ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Introduction The Middle East has experienced several civil conflicts as well as the rising of extremist groups. The past decade has seen a rise in the number of uprisings, most of them propagated by the people’s discomfort with the ideologies of those in power. This paper seeks to bring more light into the situation that has been in Syria and its neighboring country, Iraq. The origin of the civil war in Syria The year 2011 (March), some citizens started demonstrating against the Syrian government headed by President Bashar-al-Assad. The protests originated due to the Arab Spring whereby several protests were going on in various Arab countries from the time the Tunisian government was brought down early 2011. The protests were at first peaceful, but when the government forces reacted to it with much force, the rebels took up arms and started the war with the government. The prevailing events dragged the whole nation into a civil war. In the month of July, several individuals who had defected from the Free Syrian Army also joined the rebels against the government. In fact, the differences between various ethnicities, Islamists, and secular fighters brought political complications to the crisis (Manfreda 2015). The widespread civil war brought about deaths above 200,000, which comprised mostly of civilians in a period of four years. Continued bombings have destroyed cities and widespread violations of human rights. The populations of the affected areas are also unable to access basic amenities like healthcare and food. The war has displaced more than 7 million people according to UN reports. In fact, the war registered more than 3 million refugees with Syrian origin. In addition to the existing refugees, almost a third of the country’s population is in need of humanitarian help. Interests and grievances leading to the crisis in Syria Several issues have fuelled the crisis in Syria. One of the main reasons for the conflict is political repression. President Bashar as-Assad took over after his father who had ruled the country died. His actions ensured that the concentration of power was in the first family, and he continued with the system of a solitary party. The actions cleared all the hopes of any reforms and brought dissent with the political set up. The country has never had any democratic transfer of power from mid 20 th century, and a military coup was seen as the only hope (Mansoor 2014). The uneasiness with the ideologies of the Syrian Baath party was another contributor to the start of the conflict. The party was considered as the originator of Arab socialism, which was an ideology that brought together Pan-Arab nationalism and the economy. The situation changed that by the year 2000 when the party’s ideology was crippled after losing wars to Israel and a slump in the economy. When Assad
Introduction Theoretical view represents a set of thinking focused towards scientific or scholarly inquiry widely recognized and accepted within particular discipline. Therefore, global politics can well be analyzed through the study of theories in international relations. Study based on international domain can be understood through underlying principles of realist, liberal as well as radical traditions. Realism and liberalism present some of the most dominant theories in International Relations. Classical thinking usually focuses on the positive outcome on such prospects of peace, cooperation as well as human progression. On the contrary, idealism focuses on prospects surrounding human nature as well as possibilities (Sasley, 2011). Dominant theoretical frameworks within International Relations Realism is one of the dominant theoretical frameworks that focuses on the existing propensity applicable in resolving conflict between states. The theory was discovered to be dominant theoretical tradition during the Cold War (Sasley, 2011). The theory largely exposes international affairs as self-seeking struggle for power amongst states and is known to generally focus on the positive prospects which can be utilized in the process of eliminating conflict and major squabbles (Sasley, 2011). The theory is outlined by powerful principles and explanations for various domains within international relations such as war and imperialism amongst other international phenomena. Classical realists believed in the fact that states had the domineering character comparable to that of human beings. Such innate desire makes some states to consider themselves superior based on resources as well as political affiliations. This contributes to wars amongst nations since classical vi
Introduction The essay is a critical examination of organizational change in a brick-and-mortar and virtual organization. It has been brought forth that change is the only constant thing on earth; for that matter in the world of business, organizations that do not change will be forced out of business since they will loss competitive advantage to their rivals (Brews & Tucci, 2004). However, one major problem is how to manage the change itself. Studies have shown that adopting change without having in place suitable mechanisms to manage the same may jeopardize organization prosperity. According to Hughes, 2007, a brick-and-mortar organization refers to businesses that have physical address and customers can have a face-face contact with the business employees while carrying out business transaction. On the other hand, virtual organizations are business entities that carryout their business activities on-line or through the internet. Ideally, virtual organization refers to network of independent firms which have come together either in the short term or long-term to provide customers with products or services that are of high