Accounting for water levels and black carbon-inclusive sediment-water partitioning of organochlorines in Lesser Himalaya, Pakistan using two-carbon model

Abstract

This study was designed to monitor organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in riverine water of Lesser Himalaya along the altitude. Further, the sediment-water partitioning employing organic carbon and black carbon models were assessed. Results revealed higher water levels of organochlorine pesticides (0.07–41.4 ng L⁻¹) and polychlorinated biphenyls (0.671–84.5 ng L⁻¹) in Lesser Himalayan Region (LHR) of Pakistan. Spatially, elevated levels were observed in the altitudinal zone (737–975 masl) which is influenced by anthropogenic and industrial activities. Sediment-water partitioning of OCPs and PCBs were deduced using field data by employing one-carbon (f_OCK_OC) and two-carbon Freundlich models (f_OCK_OC + f_BCK_BCC_W^nF−1). Results suggested improved measured vs predicted model concentrations when black carbon was induced in the model and suggested adsorption to be the dominant mechanism in phase partitioning of organochlorines in LHR.

The impacts of environmental governance on political turnover of municipal party secretary in China

Abstract

Political incentive is one of the most efficient methods to promote local officials to push for both economic growth and environmental progress in the context of China. Since previous scholars have never investigated the relationships between political turnover and environmental governance at the municipal level, in this work, we proxy pollution by SO₂, COD, SOOT, and NHx and examine whether environmental performance affects the political turnover of the municipal party secretary by exploiting a panel conditional logit with a fixed-effect model for the period 2002–2013. The results indicate that environmental performance does not significantly impact the turnover of municipal party secretaries, offering evidence that an increase of SO₂ is associated with the likelihood of promotion under the panel multinomial logit approach. However, a higher GDP growth rate plays the determinant factor affecting the promotion of China's municipal party secretaries. Specific policy recommendations are proposed in accordance with our empirical findings.

Micro-bubbles enhanced breakage warning for hollow fiber membrane integrity with a low-cost real-time monitoring device

Abstract

A low-cost device was developed to monitor the integrity of hollow fiber membrane by real-time online detecting and measuring air bubbles in the permeate flow. When a breakage occurs in the fiber membrane system, air bubbles will find their ways to enter the permeate flow. The monitoring device consists of two pairs of platinum probes attached to a pipe, along which the permeate flows. Membrane's breakage was identified by the voltage changes between the two pairs of probes when air bubbles in the permeate touch them. There was no addition of any other chemicals or materials into the system that would jeopardize final products of the membrane process. Experimental results showed that the voltage signal changes before and after a breach of membrane were obvious in the normal operation conditions. The smallest diameter of the bubbles that can be detected by the monitoring device was 50 μm, which was captured and identified with a high-speed camera. Furthermore, the sensitivity of device with two pairs of probes improved by 5~9% over that with one pair of probes. Finally, cost of the proposed device was roughly estimated only about 70 US dollars and the detection result was highly consistent with that obtained with the prevailing particle counters of several thousand US dollars.

A 35-Year-Old Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Male With Abdominal Pain and a Knot in His Abdomen

(See page 150 for the Photo Quiz.)

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A 35-Year-Old Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Man With Abdominal Pain and a Knot in His Abdomen

(See pages 151–2 for the Answer to the Photo Quiz.)

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In the Literature

In Memoriam, Fred Gordin, MD, 1951–2018

Fred Gordin, MD. Photo by Anne Willoughby, MD. Reprinted with permission

Explanation and abstraction from a backward-error analytic perspective

Abstract

We argue that two powerful error-theoretic concepts (backward error and conditioning) provide a general framework that satisfactorily accounts for key aspects of the explanation of physical patterns. This method gives an objective criterion to determine which mathematical models in a class of (possibly idealized) neighboring models are just as good as the exact one. The method also emphasizes that abstraction is essential for explanation and provides a precise conceptual framework that determines whether a given abstraction is explanatorily relevant and justified. Hence, it increases our epistemological understanding of how one should go about reconstructing scientific practices by making clear that, at a fundamental level, a key aspect of mathematical modeling consists in exactly solving nearby problems.

Chemicals from textiles to skin: an in vitro permeation study of benzothiazole

Abstract

Despite the possible impact on human health, few studies have been conducted to assess the penetration and accumulation of contaminants in the skin after a prolonged contact with textile materials. In previous studies, we have shown that benzothiazole and its derivatives, as well as other potentially hazardous chemicals, often are present as textile contaminants in clothes available on the retail market. Since benzothiazole is a common contaminant in clothes, these can be a possible route for human chemical exposure, both systemic and onto the skin. To investigate this potential exposure, Franz-type and flow-through cells were used for the permeation studies together with a Strat-M® artificial membranes. Experiments were performed using solutions of benzothiazole, as well as contaminated textile samples in the donor chamber. Benzothiazole was demonstrated to penetrate through, as well as being accumulated in the membrane mimicking the skin. After 24 h, up to 62% of benzothiazole was found in the acceptor cell, while up to 37% was found absorbed in the skin mimicking membrane. It also was shown that there was release and permeation from contaminated fabrics. The results indicate that benzothiazole can be released from textile materials, penetrate through the skin, and further enter the human body. This will possibly also apply to other chemical contaminants in textiles, and the results of this study indicate that the presence of these textile contaminants entails potential health risks. A rough risk assessment was made for clothing textiles according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and European regulations for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic compounds, using literature data for benzothiazole.

