Emotional responses to different flavoured popcorns on watching different types of movies

The emotional responses to five flavoured popcorns (butter, cheese, caramel, barbecue and Thai spicy) compared to ‘not eat anything’ on watching each genre of five digital video disk (DVD) movies (action, comedy, fantasy, romance and horror movies) were measured by 100 voluntary audiences. They were recruited to participate in the sensory laboratory set as a theatre. After five minutes of watching each movie, they had to taste each of the flavoured popcorns for 25 g serving with 250 mL of drinking water than their 39 emotional and 2 sensory responses were recorded. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and emotional ratio profiling of all flavoured popcorns on watching each movie were analysed. The results revealed that the mean overall liking score for each flavoured popcorn was not different, but the mean emotional scores that responded to each flavoured popcorn on watching each movie were different significantly (p < 0.01). During watching the action movie, butter and cheese flavoured popcorns seemed to significantly evoke most emotions on ‘daring’ and ‘pleasant’ (p < 0.01). While watching the horror movie, caramel flavoured popcorn undoubtedly evoked the most emotional responses among other flavoured popcorns. These emotional responses to each of flavoured popcorns on each of variety DVD movies might be used for movie theatre strategic promotion and advertisement to add value and distinction for the flavoured popcorn products in all cases.

Long-term data storage in diamond

The negatively charged nitrogen vacancy (NV−) center in diamond is the focus of widespread attention for applications ranging from quantum information processing to nanoscale metrology. Although most work so far has focused on the NV− optical and spin properties, control of the charge state promises complementary opportunities. One intriguing possibility is the long-term storage of information, a notion we hereby introduce using NV-rich, type 1b diamond. As a proof of principle, we use multicolor optical microscopy to read, write, and reset arbitrary data sets with two-dimensional (2D) binary bit density comparable to present digital-video-disk (DVD) technology. Leveraging on the singular dynamics of NV− ionization, we encode information on different planes of the diamond crystal with no cross-talk, hence extending the storage capacity to three dimensions. Furthermore, we correlate the center’s charge state and the nuclear spin polarization of the nitrogen host and show that the latter is robust to a cycle of NV− ionization and recharge. In combination with super-resolution microscopy techniques, these observations provide a route toward subdiffraction NV charge control, a regime where the storage capacity could exceed present technologies.

Physical activity and sedentary behaviour in European children: the IDEFICS study

ObjectiveTo estimate the prevalence of physical activity and sedentary behaviours in European children, and to evaluate the relationship between media availability in personal space and physical activity in relation to total screen time.DesignData from the baseline IDEFICS (Identification and prevention of dietary- and lifestyle-induced health effects in children and infants) cross-sectional survey. Information on hours of television/digital video disk/video viewing and computer/games-console use (weekday and weekend days), media device availability in personal space, sports club membership, hours of active organized play and commuting (to and from school) were assessed via a self-reported parental questionnaire. Total screen time was defined as the sum of daily media use and subsequently dichotomized into meeting or not meeting the guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics.SettingEight survey centres (Italy, Estonia, Cyprus, Belgium, Sweden, Germany, Hungary and Spain).SubjectsChildren (n 15 330; 51 % males) aged 2–10 years.ResultsPercentage of children engaged in total screen time for >2 h/d was higher on weekend days (52 % v. 20 % on weekdays) and in the older group (71 % in males; 57 % in females), varying by country. Children with a television set in their bedroom were more likely not to meet the screen time recommendations (OR = 1·54; 95 % CI 1·60, 1·74).ConclusionsApproximately a third of the children failed to meet current screen time recommendations. Availability of a television set in personal space increased the risk of excess total screen time. This information could be used to identify potential targets for public health promotion actions of young population groups.

A blended learning Grade 12 intervention using DVD technology to enhance the teaching and learning of mathematics

This article describes the experiences and mathematics performance of Grade 12 learners selected to participate in a mathematics intervention project using digital video disk (DVD) technology within a blended learning context. Blended learning in the context of this study is defined as employing a variety of appropriate methods of delivery to enhance the teaching and learning process. DVD technology was used as an ingredient in this blended learning approach, since it is easily available and accessible to the majority of learners and the schools they attend. The study reported on here forms part of a larger study using action research methodology. This article reports on a single stage of the action research: implementing a change to improve the situation and observing the consequences of this action. Mathematics Incubator School Project (ISP) learners completed questionnaires with open-ended questions which pertained to their experiences of the blended learning approach. The observations of the facilitators were also recorded. A single school was used as a case study and the mathematics performance of learners who participated in the ISP was compared with that of those who did not. The findings suggest that use of DVD technology in this blended learning approach impacted on mathematics learning and enhanced the mathematics performance of learners.

Validation of an Australian Sign Language Instrument of Outcome Measurement for Adults in Mental Health Settings

Objective: There are currently no adult mental health outcome measures that have been translated into Australian sign language (Auslan). Without a valid and reliable Auslan outcome measure, empirical research into the efficacy of mental health interventions for sign language users is unattainable. To address this research problem the Outcome Rating Scale (ORS), a measure of general functioning, was translated into Auslan and recorded on to digital video disk for use in clinical settings. The purpose of the present study was therefore to examine the reliability, validity and acceptability of an Auslan version of the ORS (ORS-Auslan). Method: The ORS-Auslan was administered to 44 deaf people who use Auslan as their first language and who identify as members of a deaf community (termed ‘Deaf’ people) on their first presentation to a mental health or counselling facility and to 55 Deaf people in the general community. The community sample also completed an Auslan version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Results: t-Tests indicated significant differences between the mean scores for the clinical and community sample. Internal consistency was acceptable given the low number of items in the ORS-Auslan. Construct validity was established by significant correlations between total scores on the DASS-21-Auslan and ORS-Auslan. Acceptability of ORS-Auslan was evident in the completion rate of 93% compared with 63% for DASS-21-Auslan. Conclusions: This is the only Auslan outcome measure available that can be used across a wide variety of mental health and clinical settings. The ORS-Auslan provides mental health clinicians with a reliable and valid, brief measure of general functioning that can significantly distinguish between clinical and non-clinical presentations for members of the Deaf community.