Manufacturing Practices Research Articles

Spatiotemporal carbon footprint analysis of bottled water production by ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis

The sustainable engineering of water treatment processes is critical for reducing the environmental impact of the bottled water industry, a sector experiencing growth parallel to rising standards of living. This study focuses on the environmental footprint of two membrane processes—ultrafiltration (UF) and reverse osmosis (RO)—used in the production of bottled drinking water. By employing life cycle assessment (LCA), we compare the carbon footprints of mineral water production via UF from high-quality sources against purified water production using RO technology. Initial findings indicate minor differences in the carbon footprints for one 550-mL bottled water produced by each method. However, the incorporation of green manufacturing practices reveals a significant reduction in the carbon footprint. Specifically, our analysis shows that with the deep decarbonization of the power grid and freight electrification, the carbon footprint of mineral water can be reduced by 36.04 %. Additionally, through the adoption of renewable energy and the recycling of plastic packaging after consumption, the carbon footprint of mineral water could be lowered to 0.0295 kg CO2-eq per 550-mL bottled water, demonstrating that mineral water offers low-carbon potential. This study further explores the roles of production location, transportation, and the adoption of various decarbonization strategies in optimizing the environmental footprint of bottled water. Our findings reveal the quantitative decarbonization potential of membrane processes, coupled with sustainable practices, for bottled drinking water production, supporting the industry's shift towards greater environmental sustainability.

Rapid Electrophilic 211At-Astatination of Trimethylgermyl Arenes.

A set of 211At-astatoarenes were synthesized from corresponding trimethylgermyl arenes with an average radiochemical conversion (RCC) of ca. 50 % for electron-rich and approx. 70 % in case of electron-deficient arenes. Both electron rich and electron poor substrates were successfully radiolabeled at room temperature (RT) using relatively low precursor amounts (0.15 μmol/0.02 mL solvent (7.5 mM)). Ready access to ortho-, para- and meta- astatinated arenes was achievable. Optimized reaction conditions were successfully applied to label a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor with a RCC of approx. 50 %. We believe that trimethylgermyl derivatives are a viable addition to the astatination precursor toolbox and facilitate astatination of arenes. The developed labeling method should easily be applicable for productions under good manufacturing practice (GMP).

Application of FUZZY Methods for Measuring Leanness of Manufacturing Industries

Manufacturing plays a vital role in the growth of any economy. In India also the manufacturing is growing rapidly and passing through transforming stage. To maintain the customer demands, quality, profitability, and sustainability it is necessary to adapt good manufacturing practices. This paper emphasizes the adaptation of lean manufacturing and development of model for assessing the lean status of different manufacturing sectors. For assessing leanness, manufacturing sectors are evaluated on 29 lean criterions by using Fuzzy TOPSIS. Fuzzy TOPSIS can deal with a variety of questions. Lean criterions are identified, linguistic ratings for different criterion are selected and scores are assigned, and finally lean status is compared, and it is found that automobile sector is leaner as compared to textile and heavy industries. This paper will help the industry, academia and lean practitioners to assess the lean status of their industry and to strengthen their knowledge towards various benefits of lean manufacturing in the industry.

Financial Management Strategies for Implementing Lean Manufacturing in the Footwear Industry

The concept of lean manufacturing, initially developed to maximize resource utilization by minimizing waste, has evolved to address the needs of a rapidly changing and competitive business environment. Footwear industries face significant challenges and complexities that require a systematic and continuous response to maintain and enhance product value. Implementing lean manufacturing practices has become essential for these organizations to sustain and thrive in such a dynamic landscape. However, successful implementation is not solely dependent on operational adjustments but also on strategic financial management. This research examines the financial management strategies necessary for the effective implementation of lean manufacturing in the footwear industry. It emphasizes the importance of integrating financial planning with lean principles to ensure comprehensive and sustainable improvements. Key lean elements such as Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Cellular Manufacturing (CM), U-line systems, Line Balancing, Inventory Control, Single Minute Exchange of Dies (SMED), Pull Systems, Kanban, and Production Levelling are explored in detail. The study demonstrates how a focused approach to financial management can support these lean elements, enabling footwear companies to optimize resource allocation, reduce costs, and improve efficiency. By aligning financial strategies with lean manufacturing goals, organizations can achieve significant economic and operational benefits. This includes better cash flow management, investment in continuous improvement initiatives, and a robust framework for measuring the financial impact of lean practices. Through a comprehensive analysis of these financial strategies, the research provides valuable insights for footwear companies aiming to implement lean manufacturing successfully. It highlights the need for an integrated approach that combines financial acumen with lean methodologies to drive value creation, enhance competitiveness, and ensure long-term sustainability in the industry.

