bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case study in machine learning for predicting moderate pressure plasma behavior
Authors: Hussain Shadhin , Lary David J. , Hara Kentaro , Bera Kallol , Rauf Shahid , Goeckner Matthew
Published: May 2024

Modeling and forecasting the dynamics of complex systems, such as moderate pressure capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) systems, remains a challenge due to the interactions of physical and chemical processes across multiple scales. Historically, optimization for a given application would be accomplished via a design of experiment (DOE) study across the various external control parameters. Machine learning (ML) techniques show the potential to “forecast” process conditions not tested in a traditional DOE study and thereby allow better optimization and control of a plasma tool. In this article, we have used standard DOE as well as ML predictions to analyze I-V data in a moderate-pressure CCP system. We have demonstrated that supervised regression ML techniques can be a useful tool for extrapolating data even when a plasma system is undergoing a transition in the heating mode, in this case from the alpha to gamma mode. Classification analysis of control parameters is another possible application of ML techniques that can be deployed for system control. Here, we show that given a large set of measured data, the models can identify the gas ratio in the feed gas as well as correctly identify the operating pressure and electrode gap in almost all the cases.
Acoustic characteristics of phase-synchronized adjacent propellers
Authors: Turhan Burak , Jawahar Hasan Kamliya , Gautam Abhishek , Syed Shahjahan , Vakil Gaurang , Rezgui Djamel , Azarpeyvand Mahdi
Published: May 2024

This experimental study investigates the effect of blade phase angle on noise attenuation in two adjacent, electronically synchronized propellers. Acoustic measurements were performed in an aeroacoustic wind tunnel with a distributed electric propulsion system that involved the adjustment of relative phase angles of 2-bladed propellers between Δψ = 0° and 90°. Ranges of advance ratios (J = 0–0.73) were investigated at a fixed propeller rotation speed of 5000 rpm. The investigation explored the impact on noise directivity and frequency characteristics. The findings reveal significant reductions in noise directivity and tonal noise at the blade pass frequency (BPF). A relative phase angle of Δψ = 90° demonstrated the maximum noise reduction, with an 8 dB decrease at the first BPF and a 2 dB reduction in overall sound pressure level at J = 0. For in-flow conditions (J > 0), a relative phase angle of Δψ = 90° resulted in significant noise reductions of about 24 dB in the first BPF and 6 dB in overall sound pressure level, compared to Δψ = 0°. These observations offer critical insights into the use of the propeller's relative phase angle as an effective noise control method in the distributed electric propulsion system.
Seven draft genome sequences of
Streptococcus canis
strains, revealing reduced penicillin-G susceptibility
Authors: Kawara Yuya , Goto Mieko , Maeda Takahiro , Yoshida Haruno , Tsuyuki Yuzo , Takahashi Takashi
Published: May 2024

We report seven draft genome sequences of
Streptococcus canis
strains revealing reduced penicillin-G susceptibility. The genomes measured 2.054–2.385 Mbp, with G+C contents of 38.8%–39.6%. Amino acid substitutions in penicillin-binding proteins were characterized as compared with those of NCTC 12191(T) genome sequence (GenBank accession number
NZ_LR134293.1
).
Lack of abundant core virome in
Culex
mosquitoes from a temperate climate region despite a mosquito species-specific virome
Authors: De Coninck Lander , Soto Alina , Wang Lanjiao , De Wolf Katrien , Smitz Nathalie , Deblauwe Isra , Mbigha Donfack Karelle Celes , Müller Ruth , Delang Leen , Matthijnssens Jelle
Published: May 2024

In arthropod-associated microbial communities, insect-specific viruses (ISVs) are prevalent yet understudied due to limited infectivity outside their natural hosts. However, ISVs might play a crucial role in regulating mosquito populations and influencing arthropod-borne virus transmission. Some studies have indicated a core virome in mosquitoes consisting of mostly ISVs. Employing single mosquito metagenomics, we comprehensively profiled the virome of native and invasive mosquito species in Belgium. This approach allowed for accurate host species determination, prevalence assessment of viruses and
Wolbachia
, and the identification of novel viruses. Contrary to our expectations, no abundant core virome was observed in
Culex
mosquitoes from Belgium. In that regard, we caution against rigidly defining mosquito core viromes and encourage nuanced interpretations of other studies. Nonetheless, our study identified 45 viruses of which 28 were novel, enriching our understanding of the mosquito virome and ISVs. We showed that the mosquito virome in this study is species-specific and less dependent on the location where mosquitoes from the same species reside. In addition, because
Wolbachia
has previously been observed to influence arbovirus transmission, we report the prevalence of
Wolbachia
in Belgian mosquitoes and the detection of several
Wolbachia
mobile genetic elements. The observed prevalence ranged from 83% to 92% in members from the
Culex pipiens
complex.

