bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on microwave heating of exhaust gas particles in marine diesel engine
Authors: Tang W W , Wu L H , Chen A G , Zhou J X , Lin Z H
Published: November 2019

The diesel engine is widely used in the ship transportation industry due to the inherent advantages of its high thermal efficiency. With the increasing awareness of environmental protection and higher requirements on exhaust emissions, the post-treatment of particulate matter from diesel engine emissions has become a research hotspot. In view of the application of particle catcher in China, an improved microwave heating regeneration device for particulate matter from ship exhaust is proposed, and its efficacy is demonstrated.
Discussion on the analysis method of urban design rainstorm under the “new normal” of "city seeing the sea”
Authors: Ouyang S , Xu C J , Shao J , Guo W
Published: November 2019

In recent years, urban waterlogging has become a stubborn disease in major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuhan, and Xi’an. The city’s sea view is mainly due to the extreme torrential rain that exceeds the urban design and drainage capacity. Therefore, in view of the problem of domestic rains and inland “Seeing the sea”, this paper takes the typical heavy rain in Wuhan as an example. The typical rainstorm frequency analysis methods in the municipal department and the water conservancy department are using to measure rainstorm under different sampling conditions. The design frequencies of different grades rainstorm has been analyzed in municipal and water conservancy systems. While that is expected to definite the design frequency of different grades of heavy rain in municipal and water conservancy systems from the quantitative level. The matching relationship is expected between the rainstorm frequency analysis results of the two methods, which provide data support for the design standards of flood control and drainage in the construction of sponge cities.
Study on a water pollution simulation and analysis system based on WebGIS: A case study of Liyang City, Jiangsu Province
Authors: Kuang T Q , Du J L , Zhang Z M , Zhang W W
Published: November 2019

A surface water quality analysis and pollutant diffusion simulation system was studied and developed using WebGIS. This paper introduces the structural design, technology development and main functions of the system. Using Liyang City of Jiangsu Province as an example, an environmental water monitoring database was established. Based on the database, a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of water quality in Liyang City were determined and provided decision support for pollution management. In addition, two authoritative water pollution diffusion analysis models (including a one-dimensional model and a two-dimensional model) were integrated, and a dynamic simulation of water pollution accidents was constructed with the support of GIS technology.
Efficient removal of Cr(VI) from wastewater using magnetically separable poly(m-phenylenediamine) particles
Authors: Chen Z W , Zhou Z H , You K , Zhong Z , Zhang J , Li Q L
Published: November 2019

The magnetic polymer adsorbent Fe3O4@poly (m-phenylenediamine) (Fe3O4@PmPD) was formed at room temperature (25°C) by chemical oxidative polymerization using Fe3O4 and m-phenylenediamine (mPD). The effects of the Na2CO3 concentration and Fe3O4 mass used in the synthesis on the adsorption capacity were studied. The effects of contact time, initial concentration and temperature on adsorption were individually analyzed. The equilibrium data were evaluated by kinetic and thermodynamic models. The highest adsorption capacity of the material was 654.4 mg/g at room temperature and pH=2. Finally, the recyclability of the materials was tested by cycling experiments. The material could be recycled and retained 73.18% of its initial adsorption capacity after 5 cycles. The magnetic polymer material exhibits excellent hexavalent chromium removal capacity and broad application prospects in the treatment of chromium-containing wastewater.
Evaluate the efficiency of water conservancy investment in Shaanxi Province based on super-efficient DEA and malmquis index
Authors: Zhu J W , Jing X N , Guo P L , Jiang J J
Published: November 2019

Water conservancy construction is an important infrastructure related to national economic and social development, and effective water conservancy investment is the premise guarantee for water conservancy reform. Therefore, it is necessary to study the efficiency of water conservancy investment. The efficiency of water conservancy investment in Shaanxi Province is evaluated by the super-efficiency DEA model and the Malmquist index. The results show that the comprehensive efficiency of water conservancy investment in most regions of Shaanxi Province increased steadily from 2012 to 2017, and pure technical efficiency is the main reason that hinders the further improvement of the efficiency of water investment in various regions. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen technological innovation, optimize organizational structure, continuously adopt advanced technology, and expand the scale of water conservancy construction in order to attain the maximum value of investment.
Three-dimensional stability analysis of a deep excavation with seepage in Karst deposit
Authors: Zhang J , Zhu B , Pan X , Zeng X B , Luo C M , Wu J H
Published: November 2019

Groundwater seepage is an important factor threatening the safety of excavation. In order to reduce the threatening, a simulation of excavation and the seepage process in Guilin city is carried out by FLAC3D. The paper establishes a three-dimensional numerical model through spline interpolation method. The model built by the system of CAD can show the scope of an ancient collapse and the topological relationship among the soil layers in small scale. After that, the fluid-solid coupling technology is used to the pore pressure calculation, which adjusts the parameter by comparing the model simulation results and the site observation results. The regular pore pressure in the excavation is obtained. The results show that the pore pressure fluctuates greatly in excavation area nearby the ancient collapse during the excavation process, the local upward seepage can be driven and flow up under the reverse hydraulic power. It provides suggestions for the excavation construction and as a reference for analyzing stable seepage of groundwater in deep excavation.
Synergetic assessment of water, energy and food nexus system
Authors: Zhang T , Tan Q , Zhang S , Zhang T Y
Published: November 2019

