Sub-Band Knowledge Distillation Framework for Speech Enhancement

In single-channel speech enhancement, methods based on full-band spectral features have been widely studied. However, only a few methods pay attention to non-full-band spectral features. In this paper, we explore a knowledge distillation framework based on sub-band spectral mapping for single-channel speech enhancement. Specifically, we divide the full frequency band into multiple sub-bands and pre-train an elite-level sub-band enhancement model (teacher model) for each sub-band. These teacher models are dedicated to processing their own sub-bands. Next, under the teacher models' guidance, we train a general sub-band enhancement model (student model) that works for all sub-bands. Without increasing the number of model parameters and computational complexity, the student model's performance is further improved. To evaluate our proposed method, we conducted a large number of experiments on an open-source data set. The final experimental results show that the guidance from the elite-level teacher models dramatically improves the student model's performance, which exceeds the full-band model by employing fewer parameters.Comment: Published in Interspeech 202

Draft Genome Sequence of Se(IV)-Reducing Bacterium Pseudomonas migulae ES3-33

Pseudomonas migulae ES3-33 is a Gram-negative strain that strongly reduces Se(IV) and was isolated from a selenium mining area in Enshi, southwest China. Here we present the draft genome of this strain containing potential genes involved in selenite reduction and a large number of genes encoding resistances to copper and antibiotics

A Historical Review of Ebola Outbreaks

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is a severe, often fatal illness in humans caused by the Ebola virus. Since the first case was identified in 1976, there have been 36 documented outbreaks with the worst and most publicized recorded in 2014 which ravaged three West African Countries, Guinea, Liberia and Serial Leone. The West African outbreak recorded 28,616 human cases, 11,310 deaths (CFR: 57–59%) and left about 17,000 survivors, many of whom have to grapple with Post-Ebola syndrome. Historically, ZEBOV has the highest virulence. Providing a historical perspective which highlights key challenges and progress made toward detecting and responding to EVD is a key to charting a path towards stronger resilience against the disease. There have been remarkable shifts in diagnostics, at risk populations, impact on health systems and response approaches. The health sector continues to gain global experiences about EVD which has shaped preparedness, prevention, detection, diagnostics, response, and recovery strategies. This has brought about the need for stronger collaboration between international organizations and seemingly Ebola endemic countries in the areas of improving disease surveillance, strengthening health systems, development and establishment of early warning systems, improving the capacity of local laboratories and trainings for health workers

Mapping and Analyzing Stakeholders in China’s Essential Drug System by Using a Circular Model: Who We Should Deal with Next?

AbstractObjectivesTo predict the prospects of the essential drug system by using the Stakeholder Impact Index (SII) and evaluate the current performance of each main stakeholder and suggested dangerous stakeholders and dormant stakeholders.MethodsA Delphi method was used, involving 36 experts with experience in implementation and evaluation of the essential drug policy, to construct the circular model as well as evaluate the performance of each stakeholder.ResultsThe central government was a dominant stakeholder of the whole essential drug system. The provincial governments were definitive stakeholders, whereas local governments and medical institutions were dependent stakeholders. Furthermore, media and drug stores were dormant stakeholders and pharmaceutical manufacturers and delivery enterprises were dangerous stakeholders. Patients, community residents, and medical insurance programs were discretionary stakeholders. The SII for the essential drug system was positive (SIIproj⁎ = 2.72).ConclusionsThe overall anticipation of the essential drug policy is optimistic. Letting definitive stakeholders (provincial governments) having more autonomy can efficiently accelerate the pace of implementation of the essential drug policy in the current situation. Central government, however, also needs to construct an experience exchange platform with the aim of building versatile methods for running the essential drug system in all provinces. Pharmaceutical manufacturers and delivery enterprises were dangerous stakeholders for the essential drug policy. Because of their potential threat to the implementation of the policy, the central government should motivate them to support the construction of the essential drug system spontaneously. In that case, provincial governments need to construct a fair, balanced, and self-stabilized bidding platform

REVIEW OF PAST AND PRESENT EBOLA HEMORRHAGIC FEVER OUTBREAKS IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO 1976 -2014

Background: Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever (EHF) has become well known all over the world, especially following the West African outbreak in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia (December 2013). The Ebola virus was first discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), an African country that has continued to register Ebola outbreaks. This study aims to summarize old and new experiences of Ebola in the DRC, in order to propose strategies for better prevention. Materials and Methods: Information was taken from databases such as PubMed and Cochrane library. A total of eleven full text and three abstracts were identified for the data extraction. Results: Since its discovery in the DRC, there have been seven Ebola outbreaks, accounting for a total of 1032 cases and 795 deaths. The presence of Non-Human Primates, also considered as the natural reservoir and susceptible host of Ebola virus, can be one major factor that has contributed to the increased number of Ebola outbreaks and cases in the Equatorial region. The existence of rumors and legends related to Ebola in DRC obscure the the viral nature of the disease, and lead to difficulty for health workers, to easily accomplish their tasks. Conclusion :It is important ,to scale up community education campaigns designed to give more details on the viral nature of the EHF, establish national agencies and institutions specialized in controlling hunting in the Equatorial region, for better prevention, since there is not yet a specific drug or vaccine to the Ebola Virus

The relationships of preventive behaviors and psychological resilience with depression, anxiety, and stress among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A two-wave longitudinal study in Shandong Province, China

