bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variation in primary health care services after implementation of quality improvement policy in Brazil
Authors: Vieira-Meyer Anya P G F , Machado Maria de Fatima A S , Gubert Fabiane A , Morais Ana Patricia P , Paula Sampaio Yana , Saintrain Maria Vieira L , Cameron Drew , Reynolds Sarah , Ram Tala Katarina , Fernald Lia 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Background
Brazil is the most populous country with a public, universal and free health care system. The National Program for Access and Quality Improvement in Primary Care (PMAQ) was created to improve the quality of primary health care (PHC).

Objective
To evaluated whether progress generally has been made within Brazil’s PHC since PMAQ implementation, and if changes occurred uniformly in the country, while also identifying municipal characteristics that may have influenced the improvement.

Methods
This is an observational study using data from PMAQ external evaluation (2012 and 2014), a 1200-item survey used to evaluate Brazilian PHC quality. After confirming the groupings of items using factor analysis, we created 23 composed indexes (CIs) related to infrastructure and work process.

Results
On average, the large majority of CIs showed improvements between 2012 and 2014. Region and city size moderated changes in the PHC indices differently. Overall, there were better improvements in infrastructure in the Northeast compared with other country regions, and in smaller cities (10 000–20 000 people). Infrastructure indices appear to have improved equitably across the country. Work process improvements varied with city size and region.

Conclusion
Despite similar support of PMAQ across the country, improvements are not predictable nor homogeneous. Non-uniform improvements were seen in Brazil’s PHC. Though we do not directly evaluate the effectiveness of the PMAQ (financial reward) method, these initial findings suggest that it is a potentially useful tool to improve health systems, but additional support may be needed in regions that lag behind in quality improvements.
Decentralization in India’s health sector: insights from a capacity building intervention in Karnataka
Authors: Rao Seshadri Shreelata , Kothai Krishna 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
The Government of India has adopted decentralization/devolution as a vehicle for promoting greater equity and supporting people-centred, responsive health systems. This article reports on our year-long intervention project in Karnataka, South India, and articulates insights of both practical and theoretical significance. It explores the intersection of the political goal of enhanced local level autonomy and the programmatic goal of more responsive health service delivery. Focusing on the Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Committees (VHSNCs) set up under the National (Rural) Health Mission (NHM), the project set out to explore the extent to which political and programmatic decentralization are functional at the village level; the consonance between the design and objectives of decentralization under NHM; and whether sustained supportive capacity building can create the necessary conditions for more genuine decentralization and effective collaboration between village-level functionaries. Our methodology uses exploratory research with Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members and functionaries of the Health Department, followed by a year-long capacity building programme aimed at strengthening co-ordination and synergy between functionaries responsible for political and programmatic decentralization. We find that health sector decentralization at the village level in Karnataka is at risk due to lack of convergence between political and programmatic arms of government. This is compounded by problems inherent in the design of the decentralization mechanism at the district level and below. Sustained capacity building of the VHSNC can contribute to more effective decentralization, as part of a larger package of interventions that (1) provides for financial and other resources from the district (or higher) level to political and programme functionaries at the periphery; (2) helps the functionaries to develop a shared understanding of the salience of the VHSNC in addressing the health needs of their community; and (3) supports them to collaborate effectively to achieve clearly articulated outcomes.
