True Strengths Research Articles

Grain size effect on stress-induced martensite in a metastable β-Ti alloy with ultrahigh strength and strain hardening rate

In the present work, the influence of β grain size on stress-induced martensite (SIM) was investigated in a metastable β-Ti alloy (Ti-4Mo-3Cr-1Fe-1Al). Samples with varying grain sizes were prepared by cold rolling and annealing. The triggering stress for SIM decreases with the grain size increase from 44 μm to 180 μm. Meanwhile, the yield strength increases with decreasing grain size, consistent with the Hall-Petch effect. Fine-grained samples formed a greater number of martensitic bands during deformation compared to coarse-grained samples, resulting in an ultra-high strain-hardening rate ∼4320 MPa. The deformation mechanism of the Ti-4Mo-3Cr-1Fe-1Al alloy consists of the ω to β transformation, SIM, martensite deformation twinning ({110}cc < 1–10>α" and {130}<-310>α" twins), reorientation of martensite and dislocation slip. Both the 44 μm and 59 μm samples exhibit ultra-high true tensile strengths (>1200 MPa), with a large work-hardening interval of nearly 600 MPa relative to the yield strength. This significant work-hardening capability is attributed to interfacial and dislocation strengthening arising from the dynamic formation of martensitic bands during deformation.

Improving ranking quality and fairness in Swiss-system chess tournaments

Abstract The International Chess Federation (FIDE) imposes a voluminous and complex set of player pairing criteria in Swiss-system chess tournaments and endorses computer programs that are able to calculate the prescribed pairings. The purpose of these formalities is to ensure that players are paired fairly during the tournament and that the final ranking corresponds to the players’ true strength order. We contest the official FIDE player pairing routine by presenting alternative pairing rules. These can be enforced by computing maximum weight matchings in a carefully designed graph. We demonstrate by extensive experiments that a tournament format using our mechanism (1) yields fairer pairings in the rounds of the tournament and (2) produces a final ranking that reflects the players’ true strengths better than the state-of-the-art FIDE pairing system.

Dispersion of stable quasicrystal phase by precipitation during extrusion in a Mg–Zn–Al alloy: Microstructure and mechanical properties

Precipitation of stable icosahedral quasicrystalline phase (i) has been recently reported in a Mg6Zn3Al (in wt%, ZA63) alloy on ageing after solutionizing treatment of cast alloy to dissolve dendritic i-phase. This offers an opportunity to disperse this phase in a ZA alloy through a solutionizing treatment followed by extrusion, thereby precipitating the i-phaseduring extrusion. By this process, the i-phasecan be dispersed in the alloy uniformly, instead of dispersion from the cast structure by extrusion. In this study, a cast ingot of ZA63 alloy was solutionized at 400 ∘C, followed by extrusions at 255 ∘C and 300 ∘C. Extrusion at 255 ∘C resulted in larger amount of i-phaseprecipitation (about 4.5 mass%), in which spherical precipitates of size about 100 nm or less were distributed in the matrix and boundaries of grains of average size 2.4 ± 1.0μm, exhibiting true yield strengths of 263.7±1.4MPa in tension and 255.4±5.0MPa in compression (with elongation to failure of about 18% in both cases). Extrusion at the higher temperature of 300 ∘C resulted in fewer precipitates (about 1.4 mass%) and larger average grain size of 12.9 ± 6.1μm and i-phaseprecipitates of size 500 nm which were mostly at the grain boundaries, and consequently lower true yield strengths of 214.4±1.3MPa in tension and 159.3±0.3MPa in compression. The strength after extrusion at 300 ∘C increased by 48 MPa in tension and 38 MPa in compression on ageing at 250 ∘C for 20 min. Ageing precipitate phases were identified to be i-phase, Mg4Zn7 and possibly ternary ϕ-phase. Phase equilibrium and change in morphology of phases during ageing has been discussed. The peculiar nature of work hardening during tensile deformation has also been discussed.

Deviation scores: An innovative approach to interpreting cognitive test results for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Students with Intellectual Disability undergo frequent cognitive testing. Testing with this population is limited by insensitivity to relative strengths and weaknesses due to floor effects. The study explored the utility of deviation scores via four case studies as a supplement to educational decision-making. Four students with Intellectual Disability completed cognitive testing. Deviation scores were calculated using age dependent raw z-score transformations to determine deviation from the standardization sample norms. The application of deviation scores highlighted true relative strengths and weaknesses for students with Intellectual Disability rather than documenting previously known deficits. The four cases studies illustrated where deviation scores could, or could not, add value above and beyond traditional scoring. Deviation scores can supplement placement and service decisions for students. Practical and psychometric considerations are reviewed. The findings highlight the usefulness of deviation scores in providing meaningful information to school- and clinic-based practitioners.

