bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unconventional anomalous Hall effect driven by oxygen-octahedra-tailoring of the SrRuO3 structure
Authors: Ziese M , Jin L , Lindfors-Vrejoiu I 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
The anomalous Hall effect of SrRuO3 is of special interest, since Weyl nodes appear in the band structure and lead to an unconventional temperature dependence of the anomalous Hall constant. Moreover, it has been proposed that coupling of SrRuO3 films to materials with strong spin–orbit coupling or with ferroelectric or ferromagnetic order might lead to the formation of skyrmions and a topological contribution to the Hall effect. This latter conjecture is strongly debated. We probed this proposal by interfacing thin SrRuO3 layers to Pr0.7Ca0.3MnO3, since it is known that the strong antiferromagnetic coupling between these two ferromagnets leads to complex magnetization states. Superlattices with sharp interfaces were grown by pulsed-laser deposition. The epitaxial interfacing with the Pr0.7Ca0.3MnO3 layers led to major modifications of the structural symmetry of the SrRuO3 layers. High resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy revealed that the individual SrRuO3 layers of the superlattices had heterogeneous structure with varying oxygen octahedral tilt angles across the layers, turning their structure to be tetragonal-like, with largely suppressed octahedral tilts when the thickness of the neighboring Pr0.7Ca0.3MnO3 layers was increased. These structural modifications were accompanied by major changes in the field dependence of the Hall signal with the mainly tetragonal SrRuO3 layers showing features strongly reminiscent of a topological Hall effect. However, since there was an intimate link between Hall effect and structure, the Hall data were interpreted as arising from a superposition of Hall effect contributions from tetragonal and orthorhombic SrRuO3 sub-layers.
Incentives and the Diffusion of Agricultural Knowledge: Experimental Evidence from Northern Uganda
Authors: Shikuku Kelvin Mashisia , Pieters Janneke , Bulte Erwin , Läderach Peter 
Published: April 2019

AbstractWe present results of a randomized evaluation that assesses the effects of different incentives for diffusion of agricultural knowledge by smallholders in northern Uganda. Randomly‐selected disseminating farmers (DFs) from a large sample of villages are assigned to one of three experimental arms: (a) training about climate smart agriculture, (b) training plus a material reward for knowledge diffusion, and (c) training plus a reputational gain for knowledge diffusion. We find that leveraging somebody's reputation (or social recognition) has a positive impact on DFs' experimentation and diffusion effort. This impact is stronger than that measured in the private material rewards treatment.
Insulin Resistance and Renal Sodium Handling Influence Arterial Stiffness in Hypertensive Patients with Prevailing Sodium Intake
Authors: Cwynar Marcin , Gąsowski Jerzy , Gryglewska Barbara , Głuszewska Anna , Kwater Aleksander , Królczyk Jarosław , Fołta Maria , Bartoń Henryk , Grodzicki Tomasz 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Insulin resistance and renal tubular sodium handling influence arterial structure and function and play an essential role in salt-sensitive forms of hypertension.

METHODS
In a population with prevailing sodium consumption, we assessed the relationship between cardiovascular phenotypes (peripheral and central blood pressures, elastic properties of large arteries, the left ventricular structure) and sodium handling parameters (daily urinary sodium excretion, fractional urinary lithium excretion in proximal—FELi and distal tubules), as a function of insulin sensitivity—measured by homeostasis model assessment–insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), leptin-to-adiponectin (L/A) ratio, and homeostasis model assessment–adiponectin (HOMA-AD).

RESULTS
In patients with FELi below the median value (corresponding to the group with increased proximal sodium reabsorption) and higher insulin resistance as measured by HOMA-IR, pulse wave augmentation indexes were significantly higher—AIxP (99.4% vs. 86.2%; P = 0.007), AIxC1 (159.4% vs. 144.2%; P = 0.04), and AIxC2 (36.1% vs. 28.3%; P = 0.02), than in patients with lower insulin resistance. The same trend was observed in relation to L/A ratio—AIxP (98.7% vs. 87.1%; P = 0.005), AIxC1 (158.6% vs. 144.5%; P = 0.02), and AIxC2 (35.6% vs. 28.5%; P = 0.01) and HOMA-AD—AIxP (99.7% vs. 83.8%; P = 0.001), AIxC1 (160.5% vs. 140.3%; P = 0.007), and AIxC2 (36.6% vs. 26.3%; P = 0.003). Such relationships were not observed in patients with FELi above the median value.

