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Abstract: Plants are a source of diverse classes of secondary metabolites with anticancer properties. Paclitaxel (Taxol) is an anticancer drug isolated from various Taxus species and is used as a chemotherapeutic agent against various cancers. The biosynthesis of paclitaxel is a complex pathway, making its total chemical synthesis commercially non-viable; hence, alternative novel sources - like plant cell culture and heterologous expression systems, are being investigated to overcome this issue. Advancements in the field of genetic engineering, microbial fermentation engineering, and recombinant techniques have significantly increased the achievable yields of paclitaxel. Indeed, paclitaxel selectively targets microtubules and causes cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase, inducing a cytotoxic effect in a concentration and time-dependent manner. Innovative drug delivery formulations, like the development of albumin-bound nanoparticles, nano-emulsions, nano-suspensions, liposomes, and polymeric micelles, have been applied to enhance the delivery of paclitaxel to tumor cells. This review focuses on the production, biosynthesis, mechanism of action, and anticancer effects of paclitaxel.

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder in the intestinal tract as a response to the use of gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. It is a worldwide problem, with a high prevalence rate in North America. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study involving 1090 samples collected from different hospitals of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan, from January 2019 to December 2019. In this study, 1090 blood samples screened for seroprevalence of anti-tTG antibodies in CD symptomatic patients via ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). 1090 fecal samples from the same CD patients were collected and tested for the presence of rotavirus (RV) via ELISA and RT-PCR. Of the 1090 patients tested for seroprevalence of anti-tTG antibodies, 112/1090 (10.3%) were found to be positive. Of the 112 anti-tTG-positive patients, 78/112 (70%) were positive for RV via ELISA and 74/112 (66.1%) were RV positive via RT-PCR. A statistically significant association was reported between rotavirus infection and celiac disease ( p ˂ 0.05 ). Anti-tTG antibodies were higher in age group 6 (12-18 years) patients (18.4%) and at minimum in age group 3 (1-3 years) patients (4.8%). However, there was a statistically insignificant relationship between group age and CD prevalence ( p > 0.05 ). The highest CD prevalence was noted during winter season (19.6%) and the lowest (3.0%) during fall/autumn. Our study findings demonstrate that Pakistan has a high prevalence of CD compared to other studies. Further studies in the fields of environmental risk factors and treatment with more advanced serological and histopathological studies are needed in the future.

Globally, around 2000 plant species are used against pest control. The utilization of botanicals is considered the most economic and biodegradable methods for the control of stored grains pests. Therefore, the current study was carried out to investigate the repellency potential of five botanicals against Callosbruchus maculatus F. in Haripur, Pakistan. The concentrations of Azadirachta indica L., Nicotiana tabacum L., Melia azedarach L., Nicotiana rustica L., and Thuja orientalis L. were, i.e., 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0% in four replicates to establish contact effects. The data were recorded after 1, 2, 3, 6, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours. The repellency effect of these plant species against C. maculatus were increased in both the time- and dose-dependent manner, and highest effect was observed at 72 h. In addition, the repellency effect was 91% for A. indica (class: V), 86% M. azedarach, 82%, N. tabacum (class: V), 79% N. rustica (class: IV), and 75% T. orientalis (class: IV) at 3% concentration against C. maculatus. Furthermore, following 96 hours’ exposure to treatment the sensitivity response of insects decreases as the time interval increases, i.e., 86% A. indica (class: V) was followed by 71% M. azedarach (class: IV), 65% N. tabacum (class: IV), 61% N. rustica (class: IV), and T. orientalis 57% (class: III) repellency at highest concentration of 3%. The current study concluded that A. indica and M. azedarach can be incorporated for the management of C. maculatus and these plant species might be helpful in the productions of new biopesticides.

