Three-dimensional Head Research Articles

Comparison of Head Shape Outcomes in Metopic Synostosis Using Limited Strip Craniectomy and Open Vault Reconstruction Techniques.

Metopic craniosynostosis (MCS), with its trigonocephalic head shape, is often treated with either limited incision strip craniectomy (LISC) followed by helmet orthotic treatment, or open cranial vault reconstruction techniques (OCVR). There is controversy regarding resultant shape outcomes among craniofacial surgeons. Those adverse to LISC claim normal head shape is never attained, while proponents believe there is gradual correction to an equivalent outcome. This study aims to quantitate, over time, the three-dimensional (3D) head shapes in patients who have undergone LISC or OCVR intervention for MCS. Sixty-three 3D images of 26 patients with MCS were analyzed retrospectively. Head shape analyses were performed at: (1) preoperative, (2) 1-month postoperative, (3) 10 to 14 months postoperative (1 year), and (4) 2 years postoperative. Composite 3D head shapes of patients were compared at each time point. Two-dimensional (2D) standardized cross sections of the forehead were also compared. Composite head shapes for both groups were nested, to allow visual comparison as the child's forehead grows and expands. The difference between LISC and OCVR 2D cross sections was calculated; 108.26 mm preoperatively, 127.18 mm after 1-month postoperative, 51.05 mm after 10 to 14 months postoperative, and 27.03 mm after 2 years postoperative. This study found excellent head shape outcomes for both the LISC and OCVR techniques at 2 years of age. It also corroborates the slow and progressive improvement in head shape with the LISC technique. This study highlights the advantages of 3D photography for measurement of contour outcomes, utilizing both 2D vector and 3D whole head analytical techniques.

Relationship between Three-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Eyeball Shape and Optic Nerve Head Morphology

To determine if the 3-dimensional (3D) eyeball shape is associated with the positions of the central retinal vascular trunk (CRVT) and the externally oblique border (EOB) in the optic nerve head (ONH). Prospective, cross-sectional study. Fifty-six subjects (112 eyes) with a diagnosis of glaucoma or glaucoma suspect. The eyeball shape on 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans was classified according to the dimension of the longest diameter: axial dimension (prolate sphere), group 1; horizontal dimension (horizontally oblate sphere), group 2; and vertical dimension (vertically oblate sphere), group 3. The deviation of the CRVT, as a surrogate of lamina cribrosa (LC) shift, was measured from the center of the Bruch's membrane opening (BMO) demarcated by OCT imaging, with the horizontal midline as 0° and the superior location as a positive value. The angular location of the longest EOB was also measured. Positions of CRVT and EOB according to the 3D eyeball shape. Among 112 eyes, 54 (48%) had a prolate shape (group 1), 23 (21%) had a horizontally oblate shape (group 2), and 35 (31%) had a vertically oblate shape (group 3). The angular deviation of the CRVT differed among the groups: to the nasal side in group 1, to the temporal side in group 2, and along the vertical meridian in group 3. In cases of asymmetric eyeball shape, the CRVT was deviated toward the undergrown side from the overgrown side, regardless of grouping. The angular location of the longest EOB was in the direction opposite to the CRVT position (P < 0.001). A generalized estimating equation analysis revealed that the temporal location of the CRVT was associated with older age (P= 0.001), nasal location of the longest EOB (P < 0.001), and oblate shape of the eyeball (P < 0.001, group 2; P= 0.007, group 3). The position of the CRVT and EOB were associated with the 3D eyeball shape. Considering that infant ONH morphology is highly uniform, various modes of eyeball expansion during growth can result in diverse directionalities of offset between the LC and the BMO in adults.

