Rise of populism and the Five Star movement model: an Italian case study

The spread of fake news on the Internet, the educational divide, the adverse effects of the economic crisis and the emergence of international terrorism are often ranked among the factors that led to the rise of populism. However, quite rarely it is called into question whether (and how) the distrust of mainstream political parties had an impact on the rise of populism across the Western democracies. Adopting a constitutional law perspective requires looking at the rise of populism through the lenses of the crisis of democratic representation. The paper aims at exploring the Italian scenario, where the anti-establishment Five Star Movement has grown up as leading populist force fostering a direct political participation of voters through the use of the Internet that is supposed to bring, in the long run, to political disintermediation. In this respect, the goal of the paper is to explore from a constitutional law perspective the grounds on which the rise of this anti-establishment movement has relied and the constraints that the Constitution may place on the populist surge

An Internet Bill of Rights? Pros and cons of the Italian way

Last week, an Italian committee of politicians and experts announced its Declaration of Internet Rights, making Italy the first country to introduce an internet bill of rights. Oreste Pollicino, Professor of Comparative Public Law and Media Law at Bocconi University and Counsel of Portolano Cavallo Studio Legale, and Marco Bassini, PhD Researcher in Constitutional Law at the University of Verona and Fellow at Bocconi University, look at what the Declaration means in practice

ANALISI TECNICO-ECONOMICA DELLA TRASFORMAZIONE DEI RESIDUI AGRICOLI IN BIO-OLIO

La tesi si occupa dell’importanza che ricopre e che maggiormente potrebbe ricoprire l’energia da biomassa. Partendo da un’analisi dello scenario energetico e ambientale presente nel mondo attuale, essa illustra quindi i vantaggi che un utilizzo di questa risorsa energetica potrebbe portare; poi analizza le varie tecnologie di conversione presenti sul mercato, con particolare attenzione alla pirolisi, e infine presenta un progetto di una centrale situata nelle campagne toscan

Microstructure and hardness evolution of solution annealed inconel 625/TiC composite processed by laser powder bed fusion

This study deals with the Inconel 625 (IN625) alloy reinforced with micro-TiC particles processed by laser powder bed fusion. The microstructure and hardness in the as-built and solution-annealed states were investigated. The microstructures of the as-built IN625 and IN625/TiC states were primarily made up of columnar grains along the building direction. After the solution annealing at 1150 °C for 2 h, the IN625 alloy consisted of equiaxed grains due to recrystallization and grain growth. On the contrary, the solution-annealed IN625/TiC composite still presented columnar grains. Therefore, the TiC particles hinder the recrystallization, indicating higher microstructure stability for the composite. For the IN625/TiC composite, both the reduced alteration of the grains and the more intensive formation of carbides prevent a remarkable hardness reduction in the so-lution-annealed state

Effect of Cu Content on the PBF-LB/M Processing of the Promising Al-Si-Cu-Mg Composition

Over the past few years, several studies have been conducted on the development of Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloys for PBF-LB/M processing. The attention gained by these systems can be attributed to their light weight and strength provided by a solid solution in the as-built state and by precipitation after heat treatment. However, published studies have kept the copper content below its solubility limit in the Al-Cu binary system under equilibrium conditions (5.65 wt%). The present study aims to explore Al-Si-Cu-Mg systems with high copper content, starting with the well-known AlSi10Cu4Mg system, moving towards AlSi10Cu8Mg, and arriving at AlCu20Si10Mg, a system never before processed with PBF-LB/M. Through the SST approach, the production of bulk samples, advanced microstructural characterization by SEM and FESEM analysis, phase identification by XRD analysis, and preliminary investigation of the mechanical properties through Vickers micro indentations, the effects of copper quantities on the processability, microstructural properties, and mechanical behavior of these compositions were investigated. The obtained results demonstrated the benefits of the supersaturated solid solution and the fine precipitation resulting from the addition of high Cu contents. In particular, the AlCu20Si10Mg system showed a very distinctive microstructure and unprecedented microhardness values

GEN-IV LFR development: Status & perspectives

Since Lead-cooled Fast Reactors (LFR) have been conceptualized in the frame of Generation IV International Forum (GIF), great interest has focused on the development and testing of new technologies related to Heavy Liquid Metal (HLM) nuclear reactors. In this frame, ENEA developed one of the larger European experimental fleet of experimental facilities aiming at investigating HLM thermal-hydraulics, coolant chemistry control, corrosion behavior for structural materials, and at developing components, instrumentations and innovative systems, supported by experiments and numerical tools. The present work aims at highlighting the capabilities and competencies developed by ENEA so far in the frame of the liquid metal technologies for GEN-IV LFR. In particular, an overview on the ongoing R&D experimental program will be depicted considering the actual fleet of facilities: CIRCE, NACIE-UP, LIFUS5, LECOR and HELENA. CIRCE (CIRColazione Eutettico) is the largest HLM pool facility presently in operation worldwide. Full scale component tests, thermal stratification studies, operational and accidental transients and integral tests for the nuclear safety and SGTR (Steam Generator Tube Rupture) events in a large pool system can be studied. NACIE-UP (NAtural CIrculation Experiment-UPgraded) is a loop with a HLM primary and pressurized water secondary side and a 250 kW power Fuel Pin Simulator working in natural and mixed convection. LIFUS5 (lithium for fusion) is a separated effect facility devoted to the HLM/Water interaction. HELENA (HEavy Liquid metal Experimental loop for advanced Nuclear applications) is a pure lead loop with a mechanical pump for high flow rates experiments. LECOR (LEad CORrosion) is a corrosion loop facility with oxygen control system installed. All the experiment actually ongoing on these facilities are described in the paper, depicting their role in the context of GEN-IV LFR development

