On the Minimal Uncompletable Word Problem

Let S be a finite set of words over an alphabet Sigma. The set S is said to be complete if every word w over the alphabet Sigma is a factor of some element of S*, i.e. w belongs to Fact(S*). Otherwise if S is not complete, we are interested in finding bounds on the minimal length of words in Sigma* which are not elements of Fact(S*) in terms of the maximal length of words in S.Comment: 5 pages; added references, corrected typo

The framework for fiscal policy in EMU: What future after five years of experience?

This paper reviews the first five years of experience with the working of the EMU framework for fiscal policy in EMU. It is argued that the balance with the fiscal framework of EMU so far is mixed. The EMU framework has contributed to avoid large fiscal imbalances in EU Member States and has evolved continuously to deal with a number of budgetary challenges connected to the conduct of fiscal policy and the assessment of budgetary developments in the short, medium and long run. However, problems with the implementations of the rules have emerged, and the ownership of the framework should be re-established. We argue in favour of further improvements within the framework of the Treaty along the following directions: increased focus on debt and sustainability; better account of country-specific factors in the definition of medium-term targets; better enforcement of the rules; improved implementation of the excessive deficit procedure; greater account of the Lisbon goals in applying the EMU framework for economic policy co-ordination and budgetary surveillance.EMU, Economic and monetary union, automatic stabilisation, budgetary surveillance, fiscal sustainability, Flores, Giudice, Turrini

Gamma-Ray Bursts and Afterglow Polarisation

Polarimetry of Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) afterglows in the last few years has been considered one of the most effective tool to probe the geometry, energetic, dynamics and the environment of GRBs. We report some of the most recent results and discuss their implications and future perspectives.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures. Proceeding for the "Interacting Binaries: Accretion, Evolution and Outcome" worshop held in Cefalu' (Italy) in July 200

Identification of technological and installation-related parameters for a multi-criteria approach to building retrofit

Building retrofit is a main concern to reach EU de-carbonisation goals of 2050. Façade retrofit plays a pivotal role in the reduction of energy consumption in buildings: several strategies are in fact available, both in terms of on-site systems and prefabricated elements. The research question arising regards therefore how to choose the best-suiting residential retrofit strategy between different technological systems. In this sense, a current lack of diffusion of Decision Support Systems between can be underlined, as decisions mainly derive from previous experiences. An optimizing strategy that could express the goals of the many actors involved in the building process is required. In order to consider the impact of different criteria on the choice, multi-criteria methodologies could be effective. Existing similar methods mostly focus uniquely on energy performance, or follow the categories of environment, economy and society. What is currently lacking in available tools regards production-linked and technological aspects, related to e.g. façade morphology, and building site features. The aim of this paper is to identify relevant parameters related to installation and economy aspects, for a multi-criteria approach to be used in the choice of the most suitable building retrofit strategy. The methodological approach is therefore provided, and the choice of parameters, carried out by means of interview with actors of the building process, is explained. The criteria selection and the subsequent criteria weighting phase is to be carried out by means of interviews and surveys to the actors involved in the building process. The application on case-studies will offer the opportunity to assess the effectiveness of the method

Kategorien der Redewiedergabe im Deutschen: Konjunktiv I versus sollen

In present-day German, the present subjunctive (Konjunktiv I) and the modal verb sollen 'shall' are used to mark reported discourse. In this paper, we aim at clarifying the semantic relationship between these two markers. We suggest that they basically pertain to two separate semantic-functional domains, viz. origo-shifting versus evidentiality. While Konjunktiv I is an origo-shifting quotative marker, sollen is a reportive evidential marker. We argue that the proposed basic difference in semantics accounts for the different behavior of these elements in present-day German: e. g. with respect to their distribution over different contexts of use, to complementation patters, to combinatorial potential with certain prepositional phrases, etc. These theoretical observations are corroborated by the results of two small corpus studies: the one analyzing sollen that is embedded under a communicative matrix predicate, and the other focusing on combinatorial regularities with prepositional phrases with nach 'after', laut 'as per', and zufolge 'according to'

Retrofit de la construcción mediante paneles prefabricados: una reseña del estado del arte = Building Retrofit through prefabricated panels: an overview on the state of the art

The main aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the use of prefabricated panels in external building retrofitting. Building retrofit represents a pivotal point in terms of energy efficiency, connected to the great amount of existing buildings, both public and private, all around Europe. The need of intervention is underlined by different European Directives, as well as by Horizon 2020 roadmap. Many research works and projects are focusing on the theme of prefabrication in retrofit, stressing the importance of this strategy. The review of the state of the art shows several approaches in terms of prefabricated panels: a critical classification of these projects distinguish between systems based on large and small panels, systems for extensions based on structural panels, and partially prefabricated systems. The classification is useful as it can help in understanding further development of prefabricated panels, underlining the advantages and disadvantages of the systems. The main challenges are linked to design, fabrication, transport and installation. An overview of those issues is also provided, stressing the main innovation fields to be further investigated, and the possible future developments of prefabrication in building retrofit

A systematic literature review of studies analyzing the effect of sex, age, education, marital status, obesity, and smoking on health transitions

Sex, age, education, marital status, obesity, and smoking have been found to affect health transitions between non-disabled, disabled, and death. Our aim is to review the research literature on this topic and provide structured information, first on the availability of results for each risk factor and transition, and then on detailed study characteristics and disability measures. We use expert recommendations and the electronic databases Medline, PsycINFO, and SOCA. The search is confined to the years 1985-2005, and produced a total of 7,778 articles. Sixty-three articles met the selection criteria regarding study population, longitudinal design, risk factors, transition, and outcome measures.gender, health, mortality, obesity, review, sex, smoking, systematic review, transition