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Selective laser melting (SLM) is one of the additive manufacturing (AM) methods which is applicable to metal. This technique makes it possible to form complex internal shapes such as lattice structures. The lattice structure is expected to have weight reduction and vibration suppression effects on the product. In addition, a support structure is essential for the SLM fabrication process, which has the role of supporting the product and dissipating heat from the product. However, steep temperature gradients due to local laser irradiation and non-uniform heat conduction during the process can cause bending and cracking of the product. In particular, the support structure and lattice structure consisting of thin metal struts are greatly affected by process conditions, so it is necessary to select conditions suitable for stable and high-precision modeling. In this study, the influence of laser power and scanning speed on the mechanical characteristics of the support structure and lattice structure formed by SLM is investigated. In the tensile test of the support structure, a positive correlation with the volumetric energy density was confirmed, and suitable laser conditions were examined. In the compression test of the lattice structure, it was clear that the amount of energy absorption changed depending on the laser power, and the condition of 240 W achieved the maximum energy absorption.

Background/Aims: Age-related changes in impairments in activities of daily living (ADL) in older adults with very mild Alzheimer’s disease (vmAD) have been scarcely explored. We clarified the characteristics of ADL impairment and examined how ADL impairments differed by age in such patients compared with community-dwelling cognitively normal older adults. Methods: The participants were 107 older adults with vmAD (Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE] score ≥24), all of whom were first-visit outpatients at the Dementia Clinic of the Department of Neuropsychiatry, Kumamoto University Hospital. The controls were 682 community-dwelling older adults who participated in the 3rd Nakayama Study with MMSE score ≥24. We examined the association of instrumental and basic ADL (IADL and BADL, respectively) independence with the odds of vmAD using multiple logistic regression analysis and determined differences in ADL impairment by age using age- and sex-matched analysis. Results: Impairments in handling finances (OR 57.08), managing medication (OR 5.13), and dressing (OR 3.35; BADL) were associated with greater odds of vmAD. Among those aged 65 years and above, there were fewer patients with vmAD than healthy controls who could independently handle finances and medication. Among patients with vmAD, the percentages of those who could independently manage shopping, food preparation, and housekeeping only decreased after age 74. Age-related decreases in independence were observed in few BADL items; these, however, were temporary. Conclusions: Patients with vmAD show significantly decreased IADL independence from early old age.

Abstract Objective In Japan, the number of elderly individuals living alone is continuing to increase as society ages. Although studies have considered quality of life, life expectancy, and gender differences in elderly individuals living alone, only a few have considered the health and lifestyle of these individuals. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the factors that affect the self-rated health of elderly individuals living alone to understand this group and how best to offer them support. Results We include 113 individuals. There was a significant difference (P