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The impact of feature selection on one and two-class classification performance for plant microRNAs

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short nucleotide sequences that form a typical hairpin structure which is recognized by a complex enzyme machinery. It ultimately leads to the incorporation of 18-24 nt long mature miRNAs into RISC where they act as recognition keys to aid in regulation of target mRNAs. It is involved to determine miRNAs experimentally and, therefore, machine learning is used to complement such endeavors. The success of machine learning mostly depends on proper input data and appropriate features for parameterization of the data. Although, in general, two-class classification (TCC) is used in the field; because negative examples are hard to come by, one-class classification (OCC) has been tried for pre-miRNA detection. Since both positive and negative examples are currently somewhat limited, feature selection can prove to be vital for furthering the field of pre-miRNA detection. In this study, we compare the performance of OCC and TCC using eight feature selection methods and seven different plant species providing positive pre-miRNA examples. Feature selection was very successful for OCC where the best feature selection method achieved an average accuracy of 95.6%, thereby being ~29% better than the worst method which achieved 66.9% accuracy. While the performance is comparable to TCC, which performs up to 3% better than OCC, TCC is much less affected by feature selection and its largest performance gap is ~13% which only occurs for two of the feature selection methodologies. We conclude that feature selection is crucially important for OCC and that it can perform on par with TCC given the proper set of features.The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (grant number 113E326

Modelling the effects of sediment on the seismic behaviour of Kinta roller compacted concrete dam

An attempt was made in this investigation to trace the dynamic response of roller compacted concrete dam, which is subjected to horizontal ground motion by considering the interactions between flexible foundations, reservoir water, and bottom reservoir sediments. Two-dimensional finite-infinite element was used for the non-linear elasto-plastic dynamic analysis. In this analysis, special emphasis was given to the non-linear behaviour of discontinuities along RCC dam-bedding rock foundation which was modelled by thin layer interface. Analysis was first carried out under static loading (self-weight and hydrostatic pressure), and this this was followed by seismic analysis, with hydrodynamic pressure effect in a dam-reservoir system. Based on the numerical dynamic results, it is concluded that the bottom reservoir sediment has significant effect on the seismic response of the RCC gravity dam. Moreover, there is a redistribution of the stresses at thin layer interface with significant stresses reduction, which is resulted from the release of energy through different modes of deformation in this region

Let AI Entertain You: Increasing User Engagement with Generative AI and Rejection Sampling

While generative AI excels in content generation, it does not always increase user engagement. This can be attributed to two main factors. First, generative AI generates content without incorporating explicit or implicit feedback about user interactions. Even if the generated content seems to be more informative or well-written, it does not necessarily lead to an increase in user activities, such as clicks. Second, there is a concern with the quality of the content generative AI produces, which often lacks the distinctiveness and authenticity that human-created content possesses. These two factors can lead to content that fails to meet specific needs and preferences of users, ultimately reducing its potential to be engaging. This paper presents a generic framework of how to improve user engagement with generative AI by leveraging user feedback. Our solutions employ rejection sampling, a technique used in reinforcement learning, to boost engagement metrics. We leveraged the framework in the context of email notification subject lines generation for an online social network, and achieved significant engagement metric lift including +1% Session and +0.4% Weekly Active Users. We believe our work offers a universal framework that enhances user engagement with generative AI, particularly when standard generative AI reaches its limits in terms of enhancing content to be more captivating. To the best of our knowledge, this represents an early milestone in the industry's successful use of generative AI to enhance user engagement

Exploring The Relationship Between Egris and The Need For Mechanical Ventilation In Guillain Barré Syndrome

Background and objective: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an immune system-mediated polyradiculoneuropathy that accounts for approximately 100,000 new patients per year globally. GBS has also been linked to respiratory failure in 20% to 40% of cases. The objective of this study was to find an association between Erasmus GBS respiratory insufficiency score (EGRIS) and the need for mechanical ventilation. Methods: We conducted our cross-sectional study at department of Neurology, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences from November 2019 to February 2020. Sixty patients were selected for this study. Data including demographic profile, variant of GBS, and EGRIS was calculated from all the study participants. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: All 60 patients enrolled in the study underwent continuous monitoring during admission time. Out of 60 patients, three (5%) endured mechanical ventilation with a mean EGRIS of 4.5. Others who didn\u27t need mechanical ventilation had mean EGRIS of 1.5. The three patients requiring mechanical ventilation were one each from Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, Acute Motor Axonal Neuropathy, and Acute Motor and Sensory Axonal Neuropathy variants of GBS. p-value was non-significant for the presented data. Conclusion: EGRIS could not meet statistical significance in identifying the requirement of mechanical ventilation for GBS in this study. This may be due to low sample size

Oral Hygiene and Periodontal Health Status of Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients reported in PIMS Islamabad

Objective: To evaluate oral hygiene and periodontal health status of Acute Coronary Syndrome patients by using standardized oral hygiene and periodontal indices. Methodology: A cross sectional study conducted at the Cardiac center and OMFS Department of PIMS hospital Islamabad. The convenience sampling technique was used in which the sample size was calculated to be 300. Either gender, age in-between 40-75 years was included. Smokers, known diabetic, patients having any cardiac procedure <6 months, or Patients reporting periodontal treatment within 3 months were excluded. The data was analyzed by using SPSS software version 23.0. The frequencies and percentages were calculated for categorical variables and mean and standard deviation for continuous variables. Results: In this study 51% were male and 49% were female. The mean age was 54.55+9.605. It was found that 56% of included participants were living in urban areas and round about 40% belongs to the middle class socioeconomically. On the basis of oral hygiene 74% of participants had poor status. Periodontal health status was also poor as the 38.0% have gingivitis and pocket formation. Conclusion: In our study majority of acute coronary syndrome patients reported poor oral hygiene and periodontal health status although it is not clear how oral hygiene and poor periodontal health effects cardiovascular changes. To find out the association of cardiovascular disease and periodontal disease and further details of pathogenesis there is much need for clinical evidence based studies.

