bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neurosurgery equipment donation in Africa: a scoping review
Authors: Ogunfolaji Oloruntoba , Omar Kassim , Bukenya George , Shituluka Musakanya , Sakaiwa Neontle , Ngwako Ngwao , Adegboyega Gideon , Dada Olaoluwa Ezekiel , Abu-Bonsrah Nancy 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
A common tactic to alleviate current gaps is to donate medical equipment to low-resource areas, however, there is a dearth of recorded experience and evaluation. Providing accessible equipment to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is a crucial component of the attempts to improve access to neurosurgery in African nations; yet, the necessity of promoting neurosurgical equipment in Africa and the effects of these programs have not yet been assessed. Therefore, our goal was to evaluate the extent, advantages and sustainability of the gift of neurosurgical equipment in Africa. A scoping review covering both scholarly and gray literature was used. Selected databases from the time of inception to September 2022 were searched using a search strategy customized for the study title. All studies that addressed the donation of neurosurgical equipment to Africa were given special attention, along with any factors that increased the likelihood of donations and included, but not limited to, agreements signed during the donation. Finally, participating authors also reviewed articles randomly selected to ensure homogeneity. Donating equipment positively impacts neurosurgical units in LMICs, growing their practices while also enhancing safety, quality and affordability. Collaborations between LMICs and HICs (High Income Countries) also make it more likely that the donated neurosurgical equipment will be used to satisfy recipients' needs. Lastly, to guarantee the most advantage, proper follow-up, consideration of equipment durability, maintenance requirements and increased assistance for repairs should be prioritized.
Sexual health and sexual well-being of women with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuester-Hauser syndrome after vaginal reconstruction: a qualitative analysis
Authors: Stepanow Clara , Naderer Andrea , Alexopoulos Johanna , Walch Katharina , Wenzl Rene , Leithner Katharina 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBackgroundContradictory findings on sexual health in women with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuester-Hauser syndrome (MRKHS) after vaginal reconstruction point toward the need for more profound assessment of this subject, particularly as it is still unclear what constitutes sexual well-being, especially genital self-image or sexual self-esteem, in women with MRKHS and neovagina.AimThe aim of this qualitative study was to assess individual sexual health and sexual well-being in the context of MRKHS after vaginal reconstruction, with an emphasis on genital self-image, sexual self-esteem, sexual satisfaction, and coping with MRKHS.MethodsQualitative semistructured interviews were conducted with women with MRKHS after vaginal reconstruction (n = 10) with the Wharton-Sheares-George surgical method and a matched control group without MRKHS (n = 20). Women were surveyed about their previous and current sexual activities, perception of and attitudes toward their genitals, disclosure to others, coping with the diagnosis, and perception of surgery. Data were analyzed through qualitative content analysis and compared with the control group.OutcomesThe primary outcomes of the study were major categories, such as sexual satisfaction, sexual self-esteem, genital self-image, and dealing with MRKHS, as well as subcategories related to the content analysis.ResultsAlthough half the women in the present study indicated that they were coping well with their condition and were satisfied with sexual intercourse, most felt insecure about their neovagina, were cognitively distracted during intercourse, and showed low levels of sexual self-esteem.Clinical ImplicationsA better understanding of expectations and uncertainties regarding the neovagina might help professionals to support women with MRKHS after vaginal reconstruction to increase sexual well-being.Strengths and LimitationsThis is the first qualitative study focusing on individual aspects of sexual well-being, especially sexual self-esteem and genital self-image, in women with MRKHS and neovagina. The qualitative study indicates good interrater reliability and data saturation. The limitations of this study include the inherent lack of objectivity resulting from the method but also the fact that all the patients had a particular surgical technique, consequently resulting in limited generalizability of these findings.ConclusionsOur data indicate that integrating the neovagina into the genital self-image is a prolonged process that is essential for sexual well-being and should thus be the focus of sexual counseling.
