Epidemiological Models of Directly Transmitted Diseases: An Approach via Fuzzy Sets Theory

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Modelagem e Simulação Computacional das propriedades estruturais, eletrônicas e constantes elásticas do ZnO

The electronic, structural properties and elastic constants of the wurtzite phase of zinc oxide, ZnO, was investigated using computer simulation at Density Functional Theory level, with B3LYP hybrid functional and Hartree-Fock methodology. The electronic properties as well the band energy was investigated through the analysis of the band structures and density of states (DOS), and the mechanical properties was studied through the calculus of the elastic constants C11, C33, C44, C12 e C13. The results are in good agreement with experimental data found in the literature and in accordance with results obtained by another theoretical methodology

Desenvolvimento do sistema computacional CARTOMORPH para processamento de imagens de sensoriamento remoto

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Fuzzy linguistic model for bioelectrical impedance vector analysis

Backgrounds Ea aims: The boundaries between the categories of body composition provided by vectorial analysis of bioimpedance are not well defined. In this paper, fuzzy sets theory was used for modeling such uncertainty. Methods: An Italian database with 179 cases 18-70 years was divided randomly into developing (n = 20) and testing samples (n = 159). From the 159 registries of the testing sample, 99 contributed with unequivocal diagnosis. Resistance/height and reactance/height were the input variables in the model. Output variables were the seven categories of body composition of vectorial analysis. For each case the linguistic model estimated the membership degree of each impedance category. To compare such results to the previously established diagnoses Kappa statistics was used. This demanded singling out one among the output set of seven categories of membership degrees. This procedure (defuzzification rule) established that the category with the highest membership degree should be the most likely category for the case. Results: The fuzzy model showed a good fit to the development sample. Excellent agreement was achieved between the defuzzified impedance diagnoses and the clinical diagnoses in the testing sample (Kappa = 0.85, p < 0.001). Conclusions: fuzzy linguistic model was found in good agreement with clinical diagnoses. If the whole model output is considered, information on to which extent each BIVA category is present does better advise clinical practice with an enlarged nosological framework and diverse therapeutic strategies. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.

Pesiqta Rabbati: a text-linguistic and form-analytical analysis of the rabbinic homily

Pesiqta Rabbati is a unique homiletic midrash that follows the liturgical calendar in its presentation of homilies for festivals and special Sabbaths. This article attempts to utilize Pesiqta Rabbati in order to present a global theory of the literary production of rabbinic/homiletic literature. In respect to Pesiqta Rabbati it explores such areas as dating, textual witnesses, integrative apocalyptic meta-narrative, describing and mapping the structure of the text, internal and external constraints that impacted upon the text, text linguistic analysis, form-analysis: problems in the texts and linguistic gap-filling, transmission of text, strict formalization of a homiletic unit, deconstructing and reconstructing homiletic midrashim based upon form-analytic units of the homily, Neusner’s documentary hypothesis, surface structures of the homiletic unit, and textual variants. The suggested methodology may assist scholars in their production of editions of midrashic works by eliminating superfluous material and in their decoding and defining of ancient texts.

Linguistic Stylistics

Marina Katnic-Bakarsic. Linguistic Stylistics The practical, i.e. educational, objective of this research was to produce lectures on linguistic stylistics for the students of Sarajevo University, while the theoretical one was to produce a monograph on the subject. This monograph, which can also be used as a university textbook, includes twenty-nine chapters, an index of topics, a bibliography and a list of sources. The theoretical postulates are followed by examples from texts in various functional styles in Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian, and in some cases Russian or English. Linguo-stylistic problems were investigated from both the structuralist and post-structuralist points of view. Linguistic stylistics is therefore understood as a discipline which studies expressive, stylistically marked language units on all language levels, functional-stylistic language variation and various aspects of intertextuality and metatext. The author introduces a notion of stylistic competence. The stylistic competence of a speaker is directly proportional to his/her knowledge of different varieties of language (i.e. subcodes) and to the successful switching from one subcode to another. Stylistic creativity is a special segment of stylistic competence as a feature of individual style. A new classification of functional styles has also been introduced. This includes six primary styles (scientific, colloquial, administrative, publicistic, journalistic and literary-artistic) and five secondary styles (oratorical, the style of advertisements and commercials, that of comics, that of essays and that of screenplays). A special place is given to the analysis of the style of hypertext and hypermedia, which can be understood only within the post-structuralist theory of text deconstruction and intertextuality. The project also analysed some new topics, including reregistration in literary texts, gender and style of dialogue, and citations as metatextual signals and their role in different types of text. The results therefore offer a new approach to the study of linguistic stylistics both in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the field in general.

