ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Introduction It is a well established fact that speech parameters are regulated acoustically and are governed by the auditory feedback. Sound waves strike the tympanic membrane producing vibrations that are gathered by middle ear, then to cochlea (inner ear), and transmitted by auditory nerves to brain. This, in turn, regulates the speech related motor nerves. More recently, an alternative and complementary hypothesis has emerged and validated, suggesting that proprioception type somatosensory inputs, related to speech-related motions of jaws, tongue and lips, play a major role in speech production. This system informs the brain of the openness of jaws and curvatures, and the positional change in lips and tongue. It has been observed that hearing-impaired people exhibit better perception and capacity for intelligent speech than normal persons with full hearing capabilities. Speech related activity in absence of acoustic response and impaired auditory system had led scientists to believe that an alternate perception system continues to function in speech production in hearing-impaired individuals. Somatosensory basis of speech production was first researched by Tremblay, Shiller and Ostry, who created mechanical perturbations to the jaw using a specialized robotic system (866-869). The motion path of the jaw was so finely tuned with specific utterances of words, that it stimulated the speech-associated somatosensory system. In the absence of vocalized speech for hearing a complex mechanical load altered the jaw motion such that as if consonants and vowels in defined words were to be uttered. The somatosensory feedback immediately stimulated the jaw action in coherence with the utterance of the words, for which jaw movements were designed. In this study, speech quality was compared among the subjects, who were given mechanical and acoustic inputs simultaneously (controls), or was given only the correct harmonic voiceless mechanical input. The subjects were trained to repeatedly spell those words which had a consonant, “s”, and then a vowel, like “saw”. It was found that without audio input, just the mechanical perturbation was sufficient to allow speech in the subjects and correct words were spelled. In the present paper of Nasir and Ostry, the work was extended to the subjects who had profound post-lingual hearing loss in both ears (1217-1222). The objective was that permanent auditory defects may activate the alternate somatosensory system in these subjects and they can be trained to speak using mechanical device that controls jaw motion. Experimental procedure In the age group of 55-70 years, five persons with average hearing loss due to post-lingual deafness, of which four had cochlear implants and one had hearing aid, and six normal hearing subjects (controls) were subjected to utterance in 12 attempts of a single word in which single consonant, “s”, was followed by a vowel or a diphthong. Utterance of “s” involves closure of jaw
Reading Meno by Plato, it is possible to define virtue in several different ways. However, using the general terms, virtue is “the power of governing justly” (Plato 2). However, this is not the only definition used by Meno in Plato’s dialogues. Reading the text closely, it becomes obvious that Meno offers several definitions of virtue depending on the sex and on the belonging of a person. Therefore, using several rules of good definitions, the notion virtues is going to be defined with the further explanation of the rules used for this, Meno says that the virtue of a woman is to order the house and the virtue of a man is to govern the state. The difference is in the scale. However, each of the definitions of virtue should go along with temperance and justice (Plato). Therefore, considering the information in the article and trying to define the word virtue, the following considerations come to mind. Virtue is the power of governing justly and with temperance but depending on the age and on the sex different scope of the object of government is considered. There are many different ways of defining the notions. Trying to explain what virtue means Meno uses various approaches to definition. Before considering the types of defining the notions used in the article, it is important to consider those types. There are four rules of definition, rule of equivalence, rule of essential characteristics, rule of neutrality, and rule of clarity. The main idea of the rule of equivalence is to present the notion explanation by means of using one or two words depending on the number of words the notion consists of. This definition is always to narrow. The rule of essential characteristics points at some particular features of the notion under consideration. This definition is more specific, however, it cannot be called broad. The rule of neutrality is aimed at defining the notion using just simple words without referencing to the emotive tone. Such definitions lack terminology and therefore it is understandable for other people who may have little knowledge in the notion under discussion. The rule of clarity is considered to apply to the most general and wide definition of the notion as while explaining the meaning of the word, it is necessary to be as specific as possible and at the same time to deliver the most detailed information about the notion. Considering the definitions used by Meno in Plato’s work, it is possible to notice several types of definitions. The notion virtue in the piece of writing under discussion applies to the rule of essential characteristics and the rule of clarity. The rule of neutrality is not used as dwelling upon philosophical notions a person is unable to hide his/her emotions and the discussion remain passionate from this or that way. Additionally, the rule of equivalent is not used as well because of the same reasons. The philosophical issues should be explained, but not just defined. The notion “virtue” is considered by two people and questions one person directs another one in defining the notion. Therefore, it is possible to say that the whole dialogue is the definition of the notion using the
