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Background Research in high-income countries shows that exposure to point-of-sale (POS) product displays encourages youth smoking, promotes impulse purchasing, and undermines quitting, and that there is strong public support for POS advertising bans. Brazil banned tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship (TAPS) in most channels in 2000 and POS advertising in 2014. However, public awareness of tobacco promotion remains high in Brazil compared to other countries, and POS product displays are still permitted.This study evaluated the impact of the 2014 Brazil POS advertising ban, and assessed public support for complete bans on in-store advertising and POS displays. Methods Data were from Waves 1-3 of the ITC Brazil Survey, a cohort survey of approximately 1200 adult smokers and 600 non-smokers residing in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Porto Alegre. Waves 1 and 2 were conducted before the 2014 POS advertising ban (2009 and 2012-13), and Wave 3 was conducted after the ban (2016-17). Data were analyzed using GEE logistic regression models. Results From 2009 (pre-ban) to 2016-17 (post-ban), noticing things that promote smoking decreased among smokers (42.3% to 34.4%, p< .01) and non-smokers (34.0% to 25.8%, p< .05). Following the 2014 POS advertising ban, 19.9% of smokers and 20.0% of non-smokers noticed signs/items with cigarette logos in stores; 61.3% of smokers and 58.5% of non-smokers noticed cigarette displays in stores. There was strong support for complete bans on in-store advertising (74.2% smokers, 87.8% non-smokers) and POS cigarette displays (71.9% smokers, 85.5% non-smokers); and generally no differences in support between cities. Conclusions TAPS bans in Brazil have reduced exposure to tobacco marketing, but POS advertising continues to be visible. These findings demonstrate that Brazil should implement a complete ban on in-store tobacco advertising, including POS displays, and that such a ban would be supported by the majority of smokers and non-smokers.

Background Secondhand smoke (SHS) poses a major public health threat in China, causing over 100,000 deaths/year. China, however, has not yet implemented a national comprehensive smoke-free law, and the few subnational laws are only partial. This study presents trends in selected cities from 2007 to 2015 in: (1) exposure to SHS in key public places (workplaces, restaurants, bars), and (2) smokers' support for comprehensive smoke-free laws, comparing cities and rural areas in 2013-15. Methods Data are from Waves 2 to 5 of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) China Survey (2007-15), a face-to-face cohort survey of 800 smokers in each of five cities (Beijing, Guangzhou, Kunming, Shanghai, Shenyang), plus five rural areas at Wave 5 (2013-15) (total N=8000). GEE logistic regression models tested changes over time. Results At the latest wave (2013-15), the majority of respondents reported being exposed to SHS in public places. Smoking was most prevalent in bars, with little reduction over time across cities (from 93% overall in 2007 to 86% in 2013-15). Smoking in other venues decreased over time, but remained very high in 2013-15 (from 94% to 67% for restaurants; and 75% to 51% for workplaces). In rural areas, smoking prevalence was higher in workplaces (73% vs 56%, p < .001) and lower in bars (73% vs 88%, p < .05) compared to cities; there was no difference in restaurants. Support for complete smoking bans among smokers in cities increased over time for each venue and is higher than nearly all other 20+ ITC countries. Support did not differ between cities and rural locations. Conclusions Partial smoke-free laws in China are failing to protect both urban and rural residents from SHS, demonstrating the urgent need for a comprehensive national smoke-free law, as called for by the FCTC. Such a law would be supported by the majority of the Chinese public.

