, and all of society experience damaging effects as a direct result of maternal incarceration, especially in terms of pain and loss occasioned by enforced separation (Greenfield 2011; Holmes et al., 2010; Hagen & Myers, 2003). But while numerous studies have examined the effects of incarceration on mothers and their children, little is known about the theoretical interpretations to these adverse outcomes, leading to haphazard and disorganized interventions that neither address the real issues nor provide the victims with viable alternatives (Holmes et al., 2010). The present paper, therefore, aims to evaluate the effects of incarcerated women and their children through the lens of the mentioned theoretical perspectives. The justification is premised on the urgent need to provide theoretical interpretations to these deleterious outcomes of maternal incarceration, with the view to provide viable interventions and inform policy directions aimed at addressing the challenges. Incidence, Prevalence & Economic Cost Extant liter
Christmas is a holiday season which is celebrated on 25 th of December every year. It is a wonderful time of the year for many Christians around the world. Christmas was first celebrated three centuries ago with the main intention of displacing the pagan Saturnalia jubilations of the winter solstice. Initially, little attention was paid to this important celebration of the year, as the original nativity occurred no later that September when the notable star-struck shepherds would have spent their night with their flock in the fields. During last year’s Christmas festive season, I decided to visit New York City. The city is one of the biggest and attractive holiday destinations in the world. The experience I had in New York City is an event which I will never forget in my life. New York City is ranked in top ten among the holiday destinations in the world. According to Adams, New York City is a place of recreation (3). Christmas Holiday is an amazing event, which even the New Yorkers who are mainly tourists; consider choosing New York City, as a holiday destination. I was mesmerized with the arrangements and the atmosphere of the city which was full with a colorful holiday spirit as everyone enjoyed the celebrations to their fullest. I observed certain things which were magical and dreamlike concerning the New York City. As I began enjoying my holiday, I realized that there were lots of fascinating and unique things to experience. I observed many things which make the city even more dazzling, particularly during this time of the year. For instance, the city becomes very bright and more embroidered than most cities, in the US. I watched the city glow with a catching spirit of a real festive season. The most flamboyant scenic areas were colored with Christmas lights which were visible outside the Macy’s showing the Empire State Building from the background. In addition, everywhere in the city looked pretty and spectacular with Christmas trees and other holiday attractions popping up around the city. The other important observation I made was that the city becomes a winter wonderland during the Christmas Eve. It was very thrilling to observe the snow blankets covering the streets of Manhattan, crowds moving up and down at the exquisite window displaying adorned stores along the fifth avenue. It was also exhilarating to see the ice-skaters glide across the Rockefeller Center Skating Rink with a view of the Christmas tree glowing beneath the city skyline. The other interesting activity that I actually saw was drummers performing impromptu concerts on the street of New York. On the other hand, the streets were packed with vendors who were always handling out free drinks. Actually, the city is a big place to encounter in just few days. When I made a comparison of the city with other cities in developing nations’ I noted that the streets within the city are also packed with street people , who remain to be a point to note as a social problem in most societies. As I walked down the streets, I saw street boys and girls, p
This report discusses and interprets mountain front, foothills and the plains geology of Eldorado springs (Gerdner, 9). It gives a description of the soil formation in the area. The map and tables give detailed data of the area. Problem definition What is the guide to engineering soil in a site? Review of the existing literature The Eldorado springs mapping of landslide deposit, and specific surficial deposits, field evaluation of engineering characteristics of each unit of map, auger drilling, sampling and laboratory testing were done in connection to the present study to give the technical information (Scott 1965). Methodology Relative strength and soil constituency were measured by the resistance to soil penetration. Data on soil resistance and penetration were then compiled in terms of standard penetration resistance (Lambe 1960). A hollow cylindrical tool, 2 inches in outside diameter, was driven into the subsoil by 140-pound hammer. The fall of the hammer is 30 inches. The standard penetration resistance was measured by the number of blows of the hammer required to drive the sampling tool 1 foot into the subsoil. Collection/ Analysis of data Table showing the relation of bearing strength to standard penetration resistance together with relative density and constituency; Standard Penetration resistance of sand and gravel  Less than 4  4-10   10-30   30-50  Over 50                       Relative density of sand                            Very loose   Loose  Medium  Dense  Very Dense                    and gravel                                                                                                           Standard Penetration resistance of clay and silt    Less than 2  2-4    4-8     8-15   15-30       30-100  Over 100  Relative density of clay                            Very soft    Soft   Medium  Stiff  Very Stiff  Hard    Very hard and silt                                                                                                              The results of PVC test of geology of engineering map units PVC Rating      Category       Swell Index(Pounds per square foot) Less than 2     Non-critical   Less than 1700                      2-4             Marginal       1700-3200                           4-6             Critical       3200-4700                           Greater than 6  Very Critical  Over 4700                            The above table shows the PVC rating category and the swell index as established by Lambe (Lambe 1960) The dominantly clay shale formation ( Greenhorn limestone, Carlike shale, smoky Hill member of the Niobrara formation, and Pierre shale excluding the Hygiene Sandstone are Member are subdivided and regrouped into 4 engineering and map units (Scott 1965). The four rocks are classified according to litho logy and po
