A Taxonomy of the Adoption of Lean Production Tools and Techniques

The purpose of this study is to discover if the pattern of lean tool adoption for mature lean enterprises varies by type of value stream. The study empirically tests the effect of types of production processes, production volume, and order fulfillment strategies on lean production tool adoption in mature lean enterprises. The results of the study show that each of these factors does affect the pattern of tool adoption among mature lean enterprises. Eleven different value stream profiles are identified in the study (ex. Discrete, Low Volume, Build-to-Order, value stream such as a commercial satellite producer). A binary logistical regression model is developed for each tool and each profile. The results of these models are probabilities that a given value stream profile would adopt a given tool of lean production creating a taxonomy of the adoption of lean production tools

Modelling of a post-combustion CO2 capture process using extreme learning machine

This paper presents modelling of a post-combustion CO2 capture process using bootstrap aggregated extreme learning machine (ELM). ELM randomly assigns the weights between input and hidden layers and obtains the weights between the hidden layer and output layer using regression type approach in one step. This feature allows an ELM model being developed very quickly. This paper proposes using principal component regression to obtain the weights between the hidden and output layers to address the collinearity issue among hidden neuron outputs. Due to the weights between input and hidden layers are randomly assigned, ELM models could have variations in performance. This paper proposes combining multiple ELM models to enhance model prediction accuracy and reliability. To predict the CO2 production rate and CO2 capture level, eight parameters in the process were utilized as model input variables: inlet gas flow rate, CO2 concentration in inlet flow gas, inlet gas temperature, inlet gas pressure, lean solvent flow rate, lean solvent temperature, lean loading and reboiler duty. The bootstrap re-sampling of training data was applied for building each single ELM and then the individual ELMs are stacked, thereby enhancing the model accuracy and reliability. The bootstrap aggregated extreme learning machine can provide fast learning speed and good generalization performance, which will be used to optimize the CO2 capture process

The effects of graded levels of calorie restriction : VIII. impact of short term calorie and protein restriction on basal metabolic rate in the C57BL/6 mouse

We are grateful to the animal house staff for looking after the animals. The work was supported by the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council BBSRC (grants BB/G009953/1 and BB/J020028/1) to JRS and SEM. DD was supported by a studentship from the Centre for Genome Enabled Biology and Medicine, Aberdeen, UK, and CG was supported by a BBSRC EastBio studentship. Joint meetings were funded by a BBSRC China partnering award (BB/JO20028/1).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

An Exploratory Study of Patient Falls

Debate continues between the contribution of education level and clinical expertise in the nursing practice environment. Research suggests a link between Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN) nurses and positive patient outcomes such as lower mortality, decreased falls, and fewer medication errors. Purpose: To examine if there a negative correlation between patient falls and the level of nurse education at an urban hospital located in Midwest Illinois during the years 2010-2014? Methods: A retrospective crosssectional cohort analysis was conducted using data from the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) from the years 2010-2014. Sample: Inpatients aged ≥ 18 years who experienced a unintentional sudden descent, with or without injury that resulted in the patient striking the floor or object and occurred on inpatient nursing units. Results: The regression model was constructed with annual patient falls as the dependent variable and formal education and a log transformed variable for percentage of certified nurses as the independent variables. The model overall is a good fit, F (2,22) = 9.014, p = .001, adj. R2 = .40. Conclusion: Annual patient falls will decrease by increasing the number of nurses with baccalaureate degrees and/or certifications from a professional nursing board-governing body

Mediation Effect of Lean: A Bidirectional Synergetic Relationship with SCM for Higher Operational Performance

Competitive plants focus their efforts on reducing manufacturing costs and waste along their production chains. Hence, manufacturing programs with important practices and methodologies such as lean, JIT, TPM, and Kaizen have been embraced. However, an empirical investigation of simultaneous use of several manufacturing programs representing multiple facets of lean is lacking in the literature. Various studies have found that some supply chain management practices are bi-directionally related to lean, but its holistic measurement in relation to supply chain management is still lacking. Thus, this paper provides an evidence of mediation effect of lean from high performance manufacturing (HPM) project perspective in relation to supply chain management

Perspectives from agriculture: advances in livestock breeding - implications for aquaculture genetics

In this paper we present livestock breeding developments that could be taken into consideration in the genetic improvement of farmed aquaculture species, especially in freshwater fish. Firstly, the current breeding objective in aquatic species has focused almost exclusively on the improvement of body weight at harvest or on growth related traits. This is unlikely to be sufficient to meet the future needs of the aquaculture industry. To meet future demands breeding programs will most likely have to include additional traits, such as fitness related ones (survival, disease resistance), feed efficiency, or flesh quality, rather than only growth performance. In order to select for a multi-trait breeding objective, genetic variation in traits of interest and the genetic relationships among them need to be estimated. In addition, economic values for these traits will be required. Generally, there is a paucity of data on variable and fixed production costs in aquaculture, and this could be a major constraint in the further expansion of the breeding objectives. Secondly, genetic evaluation systems using the restricted maximum likelihood method (REML) and best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) in a framework of mixed model methodology could be widely adopted to replace the more commonly used method of mass selection based on phenotypic performance. The BLUP method increases the accuracy of selection and also allows the management of inbreeding and estimation of genetic trends. BLUP is an improvement over the classic selection index approach, which was used in the success story of the genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT) in the Philippines, with genetic gains from 10 to 20 per cent per generation of selection. In parallel with BLUP, optimal genetic contribution theory can be applied to maximize genetic gain while constraining inbreeding in the long run in selection programs. Thirdly, by using advanced statistical methods, genetic selection can be carried out not only at the nucleus level but also in lower tiers of the pyramid breeding structure. Large scale across population genetic evaluation through genetic connectedness using cryopreserved sperm enables the comparison and ranking of genetic merit of all animals across populations, countries or years, and thus the genetically superior brood stock can be identified and widely used and exchanged to increase the rate of genetic progress in the population as a whole. It is concluded that sound genetic programs need to be established for aquaculture species. In addition to being very effective, fully pedigreed breeding programs would also enable the exploration of possibilities of integrating molecular markers (e.g., genetic tagging using DNA fingerprinting, marker (gene) assisted selection) and reproductive technologies such as in-vitro fertilization using cryopreserved spermatozoa

Partnership, high performance work systems and quality of working life

The paper measures the effects of workplace partnership and selected high performance work practices on four different dimensions of employee experience. Whilst the partnership-high performance work systems nexus seems to have little impact on employees' job satisfaction or sense of attachment, it does, however, have a negative impact on both workplace stress and employee evaluations of union performance. The analysis thus questions common assumptions about the inevitability of 'mutual gain' and the necessity of employer/unionpartnership. Introduction and researc

Factors influencing employee perceptions in lean transformations

The purpose of the study was to investigate employee perceptions during a lean transformation1. The combination of case study and survey methodologies was used to define elements influencing the perceived lean success of shop floor employees. According to our findings, belief, commitment, work method and communication all have a considerable direct impact on workers’ perceptions of lean success. However, their effects are very different based on the scope and focus of changes that is influenced by process characteristics. Perceptions regarding successful lean transformation during a moderate reorganisation of the company’s welding plant, where mainly males work, are affected only by commitment and work method, whereas the deep reorganisation of the sewing plant (populated by female employees) is only influenced by belief and communication