Deposits of clastic carbonate-dominated (calciclastic) sedimentary slope systems in the rock record have been identified mostly as linearly-consistent carbonate apron deposits, even though most ancient clastic carbonate slope deposits fit the submarine fan systems better. Calciclastic submarine fans are consequently rarely described and are poorly understood. Subsequently, very little is known especially in mud-dominated calciclastic submarine fan systems. Presented in this study are a sedimentological core and petrographic characterisation of samples from eleven boreholes from the Lower Carboniferous of Bowland Basin (Northwest England) that reveals a >250 m thick calciturbidite complex deposited in a calciclastic submarine fan setting. Seven facies are recognised from core and thin section characterisation and are grouped into three carbonate turbidite sequences. They include: 1) Calciturbidites, comprising mostly of highto low-density, wavy-laminated bioclast-rich facies; 2) low-density densite mudstones which are characterised by planar laminated and unlaminated muddominated facies; and 3) Calcidebrites which are muddy or hyper-concentrated debrisflow deposits occurring as poorly-sorted, chaotic, mud-supported floatstones. These

Phd by thesis

Titanium Dioxide Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties, Modifications, and Applications

We have used the pH-induced self-assembly of a peptide-amphiphile to make a nanostructured fibrous scaffold reminiscent of extracellular matrix. The design of this peptide-amphiphile allows the nanofibers to be reversibly cross-linked to enhance or decrease their structural integrity. After cross-linking, the fibers are able to direct mineralization of hydroxyapatite to form a composite material in which the crystallographic c axes of hydroxyapatite are aligned with the long axes of the fibers. This alignment is the same as that observed between collagen fibrils and hydroxyapatite crystals in bone.

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/294/5547/1684.full.pdf

Self-assembly and mineralization of peptide-amphiphile nanofibers

In this chapter, we will restrict our attention to the ferrites and a few other closely related materials. The great interest in ferrites stems from their unique combination of a spontaneous magnetization and a high electrical resistivity. The observed magnetization results from the difference in the magnetizations of two non-equivalent sub-lattices of the magnetic ions in the crystal structure. Materials of this type should strictly be designated as “ferrimagnetic” and in some respects are more closely related to anti-ferromagnetic substances than they are to ferromagnetics in which the magnetization results from the parallel alignment of all the magnetic moments present. We shall not adhere to this special nomenclature except to emphasize effects, which are due to the existence of the sub-lattices.

Ferromagnetic materials

Antibacterial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) has received significant interest worldwide particularly by the implementation of nanotechnology to synthesize particles in the nanometer region. Many microorganisms exist in the range from hundreds of nanometers to tens of micrometers. ZnO-NPs exhibit attractive antibacterial properties due to increased specific surface area as the reduced particle size leading to enhanced particle surface reactivity. ZnO is a bio-safe material that possesses photo-oxidizing and photocatalysis impacts on chemical and biological species. This review covered ZnO-NPs antibacterial activity including testing methods, impact of UV illumination, ZnO particle properties (size, concentration, morphology, and defects), particle surface modification, and minimum inhibitory concentration. Particular emphasize was given to bactericidal and bacteriostatic mechanisms with focus on generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) including hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), OH− (hydroxyl radicals), and O2 −2 (peroxide). ROS has been a major factor for several mechanisms including cell wall damage due to ZnO-localized interaction, enhanced membrane permeability, internalization of NPs due to loss of proton motive force and uptake of toxic dissolved zinc ions. These have led to mitochondria weakness, intracellular outflow, and release in gene expression of oxidative stress which caused eventual cell growth inhibition and cell death. In some cases, enhanced antibacterial activity can be attributed to surface defects on ZnO abrasive surface texture. One functional application of the ZnO antibacterial bioactivity was discussed in food packaging industry where ZnO-NPs are used as an antibacterial agent toward foodborne diseases. Proper incorporation of ZnO-NPs into packaging materials can cause interaction with foodborne pathogens, thereby releasing NPs onto food surface where they come in contact with bad bacteria and cause the bacterial death and/or inhibition.

/pdf/review-on-zinc-oxide-nanoparticles-antibacterial-activity-2smaigi8sc.pdf

Review on Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Antibacterial Activity and Toxicity Mechanism.

Preparation of fine spherical ZnO powders by an ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method

Biodegradable polymers have become the materials of choice for a variety of biomedical applications. In particular, poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles have been studied as a material for drug delivery with the controlled release. In this paper we are describing a simple method for obtaining the system for targeted and controlled delivery of folic acid in the body. Folic acid was encapsulated into the polymer matrix by means of homogenization of aqueous and organic phases. Concentration of folic acid in water was varied in order to obtain nanoparticles with different ratios of poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) and folic acid. The particles were obtained by physicochemical solvent/non-solvent method with polyvinyl pyrrolidone as a surfactant. The obtained particles are non-agglomerated, uniform and with particles size in the nanometer range. The samples were characterized using Infrared Spectroscopy (IR), Ultraviolet Spectroscopy (UV), Zeta potential measurements, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Stereological analysis.

http://www.itn.sanu.ac.rs/images/04Jbn03-021.pdf

Poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) Nanospheres for the Sustained Release of Folic Acid

/pdf/multifunctional-hydroxyapatite-and-poly-d-l-lactide-co-3xox0nhunk.pdf

Dragan Uskoković

Papers

Preparation of fine spherical ZnO powders by an ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method

Poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) Nanospheres for the Sustained Release of Folic Acid

Multifunctional hydroxyapatite and poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles for the local delivery of cholecalciferol.

Determination of Particle Size Distributions by Laser Diffraction

Ultrasonic de-agglomeration of barium titanate powder.