Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is a commercial oilseed crop in Canada. Globally flax is known for industrial oil and fiber. Flaxseed contains Omega 3 fatty acid, lignans like secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), flavonoids and polysaccharides which offer potential health benefits. Conventional flax cultivars are brown seeded and few mutant lines are yellow seeded. The darkness of seed colour depends on the presence of polymerized proanthocyanidins (PA; condensed tannins) in the seed coat. PAs are the product of the phenylpropanoid pathway. Previous genetic studies by Mittapalli and Rowland (2003) on G1186/94 showed the seed colour trait was governed by the homozygous recessive alleles at D locus and the same locus is closely linked to white or pink flower petals. To start with, single seeds of already developed stable recombinant inbred lines (RILs) (of F8:9 generation) from a cross of yellow seeded European recessive line (G1186/94) and brown seeded CDC Bethune (popular variety) were grown. In this study, seed colour phenotyping was done by measuring seed colour of each RIL in Red-Green-Blue (RGB) values. To understand the genetic basis of flax seed and flower colour, mapping with single sequence repeats (SSRs) and CAPS (Cleaved Amplified Polymorphic Sequences) markers were used. For the first time, a framework genetic linkage map was constructed from populations of CDC Bethune/ G1186/94 containing 19 linkage groups (LGs). LG 1 with four SSR markers was found to be linked with the seed colour locus D. During the fine-mapping, two SSR markers (LuM566 and Lu2351) were found to be linked with the seed colour trait. The D locus has been confined in a 2.8 cM region and the closest marker was LuM566 at a distance of 0.6 cM. This was observed to be a stable locus in two growth trials and in different environments with logarithm of odds (LOD) above 39 and more than 84 % of the trait expressed by the major locus in both trials. As there were no recombinants (off types) for flower colour in F8:9 plants i.e brown-seeded lines produced blue flowers and yellow-seeded lines produced white flowers, the same locus holds well for the flower colour trait. The marker associated with seed and flower colour in G1186/94 (European recessive yellow line) was identified and can be used in flax breeding. Additionally, an interesting putative candidate gene of potential significance was identified through genomics assisted gene search from the flax whole genome sequence database. The gene expression analyses showed lower expression of putative flavonoid 3’ hydroxylase (F3’H) (a gene involved in flavonoid biosynthesis pathway) in both seed coat and flower petal tissues of G1186/94 as compared to CDC Bethune. Therefore, this study represents the first report on genetic mapping based putative candidate gene finding for recessive yellow seed colour mutation in the D locus in flax.

Rwanda is constrained by an export structure that is heavily dependent on one or a few agricultural export products such as coffee, tea , pyrethrum and cinchona. The country did not manage to industrialize or to diversify its export structure significantly during the post-independence period. The situation was worsened by the civil war of 1994, which almost destroyed all sectors of the economy. Traditional export crops, such as coffee, cotton, tea, cocoa, palm oil, and tobacco are all subject to large price fluctuations and declining world market prices. This paper considered the case for diversification into non-traditional agricultural exports as a strategy for improving a developing country's terms of trade. The study put forward a case of Higland Flowers Project / a flowers project located in rural Kigali about 5 kilometers to the Kigali International airport.

Robust optimization is a valuable alternative to stochastic programming, where all underlying probabilistic structures are replaced by the so-called uncertainty sets and all related conditions must be satisfied under all circumstances. This thesis reviews the fundamental aspects of robust optimization and discusses the most common types of problems as well as different choices of uncertainty sets. It focuses mainly on polyhedral and elliptical uncertainty and for the latter, in the case of linear, quadratic, semidefinite or discrete programming, computationally tractable equivalents are formulated. The final part of this thesis then deals with the well-known Flower-girl problem. First, using the principles of robust methodology, a basis for the construction of the robust counterpart is provided, then multiple versions of computationally tractable equivalents are formulated, tested and compared. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

