ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
The Divine Comedy by Dante, Confessions by St. Augustine and the Aeneid by Virgil are three different works of literature, written in different times and exploring different topics. However, there is something that unites them. What can be common between these three works? In this paper, I am going to compare and contrast the works by Dante Alighieri The Divine Comedy (chapters Purgatorio and Paradiso) and The Confessions by St. Augustine concerning the issues of the “spiritual journeys” and the role of Virgil in both works. Before analyzing the works by Dante and St. Augustine, few words should be said about Virgil and his famous Aeneid . The most important reason for this is that both authors (Dante and St. Augustine) referred to this work in their stories. So, Virgil is a famous Roman poet that wrote an immortal story of Aeneas wonderings. It is one of the most prominent writings of the Roman period and it is an innovative interpretation of the Iliad and the Odyssey, “the essence of both the Iliad and Odyssey has been poured into a new mold” (Lancel and Nevill 12). Thus, we can find the subjects of the tree works (Iliad, Odyssey and Aeneid) in the Divine Comedy and the Concessions . But why Dante and St. Augustine, who were Christians, chose Virgil and his work as a basis for their writings? First of all, Virgil’s work has a deep context of human’s fate and life journey. Among all epic heroes, he is the most progressive in terms of his “responsibility, social consciousness and serious moral purpose” (Lancel and Nevill 9). Second, “Virgil lived and died in a most significant period in the History of Rome, one rendered peculiar important to Christianity, because about then Christianity has its origin” (Ó’Meara 32). Finally, Virgil was a prominent historical figure and both authors respected his wisdom and achievements. As it has already been mention, Dante and St. Augustine allude to Virgil and his
America has been a destination for immigrants for centuries. In fact, the entire American population is made up of people from different countries, with different cultures and social and economic backgrounds. Early immigrants moved to the United States (US) for various reasons which included political and religious freedom, but perhaps the most important reason; is the economic opportunity offered by the US (Ngai 26). In recent times, the number of immigrants has gone up, some of them using illegal means to cross the US borders. Huge numbers of illegal immigrants come from the southern borders of the US and especially on the US-Mexico border and to the north; the US-Canada border. What constitutes an illegal immigrant or alien? The answer to this question will help in part to answer this topical question. There are different categories of illegal aliens; first and foremost, an illegal alien is an undocumented or an unauthorized entrant to the United States territory. These nationals of other countries manage to enter the US borders, either by land, sea, or air, without prior inspection of their travel documents (visas and passports). The second category is, people using fraudulent documents. The documents used might not be revealing the true identity of the person in question. People frequently use fraudulent documents to enter the US; some of them even go to the extent of impersonating other people to gain access. Some people just overstay, thereby violating the terms of their visas. Once the period of stay has expired, they are regarded as illegal aliens. Last but not least, people may be regarded as illegal aliens if they willfully violate visa terms and conditions of stay; for instance, if they seek employment contrary to their reasons of going to the United States. There are laws aimed at fighting the issue of Illegal aliens; one of them under considerations is legalizing illegal aliens. This is a welcomed idea by the illegal aliens, but is it necessarily going to rid America of illegal aliens? Or is it going to promote an influx of even more illegal entrants? America is currently home to over 10 million illegal aliens; this is almost half the population of some countries. So far the administration has been relying on the deportation system but this seems not to be effective, as people always find a loophole to get back. The solution will be to give amnesty to the already existing illegal aliens and encouraging them to come forward and get documented, so that they can be integrated into the system (Conover 45-63). Background checks can be carried out; this will boost security and will allow them to contribute to the economy by paying taxes. Economically, deportation proves to be an expensive exer
Introduction On the 12 th July 2006. The business reports indicated that the European Commission has backed the European telecoms regulators’ plan to reduce the high cost of the roaming charges to mobile uses in Europe. Through the enactment of a bill that will limit the service provides in the mobile phone industry to cut down their international roaming charges to the Cost level of home cross-network calls within the 25 European member countries. This is because currently, mobile consumers pay high roaming costs to the extent that it ends up to give service constitutes companies 20% profit from roaming charges, on the total profit. The commission telecoms intend to cut off customer’s mobile phones costs for about 70% of their spending. Therefore, using this case this essay is examining by analyzing and looking into various forces, principles, reactions, procedures, and effects of the outcome of such intervention in the ICT industry including the analysis of specific issues of the regulatory agencies. Main Body The