Biological Systems Engineering

Fluorescent protein promoter reporters are important tools that are widely used for diverse purposes in microbiology, systems biology and synthetic biology and considerable engineering efforts are still geared at improving the sensitivity of the reporter systems. Here we focus on dark noise, i.e. the signal that is generated by the empty vector control. We quantitatively characterize the dark noise of a few common bacterial reporter systems by single cell microscopy. All benchmarked reporter systems generated significant amounts of dark noise that exceed the cellular autofluorescence to different extents. We then reengineered a multicolor set of fluorescent ectopic integration vectors for Bacillus subtilis by introducing a terminator immediately upstream of the promoter insertion site, resulting in an up to 2.7-fold reduction of noise levels. The sensitivity and dynamic range of the new high-performance pXFP_Star reporter system is only limited by cellular autofluorescence. Moreover, based on studies of the rapE promoter of B. subtilis we show that the new pXFP_Star reporter system reliably reports on the weak activity of the rapE promoter whereas the original reporter system fails because of transcriptional interference. Since the pXFP_Star reporter system properly isolates the promoter from spurious transcripts, it is a particularly suitable tool for quantitative characterization of weak promoters in B. subtilis.

Network concepts have been widely reported in the current literature on international engineering operations. But a systematic view of the unique nature of engineering is missing and its implications for the design and operations of global engineering networks are poorly understood. This paper seeks to address these knowledge gaps by exploring how leading global companies cope most effectively with the unique nature of engineering in their network operations. A theory building approach based on the case study methods was adopted reflecting the contemporary nature of this study and the complexity of the research object. The first part of this paper establishes a theoretical foundation for global engineering networks through an analysis of the intrinsic requirements of engineering operations, mapping the influence of the external business environments, and reviewing the relevant engineering network theories and practices. A preliminary framework has been developed to bring together the key issues and provide a foundation for more detailed enquiries/

The solution lies in the direction of taking a systems view of things. When you have the view from space, you realize that the concept of fields within fields within fields, systems of functioning within systems of functioning, is the only approach that will work.-Edgar D. Mitchell, Lunar Module Commander Apollo 14, 1971

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Samantha Jacques, Milwaukee School of Engineeirng John D. Gassert, Milwaukee School of Engineering Thomas Swiontek, Milwaukee School of Engineering Jeffrey LaMack, Milwaukee School of Engineering Charles Tritt, Milwaukee School of Engineering Larry Fennigkoh, Milwaukee School of Engineering Ron Gerrits, Milwaukee School of Engineering Vincent Canino, Milwaukee School of Engineering Nancy Schlick, Milwaukee School of Engineering

Biological nitrogen fixation is a complex process requiring multiple genes working in concert. To date, the Klebsiella pneumoniae nif gene cluster, divided into seven operons, is one of the most studied systems. Its nitrogen fixation capacity is subject to complex cascade regulation and physiological limitations. In this report, the entire K. pneumoniae nif gene cluster was reassembled as operon-based BioBrick parts in Escherichia coli. It provided ,100% activity of native K. pneumoniae system. Based on the expression levels of these BioBrick parts, a T7 RNA polymerase-LacI expression system was used to replace the s 54-dependent promoters located upstream of nif operons. Expression patterns of nif operons were critical for the maximum activity of the recombinant system. By mimicking these expression levels with variable-strength T7dependent promoters, ,42% of the nitrogenase activity of the s 54-dependent nif system was achieved in E. coli. When the newly constructed T7-dependent nif system was challenged with different genetic and physiological conditions, it bypassed the original complex regulatory circuits, with minor physiological limitations. Therefore, we have successfully replaced the nif regulatory elements with a simple expression system that may provide the first step for further research of introducing nif genes into eukaryotic organelles, which has considerable potentials in agro-biotechnology.

Background: Mammary gland morphogenesis involves ductal elongation, branching, and budding. All of these processes are mediated by stroma-epithelium interactions. Biomechanical factors, such as matrix stiffness, have been established as important factors in these interactions. For example, epithelial cells fail to form normal acinar structures in vitro in 3D gels that exceed the stiffness of a normal mammary gland. Additionally, heterogeneity in the spatial distribution of acini and ducts within individual collagen gels suggests that local organization of the matrix may guide morphogenesis. Here, we quantified the effects of both bulk material stiffness and local collagen fiber arrangement on epithelial morphogenesis. Results: The formation of ducts and acini from single cells and the reorganization of the collagen fiber network were quantified using time-lapse confocal microscopy. MCF10A cells organized the surrounding collagen fibers during the first twelve hours after seeding. Collagen fiber density and alignment relative to the epithelial surface significantly increased within the first twelve hours and were a major influence in the shaping of the mammary epithelium. The addition of Matrigel to the collagen fiber network impaired cell-mediated reorganization of the matrix and increased the probability of spheroidal acini rather than branching ducts. The mechanical anisotropy created by regions of highly aligned collagen fibers facilitated elongation and branching, which was significantly correlated with fiber organization. In contrast, changes in bulk stiffness were not a strong predictor of this epithelial morphology. Conclusions: Localized regions of collagen fiber alignment are required for ductal elongation and branching suggesting the importance of local mechanical anisotropy in mammary epithelial morphogenesis. Similar principles may govern the morphology of branching and budding in other tissues and organs.

