Industry Interference Research Articles

E-cigarette regulation: Is it time for a new Framework Convention on Tobacco Control?

E-cigarette regulation: Is it time for a new Framework Convention on Tobacco Control?

Economic problems of the impact of urban HCS on the environment of the Republic of Kazakhstan

The problems of the effective functioning of the infrastructure of urban Housing andcommunal services (hereinafter referred to as HCS) of Kazakhstan are one of the priority areasin the framework of the social and economic policy implementation of the state in the contextof sustainable development. Improving the infrastructure of the urban HCS requires the use ofnew economic mechanisms and attractiveness of housing and public utilities for investors in theworsening environmental conditions of the regions caused by the climate change due to the globalwarming, industrial interference of industrial enterprises, including housing and communalservices.The article presents the research of economists in the formation and development of economicmechanism in ensuring environmental safety and the development of HCS is studying theenvironmental impact of HCS and identifying areas for improving the economic and environmentalsafety of housing and communal services. The article was prepared within the framework of grantfunding for the implementation of the scientific project №AP 08957363 «Economic assessment ofenergy supply in the housing sector of the Republic of Kazakhstan»

Challenges and opportunities associated with e-cigarettes in Australia: A qualitative study

ObjectiveThe use of e-cigarettes in Australia has increased significantly in recent years. To assist with identifying policy and practice priorities, this study sought to provide a greater understanding of the population-level challenges and opportunities associated with these products. MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 34 public health experts working in tobacco- and/or nicotine-related policy, practice and research. Interview transcripts were subject to reflexive thematic analysis. ResultsSeveral challenges associated with e-cigarettes were identified, with uptake of use among youth, the potential for use to lead to smoking and industry interference the most frequently mentioned. Recommended means of addressing these challenges included improved regulation and increased enforcement of existing laws. Most interviewees acknowledged some potential for e-cigarettes to assist with smoking cessation. ConclusionsDespite strong restrictions on e-cigarettes in Australia, experts working in this field reported that these products, and the companies behind them, present several challenges to public health. Implications for public healthTighter regulation and increased enforcement are needed to address the challenges posed by e-cigarettes. Controlled access to liquid nicotine under a pharmaceutical model offers an opportunity for smokers to access the behavioural support that may help them to quit while also restricting e-cigarette availability.

Advanced correlation method for bit position detection towards high accuracy data processing in industrial computer systems

Modern industrial computer systems should be reliable, noise-immune, high-speed, and error-free which is difficult due to noise and industrial interferences. In the case of single additive errors, bit insertion/dropping can occur in the outputs of demodulators which implies long error packets which are hard to correct. To provide highly reliable data transmission, parameters of bit errors exemplified by the length of insertion/dropping and position of bits have to be evaluated but widely used methods for detecting and evaluating bit errors do not yield such parameters. In this paper, two new methods are proposed as a solution to this problem for the estimation of bit error parameters under single additive errors in which the difference between two positions of clock elements in the reference sequence and the received pseudorandom sequence is calculated. The new method, in addition to algorithmic effectiveness and efficiency, makes it also possible to reduce the hardware complexity of devices to be implemented for detecting and estimating the bit error parameters. Specifically, when implemented on a specialized programmable signal processor the new approach yields the computational complexity as ∼200 + 27 T clock cycles.

Unpacking complexities surrounding tobacco control policy formulation and tobacco industry interference in South Africa: a qualitative study

Unpacking complexities surrounding tobacco control policy formulation and tobacco industry interference in South Africa: a qualitative study

Tobacco industry interference in low- and middle-income countries: Adapting the Policy Dystopia Model

Tobacco industry interference in low- and middle-income countries: Adapting the Policy Dystopia Model

Exploring and monitoring the tobacco industry in the United Kingdom: the UK Tobacco Industry Interference Index

Exploring and monitoring the tobacco industry in the United Kingdom: the UK Tobacco Industry Interference Index

In-situ fault diagnosis for the harmonic reducer of industrial robots via multi-scale mixed convolutional neural networks

The faults of harmonic reducers result in excessive vibration affecting the joint stabilization of industrial robots and manufacturing quality. In-situ fault diagnosis of harmonic reducers can avoid the disassembly of industrial robots to reduce the downtime of production lines. Compared with disassembly diagnosis in an experimental environment, in-situ signals for diagnosis are more complex due to the multi-scale characteristics of harmonic reducers and industrial noise interference. In this paper, an in-situ fault diagnosis method via the multi-scale mixed convolutional neural networks (MSMCNN) model is proposed. The MSMCNN model with the multi-scale feature extraction ability is specially designed for the harmonic reducer of multi-joint industrial robots with multi-scale characteristics, which can extract more comprehensive and complementary fault features from complex in-situ multi-channel signals with industrial noise. Integrated experiments are performed on real industrial robot datasets and public disassembling part datasets for assessing and analyzing the effectiveness of the proposed method. The experiment results show that the MSMCNN achieves 97.08% and is superior to classical and some state-of-the-art congener DL methods in terms of diagnosis accuracy.

Real-Time Transmission Optimization for Edge Computing in Industrial Cyber-Physical Systems

With the rapid development of Industry 4.0, the industrial cyber-physical systems (ICPS) are expected to realize the digital sensing, automatic control, and refined management in smart factories. However, limited bandwidth resources and severe industrial interference make it difficult to meet the real-time and ultrahigh reliability in edge computing (EC)-based next-generation industrial automation networks. To tackle these challenges, in this article, we propose a real-time transmission optimization scheme to accelerate EC. First, we establish a hierarchical system model for smart manufacturing and automation scenarios. Then we present a power control optimization method based on noncooperative game to alleviate interference and reduce energy consumption. Finally, we propose a path optimization scheme based on Q-learning for low-latency and ultrahigh reliability transmission requirements. Extensive simulation results reveal that our proposals perform better in terms of transmission delay and packet-loss rate compared with traditional methods, and therefore, contributes to EC deployment in ICPS.

Baby food industry interference with infant feeding international regulation-A case study on the standard for follow-up formula.

Globally, first-food systems have changed and breastfeeding has decreased due to the increased growth in commercial breast milk substitute (BMS) consumption, which includes both follow-up and toddler formulas. These products are manufactured by a small number of corporate leaders in international BMS sales. Discussions for global regulation of these products take place in the Codex Alimentarius and are permeated by the strong participation of these corporations in the Codex committees. In the present study, the participation of the baby food industry in the review of the follow-up formula standard in the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU) was analyzed. The analysis of the CCNFSDU documents was based on the period from 2009 to 2019 and used quantitative and qualitative approaches. Compositional and participation data from country delegations and observer organizations on the representative profiles of the involved institutions and the baby food industry's involvement in this process were established systematically. In total, 134 out of the 189 Codex Alimentarius member countries engaged in the standard review process, of which 28% were involved in the entire process. The private sector was present in 81% of the most assiduous member state delegations to the meetings. Furthermore, ~60% of the observer organizations involved in the review process were business associations representing industry interests. Moreover, the International Special Dietary Foods Industries was the only business association with observer status in the CCNFSDU that was specifically dedicated to representing the baby food industryduring the review process. These research results expand the body of evidence confirming the expressive and disproportionate participation of baby food industries and their representatives in the discussion processes within the scope of the CCNFSDU. However, studies investigating the Codex and the public documents of its respective committees are limited. Thus, this was the first study to analyze the influence of the baby food industry on BMS global regulatory compliance.

Building capacity in reducing population dietary sodium intake in the Americas

To present some resources developed as part of the technical support of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to Member States to reduce population dietary sodium intake, and to discuss the main challenges and opportunities to accelerate action toward sodium intake reduction in the Americas. Sources of information include a mapping of salt reduction policies conducted in 2019, reports from working group meetings, interviews conducted in 2020 and 2021 in seven countries, and technical documents developed around the Updated PAHO Regional Sodium Reduction Targets. These tools show that, despite progress, challenges to succeed in this agenda persist. Priority given to sodium reduction is low in most countries, with insufficient resource allocation. There is a lack of intersectoral coordinated action, and a systemic approach to food systems is commonly missing. Surveillance mechanisms of sodium intake are insufficient, and industry interference in policy processes is commonly identified, undermining policy progress and success. There are also important regional opportunities to address these challenges. These include common ground for future collaborations by updating, strengthening, and complementing these existing tools, and technical and financial support for data generation. PAHO is committed to continue to support countries in the process of promoting, implementing, and monitoring cost-effective sodium reduction interventions. One key policy priority in this agenda is the adoption of the Updated PAHO Regional Sodium Reduction Targets with a mandatory approach, together with the comprehensive and complementary implementation of other strategies. Strong political will and commitment of countries will be critical to translate goals into concrete achievements in the Americas.

Environmental Health: Translating Policy Into Action.

Environmental Health: Translating Policy Into Action.

