bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Technical and Professional Skills of Engineers Involved and Not Involved in Engineering Service
Authors: Litchfield Kaitlin , Javernick‐Will Amy , Maul Andrew 
Published: December 2015

AbstractBackgroundEngineers must acquire increasing technical and professional skills to meet pressing global challenges, but fitting training for these skills into already crowded curricula is difficult. Engineering service may provide opportunities to gain such skills; however, prior research about learning outcomes from such activities has been primarily small‐scale, anecdotal, or lacking a comparison group.Purpose/HypothesisWe aim to understand whether self‐reported learning outcomes differ between engineers involved and not involved with engineering service activities. Specifically, do the two groups experience and learn different technical and professional skills in their engineering activities?Design/MethodWe used a sequential mixed methods approach that began with interviews and focus groups with 165 participants and continued with a questionnaire administered to over 2,500 engineering students and practicing engineers both involved and not involved with engineering service. Analyses included variable‐oriented qualitative analysis and multiple linear regression models to compare perceived technical and professional skills.ResultsQuantitative results show that engineers involved and not involved with engineering service report comparable perceived technical skills, and that those involved in engineering service report significantly higher perceived professional skills, even when controlling for age, gender, and grade point average. Qualitative results indicate that higher professional skills can be partially attributed to the realistic, complex, and contextualized learning experiences within engineering service activities.ConclusionsEngineers involved with engineering service may gain strong professional engineering skills that do not compromise their technical skills. Thus, engineering service may help educate the type of engineers the field needs to confront pressing global challenges.
Apoptosis, proliferation and presence of estradiol receptors in the testes and Bidder's organ of the toad Rhinella arenarum (Amphibia, Anura)
Authors: Scaia María Florencia , Czuchlej Silvia Cristina , Cervino Nadia , Ceballos Nora Raquel 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACTThe dynamic equilibrium between spermatogonial proliferation and testicular apoptosis determines the progression of spermatogenesis in amphibians. Estrogens and their receptors play a central role in regulating spermatogenesis in vertebrates, and in some species of anurans, estradiol (E2) is involved in the regulation of spermatogonial proliferation and apoptosis of germ cells. Bidder's organ (BO) is a structure characteristic of Bufonidae that has historically been compared to an undeveloped ovary. In adult Rhinella arenarum males, BO is one of the main sources of plasma E2. The aim of this study was 1) to describe the seasonal variations in testicular apoptosis, spermatogonial proliferation, and cellular proliferation in BO; and 2) to analyze the presence and localization of estrogen receptor β (ERβ) in the testes and BO of R. arenarum. Testicular fragments and BOs from animals collected during the year were labeled with 5‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine (BrdU) and BrdU incorporation was determined using immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis in testicular sections was detected using the TUNEL method, and ERβ localization was assessed using immunohistochemistry in testes and BOs. The results indicate that spermatogonial proliferation is highest during the reproductive season and that cysts of spermatocytes and spermatids undergo apoptosis during the postreproductive season. Furthermore, the proliferation of follicular cells is highest during the reproductive and postreproductive seasons. ERβ was primarily detected by immunolocalization in Sertoli cells, follicular cells, and oocytes. Taken together, these results suggest that cysts that do not form spermatozoa are removed from testes by apoptosis and that estrogens regulate both spermatogenesis and oogenesis in adult males of R. arenarum. J. Morphol. 277:412–423, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Signal decay mapping of myocardial edema using dual‐contrast fast spin‐echo MRI
Authors: Krumm Patrick , Martirosian Petros , Rath Dominik , Zitzelsberger Tanja , Ruff Christer Andreas , Klumpp Bernhard Daniel , Nikolaou Konstantin , Gawaz Meinrad , Geisler Tobias , Schick Fritz , Kramer Ulrich 
Published: December 2015

