647 research outputs found
Novel heuristic for low-batch manufacturing process scheduling optimisation with reference to process engineering
YesScheduling is an important element that has a major impact on the efficiency of all
manufacturing processes. It plays an important role in optimising the manufacturing times and
costs resulting in energy efficient processes. It has been estimated that more than 75% of
manufacturing processes occur in small batches. In such environments, processes must be able to
perform a variety of operations on a mix of different batches. Batch-job scheduling optimisation is
the response to such low batch manufacturing problems. The optimisation of batch-job process
scheduling problem is still a challenge to researchers and is far from being completely solved due
to its combinatorial nature. In this paper, a novel hybrid heuristic (HybH) solution approach for
batch-job scheduling problem is presented with the objective of optimising the overall Makespan
(Cmax). The proposed HybH is the combination of Index Based Heuristic (IBH) and the Finished
Batch-Job (FBJ) process schedule. The heuristic assigns the first operation to a batch-job using
IBH and the remaining operations on the basis FBJ process schedule. The FBJ process schedule
gives priority to the batch-job with early finished operations, without violating the constraints of
process order. The proposed HybH is explained with the help of a detailed example. Several
benchmark problems are solved from the literature to check the validity and effectiveness of the
proposed heuristic. The presented HybH has achieved batch-job process schedules which have
outperformed the traditional heuristics. The results are encouraging and show that the proposed
heuristic is a valid methodology for batch process scheduling optimisation
Hepatoprotective Effect of Rheum emodi Roots (Revand chini) and Akseer-e-Jigar Against Paracetamol-induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats
Hepatoprotective effects of Rheum emodi roots and their aqueous and methanolic extracts were studied against liver damage induced by paracetamol in albino rats. In addition, the effects of herbal preparation, Akseer-e- Jigar and a control drug, silymarin were also studied. Pretreatment and post-treatment hepatoprotective effects of all these drugs were determined. The prevention of liver damage and curative effects of the drugs were judged by changes in serum ALT, AST, ALP, albumin and bilirubin (total and direct) levels. Powdered Rheum emodi roots (1 and 1.5 g/kg) and their aqueous extract did not significantly affect serum enzymes, albumin and bilirubin levels. However, treatment with powder (2 g/kg), methanolic extract (0.6 g/kg), Akseer-e-Jigar (1 g/kg) and silymarin (50 mg/kg) in both pre and post-treatment studies significantly prevented the paracetamol-induced rise of serum enzymes and bilirubin levels whereas serum albumin was raised after treatment with these drugs. It is conceivable, therefore, that Rheum emodi roots and Akseer-e-Jigar possess hepatoprotective principles that can prevent and/or treat liver damage due to paracetamol. The study has supported empirical use of the plant and its compound preparation used in traditional medicine
Discordant transmission of bacteria and viruses from mothers to babies at birth
BACKGROUND: The earliest microbial colonizers of the human gut can have life-long consequences for their hosts. Precisely how the neonatal gut bacterial microbiome and virome are initially populated is not well understood. To better understand how the maternal gut microbiome influences acquisition of the infant gut microbiome, we studied the early life bacterial microbiomes and viromes of 28 infant twin pairs and their mothers.
RESULTS: Infant bacterial and viral communities more closely resemble those of their related co-twin than unrelated infants. We found that 63% of an infant\u27s bacterial microbiome can be traced to their mother\u27s gut microbiota. In contrast, only 15% of their viral communities are acquired from their mother. Delivery route did not determine how much of the bacterial microbiome or virome was shared from mother to infant. However, bacteria-bacteriophage interactions were altered by delivery route.
CONCLUSIONS: The maternal gut microbiome significantly influences infant gut microbiome acquisition. Vertical transmission of the bacterial microbiome is substantially higher compared to vertical transmission of the virome. However, the degree of similarity between the maternal and infant gut bacterial microbiome and virome did not vary by delivery route. The greater similarity of the bacterial microbiome and virome between twin pairs than unrelated twins may reflect a shared environmental exposure. Thus, differences of the inter-generation transmissibility at birth between the major kingdoms of microbes indicate that the foundation of these microbial communities are shaped by different rules. Video Abstract
Micronutrients: unravelling the mystery
Non-Peer Reviewe
Endogenization of a prosimian retrovirus during lemur evolution
Studies of viruses that coevolved with lemurs provide an opportunity to understand the basal traits of primate viruses and provide an evolutionary context for host-virus interactions. Germline integration of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are fossil evidence of past infections. Hence, characterization of novel ERVs provides insight into the ancient precursors of extant viruses and the evolutionary history of their hosts. Here, we report the discovery of a novel endogenous retrovirus present in the genome of a lemur, Coquerel\u27s sifaka
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