UNBECOMING SUBJECT, BECOMING MUSLIM WOMAN IN SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED’S LOVE IN A HEADSCARF: MUSLIM WOMAN SEEKS THE ONE

Drawing on Judith Butler’s conceptualizations of ‘subject formation’ and ‘desire’ and Jasmine Zine’s notion of ‘Muslim identity’ we intend to extrapolate that how the protagonist in Love in a Headscarf: Muslim Woman Seeks the one, overcomes otherness through desire and dismantles her true strengths through her Muslim identity in diaspora. Our research contribution is to develop a nexus between subject formation and Islamic Feminism and to examine emergence of the protagonist as a Muslim woman in diaspora. Keywords: Subject formation, Desire, Muslim identity, Islamic Feminism

Deformable κ phase induced deformation twins in a CoNiV medium entropy alloy

The degradation of ductility is obvious in low-temperature annealed face centered cubic (FCC) based alloys under bulk quasi-static tensile experiments due to intermetallic phase embrittlement. Here, we demonstrate a novel approach to overcome this loss of deformability by realizing brittle intermetallic phase (κ) shearing and deformation twins in an equiatomic CoNiV medium entropy alloy (MEA) with high stacking fault energy. The brittle κ phase not only contributes to high true ultimate tensile strengths (∼1800→2000 MPa) by shearing, but also enhances the flow stress to approach the critical values for the onset of deformation twins (∼1660-1750 MPa) in this MEA. Such shearing and twins in turn assist further work hardening and strengthening mechanisms that improve the deformability of MEA (uniform elongation ∼25→27%). As a result, the degradation of ductility caused by intermetallic phase embrittlement in this MEA can be recovered. The combination of deformable intermetallic phase and high stress deformation twins proposes a so far untapped strengthening mechanism, for enabling the design of FCC based alloys with improved mechanical properties.

What’s the Evidence? A Commentary on FEES Research

Purpose: Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) is a well-respected swallowing assessment, harking back to 1988 when it was first published by Susan Langmore as a procedure. Since then, its methodology has evolved to afford clinicians, researchers, and patients a sensitive, specific, and predictive exam. A myriad research has investigated FEES technique and its outcomes, rendering it an effective and efficient procedure for swallowing assessment and therapy. This commentary will outline evidence for FEES to support evidence-based practice. What is the evidence for speech tasks? Secretion scales? What is the predictive nature of aspiration as seen on FEES? This comprehensive review will outline the science bolstering the use and confidence in FEES. Conclusions: This commentary reviews studies that have proposed normative data collected via FEES for decision making, specifically when assessing pharyngeal and laryngeal anatomy, bolus spillage, and the white out period. Evidence for FEES sensitivity and predictive aspects are reviewed in relationship to speech tasks, secretions, aspiration and penetration–aspiration scale scores, and pharyngeal residue scales. The acute care advantage of FEES is defined in its use on postextubation populations, assessment of dysphagia in COVID-19 positive patients, and safe evaluation during ice chip administration with acutely ill patients. Finally, inference making on FEES is discussed in regard to epiglottic retroflexion and depth of aspiration. When it comes to assessing pharyngeal dysphagia, the true strengths of FEES are rooted in evidence. It has been shown to be sensitive, predictive, and practical and will likely continue to have stronger support as research continues to enrich its potential. Supplemental Material: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.21498699

Achieving ultrahigh strength in binary Al-10Mg alloy through heavy cryogenic rolling

Al-Mg alloys with high Mg contents have attracted considerable interest given enhanced strength and simultaneously reduced density by high Mg solute concentrations. In the present study, we proposed a strategy of strengthening Al‐10wt%Mg binary alloy via heavy cryogenic rolling at liquid nitrogen temperature. Both cryogenic plastic deformation and a high concentration of Mg solute effectively suppress dynamic recovery during rolling, creating nanoscale and ultra-fine laminated grains containing a high density of dislocations in a nearly single-phase solid solution. The as-rolled Al‐10wt%Mg exhibits an average 0.2% offset tensile yield strength of 619 MPa, and average engineering and true ultimate tensile strengths of 689 and 726 MPa, accompanied by average uniform elongation of 5.3% exceeding the threshold value of 5% required for structural engineering applications. The high strength stems from enhanced solid-solution strengthening of a high concentration of Mg solute, significant grain boundary strengthening of nanoscale and ultra-fine laminated grains, and strong dislocation strengthening. The appreciable ductility can be primarily attributed to a high concentration of Mg solute that can retard dynamic recovery processes during tensile testing by impeding dislocation motion, thus enhancing dislocation accumulation and work-hardening ability. A high concentration of Mg solute combined with cryogenic plastic deformation to a high strain magnitude provides a new avenue to achieve ultrahigh strength and good ductility in non-age-hardened Al-Mg alloys.

