ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Although the idea of searching for the meaning of life does not seem original enough, the difference between the common meaning of life and the essence of life for each and every individual is worth discussing. In her work The Meanings of Lives , Susan Wolf raises a peculiar question of whether a life has a grandeur general meaning or its purpose is individual for every single person; moreover, the author specifies that, without the latter, the former cannot exist. However, the idea that the purpose of an individual’s life is a part and parcel of a general concept can be questioned, since the meaning of an individual’s life can be incredibly versatile. According to the author, the general concept of life must have a certain purpose, otherwise people’s lives are completely meaningless and useless: “But how can individual lives have meaning if life as a whole has none?” (Wolf 3). On the one hand, there is a grain of truth in what the author is trying to convey. Indeed, if considering the purpose of living for each creature as a part of a whole, it becomes obvious that unless the latter has the meaning, its components have no sense. On the other hand, the lives of people can be viewed as separate elements, the frames within people set their own laws and set their own goals, thus, determining the meaning of their lives. Supposing, life as a generic notion has no meaning whatsoever; in this case, according to Wolf’s logical conclusions, an individual cannot find a reason to exist. However, if the given supposition were correct, people all over the world would have no reason to continue their life track and, hence, would lose interest in their own existence. Meanwhile, it is clear that, despite numerous challenges which the humankind has been facing over the past few decades, e.g. global warming, financial crises, etc., people still partake actively in the everyday life. Moreover, people are obviously capable of finding reasons for existing. For example, such phenomenon as religion emerged at the dawn of times, creating the ultimate reason for people to live. Considering the problem from another angle, one must check another aspect of relations between the general meaning of life and a personal one. In case there is general meaning of life, e.g., the fate or any other life track blazed by the Providence, God, etc., it should help people obtain their individual sense of living. However, the given postulate presupposes that there should be no desperate people at all in the entire world, which is practically impossible. Therefore, the meaning of an individual’s life does not necessarily depend on the general Meaning of Life; moreover, these are two quite different elements which at certain points can be even opposed to each other. Once finding their own reason to strive for living, people do not need to search for the general idea of Life anymore, which, on the one hand, somehow downgrades the entire philosophic idea of being, yet on the other hand, provides a good foil for the further personality development. Thus, despite Wolf
A work team consists of six members who apparently share jobs and adhere to the roster system. The case study under discussion represents the conflict caused by the leader, Kim, who changes an agreed schedule without notifying other members of the team. As a result, some members disagree with the new schedule. The changes in the roster create great problems to Palo who has already created some plans for weekend and it seems inconvenient for him to get up at 6 am on Saturday. Moreover, the conflict is supported by the fact that the roster has been altered several times, creating inconveniences to the team members. The remaining four members of the team, Chris, Pat, Sari and Tuan are angry with a leader as it is not for the first time when Kim changes the arranged planes. The case study under discussion point at some specific problems considered un class. Generally, the case study and the lectures are devoted to the teams. The problems of communication in teams and conflict management are the issues which connect the lecture material and the case under discussion. Conflict in the team is caused when group norms are broken and one person violates the principles of team norms. The nature of the conflict lies in the inability of the team leader to communicate with other members of the team and arrange the changes in such a way that all remain satisfied. The main communication problems which occur in the group are connected with a failure to distribute the roles appropriately and disrespect. Thus, it appears that all of the members believe they work in a group with democratic leadership style, while the leader works in autocratic style and does not want to listen to team members. The conflict can be managed be means of several strategies. The first strategy is being aware of the ways in which conflicts can occur. Had Kim known that conflict would have occurred due to alterations made to the roster, he would have first communicated to the team in order to curb any form of conflict arising. The team leader then should use verbal and non-verbal signs, apply to twelve conflict resolution skills and provide a platform for constructive feedback after communicating with the team members. The brainstorming technique may be used for solving a problem. Each member should have an opportunity to express personal opinion about the roster, make corrections and support the ideas of each other. Team members ought to respect each other inst
