Precision Instruments Research Articles

45 years of directional wave recorded data at the Acqua Alta oceanographic tower

The dataset comprises a 45-year-long directional wave time series recorded at the Acqua Alta Oceanographic research Tower (AAOT) since 1979. The AAOT is located in the Northern Adriatic Sea and it is managed by the Institute of Marine Sciences of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR-ISMAR). The extent of the time series enables the description of the wave climate in the North Adriatic region and the identification of trends and links with large-scale climate patterns from a single and permanent observational source. Different wave gauges have been used since the start of the measurements, progressively upgraded and repositioned during maintenance operations. The recent addition of more precise instruments and the availability of the related raw dataset allowed for a re-evaluation of the previously published data, while extending the timeseries in time. This has enabled the creation of a substantially improved, yet homogeneous, measured dataset, thereby enhancing the reliability of the related long-term scenario analysis.

Microstructure Evolution of Rapid Solidified Invar Alloy

Invar alloy has a wide range of applications in aerospace and precision instruments. However, the microstructure evolution during rapid solidification is not yet fully understood. In this study, the rapid solidification microstructure of Invar alloy with undercooling ranging from 5 K to 231 K was investigated using optical microscopy, EBSD, and TEM techniques. The results show that, as the undercooling increased from 5 K to 181 K, the microstructure transitioned from large dendrites to columnar grains and finally to small equiaxed grains. When the undercooling ranged from 181 K to 193 K, the grain size suddenly increased before continuing to decrease with further undercooling. EBSD analysis revealed that, for ΔT > 181 K, two distinct types of grains appeared in the microstructure: one larger and the other much smaller. Under low undercooling conditions, the grains grew anisotropically with a preferred orientation, while under high undercooling, there was no apparent preferred growth orientation. Many twin boundaries were observed in the high-undercooling samples, which were further confirmed by TEM analysis. Additionally, both twin boundaries and high-angle grain boundaries increased gradually with undercooling.

Update on hazelnut allergy: Allergen characterization, epidemiology, food processing technique and detecting strategy.

Hazelnuts are popular among people due to their dense nutrient component. However, eating them may be quite dangerous for those who are allergic. To improve food safety, this research examines current developments in the characterization, processing, and detection of hazelnut allergens. The identification and molecular knowledge of certain proteins that cause allergic responses are necessary for the characterization of hazelnut allergens. Proteomics and genomics are two techniques that have helped to advance our knowledge of hazelnut allergens and facilitate the creation of more precise diagnostic instruments. One important factor to reduce but not to eliminate the exposure to hazelnut allergens is food processing. The extractability of hazelnut proteins with regard to food processing plays a crucial role in determining allergenicity. Innovative technologies have been created to lessen allergenicity in foods containing hazelnuts while preserving their flavor and quality. These technologies include thermal and nonthermal processing techniques. To further safeguard consumers with hazelnut allergies, innovations in ingredient labeling and cross-contamination avoidance techniques have been put into place. For the purpose of management, if foods contain hazelnut, they must label it. Technological developments in analytical methods, including mass spectrometry, polymerase chain reaction, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, have made it possible to identify hazelnut allergens with high specificity and sensitivity in a range of dietary matrices. Moreover, the advancement of point-of-care testing instruments presents the possibility of prompt on site identification, hence enhancing food safety for people with hazelnut allergies. The multidisciplinary efforts of researchers, food technologists, and allergists to enhance the safety of products containing hazelnuts are highlighted in this study.

Optoelectronic Oscillators: Progress from Classical Designs to Integrated Systems

Optoelectronic oscillators (OEOs) have emerged as indispensable tools for generating low-phase-noise microwave and millimeter-wave signals, which are critical for a variety of high-performance applications. These include radar systems, satellite links, electronic warfare, and advanced instrumentation. The ability of OEOs to produce signals with exceptionally low phase noise makes them ideal for scenarios demanding high signal purity and stability. In radar systems, low-phase-noise signals enhance target detection accuracy and resolution, while, in communication networks, such signals enable higher data throughput and improved signal integrity over extended distances. Furthermore, OEOs play a pivotal role in precision instrumentation, where even minor noise can compromise the performance of sensitive equipment. This review examines the progress in OEO technology, transitioning from classical designs relying on long optical fiber delay lines to modern integrated systems that leverage photonic integration for compact, efficient, and tunable solutions. Key advancements, including classical setups, hybrid designs, and integrated configurations, are discussed, with a focus on their performance improvements in phase noise, side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR), and frequency tunability. A 20-GHz oscillation with an SMSR as high as 70 dB has been achieved using a classical dual-loop configuration. A 9.867-GHz frequency with a phase noise of −142.5 dBc/Hz @ 10 kHz offset has also been generated in a parity–time-symmetric OEO. Additionally, integrated OEOs based on silicon photonic microring resonators have achieved an ultra-wideband tunable frequency from 3 GHz to 42.5 GHz, with phase noise as low as −93 dBc/Hz at a 10 kHz offset. The challenges in achieving fully integrated OEOs, particularly concerning the stability and phase noise at higher frequencies, are also explored. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the state of the art in OEO technology, highlighting future directions and potential applications.