PurposeTo introduce a dual‐contrast fast spin‐echo (dcFSE) sequence for signal decay mapping of myocardial edema.Materials and MethodsAfter consultation with the Institutional Review Board, 22 acute myocardial infarction (MI) patients were examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 1.5T 2 days after revascularization. Edema was evaluated in 16 myocardial segments with an exponential fit for signal decay time (SDT) in dcFSE mapping and T2 signal intensity ratio for single‐contrast FSE. Myocardial viability was evaluated in late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). A control group of 10 volunteers was examined for edema imaging. SDT was compared in segment groups: 1) with LGE in MI, 2) penumbra, 3) remote from LGE, 4) controls. Groups 1/3 and 3/4 were tested on difference. Three phantoms providing similar T2 but different T1 relaxation times (low, intermediate, high) were examined with dcFSE and multicontrast spin echo sequence as a reference.ResultsThe SDT/T2ratio for segment groups was 1) 82msec/1.7 in segments with LGE; 2) 65msec/1.6 for penumbra, 3) 62msec/1.7 for remote segments, and 4) 50msec/1.6 in controls. In dcFSE group 1/3 (P < 0.0001) and in group 3/4 (P = 0.0002) SDT was significantly different. In single‐contrast FSE the T2ratio was not significantly different for both tests: 1/3 P = 0.1889; 3/4 P = 0.8879. T2‐overestimation of dcFSE was 23% in low, 29% in intermediate, and 35% in highly T1 contaminated phantoms.ConclusiondcFSE signal decay edema mapping is feasible in volunteers and patients. DcFSE SDT is superior to T2ratio for detection of high‐grade and diffuse myocardial edema. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:186–193.
Creative Expression and Its Evaluation on Work‐Related Verbal Tasks: A Comparison of Chinese and German Samples
Authors: Tang Min , Werner Christian , Cao Guikang , Tumasjan Andranik , Shen Jiliang , Shi Jiannong , Spörrle Matthias 
Published: December 2015

AbstractTwo studies comparing Chinese and German samples by using work‐related verbal creativity tasks examined the role of culture in creative expression thereby also exploring culture's potential influence on creativity judgements. In Study 1, German participants (N = 60) scored higher than Chinese respondents (N = 60) in a work‐related unusual uses test on all objective creativity measures. Study 2 (Chinese: N = 59, German: N = 52) replicated these findings by applying an occupational creative problem‐solving task evaluated by using the Consensual Assessment Technique with judges from China as well as Germany. We observed high consensus among judges of each country as well as between the two cultures. Both German and Chinese judges rated the German respondents’ outcomes higher on most creativity dimensions (e.g., originality). Overall, German judges provided lower ratings. Our research extends previous intercultural findings solely based on art‐based creative performance to the occupational domain and indicates that higher creativity ascriptions toward the performance of Western people cannot be explained by assessments from Western raters.
One‐pot synthesis of a new high vinyl content hybrid silica monolith dedicated to nanoliquid chromatography
Authors: Racha El‐Debs , Gay Pauline , Dugas Vincent , Demesmay Claire 
Published: December 2015

A new vinyltrimethoxysilane‐based hybrid silica monolith was developed and used as a reversed‐phase capillary column. The synthesis of this rich vinyl hybrid macroporous monolith, by cocondensation of vinyltrimethoxysilane with tetramethoxysilane, was investigated using an unconventional (formamide, nitric acid) porogen/catalyst system. A macroporous hybrid silica monolith with 80% in mass of vinyltrimethoxysilane in the feeding silane solution was obtained and compared to a more conventional low vinyl content hybrid monolith with only of 20% vinyltrimethoxysilane. Monoliths were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and N2 adsorption–desorption. About 80% of the vinyl precursor was incorporated in the final materials, leading to 15.9 and 61.5% of Si atoms bonded to vinyl groups for 20% vinyltrimethoxysilane and 80% vinyltrimethoxysilane, respectively. The 80% vinyltrimethoxysilane monolith presents a lower surface area than 20% vinyltrimethoxysilane (159 versus 551 m2/g), which is nevertheless compensated by a higher vinyl surface density. Chromatographic properties were evaluated in reversed‐phase mode. Plots of ln(k) versus percentage of organic modifier were used to assess the reversed‐phase mechanism. Its high content of organic groups leads to high retention properties. Column efficiencies of 170 000 plates/m were measured for this 80% vinyltrimethoxysilane hybrid silica monolith. Long capillary monolithic columns (90 cm) were successfully synthesized (N = 120 000).
