ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Introduction Staffing ratio refers to the number of healthcare providers per patient in a health facility. The term can also be used to define the differences regarding staffing per patient between hospitals. There have been heated discussions on the introduction of staffing ratio mandates nationwide over the last decade. While a universal staffing ratio mandate is yet to be agreed upon, several states have taken the initiative of introducing the said mandates within their precincts. California, for instance, was the first state to order staffing ratios mandate through a series of legislation. Other states that have passed staffing ratio mandates are Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Montana, Connecticut, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. It is important to note that there still exists a gap between the introduction and legislation of these mandates and their subsequent implementation. Among the stated states, California is the only one that has successfully implemented staffing ratios mandates. Staffing mandates should be made an absolute necessity. Studies conducted to assess the impact of staffing ratios have proved that there is a causal relationship between the quality of care provided by Health Service Organizations (HSOs) and overall patient outcomes. The essay will prove that having staffing ratios in legislation will provide substantial grounds for the setting of medical standards and auditing. History of Staffing Ratio Mandates Staffing ratio mandates can be traced back to the 60s and 70s when nurse staffing requirements were determined through work sampling. Under this system, an independent observer inspected each unit to assess the tasks being done by each nurse. A productivity scale was created for each shift and the performance of the nurses working in that shift rated. After that, the number of hours worked was divided by the average census in that shift to generate hours per patient shift (HPPS). Further, the HPPS was factored by the productivity percentage of each nurse (skill level) and added to a factor of 1.15, which accounted for the personal time, fatigue and delays encountered (PFD). The system evolved in the 90s to a more broad-based policy that sought to measure the workload of each. After years of sampling and workload measurement with nurses as the agent factor, and the patient’s as the affected factor, it was noted that there was a relationship between patient staffing levels and the outcome of patients. This realization, coupled with labor unions in California, which had located a favorable environment to agitate for job security, gave rise to the staffing mandate discussions statewide. Current State and Stakeholders Currently, very few states have passed legi
The term Ponzi scheme refers to a form of fraud in which investors are promised high levels of return on their investment with little to no risk. These dividends, however, are sourced not from the revenue of the company itself, but from the funds of the later investors. Essentially, the earlier contributors are compensated with money of the later contributors. Such firms rely on a continuous flow of new investors and focus their efforts on acquiring them. As soon as the flow stops or evens out, the company falls apart, as it is only sustained through the new influxes of cash provided by never investors. Additionally, within a Ponzi scheme, the firm’s expenditure requirements towards providing ROI increases exponentially, as the firm is expected to provide the promised high dividends to every contributor. Bernie Madoff admitted in 2008 that the financial management division of his firm was an elaborated Ponzi scheme worth several billion dollars. In contrast with most Ponzi schemes, this one was based around a real company, Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC. Known for working with elite high-income clientele, Madoff attracted multiple investors by promising unusually high dividends. The façade of respectability and the history of consistently high returns from Madoff’s previous projects accounted for his credibility in the investors’ eyes. In reality, Madoff deposited the acquired new capital, further utilizing it for the payoffs to the existing investors. Eventually, the scheme was identified through the comparatively inconsistent corporate performance reports and the unusual undisclosed commissions the documents kept referencing. Throughout the scheme period the investors remained unaware of Bernie Madoff personally managing their money. Reference Henriques, D.B. (2018). A Case Study of a Con Man: Bernie Madoff and the Timeless Lessons of History’s Biggest Ponzi Scheme . Social Research: An International Quarterly 85 (4), 745-766.
