bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effectiveness of an emotion‐focused educational programme in reducing diabetes distress in adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (VEMOFIT): a cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Chew B. H. , Vos R. C. , Stellato R. K. , Ismail M. , Rutten G. E. H. M. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAimsTo evaluate the effectiveness of a brief, value‐based emotion‐focused educational programme (VEMOFIT) in Malay adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus compared with a programme of active listening to participants’ emotional experiences, social support and their opinion on the health clinic diabetes care services (attention control).MethodsMalay adults with severe diabetes distress [Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS‐17) mean score ≥ 3] were included. VEMOFIT consisted of four biweekly group sessions, a booster session after 3 months and a follow‐up 6 months post intervention. The attention control programme consisted of three sessions over the same period. Outcomes included diabetes distress, depressive symptoms, self‐efficacy and disease control. Required total sample size was 165.ResultsParticipants (n = 124) were randomized to either VEMOFIT (n = 53) or the attention control programme (n = 71). Participants had a mean (sd) age of 55.7 (9.7) years, median diabetes duration of 7.0 (8.0) years and mean HbA1c level of 82 mmol/mol (9.7%). The mean DDS‐17 level decreased significantly in both the VEMOFIT and the attention control programmes (3.4 to 2.9 vs. 3.1 to 2.7, respectively). The adjusted between‐group DDS‐17 difference was not significant [−0.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.38, 0.35]. The proportion of individuals with severe diabetes distress decreased in both groups, from 89% to 47% vs. 69% to 39% (odds ratio 0.88; 95% CI 0.26, 2.90). Other outcomes did not differ between groups.ConclusionsBoth interventions decreased diabetes distress significantly. The theory‐based VEMOFIT programme was not superior to the attention control programme. The latter approach is a simpler way to decrease severe diabetes distress (Trial registration: NCT02730078; NMRR‐15‐1144‐24803).
The right ventricular outflow tract in pediatric pulmonary hypertension—Data from the European Pediatric Pulmonary Vascular Disease Network
Authors: Koestenberger Martin , Avian Alexander , Sallmon Hannes , Gamillscheg Andreas , Grangl Gernot , Kurath‐Koller Stefan , Schweintzger Sabrina , Burmas Ante , Hansmann Georg 
Published: March 2018

ObjectiveThe right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) is pivotal for adequate RV function and known to be adversely affected by elevated pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) in adults with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Aim of this study was to determine the effects of increased RV pressure afterload in children with PH on RVOT size, function, and flow parameters.MethodsWe conducted a transthoracic echocardiographic study in 51 children with PH (median age: 5.3 years; range 1.5 months to 18 years) and determined the following RVOT variables: RVOT diameter, RVOT velocity time integral (VTI), ratio of tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRV)/RVOT VTI, and RVOT systolic excursion (SE).ResultsIn our pediatric PH cohort, the age‐specific RVOT diameter z‐score was higher compared to normal values. Deviation from normal RVOT diameter values increased with age, disease severity, and New York Heart Association functional class. Significant correlations were found between RVOT diameter and the RV end‐diastolic area and right atrial area. The age‐specific RVOT VTIz‐score values were significantly lower in children with PH vs healthy controls. The TRV/RVOT VTI ratio increased with rising systolic RV pressure, while the RVOT SE was similar between PH children and control subjects.ConclusionsIn pediatric PH cohort, the RVOT VTI is decreased, and the TRV/RVOT VTI ratio and the RVOT diameter increased compared to healthy subjects. Assessment of RVOT variables, together with established RV parameters, allows for a comprehensive assessment of global right heart size and performance in children with PH.
