The nature of the continuum limit in strongly coupled quenched QED

We review the results of large scale simulations of noncompact quenched $QED$ which use spectrum and Equation of State calculations to determine the theory's phase diagram, critical indices, and continuum limit. The resulting anomalous dimensions are in good agreement with Schwinger-Dyson solutions of the ladder graphs of conventional $QED$ and they satisfy the hyperscaling relations expected of a relativistic renormalizable field theory. The spectroscopy results satisfy the constraints of the Goldstone mechanism and PCAC, and may be indicative of Technicolor versions of the Standard Model which are strongly coupled at short distances.Comment: (talk given at the XXVI ICHEP, Dallas, TX, Aug 6-12 92), 6 pp., ILL-(TH)-92-#2

Progressive pulmonary hypertension in cyanotic congenital heart disease with severe pulmonary stenosis

We report the progressive development of pulmonary hypertension despite the presence of severe pulmonary stenosis in three patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease. The associated intracardiac lesions were complete transposition with a ventricular septal defect, double outlet right ventricle, and a heart with univentricular atrioventricular connection, respectively. Serial measurements on hemodynamics andhistological findings documented the progression of pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vascular diseases. The underlying etiology remains speculative. In view of the possibility of development of pulmonary hypertension despite a 'protected' pulmonary vasculature, corrective surgery should be contemplated as soon as technically feasible. © World Publishers Incorporated.published_or_final_versio

Can Material Passports lower financial barriers for structural steel re-use?

The building and construction sector is responsible for more than half of global steel consumption. Recycling is common practice. Yet, this is an energy intensive process, even when using the best currently available technology. A strategy that avoids energy use for remelting and significantly reduces negative environmental impacts is re-use. Steel element re-use is technically feasible and economically attractive in certain cases. However, re-use rates in the UK remain low. Cost and timing are identified to be among the main barriers for re-use across the structural steel value chain. Re-used steel is estimated to be about 8-10% more expensive than new steel, taking into account all required reconditioning processes. This study investigates how data/information services like BAMB Material Passports can facilitate structural steel re-use in the UK by lowering financial barriers. It shows that relevant data has the potential of reducing costs in sourcing, testing, reconditioning and fabrication, ranging from 150-1000 £/t, depending on the re-use path followed (remanufacture or direct re-use of elements/structures). Key stakeholder groups are stockists and fabricators, which will be both the suppliers and customers of the data. It should be noted that data alone is not sufficient to overcome all barriers. Next to shortening or vertical integration of the supply chain, value redistribution across the chain can align incentives of different stakeholders. Regulations and perceptions (on quality) also play a key role. Finally, reversible design/design for dismantling can be a game changer in the transition towards more structural steel re-use, since it can significantly reduce deconstruction costs

Physically active adults reported higher levels of family happiness, harmony and health: findings from the Hong Kong Family and Health Information and Trends Survey (FHinTs) under FAMILY: A Jockey Club Initiative for a Harmonious Society Project

Oral Poster Presentation SessionBehavioral Risk Factor Surveillance showed half (50.1%) of Hong Kong adults, aged 18-64, had not performed moderate physical activity (PA) and two-third (62.2%) had not performed vigorous physical activity (PA) in the past week. Whether PA was associated with family well-being (happiness, harmony and health) is less known. We examined the associations of moderate and vigorous PA with perceived family health, happiness and harmony in Hong Kong adults. The Hong Kong Family and Health Information and Trends Survey (FHinTs) was conducted in 2013 using random telephone interviews on 1502 adults aged 18+ with 70.6% response rate. PA was measured using two questions: (1) During the past 7 days, on how many days did you do at least 10 minutes of moderate physical activities (e.g. carrying light loads, or bicycling at a regular pace but do not include walking)? (2) Same question on vigorous physical activities (e.g. aerobics, heavy lifting, or fast bicycling)? Family well-being was measured using three separate questions of perceived family happiness, harmony and health with response ranging from 0-10 with higher scores indicating better well-being. General linear model was used to calculate β-coefficient for family well-being adjusting for potential confounders. Data were weighted by sex and age using 2012 census data. Of 1502 respondents (45.5% male, 73.4% aged 25-64), the average days of having moderate and vigorous PA were 2.42 (±2.75), and 1.46 (±2.13) respectively. Moderate PA was significantly associated with family happiness (adjusted β=0.09, p<0.001), and harmony (adjusted β=0.06, p=0.01) but not health (adjusted β=0.03, p=0.25). Vigorous PA was significantly associated with family happiness (adjusted β=0.12, p<0.001), harmony (adjusted β=0.09, p<0.001) and health (adjusted β=0.05, p=0.03). Increasing PA levels was associated with family well-being. Prospective studies are needed to confirm the findings. Intervention studies are warranted.postprin

