3499 research outputs found
Sort by
A two parameter elasto-plastic formulation for hardening pressure-dependent materials
No full textA new pressure-dependent yield function is proposed by introducing a plastic Poisson's ratio within the theoretical formulation of the plastic potential. In analogy with other classical models, an equivalent stress and an equivalent plastic strain increment are defined. Then, according to these definitions, the equivalent stress–strain curve is derived and an exponential hardening law is introduced. The advantage of the proposed formulation over alternative approaches relies in explicit closed-form expressions of the flow rules and of the plastic multiplier
Progression from Vegetative to Minimally Conscious State Is Associated with Changes in Brain Neural Response to Passive Tasks: A Longitudinal Single-Case Functional MRI Study
No full textObjectives: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) may be adopted as a complementary tool for bedside observation in the disorders of consciousness (DOC). However, the diagnostic value of this technique is still debated because of the lack of accuracy in determining levels of consciousness within a single patient. Recently, Giacino and colleagues (2014) hypothesized that a longitudinal fMRI evaluation may provide a more informative assessment in the detection of residual awareness. The aim of this study was to measure the correspondence between clinically defined level of awareness and neural responses within a single DOC patient. Methods: We used a follow-up fMRI design in combination with a passive speech-processing task. Patient’s consciousness was measured through time by using the Coma Recovery Scale. Results: The patient progressed from a vegetative state (VS) to a minimally conscious state (MCS). Patient’s task-related neural responses mirrored the clinical change from a VS to an MCS. Specifically, while in an MCS, but not a VS, the patient showed a selective recruitment of the left angular gyrus when he listened to a native speech narrative, as compared to the reverse presentation of the same stimulus. Furthermore, the patient showed an increased response in the language-related brain network and a greater deactivation in the default mode network following his progression to an MCS. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that longitudinal assessment of brain responses to passive stimuli can contribute to the definition of the clinical status in individual patients with DOC and represents an adequate counterpart of the bedside assessment during the diagnostic decision-making process. (JINS, 2016, 22, 620–630
Low-frequency oscillations in REM-sleep: a high density EEG study
No full textObjectives: Slow waves (0.5–4 Hz) of non-rapid eye movement
(NREM) sleep occur and are regulated locally, in an experiencedependent
manner. However, recent work in mice showed that
region-specific slow waves may also occur in REM sleep. Here we
investigated the presence and cortical distribution of low-frequency
oscillations in human REM sleep using high-density EEG
La struttura finanziaria delle società di capitali a conduzione familiare
No full textIl contributo tratta delle specificità della conduzione familiare in presenza di società di capitali e dei risvolti sulla possibile struttura finanziaria dell'azienda
Giustizia e democrazia: Kokoschka rilegge Le Rane di Aristofane
No full textOskar Kokoschka (1886-1980) engraved the two drypoints Das Streitgespräch and Das Tribunal between 1967 and 1968, within a series of 12, to illustrate Aristophanes’ The Frogs (Βάτραχοι, 405 BC). These two artworks comment on the concept of justice, stress the artist’s political engagement and directly refer to the political turmoil which struck Greece in the second half of 1960s
L'analisi per indici del bilancio di esercizio
No full textRiclassificazione e analisi di bilancio sono trattati quali strumenti a disposizione del management per il governo aziendale. Il capitolo e corredato di caso aziendale
Basis Risk in Static versus Dynamic Longevity Risk Hedging
No full textThis paper provides a simple model for basis risk in a longevity framework, by separating common and idiosyncratic risk factors. Basis risk is captured by a single parameter, that measures the co-movement between the portfolio and the reference population. In this framework, the paper sets out the static, swap-based hedge for an annuity, and compares it with the dynamic, delta-based hedge, achieved using longevity bonds. We assume that the longevity intensity is distributed according to a CIR-type process and provide closed-form derivatives prices and hedges, also in the presence of an analogous CIR process for interest rate risk
