Large character sums: Burgess's theorem and zeros of LL-functions

We study the conjecture that $\sum_{n\leq x} \chi(n)=o(x)$ for any primitive Dirichlet character $\chi \pmod q$ with $x\geq q^\epsilon$, which is known to be true if the Riemann Hypothesis holds for $L(s,\chi)$. We show that it holds under the weaker assumption that `$100\%$' of the zeros of $L(s,\chi)$ up to height $\tfrac 14$ lie on the critical line; and establish various other consequences of having large character sums

Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Wikipedia Metadata and the STiki Anti-Vandalism Tool

The bulk of Wikipedia anti-vandalism tools require natural language processing over the article or diff text. However, our prior work demonstrated the feasibility of using spatio-temporal properties to locate malicious edits. STiki is a real-time, on-Wikipedia tool leveraging this technique. The associated poster reviews STiki\u27s methodology and performance. We find competing anti-vandalism tools inhibit maximal performance. However, the tool proves particularly adept at mitigating long-term embedded vandalism. Further, its robust and language-independent nature make it well-suited for use in less-patrolled Wiki installations

Evaluating parent comprehension of measurement error information presented in score reports

Individual-student score reports sometimes include information about precision of scores (i.e., measurement error). In this study, we specifically investigated if parents understand this information when presented. We conducted an online experimental study where 196 parents of middle school children, from various parts of the country, were randomly assigned to three conditions with different amounts of measurement error information. Parents in all conditions answered a series of comprehension questions about a student’s performance on a hypothetical test. Results indicate that when information about error was presented, parents showed a significantly better understanding of score variability. Moreover, when asked about their preference for such information, parents across all three conditions indicated that they would like such information to be included in their child’s report. Results from this study highlight the importance of clear communication of technical information to stakeholders, particularly parents, who are a diverse stakeholder group

An evolutionary perspective on the kinome of malaria parasites

Malaria parasites belong to an ancient lineage that diverged very early from the main branch of eukaryotes. The approximately 90-member plasmodial kinome includes a majority of eukaryotic protein kinases that clearly cluster within the AGC, CMGC, TKL, CaMK and CK1 groups found in yeast, plants and mammals, testifying to the ancient ancestry of these families. However, several hundred millions years of independent evolution, and the specific pressures brought about by first a photosynthetic and then a parasitic lifestyle, led to the emergence of unique features in the plasmodial kinome. These include taxon-restricted kinase families, and unique peculiarities of individual enzymes even when they have homologues in other eukaryotes. Here, we merge essential aspects of all three malaria-related communications that were presented at the Evolution of Protein Phosphorylation meeting, and propose an integrated discussion of the specific features of the parasite's kinome and phosphoproteome