Browse Articles

A hybrid feature extraction framework combining PCA and mutual information for gene expression based lung cancer classification

Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with early and accurate diagnosis posing a critical challenge for improving patient outcomes. Gene expression data provide crucial insights for lung cancer classification by revealing underlying biological mechanisms. However, the high dimensionality of such data presents challenges, including computational complexity and overfitting risks. This study proposes a hybrid feature extraction framework combining Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Mutual Information (MI) to address these issues. PCA reduces dimensionality by capturing key variance patterns, while MI selects features highly relevant to the target class, ensuring an informative and concise feature set. Gene expression datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) were integrated, focusing on common genes. The hybrid PCA-MI framework was applied to rank genes, and the selected features were used to train a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for lung cancer classification. The genes ranked by the hybrid model were further analysed using protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks to identify hub genes, enhancing biological interpretability. The proposed framework was benchmarked against ten other feature extraction methods, including Lasso, Random Forest, Autoencoder, and PCA alone. The CNN classifier achieved superior performance with the PCA-MI features, attaining 98% accuracy and 98% precision. Training and validation curves demonstrated stable learning behaviour, and confusion matrix analysis confirmed robust predictions. Hub gene identification through PPI analysis validated the biological significance of the ranked genes. This study presents a robust framework for lung cancer classification by leveraging the strengths of PCA and MI, integrating deep learning and PPI analysis to address high-dimensional data challenges, and setting a foundation for future research in multi-omics data integration and enhanced diagnostic strategies.

Interleukin-7 induces EMT to promote tumor growth and metastasis in NSCLC via Notch1/TGF-β pathway

The association of maternal education with access to maternal care and child mortality in Nigeria: A secondary data regression-based analysis

Background Reducing under-five mortality and ensuring universal access to maternal healthcare are central goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite global progress, Nigeria continues to report one of the highest under-five mortality rates and the lowest access to maternal healthcare worldwide. Objectives This study examines whether maternal education is associated with under-five mortality and access to maternal care in Nigeria. It also investigates whether these associations differ between rural and urban areas and whether they are explained by socioeconomic, ethnic, and religious factors. In addition, we assess whether literacy exerts an independent influence alongside formal education. Methodology Using the 2021 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey (MIS) and a sample of 10,820 women of reproductive age, we employ a bivariate probit framework supplemented by propensity score matching (PSM) to examine the robustness of the findings. Results Higher levels of maternal education, particularly secondary schooling, were significantly associated with a 2.08 ppt reduction in under-five mortality and a 6.74 ppt increase in access to maternal care. Economic status modestly attenuated the size of the education association with under-five mortality but strengthened it for maternal care, while ethnicity and religion partly explained the observed associations. Literacy displayed similar patterns to formal education when examined separately but did not retain an independent association with either outcome in fully adjusted models or when included alongside education. These findings are robust across alternative specifications. Recommendation Economically and culturally tailored policies that improve female educational attainment remain critical for enhancing access to maternal healthcare and reducing child mortality in Nigeria.

Integrated approaches to explore temporal-spatial changes in gene reassortment of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5) virus in Eurasia, 2000–2023

Modelling of assembly error and tolerance optimization for motor based on polyhedral model and thermal deformation analysis

The air gap between the stator and rotor of an electric motor is a crucial parameter that influences its performance. A well-designed tolerance can effectively control the size of the air gap, which results from the accumulation of machining deviations. Using the air gap as an assembly functional requirement, a polyhedral model was developed to represent the assembly deviation transfer path. The effects of thermal loads under actual operating conditions were considered, and thermal deformation was incorporated into the deviation transfer path analysis. By applying Minkowski summation and intersection operations, the cumulative errors of the assembly polyhedron were determined, and the impact of thermal deformation on the assembly errors in the motor was analyzed. A multi-objective tolerance optimization model was developed, with processing and quality loss costs as the objective functions. Considering thermal deformation, a multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm was employed to optimize the tolerances of the motor’s critical components, providing a novel theoretical method and technical reference for assembly error analysis and tolerance optimization in electric motors.

