bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
“I feel like marijuana is the only drug that wouldn’t kill me”: Perceptions of cannabis use in previously-incarcerated Black men who have sex with other men
Authors: Flores Rey , Kerman Jared , Schneider John , Harawa Nina 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Background: Fragmented state laws have impacted cannabis uptake and perceptions in the US. Little research has explored the attitudes, beliefs, and social network influences of young Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) who have experienced incarceration and use cannabis. While problematic cannabis use is not well defined and understudied, scholars have found that a person’s social network can mediate problematic substance use and reduce recidivism rates by providing both tangible and emotional support. The BARS study examined social network contributors to cannabis perception and use and cannabis-related harms among BMSM with criminal legal system involvement in Chicago, IL and Houston TX. Methods: Researchers conducted interviews with 25 cis-gender men informed by life course theory, with a focus on the role of social networks, incarceration, and other life experiences in substance use. All interviews were audio recorded, de-identified, and transcribed; participants were compensated $50. A deductive-inductive thematic analysis was used to analyze all qualitative data collected. Results: Twelve BMSM in Chicago and 13 BMSM in Houston (M=26.6 years old, SD=3.7) were interviewed. A majority identified as gay (56%), with 12 participants (48%) reporting having a high school diploma or equivalent; their average age of first substance use was 15.2 (SD=2.9). Participants perceived cannabis usage to be categorically distinct from other intoxicating substance usage, with many describing it as not harmful and potentially beneficial. Three main broad themes shaped their choices and attitudes regarding cannabis and “hard” drugs -- social networks, need fulfillment, and perceptions of risk. Conclusion: Participant descriptions of cannabis use emphasize their drug-use behavior as being produced by agent decision-making and risk assessment. Future work should expand on how these decisions are made, and how social networks can be leveraged to encourage non-harmful drug consumption behaviors.
Publication Trends in Political Economy Scholarship 2011-2020
Authors: Mulligan Robert F. 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Political economy occupies a unique place at the intersection of economics and political science, both an essential and vibrant part of both disciplines, as well as an area that offers special insight into issues of continuing importance in public finance and policy. This article uses journal publications to rank institutions by research productivity in political economy. An incidental byproduct is a ranking of scholars. Ranking methodology is developed based on the established literature. Implications for the future evolution of political economy as an interdisciplinary field are suggested and discussed.
Site dependence of local-scale variations in taxonomic and functional diversity of semi-natural dry grasslands
Authors: Mugnai Michele , Ferretti Giulio , Gesuelli Edoardo , Nuti Leonardo , Natale Stefano Di , Corti Emilio , Viciani Daniele , Lazzaro Lorenzo 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Grasslands represent biodiversity hotspots in temperate Europe and, for this reason, have been extensively studied in the last century. Because such diversity is the result of a multitude of processes that shape communities, the adoption of a multifaceted approach (i.e., encompassing taxonomic and functional facets simultaneously) is fundamental to assessing the biodiversity of grassland habitats. Moreover, considering different spatial scales of investigation is crucial to properly evaluate short- and broad-scale processes simultaneously. Accordingly, we adopted a broad approach, taking into account alpha and beta diversity components of diversity to assess whether small-scale changes in grassland biodiversity are site-dependent. Additionally, such framework has been improved addressing a multi-faceted perspective, thus considering both taxonomic and functional diversity. The grasslands investigated are classified as high conservation priority habitats, and we surveyed them in two biogeographical regions in Italy. In each area, on a small scale, the grassland habitat has two distinct ecotypes, and in each of these, we surveyed vegetation and measured four plant traits. Our results showed that α-diversity differed taxonomically and functionally only between the two sites, while β-diversity also showed local functional differentiation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that while taxonomic β-diversity is mostly due to species turnover, functional β-diversity is equally due to turnover and nestedness. Therefore, our findings may shed light on how processes shape the different facets of semi-natural grassland biodiversity.
Implementation of NPS Precoding for Computational Complexity and PAPR Analysis of Uplink NOMA
Authors: c Ajitha , T Jaya 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Future multimedia and entertainment services demand fast and massive connectivity simultaneously. NOMA is a promising candidate to achieve massive connectivity and high spectral efficiency for future interference less communications. However, new signal precoding problems need to be resolved for obtaining the complete advantages from NOMA technologies for future deployments of 5G/6G. Traditionally, DFT, cyclic shift and HT precoding techniques are utilized in NOMA for obtaining less PAPR and negligibly minimum errors. Choosing appropriate data resource block size is the main optimization problem in DFT precoding. Error correction in cyclic shift is more computationally complex which cannot be used in novel NOMA output system. Less energy compacting is the major disadvantage of HT transform. The proposed NOMA precoding technique utilizes Newman Phase Spread (NPS) concept with power domain superposition coding (SC) on transmitter. IFWFT and FWFT is used in time to frequency and vice versa to reduce the complexity of NPS based NOMA. This work differentiates moderate user from secondary and primary users. The proposed NPS gives the reduced PAPR value of nearly 5.2 dB which is comparatively low when compared to all other NOMA techniques.
