bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical Movement Sensitive Pacing: Comparison Of Two “Activity”‐Triggered Pacing Systems
Authors: Stangl K. , Wirtzfeld A. , Lochschmidt O. , Basler B. , Mittnacht A.
Published: January 2017

The Activitrax (A) and the Sensolog (S) pulse generator units were compared during bench tests and in patients both under ergometric conditions and during daily activities to determine the susceptibility of both systems to external noise. During the bench tests both pacemakers were mounted on a swingboard and subjected to controlled vibrational force. The patients were divided into two groups of 10 patients each, one group with A and the other with S units; the discriminating power of workload changes was examined under treadmill exercise. In six patients of each group the rate behavior of S and A during daily activities was recorded by Holter monitoring. During bench tests, S and A displayed a frequency‐selective mode of operation between 2‐70 Hz with the greatest sensitivity between 10‐50 Hz. In patients, S showed a significantly higher discriminating power to changes in workload during treadmill exercise. According to y = 0.27x + 85.8 (r = 0.92) the relationship between the power and the pacing rate of S was linear, whereas with y = 0.04x + 89.8 (r = 0.2) the pacing rate of A was almost independent of the given power. The susceptibility to external noise occurring while riding in an auto, streetcar or train with rate increases between 7 ppm and 12 ppm did not significantly differ in both systems. Lying prone on the pacemakers produced brief (<1 min) rate increases of 38 ppm (S) and 18 ppm (A), respectively.
Long‐Term Follow‐Up of Patients with the QT Rate Adaptive Pacemaker
Authors: Bloomfield Peter , Macareavey Dorothea , Kerr Finlay , Fananapazir Lameh
Published: January 2017

We report a 5‐year follow‐up of eight patients implanted with the QT sensing rate adaptive pacemaker, the Vitatron TX. Careful programming was undertaken shortly after implantation utilizing repeated exercise testing to ensure optimal settings. Further exercise testing was not carried out during follow‐up as the patients remained symptomatically well. Of six patients assessed with repeat exercise testing at 5 years, four demonstrated a satisfactory rate adaptive response with improved exercise performance compared to fixed rate ventricular pacing, one patient had an abrupt onset of increased pacing rate with exercise associated with improved exercise ability, and another developed an increased pacing rate after exercise but an appropriate rate adaptive response after reprogramming. One patient developed an inappropriately high pacing rate associated with congestive heart failure several months after a large myocardial infarction. One patient died from carcinoma. The QT sensing rate adaptive pacemaker appears to be reliable in lon‐term clinical use when carefully programmed using exercise testing after implantation.
Usefulness of Rate Responsive Atrial Pacing in Patients with Sick Sinus Syndrome
Authors: Hatano Kiyoshi , Kato Rinya , Hayashi Hiroshi , Noda Shoji , Sotobata Iwao , Murase Mitsuya
Published: January 2017

We studied heart rate response and blood lactate changes during treadmill exercise testing in 10 patients with sick sinus syndrome (SSS) and normal atrioventricular (AV) conduction in whom an activity detecting multi‐programmable rate responsive pacemaker was implanted for atrial pacing (AAI pacing). Treadmill exercise testing was performed twice in each patient under the two different AAI pacing modes: rate responsive function off (fixed rate 60 pulses per minute [ppm]; RR‐off) and rate responsive function on (rate response 10, activity threshold medium, basic rate 60 ppm, and maximum rate 150 ppm; RR‐on). Chronotropic response and blood lactate change during exercise were compared among patients under each pacing mode and eight healthy volunteers of ages matching those of the patients. In patients under the RR‐off pacing mode (RR‐off patients), chronotropic response was lower (P < 0.01) and blood lactate level was higher (P < 0.05) than those in patients under the RR‐on pacing mode (RR‐on patients) and volunteers during exercise. In RR‐on patients, however, both chronotropic response and lactate level changes during exercise were comparatively improved, with no significant differences between RR‐on patients and volunteers. These data suggested that improvement of chronotropic response by rate responsive pacing, in comparison with nonrate responsive pacing, increased the blood supply to the working muscles and resulted in less lactate production during exercise. It was concluded that rate responsive AAI pacing which could maintain AV synchrony and normal intraventricular conduction was an optimal physiological pacing mode for SSS patients with normal AV conduction.
Entrainment of Ventricular Tachycardia by AV Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia
Authors: Kay G. Neal , Epstein Andrew E. , Plumb Vance J.
Published: January 2017