An approach to automatic learning assessment based on the computational theory of perceptions

E-learning systems output a huge quantity of data on a learning process. However, it takes a lot of specialist human resources to manually process these data and generate an assessment report. Additionally, for formative assessment, the report should state the attainment level of the learning goals defined by the instructor. This paper describes the use of the granular linguistic model of a phenomenon (GLMP) to model the assessment of the learning process and implement the automated generation of an assessment report. GLMP is based on fuzzy logic and the computational theory of perceptions. This technique is useful for implementing complex assessment criteria using inference systems based on linguistic rules. Apart from the grade, the model also generates a detailed natural language progress report on the achieved proficiency level, based exclusively on the objective data gathered from correct and incorrect responses. This is illustrated by applying the model to the assessment of Dijkstra’s algorithm learning using a visual simulation-based graph algorithm learning environment, called GRAPHs

Marco computacional para la definición de un modelo bio-inspirado en la señalización celular

Las Redes de Procesadores Evolutivos-NEP propuestas en [Mitrana et al., 2001], son un modelo computacional bio-inspirado a partir de la evolución de poblaciones de células, definiendo a nivel sintáctico algunas propiedades biológicas. En este modelo, las células están representadas por medio de palabras que describen secuencias de ADN. Informalmente, en algún instante de tiempo, el sistema evolutivo está representado por una colección de palabras cada una de las cuales representa una célula. El espacio genotipo de las especies, es un conjunto que recoge aquellas palabras que son aceptadas como sobrevivientes (es decir, como \correctas"). Desde el punto de vista de la evolución, las células pertenecen a especies y su comunidad evoluciona de acuerdo a procesos biológicos como la mutación y la división celular. éstos procesos representan el proceso natural de evolución y ponen de manifiesto una característica intrínseca de la naturaleza: el paralelismo. En este modelo, estos procesos son vistos como operaciones sobre palabras. Formalmente, el modelo de las NEP constituyen una arquitectura paralela y distribuida de procesamiento simbólico inspirada en la Máquina de conexión [Hillis, 1981], en el Paradigma de Flujo Lógico [Errico and Jesshope, 1994] y en las Redes de Procesadores Paralelos de Lenguajes (RPPL) [Csuhaj-Varju and Salomaa, 1997]. Al modelo NEP se han ido agregando nuevas y novedosas extensiones hasta el punto que actualmente podemos hablar de una familia de Redes de Procesadores Bio-inspirados (NBP) [Mitrana et al., 2012b]. Un considerable número de trabajos a lo largo de los últimos años han demostrado la potencia computacional de la familia NBP. En general, éstos modelos son computacionalmente completos, universales y eficientes [Manea et al., 2007], [Manea et al., 2010b], [Mitrana and Martín-Vide, 2005]. De acuerdo a lo anterior, se puede afirmar que el modelo NEP ha adquirido hasta el momento un nivel de madurez considerable. Sin embargo, aunque el modelo es de inspiración biológica, sus metas siguen estando motivadas en la Teoría de Lenguajes Formales y las Ciencias de la Computación. En este sentido, los aspectos biológicos han sido abordados desde una perspectiva cualitativa y el acercamiento a la realidad biológica es de forma meramente sintáctica. Para considerar estos aspectos y lograr dicho acercamiento es necesario que el modelo NEP tenga una perspectiva más amplia que incorpore la interacción de aspectos tanto cualitativos como cuantitativos. La contribución de esta Tesis puede considerarse como un paso hacia adelante en una nueva etapa de los NEPs, donde el carácter cuantitativo del modelo es de primordial interés y donde existen posibilidades de un cambio visible en el enfoque de interés del dominio de los problemas a considerar: de las ciencias de la computación hacia la simulación/modelado biológico y viceversa, entre otros. El marco computacional que proponemos en esta Tesis extiende el modelo de las Redes de Procesadores Evolutivos (NEP) y define arquitectura inspirada en la definición de bloques funcionales del proceso de señalización celular para la solución de problemas computacionales complejos y el modelado de fenómenos celulares desde una perspectiva discreta. En particular, se proponen dos extensiones: (1) los Transductores basados en Redes de Procesadores Evolutivos (NEPT), y (2) las Redes Parametrizadas de Procesadores Evolutivos Polarizados (PNPEP). La conservación de las propiedades y el poder computacional tanto de NEPT como de PNPEP se demuestra formalmente. Varias simulaciones de procesos relacionados con la señalización celular son abordadas sintáctica y computacionalmente, con el _n de mostrar la aplicabilidad e idoneidad de estas dos extensiones. ABSTRACT Network of Evolutionary Processors -NEP was proposed in [Mitrana et al., 2001], as a computational model inspired by the evolution of cell populations, which might model some properties of evolving cell communities at the syntactical level. In this model, cells are represented by words which encode their DNA sequences. Informally, at any moment of time, the evolutionary system is described by a collection of words, where each word represents one cell. Cells belong to species and their community evolves according to mutations and division which are defined by operations on words. Only those cells accepted as survivors (correct) are represented by a word in a given set of words, called the genotype space of the species. This feature is analogous with the natural process of evolution. Formally, NEP is based on an architecture for parallel and distributed processing inspired from the Connection Machine [Hillis, 1981], the Flow Logic Paradigm [Errico and Jesshope, 1994] and the Networks of Parallel Language Processors (RPPL) [Csuhaj-Varju and Salomaa, 1997]. Since the date when NEP was proposed, several extensions and variants have appeared engendering a new set of models named Networks of Bio-inspired Processors (NBP) [Mitrana et al., 2012b]. During this time, several works have proved the computational power of NBP. Specifically, their efficiency, universality, and computational completeness have been thoroughly investigated [Manea et al., 2007, Manea et al., 2010b, Mitrana and Martín-Vide, 2005]. Therefore, we can say that the NEP model has reached its maturity. Nevertheless, although the NEP model is biologically inspired, this model is mainly motivated by mathematical and computer science goals. In this context, the biological aspects are only considered from a qualitative and syntactical perspective. In view of this lack, it is important to try to keep the NEP theory as close as possible to the biological reality, extending their perspective incorporating the interplay of qualitative and quantitative aspects. The contribution of this Thesis, can be considered as a starting point in a new era of the NEP model. Then, the quantitative character of the NEP model is mandatory and it can address completely new different types of problems with respect to the classical computational domain (e.g. from the computer science to system biology). Therefore, the computational framework that we propose extends the NEP model and defines an architecture inspired by the functional blocks from cellular signaling in order to solve complex computational problems and cellular phenomena modeled from a discrete perspective. Particularly, we propose two extensions, namely: (1) Transducers based on Network of Evolutionary Processors (NEPT), and (2) Parametrized Network of Polarized Evolutionary Processors (PNPEP). Additionally, we have formally proved that the properties and computational power of NEP is kept in both extensions. Several simulations about processes related with cellular signaling both syntactical and computationally have been considered to show the model suitability.

Especificaciones eMathTeacher, creación del Modelo Granular Lingüístico de la evaluación del aprendizaje humano, y diseño de sistemas que implementan estos conceptos

