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A Novel Model Chain for Analysing the Performance of Vehicle Integrated Photovoltaic (VIPV) Systems
No full textThis study proposes a novel framework for analyzing Vehicle-Integrated Photovoltaic (VIPV) systems, integrating optical, thermal, and electrical models. The model modifies existing fixed PV methodologies for VIPV applications to assess received irradiance, PV module temperature, and energy production, and is available as an open-source MATLAB tool (VIPVLIB) enabling simulations via a smartphone. A key innovation is the integration of meteorological data and real-time driving, dynamically updating vehicle position and orientation every second. Different time resolutions were explored to balance accuracy and computational efficiency for optical model, while the thermal model, enhanced by vehicle speed, wind effects, and thermal inertia, improved temperature and power predictions. Validation on a minibus operating within the University of Palermo campus confirmed the applicability of the proposed framework. The roof received 45-47% of total annual irradiation, and the total yearly energy yield reached about 4.3 MWh/Year for crystalline-silicon, 3.7 MWh/Year for CdTe, and 3.1 MWh/Year for CIGS, with the roof alone producing up to 2.1 MWh/Year (c-Si). Under hourly operation, the generated solar energy was sufficient to fully meet daily demand from April to August, while during continuous operation it supplied up to 60% of total consumption. The corresponding CO2-emission reduction ranged from about 3.5 ton/Year for internal-combustion vehicles to around 2 ton/Year for electric ones. The framework provides a structured, data-driven approach for VIPV analysis, capable of simulating dynamic optical, thermal, and electrical behaviors under actual driving conditions. Its modular architecture ensures both immediate applicability and long-term adaptability, serving as a solid foundation for advanced VIPV design, fleet-scale optimization, and sustainability-oriented policy assessment
Virtual Communities of Practice for generations Z and Alpha: a systematic review of the main social networking sites used in formal education
No full textThe use of social networking sites (SNSs) in teaching is of increasing importance, for it puts into question how what we have, until the digital revolution, understood formal education to be. The earliest social media came about and were developed parallel to generations Z and Alpha. This review analyzed at least 8 articles published between 2019 and 2023, found on the databases Web of Science and Scopus, and sorted into four categories of research cases focused on the main SNSs used in formal education. The selected studies show that Whatsapp, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok can have a positive impact on student and teacher motivation, collaboration, and the reaching of learning objectives. Further, this paper brings to light the advantages that SNSs can bring to faculty’s professional development and to learning, in addition to their value as motivating resources and community-forming structures
Scoring NutriScore: Italian consumer perspectives and policy implications in nutritional labelling
No full textPurpose: This study aims to understand consumers' subjective perceptions of the adoption of the NutriScore label on food packaging. In particular, the study focuses on the overall acceptance of the NutriScore label in Italy, with the aim of emphasising the importance of understanding consumer perspectives in order to encourage healthier food choices. Design/methodology/approach: Q methodology was used to explore individuals’ subjectivity and attitudes towards the adoption of the NutriScore label. Findings: Three distinct viewpoints emerged as follows: (1) “the enthusiasts” view, which endorses the NutriScore use for its role in encouraging healthier choices; (2) “the technicians” view, which criticises its extreme simplicity, advocating for a broader nutritional education, and (3) “the sceptics” view, which distrusts its use, fearing misinformation and economic exploitation. Originality/value: This study is the first aimed at understanding consumers’ subjective viewpoints about adopting the NutriScore front-of-pack label. Engaging consumers in the development of nutritional labelling strategies proves pivotal, shaping effective and consumer-oriented interventions, but also provides valuable insights for policymakers responsible for overseeing regulations pertaining to food product labelling
Assessing vaccination intentions and perceptions among pregnant women in Italy: A multicenter cross-sectional study in the context of mandatory policies and the COVID-19 pandemic
No full textBackground/objectives: Vaccinations significantly reduce the incidence of preventable diseases. Despite their benefits, childhood vaccination rates have declined in Italy since the mid-2010s, prompting the government to mandate certain vaccinations. This cross-sectional study aims to assess the intention to vaccinate their children and the perception of mandatory vaccinations among pregnant women in Italy after the COVID-19 pandemic and post-mandatory vaccination policies. Methods: Participants over 18 years old recruited from 18 cities in Italy completed a questionnaire covering socio-demographic information, vaccination intentions, sources of information, and trust in vaccinations and the healthcare system. Descriptive analyses of the intention to vaccinate their children were carried out, and logistic regressions were performed to identify predictors of being in favor of mandatory vaccinations. Results: Out of 2472 women, 98.8 % intended to vaccinate their upcoming children. High intentions were reported for rubella (91.7 %), measles (91.0 %), hepatitis B (90.4 %), and pertussis (90.4 %), while only 30.3 % intended to vaccinate against COVID-19. Healthcare professionals were the most trusted source of information. A total of 89.1 % of the women were in favor of mandatory vaccinations. Multivariable regression indicated that higher knowledge, risk perception, and trust scores were significant predictors of support for mandatory vaccinations. Conclusions: These findings highlight the crucial role of healthcare professionals in shaping positive vaccination intentions, providing valuable insights for policymakers seeking to enhance vaccination coverage in the post-pandemic era
