ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Introduction Farming is one of the backbones of the US economy given the fact the country is the leading exporter of various agricultural products. This aspect was captured clearly in Whiteman’s poetry, as he noted, “ through the ample open door of the peaceful country barn, a sun-lit pasture field, with cattle and horses feeding; and haze, and vista, and the far horizon, fading away” (Whitman 78). In this article, it is argued that the use of genetically modified organisms in farming should be supported since it helps in boosting productivity because of the soaring population. A census conducted in the ministry of agriculture in 2007 revealed that at least two-billion farms were under agricultural production. The central region of the state boosts of farming, especially the Great Plains, where rearing of various breeds of animals and several plant types take place. Farmers in the country concentrate on the production of corns, turkeys, tomatoes, potatoes, and sunflower. GMO Debate Overgrazing and mono cropping was the major issue in the agricultural sector leading to soil erosion and environmental degradation. The issue of land use raised a heated debated and the ideas of Leopold claiming, “ Central insight was that everything is connected ” are valid since the agricultural sector was highly depended by the majority in the country (Leopold 265). Colonialists had the capacity to produce more products since they utilized the oxen effectively, but it had an effect on the fertility of soil since deeper plough cuts allowed more contact between soil components and oxygen, causing nutrient depletion. Overgrazing never allowed soil to absorb adequate oxygen in order to sustain life. In the mid 19 th century, the country adopted scientific methods of farming leading to improved economic growth. The state had to formulate various laws to ensure sanity in agriculture, with the Morrill Act and the Hatch Act playing a critical role. Baker noted in his writing that, “ cities swelled, people talked frequently of the eastern megalopolis in the typically overheated prose of Time Magazine from 1966, a coruscating corridor of light, an unbroken, 450-mile-long conglomeration of humanity stretching from Boston to Washington ” (Baker 377). This means people were interested in exploring new opportunities in farming in the states believed to support agriculture. Therefore, the government had to move in to regulate the activities of farmers to ensure land use was in accordance with the law. The two bills facilitated the development of agricultural institutions of higher learning to enhance innovation. Currently, many farmers prefer genetically modified organisms due to their ability to grow rapidly. However, a debate is ongoing on the viability of GMO products and the major concern is their impact on people’s health. This paper addresses the
Introduction Customers react differently to various products and services within the market. This is influenced by their cultural backgrounds and their understanding of how a particular product works. It is important for firms to understand consumer behaviour and how it affects their consumption trends regarding a particular service or product. The service sector has become more complex and competitive and this has made the focus more directed toward meeting the needs of consumers. Firms have realised the importance of ensuring that the services they offer provide value to their customers. It is important for business enterprises to understand ways in which they can influence the behaviour and attitudes of their consumers toward their services in a positive manner. Customers and their behaviours have a huge role to play during service interactions. Customer Behaviour and Perceptions Lovelock, Patterson and Wirtz (2010, p. 44) argue that the user experience of a service has an effect on the behaviour of that customer within the market place where the service is provided. Several things have brought about changes within the service industry; for example, the relationships the employees of a firm have with the customers when they are providing the service, has a big impact on consumer behaviour. The initial impression created by an employee on a consumer when providing the service can influence negatively or positively, the customer’s perceptions. The way the service is delivered to the customer influences his or her perceptions regarding that particular product. A firm should ensure that the point where its service is offered is convenient for its customers and makes it easy for them to use it. The systems that are used for operating the service and delivering it to the customers should be efficient. These systems need to be suitable for the functions that they have been designed for to ensure that the customer’s experience of the service is pleasant. The systems should offer customers knowledge on how best to use the services that are being provided for their maximum satisfaction (Lovelock, Patterson & Wirtz 2010, pp. 59-64). They should also be well equipped to deal with gaps in knowledge that exist within the clientele. Services that require technical know-how should be simplified to make it easy for the customers to access them. Firms should provide additional technical support to their customers on how they can use such services. The interaction between a company and its customers is vital in helping to sustain positive and strong relationships. Bowden (2009, pp. 65-69) argues that customer service employees within a firm should be able to understand the way customers make decisions within that given market. Customers need to be given adequate information regarding how a service works and the needs it is likely to satisfy. They should also be made to understand how that particular service is better than the alternatives, which are of
