The Gradual Learning Algorithm (GLA) (Boersma and Hayes, 2001) can be seen as a stochastic local search method for learning Stochastic OT grammars. This paper tries to achieve the following goals: first, in response to the criticism in (Keller and Asudeh, 2002), we point out that the computational problem of learning stochastic grammars does have a general approximate solution (Lin, 2005). Seco...

The computational complexity of reasoning within the Dempster-Shafer theory of evidence is one of the main points of criticism this formalism has to face. To overcome this difficulty various approximation algorithms have been suggested that aim at reducing the number of focal elements in the belief functions involved. Besides introducing a new algorithm using this method, this paper describes a...

Recently, several authors have criticized time-symmetrized quantum theory originated by the work of Aharonov et al. (1964). The core of this criticism was the proof, which appeared in various forms, showing that counterfactual interpretation of time-symmetrized quantum theory cannot be reconciled with the standard quantum theory. I argue here that the apparent contradiction appears due to inapp...

BACKGROUND As suggested by Shook and Giordano, understanding and therefore addressing the urgent international governance issues around globalizing bio-medical/technology research and applications is limited by the perception of the underlying science. METHODS A philosophical methodology is used, based on novel and classical philosophical reflection upon existent literature, clinical wisdoms ...

Résumé When thinking of Adorno and music criticism, two strategies suggest themselves. The one is to look at the kind of criticism, cultural criticism in general and music criticism in particular, propagated by Adorno. It is, after all, difficult to overestimate the degree of his influence on musical thought in the twentieth century (whether one agrees with his views or not) and of the intellec...

Sociolinguistic research suggests that women are more likely than men to use politeness strategies in their speech. Researchers have reported that women pay more compliments than men, that women in talk with same-sex peers use a large number of positive-politeness strategies while men in analogous situations do not, and that women are more likely to apologize, soften criticism or express thanks...

In conclusion, we should like to add two admonitions. First, criticism is an art, not the raw tables or summaries of scholarship. The scholarship is a necessary prerequisite, and the formal reports, the compilations of the learned monograph, are essential to criticism. We have too much of unimaginative word counting, the pedestrian assemblage of arguments, the methodical and generalized comment...

Associations of 6-week postpartum maternal self-criticism and dependency with 4-month mother-infant self- and interactive contingencies during face-to-face play were investigated in 126 dyads. Infant and mother face, gaze, touch, and vocal quality were coded second by second from split-screen videotape. Self- and interactive contingencies were defined as auto- and lagged cross-correlation, resp...

Three interventions used to assist highly self-critical patients develop self-compassion are described and illustrated with case material. Theoretical background, assumed mechanism of change, and research evidence for each intervention is presented.