long ctime = -1;
int maxItems = -1;
//retrieve current portlet display settings
if ((this.portlet != null) && (this.portlet instanceof ProblemResourcesPortlet)) {
ProblemResourcesPortlet problemPortlet = (ProblemResourcesPortlet) this.portlet;
//populate criteria with portlet preferences defined.
if (problemPortlet != null) {
if (getMaximumProblemResourcesToDisplay() > 0) {
maxItems = getMaximumProblemResourcesToDisplay();
}