An influent responsive control strategy with machine learning: Q-learning based optimization method for a biological phosphorus removal system.

Biological phosphorus removal (BPR) is an economical and sustainable processes for the removal of phosphorus (P) from wastewater, achieved by recirculating activated sludge through anaerobic and aerobic (An/Ae) processes. However, few studies have systematically analyzed the optimal hydraulic retention times (HRTs) in anaerobic and aerobic reactions, or whether these are the most appropriate control strategies. In this study, a novel optimization methodology using an improved Q-learning (QL) algorithm was developed, to optimize An/Ae HRTs in a BPR system. A framework for QL-based BPR control strategies was established and the improved Q function, Qt+1(st,st+1)=Qt(st,st+1)+k·[R(st,st+1)+γ·maxatQt(st,st+1)-Qt(st,st+1)] was derived. Based on the improved Q function and the state transition matrices obtained under different HRT step-lengths, the optimum combinations of HRTs in An/Ae processes in any BPR system could be obtained, in terms of the ordered pair combinations of the . Model verification was performed by applying six different influent chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations, varying from 150 to 600 mg L-1 and influent P concentrations, varying from 12 to 30 mg L-1. Superior and stable effluent qualities were observed with the optimal control strategies. This indicates that the proposed novel QL-based BPR model performed properly and the derived Q functions successfully realized real-time modelling, with stable optimal control strategies under fluctuant influent loads during wastewater treatment processes.

Qiliqiangxin improves cardiac function and attenuates cardiac remodeling in rats with experimental myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: It has been reported that Qiliqiangxin (QL), a traditional Chinese medicine compound, could inhibit cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling, and improve cardiac function. However, whether and how it reverses cardiac remodeling in rats post myocardial infarction (MI) remains unknown. This study aims to explore related mechanisms linked with cardiac function improvement and attenuation of cardiac remodeling by QL in rats with experimental MI. METHODS: MI was induced by ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats with LVEF < 50% at four weeks after procedure were treated for another 6 weeks with placebo, QL and captopril. Echocardiography and plasma NT-proBNP were measured at the end of study, and histological studies were performed. Protein expressions of Neuregulin-1 (NRG-1), total-Akt, phospho-Akt (Ser473), hydroxy-HIF-1α (Pro564), VEGF, Bax, Bcl-2 and Caspase 3 were examined by Western blot. mRNA expression of NRG-1 and p53 was detected by real-time PCR. RESULTS: Compared with the placebo group, QL improved cardiac function, reduced left ventricular dimension, inhibited interstitial inflammation and fibrosis, increased neovascularization, and attenuated cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Meanwhile QL significantly upregulated the expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, enhanced phosphorylation of Akt, decreased the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and Caspase 3 expression. Furthermore, we observed upregulation of NRG-1 and downregulation of p53 after QL treatment. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the beneficial effects of QL on improving cardiac function and attenuating cardiac remodeling post MI are associated with angiogenesis enhancement and apoptosis inhibition, which may be mediated via activation of NRG-1/Akt signaling and suppression of p53 pathway.

Evaluation of a method using high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection for the determination of statins in macromycetes of the genus Pleurotus cultivated by fermentation processes.

The applicability of high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet light (HPLC-UV) for the determination of the presence of statins in macromycetes of the genus Pleurotus was analyzed. The fungi were obtained by liquid-state fermentation (LSF) using unconventional sources of carbon as substrates and solid-state fermentation (SSF) employing agro industrial wastes. Five statins were used as standards: lovastatin and simvastatin in the lactone form (LOVL and SIML), their corresponding hydro-acidic forms (LOVH and SIMH) and pravastatin (PRA). The following measures were evaluated: the linearity, accuracy and precision, detection limit (DL) and quantification limit (QL). The results demonstrated HPLC-UV to be an effective tool for detecting the presence of statins in extracts of LSF and SSF products. Likewise, it was hypothesized that the strains that were used for the study do not produce statins. This finding highlights the importance of continuing to evaluate other strains of the same genus by using techniques such as HPLC to first separate sufficient quantities of the compounds that were detected using the standard technique but that did not match the retention time (tR) of any of the standards used.