Objective To organize a nationwide interlaboratory comparison for measurement of gross α and gross β radioactivity in water, and improve the laboratory analysis of gross α and gross β radioactivity in water. Methods A unified comparison protocol was developed by the organizers. The groundwater with high natural radioactivity was used as water sample and distributed randomly to the participating laboratories. The participating laboratories used routine analytical methods to measure the samples and provided information such as analytical results, original records, and test reports. The results were evaluated using z-score. Results A total of 76 laboratories participated in the comparison, all employing the evaporation concentration-α/β counting method. Among them, 69 laboratories achieved |z| ≤ 2 for both gross α and gross β radioactivity measurements, and 32 laboratories achieved |z| ≤ 0.50 for both gross α and gross β radioactivity measurements. There were 69 laboratories with qualified results and 30 laboratories with excellent results, yielding a qualified rate of 90.8% and an excellent rate of 39.5%. Seven laboratories showed unqualified results and the unqualified rate was 9.2%. Conclusion Most laboratories have the ability to analyze gross α and gross β radioactivity in water. The main reasons for the deviation in comparison results are calibration efficiency, errors in the total residue mass caused by improper water sample processing operations. By analyzing the main technical problems existed in unqualified laboratories, their ability for measurement of gross α and gross β radioactivity in water has been improved.

Objective To observe the value of artificial intelligence(AI)knowledge graph and image classification for quality control(QC)of chest posterior-anterior position X-ray radiograph(abbreviated as chest film).Methods Totally 9 236 chest films from 595 medical institutions in Anhui province imaging cloud platform were retrospectively enrolled.QC knowledge graph containing 21 classification labels were constructed.Firstly,QC of chest films based on the above knowledge graph were performed by 10 technicians for 2 rounds of single person and 1 round of multi person,and the results were recorded as A,B and C,respectively.Then AI algorithms were used to classify and evaluate based on knowledge graph,and the result was recorded as D.Finally,a QC expert reviewed results C and D to determine the final QC results and taken those as references to analyze the efficiency of the above 4 QC.Results The area under the curve(AUC)of AI algorithm for QC of chest films were all ≥0.780,with an average value of 0.939.The average precision of QC for chest films of A,B,C and D was 81.15％,85.47％,91.65％and 92.21％,respectively.Conclusion AI knowledge graph and image classification technology could be effectively used for QC of chest posterior-anterior position X-ray radiograph.

Purpose Develop deep learning models to assess the clarity of chest X-ray images and validate the model's effectiveness by comparing it with the subjective evaluations of radiologists.Materials and Methods A retrospective collection of 9 135 chest X-ray images from 590 hospitals in Anhui Province,spanning from June 2015 to August 2022,was organized involving multiple radiologists who repeatedly evaluated the clarity of the images using a five-level scoring system.Individual assessments were designated as A and B,whereas the collective result of multiple assessments was designated as C.By constructing a deep learning model based on ResNet-50,image clarity evaluations of chest X-ray images were performed,we used the result C as the training and testing data for the model.The model's evaluation results were denoted as D.A radiology quality control expert conducted an audit assessment of the model's evaluation results and the multi-person assessments of physicians,serving as the reference standard for image clarity.Their assessment results were labeled as E.Statistical analysis,including Spearman's rank correlation coefficient,root mean square error(RMSE)and accuracy was employed to evaluate the effectiveness of the model.Results Compared with the reference standard E,D achieved an average accuracy of 0.85,exceeding the accuracy of C,which stood at 0.84.The ρ values for A,B,C,D and E were 0.58(0.54,0.62),0.59(0.55,0.63),0.74(0.71,0.77)and 0.80(0.78,0.82),respectively.The model exhibited the highest correlation with E.The ρ between A and B was 0.45(0.41,0.49),indicating a lower correlation between two individual subjective assessments of image clarity.The RMSE values for A,B,C,D and E were 0.99,0.94,0.72,and 0.71,respectively.The model's RMSE was lower than that of manual assessments.Conclusion This research model is capable of accurately assessing the clarity of chest X-ray images,and reducing the subjective interference of manual evaluation through deep learning methods,thereby providing an effective and objective evaluation tool for the assessment of clarity in clinical radiographic images.

