Interactive Fiction in Cinematic Virtual Reality: Epistemology, Creation and Evaluation

This dissertation presents the Interactive Fiction in Cinematic Virtual Reality (IFcVR), an interactive digital narrative (IDN) that brings together the cinematic virtual reality (cVR) and the creation of virtual environments through 360\ub0 video within an interactive fiction (IF) structure. This work is structured in three components: an epistemological approach to this kind of narrative and media hybrid; the creation process of IFcVR, from development to postproduction; and user evaluation of IFcVR. In order to set the foundations for the creation of interactive VR fiction films, I dissect the IFcVR by investigating the aesthetics, narratological and interactive notions that converge and diverge in it, proposing a medium-conscious narratology for this kind of artefact. This analysis led to the production of an IFcVR functional prototype: \u201cZENA\u201d, the first interactive VR film shot in Genoa. ZENA\u2019s creation process is reported proposing some guidelines for interactive and immersive film-makers. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the IFcVR as an entertaining narrative form and a vehicle for diverse types of messages, this study also proposes a methodology to measure User Experience (UX) on IFcVR. The full evaluation protocol gathers both qualitative and quantitative data through ad hoc instruments. The proposed protocol is illustrated through its pilot application on ZENA. Findings show interactors' positive acceptance of IFcVR as an entertaining experience

Interactive fiction in cinematic virtual reality: an interactive and immersive narrative (text)

In its struggle to gain mass adoption, Virtual Reality (VR) industry and independent creators are exploring various types of content that may attract audiences. This paper presents a potential feature content for VR: Interactive Fiction in cinematic Virtual reality (IFcVR), a media and narrative hybrid resulting from the encounter between Interactive Fiction (IF), hypertextual fiction stories or hyperfiction, and cinematic Virtual Reality (cVR), that is the use of 360° videos. This hybridization of art and media creates immersive and interactive fiction films, in which the ‘interactor’ is placed within the scenic space and has the agency to change the course of the story. In the light of a new narrative and media product, the question of whether this can be considered a narrative text or not arises. This paper sheds some light on IFcVR and its narrative features according to Seymour Chatman’s structuralist model of narrative text, as well as its digital and interactive nature according to current research on the field of interactive narratives. The aim is to highlight the potential of IFcVR to become an entertainment content for the VR public

Effects of a Tapering Period on Physical Condition in Soccer Players

The aim of this research was to analyze the effects of a 2-week step tapering period on lower-limb muscle power, change of direction (COD) and acceleration capacities, and on the stress-recovery state in an amateur soccer team. Twenty-two male players were included in the study. After a 6-week progressive training, the sample was divided into experimental group (EG) (n = 11), which did a 2-week period of taper in which training volume was 50% reduced (intensity was kept high) and control group (CG) (n = 11), which kept on with the training. Muscle power (countermovement jump test), acceleration (10-m sprint test), COD (Illinois test), and stress and recovery perceptions (RESTQ questionnaire) were evaluated before training, at the end of it (pretapering, PRE-TP) and after the tapering period (posttapering, POST-TP). After the taper, the EG in comparison with the CG showed significantly improved power (1,029.71 ± 108.51 W·kg−1 vs. 1,084.21 ± 110.87 W·kg−1; p ≤ 0.01), acceleration (1.72 ± 0.09 seconds vs. 1.67 ± 0.07 seconds; p ≤ 0.05), and lower stress levels (1.9 ± 0.5 vs. 1.6 ± 0.5; p ≤ 0.01) (PRE-TP vs. POST-TP, respectively). Change of direction did not show significant changes. In conclusion, a 2-week step tapering program was found to be an effective periodization strategy to increase muscle power and acceleration, and to reduce stress perception in soccer amateur players

Análisis de precios y oferta de analgésicos y antinflamatorios más consumidos reportados en OPPF, Castilla ? Piura.

Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo evaluar los precios y la oferta de paracetamol 500 mg tableta e ibuprofeno 400 mg tableta en farmacias y boticas privadas del distrito de Castilla que reportaron al OPPF en octubre de 2022. Para ello, en una investigación descriptiva, observacional y transversal se analizó la información proporcionada por el OPPF de las 77 oficinas farmacéuticas, farmacias y boticas, del distrito de Castilla registradas en el Registro Nacional de Establecimientos Farmacéuticos del Ministerio de Salud. Se obtuvo como resultados que sólo el 51.9% y el 50.6% reportan disponibilidad y precios de ibuprofeno 400 mg y paracetamol 500 mg, respectivamente; el 90% de los que reportan ofertan ibuprofeno 400 mg en genérico en DCI y el 84.6% paracetamol 500 mg en genérico en DCI; la mediana de los precios de ibuprofeno 400 mg en marca es 10 veces mayor que su presentación en genérico en DCI, mientras que en paracetamol 500 mg es 6 veces mayor. Se concluyó que existe un bajo porcentaje de oficinas farmacéuticas del distrito de Castilla que reportan al OPPF disponibilidad y precios de ibuprofeno 400 mg y paracetamol 500 mg tabletas y, la mayor dispersión de precios se da en los medicamentos de marca comparados con los genéricos en DCI.Tesi

Knowledge, Behavior and Attitudes Concerning STI Prevention among Out-of-School Youth in the Philippines

The purpose of this study is to determine the current knowledge, behavior and attitude toward STI prevention among out-of-school youth in the Philippines. Anonymous self-administered questionnaires were distributed separately to 28 out-of-school youth (15 male, 12 female, one unspecified). The mean age of the subjects was 18.0 ± 3.0 years, with an overall age range of 15 to 24 years. The female respondents were younger than the male respondents on average. The out-of-school youth obtained information on STIs mainly from the media, and had fewer information sources than in-school students. Although the out-of-school youth had insufficient knowledge of STIs compared to the students, they were fairly knowledgeable about cervical cancer. They were also more sexually active than the students. The out-of-school youth consulted their parents on STI prevention, but received insufficient knowledge on STI prevention from just this source. It was concluded that out-of-school youth could constitute a high risk demographic for STIs, and health education may be essential to help them protect themselves from STIs

Autocuidado y factores de riesgo en pacientes con pie diabético de un Hospital público – Trujillo 2023

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo determinar la relación del autocuidado y los factores de riesgo del pie diabético en un Hospital Público – Trujillo 2023. El estudio fue de tipo básica, con enfoque cuantitativo correlacional de corte transversal, en la población muestral participaron 62 pacientes; se utilizó un instrumento para medir el autocuidado y factores de riesgo con una prueba de confiabilidad del coeficiente Alfa de Cronbach de 0.810. En los resultados se evidencio un autocuidado adecuado en un 80 % y autocuidado inadecuado en 20%, en cuanto a los factores de riesgo se obtiene que el 96.77% tiene un riesgo bajo y el 3.23% presenta riesgo alto. En conclusión, existe una relación inversa entre el autocuidado y factores de riesgo con un p<0.05 y un coeficiente de Spemann de -0.567

Perspectives of bioremediation of heavy metals with native plants of the Fabaceae family present in Paraguay

Industrial pollution is a worldwide problem because many effluents do not receive proper treatment before being released into watercourses. In Paraguay, leather tanning is a common industrial activity and its main contaminant is Chromium. This heavy metal accumulates in both soil and water and can be harmful to human health in large quantities. This study presents the native Fabaceae found in Paraguay and highlights those plants found in the Sub-humid Flooded Forest of the Paraguay River which could be explored in future bioremediation assays. On the other hand, the phylogenetic study of the rbcL gene sequences present in the databases showed that Glycine max, a model species of the Fabaceae family, has the closest phylogenetic relationship with Erythrina crista galli, for which gene studies could be carried out to propose new strategies for pollution reduction.Fil: Quintana Arrúa, Silverio Andrés. Universidad Nacional de Asunción; Paraguay. Universidad Nacional de General Sarmiento. Instituto de Ciencias; ArgentinaFil: Reyes, Magaliz. Instituto Paraguayo de Tecnología Agraria; ParaguayFil: Mereles, Patricia. Universidad Nacional de Asunción; ParaguayFil: Grossi, Cecilia Eugenia María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; ArgentinaFil: Ulloa, Rita Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica; Argentin

High molecular weight chitosan based particles for insulin encapsulation obtained via nanospray technology

