Technical Instruments Research Articles

The 2024 Amendments to the International Health Regulations: A New Era for Global Health Law in Pandemic Preparedness and Response?

On June 1, 2024, the World Health Assembly reached consensus on a package of amendments to the 2005 International Health Regulations (IHR). These amendments follow nearly two decades of implementation and an intensive multilateral process prompted by the global struggle against COVID-19. This article critically examines whether the amended IHR reflect lessons learned from the pandemic, potentially ushering in a new era for global health law in pandemic preparedness and response, or if they deflect attention from the need for deeper structural reforms. While the IHR remain the only near-universal legal framework for preventing and addressing the international spread of disease, these amendments emphasize equity and solidarity, and potentially shift the IHR from a technical instrument to one focusing on inherently political issues. This analysis examines key IHR amendments and their implications for the future of global health law, particularly in the context of equity, financing, and implementation.

The Method of Punishment and Reward in the Perspective of Islamic Education and Its Implementation in Indonesia: A Case Study at MA Hidayatus Subban Semarang

This research is motivated by a discrepancy between the ideal principles of Islam and field practices, where rewards and punishments are often applied mechanistically, ineducatively, and without considering students' psychological contexts. Using a descriptive qualitative approach and a case study method, data were collected through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and documentation. The findings show that the implementation of reward and punishment at MA Hidayatus Subban is carried out regularly and relatively systematically. Rewards are given in both material and symbolic-spiritual forms, such as praise, certificates, and prayers, which have proven effective in enhancing motivation and fostering positive student behavior. Punishments, on the other hand, are applied in an educative manner, including advice, reflective assignments, and familial approaches aimed at developing moral awareness. However, the study also found inconsistencies among teachers in applying reward and punishment, leading to perceptions of injustice among students. The study concludes that the effectiveness of reward and punishment in Islamic education is greatly influenced by teachers’ understanding of spiritual values, sensitivity to students’ psychological conditions, and strong institutional support from the school principal and parental involvement. Rewards and punishments should not be treated merely as technical instruments of classroom management but must be grounded in an educational awareness rooted in Islamic values such as justice, compassion, responsibility, and self-awareness. When applied fairly, proportionally, and contextually—in alignment with the goals of Islamic education within the framework of maqashid al-shariah—educational institutions are expected to shape students who are not only behaviorally compliant but also possess strong moral and spiritual consciousness. Proper implementation of these methods impacts not only student discipline but also serves as a fundamental pillar in developing a noble, value-oriented generation in accordance with rahmatan lil ‘alamin principles.

Suitability Evaluation of CO2 Geological Storage in Deep Coal Seam: A Case Study in the Eastern Margin of Ordos Basin, China

ABSTRACTCO2 coal seam storage is a significant component of carbon capture and storage technology, which serves as a pivotal technical instrument for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The Ordos Basin develops a considerable number of unminable coal seams, which present an optimal place for CO2 coal seam storage. This paper presents an investigation into the geological characteristics of the No.4 coal seam reservoir in the Shanxi Formation of Permian age and the No.8 coal seam reservoir in the Benxi Formation of Carboniferous age. To explore the adsorption capacity of coal rock and the sealing performance of caprock, relevant experiments were conducted. The results of the experiments demonstrate that the adsorption capacity of CO2 on the coal samples is 1.11–3.73 times that of CH4. The results of the breakthrough pressure test demonstrate that the mudstone sealing performance is the most effective, followed by dense limestone and sandy mudstone. Combined with the geological data of the study area, the analytic hierarchy process method was used to evaluate the CO2 storage potential of coal seams. The areas suitable for geological storage of CO2 in the study area are located in the central part and the south‐central part.