CONCLUSIONS
In the hypertensive population with prevailing sodium intake, insulin resistance and increased sodium reabsorption in proximal tubules may affect arterial wall function.
Lung Ultrasound-Guided Dry-Weight Reduction in Hemodialysis Patients Does Not Affect Short-Term Blood Pressure Variability
Authors: Loutradis Charalampos , Sarafidis Pantelis A , Theodorakopoulou Marieta , Ekart Robert , Alexandrou Maria Eleni , Pyrgidis Nikolaos , Angeloudi Elena , Tzanis Georgios , Toumpourleka Maria , Papadopoulou Dorothea , Mallamaci Francesca , Zoccali Carmine , Papagianni Aikaterini 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Background
Increased short-term blood pressure (BP) variability (BPV) in hemodialysis is associated with increased cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Studies on the impact of BP-lowering interventions on BPV are scarce. This study examined the effect of dry-weight reduction with a lung ultrasound-guided strategy on short-term BPV in hemodialysis patients with hypertension.

Methods
This is a prespecified analysis of a randomized clinical trial in 71 hemodialysis patients with hypertension, assigned in a 1:1 ratio in the active group, following a strategy for dry-weight reduction guided by pre-hemodialysis lung ultrasound and the control group following standard-of-care treatment. All patients underwent 48-hour ambulatory BP monitoring at baseline and after 8 weeks. BPV was calculated with validated formulas for the 48-hour interval and the 2 daytime and nighttime periods.

Results
Dry-weight changes were –0.71 ± 1.39 in active vs. +0.51 ± 0.98 kg in the control group (P &lt; 0.001), generating a between-group difference of 5.9/3.5 mm Hg (P &lt; 0.05) in 48-hour BP at study end. All brachial BPV indices [SD, weighted SD, coefficient of variation, and average real variability (ARV)] did not change significantly from baseline to study end in the active [systolic blood pressure (SBP)-ARV: 12.58 ± 3.37 vs. 11.91 ± 3.13, P = 0.117; diastolic blood pressure (DBP)-ARV: 9.14 ± 1.47 vs. 8.80 ± 1.96, P = 0.190] or control (SBP-ARV: 11.33 ± 2.76 vs. 11.07 ± 2.51, P = 0.544; DBP-ARV: 8.38 ± 1.50 vs. 8.15 ± 1.49, P = 0.295) group (between-group comparison P = 0.211/0.117). Aortic BPV indices followed a similar pattern. Likewise, no significant changes in BPV indices for the daytime and nighttime periods were noted in both groups during follow-up.

