We present the generation, optimization and full control of superimposed optical vortices (SOVs) using tailored computer generated holograms by utilizing a 2D liquid crystal spatial light modulator. ...To perform full radial and azimuthal control over the targeted SOVs we apply spatial amplitude modulation via window functions as well as radial and azimuthal phases, encoded in the diffraction mask. In particular we discuss the influence of spatial linear and quadratic radial phases, which is supplemented by an analytical description. The developed formalism further permits the direct shaping in k-space which is highlighted by the radial and azimuthal confinement of SOV states. Our technique enables full real-time control over the spatial structure, the symmetry and azimuthal orientation of the generated SOVs in a common path geometry, which is useful in the context of optical information transfer. We also study the topological properties, i.e. the orbital current S⃗O to determine the topological charge ℓ of the generated SOVs.
•Using simulation to evaluate nomination of most popular contacts for vaccination.•Simulating spread of COVID-19 across two contact networks among high-schoolers.•Targeting in this way can reduce ...spread to the susceptible population by 20% or more.•Results are robust in a synthetic network replicating spread in a small town.•Results are robust across a wide range of infectiousness, and mistaken nomination.
When vaccines are limited, prior research has suggested it is most protective to distribute vaccines to the most central individuals – those who are most likely to spread the disease. But surveying the population’s social network is a costly and time-consuming endeavour, often not completed before vaccination must begin. This paper validates a local targeting method for distributing vaccines. That is, ask randomly chosen individuals to nominate for vaccination the person they are in contact with who has the most disease-spreading contacts. Even better, ask that person to nominate the next person for vaccination, and so on. To validate this approach, we simulate the spread of COVID-19 along empirical contact networks collected in two high schools, in the United States and France, pre-COVID. These weighted networks are built by recording whenever students are in close spatial proximity and facing one another. We show here that nomination of most popular contacts performs significantly better than random vaccination, and on par with strategies which assume a full survey of the population. These results are robust over a range of realistic disease-spread parameters, as well as a larger synthetic contact network of 3000 individuals.
This study examined which socio-demographic factors are associated with susceptibility (lack of commitment to avoid future use), past-12-month and past-30-day use of JUUL and other e-cigarettes, and ...reasons for and against using JUUL. An online survey of 3,075 Californians ages 15–29, including 24.3% who identified as LGBTQ, were recruited via social media in January-March 2019. Multi-level weighted logistic regression models suggest that LGBTQ participants were more likely to be susceptible to JUUL AOR = 2.11 (1.60, 2.79) (parentheses include 95% Confidence Intervals) and other e-cigarettes AOR = 2.31 (1.75, 3.05), and more likely to use JUUL AOR = 1.27 (1.02, 1.58) and other e-cigarettes AOR = 1.66 (1.35, 2.05) in the past 12 months. Susceptibility to using JUUL was more likely among adolescents (ages 15–17) AOR = 1.72 (1.30, 2.28) and young adults (ages 18–20) AOR = 1.26 (1.00,1.58) than adults (ages 21–29). At the community level, living in jurisdictions with higher median household income was associated with a higher likelihood of being susceptible to using JUUL and other e-cigarettes. Compared to non-Hispanic Whites, Asian/Pacific Islanders were less likely to use JUUL AOR = 0.68 (0.54, 0.86) and other e-cigarettes AOR = 0.60 (0.48, 0.76) in the past 12 months. Past-30-day JUUL use was more likely among males than females AOR = 1.44 (1.11, 1.88). Common reasons for using JUUL were: friends’ use, flavors, “safer” than cigarettes, no one will notice, and nicotine rush is greater than other devices. Common reasons against using JUUL were: harmful to self/others, contains nicotine and is addictive. E-cigarette prevention and cessation efforts should include tailored messaging for people who identify as LGBTQ and reinforce reasons for not vaping nicotine.
The ability to 'sense' the social environment and thereby to understand the thoughts and actions of others allows humans to fit into their social worlds, communicate and cooperate, and learn from ...others' experiences. Here we argue that, through the lens of computational social science, this ability can be used to advance research into human sociality. When strategically selected to represent a specific population of interest, human social sensors can help to describe and predict societal trends. In addition, their reports of how they experience their social worlds can help to build models of social dynamics that are constrained by the empirical reality of human social systems.
Though predominantly Christian since the time of its founding, the United States has become more religiously diverse in recent decades. Yet since the mid-1990s, the proportion of Americans who see ...their country as a “Christian nation” has reportedly increased. Though initially paradoxical, these trends are less mysterious if the idea of a “Christian America” (CA) is understood, not as a description of religious demography, but as a discursive practice that seeks to align the symbolic boundaries of national belonging with the boundaries of the dominant faith community. Using data from the 1996 and 2004 General Social Survey, it is shown that the growing prevalence of CA was restricted to Americans of Christian faith, thereby widening an existing religious divide over the meaning of American identity.
