On dispersion above a forest-Measurements and methods.

UNLABELLED: Data collected over a mixed conifer/deciduous forest at the U.S. Department of Energy's Savannah River Site in South Carolina using sonic anemometry reveal that on-site and real-time measurements of the velocity component standard deviations, σv and σw, are preferred for dispersion modeling. Such data are now easily accessible, from the outputs of cost-effective and rugged sonic anemometers. The data streams from these devices allow improvements to conventional methodologies for dispersion modeling. In particular, extrapolation of basic input data from a nearby location to the site of the actual release can be facilitated. In this regard reliance on the velocity statistics σv and σw appears to be preferred to the conventional σθ and σϕ. In the forest situations addressed here, the uncertainties introduced by extrapolating initializing properties (u, θ, σθ, and σϕ, or alternatively, σv and σw) from some location of actual measurement to some nearby location where an actual release occurs are similar to those associated with the spread of the plume itself and must be considered in any prediction of the likelihood of downwind concentration (exposure) exceeding some critical value, i.e., a regulatory standard. Consideration of plume expansion factors related to meander will not necessarily cause predicted downwind maxima within a particular plume to be decreased; however, the probability of exposure to this maximum value at any particular location will be reduced. Three-component sonic anemometers are affordable and reliable, and are now becoming a standard for meteorological monitoring programs subject to regulatory oversight. The time has come for regulatory agencies and the applied dispersion community to replace the traditional discrete sets of dispersion coefficients based on Pasquill stability by the direct input of measured turbulence data. IMPLICATIONS: The continued endorsement of legacy Pasquill-Gifford stability schemes is presently under discussion among professional groups and regulatory agencies. The present paper is an attempt to introduce some rationality, for the case of a forested environment.

Determination of optimum time interval of meteorological data used with atmospheric dose modeling at SRS. Savannah River Site.

Measured tritium oxide concentrations in air were compared with calculated values using routine release Gaussian plume models for different time intervals of meteorological data. These comparisons determined an optimum time interval of meteorological data used with atmospheric dose models at the Savannah River Site (SRS). Meteorological data of varying time intervals (1 y to 10 y) were used for the comparison. Insignificant differences are seen in using a 1-y database as opposed to a 5-y database. Use of a 10-y database results in slightly higher or more conservative estimates. For meteorological databases of length 1 y to 5 y the mean ratio of predicted to measured tritium oxide concentrations is approximately 1.25 whereas for the 10-y database the ratio is closer to 1.35. Currently at the SRS a meteorological database of five year's duration is used for all dose models. This study suggests no substantially improved accuracy using shorter or longer time intervals.

In vitro activity of BMY-28142 against pediatric pathogens, including isolates from cystic fibrosis sputum.

The antibacterial activity of BMY-28142, a new aminothiazole cephalosporin, was measured by standardized broth microdilution and agar dilution methods against 450 gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria isolated from pediatric infections, including acute pulmonary exacerbations of cystic fibrosis. BMY-28142 activity was compared with that of aminoglycosides, beta-lactams, chloramphenicol, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, vancomycin, and clindamycin. The activity of BMY-28142 in combination with other antimicrobial agents against Pseudomonas aeruginosa was also determined. Furthermore, the effects of inoculum and pH on BMY-28142 activity were evaluated. BMY-21842 was active against most of the gram-positive and gram-negative isolates, with the exception of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas cepacia. The combination of BMY-28142 with tobramycin was often synergistic, and combinations of BMY-28142 with either polymyxin B or imipenem were usually antagonistic. BMY-28142 antibacterial activity could be adversely affected at extremes of medium pH and by high inoculum densities.

In vitro activity of ciprofloxacin against pediatric pathogens.

