Barriers to electronic cigarette use.

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies suggest that electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) may be a better alternative to traditional smoking cessation therapies for cigarette smokers. This study explores the barriers traditional smokers face when switching to e-cigarettes. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: A convenience sample of adult male and female tobacco and/or e-cigarette smokers (n = 446) were recruited through an online survey. MEASUREMENTS: The survey included questions used to determine the barriers a smoker may experience in regards to their use of e-cigarettes, as well as the characteristics regarding their use of tobacco and/or e-cigarettes. RESULTS: The majority (74%) of tobacco smokers who tried e-cigarettes did not perceive e-cigarettes to be an effective replacement for tobacco cigarettes, and 69% indicated the initial cost and health concerns as reasons to not continue using e-cigarettes. Both current e-cigarette users and those who discontinued use of e-cigarettes noted health or lack of information on side effects as a concern. The majority of e-cigarette users indicated that it took more than a week to settle on a proper dose. We found that for each additional cigarette smoked per day individuals were 4.0% (p = .001) more likely to use e-cigarettes. CONCLUSION: This exploratory study informs future cessation trials involving e-cigarettes about the barriers users face. Given that individuals who smoke a greater number of tobacco cigarettes are more likely to try e-cigarettes, greater attention to nicotine dosing is necessary.

Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia caused by anti-HPA antibodies in pregnant Chinese women: a study protocol for a multicentre, prospective cohort trial.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT), caused by maternal antibodies raised against alloantigens carried on foetal platelets, is a very common haematological abnormality in newborns worldwide. However, baseline data on NAIT in China are lacking. Therefore, this study seeks to explore the incidence of alloantibody against the human platelet antigen (HPA) in pregnant women and its associations with NAIT in China. METHODS: A multicentre, prospective cohort study design will be used, and 55,497 pregnant women will be recruited for the first screening of the anti-HPA antibody at 12 to 28 weeks of gestational age. Subjects who are positive in the first screening for the anti-HPA antibody will be included in the exposure group. Re-tests of the antibody titre, antigen-specificity and genotyping of HPA and HLA will be conducted during admission. A ratio of 1:1 paired individuals with the same ethnicity and parity but testing negative for the anti-HPA antibody will be randomly selected to be included in the non-exposure group. NAIT will be diagnosed in the newborns on day one of the birth. The HPA of the neonates in the exposure group will also be genotyped by sequencing. Associations of maternal HLA with the occurrence of the anti-HPA antibody and correlation of the severity of NAIT with the titre of the anti-HPA antibody will be further analysed. DISCUSSION: The study is expected to provide baseline data on NAIT in China. Besides, we hope to find out a population who expresses particular HLA molecules has significant higher risk of HPA alloimmunization in Chinese individuals. We also hope to find a Chinese-specific cut-off antibody titre for the prediction of the severity of NAIT and to provide a means to evaluate the necessity of antenatal treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02934906 (date registered: 13.10.2016).

Teachers' Dispositions Toward Mindfulness in EFL/ESL Classrooms in Teacher-Student Interpersonal Relationships.

The psychological factors of English as a foreign language (EFL) and English as a second language (ESL) teachers have significant roles in any language learning context. Previous studies in the related literature have shown that L2 learners' learning, psychological factors, and emotional factors are closely related to teachers' psychological factors. Mindfulness as one of the psychological attributes of L2 teachers and as a complex and multi-faceted construct influences l2 teachers' professional development. Hence, this study aims to review the notion of mindfulness and its role in L2 teaching as a profession and pave a way for further research, highlighting its indispensable role in teacher-student relationships. To achieve this goal, this study has reviewed the theoretical perspectives of mindfulness, the construct of mindful L2 teaching education, and mindfulness as a closely related concept to teacher wellbeing. Based on the findings, some pedagogical implications for the policymakers, teacher trainers, materials developers, L2 teachers, and learners are provided. Finally, directions for future research are suggested to the interested L2 researchers.

Exploring Organizational Smoking Policies and Employee Vaping Behavior.

OBJECTIVES: Cigarette consumption has become global threat to both smokers and organizations. However, little is known about organizational smoking and vaping policies, and their influence to employees' smoking and vaping behavior. METHODS: We collected data from 456 employed smokers, vapers, and/or dual users. Smoking and/or vaping behavior, along with perceived organizational smoking/vaping policies were examined. RESULTS: Vapers reported perceiving more stringent smoking policy, while vapers who reported having workplace vaping policies perceived having generally more stringent vaping policy. Most smokers and vapers are well informed about smoking policy; however, a considerable portion of them do not have a good understanding about organizational vaping policy. CONCLUSIONS: Organizations should not consider smoking and vaping to be the same when setting policy. Employers should ensure that organizational vaping policies are present and clear to all employees.