Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs) represent the latest generation of neural computation, offering a brain-inspired alternative to conventional Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). Unlike ANNs, which depend on continuous-valued signals, SNNs operate using distinct spike events, making them inherently more energy-efficient and temporally dynamic. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of SNN design models, training algorithms, and multi-dimensional performance metrics, including accuracy, energy consumption, latency, spike count, and convergence behavior. Key neuron models such as the Leaky Integrate-and-Fire (LIF) and training strategies, including surrogate gradient descent, ANN-to-SNN conversion, and Spike-Timing Dependent Plasticity (STDP), are examined in depth. Results show that surrogate gradient-trained SNNs closely approximate ANN accuracy (within 1-2%), with faster convergence by the 20th epoch and latency as low as 10 milliseconds. Converted SNNs also achieve competitive performance but require higher spike counts and longer simulation windows. STDP-based SNNs, though slower to converge, exhibit the lowest spike counts and energy consumption (as low as 5 millijoules per inference), making them optimal for unsupervised and low-power tasks. These findings reinforce the suitability of SNNs for energy-constrained, latency-sensitive, and adaptive applications such as robotics, neuromorphic vision, and edge AI systems. While promising, challenges persist in hardware standardization and scalable training. This study concludes that SNNs, with further refinement, are poised to propel the next phase of neuromorphic computing.

We introduce a methodology for the identification of notifiable events in the domain of healthcare. The methodology harnesses semantic frames to define fine-grained patterns and search them in unstructured data, namely, open-text fields in e-medical records. We apply the methodology to the problem of underreporting of gender-based violence (GBV) in e-medical records produced during patients' visits to primary care units. A total of eight patterns are defined and searched on a corpus of 21 million sentences in Brazilian Portuguese extracted from e-SUS APS. The results are manually evaluated by linguists and the precision of each pattern measured. Our findings reveal that the methodology effectively identifies reports of violence with a precision of 0.726, confirming its robustness. Designed as a transparent, efficient, low-carbon, and language-agnostic pipeline, the approach can be easily adapted to other health surveillance contexts, contributing to the broader, ethical, and explainable use of NLP in public health systems.

Clinical decision support systems (CDSS) are used to improve clinical and service outcomes, yet evidence from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is dispersed. This protocol outlines methods to quantify the impact of CDSS on patient and healthcare delivery outcomes in LMICs. We will include comparative quantitative designs (randomized trials, controlled before-after, interrupted time series, comparative cohorts) evaluating CDSS in World Bank-defined LMICs. Standalone qualitative studies are excluded; mixed-methods studies are eligible only if they report comparative quantitative outcomes, for which we will extract the quantitative component. Searches (from inception to 30 September 2024) will cover MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, CENTRAL, Web of Science, Global Health, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, LILACS, African Index Medicus, and IndMED, plus grey sources. Screening and extraction will be performed in duplicate. Risk of bias will be assessed with RoB 2 (randomized trials) and ROBINS-I (non-randomized). Random-effects meta-analysis will be performed where outcomes are conceptually or statistically comparable; otherwise, a structured narrative synthesis will be presented. Heterogeneity will be explored using relative and absolute metrics and a priori subgroups or meta-regression (condition area, care level, CDSS type, readiness proxies, study design).

Will AI mean the end of call centres? Ask ChatGPT whether AI will replace humans in the customer service industry, and it will offer a diplomatic answer, the summary of which is they will work side by side. Humans though, are not so optimistic. Last year, the chief executive of Indian technology firm Tata Consultancy Services, K Krithivasan, told the Financial Times that AI may soon mean that there is minimal need for call centres in Asia. Meanwhile, AI will autonomously resolve 80% of common customer service issues by 2029, predicts business and technology research firm Gartner.

Why did Israel launch air strikes on Gaza? What life is like in Gaza's crowded tents How is Israel using PR firms to frame its war? Will the US plan for Gaza fail? Hamas has denied accusations by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) that the Palestinian group looted aid trucks in the Gaza Strip. CENTCOM had published drone footage that allegedly showed an aid truck being looted in the enclave.

A flotilla of uncrewed wolf pack drone boats has successfully been used to escort warships in a Royal Navy and Army trial. The Navy said it was a milestone demonstration of how it could utilise such technology in a real-life scenario. With camera and sensor data being fed back to Patrick Blackett, five 7.2m autonomous Rattler boats safely escorted the two ships playing the role of foreign warships during the 72-hour milestone training exercise, it said. The demonstration was a culmination of months of trials by the Navy's Disruptive Capabilities and Technology Office (DCTO) and the Fleet Experimentation Squadron (FXS). Each of the Rattler boats were operated by a two-person team, with one responsible for piloting the drone and the other monitoring and operating onboard systems, as well as helping to manage live data streams.

