Science-Its Mystery and Mastery

Its mystery and mastery

Science! A word whenever uttered invites various expressions like wonder, amazement, suspense, surprise, shock and mystery. It brings with itself various debates too, one of the most common being “Science, a boon or a bane?” Do sci-fi movies like Her actually mirror the future? Will we be dependent on machines for emotional support as well? Can a machine ever replace man? Such are the concerns that surround the current inventions or developments in science and technology. But were the concerns same when Thomas Alva Edison lightened the world with the electric bulb or the Wright brothers gave us wings to accompany the birds up in the air? Of course, not!

These great inventions actually welcomed the life in a more comfortable and innovative future. Earlier, it used to take years to invent something but thanks to those early inventions because of which now each day an invention takes place. Footprints of science and its inventions, big or small, can be seen in every sphere of life. People of all age groups depend on technology for every good reason. Science offers an arena of solutions to a single problem. All you need to have is a smart phone. Our smart phones and tabs have become the storehouse of all the cool inventions in the form of applications.

Your Tabs and Apps

Get the right application & have a fun-filled sojourn!

Earlier, be it a vacation or a business trip, a journey used to become a matter of mystery whenever it came to learning about an unknown place and its untraversed routes. Before planning the trip one used to consider hiring a guide. But now the scene has changed completely. With your smart phones you can carry the guide within your pocket! Just a touch and you can get familiar with all the unfamiliar routes. Looking for a travel based app I got to see a word called “ExpeDiction” instead of Expedition. This interesting term led me to a pool of related apps. All were travel related and suited to the kind of traveler you might be. Just one click and a World map opens up to ensure a cheerful world trip.

Make sure that you have learned the language flawlessly!

 

Knowledge of just a single language is not enough to cope with the competitive world. But learning a foreign language is also not an easy task. Actually, it is now much simpler with many language learning apps present in the market. Such apps aid your learning through the authentic data they use along with the correct phonetics to make the word speakable for you. But there are apps like LingoDiction that provide you with audio features following which you can utter the correct word in the correct manner. Not only this, in order to improve your retention these applications offer interactive games and quizzes making it a fun app as well.

Get the best food wherever you go!

 

If you are alien to a land and not finding your cultural food there then what would be the possible solution? Experiment with your tastes buds and taste the best cuisines of that place only! But how would you get the information about the cuisines of an alien land? Again, you have your smart phone at your disposal that has the cure to satiate your taste buds.

Means, if I happen to visit Paris, France, I may not have to ask around instead just turn on the right app and find the best restaurant there. And now it solely depends on me what kind of french dish I would like to have on my plate via the cookery app. And finally, I don't need to interact with the waiter in sign language since I have got a quick fix that can aid my communication with the French waiter. Amazing!

GOOGLE IT!

Google it!

 

The day to day development in technology has made one more and more curious and an instant answer is all that one craves for. And it takes only a move to get all your answers-GOOGLE IT! Such is the influence of Google that the slow-speed of internet makes us all feel as if life itself has come to a standstill.

All such development in science and technology has brought a drastic change in the outlook of the man and his thoughts. It aids man as a “ friend in need.” One can never feel alone, lost and misunderstood in the company of such advancement in science and technology. In short, one can say that it is this development that has brought the world together irrespective of our different cultures, tastes and languages.

Computer Science and Engineering

Computer Science and Engineering is a huge talking point today. It is a booming industry. Computer engineers make computer parts work together. Computer engineers are responsible for the research, design and development of computer equipment like circuit boards, microchips, routers, video cards, etc. Some universities may treat this discipline as an off-shoot of electrical engineering.

A grasp of computer science is beneficial for Computer engineers. Computer engineers often deal with hardware-to-software integration, meaning they have to design and build processors and hardware that can support a given program. As technology advances and our devices become smaller and smaller, a main goal of computer engineers is to create microchips and microprocessors that work economically and efficiently.

Students in computer engineering study concepts in computer science, engineering and mathematics. By combining these three fields, computer engineers are able to solve hardware problems and create state-of-the-art machines that can handle the many tasks computers perform.

Careers in computer engineering

Although there’s not a lot of diversity in job titles in the computer engineering world but there are great opportunities. Diversity in the job comes from the various industries that employ computer engineers. You can find employment rates and median salary information for the top four industries in which computer engineers work. Following are these industries:

• Federal government- As of 2010, the federal government employed seven percent of all computer engineers. The median annual pay for computer engineers working for the federal government is $102,950.

• Computer and electronic product manufacturing- The majority of computer engineers (35 percent) work in this industry. The median salary for computer engineers in product manufacturing is $101,320.

• Computer systems design and related services- Nineteen percent of computer engineers work in systems design. The median pay for computer engineers in this industry is $98,860.

• Scientific research and development services- Eleven percent of computer engineers are employed by research firms. The median salary for computer engineers in research settings is $92,080.

