A g ile methodolo gy lacks in usabilit y and most of the time issues like usability do not lead the software toward success. User-Centered Design supports usability and according to UCD, the client should be a part of the process from planning to handover phase. Integration of these two areas is a difficult and challenging task w.r.t its applicability for collocated and distributed level. This research focuses on Agile and UCD integration, providing a few practices and artifacts to guide designer's and Agile teams to overcome the challenges. How UCD techniques can support Agile in order to deal with usability issues. In this paper, we have demonstrated that which are the levels and phases where stakeholders, especiall y the user involvement and interaction are required. Case study and observation method have been followed. The result of this research is a framework.

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Owing to the superior thermal insulating attributes of rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) compared to other insulating materials (expanded and extruded polystyrene, mineral wool), it remains the most dominant insulating material and most studied polymer foam. Like other polyurethane foam, RPUF is highly flammable, necessitating the incorporation of flame retardants (FR) during production to lower combustibility, promoting its continuous use as insulation material in construction, transportation, and others. The popular approaches for correcting the high flammability of RPUF are copolymerization and blending (with FR). The second method has proven to be most effective as there are limited trade-offs in RPUF properties. Meanwhile, the high flammability of RPUF is still a significant hindrance in emerging applications (sensors, space travel, and others), and this has continuously inspired research in the flame retardancy of RPUF. In this study, properties, and preparation methods of RPUF are described, factors responsible for the high flammability of PUF are discussed, and flame retardancy of RPUF is thoroughly reviewed. Notably, most FR for RPUF are inorganic nanoparticles, lignin, intumescent FR systems of expandable graphite (EG), ammonium polyphosphate (APP), and hybridized APP or EG with other FR. These could be due to their ease of processing, low cost, and being environmentally benign. Elaborate discussion on RPUF FR mechanisms were also highlighted. Lastly, a summary and future perspectives in fireproofing RPUF are provided, which could inspire the design of new FR for RPUF.

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This work explores a novel blend of recycled polyethylene terephthalate/polyamide 11 (rPET/PA11). The blend of rPET/PA11 was introduced to enhance the mechanical properties of rPET at various ratios. The work’s main advantage was to utilize rPET in thermoplastic form for various applications. Three different ratios, i.e. 10, 20 and 30 wt.% of PA11 blend samples, were prepared using a twin-screw extruder and injection moulding machine. The mechanical properties were examined in terms of tensile, flexural and impact strength. The tensile strength of rPET was improved more than 50%, while the increase in tensile strain was observed 42.5% with the addition of 20 wt.% of PA11. The improved properties of the blend were also confirmed by the flexural strength of the blends. The flexural strength was increased from 27.9 MPa to 48 MPa with the addition of 30 wt.% PA11. The flexural strain of rPET was found to be 1.1%. However, with the addition of 10, 20 and 30 wt.% of PA11, the flexural strain was noticed as 1.7, 2.1, and 3.9% respectively. The impact strength of rPET/PA11 at 20 wt.% PA11 was upsurged from 110.53 to 147.12 J/m. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed a dispersed PA11 domain in a continuous rPET matrix morphology of the blends. This work practical implication would lead to utilization of rPET in automobile, packaging, and various industries.

Pheasant Tailed Jacana, Hydrophasianus chirurgus is an attractive bird sustaining its presence in wetlands of Pakistan during summers. To facilitate conservation, the breeding biology of specific birds was recorded during 2004-07. According to the observations, the clutch size remains between 1-4 eggs, and most of the fertile females laid 2 consecutive clutches to hand over to two different males for hatching and chick rearing. Incubation calculated between 25-29 days hatchability was found to be around 80%. Defensive responses, egg laying, and chick care were observed to better understand the general behaviour of the species.

Background. Elaeocarpus serratus L. (Family: Elaeocarpaceae) is a tropical fruit tree, traditionally used in the treatments of poisoning, diarrhea, arthritis, and other diseases. Objectives. The current study was performed to conduct the analgesic, antidiarrheal, and hypoglycemic activity of E. serratus in mice model using methanolic bark crude extract. Methods. To assess the peripheral and central analgesic activity, the acetic acid-induced writhing and tail immersion methods were respectively used. The castor-oil mediated antidiarrheal method was used to assess the antidiarrheal activity whereas, the tail tipping technique was conducted to determine the hypoglycemic activity of the plant extract. Results. In the peripheral analgesic assay, the methanolic bark crude extract of E. serratus significantly inhibits the number of writing 69.77% (200 mg/kg) and 73.26% (400 mg/kg) respectively (p<0.05) which was strongly comparable with standard NSAID drug diclofenac sodium 75.58% (p<0.05). Similarly, it shown a significant tail flicking response for 30 minutes, 60 minutes and 90 minutes of central analgesic activity assay. In antidiarrheal activity assay, the E. serratus substantially reduced the number of diarrheal feces 64.26% (200 mg/kg, p<0.05) and 78.57% (400 mg/kg, p<0.05) which was also comparable with the positive control loperamide. The hypoglycemic activity of E. serratus extract was not convincing. Conclusions. Our investigation demonstrated the significant analgesic and antidiarrheal activities of methanolic bark extract of E. serratus (200 and 400 mg/kg) in mice model.

Hymenolepis microstoma grown in mice, treated with 1.25 mg cortisone acetate every second day, are heavier and have a significantly higher glycogen content than those in control mice. The dry/wet weight ratio and protein content however are unaffected. It is suggested that the increase in glycogen reserve and weight in H. microstoma from cortisone-treated mice is due to an immunosuppressive effect and better nutritional environment rather than hormonal action. Inclusion of 0.1 mg of cortisone per 100 ml of culture medium produces no change in worm weight in vitro. Single worm infections result in 100% recovery, but 30 worm infections provoke a rejection process which can be suppressed partially by administration of cortisone acetate.