Water, energy and food are three important resources for human to face serious security risks. A systematic perspective, namely Water, Energy and Food Nexus (WEFN), was proposed to achieve the sustainable human development. In this study, a method of hierarchical weight assignment based on synergetic theory and Shannon information theory was applied in the Bayan Nur city, China. Through calculating order degree of order parameter components of resources, society, economic and environmental dimensions, the order degree of order parameters and sub-systems and the order entropy were obtained. It is found that water resources supply, energy supply, energy consumption and food price would dominate the corresponding trends in water, energy and food sub-systems respectively. The water and food sub-system may play a more dominant role in the harmonious assessment of WEFN system in the study area. Although the variance of the order degree of sub-systems and the order entropy were small, the WEFN system was still moving toward an unstable state, which could aggravate the inharmonious degree of WEFN system in the study area.
Mapping of precipitation in extreme rainfall events in Zhuhai, China
Authors: Bao Z D , Yang Q Q , Chen H , She N , He W N
Published: November 2019

Floods caused by extreme rainfall events have been a predominant water-related issue to coastal cities in Pearl River Delta (PRD), China. In 2017 and 2018, Typhoon Hato and Mangkhut hit the area consecutively, caused severe damages in Zhuhai as well as in other adjacent cities. To combat the inverse impact of these extreme events, adequate emergency response, infrastructure upgrade, and appropriate urban planning are necessary to against the potential extreme rainfalls in future, but all depending on the standards of urban flood protection and storm-water drainages. Precipitation amounts responding to given return-periods are essential parameters for computing the required standards; however, due to the lack of long-term historical observational precipitation records in Zhuhai, it is difficult to precisely predict the value, then a rough prediction was applied in the whole city without considering the spatial variation of extreme precipitation. To specify the spatial distribution of precipitations for given return-periods in Zhuhai, ground-based rainfall observation were analyzed with combined of generalized extreme value (GEV) model and spatial interpolation techniques to compute the precipitation responding to varied given return-periods. The spatial distributions of precipitation in given return-periods offer a more accurate and spatial varied prediction. The information provides reasonable support for Zhuhai’s city manager to conduct proper strategies for emergency response, infrastructure upgrade, and future urban planning to against extreme rainfall events.
Innovative design of the biological wastewater treatment system
Authors: Liu J , Qin X L , She N , Wu L Y , Bu Z W
Published: November 2019

A biological wastewater treatment system (BWTS), which composed of a 400 m2 biological wastewater treatment facility (BWTF) and a 100 m2 wetland landscaping lake, was designed to further treat the water quality of the recycling pond of an ecological sediment treatment plant of the Qingxi River in Qingxi Town, Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China. BWTS was designed to treat the water of Class B of the Discharge standard of pollutants for municipal wastewater treatment plant (GB18918-2002) in the recycling pond into Class IV water of the Surface Water Environmental Quality Standard (GB3838-2002). The treatment capacity of BWTF was designed according to 1200 m3/d. The hydraulic load is 3m/d, volume load is 42 g (BOD)/(m3.d), and hydraulic retention time is 4 h. The inflow and outflow of BWTF were designed as the gravity flow without any power supply. The BWTF consists of active filtration facilities and plants with specific functions. The facility is capable of effectively filtering contaminants, especially with a very high removal efficiency of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N). The BWTF has five innovative outlet control systems that will be used to further reduce the nitrogen content to prevent algae growth. At the same time, the system can also remove pathogenic bacteria, heavy metals and hydrocarbons from the water, increase oxygen content in the water and reduce BOD. The wetland landscaping lake was designed to further treat the water quality and recycling use. The surplus water is discharged into the Qingxi River by a pipe. As compared with traditional wetland treatment, BWTS has the advantages of less land occupation, high efficiency, long service life, and low operation and maintenance costs. The structure of the BWTF is similar to the raingarden, however, they have different medium mixture ratio and inflow & outflow layouts. The water of the recycling pond is transferred to the BWTF through three underground pipes with a diameter of 150 mm, then the flow goes through the layers of protection, medium and gravel, and enters the nearby wetland landscaping lake by five outlet control manholes, an open canal and an underground pipe.
An ecological sediment treatment technology based on zero emission and 4R concept
Authors: Liu J , Wang X X , She N , Wu L Y , Bu Z W
Published: November 2019

In order to reduce the amount of the contaminated sediment treatment and utilization, an ecological technology of sediment treatment was developed based on zero emission & 4R (Reduce, Recycle, Reuse, and Revolution) concept, centrifugal solid-liquid separation technology and high speed suspended solid settlement technology by gravity and polymeric flocculants and the biological contact oxidation technology. The polluted sediment can be accurately divided into gravel, sand, silt and clay by four-stage treatment process. The dewatered clay is made into the mixture soil of the sponge city facilities or other building materials, gravel and sand are directly used as concrete aggregate, permeable bricks and the silts are used for backfill and planting soil. The treatment efficiency of the ecological sediment treatment technology is higher than the traditional sediment treatment process used in China, and there is no secondary pollution and cost savings. It can be widely applied to quick treatment of the sediment in the polluted rivers, reservoirs and lakes, and construction wastes of subway and tunnels. The investment of the new treatment system is about CNY25 million Yuan for deposits of 2.48 million cubic meters. The innovative ecological treatment technology has been successfully used in the sediment treatment of the Qingxi River in Qingxi Town, Dongguan City, Guangdong Province in 2019.
Risk assessment of groundwater contamination based on Geographic Information System in the southern suburb of Yinchuan, China
Authors: Wang H K , Liu F X , Qian H
Published: November 2019

