bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case Study: Application of DoD Architecture Framework to Characterizing a Hospital Emergency Department as the Intended Use Environment for Medical Devices
Authors: Malins Robert J.
Published: August 2018

This paper presents a case study by the Biomedical‐Healthcare Model‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) Challenge Team in response to inputs received during workshops held at the 2015 and 2016 INCOSE International Workshops. At IW2015 and IW2016, the Challenge Team held workshops, including clinicians and systems engineers, to assess potential contributions of systems engineering, and MBSE, to clinical operations. At these workshops it was claimed that clinical operations were too complex to be modeled with existing MBSE tools from defense and aerospace. It was further claimed that there would be very limited value to MBSE products. Based on these claims, the MBSE Challenge team undertook several case studies to evaluate the ability of MBSE tools to represent clinical operations and to address problems relevant to healthcare. This paper describes the outcomes of applying one MBSE tool, the DoD Architecture Framework, to characterize clinical operations as the intended use environment for medical devices.
Model‐Based Simulation for Design of nn Airport Autonomous Approach and Landing System
Authors: Snisarevska Oleksandra , Sherry Lance , Shortle John
Published: August 2018

Spacing on the final approach segment while landing at an airport is critical to safe and efficient operations. Spacing on this segment is subject to a large number of stochastic factors that affect the ability of pairs of landing flights to achieve and maintain a desired separation. Due to the combinatorics of these stochastic factors, rule‐based automation cannot meet the performance requirements or adapt as the system characteristics migrate over time. Previous research described the design of a closed‐loop stochastic control system for an autonomous approach and landing system (A2LS) to manage spacing requirements to achieve safety and efficiency goals.

This paper describes the design of a model‐based simulation used to test the A2LS concept‐of‐operations. The simulation includes a model of the sequence of flights on the approach, the flow spacing closed‐loop control law for the A2LS, and a user‐interface to adjust plant and control law parameters and visualize the results. The limitations and implications of the simulation on the Model‐based System Engineering process are discussed.
Architecture Design of Nuclear Power Plants Systems through Viewpoints‐based Systems Analysis
Authors: Navas Juan , Bonnet Stephane , Tannery Philippe , Voirin Jean‐Luc
Published: August 2018

This paper presents a method to perform the architecture definition and design of Nuclear Power Plants (NPP) systems. This method is based on the viewpoints concept and on an existing Model‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach that was tailored to address the complexity factors of NPP engineering, progressively guarantee the comprehensiveness of the design and facilitate the safety assessment. This paper also provides an illustration of how this method was applied to define the architecture of a Nuclear Island system, provides valuable findings for the designer organization regarding the deployment of MBSE approaches and presents their key benefits and future improvement actions.
A Hybrid Liver‐Candidate Transportation System to Improve Accessibility and Extend Organ Life in Liver Transplantation
Authors: Ganesan Rajesh , Hung Wen‐Chi , Chen Chun‐Hung , Peng Tzu‐Yi , Koizumi Naoru
Published: August 2018

In the USA, access to liver transplant is determined by the geographical organ allocation boundaries. The current allocation system involves a three‐tier hierarchical boundary system consisting of Organ Procurement Organization (OPO), the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), and the National (USA) boundary. The search for a matching candidate when a liver is available begins within OPOs and moves up to the UNOS and National levels. The boundary‐based allocation system results in several issues such as geographical disparity in access, long system waiting times, liver wastages, high post‐graft failure, and prioritization of less severe candidates that live close to a transplant center over more needy ones from farther away. The paper investigates the conflict between attempts that reduce geographical disparity and those that optimize organ life (results in geographical disparity) through the application of Modeling and Simulation (M&S) to System Engineering. To resolve the above conflict, the paper presents the system architecture of a new hybrid liver‐candidate transport system instead of a liver‐only transport system, and uses discrete event simulation to model and validate the new system.
A Pilot Study to Determine MBSE Utility for Process Modeling of Complex Interfaces
Authors: Owens “Skip” Clark V. , Dukes Alexandra M. , Daly Shaun
Published: August 2018

Modeling a full system or a complete interface between systems in a MBSE environment is a very large task and not all organizations will benefit enough from using MBSE to offset the effort that is required to do this. Completely modeling a system or interface is not necessary to evaluate the utility of MBSE for a specific application or organization. The first step in any new and ambitious endeavor is to first demonstrate its utility. A small pilot can be executed over a short period of time that only models small portions of a system or interface and, if structured properly, this pilot can successfully demonstrate the utility of MBSE for an organization before having to invest a larger amount of resources to fully implement and deploy MBSE. This paper documents one such pilot that was conducted for NASA's Launch Services Program Integration Engineering organization in the hope that this example will lead the way for others to take a similar “one step at a time” approach. This paper does not present a process for conducting a MBSE pilot, as a generic process would have very little value to the community due to the amount of tailoring that would be required to apply it to a different project.
Architecting Disruptive Digital Product‐Service Systems
Authors: Kumar Anand , Lokku Doji Samson , Natarajan Swaminathan , Nori Kesav V
Published: August 2018

