Search results for ""taylor francis inc""

Why is it that some improvement efforts succeed while others fail despite robust change management programs and the often do-or-die pressure to improve? Quite simply, there are three elements that separate those that succeed from those that fail. They are the 3Ms—Measure, Manage to Measure, and Make-it-Easy.Complete with forms, templates, and case studies from the aviation and manufacturing industries, Utilizing the 3Ms of Process Improvement supplies step-by-step guidance on how to use the 3Ms to achieve performance excellence that lasts. Suitable for a wide audience—including suppliers, manufacturers, and those who work in service organizations, schools, healthcare, and government—it is as much about the science of process improvement as it is about how to lead process improvement utilizing the 3Ms.Illustrating applications of the 3Ms across a range of industries, the book weaves stories throughout about role models who have succeeded, as well as those who have failed. It identifies the specific elements that were missing or defective in the failed attempts to provide a clear understanding of how the three elements work together. Arming you with a culture change method based on changing behaviors, it provides a leadership and management guide to achieving your objectives. The 3Ms have worked for Ben Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, and the author’s teams across the globe. Now, with this book, you can put the power of the 3Ms to work for you in your quest towards improving processes and reducing costs.The author encourages reader interaction and feedback on his website: www.rpmexec.com. He also provides you with access to the forms and templates described in the book.

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Developments in CT technology during the last 20 years have impressively improved its diagnostic potentialities. Part of a two-volume set that covers all aspects of CT imaging, Multi-Detector CT Imaging: Principles, Head, Neck, and Vascular Systems contains easily searchable clinical specialty chapters that provide specific information without need of an index. The coverage goes far beyond just a "how-to" or an encyclopedia of findings, however. The authors have uniformly put techniques, clinical findings, pathologic disease presentations, and clinical implications of imaging findings in practical perspective. This Volume Features: Discusses technical principles, CT perfusion, contrast media, postprocessing and clinical applications, and radiation dose Covers imaging of the neck and brain, including paranasal sinuses and the ear, brain tumors, neurodegenerative diseases, CNS infection, and head trauma Examines how to use CT data for planning cardiovascular procedures Includes coverage of pathologies of the pericardium and CT venography Presents information on clinical applications in lung disease With the critical role CT plays and the rapid innovations in computer technology, it is no wonder that advances in the capabilities and complexity of CT imaging continue to evolve. While information about these developments may be scattered about in journals and other resources, this two-volume set provides an authoritative, up-to-date, and educational reference that covets the entire spectrum of CT.

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The genus Rhodiola (Family Crassulaceae) is indigenous to Northern Canada, Europe and Asia where its rhizomes and roots have been used for centuries for medicinal purposes. Recent interest in the species Rhodiola rosea (roseroot) in the West arose from the use of the rhizome as an adaptogen for the treatment of stress, but in the last few years, chemical and pharmacological studies have confirmed other valuable medicinal properties. Written by well-known researchers in this field of study, Rhodiola rosea examines important aspects of this increasingly important medicinal plant, including: Cultivation Taxonomy Ethnobotany Conservation Phytopathology Phytochemistry Pharmacology Biotechnology The book discusses in vitro culture of R. rosea and examines pests and diseases affecting the plant in Europe, Canada, and Alaska. It also examines pharmacological bioassays and toxicology. The contributors provide a meta-analysis of clinical trials and describe experimentation with R. rosea in clinical practice. They explore its use in a range of areas, including for depression and anxiety disorders, to improve sexual and immune functions, to augment cancer treatment, and in aerospace medicine for afflictions such as mountain sickness and jet lag. The final chapter uses a model to illustrate the cultivation of R. rosea as an industrial crop from field to medicine to cabinet. Synthesizing the most important literature in recent years, the book supplies a comprehensive peer-reviewed survey of the wide spectrum of possibilities for its use as a modern phytomedicinal agent.

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Indigenous Fermented Foods of South Asia covers the foods of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, and Afghanistan. For each type of food, its microbiology, biochemistry, biotechnology, quality, and nutritional value is covered in depth.The book discusses numerous topics including various types of fermented foods, their origin, history and ethnicity, the role of fermented foods in health, and the microbiology and biochemistry of indigenous fermented foods. The composition and nutritive value of fermented foods are also addressed along with other aspects related to quality and safety, including the toxicity of indigenous fermented foods.Specific chapters are devoted to the preparation of indigenous fermented foods—including cereal-based fermented foods, vinegars, milk products, mushrooms, alcoholic fermented products, and fruit and vegetable products—as well as the indigenous technologies used to produce them.The biotechnological aspects of indigenous fermented products and molecular techniques employed are explained along with issues related to industrialization, socio-economic conditions, and the sustainability of indigenous fermented foods. Drawing upon the expertise from leaders in the field, the book consolidates a significant amount of new data on South Asian foods, making this a valuable resource for all those interested in fermented foods.

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This handy book provides a single, up-to-date source of information for increasing the life of tool steels through optimized design and manufacturing. Supplying a solid understanding of the metallurgy involved, the text explains how material compositions, manufacturing processes, heat treatments, surface hardening techniques, and coatings affect tool steel properties, grades, and performance. It also explores real-life case studies and failure analyses, offering examples of die-life parameters and hints for modifying tool steels and heat treatments during cutting or forming processes. While the book offers deep coverage of properties, microstructure, and manufacturing, its focus is on describing the performance of each application of this special class of ferrous materials. Provides a single, up-to-date source of information for increasing the life of tool steels through optimized design and manufacturing. Explains how material compositions, manufacturing processes, heat treatments, surface hardening techniques, and coatings affect tool steel properties, grades, and performance. Supplies a solid understanding of the metallurgy involved in tool steel manufacturing, machining, hot and cold working, and molding. Offers examples of die-life parameters and hints for modifying tool steels and heat treatments during cutting or forming processes. Includes real-life case studies and failure analyses from the Villares Metals plant in Brazil.

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Developments at the nanoscale are leading to new possibilities and challenges for nuclear applications in areas ranging from medicine to international commerce to atomic power production/waste treatment. Progress in nanotech is helping the nuclear industry slash the cost of energy production. It also continues to improve application reliability and safety measures, which remain a critical concern, especially since the reactor disasters in Japan. Exploring the new wide-ranging landscape of nuclear function, Atomic Nanoscale Technology in the Nuclear Industry details the breakthroughs in nanoscale applications and methodologies that are revolutionizing power production, biotechnology, and material science. Developments in atomic nanoscale technology have given us the ability to: Use ion beams to Investigate and optimize radiation energy losses at the nanoscopic level Assess nanoscopic safety circumstances involved in a reactor failure Analyze characteristics of nuclear spacecraft operating in the nanogravity of deep space Evaluate light collection enhancement for digital X-ray detection Apply brachytherapy using radioisotopes for cancer therapy Treat nuclear waste at the nanoscopic level Use systems-thinking decision making to analyze financial progress of nanotech in the energy industry Assess safety (and safety management methods) for nuclear nanomaterials used in plant operations Representing a first step in multi-combinatorial research, this text incorporates advanced studies that use Monte Carlo and solid-state measurement (including radiation detection) methods. Researchers used these to demonstrate the potential to upgrade methods of radiation protection and nuclear reactor operation (safety, waste disposal, etc.). The author also addresses how we can use nanotechnology to address industrial concerns and enhance nuclear medicine techniques. He highlights several nanomaterial systems and devices to illustrate developments in this area.About the Author:Taeho Woo launched the specialized field of atomic multinology (interdisciplinary research of nuclear technology), which combines the application of information technology, biotechnology, and nanotechnology in the nuclear industry.

