Maintenance optimization for a multi-unit system with digital twin simulation

Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing - Optimization of operations and maintenance (O&M) in the industry is a topic that has been largely studied in the literature. Many authors focused on...     

Proteomics of Muscle Microdialysates Identifies Potential Circulating Biomarkers in Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is caused by a complex epigenetic mechanism finally leading to the misexpression of DUX4 in skeletal muscle. Detecting DUX4 and quantifying disease progression in FSHD is extremely challenging, thus increasing the need for surrogate biomarkers. We applied a shotgun proteomic approach with two different setups to analyze the protein repertoire of interstitial fluids obtained from 20 muscles in different disease stages classified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and serum samples from 10 FSHD patients. A total of 1156 proteins were identified in the microdialysates by data independent acquisition, 130 of which only found in muscles in active disease stage. Proteomic profiles were able to distinguish FSHD patients from controls. Two innate immunity mediators (S100-A8 and A9) and Dermcidin were upregulated in muscles with active disease and selectively present in the sera of FSHD patients. Structural muscle and plasminogen pathway proteins were downregulated. Together with the upstream inhibition of myogenic factors, this suggests defective muscle regeneration and increased fibrosis in early/active FSHD. Our MRI targeted exploratory approach confirmed that inflammatory response has a prominent role, together with impaired muscle regeneration, before clear muscle wasting occurs. We also identified three proteins as tissue and possibly circulating biomarkers in FSHD.     

Una accelerazione A-stabile del 4o ordine della formula del trapezio

An A-stable fourth order formula based on trapezoidal rule is given. The computational interest of the method is due to the fact that, if Newton method in solving trapezoidal rule is employed, new function evaluations are not required      

Influence of different smoking techniques on contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in traditional smoked Mozzarella di Bufala Campana

The levels of six polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) including benzo[a]pyrene and three other PAH were determined in smoked Mozzarella di Bufala Campana. Different smoking techniques were compared to evaluate the risk associated with consumption of these cheeses. Although no maximum limits are set for PAHs in cheese, the levels found in some samples constitute a health risk. In fact, using corrugated cardboard, high levels were detected in the whole product or in the outer part. Also, the use of traditional materials involves the accumulation of PAHs in the outer part, but in the total product concentrations are significantly lower. No contamination was found using liquid smoke.     

Biogas as hydrogen source for fuel cell applications

In the last decade, production of biogas from biomass degradation has attracted the attention of several research groups. The interest on this hydrogen source is focused on the potential use of this gas as raw material to supply high temperature fuel cells (HTFC). This paper reports a wide research investigation carried out at CNR-ITAE on biogas reforming processes (steam reforming, autothermal reforming and partial oxidation). A mathematical model was developed, in Aspen Plus, and an experimental validation was made in order to confirm model results. Simulations were performed to determine the reformed gas composition and the system energy balance as a function of process temperature and pressure. The value of Gas Hour Space Velocity (GHSV) was selected for calculating compositions at full equilibrium, as it is expected in operative large scale plant. To obtain a realistic evaluation of the reforming processes efficiency, the energy balance for each examined process was developed as available energy of outlet syngas on inlet required energy ratio. The comparison between values of efficiency process gives useful indication about their reliability to be integrate with fuel cell systems.     

A fourth order extrapolation for the trapezoidal rule

In this paper a family of extrapolation methods for the trapezoidal rule which preserve its stability properties is described. These methods only require the calculation of the Jacobian matrix at each step. Therefore they seem suitable for stiff systems of differential equations, because, in the case of these systems, the Jacobian matrix is usually calculated when using Newton's method. Received: October 1996 / Revised version: June 1997     

Exploitation of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) puree added of stem infusion through fermentation by selected autochthonous lactic acid bacteria

Strains of Lactobacillus plantarum, Pediococcus acidilactici, Pediococcus pentosaceus and Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides were identified from 8 cultivars of sweet cherry by partial 16S rRNA gene sequence and subjected to typing by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RAPD-PCR) analysis. Representative isolates from each species and each cultivar were screened based on the kinetics of growth on cherry puree added of (10%, v/v) stem infusion (CP-SI). A protocol for processing and storage of CP-SI, which included fermentation by selected autochthonous P. pentosaceus SWE5 and L. plantarum FP3 (started CP-SI) or spontaneous fermentation (unstarted CP-SI), was set up. Starters grew and remained viable at elevated cell numbers (ca. 9.0 log cfu g⁻¹) during 60 days of storage at 4 °C. The number of presumptive lactic acid bacteria of the unstarted CP-SI did not exceed the value of ca. 3.0 log cfu g⁻¹. Consumption of carbohydrates (e.g., glucose and fructose) by starter lactic acid bacteria was limited as well as it was the lactic acid fermentation. Consumption of organic acids (e.g., malic acid) and free amino acids was evident, especially, throughout storage. Compared to CP-SI before processing, the concentrations of total phenolic compounds and anthocyanins did not vary in the started CP-SI. The concentration of anthocyanins slightly decreased in the unstarted CP-SI. The antioxidant activity, expressed as the scavenging activity toward DPPH radical, was found at highest level in the started CP-SI which approached that found in CP-SI before processing. During storage, viscosity and, especially, color indexes of started CP-SI were higher than those found in the unstarted CP-SI. Fermentation by autochthonous lactic acid bacteria seemed to also positively interfere with the sensory attributes of CP-SI.     

