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Visual simultaneous localisation and mapping (vSLAM) finds applications for indoor and outdoor navigation that routinely subjects it to visual complexities, particularly mirror reflections. The effect of mirror presence (time visible and its average size in the frame) was hypothesised to impact localisation and mapping performance, with systems using direct techniques expected to perform worse. Thus, a dataset, MirrEnv, of image sequences recorded in mirror environments, was collected, and used to evaluate the performance of existing representative methods. RGBD ORB-SLAM3 and BundleFusion appear to show moderate degradation of absolute trajectory error with increasing mirror duration, whilst the remaining results did not show significantly degraded localisation performance. The mesh maps generated proved to be very inaccurate, with real and virtual reflections colliding in the reconstructions. A discussion is given of the likely sources of error and robustness in mirror environments, outlining future directions for validating and improving vSLAM performance in the presence of planar mirrors. The MirrEnv dataset is available at https://doi.org/10.17035/d.2023.0292477898. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a logistical advantage, new wire-free procedures have simplified implantation and retrieval of non-palpable breast cancers with enhanced clinical outcomes. The objective of current systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the clinical effectiveness between three new wireless non-radiation localisation techniques, such as Magseed, Radiofrequency identification TAG and Savi-scout reflector from published literature over a 3 year period. The study, following PRISMA guidelines, identified 26 studies from 2020 to 2022 involving 6275 innovative agents, analyzing three groups. Statistical analysis using Medcalc software showed a pooled positive margin rate of 12.28% (95% CI, 10–15%) and a re-excision rate of 11.29% (95%CI, 9–14%) for all three wireless group combined whereas studies that compare them with wire showed higher positive margin rate of 14.87% (95% CI, 12–18%) and re-excision rate of 16.23% (95% CI, 14–18%) for wire-guided localisation. Compared with odd's ratio, there was no statistical significance for margin involvement between WGL and novel agents OR 0.870 95% CI (0.707–1.071); z=-1.310 p=0.190; however, there was a statistical significance with fewer re-excision for wireless group OR 0.791; 95% CI (0.648–0.965); z=-2.309 p=0.021. In sub group analysis with kruskal-wallis test, there was no statistical significance between each group for both margin-positivity (p=0.797; Chi2 0.605) and re-excision rates (p=0.464; chi21.535). Consolidated insertion and retrieval success for wireless group were 98.13% and 99.13% respectively whereas WGL had a similar retrieval success rate of 99.63%. To establish the best localisation approach, future prospective randomised trials will be required to assess quantitative cost-effective analyses.

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 Visual simultaneous localisation and mapping (vSLAM) finds applications for indoor and outdoor navigation that routinely subjects it to visual complexities, particularly mirror reflections. The effect of mirror presence (time visible and its average size in the frame) was hypothesised to impact localisation and mapping performance, with systems using direct techniques expected to perform worse. Thus, a dataset, MirrEnv, of image sequences recorded in mirror environments, was collected, and used to evaluate the performance of existing representative methods. RGBD ORB-SLAM3 and BundleFusion appear to show moderate degradation of absolute trajectory error with increasing mirror duration, whilst the remaining results did not show significantly degraded localisation performance. The mesh maps generated proved to be very inaccurate, with real and virtual reflections colliding in the reconstructions. A discussion is given of the likely sources of error and robustness in mirror environments, outlining future directions for validating and improving vSLAM performance in the presence of planar mirrors. The MirrEnv dataset is available at https://doi.org/10.17035/d.2023.0292477898 .

Localisation of humanitarian aid has emerged as a major issue after the World Humanitarian Summit in 2016 which emphasised the importance of locally-led response as a corrective to power imbalances in the humanitarian system. However, the practical complexities of localised humanitarian aid are yet to be fully discussed. This paper aims to examine the concept of localisation in humanitarian aid through a case study of a local non-governmental organisation, the Cambodian Children's Trust (CCT), in Cambodia. Drawing on the framework of localisation proposed by Baguios et al., (2021), we analyse the application of localisation of child protection programs run by CCT. We provide a holistic understanding of how localisation is conducted in practice, and the impacts it has on the wider humanitarian sector. Our study illustrates that power can be effectively developed to local entities and localisation with empowerment could be achieved despite highly challenging conditions.

