Bentham Science Publishers

Consumers have been increasingly involved in the innovation process in the last few decades, a major driving force of business success. This involvement is critically important for innovation, particularly in product development.

However, consumers frequently cannot articulate exactly what they need, want, or like if they are asked directly. It is very difficult for consumers to articulate their needs and desires. Therefore, researchers have to use other means to understand their motivations. There are many arguments suggesting that focus groups cannot create a reliable direction for new product development (NPD) or message optimization. A solution for this problem lies in a systematic, structured and disciplined experimentation with consumers - presenting them with a set of experimentally-designed products or concepts and soliciting their preferences. It is much easier for consumers to choose a preferred option from a set of concepts. New technologies make it easier than ever to conduct complex experiments quickly and inexpensively. The expanded use of experimentation provides an opportunity to take innovation to a new level.

Rule Developing Experimentation (RDE) is an increasingly popular, structured, consumer-based experimentation methodology. RDE works with prototypes, either physical prototypes, prototypes created out of language (concepts), or prototypes created out of visual stimuli (design and packaging). In business, RDE is used both to understand existing products, product categories and packages, as well as to create next generation offerings in the process of new product development (NPD).

Rule Developing Experimentation: A Systematic Approach to Understand & Engineer the Consumer Mind explains RDE concepts, beginning from its origins, to novel consumer research techniques and covers applications relevant to a real market context. Readers are also introduced to the concept of Mind Genomics® - a more holistic approach to gaining insight into the consumer mind.

Silver Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Functionalization and Applications presents detailed information about the range of methods of synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The book systematically delves into the subject with an introductory chapter before moving to chemical synthesis of AGnPs and fabrication methods which help in assigning functional properties for useful nanomaterials. Basic and advanced synthetic methods like surface functionalization and bioconjugation are covered. Additionally, the book informs about impactful applications of AGNPs across a range of industries. Through this book, readers will be able to understand the importance of silver nanoparticles as a futuristic material in scientific investigations and gain a comprehensive understanding of the operational strategies revolving around their surface modification and conjugation.

Key Features:

-Covers the basics of silver nanoparticle (AGNP) synthesis

-Focuses on green methods of AGNPs

- Covers information about surface modification and functionalization of AGNPs with different molecules (including biomolecules)

-Covers a range of applications of AGNPs

-Includes advanced applications of AGNPs in next-generation antibiotics

Silver Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Functionalization and Applications a handy reference for scholars in advanced chemical engineering, materials science and pharmacology programs as well as anyone who wants to know all about silver nanoparticles.

Nowadays, huge amounts of chemicals are commercialized, shipped, stored, and converted to ensure the commercial availability of goods of daily use. Different hazards are involved in the use of these chemicals due to their intrinsic physicochemical properties. Several accidents have occurred in the past due to these hazards in chemical and process industries with serious consequences for people, buildings, and the environment.

Safety in Chemical and Process Industries: A Comprehensive Assessment provides basic knowledge on safety procedures and experimental techniques for evaluating risks related to storage, transport, and transformation of hazardous materials. The book is designed for undergraduate and graduate students of Chemical, Materials, and Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, and Environmental Science.

Key features: - Provides a strong foundation on safety management and risk assessment for chemical handling and management

- Tackles the management of contaminated industrial sites - Focuses on the risk assessment to set remediation goals

- Includes information on Health Impact Assessments

- Includes detailed references for advanced readers at PhD or postdoc levels. The book is organized in the following core topics that are part of relevant course modules:

- Fundamentals of thermal explosions and calorimetric techniques (Chapters 1-3)

- Homogeneous and heterogeneous explosions (Chapters 4-7).

