bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of Aromatase Inhibition on the Bone-Protective Effects of Testosterone
Authors: Beck Darren T , Yarrow Joshua F , Beggs Luke A , Otzel Dana M , Ye Fan , Conover Christine F , Miller Julie R , Balaez Alexander , Combs Sarah M , Leeper Alicia M , Williams Alyssa A , Lachacz Stephanie A , Zheng Nigel , Wronski Thomas J , Borst Stephen E 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACT

The influence of the aromatase enzyme in androgen-induced bone maintenance after skeletal maturity remains somewhat unclear. Our purpose was to determine whether aromatase activity is essential to androgen-induced bone maintenance. Ten-month-old male Fisher 344 rats (n = 73) were randomly assigned to receive Sham surgery, orchiectomy (ORX), ORX + anastrozole (AN; aromatase inhibitor), ORX + testosterone-enanthate (TE, 7.0 mg/wk), ORX + TE + AN, ORX + trenbolone-enanthate (TREN; nonaromatizable, nonestrogenic testosterone analogue; 1.0 mg/wk), or ORX + TREN + AN. ORX animals exhibited histomorphometric indices of high-turnover osteopenia and reduced cancellous bone volume compared with Shams. Both TE and TREN administration suppressed cancellous bone turnover similarly and fully prevented ORX-induced cancellous bone loss. TE- and TREN-treated animals also exhibited greater femoral neck shear strength than ORX animals. AN co-administration slightly inhibited the suppression of bone resorption in TE-treated animals but did not alter TE-induced suppression of bone formation or the osteogenic effects of this androgen. In TREN-treated animals, AN co-administration produced no discernible effects on cancellous bone turnover or bone volume. ORX animals also exhibited reduced levator ani/bulbocavernosus (LABC) muscle mass and elevated visceral adiposity. In contrast, TE and TREN produced potent myotrophic effects in the LABC muscle and maintained fat mass at the level of Shams. AN co-administration did not alter androgen-induced effects on muscle or fat. In conclusion, androgens are able to induce direct effects on musculoskeletal and adipose tissue, independent of aromatase activity. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Thalassemia Bone Disease: A 19-Year Longitudinal Analysis
Authors: Wong Phillip , Fuller Peter J , Gillespie Matthew T , Kartsogiannis Vicky , Kerr Peter G , Doery James CG , Paul Eldho , Bowden Donald K , Strauss Boyd J , Milat Frances 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACT

Thalassemia is an inherited disorder of alpha or beta globin chain synthesis leading to ineffective erythropoiesis requiring chronic transfusion therapy in its most severe form. This leads to iron overload, marrow expansion, and hormonal complications, which are implicated in bone deformity and loss of bone mineral density (BMD). In this 19-year retrospective longitudinal study, the relationships between BMD (determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) and risk factors for osteoporosis in 277 subjects with transfusion-dependent thalassemia were examined. The mean age at first review was 23.2 ± 11.9 years and 43.7% were male. Hypogonadism was present in 28.9%. Fractures were confirmed in 11.6% of subjects and were more frequent in males (16.5%) compared with females (7.7%). Lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN), and total body (TB) Z-scores were derived. Patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia had a significant longitudinal decline in BMD at the FN and TB. In the linear mixed-model analysis of BMD and risk factors for bone loss, FN Z-score was more significantly associated with risk factors compared with the LS and TB. The rate of decline at the FN was 0.02 Z-score per year and was 3.85-fold greater in males. The decline in FN Z-score over the last 5 years (years 15 to 19) was 2.5-fold that of the previous 7 years (years 8 to 14) and coincided with a change in iron chelator therapy from desferrioxamine to deferasirox. Hemoglobin (Hb) levels positively correlated with higher TB and LS Z-scores. In conclusion, the FN is the preferred site for follow-up of BMD. Male patients with β-thalassemia experienced a greater loss of BMD and had a higher prevalence of fractures compared with females. Transfusing patients (particularly males) to a higher Hb target may reduce the decline in BMD. Whether deferasirox is implicated in bone loss warrants further study. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Photodegradation of textile dye using magnetically recyclable heterogeneous spinel ferrites
