CD Variation Research Articles

Water-fertilizer regulation drives microorganisms to promote iron, nitrogen and manganese cycling: A solution for arsenic and cadmium pollution in paddy soils

The co-contamination of arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) in rice fields presents a global imperative for resolution. However, understanding the complex microbially driven geochemical processes and network connectivity crucial for As and Cd bioavailability under the frequent redox transitions in rice fields remains limited. Here, we conducted a series of microcosm experiments, using flooding and drainage, alongside fertilization treatments to emulate different redox environment in paddy soils. Soil As significantly reduced in drained conditions following applications of biochar or calcium-magnesium-phosphate (CMP) fertilizers by 26.3 % and 31.2 %, respectively, with concurrent decreases in Cd levels. Utilizing geochemical models, we identified the primary redox cycles dynamically altering during flooding (Fe and S cycles) and drainage (Fe, Mn, and N cycles). PLS-SEM elucidated 76 % and 61 % of the variation in Cd and As through Mn and N cycles. Functional genes implicated in multi-element cycles were analyzed, revealing a significantly higher abundance of assimilatory N reduction genes (nasA, nirA/B, narB) in drained soil, whereas an increase in ammonia-oxidizing genes (amoA/B) and a decrease in nitrate reduction to ammonium genes were observed after CMP fertilizer application. Biochar application led to significant enrichment of the substrate-binding protein of the Mn transport gene (mntC). Moreover, Fe transport genes were enriched after biochar or CMP application compared to drained soils. Among 40 high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), microbial predictors associated with low Cd and As contents across different treatments were examined. Bradyrhizobacea harbored abundant Mn and FeIII transport genes, while Nitrososphaeraceae carried nitrification-related genes. Two MAGs affiliated with Caulobacteraceae, carrying diverse Fe transport genes, were enriched in biochar-applied soils. Therefore, applying CMP fertilizer or biochar in aerobic rice fields can synergistically reduce the bioavailability of Cd and As by specifically enhancing the circulation of essential elements.

Spatial heterogeneity of soil moisture caused by drainage and its effects on cadmium variation in rice grain within individual fields

Paddy drainage is the critical period for rice grain to accumulate cadmium (Cd), however, its roles on spatial heterogeneity of grain Cd within individual fields are still unknown. Herein, field plot experiments were conducted to study the spatial variations of rice Cd under continuous and intermittent (drainage at the tillering or grain-filling or both stages) flooding conditions. The spatial heterogeneity of soil moisture and key factors involved in Cd mobilization during drainages were further investigated to explain grain Cd variation. Rice grain Cd levels under continuous flooding ranged from 0.16 to 0.22 mg kg−1 among nine sampling sites within an individual field. Tillering drainage slightly increased grain Cd levels (0.19–0.31 mg kg−1) with little change in spatial variation. However, grain-filling drainage greatly increased grain Cd range to 0.33–0.95 mg kg−1, with a huge spatial variation observed among replicated sites. During two drainage periods, soil moisture decreased variously in different monitoring sites; greater variation (mean values ranged from 0.14 to 0.27 m3 m−3) was observed during grain-filling drainage. Accordingly, 2.9–3.3-fold variation in soil Eh and 0.55–0.67-unit variation in soil pH were observed among those sites. In the soil with low moisture, ferrous fractions such as ferrous sulfide (FeS) were prone to be oxidized to ferric fractions; meanwhile, the followed generation of hydroxyl radicals involved in Cd remobilization was enhanced. Consequently, soil dissolved Cd changed from 2.97 to 8.92 μg L−1 among different sampling sites during grain-filling drainage; thus, large variation was observed in grain Cd levels. The findings suggest that grain-filling drainage is the main process controlling spatial variation of grain Cd, which should be paid more attention in paddy Cd evaluation.

