Do Men Advance Faster Than Women? Debunking the Gender Performance Gap in Two Massively Multiplayer Online Games

Prior research on digital games illustrates a perceived gender gap in participation and performance, suggesting men as playing more and better than women. This article challenges the gender gap using longitudinal behavioral data of men and women in 2 MMOs in the United States and China. Results show that women advance at least as fast as men do in both games. Thus, perceived gender‐based performance disparities seem to result from factors that are confounded with gender (i.e., amount of play), not player gender itself. We conclude that the stereotype of female players as inferior is not only false, but also a potential cause for unequal participation in digital gaming.     

Leveraging computation sharing and parallel processing in location-dependent query processing

A variety of research exists for the processing of continuous queries in large, mobile environments. Each method tries, in its own way, to address the computational bottleneck of constantly processing so many queries. In this paper, we introduce an efficient and scalable system for monitoring continuous queries by leveraging the parallel processing capability of the Graphics Processing Unit. We examine a naive CPU-based solution for continuous range-monitoring queries, and we then extend this system using the GPU. Additionally, with mobile communication devices becoming commodity, location-based services will become ubiquitous. To cope with the very high intensity of location-based queries, we propose a view oriented approach of the location database, thereby reducing computation costs by exploiting computation sharing amongst queries requiring the same view. Our studies show that by exploiting the parallel processing power of the GPU, we are able to significantly scale the number of mobile objects, while maintaining an acceptable level of performance.     

Expanded graphene-oxide encapsulated polyaniline composites as sensing material for volatile organic compounds

The expanded graphene-oxide (EGO) encapsulated PA composite materials are prepared by in-situ chemical oxidative polymerisation polyaniline (PA) where polymerization of aniline was carried out in presence of EGO using ammonium-persulphate in an acid medium. The synthesized samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electrical conductivity measurements. The electrical conductivity get increases with temperature showing semiconducting behaviour and the conductivity is found to be 101.04 S/m at 413 K. The composite materials are exposed with various concentrations of vapours of different volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as acetone, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride and compared with the pristine polymer. The oxidising VOCs like acetone on exposure to pristine polymer and PA/EGO composite is found to be decrease in resistivity by hydrogen bonding with the redox cites of the polymer. Among these VOCs, the sensitivity towards chloroform is found to be more in PA and its composites than the other two compounds.     

Autonomous bioremediation of a microbial protein (bioremediase) in Pozzolana cementitious composite

The self-bioremediation in cementitious composite material is one of the most interesting avenues relating to damage management and self-life of constructions, which needs to be cogitated. The self-bioremediation of a microbial protein-impregnated cementitious material has been explored in this work. The bioremediase protein was isolated from a hot spring bacterium (BKH1) and incorporated at three different concentrations into commercial Pozzolana cements that are widely used for mortar sample preparation. Artificial cracks were generated within the mortar samples by applying partial breaking load (50 %) and the samples were cured under water for different days. Image analysis by Crackscope and microstructure analysis by field emission scanning electron microscope ascertained the formation of irregular crystalline healing material within the cracks of the test samples. X-ray diffractometer and energy dispersive spectra analyses confirmed that the irregular crystalline structures were due to the deposition of new silicate phase (Gehlenite) within the cracks. Increase of ultrasonic pulse velocity and compressive strength, augmentation of sulphate resistance, decrease of chloride permeability and water absorption capacity revealed that there were overall improvement of mechanical properties and durability of the protein-incorporated mortar samples compared to the control (without protein incorporation) mortar samples. This cost effective and eco-friendly self-bioremediation phenomenon observed in mortar is evolved due to the biosilicification activity of bioremediase protein when amended in mortar samples. The exceptional potential of the microbial bioremediase protein for self-bioremediation attribute may add a new dimension in self-healing construction technology in near future.     

