73,198 research outputs found
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An integrated native mass spectrometry and top-down proteomics method that connects sequence to structure and function of macromolecular complexes.
Mass spectrometry (MS) has become a crucial technique for the analysis of protein complexes. Native MS has traditionally examined protein subunit arrangements, while proteomics MS has focused on sequence identification. These two techniques are usually performed separately without taking advantage of the synergies between them. Here we describe the development of an integrated native MS and top-down proteomics method using Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) to analyse macromolecular protein complexes in a single experiment. We address previous concerns of employing FTICR MS to measure large macromolecular complexes by demonstrating the detection of complexes up to 1.8 MDa, and we demonstrate the efficacy of this technique for direct acquirement of sequence to higher-order structural information with several large complexes. We then summarize the unique functionalities of different activation/dissociation techniques. The platform expands the ability of MS to integrate proteomics and structural biology to provide insights into protein structure, function and regulation
Managing digital coordination of design: emerging hybrid practices in an institutionalized project setting
What happens when digital coordination practices are introduced into the institutionalized setting of an engineering project? This question is addressed through an interpretive study that examines how a shared digital model becomes used in the late design stages of a major station refurbishment project. The paper contributes by mobilizing the idea of ‘hybrid practices’ to understand the diverse patterns of activity that emerge to manage digital coordination of design. It articulates how engineering and architecture professions develop different relationships with the shared model; the design team negotiates paper-based practices across organizational boundaries; and diverse practitioners probe the potential and limitations of the digital infrastructure. While different software packages and tools have become linked together into an integrated digital infrastructure, these emerging hybrid practices contrast with the interactions anticipated in practice and policy guidance and presenting new opportunities and challenges for managing project delivery. The study has implications for researchers working in the growing field of empirical work on engineering project organizations as it shows the importance of considering, and suggests new ways to theorise, the introduction of digital coordination practices into these institutionalized settings
Construction safety and digital design: a review
As digital technologies become widely used in designing buildings and infrastructure, questions arise about
their impacts on construction safety. This review explores relationships between construction safety and
digital design practices with the aim of fostering and directing further research. It surveys state-of-the-art
research on databases, virtual reality, geographic information systems, 4D CAD, building information
modeling and sensing technologies, finding various digital tools for addressing safety issues in the
construction phase, but few tools to support design for construction safety. It also considers a literature on
safety critical, digital and design practices that raises a general concern about ‘mindlessness’ in the use of
technologies, and has implications for the emerging research agenda around construction safety and digital
design. Bringing these strands of literature together suggests new kinds of interventions, such as the
development of tools and processes for using digital models to promote mindfulness through multi-party
collaboration on safet
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Design for Additive Manufacturing: A Method to Explore Unexplored Regions of the Design Space
Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies enable the fabrication of parts and devices that
are geometrically complex, have graded material compositions, and can be customized. To take
advantage of these capabilities, it is important to assist designers in exploring unexplored regions
of design spaces. We present a Design for Additive Manufacturing (DFAM) method that
encompasses conceptual design, process selection, later design stages, and design for
manufacturing. The method is based on the process-structure-property-behavior model that is
common in the materials design literature. A prototype CAD system is presented that embodies
the method. Manufacturable ELements (MELs) are proposed as an intermediate representation
for supporting the manufacturing related aspects of the method. Examples of cellular materials
are used to illustrate the DFAM method.Mechanical Engineerin
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Rapid Manufactured Textiles
Rapid Manufacturing (RM) is increasingly becoming a viable manufacturing process due
to dramatic advantages that are achievable in the area of design complexity. Through the
exploration of the design freedom, this paper introduces the concept of manufacturing textiles for
potential smart and high performance textile applications. This paper discusses the current
limitations associated with the manufacture of textiles through RM and presents a novel
methodology for the generation of 3D conformal RM textile articles. The paper concludes that
through RM it is entirely possible to manufacture a structure that incorporates drape and free
movement properties directly comparable to conventional textiles.Mechanical Engineerin
Design and implementation of an integrated surface texture information system for design, manufacture and measurement
The optimised design and reliable measurement of surface texture are essential to guarantee the functional performance of a geometric product. Current support tools are however often limited in functionality, integrity and efficiency. In this paper, an integrated surface texture information system for design, manufacture and measurement, called “CatSurf”, has been designed and developed, which aims to facilitate rapid and flexible manufacturing requirements. A category theory based knowledge acquisition and knowledge representation mechanism has been devised to retrieve and organize knowledge from various Geometrical Product Specifications (GPS) documents in surface texture. Two modules (for profile and areal surface texture) each with five components are developed in the CatSurf. It also focuses on integrating the surface texture information into a Computer-aided Technology (CAx) framework. Two test cases demonstrate design process of specifications for the profile and areal surface texture in AutoCAD and SolidWorks environments respectively
Towards building information modelling for existing structures
The transformation of cities from the industrial age (unsustainable) to the knowledge age (sustainable) is essentially a ‘whole life cycle’ process consisting of; planning, development, operation, reuse and renewal. During this transformation, a multi-disciplinary knowledge base, created from studies and research about the built environment aspects is fundamental: historical, architectural, archeologically, environmental, social, economic, etc is critical. Although there are a growing number of applications of 3D VR modelling applications, some built environment applications such as disaster management, environmental simulations, computer aided architectural design and planning require more sophisticated models beyond 3D graphical visualization such as multifunctional, interoperable, intelligent, and multi-representational.
Advanced digital mapping technologies such as 3D laser scanner technologies can be are enablers for effective e-planning, consultation and communication of users’ views during the planning, design, construction and lifecycle process of the built environment. For example, the 3D laser scanner enables digital documentation of buildings, sites and physical objects for reconstruction and restoration. It also facilitates the creation of educational resources within the built environment, as well as the reconstruction of the built environment. These technologies can be used to drive the productivity gains by promoting a free-flow of information between departments, divisions, offices, and sites; and between themselves, their contractors and partners when the data captured via those technologies are processed and modelled into BIM (Building Information Modelling). The use of these technologies is key enablers to the creation of new approaches to the ‘Whole Life Cycle’ process within the built and human environment for the 21st century. The paper describes the research towards Building Information Modelling for existing structures via the point cloud data captured by the 3D laser scanner technology. A case study building is elaborated to demonstrate how to produce 3D CAD models and BIM models of existing structures based on designated technique
Isogeometric FEM-BEM coupled structural-acoustic analysis of shells using subdivision surfaces
We introduce a coupled finite and boundary element formulation for acoustic
scattering analysis over thin shell structures. A triangular Loop subdivision
surface discretisation is used for both geometry and analysis fields. The
Kirchhoff-Love shell equation is discretised with the finite element method and
the Helmholtz equation for the acoustic field with the boundary element method.
The use of the boundary element formulation allows the elegant handling of
infinite domains and precludes the need for volumetric meshing. In the present
work the subdivision control meshes for the shell displacements and the
acoustic pressures have the same resolution. The corresponding smooth
subdivision basis functions have the continuity property required for the
Kirchhoff-Love formulation and are highly efficient for the acoustic field
computations. We validate the proposed isogeometric formulation through a
closed-form solution of acoustic scattering over a thin shell sphere.
Furthermore, we demonstrate the ability of the proposed approach to handle
complex geometries with arbitrary topology that provides an integrated
isogeometric design and analysis workflow for coupled structural-acoustic
analysis of shells
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