Human capital and "club convergence" in Italian regions

The aim of the study is to investigate the presence of “convergence clubs†among Italian regions applying the stochastic notion of convergence. Regions are sorted according to some human capital accumulation indicators using the Classification and Regression Tree Analysis (CART). The analysis evidences a strong stochastic convergence process which characterizes all the regions suggesting the presence of different growth patterns. Furthermore, results seem to highlight that human capital accumulation favours regional growth particularly in initially “backwards†regions.

A new approach for β-convergence estimation in Italy

In this paper we test the presence of β-convergence among Italian regions, in the period 1980-2003, in presence of a trend break in the series following a new approach (Vogelsang and Tomljanovich, 2002). The break year is considered either known (1992) and endogenously estimated from the data. When we consider a known trend break date model the results evidence the presence of a convergence process for most of the Italian regions in the considered period. The outcome relative to the unknown break date model, on the contrary, strongly depend on the econometric model used to estimate the β-convergence.β-convergence regional convergence

Regional convergence in Italy: time series approaches

This paper investigates the evolution of the gap between Italian regions and Italy as a whole during the period 1980-2007. We tested for the presence of the stochastic and β-convergence hypotheses using different time series approaches. The former was studied, first, for all the sample period and then, with an exogenous instantaneous break in the series. The presence of β-convergence, instead, was estimated considering a known and an unknown trend break date model. Our results show that most of the regions does not converge in an “actual” way, since they do not present a stochastic and β convergence simultaneously.β-convergence; stochastic convergence; time series approach; regional convergence

Specialization and growth in Italy: what spatial econometric analysis tells us.

This paper investigates the determinants of Italian regional specialization in the period 1995-2006. In particular, it tests and evaluates the presence of spatial autocorrelation in sectoral specialization patterns by the use of spatial econometrics tools. Results show positive effects of neighbouring regions specialization for advanced industry and services sectors and hence a progressive synchronization of economic cycles. By contrast, sectors traditionally considered backward, evidence the presence of a core-periphery structure. The introduction of spatial effects in the general regression model increases the number of significant explicative variables. In accordance with the findings from New Economic Geography openness and market access positively affect regional specialization in most of the considered sectors.Specialization, Regional growth, Spatial Econometrics.

IS THERE A CLUB CONVERGENCE AMONG ITALIAN REGIONS?

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AI-Enhanced Facade Design: Exploring the Synergy of Generative Models and Architectural Creativity

The intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and architectural design unfolds a transformative potential for traditional design processes. The role of AI can be divided into three different areas: generating initial layouts, optimising form during initial design phases, and improving energy efficiency and sustainability. Generative models can propose innovative layouts and optimise designs for aesthetics, functionality, and structural integrity. Artificial intelligence also helps reduce energy consumption by optimising building designs and integrating sustainable materials. The study involved some of the 100 design school students who Stable Diffusion to generate facades and furniture. The students who used AI methods improved their grades on average than their colleagues who used traditional methods. Future research aims to improve the role of AI in design optimisation and sustainability and to develop workflows to integrate AI-generated projects into BIM-compatible models. This study highlights the potential of AI in revolutionising architectural design with practical and innovative solutions that meet industry standards

L'ASIMMETRIA DEGLI SHOCKS MONETARI SULLA PRODUZIONE NELLE REGIONI DELL'UNIONE MONETARIA EUROPEA

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Chemical Characterisation and Source Attribution of Inorganic Nitrate-based Homemade Explosives

This thesis presents a comprehensive investigation into the chemical characterisation, identification, and source attribution of inorganic nitrate-based homemade explosives. The findings demonstrate the potential of linking pre- and post-blast residues to their precursor source using spectroscopic and trace elemental techniques coupled with chemometrics. This provides a significant addition to the forensic intelligence literature and provides a basis for the continuous improvement of forensic chemical analysis and source determination of homemade explosives

Multiscalar Digital Twin. Step Representation towards Urban Multiverse

In this paper we describe the representation of the environment where the interaction between user and digital models in architectural and urban settings in the design, construction and subsequent maintenance phases. The purpose lies in establishing scenarios for an evolution of the concept of the space of user-model interaction in a fully virtual digital space containing both. The paper lists the main limitations of current tools related to the fruition of models in the field of construction or urban data reading, with a curious look at immersive reality environments, more developed towards gaming or other realities where it is the representation of the space that becomes the means for interaction with objects. To do this, the paper is divided into 3 parts in which concise graphic diagrams indicate quick summaries: analysis and schematization of the user/architectural model or user/urban model relationship with a brief repertoire of modalities and possible augmented technologies; analysis of the main interaction environments comprising users and objects where the representation of space plays a key role in the development of actions; opportunities in the field for the representation of new in-teraction spaces, limitations and levers for its growth, and methodologies necessary for its fulfillmen