bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An efficient hybrid similarity measure based on user interests for recommender systems
Authors: Hawashin Bilal , Lafi Mohammad , Kanan Tarek , Mansour Ayman 
Published: August 2019

AbstractRecommender systems are used to suggest items to users based on their interests. They have been used widely in various domains, including online stores, web advertisements, and social networks. As part of their process, recommender systems use a set of similarity measurements that would assist in finding interesting items. Although many similarity measurements have been proposed in the literature, they have not concentrated on actual user interests. This paper proposes a new efficient hybrid similarity measure for recommender systems based on user interests. This similarity measure is a combination of two novel base similarity measurements: the user interest–user interest similarity measure and the user interest–item similarity measure. This hybrid similarity measure improves the existing work in three aspects. First, it improves the current recommender systems by using actual user interests. Second, it provides a comprehensive evaluation of an efficient solution to the cold start problem. Third, this similarity measure works well even when no corated items exist between two users. Our experiments show that our proposed similarity measure is efficient in terms of accuracy, execution time, and applicability. Specifically, our proposed similarity measure achieves a mean absolute error (MAE) as low as 0.42, with 64% applicability and an execution time as low as 0.03 s, whereas the existing similarity measures from the literature achieve an MAE of 0.88 at their best; these results demonstrate the superiority of our proposed similarity measure in terms of accuracy, as well as having a high applicability percentage and a very short execution time.
High genetic variation and phylogeographic relations among Palearctic fairy shrimp populations reflect persistence in multiple southern refugia during Pleistocene ice ages and postglacial colonisation
Authors: Lukić Dunja , Waterkeyn Aline , Rabet Nicolas , Mioduchowska Monika , Geudens Bernard , Vanschoenwinkel Bram , Brendonck Luc , Pinceel Tom 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIntense anthropogenic disturbance threatens temporary pond ecosystems and their associated fauna across the Palearctic. Since fairy shrimps (Crustacea, Branchiopoda) are endemic to temporary ponds, populations are declining due to habitat loss and it is important to define adequate units for conservation.Phylogeographic reconstructions, based on genetic variation, provide valuable information for defining evolutionary and conservation units, especially for organisms with high levels of cryptic diversity like many fairy shrimps. We studied a total of 152 individuals of the fairy shrimpBranchipus schaefferifrom 79 populations across the Palearctic and used mitochondrial (CO1) and nuclear (ITS1)DNAdata to reconstruct the phylogeography of the species.Our results show thatB. schaeffericomprises four highly diverged (10.3–16.5%) evolutionary clades. The present‐day haplotypes within each of the clades probably diverged from lineages that were maintained in separate refugia during the Pleistocene ice ages. While two clades represent distinct geographic regions, the two remaining clades have more wide and overlapping ranges. In addition, the limited number of shared haplotypes among populations from geographically distant regions within three of the clades suggest recent long‐distance dispersal events.Overall, the studiedB. schaefferidataset comprises high levels of genetic differentiation, without a clear morphological signal. Phylogenetic searches and pairwise genetic distances suggest that the studied lineages belong to a complex of four morphologically cryptic species. Since these four evolutionary old clades persist (±2 million years), despite overlapping geographic ranges and since they span a variety of ecological conditions, they should be considered as separate evolutionary significant units for conservation.
Forest streams are important sources for nitrous oxide emissions
Authors: Audet Joachim , Bastviken David , Bundschuh Mirco , Buffam Ishi , Feckler Alexander , Klemedtsson Leif , Laudon Hjalmar , Löfgren Stefan , Natchimuthu Sivakiruthika , Öquist Mats , Peacock Mike , Wallin Marcus B. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractStreams and river networks are increasingly recognized as significant sources for the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). N2O is a transformation product of nitrogenous compounds in soil, sediment and water. Agricultural areas are considered a particular hotspot for emissions because of the large input of nitrogen (N) fertilizers applied on arable land. However, there is little information on N2O emissions from forest streams although they constitute a major part of the total stream network globally. Here, we compiled N2O concentration data from low‐order streams (~1,000 observations from 172 stream sites) covering a large geographical gradient in Sweden from the temperate to the boreal zone and representing catchments with various degrees of agriculture and forest coverage. Our results showed that agricultural and forest streams had comparable N2O concentrations of 1.6 ± 2.1 and 1.3 ± 1.8 µg N/L, respectively (mean ± SD) despite higher total N (TN) concentrations in agricultural streams (1,520 ± 1,640 vs. 780 ± 600 µg N/L). Although clear patterns linking N2O concentrations and environmental variables were difficult to discern, the percent saturation of N2O in the streams was positively correlated with stream concentration of TN and negatively correlated with pH. We speculate that the apparent contradiction between lower TN concentration but similar N2O concentrations in forest streams than in agricultural streams is due to the low pH (<6) in forest soils and streams which affects denitrification and yields higher N2O emissions. An estimate of the N2O emission from low‐order streams at the national scale revealed that ~1.8 × 109 g N2O‐N are emitted annually in Sweden, with forest streams contributing about 80% of the total stream emission. Hence, our results provide evidence that forest streams can act as substantial N2O sources in the landscape with 800 × 109 g CO2‐eq emitted annually in Sweden, equivalent to 25% of the total N2O emissions from the Swedish agricultural sector.
Non‐native mangroves support carbon storage, sediment carbon burial, and accretion of coastal ecosystems
Authors: Soper Fiona M. , MacKenzie Richard A. , Sharma Sahadev , Cole Thomas G. , Litton Creighton M. , Sparks Jed P. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractMangrove forests play an important role in climate change adaptation and mitigation by maintaining coastline elevations relative to sea level rise, protecting coastal infrastructure from storm damage, and storing substantial quantities of carbon (C) in live and detrital pools. Determining the efficacy of mangroves in achieving climate goals can be complicated by difficulty in quantifying C inputs (i.e., differentiating newer inputs from younger trees from older residual C pools), and mitigation assessments rarely consider potential offsets to CO2 storage by methane (CH4) production in mangrove sediments. The establishment of non‐native Rhizophora mangle along Hawaiian coastlines over the last century offers an opportunity to examine the role mangroves play in climate mitigation and adaptation both globally and locally as novel ecosystems. We quantified total ecosystem C storage, sedimentation, accretion, sediment organic C burial and CH4 emissions from ~70 year old R. mangle stands and adjacent uninvaded mudflats. Ecosystem C stocks of mangrove stands exceeded mudflats by 434 ± 33 Mg C/ha, and mangrove establishment increased average coastal accretion by 460%. Sediment organic C burial increased 10‐fold (to 4.5 Mg C ha−1 year−1), double the global mean for old growth mangrove forests, suggesting that C accumulation from younger trees may occur faster than previously thought, with implications for mangrove restoration. Simulations indicate that increased CH4 emissions from sediments offset ecosystem CO2 storage by only 2%–4%, equivalent to 30–60 Mg CO2‐eq/ha over mangrove lifetime (100 year sustained global warming potential). Results highlight the importance of mangroves as novel systems that can rapidly accumulate C, have a net positive atmospheric greenhouse gas removal effect, and support shoreline accretion rates that outpace current sea level rise. Sequestration potential of novel mangrove forests should be taken into account when considering their removal or management, especially in the context of climate mitigation goals.
Exemptions, Sincerity and Pastafarianism
Authors: Martin Nick 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACTBecause Pastafarianism – or the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster – is a parodic religion, common sense suggests its ‘adherents’ should not receive exemptions. However, the prima facie case for excluding Pastafarians is complicated by the fact that many assert their religion is as legitimate as any other religion and that their beliefs are genuine. Indeed, Pastafarians have already obtained exemptions in various countries. Taking the dominant liberal egalitarian, integrity‐based approach to exemptions, this article investigates whether there is a principled, objective basis for excluding Pastafarians that accounts for their assertions. To that end, I examine four tests: a religion, seriousness, obligation, and sincerity test. I assess whether each test can actually exclude Pastafarians, and if it could, can it do so in a way that is consistent with liberal egalitarian commitments. I argue that only a sincerity test – based on consistent behaviour and a willingness to bear the costs of one's beliefs – satisfies both of these conditions, but, on a weak and contingent basis.
Long non‐coding RNA cardiac hypertrophy‐associated regulator governs cardiac hypertrophy via regulating miR‐20b and the downstream PTEN/AKT pathway
Authors: Zhang Mingyu , Jiang Yuan , Guo Xiaofei , Zhang Bowen , Wu Jiangjiao , Sun Jiabin , Liang Haihai , Shan Hongli , Zhang Yong , Liu Jiaqi , Wang Ying , Wang Lu , Zhang Rong , Yang Baofeng , Xu Chaoqian 
Published: August 2019

