Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
OSMOTIC DEHYDRATION OF FRUIT

Influence of the osmosis time on the stability of processed cherries (“Vittoria”, “Durone Nero I” and “Starking” cultivars) was studied. The cherries were osmo-dehydrated for two, four, six hours, vacuum packed, pasteurized and then analyzed for ascorbic acid, glucose, fructose and maltose content by HPLC, for pH, total titrimetric acidity, dry matter, color and for organoleptic characteristics, during the process and up to six months of storage. The dehydration of the fruit and the exchange with the osmotic syrup took place chiefly during the first two hours of the process. No substantial differences were noted though, in the cherries, processed at different time, both for chemical and organoleptic characteristics. Color data showed the importance of the variety in order to obtain good products. Thus it was concluded that a two hours’osmodehydration process is suitable to achieve very acceptable products.
Effect of storage period on selected functional, chemical stability and sensory properties of bush mango (irvingia Gabonensis) seed flour

The effect of storage period (zero to four weeks) on selected functional, chemical and organoleptic properties of Bush mango popularly called Ogbono (Irvingia gabonensis) seed flour were investigated. Selected functional properties of least gelation concentration, oil absorption capacity, viscosity and parameters such as free fatty acid (FFA), peroxide value (PV) and moisture content were determined prior to and after storage for four weeks. The Ogbono seed flour was used in preparing Ogbono soup. Organoleptic properties of Ogbono soup prepared from the Ogbono seed flour during the storage period were evaluated for taste, drawability thickness and overall acceptability. The results showed that the least gelation property increased from 6% prior to storage to 10% after four weeks of storage indicating that the soup needs more Ogbono seed flour to thicken. Oil absorption capacity was significantly (P<0.05) affected by the storage period as the values decreased from 0.67g/g prior to storage to 0.42g/g after four weeks of storage. The storage period also significantly (P < 0.05) affected the viscosity of the Ogbono soup as the values decreased from 1.50 Pa.s to 0.99 Pa.s after four weeks of storage. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the values of free fatty acid which increased from 1.06% prior to storage to 3.87% at the fourth week of storage. The peroxide value also increased significantly (P<0.05) from 2.98 mEq/kg to 13.78 mEq/kg after four weeks of storage. There was a significant decrease in the sensory parameters with storage.
Multimodal face and finger veins biometric authentication

Due to the increase in security requirements, biometric systems have been commonly utilized in many recognition applications. Multimodal has great demands to overcome the issue involved in single trait system and it has become one of the most important research areas of pattern recognition. We present multimodal face and finger veins biometric verification system to improve the performance. We presented multilevel score fusion of face and finger veins to provide better accuracy. Simulation results shows that proposed multimodal recognition system is very efficient to reduce the false rejection rate. Key words:
Men's experiences of living with Parkinson's disease

The goal of this thesis is to explore men's experiences of living with Parkinson's Disease, a progressive neurological disorder predominantly affecting men in older age. Research into PD has been predominantly informed by a biomedical, neurological model. Although bringing significant benefit to PD's treatment, this approach fails to adequately consider the question of PD's lived experience, leading to major gaps in our knowledge of the condition and its effects on sufferer's lives. In addition, although making up the majority of sufferers, the specific needs of older men with PD have been neglected within wider research into PD. Using a phenomenological methodology concerned with men's experience of the lifeworld, and how this experience is influenced by gender and ageing, this study used narrative interviews combined with a photographic elicitation approach to ascertain the lived experiences of 15 men, from a number of different areas and of differing ages. The findings of this thesis indicate that PD is more than simply a movement disorder. Instead it should be understood as a condition which disrupts the unity of the body, self and world. PD brings about particular challenges to men's experience of the lived body and lived time, distancing them from a shared experience of the lifeworld. Men also found ways to try and cope with their PD, but these approaches had to continually change as men moved through the illness. Finally, men's lived experience was intertwined with ageing and masculinity. PD posed a threat to men's masculine status; however men could also use masculinity as a resource to understand PD's various effects on their lives. How well men could respond to these changes had key implications for their continued well-being and quality of life, therefore giving insights into how future PD services can be improved. This thesis concludes by making recommendations for the development of person and gender sensitive services in PD. These include paying greater attention to PD's lived experience and the stories men tell of their illness; engaging with the problems men identify that PD causes in their lives; and the greater provision of forms of information and psychosocial support which recognises all of PD's effects; including non-motor symptoms, psychosocial consequences and medication induced side effects.
Gα Protein Selectivity Determinant Specified by a Viral Chemokine Receptor-Conserved Region in the C Tail of the Human Herpesvirus 8 G Protein-Coupled Receptor

