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Systematic, bibliographic and statistical aspects on multi generation recycled concrete materials research: A review
No full textThis article aimed to review the current literature related to the topic of multiple generation recycled concrete materials considering systematic, bibliographic and statistical aspects. The review was conducted from an adaptation from the systematic review for engineering and experiments (SREE) method. Papers wrote in English with scientific relevance, title and abstract full aligned with the topic were selected from Scopus and Web of Science databases. Bibliographic aspects highlighted the research novelty, the quality of research and prominence for future works. The systematic review aimed to provide insights in the literature concerning multiple recycling concrete materials. Some of the main aspects highlighted were research methodology applied, research focus, aggregate type, number of recycling cycles, impact of multiple recycling cycles on recycling concrete aggregates properties, as well as summarizing the main conclusions on their influence on recycling mixes concerning physical, mechanical and durability properties and suggestions in literature to improve their properties. Lastly, the paper identified limitations and research gaps that could provide recommendations on research on the topic related to sustainable development and the Sustainable Development Goals proposed by the United Nations. The results highlight that the majority of papers focus on the effect of MGRCA on coarse granulometry on concrete mixtures, recycling cycles tend to decrease the performance of MGRCA and mixes after each cycle, recycling cycles are statistically significant towards compressive strength, most of properties demand more studies to allow a proper statistical significance analysis about the effect of recycling cycles on MGRCA concrete properties
Predicting SMEs’ credit risk using artificial intelligence applications: Evidence from the UK SMEs
No full textFinancial distress is a state in which businesses struggle to pay their debts, whichfrequently results in bankruptcy or company failure. Small and medium-sizedenterprises are an essential part of economies, making substantial contributions toproductivity growth, innovation and employment. Evaluating financial health iscrucial to preventing possible hardship, reducing systemic risks and ensuring long-term stability because of its significant contribution to national and internationaleconomies.Bankruptcy prediction models play a critical role as early warning systems that enablefirms, lenders and policymakers to identify financial distress at an early stage and takecorrective action before failure becomes inevitable. These warning indicators mayresult from internal issues, such as decreasing profitability, declining liquidity orincreasing leverage, all of which are indicative of managerial and operationaldifficulties that may frequently be resolved with immediate attention.However, External factors such as interest rate movements and fluctuations in GDPcan significantly affect firms’ operating environments by increasing borrowing costs,suppressing demand and constraining access to finance.The small and medium-sized business bankruptcy prediction model created by Altmanand Sabato (2007) is revisited in this thesis, which proposed two models by addingaccounting and macroeconomic data. The study further evaluates the performance ofthe Altman and Sabato (2007) model by comparing results before and after theexclusion of the retained earnings-to-total assets variable. The investigation uses datafrom 2000 to 2018 and employs a variety of artificial intelligence techniques, such asdeep learning, machine learning algorithms, and ensemble methods.The results show that macroeconomic factors greatly improve bankruptcy models\u27forecast accuracy. Furthermore, the findings show that machine learning techniquestypically outperform deep learning methods in terms of accuracy. These findingsdemonstrate the importance of incorporating macroeconomic variables into credit riskassessment frameworks and have major implications for regulators, financialinstitutions, business decision-makers, and academic researchers
Understanding the Support and Information Needs of Family Members after Acquired Brain Injury: A Systematic Review
No full textThe aim of this systematic review was to (a) identify the specific information and support needs of family members caring for ABI survivors and (b) assess the effectiveness of current support systems and resources available. A comprehensive search of the literature was carried out, focusing on studies that were published between the years 2000 and 2025. Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. The review employed a narrative synthesis approach to collate findings across papers. The analysis identified five key themes: ABI Knowledge, The Strain of Unsupported Transitions, Emotional and Financial Cost, ABI Support Groups, and Supporting Social Connectedness. The findings indicate significant gaps in current systems of support and information for families of individuals with ABI. Inconsistencies in the delivery of ABI-related information during the acute stage create stress among family members. The post-acute stage presents challenges with instrumental support and insufficient emotional and peer support. This review demonstrates the importance of a more flexible, person-centered approach in supporting families of ABI relatives. Providing tailored interventions and information, with consistent social welfare support are vital in improving the quality of life for both caregivers and ABI survivors
Social prescribing for refugee populations: a protocol for a rapid realist review of international evidence
