Food Safety Management in a Global Environment: The Role of Risk Assessment Models

Quantitative risk assessment models are playing a minor role in the development of the new EU legal framework for food safety. There is a tendency of the EU institutions to apply the precautionary principle versus the predisposition of the USA institutions to rely on risk analysis. This paper provides a comparison of the role played by quantitative risk assessment models in the development of new policies on food safety in the EU and in the USA, focusing on a study case: the supply chain of shell eggs. We suggest that EU regulatory bodies should reconsider the role that quantitative risk assessment models have to play in order to design more effective food safety management systems.Food safety policy, food safety assurance, risk analysis, risk assessment, precautionary principle, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

Restorative justice, forgiveness and reparation for the victims

Forgiveness is not one of the aims of restorative processes. However, the conditions that enable these processes can also make forgiveness more likely. The positive impact that forgiveness can have on the lives of the victims of serious crimes, such as terrorism, means that this issue should be discussed when seeking to apply restorative justice in any situation. The main philosophies of forgiveness, the absence of pressure to forgive and the consequences of interpersonal forgiveness in social reconciliation are among the questions addressed. El perdón no es uno de los objetivos de los procesos restaurativos. Sin embargo, algunas condiciones que se han definido como parte de estos procesos hacen el perdón más probable. El impacto positivo que el perdón puede tener en las vidas de las víctimas de delitos graves, como el terrorismo, determina que este tema debe ser discutido en un intento de lograr los resultados más restaurativos en cualquier situación. Las principales filosofías del perdón, la ausencia de presión de perdonar y de las consecuencias del perdón interpersonal en la reconciliación social son algunas de las cuestiones a abordar

Street lighting energy efficiency

Un estudio sobre la optimización de la eficiencia energética en el alumbrado público de la Municipalidad de S. M. de Tucumán fue efectuado basado en la aplicación de relojes astronómicos, balastos electrónicos dimerizables para lámparas de descarga de Sodio de alta presión de 150W/100W y luminarias de alta eficiencia. Durante 45 días, 273 puntos de luz conectados a 6 redes de alumbrado independientes fueron monitoreados, registrando el consumo, tiempos de funcionamiento, apagados nocturnos, encendidos diurnos y parámetros eléctricos de calidad. Los resultados indican que es posible una importante reducción en el consumo, entre un 11% y un 43% mejorando la calidad del servicio y reduciendo el contenido de armónicos que se introducen a la red de alumbrado a TDH A ≤ 6,5%. El trabajo describe la experiencia y el análisis de los resultados obtenidos.A study of street lighting energy efficiency was carried out in S. M. Tucumán City, based on the application of astronomical clocks, electronic ballasts (control gear) for high pressure sodium 150W/100W lamps and high efficiency luminaires. During 45 days, 273 luminaires connected to 6 independent electric networks were monitored recording: energy consumption, switching on/off times, night lamps outages, day on lamps and electrical quality parameters. The results indicate that it is possible a significant reduction in consumption, between 11% and 43% while improving service quality and reducing the harmonic content being introduced to the network lighting by TDH A ≤ 6.5%. The paper describes the experience and the analysis of the results.Fil: Tapia Garzón J.. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Tecnología. Departamento de Luminotecnia, Luz y Visión; ArgentinaFil: Manzano, Eduardo Roberto. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Tecnología. Departamento de Luminotecnia, Luz y Visión; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Investigación en Luz, Ambiente y Visión. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Tecnología. Instituto de Investigación en Luz, Ambiente y Visión; ArgentinaFil: Gao S.. Municipalidad de S. M. Tucuman - Dirección Alumbrado; ArgentinaFil: Rojas M.. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Tecnología. Departamento de Luminotecnia, Luz y Visión; ArgentinaFil: De Nobrega M.. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Tecnología. Departamento de Luminotecnia, Luz y Visión; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Investigación en Luz, Ambiente y Visión. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Tecnología. Instituto de Investigación en Luz, Ambiente y Visión; Argentin

Beyond the Meso/Macroporous Boundary: Extending Capillary Condensation-Based Pore Size Characterization in Thin Films Through Tailored Adsorptives

The characterization of thin films containing nanopores with diameters exceeding 50 nm poses significant challenges, especially when deploying sorption-based techniques. Conventional volumetric physisorption or mercury intrusion methods have limited applicability in thin films due to constraints in sample preparation and nondestructive testing. In this context, ellipsometric porosimetry represents a viable alternative, leveraging its optical sensitivity to thin films. With existing setups relying on the capillary condensation of volatile compounds such as water, applicability is typically restricted to pore dimensions 50 nm). Specifically, with n-nonane, applicability is extended up to 80 nm pores. Our measurement guidelines propose a nondestructive, expeditious (<60 min), low-pressure (<0.03 bar) approach to investigate nanoporous thin films with potential adaptability to diverse structural architectures

