Biomechanics of the Spine encompasses the basics of spine biomechanics, spinal tissues, spinal disorders and treatment methods. Organized into four parts, the first chapters explore the functional anatomy of the spine, with special emphasis on aspects which are biomechanically relevant and quite often neglected in clinical literature. The second part describes the mechanics of the individual spinal tissues, along with commonly used testing set-ups and the constitutive models used to represent them in mathematical studies. The third part covers in detail the current methods which are used in spine research: experimental testing, numerical simulation and in vivo studies (imaging and motion analysis). The last part covers the biomechanical aspects of spinal pathologies and their surgical treatment. This valuable reference is ideal for bioengineers who are involved in spine biomechanics, and spinal surgeons who are looking to broaden their biomechanical knowledge base. The contributors to this book are from the leading institutions in the world that are researching spine biomechanics.

Medical Innovation: Concept to Commercialization is a practical, step-by-step approach on how to move a novel concept through development to realize a commercially successful product. Real-world experience cases and knowledgeable contributors provide lessons that cover the practices of diverse organizations and multiple products. This important reference will help improve success and avoid innovation failure for translational researchers, entrepreneurs, medical school educators, biomedical engineering students and faculty, and aspiring physicians.

Synchrotron radiation has been a revolutionary and invaluable research tool for a wide range of scientists, including chemists, biologists, physicists, materials scientists, geophysicists. It has also found multidisciplinary applications with problems ranging from archeology through cultural heritage to paleontology. The subject of this book is x-ray spectroscopy using synchrotron radiation, and the target audience is both current and potential users of synchrotron facilities. The first half of the book introduces readers to the fundamentals of storage ring operations, the qualities of the synchrotron radiation produced, the x-ray optics required to transport this radiation, and the detectors used for measurements. The second half of the book describes the important spectroscopic techniques that use synchrotron x-rays, including chapters on x-ray absorption, x-ray fluorescence, resonant and non-resonant inelastic x-ray scattering, nuclear spectroscopies, and x-ray photoemission. A final chapter surveys the exciting developments of free electron laser sources, which promise a second revolution in x-ray science. Thanks to the detailed descriptions in the book, prospective users will be able to quickly begin working with these techniques. Experienced users will find useful summaries, key equations, and exhaustive references to key papers in the field, as well as outlines of the historical developments in the field. Along with plentiful illustrations, this work includes access to supplemental Mathematica notebooks, which can be used for some of the more complex calculations and as a teaching aid. This book should appeal to graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and senior scientists alike.

This book explores the latest and most relevant topics in the field of computational bioengineering and bioinformatics, with a particular focus on patient-specific, disease-progression modeling. It covers computational methods for cardiovascular disease prediction, with an emphasis on biomechanics, biomedical decision support systems, data mining, personalized diagnostics, bio-signal processing, protein structure prediction, biomedical image processing, analysis and visualization, and high-performance computing. It also discusses state-of-the-art tools for disease characterization, and recent advances in areas such as biomechanics, cardiovascular engineering, patient-specific modeling, population-based modeling, multiscale modeling, image processing, data mining, biomedical decision-support systems, signal processing, biomaterials and dental biomechanics, tissue and cell engineering, computational chemistry and high-performance computing. As such, it is a valuable resource for researchers, medical and bioengineering students, and medical device and software experts

This book highlights the latest advances in the application of artificial intelligence and data science in health care and medicine. Featuring selected papers from the 2020 Health Intelligence Workshop, held as part of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) Annual Conference, it offers an overview of the issues, challenges, and opportunities in the field, along with the latest research findings. Discussing a wide range of practical applications, it makes the emerging topics of digital health and explainable AI in health care and medicine accessible to a broad readership. The availability of explainable and interpretable models is a first step toward building a culture of transparency and accountability in health care. As such, this book provides information for scientists, researchers, students, industry professionals, public health agencies, and NGOs interested in the theory and practice of computational models of public and personalized health intelligence.

Wearable Technology in Medicine and Health Care provides readers with the most current research and information on the clinical and biomedical applications of wearable technology. Wearable devices provide applicability and convenience beyond many other means of technical interface and can include varying applications, such as personal entertainment, social communications and personalized health and fitness. The book covers the rapidly expanding development of wearable systems, thus enabling clinical and medical applications, such as disease management and rehabilitation. Final chapters discuss the challenges inherent to these rapidly evolving technologies.

This book describes novel hardware security and microfluidic biochip design methodologies to protect against tampering attacks in cyberphysical microfluidic biochips (CPMBs). It also provides a general overview of this nascent area of research, which will prove to be a vital resource for practitioners in the field.This book shows how hardware-based countermeasures and design innovations can be a simple and effective last line of defense, demonstrating that it is no longer justifiable to ignore security and trust in the design phase of biochips.

This book investigates several non-resonant inductive harvester architectures in order to find the magnet coil arrangement that generates the largest power output. The book is useful as a step-by-step guide for readers unfamiliar with this form of energy harvesting, but who want to build their own system models to calculate the magnet motion and, from that, the power generation available for body-worn sensor systems. The detailed description of system model development will greatly facilitate experimental work with the aim of fabricating the design with the highest predicted power output. Based on the simulated optimal geometry, fabricated devices achieve an average power output of up to 43 mW during walking, an amount of power that can supply modern low-power, body-worn systems. Experiments were also carried out in industrial applications with power outputs up to 15 mW. In sum, researchers and engineers will find a step-by-step introduction to inductive harvesting and its modeling aspects for achieving optimal harvester designs in an efficient manner.

This volume covers a variety of topics related to the practice of rule-based modeling, a type of mathematical modeling useful for studying biomolecular site dynamics. There is an emphasis on software tools and detailed descriptions of techniques. The chapters in this book discuss topics such as software tools and frameworks for compartmental modeling (Pycellerator, RuleBuilder, Prgy, rxncon, MSMB, and ML-Rules); tools for spatial modeling (Simmune, Smoldyn, MCell-R, SRSim, and CellOrganizer); rule-based models to analyze proteomic data; model annotation; Markov chain aggregation; BioJazz; and methods to identify model parameters (Data2Dynamics, RKappa, and BioNetFit). Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary resources, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and thorough, Modeling Biomolecular Site Dynamics: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for both the novice and expert rule-based modeler. It will also appeal to systems biologists and help them enhance their studies with easy-to-read and write rule-based models.

This book presents a compilation of the most recent implementation of artificial intelligence methods for solving different problems generated by the COVID-19. The problems addressed came from different fields and not only from medicine. The information contained in the book explores different areas of machine and deep learning, advanced image processing, computational intelligence, IoT, robotics and automation, optimization, mathematical modeling, neural networks, information technology, big data, data processing, data mining, and likewise. Moreover, the chapters include the theory and methodologies used to provide an overview of applying these tools to the useful contribution to help to face the emerging disaster. The book is primarily intended for researchers, decision makers, practitioners, and readers interested in these subject matters. The book is useful also as rich case studies and project proposals for postgraduate courses in those specializations.

The introduction of low temperature plasma technology to medical research and to the healthcare arena in general is set to revolutionise the way we cure diseases. This innovative medium offers a valid and advantageous replacement of traditional chemical-based medications. Its application in the inactivation of pathogens in particular, avoids the recurrent problem of drug resistant microorganisms. This is the first book dedicated exclusively to the emerging interdisciplinary field of plasma medicine. The opening chapters discuss plasmas and plasma chemistry, the fundamentals of non-equilibrium plasmas and cell biology. The rest of the book is dedicated to current applications, illustrating a plasma-based approach to wound healing, electrosurgery, cancer treatment and even dentistry. The text provides a clear and integrated introduction to plasma technology and has been devised to answer the needs of researchers from different communities. It will appeal to graduate students and physicists, engineers, biologists, medical doctors and biochemists.

Completely up to date with the latest examination changes, Get Through First FRCR: Questions for the Anatomy Module offers a valuable insight into the updated anatomy module of the First FRCR examination. Over 150 5-part picture questions are presented according to syllabus topics, accurately reflecting the content, style and level of difficulty of the actual examination questions. Anatomical images are included from all modalities commonly used in current radiological practice (plain x-rays, CT, MRI, ultrasound, nuclear medicine). Each question includes a full explanation for each of the 5 stems, providing appropriate anatomy knowledge and relevant radiological learning points for the candidate. Featuring a wealth of practice questions plus one full mock examination, this book has been designed for candidates to assess their knowledge, identify topics that require further study and to build up confidence in preparation for the exam day. Written by Specialty Trainees in Radiology, Get Through First FRCR: Questions for the Anatomy Module is the essential revision tool for all First FRCR candidates preparing for the newly revised examination.

Presents sensor specification, theory of operation, sensor design, and application criteria Provides background plus specific information for practicing engineers who want to understand sensors Includes a complete chapter on industrial sensor communication protocols Explains temperature sensitivity, how to determine, and how to avoid Discusses how to understand and utilize sensor specifications

This book provides an insightful guide to the design, testing and optimization of micro-electrode-dot-array (MEDA) digital microfluidic biochips. The authors focus on the characteristics specific for MEDA biochips, e.g., real-time sensing and advanced microfluidic operations like lamination mixing and droplet shape morphing. Readers will be enabled to enhance the automated design and use of MEDA and to develop a set of solutions to facilitate the full exploitation of design complexities that are possible with standard CMOS fabrication techniques. The book provides the first set of design automation and test techniques for MEDA biochips. The methods described in this book have been validated using fabricated MEDA biochips in the laboratory. Readers will benefit from an in-depth look at the MEDA platform and how to combine microfluidics with software, e.g., applying biomolecular protocols to software-controlled and cyberphysical microfluidic biochips.

