Evaluation of Brassica Juncea Germplasm through heritability estimation and correlation analysis

The experimental material was planted at the University of Agriculture, Peshawar to estimate genetic parameters of heritability and correlation for yield traits of indigenous Brassica Juncea genotypes. RCB design with three replications was used to sow 20 Brassica genotypes. Highly significant genetic variations were obtained among studied parameters. Days to half flowering revealed positive associations with primary branches per plant (r= 0.337**). Primary branches per plant was positively correlated with pod length (r= 0.407**), seed per pod (r= 0.418**) seed yield per plant (r= 0.479**). Similarly, pod length showed positive correlation with seed per pod (r= 0.324*) and seed yield per plant (r= 0.331**), while seed per pod was positively correlated with seed yield per plant (r= 0.878**). Highest broad-sense heritability was recorded for seed yield per plant (0.97), while lowest heritability was estimated for primary branches per plant (0.46)

Mortality in Hip Fracture Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Analysis in a District General Hospital in the United Kingdom

Introduction Hip fracture is commonly seen in elderly patients because of low-energy trauma. It carries significant morbidity and mortality. Scoring systems such as the Nottingham hip fracture score (NHFS) have shown a good correlation with increased mortality as the value of these scores increases. In our study, we aim to ascertain the hip fracture mortality in our population, compare the mortality in hip fractures compared to previously reported figures in literature and nationally reported figures during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, and also ascertain the usefulness of NHFS in predicting mortality in hip fractures. Methods We gathered mortality data on hip fracture patients admitted to our unit from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020.&nbsp;NHFS was calculated for all patients and the 30-day mortality rate was compared to previously reported hip fracture mortality rates using the standard mortality ratio (SMR). One-year mortality was stratified by placing patients in high and low NHFS groups. The log-rank test was used to compare hip fracture survival at one month and at one year in the high NHFS (NHFS &gt;4) group and low NHFS group (NHFS value 4 or below). Additionally, a log-rank test was used to compare one-month and one-year survival in hip fractures managed with hemiarthroplasty, dynamic hip screw and intramedullary nail. Results In 2020, 388 patients were admitted with hip fractures to our unit. The crude mortality rate was 3.9% at 30 days and 20.88% at one year. Compared to the National Hip Fracture Database report for 2020, the incidence risk ratio for mortality was 0.46 (p-value&lt;0.05). The SMR at 30 days was 0.34 (CI=0.17-0.51) and the SMR at one year was 0.63 (CI=0.49-0.77). The survival rate was higher at 30 days and one year in the low NHFS group compared to the high NHFS group (p-value&lt;0.01). The survival rate at one month and one year were similar in groups managed with hemiarthroplasty, dynamic hip screws, and intramedullary nails (p-value&gt;0.05). Conclusions Hip fracture mortality has been decreasing steadily and we noted a lower rate of hip fracture mortality compared to figures reported previously as per NHFS studies even though the study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic period. We also noted lower 30-day mortality in our hospital as compared to the national 30-day mortality rate for hip fracture patients in 2020. &nbsp;</p

Tunable Porous Organic Crystals: Structural Scope and Adsorption Properties of Nanoporous Steroidal Ureas

Previous work has shown that certain steroidal bis-(N-phenyl)ureas, derived from cholic acid, form crystals in the P61 space group with unusually wide unidimensional pores. A key feature of the nanoporous steroidal urea (NPSU) structure is that groups at either end of the steroid are directed into the channels and may in principle be altered without disturbing the crystal packing. Herein we report an expanded study of this system, which increases the structural variety of NPSUs and also examines their inclusion properties. Nineteen new NPSU crystal structures are described, to add to the six which were previously reported. The materials show wide variations in channel size, shape, and chemical nature. Minimum pore diameters vary from ∼0 up to 13.1 Å, while some of the interior surfaces are markedly corrugated. Several variants possess functional groups positioned in the channels with potential to interact with guest molecules. Inclusion studies were performed using a relatively accessible tris-(N-phenyl)urea. Solvent removal was possible without crystal degradation, and gas adsorption could be demonstrated. Organic molecules ranging from simple aromatics (e.g., aniline and chlorobenzene) to the much larger squalene (Mw = 411) could be adsorbed from the liquid state, while several dyes were taken up from solutions in ether. Some dyes gave dichroic complexes, implying alignment of the chromophores in the NPSU channels. Notably, these complexes were formed by direct adsorption rather than cocrystallization, emphasizing the unusually robust nature of these organic molecular hosts

