bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GPDs and Gravitational Form Factors of Nucleons (Quark and Gluon Contributions)
Authors: Selyugin O. V. , Teryaev O. V.
Published: September 2024

Taking into account the recent parameterizations of parton distribution functions (PDFs), the momentum transfer dependence of generalized parton distributions (GPDs) of nucleons is obtained in the limit $$\xi\to 0$$. The gravitational quark and gluon form factors of nucleons are calculated. It is shown that the gluon gravitational radius of the nucleon is comparable to the electromagnetic radius of the proton. The power dependence of form factors is investigated. As a result, it was obtained that the quark gravitational form factor is reproduced by the dipole form, while the form of the gluon gravitation form factor corresponds to the triple form.
About this title - The Miocene Extensional Pannonian Superbasin, Volume 2: Geoenergy Exploration
Authors: Tari G. C. , Kitchka A. , Krézsek C. , Lučić D. , Markič M. , Radivojević D. , Sachsenhofer R. F. , Šujan M.
Published: September 2024

The second Pannonian Super-Basin volume focuses on the geo-energy aspects in separate sections dedicated to geothermal energy, CCUS, hydrogen and natural gas storage and critical mineral exploration. The Pannonian Basin is the hottest sedimentary basin in mainland Europe, providing a useful template for geothermal exploration and utilization projects worldwide.
Geoenergy in the Styrian Basin
Authors: Schreilechner Marcellus G. , Goldbrunner Johann E. , Gold Marlies , Muhr David , Dax Florian , Sachsenhofer Reinhard F. , Ferstl Michael
Published: September 2024

The Styrian Basin (SB) is the westernmost basin within the Pannonian Basin Complex and is located in SE Austria, where the crustal thickness decreases from more than 40 km to less than 30 km. It can be divided into the West and East Styrian Basin. The pre-Neogene basement includes Penninic and crystalline rocks overlain by Paleozoic rocks. The age of the basin fill ranges from the early to late Miocene. Despite a long hydrocarbon exploration history, only a single sub-economic gas field has been discovered. The lack of commercial deposits is probably due to limited source-rock quality and an unfavourable heat-flow history. In contrast, a significant number of geothermal wells with a cumulative length of >54 km have been drilled in the East SB. The main geothermal reservoirs are fractured Paleozoic carbonates and Miocene (Badenian) sandstones. Geothermal gradients in the SB are typically above 4°C/100 m. The hottest geothermal well (Frutura GT1) produces water with a temperature of 125°C (bottom hole temperature 138°C) from a depth of ∼3.3 km. Utilization of geothermal energy in the SB includes balneology, district and greenhouse heating, production of medical salt, CO
2
and electricity.
The Vienna Basin: petroleum systems, storage and geothermal potential
Authors: Sachsenhofer Reinhard F. , Misch David , Rainer Thomas , Rupprecht Bernhard J. , Siedl Wolfgang
Published: September 2024

The Vienna Basin is located in the transition zone between the Alps and the Carpathians. Its tectonostratigraphic structure is complex, and includes from base to top crystalline basement, autochthonous Mesozoic sediments, Cenozoic foreland basin deposits, the Alpine nappe system and a thick Neogene basin fill. The Vienna Basin area hosts one of the major hydrocarbon provinces of Central Europe, but also a significant geothermal potential. The petroleum system is mainly based on the Upper Jurassic Mikulov source rock in the authochthonous succession, which became mature during nappe stacking and Neogene basin subsidence. Migration along faults and via basement highs filled oil and gas reservoirs in all tectonostratigraphic units. Despite a 100-year-long exploration history, new discoveries are still being made. Two geothermal systems are known in the Vienna Basin. One system is based on hot fluids ascending along the major faults in the southern part of the basin and has been used for balenological purposes since Roman times. The other is based on deeply buried, highly permeable carbonate rocks in the Alpine wedge (e.g. Hauptdolomite Formation) and clastic reservoirs in the Neogene basin fill. Current projects aim to supply the city of Vienna with geothermal heat from Lower Miocene fluvial conglomerates.
LSTGCN: Inductive Spatial Temporal Imputation Using Long Short-Term Dependencies
Authors: Huang Longji , Huang Jianbin , Li He , Cui Jiangtao
Published: September 2024

Spatial temporal forecasting of urban sensors is essentially important for many urban systems, such as intelligent transportation and smart cities. However, due to the problem of hardware failure or network failure, there are some missing values or missing monitoring sensors that need to be interpolated. Recent research on deep learning has made substantial progress on imputation problem, especially temporal aspect (i.e., time series imputation), while little attention has been paid to spatial aspect (both dynamic and static) and long-term temporal dependencies. In this article, we proposed a spatial temporal imputation model, named Long Short-Term Graph Convolution Networks (LSTGCN), which includes gated temporal extraction (GTE) module, multi-head attention-based temporal capture (MHAT) module, long-term periodic temporal encoding (LPTE) module, and bidirectional spatial graph convolution (BSGC) module. The GTE adopts a gated mechanism to filter short-term temporal information, while the MHAT utilizes position encoding to enhance the difference of each timestamps, then use multi-head attention to capture short-term temporal dependency. The BSGC is adopted to handle with spatial relationships between sensor nodes. And we design a periodic encoding technique to process long-term temporal dependencies. The BSGC handles spatial relationships between sensor nodes, and a periodic encoding technique is used to process long-term temporal dependencies. Our experimental analysis includes completion and forecasting tasks, as well as transfer and ablation analyses. The results show that our proposed model outperforms state-of-the-art baselines on real-world datasets.
Increased Serum Soluble (Pro)renin Receptor Levels in Patients with Sarcopenia
Authors: Morimoto Satoshi , Sasaki Haruki , Suda Chikahito , Ichihara Atsuhiro , Ura Nobuyuki
Published: September 2024

