Computing isogenies between Jacobian of curves of genus 2 and 3

We present a quasi-linear algorithm to compute isogenies between Jacobians of curves of genus 2 and 3 starting from the equation of the curve and a maximal isotropic subgroup of the l-torsion, for l an odd prime number, generalizing the V\'elu's formula of genus 1. This work is based from the paper "Computing functions on Jacobians and their quotients" of Jean-Marc Couveignes and Tony Ezome. We improve their genus 2 case algorithm, generalize it for genus 3 hyperelliptic curves and introduce a way to deal with the genus 3 non-hyperelliptic case, using algebraic theta functions.Comment: 34 page

Mapping Ancient Women: An Analysis of the Catalogue of Heroines Through the Digital Humanities

The Catalogue of Heroines (Odyssey 11.225-330) presents a thorough corpus of prominent mythological women as Odysseus recounts the stories of each woman he encounters in the Underworld. In this thesis I apply digital humanities tools and methods to the Catalogue of Heroines in order to center ancient women in a discussion of the Odyssey and to determine how the relationships between the heroines contribute to the Catalogue’s overall purpose. First, I examine the history of the digital humanities with particular attention to contributions to the field made by classicists; I identify the need for further digital humanities projects centered around women; and then select the digital humanities methods most applicable to my investigation of the Catalogue: close reading through text encoding and social network analysis. I next develop my own detailed feminist translation of the Catalogue. I then demonstrate how my close reading of the text using Text Encoding Initiative (TEI) standards, and the prosopography I developed through that reading, reveals complex connections, both explicit and implied, among characters and places of the Catalogue. Using my TEI close reading and prosopography, I analyze the genealogies laid out in the Catalogue, revealing how every heroine in the Catalogue is linked to the others. Through the TEI close reading I also demonstrate how the four man-made objects of the Catalogue, ζώνη (girdle), βρόχοs (noose), ἕδνα (bride-price), and χρυσὸs (gold), reveal the ancient Greek stigma surrounding women, sexuality, and fidelity. Finally, I use social network analysis to create a network graph through which I demonstrate that the genealogy of the Catalogue of Heroines isolates and excludes Thebes, demonstrating an anti-Theban bias and favoring the Theban enemy cities of Orchomenos and Athens. Ultimately, by applying these digital humanities methods, I conclude that the Catalogue of Heroines has three distinct purposes: to warn its audience about the infidelity and corruptibility of women; to isolate and condemn Thebes in contrast with other ancient Greek cities; and to elevate Odysseus’ status by tying him to prominent mythological lineages. In these ways, I am presenting new pathways that can assist other classicists to center women in ancient texts

Explaining differences in regional performance: administrative capacity and political factors. The case of Structural Funds implementation in Italian Objective 1 regions

This thesis starts from the following question: Why, after 16 years of receiving Structural Funds, do some regions still have difficulties in spending their allocated resources? Empirical evidence shows that Funds implementation rates have varied widely among European Union Objective 1 regions. The overall performance of Italian regions, in particular, has consistently lagged behind other countries. However, an investigation into individual Italian Objective 1 regions reveals that not all follow this general trend. Indeed, some regions have outperformed others remarkably. Why is this the case? I explore these differences and identify potential variables that may account for such regional variation. My central hypothesis is that differences in implementation are strongly dependent on the degree of administrative capacity that exists in the recipient regional government. Due to the deficiency in the existing literature of a clear definition of administrative capacity, I attempt to fill this gap by introducing a novel characterization that allows me to operationalize and measure the concept. The core of the methodology is an in-depth case study supported by field research based on personal interviews and documented questionnaires. I investigate two contrasting southern Italian regions, Sicily and Basilicata, measure their respective degrees of administrative capacity and provide evidence to suggest that this latter variable is positively correlated to Structural Funds implementation. Answering my first query has prompted a further question: if it is trite that the variation in implementation of resources between regions can be explained by different degrees of regional administrative capacity, then what is it that determines the degree of administrative capacity at the regional level? In studying this second question I further test the hypothesis that the level of administrative capacity is influenced by three key political factors: namely, political interference, government stability and political accountability

Beyond the nation state: how European cities and regions responded to the financial crisis

The financial crisis affected European countries in radically different ways, with some countries emerging relatively unscathed, while others suffered extreme economic problems that still persist today. But as Riccardo Crescenzi, Davide Luca and Simona Milio outline, the effects were also substantially different between individual cities and regions. Based on recent research, they demonstrate which regions were best placed to weather the crisis and suggest that the presence of a skilled labour force was one of the key factors allowing certain areas to recover more quickly than others

Social Policy Reforms in the EU: A Cross-national Comparison. Social Inclusion Monitor Europe (SIM) – Reform Barometer. Pilot Study

European countries are losing momentum for social policy reforms: The results of the SIM Europe Index report on social justice, published in September 2014, suggested a growing social divide among the member states. Assessing six policy areas of social inclusion, the data revealed the deteriorating social situation since 2009 across the EU. The report stressed, in particular, the difficulties southern EU member states were having in coping with the effects of the financial and economic crisis. This second report, the SIM Europe Reform Barometer, takes up these results and delivers two tasks: to impartially assess the extent of problem awareness of governments, and to ask whether they have enacted concrete social policy initiatives to tackle these challenges and to counterbalance the growing divide. Southern European member states, especially, did not or have not been able to pursue reforms to limit their withering levels of a socially inclusive society. In almost all key dimensions of social inclusion, those member states most affected by the implications of the protracted economic and fiscal crisis in the EU have been least able to confine the ongoing ‘internal devaluation’ in terms of socially balanced governmental activity. By contrast, some northern member states have legislated acts which seem well-suited to at least stabilise or even increase their level of social inclusion

Terrorism's Fear. Perceived Personal and National Threats

Una ricerca sugli effetti delle azioni terroristiche dopo l'11 settembre nella percezione della vulnerabilit\ue0 e del rischio. Cambiamenti di comportamento, scelte di vita e di relazioni, alla luce delle paure mediatiche e reali

The geography of the economic crisis in Europe: national macroeconomic conditions, regional structural factors and short-term economic performance.

This paper explores the linkages between pre-2008 crisis national macro-economic conditions, regional resistance factors and depth of the crisis in the regions of the EU27. The results suggest that only a limited set of macro-economic factors shape the regional reaction to the crisis. A healthy current account surplus is associated with stronger economic performance during the post-2008 recession. Conversely, high public debt countries are more successful in sheltering their regional economies in the short-run. When looking at regional-level resistance, human capital is the single most important positive factor. Conversely, research and development-intensive regions are more exposed to negative shocks

Critical limb ischaemia: definition and natural hystory

The term critical limb ischemia refers to a condition characterized by chronic ischemic at-rest pain, ulcers, or gangrene in one or both legs attributable to objectively proven arterial occlusive disease. Critical limb ischemia implies chronicity and is to be distinguished from acute limb ischemia. Its incidence is approximately 500 to 1000 per million year, with the highest rates among older subjects, smokers and diabetics. The rate of primary amputation ranges from 10% to 40%, and was performed only when no graftable distal vessels were present, or in neurologically impaired or hopelessly nonambulatory patients. Contrarily, in some highly specialized and aggressive centres about 90% of patients with CLI had an attempted revascularization. Furthermore, patients with critical limb ischemia have an elevated risk of future myocardial infarction, stroke and vascular death, 3-fold higher than patients with intermittent claudication. Therefore, due to its negative impact on the quality of life and the poor prognosis both in terms of limb salvage and survival, critical limb ischemia is a critical public health issue