Bank of Japan Essay Example for Free

Bank of Japan Essay Japan underwent a decade-long odyssey with deflation and the zero-bound problem. Economic activity in Japan slowed precipitously following the collapse of the socalled bubble economy in December 1989, and Japan began to experience deflation by early 1995. During this initial period, while the economy was slowing, forecasters and policymakers consistently underestimated the extent of Japan’s economic malaise. Consequently, while monetary policy seemed appropriate in terms of the prevailing outlook, the loosening proved woefully inadequate in hindsight. Convinced that Japan’s economic fundamentals were too severely distressed to be rectified with standard monetary policy measures, on March 19, 2001 the Bank of Japan announced a new policy of â€Å"quantitative easing†, in an attempt to stimulate the nation’s stagnant economy. Under this policy, the BOJ increased its current account target far beyond the level of commercial bank required reserves. This had the expected impact of reducing the already-low overnight call rate effectively to zero. In addition, the BOJ committed to maintain the policy until the core consumer price index registered â€Å"stably† a zero percent or an increase year on year. Such a policy was unprecedented in the history of central banking in any country. Available Choices and Key Decision On March 2006, which is five years after the â€Å"quantitative easing† policy embarked, the issue concern it was bring back to the desk. The Japanese economy was improving at that time and the core consumer price index (CPI) was showing steady growth after years of deflation, one of the predetermined conditions for lifting the policy. As such there was widespread speculation over the future of the policy. One question arisen: Would the current quantitative easing policy persist or would the BOJ return to a normal monetary stance that targeted interest rates? On March 9th 2006, the central bank made the widely expected decision to lift the quantitative easing policy. The BOJ also drew up a set of measures aimed at averting possible market turmoil that could result from lifting the policy. The exit from QF was announced as follows:â€Å" †¦ The outstanding balance of current accounts at the Bank of Japan will be reduced towards a level in line with required reserves. †¦ the reduction in current account balance is expected to be carried out over a period of a few months, taking full account of conditions in the short-term money market. The process will be managed through shot-term money market operations. With respect to the outright purchases of long-term interest-bearing Japanese government bonds, purchases will continue at the current amounts and frequency for some time.† Thus, the BOJ make it clear that the reduction of the excess reserves would be conducted through adjustments of its liquidity operations and not by a rapid reduction of its portfolio of Japanese government securities. In fact, the BOJ announced that it actually would maintain its outright purchases of long-term Japanese government bonds at the pace of 1.2 trillion yen per month. On the same day the BOJ made its decision, the Japan Investment Council, a ministerial-level panel chaired by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, agreed to set a target of doubling the amount of direct investment in Japan by overseas investors to 5% of gross domestic product over the next four years. Personal Decision and Reason Since the BOJ has supplied extremely ample liquidity with current account balance at the bank as the main operating target and the core consumer price index registered â€Å"stably† a zero percent or an increase year on year as the commitment has already been maintained, the exit from QE is preferred choice that BOJ should make. At that time, exports have continued to increase reflecting the expansion of overseas economies. With respect to domestic private demand, business-fixed investment has also continued to increase against the backdrop of high corporate profits. Meanwhile, the output gap is gradually narrowing. Unit labour costs generally face weakening downward pressures as wages began to rise amid productivity gains. Furthermore, firms and households are shifting up their expectations fro inflation. In this environment, year-on-year changes in the consumer price index are expected to remain positive. From all the aspects, BOJ had already fulfilled the commitment made when the quantitative easing started to carry out. Therefore, it was time for BOJ to return to a normal monetary stance that targeted interest rates. And the strategy BOJ used when exit from QE was preferred. The advantage was that the exit of QE was predominantly limited to just one item on the BOJ’s balance sheet and that the balance sheet adjustments were conducted through operations directly with the banking sector, which facilitated the management of the exit process. Since the central bank was set to maintain zero interest rates for some time, the exit from QE would avoid the undesirable effect of inducing the flow of individual investors’ duns into high-risk, high-return instruments and avoid the case rise to speculative money games played out in some corners of the real estate and stock markets. Last but not least, the process of exit from QE showed a collaborative relationship between BOJ and the government. It was a good example for BOJ to maintain a good communication with the government in order to avoid negligent lapses and avoid the distortion to the economy like which happened during the late 1980s due to the government’s excessive influence over monetary policy. This decision lead BOJ one step forward to bank’s autonomy from the state. All in all, the exit from QE in Japan had been considered a success and its experience may serve as a useful example for other central banks.

Value and importance of training and development of employees

Value and importance of training and development of employees Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Introduction: Organisations get established, businesses survive and thrive because they sell products and services to customers and earn revenue. Globalization and increased competition have increased the demand for organizations to continually provide excellent products and services. Business performance depends largely upon how well the product or service is. Only satisfied, motivated and trained employees can produce quality products or provide quality service. 1.2 Research question: Determine how training can improve the skills of employees which in turn help in increasing employee and customer satisfaction, productivity and eventually business performance. 1.3 Background: Research Significance and Problem Identification: Although many organisations provide their employees training opportunities to progress within the organisation structure, little has been focused upon employee training for organisations efficiency and performance. Performance oriented market; constantly changing environment and globalisation are influencing the workplace structure and leading to increased reliance on employee skills for providing better products and services. Employees not trained to deal with the advanced management methods and techniques cannot work towards the better business performance. This issue is one of the most important topics in business management studies. This concept is now well established and is increasingly affecting the field of management. It has proved particularly valuable for those organisations who seek better performance. 1.4 Aims and objectives: The main aim of this paper is to study the value and importance of training and development of employees in terms of overall organisation performance. Determine how training can improve the skills of employees. Analyse published data/existing literature on human resource management and related subject areas. Identify training related issues such as environmental factors and their effect. Examine current organisational structure and working practises (such as procedures, policies, and standards followed by the company for its human resource/ workforce) in the company. Explore training methods available for the organisations. Access the impact of training on workforce satisfaction. Summarize the main themes of the findings and place them in the context of business performance. Provide recommendations. 1.5 Hypothesis: The organisations can increase their performance and productivity by providing their staff with appropriate skills through training and continuous development. If suitable training and proper care is given to development of employees, they can prove beneficial by working more effectively and efficiently. 1.6 Rationale: Organisations tend to apply those outdated and inadequate techniques and methods which although have been proven successful, those cannot work on their business situations. While doing so, they often ignore more advanced procedures and their business environmental and cultural requirements. In order to improve or increase their business performance, organisations will need to adapt new ways that can impact training and development of employees efficiently and successfully. 1.7 Theoretical Framework: The main purpose of this dissertation was to find out the effect of training on organisation performance. This dissertation discussed and critically analysed training and development of employees, its demand in changing nature of the organisation and impact of environmental and other important factors on training and development. Detailed explanations on training methods and types of skills (hard and soft) are also considered. The final section focused on training evaluation and its need. The writer has also taken several authors views on training and development of employees and linked them with organisation performance and other related factors, and evaluated all the data gathered. The writer has also debated and provided arguments and counter arguments on above mentioned issues argued by professionals. 1.8 Limitations: As the researcher progressed through this research project, limitation arose that included bias, unavailability of relevant data, resource and time allocation, etc. Chapter 2: Literature Review 2.1 Introduction: In order to survive and compete in the ever growing competitive and changing environment, it is critical for any organisation to perform better by satisfying the needs of the customers (Mullins, 2007). Globalization has increased the demand for organizations to provide excellent products and services as business performance depends largely upon it. Only satisfied, motivated and trained employees can produce quality products or provide quality services. Increased competition and changing nature of technical jobs and services made employee training very crucial for the survival of any business. The requirements of skills development of employees differs from business to business and industry to industry (Bratton and Gold, 2001). This issue is one of the most important topics in business management studies. This concept is now well established and is increasingly affecting the field of management. It has proved particularly valuable for those organisations who seek better performance. 