bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metal‐free and Scalable Synthesis of Porous Hyper‐cross‐linked Polymers: Towards Applications in Liquid‐Phase Adsorption
Authors: Schute Kai , Rose Marcus
Published: August 2015

A metal‐free route for the synthesis of hyper‐cross‐linked polymers (HCP) based on Brønsted acids such as trifluoromethanesulfonic acid as well as H2SO4 is reported. It is an improved method compared to conventional synthesis strategies that use stoichiometric amounts of metal‐based Lewis acids such as FeCl3. The resulting high‐performance adsorbents exhibit a permanent porosity with high specific surface areas up to 1842 m2 g−1. Easy scalability of the HCP synthesis is proven on the multi‐gram scale. All chemo‐physical properties are preserved. Water‐vapor adsorption shows that the resulting materials exhibit an even more pronounced hydrophobicity compared to the conventionally prepared materials. The reduced surface polarity enhances the selectivity in the liquid‐phase adsorption of the biogenic platform chemical 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural.
Biomass‐Derived Heteroatom‐Doped Carbon Aerogels from a Salt Melt Sol–Gel Synthesis and their Performance in Li–S Batteries
Authors: Schipper Florian , Vizintin Alen , Ren Jiawen , Dominko Robert , Fellinger Tim‐Patrick
Published: August 2015

An ionothermal sol–gel strategy to synthesize hierarchically porous carbon aerogels doped with different heteroatoms is presented by using biomass precursors in a scalable process. Morphologically similar but chemically different materials are used to study the influence of heteroatoms in Li–S batteries. The materials show capacities as high as 1290 mAh g−1 in the first cycle using 50 wt % S loading. Heteroatom doping reduces the capacity fading and the polarization throughout cycling. Zeta potential measurements reveal positive surface charges for heteroatom‐doped carbons and indicate attractive interactions with polysulfides causing reduced fading. A polysulfide‐selective sorption study reveals strongly different adsorption behavior depending on the carbon’s chemical composition. Interestingly, the polysulfide fraction is also crucial. The results indicate that improved adsorption of long‐chain polysulfides to doped carbons is related to improved capacity retention.
Patient‐controlled hospital admission: A novel concept in the treatment of severe eating disorders
Authors: Strand Mattias , Gustafsson Sanna A. , Bulik Cynthia M. , von Hausswolff‐Juhlin Yvonne
Published: August 2015

© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2015; 48:842–844)
Mind the gap: treefalls as drivers of parental trade‐offs
Authors: Rojas Bibiana
Published: August 2015

Tree‐fall gaps are small‐scale disturbances whose formation, colonization, and role in forest dynamics are well documented, but whose effects on animal ecology are still greatly overlooked, except for studies comparing species richness of gaps 6+ months old to that in the closed canopy. Other factors associated with the invasion of fresh tree‐fall gaps such as animal breeding adaptations have been largely neglected. I studied the immediate (within hours and days) arrival of the poison frog Dendrobates tinctorius in new tree‐fall gaps to examine the dynamics of their invasion in relation to tadpole rearing. I found that rearing sites are occupied sooner and tadpoles deposited at higher rates in fresh gaps than in the closed forest, but that the rate of cannibalism is also much greater in the former. This suggests that invading new tree‐fall gaps can be the best parental decision when parents arrive early because they get access to fresh, high‐quality resources, but it could be to the detriment of the offspring if parents arrive late, because of overcrowding and cannibalism. These results highlight the importance of studying the earliest stages of invasions in order to have a better understanding of the composition of communities in disturbed ecosystems at later successional stages.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity of Functionalized Trinuclear Iron–Sulfur Clusters – A New Class of Bioinspired Hydrogenase Models
Authors: Kaiser Manuel , Knör Günther
Published: August 2015

The air‐ and moisture‐stable iron–sulfur carbonyl clusters Fe3S2(CO)7(dppm) (1) and Fe3S2(CO)7(dppf) (2) carrying the bisphosphine ligands bis(diphenylphosphanyl)methane (dppm) and 1,1′‐bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ferrocene (dppf) were prepared and fully characterized. Two alternative synthetic routes based on different thionation reactions of triiron dodecacarbonyl were tested. The molecular structures of the methylene‐bridged compound 1 and the ferrocene‐functionalized derivative 2 were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The catalytic reactivity of the trinuclear iron–sulfur cluster core for proton reduction in solution at low overpotential was demonstrated. These deeply colored bisphosphine‐bridged sulfur‐capped iron carbonyl systems are discussed as promising candidates for the development of new bioinspired model compounds of iron‐based hydrogenases.
Doped Framework Iron Hydroxyl Phosphate as Photocatalyst for Hydrogen Production from Water/Methanol Mixtures
Authors: Serra Marco , Baldovi Herme G. , Alvaro Mercedes , Garcia Hermenegildo
Published: August 2015