The Digital Transformation of Software Development
No full textDigital Transformation is a continuous, disruptive, and never-ending process that has a deep impact on both public and private institutions. Its realization requires deep changes that, among many aspects, affect the way software is developed and operated. Using a recently proposed model of Digital Transformation, consisting of four knowledge pillars, namely, People, Technologies, Data, and Processes, this chapter describes how Software Development itself is changing to meet growing demands for agility, efficiency, and innovation required by any Digital Transformation. This study is based on a review of the literature involving major computer science databases, restricting the search to 2022–2024, since its intent is to capture new and emerging trends on how Digital Transformation affects Software Development
Wave Energy Integration for Sustainable Port Development: The Case of Castellammare Del Golfo, Sicily
No full textWave energy harvesting represents a promising opportunity to supply small islands and coastal areas with sustainable energy. Although numerous concepts have been proposed in recent years, most wave energy technologies still require further development. In this context, the manuscript investigates the feasibility of installing a Wave Energy Converter (WEC) within the existing harbor infrastructure of Castellammare del Golfo, located in Sicily, Italy. This approach aims to harness renewable energy from wave motion to support the energy needs of harbor users. The manuscript also presents the conceptual design of a prototype currently under development to demonstrate the technical viability of this solution
Ambiguity of history and human freedom in J. Maritain
No full textMaritain's ethical and historical thought continues to be pertinent today. With regard to both the analysis of the ethical foundations of democratic life and considerations of the structural inseparability of the ethical and political spheres. For Maritain, history remains the great scene of human freedom and the freedom of God. The practical order is an order of freedom. Accordingly, he programmatically sets out not only to clarify its status, but also to identify its genuine and correct version, distancing himself from both the positivist and the Hegel-Marxist systems
English for legal studies
No full textLegal English nowadays calls for different levels of specialized expertise within the academic and professional worlds. It must take into account the interaction between speakers, and especially native and non-native ones, but must also be grounded on a sound working knowledge of use within differing register(s) and context(s). This places considerable demands upon the teachers and curriculum designers responsible for teaching legal English to students at university level. They themselves may have trouble in understanding the cognitive complexity of legal documents, and the linguistic realization of that complexity. It is to such meanings that English for Legal Professionals will draw attention. By giving prominence to its users and contexts/sub-genres in a new manner, the book explores legal language – English-speaking jurisdictions, legal genres/text types – and the linguistic needs of law school and legal practice – vocabulary in contexts, basic sentence structure, textual constraints and conventions. The author demonstrates that the teaching of legal English should equip native/non-native learners, as well as professionals, with a clear understanding of how language functions within specific legal context.
This book written by Giulia Adriana Pennisi is the new volume of the English Linguistics for Academicians and Professionals (ELAP) series, edited by Laura Pinnavaia and Annalisa Zanola. The ELAP series brings together research in linguistics and related fields within English for Scientific and Professional Purposes. The ELAP series features contributions from both established and emerging scholars, highlighting “language in context(s)”—that is, how individuals across academic and professional disciplines engage with lexico-grammatical competence and language proficiency
Recensione a Joe Whitchurch, Revenge, punishment, and anger in ancient Greek justice. Bloomsbury classical studies monographs. London: Bloomsbury Academic, 2024. Pp. 288. ISBN 9781350451544.
No full textRecensione al volume di Joe Whitchurch, Revenge, punishment, and anger in ancient Greek justice. Bloomsbury classical studies monographs. London: Bloomsbury Academic, 202
Symptomatic (STB) and Asymptomatic (ATB) tuberculosis in Italy: Results from a multicenter retrospective study
No full textObjective: Asymptomatic tuberculosis (ATB) represents a significant proportion of tuberculosis (TB) cases. This study aimed to compare ATB and symptomatic TB (STB) cases in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics, adverse events, hospital length of stay, and treatment outcomes. Methods: This multicenter retrospective study included 510 microbiologically confirmed pulmonary TB patients across ten Italian hospitals between 2018 and 2023. STB cases presented with at least one symptom such as cough, fever, chest pain, hemoptysis, dyspnea, night sweats or weight loss. ATB cases presented with no symptoms. The endpoints included adverse events, length of hospital stay, and incompleteness of the treatment. Results: ATB accounted for 36.4 % of cases (184/510). STB was significantly associated with diabetes (p = 0.03), hepatitis B/C infections (p < 0.0001), and history of TB (p = 0.01). Adjusting for clinically relevant confounders, STB was associated with higher occurrence of adverse events (odds ratio 2.04, 95 % confidence interval 1.31 to 3.23; p = 0.002), more severe adverse events (odds ratio 8.07, 95 % confidence interval 2.58 to 33.34; p = 0.001) and a 24 % increase in length of hospital stay (95 % confidence interval 7 % to 47 %; p = 0.005), but was not associated with incomplete treatment (odds ratio 0.79, 95 % confidence interval 0.47 to 1.32; p = 0.37). Conclusions: STB is associated with a higher burden of adverse events. ATB poses challenges for TB elimination due to its asymptomatic nature