Purpose. Sarcopenia is an advancing and widespread skeletal muscle condition characterized by the depletion of skeletal muscle mass. The (pro)renin receptor ((P)RR) is a multifaceted protein with both pathophysiological and physiological functions. (P)RR is cleaved to generate soluble (P)RR, whose blood concentration may reflect the expression level of tissue (P)RR. We have discovered that the expression of (P)RR was elevated in the atrophied skeletal muscles of aged mice and humans. Methods. In this study, we examined the correlation between muscle atrophy and serum soluble (P)RR levels in bedridden patients with sarcopenia. Results. In total, 45 subjects were enrolled. Their ages were 81 (59–89) y.o., and serum soluble (P)RR levels were 30.5 ± 7.3 ng/ml. Lean body mass ratio (lean body mass/body weight), an index of muscle mass, was independently significantly and negatively correlated with serum soluble (P)RR concentrations in all patients. In addition, the lean body mass ratio was independently significantly and negatively correlated with serum soluble (P)RR concentrations in older patients (≥82 y.o.) but not in younger patients (<82 y.o.). Conclusion. These data suggested that patients with sarcopenia, especially in elderly patients, may be associated with increased (P)RR expression. The serum soluble (P)RR level could be a biomarker of sarcopenia although this issue should be investigated by future studies.
Undiagnosed Celiac Disease and Periodontal Bone Loss: A Cross‐Sectional Radiological Assessment from the HUNT Study
Authors: Stødle Ida Haukåen , Koldsland Odd Carsten , Lukina Polina , Andersen Ina L. , Mjønes Patricia , Rønne Elin , Høvik Hedda , Ness-Jensen Eivind , Verket Anders
Published: September 2024

Objective. The objective was to assess radiographic periodontal bone loss in a population with previously undiagnosed celiac disease, and to compare it to a reference group without celiac disease. Background. Periodontitis and celiac disease are chronic inflammatory diseases with possible similar features related to immune reactions and microbial dysbiosis. The relationship between these two diseases is not clear. Methods. Clinical variables, blood samples, and answers to questionnaires were collected from participants in the fourth Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT4). Celiac disease was determined based on transglutaminase 2 (TG2), immunoglobulin A (IgA), and G (IgG) in serum samples. Seropositive individuals were invited to endoscopic examination and tissue sampling. Radiographically assessed bone loss caused by periodontitis in two different levels of severity was applied as outcome, that is, ≥15% and >33% of root length. Bone loss was determined in panoramic images in participants that had attended radiographic examination in the HUNT4 Oral Health Study or in the HUNT4 Coeliac Disease Study. The association between previously undiagnosed celiac disease and radiographic bone loss was estimated by adjusted Poisson regression models. Results. Radiographic assessment was completed in 485 individuals with celiac disease determined by positive serology and in 4,727 individuals with negative serology (without celiac disease). Compared to nonceliacs, seropositive participants were less likely to present with ≥15% radiographic bone loss (prevalence ratio (PR) 0.89 (95% CI 0.84–0.96). A similar association was also observed after histopathological confirmation of celiac disease (PR 0.89 (95% CI 0.82–0.98). No association between undiagnosed celiac disease and periodontal bone loss was observed when analyses were limited to individuals with severe bone loss (>33%). Conclusion. In this study of previously undiagnosed celiac disease and periodontal bone loss, newly diagnosed celiac disease was associated with less likelihood of presenting with ≥15% radiographic bone loss compared to a nonceliac reference group.
Ivabradine and Milrinone—Bridge to Recovery in New HFrEF With Low‐Output Heart Failure
Authors: Racharla Lekha , Gitzel Lucas , Joseph Max , Guthier Desire , Hawwa Nael
Published: September 2024

In patients with newly diagnosed heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who are on a downward clinical trajectory, options are mostly limited to left ventricular assist device and transplantation. However, in those with factors favorable for reverse remodeling, every effort should be made to promote native myocardial recovery. We present three patients with newly diagnosed severe HFrEF, NYHA Class 3–4 symptoms, and low cardiac output with and without organ malperfusion. Ivabradine and/or home milrinone were used during their tenuous hemodynamic period as a bridge to optimize guideline‐directed medical therapy (GDMT), device therapy, and eventual reverse remodeling. Evidence of structural heart improvement continued far beyond 1 year.
The Z‐Tensor on Almost Co‐Kählerian Manifolds Admitting Riemann Soliton Structure
Authors: Yadav Sunil Kumar , Shenawy Sameh , Turki Nasser Bin , Prasad Rajendra
Published: September 2024

A Riemann soliton (RS) is a natural generalization of a Ricci soliton structure on pseudo‐Riemannian manifolds. This work aims at investigating almost co‐Kählerian manifolds (ACKM) 2n+1 whose metrics are Riemann solitons utilizing the properties of the ‐tensor. For instance, the consequences of recurrency of the ‐tensor on almost co‐Kählerian manifolds admitting a Riemann soliton structure are investigated. Finally, an appropriate example establishes the reality of an RS over three dimensions (ACKM) 2n+1.
Serum Level Alteration of IL‐6, IL‐1β, and IFN‐γ in Groups of Healthy Adults with Oxidative DNA Damage in Najaf Governorate
Authors: Saleh Dhuha S. , Hussain Hayder S. , Al-Haidari Hasan N. , Abbas Samia K. , Zgair Ayaid K. , Ali Seenaa M.
Published: September 2024

