bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Forced Selling,” Domesticity, and the Diffusion of Washing Machines in Interwar America
Authors: Scott Peter
Published: August 2019

This article explores the reasons behind the relatively slow diffusion of washing machines in interwar America and the rise and decline of a distinctive marketing strategy employed to accelerate diffusion: door-to-door sales. Washers represented a particularly difficult selling challenge, as many white-collar households (and, in the South, most white families) had already outsourced some, or all, of their washing, to a laundress or a commercial laundry. Consumer resistance to machine washing was particularly strong in the South, reflecting both the greater availability and lower cost of black domestic servants, together with attitudes, inherited from the slavery era, that clothes washing was beneath the dignity of white women. During the 1920s, washers were mainly sold door-to-door, by salesmen who focused primarily on the large number of blue-collar families who relied on manual home washing. The Depression witnessed a change in the washer market, with a greater emphasis on over-the-counter selling and price competition. Yet diffusion remained relatively slow, as the sector failed to provide a machine that would give housewives what they wanted—a means of doing their laundry within the privacy of the family unit, without significant inputs of either effort or time.
“Sex Prejudice” and Professional Identity: Women Doctors and Their Patients in Britain’s Interwar VD Service
Authors: Hanley Anne
Published: August 2019

The 1920s witnessed a radical approach to sexual health in Britain, and women doctors quickly capitalized on the opportunities offered by the new VD Service. Because venereology was considered low status, it was among the few interwar specialties that offered footholds to women. In view of the long-standing aversion to female engagement with subjects like venereal disease, the large numbers of women doctors entering the VD Service seems puzzling. But as this article reveals, their clinical work was facilitated by rapid shifts in social and medical attitudes toward the treatment of venereal disease as well as the role of women in public life. By exploring how these women navigated the shifting terrain of interwar public health, it deconstructs the notion that venereology was principally a male sphere of clinical practice and research. Moreover, it presents an important counterpoint to the narrative of women’s bodies subordinated to male medical authority. Although the individual lives of these women remain frustratingly elusive, a prosopographical study of their careers allows us to chart their professional networks and clinical activities. We can see how they appropriated prevailing moral codes and styled themselves as guardians of the nation’s health. At its heart, this article demonstrates how women established identities within a profession that remained inherently masculine. Moreover, it opens up new perspectives on the provision of care and the gendered politics of sexual health in a period of profound economic and social change.
“Taking in the Broad Spectrum”: Human Rights and Anti-Politics in the Chile Solidarity Campaign (UK) of the 1970s
Authors: Bowen Alyssa
Published: August 2019

Chile’s 1973 military coup has often been cited as a watershed moment in the history of contemporary human rights. To be sure, the overthrow of democratically elected socialist President Salvador Allende and the brutality of Pinochet’s new military junta inspired wide international outrage, much of which came to be articulated in the language of human rights. Yet international opposition to Pinochet did not begin predominantly as a human rights movement. In examining the Chile Solidarity Campaign (CSC) in the United Kingdom, this article suggests that the Chile solidarity movement’s eventual embrace of human rights talk was due in part to the left’s turn to “anti-politics.” The CSC sought to “take in the broad spectrum” of political opinion in its campaign because such a tactic fit the organization’s goal of isolating the junta internationally, avoided the threat of division among the Chilean and British left, emulated the success of such broad fronts in other European Chile solidarity organizations, and abided by the tactical direction of much of the Chilean left in exile. The ostensibly “anti-political” language of human rights promoted organizational unity and also allowed the CSC to skirt accusations of political bias. However, the rejection of overt political considerations had longer-term implications. As Chilean Christian Democrats (PDC) altered the face of opposition to Pinochet in the late 1970s, the CSC and other international allies increasingly supported the more moderate line promoted by the PDC leadership.
Population, Territory, and State-istics: “Habitual Residence” in the Belgian Census, 1846–1947
Authors: Louckx Kaat
Published: August 2019

In the eighteenth century, statistics was designed and understood as state-istics, as a scientific representation of the state, its territory, and its population. Statistics helped modern nation-states to “embrace” the social lives of the people contained in them; it served these nation-states to monitor the condition, to promote the welfare, and to protect the rights of their people. The history of statistics can therefore be analyzed to shed light on the politics of membership in modern states. In this article, I present a case study that focuses on the various specifications of the notion of habitual residence in the Belgian population censuses, from the middle of the nineteenth century—the first Belgian censuses organized by the homo statisticus Adolphe Quetelet—up until the middle of the twentieth century, when the welfare state more actively took “responsibility for its population.” My analyses show how the classification schemes of the Belgian population censuses elucidate underlying politics of membership and belonging. The use and development of the notion of habitual residence displays the ways in which the state (re-)articulated its expectations regarding society membership. It is not only indicative of new ways of managing the population but also of the establishment of specific norms and evaluative standards about the individuals who are living within the boundaries of the nation-state.
Ionizing the intergalactic medium by star clusters: the first empirical evidence
Authors: Vanzella E , Caminha G B , Calura F , Cupani G , Meneghetti M , Castellano M , Rosati P , Mercurio A , Sani E , Grillo C , Gilli R , Mignoli M , Comastri A , Nonino M , Cristiani S , Giavalisco M , Caputi K
Published: August 2019

