The purpose of this research note was to examine whether relationships existed between anthropometrics (body mass, body fat percentage [BF%], and femur length) and descriptive characteristics (age and sex) with repetitions performed to failure at 70% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) in the back squat. Fifty-eight subjects (males = 43, females = 15; age: 23 +/- 3 years, training age: 5.5 +/- 2.5 years, body mass: 80.65 +/- 16.34 kg, BF%: 10.98 +/- 3.53%, and femur length: 47.1 +/- 2.6 cm) completed a 1RM squat followed by one set to failure at 70% of 1RM. Total repetitions performed at 70% of 1RM were 14 +/- 4 (range: 6-26). Bivariate correlations showed significant inverse relationships between body mass (r = -0.352, p = 0.003), BF% (r = -0.278, p = 0.014), and femur length (r = -0.265, p = 0.019), with repetitions performed. No significant relationships existed between age and sex (p > 0.05), with repetitions performed. All these variables entered into a standard multivariate regression. The model R2 was 0.200, and body mass had the largest influence (p = 0.057) because relative importance analysis demonstrated body mass to contribute to 43.87% of the variance (of the R2) in repetitions performed. No other variable was significant or approached significance (p > 0.05). Our results reveal that body mass, BF%, and femur length all are inversely related to repetitions performed at 70% of 1RM in the back squat.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become the most important modality for assessment of pathological changes in the knee cartilage. The assessment of the cartilage is usually made by a set of anatomical MRI images with different sequences. Newer techniques, that map various in MRI parameters, have been developed and allows changes in an earlier stage of the disease. One of these techniques is T2 mapping. The goal of this thesis was to compare this newer technique, T2 mapping, with the standard MRI assessment for assessment of articular cartilage on distal femur in the knee. The purpose was to assess the cartilage with these two different methods and analyze its outcomes. Eight subjects were included in this study and scanned with a 3.0 T or 1.5 T MRI machine. A specific MRI knee protocol was used for the standard MRI assessment, and a multi-echo sequence was used for the T2 mapping. The T2 map was created and analyzed in the program IntelliSpace Portal. Both the standard MRI assessment and the T2 map showed changes in the knee cartilage. The result showed either indication for damage cartilage or healthy cartilage. The standard assessment showed cartilage lesion in three subjects and no lesion in five subjects. The same outcomes were with the T2 mapping. However, not all results were equal. The T2 mapping also showed higher values in the trochlea area where no indications for changes were found in the standard assessment. This study showed similar results for both the standard assessment and the T2 map. Both methods could identify damage and is, therefore, useful for assessment of the knee cartilage. The outcomes of the different methods differ, and the assessment is therefore made in different ways. The T2 mapping can be analyzed both visual and quantitative. The outcomes were both a color map of the knee but also results in graphs and values. The standard assessment is only assessed from grayscale images. The best outcomes from the T2 mapping was when it only was changes within the cartilage and not when the cartilage lesion was adjacent to an underlying bone lesion. Based on what was examined in this work, the best result was when T2 mapping was used together with the anatomical images used in the standard assessment. The conclusion is that the standard assessment is necessary when it comes to make a damage assessment and perform damage marking as for Episurf. The T2 mapping is, however, an interesting method and will be more useful with more applications in the future. It is therefore exciting to keep an eye on the technology and its development. / Magnetisk resonanstomografi (MR) har blivit den viktigaste modaliteten vid bedömning av patologiska förändingar i knäbrosket. Bedömningen av