Porsche's much-anticipated 2026 EV has charging tech akin to a giant Qi puck. But what happens when Mittens or Fido gets in the way of 11 kilowatts invisibly flying through the air? Yes, it's still a prototype, but Porsche is finally letting people experience what it's next electric car will be like when it hits production next year. We got a briefing on the underpinnings of the new architecture for the Cayenne Electric, peeked at the very fancy finalized interior, and experienced a few hot laps being driven by one of Porsche's professional drivers. However, the highlight was, oddly, none the above, it was getting to try out the Cayenne Electric's party trick and experience exactly how Porsche's wireless charging system works for the EV, and how ridiculously similar the process is to plonking your phone down on a Qi charging puck .

Environment Animals Wildlife Spiders Beware, beachgoers: New spider discovered in California's sand dunes Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Just in time for Halloween, researchers have identified a new species of trapdoor spider. The newly discovered is about the size of a quarter, brown, and pretty chunky. It's the fourth known species of trapdoor spiders in California whose habitat is limited to sandy coastal dunes. Female trapdoor spiders are basically vampires .

Distraught illegal migrant shrieks'Help me, I have my papers' as she is arrested by ICE at Salt Lake City airport Hotly-anticipated JonBenet Ramsey drama starring Melissa McCarthy and Clive Owen'will NEVER see the light of day' US plans to BOMB Venezuela as Trump's war hawks brand Maduro'al-Qaeda of the West' Royal insiders tell me Andrew is just the start... and reveal the'bigger unravelling coming next': MAUREEN CALLAHAN Do you have a limited group of close friends, enjoy time alone and find parties draining? You may have a newly discovered rare personality type... take our test to find out We lost 100 lbs without taking'easy way out' Ozempic by using these'traditional' methods: They're simple daily habits... that ended our 1,000-calorie donuts binges for good'I don't think it's all over for Andrew': Mr Mountbatten Windsor's humiliation opens the door for full POLICE probe, royal biographer says - ex-Prince starts first day as a commoner by preparing for eviction from Royal Lodge NORMAN BAKER: Andrew's banishment is a desperate attempt to insulate the monarchy from the far BIGGER scandal everyone's missed. Charles knows the genie's out of the bottle - but it's too late What will happen next for Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and their royal titles revealed - as both flee the country amid Andrew's final humiliation Airport towers fall eerily silent amid controller crisis as government shutdown drives $4.2B tourism loss for US economy: Live updates FDA warns dentists and parents not to give fluoride to children... as substance is linked to'broad health implications' Devastating new poll shows NYC's socialist mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani has opened 25 point lead over centrist Democrat rival Pearl-wearing son of top lawyer'rammed cops in Mercedes G-Wagon'... read the full shocking allegations now set to sully his family's name Total meltdown at CBS as anti-woke new boss Bari Weiss deploys shock and awe tactics: Staff are'running scared'... as insiders reveal what they fear most Actor with towering 7ft stature who starred in iconic Halloween films is seen in LA... can you guess who? It's Meghan's festive fare - with sprinkles of Highgrove! Duchess reveals first Christmas range with startling similarities to the King's Fired CBS News producer claims only'people of color' were booted - and that white co-workers were allowed to transfer elsewhere Grotesque model reveals what the average sedentary person could look like by 2050 - with sunken eyes, bald spots, and'tech neck' Today's culture of convenience means it's easy to order food, take work meetings and connect with friends while sitting on the sofa.

Victims of the Horizon Post Office scandal could meet face-to-face with Fujitsu and Post Office representatives as part of a restorative justice effort. The charity overseeing a new scheme said the first five months were an initial pilot phase, but it hoped the scheme would last five years and include extra initiatives such as a special commemorative postage stamp. It comes on top of the various financial compensation schemes in place for sub-postmasters. The Horizon IT scandal saw hundreds of sub-postmasters falsely accused of embezzling Post Office funds after faulty software suggested money was missing from their branch accounts. Children affected by Post Office scandal'should get grants' More than 900 sub-postmasters were wrongly prosecuted because of incorrect information from the Horizon computer system.