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The continuing high level of demand for lightweight structural materials is the reason for the ever-growing interest in aluminum alloys. The main areas of application for aluminum alloys products are the aerospace and automotive industries. Production of profiles and structural elements from lightweight alloys gives possibility to reduce the curb weight of construction, which directly translates into among other reduction of fuel consumption and lower amount of generated exhaust gas.

This paper presents the results of the study aimed at determination of plasticity of selected grades of hard-deformed aluminium alloys of 5xxx series in terms of parameters characteristic for the process of extrusion. The examinations were carried out for 5083 and 5754 alloys in the torsion test using STD 812 torsion plastometer. Using the empirical tests, the study evaluated yield stress of alloys depending on strain, strain rate and temperature and the results were approximated and mathematical models of rheological properties of the aluminium grades studied were determined within the range of parameters of deformation and temperature.

This study presents the results of physical modelling of the processes of metal forming of bars made of magnesium alloy (AZ61) obtained using two research methodologies. The study employed the Gleeble 3800 testing system for simulation of metallurgical processes and a torsion plastometer. Depending on the research methodology used, the examinations were carried out in the temperature range of 200 ÷ 400°C and strain rate of (0.1 - 10 s-1). The results obtained in the study were used to determine the value of yield stress for AZ61 alloy for different strain procedures and different temperatures and strain ratios.

The paper presents the results of cold upsetting testing of 16.5 mm-diameter 20MnB4 steel wire rod. The main purpose of the study was to evaluate the ability of wire rod produced in industrial conditions for further cold metal forming. Due to the fact that cracks occurred in the test material at different strain values, the authors made an attempt to answer the question whether there are any crack initiators in the material structure, or the observed cracks are due to the manufacturing process parameters.

The article reports the results of research on the influence of the alternate intermittent deformation of specimens by a torsion method on the Bauschinger effect in the Zr-1%Nb zirconium-based alloy. Tests were carried out using an STD 812 torsion plastometer. Based on the tests carried out, diagrams have been plotted, which represent the influence of the pre-deformation magnitude, the temperature of heat treatment prior to deformation, and deformation rate on the variation in the values of the flow stress and yield strength of the alloy under study. Conditions have been defined, in which larger magnitudes of plastic deformation of Zr-1Nb% alloy material can be used during its cold plastic working. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents results of the examinations aimed at determination of rheological properties of selected grades of medium and high-carbon steel grades (C45 and C72D). The examinations were carried out for the hot torsion test using STD 812 torsion plastometer. The results of experimental studies were approximated with the function used for determination of yield stress depending on strain, strain rate and temperature. The study allowed for development of mathematical models of rheological properties of steel grades studied in the analysed scope of parameters of strain and temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the research results of the influence of deformation conditions of the steel specimens for cold upsetting on their microstructure. Physical simulation of deformation and cooling of the MnB4 steel were carried out with the use of dilatometer DIL 805A/D. After physical simulation the specimens were subjected to metallographic analysis which revealed the obtained microstructure. The hardness of the specimens was determined using a hardness measuring instrument FV - 700. The obtained information concerning the influence of the deformation and cooling conditions on microstructure enabled creating the DTTT diagram for the 30MnB4 steel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The commercial technology of rolling 5,5 mm-diameter wire rod in Poland's most modern rolling line has been examined within the study. The material used for the investigation was the 20MnB4 steel intended for subsequent cold working. From the performed analysis of the investigation results it has been found that the technology of rolling wire rod of cold upsetting steel, which is used currently in the Rolling Mill under examination, allows the production of finished products that can be deformed with a relative reduction of about 33 %. At larger plastic deformations, cracks occur in the material, which disqualifies it from further cold working. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents results of theoretical and experimental studies on the effect of feedstock end overcooling before the first rolling stand on the plastic flow of metal and on the energy and force parameters during bar rolling process. From the obtained investigation results it has been found that the uniform heating of the feedstock in the stepped furnace does not insure the uniform plastic flow of metal over the rolled band length. Therefore, it is necessary to modify the method of feedstock heating in the stepper furnace in order to obtain a uniform temperature over the length of the feedstock before the first rolling stand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work theoretical and experimental analysis of the backward extrusion with a rotary die of the AZ31 alloy has been performed. The modification of the classical extrusion was based on the use of a rotary die. The results of theoretical research have confirmed that the use of the modified backward extrusion causes the appearance of shear stress in deformed material, which could affects the activation of additional mechanisms of deformation. The numerical modelling of the rotating extrusion of AZ31 alloy has been conducted by using the computer program Forge®. The experimental tests were carried out in the conditions of the STD 810 torsion plastometer using newly designed tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzes the high-temperature plasticity characteristics of 20MnB4 and 30MnB4 with micro-additives, intended for cold upsetting and high-carbon steels C45 and C70 in the "solid phase-liquid" during heating and cooling. The investigation was conducted to determine the plastic formability of the examined alloy under hot plastic working conditions. Experiments were carried out on the simulator Gleeble 3800 with the aim of determining the susceptibility of 20MnB4, 30MnB4, C45 and C70 steels to cracking at high temperature. The nil strength (NST), nil ductility (NDT) and ductility recovery temperatures (DRT), and the fracture toughness factor and the BRT (brittleness temperature range) have been determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents results of the research concerning the physical modeling of plastic working of AZ31 magnesium alloy using two research methods. These studies were conducted using a metallurgical process simulator and torsional plastometer. The research was done for temperature range 200 ÷ 400 °C and strain rate from 0,1 to 20,0 s-1, depending on the testing method. The results allow to determine the coefficients in yield equation needed for the numerical research. Moreover the most advantageous temperature - velocity conditions to realize the process of bars rolling in three high skew rolling mill can be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of research with regard to determining the conditions of the thermoplastic processing of steel wire rod for cold upsetting, which ensures that a finished product with an even and fine-grained microstructure, without a clear banding and with increased cold deformability is obtained. The material used for the studies was 20MnB4 low carbon steel, and the studies were carried out on wire rod with a final diameter of 5.5 mm. Numerical modelling of the analysed process was carried out using commercial FORGE 2011 ® and QTSteel ® programs, based on the finite element method. The GLEEBLE 3800 ® metallurgical process simulator was used for the physical modelling studies. The obtained theoretical and experimental results were then verified in industrial conditions. Based on the obtained results, it was found that the optimum strip temperature before deformation in the RSM finishing block of the rolling mill is about 850 °C. The best cooling variant after the deformation process was the one in which the cooling rate was 10 °C/s. Such parameters of thermoplastic processing ensure that a final product with a favourable complex of mechanical and technological properties as well as a fine-grained, even microstructure, lacking clear banding, is obtained., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

