Cumulative Charge Research Articles

The Burden of Acute Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury among Adults in the United States: An Update

The current incidence estimate of 40 traumatic spinal cord injuries (TSCI) per million population/year in the United States (U.S.) is based on data from the 1990s. We sought to update the incidence and epidemiology of TSCI in U.S adults by using the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS), the largest all-payer emergency department (ED) database in the United States. Adult ED visits between 2007 and 2009 with a principal diagnosis of TSCI were identified using International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 codes (806.0-806.9 and 952.0-952.9). We describe TSCI cumulative incidence, mortality, discharge disposition, and hospital charges weighted to the U.S. population. The estimated 3-year cumulative incidence of TSCI was 56.4 per million adults. Cumulative incidence of TSCI in older adults increased from 79.4 per million older adults in 2007 to 87.7 by the end of 2009, but remained steady among younger adults. Overall, falls were the leading cause of TSCI (41.5%). ED charges rose by 20% over the study period, and death occurred in 5.7% of patients. Compared with younger adults, older adults demonstrated higher adjusted odds of mortality in the ED (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=4.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-16.6), mortality during hospitalization (AOR=5.9; 95% CI: 4.7-7.4), and being discharged to chronic care (AOR=3.7; 95% CI: 3.0-4.5). The incidence of TSCI is higher than previously reported with a progressive increase among older adults who also experience worse outcomes compared with younger adults. ED-related TSCI charges are also increasing. These updated national estimates support the development of customized prevention strategies based on age-specific risk factors.

Resource use trends in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adults: An analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample 1998-2009

The study objective was to determine whether significant trends over time have occurred in resource use associated with the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in critically ill adults. All adult admissions involving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were examined by using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database (years 1998-2009). Trends in volume, outcome, and resource use (including hospital charges, length of stay, and charges per day) were analyzed. An estimated total of 8753 admissions involved extracorporeal membrane oxygenation over the study period. Overall length of stay was 18.3 ± 1.3 days. Total hospital charges averaged $344,009 ± $30,707 per admission, with average charges per day of $40,588 ± $3099. Cumulative national charges for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation admissions increased significantly from $109.0 million in 1998 to $764.7 million in 2009 (P=.0016). Charges per patient and length of stay also increased significantly (P=.0032 and .0321, respectively). The increasing trend in the number of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation admissions during the study period was not statistically significant (P=.19). The post-cardiotomy group had more favorable outcomes and lower resource use. A shift was observed in the relative case-mix of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation admissions over the study period, with a relative decrease in the post-cardiotomy group and increases in the cardiogenic shock, respiratory failure, and lung transplant groups. These results suggest that dramatic increases in resource use associated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation are not solely the result of increased volume, but in part are due to a shift toward extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use in patient groups (other than in the post-cardiotomy setting) with greater resource use and worse outcomes.

Spatiotemporal electrochemical measurements across an electric double layer capacitor electrode with application to aqueous sodium hybrid batteries

This paper presents in-situ spatiotemporal measurements of the electrolyte phase potential within an electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) negative electrode as envisaged for use in an aqueous hybrid battery for grid-scale energy storage. The ultra-thick electrodes used in these batteries to reduce non-functional material costs require sufficiently fast through-plane mass and charge transport to attain suitable charging and discharging rates. To better evaluate the through-plane transport, we have developed an electrode scaffold (ES) for making in situ electrolyte potential distribution measurements at discrete known distances across the thickness of an uninterrupted EDLC negative electrode. Using finite difference methods, we calculate local current, volumetric charging current and charge storage distributions from the spatiotemporal electrolyte potential measurements. These potential distributions provide insight into complex phenomena that cannot be directly observed using other existing methods. Herein, we use the distributions to identify areas of the electrode that are underutilized, assess the effects of various parameters on the cumulative charge storage distribution, and evaluate an effectiveness factor for charge storage in EDLC electrodes.

