IRIS Università degli Studi dell'Aquila
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Strategic environmental management in the european health care sector: the case of innovative governance of IRRCSs
No full textSteam Generating High Temperature Heat Pumps: Best Practices, Optimization Strategies and Refrigerant Selection for Performance Improvement
Get PDFThe present paper provides a general overview of the state of the art of steam generating heat pumps (SGHPs) technology employed in the industrial field. Recommended best practices and optimization procedures for overall performance improvement of compression closed-loop-based systems are described in detail, as well as the main modifications of the thermodynamic heat pump cycle. Once the main configurations of SGHPs are described, the different concepts are compared in terms of supply temperature ranges; cases of comparison among different concepts are reviewed, and techno-economic barriers are also discussed. The working fluids (including natural refrigerants) commonly selected for these steam generating systems are presented along with their uses. Moreover, zeotropic refrigerant mixtures and new potentially usable mixtures are mentioned. After that, refrigerant selection criteria for high temperature heat pumps are also discussed. Then, using an internal heat exchanger, refrigerant injection technique and super heating in lubricated compressors are herein presented as best practices for general performance improvement. Regarding thermodynamic cycle modifications, basic auto-cascade and quasi-two-stage compression cycles are discussed along with further improvements suggested in the specialized literature. Lastly, optimization strategies useful to enhance the heat pumps’ design and based on TOPSIS method, advanced exergy analysis, exergy-based cost minimization and combined design are analyzed
Cannabinol modulates the endocannabinoid system and shows TRPV1-mediated anti-inflammatory properties in human keratinocytes
Get PDFBelonging and Inclusive Refugee Education
No full textIn recent years, inclusive education has increasingly gained recognition internationally as an effective approach to providing equal access and opportunities for diverse learner populations. However, it has also faced criticism for not adequately considering the lived experiences of all students, especially those targeted by inclusive policies and practices.
As a response, the concept of ‘belonging’ has emerged as an alternative perspective that captures and expresses personal experiences of inclusion or exclusion in educational settings. This chapter explores the potential of the belonging approach within the field of refugee education, examining its implications, challenges, and the necessity for a more nuanced understanding of inclusion.
The first section, ‘Belonging to Become or Passing to Belong in Refugee Education’ explores the pressures refugees face to conform and be accepted in their new environments. Drawing on Goffman’s (1963) distinctions between the ‘discredited’ and the ‘discreditable’, it discusses how refugees manage their identities and strive for acceptance. The narrative of Dina Nayeri (2020), who had to flee Iran and seek refuge first in the UK and then in the USA, illustrates the concept of ‘passing’ as an effort to dissociate from one’s origin in order to be accepted. This section highlights the conditional nature of belonging, where refugees must meet specific societal expectations to be deemed worthy of acceptance. This conditional belonging creates a division between those naturally entitled to belong and those who must earn it through their actions and transformations.
The second section, ‘Belonging, Inclusion, and Refugee Education’, focuses on the emotional and psychological dimensions of belonging, emphasising its importance in inclusive education. Belonging is not only about physical inclusion in a space; it also involves an emotional connection that provides safety and identity. This section underscores the multi-layered nature of belonging, which is constructed through various social locations, identifications, and value systems. It differentiates between belonging as an emotional attachment and the politics of belonging, which involve creating boundaries of inclusion and exclusion. The discussion also addresses the need for educational environments to support the complex and ambivalent experiences of refugees, recognising their trauma and displacement while fostering genuine connections and respect.
The third section, ‘Reciprocity of Belonging’, uses the example of internationally educated teachers (IETs) with refugee backgrounds to illustrate the challenges of professional integration and pursuit of belonging. IETs often face dequalification and lengthy recognition processes for their prior competencies, reflecting broader societal challenges in achieving belonging. This section discusses the importance of educational policies and practices that support the smooth transition of IETs into their profession, acknowledging their qualifications and experiences. It also highlights the potential of bridging programmes in Europe to facilitate this transition, and the need for holistic policy changes to enable true belonging for both refugee professionals and students.
