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With the rapid advancements in medical research, diagnostic technology and increased public health initiative and awareness, overall cancer death rates in western societies are declining each year with the number of deaths from major cancers such as breast, colorectal and lung following this trend. However, the survival rate for those with pancreatic cancer has been at a standstill for over four decades and there are concerns that pancreatic cancer may become the second deadliest cancer in the US by the year 2030. The diagnosis of pancreatic cancer has dire consequences as it presents late in its course and is rapidly progressive. This is clearly one of the most devastating of human cancers, and as there are very few treatment options for those with the disease, new approaches and novel therapeutic strategies are urgently required. For thousands of years, plants have been used as traditional indigenous remedies for a variety of ailments in many parts of the world. It is thought that approximately 80% of the rural population worldwide still relies on plants as medicines. Plants have assumed the greatest prominence as a source of medicinal compounds with thousands of species associated with the treatment of cancers or conditions with cancer-like symptoms. Scientific evaluation of a range of traditional medicines has led to the development of highly effective cancer therapeutic agents, and it is estimated that approximately 50% of all pharmaceuticals currently available for administration are still derived from natural origins. With this in mind, within the plant kingdom there remains great potential for the development of novel therapeutic agents with significant efficacy against pancreatic cancer. With our increasing understanding of the molecular pathology of pancreatic cancer and the rapid advancement of DNA sequencing technology to understand the structure of the genome and infer biology, pancreatic cancer is one of the most appropriate diseases to test multiple novel plant derived therapeutics in a molecular phenotype driven personalised approach.

The term "government data" includes diverse categories of government information products, such as information published by government agencies for statistical purposes; information in government administrative records on individuals and businesses; and physical measurements about natural phenomena recorded by government agencies. This book discusses the value of government data and provides a U.S. open data action plan as well as the open data policy.

Public transportation in rural areas can be critical to connecting people to jobs, shopping, and health services. The Federal Transit Administration''s (FTA) Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program (rural transit program) is FTA''s only dedicated grant program for rural and tribal transit. FTA apportions nearly all program funds to states. This book examines FTA''s funding, oversight, and other support for the rural transit program; changes in services, ridership, and costs since 2009; and challenges that rural and tribal transit providers face and possible actions to address them.

Typhoons pose a threat for coastal populations, offshore and onshore industries, shipping, agriculture, or forestry. Thus it is of great interest to assess future changes in cyclone activity. Thereby tropical cyclones may change both in frequency and intensity or they may have different track locations, shapes, dimensions or lifetimes. This book discusses risk prediction, crisis management and economic and environmental impacts of typhoons and landslides.

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a worldwide problem with many physical and psychological complications. In the U.S., about one-third of American women will have been physically and sexually abused by a significant other at some point in their lives. In relation to intimate partner homicide (IPH), females are at a higher risk of victimisation than males. This book discusses the risk factors, therapeutic interventions and psychological impact of partner violence in relationships.

This is an edited collection covering a wide range of topics in the field of tachyarrhythmias. Among them is the general approach to the patient with supraventricular tachycardia. The management of patients with atrial fibrillation has also been extensively covered. The important topic of differential diagnosis of wide QRS tachycardia has been touched upon as well with a comprehensive and well-illustrated review. Special emphasis has been put on the assessment of the risk for sudden cardiac death in patients with ischaemic and non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy. The chapters covering these topics provide a useful update to the novel risk factors that might help to better assess the sudden cardiac death risk. A substantial part of the book is devoted to catheter ablation of arrhythmias as a non-pharmacological treatment option. The approach to catheter ablation of narrow QRS tachycardias and typical atrial flutter has been reviewed in detail. Another detailed review summarises the methods for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation starting from the very introduction of this technique and ending with the current state-of-the-art technology used to successfully ablate atrial fibrillation. The approach to catheter ablation of ventricular tachyarrhythmias in structurally normal hearts and in the presence of structural heart disease has been described in a series of two chapters. Last but not least, the book reviews the role of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) in the prevention of sudden cardiac death. It focuses on the current indications for implantation and also describes some basic principles in device programming. With the wide area of topics that are covered by the different chapters, this book is interesting to fellows, clinical cardiologists and electrophysiologists and all physicians involved in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.

This series addresses new developments, issues and U.S. relations with countries around the world. Topics discussed in this compilation include the crisis in Mali; current issues in Algeria; recent developments and U.S. relations with Malawi; Australia and the U.S. rebalancing to Asia strategy; current conditions and Congressional concerns relating to Haiti under President Martelly; background and U.S. relations with Jamaica; current issues and U.S. policy in Kosovo; and the peace process in Northern Ireland.

Although the U.S. aviation system is one of the safest in the world, hundreds of fatalities occur each year in general aviation, which includes all forms of aviation except commercial and military. The general aviation industry is composed of a diverse fleet of over 220,000 aircraft that conduct a wide variety of operations, from personal pleasure flights in small, piston aircraft to world-wide professionally piloted corporate flights in turbine-powered aircraft. According to the 2011 National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) data, 92 percent of that year''s fatal accidents occurred in general aviation. The majority of general aviation accidents are attributed to pilot error. This book examines the characteristics and trends of aviation accidents from 1999 through 2011 and recent actions taken by the FAA to improve general aviation safety.

