Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant (B.1.1.7) on prisons, England.

Objectives: Prisons are high-risk settings for infectious disease outbreaks because of their highly dynamic and crowded nature. During late 2020, prisons in England observed a surge in COVID-19 infection. This study describes the emergence of the Alpha variant in prisons during this period.

Epidemiology of COVID-19 in Prisons, England, 2020.

Using laboratory data and a novel address matching methodology, we identified 734 cases of coronavirus disease in 88 prisons in England during March 16-October 12, 2020. An additional 412 cases were identified in prison staff and household members. We identified 84 prison outbreaks involving 86% of all prison-associated cases.

Smoking on the margins: a comprehensive analysis of a municipal outdoor smoke-free policy.

Background: This study examined the formulation, adoption, and implementation of a ban on smoking in the parks and beaches in Vancouver, Canada.

Methods: Informed by Critical Multiplism, we explored the policy adoption process, support for and compliance with a local bylaw prohibiting smoking in parks and on beaches, experiences with enforcement, and potential health equity issues through a series of qualitative and quantitative studies.

Results: Findings suggest that there was unanimous support for the introduction of the bylaw among policy makers, as well as a high degree of positive public support.

A content analysis of media coverage of the introduction of a smoke-free bylaw in Vancouver parks and beaches.

The Board of Parks and Recreation in Vancouver, BC approved a smoke-free bylaw in the city's parks, beaches and recreational facilities, effective 1 September 2010. We analyzed local news coverage and portrayal of the bylaw to understand the potential influence of news media on public perception of the bylaw in order to inform the media advocacy work of public health interest groups. We compiled a data set of newspaper articles (n = 90) and conducted a quantitative content analysis to examine content related to the outdoor smoke-free policy, including article slant, topics related to smoking and tobacco control, and any equity-related concerns raised.

Changes in smoking behaviours following a smokefree legislation in parks and on beaches: an observational study.

Objective: To examine the effect of an outdoor smokefree law in parks and on beaches on observed smoking in selected venues.

Methods: The study involved repeated observations in selected parks and beaches in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The main outcome measure was changes in observed smoking rates in selected venues from prelaw to 12 months postlaw.

Support for a smoke-free bylaw in parks and on beaches.

Background: In September 2010, Vancouver, Canada enacted a smoke-free bylaw in parks and on beaches.

Objective: To examine demographic and attitudinal factors associated with the public opinion on Vancouver's outdoor smoke-free bylaw.

Methods: From 496 randomly selected Vancouver residents, information on demographics, smoking status, and opinions and support for or opposition to the smoke-free bylaw were obtained by telephone surveys.

Patterns of functional activity associated with cocaine self-administration in the rat change over time.

Rationale: Although imaging studies in human addicts have been valuable for identifying the neural substrates of the effects of abused drugs, few studies have used this approach in animal models where conditions can be carefully controlled.

Objective: To define the substrates that mediate the effects of cocaine in a rodent model of cocaine self-administration using the 2-[(14)C]deoxyglucose method and to assess changes in these patterns over the course of drug exposure.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats self-administered cocaine (0.