bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Finger vein recognition based on lightweight convolutional attention model
Authors: Zhang Zhongxia , Wang Mingwen 
Published: February 2023

AbstractConvolutional neural networks are a hot research topic in finger vein recognition. However, most existing research focuses on increasing the depth and width of the convolutional neural network to improve the network's performance, which has a specific requirement on the computer's computational power. To reduce the computational burden, a lightweight convolutional attention model (LCAModel) is proposed for finger vein recognition to achieve more accurate visual structure capture by exploiting the sensitivity of the attention mechanism to features. First, the attentional model (AModel) is proposed to extract representative features of images, which mainly utilizes the adaptive mapping on space and channels of the convolutional block attention module (CBAM) to make features distinguishable. In addition, considering the integrity of the features, a convolutional model (CModel) is designed to supplement the features of AModel. Finally, the features obtained from AModel and CModel are fused using an adaptive weighting mechanism to make the features more complete. Here, the obtained features are provided into a support vector machine (SVM) for image classification. The experiments are carried out on two publicly available databases, demonstrating that the proposed network structure requires less computing power and performs better.
A reduced‐switch‐count two‐phase interleaved switch‐control‐capacitor LLC converter with accurate current balancing
Authors: Zhou Xiang , Yu Xiang , Li Chaojie , Feng Shuting , Zhao Hongbo , Yan Zhengchao 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIn this paper, a reduced‐switch‐count two‐phase interleaved LLC converter with precise current balancing is proposed by using switching‐control‐capacitor (SCC) technology. Compared with the conventional SCC‐LLC converter, the proposed two‐phase SCC‐LLC converter reduces the switch count with the SCC circuits, and achieves excellent current sharing under all the tolerance conditions between the two‐phase resonant elements. In the proposed converter, the SCC circuit is only used in the first phase. The design of the SCC circuit parameters is analyzed to reduce the voltage stress of the SCC circuit and to ensure that two‐phase currents are balancing with large tolerance of resonant elements. A 2.16‐kW GaN‐based two‐phase interleaved SCC‐LLC converter prototype is established for data center application, and the experimental results show that the 98.1% peak efficiency, the 97.6% full load efficiency, and higher than 96% efficiency at the wide range from 3‐A to 40‐A load current are achieved. The precise current sharing lower than 1% is achieved by using a cheap ceramic capacitor with high tolerance, which validates the performance of the converter.
Powering implanted sensors that monitor human activity using spider‐web coil wireless power transfer
Authors: Mahmood Amal Ibrahim , Gharghan Sadik Kamel , Eldosoky Mohamed A. A. , Soliman Ahmed M. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractImplantable biomedical devices (IBMD) and biomedical sensors (BMS) enhance patients’ quality of life by monitoring vital signs, detecting diseases, and replacing malfunctioning organs. However, IBMDs and BMSs require battery power to operate, and they have limited battery life. Wireless power transfer (WPT) is one practical way to address this limitation. In this paper, the authors designed and implemented WPT‐based magnetic resonant coupling (MRC) using a spider‐web coil (SWC) (WPT–MRC–SWC) that supplies the proposed IBMD, including accelerometer sensors, the single‐chip microcontroller ATmega 328, and the nRF24L01 wireless protocol, with power. The WPT–MRC–SWC examines acceleration measurements on three knee‐joint axes (X, Y, and Z) in five different positions: sitting, standing, walking, lying down, and jogging. The SWC of transmitters and receivers (implanted) exhibits an operating frequency of 1.78 MHz with a series/parallel (S/P) configuration. The implanted system's data, transmitted outside the human body using nRF24L01, operates at 2.4 GHz. The results reveal that WPT provides 5 V at an air gap of 60 mm between the receiver and transmitter coils, indicating that it can run or charge IBMD batteries without failure. This study validates the effectiveness of the WPT–MRC–SWC by applying it to an actual application.
