ORCID Profile
0000-0003-4901-7113
Current Organisation
University of South Australia
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Civil Engineering | Structural Engineering |
Commercial Construction Design | Industrial Construction Design | Civil Construction Design
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2014
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 26-02-2021
Abstract: Designing protective reinforced concrete (RC) beams against impact loadings is a challenging task. It requires a comprehensive understanding of the structural response of RC beams subjected to impact loads. Significant research efforts have been spent to unveil the impact response of RC beams by using analytical models, experimental testing, or numerical investigations. However, these studies used various assumptions in the analytical derivations and different test setups in the impact testing, which led to significantly different responses and observations of similar structures and similar loading conditions. For ex le, a minor change in contact surface can triple the maximum impact force of identical RC beams. This study provides a review of the contemporary understandings of the RC beam responses to impact loads, and explains the different observations and conclusions. Some unsolved issues for protective structures, that is, RC beams to resist impulsive loads are also discussed. It is suggested that future studies should take into consideration the conditions of the test setup, simplifications and assumptions made in analytical derivations for better interpretations of the obtained results.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2018
Publisher: Springer Singapore
Date: 2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2021
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-08-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2020
Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Date: 02-2014
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2021
Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Date: 06-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2022
Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Date: 10-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2022
Publisher: ASTM International
Date: 09-09-2017
DOI: 10.1520/JTE20150525
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2023
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 09-01-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.JVAL.2018.05.009
Abstract: This paper identifies the best instruments for service providers to measure the quality of life (QoL) of children with a disability, with a focus on their alignment with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with a Disability (CRPD). This study reviewed systematic reviews to identify generic QoL instruments for children and adolescents, followed by an appraisal process using newly developed criteria. QoL instruments with a health status, functioning, and condition-specific focus were excluded. Twenty generic QoL instruments for children were identified from existing systematic reviews to undergo further review. Only 2 of the 20 instruments were recommended for service providers to measure the QoL of children with a disability (KIDSCREEN and KINDL). Many pediatric QoL instruments (N = 9) focus on functioning and are not consistent with the CRPD, confounding a child's functioning with their feelings about their life. KIDSCREEN and KINDL have self-report and parent report versions, are applicable for childhood and adolescence, demonstrate adequate reliability and validity, involved children in their development, focus on wellbeing, are likely to be able to be completed by a child with a disability, and are low in cost. Many instruments focus on functioning rather than wellbeing and thus may not capture the QoL of children with a disability. A child's functional limitations may not be consistent with their feelings about life. Two instruments that assess wellbeing and meet the criteria important for service providers now require further testing to explore their usefulness and validity for children with varying abilities.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2021
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-03-2023
Abstract: Utilization of industrial by‐products in concrete is an effective way to reduce the exhaustion of raw materials for concrete production, but it can lead to degradation in concrete properties. Therefore, research efforts are required to achieve a balance between waste utilization and concrete performance. This study examined the strength and durability performance of geopolymer concrete (GPC) developed from fly ash (FA) and fine rice husk ash (FRHA) as main binders (50/50), with partial OPC substitution at different levels (0%–30%). Various properties like workability, compressive strength, water absorption, chloride penetration resistance, carbonation depth, electrical resistivity (ER), and acid attack resistance were experimentally investigated. Results indicated that there was a noticeable improvement in the workability with 20% OPC substitution, achieving the highest slump of 110 mm. The highest compressive strength (50 MPa) was attained with 15% OPC substitution after 90 days. Mix FR85C15 (15% OPC replacement) showed the highest durability performance at all ages through various indicators, that is, water absorption, charge passed, carbonation depth, and ER. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy analyses also validated the enhanced microstructure of FR85C15 compared with other mixes. When exposed to sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ), Mix FR85C15 showed a minimal loss of 14% in compressive strength. It was concluded that GPC produced using FA and FRHA substituting OPC (up to 15%) can potentially be utilized for structural applications.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-09-2022
Abstract: In this research, a new high‐strength all‐lightweight self‐compacting concrete (HALSCC) was developed with a density less than 1760 kg/m 3 and a compressive strength of more than 40 MPa. The effects of different parameters were investigated: pretreatment methods, binders, type of aggregates, and hybrid steel fibers on the properties of HALSCC. The experimental investigation evaluated the properties of fresh, mechanical, and microstructure of several concrete mixtures that incorporate low‐C 3 A cement, silica fume, metakaolin, and hybrid steel fibers. The results show that HALSCC can be developed. The binder pretreatment method could improve the compressive strength by 14.1% compared with the water pretreatment method through the strengthening of Zone 1 and Zone 2 of interfacial transition zone. Also, the mixes incorporating stalite could improve the compressive strength by 40.8% and 106% compared to the mixes with scoria and leca respectively. Hybrid length steel fibers could increase the mechanical properties when compared to a single type of fiber.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2019
Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Date: 12-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2022
DOI: 10.2139/SSRN.4305985
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2016
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2021
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-05-2022
Abstract: This study examines the suitability of alternate binders and crumb rubber (CR) to produce light weight alkali‐activated concrete (AAC). For this, strength, and durability performance of AAC incorporating CR by partially replacing fine aggregate was studied. To produce AAC, four different binders, including fly ash, rice husk ash (RHA), metakaolin, and bottom ash were used. Fine aggregates were substituted with CR at 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% for each AAC mix (with different binders). Furthermore, the mixes were prepared using 12 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution, and the ratio of sodium silicate (Na 2 SiO 3 ) to NaOH was taken as 2.5. The s les were cured at ambient temperature. Strength and durability properties, including permeability through water absorption and acid attack (hydrochloric acid [HCl] and sulfuric acid [H 2 SO 4 ]), were also checked. Results of this study revealed that the strength decreased with the increase in CR content. Further, this decrease was high at 30% replacement but strength was satisfactory. AAC showed good relationships among compressive, flexural, and split tensile strengths. Similar footprints were observed for permeability results. However, highest water absorption was observed for bottom ash binder (with 30% substitution of CR). Mixes with fly ash and metakaolin binders outperformed the other mixes while comparing the compressive strength of acid exposed s les. Overall, a sustainable and durable light weight AAC can be prepared using 20% CR.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 24-10-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2020
Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Date: 04-2017
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-02-2023
DOI: 10.1002/ECY.3981
Abstract: Tree roots not only acquire readily‐usable soil nutrients but also affect microbial decomposition and manipulate nutrient availability in their surrounding soils, that is, rhizosphere effects (REs). Thus, REs challenge the basic understanding of how plants adapt to the environment and co‐exist with other species. Yet, how REs vary among species in response to species‐specific bulk soil nutrient cycling is not well‐known. Here, we studied how plant‐controlled microbial decomposition activities in rhizosphere soils respond to those in their corresponding bulk soils and whether these relations depend on species‐specific nutrient cycling in the bulk soils. We targeted 55 woody species of different clades and mycorrhizal types in three contrasting biomes, namely a temperate forest, a subtropical forest, and a tropical forest. We found that microbial decomposition activities in rhizosphere soils responded linearly to those in their corresponding bulk soils at the species level. Thereafter, we found that REs (parameters in rhizosphere soils minus those in corresponding bulk soils) of microbial decomposition activities had negative linear correlations with microbial decomposition activities in corresponding bulk soils. A multiple factor analysis revealed that soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and soil water content favored bulk soil decomposition activities in all three biomes, showing that the magnitude of REs varied along a fast‐slow nutrient cycling spectrum in bulk soils. The species of fast nutrient cycling in their bulk soils tended to have smaller or even negative REs. Therefore, woody plants commonly utilize both positive and negative REs as a nutrient‐acquisition strategy. Based on the trade‐offs between REs and other nutrient‐acquisition strategies, we proposed a push and pull conceptual model which can bring plant nutrient‐acquisition cost and plant carbon economics spectrum together in the future. This model will facilitate not only the carbon and nutrient cycling but also the mechanisms of species co‐existence in forest ecosystems.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2022
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 28-07-2016
Abstract: It is always a challenge to efficiently and accurately estimate the force on structures from falling objects. This study aims to predict the maximum impact force on reinforced concrete beams subjected to drop-weight impact using artificial neural network. A new empirical model including a comprehensive version and a simplified version is proposed to estimate the maximum impact force. The model was verified against a database collected from the literature including 67 reinforced concrete beams tested under drop-weight impacts. The database covers the concrete strengths ranging from 23 to 47 MPa, the projectile mass from 150 to 500 kg, and the impact velocity up to 9.3 m/s. The prediction of the comprehensive version of the proposed model fits the experimental results very well with an average absolute error of 11.6%. The simplified version of the proposed model is established for easy estimation, with the average error of 23.2% in prediction of the maximum impact force.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 02-01-2018
Abstract: This study conducts an experimental and numerical investigation on the failure and impact resistance of plain and fiber-reinforced polymer-confined concrete. The impact resistance of concrete cylinders wrapped with different types of fibers including carbon fiber and glass fiber is examined. Drop-weight tests are utilized to conduct the impact tests while the numerical simulation is conducted using LS-DYNA. The experimental and numerical results have proved that fiber-reinforced polymer can be efficiently used to improve the impact resistance of concrete cylinders. In general, fiber-reinforced polymer ruptures at a lower strain than those in static tests and the rupture strain of glass fiber is much higher than that of carbon fiber. The findings in the experimental tests are confirmed by the numerical results. Glass fiber, therefore, exhibits a much better performance than carbon fiber. It is recommended to use glass fiber to enhance the impact resistance of concrete structures strengthened with fiber-reinforced polymer. In addition, the stress evolution of the specimens is analyzed to investigate the failure mechanism.
