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The art of medical synthesis: Where Chinese medical wisdom intersects with artificial intelligence
Get PDFGenerative artificial intelligence (AI), specifically large language models, such as DeepSeek, has accelerated the digital transformation of healthcare systems in both developing and developed countries. The use of AI in diagnostics, image processing and interpretation, treatment personalization, clinical documentation, and drug discovery is an example of the implementation of AI in Western medicine. The need for evidence-based studies and a standardized approach to scientific medicine aligns well with these applications. AI can leave a lasting impact on the Chinese medicine (CM) landscape by increasing expectations and presenting new challenges. The analogy between the CM-specific diagnostic methods and syndrome differentiation, which is holistic, pattern-oriented, patient-centered, and clinical data analysis, is significant at multiple levels. These qualities pose challenges for AI usage in CM, which heavily relies on structured data and pattern recognition. Despite these adversities, AI can still be used in CM through data standardization, prediction formulation, and treatment planning, provided that the integration of this tool considers the primary principles of CM and adheres to ethical and regulatory considerations. This review examines the dichotomous approach to health and medicine in the contexts of AI and CM, highlighting the evolving potential, inherent limitations, and ethical and regulatory issues associated with the application of AI to CM. It provides a foundation for developing technologically progressive yet culturally and philosophically sensitive strategies that are in harmony with traditional clinical values
Geometry of an English Church Bell
Get PDFThe axisymmetric geometries of both internal and external profiles of church bells, along with the properties of the bell metal, are of vital importance to their acoustics. The role of “golden geometry” in determining the visual characteristics of the outer profile of a modern English church bell is presented. It is shown that a golden rectangle, a golden triangle, and a golden angle are all important factors. Three angular parameters are identified as measures of these attributes of the bell’s “goldenness”. Two of these features are shown to result from an underlying regular pentagon with one side defined by the bell’s mouth. The centre of this pentagon determines the location of the bell’s shoulders. Further minor features are also shown to be determined by golden geometry. The evolution of the three angular parameters over the previous millennium is included, showing a tendency to trend quickly towards the golden values in all the cases. Ultimately, the angular parameters for the English church bell of focus here are used for comparison with other modern European bells studied previously. The bells considered all displayed at least two of the three major golden features to an agreement of better than 1%
Integrating lean and resilience: a healthcare supply chain perspective
Get PDFPurpose This research aims to analyze the deployment of lean practices and resilience capabilities within the healthcare supply chain across different disruptive scenarios. The study addresses the gap in how different tier levels of the healthcare supply chain integrate lean and resilience. Design/methodology/approach Employing a case study approach, the research evaluated four Italian organizations (two healthcare providers, one pharmaceutical distributor and one pharmaceutical producer) representing the three main tier levels of the healthcare supply chain. The methodology involved a questionnaire assessing the adoption of specific lean practices and resilience capabilities, followed by a scenario analysis by experts used to identify critical practices and capabilities across different disruptive scenarios. Findings This research systematically identified critical lean practices and resilience capabilities that are underutilized at various tier levels within the healthcare supply chain, highlighting significant opportunities for theoretical advancement in operational efficiency and system robustness during disruptions. Additionally, the study introduced a novel methodological approach to evaluate the effectiveness of lean and resilience practices across different disruptive scenarios, thereby enriching the theoretical framework for crisis management within healthcare operations. Finally, we emphasized the crucial roles of just-in-time and anticipation capability in bolstering the performance of all the healthcare supply chain. Originality/value The study contributes to the fields of supply chain management and healthcare by systematically identifying and classifying the importance of lean practices and resilience capabilities in managing disruptions. Additionally, the potential for cross-tier collaboration and knowledge sharing to enhance overall supply chain resilience is highlighted
“Left-behind children” and their pathways into criminality: A mixed-method study of delinquent adolescents in China
No full textOver the past several decades, China's internal migration has led to a large number of “left-behind children” (LBC) growing up with substantial parental neglect in rural areas. LBC have been found to suffer from multiple social vulnerabilities, including a heightened risk of offending behavior. Utilizing both quantitative survey and qualitative interview data from 383 delinquent adolescents in two correctional settings in an underdeveloped region of China, this study explores key factors affecting the onset, severity, and persistence of delinquent behaviors, with a particular focus on the impact of parental migration. This research contributes to developmental and life course criminology by revealing the unique challenges (such as insufficient parental bonding and authoritarian parenting by grandparents) faced by LBC, a group at the forefront of some of the adverse consequences of China's rapid economic growth with significant inequalities. It also sheds light on the complex interactions between economic migration, familial disruption, and juvenile delinquency in a non-Western context of the Global South
HIV patient biopsychosocial complexity - Fixed or modifiable?