Identification of molecular subtypes of ischaemic stroke based on immune‐related genes and weighted co‐expression network analysis
Authors: Wei Duncan , Chen Xiaopu , Xu Jing , He Wenzhen 
Published: February 2023

AbstractImmune system has been reported to play a key role in the development of ischaemic stroke (IS). Nevertheless, its exact immune‐related mechanism has not yet been fully revealed. Gene expression data of IS and healthy control samples was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was obtained. Immune‐related genes (IRGs) data was downloaded from the ImmPort database. The molecular subtypes of IS were identified based on IRGs and weighted co‐expression network analysis (WGCNA). 827 DEGs and 1142 IRGs were obtained in IS. Based on 1142 IRGs, 128 IS samples were clustered into two molecular subtypes: clusterA and clusterB. Based on the WGCNA, the authors found that the blue module had the highest correlation with IS. In the blue module, 90 genes were screened as candidate genes. The top 55 genes were selected as the central nodes according to gene degree in protein–protein interactions network of all genes in blue module. Through taking overlap, nine real hub genes were obtained that might distinguish between clusterA subtype and clusterB subtype of IS. The real hub genes (IL7R, ITK, SOD1, CD3D, LEF1, FBL, MAF, DNMT1, and SLAMF1) may be associated with molecular subtypes and immune regulation of IS.
The effect of thermal non-equilibrium on kinetic nucleation
Authors: Kiefer S. , Gobrecht D. , Decin L. , Helling Ch. 
Published: February 2023

Context. Nucleation is considered to be the first step in dust and cloud formation in the atmospheres of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, exoplanets, and brown dwarfs. In these environments dust and cloud particles grow to macroscopic sizes when gas phase species condense onto cloud condensation nuclei (CCNs). Understanding the formation processes of CCNs and dust in AGB stars is important because the species that formed in their outflows enrich the interstellar medium. Although widely used, the validity of chemical and thermal equilibrium conditions is debatable in some of these highly dynamical astrophysical environments.
Aims. We aim to derive a kinetic nucleation model that includes the effects of thermal non-equilibrium by adopting different temperatures for nucleating species, and to quantify the impact of thermal non-equilibrium on kinetic nucleation.
Methods. Forward and backward rate coefficients are derived as part of a collisional kinetic nucleation theory ansatz. The endother-mic backward rates are derived from the law of mass action in thermal non-equilibrium. We consider elastic collisions as thermal equilibrium drivers.
Results. For homogeneous TiO2 nucleation and a gas temperature of 1250 K, we find that differences in the kinetic cluster temperatures as small as 20 K increase the formation of larger TiO2 clusters by over an order of magnitude. Conversely, an increase in cluster temperature of around 20 K at gas temperatures of 1000 K can reduce the formation of a larger TiO2 cluster by over an order of magnitude.
Conclusions. Our results confirm and quantify the prediction of previous thermal non-equilibrium studies. Small thermal non-equilibria can cause a significant change in the synthesis of larger clusters. Therefore, it is important to use kinetic nucleation models that include thermal non-equilibrium to describe the formation of clusters in environments where even small thermal non-equilibria can be present.
Populist attitudes, anti-technocratic attitudes, and Covid-related conspiracy beliefs across Europe
Authors: Oana Ioana-Elena , Bojar Abel 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThis paper focuses on the puzzle of how what could have been initially regarded as a decline in populist support became compatible with widespread conspiracy beliefs during the Covid crisis. Analyzing survey data collected in 16 countries in June–July 2021, we explore how support for Covid conspiracies is embedded in the attitudinal map of individuals and offer three contributions to the literature on conspiracy beliefs and populism. First, we employ an original scale for measuring conspiracy beliefs benchmarked both on a general conspiratorial mindset item and on a non-conspiratorial item. Second, building on the multidimensionality of the concept of populism and its empirical distinction to neighboring anti-technocratic attitudes, we employ a new scale developed and tested by Bertsou and Caramani (2022) that allows us to highlight the differential role that these attitudes play into conspiracy beliefs. Third, we inquire into the role played by previous factors associated with populist attitudes, such as trust and ideology, but also understudied ones such as performance evaluations and (dis)satisfaction with the management of the crisis at the domestic and at the EU level. Our results show that conspiracy, populist, and anti-technocratic attitudes are highly prevalent and related to each other, despite an initial “rally” effect in the beginning of the pandemic. Furthermore, government and EU performance in the crisis matter, net of trust and ideology, playing a moderating role in the populism–conspiracy nexus.