Ectobucleotidases are a broad class of extracellular nucleotide and nucleoside hydrolyzing enzymes. Since they play a crucial role in mediating purinergic cell signalling, they are promising therapeutic targets for treatment of a range of disorders, including fibrosis, tumor metastasis, inflammation, multiple sclerosis, and autoimmune diseases. Hence selective inhibtors of ectonulceotidases are of great interest for therapeutic intervention.Many compounds have demonstrated promising inhibitory potential against ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterases (NPPs). The chemistry and clinical applications of NPP inhibitors patented between 2015 and 2020 are discussed in this review.In recent years, there has been a lot of effort towards finding effective and selective inhibitors of NPPs. Even though a number of inhibitors are known, only a few in vivo investigations have been published. In addition to IOA-289, which has passed Phase Ia clinical trials, potent NPP2/ATX inhibitor compounds such as BLD-0409, IPF and BBT-877 have been placed in phase I clinical studies. Some of the most promising NPP2/ATX inhibitors in recent years are closely related analogs of previously known inhibitors, such as PF-8380. Knowledge of the structure activity relationship of such promising inhibitors can potentially translate into the discovery of more potent and effective inhibitors of NPP.

Skipper fauna of Balochistan province is not properly studied. To fill this gap, a study was conducted to explore the skipper's fauna from previous literature and new collection from Balochistan, Pakistan. We report 21 species of skippers from two subfamilies, Coeliadinae and Hesperiinae. Out of 21 species five species namely Hesperia comma (Linnaeus, 1758), Parnara guttatus (Bremer and Grey, 1852), Pyrgus cashmirensis Moore (1874), Pyrgus darwazicus Grum-Grshimailo (1890) and Pyrgus sidae (Esper, 1784) under subfamily Hesperiinae are recorded for the first time from Balochistan. Out of five reported species from Balochistan, two species Pyrgus darwazicus and Pyrgus sidae are new records for Pakistan.

Syzygium cumini L. (Jamun) is a Pakistani indigenous plant, which exhibits various diseases biological activities including antidiabetic, antiulcer, hepatoprotective, and even diuretic. The present work was carried out to provide a scientific justification to its use in folk medicine. In the current research work, the crude methanol extract and subsequent fractions of S. cumini fruits were subjected to phytochemical studies, along with urease, α-glucosidase, and phosphodiesterase inhibition profiling. Results showed that the plant is a rich source of various classes of compounds such as alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, phenols, glycosides, saponins, and tannins. In addition, results indicated that the crude extract and fractions significantly inhibit the aforementioned enzymes at tested concentrations. The observed urease inhibitory activity (IC50 values) of methanol, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and chloroform were 10.17 ± 1.00, 7.09 ± 2.00, 8.32 ± 1.76, and 12.23 ± 1.09 µg, respectively. Similarly, the crude methanol extract, ethyl acetate, chloroform, and n-butanol factions exhibited significant α-glucosidase inhibitory potential with IC50 values of 129.98 ± 1.23, 702.74 ± 1.65, 430.21 ± 1.98, and 650.11 ± 1 0.00 µg, respectively, as compared to the standard. On the other hand, the ethyl acetate and n-butanol factions showed excellent phosphodiesterase inhibitory effect with IC50 values of 270.77 ± 1.98 and 87.09 µg, respectively. The antagonistic effect of these samples is attributed to the presence of different phytochemicals. Moreover, the inhibition of these enzymes provided a sound scientific backup to the mentioned folklores.

The study had explored the cognitive, non-cognitive and vocational skill required by the Pakistani organizations and found that there are various dimension that employer are interested among their potential employee. It was observed that Non cognitive are the more deficient one among the focused and as per gender is concerned their little response as per all skills however on Non-cognitive skills a bet more maturity exist among female candidates whereas the confidence level and lower literacy rate disturb their response on job market. Curriculum covering the Field specific theoretical and practical knowledge there is rare convergence on field specific practical knowledge. The study reveals a higher attention on industry academia collaboration through developing a high level of university-Industry linkages.

