ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Introduction Today, more than ever before, shifting social, economic, and political dynamics has forced policy makers, program-developers and stakeholders to undertake a continuous assessment of their programs or risk failure. In the medical field, the need is more immediate especially after the realization that critical information is required on a constant basis to meet the obligation of offering effective services (Posavac & Carey, 2007). An evaluation, according to Fink (1995), can be termed as a thorough investigation of a program’s essential characteristics and merits. Posavac & Carey (2007) defines program evaluation as a collection of methodologies, proficiencies, and sensitivities necessary to establish whether a human service is required and likely to be utilized, whether the service is adequately exhaustive to meet the unmet objectives or needs identified, whether the service is disseminated as initially planned, and whether the service really does assist people in need at a realistic cost and without undesirable side effects. This paper purposes to discuss some of the underlying issues related to program evaluation, including its purpose, importance, and models. Purpose and Importance of Program Evaluation According to Posavac & Carey (2007), program evaluation activities serve the holistic purpose of contributing to the provision of effective and quality services to people who require them. Program evaluation, as postulated by the authors, contributes to effective and quality services by generating feedback from program activities and outcomes to professionals charged with the responsibility of implementing and altering the programs to fit the needs of people on the ground. Indeed, feedback is fundamentally important for effective delivery of human service programs, and delayed feedback, which may not be inherently associated with the behavior under examination, is not very informative. The feedback and outcomes generated by evaluation activities allows program-developers a chance to assess the immediate needs of the people targeted by the intervention, and serve as a metric of measuring how the programs ought to be executed to meet those needs. Still, these variables serves as appraisal tools used to assess the achievement of purposively formulated goals, and also as analytical tools used to perform a comparative analysis of the level of achieved outcomes against the costs involved (Posavac & Carey, 2007; Royse et al., 2010 ). The above program activities serve to provide objective data from which to develop and implement program improvements or make prudent choices among feasible programs. The importance of program evaluation to an organization can never be underestimated. Among other things, an evaluation provides formative feedback that inarguably assists the organization to guide the program during implementation phase (Fink, 1995). In the medical field, the formative evaluations can assist an organization
The federal Clean Water Act was an act passed for the main purpose of protecting water bodies from pollution (Younos 12). The act sets water quality standards to protect the fish, drinking water and swimming and agriculture use. The standards were set considering the various water pollutants such as metal, bacteria, harmful nutrients and mercury. According to the Environmental Law Institute, all water bodies under the act are supposed to meet the standards set otherwise the water body is impaired (540). The process of regulating the water quality requires the state to assess the impaired body and determine whether the water body meets the standards. The state then lists all the water bodies that do not meet the required standard. Lastly, the state will carry out an updated Total Maximum Daily Loads (Younos 12). To effectively address the dissolved oxygen and total maximum daily load act, the P trading system would be more effective as opposed to the regulatory approach. The regulatory approach requires that every stakeholder reduce their emission to the level required by law. The P trading system will allow stakeholders to pay and implement the P reducing management actions on Spokane River Basin. The P trading system is a better approach because it will improve efficiency in the running of the water programs. The stakeholders have a profit incentive and this will drive them to cut down costs and be more efficient (Chin 19). The regulation system will require for example, a large number of human resources to conduct the annual analysis on the Spokane River Basin. This will take time and money because all the employees need to be paid. The shareholders however, will introduce electronic systems that will run and record the oxygen level and level of pollutants in the waters (Chin 19). The stakeholders will not have political
