A. Tony De Luca

We show that the modal µ-calculus over GL collapses to the modal fragment by showing that the fixpoint formula is reached after two iterations and answer to a question posed by van Benthem in [4]. Further, we introduce the modal µ~-calculus by allowing fixpoint constructors for any formula where the fixpoint variable appears guarded but not necessarily positive and show that this calculus over GL collapses to the modal fragment, too. The latter result allows us a new proof of the de Jongh, Sambin Theorem and provides a simple algorithm to construct the fixpoint formula

This paper investigates, in a simple risk-sharing framework, the extent to which the incompleteness of contracts could be attributed to the complexity costs associated with the writing and the implementation of contracts. We show that, given any measure of complexity in a very general class, it is possible to find simple contracting problems such that, when complexity costs are explicitly taken into account, the contracting parties optimally choose an incomplete contract which coincides with the ‘default’ division of surplus. Optimal contracts with complexity costs are constrained efficient in our model. We therefore interpret our results as saying that, in the absence of a strategic role for complexity costs, their effect is entirely determined by their size relative to the size of payoffs

The notions of common knowledge or common belief play an important role in several areas of computer science , in philosophy, game theory, artificial intelligence, psychology and many other fields which deal with the interaction within a group of “agents”, agreement or coordinated actions. In the following we will present several deductive systems for common knowledge above epistemic logics –such as K, T, S4 and S5 –with a fixed number of agents. We focus on structural and proof-theoretic properties of these calculi.

The business of a sentence is not only to describe some state of affairs but also to perform other kinds of speech acts like ordering, suggesting, asking, etc. Understanding the kind of action performed by a speaker who utters a sentence is a multimodal process which involves the computing of verbal and non-verbal information. This work aims at investigating if the understanding of a speech act is affected by the gender of the actor that produces the utterance in combination with a certain facial expression. Experimental data collected show that, as compared to men, women are less likely to be perceived as performers of orders and are more likely to be perceived as performers of questions. This result reveals a gender bias which reflects a process of women’s subordination according to which women are hardly considered as holding the hierarchical social position required for the correct execution of an order.

We study the strictness of the modal μ-calculus hierarchy over some restricted classes of transition systems. First, we prove that over transitive systems the hierarchy collapses to the alternationfree fragment. In order to do this the finite model theorem for transitive transition systems is proved. Further, we verify that if symmetry is added to transitivity the hierarchy collapses to the purely modal fragment. Finally, we show that the hierarchy is strict over reflexive frames. By proving the finite model theorem for reflexive systems the same results holds for finite models

Beginning from a preliminary question on the meanings of the word "logic" in the expression "hermeneutic logic" used by Ricoeur in a well-known essay of his, the first aim of our research (Part I) was to investigate the origin, the structure and the speculative meaning of Ricoeur's "methodical hermeneutics" following the progressive elaboration of Ricoeur's method through the texts in which Ricoeur himself has explained it, through a dialogue with those authors (Husserl, Heidegger, Gadamer) who have been more influential on its development. (Part I, Chapters 1, 2, 3). This first part aimed at drawing attention to the contribution given by these authors to the definition of Ricoeur's method as well as to the failings which, according to Ricoeur, still affect their views. In developing this analysis, we have also tried to highlight the line of transition between logic as a methodical-epistemic construction and the explication of the underlying and more general logic-speculative trend that supports it, through the highlighting of the dialectic, non-reductive feature of this method. In Part II, following the guiding thread of a "dialectics of self", we tried to focus our attention on the basic structure and on the final intelligibility criterion of Ricoeur's undertaking. We have tried to show the congruency between the constitutive structures and the functioning of this dialectics and the general structure of hermeneutic logic as emerged from the previous section. Therefore, this second part has a threefold task: questioning Ricoeur's self once more, (Part II, Chapters 1-2), reinterpreting its intrinsic dialectics, (Part II, Chapters 3-4) and relocating it in the horizon of its filiations and influences. In their turn, these two intimately interconnected itineraries ("hermeneutic logic" and "dialectics of self") are involved in a twofold demand. The first one consists in an attempt at a thematic reconstruction and theoretical investigation on the characteristic structures of the first and second side of our research. The theoretical-speculative interest of this kind of analysis lays in the possibility of contributing to the exploration of what we may call the logical space of a hermeneutic philosophy. The second demand consists in an attempt at a historiographic survey of the formative and evolutive process of such a "logic" and "dialectics", as well as of its filiation lines. Looking for these filiation lines and for the original matrix of the overall trend of Ricoeur's thought, as well as in an attempt at explaining its relationship with the tradition of the reflexive philosophy, we have tried to verify the hypothesis of a personologic anchorage of Ricoeur's thought through a thematic comparison with Mounier's speculation. In this sense, we have tried to highlight the specificity of Ricoeur's idea of person; to show the congruity between the structure and the meaning of that idea and the structural features of hermeneutic logic and dialectics of self; to show how Ricoeur's idea of person can give a criterion to bring back to a problematic-planning unity Ricoeur's philosophical itinerary and, finally, to highlight the ways in which Mounier's thought anticipates this horizon of thought and the basic congruity between Mounier's and Ricoeur's views in a more general questioning on the actual (or "inactual") meaning of "saying person". The specific hermeneutic aim of this final part of our research consists in the attempt, through a comparative analysis, at reciprocally highlighting the thought of the two authors who have been analysed. It is in the effectiveness of this mutual explanation that our working hypothesis should find its justification