2.2 Training and Development: In Bramleys (2003) words, training involves learning and educating employee to do something to result in things being done differently. He explains that training is a process that is planned to facilitate learning so that people can become more effective in carrying out aspects of their work. According to the CIPD, Training is expected to equip employees to help them become ‘strategically unique, in addition to the provision of skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to achieve operational efficiency. ‘Training is a planned process to modify attitude, knowledge or skill behaviour through learning experience to achieve effective performance (Wilson, 2006). ‘Employee Development is a process for preparing employees for future job responsibilities. This may include formal and informal training, education, mentoring, coaching etc (Armstrong, 2008). Although the terms training and development are often linked, these address slightly different needs. Training focuses on learning the necessary skills and acquiring the knowledge required to perform the job. It deals with the design and delivery of learning to improve organization performance. On the other hand, development focuses on the preparation needed for future jobs; it should be considered investment in the work force since its benefits are long term (Armstrong, 2006). Effective training is paramount for survival and growth of a business. Training is not just about developing people but helping them to become more confident and capable in their jobs as well as in their lives (Wilson, 2006). The significance and value of training has long been recognized. The need for training is more prominent given todays business climate and the growth in technology which affects the economy and society at large. Employee is trained to assure that current or future needs of the organisation are met. 2.3 Hard vs. Soft Skills Training: There are two basic categories of skills training: hard and soft skills (Armstrong, 2008). Hard skills are technical or administrative procedures related to an organizations core business while soft skills are attitudes and behaviours exhibited by employees while interacting, which affect the outcomes of such interactions. It is easy to train and identify the need for hard skills training, while soft skills relate to personal, individual development and are most difficult to define and measure. Some types of training have both hard and soft skills components. Sales training for example, may encompass hard skills such as product knowledge and price negotiation, and soft skills such as empathy and listening (Smith and Mazin, 2004). The best way to develop skills is to practice doing the thing what an employee is trying to do, under the expert guidance of someone who knows how (Redman and Wilkinson, 2006) (Muir, 2004) (Beardwell et al, 2007). 2.4 Reasons for Training: There are many motives for training and developing employees. It can be initiated for a variety of reasons e.g. it can be carried out as part of an overall professional development program or performance improvement (Rae, 1999). Training is not only essential to create skilled force but also needed to maintain a high level of skills required by the constantly changing work environment and to equip employees to meet future demands (Stewart, 1996) (Pont, 2003). 2.5 Training Benefits: Leading writers have recognised the importance of training as fundamental for management (Bratton and Gold, 2003). Keep (1989 cited by Redman and Wilkinson, 2006) describes training and development as litmus test against which other characteristics of management practice can be measured. Advantages of training and development include: increased job satisfaction and morale among employees, employee motivation, increased efficiency and effectiveness, increased capacity to adopt new technologies and methods, increased innovation in strategies and products, reduced employee turnover, enhanced company image, risk management. The right employee training at the right time provides big pay offs for the employer in increased productivity, knowledge, loyalty, and contribution (Web 1). Training allows the organisation to develop and promote its own culture. Training also allows organisations to adapt to changes in the business environment and can be used as a change agent to change organisation al culture (Wilkinson et al. 2006). Training is a tool that can improve organisational effectiveness, especially in fiercely competitive markets. Training and development helps in optimizing the development of human resource that helps the employee to achieve the individual as well as organisational goals (Benson, 2006). It increases the job skills and knowledge of employees at all levels and expands the horizons of their intellect and their personality. Training and development helps in indicating the sense of team work, team spirit, and inter team collaborations. It also aids the organisations to get more effective in decision making and problem solving. It also helps in developing leadership skills, motivation, loyalty, better attitudes, and other aspects that successful workers usually display (Armstrong, 2008) (Bratton and Gold, 2003) (Pont, 2003) (Price, 2007). 2.6 Training Process: Training process takes place within the context of the internal and the external environment of the organization. The basis for most training remains the traditional training process system. This involves: 1. identifying the needs for training and development of the company; 2. Planning training or devising a learning plan; 3. Carrying out or delivering training and 4. Assessing and evaluating outcomes/results. A training need analysis is the first step in identifying the types of programs that will further organisations goals, which helps to decide whether training is appropriate at all. The organisations have to assess why they need training (Smith and Mazin, 2004). Then plans are made on how to deliver the program and by which method. Armstrong (2008) places a great importance on the design of training policy because of its significance of effects on the business. It is an important issue and requires close attention to the organisations mission, ethical stance and strategic visio n. All the policies should be aligned to the companys mission and objectives. 2.7 Training Methods: Learning and development can focus on different components of employees as proposed by Lee (1996). Organisations can adapt different techniques of training for their businesses and according to their requirement. Some techniques consist purely on acquisition of knowledge, some focus on skills development of its staff, some even focus on sentimental aspects of the employees and their relationships with others. Few activities seek to integrate all the above. Staff training can be conducted on the job, which is carried out at the trainees workplace, and off-the-job which is carried out away from employees work place (Mullins, 2007). Training methods include observing, questioning, interpreting, reviewing, coaching, e-learning, workshop, induction, job-shadowing, mentoring, seminars, classes, open learning, project work, workshop and simulation. 2.8 Why Training Fails Training is not always the answer to performance problems. Some training analysts (Rosner, 1999 cited by Smith and Mazin, 2004) believed that training could be a good investment or could be a waste of resources. Training is indeed a waste of money when the desired behaviour does not occur. Thats why training and development doesnt succeed all the time to achieve desired results and in obtaining aims and objectives of the organisation. There could be many other reasons for the failure but most common are (Web 2): Training is often implemented for the wrong reasons and seldom aligns to a business measure. It fails because of lack of objectives to provide direction and focus. Sometimes the solution proves too expensive for the desired outcomes. Other important reason for failure is lack of management reinforcement and support (Mullins, 2007). Some businesses invest little in training because they dont have enough funds. 2.9 Role of a Training Manager: It is the role and responsibility of the HR manager to develop and implement training strategies and policies. The HR manager has responsibility for training and development and performance management. Human Resource Managers need to understand the nature and process of training and development in order to be able to facilitate learning and development within the organisation (Watson, 2006). HR managers are involved in planning and implementing programs designed to improve the performance of their employees in order to improve the effectiveness of the organization. Its their responsibility to group together employees activities during training process in such a way that encourages integration and cooperation (Armstrong, 2008). 2.10 Trainee Employees: Organizations performance largely depends upon the employees that work in it (Watson, 2006). They are the key resource and considered as capital for any organization. HR scholars agree that an organisation is only as good as the people in. Training is worthless if employees are not involved properly (Armstrong, 2008). Company can achieve and maintain the competitive advantage by regularly upgrading the workforce skills. The development of employee skills is one of the most important tasks in which an organisation can engage (Armstrong, 2006). Adequate supply of technically and socially competent and proficient staff is only ensured by training and development. 2.11 Training Evaluation: Employees need feedback. It is important for their progress and advancement (Armstrong, 2006). Evaluation is a process of establishing the worth or value of something (Rae, 1999). Evaluation of training is a process of gathering information with which to make decisions about training activities (Sloman, 1999). Organizations apply performance appraisal evaluation to measure employee work performance and effectiveness, which can help in defining and developing training needs for the organisations. Having a well-structured measuring system in place can help determine where the problem lies (Mullins, 2007). Training evaluation may also help in improving quality of training activities which in turn results in greater benefits. 2.12 Other Issues: While providing training, the manager needs to understand the importance and effects organization structure and design because these define tasks and responsibilities, work, roles and relationships, and channels of communication (Mullins, 2007). The two factors that determine how the organization functions in relation to its eternal and external environment are its structure and the processes that operate within it. Structures are necessary to support the effort of training managers and trainee employees. Culture of an organization also plays an important part in assessing the needs and requirements for training and development. It helps in producing high level of business performance. Training according to structure and culture provides organizations flexibility, adaptability and durability required for growth and survival(Redman and Wilkinson, 2006). 2.13 Conclusion: Scholars and writers have emphasised on the importance of training and development of the employees for the better performance of any organisation. It is a main factor of human resource management within organization. It not only benefits organisation by providing them with skilled force, but employees individually as well by increasing their effectiveness and efficiency (apart from other benefits discussed above). Organisations have to take into account all the internal and external environmental and cultural factors and should provide feedback on training. To be successful, organisations have to adapt an appropriate training process with best available training method and professional guidance/management. Chapter 3: Research Methodology Research is any type of systematic and arranged study to systematize facts or collect data, and is generally linked to a problem that has to be solved (Zikmund, 2000). Johnson and Scholes (2008) define methodology as ‘A focused and systematic investigation that goes beyond generally available knowledge to acquire specialised and detailed information, providing a basis for analysis and elucidatory comment on the topic of enquiry. 3.1 Introduction Research methodology section also clarifies why the researcher has chosen certain research methods, techniques and approaches, justifying the writers approach and line of action; and why other methods are not included for this project with detailed reasons and explanations. Arguments and benefits for selected methods are also given. Sampling, research tools and other related issues are also explained in this section. This area ends with discussion of limitations and constraints faced by the writer. 