Post-conflict ethnographic research thrives on bodily immersion in a field site to interact and observe how conflict-affected people navigate and make sense of their world. Therefore, ethnography and distance or ethnographic distance is an oxymoron. Physical immersion in the field has the advantage of generating situated knowledge as the researcher comes to know his situation/location in the field in relation to the social location, conditions, and identities of the researched and all those involved in the knowledge production. Hence, physical presence is desirable for the study of conflict-affected populations. However, when being in the field is dangerous or impossible, the researcher can adapt without losing the key insights that physical immersion provides. COVID-19 research travel restrictions made it impossible for me to travel to Uganda, a post-conflict setting, to conduct fieldwork for my doctoral studies. I had to re-scope my original research design to conduct remote fieldwork. This raised additional ethical challenges associated with fieldwork in such settings. This article reflects on my experience collaborating with two local research assistants (RAs) to conduct remote fieldwork in Northern Uganda. First, my overall ethical responsibility was based on a commitment not to transfer all the risks to the RAs. I formulated my ethical decisions around payment, workload, and the wellbeing of the RAs. Second, remote fieldwork meant that the RAs were the brokers, interviewers, interpreters, transcribers, and translators. These expanded roles significantly impacted the knowledge production processes. To account for this, I asked the RAs to write reflexive statements to situate themselves in the research. I discussed their reflexive statements around their roles as brokers, interviewers and language translators/interpreters and how each impacted knowledge production. The analysis shows that COVID-19 accelerated the localisation of peacebuilding research and provided an opportunity to re-think issues of power relations, local capacity, and gatekeeping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Partnerships between water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and rights-holder organisations (RHOs) have become more common, important and impactful in the international development sector, and they have been driven by aligned agendas, mutual benefits and the pursuit of locally owned and inclusive development agendas. There are opportunities to broaden partnerships and coalitions to include climate change advocacy, adaptation and mitigation organisations given the increased focus on the links between WASH, resilience and climate change action. This article takes a first step in addressing the question: How can the experience of WASH, gender equality and climate organisation partnerships and coalitions in the Blue Pacific inform the WASH sector in its growing support of and investment in diverse partnerships in support of localism? We conducted a systematic scoping review to identify the literature on gender equality, WASH and climate change-related partnerships and coalitions in the Blue Pacific. Three key themes emerged from the systematic scoping review based on 23 studies published from 1996 to 2024. Firstly, partnerships and coalitions are part of a critical localism agenda, though care needs to be taken by potential partners and donors to understand and manage power dynamics between actors and organisations working within and across sectors. Secondly, a range of benefits and success factors have been documented on partnerships and coalitions in the Blue Pacific, including support for emerging leadership, leveraging policy outcomes, facilitating learning and the sharing of frameworks and tools between partners. Thirdly, like all parts of the community and governance ecosystem, gender dynamics and social norms inform and influence partnerships and coalitions. At the same time, partnerships are important for informing and driving gender equality and inclusion at the local and regional levels including within the WASH sector. This article is useful for local actors, donors and civil society organisations wishing to pursue the mutually beneficial goals of WASH, gender equality, climate change action and localisation in the Blue Pacific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores localisation in humanitarian settings as an example of sustainability and inner development. Through a case study from Syria, we discuss how localisation and remote management can lead to the mutual flourishing of individuals, communities and planetary health in the most challenging settings. Through localisation, we can rethink and reframe humanitarianism and integrate sustainability and personal development. Learning from these collaborations that highlight the importance of trust and interpersonal relations, the humanitarian and global health communities can reflect on how local individuals and communities can be further supported in their personal development and the sustainability of interventions that promote planetary health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International development and humanitarian organisations are increasingly focused on transitioning from top-down models of practice to 'locally-led approaches' that recognise local epistemologies, capabilities and visions of change. Despite this focus, there remains limited practical guidance to support organisations making this transition. In this article, we aim to suggest ways in which Self-Determination Theory, a well-known