Search Results (266)

Micropropagation is particularly relevant to A. xanthorrhiza because this crop is traditionally propagated by crown buds, with very low field multiplication rates and a high incidence of systemic pathogens, whereas in vitro culture enables rapid clonal multiplication, sanitation, and long-term conservation of elite and regional genotypes. Micropropagation of A. xanthorrhiza remains hindered by physiological disorders such as hyperhydricity and low shoot proliferation, often associated with limited gas exchange and inadequate culture systems. This study evaluated the effects of different gas exchange regimes and liquid culture methods on in vitro morphogenetic and structural responses. Forced ventilation at 81.3 gas exchanges per day reduced hyperhydricity to 8.3%, while sealed vessels exhibited a hyperhydricity rate of 65.8%. RITA^® bioreactors resulted in the highest shoot multiplication rate (6.5/explant), which is a 48.2% increase over semi-solid medium (4.4 shoots/explant). Additionally, RITA^® systems enhanced leaf expansion, reduced oxidative symptoms, and improved shoot morphology. These findings demonstrate that combining ventilation and immersion control is a promising strategy to improve micropropagation efficiency in A. xanthorrhiza, providing quantitative evidence that complements and extends prior qualitative studies on in vitro ventilation and liquid culture systems. Full article

Axial fans are widely used in local and decentralized residential ventilation applications, such as bathroom and toilet exhausts and short-duct ventilation systems, but the turbulent swirling flow they generate can lead to increased hydraulic losses, reduced energy efficiency, and unstable fan operation. This study experimentally investigates the swirling flow produced by the axial fan operating in a straight duct, following the ISO 5801, case B. Original classical probes and one-component laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) were used to measure velocity components at multiple downstream locations. Results show a strong forced-vortex core (i.e., solid body profile) and a highly non-uniform axial velocity profile near the impeller (x/D = 3.35), which homogenizes downstream (x/D = 26.31), indicating significant energy loss. Circulation and swirl number decrease significantly downstream, but residual swirl remains throughout the duct, increasing pressure drops and leading to unstable fan performance. These findings demonstrate that swirl-induced velocity-profile transformations are a major source of inefficiency in residential ventilation systems employing axial fans without flow-straightening devices. Full article

Ventilated façade systems are being increasingly used in energy-efficient building envelopes due to their configurational flexibility and potential to reduce thermal bridging. This study focuses on the experimental evaluation of anchoring components used in such systems, specifically examining the effect of various thermal insulation pads and internal inserts on the system’s mechanical, thermal, and fire performance. A series of laboratory tests was carried out to assess the static behavior of aluminum brackets under both tensile (suction wind load) and compressive (pressure wind load) forces. The results demonstrate that the use of thermal pads and inserts does not lead to any significant degradation of the mechanical capacity of the anchoring brackets, confirming their structural reliability. Additional thermal testing revealed that the use of insulating materials significantly reduces heat transfer through the brackets. Fire resistance tests were conducted to compare the performance of different types of insulation pads under elevated temperatures. The findings indicate that the choice of pad material substantially influences both fire integrity and thermal performance. This study confirms the potential of incorporating optimized insulating pads and inserts into façade brackets to enhance the thermal and fire performance of ventilated façades without compromising their structural behavior. Full article

Drill-and-blast tunnel construction continuously releases high-intensity dust during drilling, blasting, and shotcreting, while conventional forced ventilation is often insufficient to control dust migration and worker exposure. This study develops three-dimensional Euler–Lagrange gas–solid two-phase models for these three typical processes to clarify the spatiotemporal dispersion of polydisperse dust and to explore effective control strategies. The simulations show that all processes generate a persistent high-concentration dust belt near the tunnel face, and a low-velocity recirculation zone at the crown acts as a structural hotspot of dust accumulation that is difficult to purge by longitudinal ventilation. Particle size strongly affects dispersion behaviour: coarse particles rapidly settle near the source under gravity, whereas fine and medium-sized particles remain suspended for long periods and can be transported over long distances, particularly after blasting. Based on these findings, a rail-mounted purification system with a dynamically adjustable position along the tunnel is proposed, and its preferred deployment zones are determined to work synergistically with the main airflow. The system is designed to perform near-source and crown-targeted removal, providing an engineering-oriented “dynamic local purification plus overall ventilation dilution” pathway for improving air quality in drill-and-blast tunnel construction. Full article