Isolation and identification of phosphate‐solubilizing microorganisms and distribution of orthophosphate in different seasons from sewage‐fed East Kolkata Wetland

This study focused on isolation and identification of possible phosphate‐solubilizing bacteria (PSB ) from the sewage‐fed East Kolkata Wetland (EKWL ), a prospective water resource for pisciculture. In addition, different limnological parameters have been correlated with orthophosphate and seasonal variations. PSB have been isolated in Pikovskaya medium and identified morphologically and biochemically and finally analysed by 16S rDNA gene sequence. Limnological studies involving temperature (potentiometric), pH (potentiometric), dissolved oxygen (iodometric), ammonia‐nitrogen (spectrophotometric) and orthophosphate (spectrophotometric) concentrations were conducted. The results of this study established the presence of Bacillus megaterium , a potential PSB in EKWL . The activity of B. megaterium is also supported by the seasonal orthophosphate variations. The changes in concentration of other limnological parameters were also prominent. The water quality parameters of temperature (r  = 0.886), dissolved oxygen (r  = 0.729) and ammonia‐nitrogen (r  = 0.396) concentrations exhibited a positive correlation with orthophosphate and a negative correlation with pH (r  = ?0.699). The B. megaterium obtained in this study, exhibited a significant alteration in regard to orthophosphate content and relationships with other factors. Further experiment on the soluble phosphorus solubilization potential of B. megaterium revealed the biological availability of phosphorus was increased by threefold after 120 hr of incubation, with the decreasing pH value, although the phytase activity was 0.419 U/ml. PSB have a vital function in plant nutrition in supplying phosphate, essential nutrients and its uptake results in appropriate functioning and metabolism of different aquatic plants and organisms. PSB are competent biofertilizer to amplify aquaculture production for sustainable development.     

Effects of saponin capped triangular silver nanocrystals on the germination of Pisum sativum,Cicer arietinum,Vigna radiata seeds & their subsequent growth study

In this study, saponin capped triangular silver nanocrystals have been synthesised using fenugreek seed extract, where the extract acts both as a reducing and capping agent. X‐ray diffraction study confirms the purity and crystalline nature of the prepared nanocrystals and transmission electron microscopic study shows the triangular morphology with the average edge length of 72 nm, along with the atomic force microscopy study for the height or the width of the triangular nanocrystals. These nanocrystals have been investigated against a few pulses (seeds) such as Pisum sativum, Cicer arietinum and Vigna radiata for their effect on the germination as well as growth of root and shoot. Considering different concentration of silver nanocrystals solution, it has been found that 25 × 10⁻⁴ and 80 × 10⁻⁴ μg/ml are the minimum and maximum concentrations of silver nanocrystals, within this range, germination and subsequent growth of root and shoot are effective. The result shows significant positive influence on the growth of root and shoot of all seeds in comparison to those of unexposed control germination. Therefore, the result of this experiment has confirmed that the use of saponin capped silver nanocrystals enhances the germination and growth of plants.Inspec keywords: transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, nanofabrication, silver, nanostructured materials, X‐ray diffraction, crystal morphology, nanobiotechnology, botanyOther keywords: Pisum sativum, saponin capped nanocrystals, nanocrystals solution, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, reducing agent, Vigna radiata seeds, Cicer arietinum, unexposed control germination, triangular nanocrystals, triangular morphology, x‐ray diffraction study, fenugreek seed     

Linear Combination of Atomic Orbitals Approximation in Nanocrystalline Yittria-Stabilized Zirconia Synthesized by Citrate–Nitrate Gel Combustion Process

Nanocrystalline yittria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) compounds with yittria concentration varying between 8 and 12 mol% have been synthesized by gel combustion method followed by heat treatment at 550°C. The YSZs are found to posses stable face centered cubic structure at room temperature by X-ray diffractometry. The lattice parameter ' a ' showed an increasing trend with increasing concentration of yittria. The crystallite size estimated by Scherrer method was in the range of 7–10 nm. Band gap studies showed an increasing trend with increasing yittria concentration and are found to be consistent with respective lattice parameters following the tight binding approximation or linear combination of atomic orbitals approximation.     