Development of a system for structured improvement work in the factory environment

Syftet med projektet var att studera ständiga förbättringar och observera förbättringsarbete i praktiken på en av Sandvik SRP avdelningar som kallas för West samt komma konkreta förslag för hur detta kan förbättras. Med andra ord att analysera sättet WEST jobbar på i dagsläget och skapa ett system för ständiga förbättringar i en verkstadsmiljö, som effektiviserar arbetet med ständiga förbättringar. Sandvik har byggt denna avdelning nyligen, och där jobbar man med finbearbetning av olika detaljer. Examensarbetet påbörjades med en litteraturstudie om ständiga förbättringar såsom bakgrunden, implementeringen med hjälp av Bessants fem nivåer samt nyckelfaktorer. Författarna valde att nämna de två viktigaste metoderna, PDCA och 5s. Detta gjordes eftersom verktygen används flitigt på företaget och för att få ett bättre förståelse. Efter detta genomfördes observation samt flera intervjuer. Observationen bestod av personalmöten, undersökningar av olika maskiner och processer som används på West, såsom finbearbetning, svetsning mm. Dessutom flera andra system som används för att arbeta med ständiga förbättringar och behålla en bra arbetsmiljö ̈. Intervjuer som utfördes var med Produktionsteknik Chefen Magnus, Operationell Excellens Lars Melbrand och produktionsledare Verdana från en annan avdelningen som har en viktig roll i arbetet med ständiga förbättringar samt flera maskinoperatörer/Teamledare. Nulägesanalysen gjordes genom att rita ett morellträd för att försöka skapa en så tydlig bild som möjligt av den nuvarande situationen inom olika områden för att på sikt kunna hitta orsaken till problemen som uppstår och som hindrar företaget från att förbättras ständigt. Dessutom analyserades de arbetsmetoderna som används idag samt vilka missuppfattningarna som finns bland medarbetarna som tillexempel för PDCA. Det finns inget riktigt system för utbildningen av personal på företaget, så att de kan lära sig de nya systemen och metoder som implementeras. Kommunikationen mellan maskinoperatörer och produktionstekniker är låg samt att det inte finns några mål kopplade till individ eller grupp för ständiga förbättringar. Efter att ha analyserat nuvarande situationen av avdelningen och konstaterat att WEST ligger mellan nivå 2 och 3 på Bessants fem nivåer (2003), har författarna presenterat ett antal förbättringsförslag inom olika områden som behöver förbättras. Detta gjordes med hjälp av en jämförelse med Kaye &amp; Andersons nyckelfaktorer som är tio checkpunkter för att få en tydlig bild av organisationens nuvarande position och kapacitet. Resultat av analysen illustreras av ett modellträd. I det nya trädet har områdena analyserats och förbättrats.The purpose of this thesis was to study continuous improvements and to observe their way of working with CI today at one of Sandvik SRP’s departments called West, and to come up with concrete suggestions for further improvements. In other words, to analyse the way WEST is working at present and to create a system in a working environment, which streamlines the work of continuous improvement. Sandvik has built this department recently, where process machining of various parts takes place. The thesis began with a literature study on continuous improvements such as the background, implementation of CI using Bessant's five levels and the key factors. The authors chose PDCA and 5s for further study. The purpose of choosing these two quality management tools was to get the better understanding of basics of those tools which plays an important role in the area of continuous improvements. After this, observation was carried out as well as several interviews. The observation was consisted of staff meetings, examination of various machines and processes used in West, such as finishing, welding, etc. Interviews were conducted with Production Engineer Magnus, Operational Excellence Lars Melbrand, and Production Manager Verdana from another department, whose job is to work with continuous improvement, as well as several other machine operators / Team Leaders. The status analysis was done by sketching a model tree to get a clear view of the current situation in different areas in order to eventually find the cause of the problems that arise and which prevents the company from constantly improving. In addition, the working methods which are used today were analysed and misconceptions that are found among the employees for example related to PDCA. There is no actual system built for training staff at the company so that they could get the opportunity to learn those new systems and methods which are implemented. The communication between machine operators and production engineers is low and there are no goals connected to the individual or group for continuous improvement. After analysing the current situation of the department and finding out that WEST lies between level 2 and 3 at Bessant's five level theory (2003), the authors have presented a number of suggestions in various areas to take the department to the higher level. This was being done by comparing Kaye &amp; Anderson's key factors, which are ten checkpoints to get a clear picture of the organization's current position and capacity to achieve new aims. Results of the analysis illustrated by the model tree which can be seen under the heading Results. This new model tree is an improved version of the former model tree that showed how Sandvik works with continuous improvements today. In that new tree, the areas have been analysed and improved

