Evaluating the effectiveness of machine translation of audio description: the results of two pilot studies in the English-Dutch language pair

The field of translation is undergoing various profound changes. On the one hand it is being thoroughly reshaped by the advent and constant improvement of new technologies. On the other hand, new forms of translation are starting to see the light of day in the wake of social and legal developments that require that products and content that are created, are accessible for everybody. One of these new forms of translation, is audio description (AD), a service that is aimed at making audiovisual content accessible to people with sight loss. New legislation requires that this content is accessible by 2025, which constitutes a tremendous task given the limited number of people that are at present trained as audio describers. A possible solution would be to use machine translation to translate existing audio descriptions into different languages. Since AD is characterized by short sentences and simple, concrete language, it could be a good candidate for machine translation. In the present study, we want to test this hypothesis for the English-Dutch language pair. Three 30 minute AD excerpts of different Dutch movies that were originally audio described in English, were translated into Dutch using DeepL. The translations were analysed using the harmonized DQF-MQM error typology and taking into account the specific multimodal nature of the source text and the intersemiotic dimension of the original audio description process. The analysis showed that the MT output had a relatively high error rate, particularly in the categories of Accuracy – mistranslation and Fluency – grammar. This seems to indicate that extensive post-editing will be needed, before the text can be used in a professional context.

CHANGE IN COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT ROLES DUE TO GLOBALIZATION: A CASE OF COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES MAPPED BY INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSOCIATIONS (2015–2020)

Research background: The role of communication has now become much more critical than during previous periods, not only to compete with other organisations in the stream of communicating messages but also to develop and implement organisational strategies and support the organisation’s top-level managers and decision-makers. The goal of public relations (PR) associations is to develop PR professionals’ competencies. Comprehensive research at the European level signals the need for constant improvement of competencies, especially business development and technologies (Zerfass et al., 2020; Adi, 2019). A vast majority of practitioners across Europe highlight the importance of digitalising stakeholder communications and building a digital infrastructure to support internal workflows (Zerfass et al., 2021). However, instead of technical and managerial training, PR practitioners continue to overwhelmingly offer communication training and development opportunities (Tench et al., 2013; Zerfass et al., 2018; MacNamara et al., 2017; Feldman, 2017; The USC Annenberg Centre for Public Relations, 2017; Communicating AI, 2019). There are discrepancies between the perceived importance of competencies and the current qualifications of professionals due to digital transformation and changes impacted by globalisation. Purpose: To identify changes in PR specialists' competencies due to the impact of globalisation. Methods: Content analysis of information provided in the webpages of international professional PR associations for the period 2015–2020. Findings and value added: The study results show that professional PR associations do not respond to the challenges of the changing environment in a timely manner by providing training, but present and discuss relevant topics with the help of specialists from other fields while encouraging the sharing of good practices. Such a functioning position occupied by professional PR associations in developing the model of competence for PR specialists reveals that PR associations are engaged in strengthening or maintaining competencies, but not developing them.

The Philosopher's Corner

A minimalist view of theory will render it more accessible for a wider range of research questions. More accessible theory will facilitate constant improvement between representations predicting particular relationships among entities of interest in IS and observations of those relationships in practice. This is needed in IS to direct research energy toward knowledge that can lead to more effective and helpful interventions for computing technology stakeholders. The paper also addresses a range of anomalies created by prevailing traditional views of theory, particularly regarding the distinction between theory existence and theory level of support. Discussion includes identifying barriers to conversion to this view of theory as well as criteria for evaluation of proposed new theory.

Ways for improving the sensing of nano-bio-sensors

The nano-bio-sensoristic sector is one of the mainstreams of nanotechnology and requires careful information for constant improvement of the nanodevice performance. The sensing/sensitivity plays a peculiar role, is a determinant characteristics, able to cause a great improvement of the device quality.The paper provides a detailed analysis on the casuistry for increasing the performanceof nano-systems through enhanced diffusion, studied with the use of a recent analytical transport model, able to accommodate previously not completely understood behaviours and to predict new interesting features at nanoscale.

