A new method to determine arterial distensibility in small arteries

Several methods allow to measure arterial distensibilty. One of them consists in estimating the direct distensibility (D) from diameter and distending blood pressure. Herein, we propose a new method to assess the distensibility in small arteries which is based on spectral analysis of time motion mode ultrasound images of radial arteries. A Fourier transform was performed on intensity of upper and lower walls. Spectral amplitude at heart frequency from both wall spectra was estimated and summed (SumAmp). SumAmp was then compared with direct distensibility. A significant correlation was found between SumAmp and D (r = 0.7, p = 0.02)

Mesures et analyses biomécaniques des interactions macrocirculation/microcirculation sanguines

L'étude de paramètres de type distensibilité des vaisseaux constituant le système cardiovasculaire est très pertinente pour le diagnostic de certaines pathologies. Nous proposons d'estimer la corrélation entre les propriétés biomécaniques des vaisseaux sanguins de gros calibre et ceux de petit calibre. Un protocole de mesure est présenté intégrant l'acquisition de signaux d'impédance bioélectrique et de fluxmétrie laser Doppler. Une analyse de ces données est effectuée à partir de diverses techniques de traitement du signal (analyses de flux, de pressions, etc), et d'une étude statistique

Motional effects on the efficiency of excitation transfer

Energy transfer plays a vital role in many natural and technological processes. In this work, we study the effects of mechanical motion on the excitation transfer through a chain of interacting molecules with application to biological scenarios of transfer processes. Our investigation demonstrates that, for various types of mechanical oscillations, the transfer efficiency is significantly enhanced over that of comparable static configurations. This enhancement is a genuine quantum signature, and requires the collaborative interplay between the quantum-coherent evolution of the excitation and the mechanical motion of the molecules; it has no analogue in the classical incoherent energy transfer. This effect may not only occur naturally, but it could be exploited in artificially designed systems to optimize transport processes. As an application, we discuss a simple and hence robust control technique.Comment: 25 pages, 11 figures; completely revised; version accepted for publicatio

Living-floors and Structures from the Lower Palaeolithic to the Bronze Age in Italy

Summary report of the research carried out on the Living floors of the Palaeolithic to Neolithic periods in many prehistoric sites of northern Ital

Guide archeologiche. Preistoria e Protostoria in Italia. Emilia Romagna

Questo volume, che fa parte della "collana Guide Archeologiche. Preistoria e Protostoria in Italia", è dedicato all'Emilia Romagna presentandone i più importanti musei e siti archeologic