Optimal nonsingular control of fed-batch fermentation

Presented is a new simple method for multidimensional optimization of fed-batch fermentations based on the use of the orthogonal collocation technique. Considered is the problem of determination of optimal programs for fermentor temperature, substrate concentration in feed, feeding profile, and process duration. By reformulation of the state and control variables is obtained a nonsingular form of the optimization problem which has considerable advantage over the singular case since a complicated procedure for determination of switching times for feeding is avoided. The approximation of the state variables by Lagrange polynomials enables simple incorporation of split boundary conditions in the approximation, and the use of orthogonal collocations provides stability for integration of state and costate variables. The interpolation points are selected to obtain highest accuracy for approximation of the objective functional by the Radau-Lobatto formula. The control variables are determined by optimization of the Hamiltonian at the collocation points with the DFP method. Constraints are imposed on state and control variables.The method is applied for a homogeneous model of fermentation with volume, substrate, biomass, and product concentrations as the state variables. Computer study shows considerable simplicity of the method, its high accuracy for low order of approximation, and efficient convergence.     

Optimal production of glutathione by controlling the specific growth rate of yeast in fed-batch culture

The optimal of the specific growth rate was obtained with simple mathematical model in a yeast fed-batch cultures. The model was based on the mass balance around the fed-batch system and the relationship between the specific growth rate, mu, and the specific production rate of glutathione, rho(G). The optimal profile of mu was calculated as a bang-bang type, That is mu, should start from the maximum value, mu(max) and should be kept at mu(max); then mu should be switched to mu(c), which gives a maximum value of rho(G). It was proven from the maximum principle that switching was needed only once, with the switching time from mu(max) to mu(c) depending on the final required glutathione content. Finally, this ideal profile of mu for the maximum production of glutathione was realized by manipulating the substrates feed rate in the fed-batch culture. Using the extended Kalman filter and a programmed-controller/feedback-compensator (PF) system, mu could be controlled at the optimal profile obtained. As a result, the maximum production of glutathione was accomplished fairly successfully. However, further improvement in the controller performance for mu is desired. The control strategy employed here can be applied to other batch reaction processes.     

Susceptibility of the Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein and Basic Protein to a Neutral Protease in Highly Purified Myelin from Human and Rat Brain

Abstract: Incubation of highly purified human myelin at 25° and pH 8 in ammonium bicarbonate buffer resulted in the conversion of the myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) to a smaller derivative (dMAG) with an apparent molecular weight about 10,000 less. dMAG was stable and was not degraded to lower-molecular-weight breakdown products. Incubation of myelin under these conditions also resulted in the degradation of basic protein, but at a much slower rate. Half of the MAG was converted to dMAG in about 30 min, whereas degradation of half of the basic protein required 18 h of incubation. There was no significant loss of proteolipid, the Wolfgram doublet, or other myelin proteins during incubation for up to 18 h under these conditions. The formation of dMAG and the degradation of basic protein appear to be mediated by similar enzymatic activities; both processes exhibited broad pH optima in the neutral range, were prevented by briefly heating the myelin to 70° before incubation, and were stimulated by ammonium bicarbonate and other salts. Incubation of purified rat myelin also resulted in the formation of dMAG and the degradation of basic protein, but the conversion to dMAG occurred much more slowly than in human myelin preparations. In the rat, the percentage decreases in intact MAG and in basic protein were similar to each other and proceeded at rates comparable to the loss of basic protein in human myelin. These studies confirm and extend earlier demonstrations of neutral protease activity in purified myelin, and show that cleavage of MAG is one of the effects of this activity. The proteolytic activity affecting MAG and basic protein was not significantly reduced by further purification of the myelin on sucrose or CsCl gradients, suggesting that the neutral protease may be a myelin-related enzyme. The very high susceptibility of human MAG to this enzyme indicates that the effect of neutral protease on this glycoprotein should be considered in connection with demyelinating diseases.     

