FLARE: Fingerprinting Deep Reinforcement Learning Agents using Universal Adversarial Masks

We propose FLARE, the first fingerprinting mechanism to verify whether a suspected Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) policy is an illegitimate copy of another (victim) policy. We first show that it is possible to find non-transferable, universal adversarial masks, i.e., perturbations, to generate adversarial examples that can successfully transfer from a victim policy to its modified versions but not to independently trained policies. FLARE employs these masks as fingerprints to verify the true ownership of stolen DRL policies by measuring an action agreement value over states perturbed via such masks. Our empirical evaluations show that FLARE is effective (100% action agreement on stolen copies) and does not falsely accuse independent policies (no false positives). FLARE is also robust to model modification attacks and cannot be easily evaded by more informed adversaries without negatively impacting agent performance. We also show that not all universal adversarial masks are suitable candidates for fingerprints due to the inherent characteristics of DRL policies. The spatio-temporal dynamics of DRL problems and sequential decision-making process make characterizing the decision boundary of DRL policies more difficult, as well as searching for universal masks that capture the geometry of it.Comment: Will appear in the proceedings of ACSAC 2023; 13 pages, 5 figures, 7 table

Cash Loans to Ottoman Timariots during Military Campaigns (Sixteenth-Seventeenth Centuries): A Vulnerable Fiscal System?

Scholarship has argued that the Ottoman timar system was an efficient way to provide military forces in a non-monetized economy. As the state granted its sources of revenue to timariots in return for military service, it was financially relieved of the need to pay the expenses of the cavalry. Several documents so far neglected by scholars and evidencing the practice of cash loans to timariots during military campaigns prove otherwise. This paper analyzes the process of the generation of timariots' disposable income in the framework of actor-network theory. It is argued that the granting of loans demonstrated an attempt to regulate the cash flow of the timariot's income during campaigns, which was necessitated by problems of transforming tax revenues into disposable form. In the light of documents evidencing cash loans, it is further argued that cash loans reflect the vulnerability of the Ottoman timar system. © 2016 Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands

P℘\wpN functions, complete mappings and quasigroup difference sets

We investigate pairs of permutations $F,G$ of $\mathbb{F}_{p^n}$ such that $F(x+a)-G(x)$ is a permutation for every $a\in\mathbb{F}_{p^n}$. We show that necessarily $G(x) = \wp(F(x))$ for some complete mapping $-\wp$ of $\mathbb{F}_{p^n}$, and call the permutation $F$ a perfect $\wp$ nonlinear (P$\wp$N) function. If $\wp(x) = cx$, then $F$ is a PcN function, which have been considered in the literature, lately. With a binary operation on $\mathbb{F}_{p^n}\times\mathbb{F}_{p^n}$ involving $\wp$, we obtain a quasigroup, and show that the graph of a P$\wp$N function $F$ is a difference set in the respective quasigroup. We further point to variants of symmetric designs obtained from such quasigroup difference sets. Finally, we analyze an equivalence (naturally defined via the automorphism group of the respective quasigroup) for P$\wp$N functions, respectively, the difference sets in the corresponding quasigroup

Around the World in English: The Production and Consumption of Translated Fiction in the UK between Cosmopolitanism and Orientalism

This thesis analyzes discourses of identity construction in the production and consumption of translated fiction in the contemporary British book culture. Drawing from ethnographic methods, it investigates what middle class, engaged readers make out of the translated novels they read, particularly in the ways that these books have been produced and marketed to them. The study concludes that translated fiction illustrates the multilayered meaning structures regarding taste and identity in reading communities and in the publishing industry in contemporary Britain. The theoretical framework of the thesis is based on sociological and anthropological studies on identity, intercultural communication and the consumption of art, alongside theories of reading and literary exchange from literary studies and translation studies. Data for the analysis on reading has been collected through participant observation/focus groups at over 30 book group meetings. Research methods also include interviews with individual readers and publishing industry professionals. Analysis of reading communities concentrates on responses to translated novels as texts that have undergone linguistic transference and as stories that portray other cultures. These responses are contextualized with the value orientations that arise from current trends of cultural consumption in the UK, such as monolingualism, cosmopolitanism and omnivorousness. The thesis also includes a case study on Turkish literature, exploring recent trends in literary production and the cultural role of literary translators. The study reveals the complex inflections of taste and identity in the practices of the agents of print culture. The textual-linguistic dimensions of translated texts are often the subject of negative evaluations when readers do not recognize the agency of the literary translator as an artist. Moreover, the opportunity of cultural encounter enabled by the reading experience activates varying discourses of intercultural communication, depending on readers’ cultural capital, their level of commitment to cosmopolitanism and the orientation of the book group’s discussion. In the production and consumption of translated fiction, the tension that arises between the pleasure and distinction dimensions of literary products translates into dilemmas between exoticism and cosmopolitan egalitarianism

