Study and characterization by magnetophonon resonance of the energy structuring in GaAs/AlAs quantum-wire superlattices

We present the characterization of the band structure of GaAs/AlAs quantum-wire 1D superlattices performed by magnetophonon resonance with pulsed magnetic fields up to 35 T. The samples, generated by the "atomic saw method" from original quantum-well 2D superlattices, underwent substantial modifications of their energy bands built up on the X-states of the bulk. We have calculated the band structure by a finite element method and we have studied the various miniband structures built up of the masses m_t and m_l of GaAs and AlAs at the point X. From an experimental point of view, the main result is that in the 2D case we observe only resonances when the magnetic field B is applied along the growth axis whereas in the 1D case we obtain resonances in all magnetic field configurations. The analysis of the maxima (or minima for B // E) in the resistivity rho_xy as a function of B allows us to account, qualitatively and semi-quantitatively, for the band structure theoretically expected

Evidence of magnetic field quenching of phosphorous-doped silicon quantum dots

We present data on the electrical transport properties of highly-doped silicon-on-insulator quantum dots under the effect of pulsed magnetic fields up to 48 T. At low field intensities, B<7 T, we observe a strong modification of the conductance due to the destruction of weak localization whereas at higher fields, where the magnetic field length becomes comparable to the effective Bohr radius of phosphorous in silicon, a strong decrease in conductance is demonstrated. Data in the high and low electric field bias regimes are then compared to show that close to the Coulomb blockade edge magnetically-induced quenching to single donors in the quantum dot is achieved at about 40 T.Comment: accepted for publication at Current Applied Physic

GaAs delta-doped quantum wire superlattice characterization by quantum Hall effect and Shubnikov de Haas oscillations

Quantum wire superlattices (1D) realized by controlled dislocation slipping in quantum well superlattices (2D) (atomic saw method) have already shown magnetophonon oscillations. This effect has been used to investigate the electronic properties of such systems and prove the quantum character of the physical properties of the wires. By cooling the temperature and using pulsed magnetic field up to 35 T, we have observed both quantum Hall effect (QHE) and Shubnikov de Haas (SdH) oscillations for various configurations of the magnetic field. The effective masses deduced from the values of the fundamental fields are coherent with those obtained with magnetophonon effect. The field rotation induces a change in the resonance frequencies due to the modification of the mass tensor as in a (3D) electron gas. In view the QHE, the plateaus observed in rho_yz are dephased relatively to rho_zz minima which seems to be linked to the dephasing of the minima of the density of states of the broadened Landau levels

AFM imaging of functionalized double-walled carbon nanotubes

We present a comparative study of several non-covalent approaches to disperse, debundle and noncovalently functionalize double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWNTs). We investigated the ability of bovine serum albumin (BSA), phospholipids grafted onto amine-terminated polyethylene glycol (PLPEG2000-NH2), as well as a combination thereof, to coat purified DWNTs. Topographical imaging with the atomic force microscope (AFM) was used to assess the coating of individual DWNTs and the degree of debundling and dispersion. Topographical images showed that functionalized DWNTs are better separated and less aggregated than pristine DWNTs and that the different coating methods differ in their abilities to successfully debundle and disperse DWNTs. Height profiles indicated an increase in the diameter of DWNTs depending on the functionalization method and revealed adsorption of single molecules onto the nanotubes. Biofunctionalization of the DWNT surface was achieved by coating DWNTs with biotinylated BSA, providing for biospecific binding of streptavidin in a simple incubation step. Finally, biotin-BSA-functionalized DWNTs were immobilized on an avidin layer via the specific avidin–biotin interaction

Comparative genomic mapping of uncharacterized canine retinal ESTs to identify novel candidate genes for hereditary retinal disorders

Purpose: To identify the genomic location of previously uncharacterized canine retina-expressed expressed sequence tags (ESTs), and thus identify potential candidate genes for heritable retinal disorders. Methods: A set of over 500 retinal canine ESTs were mapped onto the canine genome using the RHDF ₅₀₀₀₋₂ radiation hybrid (RH) panel, and the resulting map positions were compared to their respective localization in the CanFam2 assembly of the canine genome sequence. Results: Unique map positions could be assigned for 99% of the mapped clones, of which only 29% showed significant homology to known RefSeq sequences. A comparison between RH map and sequence assembly indicated some areas of discrepancy. Retinal expressed genes were not concentrated in particular areas of the canine genome, and also were located on the canine Y chromosome (CFAY). Several of the EST clones were located within areas of conserved synteny to human retinal disease loci. Conclusions: RH mapping of canine retinal ESTs provides insight into the location of potential candidate genes for hereditary retinal disorders, and, by comparison with the assembled canine genome sequence, highlights inconsistencies with the current assembly. Regions of conserved synteny between the canine and the human genomes allow this information to be extrapolated to identify potential positional candidate genes for mapped human retinal disorders. Furthermore, these ESTs can help identify novel or uncharacterized genes of significance for better understanding of retinal morphology, physiology, and pathology.10 page(s

Cyclotron resonance of extremely conductive 2D holes in high Ge content strained heterostructures

Cyclotron resonance has been observed in steady and pulsed magnetic fields from high conductivity holes in Ge quantum wells. The resonance positions, splittings and linewidths are compared to calculations of the hole Landau levels

Members of the Hyposoter didymator Ichnovirus repeat element gene family are differentially expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda

BACKGROUND: The abundance and the conservation of the repeated element (rep) genes in Ichnoviruses genomes suggest that this gene family plays an important role in viral cycles. In the Ichnovirus associated with the wasp Hyposoter didymator, named HdIV, 10 rep genes were identified to date. In this work, we report a relative quantitative transcription study of these HdIV rep genes in several tissues of the lepidopteran host Spodoptera frugiperda as well as in the H. didymator wasps. RESULTS: The data obtained in this work indicate that, in the early phases of infection (24 hours), HdIV rep genes each display different levels of transcripts in parasitized 2(nd )instar or HdIV-injected last instar S. frugiperda larvae. Only one, rep1, is significantly transcribed in female wasps. Transcript levels of the HdIV rep genes were found as not correlated to their copy number in HdIV genome. Our results also show that HdIV rep genes display different tissue specificity, and that they are primarily transcribed in S. frugiperda fat body and cuticular epithelium. CONCLUSION: This work is the first quantitative analysis of transcription of the ichnovirus rep gene family, and the first investigation on a correlation between transcript levels and gene copy numbers in Ichnoviruses. Our data indicate that, despite similar gene copy numbers, not all the members of this gene family are significantly transcribed 24 hours after infection in lepidopteran larvae. Additionally, our data show that, as opposed to other described HdIV genes, rep genes are little transcribed in hemocytes, thus suggesting that they are not directly associated with the disruption of the immune response but rather involved in other physiological alterations of the infected lepidopteran larva

Radiation Hybrid Mapping of Cataract Genes in the Dog

Purpose: To facilitate the molecular characterization of naturally occurring cataracts in dogs by providing the radiation hybrid location of 21 cataract-associated genes along with their closely associated polymorphic markers. These can be used for segregation testing of the candidate genes in canine cataract pedigrees. Methods: Twenty-one genes with known mutations causing hereditary cataracts in man and/or mouse were selected and mapped to canine chromosomes using a canine:hamster radiation hybrid RH5000 panel. Each cataract gene ortholog was mapped in relation to over 3,000 markers including microsatellites, ESTs, genes, and BAC clones. The resulting independently determined RH-map locations were compared with the corresponding gene locations from the draft sequence of the canine genome. Results: Twenty-one cataract orthologs were mapped to canine chromosomes. The genetic locations and nearest polymorphic markers were determined for 20 of these orthologs. In addition, the resulting cataract gene locations, as determined experimentally by this study, were compared with those determined by the canine genome project. All genes mapped within or near chromosomal locations with previously established homology to the corresponding human gene locations based on canine:human chromosomal synteny. Conclusions: The location of selected cataract gene orthologs in the dog, along with their nearest polymorphic markers, serves as a resource for association and linkage testing in canine pedigrees segregating inherited cataracts. The recent development of canine genomic resources make canine models a practical and valuable resource for the study of human hereditary cataracts. Canine models can serve as large animal models intermediate between mouse and man for both gene discovery and the development of novel cataract therapies