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.

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.

Glaucoma surgery experiments using digital microscope-integrated optical coherence tomography and OCT-compatible instruments

There is a certain failure rate in traditional glaucoma surgery because of the lack of depth information in microscope images.In this work,we present a digital microscope-integrated optical coherence tomography(MIOCT)system and several custom-made OCT-compatible instruments for glaucoma surgery.Sixteen ophthalmologists were asked to perform trabeculectomy and canaloplasty on live porcine eyes using the system and instruments.After surgery,a subjective feedback survey about the user experience was taken.The experiment results showed that our system can help surgeons easily locate important tissue structures during surgery.The custom-made instruments also solved the shadowing problem in OCT imaging.Surgeons preferred to use the system in their future practice.

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.

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.

Research on the Testing Methods of Instrumental System in the Marine Magnetic Survey

Testing methods of instrumental system in the marine magnetic survey have been studied in this paper, and the feasibility of each method has been testified by the observed data. The conclusion shows that the method brought out can effectively eliminate the systematic error caused by the instrumental system, and greatly improve the surveying precision and the reliability of the survey results.

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.

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.

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.

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.