The aim of this thesis is to investigate lexical replacement processes from several complementary perspectives. It does so through three studies, each with a different scope and time depth. The first study (chapter 3) takes a high time depth perspective and investigates factors that affect the rate (likelihood) of lexical replacement in the core vocabulary of 98 Indo-European language varieties through a multiple linear regression model. The chapter shows that the following factors predict part of the rate of lexical replacement for non-grammatical concepts: frequency, the number of synonyms and senses, and how imageable the concept is in the mind. What looks like a straightforward lexical replacement at a high time depth perspective is better understood as several intertwined gradual processes of lexical change at lower time depths. The second study (chapter 5) narrows the focus to seven closely-related Germanic language varieties (English, German, Bernese, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, and Icelandic) and a single semantic domain, namely color.  The chapter charts several lexical replacement and change processes in the pink and purple area of color space through experiments with 146 speakers. The third study (chapter 6) narrows the focus even more, to two generations of speakers of a single language, Swedish. It combines experimental data on how the two age groups partition and label the color space in general, and pink and purple in particular, with more detailed data on lexical replacement and change from interviews, color descriptions in historical and contemporary dictionaries, as well as botanical lexicons, and historical fiction corpora. This thesis makes a descriptive, methodological and theoretical contribution to the study of lexical replacement. Taken together, the different perspectives highlight the usefulness of method triangulation in approaching the complex phenomenon of lexical replacement.

A pós-menopausa é marcada por alterações fisiológicas hemodinâmicas e metabólicas. A terapia de reposição estrogênica é uma forma de amenizar as conseqüências da deficiência hormonal e o exercício físico contribui significativamente para a redução do risco cardiovascular. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar em mulheres pós-menopausadas os efeitos isolados e associados da terapia oral estrogênica (TRH) e do treinamento físico aeróbio (TF) nas respostas hemodinâmicas e neurais basais e durante os exercícios com handgrip. Quarenta e cinco mulheres (51±3 anos), histerectomizadas, com e sem ovários, saudáveis, realizaram uma sessão experimental e, posteriormente foram divididas em 4 grupos SED-PLA (n=11), SED-TRH (n=14), TF-PLA (n=12) e TF-TRH (n=8). Os grupos TRH e receberam valerato de estradiol 1mg/dia; PLA receberam placebo; TF, realizaram exercício aeróbio em cicloergômetro por 50 minutos, 3 vezes por semana e SED permaneceram sedentárias. Todas as voluntárias participaram de uma segunda sessão experimental após 6 meses de acompanhamento. Nas sessões experimentais foram avaliadas a atividade nervosa simpática periférica (ANSP - microneurografia), pressão arterial, freqüência cardíaca (FC - método oscilométrico Dixtal no membro inferior), fluxo sangüíneo do antebraço (FSA - pletismografia) em um período basal e durante exercícios estático e dinâmico com handgrip a 30% da força de contração máxima. Para análise estatística foi utilizada ANOVA. O TF isoladamente diminuiu ANSP de 40±7 a 34±4 impulsos/min, (P=0,01) e aumentou FSA de 1,92±0,96 a 2,65±1,34 ml(min.100ml), P=0,03 no período basal. TRH e TF associados reduziram a FC no período basal de 65±8 para 62±7 bpm (P=0,01) e durante o exercício estático e dinâmico com handgrip. A TRH de maneira isolada ou associada ao TF diminuiu as respostas de FC durante os exercícios estático e dinâmico com handgrip. Em conclusão, as intervenções de maneira isolada ou associada promovem alterações hemodinâmicas e neurais que podem contribuir para redução do risco cardiovascular de mulheres pós-menopausadas saudáveis. / The post-menopause is marked by physiological hemodynamic and metabolic changes. The estrogen replacement therapy is a way to reduce the consequences of hormone deficiency and physical exercise contributes significantly to the reduction of cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate in post-menopausal women the isolated and associated effects of oral estrogen therapy (TRH) and physical training (TF) in the neural and hemodynamic responses during baseline and \"handgrip\" exercises. Forty-five women (51 ± 3 years), hysterectomized, with or without ovaries, healthy, participated of an initial session and then they were divided into 4 groups SEDPLA (n = 11), SED-TRH (n = 14), TF-PLA (n = 12) and TF-TRH (n = 8). The TRH groups received estradiol valerate 1 mg / day; PLA placebo; TF, performed aerobic exercise on a cycle ergometer for 50 minutes, 3 times a week and SED remained sedentary. All subjects participated in a second experimental session after 6 months of follow-up. In the experimental sessions peripheral sympathetic nerve activity (ANSP - microneurography), blood pressure, heart rate (FC - oscillometry - Dixtal lower limb), forearm blood flow (FSA - plethysmography) were evaluated at the baseline period and during static and dynamic \"handgrip\" exercises at 30% of the maximum force. ANOVA was used for the statistica analysis. The TF alone decreased ANSP from 40 ± 7 to 34 ± 4 bursts/min, P = 0.01 and increased FSA 1.92 ± 0.96 to 2.65 ± 1.34 ml (min.100ml), P = 0.03 at the baseline. The association of TRH and TF reduced HR at the baseline from 65 ± 8 to 62 ± 7 bpm (P=0.01) and during exercise with static and dynamic \"handgrip\". HRT alone or associated with TF decreased the HR responses during static and dynamic \"handgrip exercises. In conclusion, the interventions alone or in an associated way promote neural and hemodynamic changes that may contribute to cardiovascular risk reduction in healthy postmenopausal women.

A pós-menopausa é marcada por alterações fisiológicas hemodinâmicas e metabólicas. A terapia de reposição estrogênica é uma forma de amenizar as conseqüências da deficiência hormonal e o exercício físico contribui significativamente para a redução do risco cardiovascular. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar em mulheres pós-menopausadas os efeitos isolados e associados da terapia oral estrogênica (TRH) e do treinamento físico aeróbio (TF) nas respostas hemodinâmicas e neurais basais e durante os exercícios com handgrip. Quarenta e cinco mulheres (51±3 anos), histerectomizadas, com e sem ovários, saudáveis, realizaram uma sessão experimental e, posteriormente foram divididas em 4 grupos SED-PLA (n=11), SED-TRH (n=14), TF-PLA (n=12) e TF-TRH (n=8). Os grupos TRH e receberam valerato de estradiol 1mg/dia; PLA receberam placebo; TF, realizaram exercício aeróbio em cicloergômetro por 50 minutos, 3 vezes por semana e SED permaneceram sedentárias. Todas as voluntárias participaram de uma segunda sessão experimental após 6 meses de acompanhamento. Nas sessões experimentais foram avaliadas a atividade nervosa simpática periférica (ANSP - microneurografia), pressão arterial, freqüência cardíaca (FC - método oscilométrico Dixtal no membro inferior), fluxo sangüíneo do antebraço (FSA - pletismografia) em um período basal e durante exercícios estático e dinâmico com handgrip a 30% da força de contração máxima. Para análise estatística foi utilizada ANOVA. O TF isoladamente diminuiu ANSP de 40±7 a 34±4 impulsos/min, (P=0,01) e aumentou FSA de 1,92±0,96 a 2,65±1,34 ml(min.100ml), P=0,03 no período basal. TRH e TF associados reduziram a FC no período basal de 65±8 para 62±7 bpm (P=0,01) e durante o exercício estático e dinâmico com handgrip. A TRH de maneira isolada ou associada ao TF diminuiu as respostas de FC durante os exercícios estático e dinâmico com handgrip. Em conclusão, as intervenções de maneira isolada ou associada promovem alterações hemodinâmicas e neurais que podem contribuir para redução do risco cardiovascular de mulheres pós-menopausadas saudáveis. / The post-menopause is marked by physiological hemodynamic and metabolic changes. The estrogen replacement therapy is a way to reduce the consequences of hormone deficiency and physical exercise contributes significantly to the reduction of cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate in post-menopausal women the isolated and associated effects of oral estrogen therapy (TRH) and physical training (TF) in the neural and hemodynamic responses during baseline and \"handgrip\" exercises. Forty-five women (51 ± 3 years), hysterectomized, with or without ovaries, healthy, participated of an initial session and then they were divided into 4 groups SEDPLA (n = 11), SED-TRH (n = 14), TF-PLA (n = 12) and TF-TRH (n = 8). The TRH groups received estradiol valerate 1 mg / day; PLA placebo; TF, performed aerobic exercise on a cycle ergometer for 50 minutes, 3 times a week and SED remained sedentary. All subjects participated in a second experimental session after 6 months of follow-up. In the experimental sessions peripheral sympathetic nerve activity (ANSP - microneurography), blood pressure, heart rate (FC - oscillometry - Dixtal lower limb), forearm blood flow (FSA - plethysmography) were evaluated at the baseline period and during static and dynamic \"handgrip\" exercises at 30% of the maximum force. ANOVA was used for the statistica analysis. The TF alone decreased ANSP from 40 ± 7 to 34 ± 4 bursts/min, P = 0.01 and increased FSA 1.92 ± 0.96 to 2.65 ± 1.34 ml (min.100ml), P = 0.03 at the baseline. The association of TRH and TF reduced HR at the baseline from 65 ± 8 to 62 ± 7 bpm (P=0.01) and during exercise with static and dynamic \"handgrip\". HRT alone or associated with TF decreased the HR responses during static and dynamic \"handgrip exercises. In conclusion, the interventions alone or in an associated way promote neural and hemodynamic changes that may contribute to cardiovascular risk reduction in healthy postmenopausal women.

