bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on Soft Sensing Model of Multi-Component System Concentration Based on Linear Superposition of Single Molecule System
Authors: Song Jiangting , Jin Fujiang , Zhou Lichun
Published: January 2024

To address the issues of lengthy modeling time and substantial result error while determining the content of each component in a multi-component system simultaneously using spectrophotometry, a new determination method is provided. If we imagine the test light as a one-dimensional optical quantum and the multi-component system as a one-dimensional square potential barrier, then the process of simultaneously determining the content of each component by spectrophotometer is the process of photon tunneling through the potential barrier of multi-component system; the potential energy matrix of the multi-component system is established and transformed into a Jordan matrix analogous to it. Light quantum tunneling across a barrier in a system with several components is the superposition of light quantum tunneling through each individual component systems, with each component system serving as the “diagonal” in a Jordan block. For a multi-component system, the concentration ratio of each component can be calculated by determining the weight coefficient of the transmission wave of each single molecule system inside the total transmission wave using the multi-core learning (MKL) approach. Linear superposition of photon-tunneling single-molecule models is used to create a multi-component spectral soft sensing model. Results show that this technique offers a new theoretical foundation for spectrophotometers to use in measuring multi-component solution concentrations, and that it solves the production problem of infinite formulas; simultaneously, it is discovered that the simultaneous determination technique for spectrophotometers based on the Lambert–Beer law is a special case of this technique.
ACSICS: Joint Distribution Mode Integrating Agricultural Industry Chain Logistics Under the Background of Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Liu Hao
Published: January 2024

The purpose is to study the new application of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the Agro logistics industry distribution modes. This work summarizes the problems in agricultural logistics by investigating the current situation of the logistics distribution modes (LDMs) of Agro products and establishes a joint LDM integrating logistics and agricultural industry chain (AIC). An intelligent virtual center is established for the joint LDM according to the specific situation of Xi’an. Experts are invited to evaluate the proposed LDM. The results show that the existing third-party logistics (3PL), agricultural supermarket docking LDM, and company+farmer shared LDM have respective advantages and disadvantages. The virtual center for the proposed joint LDM multiplies the weight matrix [Formula: see text] and fuzzy evaluation matrix A to obtain a comprehensive fuzzy evaluation result. It evaluates the result according to the maximum membership criterion. Most experts have a relatively good evaluation of the joint LDM. In the comprehensive fuzzy evaluation results, the comprehensive “excellent” score is 0.3755, and the comprehensive “good” score is 0.2678. According to the principle of maximum subordination, the AIC logistics integrating Agro products logistics has an excellent performance, and the overall satisfaction level of performance has exceeded 85%. In addition, Yonghui supermarket adopts the joint LDM, and the price of fruits and vegetables is lower than that of other LDMs. Therefore, the proposed AI-based joint LDM can optimize the distribution route, improve distribution efficiency, and save logistics costs to a great extent.
Analysis of Influencing Factors of Economic Management Decision of Commercial Banks Based on Big Data Intelligent Decision
Authors: Yang Weijian , Yang Han
Published: January 2024

Since the 1970s, China’s economy has been changing rapidly, especially after joining the World Economic and Trade Organization, and with the increase in multinational enterprises, the development of overseas markets has become more convenient, contributing to the further strengthening of our economic power. The financial industry plays an essential role in the development of a country, and commercial banks are the leaders in the financial sector. They have made significant contributions to national economic growth. Under the background of substantial economic development, the economic management decisions of commercial banks have become more complex, which makes the risks faced by commercial banks increase continuously. The rapid growth of global informatization has effectively boosted the development of all walks of life. Based on the intelligent characteristics of big data, this paper analyzes the influencing factors of economic management decisions of commercial banks based on wise choices of big data, hoping to enable commercial banks to achieve the ideal expectation of financial management of “reducing risk and creating value” to enhance the competitiveness of commercial banks in the whole market.
A GREEDY ALGORITHM FOR HABIT FORMATION UNDER MULTIPLICATIVE UTILITY
Authors: KIRUSHEVA SNEZHANA , SALISBURY THOMAS S.
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we consider the problem of optimizing lifetime consumption under a habit formation model, both with and without an exogenous pension. Unlike much of the existing literature, we apply a power utility to the ratio of consumption to habit, rather than to their difference. The martingale/duality method becomes intractable in this setting, so we develop a greedy version of this method that is solvable using Monte Carlo simulation. We investigate the behavior of the greedy solution, and explore what parameter values make the greedy solution a good approximation to the optimal one.
Surface structured mesh generation system based on symmetry preserving parameterization
Authors: Zhang Haoxuan , Li Haisheng , Wang Peng , Li Nan
Published: January 2024

Structured meshes are becoming increasingly popular as a discretization technique in industries where solution accuracy is of paramount importance. However, generating structured meshes directly on the model surface presents a challenge. Consequently, many researchers are now exploring mapping methods for structured mesh generation. In this context, parameterization algorithms are vital as they map the model surface from 3D space to a 2D parametric domain. Existing parameterization algorithms, despite their advancements, still face limitations in preserving symmetry information from the input model. To address this issue, we propose a symmetry preserving parameterization algorithm based on geometric constraint. This algorithm utilizes plane reflection symmetry transformation to identify the main symmetry plane of the model and calculate the symmetry factor. Based on the fixed points and the symmetry factor, a conformal parametric symmetry plane is obtained. Furthermore, we develop a surface structured mesh generation system to provide engineers with a tool that can rapidly generate meshes. Experimental results demonstrate that our proposed algorithm achieves higher quality results compared to other parameterization algorithms.
A survey on deep learning-based spatio-temporal action detection
Authors: Wang Peng , Zeng Fanwei , Qian Yuntao
Published: January 2024

Spatio-temporal action detection (STAD) aims to classify the actions present in a video and localize them in space and time. It has become a particularly active area of research in computer vision because of its explosively emerging real-world applications, such as autonomous driving, visual surveillance and entertainment. Many efforts have been devoted in recent years to build a robust and effective framework for STAD. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art deep learning-based methods for STAD. First, a taxonomy is developed to organize these methods. Next, the linking algorithms, which aim to associate the frame- or clip-level detection results together to form action tubes, are reviewed. Then, the commonly used benchmark datasets and evaluation metrics are introduced, and the performance of state-of-the-art models is compared. At last, this paper is concluded, and a set of potential research directions of STAD are discussed.
A Narrative Review of Three Streams of Avatar Marketing with Potential, Examples, and Challenges
Authors: Ishigaki Ryo , Madhabika Leepsa Nabaghan
Published: January 2024

Purpose: Recently, there has been enthusiasm for the relatively new technology, the metaverse. One technology related to and important for the metaverse is the Avatar, which is the graphical representation of users. Avatar has been studied for many years and is beginning to be used as a marketing tool. Although we think that there are three streams of avatar marketing (i.e. Virtual Social and Game World (VSGW) Avatar Marketing; Model Avatar and Virtual Fitting Room Marketing (MAVFR) Marketing; Virtual Assistant Marketing), little research has summarized them. This absence of categorization of three types of avatar marketing results in a disorder of research findings and makes it difficult for researchers and marketers to conduct avatar marketing research and best practices. This paper aims to explore the potential, specific examples, and challenges of each of the three types of avatar marketing.

Approach and Contributions: In this narrative review paper, the authors first explore the definition and brief history of each type of avatar marketing. Then, the authors explore the potential, specific examples, and challenges of each type of avatar marketing by reviewing and referencing research papers, websites, newspaper articles, and books. Related to this, this paper discusses the importance of understanding each kind of avatar marketing in the developed future virtual worlds.

Originality: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review paper that covers three streams of avatar marketing that will inspire practitioners and researchers about the challenges and opportunities of the three types of avatar marketing with specific examples.
A closed universe with hybrid nonlocality
Authors: Dragovich Branko
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we explore some cosmological solutions of the Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker (FLRW) closed universe with nonlocal de Sitter gravity [Formula: see text] and nonlocal scalar field which has its origin in [Formula: see text]-adic string theory. In this case, we have that both geometrical and matter sectors of equations of motion (EoM) are nonlocal. The cosmological constant [Formula: see text] plays a role of dark energy (DE) and is related to the mass of scalar field as [Formula: see text]. We found that the cosmological constant [Formula: see text] depends on prime number [Formula: see text] as a discrete parameter and we conjectured that [Formula: see text] is not constant during the universe evolution.
A Stronger Novel Form of Soft Semi-Open Set
Authors: Mahmood Payman M. , Darwesh Halgwrd M. , Shareef Hardi A. , Al Ghour Samer
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we introduce the concept of a soft [Formula: see text]-open set. We show that the class of soft [Formula: see text]-open sets lies strictly between the classes of [Formula: see text]-open sets (respectively, soft [Formula: see text]-open) and soft semi-open sets. Additionally, we provide several adequate criteria for the equivalence between soft [Formula: see text]-open sets and each of [Formula: see text]-open sets and soft semi-open sets. Moreover, we demonstrate that the family of soft [Formula: see text]-open sets is a supra soft topology. We study the relationships between soft [Formula: see text]-open sets and other types of soft sets such as soft open, soft pre-open, soft [Formula: see text]-open, soft [Formula: see text]-open, soft [Formula: see text]-open, soft [Formula: see text]-open and soft [Formula: see text]-open. Also, we study the behavior of soft [Formula: see text]-open sets under some soft operators. Finally, we clarify the correspondence between the classes of soft [Formula: see text]-open sets in a soft topological space and in its soft topological subspaces.
Robust Structured Declarative Classifiers for Point Clouds
Authors: Zhang Ziming , Li Kaidong , Wang Guanghui
Published: January 2024

Deep neural networks for 3D point cloud classification, such as PointNet, have been demonstrated to be vulnerable to adversarial attacks. Current adversarial defenders often learn to denoise the (attacked) point clouds by reconstruction, and then feed them to the classifiers as input. In contrast to the literature, we propose a novel bilevel optimization framework for robust point cloud classification, where the internal optimization can effectively defend the adversarial attacks as denoising and the external optimization can learn the classifiers accordingly. As a demonstration, we further propose an effective and efficient instantiation of our approach, namely, Lattice Point Classifier (LPC), based on structured sparse coding in the permutohedral lattice and 2D convolutional neural networks (CNNs) that integrates both internal and external optimization problems into end-to-end trainable network architectures. We demonstrate state-of-the-art robust point cloud classification performance on ModelNet40 and ScanNet under seven different attackers. Our demo code is available at: https://github.com/Zhang-VISLab .
The Human Touch
Authors: Clegg Brian
Published: January 2024

From the intersection of computational science and technological speculation, with boundaries limited only by our ability to imagine what could be.