Background Little is known about the harmfulness perceptions of e-cigarettes (ECs) outside of high-income countries. This study examined reasons for EC use and harmfulness perceptions of ECs compared to regular cigarettes among smokers in Brazil, where 18.3% of smokers and 2.2% of non-smokers have tried ECs. Methods Data were from Waves 2 (2012-13) and 3 (2016-17) of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Brazil Survey, a cohort survey of 1200 adult smokers and 600 non-smokers in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Porto Alegre. At Wave 3, EC users (those who used ECs daily, weekly, monthly, and less than monthly; total n=48) were asked why they started and reasons for using ECs. At Waves 2 and 3, smokers who had ever heard of ECs (N=392 at Wave 2; N=859 at Wave 3) were asked whether they thought ECs are more, less, or equally harmful as regular cigarettes. Results Among the 43 smokers who reported using ECs, the most common reasons for using e-cigarettes were: “using ECs is less harmful than smoking to other people” (69.3%), “out of curiosity” (59.4%), “they may not be as bad for your health” (59.0%), and “as a way to help you quit” (57.5%). Between 2012-13 and 2016-17, the percentage of smokers who “don't know” about the relative harmfulness of ECs decreased (41.6% to 28.0%; p< .001) and the percentage who believed that ECs are equally or more harmful than cigarettes increased (22.7% to 35.2%; p< .001). Conclusions Smokers using ECs most commonly use ECs to reduce harm to others, reduce harm to their own health, and to help them to quit smoking. More smokers now have an opinion about the relative harmfulness of ECs, and a greater percentage of smokers now incorrectly believe that ECs are equally or more harmful than cigarettes.

Background Large-scale international sporting events such as the Olympic Games provide opportunities for hosting nations to promote smoke-free environments. The Olympics have been tobacco-free since 1998, but there have been few studies on the effectiveness of smoke-free Olympic policies. This study evaluated the effectiveness of smoke-free policies at the 2016 Rio Olympics, which were supported by Brazil's 2014 comprehensive smoke-free law, and measured public support for smoke-free Olympic venues. Methods Data were from Waves 2-3 of the ITC Brazil Survey, a cohort survey of approximately 1200 adult smokers and 600 non-smokers in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Porto Alegre. Wave 2 (2012-13), conducted before the 2014 smoke-free law and 2016 Olympics provided the pre-policy data, and Wave 3 (2016-17) provided the post-policy data. Analyses employed GEE logistic regression models. Results Of 1826 respondents surveyed in 2016-17, 116 (9.9%) smokers and 57 (14.8%) non-smokers attended the Olympics. The vast majority who attended at least one indoor event reported that smoking was banned inside venues (97.5% smokers, 93.0% non-smokers); and noticed no-smoking signs inside venues (82.2% smokers, 73.1% non-smokers). Only 10.7% of smokers and 7.2% of non-smokers noticed people smoking inside venues; 5.8% of smokers said they personally smoked at an indoor venue. Following the 2014 smoking ban and 2016 Olympics, support for the indoor smoking ban in Olympic venues increased among smokers (79.2% to 93.3%, p< .001) and non-smokers (86.4% to 94.1%, p< .001). Conclusions There was strong implementation of and high compliance with Brazil's comprehensive smoking ban at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Smoke-free Olympic venues were widely supported by the public before the Games, and increased after the Games. It would be beneficial for the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics organizers to consult with Rio Olympics organizers to maximize the effectiveness of any efforts to make the Tokyo Olympics smoke-free.

Background Uruguay has implemented strong tobacco control policies over the years which has resulted in decreased tobacco consumption. However, there is little information about flavored cigarettes and on electronic cigarettes (ECs). EC sales are banned in Uruguay. The purpose of this study is to evaluate consumption of these products. Methods Data is from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Uruguay Wave 5 smokers aged 18 and older in five cities. The sample size was 1,428 smokers. Results The minimum age of onset of smoking was 5 years old and 96% of smokers started smoking before the age of 25. Two out of three (68.6%) smokers chose their cigarette brand because of the taste. 72.5% have tried flavored (menthol) cigarettes, and1.3% currently smoking menthol brands. Younger age (94% aged 18-24) and smokers with higher education (84% high, 74% medium, 61% low) have tried menthol cigarettes associated with. Awareness of ECs was 56% among the smokers, but it is higher among smokers aged 18-24 (62%) and smokers with higher education (81%). Among the smokers who had heard of e-cigarettes. 12.8% had tried once (higher under age 24 (24%) and higher among smokers with high education level (20%)). Among the smokers, 1.3% using EC daily and 1.9% using EC weekly. Conclusions Taste is a very important factor for Uruguayan smokers. Almost all young smokers have tried menthol cigarettes. ECs use is also on the rise, mainly among young peopleand people with higher education. There is a need for monitoring flavored cigarettes and EC consumptionto defining new regulations for them.