A Comparative Study on Wind Profiles and Surface Aerodynamic Parameters of Typhoons Over Coastland and Coastal Sea

AbstractUnderstanding the aerodynamic characteristics of landfalling typhoons is of great importance for both wind engineering and meteorology. This study comparatively investigated the near‐surface wind profiles and aerodynamic parameters over coastland and coastal sea areas using typhoon observational data collected by Doppler wind lidars and wind tower anemometers during the passage of 15 typhoons that made landfall over China during 2009–2020. Specifically, the three surface aerodynamic parameters of roughness length, friction velocity, and drag coefficient (Cd) were obtained using the logarithmic law wind profile method. Results showed that the near‐surface wind profiles became much closer to the power law wind profile with increase in wind speed. The values of roughness length and friction velocity over the coastal sea were found to exceed those over coastland areas when the 10‐m wind speed (U(10)) was larger than 18 m s−1. The critical wind speed at which Cd peaks over the coastal sea was found to be 24 m s−1. There are two peaks in the variation of Cd with U(10) under the condition of onshore wind over the sea, which has never been reported in previous observational studies. Finally, a formula for Cd was proposed to describe the variation in Cd with U(10) under the condition of onshore wind over land, which is expected to be applied in the typhoon surface layer scheme to improve numerical simulation of landfalling typhoons.

Adaptation of Wind Drag Coefficient Parameterization: Improvement of Hydrodynamic Modeling by a Wave‐Dependent Cd in Large Shallow Lakes

AbstractWind is a critical driving force in hydrodynamic and water quality modeling of large shallow lakes, and is characterized by the wind drag coefficient Cd, representing the momentum transfer at the air‐water interface. Contemporary empirical formulae for Cd estimation were derived over oceans and some of which are solely wind velocity U10 dependent. These formulae were previously found to be inadequate in inland lake models often resulting in the water velocity underestimation. To address this problem, a physical scale experiment was designed, in which Cd was measured using a wind profile and eddy covariance methodology. A new wind‐induced wave‐dependent Cd parameterization was also established and validated in two lake studies. The driving force was modified by the wave‐dependent Cd formula in a hydrodynamic model of the shallow Upper Klamath Lake (UKL), OR, USA. The experimental Cd was negatively correlated to the wind velocity up until the critical U10 = 1.6 m s−1 which was 1.0~3.1 times previous empirical extrapolations at light winds. The variation partitioning results showed that wave parameters contributed to more than 30% of Cd variation combined with wind parameters. The modified wind stress field was spatially heterogeneous and the modeled water velocity was closer to the observations at two sites. Significant main circulation and outer bank circulation were modeled accompanied by higher surface vorticity, compared to the original UKL model. Overall, the wave‐dependent Cd formula provided an improvement of the surface flow field in the UKL model and will improve the management of the lake ecosystems.

Contrasting trophic transfer patterns of cadmium and mercury in the Arctic marine food web of east Hudson Bay, Canada

We investigated trophic transfer of cadmium (Cd) through an Arctic marine food web in Hudson Bay and compared it with mercury (Hg), a metal known to strongly biomagnify. We evaluated blue mussel, sea urchin, common eider, sculpin, Arctic cod, and ringed seal for the influence of dietary and biological variables on variation in Cd and Hg concentrations. Age and size influenced metal concentrations among individuals within a vertebrate species. Consumer carbon and sulfur isotope values were correlated with their Cd and Hg concentrations, indicating habitat-specific feeding influenced metal bioaccumulation. Trophic transfer patterns for Cd depended on the vertebrate tissue, with food web biodilution observed for the muscle but not the liver. Liver Cd concentrations were higher in ringed seal and some common eider relative to prey. In contrast, we observed mercury biomagnification for both tissues. Tissue- and species-specific physiology can explain discrepancies of Cd trophic transfer in this Arctic marine food web.

An experimental investigation on the settling of disk particles in annular region: Wall effect and drag coefficient

Settling non-spherical and spherical particles in the annular region is common in many industrial applications. This work shows the intensification of the performance of settling particles in an annular channel by reducing the drag coefficient. The disk/cylinder particles settle in annular channels filled with Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. An aqueous solution of different concentrations of glycerin and Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) was considered as the Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. The experimental results reported in the present work covered the 0.17 ≤ blockage ratio ≤0.55, 0.14 ≤ k (flow consistency index) ≤1.81 (Pa.sn), 0.64 ≤ n (flow behavior index) ≤1, and annular channel Reynolds number 0.40 ≤ Re ≤63.44 and 0.05 ≤ Re ≤43.02 in Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids respectively. The wall factor, f, was increased with the increase in Re and the decrease in blockage ratio. At higher Reynolds numbers (Re), the particle’s wall factor was only influenced by the blockage ratio. The wall factor was reduced due to the particle’s shape change from cylinder to disk, i.e., decreasing the particle’s sphericity. The wall factor of particles is observed to be higher in non-Newtonian than in Newtonian fluids. The critical Reynolds number (Rec ) decreased with the H/d (Height/diameter of disk) ratio and sphericity of the studied particles. Both the drag coefficients, in the absence ( C D ∞ ) and presence ( C D ) of the wall effect, declined with the Reynolds number. Suitable correlations were developed for CD with low values of RMSLD (root mean square logarithmic deviation). The experimentally obtained drag coefficient data were also analyzed successfully using the laminar model available in Ansys (Fluent) −18.1. The computed velocity contours analyzed the wall effect and CD variations successfully. The use of the annular channel as a drag reduction device is encouraged due to the observed higher wall factor and decreased drag coefficient for particle settling in comparison to the non-annular channel.