IMPORTANCE

Culex pipiens
mosquitoes are important vectors for arboviruses like West Nile virus and Usutu virus. Virome studies on individual
Culex pipiens
, and on individual mosquitoes in general, have been lacking. To mitigate this, we sequenced the virome of 190 individual
Culex
and 8 individual
Aedes japonicus
mosquitoes. We report the lack of a core virome in these mosquitoes from Belgium and caution the interpretation of other studies in this light. The discovery of new viruses in this study will aid our comprehension of insect-specific viruses and the mosquito virome in general in relation to mosquito physiology and mosquito population dynamics.
Multi-omics strategy reveals potential role of antimicrobial resistance and virulence factor genes responsible for Simmental diarrheic calves caused by
Escherichia coli
Authors: Shi Zhihai , Lan Yali , Wang Yazhou , Yan Xiangzhou , Ma Xiaoya , Hassan Faiz-ul , Rushdi Hossam E. , Xu Zhaoxue , Wang Wenjia , Deng Tingxian
Published: May 2024

Escherichia coli
(
E. coli
) is reported to be an important pathogen associated with calf diarrhea. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factor genes (VFGs) pose a considerable threat to both animal and human health. However, little is known about the characterization of ARGs and VFGs presented in the gut microbiota of diarrheic calves caused by
E. coli
. In this study, we used multi-omics strategy to analyze the ARG and VFG profiles of Simmental calves with diarrhea caused by
E. coli
K99. We found that gut bacterial composition and their microbiome metabolic functions varied greatly in diarrheic calves compared to healthy calves. In total, 175 ARGs were identified, and diarrheal calves showed a significantly higher diversity and abundance of ARGs than healthy calves. Simmental calves with diarrhea showed higher association of VFGs with pili function, curli assembly, and ferrienterobactin transport of
E. coli
. Co-occurrence patterns based on Pearson correlation analysis revealed that
E. coli
had a highly significant (
P
< 0.0001) correlation coefficient (>0.8) with 16 ARGs and 7 VFGs. Metabolomics analysis showed that differentially expressed metabolites in Simmental calves with diarrhea displayed a high correlation with the aforementioned ARGs and VFGs. Phylotype analysis of
E. coli
genomes showed that the predominant phylogroup B1 in diarrheic Simmental calves was associated with 10 ARGs and 3 VFGs. These findings provide an overview of the diversity and abundance of the gut microbiota in diarrheic calves caused by
E. coli
and pave the way for further studies on the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and virulence in the calves affected with diarrhea.

IMPORTANCE

Simmental is a well-recognized beef cattle breed worldwide. They also suffer significant economic losses due to diarrhea. In this study, fecal metagenomic analysis was applied to characterize the antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) and virulence factor gene (VFG) profiles of diarrheic Simmental calves. We identified key ARGs and VFGs correlated with
Escherichia coli
isolated from Simmental calves. Additionally, metabolomics analysis showed that differentially expressed metabolites in Simmental calves with diarrhea displayed a high correlation with the aforementioned ARGs and VFGs. Our findings provide an insight into the diversity and abundance of the gut microbiota in diarrheic calves caused by
Escherichia coli
and pave the way for further studies on the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and virulence in the diarrheal calves from cattle hosts.
Proteomics analysis of PK-15 cells infected with porcine parvovirus and the effect of PCBP1 on PPV replication
Authors: Wang Linqing , Song Yue , Xu Menglong , Zhang Chi , Zhang Limeng , Xia Lu , Wei Zhanyong
Published: May 2024

Porcine parvovirus (PPV) is one of the most important pathogens that cause reproductive failure in pigs. However, the pathogenesis of PPV infection remains unclear. Proteomics is a powerful tool to understand the interaction between virus and host cells. In the present study, we analyzed the proteomics of PPV-infected PK-15 cells. A total of 32 and 345 proteins were differentially expressed at the early and replication stages, respectively. Subsequent gene ontology annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis showed these differentially expressed proteins were significantly enriched in pathways including toll-like receptor signaling pathway, tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, and viral carcinogenesis. The expression of poly (rC) binding protein 1 (PCBP1) was observed to decrease after PPV infection. Overexpressed or silenced PCBP1 expression inhibited or promoted PPV infection. Our studies established a foundation for further exploration of the multiplication mechanism of PPV.

IMPORTANCE

Porcine parvovirus (PPV) is a cause of reproductive failure in the swine industry. Our knowledge of PPV remains limited, and there is no effective treatment for PPV infection. Proteomics of PPV-infected PK-15 cells was conducted to identify differentially expressed proteins at 6 hours post-infection (hpi) and 36 hpi. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis showed that various pathways participate in PPV infection. Poly (rC) binding protein 1 was confirmed to inhibit PPV replication, which provided potential targets for anti-PPV infection. Our findings improve the understanding of PPV infection and pave the way for future research in this area.
Early Oligocene record of an “iceberg alley” in the Weddell Sea from quartz sand microtextural analysis at ODP Site 696
Authors: Hojnacki Victoria , Passchier Sandra
Published: May 2024