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) has a stated purpose of conserving species identified as endangered or threatened with extinction, and conserving ecosystems on which they depend. It is perennially controversial because the protections provided can make it the visible policy focal point for underlying situations involving the allocation of scarce or diminishing lands or resources, especially in instances where societal values may be changing. In response to past controversies, Congress has repeatedly considered minor amendments and major changes to the act. This book describes the major features and controversies of the ESA as background for consideration of possible amendments in the 113th Congress.

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, enacted in 1974, is a needs-based program that provides cash benefits designed to ensure a minimum income to aged, blind, or disabled persons with limited income and assets. The SSI program is a means-tested program that does not have work or contribution requirements, but restricts benefits to those who meet asset and resource limitations. In July 2012, the SSI program had over 8.2 million participants, who received just under $4.6 billion in benefits. In FY2011, the total net cost of the SSI program was $52.9 billion, including $49.0 billion in federal benefit payments. Funding for the SSI program is provided by Congress in the annual Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill. This book provides select analysis of current benefits of the program, with a focus on income/resource limits and accounts exempt from benefit determinations; and better management oversight needed for children''s benefits.

This book discusses the current tensions surrounding numerous maritime territorial disputes in East Asia which have become a pressing challenge for U.S. foreign policy makers. Beginning around 2005-2006, long-disputed waters in the South China Sea and, more recently, the East China Sea have become the site of increasingly aggressive behaviour from nations trying to strengthen claims to disputed areas or to explore and develop offshore energy and fishery resources. The tensions have been fed by a series of aggressive actions by maritime authorities, including harassing vessels, destroying equipment, and blockading islets and shoals. The increasing frequency of such events raises the possibility of miscalculations that could lead to overt conflict at sea. It also poses complex questions about security and U.S. diplomacy in the region, and represents one of the most complicated challenges for the Obama Administration''s strategy for "rebalancing" foreign policy towards the Asia-Pacific.

This book addresses select issues and management considerations relating to animal welfare. Topics discussed in this compilation include the background and legislation of the Animal Welfare Act; the International Whaling Convention (IWC) and legal issues concerning aboriginal rights; issues addressing the humane treatment of farm animals; table egg production and hen welfare; horse slaughter prevention bills and issues; and management of wild horses and burros.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a systemic inflammatory disease of unknown origin. In AS, spontaneous fusion of the sacroiliac joints and spine occurs due to chronic inflammation leading to initial back pain followed by generalised stiffness of the spine. In this book, the authors discuss the symptoms, treatment and potential complications of AS. Topics include osteoporosis and verterbral fractures in ankylosing spondylitis; efficacy of anti-IL-6 therapy for seronegative spondyloarthropathy; anterior uveitis in spondyloarthropathy; and management of spinal fractures in AS.

In this book, the authors present current research in the study of capacity development opportunities and challenges and capacity building in education, health and capital. Topics discussed include capacity building for school improvement; unique challenges in developing capacity in rural and remote Australia; women with disabilities in urban Cambodia and vocational training; capacity building and sex workers in South-east Asia; capacity building in old industrialised regions of Europe and in non-profit organisations using blended learning as a gateway to practitioner education; and capacity development research in public health and the environment in the Caribbean.

Swine-origin influenza A (H1N1), better known as swine flu, was declared by the World Health Organization as a global pandemic in June 2009. The highly contagious influenza A H1N1 virus can cause either a mild influenza-like infection that is similar to seasonal influenza, or less frequently, a rapidly progressing community-acquired pneumonic illness that can cause acute respiratory failure and even death. This book addresses the signs/symptoms, epidemiology, preventive methods and treatment options for swine flu.

This book examines the classification, modelling and environmental implications of catchments and drainage basins. Topics include the importance of viable but non-culturable bacteria in monitoring microbial water quality; regionalising hydrological soil properties in the Brazilian Cerrado region using a semantic import model approach; ephemeral gully and gully erosion in cultivated land; protection and management of Karst water sources catchments; global fallout from humid and semi-humid basins of the Ob Estuary Macroarena; and developing spatial support systems for monitoring of water quality of the River Isunwin catchment in Nigeria.

In this book, the authors present current research in the study of the formation, environmental monitoring and impact assessment of monsoons. Topics include the synergistic influence of El Nino/La Nina and Indian Ocean dipole on Indian summer monsoon rainfall; comparative characteristics of land surface thermal-hydrologic processes among monsoonal, non-monsoonal, and monsoon regions over Northern China during summer monsoon periods; Findlater jet intensity and characteristics in relation to Indian summer monsoons; and the characteristics of the change between dry and rainy seasons or summer and winter seasons using monitoring data during the Cambodian and Japanese monsoon zones.

