Real Instruments Research Articles

Remote Laboratory

This paper presents a web-based remote access real-time laboratory using IOT (Internet of Things) control. The suggested architecture helps to improve safety for user to work in hazardous environment or the handling of hazardous chemical substances at industry. This system also creates new opportunities for distance learning among students and researches, particularly within in engineering disciplines where hands-on experience is regarded as essential to acquire knowledge and reinforce professional skills. The remote laboratory presented here offers an economical solution for multi-users to access real instruments in real industry via internet. This remote laboratory system uses real instruments such as Robotic arm, DC pump, Water flow sensor and Cameras and the developer user interface was designed using python ad tkinter module which allows users to access the lab and information about the conducted experiment

EKSISTENSI PERTUNJUKAN DAN KONSEP DALAM BERKARYA SOLO BEATBOX COMMUNITY

The music carried by the Solo Beatbox Community has its own attraction in the form of a musical imitation of a show. Imitating the sound of musical instruments with mouth, i.e. playing music without using real musical instruments, the sound produced was almost indistinguishable to that of the original instrument. This uniqueness raises the aspects regarding the existence of the group’s performances whose by all means are inseparable from the works presented to the audience. Social media plays an important role in the development of their community, from promotions to publications on the Solo Beatbox Community. In order to get their stage, the Solo Beatbox Community uses the gethok tular (‘word of mouth’, ‘viva voice’) method to facilitate their access toward the upcoming shows. Member regeneration is also one of the efforts to prevent this community from dying out. They have elements in the conceptualization of their work that is based on the type and concept of the event in question, as well as the musical trends that are popular with the public. This triggered the existence of the Solo Beatbox Community show.Keywords: Solo Beatbox Community, The concept of creating Solo Beatbox Community.

Low-expression of lncRNA-ANCR promotes tibial fracture healing via targeting RUNX2.

To explore the role of long non-coding ribonucleic acid-anti-differentiation non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA-ANCR) in tibial fracture healing in rabbits by regulating the runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) expression. A total of 60 healthy adult rabbits were evenly divided into Control group (n=20), Fracture group (n=20), and Lnc group (n=20). Then, RUNX2 transfection, Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay and relevant instruments were carried out and used to determine the differences in dry weight, bone mineral density, bone mechanical strength, and RUNX2 expression in tibiae among three groups of rabbits. Comparison of the bone mineral density in rabbit tibiae among the three groups showed that the bone mineral density was significantly lower in Fracture group than that in Control group (p<0.05), and it was slightly higher in Lnc group than in Fracture group (p<0.05). The dry weight of the full-length tibiae in Fracture group was significantly decreased compared with that in Control group (p<0.05), and Lnc group had an increased dry weight of tibiae in comparison with Fracture group (p<0.05). The maximum load, flexural strength, elastic stress, elastic strain, elastic modulus, maximum stress, and maximum strain in Fracture group were lower than those in both Control group and Lnc group (p<0.05). Compared with those in Fracture group, the amount of new collagen was overtly increased in Lnc group, and that of mature collagen was decreased (p<0.05). The relative expression level of RUNX2 in tibial bone tissues was evidently lower in Fracture group than that in Control group (p<0.05), and it was markedly higher in Lnc group than that in Fracture group (p<0.05). Down-regulating lncRNA-ANCR activates and triggers the expression of RUNX2 that facilitates the growth and metabolism of bone tissues to play an important role in the repair of bone tissues and promote the healing of the tibial fracture.

Book Review: How the Navy Won the War: The Real Instrument of Victory 1914–1918

Book Review: How the Navy Won the War: The Real Instrument of Victory 1914–1918

Effects of Real Instrument on Performance of an Energy Detection-Based Spectrum Sensing Method

In cognitive radio (CR) networks, the role of spectrum sensing (SS) is crucial to enable an efficient exploitation of the radio spectrum resource. The need to measure spectrum occupancy turns CRs to be de facto measurement instruments, so it becomes crucial to analyze how real instrumentation peculiarities could affect performance in spectral measurements (i.e., SS performance). In this paper, a commercial software-defined radio (SDR) is adopted as cognitive device, and its capability to accurately measure occupied spectrum is analyzed in comparison also with a simulation setup, where the same analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is modeled and simulated, and equivalent signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) are replicated. To this aim, a suitable experimental setup has been designed, metrologically characterized, and tuned. Experimental results prove how nominal SNR typically adopted for testing the performance of SS methods is not sufficient to model the impairments of a real acquisition chain, even jointly with a modeling of the digitization process. To assure a reliable SS method validation, new approaches have to be considered for enhancing the accordance between the performance predicted in the simulation environment and the experimental one reachable on real devices. Since different architectures of CRs are present on the market, the experimental tests should be preferred for a reliable SS performance assessment.

