A New Index for the MMPI‐2 Test for Detecting Dissimulation in Forensic Evaluations: A Pilot Study

This pilot study is the starting point of a potentially broad research project aimed at identifying new strategies for assessing malingering during forensic evaluations. The forensic group was comprised of 67 males who were seeking some sort of certification (e.g., adoption, child custody, driver's license, issuance of gun permits, etc.); the nonforensic group was comprised of 62 healthy male volunteers. Each participant was administered the MMPI‐2. Statistical analyses were conducted on obtained scores of 48 MMPI‐2 scales. In the first step, parametric statistics were adopted to identify the best combination of MMPI‐2 scales that differentiated the two groups of participants. In the second step, frequency‐based, nonparametric methods were used for diagnostic purposes. Results: A model that utilized the best three predictors (“7‐Pt”, “L,” and “1‐Hs”) was developed and used to calculate the Forensic Evaluation Dissimulation Index (FEDI), which features satisfactory diagnostic accuracy (0.9), sensitivity (0.82), specificity (0.81), and likelihood ratio indices (LR+ = 4.32; LR? = 0.22).     

Molecular Autopsy of Desmosomal Protein Plakophilin‐2 in Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome

Plakophilin‐2 (PKP2) variants could produce a phenotype of Brugada syndrome (BrS), which seems to be most likely the same allelic disorder as some sudden unexplained nocturnal death syndrome (SUNDS). All coding regions of PKP2 gene in 119 SUNDS victims were genetically screened using PCR and direct Sanger sequencing methods. Three novel mutations (p.Ala159Thr, p.Val200Val, and p.Gly265Glu), one novel rare polymorphism (p.Thr723Thr), and eight reported polymorphisms were identified. A compound mutation (p.Ala159Thr and p.Gly265Glu) and a rare polymorphism (p.Thr723Thr) were found in one SUNDS case with absence of the cardiomyopathic features. The detected compound mutation identified in this first investigation of PKP2 genetic phenotype in SUNDS is regarded as the plausible genetic cause of this SUNDS case. The rare incidence of PKP2 mutation in SUNDS (1%) supports the previous viewpoint that SUNDS is most likely an allelic disorder as BrS.     

Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument for mental health needs of youths in residential welfare/justice institutions: identifying gender differences across countries and settings

This study examines the use of the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-Second Version (MAYSI-2) for mental health needs among 1643 youngsters in residential welfare/justice institutions in Europe and the USA, identifying gender differences across countries and settings. Overall, the MAYSI-2 appeared to be a reliable instrument among these youngsters, with only some scales falling (slightly) below the threshold of acceptable internal consistency. Girls (vs. boys) in Belgian/USA justice institutions and Swiss mixed welfare/justice institutions displayed higher scores for the angry–irritable, depressed–anxious, somatic complaints, suicide ideation scales. Also, detained girls from Belgium and Switzerland reported higher scores for traumatic experiences. No gender differences were revealed among adolescents in German welfare institutions. Our findings suggest that the MAYSI-2 may serve as a useful mental health screening instrument among youngsters in welfare/justice institutions and that girls in justice institutions and mixed welfare/justice institutions form a particularly vulnerable population with regard to mental health problems.     

贵州对外区域经济合作的三维战略选择——向北看，向东看，还是向西看

区域经济一体化是当今经济社会发展的基本趋势。处于经济后发优势的贵州，其周边被国家级经济区、经济战略高地或国际大通道所环绕，战略区位极为优越。在贵州积极贯彻国发[2012]2号文件精神、大力推行新型工业化和工业强省战略的今天，如何与周边经济强区进行战略携手，“借船出海”，是当今贵州面走出经济困境的必须考虑的战略选择。     

P2P技术下著作权侵权行为的法律保护

文章通过对美国Napster案、全球首例BT侵权案及大陆首例P2P侵权案等案例的分析,探讨了现有法律下P2P软件最终用户和P2P软件提供者的法律责任,通过对可能的解决方法的比较分析,指出著作权补偿金制度是解决P2P软件法律难题的最佳方法。     

猪生殖与呼吸综合征病毒HN/XT/07株的分离鉴定及其Nsp2基因的特性分析

从湖南湘潭某发病猪场分离到1株病毒,该病毒可使Marc-145细胞产生CPE,应用猪生殖与呼吸综合征病毒检测试剂盒从感染细胞培养物中检测到猪生殖与呼吸综合征病毒,并将该分离毒株命名为HN/XT/07。采用RT-PCR方法扩增该分离毒株的Nsp2基因,并进行序列测定,发现在2932～3031 bp之间不连续缺失了87个核苷酸。序列比对结果显示,该分离毒Nsp2基因与PRRSV经典毒株Ch-1a的核苷酸同源性为85.5%,氨基酸同源性为80.1%;与2006～2007年流行的PRRSV高致病性变异毒株NX和SD的核苷酸同源性为95.3%～96.4%,氨基酸同源性为90.9%～95.6%。     

