Minority Graduates in Engineering Technology: Trends in Choice of Major

The paper presents a demographic analysis of college graduates in engineering technology (ET). The paper intends to investigate the graduates’ background, population, and choice of major. Graduates in ET are a much smaller population than those found in other Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs. Little publishing exists about who they are and how long it took to pursue their degree while examining other available demographic data. The delineation of this paper does not include computer science and computer technology programs. Several opinions exist about who these students are, where they come from, and what interests them. The paper presents a view of existing data of the most extensive undergraduate ET programs at a Midwestern university. The authors aimed to clarify a number of these opinions and determine if further study is warranted, mainly providing direction and form of that future work. The authors built their conclusions on the processed data results in such categories as basic demographics, gender, ethnicity, program changes, and graduation majors. The authors analyzed the University-provided demographics data as reported by college graduates in ET. The authors established gender and ethnic patterns and then addressed two research questions. The authors used ethnicity as a lens to explore the undergraduate experiences of female and minority graduates in ET. The first research question allowed the authors to establish the proportion of ET graduates\u27 ethnicities and compare it to the proportion of ethnicities in the United States population. The development of a response to the second research question uses ethnicity as a lens, investigating how female ET students navigate and establish their major, while focusing on representation in their respective ethnic groups. Future research can include examining the data for insight into who applies for funding, scholarships, and other means to support themselves while pursuing a degree in technology. The paper provides the readers with the foundational elements to further explore the ET student population and determine what funding or financial needs may encourage more students to pursue a degree in ET. Using this more extensive institutional database will provide a means to further the authors’ understanding of student perception, needs, and those factors that influence their education decisions at a bachelor\u27s degree level. The result of this work will begin to lead educators and administrators in their quest to diversify and increase student populations in ET

Polycomb repressive complex PRC1 spatially constrains the mouse embryonic stem cell genome.

The Polycomb repressive complexes PRC1 and PRC2 maintain embryonic stem cell (ESC) pluripotency by silencing lineage-specifying developmental regulator genes. Emerging evidence suggests that Polycomb complexes act through controlling spatial genome organization. We show that PRC1 functions as a master regulator of mouse ESC genome architecture by organizing genes in three-dimensional interaction networks. The strongest spatial network is composed of the four Hox gene clusters and early developmental transcription factor genes, the majority of which contact poised enhancers. Removal of Polycomb repression leads to disruption of promoter-promoter contacts in the Hox gene network. In contrast, promoter-enhancer contacts are maintained in the absence of Polycomb repression, with accompanying widespread acquisition of active chromatin signatures at network enhancers and pronounced transcriptional upregulation of network genes. Thus, PRC1 physically constrains developmental transcription factor genes and their enhancers in a silenced but poised spatial network. We propose that the selective release of genes from this spatial network underlies cell fate specification during early embryonic development

Turbine Generator Performance Dashboard for Predictive Maintenance Strategies

Equipment health is the root of productivity and profitability in a company; through the use of machine learning and advancements in computing power, a maintenance strategy known as Predictive Maintenance(PdM) has emerged. The predictive maintenance approach utilizes performance and condition data to forecast necessary machine repairs. Predicting maintenance needs reduces the likelihood of operational errors, aids in the avoidance of production failures, and allows for preplanned outages. The PdM strategy is based on machine-specific data, which proves to be a valuable tool. The machine data provides quantitative proof of operation patterns and production while offering machine health insights that may otherwise go unnoticed. Purdue University’s Wade Utility Plant is responsible for providing reliable utility services for the campus community. The Wade Utility Plant has invested in an equipment monitoring system for a thirty-megawatt turbine generator. The equipment monitoring system records operational and performance data as the turbine generator supplies campus with electricity and high-pressure steam. Unplanned and surprise maintenance needs in the turbine generator hinder utility production and lessen the dependability of the system. The work of this study leverages the turbine generator data the Wade Utility Plant records and stores, to justify equipment care and provide early error detection at an in-house level. The research collects and aggregates operational, monitoring and performance-based data for the turbine generator in Microsoft Excel, creating a dashboard which visually displays and statistically monitors variables for discrepancies. The dashboard records ninety days of data, tracked hourly, determining averages, extrema, and alerting the user as data approaches recommended warning levels. Microsoft Excel offers a low-cost and accessible platform for data collection and analysis providing an adaptable and comprehensible collection of data from a turbine generator. The dashboard offers visual trends, simple statistics, and status updates using 90 days of user selected data. This dashboard offers the ability to forecast maintenance needs, plan work outages, and adjust operations while continuing to provide reliable services that meet Purdue University’s utility demands

