Cinemagraph: A Fusion of Still Images and Motion Video for Science Communication in a New Media Convergent Ecosystem

The paper focuses on utilising new media communication tools — ‘Cinemagraph’ — in creating a new horizon in science communi­cation with a potential to boost scientific temper. The usefulness of this medium lies in its ability to run without any specific player; it requires low internet bandwidths to download and can be played on new media devices with minimal resources. Technically, Cinemagraph is a still image medium but portions of the image are set in motion in a continual loop. This motion must follow the same trajectory, which is usually 2 to 4 seconds in duration. Aesthetically, it is not just a mere hybrid of still and motion as it evokes arousal and has the attention arresting quality of a video and the memory of a still image. The paper takes a look at the uniqueness of the Cinemagraph that has the subtlety of ‘focussed movement’ captured and played consistently in the picture. This distinguishes it from both a still photograph and a moving video or animation. These qualities of a Cinemagraph have facilitated its utilisation by international brands as an effective tool of social media marketing and out of home advertising and is expected to capture the domestic and global advertising market very soon

Technical Efficiency of Domestic Commercial Banks: A Case Study of Pakistan

The study applied Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to inspect the technical efficiency of Domestic commercial banks in Pakistan for a period of 2006-2008. Two basic models (CCR and BCC) of DEA were used in their input orientation.  The results of 16 banks under CCR model showed that 3 banks were efficient in year 2006 and 2008 while 2 banks were efficient in year 2007. Two banks (HMP and MCB) were efficient throughout the study period. Under BCC model, 6 banks achieved 100% efficiency level in 2006, 7 banks in 2007 and 8 banks in 2008 showing improvement in managerial efficiency. Two banks namely HMP and MCB were found efficient under Both CCR and BCC models and were also 100% scale efficient. The results also revealed that technical inefficiency in the banks under study was mainly caused by not operating at optimum scale. Keywords: Data Envelopment Analysis, Technical Efficiency, Commercial Banks, CCR, BCC, Managerial Efficiency, Scale efficienc

THE EFFECT OF LEARNING STYLE, HOME ENVIRONMENT AND SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF NINTH STANDARD STUDENTS OF ENGLISH MEDIUM SCHOOLS OF RAIPUR CITY - A STUDY

This paper focuses on learning style, school environment and home environment in relation to academic achievement. The research was carried out in Raipur city on a sample of 50 IX standard students. Learning styles of students was measured by Styles of Learning and Thinking (SOLAT) by D. Venkataraman. Home Environment and School Environment was measured by the Inventory prepared by Dr. Karuna Shankar Mishra. The research finding revealed that there is very low, negative & negligible relationship between academic achievement & home environment. Study also revealed that school environment and academic achievement have positive but very low relationship. It is also found that there is significant difference between the academic achievement of students learned by right & left hemisphere but there is no significant difference between the academic achievement of boys & girls students learned either by right hemisphere or left hemisphere.   Article visualizations

Importance of Brand Personality To Customer Loyalty: A Conceptual Study

Customer loyalty is viewed as the strengths of the relationship between an individual’s relative attitude and repeat patronage. Here an attempt has been made to probe into the behaviour of a customers’ willingness to buy a brand/product, of what are the related factors which influences his buying behaviour and attitude towards the brand. An investigation is done to highlight a point of what are the influencing factors which compels him to be a loyal for a brand. The theoretical study and the conceptual model, here, envisages the concept of brand loyalty by passing through the concept of brand personality. The study findings suggest a conceptual model that combines the theories of brand personality with the necessary dispositional variables to explain the customer’s loyalty processes. This model also rises to the marketing challenge of building long-term consumer relationships. Customer‘s loyalty, therefore, might be strengthened or retained by keeping in consideration various other factors through communicating a good brand relationship by involving the concept of brand personality, thus, enhancing the customer relationship building with social and resource exchanges and thus positively affecting the satisfaction of the customer. The theoretical framework will help the researches to further investigate into the concept of brand personality enhancing the customer loyalty. Keywords: Brand Personality, Customer Loyalty, Conceptual Mode