A three-dimensional parametric adult head model with representation of scalp shape variability under hair

Modeling the shape of the scalp and face is essential for the design of protective helmets and other head-borne equipment. However, head anthropometry studies using optical scanning rarely capture scalp shape because of hair interference. Data on scalp shape is available from bald men, but female data are generally not available. To address this issue, scalp shape was digitized in an ethnically diverse sample of 100 adult women, age 18–59, under a protocol that included whole head surface scanning and scalp measurement using a three-dimensional (3D) coordinate digitizer. A combined male and female sample was created by adding 3D surface scans of a similarly diverse sample of 80 bald men. A statistical head shape model was created by standardizing the head scan data. A total of 58 anatomical head landmarks and 12 head dimensions were obtained from each scan and processed along with the scans. A parametric model accounting for the variability of the head shape under the hair as a function of selected head dimensions was developed. The full-variable model has a mean shape error of 3.8 mm; the 95th percentile error was 7.4 mm, which were measured at the vertices. The model will be particularly useful for generating a series of representing a target population as well as for generating subject-specific head shapes along with predicted landmarks and dimensions. The model is publicly available online at http://humanshape.org/head/.

Combined chemo-photothermal treatment of three-dimensional head and neck squamous cell carcinomas by gold nano-architectures

Synergistic combined treatments are currently practiced in clinics for the management of several neoplasms. While surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy remain as the standards of care for monomodal and co-treatments, emerging modalities like hyperthermia (HT) demonstrate promising features as (neo)adjuvant, particularly for recurrent cancers. However, the clinical relevance of HT is still debated due to a number of challenges, such as tumor specific temperature increase, uneven heating of the target, and the lack of agents that concurrently execute HT in combination with radio- and/or chemotherapy.Here, the application of non-persistent ultrasmall-in-nano gold architectures for synergistic chemo-photothermal treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) is presented. The nano-architectures are composed of excretable narrow near-infrared (NIR)-absorbing gold ultrasmall nanoparticles and an endogenously double controlled cisplatin prodrug. The efficiency of the nano-architectures is evaluated on three-dimensional (3D) models of HNSCCs with positive or negative human papillomavirus (HPV) status. The combined treatment causes a more pronounced antitumor action on HPV-positive HNSCCs. Overall, the findings demonstrate the potential clinical relevance of translatable noble metal-based synergistic treatments in tumors management.

Three-Dimensional Head-Pose Estimation for Smart Iris Recognition from a Calibrated Camera

Current research in biometrics aims to develop high-performance tools, which would make it possible to better extract the traits specific to each individual and to grasp their discriminating characteristics. This research is based on high-level analyses of images, captured from the candidate to identify, for a better understanding and interpretation of these signals. Several biometric identification systems exist. The recognition systems based on the iris have many advantages and they are among the most reliable. In this paper, we propose a new approach based on biometric iris authentication. A new scheme was made in this work that consists of calculating a three-dimensional head pose to capture a good iris image from a video sequence which affects the identification results. From this image, we were able to locate the iris and analyse its texture by intelligent use of Meyer wavelets. Our approach was evaluated and approved through two databases CASIA Iris Distance and MiraclHB. The comparative study showed its effectiveness compared to those in the literature.

A simplified human head finite element model for brain injury assessment of blunt impacts

Blunt impacts contribute more than 95% of brain trauma injuries in Malaysia. Modelling and simulation of these impacts are essential in understanding the mechanics of the injuries to develop a protective equipment that might prevent brain trauma. Various finite element models of human head have been developed, ranging from two-dimensional models to very complex three-dimensional models. The aim of this study is to develop a simplified three-dimensional human head model with low computational cost, yet capable of producing reliable brain responses. The influence of different head-neck boundary conditions on the brain responses were also examined. Our model was validated against an experimental work on human cadaver. The model with free head-neck boundary condition was found to be in good agreement with experimental results. The head-neck joint was found to have a significant influence on the brain responses upon impact. Further investigations on the head-neck joint modelling are needed. Our simplified model was successfully validated against experimental data on human cadaver and could be used in simulating blunt impact scenarios.