Thermal Expansion in Supramolecular Organic Compounds: An Overview

Supramolecular organic molecules are composed of molecular assemblies held collectively by non-covalent bonding or interactions. These molecules exhibited negative and positive thermal enlargement apart from traditional substances. Their thermal response arises from the dynamic and bendy nature of their molecular frameworks, regularly leading to tunable or anomalous thermal expansion behaviors. This work highlights the thermal expansion phenomenon in supramolecular organic compounds. Supramolecular organics with controlled thermal enlargement are vital for packages like close to-zero thermal growth composites in precision instruments, aerospace, and electronics. Their tunable conduct fits thermal actuators and sensors for temperature manipulation, even as their thermal houses beautify power devices like thermoelectrics and photovoltaics.

Bimodal and multimodal endoscopy of the urinary bladder in diagnosis and treatment

White light cystoscopy is a precise instrument for the detection and treatment of papillary bladder tumors. Various additional macroscopic detection methods have been established. Some of them, especially PDD or NBI, have been shown to have an additional benefit on the recurrence rate of bladder tumors, so they should be used as part of the diagnosis and treatment when available. Other microscopic classification techniques or multimodality techniques are currently under development. Widespread use of these techniques is still pending. Newer modalities such as multi-parametric imaging or AI-assisted endoscopy promise a significant leap in innovation in the future and could ensure that real-time urological endoscopy is significantly advanced.

Using Low-Cost Technology Devices for Monitoring Sleep and Environmental Factors Affecting It: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Low-cost technology devices, such as smartphones (SPs) and smart watches (SWs), are widely used today to monitor various health effects and environmental risk factors associated with them. However, the efficacy of using these devices as monitoring tools is largely unknown. The present study attempts to narrow this knowledge gap by reviewing recent studies in which low-cost technological tools were used to monitor sleep and associated environmental risk factors. The study focuses on peer-refereed articles that appear in three major scientific databases, Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect, and were published between 2002 and 2022. Of the 15,000+ records retrieved from these databases by the systematic literature review (PRISMA) search, 15 studies were identified as the most relevant and consequently analyzed. The analysis shows that nighttime light pollution and noise are environmental factors that are most commonly monitored by low-cost technology tools (eight studies), followed by temperature monitoring (seven studies), humidity monitoring (seven studies), and CO2 monitoring (four studies). In eight studies, tandems of SPs and SWs were used to monitor sleep, while in six studies, data obtained from SPs and SWs were compared with records obtained from conventional monitoring devices. In general, SP and SW measurements were found to be fairly accurate for monitoring sleep and light pollution and less accurate for monitoring noise. At the same time, no studies conducted to date and analyzed in this review demonstrated the effectiveness of SPs and SWs in monitoring ambient temperature, humidity, and air pressure. Our general conclusion is that although SPs and SWs often lack the precision of professional instruments, they can nevertheless be used for large-scale field research and citizen science initiatives, while their feasibility and effectiveness for monitoring several environmental attributes have yet to be determined.

Blocking effect of double-row periodic pile barriers on vibration waves

With the rapid development of China’s transportation, the problem of environmental vibration is becoming increasingly prominent, and the traffic lines are inevitably close to the building, and the environmental vibration caused by it has a serious negative impact on the safety of the building, the use of precision instruments and the physical and mental health of residents. In this study, the vibration damping barrier is designed periodically, and its unique band gap characteristics can be used to perform directional vibration damping in specific vibration reduction frequency bands. In this paper, the band gap of the periodic row piles is calculated by the periodic theory, and then the measured attenuation domain characteristics of the periodic row piles in the bandgap frequency band are verified by indoor model tests, and the effects of the length of the concrete row piles, the row spacing, the train speed and the load on the vibration isolation effect are discussed. The results show that with the increase of pile length, the vibration isolation effect gradually increases, in addition, the larger row spacing will reduce the vibration isolation effect, and the increase of train speed and amplitude will also lead to poor vibration isolation effect. This study provides a useful reference for the application of concrete row piles in practical engineering.

