ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Introduction It was in 1981, in the United States, when the first case of Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS was reported. Through thorough research, it was observed that AIDS is actually is caused by HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and is able to kill and/or damage the cells of the body’s immune system. Specifically, the HIV gradually and painfully destroys the human body’s ability to fight infections and certain cancers (NIAID, 2005). This is the very reason why many who have acquired HIV or AIDS result to an eventual death because of the lack of immune system that protects them from acquiring other forms of illnesses. HIV can be transferred in a variety of ways. The most common way of getting infected by the disease is through having unprotected sex with an infected partner. The virus causing HIV can quickly enter the body through the lining of the vagina, vulva, penis, rectum, or mouth during sex. Other ways that can transfer HIV is through (NIAID, 2005):   * Sharing drug needles or syringes that has contacted an HIV positive person – this may be a rare case of transferring the virus, but there have been significant number of cases wherein the use of used and contaminated syringes become the factor of infecting other people with HIV   * Be transfused with a blood contaminated by the virus – Blood transfusion is necessary among patients who are having massive blood loss. Some would want to accept blood from nobody else, but the family, extended relatives or friends. However, there are some hospitals who will allow blood transfusion even without proper evaluation of the blood or the person who will donate the blood. In this instance, some people whoa re not aware that they have HIV transfused their own infected blood, deliberately or not.   * Transmit HIV from mother to the baby during pregnancy. An estimated one-quarter to one-third of all the untreated pregnant women infected with HIV will pass the infection to their babies. Meanwhile AIDS advanced stage of HIV infection. The clearer definition of AIDS includes “all HIV-infected people who have fewer than 200 CD4+ T cells per cubic millimeter of blood”. In people with AIDS, infections are often considered severe and fatal because the immune system is already damaged by HIV that the body cannot fight anymore certain bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and other microbes (NIAID, 2005). People who have diagnosed with AIDS are believed to be particularly prone to developing various cancers, particularly those caused by the viruses like Kaposi’s sarcoma and cervical cancer, or cancers of the immune sys
Introduction A significant number of Americans feel that their government is out of touch with them. Below is a look at the different branches of government and how they affect the perceptions of the public about government involvement with issues affecting them. The executive Many American presidents have been accused of being ‘out of touch’ with the public. According to Towle (2004), this can be explained by a combination of factors key among them fickle public opinions, failure to meet the expectations of the public and choosing to “do the right things over the popular things” (p. 4). Image problems on the president’s part are also to blame for the unflattering perception that the public has on him. Once the public start thinking that the president is unresponsive to their needs, then it becomes an entire government issue because the whole administration will be judged from the same light. According to Towle (2004), the strained relationship that exist between contemporary presidents and the public mainly happens because administrators in the president’s office treat public opinion with contempt and in the process alienates the president from useful pointers that may give him a better understanding of the people. Without a clear understanding of the public opinion, then the president stands no chance at relating well with the public. But what exactly is public opinion? Towle (2004) argues that public opinion at any given time is the prevailing temporary common will of the people, which covers perceived attitudes about the government’s role, government legitimacy, perceptions about roles played by the citizenry in the prevailing political order and perceptions about good governance and right policies. When the public feels the presidency is out of touch with their needs on governance and social issues, then they usually conclude that he is indeed out of touch with the public. George W Bush is an example who failed to understand the public and hence was seen as being out-of-touch with Americans. The judiciary Unlike the legislature and the executive, the judiciary only comes into contact with the public on issues relating to law enforcement and the maintenance of law and order. Yet, it is unsettling that the judiciary is often perceived as the branch of government that is most isolated from the realities presented in the society. The public usually believe that ‘law has its owners’ usually leaves constitutional matters to the experts. When it comes to issues of crime and punishment, the public believes that only a judge who understands the community and the values where a crime was committed can make a good judgment (Baynes, 2007). Among the most cited reasons why the judic
