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Abstract In this paper, based on the data augmentation techniques of bounding box augmentation and the road damage generative adversarial network based augmentation, a robust road damage detection method has been presented. To this end, first, Iran road damage dataset has been collected by means of a dashboard‐installed mobile phone. After processing these images by the blind referenceless image spatial quality evaluator technique, the substandard and inferior data have been automatically eliminated. In the second step, based on the YOLOv5 with several different baseline models, an algorithm has been developed for detecting the road surface damages. In the third step, by using the traditional as well as the bounding box augmentation and road damage generative adversarial network based augmentation techniques, the precision and the robustness of road damage detector under different environmental and field conditions have been improved. Finally, through the ensemble of the best models, the final detector accuracy has been enhanced. The findings of this article indicate that by using the proposed approach, the values of mAP and F1‐score are improved by 13.79% and 7.58%, respectively. The dataset and parts of the code are available at: https://github.com/IranRoadDamageDataset/IRRDD.

A neurodegenerative condition affecting geriatric dogs is called "canine cognitive dysfunction", (CCD) a disease that is similar to Alzheimer's disease in many aspects. Vascular risk factors have been implicated in the development of all-cause dementia and Alzheimer's disease in humans. The purpose of this study was to determine the carotid pulse wave velocity in CCD dogs by Doppler ultrasonography and compare with normal dogs. Carotid ultrasonography was done on 17 CCD dogs that were positive base on CCD rating scale. One way ANOVA (post-hoc Scheffe) was used to compare the velocities among the vessels. Mean values of RI and PI in CDS(cognitive dysfunction syndrome) positive dogs were more than those of CDS negative dogs and the mean values of PSV, EnDV and MV in CDS positive dogs were less than those of CDS negative dogs. But there was no significant association between the values of carotid pulse wave velocity among CDS positive and negative doges. However, the results of this study may be useful as a baseline data for future investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Throughout the history, translation has played an important role in conveying thoughts and knowledge from one nation to other nations. Apart from this importance, the act of translating is not simply changing a message from the source language into the target one; translation is an act of problem-solving. Sometimes it is difficult to solve problems existing in translation, and so the notion of untranslatability emerges. Regarding the text-types, this problem is more prominent in the translation of literary texts like poems. This study attempts to investigate untranslatable elements in a poem, and for this purpose it concentrates on the story of Rustam & Sohrab selected from Shahnameh by Firdowsi and its equivalent translation by Warner & Warner. Then it focuses on the relation of untranslatablility in the story of Rustam & Sohrab with the semantic translation of Warner & Warner and the style of Firdowsi. Further research is required in this direction to answer questions concerning the notion of untranslatability and other related matters like the purpose of translation and untranslatability.

Objectives: Bone loss with skeletal trauma or metabolic diseases usually will require a bone graft. In addition, medical devices used for replacement in tissues such as bones and cartilages for more than 30 days must be checked and controlled for biological safety. Materials and Methods: New Zealand white rabbits were divided into two groups. The first group had no defects and was selected as the control group. In the experimental group, tricalcium phosphate/collagen (TCP/collagen) nanocomposite was utilized as the replacement tissue in the femoral defect site. Then, the factors of kidney, liver, and TCP/collagen biocompatibility were evaluated drawing on hematological quality. Free radicals are generated by the damaged tissue when there is a fracture in a bone. Oxidative stress is involved in this mechanism which is defined as the excessive imbalance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inappropriate antioxidant anti-mechanical mechanisms. Results: In the treatment group, malondialdehyde (MDA) level increased postoperatively in the 15th and 30th days, but in due course, it reduced on days 45 and 60. Further, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) enzyme increased after the surgery on days 15 and 30 in the test group and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme demonstrated a slight increase in 15th day. The hematologic investigations were all within a normal limit, including hepatic enzymes, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which indicate the liver damage, as well as creatinine and urea levels displaying the renal function. Conclusions: Overall, the results of the current study revealed that the oxidative stress factor in the treatment group was not higher compared to the control group, thus showing good biocompatibility of TCP/collagen nanocomposite.

