Raman Nonlinearity Contribution to Spatio-Temporal Pulse Dynamics Under Filamentation in Yag Crystal

We report on numerical study of the nonlinear pulse propagation under filamentation of femtosecond near-infrared radiation under normal dispersion regime in YAG crystal. Influence of the Raman and Kerr tandem action on a spatial and temporal dynamics of the laser pulse were discussed. We have shown that Raman nonlinearity provides an asymmetry of temporal pulse profile: the leading edge becomes more bright and propagates at larger distances in comparison with trailing edge. Keywords: filamentation, supercontinuum generation, Raman nonlinearity

"face-lifting" and "make-up" for microorganisms: Layer-by-layer polyelectrolyte nanocoating

Figure Persented: Layer-by-layer encapsulation of living biological cells and other microorganisms via sequential adsorption of oppositely charged functional nanoscale components is a promising instrument for engineering cells with enhanced properties and artificial microorganisms. Such nanoarchitectural shells assembled in mild aqueous conditions provide cells with additional abilities, widening their functionality and applications in artificial spore formation, whole-cell biosensors, and fabrication of three-dimensional multicellular clusters. © 2012 American Chemical Society

Orientation of charged clay nanotubes in evaporating droplet meniscus

© 2014 Elsevier Inc. During drying, an aqueous suspension of strongly charged halloysite clay nanotubes concentrates at the edge of the droplet ("coffee-ring" effect) which provides alignment of the tubes along the liquid-substrate contact line. First, the surface charge of the nanotubes was enhanced by polyanion adsorption inside of the lumen to compensate for the internal positive charges. This increased the magnitude of the ξ-potential of the tubes from -36 to -81mV and stabilized the colloids. Then, colloidal halloysite was dropped onto the substrate, dried at 65°C and after a concentration of ~0.05mgmL-1 was reached, the alignment of nanotubes occurred starting from the droplet edges. The process was described with Onsager's theory, in which longer nanorods, which have higher surface charge, give better ordering after a critical concentration is reached. This study indicates a new application of halloysite clay nanotubes in polymeric composites with anisotropic properties, microchannel orientation, and production of coatings with aligned nanotubes

Toward Regional Characterizations of the Oceanic Internal Wavefield

Many major oceanographic internal wave observational programs of the last 4 decades are reanalyzed in order to characterize variability of the deep ocean internal wavefield. The observations are discussed in the context of the universal spectral model proposed by Garrett and Munk. The Garrett and Munk model is a good description of wintertime conditions at Site-D on the continental rise north of the Gulf Stream. Elsewhere and at other times, significant deviations in terms of amplitude, separability of the 2-D vertical wavenumber - frequency spectrum, and departure from the model's functional form are noted. Subtle geographic patterns are apparent in deviations from the high frequency and high vertical wavenumber power laws of the Garrett and Munk spectrum. Moreover, such deviations tend to co-vary: whiter frequency spectra are partnered with redder vertical wavenumber spectra. Attempts are made to interpret the variability in terms of the interplay between generation, propagation and nonlinearity using a statistical radiative balance equation. This process frames major questions for future research with the insight that such integrative studies could constrain both observationally and theoretically based interpretations

Nanoshell Assembly for Magnet-Responsive Oil-Degrading Bacteria

© 2016 American Chemical Society.The modified polyelectrolyte-magnetite nanocoating was applied to functionalize the cell walls of oil decomposing bacteria Alcanivorax borkumensis. Cationic coacervate of poly(allylamine) and 20 nm iron oxide nanoparticles allowed for a rapid single-step encapsulation process exploiting electrostatic interaction with bacteria surfaces. The bacteria were covered with rough 70-100-nm-thick shells of magnetite loosely bound to the surface through polycations. This encapsulation allowed for external manipulations of A. borkumensis with magnetic field, as demonstrated by magnetically facilitated cell displacement on the agar substrate. Magnetic coating was naturally removed after multiple cell proliferations providing next generations of the cell in the native nonmagnetic form. The discharged biosurfactant vesicles indicating the bacterial functionality (150 ± 50 nm lipid micelles) were visualized with atomic force microscopy in the bacterial biofilms

The application of halloysite tubule nanoclay in drug delivery

© 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.ABSTRACT: Introduction: Natural and biocompatible clay nanotubes are among the best inorganic materials for drug nanoformulations. These halloysite tubes with SiO2 on the outermost surface have diameter of ca. 50 nm, length around 1 micrometer and may be loaded with drugs at 10-30 wt. %. Narrow tube openings allow for controllable sustained drug release for hours, days or even weeks. Areas covered: Physical-chemical properties of these nanotubes are described followed by examples of drug-loading capabilities, release characteristics, and control of duration of release through the end tube capping with polymers. Development of halloysite–polymer composites such as tissue scaffolds and bone cement/dentist resin formulations with enhanced mechanical properties and extension of the drug release to 2-3 weeks are described. Examples of the compression properties of halloysite in tablets and capsules are also shown. Expert opinion: We expect that clay nanotubes will be used primarily for non-injectable drug formulations, such as topical and oral dosage forms, cosmetics, as well as for composite materials with enhanced therapeutic effects. These include tissue scaffolds, bone cement and dentist resins with sustained release of antimicrobial and cell growth-promoting medicines (including proteins and DNA) as well as other formulations such as compounds for antiseptic treatment of hospitals

Spherical and tubule nanocarriers for sustained drug release

© 2014 Published by Elsevier Ltd. We discuss new trends in Layer-by-Layer (LbL) encapsulation of spherical and tubular cores of 50-150 nm diameter and loaded with drugs. This core size decrease (from few micrometers to a hundred of nanometers) for LbL encapsulation required development of sonication assistant non-washing technique and shell PEGylation to reach high colloidal stability of drug nanocarriers at 2-3 mg/mL concentration in isotonic buffers and serum. For 120-170 nm spherical LbL nanocapsules of low soluble anticancer drugs, polyelectrolyte shell thickness controls drug dissolution. As for nanotube carriers, we concentrated on natural halloysite clay nanotubes as cores for LbL encapsulation that allows high drug loading and sustains its release over tens and hundreds hours. Further drug release prolongation was reached with formation of the tube-end stoppers