Client Selection in Federated Learning under Imperfections in Environment

Federated learning promises an elegant solution for learning global models across distributed and privacy-protected datasets. However, challenges related to skewed data distribution, limited computational and communication resources, data poisoning, and free riding clients affect the performance of federated learning. Selection of the best clients for each round of learning is critical in alleviating these problems. We propose a novel sampling method named the irrelevance sampling technique. Our method is founded on defining a novel irrelevance score that incorporates the client characteristics in a single floating value, which can elegantly classify the client into three numerical sign defined pools for easy sampling. It is a computationally inexpensive, intuitive and privacy preserving sampling technique that selects a subset of clients based on quality and quantity of data on edge devices. It achieves 50–80% faster convergence even in highly skewed data distribution in the presence of free riders based on lack of data and severe class imbalance under both Independent and Identically Distributed (IID) and Non-IID conditions. It shows good performance on practical application datasets

Mycorrhiza-mediated phosphorus use efficiency in plants

Abstract Phosphorus is the second most important plant nutrient after nitrogen that is critical for plant growth, it contributes up to about 0.2% dry mass. It can become deficient in different agro ecological conditions. In soil, it may be present in relatively large amounts, but it is one of the most difficult nutrients for plants to acquire. Much of it is poorly available because of the very low solubility of phosphates of iron, aluminium, and calcium, leading to soil solution concentrations of 10 μM or less and very low mobility. Plants have evolved a range of strategies that increase either soil solution phosphorus uptake capacity or availability in soil. The most exceedingly common of these strategies worldwide is inoculation of plant roots by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Inoculation can promote plant growth by enhancing phosphate uptake from soil, particularly when the supply of phosphorus limits growth

New Forms of BRST Symmetry on a Prototypical First-Class System

We scrutinize the many known forms of BRST symmetries, as well as some new ones, realized within a prototypical first-class system. Similarities and differences among ordinary BRST, anti-BRST, dual-BRST and anti-dual-BRST symmetries are highlighted and discussed. We identify a precise $\mathbb{Z}_4\times\mathbb{Z}_2$ discrete group of symmetries of the ghost sector, responsible for connecting the various forms of BRST transformations. Considering a Hamiltonian approach, those symmetries can be interrelated by canonical transformations among ghost variables. However, the distinguished characteristic role of the dual BRST symmetries can be fully appreciated within a gauge-fixed Lagrangian viewpoint. New forms of BRST symmetries are given, a set generalizing particular ones previously reported in the literature as well as a brand new unprecedented set. The featured gauge invariant prototypical first-class system encompasses an extensive class of physical models and sheds light on previous controversies in the current quantum field theory literature.Comment: 12 pages, No Figs, Late

Physiological and behavioral risk factors of type 2 diabetes mellitus in rural India

BACKGROUND: The dynamics of physiological and behavioral risk factors of diabetes in rural India is poorly understood. Using data from a health and demographic surveillance site of Birbhum district in West Bengal, India, this study aims to assess the risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 7674 individuals aged ≥18 years participated in a cross-sectional study. Venous plasma glucose method was used for measuring and reporting glucose concentrations in blood, categorized as individuals with diabetes, pre-diabetes or impaired, and normoglycemic. Aside from a set of physiological and behavioral risk factors, a range of socioeconomic confounders of diabetes was computed. Bivariate analysis with χ(2) test, and multivariate ordered logit regression methods were deployed to attain the study's objective. RESULTS: Overall 2.95% and 3.34% of study participants were diagnosed as individuals with diabetes and pre-diabetes or impaired, respectively. Compared to the poorest, the richest have higher probability (β: 0.730; 95% CI 0.378 to 1.083) of being diagnosed with diabetes. As compared to people with normal body mass index, overweight/obese people are more prone to being diagnosed with diabetes (β: 0.388; 95% CI 0.147 to 0.628). With a decreasing level of physical activity, people are more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: To curb the level of diabetes, this study recommends a culturally sensitive, focused intervention for the adoption of physical activity with more traditional dietary practices, to control the level of overweight/obesity. Attention should be paid to relatively older patients with diabetes or adults with pre-diabetes

New forms of BRST symmetry in rigid rotor

We derive the different forms of BRST symmetry by using the Batalin-Fradkin-Vilkovisky formalism in a rigid rotor. The so called "dual-BRST" symmetry is obtained from usual BRST symmetry by making a canonical transformation in the ghost sector. On the other hand, a canonical transformation in the sector involving Lagrange multiplier and its corresponding momentum leads to a new form of BRST as well as dual-BRST symmetry.Comment: 10 Pages, revtex, No Fig

Epoxyazadiradione exhibit anti‑cancer activities by modulating lncRNAs expression in pancreatic cancer

Background: Azadirachta indica (neem), a medicinal plant under Meliaceae family, is found in the Indian subcontinent. One of the limonoids, epoxyazadiradione (EPA), is a phytochemical isolated from the seeds of this tree. This is widely used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of human ailments. Although EPA has shown promise against some cancer types, its efficacy against pancreatic cancer and the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Aim: We examined the anti‑cancer activity of EPA against pancreatic cancer cells. We also examined the underlying mechanism. Methods: Pancreatic cancer cell lines (PANC-1 and MiaPaCa-2) were used during the study. We performed MTT assay, clonogenic colony formation assay for cytotoxicity. The western blotting was performed to examine the expression pattern of various apoptotic proteins. Real-time PCR was performed to detect quantitative lncRNAs expression. Results and Discussion: After treatment with EPA, the viability and proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells was decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. EPA suppressed the expression of apoptotic proteins involved in survival, proliferation, migration and invasion. EPA also suppressed the expression of MMP-9 in a concentration-dependent manner in pancreatic cancer cells. In addition, the limonoid also modulated the expression of lncRNAs (MEG-3, GAS-5, H19 and MHRT). Conclusion: EPA exhibited strong anti-cancer activities against pancreatic cancer by modulating multiple cancer-related signalling molecules