In situ control of the GE(100)surface domain structure for III-V multijunction solar cells

Vicinal Ge(100) is the common substrate for state of the art multi-junction solar cells grown by metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE). While triple junction solar cells based on Ge(100) present efficiencies mayor que 40%, little is known about the microscopic III-V/Ge(100) nucleation and its interface formation. A suitable Ge(100) surface preparation prior to heteroepitaxy is crucial to achieve low defect densities in the III-V epilayers. Formation of single domain surfaces with double layer steps is required to avoid anti-phase domains in the III-V films. The step formation processes in MOVPE environment strongly depends on the major process parameters such as substrate temperature, H2 partial pressure, group V precursors [1], and reactor conditions. Detailed investigation of these processes on the Ge(100) surface by ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) based standard surface science tools are complicated due to the presence of H2 process gas. However, in situ surface characterization by reflection anisotropy spectroscopy (RAS) allowed us to study the MOVPE preparation of Ge(100) surfaces directly in dependence on the relevant process parameters [2, 3, 4]. A contamination free MOVPE to UHV transfer system [5] enabled correlation of the RA spectra to results from UHV-based surface science tools. In this paper, we established the characteristic RA spectra of vicinal Ge(100) surfaces terminated with monohydrides, arsenic and phosphorous. RAS enabled in situ control of oxide removal, H2 interaction and domain formation during MOVPE preparation.

Effects of hydrocarbon contamination on soil microbial community and enzyme activity

Acknowledgment I would like to gratefully acknowledge the government of Saudi Arabia for the scholarship and financial support.

The kinetic mechanism of myosin V

Myosin V is an unconventional myosin proposed to be processive on actin filaments, analogous to kinesin on a microtubule [Mehta, A. D., et al. (1999) Nature (London) 400, 590–593]. To ascertain the unique properties of myosin V that permit processivity, we undertook a detailed kinetic analysis of the myosin V motor. We expressed a truncated, single-headed myosin V construct that bound a single light chain to study its innate kinetics, free from constraints imposed by other regions of the molecule. The data demonstrate that unlike any previously characterized myosin a single-headed myosin V spends most of its kinetic cycle (>70%) strongly bound to actin in the presence of ATP. This kinetic tuning is accomplished by increasing several of the rates preceding strong binding to actin and concomitantly prolonging the duration of the strongly bound state by slowing the rate of ADP release. The net result is a myosin unlike any previously characterized, in that ADP release is the rate-limiting step for the actin-activated ATPase cycle. Thus, because of a number of kinetic adaptations, myosin V is tuned for processive movement on actin and will be capable of transporting cargo at lower motor densities than any other characterized myosin.

Roles of DNA polymerases V and II in SOS-induced error-prone and error-free repair in Escherichia coli

DNA polymerase V, composed of a heterotrimer of the DNA damage-inducible UmuC and UmuD\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document} \begin{equation*}{\mathrm{_{2}^{^{\prime}}}}\end{equation*}\end{document} proteins, working in conjunction with RecA, single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-binding protein (SSB), β sliding clamp, and γ clamp loading complex, are responsible for most SOS lesion-targeted mutations in Escherichia coli, by catalyzing translesion synthesis (TLS). DNA polymerase II, the product of the damage-inducible polB (dinA ) gene plays a pivotal role in replication-restart, a process that bypasses DNA damage in an error-free manner. Replication-restart takes place almost immediately after the DNA is damaged (≈2 min post-UV irradiation), whereas TLS occurs after pol V is induced ≈50 min later. We discuss recent data for pol V-catalyzed TLS and pol II-catalyzed replication-restart. Specific roles during TLS for pol V and each of its accessory factors have been recently determined. Although the precise molecular mechanism of pol II-dependent replication-restart remains to be elucidated, it has recently been shown to operate in conjunction with RecFOR and PriA proteins.

Activation of YRP kinase by v-Src and protein kinase C-mediated signal transduction pathways.

We have previously reported that a serine(threonine) protein kinase that phosphorylates histone H1 in vitro is activated by tyrosine phosphorylation in v-Src-transformed rat 3Y1 fibroblasts. We now refer to this kinase as YRP kinase, for tyrosine-regulated protein kinase. Since YRP kinase may play a role in mediating the growth-stimulatory and morphology-altering effects of v-Src, we have further examined the signal transduction involved in the activation of YRP kinase. Although YRP kinase is constitutively activated in fibroblasts transformed by v-Src, activation of protein kinase C was also found to lead to activation of YRP kinase. Activation of YRP kinase by protein kinase C was found to be potentiated by vanadate treatment or overexpression of c-Src. The activation of YRP kinase by v-Src, however, does not appear to be mediated by protein kinase C, suggesting that YRP kinase can be activated by two separate signal transduction pathways. Transformation of fibroblasts by v-Ras or v-Mil did not result in activation of YRP kinase, indicating that the MAP kinase pathway does not mediate the activation of YRP kinase by v-Src or protein kinase C.

Sporocarp succession of soil-inhabiting macrofungi in an autochthonous subalpine Norway spruce forest of Switzerland

Sporocarps of macrofungi have been recorded in two neighbouring pure stands of Norway spruce (Picea abies) of different age due to a wind-throw in the subalpine zone of the Alps. The still open young stand of 30 years with trees up to 6 m displayed 80 species, the mature closed forest stand 90 species. Species richness of mycorrhizal fungi is higher in the mature stand than in the younger one, however, with an almost doubled sporocarp production in the latter one. The opposite is found with saprotrophic fungi. Several fungi appeared only in one forest type confirming the concept of early stage versus late stage fungi. Wind-throws as irregular events in subalpine forests, create gaps and add considerably to the species diversity of macrofungi.

The complete works of Samuel Rowlands, 1598-1628, now first collected ...

v.3. Heavens glory, seeke it, &c., 1628. The famous history of Gvy erle of Warwicke, 1682. Miscellaneous poems. Notes, by Sidney J.H. Herrtage. Glossary, by Sidney J.H. Herrtage.

Luther's reply to King Henry VIII, now first Englished after the lapse of four centuries,

Mode of access: Internet.