"Sustainable Water Agreement - SWA" as a new approach in the field of water diplomacy
Authors: Baripour Milad , sadeghian mohammad sadegh , ansarian mojtaba , hajikandi hooman 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
The only way to create positive interactions for the equitable and optimal distribution of transboundary water resources between stakeholders is Water Diplomacy. Accordingly, identification of the various parameters that directly or indirectly affect or are affected by water diplomacy is of great importance. In this study, more than 40 parameters of water diplomacy were identified and evaluated via the DEMATEL and Fuzzy-DEMATEL techniques. As the results showed, the "National Laws", "State Building" and "National Priorities" were the most "effective" parameters of water diplomacy, while "Capacity Building", "Common Interests or Threats" and "Self Sufficiency” were the most "affected" ones. Finally, "Sustainable Water Agreement - SWA" was introduced in this study as a new concept based on cooperation, peace and positive interaction in a dynamic way.
Epigenetic modulation of RRP22 and P16 genes, and histones H4 and H3 in brain cancer following organochlorine pesticides exposure
Authors: Yousefi Fatemeh , Asadikaram Gholamreza , Karamouzian Saeid , Abolhassani Moslem , Pourghadamyari Hossein , Moazed Vahid 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Background: Organochlorine pesticide (OCP) exposure and epigenetic modifications have been well-documented in brain cancer incidence; however, their associations remain ambiguous. In this paper, we examined the effect of seven OCPs on the methylation status of two tumor suppressor genes (RRP22 and P16) and four histone marks (H4K16ac, H3K9ac, H4K20me3, and H3k4me2) in 73 patients with a primary brain tumor (PBT).Methods and results: The results of methylation-specific PCR (MSP) revealed the hypermethylation of P22 and P16 promoter regions in PBT patients. Moreover, western blot analysis demonstrated significantly low levels of H3K9ac, H4K20me3, and H3K4me2 in PBT patients in comparison with the controls. In addition, our study provides supportive evidence that OCP exposure at both high and low levels significantly affected RRP22 and P16 methylation and was related to an increased risk of glioma and PBT, respectively. We found no associations between histone modifications and exposure to OCPs in PBT incidence. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that RRP22 and P16 promoter hypermethylation, as well as H4K20 and H3K4 demethylation and H3K9 deacetylation, are significantly associated with PBT risk. Moreover, our study demonstrated that OCP exposure is related to the increased risk of PBT incidence, mainly among individuals with RRP22 and P16 promoter region methylation.
The synergic impact of lignin and Lactobacillus plantarum on DSS-induced colitis model via regulating CD44 and miR-199a alliance
Authors: Kaliyamoorthy Venugopal , Packia Justin Jacob , Ibrahim Hairul Islam Mohamed , Kandhasamy Sivakumar , Krishnaraj Thirugnanasambantham 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Chronic or recurrent immune system activation and inflammation inside the gastrointestinal tract are characterized inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Due to the lack of safety and efficacy of traditional medications, the use of food supplements for IBD management is on the rise. The numerous studies reported that, certain food supplements have a variety of therapeutic benefits for IBD. In the present study, mouse model of IBD was used to the anti-colitis effects of lignin supplementation with L. plantarum on intestinal inflammation. The animal model was treated with DSS, the illness index increased, and colon length and body weight declined, but these effects were reversed when lignin and L. plantarum treated groups. In addition, lignin and L. plantarum supplementation inhibited the DSS induced increase in levels of cytokines (TNF-α, INF-γ, IL-1β and TGF- β). Gene and protein expression study revealed that Lignin and L. plantarum supplementation induced the expression of E-cad and suppressed the expression of STAT3. Lignin and L. plantarum supplementation also suppressed CD44 expression by up regulating the expression of miR199a. Our study suggests that Lactobacillus, lignin, and their synergistic treatments have protective roles against inflammatory bowel disease through changes in inflammatory cytokines, and miR 199a expression in DSS-induced colitis.
