bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and factors associated with preoperative anxiety among patients undergoing surgery in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Bedaso Asres , Mekonnen Nibretie , Duko Bereket 
Published: March 2022

ObjectivesThis review aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of preoperative anxiety and its associated factors among patients undergoing surgery in low/middle-income countries (LMICs).MethodsWe searched PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Embase and PsychINFO to identify peer-reviewed studies on the prevalence and factors associated with preoperative anxiety among patients undergoing surgery using predefined eligibility criteria. Studies were pooled to estimate the prevalence of preoperative anxiety using a random-effect meta-analysis model. Heterogeneity was assessed using I² statistics. Funnel plot asymmetry and Egger’s regression tests were used to check for publication bias.ResultOur search identified 2110 studies, of which 27 studies from 12 countries with 5575 participants were included in the final meta-analysis. Of the total 27 studies, 11 used the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory to screen anxiety, followed by the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information scale, used by four studies. The pooled prevalence of preoperative anxiety among patients undergoing surgery in LMICs was 55.7% (95% CI 48.60 to 62.93). Our subgroup analysis found that a higher pooled prevalence of preoperative anxiety was found among female surgical patients (59.36%, 95% CI 48.16 to 70.52, I2=95.43, p<0.001) and studies conducted in Asia (62.59%, 95% CI 48.65 to 76.53, I2=97.48, p<0.001).ConclusionOur meta-analysis indicated that around one in two patients undergoing surgery in LMICs suffer from preoperative anxiety, which needs due attention. Routine screening of preoperative anxiety symptoms among patients scheduled for surgery is vital.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020161934.
Patients’ acceptance of obesity as a chronic disease: a qualitative study in Lebanon
Authors: AlArab Natally , Antoun Jumana 
Published: March 2022

ObjectiveThis study explores patients’ acceptance of obesity as a chronic disease.DesignCross-sectional, qualitative study using semistructured phone interviews.SettingThe study was conducted in specialty and primary care clinics from a single central tertiary hospital in Lebanon. Recruitment took place between February and March 2021.Participants and methods25 adult patients with overweight or obesity were interviewed and the interviews were analysed thematically.ResultsFour themes emerged: (1) patients’ knowledge and awareness of obesity are based on their own experience; (2) there is ambivalence or conditional acceptance of obesity as a chronic disease; and patients with overweight or obesity perceived (3) that the role of physicians in obesity management is related to complications and (4) that obesity management is as simple as eating less and exercising more.ConclusionsThe study shows the studied population’s ambivalence in accepting obesity as a chronic disease. Individuals with overweight or obesity considered the role of the healthcare professional in obesity conditional on morbid obesity and the presence of medical complications of obesity. Findings of this study advocate for educational campaigns about the nature of obesity as a chronic disease and the role of healthcare professionals in obesity management.
Neoadjuvant in situ vaccination with cowpea mosaic virus as a novel therapy against canine inflammatory mammary cancer
Authors: Alonso-Miguel Daniel , Valdivia Guillermo , Guerrera Diego , Perez-Alenza Maria Dolores , Pantelyushin Stanislav , Alonso-Diez Angela , Beiss Veronique , Fiering Steven , Steinmetz Nicole F , Suarez-Redondo Maria , vom Berg Johannes , Peña Laura , Arias-Pulido Hugo 
Published: March 2022

