Mathematical Modeling of Intracellular ATP Concentration in Vascular Endothelial Cells on Line Patterns

The migration of endothelial cells (ECs) is critical for various processes including vascular wound healing, tumor angiogenesis, and the development of viable endovascular implants. EC migration is regulated by intracellular ATP and recent observations in our laboratory on ECs cultured on line patterns - surfaces where cellular adhesion is limited to 15 m-wide lines that physically confine the cells - have demonstrated very different migration behavior from cells on control unpatterned surfaces.

Combining mathematical modelling with in vitro experiments to predict in vivo drug-eluting stent performance

In this study, we developed a predictive model of in vivo stent based drug release and distribution that is capable of providing useful insights into performance. In a combined mathematical modelling and experimental approach, we created two novel sirolimus-eluting stent coatings with quite distinct doses and release kinetics. Using readily measurable in vitro data, we then generated parameterised mathematical models of drug release. These were then used to simulate in vivo drug uptake and retention.

Modelling drug release from composite capsules and nanoparticles

We present a general mechanistic model of mass diffusion for a composite sphere placed in a large ambient medium. The multi-layer problem is described by a system of diffusion equations coupled via interlayer boundary conditions such as those imposing a finite mass resistance at the external surface of the sphere. While the work is applicable to the generic problem of heat or mass transfer in a multi-layer sphere, the analysis and results are presented in the context of drug kinetics for desorbing and absorbing spherical microcapsules.

Edge Computing Perspectives: Architectures, Technologies, and Open Security Issues

Edge and Fog Computing will be increasingly pervasive in the years to come due to the benefits they bring in many specific use-case scenarios over traditional Cloud Computing. Nevertheless, the security concerns Fog and Edge Computing bring in have not been fully considered and addressed so far, especially when considering the underlying technologies (e.g. virtualization) instrumental to reap the benefits of the adoption of the Edge paradigm. In particular, these virtualization technologies (i.e.

Functional inequalities for marked point processes

In recent years, a number of functional inequalities have been derived for Poisson random measures, with a wide range of applications. In this paper, we prove that such inequalities can be extended to the setting of marked temporal point processes, under mild assumptions on their Papangelou conditional intensity. First, we derive a Poincare inequality. Second, we prove two transportation cost inequalities. The first one refers to functionals of marked point processes with a Papangelou conditional intensity and is new even in the setting of Poisson random measures.

Biomimetic Nanotherapies: Red Blood Cell Based Core-Shell Structured Nanocomplexes for Atherosclerosis Management

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Atherosclerosis, one of the most common forms of the disease, is characterized by a gradual formation of atherosclerotic plaque, hardening, and narrowing of the arteries. Nanomaterials can serve as powerful delivery platforms for atherosclerosis treatment. However, their therapeutic efficacy is substantially limited in vivo due to nonspecific clearance by the mononuclear phagocytic system.

The sparse method of simulated quantiles: An application to portfolio optimization

The sparse multivariate method of simulated quantiles (S-MMSQ) is applied to solve a portfolio optimization problem under value-at-risk constraints where the joint returns follow a multivariate skew-elliptical stable distribution. The S-MMSQ is a simulation-based method that is particularly useful for making parametric inference in some pathological situations where the maximum likelihood estimator is difficult to compute.

Hypoxia-regulated miRNAs in human mesenchymal stem cells: Exploring the regulatory effects in ischemic disorders

Human mesenchymal/stromal stem cells (hMSC) are the most promising cell source for adult cell therapies in regenerative medicine. Many clinical trials have reported the use of autologous transplantation of hMSCs in several disorders, but with limited results. To exert their potential, hMSCs could exhibit efficient homing and migration toward lesion sites among other effects, but the underlying process is not clear enough. To further increase the knowledge, we studied the co-regulation between hypoxia-regulated genes and miRNAs.

Multisensor monitoring of monuments: measurement of vibration frequencies

This paper presents the results of an experiment aiming to measure the vibrational frequencies of the main structures of the medieval church of San Domenico (Matera, southern Italy) and relate them to the mechanical properties of geological stratigraphy and construction materials. Vibrational frequencies are measured by means of the ground-based radar inteferometry technique using a Ku-band radar. Time series of ground-based radar data are processed to measure displacements and vibration frequencies of the church structures.