Generation of Sound Bullets with a Nonlinear Acoustic Lens

Acoustic lenses are employed in a variety of applications, from biomedical imaging and surgery, to defense systems, but their performance is limited by their linear operational envelope and complexity. Here we show a dramatic focusing effect and the generation of large amplitude, compact acoustic pulses (sound bullets) in solid and fluid media, enabled by a tunable, highly nonlinear acoustic lens. The lens consists of ordered arrays of granular chains. The amplitude, size and location of the sound bullets can be controlled by varying static pre-compression on the chains. We support our findings with theory, numerical simulations, and corroborate the results experimentally with photoelasticity measurements. Our nonlinear lens makes possible a qualitatively new way of generating high-energy acoustic pulses, enabling, for example, surgical control of acoustic energy.Comment: 19 pages, 7 figures, includes supplementary informatio

EVALUATION OF QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEMS IN THE AGRI-FOOD SECTOR

The "quality issue" in the agri-food sector has been gaining importance over the past few years. Firms are continually searching for techniques and tools which permit production of goods that meet as many as possible of the characteristics demanded by the market. Quality assurance methods and techniques can provide a useful tool for approaching evolving markets in the correct way. This paper focuses on a survey conducted in certain sub-sectors (fruit and vegetable, meal and pasta, wine) and is specifically restricted to the Emilia-Romagna region. The survey found that there is extensive awareness of and widespread interest in quality systems. However, the objective of initiating a pattern of renewal which incorporates quality systems has not yet been widely attained. The survey also highlighted a certain absence of the "quality culture" necessary for correctly addressing these issues. The second part of this paper focuses on the economic analysis of the costs related to quality systems (QS). Its aim is to apply a method for collecting data on activities and resources, and to analyse the results. The importance of QS-related costs is evident if we are to consider it an investment, entailing the deployment of management effort and funds, and yielding a set of benefits in return. Case study analyses were conducted utilising an original classification scheme. From the initial results it is possible to identify the principal cost categories. The method adopted could be useful for firms wishing to monitor their QS.Marketing,

EVALUATION OF QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEMS IN THE AGRI-FOOD SECTOR

The 'quality issue' in the agri-food sector has been gaining importance over the past few years. Firms are continually searching for techniques and tools which permit production of goods that meet as many as possible of the characteristics demanded by the market. Quality assurance methods and techniques can provide a useful tool for approaching evolving markets in the correct way. This paper focuses on a survey conducted in certain sub-sectors (fruit and vegetable, meal and pasta, wine) and is specifically restricted to the Emilia-Romagna region. The survey found that there is extensive awareness of and widespread interest in quality systems. However, the objective of initiating a pattern of renewal which incorporates quality systems has not yet been widely attained. The survey also highlighted a certain absence of the 'quality culture' necessary for correctly addressing these issues. The second part of this paper focuses on the economic analysis of the costs related to quality systems (QS). Its aim is to apply a method for collecting data on activities and resources, and to analyse the results. The importance of QS-related costs is evident if we are to consider it an investment, entailing the deployment of management effort and funds, and yielding a set of benefits in return. Case study analyses were conducted utilising an original classification scheme. From the initial results it is possible to identify the principal cost categories. The method adopted could be useful for firms wishing to monitor their QS.

A preliminary study of composite orbiter/ lander missions to satellites of the outer planets

Objectives and payload requirements for composite orbiter/lander missions to satellites of outer planet

Traceability as Part of Competitive Strategy in the Fruit Supply Chain

This paper discusses traceability as part of information management in fruit supply chains of Emilia-Romagna, Italy. A review of the rules in use for traceability distinguishes between a proper traceability and a traceability plus (T+), embedded of many value attributes. Elements of competitive strategy, considered in the analysis of fruit supply chins of Emilia-Romagna, try to demonstrate that not only strategic but also operative choices determine the way a single firm or filiere manages traceability and information issues. Applications of such elements to buyers and sellers selection as well as to competing retailers of fruit supply chain, verify the hypothesis.Traceability, Information management, Fruit supply chain, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Industrial Organization, L1, Q13,

Nonlinear phononic crystals based on chains of disks alternating with toroidal structures

