The End of Intel: the Beginning of the Computer :: Computer Computers Essays

The End of Intel: the Beginning of the Computer For over thirty years, since the beginning of the computing age, the Gordon Moore's equation for the number of chip transistors doubling every eighteen months has been true (Leyden). However, this equation by its very nature cannot continue on infinitely. Although the size of the transistor has drastically decreased in the past fifty years, it cannot get too much smaller, therefore a computer cannot get much faster. The limits of transistor are becoming more and more apparent within the processor speed of Intel and AMD silicon chips (Moore's Law). One reason that chip speeds now are slower than possible is because of the internal-clock of the computer. The clock organizes all of the operation processing and the memory speeds so the information ends at the same time or the processor completes its task uniformly. The faster a chip can go (Mhz) requires that this clock tick ever and ever faster. With a 1.0 Ghz chip, the clock ticks a billion times a second (Ball). This becomes wasted en ergy and the internal clock limits the processor. These two problems in modern computing will lead to the eventual disproving of Moore's Law. But are there any new areas of chip design engineering beside the normal silicon chip. In fact, two such designs that could revolutionize the computer industry are multi-threading (Copeland) and asynchronous chip design (Old Tricks). The modern silicon processor cannot keep up with the demands that are placed on it today. With the limit of transistor size approaching as well the clock speed bottleneck increasing, these two new chip designs could completely scrap the old computer industry and recreate it completely new. The number of transistors for a Pentium 4 processor is about 42,000,000 transistors per chip, and that was beginning in the year 2000 (Moore's Law). Should Moore's Law continue, the number of transistors on a microprocessor would be approaching 1 billion. Skeptics inquire, "Just how is this possible," presenting a valid point. Transistors work by being on or off and consequentially creating a zero or one in mathematical lines of code when electricity is sent to them. There is a gap of electrical insulation that separates the source, the direction from which the charge is coming, and the drain, the direction the charge should empty into or not, depending if the transistor is on or off. If the transistor gets much smaller it will be made up of only a few molecules and atoms, far to small to effectively conduct electricity or light.

African Diageo

As it has been said before, one of the key growth drivers for Adagio is innovation. The company, Adagio, has understood how to create new products. They take the insight they receive from the consumers and they turn them around into a product that appeals them. A good example of how they did this is the product Snap that is designed specifically for women. Since the role of African women is changing in the society, they created a product that appeals them. The women can also identify themselves with the product, as a sophisticated and independent woman.It's a sparkling apple flavored premium drink, which in the advertisement, is served in a champagne glass. The product differentiates itself from other products that are towards women. The taste and design is also adapted to their culture. The product was new to the world, when it comes to design, the liquid product, materials and ingredients. It is something the African women desired. A major advantage they had, when innovating this p roduct was that they had conducted market research to develop insight on modern African female consumers and the role that alcohol plays in their lives.Their R team made Hereford a specific product that is relevant to African female consumer. With the help of R they made a innovation that maintained the customers focus. This is really important in terms of finding a strategy' for the product. However, what makes the R&D so successful is the communication they have internally. They report to local businesses directly in order to ensure alignment they have with strategy, market and consumer. Another successful innovation that Adagio created was Rut Extra. It was a â€Å"clear bee† which targets the value consumer.The beer was a Ghanaian beer made from Ghanaian cassava and therefore, it engaged community leaders, which in return engaged the community and it made the community wanting to buy the product. The product was placed strategically in cultural festivals, which could incr ease brand awareness and find the right consumers for it. To develop their product strategy Adagio has, in addition to R&D and communication, carefully used other tools for the best result, such as collaborations and cost structures. Both of these are really important.The elaboration with regional and country teams plays an important role in centralization. By collaborating they could integrate different functions and desires that was necessary to make the product a success. Another reason why both of these products have been successful is the cost structure Adagio have. Adagio has collaborations with local farmers and suppliers, therefore allowing them to lower their cost. As a result of the cost structure they are able to have bigger quantity than their competitions, which give the consumer more value for the price.

Non Perfoming Loans in Commercial Banks in Zimbabwe Is Now a Cause of Concern as It Is Threatening the Survival of Banks Bit by Bit

Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences (JETEMS) 3(6): 882-886  © Scholarlink Research Institute Journals, 2012 (ISSN: 2141-7024 jetems. scholarlinkresearch. org Economics and Management Sciences (JETEMS) 3(6):882-886 (ISSN:2141-7024) Journal of Emerging Trends in Insights on Non-Performing Loans: Evidence from Zimbabwean Commercial Banks in a Dollarised Environment (2009-2012) 1 Laurine Chikoko, 2Tendekayi Mutambanadzo and 3Takaiona Vhimisai 1 Department of Banking and Finance, Midlands State University, P Bag 9055, Senga, Gweru. Department of Banking, National University of Science and Technology P O Box AC939, Ascot Bulawayo. 3 Department of Banking, National University of Science and Technology P O Box AC939, Ascot Bulawayo. Corresponding Author: Laurine Chikoko ___________________________________________________________________________ Abstract This study was prompted by the gradual deterioration in asset quality in most commercial banks in Zimbabwe aft er the adoption of the multiple currency exchange rate regime. The poor asset qualities were reflected by the non-performing loans trending towards the watch list category.In this regard we investigated the commercial bank credit process with the objective of understanding the fundamental causes of the impaired assets that are bedeviling the Zimbabwean banking sector so that some of the mistakes are not repeated and correctional measures are put in place. The methodology adopted a survey research design with use of questionnaires and interviews with commercial banks head credit risk, head retail and head corporate banking division from 15 registered commercial banks in Zimbabwe.Research findings show that some banks were sitting on nonperforming loans due to poor credit analysis processes; wrong products offered to the clients; lending based on balance sheet strength instead of cash flow based lending; banks taking too much comfort in security; information asymmetry leading to moral hazard; economic environment and political influence. Key recommendations include an urgent setting up of the Credit Bureau; banks should not adjust clients request and the need for banks to consider the economic environment and adjust their credit culture.The central bank needs to tighten its supervisory role and ensure prudential guidelines are not violated. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Keywords: credit analysis, loan products, non-performing loans, Zimbabwean commercial banks, dollarised environment. __________________________________________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION the watch list category. The implication is that Zimbabwe adopted a multiple currency regime in borrowers were struggling to repay loans leading to 2009.A multiple currency system allowed trade to be the problem of banks sitting on non-performing conducted using major trading currencies, for loans. example, the United St ates Dollar (USD), Pound Sterling, South African Rand, and the Botswana Pula. Each non-performing loan in the financial sector is After the adoption of the multiple currency system, viewed as an obverse mirror image of an ailing the banking sector experienced marked unprofitable enterprise.From this point of view, the improvements in the intermediary role which resulted eradication of non-performing loans is a necessary in improved financial support to the key productive condition to improve the economic status of the sectors of the economy (Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe financial institution. Continuously rolling over non(RBZ), 2010). A research conducted by the performing loans locks up resources that could International Monetary Fund in 2010, indicated that otherwise be invested to profitable sectors of the the profitability of banks had improved following a economy.Intuitively this hinders economic growth more favourable economic environment during the and impairs economic efficiency . Consequently this new regime. While officially reported, aggregate study seeks to provide insights on Zimbabwean banking soundness indicators do not raise major red commercial banks non-performing loans. The flags, they mask vulnerabilities specific to a fully ultimate objective is to draw lessons from dollarised banking system experiencing rapid credit commercial banks lending in Zimbabwe during the growth, as well as a significant variation in prudential multiple currency regime.The paper is organised as indicators across individual banks. The Reserve Bank follows. In the second section, we present brief of Zimbabwe (2012) also noted that there has been review of literature. In the third section we present gradual deterioration in asset quality as reflected by the research methodology; in the fourth section a the level of non-performing loans trending towards 882 Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences (JETEMS) 3(6):882-886 (ISSN:2141-7024) discussion of the findings.Finally we present conclusions and recommendations. LITERATURE REVIEW A non-performing loan is an advance by a financial institution that is not earning income and full payment of principal. As such interest is no longer anticipated (Van Greuning, & Bratavonic, 2003). There is no global standard to define non-performing loans at the practical level. Variations exist in terms of the classification system, the scope, and contents. This pitfall potentially adds to