The Holy Quran

The Holy Quran is divided into 30 parts, each one is called â€Å"Seepara†. It has 114 sections or chapters which are called â€Å"Surahs†. Each Chapter of unequal length, consists of individual â€Å"Ayat† or verses. These verses are not decided by human beings, but dictated by God. There are in total 6,666 verses in the Holy Quran. Surah al Baqarah (Ch.2 ) is the longest Chapter comprising 287 verses while Surah al Kauthar( Ch. 108) is the shortest with only four verses including the tasmia. Out of the 114 Surahs, 85 Surahs were revealed in Mecca while 29 Surahs were revealed in Madinah.? Introduction of Surah Al Fatiha: Surah al-Fatiha is the first chapter of the Quran. The word â€Å"Fatiha† comes from the verb â€Å"Fataha† which means â€Å"to open†. â€Å"Al† is a defined article and Fatiha means the opening Surah.It consists of 7 verses, 29 words and 139 letters. It belongs to Juz? 1.There are various names of Surah Al Fatiha such as Umm al-Qur'an, the Mother of the Qur'an, and Umm al-Kitab, the Mother of the Book because the meaning of the entire Qur'an is summarised therein. It is also named Sab'ulMathani, (the Seven Often Repeated Verses), Al-Hamd, (the Praise), Al-Shifa (The Cure) and ArRuqya, the Spiritual Cure. Its recitation is a condition for the effectiveness of the prayer.It is mecci surah and It was initially the 5th chapter to be disclosed but after Furqan e Hameed was assembled together, it was put at the beginning. Al-Fatiha itself means â€Å"The Opening† as this chapter comes right at the start of the Holy Book and serves as a Gateway to read Quran Majeed further. Theme of Surah: The Surah is prayer to Almighty Allah for guidance from bad deeds and to guide us to the straight path, the path of authentic and true muslims which only Allah can grant us. Allah is the most magnificent and bountiful He alone should be asked for help and He has bestowed countless favours on His creation. He is supreme justice and everybody will have to answer Him of their every good or bad deed on the Day of Judgment. Supplication is the core to worship and The Holy Quran encourages the believers for petitioning. â€Å"And your Lord said, Invoke me, I will respond to your supplications. Allah always protect His creation from going on the path of evils.? Virtues of Surah Al Fatiha: †¢ It is a Pillar of Salah;This Surah is very important because without its recitation of prayers become invalid. †¢ The greatness of this Surah is described in the following Hadith;†Do you want me to teach you a Surah the like of which has not been revealed in the Torah, the Injeel, the Zabur, nor the Quran?†, and also asked what He recited in His prayers. He replied Umm-ul-Quran (Surah Fatiha) the Prophet (PBUH) proclaimed, ‘By Him in Whose dominion my soul is, nothing like it has been revealed in the Torah, the Gospel, the Psalms, or the Quran and it is seven of the oft-repeated verses in the Mighty Quran which I have been given.† (Tirmidhi) †¢ It is Cure of diseases and cure for Heart;†You (Oh Allah) we worship and from you do we seek help†. (Ibn Qayim). †¢ Hazrat Abu Saeed al-Khudri narrates;†While on a journey we halted at a place. A girl came to us and said: â€Å"The chief of this tribe has been stung by a scorpion and our men are not present, is there anybody amongst you who can recite something upon him to treat him?† Then, one of our men went along with her although we did not think that he knew any such treatment. However, our friend went to the chief and recited something upon him and the chief was cured. Thereupon, the chief gave him thirty sheep and gave us all milk to drink. When he returned, we asked our friend: â€Å"Did you know anything to recite upon him to cure him?† He said: â€Å"No, I only recited Umm al-Kitab (i.e. Surah al-Fatiha) upon him.† We said that do not do anything until we reach Madinah and ask the Prophet regarding this (practice and rewardwhether the sheep were lawful or not for us). Upon reaching Madinah, we narrated this to the Prophet (PBUH), whereupon he remarked: â€Å"How did he come to know that Al-Fatiha can be used as a cure? (PBUH) Distribute your reward amongst yourselves and a lot a share for me as well†.† (Sahih Bukhari).†¢ Light sent from heaven;An Angel addressed the Prophet (SAW) saying,†Rejoice in two lights brought to you which have not been brought to any prophet before you, Al-Fatiha and the last verses of Al- Baqarah†. Ibn ‘Abbas narrated:†While Jibril was with the Messenger of Allah, he heard a noise from above. Jibril lifted his sight to the sky and said: â€Å"This is a door in the Heavens being opened, and it has never been opened before now.† An Angel descended from that door and came to the Prophet and said: â€Å"Receive the glad tidings of two lights that you have been given, which no other Prophet before you was given: the Opening of the Book (Al Fatiha) and the last verses of ‘al-Baqarah. ‘ You will not read a letter of them except that you will gain its benefit.† (Sahih Muslim).B. Tafseer of Surah Al Fatiha The Verses of the Surah areâ€Å"In The Name of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"(All) praise is (only) Allah's, the Lord of the Worlds.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"The Beneficent, The Merciful.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"Master of the Day of Judgement.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"Thee (alone) do we worship and of Thee (only) do we seek help.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"Guide us (O' Lord) on the Straight Path.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"The path of those upon whom Thou hast bestowed Thy bounties, not (the path) of those inflicted with Thy wrath, nor (of those) gone astray.â€Å"In The Name Of ALLAH:The first ayah of Surah Fatiha is: In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Most Merciful. (Al-Fatiha: 1) This phrase is known as the bismillah. It is good to recite it before doing any action. The meaning of letter Baa:The Baa in the Arabic language can have three different meanings:With – With / In th e name of AllahSeeking help – Seeking help of the name of AllahSeeking blessing – Seeking blessing with the name of AllahThe meaning of Al Rehman and Al Raheem:Both these names are derived from the same root letters: raa, haa, meem; which means to have mercy. They are thus similar in meaning and both are connected to Allah's (SWT) Mercy.The fact that Allah (SWT) mentions two of His Names which have to do with Mercy, rather than Might and Power or so on, shows just how important this Attribute is. The difference between al-Rahman and al-Raheem is that al-Rahman refers to Allah's (SWT) Mercy to all of creation. It is His Mercy which is extended to both believers and disbelievers; animals, and everything that exists. He says in the Qur'an: My Mercy encompasses all things. (Al-A'raf: 156) Al-Rahman therefore indicates the extreme vastness of Allah's (SWT) Mercy. It is mentioned in a hadith that Allah (SWT) divided Mercy into 100 parts and sent down only one part to this dunya. It is from this one part of His Mercy that animals show mercy to their offspring (Sahih Muslim).Al-Raheem refers to Allah's (SWT) Mercy which is specific for the believers. He says in the Qur'an: And He is Full of Mercy to the Believers. (al-Ahzab: 43) al-Raheem therefore indicates the doing of an action.All praise is due to ALLAH:The second ayah is: All praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. (Al-Fatiha: 2) The Meaning of Hamd and the Difference between Hamd and Shukr Hamd means praise and also thankfulness. The scholars differed as to the relation between the words hamd and shukr. Some said that they both have the same meaning. So, the meaning of hamd, in their view, is the same as shukr (thankfulness, gratitude). Hamd is something which must be done with love and reverence, but shukr does not need this. Shukr is done in response to a favour which is done to a person but hamd is done simply because the one being praised and thanked is worthy of that.The meaning of Rabb:Rabb is usually translated as Lord but it is much more encompassing than that. It also includes the meaning of Nurturer, Sustainer, Cherisher and so on. The Rabb is the creator, king, master and the one who controls everything. It comes from the root letters raa, baa, baa: which means to have mastery and control over something.The Beneficent and Most Merciful:The explanation of these two names has already been given. Why then is it repeated? This is to once again emphasis the importance of the quality of mercy. Also, when something is repeated in the Qur'an, then you should look at the ayah before it and after it, to see how they are related. In this case, the previous ayah mentioned that Allah (SWT) is the Rabb of all the worlds. So, His repeating the words, al-Rahman al-Raheem after that, shows us that His being the Rabb – His taking of and sustaining and providing for us – is all part of His Mercy towards us. Master of Day of Judgement:God is the Lord of the Day when all generations of mankind gather together on order to render an account of their conduct, and when each person will be finally rewarded or punished for his deeds. The description of God as Lord of the Day of Judgement following the mention of his benevolence and compassion indicates that we ought to remember another aspect of God as well-namely, that He will judge us all, that He is so absolutely powerful, that on the Day of Judgement no one will have the power either to resist the enforcement of punishments that He decrees or to prevent anyone from receiving the rewards that He decides to confer. Hence, we ought not only to love Him for nourishing and sustaining us and for His compassion and mercy towards us, but should also hold Him in awe because of His justice, and should not forget that our ultimate happiness or misery rests completely with Him.Guides us on the Straight path:This ayah is a dua which we make to Allah (SWT). We ask Him to show us the Straight Path and to guide us on it, so that we will get His Guidance which draws us closer and nearer to Him. We need to struggle towards Allah (SWT) by doing good deeds and by staying away from all bad deeds which will distance us from Him.The meaning of Siraat and mustaqeem:Siraat is a road or path. The conditions are that it must be straight. It must reach the goal and it must be the shortest route to get there. It must also be wide and spacious enough for everyone who wants to travel it.Mustaqeem is derived from istaqaama, which means to be straight, upright, correct. We already said that for a road to be a sirat it must be straight, so this adjective of mustaqeem again emphasis the straightness of this Path. Another meaning of mustaqeem is to remain firm or to stand firm without tilting. For example, a tree that is firmly grounded when the wind blows it is not affected by it. So, the Straight Path is a path on which people are firmly grounded.The Path of Those:The path of those you have blessed, not of those with anger on them, nor of those who are astray. (Al-Fatiha: 7) Who are the people who have been blessed by Allah (SWT) and whose Path we ask to guide to? This is explained by Allah (SWT) in another ayah where He says: Whosoever obeys Allah, and the Messenger, they are with those whom Allah has favored, the Prophets, the sincere, the martyrs and the righteous, and these are the best company. (Al-Nisa': 69) So, the favored and blessed people are the Prophets, the righteous, the martyrs and the pious. And who are the people with anger on them and those who are astray? This is explained by the Prophet. ‘Adi ibn Hatim (RA) asked him about those with anger on them and he replied that it refers to the Jews. He then asked him about those who are astray and he replied that it refers to the Christians. This is reported by al-Tirmidhi and is authentic.C. Impact of Surah Al-Fatiha on the life of a Muslim as servant of Allah.We start all our deeds with the name of Allah Almighty. Since he is the most merciful and beneficent.We should ask Allah Almighty for his mercy and benefits.So a believer becomes solely dependent of Allah Almighty and does not seek help or refuge from anybody else.We should praise Allah Almighty for he is our creator and of the universe. So a believer praises Allah Almighty since he is the creator of everything.Since Allah Almighty is the master of the Day of Judgment so a believer asks Allah Almighty for forgiveness.A Believer asks Allah Almighty to put him on the path of pious people and help be among the ones who were rewarded and not the ones who went astray.