A race of AI beings from another world hang the fate of humanity on the decision of a single human.
Virtual and the Future of Conferences
Authors: Fraser Steven , Mancl Dennis
Published: January 2024

Making conferences more accessible.
Structural and Evolutionary Aspects of Plant Endocytosis
Authors: Kraus Michael , Pleskot Roman , Van Damme Daniël
Published: January 2024

Endocytosis is an essential eukaryotic process that maintains the homeostasis of the plasma membrane proteome by vesicle-mediated internalization. Its predominant mode of operation utilizes the polymerization of the scaffold protein clathrin forming a coat around the vesicle; therefore, it is termed clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME). Throughout evolution, the machinery that mediates CME is marked by losses, multiplications, and innovations. CME employs a limited number of conserved structural domains and folds, whose assembly and connections are species dependent. In plants, many of the domains are grouped into an ancient multimeric complex, the TPLATE complex, which occupies a central position as an interaction hub for the endocytic machinery. In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge regarding the structural aspects of plant CME, and we draw comparisons to other model systems. To do so, we have taken advantage of recent developments with respect to artificial intelligence–based protein structure prediction.
History and Iatrogenic Effects of Conversion Therapy
Authors: Davison Gerald C. , Walden Kyla-Rose
Published: January 2024

Research indicates that sexual orientation change efforts (SOCEs) are not effective and furthermore commonly lead to iatrogenic effects such as depression, anxiety, and even suicide. Negative attitudes toward homosexuality derive from most formal religions and are incarnated in medical and psychological theories that support and encourage SOCEs. Oppression of sexual minorities makes it unlikely that change requests by patients are voluntary. Recently there has been a dramatic change as the field moves from reparative to affirmative approaches. Here, we review the history of SOCEs, their consequences, current affirmative treatments, and future directions in the field as they pertain to the well-being of the queer community. From an institutional community psychology perspective, we argue that even if true conversion were possible, such efforts are unethical and should not be pursued even if requested. As is the case with all psychological/psychiatric interventions, the issue is not “can” but “ought.”
Why We Should Stop Trying to Fix Women: How Context Shapes and Constrains Women's Career Trajectories
Authors: Ryan Michelle K. , Morgenroth Thekla
Published: January 2024

In this review we examine two classes of interventions designed to achieve workplace gender equality: ( a) those designed to boost motivations and ambition, such as those that aim to attract more women into roles where they are underrepresented; and ( b) those that try to provide women with needed abilities to achieve these positions. While such initiatives are generally well meaning, they tend to be based upon (and reinforce) stereotypes of what women lack. Such a deficit model leads to interventions that attempt to “fix” women rather than address the structural factors that are the root of gender inequalities. We provide a critical appraisal of the literature to establish an evidence base for why fixing women is unlikely to be successful. As an alternative, we focus on understanding how organizational context and culture maintain these inequalities by looking at how they shape and constrain ( a) women's motivations and ambitions, and ( b) the expression and interpretation of their skills and attributes. In doing so, we seek to shift the interventional focus from women themselves to the systems and structures in which they are embedded.
Serendipitous Sociologist: Transitions and Turning Points in My Journey
Authors: Tienda Marta
Published: January 2024

Serendipity, curiosity, and lived experience shaped my career as a social demographer and my interests in social policy. I transitioned from the humanities to sociology and demography as a graduate student at the University of Texas at Austin, where I discovered my affinity for quantitative research. My interest in Latin American demography gave way to domestic concerns as new opportunities arose at each of the three institutions where I have had the privilege to work—the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Chicago, and Princeton University. That all three institutions hosted vibrant demography and policy programs facilitated my research about the Hispanic population, family structure, urban poverty, college access, and myriad aspects of socioeconomic inequality and immigrant integration. Superb colleagues and talented graduate student collaborators deserve major credit for my career accomplishments. I attribute numerous opportunities to serve on philanthropic and corporate boards to the strength of weak ties.
Game-based learning enhances students’ understanding of endocrine physiology in veterinary medicine
Authors: Afonso Marcos Vinícius Ramos , Lopes Rodrigo Braga , Andrade Eric Francelino , Pereira Luciano José
Published: January 2024

