A Time-Performance Improvement Model with Optimal Ergonomic Risk Level Using Genetic Algorithm

The optimization of productivity has received significant attention in the manufacturing field. The majority of operations in the manufacturing business are still performed by workers. The analysis of work efficiency and the avoidance of ergonomic risk levels in the production line of clothing industry is critical. The correlation between a task in production and a reduction in ergonomic risks has been rarely considered in previous studies. This study proposes a time-performance improvement model with an optimal ergonomic risk level using a genetic algorithm; the model is intended to be used in the garment industry and reduce the gap for real-world applications. The results show that by distributing management training and limiting ergonomic risk factors, operator performance of selected operations can be improved, resulting in an optimum solution. The proposed model was implemented through case studies, and the operator performance improved from 73.68% to 92.76%. The significant element of this study is to use ergonomic improvement to increase operator performance through a time-performance improvement model

A Novel Disulfide-Rich Protein Motif from Avian Eggshell Membranes

Under the shell of a chicken egg are two opposed proteinaceous disulfide-rich membranes. They are fabricated in the avian oviduct using fibers formed from proteins that are extensively coupled by irreversible lysine-derived crosslinks. The intractability of these eggshell membranes (ESM) has slowed their characterization and their protein composition remains uncertain. In this work, reductive alkylation of ESM followed by proteolytic digestion led to the identification of a cysteine rich ESM protein (abbreviated CREMP) that was similar to spore coat protein SP75 from cellular slime molds. Analysis of the cysteine repeats in partial sequences of CREMP reveals runs of remarkably repetitive patterns. Module a contains a C-X4-C-X5-C-X8-C-X6 pattern (where X represents intervening non-cysteine residues). These inter-cysteine amino acid residues are also strikingly conserved. The evolutionarily-related module b has the same cysteine spacing as a, but has 11 amino acid residues at its C-terminus. Different stretches of CREMP sequences in chicken genomic DNA fragments show diverse repeat patterns: e.g. all a modules; an alternation of a-b modules; or an a-b-b arrangement. Comparable CREMP proteins are found in contigs of the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) and in the oviparous green anole lizard (Anolis carolinensis). In all these cases the long runs of highly conserved modular repeats have evidently led to difficulties in the assembly of full length DNA sequences. Hence the number, and the amino acid lengths, of CREMP proteins are currently unknown. A 118 amino acid fragment (representing an a-b-a-b pattern) from a chicken oviduct EST library expressed in Escherichia coli is a well folded, highly anisotropic, protein with a large chemical shift dispersion in 2D solution NMR spectra. Structure is completely lost on reduction of the 8 disulfide bonds of this protein fragment. Finally, solid state NMR spectra suggest a surprising degree of order in intact ESM fibers

High frequency plant regeneration from mature seed of elite, recalcitrant Malaysian indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) CV. MR 219

An efficient in vitro plant regeneration system was established for elite, recalcitrant Malaysian indica rice, Oryza sativa L. CV. MR 219 using mature seeds as explant on Murashige and Skoog and Chu N6 media containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid and kinetin either alone or in different combinations. L-proline, casein hydrolysate and L-glutamine were added to callus induction media for enhancement of embryogenic callus induction. The highest frequency of friable callus induction (84%) was observed in N6 medium containing 2.5 mg l -1 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid, 0.2 mg l -1 kinetin, 2.5 mg l -1 L-proline, 300 mg l -1 casein hydrolysate, 20 mg l -1 L-glutamine and 30 g l -1 sucrose under culture in continuous lighting conditions. The maximum regeneration frequency (71%) was observed, when 30-day-old N6 friable calli were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 3 mg l -1 6-benzyl aminopurine, 1 mg l -1 naphthalene acetic acid, 2.5 mg l -1 L-proline, 300 mg l -1 casein hydrolysate and 3% maltose. Developed shoots were rooted in half strength MS medium supplemented with 2% sucrose and were successfully transplanted to soil with 95% survival. This protocol may be used for other recalcitrant indica rice genotypes and to transfer desirable genes in to Malaysian indica rice cultivar MR219 for crop improvement

