bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Storage and Preservation of Artificial Sweeteners in Groundwater Samples
Authors: Saurette Emily M. , Groza Laura G. , Blowes David W. , Ptacek Carol J. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractCompound‐specific standardized sampling and storage methods are not available for artificial sweeteners found in groundwater. This study aimed to understand: (1) the appropriate length of storage time for samples containing acesulfame (ACE), sucralose (SUC), saccharin (SAC), and cyclamate (CYC) in simulated groundwater (SGW); (2) conditions of their stability; and (3) which sampling materials are appropriate for sample collection. The evaluated storage conditions included acidification, headspace, exposure to light, and refrigeration; the evaluated sampling materials included steel, stainless steel, aluminum, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide (nylon), polypropylene (PharMed BPT™) tubing, styrene‐ethylene‐butylene co‐polymer (MasterFlex™) tubing, and polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon™) tubing. All compounds evaluated were stable in storage at 4 °C for 241 d (8 months). Concentrations of artificial sweeteners were consistently within 60% to 120% of original concentrations, except ACE and SAC that were substantially lower under acidified conditions at 25 °C after 241 d. Artificial sweetener concentrations remained nearly constant while in contact with all sampling materials except steel. SEM and TEM images showed oxidation of steel occurred; moreover, removal of all artificial sweetener compounds from aqueous solution had occurred after 289 d. These results suggest artificial sweetener analyses conducted within 14 d of sample collection produce optimal results; however, longer storage times may be acceptable under certain conditions. The results also suggest concentrations of artificial sweeteners in SGW are not affected by contact with typical well casing, sampling, and storage materials, with the exception of steel. The findings from this study will improve the use of artificial sweeteners as tracers in environmental studies.
Novel Well Completions in Small Diameter Coreholes Created Using Portable Rock Drills
Authors: Pierce Amanda A. , Parker Beth L. , Ingleton Robert , Cherry John A. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractDifficult access conditions have limited techniques for groundwater system characterization and monitoring in bedrock exposed landscapes. This condition is common in the mining industry and resulted in the development of lightweight portable drills. This paper describes how these drills were used at a contaminated site to understand the groundwater flow system by adapting piezometer designs, ensuring effective seals to obtain reliable hydraulic head, hydrochemistry, and contaminant concentrations. Two drilling machines were evaluated: the Shaw Portable Core Drill™ fits in a backpack and can advance continuously cored rock holes, nominal 51 millimeters (mm) diameter, to depths up to approximately 15 meters (m); and the larger Winkie Drill™ requires a two or more people to mobilize and can advance continuously cored holes, nominal 48 mm diameter, to depths of approximately 45 m. The resulting small diameter coreholes were accommodated in the design of each well using a seal created by injecting grout into a semipermeable fabric sleeve. This “fabric sleeve” serves as a means to contain the grout and ensures that the entire annulus above the screen is sealed without loss of grout into the formation, allowing the well to perform as a piezometer. To develop and demonstrate this methodology for groundwater monitoring in bedrock, the two drills were used in drainages located along the slopes of an elevated sandstone outcrop near Los Angeles, California. Unique insights into the groundwater flow system of this bedrock environment, which would otherwise be unattainable, were achieved. This methodology overcomes the accessibility limitations of conventional drilling methods that prevent installation of wells in remote and rugged mountainous terrains.
1,4‐Dioxane Soil Remediation Using Enhanced Soil Vapor Extraction: I. Field Demonstration
Authors: Hinchee Robert E. , Dahlen Paul R. , Johnson Paul C. , Burris David R. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract1,4‐Dioxane is totally miscible in water, sequestering in vadose pore water that can serve as a source of long‐term groundwater contamination. Although some 1,4‐dioxane is removed by conventional soil vapor extraction (SVE), remediation is typically inefficient. SVE efficiency is hindered by low Henry’s Law constants at ambient temperature and redistribution to vadose pore water if SVE wells pull 1,4‐dioxane vapors across previously clean soil. It was hypothesized that heated air injection and more focused SVE extraction (“Enhanced SVE” or XSVE) could increase the efficiency of 1,4‐dioxane vadose treatment, and this new process was tested at former McClellan Air Force Base, CA. The XSVE system had four peripheral heated air injection wells surrounding a 6.1 m × 6.1 m × 9.1 m deep treatment zone with a central vapor extraction well. After 14 months of operation, soil temperatures reached as high as ~90 °C near the injection wells and the treatment zone was flushed with ~20,000 pore volumes of injected air. Post‐treatment sampling results showed reductions of ~94% in 1,4‐dioxane and ~45% in soil moisture. Given the simplicity of the remediation system components and the promising demonstration test results, XSVE has the potential to be a cost‐effective remediation option for vadose zone soil containing 1,4‐dioxane.
