Support Directional Shifting Vector: A Direction Based Machine Learning Classifier

Machine learning models have been very popular nowadays for providing rigorous solutions to complicated real-life problems. There are three main domains named supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement. Supervised learning mainly deals with regression and classification. There exist several types of classification algorithms, and these are based on various bases. The classification performance varies based on the dataset velocity and the algorithm selection. In this article, we have focused on developing a model of angular nature that performs supervised classification. Here, we have used two shifting vectors named Support Direction Vector (SDV) and Support Origin Vector (SOV) to form a linear function. These vectors form a linear function to measure cosine-angle with both the target class data and the non-target class data. Considering target data points, the linear function takes such a position that minimizes its angle with target class data and maximizes its angle with non-target class data. The positional error of the linear function has been modelled as a loss function which is iteratively optimized using the gradient descent algorithm. In order to justify the acceptability of this method, we have implemented this model on three different standard datasets. The model showed comparable accuracy with the existing standard supervised classification algorithm. Doi: 10.28991/esj-2021-01306 Full Text: PD

Mass media utilization to promote public behavior change during COVID-19 situation: A population survey of Dhaka city

A huge amount of information associated with the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak was circulated by mass media in Bangladesh. There has been a rare example so far of how media intervention during the epidemic can affect the public behaviour of Bangladesh. We aimed to assess mass media's influence on changing public behaviour during the second wave of COVID-19. An online cross-sectional survey among 416 Bangladeshi respondents was conducted between August and September 2021. Besides descriptive statistics, datasets were analyzed through a set of statistical methods such as Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression model. The results showed that knowledge level change towards COVID-19 (10 items) had the highest association with behaviour change towards COVID-19 (16 items), indicating a high adoption of public behavior change. There was a positive significant relationship between the behaviour change towards COVID-19 (16 items) with the media's role in making awareness regarding COVID-19 (r= 0.342, p < .001), while there was a negative relationship between the behaviour change towards COVID-19 (16 items) of the respondents with age of participants (r= -.234, p < .001). The results also disclosed that knowledge level, media credibility, and media check-in had the largest contribution to influence the public behavior change. We also found that social media was highly used media as expected during the COVID-19 outbreak. The outcomes of the survey have vital implications for public behavior change and may support infectious disease suppression and control. Our outcomes also stress the significance of the reliability of information shared via mass media outlets and practical strategies to counter misinformation during the COVID-19 outbreak

Comparative Economic Benefits of Different Oat Varities in Rainfed Areas of Pothwar, Pakistan

Abstract Th

Support directional shifting vector: A direction based machine learning classifier

Machine learning models have been very popular nowadays for providing rigorous solutions to complicated real-life problems. There are three main domains named supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement. Supervised learning mainly deals with regression and classification. There exist several types of classification algorithms, and these are based on various bases. The classification performance varies based on the dataset velocity and the algorithm selection. In this article, we have focused on developing a model of angular nature that performs supervised classification. Here, we have used two shifting vectors named Support Direction Vector (SDV) and Support Origin Vector (SOV) to form a linear function. These vectors form a linear function to measure cosine-angle with both the target class data and the non-target class data. Considering target data points, the linear function takes such a position that minimizes its angle with target class data and maximizes its angle with non-target class data. The positional error of the linear function has been modelled as a loss function which is iteratively optimized using the gradient descent algorithm. In order to justify the acceptability of this method, we have implemented this model on three different standard datasets. The model showed comparable accuracy with the existing standard supervised classification algorithm

An mRNA vaccine for pancreatic cancer designed by applying in silico immunoinformatics and reverse vaccinology approaches

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is the most prevalent pancreatic cancer, which is considered a significant global health concern. Chemotherapy and surgery are the mainstays of current pancreatic cancer treatments; however, a few cases are suitable for surgery, and most of the cases will experience recurrent episodes. Compared to DNA or peptide vaccines, mRNA vaccines for pancreatic cancer have more promise because of their delivery, enhanced immune responses, and lower proneness to mutation. We constructed an mRNA vaccine by analyzing S100 family proteins, which are all major activators of receptors for advanced glycation end products. We applied immunoinformatic approaches, including physicochemical properties analysis, structural prediction and validation, molecular docking study, in silico cloning, and immune simulations. The designed mRNA vaccine was estimated to have a molecular weight of 165023.50 Da and was highly soluble (grand average of hydropathicity of -0.440). In the structural assessment, the vaccine seemed to be a well-stable and functioning protein (Z score of -8.94). Also, the docking analysis suggested that the vaccine had a high affinity for TLR-2 and TLR-4 receptors. Additionally, the molecular mechanics with generalized Born and surface area solvation analysis of the "Vaccine—TLR-2" (-141.07 kcal/mol) and "Vaccine—TLR-4" (-271.72 kcal/mol) complexes also suggests a strong binding affinity for the receptors. Codon optimization also provided a high expression level with a GC content of 47.04% and a codon adaptation index score 1.0. The appearance of memory B-cells and T-cells was also observed over a while, with an increased level of helper T-cells and immunoglobulins (IgM and IgG). Moreover, the minimum free energy of the mRNA vaccine was predicted at -1760.00 kcal/mol, indicating the stability of the vaccine following its entry, transcription, and expression. This hypothetical vaccine offers a groundbreaking tool for future research and therapeutic development of pancreatic cancer

Coordination between school and university for the experimental work of determination of level of antioxidants in food samples and drinks using Briggs-Rauscher reaction and TRL/luminescence fingerprinting

The actual theme of this thesis is to develop co-operation between schools and university and hence to provide the students an opportunity to utilize the university laboratory equipment in the experimental work. This research work is based on developmental techniques in which the experimental work was first tried with the first group of secondary school students in Opi-LUMA laboratory of the chemistry department of University of Turku and was later modified for upper secondary school students according to their level. Literature review helped to discover/select the experimental methods to be used in this context. The data collected through questionnaires during the experiments was later analysed to see the learning outcomes and interest of the students visiting Opi-LUMA laboratory. The international and Finnish curriculum books were thoroughly analysed using content analysis technique to investigate if the topic was explained well highlighting the importance of antioxidants in daily diet. The main objective of this research is to develop the laboratory work for “determination of level of antioxidants in food and drinks”. It started with the literature review to investigate the work done previously in this context and then check the objectives of the chemistry curriculum outlined by Finnish National Board of Education. Experimental work was developed based on the observations and the feedback obtained from the first trial with the first group of visiting students. Feedback was reported in the form of questionnaires filled by the students expressing their interest in the topic and hoping for more coordination between the university and the school. The school teacher of the visiting students also considered such co-ordination important and beneficial for the students as students got an opportunity to utilize the Opi-LUMA laboratory equipment which is usually not available in school laboratories. Students learnt about the importance of taking antioxidants regularly in daily diet. Briggs-Rauscher reaction was more interesting for all students due to series of colour changes involved which could very easily help them to know the relative concentration of antioxidants in the food samples. Luminescence fingerprinting used for testing adulteration in food was totally new technique introduced to upper secondary school students. These techniques proved to be very fruitful to make chemistry relevant to life. Content analysis of the books revealed that the topic of antioxidants has not been described well in Finnish curriculum as in the international curriculum books. This research work finds the coordination between schools and university to be a powerful mean to develop students´ interest in chemistry by making chemistry more relevant to life, hence motivating them to take more chemistry subjects in universitie

Coordination between school and university for the experimental work of determination of level of antioxidants in food samples and drinks using Briggs-Rauscher reaction and TRL/luminescence fingerprinting