Endocardial recordings from a patient with both sustained ventricular tachycardia and AV nodal reentrant tachycardia are presented that demonstrate spontaneous transient entrainment of ventricular tachycardia by AV nodal reentrant tachycardia. During electrophysiological catheterization, there were repeated episodes of spontaneous conversion from a wide to a narrow QRS morphology following the induction of ventricular tachycardia. With conversion from the wide to the narrow QRS, the ventricular deflection in the coronary sinus electrograms demonstrated an abrupt change in morphology, indicating a change in activation sequence at this site from the wavefront of depolarization emerging from the ventricular tachycardia circuit to a wavefront conducting over the His‐Purkinje system. However, the right ventricular apex electrogram demonstrated a constant morphology with a decrease in cycle length equal to that of the other intracardiac electrograms, indicating a constant direction of activation from the ventricular tachycardia circuit, and that ventricular tachycardia had been transiently entrained by AV nodal reentrant tachycardia. In addition, rapid atrial pacing during ventricular tachycardia narrowed the QRS and demonstrated transient entrainment of the right ventricular apex electrogram. Although transient entrainment of a tachycardia is evidence supporting reentry with an excitable gap as the probable mechanism, its demonstration has required the use of rapid pacing techniques. This case is a spontaneously occurring example of transient entrainment of one tachycardia circuit by another, a phenomenon that has not been previously described.
Reporting Characteristics and Quality of Systematic Reviews of Acupuncture Analgesia
Authors: Li Xiuxia , Wang Rong , Shi Xiue , Su Jinlong , Pan Yuanqing , Tian Jinhui , Yang Kehu
Published: January 2017

Background

Evaluating the clinical efficacy of acupuncture analgesia with systematic reviews (SRs) has attracted wide interest.

Objective

To collect a sample of published SRs on acupuncture analgesia in PubMed and examine them in terms of reporting characteristics and quality.

Methods

A search in PubMed was performed in January 2016. All SRs on acupuncture analgesia were included. To assess the quality of the SRs, AMSTAR tool and PRISMA Statements were used.

Results

One hundred and nine SRs were included in our analysis, the yearly number of publications ranging from 1 in 1997 to 15 in 2015. Only 17% of these publications were Cochrane Systematic Reviews, and 94% were published in Science Citation Index journals. The United Kingdom was the country with the higher number of publications. Low back pain, headache, cancer pain, and labor pain were the most reported diseases or phenotypes. Nearly 73% of these SRs conducted a meta‐analysis, 58% revealed positive results, 53% used RevMan software to analyze data, and 44% used the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for quality assessment. Only a few SRs assessed the likelihood of publication bias, reported details about the protocol and the registration information, and performed additional analyses.

Conclusions

The quantity and the quality of SRs regarding acupuncture analgesia have been promoted in recent years. More effort should be expended on the assessment of publication bias, the provision of detailed information about the protocol and the registration process, and the implementation of additional analyses to improve the validity of the SRs.
Engineering the production of conjugated fatty acids in Arabidopsis thaliana leaves
Authors: Yurchenko Olga , Shockey Jay M. , Gidda Satinder K. , Silver Maxwell I. , Chapman Kent D. , Mullen Robert T. , Dyer John M.
Published: January 2017

The seeds of many nondomesticated plant species synthesize oils containing high amounts of a single unusual fatty acid, many of which have potential usage in industry. Despite the identification of enzymes for unusual oxidized fatty acid synthesis, the production of these fatty acids in engineered seeds remains low and is often hampered by their inefficient exclusion from phospholipids. Recent studies have established the feasibility of increasing triacylglycerol content in plant leaves, which provides a novel approach for increasing energy density of biomass crops. Here, we determined whether the fatty acid composition of leaf oil could be engineered to accumulate unusual fatty acids. Eleostearic acid (ESA) is a conjugated fatty acid produced in seeds of the tung tree (Vernicia fordii) and has both industrial and nutritional end‐uses. Arabidopsis thaliana lines with elevated leaf oil were first generated by transforming wild‐type, cgi‐58 or pxa1 mutants (the latter two of which contain mutations disrupting fatty acid breakdown) with the diacylglycerol acyltransferases (DGAT1 or DGAT2) and/or oleosin genes from tung. High‐leaf‐oil plant lines were then transformed with tung FADX, which encodes the fatty acid desaturase/conjugase responsible for ESA synthesis. Analysis of lipids in leaves revealed that ESA was efficiently excluded from phospholipids, and co‐expression of tung FADX and DGAT2 promoted a synergistic increase in leaf oil content and ESA accumulation. Taken together, these results provide a new approach for increasing leaf oil content that is coupled with accumulation of unusual fatty acids. Implications for production of biofuels, bioproducts, and plant–pest interactions are discussed.
Type I and Type II Photosensitized Oxidation Reactions: Guidelines and Mechanistic Pathways
Authors: Baptista Maurício S. , Cadet Jean , Di Mascio Paolo , Ghogare Ashwini A. , Greer Alexander , Hamblin Michael R. , Lorente Carolina , Nunez Silvia Cristina , Ribeiro Martha Simões , Thomas Andrés H. , Vignoni Mariana , Yoshimura Tania Mateus
Published: January 2017

