A measure of statistical complexity based on predictive information

We introduce an information theoretic measure of statistical structure, called 'binding information', for sets of random variables, and compare it with several previously proposed measures including excess entropy, Bialek et al.'s predictive information, and the multi-information. We derive some of the properties of the binding information, particularly in relation to the multi-information, and show that, for finite sets of binary random variables, the processes which maximises binding information are the 'parity' processes. Finally we discuss some of the implications this has for the use of the binding information as a measure of complexity.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Towards music perception by redundancy reduction and unsupervised learning in probabilistic models

PhDThe study of music perception lies at the intersection of several disciplines: perceptual psychology and cognitive science, musicology, psychoacoustics, and acoustical signal processing amongst others. Developments in perceptual theory over the last fifty years have emphasised an approach based on Shannon’s information theory and its basis in probabilistic systems, and in particular, the idea that perceptual systems in animals develop through a process of unsupervised learning in response to natural sensory stimulation, whereby the emerging computational structures are well adapted to the statistical structure of natural scenes. In turn, these ideas are being applied to problems in music perception. This thesis is an investigation of the principle of redundancy reduction through unsupervised learning, as applied to representations of sound and music. In the first part, previous work is reviewed, drawing on literature from some of the fields mentioned above, and an argument presented in support of the idea that perception in general and music perception in particular can indeed be accommodated within a framework of unsupervised learning in probabilistic models. In the second part, two related methods are applied to two different low-level representations. Firstly, linear redundancy reduction (Independent Component Analysis) is applied to acoustic waveforms of speech and music. Secondly, the related method of sparse coding is applied to a spectral representation of polyphonic music, which proves to be enough both to recognise that the individual notes are the important structural elements, and to recover a rough transcription of the music. Finally, the concepts of distance and similarity are considered, drawing in ideas about noise, phase invariance, and topological maps. Some ecologically and information theoretically motivated distance measures are suggested, and put in to practice in a novel method, using multidimensional scaling (MDS), for visualising geometrically the dependency structure in a distributed representation.Engineering and Physical Science Research Counci

A Backtracking-Based Algorithm for Computing Hypertree-Decompositions

Hypertree decompositions of hypergraphs are a generalization of tree decompositions of graphs. The corresponding hypertree-width is a measure for the cyclicity and therefore tractability of the encoded computation problem. Many NP-hard decision and computation problems are known to be tractable on instances whose structure corresponds to hypergraphs of bounded hypertree-width. Intuitively, the smaller the hypertree-width, the faster the computation problem can be solved. In this paper, we present the new backtracking-based algorithm det-k-decomp for computing hypertree decompositions of small width. Our benchmark evaluations have shown that det-k-decomp significantly outperforms opt-k-decomp, the only exact hypertree decomposition algorithm so far. Even compared to the best heuristic algorithm, we obtained competitive results as long as the hypergraphs are not too large.Comment: 19 pages, 6 figures, 3 table

Cluster soft sets and cluster soft topologies

The cluster soft point is an attempt to introduce a novel generalization of the soft closure point and the soft limit point. A cluster soft set is defined to be the system of all cluster soft points of a soft set. Then the fundamental properties of cluster soft sets are demonstrated. Moreover, the concept of a cluster soft topology on a universal set is introduced with regard to the cluster soft sets. The cluster soft topology is derived from a soft topology with an associated soft ideal, but it is finer than the original soft topology. On the other hand, if we start constructing the cluster soft topology from another cluster soft topology, we will end up with the first cluster soft topology we started with. The implication of cluster soft topologies is highlighted using some examples. Eventually, we represent the cluster soft closed sets in terms of several forms of soft sets

The Role of Self-Awareness in Predicting the Level of Emotional Regulation Difficulties among Faculty Members

University faculty members seek to regulate emotions to achieve professional and social goals in the work environment. The process of emotion regulation is influenced by self-awareness, as self-awareness is an important predictor of self-regulation, and the outcomes of the self-regulation process depend, in part, on the level of self-awareness. The purpose of the present paper was to examine whether or not self-awareness is used to predict emotional regulation difficulties among faculty members. The current quantitative study was designed using a survey research design. The participants comprised 172 faculty members from Philadelphia University in Jordan, the Arab Open University in Jordan, and Al Falah University in the U.A.E. Data were collected using the Self-Awareness Scale (SAS) and Emotional Regulation Difficulties Scale (ERDS). The researchers revealed that increasing the self-awareness subscale (self-critical) decreases the non-acceptance of emotional responses. The researchers also found that when there is an increase in the self-awareness subscale (desire for realistic awareness), there is a tendency toward lower levels of non-acceptance of emotional responses and difficulties engaging in goal-directed. Researchers also came to that an increase in the self-awareness subscale (self-reflection) decreases the non-acceptance of emotional responses, difficulties engaging in goal-directed and impulse control difficulties. The researchers concluded there is a need to work on university faculties' self-awareness and emotional regulation to balance realistic awareness and emotional responses related to task engagement and control difficulties. Based on the findings, it is concluded that it is necessary to pay attention to enhancing self-awareness and emotion regulation among faculty members in general and conduct more scientific studies on emotional regulation difficulties to examine their relationship with other variables. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2023-07-04-017 Full Text: PD

Consequences of Design Decisions on Material Waste during Construction Survey of Architects’ Point of View, the Case of Jordan

The price of crude oil is ever increasing in Jordan. Energy is the main and most fundamental source for economy and construction industries. Given the fact that material manufacturing and construction in building sector need certain amounts of energy, which is called “embodied energy”. The increase of energy prices is reflected on material manufacturing and therefore, any waste means energy waste and more environmental pollution. Construction waste minimization and management are considered as indicators for sustainable construction. Construction industry is considered as one of the major pillars in the Jordanian economy; consequently, it contributes to a high percent of the national energy bill among many other sectors. This may be considered one of the major reasons to consider the study of building materials in the Jordanian construction sector. Construction waste increases the cost of building as the energy and natural resources are consumed during manufacturing. The construction industry fundamental aims are to reduce the wastage of construction materials. This study addresses the incidence of material waste in the Jordanian construction industry and sheds light on decision making during the design phase and its effect on material wastage during construction. This study is intended for the material wastage reduction during construction as a tool to reduce construction costs in Jordan and consequently to reduce the oil bill. At the end, this paper points out the design related major causes of material wastage during construction through a questionnaire designed by the authors

Green Human Resource Management Practices Among Palestinian Manufacturing Firms- An Exploratory Study

Organizations are increasingly finding it challenging to balance economic and environmental performance particularly those that face competitive, regulatory and community pressure. With the increasing pressures for environmental sustainability, this calls for the new formulation of strategies by the manufacturers in order to minimize their products and services negative impact on the environment. Hence, Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) continues to be an important research agenda among the researchers. In Palestine, green issues are new and still developing. Constant study is needed to fully understand and update information regarding this area. Objective: The aim of this paper is to explore the views and level of acceptance of GHRM practices among manufacturing firms in Palestine. Results: Through the use of e-mail survey, 121 responses were obtained to generate the results of the study. The result showed GHRM practices have been practiced to somewhat to a greater extent a firms in Palestine. Findings can be extended to study on the issues in further. Academicians and practitioners can apply this result to their research and business strategies on how to improve sustainable performance and to effectively implement GHRM practices