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Increasingly more reports have focused on the use of digital versatile discs (DVDs) and compact discs (CDs) for the fabrication of electrodes. The majority of discs use Al to reflect the laser. However, a notable percentage utilise Au or Ag. This layer can be mechanically or chemically exposed allowing for the economic fabrication of otherwise expensive Ag and Au electrodes. Cleaning steps are not required due to the layer's mirror like surface. Mass production of these discs means they are available, reproducible and disposable. Modifications can be made by laser, inkjet printing, etching or xurography. Self-assembled monolayers and the attachment of functional groups can also be made. This review (97 references and 6 figures) is divided into four sections. The first describes the development of these electrodes and their fabrication and modification. The next three sections focused on applications for the determination of metal ions, biomedical and environmental analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Compact disc (CD) technology-based bioassays have been developed as novel point-of-care (POC) tools for various applications in chemical analysis and biomedical diagnosis. Herein we investigate the accuracy of screening disc-based bioassays with standard optical drives of ordinary desktop/notebook computers with free DVD diagnostic software. In particular, we have compared the performance of three free online DVD diagnostic software programs: PlexUtilities, Kprobe and Optical Drive Control (ODC), first with arrays of mm-size ink dots and then with biotin–streptavidin binding assays. We have confirmed that the PIF (parity inner failure) number is related to the size of the ink spots, while the PIF density (integrated PIF counts per unit area) is proportional to the optical darkness ratio (ODR) of the spots. The reading results with a biotin–streptavidin binding assay prepared on a standard DVD-R further prove the accuracy of quantitation with all three types of disc diagnostic software programs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper, an innovative design strategy for UHF-RFID tags mounted on optical discs (such as DVDs) is presented. By using the metal layer of the disc as the main radiating element, it is possible to overcome the severe limitations of the existing tags for disc identification in terms of read range and bandwidth. The design and synthesis process, based on the proposed circuit model of the tag, is described. A worldwide UHF-RFID tag prototype, for direct mounting on a DVD disc, is designed and fabricated. The measured read range demonstrates that the presented method drastically improves the performance within the whole UHF-RFID band (840–930 MHz), in comparison to the DVD tags found in the available literature. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: The practical applications of the method for retrospective 222Rn measurements by home stored CDs/DVDs need a proper metrological assurance. The specific feature of this method, as compared to other methods for retrospective 222Rn measurements is the possibility for an individual a posteriori calibration of the used CD/DVD-detectors. This paper describes a procedure to ensure the traceability of this method to a reference STAR laboratory. A set of 7 groups of CDs/DVDs were exposed to 4 reference 222Rn exposure levels. After that they were treated in the etching laboratory as ”real” detectors and the 222Rn concentrations were determined by applying an individual a posteriori calibration, correction for high track density and correction for depth at which the alpha tracks were etched. The results from all 7 groups of exposed detectors demonstrated relative variation from the reference values in the interval 3.4–23.4%. The results provide evidence that the routine measurements by the CD/DVD method warrant measurements with a relative uncertainty better than 25% and therefore this method is acceptable for large-scale applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background Cancer patients face difficulties in accessing legally mandated benefits and accommodations when they return to the workplace. Poor employer-employee communication inflates these difficulties. Although proven methods to facilitate physician-patient communication exist, these have not been applied to the workplace. Thus, we aimed to assess the feasibility and utility of applying these methods to educate patients about their workplace rights and provide them with communication skills training to aid their conversations with their employers. Methods A DVD was produced to educate patients and facilitate workplace communication. Participants consisted of 28 solid tumor cancer patients (14 women and 14 men) who completed primary cancer treatment in the past 12 months and were employed at the time of diagnosis. Participants watched a communication skills training DVD and completed a telephone interview. The interview elicited information about workplace experiences and evaluation of the DVD training program. Results The physician-patient communication skills training model utilized was successfully translated to the employer-employee setting. All but one participant found the DVD useful and easy to understand and indicated a high degree of confidence in using the communication skills to help them ask for workplace accommodations. All participants agreed that it would help newly diagnosed patients in discussions with their employers. Conclusion Our data provides promising preliminary evidence that patient communication skills training can be applied to the workplace setting and is a welcomed aid to newly diagnosed cancer patients in their discussions with employers regarding the impact of treatment on their work performance and needs for accommodations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this essay, we explore the aesthetic possibilities that are opened up by datamoshing, a practice whereby audiovisual artists actively downgrade the quality of digital images in order to render a more ‘raw’ aesthetic on screen. We follow this up by exploring the ways in which datamoshing as a practice (together with ‘glitch art’ more generally) highlights the decay that digital images undergo over time. Because it takes place through the deliberate compression of images, we here argue that the aforementioned loss of quality is an ‘artistic’ form of entropy, which leads us to the possibility for a theory of ‘digital chaos’. However, since the loss of data is reworked by artists in order to create new forms, we argue that this is a form of digital ‘emergence’ of ‘order out of chaos’, or ‘digital complexity’. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In the last decade, attendance at movie theaters has been relatively stagnant, while sales of digital versatile discs (DVDs) have grown dramatically. In this paper, we look at the factors determining sales of individual DVDs in the United States. Using data on new motion pictures released on DVD between 2006 and 2008, we find the demand for new DVDs is price-inelastic and that DVD sales are counter-cyclical. We find that previous box office success has strong positive effects on DVD sales. Production budget also has a positive effect on DVD sales, albeit indirectly through its effect on box office revenues. Critical acclaim has significant positive effects on both box office revenue and DVD sales, but the effect is smaller in regard to DVDs. There is some evidence to suggest that DVD sales are higher for movies with more sexual content and more violent content and lower for movies with more profanity, but these effects are indirect through the changes in the box office of these movies. We find that sales of R-rated DVDs are not as dependent upon critical acclaim as movies of other ratings, and are thus less risky for movie studios to produce. Our findings provide another explanation for the R-rating puzzle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the results of a study where the digital versatile disc (DVD) was used as a variant of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in order to aid in the teaching and learning of map work in geography at secondary school level. A group of grade 10 learners of a previously disadvantaged school in South Africa comprised the target group for the project. A case study was conducted and data was gathered on the implementation of the DVD and the learners' perceptions thereof. Qualitative analysis techniques such as field notes, observation, interviews with the learners, and questionnaires were used to analyze the effectiveness of the implementation of the DVD as well as the learners' perceptions regarding the use of the DVD in geography education. The results of the study indicated that the geography learners demonstrated positive attitudes towards the implementation of the DVD as a learning support medium. To determine the contribution of the DVD project towards the achieved results of the learners in map work, both the experimental and control groups participated in a pre- and post-test at the beginning and conclusion of the project. Effect size was used to determine the significance of the differences between the two groups and indicates a strong practical significance regarding the contribution of the DVD project towards the achieved test results of the learners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Physical Chemistry in Practice (PCIP) DVD contains video programs (modules) and experimental data that present the research of scientists working in applications of physical chemistry. The DVD allows students to learn about cutting edge research in physical chemistry while making connections to the theoretical concepts learned in lecture. PCIP-DVD allows students to build verbal and pictorial models of the experiments, instrumentation, and data that can be integrated with the material covered in lecture. For each of the modules implemented students were tested in a pre/post test fashion over content related objectives. For every module the students demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in their understanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research into practices applied by the Hollywood studios on the DVD market requires analysis of the economic logic of the market and the rhetoric of various paratexts accompanying the movies on DVDs, as well as consideration of practices of the television industry. At stake are not only the principles of economy of scope and the strategy of repurposing content that DVD accomplishes, but also the way the studios use DVD like the TV industry uses the internet for an old media's 'augmentation', to use John Caldwell's term. Additionally, the extras on DVDs create a frame of reception through their exploitation of institutional practices which are familiar to the viewer from television and home video. The movies on DVD are marketed by the Hollywood cinema in a double mode: the DVD offers theatrical spectacularity as well as the intimacy and 'imperfection' of television and home video. DVDs with their high-budgeted franchises provide the best opportunity for combining spectacle, narrative openness and complexity with a sense of intimacy and authenticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay considers the DVD in relation to Tom Gunning's concept of 'the cinema of attractions' (1990 and 2004), identifying parallels in terms of exhibitionism, technological display and the prevalence of direct address. It also stresses textual analysis of DVD menus (something largely neglected in contemporary scholarship) as an important tool for understanding the DVD as a novel 'intra-text' (as referred to by Brookey and Westerfelhaus in a 2002 essay). The article focuses on the DVD of The Lion King (dir. Allers and Minkoff, USA, 1994), emphasizing the relationship of the disc and its management of a series of attractions to the Disney theme park. This analysis reveals that, in following a path through The Lion King's two discs, audiences do not simply view a series of activities and materials 'extra' to the film, they circulate and participate in an 'enclosed environmental artwork' akin to the Disney theme park. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal nanoimprint of roll to roll technology for DVD (t = 0.6 mm) media realized fast 8 discs/s process and a new platen film nanoimprint process with stamper cooling method resolved the film shrinkage issue. The speed is as fast as 1 s and the film thickness is 75 μm. Dual layer Blu-Ray based disk of injection mold (t = 1.1 mm) L0 layer and nanoimprinted (t = 75 μm) L1 layer shows signal jitter around 6.0% high quality characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, Pixar and Disney parted ways, severing a very profitable partnership. The authors of this study argue that this business split is anticipated in and facilitated by the extra textual features included with DVD releases of Pixar films. To illustrate, the authors examine extra features accompanying Pixar’s DVD release of Monster’s, Inc. This examination identifies how Pixar strategically excluded Disney from such material while at the same time positioning itself as a corporate auteur capable of delivering high quality family friendly entertainment of the kind for which Disney has been famous. This study thus highlights the commercial implications of DVD extra text. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have recently demonstrated in a previous work an appreciable photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) behavior towards hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) of a MoS2/Ag2S/Ag nanocomposite electrochemically deposited on a commercial writable Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), consisting therefore on an interesting strategy to convert a common waster product in an added-value material. Herein, we present the conjugation of this MoS2/Ag2S/Ag-DVD nanocomposite with thiol-terminated tetraphenylporphyrins, taking advantage of the grafting of thiol groups through covalent S-S bridges, for integrating the well-known porphyrins photoactivity into the nanocomposite. Moreover, we employ two thiol-terminated porphyrins with different hydrophilicity, demonstrating that they either suppress or improve the PEC-HER performance of the overall hybrid, as a function of the molecule polarity, sustaining the concept of a local proton relay. Actually, the active polar porphyrin—MoS2/Ag2S/Ag-DVD hybrid material presented, when illuminated, a better HER performance, compared to the pristine nanocomposite, since the porphyrin may inject photoelectrons in the conduction band of the semiconductors at the formed heterojunction, presenting also a stable operational behavior during overnight chopped light chronoamperometric measurement, thanks to the robust bond created. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]