Quantitative understanding of the impact of flooding durations on Cd variations in an acidic paddy soil during the flooding and drainage processes

The solubility and transformation of cadmium (Cd) are controlled by paddy soil pH, whereas paddy soil pH varies during flooding and drainage and is significantly controlled by flooding durations. However, there is still a lack of modeling approaches for simulating the impact of flooding durations on pH fluctuation and concomitant Cd effectiveness in Cd-polluted acidic paddy soils. Herein, laboratory findings combined with a process-based numerical modeling method were used to quantify the observed key geochemical processes of Fe/C/N/S and the accompanying Cd partitioning dynamics during flooding and drainage. During flooding stage, the number of protons consumed by Fe(III), NO3−, and SO42− reduction increased with flooding durations, resulting in an increase of pH, which enhanced Cd immobilization and reduced Cd potential risk. After entering drainage stage, the number of protons released from Fe(II), NH4+, and S2− oxidation increased with flooding time, leading to pH decrease, which increased Cd release. A process-based kinetic model fitting results showed that Fe(III) reduction and Fe(II) oxidation were key processes that increased and decreased pH, respectively, and that increasing flooding durations were not beneficial to Cd immobilization during flooding and drainage processes. The results of this study shed light on the impact of redox state of paddy soil on Cd dynamics under different flooding durations and provide a theoretical approach to quantify the contribution of key processes controlling changes in metal species, which can be used to simulate the dynamic behavior of heavy metals in paddy soil under different natural conditions by coupling other significant processes.

LA–ICP–MS analysis of sulfides from the Jianzhupo deposit, Guangxi Province, China: Insights into element incorporation mechanisms and ore genesis

The Jianzhupo deposit, the largest Zn-Sb deposit in the Wuxu orefield in China, contains abundant sphalerite and jamesonite, contrasting with typical Sb deposits elsewhere. Whether the Sb and Zn in the deposit derived from similar parental sources is not clearly resolved. Here, trace-element compositions of sulfides from the deposit were determined by laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Results indicate that jamesonite is an important Cd-bearing sulfide with Cd contents of 523–764 ppm and minor or no significant Cd variations were observed within jamesonite crystals. Trace-element compositions of jamesonite indicates that Cd enters the lattice by coupled substitution as 2Fe2+ ↔ Zn2+ + Cd2+. Due to similar geochemical behaviors between Zn and Cd in hydrothermal systems, Zn/Cd ratio of sphalerite was suggested as a robust geochemical tracer to distinguish metal sources in such systems. Here, we summarized the Zn/Cd ratios of sphalerite from various hydrothermal systems and the results show that values between 169 and 233, and lower than 44 are from high- and low-temperature temperature fluid conditions, respectively. Due to different Zn/Cd ratios between sediments and igneous rocks, we conclude that metals in sphalerite from the Jianzhupo deposit were likely derived from granite; in contrast, metals in jamesonite were related to sedimentary rocks. These conclusions are consistent with previous studies on the deposit. Overall, our results indicate that ore-forming fluids of the Jianzhupo deposit were derived from magmatic–hydrothermal and basin water. This study extends the application of trace-element compositions in resolving the sources of sulfides in hydrothermal systems.

