Generationary or “How We Went beyond Word Sense Inventories and Learned to Gloss”

Mainstream computational lexical semantics embraces the assumption that word senses can be represented as discrete items of a predefined inventory. In this paper we show this needs not be the case, and propose a unified model that is able to produce contextually appropriate definitions. In our model, Generationary, we employ a novel span-based encoding scheme which we use to fine-tune an English pre-trained Encoder-Decoder system to generate glosses. We show that, even though we drop the need of choosing from a predefined sense inventory, our model can be employed effectively: not only does Generationary outperform previous approaches in the generative task of Definition Modeling in many settings, but it also matches or surpasses the state of the art in discriminative tasks such as Word Sense Disambiguation and Word-inContext. Finally, we show that Generationary benefits from training on data from multiple inventories, with strong gains on various zeroshot benchmarks, including a novel dataset of definitions for free adjective-noun phrases. The software and reproduction materials are available at http://generationary.org

Sugli strumenti finanziari di ausilio pubblico nel prisma del PNRR

Il tema degli ausili finanziari pubblici è storicamente connesso a peculiari forme di intervento pubblico nell’economia e ha acquisito di recente maggior rilievo in ragione dell’ingente quantità di risorse stanziate Next generation Eu. L’autore, dunque, si interroga circa l’impatto delle novità introdotte dal PNRR sul ruolo che gli enti territoriali saranno tenuti ad assumere nella gestione dei finanziamenti pubblici, specie di quelli a fondo perduto

Le Masserie Pugliesi. Segni architettonici nel paesaggio agrario regionale

Il repertorio delle masserie possiede in Puglia numerosissime declinazioni, ognuna delle quali costituisce un esempio unico. Eppure una sorta di classificazione “manualistica” appare necessaria, se si intende in qualche modo approfondire uno studio di carattere generale. Suddividere l’insieme su base temporale – masserie medievali, cinquecentesche, barocche etc. – contribuirebbe a far chiarezza, ma non restituirebbe al lettore un quadro esauriente degli aspetti che in maniera profonda hanno contribuito alla definizione dei tipi edilizi; nei secoli, infatti, gli stessi modelli produttivi sono stati riprodotti in diverse masserie senza sostanziali variazioni distributive e funzionali. In quest’ottica, un discorso di carattere tipologico sulle masserie deve necessariamente privilegiare la corrispondenza tra forma e funzione, piuttosto che tra forma ed “estetica”, cosa che la storiografia dedica generalmente a fenomeni analoghi architettonicamente più “pregiati”. Nella classificazione dei tipi, pur nei limiti che questa comporta, è necessario quindi correlare l’assetto spaziale e distributivo alla natura delle attività produttive svolte, alla tradizione costruttiva del luogo, al contesto geografico e alle forme di governo del territorio e delle sue risorse

From survey to semantic representation for Cultural Heritage: the 3D modeling of recurring architectural elements

The digitization of Cultural Heritage paves the way for new approaches to surveying and restitution of historical sites. With a view to the management of integrated programs of documentation and conservation, the research is now focusing on the creation of information systems where to link the digital representation of a building to semantic knowledge. With reference to the emblematic case study of the Calci Charterhouse, also known as Pisa Charterhouse, this contribution illustrates an approach to be followed in the transition from 3D survey information, derived from laser scanner and photogrammetric techniques, to the creation of semantically enriched 3D models. The proposed approach is based on the recognition -segmentation and classification- of elements on the original raw point cloud, and on the manual mapping of NURBS elements on it. For this shape recognition process, reference to architectural treatises and vocabularies of classical architecture is a key step. The created building components are finally imported in a H-BIM environment, where they are enriched with semantic information related to historical knowledge, documentary sources and restoration activities

3D Reconstruction, Digital Twinning, and Virtual Reality: Architectural Heritage Applications

Virtual Reality proposes different innovative solutions for the fruition of tangible, intangible, or no longer existing Cultural Heritage. The representation of architectural artifacts through virtual 3D models framed in immersive and interactive virtual environments allows building new paths of knowledge. This kind of narrative feeds the fruition, the understanding, and the involvement of the user. The article presents different examples of VR applied in the CH field, highlighting the VR capacities, foreshadowing possible future developments in the specific domain. The first case study describes the reconstructive digital modeling and the prototype application of VR aimed at rendering the interior space of the provisional hall of the First Italian Parliament, no longer existing, for the use of visitors to Palazzo Carignano in Turin. The second case study concerns the Charterhouse of Pisa in Calci and deals with two VR experiences realized for a new visit tour: 3D reconstruction of the illusory space depicted in a quadraturist frescoes and 3D representation of the layout of the cloister in its most important historical phases. The third case study deals with the reconstruction of the Cathedral of Carpi through a 3D interoperable BIM model and the new communication tool called “during time Digital Twin”, which uses a combination of VR and AR

