Engineering Technology Research Articles

Attitudes towards persons with disabilities vs. personality traits of Polish students

ObjectiveThe study aimed to establish the relationship between attitudes towards persons with disabilities and personality traits among Polish students, and whether sociodemographic factors moderate this.MethodsA cross-sectional self-report online survey was conducted on 595 Polish students, aged 18–29, from different fields of study: 1) natural science and engineering technology; 2) social science and humanities; 3) medical and health sciences; 4) law, economics, and management. Polish adaptations of the scales were used in the study: Multidimensional Attitudes Scale Towards Persons With Disabilities (MAS) and the Ten Item Personality Inventory (TIPI).ResultsA significant correlation was demonstrated between attitudes towards individuals with physical disabilities and a range of personality traits, including agreeableness, extroversion, conscientiousness, and openness, among Polish students. The strongest attitude predictors were openness to experience, agreeableness, and extraversion, with correlation coefficients ranging from -0.06 to -0.19, -0.14 to -0.22, and -0.09 to -0.15, respectively. As scores increased in these personality traits, attitudes towards people with disabilities became more positive. However, conscientiousness (-0.07 to -0.09) and emotional stability (-0.02 to 0.12) were poor predictors. The supplementary analyses indicate that contact with a person with a disability and socio-demographic factors, such as gender, age, place of residence, mode, and field of study, assessment of one’s health, and material conditions, did not moderate the relationships between personality dimensions and attitudes towards persons with disability.ConclusionPolish students’ attitudes towards individuals with physical disabilities are associated with personality traits such as agreeableness, extraversion, conscientiousness, and openness. However, the strength of these relationships is relatively weak. This relationship is not moderated by contact with a person with a disability or sociodemographic factors. It seems that undertaking educational interventions to strengthen the indicated personality traits is particularly important. The results indicate the need for further research into factors that modulate attitudes towards persons with disabilities, including a theoretical deepening of the problem and cultural aspects.

A comprehensive review of biological and genetic control approaches for leishmaniasis vector sand flies; emphasis towards promoting tools for integrated vector management.

Leishmaniasis is a health problem in many regions with poor health and poor life resources. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 700,000-1 million new cases arise annually. Effective control of sand fly vector populations is crucial for reducing the transmission of this disease. Therefore, this review aims to comprehensively examine and evaluate the current methods for controlling sand fly populations, focusing on biological and gene drive techniques. A detailed, comprehensive literature search was carried out using databases including Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and the National Library of Medicine (NIH). These searches were done using specific keywords related to the field of study. This current review identified several promising methods, including genetically modified sand flies, using transgenic approaches by taking advanced gene editing tools like Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR/Cas9) and genetic modification of symbiotic microorganisms for controlling sand fly populations, which appeared to be proven under laboratory and field settings. Genetic control approaches have many benefits over chemical control, including long-lasting effects on targets, high specificity, and less environmental impact. Advances in genetic engineering technologies, particularly CRISPR/Cas9, sterile insect techniques, and gene drive insect modification, offer new avenues for precise and efficient sand fly management. Future research should prioritize optimizing rearing and sterilization techniques, conducting controlled field trials, and fostering collaboration across disciplines to realize the potential of genetic control strategies in combating leishmaniasis.

Phosphomolybdic acid boosts polyunsaturated fatty acid and neutral lipid production in Phaeodactylum tricornutum

Phaeodactylum tricornutum is considered a potential lipid production platform due to its high growth rates and elevated natural neutral lipid and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) contents. Furthermore, microalgae are emerging as promising sources of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). In this study, phosphomolybdic acid (PMo12), as a photocatalyst, can enhance the synthesis of neutral lipids and PUFAs by influencing the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes and photosynthesis in P. tricornutum. We also observed the contents of EPA and PUFA in engineered microalgae nearly doubled compared to the wild type, while neutral lipid content showed a significant increase of 69.7% in engineered microalgae. Notably, the growth rate of engineered microalgae remained comparable to that of the wild type. This work presents an effective approach to enhance the production of microalgal bioproducts, suggesting that photocatalysts such as PMo12 could serve as viable alternatives to genetic engineering technology, facilitating the commercialization of microalgal biodiesel.