3.2 Background As part of dissertation, the researcher was expected to undertake research into business and management field which should meet the criteria set out by the college and must have enough empirical data for investigation (Quinton and Smallbone, 2006). Searching past dissertation and thesis aadded ideas and assisted in formulating the dissertation design and overall structure that provides a framework for the collection and analysis of data (Quinton and Smallbone, 2006). After organising the ideas, research time scale was set which was focused on targets to meet deadlines for completion of the paper. The researcher has applied Gantt chart (Saunders et al 2007) to help in keeping track of the research. It also assisted in planning and coordinating specific tasks during the research work by providing graphical illustrations of the timetable and key tasks involved in it. Its help in keeping the data sought throughout the research within the scope of the project, proved beneficial (Saunders et al 2007). With the amount of literature, it was time consuming to sort out relevant material to the research. Bells (2005 cited in Bryman and Bell, 2007) six points parameters method was applied to narrow down the search materials that were time consuming. 3.3 Data Collection Methods and Approaches The researcher decided to use fast but cheap methods to obtain maximum information in little time. The researcher also tried to focus on specific but relevant research material to minimize collecting irrelevant data and save time. For these purposes, the research resources were divided into ‘Internal and ‘External. In internal research, companies own business data, records and reports, and previous research studies were analysed. External research consisted of collection of data from other sources like magazines, newspapers, publications, reports, journals and websites. In research there are two broad methods of reasoning often referred as ‘Deductive and ‘Inductive approaches. As the social/management research generally necessitates the deductive approach rather than inductive research, the researcher chose this method of reasoning. In deductive approach particular instances were deduced from general inferences. In this type of theory conclusion followed logic ally from premises or available facts. This approach helped the researcher for collecting the data that defined the problem area (foreground theories). Research was conducted utilizing both ‘Primary and ‘Secondary methods. Primary data was collected with a focused plan and gathered specifically for this research (Saunders et al. 2007). Secondary data (which was collected from other sources or published data) was used in ‘Descriptive and ‘Explanatory research. Examples of primary data that the writer collected were interviews and questionnaires. Primary data was collected specifically for data analysis but secondary data collected was for both literature review and data analysis sections. Both primary and secondary research included ‘Qualitative and ‘Quantitative data. As per the requirements of the research, the researcher collected both qualitative and quantitative forms of data and integrated the information in the interpretation of the overall results. Quantitative research involved the use of structured questionnaire where the response options were predetermined by the researcher. Measurement was objective and statistically valid. Qualitative research was subjective in nature and involved collecting and analysing data by interviewing people. Some of the qualitative research was coded quantitatively for the purpose of reaching the conclusion by assigning meaningful scales and numerical values. Interview is one of the best ways for getting behind the story of the participants experiences. It is very easy way to gather primary qualitative as found by the researcher during the research process. Interviews were conducted to collect valid and reliable information (Saunders et al 2007). The researcher was aware that questionnaire is the most popular method of conducting scholarly research. It provides a convenient way of gathering information, easy to analyse, and most statistical analysis software can process it easily. It is also cost effective method of collecting data and is familiar to most people. Questionnaire can be circulated easily and response rate is fast (Saunders et al 2007). The writer chose ‘Closed ended Questions in formulating the questionnaire for timely response. The concept of mixing different methods originates in the realisation that all methods have limitations. Using a multi-method approach reduces bias and increases validity (Saunders et al. 2007) . The findings from the research were then tested on theories for reliability and validity (Saunders et al 2007). Good practice is only possible if the research data is valid, reliable, and sensitive (Johnson and Scholes, 2002). The researcher ensured that appropriate variables, techniques, scales, and assumptions were used. Proper measures were taken while gathering secondary data and information was checked for its validity and reliability while maintaining sensitivity in order to keep facts as original as possible. 3.4 Sampling It wasnt possible to collect data from all the sources and all the population. Therefore sampling was applied. The accuracy of research depends upon the way the sample is selected. The researcher conducted interviews from managers. Questionnaire was distributed to randomly selected employees. 3.5 Limitations and Constraints Researcher realized that not all the processes and methods could be used and dropped few methods (like focus groups) of secondary choice due to time limit and minimum resources. The major limitation of the study lies in its relatively small sample size of customers and the limited coverage. This was mainly attributable to the limited time and other resources available for the study. 3.6 Data Analysis Tools Internet has become the most used method of communication due to its comparative ease and effectiveness. The writer utilized this method to stay in touch with the managers. Spreadsheet program was used to process the data from the questionnaires. This information was quantitative, easily converted to percentages and proved easy to evaluate. Microsoft Word is used as design tool due to its versatility, speed, and accuracy of work along with wide range of pictorial and graphical alternatives to research findings. Chapter 4: Research Findings and Data Analysis 4.1 Introduction The company chosen for this research study in order to find out how the training and development of employees can effect the business performance, is †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ clothing which is a small and medium size company that deals in manufacturing clothes in small factory and selling these through its small store. Some employees are involved in production while the rest deals in serving customers. The company has recently undergone through organisational changes and trained all its employees in their respective roles. Interviews were conducted to collect valid and reliable information. The researcher conducted interviews from management and distributed questionnaires among its employees to determine the extent how development has effected the companys efficiency. Survey conducted from employees for satisfaction is a self assessment by staff. Its results explain how well the expectations are met and/or how to improve further. The researcher conducted this survey to study the employees views about the company performance. This research also explained the reasons behind the findings. 4.2 Analysis: Interviews There was no formal training for employees before. Growing competition and market demand forced the company to amend its policies and include training in its mission and vision. Training was conducted to raise skills levels and productivity of employees and to offer the hope of increased competitiveness within business environment. The company successfully conducted the training with positive response from employees. The training process was internal and staffs were provided on the job training by the employer. The employees were empowered and felt motivated and passionate in the involvement in training process. The management felt that employee as well as customer satisfaction and relation has improved a lot after employees training based on the customer/employee responses and companys financial results. The company is quite satisfied of its evaluation process and feedback procedure. The company trained its employees in whole range of skills It boosted confidence and morale of an em ployee who now is doing the job more efficiently and effectively. It paid off well for the company as its productivity increased and new customers were attracted. 4.3 Analysis: Questionnaire

Breastfeeding: Advantages and Disadvantages

Breastfeeding: Advantages and Disadvantages This essay is potentially vast in its scope as the advantages and disadvantages of breastfeeding can vary enormously depending on which authority one chooses to consult. (1) We shall therefore take an overview and present the generally accepted arguments in this area. There is a substantial evidence base for the benefits of breastfeeding for not only the infant, but also the mother, the families and society as a whole. (2). The benefits are not only nutritional, but cover other areas such as development, immunity, psychological well-being, overall health risks, social and environmental areas (3) Human milk is widely recommended as the food of choice for the otherwise healthy full-term newborn. Apart from providing the optimal nutrition it contains a number of cellular and humoral components such as phagocytes, immunocompetant cells, immunoglobulins and hormones and also plays a (as yet, not fully defined) role in promoting intestinal mucosal maturation. (4) Because of these (and other) considerations, the World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first six months of life. (5) There is widespread evidence that the trend towards universal breastfeeding is increasing (viz. 6) in most of the developed countries, Fewtrell gives a global figure of 2% per year. but studies show that this trend is not equal across all socio-economic and demographic groups. If we specifically consider the UK situation then we can show that the commencement of breastfeeding is equal in the working and non-working mothers groups, although if one considers the situation of how many mothers are still breastfeeding at six months post partum, the incidence in the working mothers group is less than half that in the non-working group. (7) What then is the evidence base for the benefits of breastfeeding? In addressing this question we shall confine our comments to those relevant to the developed world. If we consider the Kramer study, which compared the benefits of continued breastfeeding from 3 months to 6 months, the authors were able to demonstrate that the additional 3 months produced benefits in terms of greater weight gain, greater growth (length) together with a reduced incidence of gastrointestinal infection. (8) In absolute terms however, the benefits of breastfeeding over formula milks (or cows milk) is much greater. A huge number of potential childhood infections have been demonstrated to have a lower incidence in the breastfed child including bacterial meningitis, diarrhoea, respiratory tract infections, otitis media, urinary tract infections (9) as well as less common entities such as necrotising enetrocolitis (10). It is also significant that the all-cause mortality rates are 21% less in breast fed infants. We should note that this figure, although accurate, is misleading, as many high risk babies are not breast fed because of their intercurrent problems. (11) Apart from infections, many other health benefits can be demonstrated. There is a reduction in the incidence in sudden infant death syndrome under the age of 1 yr. (12). Diabetes (Type I and Type II) is less common amongst breastfed babies (in later life) as are the incidences of conditions such as lymphoma, leukaemia and Hodgkin’s disease. (13). Breastfeeding tends to be associated with a lower incidence of obesity, hypercholesterolaemia and asthma. (14) There is a slightly weaker evidence base to support the benefit of breastfeeding in terms of neurological development. Some authorities suggest that it can improve cognitive development. (15) and it may also reduce the perception of some painful stimuli. (16) In addition to benefits for the child, there are also a number of demonstrable benefits for the mother who breastfeeds. If suckling