bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
circMTDH.4/miR‐630/AEG‐1 axis participates in the regulation of proliferation, migration, invasion, chemoresistance, and radioresistance of NSCLC
Authors: Li Ying‐Hong , Xu Chun‐Lin , He Chang‐Jun , Pu Hai‐Hong , Liu Jing‐Lei , Wang Yan
Published: November 2019

Astrocyte elevated gene‐1 (AEG‐1) plays a critical role in the development, progression, and metastasis of a variety of cancers, including non‐small–cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The objective of the current study is to unravel the upstream signaling of AEG‐1. A cohort of 28 NSCLC tissues and 30 normal tissues were collected. Quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to examine AEG‐1, migration, and invasion related markers in NSCLC cells. 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay coupled with colony formation assay were conducted to monitor cell growth. Transwell assay was performed to determine cell migration and invasion. Apoptotic cells were detected by costaining with Annexin‐V‐fluorescein isothiocyanate and propidium iodide. Immunofluorescent staining was used to observe the levels of migration and invasion related markers. Xenograft models were used to investigate tumor formation in vivo. Dual‐luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation were carried out to determine the interaction between circMTDH.4 and miR‐630, as well as the associated between miR‐630 and AEG‐1. AEG‐1 was highly expressed in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Silencing of AEG‐1 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and chemoresistance/radioresistance in NCI‐H1650 and A549 cells. circMTDH.4 regulated AEG‐1 expression via sponging miR‐630. Knockdown of circMTDH.4 and/or overexpression of miR‐630 inhibited chemoresistance and radioresistance in NSCLC cells, whereas overexpression of AEG‐1 or knockdown of miR‐630 exerted rescue effects. circMTDH.4/miR‐630/AEG‐1 axis is responsible for chemoresistance and radioresistance in NSCLC cells.
The SNP rs4846048 of MTHFR enhances the cervical cancer risk through association with miR‐522: A preliminary report
Authors: Zhou Xinyue , Shan Lili , Na Jing , Li Ya , Wang Jun
Published: November 2019

Background

The present research was designed to explore the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the 3′‐untranslated region (3′‐UTR) of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and the risk of cervical cancer (CC).

Methods

From May 2015 to October 2016, a total of 197 patients (diagnosed with CC and precancerous lesions, and underwent surgical treatments) were enrolled in the study. Meanwhile, a total of 80 healthy cases were used as the controls. PCR‐DNA analysis was used to explore the genotype of the SNPs (rs4846048 and rs55763075) of the MTHFR 3′‐UTR as well as the association between allelic frequencies and the CC risk. Then, the role of rs4846048 SNPs in the association of microRNA‐522 (miR‐522) and MTHFR was evaluated through luciferase reporter assay. Meanwhile, the modulatory influence of miR‐522 on cell apoptosis and viability of Hela cells was also detected by flow cytometry and MTT assay.

Results

The rs4846048 AG and G allele frequencies were significantly higher in CC subgroup compared with the control group. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase rs4846048 A/G alleles contributed to miR‐522 binding, and miR‐522 negatively modulated the expressions of MTHFR. Furthermore, miR‐522 overexpression increased cell viability but decreased apoptotic cells in Hela cells.

Conclusion

The preliminary report revealed that the SNP rs4846048 of MTHFR enhanced the risk of CC through association with miR‐522, which further regulated cell viability and apoptosis in Hela cells.
Numeric solution of advection–diffusion equations by a discrete time random walk scheme
Authors: Angstmann Christopher N. , Henry Bruce I. , Jacobs Byron A. , McGann Anna V.
Published: November 2019

Explicit numerical finite difference schemes for partial differential equations are well known to be easy to implement but they are particularly problematic for solving equations whose solutions admit shocks, blowups, and discontinuities. Here we present an explicit numerical scheme for solving nonlinear advection–diffusion equations admitting shock solutions that is both easy to implement and stable. The numerical scheme is obtained by considering the continuum limit of a discrete time and space stochastic process for nonlinear advection–diffusion. The stochastic process is well posed and this guarantees the stability of the scheme. Several examples are provided to highlight the importance of the formulation of the stochastic process in obtaining a stable and accurate numerical scheme.
Phytochemical analysis of mite‐infested tea leaves of Darjeeling Hills, India
Authors: Banerjee Piu , Islam Md Moinul , Laha Arghya , Biswas Himani , Saha Nimai Chandra , Saha Goutam Kumar , Sarkar Debjani , Bhattacharya Srijit , Podder Sanjoy
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Darjeeling tea of India is one of the most famous beverages globally. However, a large amount of tea crop is damaged every year by the attack of mites.

Objectives

The study aimed to determine the changes in different pigments and biochemical components of tea leaves due to mite infestation.

Materials and Methods

We used UV‐visible and Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy simultaneously to understand the damages in pigment contents of the leaves of tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) due to attack of phytophagus mite, Oligonychus coffeae Nietner. Furthermore, chemical analysis of infested tea leaves was also performed to compare the nutrients of the plants, namely total phenol, protein and soluble sugar.

