12508 research outputs found
Sort by
Extractive economies, institutions and development: implications for BRICS and Emerging Economies
Get PDFYesExtractive economies can use the natural resource dividend for infrastructure and sustainable development though this involves overcoming many challenges. The original contribution of this chapter is to see BRICS as natural resource rich economies that have not yet signed up to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). The paper reports original analysis of relationship between resource dependence and human development index for the period 1990 to 2015 which suggests that non-resource rich countries tend to have higher values of HDI than resource rich countries. Using in depth case studies of two countries that have joined EITI (namely Norway and Mongolia) and two emerging economies that have not joined the EITI (Botswana and Chile) and one of the BRICS (namely Brazil), this chapter highlights some of the successes and challenges in using the natural resource wealth to transform economic and social development outcomes. Governance indicators of these cases suggest that transparency initiatives can be helpful but they should be part of a larger programme of transparency and institutional development. The analysis highlights that the links between extractive economies, policies, institutions and human development outcomes are complex and require long term policies and commitments. Three specific policy issues for BRICS are identified.UNDP, FC
BRICS and Emerging Economies: an assessment
No full textNoThe aim of this chapter is a comprehensive analysis of various aspects of the emergence of BRICS. We begin with an examination of emergence of BRICS showing that BRICS have been members of the top 15 largest economies in the world since 1960. In purchasing power parity terms, by 2015, BRICS have equalled G7 countries in terms of the share of global output. Various possible explanatory factors of their growth are examined. Though BRICS account for nearly a half of global output growth, in terms of real per capita income, BRICS have a long way to go. There are many challenges to BRICS in terms of the levels of income and wealth inequalities, the educational inequalities as measured in terms of education-Gini and the quality of their infrastructure notwithstanding the massive investments being made remains inadequate. We also analyse the nine BRICS summits so far and the text analysis of these declarations suggests that such summits are becoming more formal and focused on specific policy outcomes and creation of new institutions for deepening multilateral co-operation. The chapter ends with an analysis of global governance issues and four possible future scenarios of BRICS
Natural language processing (NLP) in Artificial Intelligence (AI): a functional linguistic perspective
No full textYesThis chapter encapsulates the multi-disciplinary nature that facilitates
NLP in AI and reports on a linguistically orientated conversational software
agent (CSA) (Panesar 2017) framework sensitive to natural language processing
(NLP), language in the agent environment. We present a novel computational approach of using the functional linguistic theory of Role and Reference Grammar (RRG) as the linguistic engine. Viewing language as action, utterances
change the state of the world, and hence speakers and hearer’s mental state
change as a result of these utterances. The plan-based method of discourse
management (DM) using the BDI model architecture is deployed, to support a
greater complexity of conversation. This CSA investigates the integration,
intersection and interface of the language, knowledge, speech act constructions
(SAC) as a grammatical object, and the sub-model of BDI and DM for NLP. We
present an investigation into the intersection and interface between our
linguistic and knowledge (belief base) models for both dialogue management
and planning. The architecture has three-phase models: (1) a linguistic model based on RRG; (2) Agent Cognitive Model (ACM) with (a) knowledge representation model employing conceptual graphs (CGs) serialised to Resource Description Framework (RDF); (b) a planning model underpinned by BDI concepts and intentionality and rational interaction; and (3) a dialogue model employing common ground. Use of RRG as a linguistic engine for the CSA was successful. We identify the complexity of the semantic gap of internal representations with details of a conceptual bridging solution
‘How can one evaluate a conversational software agent framework?’
Get PDFYesThis paper presents a critical evaluation framework for a linguistically orientated conversational software agent
(CSA) (Panesar, 2017). The CSA prototype investigates the integration, intersection and interface of the
language, knowledge, and speech act constructions (SAC) based on a grammatical object (Nolan, 2014), and the
sub-model of belief, desires and intention (BDI) (Rao and Georgeff, 1995) and dialogue management (DM) for
natural language processing (NLP). A long-standing issue within NLP CSA systems is refining the accuracy of
interpretation to provide realistic dialogue to support the human-to-computer communication.
This prototype constitutes three phase models: (1) a linguistic model based on a functional linguistic theory –
Role and Reference Grammar (RRG) (Van Valin Jr, 2005); (2) Agent Cognitive Model with two inner models:
(a) knowledge representation model employing conceptual graphs serialised to Resource Description Framework
(RDF); (b) a planning model underpinned by BDI concepts (Wooldridge, 2013) and intentionality (Searle,
1983) and rational interaction (Cohen and Levesque, 1990); and (3) a dialogue model employing common
ground (Stalnaker, 2002).
The evaluation approach for this Java-based prototype and its phase models is a multi-approach driven by
grammatical testing (English language utterances), software engineering and agent practice. A set of evaluation
criteria are grouped per phase model, and the testing framework aims to test the interface, intersection and
integration of all phase models and their inner models. This multi-approach encompasses checking performance
both at internal processing, stages per model and post-implementation assessments of the goals of RRG, and
RRG based specifics tests.
