Planning Coverage of Points of Interest via Multiple Imaging Surveillance Assets: A Multi-Model Approach

For the United States to maintain information superiority, it is necessary to have a means of allocating intelligence-gathering assets to collect information on particular points of interest. In today\u27s geopolitical environment, however, the number of points of interest is growing rapidly, whereas the number of available assets is not. To aid in maintaining information superiority, this research explores the use of a Multi-Modal Goal Programming Resource Constrained Project Scheduling approach for allocating imaging surveillance assets (land, air, sea, and space) to a set of points of interest for a given time period. The multiple objectives of this formulation are to minimize the number of points of interest not covered at any time during the required period, minimize the deviation from the minimum image resolution of each point of interest, and minimize the time between successive imaging assets imaging each point of interest

Effects of virus infection on release of volatile organic compounds from insect-damaged bean, Phaseolus vulgaris

Insects can serve as important vectors of plant pathogens, especially viruses. Insect feeding on plants causes the systemic release of a wide range of plant volatile compounds that can serve as an indirect plant defense by attracting natural enemies of the herbivorous insect. Previous work suggests that the Mexican bean beetle (Epilachna varivestis) prefers to feed on plants infected by either of two viruses that it is known to transmit: Southern bean mosaic virus (SBMV) or Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV). A possible explanation for the preferred feeding on virus-infected tissues is that the beetles are attracted by volatile signals released from leaves. The purpose of this work was to determine whether volatile compounds from virus-infected plants are released differentially from those emitted by uninfected plants. To test the hypothesis, common bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris cv. Black Valentine) were inoculated with either BPMV, SBMV, or a mixture of both viruses, and infected plants were compared to uninfected plants. An Ouchterlony assay was used with SBMVand BPMV-specific antisera to confirm the presence of virus in inoculated plants. RNA blot analysis was performed on tissue from each plant and indicated that a well-characterized defense gene, encoding phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), was not induced in systemic tissue following virus infection. Plant volatiles were collected—and analyzed via gas chromatography (GC)—from plants that were either undamaged or beetle-damaged. In undamaged plants, there were no measurable differences in profiles or quantities of compounds released by uninfected and virus-infected plants. After Mexican bean beetles were allowed to feed on plants for 48 h, injured plants released several compounds that were not released from undamaged plants. Lower quantities of volatile compounds were released from virus-infected plants suggesting that enhanced release of plant-derived volatile organic compounds is not the cause for attraction of Mexican bean beetles to virus-infected plants

Examining the influence of tobacco control mass media campaign expenditure on the association between motivation to stop smoking and quit attempts: A prospective study in England

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether expenditure on national tobacco control mass media campaigns moderates the association between motivation to stop smoking and future quit attempts. METHOD: Data were from 2601 people who smoke participating in a population survey with 12-month follow-up between April 2015 and February 2021. We used logistic regression to test associations of (i) baseline level of motivation to stop smoking, (ii) mean monthly tobacco control mass media campaign expenditure in England between baseline and follow-up, and (iii) their interaction, on past-year quit attempts assessed at 12-month follow-up. Covariates included age, sex, occupational social grade, and region. RESULTS: Between baseline and follow-up, 38.6% of participants made a quit attempt. Each one-point increase in baseline motivation to stop smoking was associated with 1.37 times greater odds (95%CI = 1.31-1.43) of making a quit attempt over 12-month follow-up. Each one standard deviation increase in tobacco control mass media expenditure between baseline and 12-month follow-up was associated with 13% greater odds of making a quit attempt (95%CI = 1.05-1.23). There was no significant interaction between mass media expenditure and motivation to stop on quit attempts (OR = 1.01, 95%CI = 0.97-1.05); the data provided strong evidence for the null (Bayes factors = 0.07 and 0.04 based on expected effect sizes of OR = 1.5 and OR = 0.67, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Among people who smoke, self-reported level of motivation to stop strongly predicted whether they made a quit attempt in the subsequent year. Increased expenditure on tobacco control mass media campaigns was associated with increased quit attempts. The association between motivation and quit attempts did not differ according to tobacco control mass media expenditure over this period

