Technological Instruments Research Articles

Unravelling The Level and Factors of Listening Comprehension Anxiety in ESL Flipped Classroom Setting

Language anxiety has been an essential topic of discussion in English language learning since it acts as a filter that obstructs the learning process. Listening comprehension is the foundation to learning a target language thus, listening comprehension anxiety can have negative effects on second language (L2) learners’ performance. Meanwhile, flipped classroom model (FCM) has been introduced to facilitate language learning through the use of technological instruments in order to minimise language anxiety among L2 students. Hence, this study was conducted to examine the level of listening comprehension anxiety faced by L2 learners as well as factors influencing listening comprehension anxiety in flipped classrooms. The Foreign Language Listening Anxiety Scale (FLLAS) by Kim (2000) comprised of 33 items was adapted and used as the primary data collection instrument for this research. Ninety-three (n = 93) diploma students from UiTM Kelantan Branch who enrolled in the ELC121 (Integrated Language Skills I) course participated in the survey. Descriptive analysis was utilised to achieve the objectives of this study. The survey findings indicated that L2 learners experienced a moderate level of listening anxiety in a flipped classroom setting. This paper elaborates on the main area in which students are most anxious while listening to English text, that is the listening text and the strategies used. This finding will give educators some insights on how educational technology could be used to help reduce listening comprehension anxiety and eventually help L2 learners overcome their listening learning difficulties and improve their performance. Future studies are suggested to focus on listening comprehension anxiety experienced by male and female students as well as the comparison in listening comprehension anxiety faced by young and adult learners in flipped classroom setting.

Construction of Virtual Experiment Teaching Platform based on 5E Teaching Mode and VI Technology

Virtual instruments have many advantages such as low cost, comprehensive functionality, easy scalability, and easy replication. At the same time, they can also meet the special requirements of time and space for remote experiments. Based on Web technology and virtual instrument technology, a virtual experiment system is constructed, which combines data sharing, remote control, and real-time operation. More conducive to utilizing experimental and scientific research resources. At the same time, virtual instruments have high flexibility and are no longer limited by traditional experimental teaching modes, which can save a lot of repeated investment costs. They can also keep the teaching equipment in the laboratory up-to-date and closely follow the development trend of science and technology. As a compulsory course for mechanical engineering majors, although the existing experimental system has achieved certain results, there are still limitations to 'Mechanical Engineering Testing Technology'. This article aims to address the problems of insufficient instrument sets and outdated equipment in the experimental teaching of "Mechanical Engineering Testing Technology", as well as students' poor ability to apply theory to practice and insufficient innovation ability. By integrating the 5E teaching mode, a virtual experimental teaching platform based on VI (Virtual Instrument) technology is established. Students can break through traditional experimental methods and conduct various experiments through the network, obtaining experimental experiences that are very similar to real experiments. At the same time, it can deepen their understanding and recognition of experiments, and better grasp theoretical knowledge.

СРАВНИТЕЛЬНО-ПРАВОВОЙ АНАЛИЗ РЕГУЛИРОВАНИЯ ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКОЙ ПОЛИТИКИ И ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКОГО СУВЕРЕНИТЕТА В ЕВРАЗИЙСКОМ ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОМ СОЮЗЕ И ЕВРОПЕЙСКОМ СОЮЗЕ В СВЕТЕ РАЗРАБОТКИ ЗАКОНОПРОЕКТА «О ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКОЙ ПОЛИТИКЕ В РОССИЙСКОЙ ФЕДЕРАЦИИИ О ВНЕСЕНИИ ИЗМЕНЕНИЙ В ОТДЕЛЬНЫЕ ЗАКОНОДАТЕЛЬНЫЕ АКТЫ РОССИЙСКОЙ ФЕДЕРАЦИИ»

The results of a comparative legal analysis of acts regulating relations in the field of technological policy and technological independence (technological sovereignty) in the Eurasian economic union and the European union are presented, including the areas of the economy that are of key importance from the point of view of ensuring technological sovereignty, the legal mechanisms allowing the development and implementation of advanced technologies are described, the legal technological policy instruments in the Eurasian economic union and the European union. Based on the conducted research, the advantages and disadvantages of the procedures for regulating technological policy in these international organizations have been identified. The results of the conducted research can be taken into account when further finalizing Draft law № 632206-8 «On technological policy in the Russian Federation and on amendments to certain legislative acts of the Russian Federation».