Detection and function of lipopolysaccharide and its purified lipid A after treatment with auxiliary chemical substances and calcium hydroxide dressings used in root canal treatment
Authors: Marinho A. C. S. , To T. T. , Darveau R. P. , Gomes B. P. F. A. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAimTo investigate the influence of auxiliary chemical substances (ACSs) and calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] dressings on lipopolysaccharides (LPS)/lipid A detection and its functional ability in activating Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4).MethodologyFusobacterium nucleatum pellets were exposed to antimicrobial agents as following: (i) ACS: 5.25%, 2.5% and 1% sodium hypochlorite solutions (NaOCl), 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) (gel and solution) and 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA); (ii) intracanal medicament: Ca(OH)2 paste for various periods (1 h, 24 h, 7 days, 14 days and 30 days); (iii) combination of substances: (a) 2.5% NaOCl (1 h), followed by 17% EDTA (3 min) and Ca(OH)2 (7 days); (b) 2% CHX (1 h), afterwards, 17% EDTA (3 min) followed by Ca(OH)2 (7 days). Saline solution was the control. Samples were submitted to LPS isolation and lipid A purification. Lipid A peaks were assessed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrom (MALDI‐TOF MS) whilst LPS bands by SDS–PAGE separation and silver staining. TLR4 activation determined LPS function activities. Statistical comparisons were carried out using one‐way anova with Tukey–Kramer post‐hoc tests at the 5% significance level.ResultsMatrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry analysis of control lipid A demonstrated the ion cluster at mass/charge (m/z) 1882 and an intense band in SDS–PAGE followed by silver staining of control LPS. In parallel, LPS control induced a robust TLR4 activation when compared to ACS (P ≤ .001). 5.25% NaOCl treatment led to the absence of lipid A peaks and LPS bands, whilst no changes occurred to lipid A/LPS after treatment with others ACS. Concomitantly, 5.25% NaOCl‐treated LPS did not activate TLR4 (P < .0001). As for Ca(OH)2, lipid A was not detected by MALDI‐TOF nor by gel electrophoresis within 24 h. LPS treated with Ca(OH)2 was a weak TLR4 activator (P < .0001). From 24 h onwards, no significant differences were found amongst the time periods tested (P > 0.05). The addition of Ca(OH)2 for 7 days to cells treated either with 2.5% NaOCl or 2% CHX led to the absence of lipid A peaks and LPS bands, leading to a lower activation of TLR4.Conclusion5.25% NaOCl and Ca(OH)2 dressings from 24 h onwards were able to induce both, loss of lipid A peaks and no detection of LPS bands, rendering a diminished immunostimulatory activity through TLR4.
RESIDUAL WAGE DISPERSION WITH EFFICIENCY WAGES
Authors: Piyapromdee Suphanit 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis article extends a classic on‐the‐job search model of homogeneous workers and firms by introducing a shirking problem. Workers choose their effort levels and search on the job. Firms elicit effort through wages and monitoring; an inverse relationship between wages and monitoring rates is derived. Wages play a dual role by allocating labor supply and motivating employee effort. This gives rise to an equilibrium wage distribution that contrasts with existing literature. In particular, I show that a hump‐shaped and positively skewed wage distribution, as observed empirically, can be derived even when firms and workers are, respectively, identical.
