cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Silicidation Strategy Of Sub-0.1 μm Junctions for Deep Submicron Devices

Two major concerns for silicidation of ultra-shallow junctions, namely the silicon-consump-tion -induced junction leakage and the series resistance increase, were compared among conven-tional post-junction-silicide (RJS) contact, silicide-as-a-diffusion-source (SADS) contact, Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) contact, and elevated-source-drain (ESD) contact. Even though we found that ESD contacts would be the ultimate solution for both problems, SOI and SADS contacts provide better resistance to silicon-consumption-induced series resistance increase over conventional PJS contact because both are able to maintain a high dopant concentration at the silicide/silicon inter-face and thus a low specific contact resistivity. While there is no junction leakage concern for SOI contact, the SADS junction is also distinguished by low leakage owing to its lack of implant damage in the silicon substrate and uniformly doped junction along the silicide/silicon interface contour. MOSFET devices with SADS source/drain were demonstrated with quarter-μm technol-ogy Epitaxial cobalt disilicide (CoSi2) was formed using the Ti/Co bilayer technique as a diffu-sion source. While both ESD and SOI processes still suffer from process complexity, integration and materials issues, we conclude that SADS contacting is a promising alternative for deep sub-micron devices.
Molecular genetic insights into deuterostome evolution from the direct-developing hemichordate Saccoglossus kowalevskii

Progress in developmental biology, phylogenomics and palaeontology over the past five years are all making major contributions to a long-enduring problem in comparative biology: the early origins of the deuterostome phyla. Recent advances in the developmental biology of hemichordates have given a unique insight into developmental similarities between this phylum and chordates. Transcriptional and signalling gene expression patterns between the two groups during the early development of the anteroposterior and dorsoventral axes reveal close similarities, despite large morphological disparity between the body plans. These genetic networks have been proposed to play conserved roles in patterning centralized nervous systems in metazoans, yet seem to play a conserved role in patterning the diffusely organized basiepithelial nerve net of the hemichordates. Developmental genetic data are providing a unique insight into early deuterostome evolution, revealing a complexity of genetic regulation previously attributed only to vertebrates. While these data allow for key insights into the development of early deuterostomes, their utility for reconstructing ancestral morphologies is less certain, and morphological, palaeontological and molecular datasets should all be considered carefully when speculating about ancestral deuterostome features.
The future of electrical I/O for microprocessors

High-speed CMOS microprocessor I/O has scaled aggressively over the past decade in terms of power and performance largely due to advances in equalization and clocking techniques. With future multi-core processors expected to require ≫1TB/s bandwidth and dramatically improved power efficiency, there has been some question as to whether electrical I/O will continue to satisfy chip-to-chip communication requirements over the next decade. In this paper, we show that electrical signaling has the power, performance, and density scaling potential to enable the next several generations of systems and applications. Circuit innovation is aggressively pushing link power efficiency toward 1–2mW/Gb/s while departures from legacy channels to include new topologies and materials can significantly improve the power/performance/density tradeoff. Statistical link-level design tools that allow designers to rapidly quantify high-level architecture tradeoffs will enable balanced link designs that co-optimize power, performance, and channel topology.
Strategic Resources for Emerging Technologies

The title of this chapter assembles meaningful, grandiose words which can be seen as the solutions in favor of a better world. At the same time these words are already battered and maybe even have a portentous scent attached to them. So first a reflection about these words is being indicated.
Imaging colorectal cancer.

Patients with colorectal cancer typically present in the sixth and the seventh decades of life, although predisposing factors such as family history or inflammatory bowel disease may be associated with colorectal cancer in younger individuals. Lifestyle factors such as diets that are high in fat and low in fiber predispose to the development of colorectal cancer. Hereditary and genetic factors also play a role in the development of adenomatous polyps and subsequent carcinoma of the colon. 3 Imaging plays a role in screening, diagnosis, staging, and surveillance of patients with colorectal cancer. An overview of the role of imaging in the evaluation of patients with colorectal cancer will be presented.
prpR, ntrA, and ihf Functions Are Required for Expression of the prpBCDE Operon, Encoding Enzymes That Catabolize Propionate in Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium LT2

