Search Results (79)

Background: The main cause of chronic nasal obstruction in ENT practice is represented by the deviated nasal septum. Septoplasty remains the gold standard treatment, performed using either conventional or endoscopic techniques. Methods: A narrative review of the literature was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar for studies published between May 1999 and October 2024. Eligible studies included adult patients (≥16 years) undergoing conventional or endoscopic septoplasty, with at least one reported outcome measure: NOSE, VAS, or SNOT-22 scores; operative time; or complication rates. Results: Across multiple clinical studies, both conventional and endoscopic septoplasty provided significant improvements in nasal airflow and symptom relief. Endoscopic septoplasty was consistently associated with superior intraoperative visualization, more precise correction of posterior deformities and isolated septal spurs, and lower rates of intraoperative and postoperative complications. Complication rates were low overall for both approaches. Conclusions: Current evidence supports both conventional and endoscopic septoplasty as effective treatments for nasal obstruction due to septal deviation. However, endoscopic septoplasty offers distinct advantages in terms of visualization, operative efficiency, and safety, making it an increasingly preferred technique. Full article

Pneumatic separation can exhibit unstable performance when the feed composition fluctuates while operating parameters remain fixed. This work investigates a perception-informed airflow regulation approach, demonstrated on a representative fibrous–granular mixture case study. We propose LGDNet, a lightweight visual ratio estimation network (0.08 M parameters) built with Ghost-based operations and learned grouped channel convolution (LGCC), to estimate mixture composition from dense images. A dedicated 21-class dataset (0–100% in 5% increments) containing approximately 21,000 augmented images was constructed for training and evaluation. LGDNet achieves a Top-1 accuracy of 66.86%, an interval accuracy of 74.10% within a $\pm 5\%$ tolerance, and an MAE of 4.85, with an average inference latency of 28.25 ms per image under the unified benchmark settings. To assess the regulation mechanism, a coupled CFD–DEM simulation model of a zigzag air classifier was built and used to compare a regime-dependent airflow policy with a fixed-velocity baseline under representative prescribed inlet ratios. Under high impurity loading ($r=70\%$), the dynamic policy improves product purity by approximately 1.5 percentage points in simulation. Together, the real-image perception evaluation and the mechanism-level simulation study suggest the feasibility of using visual ratio estimation to inform airflow adjustment; broader generalization and further on-site validation on real equipment will be pursued in future work. Full article

Unmanned Aerial Spraying Systems (UASS) has rapidly advanced precision crop protection. However, the spray performance of UASSs is influenced by nozzle atomization, rotor-induced airflow, and external environmental conditions. These factors cause strong spatiotemporal coupling and high uncertainty. As a result, visualization-based monitoring techniques are now essential for understanding these dynamics and supporting spray modeling and drift-mitigation design. This review highlights developments in spray visualization technologies along the “droplet–airflow–target” chain mechanism in UASS spraying. We first outline the physical fundamentals of droplet formation, liquid-sheet breakup, droplet size distribution, and transport mechanisms in rotor-induced flow. Dominant processes are identified across near-field, mid-field, and far-field scales. Next, we summarize major visualization methods. These include optical imaging (PDPA/PDIA, HSI, DIH), laser-based scattering and ranging (LD, LiDAR), and flow-field visualization (PIV). We compare their spatial resolution, measurement range, 3D reconstruction capabilities, and possible sources of error. We then review wind-tunnel trials, field experiments, and point-cloud reconstruction studies. These studies show how downwash flow and tip vortices affect plume structure, canopy disturbance, and deposition patterns. Finally, we discuss emerging intelligent analysis for large-scale monitoring—such as image-based droplet recognition, multimodal data fusion, and data-driven modeling. We outline future directions, including unified feature systems, vortex-coupled models, and embedded closed-loop spray control. This review is a comprehensive reference for advancing UASS analysis, drift assessment, spray optimization, and smart support systems. Full article

