ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Introduction Testing of life expectancy in human beings is a controversial area characterized by various debates with no conclusive answers. Scientists in different fields have come up with various formulas trying to predict the length of human life. None however comes close to what some UK scientists are about to roll out. The test involves a blood test whose cells’ DNA will be analyzed to determine the length of telomeres. While further research and tests are needed to prove of the efficiency of the test, the level at which it is right now can apparently be able to tell people of their date of death. The providers of the service are planning to roll it out in the market and the test will be available to whoever wants to take it. Its availability for consumption however is subject to permission from authorities. Besides, there will be opinions from sectors like religion, general population and the science world. The expected lack of consensus among the above interested groups breeds the big question of whether the service should be offered or not. Despite the demerits associated with the test, I am of the opinion that the test should be made available to those that would like to have it. It should also be made available for use in healthcare if patients of healthcare providers deem it necessary. It is however important to note that the service should not be availed as part of the government’s healthcare programs. Government should only support it through private enterprise. Why government should support the service Opponents will front many disadvantages of the availability of the service and, they are many. Religion especially will argue against it and probably present an argument similar to that of cloning and stem cell research. Public opinion is likely to be divided with a majority opposing while a good portion will be supporting it. Some liberal scientists will most likely embrace it while the conservative lot will flatly reject the idea. However, the government will have the final say. While authorities may have their opinion, they will not voice it openly and will have to listen to the wishes of the majority whilst at the same time considering the implications it is likely to have to political trends, scientific research, and free market principles and by extension the economy. Given that the western world encourages progressive research and thrives on it, it should act as one of the reasons for allowing the roll out. It takes a considerable length of time for scientists to come up with such discoveries. Moreover, most of them use state resources in the course of their work. It will therefore be a waste of time and resources if the discoveries these scientists make are not put into good use. Denial of permission to offer the service will only serve to discourage development and innovation in the scientific world. The economies of western countries including the UK are built of scientific development that have encouraged growth i
Leading in a Culture of Change, a book by Michael Fullan, suggests a unified leadership framework that is suitable for education as well as other fields, including business. The framework tries to account for all of the currently existing leadership models and theories that are recognized as viable. The framework consisting of five crucial components that constitute the requirements for a successful leader is based on a range of change concepts, including the complex nature of change, the relatively secondary role of both the innovation and value of the initial ideas and the recognition of obstacles as beneficial. This latter concept, formulated as “reframing resistance as a potentially positive force,” aligns well with the democratic leadership style, as it allows for interaction with the subjects of change and their involvement in the change process (Fullan, 2001). Literature Review According to Fullan (2001), the obstacles encountered in the process of change by the leader should by no means be viewed as adverse effects, or as a sign of failure. While the complications and problems are often signs of the mistakes in the change process, the fact of their existence should be perceived as the opportunity for improvement rather than the reason for abandoning the endeavor. This view is most prominently featured in “Understanding change,” one of the themes of successful leadership conceived by Fullan. One of the concepts that will aid the understanding is reframing resistance as a positive force. This approach is featured prominently in other works concentrating on overcoming obstacles in the leadership process. For instance, Lew Perren (1996) researches the dynamics of resistance to change by reviewing ten cases of implementing changes in organizations. The review of the positive outcomes of resistance in each separate case allows him to conclude that the resistance can be viewed as a natural survival mechanism that challenges the changes’ consistency and protects the established model from disruption (Perren, 1996). As such, resistance to change is beneficial not only to the leaders, who can improve their skills but also to the system as a means of assessing the validity of the process. Fred Nichols (2012) offers five reasons for viewing resistance to change as a positive force. Besides serving as a tool for checking the integrity of the process and its value for the organization, it challenges the determination of the leader, effectively eliminating the attempts that lack seriousness. In this way, it filters rushed and unfitting decisions and impulsive reactions to external events (Nichols, 2012). Finally, the resistance offers the emotional and psychological safety valve that removes excessive pressure which inevitably builds up when the established order of things is violated, and at the same time slows down the pace, which also helps the audience to cope with the process. Resistance may not only be viewed as beneficial to the leader but a