Effect of topical oxytocin gel on vaginal mucosa in postmenopausal Egyptian women: a clinical randomized trial
Authors: Moussa Asem , Moberg Kerstin Uvnäs , Elgrahy Ismael , Elsayied Mohammad , Abdel-Rasheed Mazen , Farouk Mohamed , Saad Hany , Meshaal Hadeer 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBackgroundVaginal atrophy is common after menopause and is often linked to sexual dysfunction, particularly dyspareunia.AimThe study aimed to investigate the effect of intravaginally applied oxytocin on expressions of vaginal atrophy.MethodsFifty postmenopausal women aged 47 to 66 years with vaginal atrophy participated in this double-blinded placebo-controlled study. The women were randomized to intravaginal treatment with either gel with 600 IU/mL of oxytocin (oxytocin group) or gel alone (control group) once daily for 2 weeks. The gel consisted of hypromellose, pH 3.8 (Vagovital).OutcomesThe color of the vaginal mucosa, the vaginal pH, and the cytology of vaginal epithelial cells were investigated before and after treatment.ResultsThe color of the vaginal mucosa shifted from pale to red in all 25 patients treated with oxytocin but only in 4 patients in the control group (P &lt; .001). There was a significant decrease in intravaginal pH in the oxytocin group and the control group, with the delta value being significantly greater in the oxytocin group than in the control group (P &lt; .001). The vaginal maturation index increased significantly (P &lt; .001) in the oxytocin group but not in the control group.Clinical ImplicationsTopical oxytocin gel offers an effective solution to the sexual dysfunction that is related to vaginal atrophy after menopause.Strengths and LimitationsStrengths include studying different outcomes of applying the oxytocin gel for vaginal atrophy. Limitations include the small-scale population with a relatively short duration of treatment (2 weeks).ConclusionIntravaginal treatment with a gel containing 600 IU/mL of oxytocin effectively counteracts physical expressions of vaginal atrophy.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05275270; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05275270).
QUIJOTE scientific results – VII. Galactic AME sources in the QUIJOTE-MFI northern hemisphere wide survey
Authors: Poidevin F , Génova-Santos R T , Rubiño-Martín J A , López-Caraballo C H , Watson R A , Artal E , Ashdown M , Barreiro R B , Casas F J , de la Hoz E , Fernández-Torreiro M , Guidi F , Herranz D , Hoyland R J , Lasenby A N , Martinez-Gonzalez E , Peel M W , Piccirillo L , Rebolo R , Ruiz-Granados B , Tramonte D , Vansyngel F , Vielva P 
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACT
The QUIJOTE-MFI Northern Hemisphere Wide Survey has provided maps of the sky above declinations −30° at 11, 13, 17, and 19 GHz. These data are combined with ancillary data to produce Spectral Energy Distributions in intensity in the frequency range 0.4–3 000 GHz on a sample of 52 candidate compact sources harbouring anomalous microwave emission (AME). We apply a component separation analysis at 1° scale on the full sample from which we identify 44 sources with high AME significance. We explore correlations between different fitted parameters on this last sample. QUIJOTE-MFI data contribute to notably improve the characterization of the AME spectrum, and its separation from the other components. In particular, ignoring the 10–20 GHz data produces on average an underestimation of the AME amplitude, and an overestimation of the free–free component. We find an average AME peak frequency of 23.6 ± 3.6 GHz, about 4 GHz lower than the value reported in previous studies. The strongest correlation is found between the peak flux density of the thermal dust and of the AME component. A mild correlation is found between the AME emissivity (AAME/τ250) and the interstellar radiation field. On the other hand no correlation is found between the AME emissivity and the free–free radiation Emission Measure. Our statistical results suggest that the interstellar radiation field could still be the main driver of the intensity of the AME as regards spinning dust excitation mechanisms. On the other hand, it is not clear whether spinning dust would be most likely associated with cold phases of the interstellar medium rather than with hot phases dominated by free–free radiation.
