Airflow Features Research Articles

MFS-DBF: A trustworthy multichannel feature sieve and decision boundary formulation system for Obstructive Sleep Apnea detection

The fine identification of sleep apnea events is instrumental in Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) diagnosis. The development of sleep apnea event detection algorithms based on polysomnography is becoming a research hotspot in medical signal processing. In this paper, we propose an Inverse-Projection based Visualization System (IPVS) for sleep apnea event detection algorithms. The IPVS consists of a feature dimensionality reduction module and a feature reconstruction module. First, features of blood oxygen saturation and nasal airflow are extracted and used as input data for event analysis. Then, visual analysis is conducted on the feature distribution for apnea events. Next, dimensionality reduction and reconstruction methods are combined to achieve the dynamic visualization of sleep apnea event feature sets and the visual analysis of classifier decision boundaries. Moreover, the decision-making consistency is explored for various sleep apnea event detection classifiers, which provides researchers and users with an intuitive understanding of the detection algorithm. We applied the IPVS to an OSA detection algorithm with an accuracy of 84% and a diagnostic accuracy of 92% on a publicly available dataset. The experimental results show that the consistency between our visualization results and prior medical knowledge provides strong evidence for the practicality of the proposed system. For clinical practice, the IPVS can guide users to focus on samples with higher uncertainty presented by the OSA detection algorithm, reducing the workload and improving the efficiency of clinical diagnosis, which in turn increases the value of trust.

Influence of air flow features on alpine wind energy potential

Wind energy is one of the potential options to fill the gap in renewable energy production in Switzerland during the winter season when the energy demand exceeds local production capacities. With likely further rising energy consumption in the future, the winter energy deficit may further increase. However, a reliable assessment of wind energy potential in complex terrain remains challenging. To obtain such information, numerical simulations are performed using a combination of the “Consortium for Small-scale Modeling” and “Weather Research and Forecasting” (COSMO-WRF) models initialized and driven by COSMO-1E model, which allows us to simulate the influence of topography at a horizontal resolution of 300 m. Two LiDAR measurement campaigns were conducted in the regions of Lukmanier Pass and Les Diablerets, Switzerland. Observational LiDAR data and measurements from nearby wind sensor networks are used to validate the COSMO-WRF simulations. The simulations show an improved representation of wind speed and direction near the ground compared to COSMO-1E. However, with increasing height and less effect of the terrain, COSMO-WRF tends to overestimate the wind speeds, following the bias that is already present in COSMO-1E. We investigate two characteristic mountain–terrain flow features, namely waves and Foehn. The effect of mountain-induced waves of the flow is investigated through an event that occurred in the area of Diablerets. One-year analysis for the frequency of conditions that are favorable for mountain wave formation is estimated. The Foehn impact on wind was observed in the Lukmanier domain. We attempt quantification of the probability of occurrence using the Foehnix model. The result shows a high probability of Foehn occurrence during the winter and early spring seasons. Our study highlights the importance of incorporating complex terrain-related meteorological events into the wind energy assessment. Furthermore, for an accurate assessment of wind speed in complex terrain, our study suggests the necessity to have a better representation of the topography compared to COSMO-1E.

Analysis of the airflow features and ventilation efficiency of an Ultra-Clean-Air operating theatre by qDNS simulations and experimental validation

Ultra-Clean-Air (UCA) operating theatres aim to minimise surgical instrument contamination and wound infection through high flow rates of ultra-clean air, reducing the presence of Microbe Carrying Particles (MCPs). This study investigates the airflow patterns and ventilation characteristics of a UCA operating theatre (OT) under standard ventilation system operating conditions, considering both empty and partially occupied scenarios. Utilising a precise computational model, quasi-Direct Numerical Simulations (qDNS) were conducted to delineate flow velocity profiles, energy spectra, distributions of turbulent kinetic energy, energy dissipation rate, local Kolmogorov scales, and pressure-based coherent structures. These results were also complemented by a tracer gas decay analysis following ASHRAE standard guidelines. Simulations showed that contrary to the intended laminar regime, the OT’s geometry inherently fosters a predominantly turbulent airflow, sustained until evacuation through the exhaust vents, and facilitating recirculation zones irrespective of occupancy level. Notably, the occupied scenario demonstrated superior ventilation efficiency, a phenomenon attributed to enhanced kinetic energy induced by the additional obstructions. The findings underscore the critical role of UCA-OT design in mitigating MCP dissemination, highlighting the potential to augment the design to optimise airflow across a broader theatre spectrum, thereby diminishing recirculation zones and consequently reducing the propensity for Surgical Site Infections (SSIs). The study advocates for design refinements to harness the turbulent dynamics beneficially, steering towards a safer surgical environment.