Molecular Genetic Analysis of Survival Motor Neuron Gene in 460 Turkish Cases with Suspicious Spinal Muscular Atrophy Disease

How to Cite This Article: Rashnonejad A, Onay H, Atik T, Atan Sahin O, Gokben S, Tekgul H, Ozkinay F. Molecular Genetic Analysis of Survival Motor Neuron Gene in 460 Turkish Cases with Suspicious Spinal Muscular Atrophy Disease. Iran J Child Neurol. Autumn 2016; 10(4):30-35.AbstractObjectiveTo describe 12 yr experience of molecular genetic diagnosis of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) in 460 cases of Turkish patients. Materials & MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed on data from 460 cases, referred to Medical Genetics Laboratory, Ege University’s Hospital, Izmir, Turkey, prediagnosed as SMA or with family history of SMA between 2003 and 2014.The PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and the Multiplex ligation–dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis were performed to detect the survival motor neuron (SMN)1 deletions and to estimate SMN1 and SMN2 gene copy numbers. ResultsUsing PCR-RFLP test, 159 of 324 postnatal and 18 of 77 prenatal cases were detected to have SMN1 deletions. From positive samples, 88.13% had a homozygous deletion in both exon 7 and exon 8 of SMN1. Using MLPA, 54.5% of families revealed heterozygous deletions of SMN1, and 2 or 3 copies of SMN2, suggesting a healthy SMA carrier. Among patients referred for SMA testing, the annual percentage of patients diagnosed as SMA has decreased gradually from 90.62% (2003) down to 20.83% (2014). ConclusionAlthough PCR-RFLP method is a reliable test for SMA screening, MLPA is a necessary additional test and provide relevant data for genetic counseling of families having previously affected child. The gradual decrease in the percentage of patients molecularly diagnosed as SMA shows that clinicians have begun to use genetic tests in the differential diagnosis of muscular atrophies. Cost and availability of these genetic tests has greatly attributed to their use.   References1. Brichta L, Holker I, Haug K, Klockgether T, Wirth B. In vivo activation of SMN in spinal muscular atrophy carriers and patients treated with valprotae. Ann Neurol 2006;59:970-5.2. Prior TW, Krainer AR, Hua Y, Swoboda KJ, Snyder PC, Bridgeman SJ, et al. A positive modifier of spinal muscular atrophy in the SMN2 gene. Am J Hum Genet 2009;85:408-13.3. Striano P, Boccella P, Sarappa C, Striano S. Spinal muscular atrophy and progressive myoclonic epilepsy: one case report and characteristics of the epileptic syndrome. Seizure 2004;13:582-6.4. Wirth B. An update of the mutation spectrum of the survival motor neuron gene (SMN1) in autosomal recessive spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Hum Mutat 2000;15:228-37.5. Van der Steege G, Grootscholten PM, Van der Vlies P, Draaijers TG, Osinga J, Cobben JM, et al. PCR-based DNA test to confirm clinical diagnosis of autosomal recessive spinal muscular atrophy. Lancet 1995;345:985-6.6. Rekik I, Boukhris A, Ketata S, Amri M, Essid N, Feki I, et al. Deletion analysis of SMN and NAIP genes in Tunisian patients with spinal muscular atrophy. Ann Indian Acad Neurol 2013;16:57-61.7. de Souza Godinho FM, Bock H, Gheno TC, Saraiva-Pereira ML. Molecular Analysis of Spinal Muscular Atrophy: A genotyping protocol based on TaqMan realtime PCR. Genet Mol Biol 2012;35:955-9.8. Burghes AH. When deletion is not a deletion? When it is converted? Am J Hum Genet 1997;61:9-15.9. Kubo Y, Nishio H, Saito K. A new method for SMN1 and hybrid SMN gene analysis 1. in spinal muscular atrophy using long-range PCR followed by sequencing. J Hum 2. Genet 2015;60:233-9.10. Ogino S, Leonard DG, Rennert H, Wilson RB. Spinal Muscular Atrophy Genetic Testing Experience at an Academic Medical Center. J Mol Diagn 2002;4:53-8.11. Baumbach-Reardon L, Sacharow S, Ahearn ME. Spinal Muscular Atrophy, X-Linked Infantile. Gene Review 1993.12. Khaniani MS, Derakhshan SM, Abasalizadeh S. Prenatal diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy: clinical experience and molecular genetics of SMN gene analysis in 36 cases. J Prenat Med 2013;7:32-4.13. Lin SP, Chang JG, Jong YJ, Yang TY, Tsai CH, Wang NM, et al. Prenatal prediction of spinal muscular atrophy in Chinese. Prenat Diagn 1999;19:657-61.14. Cobben JM, Scheffer H, De visser M, Van der Steege G, Verhey JB, Osigna J, et al. Prenatal prediction of spinal muscular atrophy. Experience with linkage studies and consequences of present SMN deletion analysis. Eur J Hum Genet 1996;4:231-6.15. Miskovic M, Lalic T, Radivojevic D, Cirkovic S, Ostojic S, Guc-Scekic M. Ten years of experience in molecular prenatal diagnosis and carrier testing for spinal muscular atrophy among families from Serbia. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2014;124:55-8.16. Mailman MD, Heinz JW, Papp AC, Snyder PJ, Sedra MS, Burghes AHM, Wirth B, Prior TW. Molecular analysis of spinal muscular atrophy and modification of the phenotype by SMN2. Genet Med 2002;4:20–26.17. Ogino S, Leonard DG, Rennert H, Ewens WJ, Wilson RB. Genetic risk assessment in carrier testing for spinal muscular atrophy. Am J Med Genet 2002;110:301-7.18. Wirth B. An update on the mutation spectrum of the survival motor neuron gene (SMN1) in autosomal recessive spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Hum Mutat 2000;15:228–37