Background. Najaf governorate was recorded as one of the most polluted Iraqi governorates with increased cancer, autoimmune, and abortion cases. Study Groups. A total of 88 adult volunteers from three test groups were divided based on their inhabitance in different geographical regions in Najaf governorate. Group 1 (G1; n, 29) inhabitants of Al‐Ansar, Al‐Abbaseyeh, and Al‐Manathera districts, Group 2 (G2; n, 27) inhabitants of 22 different scattered districts of the governorate, Group 3 (G3; n, 32) inhabitants of Kufa city and center districts in the old Najaf city. According to previous authors′ findings, all participants had uranium contamination in their urine and blood samples, and also, they had DNA damage according to the level of urinary 8‐OHdG compound. The control group 4 (G4; n, 25) were adult healthy Iraqi volunteers who were residents of the Sulaimaniyah governorate, which has low‐level uranium pollution. The present study aims to determine the effect of uranium pollution and DNA damage on the immune system function in terms of estimating the levels of serum interleukin (IL)‐6, interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ), and IL‐1 beta (β). Method. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Sandwich method technique) was used for estimating the serum cytokines levels in test and control groups. Results. A significant elevation of cytokines levels was reported as compared with the control groups (p ≤ 0.01). The level of IL‐6 was 764.64 ± 24.12 pg/ml, 768.87 ± 19.64 pg/ml, and 735.62 ± 18.47 in G1, G2, and G3, respectively. The level of IFN‐γ was 264.55 ± 19.17 pg/ml, 259 ± 18.76 pg/ml, and 261.20 ± 12.99 pg/ml for G1, G2, and G3, respectively. The level of IL‐1β was 99.85 ± 10.81 pg/ml, 116.8 ± 10.71 pg/ml, and 83 ± 19.24 pg/ml in G1, G2, and G3, respectively. The levels of IL‐6, IFN‐γ, and IL‐1β were 86.5 ± 22.9 pg/ml, 19.4 ± 2.8 pg/ml, and 16.1 ± 3.2 pg/ml in the sera of control (G4). The results showed significant statistical elevation with the corresponding p value cut‐off p ≤ 0.01 in IL‐6, IFN‐γ, and IL‐1β in the sera of three test groups as compared with the results of the control group. Conclusion. The change in the proinflammatory cytokines (IL‐6, IFN‐γ, and IL‐1β) levels indicates a persistent inflammatory response in the participants and may reflect immune system impairment as a consequence of exposure to long‐term low‐dose ionizing radiation.
Table S3 from MYBL2 Drives Prostate Cancer Plasticity: Inhibiting Its Transcriptional Target CDK2 for RB1-Deficient Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer
Authors: German Beatriz , Alaiwi Sarah A. , Ho Kun-Lin , Nanda Jagpreet S. , Fonseca Marcos A. , Burkhart Deborah L. , Sheahan Anjali V. , Bergom Hannah E. , Morel Katherine L. , Beltran Himisha , Hwang Justin H. , Freedman Matthew L. , Lawrenson Kate , Ellis Leigh
Published: September 2024

DEG analysis between DKO Mybl2 KO versus DKO Ctl cells and PPKO Mybl2 KO versus PPKO Ctl
Table S2 from MYBL2 Drives Prostate Cancer Plasticity: Inhibiting Its Transcriptional Target CDK2 for RB1-Deficient Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer
Authors: German Beatriz , Alaiwi Sarah A. , Ho Kun-Lin , Nanda Jagpreet S. , Fonseca Marcos A. , Burkhart Deborah L. , Sheahan Anjali V. , Bergom Hannah E. , Morel Katherine L. , Beltran Himisha , Hwang Justin H. , Freedman Matthew L. , Lawrenson Kate , Ellis Leigh
Published: September 2024

Combined genes enriched in human NEPC, PDX samples and NE-like mouse models
Supplement Figure 2 from MYBL2 Drives Prostate Cancer Plasticity: Inhibiting Its Transcriptional Target CDK2 for RB1-Deficient Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer
Authors: German Beatriz , Alaiwi Sarah A. , Ho Kun-Lin , Nanda Jagpreet S. , Fonseca Marcos A. , Burkhart Deborah L. , Sheahan Anjali V. , Bergom Hannah E. , Morel Katherine L. , Beltran Himisha , Hwang Justin H. , Freedman Matthew L. , Lawrenson Kate , Ellis Leigh
Published: September 2024

Supplement Figure 2. A. SKO, DKO, and PPKO were cultured as 3-dimensional spheroids and treated with the indicated concentrations of the CDK2 inhibitor - BGG463 over 72 hours. Cell growth was determined by CellTiter-Glo luminescent cell viability assay. B. Western blot analysis for Cdk2, Cdk5, and Vinculin following DKO and PPKO were treated with the indicated concentration of the CDK2 PROTAC - CPS2. Full western blot membranes for C) CDK2, D) CDK5, and E) vinculin.
Supplement Figure 1 from MYBL2 Drives Prostate Cancer Plasticity: Inhibiting Its Transcriptional Target CDK2 for RB1-Deficient Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer
Authors: German Beatriz , Alaiwi Sarah A. , Ho Kun-Lin , Nanda Jagpreet S. , Fonseca Marcos A. , Burkhart Deborah L. , Sheahan Anjali V. , Bergom Hannah E. , Morel Katherine L. , Beltran Himisha , Hwang Justin H. , Freedman Matthew L. , Lawrenson Kate , Ellis Leigh
Published: September 2024