Currently, the context in which systems are architected, developed, delivered and experienced has changed. Advances in digital technologies are leading to revolutionary product‐service systems and changing the landscape of businesses. Increasingly, such Digital product‐service systems are at the forefront of globalization. Their proliferation has been substantial considering the rate of adoption by the masses. These systems have transformed social interactions, customer relationships, and have reshaped the ability to access and leverage information for the benefit of the stakeholders. They deal with products, services and interconnected, global systems that interact with multiple role players across multiple geographies, addressing multiple concerns of stakeholders across multiple disciplines by utilizing digital technologies in a dynamic and challenging environment while providing near real time response and rich customer experience. The challenge for the architects of these systems is to consistently and repeatedly disrupt the status quo without compromising on the quality of the offering and the value delivered to stakeholders. In this paper, an approach to architect such disruptive systems is presented. As an exemplar, the architecture for a digital product‐services system that enables senior care is illustrated in this paper.
Automated Component‐Selection of Design Synthesis for Physical Architecture with Model‐Based Systems Engineering using Evolutionary Trade‐off
Authors: Arifin Habibi Husain , Chimplee Nasis , Kit Robert Ong Ho , Daengdej Jirapun , Sortrakul Thotsapon
Published: August 2018

Component‐Selection is an important task in design synthesis of MBSE. A trade study is commonly used to help systems engineers and stakeholders selecting the components of a systems design. A simple analysis may be sufficient when it involves only two parameters. However, when the components and their integration become more complex, the trade study also becomes harder, time‐ and cost‐consuming, and error‐prone. This paper aims to propose a method to automatically generate the solution by performing an evolutionary search. Sample components of a hybrid car which consists of an engine, an electric motor, and a battery are used in our initial prototype. The logical architecture is represented in the OMG SysMLTM via CSMTM. Through the experimental result, this paper shows that the proposed technique allowed the system design to be efficiently selected.
An Austere SoS Integration Assurance Methodology
Authors: Cook Stephen C , Unewisse Mark H
Published: August 2018

This paper outlines the development of a Program Integration and Interoperability Assessment (Program I2A) methodology. The methodology underpins integration and interoperability (I2) assurance through a system‐of‐systems engineering assessment approach used to undertake Program capability design, realization and management, and examination of the key artefacts. A scorecard approach was designed for the Program I2A. The methodology was tested on a complex Defence capability (Integrated Air and Missile Defence) and from the lessons learnt it was refined to generate the Program I2A methodology described in this paper. A notable feature of the methodology is that it inherently facilitates the delivery of a force that will be joint and integrated by design. In particular, it provides senior decision‐makers with evidence to gauge the effectiveness of the emerging Program and force‐level (SoS) approaches. In doing so it lays the foundations for a mechanism to facilitate the cultural changes needed to establish a joint‐by‐design approach to delivering integrated force capabilities.
System Engineering Strategies for Coastal Flooding Mitigation
Authors: McEligot Kim , Brouse Peggy
Published: August 2018

Coastal flooding is a significant economic hazard. Multiple mitigation measures may be complementary or counterproductive. This paper identifies the applicability of System Engineering techniques in the development of a coherent mitigation policy at the community level. Current mitigation design practices are described, improvements are identified and a model‐based approach is recommended. An integrated computational fluid dynamics and agent based modeling framework is proposed to conduct cost‐benefit analysis of public structural mitigations and other options.
Exploration of the Complex Ontology
Authors: Beale Dean , Tryfonas Theo
Published: August 2018

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the established definition of words in the English language, is at odds with other definitions of complexity proffered by Complexity Theory. This variance is likely to cause confusion in the delivery community. The incorrect classification of a project between ‘complicated’ and ‘complex’ is considered by some to be a major source of project failure; implying that resolving this issue is critical to successful system development. This paper explores the definition of complexity by assessing definitions from various sources and by conducting a survey of over 100 delivery professionals. The results demonstrate the extent of the confusion and have informed considerations on how to resolve this. This paper recommends that the definition is either defined at the start, or that the term is avoided by using its component parts. This paper proposes supporting an emerging definition that resolves many of the issues, if adopted widely.
A Framework for Concept and its Testing on Patents
Authors: Menshenin Yaroslav , Crawley Edward
Published: August 2018

The development of a concept for a system is a key step towards creating the system's architecture. Most previous concept development approaches focus on the procedures for the conceptual design activity ‐ the sequence of activities and tasks. Our work is motivated by the desire to move the activities executed in a Concurrent Design Facility more upstream, in order to include choices and trade‐offs among potential system concepts in a digital environment. Therefore, the objective of this work is to develop a concept framework that can systematically represent the concept's constituents, their definitions and interconnections, such that it can be used in a computational environment. We propose a concept framework that is based on six assertions rooted in design theory, that lead to 33 entries in the framework. In order to test the completeness and utility of this framework, we have mapped eight selected US patents to the framework. Patents are a legally viable means for defending an invention, and therefore the patents must logically contain a description of the concept underlying the invention. For this small N study, we chose eight US patents that represent a broad spectrum of engineering systems and methods. The success of this mapping from patents to the proposed concept framework is a necessary condition to demonstrating the completeness and utility of the framework.
Kilovoltage transit and exit dosimetry for a small animal image‐guided radiotherapy system using built‐in EPID
Authors: Anvari Akbar , Poirier Yannick , Sawant Amit
Published: August 2018

Purpose

We investigated the potential use of the built‐in electronic portal imaging device (EPID) in the small animal radiation research platform (SARRP) as a dosimeter in the kV energy range. To this end, we developed a method for converting portal images to a two‐dimensional (2D) dose maps at the detector plane and object's exit surface and validated them against empirical dose measurements.

