Bars, Nightclubs, and Cancer Prevention: New Approaches to Reduce Young Adult Cigarette Smoking.

IntroductionTobacco contributes to multiple cancers, and it is largely preventable. As overall smoking prevalence in California declines, smoking has become concentrated among high-risk groups. Targeting social/cultural groups (i.e., "peer crowds") that share common values, aspirations, and activities in social venues like bars and nightclubs may reach high-risk young adult smokers. Lack of population data on young adult peer crowds limits the ability to assess the potential reach of such interventions.MethodsThis multimodal population-based household survey included young adults residing in San Francisco and Alameda counties. Data were collected in 2014 and analyzed in 2016. Multivariable logistic regressions assessed smoking by sociodemographic factors, attitudes, self-rated health, peer crowd affiliation, and bar/nightclub attendance.ResultsSmoking prevalence was 15.1% overall; 35.3% of respondents sometimes or frequently attended bars. In controlled analyses, bar attendance (AOR=2.13, 95% CI=1.00, 4.53) and binge drinking (AOR=3.17, 95% CI=1.59, 6.32) were associated with greater odds of smoking, as was affiliation with "Hip Hop" (AOR=4.32, 95% CI=1.48, 12.67) and "Country" (AOR=3.13, 95% CI=1.21, 8.09) peer crowds. Multivariable models controlling for demographics estimated a high probability of smoking among bar patrons affiliating with Hip Hop (47%) and Country (52%) peer crowds.ConclusionsBar attendance and affiliation with certain peer crowds confers significantly higher smoking risk. Interventions targeting Hip Hop and Country peer crowds could efficiently reach smokers, and peer crowd-tailored interventions have been associated with decreased smoking and binge drinking. Targeted interventions in bars and nightclubs may be an efficient way to address these cancer risks

Dirac Quantization of Two-Dimensional Dilaton Gravity Minimally Coupled to N Massless Scalar Fields

It is shown that the Callan-Giddings-Harvey-Strominger theory on the cylinder can be consistently quantized (using Dirac's approach) without imposing any constraints on the sign of the gravitational coupling constant or the sign (or value) of the cosmological constant. The quantum constraints in terms of the original geometrical variables are also derived

Bulk Mediated Surface Diffusion: The Infinite System Case

An analytical soluble model based on a Continuous Time Random Walk (CTRW) scheme for the adsorption-desorption processes at interfaces, called bulk-mediated surface diffusion, is presented. The time evolution of the effective probability distribution width on the surface is calculated and analyzed within an anomalous diffusion framework. The asymptotic behavior for large times shows a sub-diffusive regime for the effective surface diffusion but, depending on the observed range of time, other regimes may be obtained. Montecarlo simulations show excellent agreement with analytical results. As an important byproduct of the indicated approach, we present the evaluation of the time for the first visit to the surface.Comment: 15 pages, 7 figure

High-energy gamma-rays from stellar associations

It is proposed that TeV gamma-rays and neutrinos can be produced by cosmic rays (CRs) through hadronic interactions in the innermost parts of the winds of massive O and B stars. Convection prevents low-energy particles from penetrating into the wind, leading to an absence of MeV-GeV counterparts. It is argued that groups of stars located close to the CR acceleration sites in OB stellar associations may be detectable by ground-based Cherenkov telescopes.Comment: 10 pages, 1 figure. Accepted for publication in Astrophysical Journal Letter

Periodontitis periapical sintomática y agranulocitosis por analgésicos

Se presentó un caso de agranulocitosis en una paciente de 62 años, atribuible a ingesta continuada de analgésicos sin prescripción, para tratar el dolor debido a periodontitis periapical sintomática. Se realizó tratamiento de conductos radiculares. Dada la escasa incidencia de agranulocitosis por analgésicos a pesar de la frecuente utilización de los mismos, hemos creído de interés su publicación ya que este efecto indeseable puede ser grave o incluso mortal en algún caso. A pesar de conocerse los efectos indeseables de los analgésicos, la automedicación en los pacientes sigue siendo frecuente. Debido al diagnóstico y al tratamiento precoces de la enfermedad, este caso evolucionó favorablemente hasta la total recuperación de la paciente