New strategy for osseodensification during osteotomy in low-density bone: an in vitro experimental study

The goal of this in vitro study was to evaluate and propose a new strategy for osseodensification technique using a drill counterclockwise to densification of bone of low density. Synthetic bone blocks of two different low densities (type III and IV) were used for the tests. The conventional drilling group (CD group) used Turbo-drill in a clockwise direction, and the osseodensification group (OD group) applied Turbo-drill in a counterclockwise direction. The applied tests were: (i) measurement of the temperature variation (ΔT) and (ii) measurement of the torque during the osteotomies, comparing the new strategy with the conventional drilling. Both groups were tested without (condition c1) and with (condition c2) irrigation, generating four subgroups: CDc1, CDc2, ODc1, and ODc2. Twenty osteotomies were made for each subgroup with a thermocouple positioned intra-bone (1 mm distant from the osteotomy) to measure the temperature produced. Other 20 samples/group were used to measure the torque value during each osteotomy in both synthetic bone density blocks. The mean of the ΔT during the osteotomies in type III bone was: 6.8 ± 1.26 °C for the CDc1 group, 9.5 ± 1.84 °C for the ODc1, 1.5 ± 1.35 °C for the CDc2, and 4.5 ± 1.43 °C for ODc2. Whereas, in the type IV bone, the ΔT was: 5.2 ± 1.30 °C for the CDc1 group, 7.0 ± 1.99 °C for the ODc1, 0.9 ± 1.05 °C for the CDc2, and 2.7 ± 1.30 °C for ODc2. The maximum torque during the osteotomies was: 8.8 ± 0.97 Ncm for CD samples and 11.6 ± 1.08 Ncm for OD samples in the type III bone; and 5.9 ± 0.99 Ncm for CD samples and 9.6 ± 1.29 Ncm for OD samples in the type IV bone. Statistical differences between the groups were detected in tests and conditions analyzed (p < 0.05). Using the drill counterclockwise for osseodensification in low-density bone generated a significantly greater torque of a drill than in CD and temperature variation during osteotomies. However, the temperature range displayed by the OD group was below critical levels that can cause damage to bone tissue.

Assessment of heavy metals and associated oxidative stress in occupationally exposed workers from Bannu and Karak Districts in Pakistan.

Heavy metals (HMs) are extensively found in occupationally exposed miners and industrial workers, which may cause serious health-related problems to the large workforce. In order to evaluate the impact of these toxic pollutants, we have investigated the effect of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb) concentration on exposed workers of mining, and woolen textile mill and compared the findings with unexposed individuals. From each category like exposed workers (mining, and woolen mill textile site) and unexposed individuals, 50 blood samples were taken. The occurrence of HMs in a sample was investigated through atomic absorption spectrometry while the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzyme statuses such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were analyzed in exposed and control samples. The results showed significant (p < 0.05) variation in Cd, Cr, Cu, and Pb levels in exposed and control samples. The concentration of Cd in the blood of WMWs, KMWs, and control group was 5.75, 3.89, and 0.42μg/dL, respectively. On the other hand, the concentration of Pb in the blood of WMWs, MWs, and control was 32.34, 24.39, and 0.39µg/dL while the concentrations of Cr and Cu in the blood of WMWs, MWs, and control group were 11.61 and 104.14μg/dL, 4.21 and 113.21μg/dL, 0.32 and 65.53μg/dL, respectively. An increase in MDA was recorded in the exposed workers' group as compared to control subjects, whereas SOD and CAT activities decreased. Meanwhile, MDA was significantly and positively (p < 0.01) correlated with HMs, while negative significant correlations were found among HMs with SOD and CAT.

Effect of Elevation Gradient on Carbon Pools in a Juniperus przewalskii Kom. Forest in Qinghai, China

Forest ecosystems are an important component of the global carbon cycle. Carbon density (CD; carbon mass per unit area) elevational changes in the vegetation, litter, and soil of forest ecosystems, are poorly understood. We investigated CD variations in arbor, shrubs, herbs, litter, and soils in a Juniperus przewalskii Kom. (Przewalski’s juniper) forest at 2900–3900 m above sea level (a.s.l.) in Qinghai Province, China. The average CD of vegetation (VCD) and litter (LCD) were 76.53 and 1.21 t hm−2, respectively, and the CD increased with increasing elevation, to maximum values of 114.02 and 1.39 t hm−2, respectively, at 3500–3700 m a.s.l., before decreasing at higher elevations. The soil carbon density (SCD) gradually decreased from 2900 to 3500 m a.s.l., sharply increased from 3500 to 3700 m a.s.l., peaking at 217.84 t hm−2, and then sharply decreased. The maximum ecosystem carbon density (ECD, 333.25 t hm−2) occurred between 3500 and 3700 m a.s.l. The VCD and ECD were significantly and positively correlated with elevation and annual average precipitation (AAP, p &lt; 0.01), and negatively correlated with annual average temperature (AAT, p &lt; 0.05). These may be key factors in determining CD distribution. This study reveals that conserving high-elevation forests is important for enhancing organic carbon accumulation in the ecosystem.

