Interaction and Expressivity in Video Games: Harnessing the Rhetoric of Film

The film-maker uses the camera and editing creatively, not simply to present the action of the film but also to set up a particular relation between the action and the viewer. In 3D video games with action controlled by the player, the pseudo camera is usually less creatively controlled and has less effect on the player’s appreciation of and engagement with the game. This paper discusses methods of controlling games by easy and intuitive interfaces and use of an automated virtual camera to increase the appeal of games for users

Synthesis, characterisation and Pickering emulsifier performance of poly(stearyl methacrylate)–poly(N-2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl pyrrolidone) diblock copolymer nano-objects via RAFT dispersion polymerisation in n-dodecane

A near-monodisperse poly(stearyl methacrylate) macromolecular chain transfer agent (PSMA macro-CTA) was prepared via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) solution polymerisation in toluene. This PSMA macro-CTA was then utilised as a stabiliser block for the RAFT dispersion polymerisation of a highly polar monomer, N-2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl pyrrolidone (NMEP), in n-dodecane at 90 °C. 1H NMR studies confirmed that the rate of NMEP polymerisation was significantly faster than that of a non-polar monomer (benzyl methacrylate, BzMA) under the same conditions. For example, when targeting a PSMA14–PNMEP100 diblock copolymer, more than 99% NMEP conversion was achieved within 30 min, whereas only 19% BzMA conversion was obtained on the same time scale for the corresponding PSMA14–PBzMA100 synthesis. The resulting PSMA–PNMEP diblock copolymer chains underwent polymerisation-induced self-assembly (PISA) during growth of the insoluble PNMEP block to form either spherical micelles, highly anisotropic worms or polydisperse vesicles, depending on the target DP of the PNMEP chains. Systematic variation of this latter parameter, along with the solids content, allowed the construction of a phase diagram which enabled pure morphologies to be reproducibly targeted. Syntheses conducted at 10% w/w solids led to the formation of kinetically-trapped spheres. A monotonic increase in particle diameter with PNMEP DP was observed for such PISA syntheses, with particle diameters of up to 462 nm being obtained for PSMA14–PNMEP960. Increasing the copolymer concentration to 15% w/w solids led to worm-like micelles, while vesicles were obtained at 27.5% w/w solids. High (≥95%) NMEP conversions were achieved in all cases and 3[thin space (1/6-em)]:[thin space (1/6-em)]1 chloroform/methanol GPC analysis indicated relatively high blocking efficiencies. However, relatively broad molecular weight distributions (Mw/Mn > 1.50) were observed when targeting PNMEP DPs greater than 150. This indicates light branching caused by the presence of a low level of dimethacrylate impurity. Finally, PSMA14–PNMEP49 spheres were evaluated as Pickering emulsifiers. Unexpectedly, it was found that either water-in-oil or oil-in-water Pickering emulsions could be obtained depending on the shear rate employed for homogenisation. Further investigation suggested that high shear rates lead to in situ inversion of the initial hydrophobic PSMA14–PNMEP49 spheres to form hydrophilic PNMEP49–PSMA14 spheres

The laboratory culture and development of Helicoverpa Armigera

Techniques for the laboratory rearing of Helicoverpa armigera, an important pest of food crops in the Old World tropics, are described. Methods for rearing all stages of the insect are given, including recepies for artificial diets and recommendations for the recognition and control of disease. The effects of various environmental factors on development in the laboratory are described

Block Copolymer Nanoparticles Prepared via Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly Provide Excellent Boundary Lubrication Performance for Next-Generation Ultralow-Viscosity Automotive Engine Oils

Core cross-linked poly(stearyl methacrylate)–poly(benzyl methacrylate)–poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) [S31–B200–E20] triblock copolymer nanoparticles were synthesized directly in an industrial mineral oil via polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA). Gel permeation chromatography analysis of the S31–B200 diblock copolymer precursor chains indicated a well-controlled reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer dispersion polymerization, while transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light-scattering (DLS), and small-angle X-ray scattering studies indicated the formation of well-defined spheres. Moreover, DLS studies performed in THF, which is a common solvent for the S and B blocks, confirmed successful covalent stabilization because well-defined solvent-swollen spheres were obtained under such conditions. Tribology experiments using a mini-traction machine (MTM) indicated that 0.50% w/w dispersions of S31–B200–E20 spheres dramatically reduce the friction coefficient of base oil within the boundary lubrication regime. Given their efficient and straightforward PISA synthesis at high solids, such nanoparticles offer new opportunities for the formulation of next-generation ultralow-viscosity automotive engine oils

Lubrication at physiological pressures by polyzwitterionic brushes

The very low sliding friction at natural synovial joints, which have friction coefficients of mu < 0.002 at pressures up to 5 megapascals or more, has to date not been attained in any human-made joints or between model surfaces in aqueous environments. We found that surfaces in water bearing polyzwitterionic brushes that were polymerized directly from the surface can have m values as low as 0.0004 at pressures as high as 7.5 megapascals. This extreme lubrication is attributed primarily to the strong hydration of the phosphorylcholine-like monomers that make up the robustly attached brushes, and may have relevance to a wide range of human-made aqueous lubrication situations

The extent of counterion dissociation at the interface of cationic diblock copolymer nanoparticles in non-polar solvents