The greenhouse to icehouse transition at the Eocene-Oligocene boundary (34 Ma) marked the appearance of continental-scale glaciation in Antarctica. The material recovered from Ocean Drilling Program Site 696 is the only record spanning this major climatic shift in the Weddell Sea region. Using scanning electron microscopy, quartz microtextures in 13 samples across the Eocene-Oligocene transition were analyzed to understand the degree of glacial modification and the transportation history of the >150 µm material. The quartz grains were visually grouped, characterized, and interpreted by grain outline, relief, and surface microtextures. Glacial textures are present throughout the entire interval (34.4–33.2 Ma), with the proportion of iceberg-rafted grains in each sample decreasing into the early Oligocene (33.6 Ma), accompanied by an increase in the frequency of eolian and sea-ice-rafted grains. Mass accumulation rates reveal that the flux of iceberg-rafted debris increased coincident with the flux of eolian and sea-ice-rafted grains following 33.6 Ma, suggesting a strong coupling between land-ice development and high-latitude atmospheric processes. When compared with other Antarctic climate proxy data sets, the intensification of ice rafting at Site 696 occurred after ice-sheet inception in East Antarctica. The prominent influx of terrigenous material after 33.6 Ma points to strengthened glacial conditions accompanied by major changes in the environment of the Weddell Sea region, supporting the idea of a high-latitude role in climate perturbations, in agreement with interpretations of other global proxies.
Erratum to: An Oldest Record of the Shark Cosmopolitodus planus (Lamnidae) from the Lower Miocene of the Sakhalin, Russia
Authors: Malyshkina T. P. , Nazarkin M. V. , Solovyow A. V.
Published: May 2024

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0032945224340010
Relationship of early participation in physical activities to persistent post-concussive symptoms following acute paediatricpediatric concussion
Authors: Zemek Roger , Grool Anne M , Aglipay Mary , Momoli Franco , Meehan William P , Freedman Stephen B , Yeates Keith Owen , Gravel Jocelyn , Gagnon Isabelle , Boutis Kathy , Meeuwisse Willem , Barrowman Nick , Osmondon Martin H ,   on behalf of the Pediatric Emergency Research Canada (PERC) Concussion Team
Published: May 2024

Trial Registration

Clinicaltrials.gov Indentifier:NCT01873287.

Objective

To investigate if early physical activity (7-days post-injury) was associated with lower risk of persistent post-concussive symptoms (PPCS) compared to guideline-recommended conservative rest.

Design

Prospective, multicenter, cohort study.

Setting

Nine tertiary Canadian Paediatric EDs.

Participants

2413 children (61% male) aged 5-18 years with acute concussion (<48 hours) with inclusion/exclusion criteria per Predicting Persistent Post-concussive Problems in Paediatrics (5P) study.

Assessment of risk factors

Participation in physical activities, post-concussive symptoms, and concussion modifiers were assessed using standardised questionnaires at baseline, 7- and 28-days post-injury.

Outcome measures

PPCS (primary outcome) was defined as ≥3 new or worsening symptoms on Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory at 28-days post-enrolment. The relationship between early physical activity and PPCS was examined using regression, 1:1 propensity-matched, and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analyses.

Results

PPCS occurred in 678/2413 (30.1%) participants. Most children (n=1677, 70%) participated in physical activity at one-week of which only n=528 (31%) were symptom-free. Early physical activity was associated with reduced likelihood of PPCS [regression: OR=0.42, (95% CI: 0.35–0.51)]. Early activity remained associated with reduced PPCS risk when matched 1:1 for propensity score [n=1290, OR=0.56, (95% CI: 0.44–0.71)], and using IPTW [n=2235, OR=0.62, (95% CI: 0.51–0.76)]. Sensitivity analyses (replacement of baseline symptoms with one-week symptoms) maintained significant associations [regression: OR=0.42, (95% CI: 0.35–0.51); propensity matching: OR=0.75, (95% CI: 0.60–0.94); and IPTW: OR=0.69, (95% CI: 0.57–0.85)].

Conclusions

Physical activity within 7-days post-injury was associated with lower risk for PPCS in youth recovering from acute concussion. RCTs are urgently needed to confirm these findings and to determine the optimal timing of the initiation of physical activity.

Competing interests

No competing interests to disclose. This study was supported by Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Operating Grant MOP:#126197; CIHR-Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Team Grant TM1:#127047; and CIHR planning grant MRP: #119829.

None.
Diabetes knowledge and care practices among adults in rural Bangladesh: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Fottrell Edward , Ahmed Naveed , Shaha Sanjit Kumar , Jennings Hannah , Kuddus Abdul , Morrison Joanna , Akter Kohenour , Nahar Badrun , Nahar Tasmin , Haghparast-Bidgoli Hassan , Khan A K Azad , Costello Anthony , Azad Kishwar
Published: May 2024

Background

Population knowledge of how to prevent, detect and control diabetes is critical to public health initiatives to tackle the disease. We undertook a cross-sectional survey of adults in rural Bangladesh to estimate knowledge and practices related to diabetes.

Methods

In 96 villages in Faridpur district, trained fieldworkers surveyed 12 140 randomly selected men and women aged ≥30. They collected data on sociodemographic status, knowledge of diabetes and history of blood and urine glucose testing. Fasting and 2-hour post-glucose load capillary blood tests ascertained the diabetic status of respondents. Levels of knowledge and practices were analysed by sociodemographic characteristics and diabetic status.

Results

The population showed low levels of diabetes knowledge overall, with only one in three adults able to report any valid causes of the disease. Knowledge of diabetes causes, symptoms, complications, prevention and control was significantly associated with age, education, wealth and employment. Only 14% of respondents reported ever having had a blood glucose test and strong associations with wealth were observed (least poor relative to most poor 2.91 (2.32–3.66)). 78.4% of known diabetics (ie, with a prior diagnosis) reported that they did not monitor their blood glucose levels on at least a monthly basis. However, they had better knowledge of the causes (odds relative to normoglycaemic individuals 1.62 (1.23–2.09)), symptoms (5.17 (3.41–7.82)), complications (5.18 (3.75–7.14)), prevention (4.18 (3.04–5.74)) and control (8.43 (4.83–14.71)).