brosket görs vanligtvis med hjälp av anatomiska MR bilder som är skannade med olika sekvenser för att få olika viktningar på bilderna. En nyare teknik, T2 mappning, som kartlägger olika MR prameterar, har utvecklats för att med hjälp av andra parametrar analysera knäbrosket. Den här tekniken har resulterat i att förändringar i brosket kan upptäckas vid ett tidigare stadie i sjukdomsförloppet. Målet med det här examensarbetet var att jämföra de olika teknikerna, T2 mappning och MR-standardbedömningen, för att bedöma ledbrosket på distala lårbenet i knäet. Syftet var att bedöma brosket utifrån dessa olika metoder samt att analysera och jämföra dess resultat. Åtta subjekt ingick i studien och skannades med en 3,0 T eller 1,5 T MR-maskin. Ett specifikt MR-knäprotokoll användes för att skanna sekvenserna som ingick i standard bedömningen och en multi-ekosekvens användes för T2 mappningen. T2-mappningen skapades och analyserades sedan i programmet IntelliSpace Portal. Både standard MR-bedömningen och T2-mappningen visade tydliga förändringar i brosket. Resultatet visade antingen indikationer på skadat eller friskt brosk. Standardbedömningen visade broskskador hos tre subjekt och inga broskskador hos fem subjekt. Samma resultat visades med T2-mappningen. Däremot skilde sig vissa resultat mellan T2 mappningen och standardbedömningen. Då denna studie visade liknande resultat för både standardbedömningen och T2-mappningen, är båda metoderna användbara för bedömning av knäbrosket. De olika metoderna har olika utfall vilket gör att bedömningen sker på olika sätt. I T2 mapping får man ut både en färgkarta över knät men också grafter och värden som kan användas. I standardbedömningen görs bedömningen bara utifrån olika gråskalebilder. T2 mappningen var mest användbar när det var tydliga förändingar i bara brosket och inte när skadan mest var i benet. Det bästa resultatet var däremot när T2 mappning användes tillsammans med standardbedömningen. Slutsatsen är att standardbedömningen är nödvändig när det kommer till att bedömma skador och göra en skademarkering så som för Episurf. T2 mapping är däremot en väldigt intressant teknik men är idag inte en vanlig teknik inom diagnostiken och saknar just nu något tydligt användningsområde. Däremot, finns det stor potential och kommer troligtvis bli vanligare och få fler användingsområden i framtiden.

Establishing a chronology of variation in isotopic values can reveal frailty associated with biological and social age, as well as highlight individuals who vary from typical patterns. Although general dietary characteristics and infant feeding practices were previously unknown for subadults excavated from the cemetery at Alytus, Lithuania (14th-18th centuries), previous research concludes that Alytus' subadults experienced high rates of physiological, metabolic, non-specific stress, in addition to specific diseases like tuberculosis. To investigate nuanced relationships between diet and mortality, nitrogen and carbon stable isotopes from the femoral and humeral midshaft diaphyses of 70 subadults (32 weeks gestation to16 years) were analyzed. Dietary reconstruction reveals that on average, exclusive breastfeeding continued until around 2 years of age when enriched ?13C (-19.6‰) and ?15N values (12.7‰) begin to deplete suggesting introduction of C3 grain gruels and potential weaning-associated infirmity. Nitrogen values remained slightly elevated in children (3-5 years, 11.2‰) until the beginning of juvenility (5-8 years, 10.3‰) when ?15N more closely mirrored adult values (16 years, 10.2‰), consistent with predominant consumption of terrestrial animal protein, possibly with riverine influence. The difference between femoral to humeral ? F-H 13C (-0.05 ±0.25‰, 1?) and ? F-H 15N (- 0.01±0.45‰, 1?) was not significant, though humeral values were on average more enriched. Enrichments in humeral nitrogen and carbon coincided with estimated weaning age. Cohorts experiencing childhood and adolescent growth spurts experienced higher femoral ?13C and ?15N values. Examining dietary experience and physiological changes contributes a holistic understanding of subadult morbidity and mortality experiences in Medieval Lithuania.

