ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
The subject of social welfare is an arduous and controversial one within the scope of the USA. The society has a controversial stance on social welfare in general because the majority of the population considers themselves Christian, and at the same time is vehemently opposing to anything having ties to the Left. The controversy comes from the fact that Christianity, as a rule, promotes kindness and charity, especially towards those in need, while the tenets of modern capitalism state that through hard work and dedication, anyone can become rich and successful. Unfortunately, that is not always the truth. The practical case study titled “The Reverend and Me” serves the purpose of showcasing important connections between social welfare programs, religious communities, and religious leaders within said communities. It was written by Robert Wineburg – a Jefferson Pilot Excellence Professor. He is famous for being the co-founder of the Welfare Reform Liaison Project – a project aimed at assisting the needs of both economically disadvantaged individuals and their employees. The man explores the relationship between federal domestic social welfare policy and service provision and also the involvement of religious organizations in local service delivery and policy development. The case study begins with the purpose statement – Wineburg highlights that the themes that have to be reflected on in formulating one’s opinion about welfare are perspectives on social welfare and how is it viewed in the community, the role of faith communities in the provision of healthcare services, and the role of local leaders and interpersonal relationships in community work. At the beginning of the text, the author reflects on how employment and income serve as a platform for self-sufficiency, independence, and freedom, and how families and households could be threatened with the loss of a primary breadwinner and forced into poverty. Then, Wineburg states the humanitarian nature of Christianity and that the majority of the populace perceives the Church and its religious community as an entity morally responsible for the distribution of welfare and assistance of those in need. He muses that embracing religion and requesting help from the Church is not something done willingly, but more as something that is done as a last resort as such welfare organizations need to walk a thin line between helping those who have run out of options to improve their well-being through work and dedication and becoming a charity that sponsors everyone indiscriminately. Wineburg also mentions that the popular opinion in modern society is that most people end up below the poverty line through the weakness of their character rather than unfortunate circumstances that affected their upbringing, education, and life in general. This fact reaffirms the belief that Christian communities are expected to give these people moral strength and help them out to recovery. This idea was popular in the l
Introduction Louis Lumiere receives recognition for inventing the moving image camera in 1895. Lumiere’s tool kit was significantly small considering the civilization at the time. It functioned as a camera, a motion processor and a display all folded in one. Lumiere would film in the morning, develop it after lunch and display it for his audience during supper. His first motion picture was the entrance of the locomotive at Ciotat (Cook, 2004). Cinematography developed into complete maturity during the silent era (1895-1930). In the late 1920s, synchronized sound was developed with the invention of Vitaphone system (Cook, 2004). Since that time, films have been produced with perfect sounds and dialogue. The striking difference between films produced during the silent era and the modern movies is the absence of sound in the former. The introduction of sound in movies had far-reaching implications on movies. For example, the overacting evident in silent movies disappeared with the introduction of sound. This study examines the difference between silent films and the contemporary movies in terms of the synchronization of sound with motion pictures. Main Body Human desire to document himself in activity date
Woody Allen is famous for his ability to draw people’s attention to something that matters. In his Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989), the renowned director contemplates such eternal issues as life and death, love and its power, loneliness, and its impact on people. Importantly, Allen suggests an interesting perspective on the meaning of life. Professor Louis Levy is the character whose ideas frame the story and make viewers pose difficult questions and try to answer them. The professor’s voice behind the final scenes makes a philosophical summary of the film. This paper includes an analysis of the final quote of professor Louis Levy concerning the meaning of human life and the way the words relate to the film. The final words of the film can be regarded as a quick reminder of the main characters and their life choices. The wise professor states that people are nothing but the total of their own choices that define them and their behavior (Allen). The first character to come to viewers’ minds is Judah Rosenthal who seems to be a perfect family man but appears to be an adulterer and, eventually, murderer. The events unfold rather unpredictably, and he makes immoral choices, which makes him an immoral man. Clifford Stern gives