Field experiments were conducted on wheat during 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 under rainfed conditions. The statistical significance between treatment means was determined at 5% significance level. Data were recorded on weed density, protein, fat and ash contents of wheat grains. Weed density in shallow tillage was highest (20.67 m−2) while it was lowest (14.23 m−2) in deep tillage. In weed control factor, weed density was highest in weedy check (33.10 m−2), followed by parthenium aqueous extract (21.50 m−2), and lowest (6.79 m−2) in plots treated with Affinity (isoproturon + carfentrazone). Results showed that the highest crude protein content (10.88%) was recorded in deep tillage, while lowest (10.45%) in shallow tillage, indicating that tillage depths have an impact on wheat grains protein content. For weed control factor, the crude protein content was highest (11.98%) in Affinity treated plots, followed by herbicides, Buctril super (bromoxynil + MCPA) (11.44%) and Puma super (fenoxaprop-p-ethyl) (11.12%). Hence, the control measures also affected crude protein content of wheat grains, which is also obvious from the weedy check where wheat grains crude protein content was lowest (9.73%). The two years combined data analysis also showed the highest crude fat content (1.75%) in deep tillage treatments followed by normal tillage (1.67%) and lowest fat content (1.53%) in shallow tillage. For ash content, the highest content (3.03%) was with Affinity herbicide treatments, followed by Buctril super (2.74%) and Puma super (2.48%) herbicides. In conclusion, both the tillage and herbicides indicated positive effects on the nutritive status of wheat grains.

A greenhouse experiment was carried out at the Agricultural Research Station (ARS), Shen Lasht, Chitral during 2016-17. There were five different locations in district Chitral from where the soil samples were collected which included Drosh, Shen Lasht, Garam Chashma, Ayun and BoonyLasht. A total of 300 samples were collected from all locations with 60 samples from each location. The 300 soil samples collected were placed in trays of medium sizes i.e. 27 cm x 21 cm x 4 cm = 2268 cm3. The trays were arranged in three repetitions having 100 samples in each repetition. Each repetition of 100 samples contained samples from 5 locations, in each location 4 sites (east, west, north and south each at 100 m distance from each other) and at each site samples were collected from 5 different depths, making a total of 100 samples in one repetition i.e. 5 x 4 x 5 = 100 and with repetitions making a total of 300 samples in one district. The results indicated that in the soil samples of district Chitral a total of 31 noxious weeds were recorded. Out of the 31 different weeds, 23 were broad leaves, eight were grasses and one was sedge. In another angle, 24 weeds were annuals while the rest were perennials out of the 31 weeds identified. A total of 17 different plant families were represented by the weeds recorded in the soil samples of Chitral region. Among the different locations of Chitral, the highest weed seed bank was recorded in the soil samples of ARS Shen Lasht area. Weed seed banks have always been higher in areas with mild winters, where the Shen lasht area is having milder winters as compared to the other areas in Chitral. The lowest seed bank was recorded in the soil samples of Garam Chashma, which was however statistically at par with the rest of the locations studied in Chitral. As far as the seed banks in the depths are concerned, largest weed seed bank was observed in the depth of 6 to 12 cm. The smallest seed bank was at the depth of 30 cm followed by the depth of 24 and 18 cm. Therefore, it is evident that the major weed seed bank lies in the upper 6-12 cm depth of the soil. In case of the interaction, the largest weed seed bank was recorded at ARS Sheen lasht at the depth of upper 6 cm of the soil profile whereas the weed seed bank was very low below the 12cm depth of soil upto 30 cm in the Garam Chashma area of Chitral. Out of the total 31 weeds recorded in soil samples of Chitral, the top 10 weeds in terms of the relative weed densities, relative weed frequencies and importance value indices were Convolvulus arvensis, Rumex crispus, Poa annua, Galium aparine, Avenafatua, Trianthemaportulacastrum, Silybum marianum, Sorghumhalepense, Euphorbia helioscopia, and Loliumtenulentumspecies. The IVI values for these weeds were 14.01, 13.96, 13.07, 11.83, 11.57, 11.12, 10.35, 10.09, 10.02, and 9.99, respectively. Moreover, these IVIs indicate that out of the topmost 10 problematic weeds eight weeds are broad leaved and two are grassy weeds.