<p>Under 1990-talet implementerades i Sverige en metod för behandling av aggressivitethos barn och unga, som kallas Aggression Replacement Training (ART). Metoden ärutvecklad i USA av Arnold P. Goldstein och hans kollegor. Metoden har sin teoretiskagrund inom den sociala inlärningsteorin och bygger till stor del på behandlingsprinciperinspirerade av kognitiv beteendeterapi. ART som behandlingsmetod för aggressiva barnoch unga har fått stor spridning i Sverige och en av de kommuner som erbjuder ARTsom öppenvårdsinsats inom socialtjänsten är Västerås. Denna uppsats utgår från ettuppdrag från familjebehandlingen i Västerås Stad, som önskar belysa vilka eventuellaupplevda effekter deras variant av ART har gett. Förutom detta syftar uppsatsen ocksåtill att teoretiskt beskriva ART med avseende på teoretiskt ursprung och praktiskttillämpning. Studien, som har en kvalitativ ansats, utgår från en specifikbehandlingsgrupp om fem barn, vars föräldrar har intervjuats om vilka eventuellaeffekter de upplever att behandlingen gett. Resultaten är inte helt entydiga, då vissaföräldrar väldigt tydligt upplevt stora förbättringar när det gäller ilska och aggressivitethos sitt barn, medan andra föräldrar inte tycker sig se några större förändringar.Genomgående är dock föräldrarna nöjda med metoden och dess genomförande somsådant, men efterfrågar t.ex. intensivare och mer långvariga insatser för att ökamöjligheten för deras barn att ta till sig behandlingen fullt ut.</p> / <p>During the 1990’s a method of treatment for aggression and anger problems in childrenand youth was introduced in Sweden, witch is called Aggression Replacement Training(ART). ART was first developed in the United States, by Arnold P. Goldstein andcolleagues. The method has its theoretical foundation in the social learning theory and isinspired by the treatment principles found in cognitive behavioural therapy. ART as atreatment method for aggressive children and youth has been widely spread in Swedenand one of the cities that offers ART within their social services are Västerås. This essayis a mission from the unit of family treatment in Västerås Stad, who has an interest inelucidate possible treatment outcomes from their work with ART. In addition to that, thepurpose of this essay is to describe the theoretical foundations and practical appliancesof ART. This study, which has a qualitative approach, emanate from a specific treatmentgroup of five children, whose parents has been interviewed about what, if any, outcomethey experience that the treatment has resulted in. The results are not really univocal.Some of the parents experience very significant improvements in their child’sexpression of anger and aggressiveness, whereas some other parents don’t experienceany improvement at all. Consistently though, all of the parents are very pleased with themethod itself and its implementation, but some of them ask for more intensive and farreachinginterventions, to increase the possibilities for their children to fully ingest thetreatment.Key</p>

Under 1990-talet implementerades i Sverige en metod för behandling av aggressivitethos barn och unga, som kallas Aggression Replacement Training (ART). Metoden ärutvecklad i USA av Arnold P. Goldstein och hans kollegor. Metoden har sin teoretiskagrund inom den sociala inlärningsteorin och bygger till stor del på behandlingsprinciperinspirerade av kognitiv beteendeterapi. ART som behandlingsmetod för aggressiva barnoch unga har fått stor spridning i Sverige och en av de kommuner som erbjuder ARTsom öppenvårdsinsats inom socialtjänsten är Västerås. Denna uppsats utgår från ettuppdrag från familjebehandlingen i Västerås Stad, som önskar belysa vilka eventuellaupplevda effekter deras variant av ART har gett. Förutom detta syftar uppsatsen ocksåtill att teoretiskt beskriva ART med avseende på teoretiskt ursprung och praktiskttillämpning. Studien, som har en kvalitativ ansats, utgår från en specifikbehandlingsgrupp om fem barn, vars föräldrar har intervjuats om vilka eventuellaeffekter de upplever att behandlingen gett. Resultaten är inte helt entydiga, då vissaföräldrar väldigt tydligt upplevt stora förbättringar när det gäller ilska och aggressivitethos sitt barn, medan andra