Cyclic pull-out strength of steel roof and wall cladding systems

When crest-fixed thin steel roof cladding systems are subjected to wind uplift, local pull-through or pull-out failures occur prematurely at their screwed connections. During high wind events such as storms and cyclones these localised failures then lead to severe damage to buildings and their contents. In recent times, the use of thin steel battens/purlins has increased considerably. This has made the pull-out failures more critical in the design of steel cladding systems. Recent research has developed a design formula for the static pull-out strength of steel cladding systems. However, the effects of fluctuating wind uplift loading that occurs during high wind events are not known. Therefore a series of constant amplitude cyclic tests has been undertaken on connections between steel battens made of different thicknesses and steel grades, and screw fasteners with varying diameter and pitch. This paper presents the details of these cyclic tests and the results.

Cyclic mechanical strain guides capillary-like morphology in vitro

Introduction Stretching of tissue stimulates angiogenesis but increased motion at a fracture site hinders revascularisation. In vitro studies have indicated that mechanical stimuli promote angiogenic responses in endothelial cells, but can either inhibit or enhance responses when applied directly to angiogenesis assays. We anticipated that cyclic tension applied during endothelial network assembly would increase vascular structure formation up to a certain threshold. Methods Fibroblast/HUVEC co-cultures were subjected to cyclic equibiaxial strain (1 Hz; 6 h/day; 7 days) using the FlexerCell FX-4000T system and limiting rings for simultaneous application of multiple strain magnitudes (0–13%). Cells were labelled using anti-PECAM-1, and image analysis provided measures of endothelial network length and numbers of junctions. Results Cyclic stretching had no significant effect on the total length of endothelial networks (P > 0.2) but resulted in a strain-dependent decrease in branching and localised alignments of endothelial structures, which were in turn aligned with the supporting fibroblastic construct. Conclusion The organisation of endothelial networks under cyclic strain is dominated by structural adaptation to the supporting construct. It may be that, in fracture healing, the formation and integrity of the granulation tissue and callus is ultimately critical in revascularisation and its failure under severe strain conditions.

Breaking the code of silence : the Wood Royal Commission into New South Wales police : a brief overview

The three-volume Final Report of the Wood inquiry into NSW Police (Royal Commission Into the New South Wales Police Service, 'Final Report, Vol I: Corruption; Vol II: Reform; Vol III: Appendices', May 1997) was publicly released on 15 May 1997, to much media fanfare. The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) devoted an 8-page special report on I May to the pending release of the Inquiry Report, headed The Police Purge. On the day of the public release of the Report, the SMH five-page 'Special Report' under the banner The Police Verdict was headlined Wood, Carr Split on Drugs. The Australian led with Call for Drug Law Revamp, Force Overhaul to Fight Corruption, Wood Attacks Culture of Greed, and the Daily Telegraph front page 'Final Verdict' was True Blue Strategy for an Honest Police Force...

Source code watermarking based on function dependency oriented sequencing

In the current market, extensive software development is taking place and the software industry is thriving. Major software giants have stated source code theft as a major threat to revenues. By inserting an identity-establishing watermark in the source code, a company can prove it's ownership over the source code. In this paper, we propose a watermarking scheme for C/C++ source codes by exploiting the language restrictions. If a function calls another function, the latter needs to be defined in the code before the former, unless one uses function pre-declarations. We embed the watermark in the code by imposing an ordering on the mutually independent functions by introducing bogus dependency. Removal of dependency by the attacker to erase the watermark requires extensive manual intervention thereby making the attack infeasible. The scheme is also secure against subtractive and additive attacks. Using our watermarking scheme, an n-bit watermark can be embedded in a program having n independent functions. The scheme is implemented on several sample codes and performance changes are analyzed.

Written in code : diversity and the new genetics

Modern genetic research holds out the promise of a bold new future in which humanity has identified and conquered the genetic roots of many diseases. Genetic science also promises to shed light on who we are, what it is that makes us tick, what it is that makes us the way we are — in short, what it is that makes us human. Yet while genetics are a potential saviour (saving us from disease), it also appears as a threat that at the extremes appears to be the stuff of our worst nightmares, such as the prospect, probably more imagined than real, of rows of cloned individuals. The new genetics hold out the promise that through genetics we will be able to determine what we are, a promise that is simultaneously appealing and terrifying. This chapter discusses the cloning of people and parts, the law’s response to cloning, genetics and diversity, a framework for law reform.

A theoretical study of C4B isomers. The interconversion of CCBCC and CCCCB via cyclic C4B

Theory suggests that CCBCC (1) will rearrange to planar cyclo-C4B (19) if the excess energy of 1 is greater than or equal to16.1 kcal mol(-1) [calculations at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ//B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory]. Cyclo-C4B lies only 1.1 kcal mol(-1) above CCBCC. The planar nature of symmetrical cyclo-C4B is attributed to multicentered bonding involving boron. If cyclo-C4B (19) has an excess energy of greater than or equal to24.4 kcal mol-1, it may ring open to form CCCCB (3).

