Robotic Outcome Assessment in a Non-Human Primate Model of Middle Cerebral Artery Stroke

Stroke is a prevalent disorder with immense socioeconomic impact. A variety of chronic neurological deficits result from stroke. In particular, sensorimotor deficits are a significant barrier to achieving post-stroke independence. Unfortunately, the majority of pre-clinical studies that show improved outcomes in animal stroke models have failed in clinical trials. Pre-clinical studies using non-human primate (NHP) stroke models prior to initiating human trials are a potential step to improving translation from animal studies to clinical trials. Robotic assessment tools represent a quantitative, reliable, and reproducible means to assess reaching behaviour following stroke in both humans and NHPs. We investigated the use of robotic technology to assess sensorimotor impairments in NHPs following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Two cynomolgus macaques underwent transient MCAO for 90 minutes. Approximately 1.5 years following the procedure these NHPs and two non-stroke control monkeys were trained in a reaching task with both arms in the KINARM exoskeleton. This robot permits elbow and shoulder movements in the horizontal plane. The task required NHPs to make reaching movements from a centrally positioned start target to 1 of 8 peripheral targets uniformly distributed around the first target. We analyzed four movement parameters: reaction time, movement time (MT), initial direction error (IDE), and number of speed maxima to characterize sensorimotor deficiencies. We hypothesized reduced performance in these attributes during a neurobehavioural task with the paretic limb of NHPs following MCAO compared to controls. Reaching movements in the non-affected limbs of control and experimental NHPs showed bell-shaped velocity profiles. In contrast, the reaching movements with the affected limbs were highly variable. We found distinctive patterns in MT, IDE, and number of speed peaks between control and experimental monkeys and between limbs of NHPs with MCAO. NHPs with MCAO demonstrated more speed peaks, longer MTs, and greater IDE in their paretic limb compared to controls. These initial results qualitatively match human stroke subjects’ performance, suggesting that robotic neurobehavioural assessment in NHPs with stroke is feasible and could have translational relevance in subsequent human studies. Further studies will be necessary to replicate and expand on these preliminary findings.

Thermal model for charring rate calculation in wooden cellular slabs under fire

Wood is a natural and traditional building material, as popular today as ever, and presents advantages. Physically, wood is strong and stiff, but compared with other materials like steel is light and flexible. Wood material can absorb sound very effectively and it is a relatively good heat insulator. But dry wood burns quite easily and produces a great deal of heat energy. The main disadvantage is the high level of combustion when exposed to fire, where the point at which it catches fire is from 200–400°C. After fire exposure, is need to determine if the charred wooden structures are safe for future use. Design methods require the use of computer modelling to predict the fire exposure and the capacity of structures to resist those action. Also, large or small scale experimental tests are necessary to calibrate and verify the numerical models. The thermal model is essential for wood structures exposed to fire, because predicts the charring rate as a function of fire exposure. The charring rate calculation of most structural wood elements allows simple calculations, but is more complicated for situations where the fire exposure is non-standard and in wood elements protected with other materials. In this work, the authors present different case studies using numerical models, that will help professionals analysing woods elements and the type of information needed to decide whether the charred structures are adequate or not to use. Different thermal models representing wooden cellular slabs, used in building construction for ceiling or flooring compartments, will be analysed and submitted to different fire scenarios (with the standard fire curve exposure). The same numerical models, considering insulation material inside the wooden cellular slabs, will be tested to compare and determine the fire time resistance and the charring rate calculation.

Thermal model for charring rate calculation in wooden cellular slabs under fire

Wood is a natural and traditional building material, as popular today as ever, and presents advantages. Physically, wood is strong and stiff, but compared with other materiais like steel is light and flexible. Wood material can absorb sound very effectively and it is a relatively good heat insulator. But dry wood does bum quite easily md produces a great deal ofheat energy. The main disadvantage is the high levei ofcombustion when exposed to fíre, where the point at which it catches fire is fi-om 200-400°C. After fu-e exposure, is need to determine if the charred wooden stmctures are safe for future use. Design methods require the use ofcomputer modelling to predict the fíre exposure and the capacity ofstructures to resist fhose action. Also, large or small scale experimental tests are necessary to calibrate and verify the numerical models. The thermal model is essential for wood stmctures exposed to fire, because predicts the charring rate as a fünction offire exposure. The charring rate calculation ofmost stmctural wood elements allows simple calculations, but is more complicated for situations where the fire exposure is non-standard and in wood elements protected with other materiais.

Dorian and Phrygian reconsidered from a non-harmonic point of view /

Corrected in author's ms.

A non-linear dynamic model for primates. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

The model T Ford car, its construction, operation and repair; a complete practical treatise explaining the operating principles of all parts of the Ford automobile, with complete instructions for driving and maintenance; includes the most thorough and easily understood illustrated instructions on Ford repairing ever published; based on five years' experience of a Ford operator--invaluable to all Ford owners, dealers, salesmen, drivers and repair men--every phase of the subject treated in a non-technical yet comprehensive manner,

Mode of access: Internet.

Proceedings of the International Symposium on Water Quality Modeling of Agricultural Non-Point Sources : June 19-23, 1988, Utah State University, Logan, Utah /

PB90 258 781.

Non-point source water quality monitoring, Inyo National Forest, 1975 : a progress report /

Includes bibliographies.

La science des géométres, ou La théorie et la pratique de la géométrie : contenant non seulement ce qui est compris dans les Elemens d'Euclides, mais encore la trigonometrie, la longimetrie, l'altimetrie, le nivellement, la planimetrie, la géodésie, la méthode des indivisibles ... : ouvrage travaillé dans un goût nouveau & sans aucun calcul, à l'usage de ceux qui ne sont point versés dans l'algebre : enrichi de quarante-sept planches en taille-douce / par M. l'abbé Deidier.

Mode of access: Internet.

Non-point water quality modeling in wildland management : a state-of-the-art assessment /

Issued April, July 1977.

A point energy and mass balance model of a snow cover /

Mode of access: Internet.

Non-point source loading of nutrients in Illinois /

Bibliography: p. 30.

Unit maintenance direct support and general support maintenance repair parts and special tools lists : tractor, full tracked, low speed, diesel-engine driven, sectionalized and non-sectionalized w/angle dozer, winch and rops, model D5BNS, NSN 2410-01-1267-7902 ....

"September 1992."

Organizational, direct support and general support maintenance manual : loader, scoop type, DED, 4x4 articulated, frame steer, 2-1/2 cubic yard, bucket (CCE) airborne/airmobile Caterpillar model 950BNS, non-sectionalized, NSN 3805-01-126-7915, Caterpillar model 950BS, sectionalized, NSN 3805-01-126-7914.

Vol. 2 title: Organizational, direct support and general support maintenance manual including supplemental operating, maintenance and repair parts instructions (SOMARPI): loader, scoop type, DED, 4x4 articulated, frame steer, 2-1/2 cubic yard, bucket (CCE) airborne/airmobile Caterpillar model 950BNS, non-sectionalized, NSN 3805-01-126-7915, Caterpillar model 950BS, sectionalized, NSN 3805-01-126-7914.

Organizational, DS, GS, and depot maintenance manual : crane-shovel, basic unit, truck mounted, 20 ton, 3/4 cu. yd., gasoline engine, 6x6 (American Hoist and Derrick models) model 2360 (non-winterized) FSB 3810-989-0505, model W2360 (winterized) FSN 3810-989-0506.

"December 1974."