Numerical Simulation and Parameter Optimization of a New Reed–Nylon Net Combined Sand Fence

This paper introduces a kind of double-row reed–nylon net combined sand barrier. Using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method and the Euler–Euler double-fluid model, the new sand fences’ windproof effect and airflow features are simulated under different porosities and spacings, and the optimal configuration parameters are selected. The new sand fence has better windproof performance and practical significance than double-row reed and double-row nylon net fences. The new sand fences with a porosity of 0.3–0.4 and spacing of 28 H provide a longer protection range and a better wind protection effect. Considering the serious sand damage in China’s Taklamakan Desert, the new fences’ impact on sand buildup is examined. The combined sand fences have powerful sand blocking and accumulation effects, even though there is only a small quantity of sand accumulation on the leeward side of the second row. The sand particles primarily settle between sand fences in the center and rear areas. The combination of sand fences made of different materials combines the advantages of both, improves the construction efficiency and service life, and provides a more economical and efficient sand barrier arrangement for the arrangement of wind and sand-blocking facilities around railroads and highways in desert areas.

Tonality Perception Lessons Learned

The future is expected to bring Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) vehicles, including small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles and regional air mobility (RAM) vehicles. These manned and unmanned vehicles are propelled by rotors. Rotors tend to generate tonal sound as their blades interact periodically with airflow features. Since people are more sensitive to tonality, including tones, than broad band sound, AAM generated tonality is expected to be an important consideration for design. In this paper several tonality metrics are examined for their ability to explain perceived annoyance of AAM flyover noise as measured by NASA's Rotorcraft Sound Quality Metric 1 (RoQM-1) test. The various investigated metrics use one-third octave band, narrow band, and autocorrelation analysis. It is observed that tonality influences but does not control perceived flyover noise annoyance due to other sound qualities like roughness, consistent with previous work. The metrics are also examined for their ability to explain perceived tonality of sounds generated by IT equipment. The metrics based on autocorrelation are observed to best explain perceived tonality while also being among the best for explaining flyover annoyance. The plausibility of the auditory nervous system as a physiological auto-correlator is discussed.

Cluster Partition Operation Study of Air-Cooled Fan Groups in a Natural Wind Disturbance

This study discusses the influence of natural wind on the air flow of air-cooled condensers (ACCs) and then proposes a partition speed-regulation strategy for a fan group with enhanced generalized capability, which is of great practical significance for optimizing energy-saving operations. The stochastic time-varying features of natural wind are characterized by sine–Gaussian, Weibull, and composed winds. In a natural wind disturbance, using the Sugon Supercomputing Center, the transient numerical simulation of the dynamic evolution of the ACC flow field was found: the dynamic system of air flow is a typical time-varying nonlinear process. Cluster analysis was used to extract the nonlinear features of air flow, divide the fan group into four subregions with generalization capability, and implement a partitioned speed operation. It was found that giving priority to increasing the fan speed in the headwind partition can suppress the natural wind disturbance and improve the overall air flow, thus reducing the fan speed in the leeward partition, which reduces the overall air flow loss. The dynamic characteristics of the fan group obtained from the simulation and the proposed fan partition method can guide the optimized energy-saving operation of ACCs.

New insights on precise regulation of pollutant distribution inside a street canyon by different vegetation planting patterns.