Language Learning supports Scholarship

Language Learning supports scholarship and research in language studies by means of a variety of grant programs:

• The Language Learning Dissertation Grant Program
• The Language Learning Roundtable Conference Program
• The Language Learning Distinguished Scholar-in-Residence Program
• The Language Learning Small Grants Research Program
• The Language Learning Visiting Research Assistant Professorship

 

The Language Learning Dissertation Grant Program

The Language Learning Dissertation Grant Program provides support for the research work of doctoral candidates in the language sciences. The grant is designed to cover actual expenses, up to $2,000 per grant, e.g. travel for data collection, essential equipment etc., connected with the research component of the dissertation. Applicants should be at the level of “advanced candidacy” and have a dissertation proposal approved by the relevant departmental authorities. Applications are invited worldwide and should consist of the abstract of the dissertation proposal, a detailed research budget, and letters of endorsement by the thesis supervisor and a university official agreeing to administer the grant if awarded. The names of recipients are published, once a year, in the September issue of the journal. Twenty Dissertation Grants were made in 2012.

The Language Learning Roundtable Conference Program

The conference program is intended to fund small roundtable conferences, worldwide, organized around a topic of significant current interest and resulting in a position or “state of the art” paper worthy of publication in an appropriate forum. The Board of Directors encourages small groups of senior investigators to get together for a day or two to discuss in depth a topic currently central to their field and to chart the course for its immediate future. Applications, in free form, are to be submitted by a Convener who assumes responsibility for organizing the conference and for the subsequent submission of a final summary report. Applications are to include a description of the proposed project, its rationale, a brief review of the relevant recent literature, a detailed budget, the names of the participants, their c.v.'s, and their agreement to attend the conference. Recipients for 2013 are Professor Jan Hulstijn, University of Amsterdam and Professor Aneta Pavlenko, Temple University. The biennial Alexander Guiora Conference on the Cognitive Neuroscience of Language Learning and Processing, established in 2005 in cooperation with the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, continues this year under the coordination of Professor Núria Sebastián Gallés of the University of Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona..

The Language Learning Distinguished Scholar-in-Residence Program

This program is designed to enable university departments worldwide, representing the broadly defined area of applied linguistics, to host a distinguished scholar of their choosing for a week on their campus. Several fellowships are offered annually. The DSiR Fellow for 2012 was Professor Suresh Canagarajah, Pennsylvania State University, USA who visited the National University of La Plata, Argentina.

The Language Learning Small Grants Research Program

This program provides research support of up to $10,000, in direct cost only, for new research projects relevant to the language sciences. No overhead, indirect cost, or faculty stipends by the applicant's institution can be approved. Applications may be submitted by any academic institution worldwide such as a university or college. Applications are peer reviewed for scientific and technical merit. Recipients for 2013 are Professors Sudha Arunachalam, Boston University; Eva Kartchava, College Ahuntsic; Cristina Sanz, Georgetown University; Christine Shea, University of Iowa; and Natsuko Shintani, National Institute of Education, Singapore.

The Language Learning Visiting Research Assistant Professorship

In 1985 Language Learning, in a matching arrangement with the College of Literature, Science and the Arts of the University of Michigan, endowed a Language Visiting Research Assistant Professorship in Linguistics at the University of Michigan. The position is held for 2011-13 by Dr. Anne-Michelle Tessier.

Computer Science and Growing Careers

Computer scientists are, in fact, scientists. They are focused with the theory of computational applications. That means they understand the “why” behind computer programs. Using algorithms and advanced mathematics, computer scientists invent new ways to manipulate and transfer information. Computer scientists are generally concerned with software, operating systems and implementation.

Like Neo in The Matrix, computer scientists can see and make sense of code. Computer science students will learn the fundamentals of different programming languages, linear and discrete mathematics, and software design and development. Computer scientists study the machine itself and understand how and why various computer processes operate the way they do.

Simply put, computer scientists can talk to computers. The field is based in mathematics—the language of computers. Computer scientists understand why computers work and can create a program or operating system that does what you want it to do.

Careers in computer science: Computer Science and growing careers is a huge talking point today.  Computer science is a rapidly growing field and is expected to see large increases in employment opportunities. High salaries are generally associated with computer science careers. If you’re pursuing a computer science degree, the following career paths are open to you:

• Applications software developer- As the creative minds behind applications and programs, software developers design and build programs and applications for computers and technological devices. Angry Birds? A software developer made that. Microsoft Office? Again, creation of a software developer. The median salary for a software developer is $90,530.

• Systems engineer- Operating systems provide the foundation for computers and devices to function. Microsoft Windows, Linux and iOS are examples of types of operating systems. Systems engineers design and create those types of systems for use in personal computers, phones and even cars. The median pay for systems engineers is $94,180.

