Examining the maturity of South Africa’s government departments to implement the Infrastructure Delivery Management System (IDMS)

The purpose of this exploratory study is to examine the maturity of South Africa’s provincial government departments in engaging with the Infrastructure Delivery Management System (IDMS) towards facilitating effective infrastructure delivery. Furthermore, the study sought to formulate evidence-based interventions that could be utilised by these government departments to engender successful delivery of infrastructure assets and associated services to their beneficiaries. This research was descriptive and employed the quantitative research approach. Data was elicited from three provincial government departments in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Structured maturity modelling questionnaires were deployed for data collection from the respondents. The emergent data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Version 26. A One-Way ANOVA, aimed at enabling a comparative analysis of differences in the degree of maturity between the three provincial government departments that utilise the IDMS, was conducted. Results from the study indicate that the three departments (cases) had a maturity rating between 3 and 4, signifying well-defined and documented standard processes that can be improved over time. However, an IDMS-ready organisation would ideally have a maturity rating at level 5. In addition, the leadership dimension was found to be a driver of all other dimensions, where a high maturity level under this dimension directly correlates with improved maturity in the other dimensions. It is recommended that adequate management and leadership support is needed to improve organisational maturity in relation to IDMS implementation. The study was confined to KwaZulu-Natal, due to the short survey period for information gathering and data collection. The COVID-19 pandemic also had a great impact on the undertaking of some key research processes mostly affecting the research methodology, particularly during data collection. This study is the first of its kind in South Africa to assess the maturity of provincial government departments to implement the IDMS, which is indicative of an evaluation void gap.

Inversion Characteristics of Hydrocarbon Gases Carbon Isotopes Varying With Temperature and Implications for Shale Exploration

In order to understand the influence of source rock types and maturity on hydrocarbon gases carbon isotope change more objectively, a closed-system pyrolysis experiment was carried out on six samples from 250 to 550°C. The values of δ13C1, δ13C2, and δ13C3 were ranged from −73.3 to −29.8%, from −36.3 to −9.5%, and from −38.5 to −12.4%, respectively. The range of δ13C1 was the largest, reaching a top value of 43.5%. The results showed that the temperature has an effect on the carbon isotope value of pyrolysis gas. With the increase of the degree of thermal evolution, the carbon isotope value of methane in all samples, except for huangxian gangue, had a change trend from heavy to light firstly, then got heavier. In addition, the carbon isotope values of methane, ethane and propane had the features of δ13C1 < δ13C2 < δ13C3 when the temperatures were under 550°C, which were made up of a series of positive carbon isotopes. However, when the temperature increased above 550°C, there was an inversion of the simulated gas carbon isotope values in Huangxian coal gangue, Minqin oil shale and Huaan carbonaceous shale, i.e., δ13C2 > δ13C3 and δ13C2 > δ13C1. It indicates that the secondary cracking has occurred at high maturity or over maturity stage.

Thrusts control the thermal maturity of accreted sediments

Thermal maturity assessments of hydrocarbon-generation potential and thermal history rarely consider how structures developing during subduction influence the trajectories of accreted sediments. Our thermomechanical models of subduction support that thrusts evolving under variable sedimentation rates and décollement strengths fundamentally influence the trajectory, temperature, and thermal maturity of accreting sediments. This is particularly true for the frontal thrust, which pervasively partitions sediments along a low and a high maturity path. Notably, our findings imply that interpretations of the distribution of thermal maturity cannot be detached from accounts of the length and frequency of thrusts and their controlling factors. Taking these factors into consideration, our approach reduces former inconsistencies between predicted and factual thermal maturity distributions in accretionary wedges and provides a first-order predictive indicator for thermal maturity distribution based on known fault architectures.

Evolution of Storm Surges over the Little Ice Age Indicated by Aeolian Sand Records on the Coast of the Beibu Gulf, China

The Wutou section, hereinafter referred to as “WTS”, lies in Jiangping, Guangxi Province, China (21°32′8.25″ N, 108°06′59.9″ E; thickness of 246 cm) and consists of fluvial-lacustrine facies and dune sands of the Late Holocene. This study reconstructed the evolution of storm surges along the coast of the Beibu Gulf, Guangxi over the Little Ice Age, based on three accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS)-14C, optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating ages, and the analyses of grain size and heavy minerals. The analysis results indicated that the storm sediments interspersed among aeolian sands, lagoon facies, and weak soil display a coarse mean grain size and poor sorting. The storm sediments also show high maturity of heavy minerals and low stability resulting from rapid accumulation due to storm surges originating from the land-facing side of the coastal dunes. Records of seven peak storm surge periods were recorded in the WTS over the past millennium and mainly occurred after 1400 AD, i.e., during the Little Ice Age. The peaks in storm surges, including the 14Paleostrom deposit (hereinafter referred to as “Pd”) (1425–1470AD), 10Pd (1655–1690AD), 6Pd (1790–1820AD), and 4Pd (1850–1885AD) approximately corresponded with the periods of minimum sunspot activity, suggesting that the periods of storm surge peaks revealed by the WTS were probably regulated to a great extent by solar activity.

