ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Abstract Although the CCSS initiative was adopted by 45 states across the United States of America, it is important to point out that there are those who voiced out their criticisms against this framework. They cited the possible takeover of the Federal Government over the public school system all over the country using the CCSS framework. They also pointed out the various difficulties that students and teachers encountered when implementing the said set of educational standards. There were also complaints regarding the proficiency levels of teachers as well as the overall capability of certain educational systems to handle the requirements of the CCSS initiative. Moreover, many cited that the core issue is not the requirements of the CCSS, but the socio-economic factors that prevented students and teachers from accomplishing predetermined targets. All these arguments are not enough to withdraw the support of the national government and to force the 45 states to abandon the use of the CCSS framework, because the CCSS proved helpful when it comes to creating a standard that enhances the quality of education in a public school setting. The CCSS framework was created based on insights that were generated after studying international standards and the inputs provided by educators and experts all over the country. It has been pointed out that those who needed individualized learning schemes, and desire greater freedom in acquiring certain skills and knowledge sets are free to enroll their children in private schools. However, it is still important to have an open mind when it comes to improving the CCSS framework. In addition, it is imperative to have greater collaboration among different social groups from different sectors of the American society to solve the problem created by socio-economic factors that in turn prevented poor children from acquiring quality education. In 2010, the America’s education system underwent a major overhaul when several states adopted the Common Core State Standards (“CCSS”) for public schools. The CCSS was created to ensure that all students enrolled in public schools all over the nation will receive top quality education that in turn will enable them to hurdle admission requirements for college and universities. The CCSS included certain requirements for the English language arts and mathematics for each grade level. According to one commentary, the said standards “express the knowledge and skills students need to master at each grade level and in specified courses or subject areas to be successful” (Conley, 2014, p. 3). It is therefore important to support the adoption of CCSS in every public school system in the United States. Argument in Favor of CCSS There are several reasons for supporting and adopting the CCSS as demonstrated in the following statements. In the context of the CCSS, it is worth noting that the English language arts standards include the knowledge and skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The standards allow for an in-depth study of the subject matter, and it ensures tha
Leadership is a very essential element at all levels more especially in organizations. Leadership entails directing other elements, through influence, to get things done. There are various leadership styles, each with its benefits and drawbacks. Leadership style is affected by various factors, for instance, the culture of the people involved. This piece of paper looks at how cultural differences may influence leadership in an international perspective. The United States of America will be used as the headquarters of an international internet retail organization where other countries are involved. The countries of discussion are Kenya and China. There exist cultural differences across nations for instance those in the USA, Asia, and Africa. The differences can be seen in languages, behaviors, symbols and signs as well as preferences. For this reason, there is need for the organization to strike a balance between the local customs and cultural attributes and those of the primary culture of the organization’s headquarters, in this case, USA. According to Anca and Vazquez (2007), cultural diversity in the work place is associated with many problems that necessitate some extra effort by the management or leaders to ensure that it does not affect the progress of an organization negatively. Most of the problems occur naturally due to the cultural differences while others could be facilitated by negligence by various authorities, for instance, where people are not considered equal just because of their cultural differences. This could be through policies that govern aspects like legislation and immigration. Bearing in mind that the three countries in the business come from different parts of the world, there are some cultural differences that could hinder success if the management does not take strategic measures. There could be some language barriers, for example, the use of the Chinese and English languages. This affects communication in the organization an aspect that is very critical. Ineffective communication may cause organizational problems, for instance, where the key goals and objectives of an organization are not well understood. This in turn affects proper interaction which affects teamwork and morale among the employees. To reduce this problem, the leaders in this organization should come up with online training programs on various languages to bridge the language barrier among the employees. To the clients, the internet services should be translated into different languages for easy understanding. Nationality could also be a problem when it comes to the workforce in the organization, more especially the headquarters. There could be discrimination based on nationality where people in the workforce tend to affiliate with those with whom they share some cultural commonality. The leaders should deal with this by urging the employees to appreciate one another and avoid any form of discrimination (Leitner, 2008). Although there could be other solutions that could be applied to solve cultural differences among the countries, a good s
