ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Introduction Many people live in metropolitan urban areas and large cities, while others prefer more remote suburban locations. As defined by the US Census Bureau, an urban area is a densely populated territory that usually includes commercial and residential places (Oliveira et al 854). In turn, suburban areas can exist as separate residential communities or parts of cities. Depending on the place of residence, there are differences in lifestyles, social and racial issues, and health care access opportunities. To better understand the needs and current trends of the mentioned living areas, it is essential to research their benefits and drawbacks. Benefits and Drawbacks of Urban and Suburban Areas In the 20th century, the rapid development of technology led to great levels of urbanization, when plenty of rural and suburban populations decided to move to the cities to have a higher quality of life. While only 10% lived in cities in the last century, about 55% inhabit these areas, and this number is expected to achieve 68% by 2050 (Oliveira 852). It impacted the urban environment by promoting the growth of infrastructures and residential buildings. Modern rates of consumption in cities significantly impact its ecological, economic, and social environment, which includes traffic, climate change, a reduction in biodiversity, and so on. Today, scholars observe a trend that is contrary to the urbanization movements as many people prefer smaller municipalities to live in. Namely, the study by Jansen shows that 36% prefer smaller municipalities, 32% would choose the city edges, 13% are likely to move to rural areas, and only 11% select city centers (231). The main benefits that are mentioned by the participants of this study are ease to access to dwellings and peace. Affordability is one of the main advantages of suburban areas in comparison to metropolitan places. Compared to buying a house or apartment in cities, urban residential places are priced much more reasonably. For the same amount of money, it is possible to have a larger and more comfortable apartment that also often includes utilities, backyards, and parking zones (Oliveira 855). In addition to the cost of living, other expenses, such as food, clothing, and other necessities, are cheaper. Nevertheless, urban areas provide an opportunity to buy more fashion and luxury products, which can be limited in suburban communities. The densely populated settlements offer less space for a higher amount of money, and it is complicated by costs for parking, services, and entertainment. Social contacts and relationships compose one more topic that sets certain differences between urban zones and suburbs. According to the data from the Pew Research Center, in cities, people communicate little outside of their work, and they rarely go to visit each other (Parker et al.). Help and useless conversations are considered a waste of precious time. In suburbs, on the contrary, people are more likely to kindly lend a helping hand and take time. They can do something for free, telling a person how to act best and counting on friendly relations and a response. I
Nude art forms date back to the ancient Greeks who had the utmost respect for the sanctity that is the human body even though the same cannot be said in the present day where artists flirt with fine line between nude art and pornography, if not crossing it altogether. Ancient Greeks defined art as the means through which nature communicates with man. More so, it is an avenue through which man can communicate, vent and express himself. Among the ancient Greeks nude art was ideally meant to convey a very complex set of formal ideas, philosophical concerns and cultural traditions. They came to associate the male nude form as an embodiment of success, glory, victory and even moral excellence. Sculptures of nude, masculine athletes were used by the Greeks to embody their gods and heroes. According to Gloria Stein, though nudity and pornography refer to verbal or pictorial representations of sexual behavior, they are as different as a room with doors open and one with doors closed (Gloria Stein 1997), thereby implying that there is a clear-cut difference between nudity and pornography in art. But where do we draw the line between nudity and pornography in art? Pornography is primarily intended to arouse some form of sexual desire, craving or feeling in the viewer whereas nude art is meant to toy with and stimulate the aesthetic imagination of the viewer and has got nothing to do with the pleasures of the flesh. Nude art forms are used by artists to challenge and draw attention to moral, religious and social ideologies, beliefs and biases as pertaining to a particular society with regards to its cultures, traditions and norms. Sexual content has always been a prickly subject in any forum raising questions whether it is art or pornography. Contemporary artists have over the years metamorphosed the basic concept of nude art to the extent that they seem to glorify and commercialize what had hitherto been branded as vulgar, lewd, obscene and utterly distasteful. Philosopher and art critique Arthur Danto tries to explain this by implying that modern artwork does not seem to intend living up to preconceptions and aesthetic theories of the past but has rather become a matter of individuality and personal taste. (Arthur Danto1996) Artists like Peter Scheher have commercialized what would normally have been considered as morally repugnant thereby crossing the subtle line between nude art and pornography, or have they? Art galleries such as Ottawa’s La Pettite Mort( 306 Cumberland Street), have over the years showcased nude art that at times seem to border on the lewd yet more and more people still flock the gallery. Its allure seems to come more from the amusement the people derive from the art rather than any form of sexual pleasure. This seems to lend credence to the curator’s argument that what they are exhibiting is not pornography but rather well though out art that tries to explore the line between reason and nonsense, sexuality and perversion, innocence and vulgarity, beauty and uglines
