ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Fashion and clothing styles have changed over the ages. However, not all fashion has become obsolete and redundant. Many of the vintage trends in clothing have been revived and are followed even until the present day. This essay is an exploration goes the styles of the nineteenth century and how they are still influencing modern sense of fashion. The essay is divided into four parts based on the following time-period – 1800-30, 1831-65, 1870-1900, and 1901-19. 1800-1830: Stockings Figure 1: Women’s stockings made of silk, embroidered, and instep for the ankle from 1805 (Kyoto Contume Institute ). The second picture is a silk stocking worn in the 1950s. The style during the early nineteenth century was still formal and was highly influenced by the French fashion. However, certain items used during the time are still in use for formal dressing among the clothing items of men and women. Women’s wear was high waisted, formal, and graceful style. It was during this period that first high-waited style entered the vintage fashion, with the use of girdle used for the first time right under the bust line to show greater flow of the skirt. The underwear that is today used is a remembrance of the style that evolved in the early nineteenth century. For instance, the flesh colored stockings and pantaloons that were worn under the dresses. These were used in the same way in 1800s as women today use flesh tones bra or briefs. The item that is still being used in the modern times in various forms – stockings, long socks, leggings etc. stockings became an essential part of woman’s attire in the early nineteenth century for it not only provided women an ease from the winter cold but also helped to keep a “woman’s modesty” intact. The main importance of stockings even today remains the same. In the early nineteenth century, the stockings were used for horse-riding fashion for men. It was in the end of the sixteenth century that it was transformed into something that women could wear as underwear. However, in the early twentieth century with the rise of the hemlines in dresses, the use of stocking increased again. Hence, stockings are important part of fashion since early nineteenth century. 1831-1865: The age of Crinolines Figure 2: Wide hoop crinoline used in the mid-19 th century (The Mint Museaum) Figure 3: Modern use of crinoline in short skirts or full evening gowns (Claire) In the mid nineteenth century, the use of crinoline
The Role of Media’s Influence on Language and Culture Description of Concrete Experience I was born and raised in Mullins South Carolina in the United States. At the age of 19 years old, I moved out to Atlanta Georgia where I met my husband, Olayinka Akinsowon, then 20 years old. Akinsowon is from West Africa and a native Nigerian. It is from him that I experienced the African language and culture. Essentially, the South Carolina’s people are very slow though very hospitable. The people freely communicate with each other regardless of whether they are familiar with each other or not. If you don’t speak to others freely, then you are considered rude and this hospitality makes other people feel comfortable. The southern people commonly use food to welcome another person into their home or place of work. They may use the media to announce a family dinner to everyone so that even the customers can visit and patronage their businesses. Reflection I became interested in the spread of English as a language used by many cultures across the world. The media-bound varieties of language are increasingly coming up and a result I deduce that media are both vehicles of culture spread and diversification and also contribute to the changing use of language. I think that media are more than a neutral channel by which American culture spreads since it has been very dominant. English paramountcy as language has been cemented by the dealers in media properties like computers, television, and music etc. the media is not limited to spread of language but the new varieties of English like slung and culture in general. I consider the media as a tool and infrastructure of passing information among people as a result also passes their character and beliefs which naturally have an effect on language. Generalization/Principles/Theories The effect of media on language and culture play a crucial role in the distinction of the American society and also affects it in national terms by comparing the American English and other varieties of use of English in different cultures. For example, my husband comes from the Yoruba people of Nigeria and he is from the tribe of Ibo. As part of their business strategy to win the trust of clients and business partners, they usually offer food of gifts of good monetary value to create friendships. Language is a kind of capital that is used differently by different kinds of people to address cultural and social issues. This is why I think that linguistic prowess influences beliefs. for instance if an individual in Nigeria just like my husband is able to switch between the standard English and local dialect depending on the situation, then this individual can attain a higher social status or identity or power in the community. Testing and Application The many improvements in the media are greatly influencing the way we live and behave. I strongly believe that the media and entertainment in general has already influenced our thinking and feelings as
