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Utility of low-parameter count, quantized large language models and visual language models in semantic navigation
Get PDFThe use of Large Language Models (LLMs) in Semantic Navigation (SN) is a novel approach and has so far centered around high-parameter count cloud-hosted LLMs. In this study we explore the capabilities of low parameter count ( 8.54 × 109 or less) quantized local LLMs that can be hosted on a consumer grade laptop. We demonstrate the use of such LLMs in extracting semantic knowledge from the environment which is then used, in a simulated environment, to create an executable path to lead the agent to a goal set by a human operator. Toward this, we explore two main tasks for which LLM can be employed: room classification and goal selection, and compare the performance of several LLMs and an appropriately constructed Support Vector Classifier (SVC) for this purpose. We then present a simple framework for evaluating Visual Language Models (VLMs) and LLMs in SN. We compare 4 LLMs-Gemma, Llama3 and two quantizations of Mistral. Among the LLMs we tested, Llama3 is the most accurate room classifier whereas goal selection performance varies between rooms and different LLMs. Finally, we evaluated 3 Visual Language Models (VLMs)- 4-bit quantized form of Chameleon, un-quantized Chameleon and un-quantized Moondream2. We found that they are best used for hard-to-classify scenes where a list of objects cannot be extracted for classification with an LLM. Our combined approach takes advantage of the best aspects of both types of model. The source code and test data for this project are available at: https://github.com/archie1983/cvm_semantic_navigation
The impact of COVID-19 on racialised minority populations: A systematic review of experiences and perspectives
Get PDFRacialised minority populations were disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and saw the highest rate of COVID-19 infections and mortality. Low socioeconomic status, working as frontline workers, temporary employment, precarious immigration status and pre-existing medical conditions were factors that contributed to disadvantaged experiences. This systematic review looked at the impact of COVID-19 on racialised minority populations globally, recognising their experiences, perspectives and the effects on their physical and mental health. Eight electronic databases were searched (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Social Policy and Practice (SPP), Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts (ASSIA), MedRxiv and Research Square) for English language qualitative studies. Reference lists of relevant literature reviews and reference lists of articles were hand-searched for additional potentially relevant articles. Duplicates were removed, and articles were screened for titles and abstracts, followed by full-text screening. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to assess the quality of the included studies (n = 70). Data were synthesised using thematic synthesis. Seven major and three minor themes were identified. The major themes related to (i) children and young people’s experiences of COVID-19; (ii) exacerbated pre-existing disparities relating to income, employment and housing security, health insurance and immigration status; (iii) lack of knowledge and information about COVID-19 and COVID-19 misinformation; (iv) racial history of medicine and treatment of racialised populations; (v) contemporary experiences of racism; (vi) impact on physical and mental health and wellbeing; (vii) concerns about safety at work. Minor themes related to (a) experiences of intercommunity mutual aid; (b) adherence to preventative guidance/COVID-19 restrictions; (c) the role of faith. Research needs to focus on developing and testing interventions that support transformation of social, cultural and economic systems towards equity of access to healthcare and healthcare knowledge. Research should be cognisant of interventions that have worked in shifting the equity dial in the past, implement these and use them to inform new approaches. Policy and practice should be mechanisms for enabling the implementation of interventions
Marimo for monitoring and filtering of aquatic environments
Get PDFAegagropila linnaei (commonly known as "Marimo") forms dense spheres of intertwined algae filaments capable of capturing and retaining a wide range of particles and microorganisms (up to 2 mm in length) from freshwater environments. This study explores the potential of Marimo as a sustainable tool for environmental monitoring and water filtration. We present a novel, non-destructive method for extracting entrapped materials (including microplastics, sediments, and indicator species) and evaluate various analytical techniques for characterising the extracted content. A prototype Marimo-based filtration system was developed, demonstrating significant reductions in microbial contaminants within a recirculating water system. These findings highlight the advantages of using Marimo as a low-cost, eco-friendly solution for long-term aquatic ecosystem monitoring and remediation. [Abstract copyright: © 2025. The Author(s).
