ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Introduction For the present discussion, it was chosen to review an article written by Kwan and Walsh on the topic of poverty and old age. The researchers conducted an extensive review of literature on the subject in order to map out current empirical studies on old-age poverty, identify gaps in knowledge, and propose recommendations for the future exploration of the issue. The importance of such a literature review is attributed to the need to pay more attention to the eradication of poverty experienced by older adults (Wyman, Shiovitz-Ezra, & Bengel, 2018). Research plays an important role in addressing the issue because building a strong empirical base would inform “age-inclusive poverty alleviation policies, practices, and programs” (Kwan & Walsh, 2018, p. 1). Main Text of the Discussion One of important takeaways of the study is the identification of risk factors and processes associated with poverty. Risk factors of poverty include older age, individuals being retired or not employed, their previous employment was irregular or nonstandard, being a woman, being a woman who is not married or divorced, being non-native born or immigrant, immigrating at an older age, as well as living at households with higher numbers of children. Protective factors that reduce the risk of poverty include receiving financial transfers, homeownership, paid work post-retirement, and co-residency. When working with older adults, identifying protective and risk factors related to their lives in order to develop solutions for overcoming the challenges associated with poverty. It is understandable that those older adults who do not have enough financial resources to sustain their health need greater attention from healthcare providers (Hash, Jurkowski, & Krout, 2014). Being able to differentiate between risk factors contributing to poverty will enhance the capabilities of healthcare and social workers to provide high-quality care.
Introduction “8 mile” is a film covering themes that affect our day to day activities either in families, friends or our workplace setting. Therefore this paper will critically examine one of the areas covered in the film; that is the workplace and the state of the workers especially the working environment and conditions employees conduct their tasks, duties and responsibilities (Hanson 202). A great example depicted in the movie was the North Detroit Stamping (NDS) Plant, a company that Jimmy Rabbit (the main character) is working for. It was a metallic plant involved in manufacturing vehicle parts that would later be assembled (Budhwar & Aryee 143). The movie has clearly depicted the challenges workers of the company were facing when undertaking their duties. The most notable example includes the poor relationship between the supervisors and their subordinates. This is evident when the company’s supervisor granted Jimmy a surprise overtime that he has been asking for in the past without success. Another case in the movie is when a number of depressed workers of the company started talking about their problems during lunch hour (break) on some of the harsh treatment they were going through in the workplace (Hanson 22). A: Learning Points from the Video There are various learning points that a human resource manager can acquire from the film that may help the manager be in a position of improving the workers’ productivity, morale, job satisfaction and communication within an organization. The first learning point a human resource manager regards the work environment. The movie has clearly indicated that the employees are working in a very dangerous condition; this is because they lack the necessary tools that will enable them carryout their duties more effectively. This is depicted by the fact that some employees never had earmuffs, hand gloves, goggles, helmets and other personal protective devices essential in ensuring that they are safe (Ozbilgin 35). Ideally work environment dictates how employees feel about their tasks and responsibilities. The other learning experience that a human resource manager can learn from the film is the presence of job-related stress; this is when the employees’ productivity was reducing as a result of poor job environment. This is exemplified when Jimmy was asking for additional working time so that he could boost his monthly income. However, he was denied the chance by the supervisor who stated that there was no such opportunity. This stressed him a lot which led to him feel he was not cared for and hence not needed in the organization (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics par 3). Unsafe work practices are explored in the
Definition of Relational Database Management Relational Database Management involves managing the organizational data in terms of storage, access, security, and integrity. There are various software applications that organizations can use to manipulate data through addition, deletion, modification, or display in a given interface. Relational Database Management originated from the works of Edgar Codd in 1970s (Codd, 1990). However, this technology gained popularity in the 1980s due to rapid development in computer technology. Thus, it was possible to store data in forms of related tables and access them on a real-time basis. There are three concepts that Relational Database Management systems use to manage data. These include schema, data independence, and transaction. In the schema, the system relies on a set of logical schema to manage information. A logical schema can refer to names of rows and columns in the case of a cell in spreadsheets. Complex data presentation requires an elaborate system that can provide users with several views of data. There is also a physical schema in the filing system that is useful in data storage. However, users cannot access physical schema, but programmers use it in developing the database system. Relational Database Management also has data independence. This system separates database structure from its application system. This ensures that there is no redundancy in creating multiple, similar database for every user. Any change in the application system does not affect stored data. This is useful in areas where different groups rely on the same system. It provides flexibility for any group to perform indepen
