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Rising Gender-Fluid Fashion: The Individuality and Redefining Style

Fashion

Syeda Umme Eman

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October 7, 2023

Rising Gender-Fluid Fashion: The Individuality and Redefining Style

Introduction:

In recent years, the fashion business has seen a transformational change towards inclusivity and diversity. One of the most significant trends in this paradigm shift is the rise of gender-fluid fashion. People may now express themselves authentically through dress, defying preconceptions and conventional rules. This article examines how gender-fluid fashion has changed through time, how it has affected the business, and what it means for society.

Breaking Boundaries:

Due to gender-fluid fashion, clothing options are no longer restricted to a binary concept of male and female. It provides a setting where people can experiment with looks that fit their personalities without being constrained by society’s standards or expectations. Many people’s sense of freedom and self-expression have benefited from this change.

Unisex Collections:

Designers are increasingly releasing Unisex collections with apparel that people of different gender identities can wear. These collections frequently include adaptable, gender-neutral silhouettes and styles that appeal to a broad audience. This method challenges traditional norms and accounts for factors like body shape, fit, and comfort.

Fostering Empowerment and Confidence:

Gender-fluid fashion is about empowerment and confidence, not just clothes. It increases self-confidence and self-esteem by giving people a space to embrace their actual selves. Fashion choices can impact a person’s career and relationships. Leading designers are spearheading this movement.

Designers Leading the Charge:

Leading fashion brands and designers have been instrumental in promoting gender-neutral attire. To show their dedication to diversity, companies like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Rick Owens have integrated non-binary trends into their collections. This support from well-known personalities in the fashion business has given the movement legitimacy and made it possible for smaller, independent designers to get involved.

The Power of Representation:

Greater visibility and representation for non-binary and genderqueer people is one of the most important effects of gender-fluid fashion. Gender-fluid clothing promotes acceptance of multiple identities. This portrayal supports a wider acceptance of multiple identities and validates those outside the standard binary.

Challenges and Progress:

Despite being unquestionably a good thing, gender-fluid fashion has difficulties. Gender-fluid fashion is becoming more accessible and affordable. There is a need for gender-fluid solutions that are accessible and affordable to a wider market.

Conclusion:

The emergence of gender-fluid fashion shows the fashion industry’s ability to defy social norms and its ever-evolving character. It encourages a stronger sense of inclusion and acceptance and allows people to express themselves uniquely. Fashion and social norms will change with this trend. The gender-fluid technique paves the way for a more diverse and inclusive future by upholding individuality.

Sustainable Style: Navigating the Clothing World of Ethical Fashion

Fashion

Syeda Umme Eman

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October 6, 2023

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Sustainable Style: Navigating the Clothing World of Ethical Fashion

Introduction:

Due to growing consumer awareness of the fashion industry’s negative effects on the environment and society, sustainable fashion has accelerated recently. This movement focuses on the significance of making ethical decisions regarding clothing, from design through disposal. This article will define sustainable fashion, explain its importance, and offer helpful advice for selecting ethical clothing.

Understanding Sustainable Fashion:

Fashion that supports ethical labour practises and minimizes environmental damage is known as sustainable fashion. This entails multiple components, including:

Materials:

Look for clothing produced from sustainable and eco-friendly fabrics like Tencel, organic cotton, hemp, and hemp. Avoid using materials with a significant environmental impact, such
as ordinary cotton and synthetic fabrics.

Production Processes:

Choose eco-friendly companies that use low-impact dyes, conserve water, and reduce emissions.

Fair Labor Practices:

Support companies that defend the rights of employees throughout the supply chain and guarantee fair wages and safe working conditions.

Durability and Longevity:

Invest in long-lasting, high-quality clothing to avoid buying new outfits all the time.

Local and Artisanal Production:

Choose clothing created locally or by artisans to support regional businesses and lessen the carbon impact associated with long-distance shipping.

Why Sustainable Fashion Matters?

Environmental Impact: The fashion sector is one of the biggest consumers of water, emits greenhouse gases, and contributes to pollution. Selecting sustainable solutions reduces these effects.

Social responsibility: Choose ethical brands to ensure fair treatment of workers. Many fashion firms have been caught engaging in unethical labour practices.

Social Responsibility: We prioritize using renewable resources and aim to reduce consumption of water, energy, and raw materials sustainably.

Waste Reduction: Fast fashion is a major contributor to textile waste. This waste can be decreased by choosing sturdy, long-lasting clothing and partaking in activities like thrifting or garment swaps.