occurs at the time of birth, the resultant release of oxytocin reduces the incidence of post partum haemorrhage and increases the speed of uterine involution. (17). In the period after the birth, breastfeeding reduces both fertility and menstrual loss, it facilitates a return to pre-pregnancy weight, it reduces the risk of both ovarian and breast cancer (18) and may well reduce the incidence of osteoporotic fractured hips (19) In the opening segment of this essay we alluded to the benefits to the community as a whole. These can be defined in terms or reduced health costs to the community by virtue of the protective effects of breastfeeding. There are also less definable benefits in terms of reduced employee absenteeism. Some authorities have gone as far as to point to the environmental benefits of reduction in energy expenditure on production, distribution and disposal of formula feeds and their packaging. (20) Thus far we have considered the positive benefits of breastfeeding but in order to provide a balanced argument, we should also consider the disadvantages. The pre-term infant or severely underweight or ill baby has special needs and there are a number of reasons why they should not be breastfed. The pre-term infant has immature physiological systems and the kidneys may not be able to handle the osmotic gradients that are required to excrete the amount of fluid necessary to remove the amount of nutritional load required for adequate growth. This may result in respiratory problems and exacerbation of any pre-existing cardiac conditions (viz. patent ductus arteriosus). For this reason, most pre-term infant are electively parentrally fed and then weaned onto enteral feeding when their gastrointestinal tract and other physiological systems are mature enough to handle the fluid load. (21) If the mother is ill or has a potentially communicable illness such as HIV/AIDS or TB, then breastfeeding is contraindicated, as it is in conditions when certain drugs (both medicinal and recreational) are taken by the mother. (22). We should also record that the evidence for HIV/AIDS spread is not secure, as some studies have suggested that breastfeeding actually confers a degree of protection against HIV/AIDS for the child. This is still an area of considerable debate. (23) It is also clear from an examination of the literature on the subject, that there is a great deal of misinformation on the subject of breastfeeding in the popular press (and to a lesser extent in the medical press). Breastfeeding is not contraindicated in conditions such as Hepatitis B or C +ve. (24). Most febrile conditions are not a contraindication to breastfeeding as the maternal immune response will be passively given to the child in any event. Some authorities suggest that tobacco smoking is a contraindication to breastfeeding. If we remove considerations of general health from the consideration, there is no reason why tobacco smoke should be considered a bar to breastfeeding as such. (it clearly may be ill-advised however) (25). Some authorities suggest on theoretical grounds that breastfeeding should be suspended during the period of physiological jaundice of the newborn. A number of recent studies have shown that this is not necessary and may cause insurmountable difficulties in rehabilitation-establishing breastfeeding after the event. (26) In essence, within the scope of the exclusions referred to above, healthcare professionals should actively encourage and support mothers in their ability to breastfeed their offspring. In doing so, one should always consider the autonomy of the mother (27) and attempt to provide empowerment and education in order to facilitate the best result rather than compulsion or emotional blackmail. (28). This should help to ensure the maximum possible take up of breastfeeding from mothers who have been able to make a fully informed decision. If direct breastfeeding is not possible, then, generally speaking, expressed breast milk is the preferred substitute. In this essay we do not presume to have covered anything like an exhaustive presentation of the arguments, but there is no doubt, from an overview of the evidence base on the subject, that in the vast majority of cases, both mother and child will derive substantial benefits from being able to breast feed for at least the first six months of life. References (1) Duerbeck N B (1998) Breast-feeding: what you should know so you can talk to your patients. Comp Ther 1998 ; 24 : 310 318 (2) Kramer M S, Chalmers B, Hodnett E D, et al. (2001) Promotion of Breastfeeding Intervention Trial (PROBIT): a randomized trial in the Republic of Belarus. JAMA. 2001 ; 285 : 413 – 420 (3) Schanler R J. (2001) The use of human milk for premature infants. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2001 ; 48 : 207 – 219 (4) Margolis L H and J. B. Schwartz (2000) The Relationship Between the Timing of Maternal Postpartum Hospital Discharge and Breastfeeding. J Hum Lact, May 1, 2000 ; 16 (2) : 121 128. (5) Fewtrell M S , J. B Morgan, C. Duggan, G. Gunnlaugsson, P. L Hibberd, A. Lucas, and R. E Klein man (2007) Optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding: what is the evidence to support current recommendations? Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, February 1, 2007 ; 85 (2) : 635S 638S. (6) Bonuck K A, K. Freeman, and M. Trombley (2006) Randomized controlled trial of a prenatal and postnatal lactation consultant intervention on infant health care use. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, September 1, 2006 ; 160 (9) : 953 960. (7) Kramer M S, Kakuma R. (2001) The Optimal Duration of Exclusive Breastfeeding. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization ; 2001 (8) Kramer M S , Guo T, Platt R W et al. (2003) Infant growth and health outcomes associated with 3 compared with 6 mo of exclusive breastfeeding. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 78, No. 2, 291 295, August 2003 (9) Heinig M J. (2001) Host defense benefits of breastfeeding for the infant. Effect of breastfeeding duration and exclusivity. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2001 ; 48 : 105 –123 (10) Dewey K G, Heinig M J, Nommsen-Rivers L A. (1995) Differences in morbidity between breast-fed and formula-fed infants. J Pediatr. 1995 ;126 : 696 – 702 (11) Chen A, Rogan W J. (2004) Breastfeeding and the risk of postneonatal death in the United States. Pediatrics. 2004 ;113 (5) (12) Horne R S, Parslow P M, Ferens D, Watts A M, Adamson T M. (2004) Comparison of evoked arousability in breast and formula fed infants. Arch Dis Child. 2004 ; 89 (1) : 22 –25 (13) Davis M K. (1998) Review of the evidence for an association between infant feeding and childhood cancer. Int J Cancer Suppl. 1998 ; 11 : 29 – 33 (14) Toschke A M, Vignerova J, Lhotska L, Osancova K, Koletzko B, von Kries R. (2002) Overweight and obesity in 6- to 14-year old Czech children in 1991: protective effect of breast-feeding. J Pediatr. 2002 ; 141 : 764 – 769 (15) Horwood L J, Darlow B A, Mogridge N. (2001) Breast milk feeding and cognitive ability at 7–8 years. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2001 ; 84 : F23 – F27 (16) Carbajal R, Veerapen S, Couderc S, Jugie M, Ville Y. (2003) Analgesic effect of breast feeding in term neonates: randomized controlled trial. BMJ. 2003 ; 326 : 13 (17) Labbok M H. (2001) Effects of breastfeeding on the mother. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2001 ; 48 : 143 – 158 (18) Rosenblatt K A, Thomas D B. (1993) Lactation and the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer. WHO Collaborative Study of Neoplasia and Steroid contraceptives. Int J Epidemiol. 1993 ; 22 : 192 – 197 (19) Paton L M, Alexander J L, Nowson C A, et al. (2003) Pregnancy and lactation have no long-term deleterious effect on measures of bone mineral in healthy women: a twin study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2003 ; 77 : 707 – 714 (20) Jarosz L A. (1993) Breast-feeding versus formula: cost comparison. Hawaii Med J. 1993 ; 52 : 14 – 18 (21) Denne, S. C., Karn, C. A., Ahlrichs, J. A., Dorotheo, A. R., Wang, J. Liechty, E. A. (1996) Proteolysis and phenylalanine hydroxylation in response to parenteral nutrition in extremely premature and normal newborns. J. Clin. Invest 97 : 746 -754 (22) Read J S; (2003) American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Pediatric AIDS. Human milk, breastfeeding, and transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in the United States. Pediatrics. 2003 ; 112 : 1196 – 1205 (23) Coutsoudis A, Rollins N. (2003) Breast-feeding and HIV transmission: the jury is still out. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2003 ; 36 : 434 – 442 (24) Pickering : (2003) American Academy of Pediatrics. Transmission of infectious agents via human milk. In: Pickering LK, ed. Red Book: 2003 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 26th ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2003 : 118 – 121 (25) American Academy of Pediatrics, (2001) Committee on Drugs. Transfer of drugs and other chemicals into human milk. Pediatrics. 2001 ; 108 : 776 – 789 (26) American Academy of Pediatrics, (2004) Subcommittee on Hyperbilirubinemia. Management of hyperbilirubinemia in the newborn infant 35 or more weeks of gestation. Pediatrics. 2004 ; 114 : 297 – 316 (27) Sines D (1995) Impaired autonomy: the challenge of caring. Journal of Clinical Nursing 4 (2) 109 -115. (28) Marinker M.(1997) From compliance to concordance: achieving shared goals in medicine taking. BMJ 1997 ; 314 : 747 – 8. ############################################################### 12.05.07 PDG Word count 2,183 Polycrystalline Ceramics: Sub Grain Structure Polycrystalline Ceramics: Sub Grain Structure Pure un-doped zirconia is a polymorph which has three allotropes namely: Monoclinic, Tetragonal and finally Cubic. These phases tend to transform into each other when exposed to certain temperature ranges and such transformation is important for the processing and mechanical properties of zirconia. The monoclinic phase of pure un-doped zirconia is stable at room temperature and remains so up to about 11700C, where it then transforms into tetragonal phase. It becomes stable tetragonal at this temperature and remains so up to 23700C, where it turns to cubic. The cubic phase occurs up to the melting temperature of 26800C. Monoclinic phase The monoclinic form also referred to as baddeleyite, is a thermodynamically stable phase at a temperature range between room temperature and approximately 9500C. It contains four ZrO2 molecules per unit cell and has a space group of P21/c. Figure 2.1 shows the lattice parameter of monoclinic form. Its structure is described as a distorted fluorite (CaF2 structure). It is difficult to define the crystal structure of monoclinic zirconia because of its complexity as well as the problem of making a monoclinic single crystal with the satisfactory qualities due to: micro-cracking, low purity, twinning and disproportionate solid solution formation. Tetragonal phase This is a high temperature phase (t) firstly discovered by a group of scientist during its transformation from the lower temperature monoclinic phase over a temperature of about 11500C. Figure 2.1 shows the lattice parameter of tetragonal form. The structure is similar to that of monoclinic polymorph in the sense that it is also distorted CaF2 structure. Hence, tetragonal zirconia (t-ZrO2) can be described using the face centred tetragonal Bravais lattice as oppose to the body centred tetragonal lattice, that contains a unit cell with volume twice the size of the primitive cell. (3) Figure 2.2b shows a simple schematic of a tetragonal unit cell. Its structure comprises of eight oxygen ions surrounding a zirconium ion, with half at a distance of 0.2455nm forming an elongated tetrahedron and the remaining four are at a distance of 0.2065 forming a flattened tetrahedron (the elongated and flattened tetrahedron are rotated 900 to each other). The transformation from tetragonal to monocli nic can start (Ts) and finish (Ts) over a range of temperatures. This reaction can be measured using the following experimental techniques: DTA, XRD and dilatometry. (3) Cubic phase Unlike the other structures, the cubic polymorph is quite easy to explain as it has a fluorite structure (CaF2). Figure 2.2c shows a simple schematic of a tetragonal unit cell. It has a lattice parameter of the order 0.508nm (this however depends on the temperature purity of zirconia that is partially stabilised zirconia at room temperature or pure zirconia at elevated temperature) and a crystal symmetry of Fm3m.   