BackgroundInflammatory mammary cancer (IMC), the counterpart of human inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), is the deadliest form of canine mammary tumors. IMC patients lack specific therapy and have poor outcomes. This proof-of-principle preclinical study evaluated the efficacy, safety, and effect on survival of neoadjuvant intratumoral (in situ) empty cowpea mosaic virus (eCPMV) immunotherapy in companion dogs diagnosed with IMC.MethodsTen IMC-bearing dogs were enrolled in the study. Five dogs received medical therapy, and five received weekly neoadjuvant in situ eCPMV immunotherapy (0.2–0.4 mg per injection) and medical therapy after the second eCPMV injection. Efficacy was evaluated by reduction of tumor growth; safety by hematological and biochemistry changes in blood and plasma; and patient outcome by survival analysis. eCPMV-induced immune changes in blood cells were analyzed by flow cytometry; changes in the tumor microenvironment were evaluated by CD3 (T lymphocytes), CD20 (B lymphocytes), FoxP3 (Treg lymphocytes), myeloperoxidase (MPO; neutrophils), Ki-67 (proliferation index, PI; tumor cell proliferation), and Cleaved Caspase-3 (CC-3; apoptosis) immunohistochemistry.ResultsTwo neoadjuvant in situ eCPMV injections resulted in tumor shrinkage in all patients by day 14 without systemic adverse events. Although surgery for IMC is generally not an option, reduction in tumor size allowed surgery in two IMC patients. In peripheral blood, in situ eCPMV immunotherapy was associated with a significant decrease of Treg+/CD8+ratio and changes in CD8+Granzyme B+T cells, which behave as a lagging predictive biomarker. In the TME, higher neutrophilic infiltration and MPO expression, lower tumor Ki-67 PI, increase in CD3+lymphocytes, decrease in FoxP3+/CD3+ratio (p<0.04 for all comparisons), and no changes in CC-3+immunostainings were observed in post-treatment tumor tissues when compared with pretreatment tumor samples. eCPMV-treated IMC patients had a statistically significant (p=0.033) improved overall survival than patients treated with medical therapy.ConclusionsNeoadjuvant in situ eCPMV immunotherapy demonstrated anti-tumor efficacy and improved survival in IMC patients without systemic adverse effects. eCPMV-induced changes in immune cells point to neutrophils as a driver of immune response. Neoadjuvant in situ eCPMV immunotherapy could be a groundbreaking immunotherapy for canine IMC and a potential future immunotherapy for human IBC patients.
MER4 endogenous retrovirus correlated with better efficacy of anti-PD1/PD-L1 therapy in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Lecuelle Julie , Favier Laure , Fraisse Cléa , Lagrange Aurélie , Kaderbhai Coureche , Boidot Romain , Chevrier Sandy , Joubert Philippe , Routy Bertrand , Truntzer Caroline , Ghiringhelli Francois 
Published: March 2022

BackgroundEndogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are highly expressed in various cancer types and are associated with increased innate immune response and better efficacy of antiprogrammed death-1/ligand-1 (anti-PD1/PD-L1)-directed immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in preclinical models. However, their role in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unknown.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of patients receiving ICI for advanced NSCLC in two independent cohorts. ERV expression was determined by RNA sequencing. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) under ICI. The secondary endpoint was overall survival (OS) from ICI initiation. We studied expression of 6205 ERVs. Multivariate Cox regression model with lasso penalty was estimated on the training set to select ERVs significantly associated with survival. The predictive power of these ERVs was compared with that of previously described transcriptomic signatures.ResultsWe studied two independent cohorts of 89 and 70 patients, used as training and validation sets. Clinicopathological characteristics included 75% of patients with non-squamous NSCLC. We selected four ERVs significantly associated with PFS. Only high MER4 ERV was associated with better PFS and OS in both cohorts. From a biological point of view, high MER4 expression is associated with higher infiltration of eosinophils and inflammatory gene signatures, while low MER4 expression is associated with enrichment in metabolism and proliferation signatures. Adding MER4 to previously described transcriptomic signatures of response to ICI improved their predictive power.ConclusionsMER4 ERV expression is useful to stratify risk and predict PFS and OS in patients treated with ICI for NSCLC. It also improves the predictive power of other known transcriptomic signatures.
Assisted gestative technologies
Authors: Romanis Elizabeth Chloe 
Published: March 2022

