Search results for "function"
showing 10 items of 14432 documents
Melt Processed PCL/PEG Scaffold with Discrete Pore Size Gradient for Selective Cellular Infiltration
2016
In order to develop scaffold able to mimic the natural gradient properties of tissues, biphasic and triphasic approaches were adopted. In this work, polycaprolactone/polyethylene glycol (PCL/PEG) scaffolds were prepared by using a combination of melt mixing and selective leaching without harmful solvents. The method permitted to develop three-layer scaffolds with high control of porosity and pore size. The mechanical properties were evaluated under physiological condition in order to simulate the real conditions of work. Co-culture of osteoblastic and fibroblastic mice cells were carried out in order to study the differential cellular permeation through the different pore size layers.
Three-layered porous device in PCL/PEG blend for interface tissue engineering
2016
Tissue interfaces, such as cartilage-to-bone, exhibit anisotropic structural properties, which gradually vary from one tissue to another. Consequently a regenerative scaffold designed for interface tissues should exhibit a gradient in composition, structure and mechanical features, mimicking those of the native zones. In particular, the architecture of pores plays a central role. Indeed, a biomedical implant should be designed with porosityand pore size gradients simulating the structure of the two interface tissues. One of the most common techniques to prepare porous scaffolds is the particulate leaching method, which involves the selective leaching of a mineral or organic compound as poro…
A CNN Adaptive Model to Estimate PM10 Monitoring
2006
In this work we introduce a model for studying the distribution and control of atmospheric pollution from PM10. The model is based on the use of a cellular neural network (CNN) and more precisely on the integration of the mass-balance equation; at the same time it simulates the scenario regarding a planar grid describing the whole studied area (the city of Palermo) by means of a CNN and a set of Bayesian networks. The CNN allows us to define a grid system whose dynamic evolution is a redefinition of the diffusion equation that considers contributions coming from near cells for each element of the grid. Dynamics of each cell is influenced by meteorological effects and by parameters related t…
Neuropsychological Alterations in Children Affected by Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome
2020
Sleep-related breathing disorders are a group of clinical conditions ranging from habitual snoring to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) during the lifespan. In children, other risk factors are represented by adenotonsillar hypertrophy, rhinitis, nasal structure alteration, cleft palate, velopharyngeal flap surgery, pharyngeal masses, craniofacial malformations, genetic syndrome (i.e. Down syndrome, Crouzon syndrome, and Apert syndrome), genetic hypoplasia mandibular (i.e. Pierre Robin syndrome, Treacher Collins syndrome, Shy-Drager syndrome, and Cornelia De Lange syndrome), craniofacial traumas, chronic or seasonal rhinitis, asthma, neuromuscular syndromes, brainstem pathologies (i.e.…
New Insights Into Causal Pathways Between the Pediatric Age-Related Physical Activity Decline and Loss of Control Eating: A Narrative Review and Prop…
2020
Research consistently suggests that loss of control (LOC) eating in children and adolescents is a key factor contributing to pediatric obesity and eating disorders. However, causes of pediatric LOC eating are yet unclear, and there is a lack of longitudinal research investigating the developmental processes contributing to LOC eating and related outcomes in youth. Physical activity is an understudied behavior that declines during middle childhood to adolescence and may exert an influence in the development of LOC eating via its impact on executive functioning. While physical activity levels and executive functioning have been linked to regulation of eating, no research has examined the mech…
A Complete, Exact and Efficient Implementation for Computing the Edge-Adjacency Graph of an Arrangement of Quadrics
2011
International audience; We present a complete, exact and efficient implementation to compute the edge-adjacency graph of an arrangement of quadrics, i.e. surfaces of algebraic degree 2. This is a major step towards the computation of the full 3D arrangement. We enhanced an implementation for an exact parameterization of the intersection curves of two quadrics, such that we can compute the exact parameter value for intersection points and from that the edge-adjacency graph of the arrangement. Our implementation is complete in the sense that it can handle all kinds of inputs including all degenerate ones, i.e. singularities or tangential intersection points. It is exact in that it always comp…
Diversifying crop rotations with temporary grasslands: potentials for weed management and farmland biodiversity
2010
Fruchtfolgen können dazu dienen, die kontinuierliche Selektion von Unkrautarten zu verhindern, die an eine bestimmte Kultur angepasst sind. Dies könnte dem Unkrautmanagement, der Einsparung von Herbiziden, und der Biodiversität dienen. Heutige, sehr einfache Furchtfolgen könnten durch mehrjährige Futterkulturen diversifiziert werden. Die Einflüsse solcher mehrjähriger Kulturen auf Unkräuter wurden in vier Ansätzen untersucht : 1) Vegetationsaufnahmen auf 632 Feldern in Westfrankreich zeigten, dass die Unkrautzusammensetzung zwischen mehrjährigen Futterkulturen und einjährigen Kulturen stark variiert. Der Vergleich von Feldern vor, während und nach mehrjährigen Futterkulturen legte nahe, das…
Performance-based tests versus behavioral ratings in the assessment of executive functioning in preschoolers: associations with ADHD symptoms and rea…
2015
The early assessment of the executive processes using ecologically valid instruments is essential for identifying deficits and planning actions to deal with possible adverse consequences. The present study has two different objectives. The first objective is to analyze the relationship between preschoolers' performance on tests of Working Memory and Inhibition and parents' and teachers' ratings of these executive functions (EFs) using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). The second objective consists of studying the predictive value of the different EF measures (performance-based test and rating scales) on Inattention and Hyperactivity/Impulsivity behaviors and on in…
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis and cognitive function in healthy older people: genetic, situational and individual factors
2019
The world population is getting older, and this age group faces important health challenges, among which age-related cognitive decline stands out. Therefore, it is important to identify vulnerability and protective health factors in order to understand ways to prevent cognitive decline. This thesis aimed to address the relationship between the Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal (HPA) axis and cognitive functioning during aging, taking into account genetic (Apolipoprotein E, ApoE, polymorphism), situational (loneliness), and individual factors (personality traits). To do this, a group of healthy older people over 55 years of age, men and women, were evaluated. A neuropsychological battery was ad…
The 2.0 tourist as recipient of touristic promotion: linguistic strategies and importance of its study
2012
El turista/viajero es cada vez más quien gestiona sus viajes a través de Internet. El término turista 2.0, denomina a este nuevo agente. Por ello, las webs turísticas han de tener en cuenta ciertos mecanismos y estrategias lingüísticas y visuales que cumplan el objetivo de los géneros de promoción: la persuasión. Estas estrategias lingüísticas se construyen mediante funciones retóricas como la descripción, la ejemplifi cación, la sugerencia, etc., así como la interpersonalidad, función discursiva que designa la relación entre emisor y receptor del texto a través de marcadores, sujeta a variaciones lingüísticas y culturales y que modaliza la persuasión. Será, pues, necesario el análisis de e…