For many employees, societal and cultural norms at work could pressure queer individuals to stay closeted for most of their colleagues. Discrimination based on people’s gender identity while working is shared across all sectors, including social work. However, many scholars develop queer theories that are practical in the erosion of heteronormativity in general practice. Therefore, the following paper will discuss how heteronormativity affects social work practice and strategies for battling it. Social Work is a sensitive field where heteronormativity is still prevalent. Many employees may even agitate and isolate LGBTQ coworkers to the point where they feel uncomfortable coming out (LeFrançois, 2013). Heteronormativuty in the workplace, where a person spends most of their day, may significantly influence mental health. Such institutional heterosexism excludes LGBTQ individuals, becoming a control system with heterosexual dominance (McGeorge & Stone Carlson, 2011). My current work is prevalently heterosexual; thus, the prevalent attitude to the LGBTQ community is mostly assertive and referred to as a fluid notion of sexuality and tolerant attitude to these minorities. Social work is initially tied to communicating with individuals; therefore, we significantly impact people’s perceptions and set of mind. Conventionally constructed beliefs concerning queer community shape our understanding of family, gender identity, and subsequent stereotypes (Mullaly & West, 2018). Therefore, social workers must be advocating for the person’s dignity and worth, recognizing the diversity of human relationships among the patients and primarily inside the workplace. Heterosexism is widely represented in social work in many forms. Most of the assessment tools provided to our clients are outdated and fail to recognize the importance of the LGBTQ community, despite their broad representation among the clients. Some ways to confront heteronormativity in the social work field include gender-free language, expansion of the term “family,” to openly advocating for gender-inclusive practices and positions (Watson, 2005). Vital to acknowledge the influence of heteronormativity on the younger generation. Stereotypical norms often mislead them, not conforming to a perfect child’s image, subjecting them to intense control (LeFrançois, 2011). Therefore it is vital to diminish conventions about the queer community in the social work field. To sum up, social workers have a high responsibility for advocating for a gender-inclusive society and subsequently eroding the heteronormativity in the workplace. Multiple scholars kee
Introduction In their essays, Frederick Douglass and Richard Wright render their experience of obtaining knowledge, which is unique in both instances, considering that both authors write from the position of young black people in the segregated American society of the 20th century. Their accounts are touching in that they tell the story of an unraveling desire to explore the world – through books. Frederick Douglass’ “Learning to Read and Write” and Richard Wright’s “The Library Card” are the stories of perseverance and resolve in overcoming the obstacles that prevented the marginalized black people from the most basic and the most important of human experiences: obtaining knowledge. The fact that education was denied to most of the black people is quite telling in itself. The works by Douglass and Wright feature some views that complement each other and unveil the real causes of the denial. In a society where white supremacy is enforced, the problem of knowledge acquires new, a wider scope. At the same time, knowledge can be a source of empowerment, a strength, a tool of control, a weakness, and a curse. Background: Segregation and education Generally speaking, no work of art can be regarded outside the culture it is created in. Specifically, about Douglass and Wright, the authors conveyed their experiences, which cannot be taken separately from the social and political situation in the country. They were growing up in a country segregated by the passage of Jim Crow laws. The segregation touched upon every aspect of living, including education. The laws of slavery not only prohibited black children to attend schools
Primary problems Sand Hill Angels is a not-for-profit organization that aims at investing in the potentially successful start-ups. Sand Hill Angels has a website with the application form for those who would like to present their start-ups. Creators of best start-ups are welcome to demonstrate their ideas in front of members of Sand Hill Angels. The primary problem of Sand Hill Angels is to define the start-up that has the greatest potential in comparison to others. The decision should be well-considered due to the several factors. First, the organization has already invested in eight follow-ons and seven new deals. The organization invests in up to fifteen projects annually. Second, Sand Hill Angels should take into account the negotiated valuation of start-ups. Thus, the amount of pre-money of previously invested objects comprised from $4 million to $7 million. Thus, the organization faces a challenge of choosing the most perspective deal. Insights and potential decisions Several insights from the case under consideration are pertinent to future decisions. It is necessary to pay attention to the following factors before making the final decision:   * Recent trends;   * The idea and organization of start-up and its conformity with investment criteria;   * The potential of the startup including the number of years necessary for return;   * The amount of financial resources that