Mechanical stress in a tapered channel hole of 3D NAND flash memory

Mechanical stress impact according to the taper angle in 3D vertical NAND flash memory (V-NAND) was investigated using technology computer-aided design simulation (TCAD). In the non-tapered V-NAND, the stress of the polysilicon channel is similar regardless of the number of layers and the position of the WL. On the other hand, in tapered V-NAND, as the taper angle decreases, the CD variation of the channel hole increases, and the compressive stress increases close to the lower WL. The compressive stress applied to the polysilicon channel produces a negative threshold voltage shift (ΔVth) due to conduction band lowering. In tapered V-NAND, the lower WL has a larger ΔVth than the upper WL, and a non-uniform Vth shift occurs. However, as the gate length of the tapered V-NAND is scaled down, the stress of the polysilicon channel is decreased, and the stress difference between the lower WL and upper WL is reduced; therefore, the non-uniform Vth shift is suppressed.

Associations of trace element levels in paired serum, whole blood, and tissue: an example of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Previous studies have extensively explored impacts of trace elements on human beings and complex relationships with cancers. However, contradictory conclusions may be more challenging to explain due to biological specimen differences. To investigate the distribution of trace elements inside body, we collected serum, whole blood and tissues from 77 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), as well as serum and whole blood from 100 healthy individuals, and determined the concentrations of 13 elements (Al, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Cd, and Pb) with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Al, Ni, Cu, Sr, and Cd variations between patients and controls were found to be inconsistent in serum and blood. Concentrations of Cu, As, Se, and Sr in serum were positively correlated with that in whole blood in both case and control group (rs >0.450, P <0.01). Elements in serum had a higher accuracy (87.0%) than whole blood (74.0%) in classifying ESCC patients and healthy individuals with discriminant analysis. As, Cd, and Pb concentrations in cancerous tissues were positively correlated with those in normal epithelium (rs =0.397, 0.571, and 0.542, respectively), while Mn, Cu, and Se accumulated in malignant tissues, with V, Cr, Co, Ni, Sr, and Cd partitioning in normal epithelium (all P <0.05). Thus, certain elements in blood, such as Cu, As, Se, and Sr, were useful in assessing element exposure burdens and accumulation tendency of some elements (Mn, Cu and Se, etc.) was uncovered in tumors. Our investigation demonstrated the variations in trace element distribution for frequently used specimens and further evidence of etiological mechanism is necessary.

(Digital Presentation) Advanced Process Control of Dual Patterns for FinFET Mass Production

ABSTRACT Advanced Process Control (APC) has been widely applied in state-of-the-art semiconductor industries for the everlasting pursuit of cycle time reduction, higher yield and zero scrap. Inline metrology is thus valuable input feeds for the improvement of wafer-to-wafer and within-wafer CD variations originated from either abnormality or noise of different processes. Implementing a suitable APC scheme to process flow remains a challenging task for engineers. In most cases, it is enough to implement the APC to only one single pattern on Chip. However, for multi-purpose chip design, the CD control of multiple patterns is becoming important. In this paper, we presented a workflow of APC to control the CD of two different patterns. It is shown that, with the same amount of APC process layers, we were able to improve from single pattern CD control to dual pattern CD control. The final process variations of two patterns can be controlled within ±0.5 nm. INTRODUCTION Abnormality and noise are two inevitable root causes of systematic yield loss and mis-process during semiconductor manufacturing processes [1]. Within-wafer uniformity is another important indication of process control capability. Lam tools implement Hydra Electro Static Chuck (ESC) combining the 4 radially-tunable zones with grid-heating elements, where additional CDU tuning is made possible for radial and non-radial uniformity [2].APC schemes are normally applied to a single pattern as the anchor point to control the CD and CDU. However, for multi-purpose chip layouts, areas of different CDs and pitches are designed. For instance, CD controlling of both Logic and SRAM are important for yield improvement and device performance. When APC is implemented to different processes across the production flow, it is possible to utilize properly the inline metrology data of different patterns across processes for a dual pattern control. For this purpose, The APC CD control scheme of dual patterns is demonstrated in this work. SETUP The process flow is divided into 4 stages. In stage 1, a hard mask (HM) is patterned with a Lithograph-Etching (LE) process. An added CD trimming process of stage 2 is added to cover the LE etch bias (EB) incapability. Pattern B is covered by photoresist materials to trim the CD of pattern A HM to the target value. In stage 3, a thin Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) layer is deposited on the HM of both patterns A and B for etching protection. In stage 4, the final etch process is completed with the HMs of target CDs. RESULTS and DISCUSSIONS For single pattern APC, pattern A is designated as the anchor pattern for this scheme. For stage 1, the Hydra function is applied to pattern A to improve its CDU. Here we assume that the Hydra function barely improves the CD or CDU of pattern B, due to the fact that pattern A and pattern B have different line CDs and Pitches. In stage 2, APC is turned on using inline data of pattern A from stage 1. Pattern A is exposed for the isotropic plasma dry etching process until target CD is reached. Pattern B is covered in photoresist materials, and its CD is not changed during this process. And the photoresist materials are removed afterward. In stage 3. Fixed-amount ALD process is applied for HM protection on both Pattern A and B. In stage 4, HM is used to etch the pattern into substrate Si with Hydra function turned on for pattern A only. During this process flow, CD and CDU APC are applied to pattern A only. The process variation of stage 1 on pattern B is transferred all the way down to the final stage 4 without any APC functioning on Pattern B.Figure 1 shows the new APC flow. In stage 1, HM of pattern A and pattern B are etched with Hydra function working on pattern A only. However, inline metrology is applied to pattern B for APC of stage 3. In stage 2, Pattern A trimming changed from APC-mode to fixed time mode. The APC function is turned on for stage 3 for a global CD control of both pattern A and pattern B using ALD. And Hydra function is turned on for stage 4 for a CDU control on pattern A. It is shown that the CD variation originated from stage 1 is compensated on stage 3. With the same amount of APC stages, the effect of the APC can be improved from pattern A CD/CDU only, to pattern A CD/CDU and pattern B CD control. Figure 1

