Optical characterization of the Advanced Virgo gravitational wave detector for the O4 observing run

The Advanced Virgo Plus detector, an upgrade of the Advanced Virgo Detector, is a dual-recycled Fabry–Perot Michelson interferometer characterized by 3 km long arm cavities. The main upgrades in view of the fourth observing run (O4) were the implementation of the signal recycling cavity and the installation of the frequency-dependent squeezing system. Another upgrade was the increasing of the laser power at the input of the detector, which could lead to more severe thermal aberrations impacting the achievement of the interferometer optimal working point. Therefore, the fine-tuning of the thermal compensation system, optimized with respect to the one implemented for the O3 run, was also challenging. In order to achieve the best performance of such a sophisticated optical system, having a clear knowledge of all its optical parameters is crucial. The optical characterization of the detector in different working conditions could help in understanding its behavior and optimizing the global control system. Moreover, the characterization in different thermal conditions, i.e., different values of the input laser power or different configurations of the thermal compensation system, could provide significant guidance for the optimization of the thermal tuning. In this paper, we will describe all the methodologies adopted for the optical characterization activities performed in Advanced Virgo Plus, presenting the experimental results for all the relevant parameters obtained during the preparation of the O4 run

Fuzzy-Valued Functions Calculus Through Midpoint Representation

In this paper, we are concerned with the calculus for fuzzy-valued functions of a single real variable when the adopted representation is the midpoint-radius; in particular, we extend the well-known LU-order to the more general case of the so-called γ -order based on the generalized Hukuhara difference and we show that the new index includes the commonly used order relations proposed in literature and it satisfies seven properties which play a crucial role in the justification of the main theorem based on the possibility to represent the efficient region through fuzzy-valued functions deeply related to the same region. Some graphical examples strengthen the innovative approach as a result of a generalization

The Role of Interactive Games in Learning Processes

This paper aims at presenting the design, implementation, and outcomes of an interactive game (MultiCountry), highlighting its potential for fostering mathematical and quantitative learning in economics, as well as its ability to artificially generate quantitative data that can be effectively used in experimental economic research. The game is based on the Macrosim software, developed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW), which can be applied in various contexts, including macroeconomics, the banking industry, and futures contracts. As expected, the results of the game show that students are gradually able to understand how their economy works and how it responds to their own decisions and those made by other players. Moreover, simulation-based games play a crucial role in modern economics education. These tools transform abstract and often complex theoretical models into immersive, interactive environments, thereby facilitating deeper student engagement, enhanced motivation, and improved knowledge retention. They enable experiential learning, allowing students to experiment with policy variables or market decisions in a low-risk setting, observe the dynamics of their choices in real time, and critically reflect on outcomes—elements shown to foster critical thinking, strategic decision-making, and problem-solving skills. Further, simulations provide educators with rich, generated datasets, creating valuable opportunities for analysis, hypothesis testing, and empirical study within experimental economics frameworks. Overall, the combination of active learning, immediate feedback, and realistic modelling situates simulation games as powerful pedagogical instruments for developing both theoretical understanding and quantitative competence in economics students

The Effect of Exercise-Based Interventions on Health-Related Quality of Life of Patients with Hematological Malignancies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background/Objectives: Hematological cancers encompass a collection of heterogeneous conditions. The need for repeated treatments and prolonged hospitalization leads to a decrease in health-related quality of life. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the effect of exercise interventions on functioning scales, global health status, and symptoms in patients with hematological cancers. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were systematically screened, and randomized controlled trials were included. The primary outcome was health-related quality of life assessed through the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life questionnaire. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model and 95% confidence intervals. Results: A total of 14 trials involving 837 patients with mixed cancer types were included. Most studies evaluated exercise interventions during hospitalization, with aerobic and resistance training at moderate intensity being the most common modalities and adherence rates ranging from 28% to 100%. Exercise programs significantly improved physical (SMD 0.23; 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.40; p = 0.008), emotional (SMD 0.19; 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.36; p = 0.020) and cognitive functioning (SMD 0.20; 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.37; p = 0.026), and global health status (SMD 0.24; 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.46; p = 0.027). Significant reductions were observed in fatigue (SMD -0.33; 95% CI: -0.52 to -0.14; p = 0.001), pain (SMD -0.34; 95% CI: -0.53 to -0.15; p = 0.000), and insomnia (SMD -0.22; 95% CI: -0.41 to -0.03; p = 0.024). Heterogeneity was minimal across most domains, suggesting consistent findings. Conclusions: Exercise interventions are effective in enhancing functioning scales and global health status and reducing symptom burden in patients receiving intensive treatments. Future research is required to explore the long-term effects of exercise and develop tailored programs for specific hematologic malignancies and treatment settings

