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The purpose of this study is to report the surgical experience and outcomes with pre-operative localisation of non-palpable breast lesions using the RFID tag system. The cohort for this prospective study included patients over the age of 18 with biopsy proven, non-palpable indeterminate lesions, DCIS or breast cancer requiring pre-operative localisation before surgical excision between September 2020 and July 2022. A total of 312 RFID tags were placed in 299 consecutive patients. Indications for localisation included non-palpable invasive cancer in 255 (85.3%) patients, in situ disease in 38 (12.7%) and indeterminate lesions requiring surgical excision in 6 (2.0%). Both in situ and invasive lesions had a median size of 13 mm (range 4–100 mm) on pre-operative imaging. The RFID tags were in situ for a median time of 21 days before surgery (range 0–233 days). Of the 213 tags, 292 (93.6%) were introduced using ultrasound (USS) guidance and stereotactically in 20 (6.4%). In 3 (1.0%) cases the RFID tag was either not satisfactorily deployed at the intended target or retrieved intra-operatively. Following discussion of post-operative histology by the multi-disciplinary team, further surgery for close or involved margins was for 26 (8.7%) patients. The Hologic RFID tag system can be used for accurate pre-operative localisation of non-palpable masses as well as diffuse abnormalities such as mammographic distortions and calcifications. It has advantages of flexibility for scheduling image-guided insertion independently of scheduled operating lists and can be placed to localise lesions prior to initiating neoadjuvant systemic treatment. • RFID tag localisation of non-palpable malignant and indeterminate lesions is accurate and oncologically safe. • Insertion by ultrasound or sterotactic guidance uses visible tumour, calcification or a hydroclip as the target. • In 99% of cases the RFID tag was satisfactorily deployed at the intended target and retrieved intra-operatively. • The rate of re-operation for close or involved margins was 8.6%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shared learning is imperative in the assessment and safe implementation of new healthcare interventions. Magnetic seeds (Magseed®) potentially offer logistical benefit over wire localisation for non-palpable breast lesions but few data exist on outcomes comparing these techniques. A national registration study (iBRA-NET) was conducted to collate device outcomes. In order to share learning, thematic analysis was conducted to ascertain early clinical experiences of Magseed® and wire guided localisation and explore how learning events may be applied to improve clinical outcomes. A qualitative study of 27 oncoplastic surgeons, radiologists and physicians was conducted in January 2020 to ascertain the feasibility and challenges associated with Magseed® versus wire breast localisation surgery. Four focus groups were asked to discuss experiences, concerns and shared learning outcomes which were tabulated and analysed thematically. Three key themes were identified comparing Magseed® and wire localisation of breast lesions relating to preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative learning outcomes. Percutaneous Magseed® detection, instrument interference and potential seed or wire dislodgement were the most common issues identified. Clinician experience suggested Magseed® index lesion identification was non-inferior to wire placement and improved the patient pathway in terms of scheduling and multi-site insertion. Prospective shared learning suggested Magseed® offered additional non-clinical benefits over wire localisation, improving the efficiency of the patient pathway. Recommendations for improving breast localisation technique, appropriate patient selection and clinical practice through shared learning are discussed that may aid other surgeons in the adoption of this relatively new technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The real-space renormalisation group method can be applied to the Chalker–Coddington model of the quantum Hall transition to provide a convenient numerical estimation of the localisation critical exponent, ν. Previous such studies found ν ∼ 2. 39 which falls considerably short of the current best estimates by transfer matrix (ν = 2. 593 + 0. 005 − 0. 006 ) and exact-diagonalisation studies (ν = 2. 58 (3)). By increasing the amount of data 500 fold we can now measure closer to the critical point and find an improved estimate ν = 2. 51 + 0. 11 − 0. 11 . This deviates only ∼ 3% from the previous two values and is already better than the ∼ 7% accuracy of the classical small-cell renormalisation approach from which our method is adapted. We also study a previously proposed mixing of the Chalker–Coddington model with a classical scattering model which is meant to provide a route to understanding why experimental estimates give a lower ν ∼ 2. 3. Upon implementing this mixing into our RG unit, we find only further increases to the value of ν. • We measure the critical exponent of the quantum Hall transition, ν , ten times closer to the critical point. • We improve upon previous numerics with a 500 fold increase in the number of data points. • We find an increased value of ν = 2. 51 ± 0. 11. • Our new value is just 3.2% different from the current best numerical prediction based on large-scale transfer matrix computations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) presents opportunities for animal monitoring. • Purpose−built devices were calibrated alongside commercial BLE beacons. • Distance using BLE signal strength was estimated with prediction equations. • Device height and animal behaviour will impact on Bluetooth Low Energy range. • Two methods of sheep localisation were trialled successfully using BLE beacons. Monitoring animal location and proximity can provide useful information on behaviour and activity, which can act as a health and welfare indicator. However, tools such as global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) can be costly, power−hungry and often heavy, thus not viable for commercial uptake in small ruminant systems. Developments in Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) could offer another option for animal monitoring, however, BLE signal strength can be variable, and further information is needed to understand the relationship between signal strength and distance in an outdoor environment and assess factors which might affect its interpretation in on-animal scenarios. A calibration of a purpose-built device containing a BLE reader, alongside commercial BLE beacons, was conducted in a field environment to explore how signal strength changed with distance and investigate whether this was affected by device height, and thus animal behaviour. From this calibration, distance prediction equations were developed whereby beacon distance from a reader could be estimated based on signal strength. BLE as a means of localisation was then trialled, firstly using a multilateration approach to locate 16 static beacons within an ∼5 400 m2 section of paddock using 6 BLE readers, followed by an on-sheep validation where two localisation approaches were trialled in the localisation of a weaned lamb within ∼1.4 ha of adjoining paddocks, surrounded by nine BLE readers. Validation was conducted using 1 days' worth of data from a lamb fitted with both a BLE beacon and separate GNSS device. The calibration showed a decline in signal strength with increasing beacon distance from a reader, with a reduced range and earlier decline in the proportion of beacons reported at lower reader and beacon heights. The distance prediction equations indicated a mean underestimation of 12.13 m within the static study, and mean underestimation of 1.59 m within the on-sheep validation. In the static beacon localisation study, the multilateration method produced a mean localisation error of 22.02 m, whilst in the on-sheep validation, similar mean localisation errors were produced by both methods – 19.00 m using the midpoint and 23.77 m using the multilateration method. Our studies demonstrate the technical feasibility of localising sheep in an outdoor environment using BLE technology; however, potential commercial application of such a system would require improvements in BLE range and accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explains the evolving role of the local supply chain across different disruption scenarios. A systematic literature review of 91 papers from 33 journals supports definition of the local supply chain and explication of benefits before, during and after COVID-19 disruption. Resilience emerges as the prevalent benefit at each stage, but to varying scales. In the pre-COVID-19 era, where the local supply chain serves as a back-up approach to the more dominant global supply chain, localisation's capacity to absorb change promotes resilience to mitigate low-magnitude disruption. At initial outbreak of COVID-19 disruption the local supply chain was necessitated as an emergency response to the untenability