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DND

(D&D), often abbreviated as DND, is a fantasy created by and and first published in 1974 by the company Tactical Studies Rules, which Gygax co-founded. It combines elements of collaborative storytelling, strategic combat, and improvisation, where players control characters navigating quests, battling monsters, and resolving conflicts through polyhedral dice rolls under the guidance of a who narrates the world and adjudicates rules. The game originated from wargaming traditions, evolving into the foundational text for the game genre by emphasizing player agency over scripted outcomes and fostering emergent narratives in shared campaigns. Core rulebooks, such as the , , and , provide mechanics for character creation, world-building, and encounters, with the fifth edition—launched in 2014—serving as the prevailing version through , which acquired the rights in 1997. D&D's defining characteristics include its modular ruleset allowing customization via homebrew content and official supplements, alongside settings like and that underpin adventures. Notable achievements encompass pioneering immersive simulation in gaming, influencing video game design from titles like to narrative-driven RPGs, and sustaining a community-driven with millions of participants worldwide. Early controversies arose in the amid claims of promoting or antisocial behavior, but longitudinal studies and player data revealed no empirical correlation with negative outcomes, attributing such fears to moral panics rather than causal evidence from gameplay. Today, it remains a for analog , with digital tools like enhancing accessibility while preserving the tactile, social essence of in-person sessions.

Gaming and role-playing

Dungeons & Dragons

(commonly abbreviated as D&D) is a in which players create and control fictional characters who embark on adventures in a fantasy world, typically involving combat, exploration, and problem-solving. The game was co-created by and as an extension of traditions, with its initial ruleset emphasizing collaborative storytelling and improvisation under the guidance of a (DM), who acts as narrator, referee, and controller of non-player characters and environments. First published in January 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules (TSR), a company founded in October 1973 by Gygax and Don Kaye after traditional wargame publishers rejected the manuscript, the original edition consisted of three small booklets sold in a white box for $10, with initial print runs of 1,000 copies that sold out rapidly. Core gameplay mechanics center on character creation via six ability scores—Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma—generated by rolling dice and influencing skills, combat effectiveness, and interactions. Actions are resolved primarily through "d20 Tests," where players roll a 20-sided die, add relevant modifiers (such as ability score adjustments or proficiency bonuses), and compare the result to a Difficulty Class (DC) set by the DM to determine success or failure. Combat operates in structured turns within 6-second rounds, incorporating hit points to track damage, initiative rolls for turn order, and options for attacks, spells, or movement; polyhedral dice (d4 through d20) simulate variability in outcomes like weapon damage or spell effects. The DM prepares scenarios using rulebooks, maps, and miniatures optionally, fostering emergent narratives rather than fixed scripts, which distinguishes D&D from board games by prioritizing player agency and referee adjudication. Over its history, D&D has evolved through multiple editions, each refining rules for balance, accessibility, and complexity. The original 1974 rules were supplemented by (AD&D) in 1977–1979, which formalized mechanics into core books like the and . Basic/Expert sets followed in 1981 for newcomers, while AD&D 2nd Edition (1989) introduced optional kits and settings like . Third Edition (2000) standardized rules via the under the , enabling third-party compatibility; its 3.5 revision (2003) addressed imbalances. Fourth Edition (2008) emphasized tactical grid-based combat but faced criticism for diverging from narrative focus, lasting until Fifth Edition's 2014 release, which prioritized simplicity and broad appeal, achieving record sales with over 50 million players by 2023. A revised Fifth Edition core launched in 2024 to streamline further. TSR managed D&D until financial difficulties led to its acquisition by in 1997, which in turn was purchased by in 1999; Wizards now publishes under official platforms like for digital tools and character sheets. The game's popularity surged post-2014, with Fifth Edition sales rising 41% from 2016 to 2017 and another 52% in 2018, driven by streamlined rules, streaming via platforms like , and media adaptations including the 2023 film , which grossed over $200 million. By its 50th anniversary in 2024, D&D had sold tens of millions of copies, influencing video game design (e.g., mechanics in titles like ) and popular culture, though early growth faced unsubstantiated moral panics in the alleging occult promotion, which empirical reviews found lacked causal evidence of harm.

Computing and technology

Do not disturb

Do Not Disturb (DND) is a system-level feature in designed to suppress incoming notifications, calls, and alerts, thereby reducing distractions during periods of , , or meetings. When activated, it typically silences sounds, vibrations, and visual banners from non-essential sources while permitting exceptions such as alarms, repeating calls from the same number (to handle emergencies), or notifications from whitelisted contacts and apps. This functionality promotes productivity and mental rest by filtering interruptions based on user-defined rules, schedules, or triggers like or events. Apple pioneered the feature in iOS 6, released on September 19, 2012, where it allowed scheduled silencing of notifications with options for allowing calls from favorites or repeated callers within three minutes. Concurrently, a version appeared in OS X Mountain Lion (version 10.8), released July 25, 2012, integrated into the Notification Center to mute alerts during specified times. In Android, DND debuted with version 6.0 Marshmallow on October 5, 2015, offering priority interruption levels (none, priority only, or alarms only) and integration with features like "Shush" for gesture-based activation. