Biology Commons^™

Reflection High Energy Electron Diffraction (Rheed) Intensity Oscillations: Growth Modes And Growth Rates: A Critique, B. A. Joyce, X. M. Zhang, J. H. Neave, P. N. Fawcett, M. R. Fahy, K. Sato, I. Kamiya

Scanning Microscopy

The origin of and diffraction effects associated with reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) intensity oscillations which occur during layer-by-layer growth of epitaxial thin films of III-V compounds by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) are explained. It is shown that on (001) oriented substrates the period of the oscillations is in general a direct measure of the film growth rate which corresponds to the group III element flux. There are, however, exceptions to this simple concept including growth under group III rich-conditions, vicinal plane growth and growth from pulsed beams; each is considered.

On non-(001) low index orientations, the RHEED oscillation …

Epitaxial Growth Studies By Low Energy Electron Microscopy, E. Bauer

Scanning Microscopy

In spite of being a surface sensitive tool, low energy electron microscopy (LEEM) can also give information on interfaces. An example is the CoSi₂/Si(111) interface. Most of the work discussed in this paper, however, makes use of the high surface sensitivity of LEEM which makes this method an ideal tool for the study of the early growth stages in epitaxy, in particular of the growth dynamics and of the influence of misfit on the growth mode. Two prototype substrates, Mo(110) and Si(111), and three representative deposit metals, Cu, Au and Co, are used to illustrate the large variety …

X-Ray Absorption Studies Of Strain In Epitaxial (Si-Ge) Atomic Layer Superlattice And Alloy Films, T. Tyliszczak, A. P. Hitchcock, Z. H. Lu, J. -M. Baribeau, T. E. Jackman

Scanning Microscopy

The Si 1s (K-shell) X-ray absorption spectra of a series of strained Si_xGe_100-x alloy thin films and several {(Si)_m(Ge)_n}_p atomic layer superlattices (ALS) grown epitaxially on Si(100) and Ge(100) substrates have been investigated using plane polarized synchrotron radiation. Polarization dependent components of the signal are attributed to anisotropic states associated with strain-induced tetragonal distortions. The sense of the polarization is shown to be identical for all compositions (x = 25 to 92) of SiGe alloys grown on Si(100) substrates. The opposite polarization dependence is found to occur for all Si_xGe …

The Principles Of Proton Probe Microanalysis In Biology, G. J. F. Legge, M. Cholewa

Scanning Microscopy

The proton microprobe, more correctly described as an ion microprobe which operates at MeV energies, complements its parent instrument the electron microprobe. This paper compares the basic principles and performance of the two instruments and relates the evolution of biological analysis on such ion microprobes to that on electron microprobes, covering the development of sample handling techniques and of data handling techniques and comparing beam damage studies. The paper describes the variety of techniques available to the ion microprobe - the initial techniques of Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis, Rutherford Back Scattering and Nuclear Reaction Analysis and the rapid evolution of …

Interfacial Studies In Semiconductor Heterostructures By X-Ray Diffraction Techniques, J. -M. Baribeau, R. L. Headrick, P. Maigné

Scanning Microscopy

X-ray radiation is a non-destructive probe well suited to assess structural perfection of semiconductor material. Three techniques are used to study the interfacial roughness, period fluctuations and annealing-induced interdiffusion in various superlattice structures. Reflectivity of long period Si/Si_1-xGe_x multiple quantum wells reveals an asymmetry oriented along the direction of miscut in the interface roughness with the Si_1-xGe_x to Si interfaces being about twice as rough (0.5 versus 0.3 nm) as the Si to Si_1-xGe_x interfaces. For Si-Si_0.65Ge_0.35 multiple quantum wells, diffuse scattering is minimal for a growth temperature …

Reply By A. Carretero Et Al., Ana Carretero, H. Ditrich, M. Navarro, H. Splechtna, J. Ruberte

Scanning Microscopy

Dear Editor,

The study of vascular casts in the embryo by means of the scanning electron microscope represents the main subject of our research. We fully agree with DeRuiter and Gittenberger-de Groot in that corrosion casting is a valuable tool to study the early angiogenesis in embryos.

Balancing Surface Energy Terms For Stable Growth Of Planar Surfaces, M. Albrecht, P. O. Hansson, S. Christiansen, W. Dorsch, H. P. Strunk, E. Bauser

Scanning Microscopy

We investigate the driving forces that determine the growth mode of heteroepitaxial Ge layers grown from solution on Si substrates with orientations (001), (011) and (111) by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Using liquid phase epitaxy, we can study the influences of strain and surface energy terms independently on effects due to limited surface diffusion. In (001) and (011) orientated layers, {111} faceted islands form (Stranski-Krastanov growth). In contrast, (111) orientated layers grow in a two-dimensional step flow growth mode (Frank-van der Merwe growth).