<p>Current stabilization methods for periprosthetic fractures of the distal femur have been inadequate in achieving sufficient fixation and can lead to complications rates as high as 29%. Therefore, the overall objective of this study was to design, manufacture and evaluate (experimentally and computationally) a novel plating method for improving the treatment of periprosthetic fractures of the distal femur.</p> <p>Medial and lateral prototype plates were designed and manufactured based on the geometry of a synthetic femur and a femoral prosthesis. The two plates were linked via a compression screw and a small tab on each plate that inserts into pre-existing slots on the prosthesis to enhance rigidity of the construct. Synthetic femurs were used to assess the ability of the prototype plates to stabilize a periprosthetic fracture compared to a traditional single lateral plate. Each femur was subjected to a testing protocol that involved compressive and bending loading of the sample. The relative motion between the distal and proximal fragments during loading was then measured using both 2D and 3D motion tracking techniques. Both techniques revealed that the prototype bilateral plates were able to reduce motion of the fracture site compared to a single lateral plate.</p> <p>The final objective concerned the development of a finite element model to represent the experimental testing. The fracture gap motion obtained from the final model did not completely agree with the experimental data; however, additional experimental measurements found that the majority of these differences could be attributed to simplification made at the tab-slot interaction. Despite the difference, the model represents a significant step forward in the simulation of periprosthetic fracture treatment, and further refinement would allow for optimization of the plate design.</p> <p>Overall, the results of this thesis indicate that an alternative approach to treating periprosthetic fractures exists that is capable of improving fracture stabilization.</p> / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

Introdução: A tomografia computadorizada periférica quantitativa de alta resolução (HR-pQCT) é um método diagnóstico que avalia microarquitetura óssea e estima resistência óssea por análise de elemento finito, facilitando a compreensão da fisiopatologia das fraturas. Objetivo: Avaliar associação de fraturas vertebrais moderadas e graves com parâmetros obtidos na HR-pQCT, escore trabecular ósseo (TBS) e densidade mineral óssea areal em idosos da comunidade. Métodos: Foram recrutados 276 idosos da coorte SPAH. Dados clínicos foram obtidos a partir de um questionário específico. A fratura vertebral (FV) foi avaliada por DXA-VFA utilizando-se o método semiquantitativo de Genant. HR-pQCT e DXA foram realizados no mesmo dia da coleta de sangue. O modelo de regressão logística foi realizado para verificar quais fatores foram associados de forma independente com a fratura vertebral moderada e grave. Resultados: Na tíbia, mulheres com FV moderada/grave apresentaram menor densidade mineral óssea volumétrica, menor número de trabéculas, menores valores dos parâmetros de resistência óssea e maior separação trabecular; e os homens apresentaram menor número de trabéculas, menor parâmetro de resistência óssea e maior separação trabecular. No rádio, as mulheres com FV moderada/grave tinham menor densidade mineral óssea volumétrica, espessura trabecular e cortical e menor valor do parâmetro de análise do elemento finito; e os homens tinham menor densidade mineral óssea volumétrica trabecular e menor valor de parâmetro de análise do elemento finito. Não foram observadas diferenças no TBS em ambos os sexos. A análise de regressão logística revelou que uma menor densidade mineral óssea volumétrica trabecular na tíbia em mulheres (OR: 0,980, 95% CI: 0,963-0,997, p = 0,022) e uma menor densidade mineral óssea areal do colo femoral e fêmur total em homens (OR: 0,002, IC 95%: 0-0,607, p = 0,033 e OR: 0,003, IC 95%: 0-0,623, p = 0,033) foram independentemente associados com FV moderada/grave. Conclusão: As imagens da HR-pQCT detectaram diferenças na microarquitetura óssea em mulheres idosas com FV moderada/grave independente de densidade mineral óssea areal e TBS por DXA; e HRpQCT pode ser uma ferramenta útil para avaliar o risco de fratura. Diferentemente, nos homens, a densidade mineral óssea areal do fêmur foi associada à FV moderada/grave; e a DXA continua sendo uma ferramenta importante para predizer a FV / Background: Many vertebral fractures (VF) occur in individuals classified by DXA as low risk for fragility fractures. Thus, the aim of this study was to verify the association between VF and peripheral bone microarchitecture and strength parameters using also high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) and axial bone microarchitecture by trabecular bone score (TBS). Study design: Cross-sectional study of 276 subjects aged >=65 years from SPAH cohort. Methods: Lateral scans of spine obtained from Vertebral Fracture Assessment by DXA were analyzed to assess VF. HR-pQCT was performed at radius and tibia. TBS was performed using DXA. Results: At tibia, women with Moderate/severe VF had lower volumetric bone density (vBMD), trabecular number (Tb.N), strength parameters and higher trabecular separation (Tb.Sp); and men had lower Tb.N, strength parameters and higher Tb.Sp. At radius, women with moderate/severe VF had lower v.BMD, trabecular and cortical thickness and strength parameters; and men had lower trabecular v.BMD and strength parameters. No differences were observed in TBS in both genders. Logistic regression analysis revealed that lower trabecular vBMD at tibia in women (OR: 0.980, 95%CI: 0.963-0.997, p = 0.022) and lower femoral neck aBMD and total hip in men (OR: 0.002, 95%CI: 0-0.607, p = 0.033 and OR: 0,003, IC 95%: 0-0,623, p = 0,033) were independently associated with VF. Conclusion: HR-pQCT images detected differences on bone microstructure in older women with moderate/severe VF independent of aBMD and TBS by DXA and HR-pQCT could be useful tool to assess fracture risk. Differently, in men femoral aBMD was associated with moderate/severe VF and DXA continue an important tool for predicting VF