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 2012
DOI: 10.1155/2012/754142
Abstract: The main distinction of blast load from other types of dynamic loadings is its impulsive nature, where the loads usually act for a very short duration but transmit very high impulsive pressures. This paper presents an overview of the present retrofitting techniques in use to enhance the capacity of structural elements to withstand the effects of blast loads, and introduces an alternative retrofitting approach by utilizing polymer coatings. The authors have demonstrated the positive effects of this approach by conducting a numerical investigation on the behavior of an unretrofitted reinforced concrete panel subjected to the blast load from a 2 kg charge at 1.6 m stand-off distance, and subsequently comparing its performance with several polymer coated panels. The analysis was performed by using an explicit nonlinear finite element (FE) code. The results demonstrate the contributions of this technique in terms of panel displacement control and energy dissipation. Considering that the polymer coating can also act as a protective layer in improving the durability of structural materials, this technique can also be optimized favorably to enhance the overall sustainability of structures.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2021
Publisher: S. Karger AG
Date: 2022
DOI: 10.1159/000529376
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2022
Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Date: 04-2020
Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Date: 12-2014
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2013
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 20-09-2019
Abstract: This study investigates the axial impact resistance and energy absorption of rubberized concrete with/without fiber-reinforced polymer confinement. The impact tests were carried out using an instrumented drop-weight testing apparatus. The experimental results have shown that rubberized concrete significantly reduced the maximum impact force of up to 50% and extended the impact duration. These characteristics make rubberized concrete a promising material for protective structures and particularly for future sustainable construction of rigid roadside barriers. Glass fiber–reinforced polymer confinement is a very effective method to improve the impact resistance for both conventional concrete and particularly for rubberized concrete. It was found that the rubberized concrete reduced the maximum impact force so that it transferred a lower force to a protected structure as well as a lower rebound force, which is desirable for protection of passengers in an incident of vehicle collision. Interestingly, the rubberized concrete showed a lower energy absorption capacity as compared to conventional concrete, where the exact reason for this is unknown to the authors. Therefore, further research is sought to provide more understanding of the response of rubberized concrete under impact and improve its energy absorption. This study explored experimentally the use of rubberized concrete as a promising sustainable construction material for applications to construction of columns in buildings located in seismic active zones or subjected to terrorist attack, security bollards and rigid road side barriers.
