Recommender systems for groups are becoming increasingly popular since many information needs originate from group and social activities, such as listening to music, watching movies, traveling, etc. There has been substantial progress on systems which recommend items to groups of users. However, many challenges remain. The goal of this tutorial is to introduce group recommendation and group modeling to the UMAP audience. First we will introduce the problem of making recommendations to groups and adapting to groups, and give an overview of the state-of-the art approaches to group recommendation. Next, we will also analyze more challenging topics, such as including different behavioral aspects into group modeling, and evaluation of group recommendations. Throughout, hands-on activities will be included. The tutorial will conclude with a summary of challenges and open issues.

In this paper we present the results of a user study focusing on social relationships within small groups. The goal is to better understand how to incorporate the information about social relationships in group recommendation models. Our analysis, conducted on a data set of 150 participants in 41 groups deciding on a travel destination to visit together, brings out some intriguing outcomes. We demonstrate that social centrality is hardly an indicator of the social influence in the decision-making process of "equality matching" types of groups. However, socially central group members and socially close groups are significantly happier with group decisions than those who are loosely related. Moreover, in this paper we show that social relationships are indicators of other concepts relevant in group settings, therefore in group recommender systems as well.

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) has been recently shown to be co-present with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) in human cervical cancer; thus, these oncoviruses play an important role in the initiation and/or progression of this cancer. Accordingly, our group has recently viewed the presence and genotyping distribution of high-risk HPVs in cervical cancer in Syrian women; our data pointed out that HPVs are present in 42/44 samples (95%). Herein, we aim to explore the co-prevalence of EBV and high-risk HPVs in 44 cervical cancer tissues from Syrian women using polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and tissue microarray analyses. We found that EBV and high-risk HPVs are co-present in 15/44 (34%) of the samples. However, none of the samples was exclusively EBV-positive. Additionally, we report that the co-expression of LMP1 and E6 genes of EBV and high-risk HPVs, respectively, is associated with poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinomas phenotype; this is accompanied by a strong and diffuse overexpression of Id-1 (93% positivity), which is an important regulator of cell invasion and metastasis. These data imply that EBV and HPVs are co-present in cervical cancer samples in the Middle East area including Syria and their co-presence is associated with a more aggressive cancer phenotype. Future investigations are needed to elucidate the exact role of EBV and HPVs cooperation in cervical carcinogenesis.

Discoidin domain receptors DDR1 and DDR2 are the only receptor tyrosine kinases that bind to and signal in response to collagen. In cancer, DDRs have been shown to play a key role in mediating the crosstalk between tumor cells and the stromal collagen matrix. Because prostate cancer (PCa) preferentially metastasizes to bone, a collagen-rich microenvironment, we set out to investigate the role of DDR1 in intraosseous growth of PC3 cells, a human PCa cell line that expresses DDR1 but not DDR2. PC3 cells were engineered to express short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) against DDR1, or a scrambled shRNA as a control. These cells were inoculated into the tibiae of male SCID mice, and then bone response and intraosseous tumor growth evaluated by X-ray and histomorphometry. Whereas no differences were observed in bone response (osteolytic lesions), downregulation of DDR1 in PC3 cells was associated with a significant increase in intraosseous tumor growth when compared to control PC3 cells (P Citation Format: R. Daniel Bonfil, Anjum Sohail, Semir Vranic, Daniel S. Oliveira, Dongping Shi, Wei Chen, Hyejeong Jang, Allen D. Saliganan, Benjamin D. Wasinski, Hyeong-Reh C. Kim, Rafael A. Fridman. Discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1): A potential suppressor of prostate cancer progression [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1070.

Multiple myeloma (MM), the second most common hematologic malignancy, is characterized by the clonal expansion of plasma cells. Despite dramatic improvements in patients′ survival over the past decade due to advances in therapy exploiting novel molecular targets (immunomodulatory drugs, proteasome inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies), the treatment of relapsed and refractory disease remains challenging. Recent studies confirmed complex, dynamic, and heterogeneous genomic alterations without unifying gene mutations in MM patients. In the current review, we survey recent therapeutic strategies, as well as molecular profiling data on MM, with emphasis on relapsed and refractory cases. A critical appraisal of novel findings and of their potential therapeutic implications will be discussed in detail, along with the author’s own experiences/views.

Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA) has resulted in asymmetric decentralization in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) in all aspects: political, administrative and fiscal. Decentralization driven by non-economic reasons is rather usual concept, and often the main reasons are political, ethnical or overall country stability. Decentralization model implemented in BiH became huge obstacle not only in reaching efficiency in provision of public services, but also to further economic development. While the purpose of DPA was to stop armed conflict, and while valuable back in time, there is no excuse to keep these solutions for more than 20 years. This paper aims to provide deep insight into experience of selected comparative countries where non-economic reasons initiated decentralization. In addition, it aims to identify patterns and features of administrative, fiscal and political arrangements that perform better in the environment similar to BiH. Analysis of the experience in developed countries identified different models in organizing ethnically divided societies and establishing different forms of cooperation between sub-national government units to increase efficiency. Transitional countries experience shows mixed results in terms of positive effects of decentralization on overall efficiency and citizens' well-being, but there is valuable experience and number of features, which may improve municipal efficiency in BiH as well. Having in mind very limited literature focused on specific BiH context as well as the need to improve efficiency at local community level, this paper takes an important first step in this direction by providing a systematic review of decentralization design in countries that had similar challenges as BiH. The focus of comparative analysis is on the administrative decentralization (territorial organization and responsibility designation), political decentralization (addressing democratic principles) and fiscal independency. Paper has identified certain mechanisms that do not require any or require minor changes in core legislation introduced by DPA. These primarily include activation of cooperation mechanisms already allowed by law as well as improving system of revenue and grant allocation. Democratization still did not reached proper level as mechanisms introduced by DPA do not address rights of minorities, and this has to be changed. Improving municipal efficiency in BiH by applying experience of developed and transitional countries therefore may range from better cooperation according to the existing laws, to substantive changes of legislation.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a non-scarring inflammatory disease of the hair follicle. Although it usually presents as asymptomatic localized hair loss, it is a disese of very broad spectrum. Alopecia universalis (AU) is an uncommon form of AA that involves the loss of all haed and body hair and is estimated to account approximately 5% of all alopecia cases [1]. The cause of disease is unknown, although there is evidence to suggest that the link between lymphocytic infiltration of the follicle and the disruption of the hair follicle cycle in AA may be provided by a combination of factors, including cytokine release, cytotoxic T-cell activity, and apoptosis [2,3]. It is also considered that a disequilibrium in the production of cytokines, with a relative excess of proinflammatory and Th1 types, vs. anti-inflammatory cytokines may be involved in the persistence of AA lesions, as shown in human scalp biopsies [4]. The immune response presented in AU is associated with aberrant lesional expression of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-1β, and overexpression of ICAM-1 and MHC molecules on hair follicle keratinocytes and dermal papilla cells [5].

