Communication Resources Constrained Hierarchical Federated Learning for End-to-End Autonomous Driving

While federated learning (FL) improves the generalization of end-to-end autonomous driving by model aggregation, the conventional single-hop FL (SFL) suffers from slow convergence rate due to long-range communications among vehicles and cloud server. Hierarchical federated learning (HFL) overcomes such drawbacks via introduction of mid-point edge servers. However, the orchestration between constrained communication resources and HFL performance becomes an urgent problem. This paper proposes an optimization-based Communication Resource Constrained Hierarchical Federated Learning (CRCHFL) framework to minimize the generalization error of the autonomous driving model using hybrid data and model aggregation. The effectiveness of the proposed CRCHFL is evaluated in the Car Learning to Act (CARLA) simulation platform. Results show that the proposed CRCHFL both accelerates the convergence rate and enhances the generalization of federated learning autonomous driving model. Moreover, under the same communication resource budget, it outperforms the HFL by 10.33% and the SFL by 12.44%

Effect of adjunctive ranitidine for antipsychotic-induced weight gain: A systematic review of randomized placebo-controlled trials

This study was a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of ranitidine as an adjunct for antipsychotic-induced weight gain in patients with schizophrenia. RCTs reporting weight gain or metabolic side effects in patients with schizophrenia were included. Case reports/series, nonrandomized or observational studies, reviews, and meta-analyses were excluded. The primary outcome measures were body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) and body weight (kg). Four RCTs with five study arms were identified and analyzed. Compared with the control group, adjunctive ranitidine was associated with marginally significant reductions in BMI and body weight. After removing an outlier study for BMI, the effect of ranitidine remained significant. Adjunctive ranitidine outperformed the placebo in the negative symptom score of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Although ranitidine was associated with less frequent drowsiness, other adverse events were similar between the two groups. Adjunctive ranitidine appears to be an effective an

The Impact of Online Learning on Student\u27s Academic Performance

The spread of online learning has grown exponentially at every academic level and in many countries in our COVID-19 world. Due to the relatively new nature of such widespread use of online learning, little analysis or studies have been conducted on whether student performance takes a toll through this different medium. This paper aims to propose a research project targeted to study the impact of online learning on the academic performance of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) students, as compared to an in-person medium. The research will be conducted over a period of 2 years for 3 modules that are common for students across all courses. Data utilized in the study will be obtained through a survey, as well as academic performance data sourced from ERAU. The analysis will be conducted using T-test and Regression techniques to identify statistically significant impacts of student performance in online versus in-person classes. The results obtained can be an estimated general trend of student performance in various other universities which conduct a mix of in-class and online learning in this COVID-19 era. The results obtained will also serve as a framework, and as possible preliminary results for future academic research with regards to the proposed topic. The observed trend will benefit institutions in identifying the method of instruction in which they would need to refine, to raise the standards of different instructional methods to a parity

4-Bromo-2-chloro­aniline

The title compound, C6H5BrClN, is almost planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.018 Å). In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by inter­molecular N—H⋯N and weak N—H⋯Br hydrogen bonds, generating sheets

Meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of adjunctive rosuvastatin for dyslipidemia in patients with schizophrenia

