bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Incorporating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Content Into Bioengineering Curricula: A Program-Level Approach
Authors: Mollica Molly Y. , Olszewski Emily , Kiyohara Casey L. , Matusalem Danafe D. , Ochs Alexander R. , Imoukhuede Princess I. , Regnier Michael , Yasuhara Ken , Thomas Wendy E. , Taylor Alyssa C. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are interconnected with bioengineering, yet have historically been absent from accreditation standards and curricula. Toward educating DEI-competent bioengineers and meeting evolving accreditation requirements, we took a program-level approach to incorporate, catalog, and assess DEI content through the bioengineering undergraduate program. To support instructors in adding DEI content and inclusive pedagogy, our team developed a DEI planning worksheet and surveyed instructors pre- and post-course. Over the academic year, 74% of instructors provided a pre-term and/or post-term response. Of responding instructors, 91% described at least one DEI curricular content improvement, and 88% incorporated at least one new inclusive pedagogical approach. Based on the curricular adjustments reported by instructors, we grouped the bioengineering-related DEI content into five DEI competency categories: bioethics, inclusive design, inclusive scholarship, inclusive professionalism, and systemic inequality. To assess the DEI content incorporation, we employed direct assessment via course assignments, end-of-module student surveys, end-of-term course evaluations, and an end-of-year program review. When asked how much their experience in the program helped them develop specific DEI competencies, students reported a relatively high average of 3.79 (scale of 1 = “not at all” to 5 = “very much”). Additionally, based on student performance in course assignments and other student feedback, we found that instructors were able to effectively incorporate DEI content into a wide variety of courses. We offer this framework and lessons learned to be adopted by programs similarly motivated to train DEI-competent engineering professionals and provide an equitable, inclusive engineering education for all students.
Biomechanical Evaluation of Tracheal Needle Puncture Forces: Comparative Analysis of Annular Ligaments and Tracheal Cartilage
Authors: Sissoko Cheick , Walker Victoria , Dion Gregory R. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Percutaneous tracheotomies (PCT) are commonly performed minimally invasive procedures involving the creation of an airway opening through an incision or puncture of the tracheal wall. While the medical intervention is crucial for critical care and the management of acute respiratory failure, tracheostomy complications can lead to severe clinical symptoms due to the alterations of the airways biomechanical properties/structures. The causes and mechanisms underlaying the development of these post-tracheotomy complications remain largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the needle puncture process and its biomechanical characteristics by using a well establish porcine ex vivo trachea to simulate the forces involved in accessing airways during PCT at varying angular approaches. Given that many procedures involve inserting a needle into the trachea without direct visualization of the tracheal wall, concerns have been raised over the needle punctures through the cartilaginous rings as compared to the space between them may result in fractured cartilage and post-tracheostomy airway complications. We report a difference in puncture force between piercing the cartilage and the annular ligaments and observe that the angle of puncture does not significantly alter the puncture forces. The data collected in this study can guide the design of relevant biomechanical feedback system during airway access procedures and ultimately help refine and optimize PCT.
An Approach to Quantify Anisotropic Multiaxial Failure of the Annulus Fibrosus
Authors: Middendorf Jill M. , Barocas Victor H. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Tears in the annulus fibrosus (AF) of the intervertebral disk (IVD) occur due to multiaxial loading on the spine. However, most existing AF failure studies measure uniaxial stress, not the multiaxial stress at failure. Delamination theory, which requires advanced structural knowledge and knowledge about the interactions between the AF fibers and matrix, has historically been used to understand and predict AF failure. Alternatively, a simple method, the Tsai-Hill yield criteria, could describe multiaxial failure of the AF. This yield criteria uses the known tissue fiber orientation and an equation to establish the multiaxial failure stresses that cause failure. This paper presents a method to test the multiaxial failure stress of the AF experimentally and evaluate the potential for the Tsai-Hill model to predict these failure stresses. Porcine AF was cut into a dogbone shape at three distinct angles relative to the primary lamella direction (parallel, transverse, and oblique). Then, each dogbone was pulled to complete rupture. The Cauchy stress in the material's fiber coordinates was calculated. These multiaxial stress parameters were used to optimize the coefficients of the Tsai-Hill yield. The coefficients obtained for the Tsai-Hill model vary by an order of magnitude between the fiber and transverse directions, and these coefficients provide a good description of the AF multiaxial failure stress. These results establish both an experimental approach and the use of the Tsai-Hill model to explain the anisotropic failure behavior of the tissue.
