ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
The connection between energy consumption and such indices as energy efficiency (EE), cooling degree days (CDDs) and heating degree days (HDDs) has been explored in multiple studies. The research by Craig and Feng studied this connection, too. Energy efficiency savings are normally expected to decrease electricity demand. However, Craig and Feng observed no significant impact of EE savings, CDDs, and HDDs on electricity consumption in Montana. This might be due to the research methods and the specific characteristics of the obtained data. It can be assumed that the locations reported for the study represent the variability of effects, i.e. positive and negative correlations between energy consumption and the indices stated above. As a result, the average data fail to represent the actual causation. Also, the research operated yearly data, which is not representative of the effects of such factors as CDDs and HDDs because their impact should be observed on monthly data due to the temperature variations during a year. The state that exhibited the strongest relationship between CDDs and residential electricity consumption in South Carolina. The relationship is observed by comparing the correlation between CDDs and electricity consumption to the corresponding index in other states of the sample. Crain observed the negative relationship between the kW h consumption per consumer (residential electricity consumption) and the indirect cost for energy efficiency, which includes such expenses as marketing and administration for the conduction of electricity efficiency programs. The negative relationship means that the kW h consumption per consumer for heating is decreasing, along with the dynamics that more money is spent on programs associated with energy efficiency initiatives. The downward trend in HDDs suggests that there are fewer cold days that require energy for heating. At the same time, the upward trend in CDDs suggests that the demand for electricity for cooling on cold days of the year is growing. The two-step model of the CDDs positive relationship, according to Craig, explained 33.6 % of the variation of residential energy consumption for cooling. These data comply with the recent global climate change studies as they demonstrate evidence for the increase of mean temperatures. Most importantly, this data, combined with the results of the previous studies by the same author, support the idea that climate and climate change impact on energy consumption and savings (particularly, residential electricity) significantly. However, this impact yet needs to be explored more thoroughly in further studies. The article explores the effects of curriculum-based learning on environmental literacy and energy consumption. The authors reviewed a series of relevant studies to establish the theoretical framework for their research and define which learning models and methods a
Introduction The War on Drugs is an initiative that was started by the United States government along with other participating nations with the sole purpose of defining as well as minimizing the illegal drug trade (Payan, 2006, p. 23). The war on drugs has a military implication about it since it is largely based on the use of coercion and force through interdiction, eradication, as well as the criminalization of the actual drug trade (Wilson & Stevens, 2008). The War on Drugs campaign entails several policies on drugs as developed by the U.S government that are aimed at putting a stop to the production, distribution, and use of illicit drugs. The war on drugs only began properly in 1968 during President Richard Nixon’s tenure in office (Fields, 2009). There is a lot of data available on the prices of illicit drugs, although such data tend to have their own deficiencies. One of the main effects of prohibition policy on illegal drugs is that enforcing them leads to increased supply costs. Drugs become scarce in the market because of the existing stringent rules (United Nations Research Institute for Social Development, 1994). In addition, the drugs available in the market fetch a higher price due to the market forces of supply and demand (Basov, Jacobson & Miron 2001). Illicit drug production and trafficking in developing countries It is quite hard to get accurate estimates of income generated through the production and trafficking of illegal drugs. Thus, getting an accurate picture of the effect of income attributed to the production and trafficking of illegal drugs is also hard (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2008). Such estimates can only offer insight into the scale of the long-term and short-term economic impact of this kind of illegal activity in a given country. In the short-term, the illegal drug sector offers jobs within the agricultural industry to many individuals with limited education and skills, like itinerant laborers and small farmers. Other beneficiaries include money launderers, wholesale distributors, and runners. Offering people income-generating activities may be seen as economically favorable, at least in the short-term. In Afghanistan, a large portion of the proceeds of illegal sale of drugs in the country is probably spending and kept locally, although it is still quite easy to undertake money laundering and transfer through the hawala system, a paperless form of money transfer that is very difficult to monitor. Over a third of the national income in Afghanistan