Development of a system for structured improvement work in the factory environment

Syftet med projektet var att studera ständiga förbättringar och observera förbättringsarbete i praktiken på en av Sandvik SRP avdelningar som kallas för West samt komma konkreta förslag för hur detta kan förbättras. Med andra ord att analysera sättet WEST jobbar på i dagsläget och skapa ett system för ständiga förbättringar i en verkstadsmiljö, som effektiviserar arbetet med ständiga förbättringar. Sandvik har byggt denna avdelning nyligen, och där jobbar man med finbearbetning av olika detaljer. Examensarbetet påbörjades med en litteraturstudie om ständiga förbättringar såsom bakgrunden, implementeringen med hjälp av Bessants fem nivåer samt nyckelfaktorer. Författarna valde att nämna de två viktigaste metoderna, PDCA och 5s. Detta gjordes eftersom verktygen används flitigt på företaget och för att få ett bättre förståelse. Efter detta genomfördes observation samt flera intervjuer. Observationen bestod av personalmöten, undersökningar av olika maskiner och processer som används på West, såsom finbearbetning, svetsning mm. Dessutom flera andra system som används för att arbeta med ständiga förbättringar och behålla en bra arbetsmiljö ̈. Intervjuer som utfördes var med Produktionsteknik Chefen Magnus, Operationell Excellens Lars Melbrand och produktionsledare Verdana från en annan avdelningen som har en viktig roll i arbetet med ständiga förbättringar samt flera maskinoperatörer/Teamledare. Nulägesanalysen gjordes genom att rita ett morellträd för att försöka skapa en så tydlig bild som möjligt av den nuvarande situationen inom olika områden för att på sikt kunna hitta orsaken till problemen som uppstår och som hindrar företaget från att förbättras ständigt. Dessutom analyserades de arbetsmetoderna som används idag samt vilka missuppfattningarna som finns bland medarbetarna som tillexempel för PDCA. Det finns inget riktigt system för utbildningen av personal på företaget, så att de kan lära sig de nya systemen och metoder som implementeras. Kommunikationen mellan maskinoperatörer och produktionstekniker är låg samt att det inte finns några mål kopplade till individ eller grupp för ständiga förbättringar. Efter att ha analyserat nuvarande situationen av avdelningen och konstaterat att WEST ligger mellan nivå 2 och 3 på Bessants fem nivåer (2003), har författarna presenterat ett antal förbättringsförslag inom olika områden som behöver förbättras. Detta gjordes med hjälp av en jämförelse med Kaye &amp; Andersons nyckelfaktorer som är tio checkpunkter för att få en tydlig bild av organisationens nuvarande position och kapacitet. Resultat av analysen illustreras av ett modellträd. I det nya trädet har områdena analyserats och förbättrats.The purpose of this thesis was to study continuous improvements and to observe their way of working with CI today at one of Sandvik SRP’s departments called West, and to come up with concrete suggestions for further improvements. In other words, to analyse the way WEST is working at present and to create a system in a working environment, which streamlines the work of continuous improvement. Sandvik has built this department recently, where process machining of various parts takes place. The thesis began with a literature study on continuous improvements such as the background, implementation of CI using Bessant's five levels and the key factors. The authors chose PDCA and 5s for further study. The purpose of choosing these two quality management tools was to get the better understanding of basics of those tools which plays an important role in the area of continuous improvements. After this, observation was carried out as well as several interviews. The observation was consisted of staff meetings, examination of various machines and processes used in West, such as finishing, welding, etc. Interviews were conducted with Production Engineer Magnus, Operational Excellence Lars Melbrand, and Production Manager Verdana from another department, whose job is to work with continuous improvement, as well as several other machine operators / Team Leaders. The status analysis was done by sketching a model tree to get a clear view of the current situation in different areas in order to eventually find the cause of the problems that arise and which prevents the company from constantly improving. In addition, the working methods which are used today were analysed and misconceptions that are found among the employees for example related to PDCA. There is no actual system built for training staff at the company so that they could get the opportunity to learn those new systems and methods which are implemented. The communication between machine operators and production engineers is low and there are no goals connected to the individual or group for continuous improvement. After analysing the current situation of the department and finding out that WEST lies between level 2 and 3 at Bessant's five level theory (2003), the authors have presented a number of suggestions in various areas to take the department to the higher level. This was being done by comparing Kaye &amp; Anderson's key factors, which are ten checkpoints to get a clear picture of the organization's current position and capacity to achieve new aims. Results of the analysis illustrated by the model tree which can be seen under the heading Results. This new model tree is an improved version of the former model tree that showed how Sandvik works with continuous improvements today. In that new tree, the areas have been analysed and improved

