Showing papers on "Naturalness published in 2004"

The Psychobiological Model: Towards a New Theory of Computer-Mediated Communication Based on Darwinian Evolution

Abstract: This article reviews theories of organizational communication with a special emphasis on theories that have been used to explain computer-mediated communication phenomena. Among the theories reviewed, two--social presence and media richness--are identified as problematic and as posing obstacles to future theoretical development. While shortcomings of these theories have been identified in the past, some of these theories' predictions have been supported by empirical evidence. It is argued that this theoretical dilemma can be resolved based upon principles derived from a modern version of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection and the application of those principles to the understanding of human evolution. A new theoretical model called the psychobiological model is developed, which predicts variations in cognitive effort in computer-mediated collaborative tasks. The model proposes that there is a negative causal link between the "naturalness" of a computer-mediated communication medium, which is the similarity of the medium to the face-to-face medium, and the cognitive effort required from an individual using the medium for knowledge transfer. The model also states that this link is counterbalanced by what are referred to as "schema alignment" and "cognitive adaptation." The schema alignment construct refers to the similarity between the mental schemas of an individual and those of other participant(s). The cognitive adaptation construct refers to an individual's level of schema development associated with the use of a particular medium. Finally, the model states that the degree to which the medium supports an individual's ability to convey and listen to speech is particularly significant in defining its naturalness, more so than the medium's degree of support for the use of facial expressions and body language. An example is offered of how the psychobiological model can be tested in the context provided by the customer support area of an online broker.

Trust and leadership in virtual teamwork: A media naturalness perspective

Abstract: Paradoxically, virtual teams are ubiquitous and often successful, contrary to most current communication theories'predictions. Media naturalness theory (Kock, 2001), an evolutionary perspective on communication and its principles of media naturalness, innate schema similarity, and learned schema diversity can be used to understand, study, and manage successful virtual teamwork. In particular, potential problems of trust and leadership in virtual teams are shown to be amenable to solutions rooted explicitly in an evolutionary context. From a media naturalness perspective, geographic distance and technological complexity are secondary to processes of adaptation, as humans remain the most complex and flexible part of the communication system. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Fat gravitons, the cosmological constant and submillimeter tests

Abstract: We reexamine the proposal that the resolution of the cosmological constant problem involves a submillimeter breakdown of the point-particle approximation for gravitons. No fundamental description of such a breakdown, which simultaneously preserves the point-particle nature of matter particles, is yet known. However, basic aspects of the self-consistency of the idea, such as the preservation of the macroscopic equivalence principle while satisfying the quantum naturalness of the cosmological constant, are addressed in this paper within a soft graviton effective theory. It builds on Weinberg's analysis of soft graviton couplings and standard heavy particle effective theory, and minimally encompasses the experimental regime of soft gravity coupled to hard matter. A qualitatively distinct signature for short-distance tests of gravity is discussed, bounded by naturalness to appear above approximately $20\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}.$

Towards a natural theory of dark energy: Supersymmetric large extra dimensions

Abstract: The first part of this article summarizes the evidence for Dark Energy and Dark Matter, as well as the naturalness issues which plague current theories of Dark Energy. The main point of this part is to argue why these naturalness issues should provide the central theoretical guidance for the search for a successful theory. The second part of the article describes the present status of what I regard as being the best mechanism yet proposed for addressing this issue: Six‐dimensional Supergravity with submillimetre‐sized Extra Dimensions (Supersymmetric Large Extra Dimensions, or SLED for short). Besides summarizing the SLED proposal itself, this section also describes the tests which this model has passed, the main criticisms which have been raised, and the remaining challenges which remain to be checked. The bottom line is that the proposal survives the tests which have been completed to date, and predicts several distinctive experimental signatures for cosmology, tests of gravity and for accelerator‐based particle physics.

Semantics of FODA Feature Diagrams

Abstract: Extended Feature Oriented Domain Analysis (FODA) Feature Diagrams (EFD) were introduced to compensate for a purported ambiguity and lack of precision and expressiveness of the original FODA feature diagrams (OFD). However, EFD never received a formal semantics, which is the hallmark of precision and unambiguity. We propose here a semantics for both diagrams. From this we demonstrate that OFD are precise, unambiguous, and expressively complete, and thus that all extensions add no expressiveness. A finer notion is thus needed to compare these languages. Two solutions are well-established: succinctness and embeddability, that measures naturalness of a language. This tool shows that EFD indeed bring some naturalness, but are harmfully redundant and that the same naturalness can be attained with the simpler varied FD (VFD). We also show that no ambiguity is present, in fact.