It is well known that environmental pollution by many heavymetals is a serious problem to the natural ecosystem due to their toxiceffects. Most heavy metals such as Cu, Mn, Fe, and Zn are needed byvarious organisms but at certain concentrations is very necessary forboth plants and animals. However, it has been suggested that ever greenplant trees can assist in controlling such pollution via various methodswhere one method is the ability of these plant trees to absorb heavymetals from contaminated soils. The current work was designed to assessCd, Mn and Pb plant content in two tree species (Eucalyptus sp. andAlbizia sp.) collected from Tourist Baghdad Island (TBI) situated in AlFh’hama region. It seems very obvious that these examined trees can beregarded as certain heavy metals eliminator where eucalyptus tree hasshown considerable ability in removing all examined heavy metals whichwere significantly higher than that of Albizia trees.

This study was set out to shed light on the efficacy of pushed output directed by scaffolding on 41 (24 female and 17 male) upper-intermediate EFL learners’ speaking fluency and accuracy. A public version of IELTS speaking test was held to measure learners’ entrance behavior. Then, they were randomly assigned into symmetrical, asymmetrical, and control group. The experimental and control groups covered 7 lessons of New Interchange 2 during 15 sessions, twice a week for about 45 minutes each session. Control group received placebo while symmetrical and asymmetrical groups worked on pushed output tasks. The data were audio recorded and transcribed for statistical analyses. The results indicated the efficacy of pushed output in boosting speaking. However, tests of between-subjects effects revealed that the mean score of the control group was not significantly different from that of experimental groups concerning speaking fluency. Furthermore, the results of Tukey's HSD post-hoc tests showed that asymmetrically pushed output activities were more effective in enhancing learners speaking accuracy. In sum, the results suggested that the implementation of pushed out put strategies in student centered contexts could be considered as an effective way in the development of learners’ oral output.

Thirty-five soil samples were collected from the Tanning Factory Industrial District within Baghdad city to investigate the soil pollution occur through four directions of the tanning plant. The soil samples exhibited high concentrations of Cr than the reported values of worldwide mean of unpolluted soils. The geoaccumulation index showed that the soil samples were moderately polluted by Cr at the north of the factory while the soil sample showed extremely polluted at the south and east of the factory. Moreover, the soil samples collected from west of the factory were strongly polluted. The result of the calculated enrichment factor (64.52-1075.22) showed to extremely high enriched and suggesting a significant role of anthropogenic pollution because of various industrial activities by the Tanning Factory.

Abstract Water quality index (WQI), pollution index (PI), and metal index (MI) were applied in the last reach of Diyala River, Baghdad, Iraq with regard to ten heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Mn, Fe, Zn, Ag, and Cn). These indices were applied to historical data along with the data obtained from the present study in order to acquire a historical heavy metal assessment of the river reach. The results of WQI showed that the water quality of the reach of interest declined from excellent in the year of 1999 to unsuitable in 2007 then good in 2008 to unsuitable once again in the years of 2009–2015. The PI indicated that Cd, Cr, and Pb were the most affecting elements all over the years. The MI was found to be a threshold of warning during all years but with different levels. The impact of Al-Rustimiyah Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) on the water quality was evident due to the lack of heavy metal treatment units within the plants. It is recommended to add such units to the WWTPs and to reduce the local electricity generators that contribute with great amounts of contaminants.

Analysis of eight heavy metal concentrations (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn,Ni, Pb and Zn) of 14 drilling mud samples collected from oil well at differentdepths which is located in AZ Zubair oil field-Basra was done in this study .The samples were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry.Obtained results indicated that the heavy metal concentrations range from thelowest value of 1.66mg/kg for Cd to the highest value of 1235.86mg/kg forFe. The abundance trend for the heavy metals concentration was in thedescending order of Fe, Mn, Ni, Cu, Cr, Zn, Pb, and Cd. Four parameters:Enrichment Factor (EF), Contamination Factor (CF), Geo-accumulationIndex (Igeo) and Pollution Load Index (PLI) were assessed in order toevaluate the degree of contamination.

