ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
The author envisages a future where major biological processes in the human body will be replaced by non-biological processes in the form of continuous adoption of nanotechnology and other forms of cutting-edge technology. Indeed, this particular author seems to suggest that our overreliance on technology will lead us into a future where all our endeavors will be intricately linked to technology. For instance, the author argues that recent developments in the field of nanotechnology are bound to come with ‘nanobots’ that will be used to reduce our dependency on normal human blood, as well as our overreliance on vital organs such as the digestive system(Kurzweil 302). It can be suggested that the author’s viewpoints are positive in as far as the stated changes in the human body are bound to create a superhuman being, who will be free from all the problems and health conditions facing mankind. Consequently, the future will be exciting in terms of the capacity by nanotechnology-dependent humans to circumvent life-threatening maladies and be able to perform outstandingly in terms of cognitive thought processes and intelligence. However, the future is still uncertain as such technology may generate a scenario where humans will be acting like machines, hence denying them of any human feelings and reasoning (Kurzweil 309). If this is allowed to continue, human beings of 2062 will not only have the capacity to alter their physical manifestations to become other people but also select different bodies at the same time for different people. The quote selected suggests that “…one of the biggest flaws in the common conception of the future is that the future is something that happens to us, not something we create” (Kurzweil 299). This quote is relevant, in my view, as it assists readers to acknowledge how the author has used language to create the future and to make them experience the future as created. This statement is compelling as it occasions a paradigm shift in how we evaluate the future – from something that we cannot control something we can create. However, it can be suggested that the statement lacks in accuracy, in large part because some major events that happen into the future are not created by humans. I am indeed skeptical that human beings, with their nanotechnology capabilities, can create a devastating earthquake that will occur in 2020. The author’s argument and persuasiveness of writing can only be termed as high-level, particularly due to the use of other people’s works and recent research findings in the broad topic of nanotechnology to support his arguments. However, I am not convinced about the possibility of humans ac
Introduction In today’s business world, many developments have taken place. Business operations processes have been improved significantly, for instance, many organizations have embraced the use of internet in various business activities. These include online ordering processes, internet advertisement among others. Since technological development plays a major role in breaking geographical barriers, it was expected that technological evolution will reduce clustering of organizations. However, this is not the case. The incentives for clustering have remained intact even after perpetual improvements in business operations i.e. various companies still realize the need for clustering. Reasons why companies still trend to locate themselves near their competitors (and often their outsourcers) In many cases, various companies tend to locate near their competitors and their outsourcers. Despite of the technological advancement, they still find it useful to locate near their competitors. This is known as clustering. Clusters are concentrations of numerous companies which are interconnected in on one way or another. In most cases, companies forming a cluster produce and supplies products or services to a specific industry. There are many reasons why these companies tend to cluster together. Economies of scale By locating near to each other, companies in the same industry can enjoy the benefits of group buying within the area. According to Freixas and Rochet (1997), economies can significantly reduce operational costs through fixed costs and increased returns in transaction technology (20). For instance, when many firms are clustered together, they may form coalition to deposit or withdraw together hence decreasing their operational costs. Availability of raw material Another reason why companies locate together is the availability of raw materials. In most cases, many companies especially resource oriented companies tend to locate near their resources of raw materials. This is aimed at reducing the transportation costs. This is more important in case where raw materials are bulkier than the final products. Firms will also tend to cluster around their outs
Project Rationale and Summary This project is aimed at developing a decision support system (DSS) for a newly-opened retail chain that sells such consumer electronics goods as audio equipment, digital cameras, telephones, and so forth. It operates in the area where I am living. This DSS has to facilitate procurement of goods in this organization. While making decisions about procurement, the management has to consider the following issues:  1. the quantity of goods that has to be purchased from suppliers;  2. the frequencies of such purchases; and  3. the storage of goods. Those people, who are responsible for this task, take into account the following types of data:  1. the current supply of stocks;  2. the level of demand for a product; and  3. historical sales. In this case, the decision-making process consists of such parts as  1. collection of data regarding sales and stocks;  2. analysis of this information;  3. prioritization of procurement tasks, and  4. action. This retail chain has to resolve two types of problems. On they have to reduce stock-out time. Very often their customers want to buy a certain product, yet; it is not available. This problem is familiar to many retailers and it can lead to considerable revenue losses (Blauwens, De Baere, & Van de Voorde 2008, p. 217). The second type of problem that they have to address is oversupply of some products. Overall, failure to forecast the demand is one of the