El concepto de algoritmo es básico en informática, por lo que es crucial que los alumnos profundicen en él desde el inicio de su formación. Por tanto, contar con una herramienta que guíe a los estudiantes en su aprendizaje puede suponer una gran ayuda en su formación. La mayoría de los autores coinciden en que, para determinar la eficacia de una herramienta de visualización de algoritmos, es esencial cómo se utiliza. Así, los estudiantes que participan activamente en la visualización superan claramente a los que la contemplan de forma pasiva. Por ello, pensamos que uno de los mejores ejercicios para un alumno consiste en simular la ejecución del algoritmo que desea aprender mediante el uso de una herramienta de visualización, i. e. consiste en realizar una simulación visual de dicho algoritmo. La primera parte de esta tesis presenta los resultados de una profunda investigación sobre las características que debe reunir una herramienta de ayuda al aprendizaje de algoritmos y conceptos matemáticos para optimizar su efectividad: el conjunto de especificaciones eMathTeacher, además de un entorno de aprendizaje que integra herramientas que las cumplen: GRAPHs. Hemos estudiado cuáles son las cualidades esenciales para potenciar la eficacia de un sistema e-learning de este tipo. Esto nos ha llevado a la definición del concepto eMathTeacher, que se ha materializado en el conjunto de especificaciones eMathTeacher. Una herramienta e-learning cumple las especificaciones eMathTeacher si actúa como un profesor virtual de matemáticas, i. e. si es una herramienta de autoevaluación que ayuda a los alumnos a aprender de forma activa y autónoma conceptos o algoritmos matemáticos, corrigiendo sus errores y proporcionando pistas para encontrar la respuesta correcta, pero sin dársela explícitamente. En estas herramientas, la simulación del algoritmo no continúa hasta que el usuario introduce la respuesta correcta. Para poder reunir en un único entorno una colección de herramientas que cumplan las especificaciones eMathTeacher hemos creado GRAPHs, un entorno ampliable, basado en simulación visual, diseñado para el aprendizaje activo e independiente de los algoritmos de grafos y creado para que en él se integren simuladores de diferentes algoritmos. Además de las opciones de creación y edición del grafo y la visualización de los cambios producidos en él durante la simulación, el entorno incluye corrección paso a paso, animación del pseudocódigo del algoritmo, preguntas emergentes, manejo de las estructuras de datos del algoritmo y creación de un log de interacción en XML. Otro problema que nos planteamos en este trabajo, por su importancia en el proceso de aprendizaje, es el de la evaluación formativa. El uso de ciertos entornos e-learning genera gran cantidad de datos que deben ser interpretados para llegar a una evaluación que no se limite a un recuento de errores. Esto incluye el establecimiento de relaciones entre los datos disponibles y la generación de descripciones lingüísticas que informen al alumno sobre la evolución de su aprendizaje. Hasta ahora sólo un experto humano era capaz de hacer este tipo de evaluación. Nuestro objetivo ha sido crear un modelo computacional que simule el razonamiento del profesor y genere un informe sobre la evolución del aprendizaje que especifique el nivel de logro de cada uno de los objetivos definidos por el profesor. Como resultado del trabajo realizado, la segunda parte de esta tesis presenta el modelo granular lingüístico de la evaluación del aprendizaje, capaz de modelizar la evaluación y generar automáticamente informes de evaluación formativa. Este modelo es una particularización del modelo granular lingüístico de un fenómeno (GLMP), en cuyo desarrollo y formalización colaboramos, basado en la lógica borrosa y en la teoría computacional de las percepciones. Esta técnica, que utiliza sistemas de inferencia basados en reglas lingüísticas y es capaz de implementar criterios de evaluación complejos, se ha aplicado a dos casos: la evaluación, basada en criterios, de logs de interacción generados por GRAPHs y de cuestionarios de Moodle. Como consecuencia, se han implementado, probado y utilizado en el aula sistemas expertos que evalúan ambos tipos de ejercicios. Además de la calificación numérica, los sistemas generan informes de evaluación, en lenguaje natural, sobre los niveles de competencia alcanzados, usando sólo datos objetivos de respuestas correctas e incorrectas. Además, se han desarrollado dos aplicaciones capaces de ser configuradas para implementar los sistemas expertos mencionados. Una