scholarly journals Predictable Words Are More Likely to Be Omitted in Fragments–Evidence From Production Data

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Lemke ◽  
Ingo Reich ◽  
Lisa Schäfer ◽  
Heiner Drenhaus
Keyword(s):  
Taxi Driver ◽  
Linguistic Context ◽  
Function Words ◽  
Information Theoretic ◽  
Empirically Supported ◽  
Production Study ◽  
Processing Resources ◽  
Processing Effort ◽  
The University ◽  
High Processing

Instead of a full sentence like Bring me to the university (uttered by the passenger to a taxi driver) speakers often use fragments like To the university to get their message across. So far there is no comprehensive and empirically supported account of why and under which circumstances speakers sometimes prefer a fragment over the corresponding full sentence. We propose an information-theoretic account to model this choice: A speaker chooses the encoding that distributes information most uniformly across the utterance in order to make the most efficient use of the hearer's processing resources (Uniform Information Density, Levy and Jaeger, 2007). Since processing effort is related to the predictability of words (Hale, 2001) our account predicts two effects of word probability on omissions: First, omitting predictable words (which are more easily processed), avoids underutilizing processing resources. Second, inserting words before very unpredictable words distributes otherwise excessively high processing effort more uniformly. We test these predictions with a production study that supports both of these predictions. Our study makes two main contributions: First we develop an empirically motivated and supported account of fragment usage. Second, we extend previous evidence for information-theoretic processing constraints on language in two ways: We find predictability effects on omissions driven by extralinguistic context, whereas previous research mostly focused on effects of local linguistic context. Furthermore, we show that omissions of content words are also subject to information-theoretic well-formedness considerations. Previously, this has been shown mostly for the omission of function words.

Generalizing Benfordʼs Law

Benford's Law ◽  
2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Lee ◽  
Wendy K. Tam Cho ◽  
George Judge
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Misconduct ◽  
Adaptive Methods ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Federal Grants ◽  
Information Theoretic ◽  
Data Adaptive ◽  
The University ◽  
University Of Vermont ◽  
Case Data ◽  
Information Theoretic Methods

This chapter examines and searches for evidence of fraud in two clinical data sets from a highly publicized case of scientific misconduct. In this case, data were falsified by Eric Poehlman, a faculty member at the University of Vermont, who pleaded guilty to fabricating more than a decade of data, some connected to federal grants from the National Institutes of Health. Poehlman had authored influential studies on many topics; including obesity, menopause, lipids, and aging. The chapter's classical Benford analysis along with a presentation of a more general class of Benford-like distributions highlights interesting insights into this and similar cases. In addition, this chapter demonstrates how information-theoretic methods and other data-adaptive methods are promising tools for generating benchmark distributions of first significant digits (FSDs) and examining data sets for departures from expectations.

scholarly journals Benchmarking research performance at the university level with information theoretic measures

2012 ◽  
Vol 95 (1) ◽  
pp. 435-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. García ◽  
Rosa Rodriguez-Sánchez ◽  
J. Fdez-Valdivia ◽  
Nicolas Robinson-García ◽  
Daniel Torres-Salinas
Keyword(s):  
Research Performance ◽  
Information Theoretic ◽  
Information Theoretic Measures ◽  
University Level ◽  
The University

Ingmar Bergman Directs ‘Long Day's Journey into Night’

1989 ◽  
Vol 5 (20) ◽  
pp. 374-383
Author(s):  
Egil Törnqvist
Keyword(s):  
Eugene O'neill ◽  
Original Series ◽  
Realistic Approach ◽  
Production Study ◽  
Ingmar Bergman ◽  
Eugene O’Neill ◽  
The University ◽  
World Premiere

In connection with the Eugene O'Neill centenary in 1988 Ingmar Bergman directed Long Day's Journey into Night at the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm, where this play (like A Touch of the Poet and Hughie), also had its world premiere. While the director of the 1956 production, Bengt Ekerot, settled for a realistic approach. Bergman's pruned version, widely acclaimed both inside and outside Sweden, is existentially stylized. Here Egil Türnqvist discusses especially the visual aspects of the production, partly on the basis of information from the scenographer, Gunilla Palmstierna-Weiss. Egil Törnqvist received his doctorate from Uppsala University in 1969, and since then has been Professor of Scandinavian Studies at the University of Amsterdam. His publications include A Drama of Souls: Studies in O'Neill's Super-Naturalistic Technique (1968). Strindberg och Bergman: Spöksonaten – drama och iscensättning (1973), Strindbergian Drama: Themes and Structure (1982), and (with Barry Jacobs) Strindberg's Miss Julie: a Play and Its Transpositions (1988). He contributed a production study of Bergman's production of Strindberg's Ghost Sonata to the original series of Theatre Quarterly, No. 11 (1973).

