Different Types Of Instruments Research Articles

Evaluation of Variability of Instruments Used in Pork Loin Quality Assessments

ObjectivesIt has been historically proven that when measuring instrumental color, the magnitude of the color value will differ between instruments types, (i.e., HunterLab and Minolta). However, it is not known whether variability of readings within machine differs between machine type when measuring instrumental color or pH. It is also not known if pH or color values from one machine can be used to predict values from a second machine. The objectives were to (1) evaluate the effect of machine on the variability of instrumental color and pH measurements of boneless pork loins and (2) determine if color or pH measurements from one machine type can be used to predict measurements from a second machine type.Materials and MethodsTwo different sets (n1 = 253 and n2 = 294, respectively) of loins from a commercial processing facility were measured for instrumental color analysis. Loins were evaluated on the ventral face at the approximate location of the 10th rib at 22 h postmortem. Instrumental color was measured using a Minolta CR-400 Chroma meter equipped with a D65 illuminant, 2° observer, 8mm aperture, and calibrated with a white tile specific to the machine, but the first set were measured with an open aperture while the second used a closed aperture. The HunterLab was equipped with a 10° observer, 25 mm port and calibrated with a black and white tile specific to the machine for both sets. Ultimate pH was measured on three additional sets of loins (n1 = 249, n2 = 170, and n3 = 285 for each group, respectively) using two separate pH meters. Color and pH data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS as a 1-way ANOVA with two levels (Minolta and Hunter for color, Meter A and Meter B for pH). Variances for each treatment were calculated using the means procedure and tested for homogeneity using the Levene’s test of the GLM procedure. Means and variances were considered different at P ≤ 0.05. Coefficients of determination (R2) were calculated using the REG procedure between Hunter and Minolta readings and between pH meters.ResultsRedness, Chroma and hue angle had greater variability (P < 0.01) when measured using the open aperture Minolta than HunterLab, while only chroma (P = 0.04) and hue angle (P < 0.01) had greater variability when using the closed aperture Minolta compared with the HunterLab. Variability of other traits did not differ between machines. For each set of loins, pH variability was greater for meter B than meter A. R2 values between the HunterLab and open aperture Minolta were 0.42 for lightness, 0.41 for redness, 0.27 for yellowness, 0.28 for saturation, and 0.18 for hue angle. R2 values between the HunterLab and closed aperture Minolta were 0.42 for lightness, 0.42 for redness, 0.33 for yellowness, 0.24 for saturation, and 0.04 for hue angle. Meter A was able to predict between 17–21% of variation in Meter B.ConclusionOverall, variability was generally not different between color machines, while pH meters had different variabilities between machines and on days of measurement. Neither color instruments nor pH meters were able to predict values from other instruments of different types well enough for practical use.

ADJUSTMENT OF CADASTRAL NETWORK USING LEAST-SQUARES VARIANCE COMPONENT ESTIMATION

Abstract. The role of the stochastic model very important in data processing of geodetic network since it describes the accuracy of the measurements and their correlation with each other. Knowledge of weights of the observables is required to provide a better understanding of the sources of errors and to model the error, hence the weights need to be determined correctly. This study concentrates on the estimation of variance components from different types of instruments used in the cadastral survey. The ideas are to combine the conventional and advanced instruments in a traverse network to enhance the estimated variance component in the stochastic model. Thus, Least Squares Variance Component Estimation (LS-VCE) method was used in this study because the method is simple, flexible and attractive due to the precision of variance estimators that can be directly obtained. Observation data come with several types of instruments such as chain measurement, Electronic Distance Measurement and total station were utilized. The findings showed that LS-VCE method was very reliable in cadastral network application. Besides, the results revealed that the estimated variance components for distance scale error, σp seem to become unrealistic for each data tested. It was found that the traverse network which included chain survey, showed the insignificant result to the precision of station coordinates when the measurements were combined.

Instruments for quality of life assessment in individuals with human papillomavirus.

