This thesis explores the connection between linguistic theory, as embodied in a version of the Government - Binding (GB) model of syntax, and the parameter-setting theory of language acquisition. In Chapter 2, it is argued that by incorporating the criterion of epistemological priority, syntactic theory can move closer towards becoming a plausible model of language acquisition. A version of GB theory is developed which adopts this criterion, leading to several modifications, including the derivation of X-bar theory from more "primitive" grammatical sub-components, and a revision of the Projection Principle. This model is converted into a procedure for phrase-structure acquisition, employing sets of Canonical Government Configurations and Percolation Principles to map Case- and θ-relations onto phrase-structure trees. The chapter ends with a discussion of the "missing-subject" stage in the acquisition of English. Chapter 3 concerns auxiliaries. It is argued that parametric variation in auxiliary systems can be reduced to levels of association between INFL and V. The question of irregularity is dealt with through the Designation Convention of Emonds (1985), which makes a distinction between open- and closed- class grammatical elements, and a Parallel Distributed Processing model of learning. The last part of the chapter investigates the learning of the English auxiliary system, and in particular the errors known as "auxiliary overmarking". Chapter 4 investigates the syntax of Subject Auxiliary Inversion (SAI)-type rules. An account of inversion is developed based on the theory of predication, in which inversion-inducing elements are treated as "A'-type" subjects which must be linked to AGR in order to satisfy conditions on Predicate-licensing. A parametrization is developed based on the cross-linguistic examination of SAI-type rules. Chapter 5 concerns the acquisition of SAI. It is argued that there are no invariant "stages" in the development of inversion; rather, a proportion of children misanalyze (WH + contracted auxiliary) sequences as (WH + AGR-clitic) sequences and formulate grammars in which SAI is unnecessary. A "two-tiered" theory of syntactic acquisition is proposed to account for the observed developmental patterns. / Arts, Faculty of / Linguistics, Department of / Graduate

Traditional views of grammatical theory hold that languages are characterised by sets of constructions. This approach entails the enumeration of all possible constructions for each language being described. Current theories of transformational generative grammar have established an alternative position. Specifically, Chomsky's Government-Binding theory proposes a system of principles which are common to human language. Such a theory is referred to as a "Universal Grammar"(UG). Associated with the principles of grammar are parameters of variation which account for the diversity of human languages. The grammar for a particular language is known as a "Core Grammar", and is characterised by an appropriately parametrised instance of UG. Despite these advances in linguistic theory, construction-based approaches have remained the status quo within the field of natural language processing. This thesis investigates the possibility of developing a principle-based system which reflects the modular nature of the linguistic theory. That is, rather than stipulating the possible constructions of a language, a system is developed which uses the principles of grammar and language specific parameters to parse language. Specifically, a system-is presented which performs syntactic analysis and translation for a subset of English and German. The cross-linguistic nature of the theory is reflected by the system which can be considered a procedural model of UG. / Science, Faculty of / Computer Science, Department of / Graduate

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We integrate theoretical, computational and data-driven approaches for the sake of understanding, design and discovery of metal based catalysts. Firstly, we develop theoretical frameworks for predicting electronic descriptors of transition and noble metal alloys, including a physics model of d-band center, and a tight-binding theory of d-band moments to systematically elucidate the distinct electronic structures of novel catalysts. Within this framework, the hybridization of semi-empirical theories with graph neural network and attribution analysis enables accurate prediction equipped with mechanistic insights. In addition, novel physics effect controlling surface reactivity beyond conventional understanding is uncovered. Secondly, we develop a computational and data-driven framework to model high entropy alloy (HEA) catalysis, incorporating thermodynamic descriptor-based phase stability evaluation, surface segregation modeling by deep learning potential-driven molecular simulation and activity prediction through machine learning-embedded electrokinetic model. With this framework, we successfully elucidate the experimentally observed improved activity of PtPdCuNiCo HEA in oxygen reduction reaction. Thirdly, a Bayesian optimization framework is employed to optimize racemic lactide polymerization by searching for stereoselective aluminum (Al) -complex catalysts. We identified multiple new Al-complex molecules that catalyzed either isoselective or heteroselective polymerization. In addition, feature attribution analysis uncovered mechanistically meaningful ligand descriptors that can access quantitative and predictive models for catalyst development. / Doctor of Philosophy / In addressing the critical issues of climate change, energy scarcity, and pollution, the drive towards a sustainable economy has made catalysis a key area of focus. Computational chemistry has revolutionized our understanding of catalysts, especially in identifying and analyzing their active sites. Furthermore, the integration of open-access data and advanced computing has elevated data science as a crucial component in catalysis research. This synergy of computational and data-driven approaches is advancing the development of innovative catalytic materials, marking a significant stride in tackling environmental challenges. In my PhD research, I mainly work on the development of computational and data-driven methods for better understanding, design and discovery of catalytic materials. Firstly, I develop physics models for people to intuitively understand the reactivity of transition and noble metal catalysts. Then I embed the physics models into deep learning models for accurate and insightful predictions. Secondly, for a class of complex metal catalysts called high-entropy alloy (HEA) which is hard to model, I develop a modeling framework by hybridizing computational and data-driven approaches. With this framework, we successfully elucidate the experimentally observed improved activity of PtPdCuNiCo HEA in oxygen reduction reaction which is a key reaction in fuel cell technology. Thirdly, I develop a framework to virtually screen catalyst molecules to optimize polymerization reaction and provide potential candidates to our experimental collaborator to synthesize. Our collaboration leads to the discovery of novel high-performance molecular catalysts.