procesa los archivos producidos por GRAPHs y la otra, integrable en Moodle, evalúa basándose en los resultados de los cuestionarios. ABSTRACT The concept of algorithm is one of the core subjects in computer science. It is extremely important, then, for students to get a good grasp of this concept from the very start of their training. In this respect, having a tool that helps and shepherds students through the process of learning this concept can make a huge difference to their instruction. Much has been written about how helpful algorithm visualization tools can be. Most authors agree that the most important part of the learning process is how students use the visualization tool. Learners who are actively involved in visualization consistently outperform other learners who view the algorithms passively. Therefore we think that one of the best exercises to learn an algorithm is for the user to simulate the algorithm execution while using a visualization tool, thus performing a visual algorithm simulation. The first part of this thesis presents the eMathTeacher set of requirements together with an eMathTeacher-compliant tool called GRAPHs. For some years, we have been developing a theory about what the key features of an effective e-learning system for teaching mathematical concepts and algorithms are. This led to the definition of eMathTeacher concept, which has materialized in the eMathTeacher set of requirements. An e-learning tool is eMathTeacher compliant if it works as a virtual math trainer. In other words, it has to be an on-line self-assessment tool that helps students to actively and autonomously learn math concepts or algorithms, correcting their mistakes and providing them with clues to find the right answer. In an eMathTeacher-compliant tool, algorithm simulation does not continue until the user enters the correct answer. GRAPHs is an extendible environment designed for active and independent visual simulation-based learning of graph algorithms, set up to integrate tools to help the user simulate the execution of different algorithms. Apart from the options of creating and editing the graph, and visualizing the changes made to the graph during simulation, the environment also includes step-by-step correction, algorithm pseudo-code animation, pop-up questions, data structure handling and XML-based interaction log creation features. On the other hand, assessment is a key part of any learning process. Through the use of e-learning environments huge amounts of data can be output about this process. Nevertheless, this information has to be interpreted and represented in a practical way to arrive at a sound assessment that is not confined to merely counting mistakes. This includes establishing relationships between the available data and also providing instructive linguistic descriptions about learning evolution. Additionally, formative assessment should specify the level of attainment of the learning goals defined by the instructor. Till now, only human experts were capable of making such assessments. While facing this problem, our goal has been to create a computational model that simulates the instructor’s reasoning and generates an enlightening learning evolution report in natural language. The second part of this thesis presents the granular linguistic model of learning assessment to model the assessment of the learning process and implement the automated generation of a formative assessment report. The model is a particularization of the granular linguistic model of a phenomenon (GLMP) paradigm, based on fuzzy logic and the computational theory of perceptions, to the assessment phenomenon. This technique, useful for implementing complex assessment criteria using inference systems based on linguistic rules, has been applied to two particular cases: the assessment of the interaction logs generated by GRAPHs and the criterion-based assessment of Moodle quizzes. As a consequence, several expert systems to assess different algorithm simulations and Moodle quizzes have been implemented, tested and used in the classroom. Apart from the grade, the designed expert systems also generate natural language progress reports on the achieved proficiency level, based exclusively on the objective data gathered from correct and incorrect responses. In addition, two applications, capable of being configured to implement the expert systems, have been developed. One is geared up to process the files output by GRAPHs and the other one is a Moodle plug-in set up to perform the assessment based on the quizzes results.

