Acoustic interaction force between two particles immersed in a viscoelastic fluid

The interaction acoustic radiation force in a standing plane wave applied to each small solid sphere in a two-particle system immersed in a viscoelastic fluid is studied in a framework based on perturbation theory. In this work, the first- and second-order perturbation theories are used in the governing equations with considering the upper-convected maxwell model to obtain mathematical modeling. We use the finite element method to carry out simulations and describe the behavior of the viscoelastic fluid. The mathematical development is validated from three literature case studies: a one-particle system in a viscous fluid, a two-particle system in a viscous fluid, and a one-particle system in a viscoelastic fluid. The novelty of this study is to establish the acoustic interaction force between two spherical particles immersed in a viscoelastic fluid. The results show that the acoustic interaction force between two spheres is greater in a viscous fluid in comparison with the viscoelastic fluid with the same shear viscosity. This behavior is due to the relaxation time effect. A mathematical formula is proposed for the acoustic interaction force between particles located close to each other in a viscoelastic fluid

In vitro evaluation of antibiotics' combinations for empirical therapy of suspected methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus severe respiratory infections

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Methicillin resistant <it>Staphylococcus aureus </it>(MRSA) is an increasingly common cause of nosocomial infections, causing severe morbidity and mortality worldwide, and accounting in some hospitals for more than 50% of all <it>S. aureus </it>diseases. Treatment of infections caused by resistant bacterial pathogens mainly relies on two therapeutic modalities: development of new antimicrobials and use of combinations of available antibiotics.</p> <p>Combinations of antibiotics used in the empiric treatment of infections with suspected methicillin resistant <it>Staphylococcus aureus </it>etiology were investigated.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Double (vancomycin or teicoplanin with either levofloxacin or cefotaxime) and triple (vancomycin or teicoplanin + levofloxacin + one among amikacin, ceftazidime, cefepime, imipenem, piperacillin/tazobactam) combinations were evaluated by means of checkerboard assay and time kill curves. Mutational rates of single and combined drugs at antimicrobial concentrations equal to the resistance breakpoints were also calculated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Vancomycin or teicoplanin + levofloxacin showed synergy in 16/50 and in 9/50 strains respectively, while vancomycin or teicoplanin + cefotaxime resulted synergic for 43/50 and 23/50 strains, respectively. Triple combinations, involving teicoplanin, levofloxacin and ceftazidime or piperacillin/tazobactam gave synergy in 20/25 strains. Teicoplanin + levofloxacin gave synergy in triple combinations more frequently than vancomycin + levofloxacin.</p> <p>For single antibiotics, mutational frequencies ranged between 10^-5and <10^-9for levofloxacin, cefotaxime, amikacin and imipenem, and <10^-9for vancomycin and teicoplanin. When tested in combinations, mutational frequencies fell below 10^-9for all the combinations.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p><it>In vitro </it>evidence of synergy between glycopeptides, fluoroquinolones (levofloxacin) and β-lactams and of reduction of mutational frequencies by combinations are suggestive for a potential role in empirical therapy of severe pneumonia with suspected MRSA etiology.</p

Numerical simulation of wave generation in a tank by wall and floor oscillation

Tsunamis occur every year in different seas and oceans around the world. These waves propagate at high speeds in various directions and, if they reach the shore, cause irreparable damage to these areas and their structures and facilities. Therefore, understanding this complex phenomenon and predicting its behavior can reduce the damages. In the present study, numerical simulation studies of the tsunami phenomenon were carried out. The purpose of the study was to predict the tsunami wave characteristics when reaching the coastal area. The use of numerical simulation greatly reduces the cost of laboratory work and can also be used for complex geometries and models. The tsunami waves were considered as viscous fluid by Navier-Stokes equations for shallow water as governing equations with fluid volume fractionation method for simulating water surface in software. Wave generation was created by simulating a tank that fluctuates once to its left wall and once to its bottom. This work was carried out by Fluent software. In the following, the influence of shaking side wall angles on the generated waves is investigated. The simulation results show a significant increase in wave height due to the oscillating wall angle. The effects of the oscillating bottom wall have also been studied. In this thesis, the method of producing and propagating tsunami waves is described and the equations are defined. Also, since the most important issue in dealing with this phenomenon is their control, a method for controlling tsunami waves is presented in this thesis. Finally, a multi-phase method is used to simulate the movement of waves in a tank with a tremor wall. Finally, the obtained results have been compared to the analytical results by Green equation method and there are good agreements between them. The results showed that there is no change in wave height at distant points and with the oblique wall obliquity being increased by 30 degrees, the wave production increases. In addition, the flow and pressure lines also become almost horizontal