Organisational Behaviour Essay

The concept of the balanced scorecard (BSC) was first introduced by Robert S. Kaplan and David P. Norton (1992) in their now widely cited Harvard Business Review article, â€Å"The Balanced Scorecard—Measures that Drive Performance.† The widespread adoption and use of the BSC is well documented. For example, Kaplan and Norton (2001) reported that by 2001 about 50% of the Fortune 1000 companies in North America and 40% to 45% of companies in Europe were using the BSC. The basic premise of the BSC is that financial results alone cannot capture value-creating activities (Kaplan & Norton, 2001). In other words, financial measures are lagging indicators and, as such, are not effective in identifying the drivers or activities that affect financial results. Kaplan and Norton (1992) suggested that organizations, while using financial measures, should develop a comprehensive set of additional measures to use as leading indicators, or predictors, of financial performance. They su ggested that measures should be developed that address four perspectives: 1. The financial perspective. Measures in this perspective should answer the question, â€Å"How should we appear to our shareholders?† 2. The customer perspective. These measures should answer the question, ABSTRACT. Although the application of the balanced scorecard (BSC) in the business sector is well documented, very little research has been reported regarding the adaptation or application of the BSC in the education sector. In this article, the authors (a) describe how the Baldrige Education Criteria for Performance Excellence has adapted the concept of the BSC to education and (b) discuss significant differences as well as similarities between the BSC for business and the BSC for education. The authors also present examples of the BSCs of three Baldrige Education Award recipients. financial performance (Kaplan & Norton, 1996). Thus, the BSC enables managers to monitor and adjust the implementation of their strategies and to make fundamental changes in them. The Baldrige National Quality Program: An Overview The Baldrige National Quality Program is the vehicle of implementation of The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Improvement Act of 1987–Public Law 100–107. This law was enacted on the basis of a set of â€Å"Findings,† one of which was that [T]he leadership of the United States in product and process quality has been challenged strongly (and sometimes successfully) by foreign competition, and our Nation’s productivity growth has improved less than our competitors’ over the last two decades. (Baldrige National Quality Program, 2003a, p. 61) â€Å"How should we appear to our customers?† 3. Internal business processes perspective. Measures in this perspective should answer the question, â€Å"What processes must we excel at?† 4. Learning and growth perspective. These measures should answer the question, â€Å"How can we sustain our ability to change and improve?† A critical factor for an effective BSC is the alignment of all the measures in the four perspectives with the company’s vision and strategic objectives. The BSC allows managers to track short-term financial results while simultaneously monitoring their progress in building the capabilities and acquiring the intangible assets that generate growth for future The primary objective of the Baldrige Program is to help American businesses improve their competitiveness in the global market. Businesses can improve their competitiveness by identifying role-model organizations, recognizing them, and disseminating their best practices throughout the United States. The Baldrige Program is widely recognized as a very significant factor in strengthening U.S. competitiveness in the global market. In its 1995 report Building on Baldrige: American Quality for the 21st Century, the Council on Competitiveness made the following statements: â€Å"The Baldrige National Quality Award and its state and local offshoots have been key to the effort to strengthen U.S. competitiveness† and â€Å"The Baldrige Award Program, having galvanized U.S. quality efforts, is now positioned to become the vehicle to stimulate and coordinate efforts to expand quality as a national priority† (Council, p. v). The Council (p. 22) also stated that it â€Å"is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of chief executives from business, higher education and organized labor who have joined together to pursue a single overriding goal: to improve the ability of American companies and workers to compete more effectively in world markets, while building a rising standard of living at home.† In 1995, The Council was chaired by Paul Allaire, CEO, Xerox, with Thomas E. Everhart, President, California Institute of Technology, and Jack Sheinkman, President, Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union, AFL-CIO, CLC, as vice-chairmen. Recipients of the Baldrige Award are obligated to present their â€Å"best practices† at one national and two regional conferences. In addition to these obligatory presentations, there is a great demand for additional presentations. Through 1998, past Baldrige Award recipients made approximately 30,000 presentations. The centerpiece of the Baldrige Program is the Criteria for Performance Excellence. These criteria define a stateof-the-art management model that integrates the following seven areas into a comprehensive system: leadership; strategic planning; customer and market focus; measurement, analysis, and knowledge management; human resource focus; process management; and business results. In Figure 1, we show the framework of the criteria in a systems perspective. The criteria maintain currency through annual revisions and improvements that incorporate emerging issues and best practices (Baldrige National Quality Program, 2003a). The criteria place heavy emphasis on the development of a comprehensive measurement system that is aligned with the company’s strategic objectives. The measurement system yields results in the following areas (Baldrige National Quality Program, 2003a): 1. Customer-focused results 2. Product and service results 3. Financial and market results 4. Human resource results 5. Organizational effectiveness results, including key internal operations performance measures 6. Governance and social responsibility results Clearly, this set of results is consistent with the basic concept of the BSC. The financial and market results are the only lagging indicator and cover the BSC’s financial perspective. The customerfocused results obviously cover the BSC’s customer perspective. The product and service results together with the organizational effectiveness results cover the BSC’s internal business perspective. The human resource results cover the BSC’s learning and growth perspective. The governance and social responsibility results were added in 2003 and represent a new perspective in view of the recent, well known collapses that giant corporations experienced owing to unethical practices. The Baldrige Education Criteria for Performance Excellence In 1995, the Baldrige National Quality Program began the process of converting the business criteria for use in the education sector. This process culminated in the development of the Education Criteria for Performance Excellence and with Congressional approval of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for Education in 1999. In Figure 2, we show the framework of the education criteria in a systems perspective. Clearly, this framework is very similar to that of the business criteria shown in Figure 1. In 2001, three educational institutions became the first recipients of the Baldrige Award. The BSC in the Education Criteria for Performance Excellence Although the concept of the BSC has been widely adopted and used in the business sector, the education sector apparently has not embraced the BSC concept widely, as indicated by the dearth of published research on this topic. A thorough review of the literature yielded few significant publications. For example, Cullen, Joyce, Hassall, and Broadbent (2003) proposed that a balanced scorecard be used in educational institutions for reinforcement of the importance of managing rather than just monitoring performance. Sutherland (2000) reported that the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California adopted the balanced scorecard approach to assess its academic program and planning process. Also, Chang and Chow (1999) reported that responses in a survey of 69 accounting department heads were generally supportive of the balanced scorecard’s applicability and benefits to accounting programs. The importance of measurement permeates the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence. The focus on measurement in the criteria first appears in the set of â€Å"Core Values and Concepts.† These factors comprise the philosophical foundations of performance excellence and are as follows (Baldrige National Quality Program, 2003b): 1. Visionary leadership 2. Learning-centered education 3. Organizational and personal learning In the â€Å"focus on the future† core value, the criteria state that â€Å"a major longer-term investment associated with your organization’s improvement is the investment in creating and sustaining a mission-oriented assessment system focused on learning† (Baldrige National Quality Program, 2003b, p. 3). The criteria recommend that organizations use both (a) formative assessment to measure learning early in the learning process to allow for timely intervention, if needed, and (b) summative assessment to measure progress against key relevant external standards and norms regarding the knowledge and skills that students have (Baldrige National Quality Program, 2003b). In the â€Å"management by fact† core value, the criteria make the following statement: â€Å"A major consideration in per-formance improvement and change management involves the selection and use of performance measures and indicators. The measures or indicators you select should best repres ent the factors that lead to improved student, operational, and financial performance. A comprehensive set of measures or indicators tied to student, stakeholder, and/or organizational performance requirements represents a clear basis for aligning all processes with your organization’s goals† (Baldrige National Quality Program, 2003b, p. 4). The congruence of the portion in italics with the basic premise and the perspectives of the BSC is clear. In the â€Å"focus on results and creating value† core value, the criteria state that â€Å"the use of a balanced composite of leading and lagging performance measures offers an effective means to communicate short and longer term priorities, monitor actual performance, and provide a clear basis for improving results† (Baldrige National Quality Program, 2003b, p. 4). The criteria make the following statement in the â€Å"systems perspective† core value: â€Å"Alignment means using key linkages among requirements given in the Baldrige Categories to ensure consistency of plans, processes, measur es, and actions† (Baldrige National Quality Program, 2003b, p. 5). The 11 core values and concepts are embodied in the following seven categories: 1. Leadership 2. Strategic planning 3. Student, stakeholder, and market focus 4. Measurement, analysis, and knowledge management 5. Faculty and staff focus 6. Process management 7. Organizational performance results In Figure 2, we show the framework connecting and integrating these seven categories into a comprehensive system. In describing Figure 2, the criteria state, in part, that â€Å"Measurement, Analysis, and Knowledge Management (Category 4) are critical to the effective management of your organization and to a fact-based system for improving performance.