No full textBackgroundBiopsychosocial comorbidities are common in chronic illnesses like HIV, often resulting in complex clinical presentations. The Clinical Complexity Rating Scale for HIV (CCRS-HIV) was developed to identify these factors. This study examined whether complexity, as measured by the CCRS-HIV, could change over time.MethodsPatients at The Albion Centre in Sydney were assessed at two time points (T1 and T2) using the CCRS-HIV. Changes in total and subscale scores were analysed, along with the odds of scoring in the complex range (40+ or 45+). The impact of age and time between assessments was also evaluated.ResultsResults showed a significant decrease in total complexity scores from T1 to T2, with improvements across four subscales-two psychological/behavioural, one social, and one biomedical. The proportion of complex cases declined, and participants were nearly twice as likely to be complex at T1 compared to T2. Longer intervals between assessments were linked to greater improvements, while age and sex had no effect.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that complexity in people living with HIV (PLHIV) is modifiable and support the CCRS-HIV as a valuable tool for screening and tracking changes in clinical complexity
Police reformism and the challenges of decolonialism and abolitionism
No full textOver the last 50 years there have been numerous high-profile judicial inquiries, presidential commissions, royal commissions, and national reports into one policing crisis after another across many countries. While varying in scope and content, there are commonalities in the broad focus of recommendations, particularly in the need to change police through a suite of internal police reform mechanisms and improved measures for accountability. This chapter considers the failure of reform and the problem of police reformism. It argues that programmes of reform fail to affect meaningful change and often reinvigorate and reinforce the centrality of the institution of policing. Indeed, police are able to command even greater resources through reforms, and police power is enhanced rather than contested. The chapter places the problem of police reformism within the broader context of decolonialism and abolitionism. It considers the implications for critical policing studies. Abolitionists speak of an abolitionist horizon and the need to re-imagine and build a future without systems of control founded in violence. This work involves strategic decisions about reform that do not reinscribe and strengthen police power. The chapter explores some of the complexities and political challenges in making these strategic decisions
Circulating histones as potential biomarkers of MASLD-MASH-HCC progression.
No full textBACKGROUND: Reliable biomarkers are warranted to identify patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), at risk for developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). RESEARCH AND METHODS: We evaluated whether circulating histones can predict this risk. Plasma histones were measured using imaging flow cytometry in patients with MASLD (n = 25), MASH (n = 25), HCC (n = 40), and 30 healthy controls. RESULTS: We detected (p < 0.05), compared to controls: 1) elevated levels of H2A, H3, H2A/H2B/H3/H4, macroH2A1.1, macroH2A1.2 in MASLD/MASH and HCC; 2) decreased levels of macroH2A1.2/H2B/H3/H4 in MASLD/MASH and increased in HCC; 3) reduced H4 levels discriminating between MASH and non-MASH. Machine-learning analysis showed that being diabetic/dyslipidemic, having decreased H2A (p = 0.002) and H4 (p = 0.0156) levels favor MASH. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate plasma histones H2A and H4 as new biomarkers of liver disease progression. The identification of histone-based biomarkers using imaging flow cytometry could provide a rapid approach to discriminate between non-MASH and MASH, and to predict the risk of HCC development
Application of bipolar membrane (BPM)-based technology to green energy and environmental sustainability
Get PDFBipolar Membranes (BPMs) are pivotal in advancing sustainable energy and environmental management technologies. This review explores the fundamental concepts and recent advancements of BPM technology, emphasizing its essential role in green energy production and resource recovery. A key contribution of this study is the detailed analysis of bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED), an innovative process that produces acids and bases from salt solutions without chemical additives, offering enhanced energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact. We examine the operational mechanisms of BPMs under forward and reverse bias, focusing on their integration into applications such as water electrolysis for hydrogen generation, fuel cells, redox flow batteries, and CO2 electrolysis. Our findings demonstrate that BPM-integrated systems significantly enhance sustainability, particularly in wastewater treatment, ammonia nitrogen recovery, and nutrient recovery. Despite these advancements, challenges like membrane stability and scalability remain. We propose future research directions to optimize BPM and BMED technologies for scalable, sustainable industrial solutions
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