There are various concepts that focus on family therapy. The success of any therapeutic regimen depends on the input of the therapist. Narrative therapy is a therapeutic approach that employs narratives as part of its healing mechanism. In ‘solution focused therapy’ (SFT), the patient’s goal forms the basis of the therapeutic approach. SFT (also known as Solution-Focused Brief Therapy) is “an approach to psychotherapy based on solution building rather than problem-solving” (Walter & Peller, 2013). Both narrative therapy and SFT are approaches that apply to different therapeutic disorders. However, while narrative therapy is a long-drawn process, SFT is a short healing process. There are both similarities and differences between narrative therapy and SFT. This paper compares and contrasts SFT and narrative therapy with a focus on the role of the therapist in both therapeutic approaches. The SFT approach focuses on a patient’s future goals as opposed to focusing on current and past problems. SFT normally lasts for approximately three sessions and therapists usually use it a preamble for other therapeutic methods. SFT is primarily a family-focused therapeutic approach and it traces its origins to a family therapy center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The researchers behind SFT prefer it for its effectiveness in employing a client’s solution in the treatment regimen. Narrative therapy seeks to compel patients to get in touch with their life experiences and decipher positive aspects from this process. The main goal of narrative therapy is to “center people as the experts in their own lives” (Santos, Gonçalves & Matos, 2011). Moreover, the research on narrative therapy assumes that
In the article Economic Development With Unlimited Supplies of Labour , Arthur Lewis introduced the concept of ‘unlimited supplies of labor.’ According to Kirkpatrick and Barrientos, Lewis developed an economic theory that uses unlimited supplies of labor to determine the rate of economic growth (681). The new concept acknowledged the presence of growth potentials in the capitalist sector and low wages in the subsistence sector because of an excessive supply of labor. In Lewis’ assumptions, an infinite supply would be achieved by creating a transition from the subsistence to the capitalist sector. According to Ranis, capitalist sectors use reproducible capitals to generate profits (13). The growth of capitalist sectors is influenced by low wages and high marginal productivity. However, the researcher argued that in case of a drop in labor supply, the deficit could be addressed by transferring workers from the subsistence to the capitalist sector. According to Hosseini, Lewis argued that the flow of labor was expected to stabilize wages in the capitalist sector (134). Additionally, the researcher observed that the developing and underdeveloped countries had a surplus supply of labor because they had subsistence economies. Such countries created excellent opportunities for job cycles from the non-capitalist to industrial regions. In addition, the movement of workers to the productive sectors prevents wages from rising. According to Cypher and Dietz, industrialization processes are influenced by labor and capital (272). Lewis’ concept of infinite supply of labor provides one of the essential requirements for industrialization. When workers move to the industrialized sectors, the wages remain unchanged because of an imbalance in supply and demand. However, more workers increase productivity in the capitalist sectors without increasing wage expenditure. Industrialization is achieved when the supply of workers from the non-capitalist sectors surpasses demand at a constant wage rate. Investors in the industrial sector start creating bigger profit margins because of constant wage rate created by unemployment in the subsistence sector. In fact, the extras collected from constant wage rate are captured as profits. After an extended period of constant wage and labor transfer, the profits made by capitalist investors translate to similar growth of profits in national revenue. Governments and multinational investors can use the revenue for profitable and reproducible investments. In developing and underdeveloped countries, unemployment is very high. However, the concept predicts industrial growth if capitalist sectors can initiate investment activities while relying on surplus labor and constant wage rate. According to Stock, Africa has not
Man is considered the dominant specie among all animals. The domination of man is evidenced from activities that affect the environment and other animals. Consequently, these activities trigger environmental degradation and pollution. In addition, there is evidence relating poor environmental care to the increased emergence of diseases that affect man. However, the analysis on the different cycles of life associates human beings with the environmental hazards. The link between environmental degradation and human beings explains the consequences of the same in relation to the emergence of modern-age diseases. The following discussion emphasizes on the role of man in environmental degradation and modern-age diseases. First, farming practices such as clearing land and chemical use have a negative effect on the environment (Lappe 854). Land use systems and relevant changes of the same have been associated with environmental pollution for many years (Lappe 855). The use of land for agricultural and industrial reasons has led to deforestation, pollution and emission of dangerous gases and chemicals into the environment. An emerging concern is pollution of the air, water, and the environment as causative agents and triggers for modern-age diseases (Lappe 858). Emissions from food, transportation systems and carbon-dioxide into the atmosphere are