W-CMP for sub-micron inverse metallisation

Chemical Mechanical Polishing (CMP) of tungsten for an inverse metallisation scheme is investigated. The influence of CMP parameters on removal rate and uniformity is studied. The main effects on the removal rate are the applied pressure and the rotation rate of the polishing pad. To the first order Preston's equation is obeyed. The uniformity is best with equal rpm of pad and wafer and with perforated pads. Also, pattern density effects of CMP of W/PETEOS are investigated. Dishing increased at larger W-linewidth. Oxide erosion increased at larger pattern density and smaller W-linewidth. Electrical measurements on submicron (0.4 and 0.5 ¿m) test structures yielded good CMP results

In search of an appropriate abstraction level for motif annotations

In: Proceedings of the 2012 Workshop on Computational Models of Narrative, (pp. 22-28).

Efficient heuristics for two-echelon spare parts inventory systems with an aggregate mean waiting time constraint per local warehouse

This paper presents solution procedures for determining close-to-optimal stocking policies in a multi-item two-echelon spare parts inventory system. The system we consider consists of a central warehouse and a number of local warehouses, and there is a target for the aggregate mean waiting time per local warehouse. We develop four different heuristics and derive a lower bound on the optimal total cost. The effectiveness of each heuristic is assessed by measuring the relative gap between the heuristic’s total cost and the lower bound. The results of the computational experiments show that a greedy procedure performs most satisfactorily. It is accurate as indicated by relatively small gaps, easy to implement, and furthermore, the computational requirements are limited. The computational efficiency can be increased by using Graves’ approximate evaluation method instead of an exact evaluation method, while the results remain accurate

Can the evolution of music be analyzed in a quantitative manner?

We propose a methodology to study music development by applying multivariate statistics on composers characteristics. Seven representative composers were considered in terms of eight main musical features. Grades were assigned to each characteristic and their correlations were analyzed. A bootstrap method was applied to simulate hundreds of artificial composers influenced by the seven representatives chosen. Afterwards we quantify non-numeric relations like dialectics, opposition and innovation. Composers differences on style and technique were represented as geometrical distances in the feature space, making it possible to quantify, for example, how much Bach and Stockhausen differ from other composers or how much Beethoven influenced Brahms. In addition, we compared the results with a prior investigation on philosophy. Opposition, strong on philosophy, was not remarkable on music. Supporting an observation already considered by music theorists, strong influences were identified between composers by the quantification of dialectics, implying inheritance and suggesting a stronger master-disciple evolution when compared to the philosophy analysis.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, added references for sections 1 and 4.C, better mathematical description on section 2. New values and interpretation, now considering a bootstrap metho

4,6-Bis(diphenyl­phosphan­yl)-2,8-di­methyl­phenoxathiin dichloro­methane monosolvate

The title compound, C38H30OP2S·CH2Cl2, belongs to the xanthene family of ligands containing S- and O-donor atoms in the central heterocylic ring. Positions 2 and 8 on the xanthene backbone are functionalized with methyl groups to allow for the selective functionalization of the backbone at positions 4 and 6 with diphenyl­phosphanyl units. The title compound shows a significant ‘roof-like’ bending along the axis of planarity involving the O- and S-donor atoms and the benzene rings, resulting in a dihedral angle between the mean planes of the benzene rings of 32.88 (13)°

Thoracic and Lumbar Vertebral Bone Mineral Density Changes in a Natural Occurring Dog Model of Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis

Ankylosing spinal disorders can be associated with alterations in vertebral bone mineral density (BMD). There is however controversy about vertebral BMD in patients wuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH). DISH in Boxer dogs has been considered a natural occurring disease model for DISH in people. The purpose of this study was to compare vertebral BMD between Boxers with and without DISH. Fifty-nine Boxers with (n=30) or without (n=29) DISH that underwent computed tomography were included. Vertebral BMD was calculated for each thoracic and lumbar vertebra by using an earlier reported and validated protocol. For each vertebral body, a region of interest was drawn on the axial computed tomographic images at three separate locations: immediately inferior to the superior end plate, in the middle of the vertebral body, and superior to the inferior end plate. Values from the three axial slices were averaged to give a mean Hounsfield Unit value for each vertebral body. Univariate statistical analysis was performed to identify factors to be included in a multivariate model. The multivariate model including all dogs demonstrated that vertebral DISH status (Coefficient 24.63; 95% CI 16.07 to 33.19; p <0.001), lumbar vertebrae (Coefficient -17.25; 95% CI -23.42 to -11.09; p < 0.01), and to a lesser extent higher age (Coefficient -0.56; 95% CI -1.07 to -0.05; p = 0.03) were significant predictors for vertebral BMD. When the multivariate model was repeated using only dogs with DISH, vertebral DISH status (Coefficient 20.67; 95% CI, 10.98 to 30.37; p < 0.001) and lumbar anatomical region (Coefficient -38.24; 95% CI, -47.75 to -28.73; p < 0.001) were again predictors for vertebral BMD but age was not. The results of this study indicate that DISH can be associated with decreased vertebral BMD. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the clinical importance and pathophysiology of this finding

Against the Odds: Psychomotor Development of Children Under 2 years in a Sudanese Orphanage.

Providing abandoned children the necessary medical and psychological care as possible after their institutionalization may minimize developmental delays. We describe psychomotor development in infants admitted to an orphanage in Khartoum, Sudan, assessed at admission and over an 18-month follow-up. Psychological state and psychomotor quotients were determined using a simplified Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale (NBAS), the Brunet-Lezine and Alarm distress baby (ADBB) scale. From May-September 2005, 151 children were evaluated 2, 4, 9, 12 and 18 months after inclusion. At admission, ∼15% of children ≤1 month had a regulation impairment according to the NBAS, and 33.8% presented a distress state (ADBB score >5). More than 85% (129/151) recovered normal psychomotor development. The results of the program reinforce the importance of early detection of psychological disorders followed by rapid implementation of psychological case management to improve the development of young children in similar institutions and circumstances

4,6-Bis(diphenyl­phosphan­yl)dibenzo[b,d]furan

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C36H26OP2, comprises two mol­ecules which have slightly different conformations of the phenyl ring substituents. In both mol­ecules, the dibenzofuran unit is close to being planar, with dihedral angles of 3.20 (3) and 1.86 (2)° for the two mol­ecules. Its planarity affects the intra­molecular distances between P atoms, with P⋯P distances of 5.574 (2) and 5.485 (2) Å for the two mol­ecules