Diazepam Discord: A Competent Minor\u27s Constitutional Right to Seek and Refuse Psychotropic Medication

Our legal system values independence, individualism, and personal choice, but we have been slow to cultivate these values in the arena of children\u27s rights. Too much of the focus has been on efficiency: arbitrary cut-off ages provide a simple means for ascertaining a person\u27s competence to exer- cise rights, but they are not always an accurate means to such an end. Spe- cifically, the law regarding mental health has struggled to reconcile parents\u27 rights in custody and management of their children, the State\u27s interest in raising members that will contribute to society, and competent children\u27s rights of privacy and self-determination. In the context of access to alcohol and cigarettes, cut-off ages are sensible, but in the mental health context, these cut-offs are prone to invade basic constitutional rights

Diazepam Discord: A Competent Minor\u27s Constitutional Right to Seek and Refuse Psychotropic Medication

Our legal system values independence, individualism, and personal choice, but we have been slow to cultivate these values in the arena of children\u27s rights. Too much of the focus has been on efficiency: arbitrary cut-off ages provide a simple means for ascertaining a person\u27s competence to exer- cise rights, but they are not always an accurate means to such an end. Spe- cifically, the law regarding mental health has struggled to reconcile parents\u27 rights in custody and management of their children, the State\u27s interest in raising members that will contribute to society, and competent children\u27s rights of privacy and self-determination. In the context of access to alcohol and cigarettes, cut-off ages are sensible, but in the mental health context, these cut-offs are prone to invade basic constitutional rights

Executive Power to Provide Material and Financial Support to Foreign Governments and NGOS Linked to Terrorist Groups

Since the Iran-Contra affair in the 1980s, the President’s power in foreign affairs, while questioned, has been constrained very little. Constitutional questions about executive power in the international arena have largely transformed into statutory ones. While statutes are more adaptable to changing circumstances than the Constitution, the statutory questions continue to address the issues generated by the Framers. Uncertainty regarding the scope of executive power has another cause: courts often dismiss cases about the constitutionality of the President’s actions for standing reasons. For instance, one of the latest cases that could have precipitated a serious discussion of the President’s foreign affairs powers is Bernstein v. Kerry. If the court had not dismissed the case for standing reasons, the plaintiffs would have challenged the Secretary of State’s decision to send military support to Nicaraguan rebels under the Department of State Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act (“SFOAA”) and other statutes governing aid to foreign organizations and countries. Congress has developed a complex system for analyzing the Executive Branch’s power in this realm by setting up reporting requirements and adding a multitude of riders to bills. It is questionable how effective these statutes are at curbing Executive power-grabs, especially when the Executive has found evasive techniques for accomplishing its goals. For example, the usual statutory definition for “military support” has always included activities such as arming, training, directing, and sending out troops, but now statutory definitions must cover guerilla support and logistics in order to rein in presidential power in those areas. This definition should also include funding, at least when the United States directs the distribution of funds at a micro-level

Executive Power to Provide Material and Financial Support to Foreign Governments and NGOS Linked to Terrorist Groups

Since the Iran-Contra affair in the 1980s, the President’s power in foreign affairs, while questioned, has been constrained very little. Constitutional questions about executive power in the international arena have largely transformed into statutory ones. While statutes are more adaptable to changing circumstances than the Constitution, the statutory questions continue to address the issues generated by the Framers. Uncertainty regarding the scope of executive power has another cause: courts often dismiss cases about the constitutionality of the President’s actions for standing reasons. For instance, one of the latest cases that could have precipitated a serious discussion of the President’s foreign affairs powers is Bernstein v. Kerry. If the court had not dismissed the case for standing reasons, the plaintiffs would have challenged the Secretary of State’s decision to send military support to Nicaraguan rebels under the Department of State Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act (“SFOAA”) and other statutes governing aid to foreign organizations and countries. Congress has developed a complex system for analyzing the Executive Branch’s power in this realm by setting up reporting requirements and adding a multitude of riders to bills. It is questionable how effective these statutes are at curbing Executive power-grabs, especially when the Executive has found evasive techniques for accomplishing its goals. For example, the usual statutory definition for “military support” has always included activities such as arming, training, directing, and sending out troops, but now statutory definitions must cover guerilla support and logistics in order to rein in presidential power in those areas. This definition should also include funding, at least when the United States directs the distribution of funds at a micro-level

An exploration of the psychological impact of hacking victimization

Cybercrime has rapidly grown in prevalence and potential for harm and disruption for victims. Studies have examined the adverse psychological impact of cybercrime for victims; however, the specific effects for victims of hacking are unexplored. The present study aimed to investigate the psychological impacts of hacking victimization through exploration of the experience of victims of hacking. The study employed an in-depth phenomenological approach to explore the experiences of 11 victims of hacking. Semi-structured interviews were used as a tool for data collection, and thematic analysis of the data revealed four main themes: emotional impact; an increased sense of vulnerability; a sense of violation; and coping strategies. The findings highlight that hacking may have significant consequences for victims, and further, that hacking may represent an intrusion into a victim’s “digital space.” Recommendations are discussed for providing support to victims through measures aimed at increasing victim’s self-efficacy, sense of control over their digital environment, and increasing community awareness about the potential adverse impacts for victims of hacking

