ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Since the ancient times, civilizations across the world have grappled with the Idea of their own creation and if there is an omnipresent God or supernatural being that transcends all levels of science. Tough questions arise at the very insistence of resolving the mystery about the existence of God, with scientists and philosophers pulling in all directions in an attempt to explain the core and origin of mankind. Theories such as the Big Bang theory and Darwinism have been fronted to explain the origins of the universe and mankind, but none has been able to explain some critical issues that we experience in our daily lives such as the notion of consciousness and its relationship with matter, the question of infinite intelligence, among others (Haisch 36). It is therefore the purpose of this paper to evaluate some few issues about the existence of God. The God theory as proposed by renowned astrophysicist Bernard Haisch leaves no doubt in our minds regarding the existence of a super deity. Heist uses the notion of consciousness to reveal how human beings are a filtered facet of the supernatural God. According to the astrophysicist, “…some combination of ideas within this infinite consciousness are compatible with each other and together result in environments in which evolution can take place and beings can live. Some, however, are totally incompatible and result in pure chaos and an inability to evolve and manifest materially” (Haisch 16). This assertion points to the fact that an infinite intelligence, which is God, knows absolutely which ideas and concepts are compatible to give the universe the order we all enjoy. It reveals that our own existence can never be explained only in scientific notions of materialism, reductionism, or randomness. The debate about the existence of God raise more philosophical questions than can be possibly answered using the existing knowledge. A fundamental limitation is that there is no universally acknowledged definition of God, not mentioning the fact that some definitions are self-defeating and self-contradictory (Mackie 47). This, however, does not curtail the liveliness of the debate about the existence of God. As described above, the ordered environments that we exist in are a vivid indicator that some infinite consciousness in the form of God exist (Haisch 16). Many other arguments have been fronted to back the existence of God. For instance, the cosmological argument asserts that in the beginning, there must have been a ‘first cause,’ an ‘uncaused cause’ or a ‘prime mover,’ and this can only be acknowledged as God (Existence-of-God.com para. 1). The teleological argument, which nears the assumptions made
Introduction Over the past few months while I have been studying in the U.S., the use of English has been a constant companion whereas in the past within my native country I had little use for it. It is due to this change in perspective and use that I have come to a realization that there are a variety of nuances and subtleties to it that I did not even realize and similarly to the character of Amy Tan in the story “Mother Tongue” I also noticed that my use of English at the present in comparison to that of my father is far better both grammatically and phonetically. Such a realization came as a surprise since prior to my arrival in the U.S. I actually thought that my father could actually speak English rather well. It is due to this that I came to the realization that the context of experience often changes prior opinions based on new information that has been encountered. My Past In order to better understand why I was so surprised with this sudden jarring realization (I describe this as jarring since I have always looked up to my father and idolize him), some context is necessary so as to better understand my point of view. When I was younger, I had often seen my father communicate with a variety of individuals using English. At the time I was quite impressed with him since bilingualism was not a common trait where I am from and to see him talk to others in English was quite a feat in my eyes back then. Do note though that at time I barely understood English and had very little context to actually understand what my father was saying. As such, the words that came out of his mouth and the way that he communicated was in my eyes “flawless”. A few years before I left to study in the U.S., I attended a local language school in order to prepare myself and improve upon my meager rudimentary knowledge of the English language. At the time I still thought that my father’s version of “English” was quite good and that I should aspire to be just as good as him. However, over time I noticed a few subtle differences, just as Amy Tan in the story “Mother Tongue” noted that how her mother spoke English held her back, I believe that how my father spoke English similarly held me back in developing the manner in which I communicated in that particular language. As I mentioned earlier, I idolized my father and tried to emulate him in every way possible, the same applies to the manner in which he spoke English. Despite the language school teaching me a variety of grammar and types of phonetically appropriate methods of speech in relation to proper English speaking, I always differed back to the way in which my father spoke English and how he communicated with it. Thus, I mostly used his rules and his version rather than what the language school taught. What you have to understand was that at the time, my father’s way of speaking English was all I knew and all I aspired to. I had little in the way o
