Low-Complexity Acoustic Scene Classification Using Data Augmentation and Lightweight ResNet

We present a work on low-complexity acoustic scene classification (ASC) with multiple devices, namely the subtask A of Task 1 of the DCASE2021 challenge. This subtask focuses on classifying audio samples of multiple devices with a low-complexity model, where two main difficulties need to be overcome. First, the audio samples are recorded by different devices, and there is mismatch of recording devices in audio samples. We reduce the negative impact of the mismatch of recording devices by using some effective strategies, including data augmentation (e.g., mix-up, spectrum correction, pitch shift), usages of multi-patch network structure and channel attention. Second, the model size should be smaller than a threshold (e.g., 128 KB required by the DCASE2021 challenge). To meet this condition, we adopt a ResNet with both depthwise separable convolution and channel attention as the backbone network, and perform model compression. In summary, we propose a low-complexity ASC method using data augmentation and a lightweight ResNet. Evaluated on the official development and evaluation datasets, our method obtains classification accuracy scores of 71.6% and 66.7%, respectively; and obtains Log-loss scores of 1.038 and 1.136, respectively. Our final model size is 110.3 KB which is smaller than the maximum of 128 KB.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, 4 tables. Accepted for publication in the 16th IEEE International Conference on Signal Processing (IEEE ICSP

Comprehensive analysis on the magnetic field error of a K–Rb–21Ne comagnetometer with low-frequency bias magnetic field sensitivity

The spin-exchange relaxation-free comagnetometer (SERFC) is of important research value compared to existing high-precision gyroscopes because of its extremely high theoretical limit sensitivity and long-term stability, in which one significant limiting factor is the magnetic field error. First, the relationship between the magnetic field gradient and the nuclear spin relaxation mechanism is introduced into the frequency response and steady-state response models of SERFC. Then, a novel method for suppression of the low-frequency magnetic field error based on the modified bias magnetic field sensitivity model is proposed. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed suppression methods is demonstrated by optimizing the cell temperature, pump light power, and compensation magnetic field gradient to increase the suppression factor by 72.19%, 20.24%, and 69.86%, and the corresponding bias instability increased by 55.41%, 20.84%, and 27.63%, respectively. This study contributes to improving the long-term zero bias stability of the SERFC

The Effectiveness of Pay-It-Forward in Addressing HPV Vaccine Delay and Increasing Uptake Among 15–18-Year-Old Adolescent Girls Compared to User-Paid Vaccination: A Study Protocol for a Two-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial in China

Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination could prevent cervical and other HPV-associated cancers attributable to vaccine-associated HPV types. However, HPV vaccination coverage among women aged 9–18 years old is low in China. Common barriers include poor financial affordability, minimal public engagement, and low confidence in domestically produced HPV vaccines. Pay-it-forward offers an individual a free or subsidized service then an opportunity to voluntarily donate and/or create a postcard message to support future people. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of pay-it-forward as compared to standard-of-care self-paid vaccination to improve HPV vaccine uptake among adolescent girls aged 15–18 years, who are left out in the current pilot free HPV vaccination task force in some parts of China. Methods This is a two-arm randomized controlled trial in Chengdu, China. Eligible adolescent girls (via caregivers) will be randomly selected and recruited through four community health centers (one in the most developed urban areas, one in higher middle-income and one in lower middle-income suburban areas, and one in the least developed rural areas) using the resident registration list. A total of 320 participants will be randomized into two study arms (user-paid versus pay-it-forward vaccination) in a 1:1 ratio. The intervention assignment will be blinded to recruiters and participants using envelop concealment until the research assistants open the envelop to determine which treatment to deliver to each individual. The primary outcome of the study will be HPV vaccine uptake by administrative data. Secondary outcomes include costs, vaccine hesitancy, and the completion rates of the 3-dose HPV vaccination series. Discussion This study will investigate an innovative pay-it-forward strategy’s effectiveness and economic costs to improve HPV vaccination among 15–18-year-old adolescent girls. Study findings will have implications for increasing HPV vaccine uptake in places where HPV vaccines are provided for a fee

The effectiveness of pay-it-forward in addressing HPV vaccine delay and increasing uptake among 15-18-year-old adolescent girls compared to user-paid vaccination: a study protocol for a two-arm randomized controlled trial in China

