Securely Outsourcing Large Scale Eigen Value Problem to Public Cloud

Cloud computing enables clients with limited computational power to economically outsource their large scale computations to a public cloud with huge computational power. Cloud has the massive storage, computational power and software which can be used by clients for reducing their computational overhead and storage limitation. But in case of outsourcing, privacy of client's confidential data must be maintained. We have designed a protocol for outsourcing large scale Eigen value problem to a malicious cloud which provides input/output data security, result verifiability and client's efficiency. As the direct computation method to find all eigenvectors is computationally expensive for large dimensionality, we have used power iterative method for finding the largest Eigen value and the corresponding Eigen vector of a matrix. For protecting the privacy, some transformations are applied to the input matrix to get encrypted matrix which is sent to the cloud and then decrypting the result that is returned from the cloud for getting the correct solution of Eigen value problem. We have also proposed result verification mechanism for detecting robust cheating and provided theoretical analysis and experimental result that describes high-efficiency, correctness, security and robust cheating resistance of the proposed protocol

Coarse-Grained Force Fields from the Perspective of Statistical Mechanics: Better Understanding of the Origins of a MARTINI Hangover

The popular MARTINI coarse-grained model is used as a test case to analyze the adherence of top-down coarse-grained molecular dynamics models (i.e., models primarily parametrized to match experimental results) to the known features of statistical mechanics for the underlying all-atom representations. Specifically, the temperature dependence of various pair distribution functions, and hence their underlying potentials of mean force via the reversible work theorem, are compared between MARTINI 2.0, Dry MARTINI, and all-atom simulations mapped onto equivalent coarse-grained sites for certain lipid bilayers. It is found that the MARTINI models do not completely capture the lipid structure seen in atomistic simulations as projected onto the coarse-grained mappings and that issues of accuracy and temperature transferability arise due to an incorrect enthalpy–entropy decomposition of these potentials of mean force. The potential of mean force for the association of two amphipathic helices in a lipid bilayer is also calculated, and especially at shorter ranges, the MARTINI and all-atom projection results differ substantially. The former is much less repulsive and hence will lead to a higher probability of MARTINI helix association in the MARTINI bilayer than occurs in the actual all-atom case. Additionally, the bilayer height fluctuation spectra are calculated for the MARTINI model, and compared to the all-atom results, it is found that the magnitude of thermally averaged amplitudes at intermediate length scales are quite different, pointing to a number of possible consequences for realistic modeling of membrane processes. Taken as a whole, the results presented here show disagreement in the enthalpic and entropic driving forces driving lateral structure in lipid bilayers as well as quantitative differences in association of embedded amphipathic helices, which can help direct future efforts to parametrize CG models with better agreement to the all-atom systems they aspire to represent

Role of graft oversizing in the fixation strength of barbed endovascular grafts

PurposeThe role of endovascular graft oversizing on risk of distal graft migration following endovascular aneurysm repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm is poorly understood. A controlled in vitro investigation of the role of oversizing in graft-aorta attachment strength for endovascular grafts (EVGs) with barbs was performed.MethodsBarbed stent grafts (N = 20) with controlled graft oversizing varying from 4-45% were fabricated while maintaining other design variables unchanged. A flow loop with physiological flow characteristics and a biosynthetic aortic aneurysm phantom (synthetic aneurysm model with a bovine aortic neck) were developed. The stent grafts were deployed into the aortic neck of the bio-synthetic aortic aneurysm phantom under realistic flow conditions. Computed tomography imaging of the graft-aorta complex was used to document attachment characteristics such as graft apposition, number of barbs penetrated, and penetration depth and angle. The strength of graft attachment to the aortic neck was assessed using mechanical pullout testing. Stent grafts were categorized into four groups based on oversizing: 4-10%; 11-20%; 21-30%; and greater than 30% oversizing.ResultsPullout force, a measure of post-deployment fixation strength was not different between 4-10% (6.23 ± 1.90 N), 11-20% (6.25 ± 1.84 N) and 20-30% (5.85 ± 1.89 N) groups, but significantly lower for the group with greater than 30% oversizing (3.67 ± 1.41 N). Increasing oversizing caused a proportional decrease in the number of barbs penetrating the aortic wall (correlation = −0.83). Of the 14 barbs available in the stent graft, 89% of the barbs (12.5 of 14 on average) penetrated the aortic wall in the 4-10% oversizing group while only 38% (5.25 of 14) did for the greater than 30% group (P < .001). Also, the stent grafts with greater than 30% oversizing showed significantly poorer apposition characteristics such as eccentric compression or folding of the graft perimeter. The number and depth of barb penetration were found to be positively correlated to pullout force.ConclusionGreater than 30% graft oversizing affects both barb penetration and graft apposition adversely resulting in a low pullout force in this in vitro model. Barbed stent grafts with excessive oversizing are likely to result in poor fixation and increased risk of migration.Clinical RelevanceMigration of the endovascular grafts in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) patients continues to be a cause of long-term complication in patients. This study is an assessment of the role of graft oversizing, a key variable chosen by the physician, on the fixation strength of these implants to the parent aorta. The findings suggest caution when choosing stent grafts that are excessively oversized