FOREIGN EXPERIENCE OF PARTICIPANTS OF THE STATE IN IMPROVING INVESTMENT ATTRACTION OF THE REGION

The article deals with theoretical study of foreign experience of state participation in increasing the investment attractiveness of the region, which is indicative for Ukraine. The results of the study of the current experience of China, Ireland and the USA in attracting foreign investments are presented, which confirms the constant search for tools to increase investment attractiveness in these countries. It is proved that the real instruments for creating a favorable investment environment in the international arena are state investment policy, tax system, banking system, etc. Key words: investment, economic growth, world community, taxation, financial crisis, globalization. керівник департаменту бізнес-консультування, Лаглер К. Зарубіжний досвід участі держави у підвищенні інвестиційної привабливості регіону / Targit GmbH, м. Відень, Австрія В статті проведено теоретичне дослідження зарубіжного досвіду участі держави у підвищенні інвестиційної привабливості регіону, який є показовим для України. Представлено результати дослідження сучасного досвіду Китаю, Ірландії та США в напрямку залучення іноземних інвестицій, який підтверджує факт постійному пошуку інструментів підвищення інвестиційної привабливості в цих країнах. Доведено, що реальними інструментами формування сприятливого інвестиційного середовища на міжнародній арені є державна інвестиційна політика, податкова система, банківська система і т.д. Кл ючові слова: інвестиції, економічне зростання, світове співтовариство, оподаткування, фінансова криза, глобалізація.

Efficacy of Virtual Reality Combined With Real Instrument Training for Patients With Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of real instrument training in virtual reality (VR) environment for improving upper-extremity and cognitive function after stroke. DesignSingle-blind, randomized trial. SettingMedical center. ParticipantsEnrolled subjects (N=31) were first-episode stroke, assessed for a period of 6 months after stroke onset; age between 20 and 85 years; patients with unilateral paralysis and a Fugl-Meyer assessment upper-extremity scale score >18. InterventionsBoth groups were trained 30 minutes per day, 3 days a week, for 6 weeks, with the experimental group performing the VR combined real instrument training and the control group performing conventional occupational therapy. Main Outcome MeasuresManual Muscle Test, modified Ashworth scale, Fugl-Meyer upper motor scale, hand grip, Box and Block, 9-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT), Korean Mini-Mental State Examination, and Korean-Montreal Cognitive Assessment. ResultsThe experimental group showed greater therapeutic effects in a time-dependent manner than the control group, especially on the motor power of wrist extension, spasticity of elbow flexion and wrist extension, and Box and Block Tests. Patients in the experimental group, but not the control group, also showed significant improvements on the lateral, palmar, and tip pinch power, Box and Block, and 9-HPTs from before to immediately after training. Significantly greater improvements in the tip pinch power immediately after training and spasticity of elbow flexion 4 weeks after training completion were noted in the experimental group. ConclusionsVR combined real instrument training was effective at promoting recovery of patients’ upper-extremity and cognitive function, and thus may be an innovative translational neurorehabilitation strategy after stroke.

The European Citizens’ initiative: too much democracy for EU polity?

AbstractThis Article analyzes the state of democracy in the EU through the study of the European Citizens’ Initiative. The European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) represents one of the main ways the European institutions chose during the making of the European Convention, and then reproduced in the Lisbon Treaty, to beat populism by bringing decision-making closer to the citizens and promoting a new legitimization of Europe’s political unity. This Article starts by arguing that if one wants to understand European versions of populism it is necessary to pay attention to the reason why “democratic deficit” and “Euroscepticism” are predominant problems that the European Union is facing. It then analyzes the implementation of the ECI and the main issues of this instrument of democratization pointing at three flaws: a) the problem of e-democracy; b) the difficulty of stimulating large participation of civil society and people for the purposes of the ECIs; c) the cumbersome role of the EU Commission and the difficulties to ensure a real participatory instrument for the European citizens. From the analysis of the ECI this Article first advocates for a more robust public sphere in Europe as indispensable ground for a supranational democracy; second, it supports the revision of the ECI procedural aspects to transform it into a viable channel for amending EU policies in a more democratic way; third, this Article participates in the debate over the brand of democracy most suited to EU governance and polity.