This book presents cutting-edge research on the use of physical and mathematical formalisms to model and quantitatively analyze biological phenomena ranging from microscopic to macroscopic systems. The systems discussed in this compilation cover protein folding pathways, gene regulation in prostate cancer, quorum sensing in bacteria to mathematical and physical descriptions to analyze anomalous diffusion in patchy environments and the physical mechanisms that drive active motion in large sets of particles, both fundamental descriptions that can be applied to different phenomena in biology. All chapters are written by well-known experts on their respective research fields with a vast amount of scientific discussion and references in order the interested reader can pursue a further reading. Given these features, we consider Quantitative Models for Microscopic to Macroscopic Biological Macromolecules and Tissues as an excellent and up-to-date resource and reference for advanced undergraduate students, graduate students and junior researchers interested in the latest developments at the intersection of physics, mathematics, molecular biology, and computational sciences. Such research field, without hesitation, is one of the most interesting, challenging and active of this century and the next.

This book highlights recent advances in the field of plant-biotic interactions and explores current serious issues in the crop production industry. It is intended to attract more attention to these important, but often overlooked areas, and to stimulate new ideas for future research. Plants are constantly under attack by pathogens, pests, and parasites, which can significantly impact worldwide food production and human health. While pathogens and pests attack and interconnect with their hosts in a variety of ways, plants have developed sophisticated immune systems to fight infections. In the field of plant-biotic interactions, most of the studies to date have focused on the function and signaling pathways of plant disease resistance proteins and pattern recognition receptors, as well as pathogen effector proteins. In contrast, this book presents new and emerging research areas, and introduces students, researchers, academics, and policy advisors to the latest trends in e.g. microbial technology, environmental microbiology, agricultural science, the health sciences, biological sciences and other related disciplines.

This book presents not only the simultaneous combination of optical methods based on holographic principles for marker-free imaging, real-time trapping, identification and tracking of micro objects, but also the application of substantial low coherent light sources and non-diffractive beams. It first provides an overview of digital holographic microscopy (DHM) and holographic optical tweezers as well as non-diffracting beam types for minimal-invasive, real-time and marker-free imaging as well as manipulation of micro and nano objects. It then investigates the design concepts for the optical layout of holographic optical tweezers (HOTs) and their optimization using optical simulations and experimental methods. In a further part, the book characterizes the corresponding system modules that allow the addition of HOTs to commercial microscopes with regard to stability and diffraction efficiency. Further, based on experiments and microfluidic applications, it demonstrates the functionality of the combined setup, and discusses several types of non-diffracting beams and their application in optical manipulation. The book shows that holographic optical tweezers, including several non-diffracting beam types like Mathieu beams, combined parabolic and Airy beams, not only open up the possibility of generating efficient multiple dynamic traps for micro and nano particles with forces in the pico and nano newton range, but also the opportunity to exert optical torque with special beams like Bessel beams, which can facilitate the movement and rotation of particles by generating microfluidic flows. The last part discusses the potential use of a slightly modified DHM-HOT-system to explore the functionality of direct laser writing based on a two photon absorption process in a negative photoresist with a continuous wave laser

Autonomous Positioning of Piezoactuated Mechanism for Biological Cell Puncture gives a systematic and almost selfcontained description of the many facets of advanced design, optimization, modeling, system identification and advanced control techniques for positioning of cell puncture mechanism with piezoelectric actuator in micro/nanorobotics systems. To achieve biomedical applications, reliability design, modeling, and precision control are vitally important for developing engineering systems. With the advances in mechanical design, dynamic modeling, system identification, and control techniques, exploiting them for the benefit of reliability design, precision control, and quick actuation of micro/nanomanipulation systems to expand the robot's applications at the micro and nanoscales, especially for biomedical applications. This book unifies existing and emerging techniques concerning advanced design, modeling and advanced control methodologies in micropuncture of biological cells using piezoelectric actuator with their practical biomedical applications. The book is an essential resource for researchers within robotics, mechatronics, biomedical engineering, and automatic control society, including both academic and industrial parts. KEY FEATURES * Provides a series of latest results in, including but not limited to, design, modeling, and control of micro/nanomanipulation systems utilizing piezoelectric actuator * Gives recent advances of theory, technological aspects, and applications of advanced modeling, control, and actuation methodologies in cell engineering applications * Presents simulation and experimental results to reflect the micro/nano manipulation practice, and also validate the performances of the developed design, analysis, and synthesis approaches