theoretical framework in psychology and education, could be applied in the context of development and humanitarian organisations to facilitate transitions to locally-led partnerships and ways of working. We provide an overview of Self-Determination Theory and where it has been used in the development and humanitarian contexts. We propose its feasibility as a framework for transition to locally-led partnerships and approaches in these contexts and suggest specific strategies under a Self-Determination Theory framework that organisations could employ to support both international and local staff members in organisational transitions to locally-led practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent policy changes to the regulation of international schooling for Chinese nationals in China have seen restrictions on curriculum, admissions and ownership. While there is evidence of the impact of these changes at the institutional level, it is not clear how recent regulation has impacted the actors at the phenomenological level. In order to address this gap, we situate recent regulation within the concept of cosmopolitan nationalism, which highlights the interplay of local and global forces and places lived experience at the forefront of analysis. We also draw on qualitative survey and in‐depth interview data with teachers from an international school in China that explored their understandings of international schooling. By analysing the teachers' understandings of international schooling, we were able to gain an insight into the impact of regulation at the level of lived experience. Overall, we found little evidence that regulation had impacted the teachers' beliefs about international schooling, suggesting either the normalisation of regulation or a lag between its implementation and internalisation. Our findings also suggested two main configurations of cosmopolitan nationalism held by the teachers. The first, which we refer to as 'cosmopolitanism with national characteristics', positions international schools as a more diverse and care‐free alternative to domestic schooling. The second configuration of cosmopolitan nationalism, which we refer to as 'nationalism with cosmopolitan characteristics', positions the nation as the foundation and cosmopolitan‐related aspects as peripheral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we compile a new data set of firms in the Thai automotive industry and discuss the localisation of both automotive parts suppliers and assemblers in Thailand. We first review the factors affecting the development and location of the Thai automotive industry and examine how Thailand came up with the strategy to promote one-ton pickup trucks as the first 'product champion'. We argue that the government played a significant role in creating a 'sizable' domestic market and building the essential infrastructure, resulting in the promotion of dynamic growth and a vibrant productive capacity. Then, applying Duraton and Overman's continuous approach, this paper examines the localisation of automotive firms. Using the spatial distribution of manufacturing establishments as a benchmark, this study finds that all categories of parts suppliers were significantly localised. Moreover, it is revealed that statistically significant localisation takes place only within 150 kilometers with respect to the bilateral distances between suppliers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Robot-assisted vitreoretinal surgery provides precise and consistent operations on the back of the eye. To perform this safely, knowledge of the surgical instrument's remote centre of motion (RCM) and the location of the insertion point into the eye (trocar) is required. This enables the robot to align both positions to pivot the instrument about the trocar, thus preventing any damaging lateral forces from being exerted. Methods: Building on a system developed in previous work, this study presents a trocar localisation method that uses a micro-camera mounted on a vitreoretinal surgical forceps, to track two ArUco markers attached on either side of a trocar. The trocar position is the estimated midpoint between the markers. Results: Experimental evaluation of the trocar localisation was conducted. Results showed an RMSE of 1.82 mm for the localisation of the markers and an RMSE of 1.24 mm for the trocar localisation. Conclusions: The proposed camera-based trocar localisation presents reasonable consistency and accuracy and shows improved results compared to other current methods. Optimum accuracy for this application would necessitate a 1.4 mm absolute error margin, which corresponds to the trocar's radius. The trocar localisation results are successfully found within this margin, yet the marker localisation would require further refinement to ensure consistency of localisation within the error margin. Further work will refine these position estimates and ensure the error stays consistently within this boundary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We model the spatial characteristics of technological knowledge flows in the UK. Using a novel and highly accurate dataset of inventor locations, we test for localisation of knowledge spillovers in citations between UK patent applications from 1982 to 2015. We apply continuous distance localisation tests separately to patent citations in 313 technologies and find that spillovers are localised in far fewer technologies and at shorter distances than previous studies have suggested. Only 30% of technologies in the UK display localisation, knowledge