MOS gas sensor of meat freshness analysis on E-nose

The high demand of meat causes the seller mix the fresh and not-fresh meat. Electronic nose was used to detect the quality of the meat quickly and accurately. This research is proposed to test and analyze the sensitivity of MOS sensor in the electronic nose and simulate it using Matlab to identify meat classification using neural network. Test parameters based on Indonesian National Standard (SNI 3932-2008) requirement on the quality of carcass and meat. In this simulation, the number of neurons in the hidden layer was varied to find the most accurate identification. The sensitivity analysis of the MOS sensor was conducted by testing the meat sample aroma, calculate the sensitivity, identify the formation of input, hidden layer, outputs, and simulate the result of the varied formation. Then, found the number of the most optimal neurons. The result of the data training will be applied to the real instrument.

Freeform surface selection based on parametric fitness function using modal wavefront fitting.

We present an analytic methodology to guide the selection of a surface within an optical design to apply freeform optimization. The methodology is discussed in the context of other means currently available, such as human intuition, aberration theory, and other direct surface construction methods. We describe the selection criteria for our proposed method and provide the form of the parametric fitness function used to combine the criterion. Finally, a case study comparing a design optimization procedure guided by the proposed methodology to human intuition is presented based on a real instrument designed for a millimeter-wave astronomy application. The methodology is shown to be effective even in the case of an optical system with a large number of freeform/optical surfaces. The proposed approach provides an objective and scalable solution to guide freeform optical system design by aiding a human's design intuition.

Virtual guitar: using real-time finger tracking for musical instruments

Kinect, a 3D sensing device from Microsoft, invokes the human-computer interaction research evolution. Kinect was implemented in many areas including music. One was implemented in a virtual musical instrument (VMI) system, which uses natural gestures to produce synthetic sounds similar to real musical instruments. From related work, it was found that the use of a large joint such as hand, arm and leg is inconvenient and limits the way of playing VMI. Thus, this study proposes a fast and reliable finger tracking algorithm suitable for virtual musical instrument playing. In addition, a virtual guitar system application is developed as an implementation of the proposed algorithm. Experimental results show that the proposed method can be used to play many varieties of songs with an acceptable quality. Furthermore proposed application could be used by a beginner who does not have any experience in music or on playing a real musical instrument.

The First Solar Seeing Profile Measurement with Two Apertures and Multiple Guide Regions

Ground-based observations suffer from atmospheric turbulence perturbations, which seriously degrade the image quality. The seeing profile associated with the turbulence is critical to characterize an astronomical site. The optimal design and performance estimation of future solar ground-layer adaptive optics (GLAO) and multi-conjugate adaptive optics (MCAO) heavily rely on our knowledge of the seeing profile at a specific site. Many current optical seeing profile measurement techniques require one to use a large solar telescope for that purpose. The development of a portable instrument to measure and characterize the seeing profile is thus highly needed, in particular for testing potential new sites or for the regularly monitoring of the seeing condition at existing sites. Recently, we proposed the Advanced Multiple Aperture Seeing Profiler (A-MASP), which uses multiple small telescopes and multiple regions of interest (ROIs) on the solar surface to measure the seeing profile up to an altitude of 30 km. Here, we report our recent proof-of-concept observation run of the A-MASP technique with the Dunn Solar Telescope (DST) of the National Solar Observatory (NSO). We found that the Fried parameter, $r_{0}$ , was about 12 cm at the observed wavelength of 630 nm in the early morning and that there were three main turbulence layers. The strongest one was the mix layer near the ground. We observed the evolution of the top of the mix layer and found that it can rise to about 1.5 km in about 18 min, which is consistent with the theory of daytime boundary layer evolution. Another turbulence layer was observed from 8 to 15 km, which is at the top of the convective layer. Comparing an instrument with two sub-apertures with a real A-MASP instrument, we found that they should lead to similar results except for the altitude $h = 0$ .

A Digitally Compensated AMR Magnetometer

This paper considers the possibilities of using digital feedback for precise anisotropic magneto-resistance (AMR) magnetometers using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components. Requiring only a few analog parts, most of the signal processing is done digitally within an STM32 microcontroller. Because most of the precision is made by the feedback circuit, the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) can be a low-cost type. The compensation source is made with a pulsewidth modulation-driven H-bridge sourced from a voltage reference, so the cost reduction when compared to a “full-analog” design is large. The demodulation of a flipped-AMR signal is done with software after the AD conversion because it improves the offset stability and brings the reduction of the preamp’s and ADC’s LF noise. This paper presents the full characterization of a real instrument, including its noise, linearity, stability, and power consumption.

