Aerodynamic feeding systems: An example for changeable technology

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to transfer the idea of changeability to a concrete technical application. Design/methodology/approach - Based on the definition of changeability on a factory level, a transformation of the five change enablers specified therein for the work station level using the example of an aerodynamic feeding system takes place in this paper. Findings - The observed aerodynamic feeding system can be determined as changeable. Practical implications - Changeable systems are able to react with low effort to exterior influences, e.g. of the market, and thus represent a considerable competitive advantage. Originality/value - The new element in this paper is the observation of change enablers on the work station level. This point of view enables the concrete figuration of changeable technical systems. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited [ISSN 0144-5154]

Widespread sensorimotor and frontal cortical atrophy in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

BACKGROUND: Widespread cortical atrophy in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) has been described in neuropathological studies. The presence of cortical atrophy in conventional and scientific neuroimaging has been a matter of debate. In studies using computertomography, positron emission tomography, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and conventional T2-weighted and proton-weighted images, results have been variable. Recent morphometric studies by magnetic resonance imaging have produced conflicting results regarding the extent of grey and white matter involvement in ALS patients. METHODS: The authors used optimized voxel-based morphometry as an unbiased whole brain approach to detect differences between regional grey and white matter volumes. Seventeen patients with a diagnosis of ALS according to El-Escorial criteria and seventeen age-matched controls received a high resolution anatomical T1 scan. RESULTS: In ALS patients regional grey matter volume (GMV) reductions were found in the pre- and postcentral gyrus bilaterally which extended to premotor, parietal and frontal regions bilaterally compared with controls (p < 0.05, corrected for the entire volume). The revised ALS functional rating scale showed a positive correlation with GMV reduction of the right medial frontal gyrus corresponding to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. No significant differences were found for white matter volumes or when grey and white matter density images were investigated. There were no further correlations with clinical variables found. CONCLUSION: In ALS patients, primary sensorimotor cortex atrophy can be regarded as a prominent feature of the disease. Supporting the concept of ALS being a multisytem disorder, our study provides further evidence for extramotor involvement which is widespread. The lack of correlation with common clinical variables probably reflects the fact that heterogeneous disease processes underlie ALS. The discrepancy within all published morphometric studies in ALS so far may be related to differences in patient cohorts and several methodological factors of the data analysis process. Longitudinal studies are required to further clarify the time course and distribution of grey and white matter pathology during the course of ALS

Widespread sensorimotor and frontal cortical atrophy in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-2

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Widespread sensorimotor and frontal cortical atrophy in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis"</p><p>BMC Neurology 2006;6():17-17.</p><p>Published online 25 Apr 2006</p><p>PMCID:PMC1459868.</p><p>Copyright © 2006 Grosskreutz et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.</p>l grey matter volumes (modulated data, B) in ALS patients versus controls are displayed within a 'glass brain' view. Note that only the comparison of modulated data survived the correction for multiple comparisons specified a priori. Images are displayed at p = 0.001, uncorrected, extended threshold 100 voxels and shown in neurological convention

Widespread sensorimotor and frontal cortical atrophy in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-1

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Widespread sensorimotor and frontal cortical atrophy in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis"</p><p>BMC Neurology 2006;6():17-17.</p><p>Published online 25 Apr 2006</p><p>PMCID:PMC1459868.</p><p>Copyright © 2006 Grosskreutz et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.</p>tter atrophy in the precentral and postcentral gyrus bilaterally, which extended from the primary motor cortex to premotor, parietal and frontal regions bilaterally (displayed at p = 0.001, uncorrected, extended threshold 100 voxels). The color bar represents the T-score. The differences between the groups are superimposed on a standard normalized T1-weighted image. Images are shown in neurological convention

Widespread sensorimotor and frontal cortical atrophy in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-0

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Widespread sensorimotor and frontal cortical atrophy in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis"</p><p>BMC Neurology 2006;6():17-17.</p><p>Published online 25 Apr 2006</p><p>PMCID:PMC1459868.</p><p>Copyright © 2006 Grosskreutz et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.</p>rt was mildly affected by disease. Note that some patients had barely gone into rapid progression whereas others have remained stable at a high score