Patriarchal Restrictions and Maternal Manoeuvres: Igbo Women’s Quest for Land Inheritance Rights

Abstract We examine the nature of maternal manoeuvres practised by Igbo women of Nigeria in negotiating access to resources under the traditional restrictive customary system and the contemporary plural legal framework. While extant feminist scholarship on African patriarchy often highlights discrimination and violations of women’s property rights, it rarely acknowledges the subtle strategies women use to navigate male-dominated societies, especially regarding land rights and inheritance. Among the Igbo, women have instrumentalized certain practices that uphold the patriarchal system for land access, inheritance, and succession. While employing a mix of socio-legal and discourse analysis and collaborative autoethnography, our study explores the traditional phase of silent politics of access, including practices like the female husband or woman-to-woman marriage, traditional single parenthood (nrachi), levirate marriage (nkuchi), and concubinage. We also delve into the modern phase, where women use Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs), child adoption, litigation, and legal instruments for property access. Our findings show that despite patriarchal biases in land rights, women navigate and assert their resource access using both traditional and modern methods.

Considerations When Designing Inclusive Digital Health Solutions for Older Adults Living With Frailty or Impairments.

This viewpoint is written by authors with industrial, clinical, and academic backgrounds within medical and social sciences. The purpose is to share our experiences with digital health innovation from a sociotechnical perspective. The audience for the viewpoint is innovators, researchers, service designers, and project managers with little or some experience with theory-informed programs, complex interventions, and implementation or reorganization of sociotechnical ecosystems in health care. In digital health innovation projects, barriers related to traditions and cultures among researchers, clinicians, and industry may arise. Moreover, the final digital solutions may not always fit into existing digital ecosystems and may thus require a reorganization of how health care is provided at horizontal and vertical levels. The collaborating researchers have experience working in the field of digital health innovation for more than a decade, and we have developed and used 4 frameworks and models that are particularly relevant for theory-based complex interventions and can be used to inform inclusive co-design of digital health solutions with a sociotechnical perspective. These are (1) the 4E, a matrix to include, engage, empower, and emancipate marginalized people; (2) the GO-TO model, which can be used as a design navigator; (3) the Epital Care Model, to inform infrastructure; and (4) the Readiness and Enablement Index for Health Technology instrument, to stratify service users. From January 2021 to September 2024, we had the opportunity to apply these into practice in 4 living labs located in Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, and Canada as a part of a European Union-funded project on "Smart Inclusive Living Environments." The goal was to cocreate a digital solution and reorganize health care services to reduce social isolation, increase health literacy, and enhance well-being for older adults living with frailty or impairments. Based on our experiences with the Smart Inclusive Living Environments project, we have formed a proposal for how design guidelines for sociotechnical innovation projects can be structured, backed up with reflections based on our experiences. With that, design guidelines should include three areas: (1) a common vocabulary including theories, frameworks, and models; (2) templates and protocols for methods, including detailed guidelines and templates for the planned development of the technologies; and (3) methods to implement and provide education and training of service users and informal and formal caregivers. In the design process, we emphasize the importance of involving relevant stakeholders in the implementation of the created design guidelines to obtain preparedness in the organizations, as well as including putative service users to ensure the likelihood of adoption. Moreover, it is important to align expectations, have a common understanding of the applied frameworks and methods, and have access to the necessary resources to reach successful results.