Introduction Flat irons are devices used for straightening out hair by applying heat to make it more malleable. These devices, in one form or another, were used since the 1870s, when French hairdressers started using hot combs in order to provide a greater variety of forms to their clients (Read, 2004). Nowadays, flat irons are common in almost every home or hairdresser salon. The purpose of this paper is to provide a technical description of professional flat iron as well as its functioning processes. What is a Professional Flat Iron? A flat iron is a tool used in modern hairdressing for straightening out hair. The device has an appearance that is vaguely similar to scissors, only where the blades are replaced with two flat hot bars that press against one another when the handle is released (see Figure 1). Typically, the irons are made of heat-conductive metal with ceramic layers protecting the ironing surfaces. The handle is made of thermal-resistant plastic. Professional irons also have a timer, a temperature control system, and an automatic shutdown system in order to prevent fire damage (Read, 2004). Although typically flat irons have a cord, some models have small accumulators that allow limited operation time without one. Figure 1. Typical Flat Iron Components (Read, 2004, p. 9). The Objects and Processes in Hair-Straightening Human hair is comprised out of three main layers: the cuticle, the cortex, and the medulla (see Figure 2). The cuticle is the hair’s outer layer, which protects the hair’s inner structure from damage. It is also resistant to chemicals (Hoffman, n.d.). The cortex is the main part of the hair, as it occupies most of its mass. It is the area of interest for hairdressers, as it is responsible for hair’s straightness or curliness. Due to being made of protein, it has various hydrogen bonds, which are vulnerable to thermal exposure. The medulla is the inner part of the hair and has no effect on its form. Figure 2. Hair Structure (Hoffman, n.d, p. 2). The working process of the irons themselves is relatively simple and similar to regular irons (Read, 2004). The electricity passes through coils on both sides of the flat iron, which makes them hot. The heat is then transferred to the flat surfaces of the instrument. Ceramic plates on the iron’s working surfaces
Introduction Though company executives supervise the daily operations of the organization and make the most crucial decisions regarding current operations and future initiatives the fact remains that despite them wielding such power this doesn’t give them the right to mistreat and physically accost employees. In all business organizations there are certain limits placed on behavior or rather certain behavioral codes of conduct emphasized which individual employees, whether part of upper management or the lower bracket, must abide by. This code of conduct is known as professionalism and it is a manner by which an individual conducts themselves and treats others in a way that emphasizes respect, honesty, and no interference from personal opinion or bias. It is the basis by which most companies design their business cultures and it is an expected mode of treatment whenever an employee is hired into a company. It must also be noted that professionalism acts under the concept of reciprocity wherein if the company expects professionalism from its employees it must also accord them the same amount of professionalism. It is only under such a method that a proper business culture can develop resulting in open lines of communication and the sharing of ideas. In cases where proper respect and professionalism are not returned to employees a culture of fear and mistrust is developed within the company. This results in delayed reports, the tendency to hide problems rather than solve them, pushing responsibility onto other people rather than assuming responsibility and finally culminates into the creation of a wall between upper management and regular employees resulting in a distinct lack of communication and collaboration as well as other forms of misconduct (Mistreating workers boosts employee theft, 1996). The result of such actions is usually the downfall of the company due to internal problems which could have been resolved if a proper professional attitude was instituted in the first place. Statement The actions of the Executive Vice President at the recent meeting are not at all conducive towards upholding the tenets of professionalism within an organization. As an executive of the company it his responsibility to embody the values and ethics of the company since it is to him that employees turn towards as an example for their own behavior. Furthermore violent outbursts and scathing remarks do not promote open lines of communication and the sharing of ideas rather they result in a fearful environment where mistakes are not disclosed immediately. This results in delays in getting them fixed resulting in them causing more damage. Lastly no employee, executive or not, has the right to physically assault another employee by throwing an object at them. Not o
Abstract This paper reviews the issue of animal rights from an ethical perspective. It begins by noting that this issue has gained prominence with advocates asking for animals to be given greater rights. The paper explains the human exceptionalism perspective, which gives humans a higher moral status due to their sophisticated cognitive abilities. The paper uses a number of ethical theories including utilitarianism, Kantian theory, and virtue ethics to demonstrate that animal rights can be denied on ethical grounds. It then highlights some of the arguments given by animal rights advocates and shows their shortcomings. The paper concludes by reasserting that animals cannot be given equal rights to human beings as long as human beings are expected to live a rich and fulfilling life. Introduction The relationship between humans and animals has historically been characterized by humankind adopting a superior position and exploiting animals for his own good. This historical view of animals as creatures with no rights of moral status has been challenged aggressively in the recent past. A number of arguments concerning the status of animals have emerged over the decades. These arguments revolve around the issue of whether animals should or should not be given rights in the same