Implementation of a personal identification system using alveolar bone images.

Objective: In recent years, personal identification has been performed using antemortem panoramic X-ray images and postmortem-CT images. Using these, we have developed a personal identification method that focuses on the alveolar bone. This study examined the effectiveness of this method and aimed to implement a reproducible system.

Performance Evaluation of Error-Correcting Output Coding Based on Noisy and Noiseless Binary Classifiers.

Error-correcting output coding (ECOC) is a method for constructing a multi-valued classifier using a combination of given binary classifiers. ECOC can estimate the correct category by other binary classifiers even if the output of some binary classifiers is incorrect based on the framework of the coding theory. The code word table representing the combination of these binary classifiers is important in ECOC.

Multi-Task Partial Offloading with Relay and Adaptive Bandwidth Allocation for the MEC-Assisted IoT.

The fifth-generation (5G) wireless network is visualized to offer many types of services with low latency requirements in Internet of Things (IoT) networks. However, the computational capabilities of IoT nodes are not enough to process complex tasks in real time. To solve this problem, multi-access edge computing (MEC) has emerged as an effective solution that will allow IoT nodes to completely or partially offload their computational tasks to MEC servers.

Design of a Low-Power and Low-Area 8-Bit Flash ADC Using a Double-Tail Comparator on 180 nm CMOS Process.

This paper presents a low-area 8-bit flash ADC that consumes low power. The flash ADC includes four main blocks-an analog multiplexer (MUX), a comparator, an encoder, and an SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) block. The MUX allows the selection between eight analog inputs.

Pd-PdO Nanodomains on Amorphous Ru Metallene Oxide for High-Performance Multifunctional Electrocatalysis.

Developing highly efficient multifunctional electrocatalysts is crucial for future sustainable energy  pursuits, but remains a great challenge. Herein, a facile synthetic strategy is used to confine atomically thin Pd-PdO nanodomains to amorphous Ru metallene oxide (RuO ). The as-synthesized electrocatalyst (Pd RuOx-0.

Peristaltic micropump using polyvinyl chloride gels with micropatterned surface.

This paper presents a pump using polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gel. PVC gels are compliant, have a simple structure, and exhibit large deformation at voltages in the range of 100-1000 V, which make them suitable for micropumps. In this study, a PVC gel sheet with a surface pattern that enhances active deformation in the thickness direction was employed for the fabrication of a pump.

Capillary Tube Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Substrate and High-Sensitivity Molecule Detection.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) greatly improves molecule sensitivity compared with ordinary Raman spectroscopy. To excite and detect SERS efficiently, we fabricated glass-made microcapillary tubes decorated with silver nanoparticles inside them. The capillary tubes work as sample containers, where the required sample volume is in the order of a few nanoliters.

Size-independent scaling analysis for explosive percolation.

The Achlioptas process, a percolation algorithm on random network, shows a rapid second-order phase transition referred to as explosive percolation. To obtain the transition point and critical exponent β for percolations on a random network, especially for bond percolations, we propose a new scaling analysis that is independent of the system size. The transition point and critical exponent β are estimated for the product-rule (PR) and da Costa-Dorogovtsev-Goltsev-Mendes (dCDGM) (m=2) models of the Achlioptas process, as well as for the Erdős-Rényi (ER) model, which is a classical model in which the analytic values are known.

Microstructure Evaluation of the Potential of Additive Manufactured Dissimilar Titanium-Aluminum Alloys.

Pure titanium (Ti) ERTi-2 was accumulated on an aluminum (Al) alloy ER5356 component via wire and arc additive manufacturing. The effect of processing parameters, mainly the input heat per unit length, on Ti/Al components was investigated. The microstructure of the Ti deposited layer and the Ti/Al reaction layer was analyzed using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and an X-ray diffractometer.

Multi-Task Learning for Compositional Data via Sparse Network Lasso.

Multi-task learning is a statistical methodology that aims to improve the generalization performances of estimation and prediction tasks by sharing common information among multiple tasks. On the other hand, compositional data consist of proportions as components summing to one. Because components of compositional data depend on each other, existing methods for multi-task learning cannot be directly applied to them.

Interference of flagellar rotation up-regulates the expression of small RNA contributing to infection.

Bacterial small RNAs (sRNAs) posttranscriptionally regulate gene expressions involved in various biological processes, including pathogenicity. Our previous study identified sRNAs, the expression of which was up-regulated in , the causative agent of whooping cough, upon tracheal colonization of the bacteria; however, their roles in bacterial infection remain unknown. Here, we found that one sRNA, Bpr4, contributes to infection by posttranscriptionally up-regulating filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), a major adhesin of the bacteria.

Coevolution of Myoelectric Hand Control under the Tactile Interaction among Fingers and Objects.

The usability of a prosthetic hand differs significantly from that of a real hand. Moreover, the complexity of manipulation increases as the number of degrees of freedom to be controlled increases, making manipulation with biological signals extremely difficult. To overcome this problem, users need to select a grasping posture that is adaptive to the object and a stable grasping method that prevents the object from falling.

