26207 research outputs found
Sort by
Leveraging LLMs for Smart Cities qualitative data analysis
No full textPublic authorities frequently conduct surveys and analyse data from citizens, a process that is often labour-intensive when performed manually. This paper explores how Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) can assist in automating data analysis for public authorities. In this respect, we investigate the potential of Large Language Models (LLMs) to perform sentiment analysis and summarisation of unstructured data as smart services. Using data from the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood (EBLN) as a case study, we assess the accuracy and precision of these models and validate the results against ground truth data and expert evaluations. Our findings indicate that sentiment classification achieved over 90% accuracy. Additionally, incorporating Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) further enhances the results obtained. Comparative analysis revealed that LLMs achieved superior performance over traditional summarisation techniques based on domain expert evaluation. These results suggest that LLMs offer a promising and impactful approach to improving the efficiency of qualitative analysis, though further research is required to enhance their accuracy and usefulness
A SIEM-integrated cybersecurity prototype for insider threat anomaly detection using enterprise logs and behavioural biometrics
Full text linkInsider threats remain a serious concern for organisations in both public and private sectors. Detecting anomalous behaviour in enterprise environments is critical for preventing insider incidents. While many prior studies demonstrate promising results using deep learning on offline datasets, few address real-time operationalisation or calibrated alert control within a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) workflow. This paper presents a SIEM-integrated prototype that fuses the Computer Emergency Response Team Insider Threat Test Dataset (CERT) enterprise logs (Logon, Device, HTTP, and Email) with behavioural biometrics from the Balabit mouse dynamics dataset. Per-modality one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D CNN) branches are trained independently using imbalance-aware strategies, including downsampling, class weighting, and focal loss. A unified 20 × N feature schema ensures train–serve parity and consistent feature validation during live inference. Post-training calibration using Platt and isotonic regression enables analyst-controlled threshold tuning and stable alert budgeting inside the SIEM. The models are deployed in Splunk’s Machine Learning Toolkit (MLTK), where dashboards visualise anomaly timelines, risky users or hosts, and cross-stream overlaps. Evaluation emphasises operational performance, precision–recall balance, calibration stability, and throughput rather than headline accuracy. Results show calibrated, controllable alert volumes: for Device, precision ≈0.70 at recall ≈0.30 (PR-AUC = 0.468, ROC-AUC = 0.949); for Logon, ROC-AUC = 0.936 with an ultra-low false-positive rate at a conservative threshold. Batch CPU inference sustains ≈70.5 k windows/s, confirming real-time feasibility. This study’s main contribution is to demonstrate a calibrated, multi-modal CNN framework that integrates directly within a live SIEM pipeline. It provides a reproducible path from offline anomaly detection research to Security Operations Centre (SOC)-ready deployment, bridging the gap between academic models and operational Cybersecurity practice
Awning design and performance considerations under winter storms in zero ground snow load zones
Full text linkThe outcomes of the Winter Storm URI in Houston (February 2021) and its impact on awnings highlighted how climate change has altered the load combinations considered in design codes such as ASCE 7-16, introducing new uncertainties due to freezing storm events. Previously unused load categories are now presenting significant challenges, as designers assumed sufficient safety factors would prevent failures. This research investigates the consequences of the storm and offers guidelines for conservative awning design in zero ground snow load zones, emphasizing wind load as the primary design load in regions with no active snow zone. Additionally, an attempt has been made in this research to examine the importance of anchor reliability in concrete structures, particularly under environmental stress such as winter storms. Factors like improper installation, edge distance, and embedment depth significantly affect anchor performance, potentially leading to premature failure modes like concrete breakout, pullout, or rusting from water accumulation. Through field investigations and theoretical analyses, the research evaluates the axial load capacity of anchors, taking into account edge distance, embedment depth, and environmental factors like ice accumulation. The study stresses the need for proper anchor geometry, drainage, and reinforcement to ensure structural safety. By following the proposed recommendations, engineers can mitigate adverse effects and enhance the durability and safety of concrete structures, even under extreme weather conditions
Identifying innovative models of urgent care in rural coastal areas in England: The Elevate study - a mixed-methods protocol
