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We study opinion dynamics in multi-agent networks when a bias toward one of two possible opinions exists, for example reflecting a status quo versus a superior alternative. Our aim is to investigate the combined effect of bias, network structure, and opinion dynamics on the convergence of the system of agents as a whole. Models of such evolving processes can easily become analytically intractable. In this paper, we consider a simple yet mathematically rich setting, in which all agents initially share an initial opinion representing the status quo. The system evolves in steps. In each step, one agent selected uniformly at random follows an underlying update rule to revise its opinion on the basis of those held by its neighbors, but with a probabilistic bias towards the superior alternative. We analyze convergence of the resulting process under well-known update rules. The framework we propose is simple and modular, but at the same time complex enough to highlight a nonobvious interplay between topology and underlying update rule.

We analyze the binary-state (either ℛ or ℬ) k-majority dynamics in a biased communication model where nodes have some fixed probability p, independent of the dynamics, of being seen in state ℬ by their neighbors. In this setting we study how p, as well as the initial unbalance between the two states, impact on the speed of convergence of the process, identifying sharp phase transitions., LIPIcs, Vol. 179, 34th International Symposium on Distributed Computing (DISC 2020), pages 42:1-42:3

Nel corso del mio lavoro di ricerca mi sono occupata di identificare strategie che permettano il risparmio delle risorse a livello edilizio e di approfondire un metodo per la valutazione ambientale di tali strategie. La convinzione di fondo è che bisogna uscire da una visione antropocentrica in cui tutto ciò che ci circonda è merce e materiale a disposizione dell’uomo, per entrare in una nuova era di equilibrio tra le risorse della terra e le attività che l’uomo esercita sul pianeta. Ho quindi affrontato il tema dell’edilizia responsabile approfondendo l’ambito delle costruzioni in balle di paglia e terra. Sono convinta che l’edilizia industriale abbia un futuro molto breve davanti a sé e lascerà inevitabilmente spazio a tecniche non convenzionali che coinvolgono materiali di semplice reperimento e posa in opera. Sono altresì convinta che il solo utilizzo di materiali naturali non sia garanzia di danni ridotti sull’ecosistema. Allo stesso tempo ritengo che una mera certificazione energetica non sia sinonimo di sostenibilità. Per questo motivo ho valutato le tecnologie non convenzionali con approccio LCA (Life Cycle Assessment), approfondendo gli impatti legati alla produzione, ai trasporti degli stessi, alla tipologia di messa in opera, e ai loro possibili scenari di fine vita. Inoltre ho approfondito il metodo di calcolo dei danni IMPACT, identificando una carenza nel sistema, che non prevede una categoria di danno legata alle modifiche delle condizioni idrogeologiche del terreno. La ricerca si è svolta attraverso attività pratiche e sperimentali in cantieri di edilizia non convenzionale e attività di ricerca e studio sull’LCA presso l’Enea di Bologna (Ing. Paolo Neri)., During my research period I worked to find strategies that assure saving resources in building field. I also worked to examine in depth a method for environmental evaluation of those strategies. I believe that human being has to leave the actual anthropocentric vision, in which all around us there is merchandise at our disposal. We have to entry into a new age of equilibrium between natural resources and human activities. I analyzed straw and clay as raw materials for sustainable buildings. In my opinion, industrialized construction building has to go flat and leave enough space for non conventional techniques and materials. I believe that we have to do more than only use natural materials in buildings. I believe also that energetic certification is not synonymous with reliability towards an eco-friendly product. For those reasons, I evaluated non conventional techniques with an LCA approach, analyzing impact in production phase, transporting, construction phase, end of life scenarios. Furthermore I studied IMPACT methodology for damage assessment and I find that there is a lack: the method doesn’t consider a damage category linked to human modification to natural hydrogeological conditions. I carried out the research through practical and experimental activities in construction sites, and LCA studies at Enea_Bologna (Ing. Paolo Neri).