Erbium: key to simultaneously achieving superior temperature-stability and high magnetic properties in 2 : 17-type permanent magnets.

To address the demands of rapidly advancing precision instruments requiring higher efficiency and miniaturization, permanent magnets must exhibit exceptional energy density, temperature stability, high magnetic energy product [(BH)max], and adequate coercivity (Hcj). Herein, we design rare earth Er-based magnets (2 : 17-type Er-magnets) with a composition of (Er, Sm)(Co, Fe, Cu, Zr)7.6. Erbium-based compounds (Er2Co17) offer a unique combination of temperature compensation and high saturation magnetization compared to other heavy rare earth elements, resulting in 2 : 17-type Er-magnets with superior temperature stability in Br and (BH)max. Partially substituting Sm reduces the energy barrier for the 2 : 17H-to-2 : 17R phase transition, promoting the development of a complete cellular structure and achieving enhanced coercivity. Notably, the optimal performance is obtained with Er constituting 60% of the total rare earth content, delivering a near-zero temperature-coefficient for Br and (BH)max within 20-150 °C while maintaining Br at 8.92 kG, Hcj at 29.83 kOe, and (BH)max at 18.5 MGOe. These 2 : 17-type Er-magnets provide valuable insights for developing permanent magnets with exceptional comprehensive properties.

Visible and rapid detection of feline chaphamaparvovirus using multienzyme isothermal rapid amplification and lateral flow dipstick assay.

Feline chaphamaparvovirus (FeChPV) is a novel parvovirus previously reported in Canadian cats and Chinese dogs with diarrhea in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Herein, we aimed to establish a simple detection method for FeChPV in field clinics. The primers and probes for the multienzyme isothermal rapid amplification and lateral flow dipstick (MIRA-LFD) assay were designed to target the conserved regions of the FeChPV genome and determine the optimal reaction temperature and time. Without relying on precision instruments, FeChPV detection using the MIRA-LFD assay was completed within 20 min at 37°C, without any cross-reaction with other reference viruses. The newly established MIRA-LFD assay had a detection limit of 32.3 copies/μL, which was 10-fold lower than that of the nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Furthermore, the MIRA-LFD assay detected 29 FeChPV-positive samples among 417 cats with diarrhea, providing a slightly higher positivity rate than the nested PCR assay. These results indicate that the newly developed MIRA-LFD assay for FeChPV detection is an efficient, economical, reliable, and simple method that can help in the early prevention and control of FeChPV infection.

Left-handed use of surgical instruments: improved function through understanding instrument design.

To explain design features of scissors and surgical instruments that work against left-handed users and demonstrate how the user can adapt their technique for ambidextrous use of standard instruments. Any species. Standard instruments are designed for maximal efficiency with the use of a right-handed grip. A gripping motion results in pushing force from the thumb and pulling of the fingers toward the palm. Both scissor blades and hemostat/needle driver box locks are oriented such that these natural forces act to push the scissor blades against each other or open the box locks. Using standard scissors with a left-handed grip is less efficient and more likely to cause tissue trauma. To use a right-handed instrument with the left hand, the thumb must instead be pulled towards the palm. This is effective but less ergonomic and requires more conscious practice. Sharp, well-maintained scissors are essential to mitigate tissue trauma. Understanding how pressure needs to be applied for opening of box locks and apposition of scissor blades results in improved efficiency of instrument use and precision of scissor cuts. Left-handed people are often adept at adjusting to equipment optimized to right-handed users. However, learning surgical skills from right-handed surgeons can be frustrating, requiring individual trial and error. Understanding the design features of surgical instruments improves efficiency for left-handed users and facilitates teaching of left-handed trainees by right-handed surgeons.

Virus-like particle: a nano-platform that delivers cancer antigens to elicit an anti-tumor immune response.

Virus-like particles (VLPs), as a unique form of nanocarrier, predominantly encompass hollow protein shells that exhibit analogous morphology and structure to naturally occurring viruses, yet devoid of genetic material. VLPs are considered safe, easily modifiable, and stable, making them suitable for preparation in various expression systems. They serve as precise biological instruments with broad applications in the field of medical biology. Leveraging their unique structural attributes and facile modification capabilities, VLPs can serve as an effective platform for the delivery of tumor antigens, thereby stimulating the immune system and facilitating the eradication of tumor cells.