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 03-05-2022
DOI: 10.1101/2022.05.02.490350
Abstract: The Australian black swan ( Cygnus atratus ) is an iconic species with contrasting plumage to that of the closely related Northern Hemisphere white swans. The relative geographic isolation of the black swan may have resulted in a limited immune repertoire and increased susceptibility to infectious disease, notably infectious diseases from which Australia has been largely shielded. Indeed, unlike Mallard ducks and the mute swan ( Cygnus olor ), the black swan is extremely sensitive to severe highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Understanding this susceptibility has been impaired by the absence of any available swan genome and transcriptome information. Here, we generate the first chromosome-length annotated black and mute swan genomes annotated with transcriptome data, all using long-read based pipelines generated for vertebrate species. We used these genomes and transcriptomes, to show that unlike other wild waterfowl, black swans lack an expanded immune gene repertoire, lack a key viral pattern-recognition receptor in endothelial cells and mount a poorly controlled inflammatory response to HPAI. We also implicate genetic differences in SLC45A2 in the iconic plumage of the Australian black swan. Together, these data suggest that the immune system of the black swan is such that should any avian viral infection become established in its native habitat the survival of the black swan would be in significant peril.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2018
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 10-11-2022
DOI: 10.3389/FNAGI.2022.1019296
Abstract: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an insidious disease. Its distinctive pathology forms over a considerable length of time without symptoms. There is a need to detect this disease, before even subtle changes occur in cognition. Hallmark AD biomarkers, tau and amyloid-β, have shown promising results in CSF and blood. However, detecting early changes in these biomarkers and others will involve screening a wide group of healthy, asymptomatic in iduals. Saliva is a feasible alternative. S le collection is economical, non-invasive and saliva is an abundant source of proteins including tau and amyloid-β. This work sought to extend an earlier promising untargeted mass spectrometry study in saliva from in iduals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or AD with age- and gender-matched cognitively normal from the South Australian Neurodegenerative Disease cohort. Five proteins, with key roles in inflammation, were chosen from this study and measured by ELISA from in iduals with AD ( n = 16), MCI ( n = 15) and cognitively normal ( n = 29). The concentrations of Cystatin-C, Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, Stratifin, Matrix metalloproteinase 9 and Haptoglobin proteins had altered abundance in saliva from AD and MCI, consistent with the earlier study. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that combinations of these proteins demonstrated excellent diagnostic accuracy for distinguishing both MCI (area under curve = 0.97) and AD (area under curve = 0.97) from cognitively normal. These results provide evidence for saliva being a valuable source of biomarkers for early detection of cognitive impairment in in iduals on the AD continuum and potentially other neurodegenerative diseases.
Publisher: Springer Singapore
Date: 23-12-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2023
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 12-08-2022
DOI: 10.3390/SU14169989
Abstract: This study investigates the influences of three types of locally available low-cost Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRP) wraps and two concrete mix designs on the axial behavior of FRP confined concrete. The experimental program comprised four unconfined (control), four glass FRP Matt Strand (GFRP-MS) confined concrete, four glass FRP Rowing (GFRP-R) confined concrete and four carbon FRP (CFRP) confined concrete specimens with a diameter of 150 mm and a height of 300 mm tested under axial compression. The specimens were prepared using two normal strength concrete mix designs, i.e., Mix-A and Mix-B. The experimental results exhibited that an increase in the confined concrete strength per unit cost ratio of a single layer of GFRP-MS was about two times of a single layer of CFRP wrap, whereas the increase in confined concrete strength per unit cost ratio of single layer of GFRP-R was about four times of a single layer of CFRP wrap. GFRP-MS and GFRP-R wraps can exhibit similar confined strengths as CFRP wrap with six and twelve times lower costs, respectively, than CFRP wrap. Mix-B concrete specimens exhibited higher confined concrete strengths but lower confined concrete strain than Mix-A concrete specimens. A database of 140 FRP confined concrete specimens was developed based on a set of specific criteria to develop a design-oriented model to predict the FRP confined concrete strength. The predicted confined concrete strengths matched well with the experimental confined concrete strengths. The two layers of GFRP-R exhibited similar confined concrete strength as CFRP wrap. In addition, GFRP-R exhibited high cement strength index (CSI) and low embodied CO2 index (CI).