The genes required for the catabolism of propionate in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium are organized as two transcriptional units (prpR and prpBCDE) that are divergently transcribed from one another. Sequence homology to genes encoding members of the sigma-54 family of transcriptional activators and the identification of a consensus sigma-54 promoter 5' to the prpBCDE operon suggested that PrpR was required to activate expression of this operon. We isolated insertions in prpR and showed that prpR function was needed for growth on propionate as a carbon and energy source. A medium-copy-number plasmid carrying the lacZ gene under the control of the native sigma-54 promoter of prpBCDE was used to study prpBCDE operon expression. Transcription of the lacZ reporter in prpR, ntrA, and ihfB mutants was 85-, 83-, and 15-fold lower than the level of transcription measured in strains carrying the wild-type allele of the gene tested. These data indicated that PrpR, IHF, and transcription sigma factor RpoN were required for the expression of the prpBCDE operon. Further analysis of the involvement of the integration host factor (IHF) protein in the expression of this operon is required due to the well-documented pleiotropic effect the lack of this global regulator has on gene expression. Deletion of the 5' 615-bp portion of the prpR gene resulted in a PrpR(c) mutant protein that activated prpBCDE transcription regardless of the ability of the strain to synthesize 2-methylcitrate, the putative coactivator of PrpR. These results indicate that the N terminus of PrpR is the coactivator-sensing domain of the protein. When placed under the control of the arabinose-inducible promoter P(araBAD), expression of prpR(c) allele by arabinose had a strong negative effect on growth of the cell. It is proposed that this deleterious effect of PrpR(c) may be due to an uncontrolled ATPase activity of PrpR or to cross-activation of genes whose functions negatively affect cell growth under the conditions tested.
Expansion hysteresis upon thermal cycling of Zerodur.

Thermal cycling of Zerodur reveals hysteresis effects near 250 and 450 K. Similar behavior is not observed in ULE or fused silica. Cer-vit was not examined.
STABILITY OF ORBITS IN AUTOMATA AND CONTROL THEORIES

The rapprochement suggested by Arbib between continuity in control theory and tolerance in the theory of automata is discussed with reference to orbits, and in particular to the proof of Takens' version of Zeeman's tolerance stability conjecture. The corresponding result for tolerance automata is established.
A unified science of cultural evolution should incorporate choice

Analogies between biological and cultural evolution may be illuminating and suggest methods to pursue in the quest for a unified science of cultural evolution. Significant progress, however, is unlikely to be made by trying to fit cultural evolution neatly into a biological evolution schema. A key element defining and differentiating cultural evolution may be the role of conscious human choices.
CNG AND HCN CHANNELS: Two Peas, One Pod

Cyclic nucleotide-activated ion channels play a fundamental role in a variety of physiological processes. By opening in response to intracellular cyclic nucleotides, they translate changes in concentrations of signaling molecules to changes in membrane potential. These channels belong to two families: the cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels and the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-modulated (HCN) channels. The two families exhibit high sequence similarity and belong to the superfamily of voltage-gated potassium channels. Whereas HCN channels are activated by voltage and CNG channels are virtually voltage independent, both channels are activated by cyclic nucleotide binding. Furthermore, the channels are thought to have similar channel structures, leading to similar mechanisms of activation by cyclic nucleotides. However, although these channels are structurally and behaviorally similar, they have evolved to perform distinct physiological functions. This review describes the physiological roles and biophysical behavior of CNG and HCN channels. We focus on how similarities in structure and activation mechanisms result in common biophysical models, allowing CNG and HCN channels to be viewed as a single genre.
An efficient approach to pseudo-exhaustive test generation for BIST design

In the built-in self-test (BIST) methodology, the two major problems which must be addressed are test generation and response analysis. An efficient, unified solution to the problem of test generation is presented. A design procedure that is computationally efficient and produces test generation circuitry with low hardware overhead is proposed. The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated by detailed comparisons of its results with those that would be obtained by existing techniques. >
Externalities, Prospect Theory, and Social Construction: When Will Government Act, What Will Government Do?*

Objectives. Political theories of agenda setting and policy choice are still limited in predicting when an issue will become salient and, once it has, what policy option will be used to address it. This article illustrates that for a large class of externality problems, perspectives from three other social science disciplines can refine those predictions. Methods. A synthesis of implications from economics on assignment of property rights, loss aversion from prospect theory, and image of the policy target from social construction is used to determine the conditions under which issues gain attention and the likely policy solutions. Results. Assignment of property rights establishes a baseline used to assess any further government actions, with losses from that base more likely to generate political attention. The assignment of rights also determines if a problem is defined as a negative or positive externality, which restricts the type of policies used to address the problem. This initial allocation of rights is in turn affected both by the political power and social construction of the groups involved. Conclusions. The result is a bias in policy attention and outcomes strongly influenced by the norms used in assignment of property rights, which typically favor those generating the negative externality. Should air pollution be considered a negative externality or reducing it a positive externality? Does immunizing your child produce a positive externality or does failure to do so create a negative one? Every externality problem can be conceived in two ways: if an action creates one type of externality, failing to act creates the opposite type. The same underlying problem could be defined in either way, yet the two types of externalities typically have different levels of public visibility and very different policy solutions. Negative externalities impose direct costs on society that tend to be noticeable; positive externalities promise possible gains that are less obvious. Solutions to a negative externality focus on ways to force the producer to internalize the costs it imposes on others, through decreasing the activity or forcing the producer to pay for it—inflicting burdens on the producer. Solutions to positive externalities also focus on internalizing the costs, but typically by encouraging more activity through paying for it—providing
Functional polymorphisms in the promoter regions of MMP2 and MMP3 are not associated with melanoma progression

