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Antecedents of test automation adoption in DevOps Continuous Testing: a systematic literature review through the TOE framework
No full textBackground: The rapid evolution of software engineering has positioned DevOps practices and Continuous Testing (CT) as critical approaches for achieving speed, quality, and reliability in software delivery. Test automation is central to CT, yet its adoption remains inconsistent due to a complex interplay of technological, organizational, and environmental conditions. Objective: This study employs a systematic literature review guided by the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework to identify, categorize, and synthesize the antecedents that influence the test automation adoption in DevOps continuous testing. Methods: Using the PRISMA protocol, 49 peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025 were systematically analyzed, yielding 61 distinct factors comprising 29 technological, 19 organizational, and 13 environmental antecedents. These factors were further consolidated into thematic clusters to enhance analytical clarity and reduce fragmentation. Results: The findings demonstrate that technological and organizational drivers, including relative advantage, compatibility, top management support, and employee competence, dominate the literature, while environmental influences such as competitive pressure, regulatory requirements, and vendor ecosystems are comparatively underexplored. This imbalance indicates that although the TOE framework is widely applied in technology adoption studies, empirical research has given greater attention to internal adoption enablers than to external pressures. By simplifying and synthesizing the factors into coherent sub-themes, this study contributes to both theory and practice by offering a structured lens through which test automation adoption can be examined in the DevOps CT context. Theoretically, it validates the relevance of TOE for analysing multidimensional adoption dynamics, while practically, it provides managers with evidence-based insights to prioritize critical factors when planning automation initiatives. Methodologically, it demonstrates the importance of transparent and replicable review processes for advancing cumulative knowledge.Conclusion: Overall, the study bridges fragmented findings into a coherent framework and strengthens understanding of adoption strategies in continuous testing environments
Understanding workload dynamics in football goalkeepers: insights from a professional club
No full textThe aim of this study was to examine differences in external workload between starter and non-starter goalkeepers, and to compare the starter’s training loads with match-day demands across a competitive cycle. Three professional male goalkeepers, aged 26.7 ± 4.3 years, participated in the study. Data were collected over a five-week period using Catapult Vector G7 goalkeeper-specific 10 Hz GPS devices to track various physical metrics. Given the small sample size inherent to professional goalkeeper squads, a descriptive case-series design was employed. Descriptive statistics and effect sizes (ε²) were calculated to characterise the magnitude of observed differences, rather than to perform inferential testing. The starter accumulated moderately higher high-speed running loads across the training week, while non-starters showed greater involvement in specific high-intensity goalkeeper actions such as jumps and dive load (TDV LOAD) on MD-4 and MD-3, respectively. When comparing the starter’s training and match demands, match play imposed substantially higher total distance, duration, and high-speed running, whereas training sessions elicited higher volumes of accelerations, decelerations, changes of direction, and dive-related actions. These findings highlight the distinct physical demands associated with playing status and suggest that training design may benefit from context-specific individualisation. Future research should involve larger samples and more detailed drill classification to validate these preliminary observations and enhance understanding of goalkeeper-specific workload patterns
An international survey of image and performance enhancing drug coaches’ practices and services
No full textBackground: In the absence of governmental harm reduction support, the image and performance enhancing drug (IPED) community has developed its own strategies to mitigate drug-related risks, including the emergence of IPED coaches who provide guidance on drug use. Existing studies on IPED coaching are predominantly qualitative, with small, Western-based samples. Methods: This study employed a quantitative, cross-sectional survey to explore the lived experiences of forty-one IPED coaches from diverse global contexts, to examine IPED consumption, related harms, and the scope of coaching services they offer. Results: Coaches reported use of a wide range of injectable and oral steroids, alongside ancillary substances. Coaching practices varied considerably, with client numbers ranging from 0 to over 70. Service provision included bloodwork advice, analysis, and in some cases, drug supply. Conclusion: Findings demonstrate substantial heterogeneity in IPED coaching practices, providing a foundation for the development of a typology that distinguishes informed, evidence-aligned guidance from misinformed or potentially harmful practices within the community
Inequalities of a global workforce: the case of the international shipping industry
No full textThe international seafaring workforce is responsible for moving approximately 80% of all global trade. In this chapter the inequalities experienced by this workforce are explored. In doing so, issues regarding the ownership of ships, how (and where) ships are registered, and how this impacts on those who work onboard them are highlighted. In addition, it is also shown how a globalised industry, in which workers work in areas beyond national jurisdictions is regulated, and the difficulties of such regulation and the various ways in which this has enabled the exploitation of the workforce are explored. Consideration is also given to industrial relations in the industry and the ways in which trade unions, in particular the International Transport Workers’ Federation, have tried to combat inequalities. This chapter therefore highlights some of the key issues and inequalities that workers in a global workforce may face and explores the attempts made to mitigate against these
Cyber threats to maritime SAR operations in the arctic: risks from public data