High moisture content along with poor dewaterability are the main challenges for sewage sludge treatment and utilization. In this study, the effect of hydrothermal treatment at various temperature (120-200 ˚C) on the properties of sewage sludge derived solid fuel was investigated in the terms of mechanical dewatering character, drying character, calorific value and heavy metal distribution. Hydrothermal treatment (HT) followed by dewatering process significantly reduced moisture content and improved calorific value of sewage sludge with the optimum condition obtained at 140˚C. No significant alteration of drying characteristic was produced by HT. Heavy metal enrichment in solid particle was found after HT that highlighted the importance of further study regarding heavy metal behavior during combustion. However, it also implied the potential application of HT on sewage sludge for heavy metal removal from wastewater.

The microstructure and magnetic properties of Nd7Fe67B22Mo3.5-xZr0.5Tix (x = 0, 0.5, 1.0) nanocomposite magnets prepared by annealing the amorphous precursors have been investigated and presented. The Nd7Fe67B22Mo3Zr0.5Ti0.5 alloy exhibits high glass forming ability as well as good hard magnetic properties in magnetic rods of 2 mm in diameter and 40 mm in length. As-cast Nd7Fe67B22Mo3Zr0.5Ti0.5 amorphous rod shows soft magnetic properties. Annealing induces promising hard magnetic properties as Br = 0.55 T, iHc = 965 kA/m and (BH)max = 47.6 kJ/m3. Electron microscopy elucidates a microstructure composed of magnetically soft α-Fe (27 nm), Fe3B (24 nm) and hard Nd2Fe14B (50 nm) magnetic grains. The single phase hard magnetic characteristics of M-H loop and δM curve yield the existence of strong exchange coupling interactions between the magnetically soft and hard phases.

Giant low-field magnetostriction has been achieved in pseudobinary Laves phase compounds RR’T2 (R and R’: rare earth elements; T: transition metal elements) around the ferromagnetic - ferromagnetic (ferro.-ferro.) transition temperature. Evolution of the magnetic structure across such transition requires comprehensive investigation. In this work, pseudobinary system Tb(Co1-xFex)2 is selected to investigate the evolution of local magnetic moment, for which two end terminals TbCo2 and TbFe2 possess the rhombohedral (R) structure at the ferromagnetic state but with different magnetic ordering temperatures (TC). Magnetometry measurements reveal that a composition independent ferromagnetic - ferromagnetic transition occurs at ∼100 K despite the increased Curie temperature TC with raised Fe concentration in the Tb(Co1-xFex)2. Synchrotron XRD data reveal that both the lattice parameter and the lattice strain along the direction are abnormally temperature dependent, accompanied with experimentally observed magnetostriction abnormality at 100 K. In-situ neutron powder diffraction (NPD) results show that the local magnetic moments of T2 (9e site) atoms are also abnormally temperature dependent, which is larger at 100 K than that at a lower temperature 50 K. Such findings indicate close correlations between the magnetic structure and the magnetostrictive effect in the pseudobinary RT2 compounds.

The variability and mechanisms of multi-decadal megadroughts over eastern China during the last millennium were investigated using a control, full-forcing, and four sensitivity experiments from the Community Earth System Model (CESM) Last Millennium Ensemble (LME) archive. The model simulated megadroughts have comparable magnitudes and durations with those derived from reconstructed proxy data, although the megadroughts are not temporally synchronous. In all experiments, the megadroughts exhibit similar spatial structures, corresponding to a weakening of the East Asia summer monsoon (EASM) and a strengthening of the East Asia winter monsoon (EAWM). The results show that internal climate variability within the coupled climate system plays an essential role in triggering megadroughts, while different external forcings may contribute to persistence and modify the anomaly patterns of megadroughts. A pattern of meridional tripolar (warm-cold-warm) sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the western Pacific stretching from the equator to high latitude is responsible for the EASM weakening and EAWM strengthening. The weakening of the EASM and strengthening of the EAWM are essentially caused by negative SST anomalies over the northwestern Pacific and positive SST anomalies over the equatorial western Pacific, which are associated with a La Niña-like SST gradient across the tropical Pacific. The external forcings prolong the megadroughts through maintenance of the meridional tripolar SST anomalies and enlarge the megadrought spatial extent by magnifying the meridional tripolar SST anomalies.