Master of Science / Department of Entomology / Kun Yan Zhu / Raymond A. Cloyd / Protected environments, such as greenhouses and interior plantscapes provide optimal conditions for arthropod (insect and/or mite) pests to survive, develop, and reproduce. Two commonly encountered insect pests in protected environments include the citrus mealybug (CMB), Planococcus citri, and the western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis. It is difficult to mitigate CMB and WFT populations due to the behavioral characteristics of the insects and few pesticides that are registered for use in protected environments. This research involved two distinctly different studies. The objectives of the first study were to determine the efficacy and residual activity of systemic insecticides registered for use against CMB and to quantify CMB feeding locations. The objectives of the second study were to determine the compatibility and efficacy of commonly used binary pesticide mixtures against the WFT under both laboratory and greenhouse conditions. To determine the efficacy of systemic insecticides against CMB, greenhouse experiments were conducted in which coleus, Solenstemon scutellarioides, plants were artificially infested with CMB. Drench applications of each designated treatment were applied to each plant. Results associated with drench applications of the systemic insecticides against CMB indicated minimal CMB mortality (<30%) for both preventative and curative drench applications of azadirachtin and spirotetramat. Thiamethoxam, a neonicotinoid-based insecticide, at the labeled and twice the labeled rate provided the highest CMB mortality; however, not until 21 days after treatment was this observed, and CMB mortality was <80%. In all cases, significantly more CMB were located on the stem of green coleus plants compared to the leaf top and bottom. Pesticide mixture compatibility was determined using jar tests. In addition, phytotoxicity and efficacy of pesticide mixtures against WFT was determined through a series of laboratory and greenhouse experiments for each individual pesticide, and the mixtures to determine synergism, antagonism, or no effect. Results associated with the jar tests indicated that all the mixtures were compatible. Furthermore, the mixtures were not phytotoxic to the horticultural plant species evaluated. Laboratory results indicated that mixtures containing spinosad + bifenazate were antagonistic against WFT. Greenhouse experiments demonstrated significantly reduced efficacy associated with the abamectin + azadirachtin mixtures; however, each binary mixture provided approximately 80% mortality of WFT.