APMSR: an intelligent QA system for synthetic biology empowered by adaptive prompting and multi-source knowledge retrieval

Bedside measurement of microcirculation in critically ill patients: A scoping review protocol

Background Microcirculatory dysfunction is a pivotal factor in the pathophysiology and prognosis of critically ill patients. While traditional resuscitation primarily emphasizes macrocirculatory parameters such as mean arterial pressure (MAP), emerging evidence indicates that maintaining a normal MAP alone does not guarantee adequate microvascular perfusion. As a result, bedside evaluation of microcirculation has garnered increased interest as a supplementary method to hemodynamic monitoring. Objective This scoping review aims to systematically map and categorize existing bedside tools and technologies used to assess microcirculation in critically ill patients. The review will summarize their clinical applications, advantages, limitations, and integration into intensive care practice, and identify key evidence gaps to guide future research. Methods In accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) framework and the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a comprehensive literature search will be conducted across MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, and ProQuest. Additionally, the grey literature search will be complemented by searches of trial registries such as ClinicalTrials.gov and the WHO ICTRP. Eligible studies will encompass all primary research involving critically ill patients evaluated for microcirculatory function at the bedside within intensive care units (ICUs). Data extraction and synthesis will adhere to an inductive–deductive thematic approach based on Braun and Clarke’s methodology, complemented by the PAGER framework to identify patterns, advances, gaps, and evidence pertinent to clinical practice. Conclusion By mapping the landscape of bedside microcirculatory assessment tools, this review will support the translation of microcirculatory monitoring from research to clinical practice, thereby promoting physiologically guided, individualized management in critically ill patients. Registration This protocol is prospectively registered in OSF.io.

Verifying Urdu news authenticity using deep learning with concatenated BERT and GloVe embedding

Abstract Fake news has a significant effect on reader perceptions and is therefore a serious problem. It is difficult to differentiate between fake and real news as the number of News platforms on social media are growing daily. This work aims to create a complete fake news detection mechanism for Pakistani news by using many fact-checked APIs. A total of 14,178 real and fake news items from fifteen different regions and sections of reputable and authoritative Urdu newspapers and news broadcasting websites in Pakistan are included in the dataset. We evaluate the dataset via three deep learning models RoBERTa, XLM-RoBERTa and mBERT are embedded with concatenated BERT and GloVe. For the training of the selected models, we first use an extensive multilingual dataset. The results of the proposed models are as follows: evaluated via performance metrics such as the F1 score, accuracy, precision and recall. XLM-RoBERTa with concatenated GloVe embedding outperforms with an F1 score of 0.956, accuracy of 0.962, precision of 0.932 and recall of 0.940. A comparative analysis of the latest machine learning and deep learning models is also done. The latest Urdu benchmark dataset shows that the XLM-RoBERTa model with Concatenated BERT and GloVe embedding outperforms these models for Urdu fake news detection.

ITIH2 in colorectal cancer metastasis: Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis-guided functional validation

Objective One of the main causes of death from colorectal cancer (CRC) is liver metastases; yet, little is known about the genetic factors that influence the development of these metastases. Given their proven involvement in cancer spread, we anticipated that major differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between primary and metastatic CRC could identify important molecular players in liver metastasis, with an emphasis on extracellular matrix and proteolytic processes. The purpose of this study was to use integrative bioinformatics and experimental validation to identify and functionally describe hub genes linked to CRC liver metastasis. Methods The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between primary (CRC and CRC liver metastases are investigated using two microarray datasets (GSE14297 and GSE6988). Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was used to generate co-expression networks and identify functional modules associated with metastatic progression. Topological research revealed that ITIH2 is an essential hub gene. To investigate its functional role, we employed lentiviral transduction to generate stable CRC cell lines with ITIH2 overexpression and knockdown. For in vivo validation, liver metastasis models were created in BALB/c mice using engineered cell lines. To further explore clinical relevance, ITIH2 expression in tissue microarrays from patients with primary and metastatic CRC was examined immunohistochemically. Results When compared to primary tumors, ITIH2 expression was noticeably higher in CRC liver metastases. In contrast to ITIH2 knockdown, which inhibited these malignant behaviors, functional studies showed that ITIH2 overexpression increased CRC cell proliferation, motility, and invasion. These results were supported in vivo , where ITIH2 expression increased the likelihood of tumor growth and metastasis. Conclusions ITIH2 plays a functional role in metastatic behavior and is markedly elevated in liver metastases of CRC. We conclude that ITIH2 may be a novel prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target in patients with CRC who have liver metastases due to its high correlation with poor clinical outcomes and independent prognostic significance for overall survival.

