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For turbine blade internal cooling, the performance of turbulent flow and convective heat transfer in the cooling channel is numerically investigated via the computational fluid dynamics method, where the cooling channel adopts the combination of transverse rib arrangements and round-edged rib configurations or the combination of oblique rib arrangements and round-edged rib configurations. Under these two combination conditions, the simulation result shows that in the wide Reynolds number range of Re = 20 000–80 000, the heat transfer enhancement and the flow loss reduction, such as the larger normalized Nusselt number of Nu/Nu0 and smaller normalized friction factor of f/f0, are simultaneously realized by the oblique rather than transverse rib arrangement. In the oblique rib channel, the relationship between turbulent flow and convective heat transfer is for the first time revealed by the relationship between secondary vortices and turbulent kinetic energies. Based on the relation between secondary vortices and turbulent kinetic energies, the overall performance of turbulent flow and convective heat transfer for the oblique rib channel is first optimized by various normalized rib height, e/Dh, and rib spacing, p/e, and then evaluated by both overall performance factors of OPT1 and OPT2. Both OPT1 and OPT2 are larger at e/Dh = 0.062 and p/e = 15.00 in the wide range of e/Dh = 0.047–0.101 and p/e = 10.00–15.00. As a result of the comprehensive evaluation of OPT1 and OPT2, the combination of e/Dh = 0.062 and p/e = 15.00 is eventually employed by the oblique rib channel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On nanopillar-arrayed superhydrophobic surfaces, the contact time of oblique nanodroplet impacts is for the first time investigated via molecular dynamics simulations. Here, oblique nanodroplet impacts are triggered by nanodroplets impacting superhydrophobic surfaces under various impact angles, α. The simulation results show that owing to the non-axisymmetry of spreading factors on nanopillar-arrayed superhydrophobic surfaces, the contact time of oblique nanodroplet impacts is always less on nanopillar-arrayed rather than smooth superhydrophobic surfaces under same impact angles. As the impact angle is increased from 5° to 65°, that is, under different impact conditions, the non-axisymmetry is more remarkable as α > 35° instead of α < 35° at the low, medium, and high normal Weber numbers, Wen. Hence, the contact time is sharp as α > 35° and then slowly reduced as α < 35° at the low, medium, and high Wen, at which the drastically increased sliding length as α > 35° further promotes the rapid reduction in contact time. As the impact angle is constant at 35°, the non-axisymmetry is more remarkable as h/w < 1 instead of h/w > 1 as the aspect ratio of nanopillars, h/w, is increased, that is, under different surface conditions. Hence, the contact time is sharp as h/w < 1 and then slowly reduced as h/w > 1 at the low, medium, and high Wen, at which the drastically reduced sliding length as h/w > 1 further hinders the rapid reduction in contact time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under parallel electric fields and free evaporation conditions, the statics and dynamics of spreading–evaporating nanodroplets are investigated on an isothermally heated surface via molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The simulation results show that at the substrate temperature of Ts = 320 K, the static and dynamic contact angles on the left and right edges are initially asymmetric and then symmetric with increasing field strengths of E = 0.00–0.06 V Å−1, resulting in the asymmetric-to-symmetric spreading transition of spreading–evaporating nanodroplets. Under weak evaporation condition, that is, at Ts = 320 K, the asymmetric-to-symmetric spreading transition is triggered by enhancing the intrinsic surface wettability θ0 = 49°–80° at a constant field strength of E = 0.03 V Å−1. However, at the substrate temperature of Ts = 350 K, the symmetric-to-asymmetric spreading transition first appears for the static and dynamic contact angles on the left and right edges, and then the asymmetric-to-symmetric spreading transition appears with increasing field strength. Under strong evaporation condition, that is, at Ts = 350 K, as the field strength is constant at E = 0.03 V Å−1, the asymmetric-to-symmetric spreading transition also appears with increasing surface wettability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On a rectangular-ridged superhydrophobic surface, the contact time of the rebounding-coalescing droplet is for the first time investigated via lattice Boltzmann method simulations, where the rebounding-coalescing droplet is caused by an impinging droplet coalescing with an adhesive droplet. The simulation results show that at constant initial radii of impinging droplets, R0, and various initial radii of adhesive droplets, R1, the contact time of rebounding–coalescing droplets depends not only on the impact condition but also on the surface condition. Under various impact conditions, that is, with increased Weber numbers of We = 1–30, the contact time is gradually reduced, and then nearly constant, and eventually constant after slightly reduced at R0 = 35 and R1 = 25. However, at R0 = 35 and R1 = 10, it is gradually reduced, then increased, and eventually constant. It indicates that the contact time of rebounding-coalescing droplets is affected by the initial radii of adhesive droplets. Under different surface conditions, that is, with increased spacing distances between adhesive droplets and ridges of L = 3–17, the contact time is reduced at the low Weber number of We = 3, constant at the moderate Weber number of We = 12, and increased at the high Weber number of We = 28 at R0 = 35 and R1 = 25. However, at R0 = 35 and R1 = 10, it is reduced at both low and moderate Weber numbers of We = 3 and 12, and constant at the high Weber number of We = 28. It indicates that under different surface conditions, the contact time of rebounding-coalescing droplets is also affected by the initial radii of adhesive droplets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Few safety and effectiveness results have been published regarding the administration of tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) during pregnancy for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Methods In this multicenter prospective observational study, pregnant women with HBV DNA levels higher than 200 000 IU/mL who