Verification of Heat Treatments Effect on the Microstructure of Aluminum Alloy (Al-Zn)

VERIFICATION OF HEAT TREATMENTS EFFECT ON THE MICROSTRUCTURE OF ALUMINUM ALLOY (Al-Zn) *1 I. A. LATEEF, and 2 M. O. DUROWOJU 1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Osun State College of Technology, P. M. B. 1011, Esa – Oke, Nigeria. [email  protected] com 2Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo,State, Nigeria *(Address of correspondence) ABSTRACT: This study focused on the effect of heat treatment on the microstructure of Aluminum – Zinc Alloy. The composition of the Aluminum alloy used is eighty percent (80%) of Aluminum and twenty percent (20%) of Zinc. The method of casting employed is Sand casting, while annealing and quenching were heat treatment processes it’s subjected to. The microstructure is taken. It is concluded that heat treatment have effect on the microstructure of Aluminum – Zinc alloy and responded well to Oil quench. [Keywords: Aluminum-Zinc Alloy, Heat treatment, Microstructure, Tensile test, Hardness test, Annealing and Water quenching. INTRODUCTION The extensive application of metals in the field of Engineering has necessitated the need for metal heat treatments in order to meet the taste of firm, industries and individual as a result of their wide engineering application. One of the major engineering fields where the application of various metals was used is Automobile engineering. In order to reduce motor vehicle weight, many automotive components have been redesigned to take advantage o f material such as lightweight and polymers. To this end aluminum casting alloys are being widely used for many automotive components (CAD, 2006), the alloys have good casting characteristics, reasonable mechanical properties, and are heat treatable (Melo, Rizzo and Santos, 2005). Material science and engineering today has developed to a stage where correlations between microstructure, properties and application can be established for many commonly used alloys. The structure of a material is related to its composition, properties, processing history and performance (Argo and Gruziesk,(1988) and Rooy,(1993)). And therefore, studying the microstructure of aluminum alloys provides information linking its composition and processing to its properties and performance interpretation of microstructure requires the understanding of the process by which various structures are formed. There are many processes by which aluminum alloys can be formed. The major process that is common and the focus of this study is the Sand casting process (Albert, (1957)). One of the common defects in aluminum castings is porosity (Monroe, (2005) and Tyler, 1981)). It is a clear fact that the quantity and the appearance of the porosity are very crucial to the mechanical properties of the aluminum alloy casting, most especially the fatigue properties because the pore in micro scale are primary source of initial cracks for the final failure of the aluminum parts. Due to this the aluminum alloys structure need to be improved by metal treatment to have the required properties. Olanrewaju (2000), stated that metal treatments are classified into two groups namely-: Heat treatment and surface treatment. Surface treatment as corrosion resistance operations includes phosphating chroming nickeling, anodization and so on, While heat treatment as structural adjuster includes hardening, tempering toughening and so on (Ojediran and Alamu, (2004) and Vincet,(1968)). In this study, the effects of such heat treatment are determined to know the extent of their impact on the aluminum – Zinc alloys (Al- Zn). MATERIAL AND EXPERIMENTAL TECHNIQUES Materials used The targeted materials composition, uses and forms are as follows: TABLE 1 THE COMPOSITION, USES AND FORMS OF ALUMINUM ALLOYS |Composition | Uses | Forms | |Al – Zn 20% |Armored vehicle, Military | Rod (10mm x 150 mm) | | bridge, Motorcycle and | | | |Bicycle frames, | | | |Air frames etc | | Equipments used The following equipments were used for the study: Pit furnace, Sand mould, Electrical furnace, and Crucible Pots at FIIRO, Nigeria. And Mosanto Tensometer, Wild metallurgical Microscope, Polishing Machine,and Manual Grinding Machine at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Others are-Digital Cameral, Patterns, Grit papers, Emery Cloth/Paper, Silicon carbide solution of different grade and NaOH Solution Methods Casting Process A Crucible pots is used, 1 kg of commercial purity Aluminum (99. 7 % pure by weight) and 250g of Zinc is used. The alloying element Zn is put first in the Pot because of its high melting point (1108oc) which is higher than that of the base metal aluminium (660oc). So, the Zinc (Zn) in the pot is lowered first into the furnace while the aluminium is added after Zn has commenced melting. The mass of each of the alloying elements used for each sample can be obtained as follows: Total mass of mixture for the samples= frames Mass of Al + Mass of alloying element = 1kg + 0. 250kg = 1. 250kg Percentage of Aluminum (Al) in the mixture = mass of Al/Total mass x 100 =1/1. 250 x 100 = 80% Percentage of alloying element (Zn) = Mass of alloying element/Total mass x 100 =0. 25 / 1. 50 x 100 = 20% The dimension of one sample is as following: Height of the sample =150mm (15cm) Diameter of the sample = 12 mm (1. 2 cm) Radius of the sample =60mm (0. 6cm) Shape of the sample= Cylindrical Volume of the sample (V) =? r2h = 3. 142 x (0. 6) 2 x 13 = 16. 96 cm3 Density of Aluminum = 2. 69g/cm2 (Olagoke, 1999). Mass of sample used = ? x V = 2. 69 x 16. 96 = 45. 64 g Therefore, 80 % of Aluminum = 36. 51 g for each sample Also, 20% of Alloying element (Zn)= 9. 13 g For each sample (rod form) 36. 51 g Al + 9. 13 g of alloying element (Zn) were used. The samples for heat treatment are: Sample 1 =as received from Casting process. Sample 2 = for quenching in Water. Sample 3 = for Oil quench Sample 4 = for annealing (Furnace cool). The method adopted in casting the samples is sand molding (Sand casting). The casting process is performed at FIIRO Nigeria Limited, Lagos. The pattern is made from wood with the following dimensions Height – 15 cm Diameter – 1. 