are left;   * Personal preferences of investors. According to the information provided in the case study, information technology and internet dimensions are the most attractive for investments nowadays. Also, Sand Hill Angels should evaluate whether the start-up meets requirements of the investment criteria such as the founding team, market opportunities, the description of the product, business model, competition, communication, and the exit strategy (“Sand Hill Angels: to Fund or Not to Fund” 12). The amount of the target investment should not exceed $500 000. Finally, the decision-making process depends on the personal preferences and expectations of members of the organization. Potential courses of action Possible courses of action should include the evaluation of every presented start-up. The first start-up, Pic Collage, has particular advantages. It has been added to the top 10 iOS photo applications (“Sand Hill Angels: to Fund or Not to Fund” 8). Besides, the team comprises of highly qualified specialists who can conduct all significant aspects of business strategy. Nevertheless, there are no guarantees that the application will remain popular in the following three or five years due to the extreme competitiveness in the market. Strengths of Liftopia.com, the second start-up, include the desire to satisfy consumers’ needs (one member belongs to the target audience and appreciates idea), the rising conversion rate, and relatively low competition. Still, there is a threat of not sufficient return and potential competition. Advantages of the third start-up, Monk
The Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act of 2002 was passed by the U.S. Congress primarily for the purpose of protecting the investors and the public from fraudulent actions and inaccurate financial reporting by corporations. The legislation addressed a number of aspects ranging from securities regulation, financial reporting, conflicts of interest, oversight of accounting, and corporate ethics, as well as establishing criminal and civil penalties for violations. One of the key provisions in Section 802 establishes foundational rules to account recordkeeping. This addresses the destruction and falsification of records, the retention period for such information, and the type of records and communication that needs to be stored. Sections 302 and 906, which establish disclosure procedures and controls in accordance with SEC rules as well as requiring CEOs to certify all financial statements meet SEC requirements, allow to create accountability in corporate accounting (Wagner & Dittmar, 2006). SOX standards are comprehensive but can be potentially improved in several areas, particularly those that have become relevant in the almost 20 years since its enactment. Cybersecurity and other computing accounting services need to be encompassed in the law to provide guidelines and control in the information technology field. Other regulations that need to be potentially improved are conflicts of interest, such as ensuring auditors are rotated more effectively and any federal regulators are appointed through appropriate vetting procedures as not to violate the doctrine of separation. Aspects that may be considered overregulation on behalf of the SOX Act are the corporate governance regulations and requirements for internal audits, which create multi-billion costs for companies. It is a one-size-fits-all approach that attempts to standardize corporate structure and processes. While this has some benefits, it is also lacking flexibility and potentially stifling growth. Such as Section 404, which has good intentions but also has a number of adverse effects and impracticalities, which has led to a postponement of its implementation indefinitely. The institution of internal auditing and control mechanisms are costly, and the primary burden disproportionately fell on smaller companies (Griffith, 2014).
Introduction The practice of lynching could be considered one of the worst acts committed by the citizens of the United States. Ralph Ellison describes this practice in his short story “A Party Down at the Square.” This paper will cover the history of lynching, how it is reflected in the short story, as well as how Ellison portrays lynching. It is important to understand the origins of lynching to accurately analyze this story. Subsequently, the central claims in defense of lynching will become apparent. In this short story, Ellison shows how neither of the usual defenses of lynching has anything to do with reality, as well as how the environment around the person can shape their beliefs and morals. A History of Violence To properly examine Ralph Ellison’s story, it needs to be put into the historical context. The short story does not state when it takes place, but by the technology seen throughout the story, it can be assumed that it takes place in the early 1930s. The main hints are the silver airframe of the plane and the relatively high availability of cars among the population. This date would place the events at the end of the period of extreme racism in the United States of America. Many writers argue about the exact endpoint of this time, but it is often placed from 1877 until the late 1930s. This period is seen as the worst period of racial discrimination in America since the civil war. Although this period is associated with the overall discrimination of non-white Americans (especially African-Americans and Chinese-Americans), its most horrific events focused on the practice of lynching. This term comes from the concept of “lynch law,” which was practiced during the Revolutionary war. It is most associated with the militia of Bedford County, Virginia. This militia was commanded by Colonel Charles Lynch. In 1780 he and his men captured three people that they described as “insurgent” Tories. They proceeded to whip two of them and have later hanged the third one. These actions were done without any tribunal or trial. This incident would later be justified by Colonel William Campbell by saying that it was done “I believe with the joint consent of near three hundred men” (Rushdy 23). Although Lynch and his militia were acting as an organized unit, this quote foreshadows the mob rule mentality that would be synonymous with the practice of lynching. Moreover, the actions of Colonel Lynch were originally targeting the minority Welsh population of the area. The wife of a Welsh miner wrote in her letter the following: “there is a misunderstanding between Colo Lynch and the Welsh in General” (Rushdy 25). This quote suggests that even in its earliest form, lynching was used to suppress the minority population. The term “lynching” would become a part of the American print culture during the rule of President Jackson. Usi
