KiteGen: A revolution in wind energy generation

Control of tethered airfoils is investigated, in order to devise a new class of wind generators to overcome the main limitations of the present wind technology, based on wind mills. A model from the literature is used to simulate the dynamic of a kite whose lines are suitably pulled by a control unit. Energy is generated by a cycle composed of two phases, indicated as the traction and the drag one. The kite control unit is placed on the arm of a vertical axis rotor, connected to an electric drive able to act as a generator when the kite pulls the rotor and as a motor in dragging the kite against the wind. Control is obtained by “fast” implementation of Nonlinear Model Predictive Control (NMPC). In the traction phase the control is designed such that the kite pulls the rotor arm, maximizing the amount of generated energy. When energy cannot be generated anymore, the control enters the drag phase and the kite is driven to a region where the energy spent to drag the rotor is a small fraction of the energy generated in the traction phase, until a new traction phase is undertaken. Simulation results are presented, showing encouraging performances.     

Blood Analytes as Biomarkers of Mechanisms Involved in Alzheimer’s Disease Progression

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia, but the pathogenetic factors are not yet well known, and the relationships between brain and systemic biochemical derangements and disease onset and progression are unclear. We aim to focus on blood biomarkers for an accurate prognosis of the disease. We used a dataset characterized by longitudinal findings collected over the past 10 years from 90 AD patients. The dataset included 277 observations (both clinical and biochemical ones, encompassing blood analytes encompassing routine profiles for different organs, together with immunoinflammatory and oxidative markers). Subjects were grouped into four severity classes according to the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) Scale: mild (CDR = 0.5 and CDR = 1), moderate (CDR = 2), severe (CDR = 3) and very severe (CDR = 4 and CDR = 5). Statistical models were used for the identification of potential blood markers of AD progression. Moreover, we employed the Pathfinder tool of the Reactome database to investigate the biological pathways in which the analytes of interest could be involved. Statistical results reveal an inverse significant relation between four analytes (high-density cholesterol, total cholesterol, iron and ferritin) with AD severity. In addition, the Reactome database suggests that such analytes could be involved in pathways that are altered in AD progression. Indeed, the identified blood markers include molecules that reflect the heterogeneous pathogenetic mechanisms of AD. The combination of such blood analytes might be an early indicator of AD progression and constitute useful therapeutic targets.     

Ecological Studies and Mathematical Modeling of Cladophora in Lake Huron: 3. The Dependence of Growth Rates on Internal Phosphorus Pool Size

The relationship between growth rate and internal phosphorus pool size was examined using field populations of Cladophora glomerata from Lake Huron. Algal samples, representing a range of internal phosphorus concentrations, were harvested from the lake and used for laboratory measurements of growth. Rates of net photosynthesis and respiration were measured under controlled conditions of light and temperature using a dissolved oxygen (light/dark bottle) technique. The net specific growth rate and respiration rate were calculated from photosynthesis and respiration measurements using a fixed stoichiometric relationship and the measured carbon content of the algae. The maximum rates for net specific growth rate, gross specific growth rate, and specific respiration rate were 0.77, 1.08, and 0.44 day^?1, respectively. Management decisions may be importantly influenced by the relationships derived from these data. A non-linear response by growth to reductions in phosphorus loading is suggested from the results of these experiments. The internal nutrient status of algal populations (e.g. Cladophora) must be considered in predictions of the impact of phosphorus management strategies on aquatic systems.     

Modeling fecal coliform bacteria—II. Model development and application

The episodic nature of their origin and the transience of the receiving water response make the modeling of fecal coliform bacteria contamination events particularly challenging. A two-layer mass balance model was developed to simulate spatial and temporal variability in fecal coliform bacteria concentrations in a polluted, urban lake. Independently validated submodels were used to estimate bacteria loads from tributary and point source discharges, to quantify mass transport and to determine losses due to sedimentation and death. The overall model was validated by successfully simulating spatial and temporal dynamics for dry weather conditions and two wet weather events. Sensitivity analyses indicate that the likelihood of violating public health standards is influenced by environmental conditions, e.g. light intensity and wind mixing. Model simulations are used to illustrate the impact of water quality management actions on bacteria levels at various locations in the lake. The general approach presented here and the techniques used to quantify model inputs may be of value in application to other systems.     

Phosphorus Uptake Dynamics as Related to Mathematical Modeling of Cladophora at a Site on Lake Huron

Cladophora is a significant symptom of eutrophication in Lakes Erie and Ontario and is a local problem associated with nutrient perturbations in Lakes Huron, Michigan, and Superior. This paper presents results of measurements of phosphorus uptake rates as a function of internal phosphorus levels by Cladophora growing near Harbor Beach, Michigan. Cladophora collected near the Harbor Beach wastewater treatment plant had high levels of internal phosphorus and low (or even negative) phosphorus uptake rates. Cladophora distant from the wastewater treatment plant had low internal phosphorus levels and rapid phosphorus uptake rates. The experimental results are discussed in terms of quantitative kinetic formulations which may be incorporated into mathematical models useful for predicting the response of Cladophora to alternative management and control strategies. Preliminary model simulations of Cladophora biomass, internal phosphorus, and external phosphorus are qualitatively similar to observed field data.     

A Review of Clinical Outcomes of CAR T-Cell Therapies for B-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Introduction: Treatment of relapsed and refractory (R/R) B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) represents an unmet medical need in children and adults. Adoptive T cells engineered to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-T) is emerging as an effective technique for treating these patients. Areas covered: Efficacy and safety of CAR-T therapy in R/R B-ALL patients. Expert opinion: CD19 CAR-T infusion induce high CR rates in patients with poor prognosis and few therapeutic options, while real-life data demonstrate similar results with an interestingly lower incidence of grade 3/4 toxicity. Nevertheless, despite impressive in-depth responses, more than half of patients will experience a relapse. Therefore, rather than using CAR-T cell therapy as a stand-alone option, consolidation with allogeneic stem-cell transplant (Allo-SCT) after CAR-T treatment might increase long-term outcome. Moreover, CD19 is one target, but several other targets are being examined, such as CD20 and CD22 and dual-targeting CARs or combination therapy. Another issue is the time consuming process of CAR-T engineering. New platforms have shortened the CAR-T cell manufacturing process, and studies are underway to evaluate the effectiveness. Another way to mitigate waiting is the development of allogeneic “off the shelf” therapy. In conclusion, CD19-targeted CAR-modified T-cell therapy has shown unprecedented results in patients without curative options. Future work focusing on target identification, toxicity management and reducing manufacturing time will broaden the clinical applicability and bring this exciting therapy to more patients, with longer-term remissions without additional Allo-SCT.     

Approximation of Model Predictive Control Laws for Polynomial Systems

A fast implementation of a given predictive controller for polynomial systems is introduced by approximating the optimal control law with a piecewise constant function defined over a hyper‐cube partition of the system state space. Such a state‐space partition is computed in order to guarantee stability, an a priori fixed trajectory error as well as input and state constraints fulfilment. The presented approximation procedure is achieved by solving a set of nonconvex polynomial optimization problems, whose approximate solutions are computed by means of semidefinite relaxation techniques for semialgebraic problems.