O objetivo desta dissertação é discutir casos em que a forma ele do português brasileiro (PB) pode aparecer localmente ligada. Dois experimentos foram conduzidos: no Experimento I, falantes nativos adultos de PB e crianças adquirindo essa língua recusaram a leitura localmente ligada do ele quando este era objeto direto de um verbo. No Experimento II, por outro lado, adultos e crianças aceitaram a ligação local do ele quando a forma era complemento de uma preposição. Observou-se também uma associação entre a aceitabilidade da ligação local do ele dentro de PPs e a natureza semântica do predicado: diante predicados de reflexividade improvável, adultos e crianças permitiram a ligação local do ele significativamente mais em predicados de reflexividade provável do que improvável. Baseando-me em Hornstein (2001), assumo que o pronome ele ligado é um elemento que é inserido como último recurso nos contextos preposicionais, dada a impossibilidade de movimento para fora de PPs no PB. / This dissertation aims to discuss cases in which the form ele in Brazilian Portuguese (BP) can be locally bound. Two experiments were conducted: in the first one, adult speakers of BP and children acquiring this language refused the locally bound reading of ele when it was the direct object of a verb. On the other hand, in the second experiment, adults and children allowed the locally bound reading of ele when it was inside a PP. We noted an association between the acceptability of the bound reading of ele and the semantic nature of the predicate: the children and adults tested allowed local binding of ele significantly more often with probable reflexive verbs, than with improbable ones. Following Hornstein (2001), I assume that the bound pronoun ele is an elsewhere element that is inserted in prepositional contexts, due to the absence of preposition stranding in BP.

O objetivo desta dissertação é discutir casos em que a forma ele do português brasileiro (PB) pode aparecer localmente ligada. Dois experimentos foram conduzidos: no Experimento I, falantes nativos adultos de PB e crianças adquirindo essa língua recusaram a leitura localmente ligada do ele quando este era objeto direto de um verbo. No Experimento II, por outro lado, adultos e crianças aceitaram a ligação local do ele quando a forma era complemento de uma preposição. Observou-se também uma associação entre a aceitabilidade da ligação local do ele dentro de PPs e a natureza semântica do predicado: diante predicados de reflexividade improvável, adultos e crianças permitiram a ligação local do ele significativamente mais em predicados de reflexividade provável do que improvável. Baseando-me em Hornstein (2001), assumo que o pronome ele ligado é um elemento que é inserido como último recurso nos contextos preposicionais, dada a impossibilidade de movimento para fora de PPs no PB. / This dissertation aims to discuss cases in which the form ele in Brazilian Portuguese (BP) can be locally bound. Two experiments were conducted: in the first one, adult speakers of BP and children acquiring this language refused the locally bound reading of ele when it was the direct object of a verb. On the other hand, in the second experiment, adults and children allowed the locally bound reading of ele when it was inside a PP. We noted an association between the acceptability of the bound reading of ele and the semantic nature of the predicate: the children and adults tested allowed local binding of ele significantly more often with probable reflexive verbs, than with improbable ones. Following Hornstein (2001), I assume that the bound pronoun ele is an elsewhere element that is inserted in prepositional contexts, due to the absence of preposition stranding in BP.

Thesis (doctoral)--Rijksuniversiteit te Leiden, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [173]-180).

Thesis (doctoral)--Rijksuniversiteit te Leiden, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [173]-180).