The Unfree Space of Play: Emergence and Control in the Videogame and the Platform

This article attempts to understand the economic and informatic ramifications of the convergence between increasingly connective games and massive online platforms by considering recent trends in both that center around designing for emergence. Scholarship on emergence as a property of games overwhelmingly treats emergent design as a liberating force that privileges player agency in a virtual space. Yet, as games fuse with surrounding platform ecosystems like Steam, Facebook, and Google, those emergent behaviors are subject to vast systems of inscription that analyze user behavior in order to reshape the free space of emergence and extract greater social and financial capital. At the same time, platforms grow more and more gamified in order to impel users toward interactions that will yield the most valorizable forms of engagement while maintaining the illusion of user agency. Examining the popular design trend of games-as-a-service alongside the public scandal surrounding Facebook\u27s extractive practices shows that the trajectory of these overlapping systems actually colonize the free space of emergence, making it the territory from which technologies of control are derived

Spectroscopic and spectro-astrometric analysis of T Tauri Stars

To understand our own solar origins, we must investigate the composition of the protoplanetary disk from which the solar system formed. To infer this, we study analogs to the early solar system called T Tauri stars. These objects are low-mass, pre-main sequence stars surrounded by circumstellar disks of material from which planets are believed to form. We present high-resolution, near-infrared spectroscopic data for the T Tauri stars DR Tau and AA Tau using NIRSPEC at the Keck II telescope. For DR Tau, a spectro-astrometric analysis was performed, obtaining sub-seeing spatial information on water emission. Alongside a disk model, we constrained the viewing geometry of the disk (position angle ~140⁰, inclination ~13⁰) and the emitting region of the water emission lines (~0.056 - 0.38 AU). For AA Tau, we observed a superposition of strong water and OH absorption and emission features from two separate years, 2010 and 2014. During that time frame, AA Tau went through a dimming event, the effects of which we analyzed and used to discuss the implications for the source of the dimming event. --Abstract, page iii

Spectroscopic and Spectro-Astrometric Analysis of T Tauri Stars

To understand our own solar origins, we must investigate the composition of the protoplanetary disk from which the solar system formed. To infer this, we study analogs to the early solar system called T Tauri stars. These objects are low-mass, pre-main sequence stars surrounded by circumstellar disks of material from which planets are believed to form. We present high-resolution, near-infrared spectroscopic data for the T Tauri stars DR Tau and AA Tau using NIRSPEC at the Keck II telescope. For DR Tau, a spectro-astrometric analysis was performed, obtaining sub-seeing spatial information on water emission. Alongside a disk model, we constrained the viewing geometry of the disk (position angle ~140o, inclination ~13o) and the emitting region of the water emission lines (~0.056 – 0.38 AU). For AA Tau, we observed a superposition of strong water and OH absorption and emission features from two separate years, 2010 and 2014. During that time frame, AA Tau went through a dimming event, the effects of which we analyzed and used to discuss the implications for the source of the dimming event

S-Matrix Poles Close to Thresholds in Confined Geometries

We have studied the behavior of the S-matrix poles near threshold for quantum waveguides coupled to a cavity with a defect. We emphasize the occurrence of both dominant and shadow poles on the various sheets of the energy Riemann surface, and show that the changes of the total conductivity near threshold as the cavity's width changes can be explained in terms of dominant to shadow pole transitions.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure

Consumer Awareness of the Jersey Fresh Promotional Program

The Jersey Fresh marketing program, one of the nation’s leading examples of state-sponsored agricultural marketing promotion, enables consumers to easily identify quality fresh produce from New Jersey by promoting locally grown fruits and vegetables in the market with Jersey Fresh’s logos. This study utilizes a consumer survey to evaluate the effectiveness of the Jersey Fresh Program in terms of the impact the promotional logos have on consumers. The results of this study provide valuable information that may be used to improve the Jersey Fresh Program, and also may be used in the promotion of other New Jersey farm products as well as products in other states which have similar promotional programs. Among other things, this study demonstrated that the Jersey Fresh promotional program has created significant brand awareness among New Jersey consumers and that consumers are willing to purchase Jersey Fresh produce when it’s available. Consumers reported seeing the Jersey Fresh logo most frequently on in-store produce displays. What’s more, women were more likely than men to be aware of Jersey Fresh, as were married people. Survey participants believed Jersey Fresh produce to be better than produce in other states in terms of quality and freshness. Moreover, consumers associate the Jersey Fresh logo with locally grown, quality produce. Suggestions that emerged from the study include increasing the availability of Jersey Fresh produce during the production seasons would ensure continued consumer patronage. Also, increasing promotions of Jersey Fresh produce in supermarkets may further increase the popularity of Jersey Fresh produce. The study showed that a vii majority of consumers were willing to pay only a small percentage premium for Jersey Fresh produce over the market prices for other fresh produce; therefore, significant price differentials are not recommended for Jersey Fresh produce. The results of this study lead to a better understanding of New Jersey consumers’ shopping behavior, their preferences towards local produce and their demographic composition. The results may be especially encouraging to those developing marketing strategies for Jersey Fresh produce or for other similar New Jersey consumer products.Consumer/Household Economics, Marketing,

