Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
908-914 Elham Razmjou.pmd

During pregnancy, Toxoplasma gondii can be transmitted from mother to foetus and trigger a primary infection that may be symptomatic. It is important to distinguish between recently acquired and past infections to ensure proper treatment to minimize irreversible foetal injury. We used PCR of the B1 gene to evaluate the accuracy of T. gondii IgG antibody avidity testing in discriminating recent from past infection. In a cross-sectional study, T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were detected by enzyme linked fluorescence assay (ELFA) in 2120 serum samples from pregnant women referred to Karaj medical laboratories, February 2013 through March 2015 with 40 samples found positive. IgM-positive samples were evaluated by IgG avidity testing and PCR to amplify the B1 gene. Avidity studies indicated 20 samples with high IgG avidity, 15 with low IgG avidity, and five showing borderline values. The B1 gene was amplified in the borderline samples, with nine of the 15 showing low avidity. The B1 gene was not amplified in the high avidity sera. Our findings suggest that IgG avidity alone may not be sufficient to discriminate recent from past T. gondii infection and should not be used as the sole confirmatory test in pregnant women with IgG and IgM T. gondii antibodies. IgG avidity testing in combination with PCR may be more reliable for distinguishing between highand low-risk infection and decrease the frequency of unnecessary treatment of pregnant women.
Overdominance Effects between Malaria and Visceral Leishmaniasis in the 5q31 Region

A group of SNPs in 5q31, genotyped from Hausa tribe of Koka village in eastern Sudan; an area endemic with malaria and visceral leishmaniasis, were analyzed by The Leishmaniasis research group and found to have significant excess of heterozygosis level and departure from HWE and assumed to be due to natural selection resulting from notorious deadly outbreaks since various ethnic groups from western Sudan settled the area although sequence information in the 5q31 region did not detect functional SNPs that could be associated with such drastic phenotypes. Malaria was thought to inflict inferior selective pressure due to the mild clinical phenotype observed. Taking advantage of follow up phenotype data sets available from the Malaria Gen study we re-analyzed these genotypes using different bioinformatics software to determine their effect on the regulation, function and expression of interleukins, miRNA binding and splicing mechanism. The SNPs were found to potentially affect the binding of many transcription factors that regulate the expression of IL-4 and IL-13 and stability of IL-5 mRNA. Association of haplotypes susceptibility revealed that the haplotype of low cytokine TH2 profile is associated with higher risk of malaria infection (P-value = 0.02). Through modulating TH2 cytokine response; the excess heterozygosity in 5q31 is explained with the phenomenon of overdominance between malaria and visceral leishmaniasis, acted by natural selection and driving the locus towards optimum response.
The importance of design in nanoarchitectonics: multifractality in MACE silicon nanowires

Background: Mechanisms of self-assembly/self-organization are fundamental for the emergence of nanoarchitectonic systems composed by elemental units, and it is important to build a theoretical framework for them. Additionally, because the enhanced functionalities of these systems are related to their spatial morphologies, it is necessary to quantify the self-organized design through suited statistical analysis tools. Results: We have investigated the self-assembly bundling process of nanowires fabricated by metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE). First, we have applied theoretical models in order to obtain a quantitative estimation of the driving forces leading to self-assembly. Then, we have studied the surfaces of the nanoarchitectures by means of multifractal analysis. We have found that these systems are not simple monofractals, but that the more complex paradigm of multifractality (different fractal dimensions across different scales) has to be applied to describe their morphology. Conclusion: The multifractal analysis approach has proven its ability to discriminate among different MACE nanoarchitectures. Additionally, it has demonstrated its capacity to measure the degree of homogeneity of these surfaces. Finally, a correlation between the growth conditions and the capacity dimension of the nanowires was obtained.
On neutron-induced reaction mechanisms at medium energies

Recent accurate data obtained for the isomeric cross section of the 197 Au(n, 2n) reaction provides an effective opportunity to consider the question of the effective moment of inertia of the nucleus within a consistent model analysis of all available reaction data for the 197 Au target nucleus. Moreover, since the corresponding model assumptions are better validated by analysis of the data above 20-30 MeV where only several data with large uncertainties are known, the usefulness of further measurements to be performed at large-scale facilities as SPIRAL-2 and n TOF, for incident energies up to 40 as well as 100 MeV, are underlined.
A Stylistic Approach to Teaching Literature at the College Level