Introduction The debate whether discretionary or systematic strategies are yielding better results has been an intractable challenge for both institutional and individual investors for many years (Carver 9). Discretionary investment strategies refer to buying and selling decisions that are made at a portfolio manager’s or investment manager’s discretion (Carver 14). Therefore, discretionary investment management services are offered by professionals with Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designations and educational credentials of a high order (Carver 14). Discretionary investment strategies are on the other end of the spectrum, and they are referring to investment decisions made by a computer model or program with limited intervention by an investment or portfolio manager. Unlike discretionary investors who make all individual investment decisions, systematic investors only “design, monitor, and modify the automatic investment system” (Zaremba and Neumann 54). This paper aims to compare between discretionary and systematic investment strategies. The paper will discuss the two approaches to investing in the context of hedge fund management and currency investing. Discretionary vs. Systematic: Hedge Fund Management Whereas discretionary funds are associated with a potential for greater returns, systematic funds are considered to be a less risky option due to a lack of involvement of human emotions in the investment decisions (Graeme 2). The majority of allocators are driven by this reasoning and, therefore, they tend to avoid systematic funds. According to Dietvorst, Simmons, and Massey, as of 2014, only 31 percent of all hedge funds were systematic (qtd. in. Campbell et al. 3). Many other reasons are usually employed to explain this gap: “systematic funds are homogeneous, systematic funds are hard to understand, the investing experience in systematic has been worse than discretionary, and systematic funds are less transparent than discretionary” (Campbell et al. 3). Some allocators argue that systematic strategies are inferior to discretionary strategies because they rely on information from the past (Campbell et al. 3). These explanations seem to fall in line with general algorithm aversion or the lack of confidence in systems. A comparison of the performance of the two investment strategies is presented in Figure 1. Figure 1. Hedge fund performance: discretionary vs. systematic (Graeme 2). The figure shows that discretionary funds have achieved superior performance in recent years, with a 10.81 percent return over 2014 (Graeme 2). Systematic investment strategies, on the other hand, resulted only in a 6.59 percent return over the same year (Graeme 2). On an annualized basis, systematic funds have been outperformed by discretionary funds over the period from 2009 to 2014 with average returns of only 7.85 percent, which is 3.71 percent
Multispecialty group practice is a practice that is composed of physicians from different specialty working collaboratively in the same health care facility to provide effective and efficient comprehensive health services to the patients (Pauly, 2009). Although multispecialty group practice is currently on the increase, it is not a guarantee that it will achieve economies of scope (Pauly, 2009). Besides, recent researches have shown that the economic advantage of this practice is its ability to coordinate care in a managed care setting, though it requires large practices (Robibson, 2010). According to a qualitative research about group practices, more than 20% of health care facilities practice multispecialty group practice because of the potential for high quality and low cost through clinical coordination, economies of scale and the physicians’ culture of total responsibility (Pauly, 2009). Additionally, it is beneficial to the patients because the reception of multiple services at one place expedites referral process (Pauly, 2009). For instance, multispecialty practice may include specialists from orthopedics, cardiology, medicine, neurology and gynecology in one building to facilitate patients’ access to a well-coordinated standard care (Pauly, 2009). Multispecialty group practice achieves economies of scale through purchasing of supplies and equipment in large volumes because it is always cheap to procure goods and services in large quantity (Robibson, 2010). Secondly, economies of scale is achieved through computerized information system because information technology saves on expenditure by cutting down on the cost of stationery (Pauly, 2009). Thirdly, economies of scale is achieved through the spread of insurance risk and access to financial capital at a lower interest rate and finally, the prominent name of multispecialty group practice in the community does not only attract the people at the grass root level but also experienced physicians and administrators (Robibson, 2010). According to researches done, multispecialty group practice achieve economies of scope in the coordination of clinical care by combining the services provided by non-physicians, physicians and specialists (Pauly, 2009). Secondly, it achieves economies of scope by maintaining a balance in the health care professionals via avoiding of under capacity in physicians and overcapacity in specialists (Pauly, 2009). Finally, it achieves economies of scope by retaining the clinical accountability to their patients from their residence, through the outpatient, the inpatient and long-term care setting (Robibson, 2010). Moreover, multispecialty group practice can adapt a culture that involves physicians’ collaboration and group medicine through promotion and payment policies that promote a concern for the whole enterprise rather than one specialty (Pauly, 2009).
