Cybercrime: An Overview of the Federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Statute and Related Federal Criminal Laws

The federal computer fraud and abuse statute, 18 U.S.C. 1030, protects federal computers, bank computers, and computers used in interstate and foreign commerce. It shields them from trespassing, threats, damage, espionage, and from being corruptly used as instruments of fraud. It is not a comprehensive provision, but instead it fills crack and gaps in the protection afforded by other federal criminal laws. This is a brief sketch of section 1030 and some of its federal statutory companions

Developmental Trajectories and Reference Percentiles for Range of Motion, Endurance, and Muscle Strength of Children With Cerebral Palsy.

BACKGROUND: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) frequently present with secondary impairments in spinal alignment and extremity range of motion, endurance for activity, and muscle strength. Creation of developmental trajectories for these impairments will help guide clinical decision-making. OBJECTIVE: For children in each level of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) this study aimed to: (1) create longitudinal developmental trajectories for range of motion (Spinal Alignment and Range of Motion Measures [SAROMM]), endurance (Early Activity Scale for Endurance [EASE]), and functional strength (Functional Strength Assessment [FSA]); and (2) develop age-specific reference percentiles and amount of change typical over 1 year for these outcomes. DESIGN: This study used a longitudinal cohort design. METHODS: Participants comprised 708 children with CP across GMFCS levels, aged 18 months up to the 12th birthday, and their families. In 2 to 5 assessments every 6 months over 2 years, trained therapists performed the SAROMM and FSA, and parents completed the EASE questionnaire. For children in each GMFCS level, longitudinal trajectories using linear and nonlinear mixed-effects models from all visits, and reference percentiles using quantile regression from the first, 12-month, and 24-month visits were created for each measure. RESULTS: Longitudinal trajectories and percentile graphs for SAROMM, FSA, and EASE were primarily linear, with different performance scores among GMFCS levels. There was much variability in both longitudinal trajectories and percentiles within GMFCS levels. LIMITATIONS: Limitations included a convenience sample and varying numbers of participants assessed at each visit. CONCLUSIONS: The longitudinal trajectories and percentile graphs have application for monitoring how children with CP are performing and changing over time compared with other children with CP. The resources presented allow therapists and families to collaboratively make decisions about intervention activities targeted to children\u27s unique needs

Developmental Trajectories for the Early Clinical Assessment of Balance by Gross Motor Function Classification System Level for Children With Cerebral Palsy.

Background: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) characteristically present with impairments in balance. Currently, the pattern and timing of the development of balance ability have not been described for children with CP of varying Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels. Objective: The purpose of this study was to document longitudinal developmental trajectories in a measure of balance, the Early Clinical Assessment of Balance (ECAB) scores, along with age-specific reference percentiles and the amount of change typical over a 1-year period for children within different GMFCS levels. Design: The design was a longitudinal cohort study. Methods: Participants included 708 children with CP, aged 18 months through their 12th birthday, and their families. Children participated in 2 to 5 assessments using the GMFCS and ECAB. Results: Longitudinal trajectories describing the average change in the ECAB score with respect to age were created by fitting separate nonlinear mixed-effect models for children in each GMFCS level. Reference percentiles were constructed using quantile regression of ECAB data from the first visit (baseline) and 12-month and 24-month visits. Using these reference points, the amount of change in percentiles was calculated for all children by subtracting the baseline percentile score from the 12-month percentile score. Children whose percentile changes are within the 80% limits can usually be described as developing as expected for their age and GMFCS levels. Limitations: Limitations of this study included use of a convenience sample, a ceiling effect of the ECAB for some children in GMFCS levels I and II, and the use of both a 12-month and 24-month study protocol that impacted the number of children available for each assessment session. Conclusions: When used appropriately to monitor development and change over time for children with CP, the ECAB longitudinal trajectories, reference percentiles, and the associated change scores presented here should assist therapists and families in collaborative interaction to proactively plan services and interventions relative to balance ability

