Sara Preti

Large Language Models (LLMs), such as GPT (GPT-5.5) by OpenAI and Gemini (Gemini 3.2 Pro) by Google DeepMind, have shown impressive capabilities in text generation and code assistance. This study evaluates their performance in generating R code—that is, computer scripts written in the R programming language for statistical analysis—using both classic educational datasets, including “The Lady Tasting Tea”, “Titanic”, “Iris”, and more recent datasets likely not included in the models’ training data. We assess the accuracy, readability, and educational relevance of the generated code, providing both quantitative and qualitative evaluations that highlight strengths and limitations of LLMs. Our findings suggest that while LLMs generate correct and interpretable R code in many cases, critical human oversight remains essential when integrating AI into educational contexts to ensure rigor and avoid potential misuse.

Gender equality is a pressing and globally relevant issue that has gained increasing attention in recent years. While various indicators have been proposed to measure gender equality, studies that analyze its regional variability remain limited and underexplored. In this study, we develop a composite gender equality index for each Italian region using Partial Least Squares Path Modeling (PLS-PM). This methodological approach not only enables us to synthesize the multiple dimensions of the complex phenomenon of gender equality but also allows us to examine the relationships and relative influence of each individual indicator. To construct our Regional Gender Equality Index (R-GEI), we draw on widely recognized indicators used in the literature, particularly those employed by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) in developing its Gender Equality Index (GEI). The analysis focuses on two specific years - 2013 and 2022 - allowing us to assess potential changes that may have occurred after the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings highlight the importance of analyzing gender gaps at the regional level to identify benchmark models, set strategic priorities, and guide targeted regional policy actions.

The main objective of this paper is to investigate how the interest in the value of performing arts and the awareness of the value of performing arts among local youth in Dhofar can influence their inclinations towards performing arts. Moreover, we have incorporated the perceived brand equity of the Dhofar region as a moderator in the proposed model. A structured questionnaire was administered to a sample of young residents in the Dhofar region (N = 415). The measurement instrument was developed based on the established literature concerning youth behavior, territorial branding, and the perceived value of performing arts. All items were measured using five-point Likert scales. The main theoretical constructs were operationalized as arithmetic means (composite scores) of their corresponding items: VPA (Value of Performing Arts, 9 items), APA (Awareness of Performing Arts, 10 items), YI (Youth Inclination, 11 items), and DBE (destination brand equity). Data analysis proceeded in several stages using Stata 17. The paper concludes that there is a positive and statistically significant effect of VPA on YI. Furthermore, our results confirmed that there is a positive relationship between the awareness of performing arts and youth inclination towards performing arts. Moreover, the results indicated that destination brand equity is not a significant moderator in the relationship, which means that there is no moderating effect of DBE that was confirmed on either path. This study underscores the need of preserving intangible cultural heritage by stimulating interests and developing suitable practices to make the Dhofarian youth inclined towards performing traditional arts. The findings of this study offer some policy implications to policymakers to sustain creating an interest in valuing traditional arts performance and increasing the awareness of these types of events, which are influential factors in shaping youth inclination towards performing traditional arts. The study suggests that generating awareness is vital in creating the intention among local youth to perform traditional arts. These findings suggest that policymakers provide support for traditional art performances by devising an institutional policy that provides structural support to increase interest and awareness. The paper is an original contribution as it has provided insights into how the extent of the interest in the value of performing arts and the awareness of the value of performing arts could influence the inclination of local youth to perform art activities in the Dhofar region. Secondly, this study explores whether perceived brand equity moderates this relationship.

Social impact assessment has gained increasing attention in recent years, emphasizing the added value and social changes brought by project activities alongside the sustainability of social actions. This study evaluates the economic and social impact of a robotics research project culminating in the development of Hannes, an advanced prosthetic hand resulting from collaboration between the Italian Institute of Technology and the Italian National Insurance Institute. Hannes is used in robotic assistance to treat individuals with upper limb differences. Data were collected through a clinical study involving myoelectric prostheses users who underwent functional and psychosocial assessments before and after using Hannes. The Social Return On Investment (SROI) methodology is employed to evaluate the impacts of the robotic device by analyzing qualitative, quantitative, and financial data to estimate the value created by research activities. Preliminary results suggest that for every euro invested, approximately 9 euros of social value are generated. This revelation highlights the substantial positive impact of Hannes and underscores the potential for further advancements in the field of robotics to improve the lives of individuals with limb loss. By providing a comprehensive analysis, this research contributes to understanding the broader social benefits of innovative healthcare technologies that mitigate social inequalities.

In today’s academic landscape, it is essential to continuously evaluate research centers, including assessing scientific output and inter-researcher collaboration. This paper delves into the intricate dynamics of collaboration among researchers at the Italian Institute of Technology, one of Italy’s leading research organizations, employing an Exponential Random Graph Model (ERGM) approach. Our analysis enabled the identification of specific network statistics and the social and demographic characteristics of authors that significantly influence the structure of the scientific collaboration network. The analysis encompasses 1,469 researchers based at the Institute’s headquarters in 2020, examining collaborative connections established through joint publications. Specifically, through the lens of an ERGM, this study examines the interplay between sex and research areas - Computational Sciences, Life Technologies, Nanomaterials, and Robotics - shedding light on how these factors shape collaborative relationships. By bridging the gap between network and non-network characteristics, this research contributes to the literature on network formation, one of the most promising areas within knowledge and innovation networks. The findings hold potential implications for the formulation of research policies aimed at promoting equity and fostering a more inclusive and synergistic research community.