The modern society considers the business to be one of the most important activities that should be performed to guarantee that a person or a company will attain success and obtain some extra benefits that are needed for its further evolution. Yet, the article Who is Your Favorite Salesperson also revolves around the given issue. It states that the modern companies should be considered very important agents who impact the business world by determining the solution that is needed, the supplier they want, and the price they should pay for the development of its most important spheres. Moreover, modern companies invest in numerous projects to assure the further evolution of the business sphere and the appearance of numerous opportunities for further rise. Yet, sales still remain a significant factor that determines the success of any company, and that is why this aspect is given great attention. Companies invest in salesforce for it to evolve and bring benefits to them. They also organize certain training for salesmen to be able to face the majority of challenges that appear and overcome them. There is also the idea that the optimization of training in the sphere of sales should consider the most important peculiarities of the modern market. For this reason, there are several crucial moments that create the basis for the further increase in the level of sales. For instance, the focus on adaptive and problem-solving skills is vital for a person to become successful in the given sphere. Altogether, the paper provides the list of activities needed for the gradual improvement of competence related to the business world and becoming one of the most efficient salespersons who could improve the functioning of any company greatly.
Introduction Nowadays, the issue of the legalization of marijuana has become widely discussed and particularly controversial. There are many people who support it for various reasons, the main one of which is recreational or medical use, provided with some scientific references. A contrary opinion on the issue exists, and people who hold it also have some proofs. Although, according to Marion and Hill (2019), “more recent polls have found that the number of people who believe that marijuana can be harmful to users has decreased during the past twenty-five years” (p. 4). The positive effects of marijuana are undeniable, especially when it is used for medical or recreational purposes, where its harmful side effects and risks are minimized. Moreover, the advantages seem to significantly outweigh the disadvantages, which are scientifically proved by various researchers and will be discussed in this paper. Drawbacks of legalization of marijuana To begin with, it seems essential to consider the opinion of people who are against legalization of marijuana. Researchers note that “some key interest groups have come out in opposition to legalization due to concerns about potential adverse effects on the public’s health” (McGinty et al., 2016, p. 115). There are some considerable side effects of marijuana, which can cause particular harm to people’s health. For instance, according to Levinthal (2014), the elimination of marijuana is proved to be slow due to its absorption into the fatty tissue, which makes it take longer to leave the body. In addition, there is an increased risk of cancer since marijuana usually contains similar ingredients to those in tobacco, the noticeable number of users which suffer from this disease, and, consequently, die in many cases. It is also pointless to deny such negative consequences as considerable changes in mind, hallucinations, some cardio problems, instances of acute depression or apathy, and, depending on previous illnesses that a person had, the list can be continued. Moreover, it is possible to note that “the legalization of medical marijuana may affect adolescents’ use by increasing its availability through diversion from social sources” (Paschall, Grube, & Biglan, 2017, p. 330). It is hard to deny that, in the case of legalization, there will be extensive media coverage, such as various commercials and advertising, which will inevitably lead to broad public awareness. Therefore, marijuana will probably become more widespread and simpler to obtain. The primary concern, coming from this, seems to be whether the government and parents will be able to explain appropriately to adolescents how to use marijuana properly. Thus, the final and most significant point against legalization follows. Researchers note that “the consequences of legalization are unpredictable: no one can say for sure what the results will be” (Caulkins, Kilmer, & Kleiman, 2019, p. 1). There is no doubt that the uncertainties are crucial in this case, and a lot must be done to minimize them. For instance, it is necessary to ascertain that such social groups as paren
