Scientific opinion on the proposed amendment of the EU specifications for titanium dioxide (E 171) with respect to the inclusion of additional parameters related to its particle size distribution

© 2019 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Pile-soil interaction and settlement effects induced by deep excavations

Deep excavations may cause settlement and damage to adjacent buildings, even if they are found on piles. The corresponding pile deformations are determined by axial and lateral effects. This paper describes an analytical model relating axial pile deformation to the vertical soil displacement resulting from the deep excavation and also suggests ways to determine the pile response to lateral displacements. The axial pile-soil interaction is clearly different for end-bearing and friction piles. Common generalizations that end-bearing piles settle the same as the soil settlement at the base level and friction piles with the ground surface settlement present lower and upper bounds, which are only valid for certain idealized cases. The settlement of piles with a large component of shaft friction is determined mainly by the actual load on the pile relative to the pile ultimate capacity. The lateral pile response is governed mainly by the relative stiffness of the pile to the soil. The proposed model was validated with measurements of the North South Line project in Amsterdam.This paper is based on the first author’s Ph.D. study at Cambridge University in cooperation with the Netherlands Centre of Underground Construction

Exploring the success factors of hybrid micro-enterprises

This research explores hybrid micro-entrepreneurs’ founding motivations and the transformation of those motivations into visions of success, by applying multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA). We find that entrepreneurs of hybrid micro-enterprises are driven mostly by noneconomic goals and that those influence their vision of success. The success framework consists of seven indicators (training, professional development, marketing, management, external factors, infrastructures, and organizational aspects). Human capital is perceived as the most important for success – translating the professional motivations for founding. Reversely, external factors, which are usually considered crucial to attain legitimacy, are perceived the least important factors. Given the findings, are hybrid micro-entrepreneurs ready to succeed?info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pattern of influenza viral infection in a private hospital in Sarawak.

Introduction: Influenza or flu is a contagious acute respiratory infection that spreads through viral-containing droplets in the air. Its symptoms vary from mild to severe, and can progress to serious complications leading to death. Globally, seasonal influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality. Yet, the disease burden remains under-appreciated in many developing countries due to misperceptions that it is a disease of temperate climates. In Malaysia, influenza surveillance reports are still lacking since the first pandemic case reported in 2009. Objectives: This research aimed to study the prevalence and seasonal pattern of influenza in Sarawak. Materials and methods: This was a 3-year retrospective study involving all influenza-like illness (ILI) cases presented at Borneo Medical Centre, Kuching from 2017-2019. Results and conclusion: From a total of 2758 ILI cases, 811 were laboratory confirmed as influenza by serological or RT-PCR assays, giving a prevalence of 30.1%. Influenza A (79.9%) was more prevalent than B (20.1%). Influenza in Sarawak demonstrated a year-round activity with multiple peaks. The highest peak occurred during Northeast monsoon (October-April) that coincided with winter (November-March) in Northern Hemisphere. Notably, influenza A consistently peaked ahead of B, and B was constantly low throughout the years. Incidence and hospitalisation rates were significantly higher in high-risk age groups (50 years old), although hospitalisation rate was not associated with influenza types. This study had shed light on values of haematological parameters in differentiating influenza A and B. Patients with influenza A showed significantly lower counts of red cell, lymphocyte and monocyte, indicating a more severe illness. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the pattern of influenza in Sarawak. The yearly incidence of influenza is considerably high with year-round activity. Vaccine formulation for Northern Hemisphere is highly recommended for high-risk populations, and should be given before October for optimal efficacy

Opinion on the follow-up of the re-evaluation of sorbic acid (E200) and potassium sorbate (E202) as food additives

Acknowledgements: The FAF Panel wishes to thank EFSA staff member(s): Jose Cortinas Abrahantes, Dimitrios Chrysafidis and Petra Gelgelova for the support provided to this scientific outputPublisher PD

Safety of annatto E and the exposure to the annatto colouring principles bixin and norbixin (E 160b) when used as a food additive

Acknowledgements: The FAF Panel wishes to acknowledge all European competent institutions, Member State bodies and other organisations that provided data for this scientific output.Publisher PD

Re-evaluation of stearyl tartrate (E 483) as a food additive

Acknowledgements: The FAF Panel wishes to thank Claude Lambre for the support provided to this scientific output. The FAF Panel wishes to acknowledge all European competent institutions, Member State bodies and other organisations that provided data for this scientific output.Publisher PD

Safety of ethyl lauroyl arginate (E 243) as a food additive in the light of the new information provided and the proposed extension of use

Acknowledgements: The Panel wishes to thank the following for the support provided to this scientific output: Eleonora Alquati, Anna Christodoulidou and Fabiola Pizzo.Publisher PD

QUANTITATIVE REAL-TIME PCR (Q-PCR) FOR SPUTUM SMEAR DIAGNOSIS OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS AMONG PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS

Objective: To assess quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) for the sputum smear diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in patients living with HIV/AIDS with a clinical suspicion of PTB. Method: This is a prospective study to assess the accuracy of a diagnostic test, conducted on 140 sputum specimens from 140 patients living with HIV/AIDS with a clinical suspicion of PTB, attended at two referral hospitals for people living with HIV/AIDS in the city of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. A Löwenstein-Jensen medium culture and 7H9 broth were used as gold standard. Results: Of the 140 sputum samples, 47 (33.6%) were positive with the gold standard. q-PCR was positive in 42 (30%) of the 140 patients. Only one (0.71%) did not correspond to the culture. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the q-PCR were 87.2%, 98.9% and 95% respectively. In 39 (93%) of the 42 q-PCR positive cases, the CT (threshold cycle) was equal to or less than 37. Conclusion: q-PCR performed on sputum smears from patients living with HIV/AIDS demonstrated satisfactory sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, and may therefore be recommended as a method for diagnosing PTB