International regulations and guidelines strongly suggest that the use of animal models in scientific research should be initiated only after the authority responsible for the review of animal studies has concluded a well-thought-out harm-benefit analysis (HBA) and deemed the project to be appropriate. Although the process for conducting HBAs may not be new, the relevant factors and algorithms used in conducting them during the review process are deemed to be poorly defined or lacking by committees in many institutions. This paper presents the current concept of HBAs based on a literature review. References on cost or risk benefit from clinical trials and other industries are also included. Several approaches to HBA have been discovered including algorithms, graphic presentations and generic processes. The aim of this study is to better aid and harmonize understanding of the concepts of 'harm', 'benefit' and 'harm-benefit analysis'., (© The Author(s) 2016.)

International regulations and guidelines strongly suggest that the use of animal models in scientific research should be initiated only after the authority responsible for the review of animal studies has concluded a well-thought-out harm-benefit analysis (HBA) and deemed the project to be appropriate. The AALAS-FELASA working group on HBA has performed a literature review and based on this review, proposed a method for HBA. Examples of the working group's approach are included in this report., (© The Author(s) 2016.)

This study was designed to determine the impact of an enriched environment in a previously established stress model of isolation during early development that induces high alcohol (ethanol) self-administration. The study was conducted with male and female C57BL/6J mice housed in isolation or in groups that were either provided or withheld enrichment during adolescence. The impact of these housing conditions was assessed during adulthood by measuring weight gain, quantifying voluntary ethanol intake, measuring plasma corticosterone levels, and assessing anxiety-like behavior. Results showed that, regardless of sex, mice that were single-housed during adolescence showed a significant increase in voluntary ethanol intake, which was not observed in isolated mice that were provided with nesting material during adolescence (compared to group-housed non-enriched control group). Basal corticosterone was not affected by housing, enrichment conditions, or sex. Corticosterone levels did not relate to levels of voluntary ethanol intake. However, corticosterone levels were higher after three weeks of ethanol intake. Surprisingly, mice that were group-housed during adolescence showed higher levels of anxiety-like behavior in the light/dark test. Overall, these results indicate that housing conditions during a critical developmental period can significantly modulate voluntary ethanol intake later in life., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals contains recommended housing densities for rodent species that are commonly used by the scientific community. However, at the time of the Guide's publication, housing density recommendations were based heavily on the professional judgment of qualified scientists. Some scientists therefore question whether rodents can be housed at greater densities, whereas others wonder whether the space currently provided for rodents is sufficient. The present study was designed to determine the effect of housing adult female BALB/c- and C57BL/6-mice in standard 75-in(2) (484-cm(2)) ventilated cages at various housing densities (n = 2, 5, and 10 mice/cage). Measures of weight gain, plasma corticosterone, behavior, and immune parameters were evaluated at 7, 28, and 70 d after housing allocation. Housing BALB/c mice at 10/cage had negative effects on weight gain, corticosterone, behavior, and immune parameters. Housing C57BL/6 mice at 10/cage did not affect immune function or weight gain, although behavior and corticosterone showed statistical trends implying a negative effect Differences associated with housing densities of 2 and 5 mice/cage were less robust for all variables measured. We conclude that housing female BALB/c mice at 10 mice/cage (that is, at twice the Guide-recommended density) affects their physiology. We also conclude that mice vary in their responses in the parameters measured. These observations support the conclusion that it will be extremely challenging to scientifically determine an optimal cage density standard that can be uniformly applied across all mouse strains.

Field studies involving animals, like other institutional research endeavors, are regulated and evaluated by an IACUC to insure that the protocols employed in those studies are consistent with the most humane care and use of animals. Unlike many other on-site research projects, however, field studies present unique logistical and other challenges to IACUC evaluation. The authors explore many of these challenges, including the special protocol considerations and idiosyncratic occupational health and safety concerns characteristic of field-study reviews.