Does Exposure and Receptivity to E-cigarette Advertisements Relate to E-cigarette and Conventional Cigarette Use Behaviors among Youth? Results from Wave 1 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study

Background: E-cigarettes (EC) are the most commonly used tobacco product among youth. Additionally, youth EC users are progressing to smoking conventional cigarettes (CC). Although known to target youth, there are no current restrictions in the US on EC marketing, including advertising. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between EC advertisements and youth EC and CC use behaviors. Methods: This study analyzed data from youth (12-17 years) aware of EC in Wave 1 (2013-2014) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study (n=12,199). Weighted logistic regression models assessed whether exposure and receptivity to any of five randomized EC ads (two TV and three print) were associated with the outcomes of EC and CC behaviors of ever use, current (past 30 day) use, and susceptibility to future use. Additional analyses determined whether EC advertising exposure and EC and CC behaviors associations were moderated by EC advertising receptivity. All models were adjusted for sociodemographics, other combustible tobacco product use, and parent smoking. Results: EC advertisement exposure was significantly associated to ever and current EC use as well as susceptibility to EC and CC (p Conclusion: These findings demonstrate exposure to EC advertisements are particularly associated with EC use behaviors, but could play a role in future CC use as well. Youth who are receptive to EC advertisements appear particularly vulnerable. Further studies should focus on the role of receptivity to EC advertisements among youth in order to support regulatory policy targeting EC advertising

Temporal response to harmonic driving in electroconvection

The temporal evolution of the spatially periodic electroconvection (EC) patterns has been studied within the period of the driving ac voltage by monitoring the light intensity diffracted from the pattern. Measurements have been carried out on a variety of nematic systems, including those with negative dielectric and positive conductivity anisotropy, exhibiting "standard EC" (s-EC), those with both anisotropies negative exhibiting "non-standard EC" (ns-EC), as well as those with the two anisotropies positive. Theoretical predictions have been confirmed for stationary s-EC and ns-EC patterns. Transitions with Hopf bifurcation have also been studied. While traveling had no effect on the temporal evolution of dielectric s-EC, traveling conductive s-EC and ns-EC patterns exhibited a substantially altered temporal behavior with a dependence on the Hopf frequency. It has also been shown that in nematics with both anisotropies positive, the pattern develops and decays within an interval much shorter than the period, even at relatively large driving frequencies.Comment: 19 pages, 5 figure

Evaluative conditioning as a symbolic phenomenon: on the relation between evaluative conditioning, evaluative conditioning via instructions, and persuasion

Evaluative conditioning (EC) is sometimes portrayed as a primitive way of changing attitudes that is fundamentally different from persuasion via arguments. We provide a new perspective on the nature of EC and its relation to persuasion by exploring the idea that stimulus pairings can function as a symbol that conveys the nature of the relation between stimuli. We put forward the concept of symbolic EC to refer to changes in liking that occur because stimulus pairings function as symbols. The idea of symbolic EC is consistent with at least some current theories of persuasion. It clarifies what EC research can add to the understanding of the origins of our preferences and has implications for how (symbolic and non-symbolic) EC can be established, the boundaries of EC research, and cognitive and functional models of EC

Co-Emergence of Specialized Endothelial Cells from Embryonic Stem Cells.

A well-formed and robust vasculature is critical to the health of most organ systems in the body. However, the endothelial cells (ECs) forming the vasculature can exhibit a number of distinct functional subphenotypes like arterial or venous ECs, as well as angiogenic tip and stalk ECs. In this study, we investigate the in vitro differentiation of EC subphenotypes from embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Using our staged induction methods and chemically defined mediums, highly angiogenic EC subpopulations, as well as less proliferative and less migratory EC subpopulations, are derived. Furthermore, the EC subphenotypes exhibit distinct surface markers, gene expression profiles, and positional affinities during sprouting. While both subpopulations contained greater than 80% VE-cad+/CD31+ cells, the tip/stalk-like EC contained predominantly Flt4+/Dll4+/CXCR4+/Flt-1- cells, while the phalanx-like EC was composed of higher numbers of Flt-1+ cells. These studies suggest that the tip-specific EC can be derived in vitro from stem cells as a distinct and relatively stable EC subphenotype without the benefit of its morphological positioning in the sprouting vessel

First Principles Modeling of the Initial Stages of Organic Solvent Decomposition on Li(x)Mn(2)O(4) (100) Surfaces