Here, 10 guidelines are presented for a standardized definition of type I and type II photosensitized oxidation reactions. Because of varied notions of reactions mediated by photosensitizers, a checklist of recommendations is provided for their definitions. Type I and type II photoreactions are oxygen‐dependent and involve unstable species such as the initial formation of radical cation or neutral radicals from the substrates and/or singlet oxygen (1O2 1∆g) by energy transfer to molecular oxygen. In addition, superoxide anion radical () can be generated by a charge‐transfer reaction involving O2 or more likely indirectly as the result of O2‐mediated oxidation of the radical anion of type I photosensitizers. In subsequent reactions, may add and/or reduce a few highly oxidizing radicals that arise from the deprotonation of the radical cations of key biological targets. can also undergo dismutation into H2O2, the precursor of the highly reactive hydroxyl radical () that may induce delayed oxidation reactions in cells. In the second part, several examples of type I and type II photosensitized oxidation reactions are provided to illustrate the complexity and the diversity of the degradation pathways of mostly relevant biomolecules upon one‐electron oxidation and singlet oxygen reactions.
Optimization of high quality total RNA isolation from the microalga, Chlorella sp. (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta) for next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Poong Sze‐Wan , Lim Phaik‐Eem , Lai Jeannette W.‐S. , Phang Siew‐Moi
Published: January 2017

The advent of high‐throughput next‐generation sequencing (NGS) has enabled more comprehensive transcriptome analyses to obtain gene expression data and understand metabolic pathways essential for functional analysis and systems biology. The isolation of high purity and intact RNA of sufficient quality and yield is crucial to the success of NGS sequencing. In green microalgae, extraction of nucleic acids is hindered by high concentration of lipids and polysaccharides that co‐precipitate with nucleic acids thus resulting in reduced yield and poor quality extracts. The present study compared the performance of standard and modified total RNA isolation protocols using different cell disruption techniques combined with TRIzol reagent or a commercially available kit, in meeting the stringent requirements for downstream NGS application of a green freshwater microalga, Chlorella sp. The protocols were evaluated for (i) the yield of RNA, (ii) integrity of RNA as determined by the RNA integrity number and (iii) the purity of RNA as determined by the A260/A280 and A260/A230 ratios. In general, higher yields were obtained by cell disruption via flash freezing and homogenizing with liquid nitrogen followed by lysis with TRIzol reagent. We recommend the incorporation of a salt precipitation step to improve the purity and integrity of RNA isolated. Results of this study served as a simple and low‐cost practical guide for researchers working on isolation of high quality total RNA from microalgae, considering that most relevant publications do not provide a detailed methodology for total RNA isolation or use more expensive methods (e.g. bead‐beater).
Professional certification in ecological restoration: improving the practice and the profession
Authors: Nelson Cara R. , Bowers Keith , Lyndall Jennifer L. , Munro John , Stanley John T.
Published: January 2017

Given increasing investments in ecological restoration around the globe, there is a need to develop standards of practice to improve professional training and encourage the highest quality of performance possible. Although professional certification is a mechanism for promoting and improving the profession, until now certification has not been available to individuals who practice ecological restoration. The Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) is launching a professional certification program in early 2017. The program requires professional experience, a knowledge base in five broad subject areas, understanding of the foundations of the profession, and adherence to a code of ethics. The SER certification program will certify both practitioners (Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioners [CERPs]) and practitioners‐in‐training (Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioners‐in‐training [CERPITs]).
Forest Landscape Restoration: increasing the positive impacts of forest restoration or simply the area under tree cover?
Authors: Mansourian Stephanie , Stanturf John A. , Derkyi Mercy Afua Adutwumwaa , Engel Vera Lex
Published: January 2017

Restoring forest landscapes is critical in the face of continued global forest loss and degradation. In this article, we explore some challenges underlying the delivery of global commitments to restore forest landscapes. We propose that three fundamental questions need to be resolved upfront for the effective implementation of Forest Landscape Restoration and related commitments: (1) What social and ecological landscape objectives are being sought through Forest Landscape Restoration? (2) How are specific areas being selected for restoration? (3) How is success measured when restoring forest landscapes? We believe that there is an urgent need to adequately answer these questions to successfully implement political commitments for large‐scale forest restoration.
Do Social Network Sites Enhance or Undermine Subjective Well‐Being? A Critical Review
Authors: Verduyn Philippe , Ybarra Oscar , Résibois Maxime , Jonides John , Kross Ethan
Published: January 2017

Social network sites are ubiquitous and now constitute a common tool people use to interact with one another in daily life. Here we review the consequences of interacting with social network sites for subjective well‐being—that is, how people feel moment‐to‐moment and how satisfied they are with their lives. We begin by clarifying the constructs that we focus on in this review: social network sites and subjective well‐being. Next, we review the literature that explains how these constructs are related. This research reveals: (a) negative relationships between passively using social network sites and subjective well‐being, and (b) positive relationships between actively using social network sites and subjective well‐being, with the former relationship being more robust than the latter. Specifically, passively using social network sites provokes social comparisons and envy, which have negative downstream consequences for subjective well‐being. In contrast, when active usage of social network sites predicts subjective well‐being, it seems to do so by creating social capital and stimulating feelings of social connectedness. We conclude by discussing the policy implications of this work.
Does childhood family structure help create stratification in adult education and labor market attainment?: An argument for the selectivity perspective
Authors: Dufur Mikaela J. , Alexander Alyssa J.
Published: January 2017

