Researching Civil Remedies for International Corruption: The Choice of the Functional Comparative Method

This paper motivates the choice of the functional comparative method to research the issue of civil remedies for international corruption. It shows how the social, economic and political factors that have shaped the normative context of the research question point to the functional comparative method as an appropriate methodology. The paper suggests that this method of legal research is able to meet the challenges inherent in the cross-cultural analysis required in the case of issues with an international dimension. The paper also argues that the use of the functional comparative method provides a perspective on the larger issue of rule making in a globalised world, by providing an element of predictability in the search for ‘common rules’ of interaction. Furthermore, the functional comparison of responses of legal systems to the question of civil remedies for international corruption provides a window on the possibilities that exist for legal reform and development

A 1.2V 10μW NPN-Based Temperature Sensor in 65nm CMOS with an inaccuracy of ±0.2°C (3s) from −70°C to 125°C

This paper describes a temperature sensor realized in a 65nm CMOS process with a batch-calibrated inaccuracy of ±0.5°C (3σ) and a trimmed inaccuracy of ±0.2°C (3σ) from –70°C to 125°C. This represents a 10-fold improvement in accuracy compared to other deep-submicron temperature sensors [1,2], and is comparable with that of state-of-the-art sensors implemented in larger-featuresize processes [3,4]. The sensor draws 8.3μA from a 1.2V supply and occupies an area of 0.1mm2, which is 45 times less than that of sensors with comparable accuracy [3,4]. These advances are enabled by the use of NPN transistors as sensing elements, the use of dynamic techniques i.e. correlated double sampling (CDS) and dynamic element matching (DEM), and a single room-temperature trim

A 65-nm CMOS Temperature-Compensated Mobility-Based Frequency reference for wireless sensor networks

For the first time, a temperature-compensated CMOS frequency reference based on the electron mobility in a MOS transistor is presented. Over the temperature range from -55°C to 125 °C, its frequency spread is less than ±0.5% after a two-point trim and less than ±2.7% after a one-point trim. These results make it suitable for use in Wireless Sensor Network nodes. Fabricated in a baseline 65-nm CMOS process, the 150 kHz frequency reference occupies 0.2 mm2 and draws 42.6 μA from a 1.2-V supply at room temperature.\ud \u

A 2.4GHz 830pJ/bit duty-cycled wake-up receiver with −82dBm sensitivity for crystal-less wireless sensor nodes

A 65 nm CMOS 2.4 GHz wake-up receiver operating with low-accuracy frequency references has been realized. Robustness to frequency inaccuracy is achieved by employing non-coherent energy detection, broadband-IF heterodyne architecture and impulse-radio modulation. The radio dissipates 415 ¿W at 500 kb/s and achieves a sensitivity of -82 dBm with an energy efficiency of 830 pJ/bit.\u

PREVALENCE OF BULLYING AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

The study investigated the prevalence of bullying among secondary school students in Ondo State, Nigeria. The sample consisted of 600 students selected through multistage sampling technique from six secondary schools in the State. A structured questionnaire that sought information on the subjects involvement in bullying. Validity and reliability of the instrument were ensured through content validity and test-retest reliability techniques respectively. The results of data analysis on the experience and manifestation of bullying showed that less than half of the sample (28%) had experienced bullying while 42% had bullied other students. It also revealed that emotional form of bullying was most experienced and that boys had experienced and manifested bullying more than their female counterparts. The results point to the need for violence prevention programmes in schools

Antihyperglycaemic Effect of Methanol Leaf Extract of Alchornea laxiflora (Benth) Pax and Hoffman in Diabetic Rats

The administration of the methanol leaf extract of Alchornea laxiflora (Benth) Pax and Hoffman regulates blood sugar levels in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. A. laxiflora therapy also caused significant reductions in hitherto raised levels of plasma cholesterol, urea and creatinine and reversed the decreases in concentration of plasma total protein and albumin following alloxan injection (p<0.05). The significant increases in activity (p<0.05) elicited in plasma liver enzymes studied: aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase, in the diabetic rats were gradually restored to normal values (p<0.05). No significant changes (p>0.05) were observed in the normal rats administered with the extract. Thus A. laxiflora is an antihyperglycaemic agent and not hypoglycaemic and appears to correct the metabolic derangements indicative of diabetes mellitus. Keywords: Alchornea laxiflora (Benth) Pax and Hoffman, antihyperglycaemic, diabetic rats, methanol, leaf, extract

A 1.2-V 10- µW NPN-Based Temperature Sensor in 65-nm CMOS With an Inaccuracy of 0.2 °C (3σ) From 70 °C to 125 °C

An NPN-based temperature sensor with digital output transistors has been realized in a 65-nm CMOS process. It achieves a batch-calibrated inaccuracy of ±0.5 ◦C (3¾) and a trimmed inaccuracy of ±0.2 ◦C (3¾) over the temperature range from −70 ◦C to 125 ◦C. This performance is obtained by the use of NPN transistors as sensing elements, the use of dynamic techniques, i.e. correlated double sampling and dynamic element matching, and a single room-temperature trim. The sensor draws 8.3 μA from a 1.2-V supply and occupies an area of 0.1 mm2

Phosphorylation-Dependent Pin1 Isomerization of ATR: Its Role in Regulating ATR’s Anti-Apoptotic Function at Mitochondria, and the Implications in Cancer

Peptidyl-prolyl isomerization is an important post-translational modification of protein because proline is the only amino acid that can stably exist as cis and trans, while other amino acids are in the trans conformation in protein backbones. This makes prolyl isomerization a unique mechanism for cells to control many cellular processes. Isomerization is a rate-limiting process that requires a peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase (PPIase) to overcome the energy barrier between cis and trans isomeric forms. Pin1, a key PPIase in the cell, recognizes a phosphorylated Ser/Thr-Pro motif to catalyze peptidyl-prolyl isomerization in proteins. The significance of the phosphorylation-dependent Pin1 activity was recently highlighted for isomerization of ATR (ataxia telangiectasia- and Rad3-related). ATR, a PIKK protein kinase, plays a crucial role in DNA damage responses (DDR) by phosphorylating hundreds of proteins. ATR can form cis or trans isomers in the cytoplasm depending on Pin1 which isomerizes cis-ATR to trans-ATR. Trans-ATR functions primarily in the nucleus. The cis-ATR, containing an exposed BH3 domain, is anti-apoptotic at mitochondria by binding to tBid, preventing activation of pro-apoptotic Bax. Given the roles of apoptosis in many human diseases, particularly cancer, we propose that cytoplasmic cis-ATR enables cells to evade apoptosis, thus addicting cancer cells to cis-ATR formation for survival. But in normal DDR, a predominance of trans-ATR in the nucleus coordinates with a minimal level of cytoplasmic cis-ATR to promote DNA repair while preventing cell death; however, cells can die when DNA repair fails. Therefore, a delicate balance/equilibrium of the levels of cis- and trans-ATR is required to ensure the cellular homeostasis. In this review, we make a case that this anti-apoptotic role of cis-ATR supports oncogenesis, while Pin1 that drives the formation of trans-ATR suppresses tumor growth. We offer a potential, novel target that can be specifically targeted in cancer cells, without killing normal cells, to significantly reduce the adverse effects usually seen in cancer treatment. We also raise important issues regarding the roles of phosphorylation-dependent Pin1 isomerization of ATR in diseases and propose areas of future studies that would shed more understanding on this important cellular mechanism