Conclusion

Knowledge of diabetes among rural adults in Faridpur is extremely poor. Levels of diabetes testing are low and monitoring of blood glucose among known diabetics infrequent. Diabetes prevention and control efforts in this population must include large-scale awareness initiatives which focus not only on high-risk individuals but the whole population.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN41083256; Pre-results.
Utilisation, out-of-pocket payments and access before and after COVID-19: Thailand’s Universal Health Coverage Scheme
Authors: Damrongplasit Kannika , Melnick Glenn
Published: May 2024

The goal of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is that everyone needing healthcare can access quality services without financial hardship. Recent research covering countries with UHC systems documents the emergence, and acceleration following the COVID-19 pandemic of unapproved informal payment systems by providers that collect under-the-table payments from patients. In 2001, Thailand extended its ‘30 Baht’ government-financed coverage to all uninsured people with little or no cost sharing. In this paper, we update the literature on the performance of Thailand’s Universal Health Coverage Scheme (UCS) with data covering 2019 (pre-COVID-19) through 2021. We find that access to care for Thailand’s UCS-covered population (53 million) is similar to access provided to populations covered by the other major public health insurance schemes covering government and private sector workers, and that, unlike reports from other UHC countries, no evidence that informal side payments have emerged, even in the face of COVID-19 related pressures. However, we do find that nearly one out of eight Thailand’s UCS-covered patients seek care outside the UCS delivery system where they will incur out-of-pocket payments. This finding predates the COVID-19 pandemic and suggests the need for further research into the performance of the UHC-sponsored delivery system.
Cost-utility of COBRA-light versus COBRA therapy in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: the COBRA-light trial
Authors: ter Wee Marieke M , Coupé Veerle MH , den Uyl Debby , Blomjous Birgit S , Kooijmans Esmee , Kerstens Pit JSM , Nurmohamed Mike T , van Schaardenburg Dirkjan , Voskuyl Alexandre E , Boers Maarten , Lems Willem F
Published: May 2024

Objective

To evaluate if COmbinatie therapie Bij Reumatoïde Artritis (COBRA)-light therapy is cost-effective in treating patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with COBRA therapy.

Methods

This economic evaluation was performed next to the open-label, randomised non-inferiority COBRA-light trial in 164 patients with early RA. Non-responders to COBRA or COBRA-light received etanercept (50 mg/week) for 3–6 months. The societal perspective analysis took medical direct, non-medical direct and indirect costs into account. Costs were measured with patient cost diaries for the follow-up period of 52 weeks. Bootstrapping techniques estimated uncertainty around the cost-effectiveness ratios, presented in cost-effectiveness planes.

Results

164 patients were randomised to either COBRA or COBRA-light strategy. At week 52, COBRA-light proved to be non-inferior to COBRA therapy on all clinical outcome measures. The results of the base-case cost-utility analysis (intention-to-treat analyses) revealed that COBRA-light strategy is more expensive (k€9.3 (SD 0.9) compared with COBRA (k€7.2 (SD 0.8)), but the difference in costs were not significant (k€2.0; 95% CI –0.3 to 4.4). Also, both strategies produced similar quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). The sensitivity analyses showed robustness of these results. In a per-protocol sensitivity analysis, in which costs of etanercept were assumed to be provided as prescribed according to protocol, both arms had much higher costs: COBRA-light: k€11.5 (8.3) compared with k€8.5 (6.8) for COBRA, and the difference in costs was significant (k€2.9; 0.6 to 5.3).

Conclusions

In the base-case cost-utility analysis, the two strategies produced similar QALYs for similar costs. But it is anticipated that if protocol had been followed correctly, the COBRA-light strategy would have been more costly due to additional etanercept costs, for a limited health gain. Given the limited added benefit and high costs of starting etanercept in the presence of low disease activity in our trial, such a strategy needs better justification than is available now.

Trial registration number

55552928, Results.
Trends in cigar smoking and perceptions of health risks among Massachusetts adults
Authors: Nyman A L , Taylor T M , Biener L
Published: May 2024

Objective:To track trends in cigar smoking and assess perceptions of cigar related health risks among Massachusetts adults.

Design:A random digit dial telephone survey conducted in 1993 and a subsequent monthly random digit dial survey conducted March 1995 to June 2000.

Participants:4733 adults who completed the 1993 survey and 14 868 adults who completed the monthly survey between 1995 and 2000.

Main outcome measures:Trends in current and experimental cigar use and perceptions of health risks.

Results:Current cigar usage increased significantly among men aged 18–34 years between 1993 (5.8%) and 1997-98 (18.2%), but began to decrease in 1999-2000 (13.5%). Young men were much more likely than older men or women of any age to have experimented with cigars in the year before interview, but this trend appears to have decreased slightly since 1998. Young male cigar smokers were increasingly those who never smoked cigarettes. Former cigarette smokers were not smoking cigars in greater numbers. Cigar smokers were roughly three times as likely as those who do not smoke cigars to believe cigars are a safer alternative to cigarettes, and that perception did not appear to change much over time.

