bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The ethics of smart cities and urban science
Authors: Kitchin Rob 
Published: November 2016

Software-enabled technologies and urban big data have become essential to the functioning of cities. Consequently, urban operational governance and city services are becoming highly responsive to a form of data-driven urbanism that is the key mode of production for smart cities. At the heart of data-driven urbanism is a computational understanding of city systems that reduces urban life to logic and calculative rules and procedures, which is underpinned by an instrumental rationality and realist epistemology. This rationality and epistemology are informed by and sustains urban science and urban informatics, which seek to make cities more knowable and controllable. This paper examines the forms, practices and ethics of smart cities and urban science, paying particular attention to: instrumental rationality and realist epistemology; privacy, datafication, dataveillance and geosurveillance; and data uses, such as social sorting and anticipatory governance. It argues that smart city initiatives and urban science need to be re-cast in three ways: a re-orientation in how cities are conceived; a reconfiguring of the underlying epistemology to openly recognize the contingent and relational nature of urban systems, processes and science; and the adoption of ethical principles designed to realize benefits of smart cities and urban science while reducing pernicious effects.This article is part of the themed issue ‘The ethical impact of data science’.
Data science ethics in government
Authors: Drew Cat 
Published: November 2016

Data science can offer huge opportunities for government. With the ability to process larger and more complex datasets than ever before, it can provide better insights for policymakers and make services more tailored and efficient. As with all new technologies, there is a risk that we do not take up its opportunities and miss out on its enormous potential. We want people to feel confident to innovate with data. So, over the past 18 months, the Government Data Science Partnership has taken an open, evidence-based and user-centred approach to creating an ethical framework. It is a practical document that brings all the legal guidance together in one place, and is written in the context of new data science capabilities. As part of its development, we ran a public dialogue on data science ethics, including deliberative workshops, an experimental conjoint survey and an online engagement tool. The research supported the principles set out in the framework as well as provided useful insight into how we need to communicate about data science. It found that people had a low awareness of the term ‘data science’, but that showing data science examples can increase broad support for government exploring innovative uses of data. But people's support is highly context driven. People consider acceptability on a case-by-case basis, first thinking about the overall policy goals and likely intended outcome, and then weighing up privacy and unintended consequences. The ethical framework is a crucial start, but it does not solve all the challenges it highlights, particularly as technology is creating new challenges and opportunities every day. Continued research is needed into data minimization and anonymization, robust data models, algorithmic accountability, and transparency and data security. It also has revealed the need to set out a renewed deal between the citizen and state on data, to maintain and solidify trust in how we use people's data for social good.
This article is part of the themed issue ‘The ethical impact of data science’.
The ethics of big data as a public good: which public? Whose good?
Authors: Taylor Linnet 
Published: November 2016

International development and humanitarian organizations are increasingly calling for digital data to be treated as a public good because of its value in supplementing scarce national statistics and informing interventions, including in emergencies. In response to this claim, a ‘responsible data’ movement has evolved to discuss guidelines and frameworks that will establish ethical principles for data sharing. However, this movement is not gaining traction with those who hold the highest-value data, particularly mobile network operators who are proving reluctant to make data collected in low- and middle-income countries accessible through intermediaries. This paper evaluates how the argument for ‘data as a public good’ fits with the corporate reality of big data, exploring existing models for data sharing. I draw on the idea of corporate data as an ecosystem involving often conflicting rights, duties and claims, in comparison to the utilitarian claim that data's humanitarian value makes it imperative to share them. I assess the power dynamics implied by the idea of data as a public good, and how differing incentives lead actors to adopt particular ethical positions with regard to the use of data.
This article is part of the themed issue ‘The ethical impact of data science’.
The dynamics of big data and human rights: the case of scientific research
Authors: Vayena Effy , Tasioulas John 
Published: November 2016

