A Quantitative Approach to Understand Self-Supervised Models as Cross-lingual Feature Extractors

In this work, we study the features extracted by English self-supervised learning (SSL) models in cross-lingual contexts and propose a new metric to predict the quality of feature representations. Using automatic speech recognition (ASR) as a downstream task, we analyze the effect of model size, training objectives, and model architecture on the models' performance as a feature extractor for a set of topologically diverse corpora. We develop a novel metric, the Phonetic-Syntax Ratio (PSR), to measure the phonetic and synthetic information in the extracted representations using deep generalized canonical correlation analysis. Results show the contrastive loss in the wav2vec2.0 objective facilitates more effective cross-lingual feature extraction. There is a positive correlation between PSR scores and ASR performance, suggesting that phonetic information extracted by monolingual SSL models can be used for downstream tasks in cross-lingual settings. The proposed metric is an effective indicator of the quality of the representations and can be useful for model selection.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures, 4 table

Hypometabolic patterns of focal cortical dysplasia in PET-MRI co-registration imaging: a retrospective evaluation in a series of 83 patients

ObjectiveTo characterize the PET-MRI co-registration of hypometabolic patterns in focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) types I and II and provide some suggestions in presurgical evaluation of epilepsy surgery.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed PET-MRI co-registration imaging data from a cohort of 83 epilepsy patients with histologically confirmed FCD types I and II. Hypometabolic patterns were classified into 4 types: bottom of sulcus hypometabolism (BOSH), single island of sulcus hypometabolism (SIOS), single gyrus or sulcus hypometabolism (SGOS), and multiple gyri and sulci hypometabolism (MGOS).ResultsMost of cases that were overlooked by conventional MRI and PET evaluation but positive in PET-MRI co-registration were focalized lesions in dorsolateral frontal lobe (9/15) and FCD type IIa was the most prevalent pathological type (11/15). The FCD histological types (p = 0.027) and locations (p < 0.001) were independent predictors of PET-MRI co-registration hypometabolic patterns. Focalized hypometabolic patterns (BOSH, SIOS, SGOS) were primarily observed in the frontal lobe (33/39) and FCD type II (43/62) and extensive pattern (MGOS) in temporal lobe (18/20) and FCD type I (16/21; p < 0.005).ConclusionPET-MRI co-registration enhanced the detection of FCD type IIa compared with conventional MRI and PET reading. The hypometabolic patterns of FCD type I and temporal lobe FCD were more extensive than those of FCD type II and frontal lobe FCD, respectively. The predilection of focalized hypometabolic patterns in frontal lobe FCD suggested that subtle lesions should be checked carefully in patients with suspected frontal lobe epilepsy

Sleep and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from an online questionnaire survey in China

IntroductionThe online study investigated the sleep, psychological conditions, and risk factors during the wave of transmission of COVID-19 since December 7, 2022.MethodsWe distributed questionnaires through networking mediums to residents to gather information about COVID-19 infection, sleep, and mental status.ResultsDuring the extraordinary period in China, 91.9% of 1094 participants claimed to be infected with COVID-19, 36.8% reported poor sleep quality, 75.9% reported anxiety, and 65.5% reported depression. In retrospect, people have experienced lower sleep quality, longer sleep latency, enhanced rising time, and decreased sleep efficiency after the infection wave. After adjusting confounding factors, the elderly, women, urban residents, people with comorbidity, anxiety, depression, stress state, and COVID-19 infection have high risks for sleep disorders during the period.DiscussionThe survey indicates that sleep disturbance caused by COVID-19 involves multiple dimensions, such as physiology, psychology, and society. The COVID-19 infection-related sleep problem should be taken seriously. Apart from conventional treatment, psychological issues of insomnia can not be ignored

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

Development of an IMOI Model-based Evaluation System for Effectiveness of a Family Doctor Team in Beijing

Background In China, team-based service delivery model is a major emerging model for contracted family doctor services, but there is a lack of a tool for assessing the overall effectiveness of the family doctorteam. Objective To develop a IMOI model-based system for assessing the effectiveness of family doctor teams in Beijing, aiming at proving a tool for guiding the improvement and continuous development of the family doctor team. Methods The first draft of the Family Doctor Team Effectiveness Evaluation System (FDTEES) was developed using literature review and personal interview. Then the indicators of the system were assessed and revised according to consensuses of our analysis and the results of two rounds of consultations carried out between May and July 2021 using the Delphi technique (one was conducted with 24 experts, and the other with 21 experts) . The weight of the indicators of the system was determined by and analytic network process. Results The response rate of experts in the first, and second round of consultation was 87.5% (21/24) , and 100.0% (21/21) , respectively. The authority coefficients for the consultations ranged from 0.88 to 0.91. Kendall's W for the importance and applicability of the indicators of the FDTEES was 0.138 (P<0.001) , and 0.263 (P<0.001) , respectively, in the first round of consultation, was 0.255 (P<0.001) , and 0.257 (P<0.001) , respectively, in the second round of consultation. The final FDTEES consists of 71 indicators, including 7 first-level indicators〔team building (0.155) , quality of team members (0.155) , team member relationship (0.097) , team process (0.141) , team service results (0.155) , perception and satisfaction (0.155) , team redevelopment (0.141) 〕, 16 second-level indicators, and 48 third-level indicators. Conclusion The IMOI model-based FDTEES developed by us assesses the effectiveness of family doctor teams in Beijing from a team perspective, which may be a reference for effectiveness evaluation and development of family doctor teams in Beijing