The book an adaptation from the film: technology, narrative, business & how the book industry might adapt the film

This paper proposes that the book, both its form and the book publishing industry that support it can make reference to how the film industry have reacted to technological change since the 1980 's. This can be done in such a way to transform how a book is marketed, published and perhaps read. Epstein (2010) describes how the film industry profited despites its best efforts, from technological advances. The book industry has an opportunity to learn both from the film and record industries using both industries as case studies to support the book's transition to a supporting digital format. There is an opportunity to make the debate not about Kindle versus Ipad, open-source ePub format versus locked down Kindle but about how to use non-linearity, choice vs control, structure and storytelling in a creative fashion. What is the book? It is more than its physical form. It is an experience. Current industry marketing practices, for instance the book review, the audio book, speaking tours all lend themselves to a multimedia approach that can reinforce the position of the book and the reading of the book in today's creative cultural environment

Workability, compressive strength and initial surface absorption of laterized concrete

This paper investigated the workability, compressive strength and initial surface absorption of plasticised laterized concrete at the water/cement ratios of 0.30, 0.50 and 0.70. Slump, compressive strength at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days and initial surface absorption after 10 minutes (ISA-10) at 28, 60 and 90 days were determined at the laterite contents of 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100%. ISA-10 was also assessed at 28-day strengths of 20, 25 and 30 N/mm2. Results showed that superplasticiser dosage increased with increasing content of laterite and for economic dosage laterite content should be limited to 40%. At equal water/cement ratios, compressive strength reduced with increasing content of laterite and ISA-10 increased with increasing content of laterite. The results also showed a strong relationship between ISA-10 and compressive strength and that laterized concrete, when specified on the basis of strength, would have resistance to initial surface absorption comparable with that of the conventional concrete if laterite content is limited to 40%. Hence, for good workability, compressive strength and permeation resistance, laterite content of concrete should be limited to 40%

To genre or not to genre? Typecasting the screenwriter

Typecast verb: 1. assign (an actor or actress) repeatedly to the same type of role, as a result of the appropriateness of their appearance or previous success in such roles. "he tends to be typecast as the caring, intelligent male". 2. represent or regard (a person or their role) as fitting a particular stereotype. Typecasting in the film world is an expression typically applied to the actor. This paper will discuss how typecasting for the screenwriter should be seen as a positive shorthand enthusiasm for the work from that screenwriter that has resonated. The psychology of the narrative surrounding typecasting is ordinarily one as something that should be resisted “if you don’t want to be typecast, then you need to fight it every step of the way and never give up.” (Cooper, B. 2013) Whereas it should really be seen as an advantage, as something that gets the screenwriter the job. “It’s a type of “typecasting” that is actually great” (Miyamoto, K. 2011). Genre is a shorthand method of communicating with your audience and to be typecast as an ‘action’ writer, or ‘comedy’ writer is what has led to the incorporation of the script doctor ‘polish’ typically associated, often negatively, with Hollywood big budget productions. The script doctor is no recent phenomenon. By investigating selected screenwriters and through analysis of their thematic concerns, psychological interests and career performance trajectory, this paper will argue for a positive reframing of typecasting for the screenwriter. “and don’t worry about being typecast until you’ve gotten a movie made” Writer, (Go, Big Fish, Charlie’s Angels) John August. (2007)

Association between serum uric acid and type 2 diabetes

The results of population-based studies suggest that serum uric acid (UA) is a strong and independent risk factor for diabetes complications. The aim of our study to investigate the association between serum UA level and type 2 diabetes (T2D)