Market demand in the air express market Price elasticity refers to how responsive the demand for a given product or service is to changes in its prices given that all factors remain constant. From the case study, it is clear that market demand in the air express market is elastic. This is evidenced by the fact that by giving discounts of up to fifty percent off for its loyal clientele, Federal Express was able to gain a commanding share of the air express market which in turn led to the other major competitors following suit and offering discounts to their major clients. Pricing Objectives and Pricing programs employed in the air express market Different organizations pursue different pricing objectives and pricing programs at different times in the business life cycle to meet their goals. Companies can have several different pricing objectives and programs across services or products. Pricing and indeed pricing objectives play a big role in how potential and current clients view a company and can greatly shape perceptions either positively or negatively for the given business. Pricing objectives are largely influenced by the price elasticity in the market as well as the individual company’s strategy. Federal express employed a high low pricing program whereby their listed prices are high but they then offer discounts to their main clients. The objective of this is to give their main clients the perception that they’re being offered incredible value for money. United Parcel Services on the other hand employs a penetration pricing strategy as evidenced by their list price of eight dollars and fifty cents for an overnight letter which is considerably cheaper than all the other major players in the air express market. The objective of this is to gain business and market share fairly quickly from the other players due to the price advantage offered. Recommended pricing programs I would recommend a premium pricing program for Federal Express as they have several clear advantages over the rest of the players in the air express market. They are the only courier to guarantee delivery by 10:30 AM, offer computerized parcel tracking for their clients and also the only courier company that offers pick up services after 5:30 PM in the market. These are all features and services that offer tremendous value to the clients and as such they would be willing to pay more for the convenience that Federal Express offers through their unique offering. By playing to these strengths, Federal Express can comfortably charge a premium to its clients and also attract new clientele at the higher prices. On the other hand, for United Parcel Services, I would recommend a different pricing program. The company has several distinct characteristics that make it stand out from the rest of the players in the air express market. The company upgraded its fleet by purchasing new Boeing 757 cargo planes which are cheaper to maintain than the old fleet, it is enormous in size and has built a solid core of regular parcel service users. These coupled with
Solar energy panel is a collection of photovoltaic cells that capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity. The cells do not necessarily need direct sunlight so as to generate electricity as they can do so even on a cloudy day. An interesting area in mechanical engineering is the enhancement of solar energy panel for generation of more electricity. This will have several effects on the United Arabs Emirates. It will cut down the cost of electricity drastically as sunlight is free. Sunlight electricity does not lead to the emission of carbon dioxide or any other pollutant into the atmosphere. Global warming is increasing daily with adverse effects on human beings and the environment. Future sources of electricity will have to be produced by means that don’t pollute the environment. An example is solar energy panels. This report will examine the future of solar energy and the incentive schemes that can be put in place to develop the United Arab Emirates solar energy industry. Though several projects for solar energy are under construction, the full potential in this area remains largely unexploited. This is because the private sector and individuals have not been given proper incentives that would see them play a major role in the installation of solar energy panels (Energy from the Desert, 2007). Several groundbreaking projects are on the way in the United Arabs Emirates (UAE poised to become a leader in renewable energy, 2012). There are a 100 megawatts concentrated solar power near Saudi Arabia border which is expected to be completed by the end of 2012. A 100 megawatts photovoltaic power plant is coming up. There is also an ambitious 1-gigawatt project in Dubai expected to be completed in 2030. As ambitious as there are, Michael (2000) argues that they may not achieve much without the involvement of the private sector. The case of Germany, in which the private sector leads the government in the installation of solar energy panels, shows that government alone can not achieve much. The private sector needs to be given incentives to invest in solar energy. Many people have argued that ideas that have worked elsewhere can be tried in UAE. They fail to take into consideration several unique aspects of the UAE. To start with, the country has a low artificial consumption of electricity. Artificial because the government of Abu Dhabi pays a large part of it. This makes it difficult to promote the development of solar energy (Boxwell, 2010). Secondly, the country’s consumption of electricity is very high and is even projected to rise further. Projections have shown that up to $ 1 trillion has to be put aside to avert an energy crisis. Thirdly, UAE experiences irradiation going as high as 2,200kWh/m2. Ironically, this potential has not been harnessed. Lastly, a population of up to 81% is not permanent residents of the UAE. They are therefore less likely to be interested in incentives that require several years to pay off. In light of the aforementioned realities, different incentives can be a