Background: Metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia is a major health concern. The efficacy and safety of adjunctive rosuvastatin in treating dyslipidemia were controversial. Aims: To assess the efficacy and safety of adjunctive rosuvastatin for dyslipidemia in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: We systematically searched for relevant controlled clinical trials from the following databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, China Knowledge Network, WanFang Database and Chinese Biomedical Database up to September 28, 2017. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and risk ratio (RR) along with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. The GRADE (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) system recommendation grading method was used as the reference standard. Results: Four studies (n=274) comparing rosuvastatin (n=138) and control (n=136) groups were identified and analyzed. Adjunctive rosuvastatin showed greater efficacy than control group in low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) [4 trials, n=272, SMD: -1.31 (95%CI: -1.93, -0.70), I2=81%], total cholesterol (2 trials, n=164, SMD: -2.00 (95%CI: -2.79, -1.21); I2=76%) and triglycerides (2 trials, n=164, SMD: -1.05 (95%CI: -1.38, -0.72); I2=0%), but not in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (2 trials, n=164, SMD: 0.14 (95%CI: -0.16, 0.45); I2=0%). After removing one study without randomization for LDL-C, significance remained [3 trials, n=172, SMD:-1.07 (95%CI: -1.60, -0.53); I2=63%]. No significant group differences regarding body weight (3 trials, n=208, SMD: -0.40 (95%CI:-1.29, 0.49); I2=89%), body mass index (2 trials, n=164, SMD: -0.34 (95%CI: -1.23, 0.56); I2=87%), waist circumference (3 trials, n=208, SMD: -0.43 (95%CI: -1.31, 0.46); I2=89%), and fasting glucose (4 trials, n=272, SMD: -0.25 (95%CI: -0.65, 0.15); I2=62%) were observed. The adverse reactions and any cause discontinuation rate were similar between the groups. According to the GRADE approach, the evidence levels of main outcomes were rated as ‘‘very low’’ (35.3%) to ‘‘low’’ (64.7%). Of them, the primary outcome (LDL-C) was rated as “very low “. Conclusions: The data available on the effectiveness and safety of adjunctive rosuvastatin in treating dyslipidemia for patients with schizophrenia is insufficient to come to a definitive interpretation about its efficacy and safety. Further high quality RCTs with extended treatment duration are warranted to confirm the findings. Review registration: PROSPERO: CRD4201707823

Reconstruction of extremely dense breast composition Utilizing inverse scattering technique integrated with Frequency-hopping approach

The Forward-Backward Time-Stepping (FBTS) inverse scattering technique is utilized for breast composition reconstruction of an extremely dense breast model at different center frequencies. A numerical extremely dense breast phantom is used and resized to suit the Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) lattice environment utilizing twodimensional (2-D) FBTS technique. The average value of fibro glandular region for reconstruction with Frequencyhopping approach applied is much closer to average value of the actual image compared to the reconstruction without Frequency-approach applied. Hence, the composition of the extremely dense breast model can be reconstructed with Frequency-hopping approach is applied and the details of the reconstruction is also enhanced

ECG STUDY IN PATIENTS ON HIGH DOSE ANTIPSYCHOTICS

Objectives: There are many antipsychotic medications that have been shown to be associated with the prolongation of the rate-corrected QT (QTc) interval on the electrocardiogram (ECG). Studies have shown that QTc prolongation is associated with increased risk of arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. This study aims to identify and study the risk profile of patients on high-dose antipsychotic and to examine the prevalence of rate and rhythm abnormalities, in particular, QTc prolongation. We hope that this study could throw a light on current practice patterns and also could potentially guide us towards safe practice in the future. Methods: We recruited 37 adult outpatients who are on high-dose antipsychotic from the 3 outpatient clinics of the Institute of Mental Health in Singapore. Baseline characteristics risk profiling was performed to identify their pre-existing risk, including checks on Calcium, Potassium and Magnesium levels to rule out confounders. 12 lead ECG was done and reviewed manually by our resident physician. Results: It showed that rate abnormality was detected in 8 patients (22%) and QTc interval prolongation was detected in nearly 12 patients (32.4%) but of those only 3 patients had significantly prolonged QT interval needing the primary treating team to review their psychopharmacology regime. Conclusion: QTc Prolongation was positively linked with a number of cardiovascular risk factors

Prognostic impact of TP53 mutations and tumor mutational load in colorectal cancer