Introduction In the early 1980s, scientists found that the ozone layer was wearing off particularly in the lower stratosphere. Besides, they discovered that the wearing off was intense during the months of September and October. The scientist coined the term ozone hole to refer to the thinning of the ozone layer at the poles and some isolated parts of the planet (Griggs par. 3). The depth of the ozone hole and the area that it covers continue to increase with time. In 2015, the ozone hole expanded to cover an area of about 28.2million square kilometers (Griggs par. 5). The size of the ozone hole did not seem to reduce throughout the month of October. Scientists claim that the Antarctic stratosphere experienced a rare cold temperature, which contributed to the enlarging of the ozone hole. Analysis There is a misconception that the ozone hole lies over the source of ozone-depleting gases and chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The truth is that the chlorofluorocarbons are found both in the stratosphere and troposphere. Thus, the ozone hole does not necessarily have to be located close to the sources of CFCs. The presence of the ozone hole over the Antarctic and Arctic is not an indication that the poles contain high concentrations of chlorofluorocarbons (Handwerk par. 4). Instead, the low temperature at the poles leads to the formation of polar stratospheric clouds that promote the development of the ozone hole. Scientists have discovered ozone holes in other parts of the planet. According to scientists, the ozone hole comes as a result of “increasing concentrations of ozone-depleting chemicals in the stratosphere that come from spray cans and refrigerants” (Handwerk par. 5). Chlorofluorocarbons are the primary causes of ozone depletion. The chlorofluorocarbons liberate chlorine and bromine that tear down the ozone. The depletion rate increases with a decrease in temperature. Besides, the creation of polar stratospheric clouds accelerates the formation of the ozone hole. The ozone hole is mainly large at the poles. At the poles, the CFCs take long to deplete since they embed on the ice particles. During the polar springs, the ice thaws liberating the CFCs gases, which lead to ozone depletion. There exists a unique circulation pattern in the “stratosphere above the South Pole in local winter that isolates this area from its environment” (Handwerk par. 6). The circulation is referred to as polar vortex, and it accelerates the formation of the ozone hole. Lack of adequate information about the ozone hole leads to people associating it with global warming. Some people view global warming as a component of the ozone hole. Therefore, it is important to understand the ozone hole, its causes, and its impacts. Information about the
Introduction With the increase in the popularity of vaping, options including recreational drugs have become available. However, there are reasons to believe that the consumption of cannabis-containing vaping products leads to the development of lung diseases (“Vaping Illnesses May Be Linked to Illegal Marijuana Products”). Despite being politicized at their core due to being affiliated with either left-, right-wing, or centrist ideas, each of the articles under analysis includes unique biases, which leave room for potential improvements and further studies. Main body The focus on personal experiences and the attempt at engaging the reader into the lives of people that have suffered from cannabis-containing vaping products may seem as sensible as the means of increasing emotional investment. However, as the left-wing article written by Ferguson et al. shows, the described method reduces the levels of objectivity in the research, robbing it of its credibility (2). The issue of biases in the articles used for the analysis deserves a substantially greater focus since the presence of said biases may affect the efficacy of applying study results to solving lung-illness-related concerns. Although the articles used for this research provide sensible arguing points, each of them incorporates a certain amount of biases, which reduces its value as a support for the general debate concerning the harm of cannabis vaping products. For example, the problem of a design bias becomes evident once considering the statements that each of the authors makes to support their thesis. Specifically, the paper by Ferguson et al. does not provide any background information on the cases sampled to prove the harmful effect of vaping; instead, the author simply states the number of vapers who died from lung cancer and those that developed severe health complications. Ferguson et al. state that “some 12 people have died from mysterious lung illnesses linked to vape pens, and 805 others have been hospitalized in 46 states, according to federal health officials” (Ferguson et al.). Thus, the lack of any context on the people selected from the sample indicates that there may have been comorbid issues that could have affected the development of respiratory issues and the eventual emergence of lung cancer. As a result, the article by Ferguson incorporates a crucial design bias that may have affected the trustworthiness of the source. The right-wing article written by Bartiromo, in turn, references the official statement of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which could make its statement reputable. However, the failure to create a strong logical connection between the presence of THC in vaping devices and the associated health issues causes the immediate disconnection from the article’s main argument. Specifically, the article never states explicitly that the presence of THC components in vaping devices causes harm to their consumers, hence the logical bias (Bartiromo 1). During my research, the article by Brianna Abbott suggested, “hu
