When do languages use the same word for different meanings? The Goldilocks Principle in colexification

Lexical ambiguity is pervasive in language, and often systematic. For instance, the Spanish word "dedo" refers to both a toe and a finger, and this TOE-FINGER ambiguity is found in over 100 languages. Previous work shows that systematic ambiguities involve related meanings. This is attributed to cognitive pressure towards simplicity in language, as it makes lexicons easier to learn and use. The present study examines the interplay between this pressure and the competing pressure for languages to support accurate information transfer. We hypothesize that ambiguity follows a Goldilocks principle that balances the two pressures: meanings are more likely to attach to the same word when they are related to an optimal degree ---neither too much, nor too little. We find support for this principle in data from over 1200 languages and 1400 meanings. Our results thus suggest that universal forces shape the lexicons of natural languages.

Optimal Degree of Hybridization for Spark-Ignited Engines with Optional Variable Valve Timings

The electric hybridization of vehicles with an internal combustion engine is an effective measure to reduce CO2 emissions. However, the identification of the dimension and the sufficient complexity of the powertrain parts such as the engine, electric machine, and battery is not trivial. This paper investigates the influence of the technological advancement of an internal combustion engine and the sizing of all propulsion components on the optimal degree of hybridization and the corresponding fuel consumption reduction. Thus, a turbocharged and a naturally aspirated engine are both modeled with the additional option of either a fixed camshaft or a fully variable valve train. All models are based on data obtained from measurements on engine test benches. We apply dynamic programming to find the globally optimal operating strategy for the driving cycle chosen. Depending on the engine type, a reduction in fuel consumption by up to 32% is achieved with a degree of hybridization of 45%. Depending on the degree of hybridization, a fully variable valve train reduces the fuel consumption additionally by up to 9% and advances the optimal degree of hybridization to 50%. Furthermore, a sufficiently high degree of hybridization renders the gearbox obsolete, which permits simpler vehicle concepts to be derived. A degree of hybridization of 65% is found to be fuel optimal for a vehicle with a fixed transmission ratio. Its fuel economy diverges less than 4% from the optimal fuel economy of a hybrid electric vehicle equipped with a gearbox.

Analytical determination of DNA melting characteristic parameters using the optimal degree polynomial regression model

The article describes a new technique for determining two main parameters of DNA melting: the melting temperature Tm and the temperature melting range ΔT, based on the plotting of an approximating polynomial function for the DNA melting curve. An algorithm is proposed for reducing the melting curve to approximation by the fourth degree polynomial function in accordance with the physical aspect of the DNA melting process. The correctness of the optimal degree choice from the condition of minimizing the value of the Akaike’s information criterion corrected has been confirmed. Analytical expressions for calculating the values of Tm and ΔT are given oriented to a polynomial function of the fourth degree. Results comparison of applying the proposed and well-known techniques based on the experimental data is performed. The advantages of the new technique are revealed.

TO CALCULATION OF THE OPTIMAL DEGREE OF DAMAGE TO A BUILDING BY SEISMIC IMPACT

Дана постановка задачи по расчету оптимальной степени поврждения здания при сейсмическом воздействии. Условие оптимизационного расчета записано в виде вероятностно-экономической целевой функции, где начальные затраты на антисейсмическое усиление здания уравновешиваются с вероятностыми потерями, связанными с наступлением той или иной степени повреждения здания. Вероятность безотказности здания, соответствующая данному уравновешенному состоянию, названа оптимальной надежностью, а степень повреждения - оптимальной степенью повреждения. Всего в соответствии со шкалой MSK-64 рассмотрены 5 степеней повреждения. Последовательности переходов из одних состояний повреждения в другие представлены в виде простейшего Марковского потока с непрерывным временем и дискретными состояниями. Составлены дифференциальные уравнения процесса переходов и представлены их общие решения. В случае если последствия наступленияопределенной степени повреждения здания носят как экономический, так и неэкономическией характер, предложено, исходя из зависимости расчета экономических потерь и затрат от повышения надежности до высоких уровней и показателя нормативного уровня надежности здания, определенного по предлагаемому в литературе выражению, принять решения о допустимой степени повреждения здания. The problem statement is given for calculating the optimal degree of damage to a building under seismic impact. The condition of the optimization calculation is written in the form of a probabilistic-economic objective function, where the initial costs for antiseismic strengthening of the building are balanced with the probabilistic losses associated with the onset of one or another degree of damage to the building. The probability of a building's reliability, corresponding to a given balanced state, is called the optimal reliability, and the degree of damage is called the optimal degree of damage. In total, in accordance with the MSK-64 scale, 5 degrees of damage are considered. Sequences of transitions from one damage state to another are presented in the form of the simplest Markov flow with continuous time and discrete states. Differential equations of the transition process are compiled and their general solutions are presented. If the consequences of the onset of a certain degree of damage to the building are both economic and non-economic in nature, it is proposed, based on the dependence of the calculation of economic losses and costs from increasing reliability to high levels and the indicator of the standard level of building reliability, determined according to the expression proposed in the literature, to make decisions on permissible degree of damage to the building.