To identify scientific evidence on quality of life measurement instruments used in individuals with infections caused by human papillomavirus. This was an integrative review carried out from April 1995 to March 2017 in the LILACS, SciVerse Scopus, ISI Web of Science, CINAHL, and PubMed databases. The controlled descriptors adopted were: Infecções por Papilomavirus; Qualidade de Vida; Papillomavirus Infections; and Quality of Life. Of the 416 articles found, 12 were selected. Thirteen different types of instruments to evaluate the quality of life of individuals with human papillomavirus were identified, in that nine were generic and four specific. Different generic and specific instruments were used to evaluate the quality of life of individuals with human papillomavirus, which means no consensus or preference among the studies was identified. However, a lack of use of specific instruments to evaluate this construct in this population was observed.

The Means of Measuring Equipment Related to the Measurement of Mass in and Outside the Area of Legally Regulated Metrology

In the article the peculiarities of applying the requirements of the new edition of the Law of Ukraine «On metrology and metrological activity» to the means of measuring equipment, which are put into exploitation and used in and outside the area of legally regulated metrology are considered. The means of measuring equipment which are put into circulation, placed on the market or put into exploitation and used in the area of legally regulated metrology shall comply with the requirements of all applicable Technical Regulations (Directives for EU) applicable to them. On the example of the measuring instruments related to the measurement of mass describes the procedure for assessing compliance with the requirements of the Technical Regulations applicable to them. The list of normative documents that corresponds to the instruments of different types for presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the relevant Technical Regulations are submitted. The information on the need for periodic verification of measuring equipment after conducting the conformity assessment procedure with the requirements of the Technical Regulations and after the end of the verification interval, which is established by the normative legal act of Ukraine is provided. The requirements for voluntary calibration of means of measuring equipment, which are used in and / or outside the area of legally regulated met­rology in accordance with the Law of Ukraine «On metrology and metrological activity» are considered. The enterprise must calibrate their standards and the means of measuring equipment to use to conduct their activities and / or to check the conformity of products and services to the established requirements. Because, the introduction of a certified quality management system in the enterprise requires compliance with the requirements of traceability and uncertainty of measurements. Conformity assessment bodies, including tes­ting and calibration laboratories, scientific metrology centers, metrology centers and verification laboratories, shall also calibrate their standards and means of measuring equipment with the intercalibration intervals set solely by the user, taking into account the guidelines specified in the regulations.

Benefits and Pitfalls of Deregulating Taxi Markets: Can Contrasted Case Studies Help Inform the Debate?

Taxi and for-hire markets have traditionally been heavily regulated and public policymakers have been quite imaginative in regulating these markets, discriminating among market segments (hail, rank, and pre-booked), using different types of instruments (quantitative, qualitative, economic), and targeting different subjects (company, driver, vehicle). Cities and countries have experimented with the deregulation of taxi and for-hire services since the 1970s, aiming at raising the efficiency and competition in the service supply, lowering the prices, or both. Analyses of deregulated markets have often focused on the broad effects of deregulation at national level and paid limited attention to comparisons between regulated and deregulated markets. This paper discusses the effects of taxi deregulation in Stockholm (in relation to market size and structure, as well as pricing of services) in light of two contrasted case studies of regulated taxi markets in Helsinki (Finland) and Lyon (France). Original findings include observations as to some counterintuitive effects of deregulation, including high prices in both absolute (i.e., for the local context) and relative terms (i.e., compared with other cities).

Analysis in vitro of the insertion torque of hybrid tapered implants with different types of instrumentation and two clinical cases report

Aim The aim of this study was to observe the behavior of the hybrid implants, evaluating the insertion test with different drilling protocols and present two case reports of hybrid implant placed in the upper arch. Materials and methods For the in vitro study 50 implants were placed in 2 different types of synthetic bone blocks composed of rigid solid polyurethane (high density, type I, and low density, type IV). The implants were divided into five groups (n=10): Group 1 (Test) hybrid/conical implants of 3.75 mm x 13 mm placed in a high density bone block with oversized instrumentation; Group 2 (Control) cutting/cylindrical of 3.75 mm x 13 mm, placed in a high density bone block with regular instrumentation; Group 3 (Test) hybrid/conical implants of 4.3 mm x 13 mm placed in a low density bone block with undersized instrumentation; Group 4 (Test) hybrid/conical implants of 4.3 mm x 13 mm placed in a low density bone block with regular instrumentation; Group 5 (Control) compact/conical implants of 4.3 mm x 13 mm placed in a low density bone block with regular instrumentation. Two cases are reported of hybrid implants placed in the maxilla with 12-month follow up. Results No significant difference was observed between hybrid/conical implants and the control group, according to final placement torque in high and low density bone. However, undersized instrumentation showed a significantly increased final torque placement for hybrid/conical implant. Conclusions Implant macrostructure, bone instrumentation technique influence the insertion torque for hybrid/conical implants. At the 12-month follow-up the implants were stable.