A. Full membrane following CRISPR targeting of Mybl2 indicating specific targeting of our target gene. B. DKO-Ctl and DKO-Mybl2 KO cells were cultured as 2-dimensional monolayers and overall cell growth was determined by CellTiter-Glo luminescent cell viability assay.
Figure 4 from MYBL2 Drives Prostate Cancer Plasticity: Inhibiting Its Transcriptional Target CDK2 for RB1-Deficient Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer
Authors: German Beatriz , Alaiwi Sarah A. , Ho Kun-Lin , Nanda Jagpreet S. , Fonseca Marcos A. , Burkhart Deborah L. , Sheahan Anjali V. , Bergom Hannah E. , Morel Katherine L. , Beltran Himisha , Hwang Justin H. , Freedman Matthew L. , Lawrenson Kate , Ellis Leigh
Published: September 2024

Increased Mybl2 expression supports stem-related gene signatures in murine and human prostate cancer. A, Two-dimensional principal component analysis visualization of bulk RNA-seq analysis performed in DKO Ctl vs. DKO Mybl2 KO cells (left) and PPKO Ctl vs. PPKO Mybl2 KO cells. B, Venn diagram representation of down- and upregulated genes from the DEG analysis between DKO Mybl2 KO vs. DKO Ctl cells and PPKO Mybl2 KO vs. PPKO Ctl cells showed that both cell lines shared 197 down and 127 upregulated genes. The P adjusted value used to calculate the DEG was <0.05 and the LFC was < or > 2. C, Bar chart visualization of the top 10 enriched terms and their P values using ENCODE and ChIP-x enrichment analysis (ChEA), ChEA 2022, and Hallmarks 2020 databases using the 197 downregulated genes shared between DKO Mybl2 KO and PPKO Mybl2 KO cells. All pathways listed were statistically significant with P < 0.05. D, Normalized gene expression values for TCGA-PRAD and (E) SU2C samples from patient with CRPC show high MYBL2 expression (top 25% of samples) is associated with significantly increased expression of gene signatures for NEPC (NE), ASC, and ESC signatures when compared with patient samples with lowest MYBL2 expression (bottom 25% of samples).
Data from MYBL2 Drives Prostate Cancer Plasticity: Inhibiting Its Transcriptional Target CDK2 for RB1-Deficient Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer
Authors: German Beatriz , Alaiwi Sarah A. , Ho Kun-Lin , Nanda Jagpreet S. , Fonseca Marcos A. , Burkhart Deborah L. , Sheahan Anjali V. , Bergom Hannah E. , Morel Katherine L. , Beltran Himisha , Hwang Justin H. , Freedman Matthew L. , Lawrenson Kate , Ellis Leigh
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity is a recognized mechanism driving therapeutic resistance in patients with prostate cancer. Although underlying molecular causations driving phenotypic plasticity have been identified, therapeutic success is yet to be achieved. To identify putative master regulator transcription factors (MR-TF) driving phenotypic plasticity in prostate cancer, this work utilized a multiomic approach using genetically engineered mouse models of prostate cancer combined with patient data to identify MYB proto-oncogene like 2 (MYBL2) as a significantly enriched transcription factor in prostate cancer exhibiting phenotypic plasticity. Genetic inhibition of Mybl2 using independent murine prostate cancer cell lines representing phenotypic plasticity demonstrated Mybl2 loss significantly decreased in vivo growth as well as cell fitness and repressed gene expression signatures involved in pluripotency and stemness. Because MYBL2 is currently not druggable, a MYBL2 gene signature was employed to identify cyclin-dependent kinase-2 (CDK2) as a potential therapeutic target. CDK2 inhibition phenocopied genetic loss of Mybl2 and significantly decreased in vivo tumor growth associated with enrichment of DNA damage. Together, this work demonstrates MYBL2 as an important MR-TF driving phenotypic plasticity in prostate cancer. Furthermore, high MYBL2 activity identifies prostate cancer that would be responsive to CDK2 inhibition.
Significance:
Prostate cancers that escape therapy targeting the androgen receptor signaling pathways via phenotypic plasticity are currently untreatable. Our study identifies MYBL2 as a MR-TF in phenotypic plastic prostate cancer and implicates CDK2 inhibition as a novel therapeutic target for this most lethal subtype of prostate cancer.
Tudo começa no hospital: narrativas maternas sobre a hospitalização do bebê cronicamente adoecido
Authors: Castro Helena Battendieri Brotero de , Barros Carolina Valério
Published: September 2024

This study investigated mothers’ narratives about their chronically ill babies' hospitalization at a public maternity hospital in São Paulo, during 2022, based on thematic analysis of four semi-structured interviews. The main qualitative data from interviews were analyzed concerning its psychoanalytic contribution, organized by three central themes. Interviewed mothers seemed to have found possible ways to perform the maternal function and bond with their babies. Their experiences were affected by ambivalent feelings and psychic suffering that demands mental health care. The aim was to come closer to this reality, remarking original motherhood experiences and the importance of developing caregiving practices worried about the needs of parental figures and their babies in the context of hospitalization and illness.
Psicoterapia infantil on-line: experiências de psicólogas de orientação psicanalítica durante a pandemia de COVID-19
Authors: Ferreira Letícia Resende , Santeiro Tales Vilela , Serralha Conceição Aparecida
Published: September 2024

Este artigo é um estudo qualitativo exploratório para compreender como as Tecnologia da Informação e da Comunicação foram empregadas por psicólogos brasileiros de orientação psicanalítica durante a pandemia de COVID-19, investigando as adaptações do setting no modo virtual, além da utilização do contrato, do brincar e dos recursos lúdicos via plataformas digitais. Por meio de dez entrevistas realizadas com psicólogas, pelo Google Meet, peculiaridades com relação à condução do atendimento on-line foram observadas, além dos alcances e limites dessa modalidade dentro de um setting distante dos moldes clássicos. Esses serviços se tornaram essenciais durante a pandemia, com a saúde mental das crianças desencadeando consequências físicas e psicológicas. Mesmo com as adversidades, o trabalho virtualizado se mostrou como um recurso possível dentro do cenário pandêmico.
Um dispositivo clínico para a formação continuada de professores
Authors: Revah Daniel , Pedreira Maria Gabriela Guidugli
Published: September 2024