of global operations, demonstrating transformational resilience to survive. As disruption continued, the local supply chain upscaled and adapted to recover. In the post-COVID-19 era, resilience is expected to remain a strategic priority, promoting continued investment in local operations to thrive with embedded resilience. As a result, the COVID-19 pandemic welcomed a point of transition for the local supply chain as capacities and benefits are revaluated and localisation recognised as critical in developing resilient supply networks for the future. This study consolidates this evolution to offer a propositional framework showcasing the local supply chain across different disruption scenarios. This offers long overdue definition and explanation of the local supply chain and its relationship with resilience, addressing an existing lack of academic attention and encouraging alignment of local-versus-global decisions with changing strategic priorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We partly extend the localisation technique from convex geometry to the multiple constraints setting. For a given 1-Lipschitz map u : R n → R m , m ≤ n , we define and prove the existence of a partition of R n , up to a set of Lebesgue measure zero, into maximal closed convex sets such that restriction of u is an isometry on these sets. We consider a disintegration, with respect to this partition, of a log-concave measure. We prove that for almost every set of the partition of dimension m , the associated conditional measure is log-concave. This result is proven also in the context of the curvature-dimension condition for weighted Riemannian manifolds. This partially confirms a conjecture of Klartag. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During COVID-19, global supply chain disruption marred communities around the world. In active humanitarian crises, these logistical issues compounded underlying vulnerabilities in communities most in need, pushing humanitarian supply networks to adapt rapidly in order to continue providing aid and development activities. This paper therefore seeks to answer: " how can social capital be leveraged in disaster response during a crisis?". By conceptualizing resilience through the lens of social capital theory, the paper abductively analyses 17 semi-structured interviews, into other to identify four examples of how social capital was leveraged by local humanitarian supply networks during COVID-19. By adopting a "peri-crisis lens" from trauma-informed research, the paper finds four resiliency behaviours of humanitarian supply networks: 1) localising supplier networks, 2) engaging local production, 3) pivoting to cash provision for local households, and 4) handing over to national staff. This paper argues that individuals, organisations, and communities are more resilient, not merely when they have social capital, but when they can rapidly leverage that social capital in a crisis. Through a close examination of the factors that enabled and hindered the leveraging of social capital during COVID-19, the paper offers practical policy suggestions for government and non-governmental organisations engaged in humanitarian supply networks, to rapidly respond in future pandemics. Additionally, the paper demonstrates the use of peri-crisis as a lens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Beading of soft tubes under surface tension is studied as a localization problem. • Bifurcation conditions are presented for a general strain-energy function. • Further insight into the post-bifurcation behaviour is provided. • Theoretical predictions are verified by numerical simulations. We investigate localised bulging or necking in an incompressible, hyperelastic cylindrical tube under axial stretching and surface tension. Three cases are considered in which the tube is subjected to different constraints. In case 1 the inner and outer surfaces are traction-free and under surface tension, whilst in cases 2 and 3 the inner and outer surfaces (respectively) are fixed to prevent radial displacement and surface tension. However, each free surface in these latter two cases is still under surface tension. We first state the analytical bifurcation conditions for localisation and then validate them numerically whilst determining whether localisation is preferred over bifurcation into periodic modes. It is shown that bifurcation into a localised solution is unattainable in case 1 but possible and favourable in cases 2 and 3. In contrast, in case 1 any bifurcation must necessarily take the form of a periodic mode with a non-zero wave number. Our results are validated using Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is devoted to the study of a certain type of martingale problems associated to general operators corresponding to processes which have finite lifetime. We analyse several properties and in particular the weak convergence of sequences of solutions for an appropriate Skorokhod topology setting. We point out the Feller-type features of the associated solutions to this type of martingale problem. Then localisation theorems for well-posed martingale problems or for corresponding generators are proved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the extant global supply chain is transitioning from an efficiency fixated system to a system orientated on resilience. Key factors advancing this transformation include localisation and digitalisation. A system dynamics model is formulated to facilitate the investigation of the aforementioned factors impact on the cost structure of the dairy sector. A 3 level, 2 factor experiment reveals the confounding effect of the two factors to be a decrease in the mean cost across the system mediated primarily by the cascading benefits of digitalisation on innovation, continuous improvement and the concomitant efficiency enhancement. Analysis of the simulation results establishes that employment is augmented by digitalisation and localisation but constrained by skills scarcity. An extended model incorporating a more comprehensive description of the dairy sub-sector would be indispensable to informing policy and strategic and tactical decision making for resilience based designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The panoramic radiographs for localisation of impacted canines are now mostly available in the digital form. It is difficult to apply the localisation techniques in the digital format especially when it is viewed and diagnosed using smart phones. So in this paper we are describing about an app we created based on the android platform. Using this app three localisation methods can be applied by using multiple tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The second part of this bipartite series on the micromorphic contribution of particle-based microstructures to continuum-mechanical theories is mainly concerned with the relation between particle and continuum kinematics. Extending the governing relations and the stress homogenisation of Part I by the introduction of a tensor-valued micromorphic angular momentum balance and a micromorphic balance of mechanical work yields new insights in the impact of dyadic stress moments in micromorphicity. Furthermore, it contributes to identify work-conjugated pairs of standard and extended micromorphic continuum contributions based on an investigation of ensembles of deformable particles taken as a Representative Elementary Volume (REV) both at the mesoscopic and the macroscopic scale. By use of geometrically linear kinematics, it is furthermore shown how micromorphic deformations subdivide in micropolar and microstrain contributions. Deriving the specific volume-averaging formalism for deformation measures of REV with a finite number of particles additionally allows for a direct evaluation of the individual contributions based on Discrete-Element (DE) simulations, thus yielding an excellent possibility to include particle mechanics in continuum-mechanical approaches with complex microstructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to underlying applications, wireless sensor network is in demand these days. The nodes are positioned randomly in the space and finding out the exact location of the nodes is essential. Limited cost and energy are the major problems with the sensor because of which location of all the sensor nodes are not stored. There is number of applications, where location of all the nodes is required. So, finding out the location of the nodes is one of major issues for research. This paper discusses how localization issues in sensor networks can be resolved using different metaheuristic algorithms. Metaheuristic algorithms like firework algorithm, cuckoo search, bat algorithm, genetic algorithm are few of the algorithms that are used as the solution of localisation problem. The paper presents a survey on the localisation problem of wireless sensor networks, application of localisation and solution of it using metaheuristic algorithms. The paper also discusses the parameters to evaluate for localisation. The studies show that the use of metaheuristic on