Evidence-based policy is the utilization of available scientific research methods in all law enforcement guidelines. Evidence-based policy is used as a guideline for policy practice as well as for evaluation of their performance. The most important aim of the policy is the evaluation of police operations. It is basically research on what works best and at the same time, an evaluation of policy implementation. The policy is important in determining whether what is being done is really working or not. It is therefore not restricted to criminology but rather can be used in the evaluation of operations in other fields such as distribution of resources by the government and allocation of employment opportunities. Business operations can as well be evaluated using research methods. One obvious but very fundamental advantage of evidence-based policy is its formation to help in reducing crime in society. It can therefore be said to improve and promote society’s safety. The policy’s disadvantage however falls on the police and other implementers because they lack the right to give their opinions on the matter at hand since the policy bases everything on research. Affected parties may feel like they are being looked down upon because their opinions are not involved. The process of evidence-based policy is costly and time-consuming. The evidence-based policy was used in 1997 by the National Centre for Community Policing in research referred to as The Flint Experiment which was aimed at reducing the crime rate and restoration of the society’s insight on safety. The evidence-based policy has also been used in Employment Retention and Advancement where effective methods were used in retaining and advancing low-income earners (Sims, 2002, p. 1). One method of forming a forecast would be determining the regular sales capacity for all nearby bookstores especially those which are similar in size to the one am projecting. Another method is determining the number of nearby institutions needing the books and how much they usually spend on them per year as well as the percentage of their spending that goes to the store in comparison to other bookstores (Elliot, 2011, p. 1). When buying a business, negotiations on the terms and conditions of the deal must be made. Certainty on payment should be discussed whether it will be cash or equivalents such as shares. The buyer may need support from the seller for training purposes or familiarity with clients. Restrictions on the seller should also be dealt with to avoid compromising the clients’ relationship. Certainty of payment is very crucial to ensure easy cash accessibility by the seller. Changes to these terms can negatively affect the cash flow of the business, especially where the seller was meant to stay for training or for clients’ familiarization. The buyer may lose customers and would take some time to get customers of his own. This would decrease sales and consequently, the cash flow would reduce. The success of a business is always unpredictable but a business plan helps one prepare for both failure and success. Even for sole proprietors, it is always a good mov
Imagine what would happen if, starting tomorrow, all motor run vehicles were banned in the United States Introduction There numerous social, cultural and economic social workable benefits of automobile as opposed to renounce its usage, but the main reason why various countries are advocating for vehicle-free environments falls upon the consequences to the surroundings. Today the motor-run vehicles pose as much threat to social lives as the advantages. How would one consider a situation where most of the urban streets lack driveways or garages for vehicles due to current renovations that ensure maximum utilization of available space? Some states have taken a step to bun driveways, home garages and street parking spaces to ease congestions. Current government policies allow car ownership, but harsh conditions such as existence of few large garages or parking lots away from the central business districts and implementation of costly parking fees are a clear indication that it is time to consider elimination of automobiles (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, p.133). Effects of Car-free Environments Even amidst the escalating fuel prices, loosing a car would not go down easily in America. It is one of the strategies for enhancing the go-green campaigns, but major social effects include the immediate loss of a sense of time and navigation. The environment is not in favour of people without cars, due to the much-needed efforts to navigate from one point to another. Lack of a vehicle can turn what was a thirty minutes shopping event to a two hour and tiresome ordeal. To most American owning an automobile is an intrinsic affair since it assists in planning events and performing majority of the personal tasks within the least time possible. According to (Fox, p.106), a car is a desire for any teenager in America, since it is a luxury and driving to school is linkable to a certain rite of passage. Mobility defines the sedentary lifestyles of most Americans than priority. Global warming is definitely a de facto among most people, but urban lifestyles and jobs seem daunting due to needs for easy movements from one point to another. The challenges of not having cars are causing a drastic change of social behaviours such as giving u