Stratification in opportunities for and attainment of educational credentials, stable and well‐paying jobs, wealth, and socioeconomic status causes problems for both individuals and the societies they live in. It is unclear, however, the extent to which important childhood experiences, such as family structure and transitions, shapes opportunity paths and eventual attainment later in adulthood. The intergenerational transmission literature suggests little if any role of family structure in later attainment, while family scholars and demographers find more compelling evidence that childhood family structures and transitions are influential in adulthood. We argue that both perspectives may be identifying selectivity processes that help explain potential links between families of origin and differences in opportunities to attain education, careers, and status. We then provide suggestions for future work in each of these scholarly traditions to help untangle both the degree to which family structure does or does not affect adult attainment and whether selectivity is the key explanation for any such relationships.
Objective measurements of skin surface roughness after microdermabrasion treatment
Authors: Zapletalova A. , Pata V. , Janis R. , Kejlova K. , Stoklasek P.
Published: January 2017

Background

The aim of this article is to present a new methodology for assessment of skin topology using a three‐dimensional image (3D).

Methods

The measurement of the skin surface roughness is based on 3D scanning of silicone replicas by chromatic aberration length technique in a contactless manner, i.e. by a polychromatic light beam. Analysis of the skin surface reprints was performed using Talymap, Gold version. Results were analysed by fractal geometry, which allows to evaluate changes of the skin surface before and after application of cosmetics and instrumental cosmetological techniques. The methodology was applied for objective assessment of the effects of diamond microdermabrasion on the skin surface roughness. Measurements were performed on 23 volunteers in the age group of 31–67 years.

Results

Based on the results of skin surface scanning after the treatment with diamond microdermabrasion it may be concluded that inequalities of the skin surface are reduced immediately after exfoliation. However, this effect mostly diminishes within 14 days after treatment. The entire study ultimately suggests that the instrumental method used only leads to improvement of the skin surface immediately after its application. Thermo vision images of the skin surface temperature were obtained during the application of the abrasive method. The experimental results showed that the skin is rather cooled than heated by the treatment.

Conclusion

This study is focused on the development of a methodology for objective measurement of changes in treated skin relief using 3D scanning. The results are evaluated using fractal dimension. The output may also include also an enlarged model of the skin surface made by 3D printer, which can serve for illustrative communication with the client.
An illustration to assist in comparing and remembering several multiplicity adjustment methods
Authors: Hasler Mario
Published: January 2017

There are many well‐known or new methods to adjust statistical tests for multiplicity. This article provides an illustration helping lecturers or consultants to remember the differences of three important multiplicity adjustment methods and to explain them to non‐statisticians.
A novel approach to brachycephalic syndrome. 3. Isolated laser‐assisted turbinectomy of caudal aberrant turbinates (CAT LATE)
Authors: Schuenemann Riccarda , Pohl Sabine , Oechtering Gerhard U.
Published: January 2017

Objective

To describe isolated laser‐assisted turbinectomy of caudal aberrant turbinates (CAT LATE) as a new minimally invasive surgical procedure for the treatment of brachycephalic dogs with obstructing caudal aberrant turbinates (CAT).

Study Design

Prospective clinical study.

Animals

Brachycephalic dogs (24 Pugs, 1 English Bulldog) with CAT but adequate air spaces between the lamellae of the nonobstructing ventral nasal concha.

Methods

A rhinoscopically guided diode laser fiber introduced from anterior was used to dissect CAT within the nasopharyngeal meatus, while leaving the intranasal turbinates intact. Small grasping forceps were used to extract the dissected CAT from anterior or to push it through the nasopharyngeal meatus for extraction from posterior.

Results

Isolated CAT LATE was successfully performed on 32 CAT in 25 dogs. Intranasally applied xylometazoline helped shrink the ventral concha, making the approach and extraction easier. Minor bleeding was the only complication observed.

Conclusion

It is possible to remove CAT with endoscopically applied diode‐laser energy while leaving the nonobstructing ventral nasal concha intact.
Effectiveness of patient-centered interventions on falls in the acute care setting: a quantitative systematic review protocol
Authors: Avanecean Donna , Calliste Dawn , Contreras Teresita , Lim Yeogyeong , Fitzpatrick Aileen
Published: January 2017

Review objective:

The quantitative objective of this review is to identify the effectiveness of patient-centered interventions on fall rates in adult patients in the acute care setting.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health promotion programs for the prevention and management of chronic diseases: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Canuto Karla , Aromataris Edoardo , Lockwood Craig , Tufanaru Catalin , Brown Alex
Published: January 2017

Review objectives:

The scoping review project will identify and describe the existing research on health promotion programs and activities focusing on modifying risk factors (specifically to reduce smoking and alcohol consumption, increase physical activity and improve nutrition and social and emotional wellbeing) and/or improving the management of chronic diseases (specifically obesity, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across a diverse range of health and community settings.
Metodologías activas para la enseñanza plurilingüe con estudiantes universitarios
Authors: Gómez-Hurtado Inmaculada , Carrasco-Macías María José , García-Rodríguez Pilar
Published: January 2017

