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.

Remaining Useful Life for Heavy-Duty Railway Cast Steel Knuckles Based on Crack Growth Behavior with Hypothetical Distributions

The current research on the integrity of critical structures of rail vehicles mainly focuses on the design stage,which needs an effective method for assessing the service state.This paper proposes a framework for predicting the remaining useful life(RUL)of in-service structures with and without visible cracks.The hypothetical distribution and delay time models were used to apply the equivalent crack growth life data of heavy-duty railway cast steel knuckles,which revealed the evolution characteristics of the crack length and life scores of the knuckle under different fracture failure modes.The results indicate that the method effectively predicts the RUL of service knuckles in different failure modes based on the cumulative failure probability curves for different locations and surface crack lengths.This study proposes an RUL prediction framework that supports the dynamic overhaul and state maintenance of knuckle fatigue cracks.

Real-Time Co-optimization of Gear Shifting and Engine Torque for Predictive Cruise Control of Heavy-Duty Trucks

Fuel consumption is one of the main concerns for heavy-duty trucks.Predictive cruise control(PCC)provides an intriguing opportunity to reduce fuel consumption by using the upcoming road information.In this study,a real-time implementable PCC,which simultaneously optimizes engine torque and gear shifting,is proposed for heavy-duty trucks.To minimize fuel consumption,the problem of the PCC is formulated as a nonlinear model predictive control(MPC),in which the upcoming road elevation information is used.Finding the solution of the nonlinear MPC is time consuming;thus,a real-time implementable solver is developed based on Pontryagin’s maximum principle and indirect shooting method.Dynamic programming(DP)algorithm,as a global optimization algorithm,is used as a performance benchmark for the proposed solver.Simulation,hardware-in-the-loop and real-truck experiments are conducted to verify the performance of the proposed controller.The results demonstrate that the MPC-based solution performs nearly as well as the DP-based solution,with less than 1%deviation for testing roads.Moreover,the proposed co-optimization controller is implementable in a real-truck,and the proposed MPC-based PCC algorithm achieves a fuel-saving rate of 7.9%without compromising the truck’s travel time.

A human-sensitive frequency band vibration isolator for heavy-duty truck seats

In this study,a human-sensitive frequency band vibration isolator(HFBVI)with quasi-zero stiffness(QZS)characteristics for heavy-duty truck seats is designed to improve the comfort of heavy-duty truck drivers on uneven roads.First,the analytical expressions for the force and displacement of the HFBVI are derived with the Lagrange equation and d'Alembert's principle,and are validated through the prototype restoring force testing.Second,the harmonic balance method(HBM)is used to obtain the dynamic responses under harmonic excitation,and further the influence of pre-stretching on the dynamic characteristics and transmissibility is discussed.Finally,the experimental prototype of the HFBVI is fabricated,and vibration experiments are conducted under harmonic excitation to verify the vibration isolation performance(VIP)of the proposed vibration isolator.The experimental results indicate that the HFBVI can effectively suppress the frequency band(4-8 Hz)to which the human body is sensitive to vertical vibration.In addition,under real random road spectrum excitation,the HFBVI can achieve low-frequency vibration isolation close to 2 Hz,providing new prospects for ensuring the health of heavy-duty truck drivers.

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.

Reform of Teaching Practice of Modern Instrumental Analysis in Biotechnology Programs

Through the online and offline practical reform of the Modern Instrumental Analysis course of biotechnology majors from teaching content,teaching method,teaching demonstration to teaching effect,the traditional single offline lecture is transformed into diversified and interactive modern teaching.The practical reform enriches and optimizes the course content,perfects and improves the course assessment system,and improves the teaching quality.It achieves the student-centered and application-oriented teaching goal,and also provides reference for further cultivating high-quality applied talents.

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.