Study the Effect of Exhaust Manifold Diameter on the Output Performance of a Four-Cylinder Spark Ignition Engine

As modern engine technology has evolved, optimizing engine performance has become a key research focus for the industry in the face of increasingly stringent environmental regulations and growing demand for energy efficiency. The diameter of the exhaust manifold plays a key role in determining engine performance. This study utilized GT-POWER software to develop an engine simulation model aimed at investigating the effects of different exhaust manifold diameters on engine power, torque, and fuel consumption. The results demonstrated that increasing the exhaust manifold diameter within a specified range significantly reduced fuel consumption at lower speeds, with minimal impact on power and torque. However, at moderate to high speeds, enlarging the exhaust manifold diameter led to a significant increase in power output, an increase in peak torque, and a decrease in fuel consumption, resulting in the shift of peak torque and minimum fuel consumption to higher speeds. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing engine exhaust manifold design.

3D Bioprinting Technology in Tissue Engineering Printing Method and Material Selection

3D Bioprinting Technology in Tissue Engineering Printing Method and Material Selection

Analysis of Rail Pressure Stability in an Electronically Controlled High-Pressure Common Rail Fuel Injection System via GT-Suite Simulation

The high-pressure common rail (HPCR) injection system, a key technology for enhancing diesel engine performance, plays a decisive role in ensuring fuel injection precision and combustion efficiency through rail pressure stability. This study establishes a coupled simulation model of an electronically controlled HPCR injection system and a diesel engine, using GT-Suite to systematically investigate the effects of fuel supply pressure, camshaft speed, high-pressure pump plunger parameters, and inlet and outlet valve characteristics on rail pressure fluctuations. Gray relational analysis quantifies the correlation between these factors and rail pressure variations. The results demonstrate that increasing camshaft speed, injection pulse width, plunger mass, plunger length, plunger spring preload, inlet valve spring preload, and outlet valve body mass reduces rail pressure fluctuations, while variations in fuel supply pressure, plunger spring stiffness, and valve spring stiffness have minimal impact. Notably, the influence of outlet valve spring preload, inlet valve spring stiffness, and inlet valve body mass on rail pressure is nonlinear, with optimal values observed. Gray relational analysis further identifies inlet valve spring preload as having the highest correlation with rail pressure fluctuations (0.815), followed by inlet valve spring stiffness (0.625), with outlet valve spring preload (0.551) and stiffness (0.527) showing relatively lower correlations. This study provides valuable insights for optimizing the HPCR injection system design and contributes to advancements in diesel engine technology.

Neural Network Prediction of Locomotive Engine Parameters Based on the Dung Beetle Optimization Algorithm and Multi-Objective Optimization of Engine Operating Parameters

Neural Network Prediction of Locomotive Engine Parameters Based on the Dung Beetle Optimization Algorithm and Multi-Objective Optimization of Engine Operating Parameters

Membrane drug transporters in cancer: From chemoresistance mechanism to therapeutic strategies.

Chemoresistance is a multifactorial phenomenon and the primary cause to the ineffectiveness of oncotherapy and cancer recurrence. Membrane drug transporters are crucial for drug delivery and disposition in cancer cells. Changes in the expression and functionality of these transporters lead to decreased intracellular accumulation and reduced toxicity of antineoplastic drugs. As the mechanism has been better understood and genetic engineering technology progressed quickly in recent years, some novel targeting strategies have come to light. This article summarizes the regulatory mechanisms of membrane drug transporters and provides an extensive review of current approaches to address transporters-mediated chemoresistance. These strategies include the use of chemical inhibitors to block efflux transporters, the development of copper chelators to enhance platinum drug uptake, the delivery of genetic drugs to alter transporter expression, the regulation of transcription and post-translational modifications. Additionally, we provide information of the clinical trial performance of the related targeting strategies, along with the ongoing challenges. Even though some clinical trials failed due to unexpected side effects and limited therapeutic efficacy, the advent of targeting membrane drug transporters still presents a hopeful path for overcoming chemoresistance.