Practical recommendations of the EAU-ESPU guidelines committee for monosymptomatic enuresis-Bedwetting

Background and Aims The objective of this update of the EAU-ESPU guidelines recommendations for nocturnal enuresis was to review the recent published literature of studies, reviews, guidelines regarding the etiology, diagnosis and treatment options of nocturnal enuresis and transform the information into a practical recommendation strategy for the general practitioner, pediatrician, pediatric urologist and urologist. Material and Methods Since 2012 a monthly literature search using Scopus (R) was performed and the relevant literature was reviewed and prospectively registered on the European Urology bedwetting enuresis resource center (). In addition, guideline papers and statements of the European Society for Paediatric Urology (ESPU), the European Association of Urology (EAU), the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the International Children Continence Society (ICCS) were used to update the knowledge and evidence resulting in this practical recommendation strategy. Recommendations have been discussed and agreed within the working group of the EAU-ESPU guidelines committee members. Results The recommendations focus to place the child and his family in a control position. Pragmatic analysis is made of the bedwetting problem by collecting voiding and drinking habits during the day, measuring nighttime urine production and identification of possible risk factors such as high-volume evening drinking, nighttime overactive bladder, behavioral or psychological problems or sleep disordered breathing. A questionnaire will help to identify those risk factors. Conclusion Motivation of the child is important for success. Continuous involvement of the child and the family in the treatment will improve treatment compliance, success and patient satisfaction

Are there any benefits of using an inlay graft in the treatment of primary hypospadias in children?:A systematic review and metanalysis