Selection of Countries Responsible for the Brand Ireland is a country in Europe. The country is a leader in tourism and friendly investment atmosphere. Through the official government website, Ireland is marketed as a tourism destination brand at global level. Italy is also located in Europe and it is equally a nation with a strong tourism destination brand through the official government website. Italy is marketed and branded as the centre for historical artifacts. Thus, this reflective paper attempts to classify effectiveness of designing and implementing brand strategies in Ireland and Italy through a comparative analysis. Specifically, the paper reviews the aspects of brand architecture, brand hierarchy, brand strategy, design, global brand strategy, and building global customer-based brand equity in brand management in Ireland and Italy as products. The rationale for choosing the two countries is that they are located in the same region with similar tourism products. Besides, Italy and Ireland enjoy similar economic, social, and cultural aspects. In addition, the two countries explore similar ways of promoting their tourism sector as a part of the state brand. Positioning Italy and Ireland as Tourism Destination Brands Over the last half a decade, tourism industries in Ireland and Italy have experienced downswings due to the economic meltdown. As a recovery strategy, the industries had to re-brand in order to successfully restore profitability and confidentiality of its tourism industry ( Tourism Ireland Brand Site 2015). The adopted brandings and re-branding strategies include brand architecture, brand hierarchy, brand strategy design, global brand strategy, and building global customer-based brand equity as discussed below. Brand Strategy Design Tourism industries in Ireland and Italy have kept on making extra special and reliable growth. All together, tourism was perceived with blended outlook by both private and public segments of the business as a self-sustaining sector. Together with this in psyche, little endeavour was attempted to present an indispensable provision for its expansion and progress, especially after the crisis (Belch & Belch 2009, p. 76). In opposition to such a background and in the vision of its optimistic expansion, in addition to future development, there was a necessity for a guiding principle for handling crisis, thus, the development of a brand strategy design. Reflectively, this strategy is focused on tackling management programs such as integrity, post crisis policies, media involvement, and destination planning as a part of positioning and restoring confidence after the economic meltdown in Ireland and Italy. The notable design strategy includes online marketing of brand destinations in Ireland and Italy, appointment of the global brand ambassadors, and international marketing of the eastern tourism destinations which were adversely affected by the meltdown (Jones 2010). Properly designed brand strategy for product management of Ireland and Italy as ideal tourism destinations facilitated the success and sustainability in restoring confidence in the industries by the end of the year 2012. The brand
Introduction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD is an adverse condition that is characterized by dyspnea often accompanied by cough and sputum production. The condition usually develops due to continuous exposure to inflammatory stimuli. As such, the disease is most often seen in smokers. Besides cigarette smoke, stimuli may include heavy particles contained in polluted air, dust, or gas. COPD exists in two main forms such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The symptoms described above result from obstruction of airways with mucous, which results in higher CO2 levels in the lungs. Chronic bronchitis is usually accompanied by cough with sputum production. The diagnosis of chronic bronchitis requires the application of GOLD criteria. According to GOLD, chronic bronchitis is diagnosed after pulmonary function testing (PFT) shows an FEV1/FVC ratio of 0.70 (Arcangelo, Peterson, Wilbur, & Reinhold, 2017). The airflow limitation is categorized into four stages of severity by the percentage of predicted air inflow. The stages are as follows: more than 80%, less than 80%, less than 50%, and less than 30%. For preliminary assessment, perdition of the disease, and the need for PFT one can use pack-years of cigarette smoking. Medication Therapy Chronic Bronchitis is usually treated with short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs). Severe and moderate cases may require long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs) (Ejiofor & Turner, 2013). Popular generic SABA is Albuterol sulfate or ipratropium bromide. LABAS are available in the U.S. under the generic name fluticasone or salmeterol packed with an inhalation device. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) can also be effective against the symptoms of bronchitis at the third or fourth stage but long-term use may result in the development of pneumonia. Popular IC