ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Introduction Numerous architectural objects with centuries-old histories are valued in modern society as the heritage of a past epoch or as ancestors’ masterpieces. One such outstanding and the world-famous building is the Roman Colosseum. This amphitheater has a rich history and is one of the most famous European monuments of antiquity. Every day, countless tourists come to this monument to see the massiveness and grandeur of this structure personally and to touch the ancient era of the Roman Empire when emperors decided people’s fates. A description of the Colosseum and its architectural features can help to assess the amount of work performed by its creators and consider some properties that are specific to this historical masterpiece. Its structure was and still is a source of inspiration for many artists and creative people, and the image of a dilapidated and massive amphitheater is recognizable all over the world. Description of the Piece of Art The monument received the name Colosseum in the Middle Ages from the distorted Latin word “colosseum” (colossal), while in Imperial Rome, it was called the Flavian amphitheater in honor of the imperial dynasty. The amphitheater was constructed in eight years. By order of the emperor Vespasian, work began in 72 BC and was completed in 80 BC under his son Titus. 1 The opening of the Colosseum was marked by one hundred days of entertainment. During this time, several thousand warriors and five thousand predatory animals brought from Africa were killed at the gladiatorial tournaments. The theater arena had a sliding floor that was raised and lowered, and with the help of a water pipe directed to the Colosseum, the stage could be filled with water, and sea battles were organized. According to Mote, in the arena, up to 3,000 gladiators could fight simultaneously, and 50,000 spectators, who demanded “bread and circuses,” watched the bloody battles, chariot races, and theatrical performances. 2 As Yawn remarks, the span of the celebrations dedicated to the opening of the Colosseum could be compared with the bloody celebration of the 1000th anniversary of Rome in 248 AD when dozens of lions, tigers, leopards, elephants, giraffes, horses, donkeys, and hyenas were killed in three days. 3 The Colosseum’s Construction Like other Roman amphitheaters, the Colosseum has the shape of an ellipse, and there is an arena in its center. Around it, the four tiers of gradually rising areas for spectators were located. The seats of the amphitheater were distributed according to the social status of visitors. On the first level, there were lodges for the highest nobility. On the second one, there were marble chairs for honorary guests and persons belonging to the equestrian class or having the rights of Roman citizenship. Commoners sat on wooden benches on the third level. It is possible to see on the following image what the preserved part of the monument looks like. 4 On the fourth level, a huge linen canvas was attached with the help of ropes, crea
Introduction The Washington Policy Center article “Another Day, More Threats and Intimidation from Unions” by Erin Shannon (2017) explored the problematic negotiations of government worker contracts, especially in terms of their transparency. The overall tone of the article is hostile to unions as organizations in general, perpetuating the stereotype that all that they do is intimidate and threaten local governments and taxpayers to push their agenda. The article will be used for further analysis to identify examples of misconceptions pertaining to the coverage of unions in media and thus make conclusions as to whether publications present an accurate image of unions as entities. Do Unions Use Intimidation? The first myth that dominated Shannon’s (2017) article is associated with the misconception that unions use intimidation and coercion as a means to gain new members or achieve other objectives. However, as mentioned in the fact sheet regarding the uncovering of union myths, it is often employers that threaten, intimidate, and coerce workers into not joining unions (“Issue sheet 2,” 2008). Wage cuts, the limitations of promotional opportunities, and even permanent dismissal are among the most-frequently-used tactics that employers use to make workers less interested in unions’ winning. In the article, the myth of intimidation was linked to the increased transparency within the process of collective bargaining in Tukwila School Districts, Washington. The author suggested that transparency was unwanted within unions and that “the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) meant nothing to the special interests of organized labor” (Shannon, 2017, para. 2). It was mentioned that the unions did not believe that taxpayers contributing to their financial well-being had the right to engage in the negotiating process. Furthermore, Shannon (2017) stated that despite the fact the public was instrumental in providing money for agreements among unions and governments, the executives of unions would like to preserve the secrecy of important and costly expenses until the last moment came. Therefore, it was suggested that the requirements of adopting employee transparency were significantly overlooked by unions and that they perpetuated unfair practices such as intimidation to block the efforts of reaching maximum accountability and honesty of negotiations. Do Unions Make Unreasonable Demands? The second myth that was found when reading the Washington Policy Center article is concerned with the misconception that unions make unreasonable demands and only want to ask for more money from taxpayers. The myth is usually debunked by the fact that although financial support is extremely valuable to unions, the key focus is reaching a high rate of non-wage benefits, job security, safety in the workplace, fair