Fabrication of the piezoresistive sensor using the continuous laser-induced nanostructure growth for structural health monitoring

The laser-induced synthesis of nanostructures provides an innovative and unique way to shorten the overall processing time in comparison to traditional methods, while allowing precise control of the growth. This is the novel research to report continuous laser beam-assisted uniform growth of aligned nanowires, nanorods and nanotubes on woven carbon fibers (WCF) within a short period of time. The morphologies of the nanostructures were finely controlled by tuning the laser power, beam speed and exposure time. We compared the nanowire/nanorod growth patterns to those obtained with pulsed laser processed growth. The nanostructured-WCF was then used as an electrode and a woven Kevlar fiber (WKF) sheet as a separator for the fabrication of supercapacitor-type sensors. The supercapacitor displays excellent electrochemical and mechanical performance with outstanding multifunctionality. The self-energized supercapacitor exhibits high sensitivity with good cyclic stability. The device functions very well, with few errors, under various environmental conditions. We believe that our supercapacitor-type sensor will be extremely beneficial for the detection of structural problems in bridges, buildings, aerospace vehicles and automobiles, and facilitate the precise motion control of different types of instruments.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF CONVENTIONAL AND LIQUID-BASED CYTOLOGICAL METHODS FOR CERVICAL SMEARS

Purpose. Comparative analysis of the diagnostic value of traditional cytology (TC) and liquid cytology (LC) in the identi­fication of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer (CC).Patients and methots. The study included 87 women aged 18 to 80 years. All women were referred with suspicion of CIN, or underwent a control cytological examination after treatment for CIN and cervical cancer. Smears were taken sep­arately from ecto-, endocervix and mixed. Various tools were used (trowel, brushes type D, F and Cervex-Brush Combi). Each patient was sampled at the same time by different types of instruments. All surveyed women were performed at the same time traditional and fluid cytology. Liquid preparations were prepared using SurePath™ technology (BD and Company, Netherlands, USA) and E‑Prep (Biodyne, South Korea). Traditional cytological preparations were stained ac­cording to the Pappenheim method, liquid preparations — by Papanicolaou. A comparative analysis of cytological and histological findings was carried out.Results. According to our data, the number of non-informative material practically coincides in the shopping center and in the LC, from the instruments used the best results were obtained when using a cytobrush of type D and a wood­en spatula. The frequency of detection of CIN squamous epithelium in the LC is somewhat less than in the shopping center (60% vs. 62%). This is due to the lack of experience in evaluating the life cycle drugs. Despite the fact that the overall frequency of CIN detection is somewhat lower in the LC than in the TC, the frequency of detection of high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) is higher in the LC (51% versus 46%). This is due to the fact that cellular elements are concentrated in a limited area and single small HSIL complexes that are missed in the shopping center are better detected in the LC. The sensitivity of the TC smear from the cervix was 96.2%, life cycle — 92.4%. The accuracy of the shopping center is 92%, the life cycle is 89.6%.Conclusion. LC is an alternative to traditional cytological examination in order to detect pretumor diseases and cervical cancer. For an objective assessment of liquid preparations, additional training of cytologists is necessary.

Harmonics influence on power and energy measurements

To carry out the control and trade of electric energy, power and energy meters are used profusely. This article discusses the differences in the power and energy readings of the measuring instruments of different types and their use for the control of the quality of the supply and consumption of electrical energy. The contradictions of these readings are analyzed when measured in consumers of non-linear loads, generators of harmonics, and of linear loads, consumers of them. Simulation methods are used to show how harmonic propagation occurs in the system. MATLAB Simulink is used as a method of simulation with generating harmonics loads and linear loads. It analyzes how the parameters of the energy quality of the consumers can be affected and it is proposed to use the measurement of the active power of the harmonics as a means of control and penalization.