QUIJOTE scientific results – VI. The Haze as seen by QUIJOTE
Authors: Guidi F , Génova-Santos R T , Rubiño-Martín J A , Peel M W , Fernández-Torreiro M , López-Caraballo C H , Vignaga R , de la Hoz E , Vielva P , Watson R A , Ashdown M , Dickinson C , Artal E , Barreiro R B , Casas F J , Herranz D , Hoyland R J , Lasenby A N , Martinez-Gonzalez E , Piccirillo L , Poidevin F , Rebolo R , Ruiz-Granados B , Tramonte D , Vansyngel F 
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACT
The Haze is an excess of microwave intensity emission surrounding the Galactic Centre. It is spatially correlated with the γ-ray Fermi bubbles, and with the S-PASS radio polarization plumes, suggesting a possible common provenance. The models proposed to explain the origin of the Haze, including energetic events at the Galactic Centre and dark matter decay in the Galactic halo, do not yet provide a clear physical interpretation. In this paper, we present a reanalysis of the Haze including new observations from the Multi-Frequency Instrument (MFI) of the Q-U-I Joint TEnerife (QUIJOTE) experiment, at 11 and 13 GHz. We analyse the Haze in intensity and polarization, characterizing its spectrum. We detect an excess of diffuse intensity signal ascribed to the Haze. The spectrum at frequencies 11 GHz $\, \le \nu \le \,$ 70 GHz is a power law with spectral index βH = −2.79 ± 0.08, which is flatter than the Galactic synchrotron in the same region (βS = −2.98 ± 0.04), but steeper than that obtained from previous works (βH ∼ −2.5 at 23 GHz $\, \le \, \nu \le \,$ 70 GHz). We also observe an excess of polarized signal in the QUIJOTE-MFI maps in the Haze area. This is a first hint detection of polarized Haze, or a consequence of curvature of the synchrotron spectrum in that area. Finally, we show that the spectrum of polarized structures associated with Galactic Centre activity is steep at low frequencies (β ∼ −3.2 at 2.3 GHz ≤ ν ≤ 23 GHz), and becomes flatter above 11 GHz.
Line-driven winds from variable accretion discs
Authors: Kirilov Anthony , Dyda Sergei , Reynolds Christopher S 
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACTWe use numerical hydrodynamics simulations to study line-driven winds launched from an accreting α-disc. Building on previous work where the driving radiation field is static, we compute a time-dependent radiation flux from the local, variable accretion rate of the disc. We find that prior to the establishment of a steady state in the disc, variations of $\sim 15{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ in disc luminosity correlate with variations of ∼ 2–3 in the mass flux of the wind. After a steady state is reached, when luminosity variations drop to $\sim 3{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$, these correlations vanish as the variability in the mass flux is dominated by the intrinsic variability of the winds. This is especially evident in lower luminosity runs where intrinsic variability is higher due to a greater prevalence of failed winds. The changing mass flux occurs primarily due to the formation of clumps and voids near the disc atmosphere that propagate out into the low velocity part of the flow, a process that can be influenced by local variations in disc intensity. By computing the normalized standard deviation of the mass outflow, we show that the impact of luminosity variations on mass outflow is more visible at higher luminosity. However, the absolute change in mass outflow due to luminosity increases is larger for lower luminosity models due to the luminosity-mass flux scaling relation becoming steeper. We further discuss implications for CVs and AGN and observational prospects.
Multi-spacecraft observations of shocklets at an interplanetary shock
Authors: Trotta D , Hietala H , Horbury T , Dresing N , Vainio R , Wilson L , Plotnikov I , Kilpua E 
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACT
Interplanetary (IP) shocks are fundamental building blocks of the heliosphere, and the possibility to observe them in situ is crucial to address important aspects of energy conversion for a variety of astrophysical systems. Steepened waves known as shocklets are known to be important structures of planetary bow shocks, but they are very rarely observed related to IP shocks. We present here the first multi-spacecraft observations of shocklets observed by upstream of an unusually strong IP shock observed on 3 November 2021 by several spacecraft at L1 and near-Earth solar wind. The same shock was detected also by radially aligned Solar Orbiter at 0.8 au from the Sun, but no shocklets were identified from its data, introducing the possibility to study the environment in which shocklets developed. The Wind spacecraft has been used to characterize the shocklets, associated with pre-conditioning of the shock upstream by decelerating incoming plasma in the shock normal direction. Finally, using the Wind observations together with ACE and DSCOVR spacecraft at L1, as well as THEMIS B and THEMIS C in the near-Earth solar wind, the portion of interplanetary space filled with shocklets is addressed, and a lower limit for its extent is estimated to be of about 110RE in the shock normal direction and 25RE in the directions transverse to the shock normal. Using multiple spacecraft also reveals that for this strong IP shock, shocklets are observed for a large range of local obliquity estimates (9º–64º).
