Parthenope University of Naples
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Competing Futures: Reconfiguring Sustainability in US Education Policy from Equity to Meritocracy
No full textThis study examines how inclusion is discursively constructed in sustainabilityoriented
educational policies through a linguistic analysis of six Executive Orders
issued by former President Biden during his 2021-2025 administration, and by
Donald Trump during the first month of his current presidency, January 2025.
Drawing upon a critical discourse perspective and employing the tools provided by
Systemic Functional Linguistics, we explore representations of diversity, equity and
inclusion (DEI) in order to assess how vulnerability, participation, and exclusion are
linguistically framed in the field of education. The findings will contribute to
understanding how institutional discourse shapes inclusive education and
sustainability, informing strategies for future equitable learning environments
Charting the Ethical and Moral Landscapes of Human-AI Interactions
No full textUnlike previous technological advancements, AI possesses unique characteristics that set it apart from traditional tools: AI systems are dynamic, adaptive, and capable of operating without human intervention (Anthony, Bechky, Fayard, 2023). Their ability to mimic and exceed human intelligence compels individuals and organizations to confront shifting boundaries between human and machine capabilities (Raisch and Krakowski, 2021). These shifts have profound ethical and moral implications for individual subjectivity, professional identity, judgment, and responsibility, as well as the ensuing societal and workplace norms (Faraj, Pachidi, Sayegh, 2018; Latonero, 2018; Frank et al., 2019). As AI integration accelerates, understanding how we define agency, identity, collaboration, autonomy, and ethical responsibility in hybrid human-AI systems becomes increasingly more important. To illustrate, at an individual level, AI’s ability to augment or even redefine roles and responsibilities has significant implications for personal identity and subjectivity. In professional settings, AI tools designed to improve efficiency often reshape how individuals perceive their skills, autonomy, and value (Faulconbridge, Sarwar, and Spring, 2023; Mirbabaie, Brünker, Möllmann, Stieglitz, 2022). These interactions influence how people understand themselves and their place within increasingly hybrid human-machine environments, prompting ethical concerns about deskilling, over-reliance on automation, and shifts in agency. On a broader scale, AI is transforming societal norms, professional practices, and collective understandings of fairness and accountability. Its integration into fields such as law, healthcare, and education raises questions about equity, bias, and trust, as AI systems often reflect and amplify systemic inequalities embedded in the data they process (e.g., Baker and Hawn, 2024; Fast and Schroeder, 2020; Frank et al., 2019; Glikson and Woolley, 2020; Schepers et al., 2024). These dynamics compel us to consider how human-AI collaborations reshape not only individual experiences but also the shared values and frameworks that underpin our social and organizational structures. Focusing on the challenges to our understanding of human agency, identity, fairness, and ethical responsibility, this symposium explores the multi-level dynamics of human-AI interactions. This symposium brings together theoretically and methodologically diverse perspectives to examine these dynamics and address how AI reshapes roles, relationships, skills, and responsibilities in work and beyond. The selected papers explore the complex, multi level dynamics of human-AI interaction and reflect these dynamics by starting the discussion at the level of subjective, individual experiences, proceeding to societal-level implications via professional and organizational issues. Khoreva and Einola open the discussion by examining how interactions with AI-powered chatbots influence employee subjectivity, revealing the delicate balance between technological efficiency and human agency. Going a level up from individual subjectivity, Feng and Morozova focus on the basic gender identity and highlight the gendered dynamics of generative AI adoption, uncovering social and psychological barriers that disproportionately affect women hindering equitable AI integration. Gachayeva further extends the identity focus to high-skilled professions investigating how AI reshapes professional identity, work practices, and ethical norms. Hillebrand then extends this shift from the professional to the organizational level and delves into the organizational implications of human-AI collaboration, introducing the concept of "intentional holes" to explore how AI challenges traditional reward and incentive structures, with consequences for fairness. Finally, Subotic broadens the lens to societal-level considerations, emphasizing the importance of AI literacy through a cognitive science perspective and its role in fostering ethical and inclusive AI adoption under frameworks like the EU Digital Act. Together, these papers provide a rich and layered understanding of the ethical, professional, and societal transformations driven by human-AI interaction. These presentations highlight how individuals experience subjectivity and identity transformations through AI interactions, how ethical concerns influence AI adoption patterns, and how organizational and societal frameworks can respond to the challenges posed by AI. These papers provide a comprehensive perspective on how human interaction and collaboration and intelligent technologies reshape our moral, ethical, and professional landscapes. By addressing these dynamics, the symposium contributes to ongoing debates about the future of work and society in the age of AI. We aim to inspire new research on navigating the challenges and opportunities of AI integration, fostering ethical, equitable, and human-centered approaches that address AI's subjective and societal impacts
Alkali-activated Porous Materials from Biomass Bottom Ash for the Production of Insulation Panels