regulatory activities in any intervention that involves the business world there are usually varied reactions from the key market players. These market players include the consumers, the governments of the regions u8nderwhich regulation is bound to be done, and the operators. Consumers always call for the reduction in the prices, operators normally oppose the move to reduce their tariffs as they cut down their profit margin and stability in operations. while the regional governments take a neutral position to protect the interests that are favorable to both citizens, operators, and investors. In these case of the EU mobile phone roaming price regulation, the EU telecoms regulators take the stand that aims at protecting the citizens and gives a conducive atmosphere to business operations in the sense that they propose the reduction of roaming call plan of 34 pence for calling home from abroad, 23pence for local calls made abroad from home and 11pence for receiving a call which is consumer’s pocket friendly. Also, telecom recommends reduced tariffs with a consideration of the network providers who will harness an estimated 30% profit margin. Therefore consumer organizations had a reason to smile since for a long they have been crying for the high prices charged by the mobile operators and this is redemption to them. the operators oppose the move strongly of EU telecoms through their representative body of GSM Association, by saying their companies have made and are making efforts to cut off prices by 40%, the commission move would result into dampening the competition, stifle the innovation, and in the long run harm the consumer society. Therefore there is a need to regulate the mobile phone industry to protect consumers or citizens, balance the operations for equal opportunities for all operators so that it can enhance sustainable inventions, innovation, and d
OSeMOSYS Publication Osemosys energy-food nexus is published in an article titled ‘Global Resource Modeling of the Climate, Land, Energy and Water (Clews) Nexus Using the Open Source Energy Modeling System (OSeMOSYS)”. Institution The energy-food nexus study was conducted by researchers from the Division of Energy Systems Analysis of the Royal Institute of Technology Stockholm (KTH). The country comprises of 50 states. Over the years, the country has experienced extensive growth (Onno et al. 15). In spite of the significant economic development, the nation still suffers from food insecurities. Tool used and Reasons for its Preference In the study, the researchers focus on the country’s plans to ensure all households across the 50 states are food secure. To carry out their research, the scholars applied Open Source Energy Modelling SYStem (OSeMOSYS) nexus tool. The model was used for various reasons. OSeMOSYS is a type of software used in long-run energy planning (Weirich 12). Its functioning is based on linear programming optimization methodologies. OSeMOSYS is also an uncomplicated, transparent, and powerful apparatus used to provide information. According to Weirich, the tool provides data on the advancement of local, national, and multi-regional energy plans (14). Other factors that informed the use of the tool include its flexibility and ease of use. In terms of user-friendliness, OSeMOSYS presents concepts in a transparent and intuitive manner. Food Issue to be Resolved The primary aim of the team of researchers from the Division of Energy Systems Analysis of the Royal Institute of Technology Stockholm (KTH) was to resolve the issue of food insecurity in the US. The country boasts of the largest economy in the world (Weirich 25). However, hunger affects citizens of all ages in different parts of the states. A study by the United States Department of Agriculture revealed that 14.3 percent of households suffered from low food security in 2013. The situation was similar in the previous year where the prevalence stood at 14.5 percent. Modeling of the Chosen Tool Weirich modeled OSeMOSYS by linking it with Climate, Land, Energy, and Water (CLEW) nexus tool. The process was done to develop a basic illustration of the nexus networks. The Methodology The methodology used by the scholars in their study entailed creating two distinct modules on land use. In addition, materials were developed and merged with energy modules, which had been formulated earlier (Barrett 823). Parameters The parameters used included:  1. The rate of food consumption in the US.  2. The average size of households in the country (Weirich 26).  3. The size of agricultural land.  4. The number of crops grown (which was 13). Results and Findings From the research, the scholars and stakeholders came up with various results and findings. During the data collection process, most information was provided with ease
Introduction Under Milk Wood is a play for voices play which was written by Dylan Thomas. Thomas used poetic techniques while writing the play. The play is narrated by two voices, the voice of the blind Captain Cat as they all inform the audience of the dreams and lives of people from a small town as viewed by the narrators. The narrations are in a poetic form, as the audiences are informed by the villagers’ thoughts and dreams. At several points, the narration stops and the villagers enact their own behavior in a character that is similar to the narrations. Poetic Techniques The frequently used poetic techniques found in the play are alliteration, assonance, onomatopoeia, similes, compound adjectives and personification. An example of alliteration in Under Milk Wood is found in the phrase, “clip-clop” and an example of a use of assonance is “cows low”. Thomas frequently uses onomatopoeia within the play, moos, buzzes, boozed are just