Shizuku2.0: Cooperative reading support system / Mao Tsunekawa, Haruki Ono, Kyoji Konishi... [et.al].

The paper aims to propose cooperative reading, which is a reading support technique that allows library users to help each other. To achieve cooperative reading, it is necessary for a user to discover others with similar interests. Therefore, this paper also aims to develop and evaluate a recommendation function that recommends similar users using Nippon Decimal Classification (NDC) Tree Profiling. Is the user recommendation using NDC Tree Profiling effective in finding similar users? Which parameter of NDC Tree Profiling method is the most effective expression of users‘ interests? We developed the Shizuku2.0 system to support the creation of a library user community in which users help each other efficiently and mutually. We also designed and developed NDC Tree Profiling, which enables the creation of library user profiles, for the purposes of the user recommendation mechanism. To verify the effect of the user recommendation mechanism, we performed an experiment with 37 student users to calculate recall and precision. We found that the recommendation using NDC Tree Profiling is more effective than a random recommendation. However, we also recognized that there is room for improvement relative to a past information recommendation technique. Moreover, we found the second level of the NDC code could be the most effective expression of users‘ interests. In the discussion of the optimization of parameters, we propose a new way of implementing the NDC Tree, based on the second division of NDC, which is expected to improve creation of user profiles

Genetic population structure of the precious coral Corallium japonicum in the Northwest Pacific

Population sizes of the Japanese red coral Corallium japonicum have been severely affected by poaching and overfishing. Although genetic structure and connectivity patterns are considered important parameters for conservation strategies, there are few studies focusing on the population genetics of C. japonicum in the Northwest Pacific. We examined the genetic population structure of C. japonicum, in the Northwest Pacific. We used restriction-site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq), which can be used to identify genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs), to reveal detailed within-species genetic variations. Using the variable SNP loci identified from this analysis, we successfully evaluated the population-level genetic diversity and patterns of gene flow among multiple populations of C. japonicum around Japan. The results of genetic analysis basically showed that gene flow is widely maintained in the geographic range examined in this study, but the analysis in combination with larval dispersal simulations revealed several populations that were genetically distinct from the other populations, suggesting geographically limited gene flows. The information obtained from this study will be useful for the design of effective management schemes for C. japonicum, which is under threat from overfishing

Disturbance of cerebellar synaptic maturation in mutant mice lacking BSRPs, a novel brain-specific receptor-like protein family

AbstractBy DNA cloning, we have identified the BSRP (brain-specific receptor-like proteins) family of three members in mammalian genomes. BSRPs were predominantly expressed in the soma and dendrites of neurons and localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Expression levels of BSRPs seemed to fluctuate greatly during postnatal cerebellar maturation. Triple-knockout mice lacking BSRP members exhibited motor discoordination, and Purkinje cells (PCs) were often innervated by multiple climbing fibers with different neuronal origins in the mutant cerebellum. Moreover, the phosphorylation levels of protein kinase Cα (PKCα) were significantly downregulated in the mutant cerebellum. Because cerebellar maturation and plasticity require metabotropic glutamate receptor signaling and resulting PKC activation, BSRPs are likely involved in ER functions supporting PKCα activation in PCs

Analysis of Digital Libraries Utilization based on Access Log

電子図書館サービスは様々な情報資源や情報探索支援ツールを提供する図書館サービスの一つである。筑波大学附属図書館でも様々な情報探索支援サービスを提供している。なかでも、複数の情報資源を横断的に検索できるMetaLibと書誌事項から論文本体にリンクを生成するSFXは、情報探索の効率を上げるサービスとして期待されている。そこで本研究ではSFXのアクセスログを分析し、MetaLib/SFXの利用実態を明らかにするとともに、電子図書館利用の傾向について考察した。また、電子図書館の利用方法を説明したチュートリアルを作成し、利用促進を図った。その結果、MetaLib/SFXの利用数は緩やかな増加傾向にあること、チュートリアルによって新たな利用者を得ることはできなかったが、電子図書館を既に利用している利用者に対しては、より効果的なサービスに案内する効果があることがわかった

Genetic associations at 53 loci highlight cell types and biological pathways relevant for kidney function.

Reduced glomerular filtration rate defines chronic kidney disease and is associated with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. We conducted a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), combining data across 133,413 individuals with replication in up to 42,166 individuals. We identify 24 new and confirm 29 previously identified loci. Of these 53 loci, 19 associate with eGFR among individuals with diabetes. Using bioinformatics, we show that identified genes at eGFR loci are enriched for expression in kidney tissues and in pathways relevant for kidney development and transmembrane transporter activity, kidney structure, and regulation of glucose metabolism. Chromatin state mapping and DNase I hypersensitivity analyses across adult tissues demonstrate preferential mapping of associated variants to regulatory regions in kidney but not extra-renal tissues. These findings suggest that genetic determinants of eGFR are mediated largely through direct effects within the kidney and highlight important cell types and biological pathways

Sustained Improvements in Antimicrobial Therapy and Clinical Outcomes following a Pharmacist-Led Antimicrobial Stewardship Intervention: Uncontrolled Before–After Study

Our antimicrobial pharmacist-led intervention included: (a) a structured review of antibiotic prescriptions; (b) educating prescribers on antimicrobial therapy; (c) monthly reporting of department-level rates of blood sampling for culture. Daily review began in May 2018 and was discontinued after 10 months; however, the other interventions were conducted throughout the study period. This study aimed to evaluate the sustained impact of pharmacist’s interventions on antimicrobial therapy and clinical outcomes between the baseline (May–December 2017), intervention (May–December 2018), and post-intervention (May–December 2019) periods. The rate of blood culture collections before starting antipseudomonal agent therapy was significantly increased from the baseline to post-intervention periods (71% vs. 85%, p < 0.001). Antipseudomonal agent therapy was more frequently de-escalated in the post-intervention period than in the baseline period (73% vs. 54%, p = 0.038). Total use of antipseudomonal agents was reduced from the baseline to intervention periods and persisted during the post-intervention period (50.5 vs. 41.8 and 42.6 DDD per 1000 patient-days, p = 0.016 and p = 0.022, respectively). During the study period, there were significant reductions in the incidence of hospital-acquired Clostridioides difficile infection (1.12, 0.54, and 0.51 per 10,000 patient-days, respectively, p = 0.031) and 30-day mortality with bacteremia (19%, 18%, and 12%, respectively, p = 0.005). Our pharmacist-led interventions sustainably achieved appropriate antimicrobial therapy and improved clinical outcomes

A prototype system of sustainable community memory archive for public libraries

Background. Recently, universities and broadcasting stations have been constructing large-scale digital archives of prominent events such as the World Wars and natural disasters using advanced technologies, including virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), and natural language processing (NLP). However, what has been neglected is a digital archive of community memory related to everyday life in local areas. Public libraries can play a significant role in the preservation of digital community memory, just as conventional archives.Published versionThis work was in part supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP18H03491