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Enterprise 2.0 (E 2.0) has caught the collective imagination of executives who are innovating to radically change the face of business. E 2.0 takes full benefit of social networking, including blogs, discussion boards, mashups, and all that is sharable and combinable.Examining organizations and their social activities, Enterprise 2.0: Social Networking Tools to Transform Your Organization considers the complete spectrum of social media and social activities available to your business. It not only offers a hands-on, practical assessment of "what to do," but also "how to do it." Demonstrating how to utilize social networking within diverse functional areas, the book: Describes the functions of social networking in the context of today's enterprise Details how to make the best use of blogs, discussion boards, and workspaces in an organizational setting Supplies a complete discussion on how to prepare staff for social enterprising Explains how to measure and manage social networking This book includes discussions of social networking in enterprise activities such as human resources, risk management, operations, and project management. It describes the utility and role of social networking on a department by department basis, explains how to integrate social enterprising with knowledge management, and supplies helpful insights into legal, performance, and measurement issues. Touching on key security and privacy issues, the book clearly illustrates how social networking and E 2.0 can help improve risk management in your organization.

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Take Control of Your Data and Use Python with ConfidenceRequiring no prior programming experience, Managing Your Biological Data with Python empowers biologists and other life scientists to work with biological data on their own using the Python language. The book teaches them not only how to program but also how to manage their data. It shows how to read data from files in different formats, analyze and manipulate the data, and write the results to a file or computer screen. The first part of the text introduces the Python language and teaches readers how to write their first programs. The second part presents the basic elements of the language, enabling readers to write small programs independently. The third part explains how to create bigger programs using techniques to write well-organized, efficient, and error-free code. The fourth part on data visualization shows how to plot data and draw a figure for an article or slide presentation. The fifth part covers the Biopython programming library for reading and writing several biological file formats, querying the NCBI online databases, and retrieving biological records from the web. The last part provides a cookbook of 20 specific programming "recipes," ranging from secondary structure prediction and multiple sequence alignment analyses to superimposing protein three-dimensional structures. Tailoring the programming topics to the everyday needs of biologists, the book helps them easily analyze data and ultimately make better discoveries. Every piece of code in the text is aimed at solving real biological problems.

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Forensic engineers often specialize in a particular area such as structures, fires, or accident reconstruction. However, the nature of the work often requires broad knowledge in the interrelated areas of physics, chemistry, biomechanics, and engineering. Covering cases as varied as assessment of workplace accidents to the investigation of Halliburton in the BP oil spill, Forensic Engineering Fundamentals is a comprehensive introduction to the many diverse facets of the field that forensic engineers must be familiar with in their practice.Topics includeThe role of the forensic engineerStructures, structural distress, and the importance of standards and codesThe failure of appliances—the cause of many water- or fire-related lossesSlips, trips, and falls of pedestrians and the accessibility of walking surfacesIndustrial incidents involving loss of equipment, injury and loss of life, as well as OSHA and MSHA regulationsStandard accident reconstruction involving vehiclesElectrical incidents and lightning and the effect of electrical energy on the human bodyAnalysis of fires with an emphasis on thermodynamics, testing, and simulationCarbon monoxide incidents and common fire suppression and warning systems, as well as the various NFPA codesProbability and uncertainty, with some basic calculations available to the forensic engineerApplicable standards and protocols that have developed over the years to protect life and propertyOffering readers real-world experience drawn from the authors’ 25 years of experience, this volume assists newcomers to the field in understanding the engineering basics underlying the cases they will encounter in their practice. It also serves as a reliable reference for those confronted with issues outside their area of expertise.

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The second volume in the series Carbohydrate Chemistry: Proven Synthetic Methods, Volume 2 offers a collection of synthetic procedures valuable to the practice of synthetic carbohydrate chemistry. The series takes an important and unique approach in that all described procedures have been independently verified as reliable and reproducible. With editors and contributors who are highly respected scientists in the field, this book provides a widely useful reference for both researchers and students, exploring carbohydrate chemistry from both academic and industrial points of view.The book begins with an introductory section that offers tricks and tips collected by the series editor from many years of experience working in carbohydrate laboratories. The subsequent chapters present detailed protocols on both specific synthetic transformations and the preparation of common synthetic intermediates, with figures to aid in comprehension. Procedures are described for regioselective benzylidene ring opening reactions, oxidation reactions to provide uronic acids, stereoselective alpha-glucosylation reactions, and more. Protocols for synthetic intermediates of general utility include 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-d-galactal, phenyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-1-thio-α-d-mannopyranoside, 1,2-anhydro-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-β-d-mannopyranoside, and methyl N-acetylneuraminic acid, among many others.Each chapter presents in-depth experimental descriptions for the reported procedures, including reaction setup, reaction conditions, work-up procedures, and purification protocols. The chapters also provide detailed characterization of all products and intermediates as well as copies of the 1H NMR and 13C NMR of the described products and intermediates to indicate the purity of the obtained materials and to serve as a valuable reference for future practitioners.This book provides an important starting point to reliably access synthetic carbohydrate materials and as such offers a valuable resource for the synthetic organic chemistry community. Through the streamlined access of well-defined products it provides a thrust to the rapidly growing field of chemical glycobiology.

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Intravenous infusion is a necessary mode of delivery for many pharmaceuticals currently on the market or undergoing clinical trials. The technique of prolonged intravenous delivery in conscious, free-moving animal models has broadened the opportunity to study and evaluate the safety and efficacy of these therapeutic products. For the first time, the collective sciences involved in the understanding of this mode of drug delivery are brought together in one publication.Non-Clinical Vascular Infusion Technology, Volume I: The Science covers the scientific principles behind the delivery systems, from both physical and physiological standpoints. The book addresses body fluid dynamics, describes the scientific processes necessary to understand the various aspects of the physico-chemical issues relating to vascular infusion delivery, and discusses vascular infusion dynamics. It also considers all the essential elements of the preparation of a formulation intended for vascular delivery as well as assessment of compatibility of the formulation with the dosing apparatus. This volume, along with Volume II: The Techniques, provides a foundation of knowledge on infusion technology and its importance for safe clinical use of substances via this route of delivery.Features Identifies and shares best practices for non-clinical vascular infusion Presents modern practices and procedures in line with up-to-date equipment development Offers recommendations for in-life assessments in order to monitor the success or problems with the vascular infusion delivery Makes comparisons with human data in many areas

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Written for use as a text and reference for those interested in how new materials may be used to capture, store, and use solar energy for alternative energy resources in everyday life, Solar Fuels: Materials, Physics, and Applications discusses the fundamentals of new materials and the physical processes involved in their mechanisms and design. This book offers clear examples of current state-of-the-art organic and inorganic solar cell materials and devices used in the field, and includes experiments testing solar capability along with standardized examples. Last, but not least, it also gives a clear outline of the challenges that need to be addressed moving forward.