Large-scale characterisation of cemented rock fill performance for exposure stability analysis

A novel large-scale geomechanical laboratory testing program is developed to provide full characterization of the strength and deformational response of cemented rockfill (CRF) material for use in exposure stability analyses. Uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), direct shear, and three-point bending tensile tests are performed on large-scale samples that require the use of novel processes and laboratory equipment. For the first time, the shear properties of large-scale CRF samples have been investigated using direct shear tests under constant normal stiffness (CNS) boundary conditions. Large-scale three-point bending tests are also conducted to obtain true tensile strengths without having to infer them from UCS test results. For up to 28 days curing time, the effects of particle size distribution and binder quantity are experimentally examined for each compression, tension, and shear failure mode through a study of the full stress–strain response. In order to obtain accurate laboratory results, findings are compared against published large-scale tests from various mine sites. The results show that the large-scale samples completed herein provide a reliable UCS estimate with standard deviations of less than one. It is also found that the direct shear responses are substantially larger for simulated CRF: Sidewall contacts than CRF: CRF contacts, and tensile strength responses are higher than previously estimated at 10% of the UCS strength. The effect of particle size distribution on the geomechanical response of the CRF material is highlighted through the large-scale sample testing. The findings of this research study provide increased technical understanding for the development of CRF structures in underground mines that are cost-effective, safe, and durable. Additionally, this research study establishes a practical testing methodology that overcomes the challenges that occur in collecting quantitative geomechanical data from large-scale CRF samples for design purposes.

Calculation and prediction of casing collapse strength based on a new yield strength acquisition method

Collapse is an inevitable phenomenon. A successful and economical casing design must make use of a casing collapse equation to predict the collapse pressure of the selected tubulars to ensure that they will survive the expected downhole pressures. As the quest for hydrocarbons drilling goes deeper, the applied external pressure to well casing is becoming greater. Consequently, a well casing must have acceptable collapse strength to withstand and meet the criteria to withstand subjected external pressures without deformation of High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT) reservoirs and difficult conditions downhole. To account for these conditions, a modern and accurate collapse resistance equations and true yield strengths should be used. The accuracy of the collapse pressure prediction depends upon the equation selected and the value of yield strength used in that equation which normally validated through full scale experiments. These experiments are time intensive and costly.The research study proposes a novel method for the acquisition of yield strength in the hoop direction. An experimental study is carried out by through determination of tubular yield strength in the hoop direction. Applying the new testing method to the best performing collapse pressure formula to create an improved system for predicting tubular collapse resistance.The validated new method of yield strength acquisition simplifies the testing procedure in anticipations of encouraging an increase in testing frequency. The new acquisition method was compared against the tested yield strengths given by the pipe manufacturer. Testing was performed on a variety of outer diameters, wall thicknesses, and pipe grades. The new method proved to be very accurate, yielding just a 0.5% variation from the mean yield strength values.

Unraveling hidden interactions in complex systems with deep learning

Rich phenomena from complex systems have long intrigued researchers, and yet modeling system micro-dynamics and inferring the forms of interaction remain challenging for conventional data-driven approaches, being generally established by scientists with human ingenuity. In this study, we propose AgentNet, a model-free data-driven framework consisting of deep neural networks to reveal and analyze the hidden interactions in complex systems from observed data alone. AgentNet utilizes a graph attention network with novel variable-wise attention to model the interaction between individual agents, and employs various encoders and decoders that can be selectively applied to any desired system. Our model successfully captured a wide variety of simulated complex systems, namely cellular automata (discrete), the Vicsek model (continuous), and active Ornstein–Uhlenbeck particles (non-Markovian) in which, notably, AgentNet’s visualized attention values coincided with the true variable-wise interaction strengths and exhibited collective behavior that was absent in the training data. A demonstration with empirical data from a flock of birds showed that AgentNet could identify hidden interaction ranges exhibited by real birds, which cannot be detected by conventional velocity correlation analysis. We expect our framework to open a novel path to investigating complex systems and to provide insight into general process-driven modeling.

COVID-19 and Diagnostic Testing for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR-Facts and Fallacies.