AbstractPathological cardiac hypertrophy (CH) is a key factor leading to heart failure and ultimately sudden death. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as a new player in gene regulation relevant to a wide spectrum of human disease including cardiac disorders. Here, we characterize the role of a specific lncRNA named cardiac hypertrophy‐associated regulator (CHAR) in CH and delineate the underlying signalling pathway. CHAR was found markedly down‐regulated in both in vivo mouse model of cardiac hypertrophy induced by pressure overload and in vitro cellular model of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by angiotensin II (AngII) insult. CHAR down‐regulation alone was sufficient to induce hypertrophic phenotypes in healthy mice and neonatal rat ventricular cells (NRVCs). Overexpression of CHAR reduced the hypertrophic responses. CHAR was found to act as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to down‐regulate miR‐20b that we established as a pro‐hypertrophic miRNA. We experimentally established phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), an anti‐hypertrophic signalling molecule, as a target gene for miR‐20b. We found that miR‐20b induced CH by directly repressing PTEN expression and indirectly increasing AKT activity. Moreover, CHAR overexpression mitigated the repression of PTEN and activation of AKT by miR‐20b, and as such, it abrogated the deleterious effects of miR‐20b on CH. Collectively, this study characterized a new lncRNA CHAR and unravelled a new pro‐hypertrophic signalling pathway: lncRNA‐CHAR/miR‐20b/PTEN/AKT. The findings therefore should improve our understanding of the cellular functionality and pathophysiological role of lncRNAs in the heart.
Legislative Control over Executive Law‐making: Delegation of Quasi‐legislative Powers to the European Commission
Authors: Yordanova Nikoleta , Zhelyazkova Asya 
Published: August 2019

