Questions about quantifiers

1984 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 443-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan van Benthem
Keyword(s):  
Natural Language ◽  
Negative Polarity ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Mathematical Structures ◽  
Fixed Model ◽  
Semantic Treatment ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Image Position ◽  
Quantifier Phrases

The importance of the logical ‘generalized quantifiers’ (Mostowski [1957]) for the semantics of natural language was brought out clearly in Barwise & Cooper [1981]. Basically, the idea is that a quantifier phrase QA (such as “all women”, “most children”, “no men”) refers to a set of sets of individuals, viz. those B for which (QA)B holds. Thus, e.g., given a fixed model with universe E,where ⟦A⟧ is the set of individuals forming the extension of the predicate “A” in the model. This point of view permits an elegant and uniform semantic treatment of the subject-predicate form that pervades natural language.Such denotations of quantifier phrases exhibit familiar mathematical structures. Thus, for instance, all A produces filters, and no A produces ideals. The denotation of most A is neither; but it is still monotone, in the sense of being closed under supersets. Mere closure under subsets occurs too; witness a quantifier phrase like few A. These mathematical structures are at present being used in organizing linguistic observations and formulating hypotheses about them. In addition to the already mentioned paper of Barwise & Cooper, an interesting example is Zwarts [1981], containing applications to the phenomena of “negative polarity” and “conjunction reduction”. In the course of the latter investigation, several methodological issues of a wider logical interest arose, and these have inspired the present paper.In order to present these issues, let us shift the above perspective, placing the emphasis on quantifier expressions per se (“all”, “most”, “no”, “some”, etcetera), viewed as denoting relations Q between sets of individuals.

scholarly journals Non-size increasing graph rewriting for natural language processing

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (8) ◽  
pp. 1451-1484
Author(s):  
GUILLAUME BONFANTE ◽  
BRUNO GUILLAUME
Keyword(s):  
Natural Language Processing ◽  
Natural Language ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Theoretical Aspect ◽  
Graph Rewriting ◽  
Complexity Bounds ◽  
Mathematical Structures ◽  
Rewriting Systems ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Linguistic Structures

A very large amount of work in Natural Language Processing (NLP) use tree structure as the first class citizen mathematical structures to represent linguistic structures, such as parsed sentences or feature structures. However, some linguistic phenomena do not cope properly with trees; for instance, in the sentence ‘Max decides to leave,’ ‘Max’ is the subject of the both predicates ‘to_decide’ and ‘to_leave’. Tree-based linguistic formalisms generally use some encoding to manage sentences like the previous example. In former papers (Bonfante et al. 2011; Guillaume and Perrier 2012), we discussed the interest to use graphs rather than trees to deal with linguistic structures, and we have shown how Graph Rewriting could be used for their processing, for instance in the transformation of the sentence syntax into its semantics. Our experiments have shown that Graph Rewriting applications to NLP do not require the full computational power of the general Graph Rewriting setting. The most important observation is that all graph vertices in the final structures are in some sense ‘predictable’ from the input data, and so we can consider the framework of Non-size increasing Graph Rewriting. In our previous papers, we have formally described the Graph Rewriting calculus we used and our purpose here is to study the theoretical aspect of termination with respect to this calculus. Given that termination is undecidable in general, we define termination criterions based on weight, we prove the termination of weighted rewriting systems, and we give complexity bounds on derivation lengths for these rewriting systems.

scholarly journals IV.—On Green's and other Allied Theorems

1870 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tait
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Reasoning ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Future Time ◽  
Mathematical Point ◽  
Analytical Aspect ◽  
Full Power ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Definite Integration ◽  
Image Position

I was originally attracted to the study of Quaternions by Sir W. R Hamilton's ingeniously devised and most valuable operatorto which he called special attention (Lectures on Quaternions, § 620) on account of its promise of usefulness in physical applications. But I soon found that in order that its full power may be applied, in general investigations, it is necessary that we should have processes of definite integration, of the kinds required in physics, applicable to quaternion symbols and not merely to scalar variables. I often consulted Hamilton about this want, and he promised to endeavour to supply it at some future time. I fancy that shortly before his death he must have in some way supplied it, though he certainly did not print, nor does he appear even to have written, anything on the subject. In one of the last letters I received from him, he said that he intended to conclude the final chapter of his Elements, which is devoted to physical applications, by some sections on the use of the operator mentioned above. That chapter remains unfinished, and as Hamilton rarely wrote down the steps of even a complex train of mathematical reasoning until he had mentally completed it, it is to be feared that this portion of his investigations is entirely lost. So far as the analytical aspect of Quaternions is concerned, this loss is very serious indeed, for there can be little doubt that Hamilton's solution would have been of immense value from the purely mathematical point of view.

