The linear-elastic Theory of Critical Distances to estimate high-cycle fatigue strength of notched metallic materials at elevated temperatures

This paper investigates the accuracy of the linear-elastic Theory of Critical Distances (TCD) in estimating high-cycle fatigue streng th of notched metallic materials experienc- ing elevated temperatures during in-service operations. The TCD postulates that the fatigue damage extent can be estimated by directly post-processing the entire linear-elastic stress field acting on the material in the vicinity of the crack initiation locations. The key feature of this theory is that the high-cycle fatigue assessment is based on a scale length parameter that is assumed to be a material property. The accuracy of this design method was checked against a number of experimental results generated, under axial loading, by testing, at 250 °C, notched specimens of carbon steel C45. To further investigate the reliability of the TCD, its accuracy was also checked via several data taken from the literature, these experimental results being generated by testing notched samples of Inconel 718 at 500 °C as well as notched specimens of directionally solidified superalloy DZ125 at 850 °C. This validation exercise allowed us to prove that the linear-elastic TCD is successful in estimating high-cycle fatigue strength of notched metallic materials exposed to elevated temperature, resulting in estimates falling within an error interval of ±20%. Such a high level of accuracy suggests that, in situations of practical interest, reliable high-cycle fatigue assessment can be performed without the need for taking into account those non-linearities characterising the mechanical behaviour of metallic materials at high temperature, the used critical distance being still a material property whose value does not depend on the sharpness of the notch being designed

The odd side of torsion geometry

We introduce and study a notion of `Sasaki with torsion structure' (ST) as an odd-dimensional analogue of K\"ahler with torsion geometry (KT). These are normal almost contact metric manifolds that admit a unique compatible connection with 3-form torsion. Any odd-dimensional compact Lie group is shown to admit such a structure; in this case the structure is left-invariant and has closed torsion form. We illustrate the relation between ST structures and other generalizations of Sasaki geometry, and explain how some standard constructions in Sasaki geometry can be adapted to this setting. In particular, we relate the ST structure to a KT structure on the space of leaves, and show that both the cylinder and the cone over an ST manifold are KT, although only the cylinder behaves well with respect to closedness of the torsion form. Finally, we introduce a notion of `G-moment map'. We provide criteria based on equivariant cohomology ensuring the existence of these maps, and then apply them as a tool for reducing ST structures.Comment: 34 pages; v2: added a small generalization (Proposition 3.6) of the cone construction; two references added. To appear on Ann. Mat. Pura App

From Mendel’s discovery on pea to today’s plant genetics and breeding

In 2015, we celebrated the 150th anniversary of the presentation of the seminal work of Gregor Johann Mendel. While Darwin’s theory of evolution was based on differential survival and differential reproductive success, Mendel’s theory of heredity relies on equality and stability throughout all stages of the life cycle. Darwin’s concepts were continuous variation and “soft” heredity; Mendel espoused discontinuous variation and “hard” heredity. Thus, the combination of Mendelian genetics with Darwin’s theory of natural selection was the process that resulted in the modern synthesis of evolutionary biology. Although biology, genetics, and genomics have been revolutionized in recent years, modern genetics will forever rely on simple principles founded on pea breeding using seven single gene characters. Purposeful use of mutants to study gene function is one of the essential tools of modern genetics. Today, over 100 plant species genomes have been sequenced. Mapping populations and their use in segregation of molecular markers and marker–trait association to map and isolate genes, were developed on the basis of Mendel's work. Genome-wide or genomic selection is a recent approach for the development of improved breeding lines. The analysis of complex traits has been enhanced by high-throughput phenotyping and developments in statistical and modeling methods for the analysis of phenotypic data. Introgression of novel alleles from landraces and wild relatives widens genetic diversity and improves traits; transgenic methodologies allow for the introduction of novel genes from diverse sources, and gene editing approaches offer possibilities to manipulate gene in a precise manner

The stimulant effects of caffeine on locomotor behaviour in mice are mediated through its blockade of adenosine A(2A) receptors

1. The locomotor stimulatory effects induced by caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) in rodents have been attributed to antagonism of adenosine A(1) and A(2A) receptors. Little is known about its locomotor depressant effects seen when acutely administered at high doses. The roles of adenosine A(1) and A(2A) receptors in these activities were investigated using a Digiscan actimeter in experiments carried out in mice. Besides caffeine, the A(2A) antagonist SCH 58261 (5-amino-7-(β-phenylethyl)-2-(8-furyl)pyrazolo[4,3-e]-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidine), the A(1) antagonist DPCPX (8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine), the A(1) agonist CPA (N(6)-cyclopentyladenosine) and A(2A) receptor knockout mice were used. 2. Caffeine had a biphasic effect on locomotion of wild-type mice not habituated to the open field, stimulating locomotion at 6.25–25 mg kg(−1) i.p. doses, while depressing it at 100 mg kg(−1). In sharp contrast, caffeine dose-dependently decreased locomotion in A(2A) receptor knockout mice over the whole range of tested doses. 3. The depressant effects induced by high doses of caffeine were lost in control CD1 mice habituated to the open field. 4. The A(1) agonist CPA depressed locomotion at 0.3–1 mg kg(−1) i.p. doses. 5. The A(1) antagonist DPCPX decreased locomotion of A(2A) receptor knockouts and CD1 mice at 5 mg kg(−1) i.p. and 25 mg kg(−1) i.p. respectively. 6. DPCPX (0.2–1 mg kg(−1) i.p.) left unaltered or even reduced the stimulant effect of SCH 58261 (1–3 mg kg(−1) i.p.) on CD1 mice. 7. These results suggest therefore that the stimulant effect of low doses of caffeine is mediated by A(2A) receptor blockade while the depressant effect seen at higher doses under some conditions is explained by A(1) receptor blockade