Search Results (251)

Outdoor access, often referred to as pop holes, is widely used to improve the production and welfare of hens. Such cage-free environments present an opportunity for precision flock management via best environmental control practices. However, outdoor access disrupts the integrity of the indoor environment, including properly planned ventilation. Moreover, complaints exist that hens do not use the holes to access the outdoor environment due to the strong incoming airflow through the outdoor access, as they behave as uncontrolled air inlets in a negative pressure ventilation system. As the egg industry transitions to cage-free systems, there is an urgent need for validated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models to optimize ventilation strategies that balance animal welfare, environmental control, and production efficiency. We developed and validated CFD models of a cage-free hen house with outdoor access by specifying real-world conditions, including two exhaust fans, sidewall ventilation inlets, wire-meshed pens, outdoor access, and plenum inlets. The simulations of four ventilation scenarios predict the measured air flow velocity with an error of less than 50% for three of the scenarios, and the simulations predict temperature with an error of less than 6% for all scenarios. Plenum-based systems outperformed sidewall systems by up to 136.3 air changes per hour, while positive pressure ventilation effectively mitigated disruptions to outdoor access. We expect that knowledge of improved ventilation strategy will help the egg industry improve the welfare of hens cost-effectively. Full article

The reliable operation of rotating machinery is critical in industrial production, necessitating advanced fault diagnosis and maintenance strategies to ensure operational availability. This study employs supervised machine learning algorithms to apply multi-label classification for fault detection in rotating machinery, utilizing a real dataset from multi-sensor systems installed on a suction fan in a typical manufacturing industry. The presented system focuses on multi-modal data analysis, such as vibration analysis, temperature monitoring, and ultrasound, for more effective fault diagnosis. The performance of general machine learning algorithms such as kNN, SVM, RF, and some boosting techniques was evaluated, and it was shown that the Random Forest achieved the best classification accuracy. Feature importance analysis has revealed how specific domain characteristics, such as vibration velocity and ultrasound levels, contribute significantly to performance and enabled the detection of multiple faults simultaneously. The results demonstrate the machine learning model’s ability to retrieve valuable information from multi-sensor data integration, improving predictive maintenance strategies. The presented study contributes a practical framework in intelligent fault diagnosis as it presents an example of a real-world implementation while enabling future improvements in industrial condition-based maintenance systems. Full article

Parental care increases offspring survival but is typically costly to the parent providing it. Understanding diversity in parental care across animals is a timely topic in evolutionary ecology. Fishes are particularly well suited for studies aimed at understanding the diversity of parental care because parental care in fishes is highly variable across species. In most fish species, no care is provided. When parental care is provided, it is often paternal, although biparental and maternal care occur in some fish species as well. Parental care in fishes ranges from simple guarding of eggs in a territory to prolonged care of young after hatching. Within fishes, gobies are thought to exhibit diverse parental care. In the current manuscript, we begin to synthesize our knowledge of patterns of parental care in gobies by providing a review of the parental care strategies that are exhibited by gobiid species. Our review reveals that parental care in gobies most often includes guarding, fanning, and cleaning, although some species engage in other types of care such as larval release, the production of antimicrobial substances, and the construction of post-mating mounds. Care in gobies is most often paternal, but maternal and biparental care have been documented in some species. Full article

The utilization of alternative cereals for brewing beer has garnered significant interest in contemporary times. The utilization of alternative cereals as adjuncts has great potential for creating novel beer flavour profiles and cost savings. Brown rice (BR) is the unpolished rice grain that retains its outer layer post-hulling and is nutritionally superior to polished rice (PR). The utilization of BR in beer production remains unexplored, with its brewing attributes in comparison to PR yet to be elucidated, probably due to the potential adverse impact on beer flavour. This study involves incorporating PR and BR as adjuncts in a 40% ratio, alongside 100% Pilsen malt (PM) beer as the control, to contrast the brewing attributes (physicochemical indicators, antioxidant attributes, volatiles, and sensory analysis). Raw material analysis results showed that BR contains starch (72.97%), protein (6.85%), fat (3.38%), and ash (1.04%). The protein content of PR (4.12%) was lower than that of BR (6.85%), attributed to the absence of bran in PR, resulting in a reduced free amino nitrogen (FAN) content in its wort. Furthermore, it was observed that 40% BR beer showed enhanced antioxidant properties (0.55 mmol TE/L for DPPH and 0.75 mmol TE/L for ABTS) in comparison to 40% PR beer (0.12 mmol TE/L for DPPH and 0.4 mmol TE/L for ABTS). The changes that occurred in volatile and sensory analysis indicated discernible modifications in beer flavour consequent to the partial substitution of barley malt with BR. These findings show BR is an appropriate brewing adjunct. Full article

