Model of anomalous diffusion-absorption process in a system consisting of two different media separated by a thin membrane

Subdiffusion equation with fractional Caputo time derivative with respect to another function in modeling transition from ordinary subdiffusion to superdiffusion

We use a subdiffusion equation with fractional Caputo time derivative with respect to another function g (g-subdiffusion equation) to describe a smooth transition from ordinary subdiffusion to superdiffusion. Ordinary subdiffusion is described by the equation with the "ordinary" fractional Caputo time derivative, superdiffusion is described by the equation with a fractional Riesz-type spatial derivative. We find the function g for which the solution (Green's function, GF) to the g-subdiffusion equation takes the form of GF for ordinary subdiffusion in the limit of small time and GF for superdiffusion in the limit of long time. To solve the g-subdiffusion equation we use the g-Laplace transform method. It is shown that the scaling properties of the GF for g-subdiffusion and the GF for superdiffusion are the same in the long time limit. We conclude that for a sufficiently long time the g-subdiffusion equation describes superdiffusion well, despite a different stochastic interpretation of the processes. Then, paradoxically, a subdiffusion equation with a fractional time derivative describes superdiffusion. The superdiffusive effect is achieved here not by making anomalously long jumps by a diffusing particle, but by greatly increasing the particle jump frequency which is derived by means of the g-continuous-time random walk model. The g-subdiffusion equation is shown to be quite general, it can be used in modeling of processes in which a kind of diffusion change continuously over time. In addition, some methods used in modeling of ordinary subdiffusion processes, such as the derivation of local boundary conditions at a thin partially permeable membrane, can be used to model g-subdiffusion processes, even if this process is interpreted as superdiffusion.

Subdiffusion equation with Caputo fractional derivative with respect to another function in modeling diffusion in a complex system consisting of a matrix and channels

Anomalous diffusion of an antibiotic (colistin) in a system consisting of packed gel (alginate) beads immersed in water is studied experimentally and theoretically. The experimental studies are performed using the interferometric method of measuring concentration profiles of a diffusing substance. We use the g-subdiffusion equation with the fractional Caputo time derivative with respect to another function g to describe the process. The function g and relevant parameters define anomalous diffusion. We show that experimentally measured time evolution of the amount of antibiotic released from the system determines the function g. The process can be interpreted as subdiffusion in which the subdiffusion parameter (exponent) α decreases over time. The g-subdiffusion equation, which is more general than the "ordinary" fractional subdiffusion equation, can be widely used in various fields of science to model diffusion in a system in which parameters, and even a type of diffusion, evolve over time. We postulate that diffusion in a system composed of channels and a matrix can be described by the g-subdiffusion equation, just like diffusion in a system of packed gel beads placed in water.

Stochastic interpretation of g-subdiffusion process

Recently, we considered the g-subdiffusion equation with a fractional Caputo time derivative with respect to another function g, T. Kosztołowicz et al. [Phys. Rev. E 104, 014118 (2021)2470-004510.1103/PhysRevE.104.014118]. This equation offers different possibilities for modeling diffusion such as a process in which a type of diffusion evolves continuously over time. However, the equation has not been derived from a stochastic model and the stochastic interpretation of g subdiffusion is still unknown. In this Letter, we show the stochastic foundations of this process. We derive the equation by means of a modified continuous time random walk model. An interpretation of the g-subdiffusion process is also discussed.

Subdiffusion equation with Caputo fractional derivative with respect to another function

We show an application of a subdiffusion equation with Caputo fractional time derivative with respect to another function g to describe subdiffusion in a medium having a structure evolving over time. In this case a continuous transition from subdiffusion to other type of diffusion may occur. The process can be interpreted as "ordinary" subdiffusion with fixed subdiffusion parameter (subdiffusion exponent) α in which timescale is changed by the function g. As an example, we consider the transition from "ordinary" subdiffusion to ultraslow diffusion. The g-subdiffusion process generates the additional aging process superimposed on the "standard" aging generated by "ordinary" subdiffusion. The aging process is analyzed using coefficient of relative aging of g-subdiffusion with respect to "ordinary" subdiffusion. The method of solving the g-subdiffusion equation is also presented.

Diffusion of antibiotics through a biofilm in the presence of diffusion and absorption barriers

We propose a model of antibiotic diffusion through a bacterial biofilm when diffusion and/or absorption barriers develop in the biofilm. The idea of this model is: We deduce details of the diffusion process in a medium in which direct experimental study is difficult, based on probing diffusion in external regions. Since a biofilm has a gel-like consistency, we suppose that subdiffusion of particles in the biofilm may occur. To describe this process we use a fractional subdiffusion-absorption equation with an adjustable anomalous diffusion exponent. The boundary conditions at the boundaries of the biofilm are derived by means of a particle random walk model on a discrete lattice leading to an expression involving a fractional time derivative. We show that the temporal evolution of the total amount of substance that has diffused through the biofilm explicitly depends on whether there is antibiotic absorption in the biofilm. This fact is used to experimentally check for antibiotic absorption in the biofilm and if subdiffusion and absorption parameters of the biofilm change over time. We propose a four-stage model of antibiotic diffusion in biofilm based on the following physical characteristics: whether there is absorption of the antibiotic in the biofilm and whether all biofilm parameters remain unchanged over time. The biological interpretation of the stages, in particular their relation with the bacterial defense mechanisms, is discussed. Theoretical results are compared with empirical results of ciprofloxacin diffusion through Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm, and ciprofloxacin and gentamicin diffusion through Proteus mirabilis biofilm.

