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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]

• Simple, cost-effective optoelectrical microanalytical system was developed. • Simultaneous quantification of six food allergens was performed. • Biosensing platform offered appropriate sensitivity and specificity. • Analysis of 20 samples was achieved in 70 min. • Declared allergens in commercial food samples were accuracy identified. The hypothesis of this study is centered around the logic that an enhanced analysis of potential allergens during the food production can lead to increased accuracy and reliability of food labeling. The development of a cost-effective and straightforward optoelectrical microanalytical system for the simultaneous quantification of the six most common food allergens (peanut, hazelnut, almond, milk, wheat, and soybean) is presented. The system uses a regular versatile disc (DVD) functionalized with highly selective antibodies in a microarray format and a DVD drive as the optical detector. The multiplexed assay reliably (RSD < 20 %) determines the level of the allergenic proteins ranging from 0.1 to 143.4 ng mL−1. The analysis of food consumables (biscuits, seafood substitutes, and probiotic foods) revealed a 100 % accuracy in identifying the allergens ingredients declared on the label. The method offers potential for application as a high throughput biosensing tool for screening multiple allergens in commercial foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interactive media board games reflect a changing media culture. Converging media text and technology with game play mechanics and rules, these board games exist as a hybrid form of game and media. In this article, I examine interactive paratextual board games – games based on media products that utilize other forms of media to produce random or immersive experiences. While previous discussions of media franchising investigates game paratexts through industrial and economic shifts, I explicate aesthetic, ludic, and textual concerns of cult franchises through an analysis of three interactive board games, namely, Isaac Asimov’s Robot VCR Mystery Game, the Star Trek: The Next Generation Interactive VCR Board Game, and the Indiana Jones DVD Adventure Game. Ultimately, I argue that these interactive paratextual board games manifest, reflect, and augment early convergence culture characteristics, revealing that interactive board games exemplify contemporary new media characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compact surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors are highly demanded due to their small size, low cost, and wide application scenarios compared with benchtop sensors. To realize high-precision spectral or angular analysis, most compact SPR sensors need spectrometers or rotation stages, which increase the cost of the device. We demonstrate a low-cost and compact SPR sensor by utilizing a single grating as a coupler and a disperser. The polychromatic light emitted from a light-emitting diode was coupled to surface plasmon modes by a grating made from a digital versatile disc-recordable disc. The light was dispersed by the same grating and collected by a linear charge-coupled device. The real-time detection of the SPR spectra and the resonant wavelengths was realized by homemade software based on the laboratory virtual instrument engineering workbench. By measuring different concentrations of glucose solution and sodium chloride solution, we obtain a high refractive index (RI) resolution of 5.52 × 10 − 5 RI unit. This compact SPR sensor can be applied in the areas of food safety, environmental monitoring, medical diagnosis, and so on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internet word-of-mouth is an increasingly discussed topic, but comparisons of user ratings across different platforms are uncommon. Mean user ratings were obtained for a broad mix of 500 movies and their corresponding DVD using the rating systems in place on Netflix and Amazon. Mean user ratings on Netflix averaged 3.57 (SD = .37). Mean ratings for DVDs on Amazon averaged 4.29 (SD = 1.83). Ratings showed a significant, though modest correlation of .153 (p ≤ 001) indicating some similarity in user views, but far from substantial similarity. In ratings of DVDs, users consider both movie quality and DVD technical quality which may account for the weak correlation across the sites. Rater volume across the sites showed a correlation of .418 (p ≤ 001) suggesting movie visibility played a similar role in generating more ratings across the sites. Netflix and Amazon user ratings showed criterion validity correlations for DVD sales of -.503 (p ≤ 001) and -.293 (p ≤ 001), respectively, when Amazon's Best Seller's Rank in Movies and TVs was used. Netflix ratings had the greater validity for DVD sales as shown by their higher correlation with the Amazon sales index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cu 2 O nanoparticles have been grown by pulse-electrochemical deposition on a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) which acts as a nanostructured electrode. Prior to Cu 2 O deposition, the silver-coated rectangular-shaped grooves of the disassembled DVD were coated with a TiO 2 thin film by a modified sol–gel method, where oxalic acid is used in place of the usual mineral acids to peptize the precipitated hydrous titania formed from the hydrolysis of titanium iso-propoxide. This procedure leaves no inorganic residues after UV-curing, resulting in a high quality film, mainly composed of TiO 2 -anatase. As demonstrated by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) measurements, the DVD grooves are filled by a 120–130 nm thick TiO 2 film, while the thickness of the TiO 2 deposit on the crests is only ca. 50 nm. This inhomogeneous thickness leads to an inhomogeneous electric field when the DVD is used as an electrode for depositing Cu 2 O nanoparticles, which eventually leads to the growth of Cu 2 O nanoparticles only on the DVD crests. A highly regular and reproducible Cu 2 O/TiO 2 stripe-like heterostructure is obtained where both semiconducting oxides are aside. This system has been characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and photocurrent measurements. A possible use of this easy & cheap electrode as a visible light responsive sensor to water soluble organics in basic solution is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the impact of peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing on the Australian theatrical film industry. Using a large data set of torrent downloads observed on three popular P2P networks, we find evidence of a sales displacement effect on box office revenues. However, although statistically significant, the economic significance of this displacement appears relatively small. To establish causality, we make use of the state-day-level panel data structure permitting the use of film fixed effects to help mitigate the endogeneity between film revenues and downloads. To further assist identification, we propose a downloading cost function that considers other states' downloading activities as a proxy for the number of peers in the download swarm; the US DVD release date as a supply shock to P2P networks; and the substantial structural progression within the Australian internet service provision industry that occurred over the sample period. We observe that the release gap between the US and Australian markets is a key contributor to piracy early in a film's theatrical life. This finding provides a partial explanation for the industry's move towards coordinated worldwide releases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article focuses on a DVD "Prophet and Mystic of Creation: On Retreat with Thomas Merton" by Kathleen Noone Deignan on several conferences on American writer Thomas Merton's writings. Topics discussed include designing of DVDs for transformation of spiritual imagination, a series of questions for guiding and extending listener's reflections; and Merton's way of reading.