Introduction The United States of America is the world’s largest and powerful state of the 21 st century. The country has diverse races and tribes with completely different cultural norms. The US entails several white and non-white communities living in either similar state towns or cities. According to prior studies on the American indigenous people and immigrants, non-white and other white immigrants are the most economically and politically disadvantaged people (Goode et al., 2007). For numerous past decades, several negro-white communities have been fighting for equity in the US with cases of racial and ethnical disparities increasingly posing challenges to such communities. Healthcare and quality of life, as one of the most crucial aspects in human life in the current century, face challenges from racial and ethnical differences in the US. Therefore, with respect to this scenario, this essay seeks to investigate the influence of cultural diversity and competence in African Americans and Hispanic hemodialysis patients. Synopsis of African Americans and Hispanic African Americans and Hispanic communities are among the earliest immigrants into the US. They arrived in the US either through slavery or through personal business interests. The two communities currently form the largest minority groups in the US with these groups currently representing almost one-third of the entire US population. Since their entry in the US, the two groups collectively with other immigrants that make up communities in the country have suffered racial, ethnical, and even political discrimination. They share different cultural norms with the Native American communities, which really disadvantages them and Dees (2007, p. 35) defines this element as “the learned and shared beliefs, behaviors and attitudes by members of a group” (p.35). However, according Pokras et al. (2009), there is a considerable change in racial and ethnical disparities issues in the US, with great political changes influencing the situation, as cultural issues are becoming the latest challenge in improving healthcare delivery. Synopsis on Hemodialysis Hemodialysis refers to a special treatment method that involves extra bodily and corporeal removal of waste products from patients, especially after complete renal failure. Principally, it entails providing care to patients suffering from End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Green and Brown (2010) posit, “ESRD is an incurable, life-threatening disease marked by permanent cessation of kidney function” (p.38). Due to this condition, patients suffering from this ailment normally receive treatment routinely in dialysis outpatient facility or less frequently at their homes from assigned caregivers/nurses. ESRD is among the chronic diseases greatly threatening human life. Therefore, to provide optimal care to patients of this nature, it requires dedicated, non-biased, and caring healthcare workers who are capable of centering on “quality of life” as the primarily compelling objective. According to Green and Brown (2010), hemodialysis is one of the medical technology advancements emerged with a primary aim
Abstract For organisations to market their products and services, they need to adopt appropriate marketing strategies that are consistent with the dynamics of the industry in which they are established. The goal here is to reduce the negative impacts that the weaknesses and threats surrounding an organisation may have on the success of the organisation. Any marketing strategy that helps in the realisation of these concerns needs to lay out conspicuously an organisation’s market segments, target markets, target strategy and even the positioning strategy as in the case of McDonald. Introduction Marketing involves one of the noble activities an organisation does to create awareness of the value for its products and services. In a broader perspective, marketing entails market research, market segmentation, setting of marketing strategies, evaluation of the marketing environment through SWOT analysis, and even positioning of marketing strategies among others (Kotler et al, 2009, p.56). In an effort to set out a clear understanding of each of these elements constituting the marketing function, the case of McDonald is analysed in this paper. Essentially, it is argued that a proper design of all these elements amounts to an incredible success of the placement of McDonald’s products and services: something that has made the organisation realise a global presence. Industry Background McDonald operates in an industry of fast foods. In this industry, the major target market includes all people whom the industry believes lack time to prepare food and hence opt for ready-to-eat foods. Such people include young people and working class persons (Surtherland & Sylvester, 2000, p.23). Even though this target market constitutes a large market segment enough to sustain long-term operations of all the organisations operating in the industry, increasing concerns and association of fast foods with health challenges such as obesity