Although molecular testing, and RT-qPCR in particular, has been an indispensable component in the scientific armoury targeting SARS-CoV-2, there are numerous falsehoods, misconceptions, assumptions and exaggerated expectations with regards to capability, performance and usefulness of the technology. It is essential that the true strengths and limitations, although publicised for at least twenty years, are restated in the context of the current COVID-19 epidemic. The main objective of this commentary is to address and help stop the unfounded and debilitating speculation surrounding its use.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE INNOVATIVE POTENTIAL OF UNIVERSITY TEACHERS IN ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

The article considers the theoretical foundations of the creation and understanding of the effectiveness of the development of innovative potential of teachers of universities with a personal point of view. The result of the innovation process in education is the application of innovations in theory and practice. Innovation in the education system is the introduction of innovations for the purpose of education, the transformation of new approaches and practices and forms of education, the introduction and dissemination of new pedagogical systems, the creation, development and implementation of new school management technologies. to meet the new requirements. The concept of an innovative educational process as a system of primary values characterizes it as spiritual production, and its product is not only the acquisition of new knowledge and values, but also the disclosure of the true strengths and abilities of students. Innovations in education are based on socially significant values: people, life, work, home land. This is considered as an indispensable condition for creating an effective model for the development of innovation potential of teachers of universities at the expense of using innovations in additional professional education. The basic concept of "innovative potential of university teachers" is defined. The purpose of this article is to consider the theoretical aspects of the development of innovative potential of teachers in the system of additional professional education.

The new trend in digital asset management: robo- advisors

Purpose- The robo-advisors used by investors looking for financial advice are web-based platforms that utilize algorithms to automatically create and manage portfolios. They recommend portfolios according to the personal preferences of the investors, which are determined by online surveys. Digital financial advice is a new trend in Turkey, and this study provides an overview of the changing landscape of digital asset management and financial advice. It aims to examine the market situation of robo-advisors in Turkey. Methodology- A SWOT analysis is being conducted to determine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of these new digital financial advisors. Findings- The analysis shows that robo-advisors are among the most noticeable developments in digital asset and wealth management. Low fee structure, and low minimum investment requirement are some of the strengths and standardization, quick and easy introduction for young people due to their propensity for technology are some of the opportunities that robo-advisors have, and these positive aspects show why some of the industry experts believe that it is obvious robo-advisors cause difficulties for those who are traditional and refuse to change over time. Conclusion- Robo-advisors, were recently introduced in Turkey and their number is still limited. The number of these consultants deployed worldwide is very high and is also growing in Turkey, and the true potential, strengths and weaknesses of these advisors in Turkey will be better understood if they are deployed on a large scale.

Dynamic Tensile Response of a Microwave Damaged Granitic Rock

Understanding the dynamic tensile response of microwave damaged rock is of great significance to promote the development of microwave-assisted hard rock breakage technology. However, most of the current research on this issue is limited to static loading conditions, which is inconsistent with the dynamic stress circumstances encountered in real rock-breaking operations. The objective of this work is to investigate the effects of microwave irradiation on the dynamic tensile strength, full-field displacement distribution and average fracture energy of a granitic rock. The split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) system combined with digital image correlation (DIC) technique is adopted to conduct the experiments. The overload phenomenon, which refers to the strength over-estimation phenomenon in the Brazilian test, is validated using the conventional strain gauge method. Based on the DIC analysis, a new approach for calculating the average fracture energy is proposed. Experimental results show that both the apparent and true tensile strengths increase with the loading rate while decreasing with the increase of the irradiation duration; and the true tensile strength after overload correction is lower than the apparent strength. Besides, the overload ratio and fracture energy also show the loading rate and irradiation duration dependency. Our findings prove clearly that microwave irradiation significantly weakens the dynamic tensile properties of granitic rock.

A Survey on Swarming With Micro Air Vehicles: Fundamental Challenges and Constraints.

