Specification of a reactive computation model for OpenMusic

OpenMusic is a domain-specific visual programming language designed for computer-aided music composition. This language based on Common Lisp allows composers to develop functional processes generating or transforming musical data, and to execute them locally by demand-driven evaluations. This transformational declarative paradigm is hard to conciliate with reactive data-flow, an evaluation scheme more adequate to develop interactive systems that can be used during musical performances. In this article we propose to link these two evaluation paradigms in a same and consistent visual programming framework. In this report we establish a denotational semantics of the visual language, which gives account for its demand-driven evaluation mechanism and the incremental construction of programs. We then extend this semantics to enable reactive computations in the functional graphs. The resulting evaluation model merges data-driven executions with the exist- ing demand-driven mechanism. A conservative implementation is proposed. We show that the incremental construction of programs and their data-driven and demand-driven evaluations can be smoothly integrated in the visual programming workflow. This integration allows for the propagation of changes in the programs, and the evaluation of graphically-designed functional expressions as a response to external events, a first step in bridging the gap between computer-assisted composition environments and real-time musical systems. This work has been partially funded by ANR project INEDIT (ANR-12-CORD-0009). The core content of this report will be published in the Journal of Visual Languages and Computing, although we give some additional precisions here that do not appear in the article. The journal version will include a more detailed presentations of the problematic

Fracture propagation in glassy polymers: From nanometer to centimeter

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Joselito® and lowering of LDL-cholesterol concentration, blood pressure, and reduction of coronary heart disease risk: Evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

AbstractFollowing an application from Cárnicas Joselito S.A. pursuant to Article 14 ofRegulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Spain, the Panel onNutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinionon the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to ‘Joselito ham increasesantioxidant substances in the body, reduces blood pressure and plasma triglycerides,decreases oxidative stress and prevents effect in diseases related to the cardiovascularand intestinal systems’. The scope of the application was proposed to fall under ahealth claim referring to disease risk reduction. The food constituent that is thesubject of the health claim is Joselito, an Iberian ham characterised by a high con-tent of oleic acid. The Panel considers that the food is sufficiently characterised.The Panel considers that lowering of LDL-cholesterol concentration and bloodpressure is a beneficial effect by decreasing the risk of coronary heart disease.Upon a request from EFSA, the applicant identified one human intervention studyas being pertinent to the claim. However, due to methodological limitations, thePanel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from this study for the scientificsubstantiation of the claim. The Panel notes that no human intervention studiesfrom which conclusions could be drawn for the scientific substantiation of theclaim were provided by the applicant. The Panel concludes that a cause and effectrelationship has not been established between the intake of Joselito® ham and thereduction of LDL-cholesterol concentration or blood pressure

Green kiwifruit (lat. Actinidia deliciosa var. Hayward) and maintenance of normal defecation: evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following an application from Zespri International Limited, submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Belgium, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to green kiwifruit (lat. Actinidia deliciosa var. Hayward) and maintenance of normal defecation. The scope of the application was proposed to fall under a health claim based on newly developed scientific evidence. The food proposed by the applicant as the subject of the health claim is green kiwifruit. The Panel considers that green kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa var. Hayward) is sufficiently characterised. The claimed effect proposed by the applicant is 'maintenance of normal defecation'. Maintenance of normal defecation is a beneficial physiological effect provided that it does not result in diarrhoea. All human intervention studies submitted had different limitations and could not be used on their own for the scientific substantiation of the claim. However, the results of six pertinent human intervention studies are consistent with respect to an effect of consuming daily between two and four green kiwifruits var. Hayward on an increase in stool frequency. Two out of four studies in which a validated instrument was used to assess stool consistency showed an effect also on stool consistency. There is evidence for a plausible mechanism by which kiwifruit could exert an effect on normal defecation. The consumption of kiwifruit in the studies did not result in diarrhoea. A cause and effect relationship has been established between the consumption of green kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa var. Hayward) and maintenance of normal defecation. The following wordings reflect the scientific evidence: 'consumption of kiwifruit contributes to the maintenance of normal defecation'. In order to obtain the claimed effect, two large green kiwifruits (i.e. around 200 g of kiwi flesh) should be consumed