• Web developer- Web developers are not graphic designers. Graphic designers create the images you see on websites; web developers program the code that makes a website function. Web developers integrate the graphics, audio and video into the site and monitor the site’s traffic, performance and capacity. The median salary for a Web developer is $75,660.

Meaning of Finance

In a globalized world, finance has become a dominating lexicon. The world revolve around the word “finance”. This word is splashed in Newspapers and roars through Television news. The budget brought by the government is a huge talking point and a major concern for the public . The opposition never stops criticizing the government on budget. And the media loves to spins it. Globalization makes the meaning of Finance all very important. The world economy is driven by finance.

But, if we trace the origin of finance, there is evidence to prove that it is as old as human life on earth. The word finance was originally a French word. In the 18th century, it was adapted by English speaking communities to mean “the management of money.” Since then, it has found a permanent place in the English dictionary. Today, finance is not merely a word else has emerged into an academic discipline of greater significance. Finance is now organized as a branch of Economics.

Finance is defined in numerous ways by different groups of people.

1. In General sense,

"Finance is the management of money and other valuables, which can be easily converted into cash."

2. According to Experts,

"Finance is a simple task of providing the necessary funds (money) required by the business of entities like companies, firms, individuals and others on the terms that are most favorable to achieve their economic objectives."

3. According to Entrepreneurs,

"Finance is concerned with cash. It is so, since, every business transaction involves cash directly or indirectly."

4. According to Academicians,

"Finance is the procurement (to get, obtain) of funds and effective (properly planned) utilization of funds. It also deals with profits that adequately compensate for the cost and risks borne by the business."

At present, we cannot imagine a world without Finance. In other words, Finance is the soul of our economic activities. To perform any economic activity, we need certain resources, which are to be pooled in terms of money (in the form of currency notes, other valuables, etc.). Finance is a prerequisite for obtaining physical resources which are needed to perform productive activities and carrying business operations such as sales, pay compensations, reserve for contingencies (unascertained liabilities) and so on.

Hence, Finance has now become an indivisible part of our day-to-day lives. The meaning of finance is extremely significant. It is discussed and debated by man-on-the-street, experts, academicians, journalists, business leaders, and politicians. Finance is ruling us.

Multiple GMAT Scores

About 18 percent of all GMAT test takers sit for the exam more than once, which creates the admissions challenge of deciding how and if to use multiple sets of scores (multiple GMAT Scores). Should you consider only the most current scores? Should the highest scores be used? Should scores from different test administrations be averaged? Or, should you combine the highest scores across subtests? There isn’t a simple mathematical answer to this question, as “the answer depends on your philosophy,” says Lawrence M. Rudner, vice president of research and development and chief psychometrician at GMAC. This note presents information about test takers who retake the GMAT and have multiple GMAT Scores and different approaches you can use to guide your decision.

Who retakes the GMAT exam?

The 18 percent of the GMAT test taking population who retake the exam are a special, self-selected group. Examinees who perform as they expected, or better than they expected, have no motivation to retake the four hour exam. We can logically infer that those that retake the GMAT are not happy with their original scores and are confident they can do better says Lawrence M. Rudner. Graduate Management News, Oct. 2011 and GMAC Research Report, May 2011 indicates that those who retake the test are less likely to have finished their first exam and are more likely to have GMAT scores that are not aligned with their undergraduate GPAs.

On average, the self-selected examinees who retake the GMAT obtain only a modest increase in Total score – about 31 points. These gains are consistent with the gains found for the SAT1 and the LSAT2,3. In contrast, the average gain for a random sample of test takers is expected to be zero with a standard deviation of 28 points. While the gain is modest, another way to look at the data is that slightly more than 50 percent of the repeat test takers have gains that are more than chance fluctuations. The extra gain is not surprising. Those that retest are not a random sample and there is a reason they are sitting for the exam again. Not everyone gains when they retake the exam. In fact, almost 25 percent of test takers have lower second scores.

Competing philosophies

Because no test is perfectly reliable, scores for an individual taking a test multiple times will fluctuate around the person’s true score. Thus, one can argue that the average of scores is a better estimate of the test taker’s true ability than any single set of scores. However, this assumes that the test taker is equally well prepared and equally attentive across testing sessions.

As human beings, students are not always consistent. Whether a test is intended to measure typical or optimal student performance, changes in things such as the test taker’s attitude, health, and sleep may affect the quality of their efforts and thus their test taking consistency. Test takers often make careless errors, misinterpret or forget test instructions, inadvertently omit test sections, or misread test items. It is for that reason GMAC encourages all test takers to become familiar with the exam and offers a variety of affordable and free test preparation material. Nevertheless, many test takers sit for the GMAT with minimal practice the first time and many are penalized because they did not properly pace themselves. Approximately 25 percent of test repeaters did not finish either the quantitative or verbal sections the first time and their gains on retesting were higher.