Relationship between chronic hepatitis B and metabolic syndrome: A structural equation modeling approach
Authors: Huang Chiao‐Yu , Lu Chia‐Wen , Liu Yi‐Lien , Chiang Chien‐Hsieh , Lee Long‐Teng , Huang Kuo‐Chin 
Published: December 2015

ObjectiveInvestigate the nature of the relationship between chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and metabolic syndrome among nondiabetic adults.MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional analysis of 17,030 nondiabetic adults (7437 males and 9593 females; mean age, 36.0 ± 3.9 years) in northern Taiwan from 2008 to 2009. The associations of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seropositivity with metabolic syndrome and cardio‐metabolic parameters were assessed. A structural equation model was constructed to elucidate the pathways between chronic HBV infection and individual cardiometabolic risk factors.ResultsA total of 2982 (17.5%) participants were HBsAg‐seropositive. Of the seropositive and seronegative subjects, 15.5 and 16.9% had metabolic syndrome, respectively. The HBsAg‐seropositive subjects had a lower odds of having metabolic syndrome compared with the seronegative subjects irrespective of gender and age (OR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.68‐0.85). The inverse associations remained significant after adjusting for body mass index and serum alanine aminotransferase levels. HBsAg seropositivity was inversely associated with hypertriglyceridemia (OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.52‐0.66), and low serum levels of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.79‐0.93) after adjustments. The structural equation model revealed chronic HBV infection had a significant negative effect on dyslipidemia both in males (B = −0.054) and females (B = −0.064).ConclusionsThe inverse relationship between chronic HBV infection and metabolic syndrome may be attributable to the net beneficial effects on lipid profiles.
AORN's Revised Model for Evidence Appraisal and Rating
Authors: Spruce Lisa , Van Wicklin Sharon A. , Wood Amber 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAORN perioperative practice specialists responsible for authoring the Guidelines for Perioperative Practice have spent several years using evidence‐based practice tools adapted from other organizations. AORN now has its own evidence appraisal tools and model for evidence‐based practice that can be used by nurses and students to appraise research and nonresearch articles and assign an evidence rating to help inform perioperative practice decisions. The new and revised tools include a new evidence rating model, hierarchy of evidence, and expanded appraisal tools.
Interim analysis of a randomized controlled trial comparing laparoscopic radiofrequency volumetric thermal ablation of uterine fibroids with laparoscopic myomectomy
Authors: Krämer Bernhard , Hahn Markus , Taran Florin‐Andrei , Kraemer Dorit , Isaacson Keith B. , Brucker Sara Y. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo compare 24‐month patient‐reported outcomes following laparoscopic radiofrequency volumetric thermal ablation (RFVTA) and laparoscopic myomectomy in patients with uterine fibroids.MethodAn interim analysis of 24‐month follow‐up data from a randomized controlled trial was performed at Tübingen University Women's Hospital between November 1, 2012 and May 30, 2015. Premenopausal patients, at least 18 years of age, who were menstruating, were randomly assigned to be treated for symptomatic uterine fibroids with either RFVTA or laparoscopic myomectomy. The outcomes included in the present per‐protocol analysis were patients’ responses to validated questionnaires and long‐term safety.ResultsThe study enrolled 51 patients; 21 and 22 patients in the RFVTA and laparoscopic myomectomy groups, respectively, completed 24 months of follow‐up. Improvements in the severity of symptoms from baseline were reported by participants in both the RFVTA (P < 0.001) and laparoscopic myomectomy groups (P = 0.001). A significant improvement in health‐related quality of life was observed in the laparoscopic myomectomy group (P = 0.040); a non‐significant improvement was recorded in the RFVTA group (P = 0.083). A trocar‐site hematoma occurred in one patient in the laparoscopic myomectomy group. Further surgical interventions were recorded in three patients in the RFVTA group but these were unrelated to fibroid symptoms.ConclusionsThese 24‐month data suggest equivalence in safety and patient‐reported efficacy of RFVTA and laparoscopic myomectomy.ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01750008
Cutter-workpiece engagement determination for general milling using triangle mesh modeling
Authors: Gong Xun , Feng Hsi-Yung 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
Cutter-workpiece engagement (CWE) is the instantaneous contact geometry between the cutter and the in-process workpiece during machining. It plays an important role in machining process simulation and directly affects the calculation of the predicted cutting forces and torques. The difficulty and challenge of CWE determination come from the complexity due to the changing geometry of in-process workpiece and the curved tool path of cutter movement, especially for multi-axis milling. This paper presents a new method to determine the CWE for general milling processes. To fulfill the requirement of generality, which means for any cutter type, any in-process workpiece shape, and any tool path even with self-intersections, all the associated geometries are to be modeled as triangle meshes. The involved triangle-to-triangle intersection calculations are carried out by an effective method in order to realize the multiple subtraction Boolean operations between the tool and the workpiece mesh models and to determine the CWE. The presented method has been validated by a series of case studies of increasing machining complexity to demonstrate its applicability to general milling processes.
