Stochastic generation of homogeneous isotropic turbulence with well-defined-spectra

A precise and simple computational model to generate well-behaved two-dimensional turbulent flows is presented. The whole approach rests on the use of stochastic differential equations and is general enough to reproduce a variety of energy spectra and spatiotemporal correlation functions. Analytical expressions for both the continuous and the discrete versions, together with simulation algorithms, are derived. Results for two relevant spectra, covering distinct ranges of wave numbers, are given.

Inertial effects on reactive particles advected by turbulence

We study the problem of the advection of passive particles with inertia in a two-dimensional, synthetic, and stationary turbulent flow. The asymptotic analytical result and numerical simulations show the importance of inertial bias in collecting the particles preferentially in certain regions of the flow, depending on their density relative to that of the flow. We also study how these aggregates are affected when a simple chemical reaction mechanism is introduced through a Eulerian scheme. We find that inertia can be responsible for maintaining a stationary concentration pattern even under nonfavorable reactive conditions or destroying it under favorable ones.

Suppression of scroll wave turbulence by noise

Rotating scroll waves are dynamical spatiotemporal structures characteristic of three-dimensional active media. It is well known that, under low excitability conditions, scroll waves develop an intrinsically unstable dynamical regime that leads to a highly disorganized pattern of wave propagation. Such a ¿turbulent¿ state bears some resemblance to fibrillation states in cardiac tissue. We show here that this unstable regime can be controlled by using a spatially distributed random forcing superimposed on a control parameter of the system. Our results are obtained from numerical simulations but an explicit analytical argument that rationalizes our observations is also presented.

Isothermal microcalorimetry: a novel method for real-time determination of antifungal susceptibility of Aspergillus species.

We evaluated microcalorimetry for real-time susceptibility testing of Aspergillus spp. based on growth-related heat production. The minimal heat inhibitory concentration (MHIC) for A. fumigatus ATCC 204305 was 1 mg/L for amphotericin B, 0.25 mg/L for voriconazole, 0.06 mg/L for posaconazole, 0.125 mg/L for caspofungin and 0.03 mg/L for anidulafungin. Agreement within two 2-fold dilutions between MHIC (determined by microcalorimetry) and MIC or MEC (determined by CLSI M38A) was 90% for amphotericin B, 100% for voriconazole, 90% for posaconazole and 70% for caspofungin. This proof-of-concept study demonstrated the potential of isothermal microcalorimetry for growth evaluation of Aspergillus spp. and real-time antifungal susceptibility testing.

Stochastic generation of homogeneous isotropic turbulence with well-defined-spectra

A precise and simple computational model to generate well-behaved two-dimensional turbulent flows is presented. The whole approach rests on the use of stochastic differential equations and is general enough to reproduce a variety of energy spectra and spatiotemporal correlation functions. Analytical expressions for both the continuous and the discrete versions, together with simulation algorithms, are derived. Results for two relevant spectra, covering distinct ranges of wave numbers, are given.

Inertial effects on reactive particles advected by turbulence

We study the problem of the advection of passive particles with inertia in a two-dimensional, synthetic, and stationary turbulent flow. The asymptotic analytical result and numerical simulations show the importance of inertial bias in collecting the particles preferentially in certain regions of the flow, depending on their density relative to that of the flow. We also study how these aggregates are affected when a simple chemical reaction mechanism is introduced through a Eulerian scheme. We find that inertia can be responsible for maintaining a stationary concentration pattern even under nonfavorable reactive conditions or destroying it under favorable ones.

Suppression of scroll wave turbulence by noise

Rotating scroll waves are dynamical spatiotemporal structures characteristic of three-dimensional active media. It is well known that, under low excitability conditions, scroll waves develop an intrinsically unstable dynamical regime that leads to a highly disorganized pattern of wave propagation. Such a ¿turbulent¿ state bears some resemblance to fibrillation states in cardiac tissue. We show here that this unstable regime can be controlled by using a spatially distributed random forcing superimposed on a control parameter of the system. Our results are obtained from numerical simulations but an explicit analytical argument that rationalizes our observations is also presented.