Fast synthesis of DNA origami single crystals at room temperature.

Structural DNA nanotechnology makes the programmable design and assembly of DNA building blocks into user-defined microstructures feasible. However, the formation and further growth of these microstructures requires slow heat treatment in precise instruments, as otherwise amorphous aggregates result. Here, we used an organic solute, urea, as the catalyst for the crystallization of DNA origami building blocks to achieve the fast synthesis of DNA origami single crystals with a cubic Wulff shape at room temperature. The ordered assemblies can be formed within 4 hours at room temperature, which further grew into cubic microcrystals with an average size of about 5 micrometers within 2 days. Furthermore, the phase diagram provides an inverse logic that allows users to proactively customize the melting temperature (T m) of crystallization according to the target temperature conditions, rather than requiring de novo design of DNA sequences or painstakingly difficult trial-and-error attempts. On this basis, even under random fluctuating outdoor temperature conditions, DNA origami crystals can still grow and maintain high quality and high yield comparable to those of crystals synthesized in precise instruments, creating a basis for the development of adaptive self-assemblies and the industrialization of functional DNA microstructures.

Assessment of aluminium level in commercial pasteurized and UHT milk in Bangladesh and their potential health risks

Aluminium (Al) contamination in the dairy industry is an emerging concern due to potential health risks. With the increasing consumption of pasteurized and UHT milk in Bangladesh, monitoring Al levels has become crucial. This study aimed to measure Al concentrations in these processed products using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and assess the associated health risks. Milk samples from 10 brands, including three different production lots, were collected from supermarkets. The instrumental precision for Al was 0.0212 mg/kg as a limit of detection (LOD) and 0.0643 mg/kg as a limit of quantification (LOQ), with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 3.2%. The multi-element standard containing Al exhibited linearity in the concentration ranged from 0-0.5 mg/kg with a correlation coefficient value of 0.9994. Among the 30 samples analyzed, 13, including both pasteurized and UHT milks, were contaminated with Al. The mean Al concentrations in the contaminated samples were 0.46±0.5, 0.71±0.6, and 0.47±0.4 mg/kg in lots 1, 2, and 3, respectively, indicating variation across production lots. The estimated daily Al intake ranged from 2.00E-03 to 3.00E-03 mg/kg body weight, contributing 1.4 to 2.1% of the provisional tolerable weekly intake. The target hazard quotient (THQ) for the contaminated samples ranged from 0.045 to 0.070 (THQ < 1), suggesting that the Al levels pose no significant health risk. Thus, the Al content in pasteurized and UHT milk may be considered safe for consumption, albeit with the limitation of a small sample size in this study.

A temperature compensation method for fiber Bragg gratings using negative thermal expansive β-eucryptite packaging

Abstract Fiber optic sensing measurements hold significant potential for various applications, but temperature compensation of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) remains a formidable challenge. This paper introduces the utilization of β-eucryptite as an encapsulation material for FBG, exploiting its negative thermal expansion property to achieve temperature compensation. A two-point adhesive sealing technique was employed to affix FBG to the β-eucryptite substrate. While bare FBG and sensors encapsulated in 7075 aluminum alloy served as comparison. Experimental outcomes reveal that the FBG encapsulated in β-eucryptite exhibits temperature sensitivities of 1.67 pm °C−1 within the temperature ranges of −30 °C to 150 °C. In contrast, bare FBG and sensor encapsulated with 7075 aluminum alloy display temperature sensitivities of 10.46 pm °C−1 and 37.31 pm °C−1, respectively. The use of β-eucryptite for sensor encapsulation effectively reduces the temperature sensitivity of FBG. This temperature compensation method is straightforward yet promising and has great potential in aerospace and precision instrument measurement.

Rapid evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma by detecting plasma exosomes with time-resolved fluorescence immunochromatographic test strips.

Time-resolved fluorescence immunochromatographic test strips (TRFIS) wasdevelopedfor the rapid detection of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)-specific plasma exosomes (hExos) by targeting the hExo-surface membrane protein glypican-3 (GPC3). The GPC3-TRFIS could directly detect plasma exosomes without the isolation and purification process, and the whole immunoassay could be completed within 15min. The visual detection limit of GPC3-TRFIS was 3.44 × 10^9 particles/mL, with a minimum detection limit of 1.8 × 10^9 particles/mL. For analysis ofthe clinical HCC samples, GPC3-TRFIS shows high specificity for detection of hExo, and was nearly unreactive for healthy donors' samples. GPC3-TRFIS was able to efficiently distinguish HCC patients (19 cases) from healthy donors (19 cases). Overall, the developed TRFIS offers the benefits of high sensitivity, simple operation, and no need of large precision instruments and professional technical personnel for rapid detection of plasma hExos, and supplies a novel approach for early screening of HCC.