Practical Tips for Ethical Clothing Choices:

Research Brands: When conducting brand research, look for brands committed to sustainability, ethical behaviour, and transparent supply chains. Certifications like Fair Trade, GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), and B Corp can show a company’s business ethics.

Second-hand and Vintage Shopping: Shop at thrift, consignment, and online vintage retailers to embrace secondhand and vintage clothing. As a result, there will be less need for a new dress, and it will last longer.

Clothing Rental and Swapping: Rent clothes for special occasions or swap wardrobes with friends.

Care for Your Clothes: Follow the care directions on your clothes to keep them in good condition. Wash clothes in cold water, air dry, and avoid harsh detergents to extend their lifespan.

Support Local and Artisanal Brands: Look for apparel manufactured by local craftspeople or in your nation to support regional and local brands. Boosting your local economy and reducing the environmental impact of foreign shipping go hand in hand.

Conclusion:

Ethical apparel is a potent method to support a more responsible and sustainable fashion sector. Choose sustainable, fair, and durable clothing to help create a better fashion future. Always keep in mind that tiny steps towards sustainable fashion matter.

The UK’s HS2 Project: A Lateral Perspective

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October 6, 2023

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The UK’s HS2 Project: A Lateral Perspective

Why Rishi Acted Now on HS2 Project

In decision making, it is “Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.”- William Shakespeare. Similarly, a politician is wise to take pain while in power rather than get whitewashed in general elections and be forgotten. Rishi Sunak’s decision to limit the HS2 project is a decision of the first sort.

At the core of this HS2 saga is our primitive approach towards megaprojects. So primitive that people would prefer to expend considerable national resources on a project (HS2) that may be useless. One may wonder why I argue that HS2 could be useless, so allow me to indulge you in a brief probe.

Will more people work from home or an office in the future? I am sure the answer is from home.

Secondly, what would people prefer between public transport and private cars for leisure and pleasure? The answer is the car; you also own a car and would like to drive it instead of getting onto a train. So, why would you support building up something that may not be useful or your first choice? Politicians would do it for “political limelight”, “votes”, and “it cost them nothing but earn them a name in history”. I, you, and we are not concerned about this, so be rational and oppose it rather than support it.

Truth About HS2 Project

Now the question is why megaprojects such as HS2 are too good to be true. Let’s break down the arguments.

Economics of HS2

Economics of HS2 is not right: Prima facie, a project is not worth pursuing if its starting price was £37.5 bn (2009 prices) and has risen to £78.4 bn (2015 price, review by Allan Cook) and estimated to be £110bn (2019 price, review by Lord Berkeley). These estimates are not adjusted for Inflation; hence, the increment is fully ascribable to cost overruns and inefficiencies. Funnily, HS2 was projected to achieve efficiency gains from 2015 to 2017. Hello forecasters! What would happen now with inflation record high and interest to remain higher for longer?

Politics of HS2

Politics of HS2 is Poor: British politics is caught between green-belt conservatism, projecting a greener outlook, and big spending promises. However, ‘I’m afraid no money is left -Liam Byrne’. At present, this is the ultimate truth of our national exchequer. Deep inside his heart, Kier Starmer is happy that Rishi is doing it instead of him. However, Rishi is doing it because he needs to announce tax cuts before he calls a general election. Either way, it’s poor politics that is devoid of any morality or truth. These Honourable men should tell the public that levelling up is more than wasting money on rail and roads. Levelling up is about bringing people at parity regarding skills, savings, wages, education, and opportunities.

Definition of mega-infrastructure (HS2)

The definition of mega-infrastructure (HS2) is changing: We, the people, have developed a fixation that megaprojects mean mega structures that are physically noticeable. This way of looking at Infrastructure needs to be corrected! Let me give us a pinch of salt here.

What would happen to these trains if we invented flying cars and hydrogen-empowered transport vehicles? Imagine, after the emergence of a super speed network, people would prefer working from home than at the offices, then what happens to trains?

If any of these imaginations come true, the question would be how to dispose of the accumulated land and equipment.

So, we need to rethink our concept of connectivity. I would propose that modern Infrastructure means Corridor projects comprising improved trains, more frequent trains and the development of digital Infrastructure to complement our daily lives that do not require a lot of travel for work.

Believe me, sir! No matter how fast you may make it, “work travel is not very enjoyable-psychologically”.