Influence of the thickness of the capacitive layer on the performance of bioanodes in Microbial Fuel Cells

Earlier it was shown, that it is possible to operate a Microbial Fuel Cell with an integrated capacitive bio-anode with a thickness of 0.5 mm and thereby to increase the power output. The integrated capacitive bioanode enabled storage of electricity produced by microorganisms directly inside an MFC. To increase the performance of this integrated storage system even more; the thickness of the capacitive electrode was varied: 0.2 mm, 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm. Each of these capacitive electrodes was tested in the MFC setup during polarization curves and charge–discharge experiments for the steady-state current density and the maximum charge recovery.The capacitive electrode with a thickness of 0.2 mm outperformed the other electrodes in all experiments: it reached a maximum current density of 2.53 Am−² during polarization curves, and was able to store a cumulative total charge of 96013 cm−² during charge–discharge experiments. The highest relative charge recovery for this electrode was 1.4, which means that 40% more current can be gained from this capacitive electrode during intermittent operation compared to continuous operation of a noncapacitive electrode. Surprisingly it was possible to increase the performance of the MFC through decrease of the thickness of the capacitive electrode.

On–off control of burst high frequency electrical stimulation to suppress 4-AP induced seizures

Objective. The goal of this study was to investigate, using model simulations and animal experiments, the efficiency and the side effects of burst high frequency stimulation combined with on–off control in seizure suppression. Approach. A modified mathematical hippocampal seizure model was created to provide evidence of the eligibility of this approach. In the experimental setup, two recording electrodes were inserted into bilateral septal CA1 of the hippocampus, and a stimulation electrode was placed on the ventral hippocampal commissure of a rat. After seizures had been induced by 4-aminopyridine treatment, on–off control stimulation was used to suppress the seizures at 20 s intervals. The stimulation time, cumulative charge and post-stimulation suppression were used to assess the effects of burst duration. Main results. The results showed that burst stimulation could suppress the seizures during the control period and burst stimulation of a shorter duration could keep the seizure suppressed with less effort. By decreasing the burst duration, the cumulative stimulation time became shorter, the delivered cumulative charge became lower, and the cumulative time of post-stimulation suppression became longer. Significance. The on–off control stimulation not only prolonged the duration of suppression but also avoided the side effects of the conversion of seizure patterns. In particular, decreasing the specified burst duration increased the efficiency of the burst stimulation.

Potentiodynamic polarization behaviour of AISI type 316 stainless steel in NaCl solution

Potentiodynamic polarization behaviour of AISI type 316 SS in NaCl solution was investigated in terms of the potential scan rate effect. The critical pitting potential, Epit, of the stainless steel appeared to be strongly dependent on the potential scan rate. A cumulative anodic electric charge density of the steel was defined as the total charge density from the open circuit potential, Eocp, and calculated using the potentiodynamic polarization curves. It was found that, plotted as a function of the polarization time, the values of the cumulative charge density consisted of two lines with different slopes. It was confirmed that the deflection of the cumulative charge density vs. time plots corresponded to Epit and the values of the cumulative charge density at the deflection were little dependent on the applied scan rate. The cumulative charge density at the deflection was defined as a critical electric charge density for the stable pitting. Also, it was suggested that this electric charge density should be associated with the critical condition for the stable pitting and the critical electric charge for stable pitting should be a representative parameter for the pitting resistance of a material.

Effects of Health Guidance on Outpatient and Pharmacy Expenditures: A Disease- and Drug-Specific 3-Year Observational Study Using Propensity-Score Matching

BackgroundEvidence is lacking on whether health guidance for metabolic syndrome reduces health care expenditures. The author used propensity-score matching to evaluate the effects of health guidance on health care expenditure.MethodsMen who did and did not receive health guidance from a health insurance society (approximately 60 000 covered lives) were matched (n = 397 respectively) using propensity scores. Health insurance claims were compared using cumulative health care expenditures for metabolic syndrome-related outpatient medical care and drug costs for the period from the initial consultation to 3 years later.ResultsNo difference was observed between intervention and control groups in cumulative outpatient charges or drug costs related to metabolic syndrome. However, regression analysis using the Tobit model showed that health guidance resulted in a small, nonsignificant reduction in health care expenditure.ConclusionsHealth guidance for metabolic syndrome did not reduce outpatient charges or drug costs related to metabolic syndrome during the 3-year period after the intervention. Findings from Tobit regression suggest that health guidance might eventually result in savings, but this hypothesis remains untested.