Little is known about inhaled flavored cannabis use. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and patterns of flavored cannabis use and cannabis-tobacco co-use.
This study surveyed adult past ...30-day cannabis users in U.S. states and districts that have legalized cannabis for nonmedical/adult use (n=9) (November 2018; n=2,978). By product/behavior (any cannabis, cannabis extract vaporizers, mixed cannabis-nicotine vaporizers, blunts, chasing), the association between flavored (versus non-flavored) use and sociodemographic characteristics, cannabis use disorder symptoms, and tobacco use was estimated using weighted multivariable logistic regression in January 2022.
Almost half of adult cannabis users reported using at least one flavored cannabis product (46.5%). Flavored cannabis use was more likely among respondents who were female (AOR=1.2, CI=1.0, 1.4), were Black (ref: White; AOR=2.2, CI=1.5, 3.1), were Hispanic/Latino/a/x (ref: White; AOR=1.6, CI=1.2, 1.9), had cannabis use disorder symptoms (AOR=2.0, CI=1.6, 2.4), or were currently using tobacco (AOR=2.4, CI=2.1, 2.9). Use was less likely among middle-aged/older adults (ref: ages 21−34 vs 35–49 years; AOR=0.6, CI=0.5, 0.7).
Observed differences in flavored cannabis use are concerning if flavors raise appeal or dependence. Integrating flavored cannabis and tobacco research and practice is warranted.
Abstract Objective Neighborhood socioeconomic and racial/ethnic disparities exist in the amount and type of tobacco marketing at retail, but most studies are limited to a single city or state, and ...few have examined flavored little cigars. Our purpose is to describe tobacco product availability, marketing, and promotions in a national sample of retail stores and to examine associations with neighborhood characteristics. Methods At a national sample of 2230 tobacco retailers in the contiguous US, we collected in-person store audit data on: Availability of products (e.g., flavored cigars), quantity of interior and exterior tobacco marketing, presence of price promotions, and marketing with youth appeal. Observational data were matched to census tract demographics. Results Over 95% of stores displayed tobacco marketing; the average store featured 29.5 marketing materials. 75.1% of stores displayed at least one tobacco product price promotion, including 87.2% of gas/convenience stores and 85.5% of pharmacies. 16.8% of stores featured marketing below three feet, and 81.3% of stores sold flavored cigars, both of which appeal to youth. Stores in neighborhoods with the highest (vs. lowest) concentration of African-American residents had more than two times greater odds of displaying a price promotion (OR = 2.1) and selling flavored cigars (OR = 2.6). Price promotions were also more common in stores located in neighborhoods with more residents under age 18. Conclusions and relevance Tobacco companies use retail marketing extensively to promote their products to current customers and youth, with disproportionate targeting of African Americans. Local, state, and federal policies are needed to counteract this unhealthy retail environment.
Abstract
Objectives
To assess the quality of evidence on the effectiveness of local US laws restricting the sale of flavored tobacco products.
Methods
We conducted a systematic search and qualitative ...scoping review of English-language papers published through May 2020 that evaluated flavored tobacco sales policies implemented by US jurisdictions during 2010–2019. We constructed a conceptual model for flavored and menthol tobacco sales restriction outcomes, assigned GRADE quality of evidence ratings to policy outcomes evaluated through the included studies, and summarized factors that might explain weak or inconsistent findings.
Results
We found moderate to high quality of evidence associating policy implementation with reduced availability, marketing, and sales of policy-restricted products, and decreased youth and adult tobacco use of these products; however, policy exclusions and exemptions, implementation challenges, tobacco industry actions (e.g., marketing of concept-named flavored products; exploiting policy exemptions for certain store types), and consumer responses (e.g., cross-border or illicit purchasing) might undermine or mitigate intended policy effects.
Conclusions
Flavored and menthol tobacco product sales restrictions implemented and evaluated in US jurisdictions appear to have achieved some of their intended outcomes; however, deficiencies in study designs, methods, and metrics could contribute to equivocal findings on quality of evidence associating policy implementation and outcomes. Gaps in the evidence are beginning to be filled with research using more rigorous study designs, improved measurement and analytic methods, and longer-term follow-up.
Implications
In the absence of comprehensive federal action, US jurisdictions have the obligation to restrict flavored and menthol product sales to protect vulnerable populations from tobacco-related harms. The considerable expenditure of financial resources, political will, and time dedicated to policy adoption and implementation argue for evaluation studies designed to maximize the quality of evidence. This review offers generalizable insights into evaluation findings that can inform efforts to enhance tobacco control policy implementation and impact in the US and globally.
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