Conclusion

Lastly, It’s a fact noted by Lord Berkely that people use public transport for regional transport. The cross-country network is already well established (e.g., the train from Manchester to London is approximately 2HRS). Therefore, Rishi is right to cancel the northern leg of HS2; I propose that we also limit the HS2 phase 1. But Rishi needs to be honest and tell the world the real alternative, “the levelling up corridor,” comprising digital Infrastructure, line improvements, newer trains and trains that run on time.

Concurrency and Parallelism: A Modern Languages Perspective

Programming

Syeda Umme Eman

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October 5, 2023

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Concurrency and Parallelism: A Modern Languages Perspective

Introduction:

Concurrency and parallelism are important ideas in contemporary computing for creating effective and responsive software. Although frequently used interchangeably, they represent different aspects of how programmes are executed.

Concurrency:

“Concurrency” describes a program’s capacity to manage several tasks simultaneously. Although they might not be running simultaneously, these tasks are interspersed to make it appear like they are. The ability to handle concurrent user interactions, I/O operations, and network communications is a requirement for building responsive applications.

Why Concurrency?

Responsiveness: Programmes can maintain responsiveness while working on time-consuming activities because of concurrency. For instance, a web browser may simultaneously fetch resources, render pages, and react to human input.
Resource utilization: It makes it possible to utilize system resources effectively. Making the best use of the computing resources, another portion of the program can run while the first is waiting for an I/O operation.
Scalability: On multi-core and multi-processor computers, concurrent programs can scale effectively. It is essential if you want to utilize contemporary hardware.

Concurrency Models:

Thread-based Concurrency:

In this architecture, threads are used to execute tasks concurrently. Each thread in a program represents a separate flow of execution. The same memory region is shared by all lines, enabling direct communication. However, controlling threads can be difficult because of problems like race situations and deadlocks.

Event-driven Concurrency:

Tasks are carried out under this approach in response to occurrences. It is typical in settings where responsiveness is important, such as network servers or graphical user interfaces. To manage events, callback procedures or event loops are employed.

Coroutine-based Concurrency:

Coroutines are small, cooperatively scheduleable threads of execution. They enable large concurrency levels without the overhead of conventional lines. Coroutines are widely used in programming languages like Python (with asyncio) and Go (with goroutines).

Parallelism:

On the other hand, parallelism involves carrying out several tasks at once to speed up calculation. It entails the real execution of numerous studies simultaneously employing several CPU cores or processors. Parallelism is essential to break down the jobs into separate subtasks that can be processed simultaneously.

Why Parallelism?

Performance Boost: The speed of some computations, especially those that may be divided into independent jobs, can be greatly increased by parallel execution.
Managing Huge Datasets: Parallelism is essential for managing huge datasets effectively in domains like scientific computing, data analysis, and machine learning.
Real-time Processing: Parallelism is necessary for real-time performance in applications like video processing, gaming, and simulations.

Parallelism Models:

Shared Memory Multiprocessing:

When using shared memory multiprocessing, multiple threads or processes can communicate by reading from and writing to shared variables. Care must be taken to avoid problems like racial circumstances, though.

Distributed Computing:

Multi-computer cooperative work is known as distributed computing. Each machine has its memory and is capable of network communication. In distributed computing, tools like Hadoop and Spark are frequently utilized.

Vector Processing:

The vector processing model includes numerous similar actions on dataset pieces simultaneously. It is supported by the SIMD (Single Instruction, Multiple Data) instructions in contemporary processors.

Combining Concurrency and Parallelism:

Modern programs frequently use concurrency and parallelism to achieve great performance and responsiveness. A web server, for instance, might employ concurrency to manage many incoming requests and parallelism to carry out the tasks associated with each request, utilizing various cores.

Conclusion:

In summary, knowledge of and proficiency with concurrency and parallelism are essential for contemporary software engineers. These ideas allow for the development of effective, quick, and high-performance programs that can make the most of current computing technology.

Spooling Scenarios: Threats and Solutions in Cyber Security

Programming

Syeda Umme Eman

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October 4, 2023

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Spooling Scenarios: Threats and Solutions in Cyber Security

Introduction:

Knowing the different methods attackers use to breach systems and networks in the always-changing environment of cybersecurity threats is critical. Spooling in Cyber Security is a technology that intercepts and rerouts data in transit. Spooling can be a serious business threat, not just in printer operations. This paper will examine the idea of spooling, its potential effects on security, and methods for reducing these concerns.

