Archivio della ricerca della Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna
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Membrane Sensorization for Acoustic Coupling Optimization in a Robotic HIFU Platform
No full textHigh-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) surgery is a non-invasive therapeutic technology that allows for precise energy delivery for ablating tumors and treating neurological disorders. Maintaining optimal acoustic coupling between the HIFU transducer and the patients skin is essential for treatment efficiency, but the coupling is often compromised by anatomical constraints, patient movements and wrong positioning. Monitoring pressure throughout the membrane would enable acoustic coupling optimization. In this framework, the objective of this study is to develop and validate a novel, acoustically transparent sensorized membrane as a foundational component for acoustic coupling optimization. Various sensors were tested acoustically for ultrasound transparency, with Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors demonstrating minimal wave reflection. A custom silicone membrane (700 lm in thickness) was fabricated and acoustically and mechanically characterized. Ex vivo HIFU sonication validated the transparency of sensorized membrane, showing no statistically significant impact on lesion formation. Finally, the actual capability of the FBGs optical fiber to sense the contact across all the membrane was validated through indentation tests. By successfully demonstrating the feasibility and performance of this core component, this work establishes a foundation for real-time acoustic coupling optimization systems, paving the way for enhanced HIFU treatment safety and efficacy
Non-intrusive model reduction of advection-dominated hyperbolic problems using neural network shift augmented manifold transformation
No full textAdvection-dominated problems are predominantly noticed in nature, engineering systems, and various industrial processes. Traditional linear compression methods, such as proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) and reduced basis (RB) methods are ill-suited for these problems, due to slow Kolmogorov n-width decay. This results in inefficient and inaccurate reduced order models (ROMs). There are few non-linear approaches to accelerate the Kolmogorov n-width decay. In this work, we use a neural network shift augmented transformation technique that employs automatic shift detection. This approach leverages a deep-learning framework to derive a parameter-dependent mapping between the original manifold M and the transformed manifold M̃. We apply a linear compression method to obtain a low-dimensional linear approximation subspace of the transformed manifold M̃. Furthermore, we construct non-intrusive reduced order models on the resulting transformed linear approximation subspace and employ automatic shift detection for predictions in the online stage. We propose a complete framework, the neural network shift-augmented proper orthogonal decomposition-based reduced order model (NNsPOD-ROM) algorithm, comprising both offline and online stages for model reduction of advection-dominated problems. We test our proposed methodology on numerous experiments to evaluate its performance on the 1D linear advection equation, a higher order method benchmark case - the 2D isentropic convective vortex, and 2D two-phase flow
Cardiac Biomarkers in Patients With Suspected Amyloid (Transthyretin) Cardiomyopathy: Which Cut-Offs?
No full textUnpacking the Implementation Complexity of Sustainable Public Procurement: A Holistic Perspective
No full textSustainable public procurement (SPP) is increasingly regarded by governments, international bodies and scholars as a valuable opportunity to address sustainability challenges. Effective implementation of SPP, however, is a complex issue as public organizations are confronted with multiple goals and competing priorities. This research investigates how public organizations respond to this complexity. We draw on a multiple case study design involving 10 public organizations with a comparable high level of sustainability commitment. The findings illustrate how external contexts related to markets, suppliers, regulations, and citizens exacerbate this complexity in SPP implementation. In response, the results reveal that public organizations vary in the way they implement SPP, especially across two dimensions: whether they are focused more (or less) on internal efficiency and whether they are focused more (or less) on sustainability more broadly. Based on these variations, we classify and describe four types of SPP implementation approaches—Compliant/Passive, Convenience, Sustainability-Centric, and Comprehensive. We also found that organizations where sustainability is more entrenched tend to consider it from a more holistic perspective. Finally, we identify factors and features pertaining to organizational setting and organizational self-efficacy that may affect how SPP is implemented. The research contributes to the literature on SPP and sustainability management by illustrating how the implementation of SPP practices does not represent a homogeneous outcome, but varies depending on the degree to which the organization focuses on (internal) economic efficiency vs. sustainability in response to implementation complexity
Ecosistema dell’intelligenza artificiale in Cina - Stato dell’arte, casi studio e applicazioni a settori strategici