Objective:To achieve rapid and accurate detection of trace uranium in drinking water by analyzing the factors influencing the accuracy of uranium measurement in drinking water using ultraviolet fluorescence method and by evaluating the uncertainty in measurement.Methods:The influence of acidity, Fe 3+ and Mn 2+ contents on the analitical result were studied to optimize the measurement conditions. The accuracy of the measurement method was verified in 7 laboratories. By studying the errors introduced in the process of standard preparation, sample pretreatment and measurement, the sources of uncertainty were analyzed and the uncertainty was synthesized. Results:At pH 1-11 in aqueous solution, the linear regression coefficient of the standard curve was greater than 0.995, which was in line with the linear measurement range of the instrument. At pH 12 or so, the linear regression coefficient was 0.761, which could not meet the measurement requirements. At pH<3 or pH>10, the increase in fluorescence count was lower, which might increase the measurement error. At Fe 3+ concentration ≥15 mg/L, a large deviation occurred in measurement value that could affect seriously measurement result. At Mn 2+ concentration ≥ 1.6 mg/L, the sample produced white precipitation, which could affect the measurement accuracy. Three spiked water samples with different concentrations were determined in 8 laboratories. Each water sample was measured six times in parallel. The relative standard uncertainty of the result were 6.42×10 -2, 4.48×10 -2 and 5.26×10 -2 μg/L, and the expanded uncertainties were 0.03, 0.06 and 0.12 μg/L( k=2), respectively. Conclusions:The optimum conditions for the determination of uranium in water using this method pH were in samples 3-10, the concentration of Fe 3+ less than 15 mg/L, and the concentration of Mn 2+ less than or equal to 1.6 mg/L. The main sources of uncertainty in the measurement of uranium in water using ultraviolet fluorescence method arise from the repeated measurement error and the volume of added standard solution.

Objective:To learn about the knowledge and practice of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) prevention and control among main caregivers of pregnant women in trimester and its related influencing factors, so as to provide a scientific basis for effectively improving the iodine nutrition level of pregnant women.Methods:In April 2020, using the stratified sampling method, 2 districts and counties were selected in the urban, suburban and rural areas of Hangzhou City, respectively, and 5 maternal and child health care institutions were selected as the survey sites in each district and county according to the five directions of East, West, South, North and Middle. A face-to-face questionnaire investigation was used to investigate the knowledge and practice of IDD prevention and control among main caregivers of pregnant women.Results:Totally 601 caregivers of pregnant women were investigated. Among them, 68.9% (414/601) knew that eating iodized salt was the best way to prevent IDD. However, 15.0% (90/601) thought that eating seafood was the best way to prevent IDD. And 41.9% (252/601) caregivers of pregnant women would actively purchase iodine-rich food for cooking, and 63.6% (382/601) would choose iodized salt. There were statistically significant differences in the knowledge and practice of IDD prevention and control among caregivers of pregnant women in urban, suburban and rural areas ( P < 0.05). And 50.3% (87/173) male caregivers would actively purchase iodine-rich food for cooking, which was higher than that of female caregivers [38.6% (165/428)], the difference was statistically significant (χ 2 = 6.97, P = 0.008). There was a statistically significant difference between the caregivers of pregnant women of different ages in actively purchasing iodine-rich food for cooking (χ 2 = 12.61, P = 0.013). And there were statistically significant differences between the caregivers of pregnant women with different educational levels in actively purchasing iodine-rich food for cooking and choosing iodized salt (χ 2 = 29.34, 39.42, P < 0.001). Conclusions:The awareness of knowledge about IDD prevention and control and the formation of prevention and control behavior among caregivers of pregnant women in Hangzhou City are poor. Active education of caregivers of pregnant women should be strengthened to promote maternal and infant health.

Objective:To study the influence of source thickness and counting efficiency calibration on the measurement of gross alpha activity in water.Methods:241Am and natural uranium reference materials were spiked in drinking water to prepare source on a planchet with different thickness, for counting alpha activity on the planchet. Results:The effective thickness measured by spiking 241Am or uranium standard solution in water sample was consistent with the empirical value of 4 mg/cm 2. The alpha counting rate was in a linear increase trend from 2A-5A mg/cm 2 and was basically stable and no longer increase when thickness was higher than 10A mg/cm 2 (A was area of planchet). The result calculated by effective thickness method and thick source method were in good agreement when thickness was 10A mg/cm 2. Conclusions:In order to reduce the deviation of gross alpha counting rate caused by the source thickness and counting efficiency calibration, the source thickness is recommended to be 10A mg/cm 2.