In this study, the cooling performance of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) with regard to thermal derating is investigated. Particularly in hot climate conditions, low operating temperature of the fuel cell stack and hence low temperature difference to the environment can result in thermal derating of the fuel cell stack. Experimental investigations on a production vehicle with a fuel cell drive (Hyundai Nexo) are conducted to analyze the influence of climatic boundary conditions and a dynamic driving scenario on the thermal management system of the vehicle. Therefore, a new method based on energy balances is introduced to indirectly measure the average cooling air velocity at the cooling module. The results indicate that the two high-power radiator fans effectively maintain a high cooling airflow between a vehicle speed of approximately 30 and 100 $\mathrm{k}\mathrm{m}/\mathrm{h}$, leading to efficient heat rejection at the cooling module largely independent of vehicle speed. Furthermore, this study reveals that the efficiency of the fuel cell system is notably affected by ambient air temperature, attributed to the load on the electric air compressor (EAC) as well as on cooling system components like cooling pump and radiator fans. However, at the stack level, balance of plant (BoP) components demonstrate the ability to ensure ambient temperature-independent performance, likely due to reliable humidification control up to 45 °C. Additionally, a new method for determining thermal derating of FCEVs on roller dynamometer tests is presented. A real-world uphill drive under ambient temperatures exceeding 40 °C demonstrates derating occurring in 6.3% of the time, although a worst case with an aged stack and high payload is not investigated in this study. Finally, a time constant of 50 $\mathrm{s}$ is found to be suitable to correlate the average fuel cell stack power with a coolant temperature at the stack inlet, which gives information on the thermal inertia of the system observed and can be used for future simulation studies. Full article

Direct-writing submicron copper circuits on glass with laser precision—without lithography, vacuum deposition, or etching—represents a transformative step in next-generation microfabrication. We present a high-resolution, maskless method for metallizing glass using ultrashort pulse Bessel beam laser processing, followed by silver ion activation and electroless copper plating. The laser-modified glass surface hosts nanoscale chemical defects that promote the in situ reduction of Ag⁺ to metallic Ag⁰ upon exposure to AgNO₃ solution. These silver seeds act as robust catalytic and adhesion sites for subsequent copper growth. Using this approach, we demonstrate circuit traces as narrow as 0.7 µm, featuring excellent uniformity and adhesion. Compared to conventional redistribution-layer (RDL) and under-bump-metallization (UBM) techniques, this process eliminates multiple lithographic and vacuum-based steps, significantly reducing process complexity and production time. The method is scalable and adaptable for applications in transparent electronics, fan-out packaging, and high-density interconnects. Full article

Frost poses a significant threat to agricultural production, leading to reduced crop yields and deterioration in quality. This review systematically provides an overview of the types and causes of plant frost, and delves into the principles, research progress, and application status of three key active frost protection (FP) technologies: air disturbance, sprinkler irrigation, and heating. It also scrutinizes the challenges faced by current FP equipment, such as high costs, complex maintenance, and noise pollution. Air disturbance technology utilizes fans to mix upper and lower air layers, increasing the canopy temperature, with research focusing on fan optimization and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) application. Sprinkler irrigation technology releases latent heat through water freezing, with research centering on water saving and automation. Heating technology directly supplies heat, with attention on heat source optimization and mobile heating strategies. Finally, this review outlines the development trends of plant FP equipment and technologies, highlighting the promising application prospects of agricultural UAVs in FP, which can have multi-purpose use and effectively reduce costs. Full article

In order to improve the aerodynamic performance of the voluteless centrifugal fan, a multi-objective optimization design system was established by combining parametric modeling, experimental design, surrogate models, and optimization algorithms, with the static pressure and static pressure efficiency of the fan as the optimization objectives. The design parameters of the blade profile were obtained by fitting the blade profile with a Bézier curve. A mapping relationship between design parameters and optimization objectives was established by combining numerical simulation with a radial basis function neural network, and a genetic algorithm was used to optimize the blade profile. The results indicated a highly significant correlation between design parameters and optimization objectives, with a prediction error of no more than 1% for the surrogate model. The determination coefficients for static pressure and static pressure efficiency were 0.98 and 0.96, respectively. After optimization, the static pressure of the fan increased by 12.7 Pa at the design operating point, and the static pressure efficiency increased by 3.2%. The separation vortex decreased near the trailing edge of the blade suction surface, and the airflow impact at the leading edge of the blade decreased. The entropy production in the flow channel decreased, and the overall flow state of the fluid was improved. Full article