Effects of Product Personalization: Considering Personalizability in the Product Architecture of Modular Product Families
Authors: Vogt Juliane , Woeller Lea-Nadine , Krause Dieter 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
The modularity of a product architecture with standard, variant, and optional modules can be measured by the characteristics of commonality and combinability. Positive and negative effects of a more communal or more combinable structure are summarized and visualized in an impact model. However, due to the megatrend of personalization, the solution space of a modular product architecture needs to be extended to include personalizable modules. What remains unclear till now is how personalization impacts the different life phases. Therefore, this article derives an impact model considering product personalization. First, the modularity property of personalizability is derived, in order to then specifically investigate the effects occurring in the different life phases. Therefore, a literature review is conducted. New effects are found, and the existing effects of commonality and combinability are examined for their validity for personalizability. The findings are then combined with the known effects of commonality and combinability to create a holistic impact model of modular product families. This new model takes personalizable modules into account and can support companies in defining the goals and focus of a modularization project.
Effect of Outlet Shape on Flame Height of Transformer Oil Jet Fire Under External Fire Source
Authors: Sun Shaodong , Chen Peng , Zhai Xu , Liu Yang 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
In this inquiry, we delve into the manner by which disparate orifice configurations exert influence upon the elevation of the jet flame when subjected to an external conflagration, employing empirical simulations. Elaborating upon the empirical dataset, we introduce the derivative of hydraulic diameter alterations and the velocity of material degradation, thereby revising the traditional non-dimensionalized model of flame altitude. The revelations disclose that, across an array of orifice profiles, the conflagration jet within oil-laden apparatus undergoes four discernible phases of evolution, each replete with variable flambeau altitudes. In disparate operational circumstances, the quantified velocity of material degradation during the evolution phase manifests an exponential interrelation with the approximated value of the model. Conversely, the phases of stability and decline adhere to a potency function connection. A quantitative delineation of the pivotal states for each phase of combustion is achieved through the evaluation of the rate of alteration in the velocity of material degradation. Significantly, the pivotal juncture for the proliferation and equilibrium stage is ascertained to be 2 g/s. This scientific inquiry confers invaluable theoretical reinforcement for fire safeguarding and catastrophe evaluation within substations accommodating oil-infused apparatus.
Effects of a Self-Pressurized Injection Strategy on the Formation of a Stratified Mixture and the Combustion of an Aviation Kerosene Piston Engine
Authors: Ji Haocheng , Zhong Lingfeng , Li Songhong , Chen Yufeng , Liu Rui 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
The aviation kerosene piston engine (AKPE) is the main power system for small- and medium-sized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Conventional AKPEs use carburetors or port fuel injection (PFI) as fuel supply, resulting in poor cold start performance and difficulty in forming an economically efficient stratified mixture. In addition, two-stroke AKPEs using carburetors or PFI have serious scavenging losses. These reasons lead to the poor economic performance of conventional AKPEs. Direct injection (DI) can be controlled through precise injection timing to form a stratified mixture. The combustion of stratified mixtures in engines can effectively improve the fuel economy and endurance flight time characteristics of UAVs. As a special DI injector, self-pressurized injectors have great potential in the power field of UAVs. To effectively apply self-pressurized injectors on UAV engines and improve the economy, an engine model and a self-pressurized injector spray model are established and verified in this paper. The single injection strategy and segmented injection strategy for forming stratified mixtures are explored, and the combustion performance is studied. The main conclusions are as follows: the optimal installation angle of the injector is 15 deg, which yields excellent results in the formation of the mixture at this angle. When the fuel injection quantity is small, utilizing a single injection strategy combined with delaying the end of the injection phase (EOIP) can form a stratified mixture. Reducing the angle difference between the EOIP and the ignition timing can improve the power and economy. As the fuel injection quantity is large, a stratified mixture can be formed through two-stage injection. When the fuel injection ratio is 4:1, the uniformity of the mixture distribution in the combustion chamber is significantly improved. Adjusting the second EOIP between a 35 deg crank angle (CA) before top dead center (BTDC) and a 30 deg CA BTDC can achieve a stratified mixture with good economy and power performance.