föräldrar inte tycker sig se några större förändringar.Genomgående är dock föräldrarna nöjda med metoden och dess genomförande somsådant, men efterfrågar t.ex. intensivare och mer långvariga insatser för att ökamöjligheten för deras barn att ta till sig behandlingen fullt ut. / During the 1990’s a method of treatment for aggression and anger problems in childrenand youth was introduced in Sweden, witch is called Aggression Replacement Training(ART). ART was first developed in the United States, by Arnold P. Goldstein andcolleagues. The method has its theoretical foundation in the social learning theory and isinspired by the treatment principles found in cognitive behavioural therapy. ART as atreatment method for aggressive children and youth has been widely spread in Swedenand one of the cities that offers ART within their social services are Västerås. This essayis a mission from the unit of family treatment in Västerås Stad, who has an interest inelucidate possible treatment outcomes from their work with ART. In addition to that, thepurpose of this essay is to describe the theoretical foundations and practical appliancesof ART. This study, which has a qualitative approach, emanate from a specific treatmentgroup of five children, whose parents has been interviewed about what, if any, outcomethey experience that the treatment has resulted in. The results are not really univocal.Some of the parents experience very significant improvements in their child’sexpression of anger and aggressiveness, whereas some other parents don’t experienceany improvement at all. Consistently though, all of the parents are very pleased with themethod itself and its implementation, but some of them ask for more intensive and farreachinginterventions, to increase the possibilities for their children to fully ingest thetreatment.Key

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 162-175). Also available on the Internet.

Die vorliegende Arbeit widmet sich der Frage, welche Bedeutung Außenwanderungen für die Entwicklung von Zahl und Zusammensetzung (insbesondere nach Alter) und deren räumliche und siedlungsstrukturspezifische Differenzierung der Bevölkerung und der Erwerbspersonen in Deutschland haben (können). Hintergrund der Auseinandersetzung mit dieser Frage ist die These, dem demographischen Wandel bzw. dessen Folgen ließe sich durch verstärkte Zuwanderungen wirkungsvoll begegnen. Mittels Modellrechnungen auf der Basis eines Kohorten-Komponenten-Modells wurden vier unterschiedliche Szenarien der räumlich differenzierten Bevölkerungs- und Erwerbspersonenentwicklung bis zum Jahr 2040 erstellt, die sich durch Höhe und zeitliche Verteilung der Außenwanderungssalden unterscheiden. In zwei der Szenarien wurden die jährlichen Außenwanderungssalden modellextern vorgegeben – in Szenario 1 in Höhe von (fast) Null, in Szenario 2 annähernd in Höhe des Durchschnittswertes der Außenwanderungssalden der letzten Jahrzehnte. In den anderen beiden Szenarien wurden die jährlichen Außenwanderungssalden anhand vorgegebener demographischer Zielgrößen modellintern errechnet: In Szenario 3 sind sie so hoch, dass die Bevölkerungszahl Deutschlands dauerhaft konstant bleibt, in Szenario 4 wird auf ein zeitliches Konstanthalten des Altenquotienten abgezielt. Für die anderen demographischen Größen, die für die Modellrechnungen relevant sind (betreffend Fertilität, Mortalität, Binnenwanderungen und Erwerbsbeteiligung), wurden Annahmen zu ihrer weiteren Entwicklung gesetzt, die – mit Blick auf ihre vergangene Entwicklung – für plausibel gehalten werden. Bezüglich Fertilität und Erwerbsbeteiligung wurden allerdings jeweils alternative Entwicklungsvarianten formuliert. Als räumliches Analyseraster dienen 242 Prognoseräume, die Cluster von Kreisen jeweils gleichen siedlungsstrukturellen Kreistyps darstellen. Als zentrales Ergebnis der Modellrechnungen ist herauszustellen, dass (zumindest bei anhaltend niedriger Fertilität deutlich unterhalb des Bestandserhaltungsniveaus) Zuwanderungen in einer Größenordnung, die als gesellschaftlich vertretbar vermutet werden kann, den demographischen Wandel auch nicht annähernd stoppen, sondern bestenfalls partiell dämpfen können. Das gilt zum einen mit Blick auf die hohen