Closed loops depict supply chains for which Original Equipement Manufacturer reintegrate their returned products into their own production network. While the reverse logistics research has extensively addressed the technical aspects of product reintegration, very few insights are available on whether OEMs should commit themselves to a closed-loop. The structure of the monograph is aligned to the decision-making process of Original Equipment Manufacturers willing to investigate the potential of closed-loops. This decision-making process is structured around fundamental questions managers are expected to answer prior to running a circular supply chain: Does a closed-loop fit with the corporate objectives? Is it profitable to run a closed-loop? How should OEMs deal with free-riders’ competition? Which product/technology/location setup leads to a profit-maximizing supply chain? The planning framework is finally applied to two case studies from the tire and the computer industry.

Introduces the topic of this book by presenting the fields of supply chain management, multiagent systems, and the merger of these two fields into multiagent-based supply chain management. More precisely, the problems encountered in supply chains and the techniques to address these problems are first presented. Multiagent systems are next broadly presented, before focusing on how agents can contribute to solving problems in supply chains.

This reference presents important reviews and up-to-date discussions of major topics relating to engineering and food. Internationally renowned contributors discuss a broad base of food engineering and related subjects, including research and prospective industrial applications. The book begins with recent trends in food engineering and challenges for the future. It then presents important discussions of fundamental aspects of food engineering, including physical chemistry, mass transfer, food rheology, and food structure. The book also contains state-of-the-art presentations on thermal processing and packaging, minimal processing, emerging technologies, process control, biotechnology, and environmental factors associated with the processing of food.

The book is aimed at lecturers and students (undergraduate and postgraduate) in mathematics, computational finance and related subjects. It is also useful for researchers and practitioners who need a good introduction to non-linear optimization.

Encouraging communication between clinical investigators and nanoscientists, Nanotechnology for Cancer Therapy focuses specifically on effective and promising nanoscience and nanotechnology strategies for imaging and treating cancer. Among the various approaches considered, nanotechnology offers the best promise for the targeted delivery of drugs and genes to a tumor site and for alleviating side effects of chemotherapeutic agents. Renowned industrial and academic researchers describe the advantages of nanoparticles as sensing, delivery, image enhancement agents for cancer treatments, and various types of useful nanoparticles such as polymeric nanoparticles and dendrimers.

This book presents a framework and specific methods and tools for the selection and configuration of the capacity of Advanced Manufacturing Systems (AMS). AMS include Flexible Manufacturing Systems, Dedicated Manufacturing Systems, and Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems. Starting from the characteristic of the competitive environment, the directions given by the company strategy, data regarding the products, and information regarding the different system architectures, the decision support system described here aids the decision maker by means of a formalized methodology that follows the various steps required to define the type and timing of 'capacity' acquisition and to define the detailed configuration of AMS along its life cycle.

The decision making framework and tools illustrated in this volume combine decision-making theory, optimization theory, discrete event simulation and queuing networks. It will be of interest to graduate students and researchers involved in manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering and operations research.

Random matrix theory has found many applications in physics, statistics, and engineering since its inception. Although early developments were motivated by practical experimental problems, random matrices are now used in fields as diverse as Riemann hypothesis, stochastic differential equations, condensed matter physics, statistical physics, chaotic systems, numerical linear algebra, neural networks, multivariate statistics, information theory, signal processing and small-world networks.
"Random Matrix Theory and Wireless Communications" is the first tutorial on random matrices which provides an overview of the theory and brings together in one source the most significant results recently obtained. Furthermore, the application of random matrix theory to the fundamental limits of wireless communication channels is described in depth. The authors have created a uniquely comprehensive work that provides the reader with a full understanding of the foundations of random matrix theory and demonstrates the trends of their applications, particularly in wireless communications. "Random Matrix Theory and Wireless Communications" is a valuable resource for all students and researchers working on the cutting edge of wireless communications.