What is Spooling in Cyber Security?

Spooling entails taking data streams meant for one area and diverting them to an unauthorised location. This interception is not limited to printer data; it can occur at various places throughout a network. Spooling attacks can target multiple data types, including network traffic and disc operations.

Types of Spooling Attacks:

1. Printer Spooling Attacks:

Print jobs transmitted from a computer to a printer are intercepted in one of the most well-known spooling attacks. Attackers may use this process to execute malicious code or obtain access to confidential papers.

2. Disk Spooling Attacks:

In this instance, attackers focus on buffering data to and from storage devices. They could install malicious software, change data, or obtain unauthorised access to files by intercepting this data flow.

3. Network Spooling Attacks:

Network spooling attacks can intercept and compromise transmitted data, putting it at risk of unauthorized access, eavesdropping, or manipulation.

Risks Associated with Spooling Attacks:

1. Data Exposure:

Spooling attacks can lead to unauthorized access to confidential data, potentially causing harm to individuals and organizations.

2. Malware Injection:

Attackers can use spooling flaws to introduce malware into the data stream, possibly compromising networks or systems.

3. Data Manipulation:

Data can be altered during transmission through spooling attacks, leading to fraudulent activity and integrity issues.

Mitigating Spooling Risks:

1. Encryption:

Strong encryption for data in transit can secure it from interception and spooling attacks.

2. Access Control:

Use strong access restrictions to restrict who can start or change spooling processes.

3. Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS):

Use intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) to monitor network traffic for irregularities that could indicate spooling attacks and help identify and stop them.

4. Regular Auditing and Monitoring:

Performing frequent audits and monitoring spooling-related operations will help you find and fix any potential risks.

Conclusion:

Maintaining a safe network environment requires a thorough understanding of spooling and its threats. Organisations can successfully reduce the risks posed by spooling attacks and safeguard sensitive data from unauthorised interception or alteration by implementing the right security measures. Stay vigilant against ever-changing cybersecurity threats like spooling attacks.

How To Secure Code: A Developer’s Guide to Cybersecurity

Programming

Syeda Umme Eman

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October 4, 2023

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How To Secure Code: A Developer’s Guide to Cybersecurity

Introduction:

In today’s digital age, the value of cybersecurity cannot be emphasized, where technology permeates every part of our lives. Protecting your code and apps against cyber threats has become a crucial concern for individuals, businesses, and organizations due to the growing reliance on software and applications. This article thoroughly introduces cybersecurity and outlines key ideas and procedures for protecting your code and applications.

1. Understanding Cybersecurity:

Cybersecurity prevents unauthorized access, cyberattacks, and data breaches on computer systems, networks, and digital information. It includes a variety of tactics and tools intended to protect the availability, confidentiality, and integrity of data.

2. The Importance of Cybersecurity for Code and Applications:

2.1 Code Vulnerabilities

Security lapses can result from coding flaws. Code problems, configuration issues, or out-of-date software components could cause these flaws.

2.2 Application Security

Cybercriminals frequently attack applications. You must ensure strong security safeguards within your apps to avoid unauthorised access or malicious modification.

3. Common Cyber Threats:

3.1 Malware

Viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and ransomware are all examples of malicious software or malware. It can infiltrate computers to alter files, steal data, or make systems unusable.

3.2 Phishing Attacks

Phishing attacks utilize misleading emails or messages to coerce victims into disclosing personal data, such as login passwords.

3.3 Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks

DoS attacks try to overload a system or network so legitimate users can’t utilize it.

3.4 SQL Injection

By inserting malicious code inside a database query, this attack could provide the attacker access to or control the database.

4. Best Practices for Code and Application Security:

4.1 Secure Coding Practices

Use secure coding techniques to find and fix vulnerabilities during the development process. It covers input verification, appropriate error handling, and avoiding hardcoded credentials.

4.2 Patch Management

Regularly update programmes, libraries, and frameworks to patch known flaws and improve security.

4.3 Encryption

Use robust encryption technologies to safeguard data in transit and at rest.

4.4 Access Control

Put in place stringent access controls to guarantee that only people with the proper authorization can access important code and apps.

4.5 Security Testing

To find and fix vulnerabilities, do frequent security assessments, such as code reviews and penetration testing.

5. Secure Development Lifecycle (SDLC):

Integrating security controls at each level of the software development process is necessary to implement a secure development lifecycle. This method ensures that security is a key consideration during creating code and applications.