Development and Validation of a Method for Predicting the Perceived Naturalness of Sounds Subjected to Spectral Distortion

Abstract: In a previous study it was explored how the perceived naturalness of music and speech signals was affected by various forms of linear filtering. In the present paper a model is introduced to account for the results. The model is based on the assumption that changes in perceived naturalness produced by linear filtering can be characterized in terms of the changes in the excitation pattern produced by the filtering. The model takes into account both the magnitude of the changes in the excitation pattern and the rapidity with which the excitation pattern changes as a function of frequency. It also includes frequency-weighting functions to take into account the fact that naturalness is affected little by changes in amplitude response at very low and very high frequencies. The model accounts very well for the data presented in the earlier study. Two validation experiments were conducted in which naturalness ratings were obtained for speech and music stimuli passed through new sets of linear filters, including filters based on the measured frequency responses of real transducers. The model predicted the results of these experiments well.

The consequences of the concept of naturalness for organic plant breeding and propagation

Abstract: Organic agriculture is enhancing specific plant breeding activities to meet its requirements for varieties better adapted to the specific organic environment. In the past five years, therefore, attempts have been made to translate the principles of organic farming into rules, regulations and guidelines for organic plant breeding and propagation. These principles are based on the concept of naturalness, which includes three complementary approaches: the non-chemical approach, the agro-ecological approach and the integrity approach. Departing from the concept of naturalness, criteria have been developed to evaluate existing plant breeding and propagation techniques for their compliance to the principles of organic agriculture. Each of the three approaches of the concept of naturalness has major consequences. If these consequences are taken seriously, plant breeding and propagation strategies and techniques for organic farming will greatly differ from breeding and propagation for conventional farming. To better understand the choices to be made and to make them acceptable to the mainstream seed industry, it is necessary to further clarify the underlying framework. This paper provides this clarification by analysing the cognitive, emotive, and normative dimensions of the three approaches. Distinguishing the three different approaches of naturalness in organic agriculture, as well as their three dimensions, and analysing the consequences for the breeding and propagation strategies and techniques can also help to identify and prioritize short-term and long-term steps for the practical development of organic seed production and plant breeding.

Naturalness in biological conservation

Abstract: Conservation scientists are arguing whether naturalness provides a reasonable “imperative” for conservation. To clarify this debate and the interpretation of the term “natural,” I analyze three management strategies – ecosystem preservation, ecosystem restoration, and ecosystem engineering – with respect to the naturalness of their outcomes. This analysis consists in two parts. First, the ambiguous term “natural” is defined in a variety of ways, including (1) naturalness as that which is part of nature, (2) naturalness as a contrast to artifactuality, (3) naturalness as an historical independence from human actions, and (4) naturalness as possession of certain properties. After that, I analyze the different conceptions with respect to their implications for the three management strategies. The main conclusion is that there exists no single conception of naturalness that could distinguish between the outcomes of the three management methods. Therefore, as long as the outcomes of the different methods are regarded as being of a different value in conservation, we should either abandon the idea of naturalness as the guiding concept in conservation or use the term “natural” only in the ways that take both its historical and feature dependent meanings into consideration.

Towards a Natural Theory of Dark Energy: Supersymmetric Large Extra Dimensions

Abstract: The first part of this article summarizes the evidence for Dark Energy and Dark Matter, as well as the naturalness issues which plague current theories of Dark Energy. The main point of this part is to argue why these naturalness issues should provide the central theoretical guidance for the search for a successful theory. The second part of the article describes the present status of what I regard as being the best mechanism yet proposed for addressing this issue: Six-dimensional Supergravity with submillimetre-sized Extra Dimensions (Supersymmetric Large Extra Dimensions, or SLED for short). Besides summarizing the SLED proposal itself, this section also describes the tests which this model has passed, the main criticisms which have been raised, and the remaining challenges which remain to be checked. The bottom line is that the proposal survives the tests which have been completed to date, and predicts several distinctive experimental signatures for cosmology, tests of gravity and for accelerator-based particle physics.