In the search for novel photocatalysts for hydrogen production and with the α‐Fe2O3 photoelectrocatalyst as a recent precedent, we report herein the preparation, semiconductor properties and photocatalytic activity of metal‐doped (0.1–5 wt.‐% loading) iron hydroxyl phosphate (FeP). X‐ray diffraction analyses of FeP samples subjected to extended photocatalytic irradiation showed the stability of this framework phosphate under photocatalytic conditions. Doping increased the photocatalytic efficiency of FeP for all dopants, with the optimal doping level between 0.1 and 1 %. Under the optimized conditions (Cr at 1 % doping), the photocatalytic activity of FeP reached a hydrogen production rate of 35.82 μmol gFe–1 in the absence of platinum as co‐catalyst. The conduction flat band potential was estimated by photocurrent measurements or impedance spectroscopy to be 0.1 eV versus NHE and the charge carrier density 2.6 × 1020 carriers cm–3. Transient absorption spectroscopy revealed a transient species decaying on the microsecond timescale characterized by a broad band spanning 300–750 nm. This transient was attributed to the charge‐separated state. These results are promising for the development of novel photocatalytic materials based on framework metal phosphate.
Toxicity and Protective Effects of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles (Nanoceria) Depending on Their Preparation Method, Particle Size, Cell Type, and Exposure Route
Authors: Gagnon Jacinthe , Fromm Katharina M.
Published: August 2015

Nanoceria (cerium oxide nanoparticles) toxicity is currently a concern because of its use in motor vehicles in order to reduce carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and hydrocarbons in exhaust gases. In addition, many questions arise with respect to its biomedical applications exploiting its potential to protect cells against irradiation and oxidative stress. Indeed, toxicology studies on nanoceria report results that seem contradictory, demonstrating toxic effects in some studies, protective effects in others, and sometimes little or no effect at all. The variability in the experimental setups and particle characterization makes these studies difficult to compare and the toxicity of newly developed nanoceria materials challenging to predict. This microreview aims to compare the toxicity of nanoceria in terms of preparation method, particle size, concentration, host organism, and exposure method.
Cytotoxicity and Structural Analyses of 2,2′‐Bipyridine‐, 4,4′‐Dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyr­idine‐ and 2‐(2′‐Pyridyl)quinoxalineplatinum(II) Complexes
Authors: Pages Benjamin J. , Zhang Yingjie , Li Feng , Sakoff Jennette , Gilbert Jayne , Aldrich‐Wright Janice R.
Published: August 2015

Platinum anticancer complexes incorporating 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy), 4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine (44Me2bpy) or 2‐(2′‐pyridyl)quinoxaline (2pq) as polyaromatic ligands and the S,S or R,R isomer of 1,2‐diaminocyclohexane as ancillary ligands in the form [Pt(PL)(AL)]2+ have been synthesised and characterised. X‐ray diffraction was used to elucidate the structure and stacking behaviour of the complexes, revealing interesting properties that may impact their biological activity. Pulsed gradient spin‐echo NMR experiments elucidated the aggregation behaviour of these complexes in solution. The cytotoxicity of each complex was assessed against the L1210 murine leukaemia, HT29 human colon carcinoma and U87 human glioblastoma cell lines and compared to other complexes within this class. The complexes incorporating 44Me2bpy were found to be the most potent at inhibiting cell growth with IC50 values for the S,S isomer (0.13–0.5 μM) less than that for cisplatin (0.36–11 μM), oxaliplatin (0.9–1.8 μM) or carboplatin (>50 μM). Most complexes were found to be very effective against HT29 colon carcinoma cells.
A Strategy for the Triarylation of Pyrrolo­pyrimidines by Using Microwave‐Promoted Cross‐Coupling Reactions
Authors: Prieur Vanessa , Pujol M. Dolors , Guillaumet Gérald
Published: August 2015

New pyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidines that have aryl groups at the 2‐, 4‐, and 6‐positions were prepared by the arylation reaction of 4‐chloro‐7‐methyl‐2‐(methylthio)‐6‐phenylpyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidine (6) and the corresponding arylboronic acid under Suzuki–Miyaura conditions followed by a second arylation under Liebeskind–Srogl cross‐coupling conditions. A parallel study that began with the C‐2 chemoselective arylation of 6 under Liebeskind–Srogl conditions followed by a Suzuki–Miyaura coupling at C‐4 was carried out, and the results of each route were compared. All of the tranformations were performed under microwave irradiation.
Enantioselective Ring Opening of meso‐Epoxides with Silicon Tetrachloride Catalyzed by Pyridine N‐Oxides Fused with the Bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane Framework
Authors: Neniškis Algirdas , Stončius Sigitas
Published: August 2015

The synthesis of new chiral Lewis basic organocatalysts that contain pyridine N‐oxide moieties fused with the bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane framework is reported. The obtained pyridine N‐oxides were employed as catalysts in the enantioselective ring opening of meso‐epoxides with silicon tetrachloride. Derivative 1b endowed with two 2,4‐diaryl‐substituted pyridine N‐oxide moieties proved to be a particularly effective catalyst for desymmetrization of norbornene oxide 16i to furnish Wagner–Meerwein rearrangement product 20i in unprecedented 96 % ee. Difunctional congener 3, which is striped of the 4‐aryl substituents, exhibited moderate to high levels of asymmetric induction (47–88 % ee) with alicyclic epoxide substrates.
Complexations between Oxacalixcrowns and Secondary Ammonium Salts and ­Construction of an Oxacalixcrown‐Based [2]Rotaxane
Authors: Liu Hua , Hu Wen‐Jing , Liu Yahu A. , Li Jiu‐Sheng , Jiang Biao , Wen Ke
Published: August 2015

