Lake Erie Research Institute

<p>To uncover the pollution characteristics of the main rivers flowing into Erhai Lake, a study was conducted from January 2014 to December 2016, monitoring the water quality and quantity of 27 major rivers using total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), and chemical oxygen demand (CODcr) as pollution indicators. Additionally, this study combined an analysis of precipitation data during the same period with water quality monitoring data from the lake area, detailing the water quantity and quality characteristics of the rivers entering the lake, estimating the pollution load entering the lake, and assessing the impact of this pollution load on the lake's water quality. The results indicate that: a) from 2014 to 2016, the total water inflow from the 27 main rivers into the lake ranged from 287 million to 474 million m³, with the inflow during the flood season accounting for 79.17%, 74.90%, and 61.96% of the annual total, respectively. The water inflow into the lake was positively correlated with the basin's precipitation; b) over time, pollutant concentrations exhibited a fluctuating trend, initially increasing and then decreasing throughout the year. Generally, water quality during the rainy season was good, and the spatial variation in pollutant concentrations was less pronounced than the temporal variation, with a significant negative correlation between pollutant concentrations and basin rainfall; c) the pollution load entering Erhai Lake initially decreased, then increased, and subsequently decreased again over the year. The pollution load was primarily influenced by water volume, with contribution rates ranked as north bank > west bank > southeast bank. The total nitrogen input from the rivers was positively correlated with the total nitrogen concentration in the lake area, while total phosphorus input was positively correlated with the total phosphorus concentration in the lake area, indicating that these rivers are significant sources of nitrogen and phosphorus for Erhai Lake.</p>

Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy was compared with cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy augmented by leuprolide acetate (LA) for suppression of pedophilic behavior. Five male pedophiles (M age, 50 years; range, 36-58) were administered LA by Depo injection for 12 months, followed by saline placebo for 12 months. Testosterone levels, sexual interest preference by visual reaction time (Abel Assessment), penile tumescence (Monarch Penile Plethysmography, PPG), as well as strong sexual urges toward children and masturbatory frequency involving thoughts of children (polygraph), were measured every 3 months. On LA, testosterone decreased to castrate levels. Penile tumescence was significantly suppressed compared with baseline, but sufficient response remained to detect pedophilic interest. Pedophilic interest was also detected by visual reaction times. When asked about having pedophilic urges and masturbating to thoughts of children, all subjects self-reported a decrease. Polygraph responses indicated subjects were not deceptive. On placebo, testosterone and physiologic arousal eventually rose to baseline. As noted by polygraph, at baseline and on placebo, subjects were deceptive regarding increased pedophilic urges and masturbatory frequency. Interest preference, as measured by Abel Assessment and Monarch PPG, was generally unchanged throughout the study. Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy augmented with LA significantly reduced pedophilic fantasies, urges, and masturbation; however, pedophilic interest did not change during 1 year of therapy. Deceptive responses by polygraph suggested that self-report was unreliable. Follow-up utilizing objective measures is essential for monitoring efficacy of treatment in pedophilia. Our study supports the premise that suppression of pedophilic behavior is possible. LA may augment cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy and help break the sequence leading to a re-offense.