La investigación realizada tiene como objetivo profundizar en la aplicación del enfoque AICLE/CLIL (Aprendizaje Integrado de Contenidos y Lenguas Extranjeras/Content and Language Integrated Learning) combinado con metodologías activas en la impartición de las asignaturas School Organization and Teaching, Curriculum Development y Teacher Practicum I y II. Hemos realizado una investigación cualitativa con estudio de caso en un grupo del grado de educación primaria de la Universidad de Huelva (España). Este fue seleccionado intencionalmente por ser la primera promoción plurilingüe. Los resultados obtenidos muestran valoraciones positivas en más del 90% de los participantes y se han identificado mejoras necesarias para el éxito de este tipo de programas.
Percepción de los estudiantes de maestro de educación infantil sobre su formación intercultural
Authors: Gil-Madrona Pedro , Gómez-Barreto Isabel , González-Víllora Sixto
Published: January 2017

Se pretende conocer las creencias de los estudiantes de maestro de educación infantil acerca de la multiculturalidad, y comprender cómo se desarrolla la competencia intercultural en el proceso de formación inicial en la Facultad de Educación de Albacete de la Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM, España). Los participantes fueron 172 estudiantes. El diseño se enmarca en el paradigma de Mixed Methods, definido como la integración sistemática de métodos de investigación cualitativos y cuantitativos en un estudio. A tal efecto, para realizar la investigación se elaboró un cuestionario de 25 preguntas, cuyos resultados se analizaron con el SPSS 20.0. Paralelamente, se construyeron los guiones de las entrevistas individuales y de los grupos de discusión, cuyo análisis fue efectuado con el Atlas.ti 6. La validez y fiabilidad quedaron garantizadas con técnicas como la revisión teórica, la aplicación piloto, el juicio de expertos y la aplicación del Alfa de Cronbach (0,861). Los resultados mostraron que la formación de la competencia intercultural de los futuros maestros de educación infantil fue deficiente. Según los estudiantes, el plan de estudios no mejoró la competencia intercultural cognitiva, pedagógica y emotiva, pues al final de los estudios tenían prejuicios y estereotipos culturales negativos hacia las personas extranjeras, que durante el plan de estudios solo consiguieron suavizarlos, pero no eliminarlos.
Subjetividad, memoria y narrativas: una reflexión teórica y política en el campo de la educación
Authors: Arfuch Leonor
Published: January 2017

En este artículo se parte de una somera descripción sobre los “estados del mundo” contemporáneos, signados por la inequidad y la violencia, para reflexionar sobre la importancia de una política para la paz en el campo de la educación desde la perspectiva teórica de la narrativa, que supone una interrogación sobre el lenguaje, el sujeto –y las subjetividades- y, por ende, la valoración de voces, memorias, biografías, en el trabajo cotidiano en el aula y más allá, como un aporte ético a la ampliación de visiones del mundo, el reconocimiento del otro y de la diferencia, tanto a nivel de culturas como de identidades.
Integrating Real Industrial Experiences Into the Curriculum Through Robotics Applications
Authors: Barakat Nael
Published: January 2017

Integrating real industrial applications and bringing actual engineering problems into the curriculum is always a win-win activity. The educational benefits of such activity are countless. In addition to industry, professional engineering organizations can be a great resource to support actual engineering projects and mentor engineering students. Partnering with industry, professional engineering organization, and any similar entity, allows the students a unique opportunity to gain exposure and practice real engineering before graduation.

The challenge with this concept is to find and run the appropriate project or activity that will simultaneously meet the expectations of all parties and fulfill the educational objectives, while conforming to the time limitations of the course. This paper presents and evaluates such experience through two examples of projects utilizing robotics to achieve engineering educational goals through the design and build of functional industry-grade systems. The first project was performed by an interdisciplinary engineering team of students to solve an actual industrial problem. The project was sponsored by an industrial customer and produced a functional prototype that achieved the required goals and was ready to be duplicated at the customer’s site. The second project was also performed by a team of engineering students to design and build an industrial scale functional robotic manipulator in partnership with a professional engineering organization. The external organization sponsored the project and provided some professional engineers as mentors. The outcome of the project was a mobile 5-axis robotic manipulator that is used for many engineering demo and recruiting events. These projects are examples of ways in which real engineering exercises can be integrated into the curriculum to enhance the educational process and improve collaboration between academia and other engineering entities.
Assessment Development for Accreditation of an Innovative Mechanical and Energy Engineering Program
Authors: Mirshams Reza A. , Tao Yong X. , Yu Xun , Akcayoglu Azize
Published: January 2017

