BACKGROUND Performing laparoscopic procedures requires special training and has been documented as a significant source of surgical errors. "Warming up" before performing a task has been shown to enhance performance. This study investigates whether surgeons benefit from "warming up" using select video games immediately before performing laparoscopic partial tasks and clinical tasks. METHODS ...

The Recursive Optimal per-Pixel Estimate (ROPE) algorithm allows the encoder to estimate the pixel-bypixel expected distortion of the decoded video sequence due to channel loss. The algorithm requires in input an estimate of the packet loss rate and the knowledge of the error concealment technique used at the decoder with no need to perform any comparison between original and decoded frames. Al...

In this study the macroscopic analysis proposed by Schapery has been applied to model the non-linear viscoelastic and viscoplastic behaviour of polyester fibres. First, a special non-contact extensometry method has been developed in order to measure the fibre response without affecting the behaviour of these extremely anisotropic fibres. An accelerated identification method has then been develo...

A Monark cycle ergometer is used in physiological studies to measure work done and power. In this paper, the accuracy of a Monark rope-braked cycle ergometer was examined for a Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT). The traditional method of determining brake torque fails to take into account rope-brake theory and, as the brake torque is used to determine the moment of inertia of the flywheel, a second...

This paper shows the manufacture route of the bronze 4% weight diamond composite rope for direct application as diamond wires, and linear saws in the slabbing and cutting of dimension stones. This route consists of powder mix compaction, sintering and rotary forging techniques. Tensile tests were performed, reaching an ultimate tensile strength of 230MPa for the diameter of ∅=1.84mm. Scanning e...

Fatal high-speed head-on collisions often occur in limited spaces on two-lane roads without median strips. While the installation of such strips is permitted under the Road Construction Ordinance, their provision to date has been limited due to the high associated costs. Wire rope guardrail systems, which can be seen as an alternative to median strips, involve the use of thin posts, have a buff...

UNLABELLED Presenting the arthroscopic treatment by Tight Rope - Arthrex(®) system for acute acromioclavicular dislocation and to evaluate results obtained with this procedure. METHODS Between August 2006 and May 2007, 10 shoulders of 10 patients with acute acromioclavicular dislocation were submitted to arthroscopic repair using the Tight Rope - Arthrex(®) system. Minimum follow-up was 12 mo...

We develop a model of the fluctuation dynamo in which the magnetic field is confined to thin flux ropes advected by a multiscale model of turbulence. Magnetic dissipation occurs only via reconnection of the flux ropes. This model can be viewed as an implementation of the asymptotic limit R_{m}-->infinity for a continuous magnetic field, where magnetic dissipation is strongly localized to small ...

background : the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of six-week aerobic training program including running and rope skipping on cardiovascular fitness, body mass index (bmi), and mental health among female students at the university of isfahan, iran. methods : in this interventional study we included 30 female students in academic year 2011-12. the participants were random...

We examine the energetics of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) with data from the LASCO coronagraphs on SOHO. The LASCO observations provide fairly direct measurements of the mass, velocity and dimensions of CMEs. Using these basic measurements, we determine the potential and kinetic energies and their evolution for several CMEs that exhibit a flux-rope morphology. Assuming flux conservation, we us...