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Experimental evaluation of radio-aware semantic map with 5G-enabled mobile robots
Get PDFWith the rapid development of 5G technology and the increasing demand for autonomous mobile robots, there is a trend to leverage the ultra-low latency, high data rates, and reliable wireless connectivity offered by 5G to improve the perception and navigation of robots in unknown environments. This paper presents a novel approach for creating and exploiting radio-aware semantic maps to empower 5Genabled mobile robots operating within an unknown environment. The proposed solution allows for smart offloading of robotic applications and task processing onto the edge systems while facilitating real-time data exchange, and enables robots to gather environment data from both onboard sensors and the mobile network for more efficient robot operation and resource orchestration decisions. A radio-aware semantic mapping framework is introduced, which combines radio signal quality information with semantic mapping techniques to create a comprehensive understanding of the environment, which may evolve over time. The semantic map, enriched with radio quality measurement data, enables mobile robots to make timely informed decisions by considering real-time radio quality variations. Our experimental evaluation demonstrates the effectiveness of adopting radio semantic maps to enhance real-time robot operations on navigation and task offloading in unstructured environments. © 2025 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works
The mechanisms by which a whole-school intervention might improve sexual health:qualitative realist research nested in a trial in English secondary schools
Get PDFWhole-school interventions go beyond classroom education, promoting health by modifying school environments. These can be effective in delaying sexual debut and increasing contraception use but mechanisms are poorly understood. Qualitative research within realist evaluation can explore mechanisms via building 'context-mechanism-outcome configurations', describing how interventions trigger mechanisms that interact with context to generate outcomes. We explored these for the Positive Choices whole-school sexual health intervention within the intervention arm of a randomised trial conducted 2021-2025. Using 'dimensional analysis', we analysed 52 interviews with teachers and 40 focus-groups involving 266 students from 22 English secondary schools. Our results suggest seven mechanisms through which whole-school interventions might 'work': improving knowledge using diverse pedagogies; improving confidence and ability to talk by normalising talk about sexual health; changing gender attitudes through challenging stereotypes and providing insights and empathy with others' perspectives; promoting access to sexual health and other services via helping students understand their needs and entitlements; building school engagement by providing new student roles on decision-making groups; increasing inclusion of sexual-minority students by normalising consideration of non-heterosexual identities and practices; and reducing sexual harassment and abuse by helping students understand consent and when to intervene in harassment. Contextual contingencies included: high initial student needs; teacher skills and commitment; and school commitment and capacity. Our research suggests novel mechanisms via which whole-school interventions might promote sexual health. Quantitative analyses will now be conducted to examine these mechanisms and contingencies.</p
REHG Pamphlet Series (III):Spectres of Creativity
Get PDFThe third in a series of pamphlets by the Radical Education and Humanities Group (REHG). This issue focuses on matters of creativity in education. Oli Belas (editor, author) Jim Clack (author) JoEl James (artist, author
‘Butterfly effects’ in dyadic dynamics: a complex dynamic systems theory perspective on task-based interaction
Get PDFWhile a substantial body of research on L2 oral performance has focused on aggregated outcomes, this study adopts a Complex Dynamic Systems Theory (CDST) framework to investigate the co-constructed processes inherent in dyadic interaction. Specifically, we explore the butterfly effect, wherein minor variations in initial conditions can lead to divergent interactional trajectories. A complex dynamic system comprises many interacting components, where micro-level interactions among components change their properties and, over time, create new properties at a macroscopic level (van Geert, 2011). From this perspective, participants are continuously influenced by their interlocutors through iterative processes of turn-taking, and a macro-pattern of discourse emerges as a result of dynamic co-regulation between the participants (Larsen-Freeman & Cameron, 2008). To investigate dyadic dynamics as a complex dynamic system, we conceptualized planning time (3 minutes vs. none) as the initial condition for a discussion task and re-analyzed the task-based interaction performed by 32 L2 learners in dyads (Nitta & Nakatsuhara, 2014). We employed a microgenetic approach, analyzing turn-taking dynamics and using Conversation Analysis to examine the qualitative features of the conversations to identify emergent interactional patterns under each condition. The analysis revealed a primary pattern observed in the majority of dyads: the non-planning condition fostered a highly collaborative mode of interaction, whereas the planning condition promoted a shift toward a sequence of monologues. However, a deviant pattern, identified in a minority of dyads, was characterized by consistent collaboration across both conditions. These findings suggest that while initial conditions like planning time are highly influential, their effects are not deterministic. We conclude that process-oriented, microgenetic methods are invaluable for understanding the nuanced dynamics of L2 interaction, and that CDST offers a promising theoretical lens for advancing both language learning research and pedagogical practice
