Search Results (229)

Detection of soil pollution by petroleum products is necessary to remedy threats to economic and human health. Pollution by hydraulic oil often occurs through leaks from forestry machinery such as harvesters. Electronic noses equipped with gas sensor arrays are promising tools for applications of pollution detection and monitoring. A self-made, low-cost electronic nose was used for differentiation between clean and polluted samples, with two types of oils and three levels of pollution severity. An electronic nose uses the TGS series of gas sensors, manufactured by Figaro Inc. Sensor responses to changes in environmental conditions from clean air to measured odor, as well as responses to changes in sensor operation temperature, were used for analysis. Statistically significant response results allowed for the detection of pollution by biodegradable oil, while standard mineral oil was difficult to detect. It was demonstrated that the TGS 2602 gas sensor is most suitable for the studied application. LDA analysis demonstrated multidimensional data patterns allowing differentiation between sample categories and pollution severity levels. Full article

Permanent magnetic couplings provide critical advantages for deep-sea systems through static-sealed, contactless power transmission. However, conventional metallic isolation sleeves incur significant eddy current losses, limiting efficiency and high-speed operation. Limited torque capacities fail to meet the operational demands of harsh marine environments. This study presents a novel permanent magnet coupling featuring a ceramic isolation sleeve engineered for deep-sea cryogenic ammonia submersible pumps. The ceramic sleeve eliminates eddy current losses and provides exceptional corrosion resistance in acidic/alkaline environments. To withstand 3.5 MPa hydrostatic pressure, a 6-mm-thick sleeve necessitates a 10 mm operational air gap, challenging magnetic circuit efficiency. To address this limitation, an improved 3D magnetic equivalent circuit (MEC) model was developed that explicitly accounts for flux leakage and axial end-effects, enabling the accurate characterization of large air gap fields. Leveraging this model, a Taguchi method-based optimization framework was implemented by balancing key parameters to maximize the torque density. This co-design strategy achieved a 21% increase in torque density, enabling higher torque transfer per unit volume. Experimental validation demonstrated a maximum torque of 920 Nm, with stable performance under simulated deep-sea conditions. This design establishes a new paradigm for high-power leak-free transmission in corrosive, high-pressure marine environments, advancing applications from deep-sea propulsion to offshore energy systems. Full article

Molds readily grow on wet books, documents, and other library materials where they ruin them chemically, mechanically, and aesthetically. Poor maintenance of libraries, failures of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, roof leaks, and storm damage leading to flooding can all result in accelerated fungal growth. Moreover, when fungal spores are present at high concentrations in the air, they can be linked to severe respiratory conditions and possibly to other adverse health effects in humans. Climate change and the accompanying storms and floods are making the dual potential of fungi to biodegrade library holdings and harm human health more common. This essay is intended for microbiologists without much background in mycology who are called in to help librarians who are dealing with mold outbreaks in libraries. Our goal is to demystify aspects of fungal taxonomy, morphology, and nomenclature while also recommending guidelines for minimizing mold contamination in library collections. Full article

Objectives: Residual postoperative pleural space (RPPS) is a common event after pulmonary lobectomy. Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy has been associated with a higher incidence of RPPS. This study aims to evaluate the incidence, the predictors, and potential clinical implications of RPPS following Uniportal VATS lobectomy. Methods: Patients who underwent Uniportal VATS lobectomy, without any previous neoadjuvant treatment, from June 2016 to March 2020, were retrospectively analyzed. RPPS was assessed using the last chest X-Ray prior to discharge and measured by Collins method (%). Results: Among 492 patients who underwent Uniportal VATS lobectomy, 325 (66.1%) developed RPPS. The mean RPPS volume measured by the Collins method was 15.46 ± 8.59% (vs. Collins = 4.2% in no-PRPS). An RPPS > 10.5% of Collins was significantly associated with a higher risk of postoperative air leak (AUC: 0.69, sensitivity: 69%, specificity: 54%, p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis identified the following predictors of RPPS > 10.5%: right-sided surgery (p < 0.001), upper lobectomy (p = 0.01), and prolonged air leak (p = 0.003). Patients with RPPS had a higher risk of only radiologically visible postoperative subcutaneous emphysema on the final chest X-ray (p = 0.041) and were more frequently discharged with a chest tube connected to a Heimlich valve (p < 0.001). Within 90 days post-discharge, 24 (4.9%) patients were readmitted due to increased RPPS (1.4%, requiring drainage in 5 cases [1%]), progression of subcutaneous emphysema (1.6%), and pleural effusion (1.8%, requiring drainage in 6 cases [1.2%]). However, RPPS was not associated with an increased overall risk of postoperative complications (p = 0.31) or 90-day readmission (p = 0.43). Conclusions: RPPS is a common occurrence following Uniportal VATS lobectomy but is not associated with clinically significant complications. The current study findings identified BMI, active smoking, right-sided surgery, and prolonged air leak as significant predictors of RPPS. Full article

