Hepatic fibrosis has been associated with a series of pathophysiological processes causing excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins. Several cellular processes and molecular mechanisms have been implicated in the diseased liver that augments fibrogenesis, fibrogenic cytokines and associated liver complications. Liver biopsy remains an essential diagnostic tool for histological evaluation of hepatic fibrosis to establish a prognosis. In addition to being invasive, this methodology presents with several limitations including poor cost-effectiveness, prolonged hospitalizations, and risks of peritoneal bleeding, while the clinical use of this method does not reveal underlying pathogenic mechanisms. Several alternate noninvasive diagnostic strategies have been developed, to determine the extent of hepatic fibrosis, including the use of direct and indirect biomarkers. Immediate diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis by noninvasive means would be more palatable than a biopsy and could assist clinicians in taking early interventions timely, avoiding fatal complications, and improving prognosis. Therefore, we sought to review some common biomarkers of liver fibrosis along with some emerging candidates, including the oxidative stress-mediated biomarkers, epigenetic and genetic markers, exosomes, and miRNAs that needs further evaluation and would have better sensitivity and specificity. We also aim to elucidate the potential role of cardiotonic steroids (CTS) and evaluate the pro-inflammatory and profibrotic effects of CTS in exacerbating hepatic fibrosis. By understanding the underlying pathogenic processes, the efficacy of these biomarkers could allow for early diagnosis and treatment of hepatic fibrosis in chronic liver diseases, once validated.

from Michigan State University. His area of expertise is in cementitious composites which includes: fracture and fatigue mechanics of quasi-brittle materials, recycled concrete, conductive concrete, reinforced concrete, pervious concrete, geopolymer, and structural dynamics. He currently teaches a wide array of courses that includes statics, reinforced concrete design, structural analysis, and materials engineering. Dr. Brake actively integrates project based and peer assisted learning pedagogies into his courses.Dr. James C. Curry Dr. James Curry is an Associate Professor in the Lamar Industrial Engineering department.c American Society for Engineering Education, 2016The impact of one-credit introductory engineering courses on engineering self-efficacy: seminar v. project-based AbstractThis evidence-based practice paper presents the results of two different one-credit introductory engineering courses: i) a project based and peer assisted learning introductory engineering course focusing on the civil engineering discipline and ii) a seminar course focusing on career planning and design and process improvement theory. The courses were developed to prepare college civil engineering freshman for the rigor of upper level engineering courses by introducing them to various engineering systems, design philosophies, and basic engineering computations. A onecredit first-year introductory course can be utilized by institutions who are limited by state mandated maximum total credit-hours and cost, but still require sufficient student engagement, motivation, and retention.In the project-based course, a special focus is placed on civil engineering systems which includes topics on structural health monitoring, concrete materials, heat of hydration, wind energy harvesting, automobile fuel consumption, vibration and earthquake engineering, and CAD drawing/3D printing. The students are required to complete mini-projects that supplement each of these topics. The projects introduce the students to Microsoft Excel®, PowerPoint®, Pasco®, StaadPro®, and 3D AutoCAD®. The students also learn how to use non-linear solvers for inverse analysis problems, handle large data sets from various sensor outputs, conduct regression analysis, numerically differentiate and integrate, optimize, create technical memos, lab reports, posters, and prepare their resumes.The seminar course focuses on engineering as a career. The course presents topic seminars on career advice, professional organizations, co-op / internships, and a discussion of the different engineering disciplines. The course also covers cross-discipline trendy topics including automation, lean, six sigma and project management. The assignments in this course include building a resume, identifying in-demand skills using job postings, and reading assignments on project management and lean engineering. The grading is based on assignments and attendance.There is a need to evaluate these courses effectiveness in increasing students' engineering selfefficacy, confidence, and motivation, and j...

His research interests include Engineering Education, Computer haptics, CAD/CAM, high performance computing, meta-heuristics, multi-axis NC surface machining.

His research interests include Engineering Education, Computer haptics, CAD/CAM, high performance computing, meta-heuristics, multi-axis NC surface machining.

This paper reports a 2+2 Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering (BSIE) online option at Lamar University (LU), first launched in fall 2014 after ABET's vote to continue the program's accreditation in light of this online program option. It is the first BSIE 2+2 online program in the country. Students may choose to complete their first two years' regular fundamental courses at LU, at a community college or other university. Then they may choose to complete the last two years at LU via distance education. All online courses are delivered and managed through the Blackboard system. Some courses are currently under review by the rigorous 'Quality Matters' standard and as an objective, all courses will need to pass the standard requirement. Several courses have lab requirements. Some labs, such as Work Design, were converted to video-based labs; while for other labs, such as Manufacturing Processes, students come to campus for one or two long weekend labs during the program. The courses' labs that require software such as PTC Creo and Rockwell Arena are administered interactively in real time via Adobe Connect. Students can access the professional version of the campus software via a Remote Desktop system. The senior design course is a project based class with the same structure as our face to face track. This program provides a unique pathway for completing an engineering degree that allows students who cannot attend full time due to work, location and family responsibilities to complete an engineering degree. While a significant number of students attend pre-engineering programs at community colleges, the number of students who are interested and capable of completing an online program is significantly less. A second population of students who drop out of engineering programs for work or family reasons after completing sophomore courses also has interest in this program. In addition to presenting the program design and operation, this paper discusses the potential market for the program nationwide, preliminary student performance, and the results of a faculty survey about online courses.