localisation issue of wireless sensor network optimizes the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Localised failure in geomaterials invalidates the assumption of homogeneous deformation that constitutive models based on continuum mechanics rest on. In such cases, the deformation and nonlinear processes inside the localisation zone dominate the inelastic response of the material, while the material outside this zone usually undergoes negligible inelastic or even elastic deformation. As a consequence, internal variables representing micromechanical failure processes should better be defined inside the localisation zone, not averaged over the whole volume element containing it. In this study, we propose a thermodynamics-based framework for constitutive models that take into account the transition from homogenous to localised deformation. Two spatial scales involved in the mechanisms of localised failure, macro scale of the considered volume element and smaller scale of the localisation zone, are included in the formulation and derived constitutive models. This separation of spatial scales is combined with enrichments of the constitutive kinematics for the integration of three constitutive relationships describing the behaviour of the materials inside and outside the localisation zone, and the evolving size of this zone. As a result, the internal variables are associated with their own spatial zones, instead of being averaged over the whole volume element like in classical continuum approaches. The gradual transition from homogenous to localised deformation is represented by the onset and evolution of the thickness of the localisation band, both of which appear naturally in the proposed formulation. The obtained model therefore consists of both size and orientation of the localisation band, and three constitutive relationships connected through the equilibrium condition across the boundary of the localisation zone. They help provide a smooth transition from homogeneous to localised failure. Numerical examples show promising features of the proposed approach in connecting the macro behaviour with the underlying evolution of the localisation zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A TDOA localisation process based on the SSA is proposed. • An error-correction method based on LSE is proposed. Partial discharge (PD) is an early warning of gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) insulation faults. Consequently, accurate localisation of PD is crucial for the safe operation of GIS. The time difference of arrival method based on acoustic emission technology is more favorable for the engineering application of PD source localisation owing to its noninvasive characteristics and the small amount of required data. However, because PD ultrasonic signal propagation in GIS will introduce a variety of errors, current localisation algorithms suffer from problems of low accuracy and poor stability. Therefore, this study simulate and analyse the ultrasonic propagation characteristics as well as the sources of errors in GIS, based on which a joint acoustic–electric localisation method based on the Salp Swarm Algorithm is proposed, and an error-correction method based on least squares estimation is introduced. The localisation results show that the proposed method can effectively reduce the localisation error caused by multiple sources of error, and the mean localisation error can be reduced to within 20 mm in different structural gas chambers of GIS, which is more accurate and more stable compared with other methods, and it has good value for engineering application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For Sinaï's walk (X k) we show that the empirical measure of the environment seen from the particle ( ω ̄ k) converges in law to some random measure S ∞. This limit measure is explicitly given in terms of the infinite valley, which construction goes back to Golosov (1984). As a consequence an "in law" ergodic theorem holds: 1 n ∑ k = 1 n F ( ω ̄ k) ⟶ ℒ ∫ Ω F d S ∞ . When the last limit is deterministic, it holds in probability. This allows some extensions to the recurrent case of the ballistic "environment's method" dating back to Kozlov and Molchanov (1984). In particular, we show an LLN and a mixed CLT for the sums ∑ k = 1 n f (Δ X k) where f is bounded and depending on the steps Δ X k ≔ X k + 1 − X k . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate a variant of the parabolic Anderson model, introduced in previous work, in which an i.i.d. potential is partially duplicated in a symmetric way about the origin, with each potential value duplicated independently with a certain probability. In previous work we established a phase transition for this model on the integers in the case of Pareto distributed potential with parameter α > 1 and fixed duplication probability p ∈ (0 , 1) : if α ≥ 2 the model completely localises, whereas if α ∈ (1 , 2) the model may localise on two sites. In this paper we prove a new phase transition in the case that α ≥ 2 is fixed but the duplication probability p (n) varies with the distance from the origin. We identify a critical scale p (n) → 1 , depending on α , below which the model completely localises and above which the model localises on exactly two sites. We further establish the behaviour of the model in the critical regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the metal sheet-forming process, localised thinning immediately before failure is a rapid and intensive process. This paper discusses such intensive thinning and elaborates on the importance of the hardening behaviour at large plastic strains. In particular, for the reliable prediction of intensive sheet-thinning evolution, an accurate determination of the hardening behaviour is important; however, the identification cannot be performed using classical uniaxial tests owing to necking. Therefore, this paper describes the development of a new shear specimen that provides enough data for hardening curve characterisation up to an equivalent plastic strain value that is twice that in a tensile test. After characterisation, based on the inverse identification procedure, two verification cases confirmed the identified data. Both cases are typically considered stochastic processes, and they exhibit a large scatter in the experimental testing: Necking evolution in a uniaxial case and localisation evolution of a notched specimen. However, the verification analyses confirm that both processes are deterministic, and a good prediction could be reached exclusively by a precise identification of the hardening behaviour at large plastic strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presynaptic protein α-synuclein (aSyn) is an 'intrinsically disordered protein' that is highly dynamic in conformation. Transient intramolecular interactions between its charged N and C termini, and between its hydrophobic region and the C terminus, prevent self-association. These interactions inhibit the formation of insoluble inclusions, which are the pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease and many other synucleinopathies. This review discusses how these intramolecular interactions are influenced by the specific environment aSyn is in. We discuss how charge, pH, calcium, and salt affect the physiological structure of monomeric aSyn, and how they may favour the formation of toxic structures. The more we understand the dynamic conformations of aSyn, the better we can design desperately needed therapeutics to prevent disease progression. Highlights aSyn is a highly dynamic, intrinsically disordered protein that populates an ensemble of different conformations in its functional, monomeric form. Functional, monomeric aSyn structure is stabilised by transient electrostatic and hydrophobic tertiary long-range interactions. Post-translational modifications (PTMs), truncation, and the local cellular environment, such as pH and ion content, can influence monomeric aSyn structure. A disruption of monomeric aSyn structure can bias the protein population towards aggregation-prone conformations, leading to the formation of amyloid fibrils. The structure of monomeric aSyn can imprint into fibril morphology and lead to the formation of different aSyn strains. Different aSyn fibril strains have been shown to lead to different levels of toxicity and may influence pathophysiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Abstract We propose a novel attention gate (AG) model for medical image analysis that automatically learns to focus on target structures of varying shapes and sizes. Models trained with AGs implicitly learn to suppress irrelevant regions in an input image while highlighting salient features useful for a specific task. This enables us to eliminate the necessity of using explicit external tissue/organ localisation modules when using convolutional neural networks (CNNs). AGs can be easily integrated into standard CNN models such as VGG or U-Net architectures with minimal computational overhead while increasing the model sensitivity and prediction accuracy. The proposed AG models