Stochastic gradient approach for energy and supply optimisation in water systems management

Under conditions of water scarcity, energy saving in operation of water pumping plants and the minimisation of water deficit for users and activities are frequently contrasting requirements, which should be considered when optimising large-scale multi-reservoirs and multi-users water supply systems. Undoubtedly, a high uncertainty level in predicted water resources due to hydrologic input variability and water demand behaviour characterizes this problem. The aim of this paper is to provide an efficient decision support system considering emergency water pumping plants activation schedules. The obtained results should allow the water system’s authority to adopt a robust decision policy, minimising the risk of harmful future decisions concerning the water resource management. The model has been here developed to manage this problem, in order to reduce the damages due to shortage of water and the energy-cost requirements of pumping plants. Particularly, in optimisation, we look for optimal rules considering both historical and generated synthetic scenarios of hydrologic inputs to reservoirs. Hence, using synthetic series, we can analyse climate change impacts and optimise the activation rules considering future hydrologic occurrences. A simulation model has been coupled with an optimization module using the stochastic gradient method to get robust pumping activation thresholds. This method allows to solve complex problems, solving efficiently large size real cases due to high number of data and variables. Thresholds values are identified in terms of critical storage levels in supply-reservoirs. Application of the modelling approach has been developed on a real case study in a water-shortage prone area in south-Sardinia (Italy), characterized by Mediterranean climate and high annual variability in hydrological input to reservoirs. By applying the combined simulation procedure, a robust decision strategy in pumping activation was obtained. Developing the stochastic gradient model, a main programming supports has been built by MATLAB efficiently interfaced with CPLEX for optimisation and Excel for inputs and results representation

The close relationship between the Golgi trafficking machinery and protein glycosylation

La glicosilazione è la più comune modifica post-traduzionale delle proteine; media la loro corretta piegatura e stabilità, nonché il loro trasporto attraverso il trasporto secretorio. I cambiamenti nei glicani legati all'N e all'O sono stati associati a molteplici condizioni patologiche tra cui disturbi congeniti della glicosilazione, malattie infiammatorie e cancro. La glicosilazione della glicoproteina al Golgi coinvolge l'azione coordinata di centinaia di glicosiltransferasi e glicosidasi, che vengono mantenute nella posizione corretta attraverso il traffico di vescicole retrograde tra le cisterne di Golgi. In questa recensione, descriviamo il macchinario molecolare coinvolto nel traffico di vescicole e nel tethering presso l'apparato di Golgi e gli effetti delle mutazioni nel contesto della biosintesi dei glicani e delle malattie umane.Glycosylation is the most common post-translational modification of proteins; it mediates their correct folding and stability, as well as their transport through the secretory transport. Changes in N- and O-linked glycans have been associated with multiple pathological conditions including congenital disorders of glycosylation, inflammatory diseases and cancer. Glycoprotein glycosylation at the Golgi involves the coordinated action of hundreds of glycosyltransferases and glycosidases, which are maintained at the correct location through retrograde vesicle trafficking between Golgi cisternae. In this review, we describe the molecular machinery involved in vesicle trafficking and tethering at the Golgi apparatus and the effects of mutations in the context of glycan biosynthesis and human diseases

Employment of portable gamma-ray spectrometer in survey and mapping of intrusive complexes: a case study from the Buddusò pluton (Sardinia)

