BACKGROUND Previous epidemiological studies have observed that an initial head restraint backset greater than 10 cm is associated with a higher risk of neck injury and persistent symptoms. The objective of this study was to investigate the relation between the active head restraint position and peak neck motion using a new human model of the neck. METHODS The model consisted of an osteoligame...

BACKGROUND Spinal systems that are currently available for correction of spinal deformities or degeneration such as lumbar spondylolisthesis or degenerative disc disease use components manufactured from stainless steel or titanium and typically comprise two spinal rods with associated connection devices (for example: DePuy Spines Titanium Moss Miami Spinal System). The Memory Metal Spinal Syste...

We present a novel autoencoder-based approach for designing codes that provide unequal error protection (UEP) capabilities. The proposed approach, based on generalization of an autoencoder loss function, provides versatile framework the design message-wise and bit-wise UEP codes. Using associated weight vector, generalized function can be used to trade off probabilities corresponding different ...

A fi rewall is a collection of components interposed between two networks that fi lter traffi c between them according to some security policy [1]. Typically, fi rewalls rely on restrictions in the network topology to perform this fi ltering. One key assumption under this model is that everyone on the protected network(s) is trusted, since internal traffi c is not seen by the fi rewall and thus...

By blending storytelling with topics in biology, a fun activity can be created for students to strengthen their scientific knowledge (1-3). The “Sci-Fi Microbe” writing assignment lets students create an altered version of a known microorganism, and write a story describing an unusual observation that leads the characters discovery of their new microorganism. The Sci-Fi Microbe exercise is appr...

Complex multi-lamellar biocomposite structure of Intervertebral Disc (IVD) imparts flexibility between adjacent vertebras, as well as allows transmission of loads from one vertebra to the next along the spine. The disc has a 1525 concentric layered laminate structure; each layer is reinforced by collagen fibers which are aligned at approximately 30 degree angle in successive layers with respect...

Psychosocial stress influences cognitive abilities, such as long-term memory retrieval. However, less is known about the effects of stress on cognitive flexibility, which is mediated by different neurobiological circuits and could thus be regulated by different neuroendocrine pathways. In this study, we randomly assigned healthy adults to an acute stress induction or control condition and subse...

Statement of purpose: The purpose of these working papers is to promote the circulation of research results (Research Series) and analytical studies (Documents Series) made within the National Bank of Belgium or presented by external economists in seminars, conferences and conventions organised by the Bank. The aim is therefore to provide a platform for discussion. The opinions expressed are st...

The LEP energy upgrade up to fi =189 GeV has allowed us to extend substantially the potential of searches for new physics. Results on searches for Higgs bosoms and supersymmetric particles obtained by the ALEPH, DELPHI, L3, and OPAL experiments are reported. No evidence of any signal is observed. Therefore, new limits on the Higgs boson masses as well as on the masses of the various supersymmet...

We would like to congratulate Fruchter et al 1 for their ingenious, effective, and minimally invasive way of treating the very challenging condition of bronchopleural fi stulas as reported in a recent issue of CHEST (March 2011). However, because we were cited in their work, we must make a correction. The misunderstanding is that our fi rst publication was a case report of our fi rst patient (5...