spillovers decay rapidly at distances between 30 and 80 km, and spillovers within technologies are twice as frequently localised as spillovers between technologies. Our results suggest that technological and geographical proximity are important determinants of knowledge spillovers in the UK and that close physical proximity is particularly relevant for industrial sectors that are more reliant on tacit knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asymptotic homogenisation offers a way to efficiently analyse the mechanical behaviour of multiscale configurations. But near a multiscale boundary, the homogenisation strategy should be modified, as the underlying periodicity assumption breaks down there. In this article, we introduce a machine‐learning‐based asymptotic homogenisation and localisation scheme to formulate such boundary layer effects. To this end, we define a set of boundary layer cells, where external loading conditions are imposed on one side of the cell, and matching conditions with the interior periodic cells are imposed on the opposite side. The formulation is also extended to cover situations where the multi‐scale structure is not fully periodic, but spatially varying. Implied from the asymptotic results, neural networks can be trained to memorise the interrelationship between key local quantities, such as the magnitude of the local maximum von Mises stress, and the local mechanical and geometric features. Equipped with the trained neural networks, the online calculation for key (boundary‐localised) quantities of interest under arbitrary loading conditions is expected to be accelerated substantially. Numerical examples are further presented to show the reliability of the proposed work for boundary stress prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sociologia, Problemas e Práticas is the property of Centro de Investigacao e Estudos de Sociologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Periplo Sustentable is the property of Yanelli Daniela Palmas Castrejon and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Studies in Contrastive Grammar / Studii de Gramatica Contrastiva is the property of Universitatea din Pitesti and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We study two models of discrete height functions , that is, models of random integer-valued functions on the vertices of a tree. First, we consider the random homomorphism model , in which neighbours must have a height difference of exactly one. The local law is uniform by definition. We prove that the height variance of this model is bounded, uniformly over all boundary conditions (both in terms of location and boundary heights). This implies a strong notion of localisation, uniformly over all extremal Gibbs measures of the system. For the second model, we consider directed trees, in which each vertex has exactly one parent and at least two children. We consider the locally uniform law on height functions which are monotone , that is, such that the height of the parent vertex is always at least the height of the child vertex. We provide a complete classification of all extremal gradient Gibbs measures, and describe exactly the localisation-delocalisation transition for this model. Typical extremal gradient Gibbs measures are localised also in this case. Localisation in both models is consistent with the observation that the Gaussian free field is localised on trees, which is an immediate consequence of transience of the random walk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parliaments are increasingly defined as “gendered institutions,” with rules, norms, and practices that are often stubbornly resistant to gender equality initiatives. The gender sensitive parliaments’ global agenda has made substantial progress in both drawing attention to the gendered nature of parliaments and in spearheading gender equality reform. While a positive trend, there remains a significant disconnect between the (global) normative framework that sets out this agenda and the realization of gender equality in national (local) parliaments. In this article, we build on previous work that begins to unpack and test the process of global norm localization through “contextualization” and “contestation.” We select new sites to test these processes—Fiji and Samoa—where specific gender equality reforms have been implemented in the past 10 years, one a gender mainstreaming mandate for parliamentary committees and the other a parliamentary gender quota. The Pacific Islands region presents an important cultural context worthy of exploration: Parliaments are not only overwhelmingly male-dominated, but many are also derivative of hegemonic masculinist cultures evident in the Westminster tradition, albeit hybridized with local political traditions. We compare and contrast the process by which these reforms were developed and implemented in each country and examine the extent to which they can be considered effective mechanisms for addressing gender inequalities. We find that the extent to which these reforms are sustainable and transformative depends on local contexts, local actors, and locally derived solutions. Specifically, the culturally relevant process of contesting the gender quota in Samoa constitutionally, electorally, and through the courts has localised and thereby legitimised this globally endorsed reform. By contrast, gender mainstreaming in Fiji’s parliamentary committees has been little more than a “tick-a-box” exercise, having had limited engagement from the political elite under a relatively autocratic regime.