http://www.fe.infn.it/u/mantovani/CV/Proceedings/Puccini_10a.pd

Natural radioactivity in Sardinian granite dimension stones

http://www.fe.infn.it/u/mantovani/CV/Proceedings/Puccini_10b.pd

Oncogenic roles of GOLPH3 in the physiopathology of cancer

Golgi phosphoprotein 3 (GOLPH3), un effettore del fosfatidilinositolo 4-fosfato [PI (4) P] al Golgi, è necessaria per il mantenimento della struttura del nastro del Golgi, il traffico di vescicole e la glicosilazione del Golgi. GOLPH3 è stato convalidato come oncoproteina combinando la genomica integrativa con l'analisi clinopatologiche e funzionali. È spesso amplificato in diversi tipi di tumori solidi tra cui melanoma, cancro ai polmoni, cancro al seno, glioma e cancro del colon-retto. La sovraespressione di GOLPH3 è correlata a una prognosi infausta in più tipi di tumore, compreso il 52% dei tumori al seno e dal 41% al 53% del glioblastoma. I ruoli di GOLPH3 nella tumorigenesi possono essere correlati a diverse attività cellulari, tra cui: (i) regolazione del traffico dal Golgi alla membrana plasmatica e contributo a fenotipi secretori maligni; (ii) controllare l'internalizzazione e il riciclaggio di molecole di segnalazione chiave o aumentare la glicosilazione delle glicoproteine ​​rilevanti per il cancro; e (iii) influenzare la risposta al danno al DNA e il mantenimento della stabilità genomica. Qui riassumiamo le attuali conoscenze sui percorsi oncogeni che coinvolgono GOLPH3 nel cancro umano, l'influenza di GOLPH3 sul metabolismo del tumore e sullo stroma circostante e il suo possibile ruolo nella formazione di metastasi tumorali.Golgi phosphoprotein 3 (GOLPH3), a Phosphatidylinositol 4-Phosphate [PI(4)P] effector at the Golgi, is required for Golgi ribbon structure maintenance, vesicle trafficking and Golgi glycosylation. GOLPH3 has been validated as an oncoprotein through combining integrative genomics with clinopathological and functional analyses. It is frequently amplified in several solid tumor types including melanoma, lung cancer, breast cancer, glioma, and colorectal cancer. Overexpression of GOLPH3 correlates with poor prognosis in multiple tumor types including 52% of breast cancers and 41% to 53% of glioblastoma. Roles of GOLPH3 in tumorigenesis may correlate with several cellular activities including: (i) regulating Golgi-to-plasma membrane trafficking and contributing to malignant secretory phenotypes; (ii) controlling the internalization and recycling of key signaling molecules or increasing the glycosylation of cancer relevant glycoproteins; and (iii) influencing the DNA damage response and maintenance of genomic stability. Here we summarize current knowledge on the oncogenic pathways involving GOLPH3 in human cancer, GOLPH3 influence on tumor metabolism and surrounding stroma, and its possible role in tumor metastasis formation

Epilithic diatom assemblages and environmental quality of the Su Gologone karst spring (centraleastern Sardinia, Italy)

Karst springs are considered among the most vulnerable groundwater-dependent ecosystems. Despite their ecological value and importance as strategic water sources, Mediterranean karst springs are still poorly investigated. The aim of this study was to analyse the epilithic diatom assemblages and to test their usefulness as indicators of environmental quality on the Su Gologone spring (central-eastern Sardinia, Italy), a biotope of great natural value and a precious source of drinking water. A total of 89 diatom taxa were found with 25 new records for Sardinian running waters. Species richness, Shannon-Wiener and Pielou indices showed good biotic integrity. The dominant taxa were alkaliphilous, halophobous-oligohalobous exigent, xeno-oligosaprobic and characteristic of oligotrophic waters. The eutrophication/pollution index − diatom based (EPI-D) and the Navicula Nitzschia Surirella indices indicated respectively an excellent/good biological water quality and a low physical disturbance. However, the biological and chemical oxygen demand, and the microbiological variables (E. coli, fecal and total coliforms) revealed an organic contamination of the water, although moderate. The judgment provided by the EPI-D should be verified after updating of the index. In fact, 10 taxa found in this study are not currently considered by the EPI-D method

A bottom-up appraisal of the technically installable capacity of biogas-based solid oxide fuel cells for self power generation in wastewater treatment plants