Fibre integrated circuits by a multilayered spiral architecture

A deep learning approach to emotionally intelligent AI for improved learning outcomes

Model predictive control based MLP-ANN to enhance tracking response with energy saving of EV drive cycles using five-phase IPMSM

Speed tracking control (STC) and energy saving of an electric vehicle (EV) play a crucial role in the stability and effectiveness of the operating performance of an EV drive system (EVDS). This paper proposes a novel STC and energy saving methodology for an EVDS that is tested by the European drive cycle (ECE-15) and customized inspection and maintenance drive cycle (custom IM240). The EVDS adopted the 5-ph interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) due to its benefits like high efficiency, compact size, low noise, reliability, reduced torque ripples, increased power density, and improved fault tolerance. A multilayer perceptron (MLP) - artificial neural network (ANN) is utilized to tune the PI controller online in the drive system (DS). The gating pulses of the 5-phase voltage source inverter (VSI) are accurately generated using an MPC based on a desired cost function to reduce current harmonics and thus torque ripples. A comparative study between the online tuning using the MLP-ANN and offline tuning using the transit search optimization (TSO) technique is presented. The process of comparison includes the percentage overshoot, mean square error (MSE), integral absolute error (IAE), and percentage energy saving. The result of the comparison proves the effectiveness of the proposed control methodology that gives superior speed tracking performance of the EVDS and attains energy saving. The attained energy saving across a long period results in cost reduction of charging the batteries and increasing their lifetime.

Changes in retinal oxygen saturation before and after femtosecond LASIK in adult myopic individuals with anisometropia

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the relationship between myopia and retinal vascular oxygen saturation, after accounting for optical factors and individual variations. This was a prospective, observational, single-center study. Adults with anisometropia were included. All the participants underwent femtosecond-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK), and before and after the surgery, all the patients underwent the examination of visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), spherical equivalent (SE), average keratometry (K), central corneal thickness, and retinal oximeter. A total of 196 adult patients with myopic anisometropia were enrolled. The SE of the less myopic eyes before surgery was − 3.89 ± 3.24 D, which was significantly higher than that of the more myopic eyes − 6.75 ± 3.10 D ( p  < 0.001). The retinal arterial oxygen saturation (SaO 2 ) of the less myopic eyes was 94.08 ± 1.61%, which was significantly higher than that of the more myopic eyes 93.36 ± 1.74% ( p  = 0.003). After FS-LASIK, the SaO 2 of the less myopic eyes (93.29 ± 1.72%) remained significantly higher than that of the more myopic eyes (92.76 ± 1.83%) ( p  = 0.038). In the multivariate regression analysis, the postoperative SaO 2 was still significantly negatively correlated with axial length (AL) ( B = -0.252, P  = 0.009). After excluding optical factors and individual variations, SaO 2 remains negatively correlated with AL. Myopia exerts an optical magnification effect on SaO 2 .

Heterogeneity of malaria transmission in urban settings in Ethiopia: A seroprevalence and risk factor analysis

Malaria remains a significant public health concern in Ethiopia, affecting both rural and urban populations. In urban settings, rapid unplanned expansion, poor drainage, and population movement are increasingly creating aquatic habitats that support vectors such as Anopheles stephensi, thereby leading to complex and underestimated transmission patterns. Serology-based risk factor analyses offer a sensitive indicator of recent and past exposure, helping to reveal underlying transmission patterns and more tailored interventions. This study assessed malaria seroprevalence and associated risk factors among residents of three towns in Ethiopia: Adama, Metehara, and Awash Sebat Kilo to better characterize transmission dynamics and identify context-specific vulnerabilities. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from January 30 to March 14, 2020, involving 912 individuals from randomly selected 196 households. Malaria infection was diagnosed using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and quantitative polymerase-chain reaction (qPCR). Serological analyses were performed to determine exposure to Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax . The study found a low malaria prevalence of 0.78% by RDT and 4% by qPCR, with 1.7% of cases due to P. falciparum and 2.3% due to P. vivax . The overall seroprevalence was 19.4% (149/767) for P. falciparum and 18% (139/767) for P. vivax using combined short-lived response markers. Seroprevalence rates varied among towns, with Awash Sebat Kilo showing the highest exposure for recent markers (36.5% for P. falciparum ; 28% for P. vivax ) compared to lower rates in Adama (2.8% and 2.8%, respectively). Proximity to breeding sites (OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.1–7.4; p = 0.037) and being older than 15 years (OR = 4.0 95% CI: 2.1–7.6; p < 0.001) were significant risk factors for P. falciparum and P. vivax malaria exposure, respectively. This study demonstrates marked heterogeneity in malaria exposure across urban settings, with the lowest seroprevalence observed in Adama and higher levels in Awash Sebat Kilo. The findings emphasize the importance of incorporating serological surveillance into routine monitoring and highlight the need for targeted, locally tailored control strategies. Such tailored approaches will be increasingly critical, particularly in the context of emerging urban transmission risks driven by the expansion of An. stephensi in the region.

