Journal of Mediterranean, European and African Sciences

The Role of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Accelerating Sustainable Development in the Building Sector

2026-01-28T18:08:51+00:00

The building sector plays a key role in the transition toward sustainability due to its significant impact on energy consumption, resource use, and greenhouse gas emissions. In this context, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as an important enabler for improving energy efficiency, environmental performance, and resilience in the built environment. The objective of this paper is to investigate how AI technologies can be systematically integrated across the building life cycle to support sustainable development in the construction sector.
The study is framed within major international and European policy frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals, the European Green Deal, and the New Urban Agenda. A review of recent scientific literature is conducted to analyze state-of-the-art AI applications in construction, focusing on BIM-based workflows, Digital Twin technologies, smart buildings, and AI-driven energy optimization systems. Based on the findings, the paper develops a conceptual framework and proposes guidelines for the effective adoption of AI in sustainable building design and operation, highlighting its potential to reduce environmental impacts and enhance long-term resilience.

Toward a Science of Cities

2026-01-30T11:27:12+00:00

Cities are increasingly at the center of global challenges related to climate change, social inequality, economic transformation, and technological innovation. The growing complexity of urban systems calls for new theoretical and methodological frameworks capable of integrating knowledge across traditionally separated disciplines. This article argues for the development of a coherent Science of Cities, understood as an interdisciplinary field that brings together urban planning, engineering, environmental sciences, social sciences, and education studies.

Starting from a critical analysis of the current state of urban research, the paper highlights the fragmentation of existing approaches and the limitations of sectorial perspectives in addressing contemporary urban problems. It then explores emerging issues related to sustainability, resilience, governance, and knowledge production in urban contexts, emphasizing the need for systemic and holistic models.

Rather than presenting empirical results, the article offers a conceptual reflection aimed at fostering dialogue among disciplines and encouraging the construction of shared analytical frameworks. The proposed perspective seeks to contribute to the advancement of urban studies by promoting integrative thinking and by outlining the foundations for a more unified scientific understanding of cities in the Mediterranean, European, and African contexts.

Homocysteine: From an Emerging Biomarker to a Functional Indicator of Endothelial Dysfunction

2026-02-01T09:34:38+00:00

Homocysteine has emerged over recent decades as a significant biomarker associated with cardiovascular and cardiometabolic risk. Elevated plasma homocysteine levels have been linked to endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, and prothrombotic states, all of which play a central role in the development and progression of atherosclerotic disease. This article provides an updated overview of the biological mechanisms through which homocysteine contributes to vascular damage, with particular attention to its impact on endothelial homeostasis.

The paper reviews current evidence on homocysteine metabolism, genetic and nutritional determinants of hyperhomocysteinemia, and its clinical relevance as a functional indicator rather than a mere biochemical marker. Special emphasis is placed on the interaction between homocysteine and B-group vitamins, oxidative pathways, and nitric oxide bioavailability, highlighting the multifactorial nature of endothelial impairment.

In addition, the role of targeted nutritional strategies and cardiovascular nutraceuticals in the management of elevated homocysteine levels is discussed, with reference to their potential contribution to primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Rather than presenting new experimental data, this article aims to integrate existing clinical and pathophysiological knowledge to support a more comprehensive interpretation of homocysteine in cardiovascular risk assessment.

Overall, homocysteine is proposed as a clinically relevant functional indicator of endothelial dysfunction, offering useful insights for personalized prevention strategies in cardiometabolic medicine.

AI Diffusion in Universities

2026-02-02T09:42:56+00:00

The diffusion of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education represents one of the most significant transformations in the contemporary university system. The rapid expansion of higher education since the second half of the twentieth century, combined with recent advances in generative AI, has profoundly altered academic practices, redistributing cognitive labor and challenging traditional notions of authorship, originality, and intellectual responsibility.
This paper offers a critical analysis of AI diffusion in universities, focusing on its methodological, epistemological, and ethical implications. It examines how AI increasingly substitutes or supports human intellectual activities, compresses the time required for academic production, and undermines conventional assessment and anti-plagiarism mechanisms.
Particular attention is devoted to the erosion of critical thinking, the illusion of originality in student work, the limits of AI-detection technologies, and the growing disconnection between historical knowledge and AI-generated outputs. The paper argues that universities must undertake urgent structural reforms, redefining pedagogical objectives, assessment practices, and the meaning of intellectual responsibility in the age of artificial intelligence.