are evaluated on a variety of tasks, including medical image classification and segmentation. For classification, we demonstrate the use case of AGs in scan plane detection for fetal ultrasound screening. We show that the proposed attention mechanism can provide efficient object localisation while improving the overall prediction performance by reducing false positives. For segmentation, the proposed architecture is evaluated on two large 3D CT abdominal datasets with manual annotations for multiple organs. Experimental results show that AG models consistently improve the prediction performance of the base architectures across different datasets and training sizes while preserving computational efficiency. Moreover, AGs guide the model activations to be focused around salient regions, which provides better insights into how model predictions are made. The source code for the proposed AG models is publicly available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • AE-analysis enabled to localise and quantify the amount of corrosion damage. • The developed clustering algorithm allows to distinguish different damage processes. • AE results from accelerated corrosion tests were validated with micro-CT. Abstract Many existing reinforced concrete (RC) structures are suffering from corrosion damage. The development of reliable tools to characterise and localise such damage is essential to assess the structural capacity. The acoustic emission (AE) technique has proven to be promising for this purpose. However, this technique poses challenges to reliably interpret the results and lacks rigourous validation. In this paper, microfocus X-ray computed tomography (micro-CT) is used to validate the use of AE for the localisation and characterisation of chloride-induced corrosion damage. An experimental protocol is designed, where both techniques are applied on small-scale reinforced mortar samples during accelerated corrosion. In addition to the frequently applied localisation of the AE events, a new signal-based clustering algorithm of the AE events is proposed, which allows to distinguish between different damage processes, such as friction due to the emergence of corrosion products and corrosion-induced mortar cracking. The results obtained from the AE localisation and clustering are confirmed by the micro-CT images and are found to be in line with alternative damage characterisation techniques based on AE parameters, that are found in the literature. Finally, it is shown that the combination of clustered AE events and micro-CT for the considered small-scale samples can help to understand the different damage processes induced by corrosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The interaction between responses inside and outside shear bands governs the macro behaviour of partially saturated soil specimens undergoing localised failure. • Incorporating this interaction along with thickness, orientation and coupled hydro-mechanical behaviour inside shear band allows correct description of both pre- and post-localisation behaviour. • The material outside the localisation zone is assumed to undergo reversible deformation and saturation, while irreversible behaviour inside the localisation zone is the main source of dissipation. • The material behaviour inside the localisation band is described by a constitutive model with a single yield surface in stress-suction space governing the interdependence of two evolution rules for plastic strain and irrecoverable saturation degree. • The proposed formulation results in a size-dependent constitutive structure capable of describing the transition of behaviour of partially saturated soils from homogeneous to localised stages. Localised failures in the form of shear band induce localised deformation and saturation within partially saturated soils. Inelastic responses mainly take place inside the shear band, while the zone outside it usually undergoes unloading processes with much smaller changes in deformation and saturation, as observed in several triaxial tests. The interaction between responses inside and outside shear bands governs the macro behaviour under effects of the hydromechanical coupling. This mechanism, along with properties of shear band (inclination, thickness) and the specimen size, are usually missing in existing classical models based on homogenous assumption. They are incorporated into our approach to correctly capture the post-localisation behaviour of partially saturated soils. In our proposed approach, enrichment terms for kinematics are used in the thermodynamics-based formulation to account for strong variations of hydromechanical responses (stress-strain, suction-saturation) outside and inside the shear band. The proposed formulation results in a size-dependent constitutive structure capable of describing the transition of behaviour from homogeneous to localised stages. The promising features of the proposed formulation are illustrated using data from drained triaxial tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for bridge inspection has gained popularity recently; however, accurately localising the UAV in GPS-denied areas is still challenging, which hinders the development of fully autonomous UAV-assisted bridge inspection solutions. This paper proposes a fiducial marker-corrected stereo visual-inertial localisation (FMC-SVIL) method, running on a resource-constrained onboard computer, to estimate UAV's global pose underneath bridge girders. The proposed FMC-SVIL utilises an optimised stereo visual-inertial odometry for continuous relative pose estimation between consecutive camera frames and an improved AprilTag2-based measurement algorithm for accurate global referencing and periodic pose corrections. The method is validated through extensive experiments, and the results show that the FMC-SVIL achieved UAV localisation with a root mean square error of 0.416 m in sunny conditions and 0.340 m in cloudy conditions. FMC-SVIL outperforms the leading vision-based simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM) algorithms for flights over multiple bridge spans. • A method for UAV's global pose estimation in large-scale GPS-denied bridge areas • A lightweight SVIO for relative pose estimation between camera frames • An improved ATM to enhance the accuracy and robustness of global pose estimation • A weighted fusion framework for global pose registration and error corrections • Over 30% accuracy improvement compared to the leading SLAM algorithms [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Universities are important players in city and regional economic growth and prosperity. However, the relationship between 'town and gown' has often been criticised as not always being aligned, limiting the potential economic and societal benefits a close relationship might bring to the city and region. As a major policy initiative following the 2008 financial crisis, the UK coalition government introduced City Deals in 2012 to support local economic growth in the city and regions, through a partnership approach between central government and local government working with other major stakeholders to decide on regional priorities with funding from a mix of public and private sources. This paper considers the role of universities as localisation growth enablers through their involvement in City Deals, which is assessed through an initial review of stakeholder analysis and university civic engagement and by a qualitative case study of City Deals in Newcastle, Aberdeen, Belfast, and Stirling. This research concludes that while universities participate in town and gown civic engagement to varying degrees, the 'third mission' where universities engage with societal needs and market demands by linking the university's activity with its own socio-economic context (Pinto et al. 2016) is not a priority for UK universities in comparison with their teaching and research roles. Overall, the evidence points to City Deals providing an opportunity for universities to enhance their town and gown relationships especially through their role in innovation, as a 'local leader,' and as an engine for local economic development. However, the degree to which this is being delivered is variable, constrained by the configuration of each deal, the input of the university, and the financial risk/value for money which the university is willing to take. • Universities are important players in city and regional economic growth and prosperity. • City Deals provide an opportunity for universities to enhance their town and gown relationships. • The City Deals initiative has enabled universities to enhance their research and innovation capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • House-hunting social insects need to find and navigate to a safe home. • We observed rock ant (Temnothorax albipennis) colonies walking to a new nest. • The presence of certain landmark combinations affected how straight the paths were. • Two dissimilar landmarks either side of the route resulted in straighter paths. • The distinctiveness of landmark combinations could influence route