First contact investigations and compliance to treatment in patients with uveitis

AIM:To ascertain the pattern of investigations at first contact in uveitic patients and evaluate compliance to treatment.METHODS:An observational study comprised of 201 uveitic patients presenting for the first time to our centre from January 2019 to June 2020.Detailed information regarding systemic investigations undertaken by specialists at the time of first contact and the cost of these investigations were reviewed on the first visit to our centre.Compliance with the treatment was determined and reasons behind non-compliance were evaluated on the first follow-up in patients who had no improvement in clinical signs and symptoms.RESULTS:The mean age of the study group was 35.35±14.1y and gender composition was 59.7%males and 40.3%females.Anterior uveitis was observed in 45.3%of patients,intermediate uveitis in 31.8%of patients,posterior uveitis in 14.9%of patients and panuveitis in 8.0%of patients.Association with a systemic disease was evident in 17.9%of patients.When compared with standard guidelines and uveitis patterns,systemic investigations were identified to be relevant only in 38.3%of patients.Non-compliance to treatment was documented in 22.4%of patients.Common reasons for non-compliance were inadequate counselling by the treating physician about treatment in 26.7%of patients and a busy schedule at work/school in 22.2%of patients.CONCLUSION:Significant number of investigations performed at first contact is found to be contrary to standard guidelines and are not contributory to the care.About a quarter of patients in this study are found to be non-compliant with the treatment.Compliance is more challenging to achieve in school-going children and working adults.The availability of comprehensive,periodically updated,evidence-based guidelines on the role of investigations and the use of trained counsellors may help to channelize proper evaluation and improve compliance to treatment,respectively,in patients with uveitis.

Investigation of the epidemiology,pathogenicity and immunogenicity of Bordetella bronchiseptica isolated from cats and dogs in China from 2021 to 2023

Bordetella bronchiseptica(Bb)is recognized as a leading cause of respiratory diseases in dogs and cats.However,epidemiological data on Bb in dogs and cats in China are still limited,and there is no commercially available vaccine.Live vaccines containing Bb that are widely used abroad are generally efective but can establish latency and potentially reactivate to cause illness in some immunodefcient vaccinated recipients,raising safety concerns.In this study,34 canine-derived and two feline-derived Bb strains were isolated from 1809 canine and 113 feline nasopharyngeal swab samples collected from eight provinces in China from 2021 to 2023.The PCR results showed that the percentage of positive Bb was 22.94%(441/1922),and more than 90%of the Bb isolates had four virulence factor-encoding genes(VFGs),namely,fhaB,prn,betA and dnt.All the isolated strains displayed a multidrug-resistant phenotype.The virulence of 10 Bb strains isolated from dogs with respiratory symptoms was tested in mice,and we found that eight isolates were highly virulent.Furthermore,the eight Bb isolates with high virulence were inactivated and intramuscularly injected into mice,and three Bb strains(WH1218,WH1203 and WH1224)with the best protective efcacy were selected.Dogs immunized with these three strains exhibited strong protection against challenge with the Bb feld strain WH1218.Ultimately,the WH1218 strain with the greatest protection in dogs was selected as the vaccine candidate.Dogs and cats that received a vaccine containing 109 CFU of the inactivated WH1218 strain showed complete protection against challenge with the Bb feld strain WH1218.This study revealed that Bb is an important pathogen that causes respiratory diseases in domestic dogs and cats in China,and all the isolates exhibited multidrug resistance.The present work contributes to the current understanding of the prevalence,antimicrobial resistance,and virulence genes of Bb in domestic dogs and cats.Additionally,our results suggest that the WH1218 strain is a promising candidate safe and efcacious inactivated Bb vaccine.

Investigations on the tensile deformation of pure Mg and Mg–15Gd alloy by in-situ X-ray synchrotron radiation and visco-plastic self-consistent modeling

In this study,the texture evolutions of two Mg materials during tension are explored.In-situ X-ray synchrotron and Visco-Plastic SelfConsistent(VPSC) modeling are employed to investigate the different deformation modes between pure Mg and Mg-15Gd(wt.%) alloy.These two materials with a strong extrusion texture show large different slip/twinning activity behaviors during tensile deformation.The basal(a) slip has the highest contribution to the initial stage of plastic deformation for pure Mg.During the subsequent plastic deformation,the prismatic slip is dominant due to the strong ED//(100) fiber texture.In contrast,the deformation behavior of Mg-15Gd alloy is more complex.Twinning and basal slip are dominant at the early stage of plastic deformation,but further deformation results in the increased activation of prismatic and pyramidal slips.In comparison to pure Mg,the ratios of the critical resolved shear stress(CRSS) between non-basal slip and basal slip of the Mg-15Gd alloy are much lower.

Analysis of Epidemiological Investigations and Responses to Human Rabies Deaths in Côte d’Ivoire, 2021

Rabies is an infectious disease that almost always leads to death as soon as the first signs appear, and is still endemic in several regions, including Côte d’Ivoire. Epidemiological investigations are carried out and response measures implemented in the event of any death from human rabies. However, the quality of these investigations does not always allow the adoption of response measures. The aim of this work was to evaluate the reports of epidemiological investigations and response actions carried out during the occurrence of human rabies deaths from 2016 to 2018. This was a cross-sectional study that took place from April to September 2021 at the National Institute of Public Hygiene and focused on human rabies deaths notified from 206 to 2018. Of sixty-one (61) human rabies deaths recorded, sixty (60) were investigated, among which fifty-nine (59) deaths had been subject to response. Most deaths occurred in rural areas (75%), and the main vector was the dog (98%). Several shortcomings were noted: response actions were not carried out promptly;joint interventions bringing together human and animal health professionals were rare, there was little communication about rabies to communities (36%), and very little vaccination of the vector, the source of the disease (12%);an almost total absence of capacity-building for local players (7%);the health districts of Abobo-Ouest, Bondoukou, Divo and Fresco, which had regularly recorded human rabies deaths, had not benefited from dog vaccination, which is supposed to break the circulation of the virus. The persistence of rabies deaths in the health districts could probably be linked to these shortcomings. Faced with these realities, it is essential to strengthen the epidemiological investigation capacities of the players involved, in order to improve the quality of investigations and ensure an effective response.

Analysis of Epidemiological Investigations and Responses to Human Rabies Deaths in Côte d’Ivoire, 2021

Rabies is an infectious disease that almost always leads to death as soon as the first signs appear, and is still endemic in several regions, including Côte d’Ivoire. Epidemiological investigations are carried out and response measures implemented in the event of any death from human rabies. However, the quality of these investigations does not always allow the adoption of response measures. The aim of this work was to evaluate the reports of epidemiological investigations and response actions carried out during the occurrence of human rabies deaths from 2016 to 2018. This was a cross-sectional study that took place from April to September 2021 at the National Institute of Public Hygiene and focused on human rabies deaths notified from 206 to 2018. Of sixty-one (61) human rabies deaths recorded, sixty (60) were investigated, among which fifty-nine (59) deaths had been subject to response. Most deaths occurred in rural areas (75%), and the main vector was the dog (98%). Several shortcomings were noted: response actions were not carried out promptly;joint interventions bringing together human and animal health professionals were rare, there was little communication about rabies to communities (36%), and very little vaccination of the vector, the source of the disease (12%);an almost total absence of capacity-building for local players (7%);the health districts of Abobo-Ouest, Bondoukou, Divo and Fresco, which had regularly recorded human rabies deaths, had not benefited from dog vaccination, which is supposed to break the circulation of the virus. The persistence of rabies deaths in the health districts could probably be linked to these shortcomings. Faced with these realities, it is essential to strengthen the epidemiological investigation capacities of the players involved, in order to improve the quality of investigations and ensure an effective response.

Experimental investigation on the permeability of gap-graded soil due to horizontal suffusion considering boundary effect

The boundary condition is a crucial factor affecting the permeability variation due to suffusion.An experimental investigation on the permeability of gap-graded soil due to horizontal suffusion considering the boundary effect is conducted,where the hydraulic head difference(DH)varies,and the boundary includes non-loss and soil-loss conditions.Soil samples are filled into seven soil storerooms connected in turn.After evaluation,the variation in content of fine sand(ΔR_(f))and the hydraulic conductivity of soils in each storeroom(C_(i))are analyzed.In the non-loss test,the soil sample filling area is divided into runoff,transited,and accumulated areas according to the negative or positive ΔR_(f) values.ΔR_(f) increases from negative to positive along the seepage path,and Ci decreases from runoff area to transited area and then rebounds in accumulated area.In the soil-loss test,all soil sample filling areas belong to the runoff area,where the gentle-loss,strengthened-loss,and alleviated-loss parts are further divided.ΔR_(f) decreases from the gentle-loss part to the strengthened-loss part and then rebounds in the alleviated-loss part,and C_(i) increases and then decreases along the seepage path.The relationship between ΔR_(f) and Ci is different with the boundary condition.Ci exponentially decreases with ΔR_(f) in the non-loss test and increases with ΔR_(f) generally in the soil-loss test.