This experimental study was set ought to explore the efficacy of symmetrical and asymmetrical scaffolding in boosting speaking complexity, accuracy, and fluency among 38 upper-intermediate EFL learners. To this end, the participants were assigned into random, homogeneous, and heterogeneous groups. The control group participated in normal speaking classroom, while the experimental groups shared their ideas and collaboratively complete tasks related to 7 lessons of New Interchange 2 during 15 sessions. Two different versions of IELTS speaking test were used as pre/post-test. The data were audio recorded and transcribed for statistical analysis. The results of Multivariate tests revealed that there was a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of control and experimental groups on complexity and fluency. On the other hand, descriptive statistics showed the superiority of heterogeneous groups over homogeneous ones. However, the results of Independent sample t-test indicated that the differences between homogeneous and heterogeneous groups reached the significant level just for complexity not fluency and accuracy. Briefly, the results lead support to the Vegotskys (1978) socio-cultural theory. The findings and pedagogical implications were discussed in details at the end of the study.

This study was set out to investigate the efficacy of homogeneous and heterogeneous pushed output based instruction on upper-intermediate EFL learner’ speaking complexity. To do so, 41 (17 males and 24 females) EFL learners were selected from University of Zabol based on the results of OPT. Then, they were put in control and experimental groups based on the predetermined criteria. Retelling and decision making tasks were used in the treatments of experimental groups while control group received placebo during 15 sessions, twice a week. Public versions of IELTS speaking test were used as pre/post-test. The results of Independent sample t-test indicated that experimental groups outperformed control group. On the other hand, statistical analyses showed no significant differences between male and female speech complexity. To sum up, the findings demonstrated the fruitful effects of collaborative pushed output activities on speaking sub-skills. Likewise, the results suggested the implementation of similar strategies in the development of male and female speaking dimensions. Based on the findings, it can be claimed that teacher preparation programs should put teaching speaking on their list of priorities and provide courses on effective strategies for the development of speaking dimensions through implementing the main tenants of pushed output hypothesis.

In this paper, based on the data augmentation techniques of bounding box augmentation and the road damage generative adversarial network based augmentation, a robust road damage detection method has been presented. To this end, first, Iran road damage dataset has been collected by means of a dashboard‐installed mobile phone. After processing these images by the blind referenceless image spatial quality evaluator technique, the substandard and inferior data have been automatically eliminated. In the second step, based on the YOLOv5 with several different baseline models, an algorithm has been developed for detecting the road surface damages. In the third step, by using the traditional as well as the bounding box augmentation and road damage generative adversarial network based augmentation techniques, the precision and the robustness of road damage detector under different environmental and field conditions have been improved. Finally, through the ensemble of the best models, the final detector accuracy has been enhanced. The findings of this article indicate that by using the proposed approach, the values of mAP and F1‐score are improved by 13.79% and 7.58%, respectively. The dataset and parts of the code are available at: https://github.com/IranRoadDamageDataset/IRRDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging in the 1960s as an area of English language teaching (ELT), English for Specific Purposes (ESP) has been designed to instruct students to meet their academic needs. ESP is characterized by focusing on learners' needs, content knowledge, appropriateness of language used, single-skill instruction (usually reading), and its difference with English for general purposes. The purpose of the present study was to determine the reliability and validity of translation test as a writing ability assessment in relation to the method of testing, direct writing. To answer the research questions of this study, 100 Iranian ESP students were selected and tested. The results indicated that translation test was not only reliable, but also a valid testing method for assessing writing ability of ESP students (0.85, 0.82). Due to the second research question, the effects of proficiency level (between-subject factor) and test method (within-subject factor), the results clearly indicated that ESP students' writing performance was influenced. In other words, translation compositions were scored better and higher than direct compositions based on the effects of both factors (66.70, 79.86, 89.14), respectively. To see the interactional effects of both factors on the students' writing ability, the ANOVA results and the Scheffe test revealed that the two factors (test method proficiency level) had an F of (322.01) and (61.89), respectively. In sum, one can clearly observe an increase due to all proficiency levels in the new test (translation composition test). Regarding the third research question, raters' perception on the usefulness of testing types, they strongly believed that higher-level students more enjoyed in direct writing, while low-level subjects benefited more from translation test type. Implications are discussed.

