Wild and Farmed Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus Labrax): Comparison of Biometry Traits, Chemical and Fatty Acid Composition of Fillets

Sea bass is a fish widely produced, consumed and appreciated in Italy. Its intensive rearing system provides the consumption of valuable fish to a wider population. Thanks to the use of an appropriate feed, it is possible to obtain reared sea bass which are richer in total lipid with a majority presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as n-3 and n-6 series. In this study, a total of 75 specimens of European sea bass coming from three different origins (two farmed and one wild) were considered, with 25 fish from each origin. Biometry traits were valued as of the chemical and fatty acid profile of fillets. Biometric indices, proximate composition and fatty acid percentage were significantly affected by the rearing system. Fishes from the intensive rearing system (IRS) showed the highest value of relative profile and condition factor, a higher content of lipid and total n-6 that influenced the n-6/n-3 ratio and the atherogenic indexes, and values that indicated their flesh for human consumption as a healthy alternative to the wild fishes

Transient Overload Characteristics of PM-Assisted Synchronous Reluctance Machines, Including Sensorless Control Feasibility

Synchronous reluctance machines are a highefficiency alternative to induction motors for variable-speed applications. To mitigate the well-known downside of their lower power factor, permanent-magnet-assisted topologies, in which either rare-earth or ferrite magnets are inserted into the rotor in suitable quantities, are often adopted. The design and optimization procedures for PM-assisted topologies have been thoroughly discussed in the related literature. This paper compares synchronous reluctance machines assisted with NdFeB and ferrite magnets, focusing on torque overload capability and feasibility of saliency-based position estimation algorithms. Three prototypes were realized and tested. They all have the stator of a commercial induction motor and the same customdesigned synchronous reluctance rotor laminations. Of the three prototypes, one is a pure synchronous reluctance motor, and the other two have NdFeB and ferrite magnets, respectively; both are designed to give the same torque at rated current. Results from simulations and experiments are presented comparing the transient overload capability of the three machines, in terms of torque capability and de-magnetization limit. A dynamic thermal model of the machines was developed within this scope. Moreover, the feasibility of saliency-based sensorless methods was investigated and is presented here for the three machines, both at high- and low-current loads. The results of the paper suggest that the ferrite-assisted solution is the best candidate for replacing induction motors in variable-speed applications, for its optimal tradeoff between performance and cost

Work fluctuations of self-propelled particles in the phase separated state

We study the large deviations of the distribution P(W_\tau) of the work associated with the propulsion of individual active brownian particles in a time interval \tau, in the region of the phase diagram where macroscopic phase separation takes place. P(W_\tau) is characterised by two peaks, associated to particles in the gaseous and in the clusterised phases, and two separate non-convex branches. Accordingly, the generating function of W_\tau cumulants displays a double singularity. We discuss the origin of such non-convex branches in terms of the peculiar dynamics of the system phases, and the relation between the observation time \tau and the typical persistence times of the particles in the two phases.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure

Analysis of overload and sensorless control capability of PM-assisted synchronous reluctance machines

Synchronous reluctance machines are a valid alternative to induction motors for industrial applications requiring variable speed regulation. To mitigate the well-known downside of their lower power factor, permanent-magnetassisted topologies are adopted. Both high-strength rare-earth magnets and low cost ferrite magnets can be used in such machines. Their design and optimization procedures have been discussed in related literature. This paper compares synchronous reluctance machines assisted with NdFeB and ferrite magnets, focusing on torque overload capability and feasibility of saliencybased position estimation algorithms. Three prototypes were realized and tested. They all have the stator of a commercial induction motor, and three custom synchronous reluctance rotors with same laminations: one has no magnets, the other two have NdFeB and ferrite magnets respectively, designed to give the same torque at rated current. Results from simulations and experiments are presented, focusing on torque and demagnetization limits in the over-current loading range. Moreover, the feasibility of saliency-based sensorless methods is investigated, both at high and low current loads. The results of the paper suggest that the ferrite-assisted solution is the candidate solution for replacing induction motors in variable speed applications

Quantification of the starling population, estimation and mapping of the damage to olive crops in the apulia region

The presence of wildlife in areas with a high concentration of farming activities can create a conflict between conservation objectives and productive purposes. Near Brindisi (Apulia, S-E Italy), a substantial amount of cash compensation claims for damages reported by local farmers and attributed to starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) has been registered. The aim of this study was to quantify the starling population wintering in the Apulia region, in order to assess the potential damage to crop production caused by this species. Our analysis was conducted over three years and included three main activities: a study of starling abundance and movements, the identification of areas and crops affected by damages, and a determination of the damage to the agricultural system in terms of quantity and concentration (heatmap). The study showed a loss of expected production that was coherent with the eating capacity of starlings wintering in the region. This means a loss, in terms of gross profitable production, of around 550,000 euros concentrated in a few narrow areas close to the roosts. Results on species behavior, damage quantification, and mapping are useful elements aimed to activate trade-off measures to preserve production and protection objectives, and to allow policymakers to address enforcement interventions and to establish parameters for financial compensation