Enhanced performance and capacitance behavior of anode by rolling Fe3O4 into activated carbon in microbial fuel cells

Fe3O4 was added into the anode to improve the performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Stainless steel mesh (SSM), activated carbon (AC) with SSM (AcM) and Fe3O4 added AcM (AcFeM) anodes had been made and investigated by electrochemical measurements. The maximum power density of AcFeM anode (809±5mW/m2) is 22% higher than that of AcM (664±17mW/m2), and 56 times higher than that of SSM anode (14±0.3mW/m2). Tafel tests indicate that the anode modified by Fe3O4 is kinetically more advantageous. It is demonstrated for the first time that the capacitance of anode increased after the addition of Fe3O4. With 10min of interruption, AcFeM exhibites a 41% higher cumulative charge of 3566±32C/m2 and a 32% higher net capacitance charge of 389±18C/m2 than those of the AcM control (2529±22 and 294±30C/m2), indicating that the improvement of anode performance can be also attributed to the enhancement of capacitance.

Pediatric high-impact conditions in the United States: retrospective analysis of hospitalizations and associated resource use.

BackgroundChild mortality in the United States has decreased over time, with advance in biomedicine. Little is known about patterns of current pediatric health care delivery for children with the leading causes of child death (high-impact conditions). We described patient and hospital characteristics, and hospital resource use, among children hospitalized with high-impact conditions, according to illness severity.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of children 0–18 years of age, hospitalized with discharge diagnoses of the ten leading causes of child death, excluding diagnoses not amenable to hospital care, using the 2006 version of the Kid’s Inpatient Database. National estimates of average and cumulative hospital length of stay and total charges were compared between types of hospitals according to patient illness severity, which was measured using all-patient refined diagnosis related group severity classification into minor-moderate, major, and extreme severity.ResultsThere were an estimated 3,084,548 child hospitalizations nationally for high-impact conditions in 2006, distributed evenly among hospital types. Most (84.4%) had minor-moderate illness severity, 12.2% major severity, and 3.4% were extremely ill. Most (64%) of the extremely ill were hospitalized at children’s hospitals. Mean hospital stay was longest among the extremely ill (32.8 days), compared with major (9.8 days, p < 0.0001), or minor-moderate (3.4 days, p < 0.001) illness severity. Mean total hospital charges for the extremely ill were also significantly higher than for hospitalizations with major or minor-moderate severity. Among the extremely ill, more frequent hospitalization at children’s hospitals resulted in higher annual cumulative charges among children’s hospitals ($ 7.4 billion), compared with non-children teaching hospitals ($ 3.2 billion, p = 0.023), and non-children’s non-teaching hospitals ($ 1.5 billion, p < 0.001). Cumulative annual length of hospital stay followed the same pattern, according to hospital type.ConclusionGradation of increasing illness severity among children hospitalized for high-impact conditions was associated with concomitantly increased resource consumption. These findings have significant implications for children’s hospitals which appear to accrue the highest resource use burden due to preferential hospitalization of the most severely ill at these hospitals.

Outcome and Resource Utilization of Infants Born With Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome in the Intermountain West

The objective of the present study was to characterize the outcomes and resource utilization of all infants born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) in the Intermountain West. This was a retrospective cohort study of all infants born with HLHS in the Intermountain West from January 1995 and January 2010. The cohort was divided into 3 eras: era 1, 1995 to 1999; era 2, 2000 to 2004; and era 3, 2005 to 2010. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to assess mortality. The lifetime hospitalization days and charges were also determined. Of the 245 infants identified, 65% were male infants and 172 (70%) underwent Stage 1 palliation. The transplant-free survival rate for the entire cohort was 33% at 14 years. The 1-year transplant-free survival rate for the surgical cohort was 60% in era 3. The infants whose initial presentation included shock, restrictive or intact atrial septum, chromosomal defects, or multiorgan dysfunction had an increased risk of death. A recent era of birth, greater birthweight, and older gestational age were associated with improved survival. The factors associated with mortality after stage 1 included surgical procedure type (Blalock-Taussig vs Sano shunt, hazard ratio 2.1), requirement for postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (hazard ratio 4.2), postoperative renal dysfunction (hazard ratio 3.0), anomalous pulmonary venous return (hazard ratio 2.9), and moderate or greater tricuspid valve regurgitation at any point (hazard ratio 2.0). For patients who had undergone stage 1, 2, or 3 palliation, the median cumulative lifetime hospitalization was 32, 48, and 65 days, and the median cumulative lifetime charges for hospitalization were $201,812, $253,183, and $296,213, respectively. In conclusion, although hospital-based studies of HLHS have shown significantly improved survival after surgical palliation, population-based studies have shown that HLHS continues to have a high mortality and high resource utilization.

