bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Operationalising performance management in local government: The use of the balanced scorecard
Authors: Ndevu Zwelinzima J. , Muller Kobus 
Published: May 2018

Orientation: Local government forms that part of the public sector closest to citizens and therefore indispensable in its role of providing essential goods and services and developing the local area. Local government has the authority and functions necessary to provide services for the maintenance and promotion of the well-being of all people within their area and should provide access to basic services such as water, electricity and health care.Research purpose: This study examines performance management as a tool in local government effective provision service delivery. The critical question addressed in this paper was how the balanced scorecard (BSC) can be used to improve performance in the context of local government and assist in eradicating the current challenges of lack of quality services, poverty and infrastructure development.Motivation for the study: The need for continuous improvement in service delivery at local government compounded by high levels of service delivery protest requires regular review of performance management system.Research approach: To understand the current context and challenges facing local government, the applicable legislative framework including the Constitution, white paper and the National Development Plans were perused to better understand the legal environment in which local government operates. A literature review was undertaken to evaluate theory on organisational effectiveness. Semi-structured interviews were used to solicit expert opinions.Main findings/managerial implications: The BSC approach emerged as the preferred tool because the method offered the authors the opportunity to review non-financial and financial factors to arrive at a balanced conclusion. A BSC tool was developed and applied to the Joe Gqabi District Municipality as a case study.Practical implications: The BSC as a performance management tool enables organisations to clarify their vision and strategy and translate them into goal or actions.Contribution/value-add: The research findings conclude that there was acknowledgement of the importance of performance measurement instruments in the municipality, yet the municipality still experienced challenges caused by the performance review process not being transparent and not communicated to all stakeholders.
A breast prosthesis infection update: Two-year incidence, risk factors and management at single institution
Authors: Boustany Ashley Nadia , Elmaraghi Shady , Agochukwu Nneamaka , Cloyd Benjamin , Dugan Adam J. , Rinker Brian 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACT
Background: Infection following augmentation and prosthetic-based breast reconstruction can cause significant physical and psychological distress for patients. It may delay adjuvant therapies and compromise aesthetic outcomes. The aim of this study is to identify modifiable risk factors for infection and identify common bacterial isolates to achieve optimal outcomes for patients. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed for patients undergoing implant-based breast reconstruction over a 2-year period. In each case, we documented demographics, co-morbidities, complications and antibiotic use. We reviewed treatments, infectious species cultured where applicable and all outcomes. Results: A total of 292 patients met the inclusion criteria. Fifty-five patients (19%) developed an infection. Univariate analysis showed a significantly increased infection rate with longer operative times (P = 0.001) and use of tissue expanders (P = 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis confirmed drain use and elevated body mass index (BMI) as risk factors (odds ratio [OR] 2.427 and 1.061, respectively). After controlling for BMI, smoking status and radiation, we found an increased odd of infection with allograft use (OR 1.838) and a decreased odd with skin preparation using 2% chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% isopropyl (OR 0.554), though not statistically significant. Forty of 55 patients with infections had cultures, with 62.5% of isolates being Gram-positive species and 30% Gram-negative species. The median time to clinical infection was 25 days. Implant salvage with surgical interventions was achieved in 61.5% of patients. Conclusions: This study identified judicious use of drains and efficiency in the operating room as modifiable risk factors for infections following implant-based breast reconstruction. Prospective trials to analyse techniques for infection prevention are warranted. Implant salvage following infection is a possible end-point in the appropriate patient.
