A Feature-Augmented Grammar for Automated Media Production

The IST Polymnia project is creating a fully automated system for personalised video generation, including content creation, selection and composition. This paper presents a linguistically motivated solution using context-free feature-augmented grammar rules to describe editing tasks and hence automate video editing. The solution is media and application independent

Realism And Fantasy In Motion Pictures: Transportation Under Debate

Transportation is commonly presented in the context of realistic narratives. An important facet of transportation, which means being absorbed into the written narrative flow of a story, relies on its capacity to influence individuals’ beliefs. This research examines whether (i) the effects of transportation is replicable with movies; (ii) an individual difference, such as fantasy proneness, shapes the relationship between the realism of the movie and the transportation level of the individual. Two studies show that (a) movies have an impact on individuals’ transportation; (b) realistic movies have a greater impact on transportation than fantastic movies; (c) fantasy proneness increases the level of transportation; (d) transported individuals better evaluate movies

Coproduction and health: Public and clinicians' perceptions of the barriers and facilitators

Background Coproduction is an approach increasingly recognized across public services internationally. However, awareness of the term and the barriers and facilitators to its implementation in the NHS are not widely understood. This study examines clinician and public perceptions of coproduction within the context of the Prudent Healthcare initiative. Objectives To provide insights into how coproduction is viewed by clinicians and the public and identify perceived barriers and facilitators to its implementation. Design Using qualitative research methods, interviews were conducted with the public (n = 40) and clinicians (n = 40). Five focus groups were also conducted with the public (n = 45) and six focus groups with clinicians (n = 26). The COM‐B model was used to analyse the data; key domains include Capability, Opportunity and Motivation. Setting This is an all‐Wales study, involving six Health Boards, an NHS trust and community and patient groups. Results Key barriers relating to Capability include lack of awareness of the term coproduction and inadequate communication between clinicians and citizens. Opportunity‐centred barriers include service and time constraints. Conversely, facilitators included utilizing partnerships with community organizations. Motivation‐related barriers included preconceptions about patients’ limitations to coproduce. Conclusions There were broadly positive perceptions among participants regarding coproduction, despite initial unfamiliarity with the term. Despite study limitations including underrepresentation of employed public participants and junior doctors, our analysis may assist researchers and policymakers who are designing, implementing and evaluating interventions to promote coproduction

The impact of nandrolone decanoate in the osseointegration of dental implants in a rabbit model: Histological and micro-radiographic results

Despite high rates of osseointegration in healthy patients, complex cases present an increased risk of osseointegration failure when treated with dental implants. Furthermore, if immediate loading of the implants is used, maximizing the response of the host organism would be desirable. Anabolic steroids, such as Nandrolone Decanoate (ND), are reported to have beneficial clinical effects on various bone issues such as osteoporosis and bone fractures. However, their beneficial effects in promoting osseointegration in dental implant placement have not been documented. The study aimed to examine histological changes induced by ND in experimental dental implants in rabbit models. Two dental implants were placed in the tibias of 24 adult rabbits. Rabbits were allocated to one of two groups: control group or test group. Rabbits in the latter group were given nandrolone decanoate (15 mg/kg, immediately after implant placement and after 1 week). Micro-radiographic and histological analyses were assessed to characterize the morphological changes promoted by the nandrolone decanoate use. Total bone volume and fluorescence were significantly higher in the control group after 2 weeks. Such a difference between the two groups might indicate that, initially, nandrolone lengthens the non-specific healing period characteristic of all bone surgeries. However, after the beginning of the reparative processes, the quantity of newly formed bone appears to be significantly higher, indicating a positive stimulation of the androgen molecule on bone metabolism. Based on micro-radiology and fluorescence microscopy, nandrolone decanoate influenced bone regeneration in the implant site. The anabolic steroid nandrolone decanoate affects the healing processes of the peri-implant bone and therefore has the potential to improve the outcomes of implant treatment in medically complex patients

Hezbollah: Background and Issues for Congress

This report discusses Lebanon's Hezbollah, a Shiite Islamist militia, political party, social welfare organization, and U.S. State Department-designated terrorist organization. The report discusses recent Hezbollah-related conflicts, Hezbollah's relationship with other Lebanese political parties, and U.S. policy regarding Hezbollah