Introducing biomimetic approaches to materials development and product design for engineering students

In this paper, we present a new course entitled “Biomimicry: from life to nanotechnological innovations” at the Mines Nancy Engineering School, Nancy, France, and explain how we developed a specific curriculum covering biomimicry. We discuss strategies that can be followed by teachers to explain selected contents in the multi-disciplinary field of biomimicry and/or bioinspiration to undergraduate students and how practical classroom activities can be conducted as individual or team work. We hope that sharing our experience will help teachers and senior researchers disseminate useful concepts and real examples of biomimetic principles and tools for the development of new materials, new/improved design and fabrication strategies, and innovation methodologies.

Assessing student individual performance within PBL teams: findings from the implementation of a new mechanism

This paper reports on the experience of the implementation of a new mechanism to assess individual student contribution within project work, where students work in teams to solve a large-scale open-ended interdisciplinary project. The study takes place at the University of Minho, with first year engineering students, enrolled in the Industrial Management and Engineering (Integrated Masters) degree. The aim of this paper is to describe the main principles and procedures underlying the assessment mechanism created and also provide some feedback from its first implementation, based on the students, lecturers and tutors perceptions. For data collection, a survey was sent to all course lecturers and tutors involved in the assessment process. Students also contributed with suggestions, both on a workshop held at the end of the project and also by answering a survey on the overall satisfaction with PBL experience. Findings show a positive level of acceptance of the new mechanism by the students and also by the lecturers and tutors. The study identified the need to clarify the criteria used by the lecturers and the exact role of the tutor, as well as the need for further improvement of its features and procedures. Some recommendations are also issued regarding technical aspects related to some of the steps of the procedures, as well as the need for greater support on the adjustment and final setting of the individual grades.

A new perspective of students allocation satisfaction in engineering courses in Portugal

Publicado em "AIP Conference Proceedings" Vol. 1648

Web evaluator for students: a case example

Getting the attention of students has always been a hard task for most teachers. In this context the use of new technologies can be taken into consideration for giving the teacher new means to incentive his students. The tool described in this article gives importance to the opinion of the students for their own evaluation. Thanks to it a group of students from the University of Minho was able to post questions to their colleagues and to evaluate their peer’s works on the discipline of Power Electronics Complement.

Artificial thymus: a tissue engineering strategy

The thymus is the central organ responsible for the generation of T lymphocytes (1). Various diseases cause the thymus to produce in- sufficient T cells, which can lead to immune-suppression (2). Since T cells are essential for the protection against pathogens, it is crucial to promote de novo differentiation of T cells on diseased individuals. The available clinical solutions are: 1) one protocol involving the transplant of thymic stroma from unrelated children only applicable for athymic children (3); 2) for patients with severe peripheral T cell depletion and reduced thymic activity, the administration of stimu- lating molecules stimulating the activity of the endogenous thymus (4). A scaffold (CellFoam) was suggested to support thymus regen- eration in vivo (5), although this research was discontinued. Herein, we propose an innovative strategy to generate a bioartificial thymus. We use a polycaprolactone nanofiber mesh (PCL-NFM) seeded and cultured with human thymic epithelial cells (hTECs). The cells were obtained from infant thymus collected during pediatric cardio-tho- racic surgeries. We report new data on the isolation and characterization of those cells and their interaction with PCL-NFM, by expanding hTECs into relevant numbers and by optimizing cell seeding methods.

