Leveraging linear mapping for model-agnostic adversarial defense

In the ever-evolving landscape of deep learning, novel designs of neural network architectures have been thought to drive progress by enhancing embedded representations. However, recent findings reveal that the embedded representations of various state-of-the-art models are mappable to one another via a simple linear map, thus challenging the notion that architectural variations are meaningfully distinctive. While these linear maps have been established for traditional non-adversarial datasets, e.g., ImageNet, to our knowledge no work has explored the linear relation between adversarial image representations of these datasets generated by different CNNs. Accurately mapping adversarial images signals the feasibility of generalizing an adversarial defense optimized for a specific network. In this work, we demonstrate the existence of a linear mapping of adversarial inputs between different models that can be exploited to develop such model-agnostic, generalized adversarial defense. We further propose an experimental setup designed to underscore the concept of this model-agnostic defense. We train a linear classifier using both adversarial and non-adversarial embeddings within the defended space. Subsequently, we assess its performance using adversarial embeddings from other models that are mapped to this space. Our approach achieves an AUROC of up to 0.99 for both CIFAR-10 and ImageNet datasets

A Comprehensive Review on Impact of Microorganisms on Soil and Plant

Soils have the most diversified microbial communities of any environment on the planet. Bacteria, fungi, algae, and protozoa are all found in abundance in soil. Maintaining a healthy environment for crops requires a strong link between plants and soil microorganisms that are essential for good crop development. Soil bacteria are key regulators of the nutrient cycle. Mineralization, legume nitrogen fixation, and ammonia conversion to plant-available nitrate would all be impossible without bacteria. Effective microorganisms have the ability to boost crop growth and yield. When used in conjunction with organic amendments, these bacteria performs better than to the sole application. It also contributes to soil health and provides a variety of ecological services. They also help in the cleaning of the environment, landfill disinfection, and the development and implementation of sustainable, closed-cycle organic waste treatment processes across the globe. The whole study remarks a conclusion that the application or presence of effective microbes to soil not only enhance the nutritional capacity, fertility and productivity of soils but also helps to remediate soil problems cost effectively

Exploring fMRI RDMs: enhancing model robustness through neurobiological data

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are sensitive to perturbations and adversarial attacks. One hypothesized solution to adversarial robustness is to align manifolds in the embedded space of neural networks with biologically grounded manifolds. Recent state-of-the-art works that emphasize learning robust neural representations, rather than optimizing for a specific target task like classification, support the idea that researchers should investigate this hypothesis. While works have shown that fine-tuning ANNs to coincide with biological vision does increase robustness to both perturbations and adversarial attacks, these works have relied on proprietary datasets—the lack of publicly available biological benchmarks makes it difficult to evaluate the efficacy of these claims. Here, we deliver a curated dataset consisting of biological representations of images taken from two commonly used computer vision datasets, ImageNet and COCO, that can be easily integrated into model training and evaluation. Specifically, we take a large functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) dataset (BOLD5000), preprocess it into representational dissimilarity matrices (RDMs), and establish an infrastructure that anyone can use to train models with biologically grounded representations. Using this infrastructure, we investigate the representations of several popular neural networks and find that as networks have been optimized for tasks, their correspondence with biological fidelity has decreased. Additionally, we use a previously unexplored graph-based technique, Fiedler partitioning, to showcase the viability of the biological data, and the potential to extend these analyses by extending RDMs into Laplacian matrices. Overall, our findings demonstrate the potential of utilizing our new biological benchmark to effectively enhance the robustness of models

Predictors of Prenatal Depression: A Cross-Sectional Study in Rural Pakistan

Objective: To determine the prevalence and association of prenatal depression with socioeconomic, demographic and personal factors among pregnant women living in Kallar Syedan, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Methods: Five hundred women in the second and third trimester of pregnancy, living in Kallar Syedan, a rural area of district Rawalpindi Pakistan, were included in the study. Depression was assessed using “Patient health questionnaire” (PHQ9) in Urdu, with a cut-off score of 10. Multi-dimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) was used to assess perceived social support. Life Events and Difficulties Schedule (LEDS) were used to measure stressful life events in past 1 year. Tool to assess intimate partner violence (IPV) was based on WHO Multi Country Study on “Women's Health and Domestic Violence against Women.” Results: Prevalence of prenatal depression was found to be 27%. Number of pregnancies was significantly associated with prenatal depression (p < 0.01). Women living in a joint family and those who perceived themselves as moderately satisfied or not satisfied with their life in the next 4 years were found to be depressed (p < 0.01, OR 6.9, CI 1.77–26.73). Depressive symptomatology in women who experienced more than five stressful life events in last 1 year was three times higher (p < 0.001, OR 3.2, CI 1.68–5.98) than in women with 1–2 stressful events. Women who were supported by their significant others or their family members had 0.9 times (p < 0.01, OR 0.9, CI 0.85–0.96) less chance of getting depressed. Pregnant women who were psychologically abused by their partners were 1.5 times more depressed (p < 0.05 CI 1.12–2.51). Odds of having depression was also high in women who had less mean score of MSSI (p < 0.05, OR 1.1, CI 1.01–1.09). Women who had suitable accommodation had 0.5 times less chance of having depression than others (p < 0.05, OR 0.5, CI 0.27–0.92). Conclusion: Over a quarter of the women in the study population reported prenatal depression, which were predicted predominantly by psychosocial variables