Fractional Crank-Nicolson finite difference method for benign brain tumor detection and segmentation

Benign brain tumor is early stage of cancer in tumor development life cycle. Its detection is hard and most challenging task due to low variability with its surrounding non-cancerous tumor cells. Image segmentation is used as a primary tool in brain tumor detection algorithms to segment the tumorous region. It has been observed that the available methods such as region-based, watershed-based method, cluster-based method and contour and shape-based methods are not able to find such low-intensity variational regions (i.e. benign brain tumor). Current work proposes a novel fractional method for finding such a low intensity variational region. The proposed method uses alternate direction implicit finite difference scheme. The performance analysis has been done on three-dimensional numerical head phantom and BRATS dataset. Results obtained by the proposed tumor detection and segmentation method have been compared with the popular tumor detection and segmentation methods. Hausdorff distance, Jaccard similarity index and Dice coefficient have been used for quantitative comparative performance analysis.

ASSESSMENT OF ACETABULAR COVERAGE IN BORDERLINE ACETABULAR DYSPLASIA: ARE PLAIN RADIOGRAPHIC PARAMETERS ACCURATELY ESTIMATES OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL COVERAGE?

Introduction:Assessment of anterior acetabular coverage is commonly done with measurement of the anterior center edge angle (ACEA) or anterior wall index (AWI). This is particularly important in cases of borderline acetabular dysplasia where it may influence treatment decisions. However, the ACEA and AWI has been poorly validated.Purpose:The purpose of the current study was to investigate the correlation between plain radiographic measurements and three-dimensional femoral head coverage on low-dose CT in borderline acetabular dysplasia.Methods:Seventy consecutive hips with borderline acetabular dysplasia (LCEA 20-25°) were included in the current study. Radiographic evaluation was performed prospectively including LCEA, acetabular inclination, and AWI on AP pelvis radiographs, and ACEA on false profile radiographs. The mean LCEA was 22.1±1.4°, while the mean acetabular inclination was 10.3±3.3. All patients underwent low-dose pelvic CT assessment for preoperative planning. The radial acetabular coverage was calculated according to the standardized clock-face position [measured at 12:00 (lateral), 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 (anterior), and 4:00] as described by Larson et al. Statistical analysis determined the correlation between ACEA and radial coverage.Results:The mean ACEA in the group was 25.3±5.8° (range 10.1-43.9), with 16% having ACEA≤20° and 50% having ACEA≤25°. The mean radial coverages were 63.5%±1.7 (12:00), 60.7%±2.2 (1:00), 50.8%±3.2 (2:00), 37.0%±3.3 (3:00), and 27.9%±3.1 (4:00). The ACEA had poor correlation with radial coverage at all positions from 12:00 to 4:00 (range –0.068-0.173). The AWI had moderate correlation with radial coverage at 3:00 (PCC 0.499) and 4:00 (PCC 0.573). Comparing hips with an ACEA <20° versus >20°, there was no difference between the mean radial acetabular coverage at any position 12:00-4:00 (p=0.18-0.95). Comparing hips with an ACEA <25° versus >25°, there was no difference between the mean radial acetabular coverage at any position 12:00-4:00 (p=0.12-0.71). No significant difference in AWI was present between subgroups with normal and deficient radial coverage from 12:00 to 4:00 (p=0.09-0.72).Discussion:The current study demonstrates poor correlation of the ACEA measurement with true anterior femoral head coverage as evaluated at clock-face positions from 12:00 to 4:00. The AWI demonstrated moderate correlation for 3:00-4:00 coverage but fails to differentiate hips with normal and deficient coverage. In the setting of borderline acetabular dysplasia, anterior and anterolateral femoral coverage should be assessed via low-dose CT rather than ACEA or AWI.