reasons why they have to cope with these difficulties. In turn, the main objective of the DSS is to optimize the supply chain and minimize the likelihood of stock-outs and oversupply. This application will enable them to keep low level of inventory. It will also help this organization reduce their procurement costs. One can identify several stakeholders participating in the decision-making process, namely; supply chain managers, who guide and monitor procurement, and sales staff who provide information about demand for a product. These people will be the ultimate users of this DSS. The Organization This retail chain was opened approximately a year ago. It grew out of a small shop that retails consumer electronics. To some extent, the rapid growth of this organization can be explained by their efficient service, diversity of products, reasonable prices, and after-sales services. However, now when its structure has expanded, they face several difficulties related to procurement. Previously, this company could be regarded as the economy of scope which means that their strategy was based on product diversification (Nooteboom 2009, p. 126). At the moment, they are gradually tra
At the beginning of every new semester, many higher level educational institutions expect the arrival of new students joining the freshman year or a graduate program in the various fields offered. As a result, the demand for houses at this time is more often at the peak both on campus and off campus. Most universities for example, offer accommodation arrangements for their new students each year but the choice whether to accept or not is left for the students themselves to decide. Due to the obvious fact that new students may not be familiar with the area from which they study, it is important that these institutions provide ample information about both types of accommodation available. This paper shall therefore set out to explore the various locations around the University of Minnesota twin city (UMTC) all the while evaluating the core factors that should be considered by all students before they select and get into lease contracts for various residential properties. U of MN Off campus housing overview Many new students who enroll at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities (UMTC) start to look for a great place to reside as they prepare to start off the new life at their new school. Considering their financial status and lifestyle preferences, the decision of where to stay depends on the location, availability of social amenities, rental prices and distance to and from the University. According to statistics posted on collegeboard.com, the average number of new students enrolled at UMTC is 80,000 students. From this figure, a total of 83% live in the different accommodations offered within the campus while the rest look for housing off-campus. However, only 22% of all undergraduate students manage to get accommodations within the university while the remaining 78% secure residential houses off- campus [1] . UMTC guarantees differentiated housing options to all admitted freshmen. These options include: coed housing, apartments for married and single students, fraternity or sorority houses, special accommodation for the disabled and international students and wellness housing within which drug use is prohibited. However, there are a limited number of on-campus housing options for transfer students as priority is given to students originating from the state. In addition to this, the number of students enrolled and the existing ones far exceeds the accommodation houses offered by the University and as a result, most transfer students who are not from the Twin Cities are forced by these circumstances to look for off-campus housing and if asked, they bear testimony of how difficult it is to find a suitable and co
For the younger generation, phones provide several relevant opportunities for them. First, it is social network, the essence of which is to communicate with other people and peers, as well as to show the details of their lives (Brooks & Lasser, 2018). With the help of photos, videos and music playlists teenagers not only show off or compete in the quality of life, but also to get acquainted. Secondly, it’s taking pictures of different moments and objects that are important to the individual (Brooks & Lasser, 2018). This includes everything from homework and necessary notes to nature, animals and selfies with friends. In this way, memories and values are formed, as not everything is for social media. Third, listening to music, which is a necessity for teenagers (Brooks & Lasser, 2018). Music as an area of art makes individual feel positive emotions, to relax or distract from problems. In addition, music is an effective method of getting to know each other through, for example, shared tastes or recommendations. However, the older generation has a different attitude towards telephones. These gadgets are not as much in demand for the following reasons: The first reason not to innovate is a fear of everything new. Adults have been modeling their world for years (Brooks & Lasser, 2018). When something new is introduced, there is a stupor. This is due to the fact that the human brain processes new information more slowly over time, and develops new skills. The second reason is the fear of screwing something up. Because machines that were around in the past were often faulty, people who have grown up with imperfect technology now will not trust this kind of technology (Brooks & Lasser, 2018). The third problem lies in the loved ones, who, sometimes paying insufficient time to the older generation, believe that the proposed instruction to the smartphone is written in an accessible language and in it absolutely anyone can understand (Brooks & Lasser, 2018). It should be understood that adults need more time to master technology than young people. It is important to emphasize that this does not apply to the older generation. Smartphones become relevant in adulthood, but are often limited to the basic functions of calling and texting (Brooks & Lasser, 2018). The information analogue for the older generation is the television. Reference Brooks, M., and Lasser, J. (2018). Tech generation. Raising balanced kids in a hyper-connected world . Oxford University Press.