Development and validation of an instrument to assess knowledge,attitudes,and practices on digital health among nursing officers

Objective:Validation is an important aspect of an instrument,and it ensures the confidence of researchers to employ the instrument in their studies.This study was conducted to develop and validate an instrument to assess knowledge,attitudes,and practices(KAP) on digital health among nurses since digital health capacity is a major concern in health care that needs to be assessed.Methods:We conducted a methodological study to assess the content validity and reliability of the instrument.First,items were generated through a comprehensive literature review and by obtaining an expert opinion.Second,content and face validity were assessed by a panel of 7 experts.Both the item-level content validity index(I-CVI) and the scale-level content validity index(S-CVI) were established.Moreover,test–retest reliability and internal consistency of the instrument were assessed.Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.Results:The initial pool consisted of 60 items and after obtaining content,face,and construct validity,51 items remained.Items with an I-CVI <0.78 were considered relevant.The S-CVI for relevancy,clarity,ambiguity,and simplicity were 0.93,0.91,0.94,and 0.92,respectively.Five subcomponents were constructed in each knowledge and attitudes domain,and the test–retest reliability test revealed that the instrument has good reliability,showing correlation coefficient values for the KAP domains and the total questionnaire of 0.76,0.98,0.99,and 0.99,respectively.The independent Cronbach's α for all items was 0.76,indicating good internal consistency.Conclusions:The present study established the acceptable validity and ensured the good reliability and internal consistency of the instrument,which can serve as an assessment tool of KAP on digital health among healthcare professionals.

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.

Design of Signal Lamp Filament Monitoring Alarm Instrument

To improve the reliability of the light emitting diode(LED)signal lamp filament current monitoring alarm instrument for metro systems,a new type of hot standby online monitoring apparatus was developed which is based on synchronous transmission data(STD)bus technology.In this system,a double hot standby mode can be achieved by adopting bus arbitration.In addition,to detect the effective value of alternating current which is from 0 to 200 mA in the signal lamp lighting circuit,a precision rectifier signal conditioning circuit and an isolated acquisition circuit were designed.This new type of alarm instrument has high detection accuracy and could meet the functional requirements for metro signal systems after comparing it with some industry products that were applied on the spot.

Validity and reliability of the Polish version of the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument

BACKGROUND Diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy is an important risk factor for foot ulceration and amputation.Thus,patients with diabetes should be screened for this disorder according to local guidelines.An obstacle to the diagnosis of this disease may be the lack of unified diagnostic criteria due to the lack of properly validated scales used for assessment.AIM To validate both sections(A and B)of the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument(MNSI)in Polish(PL)patients with diabetes.METHODS A cross-sectional study using a test(A1,B1)and re-test(A2,B2)formula was performed in 80 patients with diabetes.The gold standard used for neuropathy detection was a nerve conduction study(NCS)which was performed in all participants.Reliability of the MNSI-PL was assessed using the Cronbach’s alpha,Kuder-Richardson formula 20(KR-20),split-half reliability,the Gottman split-half tests,and correlation between first and second half was accessed.Stability was assessed using an intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC).For external validation,we used simple linear correlation,binomial regression,and agreement between two different tools using a Bland-Altman plot analysis.RESULTS The scale was internally consistent(Cronbach’s alpha for the full scale:0.81 for A and 0.87 for B).MNSI-PL scores in test/retest showed high stability(ICC=0.73 for A and ICC=0.97 for B).The statistically important correlations between MNSI-PL and NCS were found for B1,B2,and A1(P<0.005).The cut-off points of≥3 for section A(sensitivity of 90%-100%;specificity of 33%-40%)and≥2 for section B(sensitivity of 81%-84%;specificity of 60%-70%)were obtained during neuropathy detection.CONCLUSION The MNSI-PL is a reliable and valid instrument in screening for diabetic neuropathy.