We compared the supplementary use of game-based learning, case-based learning, and peer tutoring in the study of endocrine physiology by veterinary students and observed a slight advantage for game-based learning over the other two methodologies. The game was developed by the authors and is an unprecedented tool that can prove useful to improve knowledge acquisition in students of veterinary medicine. Thus, game-based learning is an effective supplementary teaching strategy.
Elevated luminal inorganic phosphate suppresses intestinal Zn absorption in 5/6 nephrectomized rats
Authors: Okumura Yosuke , Abe Kotaro , Sakai Shoko , Kamei Yuki , Mori Yuki , Adachi Yuichiro , Takikawa Masaki , Kitamura Ayano , Ohminami Hirokazu , Ohnishi Kohta , Masuda Masashi , Kambe Taiho , Yamamoto Hironori , Taketani Yutaka
Published: January 2024

We demonstrated that elevated intestinal luminal Pi concentration can suppress intestinal Zn absorption activity without decreasing the expression of the associated Zn transporter. Increased intestinal luminal Pi led to the formation of an insoluble complex with Zn while dietary Pi restriction or administration of a Pi binder ameliorated hypozincemia in chronic kidney disease model rats. Therefore, modulation of dietary Pi by Pi restriction or a Pi binder might be useful for the treatment of hypozincemia and hyperphosphatemia.
Guidelines on antibody use in physiology research
Authors: Brooks Heddwen L. , de Castro Brás Lisandra E. , Brunt Keith R. , Sylvester Megan A. , Parvatiyar Michelle S. , Sirish Padmini , Bansal Shyam S. , Sule Rasheed , Eadie Ashley L. , Knepper Mark A. , Fenton Robert A. , Lindsey Merry L. , DeLeon-Pennell Kristine Y. , Gomes Aldrin V.
Published: January 2024

Antibodies are one of the most used reagents in scientific laboratories and are critical components for a multitude of experiments in physiology research. Over the past decade, concerns about many biological methods, including those that use antibodies, have arisen as several laboratories were unable to reproduce the scientific data obtained in other laboratories. The lack of reproducibility could be largely attributed to inadequate reporting of detailed methods, no or limited verification by authors, and the production and use of unvalidated antibodies. The goal of this guideline article is to review best practices concerning commonly used techniques involving antibodies, including immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. Awareness and integration of best practices will increase the rigor and reproducibility of these techniques and elevate the quality of physiology research.
Complex Background Removal Method for Video of an Inclined Cable Based on UAV Detection of Structural Vibration Frequencies
Authors: Li Shengli , Cao Zihao , Li Jinke , Li Panjie , Xu Bin , Gao Wudi
Published: January 2024

The safety of inclined cables is fundamental to the integrity of cable‐stayed bridges. The vibrational frequencies of these cables form the foundation for assessing the cable force. Traditional contact measurement methods necessitate the installation of sensors on each cable, incurring substantial costs. In scenarios where camera placement adjacent to an inclined cable is impractical, noncontact approaches such as video capture via unmanned aerial vehicles prove effective. However, unmanned aerial vehicle‐captured videos present a challenge due to their complex background, impeding cable feature recognition. In our study, we initially utilized the Region Growing algorithm for background subtraction. To enhance this method, we integrated it with the unique structural characteristics of cables, leading to the creation of the RGv2 algorithm. This novel algorithm offers increased processing speed and improved accuracy. Furthermore, we combined our method with empirical mode decomposition for effective detection of cable frequency characteristics. We also implemented a hybrid method, combining the K‐Means and line segment detector algorithms with empirical mode decomposition. Compared to deep learning techniques for background subtraction, our proposed method demonstrates superior computational efficiency and promising potential for measuring vibrational frequencies of inclined cables.
A Comparison of the Effects of Acupressure and Music on Venipuncture Pain Intensity in Children: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Daihimfar Faezeh , Babamohamadi Hassan , Ghorbani Raheb
Published: January 2024

Pain from injections is common in children of all ages, and more than 90% of hospitalized children experience invasive and painful procedures such as venipuncture. In light of the complications associated with pain relief medications, nonpharmacological and complementary medicine approaches have gained attention. This study aims to compare the effects of acupressure and music on venipuncture pain intensity in children. This randomized controlled clinical trial involved 180 children aged 3–6 years who sought treatment at the Children’s Medical Center Hospital Emergency Department at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The children were randomly assigned to one of three groups: acupressure, music, or control. The interventions were given within 5 minutes, starting 3 minutes before the venipuncture and continuing until completion. The interventions included playing music through headphones and applying acupressure to the Hugo point. Venipuncture was carried out under identical conditions using an Angiocath 24G needle. Pain intensity was assessed using the Oucher scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24, employing the Kruskal–Wallis, chi-square, and Bonferroni pairwise comparison tests, with a significance level of 0.05. The mean pain intensity was 3.32 ± 1.44 in the music group, 4.82 ± 1.51 in the acupressure group, and 8.32 ± 1.10 in the control group. Pain intensity significantly differed among the three groups p<0.001. Specifically, pain intensity was lower in the music group compared to both the acupressure p<0.001 and control p<0.001 groups. Furthermore, pain intensity was lower in the acupressure group than in the control group

p

<

0.001

. Based on the results, music and acupressure methods effectively reduce pain intensity during venipuncture in children. Considering that music demonstrated a more pronounced effect in alleviating venipuncture pain than acupressure, the recommendation is to utilize music as a method of pain management during venipuncture in children. Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, Trial No. IRCT20120109008665N15, was registered on 6 December 2021.
Fire-PPYOLOE: An Efficient Forest Fire Detector for Real-Time Wild Forest Fire Monitoring
Authors: Yu Pei , Wei Wei , Li Jing , Du Qiuyang , Wang Fang , Zhang Lili , Li Huitao , Yang Kang , Yang Xudong , Zhang Ning , Han Yucheng , Yu Huapeng
Published: January 2024