the highest contributor to the greenhouse effect (Lappe 859). A significant amount of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) gases are emitted into the atmosphere from households, industries and factories (Lappe 859). CFCs and greenhouse gases contribute to the continued destruction of the ozone layer, therefore, leading to the penetration of radiation rays into the earth surface. The element of ignorance by man in engaging in activities that contribute to the increased amount of the CFCs and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere has become a norm in the 21 st century (Lappe 859). Interventions to limit these activities have not had a significant effect on environmental conservation. In fact, people are yet to adopt alternative sources of energy. In modern times, cancer is considered a major cause of deaths in many countries. In the contemporary world, many of the cancer patients do not have a history of the same in the family lineage (Tarter 823). Apparently, this explains why cancer is considered a modern-age ailment. Research on the causative agents has associated the environment as a major trigger for cancer, and not just genetics (Tarter 825). Exposure of man to chemicals derived from the environmental pollution is
Iceland Financial Crisis 2008-2010 The term financial crisis is used to describe scenarios in which financial institutions or given assets losing value. Across history, there have been many financial crises resulting from unwarranted panic in the banking sector. Away from unwarranted panic in the banking sector, the financial crisis in a country may happen due to the collapse of the stock market. Thirdly, challenges resulting from foreign exchange related upheavals destabilize countries financial status. Finally, countries find themselves in a financial crisis due to international loans and related interest. Concisely, whenever there is a financial crisis, there is a resultant decline in wealth. However, it has to be noted that not all financial declines usually result in an economic or financial crunch. A financial crunch only happens when financial declines are accompanied by a recession. This essay will focus on the causes and the impact of the 2008-2010 financial crises on Iceland. Iceland is one of the countries that were worst hit by the financial crunch of 2008/10. The financial crisis has resulted in the crushing of three key commercial banks in Iceland; after failing to reimburse their debts. Also, the country’s currency has continued to lose value when compared to other currencies leading to the suspension of the foreign exchange market for some time. The capital market is also on the decline after it recorded an incredible 90 percent drop. On a macroeconomic level, the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) dropped by 5.5 percent. The severity and magnitude of this financial crisis as experienced in Iceland are the worst to have been experienced in any country in the world’s economic history. Many explanations have been offered to explain why Iceland was affected drastically. One of the main explanations is mispricing in the credit default swaps, in the global financial market (Johnson & Kwak, 2010, p.46). Economists blame mortgage defaulting for the current economic situation. The value of credit evasion swaps that have been estimated at more than $55 trillion according to the report generated
Introduction In recent decades, transnational activism has become a highly noticeable component of international relations in many facets of global governance (Hadden 2014). Unlike in the past where scholars of international relations viewed the state-system as the fundamental focus of scholarly and practical attention, contemporary researchers are increasingly focussing on transnational activism as a major hub of influence on global political affairs and other issues that have a direct impact on populations (Wapner 2002). Today, it is evident that transnational activism has gained prominence in explaining important elements of global politics and also in responding to prevailing social, environmental, cultural and political challenges at the transnational level (Reitan & Gibson 2012). The purpose of the present paper is to discuss how transnational activism has altered the principles and practices of international relations about environmental issues. Scope of the Paper From the onset, it is important to note that this paper will focus on how transnational activism continues to influence environmental issues in North America. Although the United States will be the main focus, other North American countries such as Canada and Mexico will also be considered for comparison purposes. Additionally, the main environmental issues that will be used are global warming and climate change. Understanding Environmental Transnational Activism Transnational activism has been defined in the literature as “the mobilization around collective claims that are: a) related to transnational/global issues, b) formulated by actors located in more than one country, and C) addressing more than one national government and/or international governmental organization or another international actor” (Della Porta & Marchetti 2011, p. 428). The concept is exemplified by transnational activist groups that coalesce together to establish coalitions across state boundaries with the view to addressing a set of aims and objectives (Eilstrup-Sangiovanni & Bondaroff 2014). Transnational environmental activism can be understood in the context of global coalitions and interest groups that come together to “share a sense of concern about the degradation of air, land, water, and diversity of species across the earth, and the intersection between human beings and their natural environment” (Wapner 2002, pp. 39-40). In North America, transnational environmental activism is largely driven by groups such as the Sierra Club, Canadian Environmental Network, and People’s Front in Defence of Earth and Water (Healy, VanNijnatten, & Lopez-Vallejo 2014). Although these groups are national in terms of organization and structure, they nevertheless engage in transnational environmental issues against the backdrop of intense political engagement an
