Relational Expressions for Data Transformation and Computation

Separate programming models for data transformation (declarative) and computation (procedural) impact programmer ergonomics, code reusability and database efficiency. To eliminate the necessity for two models or paradigms, we propose a small but high-leverage innovation: the introduction of complete relations into the relational database. Complete relations and the discipline of constraint programming, which concerns them, are founded on the same algebra as relational databases. We claim that by synthesising the relational database of Codd and Date, with the results of the constraint programming community, the relational model holistically offers programmers a single declarative paradigm for both data transformation and computation, reusable code with computations that are indifferent to what is input and what is output, and efficient applications with the query engine optimising and parallelising all levels of data transformation and computation.Comment: 12 pages, 4 tables. To be published in the proceedings of the Shepherding Track of the 2023 Australasian Database Conference Melbourne (Nov 1-3

Elastic Worlds

In participatory transmedia experiences a wide range of player agency is desirable but can be problematic if the game and storyworld boundaries are unknown or ignored. Players breaking the world boundaries can mean an experience must be aborted or stops being fun. Yet breaking the rules is fun and in learning & development experiences like wargaming it might even be part of the goal. How then can authors of participatory experiences that play out in the real world allow players to break the rules but not break the world? How can we design an experience for the greatest player agency and the broadest scope of emergent stories yet prevent the world from travelling so far from the author’s intended state that it becomes unrecognisable, unplayable or unsuitable? This paper introduces the concept of an elastic storyworld as an alternative to a persistent storyworld: a world that stretches to accommodate unexpected player actions and yet restores itself over time. Drawing on definitions of elasticity from physics, the paper suggests ways in which authors might classify and detect player-enacted distortions and how participatory experiences might be designed to be more resilient to the stresses and strains of player agency.

Effect of silver content on the structure and antibacterial activity of silver-doped phosphate-based glasses

Staphylococcus aureus can cause a range of diseases, such as osteomyelitis, as well as colonize implanted medical devices. In most instances the organism forms biofilms that not only are resistant to the body's defense mechanisms but also display decreased susceptibilities to antibiotics. In the present study, we have examined the effect of increasing silver contents in phosphate-based glasses to prevent the formation of S. aureus biofilms. Silver was found to be an effective bactericidal agent against S. aureus biofilms, and the rate of silver ion release (0.42 to 1.22 µg·mm–2·h–1) from phosphate-based glass was found to account for the variation in its bactericidal effect. Analysis of biofilms by confocal microscopy indicated that they consisted of an upper layer of viable bacteria together with a layer (20 µm) of nonviable cells on the glass surface. Our results showed that regardless of the silver contents in these glasses (10, 15, or 20 mol%) the silver exists in its +1 oxidation state, which is known to be a highly effective bactericidal agent compared to that of silver in other oxidation states (+2 or +3). Analysis of the glasses by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and high-energy X-ray diffraction showed that it is the structural rearrangement of the phosphate network that is responsible for the variation in silver ion release and the associated bactericidal effectiveness. Thus, an understanding of the glass structure is important in interpreting the in vitro data and also has important clinical implications for the potential use of the phosphate-based glasses in orthopedic applications to deliver silver ions to combat S. aureus biofilm infections

The social role of accounting: views and perceptions of the accounting community in Libya towards corporate social responsibility and accountability

The paper explores views and perceptions amongst members of the accounting community in Libya regarding the perceived basic features of the current corporate reporting and disclosure practices of the Libyan Business Organisations (LBOs). Extending these practices to embrace reporting and disclosure of social and environmental related information (CSR), and the extent to which notions of corporate social responsibility and accountability are acceptable in Libya are examined. Five groups of users of published accounts in Libya participated in the study, including academic accountants, financial managers (or accountants), government officials, bank credit officers and external auditors. A questionnaire survey of the 438 participants, drawing on the Al-khater and Naser (2003) study, was employed as the main data collection method. The findings demonstrate that currently most LBOs communicate limited information to a limited set of stakeholders. The disclosure of more social and environmental information was widely accepted and viewed as potentially leading to some beneficial socio-economic effects at the macro level. There was general agreement that the LBOs’ annual reports should reflect the interaction between their operations and the society in which they operate, recognizing the right of different stakeholders to information about the actions for which LBOs could be held responsible. The Law was viewed as the key source of establishing such responsibilities rather than professional guidelines