- Consequences of fires and heterogeneous explosions (Chapter 8)

- Industrial hygiene and toxicology (Chapter 9)

- Preventive safety measures and protective measures (Chapter 10)

- Risk assessment for industrially contaminated sites (Chapter 11)

- Health impact assessment within environmental impact assessment studies (Chapter 12)

When we look at the quality management issues that have faced, both, in Japan and the rest of the world recently, it is clear that a next-generation quality management practice is required, featuring a rational approach that will motivate people and revitalize organizations. We need to reassess the way quality management is carried out in the manufacturing industry and establish‘ Science Total Quality Management (TQM), new quality management principle, as a next-generation management technology. In this e-book, the author proposes the ‘Science TQM, new quality management principle, aimed at the evolution of manufacturing, and demonstrates its effectiveness. This contemporary principle of Japanese management science - a scientific quality management method – has been the key to success in global production and facilitates globally consistent levels of quality and simultaneous production worldwide.

Specifically, Science TQM consists of several core technologies designed to address specific areas of corporate operations: the ‘Total Marketing System, TMS, for sales, the ‘Total Development System, TDS, for development and design, the ‘Total Production System, TPS, for production technology and manufacturing, and the ‘Total Intelligence Management System, TIS, and ‘Total Job Quality Management System, TJS, for administrative and managerial functions. These systems are then effectively linked through ‘ Science SQC, new quality control principle,, to rationally achieve strategic quality management.

The focus of this book is thus the theory and application of strategic quality management through the application of ‘Science TQM,. The effectiveness of Science TQM is then demonstrated at Toyota Motor Corporation -one of the world, s leading automotive manufacturing companies. The author, a leading ex-general manager of TQM promotion division of Toyota Motor Corporation, shows how to align them to develop competitive quality throughout the business process that covers from the creation of product concept through manufacturing and selling to delivery to clients by actual cases. This is an e-book to be benchmarked by research professionals and practitioners who are interested in developing competitive quality of their business in the prevailing global competition. This e-book is also strongly recommended to senior managers such has top level executives who are not directly involved in so-called quality management practices because quality is the outcome of the dynamics of most activities of the company as well as the kernel of competitiveness.

The essence of TQM is reflected in ‘Total Quality Management,. Science and technology, team work, collaboration with internal as well as external members, training and skill, data and information, knowledge, and organizational alignment are all important ingredients to be combined systematically and strategically. Linking all ingredients for quality in consistent and effective ways is a key to competitiveness.

Readers will find not only quality related practices, but also the linking capacity for executing TQM practices as well as understand the implicit scientific, behavioral and organizational insights necessary to achieve real quality.

Many herbs and spices, in addition to their culinary use for taste, contain chemical compounds which have medicinal uses. For this reason, herbs and spices have been used for treating various ailments since ancient times. Modern scientific methods have enabled researchers to isolate bioactive compounds from herbs and spices and perform chemical analyses, which can be used to develop medicines to treat different diseases. This book series is a compilation of current reviews on studies performed on herbs and spices. Science of Spices and Culinary Herbs is essential reading for medicinal chemists, herbalists and biomedical researchers interested in the science of natural herbs and spices that are common part of regional diets and folk medicine.

The second volume of this series features 6 reviews of unique herbs and seeds:

1. Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.): A Review of its Use as a Spice, a Culinary Herb and Medicinal Applications

2. Piper nigrum (Black pepper): A Flavor for Health

3. Coriander Seeds – Ethno-medicinal, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Profile

4. The Fenugreek Seed: Therapeutic Properties and Applications

5. Biological Activities of Foeniculum vulgare Mill

6. Exploration of Dill Seeds (Anethum graveolens): An Ayurpharmacomic Approach

Many herbs and spices, in addition to their culinary use for taste, contain chemical compounds which have medicinal uses. For this reason, herbs and spices have been used for treating various ailments since ancient times. Modern scientific methods have enabled researchers to isolate bioactive compounds from herbs and spices and perform chemical analyses, which can be used to develop medicines to treat different diseases. This book series is a compilation of current reviews on studies performed on herbs and spices. Science of Spices and Culinary Herbs is essential reading for medicinal chemists, herbalists and biomedical researchers interested in the science of natural herbs and spices that are a common part of regional diets and folk medicine.

