456 research outputs found
Incremental Composition in Distributional Semantics
Despite the incremental nature of Dynamic Syntax (DS), the semantic
grounding of it remains that of predicate logic, itself grounded in set theory,
so is poorly suited to expressing the rampantly context-relative nature
of word meaning, and related phenomena such as incremental judgements
of similarity needed for the modelling of disambiguation. Here, we show
how DS can be assigned a compositional distributional semantics which
enables such judgements and makes it possible to incrementally disambiguate
language constructs using vector space semantics. Building on a
proposal in our previous work, we implement and evaluate our model on
real data, showing that it outperforms a commonly used additive baseline.
In conclusion, we argue that these results set the ground for an account
of the non-determinism of lexical content, in which the nature of word
meaning is its dependence on surrounding context for its construal
Incremental Composition in Distributional Semantics
Despite the incremental nature of Dynamic Syntax (DS), the semantic grounding of it remains that of predicate logic, itself grounded in set theory, so is poorly suited to expressing the rampantly context-relative nature of word meaning, and related phenomena such as incremental judgements of similarity needed for the modelling of disambiguation. Here, we show how DS can be assigned a compositional distributional semantics which enables such judgements and makes it possible to incrementally disambiguate language constructs using vector space semantics. Building on a proposal in our previous work, we implement and evaluate our model on real data, showing that it outperforms a commonly used additive baseline. In conclusion, we argue that these results set the ground for an account of the non-determinism of lexical content, in which the nature of word meaning is its dependence on surrounding context for its construal
NâSubstituted Nipecotic Acids as (S )âSNAPâ5114 Analogues with Modified Lipophilic Domains
Potential mGAT4 inhibitors derived from the lead substance (S )âSNAPâ5114 have been synthesized and characterized for their inhibitory potency. Variations from the parent compound included the substitution of one of its aromatic 4âmethoxy and 4âmethoxyphenyl groups, respectively, with a more polar moiety, including a carboxylic acid, alcohol, nitrile, carboxamide, sulfonamide, aldehyde or ketone function, or amino acid partial structures. Furthermore, it was investigated how the substitution of more than one of the aromatic 4âmethoxy groups affects the potency and selectivity of the resulting compounds. Among the synthesized test substances (S )â1â{2â[(4âformylphenyl)bis(4âmethoxyphenyl)âmethoxy]ethyl}piperidineâ3âcarboxylic acid, that features a carbaldehyde function in place of one of the aromatic 4âmethoxy moieties of (S )âSNAPâ5114, was found to have a pIC50 value of 5.89±0.07, hence constituting a slightly more potent mGAT4 inhibitor than the parent substance while showing comparable subtype selectivity
Completability vs (In)completeness
In everyday conversation, no notion of âcomplete sentenceâ is required for syntactic licensing. However, so-called âfragmentaryâ, âincompleteâ, and abandoned utterances are problematic for standard formalisms. When contextualised, such data show that (a) non-sentential utterances are adequate to underpin agent coordination, while (b) all linguistic dependencies can be systematically distributed across participants and turns. Standard models have problems accounting for such data because their notions of âconstituencyâ and âsyntactic domainâ are independent of performance considerations. Concomitantly, we argue that no notion of âfull propositionâ or encoded speech act is necessary for successful interaction: strings, contents, and joint actions emerge in conversation without any single participant having envisaged in advance the outcome of their own or their interlocutorsâ actions. Nonetheless, morphosyntactic and semantic licensing mechanisms need to apply incrementally and subsententially. We argue that, while a representational level of abstract syntax, divorced from conceptual structure and physical action, impedes natural accounts of subsentential coordination phenomena, a view of grammar as a âskillâ employing domain-general mechanisms, rather than fixed form-meaning mappings, is needed instead. We provide a sketch of a predictive and incremental architecture (Dynamic Syntax) within which underspecification and time-relative update of meanings and utterances constitute the sole concept of âsyntaxâ
Fabrication of single crystal CuGaS2 nanorods by X-ray irradiation
CuGaS2 nanorods were synthesized by irradiating the precursor solution with intense X-rays. The products are single crystal nanorods with preferential [220] growth and a uniform size distribution. We also report on the photoresponse of drop-cast films of these nanorods
Impact testing to determine the mechanical properties of articular cartilage in isolation and on bone
The original publication is available at www.springerlink.comNon peer reviewedPostprin
The long and short of it: the temporal significance of wealth and income
In the literatures on the lived experience of poverty and richness temporal dimensions are underappreciated. Comparing qualitative interviews with those at opposite ends of the income and wealth distributions in the UK, we examine a temporal contrast: while âpoorâ participants experience money as flows of income which focus orientation to the present and constrain orientation to the future, ârichâ participants experience money not only as flows of income, but also in the form of a stock of wealth which facilitates long-term orientations. Highlighting the enduring nature of wealth and the comparative short-termism of income, we argue that the way in which capital and income relates to individuals' orientations to the future is important for understanding how economic inequality is experienced. Put differently, the form which economic resources take matters for one's ability to plan and control the future. This insight contributes to our understanding of the experience of being economically advantaged or disadvantaged, with implications for (social) policy
Understanding and protecting vulnerable financial consumers
This article considers how consumer protection law and policy should address the interests of particularly vulnerable financial consumers. Specifically, the article proposes a taxonomy of vulnerability which helps to identify (a) what makes consumers particularly vulnerable, and (b) how consumer protection law and consumer policy (broadly understood) can respond to these causes in a way that provides such consumers with appropriate protection. Changes to economic conditions, legal requirements on traders and our understanding of consumer behaviour make discussion of these issues particularly topical. There is little doubt that finding solutions is extremely difficult. Trade-offs are necessary and some enduring factors that contribute to vulnerability, in particular poverty, sometimes appear intractable. Nevertheless, it is submitted that by identifying clearly both why consumers are vulnerable and how the factors that lead to such vulnerability can be addressed, it is possible to construct an environment which respects consumer choice while ensuring that the most vulnerable are protected appropriately
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