Psicologia Educativa

Il Master si propone di fornire strumenti avanzati e di specializzare e approfondire la formazione di sensibilità, abilità e competenze relazionali efficaci per attivare interventi psicopedagogici, didattici ed educativi di prevenzione del disagio e gestione delle difficoltà con elementi di promozione del benessere negli ambiti scolastici, educativi e sociali. La finalità ultima del Corso è quella di fornire agli iscritti strumenti concettuali e metodologici (con esemplificazioni di casi scolastici e/o clinici) utili alla comprensione delle dinamiche scolastiche e coadiuvanti nel costruire una collaborazione produttiva e inclusiva tra i diversi agenti del sistema scolastico nei vari ambiti di declinazione. Ciascuna area tematica disciplinare approfondirà la conoscenza di modelli e processi sottostanti lo sviluppo tipico e atipico, il disagio (lato studente e lato docente) oltre a modelli e tecniche finalizzati alla promozione degli apprendimenti, inclusività e benessere scolastico organizzativo/educativo. Ogni partecipante potrà sviluppare competenze metodologiche disciplinari, consapevolezza professionale e capacità critica, strategie di intervento psicoeducativo e/o organizzativo nei propri contesti professionali

Le Elleniche di Senofonte: uno studio dei discorsi diretti

Con questa ricerca mi propongo di studiare le orazioni delle Elleniche di Senofonte. Le Elleniche contengono novantacinque interventi in forma diretta orazioni, dialoghi, discorsi misti e discorsi diretti brevi; all’interno di questa varietà, le orazioni sono trentacinque. Sarà, dunque, elaborato un commento monografico alle orazioni, per illustrare come e con quale scopo Senofonte utilizza la τέχνη ῥητορική per comporle. Questa procedura, già utilizzata da Tucidide, risulta essere parte integrante del processo di composizione della letteratura che tratta di argomento storico. Sebbene sia possibile constatare un crescente interesse per la τέχνη ῥητορική di Senofonte, mancano ancora contributi che abbiano analizzato in modo sistematico le caratteristiche retorico-stilistiche e le funzioni dei discorsi nelle Elleniche. Pertanto, il mio progetto costituirebbe il primo tentativo di esplorare strutturalmente l'insieme dei discorsi per osservare in dettaglio l'uso di questo strumento dell’historia da parte di Senofonte. Le orazioni saranno analizzate per tipologie. Una prima disamina di tutti i discorsi ha reso possibile individuare la presenza di situazioni e contesti ricorrenti. In considerazione del contesto, dell’oratore e dei destinatari del discorso, sono emerse le seguenti tipologie: militare, giudiziaria, politica e diplomatica. Si esamineranno in primo luogo le caratteristiche retorico-stilistiche; poi si farà attenzione ai contenuti: oltre agli aspetti più propriamente storici, si farà attenzione alle argomentazioni degli oratori, e, laddove possibile, alla presenza di topoi e di temi comuni al pensiero greco. A questo proposito, sarà necessario osservare il rapporto di continuità che Senofonte istituisce tra ciascun discorso e il contesto narrativo per verificare la coincidenza o la discordanza tra quanto riferito da Senofonte-narratore e quanto dall’oratore. Si procederà, quindi, con l’indagine delle funzioni. Bisogna distinguere innanzitutto tra funzioni intra-discorsive, destinate al pubblico del discorso, e quelle extra-discorsive, rivolte al lettore. Le funzioni intra-discorsive dipendono dalla finalità del discorso, che possono essere la persuasione o l’esortazione: si tratta di funzione deliberativa, nei casi dei discorsi giudiziari, politici e diplomatici, e di funzione parenetica, in quelli militari. Nei discorsi giudiziari di difesa, la funzione è, invece, apologetica. Quelle extra-discorsive, invece, hanno a che vedere con le motivazioni di Senofonte; queste sono molteplici e spesso intersecate tra loro. Infine, si presterà attenzione alla caratterizzazione dell’ἦθος dei personaggi a cui Senofonte ha scelto di affidare i discorsi. La costruzione dell’ἦθος è affidata in primo luogo alla presentazione dell’oratore da parte di Senofonte, vale a dire alla descrizione che questi fa prima di dargli voce; il connubio tra commento senofonteo e la realizzazione del discorso da parte dell’oratore, con le sue argomentazioni, le sue motivazioni, il suo linguaggio e le sue sfumature consentono di caratterizzarlo con vividezza e