Background: A large number of plants are used for treatment of diseases because of their antimicrobial activities. This study aims to investigate the antimicrobial effects of some plants on the food pathogenic bacteria. Methods: Plant extracts were obtained using the rotary system, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by diluting method against bacteria was determined. Results: Results showed that the lowest MIC of the Peganum harmala was 3.1 ppm and the highest inhibitory concentration was 6.25 ppm for inhibiting the Vibrio cholerae.Conclusion: The present study confirms the use of this extract as an antibacterial agent. Further research is required to evaluate the practical value of its therapeutic application.

The lead concentration in soil and of plant (Eucalyptus) samples from different areas in Baghdad city (Zafarana, Sheikh Omar Street and Al Zawara Park). The results shows that the concentration of lead element is higher than the world average of uncontaminated soils. Depending on the results of the Geoaccumulation index it can be seen that the soil samples collected from Al Zawara Park were moderately polluted while the soil samples collected from the Zafarana district were moderate to severely contaminated and the soil samples collected from the Sheikh Omar street were heavily contaminated with lead element and this is clearly evident as a result of the impact of industrial activity in the region. Furthermore, the highest values of BCF were observed in Al Zawara Park and this evidence may be related to the plant age in this area.

Water Quality of Mahrut River, passing through Muqdadiyah, a city in Diyala, Iraq, was evaluated for irrigation using the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCME WQI). Water samples were collected from six sites during two seasons, summer and winter in 2010-2011. Index scores were determined for fifteen constituents (pH, EC, HCO3, Cl, Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR), Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP), Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC), Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Ni and Zn). The results of the calculated CCME WQI indicated that water quality of Mahrut River was marginal condition for irrigation in the 1st site while it was poor condition in the other sites. It is suggested that monitoring of the river is necessary for proper management to solve pollution problems in the river system.

Using willingness to communicate (WTC) and socio-educational models as a framework, the present study aimed at examining WTC in English and its underlying variables in a sample of 372 Iranian non-English major EFL learners. The data were collected through self-reported questionnaires. Path analysis framework using the Amos Program with maximum likelihood estimation was also utilized to examine the hypothesized model and the potential relationships between the variables. The final model showed a very good fit to the data. The results of structural equation modeling revealed that self-perceived communication competence (SPCC), international posture and motivation were significant predictors of L2WTC. The findings also showed that L2 communication anxiety (CA), motivation, personality trait of agreeableness and teacher immediacy could exert indirect effects on L2WTC. Furthermore, each of teacher immediacy and agreeableness variables predicted both international posture and CA among the EFL learners. Following these findings, potential factors affecting learners WTC should receive sufficient attention by teachers, administrators and learners alike. By adopting more immediacy behaviors, EFL teachers can also establish relaxing and supportive classroom climate and lower the learnersâ affective filter. In such an atmosphere learners are more emotionally secured, suffer less communication apprehension, perceive themselves to be more proficient and motivated, obtain promoted international posture by forming realistic attitudes toward different cultures, and consequently become more willing to communicate in English.

The present study aimed at exploring the potential relationship between language learning strategies (LLS) and factors such as major fields of study, sex, and language proficiency among university students across different fields such as medicine, sciences, engineering, humanities, and English. To this end, 200 master students were collected and tested. In addition, 25 English teachers were included. The findings showed that there was no significant difference among English students and students of other fields of study in terms of strategy use. It was also found that there was no significant relationship between language learning strategies and variables of sex, and language proficiency. Another line of the findings indicated that students enjoyed a high level of metacognitive knowledge of what they were doing. Finally, to examine how students viewed their language needs across different fields of study, the fourth-year students of medicine, engineering, science, and humanities were asked to express their own ideas about the present status of ESP courses. After analyzing the students’ responses to the questionnaire, it could be understood that ESP courses had not been beneficial because they were far away from the students’ needs and expectations. Key words: Language Learning Strategies Language Proficiency Field of Study Gender

Background: A large number of plants are used for treatment of diseases because of their antimicrobial activities. This study aims to investigate the antimicrobial effects of some plants on the food pathogenic bacteria. Methods: Plant extracts were obtained using the rotary system, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by diluting method against bacteria was determined. Results: Results showed that the lowest MIC of the Peganum harmala was 3.1 ppm and the highest inhibitory concentration was 6.25 ppm for inhibiting the Vibrio cholerae. Conclusion: The present study confirms the use of this extract as an antibacterial agent. Further research is required to evaluate the practical value of its therapeutic application.