Expanding scroll rings and negative tension turbulence in a model of excitable media

Scroll waves in excitable media, described by the Barkley model, are studied. In the parameter region of weak excitability, negative tension of wave filaments is found. It leads to expansion of scroll rings and instability of wave filaments. A circular filament tends to stretch, bend, loop, and produce an expanding tangle that fills up the volume. The filament does not undergo fragmentation before it touches the boundaries. Statistical properties of such Winfree turbulence of scroll waves are numerically investigated.

Periodic forcing of scroll rings and control of Winfree turbulence in excitable media

By simulations of the Barkley model, action of uniform periodic nonresonant forcing on scroll rings and wave turbulence in three-dimensional excitable media is investigated. Sufficiently strong rapid forcing converts expanding scroll rings into the collapsing ones and suppresses the Winfree turbulence caused by the negative tension of wave filaments. Slow strong forcing has an opposite effect, leading to expansion of scroll rings and induction of the turbulence. These effects are explained in the framework of the phenomenological kinematic theory of scroll waves.

Rapid detection of Staphylococcus aureus strains with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin by isothermal microcalorimetry.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) usually harbors a vancomycin-susceptible phenotype (VSSA) but can exhibit reduced vancomycin susceptibility phenotypes that can be heterogeneous-intermediate (hVISA), intermediate (VISA), or fully resistant (VRSA). Current detection techniques (e.g., Etest and population analysis profiles [PAPs]) are slow and time-consuming. We investigated the potential of microcalorimetry to detect reduced susceptibilities to vancomycin in MRSA strains. Representative MSSA, VSSA, hVISA, VISA, and VRSA reference strains, as well as clinical isolates, were used. PAPs were performed by standard methods. Microcalorimetry was performed by inoculating 5 × 10(7) CFU of overnight cultures into 3-ml vials of brain heart infusion broth supplemented with increasing concentrations of vancomycin, and growth-related heat production was measured at 37°C. For the reference strains, no heat production was detected in the VSSA isolates at vancomycin concentrations of >3 μg/ml during the 72 h of incubation. The hVISA and VISA strains showed heat production with concentration-proportional delays of up to 6 μg/ml in 48 h and up to 12 μg/ml in 72 h, respectively. The VRSA strain showed heat production at concentrations up to 16 μg/ml in 12 h. The testing of clinical strains indicated an excellent negative predictive value, allowing us to rule out a decreased vancomycin susceptibility phenotype in <8 h of incubation. Sequential isolates from a patient undergoing vancomycin therapy showed evolving microcalorimetric profiles up to a VISA phenotype. Microcalorimetry was able to detect strains with reduced susceptibilities to vancomycin in <8 h. The measurement of bacterial heat production might represent a simple and rapid method for the detection of reduced susceptibilities to vancomycin in MRSA strains.

Isothermal microcalorimetry for antifungal susceptibility testing of Mucorales, Fusarium spp., and Scedosporium spp.

We evaluated isothermal microcalorimetry for real-time susceptibility testing of non-Aspergillus molds. MIC and minimal effective concentration (MEC) values of Mucorales (n = 4), Fusarium spp. (n = 4), and Scedosporium spp. (n = 4) were determined by microbroth dilution according to the Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute M38-A2 guidelines. Heat production of molds was measured at 37 °C in Sabouraud dextrose broth inoculated with 2.5 × 10(4) spores/mL in the presence of amphotericin B, voriconazole, posaconazole, caspofungin, and anidulafungin. As determined by microcalorimetry, amphotericin B was the most active agent against Mucorales (MHIC 0.06-0.125 μg/mL) and Fusarium spp. (MHIC 1-4 μg/mL), whereas voriconazole was the most active agent against Scedosporium spp. (MHIC 0.25 to 8 μg/mL). The percentage of agreement (within one 2-fold dilution) between the MHIC and MIC (or MEC) was 67%, 92%, 75%, and 83% for amphotericin B, voriconazole, posaconazole, and caspofungin, respectively. Microcalorimetry provides additional information on timing of antifungal activity, enabling further investigation of drug-mold and drug-drug interaction, and optimization of antifungal treatment.