AbstractMost EU legislation consists of executive acts of the European Commission. The Lisbon Treaty introduced a new type of EU executive legislation – delegated acts, which give the European Parliament formal powers of legislative scrutiny equal to those of the EU Council. Thus, the use of delegated acts could reinforce the institutional balance of power and help reduce the EU's democratic deficit. We studied the situations when the Parliament and the Council agreed to grant the Commission the right to adopt delegated acts, considering the preference constellations of legislative and executive actors and legislative complexity. Using a novel dataset on post‐Lisbon legislation, we found that delegated acts are more likely in cases of high legislative complexity and when the Council sees the Parliament as an ally vis‐à‐vis the Commission. However, the European Parliament gets no say over executive measures when doing so could shift policy outcomes away from the Council's preferences, raising doubts about the effectiveness of parliamentary control.
Explaining the European Union's Security Role in Practice
Authors: Ekengren Magnus , Hollis Simon 
Published: August 2019

AbstractEuropean states may no longer expect inter‐state violence, but they do expect complex threats emanating from storms, epidemics, terror attacks and earthquakes. The EU has answered these threats through the rapid and far‐reaching institutionalization of European security cooperation. However, member states hesitate to use their common capacities. While both intergovernmental and constructivist approaches treat this pattern as evidence of weak integration and as unimportant to the European security community, we examine this cooperation through the lens of practice theory and reveal how the growth of EU capacities is fully compatible with a critical and cautious approach to activating these resources in the everyday work of national officials. Using unique empirical data retrieved through participant observation in the first multisectoral crisis management exercise held by the EU, the findings of this analysis sketch the contours of a new type of security community.
Consistency of plasma glucagon levels in patients with type 1 diabetes after a 1‐year period
Authors: Kawamori Dan , Katakami Naoto , Takahara Mitsuyoshi , Miyashita Kazuyuki , Takebe Satomi , Yasuda Tetsuyuki , Matsuoka Taka‐aki , Shimomura Iichiro 
Published: August 2019

AbstractRecent progress in research on glucagon and α‐cells highlights their pathophysiological roles in diabetes. We previously showed that plasma glucagon levels measured by newly developed enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay were dysregulated in patients with type 1 diabetes with respect to plasma glucose levels, suggesting dysregulated secretion. In the current study, the annual change in plasma glucagon levels was assessed in these same patients. We found that the plasma glucagon levels in the 66 Japanese patients involved in the study were significantly correlated between both years. In addition, they were significantly associated with serum blood urea nitrogen levels in a multivariate linear regression analysis, as reported in our previous study. The statistical correlation in glucagon levels between annual checkups and the sustained significant correlation between glucagon and blood urea nitrogen suggest a constant dysregulation of glucagon in association with altered amino acid metabolism in patients with type 1 diabetes.
Ablative fractional laser‐assisted photodynamic therapy for lentigo maligna: a prospective pilot study
Authors: Räsänen J.E. , Neittaanmäki N. , Jeskanen L. , Pölönen I. , Snellman E. , Grönroos M. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundLentigo maligna (LM) is an in situ form of melanoma carrying a risk of progression to invasive lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM). LM poses a clinical challenge, with subclinical extension and high recurrence rates after incomplete surgery. Alternative treatment methods have been investigated with varying results. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with methylaminolaevulinate (MAL) has already proved promising in this respect.ObjectivesTo investigate the efficacy of ablative fractional laser (AFL)‐assisted PDT with 5‐aminolaevulinic acid nanoemulsion (BF‐200 ALA) for treating LM.MethodsIn this non‐sponsored prospective pilot study, ten histologically verified LMs were treated with AFL‐assisted PDT three times at 2‐week intervals using a light dose of 90 J/cm2 per treatment session. Local anaesthesia with ropivacaine was used. Four weeks after the last PDT treatment the lesions were treated surgically with a wide excision and sent for histopathological examination. The primary outcome was complete histopathological clearance of the LM from the surgical specimen. Patient‐reported pain during illumination and the severity of the skin reaction after the PDT treatments were monitored as secondary outcomes.ResultsThe complete histopathological clearance rate was 7 out of 10 LMs (70%). The pain during illumination was tolerable, with the mean pain scores for the PDT sessions on a visual assessment scale ranging from 2.9 to 3.8. Some severe skin reactions occurred during the treatment period, however.ConclusionsAblative fractional laser‐assisted PDT showed moderate efficacy in terms of histological clearance. It could constitute an alternative treatment for LM but due to the side effects it should only be considered in inoperable cases.
Examining the Dual Purpose Use of Student Learning Objectives for Classroom Assessment and Teacher Evaluation
Authors: Briggs Derek C. , Chattergoon Rajendra , Burkhardt Amy 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe process of setting and evaluating student learning objectives (SLOs) has become increasingly popular as an example where classroom assessment is intended to fulfill the dual purpose use of informing instruction and holding teachers accountable. A concern is that the high‐stakes purpose may lead to distortions in the inferences about students and teachers that SLOs can support. This concern is explored in the present study by contrasting student SLO scores in a large urban school district to performance on a common objective external criterion. This external criterion is used to evaluate the extent to which student growth scores appear to be inflated. Using 2 years of data, growth comparisons are also made at the teacher level for teachers who submit SLOs and have students that take the state‐administered large‐scale assessment. Although they do show similar relationships with demographic covariates and have the same degree of stability across years, the two different measures of growth are weakly correlated.
Decisional Guidance Tool for Antibiotic Prescribing in the Skilled Nursing Facility
Authors: Davenport Claire , Brodeur Michael , Wolff Michael , Meek Patrick D. , Crnich Christopher J. 
Published: August 2019