Pseudorotaxane type host–guest complex of a secondary ammonium salt and oxacalixcrown with the polyether linker as short as five ethylene glycol units was created. While an axle containing both ammonium and carbamate stations was installed in an oxacalixcrown‐6‐based [2]rotaxane through a threading‐followed‐by‐stoppering approach, translocation of the oxacalixcrown‐6 component of the [2]rotaxane from the secondary ammonium station to the carbamate station of the thread was achieved through blocking the amino moiety with a bulky Boc group.
A General Approach towards NH‐Pyr­azoles That Bear Diverse Fluoroalkyl Groups by Means of Fluorinated Iminium Salts
Authors: Schmitt Etienne , Landelle Grégory , Vors Jean‐Pierre , Lui Norbert , Pazenok Sergiy , Leroux Frédéric R.
Published: August 2015

A new and general approach to important fluoroalkyl‐substituted pyrazoles has been developed. The approach is based on the use of fluoroalkyl amino reagents and their Lewis acid activation to form a fluoroalkyl iminium salt that acts as a formal “fluoroacyl transfer reagent”. Their interaction with readily available fluoroalkyl azines followed by spontaneous cyclization of the formed intermediates under acidic conditions leads to the formation of 3,5‐disubstituted pyrazoles. The reaction is extremely versatile, high yielding, and allows quick access to pyrazoles that bear two fluoroalkyl functionalities (identical or different). These compounds are otherwise difficult to prepare. The reaction is scalable and suitable for industrial production.
A Mild and General One‐Pot Synthesis of Densely Functionalized Diaryliodonium Salts
Authors: Qin Linlin , Hu Bao , Neumann Kiel D. , Linstad Ethan J. , McCauley Katelyenn , Veness Jordan , Kempinger Jayson J. , DiMagno Stephen G.
Published: August 2015

Diaryliodonium salts are powerful and widely used arylating agents in organic chemistry. Here we report a scalable synthesis of densely functionalized diaryliodonium salts from aryl iodides under mild conditions. This two‐step, one‐pot process has remarkable functional group tolerance, is compatible with commonly employed acid‐labile protective group strategies, avoids heavy metal and transition metal reagents, and provides a direct route to stable precursors to PET imaging agents.
Lateral Flow Immunoassays – from Paper Strip to Smartphone Technology
Authors: Eltzov Evgeni , Guttel Sarah , Low Yuen Kei Adarina , Sinawang Prima Dewi , Ionescu Rodica E. , Marks Robert S.
Published: August 2015

Lateral flow immunoassays provide low cost, fast, portable and simple to use devices, with yes/no answers seen by the naked eye, that has found applications in agriculture, biomedicine, the environment, and food industries. Making these quantitative, via electrochemical or optical approaches, is the present day challenge, with a vision that one day, these will be connected to smartphone technologies, which exhibit a promising digital platform for point‐of‐care diagnostics, mobile healthcare and bioanalytical needs. These devices are fully automated and equipped with a high resolution camera, a powerful processor with high storage capacity, wireless connectivity, real‐time geo‐tagging, secure data management, and cloud computing.
An Electrochemical Sensor Based on Nitrogen‐doped Carbon Nanofiber for Bisphenol A Determination
Authors: Sun Jinying , Liu Yang , Lv Simin , Huang Zhirong , Cui Liao , Wu Tie
Published: August 2015

In this paper, bisphenol A was determined by electrochemical method at a nitrogen‐doped carbon nanofiber modified carbon paste electrode (NCNF/CPE) with high sensitivity and good selectivity. NCNF was obtained by a simple electrospinning followed by carbonization procedure, in which polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as precursor and nitrogen doping was realized by re‐utilizing the tail gas that produced in the thermal pretreatment process. Good reproducibility and high stability were obtained for BPA detection at NCNF modified CPE. Current response plotted with BPA concentration was linear in the range of 0.1–60 μM with LOD of 0.05 μM. The proposed electrochemical sensor was employed for BPA determination with satisfactory recoveries for real water samples, indicating the practical applicability of NCNF/CPE.
Measuring the Electrode Kinetics of Vitamin B2 at a Constant Time Window of a Square Wave Voltammetric Experiment
Authors: Mirceski Valentin , Smarzewska Sylwia , Guziejewski Dariusz
Published: August 2015

The electrode kinetics of vitamin B2 was measured at a constant scan rate of a square‐wave (SW) voltammetric experiment by recently introduced method based on alteration of the height (amplitude) of the SW potential pulses. The electrode reaction mechanism was analyzed in the light of the simplified model considering two‐electron one step surface electrode mechanism, as well as to more appropriate EE surface reaction pathway consisting of two successive one‐electron quasireversible reactions. Theoretical analysis indicated that the evolution of the voltammetric response under variation of the SW amplitude enables estimation of the rate determining step of the EE mechanism.
Integrated Porous Cathode made of Pure Perovskite Lanthanum Nickel Oxide for Nonaqueous Lithium–Oxygen Batteries
Authors: Wei Zhaohuan , Zhao Tianshou , Zhu Xingbao , An Liang , Tan Peng
Published: August 2015

