Actinic EUV mask inspection beyond 0.25 NA

The SEMATECH Berkeley Actinic Inspection Tool (AIT) is an EUV-wavelength mask inspection microscope designed for direct aerial image measurements, and pre-commercial EUV mask research. Operating on a synchrotron bending magnet beamline, the AIT uses an off-axis Fresnel zoneplate lens to project a high-magnification EUV image directly onto a CCD camera. We present the results of recent system upgrades that have improved the imaging resolution, illumination uniformity, and partial coherence. Benchmarking tests show image contrast above 75% for 100-nm mask features, and significant improvements and across the full range of measured sizes. The zoneplate lens has been replaced by an array of user-selectable zoneplates with higher magnification and NA values up to 0.0875, emulating the spatial resolution of a 0.35-NA 4x EUV stepper. Illumination uniformity is above 90% for mask areas 2-{micro}m-wide and smaller. An angle-scanning mirror reduces the high coherence of the synchrotron beamline light source giving measured {sigma} values of approximately 0.125 at 0.0875 NA

Functional genomics of the horn fly, Haematobia irritans (Linnaeus, 1758)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The horn fly, <it>Haematobia irritans </it>(Linnaeus, 1758) (Diptera: Muscidae) is one of the most important ectoparasites of pastured cattle. Horn flies infestations reduce cattle weight gain and milk production. Additionally, horn flies are mechanical vectors of different pathogens that cause disease in cattle. The aim of this study was to conduct a functional genomics study in female horn flies using Expressed Sequence Tags (EST) analysis and RNA interference (RNAi).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A cDNA library was made from whole abdominal tissues collected from partially fed adult female horn flies. High quality horn fly ESTs (2,160) were sequenced and assembled into 992 unigenes (178 contigs and 814 singlets) representing molecular functions such as serine proteases, cell metabolism, mitochondrial function, transcription and translation, transport, chromatin structure, vitellogenesis, cytoskeleton, DNA replication, cell response to stress and infection, cell proliferation and cell-cell interactions, intracellular trafficking and secretion, and development. Functional analyses were conducted using RNAi for the first time in horn flies. Gene knockdown by RNAi resulted in higher horn fly mortality (protease inhibitor functional group), reduced oviposition (vitellogenin, ferritin and vATPase groups) or both (immune response and 5'-NUC groups) when compared to controls. Silencing of ubiquitination ESTs did not affect horn fly mortality and ovisposition while gene knockdown in the ferritin and vATPse functional groups reduced mortality when compared to controls.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results advanced the molecular characterization of this important ectoparasite and suggested candidate protective antigens for the development of vaccines for the control of horn fly infestations.</p

Cattle decrease plant species diversity in protected humid temperate savanna

Question: Is domestic cattle an appropriate surrogate for fire in a protected humid temperate savanna? Study area: El Palmar Grande de Colón (31°52' S, 58°17' W), Argentina. Methods: We surveyed dense Butia yatay palm savannas in two neighboring protected areas, El Palmar National Park (EPNP), under cattle exclusion since 1970 with sporadic burning; and La Aurora Wildlife Refuge (LAWR), under moderate cattle density, and not burnt since 1997. In each area, we randomly selected ten dense savanna stands, established 500 m2 plots and undertook floristic survey in spring and summer to produce exhaustive plant-species lists. We statistically compared the two samples in terms of: local and global diversities; compositional heterogeneity among stands; mean similarity to a historical record from the area; overall species composition; and abundance and numbers of species with different growth habits and origins. Results: Differences between our samples are clear-cut. Savannas at EPNP have significantly increased local and global species richness and exhibit decreased similarities with the historical record. They have a novel understory, with significantly increased abundances and species numbers of fire-resistant grassland shrubs and fire-sensitive trees, and a groundcover with significantly increased richness of subshrub and perennial graminoid species. Savannas at LAWR have virtually no woody understory, and exhibit a groundcover dominated by an impoverished suite of perennial grasses, with significantly increased abundances and numbers of annual and of exotic species. Conclusions: Our results suggest that large-scale, long-term cattle exclusion and sporadic fires have resulted in changes in the structure and composition of the savanna vegetation leading to increased plant species diversity. Apparently, conservation of these humid savannas in protected areas requires periodic fire, while domestic cattle are a poor alternative for maintaining their plant species diversity.Fil: Batista, William B.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Métodos Cuantitativos y Sistemas de Información; ArgentinaFil: Mochi, Lucia Sol. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Métodos Cuantitativos y Sistemas de Información; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario; ArgentinaFil: Biganzoli, Fernando. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Métodos Cuantitativos y Sistemas de Información; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario; Argentin

Alle radici delle discipline: l&apos;Architettura nelle Scuole d&apos;Applicazione tra Otto e Novecento.

Il contributo illustra quali fossero gli insegnamenti inerenti l'Architettura e la costruzione all'interno delle Scuole di Applicazione per Ingegneri in Italia e particolarmente a Bologna