Investigating The Combustion Performance of Dual Fuel Combustion With Diesel and Port Injected Hydrogen In A Large Bore Locomotive Engine

Abstract The heavy-duty transportation sector has primarily relied on conventional diesel combustion engines given their reliability and high thermal efficiency relative to spark ignition engines, but increased focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions has led to investigation into alternative fuels. Gaseous hydrogen fuel has garnered a great deal of recent interest in the engine community given it has zero carbon, but hydrogen is not available at the scale and cost that petroleum fuels are currently available, and this is a barrier to adoption for industries that are looking to decarbonize their operations. Because of the fuel flexibility provided, dual fuel technology offers a pathway for some industries to adopt hydrogen as a fuel source while maintaining sufficient flexibility in times and locations where the new fuel is not yet available. This computational study investigates dual fuel combustion in a large bore locomotive engine architecture using direct injected diesel and port injected gaseous hydrogen fuel. With an optimal port fuel injection configuration from previous work [18], simulations of varying substitution ratio, compression ratio, intake manifold air temperature, diesel injection timing, and diesel injection pressure were performed to understand their effect on combustion performance. Results indicated that both increased substitution ratio and higher intake air temperature accelerates hydrogen flame propagation and can result in high peak cylinder pressures. Additionally, diesel injection timing and injection pressure were demonstrated as effective methods for controlling dual fuel combustion heat release rates.

Exploring Trends and Clusters in Human Posture Recognition Research: An Analysis Using CiteSpace

This study delves into interdisciplinary research directions in human posture recognition, covering vision-based and non-vision-based methods. Visually analyzing 3066 core research papers published from 2011 to 2024 with CiteSpace software reveals knowledge structures, research topics, key documents, trends, and institutional contributions. In-depth citation analysis identified 1200 articles and five significant research clusters. Findings show that in recent years, deep learning and sensor-based methods have dominated, significantly improving recognition accuracy, like the deep learning-based posture recognition method achieving 99.7% verification set accuracy with a 20-ms delay in a controlled environment. Logarithmic growth analysis of annual publications, supported by logistic model fitting, indicates the field’s maturation since 2011, with a shift from early simple applications of traditional and deep learning algorithms to integrating interdisciplinary approaches for problem-solving as the field matures and a predicted decline in future breakthroughs. By integrating indicators like citation bursts, degree centrality, and sigma, the research identifies interdisciplinary trends and key innovation directions, showing a transition from traditional to deep learning and multi-sensor data fusion methods. The integration of biomechanics principles with engineering technologies highlights new research paths. Overall, this study offers a systematic overview to identify gaps, trends, and innovation directions, facilitating future research and providing a roadmap for innovation in human posture recognition.

Applications and challenges of artificial intelligence-driven 3D vision in biomedical engineering: A biomechanics perspective

This paper explores the applications and challenges of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven 3D vision technology in biomedical engineering, with a specific focus on its integration with biomechanics. 3D vision technology offers richer spatial information compared to traditional 2D imaging and is increasingly applied in fields like medical image analysis, surgical navigation, lesion detection, and biomechanics. In biomechanics, AI-driven 3D vision is used for analyzing human movement, modeling musculoskeletal systems, and assessing joint biomechanics. However, challenges persist, including image quality, computational resource demands, data privacy, and algorithmic bias. This paper reviews the development of 3D vision technology and AI, discusses its applications in biomedicine and biomechanics, and addresses the key technical obstacles, offering insights into the future development of these technologies in the context of biomedical and biomechanical research.

