Artificial Intelligence in Sustainable Vertical Farming

As global challenges of population growth, climate change, and resource scarcity intensify, the agricultural landscape is at a critical juncture. Sustainable vertical farming emerges as a transformative solution to address these challenges by maximizing crop yields in controlled environments. This paradigm shift necessitates the integration of cutting-edge technologies, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the forefront. The paper provides a comprehensive exploration of the role of AI in sustainable vertical farming, investigating its potential, challenges, and opportunities. The review synthesizes the current state of AI applications, encompassing machine learning, computer vision, the Internet of Things (IoT), and robotics, in optimizing resource usage, automating tasks, and enhancing decision-making. It identifies gaps in research, emphasizing the need for optimized AI models, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the development of explainable AI in agriculture. The implications extend beyond efficiency gains, considering economic viability, reduced environmental impact, and increased food security. The paper concludes by offering insights for stakeholders and suggesting avenues for future research, aiming to guide the integration of AI technologies in sustainable vertical farming for a resilient and sustainable future in agriculture

A multi-faceted intervention to reduce low value diagnostic studies in a medical intensive care unit.

Routine daily chest x-rays (CXRs) and laboratory studies have been identified as low-value care practices that contribute to the rising cost of healthcare without improving quality or outcomes. There is a large body of evidence as well as recommendations from multiple professional organizations for providers to not order unnecessary daily or routine diagnostic studies. Rather, these should be ordered in an on-demand fashion as a response to a specific clinical query. Despite the strength of recommendations, practice remains variable across the U.S. The reasons for resistance to practice change as well as the most effective strategies for implementing sustainable change are not well understood. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to evaluate the impact of a multifaceted intervention on the number of routine or daily chest x-rays and laboratory studies ordered by advanced practice providers and medical residents in a medical intensive care unit (MICU). The project aims are to 1) examine baseline ordering practices among MICU providers, 2) survey their knowledge, confidence, beliefs, and barriers surrounding daily diagnostic testing, 3) provide education to providers on current clinical guidelines, 4) implement the guidelines through the use of a clinical decision support tool, and 5) assess provider ordering practices post intervention . The primary outcome is to decrease the number of daily CXRs, BMPs, CBCs, and ABGs ordered unnecessarily in a medical intensive care unit

Development, Implementation and Outcomes of a Quality Assurance System for the Provision of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in the Intensive Care Unit

Critically ill patients with requirement of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) represent a growing intensive care unit (ICU) population. Optimal CRRT delivery demands continuous communication between stakeholders, iterative adjustment of therapy, and quality assurance systems. This Quality Improvement (QI) study reports the development, implementation and outcomes of a quality assurance system to support the provision of CRRT in the ICU. This study was carried out at the University of Kentucky Medical Center between September 2016 and June 2019. We implemented a quality assurance system using a step-wise approach based on the (a) assembly of a multidisciplinary team, (b) standardization of the CRRT protocol, (c) creation of electronic CRRT flowsheets, (d) selection, monitoring and reporting of quality metrics of CRRT deliverables, and (e) enhancement of education. We examined 34-month data comprising 1185 adult patients on CRRT (~ 7420 patient-days of CRRT) and tracked selected QI outcomes/metrics of CRRT delivery. As a result of the QI interventions, we increased the number of multidisciplinary experts in the CRRT team and ensured a continuum of education to health care professionals. We maximized to 100% the use of continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration and doubled the percentage of patients using regional citrate anticoagulation. The delivered CRRT effluent dose (~ 30 ml/kg/h) and the delivered/prescribed effluent dose ratio (~ 0.89) remained stable within the study period. The average filter life increased from 26 to 31 h (p = 0.020), reducing the mean utilization of filters per patient from 3.56 to 2.67 (p = 0.054) despite similar CRRT duration and mortality rates. The number of CRRT access alarms per treatment day was reduced by 43%. The improvement in filter utilization translated into ~ 20,000 USD gross savings in filter cost per 100-patient receiving CRRT. We satisfactorily developed and implemented a quality assurance system for the provision of CRRT in the ICU that enabled sustainable tracking of CRRT deliverables and reduced filter resource utilization at our institution

Diverse perceptions of smart spaces

This is the era of smart technology and of ‘smart’ as a meme, so we have run three workshops to examine the ‘smart’ meme and the exploitation of smart environments. The literature relating to smart spaces focuses primarily on technologies and their capabilities. Our three workshops demonstrated that we require a stronger user focus if we are advantageously to exploit spaces ascribed as smart: we examined the concept of smartness from a variety of perspectives, in collaboration with a broad range of contributors. We have prepared this monograph mainly to report on the third workshop, held at Bournemouth University in April 2012, but do also consider the lessons learned from all three. We conclude with a roadmap for a fourth (and final) workshop, which is intended to emphasise the overarching importance of the humans using the spac

Investigation of an embedded-optical-base system's functionality in detecting signal events for gait measurements

2018 Fall.Includes bibliographical references.Optical sensors have the potential to provide automated gait analysis and lameness detection in livestock. Measuring animals in motion while under field conditions is difficult for current gait analysis tools, such as plate and mat methods. This has caused a lack in commercially available systems. Additionally, a deficit of these systems and others is too much noise in their signal. Current sensor systems for static or in-motion measurements rely significantly on managing this noise as a source of error. From these problems, the primary objective of this body of work was to assess the use of an embedded-optical-base system (EOBS) and its ability to obtain real-time gait measurements from livestock. The research was composed of 3 field studies and 1 controlled study. Gait data was obtained using a commercial platform (2.4 m x 0.9 m; length x width) containing 1 EOBS. A signal-base-unit (SBU) and computer were setup near the EOBS platform by integrated cabling to collect real-time signal data. Signal fluctuation measurements (i.e., signal amplitude from hoof contact; 0 to 1 arbitrary units (au)) and kinematics (e.g., estimated speed, velocity and time duration) were recorded. The sensor detected hoof contact as signal amplitudes that could be examined in real time. Visual observations and video analyses were used for validating and classifying signal readings. The initial pilot study (field test) included 8 fistulated, crossbred steers (n = 8) tested over 1 d with 2 passes per animal over the EOBS platform. Pilot study data were used to evaluate initial signal fluctuations from animal contact. A second field study included 50 crossbred and purebred (n = 20, Angus; n = 10, Hereford; n = 20, Angus x Hereford) steers and heifers (n = 50; average BW = 292.5 kg) tested on 2 d over a 1-wk period with a total of 6 passes over the EOBS platform per animal. Steer and heifer normal walks, runs, and abnormal passes over the EOBS platform were analyzed. A third controlled study consisted of 3 mixed breed horses (n = 3) that had bilateral forelimb injections. Horses had both deep digital flexor muscles injected (1 with Botox and 1 with saline) with right and left forelimbs randomized. Horses were observed on 3 d over a 124-d period consisting of pre-treatment (baseline), post-treatment, and recovery test days with 10 passes over the EOBS platform per horse per day. Primary fluctuations, true (anomaly free) signal readings, from animal contact with the EOBS platform were analyzed. True signal readings were determined based on no influence observed from other limbs. A fourth field study consisted of 8 commercial bulls (n = 8) tested on 1 d with 3 passes over the EOBS platform per bull. Bulls were classified as either normal or abnormal in musculoskeletal structure and compared to one another to observe differences in signal fluctuation patterns. During the cattle studies, animals were not controlled and allowed to walk over the EOBS platform at their own pace. These studies formed the groundwork to determine the EOBS's functionality when animals passed over the platform. Signalment (i.e., breed, sex and age) and physiological characterizations were recorded. Temperature was also recorded for cattle field tests (e.g., min -6°C to max 4°C, respectively). For all 4 studies individual animal signal measurements were analyzed for each pass over the EOBS platform, compared to video data and classified for analysis. Results from all 4 studies showed intra- and inter-animal repeatability (qualitative observation) of observed signal readings. Though a variety of hoof contact signatures were obtained, repeating patterns were evident for both groups and individual animals. The embedded-optical-base system's (EOBS) functionality proved to be robust and operable under field trial conditions. Additionally, the signal showed extremely minimal noise. Lastly, the EOBS showed a stable baseline with clear deviations from it that could be correlated to hoof contact through video validation. Though the EOBS detected animal contact per pass, future work will investigate the system's operating readiness in accurately assessing variable gait measurements for lameness detection. Overall, data provides evidence that the embedded-optical-base system (EOBS) can detect hoof contact and differentiation between types of gait based on signal events

