bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing the progress and gaps in strategic health purchasing in Kenya
Authors: Kazungu Jacob , Kabia Evelyn , Munge Kenneth , Barasa Edwine 
Published: April 2021

Background: Kenya has committed to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) and prioritised purchasing reforms. Existing evidence indicates that purchasing can be leveraged to achieve health system objectives when done strategically. However, no single study has collated evidence on the progress and bottlenecks on strategic health purchasing (SHP) in Kenya to inform requisite SHP reforms in moving towards UHC. Against this backdrop, we assessed the progress and gaps in SHP in Kenya. Methods: We used a cross-sectional qualitative study design and collected data using document reviews, key informant interviews, and a stakeholder engagement workshop focussing on the three main purchasers in Kenya: the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), county departments of health (CDOH) and the Ministry of Health (purchaser for vertical programmes). Data was analysed following a framework analysis approach. Results: Kenya is making progress towards developing, implementing and institutionalising SHP practices that should lead to the attainment of health system goals. Progress has been made in 1) strengthening the process of defining a health benefits package available for the population, 2) engaging in selective contracting and integrated care contracting, 3) implementing multiple provider payment mechanisms, 4) designing legal and regulatory frameworks that provide direction for purchasing, and 5) increasingly utilising information systems. However, several gaps remain. First, there remain inadequate linkages between MOH policies and the NHIF that can facilitate adequate stewardship/oversight. Second, the purchasers lack adequate capacity to ensure quality assurance and enforce contracts. Third, provider payment methods (PPM) remain poorly designed, implemented, and are not adequately linked to health system goals. Finally, purchasers have weak or unclearly defined communications strategies to patients and providers. Conclusions: Although Kenya is making progress in SHP, key gaps remain. Consequently, there is a need to implement reforms that will align the purchasers’ actions and decisions to the ideals of strategic health purchasing.
Progress towards an inducible, replication-proficient transposon delivery vector for Chlamydia trachomatis
Authors: Skilton Rachel J. , O'Neill Colette , Thomson Nicholas R. , Lampe David J. , Clarke Ian N. 
Published: April 2021

BackgroundGenetic systems have been developed forChlamydiabut the extremely low transformation frequency remains a significant bottleneck. Our goal is to develop a self-replicating transposon delivery vector forC. trachomatiswhich can be expanded prior to transposase induction.MethodsWe madeE. coli/C. trachomatisshuttle vectors bearing theHimar1C9 transposase under control of thetetpromoter and a novel rearrangement of theHimar1transposon with the β-lactamase gene. Activity of the transposase was monitored by immunoblot and by DNA sequencing.ResultsWe constructed pSW2-mCh-C9, aC. trachomatisplasmid designed to act as a self-replicating vector carrying both theHimar1C9 transposase undertetpromoter control and its transposon. However, we were unable to recover this plasmid inC. trachomatisfollowing multiple attempts at transformation.Therefore, we assembled two new deletion plasmids pSW2-mCh-C9-ΔTpon carrying only theHimar1C9 transposase (undertetpromoter control) and a sister vector (same sequence backbone) pSW2-mCh-C9-ΔTpase carrying its cognate transposon. We demonstrated that the biological components that make up both pSW2-mCh-C9-ΔTpon and pSW2-mCh-C9-ΔTpase are active inE. coli. Both these plasmids could be independently recovered inC. trachomatis.We attempted to perform lateral gene transfer by transformation and mixed infection withC. trachomatisstrains bearingpSW2-mCh-C9-ΔTpon and pSW2-RSGFP-Tpon(a green fluorescent version ofpSW2-mCh-C9-ΔTpase). Despite success in achieving mixed infections, it was not possible to recover progeny bearing both versions of these plasmids.ConclusionsWe have designed a self-replicating plasmid vector pSW2-mCh-C9 forC. trachomatiscarrying theHimar1C9 transposase undertetpromoter control. Whilst this can be transformed intoE. coliit cannot be recovered inC. trachomatis. Based on selected deletions and phenotypic analyses we conclude that low level expression from thetetinducible promoter is responsible for premature transposition and hence plasmid loss early on in the transformation process.
All-fiber high-voltage capacitor unbalanced current transformer
Authors: Zhao Jun , Xu Shengguo , Sun Xiaohan 
Published: April 2021

