Search Results (605)

Passive building ventilation features, such as wind towers, can help meet rising cooling and ventilation demands in hot, arid regions. However, most prior studies rely on scaled models or isolate single design parameters, limiting holistic insight. This study conducts a full-scale, validated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) parametric analysis of wind tower geometry and its impact on ventilation efficiency in semi-enclosed spaces. Five geometric properties are investigated: tower shape, roof type, number of shafts, separator height, and number of louvres. Additionally, the sensitivity of the optimal configuration to wind speed, wind direction, and louvre orientation is assessed. Results from 88 CFD cases highlight strong interactions among design parameters and show that straight towers with curved roofs consistently perform best. Compared with a tower with six shafts, a flat internal roof, and downward-facing louvres, an optimized tower with four shafts, a convex internal roof, and upward-facing louvres increases airflow rate by a factor of 2.7 and occupied-zone air velocity by 45%, underscoring the importance of holistic geometric optimization. Full article

Maintaining optimal humidity in livestock buildings during winter is a major challenge in cold climate regions due to the conflict between moisture-removing ventilation and the need for heat preservation. To address this issue, a novel condensation dehumidification system is proposed that utilizes the natural low temperature of cold winters. An integrated energy consumption model, coupling moisture and thermal balances, was developed to evaluate room temperature drop, dehumidification rate (DR), and the internal circulation coefficient of performance (IC-COP). The model was calibrated and validated with experimental data comprising over 150 operational cycles under varied operation conditions, including initial temperature differences (ranging from −20 to −5 °C), air flow rates (0.6–1.5 m/s), refrigerant flow rates (3–7 L/min), and high-humidity conditions (>90% RH). Correlation analysis showed that higher indoor humidity improved both DR and IC-COP. Four machine learning models—Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM), Random Forest (RF), and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP)—were developed and compared with a stacking ensemble learning model. Results demonstrated that the stacking model achieved superior prediction accuracy, with the best R² reaching 0.908, significantly outperforming individual models. This work provides an energy-saving dehumidification solution for enclosed livestock housing and a case study on the application of machine learning for energy performance prediction and optimization in agricultural environmental control. Full article

The Shenzhen–Zhongshan Link is a key cross-sea corridor in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area. As a representative ultra-wide cross-section undersea tunnel, it exhibits smoke spread behaviors that differ fundamentally from those of traditional road tunnels. In particular, the radial flow region of fire smoke is more pronounced, resulting in substantial lateral variations in smoke dynamics parameters. These characteristics render classical one-dimensional ceiling jet temperature rise theories insufficient for capturing the multidimensional thermal behavior in such geometries. In this study, the immersed-tunnel section of the Shenzhen–Zhongshan Link was investigated through a combination of full-scale fire experiments and Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) simulations. The longitudinal attenuation and lateral distribution characteristics of hot smoke temperature rise during spread in an ultra-wide tunnel were systematically obtained. Based on a simplified one-dimensional ceiling jet concept, differences in hot smoke diffusion distance were employed to characterize the lateral temperature rise ratio at any longitudinal location, from which a lateral distribution model was developed. The classical one-dimensional average temperature rise decay model was further reformulated to derive a modified longitudinal decay model applicable to the tunnel centerline of ultra-wide cross-sections. By integrating these characteristic models, a two-dimensional longitudinal prediction framework for hot smoke temperature rise in ultra-wide tunnels was established. Validation against full-scale fire experiments demonstrates that the proposed model can predict the two-dimensional thermal field with an accuracy within 25%. The findings of this study provide a theoretical basis for fire scenario reconstruction in the Shenzhen–Zhongshan undersea tunnel and offer a technical foundation for optimizing emergency ventilation strategies during fire incidents. Full article

This study focuses on the operational energy consumption of existing thermal power plant buildings in China’s hot-summer, cold-winter regions. Unlike conventional civil buildings, thermal power plant structures feature intense internal heat sources, large spatial dimensions, specialized ventilation requirements, and year-round industrial waste heat. Consequently, the energy consumption characteristics and energy-saving logic of their building envelopes remain understudied. This paper innovatively employs a combined experimental approach of field monitoring and energy consumption simulation to quantify the actual thermal performance of building envelopes (particularly exterior walls, doors, and windows) under current operating conditions, identifying key components for energy-saving retrofits of the main plant building envelope. Due to the fact that most thermal power plants were designed relatively early, their envelope structures generally have problems such as poor insulation performance and insufficient air tightness, resulting in severe energy loss under extreme weather conditions. An energy consumption simulation model was established using GBSEARE software. By focusing on heat transfer coefficients of exterior walls and windows as key parameters, a design scheme for energy-saving retrofits of building envelopes in thermal power plants located in hot-summer, cold-winter regions was proposed. The results show that there is a temperature gradient along the height direction inside the main plant, and the personnel activity area in the middle activity level of the steam engine room is the most unfavorable area of the thermal environment of the steam engine room. The heat transfer coefficient of the envelope structure does not meet the current code requirements. The over-standard rate of the exterior walls is 414.55%, and that of the exterior windows is 177.06%. An energy-saving renovation plan is proposed by adopting a composite color compression panel for the external wall, selecting 50 mm flame-retardant polystyrene EPS foam board for the heat preservation layer, adopting 6 high-transmittance Low-E + 12 air + 6 plastic double-cavity for the external windows, and adding movable shutter sunshade. The energy-saving rate of the building reached 55.32% after the renovation. This study provides guidance for energy-efficient retrofitting of existing thermal power plants and for establishing energy-efficient design standards and specifications for future new power plant construction. Full article

Semi-underground spaces are integral to urban infrastructure yet their impact on human comfort, particularly in cold regions, remains inadequately investigated. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the comprehensive environmental quality of semi-underground spaces and its impact on human comfort in the cold-climate context of China. Representative transportation and workspace types, including underpasses, libraries, laboratories, and photography studios, were examined during winter and summer. An integrated methodology comprising field measurements, questionnaires, and numerical simulations was employed to analyze thermal, visual, and air quality conditions. Results reveal compounded environmental challenges: elevated temperature-humidity levels and equipment heat gains cause thermal discomfort; CO₂ and TVOC accumulation deteriorates air quality; and lighting is often insufficient or imbalanced. Furthermore, distinct functional spaces require tailored management strategies, such as balanced ventilation for transit areas and intelligent thermal control for laboratories. These findings provide a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for the performance-oriented design and optimization of semi-underground spaces in high-density urban environments. Full article

Naturally ventilated cavity walls (VCWs) retrofit conventional cavity walls with vents that enable buoyancy- or wind-driven airflow and reduce cooling loads during summer. When closed, they retain the thermal performance of traditional walls. Previous studies evaluated VCWs under steady-state conditions but did not capture regional, transient solar heating effects. This study assesses VCW performance across major U.S. climate types using a transient 3D solar heating model for east-, south-, and west-facing façades in four representative cities. Simulated façade temperatures were validated using published measurements and then applied to a regression-based energy model to estimate cooling load reductions. Results show 30–40% savings for east/west façades and 10–20% for south façades, with monthly reductions exceeding 1.0 kWh/m² in all regions. On-peak savings (3–7 PM) were at least 1.5× off-peak values, indicating strong peak-shaving capability. Overall, VCWs offer a low-cost, climate-adaptive retrofit strategy that improves façade energy performance and reduces peak cooling demand. Full article

West Nile virus (WNV) is an arthropod-borne flavivirus first identified in 1937. Over time, WNV has spread globally and is now endemic in Italy. Although most human WNV infections are asymptomatic (80%), less than 1% progress to a neuroinvasive disease with high mortality rates. This case involves a 45-year-old woman with post-surgical hypoparathyroidism and Sjögren’s syndrome who developed severe encephalomyelitis linked to WNV, leading to ventilator-associated pneumonia and death. Neuropathological findings revealed a bilaterally cribriform thalamus and reddish punctate lesions near the dentate nucleus of the cerebellum. The trachea and bronchial hilum branches contained whitish foamy liquid. The left lung showed multiple brownish-violet areas, with whitish regions at dissection. The heart appeared unremarkable. A detailed neuropathological examination focused on areas involved in motor control pathways. Tissue samples were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and trichrome techniques, and immunohistochemistry was performed using CD68, CD3, and CD20. A significant damage was observed in the lenticular nucleus and motor thalamus, with prominent concentric vascular calcifications. The cerebellar cortex showed near-total depletion of Purkinje cells. In the spinal cord, CD68 and CD3 positivity was noted in the lateral funiculi, anterior horns, and Clarke’s column. Lung findings showed pulmonary edema, chronic emphysema, and bronchopneumonia. The observed CD3 and CD68 positivity confirms that WNV spreads trans-synaptically along motor control pathways. We speculate on the potential molecular mechanisms by which hypoparathyroidism and Sjögren’s syndrome may have played a role in the neuroinvasive progression of the disease. Full article

Background: Severe pediatric influenza remains a major clinical burden, yet its phenotype in the post-COVID-19 period has not been fully characterized. The pandemic’s infection-control measures created an “immunity gap” among children, altering viral epidemiology and severity. This multicenter study from Türkiye defines the clinical spectrum and outcomes of influenza cases requiring intensive care, providing one of the first regional datasets after the pandemic. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 85 children with influenza admitted to five tertiary PICUs in İstanbul between 2024 and 2025. Demographics, clinical features and outcomes were compared across groups. Predictors of sepsis, pediatric ARDS, and mechanical ventilation were identified through multivariate logistic regression. Results: Influenza A + RSV co-infection occurred in 14% and affected significantly younger infants, presenting with more severe respiratory distress, hypoxemia, and bronchiolitis. Influenza B was associated with distinct neurotropic features—encephalopathy and seizures in 48%—and a higher risk of sepsis (OR 3.27, 95% CI 1.02–10.53). Hypoxemia, elevated vasoactive–inotropic score, and high PaCO₂ independently predicted mechanical ventilation and poor outcomes. Only 2–4% of children had received influenza vaccination. Conclusions: This multicenter analysis reveals a post-pandemic surge of severe pediatric influenza characterized by dual respiratory and neurological phenotypes. RSV co-infection drives early respiratory failure in infants, whereas Influenza B carries a disproportionate risk of neuroinflammation and sepsis. The study provides evidence from Türkiye that the post-COVID “immunity gap” and critically low vaccination coverage contribute to increased PICU admissions. Strengthening pediatric influenza immunization and RSV prevention policies is urgently warranted to mitigate these outcomes. Full article

The building sector represents a major source of global carbon emissions, with heating and cooling systems being particularly critical contributors, making the evaluation of sustainable low-carbon alternatives an urgent priority. In this study, life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology is used to analyze ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems against traditional heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems based on project data from the city of Jinan and electrical grid characteristics of Northern China. It is specified that the functional unit is providing heating and cooling that maintains the indoor temperature of the building between 18 °C and 26 °C for 20 years. Following ISO 14040 standards, carbon emissions and economic performance across four phases—production, transportation, construction, and operation—over a 20-year life cycle were quantified using actual material inventory data and region-specific carbon emissions factors. The results demonstrate obvious environmental advantages for GSHP systems, which achieve a 51% reduction in life cycle carbon emissions compared to traditional systems based on the current power generation structure. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis shows that as the proportion of renewable energy in the grid increases to meet carbon neutrality targets, the reduction potential can even reach 88%. Economic analysis reveals that despite higher initial investments, GSHP systems achieve favorable performance with a positive 20-year net present value and an acceptable dynamic payback period for the project. This study shows that GSHP systems represent a viable strategy for sustainable building design in northern China, and the substantial carbon reduction potential can be further enhanced through grid decarbonization and renewable energy integration. The implementation of the GSHP system in newly constructed buildings, which require both heating and cooling, in Northern China, can be an effective strategy for advancing carbon neutrality goals. Full article

In recent years, honeycomb sandwich structures have seen continuous development due to their excellent structural performance and design flexibility in heat dissipation. However, their complex heat transfer mechanisms and diverse modes of thermal exchange necessitate research on the air flow behavior and temperature distribution characteristics of micro-channels and lattice pores. This study investigates the internal flow field within a ventilated honeycomb sandwich structure through numerical simulation. The spatial flow characteristics and temperature distribution are analyzed, with a focus on the effects of turbulent kinetic energy, heat flux distribution on the heated surface, and varying pressure drop conditions on the thermal performance. The results indicate that the micro-channels inside the honeycomb core lead to a strong correlation between temperature distribution, flow velocity, and turbulence intensity. Regions with higher flow velocity and turbulent kinetic energy exhibit lower temperatures, confirming the critical role of flow motion in heat transfer. Heat flux analysis further verifies that heat is primarily removed by airflow, with superior heat exchange occurring inside the honeycomb cells compared to the solid regions. The intensive mixing induced by highly turbulent flow within the small cells enhances contact with the solid surface, thereby improving heat conduction from the solid to the flow. Moreover, as the inlet pressure increases, the overall temperature gradually decreases but exhibits a saturation trend. This indicates that beyond a certain pressure level, further increasing the inlet pressure yields diminishing returns in heat dissipation enhancement. Full article

Background: Early reports highlighted unique features of COVID-19-associated ARDS. The combination of prone position (PP) and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)-induced lung recruitment maneuver (LRM) has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing oxygenation and improving outcomes in patients with ARDS, but it remains unknown whether there is a difference between COVID-19 ARDS and non-COVID-19 ARDS. Method: This study is a secondary analysis of a previously conducted randomized controlled trial. Patients with moderate to severe ARDS were consecutively enrolled during the study period (June–December 2023). After initiation of PP, patients received a PEEP-induced LRM followed by 12 h of daily PP. The interventions were repeated at least three times over the subsequent 3 days. Clinical outcomes, respiratory mechanics, and electrical impedance tomography (EIT) results were evaluated. Results: Twenty-eight patients were included in the final analysis, half of whom were infected with COVID-19 (50%). The PEEP-induced LRM led to greater improvement in oxygenation among COVID-19 ARDS than non-COVID-19 ARDS (∆PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio 90.5 mmHg vs. 65.5 mmHg, p < 0.05). Based on EIT measurement, compared with the non-COVID-19 ARDS group, PEEP-induced LRM resulted in a greater increase in ventilation distribution, mainly in the dorsal regions of interest 4 (ROI 4) ventilation distribution (∆ROI4 4.5% vs. 1.0%, p = 0.01) and in dorsal regional ventilation (∆dorsal regional ventilation 10.0% vs. 5.5%, p = 0.04) in the COVID-19 ARDS group. Conclusions: Compared to typical ARDS, PEEP-induced LRM combined with PP may be more effective in enhancing oxygenation in COVID-19-related ARDS. Full article

The increase in extreme weather underscores the critical need for combining innovative architecture, urban, and landscape design to render our cities more resilient. Conventional approaches, heavily relying on energy consuming and dioxide producing technology, often falter during extreme events, worsening climate challenges. A project in Melbourne exemplifies a shift towards nature-inspired, distributed designs implementing passive strategies of shading, ventilation, water capture, and evaporative cooling. It transformed underused urban spaces into “climate oases” connected through walkable ecological corridors to mitigate urban heat and flooding while providing social and recreational benefits. Its design combined architectural, urban, and ecological strategies in interconnected city ecologies involving buildings, landscapes, and human activities. Local climate adaptation could similarly inform architectural and urban strategies in other locations across the globe. They could similarly draw on the needs of each climate: tropical cities would benefit from embracing cross-ventilation and shade, arid regions from integrating cooling gardens and introverted dense layouts, temperate climates from seasonal strategies alternating rain and sun protection, while cold areas could optimize sun exposure and wind protection. A study of climate design principles across architecture, urban, and landscape sections demonstrate tailored approaches for specific climates over one-size-fits-all models. They combine strategies to drive innovative urban ecologies that prioritize human and environmental well-being. While the Melbourne Cool Lines initiative exemplifies the integration of climate sensitive urban and ecological approaches within existing urban areas, the typological study ignites discussions on how to take these ideas into different contexts, transforming cities into resilient ecosystems that could better respond to changing climates. Full article

