Search results for "imulation"
showing 10 items of 7271 documents
Smart switching in feedforward control of grip force during manipulation of elastic objects
2017
AbstractSwitching systems are common in artificial control systems. Here, we suggest that the brain adopts a switched feedforward control of grip forces during manipulation of objects. We measured how participants modulated grip force when interacting with soft and rigid virtual springs when stiffness varied nearly continuously between trials. We identified a sudden phase transition between two forms of feedforward control that differed in the timing of the synchronization between the anticipated load force and the applied grip force. The switch occurred several trials after a threshold stiffness level. These results suggest that in the control of grip force, the brain acts as a switching c…
Sexually selected traits evolve positive allometry when some matings occur irrespective of the trait
2014
Positive allometry of secondary sexual traits (whereby larger individuals have disproportionally larger traits than smaller individuals) has been called one of the most pervasive and poorly understood regularities in the study of animal form and function. Its widespread occurrence is in contrast with theoretical predictions that it should evolve only under rather special circumstances. Using a combination of mathematical modeling and simulations, here we show that positive allometry is predicted to evolve under much broader conditions than previously recognized. This result hinges on the assumption that mating success is not necessarily zero for males with the lowest trait values: for examp…
Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Fields Do Not Affect LTP-Like Plasticity in Healthy Humans.
2020
Introduction: Several studies explored, in vitro, the biological effects of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) and reported the induction of functional changes in neuronal activity. In particular, ELF-MFs can influence synaptic plasticity both in-vitro and in animal models. Indeed, some studies reported an increase in long-term potentiation (LTP) whereas others suggested its reduction. However, no specific study has investigated such effect in humans. Aims: To evaluate whether ELF-MFs affect the propensity of the human cortex to undergo LTP-like plasticity. Methods: We designed a randomized, single-blind, sham-controlled, cross-over study on 10 healthy subjects. Cortical plas…
Development of new strategies to assess the safety of controlled ovarian stimulation for fertility preservation in breast cancer patients
2023
El càncer de mama és la neoplàsia més comuna en dones en edat reproductiva. Les millores en el diagnòstic i el tractament d'aquesta malaltia han suposat un important descens en la mortalitat en els darrers 20 anys. Tot i això, el tractament quimioterapèutic del càncer de mama resulta altament gonadotòxic, sovint danyant la funció ovàrica i implicant una pèrdua de la fertilitat posterior. Per aquest motiu, oferir la possibilitat de preservar la fertilitat en dones amb desitjos reproductius posteriors resulta de vital importància. Entre les opcions per preservar la fertilitat femenina, la criopreservació d'ovòcits i/o embrions destaca com la tècnica amb més èxit a la pràctica clínica habitual…
Green Roofs as Effective Tools for Improving the Indoor Comfort Levels of Buildings—An Application to a Case Study in Sicily
2020
In the line of pursuing better energy efficiency in human activities that would result in a more sustainable utilization of resources, the building sector plays a relevant role, being responsible for almost 40% of both energy consumption and the release of pollutant substances in the atmosphere. For this purpose, techniques aimed at improving the energy performances of buildings&rsquo
Janus Nanostructures from ABC/B Triblock Terpolymer Blends
2019
Lamella-forming ABC triblock terpolymers are convenient building blocks for the synthesis of soft Janus nanoparticles (JNPs) by crosslinking the B domain that is &ldquo
Determinants of the Effectiveness of Using Renewable Resource Management-Based Simulations in the Development of Critical Thinking: An Application of…
2019
The twenty-first century&rsquo
Toll-like receptors play a crucial part in the pathophysiological activity of antiphospholipid antibodies
2011
The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by thrombosis, recurrent fetal loss and the presence of a variety of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), directed to phospholipids like Cardiolipin and phospholipid binding proteins like β2-glycoprotein I. Till date, the pathophysiological processes underlying these thrombotic events were still not fully understood. Recent data support the idea that the aPL might act via enhanced cytokine release due to activation of certain Toll-like receptors. The investigation of some of those mechanisms in more detail enlightens the involvement of the intracellular receptors TLR7 and TLR8 in a central point. Using patients…
A concept for personal wellness management based on activity monitoring
2008
Lifestyle related health problems are increasing rapidly. Many of them could be prevented or alleviated by sufficient physical activity, enough sleep, and a balanced diet. Individual citizens have the main responsibility for their own health and wellness management in their daily lives. Motivational tools based on modern technologies can support people in this task. Vivago Personal Wellness Manager (PWM) is a concept for personal wellness management, based on continuous activity monitoring with a wrist-worn device combined with immediate feedback on daily activity, e.g., sleep and physical activity. The concept allows long-term monitoring of activity patterns and includes PC software for de…