Zuwanderungszahlen, die zur Vermeidung der weiteren demographischen Alterung und des langfristigen Rückgangs der Gesamtbevölkerung nötig wären. Das gilt aber zum anderen und vor allem auch hinsichtlich der regionalen Differenzierung der künftigen Bevölkerungsentwicklung: Die demographischen Folgen der Zuwanderungen schlagen sich nicht annähernd flächendeckend in gleicher Weise nieder. Selbst bei ausgesprochen hohen Zuwanderungszahlen, die eine Konstanz oder gar einen deutlichen Anstieg der Gesamtbevölkerungszahl nach sich ziehen würden, wären zahlreiche Regionen Deutschlands von weiterhin relativ starken Bevölkerungsabnahmen (und damit auch Minderungen des Erwerbspersonenpotenzials) sowie deutlich überdurchschnittlicher demographischer Alterung gekennzeichnet. In erster Linie betrifft dies große Teile der neuen Bundesländer, insbesondere ihrer ländlichen Räume. Regionen, die in demographischer Hinsicht von Außenzuwanderungen „profitieren“ würden (im Sinne von deutlicher Abschwächung von Bevölkerungsabnahme und demographischer Alterung oder gar von Bevölkerungswachstum), sind in diesem Landesteil nur inselhaft vertreten; es sind vornehmlich größere Kernstädte und deren (hoch)verdichtetes Umland. Die demographischen Brüche nach der Wende, namentlich der starke Geburtenrückgang und die umfangreichen Abwanderungen nach Westdeutschland, zeigen hier langfristig eine hohe demographische Wirkmächtigkeit. Auch in Westdeutschland sind es in erster Linie Agglomerationsräume und Stadtregionen, deren demographische Entwicklung von Zuwanderungen relativ günstiger beeinflusst wird.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Linköping : Univ., 2002. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Disputats, Linköping, 2006. / Med litteraturhenvisninger.

Thesis (MScEng (Industrial Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Current technology enables researchers to identify a broad spectrum of opportunities in the biomedical industry to develop new and innovative products. Imaging technology, such as Computerised Tomography (CT) scanners or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners, allow doctors to visualise a patient’s internal organs and bone structure in high quality three-dimensional images. Rapid Prototyping Technology (RPT) can already produce high quality complex parts, such as concept parts for the automobile industry and medical models for preoperative planning. These parts are divided into thin layers and manufactured layer by layer. At the same time the layers are joined together to produce the desired part. Generic artificial intervertebral disc implants already exist. However, these discs are only available in standard geometrical dimensions. The possibility of using imaging technology and RPT to design and manufacture a customized, patient specific implant will be investigated. A simple design (ball and socket) is used to illustrate the design process of a customized disc. It should be noted that this project does not attempt to design a new artificial intervertebral disc implant, but rather describes the design process. The research question is: How accurate can the customised disc implant’s inverse geometry represent the geometry of the vertebrae’s endplates? A preliminary research was done and the results were used to calculate the sample size for this study. A cadaver, provided by Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Health Sciences’ Anatomy and Histology Department, was CT scanned. The L4- and L5-vertebrae were dissected, cleaned and measured using a photogrammetry measuring machine. Meanwhile, the data gathered from the CT scan is used to design the customised disc implant. The disc is manufactured from Ti6Al4V using a RPT technique called Direct Metal Laser Sintering. After the part is manufactured it is also measured using a photogrammetry measuring machine. The photogrammetry data from the vertebrae and the manufactured customised disc implant are compared, analysed and a hypothesis is formed. It can now be determined, with a certain degree of confidence, how accurate the customised disc implant’s geometry can represent the geometry of the vertebrae’s endplates. The design of a customised disc implant