2 cm The sand used is the traditional-green sand’ which is a mixture of sand grains and clay particles, clean sand with oil and binders). The mould used is a conventional vertical sand mould. The drag is placed upside down on a firm flat surface and the pattern is placed face down and pattern is placed face down and then, dusted with a parting powder. Handfuls of sifted sand are then thrown at the pattern, covering every detail (Sand slinging). The sand is rammed. The drag is turned upside down with a swift movement. The cope is fitted onto the drag. The cope is rammed with sand and strictly making the top smooth and firm. And the cope is removed. The crucible is held about half way down with tongs and withdrawal from he furnace. Dross is raked away from pouring lip with heated skimmer and the metal poured in one continuous stream until it appears at the head of the riser. When the casting has solidified and cooled, the sand is knocked out and the casting fettled. Heat treatments process Heat treatment is also carried out at FIIRO Nigeria limited, Lagos. The types of heat treatment carried out are: Annealing and Quenching. Three each of Al-Zn casting samples were put in the electrical furnace (up to 3300oc). The soaking time for the sample in the furnace is one hour, after which two of the Al-Zn casting samples is removed and quench in both water and oil while the last one of Al-Zn is allowed to cool in the furnace atmosphere (annealing). Microstructure Analysis Process. The microstructure was done at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. The samples were machined and grounded to gauge 240, 320, 400, 600 each using Grinding Machine and Grit paper. Each sample is initially polished, using Polishing machine, emery cloth and Silicon Carbide. The final polishing is done with the aid of Polishing machine, Emery cloth and Silicon carbide of different grades while etching took effect using 5% NaOH Solution. Each sample is examined using the Optical Microscope to check that etch reveal clearly the Microstructure of the sample. The photograph of the resulting microstructure of the aluminum-Zinc (Al- Zn) alloy samples were taken using Optical microscope with x100 magnification and Digital Cameral. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Discussion on the Microstructure Results of Al- Zn Alloys. The figure 2 below shows the microstructure of Al-Zn alloy, As received sample i. without heat treatment. It can be observed that the grains were not homogeneous and pores are numerous towards the peripheral zone Figure 2 Microstructure of As Received; Al – Zn alloy Sample 1. The figure 3 below shows the microstructure of Al –Zn alloy, Oil quenched sample. It can be observed that the grains are more homogeneous and well distributed towards the core. The pores are not numerous compare to Al- Cu alloy, As received sample. Figure 3 Microstructure of Oil Quench; Al – Zn Alloy Sample 3.. Figure 4 below shows the microstructure of Al- Cu alloy, Furnace cooled sample. It can be observed that the grains were deformed at peripheral more than at the core of the structure and there are more pores than that of As received sample and Oil quenched sample. this indicates that there is no significant improvement in the microstructure arrangement of grains when Al-Cu alloy is oil quenched Figure 4 Microstructure of Furnace Cooled; Al – Zn Alloy Sample 4. Figure 5 below shows the microstructure of Al- Zn alloy, Water quenched sample. It can be observed that the grains were deformed throughout the structure and there are more pores than that of As received sample and Oil quenched sample. This indicates that there is no significant improvement in the microstructure arrangement of grains when Al-Zn alloy is Water quenched. Figure 5 Microstructure of Water Quench; Al – Zn Alloy Sample 2. . CONCLUSION From the result of the experiments, it can be deduced that: (i) The arrangement of the microstructure grains and pores are more even with the Oil quench method than any other heat treatment methods in Al – Zn alloy. (ii) There is relationship between the heat treatments method (Oil quench) and microstructure of Al- Zn alloy. iii) Oil quench Aluminium Zinc alloy (Al – Zn ) is more appropriate for the production of Armored vehicle, Military bridge, Motorcycle frames and Bicycle frames and Air frames ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The workers of FIIRO Nigeria limited,Lagos and Mr Alo of Metallurgy and Material Department, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile- Ife, Osun State, Nigeria are acknowledge for providing the facilities for this research work. REFERENCES Ojediran, J. O . and Alamu, O. J. (2005) Fundamental concepts in Materials Science and Engineering; Kunle (Nig) Printers; Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria. Vol. 1, 1st ed, pp. 46. Vincet, A. (1968) Workshop Theory for G. C. E. Metalwork and Engineering; Macmillan, 2ed, pp. 11- 14. Olagoke, S. A. (1999) Properties of Materials; Rosad and Company, Ibadan, 1st ed, pp. 210 – 211. Tyler, H. A. (1981) Science and Materials (Level iii); Van Nostrand Reinhold Limited, Australia,1st ed, pp. 170 Copper Development Association (CAD 2006) Standards and Properties – Microstructure of copper alloys Albert P. G. (1957) The fundamentals of Iron and Steel castings; The international Nickel Company, Inc. U. S. A. , pp. 11 Melo, M. L. N. , Rizzo, E. M. S. and Santos, R. G. 2005) Numeral Simulation Application in Microporosity Prevision in Aluminum alloy castings; Revisa Brasileira Applicacoes de Vacuo, vol. 24, pp. 36-40. Monroe, R. (2005) Porosity in casting; Schaumburg, USA, Siver Anniversary Paper, Division 4,American Foundry Society. pp. 1 – 28. ASM Metals Handbook,(1988); 9ed, Vol. 15, Casting, ASM Rooy, E. E. (1993) Hydrogen: Th e one- third Solution AFS Transactions, Vol. 101, and PP. 961 – 964. Argo, D. and Gruzleski J. E. (1988) Porosity in Modified Aluminum alloy Castings, AFST Transactions, Vol. 96, and pp. 65 – 73. ———————– [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic]

