Welfare implications of joining a common currency

This paper examines the welfare implications of a country joining a currency union as opposed to operating in a flexible exchange rate regime. At the country level, the suboptimal response to domestic and foreign shocks and the inability of setting inflation at the desired level may be offset by a positive impact on potential output. We show that for entry to be welfare enhancing, the potential output gain must be the larger, the smaller the country, the larger the difference between the standard deviation of supply shocks across the participating countries, the smaller the correlation of countries’ supply shocks and the larger the variance of real exchange rate shocks. JEL Classification: E52, E58, F33, F40Balassa-Samuelson Effect, Currency union, monetary policy, Welfare

Point Contact Spectra on YBa2_2Cu3_3O7−x_{7-x}/La0.7_{0.7}Ca0.3_{0.3}MnO3_3 bilayers

We present conductance characteristics of point contact junctions realized between a normal Pt-Ir tip and YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-x}$/La$_{0.7}$Ca$_{0.3}$MnO$_3$ (YBCO/LCMO) bilayers. The point contact characteristics show a zero bias conductance peak, as a consequence of the formation of Andreev bound states at the YBCO Fermi level. The temperature evolution of the spectra reveals a depressed zero bias peak and a reduced superconducting energy gap, both explainable in terms of spin polarization effects due to the LCMO layer.Comment: 4 pages, 4 EPS figures. Proceedings of EUCAS 2005. Accepted in Journal of Physics: Conference Serie

A Differential Fault Attack against Deterministic Falcon Signatures

We describe a fault attack against the deterministic variant of the Falcon signature scheme. It is the first fault attack that exploits specific properties of deterministic Falcon. The attack works under a very liberal and realistic single fault random model. The main idea is to inject a fault into the pseudo-random generator of the pre-image trapdoor sampler, generate different signatures for the same input, find reasonably short lattice vectors this way, and finally use lattice reduction techniques to obtain the private key. We investigate the relationship between fault location, the number of faults, computational effort for a possibly remaining exhaustive search step and success probability

The Actuator Design and the Experimental Tests of a New Technology Large Deformable Mirror for Visible Wavelengths Adaptive Optics

Recently, Adaptive Secondary Mirrors showed excellent on-sky results in the Near Infrared wavelengths. They currently provide 30mm inter-actuator spacing and about 1 kHz bandwidth. Pushing these devices to be operated at visible wavelengths is a challenging task. Compared to the current systems, working in the infrared, the more demanding requirements are the higher spatial resolution and the greater correction bandwidth. In fact, the turbulence scale is shorter and the parameter variation is faster. Typically, the former is not larger than 25 mm (projected on the secondary mirror) and the latter is 2 kHz, therefore the actuator has to be more slender and faster than the current ones. With a soft magnetic composite core, a dual-stator and a single-mover, VRALA, the actuator discussed in this paper, attains unprecedented performances with a negligible thermal impact. Pre-shaping the current required to deliver a given stroke greatly simplifies the control system, whose output supplies the current generator. As the inductance depends on the mover position, the electronics of this generator, provided with an inductance measure circuit, works also as a displacement sensor, supplying the control system with an accurate feed-back signal. A preliminary prototype, built according to the several FEA thermo-magnetic analyses, has undergone some preliminary laboratory tests. The results of these checks, matching the design results in terms of power and force, show that the the magnetic design addresses the severe specifications

Effect of different lignocellulosic fibres on poly(ε-caprolactone)-based composites for potential applications in orthotics

This work compares the mechanical and thermal behaviour of fully biodegradable biocomposites based on polycaprolactone reinforced with three different natural fibres, namely hemp, sisal and coir, for potential applications in the field of orthoses. The same properties were further compared to those of two commercially available materials commonly used in the same prospective field. The results confirmed that the addition of natural fibres, irrespective of the origin of the fibres (leaf, bast or fruit) to a biodegradable matrix allows for significant improvement of the mechanical behaviour of the ensuing composites compared to traditional thermoplastic materials used in orthotics

The visual art as a learning tool in medical education

The literature has identified promising findings regarding the application of methodology using visual art to develop the cognitive skill of observation and description to enhance critical thinking among medical students. This longitudinal controlled quasi-experimental study aims to demonstrate that Visual Thinking Strategies method and other art activities are effective in improving and maintaining the ability to observe, describe and critically interpret artistic or medical images in undergraduate medical students. The course of art and medicine was given at the 3rd, 4th, and 5th year at the same cohort of students within the curriculum of Medicine and Surgery of Sapienza University of Rome and a baseline pre-post assessment was performed using a validated rubric to score a written test on observation and interpretation of paintings and clinical images. All the students increased their score from pre to post-test in the 3rd year, but only the students attending the electives during the 4th and 5th year maintained their ability to observe, describe and critically interpret. Our findings suggest that The Visual Thinking Strategies, as arts-based learning activities, are an effective methodology to increase the professional abilities of medical students but if our findings are coherent with what is already known about the effectiveness of the observation of fine arts to increase clinical visual skills but it needs persistence of these activities. Therefore they should be added to medical curricula as a mandatory component

