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Hong Qian^∗, Hao Ge^†
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.9, No.1, pp. 1-30, 2012, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2012.009.001
Abstract Biochemical reaction systems in mesoscopic volume, under sustained environmental chemical gradient(s), can have multiple stochastic attractors. Two distinct mechanisms are known for their origins: (a) Stochastic single-molecule events, such as gene expression, with slow gene on-off dynamics; and (b) nonlinear networks with feedbacks. These two mechanisms yield different volume dependence for the sojourn time of an attractor. As in the classic Arrhenius theory for temperature dependent transition rates, a landscape perspective provides a natural framework for the system's behavior. However, due to the nonequilibrium nature of the open chemical systems, the landscape, and the attractors More >

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1251

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Ze-Wei Zhang^*, Hui Wang^†, Qing-Hua Qin^∗,‡
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.9, No.1, pp. 31-54, 2012, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2012.009.031
Abstract This paper presents a hybrid finite element model for describing quantitatively the thermal responses of skin tissue under laser irradiation. The model is based on the boundary integral-based finite element method and the Pennes bioheat transfer equation. In this study, temporal discretization of the bioheat system is first performed and leads to the well-known modified Helmholtz equation. A radial basis function approach and the boundary integral based finite element method are employed to obtain particular and homogeneous solutions of the laser-tissue interaction problem. In the boundary integral based finite element formulation, two independent fields are More >

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1161

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Ricky Martinez^†, Hai-Chao Han^‡
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.9, No.1, pp. 55-76, 2012, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2012.009.055
Abstract The stability of arteries is essential to normal arterial functions and loss of stability can lead to arterial tortuosity and kinking. Collagen is a main extracellular matrix component that modulates the mechanical properties of arteries and collagen degradation at pathological conditions weakens the mechanical strength of arteries. However, the effects of collagen degradation on the mechanical stability of arteries are unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of collagen degradation on the critical buckling pressure of arteries. Arterial specimens were subjected to pressurized inflation testing and fitted with nonlinear thick-walled cylindrical… More >

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1105

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Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.9, No.1, pp. 77-94, 2012, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2012.009.077
Abstract Image-based computational modeling has been introduced for vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques to identify critical mechanical conditions which may be used for better plaque assessment and rupture predictions. In vivo patient-specific coronary plaque models are lagging due to limitations on non-invasive image resolution, flow data, and vessel material properties. A framework is proposed to combine intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging, biaxial mechanical testing and computational modeling with fluid-structure interactions and anisotropic material properties to acquire better and more complete plaque data and make more accurate plaque vulnerability assessment and predictions. Impact of pre-shrink-stretch process, vessel curvature and high More >

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1182