The development of non‐carbon electrodes for nonaqueous lithium–oxygen batteries has become a recent focus as carbon electrodes were found to be unstable. Conventional non‐carbon electrodes are typically formed with a substrate/current collector, which will decrease the practical capacity. Here, we propose an integrated porous electrode made of LaNiO3 that does not require a substrate/current collector. The porous structure allows the formation of nanosized pores on the walls of microsized pores, which facilitates the transport of both oxygen and lithium ions. Importantly, all the surfaces of the porous structure are catalytically active for electrochemical reactions. Experimental results show that the adoption of the electrode in the battery enables a capacity of 1.064 mAh cm−2 at a current density of 0.05 mA cm−2. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the battery can be cycled for at least 25 cycles at a fixed capacity of 0.3 mAh cm−2, and the electrode shows no degradation after the cycles.
A parallel monolithic algorithm for the numerical simulation of large‐scale fluid structure interaction problems
Authors: Eken Ali , Sahin Mehmet
Published: August 2015

A novel parallel monolithic algorithm has been developed for the numerical simulation of large‐scale fluid structure interaction problems. The governing incompressible Navier–Stokes equations for the fluid domain are discretized using the arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian formulation‐based side‐centered unstructured finite volume method. The deformation of the solid domain is governed by the constitutive laws for the nonlinear Saint Venant–Kirchhoff material, and the classical Galerkin finite element method is used to discretize the governing equations in a Lagrangian frame. A special attention is given to construct an algorithm with exact total fluid volume conservation while obeying both the global and the local discrete geometric conservation law. The resulting large‐scale algebraic nonlinear equations are multiplied with an upper triangular right preconditioner that results in a scaled discrete Laplacian instead of a zero block in the original system. Then, a one‐level restricted additive Schwarz preconditioner with a block‐incomplete factorization within each partitioned sub‐domains is utilized for the modified system. The accuracy and performance of the proposed algorithm are verified for the several benchmark problems including a pressure pulse in a flexible circular tube, a flag interacting with an incompressible viscous flow, and so on. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Equivalent plastic strain gradient crystal plasticity – Enhanced power law subroutine
Authors: Wulfinghoff Stephan , Böhlke Thomas
Published: August 2015

A gradient crystal plasticity theory is presented including a defect energy based on the gradient of an equivalent plastic strain measure. Preserving the single crystal slip kinematics, the gradient hardening contribution models dislocation long range interactions adding a back‐stress term to the flow rule, similar to other gradient crystal plasticity theories. Owing to a reduced number of four nodal degrees of freedom the finite element implementation can handle systems consisting of an increased number of grains (compared to other theories) without elaborate or costly computer systems. Emphasis is put on the enhancement of the power law material subroutine. The associated implicit Euler scheme is optimized based on an improved starting value for the Newton scheme. Three‐dimensional simulations illustrate that the proposed algorithm facilitates significantly larger time steps compared to the standard Newton scheme. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Crystal plasticity based modeling of time and scale dependent behavior of thin films
Authors: Ertürk İ. , Gao K. , Bielen J. , van Dommelen J.A.W. , Geers M.G.D.
Published: August 2015

The micro and sub‐micro scale dimensions of the components of modern high‐tech products pose challenging engineering problems that require advanced tools to tackle them. An example hereof is time dependent strain recovery, here referred to as anelasticity, which is observed in metallic thin film components of RF‐MEMS switches. Moreover, it is now well known that the properties of a thin film material strongly depend on its geometrical dimensions through so‐called size effects. A strain gradient crystal plasticity formulation (SGCP) was recently proposed [1–4], involving a back stress in terms of strain gradients capturing the lattice curvature effect. In the present work, the SGCP model is used in a realistic simulation of electrostatic bending of a free standing thin film beam made of either a pure fcc metal or a particle strengthened Al‐Cu alloy. The model capabilities to describe the anelastic and plastic behavior of metallic thin films in comparison with experimentally available data are thereby assessed. Simulation results show that the SGCP model is able to predict a macroscopic strain recovery over time following the load removal. The amount of the anelastic relaxation and the accompanying relaxation times result from the rate dependent modeling approach, the basis of which is phenomenological only. The SGCP model is not fully capable of describing the permanent deformations in an alloy thin beam as observed in electrostatic experiments. Hence, to incorporate realistic time constants and the influence of the microstructure into the mechanical behavior of the thin film material, an improved constitutive law for crystallographic slip is necessary within the SGCP formulation. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Liposomal treatment of xerostomia, odor, and taste abnormalities in patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Heiser Clemens , Hofauer Benedikt , Scherer Elias , Schukraft Johannes , Knopf Andreas
Published: August 2015

Background

Smell and taste disorders, sicca symptoms, can be detected in patients with head and neck cancer. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of local liposomal application in the treatment of patients with head and neck cancers.

