Background/Purpose: The Kids Safe and Smokefree (KiSS) trial aimed to reduce secondhand smoke exposure to children. The study used a multifaceted approach that included a pediatric clinic-level intervention, individual behavioral counseling and community services for nicotine dependence. This secondary analysis focuses on the individual behavioral counseling portion of the intervention. The purpose of this cross-sectional, secondary analysis is to investigate the factors that affect adherence in a telephone-based intervention to reduce secondhand smoke exposure to children among a low-income population of women. Methods: Of those enrolled in the KiSS study, 163 cases assigned to the intervention group were used in these secondary analyses. After reviewing the literature, 15 variables of interest were identified as potentially having an association with adherence. A Lasso regression was used to select out variables that were insignificant or “unimportant” to predicting the outcome variable, total missed phone sessions. These variables were then used in a Poisson regression to determine if there was any significant correlation with the outcome. Results: Of the 15 variables in the Lasso regression, six variables were found to potentially have an association with total missed phone sessions. These six variables include: education level, total household occupants, total household smokers, life stress score, program support score and smoking self-efficacy score. The Poisson regression determined that three of these variables did have a significant correlation with missed phone sessions. Lower education level, greater program support and smoking cessation self-efficacy related to greater number of missed phone sessions. Conclusion: Those with higher education may complete more phone sessions because they may be more familiar with the importance of not exposing their children to secondhand smoke. Greater reported program support may be related to more missed phone sessions because the participant may feel that they received the support they needed from one or two of the phone sessions and no longer needed to participate. Another reason for this relationship could be that because the participant felt so supported by the phone session counselor, if they had exposed their child to secondhand smoke, their motivation to please would hinder their adherence. Another analysis would be needed in order to confirm this hypothesis. Lastly, the participants confidence in refraining from smoking may have lead them to miss more phone sessions because they felt that they already had the tools to refrain from exposing their children to secondhand smoke exposure. This analysis confirms that there are many barriers involved in good adherence and that adherence is influenced by many factors. There is a lack of conclusive data about what affects adherence. If research could identify what improves or stunts adherence behaviors, the effectiveness of any treatment could be maximized. / Epidemiology

Cigarette smoke contributes to 90% of lung cancer cases and 80% of COPD cases. These concerns loom large as lung cancer represents 13% of all cancer deaths and estimates report by 2020 COPD will be the third leading cause of death in the world. The master regulator of the ER stress response, IRE-1, in the context of cigarette smoke exposure lacks study. Interestingly, its downstream pathways are activated. In fact, the 2014 Surgeon General’s report on the health consequences of smoking highlighted the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response as a potential mechanism leading to the development of lung cancer and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD). Following acute cigarette smoke exposure, mouse lung homogenates exhibited increased levels of XBP-1 along with downstream mediators of IRE-1 activation— GRP-78 and CHOP. Specifically observing macrophages, an important immune cell and source of acute inflammation, cigarette smoke induced activation of IRE-1/XBP-1 pathway through splicing of XBP-1 mRNA. However, upon assaying for pro-inflammatory cytokines we were unable to determine that cigarette smoke directly caused inflammation in vitro. Furthermore, cigarette smoke inhibited the activation of M2 macrophages, an anti-inflammatory and tissue healing subset seen through CCL18 inhibition. A majority of M2 and M1 macrophage markers were decreased from IRE-1/XBP-1 inhibition. This suggests a different phenotype than classical M1 or M2 polarization being induced by cigarette smoke. In addition, it suggests the IRE-1/XBP-1 pathway having a robust role in controlling gene expression and balance of cellular proteomics. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Cigarette smoke exposure damages the lungs and over time places the user at risk for increased infections, progressive decreases in lung function and cancer. A specific cell of the immune system and found in the lungs, macrophages or “Big Eater” cells, responds first by picking up debris and responding to harmful foreign substances by releasing proteins signaling the immune system to become activated. Within all animal cells, an organelle called the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) manufactures a third of proteins produced allowing the cell to adapt to foreign substances, including cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke could cause the ER, a plastic organelle, to change in size and function at a heightened level due to activation of a sensing protein integrated in the ER, Inositol Requiring Enzyme-1 (IRE-1). Both activation of the ER and cigarette smoke causes macrophages to behave as “tissue-healing” or M2 subsets that release factors promoting reconstruction of the lungs; alternatively, M1 macrophages fight diseases and promote further inflammation. Using genetic analysis of macrophages exposed to cigarette smoke in culture dishes and analyzing the proteins secreted, we determined cigarette smoke inhibits M1 macrophages and the “tissue-healing” subset, while increasing adhesion molecule expression. Overall, cigarette smoke affected the polarization of M1 and M2 phenotype, analyzed through proteins and genes expression. We observed an increase in sXBP-1, indicative of IRE-1/XBP-1 pathway activation, from cigarette smoke extract exposure in macrophages. However, the use of IRE-1 inhibitors increased ER stress markers while affecting M1 and M2 markers. This suggests ER compensation from the use of inhibiting one arm of the ER stress response.