The fourth volume of this series features the following reviews:

1. Pharmacological effects of Curcuma longa, focused on anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects

2. Ethnomedicinal uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological effects, Pre-clinical and Clinical studies on flaxseed: A spice and culinary herb-based formulations and its constituents

3. Nigella sativa (Prophetic medicine): The Miracle Herb

4. Properties of Mexican oregano (Lippia spp.) essential oils and their use in aquaculture

5. Curry leaf: An insight into its Pharmacological activities, Medicinal profile, and Phytochemistry

Many herbs and spices, in addition to their culinary use for taste, contain chemical compounds which have medicinal uses. For this reason, herbs and spices have been used for treating various ailments since ancient times. Modern scientific methods have enabled researchers to isolate and analyze bioactive compounds from herbs and spices to develop medicines for different diseases. Science of Spices and Culinary Herbs presents current reviews on studies performed on herbs and spices. This book series is an informative resource for medicinal chemists, herbalists and biomedical researchers interested in the science of natural herbs and spices that are a common part of regional diets and folk medicine.

The sixth volume of this series features reviews on medicinal aspects of a selection of herbs and spices, including:

Pimpinella anisum L. (Anise, Aniseed)

Sinapis alba L. (Mustard Seeds)

Cinnamomum verum (Cinnamon)

Tamarindus indica L (Tamarind)

Curcuma longa (Curcumin)

Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice).

Scientific Philosophy and Principles in Medicine is an accessible treatise on the philosophy that guides medical practice. It lays the foundation of a multidisciplinary framework behind the development of the medical profession. The book presents 10 chapters that cover issues that are frequently encountered by medical professionals in their career: philosophical and linguistic principles of rational thought, scientific, crisp and fuzzy logic, diagnostic aspects, the history of medicine, epistemological concepts, approximate reasoning, principles of medical wisdom, numerical and graphical diagnostics, and the collaboration of researchers involved in the fields of engineering and medicine.

The author of the book brings several years of teaching experience and medical practice into this reference with the goal of integrating principles of scientific philosophy and logic into medical education. Readers will understand the process of devising rational diagnostic and treatment approaches that support human health as a generative process that seeks to solve problems through creativity, rather than a classical process of following medical protocols.

This book is intended as a basic reference for medical students, teachers, and general readers interested in the application of logic, philosophy and scientific principles in medicine.

This text explains the use of compressed air for energy storage and efficient pneumatic applications. Chapters cover the elementary physical and engineering principles related to compressed air, including compression and expansion characteristics, adiabatic, polytropic, and isothermal phenomena, and energy content within a given volume. The author also discusses the advantages and drawbacks of pneumatic technology and presents innovative ways to increase the energy efficiency of pneumatic actuators. A key highlight of the book is the introduction of a method to enhance efficiency by incorporating expansion work alongside constant pressure displacement. The author presents an analysis of various cylinder assemblies where energy efficiency is notably improved compared to conventional pneumatic actuators. The book serves as a primary reference for mechanical engineering students and as a handbook for engineers designing efficient pneumatic devices.

Key Features: Fundamental and advanced information about actuators and their pneumatic applications Focus on energy efficiency testing Systematic chapter order for effective learning progression, with a working example to support comprehension References for further reading Appendices providing additional insights and resources .

This book surveys the major and newly developed techniques for semiconductor strain metrology. Semiconductor strain metrology has emerged in recent years as a topic of great interest to researchers involved in thin film and nanoscale device characterization. This e-book employs a tutorial approach to explain the principles and applications of each technique specifically tailored for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Selected topics include optical, electron beam, ion beam and synchrotron x-ray techniques. Unlike earlier references, this e-book specifically discusses strain metrology as applied to semiconductor devices with both depth and focus.

Frontiers in Myocardia is an eBook series which compiles information about the structure and function of myocardial (the heart muscles) and includes updated reviews on the recent developments in the treatment of associated diseases such as angina, cardiac arrhythmias and myocardial infarction.