decision-making. Abstract Visual landmarks are important navigational aids to many animals, and when more than one is available their juxtaposition can convey valuable new information to a navigator about progress toward a goal, depending on the landmarks' comparative distinctiveness. We investigated the effect of presenting rock ant colonies (Temnothorax albipennis) with identical horizontal landmarks either side of their route, versus one horizontal landmark paired with a sloping landmark, as they navigated to a new nest site. Our findings suggest that ants can obtain more navigational information from a combination of dissimilar landmarks: the average tortuosity of the route taken between old and new nests was significantly lower when a horizontal landmark was paired with a monotonically downward sloping landmark (the paths were more direct). The impact on available navigational information from the similarity or dissimilarity of nearby landmarks is likely made through more distinctive visual panoramas, and could be an influential factor in individual and collective animal decision-making about which routes are followed. Furthermore, the effect of landmark complementarity may be relevant to a wide range of species, including other insects or birds, and highlights the possibility that there is an intrinsic difference in the informational content of natural vs. artificial environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • A new thermodynamics-based constitutive model employing a new way for coupling damage and plasticity is proposed. • The proposed model uses a single set of identifiable parameters. • The proposed model can predict the macro-mechanical behaviour of porous rocks together with the onset and modes of localisation under different confining pressures. Abstract This study presents the development of a thermodynamics-based constitutive model for describing the macro-mechanical behaviour of porous rocks. The model formulation is developed within the well-established framework of generalised thermodynamics, or thermodynamics with internal variables (TIV), in order to guarantee the thermodynamics admissibility of the results. A new way for coupling different mechanisms of energy dissipation is proposed within the framework of TIV, so that the essential aspects of macro-mechanical behaviour of porous rocks ranging from brittle to ductile, dilation and compaction, as well as various modes of localised failure, under shearing at a wide range of confining pressures are correctly captured. The pressure sensitive behaviour of porous rocks is captured by introducing a shift stress in the formulation of the yield function, through the concept of 'frozen elastic energy' or non-dissipative part of the plastic work, which is stored within the material during loading. The proposed model allows the investigation of several important aspects of macro-mechanical behaviour of porous rocks at both material and specimen levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • An evolving non-associated Hill48 plasticity model was formulated. • The model accurately accounts for the anisotropic hardening as well as the r-value evolution. • Under non-associated flow rule, both the yield function and flow potential determine the occurrence of localisation. • The evolving feature of the anisotropic properties contributes to the good prediction of the forming limits. Abstract Experimental and numerical investigations on the characterisation and prediction of cold formability of a ferritic steel sheet were performed in this study. Tensile tests and Nakajima tests were conducted for the plasticity characterisation and the forming limit diagram determination, respectively. For the plasticity behaviour description, an evolving non-associated Hill48 anisotropic plasticity model was formulated to accurately characterise the anisotropy evolution under monotonic loading, including anisotropic hardening as well as the r-value evolution. The detailed model parameter calibration procedure was also demonstrated. Eventually the model was applied to the forming limits prediction in conjunction with the modified maximum force criterion. A systematic and detailed study was performed addressing the impacts of the evolving and non-associated characteristics of the model formulation on the forming limits prediction by comparing the proposed model with the classical ones. Both the plasticity model and its application to the formability prediction were validated by the experimental results. Graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bridge bearings are a critical component of a bridge and require regular visual inspection to ensure the safe operation of the bridge throughout its life. However, the bearings are often located in spaces that are difficult or hazardous to reach, which can impact how often the bearings are inspected. In addition, these spaces are small and offer significant challenges for tele-operation due to line-of-sight restrictions; hence, some level of autonomy is required to make robotic inspection possible. In this work, a robotic solution to bridge bearing inspection is presented, and localisation methods are assessed as the first, and most, important step towards automation. Robot localisation is performed in both a lab environment and a real bridge bearing environment. In this paper, Adaptive Monte-Carlo Localisation is considered for localisation in a known map and gave comparable results to Hector-SLAM, with all results less than a defined error threshold of 10 cm. A combination of both of these methods are proposed to give a more robust approach that gives errors lower than the defined threshold in the real bridge. The experiments also show the need to provide an accurate starting point for each inspection within the bearing, for which we notionally suggest the use of a docking station that could also be used for improved autonomy, such as charging. In addition, proof-of-concept approaches for visual inspection tasks, such as geometry changes and foreign object detection are presented to show some of the proposed benefits of the system presented in this work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our perception of where touch occurs on our skin shapes our interactions with the world. Most accounts of cutaneous localisation emphasise spatial transformations from a skin-based reference frame into body-centred and external egocentric coordinates. We investigated another possible method of tactile localisation based on an intrinsic perception of 'skin space'. The arrangement of cutaneous receptive fields (RFs) could allow one to track a stimulus as it moves across the skin, similarly to the way animals navigate using path integration. We applied curved tactile motions to the hands of human volunteers. Participants identified the location midway between the start and end points of each motion path. Their bisection judgements were systematically biased towards the integrated motion path, consistent with the characteristic inward error that occurs in navigation by path integration. We thus showed that integration of continuous sensory inputs across several tactile RFs provides an intrinsic mechanism for spatial perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The aim of this service evaluation project was to assess the quality of clinical details provided in radiological requests. Methods A retrospective review of adult inpatient and emergency department radiological requests over a seven-day period was performed, using the local Clinical Radiological Information System (CRIS). Requests for plain film, CT, MRI and Ultrasound were assessed for the inclusion of a clinical question, lateralisation/localisation of signs or symptoms if required, and relevant past medical/surgical history if available. Results 1548 imaging requests were analysed. 76% asked a specific clinical question. 