coupled with its associated ailments such as diabetes and high blood pressure among others poses a threat to the industry. This implies that the trend for continued growth for consumption of fast foods is challenged. Company Background McDonald opened its first store in 1971 in Yagoona in Sydney, Australia. However, the company had been in operation in the USA having opened its first store at Illinois, Chicago, in 1955. Today, the organisation is one of the largest fast food retailers not only in the USA but also in other parts of the world such as China and Australia. It has about 30,000 stores across the world with new stores being established with time. Research indicates that McDonald opens a store after four to five hours (Greco & Michman, 1995, p.12). Across the world, the presence of McDonald is experienced in about 119 countries. In Australia, the company has about 730 stores while it has about 800 stores in operation in China. Additionally, McDonald employees about 390,000 people who serve about 54 million people across the world per day. In the year 2005, the company reported revenue of about 21 billion U.S. dollars. Essentially, the company expands through opening of franchises whereby, in
The State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) is an assessment program developed by many stakeholders in the education sector for students who are in the third grade to grade eight before they have entered high school. This program is replaces the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). In order to conform to the national and international assessment standards, the state of Texas has developed texts which are standardized. They are of two categories and they include the criterion referenced and the norm referenced. This paper helps to explain the validity of the test, its purpose and its effect on the funding mechanism to other districts. There are many reasons as to why the test is replacing the other tests. To begin with, the other tests are norm referenced. This means that they compare the performance of a specific student against other students. For instance, the student’s results are compared in three categories; above average, on average and below average depending on the number of students in the class. The performance of the student is thus limited to the classroom level at the expense of the other students who are in other schools. This also locks many students out of high school opportunities due to poor performance in their specific schools. In addition, many schools in Texas are not fully prepared to enter middle level schools due to the poor examination standards (Texas test prep practice test book , 2011). Secondly, the main purpose of having STAAR is to ensure that the student’s performance has been compared against a standard. Being a criterion based examination, STAAR holds each student accountable for failing to meet the accepted standard. The test is also meant to ensure that the student’s performance has been tested against the available standards of the curriculum. It thus replaces the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for each grade. The Texas Education Agency planned to ensure that by the year 2030 every state will have reviewed its standards in order to determine the assessed objectives. Many people such as parents and teachers are opposed to the STAAR tests with reasons such as that the students may fail the examinations because they are harder than the TAKS. The parents are on the other hand oblivious of the fact that the examinations will be of high standards. The purpose for having achieved this standard is to ensure that the student’s performance has been compared against the general standards of the state. Moreover, the STAAR will be mor
Niche Market The name of my business entity is 21 st Wear. 21 st wear is mainly involved in the selling of sportswear for children who are below the age of 16. The main aim of choosing this business venture is due to its huge market capacity. This is because the individuals who are below the age of 16 constitute the largest proportion of many populations in the world with the USA being one of them. As a result, it is possible for this business venture to command a huge market share and stand at a competitive advantage over its rivals by providing high quality products at a cheaper price. It also offers its customers the best consumer service in the industry. At the present moment, the business entity is a small store in down town of New York. However, the venture is expected to open more stores in New York, other states of the country, as well as Europe, Asia, South America and Africa. Young and middle-aged parents are the main target group of this business venture. These are the individuals who have young families. Annotated Bibliography Bell, R. M. (2006). How long does it take? How fast is it moving (if at all?) Time and technological learning in industrialising countries. International Journal of Technology Management , 36 (1), p. 25-39 Bell focuses on the trends of development that are being experienced in the industrial world. In this article, he argues that only a few studies have been conducted to identify the cause and trends of the dynamics that are being experienced in the industrial and economic world. Due to this fact, managers are basing their policies and decisions on limited research. This, therefore, affects the sustainability of such companies and industries. With the applications of his considerations, it will be possible to develop a sound business plan for 21 st Wear. Berger, S. (2006)
