Creating Rich and Representative Personas by Discovering Affordances

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from IEEE via the DOI in this recordIEEE During the last decade, information system designers have used the persona technique to put user needs and preferences at the center of all development decisions. Persona development teams draw on qualitative data, quantitative data or a combination of both to develop personas that are representative of the target users. Despite the benefits of both approaches, qualitative methods are limited by the cognitive capabilities of the experts, whereas quantitative methods lack contextual richness. To gain the advantages of both approaches, this article suggests a mixed qualitative-quantitative approach to create user personas based on the patterns of the affordances they actualize rather than merely the actions they take. It enriches personas by referring to the purposes fulfilled through affordance actualizations, and it grounds personas in readily available objective log data. This study illustrates the practical value of the proposed methodology by empirically creating personas based on real user data. Furthermore, it demonstrates its value by having practitioners compare the suggested method to that of qualitative-only and quantitative-only methods.Concordia Universit

ADSORPTIVE REMOVAL OF DYES FROM SYNTHETIC WASTEWATER USING ACTIVATED CARBON FROM TAMARIND SEED

Activated carbon prepared from seed (Tamarindus indica) was utilized for the removal of orange G and safranin O dyes from aqueous solution. Chemical activation using orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4) was employed for the preparation of activated carbon. The effect of various factors namely; particle size, pH, adsorbent dosage, ion concentration, and contact time was studied to identify the adsorption capacity of the tamarind seed. The percentage of dye adsorbed was found to be dependent on these factors. The Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherm models are fitted into the graphs, but the Freundlich isotherm model is best-fitted into the experimental data. The pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, Elovich, and Bhattacharya-Venkobachor kinetic models were also fitted into the graphs, but pseudo-second order is best fitted into the experimental data. The thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy, entropy, and free energy were evaluated using the Van’t Hoff equations. The negative free energy (∆G) and negative enthalpy (∆H) indicate the feasibility and exothermic nature of the adsorption process. The positive entropy (∆S) shows the increased randomness of the solid/solution interface during the adsorption process. The chemical functional groups, crystalline nature, and the surface morphology of the carbon adsorbents were studied by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Characteristics of the activated carbons were determined using standard methods

Neuropharmacological evaluation of Annona senegalensis leaves

The neuropharmacological activities of methanol leaf extract (ME) of Annona senegalensis Pers (Annonaceae) and its bioactive fractions (MF and F7) were studied in rodents using pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures, pentobarbitone-induced sleep, apomorphine-induced stereotypy, open field, elevated plus maze (EPM) and rotarod performance tests. The extract and fractions inhibited PTZ-induced seizures, prolonged pentobarbitone-induced sleep, reduced stereotypic behaviour induced by apomorphine, decreased the frequency of line crossing and centre square entries and increased rearing in the air in the open field. The frequency of grooming and rearing against the wall were decreased, whereas the duration of grooming increased. Also, the extract and fractions increased the duration of stay in the open arm when compared to the closed arm of the EPM, and reduced the average time spent on the rotarod. Acute toxicity test showed an oral LD50 of ME greater than 5 g/kg in mice. Phytochemical analysis showed that ME tested positive for carbohydrates, reducing sugar, resins, saponins,  tannins, steroids, terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids and glycosides; MF tested positive for saponins, steroids, terpenoids, alkaloids, carbohydrates, reducing sugar, flavonoids and glycosides; while F7 tested positive for flavonoids. These findings suggest that leaves of A. senegalensis possess anticonvulsant, central depressant and anxiolytic-like properties attributable to flavonoids.Keywords: Annona senegalensis, anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, sedative, stereotypy