Comprendre la diversité morphologique des fleurs passe par l'étude de son origine moléculaire et développementale et de ses conséquences fonctionnelles et écologiques. Le périanthe est composé d'organes stériles, sépales et pétales, qui jouent un rôle majeur dans le succès reproducteur des plantes pollinisées par les animaux du fait de leur fonction d'attraction.Cette thèse propose une approche multidisciplinaire visant à comprendre l'origine génétique et moléculaire de la diversité morphologique du périanthe et sa signification évolutive, à l'aide du modèle Nigella damascena L. Cette Renonculacée présente un dimorphisme spontané. La forme probablement ancestrale, trouvée en populations naturelles, a un périanthe bipartite composé de cinq sépales pétaloïdes et huit pétales nectarifères. Dans la forme variante, cultivée à des fins d'horticulture, les pétales sont remplacés par un nombre élevé d'organes allant d'une forme proche des sépales à une forme proche des étamines.La première partie de cette thèse est consacrée à l'étude de l'origine développementale, génétique et moléculaire du dimorphisme, par la caractérisation détaillée de la morphologie florale et de son développement dans les deux morphes dans le cadre d'une approche gène candidat. Par analyse d'expression et validation fonctionnelle, nous avons montré que le gène NdAP3-3 est responsable de l'ensemble des aspects du dimorphisme floral de N. damascena, ce qui suggère que ce gène joue un rôle dans l'identité du pétale mais aussi dans l'architecture du méristème, potentiellement via la régulation du nombre d'organes et de la frontière entre périanthe et étamines.La seconde partie de cette thèse concerne l'impact du dimorphisme floral sur le mode de reproduction des deux morphes et leur maintien potentiel. Nous avons caractérisé les stratégies reproductives et la valeur sélective des deux morphes en conditions naturelles dans des populations expérimentales. Le variant sans pétale est peu visité par les pollinisateurs, et se reproduit majoritairement en autogamie. L'analyse de la vigueur de ses descendants suggère une dépression de consanguinité. Par ailleurs, dans notre matériel, il semble que l'allèle donnant le phénotype sans pétale soit lié à un allèle augmentant la valeur sélective. A la lumière de nos résultats, nous discutons les conditions du maintien de ce polymorphisme. / Understanding flower diversity requires on one hand the study of the molecular and developmental origin of floral architecture, and on the other the study of the functional and ecological consequences of flower morphology. A great deal of that diversity can be found at the perianth level which comprises the sepals and petals, sterile and versatile organs that play a major role in the reproductive success of animal pollinated flowering plants through their attractive characteristics.This thesis is the result of a multidisciplinary effort to understand the genetic and molecular origin as well as the evolutionary significance of perianth diversity, using the Nigella damascena L. as a model. This Ranunculaceae species presents a rare naturally occurring floral dimorphism affecting perianth architecture. The putatively ancestral form found in natural populations has a well differentiated bipartite perianth composed of five petaloid sepals and eight nectariferous petals, while the perianth in the alternative apetalous mutant, cultivated for horticultural purpose, has no petals and but is instead composed of numerous organs showing a continuum of forms from outer sepal-like to inner stamen-like.The first part of this thesis was dedicated to the study of the developmental, genetic and molecular origin of this dimorphism, via a detailed characterization of floral morphology and development in both morphs, which laid a foundation for the interpretation of the results of a candidate gene approach. Using expression analysis and functional validation we showed that NdAP3-3 is fully responsible for the complex N. damascena floral dimorphism, suggesting that it plays a role not only in petal identity but also in meristem patterning, possibly through the regulation of perianth organ number and perianth-stamen boundary.The second half of this thesis focused on the impact of the floral dimorphism on the reproduction mode and evolutionary maintenance of the two morphs. We assessed reproduction strategies and reproductive success in the two morphs by studying a polymorphic experimental population in natural conditions. The absence of petals in the mutant form was associated with a qualitative drop in pollinator visitation which resulted in a shift towards selfing. The study of their progeny suggests that selfing had a negative effect on the descendant’s vigor via inbreeding depression. Additionally, in our material, the allele responsible for the apetalous phenotype seems to be linked to a favorable allele increasing fitness. We discuss the mechanisms of the dimorphism maintenance in light of these results.

This essay examines Dirie’s and Miller’s Desert Flower and its depiction of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and the effect that this violation has had on the narrator. The analysis has been conducted through the critical lens of trauma studies with emphasis on how bearing witness of traumatic events can serve as healing and empowerment in the struggle to end FGM. As the multicultural classroom has grown extensively over the past years, the demand for an intercultural awareness is placed on the schools, where the pupils are to be given the chance to develop an understanding and acceptance of people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. This essay argues that, in spite of the dilemmas that often occur when teaching trauma as a sensitive and controversial issue, Desert Flower can in fact be used in the EFL classroom to engender intercultural awareness as well as offering the pupils a chance to develop self-actualization and social consciousness.