Dolutegravir pharmacokinetics in Ugandan patients with TB and HIV receiving standard- versus high-dose rifampicin
Authors: Kengo Allan , Nabisere Ruth , Gausi Kamunkhwala , Musaazi Joseph , Buzibye Allan , Omali Denis , Aarnoutse Rob , Lamorde Mohammed , Dooley Kelly E. , Sloan Derek James , Denti Paolo , Sekaggya-Wiltshire Christine 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Higher rifampicin doses may improve tuberculosis treatment outcomes. This could however exacerbate the existing drug interaction with dolutegravir. Moreover, the metabolism of dolutegravir may also be affected by polymorphism of
UGT1A1,
a gene that codes for uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase. We used population pharmacokinetic modeling to compare the pharmacokinetics of dolutegravir when coadministered with standard- versus high-dose rifampicin in adults with tuberculosis and HIV, and investigated the effect of genetic polymorphisms. Data from the SAEFRIF trial, where participants were randomized to receive first-line tuberculosis treatment with either standard- 10 mg/kg or high-dose 35 mg/kg rifampicin alongside antiretroviral therapy, were used. The dolutegravir model was developed with 211 plasma concentrations from 44 participants. The median (interquartile range) rifampicin area under the curve (AUC) in the standard- and high-dose arms were 32.3 (28.7–36.7) and 153 (138−175) mg·h/L, respectively. A one-compartment model with first-order elimination and absorption through transit compartments best described dolutegravir pharmacokinetics. For a typical 56 kg participant, we estimated a clearance, absorption rate constant, and volume of distribution of 1.87 L/h, 1.42 h
−1
, and 12.4 L, respectively. Each 10 mg·h/L increase in the AUC of coadministered rifampicin from 32.3 mg·h/L led to a 2.3 (3.1–1.4) % decrease in dolutegravir bioavailability. Genetic polymorphism of
UGT1A1
did not significantly affect dolutegravir pharmacokinetics. Simulations of trough dolutegravir concentrations show that the 50 mg twice-daily regimen attains both the primary and secondary therapeutic targets of 0.064 and 0.3 mg/L, respectively, regardless of the dose of coadministered rifampicin, unlike the once-daily regimen.
Unexpectedly low drug exposures among Ugandan patients with TB and HIV receiving high-dose rifampicin
Authors: Kengo Allan , Gausi Kamunkhwala , Nabisere Ruth , Musaazi Joseph , Buzibye Allan , Omali Denis , Aarnoutse Rob , Lamorde Mohammed , Dooley Kelly E. , Sloan Derek James , Sekaggya-Wiltshire Christine , Denti Paolo 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT
We characterized the pharmacokinetics of standard- and high-dose rifampicin in Ugandan adults with tuberculosis and HIV taking dolutegravir- or efavirenz-based antiretroviral therapy. A liver model with saturable hepatic extraction adequately described the data, and the increase in exposure between high and standard doses was 4.7-fold. This was lower than what previous reports of dose-exposure nonlinearity would predict and was ascribed to 38% lower bioavailability of the rifampicin-only top-up formulation compared to the fixed-dose combination.
Optimizing anidulafungin exposure across a wide adult body size range
Authors: Hall, Ronald G. , Liu Shuhan , Putnam William C. , Kallem Rajareddy , Gumbo Tawanda , Pai Manjunath P. 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Echinocandins like anidulafungin are first-line therapies for candidemia and invasive candidiasis, but their dosing may be suboptimal in obese patients. Our objective was to quantify anidulafungin exposure in a cohort of adults across a wide body size range to test if body size affects anidulafungin pharmacokinetics (PK). We enrolled 20 adults between the ages of 18 and 80 years, with an equal distribution of patients above and below a body mass index of 30 kg/m
2
. A single 100-mg dose of anidulafungin was administered, followed by intensive sampling over 72 h. Population PK analysis was used to identify and compare covariates of anidulafungin PK parameters. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to compute the probability of target attainment (PTA) based on alternative dosing regimens. Participants (45% males) had a median (range) age of 45 (21–78) years and a median (range) weight of 82.7 (42.4–208.3) kg. The observed median (range) of AUC
0-∞
was 106.4 (51.9, 138.4) mg∙h/L. Lean body weight (LBW) and adjusted body weight (AdjBW) were more influential than weight as covariates of anidulafungin PK parameters. The conventional 100 mg daily maintenance is predicted to have a PTA below 90% in adults with an LBW > 55 kg or an AdjBW > 75 kg. A daily maintenance dose of 150–200 mg is predicted in these heavier adults. Anidulafungin AUC
0-∞
declines with increasing body size. A higher maintenance dose will increase the PTA compared to the current approach in obese patients.
