Level Of Maturity Research Articles

A technology-specific process mining maturity grid for manufacturing and logistics

Process mining applies data mining to the data produced in the slipstream of the executing process instances. Hence, it enables organisations gain transparency about how exactly the processes are executed. Organisations can use this transparency to find opportunities to improve their business processes, such as manufacturing and logistics. Previous research provides methodological guidance on how process mining projects can be conducted and how process mining capabilities can be assessed from an organisational perspective. However, organisations tend to lack experience with novel technologies, which is why they often miss out on opportunities to improve their operations using the insights gained through process mining. This study is the first to contribute to the existing literature by examining process mining capabilities from a technological perspective, focussing on the manufacturing and logistics domain. We conducted a systematic case study review and 12 semi-structured interviews with different manufacturing organisations to develop and validate our technology-specific process mining maturity grid for manufacturing and logistics. The resulting maturity grid is a tool for demonstrating development paths for the further application of process mining in organisations. The grid details maturity using three focus areas (i.e. data input, process mining utilisation, and integration) structured into five maturity levels.

ADIIT — An Evidence-Based Maturity Model for Faculty Support Teams in the Health Professions

Abstract Faculty support teams in health professions education operate in a unique environment that can engender specific challenges in their operations and development. This paper introduces an evidence-based maturity model designed to support the establishment and growth of such teams. The ADIIT model, which is named for the five levels of maturity that such teams can attain: (1) Ad Hoc/Initial; (2) Defined; (3) Integrated; (4) Innovative; (5) Transformative, enables faculty support teams to assess their current state and identify areas for improvement. Key elements of performance included in the model are team, leadership, operations/focus, customer base, and auxiliary services. The paper describes criteria for each element at each level and provides guidance about how to advance to the next level. A fictional case study is provided to demonstrate the application of the maturity model. Using this model will help faculty support teams in health professions education to develop the high level of focus and professionalism necessary to navigate between and provide support for classroom education, distributed learning, and clinical education.

Assessing a Community Partnership Addressing Food Security Among Older Adults During COVID-19

For many vulnerable older adults, food access was disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Hawai‘i, the Kūpuna (the Hawaiian word for elders) Food Security Coalition (KFSC) was formed in March 2020 to address this challenge, leveraging local and federal funding support. This case study presents information on coalition formation and success in addressing this emergency, as well as evaluation data on coalition functioning as assessed by the Collective Impact (CI) framework. Coalition functioning was assessed across the five CI conditions: common agenda, shared measurement, mutually reinforcing activities, continuous communication, and backbone support. Case study data were available from interview and learning circle transcripts, survey findings, and other program documents. Between March and December 2020, the KFSC coordinated efforts of 46 organizations to serve approximately 1.2 million meals to 8300 vulnerable seniors in Honolulu County. Within the first 9 months of existence, the coalition’s measurement system and the common agenda conditions showed advanced maturity, while the other conditions demonstrated moderate maturity levels. Despite challenging leadership transitions, the coalition was successful in helping increase food access and then pivoting in 2021 to promote kūpuna vaccinations, and the coalition continues to meet regularly to address issues of concern to vulnerable older adults. This study provides evidence-based guidance for communities seeking to establish public/non-profit partnerships for emergency food response for older adults, demonstrating how structured coalition approaches can effectively mobilize and coordinate multi-stakeholder efforts during and beyond crises.

Coffee Roaster Maturity Level Classification Based on Convolutional Neural Network

Coffee Roaster Maturity Level Classification Based on Convolutional Neural Network

The Digital REadiness Assessment MaturitY (DREAMY) framework to guide manufacturing companies towards a digitalisation roadmap

Digital technologies are considered the main drivers for the transformation of the manufacturing industry. To effectively navigate this wave of transformation, companies need to understand their current maturity state regarding implemented technologies and organisational processes across various functions. However, many organisations struggle to assess their digital status quo. Addressing this gap, this paper proposes a framework to help manufacturing companies become aware of their digital maturity level and guide them toward a digitalisation roadmap. The framework consists of a maturity model, the Digital Readiness Assessment MaturitY (DREAMY), inspired by the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI), and a digitalisation roadmap tool. The research follows the design research methodology, combining a literature review, expert consultations, and validation through multiple industrial cases to develop, test, and refine the framework. The proposed framework enables companies to assess their current digital maturity, identify strengths and weaknesses, and discover opportunities for improvement, supporting a conscious transition toward Industry 4.0 and the forthcoming Industry 5.0 paradigm.

Does Higher Maturation Make Age-Grouped Swimmers Faster? A Study on Pubertal Female Swimmers

Background: The main aim of this study was to identify the differences between subgroups of swimmers based on physiological (peak oxygen uptake—VO2peak), strength (average tethered swimming force—60Fave), stroke kinematics (v100—swimming speed at 100 m front crawl, stroke rate—SR, stroke length—SL), and anthropometrical (i.e.,: biological age—BA, body height—BH, body mass—BM) factors within swimmers at different levels of maturity (BA). Methods: This study involved 39 female swimmers (age: 12.88 ± 0.54 years, BA: 13.98 ± 1.91 years). Cluster analysis (k-cluster) and stepwise multiple regression was performed. Results: Significant correlations were observed between v100 and BA, 60Fave, AS, VO2peak. Stepwise multiple regression indicated 60Fave and VO2peak as the main explanatory variables of v100 (R2 = 0.60, p < 0.0001). Cluster analysis allowed us to distinguish three groups of swimmers, differing in BA (cluster 1: 14.07 ± 0.96 years, cluster 2: 17.05 ± 1.53, cluster 3: 11.94 ± 0.95) and v100, as well as in BH, FFM, AS. Conclusions: There were differences between cluster groups, with early mature swimmers characterized by the highest BH, FFM, AS, 60Fave, and VO2peak. Probably, biologically younger late mature swimmers (cluster 3) are slower than the other 2 groups (cluster 1 and 2) because of being less somatically developed. Based on these study results, coaches should ensure further development of aerobic and anaerobic conditioning among normal mature swimmers with simultaneous focus on improving technique skills among early mature ones.

A Holistic Maturity Model for Quality Assessment and Innovation in Peruvian Universities

This study proposes a holistic maturity model to evaluate and optimize the performance of Peruvian universities. It addresses key dimensions such as favorable governance, university talent (including students, faculty, and administrators), substantial resources, and results. It is based on the Design Science Research methodology and the Mettler framework. On the other hand, the Delphi method was selected for its ability to consolidate expert opinion. Aiken’s V coefficient was used to determine content validity, evaluating criteria such as clarity, relevance, and coherence, to ensure the reliability of the instrument. This model defines concrete practices for each maturity level, facilitating the progressive implementation of improvements in different university contexts. It contributes to Education 4.0 through the IT strategic alignment practices of the enabling governance dimension, promoting the implementation of personalized teaching methods and hybrid learning models. Regarding the Society 5.0 approach, the model prioritizes social impact and environmental sustainability through university social responsibility, ensuring that universities contribute to human and technological development. Finally, this proposal will support decision making in university management and educational policies in Peru and in international contexts.

A novel spherical fuzzy-based decision model for assessing data management maturity in governmental institutions

Abstract The capability of government institutions to manage data effectively is fundamental to their operational efficiency and innovation potential. Governments face unique challenges, including rapid data generation, evolving regulations, and demands for quality services and transparency. This necessitates a tailored approach to data governance, given the complexities of balancing public interests with data privacy. This study aims to establish a robust framework for evaluating the data management maturity of Government Entities by developing an evaluative metric that reflects their data management maturity. The research approach involved gathering and synthesizing dispersed principles from existing literature into a set of definitive criteria. The criteria were subjectively weighted by an expert panel (SME) to reflect the significance of each criterion in a government setting. For methodology, the study pioneers the hybridization of spherical fuzzy sets (SFSs) built on the criteria importance through intercriteria correlation (CRITIC) and the evaluation based on distance from average solution (EDAS) model. The criteria weighting was methodically calculated using the CRITIC method, and the subsequent evaluation of the alternatives was ascertained through EDAS. This combination of methodologies effectively reduced subjective bias, yielding a more reliable foundation for the rankings. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to confirm the robustness of the presented methodology when subjected to variations. To verify the validity of the developed method, we compared the SF- CRITIC and SF-EDAS approach with the SF-AHP and SF-EDAS, SF-CRITIC and SF-TOPSIS, the SF-CRITIC and SF-WPM, and the SF-CRITIC and SF-MARCOS. The results showcased a spectrum of maturity levels across the evaluated entities, pinpointing both commendable proficiencies and key areas for growth. This research presents a strategic asset for government bodies, aiding in the targeted enhancement of their data management systems. The broader implications of our findings serve as a strategic compass for governmental organizations, steering them toward achieving a higher echelon of data management sophistication.

Applying the PRiSM™ Methodology to Raise Awareness of the Importance of Using Sustainable Project Management Practices in Organizations

Sustainability has become crucial in today’s business landscape. Customers, suppliers, partners, and investors are increasingly demanding that companies be aware of their impacts on the environment and society. Achieving sustainability in business operations, including social, economic, and environmental aspects, is one of the major challenges for companies today. Integrating sustainability into project management fosters the development of more sustainable and responsible projects, considering environmental, social, and economic aspects. This integration allows for benefits such as risk and operational cost reduction, strengthening of the company’s reputation, and gaining stakeholders’ trust. This study takes an exploratory approach, focusing on a pilot test to investigate how the PRiSM™ (Projects Integrating Sustainable Methods) methodology can be applied in a business context to assess the level of maturity of sustainable project management practices and thus raise awareness of the importance of these issues. PRiSM™ was developed by GPM® Global (Global Project Management, Lees Summit, MO, USA) in 2013 to help organizations integrate project processes with sustainable initiatives and it is based on the P5 Standard, which incorporates tangible tools and methods to manage the balance between finite resources, social responsibility, and delivery of sustainable project outcomes. Based on the PRiSM™ methodology and the P5 Standard (2nd Edition), a comprehensive questionnaire was developed under the Portuguese Project Management Observatory® to assist companies in assessing their performance in terms of sustainable practices, resulting in a sustainable maturity level. The questionnaire aimed to evaluate companies in four impact categories: product/process impacts, social impacts, economic impacts, and environmental impacts. The results, obtained from 30 respondents, indicated that the majority of organizations achieved medium-level ratings, with an overall average of 65%. However, some still showed unsatisfactory performance, with a minimum score of 14%, indicating there is still a long way to go for the full integration of sustainability. Based on participants’ feedback, the study found that many recognized the importance of sustainability but were unaware of how to integrate sustainability practices into their project management activities, highlighting the importance of promoting education and raising awareness about sustainable project management practices. The findings, while based on a limited sample, provide valuable initial insights into the potential of PRiSM™ to foster sustainability in project management. This research underscores the need for further studies to expand and validate these preliminary conclusions.

FIRST DATA ON THE MOLECULAR GENETIC DIVERSITY OF HHV6B AND ITS IMPACT ON THE CLINICAL AND LABORATORY COURSE OF MONONUCLEOSIS-LIKE SYNDROME IN CHILDREN

Human herpes virus 6B (HHV6B) is a ubiquitous causative agent of mononucleosis-like syndrome (MLS) and other diseases. The diversity of HHV6B infection may be due to virus genetic polymorphism. Molecular genetic diversity of circulating HHV6B, as well as its impact on the clinical and laboratory features of HHV6B infection have not been studied. The aim of the work was to study the intraspecific diversity of HHV6B circulating among children in Nizhny Novgorod (Russia) region, and to investigate its effect on MLS clinical and laboratory features. Blood leukocytes and saliva DNA samples from healthy children and children with HHV6B infection were analyzed for HHV6B DNA detection. Original intraspecific HHV6B classification based on detecting signature nucleotide substitutions in the sequence of the U90 gene fragment, was used for virus typing. A relationship between HHV6B genovariant and clinical/laboratory MLS characteristics was studied using multivariate statistical methods. Circulation of four HHV6B genovariants was shown among children in Nizhny Novgorod region: HHV6B/GV2e, HHV6B/GV2b (dominant genovariants), HHV6B/GV1a and HHV6B/GV2a (minor genovariants). Children with MLS infected with HHV6B/GV2e genovariant were more likely to have laboratory signs of cytolysis and increased peripheral blood lymphocyte count. Children with MLS infected with the HHV6B/GV2b genovariant were more likely to have higher mature neutrophil level. An increase of HHV6B viral load in leukocytes was accompanied by aggravated intoxication symptoms. Co-infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) led to more severe symptoms of acute tonsillitis, hepatosplenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy. Patients with EBV were more likely to have higher ALAT and lymphocyte level along with decreased mature neutrophil count. In children with MLS, EBV coinfection caused smaller HHV6B viral load in blood leukocytes (in children with HHV6B DNA 10 or more copies/105 cells) and lower HHV6B DNA detection frequency in saliva (in children with HHV6B DNA less than 10 copies/105 leukocytes). The results show the influence of genetic HHV6B polymorphism upon the clinical and laboratory features of MLS in children, and also demonstrate that HHV6B/GV2e and EBV cause similar disease symptoms.

Security Infrastructure Service and Information Security Management Capability Audit to Improve System Security in Preventing Cyber Attacks using COBIT 2019

Cyber-attacks have become a serious concern in recent years, as hackers can attack systems, databases, and even steal personal data from a particular organization's database and sell it on the dark web. The individual identity data will be used to carry out various financially profitable activities such as online fraud, selling data containing detailed account information, and asking for ransom from data owners. The failure of an organization to protect data assets from cyber-attacks stems from several internal factors such as the vulnerability of the information security system it has, the less than optimal awareness of users in the organization of the importance of maintaining safe behavior in cyberspace, and routine processes related to information security that are missed. COBIT 2019 can be used as an audit framework to assess the level of maturity of the governance. Network infrastructure services in an organization can be measured in terms of the level of capability in terms of the application of technology assets and their configuration using the DSS05 and APO13 domains. This study aims to provide guidelines in assessing system security infrastructure in IT governance by assessing areas that are still not comply with the framework used, and providing recommendations for improving these inconsistencies so that the level of infrastructure capability will be maximized then.

Nanoscale Pore Evolution of Terrestrial Shale with Thermal Maturation Level Increase Induced by Hydrous Pyrolysis

A series of terrestrial shale samples with different thermal maturities were subjected to hydrous artificial pyrolysis to study the evolution of terrestrial shale pores. The original shale was obtained from the terrestrial interval of a core sample, the total organic carbon (TOC) content was 8.34 wt%, and the vitrinite reflectance (Ro) was 5.31%. The original shale core was cut into eight parts, which were heated at temperatures of 300, 350, 400, 420, 450, 500, 550, and 600 °C to obtain samples with different thermal maturities. The pore size distribution (PSD), pore volume (PV), specific surface area (SSA), and pore types were investigated via CO2 and N2 adsorption tests and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Many organic matter (OM) pores and mineral pores were observed via FE-SEM with increasing thermal maturity. The total PV and SSA increased until the sample reached 500 °C and then decreased, and the mesopore volume followed this trend. The micropore volume first decreased, increased until the sample reached 500 °C, and then decreased; the macropore volume increased to a peak in the sample pyrolyzed at 420 °C and then remained stable. Pores with sizes ranging from 10 to 30 nm were the predominant contributors to the shale pore volume. The SSA was affected by pores with diameters less than 20 nm, which accounted for approximately 54% of the SSA. The rate of OM conversion influenced pore creation.

Determining Digital Maturity in Metropolitan Municipalities: The Example of Sakarya and Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipalities

Digital transformation in municipalities is vital for improving service delivery, increasing operational efficiency and encouraging citizen participation. This study aims to determine the factors that determine the digital maturity levels of institutions and the effects of these factors by focusing on the digital transformation process of Sakarya and Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipalities. In this research, case study design was used to investigate digital maturity in an in-depth and holistic way in the institutional context and to analyze the case of metropolitan municipalities in a real-world context. Data on municipalities' digital initiatives, policies and online platforms were obtained from semi-structured interviews, documents and observation notes. Data were analyzed and interpreted using single-case and cross-case analysis techniques using MAXQDA qualitative analysis software. While both municipalities have made significant progress in their digital transformation efforts, there are significant gaps and areas for improvement. Research findings point to vital factors influencing digital maturity, including leadership commitment, organizational culture, technical infrastructure, data management and citizen engagement. Holistic and comprehensive models that evaluate various dimensions such as technological infrastructure, digital services, data management, and cyber security provide a suitable framework for understanding digital maturity components in municipalities. Each element, from appropriate technological infrastructure and data governance practices to user-friendly e-government services and competent workforce, is critical to raising digital maturity. Municipalities can overcome the complexities of digital transformation through comprehensive digital strategies, user-centered design, and collaboration with stakeholders.

Tomato ripeness and stem recognition based on improved YOLOX

To address the challenges of unbalanced class labels with varying maturity levels of tomato fruits and low recognition accuracy for both fruits and stems in intelligent harvesting, we propose the YOLOX-SE-GIoU model for identifying tomato fruit maturity and stems. The SE focus module was incorporated into YOLOX to improve the identification accuracy, addressing the imbalance in the number of tomato fruits and stems. Additionally, we optimized the loss function to GIoU loss to minimize discrepancies across different scales of fruits and stems. The mean average precision (mAP) of the improved YOLOX-SE-GIoU model reaches 92.17%. Compared to YOLOv4, YOLOv5, YOLOv7, and YOLOX models, the improved model shows an improvement of 1.17–22.21%. The average precision (AP) for unbalanced semi-ripe tomatoes increased by 1.68–26.66%, while the AP for stems increased by 3.78–45.03%. Experimental results demonstrate that the YOLOX-SE-GIoU model exhibits superior overall recognition performance for unbalanced and scale-variant samples compared to the original model and other models in the same series. It effectively reduces false and missed detections during tomato harvesting, improving the identification accuracy of tomato fruits and stems. The findings of this work provide a technical foundation for developing advanced fruit harvesting techniques.

Heritage BIM and performance simulation interoperability: methodological insights from representative case studies in Cyprus and Italy

ABSTRACT BIM advances for the AEC industry's digital transformation agenda is hindered by poor software interoperability with Building Performance Simulation (BPS) tools. In an effort to identify the causes of this barrier and address possible directions to overcoming challenges, this paper presents two semi-automatic BIM to BPS workflows for heritage buildings, following the employment of the gbXML and the IFC exchange schemas respectively. Each workflow encompasses the integration of dynamic energy simulation data, as well as the conversion of morphologically complex geometries from BIM to the streamlined requirements of the respective numerical simulation engines. These parallel workflows are implemented and assessed through their application for the energy and environmental improvement of two heritage buildings, located in Cyprus and Italy. These buildings are studied as specific cases to drive the development of an energy simulation-based Heritage BIM (HBIM) workflow presented here. The findings of this research offer methodological insights into BIM data integration strategies and best practices in modeling for the schema-based workflows presented. Finally, the paper discusses impending methodological framework improvements and argues for the impact of specific roles and expertize on the process, in an effort to establish an adequate interoperability maturity level of BIM models in said operations.

Mice with 16p11.2 Deletion and Duplication Show Alterations in Biological Processes Associated with White Matter.

Deletion and duplication in the human 16p11.2 chromosomal region are closely linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, specifically autism spectrum disorder. Data from neuroimaging studies suggest white matter microstructure aberrations across these conditions. In 16p11.2 deletion and duplication carriers, potential gene dosage effects may impact white matter organisation, contributing to phenotypes including impaired cognition. However, the biological mechanisms underlying this white matter pathology remain unclear. To bridge this knowledge gap, we utilised mouse models of 16p11.2 deletion and duplication to explore changes in corpus callosum oligodendrocytes, myelination, axon caliber, and astrocytes. Immunofluorescence staining was employed to measure lineage and mature oligodendrocyte numbers, as well as myelin basic protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein fluorescence intensity. Transmission electron microscopy was utilised to evaluate axonal structural alterations related to myelin, such as myelinated axon percentage, diameter, myelin thickness, and g-ratio. Our findings reveal changes in the number of mature oligodendrocytes, myelination levels, axon diameter, and astrocytes in the corpus callosum of mice with 16p11.2 deletion and duplication. Deletion mice displayed a tendency toward reduced counts of mature oligodendrocytes and myelination levels, while duplication mice exhibited a notable increase. Axon diameter variations included a significant increase in axon diameter and myelin thickness in both deletion and duplication mice, but with irregular structure in duplication mice. Variances in astrocytes between genotypes showed significant early increases in development for both deletion and duplication mice compared to wild-type mice, with this rise sustained in duplication mice but significantly diminished in deletion mice at a later stage. Our research reveals changes in the biological mechanisms impacting white matter. Comparison of reciprocal trends in 16p11.2 deletion and duplication mice with wild-type mice suggests the possibility of gene dosage effects. Identification of these mechanisms offers an initial step in unveiling therapeutic targets for associated neurodevelopmental disorder phenotypes.

Evaluasi Keamanan Sistem Informasi Rumah Sakit: Metode Pengujian ISO 27001 di RS Khusus Mata Purwokerto

As service quality becomes paramount, ICT governance is increasingly important for organizations. This study will audit Purwokerto Eye Specialty Hospital's SIMRS against ISO/IEC 27001 standards to evaluate its information security posture. The implemented Hospital Management Information System (SIMRS) aims to support the integration of services and administrative processes, but faces various security challenges such as data loss and potential manipulation. The audit was conducted through observation, interviews, and analysis of existing security policies. The audit results show that information security incident management is in accordance with procedures, including handling, reporting, and corrective actions, with a fairly high level of security maturity. The study recommends periodic evaluation and security enhancements to ensure system resilience against future threats.

Consequences of “zombie-making” and generalist fungal pathogens on carpenter ant microbiota

The bacterial microbiome of the ant Camponotus floridanus has been well characterized across body regions and maturation levels. However, potential effects of entomopathogens on the gut microbiome, and the fungal communities therein, are yet to be assessed. Additionally, the mycobiome remains often overlooked despite playing a vital role in gut ecology with potential implications for health and infection outcomes. We characterized the effects of two entomopathogens with different infection strategies on the gut micro- and mycobiota of C. floridanus over time; Ophiocordyceps camponoti-floridani and Beauveria bassiana. Specialist, ‘zombie-making’ O. camponoti-floridani fungi hijack the behavior of C. floridanus ants over three weeks, leading them to find an elevated position and fix themselves in place with their mandibles. This summiting behavior is adaptive to Ophiocordyceps as the ant transports the fungus to conditions that favor fruiting body development, spore production, dispersal, and transmission. In contrast, the generalist entomopathogen B. bassiana infects and kills the ant within a few days, without the induction of obvious fungus-adaptive behaviors. By comparing healthy ants with Beauveria- and Ophiocordyceps-infected ants we aimed to 1) describe the dynamics of the micro- and mycobiome of C. floridanus during infection, and 2) determine if the effects on gut microbiota are distinctive between fungi that have different infection strategies. While Beauveria did not measurably affect the ant host micro-and mycobiome, Ophiocordyceps did, especially for the mycobiome. Moreover, ants that were sampled during Ophiocordyceps-adaptive summiting behavior had a significantly different micro- and mycobiome composition compared to healthy controls and those sampled before and after manipulation took place. This suggests that the host microbiome might have a role to play in the manipulation strategy of Ophiocordyceps.

The maturation state and density of human cartilage microtissues influence their fusion and development into scaled-up grafts.

Functional cartilaginous tissues can potentially be engineered by bringing together numerous microtissues (µTs) and allowing them to fuse and re-organize into larger, structurally organized grafts. The maturation level of individual microtissues is known to influence their capacity to fuse, however its impact on the long-term development of the resulting tissue remains unclear. The first objective of this study was to investigate the influence of the maturation state of human bone-marrow mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (hBM-MSCSs) derived microtissues on their fusion capacity and the phenotype of the final engineered tissue. Less mature (day 2) cartilage microtissues were found to fuse faster, supporting the development of a matrix that was richer in sulphated glycosaminoglycans (sGAG) and collagen, while low in calcium deposits. This enhanced fusion in less mature microtissues correlated with enhanced expression of N-cadherin, followed by a progressive increase in markers associated with cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions. We then engineered larger constructs with varying initial numbers (50, 150 or 300 µTs per well) of less mature microtissues, observing enhanced sGAG synthesis with increased microtissue density. We finally sought to engineer a scaled-up cartilage graft by fusing 4,000 microtissues and maintaining the resulting constructs under either dynamic or static culture conditions. Robust and reliable fusion was observed between microtissues at this scale, with no clear benefit of dynamic culture on the levels of matrix accumulation or the tensile modulus of the resulting construct. These results support the use of BM-MSCs derived microtissues for the development of large-scale, engineered functional cartilaginous grafts. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Microtissues are gaining attention for their use as biological building blocks in the field of tissue engineering. The fusion of multiple microtissues is crucial for achieving a cohesive engineered tissue of scale, however the impact of their maturation level on the long-term properties of the engineered graft is poorly understood. This paper emphasizes the importance of using less mature cartilage microtissues for supporting appropriate cell-cell interactions and robust chondrogenesis in vitro. We demonstrate that tissue development is not negatively impacted by increasing the initial numbers of microtissues within the graft. This biofabrication strategy has significant translation potential, as it enables the engineering of scaled-up cartilage grafts of clinically relevant sizes using bone marrow derived MSCs.

Validation of miR-21, miR-31, miR-34A, and miR-203 Changes by Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction in Isolated Keratinocytes.

MiRNAs play integral roles in diverse cellular functions, and their dysregulation is central to various pathological processes. Thyroid hormone (TH) is indispensable for numerous physiological processes, and it has been shown that multiple miRNAs regulate TH signaling in various tissues.This chapter describes a method for validating changes in miRNA observed through RNAseq. The method involves measuring the expression of mature miRNA levels in keratinocytes using the stem-loop real-time PCR. This method utilizes stem-loop RT primers to create cDNA for specific miRNAs in a single RT reaction. The keratinocytes used are derived from the total skin of four-day-old wild-type controls and double thyroid receptors knock-out mice (dTRKO).