Evaluation of Variability of Instruments Used in Pork Loin Quality Assessments

ObjectivesIt has been historically proven that when measuring instrumental color, the magnitude of the color value will differ between instruments types, (i.e., HunterLab and Minolta). However, it is not known whether variability of readings within machine differs between machine type when measuring instrumental color or pH. It is also not known if pH or color values from one machine can be used to predict values from a second machine. The objectives were to (1) evaluate the effect of machine on the variability of instrumental color and pH measurements of boneless pork loins and (2) determine if color or pH measurements from one machine type can be used to predict measurements from a second machine type.Materials and MethodsTwo different sets (n1 = 253 and n2 = 294, respectively) of loins from a commercial processing facility were measured for instrumental color analysis. Loins were evaluated on the ventral face at the approximate location of the 10th rib at 22 h postmortem. Instrumental color was measured using a Minolta CR-400 Chroma meter equipped with a D65 illuminant, 2° observer, 8mm aperture, and calibrated with a white tile specific to the machine, but the first set were measured with an open aperture while the second used a closed aperture. The HunterLab was equipped with a 10° observer, 25 mm port and calibrated with a black and white tile specific to the machine for both sets. Ultimate pH was measured on three additional sets of loins (n1 = 249, n2 = 170, and n3 = 285 for each group, respectively) using two separate pH meters. Color and pH data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS as a 1-way ANOVA with two levels (Minolta and Hunter for color, Meter A and Meter B for pH). Variances for each treatment were calculated using the means procedure and tested for homogeneity using the Levene’s test of the GLM procedure. Means and variances were considered different at P ≤ 0.05. Coefficients of determination (R2) were calculated using the REG procedure between Hunter and Minolta readings and between pH meters.ResultsRedness, Chroma and hue angle had greater variability (P < 0.01) when measured using the open aperture Minolta than HunterLab, while only chroma (P = 0.04) and hue angle (P < 0.01) had greater variability when using the closed aperture Minolta compared with the HunterLab. Variability of other traits did not differ between machines. For each set of loins, pH variability was greater for meter B than meter A. R2 values between the HunterLab and open aperture Minolta were 0.42 for lightness, 0.41 for redness, 0.27 for yellowness, 0.28 for saturation, and 0.18 for hue angle. R2 values between the HunterLab and closed aperture Minolta were 0.42 for lightness, 0.42 for redness, 0.33 for yellowness, 0.24 for saturation, and 0.04 for hue angle. Meter A was able to predict between 17–21% of variation in Meter B.ConclusionOverall, variability was generally not different between color machines, while pH meters had different variabilities between machines and on days of measurement. Neither color instruments nor pH meters were able to predict values from other instruments of different types well enough for practical use.

Measuring perspective taking among police recruits

Purpose Perspective taking (PT), as part of the empathy concept, is an important ability in the police profession. It is important to understand how PT can be measured, but also whether it changes over time. The purpose of this paper is to compare the outcomes of three different measures of PT, and to see whether police students’ PT changes at different stages of their education. Design/methodology/approach Three measures, one self-reported and two objective tests, were administered to Swedish National Police recruits at three distinct stages of their police training. The outcomes of the measures were psychometrically analyzed, after which associations between measures and between-group differences were assessed. Findings The result showed that the measures provided results that were in line with what had been reported in earlier studies. There were no significant correlations between the total scores of the three measures, yet students who graded their abilities higher on the subjective instrument did perform better on one of the objective tests. The findings also showed that recruits in later parts of their training self-reported significantly lower PT values than recruits at the beginning of their training. Originality/value This study adds knowledge on the ability of different types of instruments to measure PT and how this construct may develop over time among police recruits.

Intercomparison of far-infrared transmittance measurements.

We present the results of the first systematic "round-robin" comparison of far-infrared transmittance spectra measurements, which was performed by five laboratories and piloted by Physikalisch-Technische (PTB). The transmittance spectra of four different samples were measured by the participating laboratories in the 600 cm-1 to 10 cm-1 range (16.67 µm to 1000 µm) in a blind comparison. Different types of instruments, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometers of Michelson type and a laser radiation-based system were used for the transmittance measurements. FT-IR spectrometers are the most popular and commonly used instruments for the spectral characterization of materials in the infrared spectral range, and are well established for quantitative measurements in the mid- and near-infrared spectral ranges. However, obtaining quantitative transmittance measurements in the far-infrared spectral range by means of these instruments is challenging, because it involves weaker radiation sources, stronger diffraction effects, significant radiation originating from the sample itself and temperature gradients inside the spectrometer that may not be given proper consideration. Therefore, this comparison was initiated to test the actual capability of and identify problems with FT-IR transmittance measurements in this spectral region. We discuss the results and the possible reasons for the observed discrepancies.