Mixed-vegetation planting patterns are commonly seen in urban areas for specific reasons like aesthetic, cooling, and particle deposition effects of the vegetation. However, they may have a negative impact on human health by worsening the air quality inside the street canyon due to the decreased air exchange rate. From the view of precise control of pollutant concentration in the sensitive areas of people's concern in the existed street canyons, thirty-four cases with different vegetation planting patterns and pressure loss coefficients (λ) are studied numerically to investigate the effects of vegetation on airflow and pollutant dispersion inside the canyon. The cases of treeless and 2 rows of tree planting patterns in wind-tunnel measurements were selected for the model validation. The results demonstrate that compared to the treeless case, the greenbelts can greatly change the airflow features and reduce the pollutant concentration at the leeward side, while the only-tree planting patterns have little impact on the flow and deteriorate dispersion within the street canyon. Moreover, rows of greenbelts planted under the corresponding trees can reduce the average pollutant concentrations on the leeward wall and the footpath of the street canyon by up to 22.6% and 33.2%, respectively. Besides, the pattern of 1 row of trees with 1 row of greenbelts planted in the street canyon center should be suggested as the optimal mixed vegetation configuration in this study. That is because compared to the treeless case the pollutant concentration on leeward wall, windward wall, leeward footpath, and windward footpath can be reduced by 14.2%, 10.0%, 24.6%, and 37%, respectively. It is helpful to the city planners to consider whether the disadvantages of planting vegetation inside the street canyon would overwhelm the advantages.

Optimization of air inlet features of an active indirect mode solar dryer: A response surface approach

The effect of air flowing into an in an active indirect mode solar dryer was studied. The study aimed at optimizing the airflow features of a solar dryer of active indirect feature using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The factors of the experiment included the product slice thickness of the experimental product and the air vent of the dryer. The two factors were considered at five levels and a total of 13 experimental runs derived. The air vent was based on the following shape orientations: square, rectangular, circular, and triangular. The thickness of the product was considered at five levels of 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 mm. The responses from the experimental set up were the air flow rate and drag force, which were determined using established equations. The optimum values for the air flow rate and drag force were 0.0275 m3/s and 0.0476N, respectively. The corresponding optimal conditions which gave the optimum responses were 100 cm2 - square inlet and product slice thickness of 20 mm for air flow rate and 80 cm2 -rectangular inlet and product slice thickness of 20 mm for drag force, respectively. The models for predicting the responses were adequate, with r-square values 0.9463 and 0.9376 and desirabilities of 99.2 and 95.0% for air flow rate and drag force respectively. The experiment was repeated using the optimal conditions to validate the optimum responses. The variation between the predicted and experimental data was less than 8%.

A numerical investigation of inter-carriage gap configurations on the aerodynamic performance of a wind-tunnel train model

The influence of different inter-carriage gap configurations, including end wall geometries (3 cases) and gap spacings (0, 5, 8, 10, 15, 20, and 30 mm), on the aerodynamic characteristics of a wind-tunnel train was investigated. The shear stress transport (SST) k- ω turbulence model was employed to determine the airflow features of the train at Re = 2.25 × 106. For validation, the numerical drag force and pressure distributions on the streamlined heads were compared with the experimental benchmark of wind tunnel experiment. The numerical data show that substantial variations in the flow fields, pressure distributions and aerodynamic forces are observed between the trains with and without gap spacings, no matter which configuration is employed. As the gap spacing increases, the airflow along train body rushes into the gap easily, causing the formation of vortices at the gap between the internal and external windshields. The decreasing restriction of flow in the gap also contributes to the pressure differences on the end walls. With the increase of gap spacings, the pressure on both of the first and second inter-carriage gaps is decreased, and it on the first one is a little higher than that on the second at each gap spacing. The end wall geometry affects the flow structures around the train, especially in the region below half-height of the train. This results in a difference in the boundary layer thicknesses and drag contribution in all cases. The discrepancy of end wall geometry causes a substantial variation in the aerodynamic drag between different cases. As gap spacing increases, the aerodynamic drag of the head car decreases, while those of the middle and rear cars increase significantly. When the three cases are compared, the discrepancy of the total aerodynamic drag of Case 1 is the smallest when compared to the base case with a minimum of 0.03% at 10 mm gap spacing and followed by 0.05% at 8 mm. Therefore, to determine the aerodynamic forces for high-speed trains with fully enclosed inter-carriage configuration in wind tunnel test, having a high comparative value as the actual trains, the end wall geometry in Case 1 is recommended with a gap spacing of 10 mm or 8 mm.

Links between language, fluid dynamics, and the airflows that transport pathogens

Growing evidence shows that the airflows that accompany speech during social interactions contribute to the transport of pathogens, such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, it is still elusive how the manners of articulation during speaking, such as time-varying airflow rate, and instantaneous teeth and lip movements, may affect the transport features of airflow exiting the mouth. We combine experimental and numerical approaches to investigate the flow patterns produced by representative vowels, such as /a/, /o/, and /i/, and consonants, such as /p/, /k/, /s/, and /h/, that have distinct articulatory characteristics. A 3D vocal tract is modeled with a temporally varying exit that captures key morphologic and kinematic features of the human vocal tract, including teeth and lips, during speaking. An incompressible flow solver based on a sharp-interface immersed-boundary-method (IBM) is employed to compute the resultant airflow. By comparing representative utterance pairs, like /apa/ and /aha/, we are able to isolate the effect of articulatory features and show significant differences in spatial-temporal patterns of airflow under the influences of a time-varying orifice, different orifice aspect ratios, and different relative lip-teeth positions. This work helps bring insight into the understanding of articulatory phonetics, and the links to different languages, from a fluid dynamics perspective.

Unraveling the Pathogenesis of Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Overlap: Focusing on Epigenetic Mechanisms.

Asthma and COPD overlap (ACO) is characterized by patients presenting with persistent airflow limitation and features of both asthma and COPD. It is associated with a higher frequency and severity of exacerbations, a faster lung function decline, and a higher healthcare cost. Systemic inflammation in COPD and asthma is driven by type 1 T helper (Th1) and Th2 immune responses, respectively, both of which may contribute to airway remodeling in ACO. ACO-related biomarkers can be classified into four categories: neutrophil-mediated inflammation, Th2 cell responses, arachidonic acid-eicosanoids pathway, and metabolites. Gene–environment interactions are key contributors to the complexity of ACO and are regulated by epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs. Thus, this review focuses on the link between epigenetics and ACO, and outlines the following: (I) inheriting epigenotypes without change with environmental stimuli, or epigenetic changes in response to long-term exposure to inhaled particles plus intermittent exposure to specific allergens; (II) epigenetic markers distinguishing ACO from COPD and asthma; (III) potential epigenetic drugs that can reverse oxidative stress, glucocorticoid insensitivity, and cell injury. Improved understanding of the epigenetic regulations holds great value to give deeper insight into the mechanisms, and clarify their implications for biomedical research in ACO.

Speech air flow with and without face masks

Face masks slow exhaled air flow and sequester exhaled particles. There are many types of face masks on the market today, each having widely varying fits, filtering, and air redirection characteristics. While particle filtration and flow resistance from masks has been well studied, their effects on speech air flow has not. We built a schlieren system and recorded speech air flow with 14 different face masks, comparing it to mask-less speech. All of the face masks reduced air flow from speech, but some allowed air flow features to reach further than 40 cm from a speaker’s lips and nose within a few seconds, and all the face masks allowed some air to escape above the nose. Evidence from available literature shows that distancing and ventilation in higher-risk indoor environment provide more benefit than wearing a face mask. Our own research shows all the masks we tested provide some additional benefit of restricting air flow from a speaker. However, well-fitted mask specifically designed for the purpose of preventing the spread of disease reduce air flow the most. Future research will study the effects of face masks on speech communication in order to facilitate cost/benefit analysis of mask usage in various environments.

Features of air flow and heat transfer control behind a backward-facing step using a vortex generator pair

The paper presents experimental results on the study of flow dynamics and heat transfer in the separation region behind the backward-facing step with longitudinal vortex generators (VG) installed at an angle to the flow of 30° at Re = 4000. The VG installation reduces the recirculation region and the induced longitudinal vortices and rearranges the flow structure in the separation region. The influence of a VG on the local and average thermal characteristics behind the backward-facing step is investigated and their thermohydraulic efficiency is estimated.

Experimental measurements of airflow features and velocity distribution exhaled from sneeze and speech using particle image velocimetry

Airflow exhaled from sneeze and speech is an important source of viruses and droplets in daily life and may cause imperceptible virus propagation. The velocities of sneeze and speech airflow exhaled from 10 healthy young participants repeatedly using high-frequency (2986 Hz) particle image velocimetry are measured. The parameters for describing the dynamic process of sneeze airflow, such as sneeze duration time (SDT), peak velocity time (PVT), maximum velocities, and sneeze spread angle, are analyzed. The sneeze airflow lasts 430 ms (SDT) and reaches the peak velocity in the first 20 ms (PVT). The maximum sneeze airflow velocity is approximately 15.9 m/s. The temporal variation of the sneeze velocity exhibits the gamma distribution. For speech airflow, the maximum instantaneous velocity and maximum time-averaged velocity are reported. The maximum instantaneous velocity is approximately 6.25 m/s, whereas the time-averaged value is only 0.208 m/s owing to the extremely small airflow velocity among syllables. The vertical/horizontal spread angles of the airflow are 15.1°/15.4° for sneeze and 52.9°/42.9° for speech. The difference in airflow features based on gender is generally slight for both sneeze and speech. Subsequently, an ensemble-average operation is conducted to obtain the general and representative velocity distributions. We report each component of the temporal and spatial velocity distributions of the sneeze airflow and the time-averaged velocity distribution of the speech airflow. These detailed distribution data can provide a comprehensive understanding of sneeze and speech airflow movement mechanisms as well as a detailed database for future sneeze and speech computational fluid dynamics simulations.

Aerodynamic characteristics in upper airways among orthodontic patients and its association with adenoid nasopharyngeal ratios in lateral cephalograms

BackgroundAdenoid hypertrophy among orthodontic patients may be detected in lateral cephalograms. The study investigates the aerodynamic characteristics within the upper airway (UA) by means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. Furthermore, airflow features are compared between subgroups according to the adenoidal nasopharyngeal (AN) ratios.MethodsThis retrospective study included thirty-five patients aged 9–15 years having both lateral cephalogram and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging that covered the UA region. The cases were divided into two subgroups according to the AN ratios measured on the lateral cephalograms: Group 1 with an AN ratio < 0.6 and Group 2 with an AN ratio ≥ 0.6. Based on the CBCT images, segmented UA models were created and the aerodynamic characteristics at inspiration and expiration were simulated by the CFD method for the two groups. The studied aerodynamic parameters were pressure drop (ΔP), maximum midsagittal velocity (Vms), maximum wall shear stress (Pws), and minimum wall static pressure (Pw).ResultsThe maximum Vms exhibits nearly 30% increases in Group 2 at both inspiration (p = 0.013) and expiration (p = 0.045) compared to Group 1. For the other aerodynamic parameters such as ΔP, the maximum Pws, and minimum Pw, no significant difference is found between the two groups.ConclusionsThe maximum Vms seems to be the most sensitive aerodynamic parameter for the groups of cases. An AN ratio of more than 0.6 measured on a lateral cephalogram may associate with a noticeably increased maximum Vms, which could assist clinicians in estimating the airflow features in the UA.

