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

Geopolitics as a Material Science

Geopolitics (Kjellen): merge geography and politics into a science on how the ability to control access to resources and to defend national interests creates the material base for a nation's behaviour.

Late 19th to early 20th century: Competition for global power between imperial nations.

Classical geopolitical theorists

Mahan: Naval power is central to projecting power. This influenced U.S. strategy to build global naval bases. Example: bases in Guam, the Caribbean basin, etc.

Ratzel: Darwinian view of a hostile world and struggle for survival.

Mackinder: Focus on geographic benefits or limits to material conditions and transportation technology; the interplay of land power and sea power. The Heartland geostrategic... Continue reading "Geopolitics, Development and the Anthropocene: Power, Food, Energy" »

General Formal Letter Template

Dear [Title + Surname] (e.g., Dear Sir/Madam or Dear Mr. Smith),

I am writing to you regarding/concerning [briefly state the topic or issue]. I would like to [express your purpose: suggest, complain, request, express concern, etc.].

Firstly, [present your first main point – describe the situation or give background information]. This is important because [give a reason or example].

Secondly, [give another reason, suggestion, or concern]. This could help [explain the benefit or consequence].

Furthermore/In addition/Moreover, I believe that [add a final thought or broader benefit].

I hope you will take my [suggestion/request/concern] into consideration. I would be grateful if you could let me know your thoughts on this... Continue reading "Effective Formal Letter Writing Techniques" »

Mastering English Grammar and Workplace Vocabulary

This document provides a concise collection of examples and exercises focusing on essential English grammar concepts, including relative clauses and pronouns, alongside practical workplace vocabulary. Enhance your understanding of formal and informal language usage and expand your professional lexicon.

Essential Workplace Vocabulary

• The deadline is tomorrow, not a day later.
• The perks include a company car.
• He first started working here as a clerk.
• That’s nonsense. It’s just not true.
• She’s been promoted to a new position.
• I’m not a slave. I don’t work for free.
• This week I’m working the early shift.
• I need help. This task requires teamwork.

Common Relative Pronouns and Prepositions

Here is... Continue reading "Mastering English Grammar: Clauses, Pronouns & Workplace Terms" »

Gross Income and Business Deductions

Gross Income: Includes revenue from sales, services, rents, dividends, interest, etc. Exclusions include life insurance proceeds and municipal bond interest. Expenses associated with the production of tax-exempt income are not deductible.

Deductions Above the Line (for AGI)

Deductions for Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) include business expenses, rental expenses, self-employed health insurance, and IRA contributions.

• Ordinary & Necessary Test: An expense must be customary and appropriate for the business.
• Meals Deduction: Can deduct 50% of meals if the expense is ordinary, necessary, and reasonable, the employee is present, the person eating is a current or potential client, and the meal is purchased separately

What is Agarose Gel Electrophoresis?

Agarose gel electrophoresis is a method used in biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, and clinical chemistry to separate a mixed population of macromolecules, such as DNA, RNA, or proteins, in an agarose matrix.

Agarose is a natural linear polymer extracted from seaweed that forms a gel matrix via hydrogen bonding when heated in a buffer and allowed to cool. These gels are the most popular medium for separating moderate to large-sized nucleic acids due to their wide range of separation.

How Gel Electrophoresis Works

Gel electrophoresis separates DNA fragments by size in a solid support medium. The process involves:

• Sample Loading: DNA samples are pipetted into sample wells.
• Electrophoresis: An electric current

C printf Function: Format Specifiers Explained

The printf function in C is used to display formatted output to the standard output (usually the console). It allows programmers to control how data is presented by using **format specifiers**. Format specifiers are placeholders that define the type of data being printed and how it should be formatted. They begin with a % symbol, followed by a character that specifies the data type.

Role of Format Specifiers

Format specifiers serve two main purposes:

1. Data Type Identification: They inform the printf function about the type of data being passed as an argument. For example, %d is used for integers, while %f is used for floating-point numbers.
2. Formatting Control: They allow customization of how the data

Nervous System Anatomy

• Functions:

  • Controls perception (sight, touch, hearing, taste).
  • Maintains homeostasis (e.g., blood pressure, body temperature).

• Divisions:

  • Central Nervous System (CNS): Brain & spinal cord (processes information and sends responses).
  • Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): Motor & sensory neurons connecting the CNS to the rest of the body.

• PNS Subdivisions:

  • Somatic Nervous System: Controls voluntary movement (e.g., moving hands).
  • Autonomic Nervous System: Controls involuntary functions (e.g., heart rate).
    • Sympathetic Division (Fight or Flight): Increases alertness, heart rate, etc.
    • Parasympathetic Division (Rest & Digest): Slows heart rate, promotes digestion, etc.

• Structural Differences (Autonomic):

  • Parasympathetic: Long preganglionic

Essential English Vocabulary and Phrasal Verbs

Look back on

Recordar

Look down on

Menospreciar

Stand up for

Defender

Go through

Pasar por

Miss out on

Perderse algo

Keep up with

Mantener el ritmo

Come up against

Enfrentarse a algo

Get on with

Ponerse a ello

To keep a close watch on

Vigilar de cerca

It turns out that

Resulta que

A common sight

Muy habitual

On a leash

Con correa

To make way for

Hacer espacio

Be scrap

Sobrar

To fight for scraps

Luchar por las sobras

To perch on

Posarse en

Turning point

Un cambio decisivo

To seek ways to improve

Buscar maneras para mejorar

To overcome

Superar

To achieve

Alcanzar

Adjectives for Describing Change and Quality

• Remarkable: Notable
• Dramatic: Importante
• Far-reaching: De gran alcance
• Refreshing: Fresco
• Subtle: Sutil
• Appealing: Atractivo
• Affordable: Económico
• Effortless: