This book provides a study of the attempts by the US and EU to develop meaningful political relations with Islamist movements in the Middle East and Balkans. The contributors draw on extensive research on Islamist parties and movements and Western policy towards them over the past decade.

Cassava, also known as tapioca or manioc, is one of the major root crops in more than 100 countries of the humid tropics and sub-tropics. This book presents topical research in the study of the farming, uses and economic impact of cassava. Topics discussed include potential uses of cassava wastewater in biotechnological processes; cassava starch and flour in the production of bio-ethanol, bio-plastics, acetone-butanol, dextrin, sugar syrups and organic acids and cassava starch as a biodegradable polymer material.

Make each season delightful

Lisa Pace is at it again, this time with projects and techniques that will have you celebrating the seasons in style

Let Lisa and her pretty vintage style inspire you with techniques that will expand your perceptions of what papercrafting can be. You'll create beautiful projects and embellishments using a wide variety of both everyday and unexpected materials, while paying homage to your fondest memories of Christmas, summer vacation, Halloween and more.

In "Delight in the Seasons" you'll find: 40 step-by-step techniques, to be used as demonstrated or adapted to meet your style and needs.20 gallery pieces that combine multiple techniques into entirely new and charming projects.A delightful variety of sample projects including home, seasonal and party decor, greeting cards, ornaments, scrapbook layouts and more.Endless inspiration as Lisa shares the memories and moments that inspired each project. So gather your supplies, add a dash of inspiration (and maybe some glitter) and delight in the seasons with Lisa Pace

Class actions, which are civil cases in which parties initiate a lawsuit on behalf of other plaintiffs not specifically named in the complaint, often make headlines and arouse policy debates. However, policymakers and the public know little about most class actions. This book presents the results of surveys of insurers and of state departments of insurance to learn more about class litigation against insurance companies.

Class action lawsuits--allowing one or a few plaintiffs to represent many who seek redress--have long been controversial. The current controversy, centered on lawsuits for money damages, is characterized by sharp disagreement among stakeholders about the kinds of suits being filed, whether plaintiffs' claims are meritorious, and whether resolutions to class actions are fair or socially desirable. Ultimately, these concerns lead many to wonder, Are class actions worth their costs to society and to business? Do they do more harm than good? To describe the landscape of current damage class action litigation, elucidate problems, and identify solutions, the RAND Institute for Civil Justice conducted a study using qualitative and quantitative research methods. The researchers concluded that the controversy over damage class actions has proven intractable because it implicates deeply held but sharply contested ideological views among stakeholders. Nevertheless, many of the political antagonists agree that class action practices merit improvement. The authors argue that both practices and outcomes could be substantially improved if more judges would supervise class action litigation more actively and scrutinize proposed settlements and fee awards more carefully. Educating and empowering judges to take more responsibility for case outcomes--and ensuring that they have the resources to do so--can help the civil justice system achieve a better balance between the public goals of class actions and the private interests that drive them.