Groundwater contamination risk assessment is a useful tool for groundwater prevention and control. In this study, groundwater risk assessment model was used to assess the risk to groundwater contamination in the southern suburb of Yinchuan city, north-western China. The high and higher contamination risks of the groundwater are mainly distributed in the southern part of the study area. The proportion of groundwater distribution risk in extremely low and low areas is relatively large, most of which are located on the east and west sides of the water source area. Groundwater depth, net recharge and pollution loading are main factors affecting the contamination risk on the study area. The evaluation results have practical significance for urban planning and construction, groundwater management and protection, and sustainable utilization of water resources.
The effects of mercury shock on the performance and microorganisms in biological wastewater treatment process
Authors: Wang D Q , Li X X , Yang Z J , Liu T , Chai G D , Tang G , Zheng X , Lin Y S
Published: November 2019

In this study, the effects of Hg2+ shock on the removal efficiencies for organic matters and nutrient, enzyme activities, and microbial community structures in lab-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) were investigated. The results showed that the short-term exposure (6 h) to Hg2+ at 0.05 mM significantly reduced the removal efficiencies of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), ammonium-nitrogen (NH4
+-N) and orthophosphate (PO4
3--P). At lower concentration (0.01 mM) and prolonged (30 days) exposure condition, NH4
+-N removal was severely inhibited, and it was recovered after 15 days of restoration. Higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were detected in the Hg2+ shocked reactor and eventually restored to the control level after 60 days of restoration. No increase in the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was observed under both short-term and long-term shock conditions, indicating no irreversible damage to the cell membrane. The relative abundance of genus Zoogloea and Paracoccus were decreased after Hg2+ shock, which implies these microorganisms may be sensitive to heavy metal exposure.
The mountain torrent disasters and its effect on sediment transport after the Wenchuan earthquake
Authors: Ding H R , Li Y , Ni S J , Shao C J , Shi Z M , Yan L , Lv L Q , Ni T , Gong R H , Shi L , Liu Y X
Published: November 2019

By analyzing the formation causes of the mountain torrent disasters as well as the distribution characteristics of rainstorm in Longmen Mountain area, and citing the typical post-seismic the mountain torrent disasters within 2008~2013 after the Wenchuan earthquake in the area as example, the character of post-seismic floods, the spatial distribution of the devasting post-seismic debris flows, the critical rainfall to trigger the mountain torrent disasters and so on are explored. Besides, the sediment before and after the Wenchuan earthquake of the Minjiang watershed are compared. The conclusions are as following: (1) The time of the post-seismic flash floods and debris flows after the Wenchuan earthquake are centered from July to September, which is consistent with the rainfall of the area. (2) Rather than the debris flows are triggered when the rainfall intensity reached the critical rainfall intensity, those are closely linked with the pre-accumulated rainfall. That is to say, the more pre-accumulated rainfall, the more probability of the debris flows. (3) After the Wenchuan earthquake, the total sediment increases 13.8%~70%. But the increasing range is varied from year to year. In the year when the debris flow occurred, the sediment shall increase drastically.
The physiological responses of one algae species Scenedesmus quadricauda to ammonium and alanine
Authors: Hou X L , Ma D L , Yang K F , Wang R , Rong D L , Yin X T
Published: November 2019

In order to explore the role of inorganic and organic nitrogen on physiological process of Scenedesmus quadricauda, we studied the influence of two nitrogen compounds, ammonium and alanine nitrogen on growth, physiological characteristics. Chlorophyll a and maximal photochemical quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm), maximum electron transport rate (ETRmax) and Saturating Light intensity (Ik) were measured by Phyto-PAM under the concentration of nitrogen 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0, 10, 20, 50 mg/L. Results indicated that Chlorophyll a of Scenedesmus quadricauda was the lowest in 0.5 mg/L and 50 mg/L, and it was the highest value in 5 mg/L and 10 mg/L in ammonium nitrogen treated group. In alanine experiment group, Chlorophyll a of Scenedesmus quadricauda was raised with the increase of alanine concentration and was positive relation with alanine concentration. These results showed that ammonium (<5 mg/L and >20 mg/L) inhibited the growth of Scenedesmus quadricauda and that alanine nitrogen is more easily for Scenedesmus quadricauda to take up. Fv/Fm, ETRmax and Ik of Scenedesmus quadricauda showed different tendency between ammonium and alanine experiment group. These parameters showed higher in 5 mg/L and 10 mg/L than that of the other concentration in ammonium experiment group. In alanine experiment group, Fv/Fm, ETRmax and Ik of Scenedesmus quadricauda were rising with higher alanine concentration and the fluctuation of these values of these parameters was in a small range. Scenedesmus quadricauda was sensitive to low ammonium concentration (<5 mg/L) and high ammonium concentration (> 20 mg/L). The higher alanine concentration promoted the growth of Scenedesmus quadricauda.
Study on the intensified reduction of farmland non-point source pollution in winter using thermally insulated ecological shallow ditch
Authors: Yang Y , Liu C , Chen Y , Zhou J , Lv W
Published: November 2019

