Diverse perceptions of smart spaces

This is the era of smart technology and of ‘smart’ as a meme, so we have run three workshops to examine the ‘smart’ meme and the exploitation of smart environments. The literature relating to smart spaces focuses primarily on technologies and their capabilities. Our three workshops demonstrated that we require a stronger user focus if we are advantageously to exploit spaces ascribed as smart: we examined the concept of smartness from a variety of perspectives, in collaboration with a broad range of contributors. We have prepared this monograph mainly to report on the third workshop, held at Bournemouth University in April 2012, but do also consider the lessons learned from all three. We conclude with a roadmap for a fourth (and final) workshop, which is intended to emphasise the overarching importance of the humans using the spac

An attentional control task reduces intrusive thoughts about smoking.

INTRODUCTION: Attentional control tasks such as body scanning and following isometric exercise instructions have been shown to reduce smoking cravings, apparently by reducing stress (Ussher, M., Cropley, M., Playle, S., Mohidin, R., & West, R. [2009]. Effect of isometric exercise and body scanning on cigarette cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Addiction, 104, 1251-1257. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2009.02605.x). Related work based upon elaborated intrusion theory (Kavanagh, D. J., Andrade, J., & May, J. [2005]. Imaginary relish and exquisite torture: The elaborated intrusion theory of desire. Psychological Review, 112, 446-467. doi:10.1037/0033-295X.112.2.446) has shown that similar tasks can reduce hungry participants' involuntary food-related thoughts (May, J., Andrade, J., Batey, H., Berry, L.-M., & Kavanagh, D. [2010]. Less food for thought: Impact of attentional instructions on intrusive thoughts about snack foods. Appetite, 55, 279-287. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2010.06.014). This study tests the effect of body scanning instructions upon smoking-related thoughts as well as craving. METHODS: Twenty-seven smokers took part in 2 counterbalanced sessions, on different days, having been asked to abstain from smoking for 2 hr. In each session, they followed audio instructions for three 10-min blocks during which their thoughts were probed 10 times. In the first and third blocks, they were instructed to let their mind wander; during the second block of the control session, they also let their mind wander, but in the experimental session, they followed body scanning instructions. "Smoking thought frequency" was assessed using thought probes; "Craving" was measured using Factor 1 of the Questionnaire on Smoking Urges (Tiffany, S. T., & Drobes, D. J. [1991]. The development and initial validation of a questionnaire on smoking urges. British Journal of Addiction, 86, 1467-1476. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.1991.tb01732.x). RESULTS: Participants reported fewer smoking-related thoughts and lower smoking cravings in the body scanning block of the experimental session, whereas they rose in the comparable mind-wandering block of the control session. The reduction in thoughts during the body scanning correlated with the corresponding reduction in craving. CONCLUSIONS: Body scanning reduces cravings and reduces the frequency or shortens the duration of smoking thoughts. Attentional control strategies may form a useful part of smoking cessation practices

New and Comprehensive Duties of Securities Sellers to Investigate, Disclose, and Have an Adequate Basis for Representations

The duties of investigation and disclosure imposed upon securities salesmen have been significantly enlarged by several recent cases generated by the Second Circuit\u27s 1963 decision of Berko v. SEC. In a hearing before the Securities and Exchange Commission it was found that Berko was a salesman working out of an acknowledged boiler room. His employer had provided its salesmen, including Berko, with fraudulent sales brochures, some of which were subsequently distributed by Berko. The action by the Commission against Berko arose out of the sale of a specific security to a customer who had received fraudulent sales brochures and had called Berko to inquire about investment in the stock. In the course of this particular sale, Berko represented that there was a good possibility that the market value of the stock would, within a year, increase to fifteen from its sale price of seven. In finding this conduct to be a violation of the antifraud provisions of the securities acts, the Commission had before it evidence that the salesman had himself purchased a large amount of the stock and had sold varying amounts to his relatives as well as to others. In addition, the stock did, in fact, increase in value (albeit not within the predicted time), and there was uncontroverted testimony by the customer that he had understood Berko\u27s prediction of increase in value to be only an opinion. On petition for review, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit remanded to the Commission, which affirmed its previous order without further hearing, but with a revised opinion. In this reiterated order finding Berko a cause of revocation of his employer\u27s broker-dealer registration, the Commission emphasized that its findings were not based on any value judgment as to the qualities of the stock involved, and that the customer\u27s understanding as to Berko\u27s representations had no significance insofar as the gravamen of the salesman\u27s offense was concerned. Rather, Berko\u27s breach of duty, in the first instance, consisted of his failure to have an adequate basis for his statements as to future increases in the market value of the stock. The court of appeals affirmed this holding and, further, affirmed the Commission\u27s additional holding that a salesman working out of a boiler room is to be held to a higher duty of independent investigation and disclosure than a salesman in a legitimate securities sales operation, and that a boiler-room salesman\u27s conduct is fraudulent if the information he presents to the public to induce sales is misleading. On this latter ground, the Commission, and the court of appeals on review, rejected as a defense the salesman\u27s contention that he was justified in relying on the fraudulent brochures prepared by his employer

Prehistoric Hafted Flint Knives

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Captive Breeding Protocols and Their Impact on Genetic Diversity in White-footed Mice (Peromyscus leucopus): Implications for Threatened and Endangered Species

Captive breeding protocols used in zoos often are aimed at increasing population sizes and retaining genetic diversity of endangered species. However, captive breeding causes genetic adaptation to captivity that can lead to an overall decrease in genetic diversity and reduce chances of a successful reintroduction to the wild. In this study, we assess how 3 different breeding protocols—random mating, preferential breeding of individuals with the lowest mean kinship scores, and selection for docility—affect the variability of mitochondrial DNA in white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus). We used mice that were captured from the wild but were mated for up to 20 generations using one of the aforementioned breeding protocols. Using animals from generations 0, 6, and 19, as well as the wild source population, we sequenced the mitochondrial D-loop in 2 replicate populations representing each of the 3 breeding protocols. Initial sequences indicate there is genetic variation at this mitochondrial locus, and further sequencing will allow us to quantify the genetic diversity maintained under each breeding protocol. These results will increase our understanding of the decline in genetic diversity due to adaptation to captivity. Thus, our results will have direct relevance for the maintenance and growth of zoo populations of critically endangered species

Scheduling language and algorithm development study. Volume 3, phase 2: As-built specifications for the prototype language and module library

Detailed specifications of the prototype language and module library are presented. The user guide to the translator writing system is included