Conclusion:Cigar usage increased dramatically among young men in Massachusetts in conjunction with national increases in sales and marketing of cigars, but now appears to be decreasing.
Smoking behaviours and attitudes among male restaurant workers in Boston's Chinatown: a pilot study
Authors: Averbach A R , Lam D , Lam L-P , Sharfstein J , Cohen B , Koh H
Published: May 2024

Objective:Asian American immigrants experience high rates of cigarette smoking. A community based survey was conducted to understand the smoking behaviours, knowledge, and attitudes of restaurant workers in Boston's Chinatown.

Design:Cross sectional survey in Chinese of a convenience sample of 54 restaurant workers recruited through extensive outreach activities.

Results:All 54 of the workers were male immigrants. 45 (83.3%) reported smoking cigarettes regularly, and the remaining nine were former smokers. 36 of the smokers (80.0%) started smoking before entering the USA. The workers were aware that cigarettes are addictive (98.1%), cause lung cancer (79.6%), and lead to heart disease (64.8%). However, a substantial number reported that smoking was relaxing (75.9%) and enhanced concentration (66.7%). Nearly half believed low tar and low nicotine cigarettes to be safer than standard brands. The vast majority of workers believed that smoking was not socially acceptable for women. Smokers reported they received information on quitting most commonly from friends (60%), newspapers (53.5%), and television (44.4%). The restaurant workers most often saw advertising against smoking in Chinese newspapers (63%).

Conclusion:Despite high rates of smoking, Chinese American restaurant workers were generally aware of the health risks and were interested in quitting. Community based research can set the stage for targeted public health efforts to reduce smoking in immigrant communities.
Adult smoking intervention programmes in Massachusetts: a comprehensive approach with promising results: Figure 1
Authors: Robbins H , Krakow M , Warner D
Published: May 2024

This paper provides a brief overview of the history of Massachusetts' opposition to smoking. It describes the current Massachusetts Tobacco Control Program and its smoking intervention programmes; changes in public opinion, perceptions and attitudes toward smoking; and programme impact. Massachusetts has been successful in developing a comprehensive intervention that has had encouraging results in changing public attitudes about smoking and in helping smokers to quit.
Anti-tobacco advertisements by Massachusetts and Philip Morris: what teenagers think
Authors: Biener L
Published: May 2024

Objective:To assess teenagers' receptivity to anti-tobacco television advertisements produced by public health organisations and by tobacco companies. Reactions were examined as a function of the message type as well as the respondents' demographics and smoking status.

Design:A 1999 telephone survey of teenagers in households identified during a random digit dial survey of adults conducted during the prior four years. Respondents were asked to describe an ad they had seen in the past 30 days, and then to rate its perceived effectiveness.

Participants:Respondents were 733 youth between the ages of 14 and 17 years.

Intervention:The most prominent anti-tobacco advertisements broadcast in Massachusetts during the time covered by the survey consisted of those produced by the Massachusetts Tobacco Control Program and those produced by the Philip Morris tobacco company. The ads described by respondents were grouped into four categories based on their sponsor and their approach.

Main outcome measures:Perceived effectiveness of anti-tobacco advertisements seen during the month before the survey as measured on an 11 point scale.

Results:Ads featuring the serious consequences of smoking were seen as significantly more effective by youth than both Massachusetts ads that did not discuss illness (p < 0.001) and Philip Morris “Think, Don't Smoke” ads (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:Youth prevention programmes should not shy away from anti-tobacco ads that feature the serious consequences of smoking. These types of ads are the ones perceived as most effective by teenagers regardless of their smoking status, age, sex or ethnicity.
Cigarette advertising in magazines: the tobacco industry response to the Master Settlement Agreement and to public pressure
Authors: Hamilton W L , Turner-Bowker D M , Celebucki C C , Connolly G N
Published: May 2024

Objective:The Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) of November 1998 prohibited participating tobacco companies from directly or indirectly targeting youth in marketing. Widely publicised information in May 2000 showed increased cigarette advertising in magazines with substantial youth readership and companies were pressed to change their practices. The responses of the tobacco industry to the MSA and to the public pressure are examined.

Design:Expenditures on cigarette advertisements in national magazines in the USA are compared for three periods: January to November 1998, December 1998 to June 2000, and July 2000 to November 2001. Magazines in which at least 15% of readers are youth under age 18 are focused upon. Regression models test for the significance of period differences after controlling for seasonal and long term patterns.

Data sources:Commercially maintained data on advertising in US magazines and on magazine readership by age.

Key measures:Monthly cigarette ad expenditures in magazines with 15%+ youth readership, and monthly proportion of ad expenditures in 15%+ youth magazines.

Results:Cigarette advertising expenditures in magazines with 15%+ youth readership increased dramatically after MSA implementation and fell dramatically after public pressure. The percentage allocation of expenditures to 15%+ magazines fell significantly in both periods. Results differ somewhat by company.