In this paper, we address the complex relationship between big data and human rights. Because this is a vast terrain, we restrict our focus in two main ways. First, we concentrate on big data applications in scientific research, mostly health-related research. And, second, we concentrate on two human rights: the familiar right to privacy and the less well-known right to science. Our contention is that human rights interact in potentially complex ways with big data, not only constraining it, but also enabling it in various ways; and that such rights are dynamic in character, rather than fixed once and for all, changing in their implications over time in line with changes in the context we inhabit, and also as they interact among themselves in jointly responding to the opportunities and risks thrown up by a changing world. Understanding this dynamic interaction of human rights is crucial for formulating an ethic tailored to the realities—the new capabilities and risks—of the rapidly evolving digital environment.
This article is part of the themed issue ‘The ethical impact of data science’.
Out‐of‐Network Emergency Department Use among Managed Medicaid Beneficiaries
Authors: Raven Maria C. , Guzman David , Chen Alice H. , Kornak John , Kushel Margot 
Published: November 2016

ObjectiveOut‐of‐network emergency department (ED) use, or use that occurs outside the contracted network, may lead to increased care fragmentation and cost. We examined factors associated with out‐of‐network ED use among Medicaid beneficiaries.Data Sources and Study SettingEnrollment, claims, and encounter data for adult Medi‐Cal health plan members with 1+ ED visits and complete Medicaid eligibility during the study period from 2013 to 2014.Study DesignWe analyzed the data to identify factors associated with out‐of‐network ED use classified by mode of arrival (ambulance vs. nonambulance).Data Extraction MethodsWe extracted encounter, ambulance, and ED census data and linked them together based on ED visit date.Principal FindingsOf 11,143 ED visits, 6,808 (61.1 percent) were out‐of‐network. The number of hours the study ED was on ambulance diversion increased the odds of out‐of‐network visits for the 3,365 (30.2 percent) ED visits arriving by ambulance. For all visit types, assignment to a primary care clinic at the in‐network hospital and having had any primary care visit during the study period decreased the odds of out‐of‐network ED care. Individuals were more likely to go out‐of‐network for ED care if they lived in neighborhoods containing out‐of‐network EDs.ConclusionsThere are a number of factors related to out‐of‐network ED use, including the proximity and density of out‐of‐network EDs, race and ethnicity, a prior history of out‐of‐network ED use, and individuals’ connection to primary care. EDs that serve Medicaid beneficiaries may need to explore alternative sites and modalities of care as alternatives to the ED, and consider their ability to absorb large numbers of out‐of‐network visits given already limited capacity.
Stratifying Patients with Diabetes into Clinically Relevant Groups by Combination of Chronic Conditions to Identify Gaps in Quality of Care
Authors: Magnan Elizabeth M. , Bolt Daniel M. , Greenlee Robert T. , Fink Jennifer , Smith Maureen A. 
Published: November 2016

ObjectiveTo find clinically relevant combinations of chronic conditions among patients with diabetes and to examine their relationships with six diabetes quality metrics.Data Sources/Study SettingTwenty‐nine thousand five hundred and sixty‐two adult patients with diabetes seen at eight Midwestern U.S. health systems during 2010–2011.Study DesignWe retrospectively evaluated the relationship between six diabetes quality metrics and patients' combinations of chronic conditions. We analyzed 12 conditions that were concordant with diabetes care to define five mutually exclusive combinations of conditions (“classes”) based on condition co‐occurrence. We used logistic regression to quantify the relationship between condition classes and quality metrics, adjusted for patient demographics and utilization.Data CollectionWe extracted electronic health record data using a standardized algorithm.Principal FindingsWe found the following condition classes: severe cardiac, cardiac, noncardiac vascular, risk factors, and no concordant comorbidities. Adjusted odds ratios and 95 percent confidence intervals for glycemic control were, respectively, 1.95 (1.7–2.2), 1.6 (1.4–1.9), 1.3 (1.2–1.5), and 1.3 (1.2–1.4) compared to the class with no comorbidities. Results showed similar patterns for other metrics.ConclusionsPatients had distinct quality metric achievement by condition class, and those in less severe classes were less likely to achieve diabetes metrics.
Testing a Novel 3D Printed Radiographic Imaging Device for Use in Forensic Odontology
Authors: Newcomb Tara L. , Bruhn Ann M. , Giles Bridget , Garcia Hector M. , Diawara Norou 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThere are specific challenges related to forensic dental radiology and difficulties in aligning X‐ray equipment to teeth of interest. Researchers used 3D printing to create a new device, the combined holding and aiming device (CHAD), to address the positioning limitations of current dental X‐ray devices. Participants (N = 24) used the CHAD, soft dental wax, and a modified external aiming device (MEAD) to determine device preference, radiographer's efficiency, and technique errors. Each participant exposed six X‐rays per device for a total of 432 X‐rays scored. A significant difference was found at the 0.05 level between the three devices (p = 0.0015), with the MEAD having the least amount of total errors and soft dental wax taking the least amount of time. Total errors were highest when participants used soft dental wax—both the MEAD and the CHAD performed best overall. Further research in forensic dental radiology and use of holding devices is needed.
Double Hanging with Single Ligature: An Unusual Method in Suicide Pact
Authors: Behera Chittaranjan , Rautji Ravi , Kumar Rajesh , Pooniya Shashank , Sharma Piyush , Gupta Sudhir Kumar 
Published: November 2016

