196,819 research outputs found
Manufacturing workers were especially likely to support Brexit
No full textWhat socio-economic characteristics were associated with a Leave vote? Leonardo S. Alaimo (far left) and Luigi M. Solivetti (Sapienza University of Rome) use Local Government District data and find that voters with GCSE-level education, and manufacturing workers in particular, were most likely to support Brexit
Probing Transverse Coherence with the Heterodyne Speckle Approach: Overview and Perspectives
No full textAbstractThe properties of spatial coherence of radiation emitted by relativistic electrons is far from being trivial. Assessing the coherence of high-brilliance X-ray sources (3rd generation synchrotrons or free electron lasers) is of crucial importance for machine diagnostics, as well as in planning experiments exploiting coherent techniques. The Heterodyne Speckles method, firstly described by Alaimo et al. (2009), is a valuable alternative to standard methods (e.g. Young's interferometer) which 1) provides a direct measure of transverse coherence without any a-priori assumption, 2) provides a full 2D map of coherence, 3) is capable of one shot, time-resolved measures, 4) is scalable over a wide range of wavelengths. It relies upon the statistical analysis of radiation scattered by spherical particles randomly distributed and suspended in a fluid. Here we give an overview of this method, from the theoretical framework to the operating conditions to be adopted in order to obtain coherence measurements in several conditions
AI at Work: Automation, Distributed Cognition, and Cultural Embeddedness
No full textThis cross-disciplinary exploration delves into the multiple intersections between Artificial Intelligence (AI), work, and organization, mobilizing different research strands such as STS and Organization Theory, as well as the History of Science and Technology and Cultural Sociology. Matteo Pasquinelli proposes an exploration of theories of automation drawn from political economy and the history of science and technology, investigating their explanatory accounts of technological innovation. As argued by the author, these theories provide important foundations for unveiling the socio-technical genealogy of current forms of AI as well as the specific logic of automation that they follow. Cristina Alaimo continues by illustrating the perspective of distributed social cognition for the study of AI in organizational settings, crucial for abandoning the assumption that intelligence is solely an attribute of individuals or technologies. This second contribution invites an exploration of how, even in organizational environments characterized by the presence of AI, intelligence still appears as a collective capability. Finally, Alessandro Gandini stresses how the encounter between AI and society is primarily a cultural issue, proposing a critical discussion of its main implications. For the author, sociology should approach AI phenomenologically and critically, but it should also take advantage from the innovations that tools such as generative AI might bring
Sostenibilità ambientale, economia circolare e produzione edilizia : la ricerca scientifica nel settore delle costruzioni nell'era delle nuove sfide ambientali e digitali
No full textMeasuring consumers’ level of satisfaction for online food shopping during COVID-19 in Italy using POSETs
No full textThe pandemic COVID 19 has upset the economic, social, financial, and general behavioral systems. Global crisis has a large impact overall and related fallouts significantly affect existent structural paradigms in every country and region across the world. In particular, the spread of COVID-19 pandemic has led to having to rethink the way we produce and consume food. Within this global change, a rise in the number of consumers who purchase food products online in order to comply with the rules aimed at limiting the circulation of the virus should be emphasized. Consequently, probably causing a long-term positive effect on m-commerce. The purpose is to elaborate on the index of the satisfaction level of consumers of purchasing food online via food shopping channels, by using key factors that characterize the online spending behavior. The analysis was carried out by collection of data deriving from an anonymous online questionnaire administrated via social networks and emails, during the ‘hot’ months of the pandemic progression in Italy, which is March–May 2020. We analyse both dimensions of customer satisfaction (process and outcome), by means of two systems of indicators. We reduce their complexity using synthesis obtained with the Partially ordered set. Results highlight the differences between the two dimensions of customer satisfaction. Online shopping can surely contribute to reduction of food waste thanks to elimination of frenzied shopping routines at supermarkets and can open space to new fields of study. On the other hand, defining an index of the consumer's satisfaction can alter sales strategies of m-commerce managers and entrepreneurs
The effects of a saline environment on the durability of commercial photocatalytic paints