Nature Communications 8: Article number: 13937 (2017); Published 18 January 2017; Updated 21 March 2017 The Author Mi Yan was incorrectly omitted from the list of corresponding Authors in the PDF of this Article, and the author Tianyu Ma was incorrectly listed as a corresponding author; the HTML version of the paper was correct from the time of publication.

Konjac is one of the most important glucomannan crops worldwide. The breeding and genomic researches are largely limited by the genetic basis of Amorphophallus. In this study, the transcriptomes of A. konjac and A. bulbifer were constructed using a high-throughput Illumina sequencing platform. All 108,651 unigenes with average lengths of 430 nt in A. konjac and 119,678 unigenes with average lengths of 439 nt were generated from 54,986,020 reads and 52,334,098 reads after filtering and assembly, respectively. A total of 54,453 transcripts in A. konjac and 55,525 in A. bulbifier were annotated by comparison with Nr, Swiss-Prot, KEGG, and COG databases after removing exogenous contaminated sequences. A total of 80,332 transcripts differentially expressed between A. konjac and A. bulbifer. The majority of the genes that are associated with konjac glucomannan biosynthetic pathway were identified. Besides, the small RNAs in A. konjac leaves were also obtained by deep sequencing technology. All of 5,499,903 sequences of small RNAs were obtained with the length range between 18 and 30 nt. The potential targets for the miRNAs were also predicted according to the konjac transcripts. Our study provides a systematic overview of the konjac glucomannan biosynthesis genes that are involved in konjac leaves and should facilitate further understanding of the crucial roles of carbohydrate synthesis and other important metabolism pathways in Amorphophallus.

In the title compound, [Cu(C6H3BrNO2)2(H2O)], the Cu atom adopts a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal coordination arising from two N,O-bidentate ligands and a water molecule, with one N atom in an axial site and the other in an equatorial site. The dihedral angle between the pyridine ring planes is 67.6 (2)°. In the crystal, O—H...O hydrogen bonds result in chains propagating in [100].

Abstract Background Our recent cDNA microarray data showed that centromere protein F (CENP-F) is significantly upregulated in primary cultured nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) tumor cells compared with normal nasopharyngeal epithelial cells. The goal of this study was to further investigate the levels of CENP-F expression in NPC cell lines and tissues to clarify the clinical significance of CENP-F expression in NPC as well as the potential therapeutic implications of CENP-F expression. Methods Real-time RT-PCR and western blotting were used to examine CENP-F expression levels in normal primary nasopharyngeal epithelial cells (NPEC), immortalized nasopharyngeal epithelial cells and NPC cell lines. Levels of CENP-F mRNA were determined by real-time RT-PCR in 23 freshly frozen nasopharyngeal biopsy tissues, and CENP-F protein levels were detected by immunohistochemistry in paraffin sections of 202 archival NPC tissues. Statistical analyses were applied to test for prognostic associations. The cytotoxicities of CENP-F potential target chemicals, zoledronic acid (ZOL) and FTI-277 alone, or in combination with cisplatin, in NPC cells were determined by the MTT assay. Results The levels of CENP-F mRNA and protein were higher in NPC cell lines than in normal and immortalized NPECs. CENP-F mRNA level was upregulated in nasopharyngeal carcinoma biopsy tissues compared with noncancerous tissues. By immunohistochemical analysis, CENP-F was highly expressed in 98 (48.5%) of 202 NPC tissues. Statistical analysis showed that high expression of CENP-F was positively correlated with T classification (P < 0.001), clinical stage (P < 0.001), skull-base invasion (P < 0.001) and distant metastasis (P = 0.012) inversely correlated with the overall survival time in NPC patients. Multivariate analysis showed that CENP-F expression was an independent prognostic indicator for the survival of the patient. Moreover, we found that ZOL or FTI-277 could significantly enhance the chemotherapeutic sensitivity of NPC cell lines (HONE1 and 6-10B) with high CENP-F expression to cisplatin, although ZOL or FTI-277 alone only exhibited a minor inhibitory effect to NPC cells. Conclusion Our data suggest that CENP-F protein is a valuable marker of NPC progression, and CENP-F expression is associated with poor overall survival of patients. In addition, our data indicate a potential benefit of combining ZOL or FTI-277 with cisplatin in NPC suggesting that CENP-F expression may have therapeutic implications.