The (im)morality of (un)naturalness.

Abstract: In discussions among nonphilosophers, the ethical argument from naturalness frequently comes up. “Of course, cloning should be banned—it is unnatural.” “Surely you cannot deny that homosexuality is unnatural (and hence it should be condemned).” “The immorality of gene technology is apparent because things like that do not happen in nature. Genes do not jump between species and crossbreeding produces infertile offspring.” Even those who come from a philosophical background can catch themselves thinking, “That is unnatural!” and finding grounds for suspicion from the thought. But what do we mean when we talk about (im)morality and (un)naturalness? What interpretations can be given to the ideas of natural and unnatural in ethical discussions? What are the implications of these interpretations? Are there good grounds for assuming that naturalness is morally better than its opposite?This paper was first presented at the Fourth International Bioethics Retreat in Paris, May 2001. I wish to thank the participants for their comments on my paper. This paper was produced as a part of the project Genes, Information, and Business, financed in 2000–2003 by the Academy of Finland.

Toward spontaneous speech Synthesis-utilizing language model information in TTS

Abstract: State-of-the-art speech synthesis systems achieve a high overall quality. However, synthesized speech still lacks naturalness. To produce more natural and colloquial synthetic speech, our research focuses on integration of effects present in spontaneous speech. Conventional speech synthesis systems do not consider the probability of a word in its context. Recent investigations on corpora of natural speech showed that words that are very likely to occur in a given context are pronounced less accurately and faster than improbable ones. In this paper three approaches are introduced to model this effect found in spontaneous speech. The first algorithm changes the speaking rate directly by shortening or lengthening the syllables of a word depending on the language model probability of that word. Since probable words are not only pronounced faster but also less accurately this approach was extended by selecting appropriate pronunciation variants of a word according to the language model probability. This second algorithm changes the local speaking rate indirectly by controlling the grapheme-phoneme conversion. In a third stage, a pronunciation sequence model was used to select the appropriate variants according to their sequence probability. In listening experiments test participants were asked to rate the synthesized speech in the categories colloquial impression and naturalness. Our approaches achieved a significant improvement in the category colloquial impression. However, no significantly higher naturalness could be observed. The observed effects will be discussed in detail.

Supersymmetry, naturalness and the landscape

Abstract: We argue that the study of the statistics of the landscape of string vacua provides the first potentially predictive -- and also falsifiable -- framework for string theory. The question of whether the theory does or does not predict low energy supersymmetry breaking may well be the most accessible to analysis. We argue that low energy -- possibly very low energy -- supersymmetry breaking is likely to emerge, and enumerate questions which must be answered in order to make a definitive prediction.

Alpha, beta and gamma features in translation: towards the objectivity of testing translationi

Abstract: This article aims at introducing a rather brand new model to score a translation more objectively than before. Here, the three key concepts of accuracy, clarity and naturalness have been discussed and exemplified in details. Also, a number of mathematical parametric values have been applied to the three criteria of the study; then the formulaic representation, including some equations, have been elaborated on. It should be noted that the applicability scope of this model is not ample enough to cover a wide range of units of translation, however, its main concern in terms of translation testing is to state that it is rather unfair to claim that scoring a piece of translation objectively is completely impossible. Attempts have been made here to explain everything in a straightforward and understandable language so that the readership would be able to follow the topics without any problem.

Supersymmetry, Naturalness and the Landscape

Abstract: We argue that the study of the statistics of the landscape of string vacua provides the first potentially predictive -- and also falsifiable -- framework for string theory. The question of whether the theory does or does not predict low energy supersymmetry breaking may well be the most accessible to analysis. We argue that low energy -- possibly very low energy -- supersymmetry breaking is likely to emerge, and enumerate questions which must be answered in order to make a definitive prediction.