The addition of Energy to the Mechanical Engineering curriculum created a new mechanical engineering model of engineering education in the baccalaureate-level and an opportunity for providing the academic foundation for successful career preparation and lifelong learning for the students. The curriculum has been designed with a system-level approach to traditional mechanical engineering based design, on the fundamentals of undergraduate level engineering within the mechanical engineering discipline, and has provided experiential-oriented approaches for the better understanding of classical mechanical engineering principles. The interdisciplinary nature of energy systems and mechanics requires a cross-cutting education that draws from the synergy of traditional disciplines of mechanical engineering, materials engineering and manufacturing, and computational methods and engineering. We are going to present the outcome based assessment in undergraduate level and discuss components of the program from freshman to senior years, and our successful implementation in developing student learning outcomes assessment, and evaluation approach for ABET accreditation.
Raising Global Leaders in Science and Engineering Under Trilateral Collaboration
Authors: Honda Hiroshi , Kumpaty Hephzibah
Published: January 2017

This paper discusses on how globalization affects industry, business and engineering practice, and what kind of education is considered and attempted at selected high schools and colleges to raise global leaders from the United States, India and Japan. Case studies for selected schools in the United States, India and Japan are also presented. In particular, details on the participation of undergraduate students in an integrated, global research culminating in global leadership and outlook with specific examples from the ongoing collaboration of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India are presented to corroborate the beneficial effects of globalization. With the goal of effectively raising global leaders in science and engineering fields, the authors propose a scheme for the trilateral collaboration between the U. S., India and Japan, with a focus on difference in education, characters of the peoples, and preferred models of global leaders among these nations.
Pedagogical Experience in Engineering Education: Studying Cases of Patent Dispute as a Method for Both Innovation and Legal Education
Authors: Lai Rong-Jer
Published: January 2017

The issue of intellectual property is inevitable for an engineering design course today. Traditionally, it would be discussed separately from the technical or the legal perspective. But they are two sides of the same coin. In the course of comparative analysis of patent dispute, the case method was used to treat the issue involved from both perspectives at the same time. Patent disputes are mainly concerned with the issue of patentability or infringement, and normally both involved. For analysis of a dispute, it is normally required to compare the elements of the invented object with either the prior arts or the alleged infringement, depending on the cases. For such legal analysis one can instead take design methods such as TRIZ (an acronym in Russian standing for “theory of inventive problem solving”) and SCAMPER (an acronym standing for “substitute, combine, adapt, magnify or minify, put to other uses, eliminate or elaborate, and rearrangement or reverse”) to check the design concepts or the inventive principles behind the objects, so that the students can learn the innovation methods and the legal procedure at the same time. In this paper pedagogical experience with concrete examples was demonstrated.
Analyze of the Rhythm of the Neck in Handmade Japanese Paper Manufacturing Movement
Authors: Imajo Akihiko , Yoshikawa Takashi , Saeki Nobutaka
Published: January 2017

In Japan, the production of traditional handmade Japanese paper using the spring water has been performed in the Shuso area of Shikoku Island. However, the method of production was been handed down by trial and error and observation of the expert movement until now. The produced papers are counted one unit that is five hundred sheets of Japanese paper. Five hundred sheets of Japanese paper are called 1 [lot]. The paper has two type of thickness and its size is 600mm × 1500mm. Thick paper is 9[kgf] per lot. The other hand, thin paper is 8[kgf] per lot. In other words, the expert is making paper which is the difference of 2[gf] per sheet. This time, we have been able to obtain cooperation with traditional craftsman for the digitizing of his skills. Therefore, we visualize the tacit knowledge of the expert’s skill.

The expert subject has 34 years of experience of traditional hand-made Japanese paper. We have digitized his manufacturing movement by using motion capture. His movements are analyzed by attaching infrared reflective markers of 20 on each parts of the body.

In this study, we found that constant rhythm of the neck in handmade Japanese paper manufacturing movement. Furthermore, the first scoop is performed at the time much shorter than in the case of other scoops.
Design, Machining and Production Integration Problems in Manufacturing Automation
Authors: Bzymek Zbigniew M. , Benjamin Alicia
Published: January 2017

This paper describes the process of integrating engineering design, manufacturing, and production in the area of manufacturing automation. The work was done within the scope of a Mechanical Engineering senior course that’s objective was to introduce students to the processes of advanced manufacturing and to solving practical engineering problems in manufacturing automation. The students’ efforts at integration covered automation of conceptual and geometric designs, automation of machining process, and machine sequence optimization. The CAD/CAM software, CAMM3 Micromodeler, G-code, NX8, Solid Works, DELMIA/QUEST, and Mastercam were used successfully in a sequence. A survey of the students’ opinions about the effectiveness and user friendliness of the software was summarized at the end of the semester. The elements of the course were integrated in the Final Project. Full automation of integrated design and manufacturing data exchange were found to be too difficult to accomplish. However, the use of the automation software in a sequence, together with data export and import, marks a significant step forward towards integrated manufacturing automation. The research to accomplish this will continue and the results will be applied in order to reinforce the teaching and practice of Manufacturing Automation.
Easily Adoptable Interactive Teaching Practices and Students Progress Monitoring Strategies
Authors: Tyagi Pawan
Published: January 2017

