title: Joint effect of β-eutectoid content and heat treatment on the properties of binary Ti-Cu and Ti-Mn alloys

authors: Bolzoni, Leandro

subjects: Titanium alloys

abstract: The use of cheap alloying elements and alternative manufacturing techniques are two strategies that can be used to reduce the high cost of Ti alloys. Furthermore, heat treatments are an easy and cost effective method to tailor the mechanical behaviour by means of the modification of the microstructure. For that, this work analysed the quenching and aging heat treatment of binary Ti-Cu and Ti-Mn alloys manufactured via powder metallurgy. It is found that the post-processing solution treatment does not significantly affect the physical properties and residual porosity remains unchanged within the microstructure; however, the heat treatment changes the microconstituents. Serrated martensitic transformed β is formed in quenched Ti-Cu alloys and it is converted into a coarse lamellar or a hypoeutectoid structure as the Cu content increases with the subsequent aging treatment. Aging of the Ti-Mn alloys slightly coarsen the microstructural features where martensite or equiaxed metastable β grains are obtained after quenching. Enhancing of the mechanical behaviour is generally achieved and the solution treatment switches from improving the ductility to increasing the strength and the hardness as the amount of the alloying element increases.

text: Joint effect of β-eutectoid content and heat treatment on the properties of binary Ti-Cu and Ti-Mn alloys The use of cheap alloying elements and alternative manufacturing techniques are two strategies that can be used to reduce the high cost of Ti alloys. Furthermore, heat treatments are an easy and cost effective method to tailor the mechanical behaviour by means of the modification of the microstructure. For that, this work analysed the quenching and aging heat treatment of binary Ti-Cu and Ti-Mn alloys manufactured via powder metallurgy. It is found that the post-processing solution treatment does not significantly affect the physical properties and residual porosity remains unchanged within the microstructure; however, the heat treatment changes the microconstituents. Serrated martensitic transformed β is formed in quenched Ti-Cu alloys and it is converted into a coarse lamellar or a hypoeutectoid structure as the Cu content increases with the subsequent aging treatment. Aging of the Ti-Mn alloys slightly coarsen the microstructural features where martensite or equiaxed metastable β grains are obtained after quenching. Enhancing of the mechanical behaviour is generally achieved and the solution treatment switches from improving the ductility to increasing the strength and the hardness as the amount of the alloying element increases.

year: 2024

title: Developing a research culture in a polytechnic: An action research case study

authors: Bruce Ferguson, Pip

abstract: This study is about the process of research culture development within a New Zealand polytechnic in the period 1992 - 1999. Prior to 1990, polytechnics tended to focus on vocational and technical, rather than academically-oriented, education. But with the passing of the 1990 Education Amendment Act they were offered the possibility of granting degrees. This required the rapid acquisition of research skills, which had previously not been strongly evident in staff, who tended to pride themselves on quality teaching.  
Working as a staff developer within the institution, I chose to use the action research approach as a compatible way for staff who had previously not carried out research, to learn the skills that the new environment demanded. The central question of my study is, “How effective is action research as a way of helping to develop a tertiary research culture?” While action research has previously been used extensively to improve teaching practice in educational institutions, it has not been used specifically to facilitate the development of research skills as a way of helping to develop a research culture. The study describes how I was able to introduce this method by teaching a certificated course, working within the quality assurance processes of the polytechnic, and constrained by its requirements to scrutinise the work of action researchers. I used interviews with the 1993 – 1995 graduates to contribute to this study.  
Michel Foucault’s tools, including his concepts of the panoptic gaze and of the linking of power and knowledge, have assisted me with my analysis of how the institution functions and shown me how I can operate as a ‘specific intellectual’ in an appropriate way. I have used interviews with a range of staff, and scrutiny of historical archives, to determine the appropriateness of my project. To carry out research in an institution where this has not been the norm is a challenging task. Basil Bernstein’s schema, showing how curricula, assessment methods and teaching practices combine to build up and shape departmental identities, was helpful to me in recognising the marginalisation that new researchers in an institution such as ours can face.  The study has, overall, shown that action research – based on the reflective practice that is common in New Zealand polytechnic teaching – is a sound and familiar way of developing the research skills that many polytechnic educators now need to acquire.

