The implication of outflow structure for the rapid intensification of tropical cyclones under vertical wind shear

The implication of outflow structure for tropical cyclone (TC) rapid intensification (RI) is investigated via a climatological study using the best-track, reanalysis and infrared brightness temperature data during 1980–2019. Composite analyses are performed in a shear-relative framework for the RI events under different strengths of environmental shear. Results show that for the RI events under moderate (4.5–11 m s-1) or strong (> 11 m s-1) environmental shear the RI onset follows a significant increase of upper-level outflow upshear of the storm, which is intimately linked with the increasing active convection upshear. The intensified outflow blocks the upper-level environmental flow and thus decreases the local shear, building an environment favorable for RI. In contrast, the RI under weak environmental shear (< 4.5 m s-1) is found to be less attributed to this outflow-blocking mechanism. Comparison between the RI and non-RI cases under moderate or strong environmental shear reveals that the RI cases tend to have stronger outflow and convection in the upshear flank than the non-RI cases, confirming the importance of outflow blocking on the occurrence of RI. Statistical analysis further indicates that the 24-h future intensity change under moderate or strong shear is more negatively correlated with the local shear than with the environmental shear, implicating the potential of local shear and upshear outflow as predictors to improve the forecasting of TC intensity change and especially RI. Further analysis suggests that the environmental thermodynamic conditions may play an important role in modulating the upshear convection and thus outflow blocking.

Novel Symbiotic Genome-Scale Model Reveals Wolbachia 's Arboviral Pathogen Blocking Mechanism in Aedes aegypti

Arboviral diseases such as Zika and Dengue have been on the rise mainly due to climate change, and the development of new treatments and strategies to limit their spreading is needed. The use of Wolbachia as an approach for disease control has motivated new research related to the characterization of the mechanisms that underlie its pathogen-blocking properties.

Anti-Blocking Mechanism of Flocking Drainage Pipes in Tunnels Based on Mathematical Modeling Theory

Crystalline pipe plugging in tunnel drainage systems is one of the causes of tunnel lining cracking and water leakage. Therefore, effective prevention of crystalline pipe blockage in tunnel drainage systems is very important to ensure the safety and stability of the lining structure during tunnel operation. Combined with the theories of fluid mechanics, structural mechanics and basic physics, the flocking and anti-blocking mechanism of drainage pipe was comprehensively analyzed by using the method of mathematical modeling, including: (1) the calculation expression of average velocity of the flocked section of a flocked drainage pipe v = Q/(C1 − C2(r + r′)) and the calculation formula of flowing water pressure under the action of groundwater Fw = KAγQ2/(2g(C1 − C2(r + r′))2); (2) the flow velocity v0 in the flocked drainage pipe shall meet v2 < 4gπrlτ1/γKA, crystals will be attached to the fluff and the crystals will maintain dynamic balance; (3) the flow velocity v0 in the flocked drainage pipe shall meet v2 ≥ 4gπrlτ1/γKA, crystals will not adhere to the fluff and the flocked drainage pipe will remain unobstructed. The research on the mechanism of preventing blockage of flocking drainage pipes fills the gap in research theory in this regard, contributes to the popularization and application of blocking prevention technology of flocking drainage pipes, reduces the maintenance cost during operation of tunnel drainage systems and ensures the safe and normal operation of tunnels.

The Identification of Fouling in Reverse Osmosis in Reverse Osmosis in the Treatment of Water with Petroleum Substances

Water containing petroleum substances is very difficult to clean, and the treatment process usually consists of several stages. Despite the increasing use of integrated membrane processes to purify natural waters, including the removal of organic substances, work is underway on the search for new processes and their optimization. This paper deals with the study of the removal of petroleum hydrocarbons from the benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) group by reverse osmosis and optimization. The research was conducted on surface water enriched with a fuel mixture. Then, the reverse osmosis efficiency was modeled using the constant pressure filtration model (Hermia model), which determined the most likely membrane blocking mechanism. When the membrane was operated on surface water enriched with BTEX, the blocking of the membrane was based on the n = 0 cake mechanism. In surface water alone, the highest correlation coefficient was 0.9994 and corresponded to a temporary blocking mechanism (n = 1).

Experiences with IL-1 blockade in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis – data from the German AID-registry

Background Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) is a complex disease with dysregulation of the innate immune system driven by cytokines. A major role is ascribed to interleukin-1β (IL-1β), supporting the autoinflammatory character of the disease and offering an effective blocking mechanism for treatment. Here we present clinical practice data from the German AID-registry for patients treated with IL-1 inhibition (IL-1i). Methods In 2009 a clinical and research consortium (AID-Net) was established, including an online AID-registry. Patients with documented sJIA diagnosis were identified. Data for this retrospective IL-1i study were recorded by 17 centers. Response to treatment was evaluated according to Wallace criteria and additionally by an own classifying clinical response system. Results In 6 years, 202 patients with confirmed sJIA were recorded in the AID-registry. Out of these, 111 children received therapy with Anakinra (ANA) (n = 84, 39 f) and/or Canakinumab (CANA) (n = 27, 15 f) at a median age of 8.7 y (range 0.6–19.1). During the first 12 months 75/111 (ANA 55, CANA 20) patients were evaluated according to Wallace criteria (achievement of inactive disease 28/55 and 17/20, remission over 6 months under medication 13/55 and 7/20 cases). Over the whole period of time, clinical response was preserved in the majority of patients (ANA 54/80, CANA 20/27). Arthritis mostly persisted in polyarticular (PA) courses. During treatment with IL-1i concomitant medication could be tapered in about 15%. IL-1i was discontinued in 59/111 patients. 45 (15) adverse events (AE)s in ANA (CANA) treated patients (19.7 (26.6) AE/100 ANA (CANA) exposure years, 95%CI: 14.4–26.4 (14.9–43.9)) were reported. Conclusion In a large cohort of sJIA patients from Germany, we can confirm an overall favorable clinical response to both available IL-1 blocking agents. IL-1i was well tolerated with acceptable safety and effectiveness in a real-life clinical setting.

Research on Ash Clogging of Rotary Air Preheater in Coal-fired Power Plant

The air preheater of coal-fired units has the problem of ash blocking. Combining the working principle and ash blocking mechanism, FLUENT uses the porous media model to simulate the air preheater, and the corresponding mass flow rate at different speeds or air side inlets is obtained. The temperature results are compared and analyzed, and a reasonable air preheater is used to reduce ash clogging.