Forest fire has the characteristics of sudden and destructive, which threatens safety of people’s life and property. Automatic detection and early warning of forest fire in the early stage is very important for protecting forest resources and reducing disaster losses. Unmanned forest fire monitoring is one popular way of forest fire automatic detection. However, the actual forest environment is complex and diverse, and the vision image is affected by various factors easily such as geographical location, seasons, cloudy weather, day and night, etc. In this paper, we propose a novel fire detection method called Fire-PPYOLOE. We design a new backbone and neck structure leveraging large kernel convolution to capture a large arrange area of reception field based on the existing fast and accurate object detection model PP-YOLOE. In addition, our model maintains the high-speed performance of the single-stage detection model and reduces model parameters by using CSPNet significantly. Extensive experiments are conducted to show the effectiveness of Fire-PPYOLOE from the views of detection accuracy and speed. The results show that our Fire-PPYOLOE is able to detect the smoke- and flame-like objects because it can learn features around the object to be detected. It can provide real-time forest fire prevention and early detection.
Study on the Influence of Missile Cabin on Fragment Velocity under Explosive Detonation Impact
Authors: Li Xin , Wang Weili , Liang Zhengfeng , Dong Jun , Tang Jiaojiao
Published: January 2024

For the air‐to‐air missile warhead, there is a cabin with a certain thickness at a distance around the fragments. At present, the influence of missile cabin has not yet been taken into account in the study of fragment velocity. In this paper, based on the law of conservation of energy, the theoretical equation of fragment velocity considering the kinetic energy of cabin debris was deduced. Then, the rationality of the theoretical formula is validated through the static explosion experiments of two prototype warheads, one with a titanium alloy cabin and the other without any cabin. It was found that after the warhead is equipped with the cabin, part of the energy is consumed to drive the cabin debris, resulting in a decrease in fragment velocity, but the velocity of cabin debris was greater than that of fragment of warheads without any cabin. Besides, through numerical simulation, the driving process of fragments and cabin debris during explosive detonation loading of the warhead with the cabin was studied, which can be divided into six stages, and the error between numerical result and experimental value is not more than 4.8%. Finally, the variety regulation of fragment velocity and cabin debris velocity at different interval distances was further studied by numerical simulation. The results indicate that fragment velocity of warheads with cabin at different interval distances is basically the same, but cabin debris velocity decreases with the increase of interval distance. This conclusion can provide a reference for the structural design and fragment velocity evaluation of warheads with cabin.
Impact of COVID‐19‐Related Personal Protective Equipment Changes on Dental Education: A Qualitative Study to Explore Faculty and Student Perspective
Authors: Rashid Shaista , ElSalhy Mohamed
Published: January 2024

Background. COVID‐19 pandemic and its related personal protective equipment have impacted all aspects of dental education. The qualitative study assesses the impact of COVID‐19‐related changes and their effects on students’ clinical learning from student and faculty perspectives. Methods. This qualitative study involved third‐ and fourth‐year predoctoral dental students and full‐time dental clinical faculty. A semistructured interview guide was used. The interview guide consisted of seven open‐ended questions about the impact of the new COVID‐19‐related infection control procedures on students’ learning experience in the dental clinic. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a basic interpretative approach by two independent researchers. Emerged themes were identified. Results. Twelve faculty members and 21 students participated in six focus groups. Three major themes emerged from the analysis: learning challenges, learning opportunities, and long‐term impact. Students identified four categories of learning challenges: communication, visualization, clinical exposure, and heat. Five learning challenges identified by faculty were: faculty burnout, service delivery challenges, material wastage, teaching difficulties, and lack of comprehensive care. The five learning opportunities students identified were autonomy, preparedness, efficiency, safety, and personalized feedback. Learning opportunities identified by faculty were time management, autonomy, and preparedness. Three categories of long‐term impact on students identified were future opportunities, adaptation, and postgraduation plans. Faculty identified apathy, career re‐evaluation, and adaption as the long‐term impact of COVID‐19‐related changes. Conclusion. Although the new COVID‐19‐related infection control procedures and regulations in the dental school clinical setting come with learning challenges, students and faculty also saw learning opportunities through increased autonomy, preparedness, and efficiency. The impact of COVID‐19 extends beyond the current learning experiences as it may modify students’ long‐term plans.
Efficacy and Safety of Pharmacist‐Managed NSAIDs Deprescribing: A Jordanian Outpatient Study
Authors: Jaber Deema , Al Shihab Abeer , Tamimi Lina N.
Published: January 2024

