Insect host/vector genetic responses to rhabdovirus infection. Rhabdoviruses cause important diseases in humans, animals and plants. These viruses are transmitted by insect vectors in which they persist and propagate, an intimate and specific association. Insect-rhabdovirus interactions will be studied at the molecular level using a planthopper-maize rhabdovirus model. Insect genes specifically induced by rhabdovirus infection as well as the viral genes themselves will be identified and characte ....Insect host/vector genetic responses to rhabdovirus infection. Rhabdoviruses cause important diseases in humans, animals and plants. These viruses are transmitted by insect vectors in which they persist and propagate, an intimate and specific association. Insect-rhabdovirus interactions will be studied at the molecular level using a planthopper-maize rhabdovirus model. Insect genes specifically induced by rhabdovirus infection as well as the viral genes themselves will be identified and characterized using genomics and bioinformatics tools. We will extend the same approaches to a comparative analysis of these planthopper genes with other insect-rhabdovirus systems under investigation in our institutes. Identification of viral genes expressed in insects, the insect genes that respond to virus infection, and interpretation of the roles of these genes in insects, may indicate new opportunities to control serious plant and animal diseases through control of virus transmission.Read moreRead less
Multi-scale Process Modelling for Intelligent Control. Processing and manufacturing systems are inherently multi-scale in their behaviour. From the molecular scale to the enterprise-wide scale. This and other attributes of the individual models create difficulties in the design and control of such systems. This project will develop suitable multi-scale measures (metrics) for process models based on an object oriented assumption based modelling language. It will lead to enhanced intelligent contr ....Multi-scale Process Modelling for Intelligent Control. Processing and manufacturing systems are inherently multi-scale in their behaviour. From the molecular scale to the enterprise-wide scale. This and other attributes of the individual models create difficulties in the design and control of such systems. This project will develop suitable multi-scale measures (metrics) for process models based on an object oriented assumption based modelling language. It will lead to enhanced intelligent control strategies and improved operational performance through use of the most appropriate model. The work will focus on industrially important reaction and particulate processing systemsRead moreRead less
Variational methods in partial differential equations. Research in partial differential equations is a very active area of modern mathematics linking nonlinear functional analysis, calculus of variations and differential geometry to applied sciences. This project will enable Australia-based researchers to participate in the forefront of mathematical research with leading international mathematicians by establishing new collaborations, strengthening on-going collaborations and providing internat ....Variational methods in partial differential equations. Research in partial differential equations is a very active area of modern mathematics linking nonlinear functional analysis, calculus of variations and differential geometry to applied sciences. This project will enable Australia-based researchers to participate in the forefront of mathematical research with leading international mathematicians by establishing new collaborations, strengthening on-going collaborations and providing international research experience for early career researchers. As a result, this proposal will enhance Australia's distinguished reputation in analysis and further link the UQ group with a number of mathematical institutes in USA and China.Read moreRead less
Modelling of Pulse Current Parameters and Design of Fuzzy Logic Controller for Uniform Metal Transfer in Pulsed Gas Metal Arc Welding of Aluminium Alloy. The use of aluminium alloys in automotive and aerospace industry is growing across the world. In order to improve the use of aluminium alloy in various industries, the welding process for aluminium need to be improved. The objective of this research is to develop an intelligent controller for welding power source, which is capable of selectin ....Modelling of Pulse Current Parameters and Design of Fuzzy Logic Controller for Uniform Metal Transfer in Pulsed Gas Metal Arc Welding of Aluminium Alloy. The use of aluminium alloys in automotive and aerospace industry is growing across the world. In order to improve the use of aluminium alloy in various industries, the welding process for aluminium need to be improved. The objective of this research is to develop an intelligent controller for welding power source, which is capable of selecting process parameters automatically for varying pulse conditions in welding of aluminium alloys. The fundamental understanding about development of proposed intelligent system with smart controller for uniform metal transfer will create global interest across the welding industry and will create a new market potential throughout world where use of aluminium as a base material is growing.Read moreRead less
How does Motor Cortex Excitability Influence Internal Model Retention. Each year 40,000 Australians suffer from stroke with many survivors left with problems that limit limb function. With reduced duration of hospital care, the opportunities for retraining in the period immediate following stroke are rapidly diminishing. Effective and efficient strategies of rehabilitation that will maximise the level of recovery following stroke will result in benefits expressed in terms of enhanced quality of ....How does Motor Cortex Excitability Influence Internal Model Retention. Each year 40,000 Australians suffer from stroke with many survivors left with problems that limit limb function. With reduced duration of hospital care, the opportunities for retraining in the period immediate following stroke are rapidly diminishing. Effective and efficient strategies of rehabilitation that will maximise the level of recovery following stroke will result in benefits expressed in terms of enhanced quality of life and functional life-span, as well as significantly reduced costs of health care. In understanding the fundamental principles underlying the stability and adaptability of movement coordination, this research is likely to make a significant contribution to the design of programs for rehabilitation of the upper limb.Read moreRead less
Visuomotor Adaptation and Stimulus Response Compatibility: Basic Mechanisms and Safety Implications for Heavy Equipment. This project will explore mechanisms of human visuomotor adaptation using a directional stimulus-response compatibility (SRC) paradigm. The latter refers to the greatly enhanced performance for ?natural? pairings of control movement directions and system output directions. The outcomes are both theoretical (understanding basic processes) and applied (design and training gui ....Visuomotor Adaptation and Stimulus Response Compatibility: Basic Mechanisms and Safety Implications for Heavy Equipment. This project will explore mechanisms of human visuomotor adaptation using a directional stimulus-response compatibility (SRC) paradigm. The latter refers to the greatly enhanced performance for ?natural? pairings of control movement directions and system output directions. The outcomes are both theoretical (understanding basic processes) and applied (design and training guidelines for equipment in construction, mining, transport and aerospace industries). The issue is also significant both theoretically, since models of adaptation and SRC phenomena have not previously been combined, and practically, as serious heavy equipment accidents can result from designs that are not based on sound human performance principles.Read moreRead less
Pharmacological and biochemical characterisation of Australian mygalomorph spider venoms. This project will increase our limited knowledge of Australian mygalomorph venoms by isolation, identification and characterisation of novel toxins in theraphosid and Northern mouse-spider venoms. Thereby, the scientific basis for the treatment of mygalomorph spider bites might be improved. Secondly, new insights into pharmacology and the potential development of novel therapeutics and molecular probes of t ....Pharmacological and biochemical characterisation of Australian mygalomorph spider venoms. This project will increase our limited knowledge of Australian mygalomorph venoms by isolation, identification and characterisation of novel toxins in theraphosid and Northern mouse-spider venoms. Thereby, the scientific basis for the treatment of mygalomorph spider bites might be improved. Secondly, new insights into pharmacology and the potential development of novel therapeutics and molecular probes of target molecules might be expected.Read moreRead less