Archivio della ricerca della Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna
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E2E Physical Layer and Link Analysis for High-Throughput Satellite Optical Communication
Full text linkSatellite optical communications will revolutionize global high-speed connectivity. In this paper, we carry out a comprehensive evaluation of end-to-end (E2E) Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM)-Free Space Optical Communication (FSOC) systems to establish high-performance Earth-GEO links using a semi-analytical tool. We present a novel method to accurately compute the divergence of a truncated and obscured beam, typical of Cassegrain telescopes; this model is instrumental to optimize the beam divergence with Pointing Error (PE) and beam wander. The effects of beam wander, scintillation, and PE are first individually investigated to derive the required margins for different outage probabilities (OPs), followed by an assessment of Adaptive Optics (AO) benefits and limitations. Furthermore, we comprehensively assess the uplink and downlink systems, exploiting for the first time an innovative and fully analytical closed-form expression to describe the combined three statistical effects. Finally, the full system analysis is carried out in the challenging scenario of strong turbulence, at various elevation angles and OP targets. By considering both coherent and non-coherent systems adopted from fiber communications, we determine the transmitter power and the maximum achievable throughput
Monolithic Biohybrid Flexure Mechanism Actuated by Bioengineered Skeletal Muscle Tissue
Full text linkSkeletal muscle tissue represents an attractive powering component for biohybrid robots, as traditional actuators used in the soft robotic context often rely on complex mechanisms and lack scalability at small dimensions. This article proposes a monolithic biohybrid flexure mechanism actuated by a bioengineered skeletal muscle tissue. The design leverages the contractile properties of a bioengineered skeletal muscle to produce a bending motion in a monolithic, tubular mechanism made of a soft and biocompatible silicone blend. This structure integrates two cylindrical pillars that facilitate force transmission from the bioengineered muscle tissue. Performance assessments reveal excellent contractile and stable behavior upon electrical stimulation, compared to current biohybrid actuation systems, with enhanced performance as the mechanism's internal and external diameters decrease. Finite-element simulations further reveal distinct force–displacement responses in mechanisms with different flexural rigidity. This innovative, scalable, and easy-to-fabricate design represents a significant step forward in the development of novel biohybrid machines
Partiti politici europei e istituzioni dell'Unione europea. Quale rapporto per quale forma di governo
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La mancanza di dati: come poter programmare le politiche sociali in materia di disabilità?
No full textUnderstanding physician prescription behaviors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of macro, meso, and micro-level influences
Full text linkBackground: Prescription is a complex act that reflects the physician’s expertise and authority. While some factors affecting prescription decisions have been studied, empirical findings often conflict, leaving our understanding of prescription behaviors limited and fragmented. Objective: To assess the factors influencing physicians’ drug prescribing habits by applying Strong Structuration Theory. Factors are categorized at: physician, practice, patient, industry, and system level. Methods: Pubmed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science were searched from inception to June 2025. Peer-reviewed studies were included if they were published in English, empirical, and assessed at least one factor influencing physicians’ prescribing behaviors. Studies reporting the effect of covariates on prescriptions using Odds Ratios were included in the meta-analysis. Results: 146 studies were selected for the review. At the macro-level, physicians were more likely to prescribe after being exposed to marketing activities by pharmaceutical industries, and for privately insured patients. Meso-level factors, such as practice ownership and setting, showed conflicting results, with no significant effect observed in the meta-analysis. Micro-level influences were the most prevalent in literature. Patient requests had a significant positive effect on prescriptions. Physician-level influences were inconsistent across most variables, except gender, where male physicians were more likely to prescribe. This effect was not confirmed by the meta- analysis, which showed heterogeneity across studies. Conclusion: This study highlights the complexity of prescribing behaviors and the challenges in designing effective micro-level policies. Policymakers should therefore consider the multiple influences on prescribing to design targeted interventions that promote high-quality prescribing practices
Education 5.0 challenges and sustainable development goals in emerging economies: A mixed-method approach
No full textThe education sector has experienced transformative shifts with increased integration of artificial intelligence
(AI) and Learning Analytics in higher education, notably within universities. This evolution necessitates the
integration of Education 5.0 with Industry 5.0, especially in emerging economies like India, where teaching
professionals play an essential part in facilitating this transition. Despite the opportunities for skills enhancement,
significant obstacles impede the sustainable technological empowerment of academicians. This study
recognizes these challenges in the context of Indian higher education and explores solutions to accelerate the
acceptance of Education 5.0. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, semi-structured interviews with 14 academicians
were conducted, followed by thematic analysis using NVIVO and ranking via the Best-worst Multicriteria
Decision-Making Process (BWM). The research indicates that resolving these challenges can streamline
the transition to AI-enabled educational technologies. The study highlights the significance of university management
in formulating targeted policies and training programs that minimize these challenges, ultimately
enhancing the educational infrastructure and fostering a technologically proficient academic workforce. Theoretically,
this research enriches the discourse on technology empowerment in education by mapping the interplay
between educational advancements and organizational change, offering an understanding that can be
applied to similar contexts globally
