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The Nazi Occult (Dark Osprey Ser.)
by Kenneth Hite Darren TanIn the dark dungeons beneath Nazi Germany, teams of occult experts delved into ancient and forbidden lore, searching for lost secrets of power. This book tells the complete history of the Nazi occult programs, from their quests for the Ark of the Covenant, the Spear of Destiny, and the Holy Grail, through their experiments with lycanthrope and zero-point energy. It also includes information on the shadow war fought in the dying days of the Reich as the Nazis deployed strange flying saucers that battled to save their final stronghold in the Antarctic. For years, the Allied governments worked to keep this information from reaching the public, and sought to discredit those few who dared to seek the truth. Now, using a combination of photography and artwork reconstructions, the true story of the most secret battles of World War II can finally be told.
The Economics of Medical Technology (Advances in Health Economics & Health Services Research #23)
by Kristian Bolin Robert Kaestner Michael Grossman Björn LindgrenMedical technology broadly defined to include all aspects of the process of treating disease (e.g., pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and surgical procedures) is profoundly important for individual health and, consequently, also for general welfare. Advances in medical technology convey the prospect of both improved population health and increased general welfare. However, because of the extensive regulation of the markets for healthcare goods and services, the development and application of medical technologies differs fundamentally from non-medical technological advances. In this volume of the "Advances in Health Economics and Health Services Research" series we present several papers that provide theoretical and empirical evidence about the market for medical technology.
Processes of Believing: The Acquisition, Maintenance, and Change in Creditions (New Approaches to the Scientific Study of Religion #1)
by Hans-Ferdinand Angel Lluis Oviedo Raymond F. Paloutzian Anne L.C. Runehov Rüdiger J. SeitzThis volume answers the question: Why do we believe what we believe? It examines current research on the concept of beliefs, and the development in our understanding of the process of believing. It takes into account empirical findings in the field of neuroscience regarding the processes that underlie beliefs, and discusses the notion that beyond the interactive exploratory analysis of sensory information from the complex outside world, humans engage in an evaluative analysis by which they attribute personal meaning and relevance to the probabilistic representations of objects and events. Beliefs exert a strong influence on behaviour, decision-making, and identifying and solving problems. Despite their importance, beliefs have until recently not been at the centre of scientific interest. In fact, “belief” is an ill-defined phenomenon. From a transdisciplinary perspective the actual approaches to understanding belief seem incompatible as they attempt to highlight such different topics as “belief – religion”, “belief – spirituality”, “belief – faith”, “belief – knowledge”, “belief – attitude”, “belief – disbelief”, “belief – illusion”, and “believing – brain function”. This situation contradicts the idea that belief is close to pathological phenomena and that it should be eliminated from scientific discussions. Rather, believing is fundamental for understanding the many problems of every-day life. In fact, the book shows that beliefs are relevant for politics, international affairs, economy, law, or religions also in modern societies. This book presents the increasing scientific interest in beliefs and believing, and reflects the change in focus from the content aspect of belief towards the fluid nature of believing.
Pharmaceutical Markets and Insurance Worldwide (Advances in Health Economics & Health Services Research #22)
by Michael Grossman Björn Lindgren Avi DorThe fields of pharmaceutical economics and health economics/policy are reaching a point of convergence. This is due to both the widespread availability of pharmaceutical treatments, accompanied by broader insurance coverage, and the regulation of prescription drugs in both private and government plans. This book will bridge the gap. We will explore developments in both U.S. and International setting. The system of the U.S. is characterized by a mix of private and government insurance for prescription drugs with the expansion of Medicare Part D. Most other developed countries are characterized by social insurance with either the government as a single payer such as in Canada or Australia, or a national health service as in many other European countries.
The Role of Heat Shock Proteins in Reproductive System Development and Function (Advances in Anatomy, Embryology and Cell Biology #222)
by Daniel J. MacPheeDue to the paucity of reviews on this subject, this volume aims to be timely and promote additional basic and translational research on these proteins in reproductive system development and function within the fields of Anatomy, Embryology and Cell Biology. The breadth of the work being conducted within Reproduction is exemplified by the contributors to this series who will provide reviews on: Grp78 roles in female reproduction, small heat shock proteins/co-chaperones as players in uterine smooth muscle function, the role of heat shock proteins in sperm function and maternal contribution to oogenesis and early embryogenesis, heat shock factors and testes development, HSP90 in ovarian biology and pathology, and the role of HSP70 in regulation of autophagy in pregnancy and parturition.