No full textBackgroundSocial prescribing addresses complex individual health and social needs through person-centered referral from healthcare into community settings, supporting wellbeing and integrated care. While evidence for majority populations continues to expand, no review has yet synthesized evidence specifically for refugee populations, despite this group facing profound social and systemic barriers. As such, this protocol defines the research objectives for a rapid realist review that will identify what approaches to social interventions work for refugee populations, for whom they are effective, and under which circumstances.MethodsA rapid realist review will be conducted to identify relevant evidence from both social prescribing interventions and social capital-based interventions (where comparably operationalized), published 2014–2024. The date range reflects recent expansion of both social prescribing interest and forced migration research, with earlier intervention being less commonly documented. Six databases will be searched (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, SCOPUS, PsycInfo), complemented by extensive supplementary search strategies. Two independent reviewers will screen and extract data using piloted criteria.SynthesisRealist analysis will map included evidence to identify intervention concepts, methodologies, populations, settings, delivery structures, and evaluation measures. This mapping will be used to identify and group families of interventions that function comparably and to develop program theories using if-then logic (statements theorizing how social prescribing programs may be effective using a context-mechanism-outcome configuration). Synthesis results will include multiple products to transparently evidence the working process of the review and to illustrate the final results.DisseminationFindings will be published in a peer-reviewed, open-access journal, with a briefing paper distributed to relevant research networks.Systematic review registrationhttps://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/PTKDX
Intertidal Seagrass Meadows in South West England: The Ecology of Expansion
No full textWithin the space of a decade, intertidal sediments in the Tamar estuary, South West England, have undergone a shift from unvegetated mudflats to dense perennial seagrass habitat. Yet despite the increasing prevalence of intertidal seagrass meadows in the South West, there are large knowledge gaps relating to intertidal meadow biodiversity, function and ecosystem service provision, particularly within the context of the estuarine meadows of the South West: as such we do not fully understand the implications of this recent colonisation within the Tamar. This study aims to characterise the spatial expansion of these newly-established Zostera marina meadows using Earth observation platforms. It further aims to define the spatio-temporal variability of the organic carbon (Corg) stocks through analysis of sediment cores, and the biodiversity of the macrobenthic assemblage within these new meadows through infauna cores, comparing results with samples collected from an established Zostera noltii meadow within the Kingsbridge Ria, and unvegetated estuarine mudflats.This research evidences, using remote sensing techniques, the spatio-temporal expansion of intertidal Z.marina meadow colonising 25ha of previously unvegetated mudflat within the Tamar estuary between 2011 and 2023. Investigations into the Corg stocks of intertidal meadows in the South West showed that cumulatively, the sampled meadows do not hold higher organic carbon stocks with then top 50cm of sediment than adjacent unvegetated mudflat. Organic carbon stocks in the Tamar meadows (60-80 MgCha-1) were similar to other published southern UK intertidal meadows. The Z.noltii meadow carbon stock from the Kingsbridge estuary was below average for this species (50-60 MgCha-1). All sampled cores from vegetated and unvegetated habitat showed high spatio-temporal variability in relatively short (6 month) time scales with sometimes substantial changes in MgCha-1 down to 50cm depth, between winter and summer seasons (Z. marina meadow one: ~20 MgCha-1Δ, Z. marina meadow two: ~1 MgCha-1Δ, Z.noltii meadow: ~10 MgCha-1Δ). There was a negative relationship between grainsize and increased % cover of seagrass across all meadows. When looking at the macrobenthic assemblage intertidal meadows were not more biodiverse, nor was the macrobenthic assemblage distinct from unvegetated mudflat, this may have been an artifact of sample design. Composition of the macrobenthic assemblage did however significantly differ between seagrass meadows, and although different, the species found in all three sampled meadows were typical of those recorded in other temperate intertidal Zostera spp. meadows within the UK, and across the English Channel. The Z.noltii meadow was more biodiverse and species rich (~12.5 S 33cm-2 core) than the emergent Z. marina meadows (~10.5 S 33cm-2 core). Shoot density was the most significant localised predictor of macrobenthic assemblage across all meadows, however salinity was also likely a significant driver of assemblage differences between the Tamar and Kingsbridge estuaries.This thesis adds to our understanding of the spatiotemporal dynamics of intertidal seagrass meadows, and their associated blue carbon stocks and macrobenthic assemblage, specifically in relation to their roles within estuaries in South West England. It therefore has important implications for estuarine management of intertidal seagrass meadows, and contributes to the wider scientific literature on this topic
Understanding recruitment to a randomised controlled trial (RCT) during liver transplantation: an observational mixed-methods Study Within A Trial (SWAT)
No full textObjectives Perioperative randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in liver transplantation are relatively infrequent. RCTs performed in this complex patient population need to be robustly conducted to maximise patient benefit and graft utility given the scarcity of donor organs. Recruitment challenges can compromise RCTs and studies in this population face unique challenges due to recipient illness severity, their comorbidities, demographics and the geographical constraints of specialist transplant centres. Emergency presentation and after-hours admission may further limit patients’ capacity or readiness to consider trial participation. This Study Within a Trial (SWAT) specifically explored motivators and barriers to recruitment in patients awaiting liver transplantation.Design An observational mixed-methods ‘Study within a Trial’, nested within a feasibility RCT.Setting This study was dual centred at two Tertiary National Health Service Hospitals; The Royal Free Hospital, a liver transplant centre in North London and University Hospital Birmingham, a liver transplant centre in Birmingham.Participants Adults who were eligible for liver transplantation and recruitment into the associated RCT were eligible for inclusion into the SWAT.Interventions Completion of an 18-question validated written questionnaire which explored motivation for accepting or declining participation in the RCT.Main outcome measures Through completion of the questionnaire, participants shared their perspectives on the RCT and their rationale for consenting or declining participation. Responses were analysed, providing