Modelo computacional para avaliação do desempenho hidrodinâmico de embarcações de planeio em águas calmas.

Em geral, uma embarcação de planeio é projetada para atingir elevados níveis de velocidade. Esse atributo de desempenho está diretamente relacionado ao porte da embarcação e à potência instalada em sua planta propulsiva. Tradicionalmente, durante o projeto de uma embarcação, as análises de desempenho são realizadas através de resultados de embarcações já existentes, retirados de séries sistemáticas ou de embarcações já desenvolvidas pelo estaleiro e/ou projetista. Além disso, a determinação dos atributos de desempenho pode ser feita através de métodos empíricos e/ou estatísticos, onde a embarcação é representada através de seus parâmetros geométricos principais; ou a partir de testes em modelos em escala reduzida ou protótipos. No caso específico de embarcações de planeio, o custo dos testes em escala reduzida é muito elevado em relação ao custo de projeto. Isso faz com que a maioria dos projetistas não opte por ensaios experimentais das novas embarcações em desenvolvimento. Ao longo dos últimos anos, o método de Savitsky foi largamente utilizado para se realizar estimativas de potência instalada de uma embarcação de planeio. Esse método utiliza um conjunto de equações semi-empíricas para determinar os esforços atuantes na embarcação, a partir dos quais é possível determinar a posição de equilíbrio de operação e a força propulsora necessária para navegar em uma dada velocidade. O método de Savitsky é muito utilizado nas fases iniciais de projeto, onde a geometria do casco ainda não foi totalmente definida, pois utiliza apenas as características geométricas principais da embarcação para realização das estimativas de esforços. À medida que se avança nas etapas de projeto, aumenta o detalhamento necessário das estimativas de desempenho. Para a realização, por exemplo, do projeto estrutural é necessária uma estimativa do campo de pressão atuante no fundo do casco, o qual não pode ser determinado pelo método de Savitsky. O método computacional implementado nesta dissertação, tem o objetivo de determinar as características do escoamento e o campo de pressão atuante no casco de uma embarcação de planeio navegando em águas calmas. O escoamento é determinado através de um problema de valor de contorno, no qual a superfície molhada no casco é considerada um corpo esbelto. Devido ao uso da teoria de corpo esbelto o problema pode ser tratado, separadamente, em cada seção, onde as condições de contorno são forçadamente respeitadas através de uma distribuição de vórtices.