To understand the pulmonary function and main influencing factors of homemakers in rural Xi’an, a representative city in Northwest China, 72 housewives (61 ± 9 years old) were randomly selected from the rural area of Lantian, Xi’an. The questionnaire survey and pulmonary function test were performed on the subjects in winter and summer, respectively. The general linear model and variance analysis were used to analyze the influencing factors of pulmonary function. Key lung function indices included Vital Capacity (VC: 2.06 ± 0.48 L), Forced Expiratory Volume in First Second (FEV1: 1.91 ± 0.52 L), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC: 2.23 ± 0.59 L), and the FEV1/FVC ratio (0.86 ± 0.07). Several factors were found to cause impairment of pulmonary function. Age has the greatest effect on various indicators of lung function (Eta: 22.3%); the effect of indoor ventilation, season, and second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure on pulmonary function was comparable (3.2–5.9%). There were significant differences on most pulmonary function indices between four age groups (p = 0.000–0.005), and the age of <57 years old displayed the highest lung function index values. The lung function of the ventilation group was better than that of the non-ventilation group. And the lung function of the non-SHS exposure group was better than that of the SHS exposure group. No clear seasonal pattern of pulmonary function was found in this study. Aging, SHS exposure, and poor ventilation showed negative effects on most pulmonary function indices. It is recommended to actively publicize the harm of smoking and strengthen house ventilation to improve lung function in local homemakers. Full article

Background: In ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) syndrome, locating the responsible lesion is often challenging. Case Presentation: A 68-year-old woman was transferred to Nara Medical University hospital for a detailed investigation of her ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome. Because of hypercortisolism-induced immunosuppression, she subsequently developed severe Nocardia pneumonia and was forced to temporarily depend on noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV). Intravenous antifungal agents and antibiotics were administered, resulting in significant symptomatic improvement. Metyrapone was administered to suppress excessive cortisol. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the pituitary revealed a 4 mm sized poorly enhanced area, and microadenoma was suspected. Although cavernous venous sampling was indispensable prior to trans-spheroidal surgery (TSS), this examination could not be performed because of the presence of deep vein thrombosis. TSS was performed for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, but hypercortisolism did not improve. Moreover, immunohistochemical findings of the specimen revealed nonfunctional pituitary tumor. Methods: We re-evaluated the responsible lesion causing ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome. Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) revealed weak and abnormal FDG uptake in the right pericardium, but the possibility of nonspecific uptake could not be ruled out. However, gallium-68 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N′,N′′,N′′′-tetraacetic-acid-D-Phe¹-Tyr³-octreotide (⁶⁸Ga-DOTATOC)-PET demonstrated the same degree of abnormal uptake; therefore, a functional pulmonary tumor was strongly suspected. Results: Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) was performed, and histopathological findings of the specimen revealed a neuroendocrine tumor with positive ACTH staining. After VATS, ACTH and cortisol levels were normalized. Conclusions: Here, we report a case of ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome caused by a lung neuroendocrine tumor, in which ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATOC PET was helpful in detecting the functional tumors. Full article

Background/Objectives: Postoperative pneumonia (PP) is a significant complication following thoracic surgery, increasing morbidity, mortality, and hospital length of stay. Identifying risk factors is crucial for optimizing perioperative management. This study analyses predictors for PP in patients undergoing anatomical lung resections in a single center setting. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted using data from the German Thoracic Registry (GTR). Patients who underwent anatomical lung resection were included in the study, while non-anatomical resections and cases with missing data were excluded. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of PP, which was analyzed using chi-square tests and Fisher’s exact test. Results: PP was observed in 15.2% of the 381 patients. Significant preoperative predictors included American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification ≥ 3 (p = 0.021), C-reactive protein (CRP) ≥ 20 mg/L (p = 0.004), white blood cell count (WBC) ≥ 15,000/µL (p = 0.003) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) < 50% (p = 0.004). Intraoperative risk factors included thoracotomy (THT) (p = 0.001) and duration of operation > 180 min (p = 0.002). Postoperative predictors included Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission (p < 0.001) and mechanical ventilation > 24 h (p < 0.001). PP was associated with a higher perioperative mortality rate (10.3% vs. 1.2%, p = 0.01) and prolonged hospital stay. Conclusions: A number of risk factors for the development of PP have been identified, which may help to reduce the incidence of the condition. For further validation, multicenter studies are required. Full article

