Blockchain Based Secure Federated Learning With Local Differential Privacy and Incentivization.

Interest in supporting Federated Learning (FL) using blockchains has grown significantly in recent years. However, restricting access to the trained models only to actively participating nodes remains a challenge even today. To address this concern, we propose a methodology that incentivizes model parameter sharing in an FL setup under Local Differential Privacy (LDP).

Hidden appendix: A case report and literature review of perforated acute appendicitis masquerading as acute cholecystitis.

Introduction: Acute appendicitis of the subhepatic appendix is uncommon, and a preoperative diagnosis is difficult without a thorough understanding of the various anatomical locations. Cross-sectional imaging is indispensable for prompt diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Surgery is the standard treatment for perforated appendicitis in the subhepatic region.

Harnessing symbiosis for phytoremediation of soil contaminated with lead, cadmium, and arsenic.

This study investigates the impact of on heavy metal(loid) (HM) uptake efficiency of pea ( L.) plants along with physiological and biochemical parameters. Plants were grown in soil spiked with HMs (Pb and As: 50 and 100 mg kg; Cd: 25 and 50 mg kg) and a multi-metal(loid) (Mm: Pb + Cd + As) combination, inoculated/non-inoculated with .

Cadmium toxicity in cowpea plant: Effect of foliar intervention of nano-TiO on tissue Cd bioaccumulation, stress enzymes and potential dietary health risk.

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of foliar-intervention of nano-TiO on Cd toxicity in cowpea plants. Cowpea plants were exposed to Cd toxicity at 10 mg/kg soil for 21 days and afterwards, subjected to six episodes of foliar application of nano-TiO intervention. Results showed that foliar-applied nano-TiO significantly promoted chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll contents after Cd stress as compared to Cd-stressed plants without the intervention.

Metal(loid) induced toxicity and defense mechanisms in Spinacia oleracea L.: Ecological hazard and Prospects for phytoremediation.

A pot study was conducted to assess the phytoremediation potential of Spinach plants along with their physiological and biochemical response when grown in soil contaminated with heavy metal(loid)s (HMs). Plants were grown under different doses of Pb, Cd and As; and their metal(loid) accumulation efficiency was studied upon harvest; expressed in terms of bioabsorption coefficient (BAC), bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF). Results showed significant (p ≤ 0.

EDTA-Assisted Metal Uptake in Raphanus sativus L. and Brassica oleracea L.: Assessment of Toxicity and Food Safety.

A study was conducted to determine the effect of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on phytoextraction potential of radish and cabbage. Plant biomass, photosynthetic pigments, proline and phenolics were significantly affected by the accumulation of heavy metals (HM). The metal uptake potential was increased significantly by the application of EDTA.

Effect of Glomus mossae on accumulation efficiency, hazard index and antioxidant defense mechanisms in tomato under metal(loid) Stress.

In the present study, the phytoremedation potential along with growth, physiological and biochemical response of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) was assessed under heavy metal(loid) (HM) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) amendment. Effect of AMF on uptake and accumulation of metal(loid)s was assessed and accumulation characteristics were expressed in terms of bioabsorption coefficient (BAC), bioconcentration factor (BCF), translocation factor (TLF) and transfer factor (TF). Results showed that AMF-inoculated plants showed not only a better growth, chlorophyll content, strengthened non-enzymatic and enzymatic defense mechanism, but also accumulated higher concentration of metal(loid)s.

Citrus Epicarp-Derived Biochar Reduced Cd Uptake and Ameliorates Oxidative Stress in Young Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench (okra) Under Low Cd Stress.

Due to the important role of biochar (BC) in reducing metal-toxicity in plants, this study was aimed at assessing the potential of citrus epicarp-derived BC in ameliorating Cd toxicity in young Abelmoschus esculentus (okra) under low Cd toxicity. Okra was grown in soil amended with BC at four treatment levels for 49 days as follows: control (A), sole 1.4 mg Cd/kg-spiked soil (B), 1.

Metal(loid) accumulation in aquatic plants of a mining area: Potential for water quality biomonitoring and biogeochemical prospecting.

Aquatic bryophytes can accumulate extremely high levels of chemical elements because of their unique morphology and physiology which is markedly different from vascular plants. Four aquatic mosses-Fontinalis squamosa, Brachythecium rivulare, Platyhypnidium riparioides, Thamnobryum alopecurum-and a freshwater red alga Lemanea fluviatilis along with water samples from the streams of Góis mine region in Central Portugal were analyzed for 46 elements. Despite being below detection levels in the water samples, the elements Zr, V, Cr, Mo, Ru, Os, Rh, Ir, Pt, Ag, Ge and Bi were obtained in the plant samples.

Assessment of edibility and effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on Solanum melongena L. grown under heavy metal(loid) contaminated soil.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) aids in plant establishment at heavy metal(loid) (HM) contaminated soils, strengthening plant defense system along with promoting growth. A pot experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of AMF on eggplants grown under HM stress. Further, the potential health risks of HM exposure to the humans via dietary intake of eggplant were also estimated.