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The current global economic downturn and considerable shifting in industrial and manufacturing activities have disturbed the industrial order. However, human work productivity is still one of the most important components of the industrial economy and a determining factor in global competiveness and influence as well as the potential for technological innovation and advancement. Human Work Productivity: A Global Perspective covers how human productivity affects the industrial economy and competitiveness across the industrial and manufacturing sectors. Many approaches that have worked historically must now be reexamined and new approaches must be developed. Integrating recent concepts related to human work productivity for modern production systems/organizations, this book examines how ergonomic improvements for the human operator and/or redesign and rearrangement of the workplace can boost individual productivity. It also covers the impact of the aging workforce, reports on an investigation of total productive maintenance, and considers the efficacy of workplace design from a maintenance perspective. Discussions of work hours and their effect on productivity, the impact of technology, and productivity in a health care organization complete the coverage.In any organization, all components must be considered as an integrated whole for sustained productivity. This book explores these components as independent factors and examines their impact on productivity. It then discusses models integrating these factors, creating a clear understanding of the whole, and details schemes of optimization for putting that understanding into practice.

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The form and layout of a built environment has a significant influence on crime by creating opportunities for it and, in turn, shaping community crime patterns. Effective urban planners and designers will consider crime when making planning and design decisions. A co-publication with the American Planning Association, Crime and Planning: Building Socially Sustainable Communities presents a comprehensive discussion of the interconnections between urban planning, criminal victimization, and crime prevention.An introduction into the main concerns at the intersection of criminology and community planning, the book first provides an overview of crime patterns. It then explores major issues within planning and their impact on crime. Critical topics discussed include connectivity, mixed-use developments, land use and zoning, transit-oriented design, and pedestrian trails, greenways, and parks. The remaining chapters explore: Crime prevention theories Crime prevention as a central component of sustainability How to incorporate social sustainability and planning guidelines into local planning decisions Policy discussion of issues such as zoning How tools such as smart growth and form-based codes relate to crime and crime prevention Examples of how planning decisions can impact crime patterns in both a residential and retail setting, and what has already worked in real-world communities As communities continue to grapple with foreclosure, sprawl, and infill/redevelopment, a sound understanding of how the built environment impacts crime is of increasing importance. This book provides planners with the tools and knowledge necessary to minimize the impact of crime on communities with the goal of creating socially sustainable communities.

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If there is any one element to the engineering of service systems that is unique, it is the extent to which the suitability of the system for human use, human service, and excellent human experience has been and must always be considered. An exploration of this emerging area of research and practice, Advances in the Human Side of Service Engineering covers a broad spectrum of ergonomics and human factors issues highlighting the design of contemporary manufacturing systems. Topics include: Adoption of health information technology (HIT) Aging society: the impact of age on traditional service system constructs Anthropology in service science Applying service design techniques to healthcare Co-creating value Cognitive systems modeling of service systems Context-related service: the human aspect of service systems Designing services for underserved populations Ethics dividend in services: how it may be cultivated, grown, and measured Governance of service systems Human aspects of change when applying Lean Six Sigma methods and tools Human side of service dominant logic in B2B settings Human-computer interaction and HF in software technologies Service network configuration impacts on customer experience Simulating employees and customers in service systems Systems design and the customer experience Usability and human side of electronic financial services The book also discusses issues that arise in shop floor and office environments in the quest for manufacturing agility, i.e. enhancement and integration of human skills with hardware performance for improved market competitiveness, management of change, product and process quality, and human-system reliability. It provides a foundation upon which researchers and practitioners can contri

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Compiles Information from a Multitude of SourcesSynthetic jets have been used in numerous applications, and are part of an emergent field. Accumulating information from hundreds of journal articles and conference papers, Synthetic Jets: Fundamentals and Applications brings together in one book the fundamentals and applications of fluidic actuators. Clearly and thoroughly explaining the mechanisms of underlying synthetic jet behavior—from aerospace to mechanical engineering—this book addresses a variety of aspects, and provides a holistic, systematic approach of the subject.Covers Fundamental Principles, Analysis Techniques, and ApplicationsDesigned as a starting point for newcomers, the book is divided into three parts: fundamentals, techniques, and applications, and focuses on a class of incompressible jet flows where the jet is made up of the surrounding fluid. It explores fluid dynamics, hydrodynamic modeling, acoustics, and fabrication. It covers key measurement techniques, computational modeling, and synthetic jet design. In addition to highlighting the concepts and applications of synthetic jets, (in particular their uses in flow control and thermal management in electronic devices), the book explores attempts to improve and accelerate the design and optimization processes (from flow control to electronic cooling and propulsion) involved in a wealth of applied knowledge. Features prominent experts in the field Surveys the state of the art Details a pathway to future advances in the industry Synthetic Jets: Fundamentals and Applications can be used as a guidebook for researchers, graduate students, and upper-level undergraduate students.

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Desktop Grid Computing presents common techniques used in numerous models, algorithms, and tools developed during the last decade to implement desktop grid computing. These techniques enable the solution of many important sub-problems for middleware design, including scheduling, data management, security, load balancing, result certification, and fault tolerance.The book’s first part covers the initial ideas and basic concepts of desktop grid computing. The second part explores challenging current and future problems. Each chapter presents the sub-problems, discusses theoretical and practical issues, offers details about implementation and experiments, and includes references to further reading and notes.One of the first books to give a thorough and up-to-date presentation of this topic, this resource describes various approaches and models as well as recent trends that underline the evolution of desktop grids. It balances the theory of designing desktop grid middleware and architecture with applications and real-world deployment on large-scale platforms.

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The steady growth in the number of vehicles on the road, heavy reliance on coal, use of dirty fuels for residential combustion, and extensive open burning are some of the major factors leading to the progressive deterioration of air quality in developing countries in Asia. And despite efforts to establish and implement air quality measurement systems, the development of infrastructure, environmental technology, and management practices continues to lag behind the rate of emission increase. Based on ten years of coordinated research, Integrated Air Quality Management: Asian Case Studies discusses technical and policy tools for the integrated air quality management of developing countries in Asia.The book begins with an overview of major issues of air quality management practices in developing Asia and potential approaches to reduce pollution, including opportunities for integration of air quality improvement and climate migration strategies. It covers the methodology and results of fine particulate matter monitoring using traditional filter-based and satellite monitoring techniques. It examines the applications of a 3D dispersion modeling tool for urban and regional air quality management focusing on surface ozone, fine particulate matter, and acid deposition. The final chapters discuss innovative control technologies for gaseous air pollutants and illustrate the integrated air quality management in developing Asia through case studies for target source categories including agricultural residue field burning, vehicle emissions, brick kilns, and industrial VOC emission.Illustrated with case studies, this book presents an integrated air quality management methodology that employs technical and policy tools to achieve air quality goals. It includes technical information and policy recommendations based on the outcomes of several multi-year air quality research programs coordinated by the Asian Institute of Technology. The text combines fundamental information and advanced knowledge useful to large audiences dealing with subjects of integrated air quality management.

