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Based on high-fidelity numerical simulation by using the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model, we analyzed the formation and replacement mechanism of the concentric eyewall of Super Typhoon Muifa (1109) from the aspects of the potential vorticity (PV), dynamic/thermodynamic structure change, sea surface flux, and water vapor content. Observational data and sensitivity tests were also adopted to verify the results. We found that: (1) The abnormal increase of the PV in the rain zone is mainly due to the condensation latent heat. Sufficient water vapor conditions are beneficial to the formation of the outer eyewall structure, and when the environmental water vapor content is larger, the intensity of the outer eyewall becomes greater. (2) After the formation of the typhoon's outer eyewall, in the area where the outer eyewall is located, the increase of inertial stability contributes to the decrease of the intensity of the inner eyewall. When the intensity of the outer eyewall is larger, the divergence and subsidence motion in the upper layer of the outer eyewall has a greater weakening effect on the intensity of the inner eyewall. (3) The increase of potential temperature of the outer eyewall is mainly due to the condensation latent heat release and the warming of dry air subsidence motion in the moat area. (4) The increase of sea surface heat flux can prolong the concentric eyewall replacement process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typhoon Usagi (1319) was simulated by using the Advanced Weather Research and Forecasting numerical model (WRF) with different horizontal resolution to understand the impact of horizontal resolution on the intensity and characteristics of typhoon's microstructures (including dynamic and microphysical structure). The simulated results show that the improvement of horizontal resolution from 5 km to 1 km has little impact on the track which is comparable to real results, but has a significant impact on the intensity and microstructures, and especially, the impact on wind speed at 10 m height, the vertical movement and precipitation intensity is the greatest. When the resolution is increased to 1 km, the intensity and characteristics of typhoon's microstructures can be simulated better. In lower resolution simulations, some structural characteristics, including more asymmetrical and more outward tilted eyewall, and less water vapor flux on sea surfuce, work together to weaken typhoon intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed eight polymorphic microsatellite markers for the green leaf bug, Lygus lucorum Meyer-Dür. The number of observed alleles per locus in 48 individuals ranged from three to 13, whereas the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.133 to 0.810 and from 0.236 to 0.886, respectively. Cross-species amplifications were conducted both within and between generas, and the amplification results indicated that these primers enriched for L. lucorum Meyer-Dür are species-specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The number of elderly patients with biliary and pancreatic diseases has increased significantly. The characteristics of biliary and pancreatic diseases in the elderly increase the risk of treatment., Aim: To study the safety and efficacy of therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in elderly patients with biliary and pancreatic diseases with the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS)., Material and Methods: Patients receiving ERCP under ERAS were grouped into an elderly group (group A, n = 58, aged 75 years or above) and a young and middle-aged group (group B, n = 202, aged less than 60 years). The clinical parameters before, during and after the operation of the two groups were compared., Results: Before the operation, the incidences of cholangiocarcinoma and complications, nutritional screening score ≥ 3, ASA degree III and Child-Pugh grade A in group A were significantly higher than those in group B (p < 0.05), while the incidences of nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, nutritional screening < 3 and ASA grade I in group A were significantly lower than those in group B (p < 0.05). Intraoperatively, the incidence of juxta-ampullary duodenal diverticulum (JAD) in internal or bottom papilla in the elder patients with difficult selective biliary cannulation (DSBC) was significantly higher than that in the young and middle-aged group (p < 0.05). In addition, the continuous ECG monitoring duration and the first exhaust time in group A were significantly longer than those in group B (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography under ERAS in elderly patients is as safe and effective as in young patients., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) has been increasingly accepted as an efficient screening method for high-risk individuals to reduce lung cancer mortality. However, there remains a gap of knowledge in the practical implementation of screening on a larger scale, especially for low-risk individuals. The aim of this study is to initiate discussion through an evidence-based analysis and provide valuable suggestions on LDCT screening for lung cancer in clinical practice. Among previously published randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) is the only one demonstrating positive results in a high-risk population of old age and heavy smokers. It is also shown that the potential harms include false-positive findings, radiation exposure etc., but its magnitude is uncertain. In the meantime, the current risk stratification system is inadequate, and is difficult to define selection criteria. Thus, the efficacy of LDCT in lung cancer screening needs to be confirmed in future trials, and the procedure should not be proposed to individuals without comparable risk to those in the NLST. Furthermore, there is a lack of evidence to support the expansion of LDCT screening to low-risk individuals. Therefore, recommendation of LDCT screening for these patients could be premature in clinical practice although some of them might be missed based on current definition of risk factors. Further studies and advances in risk assessment tools are urgently needed to address the concerns about lung cancer screening in order to improve the outcomes of lung cancer.