No full textThe challenging climate conditions in the Arctic Ocean make Search and Rescue (SAR) operations particularly difficult. An emerging risk that demands attention in this context is cybersecurity. The paper examines cybersecurity threats by focusing on the perspective of Arctic SAR operations. A ship may require assistance due to cyberattacks compromising its IT networks or navigation equipment. Attacks could occur through random incidents or intentional actions by cyber criminals who can target vulnerable ships from public databases. The research explores how cyber-attacks could compromise SAR operations, providing detailed threat scenarios by implementing the STAP safe-sec methodology and utilising experts from Arctic rescue operations. The paper highlights areas that need Ships in the Arctic Ocean to be cyber-attack resilient. Cybercriminals could use several pieces of information from public domains to select one or multiple targets when rescue operations would be particularly challenging. The information includes ship equipment failures, wind force, sea state, the number of crew and passengers in distress, and the proximity of nearby ships. A practical scenario demonstrates the methodology's application, focusing on bulk carriers with Polar Code certification. This scenario utilises historical data on weather conditions and ship traffic along the North Sea Route to highlight the practical implications of the research findings
Analysing the influence of numerical imbalance on individual tactical behaviour in soccer ball possession across different age categories
No full textThis study explored the impact of unbalanced ball possession small-sided games (SSGs) on individual tactical actions within three age groups: Under-11 (U11), Under-15 (U15), and Under-23 (U23). A total of 52 academy-level soccer players participated in 4v2, 4v4, and 4v6 SSGs aimed at maintaining ball possession. The analysis, conducted from both opposition-based (4vX) and cooperation-based (4v2+X) perspectives, utilised the Kruskal-Wallis and Dwass-Steel-Critchlow-Fligner tests to evaluate the effects on individual tactical actions such as Blocking, Tackling, Intercepting, Passing, Receiving, and Dribbling. Results indicated that older players (U23) demonstrated a higher proficiency in passing and receiving in numerically superior scenarios, showcasing their advanced tactical understanding. In contrast, younger players (U11 and U15) displayed greater variability, particularly in dribbling and tackling, reflecting their developmental stages. The findings suggest that numerical superiority enhances the frequency and quality of individual tactical actions across all groups, underscoring the need for age-specific and numerically balanced training to optimise player development. This research supports the implementation of tailored training regimes that align with players? developmental stages, using unbalanced SSGs to refine specific individual tactical skills and simulate real-match conditions, to develop decision-making and overall team performance
Ensemble deep learning architectures for detecting pulmonary tuberculosis in chest X-rays
No full textTuberculosis (TB) remains a major global health challenge, causing approximately 1.4 million deaths annually. In many high-burden regions, limited access to expert radiological interpretation leads to delayed or missed diagnoses. To address this, we propose a cost-effective, automated TB screening method suitable for under-resourced settings. Our method integrates a Convolutional Autoencoder Neural Network and a Multi-Scale Convolutional Neural Network with deep layer aggregation into an ensemble learning architecture for robust TB detection from chest radiographs. The framework was evaluated on two public datasets and one private dataset, achieving 99% sensitivity and 94% specificity on the Shenzhen dataset, and consistently high accuracy across all datasets. Expert radiologists reviewed a subset of the predictions, confirming the clinical relevance and diagnostic reliability of the model. The ensemble approach demonstrated strong generalisability, effectively identifying active pulmonary TB in chest X-rays from a globally representative cohort. It also outperformed existing classifiers, achieving a state-of-the-art Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic of 0.98. These results highlight the potential of our approach as a practical and scalable tool for TB screening, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where radiological resources are limited
A hybrid framework for assessing near miss reporting culture in Greek ship management
No full textThis study develops a hybrid risk analysis method combined with the FAHP-TOPSIS ranking method for ship management companies to evaluate their performance in occupational risk prevention. Emphasis is given to ships’ near-miss reports weighted with their occupational risks. The proposed ranking system avoids biases favouring specific vessel types or large companies. The proposed methodology ranking system avoids biases favouring larger fleets or specific vessel types. The data was collected from 14 Greek ship management companies managing 167 ships. Initially, the risk analysis revealed that larger companies collect extensive data. However, fleet size and type do not significantly influence reporting trends. Findings highlight that near-miss reporting involves occupational risks related to personal protective equipment, safe movement (including embarkation), health, and work. However, significant underreporting persists in security, pollutant handling, navigation and engine room operations. Following risk analysis, the FAHP-TOPSIS was used to evaluate each company based on the types of near-miss and more frequent reporting that contribute to occupational risk prevention due to weight. The findings show that companies’ preventive culture, as shown in near-miss reporting, is not dependent on the number or characteristics of their fleets. Future research should examine cultural variations in reporting practices beyond the Greek maritime industry to enhance global maritime safety
“People are still not receiving good care because of who they are”
No full textThe UK is the home or second home of 18% of the total population (2021) from an ethnic minority background. For some of these population groups, migration occurred during the mid-twentieth century, and this means they now form part of the elderly population, which has led to a rapidly changing profile of the older UK population. Living in a culturally different country has also created challenges for the elderly ethnic population where cultural expectations around care are impacted by their family’s capacity to provide care and the availability (or not) of culturally appropriate services
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