bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Graph-Based LSTM for Anti-money Laundering: Experimenting Temporal Graph Convolutional Network with Bitcoin Data
Authors: Alarab Ismail , Prakoonwit Simant 
Published: June 2022

AbstractElliptic data—one of the largest Bitcoin transaction graphs—has admitted promising results in many studies using classical supervised learning and graph convolutional network models for anti-money laundering. Despite the promising results provided by these studies, only few have considered the temporal information of this dataset, wherein the results were not very satisfactory. Moreover, there is very sparse existing literature that applies active learning to this type of blockchain dataset. In this paper, we develop a classification model that combines long-short-term memory with GCN—referred to as temporal-GCN—that classifies the illicit transactions of Elliptic data using its transaction’s features only. Subsequently, we present an active learning framework applied to the large-scale Bitcoin transaction graph dataset, unlike previous studies on this dataset. Uncertainties for active learning are obtained using Monte-Carlo dropout (MC-dropout) and Monte-Carlo based adversarial attack (MC-AA) which are Bayesian approximations. Active learning frameworks with these methods are compared using various acquisition functions that appeared in the literature. To the best of our knowledge, MC-AA method is the first time to be examined in the context of active learning. Our main finding is that temporal-GCN model has attained significant success in comparison to the previous studies with the same experimental settings on the same dataset. Moreover, we evaluate the performance of the provided acquisition functions using MC-AA and MC-dropout and compare the result against the baseline random sampling model.
Analytical and numerical investigation on the tempered time-fractional operator with application to the Bloch equation and the two-layered problem
Authors: Feng Libo , Liu Fawang , Anh Vo V. , Qin Shanlin 
Published: June 2022

AbstractIn the continuous-time random walk model, the time-fractional operator usually expresses an infinite waiting time probability density. Different from that usual setting, this work considers the tempered time-fractional operator, which reflects a finite waiting time probability density. Firstly, we analyse the solution of a tempered benchmark problem, which shows a weak singularity near the initial time. The L1 scheme on graded mesh and the weighted shifted Grünwald–Letnikov formula with correction terms are adapted to deal with the non-smooth solution, in which we compare these two methods systematically in terms of the convergence and consumed CPU time. Furthermore, a fast calculation for the time tempered Caputo fractional derivative is developed based on a sum-of-exponentials approximation, which significantly reduces the running time. Moreover, the tempered operator is applied to the Bloch equation in nuclear magnetic resonance and a two-layered problem with composite material exhibiting distinct memory effects, for which both the analytical (or semi-analytical) and numerical solutions are derived using transform techniques and finite difference methods. Data-fitting results verify that the tempered time-fractional model is much effective to describe the MRI data. An important finding is that, compared with the fractional index, the tempered operator parameter could further accelerate the diffusion. The tempered model with two parameters $$\alpha $$
α
and $$\rho $$
ρ
are more flexible, which can avoid choosing a too small fractional index leading to low regularity and strong heterogeneity.
Simulation Performance Evaluation and Uncertainty Analysis on a Coupled Inundation Model Combining SWMM and WCA2D
Authors: Zeng Zhaoyang , Wang Zhaoli , Lai Chengguang 
Published: June 2022

AbstractUrban floods are becoming increasingly more frequent, which has led to tremendous economic losses. The application of inundation modeling to predict and simulate urban flooding is an effective approach for disaster prevention and risk reduction, while also addressing the uncertainty problem in the model is always a challenging task. In this study, a cellular automaton (CA)-based model combining a storm water management model (SWMM) and a weighted cellular automata 2D inundation model was applied and a physical-based model (LISFLOOD-FP) was also coupled with SWMM for comparison. The simulation performance and the uncertainty factors of the coupled model were systematically discussed. The results show that the CA-based model can achieve sufficient accuracy and higher computational efficiency than can a physical-based model. The resolution of terrain and rainstorm data had a strong influence on the performance of the CA-based model, and the simulations would be less creditable when using the input data with a terrain resolution lower than 15 m and a recorded interval of rainfall greater than 30 min. The roughness value and model type showed limited impacts on the change of inundation depth and occurrence of the peak inundation area. Generally, the CA-based coupled model demonstrated laudable applicability and can be recommended for fast simulation of urban flood episodes. This study also can provide references and implications for reducing uncertainty when constructing a CA-based coupled model.