The martensitic transformation For a martensitic transformation to occur, a change in shape is required which must also produce a plane that does not change during transformation. This is so that it is common to the phase produced as well as the parent phase. The phase transformation in zirconia involves a change in volume of between 4 to 5%. The matrix inhibits the transformed particle of zirconia causing a partial shape change. However, the transformation creates a strain which is held in the monoclinic and its surrounding grains. As a result of this, researchers have come up with the idea that transformation stresses are relieved by deformation twinning. When this happens, most of the lattice strain is then restricted to the monoclinic/matrix interface. Micro-cracks can be formed at this matrix/monolithic interface or in the monoclinic particle if this lattice strain increases. The twinning found in monoclinic is caused by deformation twinning, as the researchers have observed using TEM that a section of the st rain related with the transformation happens as a result of a mechanism known as slip. (3) The phase transformation particularly from tetragonal to monoclinic is of great importance, as it attributes the zirconias excellent properties. [from fulltext.pdf] It was firstly discovered by Garvie et al that the transformation of metastable tetragonal phase to monoclinic phase acts as a toughnening mechanism to crack propagation resistance in zirconia. The transformation is quick and results in a 4 to 5 percent increase in volume which leads to formation of micro-cracks and eventually macro-cracks in the material. This process induces compressive stresses and thus toughens the materials. Gupta et al backed this theory up. Studies showed that the transformation mechanism is highly dependent on grain size and by doping the ceramic material with stabilisers. Examples of stabilisers are yttria (Y2O3), magnesia (MgO), calcia (CaO), etc. Y-TZP ceramics is in the family of these toughened materials. Tetragonal zirconia doped with Yttria (Y-TZP) has great strength of over 1000MPa and tou ghness weighing between 6 and 10 MPa.m1/2. This makes it an ideal contender in medical applications, particularly in hip joints. ZrO2 Y2O3 The phase diagram shown in figure 3 was firstly discovered by Scott (1975), this study was agreed and used by many more researchers. The tetragonal phase field is the main aspect of figure 3. It shows that up to about 2.5mol% of Yttria can be produced in solid solution in addition with the low eutectoid temperature leading to the formation of a fully tetragonal ceramic, this will happen as long as the grain is of an appropriate size. The theory of transformation toughening produced some excitement in the materials industry however this excitement came to a halt when Kobayashi et al discovered a flaw in Y-TZP ceramics. Y-TZPs undergoes low temperature degradation during ageing at temperatures ranging from 100 to 4000C, this is particularly enhanced when it is exposed to water or is in humid environments. This degradation is due to the formation of flaws such as micro-cracks and macro-cracks (mentioned earlier) at the surface which gradually goes into the bulk of the material. These flaws are due to the spontaneous transformation from tetragonal phase to monoclinic phase. Material scientists have documented literature regarding the degradation however there have been contradictory views as to the mechanism of this phenomenon. Figure 4 is a graphshowing the low temperature degradation of different types of TZPs. Figure 5 shows ageing temperature against surface monoclinic levels. Some of these researchers focused on the interaction between water (or water vapour) and YTZP, whilst others focused on ways to prevent this from happened. Sato et al came up with a theory where the hydroxyl group from water (H2O) reacts with zirconia from the bonds between zirconia and oxygen (that is Zr-O-Zr bonds) forming Zr-OH bonds at crack tips. This accelerates the rate at which the metastable tetragonal phase transforms to monoclinic at low temperatures. They came up with the conclusion that there is a strain which stabilizes the tetragonal phase, however under certain circumstances it is released and with the combination other pre existing flaws accelerates the transformation. The theory put forward by Yoshimura et al is similar to that of Sato et al in the sense that the Zr-OH bonds are also formed. However, the reaction process which leads to the same outcome is what differentiates the two theories. Their research showed a comparison of the transformed monoclinic phase to the untransformed tetragonal ZrO2. Hydroxyl (OH-) was in the monoclinic ZrO2 whereas there was no trace in the latter. Due to their findings, they came up with the theory that the degradation process occurred in stages: upon exposure to water, Zr-OH bonds are formed as a result of H2O being adsorbed on the YTZP surface. This creates a stress site which builds up as the OH- ions diffuse through the surface and lattice causing the formation of nucleation sites for the phase transformation. This occurs until the stress reaches crack level causing the transformation to occur at the surface leading to the formation of micro and macro cracks all the way through to the bulk. Lange et al [7] witnessed ÃŽÂ ±-Y(OH)3 crystallites of about 20 50 nm in size forming and came up with the idea that the hydroxide formed creates a monoclinic nuclei by removing Yttria from the grains of the tetragonal phase on the surface. As Yttria is being withdrawn, growth of the nuclei continues until a critical size where it will grow spontaneuously, leading to the transformation of tetragonal grains to monoclinic. Micro cracks and macro-cracks begin to occur as the transformed grain gets large enough. This process happens over and over again as the micro and macro-cracks act as a site for water molecules to penetrate into to the grains. This process occurs only if the grains are larger than the critical size. However, if they are smaller, the transformation will be influenced by the diffusion of Yttria on the surface. Other researchers such as Winnubst and Burggraf support this theory, as they found traces of Yttria on surface layer of the YTZP specimen. Their specimen was exposed to temperature of 1770C in a nitrogen environment for over 5hrs and using an auger electron microscope, they found a yttrium rich surface layer. The listed theories were based on YTZPs mechanism during degradation. Whalen et al identified that the reason for this degradation is the spontaneous transformation from tetragonal phase to monoclinic phase at the surface which then eventually spreads to the bulk. They came up with the idea of stabilising the tetragonal phase. This could be done by either of the following two methods: the chemical factor which is increasing the stabiliser content on the surface or the microstructural solution which is reducing the grain size at the surface. The latter was decided upon and this was done by the process of post sintering grinding followed by annealing treatment. 2.45mol% Y2O3/ZrO2 was the material involved in the research. Samples of the material were made using isostatic pressing at pressure of 275MPa and then sintered at a temperature of 15000C for a time period of 2hrs. A 2mm disk was formed of which its two sides had different surfaces treatments, One side being polished and the other being surface grounded. The phase compositions at surfaces were then examined using XRD. The XRD result indicated there was a significant difference in the phase composition of both sides. The ground side showed little transformation change whereas there was 50% increase in monoclinic phase after annealing. This provided evidence that the ground and annealed surface hindered the process of phase transformation from tetragonal to monoclinic at the surface. As a result of this, there were no micro-cracks formed at the surface and hence the expected mechanical properties were achieved. Talk and compare it to mine later (TEM as oppose to XRD, advantages of process) The aim of this project is to provide evidence (if any) of the occurrence of refined grains (recrystallization) in Y-TZP structures as a result of deformation. The ideology used to explain the concept of recrystallization in metals can be used to explain its occurrence in ceramics as this is a new phenomena in the ceramic industry. Grain refinement requires certain conditions in its exposure in polycrystalline ceramics and they are: plastically deforming the material (as a result of applying a stress) and followed by heat treatment. Deformation is basically a change in body shape which occurs as a result of an applied force. Materials may experience either elastic which is impermanent deformation that upon the release of an applied stress is recovered or plastic deformation which is permanent deformation that is non recoverable when a stress is applied. YTZPs recrystallization behaviour can be explained by its ability to plastically deform. The stress and strain behaviour of a material is used to determine the start and the degree of plastic deformation. Figure 6 shows an example of a typical stress and strain curve. Yield tensile strength is the point at which elastic deformation ends and the material begins to plastically deformation. Most polymers and metals undergo elastic followed by plastic deformation but this is not the case for ceramics. They undergo elastic deformation followed by fracture with little or no plastic deformation. YTZP has superplasticity properties and this nature can be used to explain refinement in its microstructure. Plastic deformation is governed by the movement of large numbers of dislocations. Hindering dislocation motion will increase a materials strength. Ceramics are inorganic materials held together by both ionic and covalent bonds. The bonding combination results in hindering the motion of dislocations, hence their high strength but brittle behaviour. Dislocation is an important factor in understanding plastic deformation and so certain elements need to be examined in order to understand the concept. Most materials comprise of an arrangement of atoms referred to as a crystal structure (these can either be single or polycrystalline that is having multiple crystals as the name suggests). This project will focus on polycrystalline zirconia, however understanding single crystals help in explaining the behaviour of polycrystalline materials. All crystal structures have flaws that distort the regular arrangement of the atoms. These flaws can either be point defect (that is they may have vacancies or interstitials), surface, line (dislocations) and volume defects. The activities and effects of all these flaws are interconnected thus the importance in the need to understand them. As the dislocations move, they tend to interact with one another however this interaction is a complex as an amount of dislocations (rephrased from pdf). The collective motion of dislocations leads to gross plastic deformation. http://composite.about.com/library/PR/2001/blmpi1.htm Dislocations can either be screw, edge or a hybrid of both. Edge dislocation: in this dislocation, the line of defect is parallel to the shear stress. The dislocation movement is similar to that of a caterpillar in the sense that the motion is in small amounts at a time. Figure 7shows a typical schematic of the motion of dislocations. A is the extra half plane of atoms. As shear stress is applied, the bond between the upper and lower part of B is broken. The extra atom plane of atom A bonds with the lower part of B converting the lower part to an extra half plane. This motion causes the top half to move with respect to the bottom half. Screw dislocation: this is similar to that of edge in the sense that it also occurs with shear stress however, the defect line is perpendicular to the shear stress as oppose to being parallel. Just like the edge dislocation only a minute