Grain protein films plasticized with glycerol were prepared from corn zein (CZ), wheat gluten (WG), and a 2.3:1 mixture of wheat gluten and soy protein isolate (WG/SPI). Moisture adsorption curves of the three types of protein films at 25° C and within an approximate water activity range of 0.11 to 0.84 were obtained using a static gravimetric method. The Smith, Oswin, Halsey, and Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer (GAB) models were applied to collected data. For all protein films, the GAB model showed the best fit over the entire studied water activity range yielding mean deviation modulus values (P) of 4.69, 3.44, and 7.95 for WG, WG/SPI, and CZ films, respectively. The Smith andHalsey models fitted well the high water activity (0.53 to 0.84) portion of the isotherms with P values ranging between 2.55 and 6.74. Moisture adsorption behavior by the protein films at the low water activity range (0.11 to 0.58) was reasonably well described by the Oswin model

Grain protein films plasticized with glycerol were prepared from corn zein (CZ), wheat gluten (WG), and a 2.3:1 mixture of wheat gluten and soy protein isolate (WG/SPI). Moisture adsorption curves of the three types of protein films at 25° C and within an approximate water activity range of 0.11 to 0.84 were obtained using a static gravimetric method. The Smith, Oswin, Halsey, and Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer (GAB) models were applied to collected data. For all protein films, the GAB model showed the best fit over the entire studied water activity range yielding mean deviation modulus values (P) of 4.69, 3.44, and 7.95 for WG, WG/SPI, and CZ films, respectively. The Smith andHalsey models fitted well the high water activity (0.53 to 0.84) portion of the isotherms with P values ranging between 2.55 and 6.74. Moisture adsorption behavior by the protein films at the low water activity range (0.11 to 0.58) was reasonably well described by the Oswin model

Grain protein films plasticized with glycerol were prepared from corn zein (CZ), wheat gluten (WG), and a 2.3:1 mixture of wheat gluten and soy protein isolate (WG/SPI). Moisture adsorption curves of the three types of protein films at 25° C and within an approximate water activity range of 0.11 to 0.84 were obtained using a static gravimetric method. The Smith, Oswin, Halsey, and Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer (GAB) models were applied to collected data. For all protein films, the GAB model showed the best fit over the entire studied water activity range yielding mean deviation modulus values (P) of 4.69, 3.44, and 7.95 for WG, WG/SPI, and CZ films, respectively. The Smith andHalsey models fitted well the high water activity (0.53 to 0.84) portion of the isotherms with P values ranging between 2.55 and 6.74. Moisture adsorption behavior by the protein films at the low water activity range (0.11 to 0.58) was reasonably well described by the Oswin model

We report an all-in-one platform-ScanDrop-for the rapid and specific capture, detection, and identification of bacteria in drinking water. The ScanDrop platform integrates droplet microfluidics, a portable imaging system, and cloud-based control software and data storage. The cloud-based control software and data storage enables robotic image acquisition, remote image processing, and rapid data sharing. These features form a ''cloud'' network for water quality monitoring. We have demonstrated the capability of ScanDrop to perform water quality monitoring via the detection of an indicator coliform bacterium, Escherichia coli, in drinking water contaminated with feces. Magnetic beads conjugated with antibodies to E. coli antigen were used to selectively capture and isolate specific bacteria from water samples. The bead-captured bacteria were co-encapsulated in pico-liter droplets with fluorescently-labeled anti-E. coli antibodies, and imaged with an automated custom designed fluorescence microscope. The entire water quality diagnostic process required 8 hours from sample collection to online-accessible results compared with 2-4 days for other currently available standard detection methods.

In recent years, the field of systems biology has emerged from a confluence of an increase both in molecular biotechnology and in computing storage and power. As a discipline, systems biology shares many characteristics with engineering. However, before the benefits of engineering-based modeling formalisms and analysis tools can be applied to systems biology, the engineering discipline(s) most related to systems biology must be identified. In this paper, we identify the cell as an embedded computing system and, as such, demonstrate that systems biology shares many aspects in common with computer systems engineering, electrical engineering, and chemical engineering. This realization solidifies the grounds for using modeling formalisms from these engineering subdisciplines to be applied to biological systems. While we document several examples where this is already happening, our goal is that identifying the cell as an embedded computing system would motivate and facilitate further di...