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Reconfigurable Computing Systems Engineering: Virtualization of Computing Architecture describes the organization of reconfigurable computing system (RCS) architecture and discusses the pros and cons of different RCS architecture implementations. Providing a solid understanding of RCS technology and where it’s most effective, this book: Details the architecture organization of RCS platforms for application-specific workloads Covers the process of the architectural synthesis of hardware components for system-on-chip (SoC) for the RCS Explores the virtualization of RCS architecture from the system and on-chip levels Presents methodologies for RCS architecture run-time integration according to mode of operation and rapid adaptation to changes of multi-parametric constraints Includes illustrative examples, case studies, homework problems, and references to important literature A solutions manual is available with qualifying course adoption.Reconfigurable Computing Systems Engineering: Virtualization of Computing Architecture offers a complete road map to the synthesis of RCS architecture, exposing hardware design engineers, system architects, and students specializing in designing FPGA-based embedded systems to novel concepts in RCS architecture organization and virtualization.

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Aquatic Chemistry Concepts, Second Edition, is a fully revised and updated textbook that fills the need for a comprehensive treatment of aquatic chemistry and covers the many complicated equations and principles of aquatic chemistry. It presents the established science of equilibrium water chemistry using the uniquely recognizable, step-by-step Pankow format, which allows a broad and deep understanding of aquatic chemistry. The text is appropriate for a wide audience, including undergraduate and graduate students, industry professionals, consultants, and regulators. Every professional using water chemistry will want this text within close reach, and students and professionals alike will expect to find at least one copy on their library shelves.Key FeaturesExtremely thorough, one-of-a-kind treatment of aquatic chemistry which considers: a) chemical thermodynamics fundamentals; b) acid/base, titration, and buffer calculations; c) CO2 chemistry and alkalinity; d) complexation of metal ions by ligands and chelates; e) mineral solubility processes; f) redox chemistry, including the chemistry of chlorine (as in disinfection), oxygen, CO2 and methane, nitrogen, sulfur, iron, and lead, including the story of lead in the drinking water of Flint, Michigan; and g) electrical effects in aqueous solutions including the Debye-Hückel Law (and related equations for activity corrections), double layers, and colloid stabilityDiscussions of how to carry out complex calculations regarding the chemistry of lakes, rivers, groundwater, and seawaterNumerous example problems worked in complete detailSpecial foreword by Jerry L. Schnoor'There’s a lot to like about a book on water chemistry that lays it out simply. Einstein said that everything should be as simple as it can be, but not simpler. Wise advice. And that is what James F. Pankow has accomplished in the second edition of his textbook, Aquatic Chemistry Concepts. It covers the “waterfront” of essential inorganic chemistry topics, and it supplies enough examples to lead the student toward problem solving.'-From the Foreword, Jerry L. Schnoor

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Developed from the author’s lectures and years of teaching experience, this book presents the principles behind the methods of solving problems on material behavior when subjected to different types of loads. It elucidates the subject in simple language, lucidly and clearly, to enable students to comprehend the principles involved. Each chapter deals with definitions, analysis of problems involved, derivations and applications. It contains more than 380 worked examples and exercises have also been added at the end of each chapter for practice. S.I units have been adopted throughout.

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Increasing interest in oceanography and marine biology and its relevance to global environmental issues continues to create a demand for authoritative reviews summarizing recent research. Now in its 49th volume, Oceanography and Marine Biology has addressed this demand for almost 50 years. This annual review considers the basics of marine research, special topics, and emerging new areas. Regarding the marine sciences as a unified field, the text features contributors who are actively engaged in biological, chemical, geological, and physical aspects of marine science. This year’s chapters include, "The marine invasive alien species in European Seas that have the most impact," "Threats to the diversity of coral-dwelling invertebrates due to climate change and induced coral bleaching," and "Burrowing shrimps as ecosystem engineers," among others. Including color inserts and extensive reference lists, this series is essential for researchers and students in all fields of marine science.

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Managing vagueness/fuzziness is starting to play an important role in Semantic Web research, with a large number of research efforts underway. Foundations of Fuzzy Logic and Semantic Web Languages provides a rigorous and succinct account of the mathematical methods and tools used for representing and reasoning with fuzzy information within Semantic Web languages. The book focuses on the three main streams of Semantic Web languages: Triple languages RDF and RDFS Conceptual languages OWL and OWL 2, and their profiles OWL EL, OWL QL, and OWL RL Rule-based languages, such as SWRL and RIF Written by a prominent researcher in this area, the book is the first to combine coverage of fuzzy logic and Semantic Web languages. The first part of the book covers all the theoretical and logical aspects of classical (two-valued) Semantic Web languages. The second part explains how to generalize these languages to cope with fuzzy set theory and fuzzy logic.With an extensive bibliography, this book provides in-depth insight into fuzzy Semantic Web languages for non-fuzzy set theory and fuzzy logic experts. It also helps researchers of non-Semantic Web languages get a better understanding of the theoretical fundamentals of Semantic Web languages.

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One of the seventeen critical infrastructures vital to the security of the United States, the water supply system remains largely unprotected from the threat of terrorism, including possible revenge by Al Qaeda over the killing of Osama Bin Laden. Recognizing and identifying prospective events of terrorism against the water infrastructure is critical to the protection of the nation, as the consequences triggered by a terrorist attack on the water supply would be devastating. Risk Assessment for Water Infrastructure: Safety and Security provides a unique quantitative risk assessment methodology for protection and security against terrorist contamination, vandalism, attacks against dams, and other threats to water supply systems.Focusing on the human safety, environmental, and economic consequences triggered by potential terrorist attacks and other threats, the book presents: The development of an integrated approach of risk assessment based upon the cumulative prospect theory The qualitative/quantitative processes and models for security and safe facility operations as required by EPA, DHS, and other governmental and regulatory agencies The application of an integrated model to the risk assessment of surface water, dams, wells, wastewater treatment facilities, reservoirs, and aqueducts of large urban regions The development of intelligence analysis incorporating risk assessment for terrorism prevention Finally, the book presents the legal and regulatory requirements and policy related to the protection and security of water infrastructure from terrorism and natural hazards to both human health and the environment. By analyzing potential terrorist risks against the water supply, strategic improvements in U.S. water infrastructure security may be achieved, including changes in policy, incorporation of intrusion detection technology, increased surveillance, and increased intelligence.More information can be found on the author's website.

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Incidences of inflammatory airway diseases are on the rise across the world. Existing therapeutic options are ineffective, unsafe, and expensive, and severe cases are nonresponsive to conventional therapy. Therefore, it is imperative that research be undertaken to discover new treatment options. Obstructive Airway Diseases: Role of Lipid Mediators discusses clinically successful and potential lipid targets that can make a difference in treating some of the most intractable disease states.Topics discussed include: Obstructive airway diseases, etiology, pathophysiology, and existing therapeutic options What constitutes a lipid and how it is broken down to generate biologically active mediators The role of enzymes in the process of lipid mediator synthesis The biology of arachidonic acid, platelet-activating factor, and lysophosphatidic acid and the role they play in airway inflammation Products of arachidonic acid metabolism such as leukotrienes, prostaglandins, epieicosatrienoic acid, and oxoeicosatetraenoic acid Proresolution lipid mediators in inflammatory airway disease conditions The role of sphingosine and ceramide in inflammatory airway disease Protein kinases activated by lipid mediators and those that trigger the generation of lipid messengers The combined input of a panel of international authorities on lipid mediators makes this volume a valuable resource for all those involved in researching, teaching, and studying airway inflammation as well as those involved in drug discovery research.Punit Srivastava maintains a blog with additional information about the book and his work.

