Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Baccalaureate

What is E-commerce?

Definition of E-commerce

E-commerce is the process of conducting commercial transactions, such as buying and selling goods or services, using the internet and electronic communication.

Types of E-commerce

• Business-to-Consumer (B2C): Businesses selling directly to individual consumers (e.g., online retailers).
• Business-to-Business (B2B): Businesses selling to other businesses (e.g., wholesale suppliers).
• Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C): Individuals selling directly to other individuals (e.g., online marketplaces).
• Mobile Commerce (M-commerce): Transactions conducted through mobile devices.

Significance of E-commerce

E-commerce is important because it offers businesses the ability to reach a global audience, operate 24/7, reduce costs,... Continue reading "E-commerce Essentials: Digital Commerce & Online Business Benefits" »

The Case Against Mandatory Exams

Many people believe that exams should be mandatory, arguing they don't necessarily need to value student effort or attitude. However, I disagree with this perspective. Why should assessment focus solely on the final "product" rather than the entire learning process?

High Stress and Mental Health Concerns

Firstly, high school students often face numerous exams, frequently scheduled on the same day or within the same week. To achieve good marks for university admission, they study intensively. This immense pressure can be detrimental, causing significant stress and tiredness, which may eventually lead to mental health issues.

Unfairness Due to Cheating

Secondly, a significant number of students cheat on exams, sometimes... Continue reading "Mandatory Exams & School Uniforms: Student Impact Debated" »

Reduce Energy Consumption

There are many ways to reduce energy consumption in our daily lives:

• Turn off lights and electronic devices when not in use.
• Use LED light bulbs instead of traditional ones.
• Unplug chargers and appliances when not needed.
• Use public transport, bike, or walk instead of driving.
• Insulate homes properly to reduce heating/cooling needs.
• Use renewable energy sources like solar panels.

Small actions can make a big difference.

Reduce Water Consumption

Water is a vital resource, so it is important to reduce its use whenever possible:

• Take shorter showers and turn off the tap while brushing teeth.
• Fix leaks in pipes and toilets.
• Use dishwashers or washing machines only when full.
• Water plants early morning or late evening.
• Collect rainwater

Herzberg's Two-Factor Motivation Theory

Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory (1959) proposes that job satisfaction and dissatisfaction are influenced by separate sets of factors, rather than being opposite ends of a single continuum.

Hygiene Factors (Dissatisfiers)

Hygiene Factors (also called Maintenance Factors) are elements in the workplace that, when absent or inadequate, cause job dissatisfaction. However, when present, they only prevent dissatisfaction—they do not actively motivate employees.

• Examples:

  • Company policies and administration
  • Supervision quality
  • Salary and job security
  • Work conditions
  • Interpersonal relationships

• Case Example: A competitive salary prevents dissatisfaction but doesn't necessarily motivate employees to perform better.

Motivational

Business Concept

1. Business Structure: Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Corporation.
2. Business Size:
   • Microbusinesses: Up to 10 workers.
   • Small and Medium-sized Businesses (PYMES): 11 to 250 employees.
   • Macro businesses: More than 250 employees.
3. Economic Sector: Primary (extraction), Secondary (manufacturing), Tertiary (service).
4. Economic Activity: Industrial, Commercial, Service.
5. Scope of Activity: Local, Regional, Domestic, Multinational, Transnational.
6. Business Model: Retailer, Manufacturer, Fee-for-Service, Subscription, Freemium, Bundling, Marketplace, Affiliate, Razor blade, Franchise, Brokerage.
7. Description of Product or Service:
   • Product or service description
   • Product or service selling volume
   • Product or service selling prices
   • Product or service net sales
   • Net

True or False Statements

1. The challenges for sustainable development are intergenerational equity, assigning duties, and interconnection. True
2. Chemistry helps ecology by creating future models to predict the consequences of environmental issues. True
3. Biology is the science that studies the interactions between living things and their environment. True
4. A population is the living and nonliving things sharing the same space and time. False. A population refers to a group of individuals of the same species living in the same area, not living and nonliving things. The correct term is ecosystem.
5. Life may not be able to exist without the heterotrophs due to that are the base that drives the entire ecosystem. False. Life may not be able to exist without

Key Literary Concepts and Terms

Core Literary Definitions

• Lyricism: The expression of emotions in an imaginative and beautiful way.
• Connotative Language: The emotional and imaginative association surrounding a word, adding elements of attitude or emotion.
• Polysemy: The phenomenon where a single word has multiple related meanings.
• Rhetorical Devices: Methods or techniques used to engage and persuade an audience in literature.
• Literary Movements: Ways of categorizing literature based on similar philosophical, topical, or aesthetic features.

Contexts in Literary Analysis

• Context: The explanatory environment or background of a phenomenon.
• Context of Production: The cultural and historical factors influencing the content and style of a text when it is written.

Role of Entrepreneurship in Economic Development

1. Job Creation – Entrepreneurs establish businesses, generating employment opportunities.
2. Innovation & Technology Advancement – They introduce new products, services, and technologies, improving efficiency.
3. Wealth Creation – Businesses generate income, increasing national wealth and improving living standards.
4. Market Competition – Entrepreneurship fosters competition, leading to better quality and lower prices.
5. Economic Growth – Startups and businesses contribute to GDP growth.
6. Investment Attraction – Entrepreneurship attracts both domestic and foreign investments.
7. Social Development – Businesses address societal challenges, improving infrastructure and services.

Entrepreneurs drive economic... Continue reading "Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Economic Impact" »

Italy's Seismic Risk: A Case Study

On August 24th, 2016, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck near Amatrice and Accumoli, Italy. The devastating event resulted in 299 fatalities, over 400 injuries, and left more than 4,000 people homeless. Italy is highly susceptible to earthquakes due to its location between the European and African tectonic plates, making the region seismically active.

Challenges in Building Safety

In Amatrice, a school that had undergone an earthquake-proofing upgrade costing 700,000 euros just four years prior, collapsed during the earthquake. This raises concerns about the quality or completion of the upgrade work. Experts estimate that 70% of buildings in Italy do not meet modern earthquake safety standards. Despite efforts... Continue reading "Italy's Seismic Risk: Amatrice Earthquake Case Study" »

Biological Neurons

A biological neuron is the fundamental unit of the nervous system, responsible for transmitting information throughout the body. It consists of three main parts:

• Dendrites: These are branch-like structures that receive signals from other neurons and transmit them to the cell body.
• Cell Body (Soma): Contains the nucleus and other essential organelles responsible for processing information.
• Axon: A long, thread-like extension that carries nerve impulses away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands.

Neurons communicate using electrical and chemical signals through synapses, where neurotransmitters help in transmitting the signals. The brain contains billions of neurons that work together to perform cognitive functions,... Continue reading "Neural Networks: Neurons, Activation, Structure" »