Objectives: Pulmonary hypertension and hemodynamically significant PDA (hsPDA) involve seemingly opposite physiological features—decreased pulmonary blood flow and pulmonary overcirculation, respectively—but the literature demonstrates variable respiratory consequences in association with each of these morbidities. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether the two factors representing pulmonary circulation provide different contributions to respiratory outcomes in preterm infants with and without pulmonary hypoplasia. Methods: The medical records of preterm very low birth weight (VLBW) infants admitted to our unit during the study period from January 2013 to December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Preterm VLBW infants were divided into groups according to the presence of presumed pulmonary hypoplasia (PPH). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association of PPH and pulmonary hypertension or delayed PDA closure with in-hospital outcomes. Results: Postnatal age at final treatment for PDA was significantly later [median 33 vs. 19 days, p = 0.025] in the PPH group. Multivariable analysis indicated that early pulmonary hypertension was significantly associated with neonatal death [aOR (95%CI) 11.575 (2.988–44.833) for no-PPH vs. 9.981 (1.334–74.647) for PPH]. Delayed PDA closure was associated with increased odds of adverse respiratory and composite outcomes [aOR (95%CI) 4.929 (1.613–15.055) and 3.320 (1.048–10.515), respectively] but decreased odds of neonatal death in the no-PPH group. However, Cox proportional hazards models did not demonstrate statistically significant associations for PPH, early pulmonary hypertension, or delayed PDA closure with mortality, likely due to time-varying effects and the absence of death events in the subgroup of infants with both PPH and delayed PDA closure. Conclusions: PPH is associated with a higher prevalence of air leak syndrome and pulmonary hypertension. Delayed PDA closure exerts different effects on respiratory outcomes in preterm VLBW infants with and without PPH. Although early pulmonary hypertension appears to be a key circulatory factor contributing to neonatal death, its effect may vary over time. These findings underscore the importance of accounting for time-dependent effects when interpreting pulmonary circulatory risk factors in clinical practice. Full article

Objectives: Pneumothorax is a critical condition frequently encountered in emergency departments (EDs), with spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) and traumatic pneumothorax (TP) presenting distinct clinical challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological characteristics, clinical outcomes, and treatment strategies for SP and TP across different age groups and provide insights for optimizing emergency management protocols. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed 2797 cases of pneumothorax over five years (2018–2023) at a tertiary care center. Patients were stratified by age (18–39, 40–64, and >65 years) and pneumothorax type (SP vs. TP). Data on demographics, clinical presentation, treatment, hospital stay, recurrence, and complications were extracted from medical records. Comparative statistical analyses were also conducted. Results: The mean age of patients with SP was 32.5 ± 14.7 years, whereas patients with TP were older (37.8 ± 16.2 years, p < 0.001). Male predominance was observed in both groups: 2085 (87.0%) in the SP group and 368 (92.0%) in the TP group (p = 0.01). The right lung was more frequently affected in the SP (64.2%) and TP (56.0%) groups (p < 0.001). Age-related differences were evident in both groups of patients. In the SP group, younger patients (18–39 years) represented the majority of cases, whereas older patients (≥65 years) were more likely to present with SSP and required more invasive management (p < 0.01). In the TP group, younger patients often had pneumothorax due to high-energy trauma, whereas older individuals developed pneumothorax due to falls or iatrogenic causes (p < 0.01). SP predominantly affected younger patients, with a history of smoking and male predominance associated with younger age (p < 0.01). TP is more frequent in older patients, often because of falls or iatrogenic injuries. Management strategies varied by age group; younger patients were often managed conservatively, whereas older patients underwent more invasive procedures (p < 0.01). Surgical intervention was more common in younger patients in the TP group, whereas conservative management was more frequent in elderly patients (p < 0.01). The clinical outcomes differed significantly, with older patients having longer hospital stays and higher rates of persistent air leaks (p < 0.01). Recurrence was more common in younger patients with SP, whereas TP recurrence rates were lower across all age groups (p < 0.01). No significant differences were observed in re-expansion pulmonary edema, empyema, or mortality rates between the age groups, suggesting that age alone was not an independent predictor of these complications when adjusted for pneumothorax severity and management strategy (p = 0.22). Conclusions: Age, pneumothorax subtype, and underlying pulmonary comorbidities were identified as key predictors of clinical outcomes. Advanced age, secondary spontaneous pneumothorax, and COPD were independently associated with recurrence, prolonged hospitalization, and in-hospital mortality, respectively. These findings highlight the need for risk-adapted management strategies to improve triaging and treatment decisions for spontaneous and traumatic pneumothorax. Full article