Research on positioning method in parcel sorting in disordered logistics

The impact of college students’ physical exercise on negative emotion: The chain mediating role of self-efficacy and smartphone addiction

Objective Against the backdrop of widespread smartphone adoption, rising student stress levels, and the increasing prevalence of negative emotions, this study employs a chain-mediation model to investigate the relationship between physical exercise and negative emotions among university students. It further elucidates the mediating roles of self-efficacy and smartphone addiction in this association. Methods Data from the 2022 China Physical Activity and Health Longitudinal Survey (CPAHLS-CS) were used, involving a sample of 16,355 college students from East China and Central China. Measurements were taken using the Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3), the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Physical Activity Self-Efficacy Scale (PASS), and the Mobile Phone Addiction Tendency Scale (MPATS). Descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, regression analysis, and chain mediation effect testing were performed using SPSS 27.0, Excel, and the PROCESS plugin, controlling for confounding variables such as gender, grade, region, and age. Results The study found a significant negative correlation between physical exercise and negative emotions in university students (r = −0.564, p  < 0.001). Self-efficacy and smartphone addiction both played significant mediating roles in the relationship between physical exercise and negative emotion. The mediation effects included independent mediation by self-efficacy and smartphone addiction, as well as a chain mediation effect between the two, with effect sizes of 0.005 and −0.017, respectively. Conclusion This study offers a novel theoretical perspective on the relationship between physical exercise and negative emotions, elucidating the associations among physical exercise, self-efficacy, smartphone addiction, and negative emotions. The findings suggest that physical exercise may regulate negative emotions by enhancing self-efficacy and mitigating smartphone addiction, thereby providing empirical support for mental health intervention practices within the university student population.

Stratigraphic and structural architecture of the inner ramp carbonates in the Northern Galala Plateau, Egypt: synergizing remote sensing and field data

Abstract The new high-altitude road in New Galala City offers a valuable opportunity to study the carbonate platform of the Southern Galala Formation at the Northern Galala Plateau in Egypt. The research examines this carbonate platform through remote sensing, structural, and stratigraphic methods. For the first time, remote sensing techniques using Landsat-9 have been applied to differentiate the carbonate platform rocks and their depositional environments. Tectonic uplift has shaped a complex topography and high structural elevation, resulting in a rimmed platform with varying slope angles. Lithostratigraphically, the Southern Galala Formation has been divided into three new formal members: Wadi Al-Rasis, Gebel Ealyan, and New Galala City. The Wadi Al-Rasis and New Galala City members are mainly composed of pale brown, thin, laminated dolostones with some siliciclastics. These members are characterized by microbial mudstone and wackestone microfacies of tidal flat environments. The Gebel Ealyan Member features grey, fossil-rich limestones with sediments that have undergone karstification. Key fossils include large benthonic foraminifera. Microscopic studies of this member reveal various bioclastic packstone/grainstone microfacies of lagoon and shoals’ environments. Critical diagenetic processes include micritization, cementation, and dolomitization, thereby enhancing the economic significance of the rocks as hosts to hydrocarbon reserves, groundwater aquifers, and industrial minerals. Tectonic uplift, eustatic sea-level changes, and sedimentary dynamics influence the structures that control the studied inner-ramp carbonates.

