67 research outputs found
Understanding tobacco industry pricing strategy and whether it undermines tobacco tax policy: the example of the UK cigarette market.
No full textAIMS: Tobacco tax increases are the most effective means of reducing tobacco use and inequalities in smoking, but effectiveness depends on transnational tobacco company (TTC) pricing strategies, specifically whether TTCs overshift tax increases (increase prices on top of the tax increase) or undershift the taxes (absorb the tax increases so they are not passed onto consumers), about which little is known. DESIGN: Review of literature on brand segmentation. Analysis of 1999-2009 data to explore the extent to which tax increases are shifted to consumers, if this differs by brand segment and whether cigarette price indices accurately reflect cigarette prices. SETTING: UK. PARTICIPANTS: UK smokers. MEASUREMENTS: Real cigarette prices, volumes and net-of-tax- revenue by price segment. FINDINGS: TTCs categorise brands into four price segments: premium, economy, mid and 'ultra-low price' (ULP). TTCs have sold ULP brands since 2006; since then, their real price has remained virtually static and market share doubled. The price gap between premium and ULP brands is increasing because the industry differentially shifts tax increases between brand segments; while, on average, taxes are overshifted, taxes on ULP brands are not always fully passed onto consumers (being absorbed at the point each year when tobacco taxes increase). Price indices reflect the price of premium brands only and fail to detect these problems. CONCLUSIONS: Industry-initiated cigarette price changes in the UK appear timed to accentuate the price gap between premium and ULP brands. Increasing the prices of more expensive cigarettes on top of tobacco tax increases should benefit public health, but the growing price gap enables smokers to downtrade to cheaper tobacco products and may explain smoking-related inequalities. Governments must monitor cigarette prices by price segment and consider industry pricing strategies in setting tobacco tax policies
Hybrid organic-inorganic conductor with a magnetic chain anion: κ-BETS<sub>2</sub>[Fe<sup>III</sup>(C<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>)Cl<sub>2</sub>] [BETS = Bis(ethylenedithio)tetraselenafulvalene]
No full textThe synthesis, crystal structure, and electrical, optical, and magnetic properties of kappa-BETS2(Fe-III(C2O4)CI2], where BETS is bis(ethylenedithio)tetraselenafulvalene, are reported. The black plate crystals consist of parallel donor layers, two per unit cell, displaying a K-type packing of BETS0.5+ within the bc plane and anionic magnetic chains, [Fe(C2O4)CI2-](n), running along the c axis. It displays metallic behavior clown to 4.2 K, and analysis of the optical reflectivity data gives unscreened plasma energies of 0.69 eV (E parallel to c) and 0.40 eV (E perpendicular to c). The optical anisotropy is larger than that seen for other kappa phases and is described well by transfer integrals obtained from extended Huckel calculations. However, the transfer integrals need to be scaled down uniformly by a factor of 1.21 to reproduce the absolute experimental plasma frequencies. The band structure consists of a one-dimensional (1D) band and a hole pocket, characteristics of kappa phases. The magnetic properties were modeled by the sum of a 1D antiferromagnetic chain contribution from the d spins of Fe3+, a temperature-independent paramagnetic contribution, and a Curie impurity term. At 4.5 K, there is a signature of long-range magnetic ordering to a canted-antiferromagnetic state in the zero-field-cooled-field-cooled magnetizations, and at 2 K, a small hysteresis loop is observed.Chemistry, Inorganic & NuclearSCI(E)18ARTICLE83275-32804
''Roja, Violeta y Guerrillera''. La creación del feminismo insurgente en la Fuerza Alternativa Revolucionaria del Común, FARC, desde la experiencia de vida de Victoria Sandino
No full textEn esta investigación se analiza la historia de vida de Victoria Sandino, exguerrillera y actualmente senadora de la República por el partido Fuerza Alternativa Revolucionaria del Común (FARC), en relación con el proceso de creación de lo que se ha denominado feminismo insurgente por las mujeres en proceso de reincorporación de este movimiento político. A partir de la historia de vida de Victoria Sandino, exguerrillera de FARC, se evidencian las tensiones, contradicciones, reivindicaciones de este proceso de creación, indagando sobre la manera en la que estos procesos, construidos desde apuestas políticas feministas, encontraron en su experiencia como mujer guerrillera, la potenciación para fortalecerse en sus reivindicaciones como mujeres.This investigation analyzes the life story of Victoria Sandino, former guerrilla and currently senator of the Republic by the FARC party, in relation to the process of creating what has been called by women in the process of reinstatement of this party as feminism insurgent. The tensions, contradictions, claims of this creation process are evidenced from Victoria's shared story, inquiring about the way in which these processes built from feminist political bets found in her experience as a guerrilla woman the empowerment to strengthen her claims as women.Línea de Investigación: Análisis Político y Teoría PolíticaMaestrí
What is the evidence for harm minimisation measures in gambling venues?
