Traditional Instruments Research Articles

Design and Modelling of Continuum Robot for Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Surgery With Lifting Force Estimation.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an effective treatment for early-stage gastrointestinal cancers. However, traditional surgical instruments lack accuracy and force-sensing. A new type of continuum robot for ESD is designed. An accurate static model of the proposed continuum robot is established, considering cases where the robot bends into C-shapes and S-shapes. A force estimation method based on an accurate static model is proposed. Then, the accuracy of the static model and force estimation is verified through experiments. Finally, an ex-organ experiment is carried out. The average position error of the proposed static model is 0.72mm, accounting for 2.57% of the total robot length. The average error of force estimation is 19.53mN. By gripping and cutting ex-porcine gastric mucosa, the robot's functionality is validated. This paper contributes to precise control and safe interaction of continuum robots.

Design and research of serial communication system based on virtual instrument technology

Abstract In the measurement and automation control system, serial communication has been connected between the acquisition hardware (lower computer) and the upper computer between the easiest to realize and the most economical way. In view of the traditional instrument itself is relatively bulky, inconvenient to carry, this paper adopts the virtual instrument development environment to realize the realization of serial communication, in order to complete the subsequent data acquisition. When compared with other software development environment, LabWindows/CVI platform comes with a function library to make the program writing simple and flexible. In this paper, we designed the realization method of serial communication based on virtual instrument Labwindows/CVI environment, completed the design and realization of serial communication between PC and lower computer (microcontroller) based on Labwindows/CVI environment, and applied it to the example of serial communication with microcontroller to realize the data communication function. Practical results prove that the serial communication system based on virtual instrument technology has the advantages of friendly user interface, high stability, convenience and reliability, and can reliably and accurately complete the communication, and provide strong technical support for the system to follow up data acquisition.

Optimizing Magnetic Separation and Cleaning Module in Fully Automated Chemiluminescence Immunoassay Analyzer Using a Special Arrangement of Spliced Magnets and a Three-Stage Magnetic Bead Collection Method

The magnetic separation and cleaning module, as a core component of the fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) analyzer, encounters issues including high magnetic bead loss rate, long cleaning time, and poor cleaning effect. Based on a simulation analysis using COMSOL, we proposed a novel magnetic separation and cleaning module applied to a fully automated CLIA analyzer. The module adopted a method of arranging spliced rectangular magnets on opposite sides, where the same polarity faced each other, as well as a three-stage magnetic bead collection method. With the proposed method, the total cleaning process can be accomplished within 225 s; the total magnetic bead loss rate over three rounds of cleaning is 6.03%, whereas that of traditional instruments is 25.85%; the coefficient of variation (CV) of the magnetic bead loss rate is less than 0.5%; effective cleaning of free markers is achieved under various sample conditions. Compared with traditional CLIA instruments, this method comprehensively improves key performance indicators of the magnetic separation and cleaning module, providing a reference for similar modules in fully automated CLIA analyzers and positively impacting the accuracy of CLIA for the detection of disease biomarkers.

The Value and Development Strategy of Guzheng Performing Arts

As one of the traditional Chinese musical instruments, the guzheng has a long history and rich musical connotation. From the perspective of the value and development of guzheng performing art, this paper firstly introduces the historical development of guzheng, its musical characteristics and its position in Chinese music culture, and then analyses the value of guzheng performing art in music aesthetics, cultural inheritance and social education. When discussing the current development of guzheng performing arts, the article points out the phenomena of the prosperous performance market, the improvement of the education system and the conflict between innovation and tradition. On this basis, the article puts forward a series of development strategies, including adhering to the combination of tradition and innovation, improving the quality of education, expanding the performance market and communication platform, and utilising modern technology. Finally, the article summarises the value and importance of the development of guzheng performing arts, and emphasises that in the context of the new era, opportunities should be seized to promote the prosperity of guzheng performing arts.