Scientific advice related to nutrient profiling for the development of harmonised mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labelling and the setting of nutrient profiles for restricting nutrition and health claims on foods

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver scientific advice related to nutrient profiling for the development of harmonised mandatory front‐of‐pack nutrition labelling and the setting of nutrient profiles for restricting nutrition and health claims on foods. This Opinion is based on systematic reviews and meta‐analyses of human studies on nutritionally adequate diets, data from the Global Burden of Disease framework, clinical practice guidelines, previous EFSA opinions and the priorities set by EU Member States in the context of their Food‐Based Dietary Guidelines and associated nutrient/food intake recommendations. Relevant publications were retrieved through comprehensive searches in PubMed. The nutrients included in the assessment are those likely to be consumed in excess or in inadequate amounts in a majority of European countries. Food groups with important roles in European diets have been considered. The Panel concludes that dietary intakes of saturated fatty acids (SFA), sodium and added/free sugars are above, and intakes of dietary fibre and potassium below, current dietary recommendations in a majority of European populations. As excess intakes of SFAs, sodium and added/free sugars and inadequate intakes of dietary fibre and potassium are associated with adverse health effects, they could be included in nutrient profiling models. Energy could be included because a reduction in energy intake is of public health importance for European populations. In food group/category‐based nutrient profiling models, total fat could replace energy in most food groups owing to its high‐energy density, while the energy density of food groups with low or no fat content may be well accounted for by the inclusion of (added/free) sugars. Some nutrients may be included in nutrient profiling models for reasons other than their public health importance, e.g. as a proxy for other nutrients of public health importance, or to allow for a better discrimination of foods within the same food category

‘Citicoline’ and support of the memory function: Evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

AbstractFollowing an application from Egde Pharma Sp. z o.o, submitted for authorisa-tion of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006via the Competent Authority of Poland, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foodsand Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific sub-stantiation of a health claim related to citicoline and memory. The Panel considersthat the food, citicoline (cytidine 5-diphosphocholine, CDP- Choline) inner salt, issufficiently characterised. Improvement, maintenance or reduced loss of memoryis a beneficial physiological effect for middle-aged or elderly adults encounter-ing age-associated subjective memory impairment. The applicant identified threepertinent human intervention studies in healthy individuals that investigated theeffect of citicoline on memory. In weighing the evidence, the Panel took into ac-count that only one randomised controlled trial in healthy participants showed abeneficial effect of citicoline on episodic memory when consumed at doses of 500mg/day for 12 weeks, whereas this effect has not been observed in another studyusing citicoline at doses of 1 g/day for 3 months or supported by data obtainedin patients with dementia using doses of 1 g/day for 12 weeks and 12 months. Noconvincing evidence of a plausible mechanism by which citicoline or any of itscomponents (in addition to their endogenous synthesis) could exert an effect onmemory in humans has been provided. The Panel concludes that a cause-and-effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of citico-line (CDP- Choline) inner salt and improvement, maintenance or reduced loss ofmemory in middle-aged or elderly adults encountering age-associated subjectivememory impairment

Animal dietary exposure in the risk assessment of feed derived from genetically modified plants

EFSA carries out the risk assessment of genetically modified plants for food and feed uses under Regulation (EU) No 503/2013. Exposure assessment – anticipated intake/extend of use shall be an essential element of the risk assessment of genetically modified feeds, as required by Regulation (EU) No 503/2013. Estimates of animal dietary exposure to newly expressed proteins should be determined to cover average consumption across all the different species, age, physiological and productive phases of farmed and companion animals, and identify and consider particular consumer groups with expected higher exposure. This statement is aimed at facilitating the reporting of the information that applicants need to provide on expected animal dietary exposure to newly expressed proteins and to increase harmonisation of the application dossiers to be assessed by the EFSA GMO Panel. Advice is provided on the selection of proper feed consumption and feed concentration data, and on the reporting of exposure’s estimates. An overview of the different uncertainties that may be linked to the estimations is provided. This statement also explains how to access an Excel calculator which should be used in future applications as basis to provide a more consistent presentation of estimates of expected animal dietary exposure

Assessment of genetically modified oilseed rape GT73 for renewal authorisation under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (application EFSA‐GMO‐RX‐002)