“This Path Is Full of Thorns”: Narrative, Subjunctivity, and HIV in Indonesia
Authors: Samuels Annemarie 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn this article, I focus on the active fostering of subjunctivity in processes of narrative worldmaking. Drawing extensively from the narrative of an HIV‐positive woman in Indonesia, I show that by subjunctively leaving open multiple narrative trajectories and future possibilities, individuals may navigate the ethical complexities of their lives and maintain relationships with the world and others while staying true to the things that really matter to them. I suggest that although entertaining a range of possible future trajectories may involve constructing several alternative narrative plots, most of the time there is no plot to be followed, and not determining future parallel plots may be more helpful in balancing conflicting ethical demands. By not imagining clear beginnings and endings of narratives yet actively retaining narrative possibilities, values that may seem incompatible in the present may then all be kept open for future moral striving. [narrative, subjunctivity, ethics, HIV]
Macrophage‐derived GPNMB accelerates skin healing
Authors: Silva Walison N. , Prazeres Pedro H. D. M. , Paiva Ana E. , Lousado Luiza , Turquetti Anaelise O. M. , Barreto Rodrigo S. N. , de Alvarenga Erika Costa , Miglino Maria A. , Gonçalves Ricardo , Mintz Akiva , Birbrair Alexander 
Published: March 2018

AbstractHealing is a vital response important for the re‐establishment of the skin integrity following injury. Delayed or aberrant dermal wound healing leads to morbidity in patients. The development of therapies to improve dermal healing would be useful. Currently, the design of efficient treatments is stalled by the lack of detailed knowledge about the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in wound healing. Recently, using state‐of‐the‐art technologies, it was revealed that macrophages signal via GPNMB to mesenchymal stem cells, accelerating skin healing. Strikingly, transplantation of macrophages expressing GPNMB improves skin healing in GPNMB‐mutant mice. Additionally, topical treatment with recombinant GPNMB restored mesenchymal stem cells recruitment and accelerated wound closure in the diabetic skin. From a drug development perspective, this GPNMB is a new candidate for skin healing.
PD‐L1 expression by tumor cell lines: A predictive marker in melanoma
Authors: Knol Anne C. , Nguyen Jean‐Michel , Pandolfino Marie‐Christine , Denis Marc G. , Khammari Amir , Dréno Brigitte 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPrognostic biomarkers for patients with melanoma after lymph node resection are of clinical relevance and could thus enable the identification of patients who therefore would most benefit from adjuvant treatment. The aim of this work was to determine, using an in vitro model, whether immune‐related biomarkers, such as MHC‐class I and II, melanoma‐associated antigens, IDO1 and PD‐L1, could also be relevant to predict the risk of relapse of patients with stage III melanoma after lymph node resection. We established tumor cell lines from metastatic lymph nodes of 50 patients with melanoma. The expression of investigated biomarkers was determined on untreated and IFN‐γ treated melanoma cell lines using flow cytometry. Among the selected biomarkers, the IFN‐γ‐induced expression of PD‐L1 and IDO1 was associated with an increased risk of relapse (P = .0001 and P = .013, respectively) and was also associated with death for IDO1 (P = .0005). In the future, this immunologic signature could permit the identification of patients at higher risk of relapse and justifying an adjuvant treatment using immunotherapy.
Optimizing the Environmental Performance of In Situ Thermal Remediation Technologies Using Life Cycle Assessment
Authors: Lemming Gitte , Nielsen Steffen G. , Weber Klaus , Heron Gorm , Baker Ralph S. , Falkenberg Jacqueline A. , Terkelsen Mads , Jensen Carsten B. , Bjerg Poul L. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn situ thermal remediation technologies provide efficient and reliable cleanup of contaminated soil and groundwater, but at a high cost of environmental impacts and resource depletion due to the large amounts of energy and materials consumed. This study provides a detailed investigation of four in situ thermal remediation technologies (steam enhanced extraction, thermal conduction heating, electrical resistance heating, and radio frequency heating) in order to (1) compare the life‐cycle environmental impacts and resource consumption associated with each thermal technology, and (2) identify options to reduce these adverse effects. The study identifies a number of options for environmental optimization of in situ thermal remediation. In general, environmental optimization can be achieved by increasing the percentage of heating supplied in off peak electricity demand periods as this reduces the pressure on coal‐based electricity and thereby reduces the environmental impacts due to electricity production by up to 10%. Furthermore, reducing the amount of concrete in the vapor cap by using a concrete sandwich construction can potentially reduce the environmental impacts due to the vapor cap by up to 75%. Moreover, a number of technology‐specific improvements were identified, for instance by the substitution of stainless steel types in wells, heaters, and liners used in thermal conduction heating, thus reducing the nickel consumption by 45%. The combined effect of introducing all the suggested improvements is a 10 to 21% decrease in environmental impacts and an 8 to 20% decrease in resource depletion depending on the thermal remediation technology considered. The energy consumption was found to be the main contributor to most types of environmental impacts; this will, however, depend on the electricity production mix in the studied region. The combined improvement potential is therefore to a large extent controlled by the reduction/improvement of energy consumption.