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes that cleave various components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and basement membranes. MMPs are expressed in melanocytes and their overexpression has been linked to tumor development, progression and metastasis. At the genetic level, the following functional promoter polymorphisms are known to modify the gene transcription: -1306 C/T and -735 C/T in the MMP2 gene, and -1171 5A/6A in the MMP3 gene. Functional polymorphisms in MMP genes' promoter regions may modulate the risk for melanoma progression. We evaluated MMP2 and MMP3 germline polymorphisms in a group of 1002 melanoma patients using PCR-based methods, including fragment size analysis and melting temperature profiles. Two-sided Chi-Square, Cochran-Armitage tests for trend, Fisher's exact tests, and Kendall's Tau tests were performed to evaluate the associations between genotype and various clinical and epidemiologic factors. Multivariate analyses were conducted using logistic regression, adjusting for known melanoma confounders such as age, sex, phenotypic index, moles, freckles, and race. Survival estimates were computed using the Kaplan-Meier method and differences in survival were assessed using the log rank test. All genotypes were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. After adjustment for age, sex and phenotypic characteristics of melanoma risk, no significant associations were identified with the clinical, pathological, and epidemiological variables studied. The melting profile for MMP2 -735 C/T identified a new change in one sample. A new PCR-amplification followed by direct sequencing confirmed a heterozygote G to A substitution at position -729. This study does not provide strong evidence for further investigation into the role of the MMP2 and MMP3 variants in melanoma progression.
Discovery of a Novel Small-Molecule Targeting Selective Clearance of Mutant Huntingtin Fragments

CAG-triplet repeat extension, translated into polyglutamines within the coding frame of otherwise unrelated gene products, causes 9 incurable neurodegenerative disorders, including Huntington's disease. Although an expansion in the CAG repeat length is the autosomal dominant mutation that causes the fully penetrant neurological phenotypes, the repeat length is inversely correlated with the age of onset. The precise molecular mechanism(s) of neurodegeneration remains elusive, but compelling evidence implicates the protein or its proteolytic fragments as the cause for the gain of novel pathological function(s). The authors sought to identify small molecules that target the selective clearance of polypeptides containing pathological polyglutamine extension. In a high-throughput chemical screen, they identified compounds that facilitate the clearance of a small huntingtin fragment with extended polyglutamines fused to green fluorescent protein reporter. Identified hits were validated in dose-response and toxicity tests. Compounds have been further tested in an assay for clearance of a larger huntingtin fragment, containing either pathological or normal polyglutamine repeats. In this assay, the authors identified compounds selectively targeting the clearance of mutant but not normal huntingtin fragments. These compounds were subjected to a functional assay, which yielded a lead compound that rescues cells from induced mutant polyglutamine toxicity.
Analysis of data from experiments using double labelling

Frequently as a result of experiments in which two isotopes are used one is left with a sequence of samples, the ratio of labeling in each sample, and the problem of analyzing the ratios. Suppose that the experiments are designed so that one expects uniform labeling except for one or two special groups of samples. The problem, then, is to find these groups. Because of the variability in the count rate from sample to sample, the variance of the ratios differs from sample to sample making statistical analysis difficult. Furthermore, there is significant serial correlation in the sample disintegrations per minute for each of the isotopes. We have found that the serial correlation in the labeling ratio is small and of questionable significance in controls but becomes significant when there is a subsequence of samples in which the labeling ratio differs from that in the remainder of the gel. We examine the analysis of variance as a test for significant deviations in the labeling ratio and suggest a method for plotting deviations of labeling ratio from the average background labeling ratio. Finally, we develop a method of estimating the mean labeling ratio from the regression of disintegrations per minute of one isotope on those of the other isotope. This provides another way of plotting deviations in labeling ratio in terms of the residuals around the line of regression.
The role of ambipolar phenomena in the mechanism of the post-zero current in vacuum circuit breakers