Recent Advancements in Tin Halide Perovskite-Based Solar Cells and Thermoelectric Devices.

The excellent optoelectronic properties of tin halide perovskites (Sn-PVKs) have made them a promising candidate for replacing toxic Pb counterparts. Concurrently, their enormous potential in photon harvesting and thermoelectricity applications has attracted increasing attention. The optoelectronic properties of Sn-PVKs are governed by the flexible nature of SnI octahedra, and they exhibit extremely low thermal conductivity.

Merging Passivation in Synthesis Enabling the Lowest Open-Circuit Voltage Loss for PbS Quantum Dot Solar Cells.

The high open-circuit voltage (V ) loss arising from insufficient surface passivation is the main factor that limits the efficiency of current lead sulfide colloidal quantum dots (PbS CQDs) solar cell. Here, synergistic passivation is performed in the direct synthesis of conductive PbS CQD inks by introducing multifunctional ligands to well coordinate the complicated CQDs surface with the thermodynamically optimal configuration. The improved passivation effect is intactly delivered to the final photovoltaic device, leading to an order lower surface trap density and beneficial doping behavior compared to the control sample.

Rolled Dielectric Elastomer Antagonistic Actuators for Biomimetic Underwater Robots.

In this study, an antagonistic actuator using dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) is developed to investigate the use of rolled DEAs in underwater robots. The actuator consists of a backbone, an elastic hinge, and two rolled DEAs placed in an antagonistic fashion, allowing for the generation of bidirectional movements of the actuator tip. To prove this concept, an analytical model of the actuator is built.

In-Depth Insight into the Effect of Hydrophilic-Hydrophobic Group Designing in Amidinium Salts for Perovskite Precursor Solution on Their Photovoltaic Performance.

Amidinium salts have been utilized in perovskite precursor solutions as additives to improve the quality of perovskite films. The design of hydrophilic or hydrophobic groups in amidinium salts is of great importance to photovoltaic device performance and stability in particular. Here we report a contrast study of a guanidinium iodide (GUI) additive with a hydrophilic NH group, and a N,1-diiodoformamidine (DIFA) additive with a hydrophobic C-I group, to investigate the group effect.

C-Series Coelenterazine-Driven Bioluminescence Signature Imaging.

The present study introduces a unique BL signature imaging system with novel CTZ analogues named "C-series." Nine kinds of C-series CTZ analogues were first synthesized, and BL intensity patterns and spectra were then examined according to the marine luciferases. The results show that the four CTZ analogues named C3, C4, C6, and C7, individually or collectively luminesce with completely distinctive BL spectral signatures and intensity patterns according to the luciferases: luciferase (RLuc), NanoLuc, and artificial luciferase (ALuc).

Revealing ultrafast vibronic dynamics of tetracene molecules with sub-8 fs UV impulsive Raman spectroscopy.

Ultrafast dynamics of tetracene molecules in THF solution were investigated using sub-8 fs ultraviolet pulse lasers and calculations. The time trace of absorbance changes exhibited ultrafast decay with a time constant of 165 ± 10 fs because of the relaxation from a vibronically hot excited state to the potential minimum in the S state. From the signals of absorbance changes in the negative time region, we obtained the electronic dephasing time of 31.

Effects of three-dimension movie visual fatigue on cognitive performance and brain activity.

To further develop three-dimensional (3D) applications, it is important to elucidate the negative effects of 3D applications on the human body and mind. Thus, this study investigated differences in the effects of visual fatigue on cognition and brain activity using visual and auditory tasks induced by watching a 1-h movie in two dimensions (2D) and 3D. Eighteen young men participated in this study.

Magnetically Driven Soft Continuum Microrobot for Intravascular Operations in Microscale.

Remotely controlled soft continuum robots with active steering capability have broad prospects in medical applications. However, conventional continuum robots have the miniaturization challenge. This paper presents a microscale soft continuum microrobot with steering and locomotion capabilities based on magnetic field actuation.

Recent Progress of Magnetically Actuated DNA Micro/Nanorobots.

In the past few decades, the field of DNA origami-based micro/nanotechnology has developed dramatically and spawned attention increasingly, as its high integrality, rigid structure, and excellent resistance ability to enzyme digestion. Many two-dimensional and three-dimensional DNA nanostructures coordinated with optical, chemical, or magnetic triggers have been designed and assembled, extensively used as versatile templates for molecular robots, nanosensors, and intracellular drug delivery. The magnetic field has been widely regarded as an ideal driving and operating system for micro/nanomaterials, as it does not require high-intensity lasers like light control, nor does it need to change the chemical composition similar to chemical activation.

Design and Dynamic Locomotion Control of Quadruped Robot with Perception-Less Terrain Adaptation.

In this paper, a parallel quadrupedal robot was designed that is capable of versatile dynamic locomotion and perception-less terrain adaptation. Firstly, a quadrupedal robot with a symmetric legs and a powerful actuator was implemented for highly dynamic movement. Then, a fast and reliable method based on generalized least square was proposed for estimating the terrain parameters by fusing the body, leg, and contact information.