Les groupes de prépa-concours prolifèrent dans la ville de Yaoundé. Ces projets éducatifs non formels restent des cadres privilégiés d’apprentissage pour de nombreux candidats aux concours d’entrée dans les grandes écoles du pays. Cette réflexion interroge les modalités décisionnelles contribuant au choix des sites d’activités par les manageurs desdites offres de service. Autrement dit, quels sont les indicateurs qui expliquent et président au choix des sites d’activité par les manageurs de ces organisations éducatives ? Deux approches théoriques sont croisées : l’optimisation des localisations de Von Thüner (1826) et la rationalité limitée dans la prise de décision d’Herbert Simon (1978). L’étude de type mixte et triangulaire adopte une démarche empirico-déductive. Elle se déploie en trois paliers : observation de terrain, analyse des contenus et administration des questionnaires aux pilotes de ces organisations éducatives (N=50). La cartographique des groupes de prépa-concours de la ville de Yaoundé révèle que le choix de localisation de ces projets éducatifs tient compte non seulement de la présence du milieu universitaire (Universités et Cité U) et des grandes écoles, mais aussi des espaces scolaires et non scolaires pouvant abriter en leurs seins des activités d’enseignement-apprentissages et de formation.

The authors Маша и Ю met in 2022 at the PostOst Kongress in a small town in Germany, Гёттинген, where a bunch of people, queer and non-queer, with cultural connections to the former European East оттуда were trying to figure out what connects us beyond the usual migrant identity concepts (if anything). Masha has cultural ties to Ukraine and lives in Berlin, Germany. Ju has cultural ties to Kazakhstan and Germany and lives in Sydney, Australia, on Gadigal Land. At the Kongress the question of queerness presented itself as the most fragile and the least important one: in the context of the intergenerational migrant trauma on one hand, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine on the other. Nonetheless, the authors are interested exactly in this queerness, when developing out of 1368 text messages, 56 photos, 6 videos and 8 voice messages, 30 links and one gif over multiple time zones sent to each other in the months after the Kongress the experimental text, here called В этом смысле да. an intersectional Play.

This paper is focused on the problem of the pollutant source localisation in streams in other words the solution of the inverse problem of pollution spreading with in an extensive open channel network structure, i.e. in a complex system of rivers, channels and creeks in natural catchments or sewer systems in urban catchments. The design of the overall localisation procedure is based on the requirement that the entire localization system be operative and fast enough to enable quick operative interventions and help prevent the spread of pollution. The proposed model, as well as, the overall localisation procedure was calibrated and tested on a real sewer system, which represents in this case an extensive open channel network structure with free surface flow. The test results are successful and confirmed applicability of proposed localization tool in simple real conditions. However, the localisation procedure has pros and cons, which are discussed in the paper.

Agricultural robots have demonstrated significant potential in enhancing farm operational efficiency and reducing manual labour. However, unstructured and complex farm environments present challenges to the precise localisation and navigation of robots in real time. Furthermore, the high costs of navigation systems in agricultural robots hinder their widespread adoption in cost-sensitive agricultural sectors. This study compared two localisation methods that use the Error State Kalman Filter (ESKF) to integrate data from wheel odometry, a low-cost inertial measurement unit (IMU), a low-cost real-time kinematic global navigation satellite system (RTK-GNSS) and the LiDAR-Inertial Odometry via Smoothing and Mapping (LIO-SAM) algorithm using a low-cost IMU and RoboSense 16-channel LiDAR sensor. These two methods were tested on unstructured farm environments for the first time in this study. Experiment results show that the ESKF sensor fusion method without a LiDAR sensor could save 36% of the cost compared to the method that used the LIO-SAM algorithm while maintaining high accuracy for farming applications.