Methods

Ninety‐eight patients with head and neck cancer were included in this study. The groups were defined as: group 1 = only surgery; group 2 = surgery + adjuvant radiochemotherapy; and group 3 = primarily radiochemotherapy. All patients had finished cancer treatment and received liposomal sprays for the nose and mouth for 2 months (LipoNasal, LipoSaliva; Optima Pharmaceutical GmbH, Germany) and suffered from taste and smell disorders. We performed tests with “Sniffin' Sticks,” “Taste Strips,” and a xerostomia questionnaire before and after treatment.

Results

After application of liposomes, patients demonstrated a statistically significant increase in smell and taste, and reduced xerostomia.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that using nonpharmaceutical liposomal sprays improve smell, taste, and symptoms of xerostomia in patients with head and neck cancer. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1232–E1237, 2016
Accuracy of 18FDG PET‐CT for treatment evaluation 3 months after completion of chemoradiotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: 2‐year minimum follow‐up
Authors: Sagardoy Thomas , Fernandez Philippe , Ghafouri Abdullah , Digue Laurence , Haaser Thibaud , de Clermont‐Galleran Henri , Castetbon Vincent , de Monès Erwan
Published: August 2015

Background

The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18FDG PET)‐CT in detecting residual or recurrent disease after nonsurgical treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, hypopharynx, or cervical lymph node location of SCC treated with chemoradiotherapy. Twelve weeks posttreatment, 18FDG PET‐CT results were compared to histology if residual disease was suspected. Patients with complete response received a minimum of 24‐month follow‐up.

Results

Forty‐seven patients were included with 40 months of median follow‐up: 46 with a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) at the primary site and 43 in the neck. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were 86.7%, 90%, 76.5%, and 93.1%, respectively, at the primary site and 100%, 97.2%, 87.5%, 100%, respectively, in the neck.

Conclusion

18FDG PET‐CT seems effective in detecting residual disease and in predicting recurrent disease within the first 2 years of follow‐up after nonsurgical treatment. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1271–E1276, 2016
Surgeon performed ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspirates of the thyroid: 1067 biopsies and learning curve in a teaching center
Authors: Fernandes Vinay T. , Magarey Matthew J. R. , Kamdar Dev P. , Freeman Jeremy L.
Published: August 2015

Background

Surgeon performed ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspirates (UG‐FNAs) reduce delay in diagnosis and allow for surgeon surveillance. We present the first report on a learning curve and impact of head and neck surgical trainees on adequacy rates.

Methods

Thyroid UG‐FNA biopsies from 2009 to 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. Specimen adequacy, cytologic diagnosis, and surgical pathology were used to calculate adequacy and accuracy.

Results

One thousand sixty‐seven biopsies were examined in 723 individuals. The adequacy rate from adoption into practice improved from 71% to 78% to 85% over 300 cases. When UG‐FNA was subsequently taught to trainees, adequacy rates varied among trainees (p < .037), and there were higher nondiagnostic rates earlier in training (p = .04). Adequacy was not related to size or palpability, but cystic lesions yielded more inadequate specimens (p < .001).

Conclusion

Surgeon performed UG‐FNA biopsy can be performed adequately in an outpatient setting. Adequacy rates reach acceptable levels after 300 cases, whereas trainee involvement impacts adequacy rates. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1281–E1284, 2016
Obituary: Cornelius H. Vanderwolf
Authors: Buzsáki György , Bland Brian H.
Published: August 2015

C.H. Vanderwolf described motor correlates of hippocampal theta oscillations and uncovered two broad classes: atropine‐sensitive and atropine‐resistant rhythm with likely different behavioral and cognitive significance. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Application of isotope hydrograph separation to understand contributions of stormwater control measures to urban headwater streams
Authors: Jefferson Anne J. , Bell Colin D. , Clinton Sandra M. , McMillan Sara K.
Published: August 2015

Insights into the effects of stormwater control measures (SCMs) on urban stream hydrology and in‐stream processes are required to understand their effectiveness in mitigating the environmental problems associated with urbanization. Stable water isotopes were applied to understand processes occurring within SCMs and their effects on water sourcing in urban streams. We sampled ten events from June to November 2013 at four locations along a 360‐m headwater stream reach in North Carolina and at four SCMs (two ponds, one wetland and one bioretention) that contribute to the reach. We used streamflow upstream of the SCM‐affected reach and outflow from an intensively sampled retention pond as endmembers to quantify contributions of this pond's outflow to streamflow. Synchronous sampling revealed that SCM outflows have different isotopic signatures, likely a function of evaporation and mixing within the storage volume of each SCM. The SCMs also have distinctive isotopic signatures relative to the receiving stream. The isotopic signature of discharge from the intensively sampled pond reveals varying residence times (hours to weeks) within the structure. At sampled timepoints during ten events, this pond, which drains 25% of the watershed's impervious area, contributed an average of 10% (0–21%) of the streamflow on the rising limb and 12% (0–19%) of discharge at peak flow. During recession, this pond contributed an average of 32% (11–54%) of the stream's discharge, reflecting the SCM's design goals of temporarily storing and delaying run‐off, mitigating the effects of impervious surface on peak flows. Based on this study, isotopes appear to be a robust tool for examining stormwater‐stream dynamics. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
No role for human papillomavirus infection in oral cancers in a region in southern India
Authors: Laprise Claudie , Madathil Sreenath A. , Allison Paul , Abraham Priya , Raghavendran Anantharam , Shahul Hameed P. , ThekkePurakkal Akhil‐Soman , Castonguay Geneviève , Coutlée François , Schlecht Nicolas F. , Rousseau Marie‐Claude , Franco Eduardo L. , Nicolau Belinda
Published: August 2015