Conclusions:The tobacco industry response to the MSA was at best modest, reducing proportional allocations of advertising to youth magazines but increasing the absolute amount of such advertising. The value of public pressure was seen in substantial reductions in both absolute and proportional spending on youth magazines, although not by all companies.
Recall of health warnings in smokeless tobacco ads
Authors: Truitt L , Hamilton W L , Johnston P R , Bacani C P , Crawford S O , Hozik L , Celebucki C
Published: May 2024

Objective:To determine the effects of health warning characteristics in smokeless tobacco magazine print ads on warning recall, and the implications for current US Federal regulations.

Design:Subjects examined two distracter ads and one of nine randomly assigned smokeless tobacco ads varying in health warning presence, size (8 to 18 point font), and contrast (low versus high)—including no health warning. They were then interviewed about ad content using recall and recognition questions.

Subjects:A convenience sample of 895 English speaking males aged 16–24 years old who were intercepted at seven shopping malls throughout Massachusetts during May 2000.

Main outcome measures:Proven aided recall, or recall of a health warning and correct recognition of the warning message among distracters, and false recall.

Results:Controlling for covariates such as education, employment/student status, and Hispanic background, proven aided recall increased significantly with font size; doubling size from 10 to 20 point font would increase recall from 63% to 76%. Although not statistically significant, recall was somewhat better for high contrast warnings. Ten per cent of the sample mistakenly recalled the warning where none existed.

Conclusions:As demonstrated by substantially greater recall among ads that included health warnings over ads that had none, health warnings retained their value to consumers despite years of exposure (that can produce false recall). Larger health warnings would enhance recall, and the proposed model can be used to estimate potential recall that affects communication, perceived health risk, and behaviour modification.
Eclipse: does it live up to its health claims?
Authors: Slade J , Connolly G N , Lymperis D
Published: May 2024

Objective:To examine the plausibility of health claims for Eclipse, a novel smoking article being marketed by the RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJR) as potentially reducing the risk of cancer and other diseases compared to conventional cigarettes.

Data sources:A company product website (www.eclipse.rjrt.com) summarising scientific studies of various versions of Eclipse, and the published review of these studies by an expert panel convened by RJR, an independent study comparing the smoke yields of major carcinogens from Eclipse and two low yield “ultralight” brands (Now and Carlton), and an analysis of the levels of these compounds in Eclipse and Premier (its predecessor) over time.

Analysis:The overall doses and effects of toxins in the aerosol from Eclipse are smaller than those from most conventional cigarettes on a per mg basis. However, two tests that compared Eclipse on a per cigarette basis revealed that Eclipse was as or more toxic than an ultralight cigarette. Studies show that consumers smoke Eclipse (like they do cigarettes) at puff volumes and puff frequencies far higher than those used for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) test. RJR's test results, which are based on aerosols generated under FTC conditions, may not reflect actual human dosing, since the operating temperature of Eclipse is highly dependent on these puffing parameters. Even under FTC/International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard measures, Eclipse smoke carcinogen yields were higher than Now, but similar to Carlton. The yields of carcinogens from Premier and different versions of Eclipse have increased over time. Furthermore, the human studies reviewed by the RJR expert panel do not offer compelling evidence of reduced harm, as they have not been conducted in smokers who have adopted Eclipse.

Conclusion:There is as yet unsatisfactory evidence that Eclipse is less harmful than conventional cigarettes. Eclipse appears to be at least as toxic as some commercially available cigarette brands. Consumers may be misled by RJR's health claims into believing that Eclipse is a safer alternative to conventional cigarettes, underscoring the need for regulatory intervention.
Trends in prevalence of current smoking, Massachusetts and states without tobacco control programmes, 1990 to 1999
Authors: Weintraub J M , Hamilton W L
Published: May 2024

Objective:To assess the effect of a comprehensive tobacco control programme initiated in Massachusetts in 1993, and to compare the 1990 to 1999 trend in smoking prevalence to that in 41 states without tobacco control programmes, controlling for demographic shifts over time.

Design:Data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System for the years 1990 to 1999 were used to examine changes and trends in prevalence of smoking using multivariate logistic regression models.

Main outcome measures:Trend in prevalence of current smoking for the years 1990 to 1999.

Results:In 1990, the prevalence of current smoking in Massachusetts was 23.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) 21.0% to 26.1%), and 24.2% in the rest of the USA (95% CI 23.7% to 24.7%). By 1999, the prevalence had declined in Massachusetts to 19.4%, and to 23.3% in 41 other US states. Controlling for sex, age, race, and education, there was a greater decline in current smoking between 1990 and 1999 among Massachusetts men than among Massachusetts women, and the decline was greater in Massachusetts than in the rest of the USA for men and for both sexes combined.