The recent economic downfall caused by the COVID-19 infection that has rapidly engulfed the entire world is a truly drastic change that will have detrimental effects on the global trade and economic performances of multiple countries. In his article “Will Small Business Survive The COVID Recession?,” Richard McGahey (2020) tries to examine critically the opportunities that companies have in the current environment and the future development of organizations worldwide after the crisis. According to the assumptions offered by McGahey (2020), small businesses are unlikely to recover from the damage caused by the crisis with the current tools deployed, mainly due to the problems with the lending pipeline. The author also approaches the optimism about the economic revival displayed by Donald Trump rather critically. The stance that McGahey takes is understandable given the implications of the current crisis for the aggregated supply and the threat of it slowly being exhausted as all production processes are put on hold (2020). The phenomenon of aggregated supply is the goods and services that a company can offer to its customers. Considering the problem closer, the author explains that it is not the fact of closing but the rapidity of it that makes the problem so difficult to handle. Namely, businesses have no time left to adjust and, instead, have to cease all processes without considering the expenses that the specified step will entail. Consequently, the physical capital as the total amount of physical assets that a company owns will inevitably become impossible to use and, ultimately, turn into waste. The author pai
The role of women in society and other spheres of life is considered to be one of the most frequently discussed questions during a long period of time. American history is full of numerous events, which had a considerable impact on future development. If the status of women during the Middle Ages, the end of 19 th century, and nowadays is compared, the results may become rather impressive for everyone: women went out of male shadow and prove their readiness to become a significant and, what is more, independent part of this world. The status of women in society has been considerably changed and, now, women take leading positions in different spheres: women in education choose proper approaches to study children and help them develop their skills; women in politics amaze everyone with their abilities to control men and society and improve living conditions; and, at the same time, women still play the roles of wives, mother, and hearth keepers. One of the greatest achievements, which are connected with the role of women in society, is women’s suffrage that allows women to vote and play a significant role in making decisions, which improve and develop living conditions. Discussion General Roles of Women in Society One of the most frequent characteri
Abstract This study was conducted to demonstrate the reliability of using the multi-criteria decision-making method to accurately select the best contractor among different contractors seeking to be pre-qualified for government construction projects. Applying the analytical hierarchical (AHP) process is specifically appropriate for decision-making for the government because of its suitability in the construction industry as compared with traditional methods that use price as the only pre-qualification criteria. The AHP method can be used to overcome the problems inherent in traditional method such as delays, cost overruns, poor quality work, and other project delivery problems. The study was driven by the research objectives of analyzing the application of multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) process in the construction industry and contractor selection using the analytic hierarchy process. A methodology that applied a six point criteria for decision-making based on ranking of contractors using pairwise comparisons in the decision-making process for accurate pre-qualification of contractors. The results showed that the AHP decision-making process factors both qualitative and quantitative data for decision-making, implying higher levels of reliability for the relevant ministries in decision-making. However, additional research needs to be conducted on the role of expert opinion and stakeholders in accurate decision-making in the contractor pre-qualification process. Introduction Effective identification and selection of appropriate contractors to undertake government projects within the desired quality metrics in the UAE is vital for a streamlined procurement process. Saaty (1980) notes that the traditional methods often considered the lowest bidder as the most appropriate to award a project. However, Saaty (1980) along with Vaidya and Kumar (2006) argue that the approach often functions within those parameters that fail to consider the quality attributes of a construction project by exclusively considering cost for the evaluation process. According to Saaty (1980), Ishizaka and Labib (2011), and Al-Harbi (2001) among other authors, lacking a standard methodology or selection criteria that factors efficiency, cost, social, economic and cultural elements for identifying and qualifying contractors results into construction projects that lack the quality component of the built environm