Efficient modulation of cellular phosphorus components in response to phosphorus deficiency in the dinoflagellate
Karenia mikimotoi
Authors: Huang Xue-Ling , Zhuang Yan-Qing , Xiong Yue-Yue , Li Da-Wei , Ou Lin-Jian 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

With an increasing trend of phosphorus limitation in coastal waters, phytoplankton with advantageous strategies to address phosphorus deficiency might be more competitive in their communities. Combining physiological, transcriptomic, and miRNA analyses, the present study analyzed the molecular responses of different intracellular phosphorus components to phosphorus deficiency in the harmful dinoflagellate
Karenia mikimotoi
, with a specific focus on membrane phospholipid remodeling. The cellular phosphorus components of phospholipids, polyphosphate (polyP), and RNA and the associated gene expression showed dynamic variations over a prolonged phosphorus-stressed period. Under phosphorus deficiency,
K. mikimotoi
preferred to preserve polyP and RNA but efficiently replaced phospholipids with glycerol glycolipids and a betaine lipid to maintain active growth. This dynamic phospholipid substitution in
K. mikimotoi
was a combined result of the cessation of phospholipid biosynthesis and an increase in phospholipid breakdown. The expression of the identified miRNAs involved in ATP metabolism indicated that miRNAs may play an important role in regulating energy metabolism in
K. mikimotoi
. The present study improved the understanding of the molecular mechanism of intracellular phosphorus metabolism in marine phytoplankton and highlighted the strong capability of dinoflagellates to efficiently modulate intracellular phosphorus resources.

IMPORTANCE

Dinoflagellates are the most common phytoplankton group and account for more than 75% of harmful algal blooms in coastal waters. In recent decades, dinoflagellates seem to prevail in phosphate-depleted waters. However, the underlying acclimation mechanisms and competitive strategies of dinoflagellates in response to phosphorus deficiency are poorly understood, especially in terms of intracellular phosphorus modulation and recycling. Here, we focused on the response of intracellular phosphorus metabolism to phosphorus deficiency in the model dinoflagellate
Karenia mikimotoi
. Our work reveals the strong capability of
K. mikimotoi
to efficiently regulate intracellular phosphorus resources, particularly through membrane phospholipid remodeling and miRNA regulation of energy metabolism. Our research improved the understanding of intracellular phosphorus metabolism in marine phytoplankton and underscored the advantageous strategies of dinoflagellates in the efficient modulation of internal phosphorus resources to maintain active physiological activity and growth under unsuitable phosphorus conditions, which help them outcompete other species in coastal phosphate-depleted environments.
The DEAD-box RNA helicase RhlB is required for efficient RNA processing at low temperature in
Caulobacter
Authors: de Araújo Hugo L. , Picinato Beatriz A. , Lorenzetti Alan P. R. , Muthunayake Nisansala S. , Rathnayaka-Mudiyanselage I. W. , dos Santos Naara M. , Schrader Jared , Koide Tie , Marques Marilis V. 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

The RNA helicases from the DEAD-box family participate in several biochemical processes, with special relevance in the assembly of ribosome ribonucleoparticles and in RNA turnover as part of the multi-enzymatic RNA degradosome complex.
