How hole defects modify vortex dynamics in ferromagnetic nanodisks

Defects introduced in ferromagnetic nanodisks may deeply affect the structure and dynamics of stable vortex-like magnetization. Here, analytical techniques are used for studying, among other dynamical aspects, how a small cylindrical cavity modify the oscillatory modes of the vortex. For instance, we have realized that if the vortex is nucleated out from the hole its gyrotropic frequencies are shifted below. Modifications become even more pronounced when the vortex core is partially or completely captured by the hole. In these cases, the gyrovector can be partially or completely suppressed, so that the associated frequencies increase considerably, say, from some times to several powers. Possible relevance of our results for understanding other aspects of vortex dynamics in the presence of cavities and/or structural defects are also discussed.Comment: 9 pages, 4 page

Polysaccharide production and biofilm formation by Pseudomonas fluorescens: effects of pH and surface material

Although the synthesis of extracellular polysaccharides was first recognized in certain bacterial cultures a long time ago, its role in bacterial adhesion is still subject to some debate. Several fermentation batch cultures were performed under different conditions of pH (pH 7, maintained with NaOH and HCl; pH 7 in phosphate buffer, and without pH control) in order to study the relation between the production of extracellular polysaccharides and biofilm formation on polymeric slides suspended in the culture medium. The polymers used were polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene and poly(vinyl chloride). The maximum amount of exopolysaccharides in the culture medium occurs at pH 7, although slightly thicker biofilms seem to be formed when there is no pH control. The biofilms were analysed by scanning electron microscopy and by wavelength dispersion spectroscopy. Biofilm morphology seems to be much more dependent on the type of substratium than on the pH of the medium; for different pH values, a polymeric network can be more clearly observed on biofilms formed on all surfaces except poly(vinyl chloride)

Relationship between biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance in commensal isolates of Staphylococcus epidermidis

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a common bacterial coloniser of the normal human microflora and usually have a benign relationship with the host. For several years, S. epidermidis was regarded as a harmless commensal microorganism. However, this bacterium is now recognised as an opportunistic pathogen, representing a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections. The major recognised determinants in the pathogenesis of S. epidermidis infections are its ability to form thick and multilayered biofilms along with high resistance to several classes of antibiotics. Biofilms are defined as structured communities of microorganisms embedded in a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric. It is well established that bacteria exhibiting a biofilm phenotype are more recalcitrant to antibiotic therapy. Hence, these two pathogenic features stated above appear to be intimately related. The present study aimed to evaluate the pathogenic potential of commensal S. epidermidis isolates through the assessment of their biofilm formation ability and antibiotic susceptibility profiles, as well as to analyse the relationship between biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance. To achieve that, thirty-one S. epidermidis isolates from Portuguese healthy volunteers (obtained from September 2012 to April 2013) were tested for biofilm formation ability, carriage of biofilm-associated genes (icaA, aap and bhp) and antibiotic susceptibility to six antibiotics (clindamycin, erythromycin, gentamicin, penicillin, rifampicin and vancomycin). The study of biofilm formation revealed that 20 (65%) isolates were able to produce biofilm at different levels, while 11 (35%) did not form biofilm. Moreover, 12 (39%) isolates were positive for icaA, 18 (58%) for aap, and 6 (19%) for bhp. With regards to the results of antibiotic susceptibility assays, the highest rates of resistance were detected for penicillin (n = 16, 52%), followed by erythromycin (n = 15, 48%) and gentamicin (n = 13, 42%), while the lowest rate was exhibited for ciprofloxacin (n = 2, 6%). All isolates were susceptible to rifampicin and vancomycin. By comparing the data on biofilm formation and antibiotic susceptibility assays, we found a significant higher frequency of antibiotic resistance in biofilm-formers than in non-biofilm formers (p = 0.02). Additionally, we also found a significant higher proportion of multidrug-resistant isolates among biofilm formers comparing with non-biofilm formers (p = 0.03), demonstrating a clear trend of isolates with biofilm formation ability to be resistant to two or more antibiotics simultaneously. In order to elucidate the nature of the relationship between biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance, we also compared the data on detection of biofilm-associated genes with the data on antibiotic susceptibility assays. In general, we also observed a tendency of isolates that carry the icaA and/or aap genes to be resistant to two or more antibiotics simultaneously. Interestingly, and when analysing the frequency of resistance for each of the antibiotics tested, the association between the presence of icaA gene and antibiotic resistance was particularly evident for gentamicin, with a p-value much close to the significance level (p = 0.07). Conversely, and with regards to aap gene, the same association was not observed. Overall, our findings provide evidence that commensal S. epidermidis strains are well equipped with biofilm formation determinants as well as are resistant to different groups of antibiotics. Moreover, our results support the existence of an association between biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance. Nevertheless, and taking into account other previously published results, our findings lead us to challenge the hypothesis that this association is common throughout all antibiotic classes. We rather hypothesise that this association might be restricted to some classes of antibiotics, especially aminoglycosides, and that it may be primarily associated with icaADBC operon and not with the biofilm phenotype per se

Connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease

BACKGROUND: Connective tissue diseases (CTD) are frequently associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD), significantly impacting their morbidity and mortality. AIM: Analyze the experience of an autoimmune specialized unit on treating CTD-ILD and characterize the population based on most frequent diseases, imaging patterns, lung function tests results, serology and treatment. Assess mortality and mortality predictors in these patients. METHODS: Retrospective, descriptive and statistical analysis of the CTD-ILD patients followed up at an autoimmune diseases unit during a 6-year period. RESULTS: Over the study period, 75 patients with CTD-ILD were treated with a mean follow-up of 49 ± 31 months. The most frequent CTD were systemic sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. ILD was diagnosed prior to CTD in 8% of patients and concomitantly in 35%. Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia was the CT pattern in 60% and 35% had an isolated diminished DLCO on lung function tests. Pulmonary hypertension was present in 12% and it was the single most important mortality predictor (OR 14.41, p = 0.006). Corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment but biologics were prescribed in 39% of the patients (mostly tocilizumab and rituximab). Two scleroderma patients were recently treated with nintedanib. CONCLUSIONS: ILD is a potential complication of every CTD and can impose a dramatic burden on these patients. The clinical relevance of ILD together with their early expression in the course of the disease underlines the importance of the presence of chest physicians in these units.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease

Background: Connective tissue diseases (CTD) are frequently associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD), significantly impacting their morbidity and mortality. Aim: Analyze the experience of an autoimmune specialized unit on treating CTD-ILD and characterize the population based on most frequent diseases, imaging patterns, lung function tests results, serology and treatment. Assess mortality and mortality predictors in these patients. Methods: Retrospective, descriptive and statistical analysis of the CTD-ILD patients followed up at an autoimmune diseases unit during a 6-year period. Results: Over the study period, 75 patients with CTD-ILD were treated with a mean follow-up of 49 ± 31 months. The most frequent CTD were systemic sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. ILD was diagnosed prior to CTD in 8% of patients and concomitantly in 35%. Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia was the CT pattern in 60% and 35% had an isolated diminished DLCO on lung function tests. Pulmonary hypertension was present in 12% and it was the single most important mortality predictor (OR 14.41, p = 0.006). Corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment but biologics were prescribed in 39% of the patients (mostly tocilizumab and rituximab). Two scleroderma patients were recently treated with nintedanib. Conclusions: ILD is a potential complication of every CTD and can impose a dramatic burden on these patients. The clinical relevance of ILD together with their early expression in the course of the disease underlines the importance of the presence of chest physicians in these units.publishersversionpublishe

Predicted defect induced vortex core switching in thin magnetic nanodisks

We investigate the influence of artificial defects (small holes) inserted into magnetic nanodisks on the vortex core dynamics. One and two holes (antidots) are considered. In general, the core falls into the hole but, in particular, we would like to remark an interesting phenomenon not yet observed, which is the vortex core switching induced by the vortex-hole interactions. It occurs for the case with only one hole and for very special conditions involving the hole size and position as well as the disk size. Any small deformation in the disk geometry such as the presence of a second antidot changes completely the vortex dynamics and the vortex core eventually falls into one of the defects. After trapped, the vortex center still oscillates with a very high frequency and small amplitude around the defect center.Comment: 11pages, Revtex format, 17 figure

Fouling by aqueous suspensions of magnetite particles: the effect of pH and ionic strength

Particles adhesion Is one of the fundamental steps in heat exchanger fouling. Surface Interactions are affected by a con siderable number of factors related to the nature of the surfaces Involved. and to the composition and dynamics of the fouling fluid. Although quantitative predictions of U1e rate of adhesion are still not feasible !n practical situations. the evaluation of the potential energy of Interaction between two surfaces "in each vicinity" can be a valuable tool for the qualitative assessment of the fouling tendencies. For that purpose experimental determination of the parameters characterizing the physico-chemical properties of the Interacting surfaces are required. The present paper reports studies on particulate fouling caused by aqueous suspensions of magnetite on copper surfaces. A series of experiments were carried out at different pH values in the range of 7.5 - 9.5. For each pH two distinct types of experiments were performed: In one case the pH was controlled wlth NaOH and In the other the pH controlling medium was Na2co3. Each run lasted 20 days and at the end the thi ckness of the deposits was measured by means of a micrometer coupled to an electrical circuit. The zeta potentials and surface tensions of the solids were measured and used !n the Interpretation of the results. which was carried out In terms of the DLVO Theory

The use of hot wire techniques in fouling tests: a word of awareness

Hot metal wires have been used in fouling tests, mainly when corrosion or chemical reaction is present. Most authors who have reported data obtained with hot wire techniques make no refence about the phenomenon related to the increase In surface area due to the accumulation of fouling layers. Yet this can cause problems of reverse insulation (critical radius), affecting the conclusions taken directly from the readouts. The aim of this paper is to discuss this problem and show through a few selected tases the Importance of this aspect in fouling resistance determinations using hot wire techniques

Efeitos de superfície na deposição de partículas de magnetite e de caulino sobre superfícies de cobre

A deposição de partículas em meta aquoso é regida pela ação combinada de diferentes interações superficiais e forças hidrodinâmicas. De entre o elevado número de factores que podem afectar as interações superficiais seleccionaram-se para estudo o efeito do pH e da força iónica do meio. Realizaram-se ensaios de deposição, sobre superfícies de cobre, com suspensões aquosas de magnetite e de caulino para valores de pH compreendidos entre 7 e 11. Para cada valor de pH foram feitos dois tipos distintos de ensaios: num caso o controlo do meio foi feito com NaOH, no outro com Na2CO3. Efectuaram-se ainda, outros ensaios em que, para um dado valor do pH, se alterou a força iónica do meio por adição de sais neutros (NaNO3 e NaC1). Para auxiliar a interpretação dos resultados obtidos nos ensaios anteriormente referidos, determinaram-se os potenciais zeta das partículas e do cobre em função do pH e calcularam-se as energias livres de adesão partícula-liquido-superfície. Os resultados obtidos têm sido analisados com base na teoria DLVO, com vista à compreensão dos mecanismos que lhe estão subjacentes. Embora não fosse previsível, pelo menos no caso do caulino, a melhor justificação para os resultados obtidos é conseguida admitindo que a interação entre as duplas camadas eléctricas de partículas e superfície se processa a potencial constante