(Series Information) European Papers - A Journal on Law and Integration, 2023 8(2), 503-511 | European Forum Insight of 27 July 2023 | (Table of Contents) I. Overview. - II. On EU data localisation: On meaning, form and content. - III. The landmark transatlantic data transfer caselaw and framework - framing soft localisation? - IV. The EU’s model horizontal clauses and localisation clauses in digital trade. - V. Conclusions. | (Abstract) The EU increasingly advocates a message of tech or digital sovereignty as its future, which appears to align closely with the concept of strategic autonomy. Arguably digital sovereignty has a highly differentiated understanding in the EU as opposed to the US or China. Increasingly, many suggest EU digital sovereignty in the era of the GDPR is a high protectionist idea. Yet the EU has determined that external relations should not be at the cost of sacrificing EU data protection standards. The links of sovereignty to localisation in the context of digital trade are increasingly problematic for the EU as it seeks to reconcile high standards in the post GDPR era. The EU faced complex critique for the CJEU Schrems II ruling, for the emphasis that it places upon data localisation directly or indirectly and the manner in which it appears to awkwardly champion digital sovereignty, particularly where several EU member states practice similar levels of surveillance. The EU has developed model clauses in digital trade balancing its high GDPR standards and its external relations ambitions. The piece considers the concepts of localisation as a development of digital sovereignty in the EU’s international economic law trajectory. Arguably, the model clauses here turn out to be a template of flexibility not absolutism. Whether the EU’s model horizontal clauses reconciling the GDPR and international economic law goals cause difficult for future public policy or ultimately undermine the EU’s goals as to liberalising data flows remains to be seen.

Abstract There are ongoing calls in the humanitarian and development sectors to localise aid, make it more participatory and involve communities. A common response to these calls by INGOs and national governments is to work with local actors to jointly deliver local, community-based, participatory aid. However, this setup tends to be hierarchical, with external actors taking the lead on project design and local actors on implementation. As a result, key outcomes envisioned for localisation and participation in aid often do not materialise. This paper explores the role legitimacy work plays in maintaining this unhelpful status quo. To this end, it provides a qualitative case study analysis of an aid project in Ethiopia (2016–2020) that was initiated by two INGOs and built on government structures designed to facilitate mass volunteering at community level: the Women’s Development Army. The paper argues that externally driven localisation is often organised around project models that are shaped by two contradictory paradigms: one centring resilience and one centring surveillance. As a result, local aid workers and civil servants are faced with incompatible legitimacy requirements in their work. This paper uses a paradox perspective as a theoretical lens to explore how these local actors navigate these conflicting needs. It finds that they use impression management, especially visuals and performances, to sidestep the contradictions. This imagery conceals the disconnects between project strategy, implementation and the reality on the ground. As a side effect, it renders the problems with the externally driven approach invisible and legitimises the hierarchical status quo.

Vision is an effective sensor for robotics from which we can derive rich information about the environment: the geometry and semantics of the scene, as well as the age, identity, and activity of humans within that scene. This raises important questions about the reach, lifespan, and misuse of this information. This paper is a call to action to consider privacy in robotic vision. We propose a specific form of inherent privacy preservation in which no images are captured or could be reconstructed by an attacker, even with full remote access. We present a set of principles by which such systems could be designed, employing data-destroying operations and obfuscation in the optical and analogue domains. These cameras never see a full scene. Our localisation case study demonstrates in simulation four implementations that all fulfil this task. The design space of such systems is vast despite the constraints of optical-analogue processing. We hope to inspire future works that expand the range of applications open to sighted robotic systems.

Indigenous languages in South Africa must be preserved to ensure that they do not lose their identity and become extinct. The four indigenous languages with the fewest speakers among South Africa’s 12 official languages are: Xitsonga, Siswati, Tshivenḓa and isiNdebele. The preservation of these languages in South Africa has been a long-standing challenge because of various social and economic factors. With the advancement of technology, opportunities have arisen to preserve and promote the use of these languages. Therefore, this study explores various technological strategies that can be used to preserve the South African indigenous languages. These languages can be preserved by making them widely accessible to users through various strategies such as localisation of daily used technology, translation through crowdsourcing, digitisation and archiving. Digital learning tools such as machine translation (MT) and creating online dictionaries can also contribute to preserving these languages. Each of these strategies offers benefits on how technology could be employed effectively and facilitate the preservation of indigenous languages. This study demonstrates the significance of technology in preserving indigenous languages and promoting their use around the world. Contribution: This study fills the practical gap in the use of technology to adequately preserve minority indigenous languages of South Africa, namely, Xitsonga, Siswati, Tshivenḓa and isiNdebele. These languages do not receive much attention in terms of preservation using technology in South Africa. Therefore, the study provides practical technological strategies that need to be implemented to preserve the indigenous minority languages. The insight of this study into the use of technology to preserve South African languages fits well within the scope of Literator, which is to publish studies in linguistics and literature with a special focus on South African languages. This publication will bring solutions to how minority languages could be preserved in the context of South Africa.