This paper attempts to develop a theory of the role of ambipolar phenomena in the mechanism of the post-zero current in high-current vacuum circuit breakers on a more general and more accurate basis that can be found in the literature. Several cases of interest are compared and discussed and their probable range of validity established. Whereas the theory presented in this paper is probably adequate when the density of the neutral gas is low (mean free path comparable to electrode separation), it should probably be combined with other recognized mechanisms, notably gross gas motions and turbulence, when the pressure is higher during the afterglow. No numerical check is presented here, most of the basic data still being much too uncertain.
Strong Motion Seismology

Strong motion seismology has a long history of development, owing mainly to the effort of earthquake engineers with emphasis on data collection and interpretation based primarily on empirical approaches. In the past decade or so, seismologists began to get involved in data collection and analysis, and several attempts have been made to develop quantitative models of the earthquake rupture process with the ultimate goal of predicting strong ground motion for a given potential earthquake fault on the basis of an understanding of basic physical laws governing fault mechanics. The problem is difficult because of the sensitivity of high-frequency waves to the details of fault plane irregularities and heterogeneous earth structure. To overcome this difficulty, several attempts have been made to introduce a hybrid of deterministic and stochastic models, in which the gross features of rupture propagation are specified deterministically but the details of the process are described by a stochastic model specified by a small number of statistical parameters.
Homoclinic connections and numerical integration

One of the best known mechanisms of onset of chaotic motion is breaking of heteroclinic and homoclinic connections. It is well known that numerical integration on long time intervals very often becomes unstable (numerical instabilities) and gives rise to what is called “numerical chaos”. As one of the initial steps to discuss this phenomenon, we show in this paper that Euler's finite difference scheme does not preserve homoclinic connections.
Time-history analysis of multi-story frame structures subjected to vertical seismic action

This paper presents the series-parallel-connection model with considering joint rotation.To the dynamic matrix of plan frame,through static force condensing,the coupling relationship of vertical displacement and rotation is eliminated.Thereby,the degree of dynamic matrix and the quantity of earthquake-resistant calculation are lowering.The example obtains some dynamic response characteristic from the result of multi-story frame structures subjected to vertical earthquake action.
Conservative management of thoracic outlet syndrome

Conservative management of thoracic outlet syndrome requires accurate evaluation of the peripheral nervous system, posture, and the cervico-scapular muscles. Patients should be instructed in postural correction in sitting, standing and sleeping, stretching exercises (ie, upper trapezius, levator scapulae, suboccipitals, scalenes, sternocleidomastoid and pectoral muscles), and strengthening exercises of the lower scapular stabilizers beginning in gravity-assisted positions to regain normal movement patterns in the cervico-scapular region. Patient education, compliance to an exercise program, and behavioral modification at home and work are critical to successful conservative management.
Resolution of Comorbidities and Impact on Longevity Following Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery

Bariatric surgery is the most effective and durable treatment of severe obesity. In addition to weight loss, these operations result in significant improvement or resolution of many obesity-related comorbid diseases. There are now numerous studies demonstrating that bariatric surgery decreases all-cause mortality long-term compared with cohorts of patients who did not undergo surgery. Decreases in cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular-related mortality are major contributors to this overall effect on life expectancy after bariatric surgery.
RCS OF conducting cylinders with dielectric-filled cavities

A problem of recent interest in electromagnetics is that of scattering from a conducting body with a dielectric-filled cavity. Other authors, [1]-[3], have investigated three-dimensional (3-D) bodies. Here we investigate scattering from two-dimensional (2-D) bodies (cylinders). Because it is a simpler case, results from the 2-D case are more easily interpreted.
Temperature compensated Kalman distributed clock synchronization

Time synchronization is a fundamental problem in any distributed system. In particular, wireless sensor networks (WSNs) require scalable time synchronization for implementing distributed tasks on multiple sensor nodes. We propose a temperature-compensated Kalman based distributed synchronization protocol (TKDS) using a two-way sender-receiver synchronization scheme, to achieve high synchronization accuracy while modelling the clock skew change based on its physical characteristics. By asynchronously combining estimates from neighbours, TKDS achieves better performance than the spanning tree based protocols in a fully-distributed fashion. The synchronization performance is evaluated numerically and compared with that of other well-known synchronization protocols.
Comparison of MRI segmentation techniques for measuring liver cyst volumes in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

Abstract Purpose To compare MRI segmentation methods for measuring liver cyst volumes in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Methods Liver cyst volumes in 42 ADPKD patients were measured using region growing, thresholding and cyst diameter techniques. Manual segmentation was the reference standard. Results Root mean square deviation was 113, 155, and 500 for cyst diameter, thresholding and region growing respectively. Thresholding error for cyst volumes below 500 ml was 550% vs 17% for cyst volumes above 500 ml (p Conclusion For measuring volume of a small number of cysts, cyst diameter and manual segmentation methods are recommended. For severe disease with numerous, large hepatic cysts, thresholding is an acceptable alternative.
No country for old livers? Examining and optimizing the utilization of elderly liver grafts.