Health information seeking partially mediated the association between socioeconomic status and self-rated health among Hong Kong Chinese

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Social determinants of health information seeking among Chinese adults in Hong Kong

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Reactions to Thirdhand Smoke are Associated with Openness to Smoking in Young Never Smoking Children

To investigate the associations between reactions to thirdhand smoke (THS) and openness to smoking in young children. In a school-based survey in Hong Kong, 4762 Chinese primary school students reported their reactions to THS (one or more of ‘pleasant/happy’, ‘nausea’, ‘excited’, ‘heart beat faster’, ‘relaxed’, ‘dislike the smell’, ‘like the smell’, ‘dizzy’, ‘coughing/choking’, ‘eye uncomfortable’ and ‘none of the above’), smoking status and openness to smoking (lack of a firm intention not to smoke). Factor structure of reactions to THS was investigated with factor scores calculated and categorised. Logistic regression yielded adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of openness to smoking for reactions to THS. Factor analysis yielded two factors including 5 and 4 reactions, which were generally deemed negative and positive, respectively. The proportions of students with factor scores ≥1 for negative and positive reactions were 51.3 and 6.3 %, respectively. In never smokers, openness to smoking was negatively associated with ‘dislike the smell’ (AOR 0.52, 95 % CI 0.39–0.68), ‘coughing/choking’ (0.53, 0.38–0.75), ‘eye uncomfortable’ (0.62, 0.40–0.95) and negative reaction factor score of 2–5 (vs. 0) (0.59, 0.40–0.88), and was positively associated with ‘pleasant/happy’ (2.80, 1.54–5.09), ‘excited’ (2.83, 1.17–6.87), ‘like the smell’ (3.06, 1.49–6.26) and positive reaction factor score of 1–4 (vs. 0) (2.86, 1.83–4.48). In experimental or former smokers, fewer associations reached statistical significance. Negative and positive reactions to THS were negatively and positively associated with openness to smoking, respectively, in young never smoking children.postprin

E-cigarette use was associated with the intention to smoke in Chinese adolescents

Conference Theme: Tobacco and Non-Communicable DiseasesPoster Discussion 28. E-cigarettes: Evidence and Analysis: no. PD-923-20BACKGROUND: E-cigarette use arguably could reduce cigarette smoking and the intention to smoke, although such studies are few, especially in adolescents. We investigated the association between e-cigarette use and the intention to smoke in Chinese adolescent smokers and never-smokers. DESIGN/METHODS: A total of 45857 secondary 1-6 (US Grade 7-12) students (response rate 96%) from 75 randomly selected schools completed an anonymous questionnaire in 2012/13 in Hong Kong. Students were classified as never-smokers, experimenters (smoked just a few puffs), ex-smokers and current smokers (occasional or daily smoking). E-cigarette use in the past 30 days was …published_or_final_versio

Electronic cigarette use and its association with smoking in Hong Kong Chinese adolescents

BACKGROUND: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are increasingly used in adolescents with unknown impacts on conventional cigarette smoking. We examined the associations of e-cigarette use with smoking intention, nicotine addiction and smoking cessation in Chinese adolescents. METHODS: A total of 45,128 students (age 14.6±1.9; boys 51.4%) from 75 randomly selected schools in Hong Kong reported e-cigarette use (in the past 30days), conventional cigarette use and socio-demographic characteristics in an anonymous questionnaire survey. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) of intention to smoke, morning smoking urge, intention to quit and quit attempts; and beta-coefficient (β) of cigarette consumption per day were calculated in relation to e-cigarette use. RESULTS: E-cigarette use was associated with intention to smoke with an AOR (95% CI) of 1.74 (1.30-2.31) in all students, 2.18 (1.12-4.23) in never and 2.79 (2.05-3.79) in ever smokers (non-significant interaction by smoking status). The associations were also significant in experimental and former smokers but not in current smokers. In current smokers, e-cigarette use was significantly associated with heavier smoking (β 2.54, 95% CI 1.28-3.81) and morning smoking urge (AOR 2.54, 95% CI 1.50-3.11), and non-significantly associated with lower quit intention (0.76, 0.52-1.09) and attempts (0.80, 0.56-1.23). CONCLUSIONS: E-cigarette use was associated with smoking intention in never, experimental and former smokers in Hong Kong Chinese adolescents. In current smokers, e-cigarette use was associated with nicotine addiction but not quit intention and attempts. Prospective studies with detailed measurements on e-cigarette use are warranted for further studies. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.postprin