Methodology for using a Bayesian nonparametric model to uncover universal patterns in color naming

Language is an integral part of society which enables communication among its members. To shed light on how words gain their meaning and how their meaning evolves over time, color naming is often used as a case study. The color domain can be defined by a physical space, making it a useful concept for studying denotation of meaning. Though humans can distinguish millions of colors, language provides us with a small, manageable set of terms for categorizing the space. Partitions of the color space vary across different language groups and evolve over time (e.g. new color terms may enter a language). Investigating universal patterns in color naming provides insight into the mechanisms that give rise to the observed data. Recently, computational techniques have been utilized to study this phenomenon. Here, we develop a methodology for transforming a color naming data set-namely, the World Color Survey-which is based on constraints imposed by the stimulus space. This transformed data is used to initialize a nonparametric Bayesian machine learning model in order to implement a culture and theory-independent study of universal color naming patterns across different language groups. All of the methods described are executed by our Python software package called ColorBBDP. • Data from the World Color Survey is transformed from its original format into binary features vectors which can be given as input to the Beta-Bernoulli Dirichlet Process Mixture Model. • This paper provides a specific application of Variational Inference on the Beta-Bernoulli Dirichlet Process Mixture Model towards a color naming data set. • New mathematical measures for performing post-cluster analyses are also detailed in this paper.

Further evolution of natural categorization systems: an approach to evolving color concepts

To assess the effectiveness of a simulation-based approach to linguistic category evolution, a language evolution model is applied to the natural color categorizations of 108 linguistic communities from the World Color Survey (2009). This dynamic model is derived from Komarova et al. [J. Math. Psychol.51, 359 (2007)JMTPAJ0022-249610.1016/j.jmp.2007.06.001] and evolves color-naming systems to a stable equilibrium through agent interactions. This simulation-based approach remedies the sparseness of empirical, diachronic data by broadly approximating evolutionary trends in an idealized form. Additionally, we present novel explorations of evaluating equilibrium stability and determining category boundaries. Results show that all 108 systems evolve to a stable equilibrium while maintaining key features of the original categorizations, suggesting that our simulations are a suitable representation of natural evolutionary processes. This approach can have valuable insights and implications for research where diachronic data are sparse. For example, on the linguistic debate between the Partition Hypothesis and an Alternative Hypothesis that asserts categories evolve by expanding their boundaries from fixed best exemplars, our analysis finds that the Alternative Hypothesis best explains the observed changes in the simulations of the World Color Survey language populations.

Calcium binding by the N-terminal cellulose-binding domain from Cellulomonas fimi beta-1,4-glucanase CenC

The interaction of the N-terminal cellulose-binding domain, CBDN1, from Cellulomonas fimi beta-1,4-glucanase CenC with calcium was investigated using NMR spectroscopy and calorimetry. CBDN1 binds a single calcium ion with an equilibrium association constant of approximately 10(5) M-1 at 35 degreesC and pH 6.0. Binding is exothermic (-42 +/- 2 kJ mol-1) under these conditions and is accompanied by a small negative change in heat capacity (DeltaCp = -0.41 +/- 0.16 kJ mol-1 K-1). From an NMR line shape analysis, the rate constants for calcium association and dissociation were found to be (5 +/- 2) x 10(7) s-1 M-1 and (4.5 +/- 0.6) x 10(2) s-1, respectively. The rapid association kinetics indicate that the calcium-binding site on CBDN1 is accessible and, to the first approximation, preformed. Based on patterns of chemical shift perturbations, and structural comparisons with the Bacillus sp. 1, 3-1,4-beta-glucanases, the backbone carbonyl oxygens of Thr8, Gly30, and Asp142 and a side chain carboxyl oxygen of Asp142 are postulated to form the calcium-binding site of CBDN1. Consistent with the calcium-independent affinity of CBDN1 for cellopentaose, this exposed site is located on the face of CBDN1 opposite to that forming the oligosaccharide-binding cleft. The midpoint denaturation temperature of CBDN1 is increased by approximately 8 degreesC at pH 6.0 in the presence of saturating amounts of calcium, confirming that metal ion binding is thermodynamically linked to native-state stability.

