Roma Tre University

We consider a scheme of Semi-Lagrangian (SL) type for the numerical solution of Hamilton–Jacobi (HJ) equations on unstructured triangular grids. As it is well known, SL schemes are not well suited for unstructured grids, due to the cost of the point location phase; this drawback is augmented by the need for repeated minimization. In this work, we consider an existing, monotone version of the scheme, that works only on the basis of node values, and adapt the algorithm to the case of an unstructured grid, using the connectivity information. Then, applying a quadratic refinement to the numerical solution, we improve accuracy at the price of some extra computational cost. The scheme can be applied to both time-dependent and stationary HJ equations; in the latter case, we also study the construction of a fast policy iteration solver and of a parallel version. We perform a theoretical analysis of the two versions, and validate them with an extensive set of examples, both in the time-dependent and in the stationary case.

Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) offers a powerful route for the fabrication of high-quality YBCO films with exceptional crystallographic alignment. In this study, the influence of film thickness on the corresponding electrical properties was investigated, with a particular emphasis on their correlation with microstructural features. Transport measurements indicate that the critical current density (Jc) shows a progressive decline as the film thickness increases, a phenomenon that can be directly related to the microstructural characteristics observed. These findings provide valuable insight into the inherent challenges associated with growing thick films and may guide future strategies for optimizing their properties in high-field applications. Furthermore, understanding these mechanisms is crucial for advancing the design and performance of high-temperature superconducting magnets and other electronic devices that require thick, high-performance films.

Sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) are harmful practices linked to adverse mental health outcomes among sexual minority (SM) individuals. We investigated the associations between (1) sociodemographic factors and exposure to SOCE; (2) SOCE experiences and the risk for depression, anxiety, and suicidality; (3) SOCE characteristics-recency, frequency, and the person responsible-and mental health outcomes. Data were collected from 11,642 SM adolescents across 12 European countries via an online survey between 2020 and 2022. Depression, anxiety, and suicidality symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-2, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2, and the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised, respectively. About 10% of the sample reported experiencing SOCE, with higher prevalence among younger and immigrant participants, and those from religious families. SOCE were associated with higher levels of anxiety, depression, and suicidality. More SOCE experiences were associated with higher anxiety (β = 0.11, p < .05, CI: 0.02-0.20) and suicidality (β = 0.32, p < .01, CI: 0.10-0.54), whereas recent SOCE was associated with higher anxiety (β = 0.09, p < .05, CI: 0.01-0.17) and multiple practitioners with higher depression (β = 0.55, p < .01, CI: 0.18-0.92). Over half of participants who experienced SOCE 2 years prior were at high risk of adverse mental health outcomes, with younger age, recency, number of SOCE, family-initiated SOCE, and multiple practitioners associated with higher risks. The findings support the need for policies and interventions to prevent SOCE and address their harmful effects on SM youth.

After the global financial crisis of 2008-2009, the role and monetary policy of the European Central Bank (ECB) underwent a profound evolution, with the turning point being the possibility for the institution itself to intervene on secondary markets to purchase government bonds of eurozone member states. However, this evolution took place within the legal framework established by the EU Treaties, which remained unchanged. The fact that these changes occurred within an unchanged legal context raised a fundamental issue: there was a need to verify whether these changes were compatible with the legal limits on the actions of the ECB under the EU Treaties. It is for this reason that, between 2012 and 2018, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) developed a case law aimed at (i) verifying whether the new monetary policy tools were compatible with the provisions of the EU Treaties and (ii) defining the legal limits of ECB intervention on secondary markets. Against this backdrop, this article analyses the extent to which the ECB’s intervention on secondary markets during the COVID-19 crisis through the Pandemic Emergency Purchasing Programme (PEPP) complies with the criteria established by this case law in relation to Article 123 TFEU. To this end, the article first reviews the role and mandate of the ECB as defined by the EU Treaties. It then analyses both the evolution of the ECB’s role over the years and the jurisprudence developed by the CJEU in relation to the legal limits on the ECB’s actions, particularly in relation to the prohibition of monetary financing established by Article 123 TFEU. Finally, the article develops an analysis intended to verify whether PEPP can be considered compatible with the legal limits defined by the abovementioned jurisprudence of the CJEU.

Abstract This paper investigates whether industry-adjusted-ESG-integrated portfolio strategies provide superior risk-return trade-offs and distinct exposures to global macroeconomic risk factors compared to their non-ESG counterparts. Using 108 value, size, and momentum portfolios across six major equity markets from 2001 to 2023 (for a total of 27,216 returns), we evaluate performance and risk pricing through both descriptive statistics and a cross-sectional asset pricing model. Our findings indicate that ESG integration tends to not reduce average returns. More notably, ESG strategies exhibit lower volatility, especially in developed markets suggesting a potential shift toward a greater portfolio resilience. In the asset pricing tests, industrial production growth and term spread are significantly priced in both ESG and non-ESG portfolios, though ESG portfolios exhibit slightly lower estimated risk prices. Notably, the Environmental Performance Index factor is priced negatively and significantly only in non-ESG sample, indicating that weak environmental performance constitutes a priced source of systematic risk. Furthermore, the default spread is significant only in the ESG sample, possibly reflecting a greater vulnerability to credit conditions. Overall, ESG integration appears to reshape the exposure of factor-based portfolios to global macroeconomic risks not necessarily by enhancing returns but by shifting the emphasis toward risk management and sustainability alignment. These results contribute to the debate on the financial relevance of ESG investing and highlight the importance of macroeconomic context when evaluating ESG performance. The study offers valuable insights for asset managers, risk professionals, and regulators on how sustainability considerations alter portfolio risk profiles and the pricing of macro-financial risks. JEL classification: G11; G12; G15; F44