Weak Signal Enhancement for Passive Seismic Data Reconstruction Based on Deep Learning

In conventional passive seismic exploration, it is often necessary to make a long-period seismic record. On the one hand, the passive seismic records with long period allowed us to screen several good passive seismic records with long period for seismic interferometry reconstruction and perform piecewise stacking on them. On the other hand, a sufficiently long recording time can help us avoid noise interference generated by nonpassive sources during the recording process, such as animal activities, construction operations, industrial electrical interference, etc. Compared with the passive seismic records with short period, the passive seismic records with long period can obtain higher signal-to-noise ratio after seismic interferometry reconstruction. However, they also cause huge consumptions of manpower, material resources, and time. Based on this, this paper proposes a seismic interferometry reconstruction method using passive signals of short-period recordings. Based on deep learning technology, the effective information is extracted and enhanced, the strong coherent noise after reconstruction is suppressed and weakened, the SNR of reconstructed recording is improved, and the effective information is mined. It can effectively reduce the time of passive seismic recording required for acquisition and improve acquisition efficiency. In addition, it also has a certain monitoring effect on real-time changes in underground structures.

2.H. Workshop: Commercial determinants and global capture of public health- cases spanning the world

Abstract Growing research around the globe shows that for-profit corporations incur increasingly adverse impacts on health and well-being of people, the planet and the global economy. Their health damaging products and practices fuel non-communicable disease epidemics, damage the earth's natural environment and interfere in health policy making. Such corporate interference in social and public health policy, research and practice is well documented for the pharmaceutical, tobacco, food and beverage, alcohol and arms industries. A commercial determinant lens allows a better understanding of heath inequalities by drawing attention to corporate actors and their tactics as drivers of ill-health rather than people's behaviors. This framework also makes it possible to present interventions to counter these influences. This workshop panel of 5 scholars and activists from around the world who are members of the Governance, Ethics and Conflict of Interest in Public Health Network serves to confirm the detrimental reach of industry practices and the global responses to this interference in public health. It aims to add to the emerging body of knowledge on commercial determinants of health using innovative research approaches and findings. The format is a series of 5 short sequential presentations, followed by an interactive discussion with the audience, moderated by the panel organizer. The presentations will showcase the research methods used including multi-stakeholder interviews, policy analyses, systems mapping and analyses of policy debates. The presentations will also document examples and cases of corporate capture of food industry in Europe, a global mapping of corporate systems, industry interference in health-protecting laws in Columbia, exploitation of humanitarian emergencies in Lebanon, and suggestions of ways forward to protect adults and children from industry vested interests with a Public Health Playbook. Key messages • Corporate interference in public health is a growing concern globally for its health harming influence on health systems and future generations. • Continued concerted research revealing overt and covert health harming industry practices is needed to counter their impact on PH in a world fraught with global challenges and uncertainty.

Challenges and opportunities for tobacco control in Australia: a qualitative study

ObjectiveA greater understanding of the challenges and opportunities for tobacco control in Australia can assist with accelerating efforts in this space. This study sought to explore these challenges and identify priorities for policy and practice. MethodsInterviews were conducted with 31 individuals working in tobacco‐ and/or nicotine‐related research, policy and practice in Australia. Interviewees were tobacco control and cessation advocates, researchers, public servants and health practitioners representing a range of government and non‐government organisations. ResultsCommonly reported challenges included e‐cigarettes distracting from evidence‐based reform, lack of government investment, a misperception that tobacco control is ‘done’ and tobacco industry interference. Advocating for tobacco control to be high on political agendas, sustained investment in evidence‐based measures, improved support for cessation and addressing industry interference were considered important means of addressing these challenges. ConclusionsSeveral challenges are perceived to be hampering Australia's tobacco control efforts. The attention being devoted to e‐cigarettes at the expense of effective control measures warrants immediate addressing. Implications for public healthIncreasing awareness that smoking continues to be the leading cause of preventable death, developing an evidence‐based national cessation strategy and implementing measures that protect tobacco control efforts from vested interests are critical to reducing smoking prevalence rates.

Implementation of Article 5.3 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control: A Subnational Assessment.

