Patient Safety and Quality


Book Description

"Nurses play a vital role in improving the safety and quality of patient car -- not only in the hospital or ambulatory treatment facility, but also of community-based care and the care performed by family members. Nurses need know what proven techniques and interventions they can use to enhance patient outcomes. To address this need, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), with additional funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, has prepared this comprehensive, 1,400-page, handbook for nurses on patient safety and quality -- Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses. (AHRQ Publication No. 08-0043)." - online AHRQ blurb, http://www.ahrq.gov/qual/nurseshdbk/




Modeling and Transformation of Workflows with Temporal Constraints


Book Description

Workflow management systems support the execution of business processes: they require the modeling of the processes, they drive the actual enactment of process instances, and they document the business process execution. Many different modeling languages and systems have been developed for the design and representation of business processes and workflows as a consequence of different requirements, different purposes, as well as different schools and modeling philosophies. The differences are partly on a conceptual level in the sense that the modeling languages offer different concepts and constructs, and partly on the representation level where basically the same constructs are represented differently (e.g. text- or graph-based). This book makes two important contributions to workflow modeling. Firstly, it provides a metamodel based on abstract modeling concepts, which copes with representation differences of workflow descriptions. Secondly, it introduces a set of equivalence transformations on workflow models. Such transformations are an important tool for workflow developments as they allow representing workflows differently for different purposes. These transformations are used in algorithms for checking the satisfiability of temporal constraints in workflow definitions. Using this apparatus made it possible to develop a sophisticated time management system for workflows, which not only checks temporal constraints but can also be used to develop time plans for workflow execution.




Workflows for e-Science


Book Description

This is a timely book presenting an overview of the current state-of-the-art within established projects, presenting many different aspects of workflow from users to tool builders. It provides an overview of active research, from a number of different perspectives. It includes theoretical aspects of workflow and deals with workflow for e-Science as opposed to e-Commerce. The topics covered will be of interest to a wide range of practitioners.




Workflows and Sharepoint


Book Description

'Workflows and SharePoint: Going with the Flow' was written by a developer for developers; a comprehensive reference to guide users - step-by-step - through the process of creating a workflow. A case study allows the reader to follow the development of a flow, incorporating the myriad of possibilities and tools available to the developer. The book's approach is 'no-nonsense'; based on clearly-defined examples it describes and demonstrates the possibilities and applications of workflows in SharePoint. The programming examples graduate from basics, generating configurations with Sequential and State Machine Workflows, to more complex themes using ASPX and InfoPath Forms. An attempt has been made to identify potential errors and problems and to provide solutions or workarounds, and in situations where that is not possible, to point the reader in the best direction for answers. 'Workflows and SharePoint: Going with the Flow' is divided into five areas for easy reference. The first two parts focus on information for the general reader; introducing the architecture and use of workflows followed by a description of the use of SharePoint Designer to create flows without programming. Part 3 provides information for the creation of Sequential and State Machine Workflows using Visual Studio and flows over into the next section covering the creation and development of Forms (Part 4). Finally, Part 5 reviews Activities, their use in Visual Studio and SharePoint Designer, and goes on to discuss other 'bits and pieces' related to programming workflows for SharePoint. 'Workflows and SharePoint 2007: Going with the Flow' is the kind of reference book that belongs on every developers bookshelf.




Flexible Workflows


Book Description

Traditional workflow management systems support the fulfillment of business tasks by providing guidance along a predefined workflow model. Due to the shift from mass production to customization, flexibility has become important in recent decades, but the various approaches to workflow flexibility either require extensive knowledge acquisition and modeling, or active intervention during execution. Pursuing flexibility by deviation compensates for these disadvantages by allowing alternative paths of execution at run time without requiring adaptation to the workflow model. This work, Flexible Workflows: A Constraint- and Case-Based Approach, proposes a novel approach to flexibility by deviation, the aim being to provide support during the execution of a workflow by suggesting items based on predefined strategies or experiential knowledge, even in case of deviations. The concepts combine two familiar methods from the field of AI - constraint satisfaction problem solving, and process-oriented case-based reasoning. The combined model increases the capacity for flexibility. The experimental evaluation of the approach consisted of a simulation involving several types of participant in the domain of deficiency management in construction. The book contains 7 chapters covering foundations; domains and potentials; prerequisites; constraint based workflow engine; case based deviation management; prototype; and evaluation, together with an introduction, a conclusion and 3 appendices. Demonstrating high utility values and the promise of wide applicability in practice, as well as the potential for an investigation into the transfer of the approach to other domains, the book will be of interest to all those whose work involves workflow management systems.




