Notes: This article presents computation of optical gain and threshold current density in InGaN–AlGaN quantum wire and dot lasers in the presence of dislocations and surface states. The exciton binding energy including the effect of strain induced piezoelectric field is calculated to be 10–80 meV in InGaN–AlGaN quantum wires and dots, depending on the lateral and transverse dimensions. In contrast to the conventional GaAs or InP based quantum wires, these high binding energy results in large exciton densities, making optical transitions due to excitons dominant over free electrons and holes. Optical gain and threshold current density in InGaN–AlGaN based multiple quantum wire and dot lasers are computed including the effect of dislocation-induced traps. The calculated threshold current density Jth for defect free compressive-strained InGaN quantum wire (50 Å×50 Å) and dot (50 Å × 50 Å × 50 Å) lasers, realized on sapphire or SiC substrates, are shown to yield ultralow threshold current density of 233 and 88 A/cm2, respectively. In the presence of dislocations (1×1010 cm−2), the threshold current densities only increase to 924 and 623 A/cm2 for the same wire and dot, when we include the contribution of excitonic transitions. However, the corresponding values increase significantly to 30 838 and 11 647 A/cm2 if the exciton enhancement is not included. © 2000 American Institute of Physics.

Notes: A full color display with its spectra covering the entire visible color range using a single polymer is presented here. Different concentrations of poly(2,6-[4-phenylquinoline]) and poly(2,6-[p-phenylene]-4-phenylquinoline) were incorporated into silica gels via the sol–gel technique. At high concentrations, the conjugated polymers form multiple excimers in the channels within the silica network, leading to the emission of red light (∼600 nm). At low concentrations, the polymer chains are isolated and are being trapped individually in the silica domain, which results in the emission of blue light (∼400 nm). For concentrations in-between, moderate extensive chain interaction leads to the emission of green, yellow, and orange colors. Therefore, the color tunability can be achieved by simply varying the concentration of quinoline polymers in the silica glasses. © 2002 American Institute of Physics.

Notes: Spectroscopic rotating-analyzer ellipsometry employing a compensator was used to measure the ellipsometric angles and depolarization from 0.73 to 5.4 eV of commercial separation by implantation of oxygen wafers. The data were analyzed to find the thicknesses of the native oxide cap, the top Si layer, and the buried oxide (BOX). From the depolarization in the spectral region of interference fringes, we determine layer thickness nonuniformities. Although a reasonable agreement between the data can be found by describing the BOX with the optical constants of thermal oxide, it can be improved by modeling the BOX as an effective medium consisting of thermal oxide and amorphous Si. The physical justification for this model is the presence of Si islands near the BOX/substrate interface. We compare our ellipsometry results with a destructive analysis using electron microscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry. © 2000 American Institute of Physics.