A Novel Technique For Rtp Annealing Of Compound Semiconductors

1997 ◽  
Vol 483 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Fu ◽  
V. Sarvepalli ◽  
R. K. Singh ◽  
C. R. Abernathy ◽  
X. Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Processing ◽  
Compound Semiconductors ◽  
Halogen Lamp ◽  
University Of Florida ◽  
High Annealing ◽  
Activation Efficiency ◽  
Activation Annealing ◽  
The University ◽  
First Time ◽  
High Processing

AbstractWe introduce for the first time a novel rapid thermal processing (RTP) unit called ZapperTM, which has recently been developed by MHI Inc. and the University of Florida for high temperature thermal processing of semiconductors. This ZapperTM unit is capable of reaching much higher temperatures (>1500 °C) than conventional tungsten-halogen lamp RTP equipment and achieving high ramp-up and ramp-down rates. We have conducted implant activation annealing studies of Si+-implanted GaN thin films (with and without an AIN encapsulation layer) using the ZapperTM unit at temperatures up to 1500 °C. The electrical property measurements of such annealed samples have led to the conclusion that high annealing temperatures and AIN encapsulation are needed for the optimum activation efficiency of Si+ implants in GaN. It has clearly been demonstrated that the ZapperTM unit has tremendous potential for RTP annealing of semiconductor materials, especially for wide bandgap compound semiconductors that require very high processing temperatures.

scholarly journals Learning to Read Authentic Texts in Chinese as a Foreign Language: An Action Research-Based Investigation of a New Approach towards Raising Students’ Awareness of Literary Function Words

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 211-232
Author(s):  
Christina Bazant-Kimmel
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Function Words ◽  
Authentic Texts ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Strategic Reading ◽  
The University ◽  
Dictionary Use ◽  
High Degree

Abstract Understanding the gist of Chinese authentic functional texts is a particular challenge for advanced beginners not only because of the morpho-syllabic writing system, but also due to the particular literary style. A didactic concept based on Stanovich’s (2000) and Gernsbacher’s (1997) reading models was developed for teaching Chinese as a foreign language at the university level. It is aimed at drawing the students’ attention to highly frequent literary function words in everyday texts, facilitating both the formation of relevant units of meaning and the application of higher-level strategic reading skills. The implementation of this new approach was investigated using the framework of action research. The data were analysed with qualitative methods and the results incorporated into the several teaching cycles. Two quasi-experiments were conducted to elicit individual problem solutions by the students. These data were collected in the form of video recordings of group work and student worksheets. Due to the predictability of specific literary structures, a certain automatisation in processing literary structures could indeed be achieved. Further construction of meaning, however, will have to be achieved through attentive-driven strategies, e.g. targeted dictionary use. It is important to train the students’ executive control mechanisms (e.g. comprehension monitoring), since Chinese can easily lead into a ‘dead end’ due to the absence of word segmentation and a high degree of polysemy.

scholarly journals Sustained pupil responses are modulated by predictability of auditory sequences

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Milne ◽  
Sijia Zhao ◽  
Christina Tampakaki ◽  
Gabriela Bury ◽  
Maria Chait
Keyword(s):  
Pupil Diameter ◽  
Automatic Extraction ◽  
Opposite Pattern ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Processing Resources ◽  
Probabilistic Structure ◽  
Random Patterns ◽  
Processing Effort ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Brain

AbstractThe brain is highly sensitive to auditory regularities and exploits the predictable order of sounds in many scenarios, from parsing complex auditory scenes to the acquisition of language. To understand the impact of stimulus predictability on perception it is important to determine how the discovery of predictable structure influences processing and attention. Here we use pupillometry to gain insight into the effect of sensory regularity on arousal. Pupillometry is a commonly used measure of salience and processing effort, with more perceptually salient or perceptually demanding stimuli consistently associated with larger pupil diameters.In two experiments we tracked human listeners’ pupil dynamics while they listened to sequences of 50ms tone pips of different frequencies. The order of the tone pips was either random, or contained deterministic regularities (experiment 1, n = 18, 11 female) or a probabilistic structure (experiment 2, n = 20, 17 female). The sequences were rapid, preventing conscious tracking of sequence structure thus allowing us to focus on automatic extraction of different types of regularities. We hypothesized that if regularity facilitates processing, a smaller pupil diameter would be seen in response to regular relative to random patterns. Conversely, if regularity is associated with attentional capture (i.e. engages processing resources) the opposite pattern would be expected. In both experiments we observed a smaller sustained (tonic) pupil diameter for regular compared with random sequences, consistent with the former hypothesis and confirming that predictability facilitates sequence processing.Significance statementThe brain is highly sensitive to auditory regularities. To appreciate the impact that discovering predictability has on perception, we need to better understand how a predictable structure influences processing and attention. We recorded listeners’ pupil responses to sequences of tones that followed either a predictable or unpredictable pattern, as the pupil can be used to implicitly tap into these different cognitive processes. We found that the pupil showed a smaller sustained pupil diameter to predictable sequences, indicating that predictability eased processing rather than captured attention. The findings suggest that the pupil response can be used to study the automatic extraction of regularities, and that the effects are most consistent with predictability helping the listener to efficiently process upcoming sounds.

scholarly journals Empirically Supported Strategies for Encouraging Critical Thinking

