ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Introduction The US has experienced a phenomenal increase in its incarceration rate over the last 30 years. Kovandzic and Vieraitis (2006) document that between the years 1980 and 2000, the country witnessed a 321% increase in the total number of prisoners. The number of people serving sentences of more than one year in prisons all over the country rose from just 315,956 in 1980 to 1,329,367 in 2000. According to DeFina and Hannon (2011), this figure had risen to over 2 million by 2010. This incredible increase in the number of imprisoned people has been caused by the idea that putting more people behind bars will reduce crime. This perception is strongly grounded in the “incapacitation effect” principle, which states that once imprisoned, criminals cannot engage in any criminal activities against the general public. However, the efficacy of this principle is questionable since the reality has been different, and imprisonment has not always contributed to a reduction in crime. This paper will argue that prisons do not diminish the crime rate since incarceration leads to an increase in delinquent individuals in society and decreases the deterrence effect of prisons. Prisons do not Diminish Crime Rate While prisons are intended to reduce the crime rate in society, they can contribute to increases in the crime rate since the prison system often leads to the production of delinquents. DeFina and Hannon (2011) state that prisons contribute to rising in crime since individuals are more likely to commit crimes when they come out of prison that they were before they went in. While some inmates are already seasoned criminals, the prison population is also made up of first-time offenders and individuals who have not committed serious crimes. This is the case in US prisons, where most
In economics and politics, the term trickle-down economics or Reaganomics is the pejorative term for the theory that taxing the wealthiest individuals in society less will in allow those individuals to invest more of their money into the economics development and create new jobs for the middle and lower class. Proponents for the theory use the term supply-side economy, considering that the idea of the middle to lower classes tangentially receiving benefits through economics policy which directly benefit the rich is somewhat insulting. The basic idea is that the recipients of the tax cuts will then be able to invest more money into infrastructure, opening more stores and companies, which will then provide more jobs as well as drive down the prices of goods. However, in terms of economic theory, there have been no major economists who have ever supported this theory or have attempted to defend the “trickle-down” aspect of the theory. While the total of taxes that the wealthy actually pay can increase the total number of taxes that they pay, there is little to no evidence of the middle to lower classes receiving any sort of benefit from these policies: “Moreover, taxes paid specifically by ‘the rich’ were higher than before, because their incomes rose so much as the economy boomed that they paid more total taxes despite the reduced tax rate” (Sowell 2006). There is a generalized increases in the economic growth, but where the connection becomes tenuous is in its benefit for the poor (Sowell 2005). Instead of providing indirect benefits for the middle to lower classes, these tax cuts for the wealthy have been shown to increase the rich-poor gap. The problem, though, is that it’s reductive to simply show how CEO’s salaries have increased to exorbitant levels and have a knee-jerk reaction in which these people are solely blamed for any economic problem that a country is suffering through: “To be sure, excessive corporate compensation is only a small part of income inequality in America. Most experts agree that the larger problem requires significant and smart investments in education and job training for skills required in tomorrow’s economy” (Hunt 2007). The important thing in politics and economics is to attempt to navigate your way through any sort of knee-jerk reaction and to consider the entirety of a problem. While the increasing rich-poor gap is in fact a problem, those who benefit from it can merely point to other problems that exist as well, in an effort to deflect blame. For instance, the simple fact that the rich-poor gap is increasing on it’s own is not enough to make any changes by simply pointing out that the problem exists. What must be done is to examine why the gap has increased to the extent that it has, such as increasing executive pay and loss of jobs to cheaper foreign markets. What was seen in the
Introduction Today, humanity faces a serious problem related to the sphere of energy consumption and the environment. The growing demands of society precondition a need for the more effective work of electricity power plants to guarantee a high quality of life. At the same time, the increased number of these facilities results in substantial harm done to the environment because of CO2 emission and global warming associated with coal burned to produce energy, pollution, and a limited amount of exhaustible resources. Under these conditions, the introduction of new technology such as biomass gasification for power generation can be considered an appropriate option to change the trajectory of the earth’s energy consumption and improve the state of the environment. Main body At the moment, this technology remains in the nascent stage; however, there are already projects that presuppose its utilization and further development to generate power. The main idea of this method is that any solid biomass can be converted into clean combustible gas as the result of a thermo-chemical reaction with the stages of drying, pyrolysis, and gasification. The resulting product, or syngas, can be further burned at high temperatures to get the high-pressure steam needed to turn the turbine and produce electricity. In such a way, biomass gasification becomes a promising option