A Comparison of the Merits of using Software or Hardware Transactional Memory, against Traditional ‘Semaphore’ Locking The WritePass Journal

A Comparison of the Merits of using Software or Hardware Transactional Memory, against Traditional ‘Semaphore’ Locking A Comparison of the Merits of using Software or Hardware Transactional Memory, against Traditional ‘Semaphore’ Locking ]. Bright, P. (2011) IBM’s new transactional memory: make-or-break time for multithreaded revolution. Available at: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2011/08/ibms-new-transactional-memory-make-or-break-time-for-multithreaded-revolution/ Â  [Accessed 12th March 2014]. Detlefs, D., Martin, P.A., Moir, M. Steele, G.L., (2001) ‘The Twentieth Annual ACM Symposium on Principles of Distributed Computing’, in Lock-free Reference Counting, ACM Press: New York. Maged, M.M. (2004) ‘Proceedings of the ACM SIGPLAN 2004 Conference on Programming Language Design and Implementation’, in Scalable Lock-free Dynamic Memory Allocation, ACM Press: New York.

Lost in translation - Emphasis

Lost in translation Lost in translation Its amazing how many good ideas are lost in translation not from one language to another, but from the brain to the printed page. One reason could be that its so tempting, when you suddenly find that youre unable to get your idea down on paper effectively, to throw more words at the problem. Yet the solution is often to do quite the opposite, and keep it simple. Take a recent Department of Health guidance document, which should have been issued with its own health warning: The aim of this resource pack is to help organisations promote and implement the use of an HR Leadership Qualities Framework that describes those behaviours which enhance NHS HR capacity and capability to improve the patient experience. Why complicate matters? Try using: This pack will help you promote and introduce an HR leadership qualities framework. In turn, this will help improve the service we give patients. Then theres this example from a recent invitation to tender (specifics changed to protect the guilty): Description/objective of the contract: To provide evidence on the extent to which north west organisations needs for enhanced and modified skills and knowledge among their existing adult employees are being met. This description is not unusually bad. It may even make perfect sense to you. But its extremely unlikely that the author would have described their objective like this if youd asked them to explain it over a cup of coffee. Instead, they might have said something like: We want to discover how far employees of companies in the north west have improved their skills and knowledge. Yet something stopped them using clear, simple language when they started writing. They forgot that their reader is no more likely to enjoy reading dense, turgid documents than they are. Its as if people feel they have to impress others with their language and use of corporate jargon. They ignore the fact that professional people today simply do not have time to decipher poor documents. So you need to be efficient to make sure your message doesnt get lost in a mountain of other documents, letters and emails. Inefficient writing wastes millions of pounds every year and documents are often four or five times longer than they need to be. These documents take much longer to read than they should have to that is, if people read them at all. As a result, your good ideas might go to waste. Here are three tips to help you with your writing: Clarify your key message before you begin, by writing a short three-sentence statement to sum up the issues you want to cover. Plan your document too before you write it. Never use the writing process to work out what you think. You might be clearer when you reach the end of the document, but your reader is more likely to be confused. Instead, separate the thinking process from the writing, and do the thinking first. Dont be afraid to use short, punchy words, and to be less verbose. It doesnt mean that you are dumbing down. Its fine to use jargon as long as youre certain that your reader will understand it. But you can still use plain language between the jargon. Flowery language just makes for heavy reading. Why say, Were currently involved in the implementation of something, when you can just say Were implementing it?

