Abstract: A Phase-locked loop circuit including: a local oscillator, configured to generate a timing signal; a variable-length shift register, controlled by the timing signal; and a feedback control circuit, which receives a pulsed input signal and receives a local signal from the shift register. The feedback control circuit detects whether each pulse of the input signal respects a condition of temporal proximity with a corresponding pulse of the local signal and detects, for each pulse of the input signal that respects the proximity condition, whether the edge falls early, late, or within a predefined portion of the corresponding pulse of the local signal. The feedback control circuit controls the length of the shift register and the frequency of the timing signal, as a function of the detections made.

Abstract: A Phase-locked loop circuit including: a local oscillator, configured to generate a timing signal; a variable-length shift register, controlled by the timing signal; and a feedback control circuit, which receives a pulsed input signal and receives a local signal from the shift register. The feedback control circuit detects whether each pulse of the input signal respects a condition of temporal proximity with a corresponding pulse of the local signal (Voce) and detects, for each pulse of the input signal that respects the proximity condition, whether the edge falls early, late, or within a predefined portion of the corresponding pulse of the local signal. The feedback control circuit controls the length of the shift register and the frequency of the timing signal, as a function of the detections made.

Abstract: The bioassay process for the determination of alterations in neuronal connectivity and/or morphology comprises the operations of:—identifying the critical distance corresponding to which a pair of spaced single neuronal cells, subjected to the assay, is still able to form reciprocally interconnecting neuritic extensions, after a predetermined incubation period under conditions which favour the formation of such neuritic extensions, wherein each of said single neuronal cells is adhered to a respective spot of a substance promoting the adhesion of said neuronal cells, said spots being deposited at a distance from one another onto a substrate inhibiting the adhesion of neuronal cells, and—comparing the critical distance identified with the critical distance determined, under the same conditions, for reference cells, wherein a decrease in said critical distance for the neuronal cells subjected to the assay, relative to the critical distance for the reference cells, is indicative of an alteration in the neuronal c