Comparative Analysis of Financial Ratios of Selected Semiconductor Equipment Firms During 2020-2023

As a matter of fact, the semiconductor equipment industry has been developing rapidly. On this basis, this research provides a comparative analysis of the financial ratios of four selected semiconductor equipment firms, i.e., Axcelis Technologies (ACLS), ACM Research (ACMR), Onto Innovation (ONTO), and Veeco Instruments (VECO), over the period from 2020 to 2023. With this in mind, the study aims to evaluate the financial health, operational efficiency, as well as market performance of these firms in order to identify the optimal investment target for value investing. According to the analysis, a specific investing target is selected. Overall, this research is useful in comparing assets and liabilities, gross revenue, stocks, bonds, return on investment, and other specifications of each of these companies that bring out their strong and weak areas. Based on the analysis, ACLS emerges as the most promising candidate due to its robust financial performance and stable market valuation.

Cassirer’s functionalist account of physical truth: object, measurement and technology

AbstractIn this paper I focus on Cassirer’s functionalist theory of truth in order to argue that the Positivistic theory of knowledge fails to explain how it is that physics provides us with truth-evaluable and reliably objective descriptions of the world. This argument is based on Cassirer’s idea that what the Positivistic theory of knowledge normally considers as the “factual” of physics is, in fact, unachievable and falsely conceived. I show that Cassirer’s focus on how measurement is made possible, as well as how technological instruments are put to use in physical research, enables him to offer an alternative account of truth, i.e., a functionalist theory of truth, which is philosophically attractive and rationally plausible.

Research on the splitting tensile dynamic mechanics performance of post-high-temperature high-performance concrete

High-performance concrete (HPC) structures were affected by secondary hazards after a fire, research on its dynamic mechanics performance is vital for assessing post-disaster structural safety. Therefore, the mechanism which governs impact of coupling among high temperature, cooling mode and strain rate on the splitting tensile mechanics performance of HPC was delved; impact factors including five temperatures, two cooling modes and four strain rates were designed; digital image technology (DIC) and hydraulic servo instrument were adopted to investigate the splitting tensile mechanics performance of HPC with Brazilian disc. Failure mechanical parameters of HPC under varying operational conditions and full-field deformation parameters of the whole loading process were obtained. As indicated by research result, the splitting tensile strength of test specimens cooled naturally from 200 °C to 600 °C was higher than that of specimens cooled rapidly, while the splitting tensile strength under natural cooling from 800 ℃ decreased by 6 % compared with rapid cooling. At the same temperature, splitting tensile strength of HPC was gradually increased with the increase of strain rate, and Dynamic Increase Factor (DIF) was significantly increased, showing relatively high rate sensitivity. With increasing temperature, the increase in DIF for HPC declined somewhat. As revealed by the result of DIC analysis, at high temperature, damage was relatively mild at the development stage and entered the stage of abrupt change of strain field in a short time. With increasing strain rate, the overall damage duration of test specimen was significantly shortened, and cooling mode exerted no significant impact on the development of splitting tensile damage in HPC. The criterion for splitting tensile dynamic strength of post-high-temperature HPC was put forward on the basis of J criterion. Meanwhile, an analysis by backscattered electron (BSE) on microstructure of HPC revealed mechanism which governs the impact of high temperature and cooling mode on the splitting tensile dynamic mechanics performance of HPC. The research result serves as a theoretical basis for calculating and assessing the post-fire structural dynamic response of HPC.

Assessment of the Corneal Biomechanical Features of Sturge-Weber Syndrome Using Dynamic Ultrahigh-speed Scheimpflug Imaging.

