Reforming Punishment of Financial Reporting Fraud

Present sentencing law in criminal cases of financial reporting fraud is embarrassingly flawed. The problem is urgent given that courts are now regularly sentencing corporate offenders, sometimes (but sometimes not) to extremely punitive terms of imprisonment. Policing of fraud by multiple jurisdictions in a federal system means that principled sentencing law is necessary not only for first-order policy reasons but also for coordination of sanctioning efforts. Proportionality and rationality demand that sentencing law have an agreed scale for measuring cases of financial reporting fraud in relation to each other, a sound methodology for fixing a given case on that scale, and a reasoned calibration of that scale. Current federal law, which controls most such cases and is a focal point for non-federal cases and public debate, is close to sensible on the first score but far off the mark on the other two. In this contribution to a symposium on Fraud and Federalism, I describe problems in present law and offer relatively uncontroversial reform measures that could substantially improve the law governing sentencing of financial reporting fraud

Natural Resources Policy Under the Bush Administration: Not What it Says, But What it has Done in Court

Bioassays relying on magnetic read-out using probe-tagged magnetic nanobeads are potential platforms for low-cost biodiagnostic devices for pathogen detection. For optimal assay performance it is crucial to apply an easy, efficient and robust bead-probe conjugation protocol. In this paper, sensitive (1.5 pM) singleplex detection of bacterial DNA sequences is demonstrated in a portable AC susceptometer by a magnetic nanobead-based bioassay principle; the volume-amplified magnetic nanobead detection assay (VAM-NDA). Two bead sizes, 100 and 250 nm, are investigated along with a highly efficient, rapid, robust, and stable conjugation chemistry relying on the avidin-biotin interaction for bead-probe attachment. Avidin-biotin conjugation gives easy control of the number of detection probes per bead; thus allowing for systematic investigation of the impact of varying the detection probe surface coverage upon bead immobilization in rolling circle amplified DNA-coils. The existence of an optimal surface coverage is discussed. Biplex VAM-NDA detection is for the first time demonstrated in the susceptometer: Semi-quantitative results are obtained and it is concluded that the concentration of DNA-coils in the incubation volume is of crucial importance for target quantification. The present findings bring the development of commercial biodiagnostic devices relying on the VAM-NDA further towards implementation in point-of-care and outpatient settings

En komparativ studie av styrers beslutningsatferd i møte med kjønnsmangfold og markering av pride i barnehager

Kjønnsmangfold og pridemarkering har de siste årene fått et større fokus i samfunnet. Lovverket hegner om inkludering, mangfold og respekt uavhengig av kjønn, legning og kjønnsidentitet. Hvordan barnehagene skal møte denne tematikken skaper debatt og engasjement. Innenfor kristne fellesskap vektlegges i tillegg en åndelig dimensjon og bibeltolkning kan være avgjørende for synspunkter og beslutninger. Alle barnehager bygger på verdigrunnlag og formål fastsatt i lovverk og internasjonale konvensjoner. Barnehageloven åpner opp for at private barnehager kan ha et «særlig formål» der det blant annet kan vektes et særlig kristent verdigrunnlag. Formålet med masteroppgaven er å øke innsikten og forståelsen av hvordan styrere i «kristne barnehager» har ulik beslutningsatferd i møte med kjønn, kjønnsidentitet og kjønnsuttrykk. Problemstillingen er: Hvordan opplever styrere i barnehage med ulikt «formål» kjønnsmangfold og beslutninger om markering av pride? Hvilke faktorer påvirker beslutningsatferden? Det er gjennomført kvalitative intervjuer med seks styrere, tre styrere fra barnehager med særlig kristent formål og tre styrere fra barnehager med det ordinære formålet. Intensjonen med dette er å se etter likheter og forskjeller mellom formålsgruppene og hvilke forhold som påvirker styreres beslutningsatferd. Funnene viser at det er lite som skiller styrerne i møte med kjønnsmangfold og markering av pride i barnehagen. Forskjellene kommer likevel til uttrykk i hvordan verdigrunnlag og formål påvirker beslutningene. Det er lite markering av pride i barnehagene, men der de har fokus på temaet flettes det inn i hverdagspraksisen eller i mangfoldsuker. På generelt grunnlag forholder styrerne seg lojale til eiers mål for virksomheten, samtidig viser de evne til å uttrykke seg ved behov og etter tråd med gjeldende lovverk. Foreldrenes påvirkningskraft er et viktig trekk i beslutningsatferden og blir vektlagt fra styrerne. Bruk av regnbueflagg som symbol har i noen grad fått innpass i barnehagene, men det er få barnehager i min studie som flagger med flagget utenfor barnehagebygget