disorder and uncertainty in the non-performing loans subject.For instance, as described by Park (2003), during the 1990s, there were three different methods of defining non-performing loans: the 1993 method based on banking laws; the â€Å"Bank’s Self-Valuation† in March 1996; and the â€Å"Financial Revival Laws-Based Debt Disclosure† in 1999. These measurements have gradually broadened the scope and scale of the riskmanagement method in the banking industry. The literature that examines non -performing loans has increased as more researchers attempt to understand the major factors that cause financial instability.This trend has arisen due to the role played by impaired assets in financial instability as evidenced by the strong association between nonperforming loans and banking crises. In most of the economies that collapsed, credit risk preceded financial crises. Khemraj (2005) revealed that the banking crises in East Asia and Sub-Saharan African countries were preceded by high non-performing loans. This stimulated research in trying to establish the causes of non-performing loans in banks.Caprio (1998) had earlier presented stylised evidence and found that inadequate regulation and lack of supervision at the time of the liberalisation could play a key role in explaining why deregulation and banking crises were so closely entwined. The analysis of Kaminsky and Reinhart (1999) provides interesting insights on the links between financial crises with financial liberalisa tion. The study found that the proxy variable for financial liberalisation which was the growth in domestic credit as a ratio of output, accelerated greatly as the crises emerged.Earliest studies to examine the causes of loan losses were by Keeton and Morris (1987). The study showed that local economic conditions along with the poor performance of certain sectors explain the variation in loan losses recorded by the banks. The study also reports that commercial banks with greater risk appetite tend to record higher losses. Garey (1991), also concur with the early studies of Keeton and Morris. Garey (1991) found that loan lossexperience of large commercial banks in the US was influenced by both internal and external factors.This study found a significant positive relationship between the loan-loss rate and internal factors such as 883 high interest rates, excessive lending, and volatile funds. Non-performing loans were influenced by gross domestic product growth, high real interest ra tes, lenient credit terms and excessive lending by commercial banks (Goacher, 2002; Howells and Bain, 2002; Heffernan, 2005; Freixas, 2007 and Machiranju 2008). Despite the abundant literature on non-performing loans, to the researchers’ knowledge, no study has been done on causes of non-performing loans on Zimbabwean commercial banks after dollarisation in 2009.METHODOLOGY A survey research design was used in this study. The survey allowed the collection of large amount of data in an economical way (Saunders et al, 2003). Data obtained through use of questionnaires was standard which allowed easy comparison. The limitation to the survey strategy was the fact that data collected may not be as wide-ranging as those collected by other research strategies. There is a limit as to the number of questions that any questionnaire can contain if the goodwill of the respondent is not to be presumed on too much. To mitigate this weakness, personal interviews were used in the survey stra tegy.Data was collected from 15 registered commercial banks in Zimbabwe. The key informants were departmental heads of credit risk, retail and corporate banking divisions. In addition account relationship managers were randomly selected in the survey. The study was carried out in Harare mainly because that is where all commercial banks are headquartered. Data from the survey was analysed using STATA version 11. Tabulations were used to show percentages and frequencies of respondents in each response category, with cross-tabulation tables showing percentages and frequencies between two given categories.Crosstabulations were computed together with correlation test between two variables by using Pearson chisquare. LIMITATION OF THE STUDY The issue of non-performing loans is a sensitive and confidential issue since it has a bearing on bank performance and reputation. To this end, we had challenges in getting a detailed account from some of the respondents. However, to overcome this we h ad to interview many respondents from the same institution in order to fill in the missing details. EMPIRICAL FINDINGS On average the banks were in business for thirty seven years but varied from five up to one hundred and eighteen years.Table 1 summarises the ages of the fifteen commercial banks. Table 1: Tabulated Zimbabwe Commercial Banks Years in Business Variable Years in business Observation 15 Mean 37. 5333 Std Dev 40. 2347 Min 5 Max 118 Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences (JETEMS) 3(6):882-886 (ISSN:2141-7024) From the survey, age had nothing to do with the problem of non-performing loans as reflected by a? statistic of 5. 86 (P=0. 210). Of the banks surveyed, 20% were internationally owned banks and 80% were locally owned banks.It was evident from the survey that locally owned banks had the problems of non-performing loans while internationally owned banks did not have problems of non-performing loans. This was shown by the observed differences i n ownership and non-performing loans which were statistically significant as shown by the of 17. 26 (P

