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La pronuncia del Bundesverfassungsgericht nel caso Egenberger, ovvero reverse Melloni
No full textDopo aver ricostruito la vicenda, comunemente nota come il caso Egenberger, il presente commento si sofferma sui passaggi chiave dell’ordinanza del Bundesverfassungsgericht del 29 settembre 2025, analizzando se il ragionamento interpretativo fornito dal BVerfG per bilanciare l’autodeterminazione religiosa tedesca e la non discriminazione europea sia corretto alla luce del diritto dell’Unione. Prima di concludere il lavoro, alcune considerazioni sono dedicate al rapporto tra giudici comuni e giudice costituzionale quando è in rilievo l’applicazione del diritto UE e all’opportunità che quest’ultimo assuma un ruolo maggiormente incisivo
Developing digital soft skills in the hyper-ghetto: A case study of the ”Punto luce” in Casal di Principe
No full textDigital technologies are not uniformly converted into social resources in hyper-ghetto contexts. This article examines the Punto luce center in Casal di Principe, an area marked by educational deprivation, socio-economic precarity, and persistent territorial stigmatization, to analyze how a local educational service can transform everyday digital practices into social and learning resources. Focusing on the Youth in stem and beyond (Usb) project, we explore how Stem (Science, technology, engineering and mathematics) workshops and media education foster digital competencies and digital soft skills. Grounded in theories of hyper-ghetto, cultural and digital capital, and the digital divide, the article employs an across-method triangulation combining longitudinal surveys and interviews with educators. Findings show strengthened technical abilities and critical media use. The analysis suggests that high-density relational educational ecosystems can partly disrupt mechanisms of marginality reproduction, converting otherwise inert technological access into social capabilities for young people facing structural deprivation and limited future opportunities
Genomic and phenotypic analysis of ST25 A. baumannii identifies virulence-associated clades and capsular/outer core locus types
No full textThe increase in the infection caused by Acinetobacter baumannii is sustained by the selection of distinct epidemic clonal lineages, which are frequently resistant to a broad range of antimicrobials and possess virulence traits responsible for their persistence in the contaminated environment and spread among patients. The present study aimed to perform an integrated genomic and phenotypic analysis to assess the virulence features of ST25 isolates. A. baumannii isolates assigned to the ST25 epidemic clonal lineage shared high genomic similarity and clustered in four clades (I, II, III, and IV), with clade IV further subdivided into CIVa, CIVb, CIVc, and CIVd. Capsular locus (KL) KL14 was the predominant KL type (47%). Accessory genome analysis showed the presence of tartrate metabolism genes only in CII genomes. CIVb and CIVd ST25 A. baumannii isolates showed higher ability to infect Galleria mellonella larvae than CI, CII, CIII, and CIVc isolates. Hydrogen peroxide resistance was higher in CI, CII, CIVb, and CIVd isolates compared with CIII and CIVc isolates. In desiccation survival tests, CIII, CIVb, and CIVd isolates exhibited prolonged survival. In addition, CI, CII, CIII, CIVb, and CIVd isolates showed higher serum resistance than CIVc isolates. Also, KL14 type and lipooligosaccharide outer core locus (OCL) OCL6 type isolates were significantly more resistant to oxidative stress, to desiccation, and possessed a high ability to kill G. mellonella larvae. A positive and significant correlation was found between AdeB and AdeJ efflux pump expression and hydrogen peroxide resistance.IMPORTANCEIn this study, we characterized the genotypic and phenotypic features of A. baumannii strains assigned to the ST25 epidemic clonal lineage, which were isolated from humans, animals, and the environment. We found that ST25 A. baumannii isolates, irrespective of their antimicrobial resistance, showed peculiar virulence features among clades, isolates assigned to clade IVb and IVd showing the highest virulence and elevated resistance to serum and desiccation. Also, a positive significant correlation was found between the presence of KL14 and outer core locus 6 genotypes and resistance to oxidative stress, resistance to desiccation, and the ability to kill G. mellonella larvae. Phenotypic differences reflected clade identity rather than isolate origin, suggesting that specific virulence traits contribute to the environmental persistence and pathogenic potential of A. baumannii ST25 isolates
Study of Human Antimicrobial Peptides Active Against Some Bacteroidota Species of the Oral Cavity
No full textThe increasing problem of antibiotic resistance is a critical global health issue, necessitating the development of alternative therapeutic strategies to manage infections effectively. Among the promising solutions are human antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), naturally occurring molecules known for their broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. Background/Objectives: This study investigates the potential of some AMPs, selected through a bioinformatic approach, as alternatives to conventional antibiotics, particularly focusing on their efficacy against species within the Bacteroidota phylum. These species, including pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Capnocytophaga ochracea, and Capnocytophaga canimorsus, are well known for their roles in various human infections and related diseases. Non-pathogenic environmental species, such as Flavobacterium johnsoniae, are also included in this group, frequently used as a model organism. Methods: By analyzing the antimicrobial efficacy, mechanisms of action, and potential therapeutic applications of human AMPs, this research underscores their significance in addressing the challenge of antibiotic resistance. Results: This study identified three peptides, KTL24, LIR23, and MFP22, as particularly interesting. These peptides are derived from specific human proteins, namely SPI1, NAPSA and SCUB1. Conclusions: Their notable antimicrobial potential suggests that AMPs could serve either as a complementary treatment alongside traditional antibiotics or as a standalone therapy, mitigating the ongoing spread of antibiotic resistance and offering an alternative in global health strategies
La disciplina europea dell’Intelligenza Artificiale. L’approccio basato sul rischio nel Regolamento UE 2024/1689 del 13 giugno 2024
No full textLa relazione ha avuto ad oggetto il cd. approccio basato sul rischio nel Regolamento UE 1689/24, cd. AI Act, che introduce un nuovo quadro regolatorio europeo dei servizi basati su intelligenza artificiale. La relazione ha avuto ad oggetto specifico le declinazioni giuridiche di responsabilità e di trasparenza che emergono nel nuovo Regolamento