This study presents a compact, 3D-printed Savonius wind turbine rotor incorporating pointed deflectors to enhance concave-side airflow and mitigate blade-edge vortex formation. The prototype, fabricated from ABS plastic, was experimentally evaluated in an Eiffel-type wind tunnel under low-speed wind conditions (3, 4, and 5 m/s), with blockage effects taken into account. Flow visualization revealed improved airflow attachment and pressure concentration on the concave blade surfaces, increasing drag asymmetry and torque generation. Corresponding power coefficients with applied blockage ratio were observed to be 0.181, 0.185 and 0.186, while torque coefficients with applied blockage ratio were observed to be 0.385, 0.374 and 0.375 at each wind speed and optimal tip-speed ratio, respectively, and were compared with previously reported computational results. The optimal operating tip-speed ratios identified for the torque and power coefficients were remarkably close, enabling efficient torque and power generation during operation. The experimental findings validate earlier numerical predictions and underscore the importance of physical testing in assessing turbine performance. Observed deviations between predicted and experimental coefficients suggest that fabrication parameters may influence prototype performance and warrant further investigation. Overall, the results demonstrate the technical viability of 3D-printed Savonius turbines for small-scale urban energy harvesting applications in the Philippines. Full article

Infrared thermal cameras can noninvasively measure the surface temperatures of objects and are widely used as fever-screening systems for infectious diseases. However, body temperature measurements alone are often insufficient for identifying people with infections. To address the inherent limitations of fever-based screening, this study aimed to develop analytical methods that enable multi-vital sensing alongside body temperature measurement using a single mid-wave infrared (MWIR) camera. Respiratory parameters were assessed by visualizing exhaled airflow based on MWIR absorption by carbon dioxide, whereas the heart rate was estimated from subtle temperature fluctuations captured using high thermal resolution. The experimental results validated the proposed method, showing that the developed system achieved good agreement with reference measurements; the respiratory rate, heart rate, and body temperature showed strong correlations (r = 0.864–0.987) and acceptable limits of agreement in Bland–Altman analyses. The exhalation volume was quantified from the visualized airflow and was found to align with the expected physiological ranges. These results demonstrate that noncontact multi-vital sensing can be achieved using a single MWIR camera, without the need for complex instrumentation. The proposed method holds promise for high-precision infection screening, remote health monitoring, and in-home physiological assessment. Full article

The safety of large indoor workspaces hinges on ventilation layout and airflow organization, particularly for dense contaminants that pool near the floor. This qualitative, full-scale case study evaluates chlorine (Cl₂) capture using supporting CFD and visualization experiments in a 20 × 13 × 9 m hall. Four exhaust arrangements—low, mid, high, and all levels combined—were tested under two modes: a single grille at 12,000 m³/h and three co-located grilles at 4000 m³/h each (total 12,000 m³/h), with and without an auxiliary supply (2000 m³/h). Removal performance was sensitive to exhaust elevation: low-level extraction consistently confined the plume near the floor, while distributing the same total flow across three levels achieved comparable or improved capture; mid/high extraction was less effective. A practical extraction radius of ≈5 m was identified, and the auxiliary supply improved outcomes only when steering the plume toward the low grille. CFD results showed that, regardless of the lower grille’s duty, the inlet concentration at the low grille was about twice that at the middle grille and more than four times that at the upper grille; in the three-grille configuration, the upper grille received negligible contaminant. These full-scale findings provide geometry-first guidance for dense-gas control in high-ceiling, large-volume spaces. Full article