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2021
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 02-09-2022
DOI: 10.3390/SU141710948
Abstract: This study aimed at investigating the durability characteristics of the ambient-cured geopolymer concrete (GPC) developed using recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) and ultrafine slag (UFS). Two series of mixes were prepared. Natural aggregates (NAs) were replaced by RCA at different volume levels of 0, 25, 50 and 100% in both series. Meanwhile, UFS was added as a replacement by volume of fly ash at varying levels of 0, 15, and 30% in the first series, while UFS was used in addition to fly ash by percentage weight of fly ash at the levels of 0, 15, and 30% in the second series. The compressive strength, water absorption, chloride ion penetration, and carbonation depth of the developed ambient-cured GPC were studied. In addition, creep and drying shrinkage of the specimens were also examined. It was found that the compressive strength increased with the UFS content, while the opposite trend was observed with increasing RCA%. The highest compressive strength obtained with 100% RCA was 40.21 MPa (at 90 days), when 30% UFS was used in addition to fly ash. The addition of UFS not only helped in improving the strength characteristics but also provided an alternative to heat curing, which is a major drawback of GPC. Furthermore, the negative effects of RCA can also be minimised by adding UFS, which can be used as a compensator to RCA to improve the durability characteristics. The experimental results prove that susceptibility to chemical, water and chloride attacks can be mitigated by incorporation of UFS, and durable GPC can be produced by using RCA and UFS.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2016
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2021
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 31-07-2017
Abstract: This study investigates the behavior of fiber-reinforced polymer-strengthened reinforced concrete beams under static and impact loads. The experimental program includes six beams tested in static loads and seven beams tested against impact loads. Longitudinal fiber-reinforced polymer strips and fiber-reinforced polymer U-wraps were used to strengthen these beams. The section of four beams was modified to have a curved soffit in order to reduce the stress concentration of fiber-reinforced polymer U-wraps and provide confinement effect on longitudinal fiber-reinforced polymer strips. The experimental results showed that the proposed modification significantly increased the beam capacities as compared to their rectangular counterparts strengthened with the same amount of fiber-reinforced polymer material. In addition, this article also provides explanations and discussions on the phenomenon of shifting of the flexure failure mode under static loads to the shear–flexure failure mode under impact loads of all the beams tested in the study, as well as the proper interpretations of the measured impact forces in the tests. From the experimental results, it is recommended that the impact force and inertial force at the very early stage of an impact event should be used to design the impact resistance.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2015
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 23-12-2022
DOI: 10.1101/2022.12.23.521667
Abstract: PacBio high fidelity (HiFi) sequencing reads are both long (15-20 kb) and highly accurate ( Q20). Because of these properties, they have revolutionised genome assembly leading to more accurate and contiguous genomes. In eukaryotes the mitochondrial genome is sequenced alongside the nuclear genome often at very high coverage. A dedicated tool for mitochondrial genome assembly using HiFi reads is still missing. MitoHiFi was developed within the Darwin Tree of Life Project to assemble mitochondrial genomes from the HiFi reads generated for target species. The input for MitoHiFi is either the raw reads or the assembled contigs, and the tool outputs a mitochondrial genome sequence fasta file along with annotation of protein and RNA genes. Variants arising from heteroplasmy are assembled independently, and nuclear insertions of mitochondrial sequences are identified and not used in organellar genome assembly. MitoHiFi has been used to assemble 374 mitochondrial genomes (369 from 12 phyla and 39 orders of Metazoa and from 6 species of Fungi) for the Darwin Tree of Life Project, the Vertebrate Genomes Project and the Aquatic Symbiosis Genome Project. Inspection of 60 mitochondrial genomes assembled with MitoHiFi for species that already have reference sequences in public databases showed the widespread presence of previously unreported repeats. MitoHiFi is able to assemble mitochondrial genomes from a wide phylogenetic range of taxa from Pacbio HiFi data. MitoHiFi is written in python and is freely available on github ( arcelauliano/MitoHiFi ). MitoHiFi is available with its dependencies as a singularity image on github (ghcr.io/marcelauliano/mitohifi:master).
Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Date: 04-2013
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 09-07-2021
Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Date: 12-2015
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2018
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 23-01-2023
DOI: 10.1186/S13059-022-02838-0
Abstract: The Australian black swan ( Cygnus atratus ) is an iconic species with contrasting plumage to that of the closely related northern hemisphere white swans. The relative geographic isolation of the black swan may have resulted in a limited immune repertoire and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, notably infectious diseases from which Australia has been largely shielded. Unlike mallard ducks and the mute swan ( Cygnus olor ), the black swan is extremely sensitive to highly pathogenic avian influenza. Understanding this susceptibility has been impaired by the absence of any available swan genome and transcriptome information. Here, we generate the first chromosome-length black and mute swan genomes annotated with transcriptome data, all using long-read based pipelines generated for vertebrate species. We use these genomes and transcriptomes to show that unlike other wild waterfowl, black swans lack an expanded immune gene repertoire, lack a key viral pattern-recognition receptor in endothelial cells and mount a poorly controlled inflammatory response to highly pathogenic avian influenza. We also implicate genetic differences in SLC45A2 gene in the iconic plumage of the black swan. Together, these data suggest that the immune system of the black swan is such that should any avian viral infection become established in its native habitat, the black swan would be in a significant peril.