The issue of introducing the voucher system in the sphere of public education of the United States has been attracting the attention of researchers since the early 1990s by its controversy. Authors like Chubb and Moe (1990), Paul (2009), Pusey (2009), Stanley (2009), Thomas (2009), etc. consider in their works all the pros and cons of the voucher system in an attempt to bring out the arguments and measures that could be taken to promote school vouchers programs in states so that voters support them. The arguments presented to outline the measures that can be taken to promote school vouchers programs and make voters support them in different states. Foremost, school vouchers programs increase the competition between the public and private schools. Competition is the necessary condition of any development and quality improvement (Pusey 2009). In respect of this, the idea of the free market economy at schools that are currently dominated by bureaucracy should also be considered (Chubb and Moe 1990). Needless to say, a certain share of governmental control and funding should be preserved to ensure equal opportunities for both private and public schools. For example, in Florida, Jeb Bush implemented the voucher program for A+ students overcoming the Florida State Supreme Court Decision about the unconstitutionality of the decision. As a result, the conditions offered by the public schools improved because the students had a choice between them and private schools (Stanley 2009). In the light of the emerged competition, both private and public schools should be placed in the same conditions and should conform to the same requirements. Thus, the funding of the public schools is carried out by the government, and the voucher programs in private schools are also funded by the state (Feinberg and Lips 2006). Moreover, the equal accountability demands established for both private and public schools put them in equal conditions – private schools are thus accountable for their admissions of the students using the voucher program, which helps prevent bureaucracy and discrimination. For example, in Ohio, the 2005 Ed Choice Program provided students with academic performance improvement opportunities and their parents with the wider choice of schools of the equal level (Thomas 2005). Further on, the issues of poor and low-income families should be considered in the educational context. The voucher programs present the students from low-income families with a wider range of educational opportunities (Feinberg and Lips 2006). Thus, in Wisconsin, the Milwaukee school voucher program, after the US Supreme Court decision, provided the poor students with the chance of improving their academic performance in private schools (Lambro 2000). Finally, the most important benefit the school voucher programs can bring is their effect on students’ academic performance. According to
The first part of the report related the issues of pectoral motoneurons organization in teleost fish. The fact is that it is closely related to the matter of Hoxb4a mosaicism among ZF HB circuits. Dr. Leung-Hang Ma emphasized that genetic biologists are extremely anxious about the issues of neuron development in zebrafish. Although all the possible researches have been already held, the problem of calcium imaging stays of great importance. Dr. Ma especially highlighted the importance of retrograde labeling in the process of hindbrain development. Retrograde labeling is especially significant for zebrafish females, as it influences further hindbrain development. The development of the hindbrain/ spinal cord boundary was shown in the different stages of development. Photos clearly showed the importance of hox genes in the process of hindbrain development and revealed the necessity of calcium in the environment and nutrition of zebrafish. Consequently, the issues of calcium imaging appear to be relevant as never before, as this imaging helps to observe and research the process of hindbrain development. To study the development process in detail, scientists have studied the Hox code for Pectoral and forelimb. Dr. Ma gave the data which was received in earlier researches, and that form the basis for further researches. It has been offered that during the Blastula Period of zebrafish development, Ca2+ signals could play a role in increasing cell-to-cell adhesion in the enveloping layer (EVL)1 or may contribute to sampling the dorsal-ventral axis2. In this study, Dr. Ma has expanded the investigation of Blastula Period Ca2+ signals using the luminescent Ca2+ reporter, aequorin. Special emphasis in the report was made on Hoxb4a activity in identified HB subgroups. As Dr. Ma reported, general mosaicism applies to neuronal subgroups, and thus it becomes essential for the research of Hoxb4a activity, and, consequently, for the research of hindbrain development processes. Reticular neurons that participate in this process may also be displayed with Ca2 signals. The research of Clonal analysis by single-cell injection is one of the most significant component of the allover study, as it helps to define whether cells are autonomous, and to define the mechanism of decreasing activity in a given circuit. Another essential point that was touched upon is the neurons projecting to the MB and through r4. This part of the study reveals the dynamics of neuronal development. The scientific value of this report is in the further application in medicine, zoology and pharmacy. The fact is that hindbrain is responsible for controlling the most essential body functions. A full-fledged life is impossible without these functions. Consequently, this research may be used to elaborate medical means for overcoming spinal troubles. The pharmaceutical use that may be derived from this research is of high importance in genetics and stem-cell therapy. The study of a hindbrain development process of a zebrafish may be applied for the study of hindbrain development process of a human. The hindbrain is formed out of stem-cells, and the process of its formations is almost similar.