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Of the 100 companies named to Fortune magazine’s list of the world’s largest companies in 1956, only 29 of those companies remain on that list. Many lost their way because they failed to recognize the changes taking place, or were too big to react quickly enough to shifting market conditions. Supplying Lean practitioners with a formal process for keeping up with technological advancements and shifting business requirements, The Future of Lean Sigma Thinking in a Changing Business Environment provides the tools to survive and prosper through the current business environment. It introduces cutting-edge business solutions from the fields of chemical engineering, aircraft production, and business psychology, and explains how to integrate these concepts with proven Lean principles. The book begins by providing a foundation in essential Lean concepts, including Deming and Juran, Six Sigma, Total Quality Management, the Toyota Production System, and New Six Sigma. Next, it reports on the latest advances in process understanding. By analyzing changing attitudes within the system, it illustrates how new products are being developed using updated Lean thinking. In addition, it provides examples that demonstrate the impact of e-commerce on Lean production systems. Incorporating the green agenda to Lean thinking, the text supplies the insight to safely navigate your company through a shifting business landscape while reducing your impact on raw materials and the environment. By following the principles discussed in this book, you will not only increase your company’s chances of achieving long-term survival but will position your organization to capitalize on the economic upturn on the horizon.

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Exercise and diet are key factors in the etiology and prevention of chronic disease. While most books on chronic disease have a decided clinical approach, Diet, Exercise, and Chronic Disease: The Biological Basis of Prevention brings together the latest cellular- and molecular-based research on the etiology of chronic diseases and the impact of various aspects of diet and exercise on the causal mechanisms. By focusing on cellular biology, details of the integrative nature of the many different underlying factors are revealed—details that are not evident with the prevailing clinical approach to chronic disease.This book highlights chronic diseases that are major causes of mortality, and which have sufficient molecular evidence for dietary and activity-related components to their etiology. Individual chapters examine the role of diet and exercise in diabetes, atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, cancer, and neurodegenerative disease. They cover aspects such as disease etiology, effects of diet and exercise, and the cellular and molecular mechanisms of how various dietary components and repeated exercise alter disease etiology to contribute to disease prevention.Since inflammatory signaling is a fundamental component of the chronic diseases discussed, the book includes a separate chapter on inflammation and innate immune responses. Obesity as a contributing factor is addressed within the specific disease chapters. The book also reviews what is known about the factors that influence food intake in humans. This reference translates molecular-based data on etiology and prevention into a clinical prescription for the prevention of chronic disease.

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Tellurite Glasses Handbook: Physical Properties and Data, Second Edition covers the current dominant physical properties of this prototype glass system. Focusing on thermal, elastic, acoustic, electrical, and optical properties, this second edition incorporates the latest scientific data and up-to-date applications of tellurite glass. New Topics in the Second Edition Nanocomposites Three-dimensional structural models Novel glass-forming systems Innovative ways to combine all physical properties simultaneously, creating new points for research Addressing the knowledge gap among physicists, chemists, and material scientists in their understanding of tellurite glasses’ properties, this edition gathers essential thermal, mechanical, electrical, and optical data in one source. It emphasizes the physics and technology of twenty-first century processing, fabrication, and behavior of tellurite glass and glass-ceramic materials. It is the first and only comprehensive source of physical constants and properties of these unique noncrystalline solids.After an introductory chapter on the composition of tellurite glasses, the book explores elastic, acoustic, thermal, electrical, and optical properties. Each chapter includes basic theories on a particular physical property, related experimental techniques, and representative data. The book uniquely presents a compilation of scientific data from the last 60 years as well as practical and strategic applications based on the properties of tellurite glasses.

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Statistical Computing in Nuclear Imaging introduces aspects of Bayesian computing in nuclear imaging. The book provides an introduction to Bayesian statistics and concepts and is highly focused on the computational aspects of Bayesian data analysis of photon-limited data acquired in tomographic measurements. Basic statistical concepts, elements of decision theory, and counting statistics, including models of photon-limited data and Poisson approximations, are discussed in the first chapters. Monte Carlo methods and Markov chains in posterior analysis are discussed next along with an introduction to nuclear imaging and applications such as PET and SPECT. The final chapter includes illustrative examples of statistical computing, based on Poisson-multinomial statistics. Examples include calculation of Bayes factors and risks as well as Bayesian decision making and hypothesis testing. Appendices cover probability distributions, elements of set theory, multinomial distribution of single-voxel imaging, and derivations of sampling distribution ratios. C++ code used in the final chapter is also provided. The text can be used as a textbook that provides an introduction to Bayesian statistics and advanced computing in medical imaging for physicists, mathematicians, engineers, and computer scientists. It is also a valuable resource for a wide spectrum of practitioners of nuclear imaging data analysis, including seasoned scientists and researchers who have not been exposed to Bayesian paradigms.

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Biotechnology has immense potential for resolving environmental problems and augmenting food production. Particularly, it offers solutions for converting solid wastes into value-added items. In food processing industries that generate voluminous by-products and wastes, valorization can help offset growing environmental problems and facilitate the sustainable use of available natural resources. Valorization of Food Processing By-Products describes the potential of this relatively new concept in the field of industrial residues management. The debut book in CRC Press’s new Fermented Foods and Beverages Series, this volume explores the current state of the art in food processing by-products with respect to their generation, methods of disposal, and problems faced in terms of waste and regulation. It reviews the basic fundamental principles of waste recycling, including process engineering economics and the microbiology and biochemical and nutritional aspects of food processing. It discusses fermentation techniques available for valorization of food processing by-products, enzyme technologies, and analytical techniques and instrumentation. Individual chapters examine the by-products of plant-based and animal-based food industries. The book also delves into socioeconomic considerations and environmental concerns related to food processing by-products. It surveys research gaps and areas ripe for further inquiry as well as future trends in the field.An essential reference for researchers and practitioners in the food science and food technology industry, this volume is also poised to inspire those who wish to take on valorization of food by-products as a professional endeavor. A contribution toward sustainability, valorization makes maximum use of agricultural produce while employing low-energy and cost-effective processes.