Cet article discute certains aspects du dispositif clinique mis en œuvre dans la formation des enseignants impliqués dans l'inclusion des enfants présentant des obstacles dans leur structure psychique. Pour réaliser cette formation, quatre groupes d'enseignants ont été constitués qui travaillaient dans la salle dite de ressources ou étaient en charge d'un groupe-classe en éducation de la petite enfance ou dans les premières années de l'enseignement élémentaire. Dans ce processus formatif, les impasses signalées par les enseignants dans la scolarisation de ces enfants ont été prises comme point de départ des discussions tenues. Au-delà du dispositif, la manière dont ils s'impliquent dans les situations étudiées et certains effets résultant de ce travail formatif fait l´objet de discussion, en prenant comme référence la perspective de psychanalyse qui a guidé les interventions.
Práticas políticas juvenis: Fundamentos e preceitos
Authors: Borelli Silvia Helena Simões , Rocha Rose de Melo , Pereira Simone Luci
Published: September 2024

Este artigo apresenta uma revisão crítica de trajetórias de pesquisa sobre práticas políticas de juventudes brasileiras desde os anos 2000. Com uma ênfase cultural e comunicacional, aborda-se como os campos da estética e da política se entrelaçam nesses processos, destacando os principais interlocutores e operadores teóricos e epistêmicos deles emergentes. Conclui-se que as resistências juvenis vêm dilatando e rasurando os conceitos clássicos de política por meio de novos usos da cultura, das tecnologias, da comunicação e das experiências estéticas. Ao mesmo tempo em que denunciam as desigualdades e a necropolítica, negociam com algumas institucionalidades e se constituem como sujeitos/as, ocupando as cidades e as redes com seus corpos políticos.
A Peregrinação a Sand Hill Road: Investimento de capital de risco em startups de tecnologia relacionadas ao setor editorial
Authors: Thompson John B.
Published: September 2024

Many entrepreneurs in the world of tech start-ups seek venture capital funding to establish and grow their businesses, but this can be a process fraught with difficulties and laden with long-term consequences. Most attempts to secure VC funding will fail, and most start-ups that are VC funded will not succeed. Moreover, start-ups that do secure VC funding will tend to find themselves on a developmental trajectory that is very different from that of many traditional businesses. This paper seeks to shed light on the unique and special relationship between venture capital and tech start-ups by focusing on a particular subset of tech start-ups: those that are related to the book publishing industry. It examines this relationship both from the viewpoint of a well-established venture capitalist in Silicon Valley who funds tech start-ups and from the viewpoint of entrepreneurs who are trying to secure VC funding. By examining this relationship from both points of view, we can understand why some entrepreneurs succeed in raising funds and others don’t. We can also understand why the developmental trajectories of VC-funded start-ups are very different from those of many traditional businesses and we can explain why some VC-funded businesses fail while others, competing in a similar space in seemingly similar conditions, survive and flourish.
Separate and Reassemble: Generative AI through the lens of art and media histories
Authors: Manovich Lev
Published: September 2024

AI image generation represents a logical evolution from early digital media algorithms, starting with basic paint programs in the 1970s and advancing to sophisticated 3D graphics and media creation software by the 1990s. Early algorithms struggled to simulate materials and effects, but advances in the 1970s and 1980s led to realistic simulations of natural phenomena and artistic techniques. Generative AI continues this trend, using neural networks to combine and interpolate visual patterns from extensive datasets. This method of digital media creation underscores the modular and discrete nature of computer-generated imagery, distinguishing it from traditional optical media.
Artificial Intelligence–Enhanced Risk Stratification of Cancer Therapeutics–Related Cardiac Dysfunction Using Electrocardiographic Images
Authors: Oikonomou Evangelos K. , Sangha Veer , Dhingra Lovedeep S. , Aminorroaya Arya , Coppi Andreas , Krumholz Harlan M. , Baldassarre Lauren A. , Khera Rohan
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND:

Risk stratification strategies for cancer therapeutics–related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) rely on serial monitoring by specialized imaging, limiting their scalability. We aimed to examine an application of artificial intelligence (AI) to ECG images as a surrogate for imaging risk biomarkers and its association with early CTRCD.

METHODS:

Across a US-based health system (2013–2023), we identified 1550 patients (aged, 60 [interquartile range, 51–69] years, 1223 [78.9%] women) without cardiomyopathy who received anthracyclines or trastuzumab for breast cancer or non-Hodgkin lymphoma and had ECG performed ≤12 months before treatment. We deployed a validated AI model of left ventricular systolic dysfunction to baseline ECG images and defined low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups based on AI-ECG left ventricular systolic dysfunction probabilities of <0.01, 0.01 to 0.1, and ≥0.1 (positive screen), respectively. We explored the association with early CTRCD (new cardiomyopathy, heart failure, or left ventricular ejection fraction <50%), or left ventricular ejection fraction <40%, up to 12 months after treatment. In a mechanistic analysis, we assessed the association between global longitudinal strain and AI-ECG left ventricular systolic dysfunction probabilities in studies performed within 15 days of each other.