Countermapping the Past : Reenvisioning Ancient Maya Spaces at Say Kah, Belize

Acknowledgments The fieldwork that contributed to this study was supported by the Wenner-Gren Foundation (Grant 9001), the National Geographic Society (Grants W377-14 and HJ-038R-17), the American Philosophical Society (Franklin Research Grant), the Curtiss T. and Mary G. Brennan Foundation, the Taft Research Center (University of Cincinnati), and the College of Arts and Sciences (University of Cincinnati), which the authors gratefully acknowledge. Our fieldwork was made possible by Dr. Fred Valdez, the Programme for Belize Archaeological Project (PfBAP), and the Belize Institute of Archaeology. Key project staff members who contributed to this work include: Lindsay Argo, Luke Aspland, Meredith Coats, Holly Dorning, Chris Motz, Beau Murphy, Anna Novotny, Colleen O’Brien, and Caleigh Richissin. Valuable feedback on the article came from Jeff Millar, Leila Rodriguez, and Stephanie Sadre-Orafai; we also thank Andrew Newman for helpful perspectives on countermapping. Finally, we are grateful for the detailed and thought-provoking comments of two anonymous reviewers, which helped clarify our thinking and strengthen our manuscript.Peer reviewedPostprin

Real-world effectiveness of smoking cessation aids: a population survey in England with 12-month follow-up, 2015-2020

Objective: To examine the real-world effectiveness of popular smoking cessation aids, adjusting for potential confounders measured up to 12 months before the quit attempt. / Methods: 1,045 adult (≥18y) smokers in England provided data at baseline (April 2015-November 2020) and reported a serious past-year quit attempt at 12-month follow-up. Our outcome was smoking cessation, defined as self-reported abstinence at 12 months. Independent variables were use in the most recent quit attempt of: varenicline, prescription NRT, over-the-counter NRT, e-cigarettes, and traditional behavioural support. Potential confounders were age, sex, social grade, alcohol consumption, and level of dependence (measured at baseline), variables relating to the most recent quit attempt (measured at 12-month follow-up), and survey year. / Results: Participants who reported using varenicline in their most recent quit attempt had significantly higher odds of abstinence than those who did not, after adjustment for potential confounders and use of other aids (OR=2.69, 95%CI=1.43-5.05). Data were inconclusive regarding whether using prescription NRT, over-the-counter NRT, e-cigarettes, or traditional behavioural support was associated with increased odds of abstinence (p>0.05; Bayes factors=0.41-1.71, expected effect size OR=1.19), but provided moderate evidence that using e-cigarettes was more likely associated with no effect than reduced odds (Bayes factor=0.31, expected effect size OR=0.75). / Conclusions: Use of varenicline in a quit attempt was associated with increased odds of successful smoking cessation. Data were inconclusive regarding a benefit of e-cigarettes for cessation but showed use of e-cigarettes was unlikely to be associated with reduced odds of cessation. Associations between other cessation aids and cessation were inconclusive

Effects of weight stigma in news media on physical activity, dietary and weight loss intentions and behaviour

Objectives: To investigate the effect of weight stigma in news media on (a) intentions to increase physical activity (PA), improve diet quality and lose weight, and (b) changes in PA, diet quality and body mass index (BMI) over one month, in (i) women of all weight categories and (ii) a subsample of women living with obesity. Methods: UK-based women (N = 172; subgroup with obesity N = 81) were assigned to read an experimental (weight stigma; N = 75) or control (smoking stigma; N = 97) news article. Questionnaires were administered immediately after, and one month subsequently to collect information on BMI, PA, diet quality, intentions, past stigma, and diet and PA self-efficacy. Logistic and linear regression analyses were used to assess the effect of weight stigma on all outcome variables. Results: In the whole sample, there was no significant effect of weight stigma on any primary or secondary outcome. In women with obesity, there was no significant effect of weight stigma on diet quality (0.26 units, 95% CI: −0.36 to 0.87) or PA (−1.83 units, 95% CI: −11.11 to 7.44) at follow up, but exposure to weight stigma was associated with a significant increase in BMI at 1-month follow-up (1.15 kg/m2, 95% CI: 0.38 to 1.92) compared with the control group. Conclusions: In people with obesity, exposure to weight-stigmatising media may contribute to increased BMI over time. Larger trials with longer follow-up are needed to confirm these findings.</br

