Examining spatial patterns in affordable housing: the case of California density bonus implementation

California State Density Bonus Law §65915–18 financially incentivizes housing developers to produce affordable housing by granting density bonuses to those who designate a percentage of the total units for residence by low or moderate income households. By incorporating affordable housing units alongside market-rate units, state density bonus law fosters opportunities to enhance neighborhood level socio-economic diversity. This paper investigates the effectiveness of density bonus policy at promoting socio-economic diversity within the City of San Diego by examining locational patterns of density bonus implementation and neighborhood demographic characteristics. This study utilizes spatial and non-spatial statistical analyses to identify trends and correlations in density bonus usage, housing stock, and racial and economic characteristics. The results indicate that density bonus usage in San Diego has not fostered socio-economic integration; rather its usage is clustered in neighborhoods characterized by high concentrations of Hispanics, Blacks, and multi-family housing units. The findings underscore the need to refine supply-side affordable housing tools so that they are effective in a range of land markets, and not only in the traditionally lower value land markets where minority households tend to reside.     

Phase relations in the ternary Cu-Ga-In system

The phase relations of the Cu-Ga-In system were investigated in a composition range which is relevant for the production of Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ based thin film solar cells. The alloys Cu₁₆(In_{1 − y}Ga_y)₉, Cu₉(Ga,In)₄ and elemental In could be identified as the equilibrium phases of a ternary subsystem in the Cu-Ga-In phase diagram. The coexisting phases are well developed until 220 °C. In the case of Cu₉Ga₄ it is remarkable that the solubility of In in Cu₉Ga₄ highly increases with increasing temperature. Consequences for the selenization of metallic Cu-In-Ga precursors are discussed.     

Magnetic Behaviour of O2 Confined in Nanopores

The static susceptibility of solid oxygen condensed into nanoporous matrices is measured as a function of temperature and pore diameter. The drastic changes of the qualitative behaviour are interpreted as a cross-over from three- to one-dimensional behaviour.     

Occupational exposure to paint, lacquer and solvents, and cancer risk in the area of the upper aero-digestive tract

So far, only few studies exist that have investigated the influence of occupational exposure to paint and lacquer on the risk of cancer in the upper aerodigestive tract. Based on data from the Heidelberg case control study which enrolled 369 patients with carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract and 1476 randomized control subjects, the relative risk of head and neck cancer in patients exposed to paint, lacquer and varnish was analyzed. The relative risk (RR) of squamous cell cancer (after adjustment for possible alcohol and tobacco effects) was significantly increased for the larynx (RR = 2.3) and the oral cavity (RR = 3.6). However, this risk was not increased for the pharynx. Our findings and a critical analysis of the literature provide evidence that chronic exposure to paint, varnish and lacquer is a definite risk factor for cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract. Further studies are required to confirm these findings, and to identify more precisely toxic substances encountered in the workplace.     

Good-bye and happy holidays! [From the Editor]

This is my last issue as editor-inchief of IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Magazine. It has been a wonderful experience for me to work with the readers of themagazine, column writers, IEEE staff, guest editors, and the authors. Michael Neuman is the new editor-in-chief, and I wish him the very best of luck.     

The linear homeomorphic saccadic eye movement model--a modification

The objective of this study was the modification of a linear homeomorphic horizontal saccadic eye movement model to a direct programming state-space representation through Laplace variable analysis about the operating point or initial eye position. The lateral and medial rectus muscle of each eye is modeled as a parallel combination of an active state tension generator with a viscosity and elastic element, connected to a series elastic element. The eyeball is modeled as a sphere connected to a viscosity and elastic element. Each of these elements is assumed to be ideal and linear.     

Increased in vitro Anti-HIV Activity of Caffeinium-Functionalized Polyoxometalates

Polyoxometalates (POMs), molecular metal oxide anions, are inorganic clusters with promising antiviral activity. Herein we report increased anti-HIV-1 activity of a POM when electrostatically combined with organic counter-cations. To this end, Keggin-type cerium tungstate POMs have been combined with organic methyl-caffeinium (Caf) cations, and their cytotoxicity, antiviral activity and mode of action have been studied. The novel compound, Caf₄K[β₂-CeSiW₁₁O₃₉]×H₂O, exhibits sub-nanomolar antiviral activity and inhibits HIV-1 infectivity by acting on an early step of the viral infection cycle. This work demonstrates that combination of POM anions and organic bioactive cations can be a powerful new strategy to increase antiviral activity of these inorganic compounds.     

Quantum Criticality and Scaling of the Magnetic Response in CeCu6−x Au x

The heavy-fermion system CeCu_6?x Au _x which exhibits antiferromagnetic order for Au concentrations x>0.1, can be easily tuned to a quantum phase transition, either by chemical composition, i.e., Au concentration, or by an external magnetic field. We present extensive inelastic neutron scattering measurements in order to study the momentum and energy dependence of the critical spin fluctuations for concentration- and magnetic field-tuned CeCu_6?x Au _x . The quasi-2D fluctuations, observed for x=0.1 at the magnetic instability, are already present in pure CeCu₆ and persist to x=0.2, i.e., well into the magnetically ordered regime. This is a strong hint that disorder does not play a major role in this system. The magnetic response for quantum critical CeCu_6?x Au _x exhibits critical slowing down and obeys scaling relations that depend on the tuning parameter. While the E/T scaling of the dynamic susceptibility in concentration-tuned CeCu_5.9Au_0.1 is an indication for local quantum criticality, the E/T ^3/2 scaling in field-tuned CeCu_5.8Au_0.2 points to a conventional spin-density-wave instability.