Characterization and ecotoxicological risk assessment of sewage sludge from industrial and non-industrial cities.

The present study highlights the occurrence and the temporal variations of physicochemical properties, and heavy metals in the sludge from sewage treatment plants (STPs) located in industrial (two sites) and non-industrial (one site) cities of Haryana, India. The sludge was acidic (5.59) to neutral (7.21) with a mean EC of 7.4 dS m-1. Prominent heavy metals present in the sewage sludge from industrial sites were Cd, Ni, and Cr with maximum values of 2.83, 1449.0, and 3918.5mgkg-1, respectively. The contamination and enrichment factor better explained the buildup of Ni, Cr, and Cu in the sewage sludge from industrial sites. The pH, total carbon, phosphorus, and other water-soluble anions, viz. SO42-, Cl-, HCO3-, and PO43-, were the most important attributes of sludge controlling the binding and removal of the metals with particulate matters during the phase separation in STPs. These attributes explained about 90% of the variation in Cd, Ni, Cr, Cu, Mn, and Zn content of the sludge from different STPs. Sludge from the non-industrial site had a low potential ecological risk index of 74.0 compared to a very high-risk index of 2186.5 associated with the industrial sites. This study concludes that besides the concentration of the heavy metals, the enrichment factor coupled with geo-accumulation or ecological risk index can effectively categorize the sludge. However, these indices need to be linked with bioaccumulation, bioaccessibility, and biomass quality under different agroecologies for guiding the safer use of sewage sludge in agriculture.

(Digital Presentation) Advanced Process Control of Dual Patterns for FinFET Mass Production

Advanced Process Control (APC) has been widely applied in state-of-the-art semiconductor industries for the everlasting pursuit of cycle time reduction, higher yield, and zero scraps. Inline metrology is thus valuable input for the improvement of wafer-to-wafer and within-wafer CD variations originated from either abnormality or noise of different processes. Implementing a suitable APC scheme to process flow remains a challenging task for engineers. In most cases, it is enough to implement the APC to only one single pattern on Chip. However, for multi-purpose chip design, the CD control of multiple patterns is becoming important. In this paper, we presented an APC workflow to control the CD of two different patterns. It is shown that, with the same amount of APC process layers, we were able to improve from single pattern CD control to dual pattern CD control. The final process variations of two patterns can be controlled within ±0.5 nm.