Due to the unique physicochemical properties of ammonia fuel, any leakages in the engine room will inevitably endanger ship safety. This study focuses on investigating the diffusion behavior of ammonia fuel within the engine room during ship navigation after leakage, aiming to identify hazardous points and implement measures, such as installing air-blowing and extraction devices, to mitigate the risks. To address potential leakage risks in ammonia-fueled ships, a simplified three-dimensional computational model was developed based on ship design drawings and field investigations. ANSYS Fluent software (2024 R2) was employed to simulate ammonia fuel leakage from pipelines and equipment, analyzing the diffusion patterns of leakage at different locations and evaluating the impact of adding air-blowing and extraction devices on leaked fuel in the engine room. The simulation results demonstrate that leakage at point 3 poses the greatest operational hazard, and ammonia fuel leakage during navigation generates combustible gas mixtures within the explosion limit range around the main engine, severely threatening both vessel safety and crew lives. Installing air-blowing and extraction devices in high-risk areas effectively reduces the explosion limit range of ammonia fuel, with air outlet 3 showing optimal mitigation effectiveness against ammonia fuel leakage during ship transportation. Full article

Detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is essential for health, environmental protection, and industrial safety. VOCs contribute to air pollution, pose health risks, and can indicate leaks or contamination in industries. Applications include air quality monitoring, disease diagnosis, and food safety. This paper focuses on polymer-based hybrid sensor arrays (HSAs) utilizing interdigitated electrode (IDE) geometries for VOC detection. Achieving high selectivity and sensitivity in gas sensing remains a challenge, particularly in complex environments. To address this, we propose HSAs as an innovative solution to enhance sensor performance. IDE-based sensors are designed and fabricated using the Polysilicon Multi-User MEMS process (PolyMUMPs). Experimental evaluations are performed by exposing sensors to VOCs under controlled conditions. Traditional multi-sensor arrays (MSAs) achieve 82% prediction accuracy, while virtual sensor arrays (VSAs) leveraging frequency dependence improve performance: PMMA-VSA and PVP-VSA predict compounds with 100% and 98% accuracy, respectively. The proposed HSA, integrating these VSAs, consistently achieves 100% accuracy in compound identification and concentration estimation, surpassing MSA and VSA performance. These findings demonstrate that proposed polymer-based HSAs and VSAs, particularly with advanced IDE geometries, significantly enhance selectivity and sensitivity, advancing e-Nose technology for more accurate and reliable VOC detection across diverse applications. Full article