Development of the market of digital financial assets in the context of ensuring financial sovereignty of Russia

Currently, in the context of limited external funding, the issues of forming the financial sovereignty of the country are becoming the subject of scientific discourse among Russian economists. The introduction of digital financial assets (DFA) into business practice and their legislative recognition largely ensures the expansion of investment opportunities for economic entities, which will contribute to the end of the stagnant macroeconomic shock of the period of 2021–2024. The work covers solving such scientific problems as clarifying the essential nature of DFA and developing their classification; assessing the process of functioning of the investment market based on the use of digital financial instruments; identifying key limitations in the functioning of the basic institutions regulating the DFA circulation. The authors proposed a clarified formulation of the economic category of digital financial assets, taking into account the peculiarities of its essential nature. An analysis of the functioning of the domestic DFA market is carried out. Among the factors hindering the development of the DFA market, its fragmentation, low liquidity, and weak institutional regulation of the issue and circulation of DFA are highlighted. The authors emphasize the positive effect of the development of the digital infrastructure of the market, in particular, the increase in the number of investment platforms licensed by the Bank of Russia, the reduction of costs of access to them, the development of a market-making system in the secondary market of digital financial assets. The authors believe that the leveling of the contradictions of the investment market should occur due to the improvement of the institutional environment in the field of strengthening control over transactions with digital financial assets, as well as ensuring their mandatory registration, which is absent at the present stage. The development of the domestic market of digital financial assets has significant potential due to, firstly, the desire of economic entities to replace traditional financial instruments with digital ones, which allow reducing significantly transaction and transformation costs; secondly, the expansion of investment opportunities for economic actors through the use of digital platforms and other elements of the digital ecosystem for the purpose of business development; thirdly, the transformation of the traditional business model, which provides for the transition from vertical interaction of entities to a network form of coordination of economic agents using decentralized financial instruments in their activities.

Preserving Local Traditions of Sumbawa; Phenomenological Study of Artists Entering Batu Nisung State Elementary School

This study aims to describe the program for the preservation of Sumbawa local wisdom values at SD Negeri Batu Nisung. This research is designed with a phenomenological approach. In obtaining data, the researcher plays the role of the main instrument with other supporting tools such as observation guidelines and interview guidelines. The data obtained through observation activities, interview activities and documentation were then analyzed using the Miles and Huberman model. The validity of the data was confirmed through triangulation, peer discussions and fukus group discussions. Based on the results of data analysis, it shows that at SDN Batu Nisung there is one program that aims to preserve local traditional values, namely Batu Nisung or SEMANIS. The program can introduce and train students as local traditional actors, because they are taught directly by local artists in playing traditional Sumbawa musical instruments. The Semanis program is part of a strategic step that connects the world of education with cultural arts so that it can create a collaborative space for students to develop their creativity, empathy, and insight into local cultural values.

CONTEMPORARY COMPOSITIONS FOR CHINESE NATIONAL STRING INSTRUMENTS: SYNTHESIS OF TRADITION AND INNOVATION

The article provides an analysis of pieces by contemporary Chinese composers for traditional instruments. The mutual in uence of Chinese folk music and European principles of form-making in works for folk instruments of the 20th century is considered.

A piezoresistive-based 3-axial MEMS tactile sensor and integrated surgical forceps for gastrointestinal endoscopic minimally invasive surgery

In robotic-assisted surgery (RAS), traditional surgical instruments without sensing capability cannot perceive accurate operational forces during the task, and such drawbacks can be largely intensified when sophisticated tasks involving flexible and slender arms with small end-effectors, such as in gastrointestinal endoscopic surgery (GES). In this study, we propose a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) piezoresistive 3-axial tactile sensor for GES forceps, which can intuitively provide surgeons with online force feedback during robotic surgery. The MEMS fabrication process facilitates sensor chips with miniaturized dimensions. The fully encapsulated tactile sensors can be effortlessly integrated into miniature GES forceps, which feature a slender diameter of just 3.5 mm and undergo meticulous calibration procedures via the least squares method. Through experiments, the sensor’s ability to accurately measure directional forces up to 1.2 N in the Z axis was validated, demonstrating an average relative error of only 1.18% compared with the full-scale output. The results indicate that this tactile sensor can provide effective 3-axial force sensing during surgical operations, such as grasping and pulling, and in ex vivo testing with a porcine stomach. The compact size, high precision, and integrability of the sensor establish solid foundations for clinical application in the operating theater.

