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Automating systematic literature reviews in healthcare: leveraging artificial intelligence for enhanced evidence-based decision making.
Get PDFSystematic literature reviews (SLRs) are considered the gold standard in synthesising evidence across various research disciplines due to their structured, transparent, and reproducible nature. Despite their critical role, the SLR process is often perceived as burdensome and time-intensive, largely due to the escalating volume of published research and the detailed methodological rigour required. This thesis addresses these challenges by identifying the specific stages of the SLR process that are most laborious and exploring the application of state-of-the-art (SOTA) artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to enhance their efficiency. The thesis presents an online survey conducted to gather insights from systematic reviewers, pinpointing key bottlenecks in the SLR process. Based on these findings, this research investigates the application of AI methodologies, including natural language processing (NLP), machine learning (ML), and deep learning (DL), to automate and expedite the identified stages. The study explores the integration of domain-specific knowledge into pre-trained large language models (LLMs) and evaluates their performance in automating abstract screening and data extraction/synthesis phase. Additionally, the thesis proposes a novel monolingual dual-stage information retrieval system, focusing on non-English SLRs to address the language diversity in research publications. The proposed AI frameworks are validated using both private and public datasets, demonstrating significant improvements in the accuracy, reliability, and speed of systematic reviews. These advancements aim to reduce the workload on researchers, improve the timeliness of evidence synthesis, and enhance the overall quality of SLRs
Radical social work research: policy and politics.
No full textSocial work is inextricably linked to the process of social reproduction, not only in terms of caring for others but also in seeking to analyse, engage, and facilitate physical, social, historical, and organisational contexts to enable the achievement of a good society for all. This is done to ensure that society addresses human need, dignity, and rights, and supports the achievement of good and equal lives for everyone. The agreed global definition of social work, while contested, identifies a profession whose mandate it is to address social distress within individuals, communities, and society (International Federation of Social Work (IFSW), 2014). Although arguably the profession should also be seeking to support efforts to prevent social distress at a structural level, this chapter seeks initially to contextualise and locate the broader socio-economic, ecological, historical, and managerial problems being experienced within our capitalist economic system. It then continues to explore the importance of providing a dialectical framework to support social work research and encourage wider debate regarding the role of political social work practice. The final part of the chapter uses a critical and radical social work praxis, located within the social work model of Brazil, to achieve this
Teaching sustainability in the built environment innovatively: an architectural technologist perspective/reflection.
Get PDFThis paper presents a collective narrative from voices traditionally marginalised within architectural education and practice in the UK. Framed by the urgency of climate, energy, social and housing crises, the paper challenges dominant pedagogical norms through lived experiences situated outside conventional architectural pathways. The authors reflect on the evolving role of architectural technologists - a profession often regarded as secondary in the built environment - while highlighting the structural and cultural barriers faced by those entering the field through non-traditional routes. These include navigating the profession as first-generation university graduates, migrants with under-recognised credentials, women balancing caregiving and career, and educators challenging outdated curricula through digital and sustainable innovation. The paper explores how architectural technologists, as professional outsiders, are uniquely positioned to disrupt entrenched hierarchies and offer alternative visions for teaching sustainability. Drawing on critical pedagogy, practice-based reflection, and experimental methods, it advocates for an inclusive, technologically literate, and ecologically conscious approach to built environment education. This includes emphasising health-focused design, responsible digitisation, and the integration of global perspectives within the curriculum. Rather than merely critiquing existing structures, the work proposes a regenerative and interdisciplinary educational model. It views outsider status not as a limitation but as a source of strength, allowing for the construction of new, more democratic frameworks for sustainable practice. In doing so, the paper aligns with the call to amplify unconventional voices shaping the future of architecture and the habitats we call home. This article is published in parallel Spanish and English
Interpreting navigation sonar data for object detection: a feasibility study using the Ping360.
Get PDFThis study investigates the feasibility of repurposing the Blue Robotics Ping360 - a low-cost, mechanically scanned single-beam sonar - for underwater object detection beyond its navigation role. It addresses three key questions: (i) what challenges arise when interpreting navigation sonar data in cluttered or reflective environments; (ii) how effective is manual annotation when combined with segmentation models such as U-Net; and (iii) whether affordable sonar can support complex object-level perception. Controlled pool experiments were conducted to examine acoustic artifacts including reflections, shadows, and range-dependent distortions. A manually annotated dataset was used to evaluate classical and deep-learning-based segmentation methods. Results show that preprocessing - near-field exclusion, denoising, and polar resampling - significantly improves detection clarity. Leveraging GPU-accelerated and data-parallel processing, the framework achieves scalable, near-real-time performance aligned with high-performance computing principles. The dataset and code are publicly available to encourage further research in dynamic and multi-sensor underwater perception
Longitudinal association between sprint and jump performance in youth male soccer players: implications for talent development.
