Debt and Risk Preference: A Household Level Analysis

We explore the relationship between risk preference and the level of unsecured debt at the household level within the context of a two period theoretical framework, which predicts that debt is a function of risk aversion. We test the predictions of our theoretical framework for a sample of households drawn from the U.S. Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) and the U.S. Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF). Using a sequence of questions from the 1996 PSID and the 1989 to 2004 SCF, we construct measures of risk preference allowing us to explore the implications of interpersonal differences in risk preference for the accumulation of unsecured debt at the household level. Our empirical findings, which accord with our theoretical priors, suggest that risk preference is an important determinant of the level of unsecured debt acquired at the household level with risk aversion serving to reduce the level of unsecured debt accumulated by households

Photo-induced pyridine substitution in cis-[Ru(bpy)(2)(py)(2)]Cl-2 : a snapshot by time-resolved X-ray solution scattering

Determination of transient structures in light-induced processes is a challenging goal for time-resolved techniques. Such techniques are becoming successful in detecting ultrafast structural changes in molecules and do not require the presence of probe-like groups. Here, we demonstrate that TR-WAXS (Time-Resolved Wide Angle X-ray Scattering) can be successfully employed to study the photochemistry of cis-[Ru(bpy)(2)(py)(2)]Cl-2, a mononuclear ruthenium complex of interest in the field of photoactivatable anticancer agents. TR-WAXS is able to detect the release of a pyridine ligand and the coordination of a solvent molecule on a faster timescale than 800 ns of laser excitation. The direct measurement of the photodissociation of pyridine is a major advance in the field of time-resolved techniques allowing detection, for the first time, of the release of a multiatomic ligand formed by low Z atoms. These data demonstrate that TR-WAXS is a powerful technique for studying rapid ligand substitution processes involving photoactive metal complexes of biological interest

Direct-Write Fabrication of Integrated, Multilayer Ceramic Components

The need for advanced (electronic) ceramic components with smaller size, greater functionality, and enhanced reliability requires the ability to integrate electronic ceramics in complex 3-D architectures. For rapid prototyping and small-lot manufacturing, traditional tape casting and screen printing approaches are poorly suited. To address this need, we are developing a direct-write approach for fabricating highly integrated, multilayer components using a micropen to deposit slurries in precise patterns. With this technique, components can be constructed layer by layer, simplifying fabrication. It can also be used to produce structures combining several materials in a single layer. The parts are either cofired or sequentially fired, after each layer is deposited. Since differential shrinkage can lead to defects in these multilayer structures, we are characterizing the sintering behavior ofindividua1layers. This technique has been used to fabricate devices such integrated RC filters, multilayer voltage transformers, and other passive components. The direct-write approach provides the ability to fabricate multifunctional, multimaterial integrated ceramic components (MMICCs) in an agile and rapid way.Mechanical Engineerin

Mesoporous Si and multi-layered Si/C films by Pulsed Laser Deposition as Li-ion microbattery anodes

Silicon is a very attractive Li-ion battery anode material due to its high theoretical capacity, but proper nanostructuring is needed to accommodate the large volume expansion/shrinkage upon reversible cycling. Hereby, novel mesoporous Si nanostructures are grown at room temperature by simple and rapid Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) directly on top of the Cu current collector surface. The samples are characterised from the structural/morphological viewpoint and their promising electrochemical behaviour demonstrated in lab-scale lithium cells. Depending on the porosity, easily tuneable by PLD, specific capacities approaching 250 μAh cm−2 are obtained. Successively, newly elaborated bicomponent silicon/carbon nanostructures are fabricated in one step by alternating PLD deposition of Si and C, thus resulting in novel multi-layered composite mesoporous films exhibiting profoundly improved performance. Alternated deposition of Si/C layers by PLD is proven to be a straightforward method to produce multi-layered anodes in one processing step. The addition of carbon and mild annealing at 400 °C stabilize the electrochemical performance of the Si based nanostructures in lab-scale lithium cells, allowing to reach very stable prolonged reversible cycling at improved specific capacity values. This opens the way to further reducing processing steps and processing time, which are key aspects when upscaling is sought

Tuberculosis in cattle slaughtered in the intermediate geographic region of Caicó, State of Rioi Grande do Norte, Brazil.

The bovine farming constitutes an economic and social activity of great importance for the State of Rio Grande do Norte, contributing for the creation of jobs and generation of income. However, factors related to the low technification of the activity on the part of the producers, the occurrence of a wide and intense drought in the last years and the presence of infectious diseases have caused significant damages to the breeders of animals in the State. Infectious diseases include tuberculosis, which is a zoonotic infection caused by Mycobacterium bovis, the primary host of which is cattle, but several domestic and wild mammal species, including humans, are also susceptible. The objective of the study was to determine the occurrence of tuberculosis in bovine slaughtered in two public slaughterhouses of the intermediate geographic region of Caicó, State of Rio Grande do Norte. Between November 2017 and August 2018, a total of 11,616 bovine carcasses underwent routine post-mortem inspection, with lesions suggestive of tuberculosis in one animal (0.009%). Samples of tissues located in the lung, heart and spleen were submitted to bacteriological culture and molecular diagnosis

Nuclear Physics with Electroweak Probes

In recent years, the italian theoretical Nuclear Physics community has played a leading role in the development of a unified approach, allowing for a consistent and fully quantitative description of the nuclear response to electromagnetic and weak probes. In this paper I review the main achievements in both fields, point out some of the open problems, and outline the most promising prospects.Comment: Invited Talk at the XII Workshop on Theoretical Nuclear Physics in Italy, Cortona, October 8-10, 200