Following the submission of application EFSA-GMO-RX-002 under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 from Monsanto Company, the Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms of EFSA (GMO) was asked to deliver a scientific risk assessment on the data submitted in the context of the renewal of authorisation application for the herbicide-tolerant genetically modified oilseed rape GT73. The data received in the context of this renewal application contained post-market environmental monitoring reports, a systematic search and evaluation of literature, updated bioinformatic analyses and additional documents or studies performed by or on behalf of the applicant. The GMO Panel assessed these data for possible new hazards, modified exposure or new scientific uncertainties identified during the authorisation period and not previously assessed in the context of the original application. Under the assumption that the DNA sequence of the event in oilseed rape GT73 considered for renewal of authorisation is identical to the sequence of the originally assessed event, the GMO Panel concludes that there is no evidence in renewal application EFSA-GMO-RX-002 for new hazards, modified exposure or scientific uncertainties that would change the conclusions of the original risk assessment on oilseed rape GT73

Applicability of the EFSA Opinion on site-directed nucleases type 3 for the safety assessment of plants developed using site-directed nucleases type 1 and 2 and oligonucleotide directed mutagenesis

© 2020 European Food Safety Authority.The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) to assess whether section 4 (hazard identification) and the conclusions of EFSA's Scientific opinion on the risk assessment of plants developed using zinc finger nuclease type 3 technique (ZFN‐3) and other site‐directed nucleases (SDN) with similar function are valid for plants developed via SDN‐1, SDN‐2 and oligonucleotide‐directed mutagenesis (ODM). In delivering this Opinion, the GMO Panel compared the hazards associated with plants produced via SDN‐1, SDN‐2 and ODM with those associated with plants obtained via both SDN‐3 and conventional breeding. Unlike for SDN‐3 methods, the application of SDN‐1, SDN‐2 and ODM approaches aims to modify genomic sequences in a way which can result in plants not containing any transgene, intragene or cisgene. Consequently, the GMO Panel concludes that those considerations which are specifically related to the presence of a transgene, intragene or cisgene included in section 4 and the conclusions of the Opinion on SDN‐3 are not relevant to plants obtained via SDN‐1, SDN‐2 or ODM as defined in this Opinion. Overall, the GMO Panel did not identify new hazards specifically linked to the genomic modification produced via SDN‐1, SDN‐2 or ODM as compared with both SDN‐3 and conventional breeding. Furthermore, the GMO Panel considers that the existing Guidance for risk assessment of food and feed from genetically modified plants and the Guidance on the environmental risk assessment of genetically modified plants are sufficient but are only partially applicable to plants generated via SDN‐1, SDN‐2 or ODM. Indeed, those guidance documents’ requirements that are linked to the presence of exogenous DNA are not relevant for the risk assessment of plants developed via SDN‐1, SDN‐2 or ODM approaches if the genome of the final product does not contain exogenous DNA

Scientific Opinion on the energy conversion factor of d‐tagatose for labelling purposes

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutritionand Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver a scienti\ufb01c opinion on the energy conversion factor ofD-tagatose to be used for calculating the energy value of foods to be declared in nutrition labelling.Energy conversion factors for nutrients for the purpose of nutrition labelling have been set based onthe concept of metabolisable energy (ME). The same methodology has been applied to calculate theenergy conversion factor forD-taga tose in this opinion. The assessment is based on a dossier preparedfor Nutrilab NV and submitted by Bioresco Ltd. At present, data are insuf\ufb01cient to derive an accurateME value forD-tagatose. Relying on the human data indicating a mean absorption rate of 80% (range69\u201388%) and a urinary excretion of either 1% or 5%, the corresponding energy values forD-tagatosewould be 2.8 kcal/g (11.8 kJ/g) and 2.96 kcal/g (12.4 kJ/g), respectively. Taking into account that theremaining 20% ofD-tagatose which is not absorbed in the sma ll intestine is fermented in the colonand may deliver at least some energy, e.g. in form of short-chain fatty acids, the Panel concludes thata rounded estimate of the energy conversion factor forD-tagatose based on the available data andcalculated as ME would be 3 kcal/g (12.5 kJ/g). The Panel considers that additional data on theabsorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion ofD-tagatose in humans w ould help in thecalculation of a more accurate energy conversion factor forD-tagatose based on the concept of ME