17 research outputs found

    Automorphs

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    Thesis (M. Arch.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 1984.MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCH.Includes bibliographical references (p. 164-166).The purpose of this thesis is the delineation and investigation of a general pattern or mechanism which I have termed 'automorphic,' a word derived from the Latin roots, 'autos' meaning self, and 'morphe' referring to form. The thesis further characterizes the mechanism as 'recursive,' 'self-similar,' 'scaling' -- adjectives referring to form (and) phenomenon in or from which the same configuration is repeated many times at many different scales. The attempt is to maintain the generality of the term in order to establish it as a fundamental attribute of form or persistent structure, (or as a necessary component to a conception of form, as inherent to "order" as "modular coordination" or symmetry). I will explore briefly several disciplinary fragments of contemporary physical theory where this mechanism can be said to be operational including an analogy to basic life processes -- the most elegant of the physical automorphisms. Its analytic and thus generative power in fields as diverse as astrophysics, geomorphology, biology and particle physics, carry important implications for the understanding our own human physical and cognitive processes and subsequently important bearings on the artifacts we generate. The study will then focus on those topics specific to built form particularly that of this type of pattern's inherent structural and energetic stability. Central to this section is a note on spatial perception ( and therefore 'space' itself) as a function of automorphism, or inherent recursive perceptual thresholds. A graphic presentation of two built projects is meant as an attempt at unified synthesis and application.by David E. Nelson.M.Arch

    Networks that form policy: The case of pension reform.

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    Networks have been widely adopted in political science, particularly in connection with governance and with the process of policy formation. Every study, if it forms part of this universe, bases itself on adopting a network 'world view': all studies start with the assumption that 'there is a network here'. Dispiritingly few go on to explain, justify or discuss the implications of this assumption with reference to the assumption; in contrast this thesis intentionally regresses back to a detailed look at first principles. This thesis develops and presents a new and valuable approach to the formal analysis of networks that form policy. The approach is drawn out of a theoretical consideration of the policy process and examined in the context of existing policy network literature. A test of the usefulness of the approach is made by application to a case. There are therefore two intertwined threads of content built around the topic of pension reform. The formal analysis of a network of actors is presented alongside a 'traditional' case- study approach to the policy-making process for the UK and France. These two analyses contribute to an assessment of the comparative advantages of the two methods. The thesis is constructed with the intention of clearly presenting a new analytical approach that can be adopted by other researchers and ensuring that it is adequately justified so that it will be adopted

    On Musical Self-Similarity : Intersemiosis as Synecdoche and Analogy

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    Self-similarity, a concept borrowed from mathematics, is gradually becoming a keyword in musicology. Although a polysemic term, self-similarity often refers to the multi-scalar feature repetition in a set of relationships, and it is commonly valued as an indication for musical ‘coherence’ and ‘consistency’. In this study, Gabriel Pareyon presents a theory of musical meaning formation in the context of intersemiosis, that is, the translation of meaning from one cognitive domain to another cognitive domain (e.g. from mathematics to music, or to speech or graphic forms). From this perspective, the degree of coherence of a musical system relies on a synecdochic intersemiosis: a system of related signs within other comparable and correlated systems. The author analyzes the modalities of such correlations, exploring their general and particular traits, and their operational bounds. Accordingly, the notion of analogy is used as a rich concept through its two definitions quoted by the Classical literature—proportion and paradigm, enormously valuable in establishing measurement, likeness and affinity criteria. At the same time, original arguments by Benoît B. Mandelbrot (1924–2010) are revised, alongside a systematic critique of the literature on the subject. In fact, connecting Charles S. Peirce’s ‘synechism’ with Mandelbrot’s ‘fractality’ is one of the main developments of the present study

    The evolution of knowledge systems

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    Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Technology in Mathematics Teaching ICTMT 12

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    Innovation, inclusion, sharing and diversity are some of the words that briefly and suitably characterize the ICTMT series of biennial international conferences – the International Conference on Technology in Mathematics Teaching. Being the twelfth of a series which began in Birmingham, UK, in 1993, under the influential enterprise of Professor Bert Waits from Ohio State University, this conference was held in Portugal for the first time. The 12th International Conference on Technology in Mathematics Teaching was hosted by the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Algarve, in the city of Faro, from 24 to 27 June 2015, and was guided by the original spirit of its foundation. The integration of digital technologies in mathematics education across school levels and countries, from primary to tertiary education, together with the understanding of the phenomena involved in the teaching and learning of mathematics in technological environments have always been driving forces in the transformation of pedagogical practices. The possibility of joining at an international conference a wide diversity of participants, including school mathematics teachers, lecturers, mathematicians, mathematics educators and researchers, software designers, and curriculum developers, is one facet that makes this conference rather unique. At the same time, it seeks to foster the sharing of ideas, experiences, projects and studies while providing opportunities to try-out and assess tools or didactical proposals during times of hands-on work. The ICTMT 12 had this same ambition, when embracing and welcoming just over 120 delegates who actively and enthusiastically contributed to a very packed program of scientific proposals and sessions on various topics

    7th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'21)

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    Information and communication technologies together with new teaching paradigms are reshaping the learning environment.The International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd) aims to become a forum for researchers and practitioners to exchange ideas, experiences,opinions and research results relating to the preparation of students and the organization of educational systems.Doménech I De Soria, J.; Merello Giménez, P.; Poza Plaza, EDL. (2021). 7th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'21). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAD21.2021.13621EDITORIA
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