Squirt flow due to interfacial water films in hydrate bearing sediments
Authors: Sell Kathleen , Quintal Beatriz , Kersten Michael , Saenger Erik H. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract. Sediments containing gas hydrate dispersed in the pore space are known to show a characteristic seismic anomaly which is a high attenuation along with increasing seismic velocities. Currently, this observation cannot be fully explained albeit squirt-flow type mechanisms on the microscale have been speculated to be the cause. Recent major findings from in situ experiments, using the gas in excess and water in excess formation method, and coupled with high-resolution synchrotron-based X-ray micro-tomography, have revealed the systematic presence of thin water films between the quartz grains and the encrusting hydrate. The data obtained from these experiments underwent an image processing procedure to quantify the thicknesses and geometries of the aforementioned interfacial water films. Overall, the water films vary from sub-micrometer to a few micrometers in thickness. In addition, some of the water films interconnect through water bridges. This geometrical analysis is used to propose a new conceptual squirt flow model for hydrate bearing sediments. A series of numerical simulations is performed considering variations of the proposed model to study seismic attenuation caused by such thin water films. Our results support previous speculation that squirt flow can explain high attenuation at seismic frequencies in hydrate bearing sediments, but based on a conceptual squirt flow model which is geometrically different than those previously considered.
Treatment of collagenase-induced osteoarthritis with a viral vector encoding TSG-6 results in ectopic bone formation
Authors: Broeren Mathijs G.A. , Di Ceglie Irene , Bennink Miranda B. , van Lent Peter L.E.M. , van den Berg Wim B. , Koenders Marije I. , Blaney Davidson Esmeralda N. , van der Kraan Peter M. , van de Loo Fons A.J. 
Published: May 2018

Objective
Tumor necrosis factor-inducible gene 6 (TSG-6) has anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective effects in mouse models of inflammatory arthritis. Because cartilage damage and inflammation are also observed in osteoarthritis (OA), we determined the effect of viral overexpression of TSG-6 in experimental osteoarthritis.

Methods
Bone marrow-derived cells were differentiated to multinucleated osteoclasts in the presence of recombinant TSG-6 or after transduction with a lentiviral TSG-6 expression vector. Multi-nucleated osteoclasts were analyzed after tartrate resistant acid phosphatase staining and resorption activity was determined on dentin slices. Collagenase-induced osteoarthritis (CIOA) was induced in C57BL/6 mice after intra-articular injection of an adenoviral TSG-6 or control luciferase expression vector. Inflammation-related protease activity was measured using bioluminescent Prosense probes. After a second adenovirus injection, cartilage damage was assessed in histological sections stained with Safranin-O. Ectopic bone formation was scored in X-ray images of the affected knees.

Results
TSG-6 did not inhibit the formation of multi-nucleated osteoclasts, but caused a significant reduction in the resorption activity on dentin slices. Adenoviral TSG-6 gene therapy in CIOA could not reduce the cartilage damage compared to the luciferase control virus and no significant difference in inflammation-related protease activity was noted between the TSG-6 and control treated group. Instead, X-ray analysis and histological analysis revealed the presence of ectopic bone formation in the TSG-6 treated group.

Conclusion
Gene therapy based on the expression of TSG-6 could not provide cartilage protection in experimental osteoarthritis, but instead resulted in increased ectopic bone formation.
Synthetic Polymer Tag for Intracellular Delivery of siRNA
Authors: Tai Wanyi , Gao Xiaohu 
Published: May 2018

AbstractShort interference RNA (siRNA) is capable of precisely controlling the expression levels of virtually any functional genes. Before tapping into the full potential of siRNA, however, the longstanding difficulty of cell type‐specific cytosolic delivery of siRNA must be addressed. Conventional cationic materials are unsuitable because of their toxicity, colloidal instability, large and heterogeneous complex sizes, and interference with targeting. Building on the new concept of tagging individual siRNA‐targeting ligand chimera with charge–neutral endosomolytic agents, a new class of tags based on synthetic polymers is developed. Compared to multifunctional proteins and peptides previously made for the same functions, the synthetic polymer tags are simple and inexpensive to make, compact in size, have a low immunogenic potential, and are stable in circulation. Efficient in vitro and in vivo gene silencing is achieved, opening exciting opportunities for development of targeted biologics.