For all in the communication industry, the passing of information from one point to the other is always at the heart of the matter. Thus, for a person entering the social world for the first time, the passing of information marks the entry into the social arena, one that is ridden with many unexpected twists and turns that the person might get lost in the unending maze. To “find one’s feet” in such terrain, the person has to learn the various cultures that are involved in the various social settings, becoming sufficiently intelligent and competent in their manner of handling the social world entered. To do this, the person must be able to communicate with others to gain the necessary knowledge to perform the basic tasks (Shegloff, 1995). Until recently, field research on communication has been based on the fact that interpersonal communication is dominated by the behavioral sciences and practices which are intimately entwined with the study of social psychology (Leeds-Hurwitz, 1990). Working under the assumption of a working thesis such that the traditional, theoretical assumptions that are made during the study and implementation of new communication methodologies are still valid and appropriate, it is important to identify the various social approaches that impact the cultural differences of those involved in the communication (Leeds-Hurwitz, 1990). This involves an ethnographic study of the test population, involving the observation and immersion of the researcher into the population for a given period, to determine how their everyday activities affect the performance of the organization or community. The task of developing and implementing an interactive system involv
Introduction The investigation of differences between different cultures is a rapidly expanding topic that is still in the middle of the development of theories and frameworks. Researchers regularly offer new variants that may or may not become the accepted norm, and it is vital for a person entering the field to be able to distinguish between them and identify their weaknesses. This essay looks into Hofstede’s, GLOBE’s, and Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner’s models of cultural dimensions as well as the typical flaws that have not been addressed in contemporary methods. Models of Cultural Dimensions Many theorists attempt to classify cultures based on a specific set of characteristics, which are usually represented as a continuum between two extreme opposite manifestations of the trait. According to Lachner, von Saucken, Mueller, and Lindemann (2015), the reason is that most features of different traditions cannot be seen through a surface inspection and require a more thorough analysis. The model proposed by Geert Hofstede is possibly the most popular approach, including individualism, power distance, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, long-term orientation, and indulgence (“The 6-D model”, n.d.). The GLOBE model as represented by “Cross cultural studies” (n.d.) emphasizes a slightly different set of traits: power distance, uncertainty avoidance, institutional collectivism, gender egalitarianism, in-group collectivism, assertiveness, performance orientation, future orientation, and human orientation. Lastly, “Cross cultural studies” (n.d.) names universalism, individualism, neutrality, achievement, specificity, sequentiality, and inner direction as the qualities chosen by Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner. As can be seen, each model shares a number of similarities with the rest, possibly due to their shared foundation on human traits. Weaknesses and Improvements The existing models are still in development due to particular deficiencies that are common across the most popular frameworks. According to “Cross cultural studies” (n.d.), the three crucial shortcomings are the treatment of culture as static, the equation of culture and national culture, and the oversimplification of the concept as a whole that leads to stereotyping. According to Eslamieh (2018), Fang has proposed a model that accounts for the first trait by imagining cultures as “oceans” that allow different values to surface throughout history, thus changing the overall functioning of the system. The second idea is contentious as, while many qualities remain the same across a single country bu
Introduction Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a disease that attained its name from James Parkinson’s, a general practitioner based in London, who had partially indicated most of the clinical features of the disease in an Essay entitled: shaking palsy. In his writings, Parkinson’s identifies the disease by the name paralysis agitans, an earlier name it had acquired due to the characteristic features it has of hypokinesia-movement loss and tremor at a rest-movement gain. In the modern definition, Parkinson’s disease is defined as “a progressive neurodegenerative condition resulting from the death of the dopamine-containing cells of the substantia nigra.” (Royal college of physicians, 2006, p. 3) Parkinsonism is therefore not a specific disease but rather a known condition that is characterized by a set of symptoms. The main symptoms characterizing this condition are muscular stiffness, slow body movement, and trembling of limbs. In summation, Parkinson’s disease can be regarded as a condition that is attributed to six features that include: bradykinesia, loss of postural reflexes, tremor at rest, freezing phenomenon and flexed posture. Not each and every feature must be present for one to be diagnosed with the condition but at least two of the features must be present. Aetiology & risk factors A high prevalence rate of Parkinson disease is associated with the male gender. An individual suffering from PD can face long-term disability effects that are attributed to the disease. Neither the cure nor the cause of the disease has been identified. However there are some factors that have been suggested by scientists over the year as the most probable risk factors. Genetics Although very few families across the globe have members suffering from Parkinson’s disease, the fact remains that the disease was passed on by the generations before them. According to the research that has been conducted, it was found that family members suffering from the disease have a common mutation in a specific gene. As the mutation occurs it causes a lapse in the production of dopamine, a chemical messenger that instructs muscles on what to do. Mutation of the gene which is attributed to the production of the alpha-synuclein, is one of the studies undertaken in genetics as a risk factor of Parkinson’s disease. Age Age is regarded as the main risk factor for people suffering from Parkinson’s disease. According to the studies that have been conducted, the prevalence rate is high on the elderly as opposed to any other group in the society. Some scientists suggested th