Ergonomic interventions for preventing musculoskeletal disorders in dental care practitioners.

Dentistry is a profession with a high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) among practitioners, with symptoms often starting as early in the career as the student phase. Ergonomic interventions in physical, cognitive, and organisational domains have been suggested to prevent their occurrence, but evidence of their effects remains unclear. To assess the effect of ergonomic interventions for the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among dental care practitioners. We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO ProQuest, NIOSHTIC, NIOSHTIC-2, HSELINE, CISDOC (OSH-UPDATE), ClinicalTrials.gov, and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) Search Portal to August 2018, without language or date restrictions. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-RCTs, and cluster RCTs, in which participants were adults, aged 18 and older, who were engaged in the practice of dentistry. At least 75% of them had to be free from musculoskeletal pain at baseline. We only included studies that measured at least one of our primary outcomes; i.e. physician diagnosed WMSD, self-reported pain, or work functioning. Three authors independently screened and selected 20 potentially eligible references from 946 relevant references identified from the search results. Based on the full-text screening, we included two studies, excluded 16 studies, and two are awaiting classification. Four review authors independently extracted data, and two authors assessed the risk of bias. We calculated the mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for continuous outcomes and risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals for dichotomous outcomes. We assessed the quality of the evidence for each outcome using the GRADE approach. We included two RCTs (212 participants), one of which was a cluster-randomised trial. Adjusting for the design effect from clustering, reduced the total sample size to 210. Both studies were carried out in dental clinics and assessed ergonomic interventions in the physical domain, one by evaluating a multi-faceted ergonomic intervention, which consisted of imparting knowledge and training about ergonomics, work station modification, training and surveying ergonomics at the work station, and a regular exercise program; the other by studying the effectiveness of two different types of instrument used for scaling in preventing WMSDs. We were unable to combine the results from the two studies because of the diversity of interventions and outcomes.Physical ergonomic interventions. Based on one study, there is very low-quality evidence that a multi-faceted intervention has no clear effect on dentists' risk of WMSD in the thighs (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.23 to 1.42; 102 participants), or feet (RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.29 to 1.41; 102 participants) when compared to no intervention over a six-month period. Based on one study, there is low-quality evidence of no clear difference in elbow pain (MD -0.14, 95% CI -0.39 to 0.11; 110 participants), or shoulder pain (MD -0.32, 95% CI -0.75 to 0.11; 110 participants) in participants who used light weight curettes with wider handles or heavier curettes with narrow handles for scaling over a 16-week period.Cognitive ergonomic interventions. We found no studies evaluating the effectiveness of cognitive ergonomic interventions.Organisational ergonomic interventions. We found no studies evaluating the effectiveness of organisational ergonomic interventions. There is very low-quality evidence from one study showing that a multi-faceted intervention has no clear effect on dentists' risk of WMSD in the thighs or feet when compared to no intervention over a six-month period. This was a poorly conducted study with several shortcomings and errors in statistical analysis of data. There is low-quality evidence from one study showing no clear difference in elbow pain or shoulder pain in participants using light weight, wider handled curettes or heavier and narrow handled curettes for scaling over a 16-week period.We did not find any studies evaluating the effectiveness of cognitive ergonomic interventions or organisational ergonomic interventions.Our ability to draw definitive conclusions is restricted by the paucity of suitable studies available to us, and the high risk of bias of the studies that are available. This review highlights the need for well-designed, conducted, and reported RCTs, with long-term follow-up that assess prevention strategies for WMSDs among dental care practitioners.