High frequency plant regeneration from mature seed of elite, recalcitrant Malaysian indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) CV. MR 219

An efficient in vitro plant regeneration system was established for elite, recalcitrant Malaysian indica rice, Oryza sativa L. CV. MR 219 using mature seeds as explant on Murashige and Skoog and Chu N6 media containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid and kinetin either alone or in different combinations. L-proline, casein hydrolysate and L-glutamine were added to callus induction media for enhancement of embryogenic callus induction. The highest frequency of friable callus induction (84%) was observed in N6 medium containing 2.5 mg l -1 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid, 0.2 mg l -1 kinetin, 2.5 mg l -1 L-proline, 300 mg l -1 casein hydrolysate, 20 mg l -1 L-glutamine and 30 g l -1 sucrose under culture in continuous lighting conditions. The maximum regeneration frequency (71%) was observed, when 30-day-old N6 friable calli were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 3 mg l -1 6-benzyl aminopurine, 1 mg l -1 naphthalene acetic acid, 2.5 mg l -1 L-proline, 300 mg l -1 casein hydrolysate and 3% maltose. Developed shoots were rooted in half strength MS medium supplemented with 2% sucrose and were successfully transplanted to soil with 95% survival. This protocol may be used for other recalcitrant indica rice genotypes and to transfer desirable genes in to Malaysian indica rice cultivar MR219 for crop improvement

Ultrasound enhanced PTC conversion of benzamide to benzonitrile

Enhancement of the reaction rate by combining the beneficial effects of PTC and ultrasound has been explored in the present study by taking the transformation of benzamide by dehydration to give benzonitrile as a model system. It was found that there is a substantial reduction in the reaction time when ultrasound was coupled with PTC

Identification and determination of naturally occurring folates in grains of rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.) by UPLC-MS/MS analysis

<p>The genetic potential and biofortification of India-grown rice with bioavailable folate has not been studied yet. The objectives of this study were to determine the folates concentration in four cultivars of rice through UPLC–MS/MS. Total folate concentration in rice cultivars ranged from 11.0 to 51 μg/100 g with a mean of 26.0 μg/100 g. Among the four rice cultivars, the pigmented grain cultivar Nootripathu possesses two-fold rich sources of total folates than the other three non-pigmented grain cultivars. The average value of 100 g serving of rice grains could provide the amount of recommended daily allowance (% RDA) of dietary folates (6.5%) for adults, which ranged from 2.7–12.7%. Among the 5 individual forms of folates, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate was most abundant in rice cultivars followed by 10-Formylfolic acid and folic acid. The result of this study has been useful for biofortification of folates in rice.</p

Diagnostic delay and associated factors among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Kerala

Introduction: Delay in the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) can lead to an increased infectivity period, delayed treatment, and increased severity of the disease. The objective of this study was to estimate the diagnostic delay and factors associated with the delay in diagnosis among the newly diagnosed smear-positive pulmonary TB patients in Kerala, India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among TB patients who were in the intensive phase of directly observed treatment short-course treatment in four randomly selected TB units in a district in Kerala during the years 2012–2013. Diagnostic delay was defined as the delay between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis. Data collection using a modified World Health Organization questionnaire was done by interviewing 302 participants. Results: Mean age of the participants was 48.6 ± 14.5 years. Males constituted 76.5% of the study population. The mean diagnostic delay was 43.5 ± 29.1 days (median: 37 days). The median patient and health system delays were 16 days and 15 days, respectively. Patient delay (55.6%) contributed more than health system delay (44.4%). Poor knowledge about TB, first consulting a private physician, and increased number of consultations were found to be significantly associated with diagnostic delay. Conclusion: The diagnostic delay in tuberculosis reported in this study was lower than other studies in India but it needs further reduction. Both patients and health providers play a role in a delay in diagnosis, and poor knowledge about the disease among the patients was one of the main risk factors. Interventions to improve knowledge and awareness of the disease and to increase the suspicion of chest symptomatic by health-care providers in the private sector are vital to reduce diagnostic delay