Abstract: The present invention provides means and methods for producing plants with enhanced growth and yield. Particularly, the present invention provides plants to which an expression construct comprising the entire prn operon was introduced, wherein said plants produce pyrrolnitrin and show enhanced growth and yield production compared to corresponding control plants not harboring the prn operon.

Abstract: Various metrology systems and methods are provided. One metrology system includes a light source configured to produce a diffraction-limited light beam, an apodizer configured to shape the light beam in the entrance pupil of illumination optics, and optical elements configured to direct the diffraction-limited light beam from the apodizer to an illumination spot on a grating target on a wafer and to collect scattered light from the grating target. The metrology system further includes a field stop and a detector configured to detect the scattered light that passes through the field stop. In addition, the metrology system includes a computer system configured to determine a characteristic of the grating target using output of the detector.

Abstract: Methods of expressing a molecule of interest in a plant are disclosed. One method comprises contacting roots of the plant in a solution comprising at least one Geminivirus based expression construct so as to allow the at least one Geminivirus based expression construct to be absorbed by the roots, the expression construct comprising a polynucleotide encoding the molecule of interest, and further the expression construct being capable of systemic symptomless spread in a plant host, thereby expressing a molecule of interest in a plant. Expression constructs capable of systemic symptomless spread in a host plant are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of expressing a molecule of interest in a plant are disclosed. One method comprises contacting roots of the plant in a solution comprising at least one Geminivirus based expression construct so as to allow the at least one Geminivirus based expression construct to be absorbed by the roots, the expression construct comprising a polynucleotide encoding the molecule of interest, and further the expression construct being capable of systemic symptomless spread in a plant host, thereby expressing a molecule of interest in a plant. Expression constructs capable of systemic symptomless spread in a host plant are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various metrology systems and methods are provided. One metrology system includes a light source configured to produce a diffraction-limited light beam, an apodizer configured to shape the light beam in the entrance pupil of illumination optics, and optical elements configured to direct the diffraction-limited light beam from the apodizer to an illumination spot on a grating target on a wafer and to collect scattered light from the grating target. The metrology system further includes a field stop and a detector configured to detect the scattered light that passes through the field stop. In addition, the metrology system includes a computer system configured to determine a characteristic of the grating target using output of the detector.

Abstract: Various metrology systems and methods are provided.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid agent is disclosed comprising a nucleic acid sequence which downregulates expression of a gene product of a Varroa destructor mite. Compositions comprising same and uses thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides means and methods for simple and efficient introduction of foreign genetic material into the plant cell. Particularly, the present invention combines seed priming and virus-based DNA constructs for efficient introduction of heterologous DNA into plants.

Abstract: A weight selector for use with a weight lifting machine having a plurality of weights to be lifted and an exertion element configured to exert force so as to lift a preselected amount of weight comprising: a first selector element configured to mechanically select a first amount of weight to be lifted; a second selector element configured to mechanically select a second amount of weight to be lifted, the second selector element being movable relative to the first selector element; and a distance limiting element configured to limit the distance between the first selector element and the second selector element.

Abstract: Methods of expressing a molecule of interest in a plant are disclosed. One method comprises contacting roots of the plant in a solution comprising at least one Geminivirus based expression construct so as to allow the at least one Geminivirus based expression construct to be absorbed by the roots, the expression construct comprising a polynucleotide encoding the molecule of interest, and further the expression construct being capable of systemic symptomless spread in a plant host, thereby expressing a molecule of interest in a plant. Expression constructs capable of systemic symptomless spread in a host plant are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various metrology systems and methods are provided.

Abstract: A wrist exercise device comprising a supporting element including a first portion having an axis, said supporting element configured to be attached to a weight lifting machine; a handle having an axis, the handle coaxial with the first portion of the supporting element, the handle being configured for rotation about the first portion of the supporting element; and at least one resistive element, coupled to at least one of the supporting element and the handle, the resistive element configured to provide an element of resistance to rotation of the handle.