THE EFFECT OF AN EARLY CAREER RECESSION ON SCHOOLING AND LIFETIME WELFARE
Authors: Guo Naijia 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis article evaluates the lifetime welfare and labor market consequences of experiencing a recession during youth, using a directed search equilibrium model with heterogeneous agents and aggregate shocks. In particular, the model allows for endogenous schooling decisions over the business cycles. The counterfactual analysis shows that experiencing the 1981–82 recession in youth causes a 1.6%–2.3% loss in lifetime welfare. Endogenizing the schooling decision avoids overestimation of welfare loss because of the selection effect and the human capital effect. I also decompose lifetime wage changes into different channels: changes from schooling, work experience, and job mobility.
Evidence‐based nursing outputs and hot spot analysis of the last 5 years in mainland China: Results of a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Zhao Junqiang , Liu Xinjuan , Zhang Wei , Xing Yana , Cho Sang Wouk , Hao Yufang 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundEvidence‐based nursing has been highlighted and highly developed in recent decades in mainland China. Nevertheless, little is known about its overall development.AimsTo gain insights on the overall development of evidence‐based nursing in the most recent 5 years and to inform future evidence‐based nursing research in mainland China.MethodFour Chinese and four English databases were searched with the search terms “evidence‐based practice,” “nurse or nursing,” and “China or Chinese” from 2012 to 2016. Bibliometric and co‐word cluster analysis were conducted with the final included publications.ResultsA total of 9036 papers published by 13 808 authors in 606 journals were included. Publication numbers were increasing. None of the top ten journals publishing evidence‐based nursing papers were core nursing journals. The research hot spots on evidence‐based nursing in the recent five years were cardiovascular disease, mental health, and complication prevention. However, little attention has been paid to education for evidence‐based nursing.ConclusionEvidence‐based nursing has penetrated into various nursing branches in mainland China and become a well‐recognized and relatively mature research domain. More importance should be attached to the study design, methodological, and reporting quality of evidence‐based nursing projects.
The educational preparation of nurses in a developing economy and patient mortality
Authors: Mahfoud Z. R. , Gkantaras I. , Topping A. E. , Cannaby A. M. , Foreman B. , Watson R. , Thompson D. R. , Gray R. 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundMost studies have reported that higher levels (baccalaureate degree) of educational attainment by nurses are associated with lower levels of patient mortality. Researchers working in developed economies (e.g. North America and Europe) have almost exclusively conducted these studies. The value of baccalaureate nurse education has not been tested in countries with a developing economy.MethodA retrospective observational study conducted in seven hospitals. Patient mortality was the main outcome of interest. Anonymized data were extracted from nurses and patients from two different administrative sources and linked using the staff identification number that exists in both systems. We used bivariate logistic regression models to test the association between mortality and the educational attainment of the admitting nurse (responsible for assessment and care planning).ResultsData were extracted for 11 918 (12, 830 admissions) patients and 7415 nurses over the first 6 months of 2015. The majority of nurses were educated in South Asia and just over half were educated to at least bachelor degree level. After adjusting for confounding and clustering, nurse education was not found to be associated with mortality.Implications for nursing and health policyOur observations may suggest that in a developing economy, the academic level of nurses’ education is not associated with a reduction in patient mortality. Findings should be interpreted with considerable caution but do challenge widely held assumptions about the value of baccalaureate‐prepared nurses. Further research focused on nursing education in developing economies is required to inform health policy and planning.