No full textRivista Italiana di Filosofia Politica, 8, 2025, Special Issue, Political Philosophy and Posthumanism(s) (a cura di Erika Cudworth, Barbara Henry, Stephen Hobden)
No full textTowards a European Research Freedom Act: A Reform Agenda for Research Exceptions in the EU Copyright Acquis
No full textThis article explores the impact of EU copyright, related rights and sui generis database protection on the use of protected knowledge resources in scientific research (Sect. 1). We take a fundamental rights approach, focusing on the need to strike a fair balance between, on the one hand, copyright as an exponent of the right to property and, on the other hand, freedom of expression, freedom of information, and the freedom of the arts and sciences (Sect. 2). Surveying the current copyright/research interface reveals that the existing legal framework lacks adequate mechanisms for reconciling the divergent interests of copyright holders and researchers. Structural deficiencies are identified, such as fragmented and overly restrictive research exceptions, opaque lawful access provisions, outdated non-commercial use requirements, legal uncertainty arising from the three-step test in the EU copyright acquis, obstacles created by the protection of paywalls and other technological measures, and the risk of contracts overriding statutory research freedoms (Sect. 3). Empirical data confirm that access barriers, use restrictions, and the lack of harmonised rules for transnational research collaborations impede the work of researchers in the EU (Sect. 3). Against this backdrop, we propose legislative reform, in particular the introduction of a mandatory, open-ended research exemption to ensure reliable breathing space for scientific research across EU Member States, the clarification of lawful access criteria, a more flexible approach to public-private partnerships, and additional rules to support modern research methods, such as text and data mining. This reform agenda could form part of a broader European Research Freedom Act, aimed at establishing a balanced legal framework: an updated EU acquis that safeguards existing rights, such as copyright and sui generis database rights, while fostering innovation, collaboration, and scientific progress (Sect. 4). As a further step in the right direction, EU legislation should harmonise secondary publication rights, enabling researchers to provide open access to research results. However, this aspect of the reform agenda is beyond the scope of the present inquiry and will therefore be the focus of another study
Managing dependence on scarce natural resources: how institutional logic and autonomy shape supply chain strategies
No full textPurpose: Supply chain (SC) strategies are heavily influenced by companies’ dependence on natural resources, particularly when they are in a condition of scarcity. Although natural resource scarcity (NRS) represents a significant strategic dimension in SC management, theoretical development remains scarce in the SC literature. This paper aims to offer insights into the interplay among SC strategies, strategic drivers and strategic levers from a Natural Resource Dependence Theory (NRDT) perspective. Design/methodology/approach: This paper is based on seven case studies conducted within the Rare Earth Magnets industry in Europe, which plays a crucial role in the context of NRS. The authors use a constructivist approach to gain a deep understanding of each case study as well as the broader context in which these SCs operate. Findings: This paper reveals six SC configurations linked to two strategic drivers, namely, institutional logic and autonomy in the SC. For each configuration, strategies (buffering vs bridging) and strategic levers are analysed and discussed. Originality/value: This paper reveals the coexistence of diversified strategies to manage dependence on scarce natural resources. It argues that NRS favours the interplay between bridging and buffering strategies, as companies are more prone to collaborate along the SC in conditions of high ecological uncertainty. The paper contributes to NRDT at the SC level by showing how institutional logic and autonomy drive SC strategic responses to NRS. Moreover, it establishes new findings regarding how the strategic levers could be used in managing resource dependencies in SC
Feasibility of FSO feeder links for drones exploiting COTS components
No full textA key part of future Non-Terrestrial Networks are
the low-altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which can
provide ad hoc connectivity in event coverage, emergency communication,
and close monitoring. They need high-capacity bidirectional
feeder links because of bandwidth-hungry applications and
the UAV operation itself. We design the Free Space Optics (FSO)
links for 1 Gb/s and 10 Gb/s speed, assuming Commercial Off-the-
Shelf (COTS) components. The key impairments that a Gaussian
beam experiences under atmospheric turbulence are investigated,
including on-axis scintillation, beam wandering, and pointing
errors, determining the corresponding effects on link reliability.
The results show the feasibility of utilizing COTS components to
implement the FSO feeder links in relevant scenarios
Jump, recharge, repeat: Insect-inspired jumping robots and the challenge of energy harvesting
No full text: Jumping biorobots merge insect agility with energy harvesting, enabling new mobility and long-term autonomous operation