The paper studies the importance and relevance of the stylistic approach to analyze a literary text at the college level. Our classrooms are based on the lecture method where teachers play the main role and the students sit merely as listeners. Whereas, if we adopt a stylistic approach to the teaching of literature, the students will get the participatory role as they will be taught to interact, examine and evaluate the language of the text to interpret the meaning acquired intuitively using the linguistic features and literary theories. This will help them understand the role of language in literature and they will be able to appreciate the artistic use of language from their own point of view. A stylistic analysis of a literary text would help the students enhance their communicative competence as they would be directly working on the foreign language which is a method far apart from the traditional ways of memorization and reproduction. When the students will learn to analyze the text from their own point of view, they will also learn to experiment with the language in everyday life. The paper concludes with suggestions how stylistic approach can be introduced in a literature class where students do not have a formal study of linguistic and stylistics.
Lignin degradation and oxygen dependence

This work concerns itself with the biological degradation of the lignin polymer. The chemical composition of the polymer makes it recalcitrant toward hydrolysis and other common chemical reactions occurring under biological conditions. The rumen of animals is considered as a place of high turnover rates for plant matter where lignin is an integral constituent. This makes it a promising place to look for microorganisms adapted to degrade the lignin fraction of the plant matter. In this work, steps were taken to create a metagenomic library of the microorganisms present in the rumen of sheep. Bioinformatical searches were performed to investigate the possible existence of enzyme systems explaining the widespread presence of the genera Clostridium and Desulfovibrio in environments rich in lignin. While several species of Clostridium contained an O-demethylase system, the presence of Desulfovibrio could not be explained.
FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF SAN FRANCISCO WORKING PAPER SERIES Monitoring Banking System Connectedness with Big Data

The need to monitor aggregate financial stability was made clear during the global financial crisis of 2008-2009, and, of course, the need to monitor individual financial firms from a microprudential standpoint remains. However, linkages between financial firms cannot be observed or measured easily. In this paper, we propose a procedure that generates measures of connectedness between individual firms and for the system as a whole based on information observed only at the firm level; i.e., no explicit linkages are observed. We show how bank outcome variables of interest can be decomposed, including with mixed-frequency models, for how network analysis to measure connectedness across firms. We construct two such measures: one based on a decomposition of bank stock returns, the other based on a decomposition of their quarterly return on assets. Network analysis of these decompositions produces measures that could be of use in financial stability monitoring as well as the analysis of individual firms’ linkages. JEL codes: C32, G21, G28
Molecular Gas Reservoirs in Cluster Galaxies at z = 1.46

We present molecular gas reservoirs of 18 galaxies associated with the XMMXCS J2215.9–1738 cluster at z = 1.46. From Band 7 and Band 3 data of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, we detect dust continuum emission at 870 μm and the CO J = 2–1 emission line from 8 and 17 member galaxies, respectively, within a clustercentric radius of R200. The molecular gas masses derived from the CO and/or dust continuum luminosities show that the fraction of molecular gas mass and the depletion timescale for the cluster galaxies are larger than expected from the scaling relations of molecular gas on stellar mass and offset from the main sequence of star-forming galaxies in general fields. The galaxies closer to the cluster center in terms of both projected position and accretion phase seem to show a larger deviation from the scaling relations. We speculate that the environment of the galaxy cluster helps feed the gas through inflow to the member galaxies and reduce the efficiency of star formation. The stacked Band 3 spectrum of 12 quiescent galaxies with Mstellar ∼ 1011 M⊙ within 0.5R200 shows no detection of a CO emission line, giving the upper limit of molecular gas mass and molecular gas fraction to be ≲1010 M⊙ and ≲10%, respectively. Therefore, the massive galaxies in the cluster core quench the star formation activity while consuming most of the gas reservoirs.
A System Framework for Localization and Mapping using High Resolution Cameras of Mobile Devices

We propose a hierarchical framework for processing high-resolution images on mobile devices for visual SLAM. It is based on the insights from analysis of new progress in primary features' detection, object detection and pose estimation. A rectification/unwarping operation is applied in regions of interest (ROIs) to improve the object/parts classification/detection performance; the object-part spatial relationships are created and contribute in map building, object detection, and localization; and a geometric constraints based pose refinement is followed to further improve the localization accuracy. Our design facilitates the more accurate pose estimating and localization using mobile devices for SLAM, and Augmented Reality/Mixed Reality applications.
Sunk embodied energy as a means of valuing the built environment

The study of the embodied energy of construction materials has developed considerably over the past decade and the design of sustainable buildings often considers the use of materials with low embodied energy. In addition, the estimation of embodied energy has contributed to research into the overall energy consumption of buildings. This paper views embodied energy from an alternative perspective and provides a conceptual approach to its use. Embodied energy may be viewed as a capital energy investment in a building and can be compared with the initial and sometimes irrecoverable funds known as sunk costs which are required to commence a commercial enterprise. The concept of sunk embodied energy for valuing the built environment is introduced and it is proposed that this provides a measure of cultural patrimony. Existing buildings and infrastructure can contribute to the quality of life and cultural identity of local communities and this should be considered when neighbourhoods are changed. The paper concludes by promoting the expenditure of sunk embodied energy which has a large component of recoverable building materials, components and buildings as this maximizes the cultural benefits yet minimises the environmental disadvantages. Conference theme: Global
VILLE PURHONEN ENGAGING BUSINESS USERS TO BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE COMPETENCY CENTER