We model these investigations in terms of energy minimisation considering surface energy …

Znse Heteroepitaxial Growth On Si (100) And Gaas (100), D. K. Biegelsen, R. D. Bringans, J. E. Northrup, L. -E. Swartz

Scanning Microscopy

The early stages of ZnSe heteroepitaxy on Si(100), Si(100):As and GaAs(100) are compared and contrasted, based on results of scanning tunneling microscopy and photoemission spectroscopy. High Se reactivity with the substrate constituents leads to bulk phase formation which is detrimental to heteroepitaxy. As-termination of Si(100) not only passivates the surface, but also provides an ideal buffer for ZnSe overgrowth. Lacking a similar buffer layer, stoichiometric control of the GaAs(100) surface is investigated to find a means for controlled heteroepitaxy.

Recent Surface Studies Using Biassed Secondary Electron Imaging, Rajendra Persaud, Hisato Noro, Muhammad Azim, Robert H. Milne, John A. Venables

Scanning Microscopy

The growth and surface diffusion of Cs on Si(100) and Ag on Fe(110) have been studied using biassed secondary electron imaging (b-SEI) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES).

The b-SEI technique was found capable of detecting Cs on the Si surface with a 0.5% ML sensitivity. Unusual diffusion profiles containing linear sections were obtained for coverages (θ) < 1/2 ML. The general form of these profiles were reproduced using a 2-phase model, where Cs chains act as sources of mobile adatoms, in conjunction with a diffusion coefficient of the form D ~ θ (1- Cθ). This form of D, obtained from Boltzmann-Matano analysis, is consistent with diffusion theory including strongly repulsive Cs-Cs interactions. An adatom diffusion energy, E_d, = 0.47 ± 0.05 eV was found to be consistent with measurements …

Predicting Relaxation In Strained Epitaxial Layers, R. Beanland, D. J. Dunstan, P. J. Goodhew

Scanning Microscopy

Strained epitaxial semiconductor layers, much thicker than the critical thickness, have been used as "strain-relief" buffer layers for many years. The most successful structure developed so far dates back to the 1960's, and consists of a very thick ( ~30 μm) layer in which the misfit is gradually and continuously increased. These structures relax completely and have a sufficiently low threading dislocation density to allow a device structure to be grown on top. This process requires a very high growth rate to produce the buffer layer in a reasonable time, which is only provided by hydride vapourphase epitaxy. Recently, there …

New Applications Of The Nuclear Microprobe For Biological Samples, Jan Pallon, Klas Malmqvist

Scanning Microscopy

The continuing development of the Nuclear Microprobe (NMP) has opened up new fields of applications in biology and medicine. Quantitative multielemental analysis in small sections of samples can be performed routinely. The use of techniques such as scanning transmission ion microscopy makes imaging as well as mass normalization possible at submicron resolution. Recent medical applications include studies on thin cryosections prepared from autopsies and biopsies, as well as single cells grown directly on the backing foil used in the NMP analyses. The purpose of the single cell analysis is often pharmacological, e.g., testing of new drugs, their uptake and distribution. …

Scanning Electron Microscopic Study Of The Collagen Sheath Of The Human Thyroid Gland And Its Disorders, Masao Morita, Takuro Ogata, Keijiro Araki

Scanning Microscopy

A cell-maceration/scanning electron microscope (SEM) method was employed to demonstrate the collagen sheath around follicles (perifollicular sheath) of the human thyroid gland and its disorders. In the normal thyroid gland, the follicles were surrounded by spherical collagen sheaths composed of a framework of thick collagen bands 1-5 μm in width and fine solitary collagen fibrils 50-70 nm in diameter. In benign thyroid diseases (Graves' disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and adenomatous goiter), the perifollicular sheaths differed in size and in shape according to the disease, but they were always composed of thick collagen bands and fine fibrils as in the normal thyroid. …

Formation And Structure Of Dentine In The Rat Incisor After Chronic Exposure To Sodium Fluoride, J. Appleton

Scanning Microscopy

Weanling rats were chronically exposed to sodium fluoride by feeding them for eight weeks with a standard powdered diet incorporating sodium fluoride at 0.025% , 0.05% and 0.1% by weight. After eight weeks blood was removed by cardiac puncture and the levels of plasma calcium and phosphate determined. The incisor teeth were removed and their structure examined in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) using backscattered electron imaging to determine the relative concentration and distribution of the mineral phase in the dentine. There was no significant alteration to the normal serum calcium and phosphate levels. Small scattered interglobular spaces were seen …