A-Z guide to electrical/electronic and mechanical engineering design data. The ultimate sourcebook of electro-mechanical engineering design data is now better than ever, with thoroughly updated material, new discussions of engineering economics and elastomer springs. and a bounty of new drawings.
Electro-Mechanical Design Handbook, Third Edition, by Ronald A. Walsh, gives you the know-how you need to develop parts, mechanisms, and assemblies, with thorough explanations of: *Properties, uses, and strength of engineering materials *Machine element design and mechanisms *Basic pneumatics, hydraulics, air handling and heat *Fastener and joining techniques *Layout and fabrication practices, including castings, moldings, extrusions and powder metal technology *Finishes and plating practices *Dimensioning and tolerancing practices *Much, much more!

Preserving food to extend its shelf life, while ensuring its safety and quality, is a central preoccupation of the food industry. As a result, there has been a steady stream of new preservation techniques. With its distinguished editors and international team of contributors, Food Preservation Techniques provides an authoritative review of these developments and the ways they can be combined to preserve particular foods. Topics covered include the new generation of natural preservatives, the application of traditional preservation techniques, the use of biotechnology, and the challenges in combining new and old techniques in a way that preserves sensory quality without compromising product safety.

Thoroughly updated, the second edition of this best-seller presents a comprehensive engineering basis for photovoltaic (PV) system design and presents the 'what, why, and how' associated with electrical, mechanical, economic, and aesthetic aspects of PV system design. Using a modified top-down approach, the authors offer a presentation that provides a quick exposure to all of the building blocks of the PV system. They then provide detailed design examples from practical systems, explaining why certain PV designs are done in certain ways, including economic and environmental issues, and how to implement the design. Mastering the contents of this book gives readers the judgement needed to make intelligent decisions.

This report analyzes the effects of an innovative and controversial program--voluntary accelerated vehicle retirement--that is part of California's plan for complying with federal clean-air standards by the required date of 2010. Under this program, whose implementation is in doubt, during each year from 2001 to 2010 as many as 75,000 light-duty vehicles (LDVs) that are at least 15 years old would be purchased in the greater Los Angeles area and then scrapped. The authors1 analysis of program effects accounts for LDV-market responses including increases in used-LDV prices and consequent migration of vehicles into the region where LDVs are scrapped. The analysis predicts that program-induced increases in used-LDV prices will be between $22 and $271 in 2010; the best point estimate is $66 per LDV. While predicted emission reductions are largest for 2005, the program would almost certainly reduce emissions by between 8 and 28 tons per day in 2010, with actual reductions probably closer to the upper end. The authors analyze program cost effectiveness, conclude that a vehicle-scrapping program should be implemented, and suggest ways the program might be improved.

"This text for students and engineers...describes the design and analysis of radio-frequency and microwave circuits in modern communications systems." (SciTech Book News Vol. 25, No. 2 June 2001)
"This text for students and engineers...describes the design and analysis of radio-frequency and microwave circuits in modern communications systems." -- SciTech Book News Vol. 25, No. 2 June 2001 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

*provides a sound methodology for operational risk control
*focuses on management risk and ways to avoid it
*explains why and how information technology is a major operational risk
*shows how to integrate cost control in the operational risk perspective
*details analytical approaches to operational risk control, to help with scorecard developments
*explains the distinction between High Frequency Low Risk and Low Frequency High Risk events
*provides many case studeies from banking and insurance to demonstrate the attention operational risks deserve

Book Description
Infused with more than 500 tables and figures, this reference clearly illustrates the intricacies of optical system design and evaluation and considers key aspects of component selection, optimization, and integration for the development of effective optical apparatus. The book provides a much-needed update on the vanguard in the field with vivid explanations of computer-aided strategies and developments essential for success in the engineering of modern optical structures. It analyzes the performance of a wide range of optical materials, components, and systems, from simple magnifiers to complex lenses used in photography, ophthalmology, telescopes, microscopes, and projection systems.

There are many textbooks for IT professionals. Similarly, there are many operations management texts aimed at managers. There are few however, that bridge the gap between these two areas. This text has the objective of addressing the needs of the manager who has to be able to understand and operate planning and control systems.

The book is divided into two sections:
Section 1 - Introduces the subject as a whole and describes the key generic tools and techniques to support the manufacturing organisation.
Section 2 - Modern planning and control methods at a detailed level.

*Each chapter begins with a summary of key points and objectives to aid learning
*Case studies included throughout to illustrate the key elements of the text in a practical context
*Introduces a range of systems and management topics supported by examples and case studies