Physics of the Human Mind (Understanding Complex Systems)
by Ihor LubashevskyThis book tackles the challenging question which mathematical formalisms and possibly new physical notions should be developed for quantitatively describing human cognition and behavior, in addition to the ones already developed in the physical and cognitive sciences.Indeed, physics is widely used in modeling social systems, where, in particular, new branches of science such as sociophysics and econophysics have arisen. However, many if not most characteristic features of humans like willingness, emotions, memory, future prediction, and moral norms, to name but a few, are not yet properly reflected in the paradigms of physical thought and theory. The choice of a relevant formalism for modeling mental phenomena requires the comprehension of the general philosophical questions related to the mind-body problem. Plausible answers to these questions are investigated and reviewed, notions and concepts to be used or to be taken into account are developed and some challenging questions are posed as open problems. This text addresses theoretical physicists and neuroscientists modeling any systems and processes where human factors play a crucial role, philosophers interested in applying philosophical concepts to the construction of mathematical models, and the mathematically oriented psychologists and sociologists, whose research is fundamentally related to modeling mental processes.
Questions on the Soul by John Buridan and Others: A Companion to John Buridan's Philosophy of Mind (Historical-Analytical Studies on Nature, Mind and Action #3)
by Gyula KlimaThis volume features essays that explore the insights of the 14th-century Parisian nominalist philosopher, John Buridan. It serves as a companion to the Latin text edition and annotated English translation of his question-commentary on Aristotle’s On the Soul. The contributors survey Buridan’s work both in its own historical-theoretical context and in relation to contemporary issues.The essays come in three main sections, which correspond to the three books of Buridan’s Questions. Coverage first deals with the classification of the science of the soul within the system of Aristotelian sciences, and surveys the main issues within it.The next section examines the metaphysics of the soul. It considers Buridan’s peculiar version of Aristotelian hylomorphism in dealing with the problem of what kind of entity the soul (in particular, the human soul) is, and what powers and actions it has, on the basis of which we can approach the question of its essence.The volume concludes with a look at Buridan’s doctrine of the nature and functions of the human intellect. Coverage in this section includes the problem of self-knowledge in Buridan’s theory, Buridan’s answer to the traditional medieval problem concerning the primary object of the intellect, and his unique treatment of logical problems in psychological contexts.
Extended Cognition and the Dynamics of Algorithmic Skills (Studies in Applied Philosophy, Epistemology and Rational Ethics #35)
by Simone PinnaThis book describes a novel methodology for studying algorithmic skills, intended as cognitive activities related to rule-based symbolic transformation, and argues that some human computational abilities may be interpreted and analyzed as genuine examples of extended cognition. It shows that the performance of these abilities relies not only on innate neurocognitive systems or language-related skills, but also on external tools and general agent–environment interactions. Further, it asserts that a low-level analysis, based on a set of core neurocognitive systems linking numbers and language, is not sufficient to explain some specific forms of high-level numerical skills, like those involved in algorithm execution. To this end, it reports on the design of a cognitive architecture for modeling all the relevant features involved in the execution of algorithmic strategies, including external tools, such as paper and pencils. The first part of the book discusses the philosophical premises for endorsing and justifying a position in philosophy of mind that links a modified form of computationalism with some recent theoretical and scientific developments, like those introduced by the so-called dynamical approach to cognition. The second part is dedicated to the description of a Turing-machine-inspired cognitive architecture, expressly designed to formalize all kinds of algorithmic strategies.
Clinical Reproductive Medicine and Surgery: A Practical Guide
by Tommaso Falcone William W. HurdNow in a completely revised and expanded third edition, including six new chapters, this user-friendly textbook offers a succinct overview of both the medical and surgical management of reproductive disorders, as well as coverage of associated imaging modalities. Included here are updated chapters on major reproductive endocrinology and infertility issues, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), pubertal disorders, amenorrhea, menopause, management of endometriosis and fibroids (including interventional radiology), laboratory and clinical aspects of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), imaging modalities such as ultrasonography and sonohysterography, and hysteroscopic and laparoscopic techniques. New chapters include an expansion of female infertility and fertility, preimplantation diagnosis and screening, osteoporosis, and contraception and sterilization. In addition, each chapter opens with a clinical case presentation and a list of keywords relevant to the topic at hand. Residents, fellows, and new clinicians of obstetrics and gynecology interested in reproductive endocrinology and infertility will find Clinical Reproductive Medicine and Surgery: A Practical Guide a valuable and focused reference.