Methods

We calibrated the SARRP's EPID to measure transit dose. The transit dose map was back‐projected to calculate 2D dose distribution at the object's exit surface. The accuracy of transit and exit dose distributions was independently validated with a PinPoint ion chamber (IC) and Gafchromic EBT3 film measurements for a range of radiation dose rates (0.43–2.78 cGy/s), cone sizes (5–40 mm), in a homogeneous phantom of varying thickness (0–50 mm) and in an inhomogeneous phantom containing graphite, cork, air, and aluminum.

Results

In‐air central axis (CAX) transit dose values measured with the EPID showed close agreement with film and IC measurements. The maximum differences in EPID in‐air transit measurements with film or IC measurements were 1%. The EPID was capable of accurately measuring phantom transit dose independently of the attenuating phantom thickness, with average discrepancies of 0.5% and 2.9% with IC and film, respectively, where the maximum difference between the EPID and the IC was 1.8%. The results were slightly worse for film, with maximum differences in 4.9%. Output factor measurements using EPID were within 2.9% of both IC and film measurements. In addition, calculated exit doses agreed with film values within ≤3.1%, for attenuating phantom thicknesses ≥15 mm. The agreement became worse with decreasing phantom thickness; for thicknesses of 10 and 5 mm, agreements were ≤5.7% and ≤6.9%, respectively. Compared to film, transit and exit profiles measured with the EPID showed average differences <2% for both homogeneous and inhomogeneous materials.

Conclusion

We developed and validated a novel 2D transit/exit dosimetry for a kV SA‐IGRT system using an EPID. We verified the accuracy of our method to measure EPID transit and exit dose distributions for a range of dose rates, beam attenuation, and collimation. Our results indicate that the EPID can be used as a simple, convenient device for kV dose delivery verification in small animal radiotherapy.
Oncology nurses’ perceptions of work stress and its sources in a university‐teaching hospital: A qualitative study
Authors: Wazqar Dhuha Youssef
Published: August 2018

Aim

To explore and understand work stress and its sources among oncology nurses in a Saudi university‐teaching hospital.

Design

Qualitative descriptive study using semistructured interviews.

Methods

Fourteen oncology nurses working in a university‐teaching hospital were interviewed between October ‐ December 2016. Qualitative content analysis according to the Krippendorff method was used to explore work‐related stressors among oncology nurses in Saudi Arabia.

Results

Two categories were emerged including “extent of work stress” and “work‐related stressors”. The second category included the following subcategories of workload and staff shortage, emotional demands, lack of social support, language barriers, and lack of respect from patients and family members and cultural differences.
Investigation of the Chemical Residuals on the Fused Silica during Chemical Mechanical Polishing
Authors: Xu Li , Chen Gaopan , Luo Haimei , Shi Xiaolei , Luo Guihai , Pan Guoshun
Published: August 2018

Chemical residuals on fused silica after chemical mechanical polishing with silica and ceria have been analyzed. The surface of fused silica terminates with silanol after being polished with silica abrasives but ends up with Ce‐O−Si in a ceria‐based slurry under the CMP environment. The silanol firstly synthesizes on a fused silica surface polished with ceria, but then further reacts with hydroxyl cerium groups scattering in the slurry forming Ce‐O−Si. It also reveals that polishing fused silica with silica abrasives is an alternative way giving an ultra smooth surface.
Diastereoselective One‐Pot Synthesis of Coumarin‐4‐carboxamido‐3‐esters via a Four‐Component Isocyanide‐Based Reaction and Molecular Docking Study
Authors: Teimouri Mohammad Bagher , Yousefi Samira , Khodkari Vida
Published: August 2018

A facile and practical method has been developed for the stereoselective synthesis of coumarin‐4‐carboxamido‐3‐esters via a four‐component reaction between salicylaldehyde, malonic acid, alkyl or aryl isocyanides and various alcohols in acetonitrile at room temperature. Coumarin derivatives have been introduced to be effective in inhibition of cyclooxygenase pathways thus; the potential of new products for interaction into cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX‐1/COX‐2) was screened via in silico molecular docking towards the original compound as an assist for designing the potent inhibitors in the future studies.
Bio‐Waste Derived Carbon as Interlayer and Scaffold for Li‐S Batteries
Authors: Balakumar Kalimuthu , Packiyalakshmi Parameswaran , Kalaiselvi Nallathamby
Published: August 2018