Revealing the Origins of Mechanically Induced Fluorescence Changes in Organic Molecular Crystals
Authors: Wilbraham Liam , Louis Marine , Alberga Domenico , Brosseau Arnaud , Guillot Régis , Ito Fuyuki , Labat Frédéric , Métivier Rémi , Allain Clémence , Ciofini Ilaria 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMechanofluorochromic molecular materials display a change in fluorescence color through mechanical stress. Complex structure–property relationships in both the crystalline and amorphous phases of these materials govern both the presence and strength of this behavior, which is usually deemed the result of a mechanically induced phase transition. However, the precise nature of the emitting species in each phase is often a matter of speculation, resulting from experimental data that are difficult to interpret, and a lack of an acceptable theoretical model capable of capturing complex environmental effects. With a combined strategy using sophisticated experimental techniques and a new theoretical approach, here the varied mechanofluorochromic behavior of a series of difluoroboron diketonates is shown to be driven by the formation of low‐energy exciton traps in the amorphous phase, with a limited number of traps giving rise to the full change in fluorescence color. The results highlight intrinsic structural links between crystalline and amorphous phases, and how these may be exploited for further development of powerful mechanofluorochromic assemblies, in line with modern crystal engineering approaches.
Lithium Niobate Crystal with Embedded Au Nanoparticles: A New Saturable Absorber for Efficient Mode‐Locking of Ultrafast Laser Pulses at 1 µm
Authors: Pang Chi , Li Rang , Li Ziqi , Dong Ningning , Cheng Chen , Nie Weijie , Böttger Roman , Zhou Shengqiang , Wang Jun , Chen Feng 
Published: May 2018

AbstractPlasmonic Au nanoparticles embedded in LiNbO3 crystals as efficient saturable absorbers to realize 74.1 ps mode‐locked laser pulse generation at 1 µm are reported. The system is fabricated by Au ion implantation and subsequent annealing, a well‐developed chip technology. The strong optical absorption band peaking at 640 nm is observed due to the localized surface plasmon resonance. Z‐scan investigation shows that the LiNbO3 crystals with embedded Au nanoparticles possess ultrafast saturable absorption properties at near‐infrared 1 µm wavelength. With this feature the Au nanoparticles embedded LiNbO3 wafer is applied as saturable absorber into a laser‐written Nd:YVO4 waveguide platform. Stable laser pulses at 1064 nm based on an efficient passive Q‐switched mode‐locking process, reaching a fundamental repetition rate of 6.4 GHz and a pulse duration of 74.1 ps, are obtained. Since LiNbO3 has broadband applications in various optical systems, this work opens the way to develop intriguing devices in LiNbO3‐based photonic circuits by using embedded metallic nanoparticles.
Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed C−H Functionalization Reactions of π‐Deficient Heterocycles
Authors: Das Riki , Kapur Manmohan 
Published: May 2018

AbstractElectron‐deficient aromatic heterocycles, such as pyridine, quinoline, and isoquinoline, occupy a vast and rapidly expanding area of chemistry because of the obvious application of their derivatives in medicine, agriculture, polymers, and other fields. These heterocycles are rather poorly reactive towards electrophilic metalation by C−H activation and oxidative C−H activation mechanisms. The catalytic C−H functionalization of electron‐ deficient heterocycles remains a challenge for the synthetic chemistry community. This Focus Review highlights significant developments made in the area of transition‐metal‐catalyzed C−H functionalization of π‐deficient heterocycles.