Introdução: A tomografia computadorizada periférica quantitativa de alta resolução (HR-pQCT) é um método diagnóstico que avalia microarquitetura óssea e estima resistência óssea por análise de elemento finito, facilitando a compreensão da fisiopatologia das fraturas. Objetivo: Avaliar associação de fraturas vertebrais moderadas e graves com parâmetros obtidos na HR-pQCT, escore trabecular ósseo (TBS) e densidade mineral óssea areal em idosos da comunidade. Métodos: Foram recrutados 276 idosos da coorte SPAH. Dados clínicos foram obtidos a partir de um questionário específico. A fratura vertebral (FV) foi avaliada por DXA-VFA utilizando-se o método semiquantitativo de Genant. HR-pQCT e DXA foram realizados no mesmo dia da coleta de sangue. O modelo de regressão logística foi realizado para verificar quais fatores foram associados de forma independente com a fratura vertebral moderada e grave. Resultados: Na tíbia, mulheres com FV moderada/grave apresentaram menor densidade mineral óssea volumétrica, menor número de trabéculas, menores valores dos parâmetros de resistência óssea e maior separação trabecular; e os homens apresentaram menor número de trabéculas, menor parâmetro de resistência óssea e maior separação trabecular. No rádio, as mulheres com FV moderada/grave tinham menor densidade mineral óssea volumétrica, espessura trabecular e cortical e menor valor do parâmetro de análise do elemento finito; e os homens tinham menor densidade mineral óssea volumétrica trabecular e menor valor de parâmetro de análise do elemento finito. Não foram observadas diferenças no TBS em ambos os sexos. A análise de regressão logística revelou que uma menor densidade mineral óssea volumétrica trabecular na tíbia em mulheres (OR: 0,980, 95% CI: 0,963-0,997, p = 0,022) e uma menor densidade mineral óssea areal do colo femoral e fêmur total em homens (OR: 0,002, IC 95%: 0-0,607, p = 0,033 e OR: 0,003, IC 95%: 0-0,623, p = 0,033) foram independentemente associados com FV moderada/grave. Conclusão: As imagens da HR-pQCT detectaram diferenças na microarquitetura óssea em mulheres idosas com FV moderada/grave independente de densidade mineral óssea areal e TBS por DXA; e HRpQCT pode ser uma ferramenta útil para avaliar o risco de fratura. Diferentemente, nos homens, a densidade mineral óssea areal do fêmur foi associada à FV moderada/grave; e a DXA continua sendo uma ferramenta importante para predizer a FV / Background: Many vertebral fractures (VF) occur in individuals classified by DXA as low risk for fragility fractures. Thus, the aim of this study was to verify the association between VF and peripheral bone microarchitecture and strength parameters using also high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) and axial bone microarchitecture by trabecular bone score (TBS). Study design: Cross-sectional study of 276 subjects aged >=65 years from SPAH cohort. Methods: Lateral scans of spine obtained from Vertebral Fracture Assessment by DXA were analyzed to assess VF. HR-pQCT was performed at radius and tibia. TBS was performed using DXA. Results: At tibia, women with Moderate/severe VF had lower volumetric bone density (vBMD), trabecular number (Tb.N), strength parameters and higher trabecular separation (Tb.Sp); and men had lower Tb.N, strength parameters and higher Tb.Sp. At radius, women with moderate/severe VF had lower v.BMD, trabecular and cortical thickness and strength parameters; and men had lower trabecular v.BMD and strength parameters. No differences were observed in TBS in both genders. Logistic regression analysis revealed that lower trabecular vBMD at tibia in women (OR: 0.980, 95%CI: 0.963-0.997, p = 0.022) and lower femoral neck aBMD and total hip in men (OR: 0.002, 95%CI: 0-0.607, p = 0.033 and OR: 0,003, IC 95%: 0-0,623, p = 0,033) were independently associated with VF. Conclusion: HR-pQCT images detected differences on bone microstructure in older women with moderate/severe VF independent of aBMD and TBS by DXA and HR-pQCT could be useful tool to assess fracture risk. Differently, in men femoral aBMD was associated with moderate/severe VF and DXA continue an important tool for predicting VF