Reliable Monitoring of the Transition Zone Between Fresh and Saline Waters in Coastal Aquifers
Authors: Levanon Elad , Yechieli Yoseph , Shalev Eyal , Friedman Vladimir , Gvirtzman Haim 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis study deals with the reliability of monitoring the transition zone between fresh and saline waters in coastal aquifers, considering the effect of tides in long‐perforated boreholes. Electric conductivity (EC) fluctuations in the coastal aquifer of Israel, as measured in long‐perforated borehole, were found to have the same periodicities as the sea tide, though some orders of magnitude larger than sea‐level or groundwater level fluctuations. Direct measurements in the aquifer through buried EC sensors demonstrate that EC measurements within the long‐perforated boreholes might be distorted due to vertical flow in the boreholes, whereas actual fluctuations of the transition zone within the aquifer are some orders of magnitude smaller. Considering these field data, we suggest that monitoring of the transition zone between fresh and saline water adjacent to the sea through long‐perforated boreholes is unreliable. EC fluctuations in short‐perforated boreholes (1 m perforation at the upper part of the transition zone) were somewhat larger than in the aquifer, but much smaller than those in the long‐perforated borehole. The short‐perforation diminishes the vertical flow and the distortion and therefore is more reliable for monitoring the transition zone in the shoreline vicinity.
Sewer Gas: An Indoor Air Source of PCE to Consider During Vapor Intrusion Investigations
Authors: Pennell Kelly G. , Scammell Madeleine Kangsen , McClean Michael D. , Ames Jennifer , Weldon Brittany , Friguglietti Leigh , Suuberg Eric M. , Shen Rui , Indeglia Paul A. , Heiger‐Bernays Wendy J. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is finalizing its vapor intrusion guidelines. One of the important issues related to vapor intrusion is background concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor air, typically attributed to consumer products and building materials. Background concentrations can exist even in the absence of vapor intrusion and are an important consideration when conducting site assessments. In addition, the development of accurate conceptual models that depict pathways for vapor entry into buildings is important during vapor intrusion site assessments. Sewer gas, either as a contributor to background concentrations or as part of the site conceptual model, is not routinely evaluated during vapor intrusion site assessments. The research described herein identifies an instance where vapors emanating directly from a sanitary sewer pipe within a residence were determined to be a source of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) detected in indoor air. Concentrations of PCE in the bathroom range from 2.1 to 190 µg/m3 and exceed typical indoor air concentrations by orders of magnitude resulting in human health risk classified as an “Imminent Hazard” condition. The results suggest that infiltration of sewer gas resulted in PCE concentrations in indoor air that were nearly two orders of magnitude higher as compared to when infiltration of sewer gas was not known to be occurring. This previously understudied pathway whereby sewers serve as sources of PCE (and potentially other VOC) vapors is highlighted. Implications for vapor intrusion investigations are also discussed.
