ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
The African Traditional Religions Introduction The religious beliefs practiced by African people differ from Christianity in many aspects. First of all, they emerged in specific and rather secluded communities and for a very long time they did not come into contact with other cultures or religions (Crafford, 1996, p 2). Secondly, they are not unified and written down; there are no canonical sources which would lay down the core principles of African traditional religions, their ritualistic procedures, and ethics. This paper is aimed at discussing the main tenets of African traditional religions. In particular, it is necessary to critique them from the perspective of Biblical teachings. We need to identify those values, beliefs and practices which are consistent with Christian principles. Moreover, it is vital to pinpoint those aspects of African religions which contradict Biblical teaching. On the basis of this analysis one can work out strategies of evangelizing a follower of an African Traditional Religion. Beliefs, Values and Practices in harmony with Biblical teachings Overall, it is possible to single out several typical characteristics of African Traditional Religions, they are as follows:  1. the belief in mystical powers;  2. the belief in spirits;  3. the belief in gods;  4. the belief in Supreme being (Turaki, 2000, n. p.). First of all, we need to speak about African conception of God or Supreme Being who is considered to be the origin or the primal cause of life (MBiti, 1989, n. p.). Certainly, unlike Christianity, African traditional religion is not monotheistic, since African people worship lesser divinities and spirit. Nonetheless, they do acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being who is involved in the creation of the universe. More importantly, we should mention those attributes which are ascribed to God. He is eternal, omnipotent, and good (MBiti, 1989). These beliefs are quite consistent with Judeo-Christian tradition and Biblical narrative. Apart from that, it is important some values and practices related to African traditional religion. One of them is respectful or even revered attitude to the ancestors (Turaki, 2000). This respectful attitude is not always analogous to worshipping and African people do not always attribute supernatural qualities to their ancestors. To some degree, this practice is reconcilable with Christian outlook. To prove this point, one can refer to one of the Ten Commandments, “Honor your father and your mother” (English Standard Version, Exodus 20:12). This maxim is mentioned in the New Testament as well. The most important thing is that according to African Traditional Religion, the main task of a human being is to achieve harmony with one another a
Introduction Oil, in today’s world is a blessing in disguise, our insatiable desire for oil has given birth to global warming, wars, and corruption of the highest order. Those who need it most do anything legal and illegal to obtain it, while the countries that produce it benefit little to nothing from it. A walk to the oil producing states will amaze you, while a few get rich, the rest of the masses surfer abject poverty. The next time you drive to the nearest gas station in your neighborhood to refill your tank, stop and think of the number of children on the streets of Niger Delta that are out of school for the gas you need to get to work. Think deeper about the war in Iraq and others wars that have been fought. Countries without oil think the poverty on their streets is as a result of lack of oil. Those with the oil are blaming it for the poverty, wars and corruption on their streets. Thinking life would have been better, if they had no oil. Running through the pages of the violent twilight of oil, my bones were gripped with pains of constriction. As the author continued his narration it downed on me, that of all the prices people are paying for the oil we are enjoying, none is as demanding as corruption. Defining Corruption Corruption is a very broad term that encompasses fraud, which has to do with stealing through deception, embezzlement, and payments in order to evade justice. Reading carefully in between the lines of the chapter on Nigeria, there is a display of all of the above in the system. Corruption in Nigeria is responsible for the poverty, the kidnappings of the expatriates by the militants, and the war between the militants and the government forces. The Cost of Corruption Every individual has a right to fair treatment, and all citizens of a country are to be treated equally. In a situation where government officials in some oil producing countries collect bribes at the expense of development in their communities is an infringement on the rights of the people. On the other hand, those who give the bribes to obtain preferential treatment also infringe on the rights of others, and in this case obtaining oil deals. Secondly, where corruption is prevalent decision making is biased. A company that is not qualified might secure a contract, simply by the willingness of the company to pay. What this entails is that the poor masses will be the ones to p
