title: New ternary powder metallurgy Ti alloys via eutectoid and isomorphous beta stabilisers additions

authors: Paul, Manpreet

subjects: Mechanical engineering

abstract: A group of new ternary Ti alloys bearing eutectoid and isomorphous beta stabilising elements was created to be manufactured through the conventional powder metallurgy route. The effect of the simultaneous addition of the same amount of Mn and Nb on the manufacturability, properties, and hardening behaviour was investigated. The ternary alloys are composed of the α-Ti and β-Ti phases and have a lamellar microstructure resulting from the slow cooling upon sintering. However, the size of the equiaxed α grains and of the α + β lamellae is monotonically reduced, especially the interlamellar spacing, as the amount of alloying elements increases. Due to their physical properties, Mn enhances and Nb hinders densification during sintering resulting in a decreasing trend of the relative density with the alloying elements content. Consequently, the resistance to plastic deformation increases (UTS, 514–726 MPa), the ductility decreases (elongation, 13.2–2.6%), and the fracture mode changes from intergranular to transgranular. The new ternary alloys share the same hardening mechanism, but the amount of deformation after necking is, generally, higher for lower amounts of Mn and Nb.

text: New ternary powder metallurgy Ti alloys via eutectoid and isomorphous beta stabilisers additions A group of new ternary Ti alloys bearing eutectoid and isomorphous beta stabilising elements was created to be manufactured through the conventional powder metallurgy route. The effect of the simultaneous addition of the same amount of Mn and Nb on the manufacturability, properties, and hardening behaviour was investigated. The ternary alloys are composed of the α-Ti and β-Ti phases and have a lamellar microstructure resulting from the slow cooling upon sintering. However, the size of the equiaxed α grains and of the α + β lamellae is monotonically reduced, especially the interlamellar spacing, as the amount of alloying elements increases. Due to their physical properties, Mn enhances and Nb hinders densification during sintering resulting in a decreasing trend of the relative density with the alloying elements content. Consequently, the resistance to plastic deformation increases (UTS, 514–726 MPa), the ductility decreases (elongation, 13.2–2.6%), and the fracture mode changes from intergranular to transgranular. The new ternary alloys share the same hardening mechanism, but the amount of deformation after necking is, generally, higher for lower amounts of Mn and Nb.

year: 2023-01-20

title: Supplemental Material for Enhancing Precision of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status–Modified (TICS-M) Using the Rasch Model

authors: Truong, Quoc Cuong

abstract: Rasch analysis begins with examining the overall data fit to the Rasch model as well as individual item fit. It also includes the evaluation of residual correlations across items because it possibly influences fit to the Rasch model. Firstly, the overall model fit requires the estimate of item-trait interaction to be not significant, which is reflected by chi square index (p > .05). Secondly, the fit residuals for individual items should be in the range between −2.50 and +2.50. Thirdly, the residual correlations between individual items should be examined because values above 0.20  indicate local dependency that can affect both individual items and the overall model fit (1). Finally, there should be no DIF due to relevant individual characteristics (i.e. personal factors) meaning that all items should be invariant across different groups (e.g. age, sex). In addition, PSI is used to evaluate reliability in Rasch analysis, which is not the Rasch model fit criteria but reflects how well the scale discriminates between individuals with different levels of the latent trait (e.g. SCC). PSI is interpreted somewhat similar to Cronbach's alpha with values above 0.70 indicating acceptable reliability for group assessments and 0.80 and higher for individual assessments (2).

text: Supplemental Material for Enhancing Precision of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status–Modified (TICS-M) Using the Rasch Model Rasch analysis begins with examining the overall data fit to the Rasch model as well as individual item fit. It also includes the evaluation of residual correlations across items because it possibly influences fit to the Rasch model. Firstly, the overall model fit requires the estimate of item-trait interaction to be not significant, which is reflected by chi square index (p > .05). Secondly, the fit residuals for individual items should be in the range between −2.50 and +2.50. Thirdly, the residual correlations between individual items should be examined because values above 0.20  indicate local dependency that can affect both individual items and the overall model fit (1). Finally, there should be no DIF due to relevant individual characteristics (i.e. personal factors) meaning that all items should be invariant across different groups (e.g. age, sex). In addition, PSI is used to evaluate reliability in Rasch analysis, which is not the Rasch model fit criteria but reflects how well the scale discriminates between individuals with different levels of the latent trait (e.g. SCC). PSI is interpreted somewhat similar to Cronbach's alpha with values above 0.70 indicating acceptable reliability for group assessments and 0.80 and higher for individual assessments (2).

