Resource and Heterogeneity-aware Clients Eligibility Protocol in Federated Learning

Federated Learning (FL) is a new paradigm of Machine Learning (ML) that enables on-device computation via decentralized data training. However, traditional FL algorithms impose strict requirements on the clients\u27 selection and its ratio. Moreover, the data training becomes inefficient when the client\u27s computational resources are limited. Towards this goal, we aim to extend FL, a decentralized learning framework that efficiently works with heterogeneous clients in practical industrial scenarios. To this end, we propose a Clients\u27 Eligibility Protocol (CEP), a resource-aware FL solution, for a heterogeneous environment. To this end, we use a Trusted Authority (TA) between the clients and the cloud server, which calculates the client\u27s eligibility score based on local computing resources such as bandwidth, memory, and battery life and selects the most resourceful clients for training. If a client gives a slow response or infuses an incorrect model, the TA declares that the client is ineligible for future training. Besides, the proposed CEP leverages the asynchronous FL model, which avoids a long delay in a client\u27s response. The empirical results proves that the proposed CEP gains the benefits of resource-aware clients selection and achieves 88 % and 93 % of accuracy on AlexNet and LeNet, respectively

Evaluating the learning environment in Dental colleges from students’ perspective; a qualitative exploratory research

Objective: Learning environment has a great role in students learning, achievement and success. It is also essential for the development of curriculum. The aim of this study is to document the perception of dental students regarding their learning environment. Material and methods: This qualitative research were conducted from Dec 2021 to May 2022, at four dental colleges of Rawalpindi. A total of 16 students from all these college who were regularly enrolled and voluntary participating in the study were included. Focus group interview (n=4 in each group) comprised of students from both basic sciences year (1st and 2nd year BDS) and clinical years (3rd and final year BDS). Data was transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was done. Result: Students overall expressed a good level of satisfaction with the learning environment but pointed out some issue which were summed up under major themes identified such as issues in lectures, issues in clinical teaching, issue in the dental curriculum and lack of academic motivation. Conclusion: This study suggests that the dental students generally hold a positive perception towards their learning environment, but they pointed out the short comings in their lectures, clinical teaching, dental curriculum and dearth of motivation. Taking students view point regarding their learning environment will help the stake holders and policy makers to provide better learning environment with more facilities and support system for the students to enhance their learning.

Detection of Paracetamol as substrate of the gut microbiome

Gut microbiome, a new organ; represent targets to alter pharmacokinetics of orally administered drugs. Recently, in vitro trials endorsed the idea that orally administered drugs interact and some of their quantity may be taken up by normal microbiome during transit through gut. Such transport mechanisms in microbiome may compete for drug with the host itself. Currently, no data confirms specific transport system for paracetamol uptake by gut microbiome. In vivo trial was conducted in normal healthy male rats (n=36). Paracetamol was administered orally in a single dose of 75mg/kg to isolate microbial mass after transit of 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 hours post drug administration. Paracetamol absorbance by microbiome was pursued by injecting extracted microbial lysate in RP-HPLC-UV with C18 column under isocratic conditions at 207nm using acetonitrile and water (25:75 v/v) pH 2.50 as mobile phase. Paracetamol absorbance (14.10±0.75μg/mg of microbial mass) and percent dose recovery (13.16±0.55%) seen at transit of 4 hours was significantly higher (P<0.05) compared to other groups. Study confirms the hypothesis of homology between membrane transporters of the gut microbiome and intestinal epithelium. Orally administered drugs can be absorbed by gut microbes competitively during transit in small intestine and it varies at various transit times

Variable expressivity of FGF3 mutations associated with deafness and LAMM syndrome

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Recessive mutations of fibroblast growth factor 3 (FGF3) can cause LAMM syndrome (OMIM 610706), characterized by fully penetrant complete labyrinthine aplasia, microtia and microdontia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We performed a prospective molecular genetic and clinical study of families segregating hearing loss linked to <it>FGF3 </it>mutations. Ten affected individuals from three large Pakistani families segregating <it>FGF3 </it>mutations were imaged with CT, MRI, or both to detect inner ear abnormalities. We also modeled the three dimensional structure of FGF3 to better understand the structural consequences of the three missense mutations.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Two families segregated reported mutations (p.R104X and p.R95W) and one family segregated a novel mutation (p.R132GfsX26) of <it>FGF3</it>. All individuals homozygous for p.R104X or p.R132GfsX26 had fully penetrant features of LAMM syndrome. However, recessive p.R95W mutations were associated with nearly normal looking auricles and variable inner ear structural phenotypes, similar to that reported for a Somali family also segregating p.R95W. This suggests that the mild phenotype is not entirely due to genetic background. Molecular modeling result suggests a less drastic effect of p.R95W on FGF3 function compared with known missense mutations detected in fully penetrant LAMM syndrome. Since we detected significant intrafamilial variability of the inner ear structural phenotype in the family segregating p.R95W, we also sequenced <it>FGF10 </it>as a likely candidate for a modifier. However, we did not find any sequence variation, pointing out that a larger sample size will be needed to map and identify a modifier. We also observed a mild to moderate bilateral conductive hearing loss in three carriers of p.R95W, suggesting either a semi-dominant effect of this mutant allele of <it>FGF3</it>, otitis media, or a consequence of genetic background in these three family members.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We noted a less prominent dental and external ear phenotype in association with the homozygous p.R95W. Therefore, we conclude that the manifestations of recessive <it>FGF3 </it>mutations range from fully penetrant LAMM syndrome to deafness with residual inner ear structures and, by extension, with minimal syndromic features, an observation with implications for cochlear implantation candidacy.</p

