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Quantum reservoir computing for photonic entanglement witnessing
No full textAccurately estimating properties of quantum states, such as entanglement, while essential for the development of quantum technologies, remains a challenging task. Standard approaches to property estimation rely on detailed modeling of the measurement apparatus and a priori assumptions on their working principles. Even small deviations can greatly affect reconstruction accuracy and prediction reliability. Here, we demonstrate that quantum reservoir computing embodies a powerful alternative for witnessing quantum entanglement and, more generally, estimating quantum features from experimental data. We leverage the orbital angular momentum of photon pairs as an ancillary degree of freedom to enable informationally complete single-setting measurements of their polarization. Our approach does not require fine-tuning or refined knowledge of the setup, at the same time outperforming conventional approaches. It automatically adapts to noise and imperfections while avoiding overfitting, ensuring robust reconstruction of entanglement witnesses and paving the way to the assessment of quantum features of experimental multiparty states
Six-year rate of visual field progression in the Laser in Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension (LiGHT) Trial
No full textto compare the 6-year rate of visual field (VF) progression in the two arms of the Laser in Ocular Hypertension and Glaucoma Trial (LiGHT), comparing selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) and drops as first treatment in ocular hypertension (OHT) and open angle glaucoma (OAG). post-hoc analysis of data from randomized clinical trial SUBJECTS: patients with newly diagnosed OHT/OAG recruited in the LiGHT trial. in each patient, we selected the better (baseline Mean Deviation, MD) eligible eye with at least 3 reliable VFs (false positive errors < 15%) over at least 6 months. We estimated the rate of MD progression using a published hierarchical linear mixed effect model (LMM), designed to increase precision by minimizing the effect of perimetric learning and test-retest noise. Secondary analyses were performed to assess: the differences in rate across baseline severity groups (OHT, mild OAG and moderate/severe OAG); the effect of glaucoma surgery and switch to SLT in the drops-first arm, by truncating the VF series; the effect of cataract and cataract surgery, by using the Mean Pattern Deviation (MPD) instead of the MD. mean difference in the rate of VF MD progression between patients in the SLT-first and drops-first arm. Data from 710 eyes (482 with OAG, 354 in the SLT-first arm) were analysed. The two arms had similar baseline MD (p=0.7). The average intraocular pressure (IOP) during follow-up was 16.1 [14.2, 18.2] for the drops-first arm and 16.8 [14.6, 18.6] in the SLT-first arm (Median [Interquartile-range], p=0.057). The mean [95%-Credible interval] MD rate was -0.37 [-0.43, -0.31] dB/year in the drops-first arm and -0.26 [-0.31, -0.21] dB/year in the SLT-first arm (p = 0.007). When stratified by severity, this difference was significant only in mild OAG (p = 0.035, the largest sub-group). The secondary analyses largely confirmed the main results. The difference in MPD rate was also significantly slower in the SLT-first arm (p < 0.001). First-line SLT was more effective than drops at preserving VF. SLT should be preferred as the first line of treatment in newly diagnosed OHT and OAG eyes.