A computational investigation of preconditioning strategies and iterative methods for finite element based neurostimulation simulations

Computational simulations of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) enable researchers and medical practitioners to investigate this form of neurostimulation with in silico experiments. For these computer-based simulations to be of practical use to the medical community, patient-specific head geometries and finely discretized computational grids must be used. As a result, solving the partial differential equation based mathematical model that governs tDCS can be computationally burdensome. Further, consider the task of identifying optimal electrode configurations and parameters for a particular patient’s condition, head geometry, and therapeutic objectives; it is conceivable that hundreds of tDCS simulations could be executed. It is therefore important and necessary to identify efficient solution methods for medically-based tDCS simulations. To address this requirement, we exhaustively compare the convergence performance of geometric multigrid and the preconditioned conjugate gradient method when solving the linear system of equations generated from a finite element discretization of the tDCS governing equations. Our simulations consist of three commonly used real-world tDCS electrode montages on MRI-derived three-dimensional head models with physiologically-based inhomogeneous tissue conductivities. Simulations are realized on fine computational meshes with resolutions deemed applicable to the medical community, and as a result, our finite element solutions highlight tDCS-specific phenomena such as electric field shunting that contributes to a notable intensification of the stimulation’s electric current dosage. Convergence metrics of each linear system solver are examined, and compared and linked to theoretical estimates. It is shown that the conjugate gradient method achieves superior convergence rates only when preconditioned with an appropriately configured multigrid algorithm. In addition, it is demonstrated that physiological characteristics of tDCS simulations make multigrid as a stand-alone solver highly ineffective, despite the fact that this method is typically effective in solving the tDCS-based Poisson problem. By identifying the solution methods optimal for medically-driven tDCS simulations, our results extend simulation support to high-resolution and high-volume computing applications, and will ultimately help guide tDCS numerical simulations towards becoming an integrated aspect of the patient-specific tDCS treatment protocol.

Study on a Large-Scale Three-Dimensional Ultrasonic Plastic Welding Vibration System Based on a Quasi-Periodic Phononic Crystal Structure

The uniformity of amplitude distribution and amplitude gain are two main factors affecting the performance of ultrasonic welding vibration system. In order to improve the uniformity of amplitude distribution and amplitude gain of welding surface to enhance the performance of the vibration system, a new design method of a large-scale three-dimensional ultrasonic plastic welding vibration system based on a quasi-periodic phononic crystal structure is proposed. In this method, the composite horn combined with a conical section and a cylindrical section can effectively improve the output amplitude gain of the welding surface. In addition, the method forms a quasi-periodic phononic crystal structure by slotting in a large-scale three-dimensional tool head, and utilizes the band gap property of the structure to effectively suppress lateral vibration of the tool head and improve the amplitude distribution uniformity of the tool head’s welding surface. However, when the size of the tool head is relatively large, the quasi-periodic phononic crystal structure cannot suppress the lateral vibration very well. Therefore, the paper processes fan-shaped slopes on the output surface of the tool head which can further improve the uniformity of the amplitude distribution and amplitude gain. Finally, the simulation analysis and experiments show that the design method can optimize the large-scale three-dimensional ultrasonic plastic welding system, improve the uniformity of the vibration distribution and increase the output amplitude gain of the welding surface.

The effect of pelvic tilt on three-dimensional coverage of the femoral head: A computational simulation study using patient-specific anatomy.

Improved understanding of how three-dimensional (3D) femoral head coverage changes as the pelvic sagittal inclination (PSI) is altered would advance clinical diagnosis of hip pathoanatomy. Herein, we applied computer modeling of 3D computed tomography reconstructions of the pelvis and proximal femur to quantify relationships between the PSI and regional 3D femoral head coverage. Eleven healthy, young adult participants with typically developed hip anatomy were analyzed. The orientation of the pelvis was altered to define a PSI of -30° to 30° at 1° increments. Hip adduction and rotation were fixed in a standing position, which was measured by direct in vivo imaging of the pelvis and femur bones using dual fluoroscopy. Femoral head coverage was quantified in the anterior, superior, posterior, and inferior regions for each PSI position. Change in coverage was largest in the anterior region (29.8%) and smallest in the superior region (6.5%). Coverage increased linearly in the anterior region as the PSI increased, while a linear decrease was found in the posterior region and the inferior region (all p < .001). The slopes of the regression line for these regions were 0.513, -0.316, and -0.255, respectively. For the superior region, coverage increased when the PSI was altered from -30° to 5° and decreased when the PSI was larger than 5°. Overall, a 1° increase in PSI resulted in an increase of 0.5% in anterior coverage and a decrease of 0.3% in posterior coverage. Our findings provide baseline data that improve understanding of the effect of PSI on femoral coverage.