Experiences, awareness, perceptions and attitudes of women and girls towards menstrual hygiene management and safe menstrual products in Pakistan

BackgroundThe taboo of menstruation, lack of discussion on puberty, misinformation and poor awareness on menstrual hygiene management and limited access to safe menstrual products can negatively impact the physical and mental health of women and girls residing in low middle income countries.AimThe aim of the study was to explore the experiences, awareness, perceptions and attitudes of women and girls towards menstrual hygiene management in Pakistan. Moreover, the study also assessed consumer satisfaction towards locally manufactured organic menstrual products.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study design was used with a sample of 400 women and girls selected through convenience sampling from high schools, universities, outpatient department and gynaecological clinics located in 2 cities, i.e., Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan. A pre-structured questionnaire was used to explore experiences, awareness, perceptions and attitudes of women and girls towards menstrual hygiene management. Moreover, each respondent was provided with sample of locally designed and manufactured organic menstrual hygiene & wellness kit by a group of women researchers named “FemPure” including organic sanitary pads, feminine wellness mist and feminine wellness wash. The respondents were asked to use the products and a telephonic follow-up was conducted to assess consumer satisfaction for the products after a period of 1 month. Data was analyzed statistically using SPSS 21.ResultsThe results of the study reported that 86.2% (n = 345) of the respondents had normal periods. Out of 400 respondents, 58.5% (n = 234) knew about any health conditions related to abnormal menstrual cycle while 88.3% (n = 353) were aware of female menstrual hygiene. Majority of the respondents 78.7% (n = 315) felt ashamed while buying sanitary pads. Out of 400 respondents, 5.4% (n = 22) were interested in getting awareness regarding menstrual hygiene. The results of the study showed that all the respondents (100%, n = 400) were satisfied with FemPure organic menstrual products.ConclusionThe study concluded that majority of women and girls faced menstrual hygiene issues during and after the cycle and were eager to receive information on MHM and use organic rash free menstrual wellness products which could be ordered via mobile app. The respondents were satisfied after the use of FemPure organic menstrual products

Large Language Models for Social Networks: Applications, Challenges, and Solutions

Large Language Models (LLMs) are transforming the way people generate, explore, and engage with content. We study how we can develop LLM applications for online social networks. Despite LLMs' successes in other domains, it is challenging to develop LLM-based products for social networks for numerous reasons, and it has been relatively under-reported in the research community. We categorize LLM applications for social networks into three categories. First is knowledge tasks where users want to find new knowledge and information, such as search and question-answering. Second is entertainment tasks where users want to consume interesting content, such as getting entertaining notification content. Third is foundational tasks that need to be done to moderate and operate the social networks, such as content annotation and LLM monitoring. For each task, we share the challenges we found, solutions we developed, and lessons we learned. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive paper about developing LLM applications for social networks

Psychiatric Comorbidity in People with Epilepsy

Background and Objective: People with epilepsy often experience psychiatric comorbidity. This study aims to investigate the relationship among seizure regulation, psychiatric comorbidity, and antiepileptic drug use in a group of individuals with epilepsy in Pakistan. Methods: This is an observational study conducted at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, over a period of six months (1st June – 31st Dec 2022). One-hundred-twenty people (sample size) with epilepsy above the age of 18 with confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy were included in the study who completed a questionnaire that assessed their seizure control, psychiatric comorbidity, and antiepileptic drug use. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25 Results: The majority of participants (80.8%) reported effective seizure control , while 19.2% reported ineffective seizure control . Regarding psychiatric comorbidity, 84.2% of the participants reported some form of psychiatric comorbidity, with depression being the most commonly reported (31.7%). In terms of antiepileptic drug use, 69.2% of the participants reported being on monotherapy, 28.3% reported being on polytherapy, and 2.5% reported not being on any medication. Conclusion: People with epilepsy have a significant likelihood of experiencing psychiatric comorbidity which highlights the need for screening and therapy

The health seeking behaviour of elderly population in a poor-urban community of Karachi, Pakistan

OBJECTIVES: To presents socio-demographic characteristics and health seeking behaviour of elderly and to determine frequency of Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension in elderly population of a poor peri-urban community in Karachi, Pakistan. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted, targeting population aged 65 or above. A total of 438 respondents were interviewed after taking informed consent, between November 2005 and December 2005. Frequencies and Chi square values were calculated for different variables using SPSS 13.0. RESULTS: Total population surveyed comprised of 438 elderly, 158 (36%) women and 280 (63.9%) men. Mean age for the population was 71.44 +/- 7.74. A total of 238 (54.3%) elderly were found to be economically active. More than half (n = 269, 61.4%) of the elderly were found to be illiterate. Only 72 (16.4%) of the elderly population were Diabetic and 132 (30.1%) were Hypertensive. Common symptoms that prompted elderly of Azam Basti to seek health care were fever (61.2%), generalized body aches (43.4%) and cough (40.4%). Over half of the (n = 269, 61.4%) responders reported factors which deterred them from seeking health care, out of which 62% reported financial constraint as the commonest factor. Deterrence from seeking health care was associated with illiteracy (p = 0.001) and living alone (p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: The elderly population of this peri-urban community has financial constraints in seeking health care. Hypertension was found to be more prevalent among women as compared to men, ratio being 1:2. Less number of people knew they were diabetics; this might be attributed to ignorance and non-availability of investigations and screening