Celebrity Endorsement: A Congruity Measure of Personalities

Purpose In marketing communications strategy, the use of celebrity is a common practice for major firms in supporting the brand imagery. Based on the cognitive theories of endorsement efficiency, the congruence between the personality of a brand being endorsed and that of the targeted personality of a celebrity is tested. Design/methodology/approach A total of 120 survey respondents brand-personality perceptions and perceptions of celebrity personality were measured and analysed. The congruence measures were used as indicators from the adjectives of Aaker's Scale to analyse the congruity effect. Findings The results indicated that a successful brand promotion needs congruency between the brand's and the endorser's personality, though it may be moderate. Originality/value The research undertaken on celebrity endorsement in this paper will be useful on both academic and professional platform, as this study derives specific insights to practitioners and it provides a basis for guiding further research beyond the mere celebrity selection decision. It enhances the usefulness of the congruency effect, providing a knowledge base for determining an overall brand positioning strategy. Also, it looks into the perception of Indian consumers on celebrity endorsement, providing theory for scholarly and directives for managers and professionals. Keywords: Celebrity Endorsement, Brand Personality, Congruenc

Growth of Islamic Banking in Pakistan: A Comparative Study

The study focused on the growth of Islamic banking in Pakistan in terms of its Deposits, Investments, Assets and Owners Equity for the period from 2004 to 2009. The horizontal analysis technique was used to determine the growth rates of Islamic and conventional banks while t-test was used for statistical significance. The growth rate of Islamic banking was higher than its traditional counterpart in Deposits, Investments, Assets and Owners Equity. The growth rates of deposits and Assets of Islamic bank were statistically significant, whereas growth rates in investments and Owners equity were found statistically insignificant. Keywords: Islamic Banking; Growth Rates; Deposits, Investments; Assets; Owners Equit

Can Images with Isolated Looped Motion or “Cinemagraphs” Improve Science Communication Design?

Science communication is not a new concept; scientists have been trying to communicate their scientific findings and theories to the general population for centuries. The communication meant for non-scientists is particularly complex, considering their limited understanding of the subject and weak grasp of certain concepts. Visual communication design has been used in the form of infographics, photographs and illustrations for the popularisation of science. The use of cinemagraphs or images with isolated looped motion could present an interesting option to communicators to convey focused visual messages. A survey was conducted to see if a group of students (n=120) and teachers (n=28) of a science & technology university saw any value in the use of cinemagraphs. The cinemagraph was deemed to be 42% more informative than the still image by the students and 29% more informative by the teachers. The participants also found the cinemagraphs to be more useful and attractive than the other formats. Different kinds of motions were defined in the cinemagraphs. participants preferred “small slow subtle motion”, “large intermittent motion” and “dispersed localized motion” over the still images and the videos by a wider margin. While making cinemagraphs, picking the right subject to highlight and using the right kind of motion can be used to improve focus and convey messages in a more attractive and useful manner and this could be crucial in improving science communication, especially for the non-scientists

Effects of toxoiding agents on protective antigens of Bordetella pertussis and on other proteins

