Search Results (2,591)

The mining industry is among the most energy-intensive sectors and remains highly dependent on fossil fuels, particularly in remote, cold-climate regions where access to centralized electricity grids is limited. This dependence poses significant challenges in terms of operating costs, energy security, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This review provides a system-level analysis of energy consumption patterns, decarbonization pathways, and renewable energy integration strategies in the mining sector. The paper first examines the structure and drivers of energy demand in open-pit and underground mines, identifying transport systems, material handling, ventilation, and comminution processes as major energy consumers. It then analyzes technological and operational decarbonization strategies, including electrification, hybrid energy systems, renewable generation, and energy storage solutions. Particular attention is given to the technical constraints associated with site isolation, extreme climatic conditions, intermittency of renewable energy sources, and mine-life considerations. Case studies from the Canadian mining industry illustrate practical implementation challenges and achievable performance improvements. The analysis shows that while renewable energy technologies and storage systems are increasingly cost-competitive, deep decarbonization of mining operations requires integrated energy management, long-duration storage solutions, and site-specific hybrid system design. The review highlights engineering and strategic pathways that can progressively reduce fossil fuel dependence and support the transition toward low-carbon mining energy systems. Full article

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a critical determinant of environmental health, yet awareness among young adults in rapidly urbanizing regions remains unclear. This study assessed knowledge, awareness, and practices related to IAQ among university students in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, and compared outcomes between medical and non-medical disciplines, while examining associations between knowledge levels and IAQ-related behaviors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 386 undergraduate students from three universities using a pre-validated, self-administered questionnaire. Overall, 52.1% of participants had heard of IAQ. Appropriate knowledge (≥60%) was demonstrated by 26.9% of students, and only 3.4% achieved high knowledge (≥80%). Medical students were significantly more likely than non-medical students to demonstrate appropriate knowledge (38.1% vs. 18.3%; p = 0.001), and female students scored higher than males (32.8% vs. 20.3%; p = 0.006). Awareness of IAQ guidelines was limited (65.3% unaware). Although 85.2% reported engaging in at least one IAQ-improving behavior, practices were mainly limited to ventilation and avoidance of indoor smoking. Higher knowledge levels were significantly associated with protective behaviors (p < 0.001). These findings indicate limited objective knowledge despite moderate recognition of IAQ importance, underscoring the need for structured educational interventions to enhance environmental health literacy. Full article

In recent decades, the Ucayali region, the main territory of the Asheninka communities, has experienced increasing socio-environmental pressures associated with climate change, educational inequality, and territorial vulnerability in rural and indigenous contexts. In response, this research proposes the design of a sustainable agricultural school for the Asheninka community, conceived as an educational building that integrates biophilic strategies to enhance environmental performance and spatial quality. The methodological approach comprises a literature review, site-specific environmental analysis based on hydrometeorological data, and the development of an architectural proposal focused on sustainable building design. Digital tools such as Revit and SketchUp were employed alongside official climatic data sources to support design decision-making. The proposal includes twelve biophilic agricultural classrooms incorporating passive design strategies, rainwater harvesting systems with a capacity of 22.5 m³ per day per classroom, and photovoltaic-powered public lighting systems. Results indicate that the integration of natural ventilation, green infrastructure, and locally sourced materials contributes to significant improvements in thermal comfort, humidity control, and energy autonomy within the educational facilities. The architectural complex is complemented by green corridors and collective open spaces that reinforce environmental performance at the site scale. This study demonstrates that sustainable educational buildings adapted to local ecosystems and climatic conditions can function as effective infrastructures for environmental mitigation and resilient rural development, contributing to more sustainable forms of urban and rural living. Full article

