Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Positive Developments but Challenges Still Ahead: A Survey Study on UX Professionals’ Work Practices

This paper describes and gives an overview of User Experience (UX) professionals’ work practice s — their environment, practices, tools, and challenges. First, we reviewed 32 empirical studies about usability and UX work to identify key issues in usability and UX work practices. For the identified key issues, we collected data from 422 UX professionals surveyed in five different countries using a comprehensive questionnaire with 62 questions. Our results show that UX professionals individually know about usability and UX concepts, methods, and tools. They typically employ between one and five Human Computer Interaction (HCI) theories on average and use one to three different techniques and tools. On the organizational level, UX is involved from early to late stages and is generally well known within all levels of the organization. On the country and community level, UX professionals generally do not report themselves as belonging to a professional community, despite the fact that the survey was administered via channels of the respective communities in the survey countries. Overall, this survey shows that UX professionals have considerable work experience and strong UX expertise self-confidence. This may be considered as indicating a positive development of the UX profession.
Cold Hardiness of Weigela (Weigela florida Bunge) Cultivars

Abstract Factual information regarding the low-temperature tolerances of weigela (Weigela florida Bunge) cultivars is essential for identifying cultivars to grow and sell in northern regions of the country [USDA Hardiness Zone 4a;−32 to−34C (−25 to−30F) average annual minimum temperature]. In this study, laboratory freezing tests and a replicated field trial were utilized to compare the relative stem hardiness of 11 recent weigela introductions with that of four standard cultivars representing a known range of hardiness. Freezing tests were conducted monthly from October 2005 to April 2006 on containerized plants over-wintered in a minimally-heated greenhouse under a non-lethal temperature regime conducive to cold acclimation. The cultivars differed substantially in both timing and rates of cold acclimation and de-acclimation in the fall and spring, respectively, as well as maximum midwinter hardiness levels. All of the cultivars, including the cold-hardy standards ‘Minuet’ and ‘Java Red’, were relatively.
Seed traits evaluation from long-term selection of kernel oil concentration in a high-oil maize population KYHO

Wang, H. -W. , Hu, H. -X. , Song, T. -M. and Chen, S. -J. 2012. Seed traits evaluation from long-term selection of kernel oil concentration in a high-oil maize population KYHO. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 857-866. A high-oil maize population, KYHO, was developed over 10 generations by selective breeding for increased kernel oil content (KOC). The objectives of this study were to evaluate kernel oil selection effects, and measure the trait changes and genetic variance in the embryo and endosperm. Oil, protein, and starch content in the embryo and endosperm were estimated by near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS). Mass and volume of embryo and endosperm were measured. Selective breeding increased embryo oil content (EMOC) and endosperm oil content (ENOC), especially EMOC, which changed from 315.62 g kg-1 C0 to 592.54 g kg-1 C10, resulting in an increase in total embryo and endosperm oil content (EEOC) from 43.32 g kg-1 C0 to 139.95 g kg-1 C10. With selection for increase in EEOC, embryo protein content (EMPC) decreased slightly; however, endosperm protein content (ENPC) and total protein content (EEPC) increased significantly. Embryo and endosperm starch content (EMSC and ENSC) and total starch content (EESC) all decreased substantially with selection. One hundred embryo mass (EMM) was not notably changed with selection, but 100 embryo volume (EMV) increased significantly. Mass and volume of endosperm (ENM and ENV) and total mass and volume of embryo and endosperm (EEM and EEV) all decreased significantly with selection, possibly due to markedly decreased starch content. Linear regression analysis indicated with each 1 g kg-1 EEOC increase, EMOC, ENOC, ENPC, EEPC, EMM, and EMV increased 2.74 g kg-1, 0.16 g kg-1, 0.38 g kg-1, 0.36 g kg-1, 0.06 g, and 0.20 mL, respectively, and EMPC, EMSC, ENSC, EESC, EEM, ENM, EEV, and ENV decreased 0.04 g kg-1, 1.48 g kg-1, 0.60 g kg-1, 1.09 g kg-1, 1.26 g, 1.32 g, 0.97 g, and 1.17 mL, rspectively.
Bioinformatics analysis of the oxidosqualene cyclase gene and the amino acid sequence in mangrove plants