Cost-effectiveness of patient specific vs conventional instrumentation for total knee arthroplasty:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Over the past years,patient specific instrumentation(PSI)for total knee arthroplasty(TKA)has been implemented and routinely used.No clear answer has been given on its associated cost and cost-effectiveness when compared to conventional instrumentation(CI)for TKA.AIM To compare the cost and cost-effectiveness of PSI TKA compared to CI TKA.METHODS A literature search was performed in healthcare,economical healthcare,and medical databases(MEDLINE,EMBASE,CINAHL,Web of Science,Cochrane Library,EconLit).It was conducted in April 2021 and again in January 2022.Relevant literature included randomised controlled trials,retrospective studies,prospective studies,observational studies,and case control studies.All studies were assessed on methodological quality.Relevant outcomes included incremental cost-effectiveness ratio,quality-adjusted life years,total costs,imaging costs,production costs,sterilization associated costs,surgery duration costs and readmission rate costs.All eligible studies were assessed for risk of bias.Meta-analysis was performed for outcomes with sufficient data.RESULTS Thirty-two studies were included into the systematic review.Two were included in the metaanalysis.3994 PSI TKAs and 13267 CI TKAs were included in the sample size.The methodological quality of the included studies,based on Consensus on Health Economic Criteria-scores and risk of bias,ranged from average to good.PSI TKA costs less than CI TKA when considering mean operating room time and its associated costs and tray sterilization per patient case.PSI TKA costs more compared to CI TKA when considering imaging and production costs.Considering total costs per patient case,PSI TKA is more expensive in comparison to CI TKA.Meta-analysis comparing total costs for PSI TKA,and CI TKA showed a significant higher cost for PSI TKA.CONCLUSION Cost for PSI and CI TKA can differ when considering distinct aspects of their implementation.Total costs per patient case are increased for PSI TKA when compared to CI TKA.

Analysis and Design of Surgical Instrument Localization Algorithm

With the help of surgical navigation system,doctors can operate on patients more intuitively and accurately.The positioning accuracy and real-time performance of surgical instruments are very important to the whole system.In this paper,we analyze and design the detection algorithm of surgical instrument location mark,and estimate the posture of surgical instrument.In addition,we optimized the pose by remapping.Finally,the algorithm of location mark detection proposed in this paper and the posture analysis data of surgical instruments are verified and analyzed through experiments.The final result shows a high accuracy.

Optimization of Engine Control Strategies for Low Fuel Consumption in Heavy-Duty Commercial Vehicles

The reduction of fuel consumption in engines is always considered of vital importance.Along these lines,in this work,this goal was attained by optimizing the heavy-duty commercial vehicle engine control strategy.More specifically,at first,a general first principles model for heavy-duty commercial vehicles and a transient fuel consumptionmodel for heavy-duty commercial vehicles were developed and the parameters were adjusted to fit the empirical data.The accuracy of the proposed modelwas demonstrated fromthe stage and the final results.Next,the control optimization problem resulting in low fuel consumption in heavy commercial vehicles was described,with minimal fuel usage as the optimization goal and throttle opening as the control variable.Then,a time-continuous engine management approach was assessed.Next,the factors that influence low fuel consumption in heavy-duty commercial vehicles were systematically examined.To reduce the computing complexity,the control strategies related to the time constraints of the engine were parametrized using three different methods.The most effective solution was obtained by applying a global optimization strategy because the constrained optimization problem was nonlinear.Finally,the effectiveness of the low-fuel consumption engine control strategy was demonstrated by comparing the simulated and field test results.

Journal of Measurement Science and Instrumentation

Journal of Measurement Science and Iustrumentation(CN14-1357/TH,ISSN 1674-8042)is published by North University of China.It is a comprehensive academic journal,aiming to present scientifie research papers in the fields of measurement science and instrumentation,ineluding general and instrumentation of measurement and control applied to such academie and industrial fields asprineiples.