The ability to connect with the roots of one’s culture and embrace the richness of one’s cultural heritage is one of the most fulfilling and emotionally enthralling experiences. However, due to the centuries of slavery, having been torn away from their country and forced to live in an entirely foreign environment, African American people have been experiencing a completely unique challenge of reconnecting with the history and cultural baggage from which they have been thoroughly divorced for a couple of hundreds of years. The poem titled “Heritage” and written by Countie Cullen ventures into the realm that has become both personal and collective trauma of African American people, examining the role of Africa and its culture in the lives of the descendants of African slaves. The theme of being lost is one of the most powerful and complex issues that Cullen explores in his poem. Involving a deeply emotional experience and establishing the need to process centuries of cultural distance, the poem shows the clear lack of direction in the search for cultural identity. As a result, Africa remains a symbol that is both distant and representative of the longing for the profound cultural connection: “One three centuries removed/From the scenes his fathers loved,/Spice grove, cinnamon tree,/What is Africa to me?” (Cullen, 1992, lines 60-63). The resounding question at the end of the stanza above I repeated throughout the poem, marking its key emotional beats, and signifying the urge for the emotional catharsis that the reconnection with the historical and cultural roots of the African America community will bring. However, as the question continues throughout the poem, it becomes clear that the author does not intend to answer it, leaving the journey of self-discovery to the reader. The lack of clear answer reinforces the feeling of irreplaceable loss, restating the main theme and emphasizing the sociocultural significance of the issue. The distance between the cultural roots of African Americans and their current cultural perceptions and ideas is emphasized throughout the poem with the help of colorful descriptions of picturesque African landscapes and the elements of its environment: “Africa? A book one thumbs/Listlessly, till slumber comes./Unremembered are her bats/Circling through the night, her cats” (Cullen, 1922, lines 31-34). Similarly, the description of the artifacts belonging to the African culture leave the impression of a large distance between the present-day African American cultural environment and the African roots that produced it: “Quaint, outlandish heathen gods/Black men fashion out of rods” (Cullen. 1922, lines 85-86). The description of the artworks presenting African culture sound mysterious and alien to the reader, which reinforces the sense of vast distance that needs to be covered for the current African American mindset to approach that of African people. S
Causes for Differences in Breastfeeding Practices among Australian and Iranian Women The results of National Health Survey in Australia conducted in the year 2001 showed that only 87% of babies discharged from the hospital were breastfed and only 54% of all infants of three months age were breastfed by the Australian mothers. However, statistics out of the survey indicate that none of the babies at the age of six months was breastfed. This situation is different from the country of Iran where 98% of the mothers start breastfeeding immediately after delivering and 67.1% of the mothers breastfeed their babies at the age of 3 months. At the age of six months, 56 percent of the babies were breastfed (ABS, 2003). There are reasons behind this variation in the percentage of babies getting breastfed in the countries of Australia and Iran. The cultural differences between Australia and Iran play a major role in this respect. Breastfeeding is the norm of infant feeding in Iran and the Muslim religious belief also encourage breastfeeding (Hunt, 2006). In Iran, there is a strong support to the practice of breastfeeding by the mass media including television, which promotes the practice of breastfeeding. Greater visibility and prevalence of breastfeeding practices among women also increases the breastfeeding duration. In Iran four months of paid monetary leave is provided to all working-women. In Australia, there are no legal provisions providing for maternity leave, which forces the mothers to return to work as soon as possible after delivery and this impedes their breastfeeding practices. Thus “Iran’s Government-sponsored national breastfeeding promotion program, a culture of breastfeeding in Iran, differences in Health Services delivery, including the uptake of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, more rapid return to paid work, and religious and cultural issues” (Zaraeai, O’Brien, & Fallon, 2007) are some of the factors, which make the Iranian women adopting to higher duration of breastfeeding practices. Strategies for Improving Breastfeeding Practices Strategies, which have been employed in Iran to popularize breastfeeding, may also work well Australia. These include establishing national policies supporting breastfeeding practices, providing adequate, mandated maternity leave provisions that reflect the importance of the practices of breastfeeding and the introduction of adequate provisions in the work place that will facilitate the women return to paid work and at the same time maintain breastfeeding. Providing free antenatal classes to all pregnant women on the value and importance of breastfeeding the infants would be another strategy to increase the awareness among the women to encourage the breastfeeding practices. In Iran, the extension of the existing strategies of government support to the breastfeeding women would enhance the breastfeeding practices. In addition, interactive education classes conducted for educating women woul