National context impacts on SDG mapping needs and approaches in Higher Education, a Tri-National comparison
Get PDFSince 2015 and the Paris Agreements, several countries have committed to sustainable development (SD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have an important role to play in providing education and supporting research activities that integrate SD and SDG concepts. However, the context where the HEI is located has an impact on the level of development and integration of strategic guidelines, methods, and tools for measuring the performance of SDGs within the HEI. The United Nations framework remains the most developed and used tool, but it stays very global and needs to be adapted to other contexts, which leads to local initiatives by some HEIs in developing their tools. The response of HEIs to this challenge differs from one context to another, and this article aims to (i) provide a framework to analyze the different HEI contexts based on their own global, national, and local context; (ii) present and compare the context analysis of three different HEIs (ULaval, Sorbonne Univ, and UWE) in three different countries worldwide (Canada, France, and England), and (iii) discuss the limits, challenges, and research opportunities in the subject of SDG integration within HEIs. Notably, the context analysis of ULaval and UWE case studies showed that the Canadian and UK scales give global orientations with a delegation to the Quebec Province and England government for the education and research strategies. A strong leadership comes from the HEIs themselves in developing their own methods and tools for assessing and monitoring the SDGs, as is the case with ULaval and UWE. On the other hand, the Sorbonne Univ case follows the French national and European-United Nation framework but is less committed to developing its own tools and methods
Undertaking a baseline continence assessment in hospitalised adults
No full textIn the UK, one in five people live with some form of urinary incontinence and one in ten live with some form of bowel issue. The likelihood of a nurse caring for a patient with a pre-existing continence issue in any healthcare setting is therefore relatively high. Hospital admission carries an increased risk of patients developing functional incontinence, which might occur due to a missed baseline continence assessment on admission or because of the patient's presenting illness and can result in a temporary loss of mobility and independence. For hospital nurses, starting a conversation with the patient regarding their continence status early in their admission, and encouraging them to talk about any bothersome continence issues, is essential for the delivery of person-centred care. Continence is 'everybody's business' and the author details some nurse-led initiatives that have been implemented to raise the standards for continence assessment in hospitalised patients
Associations of dietary advanced glycation end products and the risk of depression and anxiety
No full textDietary advanced glycation end products (AGEs) might exert adverse effects on mental disorders. To explore whether elevated dietary AGEs intake is associated with increased risk of mental disorders, and whether this association might be affected by genetic risk and allostatic load (AL). A prospective cohort study, including a total of 112,989 participants, conducted at least two 24-h dietary assessments in the UK Biobank Study (2006-2010) and were followed up until 2021. Dietary AGEs, including Nε-(1-Carboxyethyl)-l-lysine (CEL), Nε-(carboxymethyl) lysine (CML), and Nδ-(5-hydro-5-methyl-4-imidazolon-2-yl)-ornithine (MG-H1) were estimated via averaged data from the multiple 24-h food assessments according to the ultra-performance LC-tandem MS based dietary AGEs database. Incident depression and anxiety, ascertained via hospital admission records and mental health questionnaires. During an average follow-up period of 12.9 years, 5489 and 5163 participants developed depression and anxiety, respectively. When comparing high (Q5) quantiles with low quantiles (Q1&2) of dietary AGEs intake, HRs (95%CIs) of depression, anxiety, and mental disorders were 1.16 (1.07, 1.27), 1.11 (1.01, 1.22) and 1.14 (1.07, 1.22), respectively. High dietary CML and MG-H1 intake were also associated increased risk of depression, anxiety, and their co-occurrence. The positive associations between dietary AGEs intake and the risk of depression were more pronounced among participants with intermediate and high genetic risk (P-interaction < 0.001) and with high AL level (P-interaction = 0.019). Consuming high levels of dietary AGEs (including CML and MG-H1) was associated with an increased risk of depression and anxiety. This association may be affected by genetic risk and AL. [Abstract copyright: © 2025. Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.
Learning from the Local
No full textLearning from the Local written by Piers Taylor situates itself within the pressing architectural discourse surrounding the tensions between globalisation and local identity. Taylor problematises the contemporary architectural condition by highlighting the growing difficulty of designing buildings that meaningfully engage with their specific geographic and cultural contexts. Once inherently local by necessity—due to reliance on site-specific materials, vernacular construction techniques, and cultural practices—architecture is now largely shaped by globalised supply chains, economic pressures, and aesthetic pluralism. This shift has rendered the articulation of place through building increasingly complex, if not paradoxical. The book positions itself as a counterpoint to reductive architectural manifestos, advocating instead for an open-ended, exploratory approach that recognises architecture’s capacity to tell diverse stories, including those rooted in the particularities of place. Drawing from Simone Weil’s The Need for Roots and environmental psychology, Taylor argues that the human desire for rootedness—expressed through distinctive, place-specific environments—persists despite the homogenising forces of globalisation. This desire is not just romantic or nostalgic, but entwined with cultural identity, sustainability, and psychological well-being. Learning from the Local further interrogates the challenges of material provenance and economic feasibility in locally expressive design. It underscores the carbon cost of imported materials and the opportunity, through inventive design, to leverage local resources—even waste materials—as demonstrated by initiatives such as Rural Studio and Hooke Park. This pragmatic sustainability foregrounds the necessity of reconciling ecological imperatives with cultural specificity. The book adopts a case-study approach, with chapters organised thematically and featuring diverse global examples. Its central aim is not to prescribe stylistic formulas, but to illuminate how architecture can navigate and negotiate the global-local dichotomy in meaningful, context-responsive, and environmentally responsible ways. Ultimately, Learning from the Local offers a critical framework for understanding how buildings can re-engage with the contingencies of place—cultural, material, and climatic—while avoiding parochialism and embracing a pluralistic, reflective practice