scholarly journals A Note On Optimal Reinsurance

1975 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 154-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunnar Benktander
Keyword(s):  
Substantial Reduction ◽  
Extreme Case ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Insurance Company ◽  
Optimal Reinsurance ◽  
Market Situation ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Image Position ◽  
Reinsurance Treaty ◽  
A Company

In the past the subject of optimal reinsurance has been dealt with by various authors such as Borch (1), Kahn (2) and Verbeek (3). Borch tries to look at the problem from the point of view of a company which acts as both Insurer and Reinsurer whereas the viewpoint of Kahn and Verbeek is that of a Ceding Company.Let us study the simplest possible market situation of one Insurance Company C and one Reinsurer R. C writes a portfolio P and seeks reinsurance protection at R.In the present note I will start with the viewpoint of optimizing simultaneously the situation of C and R.For both C and R the variance is used as a measure of risk. The variance of P is V. C makes an effort to reduce V to a level Vc by way of a reinsurance treaty T. The corresponding variance of R is VR.Out of the set of possible reinsurance treaty arrangements {T} we assume that the parties are first of all interested in such arrangements for whichIn other words they will look for solutions which will lead to a substantial reduction of the variance.It is possible to think of “nonsense” arrangements where no substantial reduction is achieved and in the extreme case even of arrangements for whichIn a further paper we might deal with such a case.

scholarly journals Preposed negation in Danish

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bjarne Ørsnes
Keyword(s):  
Final Section ◽  
Negative Polarity ◽  
Negative Polarity Items ◽  
Polarity Items ◽  
Base Position ◽  
Special Construction ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Embedded Clauses ◽  
Quantifier Phrases ◽  
Rule Out

In Danish the base position of the negation and negated quantifier phrases is between the subject and the finite verb in embedded clauses. However, in embedded clauses introduced by a non-veridical complementizer such as hvis (ˋif') or om (ˋwhether') the negation and negated quantifier phrases can also appear between the complementizer and the subject. This phenomenon is referred to as preposed negation. The paper investigates the structure and semantics of this construction. It is argued that preposed negation is no adjunction structure, but a special construction where the negation element is a sister of the complementizer and the filler of a filler-gap-structure. It is further argued that preposed negation is associated with negated verum-focus of a clause lacking an (aboutness-) topic. The negation of a verum predicate explains why preposed negation fails to license strong negative polarity items and to rule out positive ones. The lack of a topic explains why preposed negation is preferred with non-referential subjects and with weak readings of indefinite subjects and why preposed negation is incompatible with topic-binding particles.The final section presents an HPSG-analysis of preposed negation using Minimal Recursion Semantics (MRS).

A Modified Chair Geometry for Whole Body Counting

1976 ◽  
Vol 15 (05) ◽  
pp. 246-247
Author(s):  
S. C. Jain ◽  
G. C. Bhola ◽  
A. Nagaratnam ◽  
M. M. Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Marked Improvement ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Spatial Response ◽  
Body Counting ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Whole Body Counting ◽  
The Buddha

SummaryIn the Marinelli chair, a geometry widely used in whole body counting, the lower part of the leg is seen quite inefficiently by the detector. The present paper describes an attempt to modify the standard chair geometry to minimise this limitation. The subject sits crossed-legged in the “Buddha Posture” in the standard chair. Studies with humanoid phantoms and a volunteer sitting in the Buddha posture show that this modification brings marked improvement over the Marinelli chair both from the point of view of sensitivity and uniformity of spatial response.

Sophie Laws, with Caroline Harper and Rachel Marcus. Research for Development: A Practical Guide. New Delhi: Vistaar Publications. 2003. xiii+475 pages. Paperback. Indian Rupees 450.00.

2003 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-172
Author(s):  
Mir Annice Mahmood
Keyword(s):  
Policy Research ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Basic Question ◽  
New Delhi ◽  
Economic Point ◽  
Scarce Resources ◽  
Is Research ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Development Workers

To implement any successful policy, research about the subject-matter is essential. Lack of knowledge would result in failure and, from an economic point of view, it would lead to a waste of scarce resources. The book under review is essentially a manual which highlights the use of research for development. The book is divided into two parts. Part One informs the reader about concepts and some theory, and Part Two deals with the issue of undertaking research for development. Both parts have 11 chapters each. Chapter 1 asks the basic question: Is research important in development work? The answer is that it is. Research has many dimensions: from the basic asking of questions to the more sophisticated broad-based analysis of policy issues. The chapter, in short, stresses the usefulness of research which development workers ignore at their own peril.