This paper proposes a bottom-up method to estimate the technical capacity of solid oxide fuel cells to be installed in wastewater treatment plants and valorise the biogas obtained from the sludge through an efficient conversion into electricity and heat. The methodology uses stochastic optimisation on 200 biogas profile scenarios generated from industrial data and envisages a Pareto approach for an a posteriori assessment of the optimal number of generation unit for the most representative plant configuration sizes. The method ensures that the dominant role of biogas fluctuation is included in the market potential and guarantees that the utilization factor of the modules remains higher than 70% to justify the investment costs. Results show that the market potential for solid oxide fuel cells across Europe would lead up to 1,300 MW of installed electric capacity in the niche market of wastewater treatment and could initiate a capital and fixed costs reduction which could make the technology comparable with alternative combined heat and power solutions

Polyphenols rich diets and risk of type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is an increasing health concern worldwide. Both genetic and environmental risk factors as improper dietary habits or physical inactivity are known to be crucial in the pathogen-esis of type 2 diabetes. Polyphenols are a group of plant-derived compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that are associated with a low prevalence of metabolic conditions charac-terized by insulin resistance, including obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Moreover, there is now full awareness that foods that are rich in phytochemicals and polyphenols could play an important role in preserving human cardiovascular health and substantial clinical evidence indicates that regu-lar dietary consumption of such foods affects favorably carbohydrate metabolism. This review briefly summarizes the evidence relating dietary patterns rich in polyphenols with glucose metabolism and highlights the potential benefits of these compounds in the prevention of type 2 diabetes

Association of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with left ventricular changes in treatment-naive patients with uncomplicated hypertension

Background and aims: Cardiac structural and functional changes have been demonstrated in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Because of the frequent association of NAFLD with hypertension, we aimed to examine the relationship of liver steatosis with left ventricular (LV) changes in patients with hypertension. Materials and methods: In a cross-sectional study, we included 360 untreated, essential hypertensive patients who were free of major cardiovascular and renal complications. Liver steatosis was assessed by three different biochemical scores (NAFLD Liver Fat Score, LFS; Fatty Liver Index, FLI; Hepatic Steatosis Index, HSI). Echocardiography was performed with standard B-mode and tissue-Doppler imaging. Results: LV hypertrophy was present in 19.4% and LV diastolic dysfunction in 49.2% of patients who had significantly higher body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) index and higher frequency of the metabolic syndrome and liver steatosis that was defined by presence of 2 or more positive scores. LV mass index increased progressively across patients who had none, 1, or 2 or more liver steatosis scores, with associated progressive worsening of LV diastolic function. LV mass index was significantly and positively correlated with age, BMI, BP, HOMA-index, LFS, and HSI. Logistic regression analysis showed that age, BP, and liver steatosis scores independently predicted LV hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction. Liver steatosis independently predicted LV dysfunction but not LV hypertrophy even after inclusion in analysis of the HOMA-index. Conclusion: NAFLD is associated with LV hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction in untreated patients with hypertension. In hypertension, NAFLD could contribute to LV diastolic dysfunction with mechanisms unrelated to insulin resistance

Alcohol Intake and Arterial Hypertension: Retelling of a Multifaceted Story

Alcoholic beverages are common components of diets worldwide and understanding their effects on humans’ health is crucial. Because hypertension is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality, the relationship of alcohol consumption with blood pressure (BP) has been the subject of extensive investigation. For the purpose of this review, we searched the terms “alcohol”, “ethanol”, and “arterial hypertension” on Pubmed MeSH and selected the most relevant studies. Short-term studies showed a biphasic BP response after ingestion of high doses of alcohol, and sustained alcohol consumption above 30 g/day, significantly, and dose-dependently, increased the risk for hypertension. These untoward effects of alcoholic beverages on BP can be mediated by a multiplicity of neurohormonal mechanisms. In addition to the effects on BP, excess alcohol intake might contribute to cardiac and renal hypertensive organ damage, although some studies suggest possible benefits of moderate alcohol consumption on additional cardiovascular risk factors, such as diabetes and lipoprotein(a). Some intervention studies and cumulative analyses support the evidence of a benefit of the reduction/withdrawal of alcohol consumption on BP and cardiovascular outcomes. This is why guidelines of scientific societies recommend avoidance or limitation of alcohol intake below one unit/day for women and two units/day for men. This narrative article overviews all these topics, providing an update of the current knowledge on the relationship between alcohol and BP