received TAF or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) from gestational weeks 24–35 to delivery were 1:1 enrolled and followed until postpartum month 6. Infants received immunoprophylaxis. The primary endpoint was the safety of mothers and infants. The secondary endpoint was the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive rate at 7 months for infants. Results In total, 116 and 116 mothers were enrolled, and 117 and 116 infants were born, in the TAF and TDF groups, respectively. TAF was well tolerated during a mean treatment duration of 11.0 weeks. The most common maternal adverse event was nausea (19.0%). One (0.9%), 3 (2.6%), and 9 (7.8%) mothers had abnormal alanine aminotransferase levels at delivery and at postpartum months 3 and 6, respectively. The TDF group had safety profiles that were comparable to those of the TAF group. No infants had birth defects in either group. The infants' physical and neurological development at birth and at 7 months in the TAF group were comparable with those in the TDF group. The HBsAg positive rate was 0% at 7 months in all 233 infants. Conclusions Antiviral prophylaxis with TAF was determined to be generally safe for both mothers and infants and reduced the MTCT rate to 0%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Liver injuries have been reported in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to investigate the clinical role played by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).Methods: In this multicentre, retrospective study, the parameters of liver function tests in COVID-19 inpatients were compared between various time-points in reference to SARS-CoV-2 shedding, and 3 to 7 days before the first detection of viral shedding was regarded as the reference baseline.Results: In total, 70 COVID-19 inpatients were enrolled. Twenty-two (31.4%) patients had a self-medication history after illness. At baseline, 10 (14.3%), 7 (10%), 9 (12.9%), 2 (2.9%), 15 (21.4%), and 4 (5.7%) patients already had abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin, and total bilirubin (TBIL) values, respectively. ALT and AST abnormal rates and levels did not show any significant dynamic changes during the full period of viral shedding (all p > 0.05). The GGT abnormal rate (p = 0.008) and level (p = 0.033) significantly increased on day 10 of viral shedding. Meanwhile, no simultaneous significant increases in abnormal ALP rates and levels were observed. TBIL abnormal rates and levels significantly increased on days 1 and 5 of viral shedding (all p < 0.05). Albumin abnormal decrease rates increased, and levels decreased consistently from baseline to SARS-CoV-2 clearance day (all p < 0.05). Thirteen (18.6%) patients had chronic liver disease, two of whom died. The ALT and AST abnormal rates and levels did not increase in patients with chronic liver disease during SARS-CoV-2 shedding.Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 does not directly lead to elevations in ALT and AST but may result in elevations in GGT and TBIL; albumin decreased extraordinarily even when SARS-CoV-2 shedding ended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, COVID‐19 has been reported in nearly all countries globally. To date, little is known about the viral shedding duration, clinical course and treatment efficacy of COVID‐19 near Hubei Province, China. This multicentre, retrospective study was performed in 12 hospitals in Henan and Shaanxi Provinces from 20 January to 8 February 2020. Clinical outcomes were followed up until 26 March 2020. The viral shedding duration, full clinical course and treatment efficacy were analysed in different subgroups of patients. A total of 149 COVID‐19 patients were enrolled. The median age was 42 years, and 61.1% (91) were males. Of them, 133 (89.3%) had fever, 131 of 144 (91%) had pneumonia, 27 (18.1%) required intensive care unit (ICU) management, 3 (2%) were pregnant, and 3 (2%) died. Two premature newborns were negative for SARS‐CoV‐2. In total, the median SARS‐CoV‐2 shedding period and clinical course were 12 (IQR: 9–17; mean: 13.4, 95% CI: 12.5, 14.2) and 20 (IQR: 16–24; mean: 21.2, 95% CI: 20.1, 22.3) days, respectively, and ICU patients had longer median viral shedding periods (21 [17–24] versus 11 [9–15]) and clinical courses (30 [22–33] vs. 19 [15.8–22]) than non‐ICU patients (both p <.0001). SARS‐CoV‐2 clearances occurred at least 2 days before fatality in 3 non‐survivors. Current treatment with any anti‐viral agent or combination did not present the benefit of shortening viral shedding period and clinical course (all p >.05) in real‐life settings. In conclusion, the viral shedding duration and clinical course in Henan and Shaanxi Provinces were shorter than those in Hubei Province, and current anti‐viral therapies were ineffective for shortening viral shedding duration and clinical course in real‐world settings. These findings expand our knowledge of the SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and may be helpful for management of the epidemic outbreak of COVID‐19 worldwide. Further studies concerning effective anti‐viral agents and vaccines are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been reported in almost all countries globally. No effective therapy has been documented for COVID-19, and the role of convalescent plasma therapy is unknown. In the current study, 6 patients with COVID-19 and respiratory failure received convalescent plasma a median of 21.5 days after viral shedding was first detected, all tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA within 3 days after infusion, and 5 eventually died. In conclusion, convalescent plasma treatment can end SARS-CoV-2 shedding but cannot reduce the mortality rate in critically ill patients with end-stage COVID-19, and treatment should be initiated earlier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been reported in almost all countries globally. No effective therapy has been documented for COVID-19, and the role of convalescent plasma therapy is unknown. In the current study, 6 patients with COVID-19 and respiratory failure received convalescent plasma a median of 21.5 days after viral shedding was first detected, all tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA within 3 days after infusion, and 5 eventually died. In conclusion, convalescent plasma treatment can end SARS-CoV-2 shedding but cannot reduce the mortality rate in critically ill patients with end-stage COVID-19, and treatment should be initiated earlier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]