quality. Organizational change refer to bigger changes and not smaller one faced by an organization. The changes or transformation include changing mission statement, restructuring, re-engineering and merging among other. The concept has been heightened by globalization propelled by technological advancement (Les, 2001). Management of change in a brick-and-mortar and virtual organization Although the two organizations are very different from each other, there are a number of similarities when it comes to managing change. This includes fostering cooperation, trust as well as empowering workers. With this approach, it is evident that the organizations know that the way to go is to build trust by empowering as well as involving everybody (Hughes, 2007). Additionally both use education programs aimed at ensuring that employees are aware of what they are expected to do in the face of change. In both, the issue of building team work is a challenge since in a brick-and-mortar organization resistance can be seen while in virtual organization where individuals do not see each other physically brings a challenge in building trust. On the other hand, the differences include; decentralization vs. centralization. Although a brick-and-mortar
Introduction Most world civilizations fell as humans inadvertently destroyed the natural resources on which the survival of their societies was based. As their populations grew, people depleted natural resources through unsustainable economic activities causing ecological suicide (Diamond, 2005). The Aksumite Empire was one of the ancient civilizations whose existence was mainly supported by the natural environment and the natural resources of the region. It was due to ecological suicide, rather than Islamic conquest, that the Aksumite Empire declined. Where they lived and the historical Period The Aksumite Empire was a powerful civilization that existed between AD 100 and 700. It was located in Eastern Africa in the Ethiopian province of Tigray and extended across the Red Sea to the A
Introduction about the topic Capital budgeting is the process by which companies appraise investment decisions, in particular, by which capital resources are allocated to specific projects. It requires firms to give account for the time value of money and project risk using a variety of more or less formal techniques. The decision to invest in fixed assets is one of the major decisions made by managers. Investments in fixed assets impact a firm’s operations for a very long time because they involve large capital outlays. As a result, a variety of quantitative and analytical techniques are applied by managers in the selection of projects to enable them to make good decisions in the area 1 . Capital budgeting comprises of a number of techniques based on various concepts emanating from projects and investments such as the concept of incremental cash flows. Accounting rules play a very important role in the basis of some particular techniques. The management control process requires the services of budgetary planning and control to provide necessary accounting information. Most of the important information is normally provided through variance reports availed by the accountants in charge. Capital budgeting decisions are influenced by certain factors dealing with economic, social, political, as well as cultural diversity 2 . There has been tremendous increase in the level of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the last two decades. This has been brought about by the spread of business investment activities across countries of the world. Multinational organisations have faced various challenges due to lack of reliable and accurate methods which could be used in making appropriate decisions within the market place. The paper comprises of various parts the first presenting both theoretical as well as practical overview of the given organisation. The second part of the reports gives the methodology, including data collection techniques as well as design of questionnaire. Then there are the findings from the research and finally conclusions and recommendations. However, capital budgeting techniques provide measures through which capital budgeting requests are analysed. Net Present Value utilizes the aspect of time value of money concepts, Payback period has been discovered to be deficient of time value techniques 3 . Introduction about the company Capital budgeting is applied in the company’s planning process to determine the status of the firm in line with long term investments 4 . The chamber is one of Saudi Arabia’s oldest and well-established organisations. The promotion of the private sector contribution to the economy is the cause Th
Price changes have a significant influence on consumer behavior and purchase decisions. For example, a study by Paswan, Crawford, Ngamsiriudom, and Nguyen (2014) showed that an increase in gasoline prices causes anxiety and lifestyle changes, prompting consumers to switch to another mode of transportation. However, the influence of price on purchase decisions and consumer behavior can also vary depending on the type of product. The present paper will examine my reaction to an increase in earphone pricing and outline how changes in the prices of certain products will affect different customer groups. The last product I purchased for over $50 was a Sony MDR-XB950BT/B wireless headset, which I bought on Amazon for $96. I enjoy listening to music, which is why having high-quality, comfortable headphones is essential to me. If the price of this headset increased by 10% overnight, my purchase decision would not change, as I have purchased the headset from Sony before the price increase. However, in the long term, it would no longer fit my budget for new headphones, and I would consider purchasing another product. For example, JBL E45BT wireless headphones have a similar quality of sound and are $20 cheaper than the headphones I bought from Sony. Based on the above scenario, I believe that I am price-sensitive when it comes to electronics, as I try to fit all purchases into my monthly budget. Indeed, some categories of consumers are more affected by price changes in certain products than others. For instance, a noticeable