Luke Pros Zac good comprehension of material, able to apply Anna always willing to participate John well organized Cal dependable Elizabeth good comprehension Cons Zac could be more confident Anna could be more assertive of knowledge John sometimes unsure Cal not the most assertive Elizabeth couldhave more confidence in ability Calvin Pros Emily always participates in problem solving Zach always brings a fresh perspective when approaching problems Anna is always the one to double-check calculations and ensure answer is correct John is almost always the leader when solving problems Luke always helps to bring a critical analysis to the problems Cons Emily could be more attentive in classas could I Zach could help to explain his process better Anna could bring more of her input to problem-solving John could be a bit more neat with group work Luke could help to explain process better Anna Pros Zac makes sure he understands every step and helps others understand John pays attention to detail Emily thinks of ideas when we get stuck Luke always brings his book (is prepared) Cal thinks of several ways to approach a problem Cons Zac can be too nice to tell you that your solution is wrong John sometimes thinks too long and runs out of time to solve the problem Emily sometimes doesn't know how to start the problem Luke can be stubborn that he is right Cal is not always on time Zac Pros John communicates well Anna nice, well prepared Emily Friendly, organized Luke understands material well Cal not afraid to ask questions Cons John could compromise more Anna could communicate more Emily could be interactive in group work Luke could write neater Cal could show up on time more John Pros Zac good teammate, analytically minded Anna always gives engineering paper, willing to write Cal positive, encouraging Luke very good with differentials, thinking through problems Emily good team player Cons Zac could think faster to get problem done faster Anna could buy more engineering paper for us Cal could show up to class more, just a little Luke could write more for team problems Emily could talk through problem a little more Emily Pros Zach quietly participates, does a good job in group work Cal very friendly, participates in group work Anna participates in group work John extremely nice, listens to everyone Luke always gets the problem done Cons Zach prepare better for class Cal pay attention more during class Anna pay attention more during class John prepare better for class Luke prepare better for class

Field performance of six combinations of planter attachments on a conventional row-crop planter in two residue management corn production systems was evaluated. The management systems consisted of baled-out residue plots worked by a single pass of disc harrow (RMS1) or untouched residue plots worked by a single pass of chisel plow followed by a disc harrow (RMS2); both systems were planted by a row crop planter with one out of six attachments. Results revealed that both systems fell within residue cover limits defined for conservation farming. The winged chisel furrow opener preceded by a row cleaner equipped with treader wheels (WCRT) arrangement removed appreciable amounts of residues on the row for both systems, but more residues were removed for RMS2 plots. The WCRT pushed almost double amount of residue aside. In spite of higher initial residue in RMS2, chisel plowing and subsequent disc harrowing reduced more residues paving the way for planting in a more seeding depth. Higher percentage of emergence rate index was noticed for RMS2 plots. For both systems, the WCRT and chisel furrow opener preceded by a row cleaner (CR) showed the maximum and minimum quality of feed index, respectively. However this index was higher for RMS2 plots. The WCRT and CR arrangements had the minimum and the maximum multiple index values, respectively. However this index decreased significantly in RMS2 plots compared to RMS1 plots. The RMS2 treatments showed lower values of precision index, which is favorable. The results suggest that adoption of WCRT to planters in soil prepared under RMS2 is useful for a satisfactory conservation crop production system.

In this research effects of active toothed coulter on planter penetration in semi-dried soils covered with previous wheat (Triticum aestivum) residue was studied. Therefore, effects of three levels of speed ratio (coulter peripheral speed/tractor forward speed; 1.22, 2, 3) at two previous residue levels (baled and non-baled) and two modes of planter attachment (with and without row cleaner) on the corn (Zea mays) planting depth and its uniformity, amount of surface residue, emergence rate index and seed spacings indices were investigated. Results showed that planting depth and its uniformity increased significantly with increasing speed ratio, so that desired planting depth was obtained at speed ratio of 2. The emergence rate index decreased with increase in speed ratio mainly due to increase in seeding depth at higher speed ratios. Miss and precision indices decreased in a significant manner with increase in the speed ratio. Other results showed that planting with row cleaner attachment into baled-out residue plots at speed ratio of 2 resulted in 31% decrease in miss and 30% decrease in precision indices as compared to control (inactive coulter). Quality of feed index at same conditions was 72%, the increase was up to 11% as compared to control. No significant difference was found between speed ratios of 2 and 3 for all the parameters studied. The results suggest that the row crop planter equipped with active toothed coulter and row cleaner attachment can be satisfactorily used for direct corn planting in hard soils covered with previous crop residues.

