0000000000177760
AUTHOR
L Bellomonte
showing 13 related works from this author
Time-Frequency behaviour of the a-wave of the human electroretinogram
2007
The electroretinogram is the record of the electrical response of the retina to a light stimulus. The two main components are the a-wave and the b-wave, the former is related to the early photoreceptoral activity. Aim of this paper is to acquire useful information about the time-frequency features of the human a-wave, by means of the wavelet analysis. This represents a proper approach in dealing with nonstationary signals. We have used the Mexican Hat as mother wavelet. The analysis, carried out for four representative values of the luminance, comprehends the frequency dependence of the variance and the skeleton. The results indicate a predominance of low frequency components, their time di…
Analysis of the human a-wave ERG component
2006
The a-wave is one of the main issues of research in the field of ocular electrophysiology, since it is strictly connected with early photoreceptoral activities. The present study proposes mathematical methods that analyse this component in human subjects, and supports experimental evidence relating to possible correlations among the responses of photoreceptoral units under a light stimulus. The investigation is organized in two parts: the first part concerns the onset and the initial slope, up to the first minimum (about 10-15 ms), the second part deals with the main portion of the wave, up to about 30 ms. In both cases, the a-waves, recorded at various levels of luminance, have been fitted…
Empirical mode decomposition and neural network for the classification of electroretinographic data
2013
The processing of biosignals is increasingly being utilized in ambulatory situations in order to extract significant signals' features that can help in clinical diagnosis. However, this task is hampered by the fact that biomedical signals exhibit a complex behaviour characterized by strong non-linear and non-stationary properties that cannot always be perceived by simple visual examination. New processing methods need be considered. In this context, we propose to apply a signal processing method, based on empirical mode decomposition and artificial neural networks, to analyse electroretinograms, i.e. the retinal response to a light flash, with the aim to detect and classify retinal diseases…
A 5E-Based Learning Workshop on Various Aspects of the Hall Effect
2019
Learning activities in constructivist environments are characterized by active engagement, inquiry, problem solving, and collaboration with peers. The 5E learning cycle is a student-centered instructional model for constructivism, where the students perform five phases of instruction: Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration, Evaluation. The purpose of this contribution is to present a 5E-based learning path of advanced physics aimed at strengthening Physics/Engineering student understanding about the quantum Hall effect, a phenomenon observed at low temperatures in a two-dimensional electron gas subject to a strong perpendicular magnetic field. The quantum Hall effect, a rare exam…
Functional analysis of Normal and CSNB a-wave ERG component
2009
The features of a-wave of the human electroretinogram are one of the more debated problems in electrophysiology since the a-wave reflects the functional integrity of the two photoreceptoral populations (rods and cones). Although different models concerning the contributions of the early photoreceptoral response are available in current literature, a fully comprehensive theory is difficult to formulate because of the large amount of individual photoreceptors. We study the kinetics of the photoreceptoral response through the analysis of the a-wave shape both in healthy and in patients affected by the Congenital Stationary Night Blindness, that interests the rod population only. The physiologi…
Mechanical models of amplitude and frequency modulation
2005
This paper presents some mechanical models for amplitude and frequency modulation. The equations governing both modulations are deduced alongside some necessary approximations. Computer simulations of the models are carried out by using available educational software. Amplitude modulation is achieved by using a system of two weakly coupled pendulums, whereas the frequency modulation is obtained by using a pendulum of variable length. Under suitable conditions (small oscillations, appropriate initial conditions, etc) both types of modulation result in significantly accurate and visualized simulations.
The amazing graphene: an educational bridge connecting different Physics concepts
2017
The purpose of this work is to present a learning workshop covering various physics concepts aimed at strengthening physics/engineering student understanding about the remarkable properties of two dimensional materials, graphene in particular. At the basis of this learning experience is the idea of blending and interconnecting separate pieces of knowledge already acquired by undergraduates in different courses and to help them visualize and link the concepts lying beyond separate chunks of information or equations. Graphene represents an appropriate unifying framework to achieve this task in view of its monatomic structure and various exotic processes peculiar to this and some other two dim…
Construction and validation of a computer-based diagnostic module on average velocity
1994
This article describes the process of building a computer-based diagnostic module concerning the understanding of the average velocity concept. The first step consists of the production of a student model that takes into account student errors and reasoning paths. The computer module formulates its diagnosis by leading users along different patterns foreseen according to the hypothesized student model. Results are reported concerning a correlation analysis between automatic and human diagnoses.
A Stochastic Approach to Quantum Statistics Distributions: Theoretical Derivation and Monte Carlo Modelling
2009
Abstract. We present a method aimed at a stochastic derivation of the equilibrium distribution of a classical/quantum ideal gas in the framework of the canonical ensemble. The time evolution of these ideal systems is modelled as a series of transitions from one system microstate to another one and thermal equilibrium is reached via a random walk in the single-particle state space. We look at this dynamic process as a Markov chain satisfying the condition of detailed balance and propose a variant of the Monte Carlo Metropolis algorithm able to take into account indistinguishability of identical quantum particles. Simulations performed on different two-dimensional (2D) systems are revealed to…
Electronic properties of graphene: A learning path for undergraduate students
2016
The purpose of this work is to present a learning path aimed at deepening student understanding of the fundamental concepts underlying the electronic properties of new materials, graphene in particular. To achieve this task, we propose a five-week long workshop where students may be introduced to fundamental concepts of advanced physics, rarely used in learning paths, such as the symmetry properties of the crystal lattice, the group theory , the features of the free electron wave functions and energy levels, the relativistic Dirac equation. Particular emphasis is given to the manner of introducing these concepts, since an essential knowledge of solid state physics, quantum physics and relat…
Active learning in a real-world bioengineering problem: A pilot-study on ophthalmologic data processing
2019
Active learning is a format alternative to the conventional lecture/recitation/laboratory; research results have reported that it is suitable to encourage student inquiry and foster peer mentoring. Although the availability of computer-based learning materials in biomedical sciences is increasing, there are relatively few studies aimed to integrate traditional methods of teaching with inquiry-based approaches utilizing these Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) tools. This paper describes a pilot-study on a comprehensive active laboratory course about digital ophthalmologic signal classification, experienced by a group of undergraduates in Bio-Electronic Engineering. During the …
Pedagogical models of surface mechanical wave propagation in various materials
2004
We report on a teaching approach oriented to the understanding of some relevant concepts of wave propagation in solids. It is based on simple experiments involving the propagation of shock mechanical waves in solid slabs of various materials. Methods similar to the generation and propagation of seismic waves are adopted. Educational seismometers, interfaced with computers, are used to detect and visualize the shock waves and to analyse their propagation properties. A qualitative discussion of the results concerning the propagation and the attenuation of the waves allows us to draw basic conclusions about the response of the matter to solicitation impacts and their propagation.
A study of the human rod and cone electroretinogram a-wave component
2009
The study of the electrical response of the retina to a luminous stimulus is one of the main fields of research in ocular electrophysiology. The features of the first component (a-wave) of the retinal response reflect the functional integrity of the two populations of photoreceptors: rods and cones. We fit the a-wave for pathological subjects with functions that account for possible mechanisms governing the kinetics of the photoreceptors. The paper extends a previous analysis, carried out for normal subjects, in which both populations are active, to patients affected by two particular diseases that reduce the working populations to only one. The pathologies investigated are Achromatopsia, a…