In the preparation of acellular pertussis vaccines (usually containing pertussis toxin (PT), filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA) and agglutinogens (AGGs), inactivation of the toxic PT component is necessary. This investigation stems from the work of Christodoulides et al., who observed that toxoiding of a mixed antigen preparation from B. pertussis consisting of PT and FHA in a 1:1 ratio with a commercial conjugation reagent 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDAC), resulted in an enhanced immunogenic response to these antigens. The objectives of the present study were to determine if this effect could be confirmed and whether the enhanced response was still elicited after immunization of PT or FHA treated separately with EDAC. Also, by using other antigens namely ovalbumin (OA) and lysozyme (LZ), the possible restriction of this toxoiding/adjuvanting effect to the antigens of B. pertussis was examined. As controls, the antibody responses after immunization with formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde treatments were also explored. The work started with two model antigens, ovalbumin and lysozyme, to test the specificity of the adjuvanting effect of EDAC. These proteins were treated with EDAC under conditions described for toxin inactivation and at several other concentrations. On SDS polyacrylamide gels, an extra band (thought to be a dimer) was observed for LZ but not with OA. Immunization of mice followed by ELISA on the sera gave anti-OA and anti-LZ titres. Two independent experiments showed that whilst EDAC treatment resulted in enhanced anti-LZ titres, it actually depressed anti-OA titres. Another experiment where EDAC concentration was varied during OA treatment showed this repressive response was apparent only when OA was treated with 11 and 21 mM EDAC. The enhancing effect of EDAC does not seem to be specific to PT and FHA mixtures alone. It is variable with the antigen used and in some cases can actually depress the response. With respect to the antigens of B. pertussis adjuvanting by EDAC was obtained with PT and a PT/FHA mixture. Immunisation with FHA-E alone did not elicit an increased response. Conditions for the treatment with EDAC would have to be investigated further to ensure reliable inactivation of PT. However, with respect to antibody response, EDAC-treated PT was superior to formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde PT. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.)

Can Images with Isolated Looped Motion or “Cinemagraphs” Improve Science Communication Design?

207-224Science communication is not a new concept; scientists have been trying to communicate their scientific findings and theories to the general population for centuries. The communication meant for non-scientists is particularly complex, considering their limited understanding of the subject and weak grasp of certain concepts. Visual communication design has been used in the form of infographics, photographs and illustrations for the popularisation of science. The use of cinemagraphs or images with isolated looped motion could present an interesting option to communicators to convey focused visual messages. A survey was conducted to see if a group of students (n=120) and teachers (n=28) of a science & technology university saw any value in the use of cinemagraphs. The cinemagraph was deemed to be 42% more informative than the still image by the students and 29% more informative by the teachers. The participants also found the cinemagraphs to be more useful and attractive than the other formats. Different kinds of motions were defined in the cinemagraphs. participants preferred “small slow subtle motion”, “large intermittent motion” and “dispersed localized motion” over the still images and the videos by a wider margin. While making cinemagraphs, picking the right subject to highlight and using the right kind of motion can be used to improve focus and convey messages in a more attractive and useful manner and this could be crucial in improving science communication, especially for the non-scientists

Postmortem computed tomography for diagnosis of cause of death in male prisoners

Objective: To determine the utility of postmortem CT (PMCT) examination in establishing the cause of death among male prisoners dying in Karachi jails.Methods: A descriptive study was carried out from February 2006 to September 2007, CT Scan section, Civil Hospital Karachi and the Mortuary, Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi. Adult male prisoners dying in the Karachi central prison and referred to the study setting for determining the cause of death for medico legal purpose were included. Female prisoners and those cases where the final report of cause of death was not available were excluded. CT scan of the vital body regions (head, neck, thorax, abdomen and pelvis) was carried out in all cases. The scan was read and reported by two radiologists. Anatomical dissection based autopsy was carried out by the forensic expert. Final report regarding the cause of death was issued by the forensic expert based on the combined findings, histopathology, toxicology results and circumstantial evidence. The CT scan and autopsy findings were compared and percentage agreement was determined using kappa statistics.Results: There were 14 cases in all with mean age of 41.2 +/- 17 years. The alleged mode of death was custodial torture in all cases. CT scan determined the cause of death to be natural cardio-respiratory failure in 10, strangulation in 01, pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in 02 and trauma to spine in 01 case. The autopsy determined natural death in 11 and pulmonary TB in 02 and asphyxia in 01. The percentage agreement between CT and autopsy was 92% (k = 0.92) and between CT and finalized cause of death was 100% (k = 1.0).Conclusion: PMCT is as effective as dissection autopsy in identifying pulmonary infections and natural causes of death. It is more effective in identifying vertebral fractures which may exclude hanging and corroborate trauma to spine