Advances in research on clinical sepsis in the last few decades have lead to the use of new concepts and treatment paradigms that have been tested and implemented in the clinical setting of Intensive Care Units around the world. An integrative approach towards understanding the pathophysiology of cardiac dysfunction in septic patients can, therefore, lead to better patient outcomes.

The first volume of this series, Septic Cardiomyopathy: from bench-to-bedside, integrates new and old information about the molecular mechanisms, histopathological and electrophysiological alterations with novel findings for diagnosing treating septic cardiomyopathy. This eBook attempts to bridge the gap between basic and clinical scientists and presents new data on different aspects of cardiac physiology during critical illness in a single volume. Chapters in this volume also cover cardiovascular changes that occur as a consequence of sepsis including metabolic, mitochondrial arrhythmic changes.

This eBook will add significant value to medical students, cardiac physicians and medical scientists engaged in the field of critical care medicine.

This e-book presents several basic methods and results of order theory that are currently used in various branches of mathematics. It presents topics that require a broad explanation in a concise and attractive way. Readers will easily identify problems/techniques/solutions without the frustration of long searches through previous notations, definitions and results. It begins with a sketch of axiomatic set theory and of the theory of categories. The fundamentals of the order relation are presented, including several properties equivalent to the axiom of choice, and culminating with well-ordered sets and transfinite numbers. This e-book also explains: (1) The complete existential theory of the various distinguished elements which a partially ordered set may possess, (2) The proof of the equivalence with the axiom of choice of 14 frequently used properties,(3) The fact that certain properties of ordinals are revealed as being just properties of well-ordered sets, and (4) The presentation of ordinals and cardinals both in axiomatic setting and following von Neumann's construction. Proofs are given in detail along with numerous examples and exercises illustrating the theory and demonstrating applications. Several classes of lattices, closure operators and Galois connections include tools which serve as prerequisites to universal algebra. Other topics include embeddings and topological duality for distributive lattices. The e-book serves both as a textbook for undergraduate and graduate students and as a reference book for mathematicians working in fields different from set theory or algebra, to whom it provides a quick access to basic facts from order theory.

This eBook presents a summary of central aspects of sialobiology (i.e., the study of sialic acid and its relevance to biology). The importance of substitution by the sugar sialic acid and the role played by sialylated structures (eg. glycoproteins, glycolipids, glycoconjugates) in immune recognition, neural cell growth, embryogenesis and disease development including microbial pathogenesis and cancer progression, has become well-established.

Since 1995, the field of sialobiology has expanded greatly as many of the key enzymes involved in sialic acid biosynthesis, as well as the vast majority of sialic acid binding lectins involved in immune recognition, have only been cloned, characterised and structural eluciated after the publication of earlier works on the subject. This e-book also covers these recent developments. Chapters in this e-book have been contributed by eminent sialobiologists. Therefore, a book of this nature is timely and will prove to be a definitive volume with a high impact in this field for glycobiologists and cell biologists.

Face recognition has several applications, including security, such as (authentication and identification of device users and criminal suspects), and in medicine (corrective surgery and diagnosis). Facial recognition programs rely on algorithms that can compare and compute the similarity between two sets of images.

This eBook explains some of the similarity measures used in facial recognition systems in a single volume. Readers will learn about various measures including Minkowski distances, Mahalanobis distances, Hansdorff distances, cosine-based distances, among other methods. The book also summarizes errors that may occur in face recognition methods.

Computer scientists "facing face" and looking to select and test different methods of computing similarities will benefit from this book. The book is also useful tool for students undertaking computer vision courses.

Single and two-phase flows are ubiquitous in most natural process and engineering systems. Examples of systems or process include, packed bed reactors, either single phase or multiphase, absorber and adsorber separation columns, filter beds, plate heat exchangers, flow of viscoelastic fluids in polymer systems, or the enhanced recovery of oil, among others.

In each case the flow plays a central role in determining the system or process behavior and performance. A better understanding of the underlying physical phenomena and the ability to describe the phenomena properly are both crucial to improving design, operation and control processes involving the flow of fluids, ensuring that they will be more efficient and cost effective. Expanding disciplines such as microfluidics and the simulation of complex flow physical systems, such as blood flow in physiological networks, also rely heavily on accurate predictions of fluid flow.