Ecological shallow ditch is one of the effective methods to improve non-point source pollution of farmlands. However, during winter when the temperature is low, the operation capacity of the common ecological shallow ditch (CESD) is not satisfactory. In the present study, a thermally insulated ecological shallow ditch (TESD) was constructed, and the pollutant removal efficiency of the two ecological shallow ditches (thermal-insulation type versus common type) was compared. The changes in the number of bacteria inside these two types of shallow ditches were studied, and the underlying mechanism was analysed. The results showed that the thermally insulated ecological shallow ditch could partly reduce the adverse effects of low temperature and keep the surface temperature above 10°C. After 18 days of observation in the winter, the removal rates of COD, TN and TP in the effluent were respectively 1.3 times, 2.5 times and 1.3 times higher than those of the common type, and the concentration of bacteria in each site was also higher for TESD. The oxygen content in the soil layer and filler layer in TESD increased. Moreover, TESD also demonstrated higher microbial activity and more active plant growth than the CESD.
Research on renewable energy incentive policy based on evolutionary game
Authors: Zhang W , Liang Q , Xie C X , Luo Y Q
Published: November 2019

In view of the current policy design, which is created to influence the growth of the renewable energy sector, the status quo of different subjects’ role orientation and behaviour mechanism is neglected. This paper constructs the evolutionary game model of the three parties in the renewable energy industry involved: government, enterprise and consumer. The results show that the initial stage of government incentive policies should increase subsidies to enterprises and increase price incentives for consumers. At the same time, enterprises must actively respond to the call of the state. With the further advancement of the policy, the government should reduce subsidies to enterprises appropriately, and urge enterprises to develop production technologies for renewable energy vigorously to reduce the operation of enterprises’ cost. The results can provide theoretical reference and realistic support for the government.
Analysis on Charging Demand of Shared Vehicle Based on Spatiotemporal Characteristic Variable Data Mining
Authors: Wang Haolin , Zhang Yongjun , Mao Haipeng
Published: November 2019

The wide application of shared vehicles in the future will bring about tremendous importance to the power grid and planning of charging facilities. At present, there are flaws in the prediction methods for shared vehicles charging demand. Based on data mining of national household travel survey(NHTS), this paper constructs a two-dimensional dynamic traffic behaviour model supported by spatiotemporal feature variables. Then, in order to explore the characteristics of continuous charging and centralized charging of shared vehicles, two charging scenarios are set to construct a charging behaviour model. Finally, the Monte Carlo method is used to simulate the shared vehicle traffic charging behaviour, and get the result of the shared vehicle charging demand at different times and regions. The impact of the load on the grid is analyzed in the same time. The results show that the interactive spatial-temporal characteristic variables can reasonably describe the characteristics of time-space two-dimensional uncertain changes in shared vehicles and the method can make a scientific prediction of the shared vehicle charging demand.
Sustainable management of coffee fruit waste biomass in ecological farming systems at West Lampung, Indonesia
Authors: Brunerová Anna , Haryanto Agus , Hasanudin Udin , Iryani Dewi Agustina , Telaumbanua Mareli , Herák David
Published: November 2019

Present study focuses on fruit waste biomass generated during the postharvest treatments of coffee cherries (Coffea spp.) and its subsequent utilization within the waste-less, sustainable and ecological farming systems. Investigated samples were collected at the organic shaded multi-culture coffee plantations in West Lampung, Indonesia. Within the determination of most suitable subsequent utilization, the samples were subjected to the analysis of their basic chemical parameters, energy potential and ash composition. Three samples kinds were defined: I. CP (outer skin, pulp), II. CH (husk, silver skin, parchment) and III. CA (burned mixture of previous two waste materials). Obtained values proved following results; CP: Mc - 79.21%, Ac - 2.05%, CV - 17.19 MJ/kg; CH: Mc - 21.08%, Ac - 6.50%, CV - 18.14 MJ/kg; CA: Mc - 30.79%, Ac - 28.11%. Measured values proves the suitability of tested materials for combustion processes as a renewable source of clean energy (high energy potential), but also for the composting purposes (Potassium content K2O - 10.946%). A great potential of tested materials within their subsequent reuse was proved, as well as the fact that they represent a commodity suitable for further valorization.
Arsenic pollution assessment in surface sediment of the inner Gulf of Thailand
Authors: Yottiam A , Chaikeaw P , Srithongouthai S
Published: November 2019

Surface sediments of the inner Gulf of Thailand and four main river estuaries were collected for total arsenic analysis in order to assess spatial distribution pattern, contamination status, regulating factors and potential ecological risk. The study reveals that the arsenic concentrations in the surface sediment samples varied from 5.43–18.01 mg/kg dry weight. Higher arsenic concentrations were found in the Chao Phraya river estuary toward in the eastern of the inner Gulf of Thailand. Based on the sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), arsenic was investigated most unlikely to cause any adverse effects. The result of geo-accumulation index (Igeo) was found to be less than 1, which indicated "unpolluted" state. Moreover, the potential risk of individual metal (Er) values directed that arsenic at all stations posed low ecological risks.
Oxidation leaching of tin anode slime by controlling potential
Authors: Chen Wei-Sheng , Zhong Yi-Fan , Wang Li-Pang
Published: November 2019