Introduction There is no use denying the fact that nowadays great attention is given to the development of science. More and more issues become investigated and more and more people become involved in researches. That is why it is possible to state the fact that there is a certain base for researchers that helps them to obtain the results they need. This base includes main patterns of investigation, main ideas, and directions. Moreover, it also describes different ways of scientific researches and methods used in science. Great attention is given nowadays to quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods. The reason for such popularity lies in the universal character of these methods. It is possible to determine different variables and understand the peculiarities of the functioning of a certain process (Christensen & Brumfield, 2009). With this in mind, the majority of researchers nowadays use these very approaches in their works. Main Body In order to understand the peculiarities of these methods better, it is possible to analyze the article which uses one of them in order to give credible evidence to the research. With this in mind, the work Judge Interventions in Criminal Trials: A Mixed Qualitative and Quantitative Study by Gnisci Augusto and Angiola Di Conza is taken. There are several reasons for this choice. First of all, the authors use both qualitative and quantitative methods in this research to provide clear and understandable information that can be analyzed. The work centers around the issue of judges intervention in trials and the influence which these actions have on the whole process. The authors take into account different factors and motifs which stimulated judges to act or interfere. In order to understand the peculiarities of these processes better, video recorded materials are analyzed and investigated. Resting on these tapes, the authors conduct qualitative and quantitative researches. The main aim of quantitative research is to determine the correlation between the number of trials in general and cases of judges interventions. The authors determine that the identified judges’ interventions are N = 443 (Gnisci & Di Conza, 2012). With this in mind, taking into account the results of quantitative research, they are able to state the fact that the majority of trials are characterized by judges interventions. Moreover, the authors want to determine the influence which these interventions have on trials. With this in mind, qualitative research is conducted. The main aim of it is to determine whether there are significant shifts in the quality of the processes or not and what influence judges interventions have. Such factors as courts final decisions and the work of attorneys are taken into account. With the help of qualitative
The metaphorical approach to thinking, denoted as creative thinking is an approach that elicits action in an individual at the advent of a powerful idea. It is a critical component that influences the critical thinking style. Creative thinking gives birth to the knowledge required for critical thinking. The basis of critical thinking is creative thinking. Creative thinking and critical thinking are complimentary. Creative thinking style affects the critical thinking process in the following ways. The critical thinking process starts with an understanding of what one wants to do and the problem to be solved. After this realization, one needs to spring into action by integrating creative thinking to critically solve the problem. At this point, critical thinking is influenced by creative thinking. The second step in critical thinking is to acquire knowledge and understanding of the problem to be solved is. At this point, creative thinking approaches such as brainstorming are incorporated into the process. Brainstorming engages the mind in moving through a variety of ideas in equipping an individual with appropriate knowledge and information to solve the realized problem. According to Kirby and Goodpaster (2007, p.12), this approach enables an individual to traverse the normal boundaries of thinking and become creative to critically solve the realized problem. The next step in the process is comprehension. One needs to comprehend and narrow down to a specific topic or idea. Creative thinking influences critical thinking in a process identified as starbusting. It is an inquisitive step in creative thinking in critically comprehending an idea for solving a problem. This makes one to think effectively. Analyses of one’s thoughts are integrated here. It is a critical component in critical thinking that is influenced by an individual’s abilities. If one’s creativity is slow at this point, another creative thinking approach is incorporated that drives critical thinking to a higher level. This drives an individual into analyzing and evaluating individual thoughts. This leads to the second last step in which creative thinking impresses a critical synthesis of thoughts on the specific problem. Creative thinking will allow an individual to critically organize one’s ideas or thoughts, compose them into a product or solid idea, and creatively finish the thoughts as a workable solution. This leads a creative thinker into the last step of critical thinking. The finished product is evaluated to identify consistencies or deviations from the original goal. This approach leads a critical thinker into evaluating whether the desired goal was achieved. One needs to be open minded, inquisitive, and logical in the thinking approach. One should be argumentative, have the desire for more information about a product or idea, willing to share ideas, and understand where an idea leads to (Kirby & Goodpaster, 2007, p.12). Some of the workplace examples that involve critical thinking include product innovation and conflict resolutions among others. A product can be creatively innovated if organizational managers are taken through the cri
