Redundancy Is Not Necessarily Detrimental in Classification Problems

In feature selection, redundancy is one of the major concerns since the removal of redundancy in data is connected with dimensionality reduction. Despite the evidence of such a connection, few works present theoretical studies regarding redundancy. In this work, we analyze the effect of redundant features on the performance of classification models. We can summarize the contribution of this work as follows: (i) develop a theoretical framework to analyze feature construction and selection, (ii) show that certain properly defined features are redundant but make the data linearly separable, and (iii) propose a formal criterion to validate feature construction methods. The results of experiments suggest that a large number of redundant features can reduce the classification error. The results imply that it is not enough to analyze features solely using criteria that measure the amount of information provided by such features.

Notes on onomastic terms proprialization, appellativization, transonymization and deproprialization

In our article, we present a few discussion notes on the current processing and standardization of Slovak onomastic terminology. In our opinion, proprialization is not only a word-formation process, but primarily the functional one. The function of the word, that is seen as the first within the process of proprialization, is being changed too. Due to this fact, the formal part of the proper name is recognized as secondary. Furthermore, we think that even the process of transonymization – from functional, not formal approach – can be accepted in its wider understanding. It can be defined as transfer of proper name motivation from one object to another regardless of any formal criterion. What is more, this transfer is possible even within the same onymic class. The transfer could be accompanied with a change in the formal structure or grammatical meaning of the new proper name; because not just the form of the proper name (or the part of the form) is transferred to another object, but also its function, ability to be an “individual and specific name” for another object. But the process of transonymization itself requires transfer of the proper name from one denotatum to another. Thatʼs why we do not recognise any formation of the name variants for the same object as the process of transonymization.

ON THE ISSUE OF THE “DUMMY OBJECT” IN VERB-OBJECT SEPARABLE WORDS LIHECI IN MODERN CHINESE

The article presents the results of the analysis of the combinatorial properties of verb-object separable compounds (liheci) in modern Chinese. A hypothesis about different levels of formal and semantic unity of the compounds was tested and the compounds were classified according to their semantics. Further, the combinatorial properties of verb-object separable compounds with “dummy object” are discussed taking into account the formal criterion of insertion of different elements before the nominal component of liheci. Two types of “dummy object” and, consequently, two subtypes of liheci with “dummy objects” are distinguished. The first subtype includes liheci in which the nominal component semantically duplicates the meaning of the verbal component. The second subtype is represented by liheci in which the nominal component is a generic object.

Regulation in the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation of a formal basis for categorizing crimes and the prospects for its improvement

The article deals with the question of the formal criterion for dividing crimes into categories. The authors believe that the limits of punishability enshrined in the rule on the categorization of crimes should be indicated more clearly. It is noted that the legislator admits a logical miscalculation concerning the violation of the rule on the unity of the basis for the division of members of the classification. In this connection the necessity of isolating unwary grave crimes is substantiated. A proposal is made to adjust the sanctions of a number of articles by narrowing their unreasonably wide range undermining the meaning of the categorization of crimes. The idea of introducing «exceptional gravity of crime» as well as standard sanctions in the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation is subject to a critical assessment. However it is proposed to allocate a number of criminal acts, for the commission of which no deprivation of liberty is envisaged, into a separate category of crime. The authors define the rules for the consistent description of sentences.

On the matter of evaluation of the variation coefficient of the time to failure based on low-level quantiles

In the context of various tasks related to dependability estimation of systems by probabilistic physical methods the most important a priori information that ensures effective solutions is the information on the variation coefficient of the time to failure. Given the low failure statistics, the estimation of the variation coefficient of the time to failure is complicated due to significant sample censoring. In these cases, methods of variation coefficient evaluation with additional a priori information and the method of quantiles are used. The solution of a number of dependability-related tasks that require taking into consideration various failure distributions is significantly simplified if the functions of such distributions are tabulated in the relative operation time and variation coefficient parameters. An effective solution of dependability-related tasks with the use of tables of DN distribution function was first proposed for the parametrization of distribution in parameters x and v, where x is the scale parameter, relative operation time x = at; v is the shape parameter, variation coefficient v = V; a is the average degradation rate. That allowed performing tabulation out of real time, simplifying function tabulation and its use in a number of dependability-related tasks by method of quantiles. The paper analyzed the effectiveness of the method of quantiles in the estimation of the variation coefficient of the time to failure, that is at the same time the shape parameter of the DN distribution, under scarce failure statistics and based on it proposes a new, more effective, method. The method of estimation of the variation coefficient using low and ultralow-level quantiles is based on the behaviour analysis of function ai = f(t) obtained using the method of quantiles. It is considered that the best choice of the a priori value of v is a choice under which the dependence graph ai = f(t) is most accurately described by a straight horizontal line, which is in complete compliance with the hypothesis of constant degradation rate accepted in the context of DN distribution formalization. In cases when the dependence graph ai = f(t) does not easily allow concluding on the best choice of the a priori value v (it is especially difficult to make a choice based on the statistics of first failures), the following formal criterion can be used: the most acceptable a priori value of the shape parameter v lies within the range of values, where the sign of the trend of the average degradation rate (h) in graph ai = f(t) changes. Studies have established that the most significant errors in the estimation of the variation coefficient are associated with first failures. When processing the results of dependability tests it is assumed the first failures in a sample have the lowest information weight, as their occurrence is due to serious defects not detected by final quality inspection of products. The first failures normally “fall out” of the overall statistical pattern, and it is recommended to omit them from further analysis. The proposed method of estimation of the variation coefficient of the time to failure based on ultralow-level quantiles enables – in the context of limited failure statistics, when other methods are inefficient – for sufficiently accurate identification of not only the variation coefficient of the time to failure and DN distribution parameters, but also make conclusions regarding the feasibility and legitimacy of equalization (description) of the considered sample using this diffusion distribution, i.e. it can be used as a kind of criterion of compliance of the empirical failure distribution under consideration with the chosen theoretical dependability model. The described process of finding the truest values of the variation coefficient of the time to failure using the formal criterion can be computerized.

