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Children’s perspectives on the acceptability of medicine, how to assess acceptability and the development of the Theoretical Framework of Children’s Medicine Acceptability: A qualitative study
No full textObjective: To explore children’s perspectives on the acceptability of medicines and ranking scales.Methods: Interpretive reflexive child-centred qualitative design using arts-based worksheets, an activity booklet, exploration of ranking scales and conversations between the children and with the researcher.Key findings: Children aged 5-12 years can provide clear insights into factors affecting the acceptability of medicine and child-centred ways of assessing acceptability. These insights led to novel outcomes: a child-centred definition of the acceptability of medicine, children’s preferences in relation to ranking scales, and the Theoretical Framework of Children’s Medicine Acceptability (TF-CMA), a novel theoretically based framework that includes core aspects of medicine acceptability that have previously been over-looked. Conclusions: Involving children in acceptability research is key to understanding their perspectives on broad range of factors; cognitive and affective attitudes are key components to consider in relation to acceptability. Future studies should consider using the TF-CMA as framework for acceptability assessment in children’s medicines. Children should be involved in designing child-friendly, engaging assessment measures
Testing autonomous vehicles and AI: Perspectives and challenges from cybersecurity, transparency, robustness and fairness
Get PDFThis study aims to comprehensively explore the complexities of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Autonomous Vehicles (AVs), examining the challenges introduced by AI components and their impact on testing procedures. The research focuses on essential requirements for trustworthy AI, including cybersecurity, transparency, robustness, and fairness. We first analyse the role of AI at the most relevant operational layers of AVs, and discuss the implications of the EU’s AI Act on AVs, highlighting the importance of the concept of a safety component. Using an expert opinion-based methodology, involving an interdisciplinary workshop with 21 academics and a subsequent in-depth analysis by a smaller group of experts, this study provides a state-of-the-art overview of the current landscape of vehicle regulation and standards, including ex-ante, post-hoc, and accident investigation processes, highlighting the need for new testing methodologies for both Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Automated Driving Systems (ADS). The study also provides a detailed analysis of cybersecurity audits, explainability in AI decision-making processes and protocols for assessing the robustness and ethical behaviour of predictive systems in AVs. The analysis highlights significant challenges and suggests future directions for research and development of AI in AV technology, emphasising the need for multidisciplinary expertise. The study’s conclusions have relevant implications for the development of trustworthy AI systems, vehicle regulations, and the safe deployment of AVs
Polymorphism in Glu-Phe-Asp Proteinoids
Get PDFGlu-Phe-Asp (GFD) proteinoids represent a class of synthetic polypeptides capable of self-assembling into microspheres, fibres, or combinations thereof, with morphology dramatically influencing their electrical properties. Extended recordings and detailed waveforms demonstrate that microspheres generate rapid, nerve-like spikes, while fibres exhibit consistent and gradual variations in voltage. Mixed networks integrate multiple components to achieve a balanced output. Electrochemical measurements show clear differences. Microspheres have a low capacitance of 1.926±5.735μF. They show high impedance at 6646.282±178.664 Ohm. Their resistance is low, measuring 15,830.739 ± 652.514 mΩ. This structure allows for quick ionic transport, leading to spiking behaviour. Fibres show high capacitance (9.912±0.171μF) and low impedance (209.400±0.286 Ohm). They also have high resistance (163,067.613 ± 9253.064 mΩ). This combination helps with charge storage and slow potential changes. The 50:50 mixture shows middle values for all parameters. This confirms that hybrid electrical properties have emerged. The differences come from basic structural changes. Microspheres trap ions in small, round spaces. This allows for quick release. In contrast, fibers spread ions along their length. This leads to slower wave propagation. In mixed systems, diverse voltage zones emerge, suggesting cooperative dynamics between morphologies. This electrical polymorphism in simple proteinoid systems may explain complexity in biological systems. This study shows that structural polymorphism in GFD proteinoids affects their electrical properties. This finding is significant for biomimetic computing and sheds light on prebiotic information-processing systems
A Scottish survey exploring diagnostic radiography students’ attitudes towards a career in nuclear medicine
Get PDFIntroductionThe career aspirations of undergraduate radiography students have previously been surveyed but there is little in the literature exploring nuclear medicine as a career specialism. This study aimed to explore the relationship between clinical placement and career choice within third and fourth year diagnostic radiography undergraduates in Scotland.MethodsUniversity ethical approval was obtained; gatekeepers were appointed from each university and distributed the survey. The online survey was conducted consisting of 22 questions including 4 open ended. Descriptive results were summarised using tables and graphs, whilst inferential statistics were collated using R.ResultsThe survey response rate was 30.3 % (n = 64/211). Students were predominantly female (89 %). The preferred modality for specialising was general radiography (weighted average = 98.99) whilst nuclear medicine was the least favored career choice (weighted average = 18.69). Clinical placement was the most influential factor in career planning for radiography students, and students expressed a desire to learn more about nuclear medicine. There was a statistical difference in length of time spent in nuclear medicine between the three universities (p = .021).ConclusionThe study helped to establish the link between career planning and clinical placement. Students were more likely to choose a modality based on a positive clinical experience. Notably students spent the least amount of clinical time within NM and also favour this modality the least for their future career.Implications for practiceStudents have demonstrated a need to learn more about the modality and experience it within a clinical placement setting. It is recommended that the radiography curriculum is modified to incorporate learning objectives with a minimum of one week within NM