Conclusions
This study is the first to evaluate the effects of a nonpharmacological intervention on short-term BPV in hemodialysis, showing no effect of dry-weight reduction on BPV, despite BP decrease.
Shadow banking and the financial side of financialisation
Authors: Caverzasi Eugenio , Botta Alberto , Capelli Clara 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThis paper sheds some light on the nature and functioning of shadow banking, with a special focus on its role in the evolution of financialisation as well as in sharpening income and wealth inequality. On the one hand, it discusses how securitisation has allowed traditional banks to expand their business, providing the financial system with the ‘raw materials’ for the manufacturing of complex structured financial products. On the other hand, it questions the view of traditional and shadow banks as two parallel and alternative systems, claiming that financialisation did not alter the role of commercial banks as money creators, but rather diverted endogenously created money to the financial sphere, feeding its expansion. Finally, our work discusses some policy options for the de-financialisation of the economy through more progressive taxation of the financial sector, as well as a stronger engagement to reduce income and wealth inequality.
Understanding and Measuring User Experience in Conversational Interfaces
Authors: Kocaballi Ahmet Baki , Laranjo Liliana , Coiera Enrico 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAlthough various methods have been developed to evaluate conversational interfaces, there has been a lack of methods specifically focusing on evaluating user experience. This paper reviews the understandings of user experience (UX) in conversational interfaces literature and examines the six questionnaires commonly used for evaluating conversational systems in order to assess the potential suitability of these questionnaires to measure different UX dimensions in that context. The method to examine the questionnaires involved developing an assessment framework for main UX dimensions with relevant attributes and coding the items in the questionnaires according to the framework. The results show that (i) the understandings of UX notably differed in literature; (ii) four questionnaires included assessment items, in varying extents, to measure hedonic, aesthetic and pragmatic dimensions of UX; (iii) while the dimension of affect was covered by two questionnaires, playfulness, motivation, and frustration dimensions were covered by one questionnaire only. The largest coverage of UX dimensions has been provided by the Subjective Assessment of Speech System Interfaces (SASSI). We recommend using multiple questionnaires to obtain a more complete measurement of user experience or improve the assessment of a particular UX dimension.RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTSVarying understandings of UX in conversational interfaces literature. A UX assessment framework with UX dimensions and their relevant attributes. Descriptions of the six main questionnaires for evaluating conversational interfaces. A comparison of the six questionnaires based on their coverage of UX dimensions.
Urinary Excretion Profile of 11-Nor-9-Carboxy-Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THCCOOH) Following Smoked and Vaporized Cannabis Administration in Infrequent Cannabis Users
Authors: Spindle Tory R , Cone Edward J , Schlienz Nicolas J , Mitchell John M , Bigelow George E , Flegel Ronald , Hayes Eugene , Vandrey Ryan 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
As cannabis has become more accessible, use of alternative methods for cannabis administration such as vaporizers has become more prevalent. Most prior controlled pharmacokinetic evaluations have examined smoked cannabis in frequent (often daily) cannabis users. This study characterized the urinary excretion profile of 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THCCOOH), the primary analytical outcome for detection of cannabis use, among infrequent cannabis users following controlled administration of both smoked and vaporized cannabis. Healthy adults (N = 17), with a mean of 398 (range 30–1,825) days since last cannabis use, smoked and vaporized cannabis containing 0, 10, and 25 mg of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) across six outpatient sessions. Urinary concentrations of THCCOOH were measured at baseline and for 8 h after cannabis administration. Sensitivity, specificity, and agreement between three immunoassays (IA) for THCCOOH (with cutoffs of 20, 50, and 100 ng/mL) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) results (confirmatory concentration of 15 ng/mL) were assessed. THCCOOH concentrations peaked 4–6 h after cannabis administration. Median maximum concentrations (Cmax) for THCCOOH were qualitatively higher after administration of vaporized cannabis compared to equal doses of smoked cannabis. Urine THCCOOH concentrations were substantially lower in this study relative to prior examinations of experienced cannabis users. The highest agreement between IA and GC/MS was observed at the 50 ng/mL IA cutoff while sensitivity and specificity were highest at the 20 and 100 ng/mL IA cutoffs, respectively. Using federal workplace drug-testing criteria (IA cutoff of 50 ng/mL and GC/MS concentration ≥15 ng/mL) urine specimens tested positive in 47% of vaporized sessions and 21% of smoked sessions with active THC doses (N = 68). Urinary concentrations of THCCOOH are dissimilar after administration of smoked and vaporized cannabis, with qualitatively higher concentrations observed after vaporization. Infrequent users of cannabis may excrete relatively low concentrations of THCCOOH following acute inhalation of smoked or vaporized cannabis.
Burrow use by juvenile platypuses (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) in their natal home range
Authors: Thomas Jessica L , Parrott Marissa L , Handasyde Kathrine A , Temple-Smith Peter 
Published: April 2019