Updating Bounds on RR-Parity Violating Supersymmetry from Meson Oscillation Data

We update the bounds on $R$-parity violating supersymmetry originating from meson oscillations in the $B^0_{d/s}$ and $K^0$ systems. To this end, we explicitly calculate all corresponding contributions from $R$-parity violating operators at the one-loop level, thereby completing and correcting existing calculations. We apply our results to the derivation of bounds on $R$-parity violating couplings, based on up-to-date experimental measurements. In addition, we consider the possibility of cancellations among flavor-changing contributions of various origins, e.g. from multiple $R$-parity violating couplings or $R$-parity conserving soft terms. Destructive interferences among new-physics contributions could then open phenomenologically allowed regions, for values of the parameters that are naively excluded when the parameters are varied individually.Comment: 53 pages, 10 figures, 2 tables; final versio

Teaching strategy for the development of digital skills in the university classroom: From recreational use to training use

En el presente artículo, se expone la fase inicial de una investigación realizada con estudiantes de primer curso de Ingeniería sobre una estrategia docente cuyo fin es el desarrollo de la competencia digital. Mediante la metodología de trabajo de la investigación-acción, este estudio investigativo se encuadra en el paradigma cualitativo y en una perspectiva multimodal en el uso de los instrumentos. Este análisis se sustenta en dos estrategias de aprendizaje: una es de carácter conceptual —sobre el uso profesional de Internet y de las redes sociales— y la otra es aplicada y práctica —materializada en la realización de un blog personal. Este trabajo es de interés por la metodología empleada y por los resultados positivos en cuanto al objetivo que persigue la docencia de esta materia. La efectividad de dichas estrategias se ha puesto de manifiesto en los resultados de las encuestas realizadas sobre la acción formativa, en el número elevado de estudiantes que han realizado un blog personal, en los resultados evaluativos satisfactorios que han obtenido y en la calidad de sus participaciones. Concluimos que la propuesta metodológica de la investigación-acción se muestra adecuada para continuar investigando sobre la competencia digital en cursos superiores y en otros grados universitarios.Al present article, s’hi exposa la fase inicial d’una recerca realitzada amb estudiants de primer curs d’Enginyeria sobre una estratègia docent adreçada al desenvolupament de la competència digital. Mitjançant la metodologia de treball de la investigació-acció, l’estudi investigatiu dut a terme s’emmarca en el paradigma qualitatiu i en una perspectiva multimodal en l’ús dels instruments,. Aquest estudi se sustenta en dues estratègies d’aprenentatge: l’una és de caràcter més conceptual —sobre l’ús professional d’Internet i de les xarxes socials— i l’altra és aplicada i pràctica —materialitzada en la realització d’un blog personal per part dels estudiants. Considerem que aquest treball és interessant per la metodologia emprada i pels resultats positius respecte a l’objectiu que persegueix la docència d’aquesta matèria. L’efectivitat d’aquestes estratègies s’ha posat de manifest en els resultats de les enquestes realitzades sobre l’acció formativa, en el nombre elevat d’estudiants que han realitzat un blog personal, en els resultats avaluatius satisfactoris que han obtingut i en la qualitat de les seves participacions. Concloem que la proposta metodològica de la investigació-acció es considera adequada per continuar investigant sobre la competència digital en cursos superiors i en altres graus universitaris.This paper examines the initial phase of an investigation into a teaching strategy whose aim is to develop the digital skills of first-year engineering students. The research is framed within the qualitative paradigm and a multimodal approach to the use of instruments. Action research methodology was used to perform the research. The study focuses on two learning strategies: one which is more conceptual in nature and targeted at the professional use of the Internet and social networks, and the other which is of an applied and practical nature that culminates in the creation of a personal blog by students. We believe this work is of interest due to the methodology used and the positive results regarding the course objectives. The effectiveness of these strategies is supported by the results of surveys conducted on the training scheme, the large number of students who created a personal blog, the quality of their work and the satisfactory results of the students’ evaluations. We conclude that the use of action research methodology proved suitable for conducting further research into technological and digital competence in higher level university courses and other degree programs