bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The implications of governance factors for economic and social upgrading in Ghana’s cocoa value chain
Authors: Kissi Evans Appiah , Herzig Christian 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis paper identifies several governance factors that enable economic upgrading and the link between economic and social upgrading /downgrading of smallholders and Abusa sharecroppers in Ghana's cocoa value chain (GCVC). The findings are based on qualitative interviews and focus group discussions with various actors in GCVC. Our findings suggest two types of economic upgrading: process and product upgrading, achieved by smallholder producers and Abusa Sharecroppers in GCVC. While process upgrading is enabled by governance factors such as price stabilization and controlling opportunistic behavior, transparency in the sale of certified beans and premium management is key for product upgrading. Regarding the link between economic and social upgrading, we reveal that process upgrading leads to the same outcome of social upgrading and downgrading for smallholders and Abusa sharecroppers due to governance factors such as production and purchasing policies and lack of resources and capabilities. However, product upgrading links to social upgrading and downgrading for smallholders and Abusa sharecroppers respectively owing to governance factors such as controlling resources and bargaining power. We provide insights into key actors and their interests, drivers of change and effects of incentives that play crucial roles in shaping governance factors that influence economic and social upgrading of smallholders and Abusa sharecroppers in GCVC. In our conclusion, we identify how regulations, institutional support and conflicts of interest are key for enabling upgrading of developing countries’ agricultural value chains.
Development and preliminary validation of a novel eating disorder screening tool for vegetarians and vegans: the V-EDS
Authors: McLean Courtney P. , Chen Zhibin , Song Richard , Le Jessica , Fielding Joanne , Sharp Gemma 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Eating disorders have one of the highest mortality of all mental illnesses but are associated with low rates of screening and early intervention. In addition, there remains considerable uncertainty regarding the use of current standardised screening tools in measuring eating pathology in vegetarians and vegans. With these groups presenting as potential at-risk groups for disordered eating development, the present study aimed to develop and preliminary validate a novel eating disorder screening tool, the Vegetarian Vegan Eating Disorder Screener (V-EDS).

Methods
We utilised a mixed-methods approach, comprising four phases.

Results
A conceptual framework was developed from 25 community, clinician, and lived experience interviews and used to derive a preliminary set of 163 items (Phase 1). Phase 2 piloted the items to establish face and content validity through cognitive debriefing interviews of 18 additional community, clinician, and lived experience participants, resulting in a reduced, revised questionnaire of 53 items. Phase 3 involved scale purification using Item Response Theory in analysis of 230 vegetarians and 230 vegans resulting in a further reduced 18-item questionnaire. Phase 4 validated the screening tool in a large community sample of 245 vegetarians and 405 vegans using traditional psychometric analysis, finding the V-EDS supports a unidimensional factor structure with excellent internal consistency (α = 0.95–0.96) and convergent validity (0.87–0.88), and moderate discriminate validity (0.45–0.55).

Conclusions
This study provided strong initial support for the psychometric validity and theoretical assumptions of the novel V-EDS screening tool. The V-EDS has the potential to increase early intervention rates for vegetarians and vegans experiencing eating disorder symptoms, further supporting advocacy and treatment approaches for these expanding dietary groups.
An optimum study on the laser scanning confocal microscopy techniques for BiFC assay using plant protoplast
Authors: Yuan Jinhong , Li Daiyu , Liang Yi , Meng Yao , Li Li , Yang Lin , Pei Mingyue , Feng Liuchun , Li Junhua 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
The bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay is commonly used for investigating protein–protein interactions. While several BiFC detection systems have been developed, there is a limited amount of research focused on using laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) techniques to observe protoplasts. Protoplasts are more susceptible to damage and instability compared to their original cell state due to the preparation treatments they undergo, which makes it challenging for researchers to manipulate them during observation under LSCMs. Therefore, it is crucial to utilize microscope techniques properly and efficiently in BiFC assays.

Results
When the target fluorescence is weak, the autofluorescence of chloroplast particles in protoplasts can interfere with the detection of BiFC signals localized in the nuclear region. Spectrum analysis revealed that chloroplast autofluorescence can be excited by lasers of various types, with the highest fluorescence signal observed at around 660 nm. Furthermore, our investigation into the impact of different pipette tips on the integrity of protoplast samples indicated that the utilization of cut tips with larger openings can mitigate cell breakage. We presented a workflow of LSCM techniques for investigating protoplast BiFC and discussed the microscopic manipulation involved in sample preparation and image capturing.