Introduction Obesity is a critical problem in the United States that contributes to poor population health and increased healthcare expenses. One of the main causes of obesity is unhealthy eating, and developing appropriate nutritional habits can help people to achieve a healthy weight and decrease the risk of obesity. The proposed lesson will seek to teach students about obesity and healthy nutrition that can assist in preventing it. Learning Outcomes  1. Students will have an improved understanding of obesity causes and consequences.  2. Students will learn about the influence of obesity on the U.S. economy and population health.  3. Students will be able to identify their unhealthy eating habits.  4. Students will have the knowledge necessary to ensure a healthier approach to nutrition. Curriculum Alignment The lesson will be a part of a teaching event, and thus is not part of any curriculum. However, it relates to important healthcare subjects, such as chronic disease management, population health, and nutrition. Classroom Time The lesson will be taught in one block, and the required time for it is 80 minutes. There will be two main topics included in the lesson, each occupying around 40 minutes of classroom time. The teacher will provide students with a 10-minute break in the middle of the session to allow for bathroom visits and rest. Materials Needed Presentation slides will be printed out with space for notes next to them. Students will need pens or pencils to make notes and highlighters to mark important details in the presentation. Technology Resources The lesson will require one computer, one projector, internet access, and PowerPoint or other presentation software installed on the computer. Pre-Activities Prior to the lesson, students will complete a questionnaire assessing their knowledge of obesity and nutrition. The questionnaire will also include questions about their current eating habits and health status. Activities The lesson will be separated into two parts, each with a separate presentation and discussion. The discussions will be structured to include key points on each topic. For the first topic, the discussion will focus on obesity prevalence, causes, and health consequenc
Introduction In wealthy nations, concentrations of poverty always exist and persist. The major reason for poverty concentration is income inequality. The causes can best be understood using three theoretical perspectives: labor market dynamics, institutional view, and socioeconomic environment view. This paper therefore explores the causes of such concentrations and localities of poverty using the three theoretical perspectives. It then provides remedies for the inequality witnessed and gives an analysis of why the causes and remedies to income inequality in rich nations may differ from those of poor economies. Poverty definition Poverty is a deprivation of basic needs and well being in people. In simple terms, poverty is best understood as the lack of money or commodities in general and the inability to access opportunities to functions within a society [Handbook: pp1]. The use of income paradigm helps to monetize the concept of poverty. Even though the average income of people living in developed countries is above the poverty line, the nations still experience concentrations of poverty especially when it comes to income inequality. The gap between high income earners and low income earners is widening despite the fact that there a reduced gap between the rich and the poor. Reasons for concentrations of poverty There are three main perspectives that help understand the causes of income inequality in developed countries. The three include socioeconomic environment view, institutional view, and labor market dynamics. Labor dynamics Two approaches can be used to explain how labor dynamics increases concentrations of poverty in developed economies. The first one is skill-biased technical change. According to this approach, there is creation of a technological shift that favors a portion of the labor market and leaving the other portion trying to cope with the situation. For instance, advances in technology will favor highly skilled workforce over the low skilled workforce. Essentially, demand for high skill labor has been on the rise within developed countries thereby creating biasness in the labor market. As the demand for high skilled labor increases, the wages also increases leading to a wage inequality in the labor market. This may be illustrated using a supply-demand model. When new technologies are introduced, supply of skilled labor expands at a slower rate than demand does. There is competition between innovation and education. As for low-skilled labor, both supply of and demand for it decreases over time, resulting in no upward pressure on wages. At the same time, skill-biased technical