Impact of the cost-of-living crisis on the nature of attempts to stop smoking and to reduce alcohol consumption in Great Britain: A representative population survey, 2021-2022

BACKGROUND: Smoking and excessive drinking place a strain on household budgets. We aimed to examine the impact of the cost-of-living crisis in Great Britain on the nature of smoking cessation and alcohol reduction attempts, and explore changes in health professionals offering support. METHODS: Data were from 14,567 past-year smokers and high-risk drinkers (AUDIT-C ≥5) participating in monthly representative surveys, January-2021 through December-2022. We estimated time trends in cost as a motive driving the most recent (smoking cessation/alcohol reduction) attempt, use of paid or evidence-based support, and receipt of GP offer of support for smoking cessation or alcohol reduction, and tested for moderation by occupational social grade. RESULTS: The proportion of attempts motivated by cost did not change significantly over time among smokers (25.4% [95%CI = 23.8-26.9%]), but increased between December-2021 and December-2022 among high-risk drinkers from less advantaged social grades (from 15.3% [95%CI 12.1-19.3] to 29.7% [20.1-44.1]). The only change in support use was an increase in smokers using paid support, specifically e-cigarettes (from 28.1% [23.7-33.3] to 38.2% [33.0-44.4]). Among those visiting their GP, the proportion who received an offer of support was similar over time among smokers (27.0% [25.7-28.2]) and high-risk drinkers (1.4% [1.1-1.6%]). CONCLUSIONS: There is limited evidence that the 2021/22 cost-of-living crisis affected the nature of attempts to stop smoking and reduce alcohol consumption, or receipt of GP offer of support. It is encouraging that use of evidence-based support has not declined and that use of e-cigarettes in quit attempts has increased. However, cost is increasingly motivating alcohol reduction attempts among less advantaged drinkers, and rates of GPs offering support, especially for alcohol reduction, remain very low

How has expenditure on nicotine products changed in a fast-evolving marketplace? A representative population survey in England, 2018-2022

Introduction: In the last five years, there has been a dramatic shift in the types of nicotine products being purchased. This study aimed to estimate how much users spend on types of cigarettes and alternative nicotine products (e-cigarettes, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), heated tobacco, nicotine pouches) and describe changes between 2018 and 2022. / Methods: Monthly representative cross-sectional survey in England. 10,323 adults who smoked cigarettes or used alternative nicotine reported their average weekly expenditure on these products, adjusted for inflation. / Results: Smokers spent £20.49 [95%CI=20.09-20.91] on cigarettes each week (£27.66[26.84-28.50]/£15.96[15.49-16.28] among those who mainly smoked manufactured/hand-rolled cigarettes), e-cigarette users spent £6.30 [5.99-6.55] (£8.41[7.17-9.78]/£6.42[5.58-7.39]/£5.93[5.64-6.30] among those who mainly used disposable/pod/refillable devices), NRT users £6.11 [5.53-6.69], and heated tobacco users £13.87 [9.58-20.09]. Expenditure on cigarettes grew by 10% September-2018 to July-2020, then fell by 10% July-2020 to June-2022. These changes coincided with a 13% reduction in cigarette consumption and a 14% increase in the proportion mainly smoking hand-rolled cigarettes. Expenditure on e-cigarettes was stable between 2018 and late-2020, then rose by 31% up to mid-2022. Expenditure on NRT increased slowly 2018-2020 (+4%) and more quickly thereafter (+20%). / Conclusions: Inflation-adjusted expenditure on cigarettes has fallen since 2020, such that the average smoker in England currently spends the same on cigarettes each week as in 2018. This has been achieved by smoking fewer cigarettes and switching to cheaper hand-rolled cigarettes. Expenditure on alternative nicotine has increased above inflation; users spent around a third more on these products in 2022 than between 2018–2020. / Implications: People in England continue to spend substantially more on smoking cigarettes than using alternative nicotine products. The average smoker in England spends around £13 a week (~£670 a year) more than people using only e-cigarettes or nicotine replacement therapy. The average expenditure on manufactured cigarettes is double that of hand-rolled cigarettes