fraction of bonds are broken at a given time. Although the motions are different, the overall plastic deformation for both dislocations is the same. The primary mechanism that causes plastic deformation in crystals is called slip. As dislocations move across the crystals, they shear the crystals along their planes of motion. Slip System The degree of ease of motion of dislocations is different with in all crystallographic directions and crystallographic planes of atoms. Normally dislocation motion occurs in a preferred plane and within that plane there are specific directions at also which it occurs. The combination of the plane and direction is referred to as a slip system. The plane at which this motion occurs is referred to as slip plane, and the direction is referred to as slip direction. The slip system depends on the crystal structure of the material. Slip will only occur when the value of applied the shear stress exceeds a certain critical value. The mechanism at which slip occurs is different in single crystals that of polycrystalline materials. Schmid defined the critical shear stress in single crystals as shown in figure 9: Deformation is much more complicated in polycrystalline materials as the crystallography orientations of numerous grains have to be taken into account. This orientation is random and therefore causes the direction of slip to vary from one grain to another. Its complexity extends further more to the grain boundaries which acts as barriers to dislocation motion. Twinning is another mechanism at which plastic deformation can occur. The idea of twinning in plastic deformation is to allow further slip to occur by producing changes in plane orientations. It occurs when a fraction of the crystals adopts an orientation that is correlated to the orientation of the rest of the untwined lattice in an exact proportioned way. Figure 10 shows an illustration of an un-deformed crystal with one undergoing slip and twinning. There is a clear difference between slip and twinning. The crystal orientation in a slip is the same above and below the slip plane whereas in twinning differs across the twin plane. More differences is illustrated in figure 11 Slip Twinning Where it occurs Widely spread planes Every plane of region is involved Occurrence On many multiple slip systems simultaneously On a particular plane for each crystal Time required Milli seconds Micro seconds Size (in terms of inter atomic distance) Multiples Fractions. ANNEALING PROCESS LEADING TO RECOVERY, RECRYSTALLIZATION AND GRAIN GROWTH Annealing is a high temperature process that causes changes in a materials structure, leading to alterations in its properties. When a material is plastically deformed, majority of the energy is dissipated as heat, but a minute fraction is stored in the material as strain energy which is associated with a range of lattice imperfections established as a result of deformation. The deformation process as well as a number of various factors (such as temperature and rate of deformation) determines the amount of energy stored in the material. A reduction in deformation and an increase in intensity of deformation cause a vast increase in the amount of retained energy. The release of stored energy There are two main techniques of releasing the energy retained by a material due to plastic deformation and they are an-isothermal annealing and isothermal annealing. Anisothermal annealing occurs when the material is continuously heated from a lower temperature to that of a higher one (the energy discharged is determined as a function of temperature) whereas, Isothermal annealing occurs when the temperature is constant. The materials microstructure will undergo either or maybe all of these three restoration processes: recovery, recrystallization and grain growth. The extent of plastic deformation can sometimes determine the mechanisms of recovery and recrystallization. These processes require heat treatment to cause rearrangement of grain boundaries and dislocations. Recovery It is the initial stage of annealing that takes place at the low temperature stage of annealing. As a material is plastically deformed, a minute portion of mechanical energy is stored which exists in crystals as stacking faults, point defects (such defects are interstitials and vacancies) and dislocations. When a material is plastically deformed, it is at a thermodynamically unstable state of higher energy. This is converted to lower energy states by the application of annealing leading to a change in microstructure. There are two process involved in recovery: slip annihilating and polygonization. Slip annihilation occurs when dislocations of opposite signs (that is in the case of edge dislocations, the fusion of the positive and the negative edge dislocation or in the case of screw in which the right hand screw merges with the left hand screw) merge together thereby cancelling each other out. Polygonization is the rearrangement of dislocation after annihilation recovery to a lower energy configuration. During recovery, this strain energy built up is relieved to some extent by dislocation motion, due to enhanced atomic diffusion at high temperatures. Recovery leads to physical properties like thermal and electrical conductivities being recovered to their pre worked states. [ggbk] Recrystallization After recovery, grains are not entirely strain free. That is the energy state of the grains is relatively high. New sets of strain free grains having near equal dimensions in all directions with low dislocation densities are formed. This process is known as recrystallization. This mechanism of producing new equaxed grains is driven by the difference in internal energy between the unstrained and strained material. The process of recrystallization can occur after or during deformation. The manner at which recrystallization occurs is of two kinds which vary with materials. Firstly a continuous manner, at which the microstructure gradually evolves into a recrystallized one or a discontinuous manner at which distinct new grains nucleate and grow Recrystallization after deformation is referred to as static whereas the latter is known as dynamic. The extent at which recrystallization occurs is dependent on two factors namely: time and recrystallization temperature. The temperature at which recrystallization is completed in an hour is referred to as recrystallization temperature. It is usually a third to half the materials melting temperature. The rate at which recovery process occurs is inversely proportional to time (that is it reduces with increasing time). Recrystallization has an entirely different kinetic. During the isothermal annealing, recrystallization starts very slowly then builds up gradually up to a certain point where it slows down. This can be shown in figure 13 In some cases it can be as high 0.7th the melting temperature. An illustration of the relationship between recrystallization temperature and percentage cold work is shown in figure 14. It is understood that as the percentage cold work increases, the recrystallization temperature decreases. Other factors affect the rate and occurrence of recrystallization. The annealing temperature is one of a few factors that have an effect on recrystallization. A materials recrystallization temperature reduces annealing time. The stress applied is another factor both recrystallization and temperature, an increase in stress applied means a lower temperature is required to activate the process. Also, the deformation on the material must be enough to allow nucleation and growth. A process known as grain growth occurs in a polycrystalline material after recrystallization provided the annealing temperature is maintained. The restoration mechanism does not require prior deformation or recrystallization and therefore will occur during annealing in their absence in a polycrystalline material. Grain boundary is the driving force for recovery. Stored energy produced as a result of a material being plastically deformed is released during the process of annealing causing a change in microstructure. This energy released is as a result of various mechanisms due to crystal defect interactions: A decrease in crystal defects due to their reactions with each other. Dislocations with opposite signs interacting causing their annihilation and dislocation loop shrinkage. Relocation of dislocations causing the formation of lower energy configurations such as grain boundaries with low angles. The formation of grain boundaries with high angles. These reactions occur during the restoration process of recovery. After this process, the following can occur: Dislocations as well as point defects being absorbed as a result of the migration of high angle grain boundaries. A decrease in the overall grain boundary area. These micro-structural changes occur during the restoration process of recrystallization and recovery. As a result of these micro-structural modifications, an ideal definition of recrystallization is derived: Along with the micro-structural changes, the properties of the specimen also change correspondingly. Thus, deformation and annealing are important processing methods for producing desired properties of the material by controlling its microstructures. Recrystallization mechanism The start of recrystallization is referred to as nucleation and occurs when dislocations are rearranged so as to form low dislocation density sections that have a high angle grain boundary with great mobility and thus is capable of quick movement over the strained region or recovered matrix. Recrystallization has a low driving force and high grain boundary energies; as a result of these characteristics, thermal variations cannot explain regions surrounded by high angle grain boundaries that are free from defects upon annealing. Therefore, the formation of recrystallized grains does not occur during annealing but previously exists in the deformed state. Three methods can be used to describe nucleation and they are: Movement of high angle boundaries that already exist before annealing: this happens when pre existing grain boundaries move into grains that are highly strained as illustrated in figure 16 this process requires a favourable energy balance between an increase in the overall grain boundary surface and a reduction in stored energy as a result of the removal defects triggered by the migration of the boundary. Movement of sub boundaries (that is low angle boundaries): this model is based on the theory of polygonization where stored energy is reduced during annealing as a result of rearrangement and removal of defects. It occurs when sub grain boundaries besiege regions containing low dislocation densities. Upon formation of sub grains, with the help of sub grain boundary movement, they are able to grow at the expense their neighbouring grains. Dislocations are absorbed by migrating sub boundaries and because of this, their mobility, orientation differences and energies are increased until their transformation into high angle boundaries, thus illustrating nucleation. Sub grains coalescence: this occurs when two neighbouring subgrains merge leading to their crystal lattices coinciding. It is regarded as a slow process but when compared to migration of sub grains is favoured for annealing at low temperatures. it is illustrated in figure 17. In this method, stored energy is reduced leading sub boundaries disappearing, sub grains growing and increase in orientation differences between coalescence groups and their neighbouring sub grains. These lead to the formation of high angle boundaries which move at high speeds and cause the process of recrystallization nucleation. It is vital to identify the fact that the total energy balance that takes the disappearance of sub boundaries into account with the increase and orientation difference is favourable (that is it leads to a reduction in total free energy). This mechanism is illustrated in figure 18. The occurrence of these three models is relatively diverse and they will therefore occur under different conditions. The basic requirement for the occurrence of the movement of pre existing grain boundaries that is the existence of differences in large strain between neighbouring grains is well accepted by researchers. However, there is conflict