GrOVe: Ownership Verification of Graph Neural Networks using Embeddings

Graph neural networks (GNNs) have emerged as a state-of-the-art approach to model and draw inferences from large scale graph-structured data in various application settings such as social networking. The primary goal of a GNN is to learn an embedding for each graph node in a dataset that encodes both the node features and the local graph structure around the node. Embeddings generated by a GNN for a graph node are unique to that GNN. Prior work has shown that GNNs are prone to model extraction attacks. Model extraction attacks and defenses have been explored extensively in other non-graph settings. While detecting or preventing model extraction appears to be difficult, deterring them via effective ownership verification techniques offer a potential defense. In non-graph settings, fingerprinting models, or the data used to build them, have shown to be a promising approach toward ownership verification. We present GrOVe, a state-of-the-art GNN model fingerprinting scheme that, given a target model and a suspect model, can reliably determine if the suspect model was trained independently of the target model or if it is a surrogate of the target model obtained via model extraction. We show that GrOVe can distinguish between surrogate and independent models even when the independent model uses the same training dataset and architecture as the original target model. Using six benchmark datasets and three model architectures, we show that consistently achieves low false-positive and false-negative rates. We demonstrate that is robust against known fingerprint evasion techniques while remaining computationally efficient.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure

Coarse-grained simulations of flow-induced nucleation in semi-crystalline polymers

We perform kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of flow-induced nucleation in polymer melts with an algorithm that is tractable even at low undercooling. The configuration of the non-crystallized chains under flow is computed with a recent non-linear tube model. Our simulations predict both enhanced nucleation and the growth of shish-like elongated nuclei for sufficiently fast flows. The simulations predict several experimental phenomena and theoretically justify a previously empirical result for the flow-enhanced nucleation rate. The simulations are highly pertinent to both the fundamental understanding and process modeling of flow-induced crystallization in polymer melts.Comment: 17 pages, 6 eps figure

The role of education in filling the gender gap in financial inclusion in low-income economies

This study aims to investigate whether gender predicts financial inclusion and whether education can fill the gender gap in financial inclusion when controlling for the effects of supply side factors of financial inclusion in low-income economies. This study aims to investigate whether gender predicts financial inclusion and whether education can fill the gender gap in financial inclusion when controlling for the effects of supply side factors of financial inclusion in low-income economies. The findings provided support for the gender gap in financial inclusion using the most basic measure of financial inclusion. However, using formal savings and access to credit, the gender gap hypothesis is not supported. Moreover, the results revealed that education reduces the gender gap in the basic form of financial inclusion. However, this study could not find any significant difference between men and women’s financial inclusion in terms of saving at a bank or borrowing from a bank though men tend to save more than women informally. The current study contributes to the literature by examining the role of education in the relationship between gender gap and financial inclusion when controlling for the effects of heterogeneous infrastructure and the supply side factors of financial inclusion among the selected countries

Urinary incontinence in competitive women weightlifters

Urinary incontinence has the potential to diminish athletic performance and discourage women from participating in sport and exercise. This study determined the prevalence and possible risk factors for urinary incontinence in competitive women weightlifters. This research was a cross-sectional, survey-based study completed by 191 competitive women weightlifters. The frequency and severity of urinary incontinence was determined using the Incontinence Severity Index. Urinary incontinence was defined as an Incontinence Severity Index score >0. The survey questions focused on risk factors, the context and triggers for urinary incontinence, and self-care strategies. Approximately, 31.9% of subjects experienced urinary incontinence within 3 months of completing the survey. Incontinence Severity Index scores were significantly correlated with parity (r = 0.283, p = 0.01) and age (r = 0.216, p = 0.01). There was no significant correlation between the Incontinence Severity Index score and the number of years participating in any form of resistance training (r = −0.010, p = 0.886) or weightlifting (r = −0.045, p = 0.534), body mass index (r = 0.058, p = 0.422), or competition total (r = −0.114, p = 0.115). The squat was the most likely exercise to provoke urinary incontinence. Although the number of repetitions, weight lifted, body position, and ground impact may increase the likelihood of urinary incontinence occurring during a lift, it is difficult to determine which factor has the greatest influence. Some self-care strategies used by competitive women weightlifters who experience urinary incontinence, such as training while dehydrated, have the potential to diminish athletic performance

Maternal and infant morbidity following birth before 27 weeks of gestation: a single centre study

Delivery at extreme preterm gestational ages (GA) [Formula: see text] weeks is challenging with limited evidence often focused only on neonatal outcomes. We reviewed management and short term maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes of births for 132 women (22 + 0 to 26 + 6 weeks' GA) with a live fetus at admission to hospital and in labour or at planned emergency Caesarean section: 103 singleton and 29 (53 live fetuses) twin gestations. Thirty women (23%) had pre-existing medical problems, 110 (83%) had antenatal complications; only 17 (13%) women experienced neither. Major maternal labour and delivery complications affected 35 women (27%). 151 fetuses (97%) were exposed to antenatal steroids, 24 (15%) to tocolysis and 70 (45%) to magnesium sulphate. Delivery complications affected 11 fetuses, with 12 labour or delivery room deaths; survival to discharge was 75% (117/156), increasing with GA: 25% (1/4), 75% (18/24), 69% (29/42), 73% (33/45) and 88% (36/41) at 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 weeks GA respectively (p = 0.024). No statistically important impact was seen from twin status, maternal illness or obstetric management. Even in a specialist perinatal unit antenatal and postnatal maternal complications are common in extreme preterm births, emphasising the need to include maternal as well as neonatal outcomes