To summarise, the chapter emphasises that redefining belonging in refugee education requires moving beyond conditional acceptance to a more holistic and supportive model. This model must acknowledge the emotional, psychological, and structural aspects of belonging, creating flexible, responsive, and equitable educational environments. Such environments should enable all students, particularly those from refugee backgrounds, to feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. The insights from this chapter highlight the urgent need for educational strategies that extend beyond superficial inclusion, fostering authentic connections and mutual respect within diverse learning environments. By addressing the unique challenges faced by refugee students and educators, we can cultivate a sense of belonging that is both empowering and transformative, paving the way for more supportive and nurturing educational settings for all learners
High genetic diversity and lack of structure underlie the invasion history of the non-indigenous oyster Dendostrea cf. crenulifera (Mollusca, Ostreida, Ostreidae) spreading in the eastern Mediterranean Sea
Get PDFSince the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, hundreds of Indo-Pacific species have rapidly colonised the Mediterranean. Understanding the spatial and temporal patterns of this biological invasion is crucial for assessing its ecological impact. A notable example is the non-indigenous oyster Dendostrea sp., first discovered in T & uuml;rkiye in 1998 and later found throughout the easternmost Mediterranean, though its identity remained uncertain. This study clarifies the taxonomic identity and the introduction pathways of Dendostrea sp. using molecular analyses. Over 100 specimens from 25 sites in the eastern Mediterranean, as well as & Icirc;le d'Ambre and Rodrigues in the Mauritius Archipelago (the native range), were sequenced for mitochondrial DNA (COI) and compared to 422 sequences from GenBank. Phylogenetic and species delimitation analyses identified the Mediterranean oysters as D. cf. crenulifera, conspecific with oysters from Rodrigues. The Mediterranean populations exhibited high genetic diversity, lack of phylogeographic structure and showed no evidence of a founder effect. These findings suggest that D. cf. crenulifera entered the Mediterranean over two decades ago through multiple shipping-mediated introductions from its native range and successfully established, likely aided by the decline of native biodiversity. The observed genetic diversity pattern across the Mediterranean indicates high propagule pressure driving the species' invasion history, which likely underpins its establishment success by reducing the deleterious consequences of population bottlenecks and overcoming the so-called genetic paradox. This study underscores the value of molecular surveys in identifying taxonomically challenging non-indigenous species and uncovering their invasion histories
Beautiful Majorana Higgses at colliders
No full textWe investigate a novel collider signature within the minimal Left-Right Symmetric Model, featuring a Higgs sector composed of a bi-doublet and two triplets. Our study focuses on a region of the parameter space where the SU(2)R charged gauge boson WR lies in the multi-TeV regime (3–100 TeV) and the additional Higgs states play a significant role. In this scenario, a heavy neutral Higgs boson ∆ with a dominant SU(2)R triplet component can be produced in association with either a Standard Model Higgs boson or a massive weak boson. The subsequent decay of the heavy Higgs into Majorana neutrinos N results in displaced lepton signatures, providing a striking manifestation of lepton number violation. Additionally, we explore how the production of b-jets in these processes can enhance hadron-collider sensitivity to such signals. A particularly compelling channel, pp→bb ̄NN, offers the exciting possibility of simultaneously probing the spontaneous mass origin of both Dirac fermions and Majorana states. Based on an optimised event selection strategy and state-of-the-art Monte Carlo simulations, we outline the expected reach at the HL-LHC and future colliders. Our findings demonstrate that this channel probes a region of parameter space where the neutral Higgs triplet and heavy neutrino masses are relatively light (m∆ ≲ 250 GeV, mN ≲ 80 GeV), indirectly constraining the WR boson to the deep multi-TeV domain, with sensitivity extending up to 70–80 TeV, effectively turning the LHC into a precision machine
End-of-Life of Photovoltaic Used as Building Material: From Waste to Resource
No full textThe increasing adoption of photovoltaic
technology as a renewable energy source represents a crucial
step in the energy transition and the reduction of buildings'
environmental impact. This study examines the role of Building
Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) as a key technology for
enhancing the energy performance of urban environment, both
as an energy efficiency measure in building retrofits and as a