Microprocessor Control of Cycloconverter: Techniques for Implementation and Testing

Since the 1930's, cycloconverter control circuits have been designed with vacuum tubes, transistors, and integrated circuits. With the advent of microprocessors, much more logical and computational power became available in much less space and cost. This led to the design of converter control circuits using microprocessors [2]-[9]. Each of these papers describes a specific implementation. Advancements in microprocessor technology are still going at full steam. To take full advantage of this technology and its continued advancements, a systematic and broad-based study of techniques that can be used for cycloconverter control-on microprocessor-based systems-is required. This paper reports the findings of such a study [10]. In this study a few general techniques were developed for cycloconverter control. In developing the various Techniques, accuracy of trigger timing and the system's speed of response were used as performance criteria. The techniques developed were tested on a system based on the 8085 CPU. Each technique was tested qualitatively by recording the cycloconverter waveforms produced by using it. For quantitative testing, first, the theoretical trigger timings were found by a digital computer simulation of the cycloconverter. These timings were then compared with those produced on the microprocessor-based system. From the test results it was concluded that an 8 bit data width suffices for cycloconverter control. The main bottleneck in achieving the desired performance is the execution time of the processor. In one of the techniques, when improvement in trigger timing accuracy was achieved it lead to reduction in the speed of response.     

Biogenic synthesis and thermo‐magnetic study of highly porous carbon nanotubes

Nanomaterials synthesis using natural sources is the technology to up come with advanced materials through extracts of plant, microorganisms, poultry waste etc. In this study, the authors report the synthesis of porous carbon nanotubes using high‐temperature decomposition technique facilitated by cobalt salt using chicken fats, a poultry waste as a precursor. Since chicken fats contain fatty acids which can decompose into short hydrocarbon chains and cobalt can act as the catalyst. The formation of carbon nanotubes was confirmed by Raman spectra, peaks at 1580 and 1350.46 cm⁻¹ confirmed the graphite mode G‐band and structural imperfections defect mode D‐band, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy showed the formation of tube‐like structures. Nitrogen adsorption–desorption studies showed the high‐surface area of 418.1 m² g⁻¹ with an estimated pore diameter of 8.1 nm. Thermogravimetry analysis–derivative thermogravimetric analysis–differential thermal analysis showed the instant weight loss at 517°C attributed to the rapid combustion of nanotubes. A vibrating‐sample magnetometer showed the paramagnetic nature of the so‐formed carbon nanotubes formed.Inspec keywords: transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectra, nanomagnetics, pyrolysis, decomposition, adsorption, desorption, carbon nanotubes, differential thermal analysis, thermal analysis, nanofabrication, Raman spectra, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, paramagnetic materialsOther keywords: biogenic synthesis, highly porous carbon nanotubes, microorganisms, high‐temperature decomposition technique, cobalt salt, chicken fats, fatty acids, short hydrocarbon chains, Raman spectra, graphite mode G‐band, structural imperfections defect mode D‐band, transmission electron microscopy, paramagnetic nature, thermo‐magnetic properties, poultry waste, nitrogen adsorption‐desorption studies, thermogravimetry analysis, differential thermal analysis, carbon nanotubes, temperature 517.0 degC, C     

Studies on Conducting Polypyrrole/Graphene Oxide Composites as Supercapacitor Electrode

An electrode material based on polypyrrole (PPy) doped with graphene oxide (GO) sheets was synthesized via in situ polymerization of pyrrole in the presence of GO in various proportions (5% and 10%). The synthesized samples were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and electrical conductivity measurements. FTIR spectroscopy and XRD revealed the interaction between GO and PPy. The direct-current (DC) electrical conductivity (75.8 S/cm) of the prepared composites was dramatically enhanced compared with pure PPy (1.18 S/cm). High specific capacitance of PPy/GO composite of 421.4 F/g was obtained in the potential range from 0 V to 0.50 V at 2 mA compared with 237.2 F/g for pure PPy by galvanostatic charge–discharge analysis. Incorporation of GO into the PPy matrix has a pronounced effect on the electrical conductivity and electrochemical capacitance performance of PPy/GO nanocomposites.