The article “Budgeting with Women in Mind” by Janet G. Stotsky, provides an analytical review of various proposed macro-economic benefits of the reduction of the gender disparities during budgeting. One aspect that strikes with the review is how hypocritical it is for economies to emphasize and even promote gender equality at the microeconomic level, while on the other hand turning a blind eye at the macro-economic level. Stotsky explains that this inconsistency is evidenced by the scant literature addressing the correlation between gender equality and the overall macro-economic growth. Furthermore, Stotsky explains that in instances where gender-based budgeting has been incorporated into the general budgeting; the results have been rather disappointing. The irony is that the same institutions that claim to advocate for gender equality across all sectors are not too excited about employing the same in terms of gender budgeting and perhaps promoting macro-economic growth. Another striking effect is how economic variables and factors get much more complex at the macro-economic level. This makes it difficult to extrapolate micro-economic findings on the benefits of gender-sensitive economic undertakings, into macro-economic perspectives. The review outlines a point of interaction between gender issues and overall economic development. Stotsky explains that the major hurdle in incorporating gender budgeting into the general budget of an economy is the existence of more complex variables. Theoretically, Stotsky explains that breaking down the macro-economic aspect into various areas of interest may make the incorporation more uniform and fruitful. These areas of interest as proposed by the author are revenue and expenditure. Stotsky outlines that when a balance is created between providing gender equality in terms of expenditure and revenue, then perhaps macro-economic development can be attained. However, this provision seems rather shallow and it would have been more analytical and convincing if Stotsky had provided an additional theoretical perspective. The additional theoretical perspective would address aspects such as the extent to which equality in terms of revenue and expenditure is connected to macro-economic development. Furthermore, additional information about cost-effectiveness, timeline, and implementation strategy would also be beneficial. Such an approach would shed more light on the importance of adopting such an approach and building confidence. It is however observable that the author missed an important aspect in her review. Remarkable results have been achieved in other sectors via the advocacy of gender equality strategies. However, when it comes to macro-economic perspectives, there seem to be discontinuities between the advocacy, the implementation, and the successes. Gender budgets even in economies such as South Africa and Australia where implementation has already taken place; successes have not been outlined strongly and convinci
It is not a secret that those people, who saw war with their own eyes, love their life more than anything in the world. They remember what it is like – to see blood and death, to lose family. They remember famine, cold, violence, terror, battles, the sound of bombing and the sound of missiles and bullets flying. They know that peace is the greatest human value. At the same time, we know that violence is in human nature, and despite enormous loses, and defeats, a great number of wars and armed conflicts took place in the course of history. W. B. Breuer said: Force and fraud have been the two cardinal principles of warfare since Sun Tzu, the Chinese warlord who conquered huge expanses of Asia, recorded his military theories in 550 b.c.: “Undermine the enemy, bewilder and confuse him, strike at his morale, then his army will fall to you” (Breuer 1). We know that ma
Introduction The concept of patients’ autonomy has gained much popularity during the last three decades. Currently, informed consent is recognized as a foundation of the medical practice across the globe. Islam reckons the underpinning value of the basic concept of patients’ autonomy. Nonetheless, differences emanate in their apprehension and practical application. The World Health Organization (WHO) reckons that the anticipation for autonomy is universal but also noted that there are cultural diversities in its understanding and applicability 1 . For instance, many health care associations have realized that patients have the right to choose an appropriate treatment from all available options. Medical practitioners as well as family members should respect patients’ autonomy through issuing essential information and motivating them to take control in the decision-making process. According to Fry, Veatch, and Taylor, patients and medical practitioners in the Western society believe that the patients’ autonomy must be respected 2 . The Western bioethics prioritizes the essence of the personal decision by arguing that patients should be left to make decisions about their life. While this is fundamental, most patients in the United States believe that it is necessary for the clinicians to be part of the decision-making process on consultative capacities. On the other hand, Webster and Karen identified that in the Muslim society, patients’ autonomy is essential but it is the responsibility of the family, caregivers, and policymakers to ensure that the elderly needs are addressed appropriately 3 . This scholar claims that the Islam values regarding care for the elderly should not adopt the Western perspective that views the aged as problematic to the community. The elderly must be assisted in making decisions while respecting their dignity. Therefore, this article will emphasize that stringent devotion to the Western-based structure of
The modern age could be called the era of blistering development of economy and industry. That is why there is no use denying the fact that the world and society depend on the state of the economy greatly. Being the main contributors to the development of various states, giant companies could be taken as the actors that determine the current state of the development of society and its future. The fact is that due to the activity of these very companies, many people are provided with jobs and budgets of states obtain high incomes. Additionally, very often, the revenues of these companies are bigger than the budgets of some countries. That is why, taking into account the great significance of these companies and the impact, which they have on the modern world, it is possible to analyze the main facts of about one of these companies in order to obtain the information about its revenues, stock price and current stage of its development. Under these conditions, Johnson and Johnson Company is chosen as the company for the analysis because of its great performance and revenues. First of all, the background of the company should be analyzed in order to understand its evolution. Thus, nowadays, Johnson and Johnson is the world’s biggest manufacturer of pharmaceutical and consumer packaged goods and multinational medical devices (“Johnson & Johnson History” para.3). The company was founded in 1886 and was oriented on the creation of surgical dresses. Thus, in the process of its development, it managed to achieve great success and ramp up production. The fact is that nowadays, Johnson and Johnson is listed among the Fortune 500 could be taken as the great evidence of the company’s success (Bennet para. 8). It is headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey. However, nowadays, it is a giant international company with a great number of departments all over the world. Nevertheless, it should be said that the company continues its development. According to its last annual report, in 2014, Johnson and Johnson managed to increase its worldwide sales to $74.3 billion, or 4.2% (Johnson & Johnson, “Annual Report 2014” 3.). The given statistics outline the tendency towards the increase in the number of sales and, as a result, the rise of the level of income. In 2010 the revenue in the customer segment was about $14.6 billion, while according to the company’s third-quarter financial highlights, the sales were about $17.1 billion (Johnson & Johnson , “Third Quarter 2015 Earnings Call Presentation” 5). That is why it is possible to admit the fact that the revenues of the company grow. The current level of income allows Johnson and Johnson to open new departments and create new facilities that could help the company to develop and introduce new products to the market. Nevertheless, resting on these facts, it is possible to say that the company is very attractive to investors. The fact is that the stable development of the company influences the price of its shares and people, organizations and companie