Federated Learning for Sparse Principal Component Analysis

In the rapidly evolving realm of machine learning, algorithm effectiveness often faces limitations due to data quality and availability. Traditional approaches grapple with data sharing due to legal and privacy concerns. The federated learning framework addresses this challenge. Federated learning is a decentralized approach where model training occurs on client sides, preserving privacy by keeping data localized. Instead of sending raw data to a central server, only model updates are exchanged, enhancing data security. We apply this framework to Sparse Principal Component Analysis (SPCA) in this work. SPCA aims to attain sparse component loadings while maximizing data variance for improved interpretability. Beside the L1 norm regularization term in conventional SPCA, we add a smoothing function to facilitate gradient-based optimization methods. Moreover, in order to improve computational efficiency, we introduce a least squares approximation to original SPCA. This enables analytic solutions on the optimization processes, leading to substantial computational improvements. Within the federated framework, we formulate SPCA as a consensus optimization problem, which can be solved using the Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM). Our extensive experiments involve both IID and non-IID random features across various data owners. Results on synthetic and public datasets affirm the efficacy of our federated SPCA approach.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, 1 table. Accepted by IEEE BigData 2023, Sorrento, Ital

Development of Folded Expanded Metal Mesh with Sound Absorption Performance

Reverberation time (RT) is an important factor affecting the quality of indoor acoustics. Using sound-absorbing materials is one method for quickly and effectively controlling RT, and installation in the ceiling is a common location. Sound-absorbing ceilings come in many forms, with light steel joist ceilings commonly used in office spaces, classrooms, and discussion rooms. Light steel joist ceilings are often matched with sound-absorbing materials such as gypsum board, mineral fiberboard, rock wool, and coated glass wool, but such materials may have durability and exfoliation problems. Therefore, considering performance and health, in this research, we aimed to design an expanded metal mesh (EMM) structure specimen for sound-absorption material, namely folded expanded metal mesh (FEMM). The results show that the FEMM can significantly improve the sound-absorption performance of the expanded metal mesh. The Math output errorαw of single panel is 0.05–0.35, and the Math output errorαw of FEMM is 0.65–0.85. On the other hand, the sound-absorption performance of the full frequency band has been significantly improved. Furthermore, the field validation result shows that RT decreased from 1.05–0.56 s at 500 Hz, meanwhile, the sound pressure level (SPL) is still evenly distributed, and speech clarity (C50) is increased by 5.6–6.5

Tn6001, a Transposon-Like Element Containing the blaVIM-3-Harboring Integron In450▿

We describe the structure of a transposon-like element named Tn6001, which contains a blaVIM-3-harboring integron In450, which was derived from a multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolate in Taiwan. The transposon backbone structure is most closely related to those of Tn1404* and Tn1403. Tn6001 was inserted into the chromosome of the clinical isolate

Citalopram-induced Serotonin Syndrome: A Case Report

Serotonin syndrome is a disorder resulting from excess stimulation of serotonin and is associated with drug interaction, single-drug therapy, and overdose. We report a case involving a 32-year-old man who developed sudden agitation, diaphoresis, subjective fever, tremor, and insomnia. These symptoms were related to doubling the dose of citalopram in combination antidepressant therapy. Discontinuation of the agent resulted in early notable clinical resolution after 1 week. This is a rare report of serotonin syndrome induced by citalopram polytherapy. Although serotonin syndrome is rare, clinicians need to recognize it early

The erm(T) Gene Is Flanked by IS1216V in Inducible Erythromycin-Resistant Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus

We investigated the sequence and the genetic context of the erm(T) gene in six inducible erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus (formerly S. bovis biotype II.2) isolates. In all isolates, the erm(T) genes were flanked by two IS1216V-like elements with the same polarity and were found to be inserted in the chromosome