The effects of artificial UV-B provision on positional sleeping behaviour and Vitamin D3 metabolites of captive aye-ayes (Daubentonia Madagascariensis)
Get PDFZoological environments aim to promote natural behaviours and optimal welfare conditions. Over the past decade, research on the use of artificial ultraviolet-B (UV-B) exposure has improved vitamin D3 levels and reduced incidences of metabolic bone disease in diurnal primates; however, this has not been investigated in nocturnals. Aye-ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis), nocturnal lemurs often housed indoors in zoos with little to no exposure to natural sunlight, have been reported to have low vitamin D3 levels. This study aims to investigate the impacts of artificial UV-B as a supplemental healthcare strategy for aye-ayes, examining its influences on vitamin D3 levels and positional sleeping behaviour. The 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 (25OHD3) blood levels were tested before and after exposure to different levels of artificial UV-B and heat sources. Statistical analysis showed no correlation between UV-B and 25OHD3 at group parameter levels. However, one individual showed a positive correlation. Sleeping position duration analysis showed a potential basking behaviour with the use of increased ear exposure and other thermoregulatory responses. Despite representing 8.06% of the European captive aye-aye population, these findings highlight the need for further research on vitamin D3 parameters and responses to UV-B to optimise captive conditions and support the species’ long-term health
Indigenous knowledge in territorial planning. An interdisciplinary conceptual framework
Get PDFSince colonial times, Indigenous communities have been systematically excluded from territorial planning, leading to persistent inequalities in land governance and decision-making. This exclusion manifests through limited representation in policymaking, restricted land-use rights, and the marginalisation of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS). Addressing this challenges, this study develops a Transdisciplinary Conceptual Framework to integrate IKS with contemporary territorial planning approaches. Through a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis of 111 peer-reviewed articles, the research identifies key barriers-including epistemological mismatches, governance fragmentation, and methodological gaps-that hinder knowledge integration. The findings highlight the need for interdisciplinary methodologies, participatory tools, and inclusive governance models to bridge Indigenous and Western planning paradigms. By structuring existing research into a conceptual framework, this study offers a foundation for enhancing territorial projects, fostering collaborative governance, and promoting sustainable development that respects Indigenous perspectives. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS • Indigenous point of views are systematically overlooked when it comes to recognise their knowledge as scientific • Cultural and communication gaps are still challenges in research and practice • Collaborative Governance Models are imperative to full integration • Capacity building is a key element in integrating different knowledges ARTICLE HISTOR
Contribution of maths to the UK
Get PDFA debate is taking place in Westminster Hall on Thursday 5 June 2025, on the contribution of maths to the UK. The debate is being led by Ian Sollom (LiberalDemocrat, St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire)
MGNN-IDS: A multi-graph neural network approach for robust intrusion detection in the Internet of Things
No full textThe rapid development of Internet of Things (IoT) has led to the emergence of complex, heterogeneous , and large-scale networks that are increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated cyberattacks. Conventional Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) based intrusion detection models often struggle to capture the structural and relational dependencies inherent in IoT communications , as they rely heavily on flat feature spaces and have limited adaptability to dynamic network topologies. These limitations hinder cross-domain generalization and reduce detection accuracy in real-world IoT environments. To address these challenges, we propose a novel topology-aware Multi-Graph Neural Network (MGNN) architecture that efficiently models IoT networks by leveraging dual graph representations: a communication topology graph and a feature similarity graph. The MGNN employs Graph Convolutional Networks (GCNs) to extract topological patterns from network-level interactions and Graph Attention Networks (GATs) to learn complex semantic relationships between features. These representations are fused via an attention mechanism, producing a context-aware, high-fidelity embedding that enables accurate attack classification. Experimental results show that the proposed MGNN achieves 97.62% accuracy on the IDS-IoT 2024 dataset, outperforming the GCN-based model (84.29%) and the GAT-based model (90.47%). The MGNN also demonstrates strong generalizability, achieving 96.2% and 97.27% accuracy on the 5G-NIDD and IoT23 datasets, respectively, validating its robustness across dynamic IoT environments
Impact of hydrogen peroxide tolerance on carbapenem susceptibility in bacteria isolated from poultry environments
Get PDFThe survival rate of Escherichia coli strains and Pseudomonas species of poultry origin during exposure to hydrogen peroxide and the consequential effect of the exposure on the antibiotics susceptibility pattern of the bacteria were assessed. The tested organisms (Escherichia coli BW2952, Escherichia coli EGE,Pseudomonas mucidolens,and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1) were isolated from poultry droppings and identified using 16sRNA sequencing. Adaptation of the isolates to the biocide was first induced through successive passages in increasing concentrations (0.1–10% v/v) of H2O2.While the survival was determined by broth suspension/dilution. Susceptibility of the strains to carbapenem was determined using the disc diffusion method. The wild-type E. coli strains showed a similar resistance pattern to cephalosporins, penicillin, and carbapenems. P. mucidolensexhibited pandrug resistance, while P. aeruginosa was sensitive to the tested antibiotics. For the E. coli strains, viability was reduced directly with the increase in biocide concentration. Whereas the Pseudomonas strains persisted longer with a mean ≤4 log reduction at 24 h even in higher H202concentrations. The study reveals the capacity of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens to survive biocide exposure by switching to viable but non-culturable (VBNC) states. It also highlights the need to consider the utilization of a combination of biocidal agents in disinfection.The ability of microorganisms to tolerate higher concentrations of H2O2 may be temporary/reversible or permanent/irreversible