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Foreseeing and planning for all of the possibilities and pitfalls involved in bringing a biotechnology innovation from inception to widespread therapeutic use takes strong managerial skills and a solid grounding in biopharmaceutical research and development procedures. Unfortunately there has been a dearth of resources for this aspect of the field. Until now. Focusing on the management of healthcare-related biotech, from conception through the product’s regulatory approval and entire life cycle, Healthcare Biotechnology: A Practical Guide provides a practical, applicable resource to assist all health-care related biotech professionals in their day-to-day activities from the lab to the boardroom.Divided into six sections, the book begins with current systems and recent progress and controversy, major players and products, and a comparison with the pharmaceutical industry. It covers intellectual property protection and management, the innovation cycle, patent application, commercialization, and competition.Coverage includes funding, partnering, cash-intensive activities, financing alternatives, and the complexities of alliance implementation and management. It highlights research, development, and biomanufacturing; and examines clinical trial design and regulations; "fast-track" approvals; and patient recruitment as well as production platforms and processes, costs, strategies, and timelines.It investigates marketing including planning, promotion, pricing, supply chain management, and bio-brand lifecycle management. It concludes with tips on running the business, offering diverse biobusiness models and reasonable expectations from inception through maturity and decline.An indispensible guide, this book offers more than 40 figures, 220 tables, and 180 references as well as a list of abbreviations and a business plan outline. Each chapter contains 10 questions to reinforce the material covered and 10 exercises

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Quite possibly the first comprehensive text on galactomannans, Industrial Galactomannan Polysaccharides compiles information on their industrial uses in the form of gums including locust bean, guar, tara, fenugreek, cassia-tara, and Sesbania-bisipinasa varieties. The book describes how galactomannans are currently produced commercially and how they have become industrial commodities. It provides a simple and clear introduction to these vital substances, it compares their various sources.Highlights General chapters on carbohydrates, hydrocolloids and associated rheology, interactions of galactomannans, and derivatization of polysaccharides A brief history of each product gum, cultivation of the plant sources, seed, habitat, chemical structure, functional properties, manufacturing processes, and applications Special focus on the most representative galactomannans: guar and locust bean gums An in-depth compilation of industrial galactomannans information, this book is designed for the manufacturers, traders, and end users of galactomannans, as well as technologists in polysaccharides-related industries and scientists and academics interested in carbohydrates.

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Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Early diagnosis can improve the effectiveness of treatment and increase a patient’s chances of survival. Thus, there is an urgent need for new technology to diagnose small, malignant lung nodules early as well as large nodules located away from large diameter airways because the current technology—namely, needle biopsy and bronchoscopy—fail to diagnose those cases. However, the analysis of small, indeterminate lung masses is fraught with many technical difficulties. Often patients must be followed for years with serial CT scans in order to establish a diagnosis, but inter-scan variability, slice selection artifacts, differences in degree of inspiration, and scan angles can make comparing serial scans unreliable.Lung Imaging and Computer Aided Diagnosis brings together researchers in pulmonary image analysis to present state-of-the-art image processing techniques for detecting and diagnosing lung cancer at an early stage. The book addresses variables and discrepancies in scans and proposes ways of evaluating small lung masses more consistently to allow for more accurate measurement of growth rates and analysis of shape and appearance of the detected lung nodules.Dealing with all aspects of image analysis of the data, this book examines: Lung segmentation Nodule segmentation Vessels segmentation Airways segmentation Lung registration Detection of lung nodules Diagnosis of detected lung nodules Shape and appearance analysis of lung nodules Contributors also explore the effective use of these methodologies for diagnosis and therapy in clinical applications. Arguably the first book of its kind to address and evaluate image-based diagnostic approaches for the early diagnosis of lung cancer, Lung Imaging and Computer Aided Diagnosis constitutes a valuable resource for biomedical engineers, researchers, and clinicians in lung disease imaging.

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Despite the length of time it has been around, its importance, and vast amounts of research, combustion is still far from being completely understood. Issues regarding the environment, cost, and fuel consumption add further complexity, particularly in the process and power generation industries. Dedicated to advancing the art and science of industrial combustion, The John Zink Hamworthy Combustion Handbook, Second Edition: Volume 3 – Applications offers comprehensive, up-to-date coverage of equipment used in the process and power generation industries.Under the leadership of Charles E. Baukal, Jr., top engineers and technologists from John Zink Hamworthy Combustion examine industry applications such as process burners, boiler burners, process flares, thermal oxidizers, and vapor control. This volume builds on the concepts covered in the first two volumes and shows how they are used in combustion applications. The book also features a wealth of color illustrations, photographs, and tables throughout.What’s New in This Edition Expanded to three volumes, with Volume 3 focusing on important industry applications Extensive updates and revisions throughout, reflecting new standards, energy sources, processes, and conservation concerns Expanded coverage of flares and new coverage of biogas flares and flare gas recovery Information on vapor combustors Discussion of pollution control equipment Expanded coverage of commercial and utility boiler burners Chapters on process and air heaters More material on thermal oxidizers A new chapter on marine and offshore applications The third of three volumes in the new, expanded edition of the bestselling handbook, this volume helps you broaden your knowledge of industrial combustion applications to better meet the challenges of this field.For the other volumes in the set, see The John Zink Hamworthy Combustion Handbook, Second Edition: Three-Volume Set.

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Radio-Frequency Heating in Food Processing: Principles and Applications covers the fundamentals of radio-frequency (RF) heating and the use of RF-heating technologies in modern food processing, preservation, and related industries. Focusing on industrial and lab-scale applications where RF heating has been employed successfully or reported to have potential benefits over conventional heating options, this state-of-the-art reference: Explains the similarities, differences, advantages, and limitations of RF and microwave heating as applied to agricultural products Describes fiber-optics temperature sensors and their utility in monitoring temperature during RF and microwave heating Discusses the dielectric and thermo-physical properties of agricultural products amenable to RF and microwave heating, presenting measurement techniques, mathematical concepts, and computer simulation models Provides practical perspectives on industrial RF units used in manufacturing food products, addressing free-running oscillators and 50-Ω designs for RF heaters and applicators Uses finite-element formulations to determine design parameters including resonant modes, circuit impedance, and electric field distribution in RF applicators Examines RF-heating effects on microorganisms, enzymes, and food quality attributes for products such as poultry, beef, pork, eggs, fish, milk, fruits, vegetables, and seafood Explores RF-heating applications beyond food processing, such as agricultural product deinfestation, waste treatment, counterfeit prevention, package tracking, and transportation of food from farm to table Radio-Frequency Heating in Food Processing: Principles and Applications supplies an in-depth overview of the fundamental science and engineering principles governing RF applications, as well as a solid understanding of industrial RF unit design options, challenges, and opportunities for development.

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More and more, the advanced technological systems of today rely on sophisticated control systems designed to assure greater levels of safe operation while optimizing performance. Rather than assuming always perfect conditions, these systems require adaptive approaches capable of coping with inevitable system component faults. Conventional feedback control designs do not offer that capability and can result in unsatisfactory performance or even instability, which is totally unacceptable in complex systems such as aircraft, spacecraft, and nuclear power plants where safety is a paramount concern. Reliable Control and Filtering of Linear Systems with Adaptive Mechanisms presents recent research results that are advancing the field. It shows how adaptive mechanisms can be successfully introduced into the traditional reliable control/filtering, so that, based on the online estimation of eventual faults, the proposed adaptive reliable controller/filter parameters are updated automatically to compensate for any fault effects. Presenting a new method for fault-tolerant control (FTC) in the context of existing research, this uniquely cohesive volume, coauthored by two leading researchers — Focuses on the issues of reliable control/filtering in the framework of indirect adaptive method and LMI techniques Starts from the development and main research methods in FTC to offer a systematic presentation of new methods for adaptive reliable control/filtering of linear systems Explains the principles behind adaptive designs for closed-loop systems in normal operation as well as those that account for both actuator and sensor failures Presents rigorous mathematical analysis of control methods as well as easy-to-implement algorithms Includes practical case studies derived from the aerospace industry including simulation results for the F-16 The authors also extend the design idea from linear systems to linear time-delay systems via both memory and memory-less controllers. Moreover, some more recent results for the corresponding adaptive reliable control against actuator saturation are included. Ultimately, this remarkably practical resource, offers design approaches and guidelines that researchers can readily employ in the design of advanced FTC techniques offering improved reliability, maintainability, and survivability.