Highlights A new method to determine cutter-workpiece engagement geometry in milling. Applicable to general milling processes: all cutter types, in-process workpiece shapes and tool paths containing even self-intersections. Results validated by a series of case studies of increasing machining complexity.
El proceso de la evaluación formativa desde el modelo Weisbord en educación médica
Authors: González Castillo Diana Elena , Varela Ruiz Margarita , Fortoul van der Goes Teresa Imelda 
Published: December 2015

Introducción: Las organizaciones son sistemas abiertos con dinámicas particulares respecto a las tareas y funciones a lograr, determinadas por los objetivos de la estructura. En este sentido, es preciso realizar un diagnóstico organizacional con el propósito de determinar las áreas de oportunidad cuando la organización educativa (Facultad de Medicina de la UNAM) establece una nueva estrategia para el cumplimiento de sus objetivos institucionales, en este caso a través de la implementación de la evaluación formativa.
Objetivo: Realizar un diagnóstico organizacional a través del modelo Weisbord, que consiste en el análisis de 6 categorías de la organización.
Método: Se utilizó el método cualitativo para comprender los fenómenos sociales desde la perspectiva del involucrado, con un cuestionario de respuesta abierta para explorar las diferentes etapas del proceso de evaluación. Se complementó con 3 grupos focales y 12 entrevistas hasta alcanzar el punto de saturación. La categorización y la codificación de los resultados se realizó de acuerdo con el árbol de categorías previamente estructurado y el análisis fue sustentado en el modelo Weisbord.
Resultados: El resultado diagnóstico se centró en las cuestiones internas de la organización y planteó principalmente las preguntas relacionadas con el ajuste entre lo que es y lo que debería ser en las 6 categorías del modelo Weisbord propósito, estructura, relaciones, recompensas, liderazgo y mecanismos útiles).
Conclusiones: El uso coherente de la evaluación formativa en el sistema puede ayudar a los involucrados a enfrentar los obstáculos que se presentan para desempeñar su práctica profesional de una forma más amplia en el campo clínico y en las aulas.
Synergistic killing of human small cell lung cancer cells by the Bcl-2-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor disruptor BIRD-2 and the BH3-mimetic ABT-263
Authors: Greenberg E F , McColl K S , Zhong F , Wildey G , Dowlati A , Distelhorst C W 
Published: December 2015

AbstractSmall cell lung cancer (SCLC) has an annual mortality approaching that of breast and prostate cancer. Although sensitive to initial chemotherapy, SCLC rapidly develops resistance, leading to less effective second-line therapies. SCLC cells often overexpress Bcl-2, which protects cells from apoptosis both by sequestering pro-apoptotic family members and by modulating inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R)-mediated calcium signaling. BH3-mimetic agents such as ABT-263 disrupt the former activity but have limited activity in SCLC patients. Here we report for the first time that Bcl-2-IP3 receptor disruptor-2 (BIRD-2), a decoy peptide that binds to the BH4 domain of Bcl-2 and prevents Bcl-2 interaction with IP3Rs, induces cell death in a wide range of SCLC lines, including ABT-263-resistant lines. BIRD-2-induced death of SCLC cells appears to be a form of caspase-independent apoptosis mediated by calpain activation. By targeting different regions of the Bcl-2 protein and different mechanisms of action, BIRD-2 and ABT-263 induce cell death synergistically. Based on these findings, we propose that targeting the Bcl-2–IP3R interaction be pursued as a novel therapeutic strategy for SCLC, either by developing BIRD-2 itself as a therapeutic agent or by developing small-molecule inhibitors that mimic BIRD-2.