In the prospect of engineering cyanobacteria for the biological photoproduction of hydrogen, we have studied the hydrogen production machine in the model unicellular strain Synechocystis PCC6803 through gene deletion, and overexpression (constitutive or controlled by the growth temperature). We demonstrate that the hydrogenase-encoding hoxEFUYH operon is dispensable to standard photoautotrophic growth in absence of stress, and it operates in cell defense against oxidative (H 2 O 2) and sugar (glucose and glycerol) stresses. Furthermore, we showed that the simultaneous overproduction of the proteins HoxEFUYH and HypABCDE (assembly of hydrogenase), combined to an increase in nickel availability, led to an approximately 20-fold increase in the level of active hydrogenase. These novel results and mutants have major implications for those interested in hydrogenase, hydrogen production and redox metabolism, and their connections with environmental conditions.

changed the name of the undergraduate degree program to "Biological Systems Engineering." Over the years, Agricultural Engineering, like other engineering disciplines, has expanded into new areas of activity. Activity focused on production agriculture is still a key component of the discipline, but it now coexists with a range of other activities. Changing the name to Biological Systems Engineering better communicates the range of activities in the Department and in the discipline. A new curriculum was designed, primarily by refocusing ongoing activity in the Department. This curriculum allows the student opportunity to choose electives which develop a "limited specialization." The two specializations available are:

changed the name of the undergraduate degree program to "Biological Systems Engineering." Over the years, Agricultural Engineering, like other engineering disciplines, has expanded into new areas of activity. Activity focused on production agriculture is still a key component of the discipline, but it now coexists with a range of other activities. Changing the name to Biological Systems Engineering better communicates the range of activities in the Department and in the discipline. A new curriculum was designed, primarily by refocusing ongoing activity in the Department. This curriculum allows the student opportunity to choose electives which develop a "limited specialization." The two specializations available are:

Systems engineering is an interdisciplinary approach and means to enable the realization of successful systems. It is also considered as the art and science of developing an operable system that meets requirements within often opposed constraints. Systems engineering is a holistic, integrative discipline, wherein the contributions of aerospace engineers, electrical engineers, mechatronic engineers, physics engineers, structural engineers, and many more disciplines are evaluated and balanced, one against another, to produce a coherent whole that is not dominated by the perspective of a single discipline. In fact, systems engineering integrates all the disciplines and specialty groups into a team effort forming a structured development covering a system life cycle, which is commonly used to refer to the stepwise, iterative evolution of a new system from "cradle to the grave", i.e., from concept through development and on to production, operation, and ultimate disposal.

Mechanical forces play a crucial role in tumor patho-physiology. Compression of cancer cells inhibits their proliferation rate, induces apoptosis and enhances their invasive and metastatic potential. Additionally, compression of intratumor blood vessels reduces the supply of oxygen, nutrients and drugs, affecting tumor progression and treatment. Despite the great importance of the mechanical microenvironment to the pathology of cancer, there are limited studies for the constitutive modeling and the mechanical properties of tumors and on how these parameters affect tumor growth. Also, the contribution of the host tissue to the growth and state of stress of the tumor remains unclear. To this end, we performed unconfined compression experiments in two tumor types and found that the experimental stress-strain response is better fitted to an exponential constitutive equation compared to the widely used neo-Hookean and Blatz-Ko models. Subsequently, we incorporated the constitutive equations along with the corresponding values of the mechanical properties-calculated by the fit-to a biomechanical model of tumor growth. Interestingly, we found that the evolution of stress and the growth rate of the tumor are independent from the selection of the constitutive equation, but depend strongly on the mechanical interactions with the surrounding host tissue. Particularly, model predictions-in agreement with experimental studies-suggest that the stiffness of solid tumors should exceed a critical value compared with that of the surrounding tissue in order to be able to displace the tissue and grow in size. With the use of the model, we estimated this critical value to be on the order of 1.5. Our results suggest that the direct effect of solid stress on tumor growth involves not only the inhibitory effect of stress on cancer cell proliferation and the induction of apoptosis, but also the resistance of the surrounding tissue to tumor expansion.

Ecological engineering' is relatively recent. It resembles chemical, hydrological and other engineering where the title indicates another discipline specialisation (ecology, chemistry, hydrology) is closely associated. Differently, civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering titles indicate engineering subdivisions based on areas of application. The ecological engineering title is twice asymmetric: it indicates a kind of engineering, not science (engineering ecology); and only part of ecological science has as yet been included in ecological engineering. The 'civil' engineering descriptor is defined by its context, rather than this area being defined by its descriptor. Civil engineering includes a specialisation with another inappropriately undescriptive title */environmental engineering. Ecological and environmental engineering are readily confused by the public, ecologists, and other engineers. There have recently been laudable efforts by engineers, ecologists, economists, writers, and many others to move society towards more sustainable living. Young engineers can be encouraged in this by greater understanding of ecology and sustainability in their academic and professional formation. The desirable formation of ecological engineers remains unclear. Meanwhile, many approaches exist to introducing ecological understanding and principles of sustainability into other engineering academic curricula. Some approaches are discussed in this paper, in the context of developing appropriate education and training in ecological engineering.

