Predicting Cervical Spine Compression and Shear in Helicopter Helmeted Conditions Using Artificial Neural Networks.

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSMilitary helicopter pilots around the globe are at high risk of neck pain related to their use of helmet-mounted night vision goggles. Unfortunately, it is difficult to design alternative helmet configurations that reduce the biomechanical exposures on the cervical spine during flight because the time and resource costs associated with assessing these exposures are prohibitive. Instead, we developed artificial neural networks (ANNs) to predict cervical spine compression and shear given head-trunk kinematics and joint moments in the lower neck, data readily available from digital human models.

Strain of the facet joint capsule during rotation and translation range-of-motion tests: an in vitro porcine model as a human surrogate.

Background Context: Prior data about the modulating effects of lumbar spine posture on facet capsule strains are limited to small joint deviations. Knowledge of facet capsule strain during rotational and translational intervertebral joint motion (ie, large joint deviations) under physiological loading could be useful as it may help explain why visually normal lumbar spinal joints become painful.

Purpose: This study quantified the strain tensor of the facet capsule during rotation and translation range-of-motion tests.

Total Parenteral Nutrition During Pregnancy in a Patient Requiring Long-Term Nutrition Support.

Background: Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) has been used successfully in preventing intrauterine growth retardation, premature labor, and perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with poor maternal nutrition. Parenteral nutrition support is provided in most instances for short intervals during pregnancy when oral intake is compromised, eg, hyperemesis gravidarum or during complications from comorbid conditions that develop or are exacerbated during pregnancy. Few reports describe continuous parenteral nutrition support from conception through labor and delivery.