Duty Cycling Influences Current Generation in Multi-Anode Environmental Microbial Fuel Cells

Improving microbial fuel cell (MFC) performance continues to be the subject of research, yet the role of operating conditions, specifically duty cycling, on MFC performance has been modestly addressed. We present a series of studies in which we use a 15-anode environmental MFC to explore how duty cycling (variations in the time an anode is connected) influences cumulative charge, current, and microbial composition. The data reveal particular switching intervals that result in the greatest time-normalized current. When disconnection times are sufficiently short, there is a striking decrease in current due to an increase in the overall electrode reaction resistance. This was observed over a number of whole cell potentials. Based on these results, we posit that replenishment of depleted electron donors within the biofilm and surrounding diffusion layer is necessary for maximum charge transfer, and that proton flux may be not limiting in the highly buffered aqueous phases that are common among environmental MFCs. Surprisingly, microbial diversity analyses found no discernible difference in gross community composition among duty cycling treatments, suggesting that duty cycling itself has little or no effect. Such duty cycling experiments are valuable in determining which factors govern performance of bioelectrochemical systems and might also be used to optimize field-deployed systems.

Charge transfer in composites “dielectric + metal nanoparticles”: Effect of electric and magnetic fields

AbstractTheory of tunneling conductivity in metal‐containing nanocomposites has been developed. Three regimes of charge transport, corresponding to weak, strong, and super‐strong applied electric fields were found to be characterized by different dependences of the nanocomposite's conductivity on the applied electric field and temperature. In the absence of external electric field, the metal nanoparticles become charged due to tunneling jumps between them. In case of weak electric field, the statistical distribution of positive and negative charges on nanoparticles is in quasi‐equilibrium, and these charges make the dominant contribution to the charge transport. In the opposite case of strong and super‐strong electric fields, the charge transfer consists of jumps of the electrons between neutral adjacent nanoparticles. In the strong field case, once the charges are created, they jump along or against electric field thus creating cumulative elementary charge displacement. The distribution of interparticle distances is derived based on distribution of their radii. This allows us to calculate the total tunneling current through the composite film as the function of the temperature and concentration of the nanoparticles. The magnetoresistance of ferromagnetic nanocomposites was found to be the same in cases of weak and super‐strong electric fields, but differs from that in the strong field. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Interlocutory Decision on the Applicable Law: Terrorism, Conspiracy, Homicide, Perpetration, Cumulative Charging

232International tribunals — Criminal tribunals — Special Tribunal for Lebanon — International character — Mandate to apply Lebanese substantive law — Extent to which international criminal law applicable — Relevance of international criminal law as aid to interpretation of Lebanese law — Statute — Rules of Procedure and Evidence — Submission of questions to Appeals Chamber for ruling before confirmation of indictment considered — Multiple chargingInternational criminal law — Substantive law — Terrorism — Conspiracy — Modes of participation — Principles designed to protect the rights of the accused — Resolution of ambiguities in favour of accused — Principle of nullum crimen sine lege — Due processTerrorism — Definition — Whether customary international law definition of terrorism — State practice — Opinio juris — Whether customary international law creating criminal offence of terrorism — Elements of customary international law offence of terrorism — Treaties — Arab Convention for the Suppression of Terrorism, 1998Relationship of international law and municipal law — Treaties — Whether self-executing — Treaties on international criminal law — Relevance as aid to interpretation of municipal law — Customary international law — Lebanese law — Treatment of treaties and customary international law in Lebanese lawSources of international law — Customary international law — State practice — Relevance of decisions of national courts as State practice — National legislation — United Nations resolutions — Opinio juris — Whether opinio juris to be presumed — Terrorism — Whether customary international law rule defining and prohibiting terrorismInternational tribunals — United Nations — Security Council — Creation of international criminal tribunal — Special Tribunal for Lebanon — Jurisdiction — International character — Interpretation of acts of Security Council — Application of principles in Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, 1969

