FPGA Qualification and Failure Rate Estimation Methodology for LHC Environments Using Benchmarks Test Circuits

When studying the behavior of a field programmable gate array (FPGA) under radiation, the most commonly used methodology consists in evaluating the single-event effect (SEE) cross section of its elements individually. However, this method does not allow the estimation of the device failure rate when using a custom design. An alternative approach based on benchmark circuits is presented in this article. It allows standardized application-level testing, which makes the comparison between different FPGAs easier. Moreover, it allows the evaluation of the FPGA failure rate independent of the application that will be implemented. The employed benchmark circuit belongs to the ITC’99 benchmark suite developed at Politecnico di Torino. Using the proposed methodology, the response of four FPGAs—the NG-Medium, the ProASIC3, the SmartFusion2, and the PolarFire—was evaluated under high-energy protons. Radiation tests with thermal neutrons were also conducted on the PolarFire to assess its potential sensitivity to them. Moreover, its performances in terms of total ionizing dose (TID) effects have been evaluated by measuring the degradation of the propagation delay during irradiatio

Chestnut (Castanea sativa)

Technical guidelines are targeted to practical forest managers and provide summarized information on the biology and ecology of tree species, distribution ranges, importance and use, genetic knowledge, threats to genetic diversity and recommendations for long-term genetic conservation. For the full list of Technical guidelines produced, please visit http://www.euforgen.org/publications/technical_guidelines.htm

Análisis de los recursos genéticos de Pinus pinea L. en España mediante microsatélites del cloroplasto

Gene conservation analysis in Pinus pinea L. was performed by chloroplast microsatellite markers. Genetic diversity and allelic richness of 10 Spanish populations belonging to diverse origin regions were determined using genetic variation at 9 cpSSR loci. Six amplified loci have been polymorphic. The variants detected at the cpSSR regions combined into 9 different haplotypes Most haplotypes are in common among populations. One haplotype has been detected in all populations included the population with the most reduced genetic base, in which all the samples showed the same haplotype. Number of polymorphic regions, number of haplotypes and genetic diversity index deduced from haplotype frequencies show lower genetic diversity in stone pine than in other Mediterranean Pinus. Differentiation between the studied populations is low (RST = 3.81) and most of the detected genetic diversity is due to the within population component. The results obtained increases the knowledge of genetic resources of Pinus pinea in Spain assessing genetic breeding and conservation programs.El análisis de los recursos genéticos de Pinus pinea L. se ha realizado mediante marcadores microsatélites del cloroplasto. Los patrones de diversidad genética y la riqueza alélica de 10 poblaciones españolas pertenecientes a diversas regiones de procedencia de la especie se han determinado con 9 cpSSRs. Seis de los loci analizados han resultado polimórficos y de su combinación para cada muestra se han definido 9 haplotipos diferentes. La mayor parte de los haplotipos son comunes a varias poblaciones. Uno de ellos es común a todas, incluyendo a la población con una base genética menor, en la que todas las muestras analizadas son iguales. El número de regiones polimórficas, el número de haplotipos y los valores de diversidad genética que se deducen de sus frecuencias muestran valores inferiores de variabilidad genética en el pino piñonero que en otros pinos mediterráneos. La diferenciación que existe entre las poblaciones estudiadas es baja (RST = 3,81) y la mayor parte de la variabilidad genética presente es intrapoblacional. Los resultados obtenidos amplían el conocimiento de los recursos genéticos del pino piñonero en España, orientando los programas de conservación y mejora genética de la especie

Exploration et conservation des ressources génétiques du pin maritime au Maroc

Cet article présente une intéressante synthèse sur les ressources génétiques du pin maritime au Maroc, où il est fréquemment utilisé dans les reboisements. Cette espèce a fait l'objet d'un programme d'aménagement, d'amélioration et de conservation génétique depuis 1970. Cet article présente quelques résultats synthétiques sur la description et l'organisation des ressources génétiques du pin maritime au Maroc, ainsi que des données sur l'état de conservation de ces populations. Des informations utiles dans une optique de conservation des ressources génétiques