Results

The UV‐visible study reveals severe reduction of the pigments such as chlorophyll (Chl), carotenoids and xanthophylls in the tea leaf due to mite infestation. The findings of the FTIR study, also shows variation in different physiochemical components in the leaf Chl. The sugar and protein content of the infested leaves have been reduced compared to uninfested ones. Results in the case of tea leaves plucked during first (March) and third (November) flushes show similar trends.

Conclusion

The increase in phenolic and alcoholic components and decrease in Chl contents may affect the quality of Darjeeling tea. The extent of damages done by the pests measured here could aid the pest management in tea gardens.
Thyroid hormone replacement therapy patterns in pregnant women and perinatal outcomes in the offspring
Authors: Frank Anna S. , Lupattelli Angela , Matteson David S. , Meltzer Helle Margrete , Nordeng Hedvig
Published: November 2019

Purpose

It remains unknown to what degree thyroid hormone replacement therapy (THRT) during and initiation after pregnancy determines pregnancy outcomes. The present study primarily aimed to quantify the impact of THRT patterns (including trajectories) on gestational age, birth weight, and head circumference of infants. The secondary aim was to compare results of trajectory with traditional analysis.

Methods

We combined data from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) to other Norwegian registry data and the Norwegian Environmental Biobank. The study population included 54 020 women enrolled in MoBa in 2005 to 2008. On the basis of prescription records, we classified women into nonhypothyroid (n = 51 390; reference group), THRT after delivery (n = 1397), or medicated (n = 1233) groups. Applying Group‐Based‐Trajectory Models (GBTMs), we determined THRT trajectories among women in the medicated group. Propensity score weighting linked multiple treatment groups to pregnancy outcomes.

Results

Patterns were identified among women using medication during (Decreasing‐Low, Increasing‐Medium, Constant‐Medium, and Constant‐High) and after pregnancy. Women in the Increasing‐Medium (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 1.69; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.06‐2.73) and the THRT after delivery (aOR = 1.19; 95% CI, 1.01‐1.42) groups had increased risk of giving birth to an LGA infant. In the traditional analysis, only women in the THRT after delivery group showed increased risk for an LGA infant (aOR = 1.19; 95% CI, 1.00‐1.42). We found no other differential effect among the five THRT patterns on the other outcomes.

Conclusions

Women with THRT after delivery or late onset THRT treatment showed increased risk of LGA infants.
A Pilot Study Testing a Novel 3D Printed Amphibious Lower Limb Prosthesis in a Recreational Pool Setting
Authors: Goldstein Todd , Oreste Anthony , Hutnick Glenn , Chory Ashley , Chehata Veronica , Seldin Joseph , Gallo Michael D. , Bloom Ona
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Adults with limb amputation and other physical disabilities are less likely to participate in physical activity than adults in the general population and have elevated risk of heart disease and stroke. Swimming is a physical activity often recommended for persons with limb amputation. However, a standard economical swim prosthesis that facilitates easy transition from land to water does not exist.

Objective

The objectives were (1) to measure ease of first‐time use and likability of a novel U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–cleared 510(k) three‐dimensional (3D) printed device, the “FIN,” in a recreational pool; and (2) to determine differences in time to complete basic swim tasks using the novel 3D printed amphibious lower limb prosthesis or a standard Swim Ankle prosthesis. Our hypotheses were the following: (1) that the novel 3D printed amphibious lower limb prosthesis would be easy and likeable upon first use; and (2) that basic swim tasks would take comparable time to complete with either device.

Setting

Academic medical center and community pool in New York.

Participants

Participants were (N = 10) English‐speaking adults with a transtibial amputation who self‐identified to swim comfortably in a recreational setting.

Interventions

Participants completed tasks typical of recreational swimming while wearing the novel 3D printed amphibious lower limb prosthesis or a Swim Ankle.

Main Outcome Measurements

Participants performed a series of recreational swim tasks at self‐selected speeds: entering/exiting pool, walking, swimming, and treading water, and completed a survey to assess the primary outcomes: likability, ease of use, and adverse events (feasibility).

Results

Participants found the novel 3D printed amphibious lower limb prosthesis more likable compared to the Swim Ankle and easy to use. Time to exit the pool was significantly reduced with the novel 3D printed amphibious lower limb prosthesis, while time to complete a 25‐m lap was comparable. Participants did not show significant changes in vital signs when using either prosthesis.