Improved Radiosynthesis and Automation of [11C]2-(2,6-Difluoro-4-((2-(N-methylphenylsulfonamido)ethyl)thio)phenoxy)acetamide ([11C]K2) for Positron Emission Tomography of the Glutamate α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole Propionic Acid (AMPA) Receptor.

A new automated radiosynthesis of [11C]2-(2,6-difluoro-4-((2-(N-methylphenylsulfonamido)ethyl)thio)phenoxy)acetamide ([11C]K2), a radiopharmaceutical for the glutamate α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptor, is reported. Although manual syntheses have been described, these are unsuitable for routine production of larger batches of [11C]K2 for (pre)clinical PET imaging applications. To meet demands for the imaging agent from our functional neuroimaging collaborators, herein, we report a current good manufacturing practice (cGMP)-compliant synthesis of [11C]K2 using a commercial synthesis module. The new synthesis is fully automated and has been validated for clinical use. The total synthesis time is 33 min from end of bombardment, and the production method provides 2.66 ± 0.3 GBq (71.9 ± 8.6 mCi) of [11C]K2 in 97.7 ± 0.5% radiochemical purity and 754.1 ± 231.5 TBq/mmol (20,382.7 ± 6256.1 Ci/mmol) molar activity (n = 3). Batches passed all requisite quality control testing confirming suitability for clinical use.

Sustain or perish: how lean manufacturing practices predict the sustainable performance of manufacturing SMEs? A moderated mediation analysis

PurposeThis paper aims to explore how lean manufacturing practices (LMPs) predict sustainable performance (SP) in the context of manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in less developed countries, like Yemen. In particular, it investigates the mediating effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) under different levels of competitive intensity (CI).Design/methodology/approachHierarchical regression analysis was used to analyze data gathered from a survey of 259 Yemeni manufacturing SMEs.FindingsThe findings confirm that LMPs affect CSR, which in turn affects SP. This study also confirms that LMPs have a positive indirect effect on SP through CSR, which diminished in the presence of CI.Practical implicationsThis study provides useful insights for policymakers and firms’ managers, who are anticipated to show a higher commitment to CSR in their firms when adopting LMPs to enhance their firms’ SP, especially under a low level of CI.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to expanding knowledge on the effect of LMPs on SP through CSR constrained by the level of CI.

Enhanced prediction of cement raw meal oxides by near-infrared spectroscopy using machine learning combined with chemometric techniques.

The component analysis of raw meal is critical to the quality of cement. In recent years, near-infrared (NIR) has been emerged as an innovative and efficient analytical method to determine the oxide content of cement raw meal. This study aims to utilize NIR spectroscopy combined with machine learning and chemometrics to improve the prediction of oxide content in cement raw meal. The Savitzky-Golay convolution smoothing method is applied to eliminate noise interference for the analysis of calcium carbonate ( ), silicon dioxide ( ), aluminum oxide ( ), and ferric oxide ( ) in cement raw materials. Different wavelength selection techniques are used to perform a comprehensive analysis of the model, comparing the performance of several wavelength selection techniques. The back-propagation neural network regression model based on particle swarm optimization algorithm was also applied to optimize the extracted and screened feature wavelengths, and the model prediction performance was checked and evaluated using and RMSE. In conclusion, the results indicate that NIR spectroscopy in combination with ML and chemometrics has great potential to effectively improve the prediction performance of oxide content in raw materials and highlight the importance of modeling and wavelength selection techniques. By enabling more accurate and efficient determination of oxide content in raw materials, NIR spectroscopy coupled with meta-modeling has the potential to revolutionize quality assurance practices in cement manufacturing.