that can be used to replace the use of environmentally unfriendly coal and guarantee the constant income of renewable sources of energy. Another advantage of the technology is that it can be easily integrated into contemporary society. The fact is that the biomass demanded converting is the main waste product of communities. The existing consumer behaviors precondition the emergence of garbage that constitutes a significant problem for the environment because of the lack of a place for its storing, numerous pollutants, and the absence of effective recycling systems. For this reason, the introduction of biomass gasification technology will provide multiple options for society to solve its nagging problems. Today, all countries across the globe produce an enormous amount of wastes that is now not used and poses a threat to the environment. Using it regarding the described technology, the clean power generation will be aligned. Moreover, humanity will acquire a renewable source of energy as people’s existence is always associated with the production of biomass that can be used to solve the problem of energy supply. Another advantage of waste gasification is that the situation with global warming and air pollution can be improved because of the opportunity to replace coal with more environmentally friendly syngas that will be used at power stations to turn turbines and generate electricity. Conclusion
Nicki Minaj Recent COVID-19 Vaccine Adverse Effects Tweets It is safe to say that over the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has become the hottest topic not only in the medical community of the United States (US) but also in American politics. Recently, on September 14, one of the most popular singers today, Nicki Minaj, tweeted that taking the vaccine caused her cousin’s friend severe adverse effects, one of which was impotence that ruined his upcoming wedding (Reuters). This and the subsequent series of tweets sparked a heated discussion on Twitter between her followers and other users and attracted the attention of the authorities of several countries. The Biden administration invited the celebrity to the White House to discuss in detail various aspects of COVID-19 and existing vaccines with senior US health officials (Saad). Trinidad and Tobago Health Ministry officials said Minaj’s claims were untrue and misleading (Aratani). United Kingdom top ranks also discussed Nicki’s tweets in one of their recent coronavirus briefings (Newsbeat). They said the celebrity’s words are not accurate and have no scientific basis. Nicki Minaj Tweets Impact on the American Society Nowadays, coronavirus and vaccination have become topics that link together various societal spheres and groups that were previously unrelated to each other. The case of Nicki Minaj’s tweets shows that global authorities are closely monitoring what is happening in the online space and the media landscape, especially in times of crisis. As they should, because the careless words of a celebrity can undermine the ongoing vaccinations in the US and other countries, Nicki Minaj’s claims may raise skepticism about vaccines in the US male population. The male population has been more affected by the COVID-19 pandemic than the women, and the worsening situation is what Americans as a society cannot allow themselves. According to Ungar, “more women than men are getting covid vaccines, even as more men are dying of the disease.” Misinformation, even if it was unintentional, cost lives in the current age of information and data. Personal Opinion I believe that Nicki Minaj has every right to publicly express her skepticism about COVID-19 vaccines and discuss it with her audience and other public figures. However, people should not blindly follow their favorite celebrities just as they should not completely trust the government; making their own opinion based on facts from both sides and personal analysis is the right way. I chose this event precisely because of the sudden backlash it caused from government officials and the different social classes that these tweets brought together. The COVID-19 case of Nicki Minaj’s tweets shows that the world is becoming an increasingly interconnected and interrelated place, and any pu
Disclosure is one of the most important components of human relations. It is even possible to say that efficient functioning of society is impossible without the efficient functioning of this issue. That is why, people should understand better what factors influence it and how this influence can be evaluated. First of all, it should be said that there is a great number of attempts to research this issue and understand its main peculiarities. However, the issue is so complicated that it is impossible to investigate all factors in the course of one research. That is why, very often only one of these factors is investigated. With this in mind, it is possible to devote our attention to the issue of spaciousness. The thing is that environment and conditions under which people communicate have a great influence on the whole process of communication and the issue of disclosure. It has been stated that the room size is a very important factor. If people find themselves in spacious and light room, they will feel relaxed and comfortable and disclosure is more probably to appear. However, if the room is small, dark and stuffy, the feeling of anxiety appears which prevents people from being honest or eager to start communication. Additionally, the distance between interlocutors is also very important. If the physical distance between people decreases, the situation becomes more tensed and disclosure becomes less probable. With this in mind, it is possible to say that the distance between people is very important as it is difficult for a person to communicate with a man staying close to him/her, especially if there is no intimate relation between them. That is why, the issue of spaciousness plays very important role in the process of communication and should be obviously investigated to understand its influence better.
