17390 research outputs found
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The visual essay as pedagogical tool: Developing the digital capabilities of humanities students
No full textKent Maps Online is a digital humanities project which uses Github and JSTOR’s Juncture platform to host visual essays about the county of Kent. By using open-source tools it allows users to create multidisciplinary and multimedia essays consisting of visual narratives featuring interactive map and image components derived from open-source platforms such as Allmaps, Wikidata and Wikimedia. This presentation will discuss how the project team has embedded JSTOR’s innovative technologies to reshape the teaching and learning experiences of undergraduate and postgraduate humanities students in three skills-based modules through experiential learning. By using the visual essay in their teaching, the team develops the digital capabilities and graduate skills needed for employment in the GLAM sector. The project team utilise a multiliteracies approach to teaching, through a blend of information, media and digital literacies, underpinned by ethical considerations of sustainability, acknowledging that emerging technologies such as generative AI can have a place in the research process, but are not effective at recreating narratives of the local. Combining research skills with web authoring and noting the ethical implications of intellectual property rights, the team encourages students to think critically about the wider implications of knowledge creation and to move from passive consumers of web information to become actively engaged in knowledge production. The presentation evaluates how effective the project has been at embedding digital skills within the curriculum and discusses whether digital pedagogy can enhance graduate outcomes
Navigating anxiety: The multifaceted representation of students with mental health conditions in Netflix’s 'The Healing Powers of Dude' and 'Sex Education'
No full textAccording to the World Health Organization (2022), one in eight people worldwide experiences a mental health condition. For these individuals, they may experience significant challenges with thinking, emotional regulation, or behaviour. This article explores the representation of adolescent mental health conditions amongst students in two Netflix-based television shows: The Healing Powers of Dude (2020) and Sex Education (2019). The former follows Noah, an 11-year-old boy, with social anxiety disorder navigating mainstream schooling, while the latter features Aimee, a teenager coping with post-traumatic stress disorder attending a UK secondary school. Our analysis identifies three key themes: the use of avoidance as a coping mechanism and its potential negative impacts, the realism of support representations, and the positive influence of peer relationships on individuals with mental health conditions. These themes illustrate the complexities of mental health experiences but also highlight instances of unrealistic portrayals that may perpetuate misinformation. This article on the representation of students with mental health conditions in two television series contributes to screen studies by offering an interdisciplinary examination of mental health representation in media, underscoring the need for accurate and sensitive portrayals in popular culture
Virtual and augmented reality in undergraduate medical education in psychiatry: A systematic review
No full textBackground
Simulation is widely used in medical education in all specialties; in psychiatry, it usually relies on standardised patients played by actors. Virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) have the potential to provide standardised and replicable clinical experiences for learners.
Aims
The aim of this study was to evaluate the available literature regarding the use of VR and AR simulation in undergraduate medical education in psychiatry.
Methods
The review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024527726) and followed PRISMA guidelines. Three electronic databases were searched using a pre-designed search string for studies of VR and AR in undergraduate medical student psychiatry education. Primary studies of any design were included. Two authors independently screened all references and extracted data. Learning methods and outcome measures were reported according to Kirkpatrick's training evaluation model. Methodological quality was evaluated using standardised tools.
Results
Searches yielded 7550 references, of which 19 studies from nine different countries were included. Learner satisfaction was generally positive, particularly with higher fidelity simulations. Fewer studies investigated changes in knowledge and skills; some reported improvements, which were often self-reported by students. Positive changes in learner attitudes, especially empathy and stigma reduction, were also reported. Most studies were based on single interventions.