This study described the bioinformatics methods to analyze seven oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) genes from mangrove plants on DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank as well as predicted the structure, composition, similarity, subcellular localization and phylogenetic. The physical and chemical properties of seven mangrove OSC showed variation among the genes. The percentage of the secondary structure of seven mangrove OSC genes followed the order of a helix > random coil > extended chain structure. The values of chloroplast or signal peptide were too low, indicated that no chloroplast transit peptide or signal peptide of secretion pathway in mangrove OSC genes. The target peptide value of mitochondria varied from 0.163 to 0.430, indicated it was possible to exist. These results suggested the importance of understanding the diversity and functional of properties of the different amino acids in mangrove OSC genes. To clarify the relationship among the mangrove OSC gene, a phylogenetic tree was constructed. The phylogenetic tree shows that there are three clusters, Kandelia KcMS join with Bruguiera BgLUS, Rhizophora RsM1 was close to Bruguiera BgbAS, and Rhizophora RcCAS join with Kandelia KcCAS. The present study, therefore, supported the previous results that plant OSC genes form distinct clusters in the tree.
Playing it safe? Behavioural responses of mosquito larvae encountering a fish predator

Predation is a strong selective force that affects prey population and ecosystem dynamics. Detecting predators and associated levels of threat is crucial to prey responses. Once a predator is detected, anti-predatory responses improve the chances of survival of prey. We used Aedes aegypti larvae to study behavioural responses to predation threat from guppies (Poecilia reticulata). Specifically, we tested the relative importance of chemical cues, both in isolation and in combination with physical cues, in eliciting anti-predatory behaviours. Larvae responded more strongly, by reducing the lengths of their wriggle bursts, when presented with a combination of chemical and physical cues than with chemical cues alone. Anti-predatory responses often come with an associated cost, and we expect that the ability to pay these costs should influence responses to predation risk. To test this, we compared wriggling patterns of satiated vs starved larvae in the same experiment. We found that, under predation risk, starved larvae were willing to take more risks than satiated larvae were. We sought to experimentally test the assumption that anti-predator behaviours increase the survival of prey. To do this, starved guppies were made to choose between displays of simulated larvae, moving in short and long wriggle bursts as observed in the previous experiment. The fish preferentially attacked larvae moving in long bursts, demonstrating the survival value of the larval anti-predatory response of shifting to a preponderance of short wriggle bursts. Our study identifies specific ways in which trade-offs between predation risk and energetic costs could affect anti-predator behaviour.
Fumigant toxicity of tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.) and dill (Anethum graveolens L.) essential oils on different life stages of Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood)

Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) is a polyphagous species. This pest is now well-established in the greenhouse ecosystem and is an economically important pest of horticultural and ornamental crops. The fumigants toxicity of tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.) and dill (Anethum graveolens L.) essential oils on the life stages of Trialeurodes vaporariorum were investigated under laboratory conditions. Plants essence samples were obtained from the aerial parts of the plant by using Clevenger device. In this study, six concentrations (5 concentrations and one control) were used to evaluate LC₅₀ level and five time periods were used for LT₅₀. The LC₅₀ values for Artemisia dracunculus and Anethum graveolens at 24 h after treatment of the eggs, nymphs and adults were 1.18, 0.45 and 0.69 μl l⁻¹ air and 12.99, 5.67 and 8.03 μl l⁻¹ air, respectively. Also, the LT₅₀ value of tarragon essential oil on the eggs, nymphs and adults were 15.02, 5.12 and 9.05 hours and for dill were 18.66, 5.51 and 10.14 hours, respectively.
Diagnosis of Newcastle disease in broiler by histopathology and immunohistochemistry

Newcastle disease (ND) is an OIE notifiable, highly contagious, generalized viral disease of poultry. It remains a constant threat to the poultry industry and is a limiting disease for poultry producers worldwide. The present study report a severe enteric form of ND virus infections in backyard poultry birds by using histopathology and immunohistochemistry. ND viral antigens were detected in the lesions of various organs. ND viral antigen were mainly localized in the cytoplasm and nuclei of necrotic cells of epithelium of proventriculus, gizzard and intestines, Kupffer cells and circulating monocytes in the liver, tracheal epithelial cells, bronchiolar and parabronchiolar epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages in the lungs. Thus, immunohistochemistry serve as rapid and reliable tools to study the tropism and distribution of ND viral antigen in the tissues of infected birds and hence its diagnosis.
HELICOVIRTM: a virus for the biological control of bollworm.