No full textWhat techniques are currently being used for electronic gambling machine harm minimisation, and do they work?
Overview
The use of electronic gambling machines (EGMs) in Australia and New Zealand constitutes the largest sector of the gambling industry. The costs arising from the harms of gambling detract significantly from its benefits, and in all Australian jurisdictions various policy measures have been implemented to reduce these harms. If successful, these would maximise the net benefits associated with EGM gambling. This article reviews the available evidence for a range of these practices, particularly those implemented within EGM venues via ‘codes of practice’. These codes of practice are intended to give effect to the principles of ‘responsible gambling’ within EGM venues. These measures are: self-exclusion, signage, messages, interaction with gamblers, the removal of ATMs from gambling venues, and ‘responsible gambling’ assessed overall in a venue context. In addition, we review the evidence in support of two major recommendations of the Productivity Commission’s 2010 report into gambling, pre-commitment and one-dollar maximum wagers. We conclude that there is a modest level of evidence supporting some measures, notably self-exclusion and, to a greater extent, the removal of ATMs. There is also some evidence that ‘responsible gambling’ measures have, collectively, reduced the harms associated with gambling. However, there is limited evidence available to confirm the effectiveness of most individual ‘responsible gambling’ measures actually implemented in venues. Further, policy measures implemented outside the control of venues (such as ATM removal, reduction in bet limits, and the prohibition of smoking) appear to be associated with more significant effects, based on analysis of EGM revenue data in Victoria.
The evidence for prospective measures is necessarily limited since the ultimate test is post-implementation efficacy, but there is growing evidence to suggest that pre-commitment, one-dollar maximum bets or other machine design changes may yield significantly more effective harm minimisation effects than in-venue practices such as signage or, indeed, self-exclusion. In considering evidence about the effects of existing or prospective measures it is important to emphasise that packages of measures might be more effective than single ones, and that an inability to confirm a statistically significant effect does not mean that no effect exists.
Evidence Base, issue 2, 201
Natural climate solutions
No full textModerator: Renée Rondeau. Panelists: Imtiaz Rangwala, Bruce Rittenhouse, George Schisler, Betsy Neely, and Robin O'Malley.Presented at the 2018 CNHP Partners Meeting held on March 9, 2018 in the Grand Ballroom D, Lory Student Center, Colorado State University Campus, Fort Collins, Colorado.Panelists discuss the benefits for nature and people with natural climate solutions
Australian Gambling Taxation.
No full textSince ancient times, governments have regulated the extent and conditions under which gambling is permitted. Governments also developed an early financial interest in legalising gambling, realising that certain forms of gambling were a productive base for taxation. These dual roles of government as a social guardian, and as a gambling operator, place it under conflicting pressures to both encourage and discourage gambling. This documents reviews gambling taxation in Australia.TAXATION ; AUSTRALIA ; GAMBLING
Input-Output Modeling for Smart City Development
No full textWhile many national and local governments in the world are placing their bets on smart city development in countering challenges such as climate change, air pollution, and congestion, few know exactly how to develop them in practice. A high and rising number of publications has appeared addressing the concept of “smart city,” but not many address its implementation. This paper aims at a conceptual understanding of the smart city by describing its various facets and using them to develop an Input-Output model helping policymakers and analysts make informed design choices. Using this model allows them to further their conceptual understanding of smart cities, envisage design choices they will face during planning and implementation, and help them to understand the impact of these choices. The model is illustrated by introducing the case of “Smart Dubai.” Overall, this paper provides enhanced understanding of smart city development processes. This can be used in decision-making processes.Information and Communication TechnologyIntegral Design & ManagementOrganisation & Governanc
L-fucose reduces gut inflammation due to T-regulatory response in Muc2 null mice
No full textFucose, the terminal glycan of the intestinal glycoprotein Mucin2, was shown to have an
anti-inflammatory effect in mouse colitis models and modulate immune response due to
macrophage polarization changes. In this study we evaluated the effect of 0.05% L-fucose
supplementation of drinking water on immune parameters in the intestine of homozygous mutant
Muc2 −/− , compared to Muc2 +/+ mice. To get into innate and adaptive immunity mechanisms of
gut inflammation, we tested Prkdc SCID Muc2 −/− strain, Muc2 knockout on SCID background, that
is characterized by lack of lymphocytes, in comparison with Prkdc SCID mice. We evaluated
intestinal cytokine profiling, macrophage and eosinophil infiltration, and expression of Nos2 and
Arg1 markers of macrophage activation in all strains. Markers of Th1, Treg and Th17 cells
(Tbx21, Foxp3, and Rorc expression) were evaluated in Muc2 −/− and Muc2 +/+ mice.