Provenance of the Sawa Formation Sandstones, Vindhyan Super Group, Southeast Rajasthan, India

Integrated petrographical and geochemical analysis of Sawa Formation sandstones was analyzed to reconstruct their source area weathering, paleoclimate, tectonic setting and provenance conditions. Petrographically, quartz is dominant detrital mineral followed by feldspar, mica, rock fragments and heavy minerals. Sawa Formation sandstones have been classified as quartzarenite with subordinate sub-arkose and sub-litharenite type. Major oxide element abundances revealed the sandstones have high SiO2 concentration, high K2O/ Na2O ratio, which is consistent with the petrographic data. These sandstones were derived mainly from stable cratonic with minor collision suture and fold thrust belt source and deposited in rifted continental margin basin setting, reflecting high maturity of sediments and high stability of the source area. The CIA, CIW and PIA values of these sandstones indicate high intensity of weathering condition in the source area under warm and humid climate.

Novel Functional Genes Involved in Transdifferentiation of Canine ADMSCs Into Insulin-Producing Cells, as Determined by Absolute Quantitative Transcriptome Sequencing Analysis

The transdifferentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) into insulin-producing cells (IPCs) is a potential resource for the treatment of diabetes. However, the changes of genes and metabolic pathways on the transdifferentiation of ADMSCs into IPCs are largely unknown. In this study, the transdifferentiation of canine ADMSCs into IPCs was completed using five types of procedures. Absolute Quantitative Transcriptome Sequencing Analysis was performed at different stages of the optimal procedure. A total of 60,151 transcripts were obtained. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were divided into five groups: IPC1 vs. ADSC (1169 upregulated genes and 1377 downregulated genes), IPC2 vs. IPC1 (1323 upregulated genes and 803 downregulated genes), IPC3 vs. IPC2 (722 upregulated genes and 680 downregulated genes), IPC4 vs. IPC3 (539 upregulated genes and 1561 downregulated genes), and Beta_cell vs. IPC4 (2816 upregulated genes and 4571 downregulated genes). The gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis of DEGs revealed that many genes and signaling pathways that are essential for transdifferentiation. Hnf1B, Dll1, Pbx1, Rfx3, and Foxa1 were screened out, and the functions of five genes were verified further by overexpression and silence. Foxa1, Pbx1, and Rfx3 exhibited significant effects, can be used as specific key regulatory factors in the transdifferentiation of ADMSCs into IPCs. This study provides a foundation for future work to understand the mechanisms of the transdifferentiation of ADMSCs into IPCs and acquire IPCs with high maturity.

Development and Validation of Classification for Electronic Health Record-Related Patient Safety Incidents (Preprint)

BACKGROUND It is assumed that the implementation of health information technology introduces new vulnerabilities within a complex sociotechnical healthcare system, but no international consensus exists on a standardized format to enhance collection, analysis, and interpretation of technology-induced errors. OBJECTIVE The study’s first aim was to develop a classification for patient safety incident reporting associated with the use of mature electronic health records (EHRs). The second aim was to validate the classification by using a data set of incidents during a six-month period immediately after the implementation of a new EHR system. METHODS The starting point of the classification development was the FIN-TIERA tool, based on research on commonly recognized error types. A multi-professional research team used iterative tests on consensus building to develop a classification. The final classification, with preliminary descriptions of classes, was validated by applying it to analyze EHR-related error incidents (n=428) during the implementation phase of a new EHR system to evaluate its characteristics and applicability for purposes of incident reporting. Interrater agreement was applied. RESULTS The number of EHR-related patient safety incidents during the implementation period (n=501) was fivefold when compared with the pre-implementation period (n=82). The literature identified new error types that were added to the emerging classification. Error types were adapted iteratively after several test rounds to develop a classification for purposes of patient safety incident reporting in the clinical use of a high-maturity EHR system. Of the 427 classified patient safety incidents, interface problems accounted for 96 incident reports; usability problems, 73; documentation problems, 60; and clinical workflow problems, 33. Altogether, 89 reports were related to medication section problems, and downtime problems were rare (n=8). During the classification work, 74 of the original sample (501) were rejected due to insufficient information, even though the reports were deemed EHR-related. Interrater agreement during the blinded review was 98%. CONCLUSIONS A new classification for EHR-related patient safety incidents applicable to mature EHRs is presented. The number of EHR-related patient safety incidents during the implementation period possibly reflects patient safety challenges during the implementation of a new type of high-maturity EHR system. The results indicate that the types of errors previously identified in the literature change with EHRs’ development cycle. CLINICALTRIAL N.a.

