Switching people who smoke to unfiltered cigarettes: perceptions, addiction and behavioural effects in a cross-over randomised controlled trial

BackgroundBehavioural research is needed to inform a ban on sales of filtered cigarettes that could reduce plastic waste due to discarded filters. This study reports on differences in perceptions, nicotine dependence and behaviour among participants in a cross-over randomised trial of filtered compared with unfiltered cigarettes.MethodThis proof-of-concept study involved 43 people who smoke filtered cigarettes (41.9% women, mean age 36.7 years). Participants were provided 2 weeks’ supply of filtered cigarettes, 2 weeks of the same brand of unfiltered cigarettes and randomly assigned to starting conditions. Measures included the Modified Cigarette Evaluation Questionnaire; single-item cigarette perception questions; Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence; 7-day cigarette consumption, urinary cotinine and intention to quit. Analyses included linear and ordinal repeated measures mixed-effects models and paired t-tests.ResultsFiltered cigarettes were perceived as better tasting, more satisfying, more enjoyable, less aversive, less harsh, less potent and less negatively reinforcing than unfiltered cigarettes. Filtered cigarettes were smoked at a higher rate during the trial than unfiltered cigarettes (p<0.05). There was no difference in cotinine, dependence or intention to quit between filtered versus unfiltered cigarette conditions (p>0.05).ConclusionPeople who smoke perceived unfiltered cigarettes as having greater nicotine effects and less desirable sensory effects than filtered cigarettes, and they smoked fewer of these during the trial. Although cotinine, dependence and intention to quit were similar for smoking unfiltered and filtered cigarettes in this small trial, results suggest that banning the sale of filtered cigarettes might make smoking less attractive overall to people who smoke.Trial registration numberNCT03749876.

Promotion of VR Technology in Taijiquan Multimedia Edge Computing Technology

Taijiquan is a representative sport in my country’s traditional sports. It occupies an important position in China’s traditional sports. It has been rated as my country’s intangible cultural heritage. Widespread and promotion of Taijiquan can promote my country’s traditional culture. Using the unique advantages of Tai Chi and better development prospects, the method and path of VR technology are combined to create a new cultural atmosphere, and the active spread and promotion of Tai Chi culture are gradually carried out. VR technology is an augmented reality technology based on sensors and computers that can provide a strong visual experience. Playing the role of multimedia edge computing technology and combining VR technology with the advantages of Tai Chi itself are beneficial to change the traditional teaching methods and the spread of the Tai Chi movement. The purpose of this article is to solve some of the problems China faces in the promotion of Taijiquan and explore the role of VR technology in the spread and promotion of Taijiquan. This article uses methods such as searching literature, questionnaires, and experimental comparisons. The students in the 24-style Taijiquan elective course are the research objects, using VR technology as the teaching method of Taijiquan, scoring teaching efficiency, learning enthusiasm, students’ sensory effects, the attractiveness of Taijiquan, and statistics and analysis of relevant data. The research results show that the combination of VR technology and Taijiquan teaching can increase the visual and auditory effects of students in the learning process by 28.4%, the overall improvement of students’ learning enthusiasm by 25.3%, and the overall increase of learning efficiency by 34.8%, while greatly improving Taijiquan’s performance attractive. Therefore, it can be seen that the application of VR technology to Tai Chi is feasible.

Modulating Agency in Hypnosis: Using Suggestion to Induce Self-Tickling

Agency is the subjective sense of control we have over our actions. According to an influential model, this arises when the predicted sensory effects of movements match actual sensory feedback. Consistent with this, previous research found that mechanically manipulating the sensory consequences of actions creates the illusion that they are externally-produced. Across three experiments, we aimed to develop a hypnotic analogue and clarify specific components of hypnosis that contribute to alterations in agency. We compared different suggestions based on clinical impairments whist varying the hypnotisability of subjects and the presence of a hypnotic induction. We found that suggestions designed to model self-monitoring deficits increased perceived involuntariness of actions; these effects were stronger in high hypnotisable participants and after an induction; and could not be explained by demand characteristics alone. These results highlight the capacity of hypnosis to alter sense of agency and model deficits associated with clinical conditions using hypnosis.

Mechanics Of Ultrasonic Neuromodulation In A Mouse Subject

Ultrasound neuromodulation (UNM), where a region in the brain is targeted by focused ultrasound (FUS), which, in turn, causes excitation or inhibition of neural activity, has recently received considerable attention as a promising tool for neuroscience. Despite its great potential, several aspects of UNM are still unknown. An important question pertains to the off-target sensory effects of UNM and their dependence on stimulation frequency. To understand these effects, we have developed a finite-element model of a mouse, including elasticity and viscoelasticity, and used it to interrogate the response of mouse models to focused ultrasound (FUS). We find that, while some degree of focusing and magnification of the signal is achieved within the brain, the induced pressure-wave pattern is complex and delocalized. In addition, we find that the brain is largely insulated, or ‘cloaked’, from shear waves by the cranium and that the shear waves are largely carried away from the skull by the vertebral column, which acts as a waveguide. We find that, as expected, this waveguide mechanism is strongly frequency dependent, which may contribute to the frequency dependence of UNM effects. Our calculations further suggest that off-target skin locations experience displacements and stresses at levels that, while greatly attenuated from the source, could nevertheless induce sensory responses in the subject.