Moving Toward Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable Practices in Epidemiologic Research
Authors: García-Closas Montserrat , Ahearn Thomas U , Gaudet Mia M , Hurson Amber N , Balasubramanian Jeya Balaji , Choudhury Parichoy Pal , Gerlanc Nicole M , Patel Bhaumik , Russ Daniel , Abubakar Mustapha , Freedman Neal D , Wong Wendy S W , Chanock Stephen J , Berrington de Gonzalez Amy , Almeida Jonas S 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Data sharing is essential for reproducibility of epidemiologic research, replication of findings, pooled analyses in consortia efforts, and maximizing study value to address multiple research questions. However, barriers related to confidentiality, costs, and incentives often limit the extent and speed of data sharing. Epidemiological practices that follow Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable (FAIR) principles can address these barriers by making data resources findable with the necessary metadata, accessible to authorized users, and interoperable with other data, to optimize the reuse of resources with appropriate credit to its creators. We provide an overview of these principles and describe approaches for implementation in epidemiology. Increasing degrees of FAIRness can be achieved by moving data and code from on-site locations to remote, accessible (“Cloud”) data servers, using machine-readable and nonproprietary files, and developing open-source code. Adoption of these practices will improve daily work and collaborative analyses and facilitate compliance with data sharing policies from funders and scientific journals. Achieving a high degree of FAIRness will require funding, training, organizational support, recognition, and incentives for sharing research resources, both data and code. However, these costs are outweighed by the benefits of making research more reproducible, impactful, and equitable by facilitating the reuse of precious research resources by the scientific community.
Punishing the Non-convicted Through Disclosure of Police Records
Authors: Maurutto Paula , Hannah-Moffat Kelly , Quirouette Marianne 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
As police records expand with big data analytics, so too has the range of non-conviction information seeping into the public domain through criminal background checks. Numerous studies have documented the negative effects of background checks for those with criminal convictions, but less understood are the effects of non-conviction records. We draw on 8 focus groups and 52 interviews to understand how the release of non-conviction records are: (1) creating new institutional risk management pressures for police institutions, (2) expanding the role of employers as arbiters of risk, (3) redefining understandings of ‘the risky subject’ to include victims, those with mental health challenges and other innocent individuals subject to police contact and (4) raising critical legal questions about privacy and presumptions of innocence.
How Can Critical Reflection Improve Social Work Practice with Children and Families?
Authors: Morley Christine , Marshall Lee , Leggatt-Cook Chez 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
The impacts of neoliberal managerialism mean that practitioners working in child protection programmes are often challenged to balance social work values, with formal compliance activities to reduce risk. Within this context, what are the possibilities for practitioners to creatively navigate complex practice environments to achieve better outcomes for children and families? And how might transformative research empower practitioners to improve practice by reconnecting their work with the emancipatory values of the profession? This article seeks to address these questions by showcasing key findings of a state-wide study focused on empowering children’s voices, through the presentation and analysis of a case study. The research used a pre-test/post-test design with critical reflection as a methodology to transform the practice of front line workers and managers who work with children and families in an Australian-based non-government organisation. The case study illustrates the conceptual and practical processes involved in achieving change in a way that can be replicated by others and transferred to other contexts. The findings of the research suggest that critical reflection can be effective to enable practitioners to improve practice with children and families. The article concludes by highlighting implications for organisations in supporting critically reflective practitioners.