The evolution of the nursing profession introduces various demands of the time that oblige the healthcare professionals to receive more complex preparation and obtain an education degree. To become a nurse, a person may choose to study at a diploma program, get an associate degree in nursing (ADN), or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree (Butts and Rich, 2017). Today nursing requires higher qualifications, like those that a BSN degree can provide, to make the nurses more competent, ready to make decisions, apply the evidence-based practice, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams. Taking care of people was one of the first functions of humans. The history of nursing as a profession began in the nineteenth century. Nightingale was among the first women to prove that females could be excellent educated nurses (Butts and Rich, 2017). At those times, no specific training nursing programs existed, the work conditions were unsatisfactory, it was not a respectable profession, and the policymakers did not consider that the field required any particular improvements. However, now the situation is different because nurses have multiple education options, this profession is more prestigious, the hospital environments are improved, and the approach to caring became more patient-oriented. Besides, today the scope of practice increased, making the nurses responsible for health promotion, protection, restoration, and rehabilitation (Butts and Rich, 2017). These changes contribute to increased nurses’ accountability, which requires specific preparation to guarantee sufficient qualification. Although some practice competencies of an associate and baccalaureate education are similar, they differ in many cases. Both these levels allow the nurses to focus on the care of individuals, work under the supervision of doctors, and communicate with patients (Ghaffari, 2017). Simultaneously, their functions and knowledge appropriate for their profession differ. ADN nurses are responsible for more straightforward tasks like recording patients’ symptoms, assisting doctors, and communicating with the patients. On the other hand, BSN nurses are skilled in more sophisticated procedures like managing the other nurses, providing more complex care, educating the staff, and engaging in research (Ghaffari, 2017). When nurses obtain a baccalaureate degree, the scope of their practice becomes more complex. Mainly, they qualify for leadership positions, can be promoted to public health nursing, and are competent to teach and lead studies in healthcare. ADN and BSN nurses would approach clinical situations differently. The example of identifying the disease and interrogation about the symptoms of a patient, providing contradictory facts and speaking poor English can be used. This case would help to determine how the approaches of these specialists would differ. Mainly, the decision-making process of the ADN nurses would take more time and effort. They would have to consult their colleagues because they would consider that their theoretical background is not sufficient. Besides, they might depend on the
Recent studies in science have culminated in a revolutionary blood test that can determine how long an individual will live. The test involves the measurement of a patient’s telomeres, the caps found on the tips of chromosomes that protect them from damage. Previous studies have found correlations between the length of telomeres and a person’s lifespan. Research indicates that people with shorter than normal telomeres tend to live for fewer years than people who have longer telomeres. An analysis of the prevailing social conditions shows that these age tests could bring unexpected benefits since they can spur a sea-change in lifestyles, especially in healthy choices. The potential beneficiaries of this new technology include life insurance companies, health providers, and ultimately, ordinary people. The knowledge that one is likely to have a shorter than normal life-span, could motivate individuals to start living a healthy lifestyle. Thus the current obesity and anorexia epidemic in the Western world could fade as people change their eating and exercising habits to lengthen their lives and maximize the few years that they may have left due to their shorter telomeres. Unnecessary health risks such as excessive alcohol and tobacco consumption can be brought under control by health authorities if those who indulge in these vices are sensitized on the heightened jeopardy they are placing themselves in, especially if they are likely to have a short life. The amount of taxes that the government can save in gradually eliminating preventable diseases is enormous and could be diverted to other priority areas. A drop-in ‘disease-revenue’ would also lighten the tax burden on ordinary, healthier citizens. At the same time, life insurance firms could benefit tremendously as more accurate data on client health and risk susceptibility is unearthed. This will contribute towards making the estimations of life insurance calculations a more exact science that relies on solid empirical evidence. Life insurance firms could come to the aid of the government by insisting on clients living a healthy lifestyle if they want to enjoy insurance cover. The potential for a three-way collaboration between the public sector, private firms, and individuals can open new avenues for social benefits that would otherwise go unrealized or prove impossible if tackled by a smaller team. The overall effect of these efforts could produce an enormous health dividend never seen before. It would therefore be prudent if the government tried to make the age-determining blood tests available and affordable for everyone because the $700 price tag may be too expensive for some citizens. Subsidizing the service for those willing to take the test is likely to have a significantly positive effect on the long-term health of the country and the people. It would also be a brave step in the right direction since the increased use of scientific solutions to solve national problems would reduce political and administrative problems that dog the government at every turn. In conclus