74% of requests requiring localisation provided this. Of those cases with relevant past medical or surgical history available, 49% mentioned this. Emergency department (ED) requests provided localisation when required in 81% of cases compared to 62% of in-patients (p < 0.05). However, in-patient requests contained relevant past history in 53% of cases compared to 40% for ED requests (p = 0.00096). Compared to plain film requests, those for CT, MRI and Ultrasound studies were more complete in respect to inclusion of a clinical question (88% versus 72%, p < 0.05), localisation if required (83% versus 71%, p = 0.0007) and pertinent clinical history (67% versus 42%, p < 0.05). Requests from the weekend more often included a clinical question (83% vs 75%, p = 0.00054) and localisation if needed (84% vs 71%, p = 0.00188) compared with weekday requests. Conclusion This large-scale service evaluation project shows that the quality of clinical details in requests for radiological investigations requires improvement, particularly in regard to inclusion of relevant past medical and surgical history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reproduce the behaviour of quasibrittle materials mathematically, constitutive laws with softening are needed, which often leads to development of damage localisation bands. If a standard local formulation is used, this approach leads to a pathological mesh dependence, which can be eliminated by making use of alternative nonlocal formulations. The aim of this paper is to assess the localisation properties of damage models under pure bending using different nonlocal formulations; to permit a partially analytical treatment, the idealised case of pure bending is studied. Under these conditions, the localisation process starts at the tensile face of the beam, which belongs to the boundary of the domain on which the problem is solved. Consequently, localisation patterns are affected by the boundary treatment as well as other parameters, such as the characteristic length that defines the area contributing to the nonlocal averaging. This paper presents an analytical study of the onset of localisation of different nonlocal formulations for a beam under pure bending. In addition to it, the subsequent evolution of the localised solution is explored by numerical simulations, analysing the localisation bands spacing, the dissipated energy profile along the fracture plane and the Moment- ϕ L diagrams, with ϕ L being a parameter that represents the rotation that drives the loading process ( ϕ stands for the relative rotation angle of the cross section and L for the beam length). An analysis of damage localisation on longer beams where damage localises in several areas is also carried out and, finally, the damage localisation due to shrinkage is studied as a more realistic example of the problem addressed here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bristol Pound is not the first convertible local currency (CLC) to circulate regionally, to be administered by a credit union, or to be supported by a local council. However, it is the first to possess all three of these attributes simultaneously. For this reason, the Bristol Pound has been heralded by some as marking a new era for local currency-driven localisation. To explore the Bristol Pound's impact on localisation, 27 semi-structured interviews were conducted with businesses and other Bristol Pound stakeholders. Economists were also interviewed to gain insights into the barriers to localisation and the likely impact of a CLC on these barriers. Overall, our findings suggest that the Bristol Pound is not driving localisation. Many of the key barriers were found to be political/institutional in nature (e.g. support for free trade, the free movement of capital, the power of global corporations, and the expansionary logic of capitalism). Such barriers are unlikely to be influenced by a CLC. We therefore suggest that those pursuing localisation should engage in a more active agenda that aims to change government policy and institutions to support an equitable, sustainable economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the bistable behaviour of folded thin strips bent along their central crease. Making use of a simple Gauss mapping, we describe the kinematics of a hinge and facet model, which forms a discrete version of the bistable creased strip. The Gauss mapping technique is then generalised for an arbitrary number of hinge lines, which become the generators of a developable surface as the number becomes large. Predictions made for both the discrete model and the creased strip match experimental results well. This study will contribute to the understanding of shell damage mechanisms; bistable creased strips may also be used in novel multistable systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If no regularisation method is used during finite element modelling of strain-softening (brittle) materials, results become mesh dependent: manifesting as very thin shear bands whose thickness and orientation depends on the mesh discretisation. The objectives of this paper were to determine if mesh independent results were achieved, and to track the evolving width of the shear band when considering naturally occurring properties of soft clays, including a rate dependent stress-strain-strength relationship. The constitutive model included a destructuration process and strain-rate dependency, and the analyses allowed for local pore water flow. A bearing capacity problem was loaded to failure. Analyses were conducted with different mesh discretisation, loading rates and permeabilities. The results demonstrated mesh independent failure loads, and the strain-softening occurred in zones with thickness independent of mesh size. Local pore water flow delayed the initiation of strain softening and resulted in higher failure loads. The softening zones grew in thickness to over one meter, reinforcing that the finite element method is suitable for the determination of the bearing capacity of strain-softening sensitive clays. In conclusion, the rate dependent constitutive model is a promising method for regularising strain localisation in soft brittle clays under quasi-static loading conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Novel approach for extracting line features for onland ploughing navigation with 3D LiDAR. • Demonstration of functionality and accuracy under real field conditions. • Algorithm based on combination of edge detection and surface detection approach. • Validation of the detection accuracy with a hand labelled ground truth. • Mean error of 6.5 mm between detected furrow edge and the ground truth. The purpose of the work presented in this paper is to develop a robust method of autonomous vehicle localisation during soil tilling, using a 3D LiDAR sensor. The approach was developed for onland ploughing but is transferable to other applications with similar features. To detect a ploughing furrow from multiple layers in a 3D point cloud, a recognition method was employed consisting of two parallel and redundant branches: (1) detecting the furrow edge in each layer by identifying the characteristic step, and (2) approximating the unploughed surface by applying Euclidean clustering and linear least-squares line fitting. The redundant branches were then fused into a guidance directrix by RANSAC line fitting. To evaluate the algorithm, human-labelled reference points of the furrow were obtained by elaborate manual labelling of the LiDAR ploughing data. The results of the recognition method were compared with the reference points, resulting in a minimum of 86 % identical recognised points, with a mean error of 6.5 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Radioactive seed localisation (RSL) has become increasingly popular for localisation of non-palpable breast tumours. This is largely due to advantages it offers in terms of practicality and convenience when compared to guide wire localisation (WL). This institute switched from using WL to RSL in September 2014. The primary aim was to assess whether this change improved the accuracy of excision with regards to inadequate margin rates and weight of excision specimens. The secondary aim was to establish whether there is a “learning curve” associated with RSL technique. Methods Retrospective data collection was performed for 333 consecutive cases of unifocal non-palpable invasive breast cancers undergoing excision with WL or RSL. An inadequate margin was defined as tumour <1 mm from an inked radial margin. Patient demographics, tumour characteristics and clinical outcomes were compared between WL and RSL cases. Results 100 WL and 233 RSL cases were included. Patient demographics and tumour characteristics were similar for both groups. Inadequate margin rates were 18% with WL and 8.6% with RSL (p = 0.013). Median specimen weights were 33.3 g with WL and 28.7 g with RSL (p = 0.014). Subdividing the RSL group into the first 100 cases performed (RSL1) and the subsequent 133 cases (RSL2), inadequate margin rates were 13.0% and 5.3% respectively (p = 0.037). Mean specimen weights were similar. Conclusion Switching from WL to RSL results in a significant reduction in both inadequate margin rates and specimen weights. A procedure-specific learning curve is present on first implementation of RSL and following this, inadequate margin rates are further reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radio frequency (RF) based indoor localisation techniques have gained much attention over the past nearly three decades. Such techniques can be classified as active and passive while passive systems can have either device-assisted or device-free characteristics. Device-free localisation can be a prominent research field as it transcends other device-based approaches in certain application scenarios. Accordingly, we have witnessed an influx of IDFL research focusing on multiple disciplines including occupancy, positioning, activity and identity. However, despite the recent emergence of several exciting technologies and corresponding techniques, IDFL faces some important challenges and because of this, we haven’t come across many mainstream commercial products using RF-based IDFL techniques. In this article, we survey the recent progress of IDFL prioritising on indoor