Iterative design of dynamic experiments in modeling for optimization of innovative bioprocesses

Finding optimal operating conditions fast with a scarce budget of experimental runs is a key problem to speed up the development and scaling up of innovative bioprocesses. In this paper, a novel iterative methodology for the model-based design of dynamic experiments in modeling for optimization is developed and successfully applied to the optimization of a fed-batch bioreactor related to the production of r-interleukin-11 (rIL-11) whose DNA sequence has been cloned in an Escherichia coli strain. At each iteration, the proposed methodology resorts to a library of tendency models to increasingly bias bioreactor operating conditions towards an optimum. By selecting the ‘most informative’ tendency model in the sequel, the next dynamic experiment is defined by re-optimizing the input policy and calculating optimal sampling times. Model selection is based on minimizing an error measure which distinguishes between parametric and structural uncertainty to selectively bias data gathering towards improved operating conditions. The parametric uncertainty of tendency models is iteratively reduced using Global Sensitivity Analysis (GSA) to pinpoint which parameters are keys for estimating the objective function. Results obtained after just a few iterations are very promising.Fil: Cristaldi, Mariano Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Desarrollo y Diseño. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional Santa Fe. Instituto de Desarrollo y Diseño; ArgentinaFil: Grau, Ricardo José Antonio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química; ArgentinaFil: Martínez, Ernesto Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Desarrollo y Diseño. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional Santa Fe. Instituto de Desarrollo y Diseño; Argentin

"Iudicia contraria" in Cic. De off. III. 17.70

The author critices a well widespread opinion the expression “iudicia contraria” in Cic. De off. II. 17. 70 has in this case an atechnical meaning that can be referred too to the actions arising from the sale and the rental contracts. The author argues instead “iudicia contraria” in Cic. De off. II. 17. 70 does have a technical meaning that can be detected also in other sources next to time of Cicero.L’autore critica un orientamento diffuso in dottrina, secondo il quale l’espressione “iudicia contraria”, figurante in Cic. De off. III. 17.70, sarebbe qui utilizzata con un significato non tecnico, riferibile pure alle azioni scaturenti dalla compravendita e dalla locazione. A suo avviso, tale espressione ha, invece, un significato tecnico, riscontrabile pure in testimonianze di età assai vicina a quella dell’arpinate.El A. cuestiona una posición doctrina generalizada que defiende que la expresión “iudicia contraria”, recogida en Cic. De off. III. 17.70, sería utilizada con un significado no técnico referida a las acciones derivadas de la compraventa y del arrendamiento. A su juicio, por el contrario, tal espresión sí posee un significado técnico del que puede encontrarse testimonios en tiempos próximos a los ciceronianos.The author critices a well widespread opinion the expression “iudicia contraria” in Cic. De off. II. 17. 70 has in this case an atechnical meaning that can be referred too to the actions arising from the sale and the rental contracts. The author argues instead “iudicia contraria” in Cic. De off. II. 17. 70 does have a technical meaning that can be detected also in other sources next to time of Cicero

Micro- and nano-plastics in edible fruit and vegetables. The first diet risks assessment for the general population.

Microplastics (MPs) represent a current public health concern since toxicity has not yet fully investigated. They were found in several foods, but to the best of our knowledge, at this time no data was reported for the edible vegetables and fruits. We focused on diet exposure aiming to evaluate the number and the size (10 μm) of MPs in the most commonly consumed vegetables and fruits, in relation to their recommended daily intake too. MPs extraction and analysis were carried out using an innovative Italian methodology and SEM-EDX, respectively. Finally, we calculated the Estimated Daily Intakes (EDIs) for adults and children for each type of vegetal and fruit. The higher median (IQR) level of MPs in fruit and vegetable samples was 223,000 (52,600-307,750) and 97,800 (72,175-130,500), respectively. In particular, apples were the most contaminated fruit samples, while carrot was the most contaminated vegetable. Conversely, the lower median (IQR) level was observed in lettuce samples 52,050 (26,375-75,425). Both vegetable and fruit samples MPs levels were characterized by wide variability. The smallest size of MPs was found in the carrot samples (1.51 μm), while the biggest ones were found in the lettuce (2.52 μm). Both vegetable and fruit samples had size of the MPs characterized by low variability. We found the highest median level of MPs in samples purchased from the "fruiter 3" (124,900 p/g) and the lowest in those purchased in "supermarket" (87,600 p/g). The median size of the MPs had overlapping dimensions in all the purchase sites, with the exception of the samples purchased at the "shop at km zero 2″ which had slightly smaller size (1.81 μm). The highest adults' (4.62 E+05) and children's (1.41 E+06) EDIs are due the ingestion of apples, instead the lowest are due to the ingestion of carrots (adults: 2.96 E+04; children: 1.15 E+05). We hypothesized that the mechanism of uptake and translocation of MPs can be the same described and reported for carbon-nanomaterials. This may be a possible translocation route of MPs by environment to vegetables permitting, so, the translocation or uptake inside of their biological systems. Based on the results obtained it is urgent important to perform toxicological and epidemiological studies to investigate for the possible effects of MPs on human health

The Relevance of Microcystin Monitoring in Dialysis Centers of Sicilians Cities: An Environmental Study

Background: Sicilian surface basins are among the most important water supply resources available on the island. They are often affected by harmful cyanobacteria blooms as Planktothrix rubescens and Microcystis aeruginosa. Since dialysates are produced using network water, they could contain cyanotoxins. No study has been conducted yet to evaluate the removal efficiency of osmotic systems for cyanotoxins in abnormal conditions at room temperatures of about 40°C. The aim of this study was to monitor the presence of microcystins in Sicilian dialysis center, network waters and, finally, dialysates produced from these waters in an Agrigento dialysis unit where environmental conditions are favorable for algal bloom. Methods: This clinic normally receives surface water from artificial basins, where several times, traces of cyanobacteria have been detected. Moreover, dialysates and underground supply waters of a clinic in Catania were also sampled as control. Samplings were performed in summer 2018, when room temperatures were above 38 °C. A total of 40 samples were analyzed by ELISA assay. Results: Results of our monitoring highlighted concentrations of MCs in waters of several basins among LOD - 155 ng/L, lower than WHO reference value for drinking waters (1,0 µg/L), that decrease up to undetectable levels whereas no MC contamination was detected both in supply waters and dialysates. Conclusion: Although our first set of data outcomes seem to be quite comforting, an improvement of law and a complete census of the water supplies of dialysate centers would be ideal

Phytoremediation potential of Arundo donax (Giant Reed) in contaminated soil by heavy metals

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Dietary habits and thyroid cancer risk: A hospital-based case-control study in Sicily (South Italy).

Abstract Several studies have investigated the role of diet as a risk and/or protective factor against thyroid cancer, both considering individual foods, groups of foods and dietary patterns, but the results are not consistent. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between dietary habits and thyroid cancer. Cases and controls were recruited at the University Hospital "G. Rodolico" of Catania. The dietary habits were defined through the "Lifestyle Assessment Questionnaire". The frequency of consumption of each food item was reported on a 4-level scale (never, one time a week, 2–3 times a week, every day of the week). We computed the odds ratios (ORs) of thyroid cancer and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) according to the median of control group daily intake of each food group, using multiple logistic regression models adjusted for major confounding factors. Starchy foods (OR = 1.39, 95% CI 0.83–2.32), sweets (OR = 1.39, 95% CI 0.81–2.40) and products rich in salt and fat showed a positive association with thyroid cancer risk. Conversely, an inverse association with disease risk was found for vegetables (cruciferous OR = 0.30, 95% CI 0.10–0.92, non cruciferous OR = 0.57 (0.20–1.57) milk and dairy products (OR = 0.68, 95% CI 0.40–1.13) and seafood (OR = 0.68, 95% CI 0.34–1.22). An increased risk was observed for consumption of iodized salts (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.21–3.51), tea (OR = 1.42, 95% CI 0.84–2.41) and coca-cola (OR = 3.08, 95% CI 1.53–6.20). Finally, our results confirm the protective effect of a daily water intake of 1–2 L, but unfortunately this quantity is usually consumed by about a quarter of the sample. Dietary habits appear to modify the risk of thyroid carcinoma. A diet with a limited consumption of starchy foods, products rich in salt, fat and sugar and a higher consumption of, cruciferous/non-cruciferous vegetables, milk and dairy products and seafood could be protective towards thyroid cancer. Moreover, the water intake should be increased and the actual need to consume iodized salt should be verified for each subject/area. These results warrant further investigations and, if confirmed, they might have important public health implications for the reduction of thyroid cancer through the improvement of dietary habits

Monitoring the December 2015 summit eruptions of Mt. Etna (Italy): Implications on eruptive dynamics

A lengthy period of eruptive activity fromthe summit craters ofMt. Etna started in January 2011. It culminated in early December 2015 with a spectacular sequence of intense eruptive events involving all four summit craters (Voragine, Bocca Nuova,NewSoutheast Crater, and Northeast Crater). The activity consisted of high eruption columns, Strombolian explosions, lava flows andwidespread ash falls that repeatedly interferedwith air traffic. The most powerful episode occurred on 3 December 2015 from the Voragine. After three further potent episodes fromthe Voragine, activity shifted to the NewSoutheast Crater on 6 December 2015, where Strombolian activity and lava flow emission lasted for two days and were fed by the most primitive magma of the study period. Activity once more shifted to the Northeast Crater, where ash emission and weak Strombolian activity took place for several days. Sporadic ash emissions from all craters continued until 18 December, when all activity ceased. Although resembling the summit eruptions of 1998–1999, which also involved all four summit craters, thismultifaceted eruptive sequence occurred in an exceptionally short time window of less than three days, unprecedented in the recent activity of Mt. Etna. It also produced important morphostructural changes of the summit area with the coalescence of Voragine and Bocca Nuova in a single large crater, the “Central Crater”, reproducing themorphological setting of the summit cone before the formation of Bocca Nuova in 1968. The December 2015 volcanic crisis was followed closely by the staff of the Etna Observatory to monitor the on-going activity and forecast its evolution, in accordance with protocols agreed with the Italian Civil Protection Department.Published53-695V. Dinamica dei processi eruttivi e post-eruttiviJCR Journa