Gender equality is an increasingly topical issue, but it has deep historical roots. The principle of gender equality found its legitimacy, even if limited to salary, in the 1957 Treaty of Rome, establishing the European Economic Community (EEC). This treaty, in Article 119, sanctioned the principle of equal pay between male and female workers. The EEC continued to protect women’s rights in the 1970s through equal opportunity policies. These policies referred, first, to the principle of equal treatment between men and women regarding education, access to work, professional promotion, and working conditions (Directive 75/117/EEC); second, to the principle of equal pay for male and female workers (Directive 76/207/EEC); and finally, enshrined the principle of equal treatment between men and women in matters of social security (Directive 79/7/EEC). Since the 1980s, several positive action programmes have been developed to support the role of women in European society. Between 1982 and 2000, four multiyear action programmes were implemented for equal opportunities. The first action programme (1982–1985) called on the Member States, through recommendations and resolutions by the Commission, to disseminate greater knowledge of the types of careers available to women, encourage the presence of women in decision-making areas, and take measures to reconcile family and working life. The second action programme (1986–1990) proposed interventions related to the employment of women in activities related to new technologies and interventions in favour of the equal distribution of professional, family, and social responsibilities (Sarcina, 2010). The third action programme (1991–1995) provided an improvement in the condition of women in society by raising public awareness of gender equality, the image of women in mass media, and the participation of women in the decision-making process at all levels in all areas of society. The fourth action programme (1996–2000) strengthened the existing regulatory framework and focused on the principle of gender mainstreaming, a strategy that involves bringing the gender dimension into all community policies, which requires all actors in the political process to adopt a gender perspective. The strategy of gender mainstreaming has several benefits: it places women and men at the heart of policies, involves both sexes in the policymaking process, leads to better governance, makes gender equality issues visible in mainstream society, and, finally, considers the diversity among women and men. Among the relevant interventions of the 1990s, it is necessary to recall the Treaty of Maastricht (1992) which guaranteed the protection of women in the Agreement on Social Policy signed by all Member States (except for Great Britain), and the Treaty of Amsterdam (1997), which formally recognised gender mainstreaming. The Treaty of Amsterdam includes gender equality among the objectives of the European Union (Article 2) and equal opportunity policies among the activities of the European Commission (Article 3). Article 13 introduces the principle of non-discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or handicaps. Finally, Article 141 amends Article 119 of the EEC on equal treatment between men and women in the workplace. The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the Nice Union of 2000 reaffirms the prohibition of ‘any discrimination based on any ground such as sex’ (Art. 21.1). The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union also recognises, in Article 23, the principle of equality between women and men in all areas, including employment, work, and pay. Another important intervention of the 2000s is the Lisbon strategy, also known as the Lisbon Agenda or Lisbon Process. It is a reform programme approved in Lisbon by the heads of state and governments of the member countries of the EU. The goal of the Lisbon strategy was to make the EU the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy by 2010. To achieve this goal, the strategy defines fields in which action is needed, including equal opportunities for female work. Another treaty that must be mentioned is that of Lisbon in 2009, thanks to which previous treaties, specifically the Treaty of Maastricht and the Treaty of Rome, were amended and brought together in a single document: the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). Thanks to the Lisbon Treaty, the Charter of Fundamental Rights has assumed a legally binding character (Article 6, paragraph 1 of the TEU) both for European institutions and for Member States when implementing EU law. The Treaty of Lisbon affirms the principle of equality between men and women several times in the text and places it among the values and objectives of the union (Articles 2 and 3 of the TEU). Furthermore, the Treaty, in Art. 8 of the TFEU, states that the Union’s actions are aimed at eliminating inequalities, as well as promoting equality between men and women, while Article 10 of the TFEU provides that the Union aims to ‘combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation’. Concerning the principle of gender equality in the workplace, the Treaty, in Article 153 of the TFEU, asserts that the Union pursues the objective of equality between men and women regarding labour market opportunities and treatment at work. On the other hand, Article 157 of the TFEU confirms the principle of equal pay for male and female workers ‘for equal work or work of equal value’. On these issues, through ordinary procedures, the European Parliament and the Council may adopt appropriate measures aimed at defending the principle of equal opportunities and equal treatment for men and women. The Lisbon Treaty also includes provisions relating to the fight against trafficking in human beings, particularly women...

This paper aims at analyzing the relationship between university performances of freshman students, measured by the University credits (CUs) gathered during the first semester, and the results achieved in T.E.L.E.MA.CO. test, a useful tool for orientation and access to university studies based on solid scientific methodologies, and their social-demographic characteristics. This analysis is useful to understand when and how timely policies and programs can be implemented to avoid losing students, a frequent trend, especially in the first semester of the first year. All the considered students are enrolled at the Economic Department of the University of Genoa. Data provided directly by the Department are analyzed from a descriptive point of view and then a logit model is used to compute the probability of getting at least 15 CUs at the end of the first semester. Furthermore, the paper investigates the existence of a gender gap in mathematics before the beginning of university and after the first exams, based on the score gained in the admission test in the numeracy section (pre-university assessment) and the mark obtained in the mathematics exam (post-university assessment). Finally, this work attempt to explain if the university environment contributes to increase or reduce the gender gap.

It has been proven that collaboration between authors leads to a positive influence on research. This paper aims to analyse the complex structure of the co-authorship network among researchers of the Italian Institute of Technology. In this paper, we examine two different co-authorship networks created starting from the data of the papers published by the Italian Institute of Technology during the period 2006–2019. We apply the main Social Network Analysis techniques to describe the relational structure of the group of researchers and its evolution over time. The structure and characteristics of the networks are analysed both at macro and micro levels, and an attempt is made to identify a possible relationship between the position of researchers in the graphs and their scientific productivity and quality.