The features of contralateral manifestations after the repair of unilateral inguinal hernia

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Routine contralateral exploration in infants and children with unilateral clinical inguinal hernia is performed by many surgeons in a selected population of patients based on a presumed high incidence of patent processus vaginalis. Our purpose is to report the actual incidence of contralateral manifestations in infants and children after the repair of unilateral inguinal hernia.

METHODS

From July 1985 through December 1995, 1,052 infants and children with unilateral inguinal hernia or hydrocele were treated in our hospital without contralateral exploration. Among them, 1,001 patients (95.2%) were followed up for 1 to 11 years to determine if contralateral hernia developed after unilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy.

RESULTS

The overall incidence of contralateral hernia was 11.6% (116 of 1,001). In boys, the incidence was 13.1%, 13.7%, and 11.7% in those under 1 year, under 2 years of age, and in total, respectively. In girls, the incidence was 9.6%, 13.9%, 11.3%, in those under 1 year, under 5 years of age, and in total, respectively. The side of the initial repair did not influence the subsequent development of contralateral inguinal hernia. In children with hydrocele, the incidence of contralateral hernias was lower (7.6%). In girls with sliding hernias the contralateral occurrence was 12.5%.

CONCLUSION

Given this low incidence of contralateral hernia after unilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy, the authors do not recommend contralateral exploration for infants and children with unilateral inguinal hernia.

Predeposited autologous blood transfusion for surgery in infants and children

Homologous blood transfusions have associated infectious and immunological risks. Since 1989 the authors have conducted predeposited autologous blood transfusions (PABT) for infants and children in whom transfusions were expected to be required during an elective operation. Autologous blood was deposited in 13 patients ranging in age from 9 months to 10 years (median, 21 months) with weight from 7.3 kg to 33.6 kg (median, 10.5 kg). They included eight patients with Hirschsprung's disease, three patients with benign tumors, and two others. The volume of predeposition was calculated to maintain the patients' hematocrit at 30% after collection. Blood was deposited once or twice, 1 to 2 weeks before the operation. The actual volume of predeposited blood was 19.1 +/- 2.4 mL/kg in infants with Hirschsprung's disease, 21.8 +/- 10.0 mL/kg in children with Hirschsprung's disease, and 12.6 +/- 2.2 mL/kg in children with other diseases. Nine patients were operated on using only PABT, 2 patients required homologous blood transfusions in addition to PABT, and 2 patients did not require any blood transfusions. No complications occurred as a result of PABT except preoperative anemia. PABT is a safe and effective means of procuring blood for intraoperative transfusions in infants and children undergoing major elective general pediatric surgical procedures.

Cervical approach for the repair of esophageal atresia

Repair of esophageal atresia is usually performed by a thoracic approach. In cases associated with a tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) located in a high position, however, the cervical approach is a reasonable alternative. In the literature, the authors found only three patients repaired by this approach. This report describes three additional cases of esophageal atresia successfully repaired by the cervical approach. Three neonates with esophageal atresia and TEF were confirmed as having an unusually high position of the distal TEF by the preoperative bronchoscopy and contrast study. The transcervical approach for repair was chosen. The skin was incised transversely at the right supraclavicular region, and the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the carotid sheath were retracted posterolaterally. After the division of the TEF, the suture site of the tracheal fistula was covered by a flap of the sternothyroid muscle that was inserted between the trachea and the esophagus, thus avoiding opposing suture lines. These cases emphasize that pediatric surgeons should be aware of the presence of cervical esophageal atresia in which distal TEF is located above the clavicle, and suggest that cervical repair is feasible for the patient whose distal TEF moves up above the first rib on inspiration. The most reliable methods for detecting the location of the distal TEF are telescopic bronchoscopy and contrast study.

Oesophageal lung with systemic arterial blood supply

An adolescent girl with congenital bronchopulmonary-foregut malformation (BPFM) is reported. The patient had a hypoplastic, non-functioning right lung with the main bronchus originating from the oesophagus. The pulmonary artery of the "oesophageal lung" was supplied by systemic circulation from the descending aorta, and the venous flow drained through a hypoplastic right pulmonary artery (RPA) into the large left pulmonary artery (LPA). This case was a rare type of left-to-right shunt and demonstrates that oesophagography, pulmonary angiography and aortography are important in demonstrating the haemodynamics involving this malformation.