43 research outputs found
Preparing Big Manuscript Data for Hierarchical Clustering with Minimal HTR Training
No full textHTR (Handwritten Text Recognition) technologies have progressed enough to offer high-accuracy results in recognising handwritten documents, even on a synchronous level. Despite the state-of-the-art algorithms and software, historical documents (especially those written in Greek) remain a real-world challenge for researchers. A large number of unedited or under-edited works of Greek Literature (ancient or Byzantine, especially the latter) exist to this day due to the complexity of producing critical editions. To critically edit a literary text, scholars need to pinpoint text variations on several manuscripts, which requires fully (or at least partially) transcribed manuscripts. For a large manuscript tradition (i.e., a large number of manuscripts transmitting the same work), such a process can be a painstaking and time-consuming project. To that end, HTR algorithms that train AI models can significantly assist, even when not resulting in entirely accurate transcriptions. Deep learning models, though, require a quantum of data to be effective. This, in turn, intensifies the same problem: big (transcribed) data require heavy loads of manual transcriptions as training sets. In the absence of such transcriptions, this study experiments with training sets of various sizes to determine the minimum amount of manual transcription needed to produce usable results. HTR models are trained through the Transkribus platform on manuscripts from multiple works of a single Byzantine author, John Chrysostom. By gradually reducing the number of manually transcribed texts and by training mixed models from multiple manuscripts, economic transcriptions of large bodies of manuscripts (in the hundreds) can be achieved. Results of these experiments show that if the right combination of manuscripts is selected, and with the transfer-learning tools provided by Transkribus, the required training sets can be reduced by up to 80%. Certain peculiarities of Greek manuscripts, which lead to easy automated cleaning of resulting transcriptions, could further improve these results. The ultimate goal of these experiments is to produce a transcription with the minimum required accuracy (and therefore the minimum manual input) for text clustering. If we can accurately assess HTR learning and outcomes, we may find that less data could be enough. This case study proposes a solution for researching/editing authors and works that were popular enough to survive in hundreds (if not thousands) of manuscripts and are, therefore, unfeasible to be evaluated by humans
Kuttner's tumor of the parotid gland: An unusual presentation
No full textChronic sclerosing sialadenitis (CSS) (Kuttner's tumor) is a benign fibroinflammatory condition most commonly affecting the submandibular gland. It presents as hard mass that mimics salivary gland neoplasms. We report an unusual presentation of Kuttner's tumor affecting the parotid gland in order to raise the awareness of this rare and underreported entity
Modeling national innovation systems. A perspective with system dynamics
No full textΓενικά, η έννοια του Εθνικού Συστήματος Καινοτομίας (ΕΣΚ) αποτελεί μια κατευθυντήρια γραμμή για την οικονομική επιτυχία στη σημερινή εποχή της πληροφορίας και στηρίζεται κυρίως στο γεγονός ότι, η καινοτομία είναι μια διαδικασία με αλληλεπιδράσεις, όπου θεσμοί και οργανισμοί επικοινωνούν, συνεργάζονται και αλληλεπιδρούν (Lundvall,1992). Συνεπώς, η κατανόηση των διασυνδέσεων μεταξύ των εμπλεκομένων αυτών θεσμών και οργανισμών στη διαδικασία της καινοτομίας είναι το κλειδί για τη βελτίωση της καινοτόμου απόδοσης (Freeman, 1987). Μάλιστα, οι αλληλεπιδράσεις αυτές μεταξύ των εμπλεκομένων οργανισμών σε θέματα τεχνολογικής ανάπτυξης είναι τόσο σημαντικές, όσο και οι επενδύσεις σε Έρευνα και Ανάπτυξη (Ε&Α). Οι εθνικές κυβερνήσεις αποτελούν σημαντικό κομμάτι αυτής της διαδικασίας καινοτομίας, με την ενίσχυση της υποδομής σε Ε&Τ (Teubal et al., 1996, Rush et al., 1996) και με την προσπάθεια να βελτιωθεί το ρυθμιστικό πλαίσιο και γενικότερα οι θεσμικοί όροι που έχουν επιπτώσεις στην καινοτομία. Αυτές οι εξελίξεις έχουν οδηγήσει σε αυτό που πολλοί έχουν ονομάσει ως «οικονομία βασισμένη στη γνώση» (ΟΟΣΑ, 2000) ή σε μια σχετικά δυναμικότερη ερμηνεία, στην «οικονομία της μάθησης» (Lundvall and Borras, 1999, Gregersen and Johnson, 2001). Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή στοχεύει στη μελέτη της συμπεριφοράς των Εθνικών Συστημάτων Καινοτομίας υπό την επίδραση καινοτόμων κυβερνητικών πολιτικών. Στο πρώτο στάδιο της διατριβής οριοθετήθηκε το σύστημα με στόχο τη μελέτη της επίδρασης των κυβερνητικών πολιτικών στην επίδοση ενός ΕΣΚ. Για την οριοθέτηση αυτή απαιτήθηκε εκτενής βιβλιογραφική επισκόπηση προκειμένου να καταγραφούν τόσο τα χαρακτηριστικά όσο και οι επιρροές που έχουν χρησιμοποιηθεί για την περιγραφή της επίδρασης αυτής. Από την επισκόπηση προέκυψε πως η καινοτόμος απόδοση εξαρτάται από την αλληλεπίδραση μεταξύ ενός σημαντικού αριθμού παραγόντων που συμμετέχουν στο ΕΣΚ και όχι από τη μεταβολή καθενός από αυτούς μεμονωμένα. Παράλληλα, προέκυψε πως οι περισσότερες μελέτες που μελετούν αυτές τις αλληλεπιδράσεις - δυναμικές σχέσεις μεταξύ των παραγόντων ενός ΕΣΚ και της επίδοσής του, εστιάζονται κυρίως στην απλή περιγραφική ανάλυση. Για το λόγο αυτό η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή εστιάζει στη μαθηματική ανάλυση της επίδρασης αυτής, δημιουργώντας ένα μαθηματικό μοντέλο για το Εθνικό Σύστημα Καινοτομίας της Ελλάδας. Το μοντέλο αυτό αποτυπώνει το περιβάλλον επίδοσης της χώρας σε σχέση με τους παράγοντες που συμμετέχουν σε αυτό και με τις αλληλεπιδράσεις που αναπτύσσονται μεταξύ τους
I 2012, ‘The impact of innovation policies on the performance of national innovation systems: A system dynamics analysis
No full texta b s t r a c t There has been a growing significance for the National Innovation System (NIS) and its use as a tool for the competitive advantage of a country to date. In this paper, an NIS model has been developed with the use of system dynamics (SD) methodological approach. The objective of this model is to integrate the systemic approach, the computer modelling and the simulation discipline into a holistic dynamic consideration of the NIS. From this central structure, the paper analyzes the impact of innovation policies on the NIS performance. In particular the SD model is used as an ''experimental tool'' to conduct extensive what-if analysis scenarios with regard to alternative innovation policies. The effectiveness of policies is investigated through the dynamic behaviour of product innovation and process innovation which are obtained by simulation results. By using data from a European Union country with innovation performance below that of the EU27 average, the analysis of results reveals insights over a strategic time horizon