Reduced protein levels in latex gloves may play an alternative approach to lowering latex sensitization risks among health workers; a cross-sectional analytical study

BackgroundLatex gloves are essential for protecting healthcare workers from biological hazards but pose a risk of latex allergy, particularly due to powdered, protein, and allergen content. Recent advancements in latex glove manufacturing have led to reduced levels of extractable proteins, a known factor triggering allergenic reaction. This study aimed to compare latex sensitization between nursing staff using low-protein and high-protein latex gloves at a tertiary university hospital in Thailand.MethodsA cross-sectional analytical study categorized participants into two groups based on glove exposure: the low extractable protein group (only exposed to non-powdered latex gloves with extractable protein levels below 50 µg/g) and the high extractable protein group (exposed to powdered latex gloves with levels above 50 µg/g). The sample size comprised 163 individuals in the low protein group and 318 in the high protein group (1:2). Latex allergy symptoms and sensitization were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire and latex-specific IgE measurement (ImmunoCAP), respectively. Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistics, including odds ratios and 95%CI.ResultsDemographic data was mostly similar in both exposure groups except for age. No significant differences in latex sensitization between the low and high protein groups were found via latex-specific IgE measurement (crude OR 1.90, 95%CI: 0.5, 7.18), potentially attributed to lower extractable protein levels in powdered latex gloves compared to previous studies. In contrast, the low protein group exhibited significantly fewer current latex allergy symptoms in both bivariate (crude OR 0.24, 95%CI: 0.06, 0.74) and multiple variable analysis (adjusted OR 0.18, 95%CI: 0.04, 0.86). Moreover, there was a significant reduction in latex allergy symptoms among the low protein group, decreasing from 9.8% who reported experiencing symptoms (when powdered latex gloves were used) to 1.2% who still reported current symptoms (OR 0.11, 95%CI: 0.02, 0.44).ConclusionsThis study underscores the importance of using non-powdered and low-protein latex gloves to reduce latex allergy symptoms while emphasizing the need for further investigation into the relationship between extractable protein levels in addition to the attempt of the major allergen removal and latex sensitization amid evolving glove manufacturing practices.

The role of trophic, mutualistic, and competitive interactions in an industrial symbiosis process implementation: an ecological network perspective

For both government and private institutions, the development of collaboration networks becomes an element of great importance for the implementation of related policies such as the circular economy and sustainable practices in manufacturing. Despite the above, such initiatives have not received as much attention in literature but have been decisive as both public and private initiatives. Initiatives in Latin America do not escape this scenario, especially in the creation of conditions that allow the promotion of approaches such as industrial symbiosis. In this way, the present research is aimed at identifying the role of trophic, mutualistic, and competitive interactions in an industrial symbiosis process implementation. A network analysis model is used to achieve this purpose. This technique allows us to know the degree of importance of the different actors that are part of a network, as well as the factors that determine the implementation of initiatives such as industrial symbiosis. Among the results are that empirical findings confirm the presence of trophic interactions that enhance resource efficiency, mutualistic interactions fostering collaboration and synergy, and competitive interactions promoting efficiency and dynamism. Additionally, a green culture, business size, and innovation activities are revealed as influential factors amplifying network dynamics.

“Capacity for Labor,” Work, and Disability in the Early Republic, 1791–1833

Abstract: In the northeastern cities of the early United States, healthy, physically versatile workers were few and far between. Even as employers and welfare administrators experimented with the emerging bureaucratic categories “disabled” and “able-bodied” to delineate workers and non-workers, the unpredictability and fluidity of the population’s health resisted simple classification. This article argues that, between the 1790s and 1830s, the architects of the early national political economy were keenly aware of workers’ varied capacity for labor. Early advocates even argued that manufacturing work would prove more accessible to groups they believed had not been “usefully” employed in the colonial economy—namely, women, children, the elderly, and those with illnesses and impairments. When this did not prove to be the case, welfare administrators retained a commitment to flexible labor in their organization of poor-relief structures and institutions. Bringing disability into the narrative complicates scholars’ long-held assumptions about the rationale directing early manufacturing, poor relief, and institutional practices. The early republican period is crucial both to the emergence of disability as an (albeit unstable) social category and the formation of the antebellum American labor force and welfare system.