In an attempt to explore bio‐waste derived carbon for sulfur cathode and to exploit it further as an interlayer along with an interest to understand the individual and synergistic effect of bio‐carbon, jamun seed derived porous carbon (bio‐carbon) is deployed. Bio‐carbon contains micro‐pores and bestowed with high specific surface area of 2029 m2/g and pore volume of 1.2 ccm/g. Specifically, 60 wt.% S@bio‐carbon cathode with bio‐carbon interlayer exhibits 642 mAh/g at C/2 rate up to 75 cycles, which is two times higher than the capacity obtained without bio‐carbon interlayer. Notably, bio‐carbon interlayer leads to a 2–3 fold decrease in shuttle current and improves the performance of Li−S cell. Besides, effect of combination of bio‐carbon and Super‐P carbon as scaffold and/or as interlayer is studied, wherein bio‐carbon as scaffold and as interlayer outperforms in terms of capacity retention, better Coulombic efficiency and higher active material holding capability in Li−S batteries. Furthermore, even at a high rate of 3C, bio‐carbon/S‐60 cathode with bio‐carbon interlayer exhibits a capacity of 256 mAh/g, mainly due to the facile lithium kinetics of sulfur in the jamun seed derived bio‐carbon interlayer containing Li−S batteries.
Coupled Inductive Annealing‐Electrochemical Setup for Controlled Preparation and Characterization of Alloy Crystal Surface Electrodes
Authors: Özer Ebru , Paul Benjamin , Spöri Camillo , Strasser Peter
Published: August 2018

The present versatile multifunctional electrochemical crystal preparation‐test station features capabilities for controlled thermal annealing of any type of (binary) metallic or oxidic catalyst or support crystal surfaces, in particular single crystals. The setup enables rapid inductive heating of the electrodes to temperatures up to 1900 °C under precise infrared temperature control in controlled gas atmospheres. The constant overpressure inside the cell prevents the ambient atmosphere to permeate and contaminate the process. Finely adjusted sensors afford accurate and instant information on the electrodes' surface temperature. The subsequent cooling process in argon atmosphere proceeds without any treatment in water. After annealing, the crystals inside the chamber can immediately be subjected to any type of electrochemical deposition, modification, or characterization in two distinct three‐electrode chambers, again without any exposure to air. Both chambers feature pump‐controlled supply and withdrawal of liquid electrolyte. A special characteristic is the inert‐gas flow inversion capability to transfer electrodes into separate portable inert‐gas chambers. Design details are presented and their functionality during thermal preparation and electrochemical voltammetry of Ir(111) catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction are demonstrated. The station provides a crystal handling environment superior to the classic flame annealing approaches, yet to constitute a cost‐effective alternative to vacuum chambers.
Fluorescent Heteroleptic Zirconium and Hafnium Complexes
Authors: Kuhlmann Lisa , Methling Rafael , Simon Jasmin , Neumann Beate , Stammler Hans‐Georg , Strassert Cristian A. , Mitzel Norbert W.
Published: August 2018

Five new heteroleptic zirconium and hafnium complexes were synthesized. The complexes carry chloro ligands as well as differently substituted phenoxy benzoxazole ligands [HL1 = 2‐(2′‐hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole, HL2 = 2‐(2′‐hydroxynaphthyl)benzoxa‐zole, HL3 = 2‐(2′‐hydroxy‐3′,5′‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl)benzoxazole]. They were characterized by 1H and 13C{1H} NMR spectroscopy as well as by elemental analyses and X‐ray diffraction experiments. The molecular structures in the crystals show distorted octahedral or capped trigonal prismatic coordination spheres. The intermolecular interactions influencing the packing patterns are mainly H···Cl contacts. For the hafnium complex [Cl2Hf(L3)2] a dynamic behavior in solution was examined using temperature dependent 1H NMR spectroscopy. The photo‐physical data show that in all cases fluorescence arises from a short‐lived excited state, the emission maxima being located in the blue spectral region.
Hail Causes the Most Storm Damage Costs Across North America
Authors: Loomis Ilima
Published: August 2018

The icy weather phenomenon leads to more than $10 billion in damages each year. Nonetheless, research on hail is lacking, scientists say.
A landscape view on the interplay between EMT and cancer metastasis
Authors: Li Chunhe , Balazsi Gabor
Published: August 2018

The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a basic developmental process that converts epithelial cells to mesenchymal cells. Although EMT might promote cancer metastasis, the molecular mechanisms for it remain to be fully clarified. To address this issue, we constructed an EMT-metastasis gene regulatory network model and quantified the potential landscape of cancer metastasis-promoting system computationally. We identified four steady-state attractors on the landscape, which separately characterize anti-metastatic (A), metastatic (M), and two other intermediate (I1 and I2) cell states. The tetrastable landscape and the existence of intermediate states are consistent with recent single-cell measurements. We identified one of the two intermediate states I1 as the EMT state. From a MAP approach, we found that for metastatic progression cells need to first undergo EMT (enter the I1 state), and then become metastatic (switch from the I1 state to the M state). Specifically, for metastatic progression, EMT genes (such as ZEB) should be activated before metastasis genes (such as BACH1). This suggests that temporal order is important for the activation of cellular programs in biological systems, and provides a possible mechanism of EMT-promoting cancer metastasis. To identify possible therapeutic targets from this landscape view, we performed sensitivity analysis for individual molecular factors, and identified optimal interventions for landscape control. We found that minimizing transition actions more effectively identifies optimal combinations of targets that induce transitions between attractors than single-factor sensitivity analysis. Overall, the landscape view not only suggests that intermediate states increase plasticity during cell fate decisions, providing a possible source for tumor heterogeneity that is critically important in metastatic progress, but also provides a way to identify therapeutic targets for preventing cancer progression.
Correlation factors for distal syndesmosis ossification following internal fixation of ankle fracture
Authors: Bai Lu , Zhou Wen , Zhang Wentao , Liu Jianxin , Zhang Honglei
Published: August 2018

