Design of simulator for seepage detection in an embankment based on distributed optic fibre sensing technology

Based on the temperature change in an embankment, a seepage flow simulator and monitoring system based on distributed optical fiber sensing are proposed. A simulator is designed that consists of scale model of embankment with definite length, seepage flow control cell and monitoring cell. Conventional hygrothermograph and flowmeter are employed in system dispersedly. The results from those conventional instruments were used to compare with the data from a distributed fibre sensing DiTeSt analyzer. The simulator equipment can monitor various embankments with different boundary conditions, such as temperature, distributions of soakage line and scales. The process of producing seepage pathway and configuration of sensing cable are presented, as well as test results with a field-installed fiber optic sensing cable. The simulator and results are helpful to build reasonable configurations for field real-time monitoring of abnormal seepage flow, which also offer an effective approach to study problems related to a secured embankment

Culture-Related Health Disparities in Quality of Life: Assessment of Instrument Dimensions Among Chinese

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is one of the major focuses of primary care. However, HRQoL instruments used in China are mainly developed from Western countries. Such instruments may not cover all important health concepts valued by the Chinese as health is a culture-specific concept.Objectives: The objectives of this study are to identify culture-specific health dimensions and culture-related health disparities in primary care that are considered important by Chinese living in China.Methods: A purposive sample of 164 adult Chinese (67 healthy persons and 97 patients) were interviewed face to face. In-depth open-ended questions were asked to elicit culture-specific dimensions of quality of life in primary care settings in China.Results: Twelve health dimensions were identified. Five most frequently mentioned dimensions were: mood (N = 52, 31.71%), physical activities (N = 48, 29.27%), work (N = 40, 24.39%), diet (N = 32, 19.51%), and vitality (N = 28, 17.07%). Significantly more healthy persons reported mood (49.25 vs. 19.59%, P < 0.001), mindset (16.42 vs. 0.00%, P < 0.001), and self-care (11.94 vs. 2.06%, P = 0.016) characterizing good HRQoL, while more patients emphasized on work (4.48 vs. 38.14%, P < 0.001). Diet and vitality appeared to be culture-specific dimensions related to health among Chinese.Conclusions: To better adapt or develop HRQoL instruments for Chinese, dimensions or items regarding diet might be included and disparities in the meaning of vitality between Chinese and Western cultures should be considered

Azithromycin Treatment Failure Among Primary and Secondary Syphilis Patients in Shanghai

Azithromycin has been used to treat primary and secondary syphilis and as prophylaxis for sexual partners. We evaluated syphilis treatment failure in patients who received azithromycin therapy

Fat-water separation by fast metabolite cycling magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging at 3 T: A method to generate separate quantitative distribution maps of musculoskeletal lipid components

Purpose: To provide a rapid, noninvasive fat-water separation technique that allows producing quantitative maps of particular lipid components. Methods: The calf muscles in 5 healthy adolescents (age 12-16 years; body mass index = 20 ± 3 kg/m2 ) were scanned by two different fat fraction measurement methods. A density-weighted concentric-ring trajectory metabolite-cycling MRSI technique was implemented to collect data with a nominal resolution of 0.25 mL within 3 minutes and 16 seconds. For comparative purposes, the standard Dixon technique was performed. The two techniques were compared using structural similarity analysis. Additionally, the difference in the distribution of each lipid over the adolescent calf muscles was assessed based on the MRSI data. Results: The proposed MRSI technique provided individual fat fraction maps for eight musculoskeletal lipid components identified by LCModel analysis (IMC/L [CH3 ], EMCL [CH3 ], IMC/L [CH2 ]n , EMC/L [CH2 ]n , IMC/L [CH2 -CH], EMC/L [CH2 -CH], IMC/L [-CH=CH-], and EMC/L [-CH=CH-]) with mean structural similarity indices of 0.19, 0.04, 0.03, 0.50, 0.45, 0.04, 0.07, and 0.12, respectively, compared with the maps generated by the used Dixon method. Further analysis of voxels with zero structural similarity demonstrated an increased sensitivity of fat fraction lipid maps from the data acquired using this MRSI technique over the standard Dixon technique. The lipid spatial distribution over calf muscles was consistent with previously published findings in adults. Conclusion: This MRSI technique can be a useful tool when individual lipid fat fraction maps are desired within a clinically acceptable time and with a nominal spatial resolution of 0.25 mL

C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 1 Promotes Colitis by Modulating the Gut Microbiota

Introduction: C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1) is a potent neutrophil chemoattractant that plays a pivotal role in recruiting neutrophils during inflammatory conditions. This study explored the role of CXCL1 in modulating the gut microbiota, influencing neutrophil infiltration, and contributing to the development of colitis. Methods: We employed quantitative PCR to assess CXCL1 expression in colon samples. A mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis was utilized to explore the progression of colitis in wild-type (WT) and CXCL1-deficient (CXCL1−/−) mice. Results: Colitis attenuation was evident in CXCL1−/− mice. Significant alterations were observed in the gut microbiome, as revealed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Furthermore, CXCL1−/− mice exhibited reduced gut permeability and diminished endotoxin levels in peripheral blood following DSS treatment compared to WT mice. In response to DSS treatment, WT mice showed a clear increase in neutrophil infiltration, while CXCL1−/− mice exhibited lower levels of infiltration. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) using stools from CXCL1−/− mice alleviated DSS-induced colitis. Interestingly, FMT from patients with colitis increased CXCL1 and Ly6G expression in the colons of gut-sterilized mice. Clinical data analysis revealed elevated CXCL1 and CD15 expression in patients with colitis, with a positive correlation between the severity of colitis and the expression of CXCL1 and CD15. Conclusion: These findings shed light on the pivotal role of CXCL1 in promoting colitis by modulating the gut microbiota