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) enrichment using fuel combustion is widely applied in greenhouse production. However, its implications for air quality and occupational safety under real operating conditions remain insufficiently characterized. This study evaluates a propane-based CO₂ enrichment system in an advanced greenhouse. The analysis integrates CO₂ dynamics, combustion-derived pollutants, and occupational exposure. High-resolution monitoring at 5 min intervals was conducted in an enriched module and a control module over a five-month period. Two operational modes were assessed: continuous and diurnal-only enrichment. The system maintained CO₂ concentrations within agronomic targets. Mean values reached 1200 ppm and 940 ppm for continuous and diurnal operation, respectively. However, significant CO₂ losses were observed due to ventilation. The maximum enrichment efficiency, expressed as the Combustion Efficiency Index (CEI), was 2.67 × 10⁻³. Combustion-related pollutants (CO, NO, NO₂, SO₂, and O₃) showed transient peaks during burner activation. However, concentrations remained below occupational exposure limits when evaluated using time-weighted averages. The incomplete combustion ratio (ICR) remained stable at approximately 1.9 × 10⁻³. This indicates predominantly complete combustion. These results provide field-based evidence on the performance and safety of propane-based CO₂ enrichment systems. They also highlight the importance of continuous monitoring and improved CO₂ retention strategies in semi-confined greenhouse environments. Full article

Nocturnal urban heat presents significant but understudied risks within tropical megacities, where high humidity and heat storage in built-up areas prevent nighttime thermal recovery and intensify chronic heat stress. This study investigates the nocturnal surface urban heat island (SUHI) dynamics in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR) over two decades (2003–2023) with a daytime SUHI comparative baseline. We examined long-term thermal variations using MODIS land surface temperature data and Landsat urban–rural classification. The results demonstrate an increase in nighttime land surface temperature (LST) of 0.109, with nocturnal SUHI proving more persistent than its daytime counterpart with a temperature difference as high as 2.0 °C between urban and rural areas during the night. While daytime SUHI peaked at 6.3 °C in April 2011, with the strongest effects during April–May, nocturnal SUHI exhibited less seasonal variability but sustained elevated values throughout the year. Heat-retaining nocturnal hotspots have expanded from central Bangkok to newly developed urban areas. Cross-correlation analysis suggests that El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) strongly modulates SUHI anomalies, with maximum cross-correlations for a time lag of 3 months. These results suggest the need for urban adaptation strategies that specifically address nocturnal heat, as well as design strategies such as improved ventilation, high-emissivity materials, green infrastructure allowing evapotranspiration, and cooling centers for vulnerable populations to enhance thermal resilience across the BMR. Full article

Acinetobacter baumannii is a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections and is classified among the highest-priority antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. Its clinical success reflects the convergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and biological traits that promote environmental persistence and transmission. Acinetobacter baumannii has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past few decades, evolving from a relatively obscure environmental bacterium into a globally recognized multidrug-resistant pathogen. Its prevalence in healthcare settings, particularly intensive care units, has made it a leading cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia, bloodstream infections, wound infections, and urinary tract infections. Beyond its antibiotic resistance, the bacterium’s ability to persist in hospital environments and adapt to host defences has amplified its clinical significance. Recent research has uncovered complex networks of virulence factors, regulatory systems, and metabolic strategies that enable A. baumannii to thrive in hostile environments and evade host immunity, providing new insights into its pathogenesis and potential therapeutic vulnerabilities. This review summarizes the main mechanisms underlying its pathogenicity, including desiccation tolerance, biofilm formation, disinfectant resistance, metal acquisition, motility, and the ability to enter viable but non-culturable states. In A. baumannii, AMR functions as a pathogenesis-adjacent trait, enhancing survival and clonal dissemination through genomic plasticity, resistance islands, efflux systems, and envelope remodeling. Key resistance pathways involve carbapenem-hydrolyzing oxacillinases, metallo-β-lactamases, permeability defects, and multidrug efflux, often coexisting within high-risk clones. From a clinical perspective, management of carbapenem-resistant strains requires accurate infection diagnosis, reliable susceptibility testing, site-specific and PK/PD-optimized therapy, and early reassessment. Overall, the success of A. baumannii reflects the integration of resistance and persistence within healthcare ecosystems, highlighting the need for coordinated strategies combining stewardship, infection control, improved diagnostics, and anti-biofilm or anti-virulence approaches. Full article

Airborne microbial contamination in dairy cattle housing is strongly influenced by housing conditions and management practices. This study evaluated the influence of environmental and housing parameters on total bacterial, coliform, and mold levels across four dairy farms. Microclimatic variables, including temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, bedding moisture, air volume per cow, particulate matter (PM₁, PM_2.5, PM₁₀), and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), were measured. Comparative analyses showed that air volume per cow and bedding moisture were consistently associated with variability in total microbial and mold counts, while particulate matter and wind speed were linked to differences in airborne coliforms. Generalized linear mixed models indicated that most environmental variables did not have statistically significant effects, with the exception of farm type for coliforms and temperature for molds. The predominance of non-significant environmental effects, together with more consistent differences observed between farms, suggests that variability in airborne microbial levels is more strongly associated with farm-specific management and housing characteristics than with individual environmental parameters. Overall, the findings highlight the combined influence of housing design, management practices, and environmental conditions, emphasizing the importance of optimized ventilation and bedding management to improve air quality in dairy cattle housing. Full article

Hot and humid climates challenge conventional residential designs in maintaining thermal comfort, often leading to a heavy reliance on energy-intensive mechanical cooling. This dependence increases operational costs and contributes to elevated carbon emissions. In rapidly urbanising regions such as Selangor, Malaysia, climate-responsive and sustainable design strategies are urgently needed. This study evaluates the effectiveness of passive design strategies in enhancing indoor thermal comfort in naturally ventilated residential buildings using a three-case study methodology. Empirical field measurements were conducted to examine the influence of shading, building orientation, natural ventilation, and material selection on operative temperature T_op and perceived comfort. The findings indicate that integrating passive strategies significantly improves indoor thermal conditions. Residence A, incorporating effective cross-ventilation and thermal mass, achieved the lowest operative temperature range of 28.5 °C to 29.8 °C, remaining within the 90% adaptive comfort band, with favourable air velocities between 0.45 and 0.65 m/s. In contrast, Residence B recorded higher operative temperatures from 29.5 °C to 31.2 °C, up to 1.4 °C warmer than Residence A, due to mean radiant temperatures exceeding 31 °C and a near-stagnant airflow below 0.10 m/s. Although Residence C demonstrated moderated radiant temperatures between 28.2 °C and 29.5 °C through effective envelope design, operative temperatures remained warm, ranging from 29.0 °C to 30.5 °C, due to severely restricted air velocities below 0.05 m/s. Overall, the results demonstrate that combinations of low air velocity (<0.10 m/s) and elevated mean radiant temperature (>30 °C) consistently drive operative conditions beyond the upper 90% adaptive comfort threshold, confirming ventilation effectiveness is the primary control factor of thermal acceptability in tropical residential environments. Full article

(1) Background: Early treatment of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) with adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been shown to improve myocardial salvage. This analysis evaluates nocturnal electrocardiogram (ECG) Holter data, derived from polygraphy in a randomised clinical trial (NCT02093377), to assess the occurrence of nocturnal cardiac arrhythmias in patients with SDB and to explore the effect of ASV therapy. (2) Methods: In the TEAM-ASV I trial, patients were stratified by the presence/absence of SDB, defined by an apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) ≥15 events/h assessed with polygraphy. Those with SDB were subsequently randomised to receive ASV in addition to standard AMI care. Guideline-conforming semi-automated ECG analysis of nocturnal cardiac arrhythmias was conducted via Holter–ECG software (custo diagnostic, version 5.4). (3) Results: Patients with SDB had an increased incidence of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) (SDB: n = 8 (16%) vs. no SDB: n = 1 (2%); p = 0.024) and premature atrial contractions (PAC) (SDB: 1.2/h [0.3, 3.4] vs. no SDB: 0.3/h [0.1, 1.2]; p = 0.017). In patients with SDB who were randomised to ASV treatment early after AMI, we found no reduction in cardiac arrhythmias when ASV was added to standard care. (4) Conclusions: After AMI, SDB was linked to increased NSVT and PAC. ASV treatment demonstrated neither a harmful nor a beneficial effect on the occurrence of nocturnal cardiac arrhythmias. Further trials are warranted to confirm these findings. Full article

Background: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) rises rapidly during systemic inflammation and is used in some ICUs as a daily infection marker. Whether routine IL-6 monitoring affects patient outcomes or antimicrobial use, compared with standard biomarkers CRP/PCT, remains unclear. Methods: This retrospective two-step study was conducted at a tertiary interdisciplinary ICU in Wiesbaden, Germany. Step 1 (pilot cohort) compared two 2-month periods with routine IL-6 versus CRP/PCT testing to identify differences and generate assumptions. Step 2 (extended cohort) compared two consecutive 12-month periods before and after discontinuation of IL-6 testing. After matching for disease severity and specialty, endpoints included ICU length of stay, ventilation hours, mortality, and antimicrobial use measured as defined daily doses (DDD), and recommended daily doses (RDD) per 100 patient-days. Results: Results: In the pilot cohort (n = 221), there were no significant differences between the IL-6 and CRP/PCT groups in terms of anti-infective therapy or ventilation hours. In the extended cohort (n = 5146), case-matched analyses showed no significant group differences in ICU length of stay, ventilation hours, or mortality between groups. Antimicrobial consumption was higher when IL-6 was used: DDD (16.8% increase, rate ratio RR = 1.17, 95% CI (1.14, 1.19), p < 0.001) and RDD (11.6% increase, RR = 1.12, 95% CI (1.09, 1.14), p < 0.001). Conclusions: In this exploratory study, routine IL-6 testing was not associated with improved outcomes but might be linked to increased antimicrobial consumption. Full article

Controlled atmosphere (CA) is widely employed to preserve perishable foods, yet its potential effects on the quality of thermally processed bone broth remain poorly understood. This work systematically investigated the influences of ventilation time (0, 1, and 3 s), ventilation frequency (30, 60, 90, and 110 cycles), and cooking duration (25, 30, 38, and 45 min) on the overall quality of pork bone broth. A single-factor experimental design was adopted with three replications per treatment. Results showed that CA treatment effectively improved the sensory properties of pork bone broth, including color, aroma, and taste. Different CA processing parameters differentially affected the accumulation of diglycerides, proteins, peptides, amino acids and lipid oxidation-related flavor compounds, as well as antioxidant activities and emulsion stability. Specifically, prolonged ventilation promoted the accumulation of diglycerides and medium-sized peptides (1–7 kDa) but concurrently reduced solids, fat content, and ABTS radical scavenging activity, suggesting a trade-off between flavor precursor generation and oxidative stability. Furthermore, most quality indicators initially increased with rising ventilation frequency but subsequently declined at excessive levels, with optimal values attained at moderate frequencies. Notably, CA conditions that enhanced the formation of desirable flavor compounds also increased the accumulation of lipid oxidation byproducts, highlighting a critical balance required for achieving optimal product quality. Ultimately, it was found that a ventilation time of 1 s, a ventilation frequency of 60 cycles per minute, and a cooking duration of 30 min maximized the benefits of controlled atmosphere (CA) processing, thereby achieving optimal sensory properties, flavor profiles and nutritional composition in pork bone broth. This study provides fundamental data to support the development and quality regulation of thermally processed meat broths. Full article

Background and objectives: Airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) is an inverse ratio ventilation often used as a rescue method for patients with severe acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF). This observational cohort study aims to evaluate the outcomes of APRV for patients with severe AHRF. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study of patients with AHRF requiring APRV. The primary outcome was early physiological response, defined as the change in PaO₂/FiO₂ (P/F ratio) within 6 h of APRV initiation. Secondary outcomes included ICU mortality, duration of mechanical ventilation, and length of stay. Results: Between 01/2018 and 09/2024, 152 patients had APRV initiated for >2 h. P/F ratio improved in 64% of patients (responders). Responders had more severe hypoxemia before APRV initiation (P/F ratio 9.8 vs. 10.4 kPa, p = 0.05) and showed a greater improvement within 6 h following APRV initiation (18.8 vs. 11.9 kPa, p < 0.01). Overall survival to ICU discharge was 56%. There were no differences in ICU survival or liberation from mechanical ventilation between responders and non-responders (log-rank p = 0.48 and 0.96). There were also no differences in improvement in oxygenation following APRV or mortality between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients. Conclusions: APRV may improve oxygenation in the short term, but this improvement in oxygenation was not associated with improved clinical outcomes in this observational cohort. Full article