The DNA damage response (DDR) is critical for maintaining genome stability, and abnormal DDR—resulting from mutations in DNA damage-sensing and repair proteins—is a hallmark of cancer. Here, we aimed to investigate the predictive power of DDR gene mutations and the tumor mutational load (TML) for survival outcomes in a cohort of 22 rectal cancer patients who received pre-operative neoadjuvant therapy. Univariate analysis revealed that TML-high and TP53 mutations were significantly associated with worse overall survival (OS) with TML-high retaining significance in multivariate analyses. Kaplan–Meier survival analyses further showed TML-high was associated with worse disease-free (p = 0.036) and OS (p = 0.024) results in our patient cohort. A total of 53 somatic mutations were identified in 22 samples with eight (36%) containing mutations in DDR genes, including ATM, ATR, CHEK2, MRE11A, RAD50, NBN, ERCC2 and TP53. TP53 was the most frequently mutated gene, and TP53 mutations were significantly associated with worse OS (p = 0.023) in Kaplan–Meier survival analyses. Thus, our data indicate that TML and TP53 mutations have prognostic value for rectal cancer patients and may be important independent biomarkers for patient management. This suggests that prognostic determination for rectal cancer patients receiving pre-operative neoadjuvant therapy should include consideration of the initial TML and tumor genetic status

A comparison of dabigatran and warfarin for stroke prevention in elderly Asian population with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: an audit of current practice in Malaysia

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia with significant morbidity and mortality in relation to thromboembolic stroke. Our study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of dabigatran in stroke prevention in elderly patient with nonvalvular AF with regard to the risk of ischemic stroke and intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) in real-world setting. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 200 patients on dabigatran and warfarin from January 2009 till September 2016 was carried out. Data were collected for 100 patients on dabigatran and 100 patients on warfarin. Results: The mean follow-up period was 340.7±322.3 days for dabigatran group and 410.5±321.2 days for warfarin group. The mean time in therapeutic range (TTR) was 52±18.7%. The mean CHA2DS2 -VASc score for dabigatran group was 4.4±1.1 while 5.0±1.5 for warfarin group. None in dabigatran group experienced ischemic stroke compared to one patient in warfarin group (p=0.316). There was one patient in dabigatran group suffered from ICH compared to none in warfarin group (p=0.316). Four patients in warfarin group experienced minor bleeding, while none from dabigatran group (p=0.043). Conclusion: Overall bleeding events were significantly lower in dabigatran group compared to warfarin group. In the presence of suboptimal TTR rates and inconveniences with warfarin therapy, non-vitamin-K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC) are the preferred agents for stroke prevention in elderly Asian patients for nonvalvular AF

Adjunctive aripiprazole for antipsychotic-related hyperprolactinaemia in patients with first-episode schizophrenia: a meta-analysis.

Background(#br)Hyperprolactinaemia is a common antipsychotic (AP)-induced adverse effect, particularly in female patients.(#br)Aims(#br)This meta-analysis examined the efficacy and safety of adjunctive aripiprazole in preventing AP-related hyperprolactinaemia in patients with first-episode schizophrenia.(#br)Methods(#br)PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, WanFang and China Journal Net databases were searched to identify eligible randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Primary outcomes were the reductions of serum prolactin level and prolactin-related symptoms. Data were independently extracted by two reviewers and analysed using RevMan (V.5.3). Weighted/standardised mean differences (WMDs/SMDs)±95% CIs were reported.(#br)Results(#br)In the five RCTs (n=400), the adjunctive aripiprazole (n=197) and the control groups (n=203) with a mean of 11.2 weeks of treatment duration were compared. The aripiprazole group had a significantly lower endpoint serum prolactin level in all patients (five RCTs, n=385; WMD: -50.43 ng/mL (95% CI: -75.05 to -25.81), p<0.00001; I2=99%), female patients (two RCTs, n=186; WMD: -22.58 ng/mL (95% CI: -25.67 to -19.49), p<0.00001; I2=0%) and male patients (two RCTs, n=127; WMD: -68.80 ng/mL (95% CI: -100.11 to -37.49), p<0.0001). In the sensitivity analysis for the endpoint serum prolactin level in all patients, the findings remained significant (p<0.00001; I2=96%). The aripiprazole group was superior to the control group in improving negative symptoms as assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (three RCTs, n=213; SMD: -0.51 (95% CI: -0.79 to -0.24), p=0.0002; I2=0%). Adverse effects and discontinuation rates were similar between the two groups.(#br)Conclusions(#br)Adjunctive aripiprazole appears to be associated with reduced AP-induced hyperprolactinaemia and improved prolactin-related symptoms in first-episode schizophrenia. Further studies with large sample sizes are needed to confirm these findings