tridimensionalità.My project aims to elaborate an analysis of the set speeches in the seven books of Xenophon's Hellenica, focused on the rhetorical-stylistic characteristics and functions. The Hellenica contains many speeches (set speeches, short speeches, dialogues), which are about a fifth of the work and which are a structural element of the narrative. Set speeches are thirty-nine. Therefore, I will elaborate a monographic commentary on set speeches, to illustrate how and with what purpose Xenophon uses τέχνη ῥητορική to compose the speeches; this procedure, which was already used by Thucydides, turns out to be an integral part of the process of composition of the literature that deals with historical subject. Although it is, therefore, possible to see an increasing interest in the τέχνη ῥητορική of Xenophon, there is still a lack of contributions that have systematically analyzed in a proper extensive way rhetorical-stylistic features and functions of the set speeches in the Hellenica. Therefore, my project would constitute the first attempt to structurally explore the set of speeches to observe in detail Xenophon's use of this tool of historia. The set speeches will be analyzed by types. An initial examination of all speeches made it possible to identify the presence of recurring situations and contexts. Considering the context, the speaker and the addressees of the speech, the following types emerged: military, judicial, political and diplomatic. The speeches will be analyzed in two ways. First, I will focus on the rhetorical-stylistic characteristics; then the contents will be examined: in addition to the more properly historical aspects, attention will be paid to the arguments of the speakers, and, wherever possible, to the presence of topoi, motifs, and themes common to Greek thought. We will proceed, then, with the investigation of functions. We must first distinguish between intra-discursive functions, intended for the audience of the discourse, and extra-discursive functions, aimed at the reader. Intra-discursive functions depend on the purpose of the speech, which may be persuasion or exhortation: these are deliberative functions, in the cases of judicial, political and diplomatic speeches, and parenetic functions, in military ones. In judicial defense speeches, the function is, on the other hand, apologetic. The extra-discursive ones, on the other hand, have to do with Xenophon's motives; these are multiple and often related to each other. Finally, attention will be paid to the characterization of the ἦθος of the characters to whom Xenophon chose to entrust the speeches. The construction of the ἦθος is entrusted primarily to Xenophon's presentation of the speaker, that is, to the description he gives before giving him voice; the combination of Xenophon's commentary and the speaker's realization of the speech, with its arguments, motivations, language, and nuances allow it to be characterized

How fragile are European GVCs? The role of functional diversification and implications for industrial policy

This paper examines the relationship between functional diversification and foreign input reliance (FIR) in European countries, with a focus on manufacturing sectors. We propose that greater functional diversification is a key strategy to soften dependency on foreign inputs, thereby mitigating the risks associated with Global Value Chain (GVC) disruptions. We elaborate on recently developed indicators for GVC exposure based on international gross trade flows and test their association with a novel measure of functional diversification, proxied with data on Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) across value chain activities. Our findings reveal that functional diversification is negatively associated with FIR, particularly from extra-EU sources, indicating that European countries can reduce exposure to GVC disruptions by diversifying value-adding functions. However, this relationship is also found with reference to the intra-EU FIR component, suggesting that functional diversification strategies undertaken at the level of individual member states may end up weakening European trade integration. We conclude that the EU’s Open Strategic Autonomy framework should carefully consider coordinated industrial strategies to strengthen the EU’s capacity to navigate GVC disruptions without undermining intra-EU trade ties