RESULTS:

Among 1550 patients without known cardiomyopathy (median follow-up, 14.1 [interquartile range, 13.4–17.1] months), 83 (5.4%), 562 (36.3%), and 905 (58.4%) were classified as high, intermediate, and low risk, respectively, by baseline AI-ECG. A high-risk versus low-risk AI-ECG screen (≥0.1 versus <0.01) was associated with a 3.4-fold and 13.5-fold higher incidence of CTRCD (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.35 [95% CI, 2.25–4.99]) and left ventricular ejection fraction <40% (adjusted hazard ratio, 13.52 [95% CI, 5.06–36.10]), respectively. Post hoc analyses supported longitudinal increases in AI-ECG probabilities within 6 to 12 months of a CTRCD event. Among 1428 temporally linked echocardiograms and ECGs, AI-ECG left ventricular systolic dysfunction probabilities were associated with worse global longitudinal strain (global longitudinal strain, −19% [interquartile range, −21% to −17%] for probabilities <0.1, to −15% [interquartile range, −15% to −9%] for ≥0.5 [
P
<0.001]).

CONCLUSIONS:

AI applied to baseline ECG images can stratify the risk of early CTRCD associated with anthracycline or trastuzumab exposure in the setting of breast cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma therapy.
Rare Genetic Variants in
LDLR
,
APOB
, and
PCSK9
Are Associated With Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Rämö Joel T. , Jurgens Sean J. , Kany Shinwan , Choi Seung Hoan , Wang Xin , Smirnov Andrey N. , Friedman Samuel F. , Maddah Mahnaz , Khurshid Shaan , Ellinor Patrick T. , Pirruccello James P.
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND:

Despite a proposed causal role for LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) in aortic stenosis (AS), randomized controlled trials of lipid-lowering therapy failed to prevent severe AS. We aimed to assess the impact on AS and peak velocity across the aortic valve conferred by lifelong alterations in LDL-C levels mediated by protein-disrupting variants in 3 clinically significant genes for LDL (low-density lipoprotein) metabolism (
LDLR
,
APOB
, and
PCSK9
).

METHODS:

We used sequencing data and electronic health records from UK Biobank (UKB) and All of Us and magnetic resonance imaging data from UKB. We identified predicted protein-disrupting variants with the Loss Of Function Transcript Effect Estimator (LOFTEE) and AlphaMissense algorithms and evaluated their associations with LDL-C and peak velocity across the aortic valve (UK Biobank), as well as diagnosed AS and aortic valve replacement (UK Biobank and All of Us).

RESULTS:

We included 421 049 unrelated participants (5621 with AS) in UKB and 195 519 unrelated participants (1087 with AS) in All of Us. Carriers of protein-disrupting variants in
LDLR
had higher mean LDL-C (UKB: +42.6 mg/dL;
P
=4.4e-237) and greater risk of AS (meta-analysis: odds ratio, 3.52 [95% CI, 2.39–5.20];
P
=2.3e-10) and aortic valve replacement (meta-analysis: odds ratio, 3.78 [95% CI, 2.26–6.32];
P
=4.0e-7). Carriers of protein-disrupting variants in
APOB
or
PCSK9
had lower mean LDL-C (UKB: –32.3 mg/dL;
P
<5e-324) and lower risk of AS (meta-analysis: odds ratio, 0.49 [95% CI, 0.31–0.75];
P
=0.001) and aortic valve replacement (meta-analysis: odds ratio, 0.54 [95% CI, 0.30–0.97];
P
=0.04). Among 57 371 UKB imaging substudy participants, peak velocities across the aortic valve were greater in carriers of protein-disrupting variants in
LDLR
(+12.2 cm/s;
P
=1.6e-5) and lower in carriers of protein-disrupting variants in
PCSK9
(–6.9 cm/s;
P
=0.022).

CONCLUSIONS:

Rare genetic variants that confer lifelong higher or lower LDL-C levels are associated with substantially increased and decreased risk of AS, respectively. Early and sustained lipid-lowering therapy may slow or prevent AS development.
Fuscoporia nebularis, (Hymenochaetaceae) a new endemic and threatened species from the cloud forests of southern Brazil
Authors: COMIN MARCEL , ALVES-SILVA GENIVALDO , SALVADOR-MONTOYA CARLOS A. , GÓES-NETO ARISTÓTELES , DRECHSLER-SANTOS ELISANDRO RICARDO
Published: September 2024

A new and threatened species of Fuscoporia from the cloud forests of southern Brazil is described. This species, associated with hardwood species of Myrtaceae, differs from other Fuscoporia species by having broadly ellipsoid basidiospores (2.9–3.8 × 2.3–3.1 µm) and hymenial setae that occasionally have a bifurcate and curved apex. Additionally, molecular analysis based on ITS and nrLSU sequences supports the new species. The conservation status of this new species of Fuscoporia is assessed as ‘Endangered’ based on IUCN criteria. We present the new species with illustrated morphological description, phylogenetic analyses and comparison with morphologically similar or related species. A key to the neotropical species of Fuscoporia is provided.
Molecular studies of Allographa effusosoredica sp. nov. (Graphidaceae) along with its Trentepohlia photobiont and a comprehensive checklist for Indian Allographa
Authors: ANSIL PARAYELIL A. , RAJESHKUMAR KUNHIRAMAN C. , LÜCKING ROBERT , O. PARAPARATH SRUTHI , SHARMA BHARATI
Published: September 2024

The current study describes a new species, Allographa effusosoredica, from the Western Ghats, India, along with its Trentepohlia photobiont. This study is based on morphological, chemical and molecular analyses using mtSSU, LSU and RPB2 sequence data for Allographa effusosoredica mycobiont and ITS sequence data for Trentepohlia photobiont. Allographa effusosoredica is characterized by a thin effuse thallus with diffuse soredia, 8-spored asci, transversely 7–11 septate ascospores, and norstictic acid chemistry. It is surprisingly similar to the widespread Graphis glaucescens, which differs in the absence of soredia and norstictic acid, but clusters phylogenetically within Allographa, allied to Allographa xanthospora, making the limits between Allographa and the distantly related genus Graphis more diffuse and raising doubts about the correct placement of G. glaucescens. The photobiont of the novel species is allied to Trentepohlia cf. arborum HZ-2017 isolate YN1047. This is the first species of Allographa sequenced from India.
Homalomena brachygyna (Araceae), a new species from Palawan Island, Philippines
Authors: COLLANTES JOHN PAUL , CHUA-MANGUSSAD VERNALUZ , HEIN KHANT ZAW , BUSTAMANTE RENE ALFRED ANTON
Published: September 2024

