GenSSI: a software toolbox for structural identifiability analysis of biological models

Summary: Mathematical modeling has a key role in systems biology. Model building is often regarded as an iterative loop involving several tasks, among which the estimation of unknown parameters of the model from a certain set of experimental data is of central importance. This problem of parameter estimation has many possible pitfalls, and modelers should be very careful to avoid them. Many of such difficulties arise from a fundamental (yet often overlooked) property: the so-called structural (or a priori) identifiability, which considers the uniqueness of the estimated parameters. Obviously, the structural identifiability of any tentative model should be checked at the beginning of the model building loop. However, checking this property for arbitrary non-linear dynamic models is not an easy task. Here we present a software toolbox, GenSSI (Generating Series for testing Structural Identifiability), which enables non-expert users to carry out such analysis. The toolbox runs under the popular MATLAB environment and is accompanied by detailed documentation and relevant examples

New Insights Regarding the Potential Health Benefits of Isoflavones

Isoflavones are a class of plant secondary metabolites, with an estrogen‐like structure presenting a plethora of biological activities. The chapter discusses important facts about this class of phytoestrogens, from biosynthesis to the latest research about their health benefits. The following major points discussed are: biosynthesis, regulation, isolation, metabolism and bioavailability, isoflavones in diet and intake, and new insights regarding the therapeutic effect including cancer chemoprevention. The chapter ends with a mini review of own research of the anti‐inflammatory and chemopreventive activity of isoflavonoid genistein alone and incorporated in modern pharmaceutical formulations. The chapter updates the interested researchers in the field with the latest progress regarding potential health benefits of isoflavones

NECESSITY OF AUDIT SAMPLING IN THE AUDIT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. NON-STATISTICAL SAMPLING VERSUS STATISTICAL SAMPLING

To be necessary means to be useful, indispensable for a particular purpose. To what extent is the samplingmethod necessary in the audit of financial statements? This paper aims to answer the question, why is samplingimportant, following the advantages and disadvantages of the two known sampling methods: statistical sampling andnon-statistical sampling. Using sampling saves time and effort for the team of auditors. Reduced costs for the auditorsand for the audited entity, resulting from the use of procedures only for the selected units, is another advantage ofusing this technique. The auditors should use their professional judgment to assess audit risk and to establishappropriate procedures for accountsbalances and class of transactions tested. Sampling should be used in order togive a correct opinion of the financial statements