In recent years, the field of systems biology has emerged from a confluence of an increase both in molecular biotechnology and in computing storage and power. As a discipline, systems biology shares many characteristics with engineering. However, before the benefits of engineering-based modeling formalisms and analysis tools can be applied to systems biology, the engineering discipline(s) most related to systems biology must be identified. In this paper, we identify the cell as an embedded computing system and, as such, demonstrate that systems biology shares many aspects in common with computer systems engineering, electrical engineering, and chemical engineering. This realization solidifies the grounds for using modeling formalisms from these engineering subdisciplines to be applied to biological systems. While we document several examples where this is already happening, our goal is that identifying the cell as an embedded computing system would motivate and facilitate further di...

Computational strain design protocols aim at the system-wide identification of intervention strategies for the enhanced production of biochemicals in microorganisms. Existing approaches relying solely on stoichiometry and rudimentary constraint-based regulation overlook the effects of metabolite concentrations and substrate-level enzyme regulation while identifying metabolic interventions. In this paper, we introduce k-OptForce, which integrates the available kinetic descriptions of metabolic steps with stoichiometric models to sharpen the prediction of intervention strategies for improving the bio-production of a chemical of interest. It enables identification of a minimal set of interventions comprised of both enzymatic parameter changes (for reactions with available kinetics) and reaction flux changes (for reactions with only stoichiometric information). Application of k-OptForce to the overproduction of L-serine in E. coli and triacetic acid lactone (TAL) in S. cerevisiae reveal...

It is presented the chemical engineering development, as guided by its four main paradigms: unit operations, transport phenomena, product engineering and sustainable chemical engineering. The starting point is the paradigm definition as "a set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality for the community that shares them, especially in an intellectual discipline". Related to the paradigms role in the evolution of chemical engineering, it is relevant that even when paradigms are known to be inadequate, their inadequacies are frequently minimized, or even ignored by the scientific community. Nevertheless, if and when a paradigm reaches a crisis where its technical inadequacies are brought into focus, perhaps driven by social requirements, a new paradigm will arise to explain what the prior paradigm could not. During the evolution of chemical engineering, from its beginning at the end of 19 th century up today's, each new paradigm was a step forward which has extended the manifold of the tasks that can be solved. However, no older paradigm is derelict. In fact, almost all paradigms must be used together in order to solve the complex chemical engineering problems.

This article "The Many Faces of Systems Engineering" is based on a qualitative study that included, at its core, dozens of in-depth interviews with prominent experts in the field. We have conversed with lead systems engineers, high ranking executives, academic experts and experienced consultants. Roughly one half of the study's participants are Israelis, with the other half hailing from a multitude of other countries. We felt it was important to present a wide spectrum of perspectives on this field, as it pertains to the different features of various industries and organizations. The main findings of this study are: • Systems engineering is a profession in the making that links the classical engineering disciplines with managerial and organizational systems. • since the early 1970's, the need to create integration, both between the various engineering disciplines and between engineering disciplines in general and nonengineering systems grew constantly .

Osmotic actuation is a ubiquitous plant-inspired actuation strategy that has a very low power consumption but is capable of generating effective movements in a wide variety of environmental conditions. In light of these features, we aimed to develop a novel, low-power-consumption actuator that is capable of generating suitable forces during a characteristic actuation time on the order of a few minutes. Based on the analysis of plant movements and on osmotic actuation modeling, we designed and fabricated a forward osmosis-based actuator with a typical size of 10 mm and a characteristic time of 2-5 minutes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the fastest osmotic actuator developed so far. Moreover, the achieved timescale can be compared to that of a typical plant cell, thanks to the integrated strategy that we pursued by concurrently addressing and solving design and material issues, as paradigmatically explained by the bioinspired approach. Our osmotic actuator produces forces above 20 N, while containing the power consumption (on the order of 1 mW). Furthermore, based on the agreement between model predictions and experimental observations, we also discuss the actuator performance (including power consumption, maximum force, energy density and thermodynamic efficiency) in relation to existing actuation technologies. In light of the achievements of the present study, the proposed osmotic actuator holds potential for effective exploitation in bioinspired robotics systems.

This chapter describes the nature of engineering design, introduces modern design philosophy called Design for Six Sigma, suggests some benefits of a hands-on design project, indicates the qualities of a good designer, and explains the need for a systematic approach that consists of an eight-step design process.