Identification of Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr. as an Efficient and Well Adapted Phytoremediation Tool for Cd Polluted Soils.

A pot experiment was carried out to assess Cd uptake and accumulation efficiency of Sesbania sesban. Plants were grown in soil spiked with 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 mg/kg Cd. After 120 days, plants were harvested and analyzed for Cd content.

The effect of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria on the growth, physiology, and Cd uptake of Arundo donax L.

In this study, plant growth-promoting potential isolates from rhizosphere of 10 weed species grown in heavy metal-contaminated areas were identified and their effect on growth, antioxidant enzymes, and cadmium (Cd) uptake in Arundo donax L. was explored. Plant growth-promoting traits of isolates were also analyzed.

Simultaneous Trans-Diaphragmatic Approach for Wedge Resection of the Solitary Ipsilateral Lung Metastasis in Renal Cell Carcinoma.

About one third of newly diagnosed renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients present with synchronous metastatic disease. Twenty to 40 % with localized disease at diagnosis eventually develop metastases. Complete metastasectomy confers five year survival rate of 35 % to 50 %.

Forgotten Reminders: an Experience with Managing 28 Forgotten Double-J Stents and Management of Related Complications.

Combinations of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) and endourological and open surgery have been used for management of forgotten double-J (DJ) stents; however, there are only a few case reports or case series in literature. We present our experience of managing 28 cases of forgotten ureteric stents of whom three patients died because of complications after intervention. We retrospectively reviewed the hospital records of 28 cases of forgotten DJ stents from 2000 to 2013.

Oral Pemphigus Vulgaris: Case Report.

Background: Pemphigus is a potentially life threatening autoimmune disease that causes blisters and erosions of the skin and the mucous membrane. The epithelial lesions are a result of auto-antibodies that react with desmosomal glycoproteins that are present on the cell surface of the keratinocyte. The autoimmune reaction against these glycoproteins causes a loss of cell to cell adhesion, resulting in the formation of intraepithelial bullae.

Abutilon indicum L.: a prospective weed for phytoremediation.

This study was aimed to determine the uptake and accumulation potential of a weed (Abutilon indicum L.) for phytoremediation of soil contaminated with cadmium. Plants were grown in soil spiked with 0, 2.

Accumulation of uranium by aquatic plants in field conditions: prospects for phytoremediation.

A study was undertaken to determine Uranium concentrations in water and aquatic plants in the uraniferous region of Beiras, Central Portugal. Samples were collected from running water (n=200) at places where aquatic species were observed. Plant samples were collected from 28 species of submerged, free-floating and rooted emergent plants including 2 bryophytes and 1 pteridophyte.

Phytoremedial assessment of flora tolerant to heavy metals in the contaminated soils of an abandoned Pb mine in Central Portugal.

Significant accumulation of heavy metals in soils and flora exists around the abandoned Barbadalhos Pb mine in Central Portugal. Soil and plant samples [49 species] were collected from two line transects, LT 1 and LT 2, in the mineralized and non-mineralized area, respectively to gain a comprehensive picture of heavy metals in soils and flora to assess its potential for phytoremediation. Phytosociological inventories of the vegetation were made using the Braun-Blanquet cover-abundance scale.

Metal contamination of soils and plants associated with the glass industry in North Central India: prospects of phytoremediation.

Introduction: The effect of the glass industry on urban soil metal characterization was assessed in the area of Firozabad, India. A comprehensive profile of metal contamination was obtained in five zones each containing five specific sites.

Findings: Zn, Cd, and As showed a greater accumulation, whereas accumulation of Ni and Cu was high in limited samples.

Phytoextraction potential of Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. with specific reference to lead and cadmium.

Root and shoot samples of Prosopis juliflora were assessed for their heavy metal content to evaluate the species as a green solution to decontaminate soils contaminated with lead and cadmium. The highest uptake of both the metals was observed in plants from industrial sites. Sites with more anthropogenic disturbance exhibited reduced chlorophyll levels, stunted growth, delayed and shortened reproductive phase.

Identification of Calotropis procera L. as a potential phytoaccumulator of heavy metals from contaminated soils in Urban North Central India.

Lead and cadmium levels were monitored in soil at fifteen urban (riverbank, roadside, industrial and residential) sites in the north central part of India. Calotropis procera, a hardy xerophytic plant was identified and selected for remedial potential as it was seen growing well at all sites. Root and leaf samples were collected simultaneously with soil samples to assess the characteristics of accumulation and tolerance of Pb and Cd in C.

Bioassay as monitoring system for lead phytoremediation through Crinum asiaticum L.

Toxicity of lead in soil is well documented and established. Phytoremediation has gained attention as a cheap, easily applicable, and eco-friendly clean-up technology. Chemical methods are used to assess exact levels and type of pollutants but heavy metal content in soil can also be evaluated indirectly by estimation of phytotoxicity levels using bioassays.