109500 research outputs found
Sort by
Does fiscal autonomy increase local income? Evidence from Italy
No full textCan fiscal autonomy affect per capita income levels? We empirically investigate the impact of fiscal autonomy on per capita income through the proper use of local financial resources. Exploiting a natural experiment in Italy, we compare municipalities in the Autonomous Provinces of Trento and Bolzano, which retain and manage almost all their tax revenues, with neighbouring municipalities in Lombardy and Veneto, where only a small fraction of revenues is autonomously managed. Using a spatial fuzzy regression discontinuity design, we estimate the effect of financial fiscal autonomy on per capita income. We address the potential endogeneity of financial fiscal autonomy with a dummy variable identifying municipalities that manage almost all their tax revenues. Our findings show that higher levels of local financial fiscal autonomy increase per capita income: a one percentage point rise in the financial fiscal autonomy raises per capita income by 0.2–0.7%. This effect is largely driven by higher municipal-level administrative quality in municipalities with stronger fiscal autonomy. The results highlight that granting fiscal autonomy can enhance local economic performance
Gianantonio Tadini (1754-1830): una biografia scientifica con un’analisi critica delle opere edite e delle carte d’archivio
No full textQuesta tesi ricostruisce l'opera matematica e scientifica di Gianantonio Tadini (1754-1830), ingegnere idraulico di Romano di Lombardia (BG). Nonostante gli sforzi di Giuseppe Bravi, che pubblicò postumo alcune delle sue opere [Tadini (1830a)], [Tadini (1840)] e scrisse una biografia scientifica [Bravi (1835)], Tadini fu quasi dimenticato nel corso del tempo: probabilmente a causa della sua collaborazione con i governi napoleonico e repubblicano, durante la Restaurazione fu considerato una figura scomoda. Le sue opere rimasero pressoché sconosciute fino alla fine del XX secolo, quando fu riscoperto con alcuni articoli sull'argomento, la maggior parte dei quali dedicati ai suoi esperimenti sulla deviazione dei corpi in caduta [Fiocca (1998); Borgato (2007b); Giannini (2012b)] e ricostruzioni biografiche [Fiocca (2003); Rosati (2003); Di Fidio e Gandolfi (2014)]. Recentemente, la sua vasta collezione di manoscritti è stata donata alla Biblioteca Angelo Mai di Bergamo, rendendo accessibile un materiale in gran parte inedito. La tesi si innesta all’interno di questa recente riscoperta, con l'obiettivo di fornire uno studio completo e sistematico dell'opera di Tadini. Abbiamo esaminato sia i suoi scritti pubblicati che i manoscritti inediti, offrendo per la prima volta un'edizione completa della sua vasta corrispondenza. Questo corpus (circa tre metri lineari di manoscritti e 500 lettere) rappresenta una risorsa importante per ricostruire non solo la biografia scientifica del matematico, ma anche l'ambiente culturale, accademico e politico in cui operava. Ci siamo concentrati su molteplici aspetti: un esame critico delle opere pubblicate, la trascrizione e la collazione dei testi inediti, la contestualizzazione storica e scientifica e la ricostruzione delle relazioni di Tadini con la comunità accademica contemporanea. Grazie a questa ricerca, Tadini si è profilato come uno scienziato poliedrico e originale, capace di confrontarsi con diverse discipline e di affrontare problemi sia teorici che pratici. I suoi studi di idraulica hanno mostrato un approccio innovativo al moto delle acque, risolvendo alcuni problemi aperti, in particolare il moto dell'acqua in due dimensioni. Come fisico, ha studiato la stabilità dei ponti, la distribuzione del peso e le sollecitazioni meccaniche. Ha fornito interessanti riflessioni sui fondamenti dell'analisi matematica, tentando di giustificare i coefficienti dello sviluppo in serie di Taylor utilizzando un metodo personale e originale.