Self-supervised coarse-to-fine monocular depth estimation using a lightweight attention module
Authors: Li Yuanzhen , Luo Fei , Xiao Chunxia 
Published: June 2022

AbstractSelf-supervised monocular depth estimation has been widely investigated and applied in previous works. However, existing methods suffer from texture-copy, depth drift, and incomplete structure. It is difficult for normal CNN networks to completely understand the relationship between the object and its surrounding environment. Moreover, it is hard to design the depth smoothness loss to balance depth smoothness and sharpness. To address these issues, we propose a coarse-to-fine method with a normalized convolutional block attention module (NCBAM). In the coarse estimation stage, we incorporate the NCBAM into depth and pose networks to overcome the texture-copy and depth drift problems. Then, we use a new network to refine the coarse depth guided by the color image and produce a structure-preserving depth result in the refinement stage. Our method can produce results competitive with state-of-the-art methods. Comprehensive experiments prove the effectiveness of our two-stage method using the NCBAM.
Legally ever after: How did 1986 immigration reform affect marriage?
Authors: Gamino Aaron M. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThis paper is the first to study the effects of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 on marriage rates between foreign-born individuals and natural-born citizens. Using marriage license data, I find that gains to marriages involving a native bride and foreign groom decrease by 0.2 log points. The decrease in is driven by reductions in gains to marriages involving a Mexican groom or a non-Canadian, non-Mexican groom. I do not find evidence that the effects differed for states with lower educational attainment or higher shares of illegal immigrants.
Effect of counterflow argon plasma jet on aerodynamic drag of a blunt body at hypersonic Mach numbers
Authors: Mahapatra D. , Sriram R. , Jagadeesh G. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAn experimental investigation of aerodynamic drag reduction by counter How plasma jet injection from the stagnation region of a hemispherical blunt cylinder model flying at hypersonic Mach numbers are presented. Experiments are carried out in a hypersonic shock tunnel at four different jet-to-pitot pressure ratios namely 15·3, 24·52, 72·5 and 96·67 and three supply powers, namely 1·8KW, 2·7KW and 3·6KW. The flow fields around the test model are visualised using high speed schlieren technique. Direct force measurement is also performed using a single component accelerometer balance. The weakly ionised argon plasma jet has an electron temperature around 6,400K and electron number density ∼1.64 × 1015cm3. With plasma jet at pressure ratio 72·5 and 1·8K.W supply power the reduction in drag is found to be ∼28% (more than its cold jet counter part) although the plasma jet momentum is less than its cold jet counter part.
ADDRESSING VACCINE INEQUITY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: THE TRIPS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY WAIVER PROPOSAL AND BEYOND
Authors: Thambisetty Siva , McMahon Aisling , McDonagh Luke , Kang Hyo Yoon , Dutfield Graham 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThis article examines global vaccine inequity during the COVID-19 pandemic. We critique intellectual property (IP) law under the 1994 WTO TRIPS Agreement, and specifically, the role that IP has played in enabling the inequities of production, distribution and pricing in the COVID-19 vaccine context. Given the failure of international response mechanisms, including COVAX and C-TAP, to address vaccine inequity, we argue the TRIPS waiver proposal should be viewed as offering a necessary and proportionate legal measure for clearing IP barriers that cannot be achieved by existing TRIPS flexibilities. Finally, we reflect on the waiver debate in the wider context of TRIPS and the need to boost global pandemic preparedness.
Variation in paediatric tonsillectomy rates between Scottish health board areas, 2001–2018: is socio-economic deprivation to blame?