English class written assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

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International marketing communication Assignment

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COMPARE THE UNITED STATES BILL OF RIGHTS TO THE ENGLISH MAGNA CARTA OF Term Paper

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Japanese Mourning Ritual Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

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Operations and Enterprise Resource Planning Essay - 1

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Platos Republic Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

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International and domestic air transportation services Essay Example for Free

International and domestic air transportation services Essay Introduction The Qantas group operates international and domestic air transportation services for leisure and business traveling, freight and logistics services .It is also provides support activities including information technology, catering ground handling, engineering and maintenance. Qantas with its dual strategy brand Jetstar flies now to more than 173 destinations in 42 countries and operates a fleet of 246 aircraft. The objective of this airline is to operate a 20-strong airbus 380 fleet by 2015.The group is also a part of the world global marketing and code-sharing alliance, which consists of 11 leading airlines. Qantas’ stakeholders are its shareholders, employees, customer, business partners and the community. Indirect stakeholders include the media, governments and non-government organizations. They all have a major influence on the business, its strategy and therefore its performance. It is to mention that Qantas group is in the unique position of having two outstanding and well established brands in both the premium and low fares categories with Qantas and Jetstar, which makes it a magnitude rival for Singapore Airlines. The headquarters of Qantas is located in New South Wales, Australia. It is split up into three main branches which include the Flying business, flying services Businesses and the Associated Services. All departments of this group have focused on one goal and that’s nothing except ensuring high quality service in most efficient way. But they long term purpose is to operate the world’s best premium airline, Qantas, and the world’s best low fare s carrier, Jetstar. Body Comprehensive Porters 5 forces analysis Nowadays, Porter’s Five Forces model is the most important force which affects the Airline industry, especially because the market is completely saturated. There are more service providers than needed in both local as well as international markets (GreenBb, 2008). The airlines continuously compete against each other in terms of customer services, technology, prices, in-flight entertainment, and many more areas (GreenBb, 2008). Actually, Porter’s Model is a business strategy tool which is used to analyze the competitiveness and attractiveness of the airline industry of which Qantas operates. It is considered as an important part of planning tool set (Kawatra, 2013).Its analysis consists of 5 fundamental competitive forces: The rivalry among existing players: Medium to High Qantas is faced with competition within the domestic airline industry in Australia from Virgin Blue and Tiger Airways and international competition from all major airline operators including British Airways and Deutsche Lufthansa (all three airline operators are national flagship carriers). The fierce rivalry has resulted in high cost of competition, lower profits and slow market growth. Bargaining power of Suppliers: Medium The main factors which determine the bargaining power of suppliers include switching costs, substitute suppliers, threat of backward and forward integration and supplier concentration. The airline supplier market for aircrafts is very concentrated as there are two main suppliers, Boeing and Airbus. Their bargaining power is high in this industry (GreenBb, 2008). This restricts Qantas, along with its competitors, from exercising control over their suppliers to generate higher profit. Threat of Substitutes: Low The threat of alternative solution to international airline travel is somehow limited. However, the threat for domestic airline travel includes train, bus or car travel which is determinants of money, preference, time and convenience of the traveller. The ease of switching to a substitute increases competition (xiamichael, 2012). Hence, when switching cost is relatively low, the competition becomes higher and price becomes even more important. The airline industry is very competitive and as a result, profit margins are usually low. Also, the bargaining of the supplier is very high which undermines companies in the airline industry to exercise control over their supplier. With high entry cost, new competition into the international airline market is very low. Qantas can continue to dominate this market while still competing with domestic market using the Frequent Flyer programme increase loyal customer. Threat of new entry: Low In the world today, the airline industry is so saturated that there is hardly space for a newcomer even to squeeze its way in. The biggest for this is the cost of entry. The high cost of buying and leasing aircraft; operational activities including safety and security measures, customer service and manpower; makes the airline industry one of the most expensive industries (Q.G). Other barriers to entry which will prohibit new comers into the airline industry include Government restrictions and the brand name of existing airlines. Brand name recognition and frequent fliers point also play a role in the airline industry. An airline with a strong brand name and incentives can often attract a customer even if its prices are higher. On the other hand, a newcomer could just enter this saturated market easier with a completely new concept or technology (GreenBb, 2008). Bargaining power of Buyer: Medium to Decline The bargaining power of buyers is another force that can affect the competitive position of a company. The airline industry is very competitive as they are competing for the same passengers and switching cost between airline operators is low. As a result, the buyer power is high in this industry. There are various choices presented to customers; which usually means brand loyalty or price is the main factors when selecting an airline (Q.G). Buyers for Qantas include business travelers, leisure travelers, and travel agents. In fact, they demand value for every dollar spent, therefore they expect more and more from the airline. Qantas has the frequent flyer program which rewards loyal customers and increases switching costs for a passenger selecting a rival airline operator. Add to this, the technology developments help the Qantas to reduce the buyer power (xiamichael, 2012). Conclusion The airline industry is very competitive and as a result, profit margins are usually low. Also, the bargaining of the supplier is very high which undermines companies in the airline industry to exercise control over their supplier. With high entry cost, new competition intothe international airline market is very low. Qantas can continue to dominate this market while still competing with domestic market using the Frequent Flyer program increase loyal customer. Factor| Characterization (Current)| Future Trend| | Threat Rating| Key Rational| Threat Rating| Key Rational| Rivalry Among Existing Competitors | Degree of seller concentration?| Y-H| There are more airline companies as compared to the customers’ requirement, that’s why this market is saturated.| Y-H| Top class air lines are also now focusing on the lower price to gain maximum market share.E.g. Qantas has initiated jet star. | Rate of industry growth?| Y-H| Yes, it’s growing but the substitute factors also make it very hard to maintain that growth rate. And also there is Lack of diversification| Y-H| In future It would be same as it is according to today’s forecasting.| Significant cost differences among firms?| Y-H| Major costs and expenses are same but it depend on the destination airline is operating.| Y-H| Same trend will continue.| Excess capacity?| Y-H| There is immense competition in airline industry that leads to excessive capacity as compared to demand. | Y-H| Customers’ growth will be overcome by the competitors’ competition. | Degree of product differentiation among sellers? | Y-M| Qantas has both high cost carrier as well as low cost carrier.| Y-L| Innovation and technology will lead to new opportunities to the airline industry.| Brand loyalty to existing sellers?| Y-H| There is no brand loyalty by the customer because of price competition in the industry.| Y-H| Same trend Will Remain as it is.| Buyers’ costs of switching from one competitor to another?| Y-H| Just one click for changing the airline from thei r computer screen.Most of customers change the airline on the bases of price factor| Y-H| No change in near future.| Strengths of exit barriers?| Y-H| because of high capital cost for equipment (air planes) and other facilities there would be a huge waste.| Y-M| Some factor like technology might help to reduce the cost| Can firms adjust prices quickly?| Y-H| Of course with considering price strategies they would adjust.| Y-H| Same costing strategies.| Factor| Characterization (Current)| Future Trend| | Threat Rating| Key Rational| | Threat Rating| Threats of New Entrants | Significant economies of scale? | Y-M| It would cost a lot to buy/lease an aircraft| Y-H| The costs of buying or leasing aircrafts are decreasing. | Importance of reputation or established brand in purchase decision?| Y-H| The competition is based on price| Y-H| The competition is based on price| Entrants’ access to distribution channels?| Y-H| High accessibility to lots of websites and application would make it much easier and also There are flight centers and travel agencies| Y-H| With the fast growing technology it will open even more doors through the accessibility to distribution channels| Entrants’ access to technology/know how?| Y-M| professional courses which could make it possible to learn how to use the technology| Y-L| The number of skilled labor would decrease| Entrants’ access to favorable location?| Y-H| All the firms operate from airports.| Y-H| All firms operating from airports.| Government protection of incumbents?| Y-M| There should be some government regulation But it still going to be attainable| Y-L| More regulation would be needed in order to make the environment more secure and safe| Factor| Characterization (Current)| Future Trend| | Threat Rating| Key Rational| | Threat Rating| Pressure From Substitutes | Availability of close substitutes?| Y-M| Tele conference, online chats and VOIP could replace the be exactly at the place Also for short distances it could be replaced with railways, buses, personal transportation.But still it could be the best choice for long distance and international traveling and also the fastest way.| Y-H| Their impact becomes significant when the speed advantage of aircraft becomes less important| Price-value characteristics of substitutes?| Y-M| They are all the same, even sometimes it could cost more| Y-H| Substitutes’ costs will decrease while airline costs are relatively fixed.| Availability of close complements?| Y-M| Frequent flyer programs, hotels, and tour packages| Y-M| Complements environment would be limited| Price-value characteristics of complements?| Y-M| The prices are reasonable but there are alternatives than going after packages and loyalty programs| Y-M| -| Factor| Characterization (Current)| Future Trend| | Threat Rating| Key Rational| | Threat Rating| Power of Suppliers | Is Suppliers’ industry more concentrated than industry it sells to?| Y-H| Suppliers such aircraft and engine producers are consider as oligopoly | Y-M| There will be more supplier| Few substitutes for suppliers’ input?| Y-H| There would not be that much substitution for the suppliers| Y-M| There will be more supplier| Do firms in industry make relationship-specific investments to support transactions with specific suppliers?| Y-H| Airport services are concentrated in the small area of air ports but low changing costs.| Y-H| Same Trends expected.| Are suppliers able to price discriminate among prospective customers according to ability/willingness to pay for input?| Y-H| With a high competitive industry and the limited suppliers and fixed regulations price discrimination threat is highly expected.| Y-M| More manufacturers/service providers are expected.| Factor| Characterization (Current)| Future Trend| | Threat Rating| Key Rational| | Threat Rating| Power of Buyers | Is industry buyers more concentrated than the industry it purchases from?| Y-H| Because there is a very competitive industry price discrimination mostly happens | Y-M| There will be more supplier.| Do buyers purchase in large volumes? Does a buyer’s purchase volume represent large fraction of typical seller’s sales revenue?| Y-H| There would be a high scale of supply and low scale of demand with the buyer’s market| Y-H| There would be a high scale of supply and low scale of demand with the buyer’s market| Can buyers find substitutes for industry’s product?| Y-H| Separate transactions | Y-H| With more transactions expected but still not enough for a high volume purchases. | Are prices in the market negotiated between buyers and sellers on each individual transaction or do sellers â€Å"post’ a â€Å"take-it-or-leave it price† that applies to all transactions?| Y-H| Websites increased the price transparency | Y-H| Same trends expected.| Bibliography GreenBb. (2008). Industry Analysis. Kawatra, P. (2013, january). Porters Five Forces Model. Retrieved from http://www.studymode.com/course-notes/Porters-Five-Forces-Model-1340484.html. Q.G. (n.d.). The Qantas group international and domestic air transportation services. Retrieved from http://www.ukessays.com/essays/management/the-qantas-group-international-and-domestic-air-transportation-services-management-essay.php. xiamichael. (2012, June). Qantas 5 Forces. Retrieved from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Qantas-5-Forces-1021718.html.