La position assise peut être source d'inconfort, particulièrement en avion lors des vols longcourriers. Cet inconfort provient en partie de facteurs mécaniques liés à l'interaction entre le siège et le passager. Disposer de modèles biomécaniques pouvant simuler cette interaction et estimer ces facteurs permettrait d'optimiser le design du siège d'avion lors de sa phase de conception afin d'améliorer son ergonomie et réduire l'inconfort du passager. L'objectif de cette thèse est de développer un outil numérique permettant d'estimer les facteurs mécaniques menant à l'inconfort et la fatigue des passagers. Cet outil combine deux différents types de modèles. Un modèle éléments finis permettant de simuler la déformation des tissus sous-cutanés et un modèle corps rigides permettant d'estimer les efforts musculaires et articulaires. Une méthode de couplage des deux modèles a été développée permettant ainsi de simuler une position à partir de laquelle l'ensemble des facteurs d'inconfort sont estimés. Un modèle éléments finis a été développé après avoir fait une étude de sensibilité sur les différents paramètres de modélisation (maillage, géométrie, lois matériaux). Un modèle corps rigides développé par Anybody a été utilisé pour être couplé avec ce modèle éléments finis. Cette méthode de couplage itératif entre les deux modèles a permis de réaliser un ajustement de la posture initiale dans le siège. Afin de simuler l'ensemble de la population et sa grande diversité morphologique, un modèle surfacique paramétrique a été développé à partir de données 3d expérimentales, ce modèle surfacique permettant ainsi d'obtenir un modèle éléments finis représentant tout type d'anthropométrie. Différents processus de validation ont été effectués à l'aide de données et d'un modèle « sujetspécifique ». Les données de pression externe simulées ont été comparées à des données expérimentales. Une étude expérimentale sous IRM ouvert a permis de mesurer les déformations des différents tissus sous-cutanés afin de les comparer aux données simulées. Un outil numérique est donc aujourd'hui disponible pour simuler l'impact du siège sur les passagers, cependant de futures études devraient se concentrer d'une part sur les modèles en étudiant la variation morphologique interne inter individus, le positionnement dans le siège ainsi que l'influence du temps sur les tissus mous et d'autres part sur la définition de critères d'inconfort et de fatigue (inconfort considéré sur des temps longs représentatifs d'un vol long-courrier) / The sitting position could be a source of discomfort, in particular in a long haul flight. This discomfort comes partially from mechanical factors linked to the interaction between the passenger and the seat. Having biomechanical models which can simulate this interaction and estimate these factors would allow optimizing the seat design in its conception phase to improve it ergonomic quality and reduce the passenger discomfort. The objective of this thesis is to develop a digital tool allowing estimating the mechanical factors leading to discomfort and fatigue of the passenger. This tool assemble two kinds of models, a finite element model allowing to simulate the sub dermal tissue deformation and a multibody model allowing to estimate the muscular and joint forces. A coupling method of the two models have been developed allowing simulating a position from where the all discomfort factors are estimated. A finite element model has been developed after having done a sensitivity analysis on the different model parameters (mesh, geometry, material law). A multibody model developed by Anybody was used to be associated with this finite element model. This iterative coupling method between the two models allowed realizing an adjustment of the initial posture in the seat. To simulate the whole population and is large morphological diversity, a parametric shape model was developed from 3d experimental data, this shape model allowing to obtain a finite element model representing any kind of anthropometry. Different validation processes have been realized with experimental data and subject-specific model. The simulated extern pressures were compared to experimental data. An experimental study done in an open MRI allowed to measure the different subcutaneous tissue to compare it to the simulated data. A digital tool is consequently now available to simulate the impact of the seat on the passenger, however future studies should focus on the one hand on the models studying the internal morphological variations between people, the person positioning in the seat, the time influence on the soft tissue and on the other hand on the discomfort and fatigue criteria

This work describes advanced fabrication of custom orthopaedic implants using unconventional additive manufacturing technology - Selective Laser Melting (SLM). There was a main focus on custom knee replacement and certainly on its femoral component. The study investigated three general issues within the domain of the usage of additive manufacturing technology in medical application. First, there was an evaluation of process parameters influences of SLM fabrication method on surface and mechanical properties of titanium Ti6Al4V ELI specimens. This material was used because of its biocompatibility and its wide use within implant fabrication. Then, a proposal of the manufacturing strategy was carried out and the fabrication of customized knee femoral component prototype by SLM technology was done. The elaboration of the numerical chain prior the SLM implant fabrication, from patient's CT knee scan to final femoral replacement model, was also done. Then, a proposal of different 3-axis and 5-axis strategies of machining of the fitting femoral surface of bone prototype (3D printed from the powder) using CNC machines FV 25 CNC and TAJMAC ZPS MCV 1210 was projected and also, the 3-axis spiral machining was realised. The individual machining tool paths were generated by software Power Mill from Delcam group. Finally, these machining strategies were generated as a prior step before a machining of real patient’s bone, therefore the machining tests of cartilage and bone were done.

