Lean manufacturing, culture and their role on sustainability: A case study in the Chinese automotive industry

This paper focuses on lean manufacturing and culture and how they influence the sustainability initiatives of an Automotive company in China. The principle of lean manufacturing is widely applied in the automotive industry worldwide. The last few decades have witnessed the accelerating pace of China’s continued emergence as a major industrial power. With the globalisation of multinational corporations and the development of domestic automotive enterprises, there is an increasing number of cross-cultural motor manufacturing companies starting their business in China. In these companies, cultural diversity is an important factor that affects the management strategies. Using a case study approach, this paper shows the relevant themes on the role of lean manufacturing and culture on the sustainability initiatives taken by the company

Seasonal variations in pore water and sediment geochemistry of littoral lake sediments (Asylum Lake, MI, USA)

BACKGROUND: Seasonal changes in pore water and sediment redox geochemistry have been observed in many near-surface sediments. Such changes have the potential to strongly influence trace metal distribution and thus create seasonal fluctuations in metal mobility and bioavailability. RESULTS: Seasonal trends in pore water and sediment geochemistry are assessed in the upper 50 cm of littoral kettle lake sediments. Pore waters are always redox stratified, with the least compressed redox stratification observed during fall and the most compressed redox stratification observed during summer. A 2-step sequential sediment extraction yields much more Fe in the first step, targeted at amorphous Fe(III) (hydr)oxides (AEF), then in the second step, which targets Fe(II) monosulfides. Fe extracted in the second step is relatively invariant with depth or season. In contrast, AEF decreases with sediment depth, and is seasonally variable, in agreement with changes in redox stratification inferred from pore water profiles. A 5-step Tessier extraction scheme was used to assess metal association with operationally-defined exchangeable, carbonate, iron and manganese oxide (FMO), organic/sulfide and microwave-digestible residual fractions in cores collected during winter and spring. Distribution of metals in these two seasons is similar. Co, As, Cd, and U concentrations approach detection limits. Fe, Cu and Pb are mostly associated with the organics/sulfides fraction. Cr and Zn are mostly associated with FMO. Mn is primarily associated with carbonates, and Co is nearly equally distributed between the FMO and organics/sulfide fractions. CONCLUSION: This study clearly demonstrates that near-surface lake sediment pore water redox stratification and associated solid phase geochemistry vary significantly with season. This has important ramifications for seasonal changes in the bioavailability and mobility of trace elements. Without rate measurements, it is not possible to quantify the contribution of various processes to natural organic matter degradation. However, the pore water and solid phase data suggest that iron reduction and sulfate reduction are the dominant pathways in the upper 50 cm of these sediments

[A monitoring program of the quality of the upper groundwater at agricultural land sites ; results of the first year 1992.]

In 1992 a three-year monitoring program was started to assess the quality of the upper groundwater in the sandy regions of the Netherlands as a result of using fertilizers and manure in agriculture. This program is a cooperative effort of the National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection (RIVM) and Agricultural Economics Research Institute (LEI-DLO). From march to august 1992 the upper groundwater from 93 farms was sampled and analyzed for chloride, nitrate, potassium, dissolved organic carbon and phosphate (ortho and total). The report contains the monitoring results of the first year of the program. Mean nitrate and potassium concentrations exceed quality objectives, especially under grassland and silage maize on cattle farms. Nitrate and potassium concentrations in the groundwater of arable farms were generally lower than of cattle farms but on average above quality objectives. In the reports to follow a more detailed analyses will be carried out and the monitoring strategy will be evaluated with a view to the desirability of detecting trends in groundwater quality in future

Agricultural practise and water quality in the Netherlands. Background information for the 1992-1997 period for the country report EU Nitrate Directive