Authors: Sharma Rimi , Singhal Sonal 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe extensive use of dyes in textile industries leads to discharge of dye effluents into water bodies which causes problem to human and aquatic life. In this regard, magnetic nanospinels having formula MFe2O4 (M = Cu, Zn, Ni and Co) were developed and characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder x‐ray diffraction (XRD) and diffuse reflactance spectra (DRS). The activity of all the ferrites as heterogeneous Fenton and photo‐Fenton catalysts was evaluated by degradation of Remazol Black 5 (RB5) which is used in the textile industry to dye cotton.RESULTSThe optimum reaction conditions for the degradation reactions were 0.50 g L‐1 ferrite, pH 2.5, H2O2 8 mmol L‐1 and dye 50 mg L‐1. Among the four ferrites CuFe2O4 was found to be best (k = 0.228 min‐1) which might be attributed to coupling between Fe3+/Fe2+ and Cu+/Cu2+ redox pairs thus generating more efficient Fenton reagent. Reusability of all the catalysts after magnetic separation was also tested over four cycles.CONCLUSIONAll the spinel ferrites had good photodegradation ability and recyclability demonstrating their use to remove organic pollutants from wastewater. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Increasing the Use of Evidence‐Based Teaching in STEM Higher Education: A Comparison of Eight Change Strategies
Authors: Borrego Maura , Henderson Charles 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackgroundPrior efforts have built a knowledge base of effective undergraduate STEM pedagogies, yet rates of implementation remain low. Theories from higher education, management, communication, and other fields can inform change efforts but remain largely inaccessible to STEM education leaders, who are just beginning to view change as a scholarly endeavor informed by the research literature.PurposeThis article describes the goals, assumptions, and underlying logic of selected change strategies with potential relevance to STEM higher education settings for a target audience of change agents, leaders, and researchers.Scope/MethodThis review is organized according to the Four Categories of Change Strategies model developed by Henderson, Beach, and Finkelstein (2011). We describe eight strategies of potential practical relevance to STEM education change efforts (two from each category). For each change strategy, we present a summary with key references, discuss their applicability to STEM higher education, provide a STEM education example, and discuss implications for change efforts and research.ConclusionsChange agents are guided, often implicitly, by a single change strategy. These eight strategies will expand the repertoire of change agents by helping them consider change from a greater diversity of perspectives. Change agents can use these descriptions to design more robust change efforts. Improvements in the knowledge and theory base underlying change strategies will occur when change agents situate their writing about change initiatives using shared models, such as the one presented in this article, to make their underlying assumptions about change more explicit.
Bridging the Research‐to‐Practice Gap: Designing an Institutional Change Plan Using Local Evidence
Authors: Finelli Cynthia J. , Daly Shanna R. , Richardson Kenyon M. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackgroundAmple research provides evidence about the influence of effective teaching practices on student success. Yet the adoption of such practices has been slow at many institutions. Efforts to bridge the gap between research and practice are needed.PurposeWe describe an institutional change plan we developed to bridge this research‐to‐ practice gap. Our plan is grounded in research and theories about faculty motivation and organizational change, and we designed it using local evidence from the University of Michigan College of Engineering.Design/MethodWe collected local data from three sources to provide context for our institutional change plan. First, faculty focus groups allowed us to determine factors that influence faculty adoption of effective teaching practices. Second, classroom observations allowed us to ascertain current teaching practices. Third, a student survey allowed us to identify teaching practices perceived by students to enhance their success. We used this local evidence with a “who/what/how” decision‐making process to design our change plan.ResultsOur institutional change plan for accelerating the adoption of effective teaching practices comprises a faculty action plan and an administrative change plan. Although still evolving, there is evidence of the success of both parts.ConclusionsLocal evidence is critical in our change plan. Change agents wishing to bridge the research‐to‐practice gap at their own institutions can design a plan that adapts our process and integrates relevant research and theory with their own local data.