The Middle East seems to be the centre of the world or to put it lightly, the centre of attraction due to its many conflicts, controversies, and issues. Former world powers and the United States of America have focused their foreign policies on the Middle East with a keen eye on the governments and people in those bodies. It is as attractive to foreign settlers and colonizers as it was in the past days. What makes this so? Is it only for oil and the growing economies that make the states so popular and controversial in the region? Controversial world issues have been linked to the Middle East. These issues range from intra-regional rivalries among the different Gulf states, anti-Western and anti-American sentiments, conflicts and revolutions, Islamist views and radicalism, terrorism, and the multi-cultural conflicts among the different Muslim sects. The Middle East is home to different cultures, languages, democracies, and kingdoms. (Hahn 2005) This essay will try to delve on the past leading to the future in order to dissect the events and issues that make the Middle East so different and so difficult to understand. The Middle East is a region where early civilisations began. This is where Islam had its roots, as a religion and as a system of beliefs. Christianity also originated here for it was in Bethlehem where Jesus Christ was born. Islam began in the Arabian Peninsula, a place that is in trouble today as it was in the days where Muhammad began to preach. During those times, there were merchant caravans to which Muhammad first preached his new-found belief, which is nowadays the basis of Islam. The merchants would leave Hijaz in Arabia and proceed to Damascus, a city noted for commerce and trade. The Achemenid dynasty started and ended in those areas in the hands of Alexander the Great. The Byzantine Empire also had its grandeur there. Byzantium was the base of the Roman Empire under Constantine the Great who renamed it Constantinople. (Kamrava 2005, pp. 9-10) Mecca in the Hijaz region became an important city because it is the location of the shrine of Ka’ba, an important pilgrimage destination for Muslims. It is also an important transit point for traders from Yemen and Syria. In modern Middle East, major European colonial powers took hold. France first conquered Algeria in 1830, Tunisia in 1881, and established a protectorate in Morocco in 1912. (Kamrava 2005) During the years between the mid-nineteenth century and the outbreak of World War I, the Middle East and North Africa (the MENA region) were colonised, but some countries were only subjected to pressure by what was called the “informal empire”. The Ottoman and Qajar empires took control of those regions, except Morocco. The Ottomans were in power from the thirteenth century up to 1924, while the
Gender, Socialization, and Functionalism Gender Gender can be described as the relations that sub sits men and women, either in material or perceptual respects. Gender identity is determined by the social climate; the meaning attached to the male and the female people (Holmes, 13). Of the two sexes, women are in many instances thought to be inferior to men. From a religious perspective, Christians believe that a woman was created out of the man and their relationship with men is that of master-servant where the woman assumes the servant position. The Muslim and Judaism among other religions also have a similar opinion concerning female inferiority. Beliefs such as these, have affected women in many dimensions. For instance, in many working situations, organizations set up “glass ceilings” that hinder job advancements for women. As such, affects women psychologically as they feel that no matter their efforts at the workplace, they still will remain subjects to men. The concept of gender inferiority can affect a woman’s aspirations as well as attitudes because the acceptance of such beliefs leads to actions that are concurrent with such beliefs. It, therefore, follows that if a woman beliefs she is inferior, then her aspirations in life are limited. Socialization Socialization refers to the process by which an individual, either a child or an adult gets to learn from his or her fellow individuals. The process of socialization begins from the early stages of a person’s life and most individuals usually continue with this process in all their lifetimes unless when there happen circumstances that hinder the learning process; for instance in the case of sickness. Socialization can take place in any of the following ways. In other words, the concept of socialization encompasses ways in which a person learns the way of life adopted by the members of his society by getting inculcated in the culture (Dalton, 18). Different people encounter difficulties when it comes to getting inculcated in a given society. People who may be born with characters deemed unusual may struggle a lot to have themselves thought of as members of a given society. For instance, in some parts of the world, homosexuality is unacceptable in law, thus people born with this “abnormality” face a lot of problems while getting along in society. Such people struggle a lot to have their rights to be recognized by say, doing street demonstrations which at times are met with criticisms. The aspirations of the persons whose behavior is not consistent with society’s perception can get limited. The aspirations of a gay to get married may fade away if the society fights gay type of marriage. Functionalism Functionalism is a perspective of sociology that evolved from Durkheim E