This clinical retrospective study explored factors associated with distal tibiofibular syndesmosis ossification (TFSO) after ankle fracture fixation. Between August 2012 and January 2015, 172 patients with ankle fractures (121 men) with an average age of 46.6 years (range, 22–71 years) were treated surgically with an average follow-up period of 26 months (range, 16–34 months). According to the Danis-Weber AO classification rubric, 54 fractures were type A, 78 were type B, and 40 were type C. According to the Lauge-Hansen classification, there were 17 supination-adduction (SA) fractures, 98 supination-external rotation (SE) fractures, 31 pronation-external rotation (PE) fractures, and 26 pronation-abduction (PA) fractures. The average injury to operation interval was 4.3 days (6 hours-7 days). Multiple factor analysis was conducted to examine risk factors for TFSO. It was observed in 36 (20.9%) cases (11 complete ossification cases; 25 partial ossification cases). Multivariate logistic regression revealed the following independent risk factors for TFSO were: AO classification, distal tibiofibular syndesmosis separation, and fibular fracture morphology. In conclusion, AO type C fracture, syndesmosis separation, and high fibular fracture were associated with distal TFSO following ankle fracture fixation.
Non-calorimetric determination of absorbed power during magnetic nanoparticle based hyperthermia
Authors: Gresits I. , Thuróczy Gy. , Sági O. , Gyüre-Garami B. , Márkus B. G. , Simon F.
Published: August 2018

Nanomagnetic hyperthermia (NMH) is intensively studied with the prospect of cancer therapy. A major challenge is to determine the dissipated power during in vivo conditions and conventional methods are either invasive or inaccurate. We present a non-calorimetric method which yields the heat absorbed during hyperthermia: it is based on accurately measuring the quality factor change of a resonant radio frequency circuit which is employed for the irradiation. The approach provides the absorbed power in real-time, without the need to monitor the sample temperature as a function of time. As such, it is free from the problems caused by the non-adiabatic heating conditions of the usual calorimetry. We validate the method by comparing the dissipated power with a conventional calorimetric measurement. We present the validation for two types of resonators with very different filling factors: a solenoid and a so-called birdcage coil. The latter is a volume coil, which is generally used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) under in vivo condition. The presented method therefore allows to effectively combine MRI and thermotherapy and is thus readily adaptable to existing imaging hardware.
Enhanced interlayer neutral excitons and trions in trilayer van der Waals heterostructures
Authors: Choi Chanyeol , Huang Jiahui , Cheng Hung-Chieh , Kim Hyunseok , Vinod Abhinav Kumar , Bae Sang-Hoon , Özçelik V. Ongun , Grassi Roberto , Chae Jongjae , Huang Shu-Wei , Duan Xiangfeng , Kaasbjerg Kristen , Low Tony , Wong Chee Wei
Published: August 2018

Vertically stacked van der Waals heterostructures constitute a promising platform for providing tailored band alignment with enhanced excitonic systems. Here, we report observations of neutral and charged interlayer excitons in trilayer WSe2–MoSe2–WSe2 van der Waals heterostructures and their dynamics. The addition of a WSe2 layer in the trilayer leads to significantly higher photoluminescence quantum yields and tunable spectral resonance compared to its bilayer heterostructures at cryogenic temperatures. The observed enhancement in the photoluminescence quantum yield is due to significantly larger electron–hole overlap and higher light absorbance in the trilayer heterostructure, supported via first-principles pseudopotential calculations based on spin-polarized density functional theory. We further uncover the temperature- and power-dependence, as well as time-resolved photoluminescence of the trilayer heterostructure interlayer neutral excitons and trions. Our study elucidates the prospects of manipulating light emission from interlayer excitons and designing atomic heterostructures from first-principles for optoelectronics.
Building a 22-ring nanographene by combining in-solution and on-surface syntheses
Authors: Zuzak Rafal , Castro-Esteban Jesus , Brandimarte Pedro , Engelund Mads , Cobas Agustín , Piątkowski Piotr , Kolmer Marek , Pérez Dolores , Guitián Enrique , Szymonski Marek , Sánchez-Portal Daniel , Godlewski Szymon , Peña Diego
Published: August 2018

A nanographene formed by the fusion of 22 benzene rings has been prepared by combining in-solution cycloaddition reactions and on-surface cyclodehydrogenations.
Janus mesoporous silica nanosheets with perpendicular mesochannels: affording highly accessible reaction interfaces for enhanced biphasic catalysis
Authors: Yan Shuai , Zou Houbing , Chen Shuai , Xue Nan , Yang Hengquan
Published: August 2018

A novel Janus mesosilica nanosheet with perpendicular mesochannels that can provide a highly accessible reaction interface for both oil- and water-soluble reactants has been reported for enhanced biphasic catalysis.
First principles Monte Carlo simulations of unary and binary adsorption: CO2, N2, and H2O in Mg-MOF-74
Authors: Fetisov Evgenii O. , Shah Mansi S. , Long Jeffrey R. , Tsapatsis Michael , Siepmann J. Ilja
Published: August 2018