Adición de viruta de eucalipto y mucílago de cabuya para estabilizar unidades de adobe, San Salvador, Cusco 2022

El objetivo principal de este estudio fue adicionar viruta de eucalipto y mucílago de cabuya a unidades de adobe para mejorar su estabilidad. Se utilizó una metodología cuantitativa, diseño experimental puro, nivel explicativo, tamaños poblacional y muestra de 232 y 192 unidades de adobe, respectivamente, el muestro fue no probabilístico y la ficha de recolección de datos. Los resultados promedios alcanzados fueron para el ensayo del esfuerzo a tracción en la muestra patrón(0,09 kgf/cm2), con V2.5%+C5%(0.14 kgf/cm2), V5%+C10%(0.17 kgf/cm2) y V7.5%+C15%(0.22 kgf/cm2). Luego, la resistencia a compresión la muestra patrón(9,23 kgf/cm2), con V2.5%+C5%(12.65 kgf/cm2), V5%+C10%(13.94 kgf/cm2) y V7.5%+C15%(15.44 kgf/cm2). Asimismo, la resistencia a flexión la muestra patrón (0.78 kgf/cm2), con V2.5%+C5%(1.36 kgf/cm2), V5%+C10%(1.59 kgf/cm2) y V7.5%+C15%(2.06 kgf/cm2). Además, la capacidad de absorción la muestra patrón obtuvo para 1 y 24 horas (24.52% y 71.87%), con V2.5%+C5%(7.37% y 24.98%), V5%+C10%(5.87% y 21.62%) y V7.5%+C15%(4.57% y 18.26%). Finalmente, la resistencia a inmersión de 1 y 24 horas la muestra patrón(moderado-alto y severo), con V2.5%+C5%(moderado-bajo y moderado alto), V5%+C10%(moderado-bajo) y V7.5%+C15%(leve). Concluyéndose que la adición de aditivos naturales aumenta la resistencia a la tracción, la compresión, la flexión y la inmersión del adobe, al tiempo que reduce su capacidad de absorción de agua

Los Palstaves sin asas de la Península Ibérica. Justificaciòn de su presencia y aproximaciòn a su cronologia.

87 Jan.-Dez. 1977, p. 175-187

Red blood cell distribution width predicts new-onset anemia in heart failure patients

©2012. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ This document is the Accepted version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in International Journal of Cardiology. To access the final edited and published work see https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2011.04.018Background: Hematologic abnormalities such as elevated red blood cell distribution width (RDW) as well as anemia are prognostically meaningful among heart failure (HF) patients. The inter-relationship between these hematologic abnormalities in HF is unclear, however. We therefore aimed to assess whether RDW is predicting changes in hemoglobin concentrations as well as onset of anemia. Methods: 268 consecutive non-anemic patients with acutely decompensated HF (ADHF) were enrolled at hospital discharge and RDW was measured. At 6 month follow-up, change in hemoglobin as well as new-onset anemia was studied as a function of RDW at discharge. Results: RDW at discharge correlated negatively with hemoglobin values at 6 months (r=-0.220; p15% (derived from receiver operating characteristic analysis) had a tripling of the risk of new-onset anemia (OR=3.1, 95% CI 1.5-5.1, p=0.002). Conclusion: Among non-anemic patients with ADHF, RDW measurement at the time of hospital discharge independently predicts lower hemoglobin concentrations and new-onset anemia over a 6-month follow up period

Amino modified metal-organic frameworks as pH-responsive nanoplatforms for safe delivery of camptothecin