Exploring the intrinsic scatter of the star-forming galaxy main sequence at redshift 0.5 to 3.0
Authors: Huang Rongjun , Battisti Andrew J , Grasha Kathryn , da Cunha Elisabete , Lagos Claudia del P , Leslie Sarah K , Wisnioski Emily 
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACT
Previous studies have shown that the normalization and scatter of the galaxy ‘main sequence’ (MS), the relation between star formation rate (SFR) and stellar mass (M*), evolves over cosmic time. However, such studies often rely on photometric redshifts and/or only rest-frame UV to near-IR data, which may underestimate the SFR and M* uncertainties. We use MAGPHYS + photo-z to fit the UV to radio spectral energy distributions of 12 380 galaxies in the COSMOS field at 0.5 &lt; z &lt; 3.0, and self-consistently include photometric redshift uncertainties on the derived SFR and M*. We quantify the effect on the observed MS scatter from (1) photometric redshift uncertainties (which are minor) and (2) fitting only rest-frame ultraviolet to near-infrared observations (which are severe). At fixed redshift and M*, we find that the intrinsic MS scatter for our sample of galaxies is 1.4 to 2.6 times larger than the measurement uncertainty. The average intrinsic MS scatter has decreased by 0.1 dex from z = 0.5 to ∼2.0. At low z, the trend between the intrinsic MS scatter and M* follows a functional form similar to an inverse stellar mass-halo mass relation (SMHM; M*/Mhalo versus M*), with a minimum in intrinsic MS scatter at log (M*/M⊙) ∼ 10.25 and larger scatter at both lower and higher M*, while this distribution becomes flatter for high z. The SMHM is thought to be a consequence of feedback effects and this similarity may suggest a link between galaxy feedback and the intrinsic MS scatter. These results favour a slight evolution in the intrinsic MS scatter with both redshift and mass.
Self-consistent dynamical models with a finite extent – II. Radially truncated models
Authors: Baes Maarten 
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACT
Galaxies, dark matter haloes, and star clusters have a finite extent, yet most simple dynamical models have an infinite extent. The default method to generate dynamical models with a finite extent is to apply an energy truncation to the distribution function, but this approach is not suited to construct models with a preset density profile and it imposes unphysical constraints on the orbit population. We investigate whether it is possible to construct simple dynamical models for spherical systems with a preset density profile with a finite extent, and ideally with a different range of orbital structures. We systematically investigate the consistency of radially truncated dynamical models, and demonstrate that no spherical models with a discontinuous density truncation can be supported by an ergodic orbital structure. On the other hand, we argue that many radially truncated models can be supported by a tangential Osipkov–Merritt orbital structure that becomes completely tangential at the truncation radius. We formulate a consistency hypothesis for radially truncated models with such an orbital structure, and test it using an analytical example and the numerical exploration of a large model parameter space using the sphecow code. We physically interpret our results in terms of the occupancy of bound orbits, and we discuss possible extensions of the tangential Osipkov–Merritt orbital structure that can support radially truncated models.
