ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Introduction Substance addiction refers to a condition where one develops heavy dependence on drugs. People use drugs and alcohol because of the pleasurable effects of drugs. Unfortunately, continuous drug use leads to development of compulsive behaviors. This often hinders one from living a normal life. Substance addition is characterized by physical dependence and emotional stress. When a person develops physical dependence on a drug, the body becomes biologically programmed to the presence of the drug. Consequently, the drug fails to elicit the same effect and this leads to tolerance. The brain may also develop over reaction to the drug or related stimuli as a result of physical dependence on the drug (NIDA, 2007). The mechanisms of substance addiction still remain contentious among many people, a majority of them believing that the people who abuse drugs generally do not have moral principles. Others believe that these people can cease substance abuse by just moderating their actions. However, scientific studies have shown that drugs alter the brain in unprecedented mechanisms, triggering compulsive substance abuse. Substances of abuse contain certain chemical ingredients that act on the brain cells, interfering with the communication mechanisms and the nerve cell’s ability to receive, transmit and process information (Webb, Snlehitta & Mlche, 2010). Drugs contain substances that mimic neurotransmitters, and they can over stimulate the brain. These changes in the brain occur gradually, impairing the addict’s cognitive and functional abilities such as self-control and the ability to resist the strong urge to take these substances (NIDA, 2007). Risk factors for substance addiction Various factors that have been demonstrated to predispose one to greater risk of becoming addicted to substance addiction include the, “biology, social environment, age and stage of development” (Webb, Snlehitta & Mlche 2010, p. 1881). The risk is confounded when these factors occur in combination; thus, the more the risk factors, the higher the probability that the use of substances can result into addiction. Biological factors relate to the genetic predisposition of an individual, whereby it has been shown that genes and environmental factors increase susceptibility to addiction in more than half of the affected population (Agrawal & Lynskey, 2008). Other biological factors that determine substance addiction include sex, race, and existence of other mental disorders. Studies have also shown that environmental factors such as family, quality of parenting, peer group, and socioeconomic status determine the occurrence of substance abuse and addiction. It has also been established that biological and environmental factors may interact with vital development stages during an individual’s life to increase susceptibility to substance addiction. Studies show that abuse of substances in earlier development period increases the risk of addiction. This is because in these early periods, cognitive regions of the brain responsible for judgment and self-control are not fully developed. This subjects young individuals
When researching the topic of US Westward Expansion in the 1800s, one might emphasize the contribution of several specific historical events that were decisive for the overall entrance into the West of the continent. The strategy toward Western Expansion was implemented in the mid-1800s. Two significant events that were particularly important in that context were the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the California Gold Rush. The former was one of the first steps toward expansion to the West. It was held between 1803 and 1806; during this time, the expeditors learned about the land, nature, and geography of the area (Petrelli, 2018). The California Gold Rush was a gold mining movement in the middle of the 1800s when many people traveled to the West for gold, which intensified Western Expansion (Conrad et al., 2021). The Lewis and Clark Expedition might be considered a more impactful event in terms of its contribution to Westward Expansion. It formed a solid background for future interventions; without the expedition, people would not have had enough information to start gold mining and other efforts to invade the West. The validation for both of the discussed events was the American ideology that motivated Westward Expansion. Indeed, the ideology of Manifest Destiny was a prevalent justification for all the efforts that were made to encourage the settlement of the areas in the West. In particular, Manifest Destiny was an ideology that had a sacred meaning implying that the United States had an obligation before God to expand its democracy across the continent (Petrelli, 2018). Its impact on the Lewis and Clark Expedition was profound since this event was initiated by President Jefferson with the validation of serving God through the exploration of the West (Petrelli, 2018). In a similar manner, Manifest Destiny was a determining and encouraging ideology for the California Gold Rush, which was another tool for exploiting and populating the West.
