This letter proposes a novel protocol that uses Q-learning-based geographic routing (QGeo) to improve the network performance of unmanned robotic networks. A rapid and reliable network is essential ...for the remote control and monitoring of mobile robotic devices. However, controlling the network overhead required for route selection and repair is still a notable challenge, owing to high mobility of the devices. To alleviate this problem, we propose a machine-learning-based geographic routing scheme to reduce network overhead in high-mobility scenarios. We evaluate the performance of QGeo in comparison with other methods using the NS-3 simulator. We find that QGeo has a higher packet delivery ratio and a lower network overhead than existing methods.
The phenylpyrazole insecticide fipronil has wide-ranging applications from agriculture to public health to control undesirable organisms. However, several studies have reported the residual ...environmental hazards of fipronil and demonstrated its harmful effects even in mammalian reproduction. Therefore, this study was conducted to demonstrate the mode of action of fipronil on mouse spermatozoa. We treated fipronil to spermatozoa and performed comprehensive function evaluations. Moreover, proteomic analyses were conducted to identify the alteration of protein expression levels in spermatozoa. Most of sperm motility and kinematic parameters and intracellular ATP levels were diminished, and the spontaneous acrosome reaction was promoted after treatment with fipronil. Proteomic analyses revealed altered expression levels of 14 proteins after treatment. These proteins have been reported to be associated with sperm-specific pathways, prominently the cytoskeleton of the sperm, "9 + 2" axoneme composition, metabolism, and fertility. Collectively, our results showed that fipronil alters sperm functional-related proteins and therefore influences male fertility. This study elucidates the possible reproductive toxic hazards associated with male infertility through aberrant suppression of sperm proteins.
The Triglyceride Glucose Index (TyG index) is considered a surrogate marker of insulin resistance. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the TyG index has a predictive role in identifying ...individuals with a high risk of incident diabetes and to compare it with other indicators of metabolic health. A total 2900 non-diabetic adults who attended five consecutive annual health check-ups at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital was divided into four subgroups using three methods: (1) baseline TyG index; (2) obesity status (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2) and cutoff value of TyG index; (3) obesity status and metabolic health, defined as having fewer than two of the five components of high blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and highest decile of homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance. The development of diabetes was assessed annually using self-questionnaire, fasting glucose, and glycated hemoglobin. We compared the risk of incident diabetes using multivariate Cox analysis. During 11623 person-years there were 101 case of incident diabetes. Subjects with high TyG index had a high risk of diabetes. For TyG index quartiles, hazard ratios (HRs) of quartiles 3 and 4 were 4.06 (p = 0.033) and 5.65 (p = 0.006) respectively. When the subjects were divided by obesity status and cutoff value of TyG index of 8.8, the subgroups with TyG index ≥ 8.8 regardless of obesity had a significantly high risk for diabetes (HR 2.40 p = 0.024 and 2.25 p = 0.048). For obesity status and metabolic health, the two metabolically unhealthy subgroups regardless of obesity had a significantly high risk for diabetes (HRs 2.54 p = 0.024 and 2.73 p = 0.021). In conclusion, the TyG index measured at a single time point may be an indicator of the risk for incident diabetes. The predictive value of the TyG index was comparable to that of metabolic health.
With the development of the field of e-nose research, the potential for application is increasing in various fields, such as leak measurement, environmental monitoring, and virtual reality. In this ...study, we characterize electronic nose data as structured data and investigate and analyze the learning efficiency and accuracy of deep learning models that use unstructured data. For this purpose, we use the MOX sensor dataset collected in a wind tunnel, which is one of the most popular public datasets in electronic nose research. Additionally, a gas detection platform was constructed using commercial sensors and embedded boards, and experimental data were collected in a hood environment such as used in chemical experiments. We investigated the accuracy and learning efficiency of deep learning models such as deep learning networks, convolutional neural networks, and long short-term memory, as well as boosting models, which are robust models on structured data, using both public and specially collected datasets. The results showed that the boosting models had a faster and more robust performance than deep learning series models.
Issues of fairness and consistency in Taekwondo poomsae evaluation have often occurred due to the lack of an objective evaluation method. This study proposes a three-dimensional (3D) convolutional ...neural network–based action recognition model for an objective evaluation of Taekwondo poomsae. The model exhibits robust recognition performance regardless of variations in the viewpoints by reducing the discrepancy between the training and test images. It uses 3D skeletons of poomsae unit actions collected using a full-body motion-capture suit to generate synthesized two-dimensional (2D) skeletons from desired viewpoints. The 2D skeletons obtained from diverse viewpoints form the training dataset, on which the model is trained to ensure consistent recognition performance regardless of the viewpoint. The performance of the model was evaluated against various test datasets, including projected 2D skeletons and RGB images captured from diverse viewpoints. Comparison of the performance of the proposed model with those of previously reported action recognition models demonstrated the superiority of the proposed model, underscoring its effectiveness in recognizing and classifying Taekwondo poomsae actions.
A new hybrid composite proton exchange membrane has been synthesized from dihydrogen phosphate functionalized imidazolium ionic liquid (IL-H2PO4), graphene oxide, and Nafion 117 solution. The ...chemical structure and thermal stability of the dihydrogen phosphate functionalized imidazolium ionic liquid (IL-H2PO4) have been analyzed by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The structural, thermal, and surface properties of synthesized membranes have been confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, TGA, and scanning electron microscopy. The proton exchange membranes have been characterized by their ionic conductivity and unit cell performance. The incorporation of IL-H2PO4 and graphene oxide in the Nafion membrane increases its thermal stability. The ionic conductivity of the membranes increases with temperature and amount of IL-H2PO4. The highest ionic conductivity of 0.061 Scm−1 has been achieved at 110 °C under anhydrous conditions which is 1.3 times higher than that of commercial Nafion 117. The synthesized membrane, Nafion/IL/GO, shows the best unit cell performance with a power density of 0.02 W cm−2, which is 13 times higher than that of the commercial Nafion 117 membrane at 110 °C.
Background
To compare the biomechanical stability of a novel, C-shaped nickel–titanium shape memory alloy (SMA) implant (C-clip) with traditional cerclage wiring in the fixation of a Vancouver B1 ...(VB1) periprosthetic femoral fracture (PFF).
Methods
In total, 18 synthetic femoral fracture models were constructed to obtain unstable VB1 fracture with an oblique fracture line 8 cm below the lesser trochanter. For each model, the distal portion was repaired using a 10-hole locking plate and four distal bi-cortical screws. The proximal portion was repaired using either three, threaded cerclage wirings or three, novel C-shaped implants. Specimens underwent biomechanical testing using axial compression, torsional and four-point bending tests. Each test was performed on three specimens.
Results
The C-clip was statistically significantly stronger (i.e., stiffer) than cerclage wiring in the three biomechanical tests. For axial compression, medians (ranges) were 39 (39–41) and 35 (35–35) N/mm, for the C-clip and cerclage wiring, respectively. For torsion, medians (ranges) were, 0.44 (0.44–0.45) and 0.30 (0.30–0.33) N/mm for the C-clip and cerclage wiring, respectively. For the four-point bending test, medians (ranges) were 39 (39–41) and 28 (28–31) N/mm; for the C-clip and cerclage wiring, respectively.
Conclusion
Results from this small study show that the novel, C-shaped SMA appears to be biomechanically superior to traditional cerclage wiring in terms of stiffness, axial compression, torsion and four-point bending, and may be a valuable alternative in the repair of VB1 PFF. Further research is necessary to support these results.
This review aimed to investigate the occurrence of mycotoxins, their toxic effects, and the detoxifying agents discussed in scientific publications that are related to pig production. Mycotoxins that ...are of major interest are aflatoxins and
toxins, such as deoxynivalenol and fumonisins, because of their elevated frequency at a global scale and high occurrence in corn, which is the main feedstuff in pig diets. The toxic effects of aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, and fumonisins include immune modulation, disruption of intestinal barrier function, and cytotoxicity leading to cell death, which all result in impaired pig performance. Feed additives, such as mycotoxin-detoxifying agents, that are currently available often combine organic and inorganic sources to enhance their adsorbability, immune stimulation, or ability to render mycotoxins less toxic. In summary, mycotoxins present challenges to pig production globally because of their increasing occurrences in recent years and their toxic effects impairing the health and growth of pigs. Effective mycotoxin-detoxifying agents must be used to boost pig health and performance and to improve the sustainable use of crops.
This paper presents an anthropomorphic robotic hand named "KITECH-Hand," along with its kinematic analysis and detailed mechanical features. From a kinematic perspective, the authors particularly ...focus on the structure of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints of the fingers. The KITECH-Hand adopts a new "roll-pitch"-type MCP structure to replace conventional "yaw-pitch" structures. The proposed structure provides benefits such as enhanced kinematic performance and ease of the mechanical design. Through the kinematic analysis, it is shown that the KITECH-Hand shows remarkably high dexterity, well surpassing that of existing robotic hands with conventional MCP joints. The unique MCP structure also helps modularize the robot at the joint level, which simplifies its mechanical structure and enables the production cost to be reduced. The performance of the KITECH-Hand, including its dexterity feature, was experimentally verified through a series of experiments, which included object in-hand manipulation and a Cutkosky taxonomy test.
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