The frequency spectrum of finite samples from the intermittent silence process

It has been argued that the actual distribution of word frequencies could be reproduced or explained by generating a random sequence of letters and spaces according to the so-called intermittent silence process. The same kind of process could reproduce or explain the counts of other kinds of units from a wide range of disciplines. Taking the linguistic metaphor, we focus on the frequency spectrum, i.e., the number of words with a certain frequency, and the vocabulary size, i.e., the number of different words of text generated by an intermittent silence process. We derive and explain how to calculate accurately and efficiently the expected frequency spectrum and the expected vocabulary size as a function of the text size.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Optimization in complex networks

Many complex systems can be described in terms of networks of interacting units. Recent studies have shown that a wide class of both natural and artificial nets display a surprisingly widespread feature: the presence of highly heterogeneous distributions of links, providing an extraordinary source of robustness against perturbations. Although most theories concerning the origin of these topologies use growing graphs, here we show that a simple optimization process can also account for the observed regularities displayed by most complex nets. Using an evolutionary algorithm involving minimization of link density and average distance, four major types of networks are encountered: (a) sparse exponential-like networks, (b) sparse scale-free networks, (c) star networks and (d) highly dense networks, apparently defining three major phases. These constraints provide a new explanation for scaling of exponent about -3. The evolutionary consequences of these results are outlined.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Industria, cultura popular y estéticas de la inocencia. Disney, Lladró y las Fallas de Valencia.

El artículo presenta un análisis de las relaciones, conexiones, vínculos e influencias, que se establecen entre tres manifestaciones de la industria cultural, todas ellas también insertas en el ámbito de la llamada cultura popular, en un sentido amplio. Se estudia especialmente, la relación de la corporación multinacional Disney, y las narrativas visuales que proyecta, con la marca valenciana de fabricación de porcelana figurativa, Lladró. Por último, se pone en relación y se sistematiza el fenómeno, de la influencia de Lladró hacia la estética de las Fallas de la ciudad de Valencia, una fiesta popular, que también junto a Lladró, suponen dos de los productores de cultura visual más conocidos a nivel mundial del ámbito valenciano. Todo ello, con la finalidad de investigar, partiendo de casos concretos, las interrelaciones que las construcciones visuales generan en la cultura popular contemporánea, y las lecturas y significados simbólicos e ideológicos que ayudan a construir determinadas manifestaciones estéticas, que deben ser sometidas a examen crítico.This essay analyses the relationships, links and influences among three manifestations of the culture industry, all of which are enshrined in popular culture. The relationship between Disney’s visual narratives and the Valencian ceramic manufacturing brand Lladró is studied in depth. Finally, the paper examines and contextualises Lladró’s influence on the aesthetics of the popular festival Las Fallas in Valencia. Lladró and the festival are two of the best known Valencian producers of visual culture. The study aims to use specific cases to research the relationships forged by visual constructions in contemporary popular culture, in addition to critically reviewing the symbolic and ideological interprepations and meanings which foster certain styles

Patterns in syntactic dependency networks

Many languages are spoken on Earth. Despite their diversity, many robust language universals are known to exist. All languages share syntax, i.e., the ability of combining words for forming sentences. The origin of such traits is an issue of open debate. By using recent developments from the statistical physics of complex networks, we show that different syntactic dependency networks (from Czech, German, and Romanian) share many nontrivial statistical patterns such as the small world phenomenon, scaling in the distribution of degrees, and disassortative mixing. Such previously unreported features of syntax organization are not a trivial consequence of the structure of sentences, but an emergent trait at the global scale.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Photography in Arts-based Educational Research