positioning. We decompose the localisation dimensions into occupants, space and time, provide a detailed taxonomy and a comprehensive review of these techniques. We divide the state of the art mainly into Wireless Network-based and Radar-based, evaluate the respective technologies and the techniques qualitatively, discuss trends, limitations and also indicate future research directions relevant to this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Internet of Things (IoTs) is an emerging technology that is envisioned to revolutionise the enabling environment and to provide autonomous, ubiquitous and pervasive computing within Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). IoTs are usually associated with the acquisition of sensor node information and controlling of “things”. However, the absence of location information of these sensor nodes compromises the intelligence of the IoT network. Therefore, this work is motivated by the recent advances in the two important areas of WSNs namely, indoor localisation and IoTs. This paper therefore presents a framework that integrates indoor localisation of sensor nodes and IoTs in a real world scenario. The focus is mainly on the implementation issues regarding localisation algorithm complexity, hardware computational capabilities and Internet/Intranet enabled connectivity for access to the sensor nodes’ location information. A sensor node prototype is developed using specialised electronic components and proprietary protocols to provide a capable platform for embedding a distributive online localisation algorithm based on Received Signal Strength (RSSI) and Gauss-Newton Algorithm (GNA). The algorithm is first simulated before porting it to the sensor node prototypes. A gateway device and an IoT framework are also proposed and implemented based on Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP (LAMP) server to provide global and local access to sensor nodes’ location information. The Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of the IoT logged estimated coordinates from the prototype nodes and the estimated coordinates from the simulation are computed and compared. The computational power of the hardware is analysed based the time it takes to perform the GNA based localisation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Localised failure in porous sandstones under shearing at high confining pressure takes place gradually with a progressive development of discrete compaction bands and corresponding evolutions of degrees of grain crushing in these bands. This complex underlying governing mechanism results in cycles of stress drop and increase corresponding to the activation and deactivation of compaction bands. In this study, we develop a hierarchical constitutive structure that allows the modelling of this progressive localised failure at the material (constitutive) level. This capability is usually missing in classical continuum models, making them unable to track the material behaviour beyond the onset of localisation. The key feature of the development in this study is the enrichment of the constitutive strain fields for post-localisation analysis that distinguishes the responses inside and outside compaction bands. This enrichment creates more rooms for the embedment of localised failure mechanisms, instead of adding more parameters to improve the phenomenological behaviour of a model. As a result, compared to the homogeneous case, the enriched model possesses only an extra length parameter directly related to the width of a compaction band while having predictive capabilities to trace the activation and deactivation of several bands during shearing at high confining pressures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the stability of a circular electrodes-coated dielectric membrane under the combined action of an electric field and all-round in-plane tension. It is known that such a membrane is susceptible to the limiting point instability (also known as pull-in instability) which is widely believed to be a precursor to electric breakdown. However, there is experimental evidence showing that the limiting point instability may not necessarily be responsible for rapid thinning and electric breakdown. We explore the possibility that the latter is due to a new instability mechanism, namely localised axisymmetric necking. The bifurcation condition for axisymmetric necking is first derived and used to show that this instability may occur before the Treloar-Kearsley instability or the limiting point instability for a class of free energy functions. A weakly nonlinear analysis is then conducted and it is shown that the near-critical behaviour is described by a fourth order nonlinear ordinary differential equation with variable coefficients. This amplitude equation is solved using the finite difference method and it is demonstrated that a localised solution does indeed bifurcate from the homogeneous solution. Based on this analysis and what is already known for the purely mechanical case, we may deduce that the necking evolution follows the same three stages of initiation, growth and propagation as other similar localisation problems. The insight provided by the current study is expected to be relevant in assessing the integrity of dielectric elastomer actuators. • Axisymmetric necking is characterised with the aid of a weakly nonlinear analysis. • The bifurcation condition does not coincide with the condition for the limiting point instability. • Rapid thinning leading to electric breakdown may be caused by axisymmetric necking. • Axisymmetric necking may compete with the limiting point and Treloar-Kearsley instabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Composition-temperature (x-T phase diagram represents the manifestation of the ground states of Fe 1-x Cr x Si. • Kondo-insulating behavior at low temperatures and activated behavior at high temperature are noticed for the compositions below the critical concentration x c,MIT ∼ 0.02. • Gradual reduction of low temperature insulating phase is evident from the enhancement of metallicity for × > x c,MIT. • The low temperature upturn of the resistivity in these alloys is attributed to the localization effects assisted magnetic correlations. Nevertheless, the alloys with × ≥ 0.5 exhibit a pseudo gap semimetal behavior. We report the electrical resistivity of Fe 1- x Cr x Si with nominal compositions of × = 0.0, 0.005, 0.025, 0.075, 0.1, 0.125, 0.15, 0.2, 0.5, 0.75 and 1. Composition-temperature (x - T) phase diagram is constructed based on the variation of electrical properties with substitution and temperature. The compositions below the critical concentration of metal-to-insulator transition (i.e., x c ∼ 0.02) are noticed to exhibit Kondo behaviour at low temperatures and semiconducting behaviour (due to activated charge carriers) at high temperature. Above x c , a gradual reduction of low temperature insulating phase is compensated by the enhancement of metallic phase. Additionally, the high temperature semiconducting phase is noticed to reduce with increasing x. For the compositions x c ≤ x < 0.5, the low temperature rise of electrical resistivity with the reduction of temperature is attributed to the magnetic correlations aided by localization effects. The two-band (metallic and semiconducting parallel conductive channels) analysis reveals the formation of impurity states and reduction of energy gap. Nevertheless, the compositions × ≥ 0.5 exhibit pseudo-gap behavior. The energy band gap of CrSi is found to be 0.320 ± 0.019 meV with a residual resistivity of 4.773 μΩ-cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The influence of effective stress and suction on bifurcation in partially saturated soils is accounted for in a new thermodynamics-based model. • The cross-coupling terms in the tangent stiffness allow the model to capture the coupled effects of suction and effective stress on the on the onset and inclination of the shear bands. • The model parameters are determined considering the experimentally observed bifurcation characteristics. • The interdependence of all internal variables, and the use of a single yield surface in stress-suction space facilitate the bifurcation analysis for the onset and orientation of localisation bands in various loading and hydraulic states. • The model is sensitive to conditions that favour bifurcation under the effect of hydro-mechanical coupling and dilation. Constant suction triaxial tests on partially saturated soils demonstrate the dependence of the onset and orientation of localisation bands upon different mechanical loading and saturation conditions, in addition to the material properties of soils. This effect of hydro-mechanical coupling, via the combination of effective stress and suction, on the onset and inclination of the shear bands is investigated in this paper using a model with a single yield surface dependent on both stress and suction. The cross-coupling terms in the asymmetric tangent stiffness allow the model to capture the coupled effects of suction and effective stress on the behaviour upon yielding and hence