Arguments that Make Me Uneasy and the Reasons In my opinion, the contentions put forward by Elaine Scarry regarding the limitations of humans in imagining the suffering of others may be true to some extent. Empathy is a rare virtue among humans, especially if the subject expected to generate this emotion is remote to the concerned person, or he or she has never experienced the situation. For example, people are more sympathetic to the infliction of pain on their close relations or groups that they are affiliated to than when the pain is being meted out to people that are not related to them. However, some of Elain’s arguments make me uneasy, like tending to generalize all humans’ lack of empathy. There exist as many people with ‘generous imaginings’ in the world as there are cruel people. What Counts as Empathy and Why This is Important I think Elaine’s comparison of a storyteller’s imagination with that of an empathetic person is rather out of place. When a storyteller narrates a story, he or she uses fictional references. Although the audience may sympathize with the characters in the story, the basis of their sympathy is the illusion that the character’s situations are real. Sometimes it is difficult for the mind to distinguish between real and imagined perceptions and, thus, its response to both situations is the same. However, for a person to be sympathetic towards another real person, it is a must for them to have experienced the same or similar affliction to that affecting the other person either directly or indirectly. If this is not the case, then the person expected to develop the sympathy may lack that capacity. From my understanding, empathy comes from placing ourselves in other people’s situations. It would be difficult to do that if we have never been in such a situation either as a witness or victim. Where I would Question about the Authority or Foundation There are several arguments that Elain Scarry has made in the article, which I think she should substantiate further. For instance, she claims that people’s capacity to injure others is greater than their capacity to empathize with others. This is a subjective argument that is difficult to back since one cannot determine with certainty the capacity of humans to empathize with others or injure others. The contention that it is possible to increase people’s empathy for others by rotating nouns is also questionable as there is no evidence to that effect. If the U.S. invades Iran, for example, suspecting it of making nuclear weapons, reversing the nouns may not affect Americans’ decisions to wage such a war. It is based on legitimate reasons like securing world peace. Also, claiming that persons who have lost their sense of beauty are less compassionate cannot be established. I believe that beauty and balance are important aesthetic concepts, but it is difficult to establish a relationship between them and fairness, justice, and empathy. The Concept that Elaine Scarry Seems to Hold on to Based on my comprehension of the article, Elaine believes that it is a lack of compassion that drives people to inflict pai
Overview The global climatic outlook is an area of concern for many. Climate is perhaps one of the biggest challenges facing humanity today. Its effects are segregate. The poor and the average earners compared to high income earners feel the effects of climate change more. The impact of climatic change has exposed millions of people to poverty and hunger, especially those who rely on agriculture (Adger & Kelly 2000, p. 348). Economies of many developing countries across the world depend on agriculture. It is the mainstay for the poorest rural households as well as to the economic giants (Abramovitz 2001, p. 12). Failures in crop production, deaths in livestock as result of drought are causing enormous economic losses among farmers. In effect, this has been marked by escalation in food prices and hence deterioration in food security. At the same time, the countries with big industrial muscles have been aggravating the situation. This is seen in the way they wantonly emit greenhouse gases to the environment, which in turn affects the climate. This has raised concern in the global climate governance. Nations with little industrial muscles are feeling the effects, which does not come from their doing. At the same time, efforts to mitigate the situations points toward financial muscles. This means that capitalism, which is the ability to produce wealth lies in the solution and also the causes of the current global climatic governance. This paper assesses if capitalisms is the solution or the problem to the current global climatic governance. Capitalism and the Environment Damage Capitalism is a viewpoint of an economic system that favors or promotes private ownership of wealth creation factors. It favors individuals, corporations, competitive market, wage labor, capital accumulation, and personal finances and profits. This means that capitalism is not popular to the majority but rather to the few. The proponents drumming for capitalistic market argue that any business establishment is mandated to making profits for the organization and that such profit ought to be utilized for the good of the business organization and the nation’s economy. However, do the economy and the people benefit? Capitalism promotes individualism and selfishness. The few in the upper echelon befits whereas the mass in the public suffers. The proponents of capitalistic economy are after personal gains and have propagated the same in the issues of climatic change. Since the efforts of capitalistic economy are to create wealth, the same has been done at the ex