Authors: Kubba H , Downie L S 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundTonsillectomy is one of the commonest operations in children. Routinely collected national data were used to assess variations in the paediatric tonsillectomy rate across Scotland, and to determine if socio-economic deprivation is the cause.MethodThe Scottish Morbidity Records were reviewed for all children (0–16 years) undergoing tonsillectomy from 2001 to 2018.ResultsThe mean annual tonsillectomy rate was 2.64 per 1000 children. Rates in each health board area varied from 1.24 to 3.9 per 1000. Half of this variation resulted from transfers between regions. There was a 1.75-fold difference between tonsillectomy rates in the most and least deprived population quintiles, but this did not account for the geographical variation.ConclusionHalf the variance in paediatric tonsillectomy rates is associated with children being transferred between regions for treatment. After accounting for this, there is a 1.5-fold difference in rate between health board areas, which is not related to socio-economic deprivation and is currently unexplained.
Characterizing the longitudinal course of symptoms and functioning in bipolar disorder
Authors: Mignogna Kristin M. , Goes Fernando S. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe course of Bipolar Disorder (BD) is highly variable, with marked inter and intra-individual differences in symptoms and functioning. In this study, we identified illness trajectories across major clinical domains that could have etiological, prognostic, and therapeutic relevance.MethodsUsing the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder (STEP-BD) study, we performed univariate and multivariate trajectory modeling of depressive symptoms, manic symptoms, and psychosocial functioning. Multinomial regression was performed to identify baseline variables associated with poor outcome trajectories.ResultsDepressive symptoms predominated, with most subjects being found in trajectories characterized by various degrees of depressive symptoms and 13% of subjects being classified in a poor outcome ‘persistently depressed’ trajectory. Most subjects experienced few manic symptoms, although approximately 10% of subjects followed a trajectory of persistently manic symptoms. Trajectory analysis of psychosocial functioning showed impairment in most of the sample, with little improvement during follow up. Multi-trajectory analyses highlighted significant impairment in subjects with persistently mixed and persistently depressed trajectories of illness. In general, poor outcome trajectories were marked by lower educational attainment, higher unemployment and disability, and a greater likelihood of adverse clinical features (rapid cycling and suicide attempts) and comorbid diagnoses (anxiety disorders, PTSD, and substance abuse/dependence disorders).ConclusionsSubjects with BD can be classified into several trajectories of clinically relevant domains that are prognostically relevant and show differing degrees of associations with a broad range of negative clinical risk factors. The highest level of psychosocial disability was found in subjects with chronic mixed and depressive symptoms, who show limited improvement despite guideline-based treatment.
Thematic analysis of the psycho-sexual symptoms in patients with Peyronie’s disease present on online forums
Authors: Low Patrick , Wang Lin , Li Kevin D. , Shibley W. Patrick , Cedars Benjamin E. , Holler Jordan T. , Enriquez Anthony , Sadeghi-Nejad Hossein , Amend Gregory M. , Breyer Benjamin N. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractPeyronie’s disease (PD) is a fibrotic disorder of the tunica albuginea that may result in penile deformity, pain, a palpable plaque, and erectile dysfunction. In order to understand the psycho-sexual impacts of PD on patients and their partners, we selected three online forums containing the largest number of threads on PD. Threads focusing on the psycho-sexual impacts posted from January 1, 2011 to January 1, 2021 were compiled, and thematic analysis was performed on Dedoose. There were 277 unique posters, including 225 patients and 52 partners. Eighty-four categories and five themes were developed including information and social support, physical symptoms, psycho-sexual symptoms, treatment and effect, and impacts on partners and relationship. Emotional distress including depressed mood (n = 75, 33.3%) and feelings of isolation (n = 41, 18.2%) was prevalent. Partners developed sexual dysfunction including sexual dissatisfaction (n = 11, 21.2%) and dyspareunia (n = 4, 7.7%). Relationships experienced disruption (n = 14, 5.1%) or termination (n = 10, 3.6%). Posters received psychological treatment including psychotherapy (n = 20, 8.9%) and antidepressants (n = 17, 7.6%). Of these, 12 reported improvement and 11 stated no improvement. On these forums, psychological burden affecting individuals with PD and their partners is reported. Few seek help from a psychologist or therapist, and psychological distress may persist even after successful PD treatment. Further research is needed to identify strategies for effective psychological management.