TAMPERE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Master‟s Degree Programme in Industrial Engineering and Management PURHONEN, VILLE: Engaging Business Users to Business Intelligence Competency Center Master of Science Thesis, 69 pages, 2 appendices August 2010 Major: Industrial management Examiner: Professor Tuomo Peltonen
DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDITY-RELIABILITY STUDY OF COMMUNICATION SKILLS SCALE FOR STUDENT TEACHERS: SUGGESTION OF AN ALTERNATIVE MODEL*

Individuals can express themselves well and understand the others better only by having communication skills. In the future, there will be a need for student teachers who have good communication skills and who can communicate well, as their profession requires. In this developing world, perceptions, behaviours and relations of individuals have constantly been changing. In the light of all these reasons, what type of communication skills that today’s student teachers have should be determined and new and contemporary measurement instruments should be developed for this purpose. From this point of view, the major aim of this study was to develop a reliable and valid communication skills scale (CSS) that will help to determine the extent of student teachers’ communication skills. A total of 1204 student teachers studying in various departments of a state-run Turkish university participated in the study. The validity and reliability of the scale items prepared by the researchers were investigated; as a result of the analysis, it was found that the communication scale items centered on the factors of "competence", "discouragement", "body language" and "dignification"; there were 36 items in total. The reliability of total scale was found high, so it can be considered that the scale items are homogenous. In addition, an alternative model that was supported by the data was found by applying second-level confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). According to the results, the first-level CFA was found to be a better model than the second-level CFA. As a result, when the items related to these factors were considered, it was said that the valid and reliable scale provides a comprehensive measure for assessing all of the dimensions of communication, including its emotional, cognitive and behavioral aspects.
Following In Vitro Spermatogenesis with Long-term Preserved Spermatogonial Stem Cells

1PhD Candidate, Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran 2Professor, Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran 3Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran 4Associated Professor, Department of Andrologia and Embryology, Avicenna Research Institute, Tehran, Iran
Detection of olive oil adulteration by corn oil addition applying ATR-FTIR spectroscopy

The main objective of this study was to assess the potential of Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR FTIR) spectroscopy for detection of olive oil (OO) adulteration by corn oil (CO) addition. The differences recorded for the band around 3006 cm −1 assigned to the C–H stretching vibration of the cis double bonds (=CH) can be used for quantification of OO adulteration. The height of the 3006 cm −1 band for pure OO sample is obviously smaller than for pure CO or for its mixtures with OO. The maximum absorbance value of the band at this frequency changed according to the extent of OO adulteration. Also, the position of this band has shifted versus the percentage of CO added in OO from 3009 to 3005 cm −1 . The maximum heights of the two bands at ~3006 and 2922 cm −1 were also used in assessing of OO adulteration. The 2922 cm −1 band is assigned to the symmetric stretching vibration of the aliphatic –CH 2 groups. The calculated ratio of the two peak heights express the percentage of the hydrogen–carbon bonds linked by cis double bonds (=CH) present in the oil samples. There was recorded a high correlation (R 2 =0.91) between the ratio of these peak heights and the percentage of CO added to OO. Based on calibration curve absorbance versus the percentage of adulterant in OO it is possible to assess the OO samples’ adulteration. Significant positive correlations (R 2 >0.94) were found at some specific frequencies i.e. 3011, 3006 and 722 cm 1 , respectively, while for 1096 and 912 cm 1 it was recorded R 2 values of 0.9. The combined frequency regions 3020–3000, 1100–900, 750–700 could be successfully used for quantification the OO counterfeit by CO addition as a possible adulterant agent. Based on our results it can be noticed that ATR FTIR spectroscopy could be successfully used as a rapid, non destructive technique with a minimum sample preparation for detection of OO adulteration.
Transitory Alliances: An Instrument for Surviving Turbulent Industries?