Comparing three emerging industrial cell factories: Pseudomonas putida KT2440, Halomonas bluephagenesis TD01, and Zymomonas mobilis ZM4.

Nonmodel microbes with unique advantages are emerging as industrial platforms, driven by advances in genetic engineering and omics technologies. Notable examples include the versatile soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida KT2440, the halophilic Halomonas bluephagenesis TD01, and the ethanologenic Zymomonas mobilis ZM4. While all three primarily use the Entner-Doudoroff pathway for glucose metabolism, they differ in various metabolic pathways and product synthesis. This review summarizes and compares their central carbon metabolism, advancements in genome engineering tools, and progress in scaling industrial applications from lab scale, to pilot scale, to full-scale commercial production. Understanding their similarities and differences informs future research on optimizing industrial applications and may guide the development of new microbial hosts.

Advancements in Bone Replacement Techniques-Potential Uses After Maxillary and Mandibular Resections Due to Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ).

Maxillofacial bone defects can have a profound impact on both facial function and aesthetics. While various biomaterial scaffolds have shown promise in addressing these challenges, regenerating bone in this region remains complex due to its irregular shape, intricate structure, and differing cellular origins compared to other bones in the human body. Moreover, the significant and variable mechanical loads placed on the maxillofacial bones add further complexity, especially in cases of difficult-to-treat medical conditions. This review provides a brief overview of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), highlighting the medication-induced adverse reactions and the associated clinical challenges in treating this condition. The purpose of this manuscript is to emphasize the role of biotechnology and tissue engineering technologies in therapy. By using scaffold materials and biofactors in combination with autologous cells, innovative solutions are explored for the repair of damaged facial bones. The ongoing search for effective scaffolds that can address these challenges and improve in vitro bone preparation for subsequent regeneration in the maxillofacial region remains critical. The primary purpose of this review is to spotlight current research trends and novel approaches in this area.

Microbial Production of Ectoine: A Review.

Ectoine is an important natural secondary metabolite widely used in biomedical fields, novel cosmetics development, and the food industry. Due to the increasing market demand for ectoine, more cost-effective production methods are being explored. With the rapid development of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering technologies, the production of ectoine using traditional halophilic bacteria is gradually being replaced by higher-yielding and environmentally friendly nonhalophilic engineered strains. By introducing the ectoine synthesis pathway into model strains and optimizing the fermentation process through various metabolic regulations, high-level production of ectoine can be achieved. This review focuses on strategies for the microbial production of ectoine, including screening of wild strains, mutation breeding, and metabolic engineering of model strains, to elucidate the current research status and provide insights for the industrial production of ectoine.

Soil erosion estimation and risk assessment based on RUSLE in Google Earth Engine (GEE) in Turkiye

ABSTRACT Soil erosion is a critical challenge threatening agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability globally. This study presents the first estimation of water-induced soil loss in Ordu province, Turkey, using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) integrated with Google Earth Engine (GEE) and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies. Our analysis provides spatial insights into erosion patterns across the region, revealing that soil loss rates range from 0–5 t/ha/yr in stable areas to over 200 t/ha/yr in severely eroded regions. The mean soil loss rate is estimated at 12.58 t/ha/yr. The study identified the LS factor (slope length and steepness) as the most significant contributor to soil erosion, followed by the R factor (rainfall erosivity). These findings offer valuable insights into soil erosion dynamics, supporting sustainable soil management practices and informing erosion control strategies. The results contribute to land use planning and policy development aimed at mitigating soil degradation and enhancing agricultural resilience in Ordu province.

Improving Geldanamycin Production in Streptomyces geldanamycininus Through UV Mutagenesis of Protoplast.