The empirical evaluations demonstrate that the CSA is a proof-of-concept, demonstrating RRG’s fitness for
purpose for describing, and explaining phenomena, language processing and knowledge, and computational
adequacy. Contrastingly, evaluations identify the complexity of lower level computational mappings of NL –
agent to ontology with semantic gaps, and further addressed by a lexical bridging consideration (Panesar, 2017)
Behaviours of circular CFDST with stainless steel external tube: Slender columns and beams
Get PDFYesIn this work, experimental and numerical investigations were performed on the behaviours of circular concrete filled double steel tubular (CFDST) slender columns and beams, in which the external tube employed stainless steel tube. Eighteen specimens, 12 slender columns and 6 beams, were tested to obtain the failure patterns, load versus deflection relationships and strain developments of stainless steel tube. A finite element (FE) model was developed and verified by experimental results. The validated FE model was then employed to investigate the effects of key parameters, including hollow ratio, eccentric ratio and material strength, on the load-carrying capacity. The load distribution among the components and contact stress between steel tube and sandwiched concrete were also analyzed. Finally, the design methods for CFDST, hollow CFST and solid CFST members with carbon steel external tube respectively suggested by Han et al. (2018), Chinese GB 50936-2014 (2014) and AISC 360-16 (2016) were employed to evaluate their applicability for the circular CFDST slender columns and beams with stainless steel outer tube.Shanxi Province Outstanding Youth Fund (No. 201701D211006) and the National Natural Science Foundation (No. 51838008
The effect of materials' rheology on process energy consumption and melt thermal quality in polymer extrusion
Get PDFYesPolymer extrusion is an important but an energy intensive method of processing polymeric materials. The rapid increase in demand of polymeric products has forced manufactures to rethink their processing efficiencies to manufacture good quality products with low-unit-cost. Here, analyzing the operational conditions has become a key strategy to achieve both energy and thermal efficiencies simultaneously. This study aims to explore the effects of polymers' rheology on the energy consumption and melt thermal quality (ie, a thermally homogeneous melt flow in both radial and axil directions) of extruders. Six commodity grades of polymers (LDPE, LLDPE, PP, PET, PS, and PMMA) were processed at different conditions in two types of continuous screw extruders. Total power, motor power, and melt temperature profiles were analyzed in an industrial scale single-screw extruder. Moreover, the active power (AP), mass throughput, torque, and power factor were measured in a laboratory scale twin-screw extruder. The results confirmed that the specific energy consumption for both single and twin screw extruders tends to decrease with the processing speed. However, this action deteriorates the thermal stability of the melt regardless the nature of the polymer. Rheological characterization results showed that the viscosity of LDPE and PS exhibited a normal shear thinning behavior. However, PMMA presented a shear thickening behavior at moderate-to-high shear rates, indicating the possible formation of entanglements. Overall, the findings of this work confirm that the materials' rheology has an appreciable correlation with the energy consumption in polymer extrusion and also most of the findings are in agreement with the previously reported investigations. Therefore, further research should be useful for identifying possible correlations between key process parameters and hence to further understand the processing behavior for wide range of machines, polymers, and operating conditions
Technological innovation, organizational innovation and international performance of SMEs: The moderating role of domestic institutional environment
Get PDFYesDespite the growing research on the performance implications of technological and organizational innovation, our understanding of how they impact SMEs’ international performance is limited. Drawing from the dynamic capability and the institutional theories, this study argues that technological and organizational innovation has a synergistic effect on international performance and that this effect is contingent on unique domestic institutional factors. We test this model using structural equation modeling on a sample of 204 internationalized SMEs operating in Ghana. The findings from the analysis show that high levels of organizational and technological innovation jointly improve SMEs’ international performance. In addition, the results show that institutional environment specificity and institutional environment enforceability enhance the complementary effect of organizational and technological innovation on the international performance of SMEs. The theoretical and managerial implications of the findings are discussed
From ‘touch’ to a ‘multisensory’ experience: The impact of technology interface and product type on consumer responses
Get PDFYesOnline retailers are increasingly using augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies to solve mental and physical intangibility issues in a product evaluation. Moreover, the technologies are easily available and accessible to consumers via their smartphones. The authors conducted three experiments to examine consumer responses to technology interfaces (AR/VR and mobile apps) for hedonic and utilitarian products. The results show that AR is easier to use (vs. app), and users find AR more responsive when buying a hedonic (vs. utilitarian) product. Touch interface users are likely to have a more satisfying experience and greater recommendation intentions, as compared to AR, for buying utilitarian products. In contrast, a multisensory environment (AR) results in a better user experience for purchasing a hedonic product. Moreover, multisensory technologies lead to higher visual appeal, emotional appeal, and purchase intentions. The research contributes to the literature on computer-mediated interactions in a multisensory environment and proposes actionable recommendations to online marketers
Effect of heat-treatment on the thermal and mechanical stability of Ni/Al2O3 nanocrystalline coatings
Get PDFYesHeat-treatment is a frequently used technique for modifying the physical and chemical properties of materials. In this study, the effect of heat-treatment on the mechanical properties, thermal stability and surface morphology of two types of electrodeposited coatings (pure-Ni and Ni/Al2O3) were investigated. The XRD analyses showed that the crystal structure of the as-deposited coating changes from slightly amorphous to crystalline as the heat-treatment temperature increases. The heat-treatment of both the pure-Ni and the Ni/Al2O3 coating caused an increase of the grain size within the coatings. However, the unreinforced Ni coating experienced a faster growth rate than the Ni/Al2O3 coating, which resulted in a larger average grain size. The temperature-driven changes to the microstructure of the coatings caused a reduction in the hardness and wear resistance of the coatings. The presence of nanoparticles within the Ni/Al2O3 coating can successfully extend the operational temperature range of the coating to 473 K by pinning grain boundaries
Saturated with meaning: peatlands, heritage and folklore
Get PDFYesPeatlands have often been represented in cultural material as being dangerous and inhospitable places, partly based on post-medieval influences, but also partly based on elements of folklore which emphasise the ‘other-worldly’ and liminal nature of these environments. Using Ilkley Moor, West Yorkshire, as a case study, the role of heritage, folklore and cultural media in guiding perceptions of the landscape is explored. Contemporary society is more diversified than historic situations, and our review indicates that perceptions of heritage landscapes reflect this complexity. The use of the peatland by different groups is explored, before addressing the interconnected roles of folklore and archaeology in past, present and future engagement with this landscape.JP-ICH under Grant number AH/S006427/1