The field of robotics has advanced to the point where robots are being developed for use in fire environments to perform firefighting tasks. These environments contain varying levels of fire and smoke, both of which obstruct robotic perception sensors. In order to effectively use robots in fire environments, the issue of perception in the presence of smoke and fire needs to be addressed. The goal of this research was to address the problem of perception, specifically rangefinding, in fire smoke environments. A series of tests were performed in fire smoke filled environments to evaluate the performance of different commercial rangefinders and cameras as well as a long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) stereo vision system developed in this research. The smoke was varied from dense, low temperature smoke to light, high temperature smoke for evaluation in a range of conditions. Through small-scale experiments on eleven different sensors, radar and LWIR cameras outperformed other perception sensors within both smoke environments. A LWIR stereo vision system was developed for rangefinding and compared to radar, LIDAR, and visual stereo vision in large-scale testing, demonstrating the ability of LWIR stereo vision to rangefind in dense smoke when LIDAR and visual stereo vision fail. LWIR stereo vision was further developed for improved rangefinding in fire environments. Intensity misalignment between cameras and stereo image filtering were addressed quantitatively. Tests were performed with approximately isothermal scenes and thermally diverse scenes to select subsystem methods. In addition, the effects of image filtering on feature distortion were assessed. Rangefinding improvements were quantified with comparisons to ground truth data. Improved perception in varying levels of clear and smoke conditions was developed through sensor fusion of LWIR stereo vision and a spinning LIDAR. The data were fused in a multi-resolution 3D voxel domain using evidential theory to model occupied and free space states. A heuristic method was presented to separate significantly attenuated LIDAR returns from low-attenuation returns. Sensor models were developed for both return types and LWIR stereo vision. The fusion system was tested in a range of conditions to demonstrate its ability for improved performance over individual sensor use in fire environments. / Ph. D.

What is a Cultural Collage? It is what is happening in Jordan today; different people from different backgrounds come to one piece of land looking for any refuge and hope. I wanted to create a building for this phenomenon. This is a building where people could come to and meet at to drink coffee and smoke hookah and share their stories. The characters that played the role in the Surrealist Movement in Paris in the 20s were my inspiration to design this building. The Artists came together in a time of war. The first World War was in action and yet, they met at a small coffee shop in Paris to discuss what they felt like discussing and at the end of the day an art movement was born. Storytelling. In these small rooms, the meeting rooms, or even the coffee house on the first level, people meet. As they order their coffee and move into the next room they can sit and socialize, tell stories and make art. As they move up to the next level the spaces become bigger and more open. The whole building starts telling a story. / Master of Architecture

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Community Medicine / Master / Master of Philosophy

The diploma thesis deals with smoke and heat ventilation systems in underground car parks. In the theoretical part of the thesis, legislative and standard background is described. The theoretical part also contains description of fire dynamics simulation methods and effect of carbon monoxide on human health. The practical part includes the design of service, smoke and heat ventilation systems in the selected building. Functionality of particular design is verified by FDS simulations.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Tobacco smoking is considered a major modifiable risk factor for periodontal disease. Tobacco contains about 6700 compounds and almost 4000 compounds of these have been identified in tobacco smoke. Nicotine is the addictive ingredient in tobacco and has been shown to affect multiple cellular processes. Cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) is the particulate matter of smoke. It is believed to be a powerful inducer of inflammatory responses. Neutrophils are the first line of host defense and are critical cells in the maintenance of periodontal health through their role in the control of bacteria, but they can also contribute to the progression of periodontal disease by the production and release of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Virulence factors from periodontal pathogens, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), stimulate the respiratory burst of neutrophils. In this dissertation, three studies aimed at understanding the oxidative activity of neutrophils when stimulated with either nicotine, cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) or four other components of tobacco smoke (2-naphthylamine, hydroquinone, acrolein, and acetaldehyde) with or without P. gingivalis supernatant. The release of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was also examined. ROS production increased significantly when the neutrophils were stimulated with nicotine. P. gingivalis induced the maximum ROS production when compared to all the other components examined. The combination of nicotine and P. gingivalis did not have an additive effect on ROS production. Nicotine significantly increased the MMP-9 release from the neutrophils. On the contrary, CSC inhibited ROS production at all the concentrations examined. The combination of CSC and P. gingivalis resulted in the inhibition of ROS production. MMP-9 release was also increased from the CSC-treated neutrophils. The four other tobacco smoke components examined affected ROS production and MMP-9 release differently. These projects demonstrated that CSC inhibited the ROS production from neutrophils, which can be attributed to several components in tobacco smoke that may include acrolein and hydroquinone. More research is needed to determine the mechanisms of inhibition and if other tobacco components are involved in ROS inhibition

No description available.