Introduction Over the recent past, the world has witnessed tremendous growth in various parts, which comprise the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Remarkably, the UAE has grown to join some of the most developed regions of the globe owing to its good leadership and wise use of resources. Due to the crucial milestones evidenced in the UAE, some sports initially reserved for other parts are steadily gaining popularity. Recently, games such as kickboxing and Muay Thai have slowly crept into the states that form the UAE. Although such games are common in the Asian continent, the Emirates citizens have adopted them. The emergence of these sports has a close link with the broad spectrum of individuals residing in the UAE who come from various parts of the globe. The diversity has occasioned the rise of such sports. Besides the multiplicity, Muay Thai and kickboxing have benefits that led to their increased impetus soon after introduction into the UAE. The challenges faced by people in the states that make up the Emirates elevated the love and passion towards Muay Thai and kickboxing. Due to the growing enthusiasm among the people in the UAE towards kickboxing and Muay Thai, stakeholders developed a confederation that oversees and promotes the sport. Some of the strategies that are useful in escalating the level of its practice in the region include using social media, developing high-end gyms, targeting individuals from all segments, engaging in competitive analysis, and assessing the value of sport in the area. Before promoting the game, it is essential to understand the various benefits and challenges experienced by the UAE Kickboxing and Muay Thai Confederation. Muay Thai and Kickboxing in the UAE Muay Thai and kickboxing have long histories that date back to several centuries. The two sports have some similarities and people usually mistake them to be a single game. However, while kickboxing has limitations, Muay Thai utilizes all the eight techniques of fighting. Andreato and Branco (2016) explain that in kickboxing, competitors cannot use their knees and elbows, whereas Muay Thai permits the use of all the four parts of the body, which include the hands, elbows, knees, and feet. Therefore, while kick-boxers can only kick and punch their opponents, Muay Thai players can also use knees and elbows to tackle their rivals. The love for the sport has seen it evolve and adopt different styles that comprise Chinese and American kickboxing. Notably, while some people classify Muay Thai as a different sport from kickboxing, it is notable to allude that the game appears to be a subset of Kickboxing. The rise of the competition and its variant, Muay Thai, in the UAE attracted the interest of several individuals in the world. The establishment of the UAE Kickboxing and Muay Thai Federation is one of the indicators that the game is gradually gaining popularity in the area. Some international competitors outlined by the UAE Kickboxing and Muay Thai Federation include Ilyass and Noureddine Samir (UAE Muay Thai & K
Demographic profiles are fundamental in modern-day target marketing. There have been significant changes in consumer tastes and preferences across the five basic demographics. These trends call for new marketing strategies to be employed by companies to deal with the drastic changes in consumer preferences. When a company needs to develop a new brand, it has to consider demographic trends for easy penetration of the brand into the market. When demographic trends are considered, the brand development process becomes relatively easy. This consideration is also very important in sustaining the brand in the market for a long period. The five basic demographics to be considered in marketing strategies include gender, age, race, income and finally tribe or ethnicity (Shackman, 2011). This paper will discuss various ways through which a company applies different marketing strategies for different consumer groups. Organizations that observe demographic changes have an opportunity to make pro-active marketing strategies that will be sustainable in case of any shift. Different consumer groups require different marketing strategies (Centre for Business Planning, 2011). When doing target marketing, the company should be sensitive enough to consider the different needs of different consumer groups (Allen, 2011). Although mass marketing may be advantageous in terms of cost, marketing through segments ensures customer satisfaction and high income for the company (Tatum, 2011). While using the age demographic, it is easy to reach the youth through the internet than the aged people. Young people access the internet most of the time hence a company marketing a product for the youth segment will reap highly if they employ electronic marketing (Ward, 2011). The middle-aged segment can easily be lured by newspapers and magazine advertisements than the internet. When marketing women products, it is convenient to use television adverts because research has shown that women spend a lot of hours watching television compared to men. According to the law of nature, opposites always attract. Women get attracted to adverts performed by men, and the reverse is also true (Entrepreneur Media, 2011). Billboards work well when marketing for men because they are always re