Lean and green – a systematic review of the state of the art literature

The move towards greener operations and products has forced companies to seek alternatives to balance efficiency gains and environmental friendliness in their operations and products. The exploration of the sequential or simultaneous deployment of lean and green initiatives is the results of this balancing action. However, the lean-green topic is relatively new, and it lacks of a clear and structured research definition. Thus, this paper’s main contribution is the offering of a systematic review of the existing literature on lean and green, aimed at providing guidance on the topic, uncovering gaps and inconsistencies in the literature, and finding new paths for research. The paper identifies and structures, through a concept map, six main research streams that comprise both conceptual and empirical research conducted within the context of various organisational functions and industrial sectors. Important issues for future research are then suggested in the form of research questions. The paper’s aim is to also contribute by stimulating scholars to further study this area in depth, which will lead to a better understanding of the compatibility and impact on organisational performance of lean and green initiatives. It also holds important implications for industrialists, who can develop a deeper and richer knowledge on lean and green to help them formulate more effective strategies for their deployment

Genomic epidemiology of NDM-1-encoding plasmids in latin American clinical isolates reveals insights into the evolution of multidrug resistance

Bacteria that produce the broad-spectrum Carbapenem antibiotic NewDelhi Metallo-b-lactamase (NDM) place a burden on health care systems worldwide, due to the limited treatment options for infections caused by them and the rapid global spread of this antibiotic resistancemechanism.Although it is believed that theassociated resistancegenebla NDM-1 originated inAcinetobacter spp., the role of Enterobacteriaceae in its dissemination remains unclear. In this study, we usedwhole genome sequencing to investigate the dissemination dynamics of blaNDM-1-positive plasmids in a set of 21 clinical NDM-1-positive isolates from Colombia and Mexico (Providencia rettgeri, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter baumannii) aswell as six representative NDM-1-positive Escherichia coli transconjugants. Additionally, the plasmids from three representative P. rettgeri isolates were sequenced by PacBio sequencing and finished. Our results demonstrate the presence of previously reported plasmids from K. pneumoniae and A. baumannii in different genetic backgrounds and geographically distant locations in Colombia. Three new previously unclassified plasmids were also identified in P. rettgeri from Colombia and Mexico, plus an interesting genetic link between NDM-1-positive P. rettgeri from distant geographic locations (Canada, Mexico, Colombia, and Israel) without any reported epidemiological links was discovered. Finally, we detected a relationship between plasmids present in P. rettgeri and plasmids from A. baumannii and K. pneumoniae. Overall, our findings suggest a Russian dollmodel for the dissemination of blaNDM-1 in LatinAmerica,with P. rettgeri playing a central role in this process, andrevealnewinsights into the evolution and disseminationof plasmids carrying such antibiotic resistance genes

TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits-the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants-determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait-based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits-almost complete coverage for 'plant growth form'. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait-environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives

Abordagem Oncoplástica de um Tumor Filoide Maligno Gigante: Mastectomia com Preservação do Complexo Areolo-Papilar e Reconstrução Mamária Imediata

Malignant phyllodes tumors (MPTs) are rare, fast-growing breast neoplasms with a tendency to recur. We report the case of a 44-year-old woman with an 11 cm right breast mass diagnosed as a malignant phyllodes tumor. Due to the tumor’s size and location, she underwent a nipple-sparing subcutaneous mastectomy with immediate implant-based reconstruction. Histopathology confirmed malignancy with high stromal cellularity and a Ki-67 index of 20%; margins were negative. The postoperative course was uneventful aside from minor superficial areolar necrosis. No adjuvant therapy was required. This case illustrates the potential safety and feasibility of nipple-sparing mastectomy with reconstruction in select MPT patients. While wide excision with 1 cm margins remains standard, total mastectomy may be appropriate for large tumors. The case supports the value of individualized, multidisciplinary approaches that integrate oncologic safety with cosmetic outcomes.Os tumores filoides malignos (TFMs) são neoplasias mamárias raras e de rápido crescimento, com tendência à recorrência. Relatamos o caso de uma mulher de 44 anos portadora de uma massa de 11 cm na mama direita, diagnosticada como tumor filoide maligno. Devido ao tamanho e à localização da lesão, a paciente foi submetida a uma mastectomia subcutânea com preservação do complexo areolo-papilar e reconstrução imediata com implante. O exame histopatológico confirmou malignidade, com alta celularidade estromal e índice Ki-67 de 20%, apresentando margens livres. O pós-operatório transcorreu sem intercorrências relevantes, exceto por pequena necrose superficial areolar. Não foi necessária terapia adjuvante. Este caso ilustra a viabilidade e a segurança potenciais da mastectomia com preservação do mamilo associada à reconstrução imediata em pacientes selecionados com TFM. Embora a excisão ampla com margens de 1 cm continue sendo o padrão, a mastectomia total pode ser apropriada em tumores volumosos. O caso reforça o valor de abordagens individualizadas e multidisciplinares que integrem segurança oncológica e resultado estético

