Slot machines: Pursuing responsible gaming practices for virtual reels and near misses

Abstract Since 1983, slot machines in North America have used a computer and virtual reels to determine the odds. Since at least 1988, a technique called clustering has been used to create a high number of near misses, failures that are close to wins. The result is that what the player sees does not represent the underlying probabilities and randomness, and this misrepresented outcome will have some effect on the player's perceptions of the game, which may lead directly to classical and operant conditioning, the frustration effect, the perception of early wins, illusion of control, biased evaluation of outcomes, entrapment, and irrational thinking. We use transcripts of Nevada hearings to show that the initial proponents understood that virtual reels and near misses may have a detrimental psychological effect on the player. We conclude by suggesting that jurisdictions should consider the historical facts and research presented in this paper when pursuing responsible gaming practices for slot machines. Keywords Near miss . Slot machine . Probability . Randomness . Virtual reel mapping . Gaming regulations . Public policy For over two decades, slot machine manufacturers have been using a computer and virtual reels to control the game outcome, while the physical reels in the payline window are simply used to display the results to the player. Transcripts from the Nevada State Gaming Control Board (1983) show that at the time the virtual reels were approved, the Board had heard concerns from the two largest slot machine manufacturers. They argued that virtual reels: (a) misrepresent the outcome for the player and (b) create near misses, failures that appear close to a win. An analysis of the transcript shows that the proponent of virtual reels did not disagree that virtual reels misrepresent the outcome of the game, but stressed the benefit that the use of virtual reels allows for larger jackpots. A Board member correctly explained that virtual reels in and of themselves do not create a high number of near misses

Do horizontal relationships matter to production and operations managers?

This paper shifts the focus of production, operations and supply chain management business relationships from the vertical to the horizontal side and calls for more research on this issue. The main intent is to provide managerially oriented arguments regarding the linkages between the achievement of operations-related goals and decisions related to horizontal business relationships. Specifically, we address the following research question: Does a linkage exist between production and operations objectives and the decisions a company makes about horizontal agreements, particularly horizontal governance mode choice? To answer this research question, we develop literature-based hypotheses and collect data from 4316 agreements of mergers and acquisitions and alliances and joint venture announced and completed between 2000 and 2010 by 88 of the first 100-ranked members of the Fortune 500 in the year 2000. We then test the hypotheses through a binary logistic regression model. This study brings interesting results and findings in terms of how and why production management considerations should play a crucial role in the type of strategic decisions that are usually reserved for finance and strategy managers. Operations managers should be fully involved in such decisions if they are to be well acquainted about how their choices impact on operational objectives

Nindestructive Evaluation of Metal Matrix Composite Products with Implanted Defects

The Westinghouse Science and Technology Center has undertaken a program to develop nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques for characterizing the internal structure of SiC particle-reinforced aluminum matrix composites at critical stages during fabrication [1–5]. Because of the large number of processing variables in the manufacture of metal matrix composites (MMC), the likelihood of having detrimental discontinuities is high. The detection of potential defects early in the processing cycle would increase the overall system yield, lower costs, and enhance final product quality [4]. The aim of this investigation was to develop and conduct NDE at various stages of MMC fabrication, correlate the results with microstructural characterization, and establish qualified product quality assurance processes. A large-scale billet was fabricated specially using powder metallurgy techniques to facilitate this objective. The billet contained implanted silicon-carbide particle and aluminum powder clusters as inspection targets. The billet was subsequently extruded into a primary cylindrical extrusion, and finally into a flat plate. The NDE objectives included evaluating the detectability and mapping the implanted defects through each of the processing steps. Comprehensive evaluation of MMC structures requires the use of multiple NDE techniques, including ultrasonic, eddy current, and radiographic testing. This paper concentrates on the results of the ultrasonic investigations. Our experimental approach was: (1) fabricate a MMC billet with intentionally placed inhomogeneities; (2) develop and implement NDE techniques to characterize the MMC internal structure; (3) extend the NDE techniques to intermediate processing and final product forms; and (4) correlate the NDE data with microstructural characterization and mechanical testing results

Re-evaluating the notion of value in wildlife trade research from a service marketing perspective