Contributions of Hippocampal Area CA2 to Hippocampal Oscillatory Networks

Complex cognitive abilities, such as memory, require synchronized neural activity across large populations of cells. The hippocampus is a region of the brain required for the formation of long term episodic memories, which is our memory for autobiographical information. The hippocampus itself consists of four sub-regions, the dentate gyrus (DG), CA1, CA2, and CA3, which can be viewed as functionally specialized processing hubs that uniquely contribute to memory formation based on their distinct molecular, synaptic, and anatomical properties. Only together; however, does the collective activity of all four sub-regions provide the neurobiological underpinnings necessary for a functional memory system. One mechanism for the coordination of neural networks is synchronization through oscillations. Neuronal oscillations reflect waves of synchronous action potentials and their presence in the hippocampus is strongly associated with episodic learning and memory. Although much progress been made towards understanding how different frequencies of activity are generated and how they support hippocampal-based memory, relatively little is known about the role of CA2 in organizing oscillations. In this dissertation work, I use combinatorial electrophysiological and chemogenetic approaches to genetically target and manipulate CA2 principal cells to investigate their role in coordinating hippocampal oscillatory networks in awake, behaving mice. In Chapter 2, I use Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs) to manipulate the endogenous G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling pathways in CA2 while animals explore a novel spatial environment. These experiments revealed that activation or inhibition of CA2 pyramidal cells through the endogenous Gq- and Gi-coupled pathways, respectively, is sufficient to bi-directionally modulate synchronized hippocampal activity in the slow gamma and beta frequency ranges. In Chapter 3, I further dissect the role of CA2 in coordinating hippocampal oscillations by inhibiting CA2 pyramidal cells while animals investigate novel social stimuli and record from CA2’s primary output region, CA1. These experiments revealed that the oscillatory structure observed in CA1 is organized in a layer- and frequency-specific manner that depends causally on CA2 output. These findings provide evidence that CA2 is an integral processing node capable of coordinating the hippocampal oscillatory networks that support long term episodic memory.Doctor of Philosoph

Predictors of academic honesty and success in domestic and international occupational therapy students

Purpose Academic integrity is the application of honest, ethical and responsible behaviours to all facets of students’ scholarly endeavours and is the moral code of academia. The international literature reports the prevalence of academic dishonesty in higher education across many disciplines (including the health sciences), and there is evidence linking academic dishonesty in health professional students with future unprofessional behaviour in the workplace. International students are reported to be a particularly vulnerable group. This paper aims to investigate the factors that may be predictive of academic honesty and performance in domestic and international occupational therapy students. Design/methodology/approach In total, 701 participants (603 domestic students; 98 international students) were recruited from five Australian universities, and data were collected via a two-part self-report questionnaire. ANOVA and multi-linear regression analyses with bootstrapping were completed. Findings Tendency towards cheating and self-perception tendency towards dishonesty in research, gender, age and hours spent in indirect study were found to be statistically significant predictors of academic integrity and performance. Research limitations/implications Limitations of this study were the use of convenience sampling and self-report scales which can be prone to social desirability bias. Further studies are recommended to explore other potential predictors of academic honesty and performance in occupational therapy students. Originality/value A range of predictors of academic honesty and success were found that will assist educators to target vulnerable domestic and international occupational therapy students as well as address deficiencies in academic integrity through proactive strategies

Identifying Lepidopteran resistance within hcf mutants

Abstract only availableSouthwestern corn borer (SWBC) and fall armyworm (FAW) feeding on maize causes extensive crop damage in the United States. Total crop loss is valued at approximately 300 million dollars annually. Previous proteomic analysis comparing resistant and susceptible lines of maize has shown genes found in the photosystem II pathway are highly expressed in the resistant line. The high chlorophyll fluorescence mutants have defects in photosystem I or photosystem II genes. Preliminary feeding trials indicate hcf mutants have resistance to Lepidopteran feeding. A preference test was performed comparing hcf mutants to their wild-type siblings. Oy , pg , and g mutants were also compared to their wild-type siblings to ensure that the pigmentation was not a factor in insect resistance. Leaf tissue from both the hcf mutant and the wild-type plant were pinned to a piece of moist filter paper within a petri dish. A single SWCB or FAW was placed in between the two samples and allowed to choose which tissue sample it preferred. There were five replicates per genotype. Pictures were taken after four days and tissue damage area was assessed using AlphaEaseFC software. A few hcf mutants showed increased resistance to feeding than their wild-type siblings, while most hcf mutants did not. SWCB preferred the wild-type over hcf11-N1205A and hcf49-N1480 mutants, indicating these genes may be resistance factors. Some hcf mutants were preferred by SWCB, indicating they may represent susceptibility genes. These genotypes were Oyl-Andrew and hcf13-N1097B . hcf49-N1480 , hcf7-N1029D , and pg15-N340B had reduced FAW damage compared to wild-type siblings, indicating they may confer resistance. The genotype hcf44-N1278B showed increased susceptibility to FAW feeding compared to its wild-type sibling. Further analysis will be needed to examine the resistance capabilities of the hcf11-N1205A , hcf7-1029D , pg15-N340B , and hcf49-N1480 genotypes. The mutants evaluated for effects of pigmentation displayed varying results indicating color differences associated with some hcf mutants are unlikely to be responsible for the differences observed. This experiment has provided data showing that some hcf mutants confer resistance to insect feeding. These genes may be useful in increasing resistance to FAW and SWCB in commercial hybrids.Life Sciences Mission Enhancement Progra