A tactile 3D scanning probe based on differential detection of astigmatic focus error is developed using commercial DVD optical pick-ups as sensing elements, and proposed for measurement of small structures with aspect ratio up to 30:1. The conflict between resolution and lateral size of the probe is resolved by a design of parallel kinematic flexible suspension with vertical and orthogonal layout of sensing elements, and common mode interference is significantly suppressed by differential detection of astigmatic focus error signals. Experimental results show that the displacement resolution of the probe is up to 1 nm with a ϕ 3 mm probing ball and a 150 mm long stylus. It is therefore concluded that the probe proposed is a solution for measurement of structures with high aspect ratio with high precision and low cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rapidly growing industry creates and markets a vast range of screen media products designed specifically for babies and children under the age of three. Marketing of these products targets parents and is based on both implicit and explicit educational claims. Although the majority of products target literacy and numeracy, music presentations are also available. Thirteen DVDs with titles implying a contribution to young children's musical development and education are the focus of this paper. Using ethnographic content analysis, they were examined in light of their repertoire; representations of the multimodal and interactional nature of young children's musical experiences; the developing intermodal perception of infants and toddlers; and the formal production features used to elicit attention. Observations of young children viewing the DVDs and semi-structured interviews with their mothers allowed data triangulation. DVDs found to provide the most valuable presentations for babies offer a variety of repertoire that includes singing and the use of acoustic instruments; model musical interactions between babies and others; and are temporally synchronous and audio-visually congruent. Producers of infant-directed media must consider the developmental needs of young children if their productions are to play a positive role in the musical lives of young children. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study examines demographic and attitudinal predictors of parents reported ownership of baby DVDs among a national sample of US parents with children under age three. Results indicate few associations with demographic variables. Fathers report greater ownership of baby videos/DVDs, and parents with more videos/DVDs report more satisfaction with these products. Parent attitudes toward early childhood education are related to owning more videos/DVDS, while promotion-focused orientation (i.e., propensity to pursue possible rewards when outcomes are uncertain) predicts satisfaction with baby videos/DVDs. Furthermore, results indicate that parents' belief in the educational value of media for young children is a strong predictor of both ownership and satisfaction with these products. In light of the controversy surrounding baby videos/DVDs and growing number and variety of screen media for infants and toddlers, implications of these findings for policy and further research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article examines what determines the success of a standard coalition. We test empirically for network effect, experience effect, and industrial and geographical relatedness in the Blu-ray versus HD-DVD standard war. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The School of Continuing Teacher Education (SCTE) in South Africa delivers an Advanced Certificate in Education (ACE) Learner Support Programme to Open Distance Learning (ODL) students in Namibia, a developing sub-Saharan African country. This paper examines the experiences of student-teachers using DVDs included in the tutorial package. Fifteen participants from rural and remote areas of Namibia took part in a semi-structured focus group and individual interviews. A first phase analysis identified a set of codes and categories that guided the researchers to two themes to using DVDs: frustration and attitude. Student-teachers' frustration and attitude towards DVDs are linked to sufficient appropriate information, also available as a paper-based tutorial package. Although electronic learning material can assist in achieving curriculum goals and enrich students' learning experiences, students' expectations are paramount in the design and development of instructional DVDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the work-in-progress screenplays of Maurice by Ivory (1987), which was adapted from E. M. Forster's novel, published posthumously in 1971. The article examines the creative processes revealed in the writers' treatment, and three manuscripts of the screenplay, held at King's College, Cambridge, all of which differ from the film as it has subsequently been released in cinemas and on DVD. Writers James Ivory and Kit Hesketh-Harvey restructured the narrative order of the story in several different ways, before the film was eventually edited to follow (almost) the chronology of the novel. The screenplay was also significantly shaped through the collaborative assistance of Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, who is not credited as a writer for the film. This article charts these hitherto hidden creative and authorial processes, and argues that the narrative's journey from page to screen was not a straight trajectory, but instead constituted a move away from mainstream narrative genres, such as the Bildungsroman and the love story, and then a recommitment to them in the film's 'final' cut. The multiple versions of the screenplay add to the palimpsetuous inscriptions of this already multi-layered, in-flux narrative, which was revised repeatedly by E. M. Forster over a 45-year period, and has also been reworked through new book editions, a re-release of the DVD that includes deleted scenes as 'extras', and fan activity on the Internet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DVD: Landscape Films 1977-1982 by John Woodman (2012) London: LUX.1 Booklet Text: John Woodman/Malcolm Le Grice, Price: £20.00 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]