Evaluation of the Awareness, Knowledge Level and Perception of Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Measures by Rural People in Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Hassan Tunde M. , Gbadebo Adewole M. , Oguntoke Olusegun , Oyedepo John A. , Hassan Christianah , Okoh Sunday , Sadiq S. K. , Okunneye O. J. , Taiwo Adewale M. 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Climate change is one of the most serious environmental challenges facing our planet today. The present study assessed the awareness, knowledge level and perception of the impacts of climate change, and adaptation methods implemented by rural people in the Southwestern Nigeria. A total of 1200 copies of the structured survey questionnaire were randomly administered across the three states. The questionnaire was used to elicit information on various issues such as socio-demographic characteristics, climate change awareness, knowledge, and perception by the respondents. The data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics (mean, frequency and percentage). The results showed that about 90–93% of the respondents from the three states claimed to know about climate change. Most respondents opted for the use of certified seeds as an important adaptation strategy against climate change. Many respondent believed that individuals could do something to adapt to climate change, while some respondents perceived that climate change will result in a reduction in the quality of life, while a few respondents said that people should not worry about climate change.
A fault-based probabilistic seismic hazard model for Lebanon, controlling parameters and hazard levels
Authors: Kadri Sarah El , Beauval C. , Brax M. , Bard PY. , Vergnolle M. , Klinger Y. 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
The present work develops a comprehensive probabilistic seismic hazard study for Lebanon, a country prone to a high seismic hazard since it is located along the Levant fault system. The historical seismicity has documented devastating earthquakes which have struck this area. Contrarily, the instrumental period is typical of a low-to-moderate seismicity region. The source model built is made of a smoothed seismicity earthquake forecast based on the Lebanese instrumental catalog, combined with a fault model including major and best-characterized faults in the area. Earthquake frequencies on faults are inferred from geological as well as geodetic slip rates. Uncertainties at every step are tracked and a sensitivity study is led to identify which parameters and decisions most influence hazard estimates. The results demonstrate that the choice of the recurrence model, exponential or characteristic, impacts the most the hazard, followed by the uncertainty on the slip rate, on the maximum magnitude that may break faults, and on the minimum magnitude applied to faults. At return periods larger than or equal to 475 years, the hazard in Lebanon is fully controlled by the sources on faults, and the off-fault model has a negligible contribution. We establish a source model logic tree populated with the key parameters, and combine this logic tree with three ground-motion models (GMMs) potentially adapted to the Levant region. A specific study is led in Beirut, located on the hanging-wall of the Mount Lebanon fault to understand where the contributions come from in terms of magnitudes, distances and sources. Running hazard calculations based on the logic tree, distributions of hazard estimates are obtained for selected sites, as well as seismic hazard maps at the scale of the country. Considering the PGA at 475 years of return period, mean hazard values found are larger than 0.3g for sites within a distance of 20 to 30km from the main strand of the Levant Fault, as well as in the coastal region in-between Saida and Tripoli (≥ 0.4g considering the 84 th percentile). The study provides detailed information on the hazard levels to expect in Lebanon, with the associated uncertainties, constituting a solid basis that may help taking decisions in the perspective of future updates of the Lebanese building code.
Neuro-Sliding Mode Controller Design for Interconnected Quadrotor UAV’s Transporting a Suspended Payload
Authors: Bingöl Özhan , Güzey Hacı Mehmet 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
With the increasing interest in quadrotor research recently, load transportation applications with quadrotors have attracted attention as an area of great interest. There can be many advantages to using more than one quadrotor in some applications due to their limited size and capacity. However, it is clear that systems using more than one quadrotor will bring more difficulties in terms of control. In this study, a novel generalized structure for interconnected systems that consist of n-quadrotor UAVs transporting a suspended payload is presented. Furthermore, a novel neural network based-sliding mode controller is proposed. First, a formulation of interconnected unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) dynamics is derived. Next, suggested controller is developed to reduce chattering phenomenon caused by the variation of uncertain interconnected UAV dynamics over time and thereby significantly improved control signals are obtained. Once the controllers are established, the stability of the system has been proved by Lyapunov stability criteria and simulations have been performed to demonstrate the validity of the proposed controller.