ABSTRACT The viral G-protein coupled receptor (vGPCR) specified by human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) open reading frame 74 (ORF74) is a ligand-independent chemokine receptor that has structural and functional homologues among other characterized gammaherpesviruses and related receptors in the betaherpesviruses. Sequence comparisons of the gammaherpesvirus vGPCRs revealed a highly conserved region in the C tail, just distal to the seventh transmembrane domain. Mutagenesis of the corresponding codons of HHV-8 ORF74 was carried out to provide C-tail-altered proteins for functional analyses. By measuring receptor-activated vascular endothelial growth factor promoter induction and NF-κB, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and Ca2+ signaling, we found that while some altered receptors showed general signaling deficiencies, others had distinguishable activation profiles, suggestive of selective Gα protein coupling. This was supported by the finding that vGPCR and representative functionally altered variants, vGPCR.8 (R322W) and vGPCR.15 (M325S), were affected differently by inhibitors of Gαi (pertussis toxin), protein kinase C (GF109203X), and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (wortmannin). Consistent with the signaling data, [35S]GTPγS incorporation assays revealed preferential coupling of vGPCR.15 to Gαq and an inability of vGPCR.8 to couple functionally to Gαq. However, both variants, wild-type vGPCR, and a C-tail deletion version of the receptor were equally able to associate physically with Gαq. Combined, our data demonstrate that HHV-8 vGPCR contains discrete sites of Gα interaction and that receptor residues in the proximal region of the cytoplasmic tail are determinants of Gα protein coupling specificity.
Implementation of a lode angle sensitive yield criterion for numerical modelling of ductile materials in the large strain range

Ductile metallic materials are usually mechanically characterized in the large strain range by means of conventional laboratory tests, namely tensile and torsion test. The identification of the elastic-plastic equivalent stress-strain relation is made by using the widely accepted J2 hypothesis and isotropic behaviour, but results of dedicated tensile and torsion tests on different steel grades showed that it does not seem possible to identify a unique stress-strain curve, as expected on theoretical ground. Curves obtained from dissimilar tests, even though perfectly matching at small plastic strains, start differing significantly from medium strains. Starting from the experimental observations, a general yield surface has been developed based on a well established framework, including beside the J2 invariant also the J3 one. The new yield function has been coded inside a general purpose finite element code by means of dedicated user routines. Implications on the parameters identification and examples of the new yield surface application are discussed in the paper.
Influence of windbreaks and forest borders on abundance and species richness of native pollinators in lowbush blueberry fields in Québec, Canada

Abstract Lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton (Ericaceae)) production is highly dependent on insect pollination to maximise yields. The current losses in honey bee (Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae)) colonies pose a serious threat to the blueberry industry, raising interest in alternative pollinators. Abundance and diversity of native pollinators usually decreases with distance from natural habitats. In this study, we evaluated the effects of distance from wooded habitats such as windbreaks and forest borders on the presence of native pollinators in blueberry fields in Lac-St-Jean (Québec, Canada). Four treatments were compared: single-row, double-row, natural windbreaks, and forest borders. Pan-traps were placed at 5, 30, and 60 m from the windbreak or forest border. A total of 3878 native pollinators were collected and 81% were ground-nesting bees. The forest border was the only treatment with higher abundance and species richness on the periphery (5 m) of the field than at further distances, supporting the hypothesis that the presence of pollinators is favoured by habitats potentially offering more abundant and diverse nutritional resources. Our overall results reveal that native pollinators are distributed quite homogeneously in blueberry fields, suggesting that windbreaks are beneficial to native pollinator communities. Résumé La production du bleuet nain (Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton (Ericaceae)) est fortement dépendante des insectes pollinisateurs pour maximiser les rendements. Le déclin des abeilles domestiques (Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae)) observé mondialement fragilise cette industrie qui a développé un intérêt pour une source alternative de pollinisation, les pollinisateurs indigènes. On observe généralement un impact négatif de l’éloignement des habitats naturels sur l’abondance et la richesse spécifique de ces communautés. Dans cette étude, nous avons évalué l’effet de l’éloignement des zones boisées telles que les haies brise-vent et les bordures de forêt sur la présence des pollinisateurs indigènes dans les cultures de bleuets nains au Lac-St-Jean (Québec, Canada). Quatre traitements ont été comparés: brise-vent à une rangée d’arbres, brise-vent à deux rangées d’arbres, brise-vent naturel et bordure de forêt. Des pièges-bols ont été placés à 5, 30 et 60 m des zones boisées. Un total de 3878 pollinisateurs indigènes a été collecté et 81% d’entre eux étaient des nicheurs de sol. L’abondance et la richesse spécifique étaient plus importantes en périphérie des champs (5 m) dans les traitements bordures de forêt comparativement aux autres traitements, supportant l’hypothèse que la présence des pollinisateurs est favorisée par un habitat offrant potentiellement des ressources nutritionnelles plus abondantes et plus diversifiées. L’ensemble de nos résultats indique que les pollinisateurs indigènes sont distribués de façon homogène en bleuetière, suggérant que les brise-vents ont un effet bénéfique sur les communautés de pollinisateurs indigènes.
Effects of egg of origin and chick post-hatch nutrition on broiler live performance and meat yields

