Information systems in the public sector: The e-Government enactment framework

Despite the burgeoning number of studies of public sector information systems, very few scholars have focussed on the relationship between e-Government policies and information systems choice and design. Drawing on Fountain’s (2001) technology enactment framework, this paper endeavours to conduct an in-depth investigation of the intricacies characterising the choice and design of new technologies in the context of e-Government reforms. By claiming that technologies are carriers of e-Government reform aims, this study investigates the logics embedded in the design of new technology and extant political interests and values inscribed in e-Government policies. The e-Government enactment framework is proposed as a theoretical and analytical approach to understand and study the complexity of these relationships which shape e-Government policies.     

Investigation of the impact on the radio frequency (RF) behaviour of electrically conductive adhesives (ECAs) used in wafer-level packaging (WLP) of RF-MEMS

Microsystem Technologies - In this work, an anisotropic conductive adhesive (ACA), belonging to the family of electrically conductive adhesives (ECAs), exploited for the wafer-level bonding phase...     

Survey on various architectures of preamplifiers for electroencephalogram (EEG) signal acquisition

Microsystem Technologies - Modern-day biomedical science and technology have progressed with implantable neural recording systems. There is a demand for miniaturised devices that can be emplaced...     

Compact modelling-based coupled simulation of RF-MEMS networks for 5G and Internet of Things (IoT) applications

Microsystem Technologies - In this work, the exploitation of an on-purpose software library, previously presented by the author, is discussed in order to simulate the coupled behaviour of RF-MEMS...     

A modelling and simulation approach for radio frequency (RF) parasitic effects reduction in wafer-level packaging (WLP) of RF-MEMS passive components

Microsystem Technologies - RF-MEMS, i.e. micro electro mechanical-systems (MEMS) for radio frequency (RF) passive components, started to make their way into mass-market applications in the...     

RF MEMS packaged switch evaluation tests up to 25 GHz

This article presents the results of the series of experimental tests of a packaged RF MEMS switch manufactured as a chip on a silicon substrate in the Center for Materials and Microsystems of Fondazione Bruno Kessler. Experiments have been performed up to 25 GHz and included S-parameters check in different operation and environmental conditions, including variation of input power, ambient temperature and number of switching cycles. Presented RF MEMS SPST switch is a basic element of more complex reconfigurable networks such as SPxT switches, phase shifters, power attenuators etc.

     

Out-of-plane deformation and pull-in voltage of cantilevers with residual stress gradient: experiment and modelling

The out-of-plane deformation and the pull-in voltage of electrostatically actuated cantilevers with a residual stress gradient, is investigated in the length range 100–300 µm. Measured pull-in voltages are compared with calculations, which are obtained using previously proposed analytical expressions and a finite element method (FEM) modelling. In particular, a simplified model of the residual stress distribution inside cantilevers is formulated that enables FEM simulation of measured out-of-plane deformations and pull-in voltages for all lengths of fabricated cantilevers. The presented experimental results and FEM model are exploitable in the design of cantilever-based microelectromechanical systems, in order to provide a reliable prediction of the influence of residual stress gradient on device shape and pull-in voltage.

     

Unravelling causal and temporal influences underpinning monitoring systems success: A typological approach

This paper is concerned with the causal and temporal underpinnings of information systems success. It uses a typological approach based on fuzzy‐set Qualitative Comparative Analysis and process tracing. It investigates success across multiple cases of information systems adopted for monitoring the disbursement and use of resources within the European Social Fund. The study unravels the causal mechanisms and temporal pathways underpinning success in these systems. It develops a typological theory of monitoring systems success that reveals the temporal pathways embedded within individual cases, as well as broader theoretical patterns emerging across cases. Theoretical, methodological, and practical implications are discussed.