This book covers the state-of-the-art research on advanced high-resolution tomography, exploring its role in regenerative medicine. and also explores the 3D interactions between tissues, cells, and biomaterials. Various multidisciplinary paths in regenerative medicine are covered, including X-ray microtomography and its role in regenerative medicine, synchrotron radiation-based microtomography and phase contrast tomography, the challenge of the vascularization of regenerated tissues, lung and cartilage imaging, and more. This is an ideal book for biomedical engineers, biologists, physicists, clinicians, and students who want to pursue their studies in the field of regenerative medicine. This book also: Reviews in detail the algorithms and software used for the 3D exploration of regenerated tissue Covers the latest research on the use of X-ray microtomography for muscle diseases Details applications of synchrotron radiation tomography in orthopedics and dentistry

The purpose of this book is to highlight some of latest developments and applications of CRISPR, RNA, and DNA to treat diseases ranging from cancers to cardiovascular and degenerative disorders. It also features innovations of the delivery methods for nucleic acids ranging from nanodevices made from DNA and pseudo amino acids to viral vectors. This is an ideal book for academics, clinicians, and students interested in gene therapy.

This book is part of a two-part volume book that highlights the latest advances in innovative bioceramics applied in the highly interdisciplinary area referred to as "translational medicine". This volume predominantly written by surgeons in the fields of craniomaxillofacial, orthopedics, and spinal surgery, examines the translation of innovative bioceramics and bioceramics-based composite from the laboratory to a personalized surgical environment for the repair of damaged and diseased bone tissues. This book also covers the topic of osteoporosis, a skeletal disorder in which the World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized it as a public health emergency due to the high number of subjects who exhibited the disease and the morbidity and mortality related to fractures. The book caters to biomaterials researchers and medical clinicians who are interested in incorporating innovative bioceramics to the above-mentioned applications.

This book highlights treatment strategies for bacterial biofilms in connection with a variety of human diseases. In particular, it reviews bacterial biofilm formation and its mechanism. Topics covered include biofilms in human health, the role of biofilms in mediating human diseases, and methods for testing bacterial biofilms. Further sections concentrate on biofilm-mediated diseases in different parts of the human gastrointestinal tract, while therapeutic strategies for biofilm control and natural agents that disrupt bacterial biofilms are also covered. Readers will also find the latest advances in probiotics and biofilms, as well as the use of probiotics to counteract biofilm-associated infections. Biofilms and antimicrobial resistance are discussed. Subsequent chapters address the management of inflammatory bowel disease via probiotics biofilms, as well as the role of probiotics bacteria in the treatment of human diseases associated with bacterial biofilms. The book is chiefly intended for clinicians/scientists in the fields of medical microbiology, applied microbiology, biochemistry, and biotechnology.

This book offers a complete overview of photonic-enhanced materials from material development to a final photonic biomedical application. It includes fundamental, applied, and industrial photonics. The authors cover synthesis, the modification and the processing of a variety of (bio)polymers including thermoplasts (e.g. polyesters) and hydrogels (e.g. proteins and polysaccharides) for a plethora of applications in the field of optics and regenerative medicine.

This book talks about photoplethysmography (PPG) techniques based on computer-aided data processing. In particular, it presents the results of a co-operative Indo-German project on the topic between Indian Institute of Technology at Chennai and RWTH Aachen University. Measuring system design, experimental details and some preliminary results obtained so far within the framework of this project are presented here. From the investigations carried out so far using the PPG sensors in conjunction with breathing sensors, it has been possible to monitor the 0.125 to 0.15 Hz rhythms in the arterial volumetric changes and to study the influence of breathing on them. These rhythms, which according to medical experts have relevance to psychosomatic conditions e.g. stress or relaxation, can also be addressed to by ancient Indian practices like yoga and meditation. This book presents the results of studying the effects of Indian relaxation techniques like pranayama, meditation, etc. in comparison to western relaxation techniques like autogenic training. So far it has been established that the Indian techniques of relaxation like yoga and meditation are very effective in generating low frequency rhythms in the skin perfusion as monitored by optical sensors. According to medical experts, these low frequency rhythms have a very important bearing on the human physiology and have potential therapeutic implications. This book is meant to provide an overview of the current state-of-knowledge and encourage the next generation of scientists/engineers to carry this work forward, especially on the novel PPG application fields that are of growing importance like pain and stress assessment, detection of peripheral venous saturation and local arterio-venous oxygen consumption as well as contactless space resolved skin perfusion studies with modern camera based PPG technology.