We present a VLT/X-Shooter spectroscopy of the Lyman continuum (LyC) emitting galaxy Ion2 at z = 3.2121 and compare it to that of the recently discovered strongly lensed LyC emitter at z = 2.37, known as the Sunburst arc. Three main results emerge from the X-Shooter spectrum: (a) the Ly α has three distinct peaks with the central one at the systemic redshift, indicating a ionized tunnel through which both Ly α and LyC radiation escape; (b) the large O32 oxygen index ([O iii] λλ4959, 5007/[O ii] λλ3727, 3729) of $9.18_{-1.32}^{+1.82}$ is compatible to those measured in local (z ∼0.4) LyC leakers; (c) there are narrow nebular high-ionization metal lines with σv < 20 km s−1, which confirms the presence of young hot, massive stars. The He iiλ1640 appears broad, consistent with a young stellar component including Wolf–Rayet stars. Similarly, the Sunburst LyC emitter shows a triple-peaked Ly α profile and from VLT/MUSE spectroscopy the presence of spectral features arising from young hot and massive stars. The strong lensing magnification, (μ > 20), suggests that this exceptional object is a gravitationally bound star cluster observed at a cosmological distance, with a stellar mass M ≲ 107 M⊙ and an effective radius smaller than 20 pc. Intriguingly, sources like Sunburst but without lensing magnification might appear as Ion2-like galaxies, in which unresolved massive star clusters dominate the ultraviolet emission. This work supports the idea that dense young star clusters can contribute to the ionization of the IGM through holes created by stellar feedback.
A novel scheme for Dark Matter Annihilation Feedback in cosmological simulations
Authors: List Florian , Iwanus Nikolas , Elahi Pascal J , Lewis Geraint F
Published: August 2019

We present a new self-consistent method for incorporating Dark Matter Annihilation Feedback (DMAF) in cosmological N-body simulations. The power generated by DMAF is evaluated at each dark matter (DM) particle which allows for flexible energy injection into the surrounding gas based on the specific DM annihilation model under consideration. Adaptive, individual time-steps for gas and DM particles are supported and a new time-step limiter, derived from the propagation of a Sedov–Taylor blast wave, is introduced. We compare this donor-based approach with a receiver-based approach used in recent studies and illustrate the differences by means of a toy example. Furthermore, we consider an isolated halo and a cosmological simulation and show that for these realistic cases, both methods agree well with each other. The extension of our implementation to scenarios such as non-local energy injection, velocity-dependent annihilation cross-sections, and DM decay is straightforward.
Evaluating the evidence of multipolar surface magnetic field in PSR J0108–1431
Authors: Arumugasamy Prakash , Mitra Dipanjan
Published: August 2019

PSR J0108–1431 is an old pulsar where the X-ray emission is expected to have a thermal component from the polar cap and a non-thermal component from the magnetosphere. Although the phase-integrated spectra are fit best with a single non-thermal component modelled with a power law (PL) of photon index Γ = 2.9, the X-ray pulse profiles do show the presence of phase-separated thermal and non-thermal components. The spectrum extracted from half the rotational phase away from the X-ray peak fits well with either a single blackbody (BB) or a neutron star atmosphere (NA) model, whereas the spectrum from the rest of the phase range is dominated by a PL. From Bayesian analysis, the estimated BB area is smaller than the expected polar cap area for a dipolar magnetic field with a probability of 86 per cent, whereas the area estimate from the NA model is larger with a probability of 80 per cent. Due to the ambiguity in the thermal emission model, the polar cap area cannot be reliably estimated and hence cannot be used to understand the nature of the surface magnetic field. Instead, we can infer the presence of multipolar magnetic field from the misalignment between the pulsar’s thermal X-ray peak and the radio emission peak. For J0108–1431, we estimated a phase-offset Δϕ > 0.1 between the thermal polar cap emission peak and the radio emission peak and argue that this is best explained by the presence of a multipolar surface magnetic field.
Universe opacity and Type Ia supernova dimming
Authors: Vavryčuk Václav
Published: August 2019

In this paper, I revoke a debate about an origin of Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) dimming. I argue that except for a commonly accepted accelerating expansion of the Universe, a conceivable alternative for explaining this observation is universe opacity caused by light extinction by intergalactic dust, even though it is commonly assumed that this effect is negligible. Using data of the Union2.1 SN Ia compilation, I find that the standard Λ cold dark matter (ΛCDM) model and the opaque universe model fit the SN Ia measurements at redshifts z < 1.4 comparably well. The optimum solution for the opaque universe model is characterized by the B-band intergalactic opacity $\lambda _{B} = 0.10 \pm 0.03 \, \mathrm{Gpc}^{-1}$ and the Hubble constant $H_0 = 68.0 \pm 2.5 \, \mathrm{km\, s^{-1}\, Mpc^{-1}}$. The intergalactic opacity is higher than that obtained from independent observations but still within acceptable limits. This result emphasizes that the issue of the accelerating expansion of the Universe as the origin of the SN Ia dimming is not yet definitely resolved. Obviously, the opaque universe model as an alternative to the ΛCDM model is attractive, because it avoids puzzles and controversies associated with dark energy and the accelerating expansion.
Aegialomys galapagoensis (Rodentia: Cricetidae)
Authors: Prado Joyce R , Percequillo Alexandre R
Published: August 2019