Biomedical Engineering is a relatively new interdisciplinary science. This paper presents the biomedical engineering activity, which is carried out at Budapest University of Technology and Economics and its partner institutes. In the first part the main goals and the curriculum of the Biomedical Engineering Education Program (BMEEP) is presented. The second part of the paper summarizes the most important biomedical engineering researches carried out mostly in the Biomedical Engineering Laboratory of our university.

This chapter describes the nature of engineering design, introduces modern design philosophy called Design for Six Sigma, suggests some benefits of a hands-on design project, indicates the qualities of a good designer, and explains the need for a systematic approach that consists of an eight-step design process.

Computational strain design protocols aim at the system-wide identification of intervention strategies for the enhanced production of biochemicals in microorganisms. Existing approaches relying solely on stoichiometry and rudimentary constraint-based regulation overlook the effects of metabolite concentrations and substrate-level enzyme regulation while identifying metabolic interventions. In this paper, we introduce k-OptForce, which integrates the available kinetic descriptions of metabolic steps with stoichiometric models to sharpen the prediction of intervention strategies for improving the bio-production of a chemical of interest. It enables identification of a minimal set of interventions comprised of both enzymatic parameter changes (for reactions with available kinetics) and reaction flux changes (for reactions with only stoichiometric information). Application of k-OptForce to the overproduction of L-serine in E. coli and triacetic acid lactone (TAL) in S. cerevisiae reveal...

Moving in an unstructured environment such as soil requires approaches that are constrained by the physics of this complex medium and can ensure energy efficiency and minimize friction while exploring and searching. Among living organisms, plants are the most efficient at soil exploration, and their roots show remarkable abilities that can be exploited in artificial systems. Energy efficiency and friction reduction are assured by a growth process wherein new cells are added at the root apex by mitosis while mature cells of the root remain stationary and in contact with the soil. We propose a new concept of root-like growing robots that is inspired by these plant root features. The device penetrates soil and develops its own structure using an additive layering technique: each layer of new material is deposited adjacent to the tip of the device. This deposition produces both a motive force at the tip and a hollow tubular structure that extends to the surface of the soil and is strongly anchored to the soil. The addition of material at the tip area facilitates soil penetration by omitting peripheral friction and thus decreasing the energy consumption down to 70% comparing with penetration by pushing into the soil from the base of the penetration system. The tubular structure provides a path for delivering materials and energy to the tip of the system and for collecting information for exploratory tasks.

Moving in an unstructured environment such as soil requires approaches that are constrained by the physics of this complex medium and can ensure energy efficiency and minimize friction while exploring and searching. Among living organisms, plants are the most efficient at soil exploration, and their roots show remarkable abilities that can be exploited in artificial systems. Energy efficiency and friction reduction are assured by a growth process wherein new cells are added at the root apex by mitosis while mature cells of the root remain stationary and in contact with the soil. We propose a new concept of root-like growing robots that is inspired by these plant root features. The device penetrates soil and develops its own structure using an additive layering technique: each layer of new material is deposited adjacent to the tip of the device. This deposition produces both a motive force at the tip and a hollow tubular structure that extends to the surface of the soil and is strongly anchored to the soil. The addition of material at the tip area facilitates soil penetration by omitting peripheral friction and thus decreasing the energy consumption down to 70% comparing with penetration by pushing into the soil from the base of the penetration system. The tubular structure provides a path for delivering materials and energy to the tip of the system and for collecting information for exploratory tasks.

MiR-7 acts as a tumour suppressor in many cancers and abrogates proliferation of CHO cells in culture. In this study we demonstrate that miR-7 targets key regulators of the G1 to S phase transition, including Skp2 and Psme3, to promote increased levels of p27 KIP and temporary growth arrest of CHO cells in the G1 phase. Simultaneously, the down-regulation of DNA repair-specific proteins via miR-7 including Rad54L, and pro-apoptotic regulators such as p53, combined with the upregulation of anti-apoptotic factors like p-Akt, promoted cell survival while arrested in G1. Thus miR-7 can coordinate the levels of multiple genes and proteins to influence G1 to S phase transition and the apoptotic response in order to maintain cellular homeostasis. This work provides further mechanistic insight into the role of miR-7 as a regulator of cell growth in times of cellular stress.

Pulp mill sludge produced in the Cova da Beira region (Portugal) contains organic matter (11-47%), nitrogen (38-2560 mg N/kg) and phosphorus (167-370 mg P/kg), which may be valuable for increasing soil productivity. The levels of heavy metals are below the limits recommended by legislation and the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous to be introduced in soils does not present a risk for nutrient leaching. After identifying the environmental and technical restrictions on its application, an area of 1650 ha was identified where the sludge can be applied in forage crops, fruit trees, olive groves and vineyards. A suitable area was also found for a biosolids storage centre. The use of GIS allowed to define a sludge application index and to produce land-use suitability maps, which can be useful for sludge management.