We study experimentally the acoustic response of a load-bearing, phononic crystal composed of alternating steel disks, and polytetrafluoroethylene o-rings under precompression. The crystal allows for axial, rocking, and shear-polarized wavemodes when excited by a broad-band signal applied off-axis. Finite element analysis is employed to determine the system’s wave modes. The nonlinear interaction between disks and o-rings supports a dynamic response that is tunable with variations in static precompression, leading to controllable frequency shifts in a large band gap. A modal analysis reveals that four of the six principal wave modes are susceptible to external precompression while two modes are not

Evaluation of the potential interest of Italian retail distribution chains for Kamut-based products

Kamut® is a registered trademark cereal (an organic crop) whose origins are much older; it has Egyptian origins and at the present time it is grown in different areas of the world (mainly in Montana and Canada), but considering the agronomic requirements of this crop, the tests in Thailand are the most reliable. Evaluation of the interest of retail distribution chains for Kamut-based products belongs to the researches regarding the evaluation of the quality food products trade. In this case, countries involved are Thailand, one of the most important producers, and Italy, one of the most important market of the EU. Qualitative analysis technique was the most appropriate tool. This survey consisted of in-depth semi-structured interviews directed at Italian large scale retails (purchasing and marketing managers). The final information were obtained through a subjective analysis of the content of the interviews summaries, a statistical analysis of the content of the interviews and the creation of conceptual positioning maps. The awareness of the product, the communicative factor, the consumers reactions, the specific requirements of the distribution chains and production areas are some of the most important elements that can influence the creation and the development of a international trade relationship.organic products, quality food products, international trade, Italian large scale retail, qualitative analysis technique, Agribusiness, Marketing,

STUDIO DI COMPOSTI TRIAZINICI MEDIANTE SPETTROSCOPIA NMR

L’analisi conformazionale di un derivato della triazina doppiamente sostituito con gruppi dialchilamminici uguali (chiamato Biboc) è stata affrontata mediante spettri NMR 1H e del 13C. Le quattro catene legate agli azoti amminici, chimicamente uguali, a temperatura ambiente in CDCl3 si differenziano a due a due per i chemical shifts di tutti i nuclei, per la larghezza dei segnali ecc.. Alcuni spettri bidimensionali (COSY, HETCOR e NOESY) hanno permesso di correlare definitivamente tra loro i segnali relativi a ciascun tipo di catena e di mettere a fuoco alcuni interrogativi, fra i quali segnaliamo i tre principali: Quali le condizioni conformazionali che differenziano i due tipi di catene, A e B? Qual è la barriera energetica per l’interconversione della catena A nella B e viceversa? La diversa larghezza di riga nelle catene A e B può essere dovuta alla loro diversa mobilità? La ricerca della conformazione più stabile è stata affidata al calcolo ab initio; i risultati teorici di chemical shift sono stati confrontati con quelli sperimentali. La barriera energetica per l’interconversione A-B (energia di attivazione 12-14 kcal/mole) è stata valutata dalle temperature di coalescenza rilevate su spettri 1H NMR ad alta temperatura. La mobilità dei diversi frammenti molecolari è stata messa in evidenza da misure di tempi di rilassamento T1 del protone in funzione della temperatura. In complesso sono stati studiati due campioni di Biboc in CDCl3 con diversa concentrazione, un campione di Biboc in DMSO-d6 e, per confronto, un campione di un’analoga triazina trisostituita in CDCl3

European Acquisitions in the United States:Re-examining Olivetti-Underwood Fifty Years Later

While Italy's catch-up in the course of the 20th century has been nothing short of extraordinary, it has failed to produce a large number of global business players. Nonetheless, half a century ago an Italian company concluded what was at the time the largest-ever foreign takeover of a US company. The paper analyzes the Olivetti's acquisition of Underwood and frames it in the broader picture of the literature on the management and performance of foreign companies in the United States. We provide a historical narrative focused on three main issues: 1) head office control and subsidiary autonomy; 2) Olivetti's adaptation to the American business system; 3) the development of internal knowledge resources within the subsidiary. Lessons and implications are relevant for business historians and management scholars in general.FDI, acquisition, control, adaptation, knowledge resources, Olivetti, Underwood