Degradation of Nile blue sulphate dye onto iron oxide nanoparticles: Kinetic study, identification of reaction intermediates, and proposed mechanistic pathways
Authors: Kushwaha Rajkamal , Garg Sangeeta , Bajpai Shailendra , Giri Ardhendu Sekhar 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) were synthesized and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometer, nitrogen adsorption–desorption, and transmission electron microscopy. Vibrating sample magnetometer analysis confirmed the superparamagnetic behavior of Fe3O4 NPs with a specific saturation magnetization value 43 emu g−1. Synthesized Fe3O4 NPs exhibited surface area 52 m2 g−1 with pore volume 0.0729 cc g−1 and average pore diameter 5.528 nm. The degradation efficiency of Nile blue sulphate (NBS) dye onto Fe3O4 NPs was 86.8% with total organic carbon removal and chemical oxygen demand conversion of 65.6% and 55.9%, respectively, at 5mM H2O2 and 50 mg l−1 of NBS dye concentration for 12 min of reaction time. Rate of degradation of dye onto Fe3O4 NPs followed second‐order kinetic rate equation with high value of regression coefficient (R2 = 0.997) at 303 K. The low activation energy (19.16 kJ mol−1) obtained from Arrhenius plot showed that of Fe3O4 NPs have high catalytic activity towards the degradation of NBS dye during oxidation process. The intermediate products formed during degradation of NBS dye were detected by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry experiment, and 11 numbers of fragments were detected on the basis of mass to charge ratio (m/z) at 24.186 min. The degradation of NBS dye was attributed to formation of intermediates from destruction of conjugated structure of dye and transformation of these intermediates into small molecules, which were further mineralized to water and carbon dioxide.
Blending ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene and poly(ethylene/10‐undecen‐1‐ol) in one nascent particle
Authors: Zhang Ganchao , Tong Xueqing , Hui Lei , Chen Tao , Mu Jingshan , Li Wei , Zhou Qi 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTUltrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)/polar polyethylene (PE) composites were blended in one nascent particle by in situ polymerization with a hybrid catalyst. Polystyrene‐coated SiO2 particles were used to support the hybrid catalyst. Fe(acac)3/2,6‐bis[1‐(2‐isopropylanilinoethyl)] was supported on SiO2 for the synthesis of UHMWPE, whereas [PhNC(CH3)CHC(Ph)O]VCl2 was immobilized on a polystyrene layer to prepare a copolymer of ethylene and 10‐undecen‐1‐ol (polar PE). Importantly, the core part of the supports (the polystyrene layer) exhibited pronounced transfer resistance to 10‐undecen‐1‐ol; this provided an opportunity to keep the inside iron active sites away from the poisoning of 10‐undecen‐1‐ol. Therefore, UHMWPE was simultaneously synthesized with polar PE by in situ polymerization. Interestingly, the morphological results show that UHMWPE and the polar PE were successfully blended in one nascent polymer. This improved the miscibility of the composites, where most of the chains were difficult to crystallize because of the strong interactions between the PE chains and polar chains. The blends showed an extremely low crystallinity, that is, 9.9%. Finally, the hydrophilic properties of the polymer composites were examined. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46652.
Phosphorus Doped Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes: An Excellent Electrocatalyst for the VO2+/VO2+ Redox Reaction
Authors: He Zhangxing , Jiang Yingqiao , Zhu Jing , Li Yuehua , Dai Lei , Meng Wei , Wang Ling , Liu Suqin 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn this paper, phosphorus doped (P doped) multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were prepared and investigated as catalyst for VO2+/VO2+ redox reaction for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFB). X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirms the equable incorporation of P atoms into carbon layers of the CNTs, and that P doping has no obvious effect on the morphologies of the CNTs. The results of cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicate that the electrocatalytic properties of the CNTs are significantly enhanced for the VO2+/VO2+ redox couple by P doping. The sample treated at 800 °C (CNTs‐P8) exhibits the highest electrocatalytic activity, with two times higher peak currents for the redox reaction catalyzed by CNTs‐P8 deposited on glassy carbon than for pristine CNTs. A dynamic cell using the CNTs‐P8 catalyst for VO2+/VO2+ redox couple was assembled and the cell performance was evaluated. This cell exhibits better electrochemical properties including higher discharge capacity and energy efficiency, especially at high current density. The average energy efficiency of the cell for 50 cycles increases by 4.2 % at 50 mA cm−2 by using CNTs‐P8. This study demonstrates that the P doped CNTs are an efficient and promising catalyst material for VO2+/VO2+ redox reaction in VRFB systems.