Lowest score philosophy

How should one respond to careless mistakes or lack of preparation? On one hand, schools want students that pay attention to details and properly prepare for class. If an applicant is not going to prepare for the GMAT, how can you expect them to fully participate in their education? Therefore, one could argue that just the lowest scores should be considered.

Highest score philosophy

On the other hand, if a person has a second higher score, we can assume they prepared better and their new score better reflects their ability. Isn’t their true ability a major part of evaluating fit? If one thinks a test taker should not be penalized for poor performance when they have shown a higher capability, then consideration of the highest scores is the logical choice.

Set of scores philosophy

If one is going to examine the highest scores, then which set of scores should be examined—the best scores from one sitting or a combination of best scores from different test administrations? An argument to use the best set of scores from one sitting is that it places everyone on a level playing field. The scores represent the best the test taker is able to do, given the allocated test time. Unlike the combination approach, no one has an advantage by virtue of concentrating their preparation on one subtest or another.

Combined scores philosophy

An argument for the use of combined scores is that it gives the test taker the benefit of every doubt. Each subtest measures an independent set of skills. The best score on each independent skill is a reflection of the test taker’s highest capability. A counter argument is that the test taker may have “gamed” the system by concentrating their efforts on one subtest the first time and then the other for the second. However, that should not matter. There is a point of diminishing returns for test preparation and again, the tests are independent.

Power of Words

 The wonderful line by P.B. Shelley, "poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world" offers the poets and writers a powerful and impactful position. Generally, we regard poets as people living in a world of their own, an idyllic world. Not only this, many a great critics have often compared an artist or a poet with the mighty Creator since they also create a beautiful and serene world through their thoughtful pieces of work.

Reading between the lines, the works of our poets and writers, one may easily infer that the world they reflect actually is the one they want to substitute our real world with. Not only do they dream of a utopian society but also reveal the hypocrisies prevalent in our real world. Thus, offers the society a new way, a new thought to bring about the change. How do they do it? Which magical wand do they use to convey their messages to society. Of course, it is the power of words. From Geoffrey Chaucer to W.B Yeats, the poets have experimented with their language and many literary genres in order to make their stands more appealing to the common masses.

Poets: Language They Should Prefer

John Keats, Lord Tennyson, Lord Byron, Pablo Neruda, Charles Baudelaire, W.B. Yeats &  William Wordsworth are some names we generally hear from literary scholars or professors; but why is it so? The answer is- They didn’t write or compose for just a handful of readers but for each and every person who is a part of society. And for that matter, they preferred to write in the language of “everyman.”

William Wordsworth, indeed the favorite of everyone, devoted his Preface to Lyrical Ballads  to the kind of language a poet should use in order to relate even with a layman. He argues that a poetry should be composed in the language of common speech, not in lofty and ornamented diction that is generally termed as “poetic.”  We should not forget that the first aim of a poetry is to give pleasure to its readers and listeners through it’s beautifully expressed emotions wrapped in a language common to all. The poetry of love and hatred, violence and peace, justice and injustice are some such core topics of the humanity that are needed to be discussed including all the sects of the society.

There were times like the period of Renaissance when the poets and writers were more interested in displaying the vastness of their knowledge through their use of words, metaphors, similes, etc. To express their power of words they used to write using too powerful words to be grasped by a simple mind. Since at that period of time, education had its access only to a handful of people, poetry were generally composed in the praise of kings & queens and their kingdoms.

But as the time changed, things changed the focus of the poets shifted to the condition of the common man. They started taking interest in the drawing room of a common man rather than the courtroom of a king. Highly intellectual words were replaced with vernacular one.

The Effective Affect of Words

 

William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and of Experience, is according to me, one of the best examples one can have as the best mixture of apt words and emotions. Through this collection, he views the same situations with the two different lenses- first of innocence and the other of experience. However, not only does his poetry reveals the injustices prevalent in the society but maintains the ray of optimism to change the condition. His poetry reveals the horror behind colonialism & racism, criticizes child labour and hypocrisy of the religious institutions.

W.B. Yeats, a poet who harshly condemns all sorts of protests that turn into bloodshed, take toll on many lives. He doesn’t even hesitate to criticize the love of his life Maud Gonne for leading such protests. He does it all in a very subtle yet direct manner. His poetry like The Second Coming, informs us of the horror and abnormality that comes up with the wars and hatred and describes it all as anticipating the end of the whole world.

If the aim of a language is to communicate, then only a simple language can justify this aim. The aim of the “unacknowledged legislators of the world” is not to point out at the oddity of our lives but to force the readers to look for a solution to remove this oddity. And they succeed in doing this only through their power of words. With this power of articulating one’s views appropriately in their inspirational poems, the poets are capable of bringing about a positive change not just in the society but also in the thought of a common man.