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Purpose Beside many advantages, disadvantages such as reduced degrees of freedom and poorer depth perception are still apparent in laparoscopic surgery. 3D visualization and the development of complex instruments are intended to counteract the disadvantages. We want to find out whether the use of complex instruments and 3D visualization has an influence on the performance of novices. Methods 48 medical students with no experience in laparoscopic surgery or simulator-based laparoscopy training were included. They were randomized in four groups according to a stratification assessment. During a structured training period they completed the FLS-Tasks “PEG Transfer”, “Pattern Cut” and “Intracorporeal Suture” and a transfer task based on these three. Two groups used conventional laparoscopic instruments with 3D or 2D visualization, two groups used complex curved instruments. The groups were compared in terms of their performance. Results In 2D laparoscopy there was a better performance with straight instruments vs. curved instruments in PEG Transfer and Intracorporeal Suture. In the transfer task, fewer errors were made with straight instruments. In 2D vs. 3D laparoscopy when using complex curved instruments there was an advantage in Intracorporeal Suture and PEG Transfer for 3D visualization. Regarding the transfer exercise, a better performance was observed and fewer errors were made in 3D group. Conclusion We could show that learning laparoscopic techniques with complex curved instruments is more difficult with standard 2D visualization and can be overcome using 3D optics. The use of curved instruments under 3D vision seems to be advantageous when working on more difficult tasks.

This paper presents the design and implementation of an ISO-compliant ocean profiling observation system for wave-powered vertical profiler. This system aims to provide a comprehensive, scalable, and interoperable solution for high-resolution, real-time oceanic observation. As a part of this system, we introduce a wave-powered vertical profiler, known as “Wave Master,” designed to offer enhanced stability and reliability for long-term oceanic data collection. The core of the paper focuses on the Ocean Profiling Observation Complex Virtual Instrument (OPO-CVI), a comprehensive system developed in alignment with ISO 21851 standard. OPO-CVI seamlessly integrates data collection, transmission, storage, and visualization. Specifically, OPO-CVI addresses the challenges of information isolation, system rigidity, and lack of modularity in traditional ocean profiling methods by standardizing data formats and transmission protocols, allowing for seamless integration of new observation elements, and employing a modular architecture for enhanced scalability and reusability. By offering detailed technical insights into the OPO-CVI architecture and its compliance with ISO 21851 standard, this paper aims to contribute significantly to the advancement of standardized, efficient, and reliable oceanic observation systems.

This report assesses the potential of electricity contract auctions as a procurement option for the World Bank's client countries. It focuses on the role of auctions of electricity contracts designed to expand and retain existing generation capacity. It is not meant to be a 'how-to' manual. Rather, it highlights some major issues and options that need to be taken into account when a country considers moving towards competitive electricity procurement through the introduction of electricity auctions. Auctions have played an important role in the effort to match supply and demand. Ever since the 1990s, the use of long-term contract auctions to procure new generation capacity, notably from private sector suppliers, has garnered increased affection from investors, governments, and multilateral agencies in general, as a means to achieve a competitive and transparent procurement process while providing certainty of supply for the medium to long term. However, the liberalization of electricity markets and the move from single-buyer procurement models increased the nature of the challenge facing system planners in their efforts to ensure an adequate and secure supply of electricity in the future at the best price. While auctions as general propositions are a means to match supply with demand in a cost-effective manner, they can also be and have been used to meet a variety of goals.

With the newly proposed Global Ocean Observing Integration, ocean observing scope has been expanded from the region to the global, therefore the need of large-scale ocean observing system integration has become more and more urgent. Currently, ocean observing systems enabled ocean sensor networks are commonly developed by different organizations using specific technologies and platforms, which brings several challenges in ocean observing instrument (OOI) access and ocean observing system seamless integration. Furthermore, the development of ocean observing systems often suffers from low efficiency due to the complex programming and debugging process. To solve these problems, a novel model, Complex Virtual Instrument (CVI) Model, is proposed. The model provides formal definitions on observing instrument description file, CVI description file, model calculation method, development model and interaction standard. In addition, this model establishes mathematical expressions of two model calculation operations, meanwhile builds the mapping relationship between observing instrument description file and CVI description file. The CVI based on the new model can achieve automatic access to different OOIs, seamless integration and communication for heterogeneous environments, and further implement standardized data access and management for the global unified ocean observing network. Throughout the development, integration and application of such CVI, the rationality and feasibility of the model have been evaluated. The results confirm that the proposed model can effectively implement heterogeneous system integration, improve development efficiency, make full usage of reusable components, reduce development cost, and enhance overall software system quality. We believe that our new model has great significance to promote the large-scale ocean observing system integration.

The quality criteria have been developed to solve the problem of automated placement of elements on the printed circuit board in the aircraft electronic device. A technique for automated placement of elements on the printed circuit board in the electronic device has been developed taking into account the thermal and electromagnetic compatibility. The proposed technique has been tested on a practical example.

The ability to solve modern complex systems becomes a necessity of the 21st century. The purpose of this study is the development of an instrument that measures an individual’s perception toward solving complex problems. Based on literature and definitions, an instrument with four stages named perceived complex problem-solving (PCPS) was designed through exploratory and confirmatory stages. The instrument is validated and scaled through different models, and the final model is discussed. After completing validation and scale development of the PCPS instrument, the final model of the PCPS instrument was introduced to resolve the gap in the literature. The final model of the PCPS instrument is able to find and quantify the degree of perception an individual holds in dealing with complex problems and can be utilized in different settings and environments. Further research about the relationship between Systems Thinking and CPS revealed individuals with a high level of systems thinking have a better understanding of the characteristics of complex problems and so better perception of CPS.

This work is a continuation of a series of authors' publications in the framework of a study of tools for supporting the fuel and energy complex in the context of achieving energy efficiency and energy independence of the regions. In this paper, the definition of the term \"state support of the fuel and energy complex\" was formulated, an analysis of state programs for supporting federal and regional levels in the fuel and energy complex was made. A consistent methodological scheme has been developed for organizing the process of improving the instruments for supporting the fuel and energy complex of the region, according to the specifics of the development of the fuel and energy complex and its role in the region's economy.

The effect of a breakdown in the synchronization of system time in territorially remote measuring devices on the error in determining the quality and quantity of electric power is investigated. The problems involved in choosing a synchronization system and ensuring that it operates when there are intense electromagnetic fields from high-voltage electrical equipment are considered. The development of such a system using global satellite navigation systems is proposed.

In this paper, the technique and algorithm of the probabilistic guaranteed assessment of the operational status of the airborne systems are considered that are based on the reference and current patterns of the airborne system being controlled. The method proposed can be used both in the on-line (in flight) and postflight modes of analyzing the operational status of the airborne systems. We present the results of practical approval of the algorithm developed for a set of test examples and using the real flight cumulative data in the Su-35 operation.

We present the results of developing the backup strapdown attitude control system based on micromechanical inertial sensors made in Russia as well as the experimental results of testing the attitude control system and the ways of its improvement.