According to the high-voltage and small-current characteristics for unbalanced current of high-voltage capacitors, a novel fiber optical filter unbalanced current transformer (FU-FOCT) is proposed, where an all-fiber temperature sensor based on the temperature birefringence effect of polarization-maintaining fiber is designed and integrated into an FU-FOCT for real-time temperature correction. The FU-FOCT prototype with a rated current of 1 A and a rated voltage of 258 kV is developed, and the accuracy, temperature, and frequency-response characteristics are tested. The results show that within the temperature range of

−

40

∘

C

−

70
∘

C

, the fluctuation range of the ratio error and phase error of the FU-FOCT at 1 A are

−

0.042

%
−
0.08
%

and

−

0.16
′

−

0.18
′

, respectively, which meet the error limit requirements of class 0.2% specified in GB/T 20840.8-2007.
Polarization-independent optical isolator in a Sagnac-type configuration
Authors: Al-Mahmoud Mouhamad , Dimova Emiliya , Hristova Hristina , Coda Virginie , Rangelov Andon A. , Montemezzani Germano 
Published: April 2021

We propose a polarization-independent optical isolator that does not use walk-off between the two orthogonal polarizations. The design is based on two Faraday rotators in combination with two half-wave plates in a closed, Sagnac-interferometer-like configuration. An experimental prototype is tested successfully under variation of the input light polarization state with isolation level between 43 dB and 50 dB for all input polarizations (linear, circular, or elliptical).
Single-shot discrimination of coherent states beyond the standard quantum limit
Authors: Thekkadath G. S. , Sempere-Llagostera S. , Bell B. A. , Patel R. B. , Kim M. S. , Walmsley I. A. 
Published: April 2021

The discrimination of coherent states is a key task in optical communication and quantum key distribution protocols. In this work, we use a photon-number-resolving detector, the transition-edge sensor, to discriminate binary-phase-shifted coherent states at a telecom wavelength. Owing to its dynamic range and high efficiency, we achieve a bit error probability that unconditionally exceeds the standard quantum limit (SQL) by up to 7.7 dB. The improvement to the SQL persists for signals containing up to approximately seven photons on average and is achieved in a single shot (i.e., without measurement feedback), thus making our approach compatible with larger bandwidths.
The Hausa Back Beliefs Questionnaire: Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric assessment in mixed urban and rural Nigerian populations with chronic low back pain
Authors: Ibrahim Aminu Alhassan , Akindele Mukadas Oyeniran , Ganiyu Sokunbi Oluwaleke , Kaka Bashir , Bello Bashir 
Published: April 2021

Introduction
Negative attitudes and beliefs about low back pain (LBP) can lead to reduced function and activity and consequently disability. One self-report measure that can be used to assess these negative attitudes and beliefs and to determine their predictive nature is the Back Beliefs Questionnaire (BBQ). This study aimed to translate and cross-culturally adapt the BBQ into Hausa and assess its psychometric properties in mixed urban and rural Nigerian populations with chronic LBP.

Methods
The BBQ was translated and cross-culturally adapted into Hausa (Hausa-BBQ) according to established guidelines. To assess psychometric properties, a consecutive sample of 200 patients with chronic LBP recruited from urban and rural clinics of Nigeria completed the questionnaire along with measures of fear-avoidance beliefs, pain catastrophizing, functional disability, physical and mental health, and pain. One hundred of the 200 patients completed the questionnaire twice at an interval of 7–14 days to assess test-retest reliability. Internal construct validity was assessed using exploratory factor analysis, and external construct validity was assessed by examining convergent, divergent, and known-groups validity. Reliability was assessed by calculating internal consistency (Cronbach’s α), intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), minimal detectable change at 95% confidence interval (MDC95), and limits of agreement using Bland-Altman plots. Reliability (ICC, SEM and MDC95) was also assessed separately for rural and urban subgroups.