Of the 1.6 million patients >70 years of age who died of stroke since 2002, donor livers were retrieved from only 2402 (0.15% yield rate). Despite reports of successful liver transplantation (LT) with elderly grafts (EG), advanced donor age is considered a risk for poor outcomes. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services definitions of an "eligible death" for donation excludes patients >70 years of age, creating disincentives to donation. We investigated utilization and outcomes of recipients of donors >70 through analysis of a United Network for Organ Sharing Standard Transplant Analysis and Research-file of adult LTs from 2002 to 2014. Survival analysis was conducted using Kaplan-Meier curves, and Cox regression was used to identify factors influencing outcomes of EG recipients. Three thousand one hundred four livers from donors >70, ≈40% of which were used in 2 regions: 2 (520/3104) and 9 (666/3104). Unadjusted survival was significantly worse among recipients of EG compared to recipients of younger grafts (P 70 years of age, the yield rate of EGs can be maximized and disincentives removed to help resolve the organ shortage crisis.
An intelligent creator

The December editorial 'Brains, public and private' asks whether science can have anything to say about religious beliefs. My answer would be 'yes' because science, like religion, is based on unprovable hypotheses which have to be a matter of belief.
Application of Chemostratigraphy in Clastic, Carbonate and Unconventional Reservoirs

Chemostratigraphy is most commonly applied to clastic sediments, particularly where biostratigraphic control is lacking. An example of such a study is in the Berkine Basin, Algeria, where it was almost impossible to use lithostratigraphy and sedimentology alone to correlate the Triassic TAGI Formation. More recently, however, the technique has been used in conjunction with other correlation tools to provide higher levels of resolution and correlation confidence. This is certainly true of a study performed on Devonian, Carboniferous and Permian sediments encountered in eastern Saudi Arabia, where both chemostratigraphy and biostratigraphy were employed. Good biostratigraphic control is largely absent in the glaciogenic Sarah Formation of NW Saudi Arabia, where chemostratigraphy, sedimentology, borehole image and seismic data were employed as part of a multidisciplinary approach to reservoir correlation. Chemostratigraphy is less commonly applied to carbonate sediments, but can be used on these lithologies with an equal degree of success. When utilizing the technique on carbonates, the correlation scheme may either relate to changes in the distribution and chemistry of the carbonate fraction, or to the provenance of detrital components (e.g. heavy minerals). A more recent development in chemostratigraphy involves the use of technique on unconventional (source rock) reservoirs where there are normally two objectives, the first being to produce a correlation scheme. A secondary aim is to apply the inorganic geochemical data to recognize organic rich zones, changes in base level and redox, and unconventional seals/cap rocks.
Asexual Epichloë Endophytes Do Not Consistently Alter Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Colonization in Three Grasses

Abstract Plants commonly host multiple microbial symbionts that regulate productivity and other ecosystem processes, yet multi-symbiont interactions within hosts are rarely examined. We evaluated how the presence of aboveground Epichloe fungal endophytes (E+, symbiotic, and E−, endophyte experimentally removed) altered belowground colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in three grass species in a common environment. We sampled from E+ and E− populations of woodland bluegrass (Poa sylvestris A. Gray), grove bluegrass (Poa alsodes A. Gray), and tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus Schreb.) in long-term experimental plots in woodlands near Nashville, Indiana. Endophyte symbiosis aboveground increased AMF colonization of roots in both Poa species, although this effect was only significant for hyphal colonization in P. sylvestris. Endophyte symbiosis did not significantly alter AMF colonization in S. arundinaceus, in contrast to prior findings for this species. Our results illustrate the effects o...
Automated 3-D Tissue Segmentation Via Clustering

Generation of 3-D tissue models from medical imagery is useful for surgical planning and computer simulations, but often requires some amount of manual effort. In this work, we use the clustering algorithm, DBSCAN, in concert with a 3-D buildup procedure to automatically generate 3-D surface models of the brain and lungs from computed tomography head and chest scans, respectively. Extensions to other tissue types such as heart and liver are demonstrated for contrast-enhanced imagery.
Contact Chemoreception and Its Role in Zooplankton Mate Recognition