Comparison of the Methodology of Statistical Observation in Tourism in the Russian Federation and European Countries

The need to harmonize national and international statistical practices in data collection and presentation is based on the desire for comparability of information. In the Russian Federation and the countries of the European Union, a different approach is used to organize and present the results of statistical observation of the tourism industry, including with respect to the classification of accommodation facilities for tourists, tourist trips according to their purposes. In Russia, they do not collect information on identifying the reasons why the citizens of these countries do not take part in tourism, nor do they register quality characteristics. Analysis of international experience shows that tourism statistics receive a lot of attention, with the focus on polling tourists and collective accommodation facilities. In the Russian system of statistical observation in the field of tourism, despite its constant improvement, there is still an acute shortage of data obtained on the basis of regular sample surveys.

Current Issues in the Treatment of Deep Sensoneural Hearing Loss and Deafness in Kyrgyzstan

This article presents the main issues of the relevance of the spread of severe hearing loss and deafness in Kyrgyzstan, leading to permanent disability of patients, especially children. Despite significant technological progress and constant improvement of digital sound processing for cochlear implantation and hearing aids, in Kyrgyzstan, for a number of reasons, there are significant difficulties for their widespread implementation due to the lack of necessary government programs and appropriate funding.

Human resources, training and retraining of specialists in the field of construction

This article addresses the development of human resources capacity in the field of construction in the conditions of constant improvement of the construction sector. The peculiarities of personnel management processes in construction organizations are defined. The most urgent problems in the field of construction in the Russian Federation are highlighted. Possible ways of solving personnel problems have been suggested.

Improving mechanical properties of the UIC test bench

Brakes are one of the most important components of vehicles. This is due to their function of decelerating, regulating vehicle speed and keeping vehicles stationary. The correct function and reliability of this system is essential for safe operation and vehicles driving. In our case, we deal with the brakes of rail vehicles. As trainsets achieve higher weights and speeds, great emphasis is also placed on improving the friction components of brake systems, which must meet the strict parameters set by the International Union of Railways (UIC) and must be tested on specialized approved test benches, before being put into service. As the demands on the development of friction components increase, so do the demands on their testing. From this point of view, there is necessary constant improvement in the measuring lane of the brake bench. It is necessary to improve the measuring and control technology as well as the mechanical components. This paper deals with the study of mechanical components in terms of operational dynamics. The main idea of the work is to create a virtual model of the brake bench in order to simulate the operating states and determine the critical modes with a possible adverse impact on the course of measurement and control. During the measurement, the monitored parameter is an important simulated mass, which must meet a precisely determined tolerance for the success of the measurement.

Impact of the electromagnetic field pressure on the bending of high convex-side

A large number of aircraft parts made of sheet materials are used as flanges, common to such parts is the presence of walls, sides, and various elements that increase rigidity and reduce mass. These sheet parts are complex, mostly closed forms, which by plastic deformation methods require a rather complex stamping tools. Technological methods of manufacturing have certain disadvantages associated with the need to refine the shaping. In addition, the frequent updating of product designs and their constant improvement with a significant amount of experimental and small-scale production required the creation of technological methods that provide a significant reduction in terms of preparation. When punching sheet metal parts, in particular, by the pressure of magnetic-pulse field, the accuracy of shaping is mainly influenced by the shape of the flange in the process of deformation. At the final stage of shaping, an impact contact occurs between the flange of the part with the die or form-block. On impact, elastic unloading of the flange occurs due to the removal of inertial tensile stresses along the generatrix. After the impact contact, dynamic springing or rebound of the flange occurs.

Breast cancer with brain metastases: current treatment options

Breast cancer is the main cause of brain metastases in women. The incidence of brain metastases in breast cancer continues to increase, which is mainly associated with improved systemic therapy, which ensures the control of extracranial metastases and an increase in survival. The management brain metastases of breast cancer remain a challenge, despite the constant improvement of local and systemic therapies. This review of the scientific literature presents the latest data from clinical trials of local and systemic treatment of patients with brain metastatic of breast cancer.