Multinacionais do Direito, escritórios de advocacia e pro bono: elementos para uma análise comparativa dos campos jurídicos francês e americano

A partir da comparação dos Estados Unidos e da França, o artigo problematiza a natureza nacional do campo jurídico tendo como foco a advocacia pro bono nas multinacionais do Direito e nos escritórios de advocacia franceses. Nessa perspectiva, se pergunta quais as condições em que práticas e normas jurídicas podem ser transplantadas de um país para outro (legal tranplant). A pesquisa realizada iniciou por uma série de entrevistas com advogados deste setor e com a observação direta de interações entre prestadores e destinatários das atividades pro bono. As primeiras conclusões indicam que a maioria dos escritórios franceses não têm meios humanos e financeiros para institucionalizar o pro bono com a amplitude de um verdadeiro dispositivo de ação pública.

Using of the Chicken Wing's Bone in the Microneusurgical Training Model for Microdrilling.

Background and Objective:Repetitive practicing of microneurosurgical techniques in experimental laboratory using real surgical instruments on training models is extremely important before starting the real surgical interventions. The modeling of the surgical steps with creating of suitable laboratory models is also another important issue in the successfully gaining of microneurosurgical practice.Materials and Methods:In this experimental study, it was created a laboratory training model for microneurosurgical drilling of cranial bones including the close location with the neural and vascular structures. All steps of this study were performed under the operating microscope. Twenty-five fresh chicken wings obtained from supermarket were used for this study. The difficulty and suitability of the model was evaluated in terms of the usability in the training of microneruosurgical microdrilling. Difficulty of the procedure was divided as three degree (very easy, easy, and difficult). The objective criterion for the evaluation of the difficulty of the procedure was the protection of the neurovascular and muscular structures during the procedure.Results:The suitability of the procedure was also evaluated within three groups as bad, good, and perfect. In four (16%) chicken wing's bone, the difficulty of the microdirilling was evaluated as difficult. Fifteen (60%) of the chicken wing's bones were microsurgically drilled with easy procedure. The remaining six (24%) of the wing's bone microdrilling was evaluated as very easy procedure. The suitability of the model was evaluated as bad in three (12%) of the chicken wing's bone. The suitability was found as good in 16 (64%) of the bones. In the remaining three (24%) of the chicken wing's bone microdrilling, the suitability of the model was evaluated as perfect.Conclusion:Microsurgical drilling of the chicken wing's bone without any vascular and muscular injury is accepted as the indication of the successfully surgical microdrilling process. Consolidation of the surgical practice in a laboratory setting, grasping and using of microsurgical instruments, can be repeated in several times in this model. We believe that this model will contribute to the practical training of microneurosurgery.

Can an Augmented Reality Headset Improve Accuracy of Acetabular Cup Orientation in Simulated THA? A Randomized Trial.

Accurate implant orientation reduces wear and increases stability in arthroplasty but is a technically demanding skill. Augmented reality (AR) headsets overlay digital information on top of the real world. We have developed an enhanced AR headset capable of tracking bony anatomy in relation to an implant, but it has not yet been assessed for its suitability as a training tool for implant orientation. (1) In the setting of simulated THA performed by novices, does an AR headset improve the accuracy of acetabular component positioning compared with hands-on training by an expert surgeon? (2) What are trainees' perceptions of the AR headset in terms of realism of the task, acceptability of the technology, and its potential role for surgical training? Twenty-four study participants (medical students in their final year of school, who were applying to surgery residency programs, and who had no prior arthroplasty experience) participated in a randomized simulation trial using an AR headset and a simulated THA. Participants were randomized to two groups completing four once-weekly sessions of baseline assessment, training, and reassessment. One group trained using AR (with live holographic orientation feedback) and the other received one-on-one training from a hip arthroplasty surgeon. Demographics and baseline performance in orienting an acetabular implant to six patient-specific values on the phantom pelvis were collected before training and were comparable. The orientation error in degrees between the planned and achieved orientations was measured and was not different between groups with the numbers available (surgeon group mean error ± SD 16° ± 7° versus AR 14° ± 7°; p = 0.22). Participants trained by AR also completed a validated posttraining questionnaire evaluating their experiences. During the four training sessions, participants using AR-guidance had smaller mean (± SD) errors in orientation than those receiving guidance from the surgeon: 1° ± 1° versus AR 6° ± 4°, p < 0.001. In the fourth session's assessment, participants in both groups had improved (surgeon group mean improvement 6°, 95% CI, 4-8°; p < 0.001 versus AR group 9°, 95% CI 7-10°; p < 0.001). There was no difference between participants in the surgeon-trained and AR-trained group: mean difference 1.2°, 95% CI, -1.8 to 4.2°; p = 0.281. In posttraining evaluation, 11 of 12 participants would use the AR platform as a training tool for developing visuospatial skills and 10 of 12 for procedure-specific rehearsals. Most participants (11 of 12) stated that a combination of an expert trainer for learning and AR for unsupervised training would be preferred. A novel head-mounted AR platform tracked an implant in relation to bony anatomy to a clinically relevant level of accuracy during simulated THA. Learners were equally accurate, whether trained by AR or a surgeon. The platform enabled the use of real instruments and gave live feedback; AR was thus considered a feasible and valuable training tool as an adjunct to expert guidance in the operating room. Although there were no differences in accuracy between the groups trained using AR and those trained by an expert surgeon, we believe the tool may be useful in education because it demonstrates that some motor skills for arthroplasty may be learned in an unsupervised setting. Future studies will evaluate AR-training for arthroplasty skills other than cup orientation and its transfer validity to real surgery. Level I, therapeutic study.