Dative bonding of adsorbate molecules onto coordinatively-unsaturated metal sites in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) can lead to unique adsorption selectivities.
Tellurene: its physical properties, scalable nanomanufacturing, and device applications
Authors: Wu Wenzhuo , Qiu Gang , Wang Yixiu , Wang Ruoxing , Ye Peide
Published: August 2018

Tellurene has a 2D chiral-chain structure.
U–Th–Pb geochronology and simultaneous analysis of multiple isotope systems in geological samples by LA-MC-ICP-MS
Authors: Xie Lie-Wen , Evans Noreen J. , Yang Yue-Heng , Huang Chao , Yang Jin-Hui
Published: August 2018

This is a critical review that: (i) provides an overview of LA-MC-ICP-MS dating techniques; (ii) highlights the benefits of using ICs and summarizes recent improvements in ultra-high spatial resolution dating; (iii) summarizes the range of minerals utilized for LA-MC-ICP-MS geochronology and LASS.
Interfacial complexation driven three-dimensional assembly of cationic phosphorus dendrimers and graphene oxide sheets
Authors: Katir Nadia , Benayad Anass , Rouchon Denis , Marcotte Nathalie , El Brahmi Nabil , Majoral Jean Pierre , Bousmina Mosto , El Kadib Abdelkrim
Published: August 2018

Interfacial complexation of cationic dendrimers and graphene oxide provides novel three-dimensional heteroatom-enriched graphene nanostructures.
Rationalization of single-molecule magnet behavior in a three-coordinate Fe(iii) complex with a high-spin state (S= 5/2)
Authors: Ge Ning , Zhai Yuan-Qi , Deng Yi-Fei , Ding You-Song , Wu Tao , Wang Zhen-Xing , Ouyang Zhongwen , Nojiri Hiroyuki , Zheng Yan-Zhen
Published: August 2018

A trigonal-planar Fe(iii) complex Fe[N(SiMe3)2]3with a high spin state (S= 5/2) was investigated by magnetic and HF-EPR measurements, exhibiting distinct dynamic magnetic behaviour.
A dual-function battery for desalination and energy storage
Authors: Wang Liubin , Mu Chaonan , Li Haixia , Li Fujun
Published: August 2018

A dual-function battery composed of a NaTi2(PO4)3 anode and a Ag cathode with NaCl aqueous electrolyte has been reported for simultaneous seawater desalination and renewable energy storage.
Palladium-catalyzed oxidative CC bond cleavage with molecular oxygen: one-pot synthesis of quinazolinones from 2-amino benzamides and alkenes
Authors: Liu Wei , Wu Ge , Gao Wenxia , Ding Jinchang , Huang Xiaobo , Liu Miaochang , Wu Huayue
Published: August 2018

Palladium-catalyzed oxidative cleavage/cyclization has been disclosed for the concise synthesis of various quinazolinone derivatives from readily available 2-aminobenzamides and terminal alkenes with excellent functional group tolerance.
The use of silver nanoparticles for the recovery of uranium from seawater by means of biofouling mitigation
Authors: Byers Margaret Flicker , Landsberger Sheldon , Schneider Erich
Published: August 2018

Research currently being carried out by a consortium of national laboratory and university partners is leading to the development of advanced adsorbent materials suitable for the industrial-scale recovery of the essentially limitless supply of uranium naturally contained within the worlds oceans.
T2 Magnetic Resonance to Monitor Hemostasis
Authors: Cuker Adam , Marturano Joseph , Carinato Maria , Lowery Thomas , Cines Douglas
Published: August 2018

There is a clinical need for pragmatic approaches to measure integrated hemostatic reactions in whole blood rapidly, using small volumes of blood. The authors have applied T2 magnetic resonance (T2MR) to assess coagulation reactions based on partitioning of red blood cells and proteins that occurs during fibrin formation and platelet-mediated clot contraction. T2MR is amenable to measuring clotting times, individual coagulation factors, and platelet function. T2MR also revealed a novel “hypercoagulable” signature characterized by fibrin clots almost insusceptible to fibrinolysis that surround tessellated arrays of polyhedral erythrocytes (“third peak”). This signature, which develops under conditions associated with intense clot formation in vitro, may help identify patients at risk of developing thrombosis and for monitoring antithrombotic therapies in the future.
Molekulare Allergologie
Authors: Dittrich A.-M.
Published: August 2018

Die molekulare Allergiediagnostik kann die Bildung von allergenspezifischem IgE gegen einzelne Komponenten eines nativen Allergens nachweisen. Sie stellt somit eine Erweiterung der klassischen extraktbasierten Allergiediagnostik dar. Durch eine solche komponentenbasierte Diagnostik kann es gelingen, Reaktionsmuster eines Patienten zu identifizieren, die mit einem unterschiedlichen Schweregrad oder Risiko bestimmter allergischer Reaktionen einhergehen. Klinisch-epidemiologische Studien deuten außerdem an, dass komponentenbasierte Reaktionsmuster möglichweise auch helfen können, Therapieansprechen und/oder Krankheitsverläufe besser einzuschätzen.
Elements of indigenous socio-ecological knowledge show resilience despite ecosystem changes in the forest-grassland mosaics of the Nilgiri Hills, India
Authors: Cordero Rodrigo León , M Suma , Krishnan Siddhartha , Bauch Chris T. , Anand Madhur
Published: August 2018