way that humans have rights. The contemporary animal rights movement has gained significant support over the past two decades. Members of these movements advocate for animals to be granted rights, which would limit the manner in which they are used. On the other hand, animal rights opponents assert that human beings are the only creatures who deserve rights due to their higher moral status. This paper will set out perform a critique of the animal rights arguments with the human exceptionalism perspective in mind. It will then make use of a number of ethical theories including utilitarianism and Kantian theory to demonstrate that animals do not deserve similar rights to humans. An Ethical Analysis of Animal Rights The issue of animal rights has slowly emerged as a controversial topic in need of ethical consideration. Using a number of ethical theories, this issue can be analyzed in order to determine if animals deserve rights as the proponents of animal rights assert. A major perspective used to deny animal rights is human exceptionalism. According to the human exceptionalism perspective, human beings differ psychologically from other animals and because of these differ
The 21st century is said to be the age of communication. Various technological advances, particularly the Internet, allowed for the development of a unified global community. We pride ourselves in overcoming the barriers between nations and races, winning more rights for women, and achieving the recognition and freedom of choice for the LGBT+ community. However, in reality, most of these issues are still present. The legalization of gay marriage in many countries did not lead to the eradication of homophobia, protection of women’s rights did not eliminate sexism and gender inequality present in many aspects of life, and the protection of the people’s right to change their gender did not grant the acceptance of transgenders by the community. Transgender people face severe discrimination at work, in healthcare institutions, and in many local communities, which undermines their potential to live a fulfilling life and marks some of the key transgender issues that have to be resolved. Workplace Discrimination Discrimination at work remains a significant problem for many transgender people. It affects different aspects of their life as they are often unable to earn as much as others and to get the same promotional opportunities (Schilt 473). Schilt explains that the discrimination applies more to transwomen than to transmen, as the latter typically get various masculine privileges at work, such as higher level of authority, respect of fellow employees and management, and faster advancement: “Some posttransition FTMs, both stealth and open, find that their coworkers, employers, and customers attribute more authority, respect, and prestige to them” (486). However, some transmen are denied these advantages and remain confined to their pre-transitional position, as the post-transitional treatment often depends on physical characteristics such as height and skin color (Schilt 475). Transwomen, on the other hand, become subject to the same gendered disadvantages that apply to most female workers, which include the pay gap, promotional gap, and the lack of respect and recognition of hard work (Schilt 466). Schilt also explains how transmen can get a full understanding of the issue of gender discrimination at work through what is referred to as the ‘outsider-within’ phenomenon where, having transitioned from female to male gender, transmen see the difference in treatment and can evaluate workplace discrimination toward women from a new perspective (473). Thus, transgender discrimination at work becomes part of the larger cluster of gender issues that affect those who transition from one gender into another. Gender Discrimination The issue of gender discrimination poses many difficulties for transwomen in particular. It is no secret that gender inequality between men and women affects almost all aspects of women’s everyday life. For instance, violence against women remains one of the key issues around the world and affects the quality of life of many women (Farrior 84). In some countries, patriarchal state systems undermine women’s access to health care, employment, justice, and other basic human needs; in many areas the inequality is often
The reading ability of Murad is the focus of the analysis and discussion in this paper with references to the results of reading assessments, the application of instructional strategies, and post-assessments. Informal reading inventories (IRIs) are selected for the assessment of reading skills because the focus is on evaluating the child’s successes in the phonemic awareness and decoding, as well as on concluding regarding the student’s overall reading level. In this case, it is important to describe the child, present the assessment results, discuss the proposed instructional strategies, analyze the post-assessment results, and reflect on the changes in the child’s reading level. Description of the Student Murad is a male 7-year-old student who has just started learning English as his second language. Murad speaks the Arabic language as his native one. The boy started learning English twelve months ago. He learns words quickly, but he has problems with recognizing them in the text. He has a good memory, but he needs improving skills in decoding individual words and words presented as a text. Murad likes outdoor games, and it is rather difficult to make him concentrate on such activities as reading or writing. In his family, only the father speaks English, and one of the most important challenges is that the boy can hear the English language rarely, and his parents cannot control the learning process. Pre-Assessment The assessment of the reading level and the ability in decoding words was conducted with the help of IRIs presented in the form of word lists and reading