Changing Engineering Education: Views of U.S. Faculty, Chairs, and Deans
Authors: Besterfield‐Sacre Mary , Cox Monica F. , Borrego Maura , Beddoes Kacey , Zhu Jiabin 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackgroundMany reports present a vision of what engineering education should look like, but few describe how this should happen. An American Society for Engineering Education initiative in 2006 attempted to bridge this gap by engaging faculty, chairs, and deans in discussion of change in engineering education; results were reported in a Phase I report (2009). In a second phase, survey data were integrated into a Phase II report (2012).PurposeThis article uses the ASEE survey results to identify promising pathways for transforming engineering undergraduate education.Design/MethodThe survey asked faculty, chairs, and deans at engineering departments at 156 U.S. institutions to reflect on the recommendations of the Phase I report. Quantitative and qualitative responses were separately analyzed and then mixed by mapping findings to the Four Categories of Change Strategies model developed by Henderson et al. (2011), which frames the results and illustrates gaps and opportunities.ResultsResponses mapped to three of the four categories of the model that were most commonly used in other STEM education efforts: developing and disseminating new instructional approaches, supporting faculty members in their own scholarly teaching, and implementing policies that enable and reward teaching innovation. No responses mapped to developing a shared vision through activities such as strategic planning.ConclusionsThe greatest promise for transformative change in engineering education lies in developing a shared vision for educational innovation. The findings of this article provide a foundation for ongoing discussion and evaluating progress.
Faculty Motivation: A Gateway to Transforming Engineering Education
Authors: Matusovich Holly M. , Paretti Marie C. , McNair Lisa D. , Hixson Cory 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackgroundTransformative change in higher education requires a continuous interplay between educational research and educational practice. In considering how to engage researchers and practitioners in “cycles of educational practice and research” (Jamieson & Lohmann, 2009), we focus on individuals and what motivates them to create and sustain innovations within the engineering education system.PurposeThrough this study, we seek to better understand why faculty do or do not engage in the research–practice cycle. Specifically, we employ expectancy value theory and examine the success and value beliefs motivating individuals' choices.Design/MethodWe used mixed methods assessment data from two engineering education conferences that focused on promoting transformational change. Data included observational notes, open‐ended written responses submitted after conference sessions, open‐ended survey questions, and quantitative survey questions. For data analysis. we used descriptive statistics and open coding techniques.ResultsWe identified expectancy of success and cost value and utility value as important to participants. Notably, the same motivation constructs generally matter for research, practice, and research‐informed practice, although practice‐informed research was nearly absent from the data. Participants cited strategies that are currently working to improve only some of the success and value categories.ConclusionsExpectancy value theory provides a useful framework for understanding faculty choices in the research–practice cycles required for change and innovation in engineering education. Our findings indicate that in addition to improving individuals' competence with critical research and teaching practices, our field should also support collective efficacy and value beliefs.
Research‐Informed Policy Change: A Retrospective on Engineering Admissions
Authors: Holloway Beth M. , Reed Teri , Imbrie P. K. , Reid Ken 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackgroundFew studies have investigated how engineering education admission policies contribute to the underrepresentation of specific groups. Transforming these policies may significantly affect who becomes an engineer. This article reports the outcome of using research results to inform change in admission policy at a Midwestern public university.PurposeThere were three research questions: Is there statistically significant evidence of admission decision gender bias for engineering applicants? Do affective and cognitive factors predictive of engineering student success differ between men and women? Can a difference in the resulting admitted class be confirmed when such factors inform admission policy?Design/MethodAdmissions records were examined for differences in cognitive metrics between men and women. Student records were analyzed before and after the policy change. Neural network modeling of student records predicted the cognitive and affective measures most important for success in retention and graduation.ResultsStatistical analysis indicated a gender bias in the admission process results, which was traced back to the policy. Success factor modeling suggested a different set of criteria could mitigate this bias. After admission criteria were changed, statistical analysis confirmed the gender bias against women was mitigated.ConclusionsThe application of research and the change process described shows the important role of research in motivating and informing policy change. This work highlights the contribution of institutional bias in admission policy to the underrepresentation of groups in engineering education, especially if admission is limited to a minimum standardized math test score.