Integrative Taxonomy to Assess the Parasitoid Complex of the Jumping Plant-Louse Cacopsylla pulchella (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) on Cercis siliquastrum in Central and Southern Italy
No full textUrban green spaces host complex arthropod communities, in which natural insect antagonists play a key role in regulating pest populations. The jumping plant-louse Cacopsylla pulchella is a sap-sucking pest widespread across Europe that attacks Cercis siliquastrum L., which is commonly used as an ornamental tree. Heavy infestations may contribute to host tree decline and cause indirect damage in urban environments by reducing aesthetic value and by extensive deposition of honeydew secretions on surrounding surfaces. As with many phytophagous insects occurring in urban contexts, information on the natural enemies of this species remains limited, particularly in Italy, and requires further documentation. Here, we investigated the parasitoids associated with C. pulchella in central and southern Italy based on surveys conducted between 2022 and 2025. Specimens were obtained from infested plant material and identified using an integrative taxonomic approach combining detailed morphological examination with DNA barcoding. Prionomitus mitratus was confirmed as the primary parasitoid of C. pulchella, while two species, Pachyneuron muscarum and Pachyneuron aphidis, were identified as hyperparasitoids. In addition, a single specimen of Anastatus bifasciatus was also recorded emerging from the psyllid as a hyperparasitoid. Molecular analyses generated the first publicly available mitochondrial and nuclear sequences for P. mitratus. For Pachyneuron, molecular results showed variable correspondence with available reference sequences, reflecting the uneven representation of species-level data for Pteromalidae in public databases. By integrating morphological and molecular evidence, this study clarifies trophic relationships within the C. pulchella parasitoid complex. It provides vouchered molecular references to support future taxonomic and ecological research in urban ecosystems
Managing Innovative Circular Ecosystems: The Role of Artificial Intelligence
No full textThe concept of the Circular Economy (CE), in confronting global environmental
and socioeconomic challenges, has continued to attract attention of researchers and
practitioners, as well as result in practical initiatives and interventions for desired
Innovative Circular Ecosystems (ICEs). Significantly, amidst ongoing (I)CE discus
sions, society witnesses the proliferated integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
within organizations. AI integration by business assists their understanding of key
attributes and assets, as well as in sorting and analysing ongoing operations towards
sustainable practice. However, managerial-level challenges exist, including the
transformative requirements concerning resource, planning, and education and the
overarching cultural knock-on effects of AI which occupy time and decision-mak
ing. In response, this chapter discusses the managerial perspective of integrating AI
within organizations towards ICEs. Subsequently, presented is a novel ‘cyclical
model’, which embraces and embeds AI technology through phases and stages of
recognition, AI integration, and sustainable development via sequential creative and
innovative activity led by managers. Adoption of this model may result in renewed
organizational structure and strategy, through AI-assisted analysis, product and ser
vice redesign, and reasoned re-positioning within respective markets. Nevertheless,
integration of such conceptualizations in practice, along with understanding social,
cultural, and ethical impacts of the intersection of AI and ICEs within organiza
tional and sector contexts, merits further research investigation
A Novel Approach for the Generation of Satellite Pattern of Life
No full textIn an overly crowded space environment, detection, tracking and characterization of Resident Space Objects have become critical tasks. Given the increasing challenge of accomplishing these tasks in the presence of maneuvers, establishing the possible recursive behaviour of the satellite, i.e., its Pattern of Life, can be an invaluable help. The Pattern of Life of a Resident Space Object also plays a critical role in predicting when the satellite is expected to maneuver, which can serve both civilian (improving tracking capability) and military purposes (identifying anomalous maneuvers performed by unfriendly assets). In this context, this paper presents a definition of the pattern of life based on satellite orbital parameters and maneuvers statistics, which is applicable in different orbital domains. The developed method is first validated using synthetically generated test cases, simulating LEO orbit maintenance maneuvers, and then tested on real test cases to assess its performance in realistic operational scenarios
Digital Transformation of the Public Sector: Towards Agile, Human-Centered Public Administration
No full textDigital transformation has challenged public administrations’ decision-making processes, relationship with citizens, and internal management issues (workflows, teamwork, leadership, culture, and human resources management (HRM)). Especially with reference to work and HRM processes, technology embraced organizational transformation and digitalization processes allowed the introduction of new forms of working that revolutionized traditional work practices. These issues have prompted research on digital transformation and the growing intensive use of agile forms of work from different angles, including organizational or job design, human-centeredness or the ethics of technologies adopted, and their effects on the quality of work, employee well-being, organizational models, and economies overall. However, the digital transformation of the public sector brings many challenges and contrasting effects on employees, organizations, and societies that still have to be tackled especially under a multi-level and across-level (micro, meso, and macro) perspective, considering the individual, organizational, and societal levels. The book addresses these issues using a comprehensive mixed methodology to explore the multifaceted and complex nature of this topic at different levels. In more detail, the book contributes to the literature on the public sector, exploring both the illuminated and dark sides of digital transformation and its effects on the public employees’ behaviors, discussing the role of technologies, and the impact they have on workplaces and organizational practices. The book provides a holistic picture of digital transformation that may be supportive for theoretical, practical and policy implications, supporting the understanding of how new forms of work may support the effective design of flexible and sustainable organizational models