Aegialomys galapagoensis (Waterhouse, 1839) is a sigmodontine rodent commonly called the Galapagos rice rat. It is a medium-sized rodent, characterized by dense, soft, yellow or copper, weakly grizzled pelage; the dorsum is grayish or brownish and the ventral pelage is pale. It is endemic to the open habitats of the Galapagos Archipelago, occurring on three islands, Santa Fé Island (Barrington Island), San Cristóbal Island (Chatham Island), and Santiago Island (James Island). Restricted populations are considered a major threat to A. galapagoensis conservation throughout most of its range, as well as competition with Rattus rattus. A. galapagoensis is listed as “Vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, and is listed as “Critically Endangered” on the Ecuador National list.
BioSeq-Analysis2.0: an updated platform for analyzing DNA, RNA and protein sequences at sequence level and residue level based on machine learning approaches
Authors: Liu Bin , Gao Xin , Zhang Hanyu
Published: August 2019

As the first web server to analyze various biological sequences at sequence level based on machine learning approaches, many powerful predictors in the field of computational biology have been developed with the assistance of the BioSeq-Analysis. However, the BioSeq-Analysis can be only applied to the sequence-level analysis tasks, preventing its applications to the residue-level analysis tasks, and an intelligent tool that is able to automatically generate various predictors for biological sequence analysis at both residue level and sequence level is highly desired. In this regard, we decided to publish an important updated server covering a total of 26 features at the residue level and 90 features at the sequence level called BioSeq-Analysis2.0 (http://bliulab.net/BioSeq-Analysis2.0/), by which the users only need to upload the benchmark dataset, and the BioSeq-Analysis2.0 can generate the predictors for both residue-level analysis and sequence-level analysis tasks. Furthermore, the corresponding stand-alone tool was also provided, which can be downloaded from http://bliulab.net/BioSeq-Analysis2.0/download/. To the best of our knowledge, the BioSeq-Analysis2.0 is the first tool for generating predictors for biological sequence analysis tasks at residue level. Specifically, the experimental results indicated that the predictors developed by BioSeq-Analysis2.0 can achieve comparable or even better performance than the existing state-of-the-art predictors.
The Role of Compensation in Nicotine Reduction
Authors: Benowitz Neal L , Donny Eric C , Edwards Kathryn C , Hatsukami Dorothy K , Smith Tracy T
Published: August 2019

The available research on switching from normal nicotine to very low nicotine content cigarettes shows minimal evidence of compensatory smoking. Mathematical estimations suggest that substantial compensation after switching to very low nicotine cigarettes would be impossible. It is likely that smokers who are unable to tolerate the extent of proposed nicotine reduction would switch to other sources of nicotine, rather than try to compensate by smoking more very low nicotine content cigarettes more intensely.
Effects of Cigarette Nicotine Content and Menthol Preference on Perceived Health Risks, Subjective Ratings, and Carbon Monoxide Exposure Among Adolescent Smokers
Authors: Denlinger-Apte Rachel L , Cassidy Rachel N , Colby Suzanne M , Sokolovsky Alexander W , Tidey Jennifer W
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Minimal research exists on adolescent smokers’ perceptions of very low-nicotine-content (VLNC) cigarettes. As approximately half of adolescent smokers prefer menthol cigarettes, it is important to consider the influence of menthol preference on VLNC cigarette perceptions and to what extent menthol preference may affect VLNC smoking behavior. This study examined the effects of cigarette nicotine content and menthol preference or menthol smoking on health risk perceptions, subjective ratings, and carbon monoxide (CO) boost in adolescent smokers.

Methods

Across two counterbalanced sessions, adolescent smokers sampled VLNC and normal nicotine content (NNC) research cigarettes following overnight abstinence. Cigarettes were mentholated or non-mentholated consistent with participants’ usual brand. In each session, participants smoked the research cigarette and then completed the Perceived Health Risk Scale and Cigarette Evaluation Scale. Breath CO readings were obtained pre- and post-smoking. Mixed-factor ANOVA tests compared outcomes with cigarette type (VLNC vs. NNC) as the within-subjects factor and menthol preference as the between-subjects factor.

Results

Participants (N = 50) were M = 17.7 years old, smoked M = 8.2 cigarettes/day, and 56% typically smoked menthol cigarettes. Participants reported lower risk of developing lung cancer, other cancers, emphysema, bronchitis, and heart disease (ps ≤ .05) when smoking VLNC cigarettes relative to NNC cigarettes. Perceived risk of addiction and stroke did not differ by nicotine content. Menthol preference or menthol smoking did not moderate risk perceptions, subjective ratings, or CO boost.

Conclusions

Adolescents may incorrectly perceive that VLNC cigarettes are less harmful products. Health communication campaigns could help to correct VLNC misperceptions and potentially minimize unintended consequences of a nicotine reduction policy.
Biochemical Verification of Tobacco Use and Abstinence: 2019 Update
Authors: Benowitz Neal L , Bernert John T , Foulds Jonathan , Hecht Stephen S , Jacob Peyton , Jarvis Martin J , Joseph Anne , Oncken Cheryl , Piper Megan E
Published: August 2019

Background

The changing prevalence and patterns of tobacco use, the advent of novel nicotine delivery devices, and the development of new biomarkers prompted an update of the 2002 Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT) report on whether and how to apply biomarker verification for tobacco use and abstinence.