Recent advances either in computational and experimental techniques are improving the existing knowledge of single and multiphase flows in engineering and physical systems of interest. This ebook is a review on the state-of-the-art and recent advances in critical areas of fluid mechanics and transport phenomena with respect to chemical and biomedical engineering applications.

Practicing dermatologists are likely to encounter several patients who have psychological difficulties in dealing with various skin conditions. While there are several factors that might be responsible for these difficulties (such as physical and mental stress), it is becoming increasingly clear nowadays that skin disease patients experiencing such issues need to be managed with a multidisciplinary approach to improve treatment outcomes.

Skin and the Psyche delves into the realm of psychodermatology – the cusp of dermatology, psychology and psychiatry. The book enhances the reader´s knowledge about relevant topics such as the biology of the skin, the impact of stress on skin inflammation, acne vulgaris, skin diseases secondary to delusions and other psychiatric diseases, psoriasis and much more. Different forms of non-pharmacological treatments of these diseases are also mentioned. The book also contains a concise guide to building a psychodermatology clinic.

Skin and the Psyche is a vital reference for dermatologists, hospital managers and psychiatrists looking for tips to improve their ability to interact with individuals while assisting them to cope with dermatological diseases and conditions.

This reference provides the reader with focused information about microstrip antenna design and applications. Readers are first introduced to the basic design of microstrip antennas. Subsequent chapters explain how microstrip antennas are suitable for practical applications. These chapters cover topics such as fractal and defected ground structure antennas, microstrip antenna evaluation, and the use of microstrip antennas in mobile communications and IoT applications. Scholars, researchers, and industrial professionals involved in the fields of electronics and electrical engineering as well as instrumentation will benefit from the information given in this book.

Smart Kinematics for Modern Engineering Students is an essential reference on basic kinematics. The book provides detailed knowledge on coordinate transformations for matrix calculations, followed by information about different configurations in component pairs and joints. Readers will learn about the basic mechanical engineering methods used to design components for systems with moving parts along with various practical applications of these concepts.

Key Features

· Provides-In-depth knowledge of 3D vector calculations in kinematics

· Includes descriptions and depictions of major joints commonly used in engineering designs and applications

· Discusses common methods of optimization for solving multivariable systems of highly nonlinear equations using displacement models

· Presents practical examples of analysis applied to commonly used mechanical system

· 6 DOF robotic arm and moving platform

· A generic Light Manufacturing Tool (LMT)

· Phantom DOF devices

· Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) as a biomechanical joint

· Include scientific references

The material in this book will be helpful to undergraduate and graduate engineers who are required to understand knowledge about modern methods in mechanical engineering, including prerequisite courses in advanced linear algebra, kinematics and complex systems.

There is considerable interest in reliable and affordable sensor and detection systems. Recent concerns about environmental exposure to both biological and chemical agents have been critical to the development of new sensor and detector technologies. New materials are being developed to meet the challenges ahead. Smart nanomaterials appear to be a key solution to these challenges. This e-book summarizes current progress in sensor applications of smart nanomaterials. It should be a useful resource for materials scientists and readers interested in nanotechnology for biosensors.

A smart port is defined as a port that uses technologies such as big data, AI, and IoT to manage transportation and logistics services. Smart Port Management and Strategy covers the design, operation and applications of a smart port to improve capacity and productivity. The book has been written by the author from an operations management perspective with the aim of providing technical knowledge to readers on how to use technology for optimizing port performance.

Key Features:

- Eight key topics relevant to smart port management

- Focus on calculations and technical operations

- Guidance on OCR, RFID and sensor technologies for gates

- Includes information about port performance measurement

- Includes access to Korean Port MIS

- Covers automation equipment such as AGV, ARMGC, and remote control QC

- Includes port simulation, digitization strategies and financial analysis

Smart Port Management and Strategy is the definitive resource for anyone, whether they are professionals in transportation services or students of civil engineering or operations management, who want to learn about smart ports and how they are managed.

