Construction Of Instrument Research Articles

PCRAM electronic synapse measurements based on pulse programming engineering

Pulse programming engineered phase change random access memories (PCRAM) as electronic synapses are attractive for high-performance neuromorphic computing. Pulse programming plays a key role to affect the synaptic plasticity of PCRAM electronic synapses. However, its principles and implementations are rarely reported. This work interprets the implementation rules of PCRAM electronic synapses using pulse programming, including the construction and optimization of testing instrument, the clarification of pulse programming principles for different types of PCRAM electronic synapses as well as the demonstration of statistical results of synaptic simulation. The current study highlights the relationship between resistance voltage characteristic of PCRAM and the design of pulse programming, which is of significance for the achievement of reliable PCRAM electronic synapses.

The Design and Validation of A Tool to Measure Content Validity of A Computational thinking Game-Based Learning Module for Tertiary Educational Students

This study proved the design and content validity process of a computational thinking game-based learning module. The process involved a two-step method: instrument design and judgmental evidence. Content domain identification, item generation, and instrument construction were included in the former step while the latter involved seven experts to review and rate the essentiality, relevancy, and clarity of the generated 30 items in the first and 34 items in the second round. Suggestions and ratings by the panel of experts in the second step were used to examine the instrument content validity through content validity ratio (CVR), content validity index (CVI), and modified kappa statistic approach. The findings manifested the second round promised better results with the increment of totally essential items by 59.41 percent and the increment of total relevant, clear, and excellent items by 3.33 percent. It implies in the second round that 79.41 percent of overall items were significantly essential, and 100 percent of the overall items were significantly relevant, clear, and excellent. Overall, the instrument got significant content validity after the second round by s-CVI/UA=0.97 and s-CVI/Average=0.99. Hence, the instrument has a great potential to measure the content validity of a brand-new computational thinking game-based learning module. However, it was then recommended to involve more experts during content domain determination and item generation and to further explore the findings that support the content validity of 33 items on instrument reliability.

Ultra-Highly Sensitive DNA Detection with Conducting Polymer-Modified Electrodes: Mechanism, Manufacture and Prospects for Rapid e-PCR

At low copy number, sequence detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) requires up to 30 cycles (amplification 109) to produce a reliably detectable concentration of fluorescently-labelled amplicons. The cycle number and hence detection time is determined by the analytical sensitivity of the detector. Hybridisation of complementary DNA strands to oligonucleotide-modified conducting polymer electrodes yields an increase in the charge transfer resistance for the ferri-ferrocyanide redox couple. We demonstrate sensors using screen-printed carbon electrodes modified with a conducting polymer formed from a monomer pre-functionalised with complementary oligonucleotide, with pM sensitivity for short sequences and aM for bacterial lysate, with a response time-scale of 5 min. The response is due to the variation of electrical resistance within the polymer film. We develop a mechanism based on repulsion from the solution interface of dopant anions by the charge associated with surface-bound DNA. With results for >160 single-use sensors, we formulate a response model based on percolation within a random resistor network and highlight challenges for large-scale manufacture of such sensors. Such sensors used for label-free electrochemical detection for PCR (e-PCR) would decrease the required cycle number from 30 to less than 10 and would offer a much simplified instrument construction.

Field deployment of a man-portable stand-off laser-induced breakdown spectrometer: A preliminary report on the expedition to the Cumbre Vieja volcano (La Palma, Spain, 2021)

This paper reports on the expedition to the Cumbre Vieja volcano (Canary Islands, Spain) in November 2021 to assess stand-off laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for real-time measurements of the lava streams from a safe point. The paper provides insight on the analytical approach to the problem, the rationale of the instrument design and construction carried out in three weeks, the experience with the new-born instrument at the volcano and the preliminary results. Despite the subtle spectral differences among the samples and the signal variability induced by the strong wind gusts at site, a statistical approach to data processing such as PCA, made possible to extract sufficient information and provide a robust classification tool.