Stromal vascular fraction cell sheets angiogenic potential for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications

One of the biggest concerns in the Tissue Engineering field is the correct vascularization of engineered constructs. Strategies involving the use of endothelial cells are promising but adequate cell sourcing and neo-vessels stability are enduring challenges. In this work, we propose the hypoxic pre-conditioning of the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of human adipose tissue to obtain highly angiogenic cell sheets (CS). For that, SVF was isolated after enzymatic dissociation of adipose tissue and cultured until CS formation in normoxic (pO2=21%) and hypoxic (pO2=5%) conditions for 5 and 8 days, in basal medium. Immunocytochemistry against CD31 and CD146 revealed the presence of highly branched capillary-like structures, which were far more complex for hypoxia. ELISA quantification showed increased VEGF and TIMP-1 secretion in hypoxia for 8 days of culture. In a Matrigel assay, the formation of capillary-like structures by endothelial cells was more prominent when cultured in conditioned medium recovered from the cultures in hypoxia. The same conditioned medium increased the migration of adipose stromal cells in a scratch assay, when compared with the medium from normoxia. Histological analysis after implantation of 8 days normoxic- and hypoxic-conditioned SVF CS in a hindlimb ischemia murine model showed improved formation of neo-blood vessels. Furthermore, Laser Doppler results demonstrated that the blood perfusion of the injured limb after 30 days was enhanced for the hypoxic CS group. Overall, these results suggest that SVF CS created under hypoxia can be used as functional vascularization units for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Establishing guidelines for obtaining optimal cell sources to use in tendon tissue engineering strategies

Cell-based approaches in tissue engineering (TE) have been barely explored for the treatment of tendon and ligament (T/L) tissues, requiring the establishment of a widely available cell source with tenogenic potential. As T/L cells are scarce, stem cells may provide a good alternative. Understanding how resident cells behave in vitro, might be useful for recapitulating the tenogenic potential of stem cells for tendon TE applications. Therefore, we propose to isolate and characterize human T/L-derived cells (hTDCs and hLDCs) and compare their regenerative potential with stem cells from adipose tissue (hASCs) and amniotic fluid (hAFSCs)(1). T/L cells were isolated using different procedures and stem cells isolated as described elsewhere(1). Moreover, T/L cells were stimu- lated into the three mesenchymal lineages, using standard differentia- tion media. Cells were characterized for the typical stem cell markers as well as T/L related markers, namely tenascin-C, collagen I and III, decorin and scleraxis, using different complementary techniques such as real time RT-PCR, immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry. No differences were observed between T/L in gene expression and protein deposition. T/L cells were mostly positive for stem ness markers (CD73/CD90/CD105), and have the potential to differentiate towards osteogenesis, chondrogenesis and adipogenesis, demonstrated by the positive staining for AlizarinRed, SafraninO, ToluidineBlue and OilRed. hASCs and hAFSCs exhibit positive expression of all tenogenic mark- ers, although at lower levels than hTDCs and hLDCs. Nevertheless, stem cells availability is key factor in TE strategies, despite that it’s still required optimization to direct their tenogenic phenotype.

Advancing tendon regeneration through the development of bio-stimulating tissue engineering approaches

Tendon tissue engineering (TE) requires tailoring scaffolds designs and properties to the anatomical and functional requirements of tendons located in different regions of the body. Cell sourcing is also of utmost importance as tendon cells are scarce. Recently, we have found that it is possible to direct the tenogenic differentiation of Amniotic fluid and Adipose tissue derived stem cells (hAFSCs and hASCs), and also that there are hASCs subpopulations that might be more prone to tenogenic differentiation. Nevertheless, biochemical stimulation may not be enough to develop functional TE substitutes for a tissue that is known to be highly dependent on mechanical loading.

Compact saloplastic membranes of natural polysaccharides for soft tissue engineering

The regeneration of soft biological tissues requires new substitutes that exhibit mechanical properties similar to the native tissue. Herein, thin saloplastic membranes with tunable physical properties are prepared by complexation of chitosan and alginate solutions containing different concentrations of sodium chloride. Polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) are transferred to flat Petri dishes for compaction into membrane shapes by sedimentation and solvent evaporation. All membranes are resistant to degradation by lysozyme and are stable in solutions with pH values between 1 and 13. Immersing the different membranes in new doping solutions of increasing salt concentrations triggers the typical saloplastic behavior, with a high water absorption and decrease of the rigidity and ultimate tensile strength. The range of such variations is tuned by the sodium chloride amount used in the synthesis: high salt concentrations increase water uptake and tensile moduli, while decreasing the ultimate strength. Cellular assays demonstrate high proliferation rates and viability of L929 fibroblasts seeded onto the most rigid membranes. The results validate the use of saloplastic membranes as soft tissue substitutes for future biomedical applications.