Introduction In this paper, the description of two vulnerable characters from the play An Inspector Calls by John Boynton Priestley and the novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck will be compared; particular attention will be paid to the techniques of character presentation. Character Description and Behaviour The only truly vulnerable character of the play Of Mice and Men is Eva Smith (who also had to change her name to Daisy Renton). The most noticeable feature of the character is the fact that she never appears in the play in the flesh and is only described by other characters. At the same time, the fact that she is the central character is undeniable: every “tangible” character of the play knows about her and speaks about her. Mr. Birling supposes that she is “country-bred” (Priestley, 1992, p. 14). She is obviously pretty, which was the reason for Sheila to fire her. She is also described as lively twice (by Mr. Birling and the Inspector (Priestley, 1992, pp. 14, 28). While being a vulnerable character, Eva is not a weak one. She appears to have strong moral principles (refuses the stolen money that could have helped her) and the words of the women of Birling’s home could indicate that she has dignity and self-respect. For example, Mrs. Birling and Sheila both call her “impertinent” as they obviously expect a person of lower social class to be meek and timid. (Priestley, 1992, pp. 24, 30). The Inspector also points out that she has never harmed anyone. Other characters of the play could also be described as having some vulnerability. An example is the alcoholism issue of Eric, but it ends up making him dangerous rather than vulnerable due to their social status (Eric rapes Eva when he is drunk). In the novella, there are many more vulnerable characters. Vulnerability does not even elude those who are supposed to have more power than the working class: Curley’s wife, for example, is vulnerable because of her gender, she has to live with the man she does not love, which makes her miserable and is the reason for her unwise acts. In fact, she is even deprived of a proper name, which makes her seem to be a property rather than a person. Curley, on the other hand, is made vulnerable by the behavior of his wife, which, however, makes him more dangerous than truly vulnerable due to his social status. The issue of power misbalance is also clearly pronounced in the novella. Still, the most vulnerable character is Lennie Small, and he will be the focus of this paper to maintain the balance of a character per work. Unlike Eva, Lennie is very tangible; in fact, his condition is most specific and unusual. While most of the characters of the novella are vulnerable in one or another way, they are capable of taking care of themselves. Lennie cannot do even that: he is mentally impaired: “ain’t bright. Hell of a good worker, though. Hell of a nice fella, but he ain’t bright” (Steinbeck, 2000, p. 18). He is gentle: “I like to pet nice things with my fingers, sof’ things.” (Steinbeck, 2000, p. 44). His dream is simple: to have a farm with rabbits to tend to, to “live on the fatta the land’” (Steinbeck, 2
Deaf Art In chapter 9, Thomas Holcomb discusses the challenges that the deaf community faces and how they use art to overcome them. Their art prominently features their methods of communication. The art of resistance, for example, portrays their oppression while the art of affirmation entails music, dance, painting, carving, and writing. It also includes ways of creating wealth and communicating with the world. Deaf people usually use visual art in communicating because they cannot speak. They have a strong visual ability, which compensates for their inability to hear. Deaf people use sign language in expressing themselves and sharing their oppression with their colleagues. Deaf artists also participate in general art and deaf experiences. Their art does not imply anything about deafness. It is understood by the deaf community while the deaf experience entails artworks that express the feelings and views associated with deafness. This category has artists who have been neglected in homes and schools. They, therefore, give their experiences and expect to join like-minded groups. As a result, scholars proposed deaf Image art to promote deaf art using images. Apart from being neglected and oppressed, deaf people improved their artistic nature and can celebrate their deaf lives by training in fields that can enable them to generate income through sign language, music, and painting. The deaf has also published books, even though some are never published. James Yale, for example, wrote many books, yet he was untrained and isolated due to the lack of proper communication skills. Holcomb mentions several artists who have excelled more than trained European authors (184). The deaf Allen sisters, for example, had an outstanding photographic art that made them the best photographers in America. Most of the best artists