Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems

The First Industrial Revolution: Economic Shifts

Around 1780, the Industrial Revolution began in northern England (Manchester). This period marked a fundamental change in technologies, company organization, economy, and society, leading to a transformation in the production of goods. It started when some clothing entrepreneurs began using machinery, which increased productivity, and organized production in factories. Later, steam engines were introduced to power these machines. These business owners, as capital providers, reaped all the profits. These characteristics—the pursuit of profit, the central role of capital providers, and the market's pivotal role in resource distribution—transformed the economic system from late feudalism and... Continue reading "The Nineteenth Century: Industrialization, Society, and Global Power Shifts" »

Business Fundamentals: Definition and Scope

Meaning and Definition of Business

Business refers to any activity undertaken with the primary motive of earning profit through the production or exchange of goods and services. It is a systematic effort by individuals or organizations to satisfy human wants.

Nature and Scope of Business

Business is a dynamic, social, and economic activity. Its scope is vast, encompassing various functions across diverse sectors (manufacturing, service, trade), including:

• Production
• Marketing
• Finance
• Human Resources
• Research and Development (R&D)

Key Characteristics of Business

• Economic Activity: Primarily aimed at earning money.
• Exchange of Goods/Services: Involves the transfer of ownership or the provision of services.
• Regularity

Key Advantages of Bonds for Investors

Investing in bonds offers several key benefits:

• Source of Current Income: They are a good source of regular income.
• Relative Safety: Investment in bonds is relatively safe from large losses.
• Priority in Default: In case of default, bondholders receive their payments before shareholders can be compensated.

Comprehensive Bond Classification

Bonds are classified by their key features, which include:

• Form of Payment
• Coupon Payment
• Collateral
• Type of Circulation
• Type of Issuers
• Recall Possibility
• Place of Circulation
• Quality
• Other Miscellaneous Types

By Form of Payment

• Non-interest-bearing Bonds
• Regular Serial Bonds
• Deferred-interest Bonds
• Income Bonds
• Indexed Bonds
• Optional Payment Bonds

By Coupon Payment

• Coupon Bonds
• Zero-coupon Bonds
• Full

Cartoon

• Uvalde School Shooting (Texas, 2022): A gunman killed 21 people, including 19 young students. After the tragedy, many U.S. politicians still refused to change gun laws, showing how school shootings are becoming expected rather than shocking. This supports the cartoon's idea that society is becoming used to gun violence.
• NRA Convention (2022): Just days after Uvalde, the National Rifle Association (a powerful U.S. gun rights group) held a large meeting to promote gun rights and products. This shows how the gun industry continues as normal even when children die—matching the cartoon’s idea of protecting business over human life.
• “JR-15” Rifle for Kids: A U.S. gun company created a version of the AR-15 (a military-style weapon) called

Cells are open systems – they exchange both matter and energy with their environment.

Cellular Open Systems: Examples of Exchange

• In: Water, oxygen, nutrients, solar energy (in plants)
• Out: Carbon dioxide, waste, thermal energy, kinetic energy

Cellular Needs and Organ System Functions

Surface Area to Volume Ratio (SA:V)

Cells work best with a high SA:V ratio (more membrane per unit of volume).

• Small cells = high SA:V → efficient transport
• Large cells = low SA:V → less efficient

SA:V Ratio Calculation Formulas

• Surface Area of cube:

Anwar's London Adventure: A Letter to Pedro

To: pepogarcí[email protected]
Subject: Excited to Join You in London!

Hi Pedro,

It was great to get your message! I'm very excited about my stay in London. I'm from Trondheim, Norway, where I live with my parents and younger sister. We're all into sports, especially skiing and ice hockey, which I've been playing for years. Luckily, we have lots of snow to enjoy safely!

I want to improve my English while exploring London. Although I read quite well, I'm still slightly shy when speaking. Hopefully, living with your family will help me become more confident. I'm also eager to explore the city's history and culture.

Could you tell me a bit about your hobbies? I'd love to know what you enjoy doing and any tips you... Continue reading "Personal Journeys and Lifestyle Perspectives" »

Key Concepts & Artistic Movements

Historical & Economic Concepts Defined

Armed Peace

A state of tension where countries maintain prepared military forces but are not in active war.

Taylorism

A system of scientific work organization aimed at increasing efficiency through task division and control.

Fordism

A mass production model based on standardization and the assembly line to manufacture goods quickly.

Combustion Engine

A machine that generates motion by burning fuel to transform chemical energy into mechanical energy.

Imperialism

A policy of expansion and domination by one country over other territories for economic and political control.

Metropole

A central city or country that politically controls a colony or dependent territory.

Protectorate

A

Uniformly Distributed Load (UDL) and Varying Load (UVL)

Converting Distributed Loads to Equivalent Point Loads

1. Uniformly Distributed Load (UDL)

Definition: A load that is evenly spread across a specific length ($L$) of a beam or structure.

Magnitude of Equivalent Point Load ($W$):

$$W = w \times L$$

• $w$: Intensity of UDL (N/m or kN/m)
• $L$: Length over which the UDL acts

The equivalent point load $W$ acts at the geometric center of the distributed load (at $L/2$ from either end).

UDL Diagram and Equivalent Point Load:

|‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾|
| w N/m |
|___________|

Equivalent:

| | ↓ W = w × L
| | (at L/2)
|_______________

2. Uniformly Varying Load (UVL)

Definition: A load whose intensity varies linearly across the beam length, typically... Continue reading "Structural Loads and Support Reactions in Engineering Mechanics" »

The Human Respiratory System

By Marco Rios

Ventilation: Air Movement in the Lungs

Pulmonary Ventilation

The total volume of air breathed in and out per minute.

Alveolar Ventilation

The volume of air exchanged between the atmosphere and the alveoli per minute.

The Lungs: Core Organs of Respiration

A pair of organs consisting of the lower part of the respiratory airways, pulmonary circulation, and connective tissue.

Pleural Sacs and Cavity

Thin, fluid-filled membranes that enclose the lungs. The space between the pair is known as the pleural cavity.

Alveolar Cell Types

Type I Cells

Form the walls of the alveoli, facilitating gas exchange.

Type II Cells

Secrete pulmonary surfactant.

Pulmonary Surfactant

A substance that reduces the surface tension of water inside... Continue reading "Human Respiratory System Functions" »

The Francoist Dictatorship (1939-1975)

Key Concepts of the Franco Regime

• Maquis: Individuals who fought against the Francoist regime, often through guerrilla warfare.
• Sección Femenina: The sole women's organization within the Falange, focused on instilling traditional female roles and Francoist ideology.
• Marshall Plan: A United States initiative for rebuilding Allied countries in Europe after World War II; Spain was notably excluded due to its political alignment.
• Economic Autarchy: An economic policy characterized by national self-sufficiency and minimal trade with the outside world.
• Isolationism: A political or economic policy that isolates a country from participating in international alliances or relationships.
• Rationing: The controlled distribution