The Uncertainty in Newton's Constant and Precision Predictions of the Primordial Helium Abundance

The current uncertainty in Newton's constant, G_N, is of the order of 0.15%. For values of the baryon to photon ratio consistent with both cosmic microwave background observations and the primordial deuterium abundance, this uncertainty in G_N corresponds to an uncertainty in the primordial 4He mass fraction, Y_P, of +-1.3 x 10^{-4}. This uncertainty in Y_P is comparable to the effect from the current uncertainty in the neutron lifetime, which is often treated as the dominant uncertainty in calculations of Y_P. Recent measurements of G_N seem to be converging within a smaller range; a reduction in the estimated error on G_N by a factor of 10 would essentially eliminate it as a source of uncertainty in the calculation of the primordial 4He abundance.Comment: 3 pages, no figures, fixed typos, to appear in Phys. Rev.

Dairy product production and lactose demand in New Zealand and Ireland under different simulated milk product-processing portfolios

peer-reviewedMaximising dairy industry profitability involves maximising product returns for a specific set of costs or minimising costs for a certain level of output. A strategy currently utilised by the New Zealand dairy industry to optimise the value of exports is to incorporate imported lactose along with local milk to maximise the production of whole milk powder (WMP) while complying with the Codex Alimentarius (Codex) standards, in addition to increasing the exported product for every litre of milk. This study investigated the impact of different product portfolio strategies on lactose requirements for the Irish and New Zealand dairy industries for current and predicted 2020 milk output projections. A mass balance processing sector model that accounts for all inputs, outputs and losses involved in dairy processing was used to simulate the processing of milk into WMP, skim milk powder (SMP), cheese, butter and fluid milk of different proportions. All scenarios investigated projected an increase in production and revenue from 2012 to 2020. Higher cheese production reduced industry lactose demand through whey processing, while scenarios reliant on an increase in the proportion of WMP were associated with increased lactose deficits.Livestock Improvement Corporation Pat Shannon Scholarshi

Safety and efficacy of copper chelates of lysine and glutamic acid as a feed additive for all animal species

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of copper chelates of lysine and glutamic acid (Copper-LG) as a nutritional feed additive for all animal species. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concludes that, owing to safety considerations, Copper-LG should not be used in water for drinking. Copper-LG is safe for chickens for fattening; this conclusion can be extrapolated to all animal species and categories provided that the maximum authorised levels in the EU for total copper in feed are not exceeded. No increases in the copper content of animal tissues/products are expected from the use of Copper-LG in animal nutrition. There is no indication that the toxicity of Copper-LG is essentially different from that of inorganic divalent copper. The use of Copper-LG in animal nutrition is of no concern for consumer safety provided that the maximum authorised total copper in feed is respected. Owing to the copper and nickel content of Copper-LG, the handling of the additive, poses a risk to users by inhalation. The additive is considered as a skin and respiratory sensitiser; it is corrosive to the eye while it is non-irritant to skin. The additive is intended to be a substitute for other authorised copper additives and will not further increase the environmental burden of copper; therefore, the FEEDAP Panel considers that the use of the additive in animal nutrition would not pose an additional risk for the environment. Copper-LG is a bioavailable source of copper, comparable to the standard inorganic copper source, and therefore, the additive is efficacious in meeting the birds copper requirements; this conclusion can be extrapolated to all animal species/categories. The FEEDAP Panel posed a recommendation concerning the description of the additive

Safety and efficacy of Taminizer D (dimethylglycine sodium salt) as a feed additive for chickens for fattening

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of Taminizer D (dimethylglycine sodium salt) as a feed additive for chickens for fattening, based on a dossier submitted for the modification of the terms of authorisation of the additive. The product is authorised in the European Union for chickens for fattening at the maximum content of 1,000 mg/kg complete feedingstuffs. The applicant proposed the introduction of an additional manufacturing process, which introduces an impurity (dimethylamino-ethanol (DMAE)) in the additive at concentrations up to 0.09%. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) considered that the proposed modification would not substantially affect the previous assessment as related to the safety of the environment and the efficacy of the product. Since the safety of the active substance was established, the current assessment has dealt with the impurity DMAE. Considering the toxicological profile of DMAE, the estimated intake by the target animal and consumers, and making use of the Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC) approach, the Panel concluded that Taminizer D, manufactured by the DMAE route, is safe for both chickens for fattening and consumers, up to the maximum level of 1,000 mg/kg feed. The FEEDAP Panel extends its conclusions about Taminizer D produced by the original method to cover also Taminizer D produced by the new DMAE method. There is minimal risk to users from dust produced as a result of normal handling of the additive. Taminizer D is not irritant to skin but may be irritant to eyes; it is regarded as a potential skin sensitiser. The FEEDAP Panel recommended to set a specification for the DMAE content in the additive