Both Muc2 −/− and Prkdc SCID Muc2 −/− mice demonstrated increased numbers of
macrophages, eosinophils, elevated levels of TNFa, GM-CSF, and IL-10 cytokines. In Muc2 −/−
mice we observed a wide range of pro-inflammatory cytokines elevated, such as IFN-gamma,
IL-1b, IL-12p70, IL-6, M-CSF, G-CSF, IL-17, MCP-1, RANTES, MIP1b, MIP2. Muc2 −/− mice
demonstrated increase of Nos2, Tbx21 and Foxp3 genes mRNA, while in Prkdc SCID Muc2 −/− mice
Arg1 expression was increased. We found that in Muc2 −/− mice L-fucose reduced macrophage
infiltration and IL-1a, TNFa, IFNgamma, IL-6, MCP-1, RANTES, MIP1b levels, decreased
Nos2 expression, and induced the expression of Treg marker Foxp3 gene. On the contrary, in
Prkdc SCID Muc2 −/− mice L-fucose had no effect on macrophage and eosinophil numbers, but
increased TNFa, GM-CSF, IL-12p70, IL-6, IL-15, IL-10, MCP1, G-CSF, IL-3 levels and Nos2
gene expression, and decreased Arg1 gene expression.
We demonstrated that anti-inflammatory effect of L-fucose observed in Muc2 −/− mice is
not reproduced in Prkdc SCID Muc2 −/− , which lack lymphocytes. We conclude that activation of
Treg cells is a key event that leads to resolution of inflammation upon L-fucose supplementation
in Muc2 −/− mice
Mindfulness as a treatment for gambling disorder: current directions and issues
No full textMindfulness is a form of meditation that derives from Buddhist practice and is one of the fastest growing areas of psychological research. Studies investigating the role of mindfulness in the treatment of behavioural addictions have, to date, primarily focused on gambling disorder. Recent pilot studies and clinical case studies have demonstrated that weekly mindfulness therapy sessions can lead to clinically significant change among individuals with gambling problems. This purpose of this paper is to appraise current directions in gambling disorder research as it relates to mindfulness approaches, and discuss issues that are likely to hinder the wider acceptance of mindfulness as a treatment for gambling disorder. It is concluded that although preliminary findings indicate that there are applications for mindfulness approaches in the treatment of gambling disorder, further empirical and clinical research utilizing larger-sample controlled study designs is clearly needed
Man and Woman Talk: Grammatical and Syntactical Similarities and Disparities
No full textMultiple research studies on grammar and syntax used by men and women stress disparities stemming from gender specific styles of “talk”. Borrowing from the existing literature, we analyzed transcripts of 107 employees in an Indian organization to study variations, if any, in grammar and syntax across genders at the middle management level. Our study was based on an analysis of reported speech of a critical incident of upward influence in the organization. We classified the transcripts into two clusters, viz., male and female. A frequency count for some grammatical and syntactical forms was taken. Frequency count of the grammatical forms revealed no significant disparity in language used by males and females in same and mixed sex groups. The reasons for this finding are as follows: 1. Use of language is not gender specific. More specifically, sentential constructs are not governed by gender. 2. The content and context, if similar, yield similar results. 3. Evolution of a language pattern that is “organizationally fit” rather than gender governed. Significant variations in use of tags and hedges were identified. Based on the above findings, we attribute the variations in syntactical forms to aspects other than those related to “male” or “female” concepts of style, proposed by earlier researchers – for a study of the concept of style will require a framework which studies the linguistic form and the social functions in sync.
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