An RFID-Based Smart Nest Box: An Experimental Study of Laying Performance and Behavior of Individual Hens.

This study designed a radio-frequency identification (RFID)-based Internet of Things (IoT) platform to create the core of a smart nest box. At the sensing level, we have deployed RFID-based sensors and egg detection sensors. A low-frequency RFID reader is installed in the bottom of the nest box and a foot ring RFID tag is worn on the leg of individual hens. The RFID-based sensors detect when a hen enters or exits the nest box. The egg-detection sensors are implemented with a resistance strain gauge pressure sensor, which weights the egg in the egg-collection tube. Thus, the smart nest box makes it possible to analyze the laying performance and behavior of individual hens. An evaluative experiment was performed using an enriched cage, a smart nest box, web camera, and monitoring console. The hens were allowed 14 days to become accustomed to the experimental environment before monitoring began. The proposed IoT platform makes it possible to analyze the egg yield of individual hens in real time, thereby enabling the replacement of hens with egg yield below a pre-defined level in order to meet the overall target egg yield rate. The results of this experiment demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed RFID-based smart nest box in monitoring the egg yield and laying behavior of individual hens.

Extra-articular tenosynovial chondromatosis of the left ring finger in a 23-year-old man: A case report and literature review.

Tenosynovial chondromatosis is an extra-articular version of articular synovial chondromatosis and a relatively rare condition that can affect the tendon sheath, bursa, or joint synovial tissue. Tenosynovial chondromatosis is rarely reported in the literature and is often misdiagnosed. In the present study, a case of extra-articular tenosynovial chondromatosis of the left ring finger in a 23-year-old man is reported. Three different-sized nodules were identified upon surgery and all were removed via synovectomy. The patient was symptom free 6 months postoperatively, and there were no signs of recurrence after 1.5 years of follow-up. The literature describing tenosynovial chondromatosis in the fingers is also reviewed.

[The therapeutic efficacy for ED patients treated with low dosage of PGE1].

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of intrameatal application of low dosage alprostadil (PGE1) cream (300 mcg) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). METHODS: A total of 43 ED patients were selected in the study based on the inclusion criteria. All of the patients signed informed consent forms and entered a 4-week open-label clinical study. A dosage of 300 mg PGE1 in 75 mg cream was applied intrameatally. RESULTS: The results showed that the primary efficacy (IIEF Q3 + Q4) reached 70.73% after application of the cream. The successful intercourse rate was 86.41%. Based on the GAQ (global assessment Question); 73.17% of the patients were satisfied with their sexual life. At the same time, all of the secondary criteria supported the primary efficacy results. Two patients withdrew during the study period. Six patients (14.63%) had urethral pain or penile redness, which were mostly mild and transient. CONCLUSIONS: With intrameatal low dosage (300 mcg PGE1) of the PGE1 cream can achieve an equivalent efficacy as that with the full dosage.