The Massachusetts Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector: Structure and Functions

Describes the role and financing of the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority, an agency created to help small businesses and individuals buy affordable, high-quality insurance. Considers its potential as a model for national reform

Ion Bombardment of Polyimide Films

Surface modification techniques such as wet chemical etching, oxidizing flames, and plasma treatments (inert ion sputtering and reactive ion etching) have been used to change the surface chemistry of polymers and improve adhesion. With an increase in the use of polyimides for microelectronic applications, the technique of ion sputtering to enhance polymer‐to‐metal adhesion is receiving increased attention. For this study, the argon‐ion bombardment surfaces of pyromellitic dianhydride and oxydianiline (PMDA–ODA) and biphenyl tetracarboxylic dianhydride and phenylene diamine (BPDA–PDA) polyimide films were characterized with x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) as a function of ion dose. Graphite and high‐density polyethylene were also examined by XPS for comparison of C 1s peak width and binding‐energy assignments. Results indicate that at low ion doses the surface of the polyimide does not change chemically, although adsorbed species are eliminated. At higher doses the chemical composition is altered and is dramatically reflected in the C 1s spectra where graphiticlike structures become evident and the prominent carbonyl peak is reduced significantly. Both polyimides demonstrate similar chemical changes after heavy ion bombardment. Atomic composition of PMDA–ODA and BPDA–PDA polymers are almost identical after heavy ion bombardment

Aluminum Deposition on Polyimides: The Effect of in situ Ion Bombardment

The chemistry of the Al polyimide interface is examined by x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy sputter profiling. Al deposited on polyimide films without an in situ Ar backsputter shows a clearly defined 50‐Å Al2O3 layer just prior to the polyimide. This layer is identified by the O/Al atom ratio at 1.5, and the binding energy of the Al 2p transition. There is a clear separation of the Al/Al2O3/polyimide layers in the sputter profiles. Deposition of Al on polyimide surfaces after Argon backsputtering produces a diffuse Al/polyimide interface with no Al2O3 present. There is evidence in the Al 2p spectra for Al–C or Al–O–C type bonds, while the C 1s spectrum clearly has a metal carbide component. Increased adhesion of Al to polyimide surfaces with Ar backsputtering may be due to the differences in chemistry observed in these two instances

When four months equal a year: An exploration of inconsistencies in students' monthly versus yearly reports of drug use

https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/137903/1/occ9.pd

The impacts of response styles on black-white differences in self-esteem: An analysis of six samples of youth

https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/137900/1/occ16.pd

Architectural synthesis of timed asynchronous systems

Journal ArticleThis paper describes a new method for architectural synthesis of timed asynchronous systems. Due to the variable delays associated with asynchronous resources, implicit schedules are created by the addition of supplementary constraints between resources. Since the number of schedules grows exponentially with respect to the size of the given data flow graph, pruning techniques are introduced which dramatically improve run-time without significantly affecting the quality of the results. Using a combination of data and resource constraints, as well as an analysis of bounded delay information, our method determines the minimum number of resources and registers needed to implement a given schedule. Results are demonstrated using some high-level synthesis benchmark circuits and an industrial example

Apollo experience report guidance and control systems: Primary guidance, navigation, and control system development

The primary guidance, navigation, and control systems for both the lunar module and the command module are described. Development of the Apollo primary guidance systems is traced from adaptation of the Polaris Mark II system through evolution from Block I to Block II configurations; the discussion includes design concepts used, test and qualification programs performed, and major problems encountered. The major subsystems (inertial, computer, and optical) are covered. Separate sections on the inertial components (gyroscopes and accelerometers) are presented because these components represent a major contribution to the success of the primary guidance, navigation, and control system