Navigating HIV self-testing: Concerns among adolescents and young people aged 15–24 years in Uganda. An exploratory qualitative study

Introduction HIV self-testing (HIVST) has the potential to overcome barriers to conventional clinic-based HIV testing services by offering a convenient, private, and confidential way to test. This study aimed to explore the concerns about HIV self-testing among adolescents and young people (AYP) aged 15–24 years in Uganda, where HIV self-testing is still not widely available. Methods This exploratory qualitative study conducted 14 audio-recorded in-depth interviews and six focus group discussions with adolescents and young people in Wakiso district, Uganda, between March 2021 to February 2022. These interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using the socio-ecological model. All participants provided written informed consent and assent before participating in the study. Results AYP viewed HIVST as a potentially helpful and acceptable testing method. However, several concerns emerged and these are presented using five themes. At the individual level, participants expressed fear of suicidal thoughts if one tested HIV positive, lack of adequate information, anticipated increased risky sexual behaviours, neglect of other HIV preventive measures, and misinterpretation of test kit results. Interpersonal concerns were centred on partner violence, parental coercion, and social rejection. At the community level, participants noted the potential for stigma, unintended pregnancies, and discrimination. Institutional concerns focused on the lack of referral services and inadequate counselling following HIV self-testing. At the structural level, limited accessibility for persons with disabilities was a key concern. Conclusion While AYP have established that HIVST is essential, various concerns need to be addressed to improve its acceptability, up-take and utilisation. Providing more explicit information about the testing procedure, clarifying any misinterpretation of results, and providing easy access to counselling services, especially at distribution points, is crucial towards guaranteeing the effective roll-out of HIVST among young people. Special attention must also be given to marginalised populations, including people living with disabilities, to ensure fairness in their access and utilisation of services. Implementation of all this will be crucial towards maximising the potential benefits of HIVST in Uganda’s HIV prevention efforts.

A new Epseptimavirus bacteriophage vB_SalS-SIY1lw as a potential antimicrobial alternative to multidrug-resistant Salmonella Infantis

Abstract Salmonella Infantis is an emerging pathogen highly associated with antibiotic-resistant issues and has contributed to increasing foodborne illness in recent years. Thus, finding novel antimicrobial agents is urgent for the solution. The objective was to characterize a newly isolated Epseptimavirus phage with antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant S. Infantis strains. Salmonella phage vB_SalS-SIY1lw (or SIY1lw) is a new member of the phages belonging to the Epseptimavirus genus. SIY1lw contained the receptor binding protein (ORF 23) and tail fiber protein (ORF 43) genes—both associated with bacterial host recognition and binding—similar to that in Salmonella phage OSY-STA (the Epseptimavirus genus) and Escherichia phage DaisyDussoix (the Tequintavirus genus), respectively. For biological traits, SIY1lw has a latent period of 30 min and an estimated burst size of 42 PFU/CFU. The phage was polyvalent against S. enterica (Infantis and Newport) and non-pathogenic E. coli strains. The in vitro antimicrobial activity test showed that the phage with MOI of 1,000 is the most effective in reducing S. Infantis FSIS7823 and FSIS4921 by 1 and 0.8 log, respectively, over the 6-h treatment at 25 °C. These findings indicate that the new Epseptimavirus phage SIY1lw has future potential to develop an antimicrobial alternative to multidrug-resistant S. Infantis strains.

The prognostic value of thromboelastography MA/R ratio in predicting mortality in acute respiratory failure patients

Thromboelastography (TEG) MA/R ratio reflects coagulation status and thrombus strength. This study evaluated its prognostic value in acute respiratory failure (ARF). A retrospective analysis of 371 ARF patients admitted to the ICU, stratified by MA/R quartiles. Outcomes included 28-day mortality, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), mechanical ventilation duration, and ICU stay. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to assess hazard ratios, restricted cubic spline was employed to evaluate the nonlinear relationship between MA/R and mortality, and Kaplan-Meier analysis was conducted to compare survival time across different MA/R groups. Patients in the lowest MA/R quartile (Q1) had significantly higher 28-day mortality (59.8% vs. 22.1–28.0% in Q2-Q4; P  < 0.001) and elevated inflammatory markers (cytokines, procalcitonin, lactate, creatinine; P < 0.05). DVT incidence, ventilation duration, and ICU stay did not differ between groups. Multivariate analysis identified MA/R as an independent mortality predictor ( P  < 0.05), with mortality risk sharply increasing below a threshold of 9.7. Kaplan-Meier curves showed shorter survival in Q1 ( P  < 0.001). The MA/R ratio measured at ICU admission can rapidly identify coagulation dysfunction in patients with acute respiratory failure, with a low MA/R ratio being a strong indicator of poor prognosis.