Many Years In Industry Research Articles

Comparison of Returning and Direct Pathway Graduate Engineering Students

Some graduate engineering students, returners, have spent many years in industry before returning to school. Others, direct pathway students, complete a master’s degree along with the undergraduate degree or go back to school fairly quickly after their undergraduate degree has been obtained. The focus of this study was to investigate the differences and similarities in direct pathway and returners. Differences include the rationale for obtaining a degree, the assumption that teamwork is essential to success, and specific self-efficacy statements. Those who have spent time in industry change disciplines more often. Similarities include no difference in graduate grade point averages (GPAs), while undergraduate GPAs are different for the two groups, and there is no difference in the calculus concept inventory.

Metabolomics of the recovery of the filamentous fungus Cunninghamella echinulata exposed to tributyltin

The exposure of microorganisms to toxic compounds induces a range of responses at different levels of the cell morphology, biochemistry and physiology. Tributyltin (TBT) is a highly toxic compound used for many years in industry as a marine anti-fouling agent or as a biocide in preservatives of wood. We previously described a microscopic filamentous fungus Cunninghamella echinulata IM 2611 capable of efficient degradation of TBT at a high concentration. Additionally, we demonstrated that TBT showed a negative effect on fungal growth, as well as protein and amino acid profiles. This study used microscopic, metabolic and targeted metabolomic analyses for a better understanding of the processes occurring in the fungal hyphae of C. echinulata during exposure to highly toxic TBT. The exposure to TBT strongly inhibited the metabolic activity of C. echinulata, leading to changes in the hyphal structure. In addition, the study showed disturbances in the functioning of the major biochemical pathways in the cells through changes in the profile of metabolites belonging to glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, amino acids and nucleotides pathways. Despite many adverse changes, the fungus was able to recover in the toxic environment.

Practical applications of design of experiments in the field of engineering: a bibliographical review

AbstractThe design of experiments (DoE) methodology is a technique that has been applied for many years in industry to improve quality. In this study, a summary of 77 cases of practical DoE application in the field of engineering is presented. All of the cases were published in important scientific journals between 2001 and 2005. The type of design that is applied, the size of the experiment, the number of factors that influence the response variable, and the sector of application of the design are analyzed. In addition, the increasing use of these designs over time is demonstrated. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Are universities in business?

University staff are concerned about their customers - the name they give to students to illustrate the importance of running a proper business. The desire by all types of organisation to be compared to an unregulated profit-making trading company - strongly encouraged by UK governments since the privatisation campaign started - can be very misleading and sometimes absurd. After many years in industry and now quite a few in university, teaching management and business skills, the author asks how well a university matches up to this instinct to be businesslike and how it should teach management and business skills to its postgraduate students.

A self-contained radiographic unit.

Radiography of operative and autopsy specimens is a vital part of the practice of hospital and academic radiology. Unfortunately very little has been done in this area because of problems in transporting specimens or transporting portable x-ray equipment. As part of the Harbor General Hospital Mammography Training Project, we have been attempting to radiograph postoperative breast specimens. For this we have found efficient a small radiographic unit2 that is completely enclosed in lead shielding. The focal spot of 0.5 mm allows radiographs of great detail. A variable timer and kilovoltage control is available with a maximum of 110 kVp at continuous 3 mAs. The unit has many obvious advantages. Completely self-contained, it can be wheeled anywhere in the hospital and plugged into any 110-volt mes A.C. operation. The unit is entirely shielded with lead, with a safety interlock incorporated in the door. There is essentially no radiation leakage, resulting in virtually no radiation exposure even to the operator. We have utilized the unit in a variety of ways. We have carried surgical and autopsy specimens to the Radiology Department for radiography. We have wheeled the unit to the foyer of the Surgical Suite to radiograph specimens before they are taken to the pathologist's laboratory. Finally, we have used the machine in the pathologist's laboratory, working side by side with the pathologist as he processes the gross material. In summary, a self-contained, virtually fool-proof radiographic unit that has been in use for many years in industry is described. Its application in our hospital is reported. If sufficient medical interest is aroused, it is possible that a suitable unit designed specifically for medical use could be designed and made available.