AbstractWe determined patterns of burrow use by juvenile platypuses (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) in their natal home range, and evaluated associations between burrows and vegetation. Between March 2015 and March 2017, we captured seven juvenile platypuses along a 3-km stretch of Badger Creek, Victoria and fitted them with radiotransmitters. We recorded the locations of animals in their burrows daily while transmitters were attached (range: 14–132 days). Juveniles used 74 different burrows, with each using 11 ± 2 burrows. Overall, 65% of burrows (48) were used once, 22% (16) were used between 2 and 9 times (moderate-use), and 13% (10) were used frequently (> 10 times). No juveniles dispersed during the monitoring period (14–132 days). Although some association was observed between burrow use and particular vegetation communities, vegetation was not a strong factor driving site selection of burrows. Use of multiple burrows may allow juveniles to avoid competition with conspecifics, reduce exposure to ectoparasites, and develop shelter-seeking behavior. Juvenile platypuses remained in their natal home range, where conditions are likely to be good because they supported recent breeding, while completing their growth and development prior to dispersal.
Determination of Epstein-Barr Virus–Infected Lymphocyte Cell Types in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells as a Valuable Diagnostic Tool in Hematological Diseases
Authors: Zhang Peiling , Zeng Chen , Cheng Jiali , Zhou Jing , Gu Jia , Mao Xia , Zhang Wei , Cao Yang , Luo Hui , Xu Bin , Li Qinlu , Xiao Min , Zhou Jianfeng 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Background
High loads of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) can be indicative of a broad spectrum of diseases, ranging from asymptomatic infection to fatal cancers.

Methods
We retrospectively investigated the EBV-infected cell types in PBMCs among 291 patients. Based on EBV-infected cell types, the clinical features and prognoses of 93 patients with EBV-associated (EBV+) T/natural killer (NK)–cell lymphoproliferative diseases (LPDs) T/NK-LPDs) were investigated over a 5-year period.

Results
Although B-cell-type infection was found in immunocompromised patients and patients with asymptomatic high EBV carriage, infectious mononucleosis, EBV+ B-cell LPDs and B-cell lymphomas, T-cell, NK-cell or multiple-cell-type infection in immunocompetent hosts were highly suggestive of EBV+ T/NK-LPDs, EBV+ T/NK-cell lymphomas, and aggressive NK-cell leukemia. Patients with non–B-cell infection had a poorer prognosis than those with B-cell-type infection. In our cohort, 79.6% of patients with EBV+ T/NK-LPDs were &gt;18 years old, and NK cells were identified as EBV-infected cell type in 54.8%. Nearly half of patients with EBV+ T/NK-LPDs had genetic defects associated with immunodeficiency. However, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, and not genetic defects, was the only parameter correlated with poor prognosis of EBV+ T/NK-LPDs.

Conclusions
Determination of EBV-infected cell types among PBMCs is a valuable tool for the differential diagnosis of EBV+ hematological diseases.
In this study, determination of Epstein-Barr virus-infected cell types in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 291 patients with high Epstein-Barr virus loads were retrospectively investigated, which indicate it is a valuable tool for Epstein-Barr virus-associated hematological diseases.
Using the Shapes of Clinical Data Trajectories to Predict Mortality in ICUs
Authors: Ma Junchao , Lee Donald K. K. , Perkins Michael E. , Pisani Margaret A. , Pinker Edieal 
Published: April 2019

Objectives:
1) To show how to exploit the information contained in the trajectories of time-varying patient clinical data for dynamic predictions of mortality in the ICU; and 2) to demonstrate the additional predictive value that can be achieved by incorporating this trajectory information.

Design:
Observational, retrospective study of patient medical records for training and testing of statistical learning models using different sets of predictor variables.

Setting:
Medical ICU at the Yale-New Haven Hospital.

Subjects:
Electronic health records of 3,763 patients admitted to the medical ICU between January 2013 and January 2015.

Interventions:
None.

Measurements and Main Results:
Six-hour mortality predictions for ICU patients were generated and updated every 6 hours by applying the random forest classifier to patient time series data from the prior 24 hours. The time series were processed in different ways to create two main models: 1) manual extraction of the summary statistics used in the literature (min/max/median/first/last/number of measurements) and 2) automated extraction of trajectory features using machine learning. Out-of-sample area under the receiver operating characteristics curve and area under the precision-recall curve (“precision” refers to positive predictive value and “recall” to sensitivity) were used to evaluate the predictive performance of the two models. For 6-hour prediction and updating, the second model achieved area under the receiver operating characteristics curve and area under the precision-recall curve of 0.905 (95% CI, 0.900–0.910) and 0.381 (95% CI, 0.368–0.394), respectively, which are statistically significantly higher than those achieved by the first model, with area under the receiver operating characteristics curve and area under the precision-recall curve of 0.896 (95% CI, 0.892–0.900) and 0.905 (95% CI, 0.353–0.379). The superiority of the second model held true for 12-hour prediction/updating as well as for 24-hour prediction/updating.