quite a rightful evaluation of these choices arguing that the man who has committed so many crimes cannot live a peaceful life any longer. The viewer is likely to agree that this kind of person cannot be happy as such a man does not deserve happiness. Nevertheless, Woody Allen has another view on the matter. It becomes clear that Judah does not seem but is happy with his wife. He seems calm and joyful. His past choices have no adverse effects on his present. The director addresses this paradox and reveals his ideas in Professor Louis Levy’s quote. It is stated that “human beings seem to… find joy from simple things, like their family, their work, and from the hope that future generations might understand more” (Allen). Judah has found this joy, which enables him to forget the immoral choices he has made or, at least, to accept them. The man is blessed to reconcile himself to his past and his future. On the contrary, making the right choices and being a moral man does not necessarily lead to a happy life. Clifford Stern’s story is an illustration of this paradox. The documentary filmmaker depicts people in the way they deserve. He is not enticed to make a snobbish person look better than he is. Clifford is ready to follow his heart and marry the woman he loves (Allen). Unlike Judah, the man is ready to be sincere with his wife and do the right thing. Nevertheless, he ends up quite a miserable loner who seems to lose his faith. The final scenes reveal the sorrow of the rightful man. Woody Allen shows that it is not enough to make good choices as it is critical to have the right attitude towards life, different events, and other people. Since Clifford fails to find true love and joy, and, therefore, meaning, he is doomed. People like
Today economists widely discuss the perspectives and the first indicators of the development of the new global financial crisis which can influence all the economical and social fields. That is why it is necessary to examine the previous experience and the economical background of the countries and focus on the causes of the crisis of 2007-2009 in order to prevent the progress of the critical situation and overcome the most dangerous effects nowadays. Many researchers agree that one of the main causes of the financial crisis in the USA in 2007-2009 was the housing crisis which contributed to the development of the problem and to the increase of risky tendencies. The housing crisis of 2006-2008 should be discussed as the process which includes two main stages which are the formation and the burst of ‘housing bubbles’ and the following subprime mortgage crisis. To understand the peculiarities of the crisis, it is necessary to concentrate on the characteristics of ‘housing bubbles’ typical for the US economy of the 2000 th which ‘burst’ caused the development of the following crisis. It is important to notice that ‘housing bubbles’ are rather speculative in their nature, and they are characterized by a range of such features as the rapid and enormous increases of the valuations of property, and it usually ends in the immediate drop of the prices which can lead to the borrowers’ crisis because they have no the opportunity to pay for their property according to the mortgages (Bhattacharya). The housing crisis in the USA was not the crisis of building companies or of the housing rent market. It was the result of bursting ‘housing bubbles’ which were based on the fictitious funds which actually were not connected with the real prices for the property and real borrowers’ incomes. Today economists accentuate a number of causes for the development of housing crisis in the USA. According to Goodman, these causes are “high default transition rates, low cure rates, and longer liquidation timelines” (Goodman 27). However, this characterization of the causes is rather limited. In his works, Stone focused on the controversial aspects which can be considered as some of the main conditions for the beginning of the crisis. He developed such influential factors as the wide income inequality in the housing industry, the facts of persistent racism in housing provision, the discussion of housing as a speculative commodity, and as a result, the overdependence of housing financing on debt capital markets (Stone). “Taking these three elements together, no sector of the economy has been as dependent on debt as housing” (Stone 36). Moreover,
Introduction In the world different people have tried to protect their identity as a group. These have led to formation of organized nonpolitical groups. Such groups often grow in number and aggressiveness resulting to gang violence. This paper seeks to study the social theories by explaining gang violence and comparing & contrasting the theories: disorganization, strain & cultural, differential association, technique of neutralization, social bond theory and social reaction theory. It also explains the main causes of gang violence. Gangs Gangs are known to settle their differences through shooting. They are mainly attached to drug trade and are known to do anything within their capability to protect their businesses. It is observed that the number of gangs is increasing rapidly these days. Modern gangs are mostly formed for economic gain. This is in contrast to gangs in the past who were mainly interested in territorial and cultural reasons (Miller & Gaines, 2008). These gangs are found in the streets although some have found roots in schools, colleges and universities targeting the youths. This