A large body of literature considers the ethico-legal and regulatory issues surrounding assisted conception. Surrogacy, however, within this body of literature is an odd-fit. It involves a unique demand of another person—a form of reproductive labour—that many other aspects of assisted conception, such as gamete donation do not involve. Surrogacy is a form of assisted gestation. The potential alternatives for individuals who want a genetically related child but who do not have the capacity to gestate are ever increasing: with the advent of uterus transplantation (UTx), and the anticipated development of artificial placentas.In this paper, I highlight the pertinent conceptual differences between technologies assisting conception and those assisting gestation to demonstrate that distinct issues arise when assisted gestative technologies (AGTs) are used. I argue that there is utility in considering AGTs as a genus of technologies. These technologies perform the same function from the perspective of putative parents and might exist on a spectrum of alternatives when they become more available. Moreover, since many of the same or very similar ethical, social and legal issues are raised by surrogacy, UTx and ectogestation, analysis of these issues will be better contextualised by considering these technologies together. Many of the matters currently being highlighted for reform in the context of surrogacy will inevitably impact on how other forms of assisted gestation are governed. The conversation should be broadened; we should consider how far other emerging technologies might be accommodated in revised regulatory schemes.
Charged dust in higher curvature geometry
Authors: Hansraj Sudan 
Published: March 2022

AbstractWe analyze the configuration of charged dust in the context of the higher dimensional and higher curvature Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet–Maxwell theory. With the prescription of dust, there remains one more prescription to be made in order to close the system of equations of motion. The choice of one of the metric potentials appears to be the only viable way to proceed. Before establishing exact solutions, we examine conditions for the existence of physically reasonable charged dust fluids. It turns out that the branches of the Boulware–Deser metric representing the exterior gravitational field of a neutral spherically symmetric Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet distribution, serve as upper and lower bounds for the spatial potentials of physically reasonable charged dust in Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet–Maxwell gravity. Some exact solutions for 5 and 6 dimensional charged dust hyperspheres are exhibited in closed form. In particular the Einstein ansatz of a constant temporal potential while defective in 5 dimensions actually generates a model of a closed compact astrophysical object in 6 dimensions. A physically viable 5 dimensional charged dust model is also contrasted with its general relativity counterpart graphically.
EUROGRAV 1986–1989: the first attempts for a European Interferometric Gravitational Wave Observatory
Authors: La Rana Adele 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAt the turn of the 1980s and 1990s, on the eve of the great leap in scale from the resonant bars to the long-baseline interferometers LIGO and Virgo, the four European groups then engaged in the field of interferometric gravitational wave detection in Germany, UK, France and Italy tried to set up a common strategy, with the aim of establishing a network of three long-based antennas in Europe. The paper analyzes the main causes of the failure of those early plans. An attempt is made to outline the parallels and differences with the current times, on the eve of the new leap of scale toward the third generation of gravitational wave interferometers, while the negotiations for the European-born project Einstein Telescope are taking place.
Vacuum decay in quadratic gravity
Authors: Vicentini Silvia , Rinaldi Massimiliano 
Published: March 2022

AbstractMetastable states decay at zero temperature through quantum tunnelling at an exponentially small rate, which depends on the Coleman–de Luccia instanton, also known as bounce. In some theories, the bounce may not exist or its on-shell action may be ill-defined or infinite, thus hindering the vacuum decay process. In this paper, we test this possibility in modified theories of gravity interacting with a real scalar field. We consider an Einstein–Hilbert term with a non-minimally coupled scalar field and a quadratic Ricci scalar contribution. To tackle the problem, we use a new analytic method, with which we prove that the scalar field on the bounce has a universal behaviour at large Euclidean radii, almost independently of the potential. Our main result is that the quadratic Ricci scalar prevents the decay, regardless of the other terms in the action.
Searching for Fast Demosaicking Algorithms
Authors: Ma Karima , Gharbi Michael , Adams Andrew , Kamil Shoaib , Li Tzu-Mao , Barnes Connelly , Ragan-Kelley Jonathan 
Published: March 2022

We present a method to automatically synthesize efficient, high-quality demosaicking algorithms, across a range of computational budgets, given a loss function and training data. It performs a multi-objective, discrete-continuous optimization which simultaneously solves for the program structure and parameters that best tradeoff computational cost and image quality. We design the method to exploit domain-specific structure for search efficiency. We apply it to several tasks, including demosaicking both Bayer and Fuji X-Trans color filter patterns, as well as joint demosaicking and super-resolution. In a few days on 8 GPUs, it produces a family of algorithms that significantly improves image quality relative to the prior state-of-the-art across a range of computational budgets from 10 s to 1000 s of operations per pixel (1 dB–3 dB higher quality at the same cost, or 8.5–200× higher throughput at same or better quality). The resulting programs combine features of both classical and deep learning-based demosaicking algorithms into more efficient hybrid combinations, which are bandwidth-efficient and vectorizable by construction. Finally, our method automatically schedules and compiles all generated programs into optimized SIMD code for modern processors.
Numerical Study on Electromagnetic Coupled Heat Transfer and Ultrasonic Propagation in GIS Busbar Chamber
Authors: Si Wen-Rong , Fu Chen-Zhao , Hu Zheng-Yong , Wang Bo , Yang Jian 
Published: March 2022