Functional milk beverage fortified with phenolic compounds extracted from olive vegetation water, and fermented with functional lactic acid bacteria

Functional milk beverages (FMB100 and FMB200) fortified with phenolic compounds (100 and 200 mg/l) extracted from olive vegetable water, and fermented with γ-amino butyric acid (GABA)-producing (Lactobacillus plantarum C48) and autochthonous human gastro-intestinal (Lactobacillus paracasei 15N) lactic acid bacteria were manufactured. A milk beverage (MB), without addition of phenolic compounds, was used as the control. Except for a longer latency phase of FMB200, the three beverages showed an almost similar kinetic of acidification, consumption of lactose and synthesis of lactic acid. Apart from the beverage, Lb. plantarum C48 showed a decrease of ca. Log 2.52-2.24 cfu/ml during storage. The cell density of functional Lb. paracasei 15N remained always above the value of Log 8.0 cfu/ml. During fermentation, the total concentration of free amino acids markedly increased without significant (P > 0.05) differences between beverages. The concentration of GABA increased during fermentation and further storage (63.0 ± 0.6-67.0 ± 2.1 mg/l) without significant (P > 0.05) differences between beverages. After fermentation, FMB100 and FMB200 showed the same phenolic composition of the phenol extract from olive vegetable water but a different ratio between 3,4-DHPEA and 3,4-DHPEA-EDA. During storage, the concentrations of 3,4-DHPEA-EDA, p-HPEA and verbascoside of both FMB100 and FMB200 decreased. Only the concentration of 3,4-DHPEA increased. As shown by SPME-GC-MS analysis, diactetyl, acetoin and, especially, acetaldehyde were the main volatile compounds found. The concentration of phenolic compounds does not interfere with the volatile composition. Sensory analyses based on triangle and paired comparison tests showed that phenolic compounds at the concentrations of 100 or 200 mg/l were suitable for addition to functional milk beverages.     

CD38 ligation induces discrete cytokine mRNA expression in human cultured lymphocytes

Human CD38 is a surface glycoprotein expressed by different immuno-competent cells such as immature and activated lymphocytes, plasma cells and natural killer cells. It has recently been reported that the CD38 molecule exerts adenosine diphosphate ribosyl cyclase activity and is associated with distinct transmembrane signaling molecules. This study reports that ligation of CD38 by specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb) induces multiple cytokine mRNA expression in cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The mRNA for tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and IL-12 were always detected, whereas interferon-gamma and IL-10 mRNA expression were seen in most, but not all PBMC cultures. Low levels of IL-2, IL-4 and IL-5 mRNA were also found. The key observation of this work is that CD38 ligation in PBMC induces a large spectrum of cytokines, many of which overlap with those induced via CD3 activation. The main differences between CD38 and CD3 activation are the low to undetectable levels of IL-2 mRNA, and the sustained IL-1 beta and IL-6 mRNA accumulation found in PBMC cultures following treatment with anti-CD38 mAb. Furthermore, PBMC proliferation was not found to be a prerequisite for CD38-mediated cytokine induction. Together, these results suggest that human CD38 activates a signaling pathway which leads to the induction of a discrete array of cytokines, and that this pathway only partially overlaps with that controlled by T cell receptor CD3.     

Proteomic Investigations into Hemodialysis Therapy

The retention of a number of solutes that may cause adverse biochemical/biological effects, called uremic toxins, characterizes uremic syndrome. Uremia therapy is based on renal replacement therapy, hemodialysis being the most commonly used modality. The membrane contained in the hemodialyzer represents the ultimate determinant of the success and quality of hemodialysis therapy. Membrane’s performance can be evaluated in terms of removal efficiency for unwanted solutes and excess fluid, and minimization of negative interactions between the membrane material and blood components that define the membrane’s bio(in)compatibility. Given the high concentration of plasma proteins and the complexity of structural functional relationships of this class of molecules, the performance of a membrane is highly influenced by its interaction with the plasma protein repertoire. Proteomic investigations have been increasingly applied to describe the protein uremic milieu, to compare the blood purification efficiency of different dialyzer membranes or different extracorporeal techniques, and to evaluate the adsorption of plasma proteins onto hemodialysis membranes. In this article, we aim to highlight investigations in the hemodialysis setting making use of recent developments in proteomic technologies. Examples are presented of why proteomics may be helpful to nephrology and may possibly affect future directions in renal research.