The Life of Hermann Oberth, German Rocket Theorist

The Life of Hermann Oberth, German Rocket Theorist Hermann Oberth (June 25, 1894, died December 29, 1989) was one of the foremost rocket theorists of the 20th century, responsible for the theories that govern the rockets that loft payloads and people  to space. He was a visionary scientist inspired by science fiction. Oberth left a mixed legacy due to his involvement in the development of V-2 rockets for Nazi Germany, which killed several thousand in Great Britain during World War II. However, in later life, Oberth helped to develop rockets for the U.S. army, and his work contributed to the development of the U.S. space program. Early Life Hermann Oberth was born on June 25, 1894 in the small town of Hermannstadt, Austria-Hungary (today Sibiu, Romania). At a young age, Oberth came down with scarlet fever, and spent part of his childhood recovering in Italy. During the long days of recuperation, he read the work of Jules Verne, an experience that developed his love of science fiction novels. His  fascination with rockets and spaceflight led him, at the age of 14, to begin thinking about the idea of liquid-fueled rockets and how they could work to propel materials to space. Early Theories When he turned 18, Oberth  began his college studies at the University of Munich. At his fathers urging, he studied medicine instead of rockets. His academic work was interrupted by the onset of World War I, during which he  served as a wartime medic. After the war, Oberth studied physics and pursued his interest in rockets and propulsion systems largely on his own. During this period, he realized that rockets intended to reach space would need to be staged; that is, they would need a first stage to lift off from Earth, and at least one or two other stages to loft payloads into orbit or out to the Moon and beyond. In 1922, Oberth submitted his theories about rocket propulsion and motions as a Ph.D. thesis, but his theories were rejected as pure fantasy. Undaunted, Oberth published his thesis as a book called Die Rakete zu den Planetraà ¼men (By Rocket into Planetary Space) in 1929. He patented his rocket designs and launched his first rocket two years later, with the assistance of a young Wernher von Braun. Oberths work inspired the formation of an amateur rocketry group  called Verein fà ¼r Raumschiffart, for which he served as an informal advisor. He also taught physics and math at a local high school and became  one of the first scientific advisors to a movie producer, working with Fritz Lang on the film Frau im Mond in 1929.   World War II Contributions In the years between the two world wars, Oberth pursued his rocketry designs and made contact with two other giants in the field: Robert H. Goddard and Konstantin Tsiolkovsky. In 1938, he became a faculty member at the Technical University of Vienna, then became a German citizen and went  to work at Peenemà ¼nde, Germany. He worked with Wernher von Braun to develop the V-2 rocket for Nazi Germany, a powerful rocket that ultimately killed 3,500 people in Great Britain during World War II. Oberth  worked on both liquid- and solid-fueled rockets. He moved to Italy in 1950 in order to work on designs for the Italian navy. In 1955, he arrived in the United States, where he worked on a team designing and building space-bound rockets for the U.S. Army. Later Life and Legacy Hermann Oberth eventually retired and returned to Germany in 1958, where he spent the rest of his life pursuing  theoretical work in science as well as philosophy and political theory. He returned to the United States to witness the launch of  Apollo 11  for the first Moon landing, and then later for the launch of Challenger on STS-61A in 1985. Oberth died on December 29, 1989, in Nà ¼rnberg, Germany. Oberths early insight into how rocket engines propel materials to space inspired rocket scientists to name the Oberth effect after him. The Oberth effect refers to the fact that rockets traveling at high speeds generate more useful energy than rockets moving at lower velocities. Thanks to his great interest in rockets, inspired by Jules Verne, Oberth went on to imagine a number of very plausible futuristic space flight ideas. He wrote a book called ​The Moon Car, which detailed a way to travel to the Moon. He also suggested ideas for future space stations and a telescope orbiting the planet. Today, the International Space Station and the Hubble Space Telescope (among others) are fulfillments of Oberths almost-prophetic flights of scientific imagination. Hermann  Oberth Fast Facts Full Name:  Hermann Julius OberthBorn: June 25, 1894 in Hermannstadt, Austria-HungaryDied:  December 29, 1989 in Nuremberg, Germany.Known For: Rocket theorist who developed V-2 rockets for Nazi Germany and later contributed to the U.S. space program.Spouses Name: Mathilde HummelChildren: Four Sources Dunbar, Brian. â€Å"Hermann Oberth.†Ã‚  NASA, NASA, 5 June 2013, www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/rocketry/home/hermann-oberth.html.Redd, Nola Taylor. â€Å"Hermann Oberth: German Father of Rocketry.†Ã‚  Space.com, Space.com, 5 Mar. 2013, www.space.com/20063-hermann-oberth.html.Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. â€Å"Hermann Oberth.†Ã‚  Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, Inc., 19 Apr. 2017, www.britannica.com/biography/Hermann-Julius-Oberth.​