Soil nitrogen fluxes and root uptake in the boreal forest

Nitrogen (N) is essential for growth and net primary production of plants. However, N acquisition by plants is influenced by movement of soil N compounds from bulk soil to plant roots and uptake of N by roots. This thesis is aimed at deepening our knowledge on these key processes involved in plant N acquisition in the N-limited boreal forest. To address this aim, a novel, non-invasive microdialysis technique was employed. Amino acids dominated N fluxes in the boreal forest soils. Further, plant roots were shown to have the capacity to absorb organic and inorganic N present in the measured soil fluxes, but these soil fluxes, rather than root uptake, may limit plant N acquisition. The microdialysis technique was further developed to enable simultaneous estimation of diffusion and mass flow of N in soil. Applying this refinement of the technique in the field showed that mass flow significantly increased flux rates of soil N in the boreal forest ecosystem, and that it also altered the chemical composition of the N fluxes. The results from the studies presented in this thesis highlight the potential of the microdialysis technique to improve our understanding of the intrinsic processes involved in N acquisition by plant roots. They also suggest that amino acids might comprise an important source of N for plants in the boreal forest ecosystem. The results suggest that mass flow plays an important role for plant N acquisition in the boreal forest, and mass flow might increase the share of nitrate, particularly in nutrient-rich ecosystems. This finding opens a discussion on the role of transpiration in plant N nutrition, with implications for our understanding of how plant N nutrition will be affected by, among other things, elevated CO2, increased temperatures, and N fertilization

System Dynamics Approach to Mitigating Skilled Labour Shortages in the Construction Industry: A South Africa Context

Skilled labour shortage in construction industry is a major challenge in South Africa. Therefore, the objective of the study is to assess the factors that cause skilled labour shortage, its consequent effects on the construction industries and how the scenario can be improved. The study was conducted by considering construction industry in the Eastern Cape of South Africa and using a survey research method and conceptual System Dynamics (SD) modelling. Findings reveals that investment, wage challenges, talent management, work environment, training, experience, and Government policy are the important challenges for the skilled labour shortage. Inadequacy of skilled labour considerably impacts the quality of work, productivity, and scheduling. The causal loop diagrams show that enhancement in investment in the labour wages will strengthen the availability of skilled labourers leading to higher productivity, and vice versa. Talent management based on appropriate recruitment and retention policy, staff development programmes and investment in these aspects will augment the skilled labour pool. Also, a better work environment through a policy of health and safety, investment in working condition and supported by Government policy will reduce the attrition of the labourer because of job dissatisfaction, which consequently will reduce the skilled labour shortage in the industry

Metabolic Adaptation Of Candida Albicans Biofilms

Biofilm kulat mempunyai kepentingan klinikal yang tinggi. Salah satu yang ketara adalah biofilm Candida albican yang berupaya untuk memulakan jangkitan baru atau jangkitan semula kira-kira 40% daripada jangkitan kandidiasis yang disebarkan. Ciri utama biofilm yang membezakannya daripada sel –sel plankton adalah toleransi yang tinggi terhadap rawatan serta sistem imun. Fungal biofilms have high clinical importance. A notable one is Candida albicans biofilm, whose importance is attributed to its ability to institute new and reoccurring infections, accounting for about 40% of disseminated candidiasis. The major characteristic of biofilms which differentiates it from planktonic cells is its high tolerance to treatments and the immune system

Comparative analysis of the impacts of risks on bonded and unbonded construction projects

Abstract: Despite the introduction and adoption of various techniques and innovative practices geared towards improving the delivery of construction projects, some notable problems of cost overrun, time delay, low quality, dissatisfied clients, etc. still persist. One of the notable practices in the construction industry is the use of bonds and guarantees. Construction bond was introduced as an instrument to protect or indemnify its recipients against risks and problems associated with construction projects but the challenge over the years lies in the practical enforcement of bonding conditions and its overall benefits to the construction industry. This research therefore evaluate the risks that are associated with bonded and unbonded projects with a view to ascertaining their effects on overall construction projects success. Primary data were collected through administration of questionnaires on identified construction bond stakeholders namely: clients of public projects: quantity surveying and architectural firms; and construction firms. Questionnaires were administered on 337 respondents out of which 242 were returned while 236 were certified fit for analysis. Mean item score was used for ranking the identified factors while Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were employed to examine relationship and differences in sample means of different groups of respondents respectively. The study revealed that financial soundness of the issuer also known as credit risk has major effect on projects with bond while for projects without bond, liquidity risk requires the most attention. The identified bond risks are more inherent in bonded projects except for liquidity and volatility risk. In view of this, special attention should be accorded the activities of guarantors, that is banks and insurance companies, shouldered with the responsibilities of issuing bonds in an attempt to reduce their influence on construction bond process. This will enhance value for money for contractors seeking the bonds and eventually lead to success of construction project