Perception of Consonant Clusters and Variable Gap Time

In every case in which measurements of labial-velar stops [kp, gb] have been made, it has been found that the labial and velar gestures are not strictly simultaneous, but rather that the velar gesture slightly precedes the labial one (thus [kp] and not [pk]). One possible explanation for this is that [kp] is more perceptually salient than [pk]. This paper reports an attempt to test this hypothesis by observing listeners' identifications of [apka] and [akpa] with variable gap times inserted between the consonantal onset and release. The results showed that [apka] was more readily identified than [akpa], effectively showing that perceptual salience cannot be invoked to explain the ordering of velar and labial gestures in labial-velar stops

A Reference Architecture for Natural Language Generation Systems

We present the RAGS (Reference Architecture for Generation Systems) framework: a specification of an abstract Natural Language Generation (NLG) system architecture to support sharing, re-use, comparison and evaluation of NLG technologies. We argue that the evidence from a survey of actual NLG systems calls for a different emphasis in a reference proposal from that seen in similar initiatives in information extraction and multimedia interfaces. We introduce the framework itself, in particular the two-level data model that allows us to support the complex data requirements of NLG systems in a flexible and coherent fashion, and describe our efforts to validate the framework through a range of implementations

Use of standardised outcome measures in adult mental health services - Randomised controlled trial

This is an author-produced electronic version of an article accepted for publication in the British Journal of Psychiatry. The definitive publisher-authenticated version is available online at http://bjp.rcpsych.or

Dacryocystitis presenting as post-septal cellulitis: a case report

Dacryocystitis is relatively common, the majority of patients present with pre-septal cellulitis and not an orbital abscess due to anatomical barriers. The authors report a case of dacryocystitis presenting as post-septal cellulitis in a postmenopausal lady with an underlying malignancy. Following antibiotic therapy and elective dacryocystorhinostomy the patient is still under follow-up, and has no further recurrence of symptoms. Orbital abscess in postmenopausal women presenting with dacryocystitis should be considered, as prompt recognition and early surgical intervention is required to prevent visual loss

Chatbots to Support Mental Wellbeing of People Living in Rural Areas: Can User Groups Contribute to Co-design?

Digital technologies such as chatbots can be used in the field of mental health. In particular, chatbots can be used to support citizens living in sparsely populated areas who face problems such as poor access to mental health services, lack of 24/7 support, barriers to engagement, lack of age appropriate support and reductions in health budgets. The aim of this study was to establish if user groups can design content for a chatbot to support the mental wellbeing of individuals in rural areas. University students and staff, mental health professionals and mental health service users (N = 78 total) were recruited to workshops across Northern Ireland, Ireland, Scotland, Finland and Sweden. The findings revealed that participants wanted a positive chatbot that was able to listen, support, inform and build a rapport with users. Gamification could be used within the chatbot to increase user engagement and retention. Content within the chatbot could include validated mental health scales and appropriate response triggers, such as signposting to external resources should the user disclose potentially harmful information or suicidal intent. Overall, the workshop participants identified user needs which can be transformed into chatbot requirements. Responsible design of mental healthcare chatbots should consider what users want or need, but also what chatbot features artificial intelligence can competently facilitate and which features mental health professionals would endorse