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21 pages, 5387 KB

Open AccessArticle

Language Statistics at Different Spatial, Temporal, and Grammatical Scales

by Fernanda Sánchez-Puig, Rogelio Lozano-Aranda, Dante Pérez-Méndez, Ewan Colman, Alfredo J. Morales-Guzmán, Pedro Juan Rivera Torres, Carlos Pineda and Carlos Gershenson

Entropy 2024, 26(9), 734; https://doi.org/10.3390/e26090734 - 29 Aug 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2676

Abstract

In recent decades, the field of statistical linguistics has made significant strides, which have been fueled by the availability of data. Leveraging Twitter data, this paper explores the English and Spanish languages, investigating their rank diversity across different scales: temporal intervals (ranging from 3 to 96 h), spatial radii (spanning 3 km to over 3000 km), and grammatical word ngrams (ranging from 1-grams to 5-grams). The analysis focuses on word ngrams, examining a time period of 1 year (2014) and eight different countries. Our findings highlight the relevance of all three scales with the most substantial changes observed at the grammatical level. Specifically, at the monogram level, rank diversity curves exhibit remarkable similarity across languages, countries, and temporal or spatial scales. However, as the grammatical scale expands, variations in rank diversity become more pronounced and influenced by temporal, spatial, linguistic, and national factors. Additionally, we investigate the statistical characteristics of Twitter-specific tokens, including emojis, hashtags, and user mentions, revealing a sigmoid pattern in their rank diversity function. These insights contribute to quantifying universal language statistics while also identifying potential sources of variation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Complexity Characteristics of Natural Language)

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12 pages, 3312 KB

Open AccessArticle

“Vergis Mein Nit”—Connectedness and Commemoration through Rings in the 16th Century

by Romina Ebenhöch

Arts 2023, 12(5), 182; https://doi.org/10.3390/arts12050182 - 24 Aug 2023

Viewed by 2636

Abstract

By the end of the 16th century, finger rings in reverse glass painting technique became increasingly popular in Europe. Often, they are used in the context of signet rings with the monogram together with the coat of arms of its beholder depicted on the glass bezel. The following paper concentrates on nine finger rings of this group. Instead of an actual coat of arms though, these finger rings carry the device V(G)MN or FGMN (for-get-me-not) accompanied by a depiction of little blue forget-me-not flowers as the coat of arms. By collecting and describing the so far existing material, the paper aims to contextualize the use and function of the finger rings with the symbol of the forget-me-not flower in the fields of love, friendship and faith. Furthermore, it links the symbol of the for-get-me-not on finger rings and the imperative power of the written letters V(G)MN or FGMN to its tradition in German literature and texts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medieval and Early Modern Finger Rings from Christian and Jewish Contexts)

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28 pages, 7212 KB

Open AccessArticle

Deciphering the Inscriptions on “The Adoration of the Magi” by Bartholomäus Zeitblom on the High Altar of Blaubeuren

by Vicente Jara-Vera and Carmen Sánchez-Ávila

Religions 2023, 14(7), 868; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14070868 - 3 Jul 2023

Viewed by 2532

Abstract

The Blaubeuren monastery (Germany) is home to one of the most beautiful religious artistic expressions of Swabian art from the end of the 15th century, a collaborative work of various artists and workshops, including Jörg Syrlin the Younger, Michel Erhart, Hans Schüchlin, Bartholomäus Zeitblom, and Bernhard Strigel. It is a high altar triptych with a double opening. On its right inner bas-relief is “The Adoration of the Magi”, a work by Bartholomäus Zeitblom (ca. 1455–1520), a prominent member of the Ulm School. In the scene, on King Balthazar’s leg, there is a short literary text and a number, “DIER ZVO LIEB 100”, as well as a crowned monogram among floral elements. In this decipherment study, we propose meanings for all of these inscriptions, based on a collection of various previous solutions. The conclusions lead us to a pious expression toward the Child God based on an old Tyrolean Christmas carol compiled in the 19th century, which we trace back to at least the 15th century, an author’s signature by Zeitblom, and an acknowledgment of the royalty of the Virgin Mother Mary. Full article