Field Application of the Combined Membrane‐Interface Probe and Hydraulic Profiling Tool (MiHpt)
Authors: McCall Wesley , Christy Thomas M. , Pipp Daniel , Terkelsen Mads , Christensen Anders , Weber Klaus , Engelsen Peter 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe Membrane‐Interface Probe and Hydraulic Profiling Tool (MiHpt) is a direct push probe that includes both the membrane interface probe (MIP) and hydraulic profiling tool (HPT) sensors. These direct push logging tools were previously operated as separate logging systems for subsurface investigation in unconsolidated formations. By combining these two probes into one logging system the field operator obtains useful data about the distribution of both volatile organic contaminants (VOCs) and relative formation permeability in a single boring. MiHpt logging was conducted at a chlorinated VOC contaminated site in Skuldelev, Denmark, to evaluate performance of the system. Formation cores and discrete interval slug tests are used to assess use of the HPT and electrical conductivity (EC) logs for lithologic and hydrostratigraphic interpretation. Results of soil and groundwater sample analyses are compared to the adjacent MiHpt halogen specific detector (XSD) logs to evaluate performance of the system to define contaminant distribution and relative concentrations for the observed VOCs. Groundwater profile results at moderate to highly contaminated locations were found to correlate well with the MiHpt‐XSD detector responses. In general, soil sample results corresponded with detector responses. However, the analyses of saturated coarse‐grained soils at the site proved to be unreliable as demonstrated by high RPDs for duplicate samples. The authors believe that this is due to pore water drainage observed from these cores during sampling. Additionally, a cross section of HPT pressure and MiHpt‐XSD detector logs provides insight into local hydrostratigraphy and formation control on contaminant migration.
Groundwater Quality Impacts from a Full‐Scale Integrated Constructed Wetland
Authors: Dzakpasu Mawuli , Scholz Miklas , Harrington Rory , McCarthy Valerie , Jordan Siobhán 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe concept of integrated constructed wetlands (ICW) promotes in‐situ soils to construct and line wetland cells. The integrity of soil material, however, may provide a potential pathway for contaminants to flow into the underlying groundwater. This study assessed the extent of groundwater quality deterioration due to the establishment of a full‐scale ICW system treating domestic wastewater in Ireland. The ICW is located at Glaslough in Co. Monaghan, Ireland. It consists of two sedimentation ponds and a sequence of five shallow vegetated wetland cells. The ICW cells were lined with 500‐mm thick local subsoil material, which comprised a mixture of alluvium, organic soils, tills, and gravel. Groundwater samples and head data were collected from eight piezometers, which were installed around the ICW cells. The groundwater and wetland water samples were analysed for water quality parameters such as bulk organic matter, nutrients, and pathogens. Overall, the quality of groundwater underlying the ICW system recorded some contamination with bulk organic matter and some inorganic nutrients. Significantly higher contaminant concentrations were recorded in monitoring wells upgradient and near to the distal wetland cells than downgradient ones, which were near to the proximal cells. For the downgradient piezometers, concentrations seldomly exceeded the natural background levels. Detailed analyses through the application of chemometrics models indicated that the source of contamination was largely of geogenic origin. Findings suggest that ICW systems pose a minimal risk to the groundwater quality; the greatest risk was associated with the distal wetland cells.
Microstructural Characterization of Granular Cast Iron for Permeable Reactive Barriers
Authors: Ruhl Aki S. , Jekel Martin 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAlthough intensive research on Fe(0) permeable reactive barriers (PRB) for in situ groundwater remediation has been conducted and multiple applications have been installed in the past two decades, some properties of reactive materials in use have not been fully considered and discussed yet. In the present investigation, a typical granular cast iron has been characterized with different techniques. The grain size distribution not only has an influence on the resulting pore geometry and the surface area but material properties significantly differ between fine and coarse grains. Metallographic analyses revealed large differences in both graphite inclusions and microstructures that likely influence the reactivity. Both graphite and cementite proved to be more resistant toward acidic dissolution compared to Fe0. The intrinsic material characteristics described here have not been covered in the existing PRB literature.