Anastomotic leaks after colorectal resection are serious surgical complications. We have compared the integrity of two common colorectal anastomosis techniques, end-to-side (ES) and end-to-end (EE), to control specimens using a novel experimental setup that mimics anastomotic air leak tests, which are typically performed during surgeries. Freshly harvested porcine colonic sections from 23 F1 cross-species pigs were used. Pressure measurements and video imaging were used to monitor the ex vivo experiments on EE, ES, and Control specimens. Using EE (n = 16), ES (n = 12), and Control (n = 22) specimens, leak pressure was 282.6 ± 3.0 mm Hg for EE, 282.8 ± 2.6 mm Hg for ES, and 294.4 ± 12.1 for the Control. Time to leakage was 106.3 ± 28.1 s for EE, 263.9 ± 2127.0 s for ES, and 194.5 ± 90.2 s for the Control. We found that, while EE and ES have nearly identical leak pressures, ES was superior in terms of time to leakage and tissue expansion, which may explain why ES anastomoses have a lower clinical anastomotic leak rate. Two dependent variables representing stress and strain of colonic tissues were introduced. These variables showed ES was comparable to the Control. The experiments were simulated successfully using the finite element method (FEM). This research provides a reproducible ex vivo system with a corresponding FEM system to study the differences between anastomosis techniques and may help design anastomoses with lower leak rates and improve patient outcomes in colorectal surgeries. Full article

Background/Objectives: Thymic epithelial tumors with pleural metastasis require a multimodal treatment approach with the use of novel modalities such as hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy (HITHOC). This systematic review and case report aims to summarize the existing evidence regarding HITHOC for these tumors and presents the first case of a robotic approach to HITHOC. Methods: A search in November 2023 yielded a total of 17 articles, including 281 patients who met the eligibility criteria (i.e., underwent HITHOC for treatment of a thymic epithelial tumor). Results: Variations existed among HITHOC regimens and surgical approaches. The most common complications observed were air leaks. Overall survival ranged 92–95% at 1 year, 83–91.7% at 3 years, 66.7–92% at 5 years, 40–83.3% at 10 years, and 27.8–58.2% at 15 years. Conclusions: While HITHOC for thymic epithelial tumors with pleural dissemination has been shown to yield successful outcomes in the literature, this procedure has historically been performed almost exclusively via an open thoracotomy. The robotic approach to HITHOC is feasible and affords several important benefits. Full article

Objectives: This study was aimed to identify risk factors for persistent air leak after chest tube placement for secondary spontaneous pneumothorax and to determine the optimal timing of treatment. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 221 cases of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax in patients aged ≥50 years who were treated with chest tube drainage. Patients were categorized into the observation group or additionally treated group based on whether they received interventional treatment beyond chest tube drainage. Air leak resolution patterns were analyzed using hazard function analysis. Risk factors were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Hazard function analysis revealed that the probability of air leak resolution decreased by approximately 50% within the first 5 days after the initiation of chest tube drainage, with only 33% of cases resolving by day 7. Beyond days 7–10, resolution probability stabilized at a minimal level. Multivariate analysis identified previous pneumothorax history (HR: 0.422, p = 0.007) and low geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) (HR: 2.521, p < 0.001) as significant independent risk factors for persistent air leak. Further analysis of early resolution (within 7 days) identified female sex (HR: 0.24, p = 0.003), absence of previous pneumothorax (HR: 0.21, p = 0.003), and higher GNRI values (HR: 1.04, p = 0.008) as positive predictors. Conclusions: Risk stratification based on pneumothorax history and nutritional status enables the optimization of the timing of intervention for persistent air leak. We recommend considering additional treatment between days 7 and 10 of chest tube drainage, with earlier intervention for high-risk patients. This approach may improve patient outcomes while avoiding unnecessarily prolonged conservative management. Full article

The maritime transport of liquefied gases poses significant safety and environmental hazards such as fire, explosion, toxic gas emissions, and air pollution. The main objective of this study was to systematically identify, analyze, and prioritise the potential risks associated with the operation of liquefied gas tankers using a hybrid methodological framework. This framework integrates Fuzzy Delphi, Fuzzy DEMATEL, and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) techniques to provide a comprehensive risk assessment. Initially, 20 key risk factors were identified through expert consensus using the Fuzzy Delphi method. The causal relationships between these factors were then assessed using Fuzzy DEMATEL to understand their interdependencies. Based on these results, accident probabilities were further analyzed using FTA modelling. The results show that fires, explosions, and large gas leaks are the most serious threats. Equipment failures—often caused by corrosion and operational errors by crew members—are also significant contributors. In contrast, cyber-related risks were found to be of lower criticality. The study highlights the need for improved crew training, rigorous inspection mechanisms, and the implementation of robust preventive risk controls. It also suggests that the prioritisation of these risks may need to be reevaluated as autonomous ship technologies become more widespread. By mapping the interrelated structure of operational hazards, this research contributes to a more integrated and strategic approach to risk management in the LNG/LPG shipping industry. Full article