An exploration of the factors influencing successful implementation, delivery and outcomes in an intensive care sedation study: process evaluation of the A2B RCT
No full textBackgroundChoice of sedation of critically ill patients is a core element of intensive care practice. The alpha 2 agonists for sedation to produce better outcomes from critical illness (A2B) trial tested the effectiveness of two alpha agonist sedatives versus propofol in reducing time on mechanical ventilation in 38 intensive care units in the United Kingdom. To evaluate both how this complex trial was implemented and how this may have influenced trial outcomes, an understanding of the contextual and practice variation across multiple sites was required.Aim and objectivesThe aim of this process evaluation of the A2B trial was to determine how the intervention was delivered, the extent to which it was delivered as intended and the impact this had on outcomes. Specifically, we aimed to:Establish the degree to which the A2B intervention was delivered as intended, specifically in relation to fidelity, dose and reach across patients.Understand factors that impacted on successful delivery of both the A2B intervention and trial, in relation to attitudes and perceptions of staff, including context and standard care.Design and methodsA mixed-methods, multiphase design was used following extensive pre-trial exploration of current practice. Quantitative data were drawn from the main trial database covering 38 sites to assess the intervention’s fidelity, dose and reach in each site. Data were analysed descriptively and provided a low-moderate-high rating. Qualitative data were collected by interviews mid trial (phase 1) and end of trial (phase 2). Participants were recruited from a random sample of 30 intensive care units active at the time of sampling and included the principal investigator, research nurses and clinical staff. Semistructured interviews, informed by the trial’s logic model, lasted 45–60 minutes. Data collection focused on whether the intervention could be delivered as intended, factors that impacted upon successful delivery and understanding intervention adherence. Analysis used a framework approach based on the logic model. Data collection and qualitative analyses were completed prior to knowing the primary results of the trial.ResultsSite intervention adherence ratings for fidelity, dose and reach were low (4), moderate (20) and high (14). Participants from 12 intensive care units in each of phase 1 (33 staff) and phase 2 (36 staff) provided qualitative data; participating intensive care units differed between phases. Factors identified in phase 1 focused on intervention delivery and trial conduct and incorporated both organisational and participant-related factors. In phase 2, participant-related factors included clinician preference, individual equipoise, clinician resistance and staff capability and capacity, while A2B trial-related factors included concerns relating to safety and side effects, overnight deep sedation practice, patient comfort and trial documentation. Many of these factors were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in regard to staffing numbers and experience.LimitationsDue to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, most data collection occurred remotely through video-conferencing rather than planned at site observation and interviews.ConclusionOptimal sedation practice is influenced by multiple factors related to clinician perceptions, capacity and capability. Priorities in care focus on short-term safety and comfort. Limitations in staffing mean that longer-term consequences related to recovery and rehabilitation are second tier considerations.Future workFindings highlight the multiple contextual factors, including both organisational and participant-related characteristics, that should be considered when planning both clinical trials and changes to routine care. Multiple strategies for achieving behaviour change when implementing complex interventions are essential.
Exploring sleep challenges and interventions in children with a vision impairment: a scoping review
No full textBackground/Objectives: Sleep problems are highly prevalent among children with vision impairment and can negatively affect physical, emotional, and cognitive development. There is a need to identify and evaluate effective interventions in this population. This scoping review aimed to map the range of sleep challenges experienced by these children and to summarise the interventions evaluated to date. Methods: Systematic searches were performed in Embase, Medline, and Web of Science Core Collection. Screening was completed in Covidence, and data extraction and descriptive analysis were conducted using Microsoft Excel (version 2510) and IBM SPSS Statistics (version 30). Narrative synthesis was used to summarise findings. Results: Fifteen studies were included, over half of which were case reports. The vast majority (14/15) were conducted in high-income countries, leaving a significant evidence gap for low- and middle-income settings. Reported sleep challenges included delayed sleep onset, non-24-h sleep-wake disorder, early morning waking, and fragmented sleep. Interventions were predominantly