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In this paper, stable and homogeneous feather keratin was effectively extracted from feathers. Its molecular weight is 20kDa with low dispersivity. The extracted feather keratin (FK) and its derivatives (FK-ET) were used as natural polymer flocculants. It was a new kind of effective and innoxious flocculant for the COD removal of potato starch wastewater. The removal rate of COD was up to 75% under the following optimal condition: 100mL of initial wastewater (COD = 7380), T = 20°C, [FK-ET] = 0.4g/L, [Bent] = 4g/L, pH = 8.0. Compared with traditional flocculants, keratin flocculants are innoxious natural polymers. Their sludge is easy to be treated, and there is no further pollution. Also, the flocculating constituents, which containing keratin, starch, saccharide, protein and other solubility substances from wastewaters, should be reutilized. It has practical application value in water treatment as a kind of natural polymer flocculant.

Summary Given the frequent occurrence of various food incidents, food safety is a significant public health concern worldwide. Health information plays an important role in risk prevention. As its reach continues to broaden, the Internet is emerging as a major source of health information for the public, although some social groups continue to have limited access. This study investigates the relation between the digital divide and practices for preventing food incidents in Taiwan. Using a nationally representative survey of 2098 adults, the results of our multinomial logistic regression and bootstrapped mediation analysis indicate the existence of second- and third-level digital divides. The association between socioeconomic status and Internet use time and digital skills results in disparities in food risk prevention behaviors and is partially mediated by online food safety information acquisition. Our findings reveal that the digital divide exacerbates health inequalities in food risk prevention. In addition to providing useful food safety information online, communication interventions should address the digital inequality by delivering food safety information through alternative networks for disadvantaged members of the public.

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Black sexual minority men (BSMM), including those with HIV, have disproportionate rates of syphilis infection. This study examines the associations of social network characteristics on syphilis testing, given that social network approaches are well established as effective methods to establish health-promoting social norms. We analyzed baseline data from a sexual health behavioral intervention. Using multivariable logistic regression, we modeled individual and social network characteristics on syphilis testing. Of the 256 participants, 37% tested for syphilis in the past year. In the adjusted model controlling for individual factors, odds of syphilis testing increased 89% for each increase in network member participants being encouraged to get a syphilis test (95% confidence interval [1.19-3.00]). Feeling comfortable accompanying a friend for HIV/sexually transmitted infection testing was associated with 2.47 increased odds of syphilis testing. Encouraging and training individuals to discuss sexual health topics with their network members may lead to the establishment of testing in social networks of Black sexual minority men.