We show that the modal µ-calculus over GL collapses to the modal fragment by showing that the fixpoint formula is reached after two iterations and answer to a question posed by van Benthem in [4]. Further, we introduce the modal µ~-calculus by allowing fixpoint constructors for any formula where the fixpoint variable appears guarded but not necessarily positive and show that this calculus over GL collapses to the modal fragment, too. The latter result allows us a new proof of the de Jongh, Sambin Theorem and provides a simple algorithm to construct the fixpoint formula.

The progress of electronic health technologies and biobanks holds enormous promise for efficient research. Evidence shows that studies based on sharing and secondary use of data/samples have the potential to significantly advance medical knowledge. However, sharing of such resources for international collaboration is hampered by the lack of clarity about ethical and legal requirements for transfer of data and samples across international borders. Here, the International Clinical Trial Center Network reports the legal and ethical requirements governing data and sample exchange across four continents. The most recurring requirement is ethical approval, whereas only in specific conditions approval of national health authorities is required. Informed consent is not required in all sharing situations. However, waiver of informed consent is only allowed in certain countries/regions and under certain circumstances. The current legal and ethical landscape appears to be very complex and under constant evolution. Regulations differ between countries/regions and are often incomplete, leading to uncertainty. With this work, ICN illuminates the unmet need for a single international collaborative framework to facilitate DSE. Harmonising requirements for global DSE will reduce inefficiency and waste in research. There are many challenges to realising this ambitious vision, including inconsistent terminology and definitions, and heterogeneous and dynamic legal constraints. Here, we identify areas of agreement and significant difference as a necessary first step towards facilitating international collaboration. We propose the establishment of a working group to continue the comparison across jurisdictions, create a standardised glossary and define a set of basic principles and fundamental requirements for DSE.

L’articolo affronta la questione della persistenza degli artefatti e propone una soluzione alternativa a quelle convenzionaliste. Sebbene si riconosca che i criteri di persistenza degli artefatti sono diversi da quelli adoperati per le entità di genere naturale, si sostiene che questi criteri possono essere fissati evitando l’introduzione di elementi convenzionali. Al centro di questa proposta, si trova la nozione di sostituzione prolungante. La cornice di partenza generale è la teoria dei continuanti elaborata da David Wiggins. Tuttavia, svolgono un ruolo centrale le riflessioni di Maurizio Ferraris a proposito della documentalità. Queste riflessioni sono utilizzate per precisare la nozione di type artefattuale che consente di superare il convenzionalismo di Wiggins relativo agli artefatti. Infine, l’efficacia di questa proposta viene mostrata affrontando uno dei luoghi classici della metafisica degli artefatti, il rompicapo della nave di Teseo.

Even today, film restoration is a challenge, because it involves multidisciplinary competences: from analogue film inspection and conservation to digitisation and image enhancement. In this context, thanks to the high manageability of digital files, the film restoration workflow often follows a digitisation step, which presents many approximations and issues that are often ignored. In this work, we propose an alternative approach to the issues commonly encountered in film restoration aiming at restoring the original colour appearance, through models of human colour perception.