Purpose: This paper presents a model aiming to identify the factors influencing the adoption of augmented reality (AR) for industrial services.Design/methodology/approach: The study combines a literature analysis with an empirical study conducted exploring how five large industrial companies are introducing AR for supporting the provision of technical assistance and industrial services to their installed base.Findings: The authors identify four categories (task, workforce, context and technology) that combine 18 factors that manufacturing companies should consider when introducing AR technology to support industrial services.Originality/value: This paper systematises the fragmented literature on technology adoption and in particular those works related to the factors affecting the adoption of AR in industrial services. Based on literature and empirical evidence, the authors propose a novel framework that can help companies in the selection of AR solution based on their specific applications and situations. This study therefore contributes also to the existing literature on the adoption of I4.0 and digital technologies in industrial services.

Current developments in medical technology have focused on therapeutic treatments that selectively and effectively address specific pathological areas, minimizing side effects on healthy tissues. In this regard, many procedures have been developed to provide non-invasive therapy, for example therapeutic ultrasound (US). In the medical field, in particular in cancer research, it has been observed how ultrasounds can cause cell death and inhibit cell proliferation of cancer cells, while preserving healthy ones with almost negligible side effects. Various studies have shown that low intensity pulse ultrasound (LIPUS) and low intensity continuous ultrasound (LICUS) regulate the proliferation, cell differentiation and cavitation phenomena. Nowadays, there are poorly known aspects of low intensity US treatment, in terms of biophysical and biomechanical effects on target cells. The aim of this study is to set up an innovative apparatus for US treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells, monitoring parameters such as acoustic intensity, acoustic pressure, stimulation frequency and treatment protocol. To this purpose, we have developed a custom-made set up for the US stimulation at 1.2 and 3 MHz of tridimensional (3D) cultures of PDAC cells (PANC-1, Mia Paca-2 and BxPc3 cells). Images of the 3D cultures were acquired, and the Calcein/PI assay was applied to detect US-induced cell death. Overall, the setup we have presented paves the way to an innovative protocol for tumor treatment. The system can be used either alone or in combination with small molecules or recombinant antibodies in order to propose a novel combined therapeutic approach.