Conclusions
VR and AR simulation may be a useful addition to undergraduate psychiatry curricular teaching. However, significant gaps remain, including lack of long-term outcome data, limited evaluation of behavioural change and predominance of single-exposure interventions. Further research of the broader inclusion of VR and AR into teaching programmes will help to establish their value
How genAI transforms computer engineering education: The case of the Middle East and North Africa
No full textThis research investigates the factors influencing the adoption of GenAI in computer engineering (CE) education within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The gap in the adoption of GenAI seems to be less pronounced between northern and southern countries compared to other digital technologies. Nevertheless, the academic community has not fully explored the institutional, cultural, and geopolitical factors affecting GenAI adoption. Utilising Harold Linstone's multiple perspectives theory (1981-2019), this study analyses the technical, organisational, and personal viewpoints of 50 CE educators working in higher education institutions in the MENA area. Through an abductive thematic analysis of the interviews and sentiment analysis, the research provides a comprehensive understanding of the GenAI-powered Educational Ecosystem for CE (AEECE) by detailing the essential processes, applications, outcomes, and interactions among the key stakeholders in this ecosystem, including educators, students, university administration, regulators, industry partners, and employers. From a technical standpoint, our findings indicate that GenAI is transforming CE in the region, particularly concerning coding and programming competencies for project management, content creation, and cybersecurity analytics. Other technical insights included innovative practical applications, comprehension of AI's opaque aspects, and limitations in resources. From an organisational viewpoint, we identified that aligning AI investments with the national vision is crucial, as is the need for curriculum reform and addressing resource disparities among various geopolitical contexts. On a personal level, it was noted that educators stepping back from their role as learning facilitators and an excessive reliance on GenAI can undermine critical thinking skills, highlighting the importance of ethical usage and implementation of GenAI applications
Regulating truths, indeterminate practice and ways of being: a biopolitics of Professional Standards in UK Higher Education
No full textThis paper critically examines the professional frameworks for teaching and supporting learning in UK higher education. Applying the concept of biopolitics from Michel Foucault's work, we discuss the Professional Standards Framework (Advance HE, 2023a) and Education Inspection Framework (Ofsted, 2019; 2023) as part of a discursive dispositif which create specific forms of being in higher education with a distinctive biopolitical objective. By aligning and marginalising global objectives and ways of being through indeterminate practice, they extend governance beyond the classroom and into the biopolitical regulation of educational truth itself. By examining the exclusions and silences within these frameworks — particularly those of alternative pedagogical voices and approaches — we underline the paradoxes inherent in these frameworks’ proclaimed values of neutrality, inclusivity and equity, as well as their role in the complex dynamics of knowledge production
Positive and negative verbal instructions associated with sham-ischemic preconditioning moderate improvements of knee-extension resistance exercise in trained men
No full textPurpose: To verify the effects of positive and negative verbal instructions regarding sham ischemic preconditioning (sham-IPC) on leg-extension resistance exercise performance.
Methods: Thirty-five trained men were randomized to one of three groups: positive-expectation, negative-expectation, or control. Participants completed leg-extension strength tests in four trials (2 × familiarization, 1 × baseline and 1 × experimental). Experimental trials consisted of participants receiving sham-IPC (3x5 cycles at only 20 mmHg). In positive- and negative-expectation groups, participants received verbal instructions that it would improve or worsen performance, respectively. Controls did not receive any verbal suggestion. Outcomes were maximum number of repetitions, maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MVIC) and muscle power output.
Results: Expectations about sham-IPC were significantly higher in the positive-expectation than negative-expectation and control group. Participants in the positive group reported a significantly greater number of repetitions than both the negative-expectation group (d = 1.11) and controls (d = 0.77). No differences between groups were shown for MVIC (d range = 0.05 to 0.67) and power output (d range = –0.08 to 1.02).
