ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Jordan’s Image and Issues of Consumption The images on the website portray an “unorthodox approach” to explore the issues of sustainability, environmental degradation, and human “overconsumption.” The artwork uses a simple approach to explore how human beings continue to dispose of plastic wastes unconsciously. These plastic wastes directly affect the natural environment and human health. The “Gyre” artwork explains how humans produce numerous chemical wastes every day. The ocean absorbs these compounds, thus making them unsustainable. Jordan’s image and “choice of the medium” explores the issue of pollution as a major “global” problem. The viewer easily understands how different human activities, such as “overconsumption” and “pollution” continue to make the universe unsustainable. The 2.4 million plastic materials create a clear picture of “pollution.” This approach depicts how human beings have always treated the environment negatively. Why Did the Artist Call his Creation “Gyre”? I think the artist gave his creation the name “Gyre” because it imitates the “vortex of wind” known to destroy natural resources. The concept explains how human activities such as pollution and “production of plastic wastes” continue to affect the universe. The term “Gyre” and the artwork encourage human beings to conserve the environment. The artwork also relates to Clarke’s article because they both address the issue of sustainability. Humankind has always destroyed the universe by dumping plastics and polythene materials into the natural environment. Millions of non-biodegradable materials and plastic garbage continue to destroy the natural environment. Concluding Remarks It is necessary for every person to take the best measures to conserve the natural environment. Human beings should reduce their “wastes” in order to make the universe habitable and sustainable. The issue of “civilization overshoot” will continue to affect the universe. The ideas presented by Clarke and Jordan explain why human beings should have an “eco-centric approach” to make the universe sustainable. The approach will help human beings safeguard the global environment.
Cohen, K., Weizman, A., & Weinstein, A. (2019). Modulatory effects of cannabinoids on brain neurotransmission . European Journal of Neuroscience, 50 (3), 2322-2345. The authors have presented a comprehensive review of the effects of cannabis on the human brain. Specifically, Cohen et al. (2019) present current literature on the impacts of cannabinoids the neurotransmission on the brain. Evidence from human studies and pre-clinical studies have dominated their discussion. The basic idea presented is that cannabis psychoactive composites, which is also the case with marijuana-like drugs with synthetic cannabinoids. Clinical and pre-clinical data from the studies explored have focused majorly on cannabinoid type-1 and type receptors, which have been denoted as CB 1 and BC 2 respectively. Cohen et al. (2019) express that pre-clinical studies exploring the effects of cannabinoids on dopamine neurotransmission find that acute stimulation of CB 1 tends to indirectly induce the mesolimbic dopaminergic activity. Additionally, there is an increased release of dopamine in the striatal regions. Human studies on the same subject reveal that Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), which is the main substance in cannabis, tends to cause higher risks of psychotic disorders. Another aspect of mental health is receptor availability where the authors reveal that heavy use of the drug causes a decrease in the striatal dopamine receptor occupancy. It can be seen that this review approaches the link between drug use and mental health from a physiological perspective where the physical and chemical properties of the drug users’ brains are explored. In addition to the neurotransmission and receptor availability, Cohen et al. (2019) discuss the availability of dopamine transporter (DAT) and serotonin neurotransmissions. However, the authors find that only a limited number of studies focus on the DAT, which means that the validity of the findings cannot be established. Regarding the serotonergic system, the authors find that serotonin (5-HT) plays a major role in mental functions, especially in regulating and controlling cognition, perception, anxiety, and mood. Therefore, evidence from pre-clinical studies indicates that the activation of CB 1 receptors cause
Demographics The capital of the UAE is a developed and progressive world center where a large number of economic, political, and other forces are concentrated. Nevertheless, like any other metropolis, it has some problems related to the social sector. To discuss the social needs of Dubai, it is required to bring the demographics of this city and determine its key indicators. To do it, official statistics will be required, and such indicators as gender, race, age, income, education, health, and employment will be considered. According to the Dubai Statistics Center (2017), the total population of Dubai in 2017 was 2,976,455. The predominant number was the male population (2,088,870), and women were in the minority (887,585) (Dubai Statistics Center, 2017). As statistics shows, 43,3% are Indian, which is the majority, 23% – Emirati, 17% – Pakistani, and the rest are represented by different nationalities – American, Bangladeshi, and the representatives of other countries (Dubai Statistics Center, 2017). According to current income statistics, the average AED is 139,393 (“Average salary in Dubai,” 2018). When analyzing the sphere of education, based on the reports of 2016-2017, 29,597 people were included in state institutions, and 273,599 were trained in private educational establishments (Dubai Statistics Center, 2017). The labor market in Dubai is quite dense. According to the statistics of 2017, 65,4% of men over 15 years were a workforce inside the city, and 97,4% of them were employed (Dubai Statistics Center, 2017). Women were 37,4% of the total group, and 95,1% of them had a regular job, while only 4,9% were unemployed (Dubai Statistics Center, 2017). According to the medical indicators of 2016, 141,076 residents of the city sought help from local specialty clinics (Dubai Statistics Center, 2017). This indicator is not too large in comparison with some other megacities. However, disease statistics are quite dangerous, and it is the healthcare sector that deserves particular attention. The spread of certain diseases among the population requires the search for special strategies, and this work is a priority. Social Needs in Dubai and Their Shortcomings Categories of Social Needs Despite the rapid economic growth, some social problems in Dubai exist. Those typical issues that are often relevant in different large cities also appear here. For instance, the healthcare sector is the area where constant innovations and novelties are offered. However, some ailments deserve special attention, in particular, cardiovascular diseases and all those that are related to cardiac surgery. Certainly, some social difficulties may arise among the elderly population. The representatives of this group cannot always take care of themselves comprehensively. However, as Khan, Shehnaz, Guruswami, Ibrahim, and Mustafa (2017) note, older adults in the UAE have a relatively high level of knowledge about this issue, which makes it possible to introduce appropriate preventive practices. In the field of transport, problems usually do not arise since the government of Dubai makes efforts to equip the city with novelties and techniqu
Introduction: Entering the Temple of the Classical Music There is nothing like a musical experience; sinking into the delightful world of pure sounds and harmony, one can feel the reality slowly drifting away, giving room for completely new exotic sensations. One of the recent music experiences of mine, visiting the concert of the Pomona College Choir, left a huge impact and offered a lot of food for thoughts. The performance took place on December, 2, 2012, at 3 p.m., in the Mabel Shaw Bridges Hall of Music. It was rather unusual that the concert was going to take place in the afternoon; starting at 3 p.m. meant that the show was not going to last long, which, in its turn, made it obvious that the impact would be quite weak. Much to my surprise and relief, I soon realized that I was completely wrong. Combining the new manner of performance with a quite ancient repertory, Donna M. di Grazia, the conductor, together with Namhee Han, the organist, and the choristers, managed to deliver a truly incredible result. When the Music Wraps around the Audience: In the Rhythm with the Organ The concert started with the composition titled I Was Glad , which is known as the creation of Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Perry. Written as a coronation anthem, the given piece of a musical artwork belongs to the era of the middle of XIX century, though the poem originated way back in the XVII century. Despite being considered a coronation anthem, it is used on a number of occasions nowadays. The performers managed to breathe new life into the song, making it fit the modern environment just as well as it fit the 1860ies; even though not a single note in the score of the song was changed, the powerful sound of the organ and the ringing voices of the performers did their job, and the song rose from the ashes. Savoring the Second Dish: The Enchanting Sounds of the Requiem Known as Requiem, the second part of the concert made even greater impression, shifting the performance into much gloomier minor fall. Inspiring a number of composers and spawning a range of artworks, the given liturgy is considered one of the oldest and the most famous relicts of the Catholic Church. Usually considered a composition of a Gregorian era, Requiem has not been defined as a product of a certain epoch; time no longer matters for a composition as great as the Requiem. One has to admit that the performance was top-notch and that both the orchestra and the choir managed to make Requiem sound as grand and impressive as it should. Impressions and Ideas: Rethinking the Experience There is no denial that the concert has left a huge impact with me. It is important to mention that I have never heard Requiem performed by a choir of children before – the previous times it was a choir of male voices performing. With the change of the pitch, the change of perception came, and I saw the song in a completely different light. While in the previous performances, I perceived this song as a repenting of a sinner, when listening to the Pomona