Ongoing backscatter communications and localisation research have been able to obtain incredibly accurate results in controlled environments. The main issue with these systems is faced in complex RF environments. This paper investigates concurrent localization and ambient radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting using backscatter communication systems for Internet of Things networks. Dynamic real-world environments introduce complexity from multipath reflection and shadowing, as well as interference from movements. A machine learning framework leveraging K-Nearest Neighbors and Random Forest classifiers creates robustness against such variability. Historically, received signal measurements construct a location fingerprint database resilient to perturbations. The Random Forest model demonstrates precise localization across customized benches with programmable shuffling of chairs outfitted with RF identification tags. Average precision accuracy exceeds 99% despite deliberate placement modifications, inducing signal fluctuations emulating mobility and clutter. Significantly, directional antennas can harvest over −3 dBm, while even omnidirectional antennas provide −10 dBm—both suitable for perpetually replenishing low-energy electronics. Consequently, the intelligent backscatter platform localizes unmodified objects to customizable precision while promoting self-sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2030 Agenda and its integrative and indivisible sustainable development goals (SDGs) challenge traditional ways of governing. Hence, collaboration across sectors, actors, and levels is fundamental in SDG localisation, where subnational levels (actors at regional and local levels) play key roles in forwarding societal transformation. The paper sheds light on the complexity of collaboration by exploring the early stages of developing multi‐actor collaboration for SDG implementation at a county level in Sweden. The analyses depart from interviews and observations. One of the main conclusions is that it is important to discuss the involved organisations' understanding and ambitions more in‐depth early on in such collaboration processes. To be able to do so, the actors need to have the capacity to see beyond their traditional roles. Moreover, the study indicates that leadership is essential in this context, but this leadership needs to be based on neutrality, which, in practise, is a challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: This review paper highlights the key alternatives to the blue dye/radioisotope method of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). It analyses the research available on these alternative methods and their outcomes compared to the traditional techniques. Materials and Methods: This review focused on fifteen articles, of which five used indocyanine green (ICG) as a tracer, four used magnetic tracers, one used one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) and Metasin (quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction), one used the photosensitiser talaporfin sodium, one used sulphur hexafluoride gas microbubbles, one used CT-guided lymphography and two focused on general SLNB technique reviews. Results: Of the 15 papers analysed, the sentinel node detection rates were 69–100% for indocyanine green, 91.67–100% for magnetic tracers, 81% for talaporfin sodium, 9.3–55.2% for sulphur hexafluoride gas microbubbles, 90.5% for CTLG and 82.7–100% for one-step nucleic acid amplification. Conclusions: Indocyanine green fluorescence (ICG) and magnetic tracers have been proven non-inferior to traditional blue dye and isotope regarding SLNB localisation. Further studies are needed to investigate the use of these techniques in conjunction with each other and the possible use of language learning models. Dedicated studies are required to assess cost efficacy and longer-term outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In September, 2014, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) called for militarised assistance in response to the rapidly escalating West Africa Ebola Epidemic. Soon after, the United Kingdom deployed its military to Sierra Leone, which (among other contributions) helped to support the establishment of novel and military-led Ebola Virus Disease (Ebola) response centres throughout the country. To examine these civil-military structures and their effects, 110 semi-structured interviews with civilian and military Ebola Response Workers (ERWs) were conducted and analysed using neo-Durkheimian theory. Results: The hierarchical Ebola response centres were found to be spaces of 'conflict attenuation' for their use of 'rule-bound niches', 'neutral zones', 'co-dependence', and 'hybridity', thereby not only easing civil-military relationships (CMRel), but also increasing the efficiency of their application to Ebola response interventions. Furthermore, the hierarchical response centres were also found to be inclusive spaces that further increased efficiency through the decentralisation and localisation of these interventions and daily decision making, albeit for mostly privileged groups and in limited ways. Conclusions: This demonstrates how hierarchy and localisation can (and perhaps should) go hand-in-hand during future public health emergency responses