Internal Logistics Process Improvement using PDCA: A Case Study in the Automotive Sector

Background: The Plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle methodology for a continuous improvement project implementation aims for the internal logistics upgrade, which is especially important in the industrial context of a component manufacturing company for the automotive sector. Objectives: The goal is to quantify the gains from waste reduction based on the usage of the PDCA cycle as a tool in the implementation and optimisation of a milk run in an assembly line of a company in the automotive sector by determining the optimal cycle time of supply and the standardisation of the logistic supply process and the materials’ flow. Methods/Approach: The research was conducted through observation and data collection in loco, involving two main phases: planning and implementation. According to the phases of the PDCA cycle, the process was analysed, and tools such as the SIPOC matrix, process stratification, 5S, and visual management were implemented. Results: Using Lean tools, it was possible to reduce waste by establishing concise flows and defining a supply pattern, which resulted in a reduction of movements. The transportation waste was reduced by fixing the position of more than half of the materials in the logistic trailers. The developed Excel simulator provided the logistic train\u27s optimal cycle time. Conclusions: The assembly line supplied by milk-run was fundamental to highlight a range of improvements in the process of internal supply, such as better integration of stock management systems, greater application of quality, or the adoption of better communication systems between the different areas and employees

Extraction of bioactive compounds from Curcuma longa L. using deep eutectic solvents: in vitro and in vivo biological activities

In this work, deep eutectic solvents (DES-based menthol and cholinium chloride) and the ethanol, temperature, and times were selected to extract bioactive compounds from the rhizome, leaves, and flowers Curcuma longa L., using ultrasound-assisted extraction. Analyzes antioxidant, flavonoids, antimicrobial, chelation Fe2+, inhibition of the cholinesterase's enzymes, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity in Allium cepa cells were performed. The extracts showed results of iron chelation and antibacterial. Curcuma flowers and leaves' extracts inhibited food spoilage bacteria with values above 45%, with substantial iron-chelating activity above 50%. Extracts obtained by DES based on menthol and lactic acid exhibited a high percentage of inhibition of acetyl and butyryl cholinesterase. In contrast, flower extracts obtained by menthol and acetic acid showed low inhibition of cholinesterase enzyme activity. No extract showed cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. Biological activities showed a high potential for the application of these extracts in the food and pharmaceutical industries.This study was financed by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) – Finance Code 001. The authors thank both CAPES for the financial support, the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) and the Federal University of Technology - Paraná (UTFPR), Labmulti-CM (UTFPR) for the technical support provided. M. R. Mafra and L. Igarashi-Mafra are grateful to the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq - Grant 310182/2018-2 and 308517/2018-0, respectively).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

L-Glutamine Supplementation Improves the Benefits of Combined-Exercise Training on Oral Redox Balance and Inflammatory Status in Elderly Individuals

Although regular combined aerobic-resistance exercises can ameliorate the inflammatory status and redox balance in elderly population, it is unclear whether protein or specific amino acid supplementation could improve such benefits. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the inflammatory status and redox indexes through of the saliva of 34 elderly subject nonpractitioners (NP group, 73.3±6.6 years) and 49 elderly subject practitioners of a combined-exercise training in moderate intensity (CET group, 71.9±5.8 years) before (pre) and after (post) 30 days of supplementation with L-glutamine (Gln) or placebo (PL). Our results showed that, both in pre- and postsupplementation, the salivary levels of nitric oxide (NO⋅) and TNF-α were lower, whereas the levels of uric acid and IL-10 (as well as IL-10/TNF-α ratio) were higher in the CET groups than in the NP groups. In postsupplementation, both groups supplemented with Gln (NP-Gln and CET-Gln) showed higher salivary uric acid levels compared to baseline. In addition, lower NO⋅ levels were found in the CET-Gln group postsupplementation than presupplementation values. Whereas the CET-Gln group showed lower GSH levels postsupplementation, NP-Gln subjects showed lower GSSG levels at the same time point, both compared to baseline. Interestingly, salivary peroxidase activity was lower only in NP groups (NP-PL and NP-Gln) postsupplementation than baseline values. A positive significant correlation between salivary peroxidase activity and GSH levels, and also between salivary peroxidase activity and uric acid levels were observed in the CET-Gln group both pre- and postsupplementation. No differences were found in albumin, total antioxidant activity (TEAC), and reducing power analysis between groups, pre- or postsupplementation. In conclusion, the elderly subjects from the CET group showed a better inflammatory response and redox balance and, for the first time, it was shown that daily supplementation with Gln for 30 days can improve these benefits with putative association with a healthy aging

