Kinetics of self-assembled InN quantum dots grown on Si (111) by plasma-assisted MBE

One of the scientific challenges of growing InN quantum dots (QDs), using Molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), is to understand the fundamental processes that control the morphology and distribution of QDs. A systematic manipulation of the morphology, optical emission, and structural properties of InN/Si (111) QDs is demonstrated by changing the growth kinetics parameters such as flux rate and growth time. Due to the large lattice mismatch, between InN and Si (similar to 8%), the dots formed from the Strannski-Krastanow (S-K) growth mode are dislocated. Despite the variations in strain (residual) and the shape, both the dot size and pair separation distribution show the scaling behavior. We observed that the distribution of dot sizes, for samples grown under varying conditions, follow the scaling function.

Lanthanide Sulfate Frameworks: Synthesis, Structure, and Optical Properties

Layered lanthanide sulfate compounds with three different structures have been prepared and characterized. The compounds C10H10N2] La(SO4)(2)]center dot 2H(2)O (I), C10H10N2] La(SO4)(2)(H2O)(2)](2) (Ha), C10H10N2]Pr(SO4)(2)(H2O)(2)](2) (IIb), C10H10N2]Nd-2(SO4)(4)(H2O)(2)](2) (IIIa), C10H10N2]Sm-2(SO4)(4)(H2O)(2)](2) (IIIb), and C10H10N2]Eu-2(SO4)(4)(H2O)(2)] 2 (IIIC) have anionic lanthanide sulfate layers separated by protonated bipyridine molecules. The layers are formed by the connectivity between the lanthanide polyhedra and sulfate tetrahedra. The formation of a two-dimensional La-O-La layer (la), Pr-O-Pr chains (IIb), and a tetramer cluster (IIIa) is noteworthy. The compounds exhibit honeycomb (I), square (IIa, IIb), and honeycomb (IIIa-IIIc) net arrangements, when the connectivity between the lanthanide ions is considered. Optical studies indicate the observation of characteristic metal-centered emission at room temperature. The Nd compound (IIIa) exhibits a two-photon upconversion behavior.

Characterization of an in vitro transcription system from rinderpest virus

An in vitro transcription system for rinderpest virus (RPV) is described. Ribonucleoprotein complexes isolated from RPV-infected Vero cells, human lung carcinoma cells, or detergent-disrupted purified virions synthesized authentic RPV mRNAs for the N, P, M, F and H genes as identified by dot blot hybridization analysis with individual cDNA clones. The relative abundance of the mRNAs synthesized in vitro decreased from the 3? end of the genome to the 5? end, very similar to that observed with measles virus transcription in vitro. The transcription by purified virions was stimulated three-fold by the addition of infected human lung carcinoma cell lysate, demonstrating the involvement of host factor(s) in mRNA synthesis.

Photocytotoxicity and DNA photocleavage activity of La(III) and Gd(III) complexes of phenanthroline bases

Lanthanide(II) complexes La(B)(acac)(3)] (1-3) and Gd(B)(acac)(3)] (4-6), where B is a N,N-donor phenanthroline base, viz., 1,10-phenanthroline (phen in 1, 4), dipyrido3,2-d:2',3'-f]quinoxaline (dpq in 2, 5) and dipyrido3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz in 3, 6), have been prepared and characterized. The Gd(111) complexes 4 6 are structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The complexes display GdO6N2 coordination with the ligands showing bidentate chelating mode of bonding. The complexes are non-electrolytic in aqueous DMF and exhibit ligand-centered absorption bands in the UV region. The dppz complexes show a band at 380 nm in DMF. The La(111) complexes are diamagnetic. The Gd(III) complexes are paramagnetic with magnetic moment that corresponds to seven unpaired electrons. The Complexes are avid binders to calf thymus DNA giving K-b values in the range of 4.7 x 10(4) 6.1 x 10(5) M-1 with a relative binding order: 3, 6 (dppz) > 2, 5 (dpq) > 1, 4 (phen). The binding data suggest DNA surface and/or groove binding nature of the complexes. The dpq and dppz complexes efficiently cleave SC DNA to its nicked circular form in UV-A light of 365 nm via formation of both singlet oxygen (O-1(2)) and hydroxyl radical (HO center dot) species. The dppz complexes 3 and 6 exhibit significant PDT effect in He La cervical cancer cells giving respective IC50 value of 460(+/- 50) and 530(+/- 30) nM in UV-A light of 365 rim, and are essentially non-toxic in dark with an IC50 value of >100 mu M. The dppz ligand alone is cytotoxic in dark and UV-A light. A significant decrease in the dark toxicity of the dppz base is observed on binding to the Ln(III) ion while retaining its photocytotoxicity.