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Current challenges and the way forwards for regulatory databases of artificial intelligence as a medical device
No full textEffective regulatory oversight is a key step in ensuring that artificial intelligence as a medical device (AIaMD) is safe in real-world clinical settings. In this Perspective, we provide insights from our experience working with international regulatory databases, informed by our recent research and the expertise of the multidisciplinary authorship team. We highlight four key challenges, discuss attempts to circumvent these limitations, and highlight emerging initiatives. Nevertheless, the underlying issue of the quality and availability of input data from regulatory databases remains. We discuss considerations for improving accessibility and transparency, outline key aspects for a next-generation regulatory data ecosystem for AIaMDs, and call on global stakeholders to come together and align efforts to develop a clear roadmap to accelerate safe innovation and improve outcomes for patients worldwide
Constructing home-school relationships in a ‘most deprived’ area: a Foucauldian discourse analysis of primary school communications and policies
No full textThis case study, set within a ‘most deprived’ area, explores the construction of home-school relationships (HSR) within the communications and policies of seven primary schools. It sits within a poststructuralist paradigm, focusing on the way language constructs social realities, and aims to disrupt the hegemony of institutional discourses and give voice to nondominant parents within HSR. Employing a Foucauldian discourse analysis, it is argued that schools position parents in complex and contradictory ways, and use techniques of government to coerce parents into behaviours which align with schools’ goals and correct them as individual subjects. Suggestions are made for how this shapes what is possible and impossible for HSR in this context. A commitment to reflexivity is maintained throughout the dissertation, acknowledging the role of the researcher at every stage of the research process
Fluorescent Marinoquinoline Derivative as Inhibitors of <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> : SAR Analysis, Mode of Action and In Vivo Studies
Get PDFWe present insights into the mechanism of action of marinoquinolines (MQ), a novel class of lead candidates. Using a divergent synthetic approach, we developed a series of 20 new analogues with fluorescence properties. Structure-activity relationships analysis identified 19 as an attractive compound showing a combination of favorable in vitro (IC503D7 = 0.28 μM; CC50HepG2 = 53 μM), ex vivo (EC50Pf = 1.2 μM; EC50Pv = 0.53 μM), in vivo (3 × 50 mg/kg oral dose resulted in a 96% reduction in parasitemia in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice), physicochemical (Sol7.4 = 171 μM; LogD7.4 = 3.9), and pharmacokinetic (P_app = 9.4 × 10-6 cm/s, human Clinthep,mic = 0.61-0.68 μL min-1 mg-1) properties. Compound 19 selectively accumulates in infected erythrocytes, enters the digest vacuole and inhibits Plasmodium falciparum proteolytic activity, suggesting that MQs act as protease inhibitors. These findings strengthen the evidence that MQs are promising lead candidates for antimalarial drug discovery
Applying feedback control to additive manufacturing of graded refractive index lenses with continuous-distributions in permittivity
Get PDFGraded refractive index (GRIN) lenses focus and direct electromagnetic waves by making use of spatially-varying material properties to achieve compact, low profile devices in a range of technological applications. For microwave applications, GRIN lenses facilitate performance enhancement of key components such as transmitting and receiving horns used in communication devices. However, the fabrication of GRIN lenses with spatially varying permittivity and/or permeability in order to vary the local refractive index is highly challenging. Recently, additive manufacturing has been used to fabricate GRIN lenses with some success, but accurate control of the local refractive index to meet demanding lens designs is difficult. Here, a feedback control system is designed for improved additive manufacturing of GRIN microwave lenses fabricated from a mixture of both polylactic acid (PLA) and an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene/barium titanate (ABS/BaTiO 3 ) composite. After each layer is printed, a controller measures the just-printed local permittivity distribution using a split ring resonator and automatically updates the composition of the next-to-print layer to ensure the resulting local material properties match the design, thus accounting for any printing inconsistencies or defects. The defect structure of lenses without and with the controller are examined using X-ray tomography, and lens performance assessed in the 12-18 GHz range. Overall, the controller is shown to deliver higher fidelity and performance GRIN lenses by ameliorating print defects in real-time during printing
Latent brain subtypes of chronotype reveal unique behavioral and health profiles across population cohorts