Levels and Scales of Measurement in Statistics

Levels and Scales of Measurement in Statistics Level of measurement refers to the particular way that a variable is measured within scientific research, and  scale of measurement refers to the particular tool that a researcher uses to sort the data in an organized way, depending on the level of measurement that they have selected. Choosing the level and scale of measurement are  important parts of the research design process  because they are necessary for systematized measuring and categorizing of data, and thus for analyzing it and drawing conclusions from it as well that are considered valid. Within science, there are four commonly used levels and scales of measurement: nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio. These were developed by  psychologist Stanley Smith Stevens, who wrote about them in a 1946 article in  Science, titled On the Theory of Scales of Measurement. Each level of measurement and its corresponding scale is able to measure one or more of the four properties of measurement, which include identity, magnitude, equal intervals, and a minimum value of zero. There is a hierarchy of these different levels of measurement. With the lower levels of measurement (nominal, ordinal), assumptions are typically less restrictive and data analyses are less sensitive. At each level of the hierarchy, the current level includes all the qualities of the one below it in addition to something new. In general, it is desirable to have higher levels of measurement (interval or ratio) rather than a lower one. Let’s examine each level of measurement and its corresponding scale in order from lowest to highest in the hierarchy. The Nominal Level and Scale A nominal scale is used to name the categories within the variables you use in your research. This kind of scale provides no ranking or ordering of values; it simply provides a name for each category within a variable so that you can track them among your data. Which is to say, it satisfies the measurement of identity, and identity alone. Common examples within sociology include the nominal tracking of  sex (male or female),  race  (white, Black, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian, etc.),  and class  (poor, working class, middle class, upper class). Of course, there are many other variables one can measure on a nominal scale. The nominal level of measurement is also known as a categorical measure  and is considered qualitative in nature. When doing statistical research and using this level of measurement, one would use the mode, or the most commonly occurring value, as a  measure of central tendency. The Ordinal Level and Scale Ordinal scales are used when a researcher wants to measure something that is not easily quantified, like feelings or opinions. Within such a scale the different values for a variable are progressively ordered, which is what makes the scale useful and informative. It satisfies both the properties of identity and of magnitude. However, it is important to note that as such a scale is not quantifiable- the precise differences between the variable categories are unknowable. Within sociology, ordinal scales are commonly used to measure peoples views and opinions on social issues,  like racism  and sexism, or how important certain issues are to them in the context of a political election. For example, if a researcher wants to measure the extent to which a population believes that racism is a problem, they could ask a question like How big a problem is racism in our society today? and provide the following response options: its a big problem, it is somewhat a problem, it is a small problem, and racism is not a problem. When using this level and scale of measurement, it is the median which denotes central tendency. The Interval Level and Scale Unlike nominal and ordinal scales, an interval scale is a numeric one that allows for ordering of variables  and provides a precise, quantifiable understanding of the differences between them (the intervals between them). This means that it satisfies the three properties of identity, magnitude,  and  equal intervals. Age is a common variable that sociologists track using an interval scale, like 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. One can also turn non-interval, ordered variable categories into an interval scale to aid  statistical analysis. For example,  it is common to measure income as a range, like $0-$9,999; $10,000-$19,999; $20,000-$29,000, and so on. These ranges can be turned into intervals that reflect the increasing level of income, by using 1 to signal the lowest category, 2 the next, then 3, etc. Interval scales are especially useful because they not only allow for measuring the frequency and percentage of variable categories within our data, they also allow us to calculate the  mean, in addition to the median, mode. Importantly, with the interval level of measurement, one can also calculate  the standard deviation. The Ratio Level and Scale The ratio scale of measurement is nearly the same as the interval scale, however, it differs in that it has an absolute value of zero, and so it is the only scale that satisfies all four properties of measurement. A sociologist would use a ratio scale to measure actual earned income in a given year, not divided into categorical ranges, but ranging from $0 upward. Anything that can be measured from absolute zero can be measured with a ratio scale, like for example the number of children a person has, the  number of elections a person has voted in, or the  number of friends who are of a race different from the respondent. One can run all the statistical operations as can be done with the interval scale, and even more with the ratio scale. In fact, it is so called because one can create ratios and fractions from the data when one uses a ratio level of measurement and scale. Updated  by Nicki Lisa Cole, Ph.D.

Building Information Modeling Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Building Information Modeling - Essay Example In addition, BIM considers mistakes that would be made in making estimates for building materials, making it a valid process in the building and construction industry throughout the world. In Building and construction sectors, BIM refers to the digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of structures. In designing a BIM plan, factors such as increase in prices of materials which can inhibit the construction process management. This explains why BIM continues to be a thorough process in the construction sector. Making out estimates of building materials owes to factors such as in prices of materials or having uncertainties in making estimates. However, BIM enables companies avoid such problems as making out estimates by drawing plans, which include provisions, in case there are any constraints encountered during construction. BIM builds a digital format which appears as if it is being made physically. Currently, the UK government advocates for the use of BIM in delivering cost effective solutions in delivery of infrastructure across all sectors, including Telecommunication companies. However, in spite of this advocacy by the UK government, mobile telecommunication companies do not think it a requirement. ... The company has business units, â€Å"which provide infrastructure, transportation services† such as Turnkey- a program involving surveying/site acquisition, design, body and wealth management of client network infrastructure, to UK mobile telecommunication companies, in particular 02, Vodafone, and Orange. Vodafone is a global mobile telecommunication with headquarters in the UK. It is also the largest global telecommunications company basing on its revenues, and the world’s second largest after china mobile. 02 on the other hand, is UK’s leading mobile handset provider and broadband, offering the best phone, sim only and broad band deals. Orange is the fifth telecommunication company in the world, also found in the UK, but with proper headquarters in France. The three telecommunication companies, namely; orange, Vodafone and 02, are clients to GallifordTry Buildinmg and Construction Company. According to GallifordTry, Telecommunication companies do not show int erest in the BIM process, yet it is cost effective in service delivery. On this note, Galliford, as a partner institution believes that it can affect the implementation of BIM in telecommunication companies. 2. Hypothesis Galliford can affect the implementation of BIM among Telecommunication sectors in the UK and gain a competitive advantage over other sectors in the UK government The theorem above is being needed to be checked alongside the following objectives; (a) To identify reasons why Telecommunication sectors such as 02, Vodafone and Orange do not take BIM as a prerequisite, in spite of it being an endorsement of the UK government (b)To determine whether, among the Telecommunication companies, are some outstanding individuals who would like to take part in implementing BIM program (c)To determine the