Globally, around 2000 plant species are used against pest control. The utilization of botanicals is considered the most economic and biodegradable methods for the control of stored grains pests. Therefore, the current study was carried out to investigate the repellency potential of five botanicals against

Pakistan ranks third among the chickpea growing countries of the world. Chickpea need less water that is why it is preferred by the farmers of the arid and semi- arid zone. The chickpea crop is severely infested by many weeds which reduce its yield and also deteriorate the quality of the grains. The un-availability of high competitive cultivars also had impact on the annual yield production of chickpea crop. The focus of the study was to evaluate sound, feasible and economic weed management strategies to uplift the yield of chickpea crop. The Southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are the major producer of chickpea crop. Therefore keeping in view the importance of the crop and as well as the problems associated with the crops, the experiments were conducted at Ahmad Wala Research Station Karak during years 2011–12 and 2012–13 with Randomized Complete Block design with split split arrangement having four replications. Sowing was done on October 16th during both the studied years. To evaluate the potential of irrigation verses rainfed conditions five cultivars i.e. Karak-1, Karak-2, Sheenghar, Lawaghar and KC-98 and ten weed management techniques i.e. Stomp 330 EC (Pendimethalin), Stomp 330 EC + Hand Weeding (HW) at 60 DAS, Dual Gold 960 EC (S-Metolachlor), Dual Gold 960 EC + HW at 60 DAS, HW one time at (30 DAS), HW two times at (30 and 60 DAS), HW three times at (30, 60 and 90 DAS), White plastic mulch, Black plastic mulch and weedy check were tested. The data was recorded on the below mentioned parameters i.e. weed density m−2 at 60 DAS, number of productive branches plant−1, number of pods plant−1, number of grain pods−1, number of nodules plant−1, grain yield (kg ha−1) and Cost-benefit ratio (CBR). Results of the two years study revealed that with the exception of number of grains pods−1, and cost benefit ratio, all the vegetative and yield parameters were significantly different during both the studied years. Comparing the effect of irrigation regimes versus rainfed conditions significantly (p

In the present study an effort has been made to optimize the in vitro regeneration protocol for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Brassica juncea, because of its importance as oilseed crops. The highest callus induction frequency of 87% was observed on MS (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) medium supplemented with 4 µM 6-benzyladenine (BA) after four weeks of culture period. Subculturing of organogenic calli in MS media with a similar hormonal composition resulted in shoot organogenesis after six weeks of culture cultivation. The highest shoot induction frequency (92%) was recorded on MS medium containing 4 µM BA in combination with 1 µM of α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Further, well-developed roots were formed in MS media augmented with 6 µM of Indole acetic acid (IAA) in combination with 1 µM Kinetin (Kn). Cotyledon explants were exploited in vitro for the successful transformation of B. juncea. A binary vector comprised of the Euonymus alatus diacylglycerol acetyltransferase (EaDAcT) gene under the transcriptional control of a glycinin promoter and with a basta selection marker was introduced into A. tumefaciens strain GV3101 via electroporation. EaDAcT gene is responsible for unusual triacylglycerol’s production where the sn-3 position is esterified with acetate instead of the long-chain fatty acid found in the triacylglycerol’s. The highest regeneration frequency (100%) of transgenic shoots was observed on MS medium supplemented with 4 µM BA plus 1 µM NAA in the presence of 25 mg l−1 basta and 160 mg l−1 timintin. The efficiency of stable transformation was found to be approximately 7% in the transgenic plants. Moreover, the transformed regenerated shoots were confirmed by PCR analysis using EaDAcT gene-specific primers. Keywords: Brassica juncea, Callus, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Transgenic plants, Biodiesel