Get PDFChronotype is shaped by the complex interplay of endogenous and exogenous factors. This time-enduring trait ties into societal behaviors and is linked to psychiatric and metabolic conditions. Despite its multifaceted nature, prior research has treated chronotype as a monolithic trait across the population, risking overlooking substantial heterogeneity in neural and behavioral fingerprints. To uncover hidden subgroups, we develop a supervised pattern-learning framework integrating three complementary brain-imaging modalities with deep behavioral and health profiling from 27,030 UK Biobank participants. We identify five distinct, biologically valid chronotype subtypes. Each demonstrates unique patterns across brain, behavioral and health profiles. External validation in 10,550 US children from the ABCD Study cohort reveals reversed age distributions and replicates sex-associated brain-behavioral patterns, suggesting that potential divergences between chronotype traits observed throughout adulthood may begin to emerge early in life. These findings highlight underappreciated sources of population variation that echo the rhythm of people’s inner clock
Efficient online quantum circuit learning with no upfront training
Get PDFOptimization is a promising candidate for studying the utility of variational quantum algorithms (VQAs). However, evaluating cost functions using quantum hardware introduces runtime overheads that limit exploration. Surrogate-based methods can reduce calls to a quantum computer, yet existing approaches require hyperparameter pre-training and have been tested only on small problems. Here, we show that surrogate-based methods can enable successful optimization at scale, without pre-training, by using radial basis function interpolation (RBF) to construct an adaptive, hyperparameter-free surrogate. Using the surrogate as an acquisition function drives hardware queries to the vicinity of the true optima. For 16-qubit random 3-regular Max-Cut instances with the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA), our method outperforms state-of-the-art approaches, without considering their upfront training costs. Furthermore, we successfully optimize QAOA circuits for 127-qubit random Ising models on an IBM processor using 104−105 measurements. Strong empirical performance demonstrates the promise of automated surrogate-based learning for large-scale VQA applications
Public Health
Get PDFBackgroundThe prevalence of dementia in low and middle income countries is rising dramatically, aggravated by low socioeconomic status and poor educational levels, as seen in Peru, where 41.6% of older adults in rural areas are illiterate. This limited literacy can hinder early recognition and management of dementia. The IMPACT Salud project, aligned with WHO's 2017 Global Action Plan (GAP) for Dementia and the Peruvian Ministry of Health's efforts to prioritise dementia as a public health issue. This study is Peru's first initiative to assess the health system's capacity to diagnose, treat, and support people with dementia (PWD) and their carers.MethodBetween July 2023 and August 2025, we conducted a health system assessment through a qualitative study involving stakeholder interviews and documentation review, using a methodology appropriate for low- and middle-income settings. Twelve stakeholder types across three health system levels participated in four Peruvian regions. These included PWD, carers, health professionals, regional managers, and policymakers. Our analysis used the High-Quality Health System Framework, which evaluates three domains: foundations, process of care, and quality impacts.ResultWe interviewed 160 participants, including PWD, carers, health providers, and policymakers. Preliminary findings indicate: Foundations: There is limited political support for dementia care, no institutionalized standard protocols, few medications in public pharmacies, no training programs, and no financial support. Only one hospital in one of the four regions has specific PWD care protocols. Process of Care: A referral system is in place but overloaded, delaying timely access to specialized consultations and imaging. PWD and carers judge care quality based on the empathy shown by health workers. In Lima, PWD have better specialist access and receive faster diagnoses. Quality Impacts: The trust PWD and carers place in the health system depends on care level and staff empathy. They perceive health improvements primarily in reduced symptoms and easier home care, rather than changes in cognitive decline.ConclusionThe data analysed so far suggest that the Peruvian health system is not currently prepared to provide quality care that meets the needs of PWD and their carers. To follow the GAP recommendations is essential to properly implement Peru's dementia law, ensure high-quality services and consider regional differences
Search for resonant leptoquark production via lepton-jet signatures in pp collisions at s = 13 TeV and s = 13.6 TeV with the ATLAS detector