마이크로 전산화 단층촬영을 이용한 3차원 골-임플란트 접촉률 측정 조건 탐색과 조직학적 측정법과의 비교

학위논문(박사) -- 서울대학교대학원 : 치과대학 치의과학과, 2023. 8. 여인성.Purpose: Histological analysis is widely regarded as the gold standard method of evaluating osseointegration around a bone-implant. However, this approach requires invasive specimen preparation and is limited to representing only a single plane. By comparison, micro-computed tomography (μCT) offers a rapid and convenient alternative that provides three-dimensional information, but is hampered by resolution and artifacts-related issue, making it a supplementary method for osseointegration analysis. To verify the reliability of μCT for osseointegration evaluation, this animal model study compared bone-to-implant contact (BIC) ratios obtained by the gold standard histomorphometric method with those obtained by the μCT method, using a rabbit tibia implant model. Materials and methods: A sandblasted, large-grit, acid-etched (SLA) implant and a machined surface implant were inserted into each tibia of two rabbits (giving eight implants in total). Bone-implant specimens were analyzed using μCT with a spiral scan technique (SkyScan 1275) and histological sections were prepared thereafter. Three-dimensional (3D) reconstructed μCT data and four two-dimensional (2D) μCT sections, including one section corresponding to the histologic section and three additional sections rotated 45°, 90°, and 135°, were used to calculate the BIC ratio. The Pearsons test was used for correlation analysis at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The histomorphometric BIC and the 2D-μCT BIC showed strong correlation (r = 0.762, P = 0.046), whereas the histomorphometric BIC and 3D-μCT BIC did not (r = -0.375, P = 0.385). However, the mean BIC value of three or four 2D-μCT sections showed a strong correlation with the 3D-μCT BIC (three sections: r = 0.781, P = 0.038; four sections: r = 0.804, P = 0.029). Conclusion: The results of this animal model study indicate that μCT can serve as a valuable complement to the histomorphometric method for bone-implant interface analyses. With the limitations of this study, 3D-μCT analysis may even have a superior aspect by eliminating random variables that can arise as a consequence of the selected cutting direction.목 적 : 치과용 임플란트의 골유착 평가는 조직학적 분석법을 통하여 골과 임플란트의 부착률을 분석하는 것이 표준으로 여겨지고 있으나, 침습적인 시편 준비과정과 함께 3차원적인 임플란트와 골의 계면 중 한 단면만을 평가한다는 단점이 있다. 그에 따라, 미세 전산화 단층촬영(micro-CT)을 활용한 골유착 분석법이 활용되고 있으나, 표준화된 방법이 제시되어 있지 않으며 해상도 및 artifact등의 문제로 인하여 보조적인 방법으로만 활용되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 spiral scanning을 활용한 micro-CT의 골-임플란트 계면 분석법을 기존의 표준방법인 조직학적 분석법과 비교하고 평가하였다. 방 법 : 토끼 경골 모델을 사용하여, 총 2마리의 토끼의 양쪽 경골에 각각 2개씩의 임플란트를 식립하여 총 8개의 임플란트를 식립하였다. 8개의 임플란트 중 4개는 SLA 표면처리가 되었고, 나머지 4개는 Turned 표면을 사용하였으며 각 표면의 임플란트는 경골에 교차 식립되었다. 식립 4주후 실험동물을 희생하여 골-임플란트 시편을 체취하였고, spiral scanning을 활용하여 micro-CT (SkyScan 1275)로 촬영한 뒤, 통상적인 방법에 따라 조직 시편을 제작하였다. Micro-CT촬영 정보를 활용하여 3차원적으로 골-임플란트 계면을 재구축하였고, 재구축한 임플란트 계면상에서 총 4개의 2차원 단면을 다시 선택하였다. 각 4개의 2차원 단면은 조직 시편과 동일한 평면을 포함하여, 해당 평면으로부터 45°, 90°, 135° 회전시킨 평면이다. 3차원으로 재구축한 골-임플란트 계면 (CT-3D), 4개의 2차원 단면 (CT-2D), 조직 시편 (histo-2D)의 골-임플란트 부착률을 구하였다. 각 측정방법의 상관관계 평가를 위해 Pearson 상관계수 분석을 사용하였으며, 임플란트 표면간의 차이를 평가하기 위해 독립 t-검정이 사용되었다. 결 과 : 골-임플란트 부착률을 보았을 때, histo-2D와 CT-2D 중 조직 시편과 동일한 평면 간에는 강한 상관관계를 보였으나 (r = 0.762, P = 0.046), histo-2D와 CT-3D 간에는 상관관계를 보이지 않았다 (r = -0.375, P = 0.385). CT-2D의 평면에서 3개나 4개의 평면의 평균값을 사용했을 때는 CT-3D와 강한 상관관계를 보였다. (3개의 평면: r = 0.781, P = 0.038; 4개의 평면: r = 0.804, P = 0.029). 두 종류의 임플란트 표면간에는 골-임플란트 부착률 간에 유의한 차이를 보이지 않았다. 결 론 : 본 동물 실험의 결과는 micro-CT가 골-임플란트 계면 평가의 보완적인 수단으로 사용될 수 있음을 시사한다. 본 연구의 한계 하에서, micro-CT를 이용한 3차원 분석은 조직 시편 제작시 절삭 방향에 따라 선택된 단면으로 인한 임의성 변수를 제거할 수 있다는 점에서 우수한 측면을 가질 수 있다.I. BACKGROUND 1 II. INTRODUCTION 5 III. MATERIALS AND METHODS 6 1. Specimen preparation and In vivo Implant surgery 7 2. Micro-CT scanning and data reconstruction 10 3. Undecalcified specimen preparation and histomorphometry 10 4. Analysis procedure for 2D and 3D Micro-CT 11 5. Statistics 16 IV. RESULTS 17 1. Clinical results of experimental animals 17 2. Histomorphometrical BIC ratio assessment 17 3. Measurement conditions of micro-CT analysis and 2D, 3D micro-CT BIC ratio assessment 19 4. Correlations between the BIC ratios determined using histomorphometry, 2D-μCT with different cutting directions, and 3D-μCT images 19 V. DISCUSSION 23 VI. CONCLUSIONS 29 VII. SUPPORTING INFORMATION 30 VIII. The published paper related to this study 32 REFERENCES 33 ABSTRACT IN KOREAN 40박