No full textThis study explores the feasibility of employing bottom ash obtained from biomass combustion as the exclusive precursor for the synthesis of alkali-activated foamed materials with potential applications in thermal insulation. The bottom ash, sourced from a biomass-fired power plant in Italy utilizing woody feedstock, was subjected to comprehensive chemical and mineralogical characterization. The analyses revealed a calcium-rich composition, indicating its suitability for activation using sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide solutions. The foaming behavior of the system was investigated using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and aluminum powder as foaming agents. Among these, H2O2 demonstrated superior effectiveness, particularly in the presence of highly alkaline activating solutions (e.g., 12 M and 15 M NaOH). Curing temperature was found to play a pivotal role in determining the microstructure and physical properties of the resulting materials. Samples cured at 60 °C exhibited enhanced porosity and lower thermal conductivity, thus favoring insulation performance. In contrast, those cured at 40 °C showed higher compressive strength, attributed to reduced shrinkage during the curing process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy confirmed the formation of hydrated calcium silicate phases, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a more homogeneous and compact microstructure in samples activated under high alkalinity conditions. Notably, thermal conductivity values below 0.1 W/m·K were achieved in samples with high open porosity. Several formulations were identified that offer an optimal balance between mechanical strength and thermal insulation, thereby demonstrating the potential of these materials for structural insulation applications. The findings underscore the viability of utilizing biomass bottom ash as a sustainable and innovative raw material for the development of advanced insulation solutions in the construction sector
Augustus’ solar meridian functioning and the birth of the western leap year
No full textIn 12 BCE, Augustus undertook the responsibility for the calendar, which had gradually fallen out of alignment with the true dates of solstices and equinoxes. Augustus’ calendar reform, entailing the introduction of a leap day every four years, coincided with the erection of a grand meridian in the Campus Martius, known in Latin as Horologium Augusti. This device utilized the obelisk of Psamtik II (6° century BCE) as its gnomon that casted its shadow upon a travertine floor inscribed with bronze reference marks. Despite the discovery of the obelisk in 18th century and partial excavation of the floor in 1980, comprehending its geometric intricacies, regarding both dimensions and positioning, remained a challenge due to the complexities of conducting precise geomatic measurements in subterranean environments. Consequently, uncertainties persisted regarding its operational mechanics, particularly regarding whether the marks denoted days or ecliptic degrees. This study presents accurate measurements and statistically rigorous analyses that enable a precise repositioning of the meridian and a careful reconstruction of its geometry. The results suggest that the marks likely denoted specific days of the year, as recalled by Pliny the Elder. This provides support to the hypothesis that the monument functioned as an empirical validation of Augustus’ calendrical reform. In addition, the great accuracy achieved in positioning represents a fundamental aid in the desirable scenario to continue excavations of the meridian
Adult Neurogenesis Is Regulated by the Endocannabinoid and Kisspeptin Systems
No full textNeurogenesis is considered the most robust form of plasticity in the adult brain. To better decipher this process, we evaluated the potential crosstalk of Kisspeptin and Endocannabinoid Systems (KPS and ECS, respectively) on hippocampal neurogenesis. Male adolescent rats were exposed to kisspeptin-10 (KP10) and the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) administered alone or in combination with the type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) antagonist SR141716A. The expression of Kiss1 and Kisspeptin receptor (Kiss1R) has been characterized for the first time in rat hippocampus together with the expression of the CB1R and the Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 ion channel receptor (TRPV1). Results show that both systems inhibit neurogenesis by reducing the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling. Despite little differences in the expression of Kiss1R and CB1R, TRPV1 is enhanced by both KP10 and AEA treatments, suggesting TRPV1 as a common thread. KP10 administration reduces CB1R expression in the dentate gyrus, while AEA does not. KPS, unlike ECS, promotes the expression of estrogen receptor α (ER-α) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), also upregulating sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), brain-derived-neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and c-Jun. These findings suggest that the interaction between ECS and KPS could be involved in the fine-tuning of neurogenesis, highlighting a novel role for KPS
Analytical model to predict crack width and spacing of reinforced concrete elements externally strengthened with fiber reinforced polymers
No full textCracking behavior in Reinforced Concrete (RC) elements externally bonded
with Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) materials is still not well assessed in the
literature. Few experimental data are, indeed, available about crack spacing
and crack width in these elements, with reference to strengthening made of
both epoxy bonded plates (EBR technique) and FRP bars or strips applied in
grooves realized in the concrete cover (near surface mounted, NSM, technique). In general, although narrower crack widths are expected to occur in
RC elements strengthened with FRP materials, the verification of serviceability
limit states is still necessary to ensure functionality and protection of internal
steel reinforcement, also because increased values of serviceability loads can
be attained in the strengthened elements. This paper first presents a review of
existing crack width and spacing formulations provided in some international
codes with reference to RC elements with and without the FRP reinforcement.