Conclusions

The novel 3D printed amphibious lower limb prosthesis was likable and easy to use upon first use. This study supports conducting a larger clinical trial to determine if the data are broadly reproducible.
Assessment of Penetration Performance and Optimum Design of a Bore‐Center Annular Shaped Charge
Authors: Xu Wenlong , Wang Cheng , Yuan Jianming , Zhang Zhifan , Deng Tao
Published: November 2019

To improve penetration performance of the classical conical shaped charge, a bore‐center annular shaped charge (BCASC) was designed and effects of key parameters on its formation and penetration into concrete targets were investigated numerically and experimentally. As a result, suitable parameters of the BCASC, which comprehensive consideration of penetration hole diameter and depth into concrete targets, were provided. Subsequently, tests of the optimized BCASC penetration into single‐layer and double‐layer concrete targets were performed. The results indicate that, for all the cases, the diameters of the rear crater are larger than that of the front ones. The influence of factors h (standoff distance) and f (the radial distance between the center of the inner and outer liner wall) on the diameters of the front crater, the penetrating tunnel, and the rear crater are greater than that of other factors. The diameters of the front crater and the penetrating tunnel decrease with the increase of factors h and f. The penetration depth of optimized BCASC into concrete exceeds 3.0 times of the charge diameter (D). Hole diameters of penetrating tunnels are larger than the charge diameter. For the single‐layer concrete target, the hole diameter of the penetrating tunnel is 2.26D. And, for the double‐layer concrete target, the hole diameters of the first and second layers are 1.41D and 1.33D, respectively.
Two‐stage phase II survival trial design
Authors: Wu Jianrong , Chen Li , Wei Jing , Weiss Heidi , Chauhan Aman
Published: November 2019

Recently, molecularly targeted agents and immunotherapy have been advanced for the treatment of relapse or refractory cancer patients, where disease progression‐free survival or event‐free survival is often a primary endpoint for the trial design. However, methods to evaluate two‐stage single‐arm phase II trials with a time‐to‐event endpoint are currently processed under an exponential distribution, which limits application of real trial designs. In this paper, we developed an optimal two‐stage design, which is applied to the four commonly used parametric survival distributions. The proposed method has advantages compared with existing methods in that the choice of underlying survival model is more flexible and the power of the study is more adequately addressed. Therefore, the proposed two‐stage design can be routinely used for single‐arm phase II trial designs with a time‐to‐event endpoint as a complement to the commonly used Simon's two‐stage design for the binary outcome.
Preparing for higher inflation: Portfolio solutions using U.S. equities
Authors: Parikh Harsh , Malladi Rama K. , Fabozzi Frank J.
Published: November 2019

Investors have always been interested in reducing inflation risk in their portfolios. However, investors face different types of inflation than those measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Moreover, different asset classes can be used to hedge portfolio inflation. In this paper, we show how individual equities can be used to construct equity portfolios sensitive to customized inflation targets. We illustrate portfolios for three types of inflation: US headline CPI, Forbes Cost of Living Extremely Well Index, and the US Medical Care Price Index. We also show how alternative weighting schemes, such as minimum volatility and maximum inflation beta, can be used to construct inflation‐hedged portfolios.
Assisted reproductive technology in Japan: A summary report for 2017 by the Ethics Committee of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Authors: Ishihara Osamu , Jwa Seung Chik , Kuwahara Akira , Katagiri Yukiko , Kuwabara Yoshimitsu , Hamatani Toshio , Harada Miyuki , Ichikawa Tomohiko
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (JSOG) has collected cycle‐based assisted reproductive technology (ART) data in an online registry since 2007. Herein, we present the characteristics and treatment outcomes of ART cycles registered during 2017.

Methods

We collected cycle‐specific information for all ART cycles implemented at participating facilities and performed descriptive analysis.

Results

In total, 448,210 treatment cycles and 56,617 neonates (1 in 16.7 neonates born in Japan) were reported in 2017, increased from 2016; the number of initiated fresh cycles decreased for the first time ever. The mean patient age was 38.0 years (standard deviation 4.6). A total 110,641 of 245,205 egg retrieval cycles (45.1%) were freeze‐all cycles; fresh embryo transfer (ET) was performed in 55,720 cycles. A total 194,415 frozen‐thawed ET cycles were reported, resulting in 66,881 pregnancies and 47,807 neonates born. Single ET (SET) was performed in 81.8% of fresh transfers and 83.4% of frozen cycles, with singleton pregnancy/live birth rates of 97.5%/97.3% and 96.7%/96.6%, respectively.

Conclusions

Total ART cycles and subsequent live births increased continuously in 2017, whereas the number of initiated fresh cycles decreased. SET was performed in over 80% of cases, and ET shifted from using fresh embryos to frozen ones.
Boundary antisaturation vibration control design for a flexible Timoshenko robotic manipulator
Authors: Zhao Zhijia , Ahn Choon Ki
Published: November 2019

This article focuses on the angle positioning and vibration isolation of flexible Timoshenko manipulators possessing extraneous disturbances and saturation nonlinearities. Boundary control strategies with auxiliary systems are presented to achieve the expected angle, suppress the shear deformation and elastic oscillation, and mitigate the saturation nonlinearities effect. With the constructed controllers, a controlled system is ensured and certified to be exponentially stable. The simulation and comparison results show the control performance of the suggested approach.
Robust design of iterative learning control for a batch process described by 2D Roesser system with packet dropouts and time‐varying delays
Authors: Li Xiaoxue , Hou Xiaorong
Published: November 2019

