Augmented Humanity: A Systematic Mapping Review

Augmented humanity (AH) is a term that has been mentioned in several research papers. However, these papers differ in their definitions of AH. The number of publications dealing with the topic of AH is represented by a growing number of publications that increase over time, being high impact factor scientific contributions. However, this terminology is used without being formally defined. The aim of this paper is to carry out a systematic mapping review of the different existing definitions of AH and its possible application areas. Publications from 2009 to 2020 were searched in Scopus, IEEE and ACM databases, using search terms “augmented human”, ”human augmentation” and “human 2.0”. Of the 16,914 initially obtained publications, a final number of 133 was finally selected. The mapping results show a growing focus on works based on AH, with computer vision being the index term with the highest number of published articles. Other index terms are wearable computing, augmented reality, human–robot interaction, smart devices and mixed reality. In the different domains where AH is present, there are works in computer science, engineering, robotics, automation and control systems and telecommunications. This review demonstrates that it is necessary to formalize the definition of AH and also the areas of work with greater openness to the use of such concept. This is why the following definition is proposed: “Augmented humanity is a human–computer integration technology that proposes to improve capacity and productivity by changing or increasing the normal ranges of human function through the restoration or extension of human physical, intellectual and social capabilities.”

Disciplinary differences in the study of the relationship between social variables and mental health: A systematic mapping review

There has been sustained interest in the intersection between social constructs and mental health from diverse disciplines including psychiatry, sociology and public health. However, no systematic attempt has been made to catalogue what is meant by ‘social’ by different researchers, how variables deemed ‘social’ constructs are linked to mental health, nor whether these patterns differ by academic discipline. Understanding interdisciplinary differences and commonalities may reveal opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance our understanding of how social factors relate to mental health. This article presents a prospectively registered systematic map of social approaches to mental health using an innovative synthesis methodology (coding all sentences from a random selection of N = 287 articles). Results indicated that although approaches are diverse, disciplinary overlap is substantial. Psychology and psychiatry led articles tend to focus on social skills or emotions as features of mental (ill-)health, while public health and social sciences led articles tend to focus on social relationships, status or context as determinants of mental (ill-)health. Medicine led articles were most likely to focus on social outcomes of mental (ill-)health. Potential growth areas are noted, particularly the relative dearth of intervention research drawing upon social approaches. The findings are discussed with a view towards enabling more effective interdisciplinary collaboration.

Teaching 4.0 Competency in Higher Learning Institutions: A Systematic Mapping Review

Technology 4.0 has forced the education system to undergo a huge transformation by changing teaching and learning methods. Teaching 4.0 requires teachers to apply varieties of technology used in the teaching and learning process to make it more appealing to new millennials. However, the response to this change has been relatively slow. Consequently, the preparation of effective teaching methods and strategies from educators that can benefit students through learning from differentiated learning styles. Thus, the aim of this study is to collect and extract information from the literature in searching for the research gap, and analyse the most significant studies on the teaching of 4.0 competency in a Higher Learning Institution. The searching process will focus on papers published in journals or presented at specialised international conferences from 2015 until 2021 using a systematic mapping review (SMR). A total of 380 relevant research papers from Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholars online databases and grey literature were retrieved. Nine final papers were selected in the study. Results from the review showed that the predefined requirement criteria for Teaching 4.0 competencies were not all satisfied in literature. There are limited studies on the Teaching 4.0 competency. Thus, a conceptual framework of measurement for Teaching 4.0 competencies should be developed. It could act as a solution by providing a comprehensive competency measurement and to determine relevant 4.0 competency among Higher Learning Institution educators.

Rehabilitation potential in older people living with frailty: a systematic mapping review

Background Following periods of acute ill-health and injury, older people are frequently assessed and provided with rehabilitation services. Healthcare practitioners are required to make nuanced decisions about which patients are likely to benefit from and respond to rehabilitation. The clinical currency in which these decisions are transacted is through the term “rehabilitation potential”. The aim of this study was to explore information about rehabilitation potential in older people to inform the development of an evidence-based assessment tool. Methods A systematic mapping review was completed to describe the extent of research and the concepts underpinning rehabilitation potential. We searched Medline, CINHAL, EMBASE, AMED, PsycINFO, PEDro, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ProQuest, Trip and EThOS from inception to December 2020. We included studies which focused on rehabilitation potential and/or assessing for rehabilitation interventions for older people with comorbidities in the hospital and community setting. Reviewer pairs independently screened articles and extracted data against the inclusion criteria. A descriptive narrative approach to analysis was taken. Results 13,484 papers were identified and 49 included in the review. Rehabilitation potential was found to encompass two different but interrelated concepts of prognostication and outcome measurement. 1. Rehabilitation potential for prognostication involved the prediction of what could be achieved in programmes of rehabilitation. 2. Rehabilitation potential as an outcome measure retrospectively considered what had been achieved as a result of rehabilitation interventions. Assessments of rehabilitation potential included key domains which were largely assessed by members of the multi-disciplinary team at single time points. Limited evidence was identified which specifically considered rehabilitation potential amongst older people living with frailty. Conclusions Current approaches to rehabilitation potential provide a snapshot of an individual’s abilities and conditions which fail to capture the dynamic nature and fluctuations associated with frailty and rehabilitation. New approaches to measures and abilities over time are required which allow for the prognostication of outcomes and potential benefits of rehabilitation interventions for older people living with frailty.

Cloud middleware and services-a systematic mapping review

Cloud computing currently plays a crucial role in the delivery of vital information technology services. A unique aspect of cloud computing is the cloud middleware and other related entities that support applications and networks. A specific field of research may be considered, particularly as regards cloud middleware and services at all levels, and thus needs analysis and paper surveys to elucidate possible study limitations. The purpose of this paper is to perform a systematic mapping for studies that capture cloud computing middleware, stacks, tools and services. The methodology adopted for this study is a systematic mapping review. The results showed that more papers on the contribution facet were published with tool, model, method and process having 18.10%, 13.79%, 6.03% and 8.62% respectively. In addition, in terms of tool, evaluation and solution research had the largest number of articles with 14.17% and 26.77% respectively. A striking feature of the systemic map is the high number of articles in solution research with respect to all aspects of the features applied in the studies. This study showed clearly that there are gaps in cloud computing middleware and delivery services that would interest researchers and industry professionals desirous of research in this area.

Testing, Training, and Optimising Performance of Track Cyclists: A Systematic Mapping Review

Background Track cyclists must develop mental, physical, tactical and technical capabilities to achieve success at an elite level. Given the importance of these components in determining performance, it is of interest to understand the volume of evidence to support implementation in practice by coaches, practitioners, and athletes. Objective The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic mapping review to describe the current scale and density of research for testing, training and optimising performance in track cycling. Methods All publications involving track cyclist participants were reviewed from four databases (PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Academic Search Complete, Cochrane Library) plus additional sources. Search results returned 4019 records, of which 71 met the inclusion criteria for the review. Results The review revealed most published track cycling research investigated athlete testing followed by performance optimisation, with training being the least addressed domain. Research on the physical components of track cycling has been published far more frequently than for tactical or technical components, and only one study was published on the mental components of track cycling. No true experimental research using track cyclists has been published, with 51 non-experimental and 20 quasi-experimental study designs. Conclusions Research in track cycling has been growing steadily. However, it is evident there is a clear preference toward understanding the physical—rather than mental, tactical, or technical—demands of track cycling. Future research should investigate how this aligns with coach, practitioner, and athlete needs for achieving track cycling success. Registration This systematic mapping review was registered on the Open Science Framework (osf.io/wt7eq).