Improved functionalization of oleic acid-coated iron oxide nanoparticles for biomedical applications

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles can providemultiple benefits for biomedical applications in aqueous environments such asmagnetic separation or magnetic resonance imaging. To increase the colloidal stability and allow subsequent reactions, the introduction of hydrophilic functional groups onto the particles’ surface is essential. During this process, the original coating is exchanged by preferably covalently bonded ligands such as trialkoxysilanes. The duration of the silane exchange reaction, which commonly takes more than 24 h, is an important drawback for this approach. In this paper, we present a novel method, which introduces ultrasonication as an energy source to dramatically accelerate this process, resulting in high-quality waterdispersible nanoparticles around 10 nmin size. To prove the generic character, different functional groups were introduced on the surface including polyethylene glycol chains, carboxylic acid, amine, and thiol groups. Their colloidal stability in various aqueous buffer solutions as well as human plasma and serum was investigated to allow implementation in biomedical and sensing applications.status: publishe

The use of 2-D speckle tracking echocardiography in assessing adolescent athletes with left ventricular hypertrabeculation meeting the criteria for left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: Current echocardiographic criteria cannot accurately differentiate exercise induced left ventricular (LV) hypertrabeculation in athletes from LV non-compaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC). This study aims to evaluate the role of speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in characterising LV myocardial mechanics in healthy adolescent athletes with and without LVNC echocardiographic criteria. METHODS: Adolescent athletes evaluated at three sports academies between 2014 and 2019 were considered for this observational study. Those meeting the Jenni criteria for LVNC (end-systolic non-compacted/compacted myocardium ratio > 2 in any short axis segment) were considered LVNC+ and the rest LVNC-. Peak systolic LV longitudinal strain (Sl), circumferential strain (Sc), rotation (Rot), corresponding strain rates (SRl/c) and segmental values were calculated and compared using a non-inferiority approach. RESULTS: A total of 417 participants were included, mean age 14.5 ± 1.7 years, of which 6.5% were LVNC+ (n = 27). None of the athletes showed any additional LVNC clinical criteria. All average Sl, SRl Sc, SRc and Rot values were no worse in the LVNC+ group compared to LVNC- (p values range 0.0003-0.06), apart from apical SRc (p = 0.2). All 54 segmental measurements (Sl/Sc SRl/SRc and Rot) had numerically comparable means in both LVNC+ and LVNC-, of which 69% were also statistically non-inferior. CONCLUSIONS: Among healthy adolescent athletes, 6.5% met the echocardiographic criteria for LVNC, but showed normal LV STE parameters, in contrast to available data on paediatric LVNC describing abnormal myocardial function. STE could better characterise the myocardial mechanics of athletes with LV hypertrabeculation, thus allowing the transition from structural to functional LVNC diagnosis, especially in suspected physiological remodelling

The use of 2-D speckle tracking echocardiography in differentiating healthy adolescent athletes with right ventricular outflow tract dilation from patients with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy

AIMS: Echocardiographic assessment of adolescent athletes for arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) can be challenging owing to right ventricular (RV) exercise-related remodelling, particularly RV outflow tract (RVOT) dilation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of RV 2-D speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in comparing healthy adolescent athletes with and without RVOT dilation to patients with ACM. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 391 adolescent athletes, mean age 14.5 ± 1.7 years, evaluated at three sports academies between 2014 and 2019 were included, and compared to previously reported ACM patients (n = 38 definite and n = 39 borderline). Peak systolic RV free wall (RVFW-Sl), global and segmental strain (Sl), and corresponding strain rates (SRl) were calculated. The participants meeting the major modified Task Force Criteria (mTFC) for RVOT dilation were defined as mTFC+ (n = 58, 14.8%), and the rest as mTFC- (n = 333, 85.2%). Mean RVFW-Sl was -27.6 ± 3.4% overall, -28.2 ± 4.1% in the mTFC+ group and - 27.5 ± 3.3% in the mTFC- group. mTFC+ athletes had normal RV-FW-Sl when compared to definite (-29% vs -19%, p < 0.001) and borderline ACM (-29% vs -21%, p < 0.001) cohorts. In addition, all mean global and regional Sl and SRl values were no worse in the mTFC+ group compared to the mTFC- (p values range < 0.0001 to 0.1, inferiority margin of 2% and 0.1 s-1 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In athletes with RVOT dilation meeting the major mTFC, STE evaluation of the RV can demostrate normal function and differentiate physiological remodelling from pathological changes found in ACM, improving screening in grey-area cases