A multicountry European study on Succeed: a general quality improvement tool in HIV prevention
Authors: Urwitz Viveca , Vuylsteke Bea , Apers Hanne , Hales David , Wentzlaff-Eggebert Matthias , Nöstlinger Christiana 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
The context-sensitive nature of the European HIV epidemic (e.g. differences in key populations, prevention settings, resource commitments) makes it challenging to monitor and evaluate HIV prevention and sexual health promotion programs. Systematic quality improvement (QI) tools and quality indicators adapted to HIV prevention are not widely known or implemented. The European ‘Quality Action’ introduced five such tools in 26 countries involving 45 nongovernmental and governmental organizations during 2014–2016. Approximately, half of the organizations used the tool ‘Succeed’. This study aims to describe challenges and supportive factors in its use, and answers the research question if Succeed can be applied as a general QI tool despite the high contextuality of the European HIV prevention field. Mixed method research was conducted: data from quantitative pre- and post-training and implementation surveys were triangulated with qualitative data from multiple data sources analysed inductively. In a second analytical step, Chaudoir’s evidence-based framework on implementation of innovations (2013) guided the data analysis on five levels: policy, organization, functionality of the tool, results and perceived innovations. Succeed contributed to goal and result orientation, facilitated stakeholders’ participation and contributed to organizational development. Succeed was used in similar ways and with similar results across different policy contexts, types of organizations, target groups and interventions. Contributing factors for sustainable implementation were supporting environments, sufficient resources and a strategy for training tool users. Findings strongly support the use of Succeed as a general QI tool to monitor, document, adapt and improve HIV prevention and sexual health promotion work across Europe.
Young mums are rebuilding the spurdog stock (Squalus acanthias L.) in Norwegian waters
Authors: Albert Ole Thomas , Junge Claudia , Myrlund Marlén Knutsen 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Based on a sampling programme of spurdog (Squalus acanthias) from Norwegian fishery landing sites during 2014–2018, the spatio-temporal distribution, size, sex, and age composition of this previously heavily overfished shark is described and compared to the situation before the stock collapsed. Among those spurdog large enough to be caught in the fisheries, all size groups, both sexes, and all maturity stages were present in the 3948 individuals examined from the landing sites. This shows that spurdog utilizes Norwegian coastal waters year-round and for their whole life cycle. The age composition was similar for males and females, and both were observed from age 3 up to the mid-30s. Age at 50% maturity was 9.5 years for females, and near-term females were mostly found during August–January without any clear latitudinal difference. The stock is largely dominated by younger age groups, and the mean age of late gravid females was 15 years, with an interquartile range of 12–16 years. This compares to a generation time of 25 years used elsewhere and is considered to be indicative of sound recruitment of a rebuilding stock. Analyses across age groups indicate that the recent rate of increase in year-class size for adult age groups is much larger than estimated in the assessments. Possible reasons for this and the need for further studies are discussed.
Does transatrial-transpulmonary approach improve outcomes compared with transventricular approach in non-neonatal patients undergoing tetralogy of Fallot repair?
Authors: Ye Xin Tao , Buratto Edward , Konstantinov Igor E , d’Udekem Yves 
Published: July 2019

AbstractA best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether the transatrial-transpulmonary approach to tetralogy of Fallot repair in non-neonatal patients provides superior outcomes compared with the transventricular approach. Altogether, 175 papers were found using the reported search, of which 11 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. Two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 3 observational studies showed that the transatrial approach resulted in better preservation of right ventricular (RV) function, whereas 4 observational studies showed no significant difference. Three observational studies showed better attenuation of RV dilatation, whereas 3 showed no difference. One RCT and 2 observational studies showed lower incidence of postoperative ventricular arrhythmias, while 1 RCT and 4 observational studies showed no difference. Two observational studies demonstrated greater freedom from reoperation, 1 RCT and 2 observational studies showed no difference, while 1 retrospective study observed a higher incidence of residual RV outflow tract obstruction and lower freedom from reoperation in infants. Two observational studies reported lower risk of requiring pulmonary valve replacement, whereas 2 reported no difference. Three observational studies reported superior exercise capacity, while 1 reported no difference. No difference in long-term survival was demonstrated. The results presented suggest that transatrial repair of tetralogy of Fallot confers superior or equivalent outcomes in terms of preservation of RV function and volume, ventricular arrhythmias, need for pulmonary valve replacement, and exercise capacity compared with transventricular repair. However, the incidence of residual RV outflow tract obstruction may be higher in infants undergoing transatrial repair.
