Assessing the undrained strength cross-anisotropy of three tailings types

The cross-anisotropic nature of soil strength has been studied and documented for decades, including the increased propensity for cross-anisotropy in layered materials. However, current engineering practice for tailings storage facilities (TSFs) does not appear to generally include cross-anisotropy considerations in the development of shear strengths. This being despite the very common layering profile seen in subaerially-deposited tailings. To provide additional data to highlight the strength cross-anisotropy of tailings, high quality block samples from three TSFs were obtained and trimmed to enable Hollow Cylinder Torsional Shear tests to be sheared at principal stress angles of 0 and 45 degrees during undrained shearing. Consolidation procedures were carried out such that the drained rotation of principal stress angle that would precede potential undrained shear events for below-slope tailings was reasonably simulated. The results indicated the significant effects of cross-anisotropy on the undrained strength, instability stress ratio, contractive tendency and brittleness of each of the three tailings types. The magnitude of cross-anisotropy effects seen was generally consistent with previous published data on sands.

De Novo Design of Immunoglobulin-like Domains

Antibodies and antibody derivatives such as nanobodies contain immunoglobulin-like (Ig) [beta]-sandwich scaffolds which anchor the hypervariable antigen-binding loops and constitute the largest growing class of drugs. Current engineering strategies for this class of compounds rely on naturally existing Ig frameworks, which can be hard to modify and have limitations in manufacturability, designability and range of action. Here we develop design rules for the central feature of the Ig fold architecture - the non-local cross-[beta]; structure connecting the two [beta]-sheets - and use these to de novo design highly stable seven-stranded Ig domains, confirm their structures through X-ray crystallography, and show they can correctly scaffold functional loops. Our approach opens the door to the design of a new class of antibody-like scaffolds with tailored structures and superior biophysical properties.

Recent Advances on Lignocellulosic-Based Nanopesticides for Agricultural Applications

Controlled release systems of agrochemicals have been developed in recent years. However, the design of intelligent nanocarriers that can be manufactured with renewable and low-cost materials is still a challenge for agricultural applications. Lignocellulosic building blocks (cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose) are ideal candidates to manufacture ecofriendly nanocarriers given their low-cost, abundancy and sustainability. Complexity and heterogeneity of biopolymers have posed challenges in the development of nanocarriers; however, the current engineering toolbox for biopolymer modification has increased remarkably, which enables better control over their properties and tuned interactions with cargoes and plant tissues. In this mini-review, we explore recent advances on lignocellulosic-based nanocarriers for the controlled release of agrochemicals. We also offer a critical discussion regarding the future challenges of potential bio-based nanocarrier for sustainable agricultural development.

Innovative methods of training qualified engineering personnel for the agribusiness

The state of the system of current engineering education is given. It has been identified that the engineering training of personnel requires a constant transformation of the educational process. The methodological and scientific approaches implemented in the training of technical specialists are disclosed. A model of the transformation of engineering education at the engineering faculty of the Ulyanovsk State Agrarian University, which since 1950 has been conducting high-quality training of engineers according to current programs of higher education, is presented

Engineering Students Learning Experience through a Unique Global Project-Based Learning

Current students must prepare themselves with the necessary skills for employment in the engineering industry. In addition, students should prepare themselves to work globally. Along with the needs, Shibaura Institute of Technology introduces a program named global Project-Based Learning (gPBL). Malaysian students from different educational backgrounds joined this pro-gram to experience new skills. The program was participated by 34 students from Malaysia and Japan. Current engineering education is focusing on a course that can foster students’ creativity and critical thinking. Therefore, this study explores students’ experiences in gPBL and what student skills developed throughout the program. Students reported their experiences through the self-reflective journal. Then, thematic analysis was used to analyze the students’ self-reflective journals. The results show gPBL promotes thinking and problem-solving skills, encourages students to work with peers in other fields, and encourages students to adapt to a new culture.

A comparative metabologenomic approach reveals mechanistic insights into Streptomyces antibiotic crypticity

Streptomyces genomes harbor numerous, biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) encoding for drug-like compounds. While some of these BGCs readily yield expected products, many do not. Biosynthetic crypticity represents a significant hurdle to drug discovery, and the biological mechanisms that underpin it remain poorly understood. Polycyclic tetramate macrolactam (PTM) antibiotic production is widespread within the Streptomyces genus, and examples of active and cryptic PTM BGCs are known. To reveal further insights into the causes of biosynthetic crypticity, we employed a PTM-targeted comparative metabologenomics approach to analyze a panel of S. griseus clade strains that included both poor and robust PTM producers. By comparing the genomes and PTM production profiles of these strains, we systematically mapped the PTM promoter architecture within the group, revealed that these promoters are directly activated via the global regulator AdpA, and discovered that small promoter insertion–deletion lesions (indels) differentiate weaker PTM producers from stronger ones. We also revealed an unexpected link between robust PTM expression and griseorhodin pigment coproduction, with weaker S. griseus–clade PTM producers being unable to produce the latter compound. This study highlights promoter indels and biosynthetic interactions as important, genetically encoded factors that impact BGC outputs, providing mechanistic insights that will undoubtedly extend to other Streptomyces BGCs. We highlight comparative metabologenomics as a powerful approach to expose genomic features that differentiate strong, antibiotic producers from weaker ones. This should prove useful for rational discovery efforts and is orthogonal to current engineering and molecular signaling approaches now standard in the field.

ENGINEERING, PATRIARCHY, AND THE PLURIVERSE: WHAT WORLD OF MANY WORLDS DO WE DESIGN? WHAT WORLDS DO WE TEACH?

This paper presents a brief review of sustainability definitions and analyzes ways of designingtaught in our Engineering education system, specifically acknowledging the capitalist, patriarchal, colonial, Western world that much, if not most, of current Engineering practice situates itself within. Included in these frameworks are pluriversal design, co-design, participatory design, and discursive design. Another important topic that will be examined is the dualist perspective embodied in Engineering practice that creates a distinction between “man” and “nature”. While this problem is inherently systemic, our intention is to provide a partial record of our own critical selfreflection,contextualized using critical theory. It is intended as a starting place for settler-descendent NorthAmerican educators to begin to contextualize our own approaches, not as a way for us to guide steps forward, but instead to begin a self-critique of current approaches that need continued work.

Physical Models and Innovation in Architectural and Civil Engineering

The author presents new and rediscovered information about the use of physical models in design processes carried out by architectural and civil engineers. Over the last three centuries these have included mechanical models, form-finding models and measurement models. Measurement models especially were and are particularly important for innovative engineering projects that lie beyond current experience or are without precedent. In these cases, to supplement their own experience and current engineering science, engineers require additional evidence that their innovative designs will function as intended, will be safe, and in which they can have sufficient confidence to allow construction to begin. The author argues that physical models have played and continue to play an essential role in innovation in engineering and that they have made a contribution equal to that of engineering theory in helping to achieve progress in engineering. Examples are taken from the history of structural engineering, especially reinforced-concrete and grid shells and from architectural acoustics.