Publisher: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Date: 07-02-2023
Abstract: Sea turtles represent an ancient lineage of marine vertebrates that evolved from terrestrial ancestors over 100 Mya. The genomic basis of the unique physiological and ecological traits enabling these species to thrive in erse marine habitats remains largely unknown. Additionally, many populations have drastically declined due to anthropogenic activities over the past two centuries, and their recovery is a high global conservation priority. We generated and analyzed high-quality reference genomes for the leatherback ( Dermochelys coriacea ) and green ( Chelonia mydas ) turtles, representing the two extant sea turtle families. These genomes are highly syntenic and homologous, but localized regions of noncollinearity were associated with higher copy numbers of immune, zinc-finger, and olfactory receptor (OR) genes in green turtles, with ORs related to waterborne odorants greatly expanded in green turtles. Our findings suggest that ergent evolution of these key gene families may underlie immunological and sensory adaptations assisting navigation, occupancy of neritic versus pelagic environments, and diet specialization. Reduced collinearity was especially prevalent in microchromosomes, with greater gene content, heterozygosity, and genetic distances between species, supporting their critical role in vertebrate evolutionary adaptation. Finally, ersity and demographic histories starkly contrasted between species, indicating that leatherback turtles have had a low yet stable effective population size, exhibit extremely low ersity compared with other reptiles, and harbor a higher genetic load compared with green turtles, reinforcing concern over their persistence under future climate scenarios. These genomes provide invaluable resources for advancing our understanding of evolution and conservation best practices in an imperiled vertebrate lineage.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-07-2022
Abstract: This study experimentally examines the effect of rubber aggregate size on the static and dynamic behavior of rubberized concrete. Rubberized concrete specimens were prepared with different maximum rubber aggregate sizes ranging from 1 to 3 mm to 3 to 5 mm while the rubber content was kept constant at 15% by volume. The dynamic compressive behavior of rubberized concrete was investigated by using split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) tests. The experimental results have shown that rubberized concrete with smaller rubber aggregates showed higher static compressive strength as compared to that with larger rubber aggregates. Meanwhile, the rubber aggregate size did not considerably affect the density of rubberized concrete. The use of smaller rubber aggregate size mitigated the slump reduction of rubberized concrete. Rubberized concrete exhibited obvious sensitivity to strain rate and those with larger rubber aggregates showed higher strain rate sensitivity. The progressive damage of rubberized concrete showed more ductile behavior with bulging failure, which was different from the typical concrete under compression. In general, the use of smaller rubber aggregate size was beneficial to the static compressive strength but less effective to the dynamic compressive strength of rubberized concrete as compared to those with larger rubber aggregates.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 29-07-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2021
Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Date: 06-2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2018
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 07-03-2022
DOI: 10.3390/APP12052756
Abstract: This paper proposes using neutral axis locations to monitor and quantify the prestress force in post-tensioned precast segmental beams. Strain measurements are used to obtain the neutral axis locations of specific cross-sections of the precast prestressed segmental beams, based on the plane–remains–plane and linear strain distribution assumption. A theoretical calculation method based on the static equilibrium of a specific cross-section is developed to calculate the prestress force in segmental beams based on the neutral axis location. To verify the accuracy of the proposed method, a post-tensioned prestressed segmental beam is built and tested in the laboratory. A corresponding high-fidelity finite element model is also developed based on the beam design and material properties. Experimental studies and numerical simulations are conducted to verify the feasibility and accuracy of the proposed method in quantifying the prestress force in precast segmental beams. Both experimental and numerical results demonstrate that the proposed method can reliably estimate the prestress force, which can be used to monitor the prestress force loss in post-tensioned structures.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 14-08-2023
DOI: 10.1177/13694332221120130
Abstract: As an environmentally-friendly material, rubberised concrete has attracted a lot of attentions and researches in recent years. However, because of the addition of rubber crumbs, the strength and modulus of rubberised concrete are low as compared to normal concrete, which limit the wide applications of this material in construction of load-bearing structures. Considering the good deformation and impact resistance ability of rubberised concrete, many researchers have suggested that rubberised concrete material could be used to construct roadside barriers, but the research on rubberised concrete barrier subjected to vehicle collision is very limited. This paper studies the feasibility of application of this green material to make roadside barriers to resist vehicle impact. Numerical models of F-type barriers with A-grade and SS-grade made of rubberised concrete and normal concrete are established. The validities of the numerical models are verified by laboratory impact tests available in literature. The collision of the vehicle with the normal concrete barrier and the rubberised concrete barrier are simulated by the verified numerical models. The results show that the rubberised concrete barrier not only meets the safety requirements for roadside barriers, but also reduces the impact force acting on the vehicle and hence reduces the vehicle damage and risk of the drivers and passengers as compared with the normal concrete barrier. The results demonstrate the great application potentials of this green material for constructing roadside barriers and structures.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2010
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2022
Publisher: Thomas Telford Ltd.
