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Green restaurants: An economic assessment of solar photovoltaics and energy storage systems
No full textThe transition to sustainable business models in the catering sector requires the integration of environmental innovation with economic feasibility. Restaurants, as energy-intensive businesses, represent a strategic context for assessing the financial viability of renewable energy technologies. This study evaluates the economic viability of photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage (BES) systems in Italy. The analysis evaluates the project under different policy conditions, with and without public incentives (40 % capital deduction on investment costs), and identifies the key factors that influence their profitability. A comprehensive methodology combining financial and sensitivity analysis, scenario analysis, LASSO regression, break-even point and Monte Carlo simulations was applied to assess economic performance and risk. The results show that the PV system is profitable in both contexts, although incentives significantly improve returns: from 425 to 1590 €/kW. Profitability depends mainly on specific production, the cost of purchasing electricity and the percentage of self-consumption. For the BES, profitability only occurs when self-consumption increases by at least 22–25 % with incentives and 30–35 % without them. Overall, the results emphasise that policy support and management strategies to optimise self-consumption are key to ensuring financial profitability. This work enables restaurant owners to identify the variables that most strongly influence the final outcome, helping them mitigate risks and maximise returns, while supporting more informed decisions that contribute to long-term sustainable development
L'Analisi dei dati nelle scienze sociali al tempo dei Big Data, del Machine Learning e dell'Intelligenza Artificiale
No full textIl volume fornisce un’analisi critico-metodologica dell’evoluzione dell’analisi dei dati avvenuta negli ultimi decenni fino all’attuale scena dominata dalle tecnologie digitati come i big data, il machine learning e la cosiddetta intelligenza artificiale.
Le “nuove tendenze” saranno presentate e messe a confronto con le tecniche e i modelli di analisi dei dati tradizionali per fare emergere sia gli elementi di continuità sia quelli di discontinuità rispetto al passato. Nell’esposizione si farà riferimento alle piattaforme e ai linguaggi di programmazione oggi più usati e si illustreranno sinteticamente alcune applicazioni nell’ambito delle scienze sociali.
Nelle conclusioni si formulerà un bilancio delle possibili applicazioni per gli obiettivi di ricerca tipici delle discipline sociologiche evidenziandone possibilità e limiti
Control of airborne biocontamination in HVAC systems through UV-C irradiation. An experimental and numerical study of the UV-C field
No full textIndoor air quality is one of the most urgent and cross-disciplinary challenges in public health and environmental safety. It involves many sectors, from building design to systems engineering, from occupational medicine to public health. It is especially important in enclosed spaces with high occupancy or health risks, such as hospitals, offices, schools, residential areas, and public transit. What has made this issue even more urgent in recent years is the global experience of the COVID-19 pandemic, which dramatically highlighted the importance of ventilation, natural aeration, and the control of biological pollutants in indoor spaces. At the same time, the increasing adoption of remote work has significantly changed the purpose of home environments, turning them into both living and working spaces. This shift has led to more time spent indoors, increasing the risk of exposure to invisible pollutants such as fine particulate matter, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), chemicals from building materials or furniture, and microbiological agents. As a result, there is an urgent need to focus on indoor air quality as a health concern in both public and private spaces. One phenomenon that highlights the complexity and significance of indoor environments is the socalled Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). Introduced by the World Health Organization in the 1980s, SBS describes a range of nonspecific symptoms, such as headaches, eye and mucous membrane irritation, dry skin, respiratory problems, fatigue, decreased concentration, or general discomfort, that occur after spending time in certain buildings. What characterizes this syndrome is that, in most cases, there is no clearly defined illness, and the symptoms tend to disappear or significantly lessen once the person leaves the environment. This shows a direct link between building features and occupant health, emphasizing a subtle but important interaction between the built environment and human response. In recent years, numerous studies have explored the possible causes and mechanisms behind SBS. Two recent systematic reviews [1, 2] confirm that the syndrome cannot be linked to a single cause but results from an interaction of physical, chemical, biological, and psychosocial factors. Among the most involved chemical contaminants are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by construction materials, furnishings, adhesives, and paints; formaldehyde; ozone; carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide; and fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), which can penetrate the respiratory tract and cause inflammatory responses. Besides these, physical factors such as extreme temperatures, excessive or insufficient humidity, poor ventilation, distracting ambient noise, and inadequate lighting can all harm perceived comfort and lead to symptoms. Special attention is now focused on the microbiological contamination of indoor air, a phenomenon often overlooked but