Early Feasibility of Endovascular Repair of Distal Aortic Arch Aneurysms Using Patient-Specific Single Retrograde Left Subclavian Artery Branch Stent Graft

OBJECTIVE: To describe the feasibility and outcomes of endovascular repair of distal aortic arch aneurysms using a patient-specific stent graft with a pre-loaded single retrograde left subclavian artery (LSA) branch stent graft. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical data and outcomes of consecutive patients enrolled in an ongoing prospective, non-randomized physician-sponsored investigational device exemption study to evaluate the outcomes of endovascular aortic arch repair using patient-specific arch branch stent grafts (William Cook Europe, Bjaeverskov, Denmark) between 2019 and 2022. All patients received a design with triple-wide scallop and a single retrograde LSA branch with a pre-loaded catheter. RESULTS: There were five male patients with median age of 77 years old (72-80) treated using the single LSA branch stent graft. Technical success was achieved in all patients. Median operating time, fluoroscopy time, and total radiation dose area product were 103 (78-134) minutes, 26 (19-39) minutes, and 123 (71-270) mGy.cm CONCLUSION: This early feasibility study demonstrates successful endovascular repair of distal aortic arch aneurysms using a patient-specific stent graft with single retrograde LSA branch without technical failures, mortality or neurological events. Larger clinical experience and longer follow-up are needed to determined effectiveness of this approach in patients who need endovascular repair with proximal extension into Zone 2

Towards achieving nanofinish on silicon (Si) wafer by μ-wire electro-discharge machining

This study investigates the use of nanopowder-mixed dielectric oil and temporary metallic coating on highly doped Si sample to achieve nanometric surface roughness using μ-WEDM operation. To achieve this, two different nanopowders were used in dielectric medium with two different temporary metallic coating in the workpiece. This is with Al and C with metallic coating of (gold) thickness 160 nm and 320 nm. Further, the discharge energy level was varied into two proximate stages (80 V/13 pF and 85 V/0.1 nF). The results show that nanopowder-assisted μ-WEDM process has improved the material removal rate (MRR) by ~ 44.5% (maximum). However, the spark gap (SG) has also been increased to a maximum of 60% than without nanopowder assisted the μ-WEDM process. Further, it was found in our study that graphite (C) nanopowder usually generates lower spark gap as compared to aluminum (Al) nanopowder. It has also been observed that at specific μ-WEDM condition, coating thickness, and powder concentration C, Al can easily produce nanometric average surface roughness (ASR) (for C lowest ASR was 76 nm and for Al lowest ASR was 83 nm). From the findings, it can be understood that ASR can be improved maximum ~ 65% for C nanopowder and ~ 51% for Al nanopowder-assisted μ-wire electro-discharge machining as compared to conventional μ-WEDM of Si wafer. Machining stability and evenness of the machined slots were also improved by a significant margin when nanopowder-assisted μ-wire electro-discharge machining method was applied

Evaluation of spatiotemporal dynamics of land cover and land surface temperature using spectral indices and supervised classification: a case study of Jobai Beel Area, Bangladesh

This study aims to evaluate the spatiotemporal change of land cover (LC) and surface temperature of the Jobai Beel area, an exclusive agriculture zone, situated in the far-flung area of northwest Bangladesh using satellite data. Multi-temporal Landsat series of data from 1989 to 2020 and geospatial techniques have been employed to evaluate the LC change and land surface temperature (LST) variation. Different spectral indices such as NDVI, MNDWI, NDBal have been used to retrieve individual LC. Corresponding LST has also been extracted using the thermal bands. Supervised Classification and the post-classification change detection technique were employed to determine the temporal changes and validate the individual LC. The results were employed to assess the LST variation associated with LC changes. The results reveal that the area had undergone a drastic and inconsistent heterogeneous LC transformation during the study period. Water and vegetation areas have expanded at a rate of 0.24km2/year and 0.45km2/year respectively, while bare lands have shrunk at a rate of 0.70km2/year. In general, Bare land exhibits a significant positive correlation, when Vegetation areas show a significant negative correlation with LST. However, the correlation between water areas and LST was found statistically insignificant. Agriculture in the form of vegetation has been found the most dominating land cover character throughout the study period, which has been regulating the LST variation across the area

Activated I-BAR IRSp53 clustering controls the formation of VASP-actin–based membrane protrusions