Stalking e ciberstalking em estudantes universitários: Uma revisão sistemática

Objetivo: Este artigo tem como objetivo contribuir para o conhecimento dos fenómenos de stalking e ciberstalking através da identificação e análise dos estudos empíricos referentes à ocorrência daqueles fenómenos em estudantes universitários.Métodos: Para tal adotámos os procedimentos para a realização de uma revisão sistemática sobre a investigação realizada sobre a ocorrência do stalking e do ciberstalking em estudantes do ensino universitário.Resultados: Os resultados mostraram que predominam os estudos quantitativos de natureza transversal, recorrendo a designs exploratórios, descritivos e correlacionais, centrados na vítima. Os instrumentos mais utilizados para avaliar ambos os fenómenos foram diversos, porém todos os estudos recorreram a inventários de autorrelato. Em relação à prevalência dos fenómenos, os valores obtidos nos estudos foram muito diferentes (e.g., de 12% a 96% ao longo da vida). Em ambos os fenómenos, as dinâmicas e os comportamentos revelaram que as vítimas eram maioritariamente do sexo feminino, os ofensores pertenciam maioritariamente ao sexo masculino, decorrendo comumente o fenómeno de uma relação de intimidade ou por pessoas conhecidas (e.g., colega, familiar, vizinho). As áreas mais afetadas, no stalking e no ciberstalking, foram a saúde psicológica e física, com consequências nos estilos de vida e economia dos estudantes universitários. Quanto às respostas à vitimação, as fontes de apoio informal foram as mais ativadas pelas vítimas.Conclusões: Em relação aos fenómenos do stalking ou ciberstalking em estudantes universitários, concluímos que predominam os estudos de prevalência, de natureza transversal e fazendo uso de diferentes tipos de instrumentos. Consideramos que a investigação pode abranger outras amostras, estudos de continuidade, beneficiando com uniformização na escolha de instrumentos para a recolha de dados e no estudo da coocorrência dos fenómenos.

Measurements of Radial Vortices, Spill Forward, and Vortex Breakdown in a Transonic Compressor

The phenomena prior to rotating stall were investigated in a high-speed compressor test rig using optical and pneumatic measurement techniques. A number of throttling procedures were performed at transonic and subsonic speedlines with the aim to detect the unsteady effects initiating rotating stall or large amplitude blade vibrations. At transonic speed, radial vortices traveling around the circumference were detected in the upstream part of the rotor using phase-locked particle-image-velocimetry (PIV) measurements above 92% span and unsteady wall pressure measurements. When these radial vortices impinge on a blade leading edge (LE), they cause a forward spill of fluid around the LE. The effects are accompanied by a large-scale vortex breakdown in the blade passage leading to immense blockage in the endwall region. At subsonic speeds, the observed flow phenomena are similar but differ in intensity and structure. During the throttling procedure, blade vibration amplitudes were monitored using strain gauges (SG) and blade tip timing instrumentation. Nonsynchronous blade vibrations in the first torsional eigenmode were measured as the rotor approached stall. Using the different types of instrumentation, it was possible to align the aerodynamic flow features with blade vibration levels. The results show a clear correlation between the occurrence of radial vortices and blade vibrations.

Broadband, short-period or geophone nodes? Quality assessment of Passive Seismic signals acquired during the Maupasacq experiment

Passive Seismic is a broad term, incorporating various techniques and methodologies, which all exploit some part of the seismic signal that naturally exists or occurs in the Earth’s subsurface. This signal may differ significantly in the form and/or the provenance (e.g. earthquakes, ambient seismic noise, etc.), as well as the frequency content and, subsequently, the part of the subspace on which it may carry useful information. People involved in Passive Seismic often encounter the question: ‘What type of instrument is suitable for a passive seismic survey?’. Passive Seismic instrumentation usually consists of three-component seismic sensors, which mainly differ in the frequency range they are able to record (broad-band, short-period or geophone nodes). Having its roots in seismology, where traditionally broadband stations have been used for decades, but heading towards exploration, where instrumentation has to be cost-efficient and easy to handle in order to permit the adaptation at a reservoir scale, Passive Seismic instrumentation still tries to strike a balance between cost and bandwidth. Having in mind the variability of Passive Seismic methodologies and instruments, the Maupasacq experiment, a large passive seismic survey, has been launched in the Mauleon basin, SW France. The scope of the experiment was to image the area of interest by jointly applying a number of passive seismic methodologies, each one contributing to the final image with a different piece of useful information. The area of interest was carefully selected as, on one hand, the Mauleon basin consists of a former Cretaceous hyper-extended rift, inverted during pyrenean orogeny and, on the other hand, it provides a means of evaluating the results acquired, as an abundance of geological and geophysical data already exist in the area. In this context, a dense seismic network of 417 three-component (3C) sensors was deployed in an area of approximately 1500 km2. In addition to those, 24 peripheral stations have also been installed in an outer ring, extending the survey area to 3500 km2. The network was continuously operating for a recording period of six months (from April to October 2017) and consisted of three different types of seismic stations: 190 geophone nodes (SG- 10 3C SERCEL), 197 3C Seismotech short-period stations and 54 broadband stations (Guralp CMG40, Trillium Compact and Trillium 120). This fact, apart from imposing the difficulty of jointly processing data recorded by different types of instruments, having to deal with different instrument responses and data formats, it also permitted an evaluation of the suitability of each instrument type for each one of the passive seismic methodologies applied. This evaluation was performed in the course of an initial quality control (QC) procedure of the acquired dataset, permitting the extraction of valuable conclusions on the performance of different types of instruments, operating in the same area, during the same period of time. The main aspects that were evaluated were the acquired signal itself, as well as the frequency content of the recordings, in various circumstances (i.e. the occurrence of a local earthquake or a teleseismic event). Besides, it has been observed that the energy of a passive seismic source seems to play a big role in the definition of the ‘real’ recording limits of each type of instrument.