Using,risking, and consent: Why risking harm to bystanders is morally different from risking harm to research subjects

Subjects in studies on humans are used as a means of conducting the research and achieving whatever good would justify putting them at risk. Accordingly, consent must normally be obtained before subjects are exposed to any substantial risks to their welfare. Bystanders are also often put at risk, but they are not used as a means. Accordingly—or so I argue—consent is more often unnecessary before bystanders are exposed to similar substantial risks to their welfare.     

脑血康胶囊联合巴曲酶对急性脑梗死患者血清 MBP、NSE水平的影响

摘要 目的：研究脑血康胶囊联合巴曲酶对急性脑梗死患者血清髓鞘碱性蛋白(myebin bosic protein,MBP)、神经元特异性烯醇化酶(neuron-specific enolase,NSE)水平的影响。方法：选择2018年3月～2019年3月我院收治的161例急性脑梗死患者,将其随机分为两组。对照组静脉滴注巴曲酶,首次给予10 BU,隔日给予5 BU,每两天给药1次;观察组在巴曲酶的基础上联合口服脑血康胶囊,每天3 次,每次3粒。观察和比较两组治疗总有效率、治疗前后血清MBP、NSE、全血黏度(whole blood viscosity,WBV)、红细胞压积(hematocrit,HCT)、血浆黏度(plasma viscosity,PV)和纤维蛋白原(fibrinogen,FIB)水平及NHISS和BI评分的变化。结果：治疗后,观察组的有效率为91.25 %,明显高于对照组(64.2%,P<0.05);两组血清MBP、NSE、WBV、HCT、PV和FIB水平均较治疗前明显降低(P<0.05),且观察组的以上指标明显低于对照组(P<0.05);两组的BI评分明显升高(P<0.05),NHISS评分明显降低(P<0.05),观察组BI评分明显高于对照组,而NHISS评分明显低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论：脑血康胶囊联合巴曲酶对急性脑梗死有显著的疗效,能明显降低患者血清MBP、NSE水平,促进神经功能的恢复。     

The dicey dinner dilemma: Asymmetry in predator–prey risk‐taking,a broadly applicable alternative to the life‐dinner principle

Forty years ago, the ‘life‐dinner principle’ was proposed as an example of an asymmetry that may lead prey species to experience stronger selection than their predators, thus accounting for the high frequency with which prey escape alive from interaction with a predator. This principle remains an influential concept in the scientific literature, despite several works suggesting that the concept relies on many under‐appreciated assumptions and does not apply as generally as was initially proposed. Here, we present a novel model describing a very different asymmetry to that proposed in the life‐dinner principle, but one that could apply broadly. We argue that asymmetries between the relative costs and benefits to predators and prey of selecting a risky behaviour during an extended predator–prey encounter could lead to an enhanced likelihood of escape for the prey. Any resulting advantage to prey depends upon there being a behaviour or choice that introduces some inherent danger to both predator and prey if they adopt it, but which if the prey adopts the predator must match in order to have a chance of successful predation. We suggest that the circumstances indicated by our model could apply broadly across diverse taxa, including both risky spatial or behavioural choices.     

全球气候治理新进展——区域碳排放权分配研究综述

碳排放权作为稀缺的公共资源,其实质是一种新型发展权。科学合理分配有限的碳排放权对实现《巴黎协定》温控目标至关重要。从原则、方法、尺度与方案等维度对碳排放权分配的文献成果进行了系统梳理与归纳。研究表明,国内外学者大多基于公平性和效率性原则探索碳排放权分配;分配方法分为指标法、博弈论法、数据包络分析法和综合法等,各有利弊和适用条件;分配尺度大多涉及国际和区际两个层面,前者由于各国不同的利益诉求较难形成共识性方案,后者主要关注省际分配,更小尺度的研究相对较少。未来碳排放权分配研究趋向于多原则兼顾、多方法联用,涵盖国际、省际、市际及行业、企业等不同尺度。本研究可为制定科学合理的碳排放权分配方案提供理论依据,为我国更为积极有效地参与全球气候治理提供决策参考。     