In order to evaluate the quality of ground water in Al-Mouqdadiya District, Diyala, Iraq, ground water samples were collected from 15 wells in the summer and winter seasons of 2012 and analyzed for various parameters. Physical and chemical parameters of groundwater including electrical conductivity, pH, TDS, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cl, HCO3, NO3 and heavy metals (Cd, Fe, Pb, Mn, Zn) were determined. Irrigation indices such as, Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR), Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP), Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC), Permeability Index (PI) and Magnesium Hazard (MH) were calculated. Based on the observed results, the TDS of ground water in the study area exceeded the Iraqi guideline for drinking water in 47% while this ground water falls generally in the category of very hard (TH>300 mg/L). For Ca, Mg, Cl, Cd, Pb and Mn it can be concluded with some exception most of the ground water sample were observed to be above of the Iraqi guideline for drinking water. According to the SAR values most of the ground water samples are belong to slight to moderate to severe degree of restriction on use. While the calculated vales of SSP indicated low degree of restriction on the use of this ground water in irrigation. However, the ground water in the study area can be selected as Class III (with 25% maximum permeability) water, which are unsuitable for irrigation purposes according the Permeability and magnesium hazard indices.

We deal with a wide range of colors in our daily life. They are such ubiquitous phenomena that is hard and next to impossible to imagine even a single entity (be it an object, place, living creature, etc) devoid of them. They are like death and tax which nobody can dispense with. This omnipresence of colors around us has also made its way through abstract and less tangible entities via the interaction between culture and cognition. In an attempt to shed further light on the way that color meanings could be extended in different languages and cultures, the present study sought to investigate the semantic extension of Persian and English color terms based on cultural data. The findings revealed the existence of both language-idiosyncratic and general tendencies for both Persian and English languages with respect to semantic extension of color terms. It was also shown that Persian and English speakers mostly use the same mechanisms of metonymy, metaphor and sense of opposite relation based on cultural data and their experience of the physical world to develop more and more color meanings. Furthermore, the study suggested that the direction and development of the semantic domain of a color term mainly depends on its already developed semantic properties and is not accidental. Two other accidental points were also found in the study. First, the borrowing, acceptance and the usage of a color expression from another language might depend on the already developed semantic properties of the related color term in the recipient language. Second, it is possible to predict the direction and development of the new connotations and meanings of a color term in a specific language.

The present study aimed to investigate Critical Thinking and Individual Voice in male and female Iranian undergraduate university students' writings. To this end, a set of literary works studied and discussed during the Introduction to English Literature course were assigned to a group of 60 male and female students to write some essays as their term projects. The essays were scored and evaluated independently by two raters in terms of Stapleton (2001) critical thinking elements including: arguments, reasons, evidences, recognition of oppositions and refutations, fallacies and conclusions. The number of agreed-on elements was divided by the total number of agreements and disagreements and multiplied by 100 to get the percent inter-rater reliability. Regarding Individual voice, the total number of T-units−the main clause and all the dependent clauses in a sentence (Larsen-Freeman and Long, 1991) − and the number of T-units representing "self" were calculated and compared. By dividing the already scored essays into two groups of 15 males and females, the overall performance of males and females on the essays regarding Critical Thinking and Individual Voice were also compared. The results revealed no significant difference between males' and females' critical thinking level. In almost all cases, there were a vast number of claims unsupported by logical reasons and evidence from the texts, hasty and irrelevant conclusions, and lots of fallacies which suggest students' overall tendency to copy what they read rather than evaluating and judging it themselves through logical reasoning. For Individual voice although there appeared to be a better performance of males over females, still the number of T-units representing self was too low in both groups.