Abstract: This paper offers a new paradigm for engineering education and therefore for engineering. This paper proposes a future for engineering where sustainability is deeply embedded in the things that engineering produces (ie its outcomes), in the way engineering is ...

Moving in an unstructured environment such as soil requires approaches that are constrained by the physics of this complex medium and can ensure energy efficiency and minimize friction while exploring and searching. Among living organisms, plants are the most efficient at soil exploration, and their roots show remarkable abilities that can be exploited in artificial systems. Energy efficiency and friction reduction are assured by a growth process wherein new cells are added at the root apex by mitosis while mature cells of the root remain stationary and in contact with the soil. We propose a new concept of root-like growing robots that is inspired by these plant root features. The device penetrates soil and develops its own structure using an additive layering technique: each layer of new material is deposited adjacent to the tip of the device. This deposition produces both a motive force at the tip and a hollow tubular structure that extends to the surface of the soil and is strongly anchored to the soil. The addition of material at the tip area facilitates soil penetration by omitting peripheral friction and thus decreasing the energy consumption down to 70% comparing with penetration by pushing into the soil from the base of the penetration system. The tubular structure provides a path for delivering materials and energy to the tip of the system and for collecting information for exploratory tasks.

The solution lies in the direction of taking a systems view of things. When you have the view from space, you realize that the concept of fields within fields within fields, systems of functioning within systems of functioning, is the only approach that will work.-Edgar D. Mitchell, Lunar Module Commander Apollo 14, 1971

Pulp mill sludge produced in the Cova da Beira region (Portugal) contains organic matter (11-47%), nitrogen (38-2560 mg N/kg) and phosphorus (167-370 mg P/kg), which may be valuable for increasing soil productivity. The levels of heavy metals are below the limits recommended by legislation and the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous to be introduced in soils does not present a risk for nutrient leaching. After identifying the environmental and technical restrictions on its application, an area of 1650 ha was identified where the sludge can be applied in forage crops, fruit trees, olive groves and vineyards. A suitable area was also found for a biosolids storage centre. The use of GIS allowed to define a sludge application index and to produce land-use suitability maps, which can be useful for sludge management.

In exploring the epistemology of engineering science, we propose a model of engineering. This model incorporates the goals of engineering, the approach to engineering (also called the engineering method) and the role of experience in engineering. The basis for understanding the nature of engineering science will be explored, and will be contrasted with natural science. To begin, a large-scale engineering project that was successfully completed in Ireland many years ago is discussed specifically, the development of a megalithic passage tomb as an exemplar of the engineering method in structural design, project management and aesthetics. This exemplar firmly demonstrates that engineering method existed before the development and understanding of the relevant natural science. We next contrast the nature of engineering or engineering science and natural science. This discussion will further develop the engineering model, but will contrast the philosophical differences between engineerin...

In exploring the epistemology of engineering science we propose a model of engineering. This model incorporates the goals of engineering, the approach to engineering (also called the engineering method) and the role of experience in engi-neering. The basis for understanding the nature of engineering science will be ex-plored, and will be contrasted with natural science. To begin, a large-scale engi-neering project that was successfully completed in Ireland many years ago is dis-cussed - specifically, the development of a megalithic passage tomb as an exemplar of the engineering method in structural design, project management and aesthetics. This exemplar firmly demonstrates that engineering method existed before the de-velopment and understanding of the relevant natural science. We next contrast the nature of engineering or engineering science and natural science. This discussion will further develop the engineering model, but will contrast the philosophical dif-ferences between eng...

Abstract: This paper offers a new paradigm for engineering education and therefore for engineering. This paper proposes a future for engineering where sustainability is deeply embedded in the things that engineering produces (ie its outcomes), in the way engineering is ...

CONTEXT Engineering is a set of practices and principles evidenced in the artefacts of human cultures. In the 21st century there is growing understanding of the implications of this for supporting innovation and sustainable practices. This paper specifically considers how Aboriginal cultures employed engineering principles prior to European arrival. Taking into account this combination of engineering principles, this paper introduces the next steps towards a framework for integrating Indigenous knowledge into the engineering curriculum. The aim is to provide a guide for engineering educators towards establishing and/or strengthening their engagement with local community knowledge holders to explore the principles and practices as well as teaching strategies of Indigenous technical knowledge.