The perception of time and motion are changed in Farquhar’s head. Farquhar sees that he has escaped the hanging and tries to reach his home. It seems that waiting several minutes for his death, the reality and his imagination play a trick with him and he appear at home. The desire to see a wife and a child is so strong that his dream seems to come true. But, the reality is inevitable. Farquhar agrees with the saying that “all is fair in love and war” (Bierce 5) in spite of the fact that he believes it to be a “villainous dictum” (Bierce 5). This phrase seems ironic as having disagreed with the claim he tries to agree with it. The same is with the job as he can do any and becoming a soldier, but only in heart. There are a lot of moments which give a slight guess that everything is a dream. For example, the opportunity to see the smallest details on a long distance, a chance to see the world as if wheeled slowly round. Moreover, the description seems to be abrupt. Being in one place, the main character appears in another one. The limited third-person point of view appropriate for this story as it helps the reader be unaware about the end. The reader is kept wondered up to the last page of the book. The whole twist ending effect could have been destroyed if the story had been told by the person who was aware of the irregular time sequence. The Secrets of the Living by Sarah Langan The Secrets of the Living by Sarah Langan is an additional story which has been chosen to read. The story takes place in Omaha, Nebraska, but is not the very idea of the plot. The actions in the story take place in Anna’s head, she remembers her life and some specifically important parts of it. The story under discussion mentions a number of character which seen to be main as they appear in Anna’s head not by chance. The whole story is based on Anna’s recollections from her life about her relations with Brendan, her husband Richard and daughter Carole, Dr. Sandstone, her mother and other people the life connected her with. The conflict of the story is laid in the fact that people have something to remember and regret, but at the same time the author asks a number of questions, the main of which is “Where was her life right now?” (Langan). but no answer is found as “too many unseen variables” (Langan) exist. I liked the story as it has made me to think about my life. Noor Jehan Noor Jehan is a singer, dancer and actress who knows what she means for many people and has an opportunity to show that she deserves attention. Having a lot of fans and admirers, it seems that Noor Jehan has always known what to do in this life. Some people say that she has arrogant nature, but it may be because she worked hard to achieve the position she occupies for now
Introduction Racism is one of the banes of any society. It makes people of other skin color or race feel less valuable in any social group. America knows very well what racism is, and the battle with it has continued for centuries already. Hidden racism and segregation are even more dangerous than the obvious neglecting of the human and social rights of people from the oppressed group. Such a form of racism is usually present in the institutions that state full equality of rights, stand for diversity, and embrace multiculturalism and the multiethnic environment as the only possible policies adopted. However, the reality appears to be very different. Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is known in the USA as the University that has one of the most liberal policies regarding students of different races and skin colors. Recent events have shown that stating the policy and following it is not the same thing. The situation with the rights of the students from the different ethnic groups in the University is not as good as it tries to present. VCU ignores the achievements of African-Americans. Danger to Students of Color The situation in VCU poses a certain threat to the students of color. It does not mean that students are in danger of reprisal because of the skin color or belonging to some ethnic minority. It means that the essence of the studentship is in great danger. The goal of the years spent in a university or other higher education facility is to learn. The process of learning is based on mastering a theoretical basis and practical use of it in a variety of examples of real-life situations. Freedom of thought is one of the cornerstones of creativity while creativity is the major tool for development. If students are deprived of freedom, they do not have the opportunity to show creativity, and thus, they cannot develop. The idea of studentship becomes meaningless. King provides the illustration of exactly the same situation in VCU (“VCUarts Fliers Tell Dean” par. 5). Officials of the University underline the fact that the establishment is focused on the creation of the beneficial conditions for the representatives of all ethnic groups. They are guaranteed to have the same conditions and possibilities for development. In this regard, the officials state the great progress in this sphere. Mitchell states that the great job is done in VCU to assure an unbiased and equal attitude to all minorities in the University disregarding the color of skin or ethnic belongings (“Update on Diversity” par. 9). After the evaluation of the available literature that describes the historical events from the past of VCU, it can be said that some work to eliminate racism has been done. Frisa provides numerous facts about various events that were organized in VCU to promote cultural and ethnic diversity there (par. 1-24). Considering the current, ongoing racial issues, it is clear that VCU is not focused on the provision of minorities with equal rights and opportunities. Officials present nice-looking data about the training and other programs to support diversity, but there are