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Adaptive Stochastic Optimization Techniques with Applications provides a single, convenient source for state-of-the-art information on optimization techniques used to solve problems with adaptive, dynamic, and stochastic features. Presenting modern advances in static and dynamic optimization, decision analysis, intelligent systems, evolutionary programming, heuristic optimization, stochastic and adaptive dynamic programming, and adaptive critics, this book: Evaluates optimization methods for handling operational planning, Voltage/VAr, control coordination, vulnerability, reliability, resilience, and reconfiguration issues Includes mathematical formulations, algorithms for implementation, illustrative engineering examples, and case studies from actual power systems Discusses the limitations of current optimization techniques in meeting the challenges of smart electric grids Adaptive Stochastic Optimization Techniques with Applications describes cutting-edge optimization methods used to address large-scale system problems applicable to power, energy, communications, transportation, and economics.

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The tragedy that occurred in the United States on September 11, 2001 brought enhanced emergency preparedness among first responders to the forefront of public awareness. Since those events — and despite significant progress made in many of the areas previously deemed deficient — some response areas are still woefully inadequate. Cross-Training for First Responders highlights these weaknesses that, in many cases, still remain in the response community. The book presents concrete solutions that arm first responders with vital knowledge so that they are better prepared in the event of another major incident.Innovative trainingThe author demonstrates that the best way responders can prepare for, react to, and mitigate an incident is to require them to train outside their traditional responsibilities — thereby developing an understanding of other first responder agencies’ terms, methods, and operational procedures. Despite this enhanced situational training, communication gaps can occur during cross-response and across regions. The book explains the kind of training required to prevent a lack of situational awareness by those thrust into unfamiliar territory during crisis events or mass disasters. Other topics include ways to curtail the inherent tensions that arise between voluntary and career responders, how to turn conflicts between various responding agencies into collaboration, innovative training strategies, grant opportunities to pay for training and equipment, and the rising trend of on-line training courses.Testing readiness before an incident occursFinally, the book covers mechanisms for testing first responders’ ability to apply their new cross-training techniques, demonstrates how to plan and conduct a "tabletop" drill, and explains how to review the drill results to determine the areas in which participants are still deficient.By identifying problem areas and offering concrete solutions, this book enables first responders to harness every possible advantage so that they are prepared and ready to confront the next crisis, no matter where it may strike.

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This book focuses on various facets of stainless steel, including processing, component design, properties, fabrication, and applications. It covers a broad spectrum of topics spanning the entire life cycle of stainless steel, from alloy design and characterization to engineering design, fabrication, mechanical properties, corrosion, quality assurance of components, in-service performance assessment, and life prediction and failure analysis of materials and components. Exploring contemporary developments in stainless steels, the text discusses component design, modeling and structural integrity, manufacturing technology, property evaluation, alloy development and applications, nondestructive evaluation methods, and corrosion and surface modification.

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A 360-degree view of the response to flood riskAs major flooding events around the world show, the impact of flooding on the built environment can cause widespread chaos. These flood events form part of a wider pattern of increasing flood frequency coupled with increased vulnerability of the built environment to flood hazard. Flood risk can unite or divide communities and the responses to potential risk can range from denial to perfect adaptation. Drawing on the experience of communities and experts, Flood Hazards: Impacts and Responses for the Built Environment offers guidance on managing urban flooding and flood risk. It brings together a diversity of viewpoints and experiences on flood impacts and responses from leading academics, flood restoration specialists, emergency responders, architects, planning consultants, insurers, policymakers, and community representatives. By including the perspective of the community and the views of households and businesses at risk, this volume makes a unique contribution to the literature on flood management.The chapter organization loosely corresponds to the phases of the disaster management cycle, covering emergency preparation and response; recovery, repair, and reconstruction; and mitigation and adaptation. Contributors examine the types of impacts and discuss forecasting and emergency warning. They describe processes and good practice in recovery of flood-damaged property from the perspectives of the insurance industry, restorers, and loss adjusters. The book also deals with business continuity, land-use planning, property-level and infrastructure protection, and urban drainage, looking at the regulation and design of the built environment as one way to reduce risk. A section on community response to flooding sheds light on the experiences of flood-affected families.Written for students, practitioners, and researchers in flood risk management, as well as for professionals who may encounter flood-related issues in the course of their work, this cross-disciplinary book makes a valuable contribution towards designing a future built environment that is more resilient to flood risk.

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What Works for GE May Not Work for You: Using Human Systems Dynamics to Build a Culture of Process Improvement provides new tools for managing and sustaining process improvement in today’s complex non-linear environments and helps readers apply new, relevant theory to their own management practices. With more than 50 combined years of change management and process improvement consulting experience, the authors offer valuable practical insights for creating dynamic organizational change. The first section of the book describes the key bodies of knowledge and process improvement processes (Lean, Six Sigma, and Human Systems Dynamics) used throughout the text. The next two sections focus on the case story of TryinHard Marine. The authors first highlight the dynamics of a typical linear process improvement implementation. They then present ways to combat a range of complex, non-linear, and emergent organizational issues as they arise during the implementation of a Six Sigma initiative. The last part explains how to assess readiness to begin a process improvement initiative, select consultants and internal "Belt" candidates, and choose the appropriate tools for projects. The authors also introduce additional tools and concepts to enable adaptive action at all levels of an organization. This book provides useful information for thinking and behaving in adaptive ways that can be applied to any organization. By using the concepts, models, and tools presented, readers can improve their own business improvement processes. The book has an accompanying website with more information.

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Known as the bible of biomedical engineering, The Biomedical Engineering Handbook, Fourth Edition, sets the standard against which all other references of this nature are measured. As such, it has served as a major resource for both skilled professionals and novices to biomedical engineering.Molecular, Cellular, and Tissue Engineering, the fourth volume of the handbook, presents material from respected scientists with diverse backgrounds in molecular biology, transport phenomena, physiological modeling, tissue engineering, stem cells, drug delivery systems, artificial organs, and personalized medicine.More than three dozen specific topics are examined, including DNA vaccines, biomimetic systems, cardiovascular dynamics, biomaterial scaffolds, cell mechanobiology, synthetic biomaterials, pluripotent stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, nanobiomaterials for tissue engineering, biomedical imaging of engineered tissues, gene therapy, noninvasive targeted protein and peptide drug delivery, cardiac valve prostheses, blood substitutes, artificial skin, molecular diagnostics in personalized medicine, and bioethics.