Fertility Preservation and Restoration for Patients with Complex Medical Conditions
by Allison L. Goetsch Dana Kimelman Teresa K. WoodruffThis unique book is a comprehensive guide for healthcare providers who treat patients with complex medical conditions but lack the resources to address fertility and sexuality concerns and help patients navigate their fertility decision-making process. It presents up-to-date information concerning fertility preservation and restoration for patients with hereditary cancer syndromes, disorders of sex development, hematologic diseases, genetic disorders of gonadal dysfunction, immunologic diseases, gynecologic diseases, endocrine disorders, and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Utilizing a practical, user-friendly format, each chapter discusses the epidemiology, classification, risk factors and/or clinical manifestations, and diagnosis and treatment modalities specific to each condition, as well as the effect of it or its treatment on fertility and unique options that may exist. Complex medical conditions are inherently difficult to manage, and reproductive interventions are often not part of the conversation. As such, Fertility Preservation and Restoration for Patients with Complex Medical Conditions will be an excellent resource for primary care physicians, obstetrician/gynecologists, endocrinologists, oncologists, and other health professionals working with patients with fertility concerns. This book, together with Oncofertility: Fertility Preservation for Cancer Survivors; Oncofertility: Ethical, Legal, Social, and Medical Perspectives; Oncofertility Medical Practice: Clinical Issues and Implementation; Oncofertility Communication: Sharing Information and Building Relationships across Disciplines; and Pediatric and Adolescent Oncofertility: Best Practices and Emerging Technologies, provides scientific and medically relevant information on fertility preservation from all vantage points and is an indispensable series for those interested in fertility management in cancer or complex settings.
The Textbook of Clinical Sexual Medicine
by Waguih William IsHak“The Textbook of Clinical Sexual Medicine utilizes the biopsychosocial approach to inform physicians, practitioners, residents, trainees, and students about the latest science has to offer today for the evaluation and treatment of sexual dysfunctions especially the utilization of the full armamentarium of assessment methods and treatment interventions in order to restore of sexual health and enhance quality of life.” Louis Ignarro, Ph.D., Nobel LaureateThis textbook is a comprehensive resource covering sexual disorders in depth, from etiology, pathophysiology, phenomenology, treatment, to prognosis. The book highlights aspects the biological and psychosocial factors predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating sexual dysfunction, and the importance of integrating biological and psychosocial treatments. Specialized chapters cover specific common medical complaints, including erectile, ejaculatory, and orgasmic disorders in the male; desire, arousal and orgasmic disorders in the female; and an integrated approach to the couple. With its focus on educational tools including over 100 figures, easy-to-use DSM-5 criteria table, and quick-guide appendices, this textbook is specially designed to educate readers on the psychiatric evaluation, treatment, and management of a wide range of sexual disorders. The Textbook of Clinical Sexual Medicine is a vital resource for medical students, residents, fellows, graduate students, psychiatrists, psychologists, women’s health specialists, urologists, endocrinologists, general practitioners, social workers, and all medical professionals and trainees working with patients suffering from sexual disorders.
Reproductive Ethics: New Challenges and Conversations
by Lisa Campo-Engelstein Paul BurcherThis book summarizes the contributions at an April 2016 conference held at Albany Medical College, Reproductive Ethics: New Challenges and Conversations. Reproductive ethics does not suffer from a lack of challenging issues, yet a few "hot button" issues such as abortion and surrogacy seem to attract most of the attention, while other issues and dilemmas remain relatively underdeveloped in bioethics literature. The goal of this book is to explore and expand the range of topics addressed in reproductive ethics. This is a multi-disciplinary book bringing together philosophers, clinicians, sociologists, anthropologists, and other scholars whose research or clinical interests touch reproductive issues. The results of this compilation are a comprehensive and unique discussion of the evolving issues in the rapidly changing field. The majority of the popular reproductive ethics anthologies were published at least 10 years ago. The field of reproductive ethics would benefit from a new anthology that addresses some of the perennial dilemmas in reproductive ethics (e.g. abortion, sex selection) from updated perspectives and that also covers new technologies that have emerged only in the last few years, such as social egg freezing.