sustainable solution for new constructions. Emphasis is placed
on the challenges associated with the End-of-Life (EoL)
management of BIPV modules. By analyzing data on the annual
BIPV capacity installed in Europe between 2007 and 2023, the
volume of waste generated by BIPV modules expected by 2050
has been estimated. Projections suggest that approximately
660.000 tons of BIPV modules will reach the end of their life in
the coming decades, highlighting the urgency of developing and
implementing effective sustainable strategies. The data analysis
indicates that the current linear management model, based on
the production, use, and disposal of modules, must evolve
towards a more circular approach. This entails a revision of
design processes, focusing on more durable, easy-to-disassemble
and recyclable BIPV systems, as well as the optimization of EoL
material and component recovery processes. This work provides
an in-depth overview of the challenges and opportunities related
to the life cycle management of BIPV modules, aiming to raise
awareness of the importance of adopting sustainable EoL
management practices. The work offers valuable insights and
recommendations for advancing research and for the industrial
sector, supporting the transition towards low-carbon cities and
reinforcing the long-term sustainability of the BIPV sector
Romanità e valori paesaggistici a Ostia antica e Roma: il contributo di Guido Calza, Italo Gismondi e Raffaele de Vico
Get PDFDuring the excavations of ancient Ostia in the 1920s, Calza, Gismondi, and de Vico interpreted the use of ancient materials to reconstruct ruins and design new structures. Their approach, influenced by the Fascist context, viewed restoration as a resurrection of Roman remains. This paper examines their methodologies, focusing on the use of Veio tuff in the Ostia theatre and de Vico’s Roman projects, balancing monumentality and continuity with the archaeological environment.Durante gli scavi di Ostia antica negli anni Venti, Calza, Gismondi e de Vico interpretano l’uso dei materiali antichi per ricostruire i resti e progettare il nuovo. Il loro approccio, influenzato dal contesto fascista, vede il restauro come resurrezione delle vestigia romane. Il contributo analizza le loro metodologie, con particolare attenzione all’uso del tufo di Veio nel teatro di Ostia e nei progetti romani di de Vico, tra monumentalità e continuità con l’ambiente archeologico
Preliminary studies on recycling cardboard packaging into building products
Get PDFCardboard is among the most widely used material to make packaging for goods and products, often used with a short life cycle. Study of literature shows how fiber obtained from pulp in the recycling process can be used in different fields, and numerous experiments are underway. One of the fields of interest is the construction industry, but there has been a strong lack of structured studies about the performance of new products from the recycling process and about impacts during life. For this reason, two corrugated cardboard panels for architectural and insulation use, obtained from recycled material, were designed and tested. Insulating properties have been the subject of previous studies while Life Cycle Assessment, acoustic and mechanical tests were carried out, which provided promising results. In particular, from an acoustic point of view, the panels have proven to be effective mainly at low frequencies. From a mechanical point of view, the stress-strain curves are comparable to those of other studies, although the numerical results are strongly influenced by environmental conditions as well as the manufacturing process. Finally, the LCA analysis highlighted very low impact values, also thanks to the recycling of the product at the end of its life
An integrated methodology for assessing circularity and environmental sustainability in BIPV systems
Get PDFThe construction sector's shift toward sustainable production models calls for robust methods to assess both environmental performance and product circularity. This study presents an integrated framework combining Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Circularity Assessment (CA) to evaluate six Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) systems. Developed through a structured six-phase process, the framework merges life cycle-based and circularity-based indicators to overcome the limitations of using each method in isolation. The results show that neither approach alone offers a comprehensive assessment, underscoring the value of integration. Circularity indicators are particularly effective in early design phases due to their simplicity, while LCA is crucial in later stages for validating strategies and optimizing performance. The methodology supports innovation in circular construction by providing insights into key performance indicators, contributing to more sustainable architecturally sound solutions. Overall, this work advances the integration of CA and LCA, offering practical recommendations and enabling future replication in complex system evaluations