Questo spirito critico traspare in tutta la sua opera, dalle polemiche con Vincenzo Brunacci e Gaspard Prony, alle riflessioni su Laplace, sino a scritti di teologia e cosmologia. Era anche un abile fisico e collezionista di dati di pubblica utilità. Studiò la mortalità per vaiolo in Lombardia, l'evaporazione dell'acqua e il moto delle onde. Abbiamo esaminato anche il coinvolgimento di Tadini in un grande progetto ingegneristico: il canale Diotto, dove Tadini dimostra grande abilità nell’approccio sia pratico che teorico nel problema della costruzione di un canale artificiale per collegare il Lago Maggiore al Naviglio Grande. Inoltre, la sua partecipazione al dibattito sul Naviglio Pavese e i suoi disaccordi con Ottaviano Fabrizio Mossotti confermano il suo ruolo attivo nelle principali discussioni scientifiche e tecniche del suo tempo. Riteniamo di essere riusciti a ricostruire l'immagine di uno scienziato straordinariamente versatile che si è occupato in modo critico di alcuni dei temi centrali della matematica e delle scienze applicate del XIX secolo. Sebbene non sia stato possibile analizzare la totalità del materiale a disposizione, questa ricerca sottolinea l'importanza del contributo di Tadini e la forte multidisciplinarietà di approccio con cui conduceva le proprie ricerche.This thesis reconstructs the mathematical and scientific work of Gianantonio Tadini (1754–1830), a hydraulic engineer from Romano di Lombardia (BG). Despite the efforts of Giuseppe Bravi, who posthumously published some of his works [Tadini (1830a)], [Tadini (1840)] and wrote a scientific biography [Bravi (1835)], Tadini was nearly forgotten over time: probably due to his collaboration with the Napoleonic and Republican governments, during the Restoration he was considered an inconvenient figure. His works remained barely unknown until the late 20th century, when he was rediscovered with some papers on the subject, most of them dedicated to his experiments on falling bodies [Fiocca (1998); Borgato (2007b); Giannini (2012b)] and biographical reconstructions [Fiocca (2003); Rosati (2003); Di Fidio and Gandolfi (2014)]. Recently, a large collection of manuscripts had been donated to the Angelo Mai Library in Bergamo, making accessible a vast and unpublished material. This thesis follows this recent rediscovery, aiming to provide a comprehensive and systematic study of Tadini’s work. We examined both his published writings and unpublished manuscripts, while offering, for the first time, a complete edition of his extensive correspondence. This corpus (about three linear metres of manuscripts and 500 letters) represents an important resource for reconstructing not only the mathematician’s scientific biography, but also the cultural, academic, and political milieu in which he operated. We focused on multiple aspects: a critical examination of published works, the transcription and collation of unpublished texts, the historical and scientific contextualisation, and the reconstruction of Tadini’s relations with the contemporary academic community. During this research, we found out that Tadini was a multifaceted and original scientist, capable of engaging with diverse disciplines and ad dressing both theoretical and practical problems. His studies in hydraulics show an innovative approach to the motion of water, solving some open problems, particularly the motion of water in two dimensions. As a physicist, he also investigated the stability of bridges, weight distribution, and mechanical stress. He gave interesting reflections on the foundations of mathematical analysis, where he attempted to justify the coefficients of the Taylor series expansion using a personal and original method. This critical spirit appears in his entire oeuvre, from his polemics with Vincenzo Brunacci and replies to Gaspard Prony, to his reflections on Laplace and even to his writings on theology and cosmology. He also was a skilled physicist and collector of useful data, including those on smallpox mortality in Lombardy, on water evaporation and on wave’s motion. The thesis also examines Tadini’s involvement in a great engineering project: the Diotto channel, a plan to connect Lake Maggiore to the Naviglio Grande via a navigable canal, that shows his ability to unite both theoretical and practical approaches. Also, his participation in the debate surrounding the Naviglio Pavese and his disagreements with Ottaviano Fabrizio Mossotti confirm his active role in the principal scientific and technical discussions of his time. We believe we have been able to restore the image of an extraordinarily versatile scientist who critically engaged with some of the central themes of nineteenth century mathematics and applied science. Although it was not possible to analyse the entirety of the available material, this research underscores the importance of Tadini’s contribution and offers an interpretative framework that integrates theoretical, experimental, and the multidisciplinarity of his research. We think we showed how figures, nowadays considered as marginal, also played a decisive role in the circulation of ideas and the advancement of science
Influence of Posidonia oceanica accumulation on beach morphodynamics: A remote sensing study