Introduction A green roof is a roof that is partially or wholly covered with a growing medium to absorb rainwater, creating a natural habitat for organisms, and creating an aesthetic appeal (Cantor 16). Examples of vegetation used in green roofs include shrubs, trees, flowers, succulent plants, and grass. Designers used waterproof membranes to protect buildings from the devastating effects of water that infiltrates the surfaces during rainy periods. Environmentalists and proponents of green roofs argue that they improve air quality and reduce the heat absorbed and retained by urban environments (Hopkins and Goodwin 53). These types of roofs have several advantages compared to conventional roofs. In addition, they play a significant role in environmental conservation. Green roofs supplement traditional vegetation, improve environmental aesthetics, promote cooling through evapotranspiration, and utilize neglected spaces. The creation of green roofs is a phenomenon that is common in many countries including the United States, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany, Israel, Switzerland, and Egypt among others. Types of green roofs Two main types of green roofs are widely created in buildings. They include intensive and extensive green roofs and are distinguished by their profiles, designs, and intended purposes (Cantor 18). The two types are different in various ways. Extensive green roofs are characterized by thin layers of soil, small plant types, low costs of maintenance and creation, and predominantly inorganic soil (Hopkins and Goodwin 37). On the other hand, intensive green roofs are characterized by thick soil layers, a wide variety of plants, high maintenance and creation costs, and an equal composition of organic and inorganic soil. A semi-intensive green roof is an intermediate between the two types that has greater diversity than that of the extensive roof and is lesser than that of the intensive green roof. They are created by combining aspects of both extensive and intensive roofs and are usually established in order to enjoy the environmental benefits that they provide as well as the diversity of vegetation they offer without inflated costs (Hopkins and Goodwin 38). Green roofs are either flat or sloping depending on the structure of the building. Sloping gardens improve water drainage and reduce water infiltration. On the other hand, flat roofs improve water retention and as such eliminate the need for an irrigation system. Components of a green roof A green roof contains several components that conventional roofs lack. These include structural support, a waterproofing membrane to protect the building, a drainage layer, a layer to protect the vegetation’s roots, a vapor control system, and an artificial planting media (Snodgrass and McIntyre 35). A thermal insulation system is also an important component. Drought-resistant plants distinguish green roofs from conventional roofs. Therefore, they are the most important component. A waterproofing membrane ensures that the surface of the building is dry at all times in order to p
The first image is an example of postmodern art. The installation The Dinner Party was created in 1979 by Judy Chicago. The second image is a piece of Renaissance art entitled The Last Supper and created by Leonardo da Vinci in the 1490s. The former alludes to the latter work as The Dinner Party is a feminist’s response to one of the most famous artworks. The postmodern piece questions the norms and conventions of the patriarchal society depicted in da Vinci’s painting. Judy Chicago creates an alternative for women who also contribute to the development of the human civilization although remain unnoticed even in the 20th and 21st centuries. The ideas behind the works of art under consideration are rather different, but they have are characterized by similarities. For instance, Da Vinci and Chicago used numerous symbols to convey their ideas. Geometrical precision and symbolism are characteristic features of these works. Both artists paid considerable attention to numerical symbolism. Da Vinci grouped apostles to form four distinct companies of three people as this number is central to Christian beliefs. Chicago places 13 women at each side of her triangle table. Interestingly, this number is associated with the underworld. However, overall, thirteen people are on da Vinci’s painting as well. The meanings engraved in the two works circulate around one major idea related to the development of the human society. Da Vinci revealed men who shaped the world by propagating Christianity, while Chicago depicted women who also contributed to the evolvement of humanity in different ways.
