Multilayer reflective coatings for extreme-ultraviolet lithography

Multilayer mirror coatings which reflect extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation are a key enabling technology for EUV lithography. Mo/Si multilayers with reflectances of 67.5% at 13.4 nm are now routinely achieved and reflectances of 70 2% at 11.4 nm were obtained with MO/Be multilayers. High reflectance is achieved with careful control of substrate quality, layer thicknesses, multilayer materials, interface quality, and surface termination. Reflectance and film stress were found to be stable relative to the requirements for application to EUV lithography. The run-to-run reproducibility of the reflectance peak position was characterized to be better than 0.2%, providing the required wavelength matching among the seven multilayer-coated mirrors used in the present lithography system design. Uniformity of coating was improved to better than 0.5% across 150 mm diameter substrates. These improvements in EUV multilayer mirror technology will enable us to meet the stringent specifications for coating the large optical substrates for our next-generation EUV lithography system

Dualité d'action de la galectine-3 dans la pathophysiologie de l'arthrose

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal

Disjoint Inter-Camera Tracking in the Context of Video-Surveillance

Disjoint intra-camera tracking is the task of tracking objects across video-surveillance cameras that have non-overlapping views. Disjoint intra-camera tracking is difficult due to the gaps in observation as an object moves between camera views. To solve this problem, an intra-camera video-surveillance system builds an appearance profile of the objects seen in its camera, and matches these appearance profiles to achieve the effect of tracking. This thesis demonstrates two novel ideas that improve Disjoint intra-camera tracking. The first is to use a Zernike moment based shape feature for objects observed in a scene, used to describe the shape of an object in a compact, reliable form. The second is to dynamically weigh the Zernike moment shape feature with other standard features to achieve better tracking results. Weighting emphasis is given to better features, more stable features, more recent values of features, and features that have been reliably translated from a different video camera

From Heartland to Periphery: the effects of capitalist restructuring in Quebec

SUMMARY This article examines the shifting political alliances in contemporary Quebec which both jeopardise the position of the Parti québécois and threaten the interests of the new middle class which became extremely powerful in the 1960s and 1970s. Throughout the article the shifting pattern of class alliances in Quebec are viewed as integrally related to the global crisis and Quebec's peripheral position in the capitalist economy. RESUMEN Del centro a la periferia: el efecto de la reestructuración capitalista en Quebec Este artículo examina las cambiantes alianzas políticas en el Quebec contemporáneo, las que amenazan la posición del partido quebequense y los intereses de la nueva clase media que se hizo extremadamente poderosa en las décadas de 1960 y 1970. Los cambios en la trayectoria de las alianzas de clases en Quebec, aparecen totalmente relacionados con la crisis global y con la posición periférica de Quebec en la economía capitalista. SOMMAIRE Du centre de la terre à la périphérie: les effets de la restructuration au Québec L'article examine les déplacements des alliances politiques dans le Québec contemporain menaçant à la fois la position du parti québècois et les intérêts de la nouvelle bourgeoisie, qui est devenue extrêmement puissante en 1960 et 1970. Tout au cours de l'article, le renversement des alliances entre les diverses classes sociales au Québec est considéré comme étant intégralement lié à la crise mondiale et à la position marginale du Québec dans l'économie capitaliste

Proper management of irrigation and nitrogen-application increases crop N-uptake efficiency and reduces nitrate leaching

Irrigation is, on one hand, expected to increase the risk of nitrate leaching through increased rates of percolation, but, on the other hand, enhances plant nutrient uptake and growth, thereby limiting the risk of leaching. To investigate this dichotomy, we analysed the effects of irrigation at three nitrogen (N)-application rates in spring barley (Hordeum distichum L., two experiments with 50, 100, and 150 kg N ha(-1)) and winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L., one experiment with 50, 150, and 250 kg N ha(-1)) on a coarse sandy soil in Denmark in a humid climate, which facilitates nitrate leaching. Analyses comprised grain/seed dry matter yield, N-uptake, nitrogen use efficiency (partial nitrogen budget, PNB, and partial-factor productivity, PFP) and nitrate leaching. For both crops, increasing N-application without consideration of the crops' drought-stress responses lead to a relatively lower N-uptake in grain, lower yield, lower PNB and PFP and higher nitrate leaching, although responses were not proportionally to increasing N-application. The effect of irrigation at the lowest N-rates was limited. The non-irrigated treatments with the highest N-rates had a grain/seed yield of 3.2, 2.3 and 0.7 t ha(-1) and nitrate leaching rates of 64, 72 and 127 kg N ha(-1) compared to a grain/seed yield of 5.3, 5.0 and 2.6 kg N ha(-1) and nitrate leaching rates of 61, 42 and 85 kg N ha(-1) (for spring barley, spring barley and winter oilseed rape, respectively). These results show that synchronised management of both irrigation and N-application are essential for reducing the risk of nitrate leaching and to promote efficient crop N-uptake in periods of droughts

Preliminary investigation of an additive approach to the fabrication of precision aspheres

We report progress in the aspherization of precision optical substrates via deposition of graded period Mo/Si multilayer coatings using a masking technique. These preliminary results show good agreement between the measured and desired thickness profiles over 85% of the sample, however, thickness deviations of up to 7 % are observed in the central area. The errors are attributed to misalignments of the mask relative to the substrate during deposition

Effect of decompression-induced bubble formation on highly trained divers microvascular function