Effect of early tranexamic acid administration on mortality, hysterectomy, and other morbidities in women with post-partum haemorrhage (WOMAN): an international, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Post-partum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. Early administration of tranexamic acid reduces deaths due to bleeding in trauma patients. We aimed to assess the effects of early administration of tranexamic acid on death, hysterectomy, and other relevant outcomes in women with post-partum haemorrhage. Methods In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we recruited women aged 16 years and older with a clinical diagnosis of post-partum haemorrhage after a vaginal birth or caesarean section from 193 hospitals in 21 countries. We randomly assigned women to receive either 1 g intravenous tranexamic acid or matching placebo in addition to usual care. If bleeding continued after 30 min, or stopped and restarted within 24 h of the first dose, a second dose of 1 g of tranexamic acid or placebo could be given. Patients were assigned by selection of a numbered treatment pack from a box containing eight numbered packs that were identical apart from the pack number. Participants, care givers, and those assessing outcomes were masked to allocation. We originally planned to enrol 15 000 women with a composite primary endpoint of death from all-causes or hysterectomy within 42 days of giving birth. However, during the trial it became apparent that the decision to conduct a hysterectomy was often made at the same time as randomisation. Although tranexamic acid could influence the risk of death in these cases, it could not affect the risk of hysterectomy. We therefore increased the sample size from 15 000 to 20 000 women in order to estimate the effect of tranexamic acid on the risk of death from post-partum haemorrhage. All analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis. This trial is registered with ISRCTN76912190 (Dec 8, 2008); ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00872469; and PACTR201007000192283. Findings Between March, 2010, and April, 2016, 20 060 women were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive tranexamic acid (n=10 051) or placebo (n=10 009), of whom 10 036 and 9985, respectively, were included in the analysis. Death due to bleeding was significantly reduced in women given tranexamic acid (155 [1·5%] of 10 036 patients vs 191 [1·9%] of 9985 in the placebo group, risk ratio [RR] 0·81, 95% CI 0·65–1·00; p=0·045), especially in women given treatment within 3 h of giving birth (89 [1·2%] in the tranexamic acid group vs 127 [1·7%] in the placebo group, RR 0·69, 95% CI 0·52–0·91; p=0·008). All other causes of death did not differ significantly by group. Hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (358 [3·6%] patients in the tranexamic acid group vs 351 [3·5%] in the placebo group, RR 1·02, 95% CI 0·88–1·07; p=0·84). The composite primary endpoint of death from all causes or hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (534 [5·3%] deaths or hysterectomies in the tranexamic acid group vs 546 [5·5%] in the placebo group, RR 0·97, 95% CI 0·87-1·09; p=0·65). Adverse events (including thromboembolic events) did not differ significantly in the tranexamic acid versus placebo group. Interpretation Tranexamic acid reduces death due to bleeding in women with post-partum haemorrhage with no adverse effects. When used as a treatment for postpartum haemorrhage, tranexamic acid should be given as soon as possible after bleeding onset. Funding London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Pfizer, UK Department of Health, Wellcome Trust, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Comparative analysis of buffalo and cow milk for quality characteristics and β-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase activity in non-infected animals

In Pakistan, milk quality control standards are yet to be established. The prime objective of this study was to develop the standard referencevalues for the milk pH, its somatic cell count (SCC), electric conductivity (EC) and NAGase i.e., milk enzyme in the noninfected milk of localbuffalo breed i.e., Nilli-Ravi also known as Black-gold of Pakistan and cows i.e., Sahiwal and other crossbred cows kept locally mostly formilch purpose. A total of 30 animals with lactation number 1-5 (in early lactation of two months) from each breed group were selectedfor milk samples. Samples were then tested for mastitis through Surf Field Mastitis test and microbiological culturing. Reference valueswere determined using negative samples. Fore-mentioned parameters were analyzed for collected Milk samples. The values for NAGaseand SCC were the most eminent in the crossbred cow’s milk i.e., (56.07±2.33 U/mL) & (178645.83±2324.0/mL) respectively. EC value(5.7±0.04) was strikingly high in Sahiwal cow’s milk. Milk of Nilli-Ravi was found superior in quality, based on its lower values of SSC,EC and NAGase. Mean values of each parameter were also compared among different quarters and found to be statistically similar. Inconclusion, milk of Nilli-Ravi was found superior in quality and current findings can be used to provide base line information for NAGaseand other components of milk quality and udder health for above mentioned dairy types

Comparative analysis of buffalo and cow milk for quality characteristics and β-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase activity in non-infected animals