University of Macau / Faculty of Arts and Humanities. / Department of English

Este trabalho traz como objeto o fenômeno da concentração geográfica e setorial de empresas, cuja importância na criação de vantagens competitivas para as empresas e para o desenvolvimento regional tem sido estudada e relatada na literatura. Considerando-se a importância dos agronegócios no contexto socioeconômico nacional, associado à importância crescente da floricultura neste setor e a lacuna na literatura no que concerne a esse tipo de arranjo empresarial no contexto dos agronegócios, optou-se pelo desenvolvimento deste estudo em duas localidades paulistas caracterizadas pela concentração de empresas relacionadas aos agronegócios de flores e plantas: Holambra e Mogi das Cruzes. Os principais objetivos desta tese são: elaborar uma estrutura (framework) teórico-conceitual para estudos das concentrações geográficas de empresas do agronegócio de flores e plantas ornamentais; identificar os principais fatores indutores para o estabelecimento de ações conjuntas entre os atores da cadeia e identificar os principais fatores indutores da inovação e da formação das competências coletivas locais. Dada a complexidade do fenômeno estudado, optou-se por mesclar estratégias de pesquisa de caráter qualitativo e quantitativo (survey). Os principais resultados encontrados mostram: a adequação da estrutura de análise proposta; a influencia do fator étnico nas questões relativas a cooperação para a construção das vantagens competitivas locais; que as ações cooperativas entre os atores da localidade não dependeram de uma ação coordenadora do poder público; que as concentrações geográficas estudadas criam condições para promover maior número de ações conjuntas entre os produtores rurais; que essas ações conjuntas são catalizadas pelas associações de produtores rurais e pelas cooperativas. / This thesis aims to understand the phenomenon of geographical and sectional concentration of companies (clusters), whose importance in the creation of competitive advantages and also in the regional development have been studied and reported in specialized literature. Considering the importance of agribusiness in the Brazilian social-economic context and the lack of academic studies concerning with, agribusiness clusters, the present research was performed in two localities of State of São Paulo: Holambra and Mogi das Cruzes, both characterized by the flowers and ornamental plants agribusiness concentration. The main objectives of this thesis are the following: elaborate a theoretic-conceptual structure for flowers agribusiness cluster; identify the main inductive factors inducing for the establishment joint action between the actors of the productive chain; and, verify the inductive factors in innovation and in local collective competences building. Due to the complexity of the studied phenomenon, the field research design encompasses both qualitative and quantitative (survey) approaches. The main results founded show that: the adequacy of the framework analysis proposed; the ethnic factor influences in the cooperation and local competitive advantages building related issues; the joint actions among the actors of the locality, specially agricultural producers, did not depended on the public power coordination; the studied geographical cluster allows to increase joint actions, specifically among the agricultural producers, stimulated by the agricultural producers associations and by the cooperative societies.