Summary The business research process entails carrying out a survey on aspects of a business. It requires carrying out a scan of the internal and external business environment. Some of the areas that should be reviewed in a business are the customers, market, employees, government regulations, suppliers, and community among others. The results of a business scan are used to make informed business decisions. SWOT analysis and PESTEL analysis are commonly used in carrying out a scan of the environment. The business research process aids in minimizing risks in business decision-making. The paper discusses the steps of a business research process. Steps of the business research process The business research process goes through six distinctive stages. The first step is coming up with the research question. The stage entails formulating a research question or the problem that needs to be addressed. The research question often arises from the problem the business faces. The research question can be specifically targeted only one function such as how to reposition a commodity or it can be too generally such as how to increase sales of the entity. Also, research questions can be formulated to address a control issue or a dilemma. The research question should be able to define the scope of the study, indicate the variables and assess the research hypothesis. The second stage entails coming up with a research proposal that will address the business research question. The research proposal should be accompanied by a research plan. This can be in the form of a Gantt chart. The chart shows the timing of all activities that need to be carried out to complete the project. It also shows the obligations that come with the project. The research proposal also the budget for the proposal that is, the amount the project will cost. This stage also evaluates the legality of the project proposed. Finally, the research proposal also clearly states the purpose of the research and the deliverables expected at the end of the project. The third stage of a business research process is coming up with a design for a research project. The analyst at this stage comes up with research design, sampling designs and carrying out pilot testing. This stage is important for the success of the pilot testing affirms that the proposal addressed the research question. The fourth step is data collection. The data collected should be verifiable and close. Various statistical data collection techniques can be used at this stage so as to ensure that the sample selected suits the project and is not biased. The fifth step entails analyzing the data and interpreting the results in relation to the project needs. The final step is reporting on the results of the business research. This section shows the research overview, executive summary, implementation strategies and technical requirements to implement the project. This is important because it provides guidelines for the implementation of the project.
In 2011, 12-year-old Christian Fernandez was charged with first-degree murder of his two-year-old brother. The toddler had been regularly abused before that; the death was caused by beatings. The mother of the boys new about the abuse her younger son was subjected to but did not do anything to interfere (Hunt, 2011a). According to Bechtold and Cauffman (2014) the main difference between juvenile and adult court consists in the fact that the former is mostly aimed at the rehabilitation of the convict and his or her reintegration into society. This is mainly caused by the developmental differences between the youth and the elders which include, for instance, “underdeveloped self-control, heightened vulnerability to outside [i.e., peer] influence, and other developmental immaturities” (Bechtold & Cauffman, 2014, p. 126). As a result, youngsters are considered to be less “blameworthy” than adults, and their penalties are less severe. However, if rehabilitation is deemed impossible (for example, when the crimes of the juveniles are especially grave), they may be tried as adults. Despite the gravity of his crime, Fernandez escaped this fate. Being tried as a youngster, Fernandez avoided the death penalty but faced the possibility of being sentenced to life (Hunt, 2011a). The decision to try him as a juvenile appears to be reasonable and can be explained in the following way. First of all, the gravity of the mother’s negligence
Introduction Hurricane Katrina became one of the most powerful and devastating natural disasters in the USA in the 21st century. It struck the Gulf Coast in August 2005 and resulted in catastrophic consequences in Florida and Eastern Texas (Zimmermann, 2015). The storm was a third hurricane of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season and the most intense cyclone on the record in the USA; it devastated the area and caused numerous deaths among residents (Zimmermann, 2015). Regarding the power of the natural disaster, its management demanded the consolidation of all local resources and improved collaboration at all levels to assist people who found themselves in difficult conditions and provide them with the needed help to minimize harm. Resources from State and Federal Agencies Analyzing emergency responses to particular events, the four elements are traditionally taken into account. The first one is the resources from state and federal agencies. Speaking about Katrina insufficient regional planning and coordination should be admitted (“The federal