Lumbar Disc Degeneration Affects the Risk of Rod Fracture Following PSO; A Finite Element Study.

Finite element (FE) study. Pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) is a surgical method to correct sagittal plane deformities. In this study, we aimed to investigate the biomechanical effects of lumbar disc degeneration on the instrumentation following PSO and assess the effects of using interbody spacers adjacent to the PSO level in a long instrumented spinal construct. A spinopelvic model (T10-pelvis) with PSO at the L3 level was used to generate 3 different simplified grades of degenerated lumbar discs (mild (Pfirrmann grade III), moderate (Pfirrmann grade IV), and severe (Pfirrmann grade V)). Instrumentation included eighteen pedicle screws and bilateral primary rods. To investigate the effect of interbody spacers, the model with normal disc height was modified to accommodate 2 interbody spacers adjacent to the PSO level through a lateral approach. For the models, the rods' stress distribution, PSO site force values, and the spine range of motion (ROM) were recorded. The mildly, moderately, and severely degenerated models indicated approximately 10%, 26%, and 40% decrease in flexion/extension motion, respectively. Supplementing the instrumented spinopelvic PSO model using interbody spacers reduced the ROM by 22%, 21%, 4%, and 11% in flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation, respectively. The FE results illustrated lower von Mises stress on the rods and higher forces at the PSO site at higher degeneration grades and while using the interbody spacers. Larger and less degenerated discs adjacent to the PSO site may warrant consideration for interbody cage instrumentation to decrease the risk of rod fracture and PSO site non-union.

Measuring environmental locus of control: An analysis of instruments and their psychometric properties

Locus of Control (LOC) is a general term used in social and educational psychology to refer to the perceived source of control for behavioural outcomes. Since the 1980s, various instruments have been developed to measure this construct in relation to pro-environmental behaviours and action. In this article, we revisit the value of this construct and its measurement to offer a critical analysis of the psychometric properties and instrument construction approach of eight publicly available Environmental Locus of Control (ELOC) instruments. Our analysis focuses on both the robustness of their instrumentation alongside the continued relevance of these measures to diverse audiences in light of various methodological advances. Findings suggest that while the theories and tools available for developing and validating ELOC have become more sophisticated, even the most recent ELOC instruments still exhibit key limitations, particularly in relation to content and construct validity. In light of this, we propose a series of considerations for developing more rigorous ELOC instruments to help improve future measurement of action and self-determined behaviour.

Evaluation of Risk Management Practices on Sport and Games Curriculum Activities At School in Perak, Malaysia

This study aims to identify risk management practices in co -curricular activities of sports and school games in Perak according to the questionnaire construct. The research instrument used is a questionnaire on the construction and validity of risk management assessment instruments in school co -curricular activities in Perak. The sampling of this study was done by random sampling. The findings show that the level of risk management in sports and games co -curricular activities for all constructs is at a moderately low level for inspection processes, maintenance procedures, facility design, program management and user information. MANOVA analysis showed that male teachers practiced more level of risk management practice in sports and games co -curricular activities in school when compared to female teachers and was significant to the risk management practice construct variant tested F (8, 159.00) = .3.149, p =. 002, p> .05 Wilks' Lamda = .863, double partial and (?2) = .137. Whereas MANOVA analysis for school type showed that urban schools practiced more level of risk management practices in sports and games co -curricular activities in schools when compared to rural schools and was not significant to the overall risk management practice construct variants tested F (8, 159.00) =. 760 p = .638, p> .05 Wilks' Lamda = .963, partial double and (?2) = .058. In conclusion, risk management practices in co -curricular activities of sports and school games need to be further improved because risk management practices are very important in maintaining the safety of students, teachers and the school. Based on the findings of this study, all parties involved need to pay attention to school risk management practices to reduce accidents and be able to produce the best school in terms of safety in the use of sports facilities. Finally, further research proposals are put forward to add knowledge to the future researchers.