Tracking of sea level impact on Caspian Ramsar sites and potential restoration of the Gorgan Bay on the southeast Caspian coast

The situation of Ramsar sites along the Caspian Sea coast has deteriorated over the past decades, and this is more noticeable in the narrow coastal strip of the south Caspian Sea. In this study we investigate how the Caspian Sea level changes affect the coastal Ramsar sites. Particularly, we focus on the Gorgan Bay in the southeast corner of the Caspian Sea, which is experiencing extensive water level decline, even desiccation. We used satellite images from three periods corresponding to periods of two sea level falls and one sea level rise, in order to decipher spatio-temporal changes of the wetlands. We conducted field campaign in the Gorgan Bay for sampling and measurement of physical, chemical and biological parameters. We simulated water circulation for the past, current and future conditions of the Gorgan Bay, which is essential to sustain better water exchange between the Bay and the Caspian Sea. We applied dust simulation in the case of a total desiccation of the Gorgan Bay. The result shows that the total area of the Caspian coastal Ramsar sites during the two periods of the sea level fall is almost the same; however, the aerial changes in the southern wetlands are more visible. Nutrient and plankton analysis of the Gorgan Bay display mainly mesotrophic conditions, in some areas close to eutrophic ones. The average current velocity in the main inlet is 2.5 cms−1. Dust simulation indicates that in case of the Gorgan Bay desiccation, it will become a dust source for the surrounding area up to 60 km. Simulation of the water circulation with dredging of inlets (future scenario), indicates that the water exchange velocity doubles compared to the current scenario. A recommended inlet maintenance would accelerate water circulation and reduce residence time, which will lead to better trophy and prevent bay desiccation. © 202

Differential Selection of Multidrug Efflux Mutants by Trovafloxacin and Ciprofloxacin in an Experimental Model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Acute Pneumonia in Rats

The ability of trovafloxacin and ciprofloxacin to select efflux mutants in vivo was studied in a model of acute Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia in rats. Twelve hours after intratracheal inoculation of 10(6) CFU of P. aeruginosa strain PAO1 enmeshed in agar beads, two groups of 12 rats were treated by three intraperitoneal injections of each antibiotic given every 5 h. Dosing regimens were chosen to obtain a comparable area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to infinity/MIC ratio of 27.9 min for trovafloxacin (75 mg/kg of body weight) and of 32.6 min for ciprofloxacin (12.5 mg/kg). Twelve rats were left untreated and served as controls. Rats were sacrificed 12 h after the last injection (34 h after infection) for lung bacteriological studies. Selection of resistant bacteria was determined by plating lung homogenates on Trypticase soy agar plates containing antibiotic. In untreated animals, the frequency of resistant colonies was 10-fold higher than in agar beads. Compared to controls, both treatment regimens resulted in a 2-log reduction of lung bacterial load. The frequency of resistant colonies was 10-fold less with trovafloxacin than with ciprofloxacin at twice the MIC (7.4 × 10(−5) versus 8.4 × 10(−4), respectively) (P < 0.05) and at four times the MIC (6.2 × 10(−4) versus 5.0 × 10(−5), respectively) (P < 0.05). A multidrug resistance phenotype typical of efflux mutants was observed in all 41 randomly tested colonies obtained from treated and untreated rats. In agreement with in vitro results, trovafloxacin and ciprofloxacin preferentially selected MexCD-OprJ and MexEF-OprN overproducers, respectively. These results demonstrate the differential ability of trovafloxacin and ciprofloxacin to select efflux mutants in vivo and highlight the rapid emergence of those mutants, even without treatment