Batch process, working as a best choice for low‐volume and high‐value products in manufacturing, has been widely used in chemical industries. The actuator faults and time delays often occur in practical production. This paper develops an iterative learning control (ILC) design for a batch process described by two‐dimensional (2D) Roesser system with packet dropouts and time‐varying delays. The phenomenon of actuator faults is regarded as an arbitrary stochastic sequence satisfying the Bernoulli random binary distribution. Firstly, the ILC design for a batch process is transformed into stability analysis for a 2D stochastic system with time‐varying delays. Secondly, for analyzing the stability of 2D stochastic systems, we derive the stability condition in terms of linear matrix inequality. Then, we give a procedure to get the control gain for the ILC design. An injection modeling process as an example with simulations in different cases of data dropout is given to demonstrate the validity of the proposed method. Furthermore, the proposed method has a better result by comparing the existing methods.
Gain insight into social stratification of professional development within student affairs
Authors: Tolman Steven , Calhoun Daniel
Published: November 2019

A common and honorable theme among educators is that their desired career path is driven by their passion to help students (not a six‐figure salary). This is no different for student affairs professionals, many of whom have taken on the extra financial burden of graduate school (higher education/student affairs program) to qualify them for entry‐level positions in student affairs in areas like student activities, residence life, academic advising, etc. For recent graduates and new professionals in student affairs, like many within this generation, personal financial instability can be an unfortunate reality.
Automatically identifying valid API versions for software development tutorials on the Web
Authors: Nishi Manziba Akanda , Damevski Kostadin
Published: November 2019

Online tutorials are a valuable source of community‐created information used by numerous developers to learn new APIs and techniques. Once written, tutorials are rarely actively curated and can become dated over time. Tutorials often reference APIs that change rapidly, and deprecated classes, methods, and fields can render tutorials inapplicable to newer releases of the API. Newer tutorials may not be compatible with older APIs that are still in use.

In this paper, we first empirically study the tutorial versioning problem, confirming its presence in popular tutorials on the Web. We subsequently propose a technique, based on similar techniques in the literature, for automatically detecting the applicable API version ranges of tutorials, given access to the official API documentation they reference. The proposed technique identifies each API mention in a tutorial and maps the mention to the corresponding API element in the official documentation. The version of the tutorial is determined by combining the version ranges of all of the constituent API mentions. Our technique's precision varies from 61% to 89% and recall varies from 42% to 84% based on different levels of granularity of API mentions and different problem constraints. We observe API methods are the most challenging to accurately disambiguate due to method overloading. As the API mentions in tutorials are often redundant, and each mention of a specific API element commonly occurs several times in a tutorial, the distance of the predicted version range from the true version range is low: 3.61 on average for the tutorials in our sample.
The Effect of Abandoned Basic Oxygen Furnace Gas Blowing on the Softening–Melting–Dripping Performance of Full High Cr‐Bearing Vanadia–Titania Magnetite Pellets
Authors: Song Hanlin , Zhang Jinpeng , Cheng Gongjin , Yang Songtao , Xue Xiangxin
Published: November 2019

It is inevitable to encounter increase in slag thickness, foaming slag, and high iron loss due to excessive formation of titanium carbonitride in blast furnace smelting of full high Cr‐bearing vanadia–titania magnetite (HCVTM). The effects of softening–smelting–dripping properties, the content variation of titanium carbonitride, and mineral element migration process of full HCVTM pellets with abandoned BOF gas (ABOFG) blowing are studied using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray fluorescent (XRF), inductively coupled plasma‐atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP‐AES), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electron probe microanalysis‐wavelength‐dispersive spectrometer (EPMA‐WDS), and scanning electron microscope‐energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS). ABOFG is a type of neglected byproduct gas resource produced in the steelmaking process with high physical and chemical thermal energies and contains 20–40% CO, 20–30% CO2, 2–5% O2, and 30–50% N2. As the concentration of CO2 in ABOFG increases, the position and height of the cohesive zone decline, and the concentration of titanium carbonitride decreases from 1.424% to 1.035%, which are beneficial to the BF smelting process. In addition, the migration processes of Ti, V, and Cr are also affected, especially Ti tends to enrich in the dripped slag, whereas V and Cr tend to concentrate at the dripped iron.
Optimization of AISI 443 Stainless Steel Cleanness during Secondary Steelmaking Process
Authors: Li Jingyu , Cheng Guoguang , Ruan Qiang , Pan Jixiang , Chen Xingrun
Published: November 2019