The weight of hatching eggs can influence broiler live performance regardless of hen age. Egg composition is altered with egg weight, but such alterations do not seem to have major effects on broiler growth and processing yields. The chick hatches with a yolk sac which provides nutrients for the transition to independent feeding. Alterations in egg weight and composition do not affect the proportion of yolk sac to body weight as much as its composition, particularly with eggs from very young hens. The contents of the yolk sac are high in fat and protein but very low in carbohydrate, which could lead to ketosis with prolonged fasting. Enhancing the first feed with either carbohydrate or gluconeogenics such as propionic acid may alleviate this ketosis and help early development. The digestive system of the chick is physically complete at hatching but is not fully competent at nutrient retrieval as many enterocytes are orientated to immunoglobulin uptake. Villi length and enzymatic activity increases with feeding, reaching maturity within a few weeks. Access to food and water after hatching varies, and long delays until placement are common. These delays cause losses in live performance. Loss in body weight due to late placement or undernutrition may also affect early muscle development. These adverse effects extend to marketing age and reduced meat yield. Factors that affect early chick development are gaining interest as the length of time to market progressively decreases and the chick's first days represent an increasing proportion of the total time for production.
Survey of Loxodonta africana (Elephantidae)‐caused bark injury on Adansonia digitata (Malavaceae) within Pendjari Biosphere Reserve, Benin

This study assessed the level of bark damage on baobab trees (Adansonia digitata) as caused by elephants (Loxodonta africana), and the possibility of finding refuges where baobab could escape bark damage within the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve (PBR). Distributions of elephants and baobab trees within the PBR were compared using presence records of both species taken along transect lines. Two sites (National Park vs. hunting zone) that differ in elephant density were compared for intensity of bark damage and correlations between the intensity of bark damage and stem size of the baobab trees and population structure of the baobab trees. Elephants and baobabs showed co-occurrence in PBR suggesting that there is nowhere to hide for baobabs. The intensity of bark damage was positively correlated with elephant density and baobab girth. Baobab population girth classes were not significantly different in areas with and without bark damage. Future studies should test whether there are certain baobab genotypes that can resist elephant damage. It could also be tested whether effective conservation of elephants in the PBR has resulted in a bull-biased population over its carrying capacity.
The Decrease of Lung Eosinophil Following Zinc Supplementation in Mouse Models of Respiratory Allergic Inflammation

Background: United airway disease, a comorbid of allergic rhinitis and asthma, leads to the accumulation of toxic eosinophil in the lung parenchyma as a result of allergic reaction. Ovalbumin (OVA) sets off a condition of eosinophilia in the respiratory tract. Zinc supplementations are proposed to decrease the amount of eosinophil in the lung parenchyma due to its cytoprotective, anti-inflammation and antioxidant activity. Objectives: Proving the effects of the zinc supplementation on the number of eosinophil in the lung histopathology preparations of the BALB/c mice that were sensitized with OVA. Method: A post-test only control group design was used, which consisted of eighteen female BALB/c mice divided into three groups: the negative control group (K1), positive control group with OVA sensitization (K2), and group of mice with OVA sensitization and 5 mg/kg body weight zinc supplementation (P). The treatments were given for 30 days and then eosinophils in the lung histopathology preparations of the BALB/c mice were counted. Results: The mean eosinophil count in the negative control group (K1) was 0.48, the positive control group (K2) was 2.12, and the group of mice with OVA sensitization and 5 mg/kg body weight zinc supplementation (P) was 0.76. The number of eosinophil in the lungs in the K2 group was significantly higher than the K1 group (p = 0.000) and the P group was significantly lower than K2 group in ANOVA Test followed by Post Hoc Test (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The zinc supplementation reduces the number of eosinophil in the lungs tissue of the BALB/c mice that were sensitized with OVA.
Identification of four mud crab species (genus Scylla) using ITS-1 and 16S rDNA markers