Math Anxiety – A Literature Review on Confounding Factors

Math anxiety presents adverse psychological effects, inducing feelings of dread, panic, helplessness, and mental disorganization. Researchers hypothesize that feelings of anxiety are highly influential on a student's working memory during mathematical computations, coupled. with over-reliance on high-stakes diagnostic math exams which strengthen negative mindsets, ultimately presenting math as a high-risk subject. Researchers question why and how an individual develops math anxiety, though an agreed-upon answer has yet to be accepted. This purpose of this paper is to investigate global literature through themes commonly associated to a person’s math anxiety. The paper includes one’ innate predisposition to mathematical problem solving, the effects of one’s previous math performance, as well as environmental impacts such as education systems, familial relationships, and resources, as well as society-held viewpoints and clichés a student faces while approaching math. The paper concludes with tactics for a student’s success in alleviating math anxiety and draws conclusions on future work needed academia, which centers around data driven research on social stereotypes, the impacts of support in learning environments, and the impacts of math-anxiety in future education and career paths

Guideline for the non-surgical management of hip and knee osteoarthritis

Introduction: Chronic disease is a major public health burden on Australian society. An increasing proportion of the population has risk factors for, or at least one, chronic disease, leading to increasing public health costs. Health service policy and delivery must not only address acute conditions, it must also effectively respond to the wide range of health and public service requirements of people with chronic illness.1,2 Strong primary health care policy is an important foundation for a successful national health delivery system and long term management of public health, and is linked to practical outcomes including lower mortality, decreased hospitalisation and improved health outcomes.1 National strategic health policy has recently given increased recognition to the importance of chronic disease management, with the Australian Federal Government endorsement of a number of initiatives for the prevention (or delay in onset), early detection and evidence based management of chronic disease, including osteoarthritis.1,3 Chronic musculoskeletal conditions, including arthritis, account for over 4% of the national disease burden in terms of disability adjusted life years. Over 6 million Australians (almost one-third of the population) are estimated to have a chronic musculoskeletal disease; chronic musculoskeletal disease represents the main cause of long term pain and physical disability. In Australia, osteoarthritis is self reported by more than 1.4 million people (7.3% of the population4) and is the tenth most commonly managed problem in general practice.5 This number is set to rise as the elderly population grows. Osteoarthritis exerts a significant burden on the individual and the community through reduction in quality of life, diminished employment capacity and an increase in health care costs. For further details, refer to the Evidence to support the National Action Plan for Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoporosis: Opportunities to improve health-related quality of life and reduce the burden of disease and disability (2004).6As such, federal government health policy has identified arthritis as a National Health Priority Area and adopted a number of initiatives aimed at decreasing the burden of chronic disease and disability; raising awareness of preventive disease factors; providing access to evidence based knowledge; and improving the overall management of arthritis within the community.4 In 2002, all Australian health ministers designated arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions as Australia&rsquo;s seventh National Health Priority Area. In response, a National Action Plan was developed in 2004 by the National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions Advisory Group (NAMSCAG).6 The aim of this document was to provide a blueprint for national initiatives to improve the health related quality of life of people living with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis; reduce the cost and prevalence of these conditions; and reduce the impact on individuals, their carers and their communities within Australia. The National Action Plan was developed to complement both the National Chronic Disease Strategy &ndash; which is broader &ndash; and the National Service Improvement Framework for Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoporosis, in addition to other national and state/ territory structures.<br /

Microbial Phenolic Metabolites in Urine Are Inversely Linked to Certain Features of Metabolic Syndrome in Spanish Adolescents

(1) Background: To explore the association between microbial phenolic metabolites (MPM) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its clinical features in adolescents aged 12.02 &plusmn; 0.41 years. (2) Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted in 560 participants at baseline in the SI! Program for Secondary Schools trial. The following MPM, coumaric acids (m-, o-, p-coumaric acids), dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid, dihydroresveratrol, enterolignans, gallic acid, hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxyphenylacetic acid, hydroxytyrosol, protocatechuic acid, syringic acid, urolithins (A, B), and vanillic acid, were analyzed by HPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-HRMS. MetS and its clinical features were defined in accordance with the International Diabetes Federation. (3) Results: Out of all MPM, urolithin A was inversely associated with the diastolic blood pressure z-score. Urolithin B was inversely associated with the MetS score and waist circumference z-score. Additionally, higher levels of gallic acid were associated with lower odds of presenting MetS (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.77; 0.93) and abdominal obesity (OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.89; 0.98). Higher urolithin B levels were inversely associated with abdominal obesity (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.89; 0.98) and high blood glucose (OR = 0.92, 95% CI:0.88; 0.96); (4) Conclusions: gallic acid, urolithin A and B were associated with lower odds of presenting MetS or some of its clinical features in adolescents. This is the first study that evaluates several MPM with MetS in adolescents, highlighting the importance of MPM on cardiometabolic health at early life stages

Microbial Phenolic Metabolites in Urine Are Inversely Linked to Certain Features of Metabolic Syndrome in Spanish Adolescents

(1) Background: To explore the association between microbial phenolic metabolites (MPM) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its clinical features in adolescents aged 12.02 ± 0.41 years. (2) Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted in 560 participants at baseline in the SI! Program for Secondary Schools trial. The following MPM, coumaric acids (m-, o-, p-coumaric acids), dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid, dihydroresveratrol, enterolignans, gallic acid, hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxyphenylacetic acid, hydroxytyrosol, protocatechuic acid, syringic acid, urolithins (A, B), and vanillic acid, were analyzed by HPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-HRMS. MetS and its clinical features were defined in accordance with the International Diabetes Federation. (3) Results: Out of all MPM, urolithin A was inversely associated with the diastolic blood pressure z-score. Urolithin B was inversely associated with the MetS score and waist circumference z-score. Additionally, higher levels of gallic acid were associated with lower odds of presenting MetS (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.77; 0.93) and abdominal obesity (OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.89; 0.98). Higher urolithin B levels were inversely associated with abdominal obesity (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.89; 0.98) and high blood glucose (OR = 0.92, 95% CI:0.88; 0.96); (4) Conclusions: gallic acid, urolithin A and B were associated with lower odds of presenting MetS or some of its clinical features in adolescents. This is the first study that evaluates several MPM with MetS in adolescents, highlighting the importance of MPM on cardiometabolic health at early life stages. © 2022 by the authors

Target product profiles:tests for tuberculosis treatment monitoring and optimization

The World Health Organization has developed target product profiles containing minimum and optimum targets for key characteristics for tests for tuberculosis treatment monitoring and optimization. Tuberculosis treatment optimization refers to initiating or switching to an effective tuberculosis treatment regimen that results in a high likelihood of a good treatment outcome. The target product profiles also cover tests of cure conducted at the end of treatment. The development of the target product profiles was informed by a stakeholder survey, a cost-effectiveness analysis and a patient-care pathway analysis. Additional feedback from stakeholders was obtained by means of a Delphi-like process, a technical consultation and a call for public comment on a draft document. A scientific development group agreed on the final targets in a consensus meeting. For characteristics rated of highest importance, the document lists: (i) high diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity and specificity); (ii) time to result of optimally ≤ 2 hours and no more than 1 day; (iii) required sample type to be minimally invasive, easily obtainable, such as urine, breath, or capillary blood, or a respiratory sample that goes beyond sputum; (iv) ideally the test could be placed at a peripheral-level health facility without a laboratory; and (v) the test should be affordable to low- and middle-income countries, and allow wide and equitable access and scale-up. Use of these target product profiles should facilitate the development of new tuberculosis treatment monitoring and optimization tests that are accurate and accessible for all people being treated for tuberculosis.</p