Targeting RING domains of Mdm2–MdmX E3 complex activates apoptotic arm of the p53 pathway in leukemia/lymphoma cells
Authors: Wu W , Xu C , Ling X , Fan C , Buckley B P , Chernov M V , Ellis L , Li F , Muñoz I G , Wang X 
Published: December 2015

AbstractReactivation of tumor-suppressor p53 for targeted cancer therapy is an attractive strategy for cancers bearing wild-type (WT) p53. Targeting the Mdm2–p53 interface or MdmX ((MDM4), mouse double minute 4)–p53 interface or both has been a focus in the field. However, targeting the E3 ligase activity of Mdm2–MdmX really interesting new gene (RING)–RING interaction as a novel anticancer strategy has never been explored. In this report, we describe the identification and characterization of small molecule inhibitors targeting Mdm2–MdmX RING–RING interaction as a new class of E3 ligase inhibitors. With a fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based E3 activity assay in high-throughput screening of a chemical library, we identified inhibitors (designated as MMRis (Mdm2–MdmX RING domain inhibitors)) that specifically inhibit Mdm2–MdmX E3 ligase activity toward Mdm2 and p53 substrates. MMRi6 and its analog MMRi64 are capable of disrupting Mdm2–MdmX interactions in vitro and activating p53 in cells. In leukemia cells, MMRi64 potently induces downregulation of Mdm2 and MdmX. In contrast to Nutlin3a, MMRi64 only induces the expression of pro-apoptotic gene PUMA (p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis) with minimal induction of growth-arresting gene p21. Consequently, MMRi64 selectively induces the apoptotic arm of the p53 pathway in leukemia/lymphoma cells. Owing to the distinct mechanisms of action of MMRi64 and Nutlin3a, their combination synergistically induces p53 and apoptosis. Taken together, this study reveals that Mdm2–MdmX has a critical role in apoptotic response of the p53 pathway and MMRi64 may serve as a new pharmacological tool for p53 studies and a platform for cancer drug development.
Inadequate fine-tuning of protein synthesis and failure of amino acid homeostasis following inhibition of the ATPase VCP/p97
Authors: Parzych K , Chinn T M , Chen Z , Loaiza S , Porsch F , Valbuena G N , Kleijnen M F , Karadimitris A , Gentleman E , Keun H C , Auner H W 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe cellular mechanisms that control protein degradation may constitute a non-oncogenic cancer cell vulnerability and, therefore, a therapeutic target. Although this proposition is supported by the clinical success of proteasome inhibitors in some malignancies, most cancers are resistant to proteasome inhibition. The ATPase valosin-containing protein (VCP; p97) is an essential regulator of protein degradation in multiple pathways and has emerged as a target for cancer therapy. We found that pharmacological depletion of VCP enzymatic activity with mechanistically different inhibitors robustly induced proteotoxic stress in solid cancer and multiple myeloma cells, including cells that were insensitive, adapted, or clinically resistant to proteasome inhibition. VCP inhibition had an impact on two key regulators of protein synthesis, eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) and mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), and attenuated global protein synthesis. However, a block on protein translation that was itself cytotoxic alleviated stress signaling and reduced cell death triggered by VCP inhibition. Some of the proteotoxic effects of VCP depletion depended on the eIF2α phosphatase, protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 15A (PPP1R15A)/PP1c, but not on mTORC1, although there appeared to be cross-talk between them. Thus, cancer cell death following VCP inhibition was linked to inadequate fine-tuning of protein synthesis and activity of PPP1R15A/PP1c. VCP inhibitors also perturbed intracellular amino acid levels, activated eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α kinase 4 (EIF2AK4), and enhanced cellular dependence on amino acid supplies, consistent with a failure of amino acid homeostasis. Many of the observed effects of VCP inhibition differed from the effects triggered by proteasome inhibition or by protein misfolding. Thus, depletion of VCP enzymatic activity triggers cancer cell death in part through inadequate regulation of protein synthesis and amino acid metabolism. The data provide novel insights into the maintenance of intracellular proteostasis by VCP and may have implications for the development of anti-cancer therapies.