The selective leaching of tin anode slime was extremely important in the process of the recovery of tin anode slime. With the successful leaching, the efficiency of value metals recycling was elevated obviously. Hence, the pretreatment of tin anode slime was studied in this paper by using the environmental technology and hydrometallurgical approach to achieve the goal of valuable metal recovery from traditional waste tin anode slime. It is worth noting that there are a large amount of value metals including Sn, Sb, Bi, Cu and Ag in the tin anode slime. The results indicated the optimal conditions of leaching process are 3.0 M HCl with 0.1M NaClO3 and liquid-solid mass ratio of 30 ml/g in 30 minutes at 45 degrees of Celsius and about Sn 85.32%, Sb 96.93%, Bi 97.63%. Meanwhile, silver and copper were all leached out by HCl solution in the leaching of tin anode slime.
Microstructure transformation and twinning mechanism of 304 stainless steel tube during hydraulic bulging
Authors: Song G S , Ji K S , Song H W , Zhang S H
Published: November 2019

At room temperature, the hollow shaft of AISI 304 stainless steel tubes was produced by a hydraulic bulging process. The behavior of strain-induced austenite to martensite transformation and the twin crystallographic nature of AISI 304 stainless steel tubes at different positions after hydraulic bulging were discussed. The results have demonstrated that strain-induced austenite to martensite transformation occurred in AISI 304 stainless steel tubes during hydraulic bulging, resulting in the formation of the α′-martensite phase, and the volume fraction of martensite gradually increased with an increase in strain. The austenite and α′-martensite phases maintained lattice coherency throughout and followed the Kurdjumov–Sachs (K-S) relationship in terms of lattice coherency. During the deformation process, de-twinning occurred in the austenite and the deformation twins were formed in α′-martensite. With the increase in strain, the volume fraction of the annealing twins gradually reduced until complete disappearance in the austenite. The volume fraction of the deformation twins increased in the martensite with an increase in strain, and finally reached saturation.
Anterior and Posterior Commissuroplasty: Taking Labiaplasty to the Next Level
Authors: Turin Sergey Y , Kearney Aaron , Placik Otto J
Published: November 2019

As the popularity of female cosmetic genital surgery has grown, so has the number of publications detailing surgical techniques, particularly regarding labiaplasty. As a nascent surgical field, much room remains for finesse and exploration of new techniques to optimize outcomes and patient satisfaction. We present the techniques for anterior and posterior commissuroplasty the senior author (O.J.P.) has developed. Anterior commissuroplasty is efficacious in addressing a number of anatomic variations to achieve the appearance of a single midline cleft, which is commonly requested by patients. Posterior commissuroplasty was developed to address skin excess at the posterior fourchette that may develop as a result of labiaplasty. Either technique may be used in combination with labiaplasty or as a stand-alone procedure. These tools may be a useful addition to the repertoire of a surgeon practicing female genital surgery.

Level of Evidence: 4
Grindr Users Take More Risks, but Are More Open to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Pre-exposure Prophylaxis: Could This Dating App Provide a Platform for HIV Prevention Outreach?
Authors: Hoenigl Martin , Little Susan J , Grelotti David , Skaathun Britt , Wagner Gabriel A , Weibel Nadir , Stockman Jamila K , Smith Davey M
Published: November 2019

Background

Technology has changed the way that men who have sex with men (MSM) seek sex. More than 60% of MSM in the United States use the internet and/or smartphone-based geospatial networking apps to find sex partners. We correlated use of the most popular app (Grindr) with sexual risk and prevention behavior among MSM.

Methods

A nested cohort study was conducted between September 2018 and June 2019 among MSM receiving community-based human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening in central San Diego. During the testing encounter, participants were surveyed for demographics, substance use, risk behavior (previous 3 months), HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use, and Grindr usage. Participants who tested negative for HIV and who were not on PrEP were offered immediate PrEP.

Results

The study included 1256 MSM, 1090 of whom (86.8%) were not taking PrEP. Overall, 580 of 1256 (46%) participants indicated that they used Grindr in the previous 7 days. Grindr users reported significantly higher risk behavior (greater number of male partners and condomless sex) and were more likely to test positive for chlamydia or gonorrhea (8.6% vs 4.7% of nonusers; P = .005). Grindr users were also more likely to be on PrEP (18.7% vs 8.7% of nonusers; P < .001) and had fewer newly diagnosed HIV infections (9 vs 26 among nonusers; P = .014). Grindr users were also nearly twice as likely as nonusers to initiate PrEP (24.6% vs 14%; P < .001).

Conclusions

Given the higher risk behavior and greater acceptance of PrEP among MSM who used Grindr, Grindr may provide a useful platform to promote HIV and STI testing and increase PrEP uptake.
In-Host Evolution of Daptomycin Resistance and Heteroresistance in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains From Three Endocarditis Patients
Authors: Ji Shujuan , Jiang Shengnan , Wei Xiang , Sun Lu , Wang Haiping , Zhao Feng , Chen Yan , Yu Yunsong
Published: November 2019

Background

Daptomycin is considered an important alternative for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). However, treatment failures associated with daptomycin nonsusceptibility isolates have been reported in recent years.