The Study of Drivers of Sustainable Manufacturing Practices in Fast Moving Consumer Goods Egyptian Sector and Their Impact on Competitive Capabilities

The Study of Drivers of Sustainable Manufacturing Practices in Fast Moving Consumer Goods Egyptian Sector and Their Impact on Competitive Capabilities

Assessing the Need to Implement Industry 4.0 Technologies with TOGAF

AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and robotics are becoming ubiquitous technologies in the industry sector, which has witnessed several successive industrial revolutions: mechanization, electrification, digitalization, and now Industry 4.0. Industry 4.0 refers to the technologies reinventing manufacturing practices, leading to smart factories where systems, machines, and products communicate constantly. To implement I4.0 successfully, companies must manage, control, and contain many changes and risks. As a result, organizations must ensure that introducing these new technologies is valuable, determine what challenges they face and what opportunities they can take advantage of, and anticipate their future needs and the conditions to implement to optimize their resources. In addition, the enterprise architecture can contribute to the good governance of I4.0 technologies within an enterprise. Using an enterprise architecture, a company can better understand its current situation, capabilities, and how it interacts with its environment. This enables it to align IT with business needs and assess the need to adopt new technologies for any organization with strategic goals. Specifically, this study aims to determine how TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework) could assist companies in assessing the necessity of implementing Industry 4.0 technologies. Specifically, the study explores the factors influencing the company's transformation, the potential benefits of I4.0 technologies, and the phases and artifacts stakeholders should consider when adopting I4.0.

Dynamic optimization of an integrated cultivation-aggregation model for mAb production.

Due to their proteinaceous structure, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are susceptible to irreversible aggregation, with harmful consequences on drug efficacy and patient safety. To mitigate this risk in modern biopharmaceutical processes, it is critical to comply with current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) and pursue operating strategies minimizing irreversible aggregation whilst also maximizing mAb throughput. These conflicting objectives are targeted in this study by formulating and analyzing an integrated dynamic model accounting for both cultivation and aggregation of mAbs from a Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell line. Two manipulated dynamic variables are considered here in simulation studies: firstly temperature manipulation within a batch reactor, and secondly feed flow manipulation within a series of isothermal fed-batch reactors. Following this, dynamic optimization investigations have been conducted, firstly with the single objective of maximizing mAb throughput and secondly with multiple (two) objectives of maximizing mAb throughput while also minimizing irreversible aggregate content, simultaneously. The study provides key insight into tradeoffs of how simultaneous temperature and feed flowrate manipulation affects mAb throughput and aggregation inside bioreactors.

Successful transport across continents of GMP-manufactured and cryopreserved culture-expanded human fetal liver-derived mesenchymal stem cells for use in a clinical trial