Starbucks Coffee is one of the leading American multinational corporations. The “company currently operates in over 45 countries across the globe” ( Starbucks Coffee Company 2015, para. 3). Many analysts believe strongly that Starbucks Coffee has managed to revolutionise the coffee-drinking experience of many customers ( Starbucks Coffee Company 2015). The company operates in a very competitive and unsustainable industry. This is the case because the coffee is mainly produced in different tropical countries. Soils in such nations are usually loose and vulnerable to constant erosion. As well, this agricultural product “has a high water footprint since 140 liters of water must be used to produce one cup of coffee” (Schultz & Gordon 2012, p. 12). This paper therefore focuses on Starbucks’ relationship with the natural environment. Starbucks Most Critical Environmental Impacts Environmental Sustainability The world is looking for new practices and industrial procedures that can promote the level of environmental sustainability. The natural environment supports the lives of many creatures and human beings. The current rate of global warming has forced governments and corporations to conserve the natural environment. Business organisations should also embrace the best environmental practices. The concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is used to guide companies whenever embracing various sustainability practices. Leading companies in CSR have the potential to attract more investors, stakeholders, and customers. CSR is achieved by “conserving the natural environment, embracing the power of biodiversity, promoting the concept of recycling, and reducing emissions” (Schultz & Gordon 2012, p. 48). These global practices are aimed at promoting sustainability. That being the case, sustainability is the first environmental issue taken seriously by Starbucks Corporation. To begin with, the firm offers disposable cups to its customers. Such cups are “produced using large quantities of energy and resources” (Thompson 2015, p. 4). However, this move has been essential towards reducing the amount of water used by the company. As well, Starbucks has embraced the “use of environmentally-friendly packaging options” ( Starbucks Coffee Company 2015, para. 6). Such options have made it possible for the firm to conserve the natural environment. The main sustainability issue affecting the firm arises from its cups. Such cups cannot be easily recycled. That being the case, the firm is planning to use recyclable cups in the future. It is also planning to introduce reusable mugs in order to reduce the use of cups (Thompson 2015). The strategy will reduce the natural resources used to produce such cups. These green issues and initiatives will eventually make Starbucks Coffee more successful. Water Management and Usage Many people in different parts of water do not have access to clean drinking water (York, 2009). York (2009) argues that water shortage is a major problem affecting many communities. Many sources of water are usually contaminated or unhealthy. Se
For this assignment, I have watched several court proceedings that concerned different criminal cases. They took place in different courts, such as the Superior Court of California in the County of San Bernardino and the Macomb County Circuit Court in Mount Clemens. The severity of the crimes ranged from burglary to second-degree murder, and all but one trial (the one regarding the murder charge) ended in a conviction. With that said, in most of the proceedings where the defendant was found guilty, the defense was able to secure a shorter sentence than what the prosecution requested. The practical experiences of the proceedings both confirmed and challenged some of the information that I have learned about the structure of a trial. In this report, I will describe their experience of watching court proceedings and compare it with relevant theoretical material. Experience of the Court Proceedings Overall, the proceedings generally matched my expectations, being orderly and generally civil. The judge reminded those present about the court rules before moments that could create emotional reactions, such as the sentence’s announcement. The defendants were generally visibly nervous but stayed in control of themselves and let the attorney argue the case for them, remaining quiet unless asked. The prosecution and defense, while antagonistic, were civil toward each other and argued constructively. The watchers also remained quiet, likely because there were few of them, and they were likely close to some of the people who were involved in the case. As such, they understood the solemnity of the situation and behaved appropriately in the court. I believe that the proper procedure concerning behavior was observed on the part of everyone involved in the cases that I have watched. The prosecutor was the primary focus of attention in the courtroom for much of the trial. They would reconstruct the case for the benefit of the others involved and incorporate evidence to prove the defendant’s guilt. While watching their speeches, I felt that the prosecutors engaged in a degree of theatrics to convince those listening of the validity of their case. In particular, they would sometimes dramatize the case somewhat, though not to a degree where it would be strongly noticeable. I believe that the prosecutors did so to establish a more compelling picture of their view of the case for the jury. With that said, they were aware of their limitations and kept the descriptions brief and consistent with the facts as well as the current theory behind the events. The defense att