Although many dermatological diseases are not life threatening, they pose a unique challenge to the human psyche. Cutaneous disease carries a distinctive psychosocial burden in that patients who suffer from these diseases are often unable to hide their condition from public scrutiny. Specifically, acne vulgaris is a ubiquitous disease with a known potential to cause significant psychological repercussions. Acne is the leading cause for visits to a dermatologist and affects more than 80 percent of adolescents. Acne can affect up to 50.9 percent of women and 42.5 percent of men throughout their 20s and can continue to occur throughout adulthood. Between 30 to 50 percent of adolescents experience psychological difficulties associated with acne, including body image concerns, embarrassment, social impairment, anxiety, frustration, anger, depression, and poor self-esteem. Additionally, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts related to the negative psychosocial impacts of acne have also been documented. Not only does acne result in emotional distress, the anxiety evoked by having acne can aggravate the skin condition itself, thereby creating a vicious cycle. Acne is the most common problem that presents to dermatologists. Although acne does not cause direct physical impairment, it can produce a significant psychosocial burden. Acne commonly involves the face. Facial appearance represents an important aspect of one''s perception of body image. Therefore, it is not surprising that a susceptible individual with facial acne may develop significant psychosocial disability. As part of the emotional impact, increased levels of anxiety, anger, depression, and frustration are observed in patients with acne. Acne''s consequences can prove very traumatic for adolescent patients. This suggests that the impact of acne can be more serious for the patients than most clinicians think it would be and it is more important to focus on the subjective perception in managing acne patients, irrespective of the objective severity. Our book highlights and tackles several aspects of acne and magnifies the importance of screening for psychosocial problems in those who present for management of acne. It is important for all health service workers to be cautious about psychological morbidity in young people, and especially dermatologists should be aware of the importance of basic psychosomatic treatment in conjunction with medical treatment in the management of acne.

In this book, the authors present current research in the study of the gender differences, socio-cultural influences and health implications of body image. Topics include muscle dysmorphia as an expression of cultural and social standard influence; a cross-national examination of body image and health behaviours in Jordan and the United States; body image and sexuality in breast cancer survivors; body dissatisfaction among African American, Asian American, and Latina women; mens'' body image; eating and body-related disorders among men; mass media''s effect on body image and eating disturbances; transferring personal body knowledge in adolescents; body image investment and self-regulation of weight control behaviours; explicit and implicit anti-fat attitudes; feminism and body image; dietary habits, exercise and body image; gender difference modulation in a body-selective region in the brain; body image improvement after cosmetic surgery by evaluating postural changes; body image and quality of life of women with polycystic ovary syndrome; and evaluation of ideal and acceptable body shapes in older adults.

Milk is a natural, colloidal system in which fat is found in the interior of small, spherical droplets, formerly known as fat globules. The chemical composition of milk lipids in mammals varies and is affected by various factors such as feeding, breed and others. This book studies the composition, nutritional value and health implications of milk fat. Topics include milk composition disturbance and animal organism dysfunction caused by aflatoxins; size characterisation of fat globules in dairy products by field flow fractionation; dairy system impacts on milk fat composition related to human health; and milk fat globules'' microstructure.

Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite of the phylum Apicomplexa, Coccidia order, being an obligate intracellular protozoan that affects humans and diverse vertebrate hosts. In this book, the authors discuss its prevalence in humans and animals, genetic structure and role in disease distribution. Topics include the congenital transmission of toxoplasma gondii in ovine; the role of chickens in the transmission of toxoplasmosis to humans; updates on the serological and molecular diagnosis of toxoplasmosis; epidemiology and control of toxoplasmosis in dogs, cats, bovine, and in public health.

This book explores the historical developments in social theory and critical theorising about history by Michel Foucault. The book begins by explicating the major conceptual developments in American and European Social Theory. The book moves to analyse the differential theoretical approaches that arose as a direct response to historical problems of the historical world, namely social, political and economic problems. The latter part of the book explores the relevance of Foucault and some of the lessons and implications for historical social theory.

Gluten is a complex structural protein, constituted by a particular composition of amino acids present in wheat. In this book, the authors address the sources, composition and health effects of gluten. Topics include immunoassays for measuring coeliac harmful protein and peptides in gluten-free foods; gluten-related disorders; gluten formation and health effects; meat analogue produced with soy protein isolate and vital gluten by thermoplastic extrusion; the potential of gliadin for biomaterial applications; gluten ataxia in Europe and the United States; new therapeutic options for celiac disease; and a review of gluten-free food products for celiac consumers.

Since the early 1980s, there has been a historically unprecedented increase in the federal prison population. Some of the growth is attributable to changes in federal criminal justice policy during the previous three decades. An issue before Congress is whether policy makers consider the rate of growth in the federal prison population sustainable, and if not, what changes could be made to federal criminal justice policy to reduce the prison population while maintaining public safety. This book explores the issues related to the growing federal prison population, with a focus on the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) operations and budget; federal mandatory minimum sentences; maximum fines and terms of imprisonment for violation of the Federal Controlled Substances Act and related laws; and a statistics report of prisoners in 2011 from the Bureau of Justice Statistics.