Effect of Social Media on Social Movements

Effect of Social Media on Social Movements The new media platforms, such as social networking sites, have benefited from the internet that has made globalization real. Apart from giving the minority group an opportunity to achieve larger public acknowledgment, it also offers them a chance for self-expression. To begin with, media acts as a mode through which information is transferred to a large group of people. In the process, it constructs and outlines the public opinion on different societal matters. Minority groups, such as women, LGBT, disabled people, and immigrants, have had hardly solved challenges since their voices are unheard due to stereotypes in the society. (Castells) States that one important characteristic of the new platforms of media is that it is digital, and this avails it all parts of the world. New media has given the minority groups equal access to global affairs. The history of womens rights started in the 1960s where women fought for suffrage rights, inclusion in state positions, and other equality rights. Nonetheless, women rights have been violated across the world. Evidently, women hardly get the same platforms to express themselves as men do. Gender inequalities occur because of societal norms and stereotypes placed on a particular group of people due to their gender orientation; women in this case (Reifovà ¡ and Tereza). Fortunately, through new media platforms, women from different cultures have been able to fight for their rights. In this regard, online media has proved to be an essential tool in raising awareness on several women issues in different societies. Women have used this platform to advance their fight for their rights up to international levels. Mainly, social media has been used by several groups of women to push for accountability on activities related to women rights violation. Currently, social media platforms like Fa cebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and others have helped women to raise gender consciousness, organize equality campaigns, share ideas, and participate in policy development on gender-related issues (Chetkow-Yanoov). These women networks have brought changes to countries like India, Kenya, Brazil, Egypt and Saudi Arabia among others. Several online campaigns have proved useful in the fight for human rights in countries that violence against women is rampant. For instance, Egyptian women have had to go through sexual harassment for a long time, but this has changed ever since campaigns like #MeToo were launched through Twitter as a new media platform (Reifovà ¡ and Tereza). This campaign was meant to let women share their experiences and tell the world about their plight. The campaigns paid off since the government introduced a law against sexual harassment and women could take legal action against their oppressors. Another example of such movements in Egypt was a Facebook campaign called â€Å"Mat3brhash†. This campaign was started by Egyptian women to resist violence and harassment that they experience in the country. The campaign has drawn the attention of various organizations throughout the world and can be considered as an attempt to confront women harassment in Egypt. Similarly, Saudi Arabia has been battling gender inequality due to the conservatism nature form their culture and religion. In their case, the impact of social media on the right of women to drive in Saudi Arabia cannot be underestimated. For instance, Saudi Arabian women activists have managed to battle equality challenges by using media to highlight their experience. For instance, in 2011, on the wave of the Arab Spring, which led to political reforms, the Women2drive movement was formed. Activist Manal al-Sharif played a prominent role in it: she conducted propaganda in Facebook, laying out videos in which she showed her skills in machine control. Al-Sharif was later arrested. In another instance, in 2014, a human rights activist, Loujain al-Hathloul, drove a car to a territory of Saudi Arabia in protest against the law banning women from driving vehicles in Saudi Arabia. She was arrested and detained in police custody for close to three months. Women from the Saudi Arabia conducted several campaigns on social networks demanding the right to drive cars. Previously, only men could get a drivers license. In case a woman was seen driving in a public place, police officers could arrest her. Following a public outcry, such bans have been lifted. After the government allowed women to drive, to obtain the rights of women in Saudi Arabia does not even require the permission of male relatives, which is still necessary when getting a passport, crossing the border, and marrying. Equally, the #BringBackOurGirls was created in Nigeria to campaign for the release of schoolgirls who Boko Haram, a militia group in the country, abducted. This Nigeria’s abduction of students made the world come together to facilitate the release of the girls. Fortunately, some of the girls were rescued. LGBT groups of people have been depicted differently in media throughout history. Before the 20th century, the LGBT community has had negative representation by the media (Castells). It was portrayed as a perversion or even crime. However, this has changed significantly through new media and recently many countries like the US legalizing it. Mainly using social media, the LGBT community has made it their responsibility to make them known and define their culture. The positive representation has served to make the community acceptable within the society, and several people are giving them the necessary support (Alston and Knuckey). Recent years have seen the increase of LGBT community in TV shows, dramas, and others. This representation whether positive or mirroring the stereotypes in the society has helped impart knowledge about this minority group to the people (Castells). However, the transgender people have not had proper representation as compared to the gays, lesbians, and bisex uals. Notably, the transgender group has not been in public light as long as the others, and they have to face their challenges in order to triumph. Currently, the important thing is that media coverage of events and issues related to the rights and self-esteem of homosexuals has improved the publicity of the LGBT groups. For instance, homosexuals and lesbians are treated differently than ethnic, religious, or other social minorities. A notable example of an LGBT is Caitlyn Jenner, who formerly identified herself as a male. Caitlyn Jenner, once called Bruce Jenner, was an American television character and a former Olympic gold medal frontrunner in decathlete. Jenner has been using social media to fight for the rights of the transgender people. In 2015, she came out as a trans-woman having battled gender dysphoria from her youth. Due to her moves to fight for the rights of the transgender people in the society, Caitlyn, as a media celebrity, has made people become more accepting of the LGBT group lately. Another minority group that is worth analyzing is people with various disabilities, both physical and mental. Those with disabilities have not had it easy in history. They have been an easy target by people who seek to take advantage of them. Due to their disability, they are not able to carry out certain tasks and thus are vulnerable to accept help from not so trustworthy individuals. The phrase â€Å"disability is not inability† has been going around for some time now and the phrase is meant to let the public realize that the disabled can also live a normal life and participate in activities that were thought to be impossible for them. Through media, the stereotyping is slowly dying as the disabled community are proving themselves capable to the world. The same way other people try to make life easier by innovation, the handicapped life can also be made easier through assistance using technology. At some point in history, the deaf were considered passive members of the socie ty (Reifovà ¡ and Tereza). However, this has significantly changed through media. The deaf can participate in discussions through social media without requiring interpreters and such assistance. An example of a disability person who fights for the rights of this group is Judy Heumann, who is an American activist for the disability community. She has been a civil rights campaigner for handicapped people who use social media to foster her course. Another example is Wade Blank, an American disability activist. Using new media platforms, he has been leading campaigns on national rights for the disabled people. Blank heads â€Å"American Disabled Attendant Programs Today â€Å"ADAPT† and has been lobbying make public places easily reached by the disabled people. Digital communication provided by new media platforms has been helpful in making life easier for migrants. The social media has given the migrants the opportunities they did not have before. Migrants currently can participate in political as well as social life in both country of origin and the country they reside in (Castells). In fact, the migrants are able to get a clearer perspective of the happenings in their home countries. The migrants can exchange information through social media with their friends and families that still are in their home countries. The exchange of information makes it possible to bring social and political change in those countries. Websites like Kginfo.ru and Tajmigrant.com are used in Russia by new migrants to communicate to their original governments in order to provide them with strategies of being incorporated in their new country. Overall, in the recent times, mass communication/the media has become one of the most important instruments of influence on society, especially on matters of immigration. Media portrayal of challenges that immigrants face in their lives affects their status and social rights. Overall, a vivid representative of the ideological influence in the mass media, that disseminates various behavior patterns imposes standards and dictates life patterns. Which, with prolonged perception, have a significant impact on the modern society, especially on the minority groups, such as the women, LGBT, immigrants, and the disabled people. The new media platforms alone cannot solve the minority groups’ problems. However, the power it has, with regard to fueling reforms, is great. Through social media, laws have been amended, and so many more movements have been created to fight for the rights of the minority groups in various quarters. Different minority groups have different challenges and there use of new media can sometimes lead to uncommon results. The majority people create the notion of a minority group, and so the change can be affected when their perspectives change. Together with authoritative bodies, media can be employed to impart knowledge and shape the perspective the majority have of minority groups in order to bring social change. Works Cited Alston, Philip, and Sarah Knuckey. The Transformation of Human Rights Fact-Finding. Oxford University Press, 2016 Castells, Manuel. Networks of outrage and hope: Social movements in the Internet age. Polity Press, 2012. Chetkow-Yanoov, B Harold. Social Work Approaches to Conflict Resolution: Making Fighting Obsolete. Routledge, 2013. Reifovà ¡, Irena, and Tereza Pavlà ­ckovà ¡. Media, Power and Empowerment: Central and Eastern European Communication and Media Conference Ceecom Prague 2012.