ANTIOXIDANT AND HEPATOPROTECTIVE POTENTIALS OF STEMONOCOLEUS MICRANTHUS HARMS (FABACEAE) STEM BARK EXTRACT

Objective: This study evaluated the antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of the methanol-dichloromethane (1:1) extract of Stemonocoleus micranthus Harms (Fabaceae) stem bark (SME).Methods: In vitro ferric reducing power, hydrogen peroxide and α, α-diphenyl–β–dipicryl–hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assays, were used to determine the antioxidant activity of SME (25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 µg/ml). Also the effects of SME (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) on liver enzymes alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-inducedhepaticoxidative damage were studied in rats.Results: The results showed that SME (25-400 µg/ml) significantly (P<0.01) reduced iron III (Fe3+) to iron II (Fe2+) with 400 µg/ml eliciting 135.4% reducing power. The SME demonstrated significant (P<0.01) hydrogen peroxide scavenging with 400 µg/ml eliciting 20.37% activity, comparable to ascorbic acid (20.32%). The SME (25-400 µg/ml) also elicited 77-81% DPPH free radical scavenging, lower than ascorbic acid (25-400 µg/ml) with 83-88% activity. The in vivo study showed that SME protected the rats from liver damage as shown by the reduction of liver enzymes in serum. The SME (400 mg/kg) elicited 7.7, 33.8 and 7.2% inhibition of ALP, ALT and AST respectively. The acute toxicity test revealed that SME has high margin of safety, with oral lethal dose (LD50)>5 g/kg. Phytochemical analyses on the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, proteins, reducing sugars, saponins, resins, steroids, tannins, terpenoids, fats, and oils.Conclusion: The findings suggest that the methanol-dichloromethane extract of S. micranthus stem bark possess antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects.Keywords: Stemonocoleus micranthus, Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, Albino rats, Ascorbic aci

Effects of Planting Time and Poultry Manure on Late Season Plaintain Establishment and Yield in Owerri Rainforest Zone of Nigeria

In rainfed agriculture, plantain availability to consumer is seasonal. Late season plantain planting with appropriate organic manure application has been one of the advocated solutions. This experiment was carried out at the Federal University of Technology Teaching and Research  farm, Owerri in 2010 late season planting to determine the  appropriate time of planting and optimum manure rate that will enhance late season plantain establishment and bunch availability in the tropical rainforest. The experiment was a 3x4 factorial fitted into a randomized complete block design replicated three times. The treatments were three late season months (5th September, 5th October and 5thNovember) and four poultry manure rates (0,4,8 and 12 t.ha-1). The pre and post soil, establishment, growth and yield data were collected and analysed statistically.  The post soil chemical analysis showed an improvement on soil pH,(5.30-6.07, 5.59-5.67 and 5.73-5.72), organic matter,(2.098-2.098, 2.476-2.373 and 2.240-2.201%) calcium,(7.03-10.20, 3.60-6.40 and 5.40-5.70 l/kg) organic carbon,(1.696-1.217, 1.436-1.377 and1.436-1.277%)  phosphorous (21.39-20.86, 20.20-18.80 and14.60-13.90ppm)  and  magnesium (0.67-2.00, 0.83-1.17 and 0.83-1.00CMOL) in the treatment that received 8 and12 t ha-1 poultry manure in September, October and November planting respectively..  The residual effect of poultry manure resulted in increased yield (8.6, 7.2 and 7.0kg)  of the first ratoon crop in September, October, and November planting that received 12t ha-1poultry manure respectively.  Although poultry manure rates enhanced plantain establishment, growth and yield when planted in September, October and November, plantain planted  in September and manured with 12 t ha-1 poultry manure significantly(p=0.05) enhanced plantain establishment,(100%) ,yield (9.2kg in plant crop,8.6 first ratoon) and  income return (N 7,135,,501.8/ha) in Owerri Rainforest zone of Nigeria. Keywords: Planting time,  poultry manure, late season plantain, production, humid tropics

Strengthening Primary Health Care Services in Rural Nigeria: The Potential of Using Midwives as Skilled Birth Attendants

Introduction: The study objective was to assess the potential of using midwives as skilled birth attendants in providing access to maternal health services in rural Nigeria using the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment programme on Maternal and Child Health (SURE P MCH). Method: Baseline survey of 1000 primary health care (PHC) facilities located across all states in the country was conducted before the programme started in 2012. Improvements made on the core indicators for maternal health services were assessed after a follow-up survey. The survey results were also compared to data from rural areas from the 2013 National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) report. Findings: Total number of antenatal care (ANC) visits at follow-up survey increased by 42%, new ANC visits increased by 39% and four or more ANC visits increased by 30%. Births by skilled birth attendants were up by 56%, postnatal visits increased by 33% and number of women using contraceptive methods increased by 66%. When compared to data from the 2013 NDHS, access to skilled birth attendant and use of modern contraceptives were significant at p<0.0001. Access to antenatal and postnatal services were not significant. The median scores for the core indicators from the geographical zones were significant at p<0.05. Key Conclusions and Implications for practice: Women are more likely to have more supervised births and use more contraceptives in rural facilities when midwifery services are present. The programme model has the potential to strengthen and improve access to maternal health services in rural communities where the need is greatest. Keywords: Midwives; Rural health facilities; Maternal healt

Organic Matter Management for Sustainable Tropical Crop Production.