We previously showed microvascular alteration of both endothelium-dependent and-independent reactivity after a single SCUBA dive. We aimed to study mechanisms involved in this postdive vascular dysfunction. Ten divers each completed three protocols: (1) a SCUBA dive at 400 kPa for 30 min; (2) a 41-min duration of seawater surface head immersed finning exercise to determine the effect of immersion and moderate physical activity; and (3) a simulated 41-min dive breathing 100% oxygen (hyperbaric oxygen [HBO]) at 170 kPa in order to analyze the effect of diving-induced hyperoxia. Bubble grades were monitored with Doppler. Cutaneous microvascular function was assessed by laser Doppler. Endothelium-dependent (acetylcholine, ACh) and-independent (sodium nitroprusside, SNP) reactivity was tested by iontophoresis. Endothelial cell activation was quantified by plasma Von Willebrand factor and nitric oxide (NO). Inactivation of NO by oxidative stress was assessed by plasma nitrotyrosine. Platelet factor 4 (PF4) was assessed in order to determine platelet aggregation. Blood was also analyzed for measurement of platelet count. Cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) response to ACh delivery was not significantly decreased by the SCUBA protocol (23 ± 9% before vs. 17 ± 7% after; P = 0.122), whereas CVC response to SNP stimulation decreased significantly (23 ± 6% before vs. 10 ± 1% after; P = 0.039). The HBO and immersion protocols did not affect either endothelial-dependent or-independent function. The immersion protocol induced a significant increase in NO (0.07 ± 0.01 vs. 0.12 ± 0.02 lg/mL; P = 0.035). This study highlighted change in microvascular endothelial-independent but not-dependent function in highly trained divers after a single air dive. The results suggest that the effects of decompression on microvascular function may be modified by diving acclimatization

Venous gas embolism as a predictive tool for improving CNS decompression safety

A key process in the pathophysiological steps leading to decompression sickness (DCS) is the formation of inert gas bubbles. The adverse effects of decompression are still not fully understood, but it seems reasonable to suggest that the formation of venous gas emboli (VGE) and their effects on the endothelium may be the central mechanism leading to central nervous system (CNS) damage. Hence, VGE might also have impact on the long-term health effects of diving. In the present review, we highlight the findings from our laboratory related to the hypothesis that VGE formation is the main mechanism behind serious decompression injuries. In recent studies, we have determined the impact of VGE on endothelial function in both laboratory animals and in humans. We observed that the damage to the endothelium due to VGE was dose dependent, and that the amount of VGE can be affected both by aerobic exercise and exogenous nitric oxide (NO) intervention prior to a dive. We observed that NO reduced VGE during decompression, and pharmacological blocking of NO production increased VGE formation following a dive. The importance of micro-nuclei for the formation of VGE and how it can be possible to manipulate the formation of VGE are discussed together with the effects of VGE on the organism. In the last part of the review we introduce our thoughts for the future, and how the enigma of DCS should be approached

Galectin 3 induces a distinctive pattern of cytokine and chemokine production in rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts via selective signaling pathways

OBJECTIVE: High expression of galectin 3 at sites of joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) suggests that galectin 3 plays a role in RA pathogenesis. Previous studies have demonstrated the effects of galectins on immune cells, such as lymphocytes and macrophages. This study was undertaken to investigate the hypothesis that galectin 3 induces proinflammatory effects in RA by modulating the pattern of cytokine and chemokine production in synovial fibroblasts. METHODS: Matched samples of RA synovial and skin fibroblasts were pretreated with galectin 3 or tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), and the levels of a panel of cytokines, chemokines, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and multiplex assays. Specific inhibitors were used to dissect signaling pathways, which were confirmed by Western blotting and NF-κB activation assay. RESULTS: Galectin 3 induced secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6), granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor, CXCL8, and MMP-3 in both synovial and skin fibroblasts. By contrast, galectin 3–induced secretion of TNFα, CCL2, CCL3, and CCL5 was significantly greater in synovial fibroblasts than in skin fibroblasts. TNFα blockade ruled out autocrine TNFα-stimulated induction of chemokines. The MAPKs p38, JNK, and ERK were necessary for IL-6 production, but phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) was required for selective CCL5 induction. NF-κB activation was required for production of both IL-6 and CCL5. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that galectin 3 promotes proinflammatory cytokine secretion by tissue fibroblasts. However, galectin 3 induces the production of mononuclear cell–recruiting chemokines uniquely from synovial fibroblasts, but not matched skin fibroblasts, via a PI 3-kinase signaling pathway. These data provide further evidence of the role of synovial fibroblasts in regulating the pattern and persistence of the inflammatory infiltrate in RA and suggest a new and important functional consequence of the observed high expression of galectin 3 in the rheumatoid synovium

Estudio de las necesidades recreacionales de los habitantes del cantón Milagro y su relación con el turismo en el año 2015.

La palabra recreación define a la acción y efecto de recrear. Por lo tanto, puede hacer referencia a crear o producir de nuevo algo. También se refiere a divertir, alegrar o deleitar, en una búsqueda de distracción en medio del trabajo y de las obligaciones cotidianas. El presente proyecto tiene como finalidad llegar a los centros turísticos de recreación para que puedan ofrecer a niños y adultos una opción de descanso, entretenimiento y diversión a través de las diferentes actividades turísticas que puedan ofrecer a los mismos. El descanso se le otorgo, tanto el sentido de compensación a la fatiga producto del trabajo, como el de la respuesta natural a las necesidades filosóficas del organismo que imponen a la necesidad de dormir. Se descansaba para poder recuperar y para compensar el agotamiento que produce el trabajo intelectual o las tensiones emocionales. El ser humano necesita tiempo de ocio o tiempo libre ya que es importante que se encuentre en óptimas condiciones físicas, emocionalmente y mentalmente para que realicen un mejor desempeño en los estudios como en lo laboral. En esta investigación se busca que los centros recreacionales dispongan de variedades actividades turísticas para que así, la demanda turística realice gasto por turismo interno el mismo que favorecerá a nuestra ciudad