Full text linkIntroduction Urgent and emergency care (UEC) systems in England face unprecedented pressures, with record accident and emergency attendances, persistent breaches of ambulance response targets and poorer outcomes for time-sensitive conditions. National UEC recovery plans have introduced multiple innovations—such as same-day emergency care, virtual wards and specialty hubs—to manage these pressures and improve patient flow. Rural coastal areas are particularly vulnerable to excessive demand due to higher levels of deprivation, older populations with complex health needs, seasonal surges that generate unpredictable demand and challenges in attracting and retaining staff. Following the Chief Medical Officer’s 2021 Annual Report, funding research and developing bespoke solutions to manage UEC demand and address geographical disparities has been recognised as a national priority. The Elevate study responds to this priority by identifying and evaluating innovative models of UEC in rural coastal communities in England. Methods and analysis The Elevate study is a 30-month, mixed-methods evaluation that comprises three interlinked work packages: (1) National service mapping —outlining provision of innovative models of UEC in rural coastal areas of England. This will be developed through document review and interviews with regional and national service leaders. (2) Quantitative analysis —quasiexperimental and longitudinal approaches will use National Health Service (NHS) England’s Emergency Care Data Set and linked routine NHS datasets to evaluate the impact of UEC models on health and process outcomes. Standard and bespoke metrics will be developed and used to assess performance. (3) Qualitative case studies —up to 12 case studies of UEC models in rural coastal communities. Interviews with patients and staff and non-participant observation will explore how and why different UEC models influence patient experience, clinical outcomes, resource use and the workforce. Findings will be integrated using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to identify components of UEC models that are effective, scalable and sensitive to local context, Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval for qualitative components was granted by the North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee (25/NS/0099). Dissemination will include peer-reviewed publications, policy briefs, creative media and community engagement activities to ensure findings are communicated inclusively and effectively to policymakers, health and social care practitioners and the public. Trial registration number Research Registry (researchregistry11126)
Real-time measurement of soil organic carbon and related properties across agricultural land types using mobile near-infrared spectroscopy
Full text linkNew mobile near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology allows more frequent nutrient analysis of soil and plant properties among farms and agricultural land uses in real-time. The aim of this study was to determine key soil organic carbon (SOC) and plant properties using real-time mobile NIRS technique, and to assess metrics for SOC and its association with plant properties across agricultural land types. A total of 101 fields of either arable, temporary ley or permanent grassland were studied across five farms in spring 2023 and 2024 in the UK. The study collected 505 soil and 505 plant samples from the same location, with nutrients analysed using NIRS. A linear mixed model was used to assess differences among land types. The main SOC associated and plant properties assessed were soil depth, SOC (g/kg, tonnes/ha, ratios with nitrogen and clay), plant height, biomass cover and common plant nutrients. Among the land types studied, the majority of soil samples from permanent grassland had a very good SOC/clay ratio (72%), whereas arable and temporary ley samples were predominantly of good (41% and 46%, respectively) or moderate (22% and 28%, respectively) levels. Regional differences were found in soil depth (ranging from 18.3 to 30 cm), SOC stock (ranging from 46.2 to 65.3 t/ha) and SOC/clay ratio (ranging from 0.12 to 0.16). The mobile NIRS analysis can aid large scale monitoring of both soil and plant nutrients, with more frequent measurements helping landowners manage organic carbon stocks
The Animate World: Posthuman Ontologies
No full textThe Animate World: Posthuman Ontologies is a book about life in the midst of an extinction event. It argues that the crisis of our time is not only political and ecological but ontological. Challenging the anthropocentric humanism that has long sustained capitalism’s nihilist vision of a dead and meaningless world, it also shows how even the most radical posthumanisms remain complicit with the catastrophe. They fail when they either explicitly affirm or refuse to fully break with the nihilist, mechanistic ontologies that have characterised modern Western philosophy.Watson offers another path. Drawing on process philosophy and indigenous cosmologies, he develops a decolonised and scientifically literate animist ontology - one that resists the reduction of being to matter and blind mechanism, and of nature to human resource. From this grounding emerges a generative ethics and politics: an invitation to fully break with humanist modernity and rejoin the animate, more-than-human world in a time of planetary crisis
Flabbergasted: Reflections on receiving the FPOP Late Career Award
Full text linkThis paper was an invited contribution to the Bulletin of the BPS’ Faculty of Psychology of Older People to reflect on the receipt of the inaugural Late Career Award. All award winners were asked to write their reactions to being nominated and receiving the award