Introduction During the 15th century, England witnessed a series of protracted battles as two powerful families engaged each other in a struggle for the English throne. These battles have come to be famously known as the “wars of the roses” due to the differently colored rose symbols adopted by the two belligerent families.. England was plunged into a period of great violence as this warring houses engaged in a bitter conflict for three decades. The wars ended with the ascendancy of Henry, of the House of Tudor, to the throne. The wars of the roses had significant and far-reaching impacts on the various parties that were involved in the battle. This paper will set out to provide a detailed account of the outcomes of the domestic this bloody English conflict. Major Events and Players The wars of the roses, which took place between 1455 and 1485, had a number of significant events and actors who contributed to the start of the war and influenced its eventual outcome. A major actor in the wars was King Henry VI, who became King of England in 1422 at the age of four months following the death of his father King Henry V. 1 Unlike his father who was a strong and effective ruler, Henry VI was a weak ruler. To make matters worse, the king suffered from sporadic insanity making him a feeble leader. His wife, the ambitious Queen Margaret of Anjou, was able to dominate the King and influence royal policy. King Henry VI’s weakness caused the House of York to start making plots to overthrow him. A mental affliction on the king led to Richard Duke of York being given control of the Realm in 1453. 2 Richard’s first act was to imprison the 3rd Duke of Somerset, who was one of the King’s favored advisors. Richard’s rule as the protector of the realm ended in 1455 when the King recovered and gave considerable power to the Queen who subsequently reduced Richard’s power. This marked the start of the war of the roses as Richard Duke of York and his supporters sought to remove the King’s advisors and therefore gain influence in the court. The House of York made alliances with Salisbury and Warwick and this faction became the Yorkists. On the other hand, the supporters of King Henry VI (who came from the House Lancaster) included Somerset, Clifford, and Northumberland and they took the name Lancastrians. The first battle in this English Civil War took place in 1455 and the Yorkists gained victory and took King Henry VI captive. 3 However, this victory was not absolute and a series of battles with Lancastrian loyalists led to the death of Richard duke of York in 1459. Following Richard’s death, his son, Edward Earl of March took over as the leader of the Yorkists. Edward was able to assemble the Yorkist supporters and carry out pervasive attacks against the Lancastrians leading to the defeat of King Henry VI in 1461. Following this victory, Edward was n
Marijuana, just like any other drug, is used by many citizens in the United States due to its euphoric effects and affordability. Even though marijuana is regarded illegal, it has remained one of the most popular drugs in the country. Many people grow and trade in the drug for their personal use and sell it for profit. These people do not see why the government should intrude into their own business when the drug does not affect those who do not use it (Burnham 46). Some people hold that it is their right to do what they please in the privacy of their home. It actually does not make much sense for the government to be spending a lot of money trying to enforce law to wipe out marijuana use, when it could gain much money by legalizing and imposing taxes on the drug (Holland 447). Therefore, the main benefit of legalizing marijuana in the country would be the vast revenues obtained from taxing it. The government would also be able to save the money that it spends in enforcing the relevant laws (Dale, Allhoff, and Cusick 60). In addition to revenues that would be collected from taxing marijuana, there are also other benefits that the government and the citizens would reap from legalizing the drug. The legalization of the drug would bring to an end the discrimination of the African Americans in marijuana-related arrests, reduce the sales of the drug and its use among teenagers, encourage the development of hemp as a valuable crop in the country, and also bring an end to the lies and disinformation associated with its prohibition (Goldberg 251). Marijuana Legalization will Minimize Racial Discrimination Since the time when marijuana was pronounced illegal in the US, the arrests made for its possession has been affecting the African Americans, who feel that the law enforcers are biased against the minority groups. Even though the blacks only comprise of about 14 percent of the US total population and approximately 13 percent of all marijuana users in the country, they account for more than 26 percent of the total marijuana arrests (Holland 450). The studies that have been conducted by different groups reveal that Hispanics and the African Americans account for the biggest percentage of all marijuana arrests in the New York City. Most of the blacks and the Hispanics are normally arrested for smoking marijuana in public scenes (Morgan 41). It is evident that the law enforcers have failed to exercise equality during the marijuana arrests done on the whites and the non-whites. The arrests seem to be driven by the racial factor since very few of the whites who smoke marijuana get arrested (Burnham 51). Since race is still a factor that drives most of the law enforcement practices, the only way to minimize the incidences of race discrimination is to legalize marijuana. When the drug is made legal in the country, t