increasingly recognized as crucial, especially in sensitive environments like healthcare and social care facilities. Molds, bacteria, and bioaerosols flourish in humid, poorly ventilated spaces or areas with structural problems such as leaks and condensation, and they can cause allergic reactions, respiratory conditions, and ongoing discomfort. The reviews mentioned earlier highlight a growing link between biological contaminants and the occurrence of SBS-related symptoms, particularly in cases where HVAC systems are poorly maintained or material quality is insufficient. Beyond the chemical composition of the air, the literature increasingly emphasizes the importance of subjective and psychological factors, such as perceived comfort, stress levels, or the quality of workplace organization. These elements not only influence individual responses to environmental stimuli but can also amplify or diminish the appearance of symptoms. In other words, SBS is a syndrome that exists at the intersection of the physical environment and the individual's psychobehavioral interpretation. In such a complex and multidimensional context, the importance of developing integrated monitoring and prevention strategies becomes more evident. These strategies should not be limited to assessing the chemical-physical aspects of the air, but should also include microbiological analysis and monitoring of the occupants’ physical and psychological health. Only a multidisciplinary approach that combines expertise in environmental science, engineering, healthcare, and psychology can ensure a true understanding of the phenomenon and enable effective intervention on risk factors. In recent years, mainly due to the significant impact of the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a large number of air purifiers have entered the market. These devices operate using various physical and chemical mechanisms, some of which are combined. However, their great commercial success is often not supported by rigorous scientific research, particularly with regard to the dose of the agent supplied to biological contaminants. Some of these new devices claim to use UV-C irradiation. The germicidal effectiveness of UV-C sources has become a major focus of research, using both experimental and numerical methods. In experimental studies, germicidal performance is most often evaluated through microbiological culture techniques, comparing the colony-forming units (CFUs) of samples exposed to UV-C radiation with those of unexposed controls. The experimental literature often provides incomplete details, often mentioning only the exposure time or the nominal radiant flux of the UV-C source. As a result, the actual dose received by microorganisms is rarely reported, making it difficult to directly compare different studies and limiting the reproducibility of the results. Additionally, factors such as spatial nonuniformity in irradiance, self-shading within samples, and the optical properties of surrounding materials can significantly affect measured inactivation but are rarely quantified. On the numerical side, assessing UV-C effectiveness usually involves radiometric measurements and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. These methods help predict the spatial distribution of irradiance, radiant fluence, and the resulting local dose within a specific volume. When combined with models of microbial transport, they can also estimate the effective exposure of microorganisms in moving air streams. However, many numerical studies overlook the interaction between radiative transfer and fluid dynamics. In particular, airflow velocity and turbulence significantly influence how long microorganisms remain within the irradiated area, thus affecting the actual inactivation process. If the flow velocity is too high, microorganisms may pass through the UV field too quickly to receive the necessary dose for deactivation, even if the average fluence rate appears sufficient in static conditions. Therefore, accurately evaluating UV-C germicidal effectiveness in indoor environments requires a multi-physics approach that combines radiative, fluid-dynamics, and biological-kinetics models. Such a framework should also consider the optical properties of materials, scattering effects, and potential re-emission phenomena that can influence the local fluence rate. Only by standardizing the definition of dose, carefully measuring irradiance patterns, and realistically modeling air movement can experimental and computational analyses be meaningfully compared and used to develop effective UV-C disinfection systems for indoor air quality improvement [3]. This research's novelty lies in combining experimental and numerical methods to assess the actual UV-C irradiation field in HVAC systems. Unlike most existing studies, which typically examine optical or microbiological aspects separately, this work aim to construct a unified framework that links irradiance distribution, air flow, dose, and microbial inactivation under real-world operating conditions. In the present work, a unique contribution involves the optical modeling of UV-C LED sources using ray-tracing simulations, an area that is still rarely explored in current research. Additionally, the study aims to develop a robust and versatile modeling framework that can be easily reproduced and adapted to various UV-C source types, geometrical configurations, and application scenarios. The experimental phase of the research was conducted in collaboration with Sagicofim S.p.A., a company specializing in air filtration and cleanroom technologies. A full-scale prototype of a galvanized steel duct was constructed and equipped with modular UV-C LED sources. Each module comprised thirty-two diodes arranged in an “80–110” configuration, designed to maximize uniform irradiation across the surface of a downstream HEPA filter. The LEDs emitted at three characteristic wavelengths