Objective:To analyze the trend of premature death of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Wuxi from 2008 to 2018 and evaluate the influence of premature mortality probability caused by four main NCDs on life expectancy.Methods:Based on the mortality data collected by Wuxi Mortality Registration System and the population data collected by Wuxi Public Security Bureau during 2008-2018, this study analyzes the trend of the probability of premature death on malignant tumors, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes. The impact on life expectancy was analyzed by using the methods of abridged life table, Joinpoint regression, and life expectancy contribution decomposition.Results:From 2008 to 2018, the total probability of premature death of four main NCDs in Wuxi were declined consistently from 11.25% to 9.25% (AAPC = -2.0%, 95% CI: -2.6--1.5), higher in female (from 7.74% to 5.91%) than that in male (from 14.49% to 12.51%). The Wuxi resident's life expectancy increased by 1.86 years (from 78.66 to 80.52 years), in males and 1.26 years (from 83.85 to 85.11 years) in females, respectively. The decline of premature death of malignant tumors, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and chronic respiratory system diseases had a positive contribution to life expectancy, which contributed 0.34 years (23.90%), 0.15 years (10.50%), and 0.03 years (2.36%) to the life expectancy growth, respectively. Among which, premature death of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in men aged 40-55y had a negative contribution to life expectancy (-0.04 years). The probability of premature death of males with diabetes was on the rise (AAPC = 7.1%, 95% CI: 2.8-11.6), which negatively contributed to life expectancy for both males and females, reducing life expectancy by 0.03 years (-2.14%) in Wuxi. Conclusion:The premature death probability of four main NCDs in Wuxi declined consistently from 2008 to 2018, which played a positive role in the growth of life expectancy. Compared with females, males had a higher premature death probability and a slower rate of decline. More intervention and health management of premature male death on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and diabetes should be conducted to improve life expectancy further.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness and sensitivity of entropy and regional homogeneity (ReHo) for identifying irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) based on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). METHODS: Voxel-based approximate entropy (ApEn) was calculated based on findings of resting fMRI of 54 patients with IBS and 54 healthy control subjects. Feature selection was performed using independent sample -test, and support vector machine was then used to classify and identify different groups. The classification performance obtained from ApEn was compared with that from ReHo. RESULTS: Significant differences between the two groups were found in the left triangle part of inferior prefrontal gyrus, right angular gyrus of the inferior parietal lobule, left inferior temporal gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, left lingual gyrus, bilateral middle occipital gyrus and bilateral superior occipital gyrus for ReHo ( < 0.05), and in the bilateral postcentral gyrus, right precentral gyrus, right inferior temporal gyrus, bilateral middle temporal gyrus and left superior occipital gyrus for ApEn ( < 0.05). ApEn consistently showed better performance than ReHo regardless of the variations in the number of features. The classification accuracy, specificity and sensitivity of ApEn were 93.5185%, 90.7407% and 96.2963%, respectively, as compared with 86.1111%, 85.1852% and 87.037% of ReHo. CONCLUSIONS Entropy analysis based on fMRI can be more sensitive and effective than ReHo for identification of IBS.
Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; Brain Mapping ; Case-Control Studies ; Entropy ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; diagnostic imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Objective: To investigate the effect of Micro-lecture combined with Simbaby teaching model in the practical teaching of neonatology for undergraduates. Methods: A total of 160 five-year medical undergraduates from grade 2013 to grade 2015 were divided into group A (the control group) and group B (the experimental group), with 40 male students and 40 female students in each group. Students in group B received Micro-lecture combined with Simbaby teaching model, while students in group A received traditional teaching method. In group A, teachers adopted traditional teaching method with the use of common teaching models, then students practiced on these models following the demonstrations from teachers. In group B, students previewed the contents before class in micro-lecture, then teachers made Simbaby to be used as case models and explained to the students as how to use the model in actual class. Students made diagnosis and gave treatment to the Simbaby after physical examination. At last, teaching effects were evaluated by questionnaire survey and theoretical test. The SPSS 24.0 was used to conduct t-test and chi square test. Results: The average scores of theoretical test (88.40±9.40) and skill test in group B (79.53±8.84) were significantly higher than those in group A (84.86±9.50) and (72.35±9.70), with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The results of Questionnaires showed that learning enthusiasm and initiative, clinical operation skills and clinical thinking ability in group B were significantly better than in group A (P<0.05). However, improvement of the awareness for team cooperation in the two groups had no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). Conclusion Micro-lecture combined with Simbaby teaching model can help students comprehend the basic theories of neonatal disease and improve their clinical operation skills, self-learning ability and clinical thinking ability, which is worth to be promoted in neonatal clinical teaching.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the application value of rectal prolapse constipation balloon in single auxiliary defecation. METHODS: Forty-one patients with moderate or severe rectocele were treated with a rectocele constipation balloon through the vagina. The defecography and VAS scores were compared before and after implantation. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the anorectal angle, rectocele, and VAS scores before and after intervention in defecography (<0.01). CONCLUSIONS A single assisted defecation of the rectocelicular constipation balloon is feasible.
Constipation ; diagnosis ; Defecation ; Defecography ; instrumentation ; Female ; Humans ; Rectal Prolapse ; Rectocele