The actual theme of this thesis is to develop co-operation between schools and university and hence to provide the students an opportunity to utilize the university laboratory equipment in the experimental work. This research work is based on developmental techniques in which the experimental work was first tried with the first group of secondary school students in Opi-LUMA laboratory of the chemistry department of University of Turku and was later modified for upper secondary school students according to their level. Literature review helped to discover/select the experimental methods to be used in this context. The data collected through questionnaires during the experiments was later analysed to see the learning outcomes and interest of the students visiting Opi-LUMA laboratory. The international and Finnish curriculum books were thoroughly analysed using content analysis technique to investigate if the topic was explained well highlighting the importance of antioxidants in daily diet. The main objective of this research is to develop the laboratory work for “determination of level of antioxidants in food and drinks”. It started with the literature review to investigate the work done previously in this context and then check the objectives of the chemistry curriculum outlined by Finnish National Board of Education. Experimental work was developed based on the observations and the feedback obtained from the first trial with the first group of visiting students. Feedback was reported in the form of questionnaires filled by the students expressing their interest in the topic and hoping for more coordination between the university and the school. The school teacher of the visiting students also considered such co-ordination important and beneficial for the students as students got an opportunity to utilize the Opi-LUMA laboratory equipment which is usually not available in school laboratories. Students learnt about the importance of taking antioxidants regularly in daily diet. Briggs-Rauscher reaction was more interesting for all students due to series of colour changes involved which could very easily help them to know the relative concentration of antioxidants in the food samples. Luminescence fingerprinting used for testing adulteration in food was totally new technique introduced to upper secondary school students. These techniques proved to be very fruitful to make chemistry relevant to life. Content analysis of the books revealed that the topic of antioxidants has not been described well in Finnish curriculum as in the international curriculum books. This research work finds the coordination between schools and university to be a powerful mean to develop students´ interest in chemistry by making chemistry more relevant to life, hence motivating them to take more chemistry subjects in universities

Effects of ART in HIV Infected Population on Body Habitus Change: A Multilevel Meta-analysis

Importance: Different ART treatments to HIV patients has been shown to be effective in improving a variety of disease outcomes, including CD-4 cell count improvements and viral suppressions. In addition to these improvements, investigators are also interested to evaluate the association between ART treatments and the body habitus changes of the HIV patients. It is unclear that which body habitus change outcomes are more greatly associated with what type of ART treatments and how those effects could vary depending on context and sample characteristics. Objective: To obtain overall effect sizes for the body habitus change outcome variables (weight, body mass index, trunk fat, limb fat and lipid parameters) and explain the variability among different ART treatments/interventions (NRTI, NNRTI, PI and combination HAART medicines) considering all treatments clustered within the current literatures using multilevel approach for meta-analysis. Data Sources: Five electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, PYCHINFO and Cochrane Controlled Trials register) were searched starting on July 6, 2015 using a comprehensive Boolean Search Strategy. Study Selection: Studies were included if pre-and post- intervention measurements of body habitus changes were reported and NRTI, NNRTI, PI, and combination HAART medicines LPV/r vs ABC/3TC + LPV/r; LPV/r +ZDV/3TC vs LPV/r NVP; PI compared alone or, in combination with other ARTs and NNRTI compared alone or, in combination with other ARTs were used as treatments to HIV patients. Data from 20 studies (N = 376) were included. Data Extraction and Synthesis: Two independent researchers identified studies that met the inclusion criteria and coded methodological, participant, and treatment characteristics using a pilot tested structured coding form. Inter-rater agreement was evaluated using Cohen’s kappa coefficient statistic and effect size was calculated as standardized mean difference as all outcome variables were continuous. Main Outcomes and Measures: Weighted mean effect size under random-effects assumption were obtained and modeled after pooling the individual standardized mean differences for each study on the five-body habitus change outcomes. Results:There were significant beneficial effects of the LPV/r combination category on weight and BMI [d+ = 0.44, 95% CI (0.18 to 0.71)]; [d+ = 0.94, 95% CI (0.53 to 1.3)] respectively. PI combination category has beneficial effect [d+ = 0.44, 95% CI (0.2601 to 0.6311)] for limb fat. Level of HDL significantly increased in all three combination categories but more in favor of NNRTI combination category with large impact [d+ = 0.85, 95% CI (0.54 to 1.15)], p-value of Conclusions and Relevance: LPV/r combined HAART is more effective with moderate increase of weight and BMI. PI combined HAART has significant impact on limb fat improvement which could be used to maintain body proportion in HIV patients as limb fat loss is a major concern. NNRTI combined treatment category showed large impact on HDL which might be prescribed as HDL reduces cardiovascular risk

Current Situation and Future Outlook of Sorghum Area and Production in Pakistan

The present study was conducted to check the trend analysis of area and production for Sorghum in Pakistan. The findings of the study are based on sorghum area and production by using the data from 1990 to 2011. Four Models of trend analysis were applied but most appropriate Model for trend analysis of the present study was Quadratic Trend Model. Forecasting was also done up to 2017 for checking the future outlook. Forecast values are very close to actual values and have positive decreasing trend in Pakistan