Seeking digital maternity healthcare during the pandemic health system shock: A systematic review of women's experiences in low- and middle-income countries
No full textBackground: The pandemic created global disruption acting as a health system shock not seen before in living memory. As a consequence, there were significant implications for healthcare delivery in low- and middle-income countries. Challenges such as lockdown restrictions created substantial modifications to the delivery of maternity care. This review aims to explore the experiences of maternity care by women, specifically in low- and middle-income countries, during the pandemic global health system shock.Methods: A systematic search was conducted for qualitative literature published about maternity healthcare experiences during the pandemic. Studies which provided qualitative data on women's experiences of digital healthcare, and other maternity care reconfigurations in low- and middle-income countries were included. The studies underwent quality assessment using twelve criteria adapted from the quality appraisal tool developed by the Evidence for Policy & Practice Information (EPPI) Centre. Thematic synthesis was employed.Results: Of the 21,860 records identified, 30 met the inclusion criteria for this review. Across the 4 key predetermined areas of study: (1) Care seeking and experience; (2) Digital health; (3) Vaccination; and (4) Ethical future of maternity services; 10 concepts were reported upon, namely: (1.1) Emotional challenges and uncertainty, (1.2) Disruption of services, (1.3) Stigma and discrimination, and (1.4) Changing support systems; (2.1) Safety and reassurance, (2.2) Locus of responsibility; (3.1) Vaccine understanding and acceptance; and (4.1) Improvements for maternity care delivery, (4.2) Implementation of virtual care, (4.3) Education and empowerment.Conclusion: Our findings suggest emotional challenges, isolation, and limited access to maternity services were prominent among pregnant individuals in low- and middle-income countries. This synthesis provides insights into how pandemic associated adaptations, which have been retained beyond, such as digital health solutions were experienced by women within constrained health systems, revealing both opportunities and persistent gaps in digital health access and equity. Although a review of low- and middle-income countries—there is learning to be taken from these settings which could easily be applied not only across low- and middle-income countries, but also in high-income settings, in the form of reverse (or “trickle-up”) innovation to improve maternity care as we recover and re-build from the pandemic and offer more resilient ways of providing maternity care through future health system shocks
Antimicrobial effects of combined piezoelectric cold plasma, organic acids, and nanoemulsions against Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes on pork
No full textThis study evaluated the antimicrobial efficacy of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) alone and in combination with nanoemulsions or organic acids against pathogens on polycarbonate membranes and pork meat. CAP was generated via piezoelectric direct discharge technology with ambient air as the working gas. On polycarbonate membranes, CAP treatment alone for 15, 30, and 45 s reduced Salmonella Typhimurium by 0.9, 1.4, and 2.4 log CFU/cm2 and Listeria monocytogenes by 0.7, 1.7, and 2.3 log CFU/cm2, respectively, showing a time-dependent antimicrobial effect. When CAP was applied before lactic or acetic acid (at minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs)/minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs)) on polycarbonate membranes, the combined treatments achieved significantly greater reductions (~ 3.6 log CFU/cm2) than when acids were applied before CAP (~ 2.3 log CFU/cm2), highlighting the importance of application sequence. Overall, CAP treatments on polycarbonate membranes showed additive effects when CAP (applied for 15, 30, or 45 s) was combined with antimicrobials (at MIC/MBC). On pork, CAP treatment for 9 min combined with organic acids or nanoemulsions at 10× MIC produced significant additive effects, enhancing pathogen inactivation (by ~ 1.5 log CFU/g) compared with CAP alone or antimicrobials alone under the same conditions. These findings support the application of CAP–antimicrobial combinations as a non-thermal, sustainable strategy to improve meat safety. Further research should evaluate the impact of treatments on the sensory attributes of meat and support their implementation at an industrial scale
The future of Scotland’s high streets
No full textThe decline of major retailers has defined a period of turbulence within the UK retail sector, reflecting shifts in consumer behaviour, technology adoption, broader economic distress, and elevated vacancy rates across many urban centres. This has prompted consideration of repurposing retail spaces, with an emphasis on mixed-use developments as a more sustainable alternative to the traditional high street model. To secure strong future for Scotland’s high streets it is required to: (1) promote mixed-use developments: housing, healthcare, education, and leisure; (2) use health and higher education institutions as anchors; (3) promote building reuse strategies; (4) enhance public realm through social and green infrastructure; (5) coordinate national and local funding to address problems not symptoms; and (6) promote stakeholder collaboration