Cross-Platform Comparison of Arbitrary Quantum Computations

As we approach the era of quantum advantage, when quantum computers (QCs) can outperform any classical computer on particular tasks, there remains the difficult challenge of how to validate their performance. While algorithmic success can be easily verified in some instances such as number factoring or oracular algorithms, these approaches only provide pass/fail information for a single QC. On the other hand, a comparison between different QCs on the same arbitrary circuit provides a lower-bound for generic validation: a quantum computation is only as valid as the agreement between the results produced on different QCs. Such an approach is also at the heart of evaluating metrological standards such as disparate atomic clocks. In this paper, we report a cross-platform QC comparison using randomized and correlated measurements that results in a wealth of information on the QC systems. We execute several quantum circuits on widely different physical QC platforms and analyze the cross-platform fidelities.

Feasibility of singlicate-based analysis in bridging ADA assay on Meso-Scale Discovery platform: comparison with duplicate analysis

Aim: To investigate the feasibility of singlicate analysis in anti-drug antibody (ADA) assay by comparing performance characteristics for assays qualified in duplicate and singlicate formats. Materials & methods: We employed modeling to assess and quantify the impact of singlicate to cut point factor (CPF) in scenarios with the duplicate precision from 1–20% and the proportion of well-to-well variance to overall assay variance from 0.01–0.90. The impact to CPF by singlicate is marginal if the well-to-well coefficient of variation is <10% and represents <25% of the overall variability. Results & conclusion: The assay parameters including sensitivity, precision, selectivity, drug and target tolerance were comparable between singlicate and duplicate based assays. Our results suggested the minimal impact of singlicate analysis on ADA assay with good duplicate precision. The study provided additional supportive evidence that the singlicate-based analysis is feasible in ADA ligand binding assays.

Operating Systems for Ethical Hackers - A Platform Comparison of Kali Linux and Parrot OS

Many operating systems are used for ethical hacking, which has emerged over the years. These operating systems have multiple tools and features to encounter malicious attacks performed by hackers. This study aims to discuss the benefits of various operating systems used for ethical hacking and to present a platform comparison study of two well-known Debian-derived Linux distributions used for ethical hacking, namely Kali Linux and Parrot OS. These tools and features assist ethical hackers in determining which operating system is best for penetration testing. In this paper, we will explore what penetration testing is, why we use this testing technique and how to secure the computer and the network from cyber-attacks using different ethical hacking operating systems. The paper deals with a qualitative analysis of the tools and features to deeply analyze some of their metrics which have been common in these operating systems. This paper will help ethical hackers to nail down the operating systems that are most suitable for them.

Social Virtual Reality Platform Comparison and Evaluation Using a Guided Group Walkthrough Method

As virtual reality (VR) headsets become more commercially accessible, a range of social platforms have been developed that exploit the immersive nature of these systems. There is a growing interest in using these platforms in social and work contexts, but relatively little work into examining the usability choices that have been made. We developed a usability inspection method based on cognitive walkthrough that we call guided group walkthrough. Guided group walkthrough is applied to existing social VR platforms by having a guide walk the participants through a series of abstract social tasks that are common across the platforms. Using this method we compared six social VR platforms for the Oculus Quest. After constructing an appropriate task hierarchy and walkthrough question structure for social VR, we ran several groups of participants through the walkthrough process. We undercover usability challenges that are common across the platforms, identify specific design considerations and comment on the utility of the walkthrough method in this situation.

Cross-platform transcriptomic profiling of the response to recombinant human erythropoietin

RNA-seq has matured and become an important tool for studying RNA biology. Here we compared two RNA-seq (Illumina sequencing by synthesis and MGI DNBSEQ™) and two microarray platforms (Illumina Expression BeadChip and GeneChip™ Human Transcriptome Array 2.0) in healthy individuals administered recombinant human erythropoietin for transcriptome-wide quantification of differential gene expression. The results show that total RNA sequencing combined with DNB-seq produced a multitude of genes of biological relevance and significance in response to recombinant human erythropoietin, in contrast to other platforms. Through data triangulation linking genes to functions, genes representing the processes of erythropoiesis as well as non-erythropoietic functions of erythropoietin were unveiled. This study provides a knowledge base of genes characterising the responses to recombinant human erythropoietin through cross-platform comparison and validation.

Connected Play in Virtual Worlds: Communication and Control Mechanisms in Virtual Worlds for Children and Adolescents

Technology plays an essential role in shaping youth’s communication and social interactions in online multiplayer games. Due to physical distancing restrictions during the COVID-19 global pandemic, online multiplayer games like Minecraft and Roblox are well-positioned to amplify healthy communication/social connections and mitigate the impact of social isolation. Research so far has been focused on how these gaming environments support youth development from the perspectives of individual stakeholders (e.g., caregivers, educators, designers, and developers). However, features of these games, such as communication and parental controls, are often misaligned with the ways in which children develop communication and social skills. Using a series of case studies of popular virtual worlds and online games, this paper provides an analysis of critical design features that serve youth throughout different stages of childhood and early adolescence. We offer three main contributions: (a) a comparison matrix of similarities and differences in communication and control features between platforms; (b) an evaluation of design features in selected virtual world platforms that promote safe and positive social interactions; and (c) a method for cross-platform comparison aimed at helping researchers, designers, and practitioners examine specific dimensions of social communication and play experience in virtual worlds.

Considerations for MESF-bead based assignment of absolute fluorescence values to nanoparticles and extracellular vesicles by flow cytometry

Flow cytometry is a promising technique to characterize nanoparticles (NPs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs). However, the majority of reported experiments, use arbitrary units to indicate fluorescence intensity. This hampers comparison of results from different laboratories and different platforms. We investigated the advised use of calibrated molecules of equivalent soluble fluorophores (MESF)-beads for assignment of absolute fluorescence to NPs and EVs. Firstly, we evaluated the use of two different FITC MESF bead sets as calibrators on three different flow cytometry platforms (BD Influx, CytoFLEX LX and SORP BD FACSCelesta). Secondly, NPs and biological 4T1 mammary carcinoma-EVs were analyzed using the BD Influx and their fluorescence signals calibrated by using different sets of FITC and PE MESF beads. Although fluorescence calibration, using bright calibrators designed for cellular flow cytometry, makes inter-platform comparison possible for fluorescently labeled cells and brightly labeled particles, but the uncertainty of the currently available calibrators, which are far out of the fluorescence range of the sub-micron particles, hampers a reliable assignment of absolute MESF numbers based on extrapolation into the dim fluorescence range. Our results illustrate the need for calibration materials specifically designed for NPs and EVs to enable a reliable assignment of absolute fluorescence values in the lower fluorescent ranges.