Cryo-Jet Preservation Of Calcium In The Rat Spinal Cord, William B. Greene, Lyle G. Walsh

Scanning Microscopy

In order to determine the distribution of diffusible ions, especially calcium, in rat spinal cord axons before and after trauma, sham, 6 hours post 6 gm/cm and 20 gm/cm trauma cords were cryo-jet frozen in situ and cryo-sections were subjected to electron probe X-ray microanalysis. The results confirm part of the Ca hypothesis, i.e., some spinal cord axons accumulate intracellular Ca after traumatic injury. In addition, 6 hours after trauma, Ca is only accumulated by axons that have also lost homeostasis. Thus, it is likely that observations of the continual rise of Ca in the traumatized spinal cord are due …

Morphologic Changes Of Apoptosis Induced In Human Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia "Blast" Cells By Sc41661a (Searle), A Selective Inhibitor Of 5-Lipoxygenase, K. M. Anderson, T. M. Seed, J. Peng, A. Jajeh, J. Meng, J. E. Harris

Scanning Microscopy

Several inhibitors of the arachidonic acid-metabolizing enzyme, 5-lipoxygenase reduce proliferation of hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cells and cell lines and some cells undergo limited differentiation. Cells were cultured from patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia in "blast" crisis with the selective inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase,SC41661A[3-{3,5-bis(1,1-dimethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl}hiol]-N-methyl-N-[2-(2-phridinyl-propanamide)]. Cells cultured for 3 to 5 days with 40 μM SC41661A exhibited reduced cellular numbers along with ultrastructural changes and DNA laddering characteristic of apoptosis. Similar culture conditions reduced proliferation of U937 monoblastoid cells. In U937 cells, the ultrastructural features of apoptosis were not observed at 72 hours, when DNA laddering was present and cell numbers were reduced, …

Urinary Glycosaminoglycans Are Selectively Included Into Calcium Oxalate Crystals Precipitated From Whole Human Urine, Koji Suzuki, Keiko Mayne, Ian R. Doyle, Rosemary L. Ryall

Scanning Microscopy

Urinary glycosaminoglycans are selectively included into calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals precipitated from whole human urine: The presence of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the organic matrix of urinary stones, and their known effects on CaOx crystallization have prompted speculation regarding their role in CaOx urolithiasis. The aim of this study was to examine the involvement of GAGs in the early stages of CaOx crystallization in human urine. Urine samples were collected from healthy men and CaOx crystallization was induced by the addition of a sodium oxalate load. The crystals were harvested and demineralized, and the GAG content of the resulting extract analysed …

Cell Injury And Apoptosis, Andrejs Liepins, J. Omar Bustamante

Scanning Microscopy

Various forms of cellular injury, whether induced by immune effector cells, aberrant metabolic processes, chemotherapeutic drugs or temperature shifts, result in common morphological changes consisting of the formation and shedding of membrane vesicles from the injured cell surfaces, i.e., apoptosis. This dynamic cell surface membrane behavior appears to be dependent on the disruption of cytoplasmic microtubules. Concomitant with the altered cell surface morphology, certain physiological and biochemical events have been found to be associated with cell injury. These include changes in membrane permeability, elevated oxygen consumption rates and nuclear DNA fragmentation. However, it remains to be experimentally established which of …

Distribution Of Sodium, Magnesium, Chlorine, Calcium, Potassium, Phosphorus And Sulphur In Z-, I- And A-Bands In Mammalian Striated Muscle, Romuald Wróblewski, Lars Edström

Scanning Microscopy

The regularity of the striation of skeletal muscle offers a unique possibility to analyze different bands of the sarcomere in longitudinally cut semithin cryosections. The aim of the present study was to investigate the elemental content of the Z-, I- and A-bands within the sarcomere which may be related to the affinity of an element to different contractile elements and the water content in different bands. The highest potassium levels were found in the Z-band {802 mmol/kg dry weight (d.w.)} as compared to the I-band (697 mmol/kg d.w.) and the A-band (731 mmol/kg d.w.). The difference between A-band and Z-band, …

Effects Of Modulated Microwave And X-Ray Irradiation On The Activity And Distribution Of Ca2+-Atpase In Small Intestine Epithelial Cells, Z. Somosy, G. Thuróczy, G. J. Köteles, J. Kovács

Scanning Microscopy

The distribution and activity of Ca²⁺-ATPase were investigated by histochemical methods in small intestine epithelial cells of mice following total body 2450 MHz low frequency (16 Hz) microwave and X-ray irradiation. In the control animals, enzyme activities were found in the brush border and on lateral membranes, including junctional areas of the cells. The enzyme activity of lateral membranes was inhibited by quercetin, a specific inhibitor of Ca²⁺-ATPase.