This overview documents agricultural practice, and groundwater and surface water quality, in the Netherlands, mainly for the period from 1992 to 1997. It is intended to provide the Dutch authorities with basic information for reporting on the results of monitoring programmes to asses the effectiveness of the Dutch Action programme. A start was made in the 1992-1997 reporting period with the implementation of the Code of Good Practice in the Netherlands. In part, this concerned accentuation of measures taken in the 1987-1992 period. Nitrogen present in agriculture via chemical fertilisers and manure decreased slightly in 1992-1997. The nitrogen surplus in agriculture has not changed as a result of lower crop yields. Nitrate concentrations in groundwater under agricultural land showed no trend in the reporting period, in which fluctuations in precipitation surplus were accounted for. The nitrate concentration in groundwater and the frequency of exceeding the European reference value not only depends on human activities but also on soil type, the local hydrological conditions and sampling depths. The annual average nitrate concentrations in fresh surface waters influenced by agriculture and other fresh waters decreased in the reporting period. Maximum concentrations showed, on the contrary, an increase. The reason for this is unknown. Nitrate concentrations at monitoring locations in marine waters decreased or did not change. This holds for both average and maximum concentrations. Eutrophication expressed as the concentration of chorophyll-a showed no clear trend in both fresh and marine surface waters in the 1992-1997 period. If the period before 1992 is taken into account (from 1986 onwards), a decrease in eutrophication is observed in fresh waters. It is too early to determine effects of the Dutch Action programme, implemented in 1996; this applies especially to nitrate concentrations in surface and groundwater.Het rapport geeft een overzicht van de landbouwpraktijk en de grond- en oppervlaktewaterkwaliteit in Nederland in met name de periode 1992-1997. Het levert het basismateriaal voor het onderdeel 'resultaten controleprogramma's' in de rapportage die de Nederlandse overheid medio 2000 aan de Europese Commissie dient toe te sturen in het kader van de Nitraatrichtlijn. De resultaten van de controleprogramma's moeten een indruk geven van de effectiviteit van het Nederlandse actieprogramma ter uitvoering van de EU-nitraatrichtlijn. de invoering van de in de code voor Goede Landbouwpraktijk uit 1993 genoemde maatregelen. Deels betreft het hier een gefaseerde aanscherping van maatregelen die reeds in 1987 een aanvang hebben genomen. De stikstofaanvoer naar de bodem via meststoffen in de landbouw is in de verslagperiode licht afgenomen. Het stikstofoverschot van de Nederlandse landbouw is niet verminderd als gevolg van lagere gewasopbrengsten. De nitraatconcentratie in het grondwater onder landbouwgrond laat geen trendmatige verandering zijn in de verslagperiode als gecorrigeerd wordt voor weersinvloeden. Het effect van droge en natte jaren is met name in het bovenste grondwater groot. De gemeten nitraatconcentratie in het grondwater is m.n. afhankelijk van de hydrologische omstandigheden, het bodemtype en de diepte van bemonsteren. De jaargemiddelde nitraatconcentraties in de zoete oppervlaktewateren nemen in de verslagperiode af. De maximum nitraatconcentraties daarentegen vertonen geen duidelijke trend. De nitraatconcentraties in de zoute wateren blijven gelijk of dalen, dit geldt voor zowel de gemiddelde als de maximale waarden. De eutrofiering uitgedrukt als de concentratie aan chlorofyl-a vertoont in de periode 1992-1997 in de zoete oppervlaktewateren en in het kustwater geen duidelijke trend. Over een langere periode gezien (vanaf 1986), is in de rijkswateren en de regionale wateren wel sprake van een daling. Het is nog te vroeg om effecten van het Nederlandse actieprogramma, dat vanaf 1996 van start is gegaan, te kunnen vaststellen, met name als het gaat om de grond- en oppervlaktewaterkwaliteit

Agricultural practise and water quality in the Netherlands. Background information for the 1992-1997 period for the country report EU Nitrate Directive

