Gender Differences in Smoking Among an Urban Emergency Department Sample.

BackgroundUrban emergency department (ED) patients have elevated smoking and substance use compared with the general population. We analyzed gender differences in smoking among an urban ED sample and assessed the contribution of substance use, demographic, and couple factors.MethodsWe conducted a secondary analysis of data obtained from a cross-sectional, observational survey (N = 1037 participants) on drinking, drug use, and intimate partner violence (IPV). Gender-specific logistic regression models for current (past 30-day) smoking and multinomial regression models for smoking intensity (light: ⩽5 cigarettes per day [CPD]; moderate: 6 to 10 CPD; heavier: >10 CPD) were estimated.ResultsSmoking prevalence was higher among men than women (35.5% vs 18.9%; P < .001). Substance use (frequency of intoxication, marijuana, amphetamine, and cocaine use), demographic (food insufficiency, unemployment), and couple-related factors (having a spouse/partner who smoked, IPV involvement, being in a same-gender couple) were differentially associated with current smoking and level of intensity among men and women.ConclusionsEmergency department staff should consider the impact of polysubstance use, food insufficiency, unemployment, and whether both partners in the couple smoke when screening patients for smoking and formulating cessation treatment plans. Women in same-gender relationships and those who have experienced IPV involvement may require additional referral

Sharp embeddings of Besov spaces involving only slowly varying smoothness

AS CRGRICES201/05/2033201/08/0383Grant Agency of the CzechInstitutional Research Plan no. AV0Z10190503 of theFCT05-1000008-815

Clarifying the conceptual map of VUCA: A systematic review

Purpose – Over the last few decades, the environment for organisations has been frequently described using the acronym VUCA: a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous environment. Despite the popularity of this acronym, it is not unusual to find some overlap concerning the meaning of those terms, as well as poor definitions of each in the literature. Consequently, the main aim of this paper was to conduct a systematic literature review to obtain a conceptual map of the components of VUCA and their relationships and to highlight some avenues for future research. Design/methodology/approach – We conducted a systematic review of various databases between 1999 and 2021. A total of 833 papers were identified and 26 of them met the inclusion criteria for the current study. Findings – The subsequent analysis revealed several overlaps and relationships between the four terms. Based on this analysis, we propose a conceptual map that could serve as a basis for future research and practice. Research limitations – Due to the exploratory nature of the study and the scarce number of empirical studies, the impact that the use of the VUCA framework has had on businesses could not be addressed. Originality – By clarifying the different components of VUCA and specifying the relationships between them with a comprehensive conceptual map, this paper may contribute to more rigorous empirical research, as well as help managers and executives more effectively deal with turbulent environments.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Conservation of Orbital Angular Momentum in Stimulated Down-Conversion

We report on an experiment demonstrating the conservation of orbital angular momentum in stimulated down-conversion. The orbital angular momentum is not transferred to the individual beams of the spontaneous down-conversion, but it is conserved when twin photons are taken individually. We observe the conservation law for an individual beam of the down-conversion through cavity-free stimulated emission.Comment: Submitted for publication in Phys. Rev. Let

Responses of six Brachiaria spp. accessions to root zone flooding.

Título em português: Resposta de seis acessos de capim-braquiária ao alagamento do solo

Chemical signaling in the gastrointestinal tract

Chemical signaling via the production of small molecules such as hormones has been studied in detail in higher organisms. These molecules have important functions in maintaining physiological homeostasis as well as allowing organisms to respond to external insults. Virtually every living cell produces hormone-like diffusible small molecules that can be used to convey messages to neighboring cells—a vital step in adaptation, development, and survival within populations. Although most of our knowledge on cellular chemical communication comes from studies of multicellular eukaryotes, it is now understood that bacteria can also communicate using sophisticated signaling systems, in a way analogous to those used by higher organisms. Many of these microbes live in close association with higher eukaryotes, in mutualistic or commensal relationships. We suggest that there may be a wealth of unidentified bioactive small molecules in the human body, originating from both microbial and human cells and that have important biological functions. Because chemical signaling has important roles for the biology of both microbes and humans, detecting, identifying, and studying these chemical signals can further our understanding of the chemical interplay between microbiota and their hosts and provide us with an unexplored source of molecules that could be used for human benefit