within the germicidal range (254, 265, and 275 nm), allowing for a comparative evaluation of spectral efficiency and optical behavior. Irradiance measurements were conducted using a Newport 918D photodiode coupled with a 1919-R precision optical power meter [4]. Before testing, the instruments were calibrated against certified standards to ensure traceability and repeatability. Measurements were performed on a grid of 494 points distributed across several planes orthogonal to the airflow, enabling the reconstruction of detailed irradiance maps that represent the spatial distribution of light within the duct. The experimental data revealed a clear dependence of irradiance on both wavelength and geometry. The configuration operating at 265 nm exhibited the highest radiant output, consistent with the absorption peak of nucleic acids [5-7], whereas the 275 nm LEDs showed reduced power and less uniform coverage. Pronounced non-uniformities were observed near the duct corners and walls, attributed to reflection losses and shadowing effects caused by structural components. These findings underscore the necessity of numerical modeling to complement experimental analysis and guide design optimization. To interpret these results, a detailed three-dimensional model was developed using the Ray Optics Module of COMSOL Multiphysics [8]. The model simulated the LED emission profile, accounting for angular dispersion, multiple reflections, and surface absorption. The optical properties of the duct materials were determined experimentally and implemented into the simulation to improve accuracy. The comparison between simulated and measured irradiance maps demonstrated a strong correlation, validating the model as a reliable predictive tool for UV-C system design. Once validated, the model was used to conduct a parametric study exploring the effects of geometric and material variables. Adjusting the LED orientation, spacing, and wall reflectivity optimized light distribution. Simulations showed that coatings with reflectivity above 85% significantly improved the uniformity of the fluence rate and reduced low-irradiance zones. Even small changes in LED tilt angles or inter-module distances yielded measurable improvements in optical efficiency. In addition to the optical analysis, the research defined repeatable procedures for measurement calibration, LED stabilization, and data processing. Each step, from voltage control to temperature monitoring, was standardized to ensure reproducibility. The combined experimental–numerical approach provided a comprehensive framework for identifying sources of non-uniformity and for predicting system performance under different configurations. Although microbial inactivation tests and energy performance assessments were beyond the scope of this work, the study provides a solid foundation for future investigations that will extend the optical findings to biological validation. The irradiance maps and validated numerical models developed here form a database for estimating germicidal dose and for designing UV-C modules optimized for safety, efficiency, and long-term reliability. From an engineering perspective, the study highlights the influence of wavelength, angular emission, material reflectivity, and system geometry on UV-C performance. The proposed methodology enables a quantitative assessment of each parameter, offering design guidelines for integrating LEDbased disinfection technologies into HVAC systems. The approach also promotes standardization and comparability among studies, supporting the development of regulatory frameworks for UV-C systems. In a broader context, this research contributes to the scientific effort to harmonize testing and measurement procedures for UV-C disinfection. The experimental–numerical methodology proposed here can serve as a reference for future standards, enabling reproducible, traceable, and verifiable evaluations of UV-C systems in real-world conditions. In conclusion, the doctoral research presented in this thesis establishes an integrated framework combining experimental characterization and optical modeling for the analysis and optimization of UV-C LED systems applied to air disinfection. The results provide engineers and researchers with validated tools for designing efficient, safe, and environmentally sustainable solutions. Future developments will focus on coupling optical and thermal modeling, evaluating long-term LED stability, and integrating real-time control systems that adapt UV-C intensity to air quality variations. Ultimately, this work aims to contribute to the creation of healthier, safer indoor environments through the responsible, innovative use of UV-C technology
An international Delphi survey on priorities in antimicrobial resistant infections therapeutic research. A preliminary study of MePRAM project
No full textAbstract
Background
Due to the public health, economics and societal impacts of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, it is urgent to establish the research priorities for clinical trials development in the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) field. The objective of this study was to derive a consensus document on the prioritization of AMR topics for the development of randomized trials.
Methods
We performed a survey using the Delphi methodology to establish a consensus among international experts on AMR priority. The questionnaire consisted of 114 items divided in four domains (1.Microorganisms and antimicrobial resistance, 2.Clinical syndromes, 3.Specific populations, 4.Anti-infective agents). The survey was administered to 60 experts using REDCap platform between January and September 2024. Consensus was defined as a simple or cumulative agreement ≥ 70 %. After each round, the results were discussed in Steering Committee meetings and feedback was provided to the experts. A final meeting was held to finalize the priority lists.
