Modelling Reactive Multimedia: Design and Authoring

Multimedia document authoring is a multifaceted activity, and authoring tools tend to concentrate on a restricted set of the activities involved in the creation of a multimedia artifact. In particular, a distinction may be drawn between the design and the implementation of a multimedia artifact. This paper presents a comparison of three different authoring paradigms, based on the common case study of a simple interactive animation. We present details of its implementation using the three different authoring tools, MCF, Fran and SMIL 2.0, and we discuss the conclusions that may be drawn from our comparison of the three approaches

Mexitl: Multimedia in Executable Interval Temporal Logic

This paper explores a formalism for describing a wide class of multimedia document constraints, based on an interval temporal logic. We describe the requirements on temporal logic specification that arise from the multimedia documents application area. In particular, we highlight a canonical specification example. Then we present the temporal logic formalism that we use. This extends existing interval temporal logic with a number of new features: actions, framing of actions, past operators, a projection-like operator called filter and a new handling of interval length. A model theory, logic and satisfaction relation are defined for the notation, a specification of the canonical example is presented, and a proof system for the logic is introduced

Time-Resolved PIV And Pressure Measurements Of Oscillating And Pulsating Flow In A Diffuser

Separating oscillating and pulsating flows in an internal adverse pressure gradient geometry are studied experimentally. Simultaneous velocity-pressure measurements demonstrate that the minor losses associated with oscillating flow in an adverse pressure gradient geometry can be smaller or larger than for steady flow. Separation is found to begin high in the diffuser and propagate downward. Flows are able to remain attached further into the diffuser with larger Reynolds numbers, larger stroke lengths, and smaller diffuser angles. The extent of separation grows with Lo/h. The minor losses grow with increasing displacement amplitude in the range 10 \u3c Lo/h \u3c 40. Losses decrease with Re in the range of 38

Subcloning and Expression of Complexin Isoforms Involved in Mast Cell Degranulation

Mast cells play an important role in the immune system by releasing chemicals such as chemokines and cytokines once they are stimulated. These products are released after stimulation by a process called mast cell degranulation. Mast cell degranulation is accomplished when vesicles containing the chemicals inside the mast cell fuse with the mast cell membrane via SNARE-mediated (Soluble NSF Attachment Protein Receptors) membrane fusion. This family of proteins consists of syntaxin, SNAP 25-like protein, and synaptobrevin/VAMP (Vesicle Associated Membrane Protein)(2). Comlexin isoforms (complexin 1,2,3,and 4) have been known to regulate this system in a fashion that is still unclear. In order to study the mechanism in which these complexins regulate SNARE-mediated membrane fusion, each isoform was cloned and ligated to the pTYB12 vector to be expressed in E. coli. An induction process using IPTG was used in order to induce production of each isoform via the T7 promoter. In this experiment, we were able to clone all of the complexin isoforms, but only complexin 1 and 3 were successfully expressed

Preferences, Perceptions, and Veto Players: Explaining Devolution Negotiation Outcomes in the Canadian Territorial North

Since the early part of the 20th century, the federal government has engaged in a long and slow process of devolution in the Canadian Arctic. Although the range of powers devolved to the territorial governments has been substantial over the years, the federal government still maintains control over the single most important jurisdiction in the region, territorial lands and resources, which it controls in two of the three territories, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. This fact is significant for territorial governments because gaining jurisdiction over their lands and resources is seen as necessary for dramatically improving the lives of residents and governments in the Canadian north. Relying on archival materials, secondary sources, and 33 elite interviews, this paper uses a rational choice framework to explain why the Yukon territorial government was able to complete a final devolution agreement relating to lands and resources in 2001 and why the governments of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut have not. It finds that the nature and distance of federal-territorial preferences, combined with government perceptions of aboriginal consent and federal perceptions of territorial capacity and maturity, explain the divergent outcomes experienced by the three territorial governments in the Canadian arctic. The following acronyms are employed: AIP: Agreement-in-Principle; DTA: Devolution Transfer Agreement; GEB: gross expenditure base; GN: Government of Nunavut; GNWT: Government of Northwest Territories; NCLA: Nunavut Land Claims Agreement; NTI: Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated; NWT; Northwest Territories; ON: Ontario; TFF: Territorial Formula Financing; UFA: Umbrella Final Agreement; YDTA: Yukon Devolution Transfer Agreement; YTG: Yukon Territorial Government; YK: Yukon

Impact Beyond Citation: An Introduction to Altmetrics

A fundamental concern for higher education institutions worldwide is improving their efectiveness and efficiency. #is is often expressed as a need to maximise the "impact" of funded research. "Impact" is intended to mean the e!ects of research beyond the research community, and may include in$uence on policy, improvements in health and living standards, cultural enrichment or an improved environment. Di!erent forms of impact – and the framework by which impact is assessed and rewarded – should depend on the mission and goals of the institution. In a political environment that places high value on transparency, accountability and demonstrable return-from-investment, and with intensifying competition in global higher education, universities are under pressure to provide evidence of the value of services they provide. While the value of teaching services has been straightforward to measure, this has not been the case for research. #e commercial publishing sector provides citation-based analysis – the ISI Impact Factor – that is the dominant metric for research evaluation. But the ISI Impact Factor's methodology, equitability and ability to measure the range of scholarship have been criticised. The Altmetrics movement, a body of scholars that seeks to create tools allowing scholarship to be measured and tracked in novel ways, is challenging the ISI Impact Factor. The Scholarly Communication in Africa Programme investigated "alternative methodologies for a more Afrocentric approach to research evaluation"