Physical constraints cause small aquatic animals like copepods, rotifers, and cladocerans to experience their environment much differently than humans. One solution to sending and receiving signals in a vast, well-mixed environment is to bind the signal to the body surface, requiring receivers to use contact chemoreception for detection. Contact signals permit zooplankters to use large, information-rich molecules like glycoproteins as signals, whereas excreting such chemicals would be energetically costly. Lectin-binding experiments have demonstrated the role of surface glycoproteins in rotifer and copepod mate recognition. Female surface glycoproteins provide males with information about sex, age, species identity, and female anatomy. Mate-guarding in harpacticoid copepods was investigated by binding lectins to surface glycoproteins of females. Male decisions about mate guarding and spermatophore placement are typically determined by a series of stroking behaviors where males probe the body surface of females for chemical cues. Protein receptors on male antennules recognize specific carbohydrate moieties of female surface glycoproteins to identify appropriate partners for guarding and mating. Monoclonal antibody affinity chromatography was used to purify surface glycoproteins from female Tigriopus japonicus. A 70-kDa protein was eluted from the column and a partial amino acid sequence was determined using mass spectrometry. This protein has significant similarity to α2-macroglobulin, a large protease inhibitor found in high concentrations in vertebrate blood and the hemolymph of invertebrates. α2-Macroglobulin was most highly expressed in late copepodid stage (CV) females, the developmental stage most avidly guarded by males. Based on these observations, a model of the molecular mechanism of T. japonicus mate recognition has been developed. Mate recognition in copepods is compared to other malacostracans, cladocerans, insects, and rotifers. Future research should emphasize identification of signal compounds responsible for mate recognition and life cycle regulation. These critical molecules will be pivotal for understanding the evolutionary dynamics of aquatic invertebrates, including the development of reproductive isolation, speciation, and the rich biodiversity of cryptic species.
Discrete-Time Optimization of Consumption and Investment Decisions Given Intolerance for a Decline in Standard of Living

We extend Samuelson's (1969) discrete-time dynamic consumption and investment optimization problem to the case where the investor is intolerant of any decline in her standard of living. This constraint represents a strong form of habit formation such that the consumption rate is non-decreasing over time. To achieve this objective, the investor first guarantees a consumption perpetuity at the current consumption rate and then allocates the remaining wealth under a state-dependent, adjusted coefficient of relative risk aversion. We study the impact of the length of the time interval on the optimal consumption and investment policies. This effect has implications for investors considering investments in assets, such as hedge funds and private equity, that have restrictions on trading intervals.
The Supreme Court and Race

The Supreme Court has attempted to redefine race relations for decades. This unfortunately turned into a quagmire from which it was able to extricate itself only by lowering the intensity of its moral rhetoric. In particular, the Fullilove case represented a welcome retreat from race-conscious social engineering.
The IS Core XII: Authority, Dogma, and Positive Science in Information Systems Research

Three related papers recently argued for the adoption of specific ‘organizing principles’ for academic research in Information Systems. These principles, centered on nomological networks of IT artifacts, are offered as prescriptions which, it is argued, resolve an ‘identity crisis’ in IS research. The present paper concludes that, rather than resolving an identity crisis, the prescriptions are likely to confound any search for identity by biasing future IS research into directions that do not move the field forward. We show how a positive science of Information Systems can retain the benefits sought without the recommended prescriptions.
Case studies of systems engineering and management in systems acquisition: Regular Paper

This paper considers the creation of Complex Engineered Systems (CESs) and the Systems Engineering approach by which they are designed. The changing nature of the challenges facing Systems Engineering is discussed, with particular focus on the increasing complexity of modern systems. It is argued that modern complexity poses a major challenge to our ability to achieve successful systems and that this complexity must be understood, predicted and measured if we are to engineer systems confidently. We acknowledge previous work which concluded that, in complex systems, failures (“accidents”) may be inevitable and unavoidable. To further explore potential tools for increasing our confidence in complex systems, we review research in the field of Complexity Theory to seek potentially useful approaches and measures and find ourselves particularly interested in the potential usefulness of relationships between the magnitudes of events and their frequency of occurrence. Complexity Theory is found to have characterized naturally occurring systems and to potentially be the source of profitable application to the systems engineering challenge, viz., the creation of complex engineered systems. We are left with the tentative conclusion that truly complex systems, with our present understanding of complex behavior, cannot be designed with a degree of confidence that is acceptable given our current expectations. We recommend that the discipline of systems engineering must investigate this issue as a matter of priority and urgency and seek to develop approaches to respond to the challenge. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 7: 25–34, 2004This paper was made possible by a Visiting Fellowship grant from the Leverhulme Trust permitting author Calvano to visit at Cranfield University/RMCS.This article is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Nootkatone is a repellent for formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus)

We examined the behavior of Formosan subterranean termites toward one of the components of vetiver grass oil, the roots of which manufacture insect repellents. We found nootkatone, a sesquiterpene ketone, isolated from vetiver oil is a strong repellent and toxicant to Formosan subterranean termites. The lowest effective concentration tested was 10 μg/g substrate. This is the first report of nootkatone being a repellent to insects.
Radiofrequency Wire Recanalization of Chronically Occluded Venous Stents: A Retrospective, Single-Center Experience in 15 Patients.

