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

Latini ex lege Aelia Sentia

EnThe author examines some particularly controversial and discussed sources (especially Tit. Ulp. 1.12 and Gai. 1.41). They appear to be a clear evidence in favor of a latinitas based on the regulations of the lex Aelia Sentia. This latinitas was acquired by a manumissio testamento (for the slave less than thirty years of age) and by a manumissio inter amicos adprobata causa apud consilium (when performed by a dominus less than twenty years of age). Those acquiring the status of latini by these ways could become Roman citizens thanks to the ius adipiscendae civitatis introduced by the lex Aelia Sentia.EsEl autor examina algunas fuentes particularmente controvertidas y discutidas (especialmente Tit. Ulp. 1.12 y Gai. 1.41), que parecen ser una clara evidencia a favor de una latinitas ex lege Aelia Sentia. Esta latinitas se adquiría por manumissio testamento (para el esclavo menor de treinta años) y por manumissio inter amicos adprobata causa apud consilium (cuando la hacía un dominus menor de veinte años). Los que adquirían el estatus de latini por estas vías podían convertirse en ciudadanos romanos gracias al ius adipiscendae civitatis introducido por la lex Aelia Sentia

"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

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