Effectiveness of Flood Protection Project Valuation Methods

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-289
Author(s):  
Tadeusz Liziński ◽  
Marcin Bukowski ◽  
Anna Wróblewska
Keyword(s):  
Essential Element ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Flood Protection ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Investment Projects ◽  
Market Values ◽  
Project Valuation ◽  
The Subject

Projects for flood protection are increasingly the subject of investment projects in the field of water management. This is related to the increasing frequency of worldwide threats caused by extreme weather conditions, including extremely high rainfall causing floods. Technical and nontechnical flood protection measures are also increasing in importance. In the decision-making process, it is necessary to take into account both the costs and benefits of avoiding losses, including an analysis of social benefits, whose valuation of non-market goods is an essential element. A comprehensive account of projects in the field of flood protection based on the estimated costs and benefits of the investment allows the economic efficiency from a general social point of view to be determined. Previous evaluations of the effectiveness of investment projects have mainly taken into account only categories and market values. The aim of the article is to identify the possibilities to expand the values of non-market assessments and categories formulated on the basis of the theoretical economics of the environment. 

Crimes against marriage and family before Criminal Code 1968

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 44-59
Author(s):  
Lidia Peneva
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Code ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Marriage And Family ◽  
Historical Method ◽  
Legal Method ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Criminal Groups ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Structural Point

Crimes against marriage and family are a particular group of social relation­ships that the law has defended properly in view of the high public significance and value they enjoy. At the moment they are regulated in Chapter VI, Section I, of the specific part of the Penal Code the Repub­lic of Bulgaria. The subject matter of this Statement will, however, be the legisla­tive provisions concerning these criminal­ized acts in retrospect. The purpose of the study is to show by historical method and through the comparatively legal method the development of these criminal groups during the periods of various criminal laws in Bulgaria. This will also provide a basis for reflection on possible de lege ferenda proposals. This report from a structural point of view will be divided into three distinct points, marking each of the penal laws in the Republic of Bulgaria, which were in force before 1968.

THE METADIALOGUE CONCEPT IN ITS LINGUISTIC ASPECT

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 721-726
Author(s):  
Yu.V. Kupriyanova ◽  
I.M. Vasilyanova
Keyword(s):  
Subject Matter ◽  
Dynamic Structure ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Semantic Relations ◽  
Human Cognition ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Key Points ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Linguistic Aspect

The article summarizes the key points in the development of the metadialogue phenomenon from a linguistic point of view. Some stages of the development of this concept and the difficulties associated with its structuring are covered. The main research findings of modern foreign and domestic experts on its study are considered. Some characteristics of the subject of the research from the standpoint of various pragmatic installations are given. On the basis of the dynamic structure of the metadialogue development, certain principles of semantic relations connected with the dialectical nature of human cognition are presented. Excursion into the history and evolution of the concept is presented. Several types of formulation of the subject matter are given. In accordance with the goal of speech exposure, internal problems of the development of metadialogue are highlighted and the critical points related to solving these problems are described. The rules of metadialogue flow are explained at the level of steps, the success/failure of which directly affects the final result of communication. The prospects of development of the concept research in accordance with various types of discourse are indicated.

An Islamic Framework for Employer-Employee Relationships

1992 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 202-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ramzan Akhtar
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Wage Structure ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Employee Relationships ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Islamic Institutions

IntroductionIslamic teachings envisage a balanced society achieved through thefunctioning of Islamic institutions. This paper visualizes three main institutions:ukhiwah, ‘adl, and ihsan. Ukhuwah (brotherhood) promotes the bonds ofbrotherhood, and ‘adl (justice) enforces a system of individual and socialobligations. Islam stresses the importance of meeting one’s obligations, becauseeach obligation has its corresponding right. Thus, an individual’s effort to meethidher obligations leads to the fulfillment of everyone’s rights. This does notmean that Islam forbids one from demanding hidher rights, even though thisdemand does pose a problem related to human nature: an individual wants his/herrights and also some part of another person’s rights. Therefore, one group’sdemand for its rights tends to encroach upon the rights of another group, whichcauses social friction and disorder. The institution of ihsan (benevolence) goesone step further: it exhorts individuals to forego their rights for the sake of others,which is considered an act of piety.This paper will study employer-employee relationships in the light of thethree institutions mentioned above. A framework for conducting employer-employeerelationships is formulated and is then used to determine, from theIslamic point of view, the proper wages. The findings of this paper show thatan economically efficient and equitable wage structure can evolve within thisframework and that such a wage structure would promote the parties’ mutualrelationships which, in turn, would lead to industrial peace.The body of the paper is organized as follows: a review of the existingliterature on the subject, the development of an Islamic framework for employer-employeerelationships, a discussion of the Islamic approach to wagecompensation, and some concluding remarks ...

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