“Gotham Jubilee” is an art piece by Ruairiadh O’Connell painted with resin on jesmonite. Created in 2019, the art piece incorporates subtle elements of the Art Deco style that was ubiquitous in the art community in the 1920s. However, instead of merely borrowing the ideas of the Art Deco style, O’Connell uses them to introduce a unique flair to his artwork, thus making a powerful statement. Although, as a whole, the art piece appears to be very harmonious and complete, with very smooth lines and rounded contours, on closer look, one will notice sharp edges and rough lines that burst through the surface. The described characteristic allows relating the art in question to the Art Deco style (Somerville 98). In addition, the bold colors that O’Connell uses in his artwork amplify the impression of the Art Deco style, at the same time developing it into something new. The sculpture represents an interesting collision of the Art Deco style and the modern genres that have become O’Connell’s trademark characteristic as an artist. On the one hand, colors collide in O’Connell’s artwork, creating a stark contrast between the light and dark areas and, thus, emphasizing the original geometry of the sculpture. On the other hand, the contrast that the colors create is not meant to shock the viewer into paying attention. Instead, it is used to balance out the sharp geometry of the pattern and the rigid lines, introducing smoothness and harmony into the sculpture (Zebracki 2264). As a result, O’Connell’s artwork takes the elements of Art Deco to a new level, allowing them to collide with the modern art and bloom into a new and inspiring notion. The sophistication of the sculpture meets vivid and deep colors, allowing the traditional kaleidoscope of deep greens as the trademark of the Art Deco style to merge with deep magenta in an entirely new and fascinating way (Birnbaum 10). It is quite remarkable that the references to the Art Deco style coexist with the elements of the abstract art in “Gotham Jubilee” quite peacefully. Indeed, the sculpture
Introduction Asthma is defined as the occurrence of dyspneic bronchospasmodic crises that are linked to bronchial hyperreactivity (BH). As an autoimmune disease, asthma is a chronic disturbance of immunological function that can be controlled to some extent but not eradicated by modern drug therapy. In other words, asthma does not just refer to the attacks. Instead, asthma is considered a chronic disturbance of the immune system. The attacks are the “tip of the iceberg.” Hence, any treatment aimed only at relaxing airways and relieving symptoms, be it orthodox or herbal, is superficial and will not change the chronicity of the disease (Germouty J. et al., 1988). Asthma is an inflammatory chronic public health problem throughout the world affecting people of all ages, which can result in a variable restriction in the physical, emotional, and social aspects of a patient’s life (Bousquet et al. 1994). It is estimated that around 300 million people in the world currently have asthma (O’Byrne, 2006). The prevalence of asthma increases as communities adopt modern lifestyles and become urbanized ((Bousquet et al., 2003). With the proportion of the world’s population living in urban areas projected to increase from 45 to 59% in 2025, there is likely to be a marked increase in the number of people with asthma worldwide over the next two decades. It is estimated that the
The number of smart phones devices in the world is set to hit four hundred million by next year. If this is achieved, the rate of growth for this industry will be about twenty per cent. This makes the smart phone industry one of the most lucrative industries today. Recently, a landmark ruling on a case concerning major smart phone industry players raised concerns about the future of this industry. In the ruling, giant phone manufacturer Apple was granted the rights to some strategic patents. In the flurry of the responses that followed, there was concern whether the smart phone market was becoming monopolistic. The main competition in the smart phone market mostly concerns the device’s operating system (Kenney and Pon 240). Previously, Microsoft had held the biggest market share of operating systems. This changed when the iPhone was introduced to the market. It is then that the demand for the Windows Mobile operating system began to decline. The popularity of the Android operating system started to change the direction this industry was taking. This meant Google had entered the competitive smart phone market. Android was also favored by Microsoft’s previous customers like Dell and Motorola. The rise in demand for Android operating systems has been fast and unprecedented. Statistics indicate that four of the leading smart phone manufacturers will start using Android in the near future. It was indicated that while the number of devices using Android was on the rise, the number of those using Microsoft’s system was on the decline. This was one of the earliest indicators that the market was becoming monopolistic. The reason for this disparity was mainly the fact that while Google’s product was a free to use open source operating system, all Microsoft products came at a fee. The Android operating system could also be customized by hardware manufacturers. After Android’s entry into the smart phone market, the stage was therefore set for major competition between these three major players. However, there was the issue of patents. There is a silent partnership between Apple and Microsoft. It is also in the interest of both companies to eliminate Google from the market. This is because Google’s business system goes against that of these companies. Google does not make money by selling software, instead it gives away its software and depends on advertising revenue. This business model poses a potential threat to the other competitors. This is because it is harder to compete against a free product. This rise in competition led to Apple improving its new iPhone products to unrivalled proportions (West and Mace 290). The present situation is that Apple has managed to turn around this competition and emerge at the top. The demand for Android products is on the decline while iPhone products are practically flying off the shelves. This year’s Apple end of year results were more than impressive. What was more