Efficacy and safety of oral anticoagulants in elderly patients with stable coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation
Authors: Zhang Xu , Wu Yangxun , Lv Chao , Zhang Shizhao , Liu Haiping , Wang Yuyan , Zou Yuting , Qin Liu’an , Zhang Junmeng , Yin Tong 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Background: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral anticoagulants (OACs) in real-world elderly patients with comorbidities of stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) and atrial fibrillation (AF).Methods: Elderly patients (aged ≥ 65 years old) diagnosed with SCAD and AF were consecutively recruited and grouped into patients with or without OAC treatment. Follow-up was performed for 5 years. Major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) were defined as a composite of all-cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), nonfatal stroke, and systemic embolism. Major bleeding outcomes were defined as events that were type ≥ 3 based on the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) criteria. The net clinical outcomes were defined as the combination of MACEs and bleeding of BARC type ≥ 3.Results: A cohort of 832 eligible patients (78 ± 6.70 years) was included. Compared to the patients without OAC treatment (n=531, 63.82%), the patients treated with OAC (n=301, 36.18%) were much younger, had higher BMI, and had lower prevalence of heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), renal insufficiency, and previous myocardial infarction. During the follow-up of 5 years, compared to the patients without OAC treatment, patients with OAC had a significantly lower risk of MACEs (20.60% vs. 58.95%, adjusted HR: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.15-0.30, p<0.001) but a higher risk of BARC ≥ 3 bleeding events (4.65% vs. 1.32%, adjusted HR: 4.71, 95% CI: 1.75-12.64, p = 0.002). In combination, a lower risk of net clinical outcomes could be observed in the patients with OACs (23.26% vs. 58.96%, adjusted HR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.19-0.38, p<0.001). Among the patients with OAC treatment, no significant difference was found for MACEs or BARC ≥ 3 bleeding events between the patients with or without comedications of oral antiplatelet agents.Conclusions: A net clinical benefit of efficacy and safety could be observed in OAC-treated elderly patients with SCAD and AF. This benefit is independent of the comedications of oral antiplatelet treatment.
Co-design and evaluation with construction workers of a virtual reality and force feedback modalities for gesture training
Authors: Hafsia Mehdi , Monacelli Eric , Ducoulombier Laure 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Construction is one of the sectors most at risk in terms of health and safety. The social security system attributes more than 14\% of the accidents recorded in 2018 to the construction sector. In addition to safety risks, construction workers are exposed to occupational diseases. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are at the top list of the most frequent occupational diseases. In order to address these issues, construction companies have implemented health and safety policy to protect their employees. This policy provides, among other things, for an improvement in the organizational aspect of work, the adaptation of work to people and training. Training is carried out according to a classic methodology: theoretical and practical training. The training represents constraints of cost, duration and organization. The content must be adapted to specific profiles, be repeatable and allow the trainers to assess the level of the trainees. For training on the right gestures and posture to avoid the risk of MSDs, the impact of virtual reality (VR) training is less relevant due to the lack of haptic feedback. In this article, we propose to evaluate with the construction workers a new training methodology based on visual immersion and a robotic platform for haptic interaction with motion tracking. This methodology is evaluated for a particular task: the formwork panel adjustment, a highly risky operation on a highly sensitive tool.We believe that this approach would allow to better engage the construction workers during training on the formwork, to ensure their safety and awareness of MSD risks. The objective through this method is to enable the construction workers to understand the risks linked to their job, to train them to avoid risks, and to enable the trainer to benefit from a tool for monitoring and supporting the construction workers. In order to validate the methodology, experiments were conducted and questionnaires were submitted to two profiles of people: novices and professionals. This experimentation shows an acceptance of the solution by the construction workers.
Cricket bat Industry in Kashmir Valley: Wood quality parameters of Salix alba var. caerulea and Populus deltoides
Authors: Ahmad Nawaz , Rafeeq Jauhar 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
The present investigation was conducted in the Kashmir valley, India during the year 2017–2018. The main objective of this study was to assess the quality parameters of cleft that are used for cricket bat manufacturing. The units used wood of Salix alba var. caerulea as main raw material while Populus deltoides wood was also used for low quality bats. The mean values of moisture content, wood density and fiber length of wood samples of willow and poplar were 5.58% and 4.76%, 0.498 g cm -3 and 0.372 g cm-3, and 1.45 mm and 1.35 mm, respectively. Weight of the unfinished willow and poplar cleft was 2.03 kg and 1.76 kg, respectively. Studies conducted revealed that willow made bats were better than those made from Poplar.
Physicochemical, structural, and rheological properties of Colombian hawthorn yam (Dioscorea rotundata) flour: a product for food sovereignty
Authors: Quintana Somaris E. , Pérez-Mendoza Jaime , Zapateiro Luis A. García 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Colombian hawthorn yam is a well-known edible food and pharmaceutical industry of interest for its components. This study aimed to obtain Colombian Hawthorn yam flour (CHYF) and characterize its proximal composition, physicochemical, and rheological properties. The identification of chemical composition by proximal and FTIR analysis; also, steady shear test, stress test, frequency sweep, temperature sweep and pasting properties analysis were done. CHYF has a high carbohydrate content (80.47 ± 1.14%) and different functional groups (C = O, COO, N–H and O-H). Flour particles (27µm to 43µm) have spherical-oval morphology with a smooth surface; also, the sample resent a non-Newtonian fluid type shear-thinning adjusted to the Power Law model (R2 > 0.99); and a typical strong gel material when storage modulus G' was higher than loss modulus G''. CHYF shows the highest paste temperature at 81.6 ° C with a PV of 750 cP. Then, it is a potential source of natural ingredients with technological properties for the food industry and the food sovereignty of many countries in the world.