This study examines how climatic factors influence the predictive power of LEED credits in determining certification outcomes for hotel buildings across the United States. Using data from 259 LEED-NC v2009 certified hotels, project-level information was integrated with 30-year climate normals from the PRISM database and Building America climate zones. A three-step hierarchical linear regression was conducted to identify the LEED credits that most strongly predict total certification points while controlling for project size, certification year, and baseline climatic conditions, and to test whether climatic factors moderate these relationships. Regularized Linear Regression (LASSO) was then applied to address multicollinearity and assess model stability, followed by Support Vector Regression (SVR) to capture potential nonlinear relationships. This integrated methodological framework, combining hierarchical regression for interpretability, LASSO for coefficient stability, and Support Vector Regression for nonlinear verification, provides a novel, multi-dimensional assessment of climate-sensitive credit behavior at the individual credit level. Results show that energy- and site-related credits, particularly Optimize Energy Performance (EA1), On-Site Renewable Energy (EA2), Green Power (EA6), and Alternative Transportation (SS4), consistently dominate LEED performance across all climate zones. In contrast, indoor environmental quality credits exhibit modest but significant climate sensitivity: higher mean temperatures reduce the contribution of Increased Ventilation (EQ2) while slightly enhancing Outdoor Air Delivery Monitoring (EQ1). Cross-model consistency confirms the robustness of these findings. The findings highlight the need for climate-responsive benchmarking of indoor environmental quality credits to improve regional equity and advance the next generation of climate-adaptive LEED standards. Full article

An assessment of pulmonary function provides information that can contribute to establishing the severity of respiratory impairment, to predicting the onset of respiratory symptoms, and ultimately to optimizing the care of Neuromuscular Disease (NMD) patients. It is nevertheless well known that conventional Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) have several technical limitations and that their accuracy depends to some extent on the patient’s ability to cooperate. For this reason, it is essential to move beyond traditional pulmonary function evaluation in individuals with NMD. A relatively new technology, electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is an easy-to-use, radiation-free imaging technique that may overcome many of the limitations of conventional PFTs by producing real-time images of regional ventilation and tidal volume distribution. As it is safe and independent from patient cooperation, EIT is expected to improve the diagnosis of respiratory compromise and facilitate the implementation of timely, personalized treatments for NMD patients. There are nevertheless technical problems that need to be addressed to facilitate its diffusion in clinical practice. Full article

Background/Objectives: Thoracic trauma remains a leading cause of trauma-related illness and death. Despite advances in imaging, ventilation strategies, and surgical fixation, its management remains a topic of debate, with varying practices across hospitals. Current Gaps: Although surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) has shown a mortality benefit in cases of flail chest and in elderly patients, its indications for non-flail cases remain uncertain. Analgesia strategies are evolving, and epidural remains the gold standard; however, it is limited by contraindications. In contrast, regional blocks, such as the erector spinae plane block (ESPB) and serratus anterior plane block (SAPB), are emerging as safer alternatives to opioid and thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA). Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming imaging interpretation and risk stratification; however, its integration into daily trauma care is still in its early stages of development. Perspective: This article examines the integration of surgical innovation, regional anesthesia, and AI-powered diagnostics as integral components of future thoracic trauma care. We emphasize the importance of standardized surgical criteria, multimodal pain management approaches, and AI-assisted decision-making tools. Conclusions: Thoracic trauma care is shifting toward a personalized, multidisciplinary, and technology-enhanced approach. Incorporating evidence-based SSRF, advanced pain management techniques, and AI-supported imaging can help reduce mortality, enhance recovery, and optimize resource utilization. Full article