Three-dimensional head shape acquisition in preterm infants - Translating an orthodontic imaging procedure into neonatal care

BackgroundHead shape and head volume of preterm infants give important information on short- and long-term development. Three-dimensional (3D) assessment of a preterm infant's head would therefore provide more information than currently used two-dimensional methods. AimsTo evaluate a contactless 3D imaging system to assess head shape and volume in preterm infants. MethodsA protocol for 3D imaging and reconstruction of an infant's head with a portable stereophotogrammetric camera system was developed. It was validated on a manikin by comparison to an established stationary stereophotogrammetric device. Feasibility for clinical routine and 3D data analysis were assessed in six preterm infants. ResultsTen 3D reconstructions from a manikin were done with ten images each taken from different angles. The accuracy of the 3D reconstruction was measured at the overlapping areas between two images. Comparing the portable to the stationary system, a high concordance was found for the 3D manikin head-reconstructions (mean difference 0.21 ± 0.03 mm). In preterm infants, digital evaluation of the head was proven to be feasible for head circumference (HC), cranial index and asymmetry indices. There was good concordance between manual and digital measurement of the HC (95% CI −0.85 to 0.38 mm). ConclusionsThe portable camera system allowed fast and contactless 3D image capture of a preterm infant's head without any risk or interference with neonatal care. Together with a new software, this technique would allow more precise evaluation of head growth even in very preterm infants and thereby may improve their care and long-term outcome.

Intracranial pressure-based validation and analysis of traumatic brain injury using a new three-dimensional finite element human head model.

Traumatic brain injuries are life-threatening injuries that can lead to long-term incapacitation and death. Over the years, numerous finite element human head models have been developed to understand the injury mechanisms of traumatic brain injuries. Many of these models are erroneous and used ellipsoidal or spherical geometries to represent brain. This work is focused on the development of high-quality, comprehensive three-dimensional finite element human head model with accurate representation of cerebral sulci and gyri structures in order to study traumatic brain injury mechanisms. Present geometry, predicated on magnetic resonance imaging data consist of three rudimentary components, that is, skull, cerebrospinal fluid with the ventricular system, and the soft tissues comprising the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem. The brain is modeled as a hyperviscoelastic material. Meshed model with 10 nodes modified tetrahedral type element (C3D10M) is validated against two cadaver-based impact experiments by comparing the intracranial pressures at different locations of the head. Our results indicate a better agreement with cadaver results, specifically for the case of frontal and parietal intracranial pressure values. Existing literature focuses mostly on intracranial pressure validation, while the effects of von Mises stress on brain injury are not analyzed in detail. In this work, a detailed interpretation of neurological damage resulting from impact injury is performed by analyzing von Mises stress and intracranial pressure distribution across numerous segments of the brain. A reasonably good correlation with experimental data signifies the robustness of the model for predicting injury mechanisms based on clinical predictions of injury tolerance criteria.

A 3D Follow-Up Study of Cranial Asymmetry from Early Infancy to Toddler Age after Preterm versus Term Birth.

Preterm infants are at higher risk for both symmetrical and asymmetrical head molding. This study involved 3D stereophotogrammetry to assess the cranial growth, molding, and incidence of deformational plagiocephaly (DP) in preterm children compared to term born children. Thirty-four preterm infants and 34 term born controls were enrolled in this study from Oulu University Hospital, Finland. Three-dimensional head images were obtained at the age of 2–4 months (T1), 5–7 months (T2), 11–13 months (T3), and 2.5–3 years (T4) from the term equivalent age (TEA). There was no statistically significant difference in oblique cranial length ratio (OCLR), cephalic index (CI), or weighted asymmetry score (wAS) between the two groups. Occipital flattening, defined by flatness score (FS) was statistically significantly greater in the preterm group than in the term group at T1–T4 (p < 0.05). In both groups, OCLR improved gradually over time. There were no instances, in either group, of severe DP and no moderate DP after T2. Results indicate that DP affects preterm and full-term children almost equally during the first three years of life, and cranial asymmetry resolves at a similar rate in both preterm and term groups after three months of corrected age. Preterm infants present with more occipital flattening than full-term children.