AbstractA married casual labor couple was found hanging in their makeshift bedroom with each end of a single chunni (a cloth worn around the neck by Indian women) spread across an iron bar below the roof. They left their two children, daughter, and son of 4 and 3 yrs age, respectively, with their grandmother living separately nearby, and went to attend cremation of one of their relatives. They returned late in the evening and found hanging in their bedroom next morning by neighbors.
Community structure of partial nitritation‐anammox biofilms at decreasing substrate concentrations and low temperature
Authors: Persson Frank , Suarez Carolina , Hermansson Malte , Plaza Elzbieta , Sultana Razia , Wilén Britt‐Marie 
Published: November 2016

SummaryPartial nitritation‐anammox (PNA) permits energy effective nitrogen removal. Today PNA is used for treatment of concentrated and warm side streams at wastewater treatment plants, but not the more diluted and colder main stream. To implement PNA in the main stream, better knowledge about microbial communities at the typical environmental conditions is necessary. In order to investigate the response of PNA microbial communities to decreasing substrate availability, we have operated a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) at decreasing reactor concentrations (311–27 mg‐N l−1 of ammonium) and low temperature (13°C) for 302 days and investigated the biofilm community using high throughput amplicon sequencing; quantitative PCR; and fluorescence in situ hybridization. The anammox bacteria (Ca. Brocadia) constituted a large fraction of the biomass with fewer aerobic ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and even less nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB; Nitrotoga, Nitrospira and Nitrobacter). Still, NOB had considerable impact on the process performance. The anammox bacteria, AOB and NOB all harboured more than one population, indicating some diversity, and the heterotrophic bacterial community was diverse (seven phyla). Despite the downshifts in substrate availability, changes in the relative abundance and composition of anammox bacteria, AOB and NOB were small and also the heterotrophic community showed little changes in composition. This indicates stability of PNA MBBR communities towards decreasing substrate availability and suggests that even heterotrophic bacteria are integral components of these communities.
The role of CA3‐LS‐VTA loop in the formation of conditioned place preference induced by context‐associated reward memory for morphine
Authors: Jiang Jin‐Xiang , Liu Huan , Huang Zhen‐Zhen , Cui Yue , Zhang Xue‐Qin , Zhang Xiao‐Long , Cui Yu , Xin Wen‐Jun 
Published: November 2016