Genesis of Antibiotic Resistance (AR) XC (90): Turbulence Modeling(TM) of Hemodynamics in Simplified Severe Sepsis Protocol‐2 (SSSP‐2)‐NCT01663701: Mechanism(s) of Jarisch Herxheimer Reaction (JHR) induced CCP ‐ CEP‐ A Neuropsychiatric Basis

Clinical Focus: An effort is made to delineate the underlying hemodynamic alteration in the usual care group registered with 5 patients @ 100% ihm; vs the sepsis protocol cohort with 11 patients @ 90.05% ihm with a median hospital stay of 5 days (Ref: Fig 3. Risk of ihm by subgroup for patients treated with the sepsis protocol vs usual care; p1239) NCT01663701, (PMID: 28973227). The goal is to explore whether there is any temporal link between neuropsychiatric indices and SSSP‐2. Hypothesis: The AR clPr causing STD, with CCI, Tx with antibiotics (PMID: 31331661; NBK557820; PMID: 32491752), released toxins exacerbating the vortices formation in fluid bolus induced fluid volume expansion by Flow‐Induced Vibration (FIV) (Oscillating flow) (VIV). Here, we present a possible mechanism(s) for the FIV(VIV) evoked irreversible rupture of cerebral vessels eliciting ihm. (PMID: 28077740 PMCID: PMC5239707; PMID: 9846580; PMID: 9733392). Geometry: Part I: RBC, Platelets, WBC: p47‐56; Part II: blood velocity, and function, Table 2.1; 2,2; 2.3; p63; ISBN 9780128024089; Governing Equations: Part A: Strouhal Number= St = fwD/V, where D is the characteristic length of Leucocyte, platelets, red blood cells (Bluff bodies @LPE –ZoO), fs=Vortex Shedding frequency, V=flow velocity; Part B: Drag Coefficient: Cd= 2Fd / ρu2A,where Fdis drag force‐velocity in the direction of flow, ρ =density of the fluid (hematocrit), u =flow speed, A=surface area of the vortices; Part C: Drag Equation = Fd=1/2 ρu2CdA, where Cdis the function of Re (Mach number); Part D: CD, https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k‐12/airplane/shaped.html; CFD Simulations: https://youtu.be/ahohd8ceGR4 (VS); Correlation neuropsychiatry indices &amp; SSSP‐2: Based on our analysis, it is suggested that, the antibiotics administered in NCT01663701 likely induced JHR (PMID: 25174641) in which fluid bolus (SSSP‐2), eddied vortices (ZoO/bluff bodies) of different dimensions (CD)(Ref CD, Drag of 2‐D bodies: Fig:7.2; 7.3; ISBN: 9781260446555), may have induced vibrations at high flow velocities by tip‐vortices at ~ 1/3 of KSF, (whereas the critical flow velocity for lock‐in, ~3X critical velocity of KSF (Ref Fig 2.1; 2.2;2,3, ISBN 9780081013182). Impediments to determine the precise geometry of vortices due in part to an unknown rate of AB induced adducts, remains of AR clPr, its role in LPE activation, degranulation and aggregate formation (vortices@ZoO/bluff bodies). Though a complete PMHx, Dx, DDx, HPI, CCI, &amp; SOAP of the SSSP‐2 patient cohort is unavailable, of a plethora of vortices, cylindrical vortices are a possibility. When such vortices encounter oscillating flow as in Fig 2.3, p 34; the velocity of oscillation leads to variation in CD and fluid inertia forces traversing downstream of flow. As a result, a superposed in‐flow &amp; transverse bending vibration in‐line could predominate as t=0, t= τ/12, (τ =wave period) rupturing the pre‐capillary vessels Fig 1, PMID: 34055944 to CCP to CEP. Efforts are underway to determine fluid kinematics (Keulegan‐Carpenter Eq) FIV/VIV in SSSP2 (LRC, TMR, NASA https://turbmodels.larc.nasa.gov/) .PD funds from SWTJC to Subburaj Kannan

Effects of pH variations caused by redox reactions and pH buffering capacity on Cd(II) speciation in paddy soils during submerging/draining alternation