Get PDFThis paper presents a search for physics beyond the Standard Model targeting a heavy resonance visible in the invariant mass of the lepton-jet system. The analysis focuses on final states with a high-energy lepton and jet, and is optimised for the resonant production of leptoquarks — a novel production mode mediated by the lepton content of the proton originating from quantum fluctuations. Four distinct and orthogonal final states are considered: e+light jet, μ+light jet, e+b-jet, and μ+b-jet, constituting the first search at the Large Hadron Collider for resonantly produced leptoquarks with couplings to electrons and muons. Events with an additional same-flavour lepton, as expected from higher-order diagrams in the signal process, are also included in each channel. The search uses proton-proton collision data from the full Run 2, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 140 fb−1 at a centre-of-mass energy of s=13 TeV, and from a part of Run 3 (2022–2023), corresponding to 55 fb−1 at s=13.6 TeV. No significant excess over Standard Model predictions is observed. The results are interpreted as exclusion limits on scalar leptoquark S~1 production, substantially improving upon previous ATLAS constraints from leptoquark pair production for large coupling values. The excluded S~1 mass ranges depend on the coupling strength, reaching up to 3.4 TeV for quark-lepton couplings yde = 1.0, and up to 4.3 TeV, 3.1 TeV, and 2.8 TeV for ysμ, ybe, and ybμ couplings set to 3.5, respectively
The Necessity to Provide an Informed Choice Regarding Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis: A Single-Centre Study Observing Clinician Adherence and Opinions on Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis
Get PDFIntroduction Venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis is a critical patient safety measure used in hospitals to prevent venous thromboembolic events. These are often done via nonpharmacological methods, such as anti-embolic (TED™) stockings, or with pharmacological methods, such as low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), which consists of medications such as dalteparin. The synthesis of said medications is derived from bovine or ovine products, thus posing ethical and cultural concerns for those with dietary or religious restrictions. Fondaparinux sodium, a fully synthetic alternative, offers a non-animal-derived option, yet its use remains limited. Aims The aim of this study is to explore if those who express a preference for non-animal-derived products are appropriately prescribed fondaparinux, and to educate clinicians on the animal-derived LMWHs with the ability to provide suitable alternatives. Methodology A retrospective cohort study was conducted over a seven-week period at Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan, United Kingdom, from 16/05/25 to 07/07/25. Data were collected from patients who had expressed dietary or religious restrictions regarding animal-derived products and who were prescribed VTE prophylaxis. A secondary survey assessed prescribing clinicians' knowledge of LMWH derivatives and fondaparinux as an alternative. Results Of the 27 newly admitted patients who expressed a preference for non-animal-derived products over the seven-week period, 23 (85%) of these received VTE prophylaxis in the form of LMWH, with four (15%) receiving fondaparinux as a suitable alternative. Amongst the 24 prescribers surveyed, 12 (50%) knew LMWHs were animal-derived, with 14 prescribers (58.3%) aware of fondaparinux as a synthetic alternative. Despite this, 21 (87.5%) agreed that patients should be informed if medications contain animal-derived ingredients, with 22 (91.7%) supporting informed patient choice. Conclusion The use of VTE in a hospital setting is an imperative safety strategy and is used amongst a plethora of specialities. Those patients with expressed preferences for non-animal-derived products had unfortunately received the first-line LMWH prophylaxis, which can be due to either clinicians not having the knowledge that LMWH has animal derivatives, or that there is a suitable alternative to LMWHs. This demonstrates a clear health inequality. Educational initiatives and institutional protocols are recommended to promote patient-centred care and ensure ethical prescribing consistent with individual values
Examining 10 reasons to stay in the European Convention on Human Rights: informing public debate in the UK
Get PDFThe report sets out ten key reasons to stay in the ECHR – spanning accountability after state failures, protections for free expression and privacy, proportionate policing, and practical safeguards across public services – with evidence drawn from UK law, public authority practice, human rights case law, international treaty obligations, and academic and expert analysis. It concludes that the way in which the UK incorporated ECHR rights through the HRA safeguards everyone's rights every day, including actively protecting people when they are at their most vulnerable, protecting people's privacy against intrusion, holding those in power accountable, and increasing the UK's international influence and credibility. The authors note that this conclusion does not suggest there should be no debate about the ECHR, the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, or the application of the HRA within the UK. This debate must, however, be well-informed and evidence-based