The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to assess the retention of two word types (synonyms and homonyms) in the short term memory, and (b) to investigate the effect of these word types on word learning by asking learners to learn their Persian meanings. A total of 73 Iranian language learners studying English translation participated in the study. For the first purpose, 36 freshmen from an intact class were presented with two lists of words with their Persian meanings. One of the lists included 5 pairs of synonyms and the other one included 5 pairs of homonyms. They were asked to retain as much vocabulary items as they can. Learning was measured by lexical representations of the words. The results showed the learners did better on the retention of homonyms than synonyms. For the second purpose, 37 sophomores from an intact class were provided with 40 words in pairs (20 synonyms and 20 homonyms). They were asked to write their Persian meanings in the testing session. The results indicated the students did better on learning synonyms than homonyms. The study revealed that homonyms are better retrieved in short term memory but learned more slowly regarding to the semantic representation.

Background: Doxorubicin is preferred to cure many malignancies. Its nephrotoxicity is a dangerous nature that is to operate with a warning. Antioxidants accompanied by anticancer could moderate the various side effects. Objectives: Cichoriumintybus (C. intybus)has nephron-protective effects. Melatonin stands as an antioxidant equivalent to others. The repairing effects of C. intybus-melatonin against the toxicity effects of doxorubicin on the kidneys were studied. Methods: Thirty 20g to 25 g, balb/c mice were divided into 5 identical groups (n: 6). The research was grouped as control saline;DOX with the injection of doxorubicin; Chicory with the administration of the C. intybus complete extract following DOX; melatonin with the administration of the melatonin following DOX; both: with the administration of the chicory and melatonin following DOX. The histopathological study was set to determine degeneration, inflammation, and necrosis. Results: The mean of each histological phenomenon in the control group was significantly lower than in the DOX group. In the histopathology,we saw that all the treating groups, including C. intybus extract-received,melatonin-received, both of them received improved better than the doxorubicin-received group. The best improving mean was seen in the latter group. The DOX-induced nephrotoxicity could be improved by using the C. intybus extract and melatonin synchronously as therapeutic care. Conclusions: Synchronous administration of the chicory and melatonin has a healing potency against doxorubicin-induced nephrotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is no data on the effect of maximum and minimum doses of furosemide on heart's work performance and amount of fractional shortening (FS) in echocardiography of rabbit. This study was designed to validate probability of the mentionable effect. Twenty-four healthy female New Zealand white rabbits were divided into four equal groups. Maximum and minimum doses of furosemide were used for the first and second groups and the injection solution for the third and fourth groups was sodium chloride 0.9% which had the same calculated volumes of furosemide for the first two groups, respectively. The left ventricle FS in statutory times (0, 2, 5, 15, 30 minutes) was determined by echocardiography. Measurements of Mean±SD, maximum and minimum amounts for FS values in all groups before injection and in statutory times were calculated. Statistical analysis revealed non-significant correlation between the means of FS. The results of this study showed that furosemide can be used as a diuretic agent for preparing a window approach in abdominal ultrasonography examination with no harmful effect on cardiac function.

Markedness in linguistics is the state of being distinct, peculiar or complicated in comparison to a more usual or common form. Markedness has been widely studied in the literature. However, almost no study has ever explored the relationship between translators’ assertiveness and their preference of marked structures in translation. This article aims to investigate the relationship between the assertiveness level of Iranian undergraduate English students and their preference for using lexical and grammatical marked structures in their Persian translations. To this end, 60 undergraduate English students completed the Assertiveness Scale developed by Alberti & Emmons (1995), and rendered ten short statements taken from the story “Child by Tiger” into Persian. The translation test was scored by two raters, based on the use of marked lexical (e.g. wrong collocations, plurals) and grammatical (e.g. reduced clauses( structures in the students’ translation, and a high inter-rater reliability was achieved. Results revealed a significant positive relationship between the test-takers’ assertiveness and their preference to render English marked structures into Persian marked structures. The findings have implications for translation instructors.