Results
The factor analysis revealed a four-factor solution explaining 58.9% of the total variance with the first factor explaining 27.1%. The nine scoring items loaded on the first factor hence supporting a unidimensional scale. The convergent and divergent validity were supported as 85% (6:7) of the predefined hypotheses were confirmed. Known-groups comparison showed that the questionnaire discriminated well for those who differed in education (p < 0.05), but not in age (p > 0.05). The internal consistency and ICC (α = 0.79; ICC = 0.91) were adequate, with minimal SEM and MDC95 (1.9 and 5.2, respectively). The limits of agreements were –5.11 to 5.71. The ICC, SEM and MDC95 for the urban and rural subgroups were comparable to those obtained for the overall population.

Conclusions
The Hausa-BBQ was successfully adapted and psychometrically sound in terms of internal and external construct validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability in mixed urban and rural Hausa-speaking populations with chronic LBP. The questionnaire can be used to detect and categorize specific attitudes and beliefs about back pain in Hausa culture to prevent or reduce potential disability due to LBP.
Vulnerability to recurrent episodes of acute decompensation/acute-on-chronic liver failure characterizes those triggered by indeterminate precipitants in patients with liver cirrhosis
Authors: Hoshi Hitomi , Chu Po-sung , Yoshida Aya , Taniki Nobuhito , Morikawa Rei , Yamataka Karin , Noguchi Fumie , Kasuga Ryosuke , Tabuchi Takaya , Ebinuma Hirotoshi , Saito Hidetsugu , Kanai Takanori , Nakamoto Nobuhiro 
Published: April 2021

Background
Acute decompensation (AD) of liver cirrhosis (LC) and subsequent acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) are fatal and impair quality of life. Insufficient knowledge of the highly heterogeneous natural history of LC, including decompensation, re-compensation, and possible recurrent decompensation, hinders the development and application of novel therapeutics. Approximately 10%-50% of AD/ACLF is reported to be precipitated by any indeterminate (unidentifiable, cryptogenic, or unknown) acute insults; however, its clinical characteristics are unclear.

Methods
We conducted a single-center observational study of 2165 consecutively admitted patients with LC from January 2012 to December 2019. A total of 466 episodes of AD/ACLF in 285 patients, including their 285 first indexed AD/ACLF, were extracted for analysis. Stratified analyses of different acute precipitants, classified as indeterminate (AD/ACLFIND), bacterial infection (AD/ACLFBAC), gastrointestinal bleeding, active alcoholism, and miscellaneous, were performed.

Results
AD/ACLFIND was the leading acute precipitant (28%), followed by AD/ACLFBAC (23%). AD/ACLFIND showed better survival outcomes than AD/ACLFBAC (P = 0.03); however, hyperbilirubinemia, hyponatremia, or leukocytosis significantly and uniquely characterized subgroups of AD/ACLFIND with comparable or even worse survival outcomes than those of AD/ACLFBAC. Patients with subsequent AD/ACLF significantly tended to suffer from AD/ACLF with any organ failure in AD/ACLFIND but not in AD/ACLFBAC (P = 0.004, for trend). In competing risk analysis, patients with AD/ACLFIND were significantly more vulnerable to suffer from recurrent episodes of AD/ACLF within 180 days, compared to those triggered by other precipitants (P = 0.04).

Conclusions
AD/ACLFIND, the leading acute precipitant, also plays a role in subsequent AD/ACLF. An abruptly exacerbating, remitting, and relapsing nature of systemic inflammation underlying AD/ACLF may also be useful for risk estimation.
Proyección en etapa compleja por desastres naturales originados por el Cambio Climático y terremoto y su impacto a la vinculación a la emergencia sanitaria mundial por el Covid 19 en Tacna - Perú: ¿Y esto?
Proyección de escenarios de riesgo complejo por desastres de origen vinculados naturales al cambio climático y sismos en la región Tacna - Perú; y su interrelación con la emergencia sanitaria global por Covid19: ¿Qué nos espera?
Authors: Osorio Soto Gary Martín , Moreno Guzmán Diego 
Published: April 2021