Background/Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence, age at diagnosis, non-invasive ventilation pressures used in management, and clinical predictors for sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in pediatric patients with muscular dystrophies (MDs). Methods: A retrospective analysis of 195 polysomnography (PSG) studies conducted over 20 years for 98 children with different MDs was performed. Diagnosis of SDB was established if a child met the diagnostic criteria for one or more of the following conditions: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central apnea, nocturnal hypoxemia, or nocturnal hypoventilation. Outcomes were assessed and compared between MDs. Positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV), sensitivity, and specificity for detecting SDB were calculated for certain clinical parameters. Results: SDB was diagnosed in 73.6% of children with MDs, including OSA in 67%, followed by nocturnal hypoxemia (15.3%), nocturnal hypoventilation (7.7%), and central apnea (6.6%). The age at diagnosis and BiPAP pressures used varied between MDs. Patients with Congenital MD had the lowest mean age and required higher pressures (p < 0.05). PPV was high for maximum inspiratory or expiratory pressures (MIP, MEP) < 40% or <60%, forced vital capacity < 50% or <80%, total lung capacity < 60%, left ventricular ejection fraction < 50%, non-ambulation, and body mass index ≥ 95% for the presence of SDB. However, NPV, sensitivity, and specificity varied. Conclusions: SDB is common in pediatric patients with MDs, with OSA being the most prevalent disorder. The age at diagnosis and required BiPAP pressures for management differ among MD groups. Certain clinical measures may help identify some patients with the disease given the high PPV. Full article

This study addresses the control challenge of ventilated supercavitating vehicles during depth-change maneuvers, where variations in speed and depth induce unsteady cavity evolution and nonlinear planing forces. An unsteady cavity evolution model based on the independent cross-sectional expansion principle was developed and integrated with vehicle dynamics to form a heterogeneous coupled motion framework. A DQN-based controller was designed to maintain cavity length under unsteady conditions, while an ADRC-based pitch controller achieved decoupled attitude control, with depth tracking realized through cascaded outer-loop feedback. Numerical simulations were performed on the established heterogeneous coupled motion model under depth-change maneuvers. The results show that the proposed approach maintains the cavity length within ±10% of the commanded value and achieves rapid and stable depth tracking. The proposed modeling and control framework offers an effective approach to enhance the maneuverability and robustness of ventilated supercavitating vehicles in complex hydrodynamic environments. Full article

Air pollution remains a major global health concern, contributing to millions of premature deaths annually. Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) is strongly associated with sick building syndrome (SBS), which can lead to various health problems and reduced workplace productivity. This study examines the role of trickle vents as a passive component in natural and hybrid ventilation systems aimed at improving IAQ and occupant comfort. Two types of factory-produced trickle vents were tested in a controlled climatic chamber under systematically varied indoor–outdoor pressure differentials, generated using a blower system. Airflow measurements revealed a strong relationship between pressure difference and vent performance. Differences between the two vent types were largely due to variations in cross-sectional areas, influencing airflow resistance and pressure drop. Although neither vent achieved the required ventilation rates for standard conditions, their integration into hybrid systems, particularly in combination with mechanical exhaust fans, was found to significantly enhance potential airflow. The findings underline both the challenges and opportunities in achieving effective ventilation, especially in upper building floors where natural driving forces are reduced. This work contributes to the understanding of passive ventilation components and their potential to support healthier, more sustainable indoor environments. Full article

As the environmental regulations of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) become more stringent, the accurate prediction of ship propulsion performance has become essential. Under ballast conditions where the draft is shallow, the propeller approaches the free surface, causing complex phenomena such as ventilation and surface piercing, which reduce propulsion efficiency. The conventional virtual disk (VD) method cannot adequately capture these free-surface effects, leading to deviations from model propeller results. To resolve this, a correction formula that accounts for the advance ratio (J) and submergence ratio ($h/D$) has been proposed in previous studies. In this study, the correction formula was simplified and implemented in a CFD environment using a field function, enabling dynamic adjustment of body force based on time-varying submergence depth. A comparative analysis was conducted between the conventional VD, modified VD, and model propeller using POW and self-propulsion simulations for an MR tanker and SP598M propeller. The improved method was validated in calm and regular wave conditions. The results showed that the modified VD method closely matched the performance trends of the model propeller, especially in free surface-interference conditions (e.g., $h/D$ < 0.5). Furthermore, additional validations in wave-induced self-propulsion confirmed that the modified VD method accurately reproduced the reductions in wake fraction and thrust deduction coefficient, unlike the overestimations observed with the conventional VD. These results demonstrate that the modified VD method can reliably predict propulsion performance under real sea states and serve as a practical tool in the early design stage. Full article

Background: Liberation from mechanical ventilation is a major objective in critically ill patients. Various criteria for extubation are used with different success rates. We developed a novel, simple bedside maneuver and index that involves measuring breath-hold duration and forced vital capacity (FVC). We named it the Respiratory Breath Hold Index (RBHI). Methods: We enrolled 225 mechanically ventilated intensive care unit (ICU) patients who were candidates for extubation. At the end of a spontan eous breathing trial (SBT), and just prior to extubation, patients were asked to hold their breath and perform a stalked FVC maneuver. The ability to perform a breath-hold maneuver and its duration were recorded and compared with a standard SBT. Results: 171 patients (76%) were successfully extubated, while 54 patients (24%) failed extubation. A successful SBT alone did not predict extubation, as 80.1% of passed SBT and 81.5% of failed SBT patients were extubated successfully (p = 1.00). However, a higher RBHI, together with the ability to hold breath and breath-hold duration, was highly associated with a successful extubation (p < 0.0001). Logistic regression analysis showed that RBHI over 3 was correlated with higher rates of successful extubation (OR 4.252, p < 0.001). Overall, 89% of patients who passed SBT and were able to hold breath were successfully extubated. (p < 0.0001). Whereas, among patients who passed SBT but failed to hold breath, only 24% were successfully extubated (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Higher RBHI, together with the ability to hold a breath just prior to extubation in mechanically ventilated patients, is more sensitive and specific, and may be superior to standard SBT in predicting a successful extubation. Full article

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is widely recognized as a force that will fundamentally transform traditional chicken farming models. It can reduce labor costs while ensuring welfare and at the same time increase output and quality. However, the breadth of AI’s contribution to chicken farming has not been systematically quantified on a large scale; few people know how far current AI has actually progressed or how it will improve chicken farming to enhance the sector’s sustainability. Therefore, taking “AI + sustainable chicken farming” as the theme, this study retrieved 254 research papers for a comprehensive descriptive analysis from the Web of Science (May 2003 to March 2025) and analyzed AI’s contribution to the sustainable in recent years. Results show that: In the welfare dimension, AI primarily targets disease surveillance, behavior monitoring, stress detection, and health scoring, enabling earlier, less-invasive interventions and more stable, longer productive lifespans. In economic dimension, tools such as automated counting, vision-based weighing, and precision feeding improve labor productivity and feed use while enhancing product quality. In the environmental dimension, AI supports odor prediction, ventilation monitoring, and control strategies that lower emissions and energy use, reducing farms’ environmental footprint. However, large-scale adoption remains constrained by the lack of open and interoperable model and data standards, the compute and reliability burden of continuous multi-sensor monitoring, the gap between AI-based detection and fully automated control, and economic hurdles such as high upfront costs, unclear long-term returns, and limited farmer acceptance, particularly in resource-constrained settings. Environmental applications are also underrepresented because research has been overly vision-centric while audio and IoT sensing receive less attention. Looking ahead, AI development should prioritize solutions that are low cost, robust, animal friendly, and transparent in their benefits so that return on investment is visible in practice, supported by open benchmarks and standards, edge-first deployment, and staged cost–benefit pilots. Technically, integrating video, audio, and environmental sensors into a perception–cognition–action loop and updating policies through online learning can enable full-process adaptive management that improves welfare, enhances resource efficiency, reduces emissions, and increases adoption across diverse production contexts. Full article