Beyond Multimedia Authoring

The mulsemedia (Multiple Sensorial Media (MulSeMedia)) concept has been explored to provide users with new sensations using other senses beyond sight and hearing. The demand for producing such applications has motivated various studies in the mulsemedia authoring phase. To encourage researchers to explore new solutions for enhancing the mulsemedia authoring, this survey article reviews several mulsemedia authoring tools and proposals for representing sensory effects and their characteristics. The article also outlines a set of desirable features for mulsemedia authoring tools. Additionally, a multimedia background is discussed to support the proposed study in the mulsemedia field. Open challenges and future directions regarding the mulsemedia authoring phase are also discussed.

Applying remote health monitoring to understand users’ QoE in multisensory applications in real-time

User’s Quality of Experience (QoE) understanding from objective metrics has been increasingly explored in multisensory research. However, capturing physiological data adds a degree of difculty to an already complex environment composed of software to reproduce content and actuators to deliver sensory effects. In this paper, we introduce the potential use of remote patient monitoring (RPM) systems to monitor users’ QoE through a specifc tool named HealthDash. We aim to raise discussion around them in digital multisensory experiences, their application, advantages and disadvantages, and challenges and opportunities.

Synthetic Cooling Agents in US-marketed E-cigarette Refill Liquids and Disposable E-cigarettes: Chemical Analysis and Risk Assessment.

Background: Menthol, through its cooling sensory effects, facilitates smoking and tobacco product initiation, which is reflected by the high popularity of mint/menthol-flavored E cigarettes. More recently, E cigarette vendors started marketing synthetic cooling agents as additives that impart a cooling effect but lack a characteristic minty odor. Knowledge about content of synthetic coolants in US-marketed E cigarette products and associated health risks is limited. Methods: E-liquid vendor sites were searched with the terms koolada, kool / cool, ice or WS 3 / WS 23, denoting individual cooling agents. Ice flavor varieties of Puffbar, the popular disposable E cigarette brand, were compared with non-Ice varieties. GC/MS and GC/FID were used for detection of synthetic coolants. Margin of exposure (MOE), a risk assessment parameter, was calculated to assess the risk associated with synthetic coolant exposure from E cigarette use. Results: WS 3 was widely present in refill E liquids. Almost all liquids in Puffbar-branded disposable E cigarettes contained WS 23 (13/14 varieties), and some WS 3 (5/14), in both Ice- and non-Ice varieties. Modeling consumption of WS 3 from vaped E liquids resulted in MOEs below the safe margin of 100 for most daily use scenarios (3-mL:14/25 E liquids; 5-mL:18/25; 10-mL:20/25 ). MOEs for WS 23 from 11/13 Puffbar products were ≤100 in all use scenarios. Conclusions: Manufacturers add synthetic cooling agents (WS 3, WS 23) to US-marketed E cigarettes, at levels that may result in consumer exposures exceeding safety thresholds set by regulatory agencies. Synthetic cooling agents are not only found in mint-or menthol-flavored products, but also in fruit- and candy-flavored products, including popular disposable E cigarette products such as Puffbar.

Australian Smokers’ Sensory Experiences and Beliefs Associated with Menthol and Non-Menthol Cigarettes

Many current smokers incorrectly believe that menthol cigarettes are less harmful, likely due to the biological and sensory effects of menthol, which can lead smokers to have favourable sensory experiences. In this study, we measured the extent to which Australian smokers associate certain sensory experiences with smoking menthol and non-menthol cigarettes, and their beliefs about how damaging and enjoyable they find cigarettes with each of these sensory experiences. A sample of 999 Australian 18–69-year-old weekly smokers was recruited from a non-probability online panel; this study focuses on the 245 respondents who currently smoked menthol cigarettes at least once per week. Current menthol smokers were four to nine times more likely to experience menthol rather than non-menthol cigarettes as having favourable sensory experiences, including feeling smooth, being soothing on the throat, fresh-tasting and clean-feeling. Menthol smokers perceived cigarettes with these favourable sensations as less damaging and more enjoyable than cigarettes with the opposite more aversive sensory experience. Efforts to correct these misperceptions about risk will likely require messages that provide new information to help smokers understand that these sensations do not indicate a lower level of risk. Banning menthol in tobacco products—as has recently been done in some nations—would also be a timely and justified strategy for protecting consumers.