Introduction   * The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affects the health of people.   * The absence of a proper solution has necessitated the need for one.   * Ivermectin is being used for infections caused by SARS-CoV-2.   * However, there is no evidence on the adverse effects of Ivermectin (Plumb, 2018).   * Therefore, this is a proposal to identify the efficiency and threats of Ivermectin to treat COVID-19. Objectives  1. To analyze research findings on effectiveness and risk factors linked with Ivermectin.  2. To conduct an in-depth literature review on the effects of Ivermectin.  3. To determine the relevance of Ivermectin to the healthcare community struggling with the burden (Plumb, 2018). Statement of the Problem   * Ivermectin has not been researched effectively.   * It is challenging to formulate clear dosing of Ivermectin.   * The recent discovery of Ivermectin makes it hard to study the long-term effects
Introduction Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dunia Finance LLC has been one of the leading financial institutions in the region since its inception in 2006. Dunia provides an array of financial products and services, including fixed deposits, personal and car loans, and credit cards. Additionally, the institution offers financial planning services and credit card promotions. Dunia’s management led by the CEO, Rajeev Kakar, and the Head of Strategic Analytics, Ali Hurbas, has been strategizing on the approaches that the financial institution needs to adopt for it to realize substantial growth. Dunia regards data analytics as an essential tool in risk management since it goes a long way in mitigating financial losses. Additionally, the financial institution identifies accurate data as one of the factors that can foster its competitive edge in the industry. Dunia mainly uses the data in its analytics to facilitate an understanding of the market, thus implementing the required strategies for development and growth. In this respect, the company identifies analytics as a necessary tool that enhances its financial health and competitiveness in the specialty finance industry. In addition, Dunia currently applies the cross-selling approach with the view of fostering customer lifetime value since it requires minimum maintenance investment while at the same time heightening the probability of customer retention. Dunia’s credit department applies analytics to identify clients who are eligible for cross-selling. The financial institution can also consider integrating the upselling technique to boost its long-term relationship with customers. Hence, as revealed in this report, Dunia’s embracement of the analytics function
Introduction Diplomacy is an important aspect of international relations that should be studied by many scholars of international relations. After the Cold War, diplomacy has drastically reduced in international relations applicability and scholarly studies. Diplomacy has however developed into resident embassy diplomacy, which is more efficient in the processes of negotiations and representations of a nation among other nations. The study of diplomacy by scholars with regards to international relations enables understanding of international relations as well as what the international diplomats do. The Study of International Relations The study of international relations has been enhanced by the introduction of programs such as Master of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy Studies in the European Union. This study enables its students to gain a deep understanding of the knowledge and skills in diplomacy, as well as international representation and relations. It imparts knowledge of the European Union, a huge global actor of diplomacy and international negotiations. The program involves an intensive study that lasts for one year and involves an analysis of various disciplines with regards to the external relations of the European Union. The program seeks to educate graduates with international relations knowledge that would enhance their professionalism in dealing with European diplomacy and public administration. The study also seeks to promote the private sector and non-governmental international relations. The program is aided by professors who are internationally recognized as international relations and diplomacy experts. The professors represent broad aspects of academic backgrounds and professional conduct in many countries about international standards. In Addition to the knowledge, students are also subjected to a learning environment where they interact with fellow students who are from diverse backgrounds of more than thirty nationalities. Diplomacy Representation The role of diplomatic residence can be considered as that which is extremely important if positive international relations and representation are to be achieved. Diplomatic service success rate varies with the service and location with which the diplomatic functions are part of. Diplomacy representation involves functions that are not only prestigious but also public appearance and attendance of state ceremonies that are feature