Incubation experiments were conducted to investigate the influencing factors of pH variation in different paddy soils during submerging/draining alternation and the relationship between pH buffering capacity (pHBC) and Cd speciation in ten paddy soils developed from different parent materials (including 8 acid paddy soils and 2 alkaline paddy soils). The soil pHBC and the changes in soil pH, Eh, Fe2+, Mn2+, SO42- and Cd speciation were determined. The results showed that there was a significant positive correlation between cation exchange capacity (CEC) and pHBC of these paddy soils, indicating that soil CEC is a key factor affecting the pHBC of paddy soils. The contribution of Fe(III) oxide reduction to H+ consumption is far greater than the reduction of Mn(IV)/Mn(III) oxides and SO42- during the submerging. For example, the contribution of the reduction of manganese oxides, SO42- and iron oxides to H+ consumption in the paddy soils from Anthrosol at 15 d submerging was 1.2%, 11.6% and 87.2%, respectively. This confirms that the reduction of Fe(III) oxides plays a leading role in increasing soil pH. Importantly, we noticed that during submerging, soil pH was increased and resulted in the content of available Cd in soils being reduced. This was due to the transformation of Cd to less active forms. Also, there was a significant positive correlation between the change rate of available Cd, the percentage of acid extractable Cd and pH variation. This suggests that the variation in soil pH was responsible for the transformation of Cd speciation. In addition, the change rate of available Cd and the percentage of acid extractable Cd concentration were significantly negatively correlated with soil pHBC. The soil with higher pHBC experienced less pH change, and thus the change rate of available Cd and the percentage of acid extractable Cd concentration were less for the soil. The results of this study can provide a basis for the remediation of Cd-contaminated acidic paddy soils.

Comprehensive evaluation of the possible impact of roofing materials on the quality of harvested rainwater for human consumption

Water is a vital natural resource that influences life and contributes to domestic and industrial activities. Availability and accessibility of safe water sources are crucial for a country's economic growth. Harvesting of roof runoffs is an alternative source of water used for domestic purposes. However, the quality of harvested rainwater can be affected by roofing materials. This research seeks to assess heavy metals concentration, physicochemical and bacteriological parameters in roof runoffs and estimate the water quality index and health risk these metals pose to consumers. Rainwater samples were collected from Aluzinc, Aluminum, Galvanized, and Asbestos roofing materials within the Ejisu municipality. Rainwater collected directly from the sky was used as control. All runoffs from the four roofing materials recorded Cd, Fe, Cr, turbidity, pH, E.coli, total and fecal coliform levels above WHO limit for drinking water. There was a significant variation in pH, EC, Zn, Cd, Cr, Fe, E. coli, total and fecal coliform levels between control samples and roof runoffs (p < 0.05). The estimated water quality index for runoffs from the four roofing materials exceeded 100 indicating their unsuitability for drinking. Cadmium recorded the highest non-cancer health risk to children and adults in all the roof runoffs. Hazard quotients (HQs) above one were recorded for a child (HQ = 40.1) and an adult (HQ = 13.6) via dermal exposure to Cd in runoff from Aluminum roofing material. Hazard quotient of 9.53 and 4.08 were estimated for a child and an adult respectively via oral exposure to Cd in runoffs from Asbestos roofing material. The estimated cancer risks were above 10−3 for a child and an adult via oral and dermal exposure to Cd in all roof runoffs, suggesting a possible cancer health effect. The study concludes that the four roofing materials impact negatively on the quality of runoffs.

Heavy metal pollution level and potential ecological risk assessment of sludge landfill

The level of heavy metals of the sludge in the landfills has attracted the environmental researchers due to their non-biodegradability, persistence, toxicity and biomagnification. Heavy metals contamination and ecological risk assessment in the sludge landfills were assessed. In this work, the enrichment factor (EF) and geo-accumulation index were used to analyze heavy metal pollution degree in the sludge landfills. Meanwhile, the potential ecological risk index was used to assess heavy metals potential ecological risk in the sludge landfills. Results indicated that heavy metal concentrations order was Cr > Cd > Ni > Zn > As>Cu = Pb > Hg. Cr, Cd and Ni coefficient variation were 57%, 53% and 38%, respectively, which indicated that Cr, Cd and Ni content have a large range variation. EF and geo-accumulation index analyze heavy metal pollution degree in the sludge landfills. Results demonstrated that Hg, Cd, Cu and Zn obtained a high pollution degree. However, Cr, Ni, As and Pb have a low pollution in the sludge landfills. Potential ecological risk index indicated that Hg obtained the highest pollution degree, which demonstrated that the potential ecological risk level is the highest value (Eri ≥ 3500, RI ≥ 4163). Whereas, other heavy metals have a low pollution degree in the sludge landfills. Therefore, Hg, Cd and Cu content of sludge should be strictly restricted in agricultural use. Meanwhile, it should be strictly restricted Hg, Cd and Cu content of wastewater discharge, and reduced heavy metal content of sludge.