Organic matter exerts a profound influence on crop nutrition, soil structure and cultivation.  Healthy soil is the foundation of the food system. It produces healthy crops that in turn nourish people. Maintaining a healthy soil demands care and effort from farmers of which organic matter management is viewed as central to the finest scale approaches used to assess the sustainability of soil systems. Nutrient exchanges   between organic matter, water and soil are essential to soil fertility and need to be maintained for sustainable production purposes  Agricultural development and production is sustainable when it is ecologically sound, economically viable, socially just, culturally appropriate, humane and based on a holistic scientific approach. This means that sustainable agriculture and rural development including forestry and fisheries must meet the nutritional requirements and other human needs of present and future generations, provide durable and decent employment and where possible enhance the productivity and regenerative capacity of the natural resource base, reduce vulnerability and strengthen self reliance.   It is obvious and  certain that where the soil is exploited for crop production without restoring the organic matter and nutrient content of the soil and maintaining a good structure, the nutrient cycles are broken, soil fertility declines and the balance in the agro-ecosystem is destroyed.

Initial Impact of Tailored Web-Based Messages about Cigarette Smoke and Breast Cancer Risk on Boys\u27 and Girls\u27 Risk Perceptions and Information Seeking: Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence indicates a causal link between both active smoking and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and breast cancer (BC). OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the initial reactions of girls and boys to tailored Web-based messages that describe the relationship between SHS and BC, using a parallel, single-blinded cluster randomized controlled trial. METHODS: This trial was nested within a cycle of an ongoing longitudinal study of 1498 students from 74 secondary schools. Self-reported assessments were used to evaluate the impact of study messages on participants\u27 risk perception and interest in obtaining additional information after participants were randomized by schools to control or intervention groups. The intervention group received a tailored visual message (based on gender and Aboriginal status) about BC and tobacco smoke. The control group received a standard visual message about smoking and cancer. RESULTS: SHS exposure was identified as a BC risk factor by 380/1488 (25.54%) participants, during the preintervention analysis. Compared to the female participants in the control group (491/839, 58.5%), girls who received the intervention (339/649, 52.2%) were 14% more likely to agree that exposure to SHS increased their BC risk (relative risk [RR] 1.14, 95% CI 1.07-1.21). Nonsmoking girls who received the intervention were 14% more likely to agree that starting smoking would increase their BC risk (RR 1.14, 95% CI 1.07-1.21). Compared to the male participants in control group (348/839, 41.5%), boys who received the intervention (310/649, 47.8%) were 10% more likely to agree that girls\u27 exposure to SHS increased their BC risk (RR 1.10, 95% CI 1.02-1.18). Compared to controls, girls who received the intervention were 52% more likely to request additional information about SHS and BC (RR 1.52, 95% CI 1.12-2.06). CONCLUSIONS: Brief gender-sensitive messages delivered via the Internet have the potential to increase awareness and to stimulate information seeking about the risk for BC associated with SHS

Initial Impact of Tailored Web-Based Messages About Cigarette Smoke and Breast Cancer Risk on Boys’ and Girls’ Risk Perceptions and Information Seeking: Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Recent evidence indicates a causal link between both active smoking and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and breast cancer (BC). Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the initial reactions of girls and boys to tailored Web-based messages that describe the relationship between SHS and BC, using a parallel, single-blinded cluster randomized controlled trial. Methods: This trial was nested within a cycle of an ongoing longitudinal study of 1498 students from 74 secondary schools. Self-reported assessments were used to evaluate the impact of study messages on participants’ risk perception and interest in obtaining additional information after participants were randomized by schools to control or intervention groups. The intervention group received a tailored visual message (based on gender and Aboriginal status) about BC and tobacco smoke. The control group received a standard visual message about smoking and cancer. Results: SHS exposure was identified as a BC risk factor by 380/1488 (25.54%) participants, during the preintervention analysis. Compared to the female participants in the control group (491/839, 58.5%), girls who received the intervention (339/649, 52.2%) were 14% more likely to agree that exposure to SHS increased their BC risk (relative risk [RR] 1.14, 95% CI 1.07-1.21). Nonsmoking girls who received the intervention were 14% more likely to agree that starting smoking would increase their BC risk (RR 1.14, 95% CI 1.07-1.21). Compared to the male participants in control group (348/839, 41.5%), boys who received the intervention (310/649, 47.8%) were 10% more likely to agree that girls’ exposure to SHS increased their BC risk (RR 1.10, 95% CI 1.02-1.18). Compared to controls, girls who received the intervention were 52% more likely to request additional information about SHS and BC (RR 1.52, 95% CI 1.12-2.06). Conclusions: Brief gender-sensitive messages delivered via the Internet have the potential to increase awareness and to stimulate information seeking about the risk for BC associated with SHS