Experimental investigation on coal pore-fracture variation and fractal characteristics synergistically affected by solvents for improving clean gas extraction

Chemical solvents instead of pure water being as hydraulic fracturing fluid could effectively increase permeability and improve clean methane extraction efficiency.However,pore-fracture variation features of lean coal synergistically affected by solvents have not been fully understood.Ultrasonic testing,nuclear magnetic resonance analysis,liquid phase mass spectrometry was adopted to comprehensively analyze pore-fracture change characteristics of lean coal treated by combined solvent(NMP and CS_(2)).Meanwhile,quantitative characterization of above changing properties was conducted using geometric fractal theory.Relationship model between permeability,fractal dimension and porosity were established.Results indicate that the end face fractures of coal are well developed after CS2and combined solvent treatments,of which,end face box-counting fractal dimensions range from 1.1227 to 1.4767.Maximum decreases in ultrasonic longitudinal wave velocity of coal affected by NMP,CS_(2)and combined solvent are 2.700%,20.521%,22.454%,respectively.Solvent treatments could lead to increasing amount of both mesopores and macropores.Decrease ratio of fractal dimension Dsis 0.259%–2.159%,while permeability increases ratio of NMR ranges from 0.1904 to 6.4486.Meanwhile,combined solvent could dissolve coal polar and non-polar small molecules and expand flow space.Results could provide reference for solvent selection and parameter optimization of permeability-enhancement technology.

Serological Investigation into the Infected Genotypes of Patients with Japanese Encephalitis in the Coastal Provinces of China

Objective Genotypes(G)1,3,and 5 of the Japanese encephalitis virus(JEV)have been isolated in China,but the dominant genotype circulating in Chinese coastal areas remains unknown.We searched for G5 JEV-infected cases and attempted to elucidate which JEV genotype was most closely related to human Japanese encephalitis(JE)in the coastal provinces of China.Methods In this study,we collected serum specimens from patients with JE in three coastal provinces of China(Guangdong,Zhejiang,and Shandong)from 2018 to 2020 and conducted JEV cross-neutralization tests against G1,G3,and G5.Results Acute serum specimens from clinically reported JE cases were obtained for laboratory confirmation from hospitals in Shandong(92 patients),Zhejiang(192 patients),and Guangdong(77 patients),China,from 2018 to 2020.Seventy of the 361 serum specimens were laboratory-confirmed to be infected with JEV.Two cases were confirmed to be infected with G1 JEV,32 with G3 JEV,and two with G5 JEV.Conclusion G3 was the primary infection genotype among JE cases with a definite infection genotype,and the infection caused by G5 JEV was confirmed serologically in China.

Systematic investigation of Radix Salviae for treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy disease based on network Pharmacology

BACKGROUND Diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN)is a debilitating complication of diabetes mellitus with limited available treatment options.Radix Salviae,a traditional Chinese herb,has shown promise in treating DPN,but its therapeutic mech-anisms have not been systematically investigated.AIM Radix Salviae(Danshen in pinin),a traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),is widely used to treat DPN in China.However,the mechanism through which Radix Salviae treats DPN remains unclear.Therefore,we aimed to explore the mechanism of action of Radix Salviae against DPN using network pharmacology.METHODS The active ingredients and target genes of Radix Salviae were screened using the TCM pharmacology database and analysis platform.The genes associated with DPN were obtained from the Gene Cards and OMIM databases,a drug-com-position-target-disease network was constructed,and a protein–protein inter-action network was subsequently constructed to screen the main targets.Gene Ontology(GO)functional annotation and pathway enrichment analysis were performed via the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)using Bioconductor.RESULTS A total of 56 effective components,108 targets and 4581 DPN-related target genes of Radix Salviae were screened.Intervention with Radix Salviae for DPN mainly involved 81 target genes.The top 30 major targets were selected for enrichment analysis of GO and KEGG pathways.CONCLUSION These results suggested that Radix Salviae could treat DPN by regulating the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.Therefore,Danshen may affect DPN by regulating inflammation and apoptosis.

A Survey of Crime Scene Investigation Image Retrieval Using Deep Learning

Crime scene investigation(CSI)image is key evidence carrier during criminal investiga-tion,in which CSI image retrieval can assist the public police to obtain criminal clues.Moreover,with the rapid development of deep learning,data-driven paradigm has become the mainstreammethod of CSI image feature extraction and representation,and in this process,datasets provideeffective support for CSI retrieval performance.However,there is a lack of systematic research onCSI image retrieval methods and datasets.Therefore,we present an overview of the existing worksabout one-class and multi-class CSI image retrieval based on deep learning.According to theresearch,based on their technical functionalities and implementation methods,CSI image retrievalis roughly classified into five categories:feature representation,metric learning,generative adversar-ial networks,autoencoder networks and attention networks.Furthermore,We analyzed the remain-ing challenges and discussed future work directions in this field.