Conclusions:These results suggest that the Massachusetts Tobacco Control Program is having a beneficial impact, but suggest a need for additional targeted efforts to achieve similar declines among Massachusetts women.
Quantifying reinforcement of forested (Cunninghamia lanceolata) slopes with different gradients based on in-situ pullout experiments
Authors: Hu Bingli , Su Lijun , Bao Yiding , Xie Qijun
Published: May 2024

Tree roots play a crucial role in hillslope stability, but quantifying their reinforcement remains challenging. This study aims to quantify the root reinforcement provided by Cunninghamia lanceolata across varying slope gradients based on in-situ pullout experiments. A total of 120 soil profiles were excavated to map root distribution across four slope gradients. Subsequently, 304 in-situ pullout experiments were conducted encompassing root diameters ranging from 1 to 8 mm. The Root Bundle Model Weibull was calibrated and coupled with root distribution data to quantify reinforcement contributions from a single tree to stands. It was found slope gradient significantly influences root distribution, with steeper slopes harboring coarser and more widely distributed roots. In-situ experiments revealed substantial variability in pullout stiffness and peak displacement for roots of the same diameter, with thicker roots exhibiting higher stiffness and greater displacement. Calculations indicate that root reinforcement exhibits an exponential decline with increasing distance from the stem but shows a marked positive association with slope gradient due to the influence on root distribution. Statistical analysis reveals that the area experiencing root reinforcement exceeding 10 kPa on a 40° slope is roughly double that of 0° and 20° stands.
An upper-bound solution for ground collapse induced by shallow rectangular cavity in unsaturated soils
Authors: Li Xiaojiao , Chen Rui , Huang Liping , Pu Bo , Tai Pei
Published: May 2024

Ground collapse occurs frequently due to the roof or roof–sides breakdown of shallow cavities, but analytical solutions considering both types of failures remains a challenge and without incorporating the unsaturated characteristics of shallow soils. This study presents an analytical solution for the collapse of shallow rectangular cavities in unsaturated soils. Proposing a critical cover depth to differentiate deep and shallow cavities. Results show that the collapse type (roof or roof–sides) in shallow cavities depends on the width at collapse. It varies significantly with matric suction, displaying two patterns: increasing and stabilizing, or increasing, decreasing, and stabilizing. The variation trend of width at collapse with matric suction aligns with that of apparent cohesion, with a peak near the air-entry value when the fitting parameter n is relatively large (such as n = 3 or 4). The air-entry value influences the magnitude rather than the shape of the variation curves. Additionally, shallow cavities with small cover depths tend toward roof failure, while those with large cover depths, especially with significant height, are more prone to roof–sides failure. Increasing surface surcharge can reduce collapse width, shifting towards roof–sides failure, especially with low cohesion or internal friction angle.
A simulation-guided “swapping” protocol for NMR titrations to study protein–protein interactions
Authors: Dcosta Nicole , Black Megan , Huang Rui
Published: May 2024

Solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a powerful technique for characterizing protein–protein interactions. NMR-monitored titration proves to be effective in determining dissociation constants, particularly for Kd values in the micromolar to millimolar range. In conventional NMR titrations, planning for optimal titration conditions requires a prior estimate of Kd. In addition, a highly concentrated ligand stock solution is often required, posing challenges when the ligand exhibits limited solubility and stability at elevated concentrations. To overcome these constraints, we propose a simulation-guided “swapping” protocol for NMR titrations. Guided by simulations of the binding curves, two samples, one with zero and the other with maximum ligand concentration, but both containing identical protein concentrations, initiate the titration. Using a “swapping” strategy, intermediate ligand concentrations in between those of the two initial samples are generated without the need of a concentrated ligand stock, while maintaining constant protein concentration. More importantly, this protocol facilitates estimation of Kd by early titration points and allows on-the-fly optimization of the titration points. The proposed approach enhances the efficiency of NMR titrations and provides a straightforward means to optimize the experimental conditions for the titrations.
Photons and nuclear structure
Authors: Pietralla Norbert
Published: May 2024

Beams of photons with energies ranging from a few hundred keV to a few tens of MeV have proven to be very usefull tools for studying a variety of nuclear structures and their properties. The peculiar features of photons allow for unique insights and precision. This contribution provides a collection of nuclear structure phenomena that are well accessible with photon beams and instructional examples for seminal experiments that have advanced nuclear structure research in the past using photons in the entrance channel. It is meant to complement the contents of other contributions highlighting the scientific and technological potential of the emerging field of Nuclear Photonics.
Logarithmic moments of B-meson quasidistribution amplitude
Authors: Hu Shu-Man , Xu Ji , Zhao Shuai
Published: May 2024

It was demonstrated that the lattice simulation of B-meson light-cone distribution amplitude (LCDA) is feasible via the quasi-distribution amplitude (quasi-DA) in large momentum effective theory (LaMET). The structures of logarithmic moments (LMs) of B-meson quasi-DA are explored in this work. The one-loop results indicate mixing in the matching: the n-th LM would be not only factorized into the n-th LM of LCDA, but also other moments with different power, accompanied by short distance coefficients. These results supply the understanding of the matching in LaMET and may provide guidance to the lattice study of LMs or other parameters of B-meson LCDA.
The instability of the inner horizon of the quantum-corrected black hole
Authors: Cao Li-Ming , Li Long-Yue , Wu Liang-Bi , Zhou Yu-Sen
Published: May 2024