La ‘sofisticación’ como dimensión de cambio en el desarrollo epistemológico / “Sophistication” as a Dimension of Change in Developing a Personal Epistemology

<p><em><strong>Español</strong></em></p><p>El objetivo de este trabajo es proponer que la noción de <strong>‘</strong>cambio evolutivo<strong>’</strong> puede ser estudiado de forma más refinada por medio de su dimensionalidad, es decir el conjunto de sus dimensiones o aspectos. Se propone que dichas dimensiones son al menos dos: <em>sofisticación</em> y <em>especificación</em>. Se enfoca en el examen de la sofisticación, en tanto se la considera la dimensión aparentemente <em>obvia </em>y habitualmente estudiada como sinónimo de <strong>‘</strong>cambio evolutivo<strong>’</strong>. Se establece un criterio formal y dos criterios sustanciales para su reconocimiento: la significación estadística de las diferencias (que constituye el criterio habitual dentro de los estudios de corte cuantitativo), el cotejo con la progresión evolutiva que puede ser hipotetizada en base a los antecedentes de estudios y la atención de las formas de las trayectorias de desarrollo que resultan. Los criterios fueron formulados en referencia con los supuestos del llamado <strong>‘</strong>modelo de cambio conceptual<strong>’</strong> y con los antecedentes de estudios sobre desarrollo epistemológico. Asimismo se estableció una metodología apropiada a tales criterios. Los criterios para establecer la existencia de sofisticación fueron utilizados una investigación más amplia sobre el desarrollo de las creencias o supuestos epistemológicos sobre la ciencia y la tecnología en estudiantes de educación técnico profesional de nivel secundario. Los resultados condujeron tanto al hallazgo de resultados no informados previamente en los estudios sobre desarrollo epistemológico como a la puesta a prueba de algunos supuestos teóricos sobre el cambio cognitivo.</p><p><em><strong>English</strong></em></p><p><span>This work aims to refine the notion of “developmental change” by studying its dimensionality, i.e., the whole of its dimensions or aspects. In that context, “sophistication” would be the dimension usually seen as synonymous with “developmental change”. It is proposed to probe it from a) a formal criterion: (statistical significance of differences) and two substantial ones: (b) the contrast of the “weak” vs. “strong” character of belief development, and c) their correspondence with predictions from the literature. For their study on quantitative data, the following was suggested: a) MANOVA; b) a device to locate the beliefs in their continuum of meaning, and analyze their evolution; and c) to detail the shape and meaning of trajectories defined by the data set. Such procedures were used on data from a wider investigation on the development of epistemological beliefs about science and technology in secondary technical vocational education students. A not yet informed epistemological position (“advanced objectivism”), evidence of the distinction between “weak” and “strong sophistication” in the meanings assigned to epistemological beliefs, and several form patterns were found in the trajectories. These findings are strictly the result of proposing the notion of “sophistication”.</span></p>

Lung ultrasound artifacts in a case of P. Jirovecii pneumonia : Coexistence of A and B lines

This article presents lung ultrasound findings in a proven case of P. Jirovecii pneumonia. Ultrasound-based diagnoses of lung pathology are largely based on the patterns of artifacts encountered. The expected finding in an interstitial pneumonia is a B profile (multiple B lines). The original description of B lines stated that they should erase A lines, thus A and B lines where tought as being mutually exclusive. This case is a clear example of interstitial syndrome presenting with both A and B lines on lung ultrasound. It suggests that the absence of A lines should not be a formal criterion for the identification of B-lines.