A practical guide to network meta-analysis with examples and code In the evaluation of healthcare, rigorous methods of quantitative assessment are necessary to establish which interventions are effective and cost-effective. Often a single study will not provide the answers and it is desirable to synthesise evidence from multiple sources, usually randomised controlled trials. This book takes an approach to evidence synthesis that is specifically intended for decision making when there are two or more treatment alternatives being evaluated, and assumes that the purpose of every synthesis is to answer the question for this pre-identified population of patients, which treatment is best ? A comprehensive, coherent framework for network meta-analysis (mixed treatment comparisons) is adopted and estimated using Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods implemented in the freely available software WinBUGS. Each chapter contains worked examples, exercises, solutions and code that may be adapted by readers to apply to their own analyses. This book can be used as an introduction to evidence synthesis and network meta-analysis, its key properties and policy implications. Examples and advanced methods are also presented for the more experienced reader. Methods used throughout this book can be applied consistently: model critique and checking for evidence consistency are emphasised. Methods are based on technical support documents produced for NICE Decision Support Unit, which support the NICE Methods of Technology Appraisal. Code presented is also the basis for the code used by the ISPOR Task Force on Indirect Comparisons. Includes extensive carefully worked examples, with thorough explanations of how to set out data for use in WinBUGS and how to interpret the output. N etwork Meta-Analysis for Decision Making will be of interest to decision makers, medical statisticians, health economists, and anyone involved in Health Technology Assessment including the pharmaceutical industry.

The first chapter in this fourth volume of "Climate, Energy, and Environment: Issues, Analyses, and Developments" presents current topical research in the study of green building services, which include construction, architecture, engineering, and related activities aimed at creating sustainable structures using environmentally responsible processes and materials. Chapter Two discusses industry trends, global competition, and federal support of U.S. solar photovoltaic manufacturing. Chapter Three identifies the mechanisms behind the surprising decline in U.S. petroleum consumption relative to both recent levels and past projections. Chapter Four discusses the scientific understanding of the effects of ocean acidification; the extent to which federal agencies have implemented the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009 (FOARAM); and additional actions, if any, that could be taken to advance the federal response to ocean acidification. Chapter Five provides a summary of recommendation for carbon dioxide storage in unconventional reservoirs workshop. Chapter Six concludes this volume with a description of the issues facing corrections policy and leadership as the impacts of climate change and its related consequences confront departments, agencies, and facilities in coming years.

Since environmental issues entered the global agenda, governments have directing businesses towards sustainability. The term "sustainability" is commonly associated with a firm's environmental attentiveness, although there are two other areas in which companies should be sustainable: social, to achieve an adequate relationship and fluid communication with their stakeholders, and economic, to accomplish transparent management and correct distribution of the wealth that is generated. The growing demand for corporate transparency encourages the publication of sustainability or corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports, providing information of a non-financial nature concerning the social and environmental dimensions of business activity, namely relations with local communities, the protection of human rights, corporate governance, and adaptation to climate change. Being no exception, and following the European agenda for sustainability development, several governments have implemented tax measures that promote sustainable consumption and production patterns to reduce energy dependence on external sources and efficiently achieve international targets, among others, within a context of neutrality of the tax system. This is where environmental tax incentives come in, underlying a paradigm shift. The relationship between tax policy and environmental policy is seen by governments as an opportunity to adjust the tax system to a more energy-efficient economy in the use of resources. For instance, green tax incentives motivate investors to invest in green properties, encouraging them to opt for greener solutions. That is, tax incentives should be viewed as a tool to empower taxpayers to change actions that may reduce carbon emissions and contribute to sustainability. Taking on Climate Change Through Green Taxation provides applied research on increasing green tax literacy to build the capacity of companies to adopt sustainable practices in favor of environmental protection, to raise companies' awareness of sustainable reporting, and to increase international discussion on the issue of environmental taxation and its impact on more sustainable business decisions. Led by business experts with over 20 years of experience, this book will cover topics such as corporate social responsibility, environmental tax management, and sustainable tax policy. This resource is ideal for policymakers, corporate governance and social responsibility professionals, and researchers interested in taxation, accounting, auditing, finance, corporate governance, and corporate social responsibility.

This book gathers peer-reviewed contributions presented at the 3rd RILEM Spring Convention and Conference, held at Guimaraes and hosted by the University of Minho, Portugal, on March 9-14, 2020. The theme of the Conference was "Ambitioning a Sustainable Future for Built Environment: comprehensive strategies for unprecedented challenges", which was aimed at discussing current challenges and impacts of the built environment on sustainability. The present volume is dedicated to the topic "New materials and structures for ultra-durability", which covers current scientific and technological developments aimed at improving knowledge about degradation mechanisms in construction materials, as well as to the development of new materials with extreme durability. Novel special materials for extreme environments or extreme loading conditions are also included, as well as novel approaches to improve the performance and durability of currently common construction materials. The following subtopics are included: general purpose, constructions, infrastructures and facilities; extreme environments and extreme events; transport and deterioration mechanisms, characterization and mitigation; Supplementary Cementitious Materials, admixtures, additions and other emerging material optimization strategies; smart materials for durable structures.