Overactive, aggressive, disruptive and agitated behavior associated with the use of psychotropic medications in schizophrenia

Background Evidence is limited for the associations between use of psychotropic medications and overactive, aggressive, disruptive or agitated behavior (OADA)1 in clinical practice. Aims To investigate the associations between risk of readmission with OADA and use of antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers and benzodiazepines in patients with schizophrenia. Method A consecutive total cohort diagnosed with schizophrenia (N = 663) after admission to the Haukeland University Hospital psychiatric acute unit in Bergen, Norway, was followed from discharge over a 10-year period. At every following readmission, the level of OADA was assessed using the first item of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scale (HoNOS). Periods of use versus non-use of antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers and benzodiazepines were recorded as time-dependent variables in each patient and compared using Cox multiple regression analyses. Results A total of 161 (24.3 %) patients were readmitted with OADA, and the mean (SD) and median times in years to readmission with OADA were 2.8 (2.6) and 2.1, respectively. We found that the risk of readmission with OADA was negatively associated with use of antipsychotics (adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) = 0.33, p < 0.01, CI: 0.24–0.46) and antidepressants (AHR = 0.57, p = 0.03, CI: 0.34–0.95), positively associated with use of benzodiazepines (AHR = 1.95, p < 0.01, CI: 1.31–2.90) and not significantly associated with use of mood stabilizers. Conclusions Use of antipsychotics and antidepressants is associated with reduced risk of readmission with OADA whereas benzodiazepines are associated with an increased risk of readmission with OADA in patients with schizophrenia.publishedVersio

Use of Benzodiazepines and Antipsychotic Drugs Are Inversely Associated with Acute Readmission Risk in Schizophrenia

Purpose: Little is known about the impact of different psychotropic drugs on acute readmission risk, when used concomitantly in a real-life setting. We aimed to investigate the association between acute readmission risk and use of antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and benzodiazepines in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: A cohort study included all patients diagnosed with schizophrenia admitted to a psychiatric acute unit at Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen, Norway, during a 10-year period (N = 663). Patients were followed from discharge until first readmission or censoring. Cox multiple regression analyses were conducted using antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and benzodiazepines as time-dependent variables, and periods of use and nonuse were compared within individual patients. Adjustments were made for sex, age at index admission, and excessive use of alcohol and illicit substances. Results: A total of 410 patients (61.8%) were readmitted during follow-up, and the mean and median times in days to readmission were 709 and 575, respectively. Compared with nonuse, the use of antipsychotic drugs was associated with reduced risk of readmission (adjusted hazards ratio, 0.20; P < 0.01; confidence interval, 0.16–0.24), and the use of benzodiazepines was associated with increased risk of readmission (adjusted hazards ratio, 1.51; P < 0.01; confidence interval, 1.13–2.02). However, no relation to readmission risk was found for the use of antidepressants and mood stabilizers. Conclusions: We found that use of benzodiazepines and antipsychotic drugs are inversely associated with acute readmission risk in schizophrenia.publishedVersio

Необходимость общих подходов в применении мер уголовной ответственности за компьютерные преступления в Республике Беларусь, Российской Федерации и Украине

Материалы III междунар. науч. конф., 22-23 мая 2003 г

Long term outcomes and causal modelling of compulsory inpatient and outpatient mental health care using Norwegian registry data: protocol for a controversies in psychiatry research project