but a few examples. There are several similes that Thomas has used, “ dusty and echoing as a dining hall in the vault ”, “ she swallows a digestive tablet as big as a horse pill ” and “ clocks shaped like Noah’s whiling Ark” are a few examples (Thomas, 1954). Thomas makes use of compound adjectives examples being, bible-black, dab-filled sea, sea-dark street, high-backed hygienic chair and beady-eyed. There is the use of personification in the play, “ the lulled and dump founded town ”, “ the night moving in the trees ”, and “ the sunny slow lulling afternoon yawns ” are good examples. Characters One of the characters the narrator talks about is Mrs. Ogmore-Pritchard who has twice been widowed, first by the late Mr. Ogmore, a retired linoleum salesman and secondly by the late Mr. Pritchard, a failed bookmaker. Thomas depicts Mrs. Ogmore-Pritchard’s character as lonely, miserable and confused as she continuously continues to make conversation with her dead husbands. Mrs. Ogmore-Pritchard owns a guest house that she keeps spotlessly clean (Thomas, 1954). She is always having dreams of her late husbands as she soliloquies and imagines a conversation with them. At the beginning of the plays, the imagined conversation with her late husband is one of them repeating in an orderly manner as daily tasks. This conversation is again repeated at night before she sleeps. She is thus portrayed as an over-orderly woman as she has set instructions for each one of them. This character is portrayed throughout the play. She eats starch-less bread and sips lemon-rind tea and again when she denies accommodation to the bird-studying gentleman. The first again informs the audience on how Mrs. Ogmore-Pritchard belches in a small hanky and that she tries to “chase the sunlight with a flywhisk”. Conclusion Her blinds as the narrator inform us are germ-free. This analysis depicts a character that is obsessed with order and has a disturbed mind. She talks to her already dead husband and because of her obsession with order and cleanliness, even refuses to accommodate a potential tenant, y
Introduction Violence and sex on television can manipulate human behavior, earlier research has shown that television watching is the principal influencing aspect in developing value systems and conduct in the young and coming up generation (Roberts and Foehr, 24). Sorry to say, that much of television programming is full of violence and sexual scenes. Whether or not this is good depends on an individual and it’s a matter subject to intense debate. Research has been done on this field most of the researchers argue that television viewing can have positive or negative effects on an individual specifically the young generation. Reported negative effects from literature show that, prolonged watching of television violence by offspring leads to greater fierceness. From time to time, watching one violent program can boost hostility. Violence is an act involving physical force intended to harm, hurt or kill. Violent behavior is termed as deliberate and intentional physically brutal actions in opposition to another human being. Examples include beating, kicking, pushing, grabbing, throwing objects, using a weapon, threatening to use a weapon as well as forcing sex (Barratt et al., 341). Murder, robbery, assault, and rape are examples of violent crimes. Children who constantly watch movies, in which violence is practical, often frequent or left scot-free, are more likely to mimic this (Johnson et al., 2468). The effect of TV violence may be instantly manifested in a child’s conduct or may appear later years. On the other hand, this violence on television is not the only cause for hostility or violent behavior, but it is a major contributor. Research indicated that on average youngsters watch more than four hours of television daily (Roberts, Foehr, & Rideout, 56). The television programmes contain weighty doses of sexual content, ranging from touching, kissing, jokes, and allusion to conversations concerning sexual actions and impression of intercourse. Sex is repeatedly presented as an irregular event without dangers or penalties especially among the youth (Collins et al., 280). The generally accepted view holds that the lessons learned by young viewers from television encourage sexual activity in this bracket (Weinstock, Berman, & Cates, 2004). To add onto this, research also shows that the, the rate of unintended adolescent pregnancy in the U.S. is considered to be on the rise of all developed countries regardless of current drop (Alan Guttmacher Institute, 2004; Singh & Darroch), since one-third (34%) of young women turn out to be pregnant turning twenty (National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, 24). However, some researchers have reported positive impact on human behavior, for instance viewing movies with sexual content actually hastens the commencement of sexual activity amo
