Low back pain and association with whole body vibration among military armoured vehicle drivers in Malaysia.

A cross sectional study was conducted among military armoured vehicle drivers in the two largest mechanized battalions with the objective to determine the prevalence of low back pain (LBP), and its association with whole body vibration (WBV) and other associated factors. A self-administered questionnaire and Human Vibration Meter were used in this study. A total of 159 respondents participated in this study and 102 (64.2%) of them were subjected to WBV measurement. One-hundred-and-seventeen respondents complained of LBP for the past 12 months giving a prevalence of 73.6%. The prevalence of LBP among tracked armoured vehicle drivers was higher (81.7%) as compared to wheeled armoured vehicle drivers (67.0%). The mean acceleration at Z-axis in tracked armoured vehicles (1.09 ± 0.26 ms-2) and wheeled armoured vehicles (0.33 ± 0.07 ms-2) were the dominant vibration directions. The mean estimated vibration dose value (eVDV) for eight-hour daily exposure at Z-axis (19.86 ± 4.72 ms-1.75) in tracked armoured vehicles showed the highest estimation. Based on the European Vibration Directive (2002), the mean eVDV at Z-axis in tracked armoured vehicles exceeded exposure action value (EAV) (> 9.1 ms-1.75), but did not exceed exposure limit value (ELV) (<21.0 ms-1.75). Logistic regression analysis revealed that only driving in forward bending sitting posture (OR=3.63, 95% CI 1.06-12.42) and WBV exposure at X-axis (OR=1.94, 95% CI 1.02-3.69) were significant risk factors to LBP. Preventive measures should be implemented to minimize risk of WBV and to improve ergonomic postures among drivers

Low blood lead concentrations and cognitive development of primary school children from three areas in Malaysia.

A study on to identify the relationship between blood lead and cognitive development was conducted on primary school children in Malaysia. About 413 children aged 6½ - 8½ years from urban (236), rural (80) and industrial areas (97) were studied. Blood lead was analyzed using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (GFAAS). Cognitive development was measured by the ‘McCarthy Scales of Children’s Abilities Test’ (MSCA). Significant differences found in the mean cognitive scores between the urban (94.40), industrial (102.90) and suburban children (101.24) (p ≤ 0.001), with the blood lead between the urban (3.66 μg/dL), industrial (3.54 μg/dL) and suburban children (3.04 μg/dL) (p = 0.022). Significant inverse correlations between blood lead and cognitive scores found for all groups (p ≤ 0.001), urban (p ≤ 0.001) and suburban children (p < 0.001). Low blood lead significantly influenced the cognitive development for all children after adjusting for confounders (p ≤ 0.001). The urban children’s cognitive scores were significantly influenced by blood lead levels and household income (p ≤ 0.001). However, for the suburban children, the cognitive score were significantly influenced by the blood lead levels, the mothers’ education, number of siblings, sequence in the family and the household income (p < 0.001). Blood lead below 10 μg/dL influenced the cognitive development. Urban children had higher blood lead but suburban children with lower blood lead were also vulnerable to the effect of lead on their cognitive development

Kinematic Synthesis of Planar, Shape-Changing, Rigid Body Mechanisms for Design Profiles with Significant Differences in Arc Length

This paper presents a kinematic procedure to synthesize planar mechanisms capable of approximating a shape change defined by a general set of curves. These “morphing curves,” referred to as design profiles, differ from each other by a combination of displacement in the plane, shape variation, and notable differences in arc length. Where previous rigid-body shape-change work focused on mechanisms composed of rigid links and revolute joints to approximate curves of roughly equal arc length, this work introduces prismatic joints into the mechanisms in order to produce the different desired arc lengths. A method is presented to iteratively search along the profiles for locations that are best suited for prismatic joints. The result of this methodology is the creation of a chain of rigid bodies connected by revolute and prismatic joints that can approximate a set of design profiles

An Efficient Irrigation System for Plasticulture of Strawberry in Bangladesh

Plasticulture technique is a commonly used technique for advanced strawberry production. Due to high cost and tough maintenance, this technique is not practiced commercially in Bangladesh. We have found that, if the irrigation system can be switched to a cheaper one with high efficiency, then the cost can be minimized. We applied Micro-drip mediated irrigation system to minimize the cost. Our proposed modification of plasticulture using micro-drip irrigation system was outstanding in all our concerned horticultural parameters like height of the plants, number of leaves, north-south spreading, and east-west spreading of the plants. Paired Samples analysis between conventional and plasticulture procedure, test of significance for the pairs of mean, analysis of variance and LSD test at 5% level of significance were done for statistical analysis to conclude the  result. The statistical analysis has also shown that the plasticulture method proposed by us was highly significant over the conventional technique and practical for the rural farmer of Bangladesh. It reduces the production costs, improves fruit quality and yield, and reduces the need for chemical pesticides. Keywords: Micro drip irrigation, Soil solarization, Mulching, and Fruit Qualit