In the present paper, the electromagnetic coupled heat transfer and ultrasonic propagation in a 252 kV three-phase GIS busbar chamber were numerically studied by using the finite element method. The electromagnetic loss and distributions of SF6 gas velocity, temperature, and breakdown margin in the GIS busbar chamber were carefully analyzed, and the influences of SF6 gas velocity and temperature variations on ultrasonic propagation performances in the GIS chamber were discussed in detail. It is found that the SF6 gas breakdown margin in the GIS busbar chamber is mainly affected by the electric field intensity. When I = 3300 A and

U

= 1050 kV, the minimum SF6 gas breakdown margin in the GIS busbar chamber is 7.98 kV/mm, which is located at top of busbar conductor A, where the thermal breakdown risk is relatively high. Furthermore, it is noted that, when natural convection in GIS busbar chamber is weak, the influences of SF6 gas velocity and temperature variations on sound propagation would be insignificant. For this case, when acoustic propagation simulation is performed, the SF6 gas would be assumed to be stationary and its temperature would be set to the average gas temperature of natural convection in the GIS chamber, which would be beneficial to reduce the computational time and maintain the simulation accuracy as well.
Three new species of Euplocania Enderlein (Psocodea, ‘Psocoptera’, Ptiloneuridae), for the state of Roraima, Brazil
Authors: Pereira Antoniel Francisco , Silva-Neto Alberto Moreira da , Boldrini Rafael 
Published: March 2022

The three new species of Brazilian Euplocania are described and illustrated, two species belong in the amabilis species group (Euplocania maraca sp. nov. and Euplocania ufrr sp. nov.) and one species belong in the marginata species group (Euplocania macuxi sp. nov.). Information on species groups, species subgroups and distribution by Brazilian states is included for known species of Euplocania.
O resgate da memória do espaço amazônico por Isabella Thiago de Mello
Authors: Maltez Juliano Fabrício de Oliveira , Ferreira Rafael Rodrigo , Volcean Tamiris Tinti 
Published: March 2022