This brief textbook explains the principles of social network analysis. The book goes beyond theoretical concepts and gives the reader complete knowledge about how to apply analytical techniques using Pajek to perform a large-scale network analysis. The book covers the topic in 2 sections – the first detailing fundamentals of research design and the next one about methods and applications. Readers can then apply the techniques in this book to other online communities, such as Facebook and Twitter. The book is intended for networking students and general readers who want to learn the basics without going deep into mathematical methods. It is also useful for researchers and professionals from other fields seeking to understand the basics of large-scale social network analysis.

Current global economic crises call for social responsibility to replace neo-liberalistic, one-sided and short-term criteria causing monopolies of global.

Current global economic crises call for social responsibility to replace neo-liberalistic, one-sided and short-term criteria causing monopolies of global enterprises. The triad ‘freedom, brotherhood, equality' and ‘the invisible hand' support the hypothesis of interdependence among humans. Humanity's existence is endangered under the threat of global capitalism, unless the social responsibility's concept ‘everyone's social responsibility impacts everyone in society' becomes the new socio-economic order, realized alongside concepts as ‘interdependence' and ‘holism' and using its principles of accountability, transparency, ethical behavior, respect for stakeholders, for the rule of law, for international norms and human rights.

Social Responsibility – A non-technological innovation process explores the realm of social responsibility in the context of innovation, business practice and economic crises. Readers can apply related principles to their business practices and enhance their business prospects in a modern environment facing the challenges of socio-economic crises.

This volume is intended for graduates and professionals working in government organizations and commercial enterprises, to learn basic concepts about social responsibility and introduce holistic management practices in their daily and professional lives.

Software and Programming Tools in Pharmaceutical Research is a detailed primer on the use for computer programs in the design and development of new drugs. Chapters offer information about different programs and computational techniques in pharmacology. The book will help readers to harness computer technologies in pharmaceutical investigations. Readers will also appreciate the pivotal role that software applications and programming tools play in revolutionizing the pharmaceutical industry.

The book includes nine structured chapters, each addressing a critical aspect of pharmaceutical research and software utilization. From an introduction to pharmaceutical informatics and computational chemistry to advanced topics like molecular modeling, data mining, and high-throughput screening, this book covers a wide range of topics.

Key Features:

· Practical Insights: Presents practical knowledge on how to effectively utilize software tools in pharmaceutical research.

· Interdisciplinary Approach: Bridges the gap between pharmaceutical science and computer science

· Cutting-Edge Topics: Covers the latest advancements in computational drug development, including data analysis and visualization techniques, drug repurposing, pharmacokinetic modelling and screening.

· Recommendations for Tools: Includes informative tables for software tools

· Referenced content: Includes scientific references for advanced readers

The book is an ideal primer for students and educators in pharmaceutical science and computational biology, providing a comprehensive foundation for this rapidly evolving field. It is also an essential resource for pharmaceutical researchers, scientists, and professionals looking to enhance their understanding of software tools and programming in drug development.

Soil Improvement and Water Conservation Biotechnology is a comprehensive guide addressing the urgent challenges of soil degradation and water scarcity in agriculture. This book explores innovative biotechnological strategies for enhancing soil health, conserving water, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. It covers foundational topics like soil composition and water management in arid regions, focusing on Mexico's unique desert environments. Advanced chapters highlight cutting-edge solutions, including biofertilizers, biopesticides, microalgal applications, bioremediation, nanotechnology, and biological desalination. The book also introduces tools like luminescent biosensors for pesticide detection and ethical and social aspects of environmental biotechnology.

Tailored for students, researchers, and professionals in agriculture, biotechnology, and environmental science, this book bridges theoretical insights with practical applications to offer sustainable solutions for global soil and water challenges.

Key Features:

- Biotechnological solutions for soil improvement and water conservation.

- Practical case studies, tools, and methodologies for sustainable agriculture.

- Ethical and social dimensions of environmental biotechnology.