“Daphnis and Chloe” is probably one of the most famous pastoral romances of ancient Greece. Almost nothing is known about Longus, the author of the romance, but his name is praised by scholars nowadays for his ability to entertain and to teach at the same time. The author’s main aim was not only to describe the childhood and adventures of the young couple but to convey the first experience of love (Hunter 5-8). The author often concentrates on the nature description so that to show how this influences the life of Daphnis and Chloe who are closely connected to nature as they were brought up in the open air. The action of the romance takes place on the island of Lesbos. It is depicted as a beautiful place with thick forests, clearings sown with flowers and it serves as the setting for love in the romance. Love awakens between two teenagers who have never experienced such a strong feeling before. Daphnis and Chloe have reached the right age but they cannot understand their feelings. They don’t know that these are the first signs of love. It is their first kiss that helps them to recognize that they are in love. And Doron, a young cowherd, played a crucial role in this. Main Dorcon’s function in the romance is to contrast experience and force with innocence and naivety. Chloe has to make a choice not only between two young men but in some way between two possible lives. One of the most important episodes in Book I is a speech contest between Daphnis and Dorcon. It is when Chloe has an opportunity to compare them and to reward a winner with her precious kiss. During the contest, we find out that Daphnis and Dorcon are opposed to each other even in appearance. While Dorcon is “white as milk, ruddy as corn fit for the sickle” (Longus 35) Daphnis is “short, beardless as a woman, black as a wolf” (Longus 35). But Daphnis wins either due to the compliment he maid or to Chloe’s desire to kiss him. After this kiss, he falls in love with Chloe. Thus, Dorcon is the one who hitched the young people to love, to their first kiss which awakens strong unknown fillings. Unlike Daphnis, Dorcon is not so young and naïve so when he has feelings for Chloe he knows it is love. He presents the girl with gifts and compliments, seeks her attention but she is not experienced in love and does not understand his behavior. She is more attracted to Daphnis who is “dark, so is the hyacinth: and yet Dionysus is superior to the Satyrs, the hyacinth to the lily” (Longus 35). Dorcon is the first obstacle and the first temptation the young couple meets on their way to happiness and all his attempts to win the girl’s attention, to separate them, and even to lay hands on Chloe seem to make the young lovers even closer. Even Dorcon’s death is the force that unites the young couple’s hearts together. Thus, the central purpose of Dorcon in the romance is to unite the two young lovers at the very start of their timid feelings, though his ultimate g
Off the coast of Denmark exists a rather curious site, hundreds of turbines are apparently sticking up from the sea with their blades moving in conjunction with the blowing wind. This is not some type of mass modern art; rather, it is an experiment towards the creation of new sustainable energy sources in the form of turbines that harvest wind energy. It is quite interesting to note that humanity has harvested wind energy for thousands of years. Various architectural iterations of this can be seen in the case of the various windmills in Holland and Germany; the wind powered cooling mechanisms within homes in the Middle East as well as the rich history of ocean travel enjoyed by various sea based societies. As such, humanity is no stranger to the concept of wind power and, as such, its potential usage as an alternative form of energy from traditional fossil fuel resources has been growing in popularity (Musyafa, Negara & Robandi 2011, pp. 352-357). An average wind turbine is a marvel of architectural ingenuity since a a properly placed turbine can transform kinetic energy (in the form of its spinning blades) into mechanical energy via the turbine attached to its blades which in effect creates electrical energy through its attached electrical generator. The advantage of this particular type of method of power generation is that so long as it is properly placed within an area which is particularly windy, a wind turbine can in effect generate limitless free energy so long as its turbine and blades continue to operate unobstructed. Not only that. wind turbines are non-polluting which means that their usage is actually good for the environment and helps to limit the amount of carbon dioxide gas that is released into the atmosphere as a direct result of normal methods of power generation (i.e. through fossil fuel power plants) (Musyafa, Negara & Robandi 2011, pp. 352-357). Reference Musyafa, A, Negara, I, & Robandi, I 2011, ‘A wind turbine for low rated wind speed region in East Java’, International Journal Of Academic Research , vol. 3, no.5, pp. 352-357, Academic Search Premier, EBSCO host. Web.
