In this paper we propose an extension of the Scalar-CostaScheme (SCS), called Soft-SCS, which offers better or equal achievable rates than SCS for the AWGN channel. After recalling the principle of SCS we highlight its secure implementations regarding the Watermarked contents Only Attack, and we also describe the relations between the alphabet size and the secure embedding parameters. Since the...

Mixture models are appealing for identifying hidden structures affecting somatic cell score (SCS) data, such as unrecorded cases of subclinical mastitis. Thus, liability-normal mixture (LNM) models were used for genetic analysis of SCS data, with the aim of predicting breeding values for such cases of mastitis. Here, putative mastitis statuses and breeding values for liability to putative masti...

BACKGROUND Published validation studies have reported different factor structures for the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS). The objective of this study was to assess the factor structure of the SCS in a large general population sample representative of the German population. METHODS A German population sample completed the SCS and other self-report measures. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in M...

BACKGROUND Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) may be a useful additional therapy for pain in patients with therapeutically refractory angina pectoris. But doubts remain about whether it also relieves ischaemia. METHODS Indices of ischaemia were studied with and without SCS in 10 patients with otherwise intractable angina and evidence of myocardial ischaemia on 48 h ambulatory electrocardiographic ...

BACKGROUND The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Technology Appraisal Guidance on spinal cord stimulation (SCS) was published in 2008 and updated in 2012 with no change. This guidance recommends SCS as a cost-effective treatment for patients with neuropathic pain. OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of NICE guidance by comparing SCS uptake in England pre-NICE (2008-2009) and...

Despite its modest capacity for regeneration, peripheral nervous system injury often results in significant long-term disability. Supplementing peripheral nervous system injury with autologous Schwann cells (SCs) may serve to rejuvenate the postinjury environment to enhance regeneration and ultimately improve functional outcomes. However, human nerve-derived SC (hN-SC) collection procedures req...

Schwann cells (SCs) are one of the most promising cellular candidates for the treatment of spinal cord injury. However, SCs show poor migratory ability within the astrocyte-rich central nervous system (CNS) environment and exhibit only limited integration with host astrocytes. Our strategy for improving the therapeutic potential of SCs was to magnetically drive SCs to migrate across the astrocy...