No full textBeach morphology is influenced by climate-related changes, such as rising sea levels, shifting weather patterns, and storms, as well as human activities, making continuous monitoring essential for understanding its evolution. Within this dynamic context, some beaches develop morphological features that help attenuate the impact of high-energy events, effectively acting as natural barriers against coastal erosion and flooding. This research explores the role of Posidonia oceanica banquettes, natural seagrass accumulations, in influencing beach dynamics, shoreline stability, and dune development, processes that are common along much of the Mediterranean coast. The study developed a new methodological approach by integrating aerial ortophotos with high-temporal-resolution multispectral satellite imagery, to analyse beach evolution in the presence of Posidonia banquettes, with a focus on the impact of storm events. This approach examines shoreline, dune, and Posidonia accumulations through a combination of remote sensing techniques, enabling both medium-term through Satellite-Derived Shoreline (SDS) (∼10 years) and long-term analyses (∼70 years) using orthophotos. The results highlight the complex interactions between human activities, storm events, and natural processes, particularly the role of Posidonia accumulation in shaping beach and dune morphology. Medium-term analysis has offered detailed perspective on recent beach changes, illustrating fluctuations in Posidonia berms related to storm events and correlating shoreline positions with dune evolution. Meanwhile, long-term orthophotos analysis has provided insights into sediment transport dynamics and revealed trend patterns over extended timeframes. This integration of SDS data and aerial imagery leveraged the identification of “hotspot areas” by analysing the relationship between shoreline changes and dune toe retreat
On the formation of strange quark stars from supernova in compact binaries
No full textStrange quark stars (SQSs), namely compact stars entirely composed of deconfined quark matter, are characterized by similar masses and compactness to neutron stars (NSs) and have been theoretically proposed to exist in the Universe since the 1970s. However, multiwavelength observations of compact stars in the last 50 years have not yet led to an unambiguous SQS identification. This article explores whether SQSs could form in the supernova (SN) explosion of an evolved star (e.g., carbon-oxygen, or Wolf-Rayet) occurring in a binary with the companion being a neutron star (NS). The collapse of the iron core of the evolved star generates a newborn NS and the SN explosion. Part of the ejected matter accretes onto the NS companion as well as onto the newborn NS via matter fallback. The accretion occurs at hypercritical (highly super-Eddington) rates, transferring mass and angular momentum to the stars. We present numerical simulations of this scenario and demonstrate that the density increase in the NS interiors during the accretion process may induce quark matter deconfinement, suggesting the possibility of SQS formation. We discuss the astrophysical conditions under which such a transition may occur and possible consequences
Does the Value Added Intellectual Coefficient (VAIC) add value to the IC research and practice?
No full textThe Chapter offers a critical analysis of the Value Added Intellectual Coefficient (VAIC) proposed by Pulic (1998; 2000a; 2000b; 2004a; 2004b; 2008) as a measure of intellectual capital efficiency. The analysis identifies three interrelated groups of relevant criticisms against the VAIC, which refer to the concepts employed by Pulic, to the mechanics of the model, i.e. the formulas linking the components of the model, and, finally, to the use of the VAIC in empirical analyses investigating its association with the firm’s financial and market performance. The analysis is also extended to the modified-VAIC models some scholars have proposed to overcome some of the pitfalls of the VAIC and focuses on the contribution the model has brought to the IC field as for the methodological approach adopted by Pulic and for the relevance assigned to the statistical significance to validate the soundness of a theoretical model
La rappresentanza
No full textIl contributo analizza in chiave critica la disciplina codicistica della rappresentanza, richiamando i più rilevanti orientamenti dottrinali e giurisprudenziali in materi
From access to action: rethinking digital citizenship in public library platforms in the age of AI
No full textIntroduction: In recent years, European public libraries have invested heavily in the digitalization of their services, developing digital lending platforms that expand access to reading and knowledge. However, these platforms not only organize content but also construct institutional discourses on what it means to be a citizen in the digital age.Objective: This paper critically examines the 2023/2024 institutional reports of three major public digital libraries —MLOL (Italy), eBiblio (Spain), and Gallica (France) —to explore how digital citizenship is discursively represented, regulated, or silenced in each case. Methodology: Through a comparative critical discourse analysis, the study investigates key linguistic and ideological patterns in the three reports. A comparative matrix was developed to examine dimensions such as discursive tone, user representation, time construction, and ideological functions. Results: The analysis identifies three implicit models of digital citizenship: patrimonial (Gallica), administrated (eBiblio), and participatory (MLOL). Despite their differences, all platforms fail to address digital inequality, user agency, or active participation in the design of digital services. Conclusions: The paper calls for a new sociopolitical vision of public digital libraries as inclusive, democratic infrastructures. In the Brazilian context, where no national cooperative digital library system currently exists, these reflections are especially relevant. With the rise of generative AI, public platforms must go beyond access and foster civic agency and digital empowermen