pharmacological (11/15), with melatonin the most frequently evaluated. Across studies, melatonin demonstrated short-term effectiveness in improving sleep latency, duration, and parent-reported quality, though prescribing practices, dosages, and availability varied. Other pharmacological options, such as tasimelteon and vitamin B12, were rarely reported. Non-pharmacological strategies were evaluated in only a small number of studies and included behavioural interventions, structured routines, and activity-based therapies. These showed potential benefit but remain under-researched. Conclusions: Overall, the evidence base is small, heterogeneous, and methodologically limited. Further research is needed to develop and carefully test non-pharmacological approaches, and to compare them directly with pharmacological treatments, to provide families and clinicians with effective and sustainable options.<br/
An affordance perspective on Artificial Intelligence's role in data protection
No full textArtificial Intelligence is crucial in organizational cybersecurity, especially in data security. While previous research emphasizes AI’s abilities in pattern recognition and threat mitigation, research has not examined how AI and various organizations’ security elements jointly shape cybersecurity incident management outcomes. Thus motivated, this study examines how AI succeeds or fails in cybersecurity incident management. Guided by the affordance theory, we investigate the joint relationship of AI, cybersecurity strategies, and organizational context with incident characteristics. We conceptualize and propose to empirically examine the research model comprising the use of AI, cyber insurance, regulatory compliance, industry sensitivity, company size, threat severity, and mean time to detection. We focus on three incident outcomes: data breaches, attack costs, and production disruptions.<br/
Efficacy of a feed additive consisting of endo-1,4-beta-xylanase, endo-1,4-beta-glucanase and xyloglucan-specific-endo-beta-1,4-glucanase produced by Trichoderma citrinoviride DSM 33578 (Huvezym® neXo) for all porcine species and all poultry (Huvepharma EOOD)
No full textFollowing a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the efficacy of endo-1,4-beta-xylanase, endo-1,4-beta-glucanase and xyloglucan-specific-endo-beta-1,4-glucanase (produced with Trichoderma citrinoviride DSM 33578) (Huvezym® neXo), intended to be used as a zootechnical feed additive (functional group: digestibility enhancers) for all Suidae and all poultry at the recommended application level 1500 endo-pentosanase units (EPU), 100 cellulase unit (CU) and 100 xyloglucanase unit (XGU)/kg of complete feed. The additive is available in granulated (Huvezym® neXo 100 G) and liquid (Huvezym® neXo100 L) forms, and it is authorised for use in reproductive sows and poultry for fattening, poultry reared for laying and reared for breeding, and ornamental birds. In previous opinions, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that Huvezym® neXo is safe for the target species, consumers and the environment. Additionally, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that Huvezym® neXo in either form is not an irritant to the skin and eyes; the liquid form is not a skin sensitiser, but the solid form should be considered a potential skin sensitiser. Both forms of the additive are considered respiratory sensitisers. However, in the previous assessments, the Panel could not conclude on the efficacy of weaned piglets and laying hens. Considering the previously and newly submitted data the Panel concluded that the additive has a potential to be efficacious as a zootechnical additive for all porcine species and all poultry under the proposed conditions of use.</p
Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of a tincture derived from the leaves or the aerial parts of Mentha × piperita L. (peppermint tincture) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl)
No full textFollowing a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of a tincture from the leaves or aerial parts of Mentha × piperita L. (peppermint tincture) when used as a sensory additive in feed and in water for drinking for all animal species. The product is a ■■■■■ solution, with a dry matter content of approximately 1.85%. Peppermint tincture contains on average 0.095% (w/w) total polyphenols (of which 0.0247% are flavonoids). The Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that the use of peppermint tincture is safe at the proposed use level of 500 mg/kg complete feed for ornamental fish. For the other species the calculated safe concentrations in complete feed are: 64 mg/kg for chickens for fattening, 95 mg/kg for laying hens, 86 mg/kg for turkeys for fattening, 138 mg/kg for pigs for fattening, 115 mg/kg for piglets, 168 mg/kg for sows, 287 mg/kg for veal calves, 253 mg/kg for cattle for fattening, sheep/goats and horses, 164 mg/kg for dairy cows, 101 mg/kg for rabbits, 289 mg/kg for salmonids, 303 mg/kg for dogs and 253 mg/kg for cats. These conclusions were extrapolated to other physiologically related species. For any other species, the additive is safe at 64 mg/kg complete feed. The use of peppermint tincture at the proposed conditions of use is considered safe for the consumers and the environment. Regarding user safety, the additive under assessment should be considered as irritant to skin and eyes, and as a dermal and respiratory sensitiser. Any exposure is considered a risk. Since the leaves of Mentha × piperita L. are recognised to flavour food and their function in feed would be essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of efficacy was necessary.</p