The trade in wildlife and wildlife products is one of the leading causes of population decline for thousands of species. It is critical that researchers use all available theories and techniques at hand to tackle this conservation crisis. Here, we integrate current services marketing theory with our existing understanding of behaviour change in wildlife trade research and propose future areas of transdisciplinary research. We first used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta Analysis methodology to perform a systematic literature review of 227 articles from 76 journals to explore the current understanding of value in wildlife trade literature. Our results showed over 90% of articles used the term value to describe monetary worth and no articles provided a definition or justification of this use. We then contribute to scientific discourse by presenting Service Dominant Logic from marketing theory as a novel lens through which to explore consumer behaviour and the concept of value in the wildlife trade. We outline future avenues of research that will improve the ability of conservation practitioners to create meaningful behaviour change and system transformation using a wholly novel conceptualisation that synthesises the two disciplines of marketing and conservation

Transnational police cooperation in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic: approaches and implications

Crime in the Caribbean consists of drug and human trafficking, weapons smuggling and terrorism, and is fuelled by this region’s physical location as a gateway to the United States (US). Significant challenges to effective policing are transnational (TN), making the region an ideal testing ground to study transnational police cooperation (TNPC). Current cooperation is seen as reactive and hindered by the Caribbean’s topography, cultures, legal systems, nepotism and territorialism. Using a phenomenological perspective, this qualitative study investigates TNPC in the Caribbean region, focusing on Puerto Rico (PR) and the Dominican Republic (DR), assessing how TNPC works within this region, current structures and operations in the Caribbean. Other researchers such as Malcolm Anderson and Ethan Nadelmann have established the theoretical research base upon which this study is built. However, as empirical research is limited around this particular study, this paper primarily draws upon interviews with law enforcement agents in PR working for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Program, administered by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. This study investigates stakeholders’ perspectives and the various methods of TNPC with the aim of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of multi-agencies towards a practical model, as embodied by HIDTA. This research is the first of its kind, offering a new direction for theory and research

The Universe is not a Computer

When we want to predict the future, we compute it from what we know about the present. Specifically, we take a mathematical representation of observed reality, plug it into some dynamical equations, and then map the time-evolved result back to real-world predictions. But while this computational process can tell us what we want to know, we have taken this procedure too literally, implicitly assuming that the universe must compute itself in the same manner. Physical theories that do not follow this computational framework are deemed illogical, right from the start. But this anthropocentric assumption has steered our physical models into an impossible corner, primarily because of quantum phenomena. Meanwhile, we have not been exploring other models in which the universe is not so limited. In fact, some of these alternate models already have a well-established importance, but are thought to be mathematical tricks without physical significance. This essay argues that only by dropping our assumption that the universe is a computer can we fully develop such models, explain quantum phenomena, and understand the workings of our universe. (This essay was awarded third prize in the 2012 FQXi essay contest; a new afterword compares and contrasts this essay with Robert Spekkens' first prize entry.)Comment: 10 pages with new afterword; matches published versio

Customer engagement with digitalized interactive platforms in retailing

Digitalized interactive platforms (DIPs) such as Apple watch, Starbucks apps and Nike+ have seen enormous growth. This study empirically investigates the antecedents and consequences of customer engagement in a digitalized interactive platform of an online shoe retailing start-up. Specifically, we integrate service-dominant logic and self-determination theory to explore the complex relationships between human psychological needs, customer engagement and subjective well-being. We hypothesise that, in case of digitalized interactive platforms, the direct relationship between human psychological needs satisfaction (autonomy, relatedness and competence) and subjective well-being is mediated by customer engagement (cognitive, affective and behavioral). We applied a hybrid SEM-ANN approach to unravel the relationships. Findings show that autonomy and competence have significant relationships with all the dimensions of customer engagement (cognitive, affective and behavioral). Results also show that subjective well-being is not influenced by cognitive engagement but is influenced by affective and behavioral engagement. Theoretical and managerial contributions are discussed

Repurposing PPE

The exhibit explores the theme of ‘reparation’ through creative experimentation into repurposing used PPE isolation gowns. The exhibit comprises fashion and textile concepts; 2-D samples and 3-D prototypes developed from the gown materials, to prevent them from being shipped offshore or sent to landfill after the legislated ‘75 wash and wear’ cycle. While reusable medical textiles outperform disposable products on human and environmental scales, there is still an urgent need to move towards a circular system whereby the life of the polyester/carbon fabric is extended before being recycled as fibre. Through a series of r workshops between March and April 2023, the researchers worked alongside students and staff from the Fashion, Textile and Knitwear department, to develop potential solutions for repurposing this waste stream. Outcomes included patchworked, knitted, printed, woven and embroidered pieces, upcycled gowns, full and half-scale garments. For more information see project Instagram @ppe_refashione