Computer-based tools for supporting forest management. The experience and the expertise world-wide

Report of Cost Action FP 0804 Forest Management Decision Support Systems (FORSYS)Computer-based tools for supporting forest management. The experience and the expertise world-wide answers a call from both the research and the professional communities for a synthesis of current knowledge about the use of computerized tools in forest management planning. According to the aims of the Forest Management Decision Support Systems (FORSYS) (http://fp0804.emu.ee/) this synthesis is a critical success factor to develop a comprehensive quality reference for forest management decision support systems. The emphasis of the book is on identifying and assessing the support provided by computerized tools to enhance forest management planning in real-world contexts. The book thus identifies the management planning problems that prevail world-wide to discuss the architecture and the components of the tools used to address them. Of importance is the report of architecture approaches, models and methods, knowledge management and participatory planning techniques used to address specific management planning problems. We think that this synthesis may provide effective support to research and outreach activities that focus on the development of forest management decision support systems. It may contribute further to support forest managers when defining the requirements for a tool that best meets their needs. The first chapter of the book provides an introduction to the use of decision support systems in the forest sector and lays out the FORSYS framework for reporting the experience and expertise acquired in each country. Emphasis is on the FORSYS ontology to facilitate the sharing of experiences needed to characterize and evaluate the use of computerized tools when addressing forest management planning problems. The twenty six country reports share a structure designed to underline a problem-centric focus. Specifically, they all start with the identification of the management planning problems that are prevalent in the country and they move on to the characterization and assessment of the computerized tools used to address them. The reports were led by researchers with background and expertise in areas that range from ecological modeling to forest modeling, management planning and information and communication technology development. They benefited from the input provided by forest practitioners and by organizations that are responsible for developing and implementing forest management plans. A conclusions chapter highlights the success of bringing together such a wide range of disciplines and perspectives. This book benefited from voluntary contributions by 94 authors and from the involvement of several forest stakeholders from twenty six countries in Europe, North and South America, Africa and Asia over a three-year period. We, the chair of FORSYS and the editorial committee of the publication, acknowledge and thank for the valuable contributions from all authors, editors, stakeholders and FORSYS actors involved in this project

Effectiveness of TNF-inhibitors, abatacept, IL6-inhibitors and JAK-inhibitors in 31 846 patients with rheumatoid arthritis in 19 registers from the 'JAK-pot' collaboration

Background: JAK-inhibitors (JAKi), recently approved in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), have changed the landscape of treatment choices. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of four current second-line therapies of RA with different modes of action, since JAKi approval, in an international collaboration of 19 registers. Methods: In this observational cohort study, patients initiating tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi), interleukin-6 inhibitors (IL-6i), abatacept (ABA) or JAKi were included. We compared the effectiveness of these treatments in terms of drug discontinuation and Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) response rates at 1 year. Analyses were adjusted for patient, disease and treatment characteristics, including lines of therapy and accounted for competing risk. Results: We included 31 846 treatment courses: 17 522 TNFi, 2775 ABA, 3863 IL-6i and 7686 JAKi. Adjusted analyses of overall discontinuation were similar across all treatments. The main single reason of stopping treatment was ineffectiveness. Compared with TNFi, JAKi were less often discontinued for ineffectiveness (adjusted HR (aHR) 0.75, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.83), as was IL-6i (aHR 0.76, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.85) and more often for adverse events (aHR 1.16, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.33). Adjusted CDAI response rates at 1 year were similar between TNFi, JAKi and IL-6i and slightly lower for ABA. Conclusion: The adjusted overall drug discontinuation and 1 year response rates of JAKi and IL-6i were similar to those observed with TNFi. Compared with TNFi, JAKi were more often discontinued for adverse events and less for ineffectiveness, as were IL-6i.</p

Study on the saturation index of the carbonates in the groundwater using WATEQ4F, in layered coastal aquifers of Pondicherry

A study was conducted to bring out the relationship and behavior of different Saturation Index (SI) of carbonate minerals in layered coastal aquifers. Carbonates present in groundwater aids in different nature of the water like hardness, partial pressure of carbon-di-oxide (pCO2), pH and saturation index of different carbonate minerals at various temperatures. The SI of the carbonates helps us to define the thermodynamic stability of water and to find out the geochemical behavior of water. 98 groundwater samples were collected from specific aquifers (alluvium, upper Cuddalore, lower Cuddalore and Cretaceous) during Pre-Monsoon (May 2007) and Post-Monsoon (January 2008) seasons. The physicochemical parameters such as pH, EC, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl, HCO3, SO4 and PO4 were analyzed. Geochemical model, WATEQ4F was used to calculate the SI of different minerals. The SI was studied in relation to mHCO3 concentration, pCO2 and correlation between SI of different minerals

Long-Term Expression of Tissue-Inhibitor of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 in the Murine Central Nervous System Does Not Alter the Morphological and Behavioral Phenotype but Alleviates the Course of Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis

Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are a family of closely related proteins that inhibit matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). In the central nervous system (CNS), TIMPs 2, 3, and 4 are constitutively expressed at high levels, whereas TIMP1 can be induced by various stimuli. Here, we studied the effects of constitutive expression of TIMP1 in the CNS in transgenic mice. Transgene expression started prenatally and persisted throughout lifetime at high levels. Since MMP activity has been implicated in CNS development, in proper function of the adult CNS, and in inflammatory disorders, we investigated Timp1-induced CNS alterations. Despite sufficient MMP inhibition, high expressor transgenic mice had a normal phenotype. The absence of compensatory up-regulation of MMP genes in the CNS of Timp1 transgenic mice indicates that development, learning, and memory functions do not require the entire MMP arsenal. To elucidate the effects of strong Timp1 expression in CNS inflammation, we induced experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. We observed a Timp1 dose-dependent mitigation of both experimental allergic encephalomyelitis symptoms and histological lesions in the CNS of transgenic mice. All in all, our data demonstrate that (1) long-term CNS expression of TIMP1 with complete suppression of gelatinolytic activity does not interfere with physiological brain function and (2) TIMP1 might constitute a promising candidate for long-term therapeutic treatment of inflammatory CNS diseases such as multiple sclerosis