Hamming weights and Betti numbers of Stanley-Reisner rings associated to matroids

To each linear code over a finite field we associate the matroid of its parity check matrix. We show to what extent one can determine the generalized Hamming weights of the code (or defined for a matroid in general) from various sets of Betti numbers of Stanley-Reisner rings of simplicial complexes associated to the matroid

Electromagnetic surface states in structured perfect-conductor surfaces

Surface-bound modes in metamaterials forged by drilling periodic hole arrays in perfect-conductor surfaces are investigated by means of both analytical techniques and rigorous numerical solution of Maxwell's equations. It is shown that these metamaterials cannot be described in general by local, frequency-dependent permittivities and permeabilities for small periods compared to the wavelength, except in certain limiting cases that are discussed in detail. New related metamaterials are shown to exhibit exciting optical properties that are elucidated in the light of our simple analytical approach.Comment: 5 figure

The Intellectual Character of Interdisciplinary Researchers

The study and understanding of fundamental questions cannot be addressed by a single discipline. A plurality of insights needs to be integrated or coordinated to allow for mutual enrichment in interdisciplinary research. The intellectual character describes the set of dispositions that both configure and motivate intellectual behavior. In this paper, we explore the intellectual virtues that constitute the ideal character of an interdisciplinary researcher. We look at dimensions of several intellectual virtues – intellectual curiosity, open-mindedness, intellectual humility, and intellectual honest – relevant to interdisciplinarity, we discuss the significance of other character traits – intellectual creativity and intellectual trust – for integrating a plurality of insights, and we argue for the need of a social cognition approach, emphasizing the relevance of interpersonal intellectual virtues in interdisciplinary inquiry. All these virtues are key constituents of the intellectual character of interdisciplinary researchers

Benditas Malas Costumbres

Una mirada a “Malas costumbres”, el primer libro de Enithzabel Castrellón Calvo, parece ser una invitación al disfrute. La portada nos recibe con una copa de vino levantada, quizás previendo cómo nos sentiremos al terminar de leerlo. Los 12 cuentos que componen esta entrega nos llevan a numerosos países, tiempos y lugares, para presentarnos a muchos personajes que parecen no tener nada en común. Hay, en el fondo, un hilo conector, esa humanidad que comparten, y que no puede ser más que intencional. No hay manera de leer este libro sin terminar con las emociones a flor de piel, a veces con ganas de llorar, otras riendo a carcajadas, pero nunca, nunca, indiferente

Second-person Perspective inInterdisciplinary Research: A Cognitive Approach for Understanding and Improving the Dynamics ofCollaborative Research Teams

In this paper, we argue that to reverse the excess of specialization and to create room for interdisciplinary crossfertilization, it seems necessary to move the existing epistemic plurality towards acollaborative process of social cognition. In order to achieve this, we propose to extend the psychological notion of joint attention towards what we call joint intellectual attention. This special kind of joint attention involves ashared awareness of sharing the cognitive process of knowledge. We claim that if an interdisciplinary research team aspires to work collaboratively, it is essential for the researchers to jointly focus their attention towards acommon object and establish asecondperson relatedness among them. We consider some of the intellectual dispositions or virtues fostered by joint intellectual attention that facilitate interdisciplinary exchange and explore some of the practical consequences of this cognitive approach to interdisciplinarity for education and research

Conservation and Restoration of Pine Forest Genetic Resources in México

Deforestation rates in México are about 670,000 ha/year. This threatens the richness of forest genetic resources in México, causing the disappearance of locally adapted populations and rare and endangered pine species. México is one of the six megadiverse countries in the world, with half of the world’s Pinus species. Pinus is one of the most economically and ecologically important forest genera in México. We suggest that delineation of seed zones and the establishment of a network of Forest Genetic Resource Conservation Units (FGRCUs), linked with forest management and ecological restoration programs will protect this valuable resource. We estimate that FGRCUs should include 25 to 50 ha each, with at least one FGRCU for each priority species in each seed zone. We highlight the need for studies of adaptive genetic variation among pine populations and for new methodologies and techniques to suit ecological restoration under Mexican forest conditions. We briefly describe ongoing research on these topics on forests owned by a well-organized indigenous community in Nuevo San Juan Parangaricutiro, Michoacán, western México

¿Democracia de abajo arriba vs. democracia de arriba abajo? El papel de los partidos en los instrumentos de democracia directa

En esta costumbre tan humana de establecer dicotomías irreconciliables, se enmarca la disociación —hoy de enorme actualidad— entre la democracia de arriba- abajo y la democracia de abajo-arriba. Como si la voluntad del pueblo pudiera ser aislada, cuan en una bella burbuja, de las influencias del exterior y, muy especialmente, de los partidos políticos. O como si el pronunciamiento popular directo supusiera una deslegitimación del sistema representativo y un debilitamiento de los partidos políticos de difícil solución. Solo desde la inteligencia y la reflexión se puede conciliar lo que parece irreconciliable e, incluso, descubrir que no son democracias tan diferentes. Y es desde una intuición inteligente y reflexiva desde donde surge este libro que coordina la profesora Biglino y que lleva por título Partidos políticos y mediaciones de la democracia directa..

On the density of states and extinction mean free path of waves in random media: Dispersion relations and sum rules

We establish a fundamental relationship between the averaged density of states and the extinction mean free path of wave propagating in random media. From the principle of causality and the Kramers-Kronig relations, we show that both quantities are connected by dispersion relations and are constrained by a frequency sum rule. The results are valid under very general conditions and should be helpful in the analysis of measurements of wave transport through complex systems and in the design of randomly or periodically structured materials with specific transport properties.Comment: 2 (double) figures, 8 page

Contribución al estidio formal y al desarrollo de herramientas informaticas para la construcción de escenarios

A run through the scenarios set records take us back to the days of Sun-Tzu who, in his book "THE ART OF WAR" opens the door to a discipline of broad application to our day. In our work we tested a formal approach Scenario Game based on General Systems Theory, which we build tools first and then computing concepts to game scenarios lead to the purposes of planning and decision making as it was raised initially. The results achieved in three cases of our time in Ecuador, two of them major, are satisfactory. The actors who spoke mostly in cases of oil and public procurement of medicines relevant conclusions have been drawn from the results generated by our system.Un recorrido por los registros del juego de escenarios nos remontan a los tiempos de Sun-Tzu quien, con su obra "EL ARTE DE LA GUERRA", abre las puertas a una disciplina de amplia aplicación hasta nuestros días. En nuestro trabajo ensayamos una aproximación formal del Juego de Escenarios basándonos en la Teoría General de Sistemas, con lo cual construimos herramientas, primero conceptuales y luego informáticas, para conducir Juego de Escenarios hacia los propósitos de planificación y toma de decisiones como fuera planteado inicialmente. Los resultados alcanzados en tres casos de la época actual del Ecuador, dos de ellos importantes, y el otro, con fines didácticos, son satisfactorios. Los actores que intervinieron, sobre todo en los casos del petróleo y de las compras públicas de medicamentos, han extraído conclusiones relevantes de los resultados generados por nuestro sistema