Saint Mathew Law and Bonini Paradox in Textual Theory of Complex Models

The mathematical models of the complex reality are texts belonging to a certain literature that is written in a semi-formal language, denominated L(MT) by the authors whose laws linguistic mathematics have been previously defined. This text possesses linguistic entropy that is the reflection of the physical entropy of the processes of real world that said text describes. Through the temperature of information defined by Mandelbrot, the authors begin a text-reality thermodynamic theory that drives to the existence of information attractors, or highly structured point, settling down a heterogeneity of the space text, the same one that of ontologic space, completing the well-known law of Saint Mathew, of the General Theory of Systems and formulated by Margalef saying: “To the one that has more he will be given, and to the one that doesn't have he will even be removed it little that it possesses.

A földrajzi távolság, a kulturális hasonlóság és a szabadkereskedelem hatása a borkereskedelemre = Effects on the global wine trade of geographical distance, cultural and linguistic similarity, and free trade

A globalizálódó világgazdaságban a vezető bortermelő országok egyre jelentősebb borkereskedelmet bonyolítanak le egymás között. Míg Európában a fogyasztók egyre kevesebb bort vásárolnak, addig Amerikában és Ázsiában a bor iránti kereslet folyamatosan bővül: a borkereskedelem földrajzi átrendeződése zajlik. A kulturális hasonlóság és a földrajzi távolság kereskedelemre gyakorolt hatását gyakran a kereskedelemelméletek gravitációs modelljével elemzik. E tanulmány azt vizsgálja, hogy a fő borexportáló országok közötti földrajzi távolság, kulturális hasonlóság és szabadkereskedelem milyen hatással van a nemzetközi borkereskedelemre, annak költségeire. A regressziós becslés eredményei alátámasztják, hogy a borkereskedelem költségei alacsonyabbak, ha a kereskedelmi partnerek kulturálisan hasonlók, földrajzilag közel helyezkednek el egymáshoz, vagy van tengeri kikötőjük, tagjai a WTO-nak, illetve ha kötöttek egymással regionális kereskedelmi megállapodást. Ezenkívül megállapítható, hogy az angolszász, a latin-amerikai és az európai kulturális klaszterek elsősorban egymással kereskednek. A kutatás számos kulturális változó alkalmazásával és több ökonometriai modell, illetve becslési eljárás nagymintás tesztelésével gazdagítja a szakirodalmat. ____ In a globalizing world, major wine-producing countries export considerable quantities to the global wine market and turn over a notable trade, but in what happens European wine regions differ markedly from the New World. Here major wine producers suffered a remarkable fall in domestic wine consumption in recent decades, while New World wine producers increased their production potential and generated new foreign demand. The changes have been joined by geographical relocation of wine consumption and exports. The gravity equation can be derived from demand-side or supply-side theory-consistent estimation methods that suggest relationships between the size of the economies, geographical distances, cultural similarities, and size of their trade. The paper analyses the effects of cultural and geographical proximity, free trade, and linguistic similarity on bilateral trade in the main wine-producing countries, using a cross-section gravity model for 2012. The results suggest that larger countries export more wine, while transport costs rise in line with geographical distance and are higher for landlocked trading partners. Wine export costs are lower if trading partners are culturally similar, share a dominant religion, or are both WTO members with regional trade agreements. Anglo-Saxon, Germanic, Latin American and Latin European countries mainly trade wines within their groups. The paper looks to extend the number of trading partners, investigate the effect of language clusters, and confirm that the results are robust by different econometric methodologies.