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Sarah D. McCrackin
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
University Education ◽  
Anecdotal Evidence ◽  
Teaching Techniques ◽  
Teaching Literature ◽  
Empirically Supported ◽  
University Level ◽  
Critical Thinking Instruction ◽  
The University ◽  
Higher Order Questioning

Critical thinking is the ability to construct and evaluate arguments (Facione, 1990). Teaching students to think critically is undeniably one of the most important goals of university education. Accordingly, much of the teaching literature provides suggestions for improving critical thinking among students. Unfortunately, many of these papers contain anecdotal evidence, relying heavily on personal testimony without the support of empirical data and statistical analysis (Abrami et al., 2008; Behar-Horenstein & Niu, 2011). These findings have important implications for instructors who try to foster critical thinking in their classrooms. The present workshop addresses this problem by discussing the following three teaching techniques which have been empirically tested and found to reliably improve critical thinking across multiple investigations: (a) the use of higher-order questioning (Barnett & Francis, 2012; Fenesi, Sana, & Kim, 2014; Renaud & Murray, 2007; Renaud & Murray, 2008; Smith, 1977; Williams, Oliver, & Stockdale, 2004); (b) peer-to-peer interaction (Abrami et al., 2008; Smith, 1997); and (c) explicit critical thinking instruction (Abrami et al., 2008; Bangert-Drowns, & Bankert, 1990; Behar-Horenstein et al., 2010; Tiruneh et al., 2016). This workshop is intended for members of all disciplines seeking to work together to develop an empirically supported framework for teaching critical thinking at the university level.

scholarly journals KEYNOTE: Three Positive Outcome TA Psychotherapy Cases: Hermeneutic Single-Case Efficacy Design Research in Action

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-29
Author(s):  
Mark Widdowson
Keyword(s):  
Design Research ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Psychotherapy Research ◽  
Positive Outcome ◽  
Doctoral Research ◽  
Empirically Supported ◽  
Therapy Services ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University ◽  
Negative Impression

The background to the research I have been involved in was my frustration with the dominance of CBT within statutory therapy services within the UK and a continued lack of recognition for TA. To me, as to most TA therapists, I could see in my day to day practice that TA was indeed an effective approach, but was afraid that that unless we as a community start to quickly accumulate research evidence supporting our convictions that TA would continue to be marginalised. As a result of an informal conversation with Professor John McLeod- a respected counselling and psychotherapy researcher- I was inspired to engage in research and to enrol with the University of Leicester to begin a PhD investigating the process and outcome of TA psychotherapy. I am now four years into my doctoral research, and have found it to be a deeply enriching experience which has brought me a great deal of personal and professional satisfaction. As my research has developed, I have become clearer in my vision and aim. My vision is to see TA recognised as an Empirically-Supported Therapy by the year 2020. This is an entirely realistic vision, and I hope that in reading this that many of you will be encouraged to join in and make this vision a reality. At this point, it is perhaps worth exploring a little bit about what research means to many within our community. My sense is that many of you will be able to identify with the following statement; ‘I know research is important… to help us to understand how therapy works, to improve how we do therapy, to contribute to our profession and to promote wider acceptance of TA and psychotherapy’ Is this true for you? I also suspect that many of you will be able to identify with the following statement;  ‘My negative impression of research is that it… Isn’t for people like me, it is complex, boring and time consuming, it is not relevant to the practice of therapy and is an ethically dubious activity’ Is this statement true for you also? I would imagine that many of you will be able to identify with much of the second statement. I am basing my speculation about your views of research on some recent research which I conducted which investigated the perceptions that 16 TA psychotherapy trainees had of psychotherapy research.  (for more information on the results of this research, see; Widdowson, M. (2012a). As I see it, if this second statement is common amongst members of the TA community, then unless this is addressed, the vision I described above will not become a reality. It is part of my intention in writing this article to highlight that research does not need to be complex, boring or time consuming, can be conducted by people like you and can produce findings which are highly relevant and applicable to the realities of the consulting room.

scholarly journals Quantifiers in Natural Language: Efficient Communication and Degrees of Semantic Universals

Entropy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 1335
Author(s):  
Shane Steinert-Threlkeld
Keyword(s):  
Special Property ◽  
Function Word ◽  
Communication Analysis ◽  
Function Words ◽  
Natural Languages ◽  
Information Theoretic ◽  
Artificial Languages ◽  
Efficient Communication ◽  
Information Theoretic Measures ◽  
And Function

While the languages of the world vary greatly, they exhibit systematic patterns, as well. Semantic universals are restrictions on the variation in meaning exhibit cross-linguistically (e.g., that, in all languages, expressions of a certain type can only denote meanings with a certain special property). This paper pursues an efficient communication analysis to explain the presence of semantic universals in a domain of function words: quantifiers. Two experiments measure how well languages do in optimally trading off between competing pressures of simplicity and informativeness. First, we show that artificial languages which more closely resemble natural languages are more optimal. Then, we introduce information-theoretic measures of degrees of semantic universals and show that these are not correlated with optimality in a random sample of artificial languages. These results suggest both that efficient communication shapes semantic typology in both content and function word domains, as well as that semantic universals may not stand in need of independent explanation.

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