Comparative immunological study on granulocyte populations in the Leydig organ of two elasmobranch species
No full textElasmobranchs are the most primitive jawed vertebrates, and their immune system is similar to those of amniotes. Therefore, sharks and rays represent excellent models for investigating the evolution of immune system components and functions. In addition to the typical lymphoid tissues, namely the thymus and spleen, elasmobranchs have Leydig (LO) and epigonal organs instead of bone marrow. The LO is located between the submucosa and muscular layers of the esophagus. Here, we report the cell composition of the LO in two elasmobranch species, the thornback ray (Raja clavata) and the small-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula). In February 2021, ten specimens of each species were collected from North Sardinia (Italy), and the esophagus was excised and studied using immunohistochemistry to characterize the immune cells in the LO. The anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen antibody showed that approximately 44 % of cells were in DNA synthesis activity, and approximately 14 % were myeloid progenitors positive for the anti-c-kit antibody. A panel of antibodies targeting the main molecules of immune system cells was employed, showing that the LO of R. clavata and S. canicula had similar percentages of areas occupied by granulocyte types containing lysozyme, serotonin, histamine, tumor necrosis factor-like peptide, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. A comparison of the current data on these two species with previous results on the blackmouth catshark, Galeus melastomus, revealed some differences in the percentages of areas with granulocyte populations that express histamine, serotonin, and tumor necrosis factor-like peptide
IS PLEASURE ENOUGH TO MOTIVATE EXERCISE? EXPLORING HOW ANTECEDENT APPRAISALS SHAPE CORE AFFECTIVE EXERCISE EXPERIENCES DIFFERENTLY BY GENDER
No full textPurpose: A growing body of research emphasizes the role of affective
processes in shaping physical activity (PA) behavior, particularly
in adolescence - a critical period for the formation of emotional
associations with exercise. According to the Affective-Reflective
Theory, PA behavior is driven by both reflective evaluations and
affective valuations, the latter developing from repeated emotional
responses to past activity. Affective Exercise Experiences (AFFEXX)
represent the consciously accessible portion of affective valuation.
According to this model, core affective exercise experiences (pleasure,
energy, calmness) are informed by discrete antecedent
appraisals, such as interest, competence, or honor. However, little is
known about how these appraisals predict core affective responses,
and whether these mechanisms differ by gender. Moreover, the model
suggests that core affective experiences influence PA behavior indirectly,
through the motivational orientation of attraction. This study
investigated: (1) the role of cognitive antecedent appraisals in predicting
core affective exercise experiences; (2) gender differences in
these associations; and (3) whether the relationship between affective
experiences and PA behavior is moderated by attraction.
Methods: Affective exercise experiences were assessed using the
36-item AFFEXX Questionnaire, with items rated between opposing
statements about physical activity on a 7-point Likert scale. Weekly
moderate and vigorous PA were calculated using the IPAQ-SF.
Linear regression models tested whether antecedent appraisals predicted
affective responses differently by gender. Moderation analyses
examined whether attraction moderated the association between
affective responses and PA behavior.
Results: A sample of 808 participants (age = 13 ± 1; 46% female)
completed a battery of self-report measures. Interest (b = 0.40,
p\0.001), competence (b = 0.35, p\0.001), and pride/honor
(b = 0.29, p\0.001) were significant predictors of pleasure. Gender
moderated the effects of some appraisals on affect: for instance,
competence predicted pleasure more strongly in females (b = 0.40)
than in males (b = 0.28). Attraction significantly predicted vigorous
PA (b = 0.25, p\0.001), and moderated the relationship between
pleasure and vigorous PA (interaction b = 0.07, p = 0.014). Simple
slope analyses showed that the effect of pleasure on vigorous PA was
significant at high levels of attraction (b = 0.17, p = 0.019), but not at
low levels (b = 0.02, p = 0.712). No moderation effects were found
for energy or calmness.
Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of considering
both gender-specific appraisal patterns and motivational orientations
in understanding the affective basis of PA behavior. The interaction
between pleasure and attraction may offer new insights for affectively
informed intervention strategies