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21 pages, 1525 KB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Predicting Disability Using a Nomogram of the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI)

by Robbert J. Gobbens, Livia M. Santiago, Izabella Uchmanowicz and Tjeerd van der Ploeg

Healthcare 2023, 11(8), 1150; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11081150 - 17 Apr 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2750

Abstract

Disability is associated with lower quality of life and premature death in older people. Therefore, prevention and intervention targeting older people living with a disability is important. Frailty can be considered a major predictor of disability. In this study, we aimed to develop nomograms with items of the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI) as predictors by using cross-sectional and longitudinal data (follow-up of five and nine years), focusing on the prediction of total disability, disability in activities of daily living (ADL), and disability in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). At baseline, 479 Dutch community-dwelling people aged ≥75 years participated. They completed a questionnaire that included the TFI and the Groningen Activity Restriction Scale to assess the three disability variables. We showed that the TFI items scored different points, especially over time. Therefore, not every item was equally important in predicting disability. ‘Difficulty in walking’ and ‘unexplained weight loss’ appeared to be important predictors of disability. Healthcare professionals need to focus on these two items to prevent disability. We also conclude that the points given to frailty items differed between total, ADL, and IADL disability and also differed regarding years of follow-up. Creating one monogram that does justice to this seems impossible. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frailty in Community-Dwelling Older People)

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27 pages, 14167 KB

Open AccessArticle

Piety, Power, or Presence? Strategies of Monumental Visualization of Patronage in Late Antique Ravenna

by Maria Cristina Carile

Religions 2021, 12(2), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12020098 - 1 Feb 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5411

Abstract

Between Late Antiquity and the early Middle Ages, lay and cleric alike felt the need to be remembered in the monuments they sponsored. Accordingly, specific elements of the décor were designed as means capable of bearing the patron’s memory. The late antique churches of Ravenna offer an extraordinary field to understand how patrons left their mark on decorative programs of ancient buildings. There, portraits, inscriptions, and monograms emerge as the primary instruments used in a complex strategy of visual communication. However, each had its own communicative power and peculiar use. Either separately or in connection, they were able to convey strong messages of patronship to the viewer. By focusing on each of these elements in its context and on the ways they all interacted with the surrounding architecture and church decoration, this paper will highlight their value as visual objects capable to immortalize the piety, power, or presence of the patron. Indeed, the silent dialogue enacted into the architectural space with the beholder will allow us to reconstruct the hidden messages that individuals or groups meant to communicate to posterity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Religions and Humanities/Philosophies)

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18 pages, 616 KB

Open AccessArticle

Seeking a Chaotic Order in the Cryptocurrency Market

by Samet Gunay and Kerem Kaşkaloğlu

Math. Comput. Appl. 2019, 24(2), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/mca24020036 - 4 Apr 2019

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5510

Abstract

In this study, we investigate the existence of chaos in the global cryptocurrency market. Specifically, we analyze parameters of chaotic order, nonlinearity, sensitivity to the initial conditions, monofractality, and multifractality. For this purpose, we conduct a comprehensive series of tests, including Brock–Dechert–Scheinkman (BDS) test, largest Lyapunov exponent, box-counting, and monogram analysis for fractal dimension, and multiple tests for long-range dependence (Aggregated Variances, Peng, Higuchi, R/S Analysis, and Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (MFDFA)). All tests are performed over a variety of major cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, and Ripple. The empirical results support the existence of chaos in the cryptocurrency market. Accordingly, cryptocurrency returns are not random and follow a chaotic order. Therefore, long term predictions are not possible, contrary to most of the discussions ongoing in the media and the public. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Social Sciences)

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