OBJECTIVESTo derive weighted‐incidence syndromic combination antibiograms (WISCAs) in the skilled nursing facility (SNF). To compare burden of resistance between SNFs in a region and those with and without protocols designed to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use.DESIGNRetrospective analysis of microbial data from a regional laboratory.SETTINGWe analyzed 2484 isolates collected at a regional laboratory from a large mixed urban and suburban area from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2015.PARTICIPANTSA total of 28 regional SNFs (rSNFs) and 7 in‐network SNFs (iSNFs).MEASUREMENTSWISCAs were derived combining Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and reports restricted to fluoroquinolones, cefazolin, amoxicillin clavulanate, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.RESULTSPooling the target isolates into WISCAs resulted in an average of 28 of 37 achieving a number greater than 30 with an average of 50 isolates (range = 11‐113; >97% urinary). Significant differences were found in antibiotic susceptibility between grouped rSNF data and iSNF data of 75% vs 65% (2.76‐11.77; P = .002). The susceptibilities were higher in iSNFs with active antibiotic reduction protocols compared with iSNFs without protocols and rSNFs (effect size = .79 vs .67 and .65, respectively) (I2 = 93.33; P < .01). Susceptibilities to cefazolin (95% vs 76%; P < .001) and fluoroquinolones (72% vs 64%; P = .048) were significantly higher in iSNFs with active urinary tract infection protocols as compared with iSNFs without antibiotic reduction protocols.CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that WISCAs can be developed in most SNFs, and their results can serve as indicators of successful antibiotic stewardship programs. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:55–61, 2019
Facilitators and Barriers to Adoption of a Healthy Diet in Survivors of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Lee Myung Kyung , Park Soo Yeun , Choi Gyu‐Seog 
Published: August 2019

AbstractPurposeAdherence to dietary guidelines and consumption of a high‐quality diet are essential to rebuild strength and to decrease tumor recurrence and mortality in patients with colorectal cancer. We examined the associations of the diet quality of patients who have colorectal cancer with the characteristics of the patients and their families, the patient's perceived barriers to following the diet, and the family's attempts to change the diet.DesignA cross‐sectional study design was employed. Patients with colorectal cancer were recruited from National University Hospitals in South Korea. Enrolled patients were over 19 years old. Enrolled relatives served as the primary caregivers of the patients.MethodsA total of 216 patients who had colorectal cancer and their family caregivers were enrolled. We assessed patients’ diet quality, their perceived barriers to following the dietary plan, and family caregivers’ attempts to improve diet quality.FindingsPatients with colorectal cancer were less likely to have healthy eating habits if they perceived barriers to the recommended dietary plan, and more likely to have healthy eating habits if they had family caregivers who attempted to change their own dietary habits.ConclusionsStrategies that target patients’ perceived barriers to following a healthy diet and that encourage family members to facilitate the adoption of a healthy diet can be integrated into the treatment plan of patients with colorectal cancer.Clinical RelevanceThe results can be used as evidence for promoting the notion that diet interventions for patients with colorectal cancer focus on the patient–family dyad, which support overall quality of care in oncology care hospitals.