An Investigation of Work-Related Risk Factors Among Sewing Machine Operators in Bangladesh

Working extended periods of time in front of sewing machines may cause discomfort to the operators of sewing machines. Sewing machine operators sit for extended periods of time and use their hands to control, handle, or feel objects and tools in repetitive processes which makes them vulnerable to musculoskeletal symptoms. Therefore, this study aims to identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among sewing machine operators working in the apparel industry in Bangladesh while considering job characteristics, productivity, job satisfaction, workstation design, and working environment. The results showed that working in front of the sewing machines for a long period of time might cause musculoskeletal problems for the sewing machine operators in Bangladesh which is consistent with previous studies. Further, the environment of the sewing machine rooms, job characteristics, and workstation design were not satisfactory in some cases and might impact participants’ health

Impact of weather on U.S. apparel retail and wholesale sales

There is a huge gap in our comprehension on the effect of the weather on U.S. apparel retail and wholesale sales. This study was designed to uncover the relationships between weather and apparel retail and wholesale sales in the United States. For this purpose, the study used national-level U.S. apparel retail and wholesale sales and weather data from 1992 to 2015. The result of the study revealed that U.S. apparel sales are influenced by weather. The study found that during March and April, retail sales increase with warmer than normal temperature while sales decrease in September and November when the temperature is colder than normal. In June and December, the wholesale sales increase as the temperature increases. Again, higher precipitation causes higher retail sales in July but lower sales in June. Wholesale sales increase if there is higher precipitation than the normal in December and January but sales fall in May with the increase of precipitation. The study also revealed that change in weather affects the impact of wholesale sales on retail sales during the months of May, June, July, August, and November. As little study is available about impact of weather on apparel sales in the United States, this study results will assist U.S. apparel retailers and wholesalers to accurately predict the impact of weather on sales and help them to take corrective actions to mitigate the negative impact of the weather on business activities

The Impact of Weather on U.S. Apparel Retail Sales

There is a huge gap in our comprehension on the effect of the weather on U.S. apparel retail sales. This study was designed to uncover the relationships between weather and apparel retail sales in the United States. For this purpose, the secondary data analysis was performed using the national-level U.S. apparel retail sales and the weather data from 1992 to 2015. The study found that when the temperature is higher than usual especially in April, the apparel retail sales will increase and when the temperature is lower in September and October, the sales will decrease. Again, higher precipitation in July expects higher sales in the United States. The U.S. retailers now can predict how the weather change will impact their sales and at what amount and take corrective actions to mitigate the negative impact of the weather on business activities

A 30-day follow-up study on the prevalence of SARS-COV-2 genetic markers in wastewater from the residence of COVID-19 patient and comparison with clinical positivity

Wastewater based epidemiology (WBE) is an important tool to fight against COVID-19 as it provides insights into the health status of the targeted population from a small single house to a large municipality in a cost-effective, rapid, and non-invasive way. The implementation of wastewater based surveillance (WBS) could reduce the burden on the public health system, management of pandemics, help to make informed decisions, and protect public health. In this study, a house with COVID-19 patients was targeted for monitoring the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 genetic markers in wastewa-ter samples (WS) with clinical specimens (CS) for a period of 30 days. RT-qPCR technique was employed to target non-structural (ORF1ab) and structural-nucleocapsid (N) protein genes of SARS-CoV-2, according to a validated experimental protocol. Physiological, environmental, and biological parameters were also measured following the American Public Health Association (APHA) standard protocols. SARS-CoV-2 viral shedding in wastewater peaked when the highest number of COVID-19 cases were clinically diagnosed. Throughout the study period, 7450 to 23,000 gene copies/1000 mL were detected, where we identified 47 % (57/120) positive samples from WS and 35 % (128/360) from CS. When the COVID-19 patient number was the lowest (2), the highest CT value (39.4; i.e., lowest copy number) was identified from WS. On the other hand, when the COVID-19 patients were the highest (6), the lowest CT value (25.2 i.e., highest copy numbers) was obtained from WS. An advance signal of increased SARS-CoV-2 viral load from the COVID-19 patient was found in WS earlier than in the CS. Using customized primer sets in a traditional PCR approach, we confirmed that all SARS-CoV-2 variants identified in both CS and WS were Delta variants (B.1.617.2). To our knowledge, this is the first follow-up study to determine a temporal relationship be-tween COVID-19 patients and their discharge of SARS-CoV-2 RNA genetic markers in wastewater from a single house including all family members for clinical sampling from a developing country (Bangladesh), where a proper sewage system is lacking. The salient findings of the study indicate that monitoring the genetic markers of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in wastewater could identify COVID-19 cases, which reduces the burden on the public health system during COVID-19 pandemics.Peer reviewe