Design fundamentals: The tool box “ The product selected was based on concepts such as productivity, uniqueness and ability to meet the specified requirements and JAG requirements. The tool box was designed to satisfy various user needs, including the ability to hold tools of various natures, from large industrial tools to small hand held tools. The tool boxes have a few features incorporated based on their specific use. For instance, a tool box in a vehicle comprises a rubber matting to prevent movement, and another anti vibration mat that reduces noise and clashing of rattling tools. Other designs of the tool box include the slanted tool box, lock-in-tray, under ute tray and the LPG cylinder storage box. The product was designed to satisfy various functional requirements such as security and wear resistance, as well as non-functional requirements such as durability, portability and the use of environmental friendly materials in fabrication. Other than these, there were design requirements by JAG Corporation, which controlled the selling price, construction tools and the construction process. The project involved two markets: the primary market, comprising retailers whose purchasing price was set at $90; and the secondary market that included distributor such as construction companies. The latter were expected to buy in bulk for their workers, hence the selling price of $80. These prices were according to the JAG requirements, which set the maximum price at $100, and limited marketing to trade persons and construction companies. The product proposed is viable, since the project concept involves various components that collectively address various requirements that make it profitable and competitive within the market. Surveys conducted on the potential cus
Setting Direct observation was used as a research method. Two samples of different age groups were selected. The first group consisted of six 12 and 13-year adolescents with learning disabilities. The observation was conducted in general education classrooms for a total time of 90 minutes. The second group consisted of five adults with learning disabilities. The age of the group ranged from 26 to 37 years. The observations were conducted in a day center setting for 1.5 hours. Normal Issues In order to proceed with the observation, it is necessary to identify the normal issues likely to be encountered by the representatives of both groups. First, it is important to recognize physiological issues undergone by adolescents during their transition to maturity. Specifically, due to the rapid and uneven physical development, some of the individuals can experience developmental delays whereas others show signs of maturity early. According to human development theory, this disparity can lead to noticeable socioemotional issues, where some of the adolescents can perceive the difference as a threat to their self-esteem. In some cases, the effect can be amplified by the feedback from peers. On the other hand, individuals with accelerated development can become subject to excessive attention from their friends, contributing to stress and creating concerns regarding their body image. Some of the issues, such as a change in voice tone, attract unwanted attention, leading to adverse effects on wellness over the lifespan. On the other hand, the cognitive aspect becomes more prominent at this stage. According to Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, all five indicators of cognitive development become expressed to a certain degree at this stage, creating a complex system of values and perceptions. Next, it is important to identify issues pertinent to representatives of the adult group. At this stage, the most apparent physical changes are the gradual gain in weight and minor factors such as loss of skin elasticity. The changes in the cognitive domain are less subtle and are unlikely to be located during the observation. However, age is associated with a major developmental crisis referred to as a midlife crisis. This factor is a major source of issues and is commonly perceived as one of the risk factors for addiction formation and needs to be acknowledged during the development of a prevention strategy. Finally, according to Jung’s developmental theory, individuals of this age group are more likely to become religious to cope with existential concerns,