Introduction The paper provides the analysis of the New Jersey State legislative process and focuses on one of the bills suggested for the legislature’s consideration. The selected bill is aimed to make changes in abortion-related legislation. Specifically, the proposed regulations refer to late-term abortions with the fetus being viable. Upon reviewing the state’s legislative system, the rationale for choosing the bill is given. Further, the opinion of the researcher on the issue is explained. Considerable attention is paid to the perspective view of such important stakeholders like the American Nurses Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Further, there is an analysis of the legislation’s influence on nurses and the nursing profession. Finally, a brief identification of the key people in New Jersey State’s senate and assembly is suggested. The paper discusses one of the acutest healthcare and legal issues prevailing in the USA using scholarly and evidence-based sources. The Description of the New Jersey Legislative Process The government of the State of New Jersey, as well as the USA’s, is composed of three branches: judicial, executive, and legislative. The principal responsibility of the former is the enactment of laws. The executive branch is accountable for the implementation of the programs initiated by the law. Finally, the judiciary branch is the one punishing those breaking the law and settling disputes (“The lawmaking process,” n.d.). The legislature of the New Jersey State consists of two Houses: an 80-member General Assembly and a 40-member Senate. The minimum age for becoming a senator is thirty, and the person also has to have resided in New Jersey for at least four years before the election. To become a General Assembly member, a candidate must be twenty-one years old minimum and the state’s resident for at least two years (“The lawmaking process,” n.d.). Additionally, the candidates must have lived in their prospective legislative district for a year preceding the election. The legislative organization of the state presupposes the election of a presiding officer in each of the Houses. The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the General Assembly are the second and third “in line of succession to the governorship,” respectively (“The lawmaking process,” n.d., para. 5). The President and the Speaker are the ones deciding on the meeting schedules and the calendar of the bills to be reviewed. Also, these two officers refer the bills to the committee for further discussion. The legislative process in New Jersey incorporates several phases, which the bill has to pass in order to become a law. The first stage is the development of the idea when a legislator is determined to sponsor some bill, be it at somebody’s suggestion or the governor’s idea. Next, the bill has to be drafted by the Office of Legislative Services (“The New Jersey legislative,” n.d.). The Office also arranges the bill appropriately in accordance with the technical form required. After that, the bill is given to the assembly clerk or senate secretary, who reads its title out loud. This moment is known as
Introduction Written by Ray Bradbury as a fictitious masterpiece novel, Fahrenheit 451 underscores pertinent censorship issues in the contemporary United States of America. Apparently, the censorship issues that bedeviled the American society of the 1950s are the same elements tormenting the 21st Century society. In the novel, firefighters have only one responsibility, viz. to start fires. They assume the unconventional role of starting fires in homes where books are allegedly hidden. In other words, owning and reading a book is illegal in this futuristic society. Therefore, given that people cannot gain knowledge via reading, they turn to television where they spend their days glued onto the screens. However, this form of living is frustrating, and thus some attempt to commit suicide. Bradbury’s 1953 futuristic thoughts were not far fetched as the contemporary American society is experiencing the very things that he foretold. The issues raised in the novel, Fahrenheit 451, are relevant in contemporary American society and Bradbury’s thoughts were a warning for what he highlighted is happening in the contemporary United States. This paper will explore the censorship theme in the novel and relate it to similar events occurring in the modern day the United States. Censorship The most outstanding form of censorship in Bradbury’s book is the burning of books. The novel’s protagonist, Guy Montag, is the commander of the book-burning firefighters. The novel starts with, “It was a pleasure to b
The Office of Philanthropy (OOP) at Santa Anita State University is the one in charge of spearheading mobilization of financial resources for the institution. Santa Anita State University is located in California (University Of Washington 2).Two levels of workers are hired at Santa Anita-hourly employees and salaried employees. Salaried workers are categorized in levels ranging from A–G that determines lowest and highest yearly wages. The Office of Philanthropy (OOP) has four units. One of the units of the Office is The Office of Marketing and its major responsibility is to establish internal marketing strategies that send steady information to a wide range of people who seek the services of the university. The marketing unit has a team of four workers-the director and three account managers in senior positions. The director is the only man, new out of the employees, while the rest of the employees had all been recruited in the last four years. Out of the three senior accountants, Darlene Stewart is 60 years old and had been an employee for the university for nearly two decades. Sandra Johnson is 28 years old and joined the team from a different unit of the university, and finally Teri Roberts a fresh college graduate who was employed the previous season of hiring. The last two young ladies are said to bring a range of new ideas, expertise, and re-energize the existing group. Previously, the team had a coordinator who worked with the three senior account managers, but he exit the institution a month later. All the three accountants perform the same roles for Santa Anita State University’s schools and colleges. Before the coordinator quit; he helped the accountants with their duties. With his exit the position had not been filled (University Of Washington 2). The Santa Anita State University is faced with two main issues. Firstly, there is the issue of dwindling financial crisis because of economic crisis that has hit California state funding program for higher in