Abstract: A weight selector for use with a weight lifting machine having a plurality of weights to be lifted and an exertion element configured to exert force so as to lift a preselected amount of weight comprising: a first selector element configured to mechanically select a first amount of weight to be lifted; a second selector element configured to mechanically select a second amount of weight to be lifted, the second selector element being movable relative to the first selector element; and a distance limiting element configured to limit the distance between the first selector element and the second selector element.

Abstract: A Geminivirus based expression construct being capable of systemic symptomeless spread in a plant host is provided as well as methods of utilizing same for plant gene expression, gene silencing and plant protection.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for determining a minimum tool-induced shift (TIS) during an overlay metrology procedure. In a specific embodiment, a method of determining overlay or misalignment error on a target is disclosed. For a predefined number of positions of a target within a field of view (FOV) of a metrology tool, the following operations are performed: (i) determining a tool-induced shift (TIS) parameter value for each predefined position of the target within the FOV based on at least one overlay measurement obtained from the target at the each position (for example, based on overlay measurements at 0 and 180 degrees of wafer orientation) and (ii) determining a minimum TIS parameter value and its corresponding FOV position from the plurality of determined TIS parameters values at the predefined positions of the target within the FOV.

Abstract: The invention relates to an expression-silencing system comprising a first DNA construct comprising a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the T7 RNA polymerase gene (T7-pol) which carries an NLS sequence, and at least one promoter and at least one terminator sequence operably linked to the T7-pol; a second DNA construct comprising a T7 promoter sequence (pT7), at least one targeting sequence downstream to said pT7 and at least one 3? non-translated terminator sequence operably linked to the targeting sequences; which system can, upon its introduction into a cell, substantially silence the expression at the RNA level of a target sequence in the cell, in a tissue or organ regenerated from said cell, or in a progeny thereof, substantially silenced, by causing the substantial disappearance of the RNA or RNA transcript carrying said sequence or a functional part thereof.

Abstract: A method for strengthening coordination between a person's hand muscles and muscles of the lower part of a person's body involves (a) the person jumping into the air while holding a hanging article; and (b) placing while in the air the hanging article on an elevated, substantially horizontal flexible support, so that the hanging article is retained on the support after the person releases the article from his hold. The support is positioned above the extended height of the person. An exercise system for strengthening coordination between a person's hand muscles and muscles of the lower part of a person's body thus includes (a) an elevated substantially horizontal flexible support; and (b) a hanging article, wherein the support is positioned above the extended height of the person.

Abstract: There is provided a stable vaccine for providing protection against disease having viral proteins transgenically expressed in plant cells. Also provided is a stable vaccine which provides protection against disease containing viral protein and coding sequences cloned into an E. coli expression system. A method of vaccination by transgenically expressing viral proteins capable of providing protection against disease into plant cells and administering the plant cells to an animal in need of vaccination is also provided. Also provided is a method of vaccination by cloning viral protein and coding sequences capable of providing protection against disease into an E. coli expression system and administering the E. coli into the animal in need of vaccination.

Abstract: A complex diffraction grating system having at least two diffraction gratings that are located adjacent to and at an angle relative to each other. The characteristics of the system may be selected so as to reduce non-linear dispersion and to provide generally constant angular dispersion at high diffraction angles.

Abstract: There is provided a stable vaccine for providing protection against disease having viral proteins transgenically expressed in plant cells. Also provided is a stable vaccine which provides protection against disease containing viral protein and coding sequences cloned into an E. coli expression system. A method of vaccination by transgenically expressing viral proteins capable of providing protection against disease into plant cells and administering the plant cells to an animal in need of vaccination is also provided. Also provided is a method of vaccination by cloning viral protein and coding sequences capable of providing protection against disease into an E. coli expression system and administering the E. coli into the animal in need of vaccination.