Oral cancer is a major public health issue in India with ∼77,000 new cases and 52,000 deaths yearly. Paan chewing, tobacco and alcohol use are strong risk factors for this cancer in India. Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are also related to a subset of head and neck cancers (HNCs). We examined the association between oral HPV and oral cancer in a sample of Indian subjects participating in a hospital‐based case‐control study. We recruited incident oral cancer cases (N = 350) and controls frequency‐matched by age and sex (N = 371) from two main referral hospitals in Kerala, South India. Sociodemographic and behavioral data were collected by interviews. Epithelial cells were sampled using Oral CDx® brushes from the oral cancer site and the normal mucosa. Detection and genotyping of 36 HPV genotypes were done using a polymerase chain reaction protocol. Data collection procedures were performed by qualified dentists via a detailed protocol with strict quality control, including independent HPV testing in India and Canada. HPV DNA was detected in none of the cases or controls. Associations between oral cancer and risk factors usually associated with HPV infection, such as oral sex and number of lifetime sexual partners, were examined by logistic regression and were not associated with oral cancer. Lack of a role for HPV infection in this study may reflect cultural or religious characteristics specific to this region in India that are not conducive to oral HPV transmission. A nationwide representative prevalence study is needed to investigate HPV prevalence variability among Indian regions.
Genomic hallmarks of homologous recombination deficiency in invasive breast carcinomas
Authors: Manié Elodie , Popova Tatiana , Battistella Aude , Tarabeux Julien , Caux‐Moncoutier Virginie , Golmard Lisa , Smith Nicholas K. , Mueller Christopher R. , Mariani Odette , Sigal‐Zafrani Brigitte , Dubois Thierry , Vincent‐Salomon Anne , Houdayer Claude , Stoppa‐Lyonnet Dominique , Stern Marc‐Henri
Published: August 2015

Therapeutic strategies targeting Homologous Recombination Deficiency (HRD) in breast cancer requires patient stratification. The LST (Large‐scale State Transitions) genomic signature previously validated for triple‐negative breast carcinomas (TNBC) was evaluated as biomarker of HRD in luminal (hormone receptor positive) and HER2‐overexpressing (HER2+) tumors. The LST genomic signature related to the number of large‐scale chromosomal breakpoints in SNP‐array tumor profile was applied to identify HRD in in‐house and TCGA sets of breast tumors, in which the status of BRCA1/2 and other genes was also investigated. In the in‐house dataset, HRD was predicted in 5% (20/385) of sporadic tumors luminal or HER2+ by the LST genomic signature and the inactivation of BRCA1, BRCA2 or RAD51C confirmed this prediction in 75% (12/16) of the tested cases. In 14% (6/43) of tumors occurring in BRCA1/2 mutant carriers, the corresponding wild‐type allele was retained emphasizing the importance of determining the tumor status. In the TCGA luminal and HER2+ subtypes HRD incidence was estimated at 5% (18/329, 95%CI: 5–8%) and 2% (1/59, 95%CI: 2–9%), respectively. In TNBC cisplatin‐based neo‐adjuvant clinical trials, HRD is shown to be a necessary condition for cisplatin sensitivity. This analysis demonstrates the high performance of the LST genomic signature for HRD detection in breast cancers, which suggests its potential as a biomarker for genetic testing and patient stratification for clinical trials evaluating platinum salts and PARP inhibitors.
A Systems Engineering Perspective on eHealth Implementations’ Efficiency and Effectiveness: A Case Study involving suppliers
Authors: Fanta Getnet Bogale , Erasmus Louwrence
Published: August 2015

The implementation of eHealth systems in South Africa did not generate the expected output. This paper investigates the impact of system engineering management (SEM) practices on the efficiency and effectiveness of eHealth system in two South African institutions in Gauteng and the Western Cape Province, respectively. The System Engineering Capability Model (SECM) is combined with the four major outcomes for eHealth systems as concepts in designing open ended questions for narrative enquiry adressing efficiency and effectiveness as part in the context of a result based development framework to collect stories from multidisciplinary teams in healthcare having varying knowledge of SEM. Three eHealth projects implemented in the two facilities show indications that the efficiency of eHealth projects is directly influenced by how well SEM is implemented. For this study, the environment capability category was the strongest contributor to efficiency for two projects and the technical capability category was the highest for the other one. Two of the eHealth projects were in the pilot phase and demonstrated low system outcome levels; however the third project in the operations phase showed a better system outcome level despite its low capability maturity level.
Can systems engineering support innovation in sustainable development?
Authors: Haskins Cecilia
Published: August 2015

