The CCD instrument background of the SMILE SXI

The ESA and CAS SMILE mission orbit is highly elliptical and will pass through multiple radiation environments.The Soft X-ray Imager(SXI)instrument aboard has a radiation shutter door designed to close when the surrounding radiation flux is high.The shutter door will close when passing below an altitude threshold to protect against trapped particles in the Earth’s Van Allen Belts.Therefore,two radiation environments can be approximated based on the shutter door position:open and closed.The instrument background for the CCDs(Charge-Coupled Devices)that form the focal plane array of the SXI were evaluated for the two environments.Due to the correlation of the space environment with the solar cycle,the solar minima and maxima,the background was also evaluated at these two extremes.The results demonstrated that the highest instrument background will occur during solar minima due to the main contributing source being Galactic Cosmic Rays(GCRs).It was also found that the open background was highest for solar minima and that the closed background was highest during solar maxima.This is due to the radiation shutter door acting as a scattering centre and the changes in the energy flux distribution of the GCRs between the two solar extremes.

Exploring the Mysteries of the Universe, and Innovation Leading the Future——Astronomical Techniques and Instruments

Dear Readers:Astronomical Techniques and Instruments is a professional English journal of open access devoted to recent develop-ments,discoveries,and theories in astronomical techniques,methods,and instruments.It will serve as a platform for dis-course,learning,and information sharing for astronomic and astrophysics professionals worldwide.

Surgical Management of Lumbar Spinal Canal Stenosis with Instrumentation at the Yaounde Central Hospital: Comparison of Unilateral versus Bilateral Pedicle Screw Fixation Combined with Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Introduction: The choice of adopting unilateral pedicle screw fixation or using bilateral pedicle screw fixation in lumbar spinal stenosis remains controversial. In our context, very few studies have been performed comparing the clinical effectiveness of unilateral versus bilateral fixation in the surgical management of lumbar spinal canal stenosis. Objective: Evaluate the impact on quality of life and clinical efficacy of unilateral spondylodesis compared to bilateral spondylodesis in the surgical management of lumbar spinal canal stenosis at the Yaounde Central Hospital. Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study for a period of 4 years, from June 2015 to June 2019. It involved all patients operated for lumbar canal stenosis and who underwent spondylodesis or spinal fusion at the neurosurgery department of the Yaounde Central Hospital. Results: A total of 68 participants were recruited during our study period. 32 (47%) of the study population were in the 50 - 60 age group, with a mean age of 56.98 years ranging from 41 to 75 years. Females, housewives and farmers were the most affected. In our study, 72% of patients had unilateral spondylodesis and 28% had bilateral fusion. Preoperatively, 71% of patients had insurmountable pain, refractory to medical treatment. At 3 months postoperatively, 73.7% of patients with bilateral setup had moderate pain compared to 69% of those with unilateral setup. At 6 months postoperatively, 79% of patients with bilateral fusion had mild pain compared to 82% of patients with unilateral setup. At 1 year postoperatively, all patients had mild pain. Preoperatively, 66.2% of patients were unable to walk and 19.1% of patients were bedridden according to the Oswestry score. At 3 months postoperatively, 10.2% of patients with unilateral setup were unable to walk compared to 10.5% of patients with bilateral fixation, while 67.3% of patients with unilateral fixation had moderate disability compared to 52.6% of patients with bilateral fixation. At 6 months postoperatively, 51% of patients with unilateral setup had moderate disability compared to 47.4% of patients with bilateral fixation, while 42.9% of patients with unilateral fixation had mild disability compared to 42.1% of patients with bilateral fixation. At 1 year postoperatively, 81.6% of patients who underwent unilateral fixation had only mild disability compared to 73.7% of patients with bilateral fixation. Conclusion: The assessment of quality of life according to the set-up used shows similar results at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year, with no statistically significant differences. Single-sided pedicle screw fixation combined with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion or mounting has the advantage of being faster, with less bleeding and is less expensive compared to bilateral fixation.

