Cardiovascular Mathematics


Book Description

Mathematical models and numerical simulations can aid the understanding of physiological and pathological processes. This book offers a mathematically sound and up-to-date foundation to the training of researchers and serves as a useful reference for the development of mathematical models and numerical simulation codes.







Red Blood Cell Aggregation


Book Description

Red blood cells in humans—and most other mammals—have a tendency to form aggregates with a characteristic face-to-face morphology, similar to a stack of coins. Known as rouleaux, these aggregates are a normally occurring phenomenon and have a major impact on blood rheology. What is the underlying mechanism that produces this pattern? Does this really happen in blood circulation? And do these rouleaux formations have a useful function? The first book to offer a comprehensive review of the subject, Red Blood Cell Aggregation tackles these and other questions related to red blood cell (RBC) aggregates. The book covers basic, clinical, and physiological aspects of this important biophysical phenomenon and integrates these areas with concepts in bioengineering. It brings together state-of-the-art research on the determinants, mechanisms, and measurement and effects of RBC aggregation as well as on variations and comparative aspects. After an introductory overview, the book outlines factors and conditions that affect RBC aggregation. It presents the two hypotheses—the bridging model and the depletion model—that provide potential mechanisms for the adhesive forces that lead to the regular packing of the cells in rouleaux formations. The book also reviews the methods used to quantify RBC aggregation in vitro, focusing on their importance in clinical practice. Chapters discuss the effect of RBC aggregation on the in vitro rheology of blood as well as on tube flow. The book also looks at what happens in the circulation when red blood cells aggregate and examines variations due to physiological and pathophysiological challenges. The concluding chapter explores the formation of red blood cell aggregates in other mammals. Written by leading researchers in the field, this is an invaluable resource for basic science, medical, and clinical researchers; graduate students; and clinicians interested in mammalian red blood cells.




Handbook of Hemorheology and Hemodynamics


Book Description

This publication primarily focuses on the macro- and micro-rheological behavior of blood and its formed elements, on interactions between the formed elements and blood vessel walls, and on the microvascular aspects of hemodynamics. Since many aspects of hemorheology and hemodynamics are affected by disease or clinical states, these effects are discussed as are hyperviscosity syndromes, therapy for disturbed blood rheology, and methods in hemorheology and hemodynamics. Sections of the Handbook include History of Hemorheology; Hemorheology, covering basic aspects, blood composition, blood rheology, cell mechanics, pathophysiology, methods and comparative studies; Hemodynamics, covering basic principles, microcirculation, in vivo effects, endothelium and methods; and Clinical Aspects of Hemorheology, covering hyperviscosity, clinical significance and treatment. The goal is to foster greater interchange between workers in the fields so as to promote collaborative efforts and, hopefully, improved health. In selecting topics for this handbook the editors have attempted to provide a general overview of both basic science and clinical hemorheology and hemodynamics. Hemorheology and hemodynamics are closely related, the former dealing with all aspects of the flow and interactions of the individual blood cells mostly studied in vitro, the latter with the in vivo relationships among vessel architecture, driving pressure, flow rate and shear stress. The linkage between the in vitro and in vivo research described in the book will be of interest to both basic science and clinical investigators. The editors of the handbook have each been active in the fields of bio- and hemorheology for many years, and have published extensively. They have successfully achieved their objective to publish a well-written and well-edited handbook that will be valuable for researchers and students in the field.




Theory and Applications of Colloidal Suspension Rheology


Book Description

Essential text on the practical application and theory of colloidal suspension rheology, written by an international coalition of experts.




A Portrait of State-of-the-Art Research at the Technical University of Lisbon


Book Description

This book celebrates the 75th anniversary of The Technical University of Lisbon (UTL). It provides a compelling picture of current state-of-art research at UTL. It contains the edited version of the invited lectures from a two day Symposium and brings together a comprehensive summary of high quality research contributions across basic and applied sciences. A broad spectrum of topics is covered reflecting UTL’s worldwide recognition.




Rheology of Filled Polymer Systems


Book Description

Polymerie materials have been replacing other conventional materials like metals, glass and wood in a number of applications. The use of various types of fillers incorporated into the polymer has become quite common as a means of reducing cost and to impart certain desirable mechanieal, thermal, electrieal and magnetic properties to the polymers. Oue to the energy crisis and high priees of petrochemieals, there has been a greater demand to use more and more fillers to cheapen the polymerie materials while maintaining and/or improving their properties. The advantages that filled polymer systems have to offer are normally offset to some extent by the increased complexity in the rheological behavior that is introduced by the inclusion of the fillers. Usually when the use of fillers is considered, a compromise has to be made between the improved mechanieal properties in the solid state, the increased difficulty in melt processing, the problem of achieving uniform dispersion of the filler in the polymer matrix and the economics of the process due to the added step of compounding. It has been recognized that addition of filler to the polymer brings a change in processing behavior. The presence of the filler increases the melt viscosity leading to increases in the pressure drop across the die but gives rise to less die swell due to decreased melt elasticity.




Colloidal Suspension Rheology


Book Description

Presented in an accessible and introductory manner, this is the first book devoted to the comprehensive study of colloidal suspensions.




Applied Physiology in Intensive Care Medicine


Book Description

Te practice of intensive care medicine is at the very forefront of titration of treatment andmonitoringresponse. Te substrateofthiscareisthe criticallyill patientwho,by defnition, is at the limits of his or her physiologic reserve. Such patients need immediate, aggressive but balanced life-altering interventions to minimize the detrimental aspects of acute illness and hasten recovery. Treatmentdecisionsandresponsetotherapyareusually assessed by measures of physiologic function, such as assessed by cardio-respiratory monitoring. However, how one uses such information is ofen unclear and rarely supported by prospective clinical trials. In reality, the bedside clinician is forced to rely primarily on physiologic principles in determining the best treatments and response to therapy. However, the physiologic foundation present in practicing physicians is uneven and occasionally supported more by habit or prior training than science. A series of short papers published in Intensive Care Medicine since 2002 under the heading Physiologic Notes attempts to capture the essence of the physiologic perspectives that underpin both our understanding of disease and response to therapy. Tis present volume combines the complete list of these Physiologic Notes up until July 2006 with the ass o cia t ed r e vie w a r tic les o v er t h e s a m e in t er val t ha t a ls o addr ess e d t hes e cen tral issues.




Hemomath


Book Description

This book illustrates applications of mathematics to various processes (physiological or artificial) involving flowing blood, including hemorheology, microcirculation, coagulation, kidney filtration and dialysis, offering a historical overview of each topic. Mathematical models are used to simulate processes normally occurring in flowing blood and to predict the effects of dysfunctions (e.g. bleeding disorders, renal failure), as well as the effects of therapies with an eye to improving treatments. Most of the models have a completely new approach that makes patient-specific simulations possible. The book is mainly intended for mathematicians interested in medical applications, but it is also useful for clinicians such as hematologists, nephrologists, cardio-surgeons, and bioengineers. Some parts require no specific knowledge of mathematics. The book is a valuable addition to mathematics, medical, biology, and bioengineering libraries.