A simple cytofluorimetric score may optimize testing for biallelic CEBPA mutations in patients with acute myeloid leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia with biallelic mutation of CEBPA (CEBPA-dm AML) is a distinct good prognosis entity recognized by WHO 2016 classification. However, testing for CEBPA mutation is challenging, due to the intrinsic characteristics of the mutation itself. Indeed, molecular analysis cannot be performed with NGS technique and requires Sanger sequencing. The association of recurrent mutations or translocations with specific immunophenotypic patterns has been already reported in other AML subtypes. The aim of this study was the development of a specific cytofluorimetric score (CEBPA-dm score), in order to distinguish patients who are unlikely to harbor the mutation. To this end, the correlation of CEBPA-dm score with the presence of the mutation was analyzed in 50 consecutive AML patients with normal karyotype and without NPM1 mutation (that is mutually exclusive with CEBPA mutation). One point each was assigned for expression of HLA DR, CD7, CD13, CD15, CD33, CD34 and one point for lack of expression of CD14. OS was not influenced by sex, age and CEBPA-dm score. Multivariate OS analysis showed that CEBPA-dm (p < 0.02) and FLT3-ITD (p < 0.01) were the strongest independent predictors of OS. With a high negative predictive value (100%), CEBPA-dm score < 6 was able to identify patients who are unlikely to have the mutation. Therefore, the application of this simple score might optimize the use of expensive and time-consuming diagnostic and prognostic assessment in the baseline work up of AML patients

miR-23b/SP1/c-myc forms a feed-forward loop supporting multiple myeloma cell growth

Deregulated microRNA (miR)/transcription factor (TF)-based networks represent a hallmark of cancer. We report here a novel c-Myc/miR-23b/Sp1 feed-forward loop with a critical role in multiple myeloma (MM) and Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM) cell growth and survival. We have found miR-23b to be downregulated in MM and WM cells especially in the presence of components of the tumor bone marrow milieu. Promoter methylation is one mechanism of miR-23b suppression in myeloma. In gain-of-function studies using miR-23b mimics-transfected or in miR-23b-stably expressing MM and WM cell lines, we observed a significant decrease in cell proliferation and survival, along with induction of caspase-3/7 activity over time, thus supporting a tumor suppressor role for miR-23b. At the molecular level, miR-23b targeted Sp1 3'UTR and significantly reduced Sp1-driven nuclear factor-kappa B activity. Finally, c-Myc, an important oncogenic transcription factor known to stimulate MM cell proliferation, transcriptionally repressed miR-23b. Thus MYC-dependent miR-23b repression in myeloma cells may promote activation of oncogenic Sp1-mediated signaling, representing the first feed-forward loop with critical growth and survival role in myeloma

Depletion of SIRT6 enzymatic activity increases acute myeloid leukemia cells' vulnerability to DNA-damaging agents.

Genomic instability plays a pathological role in various malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and thus represents a potential therapeutic target. Recent studies demonstrate that SIRT6, a NAD <sup>+</sup> -dependent nuclear deacetylase, functions as genome-guardian by preserving DNA integrity in different tumor cells. Here, we demonstrate that also CD34 <sup>+</sup> blasts from AML patients show ongoing DNA damage and SIRT6 overexpression. Indeed, we identified a poor-prognostic subset of patients, with widespread instability, which relies on SIRT6 to compensate for DNA-replication stress. As a result, SIRT6 depletion compromises the ability of leukemia cells to repair DNA double-strand breaks that, in turn, increases their sensitivity to daunorubicin and Ara-C, both in vitro and in vivo In contrast, low SIRT6 levels observed in normal CD34 <sup>+</sup> hematopoietic progenitors explain their weaker sensitivity to genotoxic stress. Intriguingly, we have identified DNA-PKcs and CtIP deacetylation as crucial for SIRT6-mediated DNA repair. Together, our data suggest that inactivation of SIRT6 in leukemia cells leads to disruption of DNA-repair mechanisms, genomic instability and aggressive AML. This synthetic lethal approach, enhancing DNA damage while concomitantly blocking repair responses, provides the rationale for the clinical evaluation of SIRT6 modulators in the treatment of leukemia