Homalomena brachygyna, a new species from the riparian forest of San Vicente, Palawan, is herein described. This novel addition to the Homalomena species of the Philippines bridges the gap of more than 100 years since the last described species from the country. It is also the second endemic Homalomena species in the island of Palawan. Descriptions, photographs, as well as notes on its habitat and ecology, phenology, and preliminary IUCN conservation assessment are provided.
Effect of Tillage, Crops Residues and Crops Management Practices on Runoff Erosion, Soil Loss and Soil Properties in Ethiopa: Review
Authors: Gemeda Firaol
Published: September 2024

The conducted investigations showed that tillage practices with crop residue and proper cropping systems protect loss of soil from runoff erosion which depletes soil nutrients and affects soil physical and chemical properties. The review was conducted with aim of reviewing the effect of tillage, crops residues and crops management practices on runoff, soil loss and soil properties in Ethiopia. The three years study conducted in the Upper Blue Nile basin of Northwestern Ethiopia showed that reduced tillage reduced soil loss over conventional tillage, row planting reduced soil loss over broadcast planting, without trampling reduced soil loss over with trampling planting, and the sediment concentration was ranged from 0.01 to 5.37g/L and total soil loss was 0.20 to 0.50t/ha. The study conducted in the humid highlands of Ethiopia showed that the lower average soil loss was 16 t/ha.yr under zero tillage with crop residue and maximum was 30 t/ha.yr in conventional tillage without crop residue. The investigation indicated that zero tillage with maize soya bean intercrop, maize rotation, continuous maize and continuous soya bean improved soil properties than conventional tillage system. The investigation which was carried out to evaluate the effects of tillage and cropping system on soil properties showed that enrichment ratio ≤1 under no tillage with intercropping and no tillage with mulch reduce nutrient losses and enrichment ratio. The study conducted at Derashe and Arba Minch Zuriya in Ethiopia showed that some selected properties were statistically significant (P<0.05) and conservation tillage is favored for soil management relative to conventional tillage. Therefore, tillage practices like zero tillage and minimum tillage with crop residue management like mulching and crop management such as intercropping and crop rotation reduce surface runoff erosion, soil loss and soil fertility depletion, but additional continual research is needed to reveal trends in tillage, crops residues and crops management.
Agronomic Evaluation of Improved Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Varieties and Seeding Rates on Vertisols in Abeshige, Central Ethiopia
Authors: Zike Takele
Published: September 2024

Identification of appropriate varieties and seed rates for different agroecology are important agronomic practices to increase the productivity of chickpea. A field experiment was conducted during the cropping season to evaluate the performance of chickpea varieties and their seed rates on Vertisols of Abeshige district. Four chickpea varieties (Minjar of 100, 125, 150 kg ha-1), Teketay of 120, 150, 180 kg ha-1, Habru of 130, 162.5 195 kg ha-1 and Yelbe of 120, 150, 180 kg ha-1)] and three levels of seed rates were used and combined factorially in randomized complete block design with three replications. Interaction of Chickpea varieties and seed rates were significantly affected number of days to 50% emergency, days to 50% flowering and 90% maturity, plant height, seed yield, number of pods per plant, number of seed per pod, hundred seed weight, harvest index and dry biomass of chickpea. Teketay varieties showed better performance on seed yield, harvest index and number of seed per pod in response to seed rate. Teketay with 180 kg ha-1 was gave better yield and yield components of Chickpea variety. Therefore, Teketay variety with 180 kg ha-1 is recommended to sustain chickpea production in Vertisols of Abeshige areas in central mid-lands of Ethiopia.
Aneurysm of the Anterior Mitral Valve Complicating Infectious Mitro-Aortic Endocarditis in a Biscuspid Aortic Valve: About a Case
Authors: Diouf Marguerite , Faye Papa , Guissé Papa , Mingou Joseph , Kane Abdoul
Published: September 2024

Mitral valve aneurysm is a rare condition usually associated with aortic valve endocarditis. The mechanism, poorly understood, generally includes a regurgitant infectious flow originating from the aortic valve, direct contact with vegetation and direct propagation, through adjacent structures, such as the mitro-aortic intervalvular fibrous body. This report details the case of a 56-year-old patient followed for severe bicuspid aortic insufficiency of the aortic valve for 4 months and admitted to heart failure due to infectious endocarditis with a fatal outcome. Physical examination revealed aortic and mitral insufficiency syndrome and congestive heart failure. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed type 1 L-R bicuspid heart disease and leaking polyvalvulopathy with severe eccentric aortic and severe mitral regurgitation. The aortic and mitral valves were the seat of the vegetations. The mitral valve was the seat on its atrial side of a contained aneurysmal sac with thrombosed hyperechogenicity. Blood cultures were positive for streptococci and probabilistic dual antibiotic therapy was started. The patient was unable to benefit from surgical treatment. However, the patient died following complications such as ischemic stroke and septic shock. A necropsy was not done.
The Phonological Coordination Relationship of Hancheng Dialect in Shaanxi Province
Authors: Sha Wang
Published: September 2024