text: Developing a research culture in a polytechnic: An action research case study This study is about the process of research culture development within a New Zealand polytechnic in the period 1992 - 1999. Prior to 1990, polytechnics tended to focus on vocational and technical, rather than academically-oriented, education. But with the passing of the 1990 Education Amendment Act they were offered the possibility of granting degrees. This required the rapid acquisition of research skills, which had previously not been strongly evident in staff, who tended to pride themselves on quality teaching.  
Working as a staff developer within the institution, I chose to use the action research approach as a compatible way for staff who had previously not carried out research, to learn the skills that the new environment demanded. The central question of my study is, “How effective is action research as a way of helping to develop a tertiary research culture?” While action research has previously been used extensively to improve teaching practice in educational institutions, it has not been used specifically to facilitate the development of research skills as a way of helping to develop a research culture. The study describes how I was able to introduce this method by teaching a certificated course, working within the quality assurance processes of the polytechnic, and constrained by its requirements to scrutinise the work of action researchers. I used interviews with the 1993 – 1995 graduates to contribute to this study.  
Michel Foucault’s tools, including his concepts of the panoptic gaze and of the linking of power and knowledge, have assisted me with my analysis of how the institution functions and shown me how I can operate as a ‘specific intellectual’ in an appropriate way. I have used interviews with a range of staff, and scrutiny of historical archives, to determine the appropriateness of my project. To carry out research in an institution where this has not been the norm is a challenging task. Basil Bernstein’s schema, showing how curricula, assessment methods and teaching practices combine to build up and shape departmental identities, was helpful to me in recognising the marginalisation that new researchers in an institution such as ours can face.  The study has, overall, shown that action research – based on the reflective practice that is common in New Zealand polytechnic teaching – is a sound and familiar way of developing the research skills that many polytechnic educators now need to acquire.

year: 1999

title: Māori men and the indirect procurement and sharing of prescription medications

authors: Hodgetts, Darrin

subjects: Māori men

abstract: Māori men have higher rates of many diseases and lower life expectancy than other population groups in New Zealand. The general consensus is that these health inequalities are due to the inequitable distribution of the social determinants of health; for example, education, employment, income and housing, and were largely driven by colonization and the social and economic marginalization of Māori. Health care factors, including reluctance to consult doctors or late presentation, are part of this equation, but do not fully explain the disparities in health between Māori men and other population groups. As part of our ongoing work in this area, we draw on a focus group discussion with seven Māori community health workers to provide a preliminary analysis of how some Māori people access and use medications. Particular attention is given to the emergent practice of Māori women presenting to general practitioners (GPs) with proxy symptoms to obtain medications for their male partners. This practice exemplifies a range of strategies that some whānau (family) have developed to navigate the health system and overcome the reluctance of some men to engage with the medical profession. The practice raises issues relating to the nature of “primary” and “whānau” care, accessibility of medical services and medications, adherence to medication regimes and the dynamics of doctor–patient relations.

text: Māori men and the indirect procurement and sharing of prescription medications Māori men have higher rates of many diseases and lower life expectancy than other population groups in New Zealand. The general consensus is that these health inequalities are due to the inequitable distribution of the social determinants of health; for example, education, employment, income and housing, and were largely driven by colonization and the social and economic marginalization of Māori. Health care factors, including reluctance to consult doctors or late presentation, are part of this equation, but do not fully explain the disparities in health between Māori men and other population groups. As part of our ongoing work in this area, we draw on a focus group discussion with seven Māori community health workers to provide a preliminary analysis of how some Māori people access and use medications. Particular attention is given to the emergent practice of Māori women presenting to general practitioners (GPs) with proxy symptoms to obtain medications for their male partners. This practice exemplifies a range of strategies that some whānau (family) have developed to navigate the health system and overcome the reluctance of some men to engage with the medical profession. The practice raises issues relating to the nature of “primary” and “whānau” care, accessibility of medical services and medications, adherence to medication regimes and the dynamics of doctor–patient relations.

year: 2011