The Nilgiri Hills in the Western Ghats of India constitute a region of high biological and cultural diversity, and include an endangered shola forest-grassland mosaic ecosystem. A mosaic ecosystem is one consisting of adjacent, coexisting patches of highly distinct naturally occurring land states (in this case, shola forest and natural grassland). Changes in the landscape since the nineteenth century have severely impacted the shola-grassland mosaic and challenged the traditional lifestyles of the indigenous Toda people. However, the responses of traditional Toda socio-ecological perspectives and landscape management to these changes have not been explored through population surveys. Here, using a survey method, the article explores traditional Toda perspectives of ecosystem value and landmanagement practices. The survey consists of interviews of 50 respondents belonging to 24munds(villages), covering ten clans, neighbouring mosaic lands, plantations and agricultural areas. The findings show that traditional socio-ecological landscape management is robust and has persisted despite marked ecological and socio-economic changes during the nineteenth and twenty-first centuries, and despite frequent gathering of land management advice from non-Toda. Elements of traditional socio-ecological knowledge that have persisted include prevalent collective traditional decision-making and long-held preferences for a landscape composition with a strong mosaic component. The highly robust nature of Toda socio-ecological culture and land management suggests that the Todas have a valuable role to play in supporting the long-term persistence of the shola-grassland mosaic. Increasing their stewardship role would help conserve this endangered and highly biodiverse ecosystem, while at the same time preserving a unique indigenous culture.
Ultralight and ultraelastic sponge/Al@Al2O3 nanocomposite with tunable electromagnetic properties
Authors: Zhao Xiaoning , Liu Haopeng , Zhang Dianjun , Li Yixing , Zhang Yanhui , Zhang Xuefeng
Published: August 2018

Electromagnetic absorption/shielding materials are highly desirable for high-rapidly developing microelectronic devices. However, there is still a lack of specific materials with dynamic tunable properties to solve issues in complex environments. We herein report a hybrid composite consisting of three-dimensional porous melamine sponge and core@shell Al@Al2O3 nanoparticles, possessing multiple merits of low density (12.47 mg/cm3) and high elasticity. By compressing/decompressing the hybrid, the electromagnetic performances can be reversibly tuned between 18 and 26.5 GHz, ascribed to the tunable conductivity raised from the three-dimensional continuous conductive paths. The present work provides a concept for the design of “dynamic” electromagnetic materials.
Silver inks reduced with low-temperature plasma are printable even on paper
Authors: DeJarnette Drew
Published: August 2018

Through direct printing and chemical reduction using a plasma, metal salts serve as replacements for nanoparticles in inks used to print electronic structures with variable resistivity in single metallic materials.
Revisions to standard theory provide clues to understanding phase behavior of clathrate hydrates
Authors: Liebendorfer Adam
Published: August 2018

Retooling the van der Waals and Platteeuw theory of clathrate hydrates facilitates evaluating phase boundaries between water, hydrates and guest molecules.
A generic deep convolutional neural network framework for prediction of receptor–ligand interactions—NetPhosPan: application to kinase phosphorylation prediction
Authors: Fenoy Emilio , Izarzugaza Jose M G , Jurtz Vanessa , Brunak Søren , Nielsen Morten
Published: August 2018

Motivation

Understanding the specificity of protein receptor–ligand interactions is pivotal for our comprehension of biological mechanisms and systems. Receptor protein families often have a certain level of sequence diversity that converges into fewer conserved protein structures, allowing the exertion of well-defined functions. T and B cell receptors of the immune system and protein kinases that control the dynamic behaviour and decision processes in eukaryotic cells by catalysing phosphorylation represent prime examples. Driven by the large sequence diversity, the receptors within such protein families are often found to share specificities although divergent at the sequence level. This observation has led to the notion that prediction models of such systems are most effectively handled in a receptor-specific manner.

Results

We show that this approach in many cases is suboptimal, and describe an alternative improved framework for generating models with pan-receptor-predictive power for receptor protein families. The framework is based on deep artificial neural networks and integrates information from individual receptors into a single pan-receptor model, leveraging information across multiple receptor-specific datasets allowing predictions of the receptor specificity for all members of a given protein family including those described by limited or no ligand data. The approach was applied to the protein kinase superfamily, leading to the method NetPhosPan. The method was extensively validated and benchmarked against state-of-the-art prediction methods and was found to have unprecedented performance in particularly for kinase domains characterized by limited or no experimental data.