To evaluate the corneal biomechanical characteristics of eyes with Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) secondary glaucoma (SSG) by analyzing corneal biomechanical parameters obtained using the Corneal Visualization Scheimpflug Technology instrument (Corvis ST). In patients with SWS, eyes affected by SSG were designated as the SSG group while the contralateral eyes were designated as the SWS contralateral group (SC group). Patients from the myopia clinic served as the control group. Dynamic corneal response parameters (DCRs) including the stress-strain index (SSI)-a critical material stiffness parameter that excludes interference from IOP and central corneal thickness (CCT)-were analyzed. For CCT, no significant difference was observed between the SSG and SC groups. However, significant differences were found between the SSG and control groups and between the SC and control groups. Parameters such as HC Time, A1 Deformation Amp., A2 Deformation Amp., length of Whole Eye Movement (WEM), DA Ratio Max (2 mm), PachySlope, DA Ratio Max (1 mm), and ARTh showed significant differences between the SSG group and control group. In the SSG group, 4 of night eyes had an SSI of less than 0.85. Some DCRs indicated a stiffer cornea in the SSG group, possibly due to a thicker cornea in this group. On analyzing SSI, it was found that corneal material properties change, becoming less stiff in some of the patients with SSG. In conclusion, our study provides a preliminary exploration of the biomechanical properties of SWS secondary glaucoma.

Optimizing a Novel Tracking System for Living Beings and Objects through Advanced Mathematical Modeling and Graph Theory

This study extends the formulation of a tracking system for both live items and living persons, and gives a thorough theoretical framework for an advanced tracking system. A large number of tracking systems in use today were created inside certain frameworks and designed to monitor in either infinite or restricted spatial contexts. The latter typically makes use of specialized technological instruments designed with tracking objects or living things in mind. Our contribution to this topic is the formulation of a system theory that both formulates and innovates the challenge of monitoring objects and living things. Graphical modeling is widely used in tracking, which is interesting because it makes it easier to create precise relationships between the objects that need to be tracked and other parts of the system. But our study argues that the best way to achieve a high-performing, contextually relevant, and flexible system in a range of scenarios is still to build a tracking system around graphs, both theoretically and practically. We provide a unique tracking method to further the discipline, based on the ideas of hypergraphs and graph learning. This method carefully examines the order between various linkages inside the system, allowing the system to fully use both direct and indirect relations. The way we formulate tracking is as a complex search problem on graphs and hypergraphs. In this case, the system's components—living things or objects—are represented by vertices, and the kinds of relationships that exist between them are indicated by edges. We present a governing law that facilitates different processing tasks, manages shared data across system parts, and defines the connections between vertices. Additionally, we provide illustrated examples covering single and multi-context tracking scenarios to support our work. These illustrations highlight how, in comparison to current tracking technologies, the suggested approach performs better theoretically. In addition to adding to the theoretical conversation, this discovery has potential applicability in a variety of tracking contexts

Interactive visualization of nanopore sequencing signal data with Squigualiser.

Nanopore sequencing current signal data can be 'basecalled' into sequence information or analysed directly, with the capacity to identify diverse molecular features, such as DNA/RNA base modifications and secondary structures. However, raw signal data is large and complex, and there is a need for improved visualization strategies to facilitate signal analysis, exploration and tool development. Squigualiser (Squiggle visualiser) is a toolkit for intuitive, interactive visualization of sequence-aligned signal data, which currently supports both DNA and RNA sequencing data from Oxford Nanopore Technologies instruments. Squigualiser is compatible with a wide range of alternative signal-alignment software packages and enables visualization of both signal-to-read and signal-to-reference aligned data at single-base resolution. Squigualiser generates an interactive signal browser view (HTML file), in which the user can navigate across a genome/transcriptome region and customize the display. Multiple independent reads are integrated into a 'signal pileup' format and different datasets can be displayed as parallel tracks. Although other methods exist, Squigualiser provides the community with a software package purpose-built for raw signal data visualization, incorporating a range of new and existing features into a unified platform. Squigualiser is an open-source package under an MIT licence: https://github.com/hiruna72/squigualiser. The software was developed using Python 3.8 and can be installed with pip or bioconda or executed directly using prebuilt binaries provided with each release.