The increased incidence of respiratory diseases in the recent past has resulted in a growing number of respiratory failures and dependence on mechanical ventilation. The death rates in patients under long-term ventilator therapy are seen to be as high as 62%, with mortality often attributed to secondary bacterial infections originating in endotracheal tube (ETT) assemblies. The ETT connects the ventilator to the trachea, and the parameters selected by the clinician play important roles in determining the airflow dynamics and mucus transport. This study considers the influence of ETT cuff geometry and ventilator cycling on tracheal airflow behavior, comparing Taperguard- and Microcuff-type designs with respect to Pressure-Controlled Ventilation (PCV) and Assisted Volume-Controlled Ventilation (VCV) modes. Three-dimensional Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) simulations in an idealized intubated trachea were performed and complemented by flow visualization and flow rate measurements for model validation. The simulation results show that both the cuff geometry and ventilation mode affect flow asymmetry of air flow in the trachea and consequently the wall shear stresses and secondary flow development. Specifically, the Taperguard-style cuff under PCV conditions generated substantially elevated wall shear stress values—nearly twice those observed for the same cuff operating in VCV mode. In contrast, the Microcuff configuration paired with VCV produced lower gas flow velocities and reduced shear stress levels, reaching only about 80% of the peak values associated with the Taperguard case. These differences highlight the combined influence of cuff geometry and ventilation strategy on local airway loading. These findings highlight the coupled impact of cuff design and ventilatory mode, and provide a pathway for understanding flow physics in intubated trachea towards improved respiratory care and mechanical ventilation practices. Full article

Large-scale lithium-ion energy storage systems (ESSs) are indispensable for renewable energy integration and grid support, yet ensuring long-term reliability under field conditions remains challenging. This study investigates degradation trends in a 50 MW-class ESS deployed on Jeju Island, South Korea, focusing on two indicators: direct current internal resistance (DCIR) and state-of-health (SOH). Annual round-trip (capacity) and hybrid pulse power characterization (HPPC) tests conducted from 2023 to 2025 quantified capacity fade and resistance growth. A polynomial-regression-based temperature compensation was applied—compensating DCIR to 23 °C and SOH to 30 °C—which reduced environmental scatter and clarified year-to-year degradation trends. Beyond mean shifts, intra-bank variability increased over time, indicating rising internal imbalance. A focused case study (Bank 03-01) revealed concurrent SOH decline and DCIR escalation localized near specific racks; spatial maps linked this hotspot to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)-driven airflow asymmetry and episodic fan operation. These findings underscore the importance of combining temperature compensation, variability-based diagnostics, and spatial visualization in field ESS monitoring. The proposed methodology provides practical insights for the early detection of abnormal degradation and supports lifecycle management of utility-scale ESSs under real-world conditions. Full article

Background/Objectives: The recent development of four-dimensional X-ray velocimetry (4DXV) technology (three-dimensional space and time) provides a unique opportunity to obtain preclinical quantitative functional lung images. Only single-scan measurements in non-survival studies have been obtained to date; thus, methodologies enabling animal survival for repeated imaging to be accomplished over weeks or months from the same animal would establish new opportunities for the assessment of pathophysiology drivers and treatment response in advanced preclinical drug-screening efforts. Methods: An anesthesia protocol developed for animal recovery to allow for repetitive, longitudinal scanning of individual animals over time. Test–retest imaging scans from the lungs of healthy mice were performed over 8 weeks to assess the repeatability of scanner-derived quantitative imaging metrics and variability. Results: Using a murine model of fibroproliferative lung disease, this longitudinal scanning approach captured heterogeneous progressive changes in pulmonary function, enabling the visualization and quantitative measurement of averaged whole lung metrics and spatial/regional change. Radiation dosimetry studies evaluated the effects of imaging acquisition protocols on X-ray dosage to further adapt protocols for the minimization of radiation exposure during repeat imaging sessions using these newly developed image acquisition protocols. Conclusions: Overall, we have demonstrated that the 4DXV advanced imaging scanner allows for repeat measurements from the same animal over time to enable the high-resolution, noninvasive mapping of quantitative lung airflow dysfunction in mouse models with heterogeneous pulmonary disease. The animal anesthesia and image acquisition protocols described will serve as the foundation on which further applications of the 4DXV technology can be used to study a diverse array of murine pulmonary disease models. Together, 4DXV provides a novel and significant advancement for the longitudinal, noninvasive interrogation of pulmonary disease to assess spatial/regional disease initiation, progression, and response to therapeutic interventions. Full article

