The impact of smoking cigarettes and hookah on human health

A study was conducted to obtain data on the prevalence of smoking, including hookah smoking, among first-year students of USMU. The motivation for such smoking is determined. The results of the research by a number of scientists on this problem are presented. Measures to overcome the commitment to hookah smoking among young people are proposed.Проведено исследование с целью получения данных о распространенности курения, в том числе курения кальяна, среди студентов первого курса УГМУ. Определена мотивация к такому курению. Представлены результаты исследований ряда ученых по данной проблеме. Предложены меры по преодолению приверженности к курению кальяна среди молодеж

Deafening silence? Marxism, international historical sociology and the spectre of Eurocentrism

Approaching the centenary of its establishment as a formal discipline, International Relations today challenges the ahistorical and aspatial frameworks advanced by the theories of earlier luminaries. Yet, despite a burgeoning body of literature built on the transdisciplinary efforts bridging International Relations and its long-separated nomothetic relatives, the new and emerging conceptual frameworks have not been able to effectively overcome the challenge posed by the ‘non-West’. The recent wave of international historical sociology has highlighted possible trajectories to problematise the myopic and unipolar conceptions of the international system; however, the question of Eurocentrism still lingers in the developing research programmes. This article interjects into the ongoing historical materialist debate in international historical sociology by: (1) conceptually and empirically challenging the rigid boundaries of the extant approaches; and (2) critically assessing the postulations of recent theorising on ‘the international’, capitalist states-system/geopolitics and uneven and combined development. While the significance of the present contributions in international historical sociology should not be understated, it is argued that the ‘Eurocentric cage’ still occupies a dominant ontological position which essentially silences ‘connected histories’ and conceals the role of inter-societal relations in the making of the modern states-system and capitalist geopolitics

Drinking behaviours and blood alcohol concentration in four European drinking environments: a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Reducing harm in drinking environments is a growing priority for European alcohol policy yet few studies have explored nightlife drinking behaviours. This study examines alcohol consumption and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in drinking environments in four European cities.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A short questionnaire was implemented among 838 drinkers aged 16-35 in drinking environments in four European cities, in the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain and the UK. Questions included self-reported alcohol use before interview and expected consumption over the remainder of the night. Breathalyser tests were used to measured breath alcohol concentration (converted to BAC) at interview.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Most participants in the Dutch (56.2%), Spanish (59.6%) and British (61.4%) samples had preloaded (cf Slovenia 34.8%). In those drinking < 3 h at interview, there were no differences in BAC by gender or nationality. In UK participants, BAC increased significantly in those who had been drinking longer, reaching 0.13% (median) in females and 0.17% in males drinking > 5 h. In other nationalities, BAC increases were less pronounced or absent. High BAC (> 0.08%) was associated with being male, aged > 19, British and having consumed spirits. In all cities most participants intended to drink enough alcohol to constitute binge drinking.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Different models of drinking behaviour are seen in different nightlife settings. Here, the UK sample was typified by continued increases in inebriation compared with steady, more moderate intoxication elsewhere. With the former being associated with higher health risks, European alcohol policy must work to deter this form of nightlife.</p

THE EFFECT OF ABOVEGROUND COMPETITION ON SPATIAL STRUCTURE AND CROWN SHAPE OF THE DOMINATING CANOPY SPECIES OF FOREST STANDS OF EUROPEAN RUSSIA

Background. The most of ecosystem models do not take into account the asymmetry of crowns resulted from the competition between trees. Thus, the objective of the current study is to estimate quantitatively the effect of competition on shape and size of tree crowns. Materials and methods. The study was carried out in mixed and pure spruce, pine and birch stands in the Moscow and Novgorod regions. Mapping of trees was carried out on 14 sample plots of 25×25 m in size. Stem diameter, crown length and crown spread in four cardinal directions were measured for each tree. The relationship between crown size and tree stem size was analysed, as well as spatial distribution of stem bases and centroids of crown projections. Results. We found that crown size and shape is strongly dependent on tree species, its location in stand, and stand density. Pioneer tree species are characterized by relatively narrower crowns with high relative crown base height while the late-successional tree species have relatively wider crowns. The asymmetry of crown projection was shown to be strongly influenced by a tree neighbourhood. We also found that centroids of crown projections are distributed in space more regularly than stem bases. Conclusions. The species-specific features in crown development were shown. The analysis of results confirmed the previously described mechanism of adaptation to competition from neighbouring trees through asymmetric crown expansion in different directions. The relationships derived can be used for development of improved algorithm of simulation of aboveground competition. New procedure will allow us account the influence of a tree neighbourhood on the size and shape of its crown

Predicting biomass of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) using rank distribution and root-to-shoot ratio models

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