Resonant soft x-ray scattering (RSoXS) leverages chemical specificity to characterize thin films but is limited near the nitrogen edge. The challenge is that commercially available x-ray transparent substrates are composed of Si3N4 and thereby absorb incident x-rays and generate incoherent fluorescence. To overcome this challenge, we designed and fabricated Al2O3 free-standing films for use as RSoXS windows. Al2O3 films offer higher x-ray transmittance and minimal fluorescence near the nitrogen edge. As an example, Al2O3 windows allow for nitrogen RSoXS of conjugated block copolymer thin films that reveal domain spacings, which are not apparent with commercially available Si3N4 substrates.

My father, John Howard Jackson, was a life-long advocate for strengthening a rules-based trading system. While he recognized the importance of developing a predictable, transparent economic system, the larger goal in his view was to contribute to creating conditions for world peace. He argued for a system that would favour co-operation in situations where domestic policy-makers might otherwise make decisions that would have negative spill-over effects on their trading partners. At the same time, he recognized the tension between the need to have rules conducive to stability and predictability and the need to allow official discretion to address targeted problems. The challenge of crafting institutions that could effectively manage this tension captured his attention throughout his career.

In November 1934 the President circulated a letter to the members of the Commission as follows:

Since the 1932 meeting the following projects have been completed, or are nearing completion:

1. (1)The publication of many lists of trigonometric parallaxes.
2. (2)The determination of the spectroscopic parallaxes of 4179 stars at Mt Wilson Observatory by Adams, Joy and Humason.
3. (3)A discussion of systematic errors of trigonometric parallaxes by van Maanen and a re-discussion in the Astrophysical Journal of the same material by Mitchell and by Sterne.
4. (4)The compilation of a second Yale Catalogue to include parallaxes completed before the end of 1934.
5. (5)Substantial progress on the proper motions of 32,000 stars by Boss and his associates at the Dudley Observatory.
6. (6)The publication at the Radcliffe Observatory of the proper motions of 32,000 stars from photographs on 115 Selected Areas.
7. (7)The completion of the dynamical parallaxes of 2000 stars.
8. (8)The completion of the proper motions of 18,000 stars derived from parallax plates at the Leander McCormick Observatory.
9. (9)The publication at the Yale Observatory of the proper motions of 40,000 stars with a probable error less than 0”.010 determined from photographs by re-observing in zones the Astronomische Gesellschaft stars.
10. (10)The determination of the proper motions of 50,000 stars in the Southern Hemisphere by Luyten from Harvard photographs.

The multilateral trading system has continuously evolved to take account of the changing nature of non-tariff barriers (NTBs). This paper contrasts GATT terminology with the definitions frequently found in the literature and describes the multilateral tools that were used in the past to identify NTBs. The latter includes an overview of inventories based on ‘reverse’ notifications and, more recently, the ‘specific trade concerns’ raised in WTO Committees. The paper also looks at the provisions cited by complainants in more than 60 years of multilateral disputes as a proxy for identifying the most relevant NTBs affecting trade in goods, as well as the manner in which they have evolved over time. It concludes that agricultural and non-agricultural products face very different NTBs, and observes that while disputes involving agricultural products are increasingly about ‘behind-the-border’ NTBs, those involving non-agricultural or mixed products are not. Finally, the paper proposes the establishment of a new multilateral instrument to collect and classify information on NTBs based on specific trade concerns raised in the context of the ordinary WTO bodies.

Objective: We present the longest follow-up, to date, of probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York City firefighters who participated in the rescue/recovery effort.

Methods: We examined data from 11 006 WTC-exposed firefighters who completed 40 672 questionnaires and reported estimates of probable PTSD by year from serial cross-sectional analyses. In longitudinal analyses, we used separate Cox models with data beginning from October 2, 2001, to identify variables associated with recovery from or delayed onset of probable PTSD.

Results: The prevalence of probable PTSD was 7.4% by September 11, 2010, and continued to be associated with early arrival at the WTC towers during every year of analysis. An increasing number of aerodigestive symptoms (hazard ratio [HR] 0.89 per symptom, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.86-.93) and reporting a decrease in exercise, whether the result of health (HR 0.56 vs no change in exercise, 95% CI 0.41-.78) or other reasons (HR 0.76 vs no change in exercise, 95% CI 0.63-.92), were associated with a lower likelihood of recovery from probable PTSD. Arriving early at the WTC (HR 1.38 vs later WTC arrival, 95% CI 1.12-1.70), an increasing number of aerodigestive symptoms (HR 1.45 per symptom, 95% CI 1.40–1.51), and reporting an increase in alcohol intake since September 11, 2001 (HR 3.43 vs no increase in alcohol intake, 95% CI 2.67-4.43) were associated with delayed onset of probable PTSD.

Conclusions: Probable PTSD continues to be associated with early WTC arrival even 9 years after the terrorist attacks. Concurrent conditions and behaviors, such as respiratory symptoms, exercise, and alcohol use also play important roles in contributing to PTSD symptoms.

(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2011;5:S197-S203)

One of the important reliability challenges in integrating copper/Low-K dielectric technology has been adhesion between the Low-K dielectric and barrier metal. This investigation explored the applicability of the four-point bend technique for determining the adhesion strength of a fluorine doped low dielectric constant oxide in contact with tantalum barrier layer. Time of flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToFSIMS) was used for surface chemical analyses of the delaminated surfaces to identify the fractured interface and its chemical compositions. The effect of annealing on mechanical strength was coupled with chemical analysis to discern the adhesion properties. Experimental results suggested that fluorine rich interfacial layer formation was associated with degraded adhesion characteristics between Low-K dielectric and tantalum barrier metal.

The effects of curing rate and solvent content prior to curing were examined for Hitachi PIX L110 polyimide thin films. DMA, TMA, DSC, and wafer bow measurements were used to elucidate in-plane storage modulus, Z-axis CTE, heat capacity, and residual stress dependencies on processing conditions and film position across the wafer. It was found that the residual stress and storage modulus are highly dependent on the processing conditions. Additionally, the heat capacity and storage modulus showed significant dependency on wafer position as well as processing conditions. The Z-axis CTE was found to deviate significantly from values published for the in-plane (xy) direction.

The interdiffusion and crystallization reactions between amorphous Ni-Nb alloy films and Si substrates and several overlayer metals have been monitored by x-ray diffraction and high resolution Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy. Free standing amorphous thin films of Ni-Nb alloys crystallize in one hour at temperatures between 600–625 °C and show little dependence of the crystallization temperature, Tx, on composition over the range from 30–80 at.% Ni. However, in films that are sputter deposited onto Si substrates Tx tends to increase with increasing Nb composition. Ni60Nb40 samples without overlayers crystallize at 650–700 °C. Enhancement of the thermal stability to 700–750 °C is achieved with a Nb overlayer. In contrast, a Ni overlayer can reduce Tx to 450 °C. At the film/substrate interface silicide formation reactions with Ni from the film contribute to a destabilization of the amorphous alloy. The modification of Tx with Ni, Nb, and other overlayers appears to be related to changes in the reaction kinetics associated with penetration of the overlayer into the film.