This work presents a review and discussion of the challenges that must be solved in order to successfully develop swarms of Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs) for real world operations. From the discussion, we extract constraints and links that relate the local level MAV capabilities to the global operations of the swarm. These should be taken into account when designing swarm behaviors in order to maximize the utility of the group. At the lowest level, each MAV should operate safely. Robustness is often hailed as a pillar of swarm robotics, and a minimum level of local reliability is needed for it to propagate to the global level. An MAV must be capable of autonomous navigation within an environment with sufficient trustworthiness before the system can be scaled up. Once the operations of the single MAV are sufficiently secured for a task, the subsequent challenge is to allow the MAVs to sense one another within a neighborhood of interest. Relative localization of neighbors is a fundamental part of self-organizing robotic systems, enabling behaviors ranging from basic relative collision avoidance to higher level coordination. This ability, at times taken for granted, also must be sufficiently reliable. Moreover, herein lies a constraint: the design choice of the relative localization sensor has a direct link to the behaviors that the swarm can (and should) perform. Vision-based systems, for instance, force MAVs to fly within the field of view of their camera. Range or communication-based solutions, alternatively, provide omni-directional relative localization, yet can be victim to unobservable conditions under certain flight behaviors, such as parallel flight, and require constant relative excitation. At the swarm level, the final outcome is thus intrinsically influenced by the on-board abilities and sensors of the individual. The real-world behavior and operations of an MAV swarm intrinsically follow in a bottom-up fashion as a result of the local level limitations in cognition, relative knowledge, communication, power, and safety. Taking these local limitations into account when designing a global swarm behavior is key in order to take full advantage of the system, enabling local limitations to become true strengths of the swarm.

The Other Side of the Bell Curve: Multivariate Base Rates of High Scores on the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System

Previous researchers have examined the frequency at which healthy participants obtain one or more low scores on neuropsychological test batteries, proposing five psychometric principles of multivariate base rates: (a) low scores are common, with their frequency contingent on (b) the low score cutoff used, (c) the number of tests administered/interpreted, and (d) the demographic characteristics and (e) intelligence of participants. The current study explored whether these principles applied to high scores as well, using the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS). Multivariate base rates of high scores (≥75th, ≥84th, ≥91st, ≥95th, and ≥98th percentiles) were derived for a three-test, four-test, and full D-KEFS battery, using the adult portion of the normative sample (aged 16-89 years; N = 1050) stratified by education and intelligence. The full D-KEFS battery provides 16 total achievement scores (primary indicators of executive function). High scores occurred commonly for all batteries. For the three-test battery, 24.1% and 12.4% had 1 or more scores ≥95th percentile and ≥98th percentile, respectively. High scores occurred more often for longer batteries: 61.6%, 72.9%, and 87.8% obtained 1 or more scores ≥84th percentile for the three-test, four-test, and full batteries, respectively. The frequency of high scores increased with more education and higher intelligence. The principles of multivariate base rates also applied to high D-KEFS scores: high scores were common and contingent on the cutoff used, number of tests administered/interpreted, and education/intelligence of examinees. Base rates of high scores may help clinicians identify true cognitive strengths and detect cognitive deficits in high functioning people.

Short-notice (48 hours) ACCREDITATION trial in Australia: stakeholder perception of assessment thoroughness, resource requirements and workforce engagement

BackgroundExternal, independent accreditation assessments of healthcare organisations are necessary to ensure the nationally legislated minimum standards of quality and safety (QS) are met. The predetermined scheduling of the assessments continues...

Evaluation of the mechanical properties of carbon fiber/polymer resin interfaces by molecular simulation

Herein, we evaluate the mechanical properties of carbon fiber/polymer interfaces using three types of specimens: carbon fiber/vinyl ester resin, carbon fiber/epoxy resin, and carbon fiber/polyimide resin. Microbonding tests were performed and the fiber load at interfacial debonding was obtained. By performing finite element analysis, the true interfacial strengths were determined. The strength values followed the order: polyimide > epoxy > vinyl ester for the specimens tested. Molecular modeling was also performed for these specimens. Three stacked graphene layers were used to represent the carbon fiber surface and the interfacial energy was determined. The interfacial energy of the three systems followed the same order as the strength values. The molecular simulations allowed for a qualitative discussion of the material properties. In addition, an interfacial debonding simulation was performed, however the resin part failed instead of the interface, indicating that we evaluated the resin strength but not the interfacial strength. For the quantitative evaluation of interfacial debonding strength, further studies are necessary.

All work and no play: A text analysis

Automated analysis of open-ended text survey data is an appealing prospect. It eliminates human error and human variability and can be used to create models that are easier to update over time than a manual approach to coding generally yields. Today, text analytics is a huge business and is among the most popular innovations within the current research landscape. However, within the research industry, there has been little change in usage in recent years, and awareness of the options available appears to be limited. We wished to look more closely at the true strengths of different approaches, the main barriers to their adoption, and how these might be overcome. Using text responses from a short survey about work and play in two markets, we contrasted two tools in analyzing the output: Q’s text analysis component and Google Cloud Natural Language. We chose these tools as they can each be easily applied to survey data but are based on different analytic principles. We found some surprising differences between the output of the two tools and between the text analysis metrics and scalar data. We conclude by discussing some of the key contemporary themes in text analytics and the likely future role of this method within market research and insight.