Dental healthcare is one of the essential areas of medical inquiry throughout the world. Professional dental hygiene has been connected to positive general health outcomes (Institute of Medicine 2). Altogether, dentistry can serve as a prominent professional option for young specialists. In this work, I will describe the main reasons behind my interest in a dental hygienist’s career, as well as discuss my experiences, skills, and goals. Finding myself in dental hygiene is especially valuable for me, as I have worked as a dental assistant for seven years. During my early years, I was influenced by my parents, who were involved in medical care as a registered nurse and a first responder. For a long time, I could not pinpoint my interests in medicine, so I started working in hospitals and nursing homes. After that, I was noticed by Doctor Donald Sitzes, who introduced me to dentistry. Under his guidance, I gained the knowledge necessary for a successful acquisition of a dental assistant’s license. Moreover, Doctor Sitzes managed to provide me with the most crucial details about this field. Overall, this experience helped me understand that I truly belong to dental hygiene work, as I love delivering proper teeth care to clients. Several events in my life have prepared me for a career in dental care. Most of all, it is the training during my practice as a dental assistant. I have obtained a vital understanding of the processes behind insurance and dental polishing. Moreover, my previous occupation as housekeeping in hospitals significantly increased my knowledge of infection control. My intention to enter the field of dentistry includes several short-term goals. Firstly, I would like to learn the specifics behind filing insurance claims in order to do that independently. In addition to that, I find it crucial to acquire a better practical understanding of efficient dental cleaning while still maintaining an excellent work standard. The vision I have for my future career development contains long-term aims as well. As such, I would like to work as a dental hygienist in Hotsprings while managing my schedule. This could allow me to participate in exams and dental cleaning as well as advancing my professional skills. As a long-term dentistry worker, I have developed different abilities throughout the years. My most beneficial strength is dental polishing, which I was able to practice for a long time. Additionally, I possess great communication expertise, especially with patients who have disabilities and require special care. Lastly, I deliver exceptional infection control, an essential skill for a dental practitioner (Györfi 142). Even considering my working experience, I still have a lot to study and practice. My areas of improvement lie in dental claims filing and calculating blood pressure by hand. I hope to obtain these skills during my future career. Altogether, I have discussed the key questions related to my experience in the field of dentistry. I have specific plans for my professional growth, and I intend to fulfill my goals in the near future. Works C
Introduction This work provides a simple overview based on chapters in the book ‘Scramble for Africa’ by Pakenham. The essay helps answer pertinent questions about the scramble for Africa. Of key concern in this essay are the participants in the scramble, their motivations, the different personalities, and their decisions, African’s reaction to the scramble and finally factors that led to the scramble out of Africa. The Scramble The scramble for Africa was triggered by the upsurge of interest in Africa by competing for European powers. By the early 1800s, several European powers laid claim to many territories in Africa. The five nations that were at the center of the scramble included: Britain, German, Portugal, Belgium, and France. One leader at the heart of the scramble for Africa was King Leopold of Belgium. Historians’ explanation of the Scramble There are many reasons or factors leading to the scramble for Africa. Despite many other reasons, e.g., need to stem out slavery, historians explain that tensions between European powers are the reason or factor that led to the arbitrary subdivision or partitioning and apportioning of Africa. Author’s intent Pakenham, in his book, tries to distinguish between the selfish interest of rulers and the good intentions of explorers and missionaries. Two important figures in the book are King Leopold and Dr. Livingstone. While Livingstone, the explorer, and missionary were genuinely interested in discovering more about Africa and its people, the king and other colonialists were interested in the economic benefits that would accrue from Africa. David Livingstone Dr. David Livingstone was an early explorer, missionary and philanthropist from Great Britain. He is one of the early explorers into the interior of Africa Dr. Livingstone contributed in a big way towards the scramble for Africa. He was opposed to the slave trade and thus encouraged Britain and others to rein on the practice. Slave trade had been abolished on the coasts, but it thrived in the interior of Africa. Livingstone wrote about this phenomenon in his reports, which were used by movements in Great Britain to push the government into considering doing something about it. He also urged Europeans to contribute towards bettering Africa through (3 Cs) commerce, Christianity and civilization. Response to 3Cs Call Livingstone 3 Cs’ call buoyed the capitalists in Europe who saw a great opportunity in doing legitimate business in African resources once the slave trade had been abolished. The explorers, Livingstone included, described the vast resources and markets in Africa