Analysis Of Urban Planning Instruments in Comala,Colima,Mexico(1997-2009)from a Gender Perspective-A Secondary Publication

This work is carried out based on the analysis of urban planning instruments,taking the gender perspective as a foundation.It arises from the inclusion of women in the participation of urban development,through an analysis of the gender gaps that have marked the history of women,the inequalities serve as a basis for carrying out this study.It highlights the challenges we face today as a society in the process of building citizen participation,where we must all be recognized and have equal opportunities within the territory in which we live.This article analyzes the extent to which the Municipal Urban Development Programs of the Mexican municipality of Comala,Colima,Mexico,consider the recommendations on gender and urbanism,established since the 1990s by international entities and applied transversally to urban planning policies.Considerable differences are found between women and men in terms of empowerment and participation in urban territorial planning instruments,mainly in the oldest instrument(1997).Significant progress is observed in the most recent document and is currently in force in the municipality of Comala(2009).

Instrument Automation Control System Faults and Maintenance

This article explores the topic of fault diagnosis and maintenance strategies for instrument automation control systems,analyzing them through specific cases.The aim of this research is to improve the stability and reliability of the system by conducting a thorough investigation of faults and maintenance in instrument automation control systems.By doing so,this research hopes to provide a strong guarantee for the smooth progress of industrial production.

How does the Instrumental Motivation Affect English Learning in China

For years,learning English has always been a popular trend in China.However,for most of students,the main purpose of learning this language is not to improve their English proficiency but to obtain the related English proficiency certificates,which will contribute to their graduation or competition.Under such instrumental motivation,students may succeed in shortterm competition but fail in long-term development,especially when studying abroad or working in a foreign company.In order to help Chinese students improve their English proficiency effectively;this article will introduce several strategies that could be considered and implemented in English classes in China.

Modelling of an hydraulic excavator using simplifiedrefined instrumental variable(SRIV)algorithm

Instead of establishing mathematical hydraulic system models from physical laws usually done with the problems of complex modelling processes, low reliability and practicality caused by large uncertainties, a novel modelling method for a highly nonlinear system of a hydraulic excavator is presented. Based on the data collected in the excavator＇s arms driving experiments, a data-based excavator dynamic model using Simplified Refined Instrumental Variable （SRIV） identification and estimation algorithms is established. The validity of the proposed data-based model is indirectly demonstrated by the performance of computer simulation and the.real machine motion control exoeriments.

Investigating cooked rice textural properties by instrumental measurements

Foods wherein the starch is slowly digested contribute to good health by reducing the tendency to,and for the maintenance of,diabetes,obesity and colo-rectal cancers.While foods with high amylose content have this desirable property,they usually do not have high sensory appeal and consumers are reluctant to eat them.While sensory evaluation by trained human panelists is the best way to obtain consumer preferences,these tests are expensive,time-consuming and require considerable effort and care.Instrumental measurements are easier,cheaper and invaluable for screening,but only useful if they correlate with human data for the type of food being considered.Here,we test this using cooked rice with a wide range of amylose contents.Functional properties were correlated against quantitative descriptive panelist analysis.Swelling power and breakdown viscosity correlated with all panelist sensory attributes,but no other correlations with gelatinization properties were observed.There was a strong correlation between hardness and stickiness measured by texture profile analysis(TPA)and by panelists,suggesting that TPA can be used to measure hardness and stickiness of cooked rice.We also showed that breakdown viscosity is a reliable instrumental means to provide indicative measurements of hardness and rice preference,and swelling power is a predictor of rice stickiness.

