In this paper, the simulated annealing Q-learning (SA-Q) algorithm is adopted to automatically learn the optimal dialogue strategy of a spoken dialogue system. Several simulations and experiments considering different user behaviors and speech recognizer performance are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the SA-Q learning approach. Moreover, the automatically learned strategy is applied t...

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive strategy instruction on English reading comprehension of Iranian advanced students. A total of 60 participants took part in the present study. The participants (n=20) in one experimental group were provided with the cognitive training condition only, while the participants (n=20) in the other experimental group were exposed to both a...

A vocal conversion system that can synthesize a singing voice given a speaking voice and a musical score is proposed. It is based on the speech manipulation system STRAIGHT [1], and comprises three models controlling three acoustic features unique to singing voices: the F0, duration, and spectral envelope. Given the musical score and its tempo, the F0 control model generates the F0 contour of t...

Inoculation theory offers a framework for protecting individuals against challenges to an existing attitude, belief, or state. Despite the prevalence and damaging effects of public speaking anxiety, inoculation strategies have yet to be used to help individuals remain calm before and during public speaking. We aimed to test the effectiveness of an inoculation message for reducing the onset of p...

nowadays, outsourcing is viewed as a trade strategy and organizations tend to adopt new strategies to achieve competitive advantages in the current world of business. focusing on main copmpetencies, and transferring most of activities to outside resources of organization( outsourcing) is one such strategy is. in this paper, we aim to decide on decision maker agent of transportation system, by a...

The strategic pricing decisions of assembly products in assembly products supply chain are studied in this paper. Firstly, a two-stage assembly products supply chain model is developed. By building Nash game model, the Nash equilibrium solution of pricing strategy of supplier and assemblers is obtained. Next, a union decision model is built to analyze the optimal combination pricing strategy of...

the present study was conducted to compare the effect of individual and group pre-task planning on efl learners’ accuracy and complexity in speaking. to fulfill the purpose of the study, 60 intermediate female learners at the first grade of high school were chosen by means of a sample preliminary english test (pet) and randomly divided into two experimental groups of 30 students; the individual...

chooshing the knowledge management strategy is affected by different organizational factors like business strategy, organizational structure, organizational culture, information technology strategy, human resource management, and dynamics of knowledge. it is difficult for strategists to consider all these factors in choosing appropriate km strategy. in this research after presenting a six step ...