What the case entailed and the parties in the case Caroline Byrne was born in 1975 and died in 1995 in Sydney. At the time of her demise, she was in love with Gordon Eric Wood who was working for a prosperous businessman. Her close workmates became anxious when she failed to go to work on June 7, 1995. She did not also see her psychiatrist that morning. Unfortunately, after the search had been initiated, her lifeless body was found at the bottom of a cliff in Sydney. The evidences that were brought forth linked her boyfriend to the last person she had seen with at the bay on June 6, 1995, afternoon. The evidences were given by an artist, John Doherty, and hotel owners, Craig and Melbourne. It was made knowing that Gordon was the only one living with Ms. Byrne at the time of her death. The inquest was held in a way to ascertain the most evident cause of Caroline’s death, and they concluded that Gordon Wood was responsible for throwing his girlfriend down the cliff. However, Gordon insisted that Caroline had committed suicide. The R v Gordon case attracted attention from the media, politicians and professional models. The deceased’s father asked for the truth to be found and the offenders to be punished. He even solicited assistance from a politician from New South Wales. The murder was committed in 1995, but the judgement was delivered only in 2008. The accused was found guilty and sentenced to thirteen years in prison. However, he appealed, and the lower court’s ruling was overturned in February 2012. The courtroom, the judge and the accused in the case The R v Gordon case was held in the New South Wales Supreme Court. The hearings were presided over by Judge Barr. The accused, Gordon Eric Wood, was the main suspect for Caroline Byrne’s murder confirmed by both the investigations and the inquests. Crown’s prosecution gave evidence and presented witnesses to link the accused to the murder of Caroline Byrne. Facts, legal issues and the final decision of the court The accused and the deceased began their relationship in 1991. At that time, Gordon Eric Wood was working as a gym instructor in Sydney. A few months later, Byrne expressed her dissatisfaction with her boyfriend’s living. She was not pleased by the fact that her boyfriend did not have a dream career. The dissatisfaction had led to their parting in 1991, but they resumed their relationship in November 1993. At that time, Gordon was working for the businessman Mr. Rivkin. Although the offender wanted them to get married in 1995, the deceased said that she had not been ready at that time. Around March 1995, the deceased confided in her manager that their relationship had not been working well. She informed the manager that the accused was associating with people who wanted to get rich quickly. She said that Gordon was becoming so angry, and she was living in fear because he had almost killed her previously. The evidence produced in court by the prosecution’s witnesses proved that the accused was obsessive, and their relationship had been strained. It was brought to the attention of the judge that a week before Caroline was fo
The historical periods of many modern powerful entities in the political and cultural map of the world have been numerous and diverse; it is simply impossible to reject the influence of certain states and the historical processes that took place in them in the overall historical period. Thus, one can also note that the formation of modern Europe has been heterogeneous and turbulent, with a set of actors producing particular influences on the image it had, and shaping the contemporary profile thereof. One of such powerful actors that played a significant role in the making of Europe was the Byzantine Empire; it was a rich, influential state that had many features of progressive political entities, and its heritage was explored by the Western artists and scientists many centuries after the period of prosperity was over (McKay et al., 2008). The religious roots, the social order, the fundamentals of medical practice and military science have taken a firm place in the European profile, so the impact of the Byzantine Empire on the overall European historical process has to be studied better in order to understand what paths of development it predetermined for Europe, and how they were implemented (McKay et al., 2008). As it is often understood by scientists and researchers nowadays, the role of the Byzantine Empire and its capital Constantinople is largely underestimated and not understood nowadays. Sayles (2003) notes that the city was located at the economic, political, and cultural center of Europe, so it worked as a linking hub for all trade routes and cultural exchanges that were more or less significant at the medieval time. The serious attitude to church and religion also marked the effect of the Byzantine Empire on the neighboring states in the Middle Ages and later; Justinian, the Emperor, built the Hagia Sofia, the Church of the Holy Wisdom (Vess & Marlowe. 2006). The icons also played an important role in the Empire, and the image of Christ Pantocrator was one of the most commonly used and met ones (Vess & Marlowe, 2006). The Iconoclastic controversy that occurred in the Byzantine Empire at the time when Muslims threatened the integrity of borders proved once more how seriously religion was perceived by followers who resisted the reform and abolition of religious images, and predetermined the subsequent flow of the religious development of Christianity in Europe (Vess & Marlowe, 2006). However, one of the notable contributions of Justinian is still considered to be his revision of the Roman law in the Corpus Iuris Civilis, the Body of Civil Law. The same referred to the codificati