Methods

In this study, we investigated serial MRSA strains from 3 endocarditis patients who had breakthrough bacteremia, despite treatment with daptomycin. The strains were analyzed by whole-genome sequencing, molecular typing, and mutation screening. Population analysis and growth curves were also applied to evaluate heteroresistance and fitness cost.

Results

This series of MRSA strains belonged to ST5, ST59, and ST4513. The daptomycin minimum inhibitory concentrations for these MRSA strains increased after daptomycin exposure, whereas daptomycin-resistant strains emerged with mutations in mprF and yycH. Population analysis profiling results demonstrated the presence of a daptomycin-heteroresistant subpopulation among daptomycin-susceptible MRSA strains, and no significant fitness cost was observed within these heteroresistant MRSA clones.

Conclusions

We confirmed that daptomycin heteroresistance and resistance could emerge rapidly in MRSA strains of different lineages after daptomycin exposure. Further studies to fully understand the mechanism(s) underlying daptomycin resistance in MRSA are required.
Social determinants of violence against women in Panama: results from population-based cross-sectional studies and a femicide registry
Authors: Santamaría Ana , Gerald Carmen , Chamorro Fermina , Herrera Víctor , Flores Haydee , Sandoval Iris , Gómez Beatriz , Harbar Eyra , Liriola Leoteau , de León Richardson Ruth G , Motta Jorge , Moreno Velásquez Ilais
Published: November 2019

Background

We aimed to investigate the prevalence of violence against women (VAW) in Panama and its association with social determinants of health (SDH) and to estimate the femicide rates from 2014 to 2017.

Methods

Data were derived from three cross-sectional population-based studies. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between SDH and VAW, expressed as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Age-standardized femicide rates were estimated using data from the Public Ministry.

Results

Compared to the reference categories, women in the lowest quintile (Q) of income distribution (Q1: OR 4.0 [95% CI 1.4–11.7], Q2: OR 3.0 [95% CI 1.1–7.9]), divorced/separated women (OR 1.5 [95% CI 1.0–2.1]) and those in the age categories 25–33 y and 34–49 y (OR 1.9 [95% CI 1.2–3.1]) were more likely to have experienced violence in the past year. Indigenous ethnicity (OR 2.3 [95% CI 1.3–4.1]), age 15–19 y (OR 1.8 [95% CI 1.1–2.9]) and lowest education levels (very low: OR 4.7 [95% CI 1.4–15.5]; low: OR 4.5 [95% CI 1.4–14.6]) were associated with permissive attitudes towards violence. Indigenous (OR 2.7 [95% CI 1.3–6.1]), Afro-Panamanians (OR 3.1 [95% CI 1.3–7.6]) and education level (low: OR 2.5 [95% CI 1.2–4.9]; medium: OR 3.0 [95% CI 1.4–6.6]) were associated with physical/sexual intimate partner violence. Standardized adjusted femicide rates (×100 000) from 2015 to 2017 were 1.5, 0.9 and 0.8, respectively.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the importance of prevention programmes.
Case Report: Synthetic Cannabinoid Deaths in State of Florida Prisoners
Authors: Hvozdovich Jessica A , Chronister Chris W , Logan Barry K , Goldberger Bruce A
Published: November 2019

Between March 2017 and November 2018, 54 prisoner fatal overdose cases submitted to the University of Florida Forensic Toxicology Laboratory involved synthetic cannabinoids including 5F-ADB, FUB-AMB, 5F-AMB, MDMB-FUBINACA and AB-CHMINACA. Analysis of blood and urine samples was performed at NMS Labs (Horsham, PA) by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry screening, confirmatory and quantitative methods validated according to Scientific Working Group for Forensic Toxicology guidelines. This work highlights the importance of effective communication between toxicologists and medical examiners/coroners, and the value of public-private partnerships to provide coverage while laboratories work to update instrumentation and validate their own new methods to keep up with the challenges of emerging substances.
A new genus and species of parasitic isopod (Bopyroidea: Entoniscidae) infesting pinnotherid crabs (Brachyura: Pinnotheridae) on the Atlantic coast of the USA, with notes on the life cycle of entoniscids
Authors: McDermott John J , Williams Jason D , Boyko Christopher B
Published: November 2019

Pinnixion sexdecennia n. gen., n. sp. is described from three pinnotherid hosts: Austinixa gorei (Manning & Felder, 1989), Pinnixa chaetopterana Stimpson, 1860, and Zaops ostreus (Say, 1817). Females of the new species are distinguished from all other entoniscids by possessing two transverse lobes on oostegite 1 and fused oostegites 2–5; males have a pair of lateral expansions on each of the first two pleomeres. The epicaridium larvae of the new species also have a unique elongated, cylindrical terminal process on the pereopod 6 dactylus. Pinnixion sexdecennian. gen., n. sp. exhibited highest prevalence (> 40%) in North Carolina and Florida. Examination of live specimens of P. chaetopterana infested with mature female isopods showed that larvae are liberated via a pore produced in the wall of the host’s branchial chamber. Mature females of P. sexdecennian. gen., n. sp. occupied nearly all available space within the host crab’s hemocoel. Female P. chaetopterana had higher prevalence than males, and intensities of infestations were also greater in females. Evidence from all locations showed that mature parasites do not inhibit breeding or molting in the host. Our report is one of the few studies on the ecology and biology of entoniscids, a cryptic but ecologically important group of parasitic isopods. We also resolve long-standing nomenclatural issues involving Entione Kossmann, 1881 and Entioninae Codreanu, Codreanu & Pike, 1960, the subfamily to which the new genus and species belongs, by synonymizing Grapsion Giard & Bonnier, 1886 with Entione.
Estimates of growth and longevity of six species of freshwater shrimps (Macrobrachium spp.) (Decapoda: Caridea: Palaemonidae) from Costa Rica
Authors: Ibarra Mauricio A , Wehrtmann Ingo S
Published: November 2019