Wastewater-based epidemiological surveillance to monitor the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in developing countries with onsite sanitation facilities

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged as a valuable approach for forecasting disease outbreaks in developed countries with a centralized sewage infrastructure. On the other hand, due to the absence of well-defined and systematic sewage networks, WBE is challenging to implement in developing countries like Bangladesh where most people live in rural areas. Identification of appropriate locations for rural Hotspot Based Sampling (HBS) and urban Drain Based Sampling (DBS) are critical to enable WBE based monitoring system. We investigated the best sampling locations from both urban and rural areas in Bangladesh after evaluating the sanitation infrastructure for forecasting COVID-19 prevalence. A total of 168 wastewater samples were collected from 14 districts of Bangladesh during each of the two peak pandemic seasons. RT-qPCR commercial kits were used to target ORF1ab and N genes. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 genetic materials was found in 98% (165/168) and 95% (160/168) wastewater samples in the first and second round sampling, respectively. Although wastewater effluents from both the marketplace and isolation center drains were found with the highest amount of genetic materials according to the mixed model, quantifiable SARS-CoV-2 RNAs were also identified in the other four sampling sites. Hence, wastewater samples of the marketplace in rural areas and isolation centers in urban areas can be considered the appropriate sampling sites to detect contagion hotspots. This is the first complete study to detect SARS-CoV-2 genetic components in wastewater samples collected from rural and urban areas for monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic. The results based on the study revealed a correlation between viral copy numbers in wastewater samples and SARS-CoV-2 positive cases reported by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) as part of the national surveillance program for COVID-19 prevention. The findings of this study will help in setting strategies and guidelines for the selection of appropriate sampling sites, which will facilitate in development of comprehensive wastewater-based epidemiological systems for surveillance of rural and urban areas of low-income countries with inadequate sewage infrastructure.This research was supported by Water Aid Bangladesh, North South University, Dhaka, COVID-19 Diagnostic Lab, Department of Microbiology, Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU), Noakhali, Bangladesh, the International Training Network of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (ITN-BUET) - Centre for Water Supply and Waste Management, and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden. We acknowledge the sincere help and support of the staff and volunteers of NSTU-COVID-19 Diagnostic Lab, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Bangladesh during the different phases of the study. PB and MTI acknowledge the Life Science Technology Platform, Science for Life Laboratory for the seed funding to initiate the wastewater-based epidemiological studies for SARS-CoV-2 in Bangladesh. We would also like to acknowledge the two anonymous reviewers for their critical comments as well as their thoughtful insights, which has significantly improved the manuscript.Peer reviewe

An investigation of work-related risk factors among sewing machine operators

Working extended periods of time in front of sewing machines may cause discomfort to the operators of sewing machines. Sewing machine operators sit for extended periods of time and use their hands to control, handle, or feel objects and tools in repetitive processes which makes them vulnerable to musculoskeletal symptoms. Therefore, this study aims to identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among sewing machine operators working in the apparel industry in Bangladesh while considering job characteristics, productivity, job satisfaction, workstation design, and working environment. The results showed that working in front of the sewing machines for a long period of time might cause musculoskeletal problems for the sewing machine operators in Bangladesh which is consistent with previous studies. Further, the environment of the sewing machine rooms, job characteristics, and workstation design were not satisfactory in some cases and might impact participants’ health

An Investigation of Work-Related Risk Factors Among Sewing Machine Operators in Bangladesh

Working extended periods of time in front of sewing machines may cause discomfort to the operators of sewing machines. Sewing machine operators sit for extended periods of time and use their hands to control, handle, or feel objects and tools in repetitive processes which makes them vulnerable to musculoskeletal symptoms. Therefore, this study aims to identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among sewing machine operators working in the apparel industry in Bangladesh while considering job characteristics, productivity, job satisfaction, workstation design, and working environment. The results showed that working in front of the sewing machines for a long period of time might cause musculoskeletal problems for the sewing machine operators in Bangladesh which is consistent with previous studies. Further, the environment of the sewing machine rooms, job characteristics, and workstation design were not satisfactory in some cases and might impact participants’ health.</p