A spatiotemporal multi-scale computational model for FDG PET imaging at different stages of tumor growth and angiogenesis
Authors: Kashkooli Farshad Moradi , Abazari Mohammad Amin , Soltani M. , Ghazani Mehran Akbarpour , Rahmim Arman 
Published: June 2022

AbstractA deeper understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and its role in metabolic activity at different stages of vascularized tumors can provide useful insights into cancer progression and better support clinical assessments. In this study, a robust and comprehensive multi-scale computational model for spatiotemporal transport of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is developed to incorporate important aspects of the TME, spanning subcellular-, cellular-, and tissue-level scales. Our mathematical model includes biophysiological details, such as radiopharmaceutical transport within interstitial space via convection and diffusion mechanisms, radiopharmaceutical exchange between intracellular and extracellular matrices by glucose transporters, cellular uptake of radiopharmaceutical, as well as its intracellular phosphorylation by the enzyme. Further, to examine the effects of tumor size by varying microvascular densities (MVDs) on FDG dynamics, four different capillary networks are generated by angiogenesis modeling. Results demonstrate that as tumor grows, its MVD increases, and hence, the spatiotemporal distribution of total FDG uptake by tumor tissue changes towards a more homogenous distribution. In addition, spatiotemporal distributions in tumor with lower MVD have relatively smaller magnitudes, due to the lower diffusion rate of FDG as well as lower local intravenous FDG release. Since mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean) differs at various stages of microvascular networks with different tumor sizes, it may be meaningful to normalize the measured values by tumor size and the MVD prior to routine clinical reporting. Overall, the present framework has the potential for more accurate investigation of biological phenomena within TME towards personalized medicine.
Circulating miR-141 as a potential biomarker for diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic targets in gallbladder cancer
Authors: Yang Ganghua , Lu Zhengyang , Meng Fandi , Wan Yong , Zhang Lei , Xu Qinhong , Wang Zheng 
Published: June 2022

AbstractMicroRNA-141(miR-141) has been reported to play vital roles in the regulation of carcinogenesis and cancer progression. However, the biological function of miR-141 in GBC has received less attention. The aim of this study was to estimate the potential value of the expression level of miR-141 as a diagnostic and prognostic blood-based biomarker in gallbladder cancer (GBC) patients. Meanwhile, to explore its biological role in GBC cells. RT-PCR was employed to confirm the expression of miR-141 in ten paired tissue samples (10 GBC tissues and 10 adjacent normal gallbladder tissues), GBC cell lines and peripheral blood specimens from 98 GBC patients and 60 healthy controls. MTT assay was used to evaluate the GBC cells proliferation and flow cytometry was used to detect the cell apoptosis. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and the area under the curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the value of miR-141 plasma levels for GBC diagnosis. Finally, clinicopathological and survival data of all GBC patients were collected and analyzed. Here, we confirmed that the expression of miR-141 were upregulated in primary gallbladder cancer cells and tissues compared with human gallbladder epithelial cells and adjacent normal tissues (P < 0.0001). Meanwhile, we found that downregulated expression of miR-141 by miR-141 inhibitor could induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation of GBC cells. Additionally, elevated plasma miR-141 expression was also detected in the peripheral blood of GBC patients compared with healthy controls (P < 0.0001). The AUC value of miR-141 for GBC diagnosis was 0.894 (95% CI 0.843–0.945), which was more valuable than those including carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) (0.713, 95% CI 0.633–0.793), carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) (0.837, 95% CI 0.776–0.899) and carbohydrate antigen 19–9 (CA19-9) (0.869, 95% CI 0.813–0.924). The high expression level of miR-141 in plasma was significantly associated with tumor invasion (P = 0.008), lymph node metastasis (P < 0.0001) and advanced pathologic tumor/node/metastasis (pTNM) stage (P = 0.009). More importantly, high plasma miR-141 expression was an independent prognostic factor for predicting poorer long-term survival in GBC patients. Elevated expression of circulating miR-141 in peripheral blood might be a potential novel biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of GBC patients. Downregulated expression of miR-141 could inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of GBC cells, that provide a potential therapeutic target for GBC.
