Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2008. / This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 130-132). / This thesis explores supply chain management practices that have been implemented, and have improved supply chains in industries outside of healthcare. The presented supply chain practices have been selected because they have the potential to improve efficiency, reduce costs and improve patient safety within hospitals. Due to the diverse nature of hospitals and a unique product profile, there is no "one size fits all" supply chain solution that can be implemented. Therefore, product specific characteristics are discussed that can be used by hospitals in order to develop segmentation policies. Supply chain best practices from outside of the healthcare industry are presented for each category of segmented products. The culmination of this thesis is the presentation of a supply chain that will enable the hospital to significantly reduce inventory storage space, on hand inventory value, and time spent by nurses managing inventory. The proposed supply chain model is patient specific and involves the delivery of items from an offsite warehouse directly to the patient's bedside. In order to successfully implement a new supply chain solution in a hospital setting, change management is a critical part of the process. Methods are presented that have resulted in successful implementations of complex systems within hospitals. Three areas must be considered when managing change in this type of setting, the healthcare environment, the hospital's internal management and operational aspects of the hospital supply chain. Using simulation models, we show that implementation of the proposed supply chain for appropriately segmented products will result in significant supply chain cost savings and boost the revenue. / by Scott Hsiang-Jen Cheng and Graham J. Whittemore. / M.Eng.in Logistics

Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 59). / In this thesis, an analysis of the existing order based fulfillment process for one product line of a specialty chemicals manufacturer is made and the potential benefits from the implementation of a vendor managed inventory (VMI) system are quantified. A single facility is considered and our focus is on the possible reductions in transportation effort. Initially, a set of criteria are defined for classifying which storage tanks will be served under the VMI system and which under the existing order based process. Subsequently, a cluster first-route second approach is implemented, where customer locations are first separated into clusters based on geographical proximity and routes are then designed for each of the clusters. A mathematical model is constructed that aids in the design of delivery routes that minimize the total number of delivery trips. Finally, the total transportation effort that would be required for replenishing the VMI and non-VMI tanks is estimated and a comparison is made with the current system. Key performance indicators are compared between the existing order based fulfillment process and the potential VMI implementation. Limitations of the proposed approach are discussed and directions for future research are highlighted. / by Dimitrios Andritsos and Anthony Craig. / M.Eng.in Logistics

Thesis (M. Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Biological Engineering Division, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 56-59). / Gene Fabrication technology involves the development and optimization of methods relevant to the in vitro synthesis of any given target gene sequence(s) in the absence of template. The driving purpose of this field of research is to bring about the capability for on-demand fabrication of a DNA construct of arbitrary length and sequence quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively. The first part of this document describes many of the important considerations in performing successful de novo gene synthesis from a survey of the literature as well as from our own work. Recommendations are made for a universally effective, robust, and simple protocol for potential users of gene synthesis, discussing important factors such as choice of protocol, source of commercial oligonucleotides, and polymerase choice. The second part of this document focuses on error correction. Reducing error rates is one of the main challenges in gene fabrication because high error rates preclude the possibility of fabricating long gene targets in a practical and economical manner. Improvements in error rates are essential for continued progress in the development of gene fabrication technology. I discuss the importance of error rate in gene synthesis from a practical standpoint and show results in the development of novel methods for the removal of errors from a pool of synthesized DNA. / by Jason Sun-hyung Park. / M.Eng.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Biological Engineering Division, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 149-151). / Linkage disequilibrium studies have discovered few gene-disease associations for common diseases. The explanation has been offered that complex modes of inheritance govern risk for cancers, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and diabetes. Such studies, however, depended on the untested assumption of monoallelic risk. My research advisor and I set out to investigate whether simple forms of inherited risk, monoallelic or multiallelic, could be excluded by analysis of familial risk for a common disease, such as colorectal cancer (CRC). First, we derived formulae that describe the risk for monogenic, multigenic, and polygenic possibilities of Mendelian inheritance. Next, we obtained an estimate of minimum lifetime risk for CRC of >0.26. Then, we examined the case of late-onset CRC, using the Swedish Family Cancer Database (1958-2002) to estimate the familial relative risk for CRC diagnosis at age 50 or older, and obtained an estimated range of 1.5 to 3.0. We compared this range of actual values to the ranges of expected values for monogenic, multigenic, and polygenic modes of inheritance. / (cont.) We delimited bounds that can be placed on the conditions for various modes of inheritance. The key observation is that monogenic risk for CRC is included among various possibilities, and cannot be eliminated by existing observations. The arguments herein indicate that further efforts can and should be made to obtain more precise estimates of familial risk for CRC and other common forms of cancer. / by Helen Banava. / Ph.D.