The reliability of these formulations is assessed by comparison with experimental results of tests on beams and ties extracted from the literature. Then, a
cracking model included in the new MC2020 and developed by the authors for
RC elements and based on equilibrium of forces is presented and adjusted to
the experimental database considering both FRP strengthening techniques
(EBR or NSM). The comparisons with the experimental database demonstrate
a higher accuracy of the proposed model in comparison with other approaches
for predicting crack width and crack spacing in RC elements strengthened
with FRP materials
Criteria for identifying vulnerability classes for rocking masonry church façades via fragility curves
No full textThe activation of out-of-plane (OOP) mechanisms in the façade walls of masonry churches has been frequently observed during seismic events and therefore represents an important source of vulnerability for this kind of structure. Although there is a wealth of literature on the OOP behaviour of masonry elements, there is a lack of specific analytical studies on the OOP behaviour of masonry church façades and, in particular, on the possibility of identify homogeneous vulnerability classes. To fill this gap, this paper is focused on: i) assessing the influence of some geometrical parameters of church façades on their vulnerability to the OOP mechanism of simple rocking, ii) defining reliable criteria for assessing homogeneous vulnerability classes, iii) validating the proposed criteria on a large scale. For these purposes, façades are modelled under free and restraint rocking conditions, being the latter ones represented by their interlocking with the sidewalls and the presence of steel tie rods. A sample of 500 façades is generated thanks to a Monte Carlo simulation, starting from the actual data of the façades of 14 existing masonry churches. Non-linear static analyses are carried out for the rocking response of the façades under different restraint conditions, aimed at verifying the achievement of three limit states: the onset of rocking, a moderate and a severe rocking motion, as conventionally defined according to the indications provided by the Italian seismic code. By investigating the influence of some geometrical parameters for a generic façade on its vulnerability to simple rocking, different criteria for identifying homogeneous classes of seismic vulnerability (high, medium and low) are proposed for each investigated limit state. Finally, by using incremental static analysis, multiple stripe analysis and acceleration-displacement response spectra, fragility curves are developed for each limit state and under different restraint and seismic input conditions in order to validate the proposed criteria on a large scale too
Il delicato ruolo dei poteri pubblici nella gestione dell’IA per il contrasto alle emergenze ambientali. Vantaggi e svantaggi di una opportunità
No full textIn un’ottica di contrasto alle emergenze ambientali ormai non più procrastinabile, il presente scritto analizza, alla luce della disciplina comunitaria, il contributo dell’Intelligenza Artificiale (IA) all’ottimizzazione dell’efficienza energetica, alla riduzione delle emissioni e allo sviluppo di fonti di energia rinnovabile, attraverso tecnologie altamente sofisticate. L’analisi metterà in evidenza che, speculari agli indubbi benefici che tali tecnologie recano in termini di miglioramento dell’efficienza e di promozione dell’innovazione, si pongono i rischi connessi alla carbon footprint che l’IA lascia.
Dopo una rapida disamina sulle connessioni, al tempo stesso proficue e problematiche, tra IA e ambiente per il contrasto alla crisi ambientale, le riflessioni si soffermeranno, in
particolare, sulle criticità che i pubblici poteri si trovano ad affrontare. Questi ultimi, in un contesto caratterizzato da alti rischi e incertezza scientifica, sono chiamati a promuovere un uso responsabile, etico e sostenibile delle suddette tecnologie e ad attuare, al contempo, piani di azione in linea con gli obiettivi del Green Deal europeo. Tali piani devono essere basati sui principi di precauzione, proporzionalità, sussidiarietà e solidarietà e devono prevedere una più forte e concreta partecipazione di attori sia istituzionali che privati, ciascuno con la propria autonoma parte di responsabilità