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination could prevent cervical and other HPV-associated cancers attributable to vaccine-associated HPV types. However, HPV vaccination coverage among women aged 9-18 years old is low in China. Common barriers include poor financial affordability, minimal public engagement, and low confidence in domestically produced HPV vaccines. Pay-it-forward offers an individual a free or subsidized service then an opportunity to voluntarily donate and/or create a postcard message to support future people. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of pay-it-forward as compared to standard-of-care self-paid vaccination to improve HPV vaccine uptake among adolescent girls aged 15-18 years, who are left out in the current pilot free HPV vaccination task force in some parts of China. METHODS: This is a two-arm randomized controlled trial in Chengdu, China. Eligible adolescent girls (via caregivers) will be randomly selected and recruited through four community health centers (one in the most developed urban areas, one in higher middle-income and one in lower middle-income suburban areas, and one in the least developed rural areas) using the resident registration list. A total of 320 participants will be randomized into two study arms (user-paid versus pay-it-forward vaccination) in a 1:1 ratio. The intervention assignment will be blinded to recruiters and participants using envelop concealment until the research assistants open the envelop to determine which treatment to deliver to each individual. The primary outcome of the study will be HPV vaccine uptake by administrative data. Secondary outcomes include costs, vaccine hesitancy, and the completion rates of the 3-dose HPV vaccination series. DISCUSSION: This study will investigate an innovative pay-it-forward strategy's effectiveness and economic costs to improve HPV vaccination among 15-18-year-old adolescent girls. Study findings will have implications for increasing HPV vaccine uptake in places where HPV vaccines are provided for a fee. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR), ChiCTR2200055542. Registered on 11 January 2022

Assessment of Satellite-Derived Precipitation Products for the Beijing Region

International audiencePerformance of four satellite precipitation products, namely, the China Meteorological Forcing Dataset (CMFD), Climate Prediction Center morphing technique (CMORPH), as well as 3B42 calibrated and 3B42-RT dataset, which are derived from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA), were evaluated from daily to annual temporal scales over Beijing, using observations from 36 ground meteorological stations. Five statistical properties and three categorical metrics were used to test the results. The assessment showed that all four satellite precipitation products captured the temporal variability of precipitation. Although four satellite precipitation products captured the trend of more precipitation in the northeastern regions, all four products showed different distribution from the observations for 2001-2015 over Beijing. All precipitation products tended to overestimate moderate precipitation events and underestimate heavy precipitation events over Beijing, except for 3B42RT, which tended to overestimate most precipitation events. By comparison, the CMFD performed better than the CMORPH, 3B42 calibrated, and 3B42-RT datasets, having the higher correlation coefficient and low root mean squared difference, and mean absolute difference at all temporal scales. The average correlation coefficient of the CMFD, CMORPH, 3B42 calibrated, and 3B42-RT products for all 36 stations were 0.70, 0.60, 0.59, and 0.54 for daily precipitation and 0.78, 0.32, 0.74, and 0.44 for monthly precipitation. Overall, the CMFD was the most reliable for the Beijing region

Dissecting genetic network of fruit branch traits in Upland cotton by association mapping using SSR markers

Genetic architecture of branch traits has large influences on the morphological structure, photosynthetic capacity, planting density, and yield of Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). This research aims to reveal the genetic effects of six branch traits, including bottom fruit branch node number (BFBNN), bottom fruit branch length (BFBL), middle fruit branch node number (MFBNN), middle fruit branch length (MFBL), upper fruit branch node number (UFBNN), and upper fruit branch length (UFBL). Association mapping was conducted for these traits of 39 lines and their 178 F-1 hybrids in three environments. There were 20 highly significant Quantitative Trait SSRs (QTSs) detected by mixed linear model approach analyzing a full genetic model with genetic effects of additive, dominance, epistasis and their environment interaction. The phenotypic variation explained by genetic effects ranged from 32.64 similar to 91.61%, suggesting these branch traits largely influenced by genetic factors

Predicted genetic effects, standard error, significance, and heritability for highly significant QTSs of six branch traits.

<p>Predicted genetic effects, standard error, significance, and heritability for highly significant QTSs of six branch traits.</p

Predicted genetic effects in 3 environments for genotype of <i>QQ</i>, <i>qq</i>, <i>Qq</i>, superior line, and superior hybrid for six branch traits.

<p>Predicted genetic effects in 3 environments for genotype of <i>QQ</i>, <i>qq</i>, <i>Qq</i>, superior line, and superior hybrid for six branch traits.</p