Het rapport geeft een overzicht van de landbouwpraktijk en de grond- en oppervlaktewaterkwaliteit in Nederland in met name de periode 1992-1997. Het levert het basismateriaal voor het onderdeel 'resultaten controleprogramma's' in de rapportage die de Nederlandse overheid medio 2000 aan de Europese Commissie dient toe te sturen in het kader van de Nitraatrichtlijn. De resultaten van de controleprogramma's moeten een indruk geven van de effectiviteit van het Nederlandse actieprogramma ter uitvoering van de EU-nitraatrichtlijn. de invoering van de in de code voor Goede Landbouwpraktijk uit 1993 genoemde maatregelen. Deels betreft het hier een gefaseerde aanscherping van maatregelen die reeds in 1987 een aanvang hebben genomen. De stikstofaanvoer naar de bodem via meststoffen in de landbouw is in de verslagperiode licht afgenomen. Het stikstofoverschot van de Nederlandse landbouw is niet verminderd als gevolg van lagere gewasopbrengsten. De nitraatconcentratie in het grondwater onder landbouwgrond laat geen trendmatige verandering zijn in de verslagperiode als gecorrigeerd wordt voor weersinvloeden. Het effect van droge en natte jaren is met name in het bovenste grondwater groot. De gemeten nitraatconcentratie in het grondwater is m.n. afhankelijk van de hydrologische omstandigheden, het bodemtype en de diepte van bemonsteren. De jaargemiddelde nitraatconcentraties in de zoete oppervlaktewateren nemen in de verslagperiode af. De maximum nitraatconcentraties daarentegen vertonen geen duidelijke trend. De nitraatconcentraties in de zoute wateren blijven gelijk of dalen, dit geldt voor zowel de gemiddelde als de maximale waarden. De eutrofiering uitgedrukt als de concentratie aan chlorofyl-a vertoont in de periode 1992-1997 in de zoete oppervlaktewateren en in het kustwater geen duidelijke trend. Over een langere periode gezien (vanaf 1986), is in de rijkswateren en de regionale wateren wel sprake van een daling. Het is nog te vroeg om effecten van het Nederlandse actieprogramma, dat vanaf 1996 van start is gegaan, te kunnen vaststellen, met name als het gaat om de grond- en oppervlaktewaterkwaliteit.This overview documents agricultural practice, and groundwater and surface water quality, in the Netherlands, mainly for the period from 1992 to 1997. It is intended to provide the Dutch authorities with basic information for reporting on the results of monitoring programmes to asses the effectiveness of the Dutch Action programme. A start was made in the 1992-1997 reporting period with the implementation of the Code of Good Practice in the Netherlands. In part, this concerned accentuation of measures taken in the 1987-1992 period. Nitrogen present in agriculture via chemical fertilisers and manure decreased slightly in 1992-1997. The nitrogen surplus in agriculture has not changed as a result of lower crop yields. Nitrate concentrations in groundwater under agricultural land showed no trend in the reporting period, in which fluctuations in precipitation surplus were accounted for. The nitrate concentration in groundwater and the frequency of exceeding the European reference value not only depends on human activities but also on soil type, the local hydrological conditions and sampling depths. The annual average nitrate concentrations in fresh surface waters influenced by agriculture and other fresh waters decreased in the reporting period. Maximum concentrations showed, on the contrary, an increase. The reason for this is unknown. Nitrate concentrations at monitoring locations in marine waters decreased or did not change. This holds for both average and maximum concentrations. Eutrophication expressed as the concentration of chorophyll-a showed no clear trend in both fresh and marine surface waters in the 1992-1997 period. If the period before 1992 is taken into account (from 1986 onwards), a decrease in eutrophication is observed in fresh waters. It is too early to determine effects of the Dutch Action programme, implemented in 1996; this applies especially to nitrate concentrations in surface and groundwater.VROMLNVW&

Lung nodule volumetry: segmentation algorithms within the same software package cannot be used interchangeably.

Item does not contain fulltextOBJECTIVE: We examined the reproducibility of lung nodule volumetry software that offers three different volumetry algorithms. METHODS: In a lung cancer screening trial, 188 baseline nodules >5 mm were identified. Including follow-ups, these nodules formed a study-set of 545 nodules. Nodules were independently double read by two readers using commercially available volumetry software. The software offers readers three different analysing algorithms. We compared the inter-observer variability of nodule volumetry when the readers used the same and different algorithms. RESULTS: Both readers were able to correctly segment and measure 72% of nodules. In 80% of these cases, the readers chose the same algorithm. When readers used the same algorithm, exactly the same volume was measured in 50% of readings and a difference of >25% was observed in 4%. When the readers used different algorithms, 83% of measurements showed a difference of >25%. CONCLUSION: Modern volumetric software failed to correctly segment a high number of screen detected nodules. While choosing a different algorithm can yield better segmentation of a lung nodule, reproducibility of volumetric measurements deteriorates substantially when different algorithms were used. It is crucial even in the same software package to choose identical parameters for follow-up.1 augustus 201

A comparison of six software packages for evaluation of solid lung nodules using semi-automated volumetry: what is the minimum increase in size to detect growth in repeated CT examinations.

Contains fulltext : 81522.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)We compared interexamination variability of CT lung nodule volumetry with six currently available semi-automated software packages to determine the minimum change needed to detect the growth of solid lung nodules. We had ethics committee approval. To simulate a follow-up examination with zero growth, we performed two low-dose unenhanced CT scans in 20 patients referred for pulmonary metastases. Between examinations, patients got off and on the table. Volumes of all pulmonary nodules were determined on both examinations using six nodule evaluation software packages. Variability (upper limit of the 95% confidence interval of the Bland-Altman plot) was calculated for nodules for which segmentation was visually rated as adequate. We evaluated 214 nodules (mean diameter 10.9 mm, range 3.3 mm-30.0 mm). Software packages provided adequate segmentation in 71% to 86% of nodules (p or=8 mm in diameter (range 12.9%-17.1%) than for nodules <8 mm (range 18.5%-25.6%). Segmented volumes of each package were compared to each of the other packages. Systematic volume differences were detected in 11/15 comparisons. This hampers comparison of nodule volumes between software packages