A entrevista que compõe a décima nona edição da Opiniães – Revista dos Alunos de Literatura Brasileira foi realizada com a escritora Isabella Thiago de Mello, que, além de apresentar criações próprias e potentes, também resgata a memória do espaço amazônico por meio dos trabalhos biográficos que desenvolve atualmente, todos voltados à trajetória de vida de seu pai, o poeta e tradutor brasileiro Thiago de Mello. A conversa foi conduzida pelos editores responsáveis pela Opiniães 19: Juliano Fabrício de Oliveira Maltez, Rafael Ferreira e Tamiris Tinti Volcean.
The Sex-Trafficking of Refugees and its Legal Challenges: The Case of Lebanon
Authors: Abdo-Katsipis Carla B. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The trafficking of refugees has become a priority in discussions about the efficacy of human trafficking law in recent years. While the number of studies concerning this phenomenon has increased, there is a paucity of literature about the effectiveness of anti-human trafficking laws in the Arab world. This article focuses on Syrian refugees trafficked into Lebanon, and evaluates the strength of Lebanese Law No. 164 Trafficking in Persons in its mandate to (i) prevent the act of trafficking, (ii) protect the trafficked, and (iii) prosecute the traffickers. Using original interviews conducted with participants in Lebanon’s ‘Chez Maurice’ sex-trafficking case, results indicate that the preventive and protective services the law purports to provide are largely supplied by civil society organizations, and that victims may face prosecution or deportation for sex work. These findings present particular challenges to women trafficked during wartime.
Through Daniello Bartoli’s Eyes: Francis Xavier in Asia (1653)
Authors: Frei Elisa 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The first four (out of eight) books of Daniello Bartoli’s (1608–85) officially commissioned Istoria della Compagnia di Gesù, dedicated to Asia, were devoted to recounting the miraculous deeds of Francis Xavier (1506–52). A century after his death, and thirty years after his canonization, Xavier was still an influential role model for all the Jesuits (especially those who desired to become missionaries in the “Indies”). Bartoli was a supreme stylist (Giacomo Leopardi later called him “the Dante of baroque prose”), and his talents were stretched to their limits by the imperative to celebrate Xavier’s miracles in ways that still accorded with the instructive genre of history. This article examines how Bartoli deployed his sources, which included not only previous biographies of the saint by João de Lucena and Orazio Torsellini, but unpublished letters and, most significantly, the report prepared for his canonization (the Relatio Rotae).
Object-Based Verification of GSI EnKF and Hybrid En3DVar Radar Data Assimilation and Convection-Allowing Forecasts within a Warn-on-Forecast Framework
Authors: Chen Lianglyu , Liu Chengsi , Jung Youngsun , Skinner Patrick , Xue Ming , Kong Rong 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms has recently developed capabilities to directly assimilate radar reflectivity and radial velocity data within the GSI-based ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) and hybrid ensemble three-dimensional variational (En3DVar) system for initializing convective-scale forecasts. To assess the performance of EnKF and hybrid En3DVar with different hybrid weights (with 100%, 20%, and 0% of static background error covariance corresponding to pure 3DVar, hybrid En3DVar, and pure En3DVar) for assimilating radar data in a Warn-on-Forecast framework, a set of data assimilation and forecast experiments using the WRF Model are conducted for six convective storm cases of May 2017. Using an object-based verification approach, forecast objects of composite reflectivity and 30-min updraft helicity swaths are verified against reflectivity and rotation track objects in Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor data on space and time scales typical of National Weather Service warnings. Forecasts initialized by En3DVar or the best performing EnKF ensemble member produce the highest object-based verification scores, while forecasts from 3DVar and the worst EnKF member produce the lowest scores. Averaged across six cases, hybrid En3DVar using 20% static background error covariance does not improve forecasts over pure En3DVar, although improvements are seen in some individual cases. The false alarm ratios of EnKF members for both composite reflectivity and updraft helicity at the initial time are lower than those from variational methods, suggesting that EnKF analysis reduces spurious reflectivity and mesocyclone objects more effectively.
Where to Draw the Line for Intracranial Hypertension; Opening Pressures and Mortality
Authors: Edwards Jacob D. , Quinn Seth A. , Saylors Seth , McBride Katherine , Scott Stephanie , Irish William , Garcia Nicole , Toschlog Eric 
Published: March 2022

Background Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring and treatment is a mainstay of severe TBI management but the relationship between intracranial opening pressure (OP) and outcomes has not been well established. The purpose of our study was to assess the relationship between OP and outcomes in severe TBI patients, with a focus on in-hospital mortality. Methods Adult blunt TBI patients with ICP monitoring between 2007 and 2017 were evaluated using sequential multivariable binary logistic modeling. Generalized additive model (GAM) was used to evaluate the relationship between OP and death. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for measures of strength of association and precision. Results A total of 182 patients were identified, with 61 (33.5%) having OP >20 mmHG (overall mean ± OP = 19.4 ± 17.8 mmHG). Forty-eight percent, 9% and 8% of patients were discharged to rehabilitation, skilled nursing institution, and home, respectively. Thirty-five percent died in the hospital. A linear relationship was found between OP and log-odds of mortality. OP (OR = 1.07; 95% CI = 1.04-1.11), age (OR = 1.05;95%CI = 1.02-1.07), and injury severity score (ISS) (OR = 1.06; 95% CI = 1.02-1.10) were independently associated with increased odds of death while adjusting for sex, race, and year. Discussion Elevated opening pressure is strongly predictive of death in severe TBI. Age and ISS are independent predictors of mortality regardless of OP. These results suggest that maintaining low levels of ICP should result in decreased mortality in severe TBI patients. The patient’s age and ISS should be considered in the decision-making processes related to ICP utilization and management.