The first internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) of nuclear ribosomal DNA and mitochondrial DNA 16S rRNA were amplified by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using genomic DNA extracted from adult tissue of four species of Scylla spp. and the first zoeal stages of S. serrata, S. paramamosain and S. olivacea as template. Using the ITS- 1 region, variation in product fragment length was found to be useful for distinguishing S. serrata and S. olivacea from two other species. The other two species (S. paramamosain and S. tranquebarica) could be identified using the restriction endonuclease Hha I. Using 16S rDNA, all four species were identified using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) by double digestion with Dra Ia ndHindIII. These genetic markers can be used for hybridization breeding studies and in field studies of larval and juvenile mud crabs of the genus Scylla.
Factors affecting the training transfer of civil servants in Mongolia

Title of Dissertation Factors Affecting the Training Transfer of Civil Servants in Mongolia Author Mr. Tumentsogtoo Tumendemberel Degree Doctor of Philosophy (Development Administration) Year 2013 “Knowing is not enough, we must apply Willing is not enough, we must do”(Goethe, J). The purpose of this study is to examine the factors affecting the training transfer of civil servants in the case of Mongolia. The following specific objectives were aimed at: 1) to explore the impact of the major factors (such as individual characteristics, training design, and work environment) on learning and the transfer of training; 2) to identify the relationships among the variables; 3) to explain the impact of individual characteristics on learning and the transfer of training through the moderation of the demographic factor on their relationships; and 4) to examine the direct and indirect causal effects among the factors. This study used a mixed methods approach, which included quantitative and qualitative approaches. The quantitative approach was conducted, as the main method, by testing six hypotheses through using multiple regression and path analytical approaches in order to answer the research questions of this study; and the qualitative approach was applied as a secondary method to support the results gained through the quantitative study. The qualitative approach was carried out by conducting in-depth interviews with 10 participants from different public organizations. The findings of this study were as follows: 1) individual characteristics, training design and work environment were significant predictors of learning and training transfer, depending on their relevant subdimensions; 2) those three types of factors were also positively interrelated with one another; 3) age did not play a moderating role in the relationship between individual
Ontogeny of the exine in pollen of Aristea (Iridaceae)

The ontogeny of the pollen wall was studied in four species of Aristea , from the vacuolated stage of the microspores, to observe the possible formation of an endexine. At this stage, the ectexine is completely formed (tectum, columellae, and structurally homogeneous foot layer), but its maturation is incomplete and variable depending on the species. In all cases, there are one or several tripartite lamellae with a white line under the foot layer, in the apertural and extra-apertural regions. In A. major , and A. pauciflora , the exintine is not yet present, whereas in A. macrocarpa and A. glauca , it has started to initiate. In mature pollen of the four species, the tripartite endexine lamellae of the vacuolated stage disappear and there is no trace of endexine. The tripartite intine is completely formed. Maturation of exine is complete and it appears homogeneous and of medium electron density, except in A. glauca , which has particularly fragile exine, where it remains incomplete with a granular and highly electron dense appearance, which contrasts with the usually mature exine. Despite the very clear presence of endexine lamellae at the vacuolated stage, it is thus very difficult to conclude that endexine exists in pollen of the genus Aristea .
Quantifying photosynthetic capacity and its relationship to leaf nitrogen content for global‐scale terrestrial biosphere models

Photosynthetic capacity and its relationship to leaf nitrogen content are two of the most sensitive parameters of terrestrial biosphere models (TBM) whose representation in global‐scale simulations has been severely hampered by a lack of systematic analyses using a sufficiently broad database. Here, we use data of qualitative traits, climate and soil to subdivide the terrestrial vegetation into functional types (PFT), and then assimilate observations of carboxylation capacity, Vmax (723 data points), and maximum photosynthesis rates, Amax (776 data points), into the C3 photosynthesis model proposed by Farquhar et al. to constrain the relationship of (Vmax normalised to 25 °C) to leaf nitrogen content per unit leaf area for each PFT. In a second step, the resulting functions are used to predict per PFT from easily measurable values of leaf nitrogen content in natural vegetation (1966 data points). Mean values of thus obtained are implemented into a TBM (BETHY within the coupled climate–vegetation model ECHAM5/JSBACH) and modelled gross primary production (GPP) is compared with independent observations on stand scale. Apart from providing parameter ranges per PFT constrained from much more comprehensive data, the results of this analysis enable several major improvements on previous parameterisations. (1) The range of mean between PFTs is dominated by differences of photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (NUE, defined as divided by leaf nitrogen content), while within each PFT, the scatter of values is dominated by the high variability of leaf nitrogen content. (2) We find a systematic depression of NUE on certain tropical soils that are known to be deficient in phosphorous. (3) of tropical trees derived by this study is substantially lower than earlier estimates currently used in TBMs, with an obvious effect on modelled GPP and surface temperature. (4) The root‐mean‐squared difference between modelled and observed GPP is substantially reduced.