PANC Study (Pancreatitis: A National Cohort Study): national cohort study examining the first 30 days from presentation of acute pancreatitis in the UK

Abstract Background Acute pancreatitis is a common, yet complex, emergency surgical presentation. Multiple guidelines exist and management can vary significantly. The aim of this first UK, multicentre, prospective cohort study was to assess the variation in management of acute pancreatitis to guide resource planning and optimize treatment. Methods All patients aged greater than or equal to 18 years presenting with acute pancreatitis, as per the Atlanta criteria, from March to April 2021 were eligible for inclusion and followed up for 30 days. Anonymized data were uploaded to a secure electronic database in line with local governance approvals. Results A total of 113 hospitals contributed data on 2580 patients, with an equal sex distribution and a mean age of 57 years. The aetiology was gallstones in 50.6 per cent, with idiopathic the next most common (22.4 per cent). In addition to the 7.6 per cent with a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis, 20.1 per cent of patients had a previous episode of acute pancreatitis. One in 20 patients were classed as having severe pancreatitis, as per the Atlanta criteria. The overall mortality rate was 2.3 per cent at 30 days, but rose to one in three in the severe group. Predictors of death included male sex, increased age, and frailty; previous acute pancreatitis and gallstones as aetiologies were protective. Smoking status and body mass index did not affect death. Conclusion Most patients presenting with acute pancreatitis have a mild, self-limiting disease. Rates of patients with idiopathic pancreatitis are high. Recurrent attacks of pancreatitis are common, but are likely to have reduced risk of death on subsequent admissions. </jats:sec

Cationizing efficiency and performance of antimicrobial agent on cotton fabric dyed with vinyl sulfone based reactive blue dye

274-278The capacity of cotton treated with antimicrobial agent (Reputex-20) to uptake reactive blue dye has been determined and compared with that of untreated and dyed cotton. The cationizing efficiency and antimicrobial effect of antimicrobial agent applied on cotton fabric dyed with reactive dye are found to be better as compared to conventional method of reactive dyeing on untreated cotton fabric. Moreover, the fabric pre-treated with antimicrobial agent shows less antimicrobial activity as compared to post-treated fabric. The samples pre-treated with antimicrobial agent give better K/S values than the normal reactive dyed sample. Fastness to light, washing and rubbing of treated and dyed fabric is also found to be comparable with that of the conventional dyed fabri

INFILTRATION OF ROUND BLUE CELL TUMORS IN BONE MARROW

&nbsp; ABSTRACT: Objective: To identify the different types of Round Blue cell tumors on bone marrow biopsy and their pattern of marrow infiltration. Methodology: This Cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the Department of Hematology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), Rawalpindi from July 2021 to December 2021. A total of 60 diagnosed cases of round blue cell tumors were included in this study. Patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and patients of round blue cell tumors on treatment were not included in this study.Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy were performed. Peripheral film results, clinical observations, and patterns of marrow infiltration of Round Blue cell malignancies were reported on Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 was used for data analysis. Results:Our investigation revealed a male to female ratio of 2:1, with 40 (66.6%) males and 20 (33.3%) females. The overall average age was 5.695.0years. Ewing sarcoma and Rhabdomyosarcoma patients did not exhibit infiltration, however three instances of retinal blastoma (9.37%) and two cases of Neuroblastoma (10.52%) did. IHC results for Synaptophysin and Chromgranin indicated positive results for Retinoblastoma and Neuroblastoma, while S100 results were positive for Neuroblastoma infiltration and negative for Retinoblastoma.Both Retinoblastoma and Neuroblastoma showed diffuse, focal and interstitial pattern of infiltration on trephine biopsy. Conclusion:Small round blue cell tumors were noted in bone marrow infiltration 5 (8.33%) cases. Early detection of malignant cancers necessitates appropriate medical care and in more severe cases need of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Key words: Small round blue cell tumors, Neuroblastoma, Retinoblastoma. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp