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Background We propose a modified lung ultrasound (LUS) score in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), which includes posterior instead of lateral lung fields, and a 5-grade rating scale instead of a 4-grade rating scale. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of the rating scale and its correlation with blood oxygenation and to assess the ability of early post-birth scans to predict the mode of respiratory support on day of life 3 (DOL 3). As a secondary objective, the weight of posterior scans in the overall LUS score was assessed. Methods We analyzed 619 serial lung scans performed in 70 preterm infants < 32 weeks gestation and birth weight < 1500 g. Assessments were performed within 24 h of birth (LUS0) and on days 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21 and 28. LUS scores were correlated with oxygen saturation over fraction of inspired oxygen (S/F) and mode of respiratory support. Interrater agreement was determined with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach’s alpha. Probabilities of the need for various respiratory support modes on DOL 3 were assessed with ordinal logistic regression. Least square (ls) means of the posterior and anterior pulmonary field scores were compared. Results The LUS score correlated significantly with S/F (Spearman rho = −0.635; p < 0.0001) and had excellent interrater agreement (ICC = 0.94, 95% CI 0.93–0.95; Cronbach’s alpha = 0.99). Significant predictors of ventilation requirements on DOL 3 were LUS0 (p < 0.016) and birth weight (BW) (p < 0.001). In the ROC analysis, LUS0 had high reliability in prognosing invasive ventilation on DOL 3 (AUC = 0.845 (95% DeLong CI: 0.738–0.951; p < 0.001)). Invasive ventilation was the most likely mode of respiratory support for LUS0 scores: ≥7 (in infants with BW 900 g), ≥ 10 (in infants with BW 1050 g) and ≥ 15 (in infants with BW 1280 g). Posterior fields exhibited significantly higher average scores than anterior fields. Respective ls means (confidence levels) were 4.0 (3.8–4.1) vs. 2.2 (2.0–2.4); p < 0.001. Conclusions Post-birth LUS predicts ventilation requirements on DOL 3. Scores of posterior pulmonary fields have a predominant weight in the overall LUS score.

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Fluid flow consideration in fin-tube heat exchanger optimizationThe optimization of finned tube heat exchanger is presented focusing on different fluid velocities and the consideration of aerodynamic configuration of the fin. It is reasonable to expect an influence of fin profile on the fluid streamline direction. In the cross-flow heat exchanger, the air streams are not heated and cooled evenly. The fin and tube geometry affects the flow direction and influences temperature changes. The heat transfer conditions are modified by changing the distribution of fluid mass flow. The fin profile impact also depends on the air velocity value. Three-dimensional models are developed to find heat transfer characteristics between a finned tube and the air for different air velocities and fin shapes. Mass flow weighted average temperatures of air volume flow rate are calculated in the outlet section and compared for different fin/tube shapes in order to optimize heat transfer between the fin material and air during the air flow in the cross flow heat exchanger.

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To choose the proper design for a heat exchanger in engineering industry and to evaluate the finned surface performance it is important to calculate fin efficiency. The heat transfer conditions, in tube-fin heat exchangers, can be modified for instance by changing the fin shapes. The angle of louver inclination affects the fluid flow direction and it has the effect on the heat transfer and temperature changes. In the paper, the heat transfer is estimated numerically for fins with and without louvers to choose the optimal louver angle in the car radiator. Numerical analyses are carried out to examine finned tube heat exchanger and to determine the performance of the radiator for eight different louver angles. Solutions are obtained by means of ANSYS program. The tube material is kept fixed as well as the heat exchanger fin and tube pitches (spacing) and the inlet air velocity.

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