Manufacturing Cut-And-Sew Garment-Integrated Technologies: An Investigation Of Surface-Mount Fabrication For Electronic Textiles

University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. August 2020. Major: Design, Housing and Apparel. Advisor: Lucy Dunne. 1 computer file (PDF); xxii, 373 pages.The current wearable industry often uses custom made techniques (e.g., craft-based, hobbyists) that utilized proprietary equipment in a laboratory setting with specific applications in mind. While craft construction of textile-integrated electronics is common, these methods are typically not efficient enough for larger-scale production. For larger-scale production, the barriers to textile- and garment-integration have restricted the ability to spatially distribute technology over the body surface, particularly sensing and actuating components that may rely heavily on or be strongly affected by their specific location on the body. Industrial fabrication of e-textiles requires an efficient and scalable process that allows spatial distribution of components with a careful balance of automation and human labor. This research project aims to develop, characterize, and assess a scalable manufacturing method for garment-integrated technologies that preserve user comfort and work within the constraints of typical apparel manufacturing processes while providing required electrical performance and durability needed by the system. We have developed a method for attaching discrete surface-mount components and characterized the method. The method uses an industrial pattern stitching machine to stitch conductive traces onto a fabric surface in a 2D pattern and a reflow technique to integrate electronic components. Several prototypes from small fabric swatches to completed e-textile garments were made and tested to evaluate the durability, efficiency, and effectiveness of the method. We show a durability of 3% joint failure after a 14-hour wear test with no insulation and 0% failure rate after a washability test with insulation for the best manufacturing conditions. To investigate the scalability of the method at a garment scale as compared to manufacture of non-electronic garments, forty pieces each of regular and temperature sensing fire-fighter turnout gear coat liner garments have been produced. This manufacturing case study was used to evaluate the successful functionality of the manufactured garments as well as the impact of integrating electronic technology on labor, equipment, and cost. The study results show that the average manufacturing time to produce a sensor-integrated thermal liner was 3.27 times higher than producing a regular thermal liner garment, given that all the materials, labor, and machines remain constant. The sensor-integrated thermal liner garment cost around 3.44 times more to produce compared to the regular thermal liner garment. However, further analysis showed that by optimizing some of the processes, and using fully functional machines and skilled laborers, the production cost of the same sensor-integrated garment could be cut down by almost 51% and if the production takes place in a developing country where labor cost is much lower than in developed countries, the cost of production could be cut down to as much as 72%. Moreover, it would require more skilled laborers and better training of the laborers to produce e-textile garments compared to regular garments. We show that with strategic design and using existing machines and tools, technologies could be integrated into clothing during the assembly process using existing apparel manufacturing technology without a significant impact on labor, equipment, and cost. Furthermore, results of this case study were used to identify the more abstract challenges including machine optimization, human errors, and process variables involved in transitioning from one-off production to a larger-scale context in a Cut-Make-Trim (CMT) factory setting. The manufacturing method could be potentially used as an alternative for manufacturing e-textiles in mass

Application of International laws in Bangladesh: a critical evaluation

This article discusses the incorporation and implementation of international laws, specifically international treaties and agreements into the domestic legal system of Bangladesh. The position of international laws in the legal system of Bangladesh and their authority to interpret and challenge domestic laws has been focused upon. To that effect, the constitutional provisions dealing with international law along with various authoritative court decisions have been analyzed. Additionally, status and implementation of customary international laws in Bangladesh have also been absorbed. How the norms of customary international lawsare being incorporated and implemented have been discussed in detail. The analytical methods of research have been carried in the piece highlighting judicial decisionsand internationalinstruments.This articleis based on secondary materials with the key sources includingtextbooks, reports, journal articles, conference papers, daily newspapers and online documents. The study has also relied on international instruments, domestic lawsand decided cases of Apex Court of Bangladesh.The findings show that as a democratic country Bangladesh needs to incorporate for the sake of its own people the provisions of international treaties into domestic laws. This is a gradual but perilous process which would take more than political goodwill to materialize. As a young nation, it still has a long way to go to level its regulations up-to the international standards. The positive indication is that the supreme courts of Bangladesh are increasingly realizing and interpreting international instruments through their decisions pressurizing the government to make positive changes in the legislations