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

Saint Thomas Aquinas (Aristotelian Standpoint)

• The soul is the form of the body.
• The soul does not pre-exist the body; it is created by God at the same time it informs the body.
• There is no transmigration.
• The soul is immortal.

Descartes (Plato's Standpoint)

Descartes aligns with Plato's standpoint of efficient causality because:

• He rejects the concept of substantial forms.
• He considers the soul to be a thinking and self-sufficient substance.
• The body is an extended, mechanical substance.

The 18th Century: Julien Offroy de La Mettrie

• If the complexity of a plant, animal, or human body can be totally explained through mechanical terms, the whole world can be explained through those terms.
• There is no thinking self; there is only the extended thing.
• This

The field of radio frequency (RF) and microwave engineering generally covers the behavior of alternating current signals with frequencies in the range of 100 MHz (1 MHz = 10⁶ Hz) to 1000 GHz (1 GHz = 10⁹ Hz). RF frequencies range from very high frequency (VHF) (30–300 MHz) to ultra high frequency (UHF) (300–3000 MHz), while the term microwave is typically used for frequencies between 3 and 300 GHz, with a corresponding electrical wavelength between λ = c/ f = 10 cm and λ = 1 mm, respectively. Signals with wavelengths on the order of millimeters are often referred to as millimeter waves.

Limitations of Standard Circuit Theory

Because of the high frequencies (and short wavelengths), standard circuit theory often cannot be used directly to... Continue reading "RF and Microwave Engineering: Principles and Applications" »

Implementing a New System Call in the Kernel

Required Files to Add

• /usr/src/test_kernel/SystemCalls/test_call.c:
  • Creates system call pointer.
  • Exports the pointer so that the system call module can access it.
  • Defines the system call wrapper.
• /usr/src/test_kernel/SystemCalls/Makefile: obj-y := test_call.o (Compiles files directly into the kernel).

System Module Implementation

• /usr/src/test_kernel/SystemModule/syscallModule.c:
  • Holds module code.
  • Implements system call behavior.
  • Registers system call pointer to the proper system call handler.
• /usr/src/test_kernel/SystemModule/Makefile: obj-m := syscallmodule.o (Compiles file as a module).

Required Files to Modify

• /usr/src/test_kernel/arch/x86/entry/syscalls/syscall_64.tbl: Add the system call to the table.
• /usr/

Unit 2 Test: Level 1

Vocabulary and Grammar Exercises

• 1: 1. abducted, 2. speed, 3. well-deserved, 4. launched, 5. widespread, 6. crew, 7. wrap up, 8. voyage
• 2: 1. a tree, 2. the earthquake, 3. there are few benefits, 4. believed him, 5. difficult to see them, 6. plenty of time
• 3: 1. pick up, 2. work out, 3. took off, 4. use up, 5. catch on, 6. carry out, 7. broke down, 8. put on
• 4: 1. decide, 2. hadn’t told, 3. didn’t have, 4. would happen, 5. wouldn’t bother, 6. will go
• 5: 1. had seen / would have said, 2. had / would save, 3. would have cancelled / had known, 4. would go / are making, 5. will call / finish (or have finished)
• 6: 1. the spacecraft orbits (or has orbited) Earth, it can land; 2. I had visited her in hospital; 3. he rushes, he’ll

Finance Concepts: Ratios, Markets, and Risk

1. 1. Types of work in finance subareas

   Be able to recognize the types of work in subareas of finance such as investments, financial management, international finance, etc.

2. 2. Basic ratio categories to know

   Know the basics of the different ratio categories (e.g., liquidity, asset management, profitability).

   Liquidity — a ratio that measures the relationship between a firm's current assets and current liabilities.

3. 3. Average collection period ratio

   Know what the average collection period ratio measures.

   The average number of days between the date a credit sale is made and the date the purchaser pays for that sale.

4. 4. Time value of money concept

   Know that money in the future is worth less than money today.

   (Time

Financial Concepts and Calculation Practice

Expectation Theory and Two-Year Rates

Problem: If the one-year rate on an instrument is 9.0% and the expected rate for a one-year instrument one year from today is 9.89%, what is the expected two-year rate today, if the expectation theory holds?

• One-year rate: 9.00%
• One-year rate, one year forward: 9.89%

Formula: (1 + R1) * (1 + ER2) = (1 + R2)^2

Calculation:

• (1 + 0.09) * (1 + 0.0989) = (1 + R2)^2
• (1.09) * (1.0989) = (1 + R2)^2
• 1.197801 = (1 + R2)^2
• sqrt(1.197801) = 1 + R2
• 1.094449 = 1 + R2
• R2 = 0.094449

Expected Two-Year Rate: 9.44% (approximately 9.4%)

Understanding the Rule of 72

The Rule of 72 is a quick method to estimate the number of years it takes for an investment to double in value, given a fixed annual... Continue reading "Essential Financial Concepts & Calculations" »

The Rapid Rise of Plastic Pollution

Plastic pollution is damaging our environment rapidly. Waste plastic material is hard to dispose of and contributes to major pollution on Earth. This has become a cause of global concern in recent times. With the increasing use of plastic bags, utensils, and furniture, the amount of plastic waste has also gone up, and so has plastic pollution.

It is time we must take this problem seriously and work towards eradicating it, because it is causing significant damage to humans, animals, and plants. Our planet is suffering, and we need to stop this trend.

The Ubiquitous Threat to Ocean Ecosystems

Plastic pollution is already one of the most serious threats to ocean ecosystems. Scientists realize that plastic is ubiquitous—it... Continue reading "Global Crisis: Mitigating Plastic Pollution and Waste Management" »

Chapter 7: Experiencing Positive Emotions

When it comes to flourishing as human beings, what often takes center stage is our ability to feel positive emotions.

One of the core elements of flourishing is the study of positive emotions (PERMA).

Positive Emotions: a wide range of pleasant emotions in the past, present, and future; being able to know what it is to be happy and to experience an enduring sense of well-being.

Two ways of smiling:

- Duchenne smile: a full-face smile where not only your mouth turns up, but the corners of your eyes crinkle, as well. That is, you smile with your eyes as well as your mouth.

- “the other smile”: with the mouth only and does not involve the eyes.

The extent to which the women displayed the Duchenne smile in... Continue reading "Experiencing Positive Emotions and Happiness" »