How to Be an Anti-Racist Ally

How to Be an Anti-Racist Ally Do you feel overwhelmed by the destructive power of racism, but unsure of what to do about it? The good news is, while the  scope of racism in the U.S. might be vast, progress is possible. Step-by-step and piece-by-piece, we can work to end racism, but to begin this work, we must truly understand what racism is. First, review how sociologists define racism, then consider ways that each of us can work to end it. What Is Racism? Sociologists see racism in the U.S. as systemic it is embedded in every aspect of our social system. This systemic racism is characterized by unjust enrichment of white people, unjust impoverishment of people of color, and an overall unjust distribution of resources across racial lines (money, safe spaces, education, political power, and food, for example). Systemic racism is made up of racist ideologies and attitudes, including subconscious and implicit ones that might even seem well-meaning. It is a system that grants privileges and benefits to whites at the expense of others. This system of social relations is perpetuated by racist worldviews from positions of power (in the police or news media, for example), and alienates people of color who are subordinated, oppressed, and marginalized by such forces. It is the unjust costs of racism born by people of color, like denial of education and employment, incarceration, mental and physical illness, and death. It is racist ideology that rationalizes and justifies racist oppression, like the media narratives that criminalize victims of police and vigilante violence, like Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, and Freddie Gray, as well as many others.​ To end racism, we must combat it everywhere it lives and thrives. We must confront it in ourselves, in our communities, and in our nation.  No one person can do it all or do it alone, but we can all do things to help, and in doing so, work collectively to end racism. This brief guide will help get you started. At the Individual Level These actions are mostly for white people, but not exclusively. Listen to, validate, and ally with people who report personal and systemic racism. Most people of color report that whites do not take claims of racism seriously. It’s time to stop defending the idea of a post-racial society, and recognize instead that we live in a racist one. Listen to and trust those who report racism, because anti-racism begins with basic respect for all people.Have hard conversations with yourself about the racism that lives within you. When you find yourself making an assumption about people, places, or things,  challenge yourself by asking whether you know the assumption to be true, or if it is something you have simply been taught to believe by a racist society. Consider facts and evidence, especially those found in academic books and articles about race and racism, rather than hearsay and â€Å"common sense.†Be mindful of the commonalities that humans share, and practice empathy. Do not fixate on difference, though it is important to be aware of it and the implications of it, particularly as regards power and privilege. Remember that if any kind of injustice is allowed to thrive in our society, all forms can. We owe it to each other to fight for an equal and just society for all. At the Community Level If you see something, say something. Step in when you see racism occurring, and disrupt it in a safe way. Have hard conversations with others when you hear or see racism, whether explicit or implicit. Challenge racist assumptions by asking about supporting  facts and evidence  (in general, they do not exist). Have conversations about what led you and/or others to have racist beliefs.Cross the racial divide (and others) by offering friendly greetings to people, regardless of race, gender, age, sexuality, ability, class, or housing status. Think about who you make eye contact with, nod to, or say â€Å"Hello† to while you are out in the world. If you notice a pattern of preference and exclusion, shake it up. Respectful, friendly, everyday communication is the essence of community.Learn about the racism that occurs where you live, and do something about it by participating in and supporting anti-racist community events, protests, rallies, and programs. For example, you could: Support voter registration and polling in neighborhoods where people of color live because they have historically been marginalized from the political process.Donate time and/or money to community organizations that serve youth of color.Mentor white kids on being anti-racist citizens who fight for justiceSupport post-prison programs, because the inflated incarceration rates of black and Latino people lead to their long-term economic and political  disenfranchisement.Support community organizations that serve those bearing the mental, physical, and economic costs of racism.Communicate with  your local and state government officials and institutions about how they can help end racism in the communities they represent. At the National Level Advocate for Affirmative Action practices in education and employment.  Countless studies have found that qualifications being equal, people of color are rejected for employment and admission to educational institutions far greater rates than white people. Affirmative Action initiatives help mediate this problem of racist exclusion.Vote for candidates who make ending racism  a priority; vote for candidates of color.  In todays federal government, people of color remain disturbingly underrepresented. For a racially just democracy to exist, we must achieve accurate representation, and the governing of  representatives must actually represent the experiences and concerns of our diverse  populace.Combat racism through national-level political channels.  For example, you could: Write senators and members of Congress to  demand an end to racist practices in law enforcement, the judiciary, education, and the media.Advocate for national legislation that would criminalize racist police practices and institute ways to monitor police behavior, like body cams or independent investigations.Join the movement for reparations  for  the descendants of African slaves and other historically oppressed populations within the U.S., because theft of land, labor, and denial of resources is the foundation of American racism, and it is on this foundation that contemporary inequalities thrive. Keep in mind that you dont have to do all of these things in your fight against  racism. Whats important is that we all do at least something.