In Pakistan, milk quality control standards are yet to be established. The prime objective of this study was to develop the standard referencevalues for the milk pH, its somatic cell count (SCC), electric conductivity (EC) and NAGase i.e., milk enzyme in the noninfected milk of localbuffalo breed i.e., Nilli-Ravi also known as Black-gold of Pakistan and cows i.e., Sahiwal and other crossbred cows kept locally mostly formilch purpose. A total of 30 animals with lactation number 1-5 (in early lactation of two months) from each breed group were selectedfor milk samples. Samples were then tested for mastitis through Surf Field Mastitis test and microbiological culturing. Reference valueswere determined using negative samples. Fore-mentioned parameters were analyzed for collected Milk samples. The values for NAGaseand SCC were the most eminent in the crossbred cow’s milk i.e., (56.07±2.33 U/mL) & (178645.83±2324.0/mL) respectively. EC value(5.7±0.04) was strikingly high in Sahiwal cow’s milk. Milk of Nilli-Ravi was found superior in quality, based on its lower values of SSC,EC and NAGase. Mean values of each parameter were also compared among different quarters and found to be statistically similar. Inconclusion, milk of Nilli-Ravi was found superior in quality and current findings can be used to provide base line information for NAGaseand other components of milk quality and udder health for above mentioned dairy types

Učinak levamisol hidroklorida na titrove protutijela za slinavku i šap u krvnom serumu i kolostrumu u cijepljenih bivolica (Bubalus bubalis).

A study was conducted to ascertain whether post-vaccination antibody titres in serum and colostrum against foot and mouth disease virus in pregnant buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) could be enhanced by simultaneous administration of levamisole hydrochloride. Twenty-four pregnant buffaloes were divided into three groups of equal size: unvaccinated, vaccinated control, and levamisole-treated vaccinated. The vaccination was given 10 weeks prior to expected parturition. Weekly serum samples were collected until parturition, while colostrum samples were obtained within 1h after parturition. Passive haemagglutination test was applied to determine antibody titres. Levamisole-treated animals showed a progressive rise in antibody titre until week 6, reaching a peak value of 70.0 ± 4.3 (SD) during that same week. Levamisole hydrochloride significantly (P<0.05) increased antibody titres in serum, although results of statistical analysis of colostral antibody titres were not significantly different between experimental groups.Istraživanje je provedeno da se utvrdi da li se može post-vakcinalni titar protutijela za slinavku i šap u serumu i u kolostrumu gravidnih bivolica povečati istovremenim davanjem levamisol hidroklorida. Dvadeset i četiri gravidne bivolice (Bubalus bubalis) su podijeljene u 3 jednake skupine: necijepljene, cijepljene kontrolne i cijepljene uz tretman levamisolom. Cijepivo je davano 10 tjedana prije očekivanog telenja. Tjedni uzorci seruma su uzimani do telenja, a kolostruma 1 sat nakon telenja. Za utvr|ivanje titra protutijela rabljen je test pasivne hemaglutinacije. Životinje tretirane levamisolom pokazale su progresivan rast titra protutijela do šestog tjedna kada su dosegle najvišu vrijednost od 70,0±4,3 (SD). Levamisol hidroklorid je značajno (P<0,05) povisio titar protutijela u serumu ali se rezultati statističke analize titra kolostralnih protutijela nisu značajno razlikovali među skupinama pokusnih životinja

Učinak levamisol hidroklorida na titrove protutijela za slinavku i šap u krvnom serumu i kolostrumu u cijepljenih bivolica (Bubalus bubalis).

A study was conducted to ascertain whether post-vaccination antibody titres in serum and colostrum against foot and mouth disease virus in pregnant buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) could be enhanced by simultaneous administration of levamisole hydrochloride. Twenty-four pregnant buffaloes were divided into three groups of equal size: unvaccinated, vaccinated control, and levamisole-treated vaccinated. The vaccination was given 10 weeks prior to expected parturition. Weekly serum samples were collected until parturition, while colostrum samples were obtained within 1h after parturition. Passive haemagglutination test was applied to determine antibody titres. Levamisole-treated animals showed a progressive rise in antibody titre until week 6, reaching a peak value of 70.0 ± 4.3 (SD) during that same week. Levamisole hydrochloride significantly (P<0.05) increased antibody titres in serum, although results of statistical analysis of colostral antibody titres were not significantly different between experimental groups.Istraživanje je provedeno da se utvrdi da li se može post-vakcinalni titar protutijela za slinavku i šap u serumu i u kolostrumu gravidnih bivolica povečati istovremenim davanjem levamisol hidroklorida. Dvadeset i četiri gravidne bivolice (Bubalus bubalis) su podijeljene u 3 jednake skupine: necijepljene, cijepljene kontrolne i cijepljene uz tretman levamisolom. Cijepivo je davano 10 tjedana prije očekivanog telenja. Tjedni uzorci seruma su uzimani do telenja, a kolostruma 1 sat nakon telenja. Za utvr|ivanje titra protutijela rabljen je test pasivne hemaglutinacije. Životinje tretirane levamisolom pokazale su progresivan rast titra protutijela do šestog tjedna kada su dosegle najvišu vrijednost od 70,0±4,3 (SD). Levamisol hidroklorid je značajno (P<0,05) povisio titar protutijela u serumu ali se rezultati statističke analize titra kolostralnih protutijela nisu značajno razlikovali među skupinama pokusnih životinja