Background/Objectives: The renal resistive index (RRI) has emerged as an early marker of renal vascular resistance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between RRI on intensive care unit (ICU) admission and the development of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a general ICU population, and to assess its predictive accuracy. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in a multidisciplinary ICU. Consecutive mechanically ventilated adults were enrolled; RRI was measured within 24 h of admission after hemodynamic stabilization. AKI was defined by Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria within seven days. Multivariable regression, receiver operating characteristic (ROC), reclassification, and mediation analyses were performed. Results: A total of 181 patients were included. AKI occurred in 36%. Median RRI was 0.73 (0.65–0.80). RRI correlated with age, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores, lactate, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (all p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, RRI was the only independent predictor of AKI (OR 2.86 per 0.05 increase, 95% CI 1.64–4.98, p = 0.001). It was also associated with an increased likelihood of presenting with a more severe AKI stage. RRI showed high discriminative ability (AUC = 0.89, 95% CI 0.84–0.94); the optimal cut-off was 0.77 (sensitivity 0.83, specificity 0.82). Adding RRI to a clinical model improved prediction (ΔAUC p = 0.049; net reclassification index (NRI) = 0.52, p < 0.001). Mediation analyses showed that RRI significantly mediated the effects of hypertension and low baseline GFR on AKI risk. Subgroup analyses confirmed consistent predictive performance across age, lactate, and sepsis categories. Conclusions: RRI is an independent early predictor of AKI and its severity, as well as a mediator of both hypertension and low GFR, regarding their effect on AKI development in ICU patients. RRI could serve as an early bedside marker of renal perfusion impairment in critically ill patients, guiding strategies aimed at reducing the risk of AKI. Full article

Patients with end-stage lung diseases awaiting lung transplant frequently experience severe hypoxemia, dyspnea, and functional limitations that may compromise survival and transplant eligibility. Optimizing noninvasive respiratory support during the waiting period is crucial to preserve oxygenation, maintain physical conditioning, and avoid escalation to invasive mechanical ventilation, which is associated with poorer transplant outcomes. High-flow nasal cannula therapy has emerged as an important noninvasive respiratory support modality capable of providing physiological and clinical benefits such as precise fractions of inspired oxygen, a low level of positive end-expiratory pressure, dead-space washout, and reduced work of breathing. This review summarizes the pathophysiology of hypoxemia in lung transplant candidates, the mechanisms of action of high-flow nasal cannulas, and the current clinical evidence supporting its use in this population during the pre-transplant period. Available evidence suggests that the use of high-flow nasal cannulas improves oxygenation, relieves dyspnea, enhances exercise tolerance, facilitates participation in pulmonary rehabilitation programs, and may reduce the need for endotracheal intubation, thereby improving the likelihood of survival to transplantation. The review also discusses patient selection, the practical implementation of high-flow nasal cannula therapy, and comparisons with other respiratory support modalities. Although the current evidence is largely observational and heterogenous, high flow appears to be a valuable supportive and bridging therapy for selected patients awaiting lung transplant. Future prospective studies are needed to define standardized protocols and evaluate transplant-specific outcomes. Full article

Indoor exposure to particulate matter (PM) is increasingly recognized as a major contributor to respiratory and cardiovascular risk, yet the relative contributions of outdoor pollution, building characteristics, and occupant behavior remain poorly resolved. PM₁ (aerodynamic diameter < 1 μm) warrants focus due to its higher alveolar deposition. “Evidence driven indoor air quality improvement” (EDIAQI) project aims to enhance indoor air quality guidelines and increase awareness by providing accessible data on exposure, pollution sources, and related risk factors. As part of the Zagreb pilot within the project, 103 paired indoor/outdoor PM₁ samples were analyzed. Seasonal analysis revealed substantial wintertime outdoor PM₁ spikes, while indoor medians remained stable. Chemometric analysis identified factors such as dwelling size, outdoor pollution, resuspension, building age/heating type, and urban context. Among the tested models, the validated gradient-boosted regressor (GBR) achieved the strongest performance, explaining ~65% variance in indoor PM₁ (test R² ≈ 0.65). Explainable machine learning analysis (SHAP) identified outdoor PM₁ levels, infiltration, and resuspension as the most influential predictors. Findings underscore wintertime outdoor emissions (e.g., residential heating and traffic) and dwelling-related and behavioral factors as key drivers, with the machine learning–environmental data integration enabling targeted residential IAQ management: optimized ventilation protocols, resuspension mitigation via behavior, and infiltration reduction through retrofits. Full article