An autonomous, multi-agent, IoT-empowered space logistics system for mission-critical inventory packing.

In recent aerospace missions, space logistics have proven essential in storing, delivering and returning crew and materials between terrestrial facilities and space stations. Unlike classical commercial logistics, space logistics operations are cost-prohibitive and mission-driven, and its replenishment cycle for essential materials is relatively long. Therefore, the complete utilisation of spacecraft payload is of utmost importance. The theory of the inventory packing problem is extended in this study to build autonomous agents that interact with one another within a space logistics decision support system to reinforce the replenishment decision, chunk loading optimisation, and quality inspection. With the long replenishment cycle time, an agent embedded with interval type-2 fuzzy logic is explored to support chaotic time-series demand forecasting to derive re-order quantities in the desired period. Afterwards, the second agent solves the space chunk loading problem using the differential evolution algorithm to utilise payloads and capacities, particularly cylindrical chunks fully. The third agent measures actual item dimensions and quality to deploy the three-dimensional object scanning devices. Feedback is provided to the second agent to derive optimal chunk-loading instructions. Thanks to the autonomous interactions among the above agents, mission-critical decisions for space logistics are supported to achieve operational excellence.

A Single-Port Robotic Platform for Laparoscopic Surgery with a Large Central Channel for Additional Instrument.

A new approach to a surgical robotic platform for single incision laparoscopic or natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery is presented in this paper This platform allows insertion of up to four instruments including the robotic arms and the camera through a single cannula at the same footprint. After insertion of all instruments, a large central channel of 15 mm diameter is kept clear for the passage of additional laparoscopic instruments, such as passage or retrieval of suture needles, and/or suction irrigators which greatly facilitates the performance of complex surgical procedures. Phantom and animal trials have been performed to evaluate the insertion and retrieval sequences. These important features were made possible by internally-motorized robotic arms with 7 degrees of freedom and with no external mechanical device connections. The whole platform, together with the 3 degrees of freedom from the swivel system that support the cannula, has altogether 10 degrees of freedom to allow the operation of complex surgeries and access to all quadrants of the abdominal cavity. This new single-port robotic platform paves a new development direction for future non-invasive surgery.

Determination of endogenous trace metal contents in various mouse brain regions after prolonged oral administration of aluminum chloride.

Aluminum (Al) has been said to associate with the Alzheimer's-like neurodegeneration in humans. One of the proposed mechanisms for the action of Al is that excess Al might interfere with trace metal metabolism. In this study, the levels of Ca, Mg, Cu, and Zn in blood, liver, and different regions of the brain (separated into the cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, and brainstem) were measured in mice after daily oral administration of AICI3 (100 mg/kg body weight) for 2 mo. It was found that upon prolonged oral administration of AI, serum Al level was elevated significantly. There was no marked change in serum Ca, Mg, Zn, or Cu content. In the liver, Al content was not increased but there was a significant elevation in Cu and Zn content compared to control animals, probably due to the prolonged administration of the acidic salt solution. In brain, there was a significant twofold increase in Al in the hippocampus and a significant decrease in Al in the cortex. In addition to regional changes in AI content, Zn content in the hippocampus and increased Cu content in the hippocampus, cortex, and brainstem were significantly reduced. Data demonstrated that Al could alter Zn and Cu homeostasis in selected brain regions. The possible relation between Al and neuronal cell injury was discussed.