The Meaning of Kant’s Attitude Towards the Technical Instruments of Science in the Atmosphere of Enlightenment

I mention the main, technophile and technophobe, positions towards technology in the Western 18th century, as the criterion of this paper. Then I show that, however unexpected would this be, the concept of technics – opening the problem of technics – was explicitly present within the transcendental philosophy. From its multiple meanings outlined in the logic of this philosophy, I focus on the technical instruments of science. Kant considered them optimistically, but insisted that they are only means subordinated to the capability of reason that alone is able to give knowledge. And the vault key of knowledge is the moral law (the moral telos) given by the human reason. Thus, answering to Rousseau, Kant indicates that the progress of knowledge is ultimately determined by this moral, and not by the enrichment of cognisance as a result of technical instruments. If we consider them as a model for the treatment of the technical objects in the broad sense of this term, Kant introduced the criticism of the technophile reductionism, while creating the frame of the positivist science and the humanistic philosophy of the 19th century.

In Pursuit of Architectural Happiness, on the Potential for Change in Legal Frameworks for Accessibility.

Modern architecture has generated measurable requirements about users' interactions with the built environment to create user-oriented architecture through meticulous full-scale testing with subsequent standardization. These requirements have entered the legal framework as minimum threshold values for basic demands that regulate building and physical planning. In the construction of the modern welfare society, building-related requirements have been associated with fundamental ethical values for the societal construction, e.g., equity, health, inclusion, and sustainable development. The programming of architecture through building requirements can be seen as giving the users a dosage of happiness through architecture. The modern welfare state defines an architectural happiness through is legal frameworks. This study analyzed thirteen questions from a 37-question questionnaire, distributed to 122 informants, in thirteen countries. The study aimed at establishing the contemporaneous understandings and uses of the concept of accessibility. The study concluded that, currently, the concept of accessibility has turned into a technical instrument that limits the quest for an increased fit between user demands and needs with the architectural design. Furthermore, there is a loose link between accessibility and sustainability. In conclusion, architectural happiness for the upcoming sustainable society of the 2030s needs to update the concept of accessibility so that the outcome - usability for future users - becomes apparent.

O fotógrafo no arquivo: reflexões sobre a (in)visibilidade do aparato fotográfico nos acervos coloniais

The photographical archive of German Colonial Society has more than 50 thousand images. Clearly, it is a rich archive in different themes for the Visual History researcher, especially for those who choose to study contemporary colonialism. In this paper, our aim is to think about two central figures that are sometimes overlooked: the photographer and the photographic apparatus. Although photography was constructed at the end of the 19th century as an objective and purely technical instrument, it was an important element in framing an imperial world view. However, the camera and the subject who operates it are still sometimes invisible in historiographical discussions and analyses of colonial archives. We therefore propose reflections on this relationship using photographs from the archive that show the apparatus behind their production.

Environmental Impact Assessment System: Case Analysis of Existing Legal Disputes

Abstract: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) refers to the process of assessing the possible impact of planning activities on the environment. This paper contends that the current international legal framework does not adequately delineate the activation criteria for EIA and overlooks the significance of international collaborative duties that come into play when sovereign states embark on the initiation and execution of EIA processes. Only in relation to the general principles of international law can the nature of the EIAs obligation be comprehended. When dealing with cross-border damage, the requirement for due diligence is complemented by an implicit responsibility to collaborate. This latter obligation arises under identical situations as the due diligence requirement, particularly in response to 'the likelihood of significant environmental damage,' and thus, it needs to be satisfied by the national government under equivalent circumstances. This paper argues that the courts interpretation of environmental impact assessment is incomplete which is reflected in two aspects: (1) the ambiguity in the court's grasp of the EIA threshold's unpredictability. The International Court of Justice fails to clarify the criteria for establishing a 'substantial environmental risk'. (2) The court's oversight in considering the duty to collaborate could result in an overemphasis on the material aspects of EIA-treating it merely as a technical instrument. By reintegrating the cooperation duty, a more balanced perspective on the procedural elements of EIA could be achieved. Delving into strategies to rectify these two deficiencies and obtaining a holistic insight into the International Court of Justice's approach to EIA will yield substantial implications and relevance for future EIA-related endeavors.

