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

Microbial Resistance Levels

Understanding the varying levels of microbial resistance is crucial for effective control strategies.

Categories of Microbial Resistance

• Highest Resistance: Prions and bacterial endospores.
• Moderate Resistance: Protozoan cysts, some fungal spores, and some non-enveloped viruses.
• Least Resistance: Bacterial vegetative cells, other fungal spores and hyphae, enveloped viruses, yeast, and trophozoites.

Terminology of Microbial Control

Precise terminology is essential when discussing methods for controlling microbial growth and survival.

Sterilization

The process of destroying all forms of microbial life, including endospores, on an object or in a material.

Absolute Sterilization

Sterilization is an absolute process; there are no... Continue reading "Microbial Resistance & Control: Key Concepts" »

SA8000 Certification: Social Accountability in the Workplace

The SA8000 Social Accountability certification standard focuses on workplace values. The standard is based on international workplace norms of International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Key Elements of SA8000

A brief summary of some of the SA8000 elements follows:

• Child labor
• Forced labor
• Health and safety
• Freedom of association and right to collective bargaining
• Discrimination
• Discipline
• Working hours
• Compensation
• Management systems

The Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact

The UN Global Compact outlines ten principles related to human rights, labor standards, the environment, and anti-corruption:... Continue reading "SA8000 Certification: Workplace Values and Social Accountability" »

Scotland's Natural Beauty: The Isle of Skye

The Isle of Skye, located in the northwest of Scotland, is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. In addition, it is a wonderful place for a holiday for people of all ages.

Magnificent Coast and Mountains

Skye is known for its magnificent coast and beautiful mountains. Although there are not many hotels or restaurants, the area is so beautiful that many people go there each year for their summer holiday. When we visited the island last summer, I loved taking long walks through the splendid mountains and along the beautiful coast.

History and Community on Skye

Most of the people who live on the Isle of Skye earn a living from farming, tourism, or forestry. They are quiet people who are proud... Continue reading "Scotland's Best: Isle of Skye and Edinburgh Travel" »

Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions Theory

• Individualism vs. Collectivism: Refers to how personal needs and goals are prioritized compared to the needs and goals of the group or organization.
• Masculinity vs. Femininity: Masculine societies tend to have more distinct social gender roles compared to feminine cultures.
• Uncertainty Avoidance: Indicates how comfortable people are with ambiguity and change. Low avoidance means comfort with change; high avoidance means preference for known systems.
• Power Distance: The degree to which people accept and expect unequal power distribution in society and are comfortable with influencing upwards.
• Time Perspective (Long-Term Orientation): Focuses on long-term planning for the future versus short-term perspectives.

Classical Approaches to Social Change

Auguste Comte (1798-1857)

• Social Dynamics: The processes that operate within society.
• Social Statics: The study of the parts of society and their relations.

Herbert Spencer (1850-1903)

• Structures: Relationships that shape a society.
• Functions: The role played by each social group within the social system.

Basic Sociological Laws

• Laws of Coexistence: Why certain social phenomena invariably appear together.
• Inheritance Laws: Why certain social phenomena precede others.

Understanding Technological Change

Partial Technological Change

Occurs when there is a change in perception, use, or characteristics of a given technology:

• Change in the social perception of a given technology.
• Change in the types of uses of a given technology.

Neoclassical Theory of Migration

This theory incorporates both macro and micro perspectives. It is fundamentally based on principles such as rational choice, maximizing advantages, income differentials, and net benefits.

Macro-Level Perspective

At the macro level, migrations occur due to differences in the supply and demand of labor across various locations, directly associated with wage disparities. Workers tend to move to places where salaries are higher.

Micro-Level Perspective

At the micro level, the neoclassical theory posits that individuals migrate after rationally considering the costs and benefits of the move. Therefore, it is the differentials in expected incomes and benefits—rather than merely salary differences—that motivate people... Continue reading "Understanding International Migration Theories" »

Relevance and Reliability in Accounting Information

To be useful, information needs to be relevant and reliable. Relevance and reliability are of crucial importance, but, unfortunately, they are not always compatible. Hence, we have to trade-off between them.

Accounting information is relevant when it is provided in time, but at early stages information is uncertain and hence less reliable. If we wait while the information gains reliability, its relevance is lost. After the balance sheet date, during the time when an audit is carried out, it becomes clear which debts were realized and which were not, hence it improves the reliability of the bad debts estimate, but the information loses its relevance due to too much time being taken. Timeliness... Continue reading "Relevance, Reliability, and Information Asymmetry in Accounting" »

Unit 3: Job Search Advice

P=Presenter, J= Jürgen, M=Marta, A=Alex, L=Luli, I=Ivan

P: So, finally, let’s have some advice from each of you about how to go about getting that first job, the one you’ve studied so hard to prepare for. Jürgen?

J: My advice is this: especially with the first job, prospective employers want to get a complete picture of you, not just what you’ve been studying and your holiday jobs. So, include a section in your CV for the things which you like doing in your free time. These say a lot about you and may make you a lot more interesting than all those other kids who just spend their evenings going to the pub or listening to music.

P: Ok. Marta?

M: I was reading somewhere that in the US, more than 80% of applications... Continue reading "Ace Your First Job Search: Expert Advice for New Graduates" »