Methods

The SRNT Treatment Research Network convened a group of investigators with expertise in tobacco biomarkers to update the recommendations of the 2002 SNRT Biochemical Verification Report.

Results

Biochemical verification of tobacco use and abstinence increases scientific rigor and is recommended in clinical trials of smoking cessation, when feasible. Sources, appropriate biospecimens, cutpoints, time of detection windows and analytic methods for carbon monoxide, cotinine (including over the counter tests), total nicotine equivalents, minor tobacco alkaloids, and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol are reviewed, as well as biochemical approaches to distinguishing cigarette smoking from use of electronic nicotine delivery devices (ENDS).

Conclusions

Recommendations are provided for whether and how to use biochemical verification of tobacco use and abstinence. Guidelines are provided on which biomarkers to use, which biospecimens to use, optimal cutpoints, time windows to detection, and methodology for biochemical verifications. Use of combinations of biomarkers is recommended for assessment of ENDS use.

Implications

Biochemical verification increases scientific rigor, but there are drawbacks that need to be assessed to determine whether the benefits of biochemical verification outweigh the costs, including the cost of the assays, the feasibility of sample collection, the ability to draw clear conclusions based on the duration of abstinence, and the variability of the assay within the study population. This paper provides updated recommendations from the 2002 SRNT report on whether and how to use biochemical markers in determining tobacco use and abstinence.
Research on Behavioral Discrimination of Nicotine May Inform FDA Policy on Setting a Maximum Nicotine Content in Cigarettes
Authors: Perkins Kenneth A
Published: August 2019

Introduction

The Food and Drug Administration may set a maximum nicotine content in cigarettes to minimize smoking’s addictiveness. Our recent research may indirectly support setting levels applicable to the population of dependent smokers below 1 mg/g (mg nicotine/g of tobacco filler).

Methods

Using a within-subjects design in laboratory-based studies totaling 61 nontreatment seeking adult dependent smokers, Spectrum research cigarettes with nicotine contents ranging from 1.3 to 17 mg/g (just one per session) were compared with the lowest content available, 0.4 mg/g. Identified for each participant was the smallest difference in nicotine content, or “threshold,” between cigarettes that still supported behavioral discrimination (ie, ability to objectively distinguish their difference). The next lower nicotine content cigarette, not discriminated (by definition), was labeled their “subthreshold.” Subjective perceptions and choice behavior were also assessed.

Results

Thresholds varied widely among all 61 smokers but, importantly, fewer than 7% of smokers could discriminate the two lowest, 1.3 versus 0.4 mg/g nicotine, meaning more than 90% could not do so. Moreover, we found a consistent association between their nicotine discrimination threshold and their subjective perceptions and subsequent reinforcement behavior later in the session. Specifically, a participant’s discrimination threshold cigarette was also more highly rated and preferred (ie, self-administered), whereas their subthreshold cigarette was rated similarly to the 0.4 mg/g and not preferred.

Conclusions

Cigarette nicotine content below the threshold for perceiving nicotine’s effects (ie, its discriminability) in nearly all smokers from a no nicotine comparison is likely below 1.0 mg/g, or less than or equal to 10% of that in typical commercial cigarettes.

Implications

Cigarettes with nicotine contents able to be discriminated (threshold) are also reinforcing, and those unable to be discriminated are not reinforcing, as anticipated. Yet, research explicitly comparing cigarettes with contents below 1.0 mg/g versus no nicotine (ie, a “placebo”) is needed with larger samples. Results may confirm what nicotine content lower than 1.0 mg/g is below the threshold for discrimination (and self-administration) in the vast majority (>95%) of adult dependent smokers as well as teens beginning to smoke. Identifying that content would strongly support the Food and Drug Administration policy to establish a maximum nicotine content in cigarettes that will not maintain dependence.
Potential Moderating Effects of Psychiatric Diagnosis and Symptom Severity on Subjective and Behavioral Responses to Reduced Nicotine Content Cigarettes
Authors: Gaalema Diann E , Tidey Jennifer W , Davis Danielle R , Sigmon Stacey C , Heil Sarah H , Stitzer Maxine L , Desarno Michael J , Diaz Valeria , Hughes John R , Higgins Stephen T
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Given FDA’s authority to implement a cigarette nicotine reduction policy, possible outcomes of this regulation must be examined, especially among those who may be most affected, such as those with comorbid psychiatric disorders.

Methods

In this secondary analysis of a multisite, randomized, clinical laboratory study, we used analyses of variance to examine the effects of nicotine dose (0.4, 2.4, 5.2, and 15.8 mg/g of tobacco), depressive and anxiety diagnoses (depression only, anxiety only, both, or neither), and depressive and anxiety symptom severity on cigarette choice, smoke exposure, craving, and withdrawal across three vulnerable populations: socioeconomically disadvantaged women of reproductive age, opioid-dependent individuals, and those with affective disorders (n = 169).

Results

Diagnosis and symptom severity largely had no effects on smoking choice, total puff volume, or CO boost. Significant main effects on craving and withdrawal were observed, with higher scores in those with both anxiety and depression diagnoses compared with depression alone or no diagnosis, and in those with more severe depressive symptoms (p’s < .001). These factors did not interact with nicotine dose. Cigarettes with <15.8 mg/g nicotine were less reinforcing, decreased total puff volume, and produced significant but lower magnitude and shorter duration reductions in craving and withdrawal than higher doses (p’s < .01).

