Parthenope University of Naples
Archivio della ricerca - Università degli studi di Napoli "Parthenope"Not a member yet
29604 research outputs found
Sort by
Minority Directors and Firm Sustainability Performance
No full textIn closely held firms, independent directors tend to be captivated by major shareholders, undermining board independence and, in turn, the effectiveness of monitoring and promoting sustainability-oriented strategies. Thus, minority shareholders' representatives on the board of directors (i.e., minority directors) may represent a mechanism for restoring board independence by limiting blockholders' influence over the boardroom. Using a sample of Italian-listed companies over the period 2017‒2021, we show that minority directors have a positive effect on corporate environmental and social performance (ESP), with results being robust to endogeneity and alternative estimation methods. Furthermore, we observe that their effect in fostering ESP is stronger for higher levels of ownership concentration and firms suffering from higher agency costs, supporting the monitoring argument. Finally, we observe a stronger effect on ESP, whereas corporate carbon risk exposure is more severe. Overall, our findings shed light on the nuanced interplay between ownership concentration, board characteristics, and corporate sustainability performance
Alpha rhythm and Alzheimer's disease: Has Hans Berger's dream come true?
No full textIn this “centenary” paper, an expert panel revisited Hans Berger's groundbreaking discovery of human restingstate electroencephalographic (rsEEG) alpha rhythms (8–12 Hz) in 1924, his foresight of substantial clinical applications in patients with “senile dementia,” and new developments in the field, focusing on Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most prevalent cause of dementia in pathological aging. Clinical guidelines issued in 2024 by the US National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association (NIA-AA) and the European Neuroscience Societies did not endorse routine use of rsEEG biomarkers in the clinical workup of older adults with cognitive impairment. Nevertheless, the expert panel highlighted decades of research from independent workgroups and different techniques showing consistent evidence that abnormalities in rsEEG delta, theta, and alpha rhythms (< 30 Hz) observed in AD patients correlate with wellestablished AD biomarkers of neuropathology, neurodegeneration, and cognitive decline. We posit that these abnormalities may reflect alterations in oscillatory synchronization within subcortical and cortical circuits, inducing cortical inhibitory-excitatory imbalance (in some cases leading to epileptiform activity) and vigilance dysfunctions (e.g., mental fatigue and drowsiness), which may impact AD patients’ quality of life. Berger's vision of using EEG to understand and manage dementia in pathological aging is still actual
From Metrics to Meaning: Research Trends and AHP-Driven Insights into Financial Performance in Sustainability Transitions
No full textEvaluating performance is a necessary and specific process across all sectors and organizational
levels, shaped by context, indicators, and purpose. Considering global sustainability
transitions, understanding financial performance entails a deeper perspective on technical
accuracy, conceptual clarity, and systemic integration. This study investigates how financial
performance is assessed and interpreted in sustainability-focused research, drawing on a
bibliometric analysis of 490 articles indexed in the Web of Science from 2007 to 2023. Using
SciMAT, we traced thematic evolutions and revealed a fragmented research landscape
marked by competing theoretical, methodological, and practical orientations. To address
this conceptual dispersion, we applied the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to evaluate
five key alternatives to financial-performance assessment (quantitative measurement,
definition-oriented reasoning, theoretical frameworks, experiential comparison, and integration
with sustainability and ethics) against three conceptual criteria (philosophical depth,
holistic scope, and multidisciplinary relevance). The results highlight a strong preference
for holistic and integrative models of financial performance, with quantitative measurement
ranking highest in practical terms, followed by experiential and sustainability-driven
approaches. These results underscore the need to align financial evaluation more closely
with sustainability values, bridging short-term metrics with long-term societal impact.