Lepidopteran preference test of Glossy mutants and Glossy15 allels for maize resistance [abstract]

Abstract only availableFaculty Mentor: Georgia Davis, AgronomyEvery year fall armyworm and Southwestern corn borer cause severe yield loss in maize. Both fall armyworm and the Southwestern corn borer are known to specifically attack the whorl leaf tissue resulting in major crop losses. Over the past few years maize resistant lines have been developed. In our study we have compared the larval feeding habits of both insects on resistant and susceptible genotypes, and on maize mutants that affect epicuticular wax formation. A previous study has shown that the Glossy15 and Glossy8 genes have Lepidopteran resistance in maize during the whorl stage. Our objectives in this study are to analyze both fall armyworm and Southwestern corn borer feeding preferences on various glossy mutants, and to further examine thier feeding habits on different alleles of the Glossy15 gene. In both studies we compared feeding preferences on three inbreds ( Mp705, Oh28, and Va35 ) to the glossy mutants. Mp705 has resistance to whorl stage Lepidopteran feeding while Oh28 and Va35 are susceptible. An inbred adult leaf was placed directly next to a glossy mutant adult leaf in a Petri dish. We then placed a single larva between the two adult leaves. We evaluated the larvae preference by using the AlphaEaseFC software. With this software we measured the areas of damaged leaf tissue. In the first study we have concluded that the adult leaves of bm1 , Gl1 , gl2-PF , Gl3 , Gl7 , Gl14 , and gl15-Sprague are very susceptible to insect feeding. There was no preference for adult leaves of bm4 , Gl4 , Gl11 , gl3-N531 , gl13-U440B , Gl18 , gl18-N166A , and Gl21 . However, we have found that Gl8 , gl15-KEW , and gl15-LAM exhibit some resistance. We also examined insect preference on different allels of Glossy15 gene. We observed allelic differences; gl15-63 and gl15-L are susceptible to insect feeding, while gl15-S , gl15-H , gl15-956 , and gl15-94317 have no preference. The goal of this study is to determine which mutants and alleles are more resistant than the others. The resistant alleles can then be inserted into different maize lines to improve resistance to Lepidopteran insects

Returns to the Jersey Fresh Promotional Program: The Impacts of Promotional Expenditures on Farm Cash Receipts in New Jersey

In 1984, the Jersey Fresh program was implemented by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and was the first state-funded marketing campaign for agricultural products produced in New Jersey. In an effort to spur demand for New Jersey farm products, this program was designed to increase consumer awareness of the state’s agricultural products as well as to encourage food retailers to promote Jersey Fresh products. With funding from the USDA’s Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture commissioned this study to determine the impact of Jersey Fresh promotion on farmer cash receipts in New Jersey. The econometric analysis was focused on the fruit and vegetable sectors, the primary commodity areas expected to benefit most directly from Jersey Fresh promotion. Study results show that: • For every dollar spent on the Jersey Fresh Promotional Program through 2000, New Jersey’s agricultural fruit and vegetable sector revenues increased by $31.54 (2003 dollars). • The additional economic activity created in the agricultural industry also had impacts on other parts of the economy, namely agricultural suppliers and service providers. In fact, each dollar spent on Jersey Fresh promotion resulted in an additional$22.95 of sales in agricultural support industries and other related industries. • In total, each dollar spent on Jersey Fresh promotion resulted in $54.49 of increased economic output in the State. Adjusting all dollars to 2003 levels, this means that the$1.16 million spent on the Jersey Fresh program in 2000 increased fruit and vegetable cash receipts by $36.6 million and created an additional$26.6 million in economic activity within agricultural support industries. The total statewide economic impact of the Jersey Fresh program was therefore an estimated $63.2 million. The economic activity generated through Jersey Fresh promotion also impacts local, state, and federal taxes. An analysis of these tax impacts shows that New Jersey’s State and local tax revenues increased by$2.2 million in 2000 due to the increased economic activity attributable to Jersey Fresh promotion. Comparing this return to the 2000 program budget of $1.16 million, the Jersey Fresh program appears to be better than revenue-neutral.Agribusiness, Marketing,