An active class room teaching practice can become highly rewarding for students. An instructor practicing active learning approaches may get significantly higher success in inculcating course materials deeply as compared to a lecture based teaching. However, transitioning from prevailing lecture based instruction to an active learning approach can be hampered by the reservations and prejudices of an engineering educator; a tenure track faculty may find it even more challenging to leave the traditional lecture based teaching approach and adopt an active teaching approach. This paper will describe the active teaching techniques that I, a tenure track faculty, has been practicing to teach mechanical engineering courses; the main discussion will focus on the Fuel Cell Science and Technology course. I have devised my current deep learning and teaching strategies through a yearlong Myrtilla Miner Faculty Fellowship cohort under Dr. Ken Bain and a number of workshops on the group based active teaching and peer interaction based teaching. This paper describes the strategies for developing a teaching and assessment plan for the courses I teach by emphasizing on (i) designing significant learning outcomes before starting a class, (ii) the long term retention of key concepts of a course by fostering student centered deep learning course activities, and (iii) far transfer of the skills students gain from a course. The first topic of this paper is about various strategies to understand students’ motivations and inhibitions that may govern their learning curve in a course. The second topic of this paper discusses the crucial aspect of designing a promising syllabus to give students a bigger purpose for learning the course material; a promising syllabus attempt to connect students’ long held curiosities and career ambitions with the course to be offered. The third topic delves into the strategies to engage students in self-preparation to assimilate the key concepts to be discussed in a class. This paper will also highlight the approach to design conceptual quizzes to guide student preparation before they come to the class and then use the same conceptual quizzes to conduct peer discussion and define the flow of a class; this strategy is derived from Dr. Eric Mazur’s work on peer interaction based teaching. The fourth topic is about the utility of one pager feedback form to be filled by the students after every class. This paper will discuss structure and effectiveness of the feedback form in improving student attention and participation in the class discussions. I have offered two workshops on effective teaching at the University of the District of Columbia to promote active student learning in a wide range of courses. I plan to conduct workshops for the middle and high school teachers to share the effective teaching skills.
Private Engineering Education Scenario in India
Authors: Kale Sandip , Sapali S. N.
Published: January 2017

In India, government aided and private engineering institutes provide engineering education. Government aided institutes include Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Regional Engineering Colleges (RECs) and government engineering colleges. Ten percent of the total students get education in government-aided institutes and are globally accepted too. Remaining ninety percent of the total students get education in private self-financed engineering institutes. To meet the increasing demand of engineers from various industrial sectors, a quantitative growth of private engineering institutes took place with an average annual intake capacity of four hundred to five hundred students. With increasing annual intake capacity, the trend of vacant seats in private engineering institutes is also increasing rapidly year wise. Indian industry demands many engineers, but only a few students passed out from private institutes are employable. There is a challenge to build the gap between what industries are looking for the engineers and the education provided in the institutes. In this article, the authors have tried to frame the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis and recommend some remedial actions needed for private engineering institutes in India.
Green Energy Manufacturing Laboratory Development for Student Learning Experience on Sustainability
Authors: Chiou Richard Y. , Belu Radian , Mauk Michael , Tseng Tzu-Liang (Bill)
Published: January 2017

This paper discusses the development of a green energy manufacturing laboratory for student learning experience in the emerging fields of renewable energy and green manufacturing. The development involves a creation of a series of experiments to stimulate discoveries and developments that promise to sustain a wave of new technological innovations on energy and manufacturing throughout the world. The needs for engineering students and practicing engineers to understand sustainability concepts and concerns have been noted by educators, scientists or engineers and all engineering students need to become versed in sustainability ideas. This paper describes key factors in enhancing the ability of future engineering graduates to better contribute to a more sustainable future, preserving natural resources and advancing technological development. Two main components are used to incorporate sustainability into the green energy manufacturing laboratory, including: (1) renewable energy and (2) manufacturing energy efficiency. The efforts presented in the paper also include life-cycle assessment, development of innovative thinking skills, better understanding of sustainability issues, and increasing students’ interests in the engineering and technology programs. A concluding section discusses laboratory development for student hands-on learning experience within the context of a project. The paper will present the how it establishes its long-term sustainability and support through a variety of mechanisms including the energy mission, the award of federal grants, program projects, private foundation support, partnerships, and university-based investments. The GEM/Institute/Community College research model and the supporting the hardware, software and middleware are being installed, developed and enabled by the joint project between two universities in the nation.
Evaluation of near-end speech enhancement under equal-loudness constraint for listeners with normal-hearing and mild-to-moderate hearing loss
Authors: Zorilă Tudor-Cătălin , Stylianou Yannis , Flanagan Sheila , Moore Brian C. J.
Published: January 2017