How does fatigue affect handstand balance? a non-linear approach to study fatigue influence in handstand performance

BackgroundThe handstand is an essential skill in acrobatic sports. This skill requires the athlete to maintain an inverted upright stance with only the hands supported, which requires a great effort of muscular coordination and motor control. Several factors influence the ability to control the posture, including fatigue, which is a bit studied constraint of handstand performance.Research questionWith the aim to find out whether variability in movement control can be an indicator of fatigue, the present study was carried out.MethodFourteen male acrobatic gymnasts were required to perform handstands. The time series for analyzing variability were capturing using Force Platforms, which is a traditional laboratory instrument, and Inertial Measurement Units (IMU), which is a more recent and less widely used, but more accessible tool. For this purpose, an analysis of the amount of variability was carried out, using the standard deviation. And analysis of the structure of variability (or complexity), using Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA) and Fuzzy Entropy (FuEn).ResultsOur results reveal that fatigue causes significant increases in the amount of variability in the medio-lateral axis on the force platform, and in the IMU located in the area of the L5 vertebra. These changes are accompanied by increased auto-correlation in the medio-lateral axis of the force platform, and more unpredictable behavior in the L5 IMU.

How Did 19th-Century Alphorns Sound? A Reconstruction Based on Written Accounts of Its Musical Timbre

This paper reconstructs the sound of 19th-century alphorns based on contemporary written descriptions, which allows for a better understanding of literature and compositions that quoted and imitated the alphorn throughout the 19th century. In the absence of sound recordings, historical documents and literary sources provide valuable insights into the timbre of these traditional Alpine instruments. The research examines descriptions from 19th-century texts, comparing them with modern understandings of musical timbre. By analyzing the language used to describe the alphorn’s sound, the study identifies recurring descriptors and contextualizes them within the broader acoustic environment, including the influence of natural sounds like waterfalls and echoes. Historical sources reveal a complex perception of the alphorn’s timbre, described in terms of its resemblance to muted trumpets and a blend of brass and woodwind qualities. Authors such as Hermann Alexander von Berlepsch and François-Joseph Fétis provided detailed accounts, noting contrasting characteristics like “rough”, “soft”, “sharp”, and “melodious”, which varied with the listener’s distance from the instrument. These descriptions highlight the alphorn’s unique sound profile, distinct from modern perceptions that emphasize a warmer, fuller timbre. The findings underscore the importance of considering ecological and psychoacoustic contexts in the study of historical musical instruments.

Lord of the (Magnetic) Rings: Rigid Bronchoscopy for Aspirated Magnetic Foreign Bodies in Tertiary Bronchi

ObjectivesTo describe operative techniques using rigid bronchoscopy and ferromagnetic bronchoscopic equipment to retrieve magnetic foreign bodies in distal tertiary bronchi beyond the reach of traditional optical instrumentation.MethodsA 13‐year‐old presented to the Emergency Department following aspiration of three backing magnets from a magnetic nose ring. Chest radiographs demonstrated a 4 mm × 3 mm foreign body in the right lower lobe 0.5 cm from diaphragm on expiratory film. She was taken to the operating room for removal of an airway foreign body.ResultsThe foreign body was visualized with direct laryngoscopy followed by rigid bronchoscopy in the distal right lower tertiary bronchus. Attempts to pass optical instruments were limited both by distance of the object and size of instrumentation compared to the diameter of the tertiary bronchus. A salivary wire basket and ureteral stone retrieval basket were then passed with endoscopic visualization into the tertiary bronchus but were unable to engage the foreign body. An attempt was made to pass a 2 French Fogarty embolectomy catheter distally, but the catheter was too large to bypass the foreign body. Finally, ferromagnetic pulmonary rat tooth biopsy forceps were advanced into the tertiary bronchus and successfully attracted the magnetic foreign body for safe removal through our rigid bronchoscope.ConclusionWe present a novel method of utilizing ferromagnetic flexible bronchoscopic instruments to safely remove magnetic foreign bodies in the tertiary bronchi beyond the reach of traditional bronchoscopic instruments. Laryngoscope, 2024

Research on contemporary bamboo flute teaching concept

This paper analyzes the technical essentials of the scientific and international concept of contemporary bamboo flute performance, emphasizes the importance of musical style and language characteristics, and points out that each musical style carries a specific cultural background and emotional expression, and as a traditional Chinese musical instrument, its timbre changes depict the beauty and humanity of mountains and rivers in a rich and delicate way. A deep understanding of how to control the timbre through different playing techniques, such as adjusting the structure of the mouth, so that the flow between notes can be warm and delicate, or passionate and loud emotional colors. In the performance, the three elements of "confrontation, friction and pressure" are put forward, which is a concise summary of the mechanical principle of bamboo flute performance. As well as the coordinated pressure between various parts of the body, these seemingly simple physical effects are actually the key to improving the quality of the performance.