Background. Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to manage pain, including chronic pain conditions. However, their prolonged use is associated with significant risks, particularly gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a pharmacist‐managed deprescribing program for NSAIDs in a Jordanian outpatient population. Methods. A convenience sample of 100 participants who had been using NSAIDs for pain management was recruited. Participants underwent a structured deprescribing intervention in collaboration with physicians. Various effectiveness and safety outcomes were assessed before and after deprescribing. Descriptive statistics and chi‐square test were used for data analysis. Results. The majority of participants reported chronic pain conditions, with rheumatoid arthritis (24%) and osteoarthritis (22%) being the most prevalent. Ibuprofen (28%) and diclofenac (22%) were the most commonly used NSAIDs. The deprescribing program was associated with a significant reduction in heartburn, stomach ulcer, kidney problems and fluctuation in blood pressure readings (p < 0.05), and pain exacerbation. Notably, the reduction in pain exacerbation was evident (p = 0.003) in the 4‐month follow‐up. Conclusion. A pharmacist‐managed NSAIDs deprescribing program demonstrated effectiveness in reducing the risk of GI adverse events and fluctuation in blood pressure readings without causing harm during a short‐term follow‐up. These findings support the feasibility of implementing such programs in outpatient settings. Further long‐term investigations are necessary to confirm these results.
Effects of Tannic Acid Supplementation of a High‐Carbohydrate Diet on the Growth, Serum Biochemical Parameters, Antioxidant Capacity, Digestive Enzyme Activity, and Liver and Intestinal Health of Largemouth Bass, Micropterus salmoides
Authors: Wang Yi , Wu Jianjun , Li Luoxin , Yao Yuanfeng , Chen Chiqing , Hong Yucong , Chai Yi , Liu Wei
Published: January 2024

We investigated the effects of dietary tannic acid (TA) supplementation of a high‐carbohydrate diet on growth, feed utilization, whole‐body proximate composition, serum biochemical indicators, antioxidant capacity, digestive enzyme activity, and liver and intestinal health of juvenile largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides (initial mean weight: 8.08 ± 0.08 g). Five diets were prepared, including a positive control (dietary carbohydrate level, 16%, LC0), a negative control (dietary carbohydrate level, 21%, HC0), and three TA‐supplementation diets based on the negative control diet with TA addition at 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg, respectively. After 8 weeks of feeding, the results showed that compared with the LC0 diet, 400–800 mg/kg dietary TA significantly improved the survival rate of largemouth bass (P < 0.05) while significantly reducing its weight‐gain rate and specific growth rate (P < 0.05). Compared with the HC0 diet, 400 mg/kg dietary TA significantly increased serum catalase activity (P < 0.05), and significantly decreased serum malondialdehyde, liver glycogen, lightness (L ∗), and yellowness (b ∗) (P < 0.05). Moreover, compared with the HC0 diet, 200–400 mg/kg dietary TA effectively improved the vacuolation of hepatocytes caused by the high‐carbohydrate diet and reduced the occurrence of intestinal epithelial cell vacuolation and necrosis. In turn, 800 mg/kg dietary TA significantly inhibited protease activity in the pyloric caecum and intestine (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with TA inhibited protease activity, which resulted in decreased growth performance in largemouth bass. However, it was also found that 200–400 mg/kg TA enhanced the antioxidant capacity of largemouth bass in the case of the high‐carbohydrate diet, reduced liver glycogen levels, and improved liver and intestinal health. Finally, it should be noted that, when the dietary TA level exceeded 800 mg/kg, TA appeared to play a pro‐oxidation role in the liver, which may cause oxidative stress in the liver.
The Impact of Circulating Tumor Cell HOXB13 RNA Detection in Men with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC) Treated with Abiraterone or Enzalutamide
Authors: Halabi Susan , Guo Siyuan , Park Joseph J. , Nanus David M. , George Daniel J. , Antonarakis Emmanuel S. , Danila Daniel Costin , Szmulewitz Russell Zelig , McDonnell Donald P. , Norris John D. , Lu Changxue , Luo Jun , Armstrong Andrew J.
Published: January 2024

Purpose:

HOXB13 is an androgen receptor (AR) coregulator specifically expressed in cells of prostatic lineage. We sought to associate circulating tumor cell (CTC) HOXB13 expression with outcomes in men with mCRPC treated with abiraterone or enzalutamide.