Designing a Framework to Support Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for Sustainable Public Facility Location: Insights from Centro Hospitalar Oeste, Portugal

Finding the optimal location for regional public facilities has historically been a challenge. Numerous studies have sought to find the best solutions, yet few of them provided a framework to incorporate criteria and indicators that look beyond spatial dimensions, aiming at a more sustainable solution fostering economic development, territorial efficiency, environmental sensitivity and, of course, social justice. This research is based on the issues raised by the implementation of the new Centro Hospitalar Oeste (CHO) in Portugal, which has been extensively evaluated in the decision-making process for many years. Recognising that location decisions involve more than spatial concerns, this article proposes the identification of criteria and indicators that integrate social, economic and territorial perspectives to support the construction of a decision-making model based on sustainability principles. A four-phase, sixteen-stage multiple-criteria methodology is proposed to build a technical instrument for overcoming political conflicts and ensuring efficient, rational and participatory processes for public investment allocation. This article offers evidence from a real spatial planning issue to provide a useful framework to promote a more significant and comprehensive social and economic impact of the public investment made in a regional-level facility. This framework helps to determine the fundamental criteria of evaluation and operationalise sustainable and balanced models for the location of public facilities that take into consideration an integrated territorial approach. The methodology presented is open and flexible so that it can be applied and adapted to different contexts and facilities.

PROSPECTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FORENSIC EXAMINATION IN THE CONTEXT OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS

Objective: This study examines how forensic examination has developed as a scientific field in the face of swift scientific and technological breakthroughs, with a focus on improving techniques and technical instruments. Method: Recent advancements in forensic equipment and the scientific foundation of new approaches were systematically reviewed. The analysis emphasizes advancements in object detection, data administration, and assessment procedures while highlighting the importance of expert competency in line with certain credentials. Results: There have been notable developments in forensic technology, such as new tools and methodological enhancements that raise the accuracy and dependability of tests. Contentious issues are rigorously analyzed, including inconsistent language, financial difficulties, and the upkeep of sophisticated machinery. Novelty: The study presents novel approaches to systematizing forensic data and highlights the necessity of scientifically proven methods, highlighting the vital role of expert qualifications in the research process. It also emphasizes opportunities for future progress in forensic examination as both a scientific discipline and a practical application field.

11.H. Round table: Making the case for public investment in health

Abstract Across the European Union (EU), public budgets are facing pressures and policy makers are becoming increasingly concerned about how to adequately and sustainably fund their health systems to keep up with need and demand. In recognition of this, in 2022 a Technical Support Instrument (TSI) project funded by the Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support (DG REFORM) was launched together with three European Union (EU) Member States with the goal of strengthening capacity to make the case for public investments in health. To support these efforts, the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies (OBS) conducted an exercise to map relevant analytical approaches and tools for making the case for public investment in health. As a contribution to this workshop, OBS will present the key results from this exercise, including a framework that has been designed to support health policy makers, advisors and advocates by providing five key lines of argument and selected examples of tools, data, indicators and methods that can be used to successfully make the case for public funding for health. This will be complemented by two presentations on country experiences (in Austria and Malta) of navigating negotiations between health and finance and securing public funding for health. These will highlight both successes and challenges in practice. By looking at examples from MS on making the case for public investment in health, these presentations will frame the panel discussion that follows. The chairs will facilitate a discussion closely engaging the audience on how to build better narratives and exchanges which facilitate trust and alignment between health and finance stakeholders in the pursuit of strengthening the capacity to make the case for public investment in health. The workshop will highlight five lines of argument and practical examples of tools, data, indicators and methods that can be used to support the case for public investment in health. It will also focus on the important enablers (e.g. cooperation, communication, transparency, accountability, trust) for successful budget negotiations and discuss how these can be facilitated. Key messages • Budget cases for public funds for health tend to be most successful when they align well with the goals and objectives of finance stakeholders, and certain narratives and arrangements can foster this. • Data and evidence can help steer decision makers to make good choices (or at least avoid bad ones), but other factors serve as the fuel to push the budget case for health forward successfully. Speakers/Panelists Rebecca Forman European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, London, UK Jonathan Cylus European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, London, UK Stefan Eichwalder Ministry of Health, Vienna, Austria Neville Calleja Department of Health Information and Research, G’Mangia, Malta