Objectives: Compulsory mental health care includes compulsory hospitalisation and outpatient commitment with medication treatment without consent. Uncertain evidence of the effects of compulsory care contributes to large geographical variations and a controversy on its use. Some argue that compulsion can rarely be justified and should be reduced to an absolute minimum, while others claim compulsion can more frequently be justified. The limited evidence base has contributed to variations in care that raise issues about the quality/appropriateness of care as well as ethical concerns. To address the question whether compulsory mental health care results in superior, worse or equivalent outcomes for patients, this project will utilise registry‐ based longitudinal data to examine the effect of compulsory inpatient and outpatient care on multiple outcomes, including suicide and overall mortality; emergency care/injuries; crime and victimisation; and participation in the labour force and welfare dependency. Methods: By using the natural variation in health providers' preference for compulsory care as a source of quasi‐randomisation we will estimate causal effects of compulsory care on short‐ and long‐term trajectories. Conclusions: This project will provide valuable insights for service providers and policy makers in facilitating high quality clinical care pathways for a high risk population group

Haemocompatibility and ion exchange capability of nanocellulose polypyrrole membranes intended for blood purification

Composites of nanocellulose and the conductive polymer polypyrrole (PPy) are presented as candidates for a new generation of haemodialysis membranes. The composites may combine active ion exchange with passive ultrafiltration, and the large surface area (about 80 m2 g−1) could potentially provide compact dialysers. Herein, the haemocompatibility of the novel membranes and the feasibility of effectively removing small uraemic toxins by potential-controlled ion exchange were studied. The thrombogenic properties of the composites were improved by applying a stable heparin coating. In terms of platelet adhesion and thrombin generation, the composites were comparable with haemocompatible polymer polysulphone, and regarding complement activation, the composites were more biocompatible than commercially available membranes. It was possible to extract phosphate and oxalate ions from solutions with physiological pH and the same tonicity as that of the blood. The exchange capacity of the materials was found to be 600 ± 26 and 706 ± 31 μmol g−1 in a 0.1 M solution (pH 7.4) and in an isotonic solution of phosphate, respectively. The corresponding values with oxalate were 523 ± 5 in a 0.1 M solution (pH 7.4) and 610 ± 1 μmol g−1 in an isotonic solution. The heparinized PPy–cellulose composite is consequently a promising haemodialysis material, with respect to both potential-controlled extraction of small uraemic toxins and haemocompatibility

Synthetic Geopolymers for Controlled Delivery of Oxycodone: Adjustable and Nanostructured Porosity Enables Tunable and Sustained Drug Release

In this article we for the first time present a fully synthetic mesoporous geopolymer drug carrier for controlled release of opioids. Nanoparticulate precursor powders with different Al/Si-ratios were synthesized by a sol-gel route and used in the preparation of different geopolymers, which could be structurally tailored by adjusting the Al/Si-ratio and the curing temperatures. In particular, it was shown that the pore sizes of the geopolymers decreased with increasing Al/Si ratio and that completely mesoporous geopolymers could be produced from precursor particles with the Al/Si ratio 2∶1. The mesoporosity was shown to be associated with a sustained and linear in vitro release profile of the opioid oxycodone. A clinically relevant release period of about 12 h was obtained by adjusting the size of the pellets. The easily fabricated and tunable geopolymers presented in this study constitute a novel approach in the development of controlled release formulations, not only for opioids, but whenever the clinical indication is best treated with a constant supply of drugs and when the mechanical stability of the delivery vehicle is crucial

Natural history of Christianson syndrome

Christianson syndrome is an X-linked mental retardation syndrome characterized by microcephaly, impaired ocular movement, severe global developmental delay, hypotonia which progresses to spasticity, and early onset seizures of variable types. Gilfillan et al. [2008] reported mutations in SLC9A6, the gene encoding the sodium/hydrogen exchanger NHE6, in the family first reported and in three others. They also noted the clinical similarities to Angelman syndrome and found cerebellar atrophy on MRI and elevated glutamate/glutamine in the basal ganglia on MRS. Here we report on nonsense mutations in two additional families. The natural history is detailed in childhood and adult life, the similarities to Angelman syndrome confirmed, and the MRI/MRS findings documented in three affected boys