BAGAIMANA KEUANGAN ISLAM MENGGUNAKAN FAKTOR DISKONTO DALAM CAPITAL BUDGETING DECISION?

&lt;em&gt;In the conventional financial management, the method of calculating the&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; capital budgeting decision using NPV and IRR, which both use the interest rate as one of its component count (as a discount factor). Then, how Islamic financial management sees this? With the research methods of literature study, this paper is about the financial outlook of Islam the methods of NPV and IRR as well as finding out what the proper method for capital budgeting decision. Results of the study were that in the process capital budgeting decision, the use of NPV and IRR methods are allowed (according Obaidullah, Prof. Shabir F.Ulgener, and Zarqa). The interest rate in the calculation only as a means of simplification and ease in the calculation. The use of a list of compound interest rate (compounded interest) is a tool to calculate the expected rate today and the future. It can be said that the Islamic finance uses a list of compound interest rate as a tool for simplify the calculation, just as a comparison level of opportunity cost in alternative investments. The level of interest in the calculation of these can be replaced with a comparator, such as: the return on the sukuk, the profit sharing ratio, and the return on investment or other real instruments in Islam.&lt;/em&gt;

Optical Design and Analysis of the Submillimeter-Wave Instrument on JUICE

The submillimeter-wave instrument on the Jupiter icy moons explorer spacecraft is a passive dual-beam heterodyne radiometer operating in the frequency bands 530–625 and 1080–1275 GHz. The instrument will observe Jupiter's atmosphere as well as the atmosphere and surface properties of its moons. This paper presents the optical design and analysis of the instrument that has been carried out using Gaussian beam mode analysis and physical optics simulations. The optics consists of a 29-cm mechanically steerable off-axis Cassegrain telescope, relay optics, and two feedhorns. Frequency-independent operation of the 600-GHz channel is predicted by the simulations. The 1200-GHz channel shows some frequency dependency because of the selected feedhorn type. The steering of the telescope affects mainly its cross-polarization level. The manufacturing and mounting tolerances, as well as distortion and misalignment by thermoelastic effects, will cause the performance of a real instrument to deviate from that of an ideal one. Physical optics simulations combined with data from finite-element method simulations and measurements of optical surface profiles show that these factors affect, in particular, the instrument pointing. The induced pointing error is up to several arcminutes, whereas the specification is less than 0.5 arcmin. The pointing error can be reduced by adjusting the alignment of the telescope secondary mirror and the feedhorns.

Are There Any Volatility Spill-Over Effects among Cryptocurrencies and Widely Traded Asset Classes?

In the present paper, we investigate connectedness within cryptocurrency markets as well as across the Bitcoin index (hereafter, BPI) and widely traded asset classes such as traditional currencies, stock market indices and commodities, such as gold and Brent oil. A spill over index approach with the spectral representation of variance decomposition networks, is employed to measure connectedness. Results show no significant spillover effects between the nascent market of cryptocurrencies and other financial markets. We suggest that cryptocurrencies are real independent financial instruments that pose no danger to financial system stability. Concerning the connectedness within the cryptocurrency markets, we report a time–frequency–dynamics connectedness nature. Moreover, the decomposition of the total spill over index is mostly dominated by a short frequency component (2–4 days) leading to the conclusion that this nascent market is highly speculative at present. These findings provide insights for regulators and potential international investors.

Écrire et décrire l'eau. Rêveries contemplatives dans le roman Madame Orpha de Marie Gevers

&lt;p&gt;One of the most common symbols used in literature, water, which is both a source of life and a rich symbol of meaning, is a theme that has transformed into a real instrument of aesthetic research over the last centuries. In this article, we show how the Francophone woman writer, Marie Gevers, uses the symbol of water in Madame Orpha. We also identify some of the functions that this element has in her autobiographical text and we analyze the way in which the reveries on water are reconstituted in order to give a coherent and a meaningful writing.&lt;/p&gt;