Thesis (M.Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 67-68). / The Internet is a communications network that connects computers around the world. It has been around since 1960's. The Internet Phenomena - the recent upsurge in business use of the Internet can be attributed to the World Wide Web or the web. The web uses universally accepted communication protocol and presentation language (i.e. Internet Protocol and Hyper Text Markup Language) that makes it a standard interface - a ubiquitous interface. Businesses are leveraging the Internet to obtain a variety of business benefits. Based on an extensive literature review, this thesis presents a catalogue of 35 distinct business benefits. To obtain these benefits, businesses are undertaking a variety of projects and initiatives. The projects and initiatives, termed as E-business apply the Internet technologies for improving existing business processes, removing barriers within a business, and or among businesses in the supply chain. This thesis organized E-business projects into eight different areas. This thesis explores the Internet Phenomena - it attempts to understand the potential Impacts of the Internet on the supply chain, and proposes some guidelines for management teams interested in choosing E-business projects. By mapping E-business benefits along a typical supply chain, this thesis observes that the Internet is creating structural and operational impacts in the supply chain. The structural impacts appear to result from (a) the growth of a direct channel (b) the presence of new economic agents and (c) new marketplaces. The operational impacts appear to be that (a) the scope of supply chain operations change (b) the scale of supply chain operations are enhanced and (c) the speed of supply chain operations increase. The thesis suggests ten perspectives that may help a management team choose E-business projects. It examines one perspective in detail - the Industry perspective. The industry perspective suggests that differences in industry structures should lead to differences in business needs and requirements, and therefore lead to different e-business opportunities. A hypothesis, based on an industry classification system (proposed by Charles Fine of MIT), was developed. The Internet is a communications network that connects computers around the world. It has been around since 1960's. The Internet Phenomena - the recent upsurge in business use of the Internet can be attributed to the World Wide Web or the web. The web uses universally accepted communication protocol and presentation language (i.e. Internet Protocol and Hyper Text Markup Language) that makes it a standard interface - a ubiquitous interface. Businesses are leveraging the Internet to obtain a variety of business benefits. Based on an extensive literature review, this thesis presents a catalogue of 35 distinct business benefits. To obtain these benefits, businesses are undertaking a variety of projects and initiatives. The projects and initiatives, termed as E-business apply the Internet technologies for improving existing business processes, removing barriers within a business, and or among businesses in the supply chain. This thesis organized E-business projects into eight different areas. This thesis explores the Internet Phenomena - it attempts to understand the potential Impacts of the Internet on the supply chain, and proposes some guidelines for management teams interested in choosing E-business projects. By mapping E-business benefits along a typical supply chain, this thesis observes that the Internet is creating structural and operational impacts in the supply chain. The structural impacts appear to result from (a) the growth of a direct channel (b) the presence of new economic agents and (c) new marketplaces. The operational impacts appear to be that (a) the scope of supply chain operations change (b) the scale of supply chain operations are enhanced and (c) the speed of supply chain operations increase. The thesis suggests ten perspectives that may help a management team choose E-business projects. It examines one perspective in detail - the Industry perspective. The industry perspective suggests that differences in industry structures should lead to differences in business needs and requirements, and therefore lead to different e-business opportunities. A hypothesis, based on an industry classification system (proposed by Charles Fine of MIT), was developed. / by Sanjeev Kalanidhi. / M.Eng.

Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 80-83). / How can financial tools like real options and hedging mitigate and create value from uncertainty in transportation? This paper describes these concepts and identifies research on them that has relevance to transportation. It then gives historical background of the containerized ocean transportation industry, uses Porter's five forces to explain its dynamics, and explains how contracts are set up and managed. It identifies areas within containerized ocean transportation that could benefit from real options and hedging, claiming that recent deregulation is creating opportunities for innovative thought. It gives examples of how real options are already being used in the industry to create flexibility without having any price attached to them and then comes up with new ideas of using them. It concludes by, first, stating that both shippers and carriers can benefit from managing uncertainty together and, second, suggesting future areas of research. / by Sigurjón Pálsson. / M.Eng.in Logistics

Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2004. / "June 2004." / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 51-53). / (cont.) are suggested to help future online grocers avoid the mistakes made by the earlier attempt, align their business strategy with the growing consumer interest in specialty foods and wellness services and find the niche market that is best for their business. Finally, a vision of future online grocery store is conceptualized based upon the latest Semantic web technologies and a successful supply chain management practice in the retail industry--Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI). / The e-commerce boom has led to a major shift in business paradigm from the traditional brick-and-mortar store to the direct sale click-and-mortar model across the business world. Amazon and Dell pioneered the direct sale concept and fundamentally changed the way of doing business in their industries. Since then, many traditional industries have experienced similar transformations. Online grocery business, for example, has seen many failed endeavors to emulate Amazon and Dell's success in the past few years. The most famous one was Webvan--a 7.8 billion dollar roller coaster ride that in two years burned through all its cash reserve and produced zero profits. Webvan epitomized one of the classic mistakes during the dotcom era--the "Get-big-fast" doctrine that infatuated the e-commerce world at that time. On the other hand, other online store such as Tesco and Peapod cautiously laid out their operations that strategically aligned with their original vision of the online grocery business--not as a revolutionary new business model but as a value-added convenience service provider that exists on top of the existing structure. That strategy not only helped them survive the turmoil of e-commerce downturn but also turned them into successful players in the markets they are serving. This thesis will analyze these three online grocers' business models and explore the underlying reasons that contributed to their failure and success, respectively. A recent trend in online grocery business is to positions online grocery store as a premium food and service provider that delivers high quality food products to the upper-income group. A representative case--FreshDirect--is analyzed to bring insights to this new niche market. From these findings, a list of recommendations / by Kang Xie. / M.Eng.in Logistics

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2013. / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 106-110). / Effective use of data is believed to be the key to address systemic inefficiencies in health innovation and delivery, and to significantly enhance value creation for patients and all stakeholders. However, there is no definition for health data. Rather, data in health is an assortment of observations and reports varying from science to clinical notes and reimbursement claims that emerge from practice rather than design. What is health data? In this thesis we try to answer that question by looking at the system of health almost exclusively as a system that generates, transforms, and interprets data. We overview the different meanings data has throughout the health system, we analyze systematically the inefficiencies and trends as they emerge from data, and propose a new architecture for the system of health in which data is not present by accident. The result of this thesis is a new architecture for the system of health that is consistent with its present state but also consistent with a future learning system and a redefinition of value in health care that is patient and information centric. / by Melissa Beth Rosen Ceruolo. / S.M.

Thesis (S.M. in Technology and Policy)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2013. / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 89-93). / Wind generation has been growing fast, with onshore wind having a 27% average annual growth rate over the past decade. Motivated by this growth, a comprehensive analysis of both the economic and engineering implications of a large wind penetration in power systems was conducted. In order to understand and capture the unique characteristics of wind generation different tools and methods were combined. First, an analysis of hourly wind and load profiles was completed for individual European countries and for the whole European region. Then, a detailed electricity model was used in order to capture the effects of a large wind penetration (up to 60% of total demand) on the power system. Finally, this information was integrated in a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, the MIT EPPA model - a tool for analyzing the economy-wide implications of energy and climate policies. Based on the bottom-up modeling results, a new methodology for capturing wind intermittency in EPPA, through modeling system flexibility requirements at large wind penetration levels, was proposed. As a case study, a 40% and an 80% GHG emissions reduction scenarios by 2050 (relative to 1990 levels) were modeled for Europe. The analysis illustrates that, in order to mitigate wind intermittency, particularly for large wind penetration levels, a system needs to have enough flexible capacity installed - traditionally provided by gas or hydro technologies. However, it is shown that for a significant emissions reduction scenario (80% GHG reduction in Europe by 2050), providing this flexibility from the generation side might be challenging as low-cost, low-carbon, flexible, dispatchable technological options might be limited. This might impose a constraint on the total electricity use and on the growth of wind penetration. Thus, the importance of considering other options for providing flexibility in the system, such as storage, demand response or interconnections is displayed. In particular, the wind and load profile analysis indicates a high value of interconnecting wind farms in the European region. / by Ioanna Karkatsouli. / S.M.in Technology and Policy

Thesis: M. Eng. in Logistics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2015. / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (pages 41-42). / Optimization models are a commonly used tool to identify cost efficient network flows. Complexity increases when various products move across different paths and transportation modes within one network. To address the challenges posed by this complexity, this thesis develops a mixed integer linear programming model for a uniform rental company. The company's product families are routed through intermediary distribution centers, while others bypass these points and move directly to a regional distribution center. Various simulations were run with the objective of minimizing fixed costs, warehousing, inventory and transportation expenses. The function was constrained by flow balance, demand and capacity constraints. The optimal solution proposed a network that used less facilities than currently operated within the company, and some in new locations due to transportation cost savings. As volume increased, the network structure continued to shift further from the company's current structure. Demand increased the influence of variable rates, while transportation lane rates were a significant factor in every version of the model run. / by Ann-Marie Chopyak and Haotian Lee. / M. Eng. in Logistics