Challenges in business systems integration

Four main frameworks for intercompany relationships (SCOR, CPFR, ISA95 and OAG) are discussed and compared. The link between the frameworks and different supply chain integration applications such as ERP, CRM and VMI are pictured. Finally the state-of-the-art, future state and challenges of the supply chain integration applications are discussed. It is concluded that the main challenge with respect to frameworks supporting business systems integration is to extend them with implementation functionality to better support business system application development. An example of this is customer requirement fulfillment processes such as product development and order fulfillment. Not only do they cross the borders of the company's departments (sales, logistics, purchasing, etc) but also various companies in the supply chain. In spite of this development, business integration across systems and borders are still not matured and to a large extend based on human interaction.     

The number of self-incompatibility alleles in a finite, subdivided population

The actual and effective number of gametophytic self-incompatibility alleles maintained at mutation-drift-selection equilibrium in a finite population subdivided as in the island model is investigated by stochastic simulations. The existing theory founded by Wright predicts that for a given population size the number of alleles maintained increases monotonically with decreasing migration as is the case for neutral alleles. The simulation results here show that this is not true. At migration rates above Nm = 0.01-0.1, the actual and effective number of alleles is lower than for an undivided population with the same number of individuals, and, contrary to Wright's theoretical expectation, the number of alleles is not much higher than for an undivided population unless Nm < 0.001. The same pattern is observed in a model where the alleles display symmetrical overdominant selection. This broadens the applicability of the results to include proposed models for the major histocompatibility (MHC) loci. For a subdivided population over a large range of migration rates, it appears that the number of self-incompatibility alleles (or MHC-alleles) observed can provide a rough estimate of the total number of individuals in the population but it underestimates the neutral effective size of the subdivided population.     

Musculoskeletal, visual and psychosocial stress in VDU operators before and after multidisciplinary ergonomic interventions. A 6 years prospective study—Part II

A prospective epidemiological field study covering a 2 years period has earlier been published (Appl. Ergon. (1998) 29(5) 335). The study has a parallel group design with two intervention groups (T and S) and one control group (C) of Visual Display Unit (VDU) operators. The present paper covers the period from 2 to 6 years of the study. After 3.5 years, the C group got the same intervention in terms of new lighting system, new workplaces and at last an optometric examination and corrections if needed. The C group reported a significant reduction in visual discomfort after interventions while the two groups (T and S) continued to report significant reduction of visual discomfort after 6 years. By supporting the forearm on the table top, the C group reported significant reduction of shoulder and neck pain while the T group reported significant reduction in shoulder and back pain after 6 years. Organizational and psychosocial factors at work and outside work did not show any significant changes during the study period.     

Dissolved organic carbon during a spring diatom bloom in Lake Mossø, Denmark

The concentration and molecular weight composition of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was measured during a spring diatom bloom in eutrophic Lake Mossø, Denmark. The concentration fluctuated between 5.2 and 7.2 mg Cl⁻¹. No relationship between DOC concentrations and phytoplankton biomass or primary production was observed. Diurnal variations of a magnitude similar to variations on a weekly basis were found. A decomposition experiment showed the labile fraction to be of a magnitude similar to the diurnal variation, i.e. 0.7 mg Cl⁻¹. By gel filtration (Sephadex G-50 and G-15) it was shown that 70–90% of the DOC pool was <700 daltons and probably <300 daltons. The labile fraction consisted of low molecular weight compounds.     

Effects of storage and conservation on the determination of ammonia in water samples from four lake types and a sewage plant

Measurements of the concentration of ammonia at the time of sampling require immediate filtration and addition of ammonia reagents. Studies were made of (a) three methods of storage, (b) the effect of preserving the sample with H₂SO₄ or HgCl₂, and (c) the effect of filtration through GF/C or 0.2 μm Nuclepore filters, in samples from different types of freshwater. Stored or preserved samples filtered through both types of filter showed similar, unsystematic changes in concentration of ammonia compared with the concentration measured in samples fixed with ammonia reagents at the sampling site.     

Twenty years experience with constructed wetland systems in Denmark--what did we learn?

Full scale constructed wetland systems for wastewater treatment have been in operation in Denmark since 1983, mainly for the treatment of domestic sewage from small villages. The systems are constructed as soil-based horizontal subsurface flow systems but, because of low soil hydraulic conductivity, surface runoff is evident in most of the systems. Two decades of experience show that soil-based systems are generally efficient in removing suspended solids and BOD, but the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus is lower (typically 30-50%) and the systems do not nitrify ammonium. Contrary to earlier claims, the reeds do not increase the hydraulic conductivity of cohesive soils as much as necessary to secure sub-surface flow. Operation needs of soil-based reed beds are low and normally restricted to emptying of the sedimentation tank, cleaning of the distribution system and mowing of the grass around the system. The dead plant material and accumulated litter on the surface of the systems improve performance after the initial years. A significant number of systems have been shut down or extended with other technologies in order to meet new effluent standards, particularly demands for nitrification. New constructed wetland systems are either compact vertical flow systems which provide good nitrification, willow systems with no discharge or restored wetland systems for nitrate removal. If efficient removal of phosphorus is required, this is achieved by chemical precipitation in the sedimentation tank.