Wavelet/shearlet hybridized neural networks for biomedical image restoration

Recently, new programming paradigms have emerged that combine parallelism and numerical computations with algorithmic differentiation. This approach allows for the hybridization of neural network techniques for inverse imaging problems with more traditional methods such as wavelet-based sparsity modelling techniques. The benefits are twofold: on the one hand traditional methods with well-known properties can be integrated in neural networks, either as separate layers or tightly integrated in the network, on the other hand, parameters in traditional methods can be trained end-to-end from datasets in a neural network "fashion" (e.g., using Adagrad or Adam optimizers). In this paper, we explore these hybrid neural networks in the context of shearlet-based regularization for the purpose of biomedical image restoration. Due to the reduced number of parameters, this approach seems a promising strategy especially when dealing with small training data sets

A Tissue Engineering product development pathway

Tissue engineering is a field of inquiry and research that uses engineering techniques and principles of biological sciences to develop functional substitutes for reconstruction of damaged organs. Commercial translation of tissue engineering products is currently in progress all over the world. Many companies are moving their interest towards this market segment that grows by 6% per year. Aim of this thesis is to probe the possibility of developing tissue engineering products in the most cost-effective way, minimizing the industrial risk and developing a specific fund raising model. Tissue engineering is based on three main features: cells, scaffolds and bioreactors. Cells are seeded on a scaffold and cultured in a bioreactor in order to obtain a tissue engineering product. Nevertheless, developing cell carrying products is hampered by certification claims ("advanced therapies" certification rules) that unbearably increase R&D and certification costs and can be faced by either big companies or start-ups of big companies and spin-offs of complex aggregates of research centers involved in advanced cell research. On the other hand, scaffolds (certification class IIb) and bioreactors for tissue engineering (certification class I) can be developed with a lower economic effort, being the competition based on innovation, since their market is in the "growth phase" for scaffolds and in the "introduction phase" for bioreactors in the Levitt's product life cycle theory. Purpose of this thesis is to basically study scaffold and bioreactor features, then to preliminarily design some models of bioreactors and, eventually, to set a business model, based on private and public fund raising, aimed to the development of scaffolds for dental implantology and of bioreactors for cardiovascular and bone tissue engineering. Finally, a business plan of a company being spin-off of Politecnico di Torino and industrial start-up has been elaborate

A Surface Admittance Equivalence Principle for Non-Radiating and Cloaking Problems

In this paper, we address non-radiating and cloaking problems exploiting the surface equivalence principle, by imposing at any arbitrary boundary the control of the admittance discontinuity between the overall object (with or without cloak) and the background. After a rigorous demonstration, we apply this model to a non-radiating problem, appealing for anapole modes and metamolecules modeling, and to a cloaking problem, appealing for non-Foster metasurface design. A straightforward analytical condition is obtained for controlling the scattering of a dielectric object over a surface boundary of interest. Previous quasi-static results are confirmed and a general closed-form solution beyond the subwavelength regime is provided. In addition, this formulation can be extended to other wave phenomena once the proper admittance function is defined (thermal, acoustics, elastomechanics, etc.).Comment: 7 page

Closed-form Harmonic Contrast Control with Surface Impedance Coatings for Conductive Objects

The problem of suppressing the scattering from conductive objects is addressed in terms of harmonic contrast reduction. A unique compact closed-form solution for a surface impedance $Z_s(m,kr)$ is found in a straightforward manner and without any approximation as a function of the harmonic index $m$ (scattering mode to suppress) and of the frequency regime $kr$ (product of wavenumber $k$ and radius $r$ of the cloaked system) at any frequency regime. In the quasi-static limit, mantle cloaking is obtained as a particular case for $kr \ll 1$ and $m=0$. In addition, beyond quasi-static regime, impedance coatings for a selected dominant harmonic wave can be designed with proper dispersive behaviour, resulting in improved reduction levels and harmonic filtering capability.Comment: 6 page

A laser-driven electron accelerator for radiobiology experiments

A novel concept laser-driven electron accelerator is described, whose operation regime and setup was optimized for radiobiology experiments. A brief account is given first of the motivations of our work, aimed at allowing irradiation campaigns of in vitro biological samples; the ultimate goal is to check the biological effectiveness of laser-driven electron beams against conventionally accelerated ones. A description of the electron source is then given; finally, the main results of the activity aimed at characterizing the source from a dosimetric point of view are presented

Utilizing Technology With Nature-Based Learning In The Elementary School Classroom

The research question addressed in this capstone is How can nature-based learning and technology be combined to enrich learning experiences in elementary school classrooms? Through extensive research in literature review, this project has set out to find that nature-based learning and technology combined does help to enrich learning experiences in elementary school classrooms. It examines the pros and cons of technology and nature-based learning as separate entities, and then finally examines how nature-based learning and technology combined can help enrich the learning experiences in elementary school classrooms. The project described in this paper is an informative and user-friendly website for other classroom teachers to gain resources, ideas, and lesson plans utilizing both nature-based learning and technology to help enrich the learning experiences in elementary school classrooms