Low-complexity single-image super-resolution based on nonnegative neighbor embedding

This paper describes a single-image super-resolution (SR) algorithm based on nonnegative neighbor embedding. It belongs to the family of single-image example-based SR algorithms, since it uses a dictionary of low resolution (LR) and high resolution (HR) trained patch pairs to infer the unknown HR details. Each LR feature vector in the input image is expressed as the weighted combination of its K nearest neighbors in the dictionary; the corresponding HR feature vector is reconstructed under the assumption that the local LR embedding is preserved. Three key aspects are introduced in order to build a low-complexity competitive algorithm: (i) a compact but efficient representation of the patches (feature representation) (ii) an accurate estimation of the patches by their nearest neighbors (weight computation) (iii) a compact and already built (therefore external) dictionary, which allows a one-step upscaling. The neighbor embedding SR algorithm so designed is shown to give good visual results, comparable to other state-of-the-art methods, while presenting an appreciable reduction of the computational time

In-house validation of an Event-specific Method for the Quantification of Oliseed Rape MS1 using Real-time PCR

The European Union Reference Laboratory for GM Food and Feed (EU-RL GMFF), established by Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, has carried out an in-house validation study to assess the performance of a quantitative event-specific method on the oilseed rape event MS1 (unique identifier ACS-BN004-7). In accordance to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed and to Regulation (EC) No 641/2004 of 6 April 2004 on detailed rules for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, Syngenta Crop Protection AG) provided the detection method and the control samples. The EU-RL GMFF prepared the validation samples [calibration samples and blind samples at different GM percentages (DNA/DNA)]. The results of the in-house validation were evaluated with respect to method acceptance criteria and method performance requirements recommended by the European Network of GMO Laboratories (ENGL) (http://gmocrl.jrc.ec.europa.eu/guidancedocs.htm) and to its applicability in different real-time PCR instruments. The results obtained indicate that the method complies with the ENGL criteria. The method is therefore considered applicable to the control samples provided, in accordance with the requirements of Annex I – 2.C.2 to Regulation (EC) No 641/2004.JRC.I.3-Molecular Biology and Genomic

Analysis and definition of restoration strategies with H-BIM applications. The case study of Vittorio Giorgini's “Casa Esagono” in Baratti, Italy

This contribution is focused on the “Casa Esagono” realized in 1957 by Vittorio Giorgini in Baratti (LI), Italy. The research objective is to lay the foundations for a restoration plan of this experimental wooden architecture, which is now in precarious conditions due to its location near the sea, and whose constructive features, has always raised great questions about the technical feasibility of a full restoration. The paper describes the workflow for the implementation of the H-BIM model, aimed to organise all the data deriving from the historical and on-site research, and the restoration programme. The historical analysis about the house and the architect was the basis for the geometric survey and the analysis of building materials. All building components were subjected to visual analysis aimed to identify deterioration forms. The proposed conservation approach aims to maintain as much of the original elements as possible, while increasing their durability. H-BIM revealed to be the ideal tool to manage the entire restoration process, whose ultimate goal is to celebrate Giorgini’s work, to exploit the potential of the house as a cultural attraction

Event-specific Method for the Quantification of Maize 98140 by Real-time PCR

The European Union Reference Laboratory for GM Food and Feed (EU-RL GMFF), established by Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, has carried out a validation study to assess the performance of a quantitative event-specific method on the maize event 98140 (unique identifier DP-098140-6). The collaborative trial was conducted according to internationally accepted guidelines. In accordance to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed and to Regulation (EC) No 641/2004 of 6 April 2004 on detailed rules for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, Pioneer Overseas Corporation provided the detection method and the control samples. The EU-RL GMFF prepared the validation samples [calibration samples and blind samples at unknown GM percentages(DNA/DNA)]. The results of the international collaborative trial met the European Network of GMO Laboratories (ENGL) method performance requirements (http://gmocrl.jrc.ec.europa.eu/guidancedocs.htm). The method is therefore considered applicable to the control samples provided, in accordance with the requirements of Annex I – 2.C.2 to Regulation (EC) No 641/2004.JRC.I.3-Molecular Biology and Genomic