Conclusion:

Understanding and putting cybersecurity measures into practice are crucial at a time when digital threats are constantly changing. In addition to preserving your intellectual property, protecting your code and applications also helps to maintain user confidence and trust. You may greatly improve the security of your digital assets by adhering to recommended practices and being watchful for new risks.

Banks Necessity: Your Empowering Catalyst for Thriving Financially

Finance

Dr Zeeshan Ali Syed

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October 3, 2023

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Banks Necessity: Your Empowering Catalyst for Thriving Financially

Introduction:

Banking history is, in effect history of private bankers, who, through their social, political, economic, and inherited clout, governed the flow of capital in advanced societies. Early goldsmiths, English bankers, French financiers, and American financial pioneers rode the financial tide of imperialism, industrialisation, and war economies. They played a key role in shaping the “wealth of nations” and the ability of states to finance militarisation, build infrastructure, and finance imperialism. Nevertheless, it was the emergence of commercial banking during the 1950s that paved for the bank for many, not the few. However, these very banks also led to the mass destruction of wealth during the financial crises of the 1980s and 2009. Hence, one wonders why we need banks and why, now and then, banks have been complicit in alleged misconduct and violations, but their necessity in our economy cannot be denied. The answer to this question lies in understanding the multifaceted role of banks in our economies.

Role of banks:

Banks are crucial agents in the economy that help in:

Transmission of the monetary policy: Through open market operations and interest rates, central banks regulate the money supply in an economy. It helps a country to manage its inflation business cycle and control government, firms, and citizens’ spending and saving behaviour.
Minimise Information Asymmetry: In indirect exchange of capital, where one party (investors) have limited information about the other party (firms and their management), we need a third party to verify the data used by investees to get finance (Rajan and Zingales, 1995). Banks, through their close relationships with firms and management (James (1988) and James and Wier (1988)) act as a verifier of a borrower’s quality in the financial markets. Banks, through their investment in firms and underwriting stocks issued by firms, may signal that these firms are good quality investments. Furthermore, these institutions may also verify the creditworthiness of individuals through verifying their income and expenses. As personal bankers of citizens, they act as the best judge to confirm whether a mortgage borrower or loan seeker is likely to pay back.
Reduce transaction costs and increase economies of scale: Imagine if you, as an individual or a firm, need to raise capital from the financial markets. You need to meet regulatory requirements, establish a proper communication channel between you and your investors and seek approval from authorities to launch your IOU papers or stocks. Moreover, as a new borrower, firm, or start-up, an investor would view you as a risky investment. There’s no track record of your financial history, nor can investors verify your financial position. As a result, they may ask higher rate of return or interest rate to offer you investment. This is also a result of information asymmetry. Banks, as Ministers of information asymmetry, can help you lower your cost of capital and interest rates and help you minimise information asymmetry between you and your investors. By lending you money or investing in your firm, they can signal to the market that you are a good quality borrower and firm. By signalling your credit quality, they can indicate to investors that you are not a high-risk borrower or stock and may result in investors demanding lower premiums and interest rates for their investment.
Allocative Efficiency: Banks must ensure that capital is allocated to the best alternatives that minimise risks and maximise return. This principle is a simple objective of investment that allows for every £1 invested, the rate of return (dividend, interest, or capital gain) is highest, and the relative risk is lowest. Banks, through their position as market makers, are ideally placed to ensure that capital is allocated to appropriate places. Further, as they relate to the centre of finance in any country, they know which industry or sector needs money now. Therefore, through their accumulation of capital and economies of scale in borrowing and raising capital, banks can provide the cheapest source of financing for growth sectors. This helps an economy grow and ensures that savings earn decent yields, and savers and investors are rewarded for their capital investments.
Time Intermediation: Banks are perpetual structures in our societies. Banks often outlive their customers, and one may notice that some banks have been established for centuries. The longevity of banks enables them to gain the trust of generations, become a source of wealth and transition from one generation to the next. As a custodian of our national wealth, they keep our deposits safe, grow them, and ensure that returns are re-invested to build infrastructure for the next generations.
International Flows of Capitals: Banks also enable international investors to invest in different countries and currencies. Banks do so by allowing foreign investors to exchange and transfer their capital from one country to another. Then, they do so by repatriating yields on foreign investment back to foreign investors’ home countries.
Help in international trade: Banks play a central role in facilitating international trade. They open letters of credit, write insurance and bearer cheques, and finance the working capital of firms to manufacture in one part of the world and sell in the other. They also enable importers to pay for their purchases of foreign goods and exporters to receive payments for their foreign sales on time.

Covering what banks do in one article is too big a topic to be covered. However, banks are crucial because of their activities, not because they are banks. The real question is whether they can be replaced in the 21^st century and their alternatives.

References

Mishkin, F. S., & Eakins, S. G. (2019). Financial markets. Pearson Italia.
Madura, J. (2020). Financial markets & institutions. Cengage learning.
Pilbeam, K. (2023). International finance. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Fabozzi, F. J., Modigliani, F., & Jones, F. J. (2010). Foundations of financial markets and institutions. Pearson/Addison-Wesley.
Kaufman, H. (1994). Structural changes in the financial markets: economic and policy significance. Economic Review-Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, 79, 5-5.
Kaufman, H. (2009). The road to financial reformation: Warnings, consequences, reforms. John Wiley & Sons.
Kaufman, H. (2017). Tectonic Shifts in Financial Markets: People, Policies, and Institutions. Springer.
Hunter, W. C., Kaufman, G. G., & Krueger, T. H. (Eds.). (2012). The Asian financial crisis: origins, implications, and solutions. Springer Science & Business Media.
Glushchenko, M., Hodasevich, N., & Kaufman, N. (2019). Innovative financial technologies as a factor of competitiveness in the banking. In SHS Web of Conferences (Vol. 69, p. 00043). EDP Sciences.
Kaufman, G. G. (2002). Too big to fail in banking: What remains?. Quarterly Review of Economics & Finance, 42(3), 423-423.
Kaufman, G. G. (2000). Banking and currency crises and systemic risk: Lessons from recent events. Economic Perspectives, 24(3), 9-28.
Diamond, D. W., Kashyap, A. K., & Rajan, R. G. (2017). Banking and the evolving objectives of bank regulation. Journal of Political Economy, 125(6), 1812-1825.
Parlour, C. A., & Rajan, U. (2020). Contracting on credit ratings: Adding value to public information. The Review of Financial Studies, 33(4), 1412-1444.
Rajan, R. G., & Zingales, L. (1995). What do we know about capital structure? Some evidence from international data. The Journal of Finance, 50(5), 1421-1460.
James, C. (1987). Some evidence on the uniqueness of bank loans. Journal of Financial Economics, 19(2), 217-235.
James, C. (1987). Some evidence on the uniqueness of bank loans. Journal of Financial Economics, 19(2), 217-235.

Banks Market Dominance: Unveiling Their Unique Strengths

Dr Zeeshan Ali Syed

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October 3, 2023

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Banks Market Dominance: Unveiling Their Unique Strengths

Evolution of Banks:

Financial institutions have long been replacing traditional roles with newer and more profitable ones to maintain their market dominance and strengths. Banks started as goldsmiths and private banks (trustworthy individuals and families) and became giant commercial enterprises. This showcases that banks can withstand disruption and challenges and outlast their competition. The question is why and how? Banks’ traditional business of taking deposits and making loans has declined since the late 1990s (Allen and Santomero, 2011). Therefore, one wonders why and how they have survived centuries of disruption and decay. Allen and Santomero (2011) note that “… banks have maintained their position relative to GDP by innovating and switching from their traditional business to fee-producing activities.”

Banks Ecosystem:

Therefore, the modern banks as marketplaces that enable a financial system with the following:

Facilitate and widen participation: Today’s banks strive to make banking a universal service by promoting financial inclusion. A modern bank’s prime objectives are free-of-cost banking, no charge for customer activity, and 24/7 availability of services. Unlike the olden days when a bank account was a privilege granted based on one’s cash balances, it was replaced with access to mobile and internet. This shows that modern banks are primarily ‘service agents’ who aim to become major settlers of transactions between people, people, and businesses.
Payment Systems: Banks, for most of their operations, are online merchants who enable clients to access their capital whenever and wherever they need it. This transformation from cash-rich customers’ luxury to fundamental rights has enabled banks to survive the financial crises 2008 and the recent challenges of BigTech.
Banking as a Service (BaaS): With the newfound role as a payment enabler, banks are now trying to outsource their activities to third parties. Just imagine, as a McDonald’s franchisee, the business owners sell for McDonald’s. They don’t own the brand. Similarly, banks now allow retailers to sell their products on their behalf, such as loans, credit cards, insurance products, and other facilities. Banks underwrite but do not provide service. This way, the retailers, without having a balance sheet like banks, can offer services and earn a decent commission. Banks without investing in infrastructure earn fees and gain more market share.
Data Points: Banks have also become giant conglomerate which knows all about their customers. They track transactions, they have information about spending behaviour, and above all, they can exchange the data through a credit rating system. This makes banks ID verifiers and trusts developers who can help people prove their financial worth and credibility.