Pengukuran Sikap Keagamaan melalui Skala Sikap dalam Pendidikan Agama Islam

This study aims to identify and assess the types of attitude scales utilized in Islamic religious education, offering recommendations for their application in this field. The article is based on a library research method, where the concepts and definitions found were sorted and selected for data collection. The analysis was carried out using two main approaches: deductive and inductive. The study identified several attitude scales, including the Likert scale, Guttman scale, semantic differential, and rating scale. The application of these measurement scales such as the Likert scale, Guttman scale, semantic differential, and rating scale provides effective tools for assessing students' attitudes, perceptions, and comprehension of religious teachings. The implication of this research is to lay the groundwork for developing more efficient and precise instruments for evaluating students' religious attitudes, which will ultimately enhance the quality of Islamic Religious Education across various educational levels.

Error Separation Method for Geometric Distribution Error Modeling of Precision Machining Surfaces Based on K-Space Spectrum.

The geometric error distributed on components' contact surfaces is a critical factor affecting assembly accuracy and precision instrument stability. Effective error separation methods can improve model accuracy, thereby aiding in performance prediction and process optimization. Here, an error separation method for geometric distribution error modeling for precision machining surfaces based on the K-space spectrum is proposed. To determine the boundary of systematical error and random error, we used a cruciform boundary line method based on the K-space spectrum, achieving the optimal separation of the two with frequency difference. The effectiveness of the method was experimentally verified using two sets of machined surfaces. By comparing with current common random error filtering methods, the outstanding role of the proposed error separation method in separating random error and preserving processing features has been verified.

Temperature-responsive metamaterials made of highly sensitive thermostat metal strips.

Temperature-responsive metamaterials have remarkable shape-morphing ability during thermal energy conversion. However, integrating the thermal shape programmability, wide-working temperature range, fast temperature response, and actuation into metamaterials remains challenging. Here, we introduce using thermostat metal strips to assemble metamaterials with desirable and balanced temperature-responsive properties, and we systematically investigate the thermal deformation performance. Achieving 70 to 80% of the designed strain requires only 5 seconds of heating. A thermal strain of around 30% is achieved for the assembled metamaterials, surpassing other bimetallic metamaterials by a magnitude of 100 to 200. The actuation capacity of thermostat metal strips exceeds 26 times their weight. Further, by leveraging the highly programmable thermal deformation, the tuneable bandgap range is 3847 to 40,000 hertz. These fully integrated mechanical performances in the multiphysics have great application potential, for example, as soft actuators and soft robots in intelligent structure systems, vibration isolation and noise reduction in hypersonic vehicles, and unique thermal deformation in precision instruments.

Subchronic Exposure to Low-Level Lanthanum, Cerium, and Yttrium Mixtures Altered Cell Cycle and Increased Oxidative Stress Pathways in Human LO-2 Hepatocytes but Did Not Cause Malignant Transformation.

Human exposures to rare earth elements are increasing with expanded use in aerospace, precision instruments, and new energy batteries, materials, and fertilizers. Individually these elements have low toxicity, although few investigations have examined the health effects of longer-term mixture exposures. We used the LO-2 cell line to examine the effects of graded exposures to lanthanum, cerium, and yttrium (LCY) mixtures at 1-, 100-, and 1000-fold their human background levels (0.31 μg/L La, 0.25 μg/L Ce, and 0.12 μg/L Y) on cell cycle, oxidative stress, and nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor (NRF2) pathway biomarkers, assessing responses every 10 passages up to 100 passages. Cell migration, concanavalin A, malignant transformation, and tumorigenesis in nude mice were also examined. Mixed LCY exposures activated oxidative stress and the NRF2 pathway by the 30th passage and increased the proportion of cells in the S phase and cell cycle-specific biomarkers by the 40th passage. LCY exposures did not cause malignant transformation of hepatocytes or induced tumorigenesis in nude mice but enhanced cell proliferation, migration, and agglutination. Importantly, LCY mixtures with longer-term exposure activated the NRF2 pathway and altered the hepatocyte cell cycle at doses far below those used in previous toxicological studies. The consequences of LCY mixtures for public health merit further study.