Uniqueness of low genus optimal curves over F_2

A projective, smooth, absolutely irreducible algebraic curve X of genus g defined over a finite field F_q is called optimal if for every other such genus g curve Y over F_q one has $\#Y(F_q)\le \#X(F_q)$. In this paper we show that for $g\le 5$ there is a unique optimal genus g curve over F_2. For g=6 there are precisely two and for g=7 there are at least two.Comment: 21 page

Looking for Emergence in Physics

Despite its recent popularity, Emergence is still a field where philosophers and physicists often talk past each other. In fact, while philosophical discussions focus mostly on ontological emergence, physical theory is inherently limited to the epistemological level and the impossibility of its conclusions to provide direct evidence for ontological claims is often underestimated. Nevertheless, the emergentist philosopher’s case against reductionist theories of how the different levels of reality are related to each other can still gain from the assessment of paradigmatic examples of discontinuity between models in physics, even though their implications must be handled with care

Spontaneous Decisions and Free Will: Empirical Results and Philosophical Considerations

Spontaneous actions are preceded by brain signals that may sometimes be detected hundreds of milliseconds in advance of a subject's conscious intention to act. These signals have been claimed to reflect prior unconscious decisions, raising doubts about the causal role of conscious will. Murakami et al. (2014. Nat Neurosci 17: 1574–1582) have recently argued for a different interpretation. During a task in which rats spontaneously decided when to abort waiting, the authors recorded neurons in the secondary motor cortex. The neural activity and relationship to action timing was parsimoniously explained using an integration-to-bound model, similar to those widely used to account for evidence-based decisions. In this model, the brain accumulates spontaneously occurring inputs voting for or against an action, but only commits to act once a certain threshold is crossed. The model explains how spontaneous decisions can be forecast (partially predicted) by neurons that reflect either the input or output of the integrator. It therefore presents an explicit hypothesis capable of rejecting the claim that such predictive signals imply unconscious decisions. We suggest that these results can inform the current debate on free will but must be considered with caution

Confronti e spunti per i pesi da telaio romani del Ferrarese

The present study analyses a group of fictile loom weights dating back to the Roman age, recovered in the area of Bondeno (Ferrara Province). On the main face of these pyramids a series of symbols or alphabetical characters is drawn. In particular, the most interesting character is the clustering of a series of different symbols without any apparent mutual link among them. The prevailing figure is the so-called “ramo secco” (withered branch), that here is thought to be a kind of conifer characterizing the Celtic ethnicity settled in this geographic area up to the 2nd century B.C. A number of comparisons was found to be available all over the main core of the Po-river alluvial plain and from the surrounding regions, i.e. Veneto, Lombardia and Trentino Alto Adige. This kind of interpretation appears to be partly supported by onomastic elements and, above all, by a conspicuous series of iconographic elements of comparison existing in the transalpine Gaul, i.e. the original settlement area of the Celtic people. It is noteworthy, in fact, that the central area of the Po plain probably was the settling zone of the Padinates ethnical group, whose name was recalling the form of the conifer trees living all around the catchment divide of the big river, as explicitly recorded by Pliny the Elder

The 60 Days of PVE Campaign: Lessons on Organizing an Online, Peer-to-Peer, Counter-radicalization Program

Combatting violent extremism can involve organizing Peer-to-Peer (P2P) preventing violent extremism (PVE) programs and social media campaigns. While hundreds of PVE campaigns have been launched around the world in recent months and years, very few of these campaigns have actually been reviewed, analyzed, or assessed in any systematic way. Metrics of success and failure have yet to be fully developed, and very little is publically known as to what might differentiate a great and successful P2P campaign from a mediocre one. This article will provide first-hand insight on orchestrating a publically funded, university-based, online, peer-to-peer PVE campaign – 60 Days of PVE – based on the experience of a group of Canadian graduate students. The article provides an account of the group’s approach to PVE. It highlights the entirety of the group’s campaign, from theory and conceptualization to branding, media strategy, and evaluation, and describes the campaign’s core objectives and implementation. The article also analyzes the campaign’s digital footprint and reach using data gleamed from social media. Finally, the article discusses the challenges and difficulties the group faced in running their campaign, lessons that are pertinent for others contemplating a similar endeavour

Liver cirrhosis and pregnancy.

The liver accomplishes multiple functions such as the biotransformation of insoluble compounds (drugs, toxins, bilirubin), the metabolism and excretion of lipids (cholesterol in particular) the production of several plasma proteins (good examples are albumin, coagulation factors, transferrin), and the metabolism of amino acids and carbohydrates. The liver also plays a crucial role in the metabolism of different hormones, estrogens and progesterone among the others. This explains why during a chronic liver disease (CLD) severe alteration on the hormonal status occurs. Cirrhosis is often associated with amenorrhea and consequently, women with CLD (cirrhosis obviously included) have difficulty conceiving. If pregnancy occurs, it is associated with an increased risk of complications. Approximately 15 to 20 percent of pregnant women with CLD suffer spontaneous abortion, increased risk for premature childbirth or stillbirth. 1 If portal hypertension is present bleeding from esophageal varices is the biggest risk for women with cirrhosis. Variceal bleeding is most common during the second trimester, occurring in approximately 20 to 45 percent of women with portal hypertension. Variceal bleeding may also occur during labor. Death of the mother is similar to that occurring in the absence of pregnancy and accounts for about 20%. 2 It is recommendable that women with ci

The great chain of being is still here

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The Stockouts Study: an Examination of the Extent and the Causes in the São Paulo Supermarket Sector

Stockouts remain a significant retail problem. Progress has been limited, as estimates of stockout rates in the past forty years have consistently averaged above 8 percent. The purpose of this study is to investigate the importance and extent of the stockout problem in the supermarket sector in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, from the perspective of the supermarket managers themselves. Results suggest that the level of stockouts is high. Generally, the suppliers are mentioned as being the ones mainly responsible for stockouts. These results suggest that managers have significant opportunities to reduce retail stockouts by taking preventative actions