Acetabular retroversion in dysplastic hips is associated with decreased 3Dfemoral head coverage independently from lateral center-edge angle.

The clinical significance of acetabular retroversion in non-dysplastic hips can be explained as pincer-type femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), whereas that in dysplastic hips is not clarified because FAI normally poses little problems for dysplastic hips. We aimed to evaluate three-dimensional (3D) femoral head coverage in dysplastic hips with and without acetabular retroversion and to elucidate the role of acetabular retroversion on the 3D femoral head coverage. We retrospectively investigated 93 hips in 93 patients (9 males and 84 females) that underwent periacetabular osteotomy for hip dysplasia. Dysplastic hips were divided into anteversion and retroversion groups according to their cranial anteversion, which was measured on the axial section 5mm caudal to the acetabular roof. The 3D femoral head coverage was provided as a percentage of the acetabulum-covered surface area of the upper femoral hemisphere using a 3D preoperative planning software for total hip arthroplasty. Of the 93 dysplastic hips, 15 hips (16%) were assignedto the retroversion group, which had significantly younger age at surgery (31.9years versus 39.2years; p = 0.033). The lateral center-edge angles were comparable between the groups (13.8° versus 12.9°; p = 0.68); however, the hips in the retroversion group had a trend of smaller 3D femoral head coverage than those in the anteversion group (59% versus 63%; p = 0.058). Multivariate analysis using two-way analysis of covariance showed that lateral center-edge angle (partial regression coefficient = 0.83; t value = 17.3; p < 0.001) and acetabular retroversion (partial regression coefficient = - 2.3; t value = - 4.9; p < 0.001) were independent factors that contributed to the 3D femoral head coverage. Acetabular retroversion in dysplastic hips was associated with decreased 3D femoral head coverage independently from lateral center-edge angle. The age at surgery in the retroversion group was significantlyyounger, suggesting a relationship between decreased 3D coverage and potentially earlier symptom onset.

Venus by Botticelli and Her Pituitary Adenoma

Objective: Simonetta Vespucci, considered the most beautiful woman of the Renaissance, is the inspiration and face of one of the most famous paintings of all times, "The Birth of Venus," by Botticelli. She died in 1476 at the age of 23 years. We postulate she suffered from a pituitary-secreting tumor progressing to pituitary apoplexy. The goals of this study were 3-fold: (i) verify that the subject depicted by Botticelli in different paintings represents the same woman; (ii) identify the facial traits affected by the progression of a growth hormone- and prolactin-secreting tumor; and (iii) confirm that the observed changes of the face traits observed in the portraits of Simonetta Vespucci are compatible with the facial traits changes identified earlier. Methods: Comparison among face traits was based on the analysis of the face regions measured by means of fiducial points and their distances, and after pose compensation based on three-dimensional head modelling. Results: In favor of the hypothesis that Simonetta suffered from a pituitary growth hormone- and prolactin-secreting tumor stands changes of her lineaments, a feature which becomes evident over the years and particularly manifest in the Allegorical Lady, where galactorrhea is depicted. Conclusion: We conclude that sufficient evidence is presented to suggest that Simonetta Vespucci, the Venus depicted by Botticelli, suffered from pituitary adenoma secreting prolactin and growth hormon with parasellar expansion. The current interpretation of the Venus strabism should be revisited according to this finding. Abbreviation: GH = growth hormone.

Predesign of a cylinder head of compression ignition engine

The paper presents the initial design of the four-cylinder CI engine head and the analysis of the strength of the head with the use of FEM. The article covers: general assumptions of the designed head, analytical design calculations, three-dimensional head model and timing system components using CAD. The scope of calculations using the head calculation model includes strength calculations and determination of the amount of strain caused by the given load.