Introduction The internet might easily be conceptualized as the greatest invention of our time, but some critics view it as the germ of puzzling technology-induced behavioral anomalies in humans. One such pessimistic thinker is Brandon Ambrosino, the author of “Smartphones and Our Memories: Don’t Take a Picture. It’ll Last Longer.” He argues that smartphones and the internet have adversely affected people’s concentration, memory, and ability to immerse themselves in and truly experience moments fully. Similar sentiments about technology echo in Tristan Harris’ “How a Handful of Tech Companies Control Billions of Minds Every Day.” In this speech, Harris contended that few tech giants prey on the masses’ psychology for their selfish economic gains and recommends an urgent design renaissance in which technology promotes genuine liberty. Although both Ambrosino and Harris demonstrate admirable authorial prowess through appeals to ethos, logos, and pathos, Harris’s overreliance on emotions rendered him and his argument less credible compared to Ambrosino’s article. Comparing Appeal to Ethos Both Ambrosino’s piece and Harris’s TED presentation evoke strong ethos appeals. Ambrosino’s consistent reliance on many reputable sources throughout the essay strengthens his credibility as a “freelance writer.” His clipped and articulate conceptualization of the problem as “pre-remembering” and invoking expert opinions indicate exhaustive research and reflection on the topic (Ambrosino, 2018). He further draws from personal experiences to introduce and sustain his argument, thereby implying a personal stake and first-hand experience with the issue. Similarly, Harris appeals to ethos by making explicit references to his professional qualifications as a design thinker. Near the speech opening, Harris mentions that he worked in a control room as a “thought ethicist at Google” to steer people’s thoughts – the topic he discusses in the rest of the talk (Harris, 2017, 00:31). Ambrosino and Harris successfully appeal to ethos, convincing their audience that they have researched the issues and are qualified to lead the public in discussing them. Comparing Use of Logic Besides the expert utilization of ethos, both sources appeal to logos, albeit with varying success. Ambrosino’s piece is the most successful in this aspect as he employs many facts and statistics that allow his ideas to progress logically compared to Harris’s speech. For instance, Ambrosino points out facts from his experience while touring Ernest Hemingway’s home and attending Disney World fireworks. He notices that people’s obsessive reliance on smartphone cameras distorted vision
Understand framework of scope and strategic objective to classify IT projects based on risk? Understanding the scope and strategic objectives of an IT project is essential for any business contemplating to invest in new technology. They also provide a company with knowledge about classifying IT investment projects based on the risks involved. The IT department must closely link its project to the objectives outlined by the organization. The understanding of the framework of a particular technology involves comprehending the structure of the existing infrastructure and the solution desired from upgrading the systems. On the other hand, strategic objectives may include investing in technology to re-solve problems, ensure short-term gains, and sustain the future growth of the business. However, to effectively address the two dimensions, different types of investment patterns must be followed. These investment patterns include transformation, renewal, process improvement, and experimental investments. Transformational investment has the highest risk because it occurs when the company is shift into a new IT system. The company’s core values and objectives may prohibit the development of critical structures needed for future success. Renewal investment is less risky compared to transformational ventures. This investment focuses on the maintenance and upgrading of the existing IT platforms. It includes activities such as maintenance and support. On the other hand, process improvement involves the use of business application to leverage a company’s infrastructure and ensure it provides short-term profitability. This is a low risk investment because they focus on improving the existing infrastructure. Finally, there is the experimental initiative. This is an investment focused on experimenting with new technologies as the company decides or weighs its options on which project to adopt. What are the kinds of benefits that can be used to justify an IT project? Apart from the objectives of the business, the overall benefits of the organization can be used to justify an IT project. In using benefits to justify IT projects, the advantages offered by the project are observed based on two perspectives. This is the business change that brings about positive influences and the degree of explicitness of the business. Basing on these criteria, the organization’s management may determine the viability of the benefits. These advantages must have a financial leverage. The article indicates that there are four factors that can be used to justify an IT project. They include financial, quantifiable, observable, and measurable advantages. However, these benefits must be observed in relation to their viability through a structured framework. Financial aspects can be calculate
Industry Panel Paper People who specialized in different areas have varying opinions that explain how individuals should behave. Therefore, this industry panel paper uses the views of Emily Tracy, Emilio Cortez, and Don Lavanty to define and explain various techniques that individuals should employ in their day-to-day activities. Emily Tracy has a science background and a Master’s degree in management. She provides quite some strategies that individuals can employ to get the best results. To start with, Emily finds it very helpful for individuals to improve their self-awareness. This serves as a guide to the various activities they undertake and also eliminates the mix-up of ideas. Self-awareness can be achieved when self-confidence and consistency are given priority. Emilio Cortez is a retired captain. He believes that it is important for people to learn appropriate ways of interacting well with each other. To boost an individual’s chances of getting a good job, there is a great need to engage in various events and also obtain professional training. Cortez also finds it worthy for individuals to be persistent in whatever they do. They should perform other duties that seem very challenging to other people. Lastly, Don Lavanty who enjoys a rich background in different majors (such as healthcare and law) believes that the greatest strength emanates from the greatest weakness. Individuals should never shy away from undertaking tasks that appear to be very challenging. They should find alternative ways of approaching such tasks. From the opinions shared by the above speakers, I believe that it is important for people to have a positive attitude in whatever they do.