facilitate the bifurcation analysis for the onset and orientation of localisation bands in various loading and hydraulic states. The model parameters are determined with its experimental bifurcation characteristics, showing the sensitiveness of conditions that favour bifurcation under the effect of hydro-mechanical coupling and dilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of ‘Solarization’ has been doing rounds for past decade. Use of Solar Energy is advocated by many; however, the sustainability of the solar energy has never been discussed. ‘Localization of Solar Energy through Local Assembly, Sale and Usage of 1 Million Solar Study Lamps’, an initiative by IIT Bombay in partnership with NCEF tries to address the challenges of sustainability through the twin pillars of ‘Localization and Saturation’. Moreover, under this project the focus is given on making the rural economy self-sufficient in solar products along with accomplishing the aim of Right to Light to each child. In this paper, we discuss the energy requirements of rural India, followed by technical design of the SoUL lamp that has been distributed, along with a brief idea of the objectives and the framework which has been incorporated while distributing SoUL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing popularity of gamification in the global environment increases the importance of balancing factors that affect user engagement, satisfaction and acceptability in different cultures. While the main motivation behind gamifying software systems is to improve user engagement, an adverse effect might happen if the design and functionality did not consider users' cultural requirements. This paper presents a hybrid cultural design model for localising Arabic systems that takes into consideration the visual elements of user interfaces as well as the functionality and cultural factors of Arabic countries. We start by introducing design guidelines for localising Arabic systems and then evaluate the designed localisation criteria by conducting questionnaires and interviews. We base our studies on the factors that could affect the productivity levels of software engineers who use gamified software project management tools in their workplace. 63 software engineers participated in a mood board based questionnaire composed by different visual elements, rewards and achievements. To validate our findings, seven experts were interviewed. Those were software developers and designers. Based on our results, we propose a hybrid cultural design model, composed of personalised elements, localised elements and non-localised elements. This paper also proposes the first comprehensive model for localising Arabic gamified systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well-known that both random branching and trapping mechanisms can induce localisation phenomena in random walks; the prototypical examples being the parabolic Anderson and Bouchaud trap models respectively. Our aim is to investigate how these localisation phenomena interact in a hybrid model combining the dynamics of the parabolic Anderson and Bouchaud trap models. Under certain natural assumptions, we show that the localisation effects due to random branching and trapping mechanisms tend to (i) mutually reinforce, and (ii) induce a local correlation in the random fields (the ‘fit and stable’ hypothesis of population dynamics). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For methane hydrate production, it is essential to understand the mechanical behaviour related to safety and efficiency. Plane strain compression tests were carried out to investigate the macro and micro behaviour of both the MH-bearing sand and the host sand. It was found that whilst there were no clear peak stress ratios in the TC results, the PSC results showed a marked increase in the peak stress ratios, regardless of whether or not MH was included. The peak strength increased due to MH, and the dilative behaviour of the MH-bearing sand occurred more markedly than that of the host sand. As the confining pressure increased, the peak strength decreased and the volume change became contractive. Deformation in the shear band was suppressed as the confining pressure increased for the host sand, whereas contractive and dilative behaviour occurred in the shear band for the MH-bearing sand regardless of the level of confining pressure. The thickness of the shear band for the MH-bearing sand appeared to be thinner than that for the host sand and there was no dependence on the confining pressure. As the confining pressure increased, the occurrence of particle crushing also increased. Coefficient of uniformity U c , inside the shear band, was 1.7 times larger than the original U c of the host sand when σ 3 ′ = 5 M P a . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of distance on the peak sound pressure level and sound exposure level from an SA80 rifle has been investigated. Sound pressure waveforms were measured in two directions from the gun: downrange, from 50 m to 300 m, and to the left-hand side, from 0.3 m to 32 m. Some additional measurements were made to the right of the gun. Measurements made downrange showed three distinct features of the waveform; the shock wave from the supersonic bullet, the reflection from the ground, and the muzzle blast. The time elapsed between the shock wave and the muzzle blast increased with increasing distance: 94 ms for a distance of 50 m, and 507 ms for a distance of 300 m. The highest peak sound level downrange from a single round was between 151 dB(C) and 148 dB(C) at distances from 50 m to 300 m, and varied little if at all with distance. To the left of the gun, the peak sound pressure level of 161 dB(C) at 0.3 m reduced to 128 dB(C) at 32 m. The peak sound pressure level was estimated to be 137 dB(C) at a distance of approximately 20 m to the left-hand side. Hearing protection must therefore be worn by anyone closer than 20 m to a person firing. The peak sound pressure level was estimated to be 135 dB(C) at a distance of approximately 25 m and therefore hearing protection is recommended at distances of up to 25 m. The sound exposure level of 98 dB(A) at 20 m indicated that an observer at this distance could hear about 1440 rounds without hearing protection before the noise exposure reached the upper exposure action value specified in the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 . Peak sound pressure levels were on average 2.4 dB higher at the left ear compared with the right ear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In grapheme-colour synaesthesia (GCS), the presentation of letters or numbers induces an additional ‘concurrent’ experience of colour. Early functional MRI (fMRI) investigations of GCS reported activation in colour-selective area V4 during the concurrent experience. However, others have failed to replicate this key finding. We reasoned that individual differences in synaesthetic phenomenology might explain this inconsistency in the literature. To test this hypothesis, we examined fMRI BOLD responses in a group of grapheme-colour synaesthetes ( n =20) and matched controls ( n =20) while characterising the individual phenomenology of the synaesthetes along dimensions of ‘automaticity’ and ‘localisation’. We used an independent functional localiser to identify colour-selective areas in both groups. Activations in these areas were then assessed during achromatic synaesthesia-inducing, and non-inducing conditions; we also explored whole brain activations, where we sought to replicate the existing literature regarding synaesthesia effects. Controls showed no significant activations in the contrast of inducing > non-inducing synaesthetic stimuli, in colour-selective ROIs or at the whole brain level. In the synaesthete group, we correlated activation within colour-selective ROIs with individual differences in phenomenology using the Coloured Letters and Numbers (CLaN) questionnaire which measures, amongst other attributes, the subjective automaticity/attention in synaesthetic concurrents, and their spatial localisation. Supporting our hypothesis, we found significant correlations between individual measures of synaesthetic phenomenology and BOLD responses in colour-selective areas, when contrasting inducing against non-inducing stimuli. Specifically, left-hemisphere colour area responses were stronger for synaesthetes scoring high on phenomenological localisation and automaticity/attention, while right-hemisphere colour area responses showed a relationship with localisation only. In exploratory whole brain analyses, the BOLD response within several other areas was also correlated with these phenomenological factors, including the intra-parietal sulcus, insula, precentral and supplementary motor areas. Our findings reveal a network of regions underlying synaesthetic phenomenology and they help reconcile the diversity of previous results regarding colour-selective BOLD responses during synaesthesia, by establishing a bridge between neural responses and individual synaesthetic phenomenology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]