were in general art, and they gained recognition from both the deaf and those who were not deaf. Granville Redmond was among the best landscape painters of the twentieth century. On the other hand, performing artists have produced items that include plays, music, and dances. Music has helped in reducing the gap between the deaf community and other people. It reflects their background information, including what they aspire to attain in the future, as a tool of entertainment and communication to the entire community. The art by the deaf has strongly communicated to all people that being disabled does not make someone unable to perform some duties. The disabled community has at times done better than people who are not deaf. These outstanding performances have not come with ease, but hard work and determination of the deaf. Despite the oppression from the community, the deaf has used their talents to communicate and entertain people. These practices have earned them recognition, occupation, and have helped bridge the gap between the deaf community and other people. Deaf people believe that their relatives do not involve them in family affairs. They do not have the voice to speak, especially if they belong to families with hearing parents. This problem extends to schools where teachers do not recognize the deaf commun
How can the concept of “framing” be employed to understand terrorism? How can it be used to critically examine the study of terrorism? Terrorism is a complex and multi-layered phenomenon. When it first started showing itself in the global arena, the public immediately felt the need to understand its roots, reasons, and motifs, this is when framing occurred. After the events of 9/11, the world’s society and the citizens of the USA namely underwent a heavy influence of multiple frames about terrorism. Framing is frequently used by the media and public speakers such as politicians. This way the public ideas and understandings of global events are formed or framed according to certain ideas of the political leaders. The concept of “framing” can be employed to understand the influences and reactions of the news and knowledge about terrorism project in society. Abrahms (2011) writes about the Strategic Model, where the questions about terrorism claim to have answers today. Strategic Model rests on several presumptions that occurred after the events of 9/11 and that view terrorism as a political tactic, while war is positioned as the best measure to stop terrorism. Besides, framing serves to heat the public moods putting the society on edge and making it experience constant fear of terrorism using employing abstract notions and turning terrorism into an all-penetrating and constantly present threat. The concept of framing can be used to critically examine the study of terrorism using analyzing the frames and the effect they produce, the purpose of their creation, and the meaning they employ. Framing needs to be examined to provide the scholars of the study of terrorism with the idea of what is behind the frames. Reflection In modern society with its powerful and influential mass media, terrorism becomes a public action completely dependent on the level of media coverage. In other words, if the act of terrorism is not shown on television all around the world, it loses a significant deal of its power. The threat and danger of terrorism are broadcasted widely, but the mass media work both ways – they create publicity for the terrorism with the purpose of warning society about the threat, and at the same time, they create a massive panic reaction and feed the social fears and misconceptions. The way terrorism is presented through the mass media determines the reactions towards it and understanding of this phenomenon. Besides, most terroristic acts are filmed by some kind of a third party; this indicated the importance of publicity for the whole practice of terrorism. Framing works using creating an unfinished story with certain kinds of meanings that can easily be found by the viewers. In other words, framing implies certain information but does no
Hegel’s ideas on action, morality, ethics and freedom are still applicable in the contemporary society and it is possible to think of a variety of examples to illustrate Hegel’s standpoint. However, some of his viewpoints should be questioned. For instance, Hegel’s standpoint on the ethical society is too generalized. Hegel argues that a society develops certain sets of duties which correspond to universal morals. Nonetheless, the duties and the very morality developed in one society can significantly differ from the norms accepted in another society, so it is impossible to state that ethical norms of a society correspond to the universal norms. According to Hegel, ethical society is the society where people follow universal moral norms which have been developed throughout centuries (or decades) in this society. However, there have been far too many examples of societies which were based on moral norms that could be questioned. Nazi Germany can be one of such examples as it was moral to humiliate (and even persecute) people who pertained to other ethnic groups. Admittedly, this conduct can hardly be regarded as the one corresponding to the universal morality. Soviet Union is another good example as the interests of the country were primary and people were often killed and persecuted for the sake of the development of the established order. Importantly, people who lived in those countries followed certain ethical norms accepted in the society, so those societies could have been called ethical societies (according to Hegel’s concepts). One of the major