Barriers to Care for Children with Cerebral Palsy in the Rural State of Maine: A Mixed-Methods Study

Introduction: Guidelines on orthopedic hip surveillance in children with cerebral palsy have been published to minimize the effects of cerebral palsy and maximize quality of life. Researchers aimed to identify barriers to cerebral palsy care and to assess adherence to national hip-surveillance guidelines among a small subset of children with cerebral palsy who live in a rural state. Methods: Parents of children with cerebral palsy were interviewed, and thematic analyses were performed on the recorded transcripts. Patient-specific data about imaging and demographics were manually extracted from the electronic health record to perform a mixed-methods analysis. Results: Twenty-one parents were interviewed, and 4 themes related to barriers to care for cerebral palsy were identified: inadequate local services, communication issues, time burdens, and financial difficulties. Routine surveillance hip x-rays were indicated for 17/21 children; however, 12/17 (71%) did not obtain imaging. In this small group of children with cerebral palsy, inadequate hip surveillance was associated with greater distance to care, lower household education and income, more severe functional limitations, and rurality. Discussion: Many children with cerebral palsy in Maine have not received optimized orthopedic hip surveillance, and issues related to rurality are major barriers identified by parents. Conclusions: Multiple barriers exist that inhibit the ability of families to access recommended orthopedic care for family members with cerebral palsy in the rural state of Maine

Telemedicine Consultation to Assess Neonatal Encephalopathy in Rural Community Hospitals

We studied the feasibility of tele consults in community hospitals for neonatal encephalopathy evaluation.https://knowledgeconnection.mainehealth.org/lambrew-retreat-2021/1048/thumbnail.jp

Parent experience of HIE and hypothermia: A call for trauma informed care

Objective: To assess parents’ experience of communication with the medical team and involvement with their infant during HIE treatment.https://knowledgeconnection.mainehealth.org/lambrew-retreat-2021/1037/thumbnail.jp

In Vivo Flow Measurements of Murine Renal Arteries and Veins with High Frequency Ultrasound

The number of glomeruli in the kidneys has been shown to have an effect on the decline in renal function over time (Brenner, Garcia, Anderson 1988). Furthermore, flow in the renal arteries and veins may depend on the number of glomeruli in the kidney. Consistent in vivo measurements of volumetric flow in the renal arteries and veins are difficult to obtain. Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop non-invasive imaging techniques capable of estimating arterial and venous flow to kidneys. A high-frequency small animal ultrasound system was chosen based upon its excellent spatial and temporal resolution when imaging mice (Vevo 2100, VisualSonics, Inc.). Velocity profiles of the renal arteries and veins in C57BL/6 male mice (n=4) were measured. Motion, color Doppler, and pulsed wave Doppler data were acquired and used to determine renal diameter, maximum velocity, mean velocity, and volumetric flow for both kidneys. For the renal artery the average volumetric flow was 33.31±7.16 mm3/s and for the renal vein it was 30.23±4.58 mm3/s. The next step will be imaging the same animals multiple times to ensure that these measurements are consistent over prolonged periods of time. Then data will be collected from different breeds of mice to conclude whether or not differences in glomeruli number affect renal flow. Measurement of volumetric flow in the renal arteries and veins can lead to important insights into how the glomeruli density in kidneys relates to renal flow and function

Visualization of Complex Flow Patterns in Angiotensin II-Induced Dissecting Murine Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms with High Frequency Ultrasound

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture is a common cause of mortality in the United States. Current treatments are only employed once the risk of rupture outweighs the risks associated with surgery. Murine models have been developed to characterize AAA pathogenesis in the hope that new treatments will be developed. For this study, angiotensin II (AngII) was infused subcutaneously into apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice using an osmotic mini-pump over 28 days. ApoE-/- mice (16-week-old, 3 females, 2 males) were imaged using a VisualSonics Vevo 2100 high frequency ultrasound before pump implantation and 3, 7, 14, 21, and 27 days following implantation. Images were acquired in the transverse and longitudinal planes from the suprarenal region of the aorta. Blood pressure measurements were taken using a tail-cuff system (CODA, Kent Scientific). Three mice (1 female, 2 male) developed aneurysms within the first 14 days of infusion. Pre-study abdominal aortas had a diastolic diameter of 0.84±0.09 mm and a systolic diameter of 0.96±0.08 mm. By day 21, AAAs had a diastolic diameter of 1.51±0.59 mm and a systolic diameter of 1.56±0.59 mm. Initially, mice had a systolic blood pressure of 111.94±6.53 mmHg and a diastolic pressure of 82.38±5.13 mmHg. These pressures steadily elevated but eventually began to plateau. By day 27, systolic pressure had risen to 154.92±11.43 mmHg and diastolic pressure to 115.77±10.25 mmHg. Color Doppler images revealed complex, recirculating flow within the aneurysms, a phenomenon which could affect vessel remodeling. In conclusion, this study utilized in vivo sonographic methods to characterize AAA development