Safety and efficacy of Biomin \uae DC-C as a zootechnical feed additive for weaned piglets

The additive (trade name Biomin \uae DC-C) is a blend of essential oils from oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) and from caraway seed (Carum carvi L.) and three individual compounds (carvacrol, methyl salicylate and l-menthol) encapsulated with a hydrogenated vegetable oil. The additive is intended for use in feed for weaned piglets at a minimum concentration of 75 mg/kg complete feed and a recommended maximum level of 125 mg/kg complete feed. A tolerance test in which piglets were exposed to feed containing up to an intended 1,250 mg additive/kg complete feed showed that additive is safe for piglets at the maximum recommended level with at least a sixfold margin of safety. The active components of the additive are not genotoxic and from the available residue study, based on the detection of five marker compounds, no measurable exposure of the consumers is foreseen; consequently, the use of the additive is considered safe for consumers of animal products. The FEEDAP Panel considered that exposure to users by inhalation is unlikely; in the absence of data, the Panel cannot conclude on the effects of Biomin \uae DC-C on skin and eyes. The use of the additive in animal production is not expected to pose a risk for the terrestrial or aquatic environments. Based on the results of three efficacy studies in which positive benefits were seen, the additive has a potential to improve the growth performance of weaned piglets at a minimum application rate of 75 mg/kg complete feed

Safety and efficacy of Biomin ® DC-C as a zootechnical feed additive for weaned piglets

The additive (trade name Biomin \uae DC-C) is a blend of essential oils from oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) and from caraway seed (Carum carvi L.) and three individual compounds (carvacrol, methyl salicylate and l-menthol) encapsulated with a hydrogenated vegetable oil. The additive is intended for use in feed for weaned piglets at a minimum concentration of 75 mg/kg complete feed and a recommended maximum level of 125 mg/kg complete feed. A tolerance test in which piglets were exposed to feed containing up to an intended 1,250 mg additive/kg complete feed showed that additive is safe for piglets at the maximum recommended level with at least a sixfold margin of safety. The active components of the additive are not genotoxic and from the available residue study, based on the detection of five marker compounds, no measurable exposure of the consumers is foreseen; consequently, the use of the additive is considered safe for consumers of animal products. The FEEDAP Panel considered that exposure to users by inhalation is unlikely; in the absence of data, the Panel cannot conclude on the effects of Biomin \uae DC-C on skin and eyes. The use of the additive in animal production is not expected to pose a risk for the terrestrial or aquatic environments. Based on the results of three efficacy studies in which positive benefits were seen, the additive has a potential to improve the growth performance of weaned piglets at a minimum application rate of 75 mg/kg complete feed

Assessment of the application for renewal of authorisation of GalliPro ® (Bacillus subtilis DSM 17299) for chickens for fattening

GalliPro \uae is the trade name for a feed additive based on viable cells of a strain of Bacillus subtilis intended for use as a zootechnical additive (gut flora stabiliser) in feed for chickens for fattening. The product is currently authorised for use in chickens for fattening. This opinion concerns the renewal of this authorisation. Bacillus subtilis is considered by EFSA to be suitable for the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach to establish the safety for the target species, consumers and the environment. The identity of the strain present in the additive was established and evidence was provided on the lack of toxigenic potential as well as acquired antibiotic resistance determinants to antibiotics of human and veterinary importance. Accordingly, this strain is presumed safe for the target species, consumers of products derived from animals fed the additive and the environment. Since no concerns are expected from other components of the additive, GalliPro \uae is considered safe for the target species, consumers and the environment. The applicant has provided evidence that the additive currently in the market complies with the existing conditions of authorisation. The FEEDAP Panel confirms its previous conclusions that GalliPro \uae is safe for the target species; consumers of products from animals fed the additive and the environment. GalliPro \uae should be considered a potential respiratory sensitiser. In the absence of data, the FEEDAP Panel cannot conclude on the potential of GalliPro \uae for skin and eyes irritancy and dermal sensitisation