An Integrative Modeling Approach to Estimating Volume of Generated Oil from Lower Cretaceous Sulaiy Formation in Southern Iraq

Thermal maturity and petroleum generation capacity of the source rocks of Lower Cretaceous Sulaiy Formation were studied and evaluated via modeling the thermal maturation of ten wells in this study by using the Arrhenius equation for chemical reactions or (time-temperature index of thermal maturation). A thermal maturation map of the Sulaiy Formation shows that it a high maturity level increasing eastward; also, the geochemical analysis indicated suitable organic content in quantity and quality to generate hydrocarbons. The onset of oil migration from the Sulaiy Formation is calculated by this study to be at the end of Lower Eocene time (53 million years ago), and as it is a late hydrocarbon generation and migration; thus indicating mainly vertical migration paths. According to quantitative estimation, the oil generated and migrated vertically from the Sulaiy Formation towards the Lower Cretaceous reservoirs in southern Iraq estimated at 42.6 x 109 bbl. This study elevated the status of the Sulaiy Formation to a major source of oil tapped in the Lower Cetaceous reservoirs of southern Iraq.

The Relation between Concrete, Mortar and Paste Scale Early Age Properties

Microstructure development of concrete, mortar, and paste scale of cement-based material (CBM) during the early hydration stage has a significant impact on CBM’s physical, mechanical, and durability characteristics at the high maturity state. The research was carried out using compositions with increased autogenous shrinkage and extended early age period, proposed within the RRT+ programme of the COST Action TU1404. The electrical conductivity method, used to follow the solidification process of CBM, is capable of determining the initial and final setting time, and the end of the solidification process acceleration stage for the paste and mortar scale. Simultaneous ultrasonic P- and S-wave transmission measurements revealed that the ratio of velocities VP/VS is highly dependent on the presence of aggregates—it is considerably higher for the paste scale compared to the mortar and concrete scale. The deviation from the otherwise roughly constant ratio VP/VS for each scale may indicate cracks in the material. The non-linear correlation between the dynamic and static elastic moduli valid over the three scales was confirmed. Additionally, it was found that the static E-modulus correlates very well with the square of the VS and that the VS is highly correlated to the cube compressive strength—but a separate trendline exists for each CBM scale.

EASYDAB (Earth System Data Branding) for FAIR and Open Data

<p>As in many scientific disciplines, there are a variety of activities in Earth system sciences that address the important aspects of good research data management. What has not been sufficiently investigated and dealt with so far is the easy discoverability and re-use of quality-checked data. This aspect is taken up by the EASYDAB label.</p><p>EASYDAB<sup>1</sup> is a currently developed branding for FAIR and open data from the Earth System Sciences. The branding can be adopted by institutions running a data repository which stores data from the Earth System Sciences. EASYDAB is always connected to a research data publication with DataCite DOIs. Data published under EASYDAB are characterized by a high maturity, extensive metadata information and compliance with a comprehensive discipline-specific standard. For these datasets, the EASYDAB logo is added to the landing page of the data repository. Thereby, repositories can indicate their efforts to publish data with high maturity.</p><p>The first standard made for EASYDAB is the ATMODAT standard<sup>2</sup>, which has been developed within the AtMoDat<sup>3</sup> project (Atmospheric Model Data). It incorporates concrete recommendations and requirements related to the maturity, publication and enhanced FAIRness of atmospheric model data. The requirements are for rich metadata with controlled vocabularies, structured landing pages, file formats (netCDF) and the structure within files. Human- and machine-readable landing pages are a core element of the ATMODAT standard and should hold and present discipline-specific metadata on simulation and variable level. </p><p>The ATMODAT standard includes checklists for the data producer and the data curator so that the compliance with the standard can easily be obtained by both sides. To facilitate automatic checking of the netCDF files headers, a checker program will also be provided and published with DOI. Moreover, a checker for the compliance with the requirements for the DOI Metadata will be developed and made openly available. </p><p>The integration of standards from other disciplines in the Earth System Sciences, such as oceanography, into EASYDAB is helpful and desirable to improve the re-use of reviewed, high-quality data. </p><p> <sup>1</sup>www.easydab.de</p><p><sup>2</sup>https://cera-www.dkrz.de/WDCC/ui/cerasearch/entry?acronym=atmodat_standard_en_v3_0</p><p><sup>3</sup>www.atmodat.de</p>