IntroductionCell therapy has been increasingly considered to treat diseases, but it has been proven difficult to manufacture the same product at multiple manufacturing sites. Thus, for a wider implementation an alternative is to have one manufacturing site with a wide distribution to clinical sites. To ensure administration of a good quality cell therapy product with maintained functional characteristics, several obstacles must be overcome, which includes for example transfer of knowledge, protocols and procedures, site assessment, transportation and preparation of the product. MethodsAs the preparatory work for a clinical trial in India using fetal mesenchymal stem cells (fMSCs) developed and manufactured in Sweden, we performed a site assessment of the receiving clinical site, transferred methods, developed procedures and provided training of operators for handling of the cell therapy product. We further developed a Pharmacy Manual to cover the management of the product, from ordering it from the manufacturer, through transport, reconstitution, testing and administration at the clinical site. Lastly, the effect of long-distance transport on survival and function of, as well as the correct handling of the cell therapy product, was evaluated according to the pre-determined and approved Product Specification. ResultsFour batches of cryopreserved human fetal liver-derived fMSCs manufactured according to Good Manufacturing Practice and tested according to predetermined release criteria in Sweden, were certified and transported in a dry shipper at −150 °C to the clinical site in India. The transport was temperature monitored and took three–seven days to complete. The thawed and reconstituted cells showed more than 80% viability up to 3 h post-thawing, the cell recovery was more than 94%, the cells displayed the same surface protein expression pattern, differentiated into bone, had stable chromosomes and were sterile, which conformed with the data from the manufacturing site in Sweden. ConclusionsOur study shows the feasibility of transferring necessary knowledge and technology to be able to carry out a clinical trial with a cell therapy product in distant country. It also shows that it is possible to transport a cryopreserved cell therapy product over long distances and borders with retained quality. This extends the use of cryopreserved cell therapy products in the future.

Environmental monitoring of current good manufacturing practices cleanroom facilities for manufacturing of cellular therapy products in an academic hospital setting

As the field of cell and gene therapy (CGT) continues to grow, so too must the infrastructure and regulatory guidance supporting the manufacture of these potentially life-saving products—especially early-phase products manufactured at an increasing number of academic or hospital-based facilities providing decentralized (or point of care) manufacturing. An important component of current good manufacturing practices, including those regulating cell and gene therapies, is the establishment of an effective environmental monitoring (EM) program. While several guidelines for establishing an EM program are available, these guidelines do not specifically address the unique aspects of manufacturing CGT products and they do not provide real-world evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of the program. Here, we describe the establishment and evolution of an EM program in a cell therapy manufacturing facility at an academic hospital. With 10 years of EM data, we analyze the effectiveness for identifying trends in environmental conditions and highlight important findings, with the aim of providing practical evidence and guidance for the development of future early-phase EM programs.

Directional heat treatment technique to prepare columnar grains in a TiAl alloy: Microstructure evolution and deformation behavior

Directional TiAl alloys show excellent comprehensive mechanical properties at high temperature (HT), and their notable attributes in high-temperature deformation resistance offer them promising application potential as structural materials in the aero engine industry. Directional heat treatment (DHT) is an effective local solid phase transformation technology in alloy processing and microstructure control. The directional Ti47Al2Nb2Cr alloys with columnar grains microstructure were fabricated via multiple DHT technology, where the HT deformation performance and corresponding deformation mechanism were both investigated. Results show that both the length in axial and width in radial are increasing with the increase of DHT time, together with the reduce of columnar grains amount, ultra-large columnar grains of 58.6 mm in length and 4.8 mm in width are even obtained, which makes it possible to realize the directional single crystals fabrication further, and the DHT-TiAl alloy may possess a tensile strength of 611.7 MPa at 800 ℃. For the first time, the mechanism of columnar grain growth is considered from the point of thermodynamics via analyzing the driving force of different DHT regions, which is thought to be greatly related to the temperature gradient, and the rule of preferred orientation choosing for columnar grains growth is discussed as well, then we defined the possible conditions of controlling columnar grains steady growth. Eventually, the detailed deformation mechanism of the multiple-DHT treated TiAl alloy was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which demonstrates that the twin intersections together with stress-induced γ variants within γ matrix, and the well-known long period stacking order (LPSO) structure 6 R and 9 R characterized by periodic stacking fault both found near α2 phase and γ twins/pseudo-twins further improved the plastic deformation accommodation and interface compatibility of DHT-TiAl alloy. This observed microstructure transformation and corresponding mechanical performance improvement demonstrate the potential of DHT technology in microstructure improving and properties strengthening for TiAl alloys during practical manufacturing process.