The main aim of this research was to explore Parthenium hysterophorus Linn phytochemically and pharmacologically. Phytochemical screening is important for the isolation of active compounds before bulk extraction. The crude extracts and their fractions were screened for enzyme (urease, α-glycosidase, and phosphodiesterase) inhibition assays, in vivo analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and sedative effects. Results indicated the presence of steroids, flavonoids, etc. The crude extracts such as methanol, hexane, aqueous, ethyl acetate, chloroform, and butanol exhibited excellent urease inhibitory activities with IC50 = 43.1 ± 1.24, 31.9 ± 2.21, 31.9 ± 2.21, 57.3 ± 1.27, 49.2 ± 2.16, and 35.3 ± 1.12, respectively, as compared to standard acetohydroxamic acid (20.3 ± 0.43). The extracts (methanol, hexane, aqueous, ethyl acetate, chloroform, and butanol) also showed promising α-glycosidase potency with IC50 = 13.1 ± 0.34, 21.2 ± 1.16, 23.1 ± 0.12, 84.2 ± 2.17, 118.6 ± 3.07, and 840 ± 1.73, respectively against acarbose (840 ± 1.73). The phosphodiesterase activity of the mentioned extracts was also excellent with IC50 = 131.1 ± 2.41, 197.2 ± 3.16, 24.2 ± 0.11, 62.4 ± 2.21, 152.4 ± 1.81, and 55.3 ± 2.15, respectively, against the standard (265.5 ± 2.25). Furthermore, butanol (14.96 ± 1.78), ethyl acetate (18.98 ± 1.71), and methanol (16.87 ± 1.00) showed dose-dependent analgesic effects with a maximum inhibition of acetic acid-induced writhes. Whereas, methanolic and butanol extracts exhibited maximum inhibition of inflammation in the carrageenan paw edema test. The aqueous ( p < 0.01 ) and butanol ( p < 0.01 ) extracts exhibited maximum a sedative effect followed by chloroform ( p < 0.05 ), ethyl acetate ( p < 0.05 ), and methanolic ( p < 0.05 ) fractions as compared to the standard drug. The current research concluded that Parthenium hysterophorus Linn has important phytochemical constituents having inhibitory effects on urease, α-glycosidase, and phosphodiesterase enzymes. Furthermore, the plant has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and sedative effects. The P. hysterophorus needs to further be explored for the candidate molecules responsible for the abovementioned activities.

The use of natural substances for pest control in agriculture is economically viable. It benefits both the human being and the environment due to its low persistence and toxicity. Therefore, the biopesticidal potential of three- plants-derived extracts (clove [

The method of identifying related images in an image database is known as image retrieval. Text-based and content-based data processing are the two main forms of image retrieval processes. The visual characteristics of an image, such as color, texture, shape, and spatial design, are used in the content-based approach of image retrieval. In unsupervised mode, the images are retrieved using a cluster-based graph partitioning algorithm. The efficiency of different content based image retrieval systems is contrasted in this paper by fusing multiple image characteristics. The creation of four versions resulted from the integration of several features. Compute the union of all four models by normalizing the value between 0 and 1. The data comes from the COREL image database, which includes 1000 images of the same resolution. According to this article, images can be best recovered using three model-based features rather than two features. The accuracy of the union is thought to be superior.

Inoculation effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on phosphorus (P) transfer from composted dung of cattle with a diet supplemented with powdered rock phosphate (RP) and their successive upt...

Climate change is a phenomenon that is unequivocally altering the natural systems in all parts of the world but the alteration in climate extremes may pose more severe and unexpected impacts on Pakistan. The current study provides a comprehensive outlook of observation (1976–2005) and changes in climate extremes between the reference (1976–2005) and future periods (2020s: 2006–2035, 2050s: 2036–2065 and 2080s: 2066–2095). The analysis was conducted across six sub-regions of Pakistan including North Pakistan (NP), Monsoon Region (MR), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Southern Punjab (SP), Balochistan and Sindh for which Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) 14 General Circulation Models (GCMs) under Representative Concentration Pathways 4.5 (RCP4.5) and RCP8.5 were downscaled and bias corrected by three statistical downscaling methods. The spatial disaggregation and quantile delta mapping (SDQDM) method was used for future projections in this study. Changes in climate extremes were detected by Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI). In case of temperature, the results indicate a projected increase in frequencies and magnitudes for warm extremes, while it is decreasing for cold extremes in the 21st century. The corresponding trends of maximum and minimum temperature extremes are greater than the mean temperature trend; where the frequency and magnitude of minimum temperature extremes is higher than maximum temperature extremes over Pakistan particularly over North in last half of the 21st century for both RCPs. Also, the average of temperature extremes (TXx, TXn, TNx and TNn) are severe in the order of NP (+4.8 °C), KP (+4.6 °C) and MR (+4.5 °C). In the case of precipitation extremes, most of the sub-regions across Pakistan show a higher increase in total annual precipitation and intense precipitation events with the highest increase in MR, KP and NP and the least increase in Sindh. Despite the increase in total precipitation, numbers of consecutive dry days (CDD) are increasing while consecutive wet days (CWD) are decreasing which can give rise to drought conditions particularly in Sindh. The study provides complementary and consistent climate extremes information over Pakistan for local decision makers to incorporate into policy-making, disaster management, and infrastructure planning.