Organic Sensitizers for Photoanode Water Splitting in Dye‐Sensitized Photoelectrochemical Cells
Authors: Manfredi Norberto , Boldrini Chiara Liliana , Abbotto Alessandro 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMetal‐free di‐branched organic sensitizers, containing different heteroaromatic (phenothiazine, phenoxazine and carbazole) donor moieties, have been investigated as photoactive anode sensitizers in the photoelectrochemical generation of oxygen and water splitting. Photoelectrochemical properties have been studied both in the presence of a sacrificial electron donor, to closely evaluate the charge‐transfer phenomena and the external quantum efficiency, and with a common water oxidation catalyst, to preliminarily assess the photoelectrochemical water‐splitting activity and oxygen production. The experimental performance trend, in terms of photogenerated charge and evolved gas, was phenothiazine>carbazole>phenoxazine, arising from superior light‐harvesting capability and more efficient electron injection to the semiconductor.
Gold(I) Complexes Containing Phosphanyl‐ and Arsanylborane Ligands
Authors: Braese Jens , Schinabeck Alexander , Bodensteiner Michael , Yersin Hartmut , Timoshkin Alexey Y. , Scheer Manfred 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe structural and photophysical properties of a series of new AuI compounds have been studied. The reactions of AuCl(tht) with the phosphanyl‐ and arsanylboranes RR′EBH2NMe3 (E=P, As; R=H, Ph; R′=H, Ph, tBu) afford the complexes [AuCl(RR′EBH2NMe3)]. In the solid state, [AuCl(H2PBH2NMe3)]2 (2 a) is a dimer showing unsupported intermolecular aurophilic interactions with short Au⋅⋅⋅Au distances. In contrast, [AuCl(H2AsBH2NMe3)]n (2 b) aggregates to form 1D chains. Organic substituents on the pnictogen atoms lead to discrete molecules in [AuCl(RR′PBH2NMe3)] (2 c: R=H, R′=tBu; 2 d: R=R′=Ph). To increase the aurophilicity, the ionic homoleptic complexes [Au(RR′EBH2NMe3)2][AlCl4] (3 a–d) have been synthesized, for which 3 a,b form chains in the solid state and exhibit luminescence. The emissions show a drastic redshift with temperature decrease, correlating with decreasing Au⋅⋅⋅Au distances. DFT calculations provide insight into the bonding situation of the products.
Time‐integrated habitat availability is a resource attribute that informs patterns of use in intertidal areas
Authors: Calle Leonardo , Green Lauri , Strong Allan , Gawlik Dale E. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn dynamic environments, resource availability may change by several orders of magnitude, over hours to months, but the duration of resource availability is not often included as a characteristic attribute of resources even though temporal resource dynamics might limit patterns of use. In our study of wading birds foraging in intertidal areas, tides cause large changes in the areal extent of shallow‐water foraging habitat (i.e., the resource), but tides also constrain the duration of availability, which is often overlooked. We hypothesized that temporal constraints on habitat availability from tides would be reflected in patterns of habitat use by foraging birds. We estimated the time‐integrated habitat availability and compared it to traditional habitat attributes (seagrass cover, substrate type, instantaneous water depth, and proximity to mangrove islands or deep water) that have strong evidential support for influencing patterns of use. To evaluate our hypotheses, we quantified habitat attributes at intertidal areas in the Florida Keys, USA, where wading birds were observed foraging (Little Blue Heron, Egretta caerulea: N = 183; Great White Heron, Ardea herodias occidentalis: N = 162). We tested for nonrandom use by sampling habitat attributes at two spatial scales around the observed feeding locations and we analyzed the data using a conditional logistic regression model. There was no evidence that seagrass cover or substrate explained patterns of use. The proximity of foraging locations relative to mangroves and to deep water were important at both spatial scales but had lower effect sizes (odds ratios) than time‐integrated habitat availability and water depth, and the latter may only serve as a physical constraint on access. We found support that time‐integrated habitat availability was a distinct resource attribute, had the greatest effect size (four‐ to eightfold change in relative probability of use), and best explained patterns of habitat use at the largest spatial scale. In studies of resource use where changes in resource availability are nonlinear or when strong constraints on access are imposed by behavior, incorporating time‐integrated estimates of resource availability into analyses can improve insights into spatiotemporal patterns of resource use.