This paper is aimed at discussing the last scene from the film Hana-bi. It depicts Nishi and Miyuki who stand near the sea and look at the girl playing with a kite. This clip is immediately followed by the suicide of the main characters. One can say that this clip perfectly fits the climax of this movie because it shows that the protagonists are deeply attached to one another. However, at the same time, these people understand that they spend their last moments. This clip can throw light on formal elements and themes of this movie. This is one of the main aspects that can be distinguished. There are several formal elements in this clip. First of all, the film-makers rely mostly on medium shots which enable them to capture the non-verbal behavior of Nishi and Miyuki. The viewers can see that these people lean on one another in a very relaxed manner. These shots may last for more than ten seconds, but they are interrupted by images of a girl who flies a kite ( Hana-bi ). To a great extent, these shots are necessary because the authors want to portray the ideal family that Nishi and Miyuki could have if misfortunes had not struck them. Apart from that, the images of nature play an important role in this sequence because they reflect the calm and reconciliation achieved by the main characters. Secondly, much attention should be paid to the role which music plays in this clip. It produces the impression of serenity on the viewers. However, one should also speak about the sound of two shots, and this element suggests that these people eventually commit suicide. Furthermore, it is important to speak about the thematic elements of this clip. First of all, the film-makers focus on suicide which plays an important role in Japanese literature, art and cinematography (Davis 71). The authors show that the main characters choose to take their lives because in this way they can escape their suffering. Additionally, this choice enables them to capture a brief moment of happiness. This is one of the main aspects that can be distinguished. Additionally, it is important to speak about the moral strength of both characters. These people are able to enjoy the last moments together, although they understand that very soon their lives will end. This sequence is related to the film
Introduction The article “Motivating Corporations to do Good” highlights the ethical issues associated with business organizations. The author begins his article by identifying the behaviors, actions, and strategies undertaken by different companies within the past one century. A company that engages in ethical business practices will attract more stakeholders. Such a company will also support the changing demands of its customers. This discussion examines the importance of ethical business practices. Ethical conduct in business organizations According to Porter (2014, p. 4), “businesses and corporations should be ready to address the economic, social, political, and environmental challenges affecting their stakeholders”. According to the article, business corporations should undertake the best practices in order to emerge successful. The article also explains how ethical corporations will always attract more customers. This approach will eventually make such companies successful. The author explains why “Henry Ford (the owner of Ford Motors) decided to increase its wages to $5 a day” (Gagnon, 2007, p. 12). This effort supported the needs of its employees. The approach empowered more workers in order to support the company’s goals. More companies such as Coca Cola decided to examine the needs of their customers, communities, and employees. This development established better labor relations in order to produce the best outcomes. In 2004, new concepts emerged in order to support the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Many companies started to support the rights of their workers and consumers. Many firms created new policies in order to deal with corruption. This practice has continued to support the changing needs of many stakeholders. The above article explains why business organizations should promote the best ethical practices. This strategy will ensure every company supports the needs of its stakeholders. This development will eventually increase the profitability of many companies. The author offers concrete examples to explain how the ethical practices of various companies have supported their goals. Ford Company “became a profitable company after increasing its wage costs” (Porter, 2014, p. 3). The approach satisfied the needs of many laborers thus improving the level of productivity. Positive ethical practices make it easier for companies to support their consumers, marketers, and laborers. Some of these ethical practices include “the production of quality goods, provision of the best working environments, effective remunerations, and appropriate consumer information” (Porter, 2014, p. 7). Such practices can make every company transparent and successful. Most of the ethical practices identified in the above article can support the goals of many companies. Many companies such as Ford, Costco, Novo Nordisk,
Some of the ethical issues associated with psychological testing include informed consent and confidentiality. Maruish (2002) contends that “an issue that is consistently included in discussions of ethics in managed behavioral healthcare settings is that of informed consent”. Psychologists must seek for informed consent from their clients to therapy by use of language clearly understood by the participant. Maruish (2002) points out that informed consent is where one undergoing psychological testing, without undue influence whatsoever, is provided with valid information regarding the procedures to be undertaken. The individual’s consent must be documented properly. Another ethical issue is confidentiality. An individual’s direct permission must be sought to disclose any information regarding any psychological test undertaken (Hogan, 2007). Psychologists must refrain from divulging information about patients or to others who are not qualified to use that information. Confidentiality entails potential misuse of tests, test data, and test reports. Their impact on the field of psychology Informed consent is a legal issue. Not obtaining informed consent may increase the psychologist’s liability from damages that may occur from law suits that may be filed against him