Nonmetallic inclusions formed during the Ti‐stabilized 443 stainless steelmaking process can cause the clogging of submerged entry nozzle (SEN) and surface defects of cold‐rolled steel. The formation mechanism of oxide inclusions in 20Cr stainless steel is investigated by industrial experiment and FactSage thermodynamic calculation. After Al deoxidized and calcium treatment, the main types of inclusions in three heats are different, including irregular MgO–Al2O3 and spherical CaO–MgO–Al2O3, which is due to the different Ca and Al contents in samples. Combined with FactSage thermodynamic calculations, the calcium contents which can effectively modify oxide inclusions in 443 stainless steels with different Al contents are obtained. The initial calcium and aluminum contents in molten steel affect the main type of oxide inclusions formed during Ti addition process. High‐melting‐point Ca–Ti–O inclusions are observed in the sample containing high Ca content and low Al content. The experimental results and FactSage thermodynamic calculation results show that reducing Ca content and increasing Al content before Ti addition can reduce the formation of high‐melting‐point perovskite inclusions.
Genomic Characterization of Coho Salmon Spawning Populations from the Hood Canal
Authors: Bohling Justin , Von Bargen Jennifer , Bahls Peter
Published: November 2019

We investigated the genetic structure among Coho Salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch spawning populations in the Hood Canal of western Washington State, USA. Freshwater tributaries that drain into this marine fjord support natural production of Coho Salmon. Furthermore, there is a hatchery that produces a stock of Coho Salmon genetically distinct from local natural‐origin populations. Both stocks support multiple fisheries in the Hood Canal, which would benefit from data regarding the extent of gene flow between the tributaries themselves and also with the hatchery stock. We used restriction‐site‐associated DNA sequencing to generate genomic data, which we aligned to the Coho Salmon reference genome to identify variants. Over 30,000 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms were identified among the 420 samples we sequenced. There was little genetic differentiation between Coho Salmon sampled from the tributaries, suggesting that they form a genetically homogeneous population. In contrast, the local hatchery stock was highly differentiated from the tributary spawning populations. Distinct genetic groups emerged from the hatchery samples that corresponded to broodlines on a 3‐year cycle, likely due to low levels of inclusion of 2‐year‐old jacks in hatchery propagation. Hybridization between the hatchery stock and natural populations appeared to be low, and few of the returning adults sampled in the local tributaries had high genetic assignment to this stock. Our results provide insights into the population dynamics of naturally spawning populations of Coho Salmon in the Hood Canal and the extent of gene flow with a highly differentiated hatchery stock. These data will inform fisheries management, including the potential impact of harvest on naturally produced Coho Salmon, and have implications for hatchery propagation in this region.
Comprehensive reliability assessment of smart distribution networks considering centralized distribution protection system
Authors: Xiao Fan , Xia Yongjun , Zhou Youbin , Zhou Kunpeng , Zhang Zhe , Yin Xianggen
Published: November 2019

The protection system has important influences on the reliability of smart distribution networks. Therefore, the comprehensive reliability assessment of smart distribution networks includes primary distribution networks and a protection system. Because the traditional reliability evaluation of a distribution network does not consider the influence of relay protection and the complex configuration mode of the area‐centralized distribution protection system (ACDPS) in the smart distribution network, a comprehensive reliability analysis method was proposed in this article. First, the whole reliability model of the area‐centralized protection system, including two major failure modes, is proposed based on the fault tree method. Then, an equivalent model of the area‐centralized protection system in circuit breakers or switches for the undesired‐tripping mode and the fail‐to‐operate mode is also established. Based on this, an improved failure mode and effect analysis (IFMEA) method is presented to assess the comprehensive reliability of smart distribution networks considering the influence of fault location and protection system. The proposed method can correctly evaluate the comprehensive reliability of the smart distribution networks. The research results are also helpful to the construction of a protection system in the smart distribution networks. © 2019 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Estimated incidence per population of adverse drug reactions to Kampo medicines from the Japanese adverse drug event report database (JADER)
Authors: Arai Ichiro , Harada Yusuke , Koda Hiroshi , Tsutani Kiichiro , Motoo Yoshiharu
Published: November 2019

Aim

Little information is available on the incidence per population of adverse drug reactions (ADR) to Kampo medicines. We estimated the incidence of ADRs for each Kampo medicine and examined the crude drug components of Kampo medicines that may cause ADRs.

Methods

We extracted information on ADRs caused by Kampo medicines from the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database (JADER) between fiscal years 2008 and 2014. The number of people who took Kampo medicines was estimated based on the production value of the Kampo formulation, the drug price, and the duration of administration.

Results

The incidences of interstitial pneumonia and liver disorder were highest for formulations that contained Scutellaria root. However, 33% of interstitial pneumonia and 39% of liver disorder cases were reported for formulations that did not contain Scutellaria root. The majority of pseudoaldosteronism cases were caused by formulations that contained Glycyrrhiza. Mesenteric phlebosclerosis occurred most commonly in response to formulations that contained Gardenia fruit. The incidences of these ADRs varied among formulations containing these crude drugs. Odds ratio analysis indicated that additional crude drugs may have also been responsible for these ADRs. In addition, some crude drugs may prevent these ADRs.