AVEVA Instrumentation Engineer在仪表系统设计中的应用研究

本文分析AVEVA Instrumentation软件功能模块Engineer在仪表系统设计中的应用。重点探讨借助AVEVA Instrumentation软件实现跨专业、跨软件的数据交互开发及仪表专业清单文件、数据表的模板定制。

Correlation analysis between fault frequency and service time of underground fluid instruments

In this paper, we make a statistical analysis of the fault information of the underground fluid instruments of 12 models in China from January 2021 to May 2022 based on the Pearson correlation coefficient, and compare the fault statistics of the meteorological three-element instruments of 3 models during the study period. The results show that:(1) The numbers of faults of the underground fluid instruments of 12models with different service times are basically positively correlated with the numbers of the corresponding instruments, with good consistency. Moreover, the automatic observation instruments(8models) with more than 30 units are significantly correlated at a 0.05 significance level(95% confidence level). Even at a 0.01 significance level(99% confidence level), there are 7 models(7/8) with significant correlation.(2) The positive and negative correlations between the monthly average number of faults and the corresponding service times of the underground fluid instruments of 12 models with different service times are random, and there are 9 models(75%) with no significant correlation at a 0.05 significance level(95% confidence level), while 12 models(100%) with no significant correlation at a 0.01significance level(99% confidence level).(3) The monthly average numbers of faults of the underground fluid instruments of 12 models are basically 0.02-0.05 times/(unit·month), and the overall fault frequency is low.(4) The fault statistics results of the meteorological three-element instruments of 3 models are consistent with the characteristics of the underground fluid instruments of 12 models. In general,there is no significant correlation between the fault frequency and the service time of underground fluid instruments.(5) The results of this paper demonstrate that the service time of underground fluid instruments cannot be taken as the main reason for whether to update the instruments. Similarly, the fault frequency of the instruments cannot be taken as the main reason for the service life of the instruments in the process of formulating the service life standards of underground fluid instruments.

ArtiSentialTM Revolutionizes Traditional Laparoscopy in Urology by Introducing the Dexterity of a Robotic System to a Laparoscopic Instrument —First Experiences in Urology in Europe by the Ukrb in Neuruppin

We describe the first two conventional, laparoscopic renal operations with a new multi-degree of freedom articulated single-use laparoscopic instrument (ArtiSentialTM). The two patients underwent different laparoscopic interventions at Ukrb University (Neuruppin, Germany): nephrectomy and Anderson-Hynes-pyeloplasty. All procedures were completed, with no need for conversion or placement of additional ports. No intraoperative complications or technical failure of the instrument was recorded. The mean operative time was 180 min median length of stay was 11.5 d. The instrument could be opened out of the sterile packaging and used at once when it was needed, because it is a single-use instrument. There was real haptical feedback and the costs are minimal compared to robot surgery. The use was straightforward and rapid processes after an intensive training of 4 h in a dry lap. Awaiting future investigations in larger series, this study proves the safety and feasibility of renal surgery with ArtiSentialTM and provides relevant data that may help early adopters of this surgical instrument.

Metallosis with spinal implant loosening after spinal instrumentation:A case report

BACKGROUND Spinal metallosis is a rare complication following spinal instrumentation whereby an inflammatory response to the metal implants results in the development of granulomatous tissue.CASE SUMMARY We describe the case of a 78-year-old woman who had recurrence of back pain 5 years after lumbar spine posterior decompression and instrumented fusion.Lumbar spine radiographs showed hardware loosening and magnetic resonance imaging showed adjacent segment disease.Revision surgery revealed evidence of metallosis intraoperatively.CONCLUSION Spinal metallosis can present several years after instrumentation.Radiography and computed tomography may demonstrate hardware loosening secondary to metallosis.Blood metal concentrations associated with spinal metallosis have yet to be established.Hence,metallosis is still an intraoperative and histopathological diagnosis.The presence of metallosis after spinal instrumentation likely indicates a more complex underlying problem:Pseudarthrosis,failure to address sagittal balance,infection,and cross-threading of set screws.Hence,identifying metallosis is important,but initiating treatment promptly for symptomatic implant loosening is of greater paramount.