Prosody Phrase Break Prediction Based on Maximum Entropy Model

Abstract: In TTS (Text-To-Speech) systems, prosody phrase breaks can not be predicted with high accuracy, which slows down the improvement of naturalness of synthesized speech. In this paper, a maximum entropy based model for prosody phrase break prediction is proposed, and a comparison is conducted on large corpora between the new model and the decision tree based model which is the mainstream method for prosody phrase break prediction. The contribution of lexical feature set and influences of different cutoff values are also investigated. It is demonstrated that, utilizing the same feature set, maximum entropy based model makes an improvement of 5.5% on F-Score over decision tree based model. Integrating lexical information, an improvement of 9.4% over decision tree based model is achieved. In the end, it is pointed out that a maximum entropy model can be considered as a weighted rule system, which solves the problem of rule conflicting in an elegant way.

Fractal Dimension as a Tool for Defining and Measuring Naturalness

Abstract: Perceived naturalness has been identified as one of the most important predictors of landscape preference (see, for example, Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989). Yet the physical attributes identified are still fuzzy. Naturalness is commonly associated with how dominant vegetation is in a scene or the extent of human-induced change. However, recent research has shown that such conceptions of naturalness cannot account for all of the data (Purcell et al., 1994, Purcell & Lamb, 1998). The purpose of this paper is to discuss the possible use of fractal geometry as a tool for defining and measuring naturalness. Fractals are often viewed as a new geometry because they are fundamentally different from traditional so-called Euclidean geomtries, such as circle and squares, developed by mankind. Mathematical description of forms found in nature played an important role in the development of fractal geometry (Mandelbrot, 1983) and a large body of subsequent work has since shown that a wide range of natural phenomena are fractal (see, for example, Barnsley et al., 1988; Barnsley, 1993). The term fractal is used to describe fractured shapes, which have the characteristic of being self-similar. This means that the same pattern will appear again and again when a fractal object is viewed at increasingly fine magnifications. This special quality of scale invariance can be identified and quantified by a parameter called the fractal dimension, D. This paper reports preliminary data examining correlations between the fractal dimension, D, and rated naturalness of landscape scenes. Recent work by the author and colleagues has similarly shown a possible connection between landscape preference and the fractal dimension (Hagerhall et al., submitted manuscript). Studies have indicated that mid range D values may be the most preferred (Aks & Sprott, 1996; Taylor, 2001). Preliminary work by Taylor and colleagues has also shown that fractal scenes with mid range D values may have a particularly good damping effect on stress levels (Taylor et al, manuscript) The collective findings give rise to the hypothesis that the fractal dimension could provide part of the explanation to the well-documented connection between environmental preference and naturalness. However, empirical data on connections between fractal properties and perceptual and physiological responses are still scarce which means that any conclusions must be treated with considerable caution at this stage. From the point of landscape perception and landscape architecture and design the fractal dimension is particularly interesting since it is a perceived dimension and a parameter that can be used directly in design work. Furthermore, the fractal dimension could be applied also to built environments (Bovill, 1996; Taylor, 2001), which provides possibilities to expand the idea of naturalness and the positive effect of natural forms and natural qualities to mixed or completely built environments.

Naturalness and the Landscape

Abstract: In this paper I review some arguments of Douglas and myself concerning the concept of naturalness in string theory I explain why the usual argument for low energy supersymmetry do not apply in this context An incorrect argument in \cite{Susskind} is corrected The statistical properties of the Landscape of vacua are strongly biased against low energy supersymmetry

Remark on Natural Models of Neutrinos

Abstract: We comment on what the naturalness argument of 't Hooft implies for a minimal extension of the standard model which incorporates right-handed neutrinos with generic mass terms. If this Lagrangian is taken as a low energy effective theory, the idea of pseudo-Dirac neutrinos with very small masses is consistent with the naturalness argument of 't Hooft. This argument is based on an observation that the right-handed components of neutrinos in the massless limit exhibit an extra enhanced symmetry which is absent in other charged fermions. This enhanced symmetry is reminiscent of the Nambu-Goldstone fermions associated with spontaneously broken supersymmetry. The conventional seesaw scenario gives another natural solution if the ultra-heavy right-handed neutrinos are integrated out in defining a low energy effective theory.

