Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Other courses

Circle Generating Algorithms

Circle generating algorithms are fundamental in computer graphics for rendering circles efficiently on raster displays. These algorithms calculate the points on the circumference of a circle and plot them. The most commonly used circle generating algorithms are the Midpoint Circle Algorithm and Bresenham's Circle Algorithm.

Midpoint Circle Algorithm Steps

The following steps outline the basic process for generating points in one octant, which are then mirrored to complete the circle:

1. Step 1: Initialization. Set starting coordinates $x = 0$ and $y = r$ (radius). Calculate the initial decision parameter $p = 1 - r$.
2. Step 2: Iteration. Repeat the following steps while $x \le y$:
   • Plot the current point $(x, y)$ and its octant

1. TCP Congestion Control

Slow Start: TCP initializes congestion window (cwnd) to a small size and doubles it every Round Trip Time (RTT) until a loss occurs (exponential growth) or the slow start threshold is reached.

Congestion Avoidance: After reaching the threshold, cwnd is incremented by one segment for each RTT, growing linearly to avoid congestion.

Fast Recovery: When triple duplicate ACKs are detected, TCP halves the cwnd and reduces the slow start threshold to half of the cwnd size before the loss, then transitions to congestion avoidance.

2. TCP RTT and Timeout

Estimating RTT: Uses Smoothed Round Trip Time (SRTT) which is a weighted average of previous RTT measurements.

Timeout Calculation: Often calculated as Timeout=SRTT+4×RTT

Understanding Grice's Maxims and Implicatures

Grice's Maxims of Conversation provide a framework for understanding how people communicate effectively. However, speakers sometimes deviate from these maxims, leading to specific communicative effects.

Violating Conversational Maxims

When speakers violate a maxim, they deliberately fail to observe one or more maxims, intending to deceive the interlocutor. In such cases, there is no implicature generated. The speaker knows the hearer will not understand the surface meaning because they intentionally supply insufficient information, say something insincere, irrelevant, or ambiguous. The hearer, wrongly assuming cooperation, may be misled. In some cultures, certain forms of maxim violation, such as "... Continue reading "Grice's Conversational Maxims: Deviations and Implied Meaning" »

Different Approaches to Textual Data Analysis

1. Narrative Analysis

A narrative is essentially what is depicted and represented through an interview or a document.

2. Grounded Theory

An approach to develop theory inductively from textual data.

3. Discourse Analysis and Content Analysis

These are two distinct but related approaches to analyzing text and discourse.

Main Textual Analysis Methods for International Relations

• Content Analysis
• Discourse Analysis
• Process Tracing

Qualitative Content Analysis

Qualitative content analysis is an economical text analysis procedure. It involves counting and quantifying elements in qualitative data.

Steps of Content Analysis

1. Data Collection: Create a corpus of data by selecting relevant texts, images, or other data sources.

Section 1: Comprehension and Vocabulary

1.1 Emotional Impact & Symbolism

1. They can provoke strong feelings, similar to how personal photos do. (Lines 3-4)
2. It is important because the polar bear on melting ice represents global warming and the human effect. (Lines 17-18)

1.2 Vocabulary: Synonyms

• Conducted: Carried out
• Very funny: Hilarious
• Extremely sad: Heart-breaking
• Brutal: Harsh

1.3 True or False Statements

• False. (Lines indicate a third of the participants would save their photographs.)
• False. (The birds made the writer smile.)
• True. (Lines indicate he froze in fear.)

1.4 Multiple Choice Answers

• c)
• c)
• a)

Section 2: Grammar Practice

2.1 Verb Tenses & Conditionals

1. left / will be relaxing
2. not to take / had listened / wouldn't have made
3. wanted / had ...

Fundamental Auction Concepts

Payoff: A bidder's payoff is their valuation for the item minus the price paid.

Social Surplus: This is the sum of the surpluses of all participants. The formula is: Seller's Surplus (p) + Winner's Surplus (v - p) + Loser's Surplus (0). Here, v is the winner's valuation and p is the price paid. Social surplus is maximized, and the auction is considered efficient, if the winner is the bidder with the highest valuation.

Types of Auctions

English Auction

This is a type of ascending auction where an auctioneer announces prices, and bidders accept or reject them.

• Winner: The last remaining bidder.
• Price: The second-highest price or bid.
• Information Revealed: The auctioneer learns the valuations of all bidders except for the

Database Query Processing: Steps and Cost Estimation

Query processing in a Database Management System (DBMS) involves several steps to transform a high-level query (such as an SQL query) into an efficient execution plan. Understanding these stages is crucial for database performance tuning.

Key Stages of Query Processing

The process typically follows these four major steps:

1. Parsing and Translation
2. Query Optimization
3. Evaluation/Execution Plan Generation
4. Query Execution

1. Parsing and Translation

Objective: Convert the SQL query into an internal representation, usually a parse tree or Abstract Syntax Tree (AST).

• The SQL query is checked for syntactic correctness.
• The SQL query is parsed into a parse tree.

Cost Estimation Techniques for Query Optimization

Cost... Continue reading "Database Query Processing: Steps, Optimization, and Cost Models" »

Spaghetti Carbonara

Utensils and Ingredients

Utensils

• Large pot
• Large skillet
• Colander
• Large bowl
• Whisk or fork
• Tongs or a pasta fork
• Spoon or ladle

Ingredients:

• 400g spaghetti
• 200g pancetta or bacon, diced
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1.

Boil the Spaghetti

Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. While waiting, dice the pancetta, mince the garlic, and grate the Parmesan cheese.

2.

Cook the Spaghetti

Once the water boils, add the spaghetti and cook until al dente. Once cooked, reserve about a cup of pasta water before draining.

3.

Sauté the Pancetta and Garlic

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add... Continue reading "Classic Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe" »

Negotiation Styles

• Shark: Win/lose strategy. They are aggressive, competitive, uncreative, and individualistic. They assume that they have the best and only possible solution. They have no ability to take risks with different options or to learn from mistakes. They have difficulties in social relationships.
• Dolphin: Win/win strategy. They consider several options. They do not waste time with emotional issues. They are friendly and thoughtful. They feed and promote good relationships.
• Fox: They get results. They are reserved, manipulative, and friendly. They have a low level of honesty and ethics. They are cheat negotiators.
• Deer: They feed and promote relationships. They avoid conflict and flee before a threatening situation. They do not share

Badminton Fundamentals and Techniques

Essential Badminton Equipment

• Badminton Racket
• Shuttlecock
• Badminton Shoes
• Badminton T-shirt and Shorts
• Accessories: Cap, Wristband

Parts of a Badminton Racket

• Handle
• Shaft
• Throat
• Head
• Stringed Area

Badminton Stances

• Attacking Stance
• Defensive Stance
• Net Stance

How to Grip the Racket

Grab the racket by the handle, closing your fingers so that the thumb is positioned between the index finger and the other fingers.

Badminton Serving System

To serve, position yourself diagonally to your opponent. You must hit the shuttlecock below the waist, and your feet must remain still until the serve is completed. Only one serve is allowed per point.

Badminton Court Lines and Scoring

Court Lines

• Centerline
• Baseline
• Sideline
• Double Sideline

Sets