Banks Key Strengths:

Given these new roles and banks’ ability to survive over centuries, one can summarise banks’ key strengths into the following categories:

Size: Banks have accumulated balance sheets of the size of countries. Banks such as Barclays, HSBC, Citi Bank of America, and others hold trillion-dollar assets. The giant sums enable banks to invest in new technologies, infrastructure, and services to compete with newer challenges.
Regulation and Compliance Systems: Banks have become experts in understanding complex financial regulations, installing systems to meet new rules, and ensuring appropriate adherence and monitoring systems. This places banks several times better than any other firm that wishes to provide financial services.
Sovereign Guarantees: Every country has a state-sponsored guarantee. If a bank fails, the depositors will have their money returned. In the UK, FCA guarantees up to £85,000; in the USA, FDIC guarantees up to $250,000.
Financial Products: Banks can survive because they can offer various financial products that a simple financial company or a new startup can not offer. On one side, they may offer products ranging from simple car insurance to highly complex derivates and mortgage products. This ability to synthesise and make complex products makes Banks very special.
Power of Inertia: Banks are part of global history. For the last 2 centuries, banks have enabled today’s leading nation to accumulate wealth, build infrastructure, and conduct their foreign and business policies. This gives banks a holistic view of the modern world and makes them an important actor to continue for the foreseeable future.
Regulatory Barriers: Luckily, banks are immune from stiff competition due to tight regulations for new entrants. New firms that wish to join the industry must meet very high regulatory standards and comply with so many laws that it inhibits the formation of new banks.

In addition to this, banks also enjoy:

Regulatory trust.
Liquidity generation.
Trusted communication.
Part of political economy.
Rise of non-intermediary financial needs.

These privileges have allowed banks to outlive their competitors. We will discuss in another article what they are and how banks use them for their benefit.

References:

Allen, F., & Santomero, A. M. (1997). The theory of financial intermediation. Journal of banking & finance, 21(11-12), 1461-1485.

Allen, F., & Santomero, A. M. (2001). What do financial intermediaries do?. Journal of Banking & Finance, 25(2), 271-294.

Allen, F. (2001). Do financial institutions matter? The Journal of Finance, 56(4), 1165-1175.

Allen, F., & Gale, D. (2004). Financial intermediaries and markets. Econometrica, 72(4), 1023-1061.

Beck, H. (2001). Banking is essential, banks are not. The future of financial intermediation in the age of the Internet. Netnomics, 3, 7-22.

Blakstad, S., & Allen, R. (2018). FinTech revolution. Cham, Switzerland: Springer, 121, 132.

Emerging Paradigms: Trends Shaping Programming’s World Future

Programming

Syeda Umme Eman

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October 3, 2023

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Emerging Paradigms: Trends Shaping Programming’s World Future

Introduction:

The discipline of programming is undergoing its own set of revolutionary developments as technology continues to advance at an unheard-of rate. How software is created, used, and maintained is changing due to emerging trends and technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing. This article will examine some major developments and trends influencing programming.

1. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning:

The programming environment is about to change to the programming world as artificial intelligence and machine learning. AI-powered tools can automate several software development processes, including creating code, debugging, and optimizing. Machine learning algorithms improve program capabilities by learning and adapting to user behaviour.

2. Low-code/No-code Development:

Low-code and no-code platforms make app creation accessible to users with limited coding experience. These platforms streamline the development process by utilizing visual interfaces and pre-built components, greatly lowering the time and effort needed to produce software solutions.

3. Blockchain and Smart Contracts:

Smart contracts are a crucial application of blockchain technology, gaining traction across many industries. Smart contracts are self-executing agreements written in code. They automate contract execution, enhancing security, openness, and effectiveness.

4. Edge Computing:

Edge computing reduces latency and boosts speed by bringing computer processing closer to the data source. Real-time processing is crucial for IoT sensors, driverless cars, and AR software.