Developmental Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Guzheng Performance Techniques

The guzheng, as one of the traditional Chinese musical instruments, has developed and evolved its playing techniques throughout the thousands of years of Chinese history. This paper starts from the origin of guzheng, and then analyses the development characteristics and influencing factors of guzheng playing techniques. In general, the development and evolution of guzheng playing technique is an important part of Chinese music culture, we should continue to pay attention to and promote its development, so that the guzheng playing technique will bloom more brilliantly in the new era.

END-TO-END AUTOMATIC MUSIC TRANSCRIPTION OF POLYPHONIC QANUN AND OUD MUSIC USING DEEP NEURAL NETWORK

This paper introduces an automatic music transcription model using Deep Neural Networks (DNNs), focusing on simulating the "trained ear" in music. It advances the field of signal processing and music technology, particularly in multi-instrument transcription involving traditional Turkish instruments, Qanun and Oud. Those instruments have unique timbral characteristics with early decay periods. The study involves generating basic combinations of multi-pitch datasets, training the DNN model on this data, and demonstrating its effectiveness in transcribing two-part compositions with high accuracy and F1 measures. The model's training involves understanding the fundamental characteristics of individual instruments, enabling it to identify and isolate complex patterns in mixed compositions. The primary goal is to empower the model to distinguish and analyze individual musical components, thereby enhancing applications in music production, audio engineering, and education

Blended Islamic Social Finance-Microtakāful Model

Purpose — This research intends to explore and develop a blended Islamic social finance-microtakāful business model by integrating Islamic social finance (ISF) instruments into the microtakāful framework to enhance its effectiveness and reach. The main objective of integrating these elements is to recommend a sustainable and inclusive financial solution that is in line with the principles of Islamic finance and will address the needs of unserved and underserved segments of the population. Design/Methodology/Approach — This study employed desk research to develop a blended ISF-microtakāful model. It involved reviewing literature to assess existing models and best practices, benchmarking their effectiveness, and analysing successful implementation approaches. Insights were used to create a framework integrating Islamic finance tools with microtakāful, followed by recommendations for a sustainable and inclusive financial solution. Findings — The study portrays a conceptualised blended ISF-microtakāful business model which incorporates ISF instruments into the microtakāful model with an illustration of the business case in the context of the pandemic. Originality/Value — Though microtakāful has been accepted as a mode for providing takāful services to low-income individuals, limited research is available on how it can be blended with traditional ISF instruments such as zakat (obligatory alms), ṣadaqah (voluntary charity), and waqf (Islamic endowment). This makes the model proposed in the research novel. The originality of this research lies in its pioneering exploration of the synergies between ISF and microtakāful, opening up new avenues for research and practical implementation in the field of microtakāful.

Influencing Factors and Countermeasures to Improve the Expressive Power of Guzheng Artistry

As one of the traditional Chinese musical instruments, guzheng has a deep cultural heritage and unique artistic charm. The improvement of guzheng's artistic expression is of great significance to the inheritance and development of guzheng culture. This paper analyses the factors affecting the guzheng's artistic expression from the aspects of players' skill level, emotional commitment, music selection and arrangement, as well as the playing environment, and puts forward corresponding countermeasures to improve the performance. Firstly, to improve the players' professionalism, including skills training and music theory learning. Secondly, to cultivate the players' musical emotion, so as to make the performance more infectious. Thirdly, innovate music arrangement and performance techniques to meet the needs of different audiences. Finally, improve the playing environment and equipment to provide good material conditions for playing. Through empirical analyses, this paper verifies the effectiveness of the proposed countermeasures and provides useful insights for the future enhancement of guzheng's expressive power.

Nuraga Sanubari Musical Composition | Komposisi Karawitan Nuraga Sanubari

Nuraga Sanubari is based on musical art, which has the background of the author's desire to create relaxation music that utilizes traditional instruments because, currently, the processing of relaxation music usually tends to use Western instruments. The author wants to express his feelings through musical works to be listened to and distributed to the general public. The spoken media used are as follows, flute gambuh, gumanak, kempur gambuh, gentorag, dun-dun, and Native American Flute. In creating this musical work, the arranger used the method from Alma M. Hawkins in the book Creating Through Dance (1964), which explains that the arranger went through 3 stages: Exploration, Improvisation and Forming. This relaxation music piece has two parts. In the first part, the author wants to emphasize further the tonal character of the gambuh flute, which is combined with the native American flute, and in the second part, the author creates a happy and happy atmosphere by processing the dun-dun, kempur, gumanak, and gentorag instruments. The number of musicians in this relaxation music work is 17 people including the author, and the duration of the work is approximately 11 minutes.