The 20th century witnessed some of the most important technological advances in human history. The United State is the country that made the most significant technological contributions in the 20th century. Many of the advances were made in the immediate post Second World War years. The US emerged from devastating WWII as a rich and powerful nation. The government was committed to promoting scientific progress in the country during the postwar years. Some significant technologies were therefore developed from 1946 to 1960. This paper will discuss some of these technologies and the people involved in their development. It will also highlight their importance and the impact they had on the US and the rest of the world. A major postwar period advancement was in the field of aviation. While the first aircraft had been flown in 1903 the industry had not witnessed any significant advances. This changed when the American aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney designed the first efficient jet engine in 1948. The J57 engine was conceived by Perry Pratt, who was the head of the technical and research center at the Pratt and Whitney Company. Vaclav (2010) declares that the J57 was the most significant postwar jet engine design. It provided high thrust at low fuel consumption level making it ideal for commercial airlines. As a result of the Pratt & Whitney design, the first turbojet airliner was commissioned in 1958 and it was able to make transatlantic flights in record time. Turbojet airlines led to an increase in air traffic as they increased the quality of air travel and decreased the cost of flights (Brooks, 1967). In the US, technology made the airline industry self-sufficient as more people traveled by air. International trade benefited since jet-powered planes could cheaply carry higher load capacities for long distances. The tourism industry also received a boost since more people could now afford intercontinental travel. Another significant technology was in the electronics field. US scientists invented the transistor which had a major impact in electronics. The transistor was developed in the post-war years at the Bell Lab. A major figure involved in the development was Mervin Kelly from the Bell Labs. He recognized that a transistor made from a semiconductor could solve the problem that the telecommunications industry was facing in its efforts to amplify signals across great distances. Operational transistors became available in 1948 and they were mass produced for various civilian and military uses. The first major use of the transistor was in transistor radios, which were produced in 1953. These radios allowed Americans to conveniently receive news and entertainment from their local radio stations. US companies were also able to use technology to create more powerful computers (Ross, 2003). The transistor had significant implications in the world. The Japanese capitalized on this invention to mass-produce radios that were sold all over the world. These transist
Introduction Undeniably, innovations are good for the prosperity and enhancement of human’s standards of living. With this regard, technology and innovations in general should not be seen as negative. However, there is great need for caution when deciding the innovations that are helpful and those that are harmful and dangerous. This paper seeks to show that there are two effects of innovations which can either be positive or negative. Artificial intelligence Artificial Intelligence is one of the most controversial innovations that the world has seen as per the current developments. The other closely related innovation that has also raised similar attention is the human cloning scientific development. With the artificial development, it is believed that the research will take a century before it is completed. According to the head of the Google’s self driving car project, Sebastian Thrun, artificial intelligence is taking over the world (Lemmer & Kanal 2014). He argues that while humans will still be in charge of a few aspects of life in the near future, their control will be reduced due to the development of artificial intelligence. Positive effects of artificial innovation Artificial Intelligence can be very beneficial to the human race in a number of ways. One of the most significant ways that AI can help humans is by the degree by which it can be used in areas such as healthcare, education, and business among other areas (Matsuda, Cohen & Koedinger 2015). The advancement of AI can greatly enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of medical services hence improving humans’ livelihoods. The recent development of a self driving vehicle shows how our lives can become easier with the help of AI. Negative implications of adopting AI AI on the other hand has many unfavorable effects on human livelihood. For instance, the self-driven vehicle may be a good idea and its sufficiency and ability to automatically avoid collision may reduce the rate of accidents. Nonetheless, if we consider human survival, this may not be one of the best things to do. The implications of this innovation affect aspects such as employment. Having self-driven cabs in the streets will send human drivers home and reduce the rate of employment. Automated vendor machines are the best examples to show how AI can rob humanity of its natural setting. Due to the self-running vendor machines, many energy and snack vendors have closed shopped due to lack of market. Nobody in investing on vending stores anymore since one can easily purchase a vending machine and find a vending space. The same happened with the automated teller machines which led to the laying off of several human tellers in the banking industry. The current robotics are directed and utilized under the supervision of humans and their movements and intentions are decided by people. Conclusion Determining whether AI is a friendly innovation or it is a global mistake depends on the functions that the innovation is intended to achieve. The developm