Nel corso del mio lavoro di ricerca mi sono occupata di identificare strategie che permettano il risparmio delle risorse a livello edilizio e di approfondire un metodo per la valutazione ambientale di tali strategie. La convinzione di fondo è che bisogna uscire da una visione antropocentrica in cui tutto ciò che ci circonda è merce e materiale a disposizione dell’uomo, per entrare in una nuova era di equilibrio tra le risorse della terra e le attività che l’uomo esercita sul pianeta. Ho quindi affrontato il tema dell’edilizia responsabile approfondendo l’ambito delle costruzioni in balle di paglia e terra. Sono convinta che l’edilizia industriale abbia un futuro molto breve davanti a sé e lascerà inevitabilmente spazio a tecniche non convenzionali che coinvolgono materiali di semplice reperimento e posa in opera. Sono altresì convinta che il solo utilizzo di materiali naturali non sia garanzia di danni ridotti sull’ecosistema. Allo stesso tempo ritengo che una mera certificazione energetica non sia sinonimo di sostenibilità. Per questo motivo ho valutato le tecnologie non convenzionali con approccio LCA (Life Cycle Assessment), approfondendo gli impatti legati alla produzione, ai trasporti degli stessi, alla tipologia di messa in opera, e ai loro possibili scenari di fine vita. Inoltre ho approfondito il metodo di calcolo dei danni IMPACT, identificando una carenza nel sistema, che non prevede una categoria di danno legata alle modifiche delle condizioni idrogeologiche del terreno. La ricerca si è svolta attraverso attività pratiche e sperimentali in cantieri di edilizia non convenzionale e attività di ricerca e studio sull’LCA presso l’Enea di Bologna (Ing. Paolo Neri)., During my research period I worked to find strategies that assure saving resources in building field. I also worked to examine in depth a method for environmental evaluation of those strategies. I believe that human being has to leave the actual anthropocentric vision, in which all around us there is merchandise at our disposal. We have to entry into a new age of equilibrium between natural resources and human activities. I analyzed straw and clay as raw materials for sustainable buildings. In my opinion, industrialized construction building has to go flat and leave enough space for non conventional techniques and materials. I believe that we have to do more than only use natural materials in buildings. I believe also that energetic certification is not synonymous with reliability towards an eco-friendly product. For those reasons, I evaluated non conventional techniques with an LCA approach, analyzing impact in production phase, transporting, construction phase, end of life scenarios. Furthermore I studied IMPACT methodology for damage assessment and I find that there is a lack: the method doesn’t consider a damage category linked to human modification to natural hydrogeological conditions. I carried out the research through practical and experimental activities in construction sites, and LCA studies at Enea_Bologna (Ing. Paolo Neri).

The COVID-19 pandemic has surprised the entire population. The world has had to face an unprecedented pandemic. Only, Spanish flu had similar disastrous consequences. As a result, drastic measures (lockdown) have been adopted worldwide. Healthcare service has been overwhelmed by the extraordinary influx of patients, often requiring high intensity of care. Mortality has been associated with severe comorbidities, including chronic diseases. Patients with frailty were, therefore, the victim of the SARS-COV-2 infection. Allergy and asthma are the most prevalent chronic disorders in children and adolescents, so they need careful attention and, if necessary, an adaptation of their regular treatment plans. Fortunately, at present, young people are less suffering from COVID-19, both as incidence and severity. However, any age, including infancy, could be affected by the pandemic.Based on this background, the Italian Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology has felt it necessary to provide a Consensus Statement. This expert panel consensus document offers a rationale to help guide decision-making in the management of children and adolescents with allergic or immunologic diseases.

Improving the awareness of the responsibility of our actions is the basis of achieving the ambitious aim of waste management and prevention established by the European Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/CE and the most recent Circular Economy Package. Circular Economy is connected both to improve manufacturing technologies and also educate people towards responsible consumption and waste reduction. Due to its educational and institutional role, universities provide a context to rethink not only at our technological system through the adoption of eco-innovation, but also to reconsider the entire system of our values through the education of the society in many aspects of sustainability. Most sustainability education courses co-generate knowledge in an explorative way through inter- and trans-disciplinary methodologies. A Living-lab of sustainability called Terracini in Transizione is ongoing at the School of Engineering and Architecture of University of Bologna. This Living-lab offers new opportunities and useful feedback to research and teaching, as well as contributing to the engagement of engineering students. As a result of the Living-lab, various experimental green technologies for Urban Resilience have been co-designed by students, researchers and professors. In order to strengthen the sustainability of the proposed solutions, some of them are being constructed using recycled materials. The aim is to close the cycle of utilized materials, and the hereby presented experiment focuses on testing the water and rooting capacity of innovative recycled materials as substrates for edible plants cultivation in innovative green technologies (e.g. soilless cultivation). Tested substrates include a control (mix of perlitevermiculite) and recycled substrates, either made of crushed plasterboard panels, synthetic wadding or panels of rockwool. The present study addresses the definition of the hydraulic properties of the substrates and their effect on the yield of hydroponically grown lettuce (Lactuca sativa).