year: 2023-05-25

title: Eke panuku, eke tangaroa! How Black Ferns 7s athletes navigate Instagram and inspire the next generation in Aotearoa

authors: Keet, Thandiwe Maia

subjects: Gender

abstract: This thesis considers the role of Instagram in the lives of players on the New Zealand Black Ferns 7s rugby team, and audience engagement with players’ social media accounts. Using a mana wāhine methodology, this study explores how Black Ferns 7s players utilize and navigate Instagram, through mixed-methods enquiry, including a social media analysis of 8 players’ accounts, interviews with 3 Black Ferns 7s players, and talanoa sessions with members of the women’s rugby community in the Bay of Plenty, supplemented by input from Black Ferns players and fans via direct messages on Instagram. The quantitative social media analysis identified 4 key themes in players’ Instagram posts: achievement, team & rugby, life outside rugby, and culture & vulnerability. The analysis reveals that players post the most regarding their “team & rugby”, generating an “athlete first” self- representation. It finds a statistically significant difference in the thematic content of Instagram posts based on squad seniority and the number of followers a player has. Followers were found to engage most with posts regarding “achievement”, and the least with posts regarding “culture and vulnerability”.
The interviews elaborate upon these quantitative differences by highlighting why athletes specifically use Instagram, insights into Black Ferns aspirational team dynamics, and the importance of a player’s life outside of rugby. The thematic analysis also reveals the digital economic and collective labour involved in producing social media content as a member of this team, and what it means to be culturally “authentic” online in Aotearoa. It reveals the unique elements generated by the team-sport context of this study, including intra-team differences in social media usage. Furthermore, hauora, Indigenous role modeling, and Tall Poppy Syndrome emerge as factors particularly unique to the cultural context within which this study takes place. The discussions culminate in the establishment of a layered understanding of the external, internal, and individual factors which shape Instagram posting habits, and the features which most significantly impact why audiences follow the curated displays Black Ferns 7s athletes provide online.
This project contributes to international literature on sportswomen’s use of social media, demonstrating the powerful ways that players support one another in what, when, and how they post, and the importance of cultural identity in Māori and Pasifika players’ social media engagement. It further reveals the importance of team culture in shaping individual players’ social media and audience engagement. This thesis also highlights the significance of sporting and cultural histories and intersectional identities in digital self-representation and fan engagement with sportswomen’s social media usage.

text: Eke panuku, eke tangaroa! How Black Ferns 7s athletes navigate Instagram and inspire the next generation in Aotearoa This thesis considers the role of Instagram in the lives of players on the New Zealand Black Ferns 7s rugby team, and audience engagement with players’ social media accounts. Using a mana wāhine methodology, this study explores how Black Ferns 7s players utilize and navigate Instagram, through mixed-methods enquiry, including a social media analysis of 8 players’ accounts, interviews with 3 Black Ferns 7s players, and talanoa sessions with members of the women’s rugby community in the Bay of Plenty, supplemented by input from Black Ferns players and fans via direct messages on Instagram. The quantitative social media analysis identified 4 key themes in players’ Instagram posts: achievement, team & rugby, life outside rugby, and culture & vulnerability. The analysis reveals that players post the most regarding their “team & rugby”, generating an “athlete first” self- representation. It finds a statistically significant difference in the thematic content of Instagram posts based on squad seniority and the number of followers a player has. Followers were found to engage most with posts regarding “achievement”, and the least with posts regarding “culture and vulnerability”.
The interviews elaborate upon these quantitative differences by highlighting why athletes specifically use Instagram, insights into Black Ferns aspirational team dynamics, and the importance of a player’s life outside of rugby. The thematic analysis also reveals the digital economic and collective labour involved in producing social media content as a member of this team, and what it means to be culturally “authentic” online in Aotearoa. It reveals the unique elements generated by the team-sport context of this study, including intra-team differences in social media usage. Furthermore, hauora, Indigenous role modeling, and Tall Poppy Syndrome emerge as factors particularly unique to the cultural context within which this study takes place. The discussions culminate in the establishment of a layered understanding of the external, internal, and individual factors which shape Instagram posting habits, and the features which most significantly impact why audiences follow the curated displays Black Ferns 7s athletes provide online.
This project contributes to international literature on sportswomen’s use of social media, demonstrating the powerful ways that players support one another in what, when, and how they post, and the importance of cultural identity in Māori and Pasifika players’ social media engagement. It further reveals the importance of team culture in shaping individual players’ social media and audience engagement. This thesis also highlights the significance of sporting and cultural histories and intersectional identities in digital self-representation and fan engagement with sportswomen’s social media usage.

year: 2022