feedback to the Trial Management Group (TMG) to refine recruitment strategies for future trials. An additional component, comprising interviews and audio recordings of recruitment consultations, was planned if the RCT recruitment rates fell below prespecified thresholds or concerns were raised by the RCT TMG, neither of which occurred.Results 84 completed questionnaires were received. Motivators included patients believing that the trial will benefit others, interest in helping with research, perception that benefits outweigh risks and belief that it offered the best treatment. Barriers included concerns about randomisation, feeling overburdened and a perception of lack of support from family or friends.Conclusion This is the first study exploring recruitment to a perioperative RCT involving patients undergoing liver transplantation. Key motivators were altruism and perceived safety, while barriers included concerns about randomisation and lack of family support. Future focus during recruitment should be on neutral patient-centred consultations, adequate information sharing, fostering of patient trust, improved explanation of randomisation and engagement of the patient’s support network.Trial registration number NCT04941911 (Health Research Authority) and SWAT 152 (the Study With A Trial Database)
Home-Based Dual-Task Balance Training for Parkinson’s Disease: A Feasibility Study of a Randomized Controlled Trial
No full textPurpose: Dual-task training, incorporating both motor-motor and/or motor-cognitive elements, is recognized as a safe and effective strategy for enhancing balance in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Despite this, limited research has explored the implementation of dual-task training within a home-based context or superiority of task types. This study aims to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of two novel, unsupervised home-based programmes; each adopting a comparable procedure yet with a focus on motor-motor and motor-cognitive dual-task training.Methods: Six participants with mild to moderate stage Parkinson’s disease wererandomized to group (M-DTT/C-DTT). Each engaged in 30-minute training sessions three times per week over six weeks, accompanied by a non-professional ‘training buddy’. Attendance, adherence, and safety monitoring informed feasibility analysis, alongside post-intervention interviews. Balance outcomes were measured using the MiniBESTest and body sway analysis at baseline and post-intervention.Results: Overall trial design including intervention and assessment approaches were safe and generally well-received, with high attendance and adherence rates, yet key lessons were learnt: Both programmes could be further improved with diversifying secondary tasks, redesigning task combinations and improving the technical aspects of the training movies.Conclusion: Home-based motor-motor and motor-cognitive dual-task traininginterventions undertaken without therapists’ supervision can be an acceptable and inclusive approach for balance rehabilitation for people with Parkinson’s disease. Lessons learnt will inform intervention re-design ahead of a randomized controlled trial of effectiveness and superiority testing of these approaches
Microbial collagenase activity is linked to oral–gut translocation in advanced chronic liver disease
No full textMicrobiome perturbations are associated with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD), but how microorganisms contribute to disease mechanisms is unclear. Here we analysed metagenomes of paired saliva and faecal samples from an ACLD cohort of 86 individuals, plus 2 control groups of 52 healthy individuals and 14 patients with sepsis. We identified highly similar oral and gut bacterial strains, including Veillonella and Streptococcus spp., which increased in absolute abundance in the gut of patients with ACLD compared with controls. These microbial translocators uniquely share a prtC gene encoding a collagenase-like proteinase, and its faecal abundance was a robust ACLD biomarker (area under precision-recall curve = 0.91). A mouse model of hepatic fibrosis inoculated with Veillonella and Streptococcus prtC-encoding patient isolates showed exacerbation of gut barrier impairment and hepatic fibrosis. Furthermore, faecal collagenase activity was increased in patients with ACLD and experimentally confirmed for the prtC gene of translocating Veillonella parvula. These findings establish mechanistic links between oral–gut translocation and ACLD pathobiology
Behavioral responses of goose-beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) to simulated military sonar
No full textWe report direct measurements of changes in diving and movement behavior for 53 goose-beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) in relation to experimentally controlled mid-frequency (3–4 kHz) active sonar (MFAS) signals. These signals simulate powerful Navy sources that have been associated with multiple mortal stranding events for this species. We deployed a multi-scale combination of tags to monitor individual whales, including 50 long-duration (weeks), coarse-resolution satellite-transmitting tags and 3 short-duration (hours), high-resolution archival depth, orientation, and acoustic tags. We evaluated behavioral responses during 13 experimental trials (9 MFAS; 4 no-MFAS controls), resulting in 72 exposure events; some individuals were exposed in multiple trials. Whales were exposed at known and modeled horizontal ranges from ~2 to \u3e200 km and from below ambient noise levels to received levels (RLs) up to ~142 dB re: 1μPa (root-mean-square [RMS]). We investigated changes in diving and movement behavior separately, with a suite of metrics, descriptive evaluations, and statistical tests. We observed similar patterns and probabilities of behavioral changes for control trials and the lowest RL conditions (\u3c100 dB). Above 100 dB RLs, increasingly prevalent and consistent responses occurred, including extended deep dives, prolonged periods between deep dives, directed spatial movement away from the source, and cessation of echolocation. Aspects of these cryptic responses typically persisted for hours following exposure but did not result in broad-scale habitat abandonment. Our study builds upon experimental and observational studies conducted on sonar testing ranges and expands our understanding of the response of this species to MFAS in a region where operational sonar use occurs far less commonly than on Navy testing ranges. These data are directly applicable in the conservation and effective management of this sensitive, protected species