Removal Lemmas with Polynomial Bounds
Authors: Gishboliner Lior , Shapira Asaf 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
A common theme in many extremal problems in graph theory is the relation between local and global properties of graphs. One of the most celebrated results of this type is the Ruzsa–Szemerédi triangle removal lemma, which states that if a graph is $\varepsilon $-far from being triangle free, then most subsets of vertices of size $C(\varepsilon )$ are not triangle free. Unfortunately, the best known upper bound on $C(\varepsilon )$ is given by a tower-type function, and it is known that $C(\varepsilon )$ is not polynomial in $\varepsilon ^{-1}$. The triangle removal lemma has been extended to many other graph properties, and for some of them the corresponding function $C(\varepsilon )$ is polynomial. This raised the natural question, posed by Goldreich in 2005 and more recently by Alon and Fox, of characterizing the properties for which one can prove removal lemmas with polynomial bounds.
Our main results in this paper are new sufficient and necessary criteria for guaranteeing that a graph property admits a removal lemma with a polynomial bound. Although both are simple combinatorial criteria, they imply almost all prior positive and negative results of this type. Moreover, our new sufficient conditions allow us to obtain polynomially bounded removal lemmas for many properties for which the previously known bounds were of tower type. In particular, we show that every semi-algebraic graph property admits a polynomially bounded removal lemma. This confirms a conjecture of Alon.
Are nursing infusion practices delivering full-dose antimicrobial treatment?
Authors: Rout J , Essack S , Brysiewicz P 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) has developed over the past decade as a critical tool to promote the appropriate use of antimicrobials in order to contain antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and conserve antimicrobial medicines. Current literature supports the role of the nurse in AMR, with a strong focus on the responsibilities of the nurse in infection prevention and control (IPC), both in the formal role of the IPC nurse specialist, and the more general IPC role of the bedside nurse. There is also growing support for the collaborative role of the nurse in the multidisciplinary AMS team. There is, however, very little literature examining the clinical practice role of the nurse in AMS. In this discussion, we contend that nursing practice may unknowingly contribute to AMR owing to varying methods of administration of intermittent intravenous infusions, resulting in under-dosing of antimicrobial medicines.
Fostering Refugee Self-reliance: A Case Study of an Agency's Approach in Nairobi
Authors: Slaughter Amy G 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
This article traces the evolution of an urban refugee self-reliance model developed in Nairobi, Kenya that intends to bridge the gap between ‘care and maintenance’ programmes and durable solutions. It does so by presenting the development of the approach used by the non-governmental organization RefugePoint to assist urban refugees in Nairobi. In developing its approach, RefugePoint drew on elements of the model employed by the United States Department of State and its contracted partners for resettling refugees in the United States. The applicability and limitations of this model in the context of a country of first asylum are examined. The article concludes by suggesting potential applications of RefugePoint’s ‘self-reliance runway’ approach (and the measurement tool that is integral to it) in expanding self-reliance opportunities for refugees globally. In particular, it recommends that both donors and operational agencies look beyond sector-based programming towards more holistic approaches and focus their impact measurement on the collective outcomes for refugee households rather than project-specific delivery indicators.