Offspring performance and female preference of Pagiophloeus tsushimanus (coleoptera: curculionidae) on three Lauraceae tree species: A potential risk of host shift caused by larval experience

The weevil Pagiophloeus tsushimanus Morimoto (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), native to Eastern Asia, is a wood-boring pest that causes severe damage to camphor trees (Cinnamomum sp.) in Shanghai, China. Other Lauraceae tree species that grew sympatrically with this pest in close proximity could face a potential threat. To assess the potential risks of host shift, we explored the phenotypic associations between preference and performance in P. tsushimanus reared on three Lauraceae tree species. In a no-choice experiment offering branches of each plant as diet material and oviposition sites, we found that individuals reared on Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl (Laurales: Lauraceae) exhibited the strongest performance with shorter development time, higher survival and growth rate in the immature stage, longer longevity and greater fecundity in adults. In contrast, those on novel Lauraceae tree species (Cinnamomum chekiangensis Nakai and Phoebe chekiangensis Shang) had difficulty completing their whole life cycle due to significantly lower survival and reproduction. In a multiple-choice experiment, C. camphora was established as the preferred host. However, we found that the larval experiences on the non-preferred host plants contributed to an increased preference for that plant species. These results indicated that both the preference-performance hypothesis and the Hopkins’ host selection principle are applicable in this weevil under experimental conditions. It is possible that although the weevil performed poorly on two novel Lauraceae tree species, under favourable conditions their surviving offspring could evolve into a new host-specific population. Consequently, this weevil pest needs to be monitored on these novel Lauraceae tree species.     

碱性成纤维细胞生长因子对激光烧伤大兔皮肤愈合的影响分析

摘要 目的：探讨碱性成纤维细胞生长因子对激光烧伤大兔皮肤愈合的影响分析。方法：通过热辐射仪激光灼烧对大兔耳朵进行烧伤处理,根据实验需求,将其随机分为三组：对照组,bFGF组,bFGF + DAPT组。通过ImageJ软件测量伤口面积和疤痕组织的厚度,并定期计算残余伤口面积率和疤痕指数。通过组织学分析大兔伤口愈合的新血管生成量。通过蛋白印迹分析Notch1、Jagged1和Hes1的蛋白表达。通过免疫荧光分析愈合后的皮肤中α-SMA,Col I和Col III的相对蛋白水平。结果：bFGF组较对照组的疤痕指数降低（P<0.05）,bFGF+DAPT组较bFGF组疤痕指数升高（P<0.05）。bFGF组较对照组的愈合面积增加（P<0.05）,bFGF + DAPT组较bFGF组愈合面积降低（P<0.05）。与对照组相比,bFGF组的愈合时间明显缩短,较低的残余伤口面积和较低的疤痕指数（P<0.05）,而bFGF + DAPT组表现出明显的愈合延迟和较高的疤痕指数（P<0.05）。bFGF组较对照组的新血管生成量增加（P<0.05）,bFGF + DAPT组较bFGF组心血管生成量减少（P<0.05）。bFGF组较对照组的肉芽组织平均厚度增加,表皮间隙的闭合百分比升高（P<0.05）,bFGF + DAPT组较bFGF组肉芽组织平均厚度增加、表皮间隙的闭合百分比减少（P<0.05）。H＆E染色进行组织学分析发现,与对照组和bFGF + DAPT组相比,bFGF组出现明显的再上皮化和新血管形成,愈合效率较高（P<0.05）。bFGF组较对照组Notch1、Jagged1和Hes1的蛋白表达升高（P<0.05）,bFGF + DAPT组较bFGF组Notch1、Jagged1和Hes1的蛋白表达降低（P<0.05）。bFGF组较对照组?琢-SMA,Col I和Col III的蛋白表达降低（P<0.05）,bFGF + DAPT组较bFGF组表达升高（P<0.05）。结论：bFGF可以通过促进ESC的增殖并通过激活Notch1 / Jagged1途径抑制其向肌成纤维细胞（Myofibroblasts,MFB）的分化加快伤口愈合,减少疤痕形成。