by the patient. (Maruish, 2002) asserts that informed consent is a continuous process and requires on going solicitations. Psychologists find themselves hindered from administering alternative tests on patients strongly deemed necessary for which authorization has been denied. However, this makes psychologists responsible for actions they take including divulging of patient information and testing patients without consent (Maruish, 2002). Therefore, patient information without consent can not be obtained by employers and other third parties. Two Legal Issues Associated With Psychological Testing Kaplan and Saccuzzo (2008) pointed out that several legal cases have plagued the field of psychological testing. One of the legal cases Include the famous 1896 case of Plessy v.Fergusson at the end of the 19 th century where the Supreme Court ruled that schools should remain segregated but the quality of the schools should remain the same. “….the famous separate but-equal-ruling” (Kaplan et al., 2008). The second case along the line of psychological testing includes the case of Brown V. Board of education in 1954 according to (Kaplan et al., 2008). How They Affect the Field of Psychological Testing These legal cases led to several laws being enacted and written concerning psychological testing. In addition, some methods used for psychological testing were permanently discontinued. These include tests such as the use of IQ testing to place African American children in EMNR classes as is determined by (Kaplan et al., 2008). Court case with the impact on the field of psychology The court case with the profound impact on the field of psychology was that of Hobson V. Hansen. The case
Introduction The main focus of this paper is an evaluation of the impact of the transformational leadership style on entrepreneurial management. It therefore synthesises different literatures and past study reports that have been generated about the theme. The Impact of the Transformational Leadership Style on Entrepreneurial Management The transformational leadership style was first coined by MacGregor Burns (Bryan, 2009). A number of researchers have acknowledged that transformational leaders are often motivated by the need to transform people, teams, and companies by going beyond the status quo (Grant, 2012; Kwon, 2013; Biswas, 2012). In so doing, such leaders are said to have the objective of enhancing the ability of their companies to be innovative (Yitshaki, 2012; Jung & Chow & Wu, 2003). As such, scholars who have studied the transformational leadership style have contended that such leaders must possess certain specific characteristics: charisma, which is about the creation and presentation of an attractive vision with regard to the future of a company; ability to inspire followers through motivations; the ability to intellectually inspire followers to view problems from different perspectives; ability to provide individualised considerations in which the leaders are supposed to develop the capacities of their followers (Gill, Flaschner & Bhutani, 2010). A scholar, in a research study, has argued that a company that is headed by a transformational leader is more likely to engage in corporate entrepreneurial activities, which include the sum total of a company’s business ventures, strategic renewals and, most importantly, product innovations (Iqbal, 2011). Researchers who have done further studies on the transformational leadership style have focused on job satisfaction, effectiveness and performance (Burpitt & Bigoness, 1997; Howell & Avalio, 1993). In this regard, the researchers have managed to establish a link between the concept of transformational leadership style and creativity in organisations (Burpitt & Bigoness, 1997). Another researcher conducted a quantitative study to determine whether or not there was a link between the transformational leadership style and entrepreneurship in SMEs (Simon, 2008). The results of the study showed that there was a positive relationship between the two variables. This implies that the transformational leadership style is important for businesses (Simon, 2008). This finding has been elaborated by other studies in which researchers identified different leadership styles that were suitable for encouraging innovation in firms (Wart, 2012; Halldorsson, 2007). The researchers established that successful entrepreneurial businesses were associated with transformational leaders, wh
Introduction Artists, including writers, use their works to reflect what is going on in the society. As such, one can tell the prevailing circumstances in a given historical period by examining the works of artists at the time. However, Poe and Melville appear to express themes that persist over time in their writings. The current paper is a comparative analysis of Poe’s and Melville’s works. Edgar Alan Poe and Herman Melville reveal the dark side of the human psyche through their focus on the themes of death and other tragedies. They achieve this through the theme of death that is evident in their texts. Unlike other story tellers that focus on the bright side of humanity, these writers tend to concentrate on the mostly ignored dark aspects of human life. They do not shy away from such controversial themes as the selfish nature of man. To this end, the current paper is a comparative review of Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death” and Melville’s “Billy Budd”. The author of the current paper will start by comparing the history of the two scholars and their literary orientations. To this end, a number of themes, including death and selfishness, will be reviewed. In addition, the dark romanticism elements in the two stories will be reviewed. Comparing the Authors Edgar Allan Poe Poe is regarded as one of the earliest advocates of American short stories. He is known for his penchant for the dark romanticism style of writing. According to Dwight and Jackson, Poe is viewed as a pioneer of the “detective fiction” genre (p. 12). Most of his writings focus on the dark aspects of the huma