The objective of this work was to obtain Chitosan (CS) based particles for Insulin (INS) encapsulation, via nanospray drying of a feeding solution containing equal amounts of both components (0.1% w/v total solids content). The process was performed at pH 3 which is out of the range for electrostatic interactions to occur. The analysis involved the nanoparticles (NP) characterization in the solution before drying (pH 3) by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and after re-hydration at different pHs (3< pH < 11). The dried product was characterized by Fourier-transform spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). FTIR allowed detecting the chemical groups involved in INS-CS interactions. The encapsulation efficiency of the glassy NP was 62.3 ± 0.32% as determined by HPLC. Upon powder re-hydration, NP of diameter <200 nm were obtained, with a minority of them exceeding the micron. The change in the shape and temperature of the main endothermic DSC peak and the higher Tg value of the NP would confirm the increase in INS thermal stability when entrapped in a CS matrix. In terms of biological activity an in-vitro system was assayed. 3T3-L1 fibroblasts were exposed to INS and InsulinChitosan nanoparticles (INS-CS NP). Both treatments showed AKT phosphorylation, which is an indication of AKT activation. The activity of AKT plays an essential role in cell metabolism (lipid and glucose), growth, proliferation, polarity, among others. This activity is a measure of the upstream cell signals, i.e. INS’s receptor activity. Phosphorylated AKT was detected during the assay time for INS-CS NP, showing remarkable differences respect to single INS. Nanodrying technology could be used to trap INS into CS matrix keeping the specific hormone functions and protecting it from the hostile conditions of the body.Fil: Prudkin Silva, Cecilia Raquel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Martinez, Jimena Hebe. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Mazzobre, Maria Florencia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Industrias. Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos y Procesos Quimicos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos y Procesos Quimicos.; ArgentinaFil: Quiroz Reyes, Cinthya. Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados. Departamento de Fisica.; MéxicoFil: San Juan, Erwin. Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados. Departamento de Fisica.; Méxic

Germination characteristics of Gymnocalycium monvillei (Cactaceae) along its entire altitudinal range

"Germination characteristics are important for understanding how species cope with environmental variation. The aims of this work were to analyze the effect of different temperatures (25 and 32 °C), water potentials (0, −0.2, −0.4, and −0.6 MPa), and light conditions (light vs. darkness) on the germination of five populations of the cactus Gymnocalycium monvillei (Lem.) Britton & Rose along its entire altitudinal distribution. The experiments to assess the effects of temperature, water potential, and light conditions were performed in germination chambers, and total germination (%) and mean germination time (T50) were recorded. Germination decreased in provenances from higher to lower altitudes, and the effect was very pronounced at temperatures of 32 °C. For all of the altitudinal provenances, germination decreased with lower water potential, with this effect being more pronounced at 32 °C. On the other hand, provenances at lower altitudes were less affected by lower water potentials than higher provenances. Provenances at all altitudes showed very low germination under dark conditions. T50 did not vary among altitudinal provenances at a temperature of 25 °C, but at 32 °C germination was slower at intermediate altitudes. Our results show that germination characteristics differ considerably among altitudinal provenances and seem to be important in determining the capacity of the species to inhabit such a broad gradient.

Healthcare service utilization in postpartum women

Background: A low ratio of utilization of healthcare services in postpartum women may contribute to maternal deaths during the postpartum period. The maternal mortality ratio is high in the Philippines. The aim of this study was to examine the current utilization of healthcare services and the effects on the health of women in the Philippines who delivered at home. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical study, based on a self-administrated questionnaire, conducted from March 2015 to February 2016 in Muntinlupa, Philippines. Sixty-three postpartum women who delivered at home or at a facility were enrolled for this study. A questionnaire containing questions regarding characteristics, utilization of healthcare services, and abnormal symptoms during postpartum period was administered. To analyze the questionnaire data, the sample was divided into delivery at home and delivery at a facility. Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and Mann–Whitney U test were used. Results: There were significant differences in the type of birth attendant, area of residence, monthly income, and maternal and child health book usage between women who delivered at home and those who delivered at a facility (P<0.01). There was significant difference in the utilization of antenatal checkup (P<0.01) during pregnancy, whilst there was no significant difference in utilization of healthcare services during the postpartum period. Women who delivered at home were more likely to experience feeling of irritated eyes and headaches, and continuous abdominal pain (P<0.05). Conclusion: Financial and environmental barriers might hinder the utilization of healthcare services by women who deliver at home in the Philippines. Low utilization of healthcare services in women who deliver at home might result in more frequent abnormal symptoms during postpartum