Spatial modulation of above-the-gap cathodoluminescence in InP nanowires

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Nanometer Scale Spectral Imaging of Quantum Emitters in nanowires and Its Correlation to Their Atomically Resolved Structure

International audienceWe report the spectral imaging in the UV to visible range with nanometer scale resolu-tion of closely packed GaN/AlN quantum discs in individual nanowires using an improved custom-made cathodoluminescence system. We demonstrate the possibility to measure full spectral features of individual quantum emitters as small as one nanometer and separated from each others by only few nanometers, and the ability to correlate their optical properties to their size, measured with atomic resolution. The direct correlation between the quantum disc size and emission wavelength allows us to evidence the quantum confined Stark effect leading to an emission below the bulk GaN band gap for discs thicker than 2.6 nm. Helped with simula-tions, we show that the internal electric field in the studied quantum discs is smaller than what is expected in the quantum well case. We evidence a clear dispersion of the emission wave-lengths of different quantum discs of identical size but different position along the wire. This dispersion is systematically correlated to a change of the diameter of the AlN shell coating the wire, and is thus attributed to the related strain variations along the wire. The present work opens the way both for fundamental studies of quantum confinement in closely packed quan-tum emitters and for characterizations of optoelectronic devices presenting carrier localization on the nanometer scale

HIF-1 and c-Src Mediate Increased Glucose Uptake Induced by Endothelin-1 and Connexin43 in Astrocytes

In previous work we showed that endothelin-1 (ET-1) increases the rate of glucose uptake in astrocytes, an important aspect of brain function since glucose taken up by astrocytes is used to supply the neurons with metabolic substrates. In the present work we sought to identify the signalling pathway responsible for this process in primary culture of rat astrocytes. Our results show that ET-1 promoted an increase in the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in astrocytes, as shown in other cell types. Furthermore, HIF-1α-siRNA experiments revealed that HIF-1α participates in the effects of ET-1 on glucose uptake and on the expression of GLUT-1, GLUT-3, type I and type II hexokinase. We previously reported that these effects of ET-1 are mediated by connexin43 (Cx43), the major gap junction protein in astrocytes. Indeed, our results show that silencing Cx43 increased HIF-1α and reduced the effect of ET-1 on HIF-1α, indicating that the effect of ET-1 on HIF-1α is mediated by Cx43. The activity of oncogenes such as c-Src can up-regulate HIF-1α. Since Cx43 interacts with c-Src, we investigated the participation of c-Src in this pathway. Interestingly, both the treatment with ET-1 and with Cx43-siRNA increased c-Src activity. In addition, when c-Src activity was inhibited neither ET-1 nor silencing Cx43 were able to up-regulate HIF-1α. In conclusion, our results suggest that ET-1 by down-regulating Cx43 activates c-Src, which in turn increases HIF-1α leading to the up-regulation of the machinery required to take up glucose in astrocytes. Cx43 expression can be reduced in response not only to ET-1 but also to various physiological and pathological stimuli. This study contributes to the identification of the signalling pathway evoked after Cx43 down-regulation that results in increased glucose uptake in astrocytes. Interestingly, this is the first evidence linking Cx43 to HIF-1, which is a master regulator of glucose metabolism

On the measurement of the fractal dimension of aggregated particles by electron microscopy : experimental method, corrections and comparison with numerical models

Digital annular dark-field images of aggregated iron polydisperse particles are obtained using a computer-controlled STEM. Different methods are discussed on how to extract the fractal dimension of the aggregates, and the sources of error are analysed. The results are compared with computer simulations on a polydisperse version of the cluster-cluster aggregation model. Simulations show that polydispersity does not affect the fractal dimension. The experimental result for the fractal dimension ( D =1.9 ± 0.1) is consistent with the cluster-cluster model with linear trajectories.Des images digitalisées en fond noir annulaire d'agrégats polydispersés de billes de fer sont obtenues avec un microscope électronique piloté par ordinateur. On discute des différentes méthodes capables d'extraire la dimension fractale des agrégats et on analyse les différentes sources d'erreur. Les résultats sont comparés avec des simulations à l'ordinateur utilisant une version polydisperse du modèle d' agrégation par collage d'amas. Les simulations montrent que la polydispersité n'affecte pas la valeur de la dimension fractale. Le résultat expérimental (D =1,9 ± 0,1 ) est consistant avec un modèle d'agrégation par collage d'amas avec trajectoires linéaires

CACAO a collimation means well suited for pixellated detectors.

International audienc

RECENT RESULTS IN EELS ELEMENTAL MAPPING OF THIN BIOLOGICAL SECTIONS

La cartographie chimique des principaux éléments contenus dans une section biologique est obtenue par traitement numérique de plusieurs images filtrées en énergie, acquises digitalement en STEM.Chemical mapping of the main elements within a biological section is achieved by numerical processing of several energy loss filtered images, digitally recorded with a STEM