Construcción de un protocolo de atención del paciente al final de la vida en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. Consenso de expertos por metodología Delphi

IntroductionThe biopsychosocial needs of the patient at the end-of-life demand active multidisciplinary assistance and are not limited to hospice care. The use of end-of-life order sets results in fewer treatment adjustments and greater involvement in spiritual care. ObjectiveTo build by consensus of experts using Delphi methods an end-of-life order set to use in intensive care settings. DesignConsensus study with Delphi methodology of mixed affected experts. The determination of dimensions, attributes and criteria was based on the review of the best available evidence. Convergence of the expert's opinions was obtained with relative interquartile range and agglutination of answers. SettingIntensive care units of a fourth level of care clinic in Bogotá, Colombia. ParticipantsIntensive medicine physicians with more than 3 years of experience in the care of the critically ill patient. InterventionsExpert competence coefficient assessment scale. Instrument with graded evidence for expert evaluation. Main variables of interestDegree of agreement with the recommendations, feasibility of implementation of interventions. ResultsSeven intensive care physicians participated as experts in this investigation. After two rounds, consensus was reached on the indications for the management of the patient at end-of-life stage. These indications were organized into 24 dimensions of care. ConclusionsThe Delphi methodology of affected experts is useful for the construction of instruments that support clinical practice, improving the quality of care and the use of available resources. The instrument resulting from this research must be validated in routine clinical practice.

VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY OF LEARNING MOTIVATION INSTRUMENT (I-MABAR) STUDENTS IN ONLINE LEARNING DURING COVID 19

This article aims to determine the validity of the construction and reliability of a learning motivation instrument (I-MABAR) of students in the time of covid pandemic 19. Researchers used a pilot study on 36 students of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) as a sample to obtain reliability, and three supervisors to obtain validity. Researchers have developed a questionnaire with a google form that contains a total of 24 items. Student learning motivation should be measured to ensure the level of student learning motivation in the learning process in the current Covid-19 dememic. For that, there needs to be a learning motivation instrument that has a good degree of validity and reliability to get the right display of student learning motivation. The findings of the study show that 24 instrument items from the five main constructs of I-MABAR have a very high total item correlation value. However, there are two total instrument items that have a strong correlation value namely items D3 and E1. But all items have an acceptable validity value. While the findings of reliability values ​​using Cronbach Alpha analysis have a very high value. Thus, the validity and reliability of the instrument shows that the student learning motivation instrument (I-MABAR) has a quality that can be used to measure learning motivation.

Effectiveness of Nursing Intervention on Physiological Status for Patients Undergoing Coronary Catheterization

Background: Nursing care for patients undergoing cardiac catheterization requires an expert nurse who understands the types of complications that can occur, as well as the assessment skills to spot them. The combination of nursing knowledge and skills during the period before and after cardiac catheterization aims to assure safe and accurate procedure, and improving physical and mental health.
 Aim of the study: To evaluate the effectiveness of nursing intervention on the physiological status for patients undergoing coronary catheterization through utilization of physiological parameters check list such as (systolic/diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and O2 saturation). 
 Methodology: randomized clinical trial (RCT) was conducted for patients’ undergoing coronary catheterization at Al Najaf Center for Cardiac Surgery and Cardiac Catheterization, the study has been carried out during the period 14 \ June \ 2019 to 29 \ January \ 2020. The sample consisted of (100) patients have been randomly divided into two groups of 50 patients each. The experimental group consisted of 50 patients who are exposing to nursing interventions by the researcher. The groups who have not to expose to nursing interventions by the researcher, are considering the control group. The instrument construction and consisted of three parts, (part I): the socio-demographic characteristics and comprised of (8) items, (part II): the clinical characteristics, (part III): physiological parameters checklist for patients undergoing coronary catheterization (physiological parameters: a bedside monitor is used to measure (heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and O2 saturation) for each patient.
 Results: The result of present study demonstrated that the number of abnormal cases less in experimental group than control group related to the heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure in the period of measurements.
 Conclusions: The study stated that the patients in experimental group who receiving the nursing intervention had decrease in the (heart rate, and blood pressure) compared to the control group
 Recommendations: standardized nursing procedures should be used to guide the nurses in dealing with patients with coronary catheterization, and the standards bill of for such practices should be created and presented to all ties in which such practices are performed.