INTRODUCTION: Dorsal inlay graft urethroplasty (DIGU) has been described as an effective method for hypospadias repair with the proposed advantage of reducing the risk of complications. We aimed to systematically assess whether DIGU has any additional advantages over standard tubularized incised plate urethroplasty (TIPU) repair in children with primary hypospadias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement. The a priori protocol is available at the PROSPERO database (CRD42020168305). A literature search was conducted for relevant publications from 1946 until January 10, 2020 in seven different databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), comparative studies (TIPU vs DIGU) and single arm case series (>20 cases) of DIGU were eligible for inclusion. Secondary hypospadias, two-stage repairs, disorders of sex development, significant curvature of >30°, and a mean or median follow-up of less than 12 months were excluded. DISCUSSION: A total of 499 articles were screened and 14 studies (3 RCTs, 5 non-randomized studies (NRSs), and 6 case series) with a total of 1753 children (distal: 1334 (76%) and proximal: 419 (24%)) were found eligible. Mean follow-up of the studies was between 16 and 77 months. DIGU was found superior to TIPU in decreasing meatal/neourethral stenosis (p = 0.02, 95% CI 0.02-0.78). All other parameters were found comparable including overall complications, fistula and glans dehiscence rates. Success rates were similar among the groups ranging between 48% and 96% for DIGU and 43-96% in the TIPU group. The lack of standardization in the definition of complications and success was the major limitation of this study. CONCLUSIONS: Using an inlay graft during primary hypospadias repair decreases the risk of meatal/neourethral stenosis. However, current evidence does not demonstrate superiority of DIGU over TIPU in terms of treatment success and overall complication rates

The prognostic value of testicular microlithiasis as an incidental finding for the risk of testicular malignancy in children and the adult population:A systematic review. On behalf of the EAU pediatric urology guidelines panel

Introduction: The exact correlation of testicular microlithiasis (TM) with benign and malignant conditions remains unknown, especially in the paediatric population. The potential association of TM with testicular malignancy in adulthood has led to controversy regarding management and follow-up. Objective: To determine the prognostic importance of TM in children in correlation to the risk of testicular malignancy or infertility and compare the differences between the paediatric and adult population. Study design: We performed a literature review of the Medline, Embase and Cochrane controlled trials databases until November 2020 according to the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement. Twenty-six publications were included in the analysis. Results: During the follow-up of 595 children with TM only one patient with TM developed a testicular malignancy during puberty. In the other 594 no testicular malignancy was found, even in the presence of risk factors. In the adult population, an increased risk for testicular malignancy in the presence of TM was found in patients with history of cryptorchidism (6% vs 0%), testicular malignancy (22% vs 2%) or sub/infertility (11–23% vs 1.7%) compared to TM-free. The difference between paediatric and adult population might be explained by the short duration of follow-up, varying between six months and three years. With an average age at inclusion of 10 years and testicular malignancies are expected to develop from puberty on, testicular malignancies might not yet have developed. Conclusion: TM is a common incidental finding that does not seem to be associated with testicular malignancy during childhood, but in the presence of risk factors is associated with testicular malignancy in the adult population. Routine monthly self-examination of the testes is recommended in children with contributing risk factors from puberty onwards. When TM is still present during transition to adulthood a more intensive follow-up could be considered

A new method to analyse the pace of child development: Cox regression validated by a bootstrap resampling procedure

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Various perinatal factors influencing neuromotor development are known from cross sectional studies. Factors influencing the age at which distinct abilities are acquired are uncertain. We hypothesized that the Cox regression model might identify these factors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Neonates treated at Aachen University Hospital in 2000/2001 were identified retrospectively (n = 796). Outcome data, based on a structured interview, were available from 466 children, as were perinatal data. Factors possibly related to outcome were identified by bootstrap selection and then included into a multivariate Cox regression model. To evaluate if the parental assessment might change with the time elapsed since birth we studied five age cohorts of 163 normally developed children.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Birth weight, gestational age, congenital cardiac disease and periventricular leukomalacia were related to outcome in the multivariate analysis (p < 0.05). Analysis of the control cohorts revealed that the parents' assessment of the ability of bladder control is modified by the time elapsed since birth.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Combined application of the bootstrap resampling procedure and multivariate Cox regression analysis effectively identifies perinatal factors influencing the age at which distinct abilities are acquired. These were similar as known from previous cross sectional studies. Retrospective data acquistion may lead to a bias because the parental memories change with time. This recommends applying this statistical approach in larger prospective trials.</p