Crafting Combinations to Govern Groundwater: Knowledge, Motivation, and Agency

Groundwater is a vital common pool resource for water supply, irrigation, and ecosystems, but can be difficult to govern due to invisibility, conflicting interests, and limitations of available institutions. While there are many policy and technical instruments (tools) available, efforts to apply them are often ineffective. This special issue of the International Journal of the Commons presents a set of papers with insights into policy instruments and other methods for groundwater governance. The relevance and effectiveness of tools and combinations of tools (toolboxes) in addressing problems that emerge from groundwater use is related to how they fit with diverse physical and social contexts. Drawing on research and applied experience, including that presented in this issue, we outline a conceptual framework for groundwater governance that emphasizes attention not just to knowledge, but also to motivations, and to agency for effective coordination among key actors. Articles in the special issue analyze groundwater governance in areas of Africa (east, south, and north), Central Asia, India, and the United States. The articles cover a range of scales from small groups playing experiential games to international agreements about transboundary aquifers. Several papers illustrate the crucial role of knowledge about groundwater, and the need for governance instruments and interventions to go beyond only changing knowledge. Three papers focus on groundwater games and their use to understand and change behavior, especially when combined with other tools that facilitate collective deliberation and action. Several papers illustrate how understanding of the ways people care about and practice care for groundwater illuminates examples and capabilities for groundwater governance. Highlights There are many institutional tools for governing groundwater, but no panaceas, and successes are rare Effective groundwater governance requires that key stakeholders have combinations of knowledge, motivation, and agency to act together effectively Groundwater co-management can combine stakeholders’ knowledge, values, and collective action with external science, resources, and authority Participatory processes can craft combinations of tools to fit contexts and pursue shared gains

Article RETRACTED due to manipulation by the authors Design of basic football skills test instrument for university students

Football is one of the practical courses included in the curriculum in three study programs at the Department of Sports Science, State University of Medan (Unimed). The football skills taught include short and long passing, receiving, dribbling, heading, and shooting. To date, there has not been a standardized skills test suitable for heterogeneous students, allowing lecturers to use it for assessment purposes. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a skill test so that the learning provided can be evaluated properly. It is widely recognized that assessment is a fundamental aspect of education, because inaccurate assessment can hinder the achievement of learning objectives. This study aims to identify the optimal approach to football skill test development for students. The research methodology used is the research and development (R&D) method. The research model used in this study is the Borg and Gall model which is only adopted consisting of several stages, namely needs analysis, design, development, and trial and validation. The population of the study (test takers) consisted of the male students of the Coaching Department (n=30), selected by a purposive sampling technique. The results of the analysis were analyzed using descriptive analysis and validation test analysis from expert assessments. The end result is a basic football technical test instrument, which includes instructions and drawings for each test. This test is useful for evaluating students enrolled in football courses, especially for university-level students. Keywords: Football Learning, Basic Skill, Developed Technical Test, University Students.