We tested ciprofloxacin, a new quinoline derivative, against 783 gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria utilizing either standardized microbroth or agar dilution methods. Ciprofloxacin activity was compared to that of cephalosporins, enoxacin, norfloxacin, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, tobramycin, ticarcillin, erythromycin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. MIC90 values (range) in micrograms/ml were: Pseudomonas aeruginosa = 1 (less than or equal to 0.015-8); Staphylococcus spp. = 0.12 (less than or equal to 0.015-1); Enterobacteriaceae = 0.03 (less than or equal to 0.015-1); Haemophilus influenzae = 0.015 (less than or equal to 0.004-0.03); Streptococcus faecalis = 2 (0.5-4). The MIC90 of ciprofloxacin for 98 tobramycin-resistant isolates was 2.0 micrograms/ml. Ciprofloxacin was stable at temperatures of 35, 22, 4, -20 and -70 degrees C for up to 15 weeks. Varying the inoculum from 10(3) to 10(7) colony forming units per ml or the pH from 6-9 resulted in no increase in the MIC. Of the new quinoline derivatives tested, ciprofloxacin demonstrated consistently superior antibacterial activity. Ciprofloxacin may be particularly effective for oral administration in infections requiring prolonged antibiotic therapy, such as bone, joint, and complicated soft tissue infections, and in pulmonary infections in patients with cystic fibrosis.

In vitro activity of CI-919 (AT-2266), an oral antipseudomonal compound.

We tested CI-919 (AT-2266), a nalidixic acid analog, against 555 gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, using microbroth or agar dilution methods. The activity of CI-919 was compared with those of cephalosporins, tobramycin, ticarcillin, dicloxacillin, rifampin, chloramphenicol, ampicillin, and trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of CI-919 for 90% of isolates were (in micrograms per milliliter): Pseudomonas spp. (including Pseudomonas aeruginosa), 4.0; Enterobacteriaceae, 0.5; Staphylococcus spp., 2.0; Haemophilus influenzae, 0.12; Campylobacter jejuni, 0.12; and enterococci, 16. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of CI-919 for 90% of 82 tobramycin-resistant, gram-negative strains was 4.0 micrograms/ml. CI-919 was bactericidal for most isolates, showing no cross-resistance with unrelated antimicrobial agents, and was stable for 11 weeks at temperatures ranging from 22 to -70 degrees C. Inoculum size and media pH had little effect on the antibacterial activity of CI-919 for nine strains tested. CI-919 may be useful as an oral antibiotic for the treatment of infections due to diverse bacteria, including P. aeruginosa.

Activities of various beta-lactams and aminoglycosides, alone and in combination, against isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from patients with cystic fibrosis.

The inhibitory and bactericidal activities of carbenicillin, ticarcillin, moxalactam, cefoperazone, azlocillin, piperacillin, ceftazidime, and three aminoglycosides, alone and in various combinations, were determined against 60 isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from the sputum of patients with cystic fibrosis. Ceftazidime was the most active beta-lactam, with minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations for 90% of isolates of 4 micrograms/ml. Moxalactam was the least active of the new beta-lactams, with activity equivalent to that of carbenicillin; each had a minimum inhibitory concentration for 90% of isolates of 64 micrograms/ml and a minimum bactericidal concentration for 90% of isolates of 128 microgram/ml. All combinations of an aminoglycoside plus a beta-lactam showed favorable inhibitory effects. Combinations of beta-lactams showed mostly addition or indifference. Although little antagonism was seen with combinations of beta-lactams or with aminoglycoside-beta-lactam combinations, no consistent advantage of beta-lactam combinations was demonstrated in vitro. These results suggest several single drugs and combinations that merit clinical evaluation in cystic fibrosis patients with Pseudomonas pulmonary infections.

Activities of eight new beta-lactam antibiotics and seven antibiotic combinations against Neisseria meningitidis.

Each of eight new beta-lactam antibiotics was highly active in vitro against Neisseria meningitidis, and activity was not reduced by combining some of these drugs with penicillin, ampicillin, or tobramycin. Antibacterial activity and lack of antagonism between moxalactam and ampicillin was confirmed in a model of lethal meningococcal infection in mice.

Spine deformity in neurofibromatosis. A review of one hundred and two patients.

The natural history, associated anomalies, and response to operative and nonoperative treatment were reviewed in 102 patients with neurofibromatosis and spine deformity. Eighty patients were found to have curvatures associated with dystrophic changes in the vertebrae and ribs. The presence of dystrophic changes such as rib penciling, spindling of the transverse processes, vertebral scalloping, severe apical vertebral rotation, foraminal enlargement, and adjacent soft-tissue neurofibromas was found to be highly significant in prognosis and management. Brace treatment of dystrophic curves was unsuccessful. Posterior fusion, with or without internal fixation, was the procedure of choice for problems due purely to scoliosis. Patients with dystrophic kyphoscoliosis required both anterior and posterior fusion to achieve stability. Sixteen patients had compression of the spinal cord or cauda equina.