The role of the government in poverty alleviation in Hong Kong: Part II – diversity of instrument choice

This discussion, as Part II of a two-part article, complements the discussion in Part I (in December 2017) of the dynamics of poverty alleviation initiatives embodying important elements of policy attention, choice and change over time, beginning in the colonial era and running through to mid-2017. The focus here is on the diversity of poverty alleviation programmes adopted in terms of the choice of different types of instruments. Individually and together, the programmes as significant instruments of government policy provide valuable insights into the processes and content of policy-making in Hong Kong.

In vitro fertilization: Facts in medical sciences

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is one of the assisted reproductive technologies in the field of medical sciences. Fusion of collected egg from female and sperm from male done in a culture media under aseptic condition in laboratory is called as IVF. This technique is one of the gifts of science towards the human society and mainly those who are facing problem in reproduction due to having either male or female defective reproductive systems. In this present study, factors to consider during IVF, steps followed in this technology, need of IVF are discussed. Risk of multiple birth and phenotypic changes to the newborn due to IVF are also well reviewed. And different types of instruments used during this process are focused. Few ethical and legal issues arising during this IVF process are shown as well. We also emphasize that part of IVF.

Impact of glide path preparation on the incidence of dentinal defects after preparation of severely curved root canals.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of glide path preparation on the incidence of dentinal defects after preparation of severely curved canals using ProTaper Next, F6 SkyTaper, and One Shape instruments. One hundred and forty human mandibular molars with mesiobuccal canals with angles of curvatures ranging between 25 and 35 degrees and radii ranging between 4 and 9 mm were assigned to seven homogenous groups (n = 20 teeth per group). In half of the teeth of each of the seven groups a manual glide path (size 15) was created prior to instrumentation. The root canals were instrumented using the three different types of instruments to an apical size 25. One group served as control as no canal preparation was performed. Roots were sectioned horizontally at 3, 6, and 9 mm from the apex and evaluated under a microscope using 25-fold magnification. The presence of dentinal defects (complete/incomplete cracks) was noted and analyzed using Fisher's exact test. No defects were observed in the controls. All canal preparations created dentinal defects. More incomplete and complete cracks were found in the apical (n = 4) and the middle (n = 3) canal third than in the coronal (n = 1), without any significant differences between the three instruments (P > .05). Prior glide path preparation had no significant impact on the incidence of dentinal defects (P > .05). A glide path preparation seems not to be mandatory to reduce the risk of dentinal defects formation when using the tested instruments in severely curved canals.

Conformational Dynamics in Ion Mobility Data.

The shape of the spectral features in arrival time distributions (ATDs) recorded by ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) can often be interpreted in terms of the coexistence of different isomeric species. Interconversion between such species is also acknowledged to influence the shape of the ATD, even if no general quantitative description of this effect is available. We present an analytical model that allows simulating ATDs resulting from interconverting species. This model is used to reproduce experimental data obtained on a bistable system and to interpret discrepancies between measurements on different types of instruments. We show that the proposed model can be further exploited to extract kinetic and thermodynamic data from tandem-IMS measurements.