Over the past decades, firms have constantly struggled to deal effectively with their rapidly changing environment. Especially in high tech industries, costs of R&D have rocketed, whereas steep learning curves and ever shortening product and technology life cycles have reduced the time to recoup these costs. Under such conditions of turbulence, a new form of alliances becomes an important part of the innovator's toolkit: transitory alliances. Transitory alliances can be defined as short-lived alliances that focus on completing narrowly defined tasks in a very short time frame. Companies can no longer rely exclusively on their traditional alliance and M&A practices to survive industry turbulence. Furthermore, transitory alliances can be a wellspring of innovation and provide companies with access to a portfolio of new ideas. They can help companies to acquire knowledge in a swift manner, thereby strengthening their ability to survive the high speed of change. The specific characteristics of this alliance type are discussed in this paper. Typical examples are taken from Internet related sectors.
EXACT ANALYSIS OF CURVATURE CORRECTED LEARNING DYNAMICS IN DEEP LINEAR NETWORKS

Deep neural networks exhibit complex learning dynamics due to the highly nonconvex loss landscape, which causes slow convergence and vanishing gradient problems. Second order approaches, such as natural gradient descent, mitigate such problems by neutralizing the effect of potentially ill-conditioned curvature on the gradient-based updates, yet precise theoretical understanding on how such curvature correction affects the learning dynamics of deep networks has been lacking. Here, we analyze the dynamics of training deep neural networks under a generalized family of natural gradient methods that applies curvature corrections, and derive precise analytical solutions. Our analysis reveals that curvature corrected update rules preserve many features of gradient descent, such that the learning trajectory of each singular mode in natural gradient descent follows precisely the same path as gradient descent, while only accelerating the temporal dynamics along the path. We also show that layer-restricted approximations of natural gradient, which are widely used in most second order methods (e.g. K-FAC), can significantly distort the learning trajectory into highly diverging dynamics that significantly differs from true natural gradient, which may lead to undesirable network properties. We also introduce fractional natural gradient that applies partial curvature correction, and show that it provides most of the benefit of full curvature correction in terms of convergence speed, with additional benefit of superior numerical stability and neutralizing vanishing/exploding gradient problems, which holds true also in layer-restricted approximations.
Biodiversity inventory of trees in a neotropical secondary forest after abandonment of shaded coffee plantation

Abstract: Tree structure and diversity of a secondary Atlantic Forest resulting from the abandonment (ca. 70 years) of a shaded coffee (Coffea arabica) plantation was studied in southeastern Brazil. All trees with DBH ≥ 5 cm (alive and dead) were measured in 25 plots of 20 × 20 m. Out of the 1926 sampled trees, 1837 were living trees belonging to 116 species. The most important species (importance value - IV) in the community were Euterpe edulis (22.9% - present in all plots) and Piptadenia gonoacantha (16.5%). Euterpe edulis is a typical palm tree of high importance value in mature forests, comprising 41.2% of individuals. The results show a more mature tree community in relation to other secondary forests with the same abandonment period in the region, with high richness and diversity of species, high basal area, and low dead tree density. In addition, several endangered species were recorded with high conservation value for the regional flora. The results also showed many typical characteristics of “novel ecosystems” discussed here in order to value these environments, still neglected due to strong environmental human alterations.
Approaches to organic produce market segmentation

The marked growth in the demand for organic produce places the significance of consumers for the future development of the organic produce market into the forefront. As a part of strategic marketing, market segmentation is one of the required steps enabling the marketing process management. More often than not, the results of empirical research related to market segmentation, attempting to present the profile of an organic produce consumer, are incoherent and contradictory. Reasons for these discrepancies, and the authors' proposal on how to approach the organic produce market segmentation are discussed in this article.
Finite Element Analysis of the Expression of Plantar Pressure Distribution in the Injury of the Lateral Ligament of the Ankle

The program of treatment and rehabilitation of chronic ankle instability is different according to the impairment degree of lateral ligament of the ankle. The diagnosis methods of lateral ligament’s injury are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arthroscopy, which are either invasive or timeconsuming. This study aims to analyze the mapping relation between lateral ligaments’ injury and center of pressure (COP) position shift via finite element analysis in order to explore a method that can diagnose lateral ligaments’ injury. Two typical finite element method (FEM) bone models of heelstrike and toes-off phase are built according to the gait metrics. The lateral ligament is simulated by adding the spring to the model in the anatomical position and the injury of lateral ligament is simulated by reducing the stiffness of the spring. The contact pressure between the foot and support plate and COP coordinates are analyzed. The displacement of anterolateral shift of COP coordinates is mapped to the injury degree of lateral ligament. This study provides feasibility to diagnose lateral ligament injury by plantar pressure distribution.
Attirbute Reduction in Consistent Approximate Representation Spaces For Formal Contexts

Consistent approximate representation space is a unified model for formal contexts, consistent formal decision contexts and inconsistent formal decision contexts. In this paper, notions of attribute reduction are first developed in a consistent approximate representation space, and then the verification methods of attribute reducts are proposed in a consistent approximate representation space. Finally, two methods of attribute reduction including discernibility matrix and discernibility function are given to calculate attribute reducts in a consistent approximate representation space.