Predicting factors for unresectability in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Okada Ken‐ichi , Kawai Manabu , Tani Masaji , Hirono Seiko , Miyazawa Motoki , Shimizu Atsushi , Kitahata Yuji , Yamaue Hiroki 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of the present study was to identify the predicting factors for unresectability and to clarify who should receive precise evaluations for distant metastasis and locally advanced unresectability in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).MethodsA total of 200 consecutive patients with PDAC who presented to the outpatient clinic between June 2009 and October 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. Clinical factors and the serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19‐9, DUPAN‐2 (pancreatic cancer‐associated antigen) and CA 125 were analyzed.ResultsOf the 200 patients who were investigated for PDAC, 60 (30%) were initially considered unresectable (15 patients with locally advanced tumors, 45 patients with distant metastases). Of the 136 (68%) patients who were surgically explored, 19 (9.5%) were detected to have minute metastases on laparotomy. A multivariate analysis revealed that tumor size (≥30 mm) and abnormalities in the levels of DUPAN‐2 and CA 125 were independent predictors of unresectability (P = 0.002, 0.014, < 0.001, respectively). The patients with triple positive findings presented with the highest sensitivity (78.8%) for unresectability.ConclusionsPatients with triple positive findings for a tumor size ≥30 mm, abnormalities in the levels of DUPAN‐2 and CA 125 should receive precise evaluations for unresectability.
Modelling of chloride ingress into concrete through a single‐ion approach. Application to an idealized surface crack pattern
Authors: Guzmán Santiago , Gálvez Jaime C. , Sancho José M. 
Published: April 2014

SUMMARYThe paper examines ion (chloride) transport equations in porous media (concrete) integrated over a representative elementary volume, that is to say, averaging over the macroscopic level the phenomena that occur really at the pore scale. There are three basic variables to be used: chloride concentration, moisture and temperature. The diffusion process is examined, in addition to other phenomena such as convection (the motion of dissolved substances caused by flow of water in a pore solution of partially saturated media) or chloride binding (the capacity of free chloride of being chemically bound, particularly with C3A to form Friedel salts). Contrary to other approaches, such effects are not considered by means of apparent diffusion coefficients but by developing the complete set of time‐dependent equations for both the chloride concentration within the pore solution and the moisture content within the pore space.Once the general model is described, the system of equations can be solved numerically by means of a two‐dimensional finite element formulation. The main objective is to reproduce results of experimental tests by means of a priori parameter estimation, according to the characteristics of materials and external environment conditions, thereby superseding the well‐known best fit a posteriori through Fick's second equation.While the introduction of hygrometric conditions and convection phenomena appears to be of high significance, other factors like temperature, surface concentration, chloride binding or equivalent hydration time are analysed too. The proposed model can reproduce bidimensional complex geometries, for example, cracked concrete cover, as well as variable surface condition. An application case is developed through a realistic model of the geometry of a crack. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mixed‐species biofilm compromises wound healing by disrupting epidermal barrier function
Authors: Roy Sashwati , Elgharably Haytham , Sinha Mithun , Ganesh Kasturi , Chaney Sarah , Mann Ethan , Miller Christina , Khanna Savita , Bergdall Valerie K , Powell Heather M , Cook Charles H , Gordillo Gayle M , Wozniak Daniel J , Sen Chandan K 
Published: April 2014

AbstractIn chronic wounds, biofilm infects host tissue for extended periods of time. This work establishes the first chronic preclinical model of wound biofilm infection aimed at addressing the long‐term host response. Although biofilm‐infected wounds did not show marked differences in wound closure, the repaired skin demonstrated compromised barrier function. This observation is clinically significant, because it leads to the notion that even if a biofilm infected wound is closed, as observed visually, it may be complicated by the presence of failed skin, which is likely to be infected and/or further complicated postclosure. Study of the underlying mechanisms recognized for the first time biofilm‐inducible miR‐146a and miR‐106b in the host skin wound‐edge tissue. These miRs silenced ZO‐1 and ZO‐2 to compromise tight junction function, resulting in leaky skin as measured by transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Intervention strategies aimed at inhibiting biofilm‐inducible miRNAs may be productive in restoring the barrier function of host skin. Copyright © 2014 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