En el presente artículo, se ha propuesto el enfoque analítico para modelar en etapa compleja a base de estudio retrospectivo sobre la emergencia sanitaria por Covid 19 en la región de Tacna. el uso del último evento a desastre, analizando la interacción de las amenazas de desastres naturales producidos por el Cambio Climático y terremoto en un entorno frágil y vulnerable y su interacción con la dinámica social, económica y política. El proceso de modelización indaga el gran factor de vulnerabilidad de la población, estos factores de riesgo asociados a la dinámica cultural, la idiosincrasia, la baja preparación ante desastres naturales, la débil prevención del riesgo político en el enfoque resiliente y la prospección correctiva en el riesgo contribuyen a incrementar el escenario. a la vulnerabilidad de los habitantes de Tacna; Perú.
Resumen El presente artículo promueve el análisis de modelos de aproximación a escenarios complejos de riesgo en base al estudio retrospectivo de eventos de desastres producidos por fenómenos naturales dentro del escenario de emergencia sanitaria global producida por la Covid19 en la Región de Tacna. El uso de información histórica de eventos de desastre y su interacción con los módulos sociales, económicos, políticos y de primera respuesta, prueba el gran factor de vulnerabilidad adyacente a la población, este factores de riesgo asociados a la dinámica cultural, idiosincrasia, baja preparación ante eventos de desastres y la débil política de prevención dentro de un enfoque de resiliencia y gestión correctiva del riesgo, contribuir a incrementar el riesgo y vulnerabilidad de los pobladores de la Región Tacna - Perú.
Avaliação da Superfície Equipotencial de Referência Local (W_0SP) no Estado de São Paulo
Authors: Albarici Fabio Luiz , Guimarães Gabriel do Nascimento , Trabanco Jorge Luiz Alves , Santos Marcelo 
Published: April 2021

A compreensão, o estudo e a atualização da superfície equipotencial de referência local tem importância fundamental no sistema de altitude de um país. Esta superfície pode ser integrada ao sistema global, conforme resolução da IAG onde consta que a realização do sistema de referência deve referir-se a um nível de referência global () unificado. Neste artigo, propõe-se o cálculo desta superfície através da abordagem oceanográfica, utilizando-se de observações gravimétricas, medidas maregráficas do nível do mar e dados advindos do GNSS/nivelamento. Na determinação do a SST (Topografia da Superfície do Mar) também foi calculada. Os testes numéricos, utilizando-se do valor do para o estado de São Paulo, indicam que a discrepância do número geopotencial e altitude normal, quando analisados em relação aos valores disponibilizados pelo IBGE, tem desvio padrão de e . Assim, pode-se dizer que os resultados são confiáveis e consistentes, mantendo-se próximo do SGB.
Mapeamento participativo aplicado à Estratégia de Saúde da Família: a experiência em Santo Amaro - BA
Authors: Moraes Isabel Cristina , Marengo Shanti Nitya , Schacht Gustavo Luís , Passos Débora Santos 
Published: April 2021

