Curtin University

About: Curtin University is a education organization based out in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Zircon. The organization has 14257 authors who have published 48997 publications receiving 1336531 citations. The organization is also known as: WAIT & Western Australian Institute of Technology.

Variation in fat, lactose and protein in human milk over 24 h and throughout the first year of lactation.

Abstract: Fat in human milk is extremely variable and can represent up to 50 % of infant energy intake. To accurately determine milk composition and infant intake at 1 (n 17), 2 (n 17), 4 (n 17), 6 (n 15), 9 (n 6) and 12 (n 5) months of lactation, samples of fore- and hind-milk were collected from each breast at each feed over 24 h periods from an initial group of seventeen women. The content of fat in milk varied over 24 h, with a mean CV of 47·6 (SE 2·1) % (n 76) and 46·7 (SE 1·7) % (n 76) for left and right breasts respectively. The 24 h amounts of fat, lactose and protein in milk differed between women (Pa0·0001), but were consistent between left and right breasts. Daily milk production differed between breasts (Pa0·0001) and women (Pa 0·0001). Accordingly, amounts of fat (Pa0·0008), lactose (Pa0·0385) and protein (Pa0·0173) delivered to the infant over 24 h also differed between breasts and women (Pa0·0001). The energy content of milk and the amount of energy delivered to the infant over 24 h were the same between breasts, but differed between women (Pa 0·0001). The growth rate of a group of only six infants in the present study was not related to either the concentrations or amounts of fat, lactose, protein and energy in milk over the first 6 months of life. These results show the individuality of milk composition and suggest that only a rigorous sampling routine that takes into account all levels of variation will allow the accurate determination of infant intake of fat, lactose, protein and energy. Milk fat: Infant intake: Sampling routine: Human lactation

State-of-the-Art Review of Biocementation by Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) for Soil Stabilization

Abstract: Biocementation is a recently developed new branch in geotechnical engineering that deals with the application of microbiological activity to improve the engineering properties of soils. One of the most commonly adopted processes to achieve soil biocementation is through microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP). This technique utilizes the metabolic pathways of bacteria to form calcite (CaCO3) that binds the soil particles together, leading to increased soil strength and stiffness. This paper presents a review of the use of MICP for soil improvement and discusses the treatment process including the primary components involved and major affecting factors. Envisioned applications, potential advantages and limitations of MICP for soil improvement are also presented and discussed. Finally, the primary challenges that lay ahead for the future research (i.e. treatment optimization, upscaling for in situ implementation and self-healing of biotreated soils) are briefly discussed.

Crypto-currency bubbles: an application of the Phillips–Shi–Yu (2013) methodology on Mt. Gox bitcoin prices

Abstract: The creation of bitcoin heralded the arrival of digital or crypto-currency and has been regarded as a phenomenon. Since its introduction, it has experienced a meteoric rise in price and rapid growth accompanied by huge volatility swings, and also attracted plenty of controversies which even involved law enforcement agencies. Hence, claims abound that bitcoin has been characterized by bubbles ready to burst any time (e.g. the recent collapse of bitcoin’s biggest exchange, Mt Gox). This has earned plenty of coverage in the media but surprisingly not in the academic literature. We therefore fill this knowledge gap. We conduct an econometric investigation of the existence of bubbles in the bitcoin market based on a recently developed technique that is robust in detecting bubbles – that of Phillips et al. (2013a). Over the period 2010–2014, we detected a number of short-lived bubbles; most importantly, we found three huge bubbles in the latter part of the period 2011–2013 lasting from 66 to 106 days, with the ...

Review of international grid codes for wind power integration: Diversity, technology and a case for global standard

Abstract: This paper presents a comprehensive study on the latest grid code regulations enforced by transmission system operators on large wind power plants (WPPs). First, the most common requirements included in the majority of international grid codes are compared; namely, low and high voltage ride-through capabilities, active and reactive power responses during and after faults, extended range of voltage–frequency variations, active power (frequency) control facility, and reactive power (voltage) regulation support. The paper also presents a discussion on the global harmonization of international grid codes as well as future trends expected in the regulations. Finally, the evolution of different wind generator technologies to fulfill various grid code requirements is investigated. The presented study will assist system operators to establish their connection requirements for the first time or to compare their existing regulations with other operators. It also enables wind turbine manufacturers and wind farm developers to obtain a more precise understanding from the latest international requirements imposed on modern wind farms.