as to when the mechanisms sub grain boundaries migration and the coalescence of sub grains occur. Researchers believed the coalescence of sub grain boundaries are linked with large dispersion of sub grain angles distribution, relatively moderate strain, and reasonably low annealing temperatures. Whereas the mechanism of sub grain migration is linked with high annealing temperatures, strains that are relatively high and large dispersion in the distribution in sub grain size. Growth of recrystallized regions The basic mechanism causing recrystallization and grain growth is the migration of grain boundaries with high angles. However their driving force is what differentiates them from each other. The energy of the high angled grain boundaries is the main driving force for grain growth whether it being abnormal or normal growth. Whereas that for recrystallization is the energy stored during straining appeared as crystalline defects. In defect free regions that are encircled by boundaries with high angle, recrystallization progresses by enlargement of this nucleus over the non recrystallized medium. Grain growth and recrystallizations migrating high angle boundary curvature signal is another important factor that differentiates the two. http://asmcommunity.asminternational.org/portal/site/www/AsmStore/ProductDetails/?vgnextoid=a75a7dcbe4e18110VgnVCM100000701e010aRCRD ASM Handbook Volume 14A, Metalworking: Bulk Forming (ASM International) http://www.accuratus.com/zirc.html http://www.totaljoints.info/ceramic_for_total_hips.htm#2 http://www.azom.com/details.asp?ArticleID=940 http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=eUZw4SgqaPYCpg=PA126lpg=PA126dq=phase+transformation+mechanism+leading+to+microcracks+zirconiasource=blots=fCFhf-satfsig=WNiOjbUtX06mA_d1NkXIEEHcOsshl=enei=r568S9zCKJHFsgaxkd3lCQsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=4ved=0CBYQ6AEwAzgK#v=onepageqf=false EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Equipment Three samples of YTZP, 0ne made from 3mol Y2O3/ZrO2 powder and the other two made from the same powder but by two other manufacturers. Focused Ion Beam (FIB): is a technique used by material scientists in the analysis of a materials microstructure. the samples obtained can either be analysed directly using the FIB or transferred and viewed under a TEM or SEM. This process is similar to that of an SEM however ions (particularly gallium ions) rather than electrons. Figures 19a and b show how the FIB operates. The surface of the sample being tested is subjected to primary gallium ion beams. This spits a small part of the material, leading to the formation of either secondary ions (either positive or negative) or neutral atoms on the surface. Secondary electrons (e) are also produced from the gallium beam. This is collected as well as the signal from the split ions to form an image which is either analyzed using the FIB itself, SEM or TEM. http://www.fibics.com/fib/tutorials/introduction-focused-ion-beam-systems/4/ images is from here. GNU image manipulation program (GIMP): is an image editing software used to measure grain sizes. Vickers indentation: is used to form indentations which are viewed and studied under an optical microscope. A square imprint is formed from the Vickers indenter, where the two diagonal lengths are measured. In this project, the Vickers indentation is used to form plastic deformation. The surface defects such as scratches and unevenness need to be controlled, hence the reason for polishing. High temperature furnace: used for sintering and annealing. TEM Cold isostatic pressing Sample preparation Three mol% Y2O3/ZrO2 solid solution powder was used in this experiment. The powder was pressed into a disc at 200MPa, then sintered at 14500C for 2 hours. Two discs were produced, each pressed with loads 7.5 tons and 5 tons respectively. The load was reduced to 5 inorder to reduce the chance of lamination, as it occurred with the 7.5. Measurements and dimensions Sample 1: broken Sample 2 Weight 25.7711g 19.6836g Diameter 39.23 39.11 Height (thickness) 7.1 6.51 Dimensions after sintering<

are expeaectation about childs development related to different cultures? :: essays research papers

Parental expectations of their children's development can be influenced bymany factors. factors like media, family beliefs, personal experience. Expectations come from several sources- from parents, teachers, family, peers and ourselves. All these factors relate to social and culture beliefs. Piaget stressed the importance of the environment in children's learningm seeing children as active builders of their own knowledge. The social constructive perspective on child development places main emphasis on the importance of the social environment on child development. Lev Vygotsky's findings showed that children had a great deal to learn from each other through interaction and communication. Unlike piaget, Vygotsky thought that childrem's ability should not be judged only on what they can do alone, but on what they are capable of with help. So the child may be provided with a more challenging and stimulating environment. Constructivist propose that children have qualitatively distinct w ays of thinking, feeling and behaving at different stages of development. Whiting and Edwards ( 1992) discuss the importance of cultural values and their influence on what is perceived as appropriate social behaviour.Hess et al.(1980) carried out cross-culturalstudy into the expectations of American and Japanese mothers about their children's development. He design a developmental expectation procedure to study mother's expectations. The study produced some interesting dara into the cultural differences in the two group's expectations.It showed that the Japanese mother's expectations for early achievement fell into categories of compliance, independence and emotional maturity. In contrast the American mothers expected social skills and verbal assertiveness to be ascertained at a younger age. Whiting and Edwards (1992) discussed the importance of cultural values and their influence on what is seen as an appropriate social behaviour. they explain different expectations of children's development in various cultures and why different cultures expect different things of their children. For example in a more complex society literacy would seen as the most important skills to learn. Whereas in a simple society it is likely that children will learn the physical world. It can be said that cultural needs of society strongly influence parent's expectations of their own children's development.

Resident Evil: The Umbrella Conspiracy :: essays research papers

Resident Evil: The Umbrella Conspiracy   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Imagine picking up the newspaper one morning in you quiet little town where nothing ever seems to happen that could affect the townspeople so drastically†¦ â€Å"Latham Weekly, June 2, 1998†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Bizarre Murders Committed In Raccoon City† is the fearful headline across the front page and you read on wondering what all this could mean and what would happen in the months to come.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Raccoon City – The mutilated body of forty-two-year-old Anna Mitaki was discovered late yesterday in an abandoned lot not far from her home in Northwest Raccoon City.† You never thought it could happen. Especially in a quiet town like yours. A dear friend of yours has been viscously murdered. She has been the forth victim of what people are now calling the â€Å"Cannibal Killers.† The reason for this is due to that all the victims found were partially eaten; the bite patterns apparently formed by human jaws. This report has now brought the mysterious killings up to seven. â€Å"Raccoon Times, June 22, 1998   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Horror In Raccoon! More Victims Dead† (You could only wonder what this means for the city.) â€Å"Raccoon City – The bodies of a young couple were found early Sunday morning in Victory Park, making Deanne Rusch and Christopher Smith the eight and ninth victims in the reign of violence that has terrorized the city since mid-May of this year.† As you read on you find out that these victims suffered the same wounds as the previous victims. All is quiet again for about another month due to the Raccoon Police enforcing a citywide curfew and barricading areas near where the murders took place. After that month of somewhat normalness you read the newspaper to find that something will be done to help out the city. â€Å"Cityside, July 21, 1998   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  S.T.A.R.S. Special Tactics And Rescue Squad Sent To Save Raccoon City†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  You think to yourself†¦thank God something is finally going to be done to put an end to this on going horror. â€Å"Police Chief Brian Irons announced yesterday that the S.T.A.R.S. will participate full-time in the search for the hikers and will also be working closely with the RPD until there is an end to the rash of murders and disappearances that are destroying the community.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Chief Irons, a former S.T.A.R.S. member himself, was asked in an exclusive telephone interview from Cityside about why the S.T.A.R.S. hadn’t been assigned to these cases until now, Chief Irons would only say that the S. Resident Evil: The Umbrella Conspiracy :: essays research papers Resident Evil: The Umbrella Conspiracy   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Imagine picking up the newspaper one morning in you quiet little town where nothing ever seems to happen that could affect the townspeople so drastically†¦ â€Å"Latham Weekly, June 2, 1998†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Bizarre Murders Committed In Raccoon City† is the fearful headline across the front page and you read on wondering what all this could mean and what would happen in the months to come.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Raccoon City – The mutilated body of forty-two-year-old Anna Mitaki was discovered late yesterday in an abandoned lot not far from her home in Northwest Raccoon City.† You never thought it could happen. Especially in a quiet town like yours. A dear friend of yours has been viscously murdered. She has been the forth victim of what people are now calling the â€Å"Cannibal Killers.† The reason for this is due to that all the victims found were partially eaten; the bite patterns apparently formed by human jaws. This report has now brought the mysterious killings up to seven. â€Å"Raccoon Times, June 22, 1998   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Horror In Raccoon! More Victims Dead† (You could only wonder what this means for the city.) â€Å"Raccoon City – The bodies of a young couple were found early Sunday morning in Victory Park, making Deanne Rusch and Christopher Smith the eight and ninth victims in the reign of violence that has terrorized the city since mid-May of this year.† As you read on you find out that these victims suffered the same wounds as the previous victims. All is quiet again for about another month due to the Raccoon Police enforcing a citywide curfew and barricading areas near where the murders took place. After that month of somewhat normalness you read the newspaper to find that something will be done to help out the city. â€Å"Cityside, July 21, 1998   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  S.T.A.R.S. Special Tactics And Rescue Squad Sent To Save Raccoon City†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  You think to yourself†¦thank God something is finally going to be done to put an end to this on going horror. â€Å"Police Chief Brian Irons announced yesterday that the S.T.A.R.S. will participate full-time in the search for the hikers and will also be working closely with the RPD until there is an end to the rash of murders and disappearances that are destroying the community.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Chief Irons, a former S.T.A.R.S. member himself, was asked in an exclusive telephone interview from Cityside about why the S.T.A.R.S. hadn’t been assigned to these cases until now, Chief Irons would only say that the S.