Master of Science / Food Science Institute - Animal Science & Industry / Fadi M. Aramouni / Smoke flavored foods continue to be a popular choice among consumers. In this study, a caramel-type flavor in whipped cream applications via Maillard reaction pathways was evaluated. A highly refined liquid smoke fraction was developed using a delignified pulp wood source, and a patented activated carbon filtration process. To maximize sensory and reactionary capabilities, a liquid smoke fraction with phenol and carbonyl concentrations of 0.07mg/ml and 12.9g/100ml, respectively, was developed. Heavy cream containing a 0.075% addition of the refined liquid smoke fraction was evaluated when reacted at 50, 63, and 72°C for 15 sec prior to chilling at 0°C for 12 h, and whipping for 8 min using a handheld mixer. Sensory analysis showed the addition of liquid smoke increased whipped cream sweetness and caramel flavors, while imparting minimal off-flavors. Probable Maillard pathways were predicted for the reaction taking place between the liquid smoke and the dairy proteins upon thermal processing. This technology can be used to develop other foods which are not traditionally smoke flavored.

Denna slutrapport beskriver projektarbetet Funktionsbeskrivning av Brandlarms-styrningen av Ventilationssystemet ombord Korvett av Göteborgsklass som beställdes av divisionsingenjören vid 41.korvettdivisionen. Bakgrunden till projektets beställning var att fartygens dokumentation över ventilationssystemets funktion vid brand var bristfällig vilket försvårade underhåll, felsökning och utbildning av och på systemet. Den ofullständiga dokumentationen var ett resultat av att individerna i fartygs­klassen modifierats i flera olika omgångar utan att dokumentationen uppdaterats på ett tillfredsställande sätt. Det hade även framkommit att det fanns olikheter i konfigurationen av fartygsindividernas system. Projektet genomfördes dels genom studier av den befintliga dokumentation som fanns att tillgå ombord och på divisionen, dels genom praktiska under­sökningar ombord på fartygen. Under de praktiska undersökningarna framkom behov av ytterligare utredningar än de som ursprungligen framgick av det erhållna uppdraget. Projektet påvisade skillnader mellan fartygens system, vissa förmodat felaktiga styr­ningar av fläktar och spjäll samt fastställde att dokumentationen var bristfällig. Projektet resulterade i ett antal beskrivande dokument som sammanställdes i en pärm för respektive fartyg. Dessa uppfyller det givna uppdraget och målen med projektet. En större modifiering av fartygen i klassen med syfte att förlänga deras operativa livslängd är under planeringsstadiet. Under modifieringen skall bland annat fartygens dokumen­tation uppdateras, något som resultaten från detta projekt kommer underlätta. / This is the final report regarding the project A Functional Description of the Fire Alarm Con­trol in the Ventilation System aboard the Swedish Navy’s Gothenburg-class Corvettes, wh­­ich was commissioned by the Senior Marine Engineer Officer of the 41st Corvette Sq­­ua­d­ron of the 4th Naval Warfare Flotilla. The reason for the commission was that the set of documentation concerning the function of the ventilation system in case of a fire was insufficient. This caused problems, both during maintenance work done to en­­­su­re that the system was operating in accordance with the design parameters, as well as when trouble-shooting the system. The insufficient set of documentation was a result of a number of upgrades done to the ships over the ye­ars without any corr­e­s­p­on­ding up­date of the documentation. During the project it has also been made clear that there were non-documented differences existing be­­tween the ships in the class. The project was fulfilled by a combination of studies of the existing set of do­cumen­tation and practical surveys aboard the ships. During the surveys, more short­comings in the existing set of documentation became evident. The project demonstrated differences between the individual ships, assumed inaccuracies in the control of fans and dampers and determined the shortage in the set of documentation. The project has resulted in a number of describing documents that are collected in one unique file for each ship. These documents fulfil the commission and the objectives of the project. A major upgrade of the ships in the class with the purpose of extending their operational lifetime is now being planned. The ships’ set of documentation will be simultaneously updated, a task that will be simplified with the support of the results of this project.