Development and prospect of acoustic reflection imaging logging processing and interpretation method

Acoustic reflection imaging logging technology can detect and evaluate the development of reflection anomalies, such as fractures, caves and faults, within a range of tens of meters from the wellbore, greatly expanding the application scope of well logging technology. This article reviews the development history of the technology and focuses on introducing key methods, software, and on-site applications of acoustic reflection imaging logging technology. Based on the analyses of major challenges faced by existing technologies, and in conjunction with the practical production requirements of oilfields, the further development directions of acoustic reflection imaging logging are proposed. Following the current approach that utilizes the reflection coefficients, derived from the computation of acoustic slowness and density, to perform seismic inversion constrained by well logging, the next frontier is to directly establish the forward and inverse relationships between the downhole measured reflection waves and the surface seismic reflection waves. It is essential to advance research in imaging of fractures within shale reservoirs, the assessment of hydraulic fracturing effectiveness, the study of geosteering while drilling, and the innovation in instruments of acoustic reflection imaging logging technology.

Navigating the labyrinth of smart contract financial derivatives: Unraveling technical detail and application

This research paper delves into the intricate world of smart contract derivatives, aiming to unravel the technical intricacies and explore their applications. Smart contract derivatives represent a burgeoning intersection of blockchain technology and financial instruments, providing decentralized and automated solutions for derivative trading. The paper navigates through the complex landscape of smart contract derivatives, addressing both the technical aspects of their implementation and the diverse range of applications they unlock. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature, case studies, and real-world examples, this research aims to provide a holistic understanding of the challenges, opportunities, and implications associated with smart contract derivatives. By comprehensively addressing both the technical intricacies and practical applications of smart contract derivatives, this study contributes valuable insights into the rapidly evolving field of decentralized finance.

Open-source Internet of Things (IoT)-based air pollution monitoring system with protective case for tropical environments

In recent years, the escalation of industrial activities has significantly increased natural resource pollution, with air pollution becoming a major cause of diseases affecting living organisms. To address this critical environmental challenge, this study proposes a comprehensive air pollution monitoring system utilizing advanced technological instruments based on the Internet of Things (IoT). The system’s primary objective is to provide precise, rapid, and efficient measurements, enabling detailed examinations of pollutant behaviors and facilitating data dissemination. The system includes a monitoring station equipped with sensors to measure ambient temperature, relative humidity, and concentrations of pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), suspended particles (PM2.5, PM10), and ozone (O3). Additionally, it captures meteorological variables like wind speed, wind direction, and precipitation, allowing a nuanced analysis of their correlation with air pollutants. The collected data are transmitted via the Internet and visualized on a user-friendly platform accessible from any internet-enabled device. A protective case, designed with SolidWorks CAD software and fabricated using 3D printing, was validated through simulations for extreme conditions to ensures the system’s robustness in tropical climates. The cost-effective, low-energy system offers a scalable solution for monitoring air pollution, advancing understanding of pollutant behaviors, and supporting environmental management.

Theoretical and methodological aspects of the development of science, technology and innovation for SDGs roadmaps

The article examines theoretical and methodological aspects of the development and implementation of science, technology and innovation (STI) for SDGs Roadmaps. The measures and instruments of science, technology and innovation policy for the Sustainable Development Goals according to the classifications of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, World Bank, European Commission and United Nations Interagency Task Team on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs are revealed.

A Pilot Study Toward Development of the Digital Literacy, Usability, and Acceptability of Technology Instrument for Healthcare.

Electronic health record proficiency is critical for health professionals to deliver and document patient care. There is scarce research on this topic within undergraduate nursing student populations. The purpose of this study is to describe the psychometric evaluation of the Digital Literacy, Usability, and Acceptability of Technology Instrument for Healthcare. A cross-sectional pilot study for psychometric evaluation of the instrument was conducted using data collected through an emailed survey. Exploratory factor analysis, inter-item and adjusted item-total correlations, and Cronbach's α calculated subscale reliability. A total of 297 nursing students completed the survey. A seven-factor structure best fit the data: technology use-engagement, technology use-confidence, technology use-history, electronic health record-ease of use, electronic health record-comparability, and electronic health record-burden. Cronbach's α indicated good to very good internal consistency (α = .68 to .89). The instrument effectively measured digital literacy, acceptance, and usability of an electronic health record and may be implemented with good to very good reliability across varied healthcare simulation and training experiences.