THE INFLUENCE OF PERMEABILITY ON THE ABLATION PROCESS FOR AN ABLATIVE MATERIAL

The heat and mass transfer in the ablation process is of great importance for the ablation protection engineering. Accurate temperature assessment can provide effective support for the design of thermal protection structure and ablative material of reentry hypersonic vehicle. In this work, we studied the effect of permeability on heat and mass transfer and ablation thermal protection of gases produced during ablation. Since the carbide formed by ablation of material is a typical porous medium, its structure has self-similarity and can be described by fractal theory. Taking into account the angle of global coordinates and the local coordinates, this paper derived the permeability in any direction as a function of three different fractal dimensions in [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] directions. In order to verify the correctness of this method, the new model is introduced into the ablation process. Aiming at the ablation process and the diffusion equation of pyrolysis gas in the carbide layer, the temperature, material density and pyrolysis gas density distribution of three-dimensional spherical head under different permeability were simulated numerically. It is found that the permeability of carbides formed by ablative reaction of ablative materials related to fractal structure has an effect on ablation process. From our preliminary results, the higher the permeability, the faster the ablation speed, and the more obvious the overall temperature rise is.

ANALYSES OF PEDESTRIAN’S HEAD-TO-WINDSHIELD IMPACT BIOMECHANICAL RESPONSES AND HEAD INJURIES USING A HEAD FINITE ELEMENT MODEL

Head injuries in the vehicle crashes or pedestrian accidents can usually cause death or permanent disabilities, and head injuries resulting from the impact of car windshields remain a major problem. Anatomically, more realistic head models are required to more accurately document and evaluate the head-to-windshield impact responses and head injuries. The current study developed a head finite element model and carried out various simulations to investigate the head-to-windshield impact biomechanical responses and assess the head injuries. First, a 50th percentile three-dimensional finite element head model was developed and validated by using previously published cadaver experimental data. Then, the biomechanical responses were predicted under a head-to-windshield impact at different impact velocities (10, 12, and15[Formula: see text]m/s) and different inclination angles of the windshield (35∘, 40∘, and 45∘). Finally, head injuries were investigated through examining various injury parameters. The results indicated that the contact force, the acceleration, the intracranial pressure, the deformation of the skull, and the negative pressure rose when the impact velocity and the inclination angles increased. Thus, the vehicle impact velocity and the inclination angle of the windshield greatly affect the severity of the resulting injuries on pedestrians’ heads, with the severity increasing with the impact velocity and windshield inclination angle.

Genetically Defined Functional Modules for Spatial Orienting in the Mouse Superior Colliculus.

SummaryIn order to explore and interact with their surroundings, animals need to orient toward specific positions in space. Throughout the animal kingdom, head movements represent a primary form of orienting behavior. The superior colliculus (SC) is a fundamental structure for the generation of orienting responses, but how genetically distinct groups of collicular neurons contribute to these spatially tuned behaviors remains largely to be defined. Here, through the genetic dissection of the murine SC, we identify a functionally and genetically homogeneous subclass of glutamatergic neurons defined by the expression of the paired-like homeodomain transcription factor Pitx2. We show that the optogenetic stimulation of Pitx2ON neurons drives three-dimensional head displacements characterized by stepwise, saccade-like kinematics. Furthermore, during naturalistic foraging behavior, the activity of Pitx2ON neurons precedes and predicts the onset of spatially tuned head movements. Intriguingly, we reveal that Pitx2ON neurons are clustered in an orderly array of anatomical modules that tile the entire intermediate layer of the SC. Such a modular organization gives origin to a discrete and discontinuous representation of the motor space, with each Pitx2ON module subtending a defined portion of the animal’s egocentric space. The modularity of Pitx2ON neurons provides an anatomical substrate for the convergence of spatially coherent sensory and motor signals of cortical and subcortical origins, thereby promoting the recruitment of appropriate movement vectors. Overall, these data support the view of the superior colliculus as a selectively addressable and modularly organized spatial-motor register.