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Semantic enrichment of neural word embeddings: Leveraging taxonomic similarity for enhanced distributional semantics
Get PDFData-driven neural word embeddings (NWEs), grounded in distributional semantics, can capture various ranges of linguistic regularities, which can be further enriched by incorporating structured knowledge resources. This work proposes a novel post-processing approach for injecting semantic relationships into the vector space of both static and contextualized NWEs. Current solutions to retrofitting (RF) word embeddings often oversimplify the integration of semantic knowledge, neglecting the nuanced differences between relationships, which may result in suboptimal performance. Instead of applying multi-thresholding to distance boundaries in metric learning, we compute taxonomic similarity to dynamically adjust these boundaries during the semantic specialization of word embeddings. Benchmark evaluations on both static and contextualized word embeddings demonstrate that our dynamic-fitting (DF) approach produces SOTA correlation results of 0.78 and 0.76 on SimLex-999 and SimVerb-3500, respectively, highlighting the effectiveness of incorporating multiple semantic relationships in refining vector semantics. Our approach also outperforms existing RF methods in both supervised and unsupervised semantic relationships recognition tasks. It achieves top accuracy scores for hypernymy detection on the BLESS, WBLESS, and BIBLESS datasets (0.97, 0.89, and 0.83, respectively) and an F1 score of over 0.60 on four types of semantic relationship classification in the shared Subtask-2 of CogALex-V, surpassing all participant systems. In the analogy reasoning task of the Bigger Analogy Test Set, our approach outperforms existing RF methods on inferring relational similarity. These consistent improvements across various lexical semantics tasks suggest that our DF approach can effectively integrate distributional semantics with symbolic knowledge resources, thereby enhancing the representation capacity of word embeddings in downstream applications
Isometric training at longer muscle–tendon complex lengths: A potential countermeasure to impaired neuro‐muscle–tendon function during space travel
Get PDFManned space exploration to distant destinations, including Mars, continues to be an aspiration of humankind. Space travel does, however, present many challenges to the body, amongst which adaptation to microgravity is perhaps the largest. For instance, both short and long manned spaceflight missions have shown substantial deleterious effects on muscle size and neuromuscular function. Although the neuro-muscle–tendon system is responding primarily to the load to which it is subjected, resistive exercise countermeasures with dynamic contractions during space travel do not entirely mitigate the space travel-induced deteriorations in neuro-muscle–tendon function, probably owing to a lack of overall accumulation of sufficient mechanical stress. The aim of this review is to evaluate the evidence for isometric resistance training at longer muscle–tendon complex lengths to mitigate microgravity-induced deterioration in neuro-muscle–tendon function better than conventional resistance-training programmes. It has been shown that specific joint positions, associated with a longer muscle–tendon complex, require larger internal muscle forces for the same external torque, thus requiring more muscle activation and imposing more tendon strain than during conventional dynamic resistance training. Isometric resistance training also confers the advantage of requirement of less voluminous equipment, in comparison to that required for dynamic resistive exercise. This factor is particularly important for space travel owing to the physical space and mass constraints. In addition, isometric contractions allow for easier monitoring and progression in exercise prescription compared with dynamic contractions
Exploring digital banking consumer behaviour in the retail banking sector: the United Arab Emirates context
No full textThe multi-peaks structure of the blast wave generated by a liquid hydrogen storage tank BLEVE
Get PDFBlast wave structure of boiling liquid expanding vapour explosions (BLEVE) for liquid hydrogen (LH2) storage is not fully understood. There is a lack of experimental and numerical studies on underlying physical phenomena. This study develops a CFD model able to simulate multiple pressure peaks of the blast wave accounting for both the effect of combustion on the strength of blast wave generated by the compressed gaseous hydrogen (CGH2) in ullage space, and the slower process of flashing boiling of the liquid phase resulted from pressure drop. The simulations reproduced the measured overpressures and multi-peak structure of blast wave observed in the BLEVE tests performed by BMW. It is confirmed that the larger first pressure peak is produced by the CGH2 shock fed by combustion. The flash boiling of LH2 during pressure drop produces a series of follow-up pressure waves. Combustion contribution to the entire blast wave dynamics is demonstrated
We Lose Sight of the Night
Get PDFWe Lose Sight of the Night is the first in a series of exhibitions which address climate and environmental change commissioned by the MAC Belfast and curated by Hugh Mulholland. O’Beirn (born in Galway) is a Belfast based artist, her practice explores the relationship between art and science and manifests variously as sculpture, installation, animation and site-specific projects.This major survey exhibition across all three of the MAC galleries brings together new commissioned works and reworked older pieces made over the last two decades. An interest in the wonders and political importance of the night sky characterises much of this exhibition, where stars are celebrated as the ultimate recycling plants and where our right to the nighttime environment is highlighted and explored. Using both traditional means such as drawing and animations as well as a range of absurd sculptural devices, O’Beirn explores the celestial as an ecologically active agent in urgent need of protection and preservation from the ravages of aggressive short term economic opportunism. Projects have investigated ideas around entropy, order, disorder and balance exploring how laypersons try to understand scientific and mathematical ideas in political terms.For billions of years, all life has relied on Earth’s predictable rhythm of day and night. It’s encoded in the DNA of all plants and animals. Humans have radically disrupted this cycle by lighting up the night.Plants and animals depend on Earth’s daily cycle of light and dark to govern life-sustaining behaviours such as reproduction, nourishment, sleep, and protection from predators.Scientific evidence suggests that artificial light at night has negative and deadly effects on many creatures, including amphibians, birds, mammals, insects, and plants.<br/
Feedback algorithms for intelligent reflecting surfaces: Phase shift matrix and single-bit feedback
Get PDFThis paper introduces two innovative feedback algorithms—phase shift matrix (PSM)-based and single-bit feedback (SBF)-based—that improve the efficiency of phase adjustments in intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRS). In the PSM-based algorithm, the IRS phase shift vector is selected from a predefined PSM to maximize the output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the receiver. The receiver then sends back only the index of the optimal phase shift vector to the transmitter. In contrast, the SBF algorithm adjusts the IRS elements using single-bit feedback. Here, the transmitter makes a minor random alteration in the phase of each IRS element at each iteration; simultaneously, the receiver transmits an SBF, indicating whether the SNR improved or deteriorated after the current iteration. The transmitter keeps the “good” phase adjustment and throws away the “bad” ones. Simulation results are produced to compare the performance of both algorithms in terms of average bit error rate, and results show that SBF-based phase adjustment of IRS elements is better than PSM-based phase adjustment
Who should manage worker safety to reduce occupational accidents?
