Leveraging Centric Data Federated Learning Using Blockchain For Integrity Assurance

Machine learning abilities have become a vital component for various solutions across industries, applications, and sectors. Many organizations seek to leverage AI-based solutions across their business services to unlock better efficiency and increase productivity. Problems, however, can arise if there is a lack of quality data for AI-model training, scalability, and maintenance. We propose a data-centric federated learning architecture leveraged by a public blockchain and smart contracts to overcome this significant issue. Our proposed solution provides a virtual public marketplace where developers, data scientists, and AI-engineer can publish their models and collaboratively create and access quality data for training. We enhance data quality and integrity through an incentive mechanism that rewards contributors for data contribution and verification. Those combined with the proposed framework helped increase with only one user simulation the training dataset with an average of 100 input daily and the model accuracy by approximately 4\%.Comment: Published at International Workshop on Trustable, Verifiable and Auditable Federated Learning in Conjunction with AAAI 2022 (FL-AAAI-22) https://federated-learning.org/fl-aaai-2022

Power System Reconfiguration in Distribution Network for Improving Reliability Using Genetic Algorithm and Particle Swarm Optimization

This paper presents an optimal method for optimizing network reconfiguration problems in a power distribution system in order to enhance reliability and reduce power losses. Network reconfiguration can be viewed as an optimization problem involving a set of criteria that must be reduced when adhering to various constraints. The energy not supplied (ENS) during permanent network faults and active power losses are the objective functions that are optimized in this study during the reconfiguration phase. These objectives are expressed mathematically and will be integrated into various optimization algorithms used throughout the study. To begin, a mathematical formulation of the objectives to be optimized, as well as all the constraints that must be met, is proposed. Then, to solve this difficult combinatorial problem, we use the exhaustive approach, genetic algorithm (GA), and particle swarm optimization (PSO) on an IEEE 33-bus electrical distribution network. Finally, a performance evaluation of the proposed approaches is developed. The results show that optimizing the distribution network topology using the PSO approach contributed significantly to improving the reliability, node voltage, line currents, and calculation time

Theoretical and experimental investigations of complexation with BF 3 .Et 2 O effects on electronic structures, energies and photophysical properties of Anil and tetraphenyl (hydroxyl) imidazol

International audienceThe novel compounds (E)‐2‐(((4‐hydroxyphenyl)imino)methyl)phenol, Tetraphenyl (hydroxyl) imidazole and their corresponding Boron difluoride complexes were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic techniques. Density functional theory calculations at B3LYP‐D3/6–311++G (d, p) level of theory were performed for the geometric parameters. The MEP surface studies were used to understand the behavior of molecules in terms of charge transfer and to determine how these molecules interact. We used the GIAO and the B3LYP‐D3 with a 6–311++ G (d, p) basis set to simulate the (1H‐NMR and 19F‐NMR) and the IR spectra, respectively. The corresponding calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental data. The stability of the molecule arising from hyperconjugation interaction and charge delocalization were analyzed using NBO analysis. FMOs revealed the occurrence of charge transfer within the molecule. The complexation using BF3.Et2O was also found to have remarkable effects on the electrochemical properties of the studied molecules, where (b) and (d) present lower chemical stability, higher reactivity and higher polarizability than (a) and (c), respectively. Moreover, the energy gap of (a) and (c) decreased after complexation using BF3.Et2O, indicating the reliability of the electrochemical evaluation of LUMO and HOMO energy levels. These values are the factors explaining the possible charge transfer interaction within the molecule. The absorption and emission spectra of the model compound were also simulated and compared to experimental observations in the DMF solvent. The results of DFT calculations supported the structural and spectroscopic data and confirmed the structure modification of frontier molecular orbitals for BF2 complexes as well as tunable potentials and energy levels

Ovarian Steroid Cell Tumor (Not Otherwise Specified): A Case Report of Ovarian Hyperandrogenism

Steroid cell tumors (SCTs) (not otherwise specified (NOS)) are rare sex cord-stromal tumors of the ovary. These are associated with hormonal disturbances resulting in menstrual bleeding patterns and androgenic effects. We report the case of a 36-year-old female presented with hirsutism, signs of virilization, and elevated androgen levels. Transvaginal ultrasound showed a solid-appearing right ovarian mass. She underwent fertility-sparing surgery with a laparoscopic left oophorectomy. Histological examination showed a benign steroid cell tumor, NOS. These tumors often small can then present a problem of positive diagnosis responsible for a delay in the diagnosis

Taekwondo Anaerobic Intermittent Kick Test: Discriminant Validity and an Update with the Gold-Standard Wingate Test