Conclusion

Estimation of the incidence of ADRs caused by Kampo medicines could be a prelude to a new risk management plan, and may focus attention on formulations and crude drug components associated with previously unindicated risks.
Polyanionic Frameworks in the Lithium Phosphidogermanates Li2GeP2 and LiGe3P3 – Synthesis, Structure, and Lithium Ion Mobility
Authors: Eickhoff Henrik , Sedlmeier Christian , Klein Wilhelm , Raudaschl‐Sieber Gabriele , Gasteiger Hubert A. , Fässler Thomas F.
Published: November 2019

Recently fast lithium ion conductors were discovered in compounds containing tetrahedral SiP48– and GeP48– units. In the context of material development for all solid state batteries the ternary Li/Ge/P phase system has been further investigated and two new lithium phosphidogermanates were discovered on the lithium poor side of the ternary composition diagram. Li2GeP2 crystallizes in space group I41/acd with unit cell parameters of a = 12.3069(1) Å and c = 19.0306(4) Å, consists of a framework of Ge4P10 supratetrahedra, and exhibits an ionic conductivity of 1.5(3)×10–7 S·cm–1 at 27 °C. LiGe3P3 crystallizes in Pbam with a = 9.8459(5) Å, b = 15.7489(7) Å, and c = 3.5995(2) Å. In LiGe3P3 Ge and P atoms form a two dimensional polyanion. The slabs consist of five‐ and six‐membered heteroatomic rings comprising GeP4 and Ge(P3Ge) tetrahedra including homoatomic Ge–Ge bonds. A semiconducting behavior with an electronic conductivity of ∼10–4 S·cm–1 and a remarkable stability vs. air and moisture is observed.
Influencing factors on the foot health of captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in European zoos
Authors: Wendler Paulin , Ertl Nicolas , Flügger Michael , Sós Endre , Torgerson Paul , Paul Heym Peter , Schiffmann Christian , Clauss Marcus , Hatt Jean‐Michel
Published: November 2019

Pathological lesions of feet occur frequently in captive elephant populations. To improve foot health, it is important to identify risk factors associated with such pathologies. Several previous studies have analyzed potentially influencing factors but were limited, for example, by small sample sizes. This study analyzed the relationship between 87 independent variables and the foot health score of 204 Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in European zoos using bivariate correlation, multivariable regression models, and principal component analysis (PCA). Correlation and regression tests revealed significant results for 30 different variables, mainly with small effect sizes. Only three variables were significant in more than one test: sex, time spent indoors, and time spent on hard ground, with lower scores (i.e. less or less severe pathological lesions) in females, and when less time is spent indoors or on hard ground. Due to small effect sizes and differing results of the statistical tests, it is difficult to determine which risk factors are most important. Instead, a holistic consideration appears more appropriate. A biplot of the PCA shows that factors representing more advanced husbandry conditions (e.g. large areas, high proportions of sand flooring) were associated with each other and with decreased foot scores, whereas indicators of more limited conditions (e.g. high proportions of hard ground, much time spent indoors) were also associated with each other but increased the foot score. In conclusion, instead of resulting from just one or two factors, reduced foot health might be an indicator of a generally poorer husbandry system.
What Is Freedom of Speech?
Authors: Stjernfelt Frederik , Lauritzen Anne Mette
Published: November 2019

It is a well-known fact that the Internet represents a comprehensive and forceful media revolution. In only a few decades, it has connected billions of people all over the world and given them new access to large quantities of information. At the same time, it has put established media and information formats under pressure: newspapers, journals, CDs, radio and TV outlets, movies, books, etc. Still larger parts of the world’s marketing budgets migrate from these media to the online tech giants. To a large extent, the survival of established media now depends on whether they are capable of redefining themselves when faced with the Internet—either as dependent on it, by its terms, or as an alternative to it. This also creates new conditions for freedom of speech.
Distortion of the Public Sphere
Authors: Stjernfelt Frederik , Lauritzen Anne Mette
Published: November 2019

In 2010, in an attempt to explore how technology promotes peace, Facebook launched a new feature ‘Peace on Facebook’: “Facebook is proud to play a part in promoting peace by building technology that helps people better understand each other. By enabling people from diverse backgrounds to easily connect and share their ideas, we can decrease world conflict in the short and long term.” Facebook keeps track of for instance how many “friendships” the company has helped create between people representing arch enemies such as Israel/Palestine, Pakistan/India and Ukraine/Russia under the headline “A World of Friends”. All of them great stories. But Facebook speaks less loudly when it comes to the role of the company in the ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya minority in Myanmar. In 2014, Facebook moved into the country and within three years, the amount of users went from two to thirty million, and since then Buddhist extremists have used the platform to spread misinformation, encouraging violent upheaval. In 2017, propaganda, threats and coordination via Facebook became a contributing factor in this extensive ethnic cleansing. The fact that the conflict seems to have started with an Islamist massacre of Hindu villages in Rakhine state in August 2017, does not exempt Facebook for parts of the blame for the following escalating violence. In August 2018, after the UN had pointed to Myanmar military leaders as responsible for genocide, Facebook finally chose to remove 20 accounts of individuals and organizations from Myanmar’s top political management, among them General Min Aung Hlaing and the military television networkMyawady—their Facebook pages were followed by as many as 12 million out of a total population of 53 million and had been used to encourage genocide. It was the first time Facebook banned political leaders from using the platform. The UN report criticized the role of Facebook as a useful instrument of the armed forces who incited the population to fight the Rohingya people. Facebook admitted that they had reacted too slowly.
The Free Networks of the Enlightenment
Authors: Stjernfelt Frederik , Lauritzen Anne Mette
Published: November 2019

