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A reduction in wake effects in large wind farms through wake-aware control has considerable potential to improve farm efficiency. This work examines the success of several emerging, empirically derived control methods that modify wind turbine wakes (i.e., the pulse method, helix method, and related methods) based on Strouhal numbers on the O (0.3) . Drawing on previous work in the literature for jet and bluff-body flows, the analyses leverage the normal-mode representation of wake instabilities to characterize the large-scale wake meandering observed in actuated wakes. Idealized large-eddy simulations (LES) using an actuator-line representation of the turbine blades indicate that the n = 0 and ± 1 modes, which correspond to the pulse and helix forcing strategies, respectively, have faster initial growth rates than higher-order modes, suggesting these lower-order modes are more appropriate for wake control. Exciting these lower-order modes with periodic pitching of the blades produces increased modal growth, higher entrainment into the wake, and faster wake recovery. Modal energy gain and the entrainment rate both increase with streamwise distance from the rotor until the intermediate wake. This suggests that the wake meandering dynamics, which share close ties with the relatively well-characterized meandering dynamics in jet and bluff-body flows, are an essential component of the success of wind turbine wake control methods. A spatial linear stability analysis is also performed on the wake flows and yields insights on the modal evolution. In the context of the normal-mode representation of wake instabilities, these findings represent the first literature examining the characteristics of the wake meandering stemming from intentional Strouhal-timed wake actuation, and they help guide the ongoing work to understand the fluid-dynamic origins of the success of the pulse, helix, and related methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The immune checkpoint protein B7‑H4 plays an important role in the positive as well as the negative regulation of immune T‑cell responses. When expressed on cancer cells, B7‑H4 inhibits T‑cell activity, and numerous types of cancer cells use upregulation of B7‑H4 as a survival strategy. Thus, B7‑H4 is a potential target for anticancer drug therapy. Unfortunately, the cell biology of this molecule has yet to be fully elucidated. Even basic properties, such as the nature of B7‑H4 interactors, are controversial. In particular, the cis‑interactors of B7‑H4 on cancer cell plasma membranes have not been investigated to date. The present study used a proteomic proximity‑labelling assay to investigate the molecular neighbours of B7‑H4 on the surface of the human breast cancer cells SK‑BR‑3. By comparison to a comprehensive proteome analysis of SK‑BR‑3 cells, the proximity method detected a relatively small number of low abundance plasma membrane proteins highly enriched for proteins known to modulate cell adhesion and immune recognition. It may be inferred that these molecules contribute to the immunosuppressive behaviour that is characteristic of B7‑H4 on cancer cells.

Background: Systemic treatment options for generalized atopic dermatitis (AD) are limited. To our knowledge, there have been no prospective trials examining the use of oral tacrolimus, a calcineurin inhibitor, in AD., Objectives: We assessed the safety and efficacy of sequential therapy with oral tacrolimus and topical tacrolimus in the treatment of generalized AD using the Eczema Area and Severity Index and the Physician Global Assessment scores as the primary end points., Methods: Twelve patients with AD covering at least 50% body surface area were enrolled. Patients in both phases of the study received sequential therapy with oral and topical tacrolimus over a 14-week treatment period. Eczema Area and Severity Index, Physician Global Assessment, and pruritus scores were calculated at each study visit., Results: Patients recorded a 67% improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index score, a 45% improvement in the Physician Global Assessment score, and a 69% reduction in the pruritus score., Limitations: This investigator-initiated, open-label, single-center, proof-of-concept study lacks a large sample size and placebo control group., Conclusion: Sequential therapy with oral tacrolimus and topical tacrolimus may be an effective treatment for AD. A large, randomized control study is warranted., (Copyright © 2011 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)