Trends of hospitalizations for syncope/collapse in the United States from 2004 to 2013–An analysis of national inpatient sample
Authors: Anand Vidhu , Benditt David G. , Adkisson Wayne O. , Garg Sushil , George Stephen A. , Adabag Selcuk 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIntroductionSyncope/collapse is a common reason for emergency department visits, and approximately 30–40% of these individuals are hospitalized. We examined changes in hospitalization rates, in‐hospital mortality, and cost of syncope/collapse‐related hospital care in the United States from 2004 to 2013.MethodsWe used the US Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2004 to 2013 to identify syncope/collapse‐related hospitalizations using ICD‐9, code 780.2, as the principal discharge diagnosis. Data are presented as mean ± SEM.ResultsFrom 2004 to 2013, there was a 42% reduction in hospitalizations with a principal discharge diagnosis of syncope/collapse from 54,259 (national estimate 253,591) in 2004 to 31,427 (national estimate 156,820) in 2013 (P < 0.0001). The mean length of hospital stays decreased (2.88 ± 0.04 days in 2004 vs. 2.54 ± 0.02 in 2013; P < 0.0001), while in‐hospital mortality did not change (0.28% in 2004 vs. 0.18% in 2013; P = 0.12). However, mean charges (inflation adjusted) for syncope/collapse‐related hospitalization increased by 43.6% from $17,514 in 2004 to $25,160 in 2013 (P < 0.0001). The rates of implantation of permanent pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillator remained low during these hospitalizations, and decreased over time (P for both < 0.0001).ConclusionsHospitalization rates for syncope/collapse have decreased significantly in the US from 2004 to 2013. Despite a modest reduction in length of stay, the cost of syncope/collapse‐related hospital care has increased.
Continuity of care in after‐hours house call medical services: An exploration of follow‐up patterns in an Australian context
Authors: Ifediora Chris O. , Rogers Gary D. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesThis study explores the postconsultation follow‐up behaviours of patients who used the Australian after‐hours house‐call (AHHC) medical services. These behaviours provide insights into the nature of the continuity of care (CoC) in the industry and are a measure quality in AHHC service delivery. Understanding the patterns of these CoCs and their predictors will enable stakeholders in the industry, both locally and globally, plan and implement higher quality services.MethodsThis is a cross‐sectional survey of all 10,838 patients who used AHHC during the last week of January 2016. A validated questionnaire was used, distributed through a mix of online and postal questionnaires.ResultsOne thousand two hundred twenty‐eight questionnaires were returned (11.3%). Had the AHHC not been available, 38.6% of respondents would have gone to their own general practitioners (GPs), 40.1% to an emergency department (ED), 15.9% to an office‐based after‐hours service, and 5.5% would have done nothing. After the AHHC visits, however, 47.3% followed up with their GPs, 8.4% went to an ED, 4.2% arranged for a further AHHC visit, while 40.0% required no follow‐up.Patients who required GP follow‐ups were likely to be dissatisfied with aspects of the AHHC care received, while those with no follow‐ups were generally satisfied. Patients ≥65 years were more likely to require no follow‐ups (P < .001) and, if they did, were unlikely to do so with their GPs (P = .04). Where required, follow‐ups for those aged ≤16 years were likely to result in ED attendances (P = .01), while students generally rely on AHHCs for follow‐ups (P = .03). Compared to females, males were likely to rely on their GPs (P = .01), and less likely to go to an ED (P = .01).ConclusionMost patients seen by Australian AHHC services either end up requiring no further follow‐up, or do so with their own GPs, with few relying on further AHHC visits for follow‐up. The real reasons for follow‐up differences observed by age and gender may need to be explored further so as to ensure that the AHHC services are better used.
Morphological Characterizations of Four Species of Parallelostrombidium (Ciliophora, Oligotrichia), with a Note on the Phylogeny of the Genus
Authors: Song Wen , Wang Lun , Li Lifang , Al‐Farraj Saleh A. , Aleidan Abdullah , Smith Susan , Hu Xiaozhong 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe morphology and phylogeny of four oligotrichid ciliates, Parallelostrombidium paraellipticum sp. n., P. dragescoi sp. n., P. jankowskii (Xu et al. 2009) comb. n., and P. kahli (Xu et al. 2009) comb. n., are described or redescribed based on live observation, protargol stained material, and SSU rRNA gene sequences. The new species P. paraellipticum sp. n. is characterized by its obovoidal cell shape, adoral zone composed of 17–21 collar, 9–11 buccal, and two thigmotactic membranelles, and extrusomes attached in one row along the girdle kinety. The new species P. dragescoi sp. n. is distinguished from its congeners by its obovoidal cell shape and a lack of thigmotactic membranelles. Based on ciliary patterns recognizable in the original slides, Omegastrombidium jankowskii Xu et al. 2009 and O. kahli Xu et al. 2009 should be transferred to the genus Parallelostrombidium Agatha 2004. Phylogenetic analyses based on SSU rRNA gene sequence data demonstrate that all four new sequences cluster with previously described congeners. The genus Parallelostrombidium is separated into two clusters, suggesting its non‐monophyly and probably corresponding to the two subgenera proposed by Agatha and Strüder‐Kypke (2014), as well as their morphological difference (cell dorsoventrally flattened vs. unflattened).