You Have the Right to Remain Silent: How Social Work Academics Cope with the Neoliberal University
Authors: Feldman Guy 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
In recent years, a vast and sprawling body of literature has shown that academic institutions have adopted market principles and practices. Scholars have commonly called these processes “the neoliberalization of higher education’ or ‘academic capitalism’. Yet, studies have given less attention to the neoliberalisation of higher education from the bottom-up, reflecting the views of faculty. The discipline of social work, which represents social values and objectives that are incompatible with the neoliberal transformation of higher education, offers a valuable case in point. The current study examines how social work academics experience and confront the ongoing neoliberalisation of higher education. We address this question by drawing on in-depth interviews with thirteen social work faculty members in all five universities across Israel. Findings highlight three main themes: (i) perceptions of the academy and higher education; ii) the tension between freedom and discipline in everyday academic life; and (iii) coping strategies with the neoliberal university. Findings indicate that social work academics’ opposition to the economisation of higher education is marginal and, in most cases, non-existent. We draw on Foucault’s concepts of ‘technologies of domination’ and ‘technologies of the self’ to illuminate our findings regarding neoliberal dynamics in higher education.
Brain network mapping and glioma pathophysiology
Authors: Mandal Ayan S , Brem Steven , Suckling John 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAdult diffuse gliomas are among the most difficult brain disorders to treat in part due to a lack of clarity regarding the anatomical origins and mechanisms of migration of the tumours. While the importance of studying networks of glioma spread has been recognized for at least 80 years, the ability to carry out such investigations in humans has emerged only recently. Here, we comprehensively review the fields of brain network mapping and glioma biology to provide a primer for investigators interested in merging these areas of inquiry for the purposes of translational research. Specifically, we trace the historical development of ideas in both brain network mapping and glioma biology, highlighting studies that explore clinical applications of network neuroscience, cells-of-origin of diffuse glioma and glioma–neuronal interactions. We discuss recent research that has merged neuro-oncology and network neuroscience, finding that the spatial distribution patterns of gliomas follow intrinsic functional and structural brain networks. Ultimately, we call for more contributions from network neuroimaging to realize the translational potential of cancer neuroscience.
Fetal MRI based brain atlas analysis detects initial in utero effects of prenatal alcohol exposure
Authors: Stuempflen Marlene , Schwartz Ernst , Diogo Mariana C , Glatter Sarah , Pfeiler Birgit , Kienast Patric , Taymourtash Athena , Schmidbauer Victor U , Bartha-Doering Lisa , Krampl-Bettelheim Elisabeth , Seidl Rainer , Langs Georg , Prayer Daniela , Kasprian Gregor 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can change the normal trajectory of human fetal brain development and may lead to long-lasting neurodevelopmental changes in the form of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Currently, early prenatal patterns of alcohol-related central nervous system changes are unclear and it is unknown if small amounts of PAE may result in early detectable brain anomalies.
This super-resolution fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study aimed to identify regional effects of PAE on human brain structure. Fetuses were prospectively assessed using atlas-based semi-automated 3-dimensional tissue segmentation based on 1.5 T and 3 T fetal brain MRI examinations. After expectant mothers completed anonymized PRAMS and TACE questionnaires for PAE, fetuses without gross macroscopic brain abnormalities were identified and analyzed. Linear mixed-effects modeling of regional brain volumes was conducted and multiple comparisons were corrected using the Benjamini–Hochberg procedure. In total, 500 pregnant women were recruited with 51 reporting gestational alcohol consumption. After excluding confounding comorbidities, 24 fetuses (26 observations) were identified with PAE and 52 age-matched controls without PAE were analyzed. Patients with PAE showed significantly larger volumes of the corpus callosum (P ≤ 0.001) and smaller volumes of the periventricular zone (P = 0.001). Even minor (1–3 standard drinks per week) PAE changed the neurodevelopmental trajectory.