Notes: California-grown seeds of Paspalum distichum L., incubated at the optimum temperatures between 28°C and 35°C, gave 14% germination in darkness and 40% germination at 16-h day length. The maximum and minimum limits for germination with light were 〉45°C and 10–22°C, respectively. The process of after-ripening was accelerated by dry storage of the seeds at 50°C. Pre-chilling at 6°C and a 2-h heat treatment at 40°C had no effect on germination. Gibberellin A3 increased germination only up to 10%. The treatments that caused greater than 40% germination of seeds in the dark were immersion of the dry seeds in concentrated sulphuric acid (H2SO4) for 30–60 min, giving 60–95% germination; or in 700 mM sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) for 1–8 h. giving 53–80% germination. The clearest results were obtained by treating the dry seeds with oxidants. H2SO4 being the most effective, followed by NaOCl and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2); the latter being effective only in the presence of light. The light-induced stimulatory effect was decreased with increasing exposure of dry seeds to both H2SO4 and NaOCl. However, the light effect was still apparent in imbibed dormant seeds with 2-h NaOCl immersion but not in dry seeds with the same treatment. The results of this study suggested that the seed dormancy in P. distichum was mainly imposed by seed coverings, including hull and seed coat membranes. Facteurs influençant la dormance et la germination des graines de Paspalum distichum L.Les semences d'origine californienne de Paspalum distichum L. incubées à des températures optimales entre 28 et 35°C, ont donné 14% de germination dans l'obscurité et 40% avec une longueur de jour de 16 heures. Les limites maximales et minimales pour la germination avec lumière étaient respectivement 〉45°C et entre 10 et 22°C. Le processus de maturation a été accéléré par un stockage des graines à 50°C. Un passage au froid à 6°C puis un traitement à chaud de 2 heures n'ont pas eu d'effet sur la germination. La gibberelline A3 a augmenté la germination de seulement 10%. Les traitements qui ont entraîné plus de 40% de germination dans l'obscurité sont l'immersion des graines sèches dans l'acide sulfurique concentre (H2SO4) pendant 30 à 60 minutes avec 60 à 95% de germination ou l'immersion dans l'hypochlorite de sodium 700 mM (NaOCl) pendant 1 à 8 heures avec 53 à 80% de germination. Les résultats les plus clairs ont été obtenus en traitant les grains secs avec des oxydants. H2SO4étant le plus efficace, suivi par NaOCl et le peroxyde d'hydrogène (H2O2); ce dernier étant efficace seulement en présence de lumière. L'effet inducteur de la lumière a moins d'importance avec une exposition accrue des graines sèches à H2SO4 et NaOCl. Cependant, l'effet lumière était encore apparent pour des graines en dormance immergées pendant 2 heures dans NaOCl mais pas pour des graines sèches ayant subi le même traitement. Les résultats de cette étude donnent à penser que la dormanee des graines chez P. distichum est due principalement à la couverture des graines téguments et gousses incluses. Faktoren. welche bei Paspalmn distichum Samenruhe und Keimung beeinflussenSamen von Paspalum distichum L. kalifornischer Herkunft, optimalen Temperaturen zwisehen 28 und 35°C ausgesetzt, keimten in der Dunkelheit zu 14% und zu 40% bei einer Tageslänge von 16 h. Die Maximal- und Minimalgrenzen für die Keimung in Gegenwart von Licht lagen 〉45°C and zwischen 10 und 22°C, Der Nachreifeprozess wurde durch eine trockene Lagerung der Samen bei 50°C beschleunigt. Eine, einer 2-stündigen Wärmebehandlung bei 40°C, vorausgegangene Kühlung bei 6°C hatte keine Veränderung der Keimungsrate zur Folge. Gibberellin A3 bewirkte nur eine Steigerung der Keimung von bis zu 10%. Behandlungen, welche höhere Keimungsraten als 40% in Dunkelheit verursachten, waren: (a) Eintauchen der trockenen Samen in konzen-trierte Schwefelsäure (H2SO4) während 30–60 min., was zur Keimung von 60 bis 95% der behandelten Samen führte, oder (b) Eintauchen in 700 mM Natriumhypochlorit (NaOCl) während 1–8 h; diese Behandlung erhöhte die Keimung auf 53–80%. Die eindeuligsten Resultate ergaben die Behandlungen der trockenen Samen mit Oxydationsmitteln, wobei H2SO4 am wirksamsten war, gefolgt von NaOCl und Wasserstoffperoxyd (H2O2); letzteres zeigte nur in Gegenwart von Licht eine Wirkung. Die durch Licht induzierte Keimungsstimulation wurde durch eine zunehmende Einwirkungsdauer von H2SO4 Oder NaOCl verringert. Allerdings war der ‘Lichteffekt’ bei dormanten, während 2 h in NaOCl eingetauchten Samen noch feststellbar, nicht aber bei trockenen Samen, welche derselben Behandlung unterworfen worden waren. Die Ergebnisse dieser Untersuehung lassen vermuten, dass die Samcnruhe bei P. distichum hauptsächlich durch die Umhüllungen des Samens, einschliesslich der Membranen der Samenschale, beeinflusst wird.

Notes: The rate of sprouting, rooting and early growth of both single-node stem and rhizome segments of Paspalum distichum L. increased as incubation temperatures increase to about 30°C and then declined at 40°C. There was little growth at 10°C. Single-node shoots remained viable at cooler temperatures after 1 days’incubation at 45°C, and 35% remained viable after 2 days’incubation at 45°C. Both shoot and rhizome segments sprouted and rooted at alternating temperatures of 45°C/28°C and 45°C/22°C. Generally sprouting and rooting of shoot segments were faster than in rhizome segments, but the response to temperature was similar for both sprouting and rooting of single-node shoot and rhizome segments. Single-node shoot segments sprouted faster in 16-h day lengths than in the dark. Rooting was better in the dark at 10°C, unaffected by light at 22 and 28°C, and faster in the light at 35 and 40°C. Sprouting, rooting and early growth were enhanced by gibberellin A3, kinetin and indole-3-acetic acid. Shoots collected at different seasons differed in their sprouting and rooting responses at various incubation temperatures. These patterns varying in response to seasonal temperature fluctuations may provide a survival mechanism for P. distichum.