ANALISA PENERAPAN GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICE (GMP) PRODUK OLAHAN ROTI (STUDI KASUS: SAE ROTI KUNINGAN)

Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) is a reference for every food processing industry so that it can pay attention to food safety so that it can produce quality and healthy food for consumption. This research aims to: (1) determine the implementation of the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) system at SAE ROTI. (2) Identifying errors and deviations in the implementation of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) at SAE ROTI. (3) Providing solutions and recommending improvements to errors in implementing Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). This research was conducted using qualitative methods. Data collection in this research used observation and interviews. The analysis used is descriptive qualitative analysis. The resource persons in this research are Father Muhaemin and Mrs. Suheni as owners of the SAE ROTI industry. The collected data is processed and then analyzed. The results obtained from this research are the identification of the implementation of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) aspects at SAE ROTI that do not meet the GMP criteria and sanitation from the 12 GMP points has 1 point Good, 5 points Fair and 6 points Poor. Based on references from the Permenperin, in the 2 categories of major and critical deviations there are 5 major points and 6 critical points and recommendations for improvement are given based on the results of direct analysis.

Gamification Approach for Interactive Learning of Lean Manufacturing Activities

The gamification approach is popular method in education as it has been widely utilized in many fields. The project focuses on designing a game for interactive learning of lean manufacturing activities to create an alternative learning method that would gain interest and efficiency in learning. Integration of gamification approach and interactive learning method was used to illustrate a virtual lean manufacturing education and training by means of users’ interaction towards provided interactive learning materials and participation in playing the designed game. Input of the project which is learning materials was developed by analysing numerous articles regarding common lean manufacturing tools and practices. Interactive elements such as animation, sound effects, lecture voice, and videos were applied in each learning material to deliver an adequate understanding of each topic. Construction of the game platform is being developed using ActivePresenter software which includes simulation videos of the production line using FlexSim software to visualize a real production floor which provides a clearer picture of the production system for users. The game should include a basic assessment of lean manufacturing practices by considering its complexity and difficulty level for users with inadequate or does not have experience in the field. The outcome of the project is expected to successfully design a basic game platform for lean manufacturing education by means of interactive learning. Users will be able to learn lean manufacturing systems using the designed interactive learning materials included in the games and self-assess themselves as the game publishes the correct and best answer option in case they answer wrongly.

Contribution of salting on the safety assurance of artisanal “Bagaces” cheese, a Mesoamerican firm dry-salted unripe cheese

The efficacy of salting to ensure the safety of “Bagaces” cheese was assessed. Six producers with different processing practices were visited to develop a standard processing protocol for “Bagaces” cheese making. The effect of two different salting methods (brine or dry direct salting) and two cheese geometries (block or cubes) were assessed on product pH, water activity (Aw) and salt content. Both cheese geometry and salting method significantly influence the salting kinetics (p = 0.0027 and p = 0.0187, respectively), yet based on the physicochemical properties measured and its influence on pathogens growth based on previous studies, salting may not guarantee the safety of the final product as a critical measure of control since the growth of reference pathogens is likely to occur. Therefore, milk pasteurization, refrigeration during cheese storage and distribution, and strict application of good manufacturing practices are required for the safety assurance of this artisanal Mesoamerican cheese.

Mitigating the environmental concerns through total quality management and green manufacturing practices.

This study seeks to explore the intricate relationship between total quality management (TQM) and environmental performance (EP), incorporating the mediating role of green manufacturing practices (GMPs). Additionally, the study examines the moderating impact of environmental strategy on the connections between GMPs and EP. Data were collected through a questionnaire distributed to managers of manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and were subjected to analysis using structural equation modeling. The results reveal a positive and significant impact of TQM on EP. Furthermore, the findings suggest that GMPs partially mediate the association between TQM and EP, while the anticipated moderating effect of environmental strategy between GMPs and EP is also supported in this study. These outcomes hold valuable implications for enhancing the environmental performance of SMEs through the integration of TQM and GMPs. It is important to note that this research exclusively focuses on manufacturing SMEs; therefore, future studies should extend their examination of this concept to other industries. Additionally, the study's findings provide a valuable roadmap for SME administrators aiming to elevate their environmental performance.