Interferometric H i intensity mapping: perturbation theory predictions and foreground removal effects
Authors: Pourtsidou Alkistis 
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACT
We provide perturbation theory predictions for the H i intensity mapping power spectrum multipoles using the Effective Field Theory of Large Scale Structure, which should allow us to exploit mildly non-linear scales. Assuming survey specifications typical of proposed interferometric H i intensity mapping experiments like Canadian Hydrogen Observatory and Radio transient Detector and PUMA, and realistic ranges of validity for the perturbation theory modelling, we run mock full shape Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) analyses at z = 0.5, and compare with Stage-IV optical galaxy surveys. We include the impact of 21cm foreground removal using simulations-based prescriptions, and quantify the effects on the precision and accuracy of the parameter estimation. We vary 11 parameters in total: three cosmological parameters, seven bias and counter terms parameters, and the H i brightness temperature. Amongst them, the four parameters of interest are: the cold dark matter density, ωc, the Hubble parameter, h, the primordial amplitude of the power spectrum, As, and the linear H i bias, b1. For the best-case scenario, we obtain unbiased constraints on all parameters with $\lt 3{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ errors at $68{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ confidence level. When we include the foreground removal effects, the parameter estimation becomes strongly biased for ωc, h, and b1, while As is less biased (&lt;2σ). We find that scale cuts $k_{\rm min} \ge 0.03 \ h\,\mathrm{Mpc}^{-1}$ are required to return accurate estimates for ωc and h, at the price of a decrease in the precision, while b1 remains strongly biased. We comment on the implications of these results for real data analyses.
Drawbacks in the efficient monitoring of gold nanoparticle-based cisplatin delivery systems formation by HPLC–ICP-MS
Authors: Wróblewska Anna M , Gos Nina , Zajda Joanna , Ruzik Lena , Matczuk Magdalena 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Since chemotherapy suffers many limitations related to side effects of anticancer drugs (e.g. cisplatin - CDDP), nanoparticles are probed as carriers in targeted drug delivery. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are broadly investigated due to their biocompatibility, nontoxicity, and tunable surface. Despite many AuNPs–cisplatin systems (AuNP–CS) reports found in the literature, only a few include studies of their synthesis and formation efficiency using analytical tools providing simultaneously qualitative and quantitative analytical information. Therefore, this research continues our previous study of AuNP–CS formation investigated by capillary electrophoresis with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Namely, it presents the analogical approach but employs the coupling of another separation technique: isocratic reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The study concerns the difficulties of analytical method optimization path and contains a discussion of the observed problematic issues related to the analysis and preparation of AuNP–CS. Moreover, the presented work confronts the performance and applicability of both tools for the scrutiny of AuNP–CS, especially considering the comparison of their resolution power.
Medium-chain fatty acids for the prevention or treatment of Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Castro Carolina B , Dias Cintia B , Hillebrandt Heidi , Sohrabi Hamid R , Chatterjee Pratishtha , Shah Tejal M , Fuller Stephanie J , Garg Manohar L , Martins Ralph N 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Context
In preclinical Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the brain gradually becomes insulin resistant. As a result, brain glucose utilization is compromised, causing a cellular energy deficit that leads to the accumulation of free radicals, which increases inflammation and damages neurons. When glucose utilization is impaired, ketone bodies offer an alternative energy source. Ketone bodies are synthesized from fats, obtained from either the diet or adipose tissue. Dietary medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which are preferentially metabolized into ketone bodies, have the potential to supply the insulin-resistant brain with energy.

Objective
This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to review the effect of MCFA supplements on circulating ketone bodies and cognition in individuals with subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, and AD.

Data Sources
A comprehensive search of electronic databases was performed on August 12, 2019, to retrieve all publications meeting the inclusion criteria. Alerts were then set to identify any publications after the search date up until January 31, 2021.

Data Extraction
Data were extracted by 2 authors and assessed by a third. In total, 410 publications were identified, of which 16 (n = 17 studies) met the inclusion criteria.

Data Analysis
All studies assessing change in levels of blood ketone bodies due to MCFA supplementation (n = 12) reported a significant increase. Cognition outcomes (measured in 13 studies), however, varied, ranging from no improvement (n = 4 studies) to improvement (n = 8 studies) or improvement only in apolipoprotein E allele 4 (APOE ε4) noncarriers (n = 2 studies). One study reported an increase in regional cerebral blood flow in APOE ε4 noncarriers and another reported an increase in energy metabolism in the brain.

Conclusion
MCFA supplementation increases circulating ketone body levels, resulting in increased brain energy metabolism. Further research is required to determine whether this MCFA-mediated increase in brain energy metabolism improves cognition.

Systematic Review Registration
PROSPERO registration number CRD42019146967.