The rapid shifts in workplace arrangement under the influence of recent events have prompted new perspectives on how workplace interiors might be improved and diversified. Indeed, the difference in the interior design of a given workplace implies changes in employee productivity, job satisfaction, goal achievement, creativity levels, burnout, and overall organizational performance. The distinction between traditional private offices and the newly emerging open office plans has been at the center of scholars’ and organizations’ attention. The implications of workplace interior design for organizational and employee accomplishments have produced a variety of opinions. However, this paper will concentrate on the discussion of the benefits of open office plans over traditional private offices. Open offices yield more productivity, corporate communication, motivation, creativity, and cost-effective organizational benefits in comparison to high-cost and less interaction-involving traditional private offices. In order to support the claim of the predominant benefit of open office design over the traditional office, one should investigate some recent research findings. Notably, the scholarly sphere is rich in evidence demonstrating the pros and cons of different workplace interior designs. On the one hand, Van Marrewijk and Van den Ende (2018) state that study findings prove multiple benefits of open offices for companies in terms of employee accomplishment. In particular, the findings suggest that “bringing people together in open-plan offices maximizes communication, increases knowledge sharing activities and, consequently, increases collaboration among employees” (p. 1121). Therefore, when designing an interior of working space, organizations striving for collaboration should pursue open offices. On the other hand, designing specific physical spaces of open-plan offices intends to shape collaboration by promoting unplanned, spontaneous encounters” (p. 1121). On the other hand, other studies have shown that not particularly the spatial unity but the “demarcation of group territory” was decisive in collaborative efforts (Van Marrewijk & Van den Ende, 2018, p. 1121). Thus, research proves the benefits of open offices for company performance. In particular, when analyzing the research findings, one might attribute the benefits of open offices to employees’ positive outcomes. Indeed, while traditional offices promote separate achievements, open offices induce unplanned creative solutions, communication, and cooperation between different professionals. When observing others’ work, employees are motivated to perform to the best of their potential, which ultimately boosts company success. Consequently, organizations at large benefit more from open offices since they help advance unity and collaborative decision-making in organizational culture. Notably, the implementation of open space interior design requires fewer materials and construction efforts which is cost-effective for the company budget and long-term financial goals. Indeed,
The United Arab Emirates General Traffic Department seeks to promote security of the public through availing information by publications with regards to traffic offences and penalties associated with particular offences. Drivers in the United Arab Emirates are advised to conform to traffic regulations and rules. In addition, fines have been enforced on traffic offences and suspension of driving licenses under extreme and frequent offences. The UAE have widespread high quality road network; however, driving license related rules differ from one emirate to another, although temporary, driving permits issued from one emirate are allowed throught the UAE. Traffic regulations range from prohibition of drunk driving, use of mobile phones while driving, compulsory use of seatbelts to prohibition of children under 12 travelling in vehicle’s front seats. Speed limits are 80 kph in urban areas and 120 kph in open roads for small cars. Travelers are also prohibited to leave scenes of accidents prior to police permission. With the use of radar and cameras, the police can strictly enforce these regulations. Parking regulations also exist in the city centre though parking bays, and multi story car parks are legally available. Moreover, paid parking is operated at the cost of Dh2 per hour in Dubai, with the purchase of tickets, which must be displayed on the screen. Driving standards in Dubai have been deterred by fatal road accidents, irrespective of the good road network that has between eight to ten lane highways and even more on some stretches. Fatal Road accidents in Dubai roads have emerged as one of the world’s highest statistics whose prevalence has been tied to existence of among the worlds most powerful and expensive cars with fast driving. With regards to the alarming prevalence, the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammad instructed the Roads and traffic Authority and the Police