Experimental Design:

We conducted a retrospective analysis of the multicenter prospective PROPHECY trial of mCRPC men (NCT02269982, n = 118) treated with abiraterone/enzalutamide. CTC detection and HOXB13 complementary DNA (cDNA) expression was measured using a modified Adnatest, grouping patients into 3 categories: CTC 0 (undetectable); CTC+ HOXB13 CTC low (<4 copies); or CTC+ HOXB13 CTC high. The HOXB13 threshold was determined by maximally selected rank statistics for prognostic associations with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

Results:

We included 102 men with sufficient CTC HOXB13 cDNA, identifying 25%, 31%, and 44% of patients who were CTC 0, CTC+ HOXB13 low, and CTC+ HOXB13 high, respectively. Median OS were 25.7, 27.8, and 12.1 months whereas the median PFS were 9.0, 7.7, and 3.8 months, respectively. In subgroup analysis among men with CellSearch CTCs ≥5 copies/mL and adjusting for prior abi/enza treatment and Halabi clinical risk score, the multivariate HR for HOXB13 CTC detection was 2.39 (95% CI, 1.06–5.40) for OS and 2.78 (95% CI, 1.38–5.59) for PFS, respectively. Low HOXB13 CTC detection was associated with lower CTC PSA, PSMA, AR-FL, and AR-V7 detection, and more liver/lung metastases (41% vs. 25%).

Conclusions:

Higher CTC HOXB13 expression is associated with AR-dependent biomarkers in CTCs and is adversely prognostic in the context of potent AR inhibition in men with mCRPC.
Sotorasib Is a Pan-RASG12C Inhibitor Capable of Driving Clinical Response in NRASG12C Cancers
Authors: Rubinson Douglas A. , Tanaka Noritaka , Fece de la Cruz Ferran , Kapner Kevin S. , Rosenthal Michael H. , Norden Bryanna L. , Barnes Haley , Ehnstrom Sara , Morales-Giron Alvin A. , Brais Lauren K. , Lemke Christopher T. , Aguirre Andrew J. , Corcoran Ryan B.
Published: January 2024

KRASG12C inhibitors, like sotorasib and adagrasib, potently and selectively inhibit KRASG12C through a covalent interaction with the mutant cysteine, driving clinical efficacy in KRASG12C tumors. Because amino acid sequences of the three main RAS isoforms—KRAS, NRAS, and HRAS—are highly similar, we hypothesized that some KRASG12C inhibitors might also target NRASG12C and/or HRASG12C, which are less common but critical oncogenic driver mutations in some tumors. Although some inhibitors, like adagrasib, were highly selective for KRASG12C, others also potently inhibited NRASG12C and/or HRASG12C. Notably, sotorasib was five-fold more potent against NRASG12C compared with KRASG12C or HRASG12C. Structural and reciprocal mutagenesis studies suggested that differences in isoform-specific binding are mediated by a single amino acid: Histidine-95 in KRAS (Leucine-95 in NRAS). A patient with NRASG12C colorectal cancer treated with sotorasib and the anti-EGFR antibody panitumumab achieved a marked tumor response, demonstrating that sotorasib can be clinically effective in NRASG12C-mutated tumors.

Significance:

These studies demonstrate that certain KRASG12C inhibitors effectively target all RASG12C mutations and that sotorasib specifically is a potent NRASG12C inhibitor capable of driving clinical responses. These findings have important implications for the treatment of patients with NRASG12C or HRASG12C cancers and could guide design of NRAS or HRAS inhibitors.

See related commentary by Seale and Misale, p. 698.

This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 695
Platelets in Hemostasis, Thrombosis, and Inflammation After Major Trauma
Authors: Vulliamy Paul , Armstrong Paul C.
Published: January 2024

Trauma currently accounts for 10% of the total global burden of disease and over 5 million deaths per year, making it a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although recent advances in early resuscitation have improved early survival from critical injury, the mortality rate in patients with major hemorrhage approaches 50% even in mature trauma systems. A major determinant of clinical outcomes from a major injury is a complex, dynamic hemostatic landscape. Critically injured patients frequently present to the emergency department with an acute traumatic coagulopathy that increases mortality from bleeding, yet, within 48 to 72 hours after injury will switch from a hypocoagulable to a hypercoagulable state with increased risk of venous thromboembolism and multiple organ dysfunction. This review will focus on the role of platelets in these processes. As effectors of hemostasis and thrombosis, they are central to each phase of recovery from injury, and our understanding of postinjury platelet biology has dramatically advanced over the past decade. This review describes our current knowledge of the changes in platelet behavior that occur following major trauma, the mechanisms by which these changes develop, and the implications for clinical outcomes. Importantly, supported by research in other disease settings, this review also reflects the emerging role of thromboinflammation in trauma including cross talk between platelets, innate immune cells, and coagulation. We also address the unresolved questions and significant knowledge gaps that remain, and finally highlight areas that with the further study will help deliver further improvements in trauma care.
From Consumption to Communion: The Ecclesial Role of Public Theologians in Cultivating a Livable City
Authors: Parker Dylan
Published: January 2024

Urbanism has become the dominant form of human dwelling, giving rise to the concept of livability, accompanied by livability indexes and city rankings. These reports provide brief bragging rights and marketing opportunities for high-ranking cities while glossing over the complex realities and inherent dangers of urban life. The issues surrounding livability rankings reveal corrupted anthropologies that prioritize the ways that one can consume a place rather than the cultivation of communities that are mutually reinforcing in their flourishing. Public theologians must work at the level of theological imagination to reclaim a vocational anthropology that places participation with God in the cultivation of community at the center of what it means to be made in the Image of God. In order to accomplish this fundamental shift, a significant and sometimes overlooked role for public theologians in the world today is serving ecclesial communities in facilitating this imagination through liturgical formation.
Liveability at Risk
Authors: Pearson Clive
Published: January 2024