Desain Instruksional Pembelajaran Matematika Pada Materi Bangun Ruang Untuk Siswa Kelas VII SMP

In the world of education, instructional design development is important to do in order to create improvements in the teaching and learning process. The purpose of this study is to provide an overview of instructional design design in learning mathematics in class VII junior high school building materials. The research method used is Systematic Literature Review using several article reviews indexed by Sinta and Scopus. The search for article reviews was carried out on several platforms including google scholar and eric. The results showed that the learning design used the Problem-based Learning model with the Teaching at the Right Level approach with the help of technology and several assessment instruments. Further details of the learning design are explained in detail in the results and discussion section of this article.

Detection of MicroRNA-155 based on lambda exonuclease selective digestion and CRISPR/cas12a-assisted amplification

In numerous malignancies, miRNA-155 is overexpressed and has oncogenic activity because it is one of the most efficient microRNAs for inhibiting apoptosis in human cancer cells. As a result, the highest sensitive detection of the miRNA-155 gene is a technological instrument that can enable early cancer screening. In this study, a miRNA-155 biosensor was created to create a hairpin probe that can bind to the miRNA-155 gene using lambda nucleic acid exonuclease, which can cut the 5′ phosphorylated double strand, and by the DNA probe is recognized by the Cas12a enzyme, which then activates Cas12a to catalyze trans-cutting produces strong fluorescence. Research finding, the target concentration's logarithm and corresponding fluorescence intensity have a strong linear connection, and the limit of detection (LOD) of the sensing system was determined to be 8.3 pM. In addition, the biosensor displayed exceptional specificity, low false-positive signal, and high sensitivity in detecting the miRNA-155 gene in serum samples. This study's creation of a biosensor that has high sensitivity, good selectivity, and is simple to operate provides promising opportunities for research into biosensor design and early cancer detection.

Embracing the digital revolution: Examining the relationship between ICT adoption and carbon emissions in the Persian Gulf.

In this digital age, promoting economic development through technology innovation and adoption has become a pressing matter, contributing to increased productivity and, in turn, carbon emissions. Consequently, this study employs a novel technique (Newey-West Standard Error Method, Technology Adaptation Model) to quantify information and communication technology (ICT) adoption rates as a proxy indicator for evaluating the Persian Gulf economy's technology development. Moreover, this study investigates the evidence of the environmental Kuznets curve, with trade openness, technological adoption, and innovation as sustainable development controls. The findings reveal that two of three technological innovation instruments, fixed telephone, and internet subscriptions, increase carbon emissions. In contrast, mobile cellular subscriptions simultaneously reduce carbon emissions in the Persian Gulf. Furthermore, measures of technology adoption, high-technology exports, and electricity use contribute to the increase in carbon emissions. Trade openness also raises carbon emissions in the Persian Gulf. These findings suggest that policymakers must develop technological innovation and adoption strategies that effectively promote a greener environment.

ATP-EMTP simulation of lightning protection system for multi-storey building

Multi-storey buildings with occupied highly technological instruments have more attraction possibilities of a lightning stroke than ordinary residential buildings. A protection system against lightning is necessary for these buildings and the level of the protection system performance is an issue to be examined. In this study, a protection system for a three-storey building is simulated in Alternative Transient Program-Electromagnetic Transients Program (ATP-EMTP). Distributed-parameter line models are used for the conductors of the protective system by modelling vertical conductors as nonuniform lines. The currents flowing in the critical conductors and the voltages at some critical points resulting by a lightning stroke are computed. The conventional lighting parameters required for structural protection such as lightning peak current, current rise time and time interval for the current flowing are determined. The effect of the radius of conductors in the protection system on the surge response is investigated.