Identifying the Original Source of Megalithic Stones in Tambunan Using Spectral Signature Technique

Megalithic stones are a remnant of the ancient people. An intriguing megalithic stone legacy ought to emphasize the context in which it fits. Consequently, it is necessary to ascertain each megalithic stone’s historical context. This is significant for the archaeologist to obtain true and valid information. In Tambunan, there are numerous myths about megalithic stones. As a result, it is impossible to verify the story’s validity. These days, remote sensing has emerged as a crucial technical instrument for archaeologists to gather spatial data in both broad and localized locations. Prior research has demonstrated the efficacy of remote sensing in identifying archaeological site remnants. Nevertheless, there have never been any investigations utilizing remote sensing in relation to small-sized megalithic stones. Thus, this study employs spectral signature techniques and remote sensing to identify the original source of the megalithic stones discovered in Tambunan. This study carries out the spectral signature of megalithic stones in Tambunan using Sentinel-2A satellite image data with a 5-meter resolution using the SNAP application. Before that, the coordinates and measurements for each megalithic stone were obtained from the ground. The spectral signature of all the megalithic stones was then compared with the spectral signature of the stones near the river or near the hill. The study’s findings demonstrate that the spectral signature of the megalithic stones in question is identical to the stone found in the river near its location. As a result, this study was successful in providing scientific evidence that the river is the source of the megalithic stones in Tambunan, despite the stones’ considerable distance from their site.

Modern Methods and Technical Instruments of Ecological Monitoring of the Estuaries of Small Rivers

At present, river estuaries are constantly being explored; therefore, it is necessary to receive up-todate information on their actual environmental condition, hydrological regime, and geographical features. Therefore, it is important to develop and improve the methods and technical instruments for monitoring river estuaries. The article presents a developed methodology for integrated research of small-river estuaries using new methods and techniques. The article discusses the experience in using modern domestic devices for solving practical problems of integrated water-environmental monitoring with a case study of expeditionary work in estuaries of the Chernaya River (Crimean Peninsula, Sevastopol). The possibilities of the following technical instruments used are described: The GAP-AK-12R CTD (MHI RAS), the Condor biophysical complex (Aquastandard), and the Garmin echo sounder, which make it possible to obtain field data on turbidity, the concentration of suspended particulate matter, speed and direction of currents, the average size of suspended particles, and salinity and temperature of the aquatic environment. The results of applying a new method for determining the flow velocity and water consumption based on video image processing are presented. Application of the developed methodology makes it possible to obtain the information necessary to analyze the hydrological regime and ecological state of small-river estuaries.

National Database for Emergency Management (GIS based)

This study looks at the advantages of using geographic information systems for emergency management from two angles: the data management mode and the pre-warning signal emergency management requirements. This study discusses the need for geographic information systems in disaster management. This study explores the manifestation of the function graphics with one mining map, which comprises of the graphics data and characteristics data, the layer stack, and theme maps presenting, through the analysis of geographic information systems functions appropriate for pre-warning signals. It communicates with the conventional pre-warning signal system in order to present the pre-warning signal's outcome based on geographic information systems in the interim. Based on previous research, this study proposes a standard approach for pre- warning using geographic information systems. The project aims to create dynamic, multidimensional technical instruments for emergency management system implementation, as well as useful concepts for the development of pre-warning systems that are intimately related to actual places. Keywords: pre-warning, geographic information system, emergency management, and theme map

Preparation of Pinoresinol and Dehydrodiconiferyl Alcohol from Eucommiae Cortex Extract by Fermentation with Traditional Mucor.

Eucommiae Cortex (EC) is frequently used alone or in combination with other active ingredients to treat a range of illnesses. An efficient technical instrument for changing cheap or plentiful organic chemicals into rare or costly counterparts is biotransformation. It combines EC with biotransformation techniques with the aim of producing some novel active ingredients, using different strains of bacteria that were introduced to biotransform EC in an aseptic environment. The high-quality strains were screened for identification after the fermentation broth was found using HPLC, and the primary unidentified chemicals were separated and purified in order to be structurally identified. Strain 1 was identified as Aspergillus niger and strain 2 as Actinomucor elegans; the main transformation product A was identified as pinoresinol (Pin) and B as dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (DA). The biotransformation of EC utilizing Aspergillus niger and Actinomucor elegans is reported for the first time in this study's conclusion, resulting in the production of Pin and DA.