A Cautionary Note: Side-Channel Leakage Implications of Deterministic Signature Schemes

Two recent proposals by Bernstein and Pornin emphasize the use of deterministic signatures in DSA and its elliptic curve-based variants. Deterministic signatures derive the required ephemeral key value in a deterministic manner from the message to be signed and the secret key instead of using random number generators. The goal is to prevent severe security issues, such as the straight-forward secret key recovery from low quality random numbers. Recent developments have raised skepticism whether e.g. embedded or pervasive devices are able to generate randomness of sufficient quality. The main concerns stem from individual implementations lacking sufficient entropy source and standardized methods for random number generation with suspected back doors. While we support the goal of deterministic signatures, we are concerned about the fact that this has a significant influence on side-channel security of implementations. Specifically, attackers will be able to mount differential side-channel attacks on the additional use of the secret key in a cryptographic hash function to derive the deterministic ephemeral key. Previously, only a simple integer arithmetic function to generate the second signature parameter had to be protected, which is rather straight-forward. Hash functions are significantly more difficult to protect. In this contribution, we systematically explain how deterministic signatures introduce this new side-channel vulnerability

Inclusión de las diversidades en la Escuela Italiana

El marco teórico que subyace a una pedagogía de la inclusión se refiere a la ontología relacional en la que se hace evidente que la existencia del ser humano es siempre un “ser con” los otros. Esta ontología cuestiona los conceptos de respeto, responsabilidad y reconocimiento, que dan a cada relación comunicativa, una connotación ética. La relación entre “yo” y “tú” y la (relación) entre diferencia y diversidad, son los marcadores conceptuales ineliminables para construir la apertura necesaria al otro. No hay dos personas idénticas en ninguna sociedad; intereses, capacidades, actitudes, contexto social, cultura, hábitos, son connotaciones completamente personales. Así sucede en la escuela también. Cada alumno tiene un estilo, un ritmo de aprendizaje, una forma de ser y de conocer. Prácticamente, para que el proceso educativo tenga lugar, cada sujeto necesita estímulos y ayudas completamente personalizadas. Este es el principio fundamental en el que debe basarse un recorrido formativo, especialmente si está orientado a la escuela o a la inclusión social

INCLUSION OF DIVERSITY IN THE ITALIAN SCHOOL

El marco teórico que subyace a una pedagogía de la inclusión se refiere a la ontología relacional en la que se hace evidente que la existencia del ser humano es siempre un “ser con” los otros. Esta ontología cuestiona los conceptos de respeto, responsabilidad y reconocimiento, que dan a cada relación comunicativa, una connotación ética. La relación entre “yo” y “tú” y la (relación) entre diferencia y diversidad, son los marcadores conceptuales ineliminables para construir la apertura necesaria al otro. No hay dos personas idénticas en ninguna sociedad; intereses, capacidades, actitudes, contexto social, cultura, hábitos, son connotaciones completamente personales. Así sucede en la escuela también. Cada alumno tiene un estilo, un ritmo de aprendizaje, una forma de ser y de conocer. Prácticamente, para que el proceso educativo tenga lugar, cada sujeto necesita estímulos y ayudas completamente personalizadas. Este es el principio fundamental en el que debe basarse un recorrido formativo, especialmente si está orientado a la escuela o a la inclusión social.The theoretical framework underlying a pedagogy of inclusion refers to relational ontology in which it becomes evident that the existence of human beings is always being with others. Such ontology calls into question the concepts of respect, responsibility and recognition, which give each communicative relation an ethical connotation. The relationship between ‘I’ and ‘You’ and the difference between diversity and otherness are the ineliminable conceptual markers to build the necessary openness to the other. There are no two identical people in any society; interests, capacities, attitudes, social context, culture, habits, are completely personal. So it’s also in school. Each pupil has a style, a learning rhythm, a way of being and knowing. The essence is, in order for the educational process to take place, every subject needs stimuli and aid that are completely personalized. This is the guiding principle on which a learning path, especially when it comes to inclusion in school or in society, has to be founded