Remark on a Generic and Natural Model of Neutrinos

Abstract: We comment on what the naturalness argument of 't Hooft implies for a minimal extension of the standard model which incorporates right-handed neutrinos with generic mass terms. If this Lagrangian is taken as a low energy effective theory, the idea of pseudo-Dirac neutrinos with very small masses is consistent with the naturalness argument of 't Hooft. This argument is based on an observation that the right-handed components of neutrinos in the massless limit exhibit an extra enhanced symmetry which is absent in other charged fermions. This enhanced symmetry is reminiscent of the Nambu-Goldstone fermions associated with spontaneously broken supersymmetry. The conventional seesaw scenario gives another natural solution if the ultra-heavy right-handed neutrinos are integrated out in defining a low energy effective theory.

Naturalness in an effective field theory for neutron star matter

Abstract: High density hadronic matter is studied in a generalized relativistic multi-baryon Lagrangian density mean field approach which contains nonlinear couplings of the σ, ω, ϱ fields. We compare the predictions of our model with estimates obtained within a phenomenological naive dimensional analysis based on the naturalness of the coefficients of the theory. Upon adjusting the model parameters to describe bulk static properties of ordinary nuclear matter, we show that our approach represents a natural modelling of nuclear matter under the extreme conditions of density as the ones found in the interior of neutron stars. Moreover, we show that naturalness play a major role in effective field theory and, in combination with experiment, could represent a relevant criterium to select a model among others in the description of global static properties of neutron stars.

A model for defining complexity in descriptive text type

Abstract: This paper is an extension of previous research aimed at defining and explaining the notion of text complexity. Previous definitions of text complexity in the literature were mainly based on a conflation of this notion with that of processing difficulty, whose motivations were traced back in psychological filtering or, also and especially, in quantitative (rather than qualitative) text complications. The purpose of the present approach is first of all that of using theory-bound, objective, i.e. linguistic criteria capable of rendering text complexity identifiable independently of the contextual variable of text users, and secondly that of overcoming purely quantitative explanations. This paper will try to demonstrate that such results can be achieved by having recourse to a theory of complex systems as established in sciences, integrated in a theory of naturalness/markedness. According to the present theoretical model, complexity emerges as a consequence of marked linguistic and textual choices interplaying in the text and can be described and modelled with recourse to semiotic categories and textual perspectives. Its emergence is always motivated and can be explained and predicted. Markedness has different realizations across text types and accordingly generates different types of complexity. This paper especially concentrates on complexity in descriptive text type (description of stationary scenes as occurring in various genres), but will also touch upon the narrative type to show the general applicability of the model and the varied configurations of markedness and complexity across text types.

Ethics Naturally: An Environmental Ethic Based on Naturalness

Abstract: In this thesis I attempt to base an environmental ethic on a quality called naturalness. I examine it in terms of quantification, namely, as to whether it can quantified? I then apply the concept to specific areas such as restoration and conservation to create an environmental ethic and to show how such an ethic would be beneficial in general, and especially to policy issues concerning the environment. The thesis consists of three chapters: (1) the definition of nature and natural by way of a historical approach; (2) the place of humans in this scheme; and (3) the place of value and the discussion concerning quantification.

Discussion on Forest Naturalness Evaluation by Using Analytical Hierarchy Process

Abstract: In this paper,based on the successive inventory data obtained in Mountainous region of Hebei Province, a regional forestry naturalness evaluation was proposed for natural composition index, biological diversity and degree of disturbance from human's activity. The corresponding indicator system and evaluation method were put forward. The weight values of evaluation indexes and the comprehensive quality index of forestry naturalness are calculated by using analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The status of forest vegetation in the mountainous region of Hebei Province was also looked into. Based on analysis of the results, the forest naturalness was evaluated.

Accuracy,clarity and naturalness in translation of religious texts

Abstract: Intelligibility of the meaning, normality of the style, and naturalness of the language all are of prime importance in translated texts, but they are not the only factors to be taken into account in evaluating a translation. The original text is considered as the keystone in assessing the accuracy and adequacy of a translated text. It may happen that a translation is clear and intelligible in its meaning, normal in its style, and natural in its language, but does not correspond to the original in the content of the message. That is, neither the intelligibility nor the naturalness of a translation is a sign of its faithfulness to the original. This study is an attempt to discuss the significance of accuracy, clarity and naturalness in religious translations in order to find out how much these criteria are important and influential in evaluating such translations.