The tutor's role in student learning

Higher education in Portugal, in the last forty years, has undergone profound changes with the enlargement of public higher education network, the appearance of new institutions, the quantity and the heterogeneity of students. The implementation of the Bologna Process in European community countries led to the redesign of higher education Portuguese courses as well as their corresponding curricula. In recent years, the use of Project-led education was one of the most significant changes in teaching and learning, particularly in engineering in higher education in Portugal. This teaching methodology encourages students and teachers to undertake new roles, new responsibilities and a new learning perspective. This study aims at understanding whether the role of the tutor is to be suitable to the needs and expectations of Project-led education students. These changes however are not only structural. At the University of Minho, new teaching and learning methodologies were adopted, which could guide the training of professionals on to the twenty-first century. The opportunity arising from the implementation of Project-led education in Engineering methodology was used in the University of Minho’s courses. This teaching method is intended to provide students with educational support programs that benefit the academic performance, allowing the opportunity to upgrade, train and develop the ability to study and learn more effectively. Through the Project-led education it is possible to provide students with techniques and procedures and develop the ability to communicate orally and in writing. Students and teachers have assumed new roles in the teaching-learning process allowing in one hand the students to explore, discover and question themselves about some knowledge and on the other hand the teachers to change to a tutor, a companion and to a student project guide. Therefore, surveys were analyzed, comprising questions about the most significant contribution of the tutor as well as if there are some initial expectations that have not been foreseen by the tutor.

Gender norms in Portuguese college sudents' judgments in familial homicides: bad men and mad women

The gender of the offender has been proved to be an important factor in judicial sentencing. In this study, we analyze the judgments of College students regarding perpetrators of familial homicides to evaluate the presence of these gender norms and biases in the larger society. The sample included 303 college students (54.8% female) enrolled in several social sciences and engineering courses. Participants were asked to read 12 vignettes based on real crimes taken from Portuguese newspapers. Half were related to infanticide, and half were related to intimate partner homicide. The sex of the offender was orthogonally manipulated to the type of crime. The results show that gender had an important impact on sentences, with males being more harshly penalized by reasons of perversity and women less penalized by reason of mental disorders. In addition, filicide was more heavily penalized than was intimate partner homicide. The results also revealed a tendency toward a retributive conception of punishment. We discuss how gender norms in justice seem to be embedded in society as well as the need for intervention against the punitive tendency of this population.

Industrial engineering and management curriculum profile: Developing a framework of competences

This paper presents a framework of competences developed for Industrial Engineering and Management that can be used as a tool for curriculum analysis and design, including the teaching and learning processes as well as the alignment of the curriculum with the professional profile. The framework was applied to the Industrial Engineering and Management program at University of Minho (UMinho), Portugal, and it provides an overview of the connection between IEM knowledge areas and the competences defined in its curriculum. The framework of competences was developed through a process of analysis using a combination of methods and sources for data collection. The framework was developed according to four main steps: 1) characterization of IEM knowledge areas; 2) definition of IEM competences; 3) survey; 4) application of the framework at the IEM curriculum. The findings showed that the framework is useful to build an integrated vision of the curriculum. The most visible aspect in the learning outcomes of IEM program is the lack of balance between technical and transversal competences. There was not almost any reference to the transversal competences and it is fundamentally concentrated on Project-Based Learning courses. The framework presented in this paper provides a contribution to the definition of IEM professional profile through a set of competences which need to be explored further. In addition, it may be a relevant tool for IEM curriculum analysis and a contribution for bridging the gap between universities and companies.