Film Summary Riley, the central character of the film, is the cheerful and inquisitive 11-year-old schoolgirl. She lives with her parents in a small provincial town, where everyone knows each other. For several years, Riley has been communicating with the same friends and going to the same school. She does not suspect that all her relationships, thoughts, and feelings are controlled by five basic emotions: Joy, Fear, Anger, Sadness, and Disgust (“Inside Out – Official US Trailer” 00:01:01-00:01:25). These emotions live in the girl’s mind, and help her cope with problems, guiding her actions every day. Riley and her parents move to the crowded San Francisco from the small town in Minnesota. Suddenly, Sadness and Joy turn out to be in the storage of memory, and the girl falls into depression. They are looking for a way out of the labyrinths of the long-term memory archives. There, these two emotions meet Bing Bong, the pink elephant, and Riley’s imaginary friend. Understanding the urgency of the situation, he tries to help and lead them on the way to Headquarters. However, the path is not easy and straight: buildings turn into abstract forms, and several stations are passed. The situation is complicated because the long-term memory is demolished to some extent so that Joy cannot rejoice, Riley, while Sadness helps with her grief. Only after Joy and Sadness understand the significance of the collaborative actions, do they cope with difficulties and find the way back to Headquarters. This prevents Riley from the escape and makes her talk with parents about the fact that she misses her old life. Concept Application The conflict of this film occurs based on the necessity of the social integration that implies the adoption of an individual by other members of the group. In Riley’s case, she was threatened by the idea of losing the achieved status in a new city. The situation is complicated because she has strong gemeinschaft that is expressed in close relationships with the family and the community (Vaughan and Hogg 400). When Riley feels that parents cannot understand her concerns, her behavior tends to backstage . This means that the girl starts to act as no audience is present so that nobody sees her. At this point, each of the emotions believes that she or he knows best what to do in a difficult situation, and the girl has complete confusion. To build a life in a big city, get used to a new school, and make friends with classmates, Riley’s emotions have to learn how to work together and use groupthink . When Joy and Sadness, along with an armful of Key Memories, accidentally fly into the pipe, Riley falls into depression. Her core values , based on her character, begin to fall apart after the first serious conflict. In Riley’s life, the main place is occupied by Joy, and when she is temporarily unable to make decisions, the girl’s personality becomes at risk of the collapse. The concept of looking-glass self may be applied here (Vaughan and Hogg, 106). Riley believes that Joy identifies her personality as people like when she is happy, and she becomes joyful as people around her view her i
Introduction Utopia , written by ancient politician Thomas More, is a book illustrating the ideal model of the state and the structure of society, for which all people and nations should strive. There is no doubt that in his book More relies on Plato’s work The Republic , which he had always been fond of since student days. However, More used The Republic only as the foundation for his book, and was concerned more about the nascent industrial capitalism and its consequences. Utopia , published in 1516, gave the name to the whole genre. “A truly golden little book, no less beneficial than entertaining, of a republic’s best state and the new island Utopia,” as More first named it (Achten et al. 1, 2017). The impetus for the writing of this book were undoubtedly More’s impressions from the complicated village life in England and the moral state of urban society, distorted by excessive interference of academic philosophy. The commonwealth that is described in the book seems to be beneficial for people, community and a state. Nevertheless, there are issues raised in Utopia that might influence the contemporary state of people’s life. This paper will discuss the statement, “The commonwealth of Utopia turns out to be a highly attractive place in some ways, but a highly unattractive one in others” (More 12, 2000). The comment presents an issue of Utopia , the controversy of More’s discussion that affects the commonwealth of the state that will be analysed to argue that the statement is true. Further, the reasons for this argument will be discussed and cases that can support the assertion of Utopia as