Auto-parametric resonance of a continuous-beam-bridge model under two-point periodic excitation:an experimental investigation and stability analysis

The auto-parametric resonance of a continuous-beam bridge model subjected to a two-point periodic excitation is experimentally and numerically investigated in this study.An auto-parametric resonance experiment of the test model is conducted to observe and measure the auto-parametric resonance of a continuous beam under a two-point excitation on columns.The parametric vibration equation is established for the test model using the finite-element method.The auto-parametric resonance stability of the structure is analyzed by using Newmark's method and the energy-growth exponent method.The effects of the phase difference of the two-point excitation on the stability boundaries of auto-parametric resonance are studied for the test model.Compared with the experiment,the numerical instability predictions of auto-parametric resonance are consistent with the test phenomena,and the numerical stability boundaries of auto-parametric resonance agree with the experimental ones.For a continuous beam bridge,when the ratio of multipoint excitation frequency(applied to the columns)to natural frequency of the continuous girder is approximately equal to 2,the continuous beam may undergo a strong auto-parametric resonance.Combined with the present experiment and analysis,a hypothesis of Volgograd Bridge's serpentine vibration is discussed.

Investigation and Analysis of Main Diseases of Landscape Plants in the Main Urban Area of Lu'an City

To figure out the disease occurrence of landscape plants in the main urban area of Lu'an City,the author investigated the disease occurrence of landscape plants in park green space,residential green space,unit attached green space and main road in the area under administration.The survey results showed that there were 29 species of urban landscape plant diseases,mainly powdery mildew and spot diseases.According to the characteristics of the diseases,the causes and problems of the diseases were analyzed,and the corresponding prevention and control measures were put forward.

A Study on the Implementation Path of the Blended Teaching Model in Geological Hazards Investigation and Evaluation

Geological Hazards Investigation and Evaluation is the core course of Environmental Geological Engineering,aiming to cultivate skilled talents with solid theoretical knowledge and excellent practical skills.At present,the course faces several issues,including a teaching environment disconnected from real-world work scenarios,course content that deviates from job-related tasks,a lack of digital teaching resources,and reliance on a single teaching method,leading to students’poor feedback from employers.Based on the concept of outcome-based education,the course team of Geological Hazards Investigation and Evaluation establishes a“five-step double-rotation”blended teaching model with the help of a Small Private Online Course platform.The program is designed to improve the teaching environment and expand the digitalized teaching resources in order to improve students’learning motivation,enhance learning effectiveness,and cultivate skillful talents who meet employers’satisfaction.

A Case of Investigation and Diagnosis of Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura After Vaccination of COVID-19 Inactivated Vaccine

Objective:Analyze the relationship between inoculating one case of the COVID-19 inactivated vaccine(Vero cell)and immune thrombocytopenic purpura to provide a reference for the standardized handling of adverse events following immunization.Methods:According to the"National Monitoring Program for Suspected Adverse Reactions to Vaccinations,"an on-site investigation,data collection and analysis,expert group diagnosis,and medical association assessment were conducted on a case of immune thrombocytopenic purpura in District A of Chongqing after vaccination with the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine.The assessment report was delivered to the three relevant parties,the case was reviewed,and the experience was summarized.Results:The investigation and diagnosis by the district-level vaccination abnormal reaction expert group concluded that the disease that occurred after vaccination with the COVID-19 inactivated vaccine was secondary immune thrombocytopenic purpura,an abnormal reaction to the vaccination.The medical damage was classified as Level II Grade B.The vaccine production enterprise raised objections to this conclusion.After re-assessment by the municipal-level medical association,the conclusion was consistent with that of the district-level medical association.The vaccine production enterprise did not raise any further objections.Conclusion:Through active collaboration among district and municipal-level medical associations,disease control institutions,and vaccination units,the recipients have been promptly and effectively treated,providing financial support for their subsequent treatment and safeguarding their rights.The investigation and disposal procedures for adverse events following immunization in Chongqing are clear,and the mechanism is sound.It is necessary to continue strengthening the monitoring of adverse events following immunization according to the existing plan and to ensure timely and standardized handling.Simultaneously,it is crucial to strengthen vaccine management and vaccination management.