Insight on the Properties of Pumice Mineral for the Combined Adsorption Distillation of Membrane Reject Water

The current study evaluated the use of pumice, a volcanic mineral and common sand, in treating reverse osmosis membrane reject water (ROR) using a novel combined adsorption distillation (CAD) method. The CAD method is developed to separate the dissolved solids through adsorption distillation, i.e., leaving the vaporized distillate as freshwater and concentrated brine. The adsorption potential of pumice and sand was investigated at different adsorbent doses, i.e., 2, 5, and 10 g, and consecutive CAD adsorbent backwashing cycles. The improved results were achieved at a 10 g pumice dose. However, its adsorption efficiency declined in longer CAD cycles, i.e., due to the separated deposition of solids. After backwashing, the adsorbed and accumulated salts were slightly removed, and pumice adsorption capacity was maintained for up to 20 cycles of CAD. The properties of the pumice, i.e., before and after five CAD cycles and after backwashing, were characterized with scanning electron microscopic (SEM), elemental disruptive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), which revealed that the porous structure of the pumice was completely accumulated with deposits of ionic salts, which were slightly washed away after backwashing, but accumulation remained continued in post-CAD cycles. The explored method revealed a high potential of pumice in water filtration

Pakistamide C, a new sphingolipid from Abutilon pakistanicum

The Abutilon genus from the Malvaceae family is of medicinal importance, and members of this genus are distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and other parts of the world. Abutilon pakistanicumJafri & Ali is mainly found in Pakistan. It has been used by different systems of traditional medicines to treat different diseases. Pakistamide C, a new sphingolipid, has been isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the methanolic extract of A. pakistanicum. Different spectroscopic techniques such as NMR (1H, 13C, COSY, NOESY, HSQC, HMBC) and Mass spectrometry (EI-MS, and FAB-MS experiments) were used to elucidate the structure of pakistamide C