Conclusions

Reducing nicotine dose reduced measures of cigarette addiction potential, with little evidence of moderation by either psychiatric diagnosis or symptom severity, providing evidence that those with comorbid psychiatric disorders would respond to a nicotine reduction policy similarly to other smokers.

Implications

Thus far, controlled studies in healthy populations of smokers have demonstrated that use of very low nicotine content cigarettes reduces cigarette use and dependence without resulting in compensatory smoking. These analyses extend those findings to a vulnerable population of interest, those with comorbid psychiatric disorders. Cigarettes with very low nicotine content were less reinforcing, decreased total puff volume, and produced significant but lower magnitude and shorter duration reductions in craving and withdrawal than higher doses. These nicotine dose effects did not interact with psychiatric diagnosis or mood symptom severity suggesting that smokers in this vulnerable population would respond to a nicotine reduction strategy similarly to other smokers.
Effects of Framing Nicotine Reduction in Cigarettes on Anticipated Tobacco Product Use Intentions and Risk Perceptions Among US Adult Smokers
Authors: Popova Lucy , Owusu Daniel , Nyman Amy L , Weaver Scott R , Yang Bo , Huang Jidong , Ashley David L
Published: August 2019

Introduction

In 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed lowering the amount of nicotine in combusted cigarettes to minimally addictive levels. If used, to encourage cessation and maximize the benefits of this action, the FDA needs to determine the most effective way to communicate to the public the practical impact of this nicotine tobacco product standard.

Methods

Data were collected in 2018 from a nationally representative, online probability sample of 1198 adult smokers (aged ≥18 years old) in the United States. Smokers were randomly assigned one of five versions of the question regarding what they would most likely do if nicotine in cigarettes was reduced (nicotine levels were reduced by 95%; the government reduced nicotine levels by 95%; cigarettes were no longer addictive; cigarettes no longer relieved cravings; cigarettes were changed so that you would be able to quit more easily). Effects of framing on anticipated tobacco use intentions and perceived risk of very low nicotine cigarettes (VLNCs) were evaluated with multinomial logistic regressions.

Results

Framing the nicotine tobacco product standard as cigarettes no longer relieved cravings resulted in the highest proportion of smokers reporting they intend to quit in response to this standard (43.9%), lowest proportions reporting anticipated intentions to continue using combusted tobacco products (45.3%), and lowest proportion believing that VLNCs are less harmful than regular cigarettes (26%).

Conclusions

Different frames of nicotine reduction in cigarettes differentially affected smokers’ anticipated tobacco use intentions and perceived risk of VLNCs. Presenting reduction as making cigarettes unable to relieve cravings might be particularly effective at motivating cessation.
Exposure to a Tobacco-Specific Carcinogen Among Adolescent Smokeless Tobacco Users in Rural California, United States
Authors: Chaffee Benjamin W , Jacob Peyton , Couch Elizabeth T , Benowitz Neal L
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Approximately the same percentage of male high school students in the United States currently uses conventional smokeless tobacco as smokes cigarettes, resulting in toxin exposure.

Methods

This study assessed tobacco product use (smokeless, combustible, and electronic cigarettes) and nicotine and carcinogen exposures in a sample of 594 male rural high school baseball players—a population traditionally at risk for smokeless tobacco use. Salivary specimens were assayed for cotinine (a biomarker of nicotine exposure) and urine specimens for 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL, a biomarker of the carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.

Results

The prevalence of past 30-day use of any tobacco product was 29%. Past 7-day smokeless tobacco use (prevalence: 13%) was associated with the highest levels of cotinine and NNAL observed in the sample, whether smokeless tobacco was used exclusively (geometric means: cotinine 11.1 ng/mL; NNAL 31.9 pg/mg-creatinine) or in combination with combustible products (geometric means: cotinine 31.6 ng/mL; NNAL 50.0 pg/mg creatinine). Cotinine and NNAL levels were incrementally higher in each increasing category of smokeless tobacco use frequency. However, observed levels were lower than previously reported for adults, likely reflecting less smokeless use per day among adolescents.

Conclusions

Based on these biomarker observations, adolescents who use conventional smokeless tobacco products are exposed to substantial levels of nicotine and NNK. Although exposed to lower levels than adult smokeless users, the findings are concerning given the young age of the sample and tendency for smokeless tobacco users to increase use intensity over time.

Implications

This study demonstrates that adolescents using smokeless tobacco are exposed to levels of nicotine and NNK that increase with use frequency and that exceed exposures among peers using other tobacco products. Youth smokeless tobacco use in the United States has not declined along with youth smoking prevalence, giving greater importance to this health concern. To reduce youth (and adult) exposures, needed actions include effective smokeless tobacco use prevention, potentially in combination with reducing the levels of harmful and potentially harmful chemicals in smokeless tobacco products currently popular among adolescents.
Interest in and Use of Smoking Cessation Support Across Pregnancy and Postpartum
Authors: Naughton Felix , Vaz Luis Reeves , Coleman Tim , Orton Sophie , Bowker Katharine , Leonardi-Bee Jo , Cooper Sue , Vanderbloemen Laura , Sutton Stephen , Ussher Michael
Published: August 2019

Background

Limited research exists on interest in and use of smoking cessation support in pregnancy and postpartum.