Conclusions:
We show that statistical learning techniques can be used to automatically extract all relevant shape features for use in predictive modeling. The approach requires no additional data and can potentially be used to improve any risk model that uses some form of trajectory information. In this single-center study, the shapes of the clinical data trajectories convey information about ICU mortality risk beyond what is already captured by the summary statistics currently used in the literature.
Dermatological Implications of Galectin-3 in Circulation: An Evaluation From the Perspective of Patients With Differential Manifestations of Post–Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis
Authors: Datta Souvik , Ghosh Manab , Dewan Koushik , Banerjee Nilotpal , Saha Bibhuti , Mukhopadhyay Sumi 
Published: April 2019

Abstract:
Galectin-3, a β-galactoside–binding lectin, has been implicated in vast repertoire of inflammatory and immunomodulatory processes including skin diseases. However, galectin-3 has not been comprehensively studied in infectious diseases. This study emphasizes on fascinating aspects of galectin-3 expression in dermal infection by studying post–kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL), an intracellular infection caused by Leishmania donovani. Indian PKDL is a well-recognized parasitic dermatosis, with a high risk of anthroponotic transmission of L. donovani in causing leishmaniasis. This study aims to investigate the levels of galectin-3 and galectin-3–binding site expression in circulation of different forms of Indian patients with PKDL. Thirty-seven confirmed untreated PKDL patients, comprising 20 polymorphic and 17 macular PKDL manifestations, were evaluated for the levels of sera galectin-3 with respect to 28 age- and sex-matched healthy controls from endemic areas. Result shows a significant increment (P < 0.001) in circulatory galectin-3 levels in PKDL variants as compared to healthy controls. In addition, there were heightened levels of galectin-3 and galectin-3–binding sites on cellular infiltrates on lesional sites. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between frequencies of mononuclear cells and galectin-3 during microcirculation in lesions. Data were well corroborated with positive correlation of IL-10 and IFN-γ with sera galectin-3 levels. Moreover, flow cytometry demonstrated the enhanced expression levels of the galectin-3–binding site in circulation in patients with PKDL as compared to healthy controls. Taken together, elevated levels of galectin-3 reflect its involvement in PKDL pathogenesis.
Microbial Keratitis in Stevens–Johnson Syndrome: A Prospective Study
Authors: Sharma Namrata , Venugopal Renu , Singhal Deepali , Maharana Prafulla Kumar , Sangwan Sushil , Satpathy Gita 
Published: April 2019

Purpose:
To evaluate the microbiological profile and outcome in cases with infective keratitis in Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS).

Methods:
Eighty-three eyes of 68 patients with SJS presenting with microbial keratitis were recruited and managed with standard antimicrobial therapy.

Results:
Microbial keratitis developed in 34% of patients with SJS (83 eyes, 68 patients) over a period of 5 years. Four eyes (4.8%) had a history of concurrent topical steroid use at the onset of keratitis. Mean baseline best-corrected visual acuity was 1.8 ± 0.9 logMAR units. The site of corneal ulceration was central in 52 eyes (62.6%), paracentral in 17 eyes (20.5%), and peripheral in 14 eyes (16.8%). The mean ulcer area was 3.9 ± 2.7 mm2. Approximately 15 of 24 (62.5%) culture-positive eyes had bacterial infection, most of which (80%) were caused by Gram-positive bacteria. Polymicrobial infection was noted in 7 of 24 eyes (29.1%). Although 57 of 83 (68.6%) eyes healed with medical therapy, 26 of 83 (31.3%) eyes had corneal perforation and were managed with cyanoacrylate glue application (30.7%) or therapeutic keratoplasty (69.3%). Systemic infection as an inciting factor of SJS and an early presentation for keratitis were the major risk factors associated with corneal perforation. Large mean ulcer size, paracentral ulcers, and punctal involvement were associated with a good visual outcome.

Conclusions:
Infective keratitis in SJS is common, and unlike routine cases, surgical intervention is often required. However, the antibiotic sensitivity pattern suggests that resistance is not that high.