We analyse the stability of the inner horizon of the quantum-corrected black hole which is proposed in loop quantum gravity as the exterior of the quantum Oppenheimer–Snyder and Swiss Cheese models. It is shown that the flux and energy density of a test scalar field measured by free-falling observers are both divergent near the Cauchy horizon. By considering the generalized Dray–’t Hooft–Redmond relation which is independent of the field equation, we find that the mass inflation always happens and the scalar curvature and Kretschmann scalar are also divergent on the inner horizon. These suggest that the inner horizon is unstable and will probably turn into a null singularity.The results support the strong cosmic censorship hypothesis.However, this also implies that the quantum corrected model may not be the definitive endpoint as a regular black hole.Besides, it further proposes that it may be challenging to observe the astronomical phenomenon which depends on the existence of the inner horizon of the black hole
Precambrian geological history of the Tarim Craton (NW China) involving the assembly and fragmentation of the Columbia and Rodinia supercontinents: review and synthesis
Authors: Qiu Duwei , Dilek Yildirim , Wu Hongxiang , Huang Shaoying , Sun Dahai , Luo Caiming , Duan Yunjiang , Yuan Wenfang , Chen Hanlin , Zhang Fengqi
Published: May 2024

The Tarim Craton (NW China) is a significant archive of the tectonic events that occurred during the assembly and break-up of the Precambrian supercontinents Columbia and Rodinia. It provides a comprehensive record of crustal development during the Proterozoic. We review and synthesize the magmatic, metamorphic and stratigraphic records of the Precambrian Tarim Craton and delineate the geochronology of significant geological events that led to the formation of this major cratonic block. The extant geophysical and geological data show that the Tarim Craton consists mainly of the South and North Tarim blocks. The record of late Paleoproterozoic tectonothermal events is displayed well in and across the craton, involving the amalgamation of these two blocks to form its unified crystalline basement during the build-up of Columbia. However, the record of mid-Neoproterozoic events during the assembly of Rodinia is only exposed around its periphery. The Proterozoic record of the craton includes Mesoproterozoic–early Neoproterozoic low-grade metamorphic rock units and a late Neoproterozoic sedimentary cover. The early Mesoproterozoic stratigraphy in the SW, NE and SE of the Tarim Basin suggests a period of tectonic stability following the amalgamation of the North and South Tarim blocks in the late Paleoproterozoic, indicating the completion of its cratonic build-up.
Conjunctive Queries with Negation and Aggregation: A Linear Time Characterization
Authors: Zhao Hangdong , Fan Austen Z. , Ouyang Xiating , Koutris Paraschos
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we study the complexity of evaluating Conjunctive Queries with negation (\cqneg). First, we present an algorithm with linear preprocessing time and constant delay enumeration for a class of CQs with negation called free-connex signed-acyclic queries. We show that no other queries admit such an algorithm subject to lower-bound conjectures. Second, we extend our algorithm to Conjunctive Queries with negation and aggregation over a general semiring, which we call Functional Aggregate Queries with negation (\faqneg). Such an algorithm achieves constant delay enumeration for the same class of queries but with a slightly increased preprocessing time, which includes an inverse Ackermann function. We show that this surprising appearance of the Ackermmann function is probably unavoidable for general semirings but can be removed when the semiring has a specific structure. Finally, we show an application of our results to computing the difference of CQs.
Enumeration for MSO-Queries on Compressed Trees
Authors: Lohrey Markus , Schmid Markus L.
Published: May 2024

We present a linear preprocessing and output-linear delay enumeration algorithm for MSO-queries over trees that are compressed in the well-established grammar-based framework. Time bounds are measured with respect to the size of the compressed representation of the tree. Our result extends previous work on the enumeration of MSO-queries over uncompressed trees and on the enumeration of document spanners over compressed text documents.
On Reporting Durable Patterns in Temporal Proximity Graphs
Authors: Agarwal Pankaj K. , Hu Xiao , Sintos Stavros , Yang Jun
Published: May 2024

Finding patterns in graphs is a fundamental problem in databases and data mining. In many applications, graphs are temporal and evolve over time, so we are interested in finding durable patterns, such as triangles and paths, which persist over a long time. While there has been work on finding durable simple patterns, existing algorithms do not have provable guarantees and run in strictly super-linear time. The paper leverages the observation that many graphs arising in practice are naturally proximity graphs or can be approximated as such, where nodes are embedded as points in some high-dimensional space, and two nodes are connected by an edge if they are close to each other. We work with an implicit representation of the proximity graph, where nodes are additionally annotated by time intervals, and design near-linear-time algorithms for finding (approximately) durable patterns above a given durability threshold. We also consider an interactive setting where a client experiments with different durability thresholds in a sequence of queries; we show how to compute incremental changes to result patterns efficiently in time near-linear to the size of the changes.
On Density-based Local Community Search
Authors: Dai Yizhou , Qiao Miao , Li Rong-Hua
Published: May 2024

Local community search (LCS) finds a community in a given graph G local to a set R of seed nodes by optimizing an objective function. The objective function f(S) for an induced subgraph S encodes the set inclusion criteria of R to a classic community measurement of S such as the conductance and the density. An ideal algorithm for optimizing f(S) is strongly local, that is, the complexity is dependent on R as opposed to G. This paper formulates a general form of objective functions for LCS using configurations and then focuses on a set C of density-based configurations, each corresponding to a density-based LCS objective function. The paper has two main results. i) A constructive classification of C: a configuration in C has a strongly local algorithm for optimizing its corresponding objective function if and only if it is in C
L
⊆ C. ii) A linear programming-based general solution for density-based LCS that is strongly local and practically efficient. This solution is different from the existing strongly local LCS algorithms, which are all based on flow networks.