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Dam removal tends to produce a series of changes in river morphology. Whereas decisions pertaining to dam removal are typically evaluated from a deterministic viewpoint, this study develops a stochastic framework for assessing the effects of hydrological variability on morphological changes in river channels resulting from dam removal. Our approach yields probability distributions for channel responses that can be used in decision-making. Application of the framework to the 25-m-tall Shihgang Dam on the Dajia River in central Taiwan reveals that the area most geomorphically sensitive to removal of the dam lies 1,200–3,600 m downstream of the dam site. We also investigate the influence of flow regime on geomorphic response using indicators of hydrologic alteration (IHA) and find that higher flows result in more pronounced channel evolution and greater thalweg migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonal and spatial distributions of total mercury (THg) in the Danshuei Estuary and adjacent coastal areas near the ocean outfall of Taipei, Taiwan, have been successfully investigated from May 2003 to January 2005. We found spatio-temporal variation in THg levels in the Danshuei coastal area was the result of sources and supplies of Hg. High THg concentrations in sediments and seawater were particularly found near the effluent outfall. Average THg levels (avg.: 9–22 ng L−1) were much higher than those in surrounding coastal seawaters (avg.:1–2 ng L−1). Organic carbon contents then played vital roles in controlling water and sedimentary Hg concentrations and occurrences. Hg enrichment factor (EF) as an index of contamination status in surface sediments of the Danshuei coastal area averaged 2.0 ± 0.8 (EFs > 1), indicating an extra non-crustal source from anthropogenic loadings. It implies the Dansheui coastal environment nearby the sewer outfall is facing Hg pollution. • The coastal Hg pollution with source attribution was successfully explored by a portable flow injection mercury analyzer. • A non-conservative Hg behavior suggests active removal processes within Danshuei Estuary, Northern Taiwan. • Organic carbon contents play vital roles in controlling water and sedimentary Hg distributions and occurrences. • High Hg concentrations and enrichment factors in sediments and seawaters were found near the ocean outfall area. • It implies the Dansheui coastal environment is facing observable Hg contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is an emerging infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 that has rapidly evolved into a pandemic to cause over 600 million infections and more than 6.6 million deaths up to Nov 25, 2022. COVID-19 carries a high mortality rate in severe cases. Co-infections and secondary infections with other micro-organisms, such as bacterial and fungus, further increases the mortality and complicates the diagnosis and management of COVID-19. The current guideline provides guidance to physicians for the management and treatment of patients with COVID-19 associated bacterial and fungal infections, including COVID-19 associated bacterial infections (CABI), pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA), candidiasis (CAC) and mucormycosis (CAM). Recommendations were drafted by the 7th Guidelines Recommendations for Evidence-based Antimicrobial agents use Taiwan (GREAT) working group after review of the current evidence, using the grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) methodology. A nationwide expert panel reviewed the recommendations in March 2022, and the guideline was endorsed by the Infectious Diseases Society of Taiwan (IDST). This guideline includes the epidemiology, diagnostic methods and treatment recommendations for COVID-19 associated infections. The aim of this guideline is to provide guidance to physicians who are involved in the medical care for patients with COVID-19 during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background/purpose: We reported an outbreak of Staphylococcus haemolyticus (SH) infection in a group of young patients (mean age 21.6) simultaneously hospitalized due to a mass-burn incident. This study analyzed the clinical features of these patients and the microbiological characteristics of the outbreak., Methods: All 50 patients hospitalized for burns were enrolled, and their clinical differences were analyzed based on culture results. A drug sensitivity test and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) were conducted to analyze the microbiological difference between SH isolates from the mass-burn casualty patients (the study group) and SH isolates from other patients hospitalized during the same period (the control group) with the intention of identifying the strain of SH outbreak., Results: Patients with isolated SH (N = 36) had a significantly higher disease severity (higher revised Baux score, APACHE II score, and concurrent bacteremia rate), and a significantly poorer clinical outcome (longer ICU and hospital stay, and longer MV usage). Significant differences in the phenotype (antibiotics drug sensitivity test) and genotype (PFGE typing) were observed between the study and control groups. The dominant PFGE type C identified among the study group was related to poorer outcomes in a subgroup analysis., Conclusion: A dominant PFGE type of SH infection was found in these mass-burn casualty patients. Pathogenesis or virulence factors may have contributed to our results. Further study of isolated SH should be conducted., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.)