Comparing psychometric characteristics of a computerized cognitive test (BrainCheck Assess) against the Montreal cognitive assessment.

Previous validation studies demonstrated that BrainCheck Assess (BC-Assess), a computerized cognitive test battery, can reliably and sensitively distinguish individuals with different levels of cognitive impairment (i.e., normal cognition (NC), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia). Compared with other traditional paper-based cognitive screening instruments commonly used in clinical practice, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is generally accepted to be among the most comprehensive and robust screening tools, with high sensitivity/specificity in distinguishing MCI from NC and dementia. In this study, we examined: (1) the linear relationship between BC-Assess and MoCA and their equivalent cut-off scores, and (2) the extent to which they agree on their impressions of an individual's cognitive status. A subset of participants (N = 55; age range 54-94, mean/SD = 80/9.5) from two previous studies who took both the MoCA and BC-Assess were included in this analysis. Linear regression was used to calculate equivalent cut-off scores for BC-Assess based on those originally recommended for the MoCA to differentiate MCI from NC (cut-off = 26), and dementia from MCI (cut-off = 19). Impression agreement between the two instruments were measured through overall agreement (OA), positive percent agreement (PPA), and negative percent agreement (NPA). A high Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.77 (CI = 0.63-0.86) was observed between the two scores. According to this relationship, MoCA cutoffs of 26 and 19 correspond to BC-Assess scores of 89.6 and 68.5, respectively. These scores are highly consistent with the currently recommended BC-Assess cutoffs (i.e., 85 and 70). The two instruments also show a high degree of agreement in their impressions based on their recommended cut-offs: (i) OA = 70.9%, PPA = 70.4%, NPA = 71.4% for differentiating dementia from MCI/NC; (ii) OA = 83.6%, PPA = 84.1%, NPA = 81.8% for differentiating dementia/MCI from NC. This study provides further validation of BC-Assess in a sample of older adults by showing its high correlation and agreement in impression with the widely used MoCA.

Sosialisasi Budaya Kesenian Calung Salakadomas di Dusun Kelewih Desa Saguling Kecamatan Baregbeg Kabupaten Ciamis

This research is behind the background of the influence of foreign cultural transformation which is today a real threat to traditional culture. This can lead to the weakening of the values of traditional cultural art and have a major impact on the survival of traditional art in society, one of which is the anti-traditional art. Calung is a traditional musical instrument commonly played in popular performances in society, but the popularity of Calung is now declining due to the influence of foreign cultural transformation. This is supported by public surveys that show that foreign musical instruments are more popular and popular with the general public than traditional music instruments. This research aims to introduce and expand public understanding of the traditional cultural wealth of one of the Traditional Art of Calung that exists in the village of Saguling Prefecture Baregbeg district of Ciamis. The method used is qualitative descriptive method with the type of case study. This investigation was carried out against the figures of the academic anti-artists. The data collection techniques used are observations, interviews and documentation. The results of this study show that there are still societies that maintain the traditional anti-art in the midst of evolving times that are constantly changing.

GOVERNMENT DEBT AND CRYPTOCURRENCIES: HOW BITCOIN IS CHANGING THE RULES OF THE GAME

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in public debt in many countries, which calls into question the sustainability of traditional financial systems. In this context, cryptocurrencies, especially bitcoin, are beginning to play an increasingly important role in the economy. This article explores the relationship between government debt and cryptocurrencies, focusing on how bitcoin can change the rules of the game in the financial world. We consider the mechanisms by which bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies can serve as an alternative to traditional financial instruments, as well as their potential as a means of protection against inflation and devaluation. In addition, the risks and benefits of investing in cryptocurrencies are analyzed against the background of growing government debt. The article also discusses the impact of regulation and government control on the development of the crypto market and its interaction with public finances. In conclusion, we hypothesize about the future role of bitcoin in the global economy and its ability to change the approach to public debt management.