An efficient callus initiation and direct regeneration of Stevia rebaudiana

The experiment was carried out to establish an efficient callus induction system of Stevia rebaudiana from a variety of explants as well as direct regeneration from nodes. Callus initiation was done to extract secondary metabolites. However direct regeneration is essential for rapid large-scale clonal propagation. Among leaf, node and inter-nodal explants, the best callus initiation performance was observed by nodes. MS medium fortified with α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) 2.0 mg/L + 6-benzyladenine (BA) 2.0 mg/L showed the highest (93.33 ± 6.67%) callus induction by nodal explants. Though inter-nodal explants showed a moderate response (73.33 ± 6.67%) for callus induction in MS medium complemented with NAA 3.0 mg/L + BA 1.0 mg/L, nodal explants showed higher response (86.67 ± 13.33%) than inter-nodal explants in that nutritional environment. Leaf explants always showed very poor callus. However, the best direct regenerating medium was MS medium + BA 1.0 mg/L for multiple shoot proliferation and then transferring those shoots to ½ MS medium + NAA 1.0 mg/L for root formation.Key words: In vitro, Stevia rebaudiana, 2,4-D, α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), 6-benzyladenine (BA), plant growth regulators

Study of Shoot Multiplication of Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa)

Effects of different hormonal concentration on multiple shoot formation of RABI Strawberry-3 were studied. Where the explants were runner tips that cultured on MS basal medium supplemented with 6-Benzyl Adenine and Kinetin. The maximum percentage 80% of shoot was obtained from Benzyl Adenine concentrations of 0.5 mg/l and 1.0 mg/l whereas Kinetin concentrations were 1.5 mg/l and 2.0 mg/l separately. More promising result was found by combining two impressive concentrations of each hormone. When MS basal media was supplemented with Kinetin 2.0mg/l + Benzyl Adenin A 0.5 mg/l, Kinetin 1.5 mg/l + Benzyl Adenine 0.5 mg/l and Kinetin 1.5 mg/l + Benzyl Adenine 1.0 mg/l respectively then 100% shoots were obtained. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v1i1-2.13936 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. &amp; Tech. 1 (1&amp;2): 69-72, December, 201

Kinematic synthesis of planar, shape-changing, rigid body mechanisms for design profiles with significant differences in arc length

This paper presents a kinematic procedure to synthesize planar mechanisms capable of approximating a shape change defined by a general set of curves. These “morphing curves,” referred to as design profiles, differ from each other by a combination of displacement in the plane, shape variation, and notable differences in arc length. Where previous rigid-body shape-change work focused on mechanisms composed of rigid links and revolute joints to approximate curves of roughly equal arc length, this work introduces prismatic joints into the mechanisms in order to produce the different desired arc lengths. A method is presented to iteratively search along the profiles for locations that are best suited for prismatic joints. The result of this methodology is the creation of a chain of rigid bodies connected by revolute and prismatic joints that can approximate a set of design profiles

コウヒンシツ オヨビ タイエンセイ ノ バングラディシュイネ ヒンシュ オ ニホン デ サイバイ シタ バアイ ノ セイチョウ ヨウシキ オヨビ シュウリョウ コウセイ ケイシツ ノ ヒョウカ

バングラデッシュのイネは異なる作期に対応する品種群が分化しているばかりでなく,在来品種の中には,深水イネ,香りのある高品質米,耐塩性イネなど特異な品種が存在する。それらの品種改良はバングラデッシュのイネ育種において重要であるばかりでなく,広く遺伝資源としての価値が再認識されている。バングラデッシュで栽培されている高品質米2品種および耐塩性2品種を用いて,我が国で栽培した場合の生育特性を評価した。その結果,成長様式および収量構成形質の品種間差異が見出された。耐塩性品種Pokkaliは生育後期まで高い成長率を持続しそのため高い収量性を示すことがわかった。この品種は温帯地域においても遺伝資源として有用である可能性があり,さらに調査する必要があることを指摘した。Bangladesh rice varieties are diversified into eco-physiological groups corresponding to different cropping seasons. Moreover, various unique landraces, such as deepwater rice, fine-grained aromatic rice and salt tolerant rice are known. Those varieties are important genetic resources for rice breeding not only in Bangladesh but also in other rice growing countries. Two varieties with good grain quality and two with salt tolerance were taken from Bangladesh landraces, and tested under natural conditions in Japan together with two check varieties. Analysis of growth curve and yield component traits showed distinct varietal differences. One of the salt tolerant varieties, Pokkali, showed high yielding potential endowed with sustained growth rate. Salt tolerance and yielding potential of this variety will be appreciated in temperate countries too

Development of Efficient Callus Initiation of Malta (Citrus sinensis) Through Tissue Culture

The effects of different hormonal concentration on shoot formation and callus induction were studied on BARI Malta-1 (Citrus sinensis). Seeds containing seed coat and without seed coat was treated by Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with 6-benzyl adenine (BA) and Kinetin (KIN). Removal of seed coat showed an early response for shoot formation. The highest (70%) shoot formation was obtained from seeds without seed coat treated with MS basal media + BA 1.0 mg/l while KIN showed no response for shoot formation in any supplemented concentration. However, in case of callus induction internodes and apical shoot tips were used as explants and 2, 4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2, 4-D) was used as callus inducing hormone. MS basal media supplemented with 2, 4-D, 2.0 mg/l showed highest (68%) callus induction. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v1i1-2.13935 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. &amp; Tech. 1 (1&amp;2): 64-68, December, 201