IntroductionStudies have shown that the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to long-term health problems; therefore, more attention should be paid to the mental health of university students. This study aimed to explore the longitudinal effects of preventive behaviors and psychological resilience on the mental health of Chinese college students during COVID-19.MethodsWe recruited 2,948 university students from five universities in Shandong Province. We used a generalized estimating equation (GEE) model to estimate the impact of preventive behaviors and psychological resilience on mental health.ResultsIn the follow-up survey, the prevalence of anxiety (44.8% at T1 vs 41.2% at T2) and stress (23.0% at T1 vs 19.6% at T2) decreased over time, whereas the prevalence of depression (35.2% at T1 vs 36.9% at T2) increased significantly (P < 0.001). Senior students were more likely to report depression (OR = 1.710, P < 0.001), anxiety (OR = 0.815, P = 0.019), and stress (OR = 1.385, P = 0.011). Among all majors, medical students were most likely to report depression (OR = 1.373, P = 0.021), anxiety (OR = 1.310, P = 0.040), and stress (OR = 1.775, P < 0.001). Students who wore a mask outside were less likely to report depression (OR = 0.761, P = 0.027) and anxiety (OR = 0.686, P = 0.002) compared to those who did not wear masks. Students who complied with the standard hand-washing technique were less likely to report depression (OR = 0.628, P < 0.001), anxiety (OR = 0.701, P < 0.001), and stress (OR = 0.638, P < 0.001). Students who maintained a distance of one meter in queues were less likely to report depression (OR = 0.668, P < 0.001), anxiety (OR = 0.634, P < 0.001), and stress (OR = 0.638, P < 0.001). Psychological resilience was a protective factor against depression (OR = 0.973, P < 0.001), anxiety (OR = 0.980, P < 0.001), and stress (OR = 0.976, P < 0.001).DiscussionThe prevalence of depression among university students increased at follow-up, while the prevalence of anxiety and stress decreased. Senior students and medical students are vulnerable groups. University students should continue to follow relevant preventive behaviors to protect their mental health. Improving psychological resilience may help maintain and promote university students' mental health

Artificial liver research output and citations from 2004 to 2017: a bibliometric analysis

Background Researches on artificial livers greatly contribute to the clinical treatments for liver failure. This study aimed to evaluate the research output of artificial livers and citations from 2004 to 2017 through a bibliometric analysis. Methods A list of included articles on artificial livers were generated after a comprehensive search of the Web of Science Core Collection (from 2004 to 2017) with the following basic information: number of publications, citations, publication year, country of origin, authors and authorship, funding source, journals, institutions, keywords, and research area. Results A total of 968 included articles ranged from 47 citations to 394 citations with a fluctuation. The publications were distributed in 12 countries, led by China (n = 212) and the US (n = 207). There were strong correlations of the number of citations with authors (r2 = 0.133, p < 0.001), and countries (r2 = 0.275, p < 0.001), while no correlations of the number of citations with the years since publication (r2 = 0.016, p = 0.216), and funding (r2 < 0.001, p = 0.770) were identified. Keyword analysis demonstrated that with the specific change of “acute liver failure,” decrease in “bioartificial livers” and “hepatocyte,” and increase in “tissue engineering” were identified. The top 53 cited keyword and keyword plus (including some duplicates counts) were identified, led by bioartificial liver (405 citations) and hepatocyte (248 citations). The top 50 cited keywords bursts were mainly “Blood” (2004–2008), “hepatocyte like cell” (2008–2015), and “tissue engineering” (2014–2017). All keywords could be classified into four categories: bioartificial livers (57.40%), blood purification (25.00%), clinical (14.81%), and other artificial organs (2.78%). Discussion This study shows the process and tendency of artificial liver research with a comprehensive analysis on artificial livers. However, although it seems that the future of artificial livers seems brighter for hepatocyte transplantation, the systems of artificial livers now are inclined on focusing on blood purification, plasma exchange, etc

Cell-Free DNA Sequencing of Intraocular Fluid as Liquid Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Vitreoretinal Lymphoma

PurposeTo seek novel diagnostic approaches, we improved the workflow of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) sequencing and evaluated its feasibility in vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL) specimens; the profile of mutations was preliminarily analyzed for potential diagnostic value.MethodsThe study was a diagnostic trial. 23 eyes of 23 patients with VRL and 25 eyes of 25 patients with inflammatory eye diseases were enrolled. Approximate 500μl undiluted vitreous humor and 10ml diluted vitreous fluid was obtained through diagnostic vitrectomy and sent for cytopathological examinations. 500μl of the diluted vitreous fluid was spared for cfDNA sequencing. For cfDNA sequencing, DNA fragmentation procedure was added to the workflow to improve the extraction efficiency; mutations detected were analyzed for potential diagnostic model. The sensitivity and specificity of the cytopathology and cfDNA sequencing were compared. The clinical manifestations were preliminarily analyzed for potential correlations with the genotypes.ResultsCfDNA sequencing was accomplished in 23 eyes with VRL and 20 eyes with inflammatory eye diseases. VRL-related mutated genes included MYD88 (18 eyes, 78%), ETV6 (11 eyes, 48%), PIM1 (11 eyes,48%), BTG2 (7 eyes, 30%), IRF4 (7 eyes, 30%), CD79B (6 eyes, 26%), LRP1B (6 eyes, 26%), etc. Logistic regression based on the mutations of MYD88 and ETV6 was of the potential for the diagnosis of VRL (P&lt;0.001, adjusted R2 = 0.789, sensitivity 0.913, specificity 0.950); by comparison, the sensitivity and specificity of the vitreous cytopathology were 0.826 and 1.000, respectively. Further analysis of the mutation profile showed that patients carrying CD79B mutation tended to have higher intraocular interleukin-10 level (P=0.030), that CARD11 mutation was correlated with younger age at ocular onset (P=0.039), and that patients with intracranial involvement carried more multiple-site mutations in the BTG2 gene (P=0.013).ConclusionsThe improved workflow of CfDNA sequencing is of sound feasibility in a limited amount of vitreous humor. The logistic model based on the mutations could help to provide reliable clues for the diagnosis of VRL