Methods

A longitudinal cohort of pregnant smokers and recent ex-smokers were recruited in Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom (N = 850). Data were collected at 8–26 weeks gestation, 34–36 weeks gestation, and 3 months postpartum and used as three cross-sectional surveys. Interest and use of cessation support and belief and behavior measures were collected at all waves. Key data were adjusted for nonresponse and analyzed descriptively, and multiple regression was used to identify associations.

Results

In early and late pregnancy, 44% (95% CI 40% to 48%) and 43% (95% CI 37% to 49%) of smokers, respectively, were interested in cessation support with 33% (95% CI 27% to 39%) interested postpartum. In early pregnancy, 43% of smokers reported discussing cessation with a midwife and, in late pregnancy, 27% did so. Over one-third (38%) did not report discussing quitting with a health professional during pregnancy. Twenty-seven percent of smokers reported using any National Health Service (NHS) cessation support and 12% accessed NHS Stop Smoking Services during pregnancy. Lower quitting confidence (self-efficacy), higher confidence in stopping with support, higher quitting motivation, and higher age were associated with higher interest in support (ps ≤ .001). A recent quit attempt and greater interest in support was associated with speaking to a health professional about quitting and use of NHS cessation support (ps ≤ .001).

Conclusions

When asked in early or late pregnancy, about half of pregnant smokers were interested in cessation support, though most did not engage. Cessation support should be offered throughout pregnancy and after delivery.

Implications

There is relatively high interest in cessation support in early and late pregnancy and postpartum among smokers; however, a much smaller proportion of pregnant or postpartum women access any cessation support, highlighting a gap between interest and engagement. Reflecting women’s interest, offers of cessation support should be provided throughout pregnancy and after delivery. Increasing motivation to quit and confidence in quitting with assistance may enhance interest in support, and promoting the discussion of stopping smoking between women and health practitioners may contribute to higher support engagement rates.
Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and cognitive decline in non-demented adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Alex Anu , Abbott Kylie A , McEvoy Mark , Schofield Peter W , Garg Manohar L
Published: August 2019

Context

Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCn-3PUFAs) are widely considered as nootropic agents that may be beneficial in reversing cognitive impairment.

Objective

The present systematic review of randomized controlled trials was conducted to determine the changes in cognitive function after intervention with LCn-3PUFA supplementation in non-demented adults, including those with mild cognitive impairment.

Data Sources

Five databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library) were searched systematically along with reference lists of selected articles.

Study Selection

Studies were eligible for inclusion if they measured the effect of LCn-3PUFA supplementation on cognition in non-demented adults.

Data Extraction

A total of 787 records were screened, of which 25 studies were eligible for inclusion. Treatment effects were summarized as global cognitive function for primary outcome and measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination and individual cognitive domains for secondary outcome. The pooled effect sizes were estimated using Hedge’s g and random-effects modeling.

Data Analysis

Results from randomized controlled trials indicate that LCn-3PUFAs have no effect on global cognitive function (Hedge’s g = 0.02; 95% confidence interval, −0.12 to 0.154), and among the specific cognitive domains, only memory function showed a mild benefit (Hedge’s g = 0.31; P = 0.003; z = 2.945).

Conclusion

The existing literature suggests that LCn-3PUFA supplementation could provide a mild benefit in improving memory function in non-demented older adults.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO registration no. CRD42017078664.
Impact of coconut oil consumption on cardiovascular health: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Teng Monica , Zhao Ying Jiao , Khoo Ai Leng , Yeo Tiong Cheng , Yong Quek Wei , Lim Boon Peng
Published: August 2019

Context

Coconut oil is rich in medium-chain fatty acids and has been claimed to have numerous health benefits.

Objective

This review aimed to examine the evidence surrounding coconut oil consumption and its impact on cardiovascular health.

Data Sources

A systematic literature search of the PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and CINAHL databases, up to May 2019, was performed.

Data Extraction

Study characteristics including study design, population, intervention, comparator, outcome, and source of funding were summarized.

Data Analysis

Meta-analyses included 12 studies to provide estimates of effects. Subgroup analyses were performed to account for any differences in the study-level characteristics. When compared with plant oils and animal oils, coconut oil was found to significantly increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) by 0.57 mg/dL (95%CI, 0.40–0.74 mg/dL; I2 = 6.7%) and 0.33 mg/dL (0.01–0.65 mg/dL; I2 = 0%), respectively. Coconut oil significantly raised low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by 0.26 mg/dL (0.09–0.43 mg/dL; I2 = 59.7%) compared with plant oils and lowered LDL-C (−0.37 mg/dL; −0.69 to −0.05 mg/dL; I2 = 48.1%) compared with animal oils. No significant effects on triglyceride were observed. Better lipid profiles were demonstrated with the virgin form of coconut oil.

