Ricerc@Sapienza

In the last few years, several authors have proposed different phase-field models aimed at describing ductile fracture phenomena. Most of these models fall within the class of variational approaches to fracture proposed by Francfort and Marigo [13]. For the case of brittle materials, the key concept due to Griffith consists in viewing crack growth as the result of a competition between bulk elastic energy and surface energy. For ductile materials, however, an additional contribution to the energy dissipation is present, related to plastic deformations.

HIN (Health Issue Network) is introduced as a peculiar approach to enhance Case-Based Learning (CBL) methodology for health sciences education, as well as innovative tool to query problem-oriented EHRs. In this paper HIN's Petri Nets-based formalism is described, and a first example of its twofold (lower and upper) representation level is proposed.

Human computer interface (HCI) has become more and more important in the last few years. This is mainly due to the increase in the technology and in the new possibilities in yielding a help to disabled people. Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI) represent a subset of the HCI systems which use measurements of the voluntary brain activity for driving a communication system mainly useful for severely disabled people. Electroencephalography (EEG) has been intensively used for the measurement of electrical signals related to the brain activity.

To date, the videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) is considered the gold standard for thoroughly assessment and management of dysphagia. It is a symptom so common and diverse that is often considered as a disease in its own right. Dysphagia severity can range from a trivial problem to a lethal condition. It can seriously compromise the quality of life of affected patients, therefore management should be prompt. The implications of dysphagia in healthcare costs are elevated. VFSS carries a degree of subjectivity in its interpretation.

The main goal of this work is to automatically segment colorectal tumors in 3D T2-weighted (T2w) MRI with reasonable accuracy. For such a purpose, a novel deep learning-based algorithm suited for volumetric colorectal tumor segmentation is proposed. The proposed CNN architecture, based on densely connected neural network, contains multiscale dense interconnectivity between layers of fine and coarse scales, thus leveraging multiscale contextual information in the network to get better flow of information throughout the network.

One of the parameters that has to be considered in designing underground cables is the thermal resistivity of the soil along their routes. In fact, the ampacity of the MV underground cables having different types of insulation is normally evaluated through the application of the IEC Standard 60287-x 'Electric cables - Calculation of the current rating'. This series of IEC Standard is formed of three parts as in the following: part 1: Formulae of ratings and power losses; part 2: Formulae for thermal resistance; part 3: Sections on operating conditions.

The paper reports a methodologie approach to analyze a new layout of 3 kV DC railway substation. An evaluation about the substations' (ESSs) filter, in order to reduce the reactor encumbrance has been carried out. By means of simulations with different filter configurations, the proposed approach allows to verify that the harmonic content of the released current in the return circuit is compatible with the safety and signalling devices and to evaluate the effect of new configurations on the fault current.

The paper deals with the protective relaying of MV rings recently introduced by e-distribuzione, the largest Italian Distribution System Operator (DSO). The paper refers to an existing MV distribution system which includes a loop line. Attention is focused on Cross-Country Faults (CCFs), i.e. two Line-to-Ground Faults simultaneously occurring in two different phases at different locations. A large number of detailed ATP-EMTP simulations of CCFs are carried out, evidencing a few critical CCF combinations not detected by the presently adopted protective relays.

This paper deals with the electromagnetic, mechanical, and cooling solutions for an innovative direct-drive suited for steering gears on board ships. The work is comprised in a research project funded by the Italian Navy. The research aims to realize a full-electric and oil-free drive for actuation of hydraulic loads in the perspective of 'more green ships'. The electrical drive proposed is based on a fractional slot permanent magnet linear motor sized and optimized for high force and low speed operation, as required by hydraulic loads on board ships.

This study describes the potential of solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers as nano-formulations to administer to the central nervous system poorly water soluble drugs. Different neuroactive drugs, i.e. dimethylfumarate, retinyl palmitate, progesterone and the endocannabinoid hydrolysis inhibitor URB597 have been studied. Lipid nanoparticles constituted of tristearin or tristearin in association with gliceryl monoolein were produced.