What is the operating system Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

What is the operating system - Essay Example While most of the computers in use are using one form of OS, which perform similar functions, the operating systems can be divided into various types of OS. These are batch operating systems, real time operating systems, single user operating systems, multi-user operating systems, and the distributed operating systems. A batch processing operating system involves interaction between the processor and the computer user that is limited (Haldar & Haldar). The interaction can also be non-existent during the period when the computer is being used. The programs, as well as the data that are required in processing are collected and bunched together in the form of a bunch and are executed at the same time. This operating system is ideal where similar data is being processed; large data amounts are being processed, and where similar processing is used in the execution of data. The batch processing operating system is capable of identifying periods during which the processor is not in use, during which time the batches can be processed. The processing is automatic, which means that any intervention by the computer user is not needed. The real time operating system is another example. This operating system is capable of processing input simultaneously, as well as fast enough to impact the following process or input (Haldar & Haldar 25). This operating system is normally utilized for the control of complex computer systems that need increased processing like industrial systems and machinery. Another form of an operating system is the single user operating system that, as suggested by its title, is designed for use by one user for them to use the computer at one time. The multi-tasking operating system is an OS with several applications, which can be loaded at the same time and utilized in memory (Haldar & Haldar 35). The processor is capable of handling only a single application at one time. However, it is capable of switching from one application to a new one

Genetic Engineering Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Genetic Engineering - Assignment Example Perhaps the first and most obvious reason that GMO food exhibits a clear and definitive concern to the human population is with regard to the unknown level of impact that GMO necessarily poses to human health. Shockingly, very little independent research has been performed on GMOs to determine the level of impact, if any, that they might have with regard to human health. Moreover, seed company agreements forbid the sale or use of any of their seeds for the process of independent research, all but stymieing any attempt that an independent researcher might make in order to draw a level of inference with regard to whether or not GMOs are harmful, beneficial or neutral. However, the fact that seed manufacturers are so particular about including the caveat that their products cannot be sold or utilised for independent research sheds a level of particular doubt in the mind of the reader with regard to the overall health concerns that use of GMO might present for any society’s food s upply. Moreover, another particular level of the unknown that exists with regard to the use of GMO in food is the fact that many of the GMO food sources currently in the market have been proven to have a built-in resistance to certain types of antibiotics. For instance, Amflora, a type of genetically modified potato, was recently tested by a European committee and found to have a gene specifically built-in to the potato that was predisposed to a type of antibiotic resistance. Although this particular type of genetically modified potato may have little or no effect upon the human being, the mere existence of an antibiotic resistant gene within genetically modified food is able to alert the reader that serious concerns about health may very well exist with regard to genetically modified food. Although genetically modified food is something that holds a great deal of promise it at the same time holds a great