Introduction In this research proposal, the researchers give an outline of the intended study of the linguistic history of the Mandarin. According to Gu (2012), Mandarin is the most widely spoken language in the world. Popularly known as the Chinese language or Huayu, Mandarin is majorly spoken in mainland China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and other neighboring countries. The research done by Koh (2010) observes that until 1913, the mainland Chinese were speaking many different dialects and languages, some of which did not have any close relation. However, the linguist, through the government of China, came together to develop a language that would be universally spoken in this country. This was not only to enhance the integration of the members of this society, but also to improve the learning experience. The standard Mandarin language started taking shape in the 20 th century. Kane (2006) notes that major developments of this language occurred in this century as the linguists worked to develop a phonetic system that had a standard structure as a way of developing a national language. The team working on this new national language had to start by developing simple phonetic system that was easy to learn to help give it a shape that would be easy to develop. In order to come up with a language that had a standard structure, this team of experts had to create Chinese characters, alphabet, and symbol. Since then, there has been a massive development of this language by various educationists and other relevant experts. This research would seek to determine the historical development of this language and how it has become the most widely spoken language in the world today. Methodology Every research project applies a given research method that is considered appropriate based on the time available and the resources that are to be used. In this research, both primary and secondary sources of data will be very important in arriving at a conclusion. Secondary data will be obtained from published books, peer-reviewed journals, and other unpublished authoritative sources. Primary data will be collected from a sample population that has relevant information about the transition that this language has taken over the years. The researchers will identify some of the educationists in this country that have some knowledge about the historical development of the Mandarin language. Consent will be obtained from the identified sample population in order to ensure that they understand the nature and purpose of this research. Questionnaires will then be developed and sent to them online. They will be expected to send back the filled questionnaires through online means. This research will take the qualitative approach in its analysis. This means that the research will take the descriptive approach. It will be important to describe some of the historical events which took place in the development of this language. Although quantitative research is very popular in social sciences, its appropriateness in this particular research was considered low. Th
In his story “Under the Influence: Paying the Price of My Father’s Booze,” author Sanders Russell gives a deeply personal account of the effects of alcoholism in his family as he was growing up. Russell begins by giving an intense description of his father’s addiction. He articulates how his father dies in a trailer as a result of this compulsive thirst for alcohol. Russell attempts to chronicle the trauma endured by his siblings and himself as a result of their father’s alcohol abuse. By doing so, he demonstrates that alcohol not only negatively impacts on the life of a drinker but it also leaves lasting scars on the people who are forced to live with an alcoholic. The essay aims to discuss more than just the issue of alcoholism but also the social environment that leads to or encourages it. One of Russell’s primary objectives is to dispel the commonly held myth of drunks as funny and lovable people. He begins by decrying the wide array of comical names such as “..bozzy, woozy, fuddled, or smashed: crocked and shit-faced…” that are used to describe drunkenness. The author notes that these humorous lexicons are a far cry from the folly that is alcoholism. The author’s description of his father’s drunken stupors is vivid and it highlights the ugly nature of alcoholism. The father’s demeanor is described as “eyes blazing, voice booming” and his actions are equally cruel even as he threatens to give his children a whipping and grabs their mother by her hair, threatening to shut her up by smashing a milk bottle against her head. Russell lays emphasis on the evils of alcohol and how society is content to turn a blind eye instead of addressing the issue. He points out that he never heard the world “alcoholic” while growing up. This was despite his neighborhood having more than its fair share of drunkards, including his father. People were willing to ignore the problem even though every member of the family suffers as a result of the actions of the alcoholics. The author speaks of the families of the millions of alcoholics in the US who hide the dark secret of alcoholism that plagues their family. The shame that they feel lingers on and it brings about anger and fear to the people affected. The author’s tone is vindictive as can be seen from his thoughts concerning the alcohol makers whom he holds responsible for his family’s misery. He plots of how he would travel to the Gallo brother’s address and confront them with the truth about what their product was doing to his father. If the brothers were not remorseful, he says that he would kill them. The authenticity of Russell’s experiences is evident from his diction as he narrates his story. When referring to the people who run the drug store from which his father obtained the alcohol, the author says ‘because the mom and pop who ran the dump….” This southern affectation is a reflection of the region in which the author grew up. Russell chronicles the trauma he endured as a result of his father’s addiction. He emphasizes on the adverse effects that his father’s alcoholism had for the whole family and the fact that society turns a blind eye to this problem. He notes that the ugly nature of a