Various prospective payment systems resemble each other because they are all based on reimbursement, which helps cover the expenses associated with caring for the patients. The most important principle associated with these systems is that the payment is pre-agreed and is identified on the basis of the evaluation of the particular procedures and operations (Harrington, 2021). In addition, the specific classification structure helps to analyze these procedures and determine which can be covered by the system. Although these payment methods have similar features, they also differ in their fundamental components taken into account during their application and the requirements that regulate them. In the outpatient prospective payment system, the payment unit is the particular service provided to the patients. The separate indicators are used as the classification system to define whether the service can be paid under this program. These indicators refer to the level of sophistication of the procedure. Besides, the geographic varieties influence the level of reimbursement because the additional costs differ in various regions of the country (Harrington, 2021). The calculation of the expenses is based on assessing a collection of procedures and factors that may influence the costs. The home health prospective payment system, on the other hand, is based on the principle that all the procedures should follow the requirements associated with home care. Such stages as the discharging from acute care, the first home visit, the presentation of a plan of care, and the introduction of certification play a significant role in the decision about the payment (“Home Health,” 2021). Also, according to this system, a refund occurs when the circumstances demand it. When the case happens, the home health agency receives payment for the whole course of treatment, which includes various types of care. These amounts are divided into two parts. The first is provided when the case is identified. The second is supplied when the 60 days of treatment are completed. The physician payment system differs because it is based on the relative value component, which helps identify the resources needed to accomplish the task. Such elements of the service as the competence of the healthcare worker, the time required for the performance of the healthcare practice, and the quality of equipment, play a significant role in the assessment process (Harrington, 2021). The working hours, the difficulty of the tasks, and the stressfulness are also considered in evaluating the physicians’ salaries. Non-physici
Introduction Hobsbawn is a historian who mostly focused his pieces of writing on the history of modern Europe. The history of this continent is characterized by a series of undeniable events and counter events that foresaw its transition from a land full of rebellious sects to a rather peaceful continent. The author of the book ‘The Age of Empire’, Hobsbawn, clearly shows the transition of the continent from the revolution period to the period of ‘empire’ which occurred in the 19 th century. This paper is aimed at giving a comprehensive distinction of these two periods that marked an unforgettable history on the European continent. It is also meant to give ample answers to some frequently asked questions concerning Hobsbawn and his pieces of literature. Hobsbawn divides historians into two broad and distinct classes. He indicates in his book that these groups of historians base their pieces of work on different perspectives. However, the two groups of writers scrutinize historical contents and information to come up with comprehensive documents and books of history. Hobsbawn categorizes the 19 th century historians as forward and backward lookers. He describes forward lookers as historians who base their works on the future effects of some past historical events. Backward lookers, on the other hand, focus their pieces of writing on the causative factors of historical events. Hobsbawn himself belongs to backward lookers and a number of incidences in his book clearly depict this statement. In most instances, he tries to explain the causes of European historical events like the transition from the age of revolution to the age of empire and gives reasons why these happened. The ways, which help Hobsbawn to distinguish between the renowned liberal bourgeois capitalism and its aftermath The European continent experienced the liberal bourgeois capitalism, characterized by the age of revolution, in early 19 th century. This was the period when Europe experienced a series of rebellions from a number of countries that revolted against oppressions. The distinguishing factor that Hobsbawn uses to differentiate bourgeois capitalism and its aftermath is the war that arose. The wars experienced during that period marked the transition between the age of revolution and the aftermath that was the age of empire. This form of capitalism gave rise to limitless productive systems that saw capitalist economies have a great influence on other economies. The economy of the bourgeois society is described in the book as being ‘unproblematic’ during this time. War, the most outstanding characteristic of this period, was suppressed in a bid to thrive capitalism. The French revolution, for instance, was an emergent force that struggled to shun capitalism. Hobsbawn points out that the rebellious forces had succumbed to suppression and gradually accepted the domination of capitalism. They had accepted the cultural and economic domination and were subjected to compliance with any policies that were enforced. Hobsbawn noted that the age of revolution had brought about detrimental effects to the European economy in mid 19 th century. He clearly points out the tremendou