Construction of a nursing care instrument for patients with central venous catheters

Objective: to build a nursing care instrument for patients with short-term central venous catheters in an Intensive Care Unit. Methods: a multi-method study in three stages: structuring of the instrument; pre-testing of the instrument; agreement analyses among nurses and final composition of the instrument. Results: the instrument, in its first version, presented three domains related to the moment of insertion (five items), maintenance (15 items) and catheter removal (ten items). Most of the 30 items were assessed as relevant (23/77%) and presented a satisfactory Content Validity Index (28/93%). Ten items were reformulated, 32 new items were included, and three items were deleted. Conclusion: the instrument was constructed, which presented response validity for the care of nurses to patients with central venous catheters in Intensive Care Units, consisting of three domains and 59 items evaluated by nurses and considered appropriate for the moments of insertion, maintenance and removal of the catheter.

Construction and validation of an instrument for classifying nipple and areola complex lesions resulting from breastfeeding

to construct and validate a classification of nipple and areola complex lesions resulting from breastfeeding, according to content and appearance. this is a methodological study, developed in four stages: operational definition, instrument construction, content and appearance validation. The Delphi technique and a Likert-type scale were used to validate content and appearance, through the participation of ten and sixteen judges, respectively. For analysis, Content Validity Index and Kappa Coefficient were applied. Content Validity Index obtained an overall value of 0.93 and, for appearance, 0.94. Kappa values ranged between 0.46 and 1. The high rates of agreement among judges demonstrated the quality of the proposed content validity. the Nipple and Areola Complex Lesions Classification Instrument developed obtained acceptable values of its indexes, proving to be valid in terms of content and appearance.

Perspectives from the field: Evaluation of a relational model of risk communication in the context of extreme weather

This perspectives piece examines efforts to enact a new approach to risk communication (referred to as the relational model of risk communication) in the field. The model involves empowering community residents to translate and spread knowledge concerning risks from extreme weather events. The process of implementing and evaluating the model by the Cyclone Preparedness Programme of Bangladesh is described. Of particular interest is the task of analyzing the program's effects in practice, which involved an ad hoc exercise in data collection and analysis. The study found that the enhanced mode of risk communication was indeed practiced in the field. Secondly, there was a marked improvement in evacuation behavior, which may partly be due to the risk communication program. The inquiry underscores both the potential and challenges of conducting field evaluation (whether after or during an event). The capacities for evaluation of field agents need to be fostered, as well as the construction of systematic data collection instruments for use in real-time.

La Rúbrica como instrumento eficiente en la Evaluación de Competencias Profesionales

The learning systems of the Universities must ensure the achievement of professional skills, also considered as Student Outcomes (RE) that guarantee a comprehensive training of the student, in accordance with the graduate profile offered by the academic programs of the universities and the labor market needs. The detail is in strengthening the processes of collection and analysis of the information of the measurement of the RE, which allows the continuous improvement of the educational quality of the academic programs. The collection of information from the measurement process is done through the application of evaluation instruments such as the Rubric, which is one of the most used instruments by university teachers to guide and evaluate a learning activity, for this reason the objective is to analyze the efficiency of the Rubric in the measurement of RE in universities. The Prisma 2020 method was used with the purpose of identifying, selecting, evaluating and synthesizing 25 studies published in databases such as Scielo, Scopus and Google Scholar. The constructivist contribution of the Rubric in the formative evaluation in the universities was identified, but this contribution is diminished when the design and construction of the evaluation instrument is not worked well, reaching the conclusion that the efficiency of the Rubric in the measurement of RE depends directly on its design, that is, on the articulation between the RE, the performance indicators and the evaluation criteria.

