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The aim of this work is to show how evolutionary computation can improve the quality of 3D‐FE mesh that is a crucial task for field evaluations using 3‐D FEM analysis.

The evolutionary approach used for optimizing 3D mesh generation is based on the bacterial chemotaxis algorithm (BCA). The objective function corresponds to the virtual bacterium best habitat, and the motion rules followed by each virtual bacterium are inspired to the natural behaviour of bacteria in real habitat.

The obtained results show that the present approach returns good accuracy performances with low‐computational costs.

The procedure is robust and converges for all the practical cases examined for validation.

The adoption of a correct optimization algorithm is fundamental to obtain good performances in terms of robustness of the results and the low‐computational costs. In this sense, the BCA is a valid instrument for improving the quality of 3D‐FE mesh.

Inverse problems in electromagnetism, namely, the recovery of sources (currents or charges) or system data from measured effects, are usually ill-posed or, in the numerical formulation, ill-conditioned and require suitable regularization to provide meaningful results. To test new regularization methods, there is the need of benchmark problems, which numerical properties and solutions should be well known. Hence, this study aims to define a benchmark problem, suitable to test new regularization approaches and solves with different methods.

To assess reliability and performance of different solving strategies for inverse source problems, a benchmark problem of current synthesis is defined and solved by means of several regularization methods in a comparative way; subsequently, an approach in terms of an artificial neural network (ANN) is considered as a viable alternative to classical regularization schemes. The solution of the underlying forward problem is based on a finite element analysis.

The paper provides a very detailed analysis of the proposed inverse problem in terms of numerical properties of the lead field matrix. The solutions found by different regularization approaches and an ANN method are provided, showing the performance of the applied methods and the numerical issues of the benchmark problem.

The value of the paper is to provide the numerical characteristics and issues of the proposed benchmark problem in a comprehensive way, by means of a wide variety of regularization methods and an ANN approach.

The aim of the authors is to discuss the magnetic behaviour of the ferromagnetic materials used in industrial applications, when the cited harmonic distortion of the excitation is working. To show the characterisation of the hysteresis loops performed by these materials, various experimental tests have been executed measuring the hysteresis loops presented by a toroidal nucleus made of mumetal (e.g. that used for differential relay sensor).

This study aims to provide an overview of studies concerning bias in law, particularly in judges’ decisions. The authors intend to bring to light the factors that can most frequently lead to unequal decisions to enable judges to better perform their function.

A literature review was used as a methodology based on studies involving judges and juries.

The evidence reported by this review suggests how difficult the judge’s job is and how they can be unconsciously influenced by inferences, deductions and biases. The results show that the pleasantness of the witness and the confidence they exhibit during testification are crucial factors in influencing the decisions of judges and jurors. From these studies, it can be assumed that different personal aspects – smiling, pleasantness and the witness’s credibility – can be positively associated with each other, which could compromise the ongoing evaluation. Gender is another factor that can influence evaluations; in fact, witnesses are evaluated based on their own “gender” as well as that of the jurors. Another essential factor is self-confidence. Also, the age of both of the judge and of the witness can be a factor that influences decisions in court. Other factors such as communication effectiveness, degree of accuracy of reported information and non-verbal behaviour were also found to be important.

Among the limitations of this research, the authors have to consider the low number of available research and that the most of these derive from a specific cultural context – the American one. There may also be limits to the way in which certain concepts are used in different parts of the world, particularly through a very broad construct, such as the credibility of witness.

This study highlights which inferences and biases can characterise decision-making processes and, above all, highlights the need for specific training courses aimed at managing the many processes involved in influencing human decisions.

The authors believe that this work can raise awareness about the series of unconscious reasoning that may happen in the legal field, which has a major impact on people’s lives and on the general perception of justice.

In this research, the authors have considered some of the criteria that may intervene in the evaluation of witnesses, those present in the current scientific literature. From the research, it seems appropriate and necessary to provide judges with adequate training aimed at the recognition of their cognitive processes and bias. In fact, when they were made aware of them, they were less affected by bias, resulting in more objective and limiting improper inferences.