passages. While focusing on the quantitative observation, it is possible to state that Murad recognized and read correctly 16 out of 16 words which were proposed in the level-one list and 8 out of 12 words presented in the level-two list. Since there were no miscues at the first level, he started reading the passage for this level. However, two errors were determined in reading the first level passage, and four errors were reported in reading the second level passage. Thus, the student’s independent level of reading can be associated with Level One, and the instructional level is Level Two. While making the qualitative assessment it is necessary to note that reading the passages, Murad was interested in the text, and demonstrated the comprehension of the text’s meaning, but he experienced problems with pronouncing words that have more than one syllable. He succeeded in making the emphasis on correct words in proposed sentences and made appropriate tonal rises and falls. It is typical of Murad to make such errors as omissions and substitution. These errors are most common for students who have just started learning the English language as the second one (Carlisle, Kelcey, and Berebitsky 1361; McCormick and Zutell 22). Instructional Strategies The assessment indicates that the student easily recognizes words, but he has problems with reading two-syllable words that were used in wo
Critical thinking is the ability to contemplate, concerning any topic, in a precise, essential, and rational manner. In other words, it is that thinking ability that enables an individual to fathom what needs doing or what their faith requires of them (Haber, 2020). The ability to think critically is founded on the willingness to generate new ideas, detecting flaws in reasoning, justifying an individual’s innate faith or the ability to believe, and reflecting on what one believes in. Being able to think critically requires a little person to be able to rely on two fundamental pillars. One, a critical thinker must have the ability to engage in both independent and reflective thinking (Haber, 2020). Two, this type of thinker must be able to solve challenges, establish, develop, and assess arguments, and comprehend the connecting aspects in every notion. The standard blocks that make critical thinking possible constitute the following. The individual must accept that they might be wrong and must embrace a lot of thought. The other standard blocks associated with critical thinking are that a person must be willing to reflect on the mistakes made (Haber, 2020). Lastly, one must be a recipient of criticisms, especially when the complaints are valid or have the potential of making one better. Some of the practical examples in critical thinking are that, in a workplace, an individual must be able to assess consumer service after undergoing training to guide fellow employees who might lack similar training. Two, as a parent, one must anticipate and budget for the costs that come with hosting a birthday party, for example. (Haber, 2020). Lastly, at school, one must analyze their learning style and utilize the appropriate matching skills. To improve one’s ability to think critically, formulating questions, gathering information, applying the same, considering the outcomes, and exploring different viewpoints are significant aspects that a person must consider. Reference Haber, J. (2020). Critical thinking . The MIT Press.
Abstract Titration can be used to quantitatively determine an unknown compound. In this experiment, a standardized sodium hydroxide solution was used to titrate an unknown weak acid and therefore determine the pK a and molar mass of that acid. The experiment was carried out according to laboratory manual number EQUL0857 and the data obtained was processed by drawing titration and first derivative graphs. The pK a values obtained were 2.55 and 2.59 while the molar mass values were 132.35g and 138.78g. The big difference between each pair of values was associated with experimental errors. Introduction One of the quantitative methods that can be used to identify an unknown compound (acid or base) is titration. Titration is the complete reaction of two solutions. When used to identify an unknown acid, it involves the reaction of the unknown weak acid solution with a known base solution. The known solution is known as the standard solution since its concentration is known and in titration terms, it is referred to as the ‘titrant’. During the titration, a specific amount of the unknown solution is reacted with the standard solution. This is done by slow addition of the standard solution into the unknown solution. To know the end-point of the reaction, an indicator or a pH meter is used. The end-point is technically known as the equivalence point and at this point, the masses of the unknown solution and the standard solution are the equivalent masses. The aim of this experiment was to determine the pK a and molar mass values of an unknown weak acid through titration. The titrant used was a standard solution of sodium hydroxide. The hypothesis of the experiment was the acid was provided as a monoprotic acid. Weak acids dissociate partially in water and at equilibrium, the dissociation is represented as follows: HA ( aq ) + H 2 O( l ) ↔ H 3 O + ( aq ) + A – ( aq ) The equilibrium constant, K eq of the reaction is calculated as: K eq = {[H 3 O + ] [ A – ] } / [HA] For acids, K eq is represented as K a and is referred to as dissociation constant. Since weak acids have very small K a , pK a is used for convenience. During the reaction with a strong base, there is equilibrium alteration as the hydroxide ions react with the H 3 O + ions. More acid dissociates so that a new equilibrium is obtained. At the equivalence point where the number of moles of acid is equal to the number of moles of base added, there is a sharp change in pH that can be detected by an indicator or a pH meter.