Conclusion
When the BiFC signals are weak, they may be affected by chloroplast autofluorescence. However, when used properly, the autofluorescence of chloroplasts can serve as an excellent internal marker for effectively distinguishing other signals. In combination with other findings, this study can provide valuable reference for researchers conducting BiFC assays and related studies.
RPf-GCNs: reciprocal perspective driven fused GCNs for rumor detection on social media
Authors: Khan Zafran , Gwak Jeonghwan , Iltaf Naima , Pedrycz Witold , Jeon Moongu 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe earliest detection of rumors across social media is the need to the hour in present global village. User’s are seamlessly connected in an unstructured network leading to rapid flow of information. User’s on the social media with malign intents may share defamatory content to contribute towards the fifth generation media warfare. The ingress of such defamatory content into society can result in panic, uncertainty and demoralization the peoples. Due to the huge amount of content over social platforms, the detection of malicious contents is hard. Earlier research while focuses on content profiling and flow of information, however, the reciprocal perspective of the source and following contents is missing. In this research, a novel Reciprocal Perspective fused Graph Convolutional Neural Network (RPf-GCN) is proposed. The proposed framework incorporates twin GCNs to encode both the bottom-up and top-down perspectives, enhancing the understanding of rumor propagation. Moreover convolutional operation is employed to fuse reciprocal perspective, providing a holistic view of the conversations. To validate the efficacy of the proposed framework, we conducted a series of experiments using real-world datasets, including PHEME and SemEval. Experimentation performed illustrates that the proposed framework outperformed over various baselines in two different evaluation metrics namely Macro F1 (for PHEME 0.736, for SemEval 0.461) and Accuracy (for PHEME 0.748, for SemEval 0.658).
Artificial formation of benzene polycarboxylic acids during sample processing of black carbon analysis: the role of organic carbon amount
Authors: Di Rauso Simeone Giuseppe , Maennicke Heike , Bromm Tobias , Glaser Bruno 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBlack carbon is also known as pyrogenic carbon formed by partial combustion of organic material under limited oxygen supply. It occurs along a continuum from original organic slightly charred material to highly aromatic combustion residues such as charcoal, graphite, and soot. Black carbon is extensively studied in various environments due to its ubiquity. It is also important for the biochar community because it can specifically trace the stable polycondensed part of biochar. Different methods have been adopted for black carbon determination; among them using benzene polycarboxylic acids (BPCA) as molecular markers for the polycondensed aromatic moieties of charred materials. However, different researchers have shown interferences from organic matter during BPCA analysis. Therefore, the aim of this work was to assess if artificial formation of BPCA occurs in soil samples when the organic carbon load exceeds 5–10 mg. For this purpose, we conducted black carbon analysis of different soil samples with varying TOC contents of up to 20 mg. In addition, organic matter-rich plant materials were used as a black carbon-free control (leaves of Ivy and Beech, leaves/needles of Spruce and needles of Thuja). To exclude the high-pressure digestion as source of artificial black carbon formation, a comparison between the conventional and a microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) oxidation process was included. Our results show that for soil samples, no artificial BPCA formation occurred at least up to 20 mg of total organic carbon. Higher sample weights are unrealistic for BPCA analysis of soils using current methodology. Therefore, our results clearly demonstrate that there is no artificial BPCA formation during properly performed black carbon analysis of soil samples. On the contrary, for some samples, BPCA contents tended to decrease with increasing sample weight, and thus increasing amount of TOC. In contrast, for plant samples, artificial BPCA formation of up to 3 g kg−1 occurred when more plant material equivalent to 10 mg total organic carbon was used. However, there was no amount dependence of artificial BPCA formation. The reason for artificial BPCA formation was not the high-pressure digestion, as microwave-assisted digestion showed comparable results. However, for real-world analysis, this artificial BPCA formation is not relevant because such high soil sample weights cannot be used. Nevertheless, when using organic-rich material such as peat and charred materials, the samples should contain less than 10 mg of total organic carbon.
Graphical Abstract
Doxycycline reduces liver and kidney injuries in a rat hemorrhagic shock model
Authors: Sordi Regina , Bojko Luana , Oliveira Filipe R. M. B. , Rosales Thiele Osvaldt , Souza Camila Fernandes , Moreno Lucas Wenceslau , Ferreira Alves Gustavo , Vellosa José Carlos Rebuglio , Fernandes Daniel , Gomes Jose Rosa 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Hemorrhagic shock (HS), which causes insufficient tissue perfusion, can result in multiple organ failure (MOF) and death. This study aimed to evaluate whether doxycycline (DOX) protects cardiovascular, kidney, and liver tissue from damage in a rat model of HS. Immediately before the resuscitation, DOX (10 mg/kg; i.v.) was administered, and its protective effects were assessed 24 h later. Mean arterial pressure, renal blood flow, heart rate, vasoactive drug response, and blood markers such as urea, creatinine, AST, ALT, CPK, CPR, and NOx levels were determined.