demands many work hours from a qualified engineer or designer, which in turn increases the production costs. This study describes a user-friendly program which will semi-automate the design process. Only limited input from the physician will be required. This program will decrease design time, which will have a direct effect on the production costs. The manufacturing costs are investigated as well. The results from this study indicates that it is possible to design a customized prosthetic, with the help of a custom disc generator, within 27 minutes. The customized disc can then be manufactured with an accuracy of 0.37 mm using rapid prototyping. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Huidige tegnologie maak dit vir navorsers moontlik om ʼn breë spektrum geleenthede in die biomediese bedryf te identifiseer en nuwe produkte te ontwikkel. ʼn Pasiënt kan met ʼn Gerekenariseerde Tomografie (GT) -flikkergram of ʼn Magnetiese Resonansiebeelding (MRB) - masjien geskandeer word om sodoende ʼn drie-dimensionele beeld van sy of haar interne organe en beenstrukture te verkry. Deur gebruik te maak van snelle prototiperingstegnologie (SPT) kan daar alreeds enige komplekse geometriese vorm vervaardig word. Hierdie tegnologie word ingespan om parte, ontwerp met die hulp van RGO (Rekenaargesteunde Ontwerp), te vervaardig. Die spesifieke part word in dun lae opgedeel en daarna laag vir laag vervaardig. Terselfdertyd word die lae aan mekaar geheg, totdat die gewenste vorm gegenereer is. Die moontlikheid om ʼn GT-flikkergram én SPT te gebruik, met die doel om ʼn pasklaar-vervaardigde, persoon-spesifieke implantaat te ontwerp en te vervaardig, word in hierdie projek ondersoek. Daar bestaan alreeds generiese kunsmatige intervertebrale skyf-implantate (KISI’s). Hierdie skywe word egter beperk deurdat dit slegs in standaard geometriese dimensies vervaardig word. Met dié projek word die moontlikheid van ʼn pasklaar-vervaardigde intervertebrale skyf-implantate (PVKISI) vir ʼn bepaalde pasiënt, ondersoek. ʼn Eenvoudige meganiese ontwerp (bal-en-pootjie) word gebruik om die ontwerpproses van ʼn pasklaar-skyf in hierdie projek te beskryf. Let daarop dat die projek nie poog om ʼn nuwe kunsmatige intervertebrale skyf te ontwerp nie, maar om die ontwerpproses te beskryf. Die vraag wat ondersoek word, is: Hoe akkuraat kan ʼn PVKISI die inverse geometrie van die pasiënt se intervertebrale kontakoppervlaktes voorstel? ʼn Voorafgaande ondersoek is gedoen en die resultate is gebruik om die steekproef-grootte vir hierdie studie te bepaal. ʼn Kadawer, voorsien deur die Universiteit van Stellenbosch se Fakulteit Gesondheidwetenskappe se Departement Anatomie en Histologie, is met ʼn GT-flikkergram geskandeer. Die L4- en L5-werwels is gedissekteer, skoon gemaak en met ʼn fotogrammetriemeetmasjien gemeet. Intussen is die data, verkry van die GT-flikkergram, gebruik om die PVKISI te ontwerp. Die PVKISI is van Ti6Al4V vervaardig deur Direkte Metaal Laser-Sintering (DMLS). Die part is ook met ʼn fotogrammetrie-meetmasjien gemeet. Die fotogrammetrie-data van die werwels en die PVKISI is vergelyk, geanaliseer en ʼn hipotese is daar gestel. Daar kan dus met statistiese sekerheid bepaal word hoe akkuraat die PVKISI die inverse geometrie van die intervertebrale kontakoppervlaktes kan voorstel. Die ontwerp van ʼn PVKISI vereis baie werksure van ʼn gekwalifiseerde ingenieur of ontwerper, wat veroorsaak dat die vervaardigingskoste van so ʼn implantaat kan verhoog. In dié projek word ʼn gebruikersvriendelike koppelprogram beskryf wat die ontwerpproses semi-outomatiseer. Daar sal slegs beperkte bystand van die betrokke medici vereis word. Dié koppelprogram behoort heelwat te bespaar aan die hoeveelheid werksure bestee aan die ontwerp van die PVKISI, wat direk die koste van ʼn implantaat sal verlaag. Die kostes vir die vervaardiging van die PVKISI met DMLS is ook ondersoek om te bepaal hoe kostes bespaar kan word. Daar is getoon dat ʼn pasklaar-prostese se kontakoppervlaktes met ʼn akkuraatheid van 0.37 mm, deur snelle prototipering, vervaardig kan word. Deur van die koppelprogram, wat in die studie beskryf word, gebruik te maak, sal dit moontlik wees om ʼn pasklaar-protese binne 27 minute te ontwerp.