Hollow fiber-based liquid phase microextraction followed by analytical instrumental techniques for quantitative analysis of heavy metal ions and pharmaceuticals

Hollow-fiber liquid-phase microextraction(HF-LPME)and electromembrane extraction(EME)are miniaturized extraction techniques,and have been coupled with various analytical instruments for trace analysis of heavy metals,drugs and other organic compounds,in recent years.HF-LPME and EME provide high selectivity,efficient sample cleanup and enrichment,and reduce the consumption of organic sol-vents to a few micro-liters per sample.HF-LPME and EME are compatible with different analytical in-struments for chromatography,electrophoresis,atomic spectroscopy,mass spectrometry,and electrochemical detection.HF-LPME and EME have gained significant popularity during the recent years.This review focuses on hollow fiber based techniques(especially HF-LPME and EME)of heavy metals and pharmaceuticals(published 2017 to May 2019),and their combinations with atomic spectroscopy,UV-VIS spectrophotometry,high performance liquid chromatography,gas chromatography,capillary elec-trophoresis,and voltammetry.

Lead-Lag Connection of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) with East Asian Surface Air Temperatures in Instrumental Records

The authors analyzed the lead-lag connection of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) with East Asian surface air temperatures (EATs) using instrumental records, and compared the results with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). The maximum correlation was found when EATs led the AMO by five to seven years (with a correlation coefficient of 0.72, whereas the correlation coefficient was 0.91 when the AMO led EATs by 24-28 years). This is different from the PDO, which mostly correlated with EATs when the PDO led EATs by 13-15 years (with a correlation coefficient of 0.67, whereas the correlation coefficient was 0.76 when EATs led the PDO by 24-26 years). The PDO led the AMO by 19-21 years (with a correlation coefficient of 0.71, whereas the correlation coefficient was 0.84 when the AMO led the PDO by 16-18 years). These results support a previous understanding that EATs positively correlate with the AMO, and imply that the observed East Asian warming trend may have been slowing down since the early 2010s.

Automation of choice of instrumental equipment and study of thermo-stressed conditions of metal-cutting instrument

This article about possibility of automations of choice of instrumental equipment. In it described problems of choice of equipment, which are decided by means of mathematical model, developed on the base of finite element method.

Estimating the effect of early discharge policy on readmission rate. An instrumental variable approach

Early discharge policy, common in the developed countries, refers to the reduction of hospital length of stay as a way of reducing the cost of care. The effect of the policy on quality of care has received a lot of attention in the literature. Some of the earlier papers have ignored the endogeneity of length of stay in the readmission equation, an approach that could lead to inconsistent estimation. This study develops a statistical technique for the consistent estimation of the effect of the early discharge policy. An instrument that can be used extensively across different diagnostic groups is provided, hence solving the difficult problem of finding an instrument for length of stay. The exogeneity test in Gorgger (1990), the test for weak instruments in Staiger and Stock (1997) as well as the Hensen (1982) for over identification confirmed respectively that length of stay is endogenous the instrument is strong and the valid.

Comparative Study of Visual and Instrumental Analyses of Shade Selection

The difference between visual and instrumental analyses of a shade selection on natural teeth was investigated. With visual analysis, five prosthodontist examined the middle third of the unrestored maxillary right central incisor of a patient using VITAPEN classical and Vita Toothguide 3D-MASTER tooth shade guide. In instrumental analysis, one prosthodontist examined the same teeth using a spectrophotometer （ShadepilotTM, Degudent, Hanau-Wolfgang, Germany, software 2.40）. Overall, instrumental analysis is more accurate and reproducible than a visual assessment. However, the difference is clinically acceptable.

TEC and Instrumental Bias Estimation of GAGAN Station Using Kalman Filter and SCORE Algorithm

The standalone Global Positioning System (GPS) does not meet the higher accuracy requirements needed for approach and landing phase of an aircraft. To meet the Category-I Precision Approach (CAT-I PA) requirements of civil aviation, satellite based augmentation system (SBAS) has been planned by various countries including USA, Europe, Japan and India. The Indian SBAS is named as GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN). The GAGAN network consists of several dual frequency GPS receivers located at various airports around the Indian subcontinent. The ionospheric delay, which is a function of the total electron content (TEC), is one of the main sources of error affecting GPS/SBAS accuracy. A dual frequency GPS receiver can be used to estimate the TEC. However, line-of-sight TEC derived from dual frequency GPS data is corrupted by the instrumental biases of the GPS receiver and satellites. The estimation of receiver instrumental bias is particularly important for obtaining accurate estimates of ionospheric delay. In this paper, two prominent techniques based on Kalman filter and Self-Calibration Of pseudo Range Error (SCORE) algorithm are used for estimation of instrumental biases. The estimated instrumental bias and TEC results for the GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) station at Hyderabad (78.47°E, 17.45°N), India are presented.