Assessment of the feed additive consisting of Enterococcus lactis DSM 7134 (Bonvital®) for sows for the renewal of its authorisation (Lactosan GmbH & Co.KG)
No full textFollowing a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the assessment of the application for renewal of the authorisation of Bonvital® as a zootechnical additive for sows. Bonvital® is currently authorised for use in weaned piglets, pigs for fattening, sows, chickens for fattening, laying hens, chickens reared for laying and minor poultry species (other than those used for laying). The active agent of Bonvital® was originally identified as Enterococcus faecium. In a previous opinion the strain was reassigned to Enterococcus lactis. The applicant provided evidence that the additive currently on the market complies with the existing terms of authorisation. There is no new evidence that would lead the FEEDAP Panel to reconsider its previous conclusions. Thus, the Panel concluded that the additive remains safe for the target species, consumers and the environment under the authorised conditions of use. Bonvital® in its powder form is not irritant to the skin and eyes but no conclusion is possible for the granulated form. Bonvital® should be considered a skin and respiratory sensitiser and any exposure through skin and respiratory tract is considered a risk. There is no need to assess the efficacy of Bonvital® in the context of the renewal of the authorisation.</p
Tea and coffee intakes, COPD, adult asthma, and lung function in the UK Biobank
No full text: Previous studies suggest non-linear associations between tea and coffee intake and respiratory health, with lower risks at low-to-moderate intakes but higher, unexplored risks at high intakes. This study aims to investigate associations between tea and coffee intake and the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and adult-onset asthma. : Among 366 869 participants of the UK Biobank, intakes of tea and coffee were derived from both a food frequency questionnaire and from repeated 24 hour diet assessments. Cross-sectional associations with measures of lung function [forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV ), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV /FVC] and inflammation-represented by the INFLA score-and prospective associations with both incident COPD and adult-onset asthma were examined using multivariable-adjusted linear regression and Cox proportional hazards models, respectively. : Compared to not consuming tea or coffee, low intakes (0.5-2 cups per d) were associated with better lung function, lower inflammation, and a lower risk of incident COPD [HR (95% CI); tea: 0.87 (0.81, 0.93) and coffee: 0.86 (0.82, 0.92)] and asthma [coffee: 0.90 (0.85, 0.95)]. A higher risk of COPD was seen for high tea, but not coffee, intakes when analyses were restricted to never smokers, but not when participants with respiratory symptoms at baseline were excluded. : Both tea and coffee can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation (∼2 cups per d). The lack of a beneficial association at high intakes may be due to residual confounding from smoking for coffee and, in part, reverse causation for tea
Traditional Chinese medicine for non-small cell lung cancer: an evidence mapping
No full textAlthough many systematic reviews and meta-analyses have explored Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), uncertainty remains about the pooled efficacy, safety, and quality of these and the interventions they assessed. This study aimed to address this gap by analyzing TCM treatments for NSCLC using evidence mapping. A comprehensive search across six databases identified relevant systematic reviews and meta-anlyses up to August 2025. The AMSTAR-2 tool was used to assess methodological quality, and Python was used for statistical analysis and visualization. Evidence maps were created to group reviews by treatment types (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and supportive care) and by specific outcomes such as objective response rate (ORR), leukopenia, and quality of life (QoL). Out of 196 systematic reviews, 42 TCM interventions and 55 outcomes were identified. Most reviews examined TCM combined with chemotherapy, particularly Aidi, Kanglaite, and Shenqi Fuzheng injections. These combinations showed potential benefits in ORR, QoL, and chemotherapy-induced leukopenia. TCM combined with targeted therapies, such as EGFR-TKIs and Astragalus, also indicated benefits in progression-free survival and immune function. However, most systematic reviews were of "critically low" quality, limiting evidence reliability. While TCM shows promise in enhancing conventional NSCLC treatments, high-quality, rigorously conducted randomised trials and reviews are essential to confirm these findings and guide clinical integration