This study presents a preliminary analysis of an innovative system that combines indoor air conditioning with water recovery and storage. The device integrates Peltier cells with a horizontal Earth-to-Air Heat Exchanger (EAHX), exploiting the ground stable temperature to enhance cooling and promote condensation. Warm, humid air is pre-cooled via the geothermal pipe, then split by a fan into two streams: one passes over the cold side of the Peltier cells for cooling and dehumidification, while the other flows over the hot side and heats up. The two airstreams are then mixed in a water storage tank, which also serves as a thermal mixing chamber to regulate the final air temperature. The analysis investigates the influence of soil thermal conditions on condensation within the horizontal pipe and the resulting cooling effect in indoor spaces. A hybrid simulation approach was adopted, coupling a 3D model implemented in COMSOL Multiphysics^® with a 1D analytical model. Boundary conditions and meteorological data were based on the Typical Meteorological Year (TMY) for Palermo. Two scenarios were considered. In Case A, during the hours when air conditioning is not operating (between 11 p.m. and 9 a.m.), air is circulated in the exchanger to pre-cool the ground and the air leaving the exchanger is rejected into the environment. In Case B, the no air is not circulated in the heat exchanger during non-conditioning periods. Results from the June–August period show that the EAHXs reduced the average outdoor air temperature from 27.81 °C to 25.45 °C, with relative humidity rising from 58.2% to 66.66%, while maintaining nearly constant specific humidity. The system exchanged average powers of 102 W (Case A) and 96 W (Case B), corresponding to energy removals of 225 kWh and 212 kWh, respectively. Case A, which included nighttime soil pre-cooling, showed a 6% increase in efficiency. Condensation water production values range from around 0.005 g/s with one Peltier cell to almost 0.5 g/s with seven Peltier cells. As the number of Peltier cells increases, the cooling effect becomes more pronounced, reducing the output temperature considerably. This solution is scalable and well-suited for implementation in developing countries, where it can be efficiently powered by stand-alone photovoltaic systems. Full article

This study presents the development and evaluation of a stand-alone solar dryer designed to improve the efficiency of bee bread dehydration. Unlike the electric prototype powered by conventional energy sources, the proposed system operates autonomously, utilizing solar energy as the primary drying agent. The drying chamber is equipped with solar collectors located in its lower section, which ensure convective heating of the product. Active convection is generated by a set of fans powered by photovoltaic panels, maintaining the drying agent’s temperature near 42 °C. The research methodology integrates both numerical simulation and experimental investigation. Simulations focus on the variations in temperature (288–315 K) and relative humidity (1–1.5%) within the honeycomb structure under convective airflow. Experimental trials examine the relationship between moisture content and variables such as bee bread mass, airflow rate, number of frames (5–11 units), and drying time (2–11 h). A statistically grounded analysis based on an experimental design method was conducted, revealing a reduction in moisture content from 16.2–18.26% to 14.1–15.1% under optimized conditions. Linear regression models were derived to describe these dependencies. A comparative assessment using enthalpy–humidity (I–d) diagrams demonstrated the enhanced drying performance of the solar dryer, which is attributed to its cyclic operation mode. The results confirm the potential of the developed system for sustainable and energy-efficient drying of bee bread in decentralized conditions. Full article