Consciousness from a Broad Perspective: A Philosophical and Interdisciplinary Introduction (Studies in Neuroscience, Consciousness and Spirituality #6)
by Anders HedmanThis volume offers an introduction to consciousness research within philosophy, psychology and neuroscience, from a philosophical perspective and with an emphasis on the history of ideas and core concepts. The book begins by examining consciousness as a modern mystery. Thereafter, the book introduces philosophy of mind and the mind-body problem, and proceeds to explore psychological, philosophical and neuroscientific approaches to mind and consciousness. The book then presents a discussion of mysterianist views of consciousness in response to what can be perceived as insurmountable scientific challenges to the problem of consciousness. As a response to mysterianist views, the next chapters examine radical approaches to rethinking the problem of consciousness, including externalist approaches. The final two chapters present the author’s personal view of the problem of consciousness. Consciousness remains a mystery for contemporary science—a mystery raising many questions. Why does consciousness persist as a mystery? Are we humans not intelligent enough to solve the riddle of consciousness? If we can solve this mystery, what would it take? What research would we need to conduct? Moreover, the mystery of consciousness prompts the larger question of how well the cognitive sciences have actually advanced our understanding of ourselves as human beings. After all, consciousness is not just a minor part of our existence. Without consciousness, we would not be human beings at all. This book aims to increase the accessibility of major ideas in the field of consciousness research and to inspire readers to contribute to the ongoing discussion of the place of consciousness in nature.
Male Hypogonadism: Basic, Clinical and Therapeutic Principles (Contemporary Endocrinology)
by Stephen J. Winters Ilpo T. HuhtaniemiNow in a revised second edition, this comprehensive text covers all aspects of male hypogonadism from the basic science to clinical management, comprehensively explaining and applying new insights to the treatment of hypogonadal men. Chapters covering neuroendocrine control of testicular function, Leydig cell function, spermatogenesis, and normal and delayed puberty open the book. The focus then turns to the pathophysiology and treatment of hypogonadism and other forms of testicular dysfunction, such as Klinefelter syndrome, cryptorchidism, and disorders of the pituitary, as well as reproductive and endocrine consequences of cancer treatment, environmental factors, obesity and aging. Next are chapters that describe the available options for androgen replacement therapy, and the outcomes when men with hypogonadism of various causes are treated with testosterone, as well as a chapter devoted to current approaches to stimulating spermatogenesis in gonadotropin-deficient men. Highly practical and updated with the latest available data, this second edition of Male Hypogonadism: Basic, Clinical and Therapeutic Principles cogently presents a large body of scientific information on male reproductive endocrinology to provide a thorough understanding of the pathophysiology, clinical characteristics, and treatments for disorders that adversely affect testicular function.
Development of In Vitro Maturation for Human Oocytes: Natural and Mild Approaches to Clinical Infertility Treatment
by Ri-Cheng Chian Geeta Nargund Jack Y. HuangAn ideal reference for infertility specialists and reproductive endocrinologists alike, this comprehensive text discusses current natural and mild approaches to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and the development of in vitro maturation (IVM) as a clinical treatment. It is divided thematically into four sections. Part I presents the basic science of ovarian endocrinology and the mechanism of oocyte maturation, including follicular development and the importance of mitochondrial changes. The differences between natural cycle IVF and stimulated IVF are presented in part II, including the standard ovarian stimulation protocols and their outcomes and the etiology, prevention and management of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Minimal and mild stimulation for IVF is discussed in part III, including mild stimulation protocols for oncofertility patients and the new minimally invasive INVO procedure. In vitro maturation as a clinical treatment is the subject of part IV, discussing the methodology of immature oocyte retrieval as well as other laboratory aspects and congenital and obstetrical outcomes of babies born from IVM. Combining expertise from thought leaders around the world, Development of In Vitro Maturation for Human Oocytes will be a go-to resource for infertility researchers and practitioners and reproductive endocrinologists working with infertile couples looking for safer and more cost-effective options for treatment.