La enseñanza de las construcciones pasivas e impersonales con "se" en español como L2. ¿Cuántas distinciones son necesarias?

Este artículo sugiere un enfoque nuevo a la enseñanza de las dos estructuras gramaticales la pasiva refleja y el “se” impersonal para las clases universitarias de E/LE. Concretamente, se argumenta que las dos se deberían tratar como construcciones pasivas, basada en un análisis léxico-funcional de ellas que enfoca la lingüística contrastiva. Incluso para la instrucción de E/LE, se recomienda una aproximación contrastiva en la que se enfocan tanto la reflexión metalingüística como la competencia del estudiante en el L2. Específicamente, el uso de córpora lingüísticos en la clase forma una parte integral de la instrucción. El uso de un corpus estimula la curiosidad del estudiante, le expone a material de lengua auténtica, y promulga la reflexión inductiva independiente.

Performatividad y arte computacional. Hacia una “DIY society”

El artículo analiza la figura del prosumidor desde los estudios visuales a partir de la combinación de la teoría de los actos de habla y los nuevos medios. El objetivo es evaluar si la distinción entre productores y consumidores, estrategias y tácticas de Michel de Certeau continúa siendo operativa en las interfaces gráficas de la cultura global de la información de Scott Lash. Para ello distingue dos tipos de performatividad de los actos de habla: la performatividad top-down del software, y la bottom-up de los juegos del lenguaje y las formas de vida. Estos tipos se aplican al análisis del discurso de los eslóganes que aparecen en los sitios web de las iniciativas “open” y de economía colaborativa, ya que las primeras están dedicadas a la producción de bienes inmateriales y las segundas a la producción de bienes materiales. El desarrollo muestra cómo los dos tipos de performatividad transforman el análisis textual de los estudios literarios y cinematográficos en una metodología capaz de investigar acciones materiales, humanas y no humanas. Las conclusiones describen el surgimiento de nuevas convenciones narrativas de poder y control ajenas a la ficción que apuntan a una “DIY society”.

"Secretary in Fashion" and "Love-Letters": a study of socio-cultural and pragmatic-linguistic features in the late 17th century English language

Epistolary manuals are conspicuous historical documents for the pedagogy of letter writing; however, their actual usage as manuals by letter writers is unknown. "Secretary in Fashion" by Serre (1668), an epistolary manual, and "Love-Letters between a Nobleman and his Sister" (1684), an epistolary novel attributed to Behn, both give insights into epistolary conventions. Their inception and nature is interesting, considering their historical context. Despite the Restoration of Charles II, 17th century England was in a confused political state; as a result, texts regarding social convention or politics interested contemporary readers (the novel is inspired by a scandal of Lord Grey, an ardent Whig opposing Charles II). Past epistolary studies focus on 18th rather than 17th century manuals; the latter is typically used as supplementary information. Similarly, past epistolary fiction studies focus on 18th century texts; moreover, linguistic studies on Behn and the novel are deficient. Thus, this study addresses the research questions: 1) What are the socio-cultural and pragmaticlinguistic features represented in "Secretary in Fashion"? 2) What are the socio-cultural and pragmatic-linguistic features represented in "Love-Letters between a Nobleman and his Sister", and do any of these features correlate with the features represented in "Secretary in Fashion"? How far do the characteristic linguistic features of "Love-Letters between a Nobleman and his Sister" correlate with the practices recommended by the manual? Both texts were qualitatively analysed from an historical pragmatic perspective, which observes the potential effects of the socio-cultural and historical context. Also, as the texts concern shared discourses, comparisons were made with Gricean and Politeness Theory. The results show that the manual is a typical 17th century epistolary manual, aligning particularly with the "Academies of Complements", as it concerns the social conventions of the gentry. The novel mainly upheld instructions on form and matter; deviations occurred due to the amatory nature of some letters, and the narrative force affecting the style. Unfortunately, neither research question elucidates the actual usage of manuals. However, this study does show the epistolary practices of two writers, within specific contexts. It reveals that their 17th century English language use is affected by socialisation, in terms of social conventions concerning social rank, age, and gender; therefore, context varies language use. Also, their popularity reveals the interests of the 17th century society. Interest in epistolary-related texts, surely piques the interest of the modern reader as to why such epistolary-related texts were interesting.