Exploring the benefits of surface analysis techniques to develop double multilayer transfer printing of J-Aggregates cyanine dyes by integrating L-b-L and μCp processes.

Layer-by-layer self-assembly (L-b-L assembly) makes possible to obtain polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) and one of the polyelectrolytes could be replaced by a dye molecule to obtain multilayers which may exhibit optical properties of great interest. On the other hand, μCp has become a routine technique for the preparation of micro- and nanostructured surfaces. In our development in progress of a surface engineering strategy to transfer J-Agg cyanine dyes onto surfaces by integrating L-b-L process and μCp, this contribution highlights how surface analysis imaging techniques can bring valuable information for the development of the process involving a double Multilayers Transfer Printing (MTP) with a Moiré effect.

Selective grating obtained by dye microstructuration based on local photobleaching using a laser writer.

We propose a method to pattern organic optically active materials based on local photobleaching for creating a wavelength-selective grating. Usually, photobleaching is considered a limitation for an organic emitter. Here, this property is exploited to locally suppress dye emission and absorption at the microscale with an abrupt interface and no changes in layer thickness.

From localized to delocalized plasmonic modes, first observation of superradiant scattering in disordered semi-continuous metal films.

Our study proposes a new way to observe and explain the presence of extended plasmonic modes in disordered semi-continuous metal films before the percolation threshold. Attenuated total reflection spectroscopy allows us to follow the transition of plasmon modes from localized to delocalized resonances, but also reveals unobserved collective plasmon modes. These bright modes with out-of-plane polarization are transverse collective plasmonic resonances.

Growing a carbon nanotube atom by atom: "and yet it does turn".

We use field emission microscopy (FEM) to observe directly the growths of individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs) from the nucleation stage and discover that the CNTs often rotate axially during growth, thus supporting a recently proposed "screw-dislocation-like" (SDL) model. One particularly revealing case is emphasized here in which the CNT turned approximately 180 times during its 11 min growth. Even more remarkable is the frame-by-frame analysis of the video which shows that the rotation proceeds by discrete steps with about approximately 24 per rotation, half the number of atoms on the circumferences of common single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs).

[Ionic solutions and possibilities of prevention of recurrent cystitis].

Objective: In view of the importance of the phenomenon of adhesion of bacteria to urothelial cells in the pathogenesis of urinary tract infections, the authors investigated the possibility of decreasing this adhesion by means of a complex ionic solution: La Preste mineral water

Subjects And Method: The in vitro adhesion of Escherichia coli P-fimbriae (Gal-Gal pili) to urothelial cells in women with recurrent cystitis was compared in neutral medium and in mineral water and the interaction of this same micro-organism with microparticles coated with Gal-Gal receptors was also studied in the same media. In vivo, urothelial cells of 13 women with a normal urological assessment, presenting recurrent cystitis and a high adhesion capacity, were tested three times a day in relation to the same micro-organism on the first and last day of their course of mineral water therapy

Results: In vitro, pretreatment of urothelial cells by mineral water induced decreased adhesion (p=0.001), while pretreatment of bacteria with the same mineral water had no effect.

Comparison of red blood cell volume distribution curves and phase-contrast microscopy in localization of the origin of hematuria.

Objectives: To determine the ability, reliability, and accuracy of urinary red blood cell volume distribution curves obtained with the use of an autoanalyzer to identify the origin of isolated microscopic hematuria and compare the results with those obtained with phase-contrast microscopy (PCM).

Methods: A prospective evaluation was performed in 45 patients with glomerular or nonglomerular microhematuria detected by urinalysis, PCM, radiologic evaluation, endoscopy, and, sometimes, renal biopsy. Urine samples were analyzed in an electronic particle-size analyzer, and the tests were repeated to assess reliability.

[Can urinary corpuscular volume using automated hematology contribute the diagnostic etiology of hematuric microscopy?].

Objectives: To assess the value of measuring urinary corpuscular volume (UCV) with a haematology automat for determination of the glomerular or non-glomerular origin of isolated microscopic haematuria (MHi).

Material And Methods: Forty-five fresh urine samples taken from 45 consecutive patients, with a median age of 59 years, consultant for MHi on urinary dip-sticks were studied with a haematology automat. After each analysis, MHi was classified into one of the following three groups: High MHi (glomerular, UCV < 50 fl), low MHi (non-glomerular, UCV > 50 fl), MHi of unknown origin (mixed UCV).