Introduction Life is a mode of existence and it reflects the experiences of living that characterize human beings whether they are good or bad. It is confounding to describe what a good life is, since it applies to both material life and moral life. For instance, having immense wealth and ability to enjoy every form of pleasure that ever existed on earth can mean that one is living a good life. On the other hand, living in accordance with the social, religious, and personal morals and ethics means that one is also living a good life. The latter description of good life applies across the board since everybody has the ability to achieve it for everyone has the capacity to think and act morally. This essay explores what a good life is and describes plan of achieving it in terms of integrity, honesty, responsibility, and state obligation. A Good life Living a good life morally means living in accordance with the ethics and morals of the society. A person living a good life expresses virtues such integrity, honesty, responsibility, and obligation to the rules of the state. Although human beings pursue material and intellectual gains as they struggle towards self-actualization, these gains cannot earn them the virtue of being good, but they will rather pass for hardworking individuals. The rich people have wealth because of their hardworking character and they can access good things of life that bring happiness and pleasure, and live a good life materially; nevertheless, this does not make them good. A poor person can live a miserable life of poverty but with good moral life, while on the contrary, a rich person can live a good life of pleasure and happiness, but with bad moral life. Therefore, when “good” describes virtues, pleasure and happiness due to money cannot make life good. Moral virtues Morals and ethics that individuals observe to express virtues in life cause them to lead a good life. Integrity and honesty are two virtues that enhance people’s lives and they are inseparable because one cannot have integrity without being honesty or vice versa. Educationally, integrity is a skill that demands learning and continued practice in order to internalize the virtue. The development of integrity is a life-long process that needs patience and endurance since it is a skill. If likened to a building, honesty and truth are two central pillars that support integrity as a virtue throughout the life of an individual. To develop this virtue of integrity in life, one must always adhere to its two pillars, because integrity is not a discrete achievement but a continuous achievement that needs constant efforts to maintain it. Responsibility is a powerful virtue which if exercised w
Introduction Based in old Trafford, Manchester United is one of the leading and well renowned football clubs not only in the UK but also in the world. The club was initiated in 1878. It then had the name Newton Health before changing to its current brand name – Manchester United in 1902. It was one of the founding members of the premier league back in 1992. Since 1938, Manchester United has always played the top division in English soccer apart from seasons of 1974 and 1975. The club has also recorded outstanding average attendance compared to all other English football clubs. Compared to any other organisation, soccer clubs are unique since they are subjected to various market forces and dynamics that act as threats to their performance and hence success. Success may be measured from different paradigms depending on the industry in which an organisation is established. For football clubs, success may be measured from the number of wins of the club in the tournaments. Apparently, such success is also correlated to financial success. The success of Manchester United is owed to the exemplary management of Alex Ferguson. Given the competitive nature of the football club business, Manchester United stands out as an ample example of analysing the success of organisations. Manchester United has successfully managed
Some people think that apartments are easier to live in and more affordable. Others argue that houses are more suitable for large families. Both of these options are accessible in cities. I prefer living in an apartment, as I believe that it is cheaper compared to renting a house. Since I live alone, I do not need as much space as the house would provide. It is more appropriate for me to live in an apartment, as it offers the perfect balance between space, price, and flexibility. A person may change it if required without serious efforts. Apartments are cheaper than houses. Fees paid for such living are also smaller. The choice of an apartment would help to save money. For small families, this is the best fit in terms of money and comfort. Young couples may also rent apartments together, as they may have limited money, and an apartment becomes a great solution. Modern apartments can provide comfortable accommodations to families of 2 to 4 people, depending on the size of the apartment and the number of rooms. The price of apartments may vary from area to area, depending on the proximity of shops, schools, and other public spaces. Flexibility is a significant advantage of apartments. It is easier to change the place of living area if needed. For example, if a person needs to change his or her job and their area of interest is in a different location, choosing a different apartment closer to work may be an option. It would save time and m