Immediately after square modulated (16 Hz) 2450 MHz microwave irradiation at 1 mW/cm² power densities, we observed a decreased activity of Ca²⁺-ATPase on the lateral …

Investigation Of Touch-Sensitive Responses By Hyphae Of The Human Pathogenic Fungus Candida Albicans, N. A. R. Gow, T. H. S. Perera, J. Sherwood-Higham, G. W. Gooday, D. W. Gregory, D. Marshall

Scanning Microscopy

Candida albicans is a fungus that commonly infects the mucosal surface of humans. The hyphal growth form of this fungus may initiate the primary invasion of the host. Here we show that hyphae respond thigmotropically and morphologically to cues such as the presence of a surface, pores, grooves and ridges. Growth on some firm surfaces elicits a helical growth response. Hyphae follow grooves and ridges of inert substrates and penetrate pores of filtration membranes. Our in vitro experiments suggest that thigmotropism may enhance the ability of a hypha to invade epithelia of a host at sites of weakened integrity.

Letter To The Editor By M.C. Deruiter And A.C. Gittenberger-De Groot Relating To: "Technical Improvements In Corrosion Casting Of Small Specimens: A Study On Mesonephric Tubules And Vessels Of Chicken Embryos." [By A. Carretero, H. Ditrich, M. Navarro, H. Splechtna, J. Ruberte, Scanning Microscopy Vol. 7(4), P. 1333-1338 (1993)]., M. C. Deruiter, A. C. Gittenberger-De Groot

Scanning Microscopy

Dear Editor,

The topic of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigation of casting of vessels in the embryo still holds our interest. We are particularly focused on the possibilities of early injection as a method to support angiogenesis and vasculogenesis research in the embryo. It is questionable whether our technique leads to unreliable results because of severe trauma to the embryo as suggested by the above mentioned authors. The lower success yield might very well be the result of the higher friability of the embryo in general in this young stage.

Chemical Composition Of Gaas Oxide Layers By Auger In-Depth Profiles And X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Experiments, J. F. Bresse, C. Cardinaud

Scanning Microscopy

GaAs oxide layers resulting from an oxygen plasma etching have been studied by Auger in-depth profiles and angle-resolved XPS experiments. From the Auger profiles, using the sequential layer sputtering (SLS) treatment, a quantitative determination of thickness and composition of the oxide layers has been performed. A model with several layers has been deduced. From the angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) experiments, another model with several layers of different chemical compounds has also been deduced. The oxide layer is non-uniform in thickness and composition. Two or three different oxide layers are formed depending on the probed area. The interface layer is …

Urinary Citrate, Bone Resorption And Intestinal Alkali Absorption In Stone Formers With Fasting Hypercalciuria, Piergiorgio Messa, Giuseppe Mioni, L. Paganin, A. Cruciatti, P. Lo Greco, D. Turrin

Scanning Microscopy

Reduced citrate in urine and increased fasting excretion of calcium are abnormalities frequently reported in stone forming (SF) patients. Increased dietary acid (or reduced alkali) introduction or absorption may be a potential cause of both these pathological findings. To test this hypothesis, we studied 64 SF patients {32 with fasting hypercalciuria (FH) and 32 without FH (NFH)}. After a basal evaluation for nephrolithiasis, while on a 500 mg calcium diet, they were evaluated for: (1) daily intestinal alkali absorption (IAA), by urinary electrolyte excretion; (2) basal concentrations of PTH, calcitonin (CT) and 1,25(OH)2-VitD; (3) oral calcium load for evaluation of …

Characterization Of Metal Aggregates By Scanning Microscopy: Particle Sizes And Space Distribution In Intermetallic Particles, M. O. Delcourt, F. Yala, E. Merlen, S. Remita, N. Keghouche, E. Delarue

Scanning Microscopy

Various metal aggregates prepared using ionizing radiation were studied by microscopy techniques. A metal deposit onto a carbon felt obtained from solutions containing Pt and Ru was shown to consist of nanometric particles containing both metals. Another study deals with a subnanometric silver aggregate. The nuclearity of the aggregate was studied by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Additional information from pulse radiolysis experiments allowed the determination of the Ag₇³⁺ stoichiometry.