The northeastern Atlantic species of the gastropod genus Jujubinus Monterosato, 1884 (Trochidae, Cantharidinae) are reviewed based on an integrative taxonomic approach. Based on a comprehensive phylogenetic framework of cantharidine genera, it is suggested that the scope of the genus Jujubinus should be restricted to a radiation in the northeastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, not including the tropical Indo-West Pacific species frequently ascribed to it. For Trochus montagui Wood, 1828, traditionally ascribed to Jujubinus, we did not find unequivocal evidence of it belonging in this clade, but rather we found some indication of a closer relationship with Clelandella miliaris (Brocchi, 1814) than with the Jujubinus clade. Thirteen morphospecies were checked against a DNA-barcoding dataset (cox1) and a molecular phylogenetic framework (cox1, 16S, single genes and combined datasets, analysed by Bayesian inference and Maximum Likelihood analyses). Twenty-two secondary species hypotheses were eventually retained. For fifteen of them an available name has been found; seven are herein described as new.

Two large space missions, JUICE and EUROPA Clipper are on their way to reach the icy satellites of Jupiter in the early 2030s. One of the main scope of these missions is to find liquid water below/inside the icy crusts and to assess the habitability conditions of such ocean worlds. Radar sounders, on board these missions, will play a fundamental role in detecting position, depth and composition of the water. However, presently our understanding of the composition and thermal state of such icy crusts is poorly constrained, which makes the detection of liquid water using radio waves very difficult. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to perform systematic measurements of the dielectric properties of a large set of icy materials having different salt composition and temperature, to define the range of penetration of the radar signals in different scenarios and to assess the detectability limit of the water.To reach this goal, as a first step, it is important to determine the dielectric properties of pure water ice in the frequency range typical of planetary radar sounders (1-100 MHz). The aim of this work was to optimize the laboratory procedure to assess such properties, combining X-ray micro-computed tomography images with low/high frequency dielectric measurements. The experimental activity was first focused on defining a procedure to produce polycrystalline Ih ice samples, minimizing the presence of defects like air bubbles and cracks - which are known to affect the results of the dielectric measurements. To achieve this purpose, different samples were prepared using different sample holders and cooling rates and then analysed qualitatively and quantitatively using microtomography. Once the most reliable procedure to minimize ice defects was assessed, samples of pure ice were produced in a climatic chamber simultaneously using the microtomography and the dielectric cells, to test the possibility to perform structural analysis and dielectric measurements on the same type of ice. Dielectric measurements were performed using both a capacitive cell connected to an LCR-meter instrument and a coaxial line connected to a VNA. The results of this work confirm that this procedure can be successfully applied to control the integrity of the sample and to assess, at the same time, the dielectric properties of pure Ih ice.

In the context of the ongoing climate crisis, the Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon represents one of the most critical challenges for the sustainability of the built environment. Critical transport infrastructures, such as highways, railways, and airports, play a pivotal role in this process. Due to their extension and to the thermophysical properties of the construction materials employed (e.g., asphalt, concrete), they act as significant thermal collectors. On the other hand, in urban areas transport infrastructures negatively affect the local microclimate, thereby reducing the resilience of urban areas. In this context, satellite Earth Observation (EO) has emerged as a promising tool for monitoring temperature variations [1]. However, temperature measurement in the context of transport infrastructure remains challenging due to the limitations imposed by the spatial resolution of satellite sensors. The primary issue concerns the limited spatial resolution of currently available thermal satellite sensors (with a native resolution of 100 m, resampled to 30 m), such as the TIRS instrument on Landsat 8/9 [2]. While these sensors provide accurate radiometric data, they lack the geometric detail required to analyze specific transportation assets. To overcome this limitation, this research proposes an innovative methodology based on a multi‑scale thermal downscaling procedure, implemented within the Google Earth Engine platform and applied on a real‑scale parking area scenario. The adopted methodology relies on the synergistic integration of multi‑scale satellite data, following the approach implemented by [3]. This study exploits the well‑established relationship between Land Surface Temperature (LST) and land‑cover metrics, including the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), the Normalized Difference Built‑up Index (NDBI), and the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI). A multiple linear regression model was first defined using spectral indices and LST derived from Landsat 8 data; this model was then applied using the corresponding spectral indices extracted from Sentinel‑2 imagery [4] to predict LST at a spatial resolution of 10 m. Subsequently, a second downscaling step was performed by applying a multi‑regression approach based on RGB bands from Sentinel‑2 and UAV imagery, enabling the estimation of surface temperature at sub‑meter resolution. Through this two‑stage procedure, the resolution of LST maps was significantly enhanced, achieving a resolution commensurate with the scale of transport infrastructure. This approach was applied to a parking area in Rome, demonstrating the potential of a sequential thermal downscaling procedure that progressively refines satellite‑derived temperatures using higher‑resolution Sentinel‑2 data and UAV imagery. The results confirm that thermal analysis based on satellite EO data and downscaling techniques is a promising, effective, and cost‑efficient method for assessing infrastructure resilience.