arguments of the philosopher is that duty should have certain content. Those societies developed duties which had content, but the trajectories of the morality were quite specific. Therefore, Hegel’s ideas concerning the essence of the duty are also rather questionable. Hegel could have said that such cases had to be regarded as some particular cases which are exceptions. The philosopher could have added that even those societies had a variety of norms which corresponded to the concept of the universal morality. Nevertheless, these arguments are rather inconsistent as these are not the only examples. In fact, almost every society can have some traditions which contradict the universal morality. These contradictions are often manifested in the attitude towards other nations, the so-called ‘the other’. As for the other Hegel’s possible argument, it is necessary to state that availability of some ethical norms do not justify existence of tradition
In the introduction to his book, Drive-Thru Dreams: A Journey through the Heart of America’s Fast-Food Kingdom, Adam Chandler uses pathos as the central appeal to convince the audience in the strength of his reasoning. The Fries that Bind tells the story of the joy that was brought to a small Alaskan town by the fast-food giant Taco Bell. The employment of vivid imagery and emphasis on provoking emotions in his readers help the author reach his goal and make one think about the role fast-food culture plays in the American society. The claim that Chandler (2019) makes – that fast-food is an integral part of the American way of life – intrigues the audience and compels them to read the book. The story provided in the introduction is supported by conclusive statistics and brief history recap, as well as by enumeration of different American regions and fast-food chains without which one cannot imagine these areas. The intended audience is any American interested in the topic – of any age, gender, or race. Eric Schlosser implements an approach resembling Chandler’s in the introduction to his book, Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal . Pathos as a method of convincing the audience in the argument he makes is employed by Schlosser (2012) in a similar fashion: he tells a fascinating story of the military installation in Colorado mountains. The build-up to the facility’s rugged workers being reliant on fast-food chains to provide them food takes a reader’s breath away and makes them want to explore the rest of the book. Schlosser’s (2012) claim is similar to the one Chandler (2019) makes: fast-food, its history and influence on the United States’ national culture are impossible to ignore. Support to
Behavioral change is a remarkable process, and Bandura’s social and cognitive model is utilized in various research areas, among which one may note education, healthcare, social relations, and media. As noted by Hall, Chai, Koszewski, and Albrecht (2015), the core of using this model in any field is composed of the same steps such as attention, reproduction, retention, and motivation, which are integrated into observational learning. Today, the importance of modeling certain positive behaviors is recognized by many scholars and practitioners, who communicate with people on an everyday basis. It is evident that it would be extremely difficult to master all knowledge solely on personal experience without obtaining those of others. By understanding and applying Bandura’s model, it is easier to explain to people the importance of one or another behavior and response to various phenomena. One of the most significant areas of the research associated with Bandura’s model is education. In nowadays’ rapidly developing world, it is critical that teachers and parents understand the role of observational knowledge and the ways students perceive the very process of learning (Mazur, 2016). By encouraging children to learn better through increasing their self-efficacy and relying on the impact of external reinforcement schemes, educators may apply such concepts as faith, expectations, and instructions. A student consciously perceives positive reinforcement since he or she anticipates its receiving in the case of appropriate behavior. Devi, Khandelwal, and Das (2017) conducted the study on the application of the given model to a technologically-advanced learning environment with the aim of assessing its contribution. While focusing on students who studied nursing, the authors revealed that modeling as a teaching strategy was effective for them: the promotion of self-efficacy led to setting higher goals and greater dedication to them (Devi et al., 2017). In this connection, when a student wants to replicate some behavior, his or her self-efficiency provides confidence and stronger commitment to achieve the educational goals. The review of nursing education literature shows that it is widely suggested to utilize self-efficacy as a cognitive variable to affect the processes and eliminate the gap between theoretical knowledge and clinical practice (Hall et al., 2015; Devi et al., 2017). Among the benefits of this model, one may enumerate higher perceived capability, which is critical to provide high-quality care and ensure that nurses are engaged in their work. Devi et al. (2017) state that better perseverance also inherent in the results of applying Bandura’s model since it empowers students to achieve goals. Behavior modification can be accomplished through indirect reinforcement, monitoring the behaviors of other people and their consequences (Pfitzner-Eden, 2016). In such a way, teachers obtain the ability to predict and evaluate the consequences of what was observed