Amicus Curiae Brief on the Practice of Cumulative Charging Before International Criminal Bodies Submitted to the Appeals Chamber of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon Pursuant to Rule 131 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence

On 7 February 2011, President of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), Antonio Cassese, issued a general invitation to, inter alia, nongovernmental organizations and academic institutions to submit briefs on specific issues related to the 15 preliminary questions addressed to the judges of the Appeals Chamber pursuant to Rule 68(G) of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence (RPE). On 11 February 2011, the War Crimes Research Office (WCRO) of the American University Washington College of Law submitted an amicus curiae brief under Rule 131 of the RPE addressing the specific question of whether cumulative charging is an accepted practice before international criminal bodies. Citing jurisprudence of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), the International Criminal Tribunal

Gas by-products of CF3I under AC partial discharge

This paper presents the decomposition by-products of trifluro-iodo-methane and their relative proportions in the gas phase under the occurrence of partial discharge. The experiment was performed in the presence of water vapor from 250 to 400 ppm under a non-uniform electric field configuration. The experimental results reveal that the by-products of C2F6, C2F4, C2F5I with the amount of 1300, 200, and 55 (CH3I) ppm, respectively, were produced for a cumulative charge of 161 mC. Other by-products, such as C3F8, CHF3, C3F6 CH3I were obtained at less than 30 ppm C2F6 was the dominant gas by-product of trifluro-iodo-methane suffering partial discharge.

Fast-track Justice: The Special Tribunal for Lebanon Defines Terrorism

The Appeals Chamber of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) recently issued its first major decision, setting out its interpretation of the elements of crimes under the STL's Statute, the definition of the crime of terrorism under customary international law, the application of the modes of individual liability and the permissibility of cumulative charging. The authors argue that the Appeals Chamber's decision is procedurally flawed because it was made possible only by an amendment to the Rules of Procedure and Evidence that is arguably ultra vires the Statute. They suggest that the expansion of the Appeals Chamber's powers jeopardizes the authority of the decision and sets a dangerous precedent that may ultimately be detrimental to the functioning of the Court. In relation to the crime of terrorism, the authors note that the Appeals Chamber's expansive approach to the interpretation of terrorism under Lebanese law provides the basis for a serious nullum crimen sine lege challenge, particularly given the clear legislative intent to apply the Lebanese form of the crime of terrorism. Similarly, the Appeals Chamber's definition of terrorism under customary international law is problematic in being both overinclusive and underinclusive. While the Appeals Chamber managed to avoid an overly formalistic and paralyzing approach to the formation of customary international law, its ultimate statement of the law lends itself to expansive interpretation and misuse by authorities seeking to repress opposition dissent. Other notable aspects of the decision, including the approach taken to modes of liability and cumulative charging are commented on in order to highlight the choices made by the Appeals Chamber and the issues that are likely to be revisited as proceedings before the Tribunal eventuate.

Hospitalization for invasive pneumococcal disease in a national sample of children with sickle cell disease before and after PCV7 licensure

To estimate national hospitalization rates for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) before and after the 2000 licensure of the heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7). We performed a retrospective trend analysis of the 1994-2007 Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases. Hospitalizations involving children with SCD and IPD were identified by ICD-9CM code. The primary outcomes, the annual hospitalization rate for IPD in children with SCD and the proportion of hospitalizations for IPD per 100 total SCD hospitalizations, were analyzed using multivariable linear regression and contingency analysis, respectively. A total of 1,242 hospitalizations for IPD in SCD patients were identified from 1994-2007, with a mortality rate of 2.4%. The national mean annual rate of IPD hospitalization decreased by 65%, from 131.8 cases/year from 1994 to 2000 to 45.5 cases/year from 2001 to 2007 (P = 0.001). The national proportion of hospitalizations for IPD per 100 total SCD hospitalizations decreased from 0.4 to 0.15 (P < 0.0001) over the same interval. Following PCV7 licensure, the mean annual cumulative hospital days and cumulative hospital charges decreased nationally by 53% and 36%, respectively. In a national sample, PCV7 licensure is temporally associated with a nearly threefold reduction in IPD hospitalizations in children with SCD.