O acesso a geolocalização em smartphones e tablets tem apontado seu uso potencial no levantamento de dados georreferenciados e como ferramenta de mapeamento replicável por usuários não-especialistas. O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar a experiência do mapeamento participativo dos territórios de ação das equipes de Estratégia de Saúde da Família (ESF) do município de Santo Amaro (BA) com recursos de GPS/GNSS (Global Positioning System/Global Navigation Satellite System) e imagem de satélite do Google Earth, no aplicativo Map Marker. Neste trabalho, são apresentados os aspectos da percepção e transcrição dos elementos espaciais no processo de digitalização e atualização cartográfica destes territórios. Foram realizadas oficinas nas 17 unidades básicas de saúde (UBS) a fim de cartografar os territórios de atuação – microáreas - dos 104 Agentes Comunitários de Saúde (ACS). Das 17 UBS, 10 apresentavam algum produto cartográfico. Esses produtos pré-existentes contribuíram para a correspondência espacial entre o território e as imagens de satélite. A identificação das microáreas foi satisfatória, porém, o maior desafio foi a vetorização das poligonais. Apesar disso, em cada equipe houve ao menos um profissional que se destacou e foi capaz de reproduzir a metodologia sem um mediador. O uso das tecnologias geoespaciais aplicadas ao mapeamento em saúde mostrou-se viável para a área de estudo, e reforça a importância do treinamento para a autonomia dos atores sociais e a democratização desses recursos nas estratégias em saúde pública. A obtenção destas bases cartográficas deve subsidiar à espacialização de doenças registradas na atenção básica bem como à gestão de saúde do município.
Dating Structural Changes in UK Monetary Policy
Authors: De Lipsis Vincenzo 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The UK historical monetary policy experience is rich of institutional changes, but it remains unclear which of these many events dominated the policy actions and what timing characterised the inception of different policy regimes. We develop a new empirical approach to answer these questions and we identify in particular the historical institutional events that effectively translated into a shift of the systematic actions of the UK monetary authorities. We find that not all institutional events triggered a contemporaneous change in the actual policy conduct, although a coherent evolution in phases is evident since 1978, when a significant monetary policy rule emerges. These occasional but not sporadic regime changes explain a considerable share of the movements in the official interest rate, as well as an overstatement of the importance of policy inertia.
Sodium borohydride (NaBH4) as a high-capacity material for next-generation sodium-ion capacitors
Authors: Jeżowski Pawel , Crosnier Olivier , Brousse Thierry 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Energy storage is an integral part of the modern world. One of the newest and most interesting concepts is the internal hybridization achieved in metal-ion capacitors. In this study, for the first time we used sodium borohydride (NaBH4) as a sacrificial material for the preparation of next-generation sodium-ion capacitors (NICs). NaBH4 is a material with large irreversible capacity of ca. 700 mA h g−1 at very low extraction potential close to 2.4 vs Na+/Na0. An assembled NIC cell with the composite-positive electrode (activated carbon/NaBH4) and hard carbon as the negative one operates in the voltage range from 2.2 to 3.8 V for 5,000 cycles and retains 92% of its initial capacitance. The presented NIC has good efficiency >98% and energy density of ca. 18 W h kg−1 at power 2 kW kg−1 which is more than the energy (7 W h kg−1 at 2 kW kg−1) of an electrical double-layer capacitor (EDLC) operating at voltage 2.7 V with the equivalent components as in NIC. Tin phosphide (Sn4P3) as a negative electrode allowed the reaching of higher values of the specific energy density 33 W h kg−1 (ca. four times higher than EDLC) at the power density of 2 kW kg−1, with only 1% of capacity loss upon 5,000 cycles and efficiency >99%.
Folded surface elements coupled with planar scissor linkages: A novel hybrid type of deployable structures
Authors: Vlachaki Evangelia , Liapi Katherine A. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractOrigami folding structures can find significant applications in the general area of building design, as they can be lightweight and deployable. An inherent property of folded surfaces, which is related to the degrees of freedom of each origami crease pattern, is form flexibility. Therefore, when building-scale applications are considered, in many instances, the folded surfaces, in order to become stiff and load-bearing, need to be constrained. A study of different types of deployable structures has led to the observation that in planar scissor linkages, hinges and pivots follow the same deployment path in space, as sets of vertices in certain origami structures. Due to the similarities in their kinematic behavior, selected origami patterns and scissor linkages can function as effective kinematic pairs, leading to structures able to transform in a controlled manner through a wide range of possible spatial configurations. A few examples of combining these two types of structures already exist [1–3]. In this paper a systematic approach for coupling origami crease patterns characterized by biaxial and rotational symmetry, with translational, polar and angulated scissor linkages, towards the development of novel forms of deployable structures, has been attempted. For the design and evaluation of the kinematic performance of the developed new structures, existing geometric modeling and calculation methods, parametric and simulation processes, as well as testing with physical models have been used. It is anticipated that research in this direction will lead to promising novel hybrid types of deployable structures.
Some applications of deep eutectic solvents in alkylation of heterocyclic compounds: A review of the past 10 years
Authors: Molnar Maja , Lončarić Melita , Jakovljević Martina , Komar Mario , Lončar Mirjana 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis mini-review encapsulates the latest findings (past 10 years) in the field of the deep eutectic solvents (DESs) application in the alkylation/arylation of different heterocyclic compounds. These solvents have been developed to fulfill the green chemistry concept demands and have been proven excellent for the application in various fields. This review describes their application in different types of alkylation,C-,N-,O- andS-alkylation.P-alkylation has not yet been published within this scope. Not only have the authors in this study proven that DESs could be successfully applied for this specific type of reaction, but they have also offered an excellent insight into the mechanisms of their action.