5. Quantum Computing:

Quantum Computing characterized the paradigm of computational power. This computing, however, still in its infancy, has the potential to resolve complex issues currently beyond conventional computers’ reach. Industry sectors like simulation, optimization, and cryptography may see a revolution due to this technology.

6. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR):

New avenues for software development are now possible thanks to AR and VR. These technologies are finding applications in various industries, from immersive gaming experiences to training simulations and virtual tours. AR and VR content creation is a growing field that requires specialized knowledge and equipment.

7. Containerization and Kubernetes:

Containerization tools like Docker and container orchestration systems like Kubernetes streamline application deployment and administration. By enabling consistent environments for development and deployment, these technologies make it simpler to scale and manage complex systems across many contexts.

8. Cybersecurity and Ethical Hacking:

As cyber threats increase, software development must prioritize cybersecurity. Penetration testing, often known as ethical hacking, simulates cyberattacks to find system flaws and vulnerabilities. This proactive approach to security is an integral part of the creation process.

Conclusion:

With many intriguing trends and technologies in the works, programming has a bright and dynamic future. Developers will be better able to produce potent, effective, and secure software solutions as they adopt these advancements. Professionals hoping to succeed in the constantly changing programming world must stay on top of current trends and develop the appropriate abilities.

Practical Implementation: Data Structure in Daily Life

Programming

Syeda Umme Eman

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October 2, 2023

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Practical Implementation: Data Structure in Daily Life

Introduction:

Data structures are essential ideas in computer science that allow us to organize efficiently and store data. They act as containers that let us access, manage, and work with data in various ways. Comprehending multiple data structures is essential to create effective algorithms and tackle challenging challenges. Let’s examine a few popular data structures and their practical uses.

1. Arrays:

One of the most fundamental and popular data structures is the array. An index or a key identifies each component in the system. Arrays store homogeneous data types like letters, integers, or objects belonging to a particular class.

Real World Application:

Data Storage in Databases: Arrays hold records with comparable data types. Programmers use arrays to store product orders. Each element represents a different order.
Matrices in Mathematics: Mathematicians frequently employ matrices, a particular kind of 2D array, to solve linear equations, perform transformations, and more.

2. Linked Lists:

A linked list is a linear data structure in which each node points to the element it contains. Linked lists don’t require contiguous memory allocation like arrays do.

Real-world application:

Music Playlists: Linked lists are frequently used to implement playlists in music apps. Every song in the playlist is like a stepping stone, and the “next” pointer leads you to the next track on the journey. It enables dynamic song addition and rearranging without changing any of the pieces.
Undo Functionality: Programmers can use linked lists to build an undo feature in programs like text editors and graphic design software. With references to the preceding and subsequent states, each node would stand in for one of the document’s states.

3. Stacks:

The two main operations on a stack are pop (removing the most recently added element) and push (adding an element). The principle that the LIFO method abides by is “last in, first out”.

Real-world application:

Web Browsers: When navigating the web, we often use stacks to move back and forth between pages. Web browsers are the tools we use to make this possible. Each time you access a webpage, it gets added to a stack. Clicking the back button removes the current page from the stack and returns you to the previous page.
Control Flow in Compilers: Various phases of the compilation process, including parsing, semantic analysis, and code generation, include using stacks by compilers.

4. Queues:

Stacks and queues both adhere to the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) concept. The front has some elements deleted, and the back has some added.

Real-world application:

Print Queues: A printer queue controls the printing of papers in an office environment. The queue behaves like a queue data structure, with the first document added being the first to be printed.
Thread Pooling: A thread pool can be constructed using a queue to manage tasks in systems that handle several concurrent processes.

5. Trees:

Nodes comprise trees of hierarchical data structures with parent-child relationships between each node. Their versatile design makes them suitable for a multitude of purposes.

Real-world application:

File Systems: In computer file systems, a structure resembling a tree is commonly utilized to arrange files. Files and subdirectories are the children of directories, which act as nodes. This allows for efficient storage and retrieval of files.
Scene Graphs: They serve as a representation of an object’s hierarchy in a game. It makes it possible to manipulate and render game objects effectively.

Conclusion:

It is crucial to understand data structures and their role in creating efficient algorithms and systems. Different cases require various data structures, and picking the appropriate one can greatly impact how quickly and effectively a solution works. Developers can use data structures to create reliable and scalable software solutions for real-world problems.

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Company

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Introduction: