Experimental Study of a Solar Thermal Incubator Using a Phase-Change Material for Off-Grid Use

The aim of this study was to provide a simple, easy-to-use incubation system for small-scale rural poultry farmers far from the electricity grid. To this end, a naturally ventilated solar thermal incubator was built and experimentally tested. A U-shaped evacuated tube collector and a wooden crate holding 50 eggs were used to build the solar thermal incubator. Water was used as the heat transfer fluid, and an EPCM was integrated into the incubation chamber for operation at night or when the sun was hidden. The heat generated by the solar collector and stored in the heat transfer fluid is transported to the incubation chamber by thermosiphon to heat the chamber. Temperature and humidity probes powered by a solar panel were placed at various locations to monitor the thermo-hygrometric efficiency of the incubation system. The incubator, heated by natural convection, proved to function normally, and the incubation chamber was maintained throughout the incubation period within a temperature range of 35.53˚C to 39.53˚C and relative humidity averaging 49.4% to 68.5%. The experiment was carried out by introducing 30 eggs and the results of the experimental study showed that the incubator’s efficiency was 87%. The performance tests gave a fertility rate of 93% and a hatching rate of 93%, i.e. 28 fertile eggs and 26 hatched eggs, respectively.

Experimental Study of Temperature and Humidity Variations in an Incubator Fitted with a Flat-Plate Collector

In Burkina Faso, where livestock farming is widely practiced, particularly in rural areas without access to electricity, solar energy offers a viable alternative due to the country’s abundant sunshine. To support poultry farmers in increasing their production, we developed a solar-powered incubator equipped with a flat-plate collector, requiring no grid electricity. This is a new approach that we want to experiment with because the incubators on the global market operate either with the electricity grid, photovoltaic, gas or oil and not a solar thermal concentrator. This solar concentrator represents the heat source of the device during the day. We plan to look for rocks with high thermal inertia in order to heat them during the day using another flat solar concentrator and then introduce them into the incubator at night to continue the incubation process. In 2022, we conducted a simulation to study temperature variation inside the incubator. In this work, we built a prototype to experimentally evaluate key hydrothermal properties such as air temperature and humidity. Furthermore, we will not introduce rocks into the incubator overnight but will let the system run overnight to see how the hygrothermal properties vary. The findings revealed temperature fluctuations from 25˚C to 65˚C, instead of the desired 36˚C to 38˚C, and humidity levels ranging from 15% to 57%, instead of the target 55% to 75%. Solutions have been proposed to enhance the system’s performance.

Giraffe Incubator婴儿培养箱常见故障维修

简要介绍了Giraffe Incubator婴儿培养箱的用途,详细分析了该培养箱日常使用中出现的4例故障维修过程,并给出了具体的排除方法,为医院临床工程师维修类似故障提供参考。最后指出了部分故障由于操作人员操作不当引起,建议定期对操作人员进行培训与考核,以降低故障发生率。

A microliter incubator array for understanding culture condition selectivity

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains and the weaponization of rare bacterial strains pose a potential threat of pandemic disease. Those involved in the treatment and control of infectious diseases have called for the development of a device capable of rapidly, simultaneously, and safely investigate a myriad of culture conditions. In response to this need, a microliter incubator array system is described and results from a proof-of-concept study using yeast cells to determine optimal growth conditions is presented.

Does the incubator control mode influence outcomes of low-birth-weight neonates during the first days of life and at hospital discharge?

Background: The thermal environment surrounding neonates in closed incubators can be regulated via two different modes: skin servocontrol mode (SSC) and air temperature control mode (ATC). These produce different patterns of incubator air and infant body temperatures. Objective: To assess the effects of incubator control mode on clinical outcomes of low-birth-weight-infants during the first days of life and at hospital discharge. Methods: 52 low-birth-weight neonates were nursed over ten days in closed incubators functioning either with SSC mode (n = 29), or with ATC mode (n = 23). Results: The anthropomorphic characteristics of the two groups of neonates were homogenous (gestational age = 29.4 ± 1.4 vs. 29.9 ± 1.2 weeks and birthweight = 1214 ± 347 vs. 1263 ±292 gin the SSC-group and the ATC-group, respectively) and the caregiving (energy and fluid intakes, ventilator assistance and drug administration) did not differ statistically. Daily means of incubator air temperature were similar in the SSC and the ATC-group, however, the SSC mode resulted in more variable incubator air temperature but more stable skin abdominal temperature whereas the reverse was found when using the ATC mode. Those differences had no impact on the body weight of the neonates or their clinical outcomes at hospital discharge which were not statistically different. Conclusion: The clinical outcomes do not differ depending on the incubator control mode after the first ten days of life and at hospital discharge.

What European Incubators Can Learn From Their American Counterparts： An Analysis of the Critical Success Factors for a Startup Incubator

This study suggests a theoretical component to the thus far proposed explanations of what makes a startup incubator successful in enabling entrepreneurial activity. Departing from a traditional focus on industry- and nation-wide resources, we develop a framework of the critical success factors for a startup incubator and a scoring mechanism to evaluate the success of existing startup incubators using these factors. We score a selection of American and European incubators using the developed scoring mechanism and comparatively benchmark the European incubators against the American ones to identify areas for improvement. Our findings suggest that European incubators, while relatively strong overall, can look to and learn from their American counterparts in certain areas. Importantly, these improvement areas are not specific to characteristics of any individual European incubator, but to European incubators overall. Finally, we aim to expand this study to other entrepreneurship hubs worldwide and we outline a plan of action to enable this expansion.

Construction of Customized Bio Incubator and Designing of Tailored Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering from Laboratory Scale Up to Clinical Scale

In order to obtain larger,clinical-scale and practical-scale bone grafts,we have designed both tailored scaffolds and tailored bio incubator with optimal bio-production characteristics.Using DIC files to Simpleware Scan-IP(Simple-ware-exeter United Kingdom),we have digitally reconstructed segmental additive bone-tissue in order to perform images processing.Both hydroxyapatite and tannin composites have been used in order to get the final bone modules combined for retexturing of segmental bone defect.We have found that sectioning of bone segment deficiency reorganizations into well disk-shaped design permits one to standardize the cell culture and seeding protocol,to get better products.The present study concludes that some techniques with cultured cell in segmental bone grafts in the laboratory can be transferred and clinically used.

An Innovative Design of Incubator Structure for Cell Culture

In view of the problems of the traditional cell incubator,such as the small range of cell culture types,the inability to adjust the internal space of the incubator according to needs,and the inconvenient sampling,this study innovatively designed a cell incubator structure.It proposed a new design concept that can solve the above-mentioned shortcomings.The cell incubator after the new structural modification can adjust the internal space structure of cell culture by setting the bolt-fixed connection between the fixed plate and the vessel divider.It realizes the cultivation of various cells through refrigeration modules and heating modules.Through setting a sampling hole in the glass inner door,it is favorable for operators to take samples,making cell culture more convenient and efficient.

Design and Implementation of a Digital PID Temperature Controller for Neonatal Incubator ESVIN

The project has as its aim the design and implementation of the control of temperature in the cockpit of the prototype of neonatal life support equipment ESVIN based on the international standard IEC 60601-2-19 concerning the basic security and operation of the neonatal incubators. The prototype has been developed and is important because the cockpit is a new concept of medical equipment of neonatal life support. There was a modeling of the system of heating of the incubator using the concepts of system identification with the purpose of finding a mathematical model that describes the dynamic behavior of the system. Then, design and implement the strategy of feedback control with digital PID （proportional-integral-derivative） algorithm. The model allowed the design and implementation of a digital PID controller that meets in a satisfactory manner with the requirements, in accordance with the international standard. The control system implemented in the neonatal incubator ESVIN improved the effectiveness of the neonatal life support equipment in regard to temperature controller of the cockpit.

The clutch size,incubation behavior of Reeves’s Pheasant(Syrmaticus reevesii) and their responses to ambient temperature and precipitation