In this thesis a method was developed to reconstruct both the 3D shape and the BMD distribution of bone structures from Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) images. The method incorporates a statistical model built from a large dataset of Quantitative Computed Tomography (QCT) scans together with a 3D-2D intensity based registration process. The method was evaluated for its ability to reconstruct the proximal femur from a single DXA image. The resulting parameters of the reconstructions were subsequently evaluated for their hip fracture discrimination ability. The reconstruction method was finally extended to the reconstruction of the lumbar vertebrae from anteroposterior and lateral DXA, thereby incorporating a multi-object and multi-view approach. These techniques can potentially improve the fracture risk estimation accuracy over current clinical practice. / En esta tesis se desarrolló un método para reconstruir tanto la forma 3D de estructuras óseas como la distribución de la DMO a partir de una sola imagen de DXA. El método incorpora un modelo estadístico construido a partir de una gran base de datos de QCT junto con una técnica de registro 3D-2D basada en intensidades. Se ha evaluado la capacidad del método para reconstruir la parte proximal del fémur a partir de una imagen DXA. Los parámetros resultantes de las reconstrucciones fueron evaluados posteriormente por su capacidad en discriminar una fractura de cadera. Por fin, se extendió el método a la reconstrucción de las vértebras lumbares a partir de DXA anteroposterior y lateral incorporando así un enfoque multi-objeto y multi-vista. Estos técnicas pueden potencialmente mejorar la precisión en la estimación del riesgo de fractura respecto a la estimación que ofrece la práctica clínica actual.

Fracture to the neck of femur is frequently stabilised with a hip screw system, however the host bone is often weak or osteoporotic. This causes premature failure of the system, commonly by cut-out of the lag screw through the head of the femur. While augmentation of the fixation with bone cement improves the holding power and decreases failure rate, current methods of administering the cement are messy and inaccurate. This project proposes a lag screw design which allows for direct injection of the cement, via the lag screw itself, after the screw has been inserted and correctly positioned in the femur. A method is also suggested to reduce the risk of cement leakage into the joint space when the guide wire has punctured the head of the femur. The design uses a system of holes in the threaded section of a cannulated screw to allow delivery of cement to the desired area; the modified screw was also tested with and without the tip of the screw closed. These design and implantation techniques were compared to the standard design lag screw both with and without bone cement augmentation by traditional methods. Initial testing in a synthetic bone analogue looked promising. The modified screw with closed end performed better in push out tests than the standard screw alone and comparably with the standard screw with cement augmentation. A second phase of testing with the synthetic material was then conducted to more closely represent physiological loading conditions. In this case again the closed ended modified screw with cement augmentation outperformed the original screw and was comparable with the augmented original screw. However, during this phase of testing problems were observed with the synthetic testing material and it was decided to conduct further testing in paired porcine cadaveric femurs. Several further problems occurred in this phase of testing, including the bending of the test screws. It was concluded that the modified screw showed potential in being a more accurate and consistent method of cement augmentation, however neither the synthetic bone analogue or the porcine material was an adequate model of an osteoporotic human femur. If a suitable testing material could be found, continued study of this prototype may prove beneficial.