Factors Controlling In Situ Biogeochemical Transformation of Trichloroethene: Field Survey
Authors: Whiting Kent , Evans Patrick J. , Lebrón Carmen , Henry Bruce , Wilson John T. , Becvar Erica 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWe have previously defined in situ biogeochemical transformation as the biogenic formation of reactive minerals that are capable of abiotically degrading chlorinated solvents such as trichloroethene without accumulation of degradation products such as vinyl chloride (AFCEE et al. ). This process has been implemented in biowalls used to intercept contaminated groundwater. Abiotic patterns of contaminant degradation were observed at Altus Air Force Base (AFB) and in an associated column study, but not at other sites including Dover AFB. These abiotic patterns were associated with biogenic formation of reactive iron sulfide minerals. Iron sulfides in the form of small individual grains, coatings on magnetite, and sulfur‐deficient pyrite framboids were observed in samples collected from the Altus AFB biowalls and one of the EPA columns. Larger iron sulfide grains coated with oxide layers were observed in samples collected from Dover AFB. Altus AFB and the EPA column differed from Dover AFB in that groundwater flow at Dover AFB was relatively slow and potentially reversing. High volumetric sulfate consumption rates, an abiotic pattern of trichloroethene (TCE) degradation, and the formation of small, high surface area iron sulfide particles were associated with relatively high rates of TCE removal via an abiotic pattern. Geochemical modeling demonstrated that iron monosulfides such as mackinawite were near saturation, and iron disulfides such as pyrite were supersaturated at all sites. This environmental condition can be supportive of nucleation of small particles rather than crystal growth leading to larger particles. When nucleation is dominant, small, high surface area, and reactive particles result. When crystal growth dominates the crystals are larger and have lower specific surface area and reactivity. These results taken together suggest that creation of a dynamic environment can promote biogeochemical transformation based on generation of reactive iron sulfides.
Estimation of Generic Subslab Attenuation Factors for Vapor Intrusion Investigations
Authors: Brewer Roger , Nagashima Josh , Rigby Mark , Schmidt Martin , O'Neill Harry 
Published: March 2018

AbstractGeneric indoor air:subslab soil gas attenuation factors (SSAFs) are important for rapid screening of potential vapor intrusion risks in buildings that overlie soil and groundwater contaminated with volatile chemicals. Insufficiently conservative SSAFs can allow high‐risk sites to be prematurely excluded from further investigation. Excessively conservative SSAFs can lead to costly, time‐consuming, and often inconclusive actions at an inordinate number of low‐risk sites. This paper reviews two of the most commonly used approaches to develop SSAFs: (1) comparison of paired, indoor air and subslab soil gas data in empirical databases and (2) comparison of estimated subslab vapor entry rates and indoor air exchange rates (IAERs). Potential error associated with databases includes interference from indoor and outdoor sources, reliance on data from basements, and seasonal variability. Heterogeneity in subsurface vapor plumes combined with uncertainty regarding vapor entry points calls into question the representativeness of limited subslab data and diminishes the technical defensibility of SSAFs extracted from databases. The use of reasonably conservative vapor entry rates and IAERs offers a more technically defensible approach for the development of generic SSAF values for screening. Consideration of seasonal variability in building leakage rates, air exchange rates, and interpolated vapor entry rates allows for the development of generic SSAFs at both local and regional scales. Limitations include applicability of the default IAERs and vapor entry rates to site‐specific vapor intrusion investigations and uncertainty regarding applicability of generic SSAFs to assess potential short‐term (e.g., intraday) variability of impacts to indoor air.
Potassium Permanganate Doped Geopolymers for Remedial Applications
Authors: Solpuker Utku , Cotter Zachary , Kim Yongje , Schwartz Franklin W. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis study investigates the use of KMnO4 doped geopolymers as controlled‐release materials for remedial applications. The geopolymers were prepared by mixing alkali activated Na‐silicate solutions, metakaolin, and various amounts of granular KMnO4. Samples were heat treated at 75 °C for 48 h. Concentrations of KMnO4 in samples 1, 2, and 3 were 1.40 × 10−1, 4.63 × 10−1, and 6.07 × 10−1 g/cm3, respectively. 1D column experiments showed that a high MnO4− release rate lasted for the first few hours, followed by a gradual decrease of MnO4− release. Neither cracks nor surface erosion of the geopolymers were observed throughout the experiments. Sample 1 approached exhaustion at the end of the Day 7. It took about 18 d for exhaustion of KMnO4 releases in samples 2 and 3. Modeling of the observed KMnO4 releases suggested diffusion and dissolution‐related fast transport as the most important mechanisms. This latter mechanism involves the creation of a connected secondary porosity in the geopolymers by dissolution of KMnO4 granules. The contribution of Fickian diffusion to the total release decreased as the KMnO4 content of the samples increased, and the dissolution mechanism became increasingly important.