Mechanical forces play a crucial role in tumor patho-physiology. Compression of cancer cells inhibits their proliferation rate, induces apoptosis and enhances their invasive and metastatic potential. Additionally, compression of intratumor blood vessels reduces the supply of oxygen, nutrients and drugs, affecting tumor progression and treatment. Despite the great importance of the mechanical microenvironment to the pathology of cancer, there are limited studies for the constitutive modeling and the mechanical properties of tumors and on how these parameters affect tumor growth. Also, the contribution of the host tissue to the growth and state of stress of the tumor remains unclear. To this end, we performed unconfined compression experiments in two tumor types and found that the experimental stress-strain response is better fitted to an exponential constitutive equation compared to the widely used neo-Hookean and Blatz-Ko models. Subsequently, we incorporated the constitutive equations along with the corresponding values of the mechanical properties-calculated by the fit-to a biomechanical model of tumor growth. Interestingly, we found that the evolution of stress and the growth rate of the tumor are independent from the selection of the constitutive equation, but depend strongly on the mechanical interactions with the surrounding host tissue. Particularly, model predictions-in agreement with experimental studies-suggest that the stiffness of solid tumors should exceed a critical value compared with that of the surrounding tissue in order to be able to displace the tissue and grow in size. With the use of the model, we estimated this critical value to be on the order of 1.5. Our results suggest that the direct effect of solid stress on tumor growth involves not only the inhibitory effect of stress on cancer cell proliferation and the induction of apoptosis, but also the resistance of the surrounding tissue to tumor expansion.

Moving in an unstructured environment such as soil requires approaches that are constrained by the physics of this complex medium and can ensure energy efficiency and minimize friction while exploring and searching. Among living organisms, plants are the most efficient at soil exploration, and their roots show remarkable abilities that can be exploited in artificial systems. Energy efficiency and friction reduction are assured by a growth process wherein new cells are added at the root apex by mitosis while mature cells of the root remain stationary and in contact with the soil. We propose a new concept of root-like growing robots that is inspired by these plant root features. The device penetrates soil and develops its own structure using an additive layering technique: each layer of new material is deposited adjacent to the tip of the device. This deposition produces both a motive force at the tip and a hollow tubular structure that extends to the surface of the soil and is strongly anchored to the soil. The addition of material at the tip area facilitates soil penetration by omitting peripheral friction and thus decreasing the energy consumption down to 70% comparing with penetration by pushing into the soil from the base of the penetration system. The tubular structure provides a path for delivering materials and energy to the tip of the system and for collecting information for exploratory tasks.

Moving in an unstructured environment such as soil requires approaches that are constrained by the physics of this complex medium and can ensure energy efficiency and minimize friction while exploring and searching. Among living organisms, plants are the most efficient at soil exploration, and their roots show remarkable abilities that can be exploited in artificial systems. Energy efficiency and friction reduction are assured by a growth process wherein new cells are added at the root apex by mitosis while mature cells of the root remain stationary and in contact with the soil. We propose a new concept of root-like growing robots that is inspired by these plant root features. The device penetrates soil and develops its own structure using an additive layering technique: each layer of new material is deposited adjacent to the tip of the device. This deposition produces both a motive force at the tip and a hollow tubular structure that extends to the surface of the soil and is strongly anchored to the soil. The addition of material at the tip area facilitates soil penetration by omitting peripheral friction and thus decreasing the energy consumption down to 70% comparing with penetration by pushing into the soil from the base of the penetration system. The tubular structure provides a path for delivering materials and energy to the tip of the system and for collecting information for exploratory tasks.

Engineering is the application of science and mathematics to human problems." This is a view that pervades engineering education. Recent emphasis in the United States is "engineering is design." The thesis of this paper is that engineering as science as well as engineering as design are inadequate conceptions of engineering. The thesis is supported by comparing school and out-of-school knowledge. The nature of engineering is explored in terms of the activities of engineers and the goals of engineering education. Koen's definition of the engineering method "The engineering method is the use of heuristics to cause the best change in a poorly understood situation within the available resources" is introduced. The nature of expertise is examined. Alternatives to the "empty vessel" model are presented for the development of engineering expertise. The alternatives include cognitive apprenticeship, reflective practicum, cooperative learning and problem-based instruction.

Samuel (1991) in identifying problems associated with engineering education observed that the product of engineering education does not have an identifiable entity. Unlike professions such as medicine, law or accountancy it is difficult to associate the work of professional engineers with a defined discourse. However the perceptions of professional engineers as occupations that concern themselves with productive processes and wealth creations are increasingly augmented by views of engineering profession as one that is also concerned with environmental issues. This paper takes the view that commitment to sustainability of the end process of engineering work must serve as the ideological core of the engineering profession and therefore issues of sustainability provide the framework for engineering education. One way of enhancing the education of sustainability in engineering curricula is to raise sustainability issues in areas of engineering science. Another way is to integrate engine...