Shape Memory Alloys Applied to Automotive Adaptive Aerodynamics.

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are gaining popularity in the fields of automotive and aerospace engineering due to their unique thermomechanical properties. This paper proposes a numerical implementation of a comprehensive constitutive model for simulating the thermomechanical behavior of shape memory alloys, with temperature and strain as control variables to adjust the shape memory effect and super elasticity effect of the material. By implementing this model as a user subroutine in the FE code Abaqus/Standard, it becomes possible to account for variations in material properties in complex components made of shape memory alloys.

Validation of Left Atrial Volume Estimation by Left Atrial Diameter from the Parasternal Long-Axis View.

Background: Measurement of left atrial (LA) volume (LAV) is recommended for quantification of LA size. Only LA anteroposterior diameter (LAd) is available in a number of large cohorts, trials, or registries. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether LAV may be reasonably estimated from LAd.

Atrial Dilatation Development in Hypertensive Treated Patients: The Campania-Salute Network.

Background: Left atrial (LA) dilatation is associated with unfavorable outcome in hypertension. However, there are few data on clinical, demographic, and echocardiographic findings correlated with LA dilatation development.

Methods: From the Campania-Salute Network registry, we identified 5,375 hypertensive patients (52±11 years, 38% women) in normal sinus rhythm, with normal LA diameter (parasternal short-axis <24.