Application of 3D GPR attribute technology in archaeological investigations

Ground penetrating radar （GPR） attribute technology has been applied to many aspects in recent years but there are very few examples in the field of archaeology. Especially how can we extract effective attributes from the two- or three-dimensional radar data so that we can map and describe numerous archaeological targets in a large cultural site？ In this paper, we applied GPR attribute technology to investigate the ancient Nanzhao castle-site in Tengchong, Yunnan Province. In order to get better archaeological target （the ancient wall, the ancient kiln site, and the ancient tomb） analysis and description, we collated the GPR data by collected standardization and then put them to the seismic data processing and interpretation workstation. The data was processed, including a variety of GPR attribute extraction, analysis, and optimization and combined with the archaeological drilling data. We choose the RMS Amplitude, Average Peak Amplitude, Instantaneous Phase, and Maximum Peak Time to interpret three archaeological targets. By comparative analysis, we have clarified that we should use different attributes to interpret different archaeological targets and the results of attribute analysis after horizon tracking is much better than the results based on a time slice.

Industrially Experimental Investigations and Development of the Curve-ROD Baffle Heat Exchanger

The conventional heat exchanger with segmental baffles is prone to bring forth fluid-induced vibration of heat transfer tubes and increase the pressure drop of shell-side greatly at higher fluid flow velocity. In order to avoid the above defects, the ROD-baffle heat exchanger has been developed. However, its collocation of heat transfer tubes is conventionally in square, which leads to fewer heat transfer area per unit volume. Based on the ROD-baffle heat exchanger, a new type curve-ROD baffle has been developed, and an industrial investigation of the curve-ROD baffle heat exchanger with normal triangular collocation has been carried into execution. In this paper, two equations using the Reynolds number were acquired to predict the heat transfer coefficients of the shell-side and tube-side. The experimental results show that the shell-side heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of the curve-ROD baffle heat exchanger are superior to those of the segmental baffle one.

Laboratory investigations of earthquake-and landslideinduced composite surges

Seismic surges and landslides are both major secondary mountain hazards during an earthquake. This paper investigates earthquake-and landslide-induced composite surges through largescale shaking table water tank model experiments. A series of tests were conducted for various initial water depths, peak ground accelerations, slide impact velocities, and slide volumes. Based on the results of the tests, the effects of these parameters on the maximum wave heights of the earthquake-and landslide-induced composite surges were analyzed. An amplification coefficient of seismic surges was defined, and the prediction equation for the amplification coefficient was developed through nondimensional multiple linear regression analysis. Then, an empirical equation for the maximum wave heights of the composite surges was developed based on the amplification coefficient and Demirel's method. This equation provides a calculation method for earthquake-and landslide-induced composite surge waves.

Incident prevention tools-incident investigations and pre-job safety analyses

Careful and thorough incident investigations and pre-job safety analyses completed by knowledgeable and competent individuals can significantly reduce workplace incidents. Working parties must act together to make these safety tools effective. To get the staff units to work together in a co-ordinated manner, they must be shown the value of their work in preventing accidents. Examples of actual accidents investigated during the author's 18 years as a mine inspector in Saskatchewan are discussed within the context of pre-job safety analyses. The causes of the accidents are explored with close reference to how pre-job safety analyses could have prevented their occurrence.

Pinpointing Source of Mekong and Measuring Its Length Through Analysis of Satellite Imagery and Field Investigations

For centuries, explorers and scientists from different countries had made their own conclusions on the source of the Mekong. However, the geographic source of the Mekong is still arguable because of the complexity of the Mekong source water system, inaccessible environment and the varied technologies used by those explorers and scientists. The satellite remote sensing technology has been used to pinpoint the source of the Mekong, associated with the on-the-spot investigations made by the authors in June 1999 and September 2002. The actual length of the Mekong has also been calculated.

Expanding the Wilson Cycle Based on Worldwide Comparison of Continental Structures Revealed by Lithospheric Geophysical Investigations

Worldwide comparison of lithospheric investigation results achieved from projects of COCORP, BIRPS, DEKORP, LITHOPROBE, ICDP, ECORS and SINOPROBE enables us to expand the classical Wilson cycle, which mainly describes evolution of ocean plates, into a complete and detailed cycle that describes generation, development and evolution of both ocean and continent plates. The expanded Wilson cycle presented in this paper introduces the evolution sequences of continental lithospheric processes by adding into the classical Wilson cycle with ocean-continent transition, continental collision and accretion, as well as continental rifting and splitting in details. These mentioned continental lithospheric processes have been presented by the author in a series of recent review papers in detail, and their summary and further deduction is presented in this paper.