International audienceThe aim of this study was to update the validity of the Taekwondo Anaerobic Intermittent Kick Test compared with the 30-s Wingate anaerobic test as the "Gold-Standard", squat jump and countermovement jump tests. The second objective was to examine whether this new specific test would be able to effectively discriminate between elite taekwondo athletes of different competitive levels. Twenty taekwondo athletes (15 males and 5 females) participated in the validation component, whereas 18 (14 males and 4 females) and 16 (13 males and 3 females) athletes participated in the reliability analysis of the Wingate anaerobic test and jumping tests, respectively. They performed these tests on two separate occasions (i.e., test-retest), in addition to the Taekwondo Anaerobic Intermittent Kick Test. To establish test's discriminatory capability (i.e., construct validity), two subgroups were identified based on their international and national taekwondo performance 10 elite (8 males and 2 females) and 9 sub-elite (7 males and 2 females) athletes. Wingate anaerobic test and jumping tests performances showed excellent reliability (ICC > 0.90, SEM < 5% for most variables). Significant correlations between Taekwondo Anaerobic Intermittent Kick Test, Wingate anaerobic test, and jumping tests' variables were mostly "large". Elite taekwondo athletes showed greater taekwondo test performances compared with their sub-elite counterparts (p < 0.001). Receiving operating characteristic analysis indicated that the taekwondo specific test was able to effectively discriminate between elite and sub-elite taekwondo athletes. Overall, the findings of the current study support the concurrent validity of the Taekwondo Anaerobic Intermittent Kick Test. In particular, the Taekwondo Anaerobic Intermittent Kick Test showed good ability to effectively discriminate between taekwondo athletes of different competitive levels

Response to Pegylated Interferon in Chronic Hepatitis B, Effect of with and without Precore Mutant Stain: A Multicenter Tunisian Study

Background and Study Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of pegylated interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection in a real life setting.Patients and Methods: Fifteen hospitals in Tunisia were included in this study. Data from consecutively treated chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, who received pegylated interferon, were collected retrospectively. Baseline demographic and clinical data, on-treatment virological and serological responses and adverse events (AE) were recorded. Sustained virologic response (SVR) is defined as an hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA concentration of less than 2,000 IU/mL six months after the completion of therapy.Results: A total of 351 CHB patients under peg interferon alfa-2a treatment were included in this multicenter, open label, non-interventional study.Thirty five HBeAg positive patients were identified (62% male, 23% advanced fibrosis). Six months after therapy, 24% had viral loads &lt; 2000 IU/mL, 20% achieved HBeAg seroconversion and 5, 7% achieved HBs Ag loss.Three hundreds sixteen HBeAg negative patients were treated (72, 5% male, 24% advanced fibrosis). Six months post-treatment, 14 % had viral loads &lt; 2000 IU/mL and 1, 2% achieved HBs Ag loss.Treatment was well tolerated in 92% of cases and was stopped in 5.2% of patients.In multivariate analysis, predictors of response to pegylated interferon were: age less than 50 years (P=0,04 IC [0,169-0,737]), precore mutant stain infection (p=0,04 IC [0,60-0,69]), a body mass index &lt; 30kg/m2 (P=0,05 IC [0,225-0,320]), and a pre-treatment serum HBV DNA level &lt;20000IU/ml (P=0,03 IC [1,316-2,225]).Conclusion: PEG-IFN therapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is well tolerated and can achieve a good response especially if we select good responders

Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection 14‐day concomitant quadruple therapy versus triple therapy: A parallel double‐blind randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background and Aims Successful Helicobacter pylori (Hp) eradication with the traditional 7‐day course of proton pump inhibitor triple therapy is declining. Prolonging therapy to 14 days is associated with better eradication rates. Most learned societies recommend concomitant quadruple therapy (QC) as a first‐line alternative therapy for this bacterial infection. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of triple therapy (TT) and QC for the eradication of Hp infection. Methods A parallel double‐blind randomized controlled trial was conducted. The diagnosis of Hp infection was made by pathological examination of gastric biopsies. Patients were randomly assigned to two treatment groups: either QC (esomeprazole 80 mg, amoxicillin 2000 mg, clarithromycin 1000 mg, and metronidazole 1000 mg daily) or triple therapy (esomeprazole 80 mg, amoxicillin 2000 mg, and clarithromycin 1000 mg daily in divided doses) for 14 days. The efficacy of the treatment is defined by Hp eradication attested by a negative breath test performed 6 weeks after the completion of treatment. Treatment outcomes were compared using the chi‐square test, while binary logistic regression identified predictors of treatment failure. Results Ninety‐two patients were included. Forty‐two patients belonged to the QC group and 50 to the TT group. No significant difference was noted between the two groups concerning the rate of Hp eradication either by intention to treat (81% vs. 72% respectively, p = 0.31) or per protocol (81.6% vs. 76.1% respectively, p = 0.54). Likewise, there was no difference between the two groups in terms of tolerance to treatment (59.5% for QC vs. 58% for TT, p = 0.88). No factor has been associated with treatment failure. Conclusion There was no significant difference in the rate of HP eradication between the QC and the 14‐day triple therapy. Neither regimen should be used topically because of their low eradication rates