Boundary conditions at a thin membrane for the normal diffusion equation which generate subdiffusion

We consider a particle transport process in a one-dimensional system with a thin membrane, described by the normal diffusion equation. We consider two boundary conditions at the membrane that are linear combinations of integral operators, with time-dependent kernels, which act on the functions and their spatial derivatives defined on both membrane surfaces. We show how boundary conditions at the membrane change the temporal evolution of the first and second moments of particle position distribution (the Green's function) which is a solution to the normal diffusion equation. As these moments define the kind of diffusion, an appropriate choice of boundary conditions generates the moments characteristic for subdiffusion. The interpretation of the process is based on a particle random walk model in which the subdiffusion effect is caused by anomalously long stays of the particle in the membrane.

Subdiffusion in a system with a partially permeable partially absorbing wall

We consider subdiffusion of a particle in a one-dimensional system with a thin partially permeable and partially absorbing wall. The system with the wall can be used to filter diffusing particles. Passing through the wall, the particle can be absorbed with a certain probability. Knowing the Green's functions we derive boundary conditions at the wall. The boundary conditions take a specific form in which fractional time derivatives are involved. The temporal evolution of the probability that a diffusing particle has not been absorbed is also considered.

Experimental and Theoretical Analysis of Metal Complex Diffusion through Cell Monolayer

The study of drugs diffusion through different biological membranes constitutes an essential step in the development of new pharmaceuticals. In this study, the method based on the monolayer cell culture of CHO-K1 cells has been developed in order to emulate the epithelial cells barrier in permeability studies by laser interferometry. Laser interferometry was employed for the experimental analysis of nickel(II) and cobalt(II) complexes with 1-allylimidazole or their chlorides’ diffusion through eukaryotic cell monolayers. The amount (mol) of nickel(II) and cobalt(II) chlorides transported through the monolayer was greater than that of metals complexed with 1-allylimidazole by 4.34-fold and 1.45-fold, respectively, after 60 min. Thus, laser interferometry can be used for the quantitative analysis of the transport of compounds through eukaryotic cell monolayers, and the resulting parameters can be used to formulate a mathematical description of this process.

Modelling experimentally measured of ciprofloxacin antibiotic diffusion in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formed in artificial sputum medium

We study the experimentally measured ciprofloxacin antibiotic diffusion through a gel-like artificial sputum medium (ASM) mimicking physiological conditions typical for a cystic fibrosis layer, in which regions occupied by Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria are present. To quantify the antibiotic diffusion dynamics we employ a phenomenological model using a subdiffusion-absorption equation with a fractional time derivative. This effective equation describes molecular diffusion in a medium structured akin Thompson's plumpudding model; here the 'pudding' background represents the ASM and the 'plums' represent the bacterial biofilm. The pudding is a subdiffusion barrier for antibiotic molecules that can affect bacteria found in plums. For the experimental study we use an interferometric method to determine the time evolution of the amount of antibiotic that has diffused through the biofilm. The theoretical model shows that this function is qualitatively different depending on whether or not absorption of the antibiotic in the biofilm occurs. We show that the process can be divided into three successive stages: (1) only antibiotic subdiffusion with constant biofilm parameters, (2) subdiffusion and absorption of antibiotic molecules with variable biofilm transport parameters, (3) subdiffusion and absorption in the medium but the biofilm parameters are constant again. Stage 2 is interpreted as the appearance of an intensive defence build-up of bacteria against the action of the antibiotic, and in the stage 3 it is likely that the bacteria have been inactivated. Times at which stages change are determined from the experimentally obtained temporal evolution of the amount of antibiotic that has diffused through the ASM with bacteria. Our analysis shows good agreement between experimental and theoretical results and is consistent with the biologically expected biofilm response. We show that an experimental method to study the temporal evolution of the amount of a substance that has diffused through a biofilm is useful in studying the processes occurring in a biofilm. We also show that the complicated biological process of antibiotic diffusion in a biofilm can be described by a fractional subdiffusion-absorption equation with subdiffusion and absorption parameters that change over time.

Boundary conditions at a thin membrane that generate non-Markovian normal diffusion

We show that some boundary conditions assumed at a thin membrane may result in normal diffusion not being the stochastic Markov process. We consider boundary conditions defined in terms of the Laplace transform in which there is a linear combination of probabilities and probability fluxes defined on both membrane surfaces. The coefficients of the combination may depend on the Laplace transform parameter. Such boundary conditions are most commonly used when considering diffusion in a membrane system unless collective or nonlocal processes in particles diffusion occur. We find Bachelier-Smoluchowski-Chapmann-Kolmogorov (BSCK) equation in terms of the Laplace transform and we derive the criterion to check whether the boundary conditions lead to fundamental solutions of diffusion equation satisfying this equation. If the BSCK equation is not met, then the Markov property is broken. When a probability flux is continuous at the membrane, the general forms of the boundary conditions for which the fundamental solutions meet the BSCK equation are derived. A measure of broken of semi-group property is also proposed. The relation of this measure to the non-Markovian property measure is discussed.