Controlling Asphodelus tenuifolius in chickpea crop is a big challenge for the grower in the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Pakistan. Keeping in view the yield losses due to weeds a research was conducted at Ahmadwala Research Station “District Karak” to control to A. tenuifolius. Herbicides, mulches and allelopathic weed extracts were evaluated during the experiment. The experiment was repeated thrice using Randomized Complete Block design with Chattan cultivar. The weed control treatments Viz. Stomp 330 EC (Pre) @ 2.5 L ha−1, Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl, Bromoxynil +MCPA (Tank mixture of herbicides), Starane-M, Eucalyptus leaves as mulch, wheat straw as mulch, allelopathic extract (Asphodelus tenuifolius) + Stomp, allelopathic Cyperus rotundus extract, allelopathic Sorghum halepense extract were tested and compare with the control treatment during the experiment. The data was recorded on A. tenuifolius density m−2 before and after treatment application, plant height, crude protein, crude fats, biological yield, and seed yield. The level of significance of all the treatments was (0.05). The results indicated that the minimum A. tenuifolius density was recorded in the plots treated with Stomp 330 EC (4.74 m−2) followed by herbicide Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl 6.9 EC (10.87 m−2). The maximum A. tenuifolius density was found in the control plots (81.64 m−2) which were left undisturbed. Among the chickpea yield components, the maximum plant height at maturity (48.98 cm) was recorded for Stomp 330 EC the lowest plant height was recorded for control plot. The maximum crude protein (17.68), crude fat (2.93) and oil content was (5.92%) was recorded in the plots treated with Stomp 330 EC and the minimum was found in the control plots. Similarly, the maximum biological yield (4058.7 kg ha−1) and seed yield (1282 kg ha−1) were recorded in Stomp 330 EC treated plots as biological and grain yield was observed for control plot. Therefore, it is recommended that using herbicides Stomp 330 EC and Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl is one of the effective weed control strategies for control of A. tenuifolius in chickpea growing areas.

Environmental variations resulting in biotic and abiotic stresses demand adaptive changes in the photosynthetic machinery. To cope with these challenges, plant scientists are constantly striving to enhance photosynthetic activity. The photorespiration pathway, which fixes O2 and releases CO2 in C3 plants, competes with photosynthesis. One method to increase yield would be to enhance photosynthesis by engineering the photorespiratory pathway. To date, three engineered photorespiratory pathways have been produced, of which two have been proven experimentally in the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana. These approaches might be helpful in enhancing crop resilience to future environmental challenges. In partially photorespiratory suppressed plants, it is hypothesized that a gene cluster may have formed between bacterial glycolate dehydrogenase (GDH), glyoxylate carboligase (GCL), and tartronic semi aldehyde (TSR) genes with Arabidopsis allantoin degradation genes like Arabidopsis allantoinase (AtALN) to utilize S-allantoin as a source of nitrogen. Observations of the use of allantoin as an exclusive source of nitrogen or energy by Arabidopsis and Escherichia coli led us to propose a genetic switch control model between nitrogen assimilation and energy producing pathways in partially photorespiratory suppressed plants.

This research work focuses on the human working flexibility in a computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) environment. For experimental investigations, younger male operators from age group 19–24 years were interfaced with a component of CIM, the automated guided vehicle (AGV). A novel concept of load cell–based human performance recording system is introduced through this work. This is an almost first study in the field of CIM system interface utilizing the integration of load cell with LabVIEW program to determine cognition and motor actions based human performances. The concerned measurement system designed through this research can be utilized in other areas of control panel systems and also for recording and monitoring of human beings with symptoms of Alzheimer disease. For the purpose of investigations, search, select, and motor action times and the applied force were selected as parameters to determine human performance in AGV system environment. For operator performance data gathering, a full-factorial design containing 27 (33) experiments was applied. The Gray relational analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the gathered data. Design-Expert software was used to conduct ANOVA. Also, the experimental investigations were validated through a confirmation test. This work generates the ergonomic database for working flexibility in CIM and explored that the younger male operator’s (19–24 years) performance significantly affected with varying AGV height, an operator working distance and AGV panel angle.