Structural fluctuations and quantum transport through DNA molecular wires: a combined molecular dynamics and model Hamiltonian approach

Charge transport through a short DNA oligomer (Dickerson dodecamer) in presence of structural fluctuations is investigated using a hybrid computational methodology based on a combination of quantum mechanical electronic structure calculations and classical molecular dynamics simulations with a model Hamiltonian approach. Based on a fragment orbital description, the DNA electronic structure can be coarse-grained in a very efficient way. The influence of dynamical fluctuations arising either from the solvent fluctuations or from base-pair vibrational modes can be taken into account in a straightforward way through time series of the effective DNA electronic parameters, evaluated at snapshots along the MD trajectory. We show that charge transport can be promoted through the coupling to solvent fluctuations, which gate the onsite energies along the DNA wire

The Transversarium-Bifurcatus Zone boundary at Rocha (Peral area, East-Central Algarve, Portugal)

This paper represents the first detailed study of the Transversarium-Bifurcatus Zone boundary in the Algarve. The boundary studied in the Peral area is associated with a stratigraphic discontinuity, whose hiatus partially affects the Transversarium-Bifurcatus Zones. A discontinuity was also recognized in the Bifurcatus-Birnammatum Zone boundary, which can be correlated with the traces of a Type II unconformity, which separates cycles 4.3-4.4 in HAQ et al. (1987), present on the South Iberian palaeomargin. An analysis was made of the ecostratigraphic evolution in the interval between the uppermost Transversarium Zone and the lower part of the Bimammatum Zone on the basis of the faunal spectra obtained. We conclude that ammonites are the most tolerant cephalopods to the ecological stress caused by the increase of inflows and the decrease of the shelf's ecospace. Benthic fauna decreased considerably in these conditions. A relatively abundant and diversified fauna ofDichotomoceras is noteworthy among the ammonites collected, as this genus was previously little known in the Algarve

Geomorphological frameworks in Portugal - a contribution for the characterzation of the geological heritage

Portugal presents a rich geodiversity in spite of its reduced area. Along 92 152 km2, the last 1000 Ma are recorded on different types of rocks. This lithological diversity together with major tectonic structures and specific Quaternary climatic conditions had developed several geomorphological features with high scientific, didactic, and aesthetic values. The concept of Geomorphological Heritage, part of what is considered Geological Heritage, has been developed by many authors during the last decade. The present work constitutes the first attempt for the definition of Portuguese geomorphological frameworks with national relevance, according to the objectives of the IAG's Geomorphological Sites Working Group and ProGEO. The emphasis is given to major landforms, with landscape value. Minor landforms and features shall be considered in the scope of a following detailed inventory and characterisation. The proposed frameworks cover all the Portuguese territory including Azores and Madeira archipelagos. For each framework some representative geosites were selected, based upon the spectacularity of the landforms, its rareness (in the Portuguese context), and essentially on its scientific and didactic values. The proposed frameworks include: i) granite landforms (Gerês and Estrela mountains); ii) carbonate and evaporite landforms (Aire and Candeeiros karsts); iii) volcanic landforms (Azores and Madeira Archipelagos); iv) residual landforms (Monsanto inselberg); v) tectonic landforms (Vilariça valley); vi) fluvial landforms as canyons (Douro) and alluvial plains (Lower Tejo); vii) coastal landforms like beaches (Quiaios-Aveiro), dunes (Porto Santo), lagoons (Obidos), estuaries (Tejo estuary), cliffs (Alentejo SW coast), and coastal platforms (Aveiro region); viii) glacial and periglacial landforms (cirques, glacial troughs, grooves, moraines and others in Estrela and Gerês mountains). Cultural landscapes are also considered, as the Alto Douro Wine Region and the Pico Island Vineyard Culture (respectively, inscribed and submitted to the World Heritage List). These examples are only indicative due to space restrictions. Until the present moment about sixty sites and areas with high geomorphological interest were considered. A significant number of those are included in protected areas, having therefore some kind of protection. Nevertheless, many others should be considered in geoconservation strategies to be implemented by Portuguese authorities