Tailoring of the Microstructure of Laser Powder Bed Fused Inconel 718 Using Solution Annealing and Aging Treatments

Inconel 718 (IN718) is a nickel-based superalloy with high weldability and is thus ideal for being processed via laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). Unlike traditional casting, LPBF IN718 develops a complex microstructure due to the rapid solidification that characterizes this manufacturing process. As a result, LPBF microstructures are different from those expected in equilibrium conditions, and for this reason, specific heat treatments should be designed. This paper, using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal mechanical analysis (TMA), and a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), aims to develop a complete heat treatment that maximizes the material strength, thereby enhancing its microstructure. The paper shows that high-temperature annealing followed by two aging steps is the most suitable way to achieve the abovementioned task. More specifically, a complete dissolution of the δ phase via solution annealing at 1080 °C is the key factor in gaining an even and intense precipitation of γ′ and γ″ during the subsequent aging treatments. The microstructural analyses showed the elimination of needle-like δ particles and detrimental Laves phases. At the same time, intense precipitation of spherical and of discoidal reinforcing particles was achieved by performing the aging treatments at 720 and 630 °C, respectively

European actions for High-Performance Computing: PRACE, DEISA and HPC-Europa

Between e-Infrastructures, ESFRI has identified in FP7 High- Performance Computing a strategic priority for Europe. In order to have the highest return from the associated massive economical and political commitment, HPC resources must be exploited at the highest level. Their access must be effective and capillary, their services must allow more and more people to use the resources, regardless their geographical location. Projects like PRACE, DEISA and HPC-Europa have been supported by the EU to cope with such issues providing the best solutions for the European research community

Directed energy deposition of AISI 316L stainless steel powder: Effect of process parameters

During Laser Powder-Directed Energy Deposition (LP-DED), many complex phenomena occur. These phenomena, which are strictly related to the conditions used during the building process, can affect the quality of the parts in terms of microstructural features and mechanical behavior. This paper investigates the effect of building parameters on the microstructure and the tensile properties of AISI 316L stainless-steel samples produced via LP-DED. Firstly, the building parameters were selected starting from single scan tracks by studying their morphology and geometrical features. Next, 316L LP-DED bulk samples built with two sets of parameters were characterized in terms of porosity, geometrical accuracy, microstructure, and mechanical properties. The tensile tests data were analyzed using the Voce model and a correlation between the tensile properties and the dislocation free path was found. Overall, the data indicate that porosity should not be considered the unique indicator of the quality of an LP-DED part and that a mechanical characterization should also be performed

The snakes of Emilia Romagna and especially of the province of Bologna (Northern Italy)

Geographical distribution and some morphological aspects of Emilia-Romagna snakes, and particularly of the Bologna Province (North Italy), are discussed. The study is based on about 6.000 reptiles, 4.185 of which are Vipera aspis, collected or killed during 7 years in the Bologna Province. Coronella girondica, Elaphe longissima and Vipera aspis seems to be absent today in the vegatational lower lever. Coluber viridiflavus, Natrix natrix and Natrix tessellata seems to be more spread on the hills and on the mountains than on the plain. Coronella austriaca was found only on the plain. Elaphe quatuorlineata was recorded in many North Italy localities. Probably sometimes it was mistaken with the back lined Elaphe longissima and sometimes the recorded specimens were introduced (normally without acclimatization from Central Italy or West Jugoslavija. On the other hand it is possible that during XIX century a relicted population was present in the Bologna surroundings. The recent recordings for the Romagna Region are doubtful and those for the Piacenza Province are probably referred to indigenous relict specimens or to imported and acclimatizated ones. In Italy Elaphe situla is present surely in Sicilia (especially in the East), in the East Basilicata and in the South and Central Puglia. It was mentioned for the SE Basilicata in many news of the XIX Century end and in papers of '50 and '60 of the XX Century, but its current presence has to be confirmed. The specimens recorded in Emilia Romagna were imported or were mistaken with Coronella girondica or with Elaphe quatuorlineata youngs (perhaps alloctonous). In the XIX Century second half it was mentioned for the Abruzzo (Central Italy), but probably a locality mistake exists: Abruzzo instead Dalmatia. Contrary to what believed until '70 of this Century, Natrix mama in Emilia Romagna is apparently more localized than rare and, perhaps, more spread than deducible from the bibliography. During XIX Century and the beginning of XX one, Vipera berus was present in many localities of the Po Plain. After about 1915-1918 it was not observed again. Probably it came extincted because of different anthropic reasons. In Italy is actually present in the Alpine Region. Anyway times to times, especially after years '50, it was recorded in Emilia Romagna at the Apennine Mounts base. During July 1969 a Young specimen was collected in the Sasso Marconi territory (Bologna Pre-Appennine) and during summer 1983 another young was captured at the Salse di Nirano (Modena). We don't know if those specimens are autochthonous. More researches to confirm the presence of this species in Emilia Romagna have to be carried on