Hakka traditional vernacular dwellings embody regionally specific climatic adaptation strategies. This study takes the Meizhou Guangludi enclosed house as a case study to evaluate its climate adaptability with longevity and passive survivability factors of the Hakka three-hall enclosed house under subtropical climatic conditions. A mixed research method is employed, integrating visualized parametric modeling analysis and on-site measurement comparisons to quantify wind, temperature, solar radiation/illuminance, and humidity, along with human comfort zone limits and building environment. The results reveal that nature erosion in the Guangludi enclosed house is the most pronounced during winter and spring, particularly on exterior walls below 2.8 m. Key issues include bulging, spalling, molding, and fractured purlins caused by wind-driven rain, exacerbated by low wind speeds and limited solar exposure, especially at test spots like the E8–E10 and N1–N16 southeast and southern walls below 1.5 m. Fungal growth and plant intrusion are severe where surrounding trees and fengshui forests restrict wind flow and lighting. In terms of passive survivability, the Guangludi enclosed house has strong thermal insulation and buffering, aided by the Huatai mound; however, humidity and day illuminance deficiencies persist in the interstitial spaces between lateral rooms and the central hall. To address these issues, this study proposes strategies such as adding ventilation shafts and flexible partitions, optimizing patio dimensions and window-to-wall ratios, retaining the spatial layout and Fengshui pond to enhance wind airflow, and reinforcing the identified easily eroded spots with waterproofing, antimicrobial coatings, and extended eaves. Through parametric simulation and empirical validation, this study presents a climate-responsive retrofit framework that supports the sustainability and conservation of the subtropical Hakka enclosed house. Full article

UAV pollination holds significant promise for enhancing hybrid rice seed production, yet the mechanisms of pollen diffusion under UAV downwash and the lack of theoretical guidance for operational parameter optimization remain critical challenges. To address this, this study employed a coupled Computational Fluid Dynamics–Discrete Phase Model (CFD–DPM) numerical simulation to systematically investigate the interaction between the UAV-induced wind field and pollen particles. A validated CFD model was first developed to characterize the UAV wind-field distribution, demonstrating good agreement with field measurements. Building upon this, a coupled wind field–pollen CFD–DPM model was established, enabling a detailed visualization and analysis of airflow patterns and pollen transport dynamics under varying flight parameters (speed and height). Using the pollen disturbance area and effective settling range as key evaluation metrics, the optimal pollination parameters were identified as a flight speed of 3 m/s and a height of 4 m. Field validation trials confirmed that UAV-assisted pollination using these optimized parameters significantly increased the seed yield by 21.4% compared to traditional manual methods, aligning closely with simulation predictions. This study establishes a robust three-tier validation framework (“numerical simulation—wind-field verification—field validation”) that provides both theoretical insights and practical guidance for optimizing UAV pollination operations. The framework demonstrates strong generalizability for improving the efficiency and mechanization level of hybrid rice seed production. Full article

Background/Objectives: Septoplasty is a commonly performed surgical procedure aimed at correcting nasal septal deviations, to improve nasal airflow and respiratory function. Traditional approaches to septal correction rely on either direct visualization or endoscopic guidance. Recently, a novel technology known as exoscopy has been introduced into surgical practice. Exoscopy is an “advanced magnification system” that provides an enlarged, three-dimensional view of the operating field. In this article, we present our experience with exoscope-assisted septoplasty, developed over the last two years, and compare it with our extensive experience using the endoscopic approach. Methods: Our case series includes 26 patients, predominantly males and young adults, who underwent exoscope-assisted septoplasty. We discuss the primary advantages of this technique and, most importantly, provide an analysis of its learning curve. The cohort of patients treated using the exoscopic approach was compared with a control group of 26 patients who underwent endoscope-guided septoplasty, randomly selected from our broader clinical database. Finally, we present a representative surgical case that details all phases of the exoscope-assisted procedure. Results: Our surgical experience has demonstrated that exoscopy is a safe and effective tool for performing septoplasty. Moreover, the learning curve associated with this technique exhibits a rapid and progressive improvement. Notably, exoscopy provides a substantial educational benefit for trainees and medical students, as it enables them to share the same visual perspective as the lead surgeon. Conclusions: Although further studies are required to validate this approach, we believe that exoscopy represents a promising advancement for a wide range of head and neck procedures, and certainly for septoplasty. Full article