No full textThis study analyzed the longitudinal relationship between short sprints and counter movement jump (CMJ) in youth male soccer players. Players ( = 304, age 13.0 ± 1.9 years) from a Scottish soccer academy completed sprints (10 m, 20 m splits [s]) and a CMJ (cm), on 3 to 14 occasions across 10 seasons. Within-player (repeated measures) and between-player (mean of repeated measures) correlation coefficients were calculated, and a linear mixed model (LMM) was applied to determine whether CMJ can predict sprint changes over a meaningful threshold (0.04 s, equivalent to the suggested minimum difference [~40 cm] for a player to be ahead of the opponent to win a ball in a one-on-one duel). Very large, negative between-player correlations were found for CMJ vs. sprint time (10 m: = -0.746, 95% CI [-0.792, -0.691]; 20 m: = -0.822, 95% CI [-0.856, -0.782], respectively). Within-player correlations were moderate-to-large (10 m: = -0.485, 95% CI [-0.525, -0.443]; 20 m: = -0.576, 95% CI [-0.611, -0.539]). The LMM analysis revealed that chronological age influenced the within-player correlations, while CMJ did not predict sprint changes over the meaningful threshold. While CMJ might be useful for distinguishing between players with differing sprint ability, it is not a suitable proxy for tracking individual sprint development over time, especially when accounting for chronological age-related changes. Coaches and practitioners should therefore consider incorporating direct sprint assessments into longitudinal monitoring
Resistance training-induced appendicular lean tissue mass changes are largely unrelated to pre-training bone characteristics in a larger cohort of untrained adults.
Get PDFWe sought to determine if pre-intervention bone characteristics measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) were associated with changes in bone-free lean tissue mass following a period of resistance training in a large cohort of untrained adults (n = 119, 62M/57F, 26.0 ± 4.7 kg/m2, age range = 18–70 years old). Participants completed 10–12 weeks of supervised whole-body resistance training twice weekly, and DXA scans were obtained approximately the same time of day prior to the intervention and 48–72 h following the final training bout. Associations between baseline skeletal measures (e.g., appendicular bone characteristics, shoulder and hip widths) and training induced changes in appendicular lean mass were examined by estimating correlations between participant-level random slopes (reflecting change over time) and baseline skeletal measures. The same approach was used to evaluate associations between other participant attributes (e.g., age, training volume-load, self-reported energy intake) and appendicular lean tissue mass changes. Modeling was also used to explore whether baseline skeletal characteristics (e.g., shoulder and hip widths) moderated the change in appendicular lean tissue mass from training. All analyses used a Bayesian framework, and interpretation focused on estimated effect sizes and their associated credible intervals rather than formal null hypothesis testing. Strong positive associations were observed between pre-intervention characteristics including dual-arm lean tissue mass and dual-arm bone mineral content (r = 0.90), dual-leg lean tissue mass and dual-leg bone mineral content (r = 0.86), dual-leg lean tissue mass and pelvic mineral content (r = 0.73), and dual-arm lean tissue mass and shoulder width (r = 0.76). In contrast, weak associations were observed between training-induced changes in appendicular lean tissue mass versus bone characteristics, training volume-load, self-reported energy intake, self-reported protein intake, BMI, and age (−0.08 ≤ r ≤ 0.24). After adjusting for sex, multivariable analyses indicated minimal evidence that skeletal characteristics moderated the hypertrophic response to training. These provide limited evidence suggesting pre-training bone characteristics do not influence lean tissue mass adaptations to shorter-term resistance training
Grain size and electrochemical surface modification effects on corrosion, biological, and technological properties of CP titanium implants.
No full textCommercially pure (CP) titanium is widely used for long-term biomedical implants due to its high biocompatibility and corrosion resistance. However, its relatively low strength limits its use in highly loaded applications. Ultrafine-grained (UFG) titanium obtained through severe plastic deformation offers enhanced mechanical performance while maintaining the stability of CP titanium. This study investigates how electrochemical surface modification by anodization affects the corrosion, biological performance, and technological behavior of UFG titanium. TiO2 layers with nanotubular and nanoporous morphologies were produced at anodization voltages between 20 and 60 V. Corrosion tests in physiological solution confirmed stable passive behavior with corrosion rates below 4 µm year−1, and surface wettability increased markedly with anodization. Osteoblast-like MG-63 cells exhibited good viability on all anodized surfaces, with improved adhesion and proliferation on samples anodized at 60 V. The porous TiO2 layers were successfully intercalated with dimethyl sulfoxide and ibuprofen, demonstrating potential for local drug delivery. Implantation simulations on real Nanoimplant® prototypes confirmed sufficient mechanical stability of the anodized layer. Overall, the optimized anodization of UFG titanium enhances its biological response while maintaining corrosion resistance, supporting its clinical use in long-term dental and orthopedic implants with integrated drug-release functionality
Risk, the COVID‐19 pandemic, and organisations: extending, repurposing, and developing theory.
