Understanding Remodeling

How about this one: "Bone Remodeling as a Hybrid Cellular Automaton Optimization Process" from a 12/19/07 "Thesis" by Adres Tovar. Chemical and mechanical stimuli, hence "hybrid", begin the remodeling process at the cellular level in the form of "load signals". Tovar notes we're considering this for both the dense, solid cortical bone, and the porous, spongy trabecular bone (such as the condylar aspects of our horse cannons).

In humans these researchers concern themselves with the normal tearing down and rebuilding of bone noting "Basic Multicellular Units" within the bone structure that contain the necessary ingredients for the process starting with the mineral matrixes, the osteoblasts and clasts, osteocytes, proteins, and other various microscopic components and nutrients that respond to the load signals. The point is that the remodeling happens in multi-cell units instead of single cells.

Tovar goes on: "...there is strong evidence of the (rebuilding-remodeling) process, (but) little is known about the communication (at) the construction sites (among the various microscopic entities in the Basic Multicellular Units). This means that even in human research studies which concern themselves with various bone diseases and fracture repair instead of catastrophic breakdown on a race track, the research has a ways yet to go before fully understanding exactly how bone builds itself in response to stress.

Tovar goes on: "however, it has been theorized that some form of mechanical stimulus triggers (the process.)...new bone is deposited where the stimulus is high...

And so, we're talking of "tissue-level mechanisms of bone adaptation looking at them in phenomenological and optimization approaches in order to identify the communication systems among the microscopic materials in the Basic Multicellular Units.

Take note, if you read my last previous post--and it does hurt so bad to be right and correct--Tovar then proceeds to propose a mathematical formula wherein all this can be identified and understood: "(Our) aims have two requirements. The first is the formulation of a mathematically based mechanical stimulus from an optimization problem. The second is the implementation of the mechanical stimulus into appropriate control rules."

But, as we consider even more deeply, it's hardly surprising that mathematics comes into this since bone is partly made up of solid mineral matrixes that would conform to physical laws of fracture resistance in inert, non-living material studied by mechanical engineers--refer again to the Minnesota bridge collapse.

Tovar continues: "Many theoretical models for bone remodeling have been proposed..." And so, with a little help the blog will propose a new theoretical model for horses as this continues.

Training:
Fri. 2/13. Nob managed to draw blood while shoeing Art's right rear. The knife cut was a calculated gamble that failed instead of a careless swipe into the tissue. Art's hind is wrapped in cotton and vet wrap. Minor. Will apply the shoe and commence with training today, but Art was off Friday, and we declined to take Rod on a short trot during sleety weather with a strong north wind blowing in when I got to the farm. Too much trouble for zero gain. This was the week we were to have commenced accelerations under tack. Never happened due to weather. The racing season disappears quickly and we're backed up about 10 days due to the weather this week. But, clearing ahead, and we move our hoped for racing schedule from late March to mid April. The way I work mid May is more realistic, but I'm trying to push.