Continuous positive airway pressure and progression of enlarged perivascular spaces in adults with obstructive sleep Apnea
No full textBackground and ObjectivesMRI-visible brain perivascular spaces (PVSs) represent an imaging feature of cerebral small vessel disease that is associated with hypertension, diabetes, and poor sleep quality and correlated with cognitive impairment and dementia. Although research shows that sleep apnea and sleep disruption are associated with PVS volumes, few studies have investigated whether sleep apnea treatment can modify this association. We aimed to test the hypothesis that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy can change the trajectory of PVS progression in adults with sleep apnea.MethodsIn this longitudinal observational treatment study, we recruited participants from sleep clinics at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre with moderate-to-severe hypoxemic sleep apnea (apnea hypopnea index ≥15 and oxygen desaturation index ≥10). Before and after a minimum 4 months of CPAP, we obtained pulse oximetry (WatchPAT) and performed brain MRI, with quantification of PVS volumes in the basal ganglia (BG) and centrum semiovale (CSO). We used linear mixed-effects models to test for associations between CPAP usage, changes in PVS volumes, and baseline sleep apnea severity.ResultsAmong 64 participants (mean age 54.7 years old, 31% female) who were followed for more than a median (interquartile range) of 140 (124–163) days, there were 2 subgroups: 37 participants who used CPAP optimally (≥4 hours a night ≥70% of nights) and 27 participants who did not. Optimal CPAP usage modified the association between visit and BG PVS volumes (interaction estimate = −0.007, SE = 0.002, p = 0.007). Participants with the poor CPAP adherence experienced an increase in BG PVS (estimate = +0.005, SE = 0.001, p = 0.002). Participants with consistent CPAP adherence experienced stabilization of BG PVS volumes (estimate = −0.001, SE = 0.001, p = 0.42). This benefit was more pronounced with increased hypoxemia (mean interaction estimate = +0.004, SE = 0.001, p = 0.0009) and increased AHI (interaction estimate = −0.002, SE = 0.00009, p = 0.008).DiscussionOptimal CPAP use may moderate the effects of sleep apnea on trajectories of MRI-visible PVS volumes. Although the observational nonrandomized nature of this study is a limitation, these data suggest that CPAP may be an effective means of slowing PVS dysfunction progression, a key correlate of aging and dementia, in adults with sleep apnea.Trial Registration InformationNCT03410095.Classification of EvidenceThis study provides Class IV evidence that, in patients with moderate-to-severe sleep apnea, optimal adherence to CPAP treatment stabilizes the progression of BG PVS volume
From Interpretation to Interruption: Embracing disruptive analysis
No full textQualitative analysis is, inherently, a complex, messy and nuanced process. In the context of contested notions of validity, for novice researchers there is therefore an attraction in adopting established, systematic and formulaic approaches. Yet, in prioritising methodical processes, over critical engagement and methodologically coherent quality criteria, these approaches can risk limiting research to a process of cataloguing and reporting face value readings. This research note reflects on an attempt to address and examine this risk in a doctoral research project by progressing from an initial thematic interpretative approach to data analysis to a secondary stage informed by ideas of interruptive analysis. The paper introduces a conceptualisation of interruption as prioritising interrogation of aspects of presentation, over a focus on the interpretation of content or a shift from analysing what is said, to how it is said. Empirical data from research exploring doctoral students’ methodological decision-making is utilised to illustrate the approach and to provoke consideration of the value of embracing disruption. Analysis of two narrative accounts from the study is presented, providing a snapshot of the different understandings and an insight into the learning it generated. The learning in this research note is intended to act as an illustration and provocation for thinking rather than any form of procedural guide
Academic anomie: Implications of the ‘great resignation’ for leadership in post-COVID higher education
No full textThe experience of the COVID-19 pandemic has ignited a near universal rethink of what is tolerable or desirable in work settings. In higher education—where discontent has been exacerbated by the pandemic—the potential for a ‘great resignation’ is a very real threat. The long-term impact of a crisis management approach in universities has led to a state of ‘pandemia’, according to Watermeyer et al., (British Journal of Sociology of Education 42:651-666, 2021b), whereby academics feel alienated and subjected to a ‘toxic’ work environment that lacks shared purpose and values. This article draws on Durkheim’s notion of ‘anomie’ to explore what leads academics to leave the sector and to consider how the outward migration of staff could be addressed through changes to leadership and management practice. Evidence is taken from an online survey distributed in the United Kingdom (UK), which collected demographic information of n = 167 academics and open-text responses to a question which asked respondents to provide their reasons for quitting higher education. Four key themes emerge which elucidate a trajectory of academic anomie: (i) declining quality of academic management, (ii) the pandemic as a disruptive awakening, (iii) the erosion of values and meaning and (iv) a sense of being ‘trapped’ within academia. Potential resolutions are suggested in respect of what respondents identify as the root cause of staff attrition—toxic management culture. Collective and inclusive governance and commitment from academics at all career stages to the leadership of groups, departments, institutions and the wider higher education sector are advocated as antidotes to academic anomie