Introduction This is an inherited disorder of copper metabolism in the body that leads to a deficiency of copper and accompanying signs (de Bie et al , 2007; William et al , 2005). The condition was described first by Menkes, Alter, Steigleder, Weakley and Sung in 1962 (Menkes et al , 1962). The inheritance of the condition is linked to the x-chromosome; consequently, the incidence is higher in the males than in the female; additionally, the latter requires two defective alleles for the expression of the defective phenotype. Epidemiology The condition is very rare; two figures have been advanced from two different regions. A rate of occurrence of one case in every 254,000 was reported in Europe (Tønnesen et al , 1991). In Japan, even a bigger ratio of one case in every 354,143 people was reported (Gu et al , 2005). Pathogenesis Menkes syndrome results from a defect in the ATP7A gene resulting in uneven distribution of copper among the cells of the various systems [Voskoboinik and Camakaris, 2002]. The resultant effects are that while some tissues have very high concentrations of copper, for example, the intestinal mucosa and the kidneys, others have very low levels such as the liver and the brain. Copper plays a crucial part in the proper functions of many metabolic enzymes acting as a co-enzyme. Deficiency of copper results in the reduced function of these enzymes leading to abnormal anatomy and function of the skeletal system, hair, vasculature and nervous system (Kim et al , 2002). The defective genes are transmitted via an x-linked recessive fashion thus making the syndrome primarily a condition of the male infant. Clinical presentation Infants carrying this gene are usually born prematurely; however, they look normal and appear to develop normally for six to eight weeks when the condition sets in. Signs that begin to show include poor development of muscle tone and delay in the development of motor skills; the infants face starts to sag. The brain is severely affected resulting in nervous signs such as seizures and mental retardation. In the brain the main lesion is diffuse degeneration of gray matter (Barnes et al , 2005); the blood vessels supplying brain tissue are also severely degenerated; ruptures and blockages are a common feature. A combination of these lesions results in the central nervous signs seen in this syndrome. A striking feature in this syndrome is the growth of abnormal hair; hair is one of the parts of the body that requires an optimum amount of copper for proper development, and conditions that may lead to an absolute or relative deficiency of copper in the body severely affects the development of hair. In the case of Menkes syndrome, the hair is kinky, has no pigmentation (another function of copper) or is steel-colored, is brittle and breaks easily. Clinical signs in infants are generally attributed to abnormal intestinal copper absorption coupled with a deficiency of copper in mitochondrial enzymes that require the ions as co-enzymes for activation. Following the period of slowed development, the infant deteriorates rapidly with almost complete
Abstract Plastic surgery can be discussed as one of the most actively developing consumer trends not only in the Western society but also in the Arab society because today the concept of beauty serves as the socially significant factor. From this point, modern people who choose plastic surgery are motivated by their need for the public recognition and the specific need for affiliation. Therefore, such benefits of plastic surgery as the ‘perfect’ body and face are associated not only with the high self-esteem but also with the high social status. As a result, those persons who choose plastic surgery are motivated by the social standards of beauty and by their personal vision of the desired self. In this context, the paper aims to discuss the underlying need for plastic surgery services, the social and individual factors affecting the consumer behaviour, and the implications for businesses and public relations professionals. The focus of young people on plastic or aesthetic surgery can be discussed as a modern consumer trend because today young females and males are concentrated on a kind of ‘body ideology’ (Holliday & Cairnie, 2007, p. 57). As a result, the popularity of plastic surgery as a way to achieve the perfect body is typical not only for the Western countries but also for the Arab world where the beauty of the body was traditionally discussed as a sociologically significant aspect (Khraim, 2011, p. 23). From this point, it is important to explore how such a consumer trend as plastic surgery develops in such different cultural contexts as the Western and Arab worlds. The purpose of this consumer trend analysis is to examine the persons’ motivation to purchase plastic surgery services and to list the manifestations of the trend; to explain social and individual consumer factors that are associated with a trend; and to discuss the implications of this trend for the society. The Underlying Need for the Trend In order to analyse the new consumer trend in detail, it is necessary to focus on the discussion of the consumers’ motivation as the main force to influence the certain behaviour. Today, the industry of plastic or aesthetic surgery should be discussed in the context of the beauty industry rather than in relation to the sphere of medicine. The reason is that the consumers’ motivation regarding purchasing plastic surgery services has changed significantly during the recent years (Markley Rountree & Davis, 2011, p. 1028). Previously, individuals chose plastic surgery because of physiological needs and as a result of the physicians’ prescription. The situation has changed, and today young people choose plastic surgery focusing on the ideas of self-esteem and self-expression beca