Information about growth is of particular relevance for stock assessment and management as well as for evaluating the aquaculture potential of any decapod species, but this information is lacking for the Central American species of MacrobrachiumSpence Bate, 1868. We collected specimens of six species of Macrobrachium monthly (February 2006 to August 2008) along the Pacific slope of Costa Rica. The collected individuals were sexed and weighted, and total length (TL) and carapace length (CL) were measured. The von Bertalanffy growth model was fitted to the data by applying the maximum likelihood method. The species analyzed reaching theoretically the largest sizes were M. americanum (Spence Bate, 1868), M. tenellum (Smith, 1871), and M. panamenseRathbun, 1912. With few exceptions, maximum sizes of all species were generally higher than those published in previous reports, suggesting that environmental conditions are favorable and anthropogenic impacts may be less severe in Costa Rica than in other countries. Only M. americanum exceeded the asymptotic total length estimates of other species, corroborating that this species is considered as one of the largest congeners worldwide. Estimated maximum age ranged from 3.9 (M. occidentaleHolthuis, 1950) to 11.5 yrs (M. tenellum). All six Macrobrachium species showed a positive allometric growth type. The model describing the length-weight relationship was statistically significant (P < 0.05) for all species. Although the maximum likelihood method has been applied so far mainly to compare different growth models, here we used this method to generate the first growth estimates for the six species from Costa Rica, and future studies might use this method to compare growth patterns among different species.
Frequency-domain magnetotelluric footprint analysis for 3D earths
Authors: Wang Yongfei , Liu Jianxin , Liu Rong , Guo Rongwen , Feng Deshan
Published: November 2019

For magnetotelluric (MT) data with a large coverage, inversion interpretation for the whole area is usually impossible, due to the physical limitation of a computer. However, for each MT station, it is only sensitive to a region (called MT footprint) localized immediately underneath the station, much smaller than the whole survey area. Thus the whole large survey area can be subdivided into many sub-areas and inverted using the moving footprint technique efficiently. Therefore, to understand the MT footprint is of great importance for developing such an inversion algorithm. In this paper, we study the influence of frequency, resistivity and existence of anomalous structure in the MT footprint. We first use the finite difference method to evaluate the total electromagnetic (EM) fields, then apply the numerical volume integration of tensor green's function to calculate the total induced fields at the receiver (summation of the contribution for each cell). The footprint is obtained based on the contribution of each cell to the total induced fields. Different models are designed to understand the footprint for MT problems. An increase in frequency or conductivity results in a decrease in the size of footprint. Existence of anomalous bodies within the footprint affects the MT footprint size to a degree, dependent on the overall resistivity. Outside the footprint, the existence of anomalous bodies have little effect on the footprint size and shape.
Antihistamines and Ovarian Cancer Survival: Nationwide Cohort Study and in Vitro Cell Viability Assay
Authors: Verdoodt Freija , Dehlendorff Christian , Jäättelä Marja , Strauss Robert , Pottegård Anton , Hallas Jesper , Friis Søren , Kjaer Susanne K
Published: November 2019

Antihistamines with cationic amphiphilic drug (CAD) characteristics induce cancer-specific cell death in experimental studies. Epidemiologic evidence is, however, limited. In a Danish nationwide cohort of ovarian cancer patients diagnosed during 2000–2015 (n = 5075), we evaluated the association between filled antihistamine prescriptions and cancer mortality. We used Cox regression models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for ovarian cancer mortality. In an in vitro cell viability assay, we evaluated cell death in three ovarian cancer cell lines after treatment with clinically relevant doses of eight antihistamines. In our cohort study, CAD antihistamine use (≥1 prescription; n = 133) was associated with a hazard ratio of 0.63 (95% CI = 0.40 to 0.99) compared to use of non-CAD antihistamines (n = 304), and we found a tendency toward a dose-response association. In our cell viability assay, we found consistent and dose-dependent cytotoxicity for all CAD but not non-CAD antihistamines. In this nationwide cohort study, use of antihistamines with CAD characteristics is associated with a prognostic benefit in ovarian cancer patients.
Prostate Cancer Outcomes Following Solid-Organ Transplantation: A SEER-Medicare Analysis
Authors: Liauw Stanley L , Ham Sandra A , Das Lauren C , Rudra Sonali , Packiam Vignesh T , Koshy Matthew , Weichselbaum Ralph R , Becker Yolanda T , Bodzin Adam S , Eggener Scott E
Published: November 2019

Background

Immunosuppressive regimens associated with organ transplantation increase the risk of developing cancer. Transplant candidates and recipients with prostate cancer are often treated, even if low-risk features would ordinarily justify active surveillance.