Geostatistical Reservoir Modeling


Book Description

Published in 2002, the first edition of Geostatistical Reservoir Modeling brought the practice of petroleum geostatistics into a coherent framework, focusing on tools, techniques, examples, and guidance. It emphasized the interaction between geophysicists, geologists, and engineers, and was received well by professionals, academics, and both graduate and undergraduate students. In this revised second edition, Deutsch collaborates with co-author Michael Pyrcz to provide an expanded (in coverage and format), full color illustrated, more comprehensive treatment of the subject with a full update on the latest tools, methods, practice, and research in the field of petroleum Geostatistics. Key geostatistical concepts such as integration of geologic data and concepts, scale considerations, and uncertainty models receive greater attention, and new comprehensive sections are provided on preliminary geological modeling concepts, data inventory, conceptual model, problem formulation, large scale modeling, multiple point-based simulation and event-based modeling. Geostatistical methods are extensively illustrated through enhanced schematics, work flows and examples with discussion on method capabilities and selection. For example, this expanded second edition includes extensive discussion on the process of moving from an inventory of data and concepts through conceptual model to problem formulation to solve practical reservoir problems. A greater number of examples are included, with a set of practical geostatistical studies developed to illustrate the steps from data analysis and cleaning to post-processing, and ranking. New methods, which have developed in the field since the publication of the first edition, are discussed, such as models for integration of diverse data sources, multiple point-based simulation, event-based simulation, spatial bootstrap and methods to summarize geostatistical realizations.




Productive Objects


Book Description

Introduces, in simple text and photographs, the characteristics of some of the animals and plants that can be found in the forest. Includes a chipmunk, box turtle, fern, bull moose, moth, ermine, and white birch.




Operations Management


Book Description

Finally, an operations management book to get excited about. Operations Management: A Supply Chain Process Approach exposes students to the exciting and ever-changing world of operations management through dynamic writing, application, and cutting-edge examples that will keep students interested and instructors inspired! Author Dr. Joel Wisner understands that today’s students will be entering a highly competitive global marketplace where two things are crucial: a solid knowledge of operations management and an understanding of the importance for organizations to integrate their operations and supply chain processes. With this in mind, Wisner not only provides a clear and comprehensive introduction to operations management, but also gives attention to the important processes involved in linking firms’ operations in a supply chain environment.




Proceedings of the Sixteenth International Cryogenic Engineering Conference/International Cryogenic Materials Conference


Book Description

This book contains the proceedings of the 16th ICEC/ICMC Conference, held in Kitakyushu, Japan, on 20th-24th May 1996. The Proceedings are presented in three volumes containing a total of 476 papers from 1484 authors. The proceedings covers the main areas of: Large Scale Refrigeration. Cryocoolers. Cryogenic Engineering. Space Cryogenics. Application of Superconductivity. Oxide Superconductors. Metallic Superconductors. Metallic Materials. Non Metallic Materials.In addition there are seven Plenary Lectures covering such diverse topics as commercialization of high-Tc superconductors, the continuing development of the Maglev system in Japan, and the Large Hadron Collider project. The Proceedings comprise an excellent and up-to-date summary of research and development in the fields of Cryogenics and Superconductivity.




Implementing ITIL Change and Release Management


Book Description

The Business-Focused, Best-Practice Guide to Succeeding with ITIL Change and Release Management ITIL® (Information Technology Infrastructure Library®) can help organizations streamline and integrate their operations, dramatically improving efficiency and delivering greater business value. For the first time, there's a comprehensive best-practice guide to succeeding with two of the most crucial and challenging parts of ITIL: change and release management. Leading IBM® ITIL expert and author Larry Klosterboer shares solid expertise gained from real implementations across multiple industries. He helps you decide where to invest, avoid ITIL pitfalls, and build successful, long-term processes that deliver real return on investment. You’ll find detailed guidance on each process, integrated into a comprehensive roadmap for planning, implementation, and operation–a roadmap available nowhere else. Klosterboer offers in-depth coverage of the crucial issues every implementer will face, including make-or-break challenges most consultants can’t or won’t talk about. For example, he demonstrates how to set a reasonable project scope, migrate data, execute successful pilot programs, and continually improve quality once ITIL practices are in place. This book’s practical insights will be invaluable to every IT executive, professional, and user who wants to bring their current change and release practices in line with ITIL–and transform them from a source of frustration into a source of value. Coverage includes Discovering and managing your change and release management requirements Identifying the resources you’ll need to succeed Building comprehensive schedules for executing change/release management projects Moving from planning to real-world implementation Choosing the right tools–or modifying the tools you’ve already invested in Using change/release management to facilitate auditing and ensure compliance Leveraging the full business benefits of mature change/release management processes Covers ITIL version 3