High throughput chirped pulse Fourier-transform microwave spectroscopy of ethanol and water clusters.

Here we discuss the design and performance of a novel high-throughput instrument for Chirped Pulse Fourier-transform Microwave (CP-FTMW) spectroscopy, and demonstrate its efficacy through the identification of the lowest energy conformers of the ethanol trimer and mixed water : ethanol trimers. Rotational constants for these trimers were calculated from observed lines in the spectra from 10 to 14 GHz, and compared to the results of anharmonic ab initio computations. As predicted, all trimers share a cyclic donor-acceptor hydrogen bonding structure, with the ethanol monomer favoring the gauche conformation in the lowest energy structures. The increased speed of data collection and resulting sensitivity opens a new avenue into rotational studies of higher order clusters.

Management technology for implementing the Systematization of Nursing Care.

To describe the construction of a management technology aimed at implementing the Systematization of Nursing Care in nursing services. This is a methodological, qualitative and explanatory study, based on the normative and legal framework of COFEN Resolution 358/2009. It comprised the theoretical construction of instruments for practice anchored in the literature and expertise of a group of 40 nurses, between April 2020 and June 2021. The technology is outlined from the dimensions of method, personnel and nursing instruments that support the Systematization of Nursing Care tripod. It consists of an explanatory model of an operational management matrix and a checklist-type instrument for follow-up/monitoring of Systematization of Nursing Care management in services. Management technology is inserted as a solution to improve organizational performance, health care, clinical decision support, planning, administration, organization of services and professional practice, and create favorable conditions for applying the Process of Nursing at its fullest.

ТHE РUTSENTELAS: A FAMILY OF VIOLIN MASTER CRAFTSMEN

The research objective is to reveal the creative road to the manufacturing of string instruments, the secrets of master craftsmanship of Putsentelas, the artisans. The research methodology is based upon systemic and analytic methods, and on the method of interviewing. The scientific novelty consists in detailed description of the activity of the Putsentelas family artisan studio which serves as an example of contemporary tendencies of violin craftsmanship in Ukraine and abroad; in highlighting and detailed description of facts that contribute to the understanding of the importance of violin sound acquisition that is related to a range of important factors in the process of instrument creation. Conclusions. The historical exploration of the history of Lviv local violin making industry is complicated by the fact that numerous published literature items contain references to names or achievements of Polish, Russian or Soviet specialists which sometimes include descriptions of the peculiarities of their practices and its extrapolation onto the Ukrainian land. At the same time, information on contemporary Ukrainian craftsmen – the creators of string instruments – are all but absent in such literature (certain isolated materials can only be extracted from non-specialised periodicals and online resources). The article underscores the social importance of the activities of the Putsentela family – in the regional, nationwide (all-Ukraine) context, and even in continental (all-European) context. Successful activities of violin craftsmen – the Putsentela family – is based upon top quality professional training that was received at leading world-class centres of musical instrument construction, and also on having studied the experience of craftsmen from numerous European schools and the peculiarities of their violins. The combination of the spiritual and the highly professional are two genetically related cores of the master, which enable high artistic flight. Undoubtedly, the tools of the Putsentel family’s workshop have been added and are added to Ukraine’s fame all over the world.

Azimuthal Beam Scanning Microscope Design and Implementation for Axial Localization with Scanning Angle Interference Microscopy.