Conclusion

Compared with animal oils, coconut oil demonstrated a better lipid profile n comparison with plant oils, coconut oil significantly increased HDL-C and LDL-C.
Craniometrics and Ventricular Access: A Review of Kocher's, Kaufman's, Paine's, Menovksy's, Tubbs’, Keen's, Frazier's, Dandy's, and Sanchez's Points
Authors: Morone Peter J , Dewan Michael C , Zuckerman Scott L , Tubbs R Shane , Singer Robert J
Published: August 2019

Intraventricular access is frequently required during neurosurgery, and when neuronavigation is unavailable, the neurosurgeon must rely upon craniometrics to achieve successful ventricular cannulation. In this historical review, we summarize the most well-described ventricular access points: Kocher's, Kaufman's, Paine's, Menovksy's, Tubbs’, Keen's, Frazier's, Dandy's, and Sanchez's. Additionally, we provide multiview, 3-dimensional illustrations that provide the reader with a novel understanding of the craniometrics associated with each point.
New narrow nucleon resonances $N^{\ast}(1685)$ and $N^{\ast}(1726)$ within the chiral quark–soliton model
Authors: Yang Ghil-Seok , Kim Hyun-Chul
Published: August 2019

We investigate the strong and radiative decay widths of the narrow nucleon resonances $N^*(1685)$ and $N^{\ast}(1726)$ within the framework of the SU(3) chiral quark–soliton model. All the relevant parameters are taken from those used to describe the properties of the baryon octet and decuplet in previous works. The masses of the antidecuplet nucleon and the eikosiheptaplet (27-plet) nucleon with spin 3/2 are determined respectively to be $(1690.2\pm 10.5)\, \mathrm{MeV}$ and $(1719.6\pm7.4)\,\mathrm{MeV}$. The decay width for $N^{\ast}(1685)\to \eta + N$ is found to be approximately three times larger than that for $N^{\ast}(1685)\to \pi + N$. The width of the decay $N^{\ast}\left(1726\right)3/2^+\to \eta + N$ is about 31 times larger than that of $N^{\ast}\left(1726\right)3/2^+\to \pi + N$. The ratio of the radiative decays for $N^*(1685)$ is obtained to be $\Gamma_{nn^*(1685)}/\Gamma_{pp^*(1685)}=8.62\pm3.45$, which explains very well the neutron anomaly. In contrast, we find $\Gamma_{pp^*(1726)}/\Gamma_{nn^*(1726)}=3.72\pm0.64$, which indicates that the production of $N^*(1726)$ is more likely to be observed in the proton channel. We also examine the decay modes of these narrow nucleon resonances with the strangeness hadrons involved.
On the structure of the emergent 3D expanding space in the Lorentzian type IIB matrix model
Authors: Aoki Toshihiro , Hirasawa Mitsuaki , Ito Yuta , Nishimura Jun , Tsuchiya Asato
Published: August 2019

The emergence of (3+1)D expanding space-time in the Lorentzian type IIB matrix model is an intriguing phenomenon that has been observed in Monte Carlo studies of this model. In particular, this may be taken as support for the conjecture that the model is a nonperturbative formulation of superstring theory in (9+1) dimensions. In this paper we investigate the space-time structure of the matrices generated by simulating this model and its simplified versions, and find that the expanding part of the space is described essentially by the Pauli matrices. We argue that this is due to an approximation used in the simulation to avoid the sign problem, which actually amounts to replacing ${e}^{iS_{\rm b}}$ by ${e}^{\beta S_{\rm b}}$ ($\beta>0$) in the partition function, where $S_{\rm b}$ is the bosonic part of the action. We also discuss the possibility of obtaining a regular space-time with the (3+1)D expanding behavior in the original model with the correct ${e}^{iS_{\rm b}}$ factor.
F-term moduli stabilization and uplifting
Authors: Kobayashi Tatsuo , Seto Osamu , Takada Shintaro , Tatsuishi Takuya H , Uemura Shohei , Yamamoto Junji
Published: August 2019

We study Kähler moduli stabilization in type IIB superstring theory. We propose a new moduli stabilization mechanism by the supersymmetry breaking chiral superfield which is coupled to Kähler moduli in the Kähler potential. We also study its uplifting of the Large Volume Scenario (LVS). In both cases, the form of the superpotential is crucial for moduli stabilization. We confirm that our uplifting mechanism does not destabilize the vacuum of the LVS drastically.
Large-amplitude quadrupole shape mixing probed by the $(p,p^\prime)$ reaction: A model analysis
Authors: Sato Koichi , Furumoto Takenori , Kikuchi Yuma , Ogata Kazuyuki , Sakuragi Yukinori
Published: August 2019

To discuss a possible observation of large-amplitude nuclear shape mixing by nuclear reaction, we employ a simple collective model and evaluate the transition densities with which the differential cross sections are obtained through the microscopic coupled-channel calculation. Assuming the spherical-to-prolate shape transition, we focus on large-amplitude shape mixing associated with the softness of the collective potential in the $\beta$ direction. We introduce a simple model based on the five-dimensional quadrupole collective Hamiltonian, which simulates a chain of isotopes that exhibit spherical-to-prolate shape phase transition. Taking $^{154}$Sm as an example and controlling the model parameters, we study how the large-amplitude shape mixing affects the elastic and inelastic proton scatterings. The calculated results suggest that the inelastic cross section of the $2_2^+$ state shows us the important role of the quadrupole shape mixing.
Improved accuracy in the determination of the thermal cross section of ${}^{14}{\rm N}({\rm n},{\rm p}){}^{14}{\rm C}$ for neutron lifetime measurement
Authors: Kitahara R , Hirota K , Ieki S , Ino T , Iwashita Y , Kitaguchi M , Koga J , Mishima K , Morishita A , Nagakura N , Oide H , Otono H , Seki Y , Sekiba D , Shima T , Shimizu H M , Sumi N , Sumino H , Taketani K , Tomita T , Yamada T , Yamashita S , Yokohashi M , Yoshioka T
Published: August 2019