as a strategy for more robustly including typically marginalised local actors, while also improving necessary efficiency—in other words, an 'inclusive hierarchical coordination' that is both operationally viable and an ethical imperative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Governments across the Arabian Gulf aim to reduce their dependence on expatriates by implementing localisation policies. Building on institutional and legitimacy theories, we seek to advance our understanding of the effects of such policies on multinational enterprises (MNEs). We used data from 157 MNEs operating in Saudi Arabia and found the indigenisation of the human resource management (HRM) function is closely correlated with the level of workforce localisation: key factors empowering localisation, defined as recruitment and training practices geared towards the needs of locals, include the demographics and role of the HRM Director. Theoretically, we contribute to the literature on institutionalism and legitimacy by revealing how various institutional forces influence the process of selection and transfer of HRM practices to adapt to the institutional environment of a given context. Our research also shows that if MNEs follow government recommendations, develop links with local educational institutions to target suitable job candidates, and adapt to shortages in local skills and competencies by investing in the training and development of local workers, they will be more likely to achieve success in workforce localisation and legitimacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the experience of Vietnamese game companies in operating and localising online games in Vietnam. The findings were retrieved by analysing the interview results with leaders and experts of notable game companies in Vietnam who know profoundly and broadly about the industry. The main themes include the operational flow of the industry and the localisation process. The analysis reveals that another factor that can be added to the value chain in the current intra-Asian market is Vietnam since this country has deeply engaged with the process of producing and distributing online games. Their operational procedure and localising process also display some distinctive patterns that are analysed in depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim and Objectives: To study various methods to identify and localise, ease or difficulty in grafting, complications, morbidity and mortality in Intramyocardial coronaries Materials and methods: This is a retrospective observational study for a period of 5 years, at Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, in patients who are undergoing CABG and have been found to have an intramyocardial coronary vessel. The study protocol was approved by the Hospital Ethics committee. Various techniques to localize the intramyocardial LAD and outcomes of the procedure were studied in 50 cases. Results: In the present study, most patients were in the range of 51-55 years (30%) and 61-65 years (22%) and were male(76%). Majority of cases had the Left Anterior Descending Artery (LAD) which was intramyocardial in nature (88%) while Ramus Intermedius was intramyocardial in the rest (12%).The intramyocardial coronary was identified by Vein sign (n=23, 46%) and Tracing (n= 19, 38%) in majority of the cases. The Groove sign was employed in (n=6, 12%) cases whereas Probe method was used in (n=2, 4%) cases. The time taken by Groove, tracing & Vein methods compared to the Probe method was statistically significant (0.002, 0.00, 0.00). The cross-clamp time and pump time for all methods were comparable. The prevalence of intramyocardial coronaries in this study was 13%. Conclusion: It maybe concluded that, intramyocardial coronaries can be grafted like any other epicardial coronary once localisation is achieved. Our proposed algorithm can serve as a guide as any one technique for LAD exposure is not ideal as every case requires an individual approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the implementation of a special accommodations policy for a suite of localised English language and numeracy tests, the Workplace Literacy and Numeracy (WPLN) Assessments. The WPLN are computer-delivered assessments, part of the WPLN training and assessment programme, which exists to provide access to workforce skills training across the Singaporean population. Operational and interview data were analysed to investigate three main areas: the extent to which WPLN accommodations are considered appropriate and effective for the test-taker population; the impact of the accommodations on test-takers' future opportunities; and the main factors perceived by stakeholders as playing an important role in test accommodations. The findings indicate that while the accommodations provided are generally considered to be appropriate and effective for the diverse WPLN test-taker population and facilitate improved future educational and workplace opportunities, some areas of the process are problematic or worthy of further consideration. Specifically, recommendations are made for future improvement in special accommodations policy development, dissemination, and implementation in large-scale test systems to safeguard access and inclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]