AbstractAddiction‐related behaviors, such as conditioned place preference (CPP), require animals to remember an association between environmental cue and drug treatment, and exposure to environmental cue is one of the key contributing factors to relapse. However, how central neural circuit participates in the formation of CPP induced by stimulus of morphine‐paired environment remains unknown. In the present study, we found that reexposure to morphine‐paired environment significantly increased the activity of hippocampal CA3 neurons, increased the excitability of GABAergic neurons and expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase 65/67 in the caudal lateral septum (LSc) and decreased the activity of GABAergic neurons and GAD65/67 expression in ventral tegmental area (VTA), leading to activation (disinhibition) of dopaminergic neurons. Inactivation of CA3 neurons attenuated GABAergic neurons activity and decreased the upregulation of GAD65/67 in LSc, prevented the dopaminergic neurons activation,and GAD65/67 downregulation in VTA and ameliorated the CPP behavior following exposure to morphine‐paired context. Blockade of NMDA receptor in LSc also prevented the upregulation of GAD65/67 in LSc and formation of CPP induced by stimulus of morphine‐paired environment. Suppression of GAD activity in LSc also remarkably attenuated the dopaminergic neurons activation and the GAD65/67 downregulation in VTA and prevented the formation of CPP induced by reexposure to morphine‐associated context. Collectively, these results, for the first time, illustrated the involvement of neural circuitry of CA3‐LSc‐VTA, through integration of the contexts and reward information, participated in the reinstatement of CPP induced by exposure to morphine‐associated context, which advanced our understanding on neurobiological basis for the context‐associated memory and rewarding behavior.
2‐arachidonoylglycerol levels are increased in leukocytospermia and correlate with seminal macrophages
Authors: Barbonetti A. , Bisogno T. , Battista N. , Piscitelli F. , Micillo A. , Francavilla S. , Maccarrone M. , Francavilla F. 
Published: November 2016

SummaryEvidence has been produced that macrophages can actively generate endocannabinoids (eCBs) in response to inflammatory stimuli. As eCBs are involved in the control of several physiological processes, including reproduction, here, we explored whether seminal levels of the eCBs, N‐arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA), and 2‐arachidonoylglycerol (2‐AG), were higher in the presence of leukocytospermia, and were correlated with semen concentration of macrophages. The content of AEA and 2‐AG was measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry in seminal plasma of ejaculates from 18 leukocytospermic patients (>1 × 106 leukocytes/mL) and 21 normozoospermic controls. In the same ejaculates, round cells were phenotyped by flow‐cytometry as leukocytes (CD45+), macrophages (CD14+), and activated macrophages (CD14+, HLA‐DR+). The levels of 2‐AG, but not of AEA, were significantly higher in ejaculates from leukocytospermic patients than in controls and exhibited a significant correlation with semen concentration of macrophages and activated macrophages. Significant associations of 2‐AG with macrophages and activated macrophages persisted after adjustment for semen volume and sperm concentration. In conclusion, here we provide evidence that seminal plasma levels of 2‐AG are higher in the presence of leukocytospermia, as a marker of macrophages activation. Further studies are warranted to elucidate possible clinical implications.
High androgen levels protect against hypothyroidism
Authors: Schmidt Johanna , Dahlgren Eva , Bryman Inger , Berntorp Kerstin , Trimpou Penelope , Wilhelmsen Lars , Landin‐Wilhelmsen Kerstin 
Published: November 2016

AbstractIntroductionHypothyroidism is a common disorder, appearing mainly in women although less frequently found in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The objective was to test the hypothesis that hyperandrogenism might protect against hypothyroidism.Material and methodsThe data from three prospective follow‐up studies (up to 21 years) and one register study were compared: women with PCOS (Rotterdam criteria), n = 25, women with Turner syndrome, n = 217, a random population sample of women, n = 315, and men, n = 95 (the WHO MONICA study). Findings were to be verified or rejected in all females, n = 553 716, from the same region. The proportion of hypothyroidism was calculated and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO) in serum were measured.ResultsHypothyroidism at >50 years of age was found in 8% of women with PCOS, 4% in men (PCOS vs. men; ns), 43% of women with Turner syndrome, irrespective of karyotype (p < 0.001 vs. PCOS), and in 17% of postmenopausal women in the population (p < 0.01 vs. PCOS). Elevated TPO were similar in PCOS and women and men in the population but higher in Turner syndrome. Hypothyroidism increased with age in all groups except PCOS women and men. In the register study, hypothyroidism was less common in women with PCOS >25 years (5.5%) than in women without PCOS (6.8%) from the same region (p < 0.01).ConclusionsHypothyroidism was less frequently seen in women with PCOS and in men compared with women in the general population and among women with Turner syndrome. This was not explained by altered autoimmunity or the Y‐chromosome. Androgens seem to protect against hypothyroidism.
Two years' experience of using the Bravo wireless oesophageal pH monitoring system at a single UK tertiary centre
Authors: Rao Nagendra M. , Campbell David I. , Rao Prithviraj 
Published: November 2016