Conclusions: Our results highlight the importance of measuring expectations prior to sham-IPC, which may significantly influence the results of randomized controlled trials
Naming themes in interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA): Recommendations and examples
No full textIn qualitative research, theme typically refers to an identified trend running through the data. Themes play a prominent role in interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) and may serve as a framework for presentation. Although comprehensive resources are available to guide researchers through stages of IPA analysis, there is far less information on specific strategies for associating a theme with a name or label for IPA, or for other qualitative approaches. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to present strategies for thoughtful development of IPA theme names. To this end, we present and summarize available theme-naming guidance associated with multiple methods including IPA and thematic analysis. We supplement this with examples from prior IPA research studies we believe illustrate effective theme names, organized in three broad categories of theme focus, phrasing, and structure. Within these categories we provide guidelines for researchers to consider to best address the research purpose and most effectively communicate the key findings
The impact of artificial intelligence and machine learning in organ retrieval and transplantation: A comprehensive review
Full text linkThis narrative review examines the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in organ retrieval and transplantation. AI and ML technologies enhance donor-recipient matching by integrating and analyzing complex datasets encompassing clinical, genetic, and demographic information, leading to more precise organ allocation and improved transplant success rates. In surgical planning, AI-driven image analysis automates organ segmentation, identifies critical anatomical features, and predicts surgical outcomes, aiding pre-operative planning and reducing intraoperative risks. Predictive analytics further enable personalized treatment plans by forecasting organ rejection, infection risks, and patient recovery trajectories, thereby supporting early intervention strategies and long-term patient management. AI also optimizes operational efficiency within transplant centers by predicting organ demand, scheduling surgeries efficiently, and managing inventory to minimize wastage, thus streamlining workflows and enhancing resource allocation. Despite these advancements, several challenges hinder the widespread adoption of AI and ML in organ transplantation. These include data privacy concerns, regulatory compliance issues, interoperability across healthcare systems, and the need for rigorous clinical validation of AI models. Addressing these challenges is essential to ensuring the reliable, safe, and ethical use of AI in clinical settings. Future directions for AI and ML in transplantation medicine include integrating genomic data for precision immunosuppression, advancing robotic surgery for minimally invasive procedures, and developing AI-driven remote monitoring systems for continuous post-transplantation care. Collaborative efforts among clinicians, researchers, and policymakers are crucial to harnessing the full potential of AI and ML, ultimately transforming transplantation medicine and improving patient outcomes while enhancing healthcare delivery efficiency. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.
AI-driven advances in low-dose imaging and enhancement - A review
No full textThe widespread use of medical imaging techniques such as X-rays and computed tomography (CT) has raised significant concerns regarding ionizing radiation exposure, particularly among vulnerable populations requiring frequent imaging. Achieving a balance between high-quality diagnostic imaging and minimizing radiation exposure remains a fundamental challenge in radiology. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative solution, enabling low-dose imaging protocols that enhance image quality while significantly reducing radiation doses. This review explores the role of AI-assisted low-dose imaging, particularly in CT, X-ray, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), highlighting advancements in deep learning models, convolutional neural networks (CNNs), and other AI-based approaches. These technologies have demonstrated substantial improvements in noise reduction, artifact removal, and real-time optimization of imaging parameters, thereby enhancing diagnostic accuracy while mitigating radiation risks. Additionally, AI has contributed to improved radiology workflow efficiency and cost reduction by minimizing the need for repeat scans. The review also discusses emerging directions in AI-driven medical imaging, including hybrid AI systems that integrate post-processing with real-time data acquisition, personalized imaging protocols tailored to patient characteristics, and the expansion of AI applications to fluoroscopy and positron emission tomography (PET). However, challenges such as model generalizability, regulatory constraints, ethical considerations, and computational requirements must be addressed to facilitate broader clinical adoption. AI-driven low-dose imaging has the potential to revolutionize radiology by enhancing patient safety, optimizing imaging quality, and improving healthcare efficiency, paving the way for a more advanced and sustainable future in medical imaging
Agranulocytosis after long-term clozapine use: a case report
No full textNeutropenia and the more severe, potentially life-threatening agranulocytosis are recognized side effects of clozapine that require regular, mandatory, and life-long blood monitoring. However, most cases of haematological adverse effects occur in the first few months of treatment; therefore, there are now increasing calls for the termination of the mandatory monitoring after this initial period. In this report, we present a patient with treatment-resistant schizophrenia who was successfully treated with clozapine yet developed neutropenia after 9 years. This soon evolved into agranulocytosis requiring the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and eventual clozapine cessation. Such late-onset cases of agranulocytosis are isolated and rare but should not impede the drive to relax mandatory clozapine haematological monitoring, but patients and carers must be aware of potential symptoms of agranulocytosis