Four algorithms designed to enhance the intelligibility of speech when noise is added after processing were evaluated under the constraint that the speech should have the same loudness before and after processing, as determined using a loudness model. The algorithms applied spectral modifications and two of them included dynamic-range compression. On average, the methods with dynamic-range compression required the least level adjustment to equate loudness for the unprocessed and processed speech. Subjects with normal-hearing (experiment 1) and mild-to-moderate hearing loss (experiment 2) were tested using unmodified and enhanced speech presented in speech-shaped noise (SSN) and a competing speaker (CS). The results showed (a) the algorithms with dynamic-range compression yielded the largest intelligibility gains in both experiments and for both types of background; (b) the algorithms without dynamic-range compression either yielded benefit only with the SSN or yielded no consistent benefit; (c) speech reception thresholds for unprocessed speech were higher for hearing-impaired than for normal-hearing subjects, by about 2 dB for the SSN and 6 dB for the CS. It is concluded that the enhancement methods incorporating dynamic-range compression can improve intelligibility under the equal-loudness constraint for both normal-hearing and hearing-impaired subjects and for both steady and fluctuating backgrounds.
Reliability and Validity of Kinetic and Kinematic Parameters Determined With Force Plates Embedded Under a Soil-Filled Baseball Mound
Authors: Yanai Toshimasa , Matsuo Akifumi , Maeda Akira , Nakamoto Hiroki , Mizutani Mirai , Kanehisa Hiroaki , Fukunaga Tetsuo
Published: January 2017

We developed a force measurement system in a soil-filled mound for measuring ground reaction forces (GRFs) acting on baseball pitchers and examined the reliability and validity of kinetic and kinematic parameters determined from the GRFs. Three soil-filled trays of dimensions that satisfied the official baseball rules were fixed onto 3 force platforms. Eight collegiate pitchers wearing baseball shoes with metal cleats were asked to throw 5 fastballs with maximum effort from the mound toward a catcher. The reliability of each parameter was determined for each subject as the coefficient of variation across the 5 pitches. The validity of the measurements was tested by comparing the outcomes either with the true values or the corresponding values computed from a motion capture system. The coefficients of variation in the repeated measurements of the peak forces ranged from 0.00 to 0.17, and were smaller for the pivot foot than the stride foot. The mean absolute errors in the impulses determined over the entire duration of pitching motion were 5.3 N˙s, 1.9 N˙s, and 8.2 N˙s for the X-, Y-, and Z-directions, respectively. These results suggest that the present method is reliable and valid for determining selected kinetic and kinematic parameters for analyzing pitching performance.
Whole-Genome Sequence of Streptococcus parauberis Strain SP-llh, Isolated from Cows with Mastitis in Western China
Authors: Liu Longhai , Yang Feng , Li Xinpu , Luo Jinyin , Zhang Zhe , Li Hongsheng
Published: January 2017

Streptococcus parauberis
strain SP-llh was isolated from cows with mastitis in western China in 2015. The 2,522,235-bp genome sequence consists of 46 large contigs in 14 scaffolds and contains 2,620 predicted protein-coding genes, with a G+C content of 35.3%.
Metagenomic Analysis of Cucumber RNA from East Timor Reveals an
Aphid lethal paralysis virus
Genome
Authors: Maina Solomon , Edwards Owain R. , de Almeida Luis , Ximenes Abel , Jones Roger A. C.
Published: January 2017

We present here the first complete genomic
Aphid lethal paralysis virus
(ALPV) sequence isolated from cucumber plant RNA from East Timor. We compare it with two complete ALPV genome sequences from China, and one each from Israel, South Africa, and the United States. It most closely resembled the Chinese isolate LGH genome.
Complete Genome Sequence of Streptococcus iniae UEL-Si1, Isolated in Diseased Nile Tilapia (
Oreochromis niloticus
) from Northern Paraná, Southern Brazil
Authors: Vilas-Boas Laurival A. , Headley Selwyn A. , Gonçalves Kátia B. , Scarpassa Josiane A. , Pretto-Giordano Lucienne G.
Published: January 2017

The
Streptococcus iniae
UEL-Si1 strain was isolated from diseased Nile tilapia within the Paranapanema River Basin, Northern Paraná, Brazil. This is an emerging infectious disease agent of fish from Brazil, and sequencing of the complete genome is fundamental to understanding aspects relative to pathogenesis, infection, epidemiology, and immunity.
Genome Sequence of Porphyromonas gingivalis Strain 381
Authors: Chastain-Gross Ryan P. , Xie Gary , Bélanger Myriam , Kumar Dibyendu , Whitlock Joan A. , Liu Li , Raines Sarah M. , Farmerie William G. , Daligault Hajnalka E. , Han Cliff S. , Brettin Thomas S. , Progulske-Fox Ann
Published: January 2017

Porphyromonas gingivalis
is associated with both oral and systemic diseases. Strain-specific
P. gingivalis
invasion phenotypes do not reliably predict disease presentation during
in vivo
studies. Here, we present the genome sequence of 381, a common laboratory strain, with a single contig of 2,378,872 bp and a G+C content of 48.36%.
Genome Sequence of Enterococcus faecalis Strain CG_E
Authors: Gabris Christina , Poehlein Anja , Bengelsdorf Frank R. , Daniel Rolf , Dürre Peter
Published: January 2017

Enterococcus faecalis
CG_E is a Gram-positive, lactic acid-producing coccus. The draft genome of
E. faecalis
strain CG_E comprises 2,969,881 bp and exhibits a G+C content of 37.34%. The genome encodes 2,848 predicted protein-encoding and 97 RNA genes.