In a neutron lifetime measurement at the Japan Proton Accelerator Complex, the neutron lifetime is calculated from the neutron decay rate and the incident neutron flux. The flux is obtained by counting the protons emitted from the neutron absorption reaction of ${}^{3}{\rm He}$ gas, which is diluted in a mixture of working gas in a detector. Hence, it is crucial to determine the amount of ${}^{3}{\rm He}$ in the mixture. In order to improve the accuracy of the number density of the ${}^{3}{\rm He}$ nuclei, we have suggested using the ${}^{14}{\rm N}({\rm n},{\rm p}){}^{14}{\rm C}$ reaction as a reference because this reaction involves similar kinetic energy to the $^3$He(n,p)$^3$H reaction and a smaller reaction cross section to introduce reasonable large partial pressure. The uncertainty of the recommended value of the cross section, however, is not satisfied with our requirement. In this paper we report the most accurate experimental value of the cross section of the $^{14}$N(n,p)$^{14}$C reaction at a neutron velocity of 2200 m s$^{-1}$, measured relative to the $^3$He(n,p)$^3$H reaction. The result was 1.868 $\pm$ 0.003 (stat.) $\pm$ 0.006 (sys.) b. Additionally, the cross section of the $^{17}$O(n,$\alpha$)$^{14}$C reaction at the neutron velocity is also redetermined as 249 $\pm$ 6 mb.
Renormalon-free definition of the gluon condensate within the large-$\beta_0$ approximation
Authors: Suzuki Hiroshi , Takaura Hiromasa
Published: August 2019

We propose a clear definition of the gluon condensate within the large-$\beta_0$ approximation as an attempt toward a systematic argument on the gluon condensate. We define the gluon condensate such that it is free from a renormalon uncertainty, consistent with the renormalization scale independence of each term of the operator product expansion (OPE), and an identical object irrespective of observables. The renormalon uncertainty of $\mathcal{O}(\Lambda^4)$, which renders the gluon condensate ambiguous, is separated from a perturbative calculation by using a recently suggested analytic formulation. The renormalon uncertainty is absorbed into the gluon condensate in the OPE, which makes the gluon condensate free from the renormalon uncertainty. As a result, we can define the OPE in a renormalon-free way. Based on this renormalon-free OPE formula, we discuss numerical extraction of the gluon condensate using the lattice data of the energy density operator defined by the Yang–Mills gradient flow.
How Wide Is the Firm Border?*
Authors: Atalay Enghin , Hortaçsu Ali , Li Mary Jialin , Syverson Chad
Published: August 2019

We examine the within- and across-firm shipment decisions of tens of thousands of goods-producing and goods-distributing establishments. This allows us to quantify the normally unobservable forces that determine firm boundaries, that is, which transactions are mediated by ownership control, as opposed to contracts or markets. We find firm boundaries to be an economically significant barrier to trade: having an additional vertically integrated establishment in a given destination ZIP code has the same effect on shipment volumes as a 40% reduction in distance. These effects are larger for high value-to-weight products, faraway destinations, differentiated products, and IT-intensive industries.
Choroid Plexus Enlargement and Allostatic Load in Schizophrenia
Authors: Zhou Yan-Fang , Huang Jun-Chao , Zhang Ping , Fan Feng-Mei , Chen Song , Fan Hong-Zhen , Cui Yi-Min , Luo Xing-Guang , Tan Shu-Ping , Wang Zhi-Ren , Feng Wei , Yuan Ying , Yang Fu-De , Savransky Anya , Ryan Meghann , Goldwaser Eric , Chiappelli Joshua , Rowland Laura M , Kochunov Peter , Tan Yun-Long , Hong L Elliot
Published: August 2019

Although schizophrenia is a brain disorder, increasing evidence suggests that there may be body-wide involvement in this illness. However, direct evidence of brain structures involved in the presumed peripheral-central interaction in schizophrenia is still unclear. Seventy-nine previously treatment-naïve first-episode schizophrenia patients who were within 2-week antipsychotics initial stabilization, and 41 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Group differences in subcortical brain regional structures measured by MRI and the subclinical cardiovascular, metabolic, immune, and neuroendocrine biomarkers as indexed by allostatic load, and their associations were explored. Compared with controls, patients with schizophrenia had significantly higher allostatic load (P = .001). Lateral ventricle (P < .001), choroid plexus (P < .001), and thalamus volumes (P < .001) were significantly larger, whereas amygdala volume (P = .001) was significantly smaller in patients. The choroid plexus alone was significantly correlated with higher allostatic load after age, sex, education level, and the total intracranial volume were taken into account (t = 3.60, P < .001). Allostatic load was also significantly correlated with PANSS positive (r = 0.28, P = .016) and negative (r = −0.31, P = .008) symptoms, but in opposite directions. The peripheral multisystemic and central nervous system abnormalities in schizophrenia may interact through the choroid plexus during the early stage of the illness. The choroid plexus might provide a sensitive structural biomarker to study the treatment and prevention of brain-periphery interaction abnormalities in schizophrenia.