No full textThe use of photocatalytic products for surface coating of buildings ensures the reduction of certain air pollutants and greater duration of color over time, due to the reduced attitude of air particulate to adhere to the treated surfaces. The world market is producing a wide range of coatings, transparent and opaque, high initial performance, but there is a lack of data on their durability. The knowledge of performance over time of these new products is at the basis of the Regulation (EU) no. 305/2011, which repealed Council Directive 89/106/EEC and introduced the seventh requirement regarding the sustainability and particularly durability of construction works. This study focuses on the assessment of the durability of photocatalytic commercial paint, in three hues: white, red and yellow, based on TiO2 dispersion into inorganic resins. The methodology is based on the ISO 15686 and consists in the comparison of the most significant parameters considered, monitored during accelerated aging tests, into saline environment, by means of dry corrosion test cabinet, and natural aging in the atmospheric environment of the city of Palermo, characterized by marine aerosol. The monitored parameters were: surface morphology, by means of SEM and optical microscopy; color by means of spectrophotometer; photocatalytic activity, by means of isopropyl alcohol degradation. Chemical characterization test by means of diffractometer were also performed. The results obtained allow carrying out useful correlations to define the performance limits of photocatalytic paint over time. Monitoring was carried our for six months to the effects of degradation agents of atmospheric environment and for four steps of accelerating aging into dry corrosion test cabinet, according to the standardised natural stone test method of UNI EN ISO 14147:2005, adopted for coating
Laminar flow through fractal porous materials: The fractional-order transport equation
No full textThe anomalous transport of a viscous fluid across a porous media with power-law scaling of the geometrical features of the pores is dealt with in the paper. It has been shown that, assuming a linear force-flux relation for the motion in a porous solid, then a generalized version of the Hagen-Poiseuille equation has been obtained with the aid of Riemann-Liouville fractional derivative. The order of the derivative is related to the scaling property of the considered media yielding an appropriate mechanical picture for the use of generalized fractional-order relations, as recently used in scientific literature
Le attività sperimentali e il knowledge reuse
No full textIl presente articolo propone una rassegna sulle sperimentazioni che potenzialmente rappresentano un campo di ricerca molto interessante per ISTEA e per le quali le prospettive sono ampie. Un aspetto cruciale delle attività sperimentali nel campo delle costruzioni è la valutazione ex-ante della durabilità. In questo senso, così come per molti altri aspetti, la conoscenza raggiunta ed i risultati delle sperimentazioni sembrano essere abbastanza dispersi, in modo che si è portati a pensare che abbia senso abbinare le attività sperimentali con il tema del riutilizzo della conoscenza.
In questo tema, la comunità tecnologica organizza il circuito delle conoscenze per renderle comuni, trasferibili nello spazio e conservate nel tempo.
ISTEA potrebbe contribuire a far crescere una Rete, rivolta a promuovere questa circolazione, come servizio al settore delle costruzioni
Shadowing e Gis qualitativo: due strumenti per narrare la città
No full textQuesto breve articolo descrive la città attraverso due tecniche di ricerca qualitativa (lo shadowing e il Gis qualitativo). Partendo da alcuni esempi, tratti dall’esperienza sul campo, vengono valutati limiti e possibilità delle tecniche in oggetto. L’obiettivo è quello di argomentare la necessità di utilizzare e sviluppare nuovi strumenti metodologici per conoscere le configurazioni urbane. Gli autori sostengono il bisogno di muoversi all’interno di un orizzonte interdisciplinare e di utilizzare tecniche capaci di far emergere narrazioni polifoniche della città. Analizzando le potenzialità dialogiche dello shadowing e le potenzialità sovversive dei Gis qualitativi, una cartografia capace di rappresentare lo spazio mentale degli abitanti, viene affermata la necessità di continuare nella pratica di metodi ibridi, capaci di stimolare la creazione di nuove ri-descrizioni. La città, quindi, per essere compresa, pensata e trasformata ha bisogno di creatività e sperimentazione: nuovi strumenti che tentino modalità ibride di conoscenza, scardinando l’egemonia di rappresentazioni autoritarie incapaci di dare corpo e voce ai gruppi sociali meno potenti. L’obiettivo finale, dunque, diviene il bisogno di proiettare la ricerca urbana qualitativa in un orizzonte politico, inteso come spazio pubblico della discussione e dell’interazione.This brief paper describes the city through the use of two different techniques of qualitative research: shadowing and qualitative Gis. By discussing a few examples of field research, the paper assesses the limits and possibilities of these techniques. The aim is to prove the necessity of using and developing new methodologies to investigate the most recent urban phenomena. In order to achieve this goal, only an interdisciplinary approach can help the emergence of polyphonic narrations of the city. Through the analysis of the dialogic assets that shadowing possesses, and of the subversive potential of qualitative Gis (conceived as a sort of mapping that can represent the mind-space of citizens), the authors succor the use of mixed methodologies that enhance the creation of narrative re-descriptions of the urban forms. Understanding, conceiving and transforming the city implies creativity and experimentation: therefore, we need to conceive new instruments that use hybrid knowledge systems, and shatter the hegemony of those traditional, authoritative representations that cannot give voice to the most deprived social groups. The final goal of the paper is thus defined as the need to project qualitative urban research into a political horizon that becomes the public space of discussion and interaction
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