SITRUS • CRI 63 SA VRUGTE JOERNAAL ABSTRACT More than a dozen field trials have been conducted with the Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus (HearNPV) against bollworm on citrus between 1996 and 2007. In two trials on Navel oranges reported here, the standard treatments (DiPel (Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki), Mevinphos and Dursban (chlorpyrifos)) caused a more rapid knock-down of bollworm larvae than HELICOVIR. However, by three weeks after treatment, bollworm infestation was as low or even lower for HELICOVIR than the other treatments. Despite this slow speed of kill, the virus had an obvious behavioural effect on larvae, leading to a significant reduction in damage. HELICOVIR was as effective as the standard treatments in reducing fruit damage and cull and was in one case significantly more effective than DiPel. In the two trials, yield was 67% and 99% higher for the HELICOVIR treatment than for the untreated control. Within one to two weeks after a virus treatment, mortality of larvae was conspicuous. Flaccid larvae were typically seen to be hanging from leaves and twigs in an inverted position. Larval cadavers would then rupture and release more virus onto the tree. This is thought to facilitate dispersal of the occlusion bodies. HELICOVIR is now registered for control of bollworm on citrus as an IPM-compatible option. Growers who use the product will need to bear with the slowspeed of kill, realizing that this does not translate into poor efficacy. As with DiPel, HELICOVIR is most effectively applied against neonate larvae, immediately on hatching.
The role of inducible nitric oxide synthase in macrophage activation following acute lung injury

OF DISSERTATION . ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF PUBLICATIONS . vii LIST OF FIGURES . x LIST OF TABLES . xii CHAPTER 1: BACKGROUND . 1 1.1 Pulmonary Innate Immunity . 1 1.2 Recruitment . 3 1.3 Macrophage Differentiation and Activation . 5 1.4 Nitric Oxide Physiology . 8 1.5 Clinical Acute Lung Injury Pathology . 9 1.6 Treatment of Acute Lung Injury . 11 1.7 Models of Acute Lung Injury . 13 CHAPTER 2: TOCOPHEROL SUPPLEMENTATION REDUCES NO PRODUCTION AND PULMONARY INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE TO BLEOMYCIN . 15 2.1 Abstract . 15 2.2 Introduction . 16 2.3 Methods . 18 2.4 Results . 22 2.5 Discussion . 26 2.6 Tables . 31 2.7 Figures . 35 CHAPTER 3: INDUCIBLE NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE ROLE IN MACROPHAGE RECRUITMENT AND POLARIZATION IN ACUTE LUNG INJURY . 44 3.1 Abstract . 44 3.2 Introduction . 44 3.3 Methods . 46 3.4 Results . 49 3.5 Discussion . 54 3.6 Tables . 57 3.7 Figures . 60 CHAPTER 4: ORIGIN OF INOS DETERMINES EFFECT ON MACROPHAGE ACTIVATION IN ACUTE LUNG INJURY . 69 4.1 Abstract . 69 4.2 Introduction . 69 4.3 Methods . 71 4.4 Results . 72 4.5 Discussion . 75 4.6 Tables . 77 4.7 Figures . 79 CHAPTER 5: SUMMARY, DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION . 84
Reconstructing ICAM-1-binding var genes of Plasmodium falciparum

Malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Severe malaria in patients infected with the most deadly species, Plasmodium falciparum, involves sequestration of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes in the microvasculature, a process involving the interaction of numerous parasite and host factors. The highly variable gene family var encodes PfEMP1 proteins which are thought to be responsible for the majority of endothelial cell binding via receptors such as CD36, ICAM-1 and EPCR. To date, knowledge of the specific PfEMP1 domains that mediate binding to these receptors has emerged from the study of two reference parasite strains IT4 and 3D7. The aim of this study is to identify and characterise new ICAM-1 binding var genes from several culture-adapted ICAM-1-selected patient isolates. Sequencing var genes is complicated by their high variability within the 50-60 gene copies per genome and the absence of overlap between var repertoires of different isolates. We test the predictive powers of a new var gene database of > 62,000 var genes generated by the Pf3k genome sequencing project. We find database matches to be a useful starting point for primer design in this targeted sequencing approach. However, key differences between database genes and those amplified from the patient isolates highlights the need for experimental validation. We perform sequence analysis of var genes from three patient isolates, BC12, J1 and PCM7, and identify their PfEMP1 domain structures. We extensively characterise the DBLβ domains, which are responsible for ICAM-1 binding, of these genes by phylogenetic and homology block analysis and compare them to known ICAM-1 binding DBLβ domains. We express two of the newly identified DBLβ domains as recombinant proteins and analyse their binding to ICAM-1. Using SPR assays, we show that the recombinant DBLβ domains of J1a and BC12a bind ICAM-1D1D5 with nanomolar affinity. We compared their binding to the previously characterised IT4var13DBLβ and studied the binding of all three DBLβ domains to four ICAM-1 mutant proteins. Residues K29, L42 and L44 are essential for ICAM-1 binding of all three DBLβ domains, whereas S22 is essential for J1aDBLβ and BC12aDBLβ binding but not IT4var13DBLβ binding. These results have important implications for the design of anti-disease therapies targeting severe malaria.
Selfing species exhibit diminished niche breadth over time

Self-pollinating plants (“selfers”) have larger geographic ranges and inhabit higher latitudes than their outcrossing relatives. This finding has led to the hypothesis that selfers also have broader climatic niches. It is possible that the increased likelihood of successful colonization into new areas and the initial purging of deleterious mutations may offset selfers’ inability to adapt to new environments due to low heterozygosity. Here, for the first time, we examine the climatic niches and mutation accumulation rates of hundreds of closely related selfing and outcrossing species. Contrary to expectations, selfers do not have wider climatic niche breadths than their outcrossing sister taxa despite selfers’ greatly expanded geographic ranges. Selfing sister pairs also exhibit greater niche overlap than outcrossing sisters, implying that climatic niche expansion becomes limited following the transition to selfing. Further, the niche breadth of selfers is predicted to decrease significantly faster than that of closely-related outcrossers. In support of these findings, selfers also display significantly higher mutation accumulation rates than their outcrossing sisters, implying decreased heterozygosity, effective population size, and adaptive potential. These results collectively suggest that while the release from mate limitation among selfing species may result in initial range expansion, range size and niche breadth are decoupled, and the limitations of an increasingly homogeneous genome will constrict selfers’ climatic niches and over time reduce their geographic ranges.
The tortoise beetle Physonota maculiventris (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) is suitable for release against the weedy Mexican sunflower Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae) in South Africa

ABSTRACT The biology and host range of the defoliating beetle Physonota maculiventris Boheman (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) were studied in quarantine to determine its suitability for release as a biological control agent against Mexican sunflower, Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray (Asteraceae), in South Africa. Females laid 5.25 ± 0.25 (mean ± SE) egg batches during their lifetimes, with each batch consisting of approximately 33 eggs. Larvae were highly gregarious as early instars and both larvae and adults fed voraciously, often defoliating the plants completely. The life cycle of the beetle was completed in 67.5 ± 7.5 days under quarantine conditions. Among the 58 test plant species subjected to no-choice tests, P. maculiventris developed successfully on T. diversifolia and some sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cultivars. However, only minor damage was recorded on non-target species, notably the exotic weed Xanthium strumarium L. and some H. annuus cultivars. Also, survival to adulthood was considerably lower on sunflower cultivars than on the target weed during these tests. During choice tests, P. maculiventris oviposited and developed successfully on T. diversifolia only, with only minor feeding damage on some H. annuus cultivars, suggesting that the beetle’s field host range will be confined to the target weed. Risk analysis also showed that P. maculiventris presents an extremely low risk to non-target plant species (e.g. within the tribe Heliantheae and other close relatives). The study concluded that P. maculiventris is safe for release in South Africa and an application for its release is being considered by the relevant South African regulatory authorities.
The importance of climatic and ecological factors for vector-borne infections: Culex pipiens and West Nile virus

