Analyzing Design Principles of Biophilic Neighborhoods

In current century, cities face rapidly evolving challenges, including climate change, resource shortages, population growth and urbanization, and financial pressures. Biophilic urbanism is an emerging design principle capable of considering the multidimensional and interdependent complexities of urban systems and infrastructure, which through the use of natural design features, can meet society’s inherent need for contact with nature, and assist efforts to respond to these growing challenges. The purpose of this research is assessment Biophilic criteria in Iran metropolitan. In this research has been mentioned five criteria and 15 patterns. The quantitative and qualitative methods has been used. Data collection methods are observation and questionnaire. Also, has been used AHP method in order to comparison between criteria and patterns. Findings show the most important criteria is biodiversity in order to achieving biophilic neighborhood. Other principles are bio mimicry, prospect, and the sense of playfulness, enigmatic

Detection and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii strains isolated from birds in the southwest of Iran

1. The aim of this work was to determine the frequency of occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii and genetically analyse isolates from a number of avian hosts in the southwest of Iran (Khuzestan province). The frequency of T. gondii was determined in free-range chickens (Gallus domesticus), sparrows (Passer domesticus), pigeons (Columba livia) and starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). 2. Isolates obtained from Toxoplasma-infected birds were subjected to molecular typing by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) with sequence analysis of the GRA6 gene. 3. The results showed that 41 (16·5%) of 241 samples of avian tissue were infected with T. gondii. Sparrows were most frequently infected (17 out of 64). 4. Analysis of the GRA6 gene by PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing revealed Type II and III T. gondii were the predominant lineage, accounting for 19·5% and 80·5% of the isolates, respectively. 5. It was concluded that the use of this PCR test facilitated the diagnosis of T. gondii in avian hosts and the GRA6 PCR-RFLP method clearly differentiated between the three different T. gondii lineages. This study showed a higher prevalence of type III compared with type II T. gondii in infected avian hosts in southwestern Iran. Detection and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii strains isolated from birds in the southwest of Iran (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235748469_Detection_and_genotyping_of_Toxoplasma_gondii_strains_isolated_from_birds_in_the_southwest_of_Iran [accessed Dec 09 2017]

Detection and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii isolated from soil in Ahvaz, southwest of Iran

Abstract To detection and genotype of Toxoplasma gondii isolated from soil in Ahvaz, southwest of Iran. Between August 2011 and May 2012 at different sites located in the area of the Ahvaz city south west Iran. A total of 200 soil samples were taken from different points of the region. Oocysts were recovered using the flotation method. Then, PCR reactions targeting the GRA6 gene were performed for specific T. gondii detection. The positive samples were studied by RFLP (random amplified fragment length polymorphism) using MseI enzymes to confirm the parasite linage. Toxoplasma DNA was found in 18 samples. Among them, 12 samples were successfully genotyped as GRA6 type III and 6 as GRA6 Type II. This is the first investigation detecting and genotyping T. gondii oocyst in environmental soil samples of Ahvaz, South west of Iran. The results of this study indicated that soil contaminated with T. gondii oocysts especially in public park may play a role in the epidemiology of human toxoplasmosis in southwest of Iran

Discrimination between Gaussian process models: active learning and static constructions

The paper covers the design and analysis of experiments to discriminate between two Gaussian process models with different covariance kernels, such as those widely used in computer experiments, kriging, sensor location and machine learning. Two frameworks are considered. First, we study sequential constructions, where successive design (observation) points are selected, either as additional points to an existing design or from the beginning of observation. The selection relies on the maximisation of the difference between the symmetric Kullback Leibler divergences for the two models, which depends on the observations, or on the mean squared error of both models, which does not. Then, we consider static criteria, such as the familiar log-likelihood ratios and the Fréchet distance between the covariance functions of the two models. Other distance-based criteria, simpler to compute than previous ones, are also introduced, for which, considering the framework of approximate design, a necessary condition for the optimality of a design measure is provided. The paper includes a study of the mathematical links between different criteria and numerical illustrations are provided

Development of Probiotic Apple Juice using Encapsulated Probiotics in Xanthan-Chitosan Based Hydrogels

Background and Objective: Non-dairy probiotic beverages such as fruit juices have gained attention for consumption due to the presence of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and bioactive components that are pleasant for all age groups and do not contain allergens such as milk proteins and lactose. To exert their health benefits, probiotics should survive during food processing and storage as well as gastrointestinal tract. Incorporation of probiotics into fruit juices is more complex than dairy products because of their low pH. In this regard, encapsulation of probiotics using various hydrocolloids and suitable methods can protect probiotics from detrimental factors and improve their viability. Material and Methods: In the present study, Lactobacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium bifidum were incorporated into apple juice and the physicochemical properties of fruit juice (pH, acidity, °Brix and color), the viability of probiotics and sensory characteristics of apple juices were investigated during 60 days storage at 4°C. Results and Conclusion: The results showed that both bacteria survived in encapsulated form until the end of storage. Apple juices with free probiotics had lower pH, °Brix and higher acidity compared to encapsulated bacteria. Sensory evaluation of samples revealed that apple juices with encapsulated probiotics received higher scores than free bacteria. It can be concluded that using xanthan-chitosan hydrogels can be used for an efficient encapsulation of probiotics and improve their survival during storage without adverse effects on sensory propertie

Active Discrimination Learning for Gaussian Process Models

The paper covers the design and analysis of experiments to discriminate between two Gaussian process models, such as those widely used in computer experiments, kriging, sensor location and machine learning. Two frameworks are considered. First, we study sequential constructions, where successive design (observation) points are selected, either as additional points to an existing design or from the beginning of observation. The selection relies on the maximisation of the difference between the symmetric Kullback Leibler divergences for the two models, which depends on the observations, or on the mean squared error of both models, which does not. Then, we consider static criteria, such as the familiar log-likelihood ratios and the Fr\'echet distance between the covariance functions of the two models. Other distance-based criteria, simpler to compute than previous ones, are also introduced, for which, considering the framework of approximate design, a necessary condition for the optimality of a design measure is provided. The paper includes a study of the mathematical links between different criteria and numerical illustrations are provided.Comment: 25 pages, 10 figure

The Relationship between Social Capital and Self-Efficacy in Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Self-efficacy is one of the most likely determinants of glucose self-management and self-monitoring by diabetic patients. Also, social capital is one of the effective social factors that may affect health behaviors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between social capital and selfefficacy in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).METHODS: This descriptive- analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 212 women with GDM in two diabetes center in Mazandaran, north of Iran, from April to July 2019. Patients' social capital and self-efficacy levels were measured using the Social Capital Questionnaire (SCQ) and Confidence in Diabetes Self-Care Scale questionnaire, respectively.RESULTS: Among eight dimensions of social capital, the highest and the lowest mean scores were related to proactivity (21.3) and tolerance of diversity (5) dimensions. The mean (standard deviation=SD) of self-efficacy total score was 40.7(18.2), indicating moderate self-efficacy. Pearson correlation coefficient indicated that there was significant positive relationship between all dimensions of social capital and self-efficacy (p˂0.05). In addition, the results of multiple regression analysis indicated that community participation, neighborhood connections, family and friends' connections, tolerance of diversity and work connections, explained 55% of the variance in self-efficacy in women with GDM (p˂0.05).CONCLUSION: The results highlighted a significant positive relationship between social capital and self-efficacy in women with GDM. Improving women’s social capital may enhance their self-efficacy in controlling GDM