Boule may refer to:
Protein boule-like is a protein that in humans is encoded by the BOLL gene.
This gene belongs to the DAZ gene family required for germ cell development. It encodes an RNA-binding protein which is more similar to Drosophila Boule than to human proteins encoded by genes DAZ (deleted in azoospermia) or DAZL (deleted in azoospermia-like). Loss of this gene function results in the absence of sperm in semen (azoospermia). Histological studies demonstrated that the primary defect is at the meiotic G2 / M transition in fruitfly but in mice the primary defect is postmeiotic at round spermatid stage. Multiple alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been found for this gene.
The boule-like protein appears to be ubiquitously expressed in males of all animal species, except in the most primitive trichoplax.
A boule is a single crystal ingot produced by synthetic means. A boule of silicon is the starting material for most of the integrated circuits used today.
In the semiconductor industry, boules can be made by a number of methods, such as the Bridgman technique and the Czochralski process, which result in a cylindrical rod of material.
In the Czochralski process a seed crystal is required to create a larger crystal, or ingot. This seed crystal is dipped into the pure molten silicon and slowly extracted. The molten silicon grows on the seed crystal in a crystalline fashion. As the seed is extracted the silicon solidifies and eventually a large, cylindrical boule is produced.
A semiconductor crystal boule is normally cut with a diamond saw into circular wafers, and each wafer is polished to provide substrates suitable for the fabrication of semiconductor devices on its surface.
The process is also used to create sapphires, which are used for substrates in the production of blue and white LEDs, optical windows in special applications and as the protective covers for watches.
Noir (or noire) is the French word for black. It may also refer to:
Noir is a Canadian drama film, directed by Yves Christian Fournier and released in 2015.
An ensemble cast film set primarily in the impoverished Montreal North area, the film focuses on a variety of interconnected storylines. Characters include Dickens (Kémy St-Eloi) and Bobby (Clauter Alexandre), two Haitian Canadian brothers involved in the gang lifestyle; Kadhafi (Salim Kechiouche), an Algerian immigrant who works in a dry cleaning shop with Jean-Jacques (Benz Antoine) and dreams of becoming a hip hop star; and Suzie (Jade-Mariuka Robitaille), a stripper in a relationship with drug dealer Evans (Christopher Charles) while simultaneously connected in an ambiguous way to Phil (Patrick Hivon).
Kechiouche garnered a Jutra Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 18th Jutra Awards.
Noir is the second full-length album by the Finnish post-metal band Callisto.
The record has had many problems and delays with its release. It was released in Finland by Fullsteam Records on time in May 2006; however, worldwide release was not available until mid-February 2007 when the album was released in Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Luxembourg, and Sweden. Earache Records had not gained distribution rights as it did with True Nature Unfolds to release the album in North America. However, since July 2009, the album has been made available on iTunes.