Effects of nutrients and turbulence on the production of transparent exopolymer particles: a mesocosm study

The production of transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) in response to several environmental variables was studied in 2 mesocosm experiments. The first (Expt 1) examined a gradient of 4 nutrient levels; the second (Expt 2) examined different conditions of silicate availability and zooplankton presence. Tanks were separated in 2 series, one subjected to turbulence and the other not influenced by turbulence. In tanks with nutrient addition, TEP were rapidly formed, with net apparent production rates closely linked to chl a growth rates, suggesting that phytoplankton cells were actively exuding TEP precursors. High nutrient availability increased the absolute concentration of TEP; however, the relative quantity of TEP produced was found to be lower, as TEP concentration per unit of phytoplankton biomass was inversely related to the initial nitrate dose. In Expt 1, an increase in TEP volume (3 to 48 µm equivalent spherical diameter) with nutrient dose was observed; in Expt 2, both silicate addition and turbulence enhanced TEP production and favored aggregation to larger TEP (>48 µm). The presence of zooplankton lowered TEP concentration and changed the size distribution of TEP, presumably by grazing on TEP or phytoplankton. For lower nutrient concentrations, the ratio of particulate organic carbon (POC) to particulate organic nitrogen (PON) followed the Redfield ratio. At higher nutrient conditions, when nutrients were exhausted during the post-bloom, a decoupling of carbon and nitrogen dynamics occurred and was correlated to TEP formation, with a large flow of carbon channeled toward the TEP pool in turbulent tanks. TEP accounted for an increase in POC concentration of 50% in high-nutrient and turbulent conditions. The study of TEP dynamics is crucial to understanding the biogeochemical response of the aquatic system to forcing variables such as nutrient availability and turbulence intensity.

Isothermal sections of the Ru-Si-Ge, Ru-Ge-Sn and Ru-Si-Sn systems at 900°C

The ternary systems Ruthenium-Silicon-Germanium, Ruthenium-Germanium-Tin and Ruthenium-Silicon-Tin were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction and electron microprobe analysis. Relations at 900 degrees C between solid phases are given and no ternary compound was found. Solubilities and evolution of lattice parameters have been correlated. Maximum mutual solubilities in the Si-Sn and Ge-Sn systems are given. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.

Improvement of the antibacterial activity of daptomycin-loaded polymeric microparticles by Eudragit RL 100: An assessment by isothermal microcalorimetry.

The aim of the present study was to develop novel daptomycin-loaded acrylic microparticles with improved release profiles and antibacterial activity against two clinically relevant methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains (MSSA and MRSA, respectively). Daptomycin was encapsulated into poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and PMMA-Eudragit RL 100 (EUD) microparticles by a double emulsion-solvent evaporation method. For comparison purposes similar formulations were prepared with vancomycin. Particle morphology, size distribution, encapsulation efficiency, surface charge, physicochemical properties, in vitro release and biocompatibility were assessed. Particles exhibited a micrometer size and a spherical morphology. The addition of EUD to the formulation caused a shift in the surface charge of the particles from negative zeta potential values (100% PMMA formulations) to strongly positive. It also improved daptomycin encapsulation efficiency and release, whereas vancomycin encapsulation and release were strongly hindered. Plain and antibiotic-loaded particles presented comparable biocompatibility profiles. The antibacterial activity of the particles was assessed by isothermal microcalorimetry against both MSSA and MRSA. Daptomycin-loaded PMMA-EUD particles presented the highest antibacterial activity against both strains. The addition of 30% EUD to the daptomycin-loaded PMMA particles caused a 40- and 20-fold decrease in the minimum inhibitory (MIC) and bactericidal concentration (MBC) values, respectively, when compared to the 100% PMMA formulations. On the other hand, vancomycin-loaded microparticles presented the highest antibacterial activity in PMMA particles. Unlike conventional methods, isothermal microcalorimetry proved to be a real-time, sensitive and accurate method for assessment of antibacterial activity of antibiotic-loaded polymeric microparticles. Finally, the addition of EUD to formulations proved to be a powerful strategy to improve daptomycin encapsulation efficiency and release, and consequently improving the microparticles activity against two relevant S. aureus strains.