Comparison Between Immediate Appendectomy Versus Nonoperative Management For Pediatric Perforated Appendicitis With Intraabdominal Abscess

Introduction: The impact of nonoperative management (NOM) on children with perforated appendicitis compared to immediate appendecomy (IA) remains unclear. This study identifies factors associated with NOM and compares outcomes between NOM and IA. Methods: Children 1-18 y/o with perforated appendicitis and intraabdominal abscess were extracted from California's Patient Discharge Database,1999-2006. NOM was defined as drainage for appendiceal abscess and no appendectomy within 2 days of admission. NOM failures required operations within 4 weeks of presentation. Patient and hospital characteristics, initial hospital course, and readmissions were compared between NOM and IA. Hospital volumes were stratified into quartiles, where the “top” and “bottom” quartiles were labeled as “high” and “low” volume hospitals respectively. P<0.01 was considered significant. Results: Overall, 17,039 children with perforated appendicitis were treated at 359 different hospitals with volumes ranging from 1-117 cases/yr. Only 408 (2.4%) underwent NOM, while 16.631 (97.6%) had IA. NOM rate increased from 1.6% in 1999 to 4.4% in 2006 (p<0.001). NOM had longer initial (7.5 vs 5.4 days, p<0.001) and cumulative (9.3 vs 5.8 days, p<0.001) length of stay, higher cumulative hospital charges ($40k vs $31k, p<0.001), and more home health assistance (9 vs 2%, p<0.001). Furthermore, NOM had higher readmission rates (57 vs 11%, p<0.001), and more serious complications (14 vs 9%, p<0.005). Postoperative infection rate (3 vs 6%, p=NS) and readmit abscess drainage rate (2 vs 5%, p=NS) were similar. Multivariate analysis demonstrated children who had NOM compared to IA were more likely to be white (33 vs 27%, OR 1.49, p<0.005), girls (52 vs 38%, OR 1.75, p<0.001), with private insurance (45 vs 37%, OR 1.51, p<0.001), and to be treated at a high volume (48 vs 32%, OR 2.45, p<0.001) and children's hospitals (46 vs 26%, OR 2.50, p<0.001). NOM failure occurred in 148 (37%), 18% failed during the initial hospitalization. There were 79 children who underwent interval appendectomy (19%), and 181 (44%) did not undergo appendectomy. The rate of extensive bowel resections at appendectomy was similar (1 vs 1%, p=NS). The rate of laparoscopy was higher in the NOM group (51 vs 31%, p<0.001). Conclusions: Although the use of NOM increased steadily over time, there is no clear advantage of NOM compared to IA. NOM had longer hospitalizations, higher charges, more readmissions, and a higher complication rate. The rates of bowel resections were similar between the two groups. Large prospective randomized trials are needed to identify unique patient populations that would benefit from NOM vs. IA.

Optimal tax depreciation with loss carry-forward and backward options

The choice of depreciation method from among straight-line and accelerated methods can have a significant impact on the present value of expected tax payments. This is a problem that has been studied for decades, with most results indicating the optimality of accelerated methods. Recent research questions this claim by relaxing the assumption of positive taxable income. The situation where net-operating losses may be carried-forward and backward in time is the subject of this paper. We model this situation and establish conditions that allow straight-line depreciation to be preferred over accelerated methods. The results are focused around a threshold number of periods of consecutive losses, which are determined by the allowable periods to carry a loss forward. For consecutive losses beyond this threshold, straight-line will always be optimal. When the cumulative depreciation charges up to and including the window are guaranteed to be applied on or before the threshold period, then straight-line will never be optimal.

First-Class Crimes, Second-Class Justice: Cumulative Charges for Gender-Based Crimes at the International Criminal Court

AbstractWhile sexual and gender-based violence crimes are now prosecutable as war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide, the Pre-Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Court recently declined to confirm cumulative charges for sexual and gender-based violence in Prosecutor v. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo. Born out of the historical tendency of international criminal tribunals to treat rape and sexual violence as secondary crimes, this paper argues that the International Criminal Court is far from achieving true gender justice, or from serving as a deterrent against sexual and gender-based violence crimes. This paper also argues that the ICC's failure in this regard risks undermining the very legitimacy of the Court.