Date: 05-2014
Abstract: A new empirical model to estimate the joint shear strength of both exterior and interior beam–column connections is proposed. In the model, four parameters that have the most influence on joint shear strength are considered. Among these four, a new parameter is introduced to consider the bond condition and the possibility of beam bars transferring joint shear force into the columns. Consideration of this parameter in the model significantly improves the accuracy of the predicted joint shear strength. To calibrate the model, a large database of 98 reinforced concrete (RC) exterior and 73 RC interior beam–column connections displaying joint failure mode was compiled from the literature. A parametric study was also carried out to evaluate the dependence of the predicted to tested joint shear strength ratio on the four influence parameters using the database. The proposed model showed superior performance over existing models. Moreover, comparisons of the predicted joint shear strength with experimental results and with four existing models showed the accuracy of the proposed model.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2020
Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Date: 02-2022
Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Date: 10-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2022
Publisher: World Scientific Pub Co Pte Lt
Date: 06-2020
DOI: 10.1142/S0219455420400015
Abstract: Basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) has been applied for strengthening concrete structures. However, studies on reinforced concrete (RC) slabs strengthened by BFRP strips under impact loads are limited in open literature. This study investigates the efficiency of using BFRP strips with various strengthening layouts and anchoring schemes on the impact resistance of RC slabs. A total of 11 two-way square slabs were prepared and tested, including one reference specimen without strengthening and ten slabs strengthened with BFRP strips and/or anchors. The RC slabs were impacted by a drop weight with increasing height until slab failure. The observed failure modes include punching shear failure, BFRP sheet debonding and reinforcement fracture. The failure modes and the effects of using various strengthening schemes on the impact resistant capacity of RC slabs were examined. The quantitative measurements, such as impact velocity, indentation depth and diameter, were compared and discussed. In addition, numerical studies were carried out by using LS-DYNA to simulate the impact tests of RC slabs with and without BFRP strengthening. With the calibrated numerical model, the impact behavior of slabs with various dimensions and strengthening layouts under different impact intensities can be predicted with good accuracy.
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 12-2022
DOI: 10.1101/2022.12.01.518724
Abstract: The human Y chromosome has been notoriously difficult to sequence and assemble because of its complex repeat structure including long palindromes, tandem repeats, and segmental duplications 1–3 . As a result, more than half of the Y chromosome is missing from the GRCh38 reference sequence and it remains the last human chromosome to be finished 4, 5 . Here, the Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T) consortium presents the complete 62,460,029 base pair sequence of a human Y chromosome from the HG002 genome (T2T-Y) that corrects multiple errors in GRCh38-Y and adds over 30 million base pairs of sequence to the reference, revealing the complete liconic structures of TSPY , DAZ , and RBMY gene families 41 additional protein-coding genes, mostly from the TSPY family and an alternating pattern of human satellite 1 and 3 blocks in the heterochromatic Yq12 region. We have combined T2T-Y with a prior assembly of the CHM13 genome 4 and mapped available population variation, clinical variants, and functional genomics data to produce a complete and comprehensive reference sequence for all 24 human chromosomes.
Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Date: 12-2013
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2022
Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Date: 08-2016
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2020
Start Date: 12-2022
End Date: 12-2025
Amount: $363,000.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
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