Safety and efficacy of Kelforce \uae (l-glutamic acid, N,N-diacetic acid, tetrasodium salt (GLDA-Na 4 )) as a feed additive for chickens for fattening

l-Glutamic acid, N,N-diacetic acid, tetrasodium salt (GLDA-Na 4 ) (Kelforce \uae ) is sought to be used as a zootechnical feed additive in chickens for fattening to improve the absorption of zinc from feed, reducing zinc emissions through manure and thus, affecting favourably the environment. The product has not been authorised in the European Union as a feed additive. Kelforce \uae is intended to be marketed as a liquid and solid formulation, containing 65 47% and 65 30% of GLDA-Na 4 , respectively. Kelforce \uae is safe for chickens for fattening at the maximum level of 1,000 mg GLDA-Na 4 /kg complete feed. Based on the toxicological profile of GLDA-Na 4 and the consumer exposure to GLDA-Na 4 and to nitrilotriacetic acid trisodium salt (NTA-Na 3 ; an impurity of the additive), the use of Kelforce \uae at the maximum proposed level in feed of chickens for fattening is of no concern for consumer safety. Due to its low inhalation toxicity, the exposure to GLDA-Na 4 is unlikely to pose a risk by inhalation. However, owing to the high-dusting potential of the solid formulation, a risk from such high level of dust, even if toxicologically inert, cannot be excluded. Kelforce \uae is not a skin/eye irritant or skin sensitiser. No risks for the terrestrial compartment were identified at the maximum use level of the additive. Risks for the aquatic compartment cannot be excluded based on the secondary effect of the additive on green algae. In the absence of data, the Panel cannot conclude on the safety for the sediment compartment or the possible ground water contamination. The risk of bioaccumulation and secondary poisoning caused by the additive is considered very low. Owing to the inconsistent and conflicting results from the studies assessed, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) cannot conclude on the efficacy of the additive. The Panel made a recommendation regarding the levels of formaldehyde and cyanide in the active substance

Safety and efficacy of Biomin\uae DC-P as a zootechnical feed additive for chickens for fattening, chickens reared for laying and minor avian species to the point of lay

The additive (trade name Biomin\uaeDC-P) is a blend of five individual compounds (carvacrol, thymol, d-carvone, methyl salicylate and l-menthol) encapsulated with a hydrogenated vegetable oil. The additive is intended for use in feed for various poultry species at a minimum concentration of 65 mg/kg complete feed and a recommended maximum level of 105 mg/kg complete feed. The results of a tolerance study show that Biomin\uae DC-P is safe for chickens for fattening at the maximum recommended application rate of 105 mg/kg complete feed; this conclusion is extended to include chickens reared for laying and extrapolated to minor poultry species The active components of a previously evaluated additive (Biomin\uaeDC-C) were shown to be not genotoxic; owing to the similarity on composition, this conclusion can be also applied to Biomin\uaeDC-P. Notwithstanding the uncertainties identified in the residue study, after applying a worst-case scenario to calculate potential exposure of consumers to menthol and carvone, and since that the components of the additive are considered safe for their use as food and feed flavourings, the FEEDAP Panel concludes that the use of the additive in animal nutrition is considered safe for consumers. The FEEDAP Panel considered that exposure of users by inhalation is unlikely, but cannot conclude on the effects of Biomin\uaeDC-P on skin and eyes. The use of Biomin\uaeDC-P is not expected to pose a risk for the environment. Biomin\uaeDC-P has a potential to increase the growth performance of chickens for fattening when incorporated into feed at a minimum application rate of 65 mg/kg complete feed; the conclusion can be extended to chickens reared for laying and extrapolated to minor poultry species reared up to the point of lay

Bounds on the tau and muon neutrino vector and axial vector charge radius

A Majorana neutrino is characterized by just one flavor diagonal electromagnetic form factor: the anapole moment, that in the static limit corresponds to the axial vector charge radius . Experimental information on this quantity is scarce, especially in the case of the tau neutrino. We present a comprehensive analysis of the available data on the single photon production process $e^+ e^- -> \nu \bar\nu \gamma$ off Z-resonance, and we discuss the constraints that these measurements can set on for the tau neutrino. We also derive limits for the Dirac case, when the presence of a vector charge radius is allowed. Finally, we comment on additional experimental data on $\nu_\mu$ scattering from the NuTeV, E734, CCFR and CHARM-II collaborations, and estimate the limits implied for and for the muon neutrino.Comment: 20 pages, 2 eps figures. CCFR data included in the analysis. Conclusion unchange