Elevated cyclic AMP suppresses ConA-induced MT1-MMP expression in MDA- MB-231 human breast cancer cells

We have previously reported that induction of MMP-2 activation by Concanavalin A (ConA) in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells involves both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms, and that the continuous presence of ConA is required for MMP-2 activation (Yu et al. Cancer Res, 55, 3272-7, 1995). In an effort to identify signal transduction pathways which may either contribute to or modulate this mechanism, we found that three different cAMP-inducing agents, cholera toxin (CT), forskolin (FSK), and 3- isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) partially inhibited ConA-induced MT1-MMP expression and MMP-2 activation in MDA-MB-231 cells. Combinations of CT or FSK with IBMX exhibited additive effects on reduction of MT1-MMP mRNA expression and MMP-2 activation. Agents which increase cAMP levels appeared to target transcriptional aspects of ConA induction, reducing MT1-MMP mRNA and protein in parallel with the reduced MMP-2 activation. In the absence of ConA, down-regulation of constitutive production of MT1-MMP mRNA and protein was observed, indicating that cAMP acts independently of ConA. These observations may help to elucidate factors regulating MT1-MMP expression, which may be pivotal to the elaboration of invasive machinery on the cell surface.

Where is the software? Building a Metadata Repository for Software and Code Generated by QUT Researchers

QUT Software Finder is a searchable repository of metadata describing software and source code, which has been created as a result of QUT research activities. It was launched in December 2013. https://researchdatafinder.qut.edu.au/scf The registry was designed to aid the discovery and visibility of QUT research outputs and encourage sharing and re-use of code and software throughout the research community, both nationally and internationally. The repository platform used is VIVO (an open source product initially developed at Cornell University). QUT Software Finder records that describe software or code are connected to information about researchers involved, the research groups, related publications and related projects. Links to where the software or code can be accessed from are also provided alongside licencing and re-use information.

Localization of fibronectin in the rat testis : effects of serum and dibutyryl cyclic AMP on fibronectin deposition by peritubular myoid cells in culture

The peritubular zone of the rat testis has an extensive extracellular matrix (ECM). Fibronectin (FN) is distributed primarily in the basal lamina of the seminiferous tubule boundary tissue and is synthesized by peritubular myoid cells. Several extracellular changes are mediated by growth factors and these changes occur at the time of hormone mediated testicular development, particularly in the peritubular zone. The effects of serum or dibutyryl cyclic AMP (cAMP) on FN production by the mesenchymal peritubular myoid cells were evaluated. Rats of various ages (10, 15, 20, 40 and 80 days) were employed for immunofluorescent localization of rat testicular FN in frozen sections. In all age groups tested, FN was primarily present in a broad layer around each seminiferous tubule, and blood vessel, and in variable distribution throughout the interstitial stroma. By day 20 there was no clear distinction in FN staining between the peritubular zone and the interstitial tissue. This indicates an involvement of FN in the ECM developments which occur in the peritubular zone of the testis at this time. The peritubular myoid cells were isolated from 20-22 day old rat testis and cultured on glass coverslips. These cells were grown to confluence with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) in medium until day 4 and then subcultured to have secondary monocultures maintained with or without serum. By means of immunofluorescence and cytochemistry using avidin-biotin peroxidase complex it was observed that peritubular myoid cells were positive for FN and most of the FN was localized in the perinuclear region. Subcultured peritubular myoid cells maintained for 4 days in medium containing FCS developed an extensive interconnecting FN matrix. In the presence of 0.5 mM cAMP in culture, FN became localized along the filamentous process of peritubular myoid cells and more prominently in the areas of triangulated multi-cell aggregates as well as on the surface of the contracted small spherical cells. The addition of cAMP in the presence of FCS, also caused a noticeable change in the staining pattern; FN was detected along the filamentous process developing into a complex network of cells encased in an extensive matrix. It would appear that the translocation of FN in the cytoplasmic extensions of peritubular myoid cells may be a direct consequence of morphological changes associated with metabolic regulation of cAMP. This may also be related to the puberty associated development of in vivo changes in the ECM produced by peritubular myoid cells.

Computational fluid dynamics simulation and turbomachinery code validation of a high pressure ratio radial-inflow turbine

The present study explores reproducing the closest geometry of a high pressure ratio single stage radial-inflow turbine applied in the Sundstrans Power Systems T-100 Multipurpose Small Power Unit. The commercial software ANSYS-Vista RTD along with a built in module, BladeGen, is used to conduct a meanline design and create 3D geometry of one flow passage. Carefully examining the proposed design against the geometrical and experimental data, ANSYS-TurboGrid is applied to generate computational mesh. CFD simulations are performed with ANSYS-CFX in which three-dimensional Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations are solved subject to appropriate boundary conditions. Results are compared with numerical and experimental data published in the literature in order to generate the exact geometry of the existing turbine and validate the numerical results against the experimental ones.

The role of the Saudi government and the Saudi building code in implementing sustainable housing construction in Saudi Arabia

The housing construction industry in Saudi Arabia has been booming rapidly in the past two decades. This boom has faced multiple downfalls in relation to government regulations and building codes, one of which is the application of sustainable methods to the housing construction. This paper sheds some light on the current role of the Saudi government and the role of the Saudi Building Code (SBC) in the housing construction industry. The methodology utilised in this paper was a Delphi survey that was distributed to twenty-five key stakeholders in the housing construction industry in Saudi Arabia. The results indicate that there is a lack of integration between the Saudi Building Code and the current construction methods used in the current construction industry. Some factors and elements are recommended to be incorporated into the Saudi Building Code and to be adopted as regulations in the Saudi housing construction industry.