Density functional theory and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations are applied to investigate the initial steps of ethylene carbonate (EC) decomposition on spinel Li(0.6)Mn(2)O(4) (100) surfaces. EC is a key component of the electrolyte used in lithium ion batteries. We predict an slightly exothermic EC bond breaking event on this oxide facet, which facilitates subsequent EC oxidation and proton transfer to the oxide surface. Both the proton and the partially decomposed EC fragment weaken the Mn-O ionic bonding network. Implications for interfacial film made of decomposed electrolyte on cathode surfaces, and Li(x)Mn(2)O(4) dissolution during power cycling, are discussed.Comment: 29 pages preprint format, 7 figure

Concanavalin A-Nonbinding Enzymes of Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus Venom

Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus crude venom was separated into two fractions by Concanavalin A Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography. The Concanavalin A-nonbinding fraction (F-l) exhibited phosphomonoesterase (orthophosphoric monoester phosphohydrolase EC 3.1 .3.2), phosphodiesterase, 5 \u27-nucleotidase (5 \u27-ribonucleotide phosphohydrolase EC 3.1.3.5), phospholipase A (phosphatidate 2-acylhydrolase EC 3.1.1.4), hyaluronidase (hyaluronate glycanohydrolase EC 3.2.1.d), N-benzoyl-Larginine ethyl esterase, p-toluenesulfonyl-L-arginine methyl esterase, L-amino acid oxidase (L-amino acid: O2 oxidoreductase [deaminating] EC 1.4.3.2), and caseinolytic activities. Thrombin-like and NAD nucleosidase (5 \u27-ribonudeotide phosphohydrolase EC 3.1.3.5) activities were not observed. DEAE Sephadex A-50 ion exchange chromatography by two stage elution of F-l yielded several fractions having proteinase activities. Proteinase activity was observed in the latter fractions of the first elution and in the fractions of the second elution

Direct measurement of electrocaloric effect in lead-free Ba(SnxTi1-x)O3 ceramics

In this study, we report on investigation of the electrocaloric (EC) effect in lead-free Ba(SnxTi1-x)O3 (BSnT) ceramics with compositions in the range of 0.08 ≤ x ≤ 0.15 by the direct measurement method using a differential scanning calorimeter. The maximum EC temperature change, ΔTEC-max = 0.63 K under an electric field of 2 kV/mm, was observed for the composition with x = 0.11 at ∼44 °C around the multiphase coexistence region. We observed that the EC effect also peaks at transitions between ferroelectric phases of different symmetries. Comparison with the results of indirect EC measurements from our previous work shows that the indirect approach provides reasonable estimations of the magnitude of the largest EC temperature changes and EC strength. However, it fails to describe correctly temperature dependences of the EC effect for the compositions showing relaxor-like behaviour (x = 0.14 and 0.15) because of their non-ergodic nature. Our study provides strong evidence supporting that looking for multiphase ferroelectric materials can be very useful to optimize EC performance

Computerized Reservation Systems for Air Transport: Remarks on the European Community Legislation

This Essay points out the major legal issues related to the development of the Computerized Reservation Systems (“CRS”) and evaluates whether the EC approach has achieved satisfactory results, mainly from the standpoint of consumer protection. My critique is essentially that the EC has ruled the CRS by means of legislation that tends to be hyper-technical, difficult to interpret, and, at the same time, extremely vague when it comes to defining unlawful conduct and potential sanctions. This Essay argues that more in-depth regulatory reform should be undertaken by the EC, in order to enhance competition and benefit travellers. This Essay is structured in two conceptually interdependent sections. Part I focuses on a synthetic description of CRS and evaluates its potential to adversely impact a market based on free competition, specifically by violating the antitrust rules of the Treaty of Rome (“EEC Treaty”). Part II is devoted to an analysis of the most recent EC regulations in this area, with particular reference to Commission Regulation No. 83/91 of December 5, 1990. Regulation No. 83/91 gives a basic description of the CRS system within the framework of EC legislation. The minimal action undertaken thus far by the EC has been guided by two considerations. First, the area of Computerized Reservation Systems is still legally unstable and is characterized by gray areas and gaps in the rules that should be resolved by future EC legislation. Second, in the absence of a line of judicial precedents within the EC, a theoretical debate appears fruitless in light of the lack of a substantially consolidated position within the EC

