Glass-to-metal bonding process improves stability and performance of semiconductor devices

Anodic bonding of glass coverslips to photodiodes and photovoltaic devices eliminates the need for adhesive. The process requires relatively low temperatures /less than 560 degrees C/ and the metals and glass remain solid throughout the bonding process

Fabrication of electroacoustic RF amplifiers

Anodic bonding of a lithium niobate piezoelectric crystal over a silicon-on-sapphire structure with the crystal mounted over a closely controlled oxide provides a point-contact mount for two rectangular slabs /one piezoelectric and the other a silicon semiconductor/ within 600 A of each other

Biomedical sensing and display concept improves brain wave monitoring

Concept for increasing effectiveness of biomedical sensing and display promises greater monitoring capability while lessening high skill requirements in operating personnel. New concept overcomes deficiencies of current system by employing increased number of probes and microelectronic preamplifiers

Scope, Scale, and Sustainability: What It Takes to Create Lasting Community Change

· This article examines success factors that relate specifically to the ability of a comprehensive community initiative (CCI) to achieve the scope and scale required to generate community-level outcomes and to sustain those positive impacts over time. · The CCIs selected for study represent a wide range of goals, strategies, and organizational structures. · Six factors were found to cut across scope, scale, and sustainability. These factors include having a single broker or entity that holds the vision of the change effort; clearly defined roles; alignment among interventions, resources, and geography; meaningful community engagement; competent leadership and staff; and strategic, cross-level relationships. · Additional factors were found to relate to success in achieving scope, scale, or sustainability individually. · Lessons include to plan, operate, and evaluate based on a systems- and community-change framework; choose focused and affordable strategies; build the capacity to use data; and plan for change and conflict

Post-operative cranial pressure monitoring system

System for monitoring of fluidic pressures in cranial cavity uses a miniaturized pressure sensing transducer, combined with suitable amplification means, a meter with scale calibrated in terms of pressures between minus 100 and plus 900 millimeters of water, and a miniaturized chart recorder covering similar range of pressures

Assessing Organization Culture Readiness for Knowledge Management Implementation: The Case of Aeronautical Systems Center Directorate of Contracting

The DoD is currently pursuing a wholesale transformation that impacts all facets of DoD operations and responsibilities. At the same time, the commercial sector has been experiencing significant changes that drive them to look for new ways of remaining competitive and profitable. Leveraging knowledge (intellectual capital) to increase efficiency and effectiveness within the organization has become a popular management technique that has been successful in many commercial firms. The DoD has noted the commercial sector successes and initiatives to better manage knowledge are being developed and implemented on an enterprise-wide basis as well as on a local- organizational basis. Previous research suggests that an organization\u27s readiness for change is a critical factor in whether or not implementation of knowledge management projects is successful. The previous research also suggests that readiness for change is determined by change content, process, context, and individual variables. This thesis focuses on measuring readiness for change within the Contracting Directorate at Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC/PK) located at Wright-Patterson AFE, Ohio and whether or not there are any demographic correlations to readiness for change within the organization. ASC/PK\u27s readiness for change was measured using a cross- sectional survey methodology and the results suggest that the ASC/PK population is generally ready for change in regard to knowledge management initiatives; however, several areas have been highlighted for improvement to increase overall readiness. Furthermore, the results of the study do not suggest any demographic correlations

Derailing FELA's Causation Standard: The Supreme Court's Misinterpretation of FELA in McBride and Suggestions to Restrict the Potential for Unlimited Carrier Liability

This is the published version

Design and Implementation of Stewart Platform Robot for Robotics Course Laboratory

A Stewart Platform robot was designed, constructed, and programmed for use in Cal Poly’s ME 423 Robotics: Fundamentals and Applications laboratory section. A Stewart Platform is a parallel manipulator robot with six prismatic joints that has six degrees of freedom, able to be defined in both position and orientation. Its purpose is to supplement parallel robot material covered in lecture. Learning objectives include applying and verifying the Stewart Platform inverse kinematics and investigating the Stewart Platform’s operation, range of motion, and limitations. The Stewart Platform geometry and inverse kinematics were modeled and animated using MATLAB. The platform was then built using linear actuators, magnetic spherical bearings, and acrylic plates. Control of the Stewart Platform is achieved using an Arduino Due and a custom HexaMoto shield. Users interact with the system using a GUI created with MATLAB’s App Designer

Germination responses of a dry sclerophyll forest soil-stored seedbank to fire related cues

Fire is an integral component of many ecosystems worldwide. Many plant species require fire-related cues, primarily heat and smoke, to trigger germination. Despite the importance of this process, the responses of many Australian species to these cues are unknown. Without this knowledge fire management strategies may be developed that are inappropriate for individual species and vegetation communities. In this study we examined the responses of a dry sclerophyll forest seed bank to heat and smoke germination cues. Analysis was possible for 48 taxa within the soil seedbank with 34 of these showing a response to one or both of the germination cues. 10 species responded to the heat treatment, 11 species responded to the smoke treatment and 13 species responded to both the heat and smoke treatments. Germination cues acted independently for all species considered. Results in this study were consistent with published reports for most species, although some differences were seen at the species and genus level. The study highlights the importance of fire-related cues in enhancing germination of a large proportion of the species occurring in dry sclerophyll forests

The "new genetics" and clinical practice

The document attached has been archived with permission from the editor of the Medical Journal of Australia. An external link to the publisher’s copy is included.A "new genetics" has emerged driven by knowledge gained at the DNA level. In clinical practice, a practical application of the new genetics is DNA testing, which can be expected to expand with the completion of the Human Genome Project as the functions of new genes are discovered. Genetic DNA testing scenarios include diagnostic DNA testing, prenatal DNA testing, predictive (presymptomatic) DNA testing and screening DNA testing. The challenge for genetic DNA testing and clinical practice will be to define the roles to be played by the general practitioner, the specialist, and other healthcare professionals. From the patients' and families' perspective, the new genetics will best be implemented if a planned approach is adopted in the ordering of DNA tests and the associated counselling and support processes.Ronald J A Trent, Robert Williamson and Grant R Sutherlan