Introduction The rationale for choosing these songs as great representatives of more than forty years of development of American popular music lies in their significant role either for the lives and careers of their authors or in the music itself. Almost all of these songs were in my playlist even before we started studying them this semester, and I consider them one of the most influential, distinct, and unique. “Crazy Blues” by Mamie Smith “Crazy Blues” was written by a successful black songwriter and music store owner Perry Bradford and performed by Mamie Smith in 1920. This is one of those songs that featured their vaudeville performer, allowed her to become extremely famous, and initiated the music industry’s discovery of black music. Compared to the country blues popular in the 1900s, classic female blues combines its features with urban theater music, and “Crazy Blues” is one of the first songs of this genre. It is also the first crossover race record. “Waiting for a Train” by Jimmie Rodgers “Waiting for a Train” is Jimmie Rodgers’s most enduringly popular and influential song, released in 1928. This first country music star’s forward-looking versatility allowed him to create a record that appeared to be too progressive. The steel guitar made the song uniquely modern, and the record’s success probably influenced the further incorporation of this musical instrument in country bands. At the same time, “Waiting for a Train” has conservative elements like the clarinet and cornet from jazz ensembles. Therefore, it is a unique combination of older sounds and progressive elements. “Cross Road Blues” by Robert Johnson Robert Johnson and his 1936 song “Cross Road Blues” in particular had the most powerful impact on later generations of blues and rock musicians. This record is unique with its forcefully rhythmic guitar and a feeling of regular pulse that is stronger than in any previous compositions. Way ahead of its time, “Cross Road Blues” has unusual and effective alternations of sounds and techniques like the “bottleneck.” After this composition’s much heavier and more emphatic style, most of the following music, namely rock and blues songs, was changed forever. “Flying Home” by Benny Goodman & Charlie Christian “Flying Home” is a special composition recorded by Benny Goodman and Charlie Christian in 1939. Created almost accidentally, this song was destined to become a hit. As an electric guitar pioneer, Benny Goodman included this instrument in the recording, and it is impossible to imagine how weird this composition was to its listeners. Two separate electronically amplified instruments, namely vibraphone and guitar, were involved in the recording to
Introduction Coffee Planet is a United Arab Emirates (UAE) company that runs a roaster for coffee beans and sells coffee drinks and other beverage in its coffee shops located throughout the UAE. The business has all its operations in the UAE and operates from Dubai serving customers from different nationalities that are traveling to the country or living in it. The company seeks to disrupt the status of the coffee shop business in the Middle East, starting with the UAE. Its mission is to make the coffee landscape exciting, beginning with the process of making coffee and then coming up with amazing blends that offer a new coffee enrichment value to customers (Coffee Planet para. 1-4). The objective of the Coffee Planet’s coffee roaster is to ensure that coffee experts are in charge of the making coffee sold to customers. The business has to deliver its unique flavor to every customer buying its roasted coffee. Therefore, its operational objectives are to sustain the quality of the flavor of the roasted coffee, according to the secret formula used to define the Coffee Planet brand. Another objective is to make sure that the coffee is delivered conveniently to customers in a simple to use and access way. Thus, the business has to manage a number of retail distribution networks to make sure that there is fresh, high-quality coffee on demand for customers at non-conventional coffee outlets, such as fuel stations and other places where people stop for refreshments. Currently, the business is relying on a fresh milk coffee machine that allows it to mix the perfect blend of coffee, according to its secret formula. It enables the business to provide excellent gourmet coffee at all fuel stations in the Middle East, which has been the business model responsible for the growth of the company from its roots in Dubai, the UAE. As for performance, there is a sales threshold that should be met daily and monthly by the individual fresh milk coffee machines. The advanced technology system used by the business must also support other operations, especially roasting to ensure that there is sufficient coffee inventory to meet fluctuations in demand in different regions. At the same time, the customer relations handling in the business has to work correctly at ensuring that the Coffee Planet brand continues to grow the reputation of being unique and exciting. Coffee Planet supplies coffee to fuel stations located throughout the UAE using its special delivery machines. It also provides coffee to hotels, restaurants, and catering companies that are interested in delivering the exciting brand to their customers. The company seeks to dominate the coffee business in Dubai and the rest of the UAE by having its coffee as the main input for many coffee drinks served at various locations. Other than the UAE, the company is also serving Oman, Malaysia, and Holland markets. Typically, the company concentrates on delivering coffee on the go and is not in direct competition with businesses that sell their coffee through dedicated coffee shops. Currently, the company has more than 10,000 repeat customers in the UAE. The biggest delive