It is now recognized that the majority of people who will be adversely affected by climate change will live in cities. It is time for a public theology to explore how its resources might be put to use in the service of extreme cities in the era of the Anthropocene. The city of Sydney provides a rather surprising case study for such. Through 2019/2020 it was subject to succession of extreme heat, fire in its surrounds, followed by the pandemic and then five floods. It had just been deemed to be the world’s third most liveable city. In these matters theology is not the lead discipline. It is seldom invoked and invited to be placed along many other fields of knowledge in this knot of transdisciplinary challenges. It has been claimed that the future in the Anthropocene is likely to be ugly and cities will be marked by precarity. It is time for a public theology to consider the potential plight of cities and develop ahead of time – in ordinary time – a pattern of understanding and moral practice. For that to be possible it is critical for such a theology to heed the theoretical work being done in the fields that comprise an Earth System science.
The Circumcising Antichrist in the Credo of Gregory of Tours: Sources, Context, and Influence
Authors: Halfond Gregory I.
Published: January 2024

In the personal credo that prefaces his Decem libri historiarum, Gregory of Tours states his belief in an Antichrist who would impose circumcision upon his subjects. While Gregory did not invent this theme of a circumcising Antichrist, it nevertheless closely mirrored his own eschatological anxieties. Physical circumcision was, for Gregory, an unmistakable indicator of Judaism and the Old Law. The Bishop of Tours was deeply concerned about the Jews of his own time, whose obstinate refusal to acknowledge Christian truth he perceived as an obstacle to his socio-religious ideal of a unified Christian society. While Gregory did not necessarily believe that the End Times would arrive during his own lifetime, he saw signa of its inevitability everywhere, and consequently encouraged readiness on the part of his contemporaries. The Antichrist’s imposition of compulsory circumcision thus implied for Gregory the culmination of an ongoing effort by Jews to inhibit Christian unity.
Examining E10 Strategies and Decisions
Authors: Olsson Louise , Chang Patty , Muvumba Sellström Angela
Published: January 2024

Conventional wisdom dictates the ten elected members (E10) operate within the predominance of the five permanent members (P5) in the UN Security Council. Often also constrained by limited internal resources, many of the E10 need to ensure external support to promote their interests. In research, however, limited theoretical disaggregation exists on E10 strategies and conditions affecting their maneuvering to obtain influence. To address this gap, this article draws on existing research to form a framework and further inform this by using material from Sweden’s term (2017–2018) related to how Sweden sought to contribute to the progress of Women, Peace and Security. The article uses qualitative empirical material from thirty semistructured interviews of Swedish diplomats, other Member States of the Council, UN officials, scholars, and civil society advocates. The utility of this framework demonstrates the efficacy of E10 power, thereby opening up new avenues for future research.
The School of No Fun and No Play: Learning How to Create Supportive Environments from Children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Authors: Cleary Brenda , Linds Warren , Carnevale Franco A. , Thorstad Kelly , Rauch Frank , Tsimicalis Argerie
Published: January 2024

Children with medically complex dis/abilities hold sophisticated views on effective school leadership, adapted built environments, inspiring peer solidarity, catalyzing transformational solutions and a possible school-hospital liaison model to support student well-being. Using child-centric collaborative techniques, this ethnodramatic study engaged children with osteogenesis imperfecta (oi), a rare genetic disease, to create a children’s book describing their moral experiences to be disseminated to other children and families. Children living with oi experience ongoing medical interventions and dis/ability that broadly jeopardized the quality of their academic experience relative to their peers. As such, children living with oi offered trenchant insight into what supports and thwarts operationalization of their values and highlights the programs, leadership, services and paradigm shifts they feel that they need to flourish in the academic context.
A new species of Physokermes Targioni Tozzetti (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae) from Greece
Authors: KOZÁR FERENC , GOUNARI SOFIA , HODGSON CHRIS , FETYK KINGA , GORAS G.
Published: January 2024

During surveys of scale insects in Greece, a new species of Physokermes (Coccidae: Coccoidea: Hemiptera), P. hellenicus Kozár & Gounari, sp. n., was collected on the conifer Abies cephalonica (Pinaceae). The adult male, adult female, third-instar female, second-instar male and female, and the first-instar nymphs are described. This is the first time a third-instar female has been found in the Kermesidae. A key is provided to identify the adult females of western Palaearctic species of Physokermes.
The 2022 Record-Breaking Heat Event over the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River: The Role of Anthropogenic Forcing and Atmospheric Circulation
Authors: Wang Dongqian , Sun Ying , Hu Ting , Yin Hong
Published: January 2024

The anthropogenic forcing and anomalous atmospheric circulation have increased the occurrence probability of 2022-like extreme heat by approximately 62.0 and 2.6 times, respectively.