Ecofriendly synthesis and characterization of Ni2+ codoped silica magnesium zirconium copper nanoceramics for wastewater treatment applications
Authors: Mansour A. M. , Hemdan Bahaa A. , Elzwawy Amir , Abou Hammad Ali B. , El Nahrawy Amany M. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThis article investigates the effect of Ni2+ content on structural (XRD, XPS), morphological (TEM), and magnetic behaviors of silica magnesium zirconium copper nanoceramics calcined at 800 °C. The sol–gel route is followed for the silica magnesium zirconium copper/(0.0–0.7) Ni2+ samples preparation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is employed to analyze the chemical states of elements for the samples. The three representative binding energy magnitudes for O, Ni, and Cu reside at 534, 857, and 979 eV, consecutively. The saturation magnetization constricts with the elevation of Ni2+ content, while the magnetic hysteresis loop resembles the superparamagnetic attitude. The optical spectra present the possibility of direct and indirect transitions in the prepared nanoceramics. Energy gap (value and type), refractive index, and real and imaginary dielectric constant were extracted. The energy gap approaches 3.75 eV and 3.71 eV for direct and indirect transitions correspondingly with (0.7) Ni2+. The antimicrobial and the toxicity performance of all inspected nanocomposites were conducted against pathogenic microbes. The attained results evidenced that SMZC-0.7Ni possesses energetic antimicrobial potential against all targeted microbes. The investigated SMZC-0.7Ni nanocomposite functioned to eradicate frequent waterborne pathogens in wastewater at an appropriate dose (100 mg/L), demonstrating that SMZC can be utilized as a competent disinfectant in the municipal wastewater decontamination process. Inherently, SMZC-0.7Ni can be employed as an excellent nano-weapon against multiple dangerous microorganisms.
Amorphous carbon nitride dual-function anti-reflection coating for crystalline silicon solar cells
Authors: Addie Ali J. , Ismail Raid A. , Mohammed Mudhafar A. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractCrystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells have dominated the photovoltaic industry for decades. However, due to high reflectivity and the presence of numerous types of surface contaminants, the solar cell only absorbs a limited amount of the incident solar radiation. To improve the efficiency of the solar cell, anti-reflection and self-cleaning coatings must be applied to the surface. The main objective of this work is to synthesize an amorphous carbon nitride CNx thin film as a novel dual-function anti-reflection coating (ARC) for c-Si solar cells. The CNx film was synthesized by the RF magnetron sputtering technique and characterized by different chemical, structural, and optical analysis techniques. The performance of CNx film was investigated via measuring the reflectance, photoelectric conversion efficiency, and external quantum efficiency. The minimum reflectance was 0.3% at 550 nm wavelength, and the external quantum efficiency achieved was more than 90% within the broad wavelength range. The open circuit voltage and short circuit current density that have been achieved are 578 mV and 33.85 mAcm−2, respectively. Finally, a photoelectric conversion efficiency of 13.05% was achieved with the coated c-Si solar cell in comparison with 5.52% for the uncoated c-Si solar cell. This study shows that CNx films have promising application potential as an efficient ARC for c-Si solar cells as compared to traditional ARC materials.