This paper presents a large-scale simulator study on driver adherence to recommendationsgiven by driver support systems, specifically eco-driving support and navigation support.123 participants too ...

Secondary prevention of ischemic stroke: overview of updated guidelines Abstract. It is widely stated that stroke is one of the most common diseases and the leading cause of severe disability in adults. Secondary stroke prevention is based on drug treatment, risk factor control as well as interventional procedures such as carotid artery revascularization or percutaneous device closure of a patent foramen ovale in cryptogenic stroke patients younger than 60 years.

This paper presents an experimental procedure for the identification of parameters of an octorotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), as well as the obtained model validation via control. The octorotor UAV is a highly nonlinear, multivariable and strongly coupled system. The mathematical model of used UAV includes rigid body dynamics, the Gyroscopic effect and motor dynamics. In order to estimate eleven unknown parameters, the experiments are specially prepared and conducted on the custom made apparatus. Therefore, on basis of obtained measurements, some modifications of the octorotor model are made.

Dominance hierarchies of social animal groups are influenced by complex factors such as stress. Stress experienced by an animal prior to social interactions with a conspecific may be a determinant of their future social dynamics. Additionally, long-term occupancy of a specific hierarchical rank can have psychophysiological effects, leading to vulnerability to future stress. The current study aimed to delineate differential effects of stress acting before or after hierarchy formation. Using the chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) paradigm we performed behavioural investigations to determine whether exposure to CSDS before hierarchy formation predicted the new dominance status. Moreover, in another study we investigated whether social rank predicted stress vulnerability. We found that CSDS did not impede the establishment of dominance in new hierarchies as both stress-susceptible (socially avoidant) and –resilient (social) mice were able to attain dominant ranks. In contrast, within newly established hierarchies of stress-naïve mice, the subordinate, but not dominant, mice exhibit significantly greater avoidance of novel social targets. However, following exposure to CSDS, both lowest- and highest-ranked mice exhibit strong susceptibility to stress as measured by decreased interactions with a novel social target. These results suggest that the response to chronic social stress did not determine social rank in new cohorts, but low-status mice in newly established groups exhibited lower sociability to novel social targets. Interestingly, exposure of a hierarchical social group to chronic social stress led to stress-susceptibility in both high- and low-status mice as measured by social interaction. Highlights Stress susceptibility to chronic social defeat did not impede the establishment of dominance in new hierarchies. Subordinate mice exhibit reduced social preference after hierarchy formation. Following chronic social defeat stress, both subordinate and dominant mice exhibit susceptible-like reduction in social interaction, but dominant mice exhibit the greater decrease in social preference as compared to baseline.

Abstract This study was designed to evaluate the effects of slaughter age (40 vs. 60 days) on slaughter performance, carcass and meat quality, and fatty acid composition of intramuscular and subcutaneous fat of Bergamasca lambs reared according to the traditional transhumant system in central Italy. Lambs slaughtered at 60 days of age had higher carcass weight (12.44 vs. 10.36 kg), lower dressing percentage (47.68% vs. 52.16%), and higher proportion of non-carcass components and leg commercial cut (37.82% vs. 35.49%). Furthermore, after 3 and 6 days of storage, the meat of older lambs showed lower drip loss (3.69% vs. 6.16%; 5.73% vs. 9.36%, respectively). Slaughter age did not influence meat pH, cooking loss, or chemical composition while older lambs had meat with higher a* (19.43 vs. 18.91). The fatty acid composition of intramuscular fat was not affected by slaughter age, except for C:13 and C:14 fatty acids, which were higher in older lambs. Subcutaneous fat of lambs slaughtered at 40 days of age showed a better fatty acid profile, as lower saturated fatty acids (52.46% vs. 55.68%) and higher mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids (34.06% vs. 30.16%, 6.46% vs. 5.79%, respectively), and n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, subcutaneous fat of lambs slaughtered at 40 days of age had better polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio (0.12 vs. 0.11) and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio (1.42 vs. 1.03), and lower atherogenic index (1.32 vs. 1.82) and thrombogenic index (1.98 vs. 2.35). For light lamb production using the traditional rearing systems, slightly heavier lambs can be produced without worsening chemical composition and cooking loss and fatty acid composition of the longissimus lomborum muscle. However, lambs slaughtered at 60 days of age had lower dressing percentages and higher SFA amount of the subcutaneous fat than lambs slaughtered at 40 days.