Funding Information: Acknowledgments: The computations were supported by the University of Chicago Research Funding Information: The computations were supported by the University of Chicago Research Computing Center (RCC). We thank E. Coudrier and C. Simon for insightful discussions. We also thank F. Di Federico for handling plasmids, F. Tabarin-Cayrac for cell sorting, and A.-S. Mace for ImageJ programming assistance. F.-C.T., C.L.C., and P.B. are members of the CNRS consortium AQV. F.-C.T. and P.B. are members of the Labex Cell(n)Scale (ANR-11-LABX0038) and Paris Sciences et Lettres (ANR-10-IDEX-0001-02). We acknowledge the Cell and Tissue Imaging Core facility (PICT IBiSA), Institut Curie, member of the French National Research Infrastructure France-BioImaging (ANR10-INBS-04). This work was supported by Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) grant RGP0005/2016 (to F.-C.T., J.M.H., G.A.V., P.L., and P.B.), Institut Curie and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) (to F.-C.T., J.M.H., and P.B.), Marie Curie actions H2020-MSCA-IF-2014 (to F.-C.T.), EMBO Long-Term fellowship ALTF 1527-2014 (to F.-C.T.), Pasteur Foundation Fellowship (to J.M.H.), Agence Nationale pour la Recherche ANR-20-CE13-0032 (to J.M.H. and P.B.) and ANR-20-CE11-0010-01 (to F.-C.T), Université Paris Sciences et Lettres-QLife Institute ANR-17-CONV-0005 Q-LIFE (to P.B.), FY 2015 Researcher Exchange Program between the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and Academy of Finland (to Y.S.), the Takeda Science Foundation (to Y.S.), the Wesco Scientific Promotion Foundation (to Y.S.), Agence Nationale pour la Recherche ANR-18-CE13-0026-01 and ANR-21-CE13-0010-03 (to C.L.C.), Cancer Society Finland 4705949 (to P.L.), and U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) grant R01-GM063796 (to G.A.V. and Z.J.) Publisher Copyright: Copyright © 2022 The Authors, some rights reserved.Filopodia are actin-rich membrane protrusions essential for cell morphogenesis, motility, and cancer invasion. How cells control filopodium initiation on the plasma membrane remains elusive. We performed experiments in cellulo, in vitro, and in silico to unravel the mechanism of filopodium initiation driven by the membrane curvature sensor IRSp53 (insulin receptor substrate protein of 53 kDa). We showed that full-length IRSp53 self-assembles into clusters on membranes depending on PIP2. Using well-controlled in vitro reconstitution systems, we demonstrated that IRSp53 clusters recruit the actin polymerase VASP (vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein) to assemble actin filaments locally on membranes, leading to the generation of actin-filled membrane protrusions reminiscent of filopodia. By pulling membrane nanotubes from live cells, we observed that IRSp53 can only be enriched and trigger actin assembly in nanotubes at highly dynamic membrane regions. Our work supports a regulation mechanism of IRSp53 in its attributes of curvature sensation and partner recruitment to ensure a precise spatial-temporal control of filopodium initiation.Peer reviewe

The impact of dietary supplementation with astaxanthin on egg quality in Atlantic cod broodstock (Gadus morhua, L.)

This study investigated the effect on egg quality of dietary supplementation of Atlantic cod broodstock with the carotenoid astaxanthin (ASTA). Duplicate groups of farm-reared Atlantic cod broodstock were fed either a control diet with no added ASTA, or an ASTA supplemented diet (73.7 mg/kg dry weight; Carophyll Pink®) for 2 months prior to peak spawning. The results indicated that ASTA uptake into eggs from the broodstock diet was highly efficient. Fish fed the diet supplemented with ASTA produced fewer batches of eggs, but the mean number per batch of eggs spawned/kg female was higher, and numbers of floating eggs and numbers of fertilised eggs per kg female in each batch were also significantly improved. A correlation between the egg ASTA content and fertilisation success of individual batches was identified. This improvement in egg quality demonstrated the potential value of ASTA supplementation of broodstock diets for cod. ASTA supplementation produced a 20% increase in the number of eggs per batch spawned, a 37% increase in the number per batch of floating eggs per kg female and a 47% increase in the number per batch of fertilised eggs per kg female. These results clearly demonstrate significant benefits of ASTA supplementation of cod broodstock feeds in terms of improved egg quality and larval production

Breast cancer management pathways during the COVID-19 pandemic: outcomes from the UK ‘Alert Level 4’ phase of the B-MaP-C study

Abstract: Background: The B-MaP-C study aimed to determine alterations to breast cancer (BC) management during the peak transmission period of the UK COVID-19 pandemic and the potential impact of these treatment decisions. Methods: This was a national cohort study of patients with early BC undergoing multidisciplinary team (MDT)-guided treatment recommendations during the pandemic, designated ‘standard’ or ‘COVID-altered’, in the preoperative, operative and post-operative setting. Findings: Of 3776 patients (from 64 UK units) in the study, 2246 (59%) had ‘COVID-altered’ management. ‘Bridging’ endocrine therapy was used (n = 951) where theatre capacity was reduced. There was increasing access to COVID-19 low-risk theatres during the study period (59%). In line with national guidance, immediate breast reconstruction was avoided (n = 299). Where adjuvant chemotherapy was omitted (n = 81), the median benefit was only 3% (IQR 2–9%) using ‘NHS Predict’. There was the rapid adoption of new evidence-based hypofractionated radiotherapy (n = 781, from 46 units). Only 14 patients (1%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during their treatment journey. Conclusions: The majority of ‘COVID-altered’ management decisions were largely in line with pre-COVID evidence-based guidelines, implying that breast cancer survival outcomes are unlikely to be negatively impacted by the pandemic. However, in this study, the potential impact of delays to BC presentation or diagnosis remains unknown