Tracking Construction Material over Space and Time: Prospective and Geo‐referenced Modeling of Building Stocks and Construction Material Flows
Authors: Heeren Niko , Hellweg Stefanie 
Published: March 2018

SummaryConstruction material plays an increasingly important role in the environmental impacts of buildings. In order to investigate impacts of materials on a building level, we present a bottom‐up building stock model that uses three‐dimensional and geo‐referenced building data to determine volumetric information of material stocks in Swiss residential buildings. We used a probabilistic modeling approach to calculate future material flows for the individual buildings. We investigated six scenarios with different assumptions concerning per‐capita floor area, building stock turnover, and construction material. The Swiss building stock will undergo important structural changes by 2035. While this will lead to a reduced number in new constructions, material flows will increase. Total material inflow decreases by almost half while outflows double. In 2055, the total amount of material in‐ and outflows are almost equal, which represents an important opportunity to close construction material cycles. Total environmental impacts due to production and disposal of construction material remain relatively stable over time. The cumulated impact is slightly reduced for the wood‐based scenario. The scenario with more insulation material leads to slightly higher material‐related emissions. An increase in per‐capita floor area or material turnover will lead to a considerable increase in impacts. The new modeling approach overcomes the limitations of previous bottom‐up building models and allows for investigating building material flows and stocks in space and time. This supports the development of tailored strategies to reduce the material footprint and environmental impacts of buildings and settlements.
Second‐harmonic imaging microscopy for identifying colorectal intraepithelial neoplasia
Authors: LI L.H. , JIANG W.Z. , KANG D.Y. , LIU X. , LI H.S. , GUAN G.X. , ZHUO S.M. , CHEN Z.F. , CHEN J.X. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryIn this study, second‐harmonic imaging microscopy was used to monitor precancerous colorectal lesions at different stages. It was found that the morphology of glands and lamina propria in mucosa changes with the progression of colorectal diseases from normal to low‐grade intraepithelial neoplasia to high‐grade intraepithelial neoplasia and this microscopy has the ability of direct visualization of these warning symptoms. Furthermore, two morphologic variables were quantified to determine the changes of glands and collagen in lamina propria during the development of colorectal intraepithelial neoplasia. These results suggest that second‐harmonic imaging microscopy has the potential in label‐freely and effectively distinguishing between normal and precancerous colorectal tissues, and will be helpful for early diagnosis and treatment of colorectal diseases.
A case report of ovotesticular disorder of sex development (OT‐DSD) in a baboon (Papio spp.) and a brief review of the non‐human primate literature
Authors: Perminov Ekaterina , Mangosing Sara , Confer Alexandra , Gonzalez Olga , Crawford Jason R. , Schlabritz‐Loutsevitch Natalia , Kumar Shyamesh , Dick Edward 
Published: March 2018

AbstractDisorders of sexual development are rare in non‐human primates. We report a case of true hermaphroditism in a 19‐year‐old, nulliparous, female baboon (Papio spp.). At necropsy, the animal was obese with adequate muscle mass and hydration. Reproductive organs appeared normal with the exception of 2 firm nodular structures in the myometrium (1‐1.5 cm diameter) and a thickened, dark endocervical mucosa. Histologically, both gonads were ovotestes and contained discrete areas of ovarian and testicular tissue. There were follicles in various stages of development surrounded by ovarian stroma. Other areas contained hypoplastic seminiferous tubules lined by Sertoli cells, but lacked germ cells and spermatozoa. The uterine lesions were consistent with adenomyosis and cystic endometrial hyperplasia. Cervical lesions were consistent with atypical glandular hyperplasia and squamous metaplasia with dysplasia. We report the first case of ovotesticular disorder of sexual development (OT‐DSD), or true hermaphroditism in a baboon.