This book gathers peer-reviewed contributions presented at the 3rd RILEM Spring Convention and Conference, held at Guimaraes and hosted by the University of Minho, Portugal, on March 9-14, 2020. The theme of the Conference was "Ambitioning a Sustainable Future for Built Environment: comprehensive strategies for unprecedented challenges", which was aimed at discussing current challenges and impacts of the built environment on sustainability. The present volume is dedicated to the topic "New materials and structures for ultra-durability", which covers current scientific and technological developments aimed at improving knowledge about degradation mechanisms in construction materials, as well as to the development of new materials with extreme durability. Novel special materials for extreme environments or extreme loading conditions are also included, as well as novel approaches to improve the performance and durability of currently common construction materials. The following subtopics are included: general purpose, constructions, infrastructures and facilities; extreme environments and extreme events; transport and deterioration mechanisms, characterization and mitigation; Supplementary Cementitious Materials, admixtures, additions and other emerging material optimization strategies; smart materials for durable structures.

This third volume of "Climate, Energy, and Environment: Issues, Analyses, and Developments" presents current topical research in the study of climate change and existing law; U.N. convention on the law of the sea; a climate action plan to reduce methane emissions; clean coal loan guarantees and tax incentives; the oil spill liability trust fund; and environmental considerations in federal procurement.

Documentary about how Filipino Arnel Pineda became the new lead singer of rock band Journey. Growing up in the Philippines in the 1970s, Pineda always dreamed of being on the stage with his own band. In 2007 Pineda received an email from guitarist Neal Schon who had seen his band The Zoo perform a Journey song on YouTube and wanted him to travel to San Francisco to audition for the band. Six months later Pineda was announced as the new lead singer of Journey.

This second volume of "Climate, Energy, and Environment: Issues, Analyses, and Developments" presents current topical research in the study of climate change science; ocean acidification; EPA regulation of greenhouse gases from mobile sources; the regional greenhouse gas initiative; economic benefits of increasing electric grid resilience to weather outages; and the European Union wind and solar electricity policies.

These are ancient times. Kings and wise men are searching the sky because the stars are predicting a very special night. Meet Jemmy, a mischievous little mouse that finds a tiny spider, bright as a star. Well, this tiny spider has a mission to accomplish, and our little boy is more than ready to assist her and help her fulfill her purpose. The journey starts in a temple, with an evil rat minister and hundreds of roman rat soldiers set to stop them at all cost. Then our adventure continues in Egypt, with a beautiful green lizard pharaoh and a baby falcon god. At the end, Jemmy and his friends will witness an event of utmost importance-the birth of a very special star With enticing artwork by the author, this book will have children immersing and enjoying stories of the old scriptures once again, like the kings and wise men of ancient times.

I wrote this book to enlighten people of the historic role the Arab Muslim world has played and continues to play in slavery. Much of the population believes that the white man started slavery in Africa a few centuries ago. I reject this assertion because the historical facts do not support it. Slavery in Africa begin long before the birth of Jesus Christ and persisted long after his death, Arab Muslim Slave trade persisted for centuries before "White Man " appeared on the horizon. The conversion to Islam of many Africans and all that it engendered such as Jihad, were the source of innumerable wars and conflict. Genocide of Black people by the Arab Muslim goes largely ignored, no one wants to talk about it, even thought it is still occurring. The used the Quran as a pretext to stage raids on their infidel, Nation leader of Islam Mr. Louis Farrakhan place everything on shoulders of the west

With continuing emphasis on building partner capacity to deal with internal and external security threats, the United States (US) Department of State and Department of Defense continue to increase partner nation security force capacity within Security Sector Reform (SSR). This monograph assesses whether US SSR programs, in concert with other contributor nations, fulfill US foreign policy better when implemented by US government agencies rather than by contractors. The intervening variables of transparency, effective oversight, and contractor misconduct were identified to help illustrate examples where policy outcomes are predictable based on the given method of SSR support. Several case studies test the theory and link the independent and dependent variables. Within six selected case studies, the analysis shows how the intervening variables of transparency, effective oversight, and contractor misconduct effect the outcome of the SSR effort. These case studies provide a qualitative comparison to test the theory by reviewing SSR performed by predominantly contracted, mixed, and predominantly military sources. The case studies include six countries with various types of support as well as policy intents. An examination of support to Ukraine in 2009, Georgia in 2008, and Senegal in 2009 provide examples of SSR programs utilizing a mix of contracted and US government support. A second examination of support to Croatia in 1995, Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2009 and South Sudan in 2009 provide examples of predominantly contracted support to the SSR programs. Examining the case studies with the three variables identified within the literature review resulted in an unclear connection between a specific policy and the overall outcome. US policy aims for SSR programs may result in unintended consequences, regardless of the type of support and overall unity of effort of the SSR program.

This first volume of "Climate, Energy, and Environment: Issues, Analyses, and Developments" presents current topical research in the study of the challenges that affect whether actions to preserve forests could make a cost-effective contribution to reducing global emissions of greenhouse gases; the potential of ocean fertilisation for climate change mitigation; the energy and economic impacts of U.S. federal energy and water conservation standards adopted from 1987 through 2011; and Klamath Basin settlement agreements.