Hancheng, located in the northeast corner of Guanzhong Plain, Shaanxi Province, is an ancient civilized city with a long history and splendid culture. Under the background of the vigorous promotion of Mandarin, many dialects are gradually declining in use, and the Hancheng dialect is the same. Hancheng dialect belongs to Fenhe Piece of Central Plains Mandarin, which has both similarities and differences with Beijing dialect. Hancheng dialect has dentate labial initials [pf pfh f v], while Beijing dialect does not. There are [ʅᴇ] vowels in Hancheng dialect, as well as nasalized vowels such as [ã, ẽ], which are not found in Beijing dialect. Based on this, the author made a field investigation and objective description of the pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar of Hancheng dialect in order to preserve it. Dialects and Mandarin are both bridges for people to communicate, each playing a unique role. As linguists, we bear the mission to meticulously document certain dialects, turning them into precious cultural heritage to be passed down to future generations. This paper describes the relationship between consonant and vowel in Hancheng dialect, and uses a number of table expressions to concretize it. This can not only provide materials for the study of Shaanxi dialect, but also contribute to the study of folk culture, and contribute to the protection of the diversity of dialects, but also promote the sustainable development of language resources.
A High-Level Structured Methodology for Development of AI Systems in Africa
Authors: Woherem Evans , Odeyemi Joshua
Published: September 2024

AI is a potential game changer for Africa to address the specific challenges she faces in sectors like healthcare, climate change and water-related issues. However, the regulation of AI is still largely underdeveloped in Africa with some existing policies and frameworks still being young. Therefore, as the adoption of AI systems spreads across Africa, so does the need for a structured methodology to guide organizations in either developing new AI systems or onboarding existing ones while maintaining the quality and ethicality of these systems. This paper aims to develop a holistic methodology that provides comprehensive guidance to companies considering to develop new AI systems or onboard existing systems. The goal is to support the development and deployment of AI systems tailored to the specific needs of Africa. The proposed methodology employs a lifecycle approach that integrates both Agile and Waterfall frameworks. By combining the adaptive flexibility of Agile with the structured progression of Waterfall, this methodology ensures adaptability and thoroughness throughout the AI system's development and implementation phases. The integration of these methodologies offers a robust, adaptable framework that can be tailored to the unique demands of AI projects in Africa, from design to implementation, deployment as well as maintenance phases, thereby maximizing the potential impact of AI technologies in the region.
Assessment of Natural Radioactivity in Cements (Local and Imported) in Mali
Authors: Coulibaly Adama , Nafogou Fatoumata , Kone Binefou , Dicko Aly , Camara Oumou
Published: September 2024

Background: In this article, the radioactivity concentrations of U-238, Th-232 and K-40 (NORM) and radiological hazard parameters in different types of cements commonly used in Mali and available on the Malian market have been analyzed. The obtained values of NORM concentrations and radiological hazards in seven (07) cements samples will permit to the AMARAP to estimate the exposure (gamma rays) from the buildings and dwellings made by these cements. It will permit also to determine any over exposure (determinist effects which are an immediate tissue reaction due to the high exposition of ionizing radiation) and minimize as well the associated risk due to low doses (stochastic effects). Materials and Methods: The health impact due to the exposure of radionuclides from these cements was evaluated by the determination of specific activity of radionuclides U-238, Th-232 and K-40 using gamma spectrometry analysis. The radiological hazards such as Absorbed Dose Rate (Ḋ) Annual Effective Dose (Ė) Internal and External Dose indexes (Hin and Hex) were evaluated in these cements samples. Results: The range of specific activities for U-238 vary from 21.77 ± 1.50 to 145.31 ± 7.70 Bq/kg, for Th-232 from 8.85 ± 0.52 to 73.56 ± 3.82 Bq/kg and for K-40 from 104.27 ± 5.63 to 351.97 ± 18.08 Bq/kg. The peak of U-238 wasn’t detected only in one (01) sample (CIM04). The highest value of specific activity was reported in sample CIM07 (DANGOTE). The values of radiological hazard such as Ḋ, Ė, Hin and Hex from this work were within the dose criteria limits given by international organizations (ICRP and UNSCEAR) and national standards. Conclusion: This study shows the analyzed cements do not pose any significant source of radiation hazard and are safe for use in the construction of dwellings even if the risk (stochastic effect) associated with low dose exists. Special attention and more analyzes must be done on them for more protection of public health.
Review on Potential Urban Development Site Selection Using Geospatial-Based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) Techniques in the Context of Ethiopia
Authors: Gontte Adimasu
Published: September 2024

This review paper provides a comprehensive assessment of the opportunities and challenges in leveraging geospatial-based technologies, particularly Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) techniques, to enhance the effectiveness of urban development site selection in Ethiopia. The overarching findings highlight several critical focus areas for improvement. Firstly, the review emphasizes the need to strengthen the availability, quality, and accessibility of geospatial data through the development of robust data infrastructures and innovative data collection methods. Secondly, it recommends adopting a more inclusive and collaborative approach to stakeholder engagement, coupled with targeted capacity-building initiatives to enhance the technical skills and knowledge of urban planners, GIS experts, and local stakeholders. Thirdly, the paper suggests incorporating advanced spatial modeling and simulation techniques to capture the dynamic nature of urban growth patterns, as well as integrating climate change impact assessments and disaster risk analyses into the decision-making framework. Fourthly, it emphasizes the importance of strengthening institutional and organizational frameworks to promote cross-sectoral collaboration, data sharing, and integrated decision-making processes. Finally, the review underscores the significance of designing user-friendly and customizable Spatial Decision Support Systems (SDSS) that cater to the specific needs and constraints of the Ethiopian urban development context. The review concludes that the use of geospatial-based MCDA approaches holds immense potential in addressing Ethiopia's complex urban development challenges, as it enables a comprehensive evaluation of suitability factors and the exploration of alternative urban development strategies.