Safety Review

Immunization to protect infants and children from vaccine-preventable diseases is one of the greatest achievements of public health. Immunization is not without risks, however. It is well established, for example, that the oral polio vaccine can on rare occasion cause paralytic polio. The Immunization Safety Review Committee was established by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to evaluate the available evidence on a series of immunization safety concerns. The committee is charged with examining three immunization safety hypotheses each year during the three-year study period (2001- 2003). While all of the committee members share the view that immunization is generally beneficial, none of them has a vested interest in the specific immunization safety issues that come before the group. In this report, which is the fourth in the series, the committee examines the hypothesis that the hepatitis B vaccine increases the risk for demyelinating disorders of the central or peripheral nervous systems, including multiple sclerosis (MS) and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).

This book provides guidance to those with responsibility forscheduling and executing a Pre-Startup Safety Review (PSSR). Itoutlines a protocol and tool for use by project or turnaroundteams, to effectively and efficiently schedule and execute a PSSR. Integrates PSSR throughout the project/turnaround phases, witha verification check at the traditional PSSR step Supports a "right first time" and "check only once" projectphilosophy to eliminate surprises Features how-to checklists, hazard assessment, batch andcontinuous processes, validation, and documentation Includes a CD with PSSR checklists and PSSR management systemexamples. Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials arenot included as part of eBook file.

One of the open challenges in fundamental physics is to combine Einstein's theory of general relativity with the principles of quantum mechancis. In this thesis, the question is raised whether metric quantum gravity could be fundamental in the spirit of Steven Weinberg's seminal asymptotic safety conjecture, and if so, what are the consequences for the physics of small, possibly Planck-size black holes? To address the first question, new techniques are provided which allow, for the first time, a self-consistent study of high-order polynomial actions including up to 34 powers in the Ricci scalar. These novel insights are then exploited to explain quantum gravity effects in black holes, including their horizon and causal structure, conformal scaling, evaporation, and the thermodynamics of quantum space-time. Results indicate upper limits on black hole temperature, and the existence of small black holes based on asymptotic safety for gravity and thermodynamical arguments.

This book provides a step-by-step guide to technical and operational integrity audits which has become invaluable for senior management and auditors alike. This book: Shows practitioners and students how to carry out internal audits to the key international health and safety, environment and quality standards Contains over 20 new case studies, 20 additional A-Factors, and superb new illustrations Includes checklists, forms and practical tips to make learning easier. With the addition of colour, Health and Safety Environment and Quality Audits delivers a powerful and proven approach to auditing business-critical risk areas. It covers each of the aspects that need to be taken into account for a successful risk-based audit to international or company standards and is an important resource for auditors and lead auditors, managers, HSEQ professionals, and others with a critical interest in governance, assurance and organizational improvement. The companion website at www.routledge.com/cw/asbury contains relevant articles, example risk management frameworks, and a video by the author explaining the key aspects of the book.

"The Traffic Engineering Handbook is a comprehensive practice-oriented reference that presents the fundamental concepts of traffic engineering, commensurate with the state of the practice"--