ERF-VII transcription factors induce ethanol fermentation in response to amino acid biosynthesis-inhibiting herbicides
Authors: Gil-Monreal Miriam , Giuntoli Beatrice , Zabalza Ana , Licausi Francesco , Royuela Mercedes 
Published: August 2019

AbstractHerbicides inhibiting either aromatic or branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis trigger similar physiological responses in plants, despite their different mechanism of action. Both types of herbicides are known to activate ethanol fermentation by inducing the expression of fermentative genes; however, the mechanism of such transcriptional regulation has not been investigated so far. In plants exposed to low-oxygen conditions, ethanol fermentation is transcriptionally controlled by the ethylene response factors-VII (ERF-VIIs), whose stability is controlled in an oxygen-dependent manner by the Cys-Arg branch of the N-degron pathway. In this study, we investigated the role of ERF-VIIs in the regulation of the ethanol fermentation pathway in herbicide-treated Arabidopsis plants grown under aerobic conditions. Our results demonstrate that these transcriptional regulators are stabilized in response to herbicide treatment and are required for ethanol fermentation in these conditions. We also observed that mutants with reduced fermentative potential exhibit higher sensitivity to herbicide treatments, thus revealing the existence of a mechanism that mimics oxygen deprivation to activate metabolic pathways that enhance herbicide tolerance. We speculate that this signaling pathway may represent a potential target in agriculture to affect tolerance to herbicides that inhibit amino acid biosynthesis.
Arabidopsis mtHSC70-1 plays important roles in the establishment of COX-dependent respiration and redox homeostasis
Authors: Wei Shan-Shan , Niu Wei-Tao , Zhai Xiao-Ting , Liang Wei-Qian , Xu Meng , Fan Xiao , Lv Ting-Ting , Xu Wen-Yan , Bai Jiao-Teng , Jia Ning , Li Bing 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
The 70 kDa heat shock proteins function as molecular chaperones and are involved in diverse cellular processes. However, the functions of the plant mitochondrial HSP70s (mtHSC70s) remain unclear. Severe growth defects were observed in the Arabidopsis thaliana mtHSC70-1 knockout lines, mthsc70-1a and mthsc70-1b. Conversely, the introduction of the mtHSC70-1 gene into the mthsc70-1a background fully reversed the phenotypes, indicating that mtHSC70-1 is essential for plant growth. The loss of mtHSC70-1 functions resulted in abnormal mitochondria and alterations to respiration because of an inhibition of the cytochrome c oxidase (COX) pathway and the activation of the alternative respiratory pathway. Defects in COX assembly were observed in the mtHSC70-1 knockout lines, leading to decreased COX activity. The mtHSC70-1 knockout plants have increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The introduction of the Mn-superoxide dismutase 1 (MSD1) or the catalase 1 (CAT1) gene into the mthsc70-1a plants decreased ROS levels, reduced the expression of alternative oxidase, and partially rescued growth. Taken together, our data suggest that mtHSC70-1 plays important roles in the establishment of COX-dependent respiration.
Next-generation telescopes with curved focal surface for ultralow surface brightness surveys
Authors: Lombardo Simona , Muslimov Eduard , Lemaître Gerard , Hugot Emmanuel 
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACT
In spite of major advances in both ground- and space-based instrumentation, the ultralow surface brightness Universe (ULSB) still remains a largely unexplored volume in observational parameter space. ULSB observations provide unique constraints on a wide variety of objects, from the Zodiacal light all the way to the optical cosmological background radiation, through dust cirri, mass-loss shells in giant stars, LSB galaxies and the intracluster light. These surface brightness levels (>28–29 mag arcsec−2) are observed by maximizing the efficiency of the surveys and minimizing or removing the systematics arising in the measurement of surface brightness. Based on full-system photon Monte Carlo simulations, we present here the performance of a ground-based telescope aimed at carrying out ULSB observations, with a curved focal surface design. Its off-axis optical design maximizes the field of view while minimizing the focal ratio. No lenses are used, as their multiple internal scatterings increase the wings of the point spread function (PSF), and the usual requirement of a flat focal plane is relaxed through the use of curved CCD detectors. The telescope has only one unavoidable single refractive surface, the cryostat window, and yet it delivers a PSF with ultracompact wings, which allows the detection, for a given exposure time, of surface brightness levels nearly three orders of magnitude fainter than any other current telescope.