Results
We showed that DOX has a significant effect on renal blood flow and on urea, creatinine, AST, ALT, CPK, and NOx. Morphologically, DOX reduced the inflammatory process in the liver tissue.

Conclusions
We conclude that DOX protects the liver and kidney against injury and dysfunction in a HS model and could be a strategy to reduce organ damage associated with ischemia-and-reperfusion injury.
Prevalence of food insecurity amid COVID-19 lockdowns and sociodemographic indicators of household vulnerability in Harar and Kersa, Ethiopia
Authors: Muir Jonathan A. , Dheresa Merga , Madewell Zachary J. , Getachew Tamirat , Daraje Gamachis , Mengesha Gezahegn , Whitney Cynthia G. , Assefa Nega , Cunningham Solveig A. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with widespread social disruptions, as governments implemented lockdowns to quell disease spread. To advance knowledge of consequences for households in resource-limited countries, we examine food insecurity during the pandemic period.

Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study and used logistic regression to examine factors associated with food insecurity. Data were collected between August and September of 2021 through a Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) using a survey instrument focused on knowledge regarding the spread of COVID-19; food availability; COVID-19 related shocks/coping; under-five child healthcare services; and healthcare services for pregnant women. The study is set in two communities in Eastern Ethiopia, one rural (Kersa) and one urban (Harar), and included a random sample of 880 households.

Results
Roughly 16% of households reported not having enough food to eat during the pandemic, an increase of 6% since before the pandemic. After adjusting for other variables, households were more likely to report food insecurity if they were living in an urban area, were a larger household, had a family member lose employment, reported an increase in food prices, or were food insecure before the pandemic. Households were less likely to report food insecurity if they were wealthier or had higher household income.

Conclusions
After taking individual and household level sociodemographic characteristics into consideration, households in urban areas were at higher risk for food insecurity. These findings suggest a need for expanding food assistance programs to more urban areas to help mitigate the impact of lockdowns on more vulnerable households.
The feasibility and acceptability of a rewards system based on food purchasing behaviour in secondary school cashless canteens: the Eat4Treats (E4T) cluster feasibility, non-randomised, controlled intervention study
Authors: Moore Sarah E. , Rooney Ciara , Neville Charlotte E. , McConville Ryan , Kee Frank , McEvoy Claire T. , Woodside Jayne V. , Hanvey Judith , McKinley Michelle C. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Using rewards may be an effective method to positively influence children’s eating behaviour but evidence to date is limited, particularly in older children. The cashless canteen systems in schools provides a unique opportunity to implement a food-based reward scheme but intervention development work and feasibility testing is needed. The overall aim of the E4T feasibility study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a rewards scheme based on the food purchasing behaviour of pupils in cashless canteens in secondary schools.

Methods
A non-randomised, controlled, parallel-group cluster feasibility study conducted in four secondary schools (two intervention and two control) serving areas of the highest social deprivation in Northern Ireland. During the 4-month trial, pupils earned points for foods purchased at the school canteen, with better nutritional choices having a higher value. Pupils could exchange the points they earned for rewards (e.g. stationery, vouchers, sports equipment) via the E4T website. Qualitative and quantitative data was collected from year 9 and 10 pupils (boys and girls aged 12–14 years), teachers and canteen staff to address the feasibility questions.

Results
Two intervention (one urban, one rural) and one control (urban) school completed the study. Seventy-one percent of 12–14-year-old pupils consented to take part; 1% of parents opted their child out of the study. Questionnaire completion rates were high (6 and 11% of questionnaires were partially completed at baseline and follow-up respectively). Collecting data on food consumed in the canteen was challenging logistically. Focus groups with pupils indicated that the overall concept of E4T was well received and there was a high degree of satisfaction with the rewards available. Pupils and teachers made several suggestions for improvements.

Conclusions
E4T was successfully implemented as a result of collaboration between schools, school canteens and cashless canteen providers working with a multidisciplinary research team. It was acceptable to pupils, teachers and canteen staff. The findings suggest a few areas for refining implementation and evaluation processes that would need to be considered in the design of a larger trial, particularly resources required to streamline implementation and ways to optimise pupil engagement.