Notes: Seeds of Johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.] germinated to higher percentages (20–30% higher) when incubated at 28 and 35° C than at 10 or 22° C. After-ripening was accelerated by dry storage of these seeds at 50°C. Seeds pre-chilled at 6°C for 2–4 weeks followed by incubation at 28°C germinated 40–60%. Light effects on germination were related to incubation temperatures; inhibitory at 22°C; no response at 28°C; and stimulatory at 35°C. Effects of gibberellin A3 (GA3) also varied depending on incubation temperature, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) immersion and light conditions. Immersion of dry seeds in either 700 mM NaOCl, 900 mM H2O2 or concentrated H2SO4 before incubation in water was effective in breaking dormancy. This result suggests the modes of action of H2SO4 in the termination of dormancy may be similar to those of NaOCl and H2SO4 as previously suggested by Hsiao & Quick (1984), that is by modification or scarification of the hull or seed coat membranes, and also by the supply of additional oxygen to the seed.

Notes: Background Remodelling of the asthmatic airway includes increased deposition of proteoglycan (PG) molecules. One of the stimuli driving airway remodelling may be excessive mechanical stimulation.Objective We hypothesized that fibroblasts from asthmatic patients would respond to excessive mechanical strain with up-regulation of message for PGs.Methods We obtained fibroblasts from asthmatic patients (AF) and normal volunteers (NF) using endobronchial biopsy. Cells were maintained in culture until the fifth passage and then grown on a flexible collagen-coated membrane. Using the Flexercell device, cells were then subjected to cyclic stretch at 30% amplitude at 1 Hz for 24 h. Control cells were unstrained. Total RNA was extracted from the cell layer and quantitative RT-PCR performed for decorin, lumican and versican mRNA.Results In unstrained cells, the expression of decorin mRNA was greater in AF than NF. With strain, NF showed increased expression of versican mRNA and AF showed increased expression of versican and decorin mRNA. The relative increase in versican mRNA expression with strain was greater in AF than NF.Conclusions These data support the hypothesis that proteoglycan message is increased in asthmatic fibroblasts subject to mechanical strain. This finding has implications for the mechanisms governing airway wall remodelling in asthma.

Notes: Summary. When sequential single-node shoot segments (third to fifteenth node, counting from the apex) of the perennial grass weed Paspalum distichum L. were buried in soil, new shoot growth was significantly correlated with initial segment length. Growth from the youngest segment (third), which was about 2 cm long, was only half as great as that from segments 8 to 15, which were initially 2–3·5 times longer. When 14-node shoot segments were buried in soil, the apical bud exerted a dominating influence on shoot emergence and new shoot growth of axillary buds. The degree of suppression increased gradually up to node 8 and then decreased as the distance from the apex increased. A similar result was obtained in these shoot segments following decapitation. However, the degrees and patterns of apical and bud dominance varied in shoots collected during different seasons and also in shoots with different node numbers, node position, cutting and chilling treatments. A possible role of apical and bud dominance in P. distichum in keeping aerial shocks in reserve under adverse conditions, thus providing a survival mechanism for this weed, is discussed.

