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- Macfarlane, M. D., et al.
(author)
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Shape abnormalities of the caudate nucleus correlate with poorer gait and balance: Results from a subset of the ladis study
- 2015
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In: The American journal of geriatric psychiatry. - : Elsevier BV. - 1064-7481. ; 23:1, s. 59-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective Functional deficits seen in several neurodegenerative disorders have been linked with dysfunction in frontostriatal circuits and with associated shape alterations in striatal structures. The severity of visible white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) on magnetic resonance imaging has been found to correlate with poorer performance on measures of gait and balance. This study aimed to determine whether striatal volume and shape changes were correlated with gait dysfunction. Methods Magnetic resonance imaging scans and clinical gait/balance data (scores from the Short Physical Performance Battery [SPPB]) were sourced from 66 subjects in the previously published LADIS trial, performed in nondisabled individuals older than age 65 years with WMHs at study entry. Data were obtained at study entry and at 3-year follow-up. Caudate nuclei and putamina were manually traced using a previously published method and volumes calculated. The relationships between volume and physical performance on the SPPB were investigated with shape analysis using the spherical harmonic shape description toolkit. Results There was no correlation between the severity of WMHs and striatal volumes. Caudate nuclei volume correlated with performance on the SPPB at baseline but not at follow-up, with subsequent shape analysis showing left caudate changes occurred in areas corresponding to inputs of the dorsolateral prefrontal, premotor, and motor cortex. There was no correlation between putamen volumes and performance on the SPPB. Conclusion Disruption in frontostriatal circuits may play a role in mediating poorer physical performance in individuals with WMHs. Striatal volume and shape changes may be suitable biomarkers for functional changes in this population. © 2015 American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry.
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| 2. |
- Donati, C., et al.
(author)
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Are FPCIs a source of increased risk for children? Results of a multicenter, experimental study comparing children´s behaviour with FPCIs and toys
- 2007
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In: Journal of Safety Research. - : Elsevier. - 0022-4375 .- 1879-1247. ; 38, s. 589-596
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Food Products Containing Inedibles (FPCIs) are believed to represent a source of higher choking risk in children. The aim of this study was to set up a controlled study, conducted on children aged 3-6 in a laboratory setting, in order to understand their behavior when interacting with FPCIs (with reference to mouthing activities, double nature recognition, and toy assembling ability). METHOD: The experimental phase was divided into two sessions: a FPCI session and a Toy session, to which 247 children were randomly assigned. During these sessions children were observed in order to catch their mouthing activity according to the two types of objects available to them (FPCIs and Toys). RESULTS: This study shows that: (a) children's behavior with respect to toys contained in FPCIs and toys presented alone is not significantly different; (b) children's ability to distinguish between the edible and non-edible part of the FPCI was very high; and (c) mouthing episodes of the inedible parts were negligible and comparable between FPCIs and toys presented alone. This strongly suggests that, with respect to choking risk, FPCIs are not per se distinguishable from toys containing small parts. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Restrictions on the sale of FPCIs with small toys exist in the U.S. market. In Europe, FPCIs are allowed to be on sale, under the condition that, in case, they will follow the general regulatory requirements of small toys packaged and sold alone. In this case, they must provide age warnings and labels. Our findings do not justify the different attention that toys in FPCIs are at times afforded by regulators when compared to "stand alone" toys.
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| 3. |
- Mäntylä, P., et al.
(author)
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Improved thickness and shape accuracy with advanced pass scheduling in plate rolling
- 1992
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In: Journal of Materials Processing Technology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0924-0136 .- 1873-4774. ; 34, s. 255-263
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The so-called CROWN programs have been developed as a result of the co-operation in the Scandinavian Steel Industry. They consist of separate physical models for calculation of plate or strip temperature and roll thermal expansion, wear and elastic deformation. Flatness and residual stresses in the material are deduced from the relative change in profile during rolling with the aid of a shape vector method which considers the transverse metal flow in the roll gap. The CROWNON model is an on-line model which can be used for process control in rolling mills. A new optimized pass schedule generation system has been developed for the plate mill in Rautaruukki. The pass schedule is calculated in the forward direction for the sizing pass, broadside passes and the longitudinal passes. The drafts for the broadside and the first longitudinal passes are limited by maximum force, torque and strain. For the last longitudinal passes, the shape vector method is applied and the draft is restricted by the maximum steepness and flatness criteria. The change in the relative elongation differences between the centre and the edge of the plate together with experimentally determined values for the transverse metal flow (e.g. ξ-values) are used in the schedule calculation. To predict correct rolling loads during the scheduling, an adaptive temperature-dependant force-draft model is used based on statistical analysis of the rolling process. The system has decreased the number of passes, improved the yield and has provided the possibility of rolling thin, wide plates, e.g. 4.7 × 3250 mm with good flatness and minimum crown. The barrel length of Rautaruukki's plate mill is 3,6 m and the maximum rolling speed is 5 m/s. During the last years two dimensional and three dimensional Finite Element simulations of hot rolling of flat products have been made. The calculated rolling forces show very good agreement with experiments made in Rautaruukki's plate mill. © 1992.
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