Existing agricultural ecosystem in China leads to environmental pollution: an econometric approach

Abstract

Sustainable agriculture ensures food security and prevents starvation. However, the need to meet the increasing food demands of the growing population has led to poor and unsustainable agricultural practices, which promote environmental degradation. Given the contributions of agricultural ecosystems to environmental pollution, we investigated the impact of the agricultural ecosystem on environmental pollution in China using time series data from 1960 to 2014. We employed several methods for econometric analysis including the unit root test, Johansen test of cointegration, Granger causality test, and vector error correction model. Evidence based on the long-run elasticity indicates that a 1% increase in the emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) equivalent to nitrous oxide from synthetic fertilizers will increase the emissions of CO₂ by 1.52% in the long run. Similarly, a 1% increase in the area of harvested rice paddy, cereal production, biomass of burned crop residues, and agricultural GDP will increase the carbon dioxide emissions by 0.85, 0.63, 0.37, and 0.22%, respectively. The estimated results indicate that there are long-term equilibrium relationships among the selected variables considered for the agricultural ecosystem and carbon dioxide emissions. In particular, we identified bidirectional causal associations between CO₂ emissions, biomass of burned crop residues, and cereal production.

Graphical abstract

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A network analysis of indirect carbon emission flows among different industries in China

Abstract

Indirect carbon emissions account for a large ratio of the total carbon emissions in processes to make the final products, and this implies indirect carbon emission flow across industries. Understanding these flows is crucial for allocating a carbon allowance for each industry. By combining input–output analysis and complex network theory, this study establishes an indirect carbon emission flow network (ICEFN) for 41 industries from 2005 to 2014 to investigate the interrelationships among different industries. The results show that the ICEFN was consistent with a small-world nature based on an analysis of the average path lengths and the clustering coefficients. Moreover, key industries in the ICEFN were identified using complex network theory on the basis of degree centrality and betweenness centrality. Furthermore, the 41 industries of the ICEFN were divided into four industrial subgroups that are related closely to one another. Finally, possible policy implications were provided based on the knowledge of the structure of the ICEFN and its trend.

Estimation of marginal abatement costs of CO 2 in Chinese provinces under 2020 carbon emission rights allocation: 2005–2020

Abstract

The calculation of marginal abatement costs of CO₂ plays a vital role in meeting China's 2020 emission reduction targets by providing reference for determining carbon tax and carbon trading pricing. However, most existing researches only used one method to discuss regional and industrial marginal abatement costs, and almost no studies predicted future marginal abatement costs from the perspective of CO₂ emission efficiency. To make up for the gaps, this paper first estimates marginal abatement costs of CO₂ in three major industries of 30 provinces in China from 2005 to 2015 based on three assumptions. Second, based on the principle of fairness and efficiency, China's 2020 emission reduction targets are decomposed by province. Based on the ZSG-C-DDF model, the marginal abatement costs of CO₂ in all provinces in China in 2020 are estimated and compared with the marginal abatement costs of 2005 to 2015. The results show that (1) from 2005 to 2015, marginal abatement costs of CO₂ in all provinces show a fluctuating upward trend; (2) compared with the marginal abatement costs of primary industry or tertiary industry, most provinces have lower marginal abatement costs for secondary industry; and (3) the average marginal abatement costs of CO₂ for China in 2020 are 2766.882 Yuan/tonne for the 40% carbon intensity reduction target and 3334.836 Yuan/tonne for the 45% target, showing that the higher the emission reduction target, the higher the marginal abatement costs of CO₂. (4) Overall, the average marginal abatement costs of CO₂ in China by 2020 are higher than those in 2005–2015. The empirical analysis in this paper can provide multiple references for environmental policy makers.

Effect of polymorphisms in IL‐12B p40, IL‐17A and IL‐23 A/G genes on the response of psoriatic patients to narrowband UVB

Photodermatology, Photoimmunology &Photomedicine, EarlyView.

Prevalence of ALK gene alterations among the spectrum of plexiform spitzoid lesions

ALK gene rearrangements have been described in spitzoid lesions with plexiform growth pattern., ALK alterations characterize a significant subset of Spitz nevi and atypical Spitz tumors and can coexist with BRAF gene mutations., ALK immunohistochemistry represents a simple and relatively inexpensive ancillary technique to classify lesions with ALK gene alterations.

Inflammatory bowel disease events after exposure to the IL-17 inhibitors, secukinumab and ixekizumab: A post-marketing analysis from the RADAR (Research on Adverse Drug events And Reports) Program

Clinical and Histopathological Features of Paraneoplastic Granuloma Annulare in Association with Solid Organ Malignancies: Case Control Study

Granuloma annulare (GA) is a granulomatous skin eruption rarely reported in association with solid organ, lymphoid, and blood malignancies., The clinical and histopathological features of paraneoplastic GA associated with solid organ malignancies are similar to classic GA., Cancer screening should be considered for patients with GA who display signs or symptoms concerning for underlying malignancy.

Alternative Uses of Dermatoscopy In Daily Clinical Practice: An Update

Dermatoscopy is mainly used for the diagnosis of pigmented and non-pigmented skin tumours, The use of dermatoscopy beyond skin tumours is constantly increasing, Dermatoscopy may enhance the clinical diagnosis of various skin disorders, narrowing down the differential diagnosis and avoiding, in selected cases, unnecessary skin biopsy

2-methoxymethyl-para-phenylenediamine containing hair dye as a less allergenic alternative for para-phenylenediamine allergic individuals