Lean and green in the transport and logistics sector – a case study of simultaneous deployment

© 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. The transport and logistics sector is of vital importance for the stimulation of trade and hence the economic development of nations. However, over the last few years, this sector has taken central stage in the green agenda due to the negative environmental effects derived from its operations. Several disciplines including operations research and sub-areas of supply chain management such as green supply chains, green logistics and reverse logistics have tried to address this problem. However, despite the work undertaken through these disciplines, theoretical or empirical research into the sequential or simultaneous deployment of the lean and green paradigms, particularly, in the road transport and logistics sector is limited. This paper presents a case study where both paradigms have been combined to improve the transport operations of a world leader logistics organisation in the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Mexico. To do this, a systematic methodology and a novel tool called Sustainable Transportation Value Stream Map (STVSM) were proposed. The results obtained from the case study indicate that the concurrent deployment of the green and lean paradigms through such methodology and the STVSM tool is an effective approach to improve both operational efficiency and environmental performance of road transport operations. The paper can be used as a guiding reference for transport and logistics organisations to undertake improvement projects similar to the one presented in this paper. Additionally, this research also intends to stimulate scholarly research into the application of lean and green paradigms in the transport and logistics sector to expand the limited research pursued in this area

Thermodynamic Models for Vapor-Liquid Equilibria of Nitrogen+Oxygen+Carbon Dioxide at Low Temperatures

For the design and optimization of CO2 recovery from alcoholic fermentation processes by distillation, models for vapor-liquid equilibria (VLE) are needed. Two such thermodynamic models, the Peng-Robinson equation of state (EOS) and a model based on Henry's law constants, are proposed for the ternary mixture N2+O2+CO2. Pure substance parameters of the Peng-Robinson EOS are taken from the literature, whereas the binary parameters of the Van der Waals one-fluid mixing rule are adjusted to experimental binary VLE data. The Peng-Robinson EOS describes both binary and ternary experimental data well, except at high pressures approaching the critical region. A molecular model is validated by simulation using binary and ternary experimental VLE data. On the basis of this model, the Henry's law constants of N2 and O2 in CO2 are predicted by molecular simulation. An easy-to-use thermodynamic model, based on those Henry's law constants, is developed to reliably describe the VLE in the CO2-rich region

Rendimiento y valor nutritivo de cereales y cártamo forrajero en la Comarca Lagunera

Safflower and cereals sowing as an alternative to oat allow to increase the forage potential in late sowings during fall-winter season. The objective of the study was to compare the forage potential and nutritive value of cereals and safflower with those observed in oat late sowings during fall-winter season. The study was conducted during the fall-winter season of 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 in Matamoros, Coahuila, Mexico. Cultivars of oat, barley, wheat, triticale and safflower with or without spines were evaluated. A randomized complete block design with four replications was used. Forage nutritive value, dry matter (DM) and nutrients yields were determined. Late sowing of barley and wheat increased the forage potential with or without incidence of foliar disease in oat. The increments reached from 26.3 % to 39 % in DM yields, 34.8% in Crude protein yields, 34.2 % in net energy for lactation yields and 29.4 % to 34.8 % in digestible DM yield. The species triticale, wheat, barley and spineless safflower also were good alternatives, but only when dry forage yields were reduced by foliar diseases. The forage potential may be increased using alternative species to oat in late sowings of fall-winter season.El cártamo y los cereales como alternativas a la avena permiten incrementar el potencial forrajero en siembras tardías de otoño-invierno. El objetivo del estudio fue comparar el potencial forrajero y el valor nutritivo de cereales y cártamos con y sin espinas con los observados en avena en siembras tardías de otoño-invierno. El estudio se realizó en los ciclos otoño-invierno de 2017-2018 y 2018-2019 en Matamoros, Coahuila, México. Se evaluaron cultivares de avena, cebada, trigo, triticale y cártamos con y sin espinas. Se utilizó un diseño de bloques completo al azar con cuatro repeticiones. Se determinó el valor nutritivo del forraje y los rendimientos de nutrientes. La cebada y el trigo aumentaron el potencial forrajero con la incidencia o no de enfermedades foliares en avena. Los incrementos fueron en producción de materia seca (MS) (26.3 a 39.0 %), proteína cruda (34.8 %), energía neta para lactancia (34.2 %) y MS digestible (29.4 a 34.8 %). Las especies triticale, trigo, cebada y cártamo también fueron buenas alternativas, pero sólo cuando los rendimientos de forraje en avena fueron reducidos por enfermedades foliares. El potencial forrajero puede incrementarse con especies alternativas a la avena en siembras tardías de otoño-invierno