A.M.L. Lanzolla

A proposal for an open source energy meter

This paper describes the design and the implementation of a prototype for an Alternating Current (AC) energy monitoring device based on an open source concept. The measurement device aims to provide a remote monitoring interface useful for three-phase and single-phase AC power systems. The open-source philosophy has been adopted designing the software components in order to make all features easily customizable by the user. In this way one can easily develop new applications making cost- and time-effective the migration to future smart grid infrastructures.

Improving B-mode ultrasound medical images

The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of different noise reduction filters on ultrasound images. In particular two denoising filters based on mathematical morphology and wavelet transform are proposed. Simulation results show that the techniques developed increase the image quality and then allow a more accurate diagnosis. This work was carried out in collaboration with Taranto (Italy) Hospital. Thanks to the staff of this sanitary structure it has been possible to get the necessary material for the correct development of the simulation algorithm and the sample images on which the algorithm has been applied and verified.

Best matches procedure in transition phase identification for hand grip test analysis in normal and pathological subjects

In this paper, the analysis of biomedical data characterizing motor activities of the limbs is carried out with the aim of extracting useful information for evaluating the state of subjects affected by Parkinsons disease. Initially, a simple and inexpensive system that measures the force of the palmar grip has been presented; then, a suitable software protocol that is able to record, manage, and interpret the acquired data has been realized. Afterward, a first analysis in the time domain has led to the identification of some biomedical parameters characterizing motor activities of the limbs; the study of these parameters and the analysis of the correlations between the acquired data have permitted the development of suitable models describing the time behavior of the palmar grip. In this paper, the authors propose a more detailed study that evaluates the filtering, phase noise effects, and performance of different methods used to estimate the characteristic parameters of the palmar grip.

Photovoltaic-thermoelectric modules: A feasibility study

In this paper a hybrid solar system made with photovoltaic cells and thermoelectric modules has been analyzed. The theoretical energy conversion and the performance parameters have been investigated and compared with respect to design and geographic location using a simulated model. In particular, the effects of the global radiance, of the ambient temperature and of the hours of sunshine on the power and energy production are assessed. The obtained results show that the advantages of the thermoelectric modules use are less significant when the locations considered are very distant from the equator.

Wavelet based methods for speckle reduction in ultrasound images

The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of different noise reduction filters on ultrasound images. In particular two denoising filters based on thresholding and wavelet coefficients are proposed. Simulation results show that the techniques developed increase the image quality and then allow a more accurate diagnosis.

Image quality evaluation of breast tomosynthesis

Digital breast tomosynthesis provides significant opportunities in both diagnostic and cancer screening. It gives high quality image and overcomes some inherent limitations of the traditional 2D digital mammography due to tissues overlapping which makes difficult to detect cancers. Unfortunately, the quality of tomographic images is directly related to the radiation dose on the patient and it is significantly affected by the parameters set by the technician during the mammographic exam. Normally, breast tomosynthesis provides a little increase in radiation dose with respect 2D mammography. The aim of this study is to investigate the relation between the radiation dose on the patient and the resulting image quality, by comparing the tomosynthesis performance with the 2D digital mammography.

Signal analysis for the hand grip evaluation in Parkinsonian patients

The present work is concerned with the problem of recording and analyzing biomedical data characterizing motor activities of the limbs in patients suffering from Parkinsons disease. The aim of the paper is the individuation of suitable parameters useful for detecting subjects affected by Parkinsons disease, revealing the state of the patient. So, a simple and inexpensive system that measures the force of palmar grip is presented and discussed and a suitable software protocol able to record and manage the acquired data is developed. Finally, some biomedical parameters have been identified, characterizing motor activities of limbs. The study of these parameters and the analysis of the correlations between the acquired data, permits us to extract useful information and details for objective evaluation of Parkinson pathology, taking into account the metrological characteristics of the used measurement system.

Design and implementation of automotive data acquisition platform

The main purpose of this work is to develop a data acquisition platform prototype for automotive telemetry applications such as driving style analysis, fleet management and fault detection. Measurements are gathered from On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) sensors, Global Positioning System (GPS) and an Inertial Measurement Unit. (IMU) logged on the onboard device for remote backup. The data obtained could be used to driver behavior studies, to define insurance premium, to engage user in saving fuel and money and to correlate faults on car with the driving style.

Diagnostic radiography: An experimental study for estimation of optimal patient dose

The main purpose of this work was to analyze the digital radiographic methodologies used in diagnostic investigation, in order to reduce radiation dose to patients by assuring a good quality of the images. To this end, the main parameters influencing the absorbed dose during radiographic exams were investigated and a new methodology for a suitable optimized protocol was proposed.

Analysis and Optimization of the Acquisition Times in the Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The main purpose of this work is to analyze the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methodologies used in noninvasive clinical investigation, with the aim of reducing the time of acquisition by assuring a good quality of the images. This objective is of fundamental importance to both increase the number of clinical tests produced with this equipments and to reduce the radiation doses in the patients. For this purpose the parameters influencing the time acquisition and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were investigated and a software platform to optimize the imaging time acquisition was developed. This work was carried out in collaboration with Martina Franca (Italy) Hospital. Tanks to the staff of this sanitary structure it has been possible to get the necessary material for the correct development of the simulation algorithm and the sample images on which the algorithm has been applied and verified.