Civilian Patrols Along the Border: Legal and Policy Issues

This report opens with a discussion on the federal authority to enforce immigration law at the border and some U.S. Border Patrol operations that have affected illegal migration patterns along the southwest border. Next, the report provides a history of civilian border patrol groups, with a particular focus on the “Minuteman Project” and other groups operating along the southwest border. It then highlights issues of authority that might arise, and includes, as an appendix, a table that sets forth various state laws that may be useful to civilians performing immigration-related enforcement activities. The report also addresses some of the legal and policy issues, as mentioned above, that have surfaced from civilian involvement in immigration enforcement at the border. The report concludes with summaries of legislation introduced in the 109th Congress that address the use of civilian border patrols

2-Aminopyridine Analogs Inhibit Both Enzymes of the Glyoxylate Shunt in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for many hospital-acquired infections. P. aeruginosa can thrive in diverse infection scenarios by rewiring its central metabolism. An example of this is the production of biomass from C2 nutrient sources such as acetate via the glyoxylate shunt when glucose is not available. The glyoxylate shunt is comprised of two enzymes, isocitrate lyase (ICL) and malate synthase G (MS), and flux through the shunt is essential for the survival of the organism in mammalian systems. In this study, we characterized the mode of action and cytotoxicity of structural analogs of 2-aminopyridines, which have been identified by earlier work as being inhibitory to both shunt enzymes. Two of these analogs were able to inhibit ICL and MS in vitro and prevented growth of P. aeruginosa on acetate (indicating cell permeability). Moreover, the compounds exerted negligible cytotoxicity against three human cell lines and showed promising in vitro drug metabolism and safety profiles. Isothermal titration calorimetry was used to confirm binding of one of the analogs to ICL and MS, and the mode of enzyme inhibition was determined. Our data suggest that these 2-aminopyridine analogs have potential as anti-pseudomonal agents

2-Aminopyridine Analogs Inhibit Both Enzymes of the Glyoxylate Shunt in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for many hospital-acquired infections. P. aeruginosa can thrive in diverse infection scenarios by rewiring its central metabolism. An example of this is the production of biomass from C2 nutrient sources such as acetate via the glyoxylate shunt when glucose is not available. The glyoxylate shunt is comprised of two enzymes, isocitrate lyase (ICL) and malate synthase G (MS), and flux through the shunt is essential for the survival of the organism in mammalian systems. In this study, we characterized the mode of action and cytotoxicity of structural analogs of 2-aminopyridines, which have been identified by earlier work as being inhibitory to both shunt enzymes. Two of these analogs were able to inhibit ICL and MS in vitro and prevented growth of P. aeruginosa on acetate (indicating cell permeability). Moreover, the compounds exerted negligible cytotoxicity against three human cell lines and showed promising in vitro drug metabolism and safety profiles. Isothermal titration calorimetry was used to confirm binding of one of the analogs to ICL and MS, and the mode of enzyme inhibition was determined. Our data suggest that these 2-aminopyridine analogs have potential as anti-pseudomonal agents

Determinants of gross motor function of young children with cerebral palsy: A prospective cohort study

Aim: The aim of this study was to test a model of determinants of gross motor function of young children with cerebral palsy (CP). Method: Four hundred and twenty-nine children with CP (242 males, 187 females; mean age 3y 2mo, SD 11mo) representing all levels of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) participated. Children in levels I to II and III to V were classified as Groups 1 and 2 respectively. Distribution of CP was quadriplegia, 44%; hemiplegia, 24%; diplegia, 23%; triplegia, 6%; and monoplegia, 2% (data not available for 1%). Impairment and motor function data were collected by reliable assessors; parents completed questionnaires on health conditions and adaptive behavior. Seven months later, parents were interviewed about family life and services received. One year after the study onset, motor function was re-evaluated. Analysis involved structural equation modeling. Results: The well-fitting model explained 58% and 75% of the variance in motor function at study completion for Groups 1 and 2 respectively. Primary impairments (spasticity, quality of movement, postural stability, and distribution of involvement; β=0.52-0.68) and secondary impairments (strength, range of motion limitations, and reduced endurance; β=0.25-0.26) explained the most variance. Adaptive behavior was a significant determinant only for Group 2 (β=0.21) and participation in community programs was significant only in Group 1 (β=0.13). Interpretation: Motor function is supported by optimizing body structures and function for all children and enhancing adaptive behavior for children with greater motor challenges. © 2013 Mac Keith Press