has resulted in dramatic changes in students’ behavior leading to constant violation of the rules (Englander, 2007). Gang Theories The behavior of the gangs can be explained through gang theories. These include social bond theory and social reaction theory among others. The social bond theory approaches social problems and then tries to explain them. It takes into consideration all aspects of the social life including relations, cultures and customs. As the youth grows up, the environmental circrmstances surrounding their bringing up determines to a greater extent the behavior they are to develop as they mature. The behaviors of people at close proximity such as family members or schoolmates are also influential. The Social reaction theory argues that when anyone commits any crime, they are mostly identified as criminals. The theory is mainly based on individual identity. The deviants are usually categorized into primary and secondary depending on the magnitude of the act done. These theories consider the social interactions of various people and its effect in their character. The differential association is a theory revolving about the human character. It argues that a person is likely to get engaged in criminal activities through interactions. This process is not instantaneous but a gradual one which eventually overcomes the better side and the person becomes a criminal (Hagan, 2010). The technique of neutralization is based on the argument that a person may do certain things to minimize the impact of some values in them that may restrict them from doing some things. These issues are mainly related to moral and social life. It is usually based on the arguments of the person who does the act (Ratti & Adele, 2001). The theory about culture borrows too much from sociology theories. The culture usually tells a lot about the interactions and way of life of different people (Wesel, 2002). In conclusion it is observed that there are various categories of gang crimes. These crimes are committed for specific reasons. There is no single perso
Criminological Theory Critique The criminological theory that is the least plausible in regard to the homicide occurrence supposes that genetics, biology, and evolution dynamically impact the predisposition to criminal behavior. There are several reasons why this theory should not be perceived as reliable regardless of the existing evidence. First, a person’s criminological behavior does not develop in the mother’s womb. Criminological behavior is an acquired phenomenon and not a congenital characteristic (Douglas, Burgess, & Ressler, 2013). The research on the subject showed that there are numerous environmental and socioeconomic factors that may influence the possibility of criminal behavior manifestation. The parents’ genes do not form the outlooks of the child, but their approach to the child’s education does. Even if there is little chance that one of the child’s parents is a criminal, the kid may become a criminal in the future, not because of the genes but the parents’ example (Beirne & Messerschmidt, 2015). The presence of a mental illness or any other internal factors does not certify that the child will manifest delinquent behaviors and commit crimes. Instead, the child should be seen as an individual that is in need of professional medical help. The display of aggression toward the environment and other individuals does not equalize the dependency (even if it exists) between the criminal genes of the parents and their child’s behavior (Douglas et al., 2013). There are various reasons that do not allow to justify the parent’s genes as one of the triggers of criminal behavior. On a bigger scale, health problems and deviations from the norm should be regarded as the core premises for crimes committed in a state of affect (Beirne & Messerschmidt, 2015). There is no logical explanation supporting the idea that evolution and genes stand at the origins of criminal behavior. Controlling and Decreasing Homicides in the United States In order to control and decrease the occurrence of homicides across the United States, it is proposed to implement several short- and long-term initiatives. The first short-term objective is to target the killing rates among the younger population. This problem is pivotal due to the fact that the government has to address this issue if they want to deter violent and illegal behavior. Moreover, this would help the government to fight the assemblage of gangs and their consequent activity. The law enforcement agencies all across the country will have to cooperate if they want to eliminate the prevalent criminal behaviors. The second short-term objective is to chase and penalize the gun dealers that function illegally (Wagner, 2013). These sellers can usually be found in the streets. In other words, the government is in charge of removing illegal guns and limiting public access to f