Stigmatization as a psychological resource for rehabilitation of cardiology clinic patients

Aim. Identify the adaptive level of stigma and describe its characteristics. Methods. Adapted for the cardiology clinic questionnaire of N. Sartorius, symptomatic questionnaire SCL-90-R (Simptom Check List-90-Revised), Schutzs Interpersonal relations questionnaire (1958), Tobol test method of the type of attitude to disease and treatment, and the Personal differential questionnaire. The data obtained were processed using the statistical program SPPS 20. Results. The study determined the optimal degree of stigmatization, which performed a positive role in relation to the state of health, helping patients to adequately assess the severity of the pathology, identify themselves with the disease and realize the necessary measure of their own responsibility in the treatment process (from 48 to 60). Clinical and social factors of optimal degree of stigmatization and successful rehabilitation of cardiology clinic patients are identified (resources): the patients higher education and the familys tendency to low-protecting position potentially contribute to the treatment and rehabilitation of cardiology clinic patients with moderate severity of their somatic condition. Clinical and social factors (anti-resources) that prevent the formation of an optimal degree of stigmatization and successful rehabilitation of patients are identified: the operative type of treatment, the overprotective position of the family, which is not justified by a real need, and the low level of education. It is established that the absence of pronounced pathocharacterological features and difficulties in interpersonal interaction of patients with an average level of stigmatization is an argument for determining this level of stigmatization as a resource. According to the results of the study the tasks for the medical psychologist of the cardiology clinic are set: 1) diagnostic, which consists in determining the level of stigmatization, analyzing the ratio of the degree of stigmatization and the degree of severity of cardiovascular pathology, studying individual resources and anti-resources (attitude to the disease and treatment, pathocharacterological features and interpersonal features); 2) psychocorrective, which consists in forming an adequate position in relation to the disease and treatment of patients and their families, restoring intra-family ties, changing inadequate responses to the disease, creating realistic attitudes to treatment in patients and their family members. Conclusion. The average degree of stigmatization is formed in patients in the absence of a pronounced personal and interpersonal problems, allowing them to receive social support in the conditions of restrictions imposed by the disease, and adapt to it. The average level of stigmatization in this case acts as an additional psychological resource for patients.

Land-Use Planning and the Public: Is There an Optimal Degree of Civic Participation?

Civic participation has an irreplaceable role in the land-use planning process because it contributes a practical perspective to expert knowledge. This article discusses whether there is actually a level of civic participation that can be considered optimal, which would allow experts to effectively obtain information from everyday users of the territory, who have the best practical knowledge of it; experts may also gain sufficient feedback on intended developments, based on knowledge about civic participation from representatives of individual municipalities. The article also proposes measures that can promote an optimal degree of participation in the land-use planning process. The fieldwork was conducted in the form of semi-structured interviews with the mayors of municipalities with a population of up to 2000 inhabitants in selected districts of the Ústí Region (Czech Republic). The results suggest that the optimal degree of civic participation in land-use planning should have a representative extent, so it should not merely be a matter of individuals, but also one of groups of dozens of people, and such groups should encompass a balanced variety of characteristics; an optimal level of civic participation should also provide the maximum number of relevant impulses. Measures that may secure and foster an optimal degree of civic participation in land-use planning include (1) striving to avoid preferring purely voluntary participation; (2) simultaneously utilizing various tools to engage inhabitants; (3) educating inhabitants on a regular basis; and (4) consistently communicating and providing feedback, while also searching for informal means of communication and discussion.

Asymmetric decentralization: distortions and opportunities

This paper studies the interplay between central and local governments in defining the optimal degree of decentralization in terms of public goods supply. The choice between full centralization and asymmetric decentralization implies a trade-off between the possibility to provide public goods at a lower cost, wherever this is possible by decentralizing, and the possibility to fully internalize spillovers by full centralization. We find that asymmetric decentralization introduces distortions into the public decision-making process. We also demonstrate that the power to interfere in the central government’s ruling mechanisms should be reduced for the jurisdictions that have decentralized, in order to make their decentralization choice convenient even for the citizens in the less efficient jurisdictions. Finally, we find the conditions under which asymmetric decentralization can be simultaneously advantageous for both rich and poor regions through the design of appropriate equalization transfers.