Results
Consensus was reached in 101 items with high priority in 47 items. We elaborated four ranked priority list in the microorganisms and antimicrobial resistance domain divided in four different sections, one priority list addressing the clinical syndromes domain, one priority list addressing the specific populations domain, two priority list on anti-infective agents divided in old and new drugs. Finally, we included a 5th domain, consisting of mixed of previous sections. A priority list for each section was proposed.
Conclusions
We have established priority lists on AMR-related aspects. The priority list included pathogens, syndromes, populations and drugs and should be useful to drive future clinical research in AMR
Analysis of the effect of long-term elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor therapy on immune cells of people with cystic fibrosis
No full textBackground: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the CFTR gene, leading to defective chloride and bicarbonate transport, airway dehydration, chronic infection and inflammation. In 2019, the triple combination of CFTR modulators elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor (ETI) was approved for the treatment of pwCF carrying at least one F508del mutation, providing highly effective treatment for up to 90% of patients.
The high clinical effectiveness of ETI has stimulated the study of the effect of therapy on other major drivers of lung disease progression in CF such as airway bacterial infections, inflammation and altered innate immune responses. Considering the importance of innate immune cells in the antimicrobial and inflammatory response e due to the lack of data on the long-term effect of ETI therapy on innate immune cells, we studied the antimicrobial activity of the ex vivo isolated mononuclear cells after 12 and up to 48 months of ETI therapy. In addition, we have investigated the expression of CFTR at the RNA and protein level in PBMCs and monocytes before and after therapy and compared the CFTR channel function between monocytes from ETI-treated pwCF and healthy donors. Finally, the effect of ETI on systemic inflammation was evaluated.
Methods: The antimicrobial activity of the ex vivo isolated monocytes was evaluated by flow cytometry after infection of PBMCs with P. aeruginosa strain expressing GFP (PAO1-GFP). CFTR expression at the RNA and protein level in PBMCs and monocytes was assessed by qRT-PCR and Western blot respectively. CFTR channel function was evaluated by assessing the halide efflux using MQAE sensitive fluorescent indicator. Finally, the serum levels of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-1 was evaluated by ELISA.
Results: ETI therapy confers sustained improvements in lung function, BMI, and QoL, and reduced the percentages of pwCF infected by CF pathogens after four years of therapy. Long-term ETI therapy showed that the rescue of P. aeruginosa uptake by CF monocytes is maintained over time, reaching values comparable to those of healthy donors. CFTR protein expression increased in both PBMCs and monocytes, reaching levels similar to healthy donors in PBMCs but not in monocytes. CFTR mRNA levels increased in PBMC after 12-48 months of ETI therapy while they remained unchanged in monocytes suggesting a heterogeneity of ETI responses among immune cell subsets. Although CFTR channel activity in monocytes remained lower than in cells from healthy donors, it correlated positively with improved lung function. ETI therapy significantly decreased serum levels of IL-6 and IL-1β, while IL‐8 levels didn’t change.
Conclusions: Long-term ETI therapy confers sustained improvements in clinical, microbiological, and inflammatory outcomes after four years of therapy.
ETI therapy further improved monocyte P. aeruginosa phagocytosis over time reaching levels similar to healthy donors while CFTR expression and channel activity remained significantly lower than those of controls. Further research is required to evaluate the effect of ETI on additional monocyte antimicrobial functions and systemic inflammation
Hume on General Rules and Sexed Subjects
No full textRecent scholarship on general rules describes them as implicit causal beliefs formed through habitual associations of ideas and impressions, functioning as heuristics in daily deliberation. Such generalizations, while being employed automatically, remain subject to the possibility of reflection and critical revision by individuals. This paper investigates the specific generalizations involved in Hume’s conception of how the category "woman" is socially connotated and whether they differ from other general rules in his social theory. General rules are crucial in shaping and reinforcing cultural norms. Hume refers to these rules to explain gender relations, particularly in his discussion of chastity and modesty as artificial feminine virtues (T.3.2.11), which prescribe sexual restraint for women to assure their husbands of paternity. Hume attributes public utility to this norm, recognized by both husbands and society at large, as it supports the stability of the family unit. He also argues that, despite women having the same sexual appetites as men, the general rule linking femininity with chastity applies even when reproductive control is unnecessary: modesty remains a virtue for prepubescent or elderly women due to the stability of habitual association.