First‐trimester maternal factors and biomarker screening for preeclampsia
Authors: Poon Leona C. , Nicolaides Kypros H. 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTPreeclampsia (PE), which affects about 2% of pregnancies, is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. PE can be subdivided into early onset PE with delivery <34 weeks' gestation and late onset PE with delivery ≥34 weeks. Early onset PE is associated with a higher incidence of adverse outcome. This review illustrates that effective screening for the development of early onset PE can be provided in the first‐trimester of pregnancy. Screening by a combination of maternal risk factors, mean arterial pressure, uterine artery Doppler, maternal serum pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A and placental growth factor can identify about 95% of cases of early onset PE for a false‐positive rate of 10%. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Back amorphous‐crystalline silicon heterojunction (BACH) photovoltaic device with facile‐grown oxide ‐ PECVD SiNx passivation
Authors: Chowdhury Zahidur R , Kherani Nazir P 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThis article reports on the integration of facile native oxide‐based passivation of crystalline silicon surfaces within the back amorphous‐crystalline silicon heterojunction solar cell concept. The new passivation scheme consists of 1‐nm thick native oxide and nominally 70‐nm thick PECVD silicon nitride. The low temperature passivation scheme provides uniform high quality surface passivation and low parasitic optical absorption. The interdigitated doped hydrogenated amorphous silicon layers were deposited on the rear side of the silicon wafer using the direct current saddle field PECVD technique. A systematic analysis of a series of back amorphous‐crystalline silicon heterojunction cells is carried out in order to examine the influence of the various cell parameters (interdigital gap, n‐doped region width, ratio of widths of p, and n‐doped regions) on cell performance. A photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 16.7 % is obtained for an untextured cell illuminated under AM 1.5 global spectrum (cell parameters: VOC of 641 mV, JSC of 33.7 mA‐cm  − 2 and fill factor of 77.3 %). Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Failure analysis of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 photovoltaic modules: degradation mechanism of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells under harsh environmental conditions
Authors: Lee Dong‐Won , Cho Won‐Ju , Song Jun‐Kwang , Kwon Oh‐Yun , Lee Won‐Hee , Park Chi‐Hong , Park Kyung‐Eun , Lee Heesoo , Kim Yong‐Nam 
Published: April 2014

AbstractHigh‐temperature‐induced and humidity‐induced degradation behaviors were investigated through the failure analysis of encapsulated Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) modules and non‐encapsulated CIGS cells. After being exposed to high temperature (85 °C) for 1000 h, the efficiency loss of CIGS modules and the resistivities of the aluminum‐doped zinc oxide (AZO) layer, CIGS layer, and Mo layer were slightly increased. After damp heat (DH) testing (85 °C/85% RH), the efficiency of some modules decreased significantly accompanied by discoloration, and in these areas, the resistivity of the AZO layers increased markedly. The causes of degradation of CIGS cells after high temperature and DH tests were suggested through X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. The high‐temperature‐induced degradation behaviors were revealed to be increases in series resistance of the CIGS cells, due to the adsorption of oxygen on the AZO, CIGS, and Mo layers. The degradation behavior after DH (85 °C/85% RH) exposure was caused by the adsorption of oxygen, as well as the generation of Zn(OH)2 due to water molecules. In particular, the humidity‐induced degradation behavior in discolored CIGS modules was ascribed to the generation of Zn(OH)2 and carboxylic acids in the AZO layer, due to a chemical reaction between the AZO, ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymer, and water. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.