Three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations have been performed to investigate the complex flow features and stripping of fluid materials from a cylindrical water drop at the late-stage in a Shock Liquid Drop Interaction (SLDI) process when the drop’s downstream end experiences compression after it is impacted by a supersonic shock wave ($Ma$ = 1.47). The drop trajectory/breakup has been simulated using a Lagrangian model and the unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) approach has been employed for simulating the ambient airflow. The Kelvin–Helmholtz Rayleigh–Taylor (KHRT) breakup model has been used to capture the liquid drop fragmentation process and a coupled level-set volume of fluid (CLSVOF) method has been applied to investigate the topological transformations at the air/water interface. The predicted changes of the drop length/width/area with time have been compared against experimental measurements, and a very good agreement has been obtained. The complex flow features and the qualitative characteristics of the material stripping process in the compression phase, as well as disintegration and flattening of the drop are analyzed via comprehensive flow visualization. Characteristics of the drop distortion and fragmentation in the stripping breakup mode, and the development of turbulence at the later stage of the shock drop interaction process are also examined. Finally, this study investigated the effect of increasing $Ma$ on the breakup of a water drop by shear stripping. The results show that the shed fluid materials and micro-drops are spread over a narrower distribution as $Ma$ increases. It illustrates that the flattened area bounded by the downstream separation points experienced less compression, and the liquid sheet suffered a slower growth. Full article

The use of implants in the trachea is increasing in respiratory diseases as an alternative to address pathological problems with airway obstruction. This article presents the design and development of a three-way cannula and its evaluation in a testbed capable of emulating the human breathing cycle. The new tracheal cannula allows airflow through a third duct (vertical one) towards the vocal folds, enabling phonation. The testbed assesses Total Lung Capacity (TLC) and endotracheal pressure by considering the cannula inside a replica of a trachea. The flow is generated by a mechanism composed of electronic elements, and the implementation of instruments for measuring pressure and lung capacity enables the visual and continuous collection of data. The three-way cannula offers improvements in airway capacity, with an average of up to 1.766 L of airflow and a pressure of 17.083 mbar. The airflow at the upper branch allows for improvement, enabling the patient to phonate even with the implant in place, while preserving patency due to the biocompatibility and elasticity of platinum silicone. Full article

Urban blue–green space (UBGS) plays a critical role in mitigating the urban heat island (UHI) effect and reducing land surface temperatures (LSTs). However, existing research has not sufficiently explored the optimization of UBGS spatial configurations or their interactions with urban morphology. This study takes New York City as a case and systematically investigates small-scale urban cooling strategies by integrating multiple factors, including adjustments to the blue–green ratio, spatial layouts, vegetation composition, building density, building height, and layout typologies. We utilize multi-source geographic data, including LiDAR derived land cover, OpenStreetMap data, and building footprint data, together with LST data retrieved from Landsat imagery, to develop a prediction model based on generative adversarial networks (GANs). This model can rapidly generate visual LST predictions under various configuration scenarios. This study employs a combination of qualitative and quantitative metrics to evaluate the performance of different model stages, selecting the most accurate model as the final experimental framework. Furthermore, the experimental design strictly controls the study area and pixel allocation, combining manual and automated methods to ensure the comparability of different ratio configurations. The main findings indicate that a blue–green ratio of 3:7 maximizes cooling efficiency; a shrub-to-tree coverage ratio of 2:8 performs best, with tree-dominated configurations outperforming shrub-dominated ones; concentrated linear layouts achieve up to a 10.01% cooling effect; and taller buildings exhibit significantly stronger UBGS cooling performance, with super-tall areas achieving cooling effects approximately 31 percentage points higher than low-rise areas. Courtyard layouts enhance airflow and synergistic cooling effects, whereas compact designs limit the cooling potential of UBGS. This study proposes an innovative application of GANs to address a key research gap in the quantitative optimization of UBGS configurations and provides a methodological reference for sustainable microclimate planning at the neighborhood scale. Full article