Caulobacter crescentus
has three DEAD-box RNA helicases, including RhlB, the main RNA helicase associated with the RNA degradosome. In this work, we evaluated the impact of RhlB on
C. crescentus
gene expression both at normal and low temperatures and its role in global RNA decay. The
rhlB
null mutant showed a freezing-sensitive phenotype after pre-incubation at low temperature, indicating a failure in assembling a proper cryotolerance response. A global transcriptomic profile of the wild-type and
rhlB
mutants was carried out at 30°C and 10°C and showed 73 and 477 differentially expressed genes, with the most affected gene categories being translation and posttranslational modifications. The
rhlB
mutant is more sensitive to streptonigrin, suggesting that the downregulation of iron-regulated genes may be due to a higher intracellular iron concentration. A high throughput screening for RhlB-binding RNAs identified 220 transcripts at 30°C, and global RNA decay analyses identified several mRNAs and sRNAs that displayed altered profiles of RNA decay rates. Analyses of the transcripts’ 5′-ends from the
C. crescentus rhlB
mutant and from
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
PAO1
rhlE1
and
rhlE2
mutants confirm that in the absence of the DEAD-box RNA helicase associated with RNase E, there is an accumulation of RNA degradation intermediates.

IMPORTANCE

One of the most important control points in gene regulation is RNA stability, which determines the half-life of a transcript from its transcription until its degradation. Bacteria have evolved a sophisticated multi-enzymatic complex, the RNA degradosome, which is dedicated mostly to RNA turnover. The combined activity of RNase E and the other RNA degradosome enzymes provides an efficient pipeline for the complete degradation of RNAs. The DEAD-box RNA helicases are very often found in RNA degradosomes from phylogenetically distant bacteria, confirming their importance in unwinding structured RNA for subsequent degradation. This work showed that the absence of the RNA helicase RhlB in the free-living Alphaproteobacterium
Caulobacter crescentus
causes important changes in gene expression and cell physiology. These are probably due, at least in part, to inefficient RNA processing by the RNA degradosome, particularly at low-temperature conditions.
Enhanced phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing of
Mannheimia haemolytica
serotype 1 following in-frame CMP-sialic acid synthetase (
neuA
) gene deletion
Authors: Menghwar Harish , Tatum Fred M. , Briggs Robert E. , Casas Eduardo , Kaplan Bryan S. , Azadi Parastoo , Dassanayake Rohana P. 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Mannheimia haemolytica
is the most significant bacterial pathogen associated with the bovine respiratory disease complex. Although sialic acid is a known virulence factor in other members of Pasteurellaceae, such as
Histophilus somni
and
Pasteurella multocida
, the significance of sialic acid to the virulence of
M. haemolytica
is currently unknown. Therefore, the role of sialic acid as a virulence determinant of
M. haemolytica
was investigated by constructing an in-frame
neuA
[CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac/sialic) synthetase] mutant, which was shown by high-performance anion exchange chromatographic analysis (HPAEC) to be devoid of sialic acid on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Both the
neuA
mutant and wild-type parent strains exhibited similar growth rates in the growth curve assay. Real-time qPCR and ELISA evaluation showed no differences in proinflammatory cytokine expressions (IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8) between the
neuA
mutant and parent strain when peripheral blood mononuclear cells were incubated with LPS. Interestingly, the
neuA
mutant was three to four logs more sensitive to a whole-blood bacterial killing assay than the parent strain. Similar results were also observed in plasma and serum bacterial killing assays. Flow cytometry analyses showed higher uptake of
neuA
mutant by phagocytes, compared to the parent strain, in the whole-blood phagocytosis assay; however, no difference in reactive oxygen species production in neutrophils or monocytes was detected for either strain. Taken together, these results indicate that sialylation of
M. haemolytica
LPS plays a vital role in reducing complement-mediated and phagocytic killing.

IMPORTANCE

The Gram-negative coccobacillus
Mannheimia haemolytica
is a natural inhabitant of the upper respiratory tract in ruminants and the most common bacterial agent involved in bovine respiratory disease complex development. Key virulence factors harbored by
M. haemolytica
are leukotoxin, lipopolysaccharide, capsule, adhesins, and neuraminidase which are involved in evading innate and adaptive immune responses. In this study, we have shown that CMP-sialic acid synthetase (
neuA
) is necessary for the incorporation of sialic acid onto the membrane, and inactivation of
neuA
results in increased phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing of
M. haemolytica,
thus demonstrating that sialylation contributes to the virulence of
M. haemolytica
.