Sociology refers to the study of the society in terms of prototypes of how humans relate, interact socially as well as the study of their cultural beliefs and practices. The study ranges from an individual to the global social relationships of different countries. It usually concentrates on how and why people behave the way they do as well as societal organizations as either groups or institutions. Sociology is usually regarded as part of social science as it involves the scientific analysis of the society. As a discipline it developed from the fact that many believed that the society was changing hence they were determined and eager to understand what triggers that transformation. They believed that any society changes with time regardless of the background and the enlightenment of the people in that society. Therefore, sociology developed as a result of attempts to understand why people behave the way they do, what triggers societal changes ranging from industrial revolution and the construction of the earliest empires to various political and economic organizations such as socialism, capitalism etc.. In addition, the earliest sociologists wanted to understand the effects of these changes on various social groups and organizations and hoe well they adapted to these changes. Sociologists attempt to understand the world and the changes taking place by observing various events and trying to explain to deduce why they happen using empirically or scientific evidence as the conditions or circumstances that cause people behave they do and the societal changes. Sociologists usually base their theories on the information collected from the social world and then trying to figure out the cause and the effects of that behavior or results. For instance, Karl Marx attempted to explain why some countries opt for capitalism, communism and socialism. In addition, he explained why and how the society will change in future based on the economical and political ideologies that they will adopt for governance. The e
The Famished Road is a Booker Prize awarded novel by Nigerian writer Ben Okri. Literature critics relate this book to magical realism. It tells a story about a spirit-child Azaro. In a way, it is a story about personal growth, because we follow the main character on his famished road through the whole book. Some may argue there is no growth since the narrator remains a little boy up to the end of the novel. However, the transformation occurs within him; it can be compared to the water of a river, which constantly changes yet remains the same. It finds endorsement in the novel: “In the beginning, there was a river. The river became a road, and the road branched out to the whole world” (Okri, 1992). Azaro’s story is a symbol of eternal existence and never-ending growth. While being a highly imaginative and mythological novel set in Africa, it tells a story of transformation, to which anyone can relate, regardless of one’s upbringing and culture. It is why this book rightfully occupies its place among the treasures of world literature. The unusual representation of reality can be explained by the background of the book’s author. Ben Okri is a Nigerian writer currently residing in Great Britain. He spent his early childhood in South London and attended a local school, but in 1968 Okri’s family returned to Nigeria. His father worked as a lawyer in the poor neighborhoods of Lagos. In 1978, Ben Okri returned to Great Britain with the purpose of acquiring an education. He attended the University of Essex but did not earn a degree because of the lack of funds. Besides his writing career, Ben Okri worked for BBC. In his work, Okri connects the modernist poetics of the oral traditions of the Nigerian peoples, developing the line of such African authors like Chinua Achebe, Amos Tutuola, and Wole Soyinka. The entire novel consists of the relations between the spirit-child Azaro and his powerful spirit-brothers, who encourage him to fulfill the vow, seek him out, spin intrigues, entice and tempt him, and finally, just make fun of him. Asaro sees and hears them, while none of his relatives and people around him do. Azaro’s real-world family lives “a hand-to-mouth existence, with his father doing manual labor jobs for very little money, and his mother peddling what cheap goods she can get ahold of” ( The Famished Road, n.d.). If the story events were unfolding somewhere in Europe or America, Azaro would be already locked up in an asylum for his visions. But this is Nigeria, and things are different here. The spirit child’s visions are not only a punishment but also a gift. Regardless of the fact, he is familiar with all kinds of the most sophisticated multi-headed, scaly, feathered, flying, creeping, burning, and flowing creatures, he is a completely sane little boy with an inquiring mind and a good heart. He learns to understand the world of a small Nigerian neighborhood where everyday life is filled with the sole desire to survive. The mysticism inherent in the novel is conditional upon Ben Okri’s background. His father stems from the Urhobo peoples, the inhabitants of