Individualrecht jedes Wohnungseigentümers auf außerstreitrichterliche Abberufung des WE-Verwalters wegen grober Pflichtverletzung

Jeder einzelne Wohnungseigentümer kann nach § 21 Abs 3 Fall 2 WEG 2002 sein Individualrecht auf Abberufung des WE-Verwalters wegen grober Pflichtverletzung durch den Au?erstreitrichter mittels Antrags nur dann erfolgreich ausüben, wenn nach dem Verhalten des WE-Verwalters grunds?tzliche, so gewichtige Bedenken gegen dessen Treue- und Interessenwahrungspflicht bestehen, dass nach allgemeiner Verkehrsauffassung und einer anzustellenden Zukunftsprognose fraglich ist, ob die Wahrnehmung der Interessen aller Wohnungseigentümer noch gesichert ist. (Hier hat der OGH eine grobe Pflichtverletzung deshalb bejaht, weil der WE-Verwalter seine Instandhaltungspflicht so beharrlich vernachl?ssigt hat, dass ein von einem Wohnungseigentümer unverzüglich ihm gemeldeter Wasserrohrbruch mehr als ein Jahr unbehoben geblieben ist, obwohl schon auf Grund der Jahreswasserabrechnung der enorme Wasserverlust h?tte auffallen müssen, weiters vor allem auch deshalb, weil der WE-Verwalter versucht hat, diesem Wohnungseigentümer das Verschulden an der eingetretenen Feuchtigkeitsproblematik anzulasten, und schlie?lich, weil der Wasserrohrbruch zu einer [weiteren!] Substanzsch?digung der WE-Anlage geführt hat.)     

Integrating Concerns with Climate Change into Local Development Planning in Cambodia

Integration of climate change adaptation with development planning at multiple scales is widely seen as preferable to reactive, fragmented, or highly centralized responses. At the same time, there are growing concerns on when intervention is most appropriate, the transaction costs of coordination, and the adequacy of institutional capacity at local levels, especially in developing countries. This article examines entry points and mechanisms for integrating concerns with climate change into local development planning in Cambodia. An institutional ethnography of the planning process indicates that subnational planning is participatory and flexible; and thus, provides plausible entry points to integrate climate change concerns. Case study methods applied to two externally supported, climate‐resilient development projects identify promising mechanisms and strategies, as well as obstacles to integration. A vulnerability reduction assessment tool and top‐up grant scheme both included promising deliberative and participatory elements from which lessons for future and elsewhere can be drawn. At the same time, key stakeholders concede that local integration more widely is hampered by multiple obstacles, including weak institutional capacity, low community participation, and lack of resources and incentives. Addressing these challenges requires political commitments for good governance, capacity development, and additional resources.     

Prodrugs of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS): A New Challenge

The concept of a substance acting as a prodrug for an intended drug is not new and has been known and utilized with particular benefits within medicine for efficacy and patient safety. Prodrugs of psychoactive substances are also not particularly new but this has also extended to considerations of prodrugs of new psychoactive substances (NPS). The continuing evolution of NPS has been a constant forensic challenge. In some countries, this constant evolution has led to the introduction of various alternative methods of drug control. Whether for this reason or in the pursuit of user experimentation, prodrugs of NPS have been discussed, developed, and exploited, posing some distinct forensic challenges. This is especially the case within toxicological analysis of biological fluids and for some substances, also forensic chemical analysis, through inherent instability of the prodrug or metabolism in the body. Particular examples of NPS prodrugs include 1-propanoyl-LSD, 1-butanoyl-LSD, 1-acetyl-LSD, and 2C-B-AN. This is in addition to associated substances and medicines that may be used for an intended pharmacological effect. Various prodrugs for stimulant and hallucinogenic substances in particular have appeared in the literature and have been discussed within drug user forums and made available for purchase online. Presently, drug monitoring data from national and international systems indicate that prodrugs are not widely available or problematic. Nevertheless, it is important that there is sufficient awareness of the prodrug concept and potential impact and associated forensic implications, not just for chemical analysis but also for toxicological considerations when a substance has been used.