About three quarters of human emerging infectious diseases are caused by zoonotic pathogens, and many of them are spread by vectors such as mosquitoes. Mathematical models nowadays represent very powerful tools to make investigations and predictions for biological dynamical systems, providing helpful insights that can be extremely valuable for several aims. In this thesis, we will focus on a particular mosquito-borne zoonosis, West Nile virus (WNV), a flavivirus of emerging public health relevance in Europe and North America, and its main European vector, Culex pipiens mosquitoes. As the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases is largely driven by the abundance of the vector, to design appropriate control strategies it is crucial to understand the population dynamics of existing vector populations and evaluate how it depends on biotic and environmental factors. This thesis presents some new mathematical models that provide insights on several aspects of mosquito population dynamics by using different statistical and computational approaches, including for instance Linear Models and Markov chain Monte Carlo technique. Specifically, they aim to study the effect of biotic and abiotic factors on Cx. pipiens dynamics by using adult mosquito trapping data, gathered over several years in Northern Italy, to feed theoretical models. Furthermore, the effects of host competition and vector feeding preferences on the dynamics of a vector-borne infection (such as WNV) are investigated through a more theoretical study.
Assessing the nutritional quality and consumer acceptability of moringa oleifera leaf powder (molp)-based snacks for improved children’s food and nutrition security.

ii PREFACE. v DECLARATION. vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. vii DEDICATION. viii TABLE OF CONTENTS. ix LIST OF TABLES. xiii LIST OF FIGURES. xiv CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION AND PROBLEM STATEMENT. 1 1.1 Background and the research problem. 1 1.2 Importance of the study. 3 1.3 Aim of the study. 4 1.4 Research objectives. 4 1.5 Hypotheses. 4 1.6 Assumptions. 5 1.7 Definition of terms. 5 1.8 Organization of the dissertation. 7 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW. 8 2.
Vasorelaxant and Antispasmodic Effects of Some Polyphenols and Glycoside in Rat Smooth Muscles

Objective: The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Luteolin, chlorogenic acid, amygdalin and tannic acid on vascular smooth muscle contractility. Materials and Methods: The effect of different concentrations of some polyphenols and glycosides on contractile responses of isolated aorta, ileum and trachea to Acetylcholine, KCl and phenylephrine (PE) were evaluated. Results: The results of the current study indicated that luteolin and chlorogenic acid has potent relaxant effects on KCl and PE-induced contractions in rat’s aortic ring. Amygdalin and tannic acid reduced ACh-induced ileum contractions significantly. Conclusions: The inhibitory effect of luteolin and chlorogenic acid on the contraction induced by PE and KCl may be due to their anti-adrenergic and anti-hyperpolarizing effect.
Espectroscopia de infravermelho próximo para predição de propriedades da madeira de híbridos de Eucalyptus spp.

X INTRODUÇÃO GERAL . 1 CAPÍTULO I . 5 USING NEAR INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY FOR THE PREDICTION OF WOOD QUALITY OF EUCALYPTUS HYBRIDS FROM THREE SITES IN BRAZIL . 5 ABSTRACT . 5. 5 INTRODUCTION . 6 MATERIAL AND METHODS . 9 Sample selectionSample preparation. 9 Wood physical-chemical analyses . 9 Kraft pulping . 10 Collection of NIR Spectra . 11 NIRS calibration and validation . 11 Assessment of calibration performance . 12 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION . 13 Calibration . 15 Validation . 17 CONCLUSIONS . 23 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . 23 REFERENCES . 24 CAPÍTULO II . 30 ESPECTROSCOPIA DE INFRAVERMELHO PRÓXIMO PARA PREDIÇÃO DA QUALIDADE DA MADEIRA DE EUCALYPTUS SPP. NA REGIÃO DO DAP E DA ÁVORE INTEIRA . 30 RESUMO . 30 vii