[EN] MIL-100(Fe) and MIL-101(Fe) metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are excellent vehicles for drug delivery systems (DDSs) due to their high biocompatibility and stability in physiological fluids, as well as their pore diameter in the mesoporous range. Although they are appropriate for the internal diffusion of 20-(S)-camptothecin (CPT), a strongly cytotoxic molecule with excellent antitumor activity, no stable delivery system has been proposed so far for this drug based in MOFs. We here present novel DDSs based in amine functionalized MIL-100(Fe) and MIL-101(Fe) nanoMOFs with covalently bonded CPT. These CPT nanoplatforms are able to incorporate almost 20% of this molecule and show high stability at physiological pH, with no non-specific release. Based on their surface charge, some of these CPT loaded nanoMOFs present improved cell internalization in in vitro experiments. Moreover, a strong response to acid pH is observed, with up to four fold drug discharge at pH 5, which boost intracellular release by endosomolytic activity. These novel DDSs will help to achieve safe delivery of the very cytotoxic CPT, allowing to reduce the therapeutic dose and minimizing drug secondary effects. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Financial support of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (projects TEC2016-80976-R and SEV-2016-0683) is gratefully acknowledged. A.C.G. thanks the La Caixa Foundation for a Ph.D. scholarship. We fully appreciate the assistance of the Electron Microscopy Service of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia.Cabrera-García, A.; Checa-Chavarria, E.; Rivero-Buceta, EM.; Moreno Manzano, V.; Fernandez Jover, E.; Botella Asuncion, P. (2019). Amino modified metal-organic frameworks as pH-responsive nanoplatforms for safe delivery of camptothecin. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science. 541:163-174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2019.01.042S16317454

CPEB4 Increases Expression of PFKFB3 to Induce Glycolysis and Activate Mouse and Human Hepatic Stellate Cells, Promoting Liver Fibrosis

BACKGROUND & AIMS: We investigated mechanisms of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, which contributes to liver fibrogenesis. We aimed to determine whether activated HSCs increase glycolysis, which is regulated by 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase-3 (PFKFB3), and whether this pathway might serve as a therapeutic target. METHODS: We performed studies with primary mouse HSCs, human LX2 HSCs, human cirrhotic liver tissues, rats and mice with liver fibrosis (due to bile duct ligation [BDL] or administration of carbon tetrachlo- ride), and CPEB4-knockout mice. Glycolysis was inhibited in cells and mice by administration of a small molecule antagonist of PFKFB3 (3-[3-pyridinyl]-1-[4-pyridinyl]-2- propen-1-one [3PO]). Cells were transfected with small interfering RNAs that knock down PFKFB3 or CPEB4. RESULTS: Up-regulation of PFKFB3 protein and increased glycolysis were early and sustained events during HSC activation and accompanied by increased expression of markers of fibrogenesis; incubation of HSCs with 3PO or knockdown of PFKFB3 reduced their activation and prolif- eration. Mice with liver fibrosis after BDL had increased hepatic PFKFB3; injection of 3PO immediately after the surgery prevented HSC activation and reduced the severity of liver fibrosis compared with mice given vehicle. Levels of PFKFB3 protein were increased in fibrotic liver tissues from patients compared with non-fibrotic liver. Up-regulation of PFKFB3 in activated HSCs did not occur via increased transcription, but instead via binding of CPEB4 to cyto- plasmic polyadenylation elements within the 3'-untranslated regions of PFKFB3 messenger RNA. Knockdown of CPEB4 in LX2 HSCs prevented PFKFB3 overexpression and cell acti- vation. Livers from CPEB4-knockout had decreased PFKFB3 and fibrosis after BDL or administration of carbon tetra- chloride compared with wild-type mice. CONCLUSIONS: Fibrotic liver tissues from patients and rodents (mice and rats) have increased levels of PFKFB3 and glycolysis, which are essential for activation of HSCs. Increased expression of PFKFB3 is mediated by binding of CPEB4 to its untranslated messenger RNA. Inhibition or knockdown of CPEB4 or PFKFB3 prevents HSC activation and fibrogenesis in livers of mice

Solar Reflector Materials Degradation Due to the Sand Deposited on the Backside Protective Paints

Concentrating solar power (CSP) Technologies are foreseen to be a crucial actor in the future renewable energy mix. Soil accumulation on the optical surfaces of CSP plants involves significant expenses of the operation and maintenance activities because a high cleanliness level is required to achieve proper plant revenues. Normally, only the front side of the solar reflectors is cleaned to reflect the maximum possilbe amount of direct solar radiation towards the receiver. However, soil depoisted on the backside of the reflector could provoke degradation and might need to be considered in the cleaning strategyAs this possible degradation has never been studied, this work is dedicated to assess if the backside of refelctros should be regularly cleaned. The influence of the sand in the possible paint degradation depends on its chemical composition and the weather conditions. Therefore, several climatic conditions of artificially soiled reflector samples with different types of sand were simulated in accelerated aging tests. Concerning the results obtained, the ambient conditions simulated by the damp heat and thermal cycling tests were the only ones that produced a significant degradation of the backside paints. Also, the sand from Ouarzazate was responsible for higher Deterioration