Hume offers a conception of femininity not based on any inherent female nature but as a norm shaped by socio-cultural demands. In contemporary terms, would be understood as a constructivist account of gender, where the formation of the category of woman follows the same principles governing other social classes, such as profession or national character. This paper argues, however, that the category of "woman" holds a specific status in Hume's theory: its habitual associations, particularly through artificial feminine virtues, link sexual difference to women’s social role in a patriarchal society. The role of such general rules is to naturalize women’s subordination to men. The key question, then, is how such structural power relations affect the functioning of general rules and prejudices, and to what extent these rules can be critically examined through rational scrutiny by the subjects who are exposed to them
Regulatory emotional self-efficacy in managing negative emotions at work: a validation study
No full textStudy 1: Development and Validation of the Revised RESE: In this study, we investigated the psychometric properties of a six-item RESE scale revised for use in the work context (RESE-W). This scale pertains to Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy (RESE), specifically targeting individuals' perceived ability to manage negative emotions within a professional context. For the purpose of validating this questionnaire, through a sample of 1735 Italian adults (63.3% male), we evaluated three distinct factorial models and contextually conducted tests for gender invariance. The results confirmed a bifactorial structure comprised of one general and two specific dimensions across the six scale items. Scalar invariance was achieved, providing robust support for the instrument's validity.
Study 2: RESE-W and Emotion Dynamics: In this Study, we investigated the relations of the RESE-W with mood dynamics at work by estimating its associations with emotional variability, inertia, granularity, and baseline levels. The aim of this study is to analyse the generalizability of the Revised Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy (RESE-W) scale through its correlation with longitudinal emotion-related dimensions, which provides more objective and reliable assessments of individual change than cross-sectional self-reports. Results confirmed the relation between RESE-W and key mood dynamics indices, underscoring the importance of these beliefs in understanding temporal emotional processes at work. These findings align with established research linking emotional dynamics to workplace adjustment and well-being.
Study 3: Validity of the RESE-W Scale: In this study (N = 294), we tested the convergent and external validity of the Revised Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy scale (RESE-W). To this end, we examined its associations with established measures of emotion regulation, effortful control, and emotional intelligence, and assessed whether it predicts perceived stress, emotional exhaustion, and positive/negative affect beyond these constructs. Results showed that RESE-W was strongly correlated with other self-regulatory measures and uniquely predicted work-related well-being outcomes. Unlike competence-based emotion regulation scales, RESE-W appears to capture individuals’ perceived ability to regulate negative emotions, supporting its theoretical distinctiveness
A Roaming Refugium: Uljana Wolf's Chapbook ROM, EIN ROAMING
No full textWolf published ROM, EIN ROAMING (2019) as part of the annual report
of Rome’s Villa Massimo following a period of residence there in 2018. The short
text comprises diverse textual forms and includes three photographic black-andwhite double spreads, two of which feature blurred images of cats. This chapter
explores how – through the errant cat – the text figures Rome as a city-space in
permanent translation, examining how multiple languages and layers of history
interact without reaching stabilization. In ROM, EIN ROAMING, the city appears
and disappears as a porous ecosystem, whilst the cat forms a textual palimpsest
provoking unexpected interlingual connections. Textual memories of the past
also form projections of futurity to move beyond dualisms of organic and inorganic, body and place, human and animal. Inscribed in the name Roma, the text
conceives translation as a nomadic practice that does not ever seek arrival but
instead is concerned to reveal bewildering networks and new spaces
Fuzzy two-mode clustering: How to determine the optimal number of clusters?
No full textTwo-mode clustering consists in simultaneously grouping rows and columns of an observed data matrix. In this context, an open problem is how to determine the optimal numbers of clusters of both partitions. The choice should consider the overall compactness and separation of the two-mode partition. In addition, if the fuzzy approach to clustering is adopted, the two membership degree matrices should assist in this task. For this reason, some cluster validity indices, taking into account
the two objectives and the partitions’ fuzziness, are introduced and investigated. In particular, the well-known Partition Coefficient, Partition Entropy, Fuzzy Silhouette and Xie and Beni indices for standard (one-mode) fuzzy clustering and the here-proposed Fuzzy pseudo-F index are generalized to the fuzzy two-mode clustering framework. The adequacy of the proposed indices is checked by means of a simulation study and some applications
Drawing the Last Island. Unbuilt Architecture in Cedric Price’s Two Tree Island
No full textThis paper argues that Cedric Price’s unbuilt project reveals the potential of drawing as a critical
research tool capable of producing autonomous knowledge, beyond the mere representation of
architectural forms.Drawing the last island is, ultimately, a hope for the future and a promise to the past, aiming to ferry
unbuilt territories and their cultural legacies into awareness