Este artículo analiza el uso de la fotografía como artefacto y documentación pedagógica de la investigación educativa basada en las artes. Su puesta en práctica se materializa a través del proyecto colaborativo “Maneras de hacer mundos”, entre dos universidades españolas. Este ahonda en los discursos docentes, sus metodologías y su pensamiento a través de acciones performativas mediante el uso de la fotografía. Dichas acciones constituyen una manera de subvertir el aula y reflexionar sobre ella, sobre todo, al centrarnos en la formación inicial del profesorado en artes visuales. Los resultados de las acciones permiten visualizar los espacios de reflexión y análisis que los participantes desarrollan con su propio cuerpo, adquirir una nueva forma de pensar y ofrecer un instrumento de acción artística para actuar educativamente en sus aulas en el futuro.This article discusses the use of photography as a pedagogical artefact and documentation tool for Arts-based Educational Research. Its implementation is accomplished through the collaborative project "Ways to make worlds", developed by two Spanish universities. This project delves into the educational discourses, methodologies and thinking through performative actions using photography. These actions constitute a means of subverting the classroom and reflecting on it, above all, by focusing on the initial training of teachers in the visual arts. The results of the actions allow us to visualize the spaces of reflection and analysis that the participants develop with their own bodies, acquiring a new way of thinking and offering an instrument of artistic action to engage educationally in their future classrooms

Visual and artistic pedagogies around the everyday object

El artículo se introduce en la reflexión en torno a la forma en la que nos relacionamos con los objetos de nuestra cotidianeidad más inmediata. A través de la reflexión narrativa y el ensayo. Se incide especialmente en la capacidad transformadora del ser humano frente a su entorno cotidiano, que se percibe habitualmente sin reflexión, para generar nuevas narrativas de relación artística y estética con los mismos, a través de la composición de nuevas miradas de resignificación y transfiguración de significados. Miradas que devienen finalmente, en la construcción de una nueva narrativa pedagógica y artística que nos permite replantearnos nuestra cotidianeidad desde una perspectiva artística, construyendo un modelo de autoaprendizaje, una experiencia estética que deviene en experiencia artística educadora y que incide en la autotransformación identitaria, en la construcción de nuevos y enriquecedores mundos de relación con nuestros objetos.The article introduces itself in the reflection about how we relate to the objects of our immediate everyday lives. Through narrative reflection and the essay. It especially affects the processing capacity of the human being faced with their everyday environment, which is usually perceived without reflection, to generate new narratives of artistic relationships and aesthetics with them through the composition of new looks of re-signification and transfiguration of meanings. Looks that finally become, in the construction of a new educational and artistic narrative that allows us to rethink our daily lives from an artistic perspective, building a model of self-study, an aesthetic experience that becomes an educational artistic experience and that affects the auto identity transformation in building new worlds and enriching relationships with our object

Selection, tinkering and emergence in complex networks: crossing the land of tinkering

Complex biological networks have very different origins than technologic ones. The latter involve extensive design and, as engineered structures, include a high level of optimization. The former involve (in principle) contingency and structural constraints, with new structures being incorporated through tinkering with previously evolved modules or units. However, the observation of the topological features of different biological nets suggests that nature can have a limited repertoire of ”attractors” that essentially optimize communication under some basic constraints of cost and architecture or that allow the biological nets to reach a high degree of homeostasis. Conversely, the topological features exhibited by some technology graphs indicate that tinkering and internal constraints play a key role, in spite of the ”designed” nature of these structures. Previous scenarios suggested to explain the overall trends of evolution are re-analyzed in light of topological patterns.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Arte para Primaria

El presente volumen ofrece una visión panorámica de toda una trayectoria profesional en la formación de maestros. Desde una mirada retrospectiva y como resultado del paso a la figura de Catedrático de Universidad de Educación Artística, el profesor de la Universitat de València Ricard Huerta nos deleita con los entresijos de esta área de conocimiento. Ofrece con ello estrategias para involucrar al profesorado de primaria en la práctica y deleite de las artes, como argumento educativo y de transgresión. Siendo lógico este resultado por su re- corrido en el Instituto de Creatividad e Innovaciones Educativas. Su vertiente de investigador se transluce en el modo de escribir, pues próximo a las a/r/tografías, a las historias de vida, a los relatos y a las narrativas que acostumbra a recabar de otros docentes, aquí desvela ricos aspectos personales que dan sentido a sus planteamientos desde lo biográfico