Under Wraps: A History of Menstrual Hygiene Technology (PDF)
by Sharra L. VostralThis book examines the social and technological history of sanitary napkins and tampons through the lens of passing, and the effects of technology upon women's experiences of menstruation. These ubiquitous yet invisible technologies provide women with the means to hide their periods, but the history of embedded politics in menstrual technologies reveals that they can be used both as artifacts of control and empowering tools of change.
David Bohm: Causality and Chance, Letters to Three Women
by Chris TalbotThe letters transcribed in this book were written by physicist David Bohm to three close female acquaintances in the period 1950 to 1956. They provide a background to his causal interpretation of quantum mechanics and the Marxist philosophy that inspired his scientific work in quantum theory, probability and statistical mechanics. In his letters, Bohm reveals the ideas that led to his ground breaking book Causality and Chance in Modern Physics. The political arguments as well as the acute personal problems contained in these letters help to give a rounded, human picture of this leading scientist and twentieth century thinker.
Unconsciousness Between Phenomenology and Psychoanalysis (Contributions To Phenomenology #88)
by Dorothée Legrand Dylan TriggThis book contains a series of essays that explore the concept of unconsciousness as it is situated between phenomenology and psychoanalysis. A leading goal of the collection is to carve out phenomenological dimensions within psychoanalysis and, equally, to carve out psychoanalytical dimensions within phenomenology. The book examines the nature of unconsciousness and the role it plays in structuring our sense of self. It also looks at the extent to which the unconscious marks the body as it functions outside of experience as well as manifests itself in experience. In addition, the book explores the relationship between unconsciousness and language, particularly if unconsciousness exists prior to language or if the concept can only be understood through speech. The collection includes contributions from leading scholars, each of whom grounds their investigations in a nuanced mastery of the traditional voices of their fields. These contributors provide diverse viewpoints that challenge both the phenomenological and psychoanalytical traditions in their relation to unconsciousness.
The Diagnosis and Treatment of Male Infertility: A Case-Based Guide for Clinicians
by Nabil Aziz Ashok AgarwalThis case-based guide is written from the clinician's perspective, dealing with a defined male infertility problem, tracing the actual clinical pathway arriving at the diagnosis, and discussing the treatment options and the likely outcome. Rather than focusing on excessive theoretical details, each chapter presents a unique clinical vignette or scenario, the relevant aspects of which are followed throughout the entire chapter, correlating specific fertility issues with clinical findings, describing treatment options, prognoses and procedures (when indicated), and concluding with practical clinical pearls. Opening with chapters describing current diagnoses of male infertility and semen analysis, the subsequent cases presented cover a variety of relevant topics in male infertility, including anabolic steroid use, ejaculatory and erectile dysfunction, azoospermia, Klinefelter Syndrome, varicocele, cystic fibrosis and spinal cord injury. Additional chapters discuss choosing the right assisted conception technique and developing and managing a sperm bank. Practical and illustrative of a wide array of male fertility issues, The Diagnosis and Treatment of Male Infertility is a go-to resource for clinical andrologists, reproductive endocrinologists, urologists, primary care physicians and any professional working to treat the infertile male.
Sexually Transmitted Infections in HIV-Infected Adults and Special Populations: A Clinical Guide
by Laura Hinkle BachmannThough recent breakthroughs in research advance care with each day, the population of HIV-infected individuals continues to grow globally, leaving them particularly susceptible to additional STDs that are complicated by their immunocompromised state. This text is the only book to provide a comprehensive and state-of-the-art review of issues relevant to STI care in the HIV-infected adult, adolescent, and transgendered populations. Written by experts in the field, HIV in HIV-Infected Adults and Adolescents approaches these unique needs through its review of sexual history, synergies between STIs and HIV, epidemiology, issues specific for HIV-infected individuals, clinical presentation, diagnosis and management considerations for ten common STIs, and prevention strategies. Each topic includes a case-based presentation and the most current CDC-recommended STI treatment regimens.Sexually Transmitted Infections in HIV-Infected Adults and Special Populations is the ultimate resource for any physician treating adults and special populations with HIV, including HIV clinicians, sexual health specialists, general internists, family medicine practitioners, infectious diseases specialists, advanced practice clinicians, and physicians.
