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Leah Gilroy, Patrick B Allen Department of Gastroenterology, Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, Belfast, Northern Ireland Abstract: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality for millions of patients worldwide. Current treatment options include corticosteroids, 5-aminosalicylates, immunosuppressants, and TNFα antagonists. However, these are frequently ineffective in achieving sustained response and remission over time. At present, gastroenterologists lack safe and effective treatments if patients fail anti-TNF therapy. Vedolizumab is a promising new agent for IBD patients refractory to anti-TNF therapy. Vedolizumab is an integrin antagonist which is thought to act by reducing inflammation by selectively inhibiting leukocyte migration in the gut. Emerging evidence from clinical trials suggests a potential role for vedolizumab in both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), particularly in patients who have previously failed biological therapy. The safety profile of vedolizumab appears reasonable, possibly because it has a “gut-selective” mode of action, with no reported cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a condition which has been linked to another integrin antagonist, natalizumab. This review discusses the available evidence for integrin antagonists and their potential role in the management of IBD. Keywords: vedolizumab, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease

Let a and b be positive integers with a \leq b. An (a,b)-triple is a set {x,ax+d,bx+ 2d}, where x,d \geq 1. Define T(a,b;r) to be the least positive integer n such that any r-coloring of {1,2...,n} contains a monochromatic (a,b)-triple. Earlier results gave an upper bound on T(a,b;2) that is a fourth degree polynomial in b and a, and a quadratic lower bound. A new upper bound for T(a,b;2) is given that is a quadratic. Additionally, lower bounds are given for the case in which a = b, updated tables are provided, and open questions are presented., The newer version reflects an updated table of values of T(a,b)

The Geospatial Web (Geoweb) is taking an increasingly important role as a tool for supporting participation in governance. For the purposes of this study, web-based participatory tools, including a web portal, forums, blogs and a discussion map application now called Geolive, were developed to support collaborative planning efforts on environmental governance issues in the Okanagan basin of British Columbia. These tools were used to evaluate how effective the Geoweb is as a participatory tool for supporting environmental governance issues. A participatory action research approach, utilizing mixed qualitative methods, including surveys and focus groups, was used to involve project participants and gather their feedback on the design, development and usability of these web-based tools. The 20 participants involved in the study consisted of representatives from local, provincial and federal government, as well as local non-government organizations, the university and professional biologists. Preparation and refinement of the web-based participatory tools developed for the research extended throughout the timeframe of the study and as a result the project participants did not use them directly to support local-level environmental governance efforts. Thus, the effectiveness of the Geoweb for the purposes of participants in this study could not fully be determined. The research does however identify key concerns and suggestions regarding the design and development of effective web-based participatory tools. The findings are categorized and discussed based on the following themes: usability, technological capacity, cost, information abundance and credibility. Through the review of these themes in relation to current literature, this research provides insight into the concerns and issues associated with the effectiveness of Geoweb as a participation tool for environmental governance purposes. The research also contributes to the broader discussion of the sustainability of the Geoweb and of optimum technology design considerations for developing the Geoweb.

Marine Administrative Message 441/99 directed that Marine Corps administration be consolidated above the battalion level. Secondly, Marine Administrative Message 027/04 directed that over 1,300 Marine Corps billets be civilianized. To embrace both of these directives, this thesis has attempted to describe the consolidation of administrative functions within U.S. Marine Forces, Pacific to the installation level and the civilianization all non-inherentlygovernmental structure. The active duty manpower savings would total 120 marines while actually decreasing the cost of the activity of conducting administration for Oahu-based units by $1 .3 million. It is necessary to consolidate if all 120 billets are to be civilianized. If consolidation does not occur, then the Marine Corps administrator billets within the deploying units will remain inherently-governmental and unavailable for conversion. It is only through the centralizing of non-military tasks that civilianization can be optimized. A deployable cell concept is described to support the 14 deploying units from Oahu. This concept will have to dovetail with future technologies to successfully deploy over-the-horizon administrative support. http://archive.org/details/theconsolidation109451717 Captain, United States Marine Corps Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.