By combining diachronic thematic mapping with structured decision analysis, this study
advances a more reflective and forward-looking framework for performance research. It
contributes to sustainability research by identifying underexplored epistemological pathways
and supporting the development of financial evaluation models that are inclusive,
ethically grounded, and aligned with sustainable development goals
Validity of a Novel Algorithm to Compute Spatiotemporal Parameters Based on a Single IMU Placed on the Lumbar Region
No full textBackground: A single lumbar-mounted inertial sensor offers a practical alternative to optoelectronic systems for gait analysis, simplifying measurements and improving usability in the clinical field. However, its validity can be influenced by sensor placement and signal choice. This study aimed to develop and validate a novel algorithm for estimating spatiotemporal parameters using anteroposterior linear acceleration and angular velocity around the sagittal axis using a single inertial measurement unit (IMU) placed on the lumbar region. The proposed algorithm was validated comparing the parameters computed by the algorithm with the ones computed using a commercial wearable system based on a two-foot-mounted IMU configuration. Thirty healthy subjects underwent a 2 min walk test, and five spatiotemporal parameters were computed using the two methodologies. Study results showed that cadence and gait cycle time exhibited very high agreement, with only a small, statistically significant bias in cadence negligible for practical purposes. In contrast, swing, stance, and double-support parameters showed disagreement due to the presence of systematic proportional errors. This work introduces a novel algorithm for gait event detection and spatiotemporal parameter estimation, addressing uncertainties related to sensor placement, metric models, processing techniques, and signal selection, while avoiding synchronization issues associated with using multiple sensors
LA NUOVA REGOLAMENTAZIONE EUROPEA SUI SERVIZI DIGITALI E LE PIATTAFORME ONLINE: TRA DIGITAL SERVICES ACT E LEGGE SULLA LIBERTÀ DEI MEDIA
No full textIl contributo analizza il nuovo quadro normativo dell’UE in materia di servizi digitali e in particolare l’interazione tra Digital Services Act (DSA) e European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). Partendo dall’evoluzione della nozione di “servizio della società dell’informazione”, l’articolo esamina gli scopi e la struttura del DSA concentrandosi sull’analisi degli obblighi imposti alle piattaforme online
Empowering Recognition of Clean-Tech Startup Potential to Address the Climate Change Problem: an Agent-Based Simulation
No full textIntelligent Management of Video-Monitored Parking Areas
No full textManaging a video-monitored parking lot presents numerous challenges that must be addressed to ensure optimal functionality. These include detecting parking lines across expansive areas with multiple lots and accurately locating available spaces for drivers. The overarching objective is to streamline traffic flow to minimize drivers’ time and develop an autonomous management system that reduces the need for human oversight. Key decisions in system development involve hardware selection, such as utilizing sensors or stationary video cameras, and the choice between traditional image processing methods and modern machine learning approaches. In this study, we focus on a scenario employing a limited number of strategically positioned cameras to provide comprehensive coverage. Our approach centers on machine/deep learning techniques, employing a tailored Convolutional Neural Network solution. Additionally, we introduce an innovative dataset and implement a client-server architecture-based application on the Android platform to guide drivers to identified vacant parking spaces from their current locations
The EU DMA and DSA regulations tested against Web 3.0 offences. The metaverse: Development, potential, critical aspects, and concerns
No full textThe evolution of the Internet – from Web 1.0’s passive information access to Web 2.0’s interactive, user-generated content – has profoundly reshaped social, economic, and legal landscapes. With the emergence of Web 3.0 and the metaverse, the network is transitioning toward a decentralized, user-centric environment, enabling immersive experiences through avatars, virtual worlds, and digital commerce. This paradigm shift raises novel regulatory and ethical challenges,
particularly regarding platform liability, data governance, and user protec- tion. Historical lessons from the development of ISP liability and the implementation of the DMA and DSA provide a foundation for assessing regulatory adequacy. Anticipating Web 3.0’s expansion offers a critical opportunity for proactive legal frameworks, ensuring that governance evolves alongside technological innovation rather than lagging behind it. This Chapter examines these developments and their implications for law, policy, and digital society