Hysteroscopy
by Andrea Tinelli Luis Alonso Pacheco Sergio HaimovichThis book offers a cutting-edge guide to hysteroscopy and provides readers with the latest and most essential information on procedure techniques, clinical advances and international developments in practice and treatment of endometrial pathology. Providing comprehensive coverage, it explains in detail every aspect of hysteroscopy, from diagnostics to hysteroscopic surgery. As such, it addresses the bases of hysteroscopy; pre-, intra- and post-hysteroscopy medications; intracavitary pathologies; fertility issues; and surgical implications and complications. At the same time, it also explores challenging and controversial topics, such as hysteroscopy and ART, submucous myomas, and uterine malformations. All topics are discussed by prominent experts in the field, and clearly organized and illustrated to help readers gain the most from each chapter. Accordingly, the book offers a valuable resource for all gynecologists working at hysteroscopy units, reproductive units, gynecological and oncological units, as well as a quick reference guide for all other physicians interested in the topic.
Obstetrics Essentials: A Question-Based Review
by Kate C. Arnold Caroline J. FlintThis book is a compact question-based review of the most critical topics an obstetrician will come across in practice. Each chapter includes 10-30 multiple-choice questions designed to test the readers understanding surrounding one obstetric topic. Based on all 45 obstetric based practice bulletins by ACOG, this text is designed to keep practitioners up-to-date with the latest evidence based medicine. Sample topics include: anemia in pregnancy, screening for fetal chromosomal abnormalities, and vaginal birth after previous cesarean delivery. This is an ideal tool for attendings and clerkship directors who frequently test residents and medical students during rounds and in the classroom. This review also proves useful for practicing physicians and physicians-in-training who want to self-evaluate their comprehension and study for board examinations.
Quantum Theory and Free Will: How Mental Intentions Translate into Bodily Actions
by Henry P. StappThis book explains, in simple but accurate terms, how orthodox quantum mechanics works. The author, a distinguished theoretical physicist, shows how this theory, realistically interpreted, assigns an important role to our conscious free choices. Stapp claims that mainstream biology and neuroscience, despite nearly a century of quantum physics, still stick essentially to failed classical precepts in which mental intentions have no effect upon our bodily actions. He shows how quantum mechanics provides a rational basis for a better understanding of this connection, even allowing an explanation of certain phenomena currently held to be “paranormal”. These ideas have major implications for our understanding of ourselves and our mental processes, and thus also for the meaningfulness of our lives.
Uterine Fibroids: A Clinical Casebook
by Nash S. MoawadComprised of clinical cases presenting diverse clinical scenarios of uterine fibroids, this concise, practical casebook will provide clinicians in reproductive medicine and obstetrics/gynecology with the best real-world strategies to properly diagnose and treat the various presentations of fibroids they may encounter in daily clinical practice. Opening with chapters discussing classification and pathogenesis, effects on fertility and treatment modalities for these common tumors, each subsequent chapter is a case that provides a unique clinical presentation of a patient’s symptoms and clinical findings, diagnostic work-up and the thought process involved in navigating the treatment options as well as the supporting evidence. Cases included illustrate different types and locations of fibroids in addition to various management strategies, complications and outcomes, and selected chapters also include video clips. Pragmatic and reader-friendly, Uterine Fibroids: A Clinical Casebook is written by experts in the field and is designed to facilitate and guide reproductive medicine specialists and gynecologists in the sometimes challenging decision-making process by presenting real case scenarios that span the spectrum of fibroid presentations and treatment options.
Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Damages Calculations: Transatlantic Dialogue (Contemporary Studies in Economic and Financial Analysis #91)
by John O. Ward Robert J. ThorntonThe volume focuses on litigation damages, economic and non-economic, including punitive damages; their definitions, calculations, and assignments in the US and EU. The objective is to examine areas of convergence and divergence in the academic and practical treatment of damages issues in the US and EU. Many of the chapters in the volume are drawn from the papers and discussions generated at the Transatlantic Dialogue meetings of the National Association of Forensic Economics that began in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 2004. That meeting focused on the development of the 'Ogden' multipliers for calculating damages mandated for consideration by UK Courts in 1999. The 2005 meetings (Dublin, Ireland) centred on Markov methodologies used in the US for generating work-life tables and their adoption into damages multipliers, punitive damages, and the process of Irish tort reform. In 2006 discussions in Florence, Italy, focused on methods for calculating non-economic damages in the US and EU as well as the process of harmonization of tort law within the EU. Most recently, the 2007 discussions in Barcelona, Spain, dealt with comparisons of scheduled damages systems in the US and the EU.