Wells Fargo & Company a leading multinational financial institution that has its headquarters in San Francisco, California. Founded on March 18, 1852, the firm has experienced consistent growth over the years because of its leadership strategies and innovative products that meet customers’ needs in the local and international market (Stachowicz-Stanusch & Amann, 2018). It has spread its operations from banking to financial services and insurance as a strategy of increasing its profitability. When it started its operations about 167 years ago, the level of competition was relatively low. However, that has changed over the years as new firm emerge offering similar products both locally and in the global market. The management of this institution has been keen on finding ways of overcoming this challenge to ensure that it remains competitive in the market. According to Kunreuther and Useem (2018), the ability of a firm to achieve its vision in the current competitive business environment depends on the leadership style it embraces. In the past, large corporations like Wells Fargo & Company enjoyed a market monopoly that made it possible for them to dictate terms of service in the market. However, the global business environment has changed, and a dictatorial form of leadership is becoming less effective in managing employees within a firm. The focus of this paper is it to analyze styles and principles of leadership at Well Fargo & Company. Organizational Leadership Analysis and Abilities When analyzing an organization’s leadership, Klepper (2019) argues that it is prudent to start by looking at its management structure. It helps to understand the source of authority within the firm and the manner in which power is shared among individuals in different managerial positions. Wells Fargo & Company, just like many other large corporations, has a board of directors, which is currently chaired by Ms. Elizabeth Ashburn Duke (Wilson, 2014). The board has a supervisory role over the top management unit of the firm. It approves major development projects within the firm. It gets regular updates about the operations of the firm through the president and chief executive officer, Mr. Timothy J. Sloan, who is also a member of the board. The president has a team of top executives, which includes the chief financial officer, chief operating officer, marketing director, and human resource manager among others. The company has regional managers who are responsible for directing activities of the firm in the overseas market. The ability of the current management unit at Wells Fargo to achieve the firm’s vision has been demonstrated in different ways. From the financial perspective, the net income of the company in the financial year that ended in 2018 was US$22.39 billion, which was a significant increase when compared with that of the previous year (Klepper, 2019). The company is currently one of the leading financial institutions in the global market. It currently has a workforce of over
Introduction Organizations that want to achieve their potentials must embrace the best business models and practices. Business Excellence (BE) is defined as ‘a powerful framework used to manage organizations in order to produce the best results’ (Hohan, Olaru & Pimea 2015, p. 353). BE models are usually defined by various values and concepts. Several BE models are currently used in order to produce high-performance organizations (HPOs). Companies that embrace the power of business excellence have increased chances of achieving their business potentials. This study focused on the basic principles of business excellence. The study analyzed the major BE aspects embraced by Al Ghurair Group. This United Arab Emirates-based conglomerate operates in different parts of the world, such as North America, Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East ( Al Ghurair: The Group 2016). The study was important because it explored the relevance of BE towards delivering positive results. Business excellence is a topic that continues to dictate the performance of many global corporations. The ideas obtained from the study can support the goals of many organizations. Research Questions, Objectives, and Aims of the Report Research Questions The research questions presented below were used to guide this study.   * Why are the implications of business excellence for corporations and organizations?   * How does Al Ghurair Group of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) embrace the principles of BE to realize its business potentials?   * What lessons can be derived from the case of the Al Ghurair Group in an attempt to promote business performance? Study Objectives The first objective was to explore the major aspects associated with BE. The second objective was to understand how global corporations use various BE principles to realize their goals. Aims of the Report The main aim of this report was to examine the effectiveness of BE for different business organizations. The paper was also aimed at outlining the major approaches and changes that can promote organizational performance. Literature Review The wave of globalization has transfigured the manner in which businesses focus on their organizational goals (Hohan et al. 2015). Many private and public firms encounter a wide range of tests and challenges. For instance, many global firms are forced to embrace powerful business processes that can deal with competition. Some firms have formed new partnerships in order to increase their competitiveness. Leadership theories have always focused on the best approaches that have the potential to deliver positive results (Hasan & Hannifah, 2013). Different societies have also established powerful models that can increase the level of productivity. Business excellence models emerged in order to ensure more companies were emb