Henry David Thoreau: a Philosophical Reflection Essay

Henry David Thoreau was an inexhaustible writer that encompassed poetry and philosophy within his narratives and created a style of writing that, for his time, was difficult to define and categorize. Because of this his works were often overlooked for the genius that was held within them as writers of his time had already begun to stray from the traditional stances of philosophy. However, one can easily survey the works of Henry David Thoreau and do so with an immense amount of appreciation for his keen ability to contemplate and delve into the varied psyches and perspectives that man holds. And despite the difficulties in categorization it cannot be denied that Thoreau’s works were powerful and filled with brilliance. Thoreau wrote from a contemplative platform. He was not one who was frightened by solitude. Coined often as saying, â€Å"As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness, weakness. † He passionately held to the understanding that in order to embrace all the wonder and beauty that the world holds we as a people needed to slow down, to observe our surroundings and embrace all that is before us. And sometimes in order to do that, more often in order to do that, one needed to disconnect and detach from distractions and things that skewed one’s vision in order to do so. Thoreau held to the belief that, â€Å"our limited view often keeps us from appreciating the harmonious interdependence of all parts of the natural world: this is not due to â€Å"any confusion or irregularity in nature,† but because of our own incomplete knowledge. † This was just one of many excerpts taken from Thoreau’s work, Walden, that expressed his elief that we have so much to gain by embracing more than our own perspectives as a singular perspective only sees from one vantage point. This particular work of Thoreau’s, Walden, really highlighted his fusion of philosophy and poetry amidst a presented narrative. And as previously mentioned, while it made it hard to categorize, Thoreau did gain notoriety for its content and his literary prowess. Thoreau was a Harvard graduate. He was a student of ancient scripture as well as one who studied literature containing Asian wisdoms and traditions. He was well versed and enjoyed covering a broad spectrum of material. He enjoyed the philosophical perspectives of Locke and Coleridge as well as holding honor and respect for Emerson, despite their different outlooks at times. It was evident in his writings that he held a great value for nature. He also found importance in seeking out God in the midst of nature’s existence. Thoreau held to this belief not just as a mere perspective but as a life philosophy as well. The evidence of such was found in that many of his greatest writings came when silence stilled the atmosphere and he was able to enter into the beauty that the earth around him held. After all it was his belief that beauty was more than just in the eye of the beholder but was actually held within one, a beholder, who was able to first perceive it. Thoreau brilliantly described his viewpoints in his explorations of human perspectives and challenged individuals to see beyond the mere surface of things. We see this demonstrated in the expression of his story, Walden. He was out in the woods, far from any other individual for two years and two months. During that time, he became one with nature in a way he found difficult to do amongst the bustling of a busy city. He provided for himself through his work laboring the land and as he was secluded in this place he was able to gain a deeper perspective of life through his silent contemplations of the life that surrounded him. It wasn’t loud, crowded and crazy, filled with opinions and demands. The wilderness provided a contemplative canvas of beauty where every possibility could be considered without the rude interruptions that often come with man’s agenda. In the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy it was aptly conveyed that one of the greatest attributes or virtues of Thoreau’s writings was awareness. Thoreau had a talent for drawing his reader’s into a greater understanding of things they were not first nature to them and causing them to ponder, reflect and evaluate life in a deeper manner. Life is more than what it first appears and that in the embrace of simplicity one can begin to see and behold all that there is beyond what merely man has created himself, this was a message of great importance to Thoreau. Henry David was also an agent of change. In arousing individuals to embrace greater perspectives of life philosophies he compelled them further to change the way that they approached life. His belief was this, â€Å"We need to cherish and nurture our capability to discern the difference between the idea and reality, between what is and what ought to be. It is when we experience dissatisfaction with ourselves or with external circumstances that we are stimulated to act in the interest of making things better. † If we strive to uphold a certain value but are not actively doing things that promote our values or beliefs then there is a chasm between what is and what should be and Thoreau was not shy about addressing this issue in his writings. Ultimately Henry David Thoreau was an inspirational writer who spurred his readers on to seek out and explore a life with deeper meaning. He admonished small thinking and in the same breath imparted a sense of hope and expectation in portraying that there was more to the world than meets the eye. It was just simply in the eye of the beholder to not only see it but perceive it. This thought was brilliantly encapsulated within a timeless quote credited to Henry David Thoreau when stated, â€Å"What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us. † If one believes, all things are possible.

Beginners Guide to Essay Writing

As many of my fellow batch mates are facing the writer’s block in completing Essay I decided to write this guide to help them, so that they can put to best use the last few days they have with their family members (current and would-be). DISCLAIMER – First and the most important thing. This is not for those unearthly souls who want to touch that legendary upper word limit. Try to be humble and be content with 80%. It’s not that bad a number you see. This is also not for those who think it’s their god-assigned duty to find if what you are answering is what was asked. So if you are one of these, the best action you can take now with respect to this document is click the small â€Å"X† button in the top right corner of this document. This is for those poor unfortunate souls like me who want to take the bare minimum effort to achieve what is necessary, a skill that I learnt in my engineering days and improved upon in my time spent in IT industry. So here are my tips for nailing the Essay. Some tips are very ordinary which will add a word or two per use. They are to be used to give finishing touches to your answer when you need those 20-30 words to reach the world limit. Others are more generic. Use them to build the core of your answer. 1. Acronyms are evil and making use of them is a cardinal sin and you definitely do not want to start your journey in the world of management by committing one. So avoid them. Ex. Instead of IIM Indore write Indian Institute of Management, Indore. For some acronyms you can expand and then put the acronyms in the brackets to give yourself an extra word. 2. Use the qualities of the language to your advantage. The reason why they made English have a plethora of words which mean exactly the same damn thing was because they had a premonition about Essay. Make generous, copious, lavish and abundant use of adjectives. In place of any adjective use two of three adjectives which are similar in meaning. Make use of the synonyms functionality that Word provides. For example instead of just writing crucial project write complex and crucial project. 3. Always use a group of words in place of one word. For example instead of various use a number of 4. If possible quote a large part of the question in your answer. This is a trick which has always worked right from class I. I still remember question like â€Å"What was the name of the first PM of India† and the answer used to be â€Å"The name of the first PM of India is blah blah blah† This is very easy for questions like 8 and 9. 5. Whenever possible make generous use of quotes. Those great people did not utter such knowledgeable words for no reason. Follow it with your amazing explanation of the quote to make the reader understand the quote properly, which even otherwise he would have understood, making it as long as possible. 6. Quote dictionary definition of words where possible. All you need is a Google search and it makes you sound a very inquisitive person in no time. This is particularly applicable for questions 4 and 11. Follow it with your agreement or disagreement of the definition and your reasoning behind it. 7. Make generous use of subheading. Not only will it portray us as an organized person but also give you those extra 10 to 20 words without straining your brain. You can make use of this in questions which is divided into sub questions like questions 1, 2 and 3. 8. Do not use etc. unless you have quoted at least five examples. If you think for a few moments you will get examples which sound different but are essentially the same like bus conductor cheating his passengers, doctor cheating his patients, shop keeper cheating his customers etc. Change the subject and the object, keep the verb same and you will have numerous example in no time. 9. If the question asks to quote 2 incidents more often than not you will be able to think of only 1 good or good enough incident. No question asks you to give equal importance to both the incidents. So write about that one ncident as much as possible. The more you write on it, the less you will have to think for the other one. 10. Stretch the meaning of the word describe to its limits. When they say describe, you DESCRIBE. No detail is unnecessary and no information trivial unless you have crossed the word limit. 11. Anyone from IT industry will know the importance of reuse of work already done by you or someone else does, even if that reuse meant copy paste and portray ing it as new effort and billing the client for the same. Use that approach in your answers. For example answer question 9 properly and you do not need to answer question 15 again. All you will need is a trimming of 50 words. 12. I have skipped question 13 as I had no intention of creating an imaginary situation in my pretty normal and straight forward life of 24 years which would have asked me to act in a non-traditional way. In case you feel you can do it, then you are most welcome. 13. When the whole world is for gender equality we as future managers should not lag behind. Bring gender equality in your answers. When you are referring to a third person use him or her, he or she instead of just him and he. 14. If you were not a part of any social or cultural organization then you cannot skip question 14. Some senior has already posted as to how you can write about the clubs you were part of in the college. And there is no shortage of clubs and committees in any college. Cultural club, movie club, Cricket club, Soccer club. You name it and you will have it. Take one club and write about it as much as possible. If you have not reached the WL take one more. Continue till you reach the WL. 15. Try to think how you can lengthen your sentences without significantly altering the meaning. For example a normal guy or girl will write â€Å"Prefer passive voice in your answer†. You should not fall prey to such highly damaging practices. They are for normal people. You should write â€Å"In writing a response to any question the consistent usage of passive voice is to be preferred over that of active voice†. Doing this consistently over a long paragraph will almost double your word count. 16. All the thoughts that have crossed your mind while answering NPAD should go into the initial answer of question 5. If you can manage sarcasm well then they should go into the latter part. 17. If in the highly improbable scenario that you have already written the answer and cannot touch the word limit, revise the answer by considering each tip from this point by point. It’s a tried and tested approach and one which definitely works. PS. Whether you find the tone of the tips comical or serious will depend on how many questions are yet to be answered by you and how desperate you feel to answer them.