Analysis of flow field and turbulence predictions in a lung model applying RANS and implications for particle deposition

Airflow and aerosol deposition in the human airways are important aspects for applications such as pulmonary drug delivery and human exposure to aerosol pollutants. Numerical simulations are widely used nowadays to shed light in airflow features and particle deposition patterns inside the airways. For that purpose, the Euler/Lagrange approach is adopted for predicting flow field and particle deposition through point-particle tracking. Steady-state RANS (Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes) computations of flow evolution in an extended lung model applying different turbulence models were conducted and compared to measurements as well as high resolution LES (large-eddy simulations) for several flow rates. In addition, various inlet boundary conditions were considered and their influence on the predicted flow field was analysed. The results showed that the mean velocity field was simulated reasonably well, however, turbulence intensity was completely under-predicted by two-equation turbulence models. Only a Reynolds-stress model (RSM) was able predicting a turbulence level comparable to the measurements and the high resolution LES. Remarkable reductions in wall deposition were observed when wall effects were accounted for in the drag and lift force expressions. Naturally, turbulence is an essential contribution to particle deposition and it is well known that two-equation turbulence models considerably over-predict deposition due to the spurious drift effect. A full correction of this error is only possible in connection with a Reynolds-stress turbulence model whereby the predicted deposition in dependence of particle diameter yielded better agreement to the LES predictions. Specifically, with the RSM larger deposition is predicted for smaller particles and lower deposition fraction for larger particles compared to LES. The local deposition fraction along the lung model was numerically predicted with the same trend as found from the measurements, however the values in the middle region of the lung model were found to be somewhat larger.

The effect of the airflow pattern inside air gaps on the assessment of interstitial mould: A theoretical approach

Internal wall insulation is one of the few, possibly, the only feasible solution to efficiently reduce heat losses through the external walls of buildings where the application of external insulation is not an option, for example, in conservation areas. However, the application of this intervention may lead to unintended consequences, such as moisture accumulation and mould growth. Currently, no international standards and regulations exist to evaluate these hazards via non-destructive inspections. Air sampling through impaction and culture-based analysis was suggested in previous research as a potential non-disruptive methodology for interstitial mould testing. The method requires the perforation of the inner side of a wall and the creation of airflow through the operation of a pump, to allow the collection of particles from the confined space of interest. The present study aimed to assess the location of perforations and their effect on the airflow created and the airflow pattern variations due to changes in the airflow velocity at the outlet. Results regarding airflow features such as the turbulence intensity, dynamic pressure and volume-averaged velocity were also extracted and discussed. Practical application: The rapid changes in climate and net-zero emissions targets call for major improvements of the existing building stock towards a more sustainable future. The installation of internal wall insulation is one of the few and might be the only feasible solution for the efficient reduction of heat losses through uninsulated walls. However, this intervention might lead to moisture accumulation and thus moisture-related problems such as mould growth. This study aims to build upon previous work on interstitial mould growth assessment and contribute to the development of a well-defined testing protocol for building professionals.

Experimental study of the effects of droplet number density on turbulence-driven polydisperse droplet size growth

Abstract

Flow-Identified Site of Collapse During Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy: Feasibility and Preliminary Results

Flow-Identified Site of Collapse During Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy: Feasibility and Preliminary Results

Weather-driven infiltration and interzonal airflow in a multifamily high-rise building: Dwelling infiltration distribution

As multifamily high-rise buildings have various infiltration and interzonal airflow distributions caused by wind and stack interactions, dwelling infiltration from the outdoor air and interzonal airflow varies depending on the floor and direction. Thus, the different infiltration is one of major factors on the indoor air or energy demand loads of dwelling units in the buildings. This study characterizes dwelling infiltration distributions in multifamily high-rise buildings that accounts for infiltration and interzonal airflow, which are caused by the interactions of stack and wind effects. To do so, typical reference choices were determined for the building, annual weather conditions, leakage area levels, and analysis methods. The infiltration and interzonal airflow were characterized by season, floor, household (or direction), and leakage level. While past studies largely ignored the contribution of interzonal airflow, this paper demonstrates here that this contribution is predominant (about 80%) and exhibits significant variation between floors. Finally, this study finds that infiltration rates by household and interzonal airflow differences by floor should be addressed more carefully for annual dwelling infiltration distributions. In addition, three leakage relationships are defined by air driving forces (stack and/or wind effects) and household locations in terms of the annual dwelling infiltration distribution. Considering the leakage area of household entrance door is emphasized for dwelling infiltration. Based on the leakage level of household entrance, interesting airflow features, such as wind-driven interzonal airflow or wind-driven infiltration on upper floors under the strong stack effect, are observed.