Increasing wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain protein concentration (GPC) without excessive nitrogen (N) inputs requires understanding the interactions between N source characteristics and application technology parameters. This study evaluated the effects of foliar N applications at anthesis on wheat grain yield and GPC across three locations over three growing seasons in Oklahoma. Treatments consisted of two N sources (urea-ammonium nitrate [UAN] and aqueous urea [Aq. urea]), three nozzle types (flat fan [FF], 3D, and twin [TW]), and two droplet types (fine and coarse). Late foliar applications increased GPC by 12% without affecting grain yield (0.5–5.8 Mg ha⁻¹). During the 2020–21 growing season, a late season freeze during anthesis resulted in no significant differences in GPC across locations. UAN produced significantly higher GPC (13.7%) than Aq. urea (13.1%). Among nozzle types, the 3D nozzle consistently produced the highest GPC (13.8%), compared to FF (13.1%) and TW nozzles (13.2%). Two-way interactions revealed UAN with fine droplets achieved consistently high GPC (14.6%), as did Aq. urea with coarse droplets (14.5%) at Lake Carl Blackwell in 2021–22 as compared to Aq. Urea_Fine (13.8%). At Chickasha 2021–22 and Perkins 2020–21, a significant three-way interaction was observed, with the UAN_3D_Fine (13.2%) and UAN_3D_Coarse (12.2%) treatments producing the highest GPC, with 8% and 15% greater than the Aq. Urea_TW_Fine, respectively, which is lowest. These findings provide a foundation for precision agriculture approaches that optimize foliar N application parameters to enhance wheat quality while maintaining sustainable production practices. Full article

Companies use emoticons in the content of their brand fan pages as a means to enhance their relationships with consumers. Few studies have been conducted on how emoticons work on Facebook brand fan pages. In addition, previous research on emoticons does not provide any obvious mechanism for emoticons’ effects, and their findings also have certain limitations as a result that reveal mixed results. This study was designed to clarify the mechanism for emoticons’ effects. Two studies were conducted in total. In Study 1, we conducted a one-way ANOVA on 82 subjects recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) and PROCESS macro model 4 for the mediation analysis. We confirmed that emoticons lowered the perceived functional value of brand fan pages and increased the perceived hedonic value. In addition, we found that the influence of emoticons on consumer attitudes toward brand fan page was only mediated by the hedonic value. In Study 2A, which examined the influence of product type and brand status, we conducted a 2 (emoticons) × 2 (product type) × 2 (brand status) ANOVA on 233 subjects recruited through Amazon MTurk, and contrast analysis and PROCESS macro model 6 were used for the interaction effect analysis and mediation analysis. We found that the positive effect of emoticons only occurred in utilitarian products with high brand status and hedonic products with low brand status. Study 2B, conducted using an Instagram version, yielded results identical to those of Study 2A. Finally, this study’s theoretical and practical implications are discussed. Full article

The benefits of participation in sport are widespread, and include not only improved health and wellness, but also support social participation and the realization of rights. Research on the use of assistive products in sport participation has previously focused largely on the use of specialized products in elite sport and has not addressed the importance of everyday assistive products for facilitating sport participation. This research aims to highlight the use of the 50 products on the World Health Organization’s Priority Assistive Product List for sport participation. We found that all 50 products are relevant to sport participation, and support participants to engage directly in sport, but also in social engagement with other sport participants, and as observers and fans of sport. Full article

Innovative structures technologies can contribute to increasing the sustainability of next-generation aircraft. Advanced multi-disciplinary physics models, combined with data-based models, are needed to obtain optimized structures with maximum contributions to sustainability throughout the life cycle. Such models are needed for next-generation aircraft products, for better production of their parts, and for representative testing of their innovative systems. Modeling challenges addressed recently will be presented and illustrated in their industrial context. In particular, fast in-line detection of defects in large composite aircraft parts during their high-rate production, induction welding of thermoplastic carbon-fiber reinforced parts, and accurate design of composite fan blades for wind tunnel testing of fuel-efficient Ultra-High Bypass Ratio (UHBR) turbofan engines will be presented. Full article

Lentils represent a promising alternative for beer production, potentially offering unique benefits and challenges. This study investigates the physicochemical properties of brewer’s wort derived from both barley and lentil grains. Specifically, it compares worts produced from raw and malted lentils, with and without the addition of amylase and protease enzymes. Key parameters such as filtration and saccharification times, pH, extract content, color, turbidity, polyphenol content, free amino nitrogen (FAN), nitrogen content, and metal ion and sugar composition were meticulously measured. Results indicate that both raw and malted lentils can be utilized to produce brewer’s wort, with the malting process enhancing extract levels. Notably, the addition of amylolytic enzymes resulted in the highest extract levels for both lentil types. Lentil-based worts exhibited significantly higher FAN levels and lower turbidity compared to barley malt worts. Despite barley malt’s established advantages in saccharification efficiency, filtration, and extract yield, lentils offer distinct benefits such as elevated FAN levels and unique color profiles. Enzyme treatments play a crucial role in optimizing lentil-based wort production, highlighting the potential for lentils in brewing applications. Full article