Get PDFPurpose – Operations management research and practice has started to embrace sustainability in all its forms, including worker safety. Worker safety is a pivotal component of social sustainability, with accidents occurring largely in a firm’s operations. Nevertheless, workplaces are still not safe. To further understand why, we explore how workplace accidents are affected by who manages occupational safety (i.e., owner/partner, managing director/site/branch manager, OHS officer, or safety representative), and if this effect isdependent on the size of the establishment.Design/methodology/approach – Stakeholder-agency theory is utilized to develop a theoretical framework on the efficacy of having different job roles manage safety in establishments of different sizes. The derived hypotheses are tested using health and safety survey data from the EU-OSHA ESENER I (2014) and ESENER II (2019) surveys.Findings – We provide evidence that it is not beneficial to have owners manage safety in establishments. When owners manage safety in establishments, accidents increase, even when controlling for firm size. When exploring size more deeply, we find that in smaller establishments, it is more beneficial to have an employee representative manage safety, while in larger establishments, a dedicated safety officer should be in charge of managing safety. These findings are highly relevant for creating a path towards safer operations.Originality/value – This study contributes to our understanding of socially sustainable operations by exploring a path to making workplaces safer. It advances knowledge on how to effectively enhance operational safety. This perspective contributes to the expanding worker safety literature in operations management by introducing organizational job responsibilities as a relevant level of analysis, complementing existing explorations in our domain that haveprimarily focused on traits of the operations. The findings not only enhance scholarly and managerial knowledge but also offer clear guidance to policymakers for creating safer workplaces.<br/
Setting out a methodological framework for undertaking effective reviews of national prison library services: Design of an inclusive methodology for the Irish Prison Library Review
Get PDFPrison library services in Ireland are inconsistent nationally and provision varies across sites, with a limited number of professional library staff working in the prison sector located primarily within only one geographic area. The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA, Ireland) commissioned a review of prison library services in Ireland to examine how library services should operate. A challenge within prison librarianship involves closing the gap between international standards and policies, and the state of provision on the ground. By providing a detailed description of the review methodology, other researchers, policy makers, and practitioners can learn from the experiences and approach taken by this research team. This process of knowledge exchange is intended to assist anyone undertaking a review of library services and will also be of interest to those working in the field of prison librarianship. The review methodology sits within a broader context of change management and critical librarianship.</p
Global Capital Inflows into the London Office Market: The Brexit Effect?
Get PDFPurpose: While London remains a key global investment hub, Brexit-induced uncertainties and economic shifts have spurred diversification into other European markets. The paper underscores the need for adaptive strategies, including policy interventions to enhance fiscal and monetary stability, and highlights the importance of currency risk management for investors navigating a volatile global investment landscape. These insights offer valuable implications for sustaining London’s competitiveness in an evolving geopolitical and economic context. Design/methodology/approach: This study investigate the influence of Brexit on global capital flows into London’s office market using data from Real Capital Analytics (RCA/MSCI), encompassing office transactions between 2016 and 2023. The analysis employs autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) models. Findings: The research evaluating how domestic and international factors have influenced investment patterns in the post-Brexit era, highlights the critical role of the real effective exchange rate, which significantly impacts cross-border investments in both the short- and long-run, with depreciation of the pound sterling driving increased inflows. Domestic variables such as UK stock market capitalization and equivalent yield impact also emerged as significant factors influencing capital flows. While London’s status as a prime investment destination persists, the research identifies a decline in transaction volumes, reflecting investor caution and diversification towards other European markets post-Brexit. The analysis reveals that global factors, including geopolitical tensions and risk indices, play a relatively limited role compared to domestic market conditions in shaping investment patterns. These findings underscore the importance of exchange rate stability, strategic currency risk management, and adaptive policies to sustain London’s competitiveness amid heightened economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Originality: This paper offers a novel contribution by providing a comprehensive analysis of the interaction between domestic and international factors affecting cross-border real estate capital flows in London’s office market in the post-Brexit era. It sheds new light on how domestic economic conditions outweigh global factors in shaping investment decisions and offers crucial policy recommendations for sustaining London’s competitive edge