Collective Responsibility For Learning And Education

Collective Responsibility For Learning And Education It is often heard that two brains are better than one. And the idea of such makes perfect sense. One would suppose that by working together, more will be accomplished. But does this apply to a school, its administrators and teachers, and its students? As stated in this article, data was provided, hypotheses were assumed, and studies were completed to see if, in fact, collective responsibility does have promising impacts. Throughout the course of this essay, the importance of collective responsibility within a school and its effects on gains in achievement for early secondary school students will be examined, tested, and discussed. What is collective responsibility? The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy refers to collective responsibility as a shared responsibility (Smiley, 2005). This definition is displayed similarly in a school. Collective responsibility is all members of the school (including but not limited to administrators, teachers, counselors) accepting responsibility for the students success or lack thereof. Authors Valerie E. Lee (an associate professor of education at the University of Michigan) and Julia B. Smith (an assistant professor of education administration and school reform at the University of Rochester) conducted an experiment to determine if the organization of teachers work influences students. (Lee and Smith, 1996). This study focused on three theories: the before mentioned collective responsibility for student learning, staff cooperation, and control over classroom and school work conditions (Lee and Smith, 1996). The article states that it is important for a secondary school to bur eaucratically distribute knowledge into partitions with each group having its own set of experts. For example, teachers would undertake the role of knowledge experts. With this, teachers will be cooperating amongst one another in order to improve upon past teaching methods in hopes gaining student achievement. These educators will not only benefit from face to face interaction with their colleagues, but they will also take part in teamwork. (Lee and Smith, 1996). Lastly, the authors of this article believe that distributing control will produce more effective decision makers as teachers. This idea of empowerment suggests that decision making over resources, technical skills, and curriculum knowledge be handled properly by administrators and teachers. While there is no known relationship between teacher control and student outcome, there is a connection between teacher control and his or her attitude about his or her efficiency in the classroom. (Lee and Smith, 1996). The article sta tes, empowering teachers would induce commitment, and commitment would in turn influence student learning (Lee and Smith, 1996). To understand more about collective responsibility, a study was completed to focus on the shared boundary between teachers, students, and schools (Lee and Smith, 1996). The purpose of this research was to study the correlation between teachers work lives and the extent to which their students learn. Three hypotheses were presumed relating to the following subjects: responsibility and demographics, the teacher and his or her work life, and the teachers work life and equity. (Lee and Smith, 1996). The first hypothesis suggested that schools where teachers assume responsibility for learning enroll students who typically do better in school (Lee and Smith, 1996). These schools are said to be those with more privileged students according to their race, social class, or ability. Understandably, teachers would be more likely to accept acknowledgment for their students achievements if they are learning well. Conversely, teachers would be less like to accept blame for their students failures and pass the responsibility onto the children and their families. (Lee and Smith, 1996). The second hypothesis theorized that in schools where teachers take more respons ibility for the results of the teaching students learn more. In schools characterized by high levels of staff collaboration and teacher control, students also learn more. (Lee and Smith, 1996). And the third hypothesis suggested that features of teachers work live may either facilitate or debilitate the learning of disadvantaged students. Specificallyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ high levels of responsibility for learning are associated with learning that is equitably distributed within the school according to students social background. (Lee and Smith, 1996). These hypotheses were tested. Following are detailed descriptions of the method used to conduct this study. The sampling design was derived from a sample used in the first and second waves of the National Educational Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS:88) (Lee and Smith, 1996). NELS:88 was sponsored by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and is an all-purpose analysis of United States students and schools. The article discloses that one thousand middle grade schools (about 25 students in the eighth grade from each school) were tested in 1988. These same students (tracked through questionnaires) were tested again in 1990. (Lee and Smith, 1996). This sample included all NELS sophomores the fit the following criteria: Students must have full cognitive test data from the base year and the first follow up, Data must be available from their high schools and their teachers, Students had to be enrolled in public, Catholic, or elite private high schools, and Students must have been attending high school with at least four other NELS sampled students. (Lee and Smith, 1996). After the conditions were applied, 11,692 students from 820 different schools were studied. These schools consisted of 650 public schools, 68 Catholic schools, and 47 independent schools. (Lee and Smith, 1996). There were also certain criteria for the teachers of the students. In the base year the teacher sample was comprised of either the eighth graders mathematics or science teacher and either the English or social studies teacher (Lee and Smith, 1996). The teachers were subject-matched when the students reached the tenth grade in the first follow up according to the base year. Below is a pie chart of how the subjects mathematics, science, English, and social studies were distributed as a major subject area amongst the teachers. (Lee and Smith, 1996). Four measures were assessed as part of the teachers professional community. They are 1) collective responsibility for student learning, 2) the standard deviation of teachers responsibility for student learning, 3) cooperation and support among teachers and administrators, and 4) teacher control. (Lee and Smith, 1996). The outcomes from the base test and the follow up test were altered with item response theory (IRT) methods and ultimately compared to see the difference between the two tests. This difference was referred to as the gain score.. In science and social studies, the outcomes were equal from the base test to the follow up test. However, in mathematics and English, the follow up tests had to be adjusted to fit the students capabilities. Demographic measures included the students social class, minority status, and gender and the schools average social class, minority concentration, ability level, academic emphasis, and sector. (Lee and Smith, 1996). The analytic approach provided a descriptive analysis of teachers work lives. The schools were grouped into three categories: 1) high levels of collective responsibility for learning, 2) average levels of collective responsibility for learning, and 3) low levels of collective responsibilities for learning, based on the standard deviation above, within, or below the mean. (Lee and Smith, 1996). After the research had been completed, the results were presented. To understand the results, one must observe the tables presented in the article. When considering the descriptive differences among students in schools with differing levels of collective responsibility for student learning, note that the students are categorized into three groups based upon the levels of collective responsibility structure throughout the school they are attending: high-responsibility, average responsibility, and low responsibility (Lee and Smith, 1996). The students attending high responsibility schools calculate to a total of 1,226 students, or 10.5%, while the students attending average responsibility schools is a much greater total of 8,801 students, or 75.3%. Lastly, students attending low responsibility schools fall between high responsibility schools and average responsibility schools with 1,665 students, or 14.2%. (Lee and Smith, 1996). These outcomes can be found in table one in the article. Table two in the article display information regarding descriptive differences among schools with differing levels of collective responsibility for learning (Lee and Smith, 1996). Again, the levels of collective responsibility are sorted into three groups: schools with high levels of collective responsibility, schools with average levels of collective responsibility, and schools with low levels of collective responsibility. The number of schools filed in the high levels of collective responsibility is 134, or 16.3%, whereas the number of schools sorted into the average levels of collective responsibility is a significantly larger number of 548 schools, or 66.9%. The schools with low levels of collective responsibility rest slightly higher than those with high levels but considerably lower than those with average levels of collective responsibility at 138 schools, or 16.8%. The tables go on to show that

Mexico in South Phoenix :: Arizona Mexican Culture Essays Papers

Mexico in South Phoenix â€Å"It’s like going to Mexico without ever leaving Phoenix.† This was a quote by Mr. Virgil, the Manager of the Ranch Market. A tour of the Ranch Market showed his statement to be true, hence the title of this paper. The following will discuss the Ranch Market and Mexico in South Phoenix. To begin, the tour was absolutely intriguing. The class was introduced to Mr. Virgil. Then we proceeded to get a really in-depth insight into what was up with the Ranch Market. While the Ranch Market is really just another store to purchase canned food, fruit, personal hygiene products, and even a meat department, the real attraction is the food service department. The class and I learned about the revenue intake of the entire Ranch Market; and as things go, the food service department accounted for over 40% of the income. I thought the food was awesome, as did the several hundred patrons. The food service department consists of several components. The most prosperous of the components is the Mexican food deli, followed only shortly by the bakery. The Mexican food that is prepared right in front of you consists of tacos, burritos, tostadas, quesadillas, nachos, and about any other type of Mexican food one could think of. The bakery is awesome. The prices are very appealing to the frugal, but the availability of all types of bread (donuts, to loafs, to cakes and pies) is appealing to basically everyone. However, the whole Ranch Market seemed to be focused on appealing to the Mexican culture. This type of environment reminded me of a reading that was assigned; it was titled American Apartheid, Segregation and the Making of the Underclass. This reading addressed the segregated society. A few sentences really interested me, such as â€Å"†¦extreme racial segregation did not just happen; it was manufactured by whites through a series of self-conscious actions and purposeful institutional arrangements that continue today.† This reminded me of how South Phoenix has been shunned by the Valley of the Sun and a haven for illegal immigrants who do not speak English. Another reference from American Apartheid is â€Å"Although poor black neighborhoods still contain many people who lead conventional, productive lives, their example has been overshadowed in recent years by a growing concentration of poor, welfare-dependent families that is an inevitable result of residential segregation.

Attack on Poland :: World War II History

Attack on Poland At daybreak on the first day of September, 1939, the residents of Poland awakened to grave news. A juggernaut force of tanks, guns, and countless grey-clad soldiers from nearby Germany had torn across the countryside and were making a total invasion of the Pole's homelands. Germany's actions on that fateful morning ignited a conflict that would spread like a wildfire, engulfing the entire globe in a great world war. This scenario is many people's conception of how World War II came about. In reality, the whole story is far more detailed and complex. The origins of war can be traced as far back as the end of the first World War in 1919, when the Treaty of Versailles placed responsibility for that terrible war squarely on Germany. Years later, in the Far East, Japanese ambition for territory led the nation to invade Manchuria and other parts of nearby China, causing hostilities to flare in the Pacific Rim. Great Britain, the United States, and many other nations of the world would all be drawn into battle in the years to come, and each nation had it's own reason for lending a hand in the struggle. Although Germany was the major player in World War II, the seeds of war had already been planted in the Far East years before conflict in Europe. On September 18, 1931, the powerful Japanese military forces began an invasion of the region known as Manchuria, an area belonging to mainland China. This action broke non-aggression treaties that had been signed earlier. It also was carried out by Japanese generals without the consent of the Japanese government. In spite of this, no one was ever punished for the actions. Soon after the assault on China, the Japanese government decided it had no choice but to support the occupation of Manchuria. By the next year the region had been completely cut off from China (Ienaga 60-64). Because of the Japanese offensive in China, the League of Nations held a vote in October to force Japan out of the captured territory. The vote was passed, 13 to 1, but Japan remained in control of Manchuria. A second vote, taken in February, 1933, a formal disapprova l of the Japanese occupation, was passed 42 to 1. Instead of expelling Japan from the area of Manchuria, it caused the nation to formally withdraw it's membership in the League of Nations the next month (Ienaga 66).