Methods

Using SEER-Medicare, we identified 163 676 men aged 66 years and older diagnosed with nonmetastatic prostate cancer. History of solid organ transplant was identified using diagnosis or procedure codes. A propensity score-matched cohort was identified by matching transplanted men to nontransplanted controls by age, race, region, year, T-stage, grade, comorbidity, and cancer therapy. Fine-Gray competing risk models assessed associations between transplant status and prostate cancer-specific mortality (PCSM) and overall mortality (OM).

Results

We identified 620 men (0.4%) with transplant up to 10 years before (n = 320) or 5 years after (n = 300) prostate cancer diagnosis and matched them to 3100 men. At 10 years, OM was 55.7% and PCSM was 6.0% in the transplant cohort compared with 42.4% (P < .001) and 7.6% (P = .70) in the nontransplant cohort, respectively. Adjusted models showed no difference in PCSM for transplanted men (hazard ratio = 0.88, 95% confidence interval = 0.61 to 1.27, P = .70) or differences by prostate cancer therapy. Among 334 transplanted men with T1-2N0, well or moderately differentiated “low-risk” prostate cancer, PCSM was similar for treated and untreated men (hazard ratio = 0.92, 95% confidence interval = 0.47 to 1.81).

Conclusions

Among men aged 66 years and older with prostate cancer, an organ transplant is associated with higher OM but no observable difference in PCSM. These findings suggest men with prostate cancer and previous or future organ transplantation should be managed per usual standards of care, including consideration of active surveillance for low-risk cancer characteristics.
Japanese Encephalitis Virus Infects the Thalamus Early Followed by Sensory-Associated Cortex and Other Parts of the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems
Authors: Fu Tzeh Long , Ong Kien Chai , Tan Soon Hao , Wong Kum Thong
Published: November 2019

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a known CNS viral infection that often involves the thalamus early. To investigate the possible role of sensory peripheral nervous system (PNS) in early neuroinvasion, we developed a left hindlimb footpad-inoculation mouse model to recapitulate human infection by a mosquito bite. A 1–5 days postinfection (dpi) study, demonstrated focal viral antigens/RNA in contralateral thalamic neurons at 3 dpi in 50% of the animals. From 4 to 5 dpi, gradual increase in viral antigens/RNA was observed in bilateral thalami, somatosensory, and piriform cortices, and then the entire CNS. Infection of neuronal bodies and adjacent nerves in dorsal root ganglia (DRGs), trigeminal ganglia, and autonomic ganglia (intestine, etc.) was also observed from 5 dpi. Infection of explant organotypic whole brain slice cultures demonstrated no viral predilection for the thalamus, while DRG and intestinal ganglia organotypic cultures confirmed sensory and autonomic ganglia susceptibility to infection, respectively. Early thalamus and sensory-associated cortex involvement suggest an important role for sensory pathways in neuroinvasion. Our results suggest that JE virus neuronotropism is much more extensive than previously known, and that the sensory PNS and autonomic system are susceptible to infection.
Giant plexiform schwannoma in the plantar aspect of the foot: a case report
Authors: Matsuoka Yuki , Kakudo Natsuko , Fukui Michika , Kusumoto Kenji
Published: November 2019

Plexiform schwannoma is a rare Schwann cell tumor that usually occurs in the head and neck. Here, we report a giant plexiform schwannoma (5.5 × 4.0 cm) in the right plantar aspect of the foot. This tumor presented from the dermis to the subcutaneous fat in the plantar aspect, forming a multiocular shape.
Storing carbon in leaf lipid sinks enhances perennial ryegrass carbon capture especially under high N and elevated CO2
Authors: Beechey-Gradwell Zac , Cooney Luke , Winichayakul Somrutai , Andrews Mitchell , Hea Shen Y , Crowther Tracey , Roberts Nick
Published: November 2019

By modifying two genes involved in lipid biosynthesis and storage [cysteine oleosin (cys-OLE)/diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase (DGAT)], the accumulation of stable lipid droplets in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) leaves was achieved. Growth, biomass allocation, leaf structure, gas exchange parameters, fatty acids, and water-soluble carbohydrates were quantified for a high-expressing cys-OLE/DGAT ryegrass transformant (HL) and a wild-type (WT) control grown under controlled conditions with 1–10 mM nitrogen (N) supply at ambient and elevated atmospheric CO2. A dramatic shift in leaf carbon (C) storage occurred in HL leaves, away from readily mobilizable carbohydrates and towards stable lipid droplets. HL exhibited an increased growth rate, mainly in non-photosynthetic organs, leading to a decreased leaf mass fraction. HL leaves, however, displayed an increased specific leaf area and photosynthetic rate per unit leaf area, delivering greater overall C capture and leaf growth at high N supply. HL also exhibited a greater photosynthesis response to elevated atmospheric CO2. We speculate that by behaving as uniquely stable microsinks for C, cys-OLE-encapsulated lipid droplets can reduce feedback inhibition of photosynthesis and drive greater C capture. Manipulation of many genes and gene combinations has been used to increase non-seed lipid content. However, the cys-OLE/DGAT technology remains the only reported case that increases plant biomass. We contrast cys-OLE/DGAT with other lipid accumulation strategies and discuss the implications of introducing lipid sinks into non-seed organs for plant energy homeostasis and growth.