Weather conditions play a pivotal role in embryo development and parental incubation costs,potentially impacting the clutch size and incubation behavior of birds.Understanding these effects is crucial for bird conservation.Reeves’ s Pheasant(Syrmaticus reevesii) is a threatened species endemic to China,which is characterized by female-only incubation.However,there is a lack of information regarding the impact of weather conditions on clutch size and incubation behavior in this species.Using satellite tracking,we tracked 27 wild female Reeves’ s Pheasants from 2020 to 2023 in Hubei Province,China.We explored their clutch size and incubation behavior,as well as their responses to ambient temperature and precipitation.Clutch size averaged 7.75 ±1.36,had an association with average ambient temperature and average daily precipitation during the egglaying period,and was potentially linked to female breeding attempts.Throughout the incubation period,females took an average of 0.73 ±0.46 recesses every 24 h,with an average recess duration of 100.80 ±73.37 min and an average nest attendance of 92.98 ±5.27%.They showed a unimodal recess pattern in which nest departures peaked primarily between 13:00 and 16:00.Furthermore,females rarely left nests when daily precipitation was high.Recess duration and nest attendance were influenced by the interaction between daily mean ambient temperature and daily precipitation,as well as day of incubation.Additionally,there was a positive correlation between clutch size and recess duration.These results contribute valuable insights into the lifehistory features of this endangered species.

Incubation temperature induced developmental plasticity of cold responsive physiological phenotypes in Japanese Quails

Embryonic development is a critical period for phenotype formation.Environmental variation during embryonic development can induce changes in postnatal phenotypes of animals.The thyroxine secretion and aerobic metabolic activity of small birds are important phenotypes closely related to their winter survival.In the context of climate change,it is necessary to determine whether temperature variation during incubation in birds leads to developmental plasticity of these cold responsive phenotypes.We incubated Japanese Quail(Coturnix japonica)eggs at 36.8℃,37.8℃,and 38.8℃,and raised the chicks to 35-day old at 22℃with same raising conditions,then all the quails were exposed to gradually temperature dropping environment(from 15℃to 0℃).After cold treatment,serum T3 level,resting metabolic rate,skeletal muscle and liver metabolomes of the birds were measured.The serum T3 levels were significantly lower in the 38.8℃group and significantly higher in the 36.8℃group compared to the 37.8℃group.The metabolic rate in the 38.8℃group was significantly lower compared to the 37.8℃group.Compared with the 37.8℃group,metabolites involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle in the liver were significantly lower in the 38.8℃group,and metabolites related to lipid oxidation metabolism and fatty acid biosynthesis were significantly lower in the skeletal muscles in the 38.8℃group but significantly higher in the 36.8℃group.These results indicate that incubation temperature variation can lead to developmental plasticity in cold responsive physiological phenotypes.Higher incubation temperature may impair the capacity of birds coping with cold challenge.

Building Incubators for Chinese Socialist Human Rights Values

We are announcing the second group of na- tional human rights education and training bases, which is a significant as well as pleasant event in China＇s human rights development. On behalf of the State Council Information Office, I would like to express my warm con- gratulations to Renmin University of China, Fudan University, Wuhan University, Shandong University and the Southwest University of Political Science and Law. I would also like to express my sincere re- spect to the experts and scholars who have made excellent contribu- tions to China＇s human rights cause over the past decades.

Business Incubator

WHEN China＇s biggest online commerce company Alibaba rang the bell at the New York Stock Exchange on September 19 and its CEO Ma Yun became the wealthiest man in China. Yang Yong, a graduate from Peking University, was also in the United States, sharing his experience of Chinese-style group funding.

Artificial incubation and growth observation for the nestlings of Great Bustard (Otis tarda)

Growth indicators including weight, body length, wings length, tail length, tarsus, gape, the third toe and head width of 21 nestlings of Great Bustard (Otis tarda) were measured and investigated in Harbin Zoo, Harbin, China during 1999-2002, and methods on successfully fostering nestlings of the bird were also summarized in this article. The results showed: the Great Bustard is a kind of premature bird and its birth weight was 86.31?.56g (N=21); environmental temperature for the neonatal nestlings should be controlled at 36C; the feeding principle having many meals but little food at each for the nestlings should be followed; since six weeks after birth, nestlings of both gender began to show significant difference in body weight, the weight of male was 1.8 times of that of the female after fourteenth week, and by weight and body figure sexual identity could be easily discerned when 3 or 4 months old; There is no significant difference in growth and development of all organs between male and female nestlings and organ growth curves were fit into Logistic equation.

A VHF PECVD Micro-Crystalline Silicon Bottom Gate TFT with a Thin Incubation Layer

The incubation layer with amorphous structure between the substrate and crystalline layer may obviously affect the performance for a microcrystalline Si thin film transistor (μc-Si TFT),especially for the bottom gate TFT(BG-TFT).It is found that decreasing the ratio of SiH 4/(H 2+SiH 4) is an effective way to decrease the incubation layer thickness of μc-Si directly deposited by VHF PECVD without any further thermal or laser treatment.Based on the μc-Si with a thin incubation layer,the BG-TFT with Al/SiN x/μc-Si/n+-μc-Si/Al structure is fabricated.The ratio of on-state current to off-state current is up to 106,the mobility is around 0.7cm2/(V·s),and the threshold voltage is about 5V.

Differences in Incubation Length and Hatchling Morphology among Five Species of Oviparous Phrynocephalus Lizards (Agamidae) from China

We incubated eggs of five Phrynocephalus species （P. albolineatus, P. axillaries, P. grumgrzimailoi, P. helioscopus and P. przewalskii） at three constant temperatures （24℃, 28℃ and 32℃） to examine differences in incubation length and hatchling morphology among species and among temperature treatments. We combined data from this study with those reported previously for P. frontalis and P. versicolor to examine whether embryonic stage at laying is a causal factor for interspecific variation in incubation length, and whether the phylogenetic relationship inferred from hatchling morphology is consistent with the relationship based on mitochondrial DNA data. Mean values for incubation length differed among the five species studied herein and, in all these five species, incubation length decreased at a decreasing rate as temperature increased. In none of the five species did hatchling size （snout-vent length and body mass） and other morphological variables differ among the three temperature treatments. The seven oviparous Phrynocephalus lizards found in China differ from each other in hatchling morphology, and embryonic stage at laying is a causal factor of inter- and intra-specific variation in incubation length. The phylogenetic relationship inferred from hatchling morphology is not always consistent with the currently known relationship based on mitochondrial DNA data. Data from this study and those reported previously allow the conclusion that any Phrynocephalus species may have its unique position along the axis defined by hatchling morphology.

Formation mechanism of incubation layers in the initial stage of microcrystalline silicon growth by PECVD

The incubation layers in microcrystalline silicon films （μc-Si：H） are studied in detail. The incubation layers in μc- Si：H films are investigated by biracial Raman spectra, and the results indicate that either decreasing silane concentration （SC） or increasing plasma power can reduce the thickness of incubation layer. The analysis of the in-situ diagnosis by plasma optical emission spectrum （OES） shows that the emission intensities of the SiH＊（412 nm） and Hα （656 nm） lines are time-dependent, thus SiH＊/Hα ratio is of temporal evolution. The variation of SiH＊/Hα ratio can indicate the variation in relative concentration of precursor and atomic hydrogen in the plasma. And the atomic hydrogen plays a crucial role in the formation of μc-Si：H; thus, with the plasma excited, the temporal-evolution SiH＊/Hα ratio has a great influence on the formation of an incubation layer in the initial growth stage. The fact that decreasing the SC or increasing the plasma power can decrease the SIH＊/Hα ratio is used to explain why the thickness of incubation layer can reduce with decreasing the SC or increasing the plasma power.

Effects of Constant versus Fluctuating Incubation Temperatures on Hatching Success, Incubation Length, and Hatchling Morphology in the Chinese Skink (Plestiodon chinensis)

We incubated eggs ofPlestiodon chinensis under five constant （24, 26, 28, 30, and 32 ℃） and one fluctuating thermal regimes to examine the effects of constant versus fluctuating incubation temperatures on hatching success, incubation length, and hatchling morphology. The duration of incubation varied considerably among the six temperature treatments, whereas hatching success did not. The mean incubation length decreased as temperature increased in a nonlinear way, and increased as the thermal variance increased. Incubation temperature affected the body size （linear length and mass） and shape of hatchlings, with eggs incubated at 26, 28, and 30 ℃ producing larger and heavier hatchlings than did those incubated at 24 ℃, 32 ℃, or fluctuating temperatures. Our results showed that exposure of P. chinensis eggs to extreme temperatures for brief periods of time did not increase embryonic mortality and, in the fluctuating-temperature treatment, the thermal variance affected hatchling morphology more evidently than the thermal mean. Our results highlight the importance of the thermal variance in affecting embryonic development and hatchling morphology, and add further evidence that temperatures within the range of 26-30 ℃ are optimal for P. chinensis embryos.