Elderly Subjects Supplemented with L-Glutamine Shows an Improvement of Mucosal Immunity in the Upper Airways in Response to Influenza Virus Vaccination

Background: Although glutamine is able to improve the immune response, its action in the upper airway immunity against the influenza virus vaccine remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the L-glutamine supplementation effect on the mucosal immune/inflammatory response of elderly subjects vaccinated against the influenza virus. Methods: Saliva sampling from 83 physically active elderly volunteers were collected pre- and 30 days after influenza virus vaccination and supplementation with L-glutamine (Gln, n = 42) or placebo (PL, n = 41). Results: Gln group showed higher salivary levels of interleukin (IL)-17, total secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA), and specific-SIgA post-vaccination than values found pre-vaccination and in the PL group post-vaccination. Whereas higher salivary levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were observed post-vaccination in the Gln group, IL-37 levels were lower post-vaccination in both groups than the values pre-vaccination. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels were unchanged. Positive correlations between IL-6 and IL-10 were found in all volunteer groups pre- and post-vaccination and also between IL-17 and IL-6 or IL-10 in the Gln group post-vaccination. A negative correlation between IL-37 and IL-10 was found pre- and post-vaccination in the PL group. Conclusion: Gln supplementation was able to modulate salivary cytokine profile and increase SIgA levels, both total and specific to the influenza virus vaccine, in physically active elderly subjects

Elderly Subjects Supplemented with L-Glutamine Shows an Improvement of Mucosal Immunity in the Upper Airways in Response to Influenza Virus Vaccination

Background: Although glutamine is able to improve the immune response, its action in the upper airway immunity against the influenza virus vaccine remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the L-glutamine supplementation effect on the mucosal immune/inflammatory response of elderly subjects vaccinated against the influenza virus. Methods: Saliva sampling from 83 physically active elderly volunteers were collected pre- and 30 days after influenza virus vaccination and supplementation with L-glutamine (Gln, n = 42) or placebo (PL, n = 41). Results: Gln group showed higher salivary levels of interleukin (IL)-17, total secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA), and specific-SIgA post-vaccination than values found pre-vaccination and in the PL group post-vaccination. Whereas higher salivary levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were observed post-vaccination in the Gln group, IL-37 levels were lower post-vaccination in both groups than the values pre-vaccination. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels were unchanged. Positive correlations between IL-6 and IL-10 were found in all volunteer groups pre- and post-vaccination and also between IL-17 and IL-6 or IL-10 in the Gln group post-vaccination. A negative correlation between IL-37 and IL-10 was found pre- and post-vaccination in the PL group. Conclusion: Gln supplementation was able to modulate salivary cytokine profile and increase SIgA levels, both total and specific to the influenza virus vaccine, in physically active elderly subjects

Uma heurística de busca tabu simples para o problema de carregamento de paletes do produtor

O problema de carregamento de paletes do produtor consiste em arranjar, ortogonalmente e sem sobreposição, o máximo número de caixas de dimensões (l,w) ou (w,l), sobre um palete retangular de dimensões (L,W). Este problema vem sendo tratado com sucesso por heurísticas de blocos, onde são gerados padrões de carregamento compostos por um ou mais blocos, cujas peças possuem a mesma orientação. Uma característica desses métodos é que os padrões gerados estão limitados aos chamados padrões não-guilhotinados de primeira ordem. Neste trabalho é proposta uma abordagem baseada na incorporação de busca tabu simples (sem estruturas de memória de longo prazo) em heurísticas de bloco. Partindo-se de uma solução inicial, são realizados movimentos de aumento de blocos, que resultam na diminuição, eliminação e criação de outros blocos. Resultados computacionais indicam que esta abordagem é capaz de gerar padrões ótimos de ordem superior em problemas de difícil resolução para outros métodos da literatura.<br>The manufacturer's pallet loading problem consists in arranging, orthogonally and without overlapping, the maximum number of boxes with dimensions (l,w) or (w,l) onto a rectangular pallet with dimensions (L,W). This problem has been handled successfully by block heuristics, which generate loading patterns composed by one or more blocks where the pieces have the same orientation. A feature of such methods is that the patterns are limited to the so called 1st order non-guillotine patterns. In this work we propose an approach based on the incorporation of simple tabu search (without longer term memory structures) in block heuristics. Starting from an initial pattern, the algorithm performs moves that increase the size of selected blocks in the current pattern; as a result, other blocks are decreased, eliminated or created. Computational results indicate that the approach is capable of generating superior order optimal patterns for difficult instances reported in the literature