Geldanamycin, a benzoquinone ansa antibiotic, has been extensively applied in medical, agricultural, and health research areas due to its antitumor, antifungal, herbicidal, and antiradiation effects. In this study, an improvement of geldanamycin production by Streptomyces geldanamycininus FIM18-0592 was first performed by protoplasts combined with UV mutagenesis and ribosome engineering technology, respectively. The results showed that strains induced by UV mutagenesis of protoplasts were superior to protoplasts treated with erythromycin in terms of the positive variability, average relative titer, and maximum relative titer, with values of 51.95%, 99%, and 136%, respectively. A mutant strain that produced 3742 μg/mL geldanamycin was generated by protoplast UV mutagenesis, with a 36% higher yield than the initial strain. Multi-omic analysis revealed that the high-yielding geldanamycin in mutant strain 53 could upregulate GdmG and GdmX by 1.59 and 2.38 times in the ansamycin synthesis pathway, and downregulate pks12, pikAI, and pikAII by 0.25, 0.37, and 0.48 times in the fatty acid synthesis pathway, which was crucial for geldanamycin production. Our study provides a novel S. geldanamycininus geldanamycin production strategy and offers valuable insights for mutagenesis and breeding of other microorganisms.

Unlocking landfill biogas potential: a feasibility study on sustainable energy in the UAE

Abstract Landfill biogas (LFB) projects present a promising solution for sustainable energy generation, yet their feasibility in arid climates remains largely unexplored. This study investigates the feasibility of generating biogas from landfill waste in the UAE, focusing on energy generation potential, economic viability, and environmental benefits. The study evaluates landfill biogas production using internal combustion engine and gas turbine technologies across three scenarios with varying methane content (40%, 50%, and 60% by volume). The results indicate that internal combustion engine technology demonstrates greater economic feasibility compared to the gas turbine technology, yielding a net present value of up to $83 million. Additionally, implementing landfill biogas to energy projects has the potential to power between 68,412 and 136,824 households while cutting greenhouse gas emissions by up to 66% compared to existing waste management practices. However, the relatively high levelized cost of energy underscores the need for policy interventions and financial incentives to enhance project viability. By addressing this critical knowledge gap, the study provides a replicable framework for optimizing waste-to-energy (WTE) systems in arid environments and contributes actionable insights to global renewable energy efforts.

Current Concepts and Clinical Applications in Cartilage Tissue Engineering.

Cartilage injuries are extremely common in the general population, and conventional interventions have failed to produce optimal results. Tissue engineering (TE) technology has been developed to produce neocartilage for use in a variety of cartilage-related conditions. However, progress in the field of cartilage TE has historically been difficult due to the high functional demand and avascular nature of the tissue. Recent advancements in cell sourcing, biostimulation, and scaffold technology have revolutionized the field and made the clinical application of this technology a reality. Cartilage engineering technology will continue to expand its horizons to fully integrate three-dimensional printing, gene editing, and optimal cell sourcing in the future. This review focuses on the recent advancements in the field of cartilage TE and the landscape of clinical treatments for a variety of cartilage-related conditions.

Sustainable and Green Technologies for Industrial Chemical Engineering

The aim of this Eng Special Issue is to collect experimental and theoretical research relating engineering science and technology to the general topics of Eng [...]

A Brief Analysis of Electromagnetic Principles in Mechanical Design

Mechanical design is a crucial branch of engineering technology that focuses on the conception, development, and optimization of mechanical systems. This field encompasses a wide range of activities, from the initial design ideas to the final implementation of complex machinery. One of the innovative aspects of mechanical design is the application of electromagnetic phenomena, which offers valuable insights and references for improving various mechanical systems. This paper utilizes a literature review approach to delve into the application of electromagnetic principles within mechanical design. It explains the fundamental concepts of these principles and assesses their significant roles, particularly in areas such as electromagnetic drive, electromagnetic braking, and electromagnetic induction. By presenting practical examples, the paper highlights the importance and vast potential of integrating electromagnetic principles into modern mechanical design. Ultimately, this study aims to foster technological advancements in mechanical design, streamline the design process, and effectively solve real-world engineering challenges