AbstractAimThe Bravo wireless pH monitoring system enables oesophageal pH to be monitored in children intolerant to nasal catheters and records measurements over 48 hours. This study aimed to document the minimum child weight that enabled successful capsule placement and any associated complications. We also compared the diagnostic sensitivity of 48 hours versus 24 hours.MethodsWe included 203 consecutive patients (122 male children) with clinically documented or suspected reflux symptoms. The age range was two years to 19 years, and the minimum weight was 9.29 kg. The pH capsule was deployed endoscopically under general anaesthetic. Recordings taken over 24 and 48 hours were compared to determine the frequency of differences and correlations in the reflux index and DeMeester scores.ResultsTesting using the detached probe was successful in 190 children (93.6%) with weight as low as 9.29 kg, with no side effects, with failed deployment being the most frequent problem. Clinically different results in the reflux index were found in 16% of the children's day 1 or day 2 readings (p < 0.0001), suggesting the benefit of 48‐hour measurements.ConclusionMeasuring oesophageal pH with the Bravo wireless pH monitoring system was successful in 93.6% of cases. A 48‐hour test improved the detection rate of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease by 16%.
In vitro and physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic based assessment of drug–drug interaction potential of canagliflozin
Authors: Mamidi Rao N. V. S. , Dallas Shannon , Sensenhauser Carlo , Lim Heng Keang , Scheers Ellen , Verboven Peter , Cuyckens Filip , Leclercq Laurent , Evans David C. , Kelley Michael F. , Johnson Mark D. , Snoeys Jan 
Published: November 2016

AimsCanagliflozin is a recently approved drug for use in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The potential for canagliflozin to cause clinical drug–drug interactions (DDIs) was assessed.MethodsDDI potential of canagliflozin was investigated using in vitro test systems containing drug metabolizing enzymes or transporters. Basic predictive approaches were applied to determine potential interactions in vivo. A physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was developed and clinical DDI simulations were performed to determine the likelihood of cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibition by canagliflozin.ResultsCanagliflozin was primarily metabolized by uridine 5′‐diphospho‐glucuronosyltransferase 1A9 and 2B4 enzymes. Canagliflozin was a substrate of efflux transporters (P‐glycoprotein, breast cancer resistance protein and multidrug resistance‐associated protein‐2) but was not a substrate of uptake transporters (organic anion transporter polypeptide isoforms OATP1B1, OATP1B3, organic anion transporters OAT1 and OAT3, and organic cationic transporters OCT1, and OCT2). In inhibition assays, canagliflozin was shown to be a weak in vitro inhibitor (IC50) of CYP3A4 (27 μmol l –1, standard error [SE] 4.9), CYP2C9 (80 μmol l –1, SE 8.1), CYP2B6 (16 μmol l–1, SE 2.1), CYP2C8 (75 μmol l –1, SE 6.4), P‐glycoprotein (19.3 μmol l –1, SE 7.2), and multidrug resistance‐associated protein‐2 (21.5 μmol l –1, SE 3.1). Basic models recommended in DDI guidelines (US Food & Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency) predicted moderate to low likelihood of interaction for these CYPs and efflux transporters. PBPK DDI simulations of canagliflozin with CYP probe substrates (simvastatin, S‐warfarin, bupropion, repaglinide) did not show relevant interaction in humans since mean areas under the concentration‐time curve and maximum plasma concentration ratios for probe substrates with and without canagliflozin and its 95% CIs were within 0.80–1.25.ConclusionsIn vitro DDI followed by a predictive or PBPK approach was applied to determine DDI potential of canagliflozin. Overall, canagliflozin is neither a perpetrator nor a victim of clinically important interactions.