Modulational instability and nonlocality management in coupled NLS system

The modulational instability of two interacting waves in a nonlocal Kerr-type medium is considered analytically and numerically. For a generic choice of wave amplitudes, we give a complete description of stable/unstable regimes for zero group-velocity mismatch. It is shown that nonlocality suppresses considerably the growth rate and bandwidth of instability. For nonzero group-velocity mismatch we perform a geometrical analysis of a nonlocality management which can provide stability of waves otherwise unstable in a local medium.Comment: 15 pages, 12 figures, to be published in Physica Script

Ferromagnetic properties of epitaxial manganite films on SrTiO\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e/Si heterostructures

We report on the magnetic properties of epitaxial La0.7Ba0.3MnO3 and La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 films on Si (100) and Si (111) substrates using SrTiO3 template layer, which demonstrate magnetic and electrical properties at and above room temperature. The magnetization data show magnetic transition and magnetic hysteresis at and above room temperature. The films show well-defined magnetic domains. The ferromagnetic resonance studies show anisotropic effects related to ferromagnetic properties of films. The smaller grain size of about 20 nm in manganite films on SrTiO3 /Si may be one of the reasons to minimize the strain effect through strain relaxation at the interface between SrTiO3and manganites through the formation of three-dimensional islands

Environmental and Cost Assessment of a Polypropylene Nanocomposite

This paper describes a study on the use of a polypropylene (PP)/layered silicate nanocomposite as packaging film, agricultural film, and automotive panels. The study’s main question was “Are the environmental impacts and costs throughout the life cycle of nanocomposite products lower than those of products manufactured from conventional materials?” The conventional (benchmark) materials studied were pure polypropylene as packaging film, pure polyethylene as agricultural film, and glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene as automotive panels. In all three cases, the use of the PP nanocomposite resulted in a reduction of the amount of material used, while ensuring the same functionality. Material reduction was estimated using Ashby’s material indices and amounted to −9% for packaging film, −36.5% for agricultural film, and −1.25% for automotive panels. It goes without saying that a product’s impact on the environment will decrease when less material is used. The production and incorporation of nanoparticles, however, may have additional impacts. We found clear environmental benefits throughout the entire life cycle when the PP nanocomposite is used in the manufacture of agricultural film. We noted some cost benefits when the nanocomposite is used in the production of agricultural film and automotive panels. If the price of nanoclay is at most €5,000 tonne then the cost of nanocomposite packaging film is also lower than that of the conventionally produced product

An Antifungal Exo-α-1,3-Glucanase (AGN13.1) from the Biocontrol Fungus Trichoderma harzianum

Trichoderma harzianum secretes α-1,3-glucanases when it is grown on polysaccharides, fungal cell walls, or autoclaved mycelium as a carbon source (simulated antagonistic conditions). We have purified and characterized one of these enzymes, named AGN13.1. The enzyme was monomeric and slightly basic. AGN13.1 was an exo-type α-1,3-glucanase and showed lytic and antifungal activity against fungal plant pathogens. Northern and Western analyses indicated that AGN13.1 is induced by conditions that simulated antagonism. We propose that AGN13.1 contributes to the antagonistic response of T. harzianum