Granulocyte-activating mediators (GRAM)

In the present study we investigated the capability of human epidermal cells to generate granulocyte-activating mediators (GRAM). It could be shown that human epidermal cells as well as an epidermoid carcinoma cell line (A431) produce an epidermal cell-derived granulocyte-activating mediator (EC-GRAM) which stimulates human granulocytes to release significant levels of toxic oxygen radicals as measured by a lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence (CL). For further characterization of EC-GRAM the A431 cell line was used. Supernatants of A431 cells usually contained maximal EC-GRAM levels within 24 h of incubation. Factor production was enhanced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), but not by silica particles and PHA. Moreover, freeze-thaw lysates of A431 cells and extracts of heat-separated human epidermis contained significant levels of EC-GRAM. Preincubation of granulocytes with EC-GRAM resulted in an enhanced response to subsequent stimulation with the chemotactic peptide f-met-phe. In contrast EC-GRAM did not affect the response to PMA or zymosan particles. However, EC-GRAM treated granulocytes were unresponsive to restimulation with EC-GRAM. Upon high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) gel filtration EC-GRAM eluted within two major peaks exhibiting a molecular weight of 17 kD and 44 kD. According to its biochemical and biological properties EC-GRAM can be separated from other cytokines such as ETAF/-interleukin 1, interleukin 2, interferons, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). However, an antibody to human GM-CSF neutralized about 75% of the activity. These results indicate that EC-GRAM activity stimulating the generation of reactive oxygen species by granulocytes is probably due to GM-CSF

EC Bananarama 1992 : the sequel - the EC Commission proposal

Some European Community (EC) countries give preferred market access and high prices to bananas from selected developing countries or EC regional suppliers. This preferential status is regarded as a form of aid to these countries, most of which are developing small island economies. EC marketers of bananas from these preferred suppliers also benefit because of the high retail prices. Nonpreferred suppliers - mainly developing countries of Latin America - are hurt by the policies because access is denied or restricted and the lower demand depresses the world price for bananas. The Community's commitment to establish a single unified EC banana market on December 31, 1992 provides a timely opportunity to reform existing distortionary trade policies. The recently announced proposal of the Commission of ECs to regulate banana trade within a unified market relies on quotas to control imports. The proposal is extremely complicated. It is designed to severely restrict competition and to maintain the advantages of selected groups. The authors update their earlier analysis of world banana trade to reflect the market in 1993. They evaluate the implications of the Commission's proposal alongside existing and alternative policies. They find that current policies cost EC consumers about $1.6 billion annually to transfer a net benefit of$0.3 billion a year to preferred suppliers. So, it costs EC consumers about $5.30 to transfer$1.00 of aid toselect developing countries or regions. Additionally, every dollar of aid reaching preferred suppliers costs other developing country suppliers $0.32. EC marketers are the main beneficiaries. Of the$5.30 cost to EC consumers, over $3.00 is collected as excessive marketing margins by protected importers and wholesalers. About$1.00 is lost in outright waste. Several plausible versions of the Commission's proposal are modelled. At best they are found to be slightly less costly than existing policies and at worst, considerably more costly. A 3.5 percent reduction in the quota allocation is estimated to lead to a 30 percent increase in the cost of the proposal. The authors conclude that the Commission's proposal for a unified EC banana policy appears to be little more than a way of replacing existing distortionary national policies with an almost equally distortionary single policy and market. The only difference: the costs would be borne by consumers in all EC countries rather than consumers in only some countries. Worse still, costs could increase. Markets that now gain the benefits of mostly open and competitive marketing such as Germany would face closed and uncompetitive conditions. For developing countries exporting bananas, the proposal offers little. At best conditions may be no worse than they are now. At worst the policy could hurt Latin American suppliers even more than current policies and introduce considerable confusion about the level of support to preferred suppliers. Under the proposed quota system aid will not be well targeted. A more efficient way of achieving the EC's aid commitment is through a small tariff of about 17 percent, used to fund a system of well-targeted deficiency payments or direct aid. The only reason for choosing the Commission's proposal over simpler, tariff-based options seems to be to maintain the vested interests of protected EC markteters. But this is contrary to the objectives of unification, which are to seek gains from increased competition and trade.Environmental Economics&Policies,Access to Markets,Markets and Market Access,Economic Theory&Research,Consumption