Azimuthal beam scanning, also referred to as circle scanning, is an effective way of eliminating coherence artifacts with laser illumination in widefield microscopy. With a static excitation spot, dirt on the optics and internal reflections can produce an uneven excitation field due to interference fringes. These artifacts become more pronounced in TIRF microscopy, where the excitation is confined to an evanescent field that extends a few hundred nanometers above the coverslip. Unwanted intensity patterns that arise from these imperfections vary with path of the excitation beam through the microscope optical train, so by rapidly rotating the beam through its azimuth the uneven illumination is eliminated by averaging over the camera exposure time. In addition to being useful from TIRF microscopy, it is also critical for scanning angle interference microscopy (SAIM), an axial localization technique with nanometer-scale precision that requires similar instrumentation to TIRF microscopy. For robust SAIM localization, laser excitation with a homogeneous profile over a range of polar angles is required. We have applied the circle scanning principle to SAIM, constructing an optimized instrument configuration and open-source hardware, enabling high-precision localization and significantly higher temporal resolution than previous implementations. In this chapter, we detail the design and construction of the SAIM instrument, including the optical configuration, required peripheral devices, and system calibration.

Posterior-only approach for the treatment of symptomatic central thoracic disc herniation regardless of calcification: A consecutive case series of 30 cases over five years

PurposeTo report the safety and efficacy of posterolateral approach for thoracic disc herniation (TDH) via a consecutive clinical case series of 30 central thoracic disc herniations that were all operated through a posterolateral approach. MethodsA retrospective review was conducted of all patients with symptomatic TDH who underwent surgical intervention from 2016 to 2021. A total of 23 patients comprising 30 central TDH were included in the study. Age, gender, location of the lesion, preoperative and post-operative Frankel and Nurick scores, surgical approach and instrumented vertebrae, and length of stay were recorded. Findings23 patients with an average age of 62 were included in the study. 30 of the 32 symptomatic TDH were centrally located. 8/32 TDH were calcified while 24/32 TDH were non-calcified. Unilateral and bilateral transpedicular approach was used in the treatment of 12/32 and 10/32 disc herniations respectively. A transfacet-pedicle sparing approach was used in 10/32 disc herniations. 19/23 (82.6%) of the patients had improvement in Nurick score while 12/23 (52.2%) patients had improvement in their Frankel scores. The average length of stay was 4.5 days. No major complications were encountered. All patients underwent a short-segment instrumented construct with no need for revision surgery for thoracic disc herniation, worsening myelopathy, or instrumentation failure. Conclusions83% of the patients who underwent a transfacet or transpedicular decompression for the treatment of symptomatic TDH had improvement in their myelopathy with no neurological deterioration in any of the patients. Given the familiarity and low morbidity associated with a transfacet or transpedicular approach, posterolateral-based approaches remains an excellent alternative for surgical management of majority of the patients with thoracic disc herniations

LIFGO: A modular laser-induced fluorescence detection system based on plug-in blocks

In this work, a laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection system built in a modular assembling mode was developed based on commercial LEGO blocks and 3D printed blocks. We designed and fabricated a variety of 3D printed building blocks fixed with optical components, including laser light source, filters, lens, dichroic mirror, photodiode detector, and control circuits. Utilizing the relatively high positioning precision of the plug-in blocks, a modular construction strategy was adopted using the flexible plug-in combination of the blocks to build a highly sensitive laser-induced fluorescence detection system, LIFGO. The LIFGO system has a simple structure which could be constructed by inexperienced users within 3 h. We optimized the structure and tested the performance of the LIFGO system, and its detection limits for sodium fluorescein solution in 100 μm i.d. and 250 μm i.d. capillaries were 7 nM and 0.9 nM, respectively. Based on the LIFGO system, we also built a simple capillary electrophoresis (CE) system and applied it to the analysis of DNA fragments to demonstrate its application possibility in biochemical analysis. The separation of 7 fragments in DL500 DNA markers were completed in 600 s. Because of the features of low cost (less than $100) and easy-to-build construction, we introduced the LIFGO system to the experimental teaching of instrumental analysis for undergraduate students. The modular construction form of the LIF detection system greatly reduces the threshold of instrument construction, which is conducive to the popularization of the LIF detection technique in routine laboratories as well as the reform of experimental teaching mode.