Chronically occluded venous stents may be difficult to salvage, necessitating multiple approaches and adjunctive techniques. Radiofrequency wires have been used to cross chronic obstructions in a variety of settings. Herein, radiofrequency wire recanalization (RFWR) of chronically occluded venous stents is presented. Fifteen patients (8 males; 7 females) aged 23–74 years (median 42 years) underwent prior venous stenting in the setting of venous occlusions. Seven had an underlying coagulopathy, three had May–Thurner syndrome, three had provoked deep venous thrombosis, one had a dialysis fistula, and one had pacer leads in situ. All indwelling venous stents were chronically occluded and symptomatic. Out of 15 patients, 13 (87%) had iliocaval venous stents, while two (13%) had superior vena cava and/or upper extremity venous stents. After failing conventional and blunt recanalization techniques, RFWR was performed to traverse the chronic occlusions. Technical success and complications were recorded. Fifteen patients underwent 19 procedures. Twelve patients underwent one procedure, two patients had two procedures, and one patient had three procedures. RFWR alone was used in 12/19 (63%) procedures, while 7/19 (37%) required adjunctive sharp recanalization techniques. Technical success or crossing of the occlusion with flow restoration through the occluded segments was achieved in 17/19 (89%). One major and one minor complication occurred. Radiofrequency wire recanalization is an effective adjunct to revise chronically occluded venous stents, potentially increasing procedural success in challenging cases.
Consent and Trade

In a time of changing trade norms, when free trade seems to be giving way to new kinds of nationalism, some fundamental questions about trade are still not being asked. Is trade consensual or coercive? Is 'free trade' as currently practiced really free? If not, what difference can trade law make in addressing economically oppressive practices that nationalistic trade policies cannot? In this book Garcia offers an examination of trade law's roots in consensual exchange, highlighting the central role of consent in differentiating trade from legally facilitated coercion, exploitation or predation. The book revisits the premise of consensual exchange which underlies the rhetoric of 'free trade', and then examines the social and political conditions that are a necessary part of a more genuine trade law system, in service of the idea that recovering consent in trade law can promote human flourishing on a global scale.
10 A CASE OF SEVERE HEMORRHAGIC DIARRHEA.

Diarrheal diseases are the second leading cause of death worldwide. The vast differential diagnosis includes infectious diarrhea, of which approximately 50% is due to viruses and 15% to bacteria. The criteria for severe acute diarrhea are age > 50 with significant abdominal pain, immunocompromised state, dehydration, febrile, duration of illness > 48 hours, or ≥ 6 stools/24 hours. A previously healthy 50-year-old white female presented with a 4-day history of diarrhea, abdominal pain, and hematochezia. The pain awakened her and was associated with anorexia and vomiting. She reported ingesting medium rare steak, eggs, and shrimp. She worked in a health care facility and had no known sick contacts and no recent travel. Physical examination revealed an afebrile, well-developed female with diffuse abdominal tenderness, no rebound or guarding, and positive hemoccult test. Pertinent laboratory tests included WBC of 12,900 with 79% neutrophils and hematocrit of 31. CT scan showed diffuse colonic wall thickening. Treatment included hydration, pain medication, and empiric antibiotics with stool cultures collected. Colonoscopy revealed extensive mucosal inflammation and biopsies showed acute colitis. Stool cultures were fecal leukocyte positive. One was positive for E. coli O157:H7 and confirmed by the state board of health. Antibiotics were discontinued due to the risk of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Over the next 2 days, hematochezia slowed, hematocrit stabilized, and no evidence of HUS existed. Typical presentation of hemorrhagic colitis due to E. coli O157:H7 includes severe abdominal cramps, nonbloody diarrhea that may become bloody within 2 to 3 days, and absence of fever. Half of patients report nausea and vomiting. The illness may cause HUS characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, acute renal failure, and thrombocytopenia. In reported US outbreaks, 23% of patients were hospitalized, 6% developed HUS or thrombocytopenic purpura, and 1.2% died. There is no consensus on therapy for hemorrhagic colitis. Current standard of care includes supportive care with close monitoring of renal function. Evidence suggests early antibiotic therapy increases the risk of HUS by enhancing toxin release from killed organisms. If hemorrhagic colitis is suspected, multiple stool samples should be collected. Currently, only 79% of patients with bloody diarrhea and 40% of those with nonbloody diarrhea receive stool cultures. High clinical suspicion coupled with a thorough history and physical examination help leads to early diagnosis with appropriate management of the patient.
Dynamic risk preferences under realized and paper outcomes