The third material consisted of Ag/Pd submicron powders (70/30 or 75/25% w/w) used in electronics, and made of spherical bimetallic grains; X-ray diffraction showed segregation. The spatial distribution of …

Molecular Imaging Of Petroleum Asphaltenes By Scanning Tunneling Microscopy: Verification Of Structure From 13c And Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Data, G. W. Zajac, N. K. Sethi, J. T. Joseph

Scanning Microscopy

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) was used to verify the molecular structure of Maya asphaltene which had been derived from combined ¹³C and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments. Petroleum asphaltenes are known to contain large polynuclear aromatic centers with aliphatic sidechains. Average molecular models of Maya asphaltenes were derived using studies which included combined proton and ¹³C NMR data to determine total aromatic carbon content and the ratio of peripheral to internal aromatic ring carbons. These parameters permitted estimating the average number of aromatic rings per condensed cluster.

These Maya asphaltenes were imaged by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) …

A New Atomic Force Microscopy Technique For The Measurement Of The Elastic Properties Of Biological Materials, W. Xu, P. J. Mulhern, B. L. Blackford, M. H. Jericho, I. Templeton

Scanning Microscopy

We developed a new technique to measure elastic properties by using the atomic force microscope (AFM) tip to press samples into grooves etched in a GaAs substrate.

We measured the Young's modulus of β-chitin fibres with cross-sections less than 40 nm X 20 nm to be 1-2 X 10¹¹ N/m². In the isotropic approximation, the Young's modulus of the S-layer sheath of the archaeobacterium Methanospirillum hungatei was 1-3 X 10¹⁰ N/m². By testing the sheath to breaking strength we estimated the bacterium can sustain an internal pressure as high as 100-200 atmospheres (1-2 x …

Electron Spectroscopy And Atomic Force Microscopy Studies Of Dna Adsorption On Mica, Carol E. Rabke, Lisa A. Wenzler, Thomas P. Beebe Jr.

Scanning Microscopy

Various methods for the deposition of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules on mica are investigated to determine their reproducibility, and to quantify their ability to bind DNA. The use of these deposition methods for sample preparation for biological scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies is discussed. Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) were used to investigate the quantity of DNA adsorbed. AFM images of DNA deposited using the methods investigated are presented. The combination of AFM results with AES and ESCA results provides a basic understanding of the deposition techniques studied and …

Nanowriting On An Atomically Flat Gold Surface With Scanning Tunneling Microscope, C. Lebreton, Z. Z. Wang

Scanning Microscopy

We present new experimental results of writing stable features on atomically flat surfaces of gold films. By applying successive voltage pulses across the tunneling gap in controlled atmosphere, nearly 150 individual holes are produced to record one message. The writing process has a higher success rate in nitrogen gas with the presence of water or ethanol vapour. Written letters remain stable for more than 4 days in dry nitrogen gas, in contrast to some previous STM results of monatomic step movement on the gold surface. By changing the vapour pressure, pulse amplitude and polarity, we succeed in controlling the gold …

Adsorption Of Fibrinogen On Thin Oriented Poly(Tetrafluoroethylene) (Ptfe) Fibres Studied By Scanning Force Microscopy, J. R. Rasmusson, R. Erlandsson, W. R. Salaneck, M. Schott, D. T. Clark, I. Lundström

Scanning Microscopy

We have investigated fibrinogen adsorption on ordered poly(tetrafluoroethylene), PTFE, fibres deposited on hydrophilic and hydrophobic silicon substrates. Fibrinogen molecules appear to adsorb with their long axis perpendicular to the fibre direction for PTFE fibres having widths of less than 100 nm. On these thin fibres, fibrinogen apparently forms close packed bands or clusters, consisting of small integer numbers of molecules arranged parallel to each other. On broader (> 100 nm) PTFE fibres, the fibrinogen forms two dimensional networks. The orientation of the molecules in these networks is random in the central flat part of the fibres but perpendicular to the …

High Resolution Electron Beam Induced Current Measurements In An Scanning Tunneling Microscope On Gaas-Mesfet, P. Koschinski, V. Dworak, L. J. Balk

Scanning Microscopy

Recently, the first results of electron beam induced current (EBIC) measurements in a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) have been reported. Although the acquired results match with those obtained in conventional EBIC investigations, the interpretation of the obtained results is still restricted solely to a qualitative discussion. In this paper, a quantitative approach is used for two-dimensional numerical simulations of induced currents in GaAs-MESFET leading to a first starting point for a sophisticated interpretation of the dependence of induced currents on experimental and device parameters.