Filtration of submicron particles and nanoparticles is an important problem in nano-industry and in air conditioning and ventilation systems. The presence of submicron particles comprising fungal spores, bacteria, viruses, microplastic, and tobacco-smoke tar in ambient air is a severe problem in air conditioning systems. Many nanotechnology material processes used for catalyst, solar cells, gas sensors, energy storage devices, anti-corrosion and hydrophobic surface coating, optical glasses, ceramics, nanocomposite membranes, textiles, and cosmetics production also generate various types of nanoparticles, which can retain in a conveying gas released into the atmosphere. Particles in this size range are particularly difficult to remove from the air by conventional methods, e.g., electrostatic precipitators, conventional filters, or cyclones. For these reasons, nanofibrous filters produced by electrospinning were developed to remove fine particles from the post-processing gases. The physical basis of electrospinning used for nanofilters production is an employment of electrical forces to create a tangential stress on the surface of a viscous liquid jet, usually a polymer solution, flowing out from a capillary nozzle. The paper presents results for investigation of the filtration process of metal oxide nanoparticles: TiO₂, MgO, and Al₂O₃ by electrospun nanofibrous filter. The filter was produced from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The concentration of polymer dissolved in dimethylacetamide (DMAC) and acetone mixture was 15 wt.%. The flow rate of polymer solution was 1 mL/h. The nanoparticle aerosol was produced by the atomization of a suspension of these nanoparticles in a solvent (methanol) using an aerosol generator. The experimental results presented in this paper show that nanofilters made of PVDF with surface density of 13 g/m² have a high filtration efficiency for nano- and microparticles, larger than 90%. The gas flow rate through the channel was set to 960 and 670 l/min. The novelty of this paper was the investigation of air filtration from various types of nanoparticles produced by different nanotechnology processes by nanofibrous filters and studies of the morphology of nanoparticle deposited onto the nanofibers. Full article

Despite an abundance of available research, calf mortality persists as a multifaceted phenomenon that presents ongoing challenges in practical management. This historical single-cohort study was conducted to provide a more comprehensive layer of knowledge to the existing information pool on calf mortality risk factors by using multiblock partial least squares analysis. The method reveals the contribution of several variables aggregated into thematic blocks and allows to include multiple outcome variables describing the same phenomenon. Such an analysis of the data provides valuable information to farmers, veterinarians, and advisors alike, not only about single risk factors, but also about management areas to prioritize when tackling calf mortality. Data was gathered from 118 Estonian dairy herds, each comprising ≥100 cows, via questionnaire, sample collection, and on-farm scoring and measurements. The final dataset included 147 questions divided into 13 meaningful blocks. The outcome variables were annual herd-level calf mortality risk during the first 21 days (MR21) and 22–90 days (MR90) using farm records and the national cattle database, respectively. The average MR21 was 5.9% (median 4.4%, range 0.0–26.8%) and the average MR90 was 2.7% (median 2.3%, range 0.0–12.7%). Of the 13 thematic variable blocks, the most important blocks explaining calf mortality were ‘Routine stress-inducing activities’, ‘Herd characteristics’, ‘Calving management’, ‘Calf housing during 5–21 days’, and ’External biosecurity’. The most influential single variables associated with higher overall calf on-farm mortality during the preweaning period were poorer cleanliness scores of calving animals and calves having access to an outdoor area during the first 21 days of life. Detected risk factors for MR21 were calf barn age > 20 years, allowing the calves to suckle the first colostrum, bucket feeding calves during the first three weeks, disbudding all calves (compared to only heifer calves), and disbudding at 21–29 days of age. Risk factors for MR90 included the use of automatic milk feeders and feeding waste milk during the first three weeks, early introduction of calves to large group pens and higher in-pen age differences, absence of forced ventilation during the first three weeks, opportunity for feces to spread between calf pens, and use of calving pens for sick animals. Washing and disinfection of newborn calves’ pens and testing colostrum quality were protective factors against both MR21 and MR90. Other protective practices for MR21 were related to proper colostrum feeding routines, whereas lower MR90 was mostly associated with efficient external biosecurity practices and vaccination programs. The multiblock model proved to be beneficial in providing a broader understanding of the importance of different management areas on calf mortality. Full article