Developing an effective plan for financing rural electrification contributes to the growth of a nation and eradication of poverty (Brigham & Houston 2007). Electricity project requires long term planning and continuous funding to achieve results (World Bank 2008). Thus, this review will focus the financial analysis of electrification projects. China has sustained many electricity projects using different project strategies. China has sustained many electricity projects using different project strategies. The presentation will study different financing methods, with a comparative analysis to situations in Nigeria. Electricity projects in China are funded using four channels namely;   * Government   * International institutions,   * Commercial banks   * The stock market. These institutions assist with the funding of different energy projects after a careful analysis of the project. Calculations Ertan I project = Shareholders injected 50%. Inflation rate during Ertan II project = 331% The sensitivity analysis for the hydroelectricity project in Nigeria NPV at 40% = 476,934 naira NPV at 50% = 440,047 Naira Inflation rate NPV at 2% inflation rate = 2% NPV at 12% inflation rate = 988,000 NPV at 14% inflation rate = 2,069,565 Ertan I power Project Ertan I energy project was funded by the World Bank. The cost of the energy project was $941. 9 million. Six hydro generating systems were delivered. The cost of the project included the resettle fee for the displaced people and a projected inflation cost. The resettlement fee accounted for the increase in local expenditure during the project. Ertan I project Cost of Ertan I energy project= $941 million NPV= $704 Million IRR= 16.09% Payback= 12years Ertan II energy project Cost of the project= $2,200 million NPV= -$553 million IRR = 7.56% Payback= 18.89years Hydroelectric project in Nigeria Cost of the project= 1/3 x 2,200 = $733.3 million NPV= 642,482 million Naira IRR= 6.56% Payback= 15 years Ertan II Hydroelectric Project The cost of the project was estimated at $ 2,200 million. International institutions provided $930 million while a local contribution was $ 1, 270. The World Bank, China state development bank, and commercial banks were the financiers of the project. The interest rate increased during the project life (Xu & Chen 2006). The disparity in interest rates affects the release of loans by international institutions. The cash flows for the project shows a payback of 18.98 years (Yang 2003). The IRR estimation is lower than the cost of the project thus; the project is not financially unstable (Yang & Yu 2004). Hypothetical Hydroelectric Project in Nigeria Let us assume that a similar project will be carried out in Nigeria. The project will be a 1,100 megawatt power plant. The project is one-third of the Phase II energy project in Ertan. The inflation rate in Nigeria increases by 3 percent annually. By estimation, the tax rate, inflation and resettlement fee will affect the cost of the project.
Introduction Background information According to a survey conducted by the US Commercial Service (2013), the global cosmetic market has a very high potential. For example, the annual demand for beauty products in Australia is estimated to be $1.5 billion. However, consumption of cosmetic products is expected to increase in the future. The growth will emanate from the high rate at which the male and female genders are attaching value to personal appearance. The report further asserts that consumers have become more conscious of personal wellness. Therefore, they are seeking cosmetic products to prolong their youthful appearance (US Commercial Service 2013). The trend within the cosmetic market presents a unique business opportunity to firms within the industry. Ultraceuticals is one of the cosmetic firms that operate in Australia. In a bid to exploit this market opportunity, firms within the industry should integrate effective marketing strategies. Such a move will enhance the firms’ a competitive advantage. One of the aspects that Ultraceuticals should focus on relates to integration of e-commerce. The firm can achieve this goal by incorporating the most effective web technologies. Aim This report evaluates how Ultraceauticals can apply web technologies in order to develop its competitiveness. Traditional marketing strategy Ultraceuticals Pty Limited recognises that its success is dependent on the effectiveness with which it creates market awareness for its products. In a bid to achieve this goal, the firm has formulated a comprehensive market awareness strategy. However, the firm over-relies on traditional market awareness strategy. For example, when launching new products, the firm organises private events and invites renowned guests and beauty media firms to endorse the firm’s products. This aspect is well illustrated by the recent launch of the CC range of Powders and Cream products. During the event, the firm invited Sydney’s beauty media for a morning breakfast during which it launched the products (Torstar 2013). Despite the firm’s success in the Australian market, its reliance on events in its marketing processes limits the number of potential customers who access new product information. As a result, the likelihood of the firm increasing its customer base is adversely affected. Application of web technologies Integration of mobile applications and e-CRM software Currently, the web presents an exclusive opportunity to firms in their quest to interact and connect with their target market. According to Allen, Kania, and Yaeckel (2001), online web technologies have made it possible for firms to undertake one-on-one marketing. Moreover, innovations with regard to web technology have enabled firms to personalise their marketing processes. In an effort to improve its competitive advantage, Ultraceuticals Pty Limited should integrate emerging web technologies. One of the technologies that the firm should focus on includes mobile applications. According to Zhou, Dai, and Zhang (2007), consumers are increasingly integrating technology in their consumption processes. Zhou, Dai, and Zha