A construção de um currículo de project-based learning: o currículo ideal e o currículo formal

O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar os resultados da análise das concepções de dois protagonistas de uma reforma curricular que está sendo implementada numa escola de engenharia. A principal característica do novo currículo é o uso de projetos e oficinas como atividades complementares a serem realizadas pelos estudantes. As atividades complementares acontecerão em paralelo ao trabalho realizado nas disciplinas sem que haja uma relação de interdisciplinaridade. O novo currículo está sendo implantado desde fevereiro de 2015. Segundo Pacheco (2005) há dois momentos, dentre outros, no processo de mudança curricular, o currículo “ideal”, determinado por dimensões epistemológica, política, econômica, ideológica, técnica, estética, e histórica e, que recebe influência direta daquele que idealiza e cria o novo currículo e, o currículo “formal” que se traduz na prática implementada na escola. São essas duas etapas estudadas nesta pesquisa. Para isso serão considerados como fontes de dados dois protagonistas, um mais ligado à concepção do currículo e outro da sua implementação, a partir dos quais se busca compreender as motivações, crenças e percepções que, por sua vez, determinam a reforma curricular. Entrevistas semiestruturadas foram utilizadas como técnica de pesquisa, com o propósito de se entender a gênese da proposta e as mudanças entre essas duas etapas. Os dados revelam que mudanças aconteceram desde a idealização até a formalização do currículo, motivadas por demandas do processo de implementação, revela ainda diferenças na visão de currículo e a motivação para romper com padrões na formação de engenheiros no Brasil.

Avaliação do processo de implementação de PBL num curso de engenharia informática em Moçambique: as percepções dos estudantes

O presente artigo traz uma avaliação sobre um processo de implementação do PBL que ocorreu no curso de Engenharia Informática na Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade Eduardo Mondlane em Moçambique. Por este processo ser novo no contexto de ensino de Engenharia em Moçambique foram os desafios encontrados por parte dos docentes e estudantes relativos a implementação, coordenação e adequação do currículo a metodologia do PBL, fazendo com que o processo de implementação fosse gradual. Assim no primeiro semestre de 2014 foi implementado um processo PBL piloto envolvendo as disciplinas de Programação Orientada à Objetos 1 e Base de Dados 1, que foram disciplinas escolhidas pelo facto de seus currículos terem matérias comuns, todos desafios e comentários dados pelos estudantes foram levados em conta no desenho do segundo processo PBL para o segundo semestre de 2014 que envolveu as disciplinas de Programação Orientada à Objetos 2, Base de Dados 2 e Sistemas de Multimídia fazendo com que houvesse mais informação para o terceiro processo envolvendo as disciplinas de Engenharia de Software 1 e Programação em Web. A avaliação do processo por parte dos estudantes, veio através de inquiridos onde os estudantes fizeram chegar as suas preocupações e ideias a respeito do PBL e dos moldes em que este estava a ser implementado no currículo. O processo de implementação do PBL pode ser considerado uma experiência bem sucedida e com futuro promissor e que de certeza vai ajudar a inovar os processos de ensino de engenharia em Moçambique.

Equations for defining the mismatch between students and school furniture: A systematic review

The present study reviews the scientific literature that describes the criteria equations for defining the mismatch between students and school furniture. This mismatch may negatively affect students' performance and comfort. Seventeen studies met the criteria of this review and twenty-one equations to test six furniture dimensions were identified. There was substantial mismatch between the relative heights of chairs and tables. Some systematic errors have been found during the application of the different equations, such as the assumption that students are sitting on chairs with a proper seat height. Only one study considered the cumulative fit. Finally, some equations are based on contradictory criteria and need to develop and evaluate new equations for these cases. Relevance to industry: Ultimately, the present work is a contribution toward improving the evaluation of school furniture and could be used to design ergonomic-oriented classroom furniture.