Get PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic has challenged and changed organisations. While the pandemic has brought opportunities for business in some sectors, such as information and communication, and for people who enjoy the flexibility they gain from home-based or hybrid work arrangements, the realisation of benefits for individuals and organisations is uncertain over longer time periods and distributed unevenly across the workforce. Thus, the pandemic situation has been a trigger, albeit an unwelcome one, for revising our theorising about organisational risk. We build on the articles within our special section and develop a perspective on how to continue the development of new theoretical insights. First, we examine how existing theories can be extended to encompass organisational risk. We focus on theories of organisational culture to do so. Second, we discuss ways that existing theories can be repurposed to address important challenges. We illustrate our points using paradoxical leadership theory and theories of creativity. Third, we reflect on ways to develop new theorising by exploring multilevel modelling and the microfoundations of organisational risk. Fourth, we reflect on methods. In doing so, we pave the way for future studies that will enrich our understanding of organisational risk and contribute to preparations for future crises
Interventions to mitigate infant food insecurity in high-income countries: an overview of current evidence.
Get PDFInfant food insecurity (IFI) is a critical and often overlooked issue in high-income countries. This scoping review aims to identify and summarise interventions that reduce food insecurity or improve nutrition amongst families with infants in these regions. We searched the major electronic databases and websites of relevant UK and international organisations from 2010 to 2023 to identify reports written in English assessing food insecurity affecting infants (aged 0 to 2 years). The findings were presented in tables and summarised narratively. Out of 6194 records identified, 104 studies were screened, with only two studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Both studies were conducted in the USA. The KIND (Keeping Infants Nourished and Developing) intervention improved preventive care for food-insecure families, increasing lead level test completion rates and well-infant visits, but it did not affect weight-for-length at 9 months. The GWCC (Group Well-Child Care) intervention aimed at promoting responsive feeding amongst low-income caregivers but showed no significant impact on infant growth in the first year. However, caregiver interviews revealed important feeding-related themes. Evidence on interventions addressing infant food insecurity is limited, with none found in the UK. The KIND and GWCC interventions showed mixed outcomes, improving some aspects of care but not significantly affecting infant growth metrics. These findings highlight the need for further research to develop more effective strategies to address the nutritional needs of vulnerable infants in high-income countries
The absence of changes in the relative age effect present an opportunity for lower income soccer clubs to be more efficient than Europe’s elite.
Get PDFAn overrepresentation of athletes born earlier in the year compared with those born later in the year is known as the relative age effect (RAE). This is perceived to be due to physical selection bias which leads to higher degrees of exposure to coaching, physical training and competition at a younger age. Even with increasing knowledge and established interventions, clubs in Europe’s top leagues still present a strong RAE. Scottish clubs have limited resources in comparison meaning academy efficiency is paramount. The main study aim was to assess changes in the RAE over a ten-year period in Scottish soccer. A secondary aim was to establish if physical differences exist across each quarter due to findings in English academy players that maturation status and not RAE is the main discrepancy for physicality. A retrospective analysis of 512 players from a Scottish academy over a ten year period was granted ethical approval. The impact of relative age effect was assessed against anthropometric and physical characteristics. The range of players in each quarter was Q1 37.0–42.9% versus Q2 22.8–32.4%, Q3 11.9–26.0% and Q4 7.1–14.3% with no impact of time on RAE profiles. Odds Ratio analysis indicate a greater chance of selection within the academy when assessing Q1vsQ4 players quarter comparisons (ranging 3.2–5.2 times more likely to be signed). When controlling for age group, multilevel modelling showed there were no significant differences across quarters in physical measures with the exception of a trivial CMJ difference. The lack of progression in the RAE profiles is disappointing however presents an opportunity for increased efficiency. By viewing the RAE as an under representation of Q4 players and using established corrective procedures, this can contribute to the unnecessary release of players from academies due to RAE, thus addressing challenges in financially restricted environments that resource rich environments such as Europe’s elite have not yet overcome
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