Impact of Advertising on Customer Loyality

*BEST PRACTICE: Customer *loyalty _The limited number of business contacts, the difficulty of recruiting new business customers and the cost of some business products or services all mean that maintaining customer loyalty is key to B2B marketing success. Sara Goodwins looks at some popular approaches to this problem_ Is it easier and less expensive to sell to existing customers than to find new ones? Of course it is. In the B2B arena, however, sales cycles are longer. If customers are not to be tempted away by competitors, marketing needs to encourage them to develop a relationship with the brand. Anthony Green, sales & marketing director of Concep, comments: â€Å"If businesses keep in touch, customers become familiar with products and services on offer and the company will be taken into consideration when a purchase is made. † When keeping in touch with customers, communication should achieve a number of objectives. Firstly, it should reassure the customer that they made a good choice of partner/supplier. It should also add value to the relationship, above what has been contracted, seek additional opportunities for further business, and inform business and client about new developments. Existing customers, lapsed customers and prospects should be approached differently. Marketers can assume that customers are familiar with the business and currently prefer your products/services or have done so in the recent past. Ideally no customer should ever go elsewhere, but there will be events such as changes in personnel, expiry of contracts, upheavals in the market, that change the relationship. Julie Cooper, co-director of events management company Fab, points out, â€Å"If a key contact within the client company is replaced, you have to establish confidence and trust with a new person – and the new contact may well bring with them pre-existing relationships with competing suppliers. † Keep in touch Lapsed customers, because of the past business relationship, should not be contacted in the same way as prospects. Alan Curnow, communications manager of Grass Roots, explains: â€Å"The distinction between clients and prospects is (more one of) tone than substance; we may need to refresh prospects' memories of who we are, whereas clients – even if they haven't bought from us for some time – know us. † Jan-Pieter Lips, head of business-to-business at Loyalty Management UK, which operates Nectar for Business, adds: â€Å"Experience shows that there is a direct correlation between winning back a lapsed customer and the time that has passed since the last transaction. Simon Ward, director of rewards scheme Seed, considers that the frequency of customer orders is like a pulse. â€Å"Businesses should monitor customertransactions and identify when they change. They can then contact thecustomer and find out why. † David Lebond, executive director of P&MM, agrees: â€Å"Doing something wrong is the best opportunity for getting a customer for life; if you handle a complaint well, put things right and demonstrate that you have the customers' interests at heart then not only will customers be retained, they'll also talk about you in glowing terms. Newsletters Newsletters and customers magazines are one of the most obvious communications methods, which can be used to maintain customerrelationships and loyalty. Richard Bush, managing director of Base One, says, â€Å"The trend for customermagazines – which we saw in the mid 90s – has diminished as many businesses found they were expensive and their success difficult to measure, although the need for what they provided still remains. † Electronic newsletters have taken over as less expensive, more measurable and interactive replacements. To include relevant material, you need to consider things like: life cycle of products/services and how they relate to customers and information held about customers which helps target mailings. Allow readers to choose – for example: offer the flexibility to pick areas of interest, frequency of mailing, etc. but make sure that they can change their selections with each mailing. Denise Cox, newsletter specialist at Newsweaver, says, â€Å"Stay away from complicated password-protected access to subscription profiles; this is a real turn-off and readers may just start deleting your emails instead of trying to change their preferences. Newsletters need a simple lay-out, clear navigation and no fancy graphics such as Flash that could cause them to be filtered. They require a table of contents on each page to provide clear choice and encourage further reading; around five main articles per newsletter of 300-700 words and a 100-word synopsis of each article on the front page with a link. â€Å"It is also extremely important that you have a strong call-to-action in your articles,† says Cox of Newsweaver. â€Å"It's astonishing how many companies don't. Yet it's your key opportunity to incite sales, feedback and make requests for more information. Readers typically decide within eight seconds whether to read on, set the information aside – which probably means they'll never read it – or delete it. The ‘from' and ‘subject' of the email need to tempt recipients to open it. ‘From' should be your brand, helping to build recognition; ‘subject' should be interesting and relevant. Content could include: articles stimulating thought and discussion, pertinent information relating to technological innovations, legislation affecting the industry, links to relevant news, client wins and case studies, industry reports and website links. Email newsletters are extremely cost-effective, popular, and immediate, and offer measurable conversion rates. Their main disadvantage is one of commitment. Companies must be prepared to publish a regular, well thought-out newsletter for it to be of marketing use and to respond to the interest it arouses. Reward/loyalty programmes â€Å"Reward programmes and loyalty programmes are not the same. The former is tactical, the latter strategic,† says Lebond of P&MM, he adds, â€Å"Reward programmes are a form of payment for repeat business; loyalty programmes represent a state of mind created in the customer. Reward programmes are most effective when there is rivalry in a sector (the programme then makes the point of difference); or there are frequent purchases to lock collectors into the scheme; or it's easy to change suppliers so customers need to be induced to stay. Reward programmes are effective anywhere where customer retention is key. Geraldine Tosh, managing director of IP oints, says, â€Å"A client running a website which relies heavily on advertisers, for example, can tempt people to the site using a reward programme. Extra points could be offered to clients making it their homepage for example, or using it frequently, etc. Branded reward programmes are often more cost-effective and less labour-intensive as well as enabling value to accumulate quickly. The main disadvantage is that companies usually have to commit for a period of time. Steve Cooper, marketing manager at Argos Business Solutions says, â€Å"In some cases a tailored scheme is more appropriate for a company where aligning with a different brand may conflict with or dilute the impact of their own brand and communications. † White label reward programmes aim to build value into a company's brand and offer companies more control of how uch value they're giving away. Tosh of IPoints says, â€Å"Reward catalogues can be tailored to include a business's own product or service at a reduced price. Companies could even tailor the earning and redemption around their customers' business needs. † Customers who know that your company is helping to build their business have a powerful incentive to buy from you. Rewards are short-term encouragements; loyalty is long-term commitment. As Lebond of P says, â€Å"If you get the right people with the constant attitude of ‘how can I make my customers even happier' then you don't need a reward programme. Corporate hospitality Customer events are undervalued largely because the value of them is difficult to assess. Face-to-face communications and shared experiences are very personal and the positive associations remain for a long time. Sarah Webster, director of communications at Eventia, explains, â€Å"Corporate hospitality enables suppliers to deepen their relationship with clients and to understand the motivations and constraints that influence buying decisions. † Corporate hospitality also adds value, as Rob Allen, chief executive at TRO, explains. Take the example of an accountancy firm which organises a breakfast briefing for its clients on the morning following the budget. By explaining the full implications of the Chancellor's new financial provisions, the firm is enabling its client companies to make significant savings or profits. The client relationship is enhanced. † Bush of Base One has no doubt, â€Å"Thirty minutes in a room with your top 10 customers is worth thousands of DM pieces. † Dedicated client website Webpages are particularly powerful marketing tools when used in conjunction with other marketing communication. Businesses can track the customer's journey through the site. Marketers can then use the information to tailor communications which recognise each client's interests. The main problem with websites is that the information they contain needs to be frequently refreshed to ensure that customers revisit. Many of the suggestions for newsletters apply equally to websites. Anthony Green, sales & marketing director of Concep, comments: â€Å"Additional information tied into a newsletter article can be put on the webpage. Those who click on the webpage have decided consciously that they want to access further information. Companies can then analyse the click-throughs and understand the specific areas of interest on both a macro and per-recipient level. † Tosh of IPoints is succinct, â€Å"Use microsites and reward schemes to collect information and then use the information in communications. † Communication is the key Relevant, valuable and timely communications are seminal to maintainingcustomer loyalty. Lebond of P says, â€Å"Every piece of communication could potentially be the lowest common denominator in a business's contact with its clients, so each one must be as good as possible. More business is lost by poor communications then by anything else. † Newsletters draw customers to websites where their interests can be analysed and responded to, reward programmes encourage frequent transactions, and hospitality enables personal contact. Curnow of Grass Roots explains, â€Å"Loyalty is not so much a pattern of behaviour as a state-of-mind. The single most conclusive evidence of loyalty is advocacy, not usage. The acid test is not how much the customer spends but how hard it would be to prise him away. And of course you cannot put a value on that