Hypothesis Diblock copolymer nanoparticles prepared in non-polar solvents that are sterically stabilized but possess ionic functionality from the inclusion of cationic comonomers in the stabilizer shell are known to exhibit complex electrokinetic behavior (Chem. Sci. 9 (2018) 922–934). For example, core-shell nanoparticles with cationic comonomers located solely within the shell layer have lower magnitude electrophoretic mobilities than nanoparticles containing the same cationic comonomers located within the core, and nanoparticles prepared using a minor fraction of steric stabilizer chains containing cationic comonomer repeat units have comparable electrophoretic mobilities to nanoparticles prepared with this cationic comonomer solely located within the core. We hypothesize that these observations can be explained in terms of the strength of the Coulombic interaction between counterions and the nanoparticle interface. Experiments The highly-fluorinated anionic counterion associated with these cationic nanoparticles is studied by 19F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in n-dodecane. This revealed only one type of 19F environment for a soluble macromolecular cation (the oil-soluble steric stabilizer chains used to prepare the nanoparticles), whereas two distinct environments were observed for the sterically-stabilized cationic nanoparticles. Both 19F diffusion NMR and 19F–13C heteronuclear single quantum correlation (HSQC) measurements support the existence of two environments for this counterion. Findings The existence of two distinct 19F environments for the highly-fluorinated anion associated with the sterically-stabilized nanoparticles demonstrates the presence of spectroscopically distinguishable populations of ion pairs and of fully dissociated free anions. 19F NMR spectra recorded for sterically-stabilized nanoparticles with a fully ionic shell (all stabilizer chains containing the cationic comonomer) and those with a partly ionic shell (10% of stabilizer chains containing the cationic comonomer) reveal a higher proportion of dissociated anions in the partly ionic case. This suggests a stronger Coulombic interaction between counterions and the cationic interface when the shell is fully ionic, which accounts for the observed reduction in the magnitude of the electrophoretic mobility

Progressive genetic aberrations detected by comparative genomic hybridization in squamous cell cervical cancer

Genetic changes orchestrated by human papillomaviruses are the most important known factors in carcinogenesis of the uterine cervix. However, it is clear that additional genetic events are necessary for tumour progression. We have used comparative genomic hybridization to document non-random chromosomal gains and losses within a subset of 37 cervical carcinomas matched for clinical stage Ib, but with different lymph node status. There were significantly more chromosomal changes in the primary tumours when the lymph nodes were positive for metastases. The most frequent copy number alterations were loss of 3p, 11q, 6q and 10q and gain of 3q. The smallest areas of loss and gain on chromosome 3 were 3p14–22 and 3q24–26. The study identifies progressive DNA copy number changes associated with early-stage invasive cervical cancers with and without lymph node metastases, a factor of potential prognostic and therapeutic value. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.co

Mental Health and COVID-19 in University Students: Findings from a Qualitative, Comparative Study in Italy and the UK

Introduction: COVID-19 restrictions introduced several changes in university academic and social experience. Self-isolation and online teaching have amplified students’ mental health vulnerability. Thus, we aimed to explore feelings and perspectives about the impact of the pandemic on mental health, comparing students from Italy and the UK. Methods: Data were collected from the qualitative portion of “the CAMPUS study”, longitudinally assessing mental health of students at the University of Milano-Bicocca (Italy) and the University of Surrey (UK). We conducted in-depth interviews and thematically analysed the transcripts. Results: The explanatory model was developed from four themes identified across 33 interviews: anxiety exacerbated by COVID-19; putative mechanisms leading to poor mental health; the most vulnerable subgroups; and coping strategies. Generalised and social anxiety resulted from COVID-19 restrictions by being associated with loneliness, excessive time online, unhealthy management of time and space and poor communication with the university. Freshers, international students, and people on the extremes of the introversion/extroversion spectrum, were identified as vulnerable, while effective coping strategies included taking advantage of free time, connection with family and mental health support. The impact of COVID-19 was mostly related to academic issues by students from Italy, whereas to the drastic loss of social connectedness by the UK sample. Conclusions: Mental health support for students has an essential role, and measures that encourage communication and social connectedness are likely to be beneficial

Incidence of Winter and Summer Diapause in Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Andhra Pradesh, India

The incidence of winter and summer diapause was studied by large-scale field samplings of larvae and pupae of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hüb) conducted over a period of 13-years during winter and summer seasons in Andhra Pradesh, India. Induction of winter diapause was associated with cooler prevailing temperatures and shorter day lengths of 32°C during March-April resulting in greater adult emergence with the onset of the monsoon season during mid-June to early July. In summer, few alternate hosts are available for larvae to sustain by allowing local populations colonizing newly germinated host crops with the onset of the rainy season. In addition, the incidence of winter and summer diapause was higher in male pupae than females in the ratio of 4:1 and 3:1 (♂:♀), respectively. Diapause populations of H. armigera were most common in the cyclonic weather prevailed for several weeks during 1977-78 (15.11%) and 1995-96 (17.64%). Under these conditions, an average of <4% and <6% of pupae entered winter and summer diapause, respectively and was associated with severe outbreaks of H. armigera in subsequent seasons. Higher populations of H. armigera on pigeonpea and chickpea entered winter diapause on pigeonpea and chickpea and summer diapause on irrigated maize, pigeonpea, chickpea and a common weed host, Datura metel