The pressures of coping with the real‐world situations of daily operations do not afford many opportunities for continuous learning or contemplation in industry. Hiring young talent from universities is intended to bring in knowledge, but these people usually lack the work experience necessary to integrate their knowledge into the realities of the new job. Hiring talented people from one's competitors presents analogous problems. One option that is not considered often enough is for industry to support grants and stipends for new research at the university level. This paper will present the connections between innovation and systems engineering and the motivations for sustainable innovation. Cases are selected for illustration. The paper draws on the wealth of innovation literature derived from INCOSE publications, and other research sources.
Using systems thinking to inform natural resource governance
Authors: Malan Suzi , Innes John L.
Published: August 2015

We examined the decision‐making processes in transboundary conservation as found in two southern African case studies, the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area, and the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area. Using systems thinking to approach the model of transfrontier natural resource governance and management provided insights at the landscape scale, particularly regarding the absence of a physical institution that can be evaluated and consequently improved. The overall objective of the research project was to consult with all layers of decision and policy makers involved in order to: synthesize the current state of knowledge, identify the range of potential incremental effects of management responses on natural and human systems, and determine the range of values that drive decision‐making processes. The methodology involved analyses of semi‐structured interviews with community members, park officials and managers at various levels, local government officials, national policymakers and NGOs involved in the TFCAs; and scrutiny of relevant policies and treaty documents. A value system framework was developed as a result, and each dimension received an aggregated score at country level. The findings particularly in the governance and decision making sphere were analysed using Capability Maturity Model theory and the NATO Network Enabling Capability model theory. The main recommendations suggest improving involvement in decision‐making processes from the grass‐roots or community level, developing communities of practice between the different countries and core protected areas, prioritizing policy harmonization, and establishing a physical TFCA unit with dedicated staff over longer periods of time than the current brief rotational cycle.
The Impact of Technological Innovation on Cloud Computing as an Emerging Phenomenon within the South African Healthcare Environment
Authors: Mgozi Thembayena , Weeks Richards
Published: August 2015

The use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for health (eHealth) has become more pervasive than ever, globally. In South Africa, the eHealth initiatives may be hampered by persistent reliance on traditional, disparate and unreliable ICT platforms. This includes the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) initiative to provide universal healthcare supported by eHealth. This research study was undertaken to leverage eHealth and propose a conceptual cloud computing model to form the basis of improving healthcare service delivery. The aim of this research study was to describe the challenges and solutions associated with enabling cloud computing ecosystems within the South African healthcare environment. The findings attest that the Health Information System (HIS) is not meeting the requirements to strengthen healthcare system effectiveness. A key concern is a lack of well‐coordinated regulatory frameworks for proper governance of eHealth standards implementation.
Application of Systems Engineering: An Acquisition Agent Perspective
Authors: Niken Adrian , Erasmus Louwrence
Published: August 2015

This article covers a descriptive case study on the application of systems engineering and systems engineering management at Armscor. The report also covers the investigation into development methods used and the how the requirements changes are managed during the concept phase.

The systems engineering process model used by Armscor is compared with best practice. The Systems Engineering Management Base Theory (SEMBASE) model is used to compare the Armscor systems engineering management practice with.

The study encompassed development methods, requirements management change, design for changeability and use of tools.

Research questions are addressed by narrative analysis. Data is collected from multiple sources: interviews, archival records documentation and observations of enterprise governance documentation.

The data produced during the inquiry revealed that a correlation exists between systems engineering best practices, international standards, the systems engineering process and systems engineering management process followed by Armscor. Requirements changes are managed during the concept Phase and different developmental models are used to execute projects.
Healthcare Service Delivery Efficiency: Performance of Gauteng Hospitals
Authors: Ibewuike Nwauka Oliver , Weeks Richard
Published: August 2015

There is a general perception that public healthcare service delivery is deteriorating severely, despite government commitments to change this. This dysfunction stems from the cumulative impact of burden of diseases, economic pressures, population surge, and policy and strategy incoherence. The core objective of this qualitative research is to gain insight into the cause‐effects of this sub‐minimal performance, patients’ dissatisfaction and the waste of resources in Gauteng's public healthcare sectors.

This research used Performance Assessment Tools for quality improvement in Hospitals (PATH) framework and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to evaluate the satisfaction levels, performance and technical efficiencies of public hospitals, which were compared to the private sector.

The findings agree that patients’ satisfaction is poor, performance technically inefficient and health outcomes unsatisfactory relative to private hospitals. Patients’ dissatisfaction level was 76%. Health outcomes such as patients re‐admission within a 28‐day period recorded 20%, 21%, <5% for the district, regional and private hospitals respectively, and PHC health outcome (25%). This performance slack resulted partly from overall poor decision‐making abilities on the use and allocation of resources and the lack of integrated information systems.
SE Journeyman Years – Learning Project Success by Doing
Authors: Pandikow Asmus
Published: August 2015

Large‐scale projects require from engineers more than just being experts in their respective technical discipline. Engineers, and especially Systems Engineers, are required to have an understanding of the disciplines related to theirs and also to possess many personal attributes and skills that enable effective and efficient communication among the project members. However, most education programs for engineers and system engineers still focus mainly on the technical competence. The acquisition of the other required skills is not part of the structured education and therefore difficult to evaluate whether and to which extent an engineer has developed these. This paper discussed an approach to structure the practicing of engineers to become experienced Systems Engineers, and well suited for the needs of large‐scale projects and based on the principles of the craftsmen tradition of “Journeyman Years”.
Engineering Design of an Environmental Management System: A Transdisciplinary Response to the Rhino Poaching Problem
Authors: Roodt Henk , Koen Hildegarde
Published: August 2015

The big issues we face today, that require properly engineered solutions, contain society, nature and man‐made components. It is difficult to consider these systems within the traditional systems contexts, where we can set well‐defined boundaries during the design (analytical decomposition) process. Still, the analysis/synthesis process must be thorough enough to ensure that the functional, physical and allocated architectures that are discovered and defined during the analytical phase, can deliver a reasonable, traceable outcome on synthesis of the solution.

The authors firstly accept that the feedback loop and recursive causal nature inherent to eco‐socio‐technical systems cast them in the domain of wicked problems. Systems engineering relies heavily on being able to understand the questions and the needs of stakeholders to be addressed through the accurate conceptualising of a problem and associated solution space. Thus, in this paper we turn to the concept of complexity for guiding principles to address the wicked problems through appropriate research (analytical) methods that transcends disciplinary focussed solution finding. To highlight the proposed approach the development of an environmental management system as a response to the rhino‐poaching problem is briefly discussed. The approach, when refined, should be able to address other resource management efforts.
Systems Engineering Value Stream Modelling
Authors: Scheithauer Dieter
Published: August 2015

The V‐Model denotes the overall systems engineering value stream. The value stream consists of configuration baselines referencing the information handed over across the system architecture for top‐down design and bottom‐up integration. In addition, system integration preparation is depicted by direct flows from the left leg to the right leg of the V for each system. In order to exploit the full power of value stream thinking, the value streams for the generation of each particular configuration baseline have to be considered. This paper justifies the precedence of the value steam approach compared to document centred and process oriented approaches applied to particular documents. Configuration management in systems engineering is adjusted with respect to the value stream based approach. The process definition model for defining the value streams for generating individual configuration baselines is fully described. The paper concludes with considerations how to establish these work product generation sequences in practice.
Engineering Education – A Systems Dynamics View
Authors: Smit Alwyn , Brent Alan C , Musango Josephine K
Published: August 2015

The paper demonstrates the principles of systems dynamics modelling with the use of a relatively simple model. The model was developed during a course on Systems Dynamics Modelling offered by the School of Public Leadership of Stellenbosch University in 2012. It was intended as an exercise in the application of the modelling techniques and is by no means complete. The model however depicts a good example to illustrate the use of systems dynamics in modelling the complexities of the engineering education dilemma facing South Africa.
The case for nuclear electricity in South Africa – A political alignment framework
Authors: Stoker PW , Fick JIJ , Stwayi M , Gumede J
Published: August 2015

Energy is essential for economic development of South Africa. All areas for development and economic growth i.e. reducing poverty and improving quality of life require affordable access to reliable energy services. When the challenges of energy provision to the population of a state remain unresolved, the resulting misery often leads to conflicts and violence, which in turn affect development efforts and impact on regional and global stability.

The Integrated Resource Plan 2010 (DoE 2010) allocates 9.6 GW electrical generation capacity to nuclear technology. At the date of writing this paper –almost 5 years later‐ this allocation has not yet been committed to a build program. This situation is perhaps not surprising, since the National Development Plan, generally viewed as a vision and master plan for South Africa's economic development, is not supportive of the nuclear option (NPC 2011). The plan calls for further investigation into the need for nuclear electricity, citing gas and shale gas as possible alternatives for base load power generation.

Against this background, the paper presents a framework for moving towards political consensus on the generation of electricity using nuclear technology. The framework builds on the notion that a “political system” can be characterized as a Complex Adaptive System (CAS). It defines political consensus by applying seven criteria which should be met for successful consensus building. These criteria, originally developed by Innes, (Innes and Booher 2009) have been thoroughly tested, and are increasingly used as a strategy to achieve consensus amongst stakeholders on complex and controversial planning and policy tasks. (Innes and Booher 2009).

This paper presents a set of principles on which a political alignment framework should be founded, for example: that South Africa's economic development vision and long term economic development plan should be elevated above party political considerations; that people power is the lifeblood of a democratic society. Give the people the power of knowledge, and allow them to make their own informed decisions ‐ in this case regarding nuclear.

A description is presented as to how the criteria for consensus building could be met in the South African political system. This description is informed by the development of nuclear lectricity in other political systems in both the eastern and western worlds. It further draws on the views of key political parties in respect of nuclear electricity, and proposes that political parties should implement within their own ranks, their own consensus building initiatives in respect of these national priorities.

The paper concludes that if the consensus seeking framework is executed in an honest and transparent way, it could lead to consensus in respect of nuclear electricity, not only on a political but also at a national level.