Urinary incontinence in competitive women powerlifters: a cross-sectional survey

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) can negatively affect a woman’s quality of life, participation in sport and athletic performance. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of UI in competitive women powerlifters; identify possible risk factors and activities likely to provoke UI; and establish self-care practices. Methods: This international cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey completed by 480 competitive women powerlifters aged between 20 and 71 years. The Incontinence Severity Index (ISI) was used to determine the severity of UI. Results: We found that 43.9% of women had experienced UI within the three months prior to this study. The deadlift was the most likely, and the bench-press the least likely exercise to provoke UI. ISI scores were positively correlated with parity (τ = 0.227, p < 0.001), age (τ = 0.179, p < 0.001), competition total (τ = 0.105, p = 0.002) and body mass index score (τ = 0.089, p = 0.009). There was no significant correlation between ISI and years strength training (τ = − 0.052, p = 0.147) or years powerlifting (τ = 0.041, p = 0.275). There was a negative correlation between ISI score with having a pelvic floor assessment (η = 0.197), and the ability to correctly perform pelvic floor exercises (η = 0.172). Conclusion: The prevalence of UI in this cohort was at the upper limit experienced by women in the general population. Women who had undergone a pelvic floor examination or were confident in correctly performing pelvic floor exercises experienced less severe UI

Continuous quality assessment; development of a simple computer based model for audit

Objective: Accurate assessment of quality of care is a fundamental first step in the process of quality improvement. The vast amount of data generated in a hospital mandates some form of computerization for management of information. We describe a locally developed simple computer based program to access relevant information from a hospital patient management network. The objective was to reduce the amount of manual work involved for busy clinicians attempting to audit quality of care.Methods: A single surgical procedure, Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy was chosen. Quality indicators were identified by literature review as conversion rate from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy and length of hospital stay (LOS). A simple query was developed to extract the required information from hospital database. Commercially available spreadsheet software (Microsoft Excel) was used to calculate the rates. Outliers were defined as LOS more than 1 standard deviation from the mean. The second part of the study involved a manual review of case notes to validate the program and determine the causes for deviation from the mean.Results: The program was able to access and process data as planned. In a one-year period from March 1997 to February 1998, two hundred and thirty one laparoscopic cholecystectomies were attempted. Twenty-three were converted to open procedures given a conversion rate of 9.96%. On manual review of case notes no false positives or false negatives were found. The reasons for conversion were similar to those described in the literature. The mean length of stay for laparoscopic cholecystectomy was 3.39 days and 7.17 days for converted cases. The commonest reason for delay in discharge was noted to be non-availability of elective operating time.CONCLUSION: We have successfully developed and used a simple computer based program to access information stored in hospital patient management systems. Quality of care indicators identified from literature were used as standards. Outliers with respect to these were reviewed in detail to identify causes for deviation. The program was validated by manual review

Book Reviews

Reviews of the following books: Primary school placement: a critical guide to outstanding teaching, Catriona Robinson, Branwen Bingle and Colin Howard, Norwich: Critical Publishing 2013 ISBN 978-1-909-33045-0, Education studies: an issue based approach, Will Curtis, Stephen Ward, John Sharp and Les Hankin (eds.), London: Learning Matters 2014 ISBN 978-1-446-26743-1, Harnessing what works in eliminating educational disadvantage: a tale of two classrooms, Claudia Wood and Ralph Scott (eds.), London: Demos 2014 ISBN 978 1 909037 74 8, Effective supervision: Theory into practice, Wayne K. Hoy and Patrick B. Forsyth, Michigan: Random House, 1986 ISBN 0-07-554370-2

Growth hormone and Insulin like growth factor -1 in relation to prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia

The present study investigate the role of growth hormone (GH) in the pathophysiology of prostate and the role of insulin like growth factor I (IGF-I) as a risk factor in aged male patients with prostate cancer (PCa) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). For this purpose, 40 patients with PCa and BPH (54-85 yr.), and 10 control subjects (47-75 yr.) confirmed by digital rectal examination (DRE) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels, were enrolled in this study. Blood samples and biopsies were collected from cases while for the control, only blood sera were used. Gleason grading system was used to determine histological pattern of Hematoxylin and Eosin stained sections. Sera GH and IGF-I were measured for all the samples using (ELISA) technique. Biopsy results revealed that 10 cases were identified as PCa with different Gleason grades (3, 4, and 5) depending on five histological patterns, and 30 cases were identified as BPH. Compared with control values, GH level was significantly higher (P 0.05) concerning serum GH level. Statistical analysis also indicates that serum levels of IGF-I was higher and significantly (P< 0.05) associated with PCa compared with controls. Serum IGF-I also showed significant difference between control and BPH patients, and between BPH and PCa patients. The present study demonstrated that the association between serum IGF-I levels and PCa was highly significant in age 60 and declined with the age (p= 0.047), but in concern to the histological grade, IGF-I showed no significant differences (p=0.894) with the progression of disease. In conclusion it's appeared that, IGF-I play an important role in the etiology of PCa and BPH