Availability and implementation

The method is freely available to non-commercial users and can be downloaded at http://www.cbs.dtu.dk/services/NetPhospan-1.0.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Civil Litigation 2018-2019
Authors: Cunningham-Hill Susan , Elder Karen
Published: August 2018

Civil Litigation introduces the processes and procedures involved in making and defending civil litigation claims. Following the chronological progression of a civil litigation claim, the volume offers practical guidance on advising clients whilst ensuring that the principles of the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority Handbook and Code of Conduct 2011 are maintained. Diagrams at the beginning of chapters make clear the way in which the litigation procedure works and help with the understanding of the nature of the process as a whole. Examples provide a realistic context for learning, while issues of cost, best practice, and professional conduct are clearly highlighted. Alternative dispute resolution is given appropriate practical emphasis, and references to the Civil Procedure Rules throughout make sure that students are ready for life in practice. This edition has been revised to reflect the most up-to-date law and practice in all aspects of litigation practice. In addition to the chapters highlighted below, there are additional chapters online on injunctions and other equitable remedies, a practical guide to court hearings, instructing counsel, and enforcement of judgments.
2. A Modern Litigation Approach
Authors: Cunningham-Hill Susan , Elder Karen
Published: August 2018

This chapter begins with a discussion of civil litigation reform. It focuses on the purpose of civil litigation. The application of the Civil Procedure Rules is detailed. Key features of civil practice in the courts, for example, the computation of time, are discussed. It considers the concept of the overriding objective and human rights and civil litigation.
3. Costs Information to the Client and Funding Options
Authors: Cunningham-Hill Susan , Elder Karen
Published: August 2018

Legal representatives are obliged to give clients the best information possible about the likely costs of pursuing and ultimately resolving disputes, and to discuss with the client the best way of funding the action. This funding advice is inextricably linked to a legal representative’s professional conduct duties highlighted in the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority (SRA) Code of Conduct 2011. This chapter focuses on the information clients need to know about costs in accordance with the SRA Handbook’s Principles and its Chapter 1 on Client Care in the Code, as well as the different types of funding options available that may or may not be offered to a client. This chapter considers important recent changes in the application of costs and funding options in litigation.
4. The Nature, Extent, and Recovery of Legal Costs
Authors: Cunningham-Hill Susan , Elder Karen
Published: August 2018

This chapter focuses on the control and recovery of costs. Topics covered include the discretionary nature of costs awards, the general principle that the loser pays, how the court controls costs incurred, the basis upon which costs orders are made. In addition, the aspects of a legal representative’s work that are recoverable and how they are formulated, as well as the different types of costs order, are explained. This chapter also considers and helps to identify the changes or amendments that may be implemented in the future regarding the amount and recovery of costs in civil litigation.
5. Alternative Dispute Resolution
Authors: Cunningham-Hill Susan , Elder Karen
Published: August 2018

This chapter deals with the methods by which the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) encourage parties to settle their disputes at an early stage and, ultimately, without proceeding trial. It also looks at the methods of dispute resolution that may be available. The chapter includes a detailed look at the most common dispute resolution methods. Further, it covers the different types of alternative dispute resolution (ADR); the integration of ADR into the CPR; the philosophy of ADR; and a detailed look at mediation.
7. Pre-Action Substantive Matters
Authors: Cunningham-Hill Susan , Elder Karen
Published: August 2018

The role of a student or practitioner in the dispute resolution (or litigation) department is to assist in the procedural and theoretical aspects of a client’s case. These latter aspects can include consideration of matters that can determine where an action proceeds and whether it is capable of proceeding. This chapter deals with issues that may be considered either before seeing a client on a new matter, at the first meeting, or, more commonly, after receiving detailed instructions and reflecting on the overall issues in the case. It considers jurisdiction and governing law; the capacity to sue or be sued; limitation; the legal components of an action; and remedies.
8. Pre-Action Protocols
Authors: Cunningham-Hill Susan , Elder Karen
Published: August 2018

This chapter considers Protocol practice in general, the aims of Protocol, the basic content of all Protocols, and the Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct (PDPAC). It looks at the consequences of non-compliance with Protocol or the PDPAC. It discusses the occasions on which it may be appropriate to issue proceedings without complying with Protocol practice, and some pre-action applications that may be made under the Civil Procedure Rules. It also provides a more detailed look at two Pre-Action Protocols—the Personal Injury Protocol and the Construction and Engineering Protocol.
10. Defending a Claim
Authors: Cunningham-Hill Susan , Elder Karen
Published: August 2018

This chapter considers the options open to a defendant faced with a claim against him. It covers the emotional responses of the defendant, as well as the defendant’s pre-action position. It discusses the way in which a defendant may fund the litigation. It details the essential steps needed to respond to a claim; the substantive responses to the action; and tactical responses to the claim.
11. Drafting Statements of Case
Authors: Cunningham-Hill Susan , Elder Karen
Published: August 2018

Legal representatives will draft many statements of case in order to produce accurate, relevant, and compelling formal court documents. This chapter provides key formulae to help those new to practice produce competent statements of case. It explains the purpose of a statement of case and the standard requirements of a statement of case. It also discusses the particulars of claim; the defence; additional claims; the reply; the Part 18 request for further information; and amendments to statements of case.
12. Case Management
Authors: Cunningham-Hill Susan , Elder Karen
Published: August 2018

This chapter considers the way in which the court ‘actively manages’ cases. All disputed cases are subject to a level of court management and enforcement of its directions orders. The chapter provides an understanding of the time at which active case management commonly occurs. It explains the the ethos of case management, allocation (to track), and case management directions through the tracks. It discusses the ways in which the court will seek to ensure that its orders for the management of a case are complied with.