Introduction The graph designing which is applied to postage stamps is referred to as postage stamp designing. On May 6, 1840, the first ever pre-paid adhesive postage stamp was issued to the public and had the portrait of Queen Victoria on it. This first postage stamp, named 1d black, was printed from eleven plates. All of these plates were distinguishable. The last of 1d black was printed in February 1841. Printing of ‘2d blue’ had started just a day after the 1d black had first been printed. I early 1841, 1d red had been introduced which was serviceable in a variety of forms until 1879. These were tiny stamps of 3/4 by 7/8 inches. Britain was followed by Brazil and so became the second nation of the world to have postage stamps. United States introduced its first postage stamps in 1847 which featured the profile of Ben Franklin and George Washington (Merry Bellis, not dated and QV Pennies, Stamp History, 2008). Main body In 1852, first pre-stamped envelopes were marketed. After nineteen years the first pre-stamped postcards also appeared which were traded for a penny only. In mid 1850s it was required that prepayment of postage be done, however, some mail in US was still sent without stamps and the addressee had to pay for it. Perforated stamps were introduced for the first time in US in 1857. Formerly, people would cut the stamp sheets apart but appearance of perforated stamps made it simpler for the people. By 1860 postage stamps had been adopted by almost all the countries of the world. In 1869, first time something other than a dead person’s portrait were showed on stamps in United States. These stamps were named pictorial stamps. In 1893, commemorative stamps were issued in US. They had scenes of Columbus’ voyage to America. (A Brief History of Postage Stamps Through the Years, not dated) As mentioned earlier, the profile of Queen Victoria was the first graphic image to appear on any stamp in 1840 and since then there have been myriads of such stamps. There are several essential things that make a stamp design purposeful, for instance, denomination of the stamp, is the most significant element. It is basically the monetary value of that stamp. It is compulsory that the country’s name be included in the stamp design as per international postal law agreements. When designing a postage stamp, it must be ensured that its design is not easy to counterfeit. It should also be easily recognizable by the clerks. It is expected by the postal customers that stamps
Introduction The world witnesses several natural disasters that clam millions and millions of human lives every year. Natural disasters such as volcanic eruption, earthquake, lightning, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes are the result of a natural hazard which generally moves from potential in to an active phase. This may result in serious damages and affects human activities. If there is no proper planning and preparedness, it may lead to serious vulnerability that can be financial, structural, and human losses. Natural disasters need proper planning to overcome. Apart from the natural disasters, there are numerous events that may possibly be classified as a technology disaster. Hardware breakdown, Virus attacks, or it can be situations such as forgetting passwords can create great problems in a company’s operations. This paper discusses in brief the methods to protect a company’s knowledge base in any event of natural disasters. Main body One of the easiest ways to overcome and protect the company’s knowledge base is by maintaining operations manual that presents an exhaustive explanation of the organization workflow and important processes. It can also include precautions or even response steps to certain failures. It can be also a database including the planned steps to keep technology assets throughout a disaster period. It can also help in case the company has to be shifted to another location, this knowledge base and database can be of great help. However, in case of sudden natural disasters such as severe flood, hurricane, or ice storm or even in cases such as volcanic eruptions or earthquakes, it might be possible that the stored data may get completely destroyed. Even if the data is stored as a soft copy, it might not be easy for the data retrieval due to power outages for a prolonged period of time. Today organizations have various branches inside and outside the countries. The technological expansion has helped most companies to go beyond the boundaries of their immediate location that may be affected by the disaster. The information that is stored in other places will help to continue the business even if their area is affected by a disaster. There are several companies that work from remote locations over a single network and this way the company’s knowledge base can be stored in different places even if the primary location is not available due to some reasons. The manpower that is lost during a disaster is one of the major lose. The intelligent work forces are also an important source of knowledge and need to be protected. There are several technological options such as supplemental power and high accessibility that can preserve service during a disaster. Hence it can be said that documenting significant system or organizational information lessens the brunt to the organization even if there is loss of employees or the major staff. In any cases if there is a sudden disaster and there is loss of any data, it becomes highly difficult for the managers to get back the knowledge of the business and also if there is an ab