Comparison of Computational Methods for Instrumental Intensities Using the MS7.0 Jiuzhaigou Earthquake Data

After the occurrence of an earthquake,strong motion observation networks can record ground motion at distributed observation stations. Based on the ground motion parameters from these records,the spatial distribution of seismic intensity can be quickly determined,and the degree of damage in different areas can be estimated. This information provides the technical basis for the emergency response,so as to ensure that rescue teams can reach extreme earthquake areas and carry out the search and rescue operation in an accurate and timely manner to reduce casualties and property loss. In this paper,we introduced 7 intensity algorithms and compared the results with the records of the Jiuzhaigou M_S7. 0 earthquake. We found that the differences between the instrumental intensities calculated by each method and the macro intensities were within a 1-degree range,which suggested good practicality of these different methods. The results calculated by the industrial standards-based calculation method and the integrated test showed good consistency.

Extending Instrumental Variable Method for Effective Economic Modelling

Economic modeling that yields practical value must cater for effects caused by exogenous variables. AutoRegressive eXogenous approach (ARX) has been widely used in regional economic studies. Instrumental Variable Method is regarded as a preferential method to parametric estimation in ARX modeling. However, traditional instrumental variable methods can only handle single variable which has limited its capability. This paper presents an extended instrumental variable method (EIVM) which is based on multiple variables. This provides the capability of taking into account of exogenous variables and reflects better the economic activities. A case study is conducted, which illustrates the application of the EIVM in modeling Northeastern economy in China.

Fetal Instrumental Extractions at the Maternity Section of the Dakar Nabil Choucair Health Centre (Senegal) in 2017: Epidemio-Clinical Aspects, Indications and Prognosis

Introduction:?An instrumental extraction is performed in order to shorten the phase of expulsion of the fetus outside the maternal pelvic pathway, when there is a suspected fetal state or a defect in progression of the fetal mobile. It can be responsible for immediate or late maternal complications, which are not specific because they can occur after a normal delivery. The objectives of this work are to describe the epidemiological-clinical and prognosis aspects of deliveries assisted by instrumental extractions in a reference maternity unit in Dakar.?Materials and Methods:?This was a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017, a period of 12 months at the maternity ward of the Nabil Choucair Health Center. The collection was carried out using the survey form completed on the basis of the analysis of the files, the delivery register and the anaesthesia register of the operating room. The parameters studied were about socio-demographic?characteristics, indications and prognosis. The data entry was carried out using the Sphinx version 5 software and the data analysis using the Epi info version?3.5?software. Results:?During the period of our study, we collected 94 instrumental?extractions. The frequency of instrumental extractions was?1.7%. The average age of the patients was 25 years with extremes of 16 to 43 years old. The average parity was 1 with extremes 1 to 6. Among parturient women, 12?patients (12.8%) had a history of suction cup, two (2.1%) had received forceps and three (3.2%) had a cesarean section. The average gestational age was 39 Weeks of Amenorrhea (WA), the average uterine?height was 32?cm, fetal heart sounds were normal in 98% parturient’ cases. The vaginal?touch had found a fully dilated cervix, a rupture of the amniotic sac with clear amniotic?fluid in 98% of parturient women and a fetus with an anterior left iliac occipito topin 69.4% of cases. The pelvis was clinically normal in all parturient women. The indications were dominated by maternal fatigue (65.9%). The spatula was the?most commonly used instrument (82.7%). Episiotomy was performed in 97.3%?of cases. The average weight of the newborn was 3058 grams and an Apgar score of 8/10 was noted in 96% of newborns. We noted 3?cases of maternal complications with perineal tear type (3.2%) and 1 case of perineal tear associated with postpartum hemorrhage (1.06%). The neonatal prognosis was dominated by 2 caput succedaneum cases (2.1%). Newborns were alive and well in 97.8%. We noted 2 cases of death, i.e. 2.1% in?unsolved circumstances. All the mothers were alive and well at (100%). Conclusion:?Instrumental extractions must be integrated into our structures?to significantly reduce the number of abusive cesarean sections. The perfect mastery of extraction techniques and indications makes?it possible to?reduce fetal suffering while avoiding the morbidity associated with instrumental?extractions.