Ergonomics as the growing discipline is vital for improving productivity, with increasing application it is helping both end users and designers to create a better workplace. CNC machines are among the most widely used cutting machines, the program to perform an operation on CNC is inserted through a panel. This paper attempts to ergonomically evaluate a CNC machine panel. CNC programs are alphanumeric codes, most of the time these codes are inserted through typing on the panel, since the panel is fixed, the typing had to be done while standing. The purpose of this study is to compare typing performance on CNC panel with a conventional keyboard and a touchscreen keyboard. Selection of optimal keyboard type can reduce the typing time thus improving the productivity. To simulate the environment, the other two keyboards were fixed at the same height and position as the CNC panel, and the experiment was performed in the same room with same lighting conditions. The performance was compared to find the most optimal setting. Typing speed and number of errors were taken as the two performance parameter, ANOVA analysis was used to find the significant effect. Participant was also asked about their discomfort level among the three keyboard types. It was found that keyboard type was significantly affecting the typing time.

The aim of the study was to explore the effect of age, shoulder height and feed force on the muscle activity, productivity and heart rate for a simulated drilling task. Five healthy, right-handed male subjects were selected from the age group 20–30 years and five from the age group 30–40 years. The experiment was carried out at two levels of shoulder posture namely at shoulder level (shoulder flexion angle 90°, H1), and, 15 cm above shoulder level (i.e., approximately equal to shoulder flexion angle 120°, H2), two feed force conditions namely 4.5 kg (44 N), 7.5 kg (73 N), and a drilling speed of 2800 rpm. Muscle activity, productivity and an increase in heart rate were taken as dependent measures. ANOVA showed that age had statistically significant effect on muscle activity of flexor pollicis brevis and productivity. Feed force had statistically significant effect on productivity and increase in heart rate. The interaction of feed force and age had statistically significant effect on productivity. Grey relation analysis suggested that 30–40 age group, H2 shoulder height and 4.5 kg feed force gave optimum results. The knowledge of muscle activation pattern in response to age, shoulder posture and hand feed force will help us in, better designing of workplaces, enhancing worker’s productivity, endurance time and reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorder development.

Metal casting is one of the old and important processes in manufacturing industry. To some extent, the automation has replaced manual work in foundry shops in big industries, but manual work in these shops cannot be ignored. The working process in a foundry shop involves awkward and repetitive body postures, manual material handling, etc., which involves high energy expenditure rates. In this study, the ergonomic evaluation of operations in foundry shop is performed determining the energy expenditure rate of the workers by using energy expenditure prediction program software. In this study, the energy expenditure was determined by observing and recording the activities and time taken during the foundry operations in foundry shop. Then, this recorded data was input to the software. These values of the energy expenditure rates for the different operations were then compared with standard permissible values of energy expenditure rates for different tasks and postures involved. The method used in this work is more accurate and feasible and less costly than laboratory techniques such as measurement of oxygen consumption and EMG. The technique used in this work provides an objective rate to gauge worker’s fatigue. In this study, we identified the operations and the postures which are less efficient and are hazardous for the health of the worker; hence, we are in position to suggest the modifications in the posture, process and system to make the values of rate of energy expenditure further reduced

The higher consumption of fruit, herbs, spices, and vegetables is well known and practical strategy to cure human cancers owing to their presence of bioactive compounds. Among these, Nigella sativa is a promising source of bioactive compounds including thymoquinone, monoterpenes, p-cymene and α-piene etc. Thymoquinone has been found effective to inhibit the different cancer stages such as proliferation, migration and invasion. It also acts as anticancer agent against different human cancers such as breast, pancreatic, prostate, blood, oral, bone, head and neck, cervical, liver and lung. It significantly mediated miR-34a up-regulation, enhanced the levels of miR-34a through p53, and down controlled Rac1 expression. Thymoquinone induces apoptosis, regulates the levels of pro- and anti- apoptotic genes. It also has been known to lower the phosphorylation of NF-κB and IKKα/β and reduces the metastasis as well as also lowered the ERK1/2 and PI3K activities. Thymoquinone inhibits the metastasis through activation of JNK and p38. The present review article highlights the anticancer perspectives of thymoquinone in human by various pathways and use of this compound as diet based therapy has proven new pharmacological agent against several types of cancers.