Black holes, gravitational waves and fundamental physics: a roadmap

The grand challenges of contemporary fundamental physics—dark matter, dark energy, vacuum energy, inflation and early universe cosmology, singularities and the hierarchy problem—all involve gravity as a key component. And of all gravitational phenomena, black holes stand out in their elegant simplicity, while harbouring some of the most remarkable predictions of General Relativity: event horizons, singularities and ergoregions. The hitherto invisible landscape of the gravitational Universe is being unveiled before our eyes: the historical direct detection of gravitational waves by the LIGO-Virgo collaboration marks the dawn of a new era of scientific exploration. Gravitational-wave astronomy will allow us to test models of black hole formation, growth and evolution, as well as models of gravitational-wave generation and propagation. It will provide evidence for event horizons and ergoregions, test the theory of General Relativity itself, and may reveal the existence of new fundamental fields. The synthesis of these results has the potential to radically reshape our understanding of the cosmos and of the laws of Nature. The purpose of this work is to present a concise, yet comprehensive overview of the state of the art in the relevant fields of research, summarize important open problems, and lay out a roadmap for future progress. This write-up is an initiative taken within the framework of the European Action on 'Black holes, Gravitational waves and Fundamental Physics'

Elastic Worlds

In participatory transmedia experiences a wide range of player agency is desirable but can be problematic if the game and storyworld boundaries are unknown or ignored. Players breaking the world boundaries can mean an experience must be aborted or stops being fun. Yet breaking the rules is fun and in learning & development experiences like wargaming it might even be part of the goal. How then can authors of participatory experiences that play out in the real world allow players to break the rules but not break the world? How can we design an experience for the greatest player agency and the broadest scope of emergent stories yet prevent the world from travelling so far from the author’s intended state that it becomes unrecognisable, unplayable or unsuitable? This paper introduces the concept of an elastic storyworld as an alternative to a persistent storyworld: a world that stretches to accommodate unexpected player actions and yet restores itself over time. Drawing on definitions of elasticity from physics, the paper suggests ways in which authors might classify and detect player-enacted distortions and how participatory experiences might be designed to be more resilient to the stresses and strains of player agency.En las experiencias de transmedia participativa, es deseable una amplia gama de agencias de jugadores, pero puede ser problemático si se desconocen o se ignoran los límites del juego y del mundo de la historia. Los jugadores que rompen las fronteras del mundo pueden significar que una experiencia debe ser abortada o deja de ser divertida. Sin embargo, romper las reglas es divertido y en experiencias de apren-dizaje y desarrollo como wargaming, incluso podría ser parte de la meta. Entonces, ¿cómo pueden los autores de experiencias participativas que se desarrollan en el mundo real permitir a los jugadores romper las reglas pero no romper el mundo? ¿Cómo podemos diseñar una experiencia para la mejor agencia de jugadores y el alcance más amplio de historias emergentes y evitar que el mundo viaje tan lejos del estado previsto por el autor de que se convierta en irreconocible, no jugable o inadecuado? Este artículo presenta el concepto de un mundo de la historia elástico como una alternativa a un mundo de la historia persistente: un mundo que se ex-tiende para adaptarse a las acciones inesperadas de los jugadores y, sin embargo, se restaura con el tiempo. Sobre la base de las definiciones de elasticidad de la física, el artículo sugiere formas en las que los autores podrían clasificar y detectar distorsiones implementadas por los jugadores y cómo las experiencias participativas podrían diseñarse para ser más resistentes a las tensiones y tensiones de la agencia de jugadores

Can Pubwatch address the problems of binge drinking?: A case study from the North West of England

Purpose – To study the problems of alcohol-related crime in the UK, and to describe the operation of a Pubwatch scheme which attempts to unite the police and the licensees in bringing effective action against those involved. Design/methodology/approach – Reference has been made to Home Office sources to discover the extent of the problem. Schemes which have alleviated the problem have been examined. The general principles of Pubwatch are studied, and then its effectiveness in a specific operation is examined as a case study. Findings – The study has revealed that the police regard Pubwatch as an effective weapon. Some licensees agree, and even believe that its operation can increase. Research limitations/implications – This study merely reports on the outcome from one licensing authority. It is clear that the impact of Pubwatch must be monitored in more detail and over many areas before its real impact can be determined. Practical implications – The concept is clearly worthy of consideration for all of the licensed trade. It could become a vital weapon in the campaign towards responsible drinking. Originality/value – It is hoped that this paper will initiate debate on the scheme, and to examine solutions to the problem of anti-social behaviour caused by alcohol. Thus it should be of value to licensees and pub owners, the police and local authorities, as well as the public at large

Running an orderly house - a way to increase bar trade?

Urban renewal in the UK has led to town and city centres offering young people a lively night life. Unfortunately, it is also connected with drink-related crimes. Many people do not use pubs and bars because they feel threatened. In order to attract such customers, the owners and managers need to act positively to prevent unacceptable behaviour. The use of properly trained door staff and participation in a local Pubwatch scheme, which can ban trouble makers from all pubs and bars in the locality, have proved to be helpful. Such informationmight be useful to some US outlets