Profiling Small and Medium Enterprises' Innovativeness During Periods of Economic Crisis
No full textMultiple organizational capabilities for effective business model innovation and increased performance
No full textPurpose: The main purpose of this study is to provide a relatively integrated perspective on the role of market orientation, strategic flexibility and technological capability as multiple organizational capabilities and their potential effectiveness in promoting business model innovation (BMI) and business performance. Design/methodology/approach: To achieve this objective, an empirical survey was conducted among 379 firms in Greece. Initially, exploratory factor analysis and then confirmatory factor analysis were applied. Finally, the structural relationships among the latent factors were determined through structural equation modeling. Findings: The results show the positive effect of market orientation on strategic flexibility and technological capability. Strategic flexibility drives firms to BMI and then business performance. Furthermore, it is essential that firms build up technological capability to be effective in BMI and business performance. Research limitations/implications: Data were collected at only one point in time from one country, Greece. This might pose limitations on the generalizability of our results. Future research could also explore how organizations develop strategic flexibility and BMI capabilities in different environmental contexts and organizational structures. Practical implications: This study sends the message that companies focusing on market orientation and technological capability can led to higher strategic flexibility and BMI capabilities, which in turn act as a catalyst for business improvement. Originality/value: The proposed model provides plausible guidelines that advance the research on multiple organizational capabilities in companies.2782925294
The use of the roter interaction analysis system in assessing veterinary student clinical communication skills during equine wellness examinations in rural Kentucky, USA: A pilot study
No full textBackground
Effective clinical communication can aid veterinarians in building good client relationships, increase adherence to recommendations and, ultimately, improve patient health and welfare. However, available information on veterinary communication in the equine context is limited. The objective of this study was to describe the communication of veterinary students in the equine environment who had previous communication training. Additionally, we assessed the suitability of the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS) for the analysis of audio-video recordings of equine wellness consultations.
Methods
Twenty-seven equine wellness consultations performed by second-year Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine students were recorded in rural Kentucky, United States of America. Recordings were submitted to a professional coder who applied the RIAS to the equine context by expanding or adjusting code definitions.
Results
A substantial amount of utterances (i.e. segments of speech) were allocated to core communication skills including building rapport (30%), facilitation and client activation (24%) and education and counselling (23%). There was a large variation in utterances used among consultations of the same veterinary student and students; they did not appear anxious or nervous.
Conclusions
Students made use of core communication skills, indicating that experiences from pre-clinical training could be transferred to equine practice. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that the RIAS could be considered for consecutive studies aiming to provide observational data on clinical communication in the equine context
The role of Green Public Procurements in energy transition: the case of Western Macedonia
No full textAbstract This paper aims to assess the level of implementation of Green Public Procurements (GPP) in the Region of Western Macedonia—Greece, which is currently under energy transition from lignite to a RES-based energy model. By that assessment, a linkage between the GPP framework and energy transition is created, revealing the distinct GPP criteria that should be adopted by energy-transition regions, which have the potential to strengthen the transition process. Rather than implementing the total number of the GPP criteria, literature and methodology findings indicated that specific GPP criteria are directly connected to energy transition and should be primarily adopted by policymakers in comparison to the rest. These criteria are Electricity, Road Transport, Waste Water Infrastructure and Road Lighting and Traffic Signals. By assessing a sample of 31 procurement officials and scientific experts in the five major municipalities of the region, the implementation level of GPP criteria was measured average-to-low, implying that there is a considerable scope by the region’s main municipal authorities to adopt them to a greater extent. Statistical correlations using Spearman’s rank correlation analysis between specific GPP criteria were also identified, indicating distinct interconnections between the criteria pairs that imply commonalities in the implementation framework of GPP. The paper’s implications for future research led to the identification of specific GPP criteria in the public procurement process, that have the potential to enhance green sustainability and boost energy transition
The Spin-off Chain
No full textSeveral theories have been developed over a large number of years on the effort of localisation and exploitation of research results that take place in research laboratories and which can lead to the production of innovative products. This process is being facilitated by spin-off companies. The purpose of this paper is to shed light on this process of developing a spin-off company. To this goal a framework has been developed, namely “the Spin-off Chain”, which will be used as a guide and will provide to future entrepreneurs a roadmap exploiting the knowledge produced in academic and research laboratories