Trial registration
Under review with https://www.clinicaltrials.gov (retrospective registration—reg number and weblink to be added).
Time-of-flight and black-blood MRI to study intracranial arteries in rats
Authors: Cayron Anne F. , Bejuy Olivia , Vargas Maria Isabel , Colin Didier J. , Aoki Tomohiro , Lövblad Karl-Olof , Bijlenga Philippe , Kwak Brenda R. , Allémann Eric , Morel Sandrine 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIntracranial aneurysms (IAs) are usually incidentally discovered by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Once discovered, the risk associated with their treatment must be balanced with the risk of an unexpected rupture. Although clinical observations suggest that the detection of contrast agent in the aneurysm wall using a double-inversion recovery black-blood (BB) sequence may point to IA wall instability, the exact meaning of this observation is not understood. Validation of reliable diagnostic markers of IA (in)stability is of utmost importance to deciding whether to treat or not an IA. To longitudinally investigate IA progression and enhance our understanding of this devastating disease, animal models are of great help. The aim of our study was to improve a three-dimensional (3D)-time-of-flight (TOF) sequence and to develop a BB sequence on a standard preclinical 3-T MRI unit to investigate intracranial arterial diseases in rats. We showed that our 3D-TOF sequence allows reliable measurements of intracranial artery diameters, inter-artery distances, and angles between arteries and that our BB sequence enables us to visualize intracranial arteries. We report the first BB-MRI sequence to visualize intracranial arteries in rats using a preclinical 3-T MRI unit. This sequence could be useful for a large community of researchers working on intracranial arterial diseases.Relevance statement We developed a black-blood MRI sequence to study vessel wall enhancement in rats with possible application to understanding IAs instability and finding reliable markers for clinical decision-making.Key points• Reliable markers of aneurysm stability are needed for clinical decision.• Detection of contrast enhancement in the aneurysm wall may be associated with instability.• We developed a black-blood MRI sequence in rats to be used to study vessel wall enhancement of IAs.
Graphical Abstract
Telemedicine practice among Egyptian urologists: knowledge, attitude, and medicolegal concerns
Authors: Ismail Ezzat A. , Shehata Shaimaa A. , Fouad Ahmed M. , Gomaa Moetaz D. , Bakr Ahmed M. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
The usage and implementation of telemedicine by urologists to diagnose, treat, mentor, and prevent diseases have grown worldwide. Numerous clinical, legal, and ethical issues are addressed by this practice. This is a cross-sectional study based on an anonymous online questionnaire, aimed to assess the current urologists’ knowledge and attitude towards telemedicine use in Egypt. A total of 108 Egyptian urologists filled out the questionnaire which included sociodemographic data, urologist knowledge, attitude regarding telemedicine, and common concerns and barriers.

Results
Out of the total sample, 75.9% of participants did not use telemedicine modalities until COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly 66.7% of participants did not receive formal medicolegal training on using telemedicine. About 62% of participants used personal accounts on social media, and 73.1% of teleconsultations were to assess radiological and laboratory data. Several concerns were highlighted such as possible malpractice risks (79.6%), defamation (72.2%), and keeping patient records (71.3%). Urologists raised many considerable barriers regarding telemedicine, such as lack of patient technology skills (84.3%), absence of regulations or laws (76.9%), insurance reimbursement (57.4%), and lack of administrative support (53.7%). Most of the participants have a positive impression of the advantages of tele-urology. There was a statistically significant difference between the number of cases seen per week and positive total attitude score.

Conclusions
Although most participants practiced telemedicine, many obstacles were highlighted through the study. Ignoring legal, ethical, personal, and patient issues may also jeopardize the future of telemedicine. Well-established health policies, formal education, and the implementation of regulated laws of telemedicine are fundamental.
Endovascular treatment of splenic artery aneurysm rupture: case report
Authors: Carvalho Márcia , Mendes João , Macedo-Oliveira Carlos , Freire Bárbara , Pereira-Macedo Juliana , Pinheiro Duque Rita , Lemos Ricardo , Sampaio Francisco 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Splenic artery aneurysms are rare and usually asymptomatic, with a high risk of mortality once they get ruptured. This is a rare case of a spontaneous splenic artery aneurysm rupture in a high-risk patient for surgery. Endovascular treatment was the only option to save patient’s life.

Case presentation
We report a 70-year-old woman with multiple comorbidities, presenting to the emergency department with signs of shock: confusion, pallor, tachycardia, and hypotension. Computed tomography shows an active bleeding from a splenic artery aneurysm rupture. The patient was successfully submitted to emergent arterial embolization of the splenic artery aneurysm.

Conclusions
Endovascular treatment is a less aggressive approach and should be considered in high-risk patients for surgical intervention. Rupture of a splenic aneurysm is a rare condition with high mortality rate and should be considered as a differential diagnosis in a patient with abdominal pain and hemodynamic instability.