Critical Thinking Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Critical Thinking - Assignment Example God created the seven heavens and the Earth solely for humanity. The question of identity: The Quran accounts that Allah created human beings in a unique way, giving them special gifts and knowledge. The creation of man started with that of two people, Adam and Eve, male and female respectively, who then multiplied to bring forth generations of the Earth. For Weirder and Gutierrez (2011), they state that Allah created man as a responsible and dignified agent to meet the purpose of his creator. The question of morality: Through the adherence to study of Quran, the Muslims acclimatize with the ways of living of a moral life in their society. The world view has it that every aspect of life has three common goals: practicality, balance and moderation. Apart from the Islamic teachings, every Muslim has to choose what is tolerable for oneself and the society as a whole (Winter, 2008). The Islamic teachings account that the meaning of the existence of humanity is revealed through worshipping and obeying the teachings of Allah. Further, every Muslim has a purpose of involving in good deeds towards offsetting the bad deeds and correcting the mistakes made. Besides, the world view also offers its follower five pillars which acts as a platform for discerning their obedience. The world view presents Paradise and Hell as the destiny of man, depending on dominance of bad or good deeds. Essentially, A Muslim achieves Paradise by having good deeds outweighing his bad deeds. Only after death does a Muslim determines the level of his good or bad deeds. Hell is a destiny for the individual who do not follow Allah’s teachings besides not recognizing him as the one god. The question of origin: Both of the world views agree that God is the creator of everything in the World. Islam accounts for theistic evolution as part of God’s creation plan while Christianity refutes this theory, evolution,

Plato Rebuplic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Plato Rebuplic - Essay Example Book II continues with the political definition of justice. According to him justice is an application in a state to keep her citizens doing harm to one another. As a state emerges out of the needs of human being, it is also to be included with a state. The responsibilities of a state are described in details in Book III. Socrates never consents to include poetry in education because poetry misleads human being. Socrates allows only literature in people’s education. Then he suggests that education should include gymnasium. In Book IV Socrates describes, as the sole target of the State is to ensure the good for its people, the strenuous training of the citizens can be justified. He says that when temperance, courage and wisdom digress, the three principles of the souls such as passion, reason and appetite. All of them together in harmony build up justice. In line with the discussion he describes family, matrimony, community, population. He is of the opinion that a state can be an ideal state if its kings are philosophers. In Book VI Socrates describes the nobility and worth of the Guardians. He makes it clearer with the analogy of the pilot and his crew. Obviously the guardians should have a close relationship with philosophy because it will endow them with enough knowledge to identify good and justice. For him knowledge is analogous to visibility, vision and light. Book-VII deals with the allegory of Cave. The story of the Cave allegorically suggests that truth at its first encounter may seem to be dazzling and the truth speaker may be criticized who are in darkness like the prisoners of the Cave. The man who witnesses the beauty of truth must sacrifice his happiness to bring other to the way of

Assignment Two Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Assignment Two - Essay Example This according to simple microeconomics indicates that the people have more purchasing or bargaining power as compared to the producer, in this case, Wal-Mart, or the purchasing power is very high for the people. Two: The suppliers of Wal-Mart are very diverse and belong not only to different cultural backgrounds but also to different sections of society. They have even started a supplier diversity program since 1994 where suppliers in the form of women as well as minority groups are encouraged to produce and sell products to them and earn in the process. It also has formed a coalition with a number of large firms around the world like Oklahoma food suppliers as well as suppliers in China. In this way, suppliers have a great amount of power as the company is very approachable and literally invites suppliers to join it and be a part of it. They are made to go through training programs and made fit and ready for the job. In this manner, a lot is done to ensure their welfare and maintai n a high level of product quality at the same time. Three: The main competitors for Wal-Mart are Target Corp and Costco. As per the valuation, shares as well as total revenue earned by the company, these two companies have currently come closest to measuring against Wal-Mart as the main competitors in the global market. However, the degree of rivalry continues to be medium and does not really pose a threat to Wal-Mart as such because of its soaring high figures. Four: Wal-Mart is following the cost leadership / broad target strategy in its working. This may be justified because according to Porter, broad target or cost leadership comes in when any firm is trying to win the market share by bringing about cost effectiveness in the produce and supply of its products. This is done in order to appeal the most to the consumers and form a part of their investments. Having the lowest range of prices of the products and services makes a firm reachable and accessible to a vaster consumer mark et and the firm can then hope to take a sort of lead or advantage in the economies of scale. In this kind of a situation, a firm mostly takes to producing standardized products which are easily available at a mass scale or rate of production and Wal-Mart has been following this. Five: In the value chain model, there are some very important processes in the case of Wal-Mart. They are: 1. Inbound and Outbound Logistics – this is because Wal-Mart’s main job is to receive and store products and inventory, control it as well as have transport facilities. Outbound would include warehousing, packaging and basically making the products available to the consumers easily. 2. Operations – this is the stage of value creation or of converting the inventory to finished products for the purpose of sale to the consumers. 3. Marketing and Sales – this is very important for Wal-Mart because its main job is to try and attract the consumers through the processes of marketing and sales. This is done with the help of promotions, advertising, retail managements and pricing. It basically forms a part of the entire marketing mix that is crucial for the existence of this company. 4. Service – this helps to enhance the product’s value and creates a link between the product and the consumers with respect to the company and thus is very importan