In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, freedom of expression emerged as a central theme of the dawning Age of Enlightenment. This was caused not least by churches and princes maintaining strict political control of expressions of divergent opinions. The new Protestant state churches, Lutheran as well as Calvinist, turned out not to offer more freedom than the Catholic church. In fact, it was often less, which meant that religious, philosophical and political dissidents regularly ran into serious problems when expressing their ideas publicly. Thus, ideas of freedom of expression began to surface. One of the first urgent calls for freedom of expression came from Dutch-Jewish philosopher Baruch Spinoza, who in his “Tractatus Theologico-Politicus” (1670) called for libertas philosophandi—freedom of thought. As stated by British historian Jonathan Israel, Spinoza was the first major philosopher who was also a democrat. Spinoza believed it important to distinguish politically between people’s actions and their views and expressions. Whereas the former should be governed by legislators, the latter should not. This would create a more free and peaceful society—and if people had the possibility to influence the laws they were subject to, they might be more inclined to respect them.
The Digital Enlightenment Project Facing Challenges
Authors: Stjernfelt Frederik , Lauritzen Anne Mette
Published: November 2019

As early as the 1990s, there were critical voices with a skeptical and even gloomy view of the beneficial effects of the Internet. Cultural critic and media theorist Neil Postman was generally skeptical towards technological solutions to political problems. He understood technology through Goethe’s classical metaphor of the Faustian pact with the Devil. He believed the Internet would only add to the information congestion that he already saw as one of the most important issues of modern society, and which makes it increasingly difficult to distinguish important from unimportant information. In hindsight, it is obvious that critics like Postman developed a highly limited and erroneous view on the possibilities of the Internet: “To put it plainly, I think the Internet is something like power steering or cruise control in cars. I mean, not that it’s not useful, but once you invent the basic car, you’ve got it. Now these things are useful, and the automobile companies add them on to the cars and then they convince consumers that they absolutely have to have them. I’m not saying that they’re completely useless—of course, they’re not. But the Internet doesn’t help us address the problems that we need to address.” Postman went as far as to dismiss the entire computer and Internet revolution as a mere diversion from the real problems of society. “The Internet and computer technology are just distractions.” He basically considered it a new form of commercial entertainment technology with very limited utility; cf. his famous diagnosis: “We’re amusing ourselves to death.” It is obvious that this kind of neo-Luddism completely missed its target and did not acknowledge the Internet’s already then burgeoning potential for education, dissemination of information, intellectual empowerment and cooperation.
Attention and Dopamine Hits
Authors: Stjernfelt Frederik , Lauritzen Anne Mette
Published: November 2019

In January 2017, George Orwell’s futuristic dystopian novel 1984 was brought back to life. The reason this 70-year-old classic all of a sudden became a no. 1 bestseller on Amazon is likely to be found in the White House. But in focusing too much on the dangers forecast in 1984, we should not forget an older and less famous vision, Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World (1932). It is at least as relevant as the Orwellian dystopia. Its content easily translates to today’s criticisms of technology, as it describes how people will love the very same technology that deprives them of their ability to think clearly and critically. Both visions of the future have been put face-to-face by cultural and media critic Neil Postman: “What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one. Orwell feared those who would deprive us of information. Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity and egoism. Orwell feared that the truth would be concealed from us. Huxley feared the truth would be drowned in a sea of irrelevance. Orwell feared we would become a captive culture. Huxley feared we would become a trivial culture, preoccupied with some equivalent of the feelies, the orgy porgy, and the centrifugal bumble puppy.” Postman’s presumption, that Huxley’s future vision was not the least relevant of the two, rings truer today than ever before. In the Information Age, there is an abundance of information and competition over our attention. This has created an attention economy in which tech giants compete for harvesting the most attention and reselling it to third party advertisers. But this war over attention has its victims. First, it has led tech giants to develop still smarter designs whose purpose it is to create dependence. The idea is for users to spend as much time as possible on the platforms and click, like, share as often as possible—to engage. Second, companies add targeted, usually secret, ingredients to their algorithms, which then reward the content that attracts the most attention and traffic. This has led to a knowledge deficit in an online world dominated by emotions. We have long been blind to the negative consequences of this attention-based infrastructure and have come to love a technology that gobbles up our ability to think reflectively.
Improving the World or Capitalizing on It?
Authors: Stjernfelt Frederik , Lauritzen Anne Mette
Published: November 2019