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Optimal Design for Nonlinear Response Models discusses the theory and applications of model-based experimental design with a strong emphasis on biopharmaceutical studies. The book draws on the authors’ many years of experience in academia and the pharmaceutical industry. While the focus is on nonlinear models, the book begins with an explanation of the key ideas, using linear models as examples. Applying the linearization in the parameter space, it then covers nonlinear models and locally optimal designs as well as minimax, optimal on average, and Bayesian designs. The authors also discuss adaptive designs, focusing on procedures with non-informative stopping. The common goals of experimental design—such as reducing costs, supporting efficient decision making, and gaining maximum information under various constraints—are often the same across diverse applied areas. Ethical and regulatory aspects play a much more prominent role in biological, medical, and pharmaceutical research. The authors address all of these issues through many examples in the book.

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State-of-the-Art Approaches to Advance the Large-Scale Green Computing MovementEdited by one of the founders and lead investigator of the Green500 list, The Green Computing Book: Tackling Energy Efficiency at Large Scale explores seminal research in large-scale green computing. It begins with low-level, hardware-based approaches and then traverses up the software stack with increasingly higher-level, software-based approaches.In the first chapter, the IBM Blue Gene team illustrates how to improve the energy efficiency of a supercomputer by an order of magnitude without any system performance loss in parallelizable applications. The next few chapters explain how to enhance the energy efficiency of a large-scale computing system via compiler-directed energy optimizations, an adaptive run-time system, and a general prediction performance framework. The book then explores the interactions between energy management and reliability and describes storage system organization that maximizes energy efficiency and reliability. It also addresses the need for coordinated power control across different layers and covers demand response policies in computing centers. The final chapter assesses the impact of servers on data center costs.

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These proceedings from the 2009 NSTI Nanotech conference provide the most prestigious forum in the world for leading nano scientists. The papers from the conference have been compiled into three volumes to create the most authoritative and comprehensive compendium available across all of nanotechnology. Including the latest information on industrial development, investments, and ventures, each volume explores cutting-edge research and applications. Volume I covers structures, materials, surfaces, fabrication, nanolithography, characterization, along with various novel applications. This volume also examines worldwide research initiatives and education policies.

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Focusing on tried and true best practice techniques in cross-technology based Oracle embedded programming, this book provides authoritative guidance for improving your code compilation and execution. Geared towards IT professionals developing Oracle-based Web-enabled applications in PL/SQL, Java, C, C++, .NET, Perl, and PHP, it covers application development from concepts to customization, following a pragmatic approach to design, coding, testing, deployment, and customization—explaining how to maximize embedded programming practices.Oracle Embedded Programming and Application Development explains application development frameworks using 3GL and 4GL high-level language code as embedded code segments across .NET, Java, and Open Source technologies, in conjunction with SQL and/or PL/SQL and the Oracle RDBMS through version 11gR2. It also: Features pluggable code using parameterized constructs to promote code reuse Explains when to use a particular embedded language as a best fit for specific applications Highlights design considerations that reduce the probability of errors, enable quick resolution, and boost performance in terms of enabling a Fast-Actionable-Synchronized-Tested (FAST) solution implementation Provides best practice techniques that can enhance any application development code-design methodology for a better, easier, faster, cheaper, and pervasive solution that in turn helps achieve a Better Business Benefit (B-B-B) This practical guide details techniques for constructing architecture and code design methodologies for live application development projects that can be generalized and standardized as application development and code design frameworks. Cover to cover, the text provides an understanding of how the designed, developed, and deployed solutions conform to emerging and next-generation trends. It also discusses the conformance and usage of Web 2.0-based RIA functionality and regulatory compliance practices involving auditing and security.Praise for:"Taking an Oracle-centric approach, Lakshman skillfully guides you through the maze of various popular programming languages and environments including .NET, C/C++, Perl, PHP, Java, and even SQL and PL/SQL – not only showing you how they interact with Oracle but also which language is the best fit for a given situation."—John Kanagaraj, Executive Editor, IOUG SELECT Journal

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Instrument Engineers' Handbook – Volume 3: Process Software and Digital Networks, Fourth Edition is the latest addition to an enduring collection that industrial automation (AT) professionals often refer to as the "bible." First published in 1970, the entire handbook is approximately 5,000 pages, designed as standalone volumes that cover the measurement (Volume 1), control (Volume 2), and software (Volume 3) aspects of automation. This fourth edition of the third volume provides an in-depth, state-of-the-art review of control software packages used in plant optimization, control, maintenance, and safety. Each updated volume of this renowned reference requires about ten years to prepare, so revised installments have been issued every decade, taking into account the numerous developments that occur from one publication to the next. Assessing the rapid evolution of automation and optimization in control systems used in all types of industrial plants, this book details the wired/wireless communications and software used. This includes the ever-increasing number of applications for intelligent instruments, enhanced networks, Internet use, virtual private networks, and integration of control systems with the main networks used by management, all of which operate in a linked global environment. Topics covered include: Advances in new displays, which help operators to more quickly assess and respond to plant conditions Software and networks that help monitor, control, and optimize industrial processes, to determine the efficiency, energy consumption, and profitability of operations Strategies to counteract changes in market conditions and energy and raw material costs Techniques to fortify the safety of plant operations and the security of digital communications systems This volume explores why the holistic approach to integrating process and enterprise networks is convenient and efficient, despite associated problems involving cyber and local network security, energy conservation, and other issues. It shows how firewalls must separate the business (IT) and the operation (automation technology, or AT) domains to guarantee the safe function of all industrial plants. This book illustrates how these concerns must be addressed using effective technical solutions and proper management policies and practices. Reinforcing the fact that all industrial control systems are, in general, critically interdependent, this handbook provides a wide range of software application examples from industries including: automotive, mining, renewable energy, steel, dairy, pharmaceutical, mineral processing, oil, gas, electric power, utility, and nuclear power.

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Health care reform is within our reach. According to George Halvorson, CEO of the nation's largest private health care plan, only by improving the intent, quality, and reach of services will we achieve a health system that is economically feasible into the future. This year, Americans will spend 2.5 trillion for health services that are poorly coordinated, inconsistent, and most typically focused on the belated care of chronic conditions. What we have to show for that expenditure is a nation that continues to become more obese, less healthy, and more depressed. In Health Care Will Not Reform Itself, Kaiser Permanente CEO George Halvorson proves beyond a doubt that the tragically inconsistent care that currently defines the state of U.S. health services is irresponsible, irrational, but more importantly, fixable. With detail that might shock you, he shows why the nonsystem we now use is failing. Then, applying the same sensible leadership that makes Kaiser the most progressive health care organization in the world, he answers President Obama’s mandate for reform with a profound incentive-based, system-supported, goal-focused, care-improvement plan.Halvorson draws from respected studies, including his own, and the examples of successful systems across the world to show that while good health care is expensive, it is nowhere near as costly as bad health care. To immediately curb care costs and bring us in line with President Obama's projected parameters, he recommends that we: Take a preventive approach to the chronic conditions that account for the lion’s share of medical costs Coordinate patient care through a full commitment to information technology Increase the pool of contributors by mandating universal insurance Rearrange priorities by making health maintenance profitable Convene a national committee to "figure out the right thing" and "make it easy to do" While this book offers sage advice to policy makers, it is also written to educate the 260 million stakeholders and invite their participation in the debate that is now shaping. What makes this plan so easy to understand and so compelling is that it never strays from a profound truth: that the best health system is one that actually focuses on good health for everyone.All royalties from the sale of this book go to Oakland Community Voices: Healthcare for the Underserved

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