Introduction The following interview was conducted on May 12, 2010, with Agantuk Nazad (the name is fictitious) – a first-generation immigrant from Bangladesh, who came to Britain in 2000. Agantuk agreed to meet me at Cyprus Mangal Restaurant (Nottingham Hill, London) – this is where the interview had taken place. The following is the transcript of a recorded conversation with Mr. Nazad. According to Mr. Nazad’s request, the actual records of this conversation were deleted after the transcript’s compilation was completed. Discussion The interview conducted with Mr. Nazad fully substantiates the validity of Hommi Bhabha’s theory of ‘hybrid identity’, which emphasizes perceptional ambivalence of ethnic immigrants’ mentality. In his book, The Location of Culture , Hommi Bhabha, pointed out the fact that, by being constantly confronted by the realities of post-industrial living, ethnic immigrants eventually cease to think of their individuality in specifically ethnic terms: “Hybridity is the sign of productivity, its shifting forces and fixities; it is the name for strategic reversal of the process of domination through disavowal hybridity is the revaluation of the assumption of colonial identity through the repetition of discriminatory identity effects” (1994, 159). As it appears out of the interview’s context, Mr. Nazad was able to reach his goal of immigrating to Britain and establishing himself socially here, despite the impossible odds. In a similar manner, during the course of the Exploration Era, the handfuls of Western adventurists were able to attain the impossible goal of subjecting the whole empires of Maya and Incas to their rule – in both cases, the chances of enterprise’s success were defined solely by its affiliates’ strength of determination. What it means is that, despite the particulars of his ethnic affiliation, Mr. Nazad’s existential mode is being absolutely consistent with the values of Western civilization. However, given the fact that during the course of his upbringing, Mr. Nazad was not instilled with Western-based ethics of social appropriateness, it resulted in him deciding in favor of indulging in a variety of questionable activities, while in Britain. In its turn, this can serve as yet additional proof as to the fact that, under certain circumstances, immigrants’ endowment with hybrid identity might pose danger to society’s overall well-being. As it has been rightly suggested in Pnina Werbner’s study The Limits of Cultural Hybridity: On Ritual Monsters, Poetic License and Contested Postcolonial Purifications : “In a globalizing society, hybridity and transgression, while being potential tools of resistance which upturn taken-for-granted hierarchies, play dangerously on the boundary and can thus become a source of offense” (2001, 138). Just as it was the case with representatives of British colonial authorities in British Pakistan, during the course of the colonial era, Mr. Nazad’s foremost psychological trait appears to be his extreme cynicism. Also, the earlier conducted interview points out at conceptual fallaciousness of the policy of multiculturalism as such that is being concerned with dividing Western soc
Religion is defined as the belief and reverence in a supernatural power considered as the creator and ruler of the universe and it consists of a system based on the belief and worship of that power (The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, 2006). It is also referred to as a set of beliefs, practices and values which are based on a spiritual leader’s teachings. Religion has been the guiding force of individuals, groups and even nations in the challenges they face, the successes they achieve, and the failures they experience. It is the binding element for people and nations to unite, cooperate, and work with one another. While it serves to unite people, religion likewise causes major dissent among members belonging to different religions. Christianity and Islam are the world’s two largest religions. Christianity, the religion with the largest membership base, has approximately 2.1 Billion members or 33 percent of the world population, followed by Islam with approximately 1.5 Billion members or 21 percent of the world population (Major Religions of the World Ranked by Number of Adherents, 2007). Both religions account for the majority of the people in the world. Amidst the enormous number of followers, these two religions were expemplified by their founders or leaders. Christianity was founded by Jesus, while Islam was founded by Mohammed. Both personalities provided a role model figure for the people to follow. They served as the examples whose actions and predispositions serve as the foundations of their religion’s principles and laws. There could never be a discourse on Christianity and Islam without mentioning in great part and detail the lives, works and teachings of their founders and leaders. Christianity could never embody the ideals it hold today without Jesus. In the same breath, Islam could never have retained its identity without Mohammed. Before we further deal with the lives and teachings of Jesus and Mohammed, it is best to give apt descriptions of the two religions they founded. Christianity is a religion based on the miracles and teachings of Jesus, who is called Christ or the anointed one (Slick, 1996). Jesus is both divine in nature and human and thus, deserves worship and prayer. Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah to come that was mentioned in the Old Testament. Christianity teaches that the existence of only one God is absolute. God created the Earth, the universe and man, who he created in his image or likeness. The central belief in Christianity is that through the death and resurrection of Jesus, those who have sinned will be saved and reconciled with God (Ch