In this study, a method is proposed to determine the fundamental period of layered soil profiles. A model considering the layered soil as shear type structure is used. At first, the soil profile is divided into substructures. Then, the stiffness matrices of the substructures considered as the equivalent shear structures are assembled according to the Finite Element Method. Thereinafter, the sti...

Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is a non-invasive phase-contrast-based method for quantifying the shear stiffness of biological tissues. Synchronous application of a shear wave source and motion encoding gradient waveforms within the MRE pulse sequence enable visualization of the propagating shear wave throughout the medium under investigation. Encoded shear wave-induced displacements are...

Adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) are attractive autologous cell sources for cartilage repair given their relative abundance and ease of isolation. Previous studies have demonstrated the potential of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules as three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds for promoting chondrogenesis. However, few studies have compared the effects of varying types or doses of ECM molecules ...

The stiffness of the extracellular matrix can profoundly influence cell and tissue behaviors. Thus there is an emerging emphasis on understanding how matrix mechanical environments are established, regulated, and modified. Here we develop a microrheometric assay to measure the mechanical properties of a model extracellular matrix (type I collagen gel) and use it to explore cytokine-induced, cel...

The stiffness of the extracellular matrix can profoundly influence cell and tissue behaviors. Thus there is an emerging emphasis on understanding how matrix mechanical environments are established, regulated, and modified. Here we develop a microrheometric assay to measure the mechanical properties of a model extracellular matrix (type I collagen gel) and use it to explore cytokine-induced, cel...

A new iteration scheme for computing the sign of a matrix which has no pure imaginary eigenvalues is presented. Then, by applying a well-known identity in matrix functions theory, an algorithm for computing the geometric mean of two Hermitian positive definite matrices is constructed. Moreover, another efficient algorithm for this purpose is derived free from the computation of principal matrix...

Abstract In this paper the novel hybrid manipulator, named as CaHyMan (Cassino Hybrid Manipulator), is analyzed in term of stiffness characteristics. A formulation is presented to deduce the stiffness matrix as a function of the most important stiffness parameters of the mechanical design. The specific design of CaHyMan, which has been designed and built at the Laboratory of Robotics in Cassino...

Bone extracellular matrix (ECM) is a natural composite made of collagen and mineral hydroxyapatite (HA). Dynamic cell-ECM interactions play a critical role in regulating cell differentiation and function. Understanding the principal ECM cues promoting osteogenic differentiation would be pivotal for both bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Altering the mineral content generally mo...

BACKGROUND In ventricular dilatation or hypertrophy, an elevated end-diastolic pressure is often assumed to be secondary to increased myocardial stiffness, but stiffness is rarely measured in vivo because of difficulty. We measured in vitro passive stiffness of volume- or pressure-overloaded myocardium mainly from congenital heart disease. METHODS AND RESULTS Endocardial ventricular biopsies ...