Decision Making Process for Metabical Metabical is a prescription drug for controlling weight loss for overweight individuals, and a product of Cambridge Sciences Pharmaceuticals (CSP). CSP is a healthcare researcher that focuses on developing, manufacturing, and selling drugs that treat health disorders. Its drugs cure health disorders, which include immune deficiencies, metabolic, acute, and chronic disorders. Researchers found the drug to be effective for overweight persons bearing body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 30. It combined calosera, an appetite supplement compound with meditonan, fat blocking, and calorie absorbing agent. The combination enhanced weight loss for overweight individuals. In addition, the drug had optimal effects when used in low dosages, which have minimal negative effects on the liver as opposed to other drugs. Additionally, researchers also introduced a different perspective of the drug, which allowed the users to use only a single pill daily. Just like other prescription drugs, metabical has negative side effects that patients felt after the consumption of high-level calories and fats. The drug was clinically tested and the results showed that the drug was effective with majority test participants achieving their goals for weight loss by twelve weeks. Tests revealed that persons with BMI of 25 to 30 lost at least twenty-six pounds after taking Metabical. Metabical was also effective in the modification of behavior and healthy eating habits. Test participants on Metabical dosage had a mean of less than 10 per cent of weight shedding in a period of three years. However, researchers found the drug to be less effective to individuals with BMI of above 30 since they lost low weight, and thus not recommended for that group. After the approval of its use in over the counter, CSP embarked on pricing models in order to come up with the favorable price for Metabical. However, it estimated to have a retail price of approximately $3 to $5 per pill. In the United States, the majority in the population have overweight problems, which compelled the medical insurance plans not to cover the health rated problems to overweight risks. Hence, patients bought the drugs without the involvement of reimbursements from the medical insurance cover plans. There were expectations that few prescriptions would cover the cost of Metabical, but Printup thought of launching a campaign to persuade health care insurance plans to include the cost of Metabical in the drug plans from review of the first six months performance of sales. CSP planned to launch Metabical in January 2009 after successive approval by the Federal Drug Authority (FDA) of the United States. FDA approved Metabical as the first drug for overweight individuals. The researchers gave time
Hernán Cortés was a Spanish conquistador who brought territories of the Aztec Empire under the rule of Spain in the early sixteenth century. A talented strategist and warrior, Cortés managed to demonstrate outstanding military shrewdness and excellence in tactics that can explain the success of the Spanish colonization of Mexico. Among other reasons for Cortés’ campaign’s advancement was the technical superiority of Spaniards who were armed with guns and swords that could not be comparable to the Aztec army’s weaponry. However, although these aspects of Spanish victory are quite significant, researchers indicate that other factors could contribute to the fall of the Aztec Empire and further colonization of Mexico. Among them are diseases that Europeans have brought to the continent, including smallpox, that “undermined Indian resistance by killing most Indians and their leaders” (Diamond, 1999, p. 220). Moreover, the naivete of the indigenous populations who were taken Spanish army for a god and objective military made it possible for Cortés to attract native allies and make the conquest complete.
Introduction Established in 1969, Gap Inc. turned out to be a renowned clothing company before the changing market landscape started undermining its performance during the onset of the 21st century. Leadership changes that sought to enhance this organization’s performance saw Art Peck assume office as the new CEO in 2015 after being promoted from the position of President of Growth, Innovation, and Digital operations. Peck implemented a digital strategy that used big data analytics to revive the declining sales of clothing products offered by Gap Inc. According to my thoughts regarding this case, Peck’s approach to eliminating the position of creative directors in the company’s fashion brands and replacing them with data analytics to influence product innovation marked a turning point for this company. Specifically, the use of Amazon to boost the expansion of Gap’s distribution network led to increased sales at the global level. My Thoughts One major issue I note from this case is that Gap initially failed to keep up with the observed changing customers’ behaviors in the clothing market. I attribute the dropping sales volumes experienced by Gap. since the early 2000s to this company’s inability to take into account the dynamics of clients’ behaviors in the apparel market. According to the case given, Gap failed to put in place an appropriate product assortment mechanism in line with customers’ changing needs and expectations in the fashion sector (Israeli and Avery 5). As a result, competitors such as Zara and H&M could easily gain a considerable share of the apparel market in the United States by offering fast fashion items at low prices compared to the case of Gap. Another notable element revolves around Gap’s lack of recent innovations that can suit the needs of clients seeking basic and fashion-forward clothing products (Israeli and Avery 3). In my view, the application of traditional methods of predicting customers’ future tastes and behaviors was ineffective for Gap. As a result, clients shifted to rival companies that provided trendy apparel for both basic and fashion-forward items. Gap’s use of conventional market research approaches was ill-informed. Such methods could not allow this company to predict its clients’ future behaviors and deploy factors that could influence their tastes and fashion preferences. The need for customer engagement emerges as a notable factor for Peck and the management team at Gap. This company can incorporate this element into its product innovation aspect. In my opinion, customer engagement can allow Gap to understand its clients’ changing tastes, which are influenced by the ae