Acquisition, development, and maintenance of online poker playing in a student sample

To date there has been very little empirical research into Internet gambling and none relating to the recent rise in popularity of online poker. Given that recent reports have claimed that students may be a vulnerable group, the aim of the current study was to establish basic information regarding Internet poker playing behavior among the student population, including various motivators for participation and predictors of problematic play. The study examined a self-selected sample of student online poker players using an online survey (n=422). Results showed that online poker playing was undertaken at least twice per week by a third of the participants. Almost one in five of the sample (18%) was defined as a problem gambler using the DSM-IV criteria. Findings demonstrated that problem gambling in this population was best predicted by negative mood states after playing, gender swapping whilst playing, and playing to escape from problems

Development of Container Free Sample Exposure for Synchrotron X-ray Footprinting.

The method of X-ray footprinting and mass spectrometry (XFMS) on large protein assemblies and membrane protein samples requires high flux density to overcome the hydroxyl radical scavenging reactions produced by the buffer constituents and the total protein content. Previously, we successfully developed microsecond XFMS using microfluidic capillary flow and a microfocused broadband X-ray source at the Advanced Light Source synchrotron beamlines, but the excessive radiation damage incurred when using capillaries prevented the full usage of a high-flux density beam. Here we present another significant advance for the XFMS method: the instrumentation of a liquid injection jet to deliver container free samples to the X-ray beam. Our preliminary experiments with a liquid jet at a bending magnet X-ray beamline demonstrate the feasibility of the approach and show a significant improvement in the effective dose for both the Alexa fluorescence assay and protein samples compared to conventional capillary flow methods. The combination of precisely controlled high dose delivery, shorter exposure times, and elimination of radiation damage due to capillary effects significantly increases the signal quality of the hydroxyl radical modification products and the dose-response data. This new approach is the first application of container free sample handling for XFMS and opens up the method for even further advances, such as high-quality microsecond time-resolved XFMS studies

Fluid sample collector Patent

Design and development of fluid sample collecto

Proton magnetic resonance imaging with a nitrogen-vacancy spin sensor

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging with nanometer resolution requires new detection techniques with sensitivity well beyond the capability of conventional inductive detection. Here, we demonstrate two dimensional imaging of $^1$H NMR from an organic test sample using a single nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond as the sensor. The NV center detects the oscillating magnetic field from precessing protons in the sample as the sample is scanned past the NV center. A spatial resolution of 12 nm is shown, limited primarily by the scan accuracy. With further development, NV-detected magnetic resonance imaging could lead to a new tool for three-dimensional imaging of complex nanostructures, including biomolecules.Comment: Main text: 19 pages including 5 figures Supplementary Information: 9 pages including 3 figure

Low-Cost QCM Sensor System for Screening Semen Samples

Artificial insemination is a well-established part of modern agricultural practice. A viable semen sample is judged by the total number of spermatozoa (sperm) in the sample and the motility of the sperm. In this paper, we report the development of a reusable measurement cell and electronics for screening semen samples based on the Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) and Universal Frequency to Digital Converter (UFDC-1) to produce a low-cost sensor system. After introducing the semen sample at one end of the measurement cell, sperm swim down a channel before causing a frequency change on the QCM. Data is presented that shows the different frequency changes using a commercial frequency counter caused by porcine semen samples, one two days old and one twenty one days old. Similar data is presented for a motile semen sample measurement using the low-cost UFDC-1

The viability of developing Maori leasehold land : the case of Part XXIII hill country leases in the Tairawhiti land district : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Economics at Massey University

This Thesis is concerned with assessing the extent of underutilization and reversion that has occurred on land leased under the provisions of Part XXIII of the 1953 Maori Affairs Act. It seeks to determine the constraints that exist to the development of Part XXIII leases. Further it attempts to find ways to overcome these constraints, that are compatible with the needs of the Maori people. Chapter One of this thesis discusses the reasons for this study. It outlines the objects of the study and reviews the design of research used to obtain these objects. Chapter Two deals with the selection of a sample of Part XXIII leases to be studied and assesses their relative states of development. Chapter Three describes the Tairawhiti Land District, the farm environment in which the lease sample exists. Chapter Four reviews the evolution of Maori Land Tenure and discusses the institutional and administrative problems that have resulted from changes in it. This chapter identifies 438/53 trusts and incorporations as modes of administration for Maori land that are more compatible, than Part XXIII of the 1953 Act, with the ancient ideals of the Maori people. Chapter Five identifies specific institutional, physical, financial and management factors that can constrain the development of Part XXIII leases. Chapter Six analyses the relationship between specific factors throught to constrain Part XXIII lease farm development and actual states of development on the sample leases. Chapter Seven draws conclusions on the analysis done in Chapter Six and makes recommendations on ways to promote the farm development of land presently leased under the provisions of Part XXIII of the 1953 Maori Affairs Act

Spiritual and Religious Transformation in Women Who Were Parentally Bereaved as Adolescents

This article is based on a larger research study that focused on how an adolescent girl’s identity development is influenced by the death of a parent. A sample of 18 women was recruited for the study. This article highlights the transformation of these women’s spiritual and religious beliefs as part of their identity development following the death of their parents. The different pathways the women took with respect to their views on religion and spirituality are exemplified in what follows, highlighting themes of struggle and connection

Technical Note: Comparison of storage strategies of sea surface microlayer samples

The sea surface microlayer (SML) is an important biogeochemical system whose physico-chemical analysis often necessitates some degree of sample storage. However, many SML components degrade with time so the development of optimal storage protocols is paramount. We here briefly review some commonly used treatment and storage protocols. Using freshwater and saline SML samples from a river estuary, we investigated temporal changes in surfactant activity (SA) and the absorbance and fluorescence of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) over four weeks, following selected sample treatment and storage protocols. Some variability in the effectiveness of individual protocols most likely reflects sample provenance. None of the various protocols examined performed any better than dark storage at 4 °C without pre-treatment. We therefore recommend storing samples refrigerated in the dark

A review of the Knowledge Management Centre: conducted for the Economic and Human Development Department, City of Cape Town

Following a study of the resources and services of the Knowledge Management Centre (KMC) of the Economic and Human Development Department (EHD) and a survey of a sample of users and potential users, the conclusion is that the KMC is NOT operating in a Knowledge Management mode; it is operating as a small special library, in a demand-driven mode (page 7). Interviews with the sample of users indicate that a Knowledge Management mode of operation would be more appropriate for supporting the work of the EHD (page 9). It is proposed that the two mutually supportive KM initiatives of leveraging information content and the development and utilisation of knowledge communities should form the core of the EHD's KM strategy (page 13). A set of integrated actions are recommended to implement a Knowledge Management Programme and capacitate the KMC at the EHD (pages 15-18). A job description for a post of Knowledge Officer is provided (pages 19-20)