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

The Trans-Saharan Trade Network

The Trans-Saharan trade route was a vital commercial artery, connecting the Mediterranean coast of North Africa with West African nations from the 8th to the late 16th century. Following the 7th century, Arab expansion into North Africa led to their control over Saharan trade routes. The period from the 8th to the 11th centuries marked the development of this trade, with its zenith occurring between the 11th and 16th centuries. Subsequently, the trade experienced a decline. The Sahara Desert's central location made it the primary conduit for this commerce, which was primarily conducted by caravans of camels.

Economic Pillars: Gold, Slaves, and Global Links

A defining economic characteristic of Sub-Saharan Africa... Continue reading "Ancient African Trade Routes: Gold, Islam, and Saharan Commerce" »

Direct Methods in Formation Evaluation

Direct methods are primary techniques in formation evaluation used to obtain crucial rock and reservoir properties. Properties such as permeability, porosity, and water saturation are typically determined through these direct measurements. Generally, direct methods are performed using three main approaches: drilling operation logs (including mud logging), coring, and productivity tests.

Drilling Operation Log (Mud Logging)

• Provides a continuous record of the wellbore as it is being drilled.
• Involves the examination of drill cuttings and mud returns to determine rock and reservoir properties of the formation.
• Drilling parameters and observations are plotted against depth for comprehensive analysis.

Coring Techniques

Coring... Continue reading "Direct Methods for Rock & Reservoir Property Evaluation" »

China's Contradictory Stance on Human Rights

The current situation in China is well-known for its challenging legal position, which significantly affects its citizens and their human rights. While considered an advanced country in technology and environmental development, its society is unexpectedly bound by old and retrograde legislation.

A 2019 Human Rights World Report demonstrated China's issues with its political operations concerning human rights violations.

Key Human Rights Violations

Freedom of Expression and Censorship

One of the most fundamental human rights is the freedom of expression. In China, journalists, activists, lawyers, and academics have been persecuted for exercising their right to freedom of speech. This harassment is directed... Continue reading "China's Human Rights Crisis: Censorship & Unfair Trials" »

Defining Prejudice and Discrimination

Key Forms of Bigotry

• Religious Bigotry: Using religion to discriminate against others.
• Anti-Semitism: Prejudice, discrimination, or hatred directed towards Jewish people.
• Xenophobia: The fear or dislike of someone because they are from another country.
• Discrimination: Making a difference in treatment based on factors other than individual character. This can occur even without personal prejudice.

Theories Behind Prejudice and Social Division

• Situational Pressure: People's actions under pressure do not always match their chosen public personas or beliefs.
• Group Gains: When one group intentionally keeps another group separate and oppressed to maintain its own elevated status.
• Institutional Structure: When prejudice

25 More Physics Questions

Interference and Diffraction

Interference: The adding together of two or more waves of the same kind that pass by the same point at the same time.

Diffraction: The ability of waves to bend around the edge of an obstacle in their path.

Rainbow Formation

Rainbows are caused by the dispersion of sunlight into its component colors when refracted by water droplets in the atmosphere.

Beta Decay and Atomic Units

Beta Decay: Occurs when there are too many neutrons. The emission of an electron by a neutron in the nucleus changes the neutron to a proton.

Atomic Mass Unit: One-twelfth of the mass of an atom of carbon-12. It is equal to approximately 1.66 x 10^-27 kg.

Electron-Volt: A unit of energy equal to the work done on an electron... Continue reading "Physics Concepts: Interference, Diffraction, and More" »

Leadership Development

Introduction

The Quest for a General Theory of Leadership (GTOL) involves a story about process, and another about product. The story begins with James MacGregor Burns who began thinking more generally about the phenomenon of leadership.

Every year organizations invest considerably in developing their leaders. Annual estimates range from $16.5 billion to over $45 billion for leadership development programs and other supporting management/executive education activities in the United States alone.

One emerging development in the field is that recent global survey data collected by researchers at Developmental Dimensions International suggest that leaders are increasingly dissatisfied with their organization’s development... Continue reading "The Quest for a General Theory of Leadership Development" »

Features in Modern English: Orthography and Phonology

Orthography

Fixing and Reducing Spelling Variation

• Spelling Reform Debate: Spelling reform in accordance with pronunciation was proposed but not successful due to its radical nature (e.g., John Hart's 'An Orthographie').
• Regularization of Spelling: Regularization based on traditional and etymological grounds proved successful.
• Standardization by 1700: By 1700, English largely became standardized, making texts from that period onward relatively easy for modern readers.
• Reflection of Late 15th-Century Pronunciation: Modern orthography reflects the pronunciation of the late 15th century.
• Changes in Orthographic Conventions: Distinction of graphemes u/v and i/j emerged.
• Etymological Respellings: Scholars

Filmmaking

Key Concepts

• Frame: A single image of a movie.
• Film Editing: The process by which an editor compiles shots into scenes and a film.
• Montage: Combining shots into a rapid sequence to portray a single event through multiple views (e.g., Rocky).
• Shot: An uninterrupted run of a film camera; shots are compiled into scenes, then into movies.
• Cinematography: The art of photography and camerawork in filmmaking.

Technical Details

• Movies are primarily shot at 24 frames per second (24fps).

Influential Figures

• Walt Disney: Filmmaker who built an animation legacy, starting in Kansas City. His first and last animated movies before his death in 1966 were Snow White and The Jungle Book.
• Orson Welles: Director of Citizen Kane.

Animation

• Traditional (2D) Animation:

3 Treasures

• Compassion: groundbreaking responsibility to take care of others and care about others
• Frugality: being conscious and mindful of spending
• Humility: only humble people are generous and compassionate

Amaterasu

Sun goddess, her grandson becomes the 1st emperor of Japan, the imperial court lives on to be divine, Japanese flag is the sun, emperors are gods

Analects

Selected writings of Confucianism, discussed the Chun-tzu (superior man) which stated that leaders must be chosen by virtue and not just family name or appointment; small men are self-serving and have no accountability

Ancestor Veneration

A religious practice based on the belief that deceased family members have a continued existence, that the spirits of deceased ancestors will look... Continue reading "Ancient Japanese Culture and Beliefs: An Overview" »

Fixed Costs

Expenses that do not change as a function of the activity of a business, within the relevant period.

Price-Elastic Demand Curve

When the price goes down a little, volume increases significantly. When the price goes up a little, volume decreases significantly. Many grocery items are price elastic.

Price-Inelastic Demand Curve

Volume does not change much, even with significant price changes. Products like critical raw materials, electricity, and heart pacemakers are price inelastic.

Tactical Pricing

Tactical pricing is the ongoing stream of pricing decisions the firm makes daily.

Pricing Toolkit

A set of pricing tactics for the firm to change a product's price.

Vision

A description of an ideal future state; an impressionistic picture of what... Continue reading "Key Business Concepts: Pricing, Control, and Performance" »