What are the theoretical underpinnings of HRD? The following are the three main theoretical underpinnings of Human Resource Development i.e. economic theory, system theory and the psychological theory. The economic theory of Human Resource Development is concerned with the allocation of scarce resources to the most efficient needs. According to research which was done by Weinberger (1998), Human Resource Development has both costs and benefits and therefore, a choice has to be made in order to satisfy all the wants. Human Resource Development is aimed at providing an organization with the financial advantage. Human capital is the key ingredients that are available for producing goods and services. This implies that an organization must continually invest in human capital in order to influence its financial benefits. Investment in human capital can exist in form of enhancing their skills, knowledge and physical wellbeing (Swanson, 2009, Pg. 203). The skills and knowledge that employees have are of major economic value to the firm since they influence the productivity. Employees thus act as the organization’s competitive advantage and therefore, the organization should embark on investing in its human capital (Weinberger, 1998, P.11-16). Psychological theory of HRD is concerned with the manner in which the employees interact with the environment and with each other. The interaction between the employees and the environment determines their behaviors, attitudes and values. According to this theory, HRD should aim at overcoming individual limitations, help individuals meet their personal goals and enhance creation of synergy. Usually, every one within the organization is expected to act towards realizing the goals and objectives of the organization (Weinberger, 1998, P.11-16). System theory of HRD views an organization as a system that is organized to attain set objectives. According to this theory, an organization has inputs, outputs and processes that are involved in the realization of its objectives or in carrying out its activities. The inputs refers to the aspects that enables an organization to operate e.g. manpower, raw materials, finance e.t.c. Processes entails the policies and operations that are followed in an organization. Outputs entail the processing results in an organization e.g. the employees’ performance. HRD must thus strive to understand how the systems interact within the organization for the organizational duties to be carried out effectively and efficiently (Weinberger, 1998, Pg.11-16). How have these theoretical underpinnings shaped HRD? These theoretical underpinnings have enhanced the concept of workplace learning. They have shaped HRD by unleashing human expertise. This in turn plays an important role of enabling people to perform their work faster, cheaper and better. Workplace learning enables an organization to compete successfully with others in a global economy as it provides the employees with more skills and education to perform their work effectively. Today’s workplace calls for employees to posses more generic skills such as communication skills, problem solving and decision making among others (Inte
When readers switch from other medieval texts to the writings of Hildegard of Bingen, they should go through a cultural shock. Their minds should get used to the new illumination, which first seems like an impenetrable gloom. Instead of the cheerful ring of rhymes filling the poetry of the late Middle Ages, they are met by a certain similarity of a modern free verse, where instead of naive and judicious edifications, rational allegories, and ordered verbal games, they read dark and meaningful symbols, combined by an associative principle with such infinite freedom, which they might see in the writings of the most audacious poets of the modern epoch. These unusual compositions belong to an unusual person. For a woman in the 12th century to be able to talk before the whole world, moreover announcing not scholastic knowledge, but a certain secret revealed to her and only to her, this woman should combine within her a generally acknowledged sanctity, a visionary gift, ingenious abilities, and strong will. Being an obscure figure at her time, now it can be seen a certain mass interest to her persona. First of all, this was due to a wide array of her talents, which range covers everything from music, theology, writing, preaching, cosmology, and many others. (King-Lenzmeier, 2001). It should be mentioned, however, that the admirers of the unusual life of Hildegard of Bingen, with her visions, achievements in many fields, and famous sermons, when first introduced to her works, can be puzzled by the fact that Hildegard, being an extremely educated woman, usually was referring to herself as a “poor, uneducated female.” (King-Lenzmeier, 2001). However, in some sense, this statement was truthful, – after all Hildegard of Bingen belonged among the greatest self-educated figures in world history. In that regard, Hildegard of Bingen could be considered as one of the most creative minds of the Middle Ages, whose influence through her works extends to the present times. Hildegard was born in Germersheim, near Alzey in the summer of 1098. She was born a tenth child of a noble German family, and as it was customary with the tenth child, whom the family could not feed, “she was dedicated at birth to the church.” (Lerman 1998) She was sent at the age of eight to live with the sister of a count for whom Hildegard’s father served as a knight – Jutta. It was stated by Hildegard herself in the second book of the “Vita”, that she had her first visionary experience before she was five years old. During the period, between 1112 and 1115, Hi