SENEM: A software engineering-enabled educational metaverse

Context:The term metaverse refers to a persistent, virtual, three-dimensional environment where individuals may communicate, engage, and collaborate. One of the most multifaceted and challenging use cases of the metaverse is education, where educators and learners may require multiple technical, social, psychological, and interaction instruments to accomplish their learning objectives. While the characteristics of the metaverse might nicely fit the problem’s needs, our research points out a noticeable lack of knowledge into (1) the specific requirements that an educational metaverse should actually fulfill to let educators and learners successfully interact towards their objectives and (2) how to design an appropriate educational metaverse for both educators and learners. Objective:In this paper, we aim to bridge this knowledge gap by proposing SENEM, a novel software engineering-enabled educational metaverse. We first elicit a set of functional requirements that an educational metaverse should fulfill. Method:In this respect, we conduct a literature survey to extract the currently available knowledge on the matter discussed by the research community, and afterward, we assess and complement such knowledge through semi-structured interviews with educators and learners. Upon completing the requirements elicitation stage, we then build our prototype implementation of SENEM, a metaverse that makes available to educators and learners the features identified in the previous stage. Finally, we evaluate the tool in terms of learnability, efficiency, and satisfaction through a Rapid Iterative Testing and Evaluation research approach, leading us to the iterative refinement of our prototype. Results:Through our survey strategy, we extracted nine requirements that guided the tool development that the study participants positively evaluated. Conclusion:Our study reveals that the target audience appreciates the elicited design strategy. Our work has the potential to form a solid contribution that other researchers can use as a basis for further improvements.

Sources of variability in Luminex bead-based cytokine assays: Evidence from twelve years of multi-site proficiency testing

Sources of variability in Luminex bead-based cytokine assays: Evidence from twelve years of multi-site proficiency testing

Technological skills and readiness of the students on the utilization of digital application June 2023

This study is entitled Technological Skills and Readiness of the Students On the Utilization of Digital Application. The respondents of the study were composed of fifty-five (55) Grade 10 students in Liceo De Los Banos. The quantitative method of research was used to find out the technological skills and the level of readiness of the Grade 10 students in the utilization of Digital Applications. The main instrument used in this study was a questionnaire that was disseminated to the respondents through Google Forms. As the responses were converted into data, mean, and Pearson r correlation tests were used for statistical treatment. The analysis of the Pearson r coefficient, it was found that there is no significant relationship between the level of technological skills and the level of readiness of the students in utilization of digital application. The use of technical instruments, such as computers, tablets, and the internet, to enhance learning and teaching is referred to as technology integration in education. Students' preparedness for using digital applications is also greatly influenced by their access to technology, motivation, self-regulation abilities, learning style, social presence, teacher assistance, and the caliber of online course content.

Exploring Student Technology and Engineering Literacy in Science Learning: an Overview of the Initial Study

Technological and engineering literacy is a capability that must be imparted to students in order to be able to compete globally and be able to solve 21st century problems. This study aims to describe aspects of technological and technical literacy of junior high school students. This type of research is descriptive quantitative analysis. Data were obtained from technological and technical literacy test instruments. The test instrument is adopted from tests issued by NAEP. Data were analyzed quantitatively. The research results show that 69.2% in the complete category, 15.4% in the Partial category and incomplete in the Understanding of Technology Principles aspect. The aspect of Developing Solutions and Achieving Goals as many as 54.8% of students fall into the complete category, 19.2% in the Satisfactory category, 15.4% the Essential category, 7.7% the Partial category, and 26.9% incomplete category. Meanwhile, the Communication and Collaboration aspect, 65.4% were in the complete category, and 34.6% were in the incomplete category. three types of assessment targets in the three main TEL assessment areas, with the most complete category being Gather and Organize data and information, followed by Identification of examples of systems or processes and Representation of alternative analysis and solutions. Science learning involving real experiences and design and engineering processes related to technological principles will make students technologically and engineering literate and can improve students' critical thinking and problem solving abilities.