One thing is difficult to decipher: to what degree do tech giants actually see themselves as saving the world, and to what degree do they see themselves as capitalizing on it? Obviously, one does not exclude the other, but how do the two sides balance and what is the actual improvement the tech giants bring? In an interesting interview, Mark Zuckerberg defended the company’s treatment of user data by framing it as a historical philosophical trend where people are becoming more open and more willing to share data about themselves with friends, with companies, ultimately with anybody. But the trend is also a normative one: according to Zuckerberg, people must be brought to realize that they only have one identity. Not only does Zuckerberg here exalt himself as a philosopher but he apparently feels compelled to accept highly normative consequences of his own ideas—and to claim that these consequences should be acceptable to his users, imposing this philosophy on them. Everyone should know everything about everyone—this is the moral imperative Zuckerberg uses to legitimize his business model. Such an idea would erase the distinction between public and private, which has played an important role in modern societies where privacy has been considered a fundamental political good, and where the elementary freedoms of expression, of thought, of beliefs have been articulated to protect individuals and their sphere of privacy against government abuse and regimentation. The moral consequence of Zuckerberg’s dictum—beyond the very handy legitimization of his business model’s unlimited data collection—is that people should not behave differently in different contexts. You cannot be one person to your friends, then another to your family, and a third to your colleagues, etc. You cannot run away from your past, either, if suddenly something more preferable comes up. And neither can you evolve and develop your personality, put past mistakes behind you. In Zuckerberg’s line of thought, people bring their detailed digital identity with them everywhere and, what is more, that identity should be fully available to anyone. It is curious that he does not see how this would cause a tremendous loss of personal freedom—the freedom to evolve, change, apply different skills in different contexts. During the congressional hearings in April 2018, one Senator took a shrewd look at this data gathering and innocently asked Zuckerberg what hotel he was staying in while in Washington. Zuckerberg preferred not to disclose that information. Perhaps he did not want fans, journalists or assassins lurking around. But that would indeed be the collateral damage if he took his own medicine.
Systematic Reviews in Educational Research: Methodology, Perspectives and Application
Authors: Newman Mark , Gough David
Published: November 2019

This chapter explores the processes of reviewing literature as a research method. The logic of the family of research approaches called systematic review is analysed and the variation in techniques used in the different approaches explored using examples from existing reviews. The key distinctions between aggregative and configurative approaches are illustrated and the chapter signposts further reading on key issues in the systematic review process.
Reflections on the Methodological Approach of Systematic Reviews
Authors: Hammersley Martyn
Published: November 2019

The concept of systematic reviewing of research literatures became influential in the second half of the 20th century, in the context of the longstanding, and challenging, issue of how to ‘translate’ research findings into reliable guidance for practical decision-making—to determine which policies, programs, and strategies should (and should not) be adopted (Hammersley 2014; Nisbet and Broadfoot 1980).
Ethical Considerations of Conducting Systematic Reviews in Educational Research
Authors: Suri Harsh
Published: November 2019

Ethical considerations of conducting systematic reviews in educational research are not typically discussed explicitly. However, systematic reviews are frequently read and cited in documents that influence educational policy and practice. Hence, ethical issues associated with what and how systematic reviews are produced and used have serious implications. It becomes imperative for systematic reviewers to reflexively engage with a variety of ethical issues associated with potential conflicts of interest and issues of voice and representation. This chapter discusses how systematic reviewers can draw upon the philosophical traditions of consequentialism, deontology or virtue ethics to situate their ethical decision-making.
Exact results for 5d SCFTs of long quiver type
Authors: Uhlemann Christoph F.
Published: November 2019

Abstract

Exact results are derived for 5d SCFTs with holographic duals in Type IIB supergravity. These theories have relevant deformations that flow to linear quiver gauge theories, with the number of nodes large in the large-N limits described by supergravity. Starting from a suitable formulation of the matrix models resulting from supersymmetric localization of the squashed S5 partition functions, the saddle point equations are solved for generic quivers with Nf = 2N at all interior nodes, which includes the TN theories, and for a sample of theories with Nf ≠ 2N nodes including theories with Chern-Simons terms. The resulting exact expressions for the free energies and conformal central charges are consistent with supergravity predictions and, where available, with previous numerical field theory analyses.
Behaviors of two supersymmetry breaking scales in $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 2 supergravity
Authors: Abe Hiroyuki , Aoki Shuntaro , Imai Sosuke , Sakamura Yutaka
Published: November 2019

Abstract

We study the supersymmetry breaking patterns in four-dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 gauged supergravity. The model contains multiple (Abelian) vector multiplets and a single hypermultiplet which parametrizes SO(4, 1)/SO(4) coset. We derive the expressions of two gravitino masses under general gaugings and prepotential based on the embedding tensor formalism, and discuss their behaviors in some concrete models. Then we confirm that in a single vector multiplet case, the partial breaking always occurs when the third derivative of the prepotential exists at the vacuum, which is consistent with the result of ref. [1], but we can have several breaking patterns otherwise. The discussion is also generalized to the case of multiple vector multiplets, and we found that the full ($$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 0) breaking occurs even if the third derivative of the prepotential is nontrivial.