Emergency Neonatal Obstetric Cares at Cocody University Hospital: Overview of Instrumental Extraction

Objectives: The aim of this study was to show an overview of situation of instrumental extraction at the maternity of Cocody University Hospital by determining availability and assessing the maternal and fetal prognosis. Patients and method: it was a retrospective study with a descriptive purpose on 6 months from January 1 to June 31, 2015. It concerned all patients admitted in the expulsive phase of labor delivery room and with an indication of fetal instrumental extraction and the state of their newborns at birth. Results: We saved 2288 vaginal deliveries;including 28 instrumental deliveries on 104 indications of instrumental extraction is an implementation rate of 26.9% (16 by vacuum extractor and 12 forceps). Among patients with indication but without instrumental extraction (n = 76), there is 42.3% vaginal delivery (n = 44) and 30.8% of cesarean section (n = 32). 44 have given birth vaginally (42.3%) and 32 by caesarean section (30.8%). It’s young patient (28 years), nulliparous (42.3%). Average time between instrumental extraction indication and the delivery of the baby was 58 min in the case of instrumental extraction and 1 hour 41 minutes in the case of spontaneous delivery in anticipation of the c-section. Motherhood had 3 instrumental extractors (2 vacuum extractors and 1 forceps) recycled after each use. The Apgar score was good in 85.7% in children born by instrumental extraction and bad in 54.5% in children born vaginally without instrumental extraction. We found 20 stillborn in intra partum occurred only in children born vaginally without instrumental extraction. Twelve (12) cases of bleeding of the issue by uterine atony (27.3%) were recorded in patients pregnant without instrumental extraction. No maternal deaths were observed. Conclusion: The realization of instrumental extraction rate remains low at the maternity of the UH-C. In the event, the fetal prognosis was better.

Preliminary Application of Combinatorial Measurement and Regression Analysis Method to High Precision Instrumental Analysis

With determination micro-Fe by 1, 10-phenanthroline spectrophotometry for example, they are systematically introduced the combinatorial measurement and regression analysis method application about metheodic principle, operation step and data processing in the instrumental analysis, including: calibration curve best linear equation is set up, measurand best linear equation is set up, and calculation of best value of a concentration. The results showed that mean of thrice determination , s = 0 μg/mL, RSD = 0. Results of preliminary application are simply introduced in the basic instrumental analysis for atomic absorption spectrophotometry, ion-selective electrodes, coulometry and polarographic analysis and are contrasted to results of normal measurements.

Instrumental neutron activation analysis of beachrock samples of South East Coast of Tamilnadu,India

Element profiles of some beach rock samples collected from South East Coast of Tamilnadu, India have been determined using single comparator method of INAA. The geo-chemical behavior of the elements in the region is discussed. The irradiations were done at thermal neutron flux of ~ 1011 cm-2·s-1 at 20kW power using Kalpakkam Mini Reactor (KAMINI), IGCAR, Kalpakkam, Tamilnadu, India. Around 19 elements have been determined from 15 samples by high-resolution gamma spectrometry. The accuracy and precision were evaluated by assaying the irradiated Standard Reference Material (SRM 1646a Estuarine sediment) and were found to be in good agreement with certified values.