Abstract We conduct a large-scale test of dynamic risk preferences. While most of the literature on dynamic risk restricts attention to positively skewed gambles, subjects in our experiment tend to choose negatively skewed lotteries. This allows us to study dynamic risk preferences in an environment that the literature has not analyzed. We find evidence of the reinforcement effect—individuals take on more risk after a gain and take on less risk after a loss. Furthermore, we exogenously vary whether these outcomes are “realized” or on paper, according to the distinction put forth by Imas (2016). We find little difference in the responses to realized and paper outcomes in environments of negatively skewed risk.
Effects of ions on the characteristics of monolayer at brine/oil interfaces

The advanced waterflooding technologies through salinity and ionic content adjustment can make favorable impacts on rock wettability and oil recovery. In carbonate reservoirs, SmartWater at low ionic strength showed strong chemical interactions with carbonate minerals and oil components. As a result, several hypotheses are proposed in literature as ionic exchange, rock dissolution, surface charges and others. The applied macroscopic and microscopic technologies have certain limitations in identifying the structures at interfaces especially at monolayers. In this paper, advanced Sum Frequency Generation (SFG) spectroscopy is utilized for the first time to characterize the chemical structures of molecules at the brine/oil interfaces. Different brines recipes and model oil are tested to determine the effects of individual and combined ions on the monolayer structures. Stearic acid is also mixed with hydrocarbons to mimic the acidity condition of fluids in the reservoir. The change in the chemical structure is mo nitored with time at a broad wavenumber range from 1,000 to 3,800 cm-1. Distinct spectral signatures of oil components and water ions are detected at different pH conditions. The SFG data is compared with the previous macroscopic wettability results to predict the components that are highly affected during waterflooding and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes. This study brings new insights on understanding the chemical structures at the thin monolayers of flat and curved geometric at different aqueous interfaces. The measured spectra, coupled with a wide range of laser polarization settings, and signal intensity trends are discussed in terms of composition, and structure of organic and inorganic components. For example, the intensity for SmartWater at certain wavenumber is three folds higher when compared to high salinity water. This indicates that the interactions at oil/water interfaces are enhanced at lower ionic strengths. In addition, these findings are also confirmed with similar behaviors at a higher salinity brine as connate formation brine. The novelty of this interfacial study can provide better understanding of the reaction mechanisms altering the ionic strength and salinity of injection water and its impact due to the changes in geometric interfaces. Such understanding is also crucial to optimize the chemistry of injection water and its interaction with oil components and carbonate rock, to ultimately alter wettability toward water-wet.
Free Exercise Lochnerism

In this Article, I identify and critique a phenomenon I call Free Exercise Lochnerism. In promoting corporate religious exemptions from employment and consumer protections, litigants, scholars, and courts are resurrecting Lochner v. New York — a case symbolic of the courts’ widely criticized use of freedom of contract to strike down economic regulation at the turn of the last century. Today, in their interpretations of the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, courts replicate the commitment to private ordering and resistance to redistribution that were at the heart of Lochner. While this phenomenon is exemplified by Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, its reach is wider.The comparison to Lochner offers two insights overlooked in contemporary debates over business religious liberty. First, in resisting compliance with antidiscrimination laws, pharmacy regulations, and insurance mandates (most prominently, the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive mandate), businesses make claims more reminiscent of market libertarianism than of religious freedom. In siding with these businesses, courts have begun to incorporate the premises of Lochner into religious liberty doctrine. In the contraceptive mandate litigation in particular, courts — from the trial level to the Supreme Court — defined a business’s right to free exercise of religion by reference to its ability to contract. They postulated private market ordering as a legally and economically neutral baseline and regulation as an unnecessary and unfair redistribution. Second, comparing business religious liberty doctrine to Lochner-era freedom of contract lays bare the implications for the regulatory state beyond contraception and same-sex marriage. While scholars have recognized a link between Lochner and the Free Speech Clause, this Article establishes that free exercise has taken on a similar role with potential to undermine the regulation of business more broadly.