Spin frequency evolution and pulse profile variations of the recently re-activated radio magnetar XTE J1810–197
Authors: Levin L , Lyne A G , Desvignes G , Eatough R P , Karuppusamy R , Kramer M , Mickaliger M , Stappers B W , Weltevrede P 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
After spending almost a decade in a radio-quiet state, the Anomalous X-ray Pulsar XTE J1810–197 turned back on in early 2018 December. We have observed this radio magnetar at 1.5 GHz with nearly daily cadence since the first detection of radio re-activation on 2018 December 8. In this paper, we report on the current timing properties of XTE J1810–197 and find that the magnitude of the spin frequency derivative has increased by a factor of 2.6 over our 48-d data set. We compare our results with the spin-down evolution reported during its previous active phase in the radio band. We also present total intensity pulse profiles at five different observing frequencies between 1.5 and 8.4 GHz, collected with the Lovell and the Effelsberg telescopes. The profile evolution in our data set is less erratic than what was reported during the previous active phase, and can be seen varying smoothly between observations. Profiles observed immediately after the outburst show the presence of at least five cycles of a very stable ∼50 ms periodicity in the main pulse component that lasts for at least tens of days. This remarkable structure is seen across the full range of observing frequencies.
The 2018 eruption and long term evolution of the new high-mass Herbig Ae/Be object Gaia-18azl = VES 263
Authors: Munari U , Joshi V , Banerjee D P K , Čotar K , Shugarov S Y , Jurdana-Šepić R , Belligoli R , Bergamini A , Graziani M , Righetti G L , Vagnozzi A , Valisa P 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
We have been monitoring, at high cadence, the photometric and spectroscopic evolution of VES 263 following the discovery in 2018 of a brightening labeled as event Gaia-18azl. VES 263 is so far a neglected emission-line object discovered in the 1960s on objective prism plates, tentatively classified as a semi-regular AGB cool giant by automated analysis of ASASSN lightcurves. We have discovered that VES 263 is a bonafide massive pre-Main Sequence object (∼12 M⊙), of the Herbig AeBe type. It is located at 1.68±0.07 kpc distance, within the Cyg OB2 star-forming region, and it is highly reddened (EB − V=1.80±0.05) by interstellar extinction. In quiescence, the spectral energy distribution is dominated by the ∼20,000 K photospheric emission from the central B1II star, and at λ≥6μm by emission from circumstellar warm dust (T≤400○K). The 2018-19 eruption was caused by a marked brightening of the accretion disk around the B1II star as traced by the evolution with time of the integrated flux and the double-peaked profile of emission lines. At the peak of the eruption, the disk has a bulk temperature of ∼7500 K and a luminosity L ≥860 L⊙, corresponding to a mass accretion rate M≥1.1 × 10−5 M⊙ yr−1. Spectroscopic signature of possible bipolar jets (at −700 and +700 km s−1) of variable intensity are found. We have reconstructed from Harvard, Moscow and Sonneberg photographic plates the photometric history of VES 263 from 1896 to 1995.
Study of relativistic magnetized outflows with relativistic equation of state
Authors: Singh Kuldeep , Chattopadhyay Indranil 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACT
We study relativistic magnetized outflows using relativistic equation of state having variable adiabatic index (Γ) and composition parameter (ξ). We study the outflow in special relativistic magnetohydrodynamic regime, from sub-Alfvénic to super-fast domain. We showed that, after the solution crosses the fast point, magnetic field collimates the flow and may form a collimation-shock due to magnetic field pinching/squeezing. Such fast, collimated outflows may be considered as astrophysical jets. Depending on parameters, the terminal Lorentz factors of an electron–proton outflow can comfortably exceed few tens. We showed that due to the transfer of angular momentum from the field to the matter, the azimuthal velocity of the outflow may flip sign. We also study the effect of composition (ξ) on such magnetized outflows. We showed that relativistic outflows are affected by the location of the Alfvén point, the polar angle at the Alfvén point and also the angle subtended by the field lines with the equatorial plane, but also on the composition of the flow. The pair dominated flow experiences impressive acceleration and is hotter than electron–proton flow.