Article 5.3 of the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control necessitates the governments to take measures to protect health policy from the commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry (TI). Considering the vast geographical area and diversity between states within India, it is necessary to evaluate the level of implementation of Article 5.3 at the sub-national level. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the implementation of Article 5.3 in the Karnataka state of southern India. Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance Tobacco Industry Interference index was adopted and used for the study. A desk review was conducted for 2018. Publicly available evidence of tobacco industry interference was scored based on its frequency, severity, and the government's response to it. Lower the score, effective the level of governance against the TI interference, which predicts well for the state. The study demonstrates a score of 46 out of 95 in the implementation of Article 5.3 in Karnataka, which is lower when compared to the national score of 69 out of 100 for 2018. Corporate social responsibility, conflict of interest, and unnecessary interactions with TI are the major areas that need focus to comply with the provisions of Article 5.3. Overall, Karnataka needs to strengthen the implementation of Article 5.3 and develop a strategy in line with the global best practices. This assessment can help in identifying areas requiring enhanced vigilance to avoid industry interference.

Corporate political activity in the context of sugar-sweetened beverage tax policy in the WHO European Region.

BackgroundSugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxes have emerged as an effective and increasingly popular tool to reduce added sugar intake, an important contributor to obesity and non-communicable diseases. A common barrier to the implementation of well-designed SSB taxes is the opposition of commercial actors. Focusing on the WHO European Region, this study seeks to map if and how key stakeholders have experienced industry efforts to influence SSB taxes.MethodsWe identified 11 countries in the WHO European Region which have implemented SSB taxes or attempted to do so. Using an online survey informed by the global literature on industry interference with SSB taxation, we approached 70 in-country policymakers, advocates and academics. The data were analysed using an existing framework of corporate political activity.ResultsTwenty-three experts from nine countries responded to the survey. Transnational SSB producers and their business associations were identified as the most active opponents of SSB taxation. Industry claims that the policy would have negative economic effects were identified as the most common and powerful arguments. Direct lobbying was reported in all study countries. Shifts in political activity were recognisable across stages of the policy process, moving from outright opposition to attempts to delay or weaken the policy after its announcement.ConclusionThose seeking to introduce effective SSB taxation can use our findings to pre-empt and counter industry opposition. We identify several measures for preventing and mitigating industry interference with SSB tax policy.

Assessing the progress on the implementation of policy and legislation actions to address the Non-Communicable Diseases crisis in the Pacific.

AimTo assess the progress on the implementation of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) related policies and legislations in the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs).Materials and methodsThe Pacific Monitoring Alliance for NCD Action (MANA) Dashboard was used to assess the progress on the implementation. The MANA Dashboard includes 31 indicators across four different domains such as leadership and governance; preventative policies and legislations; health system response programs; and monitoring This progress assessment was conducted between 2019 and 2020 for all 21 PICTs. The data were analyzed and compared with the baseline status (2018) report and presented across four different domains of the MANA dashboard.ResultsThis progress assessment found that PICTs overall have made advancements in a number of areas, particularly the establishment of a national multi-sectoral NCD taskforce; implementation of referenced approaches to restrict trans-fat in the food supply in national documents; and fiscal measures to affect access and availability to less healthy foods and drinks. However, the strengths of actions varied across PICTs, and most are categorised as low strengths. Measures which had the most limited progress in implementation include policy and legislation that restrict alcohol advertising; tobacco industry interference; marketing of foods and non-alcoholic beverages to children; and marketing for breast milk substitutes.ConclusionsThis progress assessment further highlights that while PICTs continue to make progress, NCD policy and legislation gaps still exist, both in terms of weaknesses of existing measures and areas that have had little attention to-date. These require urgent actions to scale up NCD related policies and legislation at regional and national level.

A review of front-of-pack nutrition labelling in Southeast Asia: Industry interference, lessons learned, and future directions.

This research was supported by the United Kingdom Global Better Health Programme, which is managed by the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and supported by PricewaterhouseCoopers in Southeast Asia.

The Impact of Alcohol Consumption on Cardiovascular Health: Myths and Measures.

Over the past several decades, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has nearly doubled, and alcohol has played a major role in the incidence of much of it. Alcohol has also been attributed in deaths due to infectious diseases, intentional and unintentional injuries, digestive diseases, and several other non-communicable diseases, including cancer.The economic costs of alcohol-associated health outcomes are significant at the individual as well as the country level. Risks due to alcohol consumption increase for most cardiovascular diseases, including hypertensive heart disease, cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation and flutter, and stroke. The widespread message for over 30 years has been to promote the myth that alcohol prolongs life, chiefly by reducing the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Lack of universal advice and stringent policy measures have contributed towards increased uptake and easy availability of alcohol. The WHO has called for a 10% relative reduction in the harmful use of alcohol between 2013–2025. However, lack of investment in proven alcohol control strategies, as well as persistence of misinformation and industry interference, have hindered the efforts of public health professionals to make sufficient progress in reducing alcohol related harms and death.