Voltage controlled terahertz transmission through GaN quantum wells

We report measurements of radiation transmission in the 0.220--0.325 THz frequency domain through GaN quantum wells grown on sapphire substrates at room and low temperatures. A significant enhancement of the transmitted beam intensity with the applied voltage on the devices under test is found. For a deeper understanding of the physical phenomena involved, these results are compared with a phenomenological theory of light transmission under electric bias relating the transmission enhancement to changes in the differential mobility of the two-dimensional electron gas

Antagonistic interactions between phage and host factors control arbitrium lysis–lysogeny decision

Phages can use a small-molecule communication arbitrium system to coordinate lysis–lysogeny decisions, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Here we determined that the arbitrium system in Bacillus subtilis phage phi3T modulates the bacterial toxin–antitoxin system MazE–MazF to regulate the phage life cycle. We show that phi3T expresses AimX and YosL, which bind to and inactivate MazF. AimX also inhibits the function of phi3T_93, a protein that promotes lysogeny by binding to MazE and releasing MazF. Overall, these mutually exclusive interactions promote the lytic cycle of the phage. After several rounds of infection, the phage-encoded AimP peptide accumulates intracellularly and inactivates the phage antiterminator AimR, a process that eliminates aimX expression from the aimP promoter. Therefore, when AimP increases, MazF activity promotes reversion back to lysogeny, since AimX is absent. Altogether, our study reveals the evolutionary strategy used by arbitrium to control lysis–lysogeny by domesticating and fine-tuning a phage-defence mechanism

Dimensions of a Projection Column and Architecture of VPM and POm Axons in Rat Vibrissal Cortex

This is the first article in a series of 3 studies that investigate the anatomical determinants of thalamocortical (TC) input to excitatory neurons in a cortical column of rat primary somatosensory cortex (S1). S1 receives 2 major types of TC inputs, lemiscal and paralemniscal. Lemiscal axons arise from the ventral posteromedial nucleus (VPM) of the thalamus, whereas paralemniscal fibers originate in the posteromedial nucleus (POm). While these 2 TC projections are largely complementary in L4, overlap in other cortical layers is still a matter of debate. VPM and POm axons were specifically labeled in the same rat by virus-mediated expression of different fluorescent proteins. We show that columnar and septal projection patterns are maintained throughout most of the cortical depth with a lower degree of separation in infragranular layers, where TC axons form bands along rows. Finally, we present anatomical dimensions of “TC projection domains” for a standard column in S1

Geological controls on the dynamics of riverbank retreat in the western Podhale region

The western part of Podhale region is drained by the Czarny Dunajec and the Biały Dunajec rivers, flowing from the Tatra Mts., and streams originating in the region (Cichy Stream, Bystry Stream, Czerwony Stream, Wielki Rogoźnik). River banks are cut in the Podhale Flysch or in the alluvium of these rivers overlain with loam deposits of varied origin. This paper investigates the combined effect of weathering, frost processes and mass movements on the banks of the Czarny Dunajec River and its tributaries typified by different substrate material. Bank retreat due to frost processes was measured during multigelation periods using erosion pins. Grain size distribution and cohesion of the substrate were also determined for alluvial and loam deposits. On flysch cutbanks, we determined joint spacing and the density and direction of fractures, and other structural and textural characteristics of the rocks. The results indicate that the rate of bank retreat decreases from the banks cut in sandy loam deposits, through alluvial loam banks (with high clay content), the banks composed of poorly cemented gravels and shaly flysch, to the banks cut in sandstones and highly cemented Neogene gravels. Bank retreat due to frost processes and mass-wasting was more efficient in the cold half-year