Notes: Germination of skotodormant (imbibed or redried dormant in the dark) seeds of Johnson grass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.] is temperature dependent. There was better germination at 40°C than at lower temperatures. Alternating temperatures of 40/28 and 35/22°C were best, overall, for imbibed and re-dried dormant seeds, respectively. For the imbibed, dormant seeds, there was apparent stimulation of germination by light, gibberelent A3 (GA3) and immersion in 700 mm sodium hypochlorite (NaOC1). However, the combinations of GA3+light, NaOC1+light, and NaOC1+GA3+light all had synergistic effects on the stimulation of germination of imbibed, dormant seeds. Germination of dry seeds treated with 900 min H2O2 was not affected, whereas the same treatment given to imbibed, dormant seeds resulted in about 40–60% germination. Stimulation of germination by H2O2 depends not only upon seed moisture content, but also upon concentration of H2O2 and previous NaOC1 immersion. Dry seeds immersed for 15 min in concentrated H2SO4 and incubated on water gave almost complete germination while no imbibed, dormant seeds germinated following this treatment. However, as little as 4 h of re-drying of these imbibed, dormant seeds, prior to the same H2SO4 treatment, stimulated about 40% germination. It is suggested that the induction and breakage of skotodormancy in imbibed or re-dried seeds in response to seasonal fluctuations in temperature and moisture may provide a survival mechanism for S. halepense. Induction de la germination des graines dormantes de Sorgho D'Alep, Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.La germination de graines dormantes (imbibées ou ressechées à l'obscurité) de Sorgho d'Alep dépend de la température. La germination est meilleure à 40°C qu'à des températures plus basses. Des alternances de 40/28 et 35/22C étaient optimales respectivement pour les graines imbibées ou ressechées. Pour les imbibées, il y a une stimulation par la lumière, la gibberelline A3 (GA3) et l'immersion dans une solution 700 mm d'hypochlorite de sodium (NaOC1). Cependant, les combinaisons GA3+lumière; NaOC1+lumière, et NaOC1+GA3+lumière ont toutes des effets de synergisme de la stimulation de la germination des graines dormantes imbibées. La germination des graines sèches traitées avec une solution 900 mm de H2O2 n'est pas affectée tandis que le même traitement appliqué aux imbibées résulte dans 40 à 60%de germination des semences dormantes. La stimulation de la germination pour H2O2 ne dépend pas uniquement de la teneur en humidité de la graine, mais également de la concentration en H2O2 et de la préimmersion dans NaOC1. Des graines sèches immergées pendant 15 min dans H2SO4 concentré et incubées à l'eau, donnent une germination presque complète tandis que des graines imbibées ne germent pas après ce traitement. Cependant, après un reséchage aussi petit que 4 h, les graines imbibées après un même traitement à H2SO4 germent à environ 40%. On peut conclure que l'induction et la levée de dormance des graines en relation avec les fluctuations saisonnières de température et d'humidité, fournissent un moyen de survie au Sorgho d'Alep. Keimungsinduktion bei skotodormanten Samen der Aleppo-Hirse (Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.Die Keimung skotodormanter, d.h. im Dunkeln dormanter Samen (gequollen oder wiedergetrocknet) der Aleppo-Hirse (Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.) ist temperaturabhängig: Die Keimung war bei 40°C besser als bei niedrigen Temperaturen, und Wechseltemperaturen von 40/28 und 35/22°C waren allgemein am wirkungsvollsten für vorgequollene bzw. wiedergetrocknete dormante Samen. Für gequollene donnante Samen waren offensichtlich Licht, Gibberellin A3 (GA3) und Tauchen in 700 mm Natriumhypochlorit (NaOC1) keimungswirksam, und die Kombinationen GA3+Licht, NaOC1+Licht und NaOC1+GA3+Licht hatten alle eine synergistische Wirkung auf die Stimulation der Keimung vorgequollener dormanter Samen. Die Keimung trokener Samen blieb von einer Behandlung mit 900 mm H2O2 unbeeinflusst, während sie bei vorge-quollenen dormanten Samen zu etwa 40 bis 60% Keimung führte. Diëse Art Keimungsstimulation hängt nicht nur vom Feuchtigkeitsgehalt der Samen ab, sondern auch von der H2O2-Konzentration und einer vorausgehenden Behandlung mit NaOC1. Wurden trockene Samen 15 Minuten in konzentrierte H2SO4 getaucht und danach über Wasser inkubiert, keimten sie fast vollzählig, während vorgequollene dormante Samen nach dieser Behandlung nicht keimten, doch keimten sie zu etwa 40%, wenn sie vor derselben H2O2-Behandlung nur 4 h getrocknet wurden. Es wird angenommen, dass die Induktion und Brechung der Skotodormanz der je nach jahreszeitlichem Wechsel der Temperatur und Feuchtigkeit gequollenen oder wiedergetrockneten Samen einen Überlebensmechanismus für Sorghum halepense bilden.