Sensitivity of human sweet taste receptor subunits T1R2 and T1R3 to activation by glucose enantiomers
Authors: Dubovski Nitzan , Ben-Shoshan Galeczki Yaron , Malach Einav , Niv Masha Y 
Published: February 2023

AbstractWe have previously shown that l-glucose, the non-caloric enantiomer of d-glucose, activates the human sweet taste receptor T1R2/T1R3 transiently expressed in HEK293T cells. Here, we show that d- and l-glucose can also activate T1R2 and T1R3 expressed without the counterpart monomer. Serine mutation to alanine in residue 147 in the binding site of T1R3 VFT domain, completely abolishes T1R3S147A activation by either l- or d-glucose, while T1R2/T1R3S147A responds in the same way as T1R2 expressed without its counterpart. We further show that the original T1R2 reference sequence (NM_152232.1) is less sensitive by almost an order of magnitude than the reference sequence at the time this study was performed (NM_152232.4). We find that out of the four differing positions, it is the R317G in the VFT domain of T1R2, that is responsible for this effect in vitro. It is significant for both practical assay sensitivity and because glycine is found in this position in ~20% of the world population. While the effects of the mutations and the partial transfections were similar for d and l enantiomers, their dose–response curves remained distinct, with l-glucose reaching an early plateau.
Ionic Liquid-Based Magnetic Needle Headspace Single-Drop Microextraction Combined with HPLC/UV for the Determination of Chlorophenols in Wastewater
Authors: Firouzy Masoumeh , Hashemi Payman 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
A magnetic needle headspace single-drop microextraction (MN-HS-SDME) method coupled to HPLC/UV has been developed. Trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium chloride was employed as an ionic liquid (IL) solvent for the headspace extraction of some chlorophenol (CP) compounds from wastewater samples. Despite of the nonmagnetic character of the IL, a significant improvement in the extraction efficiency was obtained by the magnetization of the single-drop microextraction needle using a pair of permanent disk magnets. A simplex method for the fast optimization of the experimental conditions (e.g., stirring speed, ionic strength, pH, extraction time and temperature) was used. The coefficients of determination (R2) varied between 0.9932 and 0.9989, the limits of detection were from 0.004 to 0.007 μg mL−1 and the relative recoveries were in the range of 88–120% for the studied analytes. The developed MN-HS-SDME HPLC/UV method was successfully applied to the determination of CPs in industrial wastewater.
Moderate-to-severe pruritus in untreated or non-responsive hemodialysis patients: results of the French prospective multicenter observational study Pruripreva
Authors: Lanot Antoine , Bataille Stanislas , Rostoker Guy , Bataille Pierre , Chauveau Philippe , Touzot Maxime , Misery Laurent 
Published: February 2023

ABSTRACTBackgroundChronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP) is a common condition in patients treated with hemodialysis, and has a negative impact on quality of life (QoL). Due to the lack of standardized diagnostic tools and frequent underreporting, pruritus prevalence remains poorly documented.MethodsPruripreva was a prospective multicenter observational study that aimed to evaluate the prevalence of moderate to severe pruritus in a cohort of French hemodialysis patients. The primary endpoint was the rate of patients with mean Worst Itch Numerical Rating Scale (WI-NRS) score ≥4 calculated over 7 days (moderate pruritus, 4–6; severe, 7–8; very severe, 9–10). Impact of CKD-aP on QoL was analyzed according to its severity (WI-NRS), using 5-D Itch scale, EQ-5D and Short Form (SF)-12.ResultsMean WI-NRS was ≥4 in 306 patients (mean age, 66.6 years; male, 57.6%) out of 1304 and prevalence of moderate to very severe pruritus was 23.5% (95% confidence interval 21.2–25.9). Pruritus was unknown prior to the systematic screening in 37.6% of patients, and 56.4% of those affected were treated for this condition. The more severe the pruritus, the poorer the QoL according to the 5-D Itch scale, EQ-5D and SF-12.ConclusionModerate to very severe pruritus was reported in 23.5% of hemodialysis patients. CKD-aP was underrated although it is associated with a negative impact on QoL. These data confirm that pruritus in this setting is an underdiagnosed and underreported condition. There is an urgent demand for new therapies to treat chronic pruritus associated with CKD in hemodialysis patients.