Submitted by (ana.araujo@ufrpe.br) on 2017-02-17T16:52:02Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Kessyana Pereira Leite.pdf: 785677 bytes, checksum: a93467a230ec2ee171dd872d43869560 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-17T16:52:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Kessyana Pereira Leite.pdf: 785677 bytes, checksum: a93467a230ec2ee171dd872d43869560 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-17 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Flower stem production were collected, in Germplasm Heliconia Collection of the University Federal Rural of Pernambuco (UFRPE), from December 2003 to May 2006, to estimate the genetic parameters and predicts genotypic values of Heliconia genotypes, using mixed models (REML/BLUP). The flower stem production were evaluated in: H. psittacorum L.f. x H. spathocircinata Aristeguieta ‘Golden Torch’ (GT) and ‘Golden Torch Adrian’ (GTA), Heliconia psittacorum L.f. ‘Suriname Sassy’ (SS), ‘Red Opal’ (RO), ‘Red Gold’ (RG), Heliconia x nickeriensis Maas e de Rooij (NCK), H. latispatha Bentham cv. Yellow Gyro (YG), H. rauliniana Barreiros (RB), H. rostrata Ruiz e Pavón (RRP), H. wagneriana Petersen (WP), H. bihai (L.) L. cv. Lobster Claw (LC). Statistical analysis was performed using the SELEGEN (55 model), to the genotype evaluation in completely randomize block with temporal stability and adaptability, in only one place and many harvest. In selecting genotypes for production and flower stalks per quarter, stood out GT, SS and RO genotypes. The quarters in which the genotypes were more productive were 6 (March to May 2005-18 MAP) and 9 (December to February 2006-27 MAP). Genotypes more stable were WP and WG. The genotypes better adapted were: GT, YG, GTA and SS. In a joint selection for flower stem production, stability and adaptability better performance were: GT, RO and GTA. The mean and variance components estimative, considering all genotypes in all quarters, were obtained. The variances have indicated strong influence of genotype x quarter in the phenotypic value. The ranking of genotypes was variable over the quarters due to genetic correlations considered average (43.52%). Regarding the genetic gains over general average in the combined analysis of the quarters, the genotypes GT, SS, RO and GTA were the best. Five quarters were required to evaluate the genetic potential, maintaining the heritability average of more than 70% with selective accuracy of 85%.This study identified the production of each genotype for each quarters, allowing better planning of marketing and chain supply. Furthermore, those results could guide other studies involving crosses to obtain new genotypes with superior characteristics, or even the other heliconia genotypes evaluation under different conditions, allowing the characterization of a large number of species. / Dados coletados entre dezembro de 2004 e maio de 2006 (30 meses após o plantio – MAP), na Coleção de Germoplasma de Helicônias da Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (CGH/UFRPE), foram utilizados para estimar parâmetros genéticos e predizer valores genotípicos para produção de hastes florais, com auxílio do procedimento de modelos mistos (REML/BLUP). Os genótipos utilizados na análise foram: H. psittacorum L.f. x H. spathocircinata Aristeguieta cv. Golden Torch (GT) e cv. Golden Torch Adrian (GTA), Heliconia psittacorum L.f. cv. Suriname Sassy (SS), cv. Red Opal (RO) e cv. Red Gold (RG), Heliconia x nickeriensis Maas e de Rooij (NCK), H. latispatha Bentham cv. Yellow Gyro (YG), H. rauliniana Barreiros (RB), H. rostrata Ruiz e Pavón (RRP), H. wagneriana Petersen (WP), H. bihai (L.) L. cv. Lobster Claw (LC). O software SELEGEN foi utilizado para realização das análises estatísticas, aplicando-se aos dados o modelo 55, que se refere à avaliação de genótipos no delineamento em blocos completos com estabilidade e adaptabilidade temporal em um só local e em vários trimestres. Na seleção de genótipos para produção e hastes florais por trimestre, destacaram-se GT, SS e RO. Os trimestres em que os genótipos foram mais produtivos foram 6 (março a maio de 2005 – 18 MAP) e 9 (dezembro a fevereiro de 2006 – 27 MAP). Os genótipos mais estáveis foram: WP e GT. Os genótipos mais adaptados foram: GT, YG, GTA e SS. Na seleção conjunta para produção de hastes florais, estabilidade e adaptabilidade os genótipos que apresentaram melhor desempenho foram: GT, RO e GTA. Foram obtidas estimativas dos componentes de média e variância considerando-se todos os genótipos em todos os trimestres. As variâncias encontradas indicam grande influência da interação genótipos x avaliações no valor fenotípico. O ordenamento dos genótipos foi variável ao longo dos trimestres, devido à correlação genotípica considerada média (43,52%). Em relação aos ganhos genéticos superiores a média geral na análise conjunta dos trimestres, destacaram-se os genótipos GT, SS, RO e GTA. Cinco trimestres são necessários para melhor avaliação do potencial genético, mantendo-se a herdabilidade média superior a 70% com acurácia seletiva de 85%. O coeficiente de determinação foi de 79% e a eficiência da realização de cinco avaliações em comparação com a situação em que se usa apenas uma foi de 1,36. Este estudo permitiu identificar a produção de cada genótipo para cada trimestre do ano, o que possibilita melhor planejamento da comercialização e fornecimento para cadeia produtiva. Além disso, os resultados obtidos poderão orientar outros estudos, envolvendo cruzamentos para obtenção de novos genótipos com características superiores, ou até mesmo a avaliação de genótipos de helicônias em condições diferentes, permitindo a caracterização de um maior número de espécies.

In this thesis we study the possibilities of designing an application to design a production line for bending of profile sheet. We discuss step by step the process of profile design, flower pattern, production line benches and the rollers, that will shape the metal sheet into the final form. We discuss the algorithms used to create different types of points placed in the contour of roller to improve the production of metal profile. As result of our work software was developed, which is able to fully support the whole process of production and it is used in practice.