This paper proposes an automated system integrating infrared thermography (IRT) and computer vision for air leak detection and localization in end-of-line (EOL) testing stations. This system consists of (1) a leak tester for detection and quantification of leaks, (2) an infrared camera for real-time thermal image acquisition; and (3) an algorithm for automatic leak localization. The python-based algorithm acquires thermal frames from the camera’s streaming video, identifies potential leak regions by selecting a region of interest, mitigates environmental interferences via image processing, and pinpoints leaks by employing pixel intensity thresholding. A closed circuit with an embedded leak system simulated relevant leakage scenarios, varying leak apertures (ranging from 0.25 to 3 mm), and camera–leak system distances (0.2 and 1 m). Results confirmed that (1) the leak tester effectively detected and quantified leaks, with larger apertures generating higher leak rates; (2) the IRT performance was highly dependent on leak aperture and camera–leak system distance, confirming that shorter distances improve localization accuracy; and (3) the algorithm localized all leaks in both lab and industrial environments, regardless of the camera–leak system distance, mostly achieving accuracies higher than 0.7. Overall, the combined system demonstrated great potential for long-term implementation in EOL leakage stations in the manufacturing sector, offering an effective and cost-effective alternative for manual inspections. Full article

With the extensive use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in the catering industry, leakage explosions have become frequent. This study employs numerical simulations to investigate the diffusion patterns of LPG leakage under various ventilation conditions. The results show that there is a logarithmic relationship between the wind speed and the volume of a propane gas cloud under natural ventilation. In the wind speed ranges of 1.5 to 3.3 m/s and 7.9 to 10.7 m/s, a small increase in wind speed leads to a significant reduction in gas cloud volume (97.2% and 95.05%, respectively). Under forced ventilation, the volume of the gas cloud decreases by 90.6%, from 6.67 m³ at higher air exchange rates (22.1 and 24.3 times/h), reducing explosion risks. When leakage occurs at the stove, the optimal combination for dispersing the propane combustible gas cloud is window opening at position 1 and fan at position a. The volume of the gas cloud at window position 1 increases exponentially with the distance between the fan and the leak source. The fan is installed within 2.786 m from the leak source to ensure that the gas cloud volume remains below 0.5 m³. These findings provide valuable insights for the design and the optimization of ventilation systems and layouts in commercial kitchens. Full article

Pleural carcinomatosis (PC) and malignant pleural effusion (MPE) affect up to 20% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and are usually synonymous with poor prognosis. Pressurized Intra-Thoracic Aerosol Chemotherapy (PITAC) is a novel and promising technique to control MPE in PC-NSCLC. This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of PITAC in terms of palliative pleurodesis and evaluate the local antineoplastic control by analyzing patient-derived primary cell cultures. From January to December 2023, seven patients underwent PITAC with tailored doses of cisplatin and doxorubicin. There were four males and three females, with a median age of 65 (IQR:19) years. No operating room contamination by aerosolized chemotherapeutics was observed. No intraoperative complications occurred, and 30-day mortality was nil. One patient developed a postoperative prolonged air leak. The median chest tube stay was 2 (IQR:2) days, and the median hospital stay was 4 (IQR:2) days. No systemic toxicity nor hypersensitivity to chemotherapeutics were observed. All patients developed effective pleurodesis in 30 days. Cell cultures obtained from biopsy of PC-NSCLC sampled before PITAC formed confluent and monolayer sheets of attached tumor cells, while after 30 min from PITAC, cultures exhibited a significant reduction in the cancer cells’ growth. Effective pleurodesis was observed three and six months after surgery in all patients. PITAC is a safe and effective technique to control MPE recurrence and might revolutionize loco-regional therapy for PC-NSCLC. Further research should assess its oncological role. Full article