Coca-Cola's AI- driven customer engagement strategy
No full textRecent research shows that artificial intelligence improves marketing capabilities through hyper-personalization and predictive analytics capabilities (Davenport 2023; Kotha 2024; Islam et al., 2024). Companies at the forefront of their industries use cutting- edge systems such as Coca- Cola's machine learning sentiment analysis combined with generative AI content generation (Limantara, 2024; Wang & Zhang, 2024). Natural language processing paired with computer vision tech enhances customer engagement across digital platforms and physical spaces according to Durmuş Şenyapar (2024). Recent studies highlight pronounced ethical challenges caused by algorithmic bias and privacy concerns (Islam et al., 2024; Gungunawat et al., 2024). The AI governance framework developed by Coca- Cola has gained industry- wide recognition as the standard for ethical AI deployment according to Wang & Zhang (2024). The "Create Real Magic" campaign maintains an equilibrium between inventive progress and ethical standards (Limantara, 2024) and shows how responsible AI use leads to competitive advantages.</p
Fertile island effects across developmental stages of Caragana korshinskii nebkhas drive microbial nutrient cycling in arid ecosystems
No full textNebkhas, such as those formed by Caragana korshinskii, play a critical role in restoring degraded arid landscapes through the fertile island effect. However, the influence of C. korshinskii nebkhas developmental stages on soil microbial structure and function remains unclear. In this study, we investigated microbial diversity, enzyme activities, and soil properties across three developmental stages (growing, mature, and recession) and two soil depths (0–10 cm and 10–20 cm) in the desert steppe of northern China. The results showed that bacterial and fungal α-diversity indices were significantly higher in 0–10 cm soils and peaked during the mature stage. Soil NAG enzyme activity was significantly enhanced in mature-stage nebkhas (P < 0.05), and correlation analysis revealed that SOC, AP, and enzyme activities were strongly associated with microbial community composition. A total of 8331 bacterial and 1584 fungal OTUs were identified, with dominant taxa including Actinobacteriota and Ascomycota. These findings confirm that the fertile island effect intensifies with nebkha development, enhancing microbially mediated nutrient cycling. This study provides new insights into the role of shrub successional stages in soil ecosystem functioning and offers practical guidance for vegetation-based restoration in arid environments.</p
Being towards death and dying: an interpretive phenomenological exploration of death and dying conversations
No full textPredominant role of fat mass in the association between HMB and frailty
No full textBackground: β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) is a bioactive metabolite formed from the breakdown of leucine, which increases muscle protein synthesis and reduces muscle breakdown. Previous studies have shown an inverse association between HMB levels and frailty in older adults. This study aims to assess if body composition influences this association. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from a cohort of adults ≥65 years from the Toledo Study of Healthy Aging. Body composition [total lean (TBLM) and fat mass (TBFM)] was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Frailty was assessed with the Frailty Trait Scale (FTS-12). Six regression models were employed to examine HMB/body composition ratios and frailty, adjusting by age, sex, comorbidity, waist-to-hip ratio, nutritional status, and Mediterranean diet adherence. Results: Data from 1257 individuals (56.72% females, mean age 74.6±5.95 years) were analyzed. Significantly higher values of HMB levels were observed in men compared to women. HMB/body composition ratios were significantly associated with frailty in both sexes. Increased HMB/TBFM ratios occurred due to both higher HMB levels (Q1: 0.155±0.027 ng/mL vs Q4: 0.280±0.057 ng/mL) and lower fat mass (Q1: 19.11±3.12 kg/m2 vs Q4: 11.34±2.44 kg/m2), whereas higher HMB/TBLM ratios were primarily driven by higher HMB levels (Q1: 0.149±0.023 ng/mL vs Q4: 0.292±0.05 ng/mL), whereas lean mass remained constant (Q1: 25.11±2.79 kg/m2 vs Q4: 24.62±2.91 kg/m2). The protective effect of the HMB/TBFM ratio was independent of the lean mass ratio. Conclusion: The relationship between endogenous HMB and frailty is modified by body composition, with a stronger impact mediated by fat mass than lean mass. Future studies should explore the therapeutic implications of HMB supplementation in age-related changes in body composition and frailty.</p
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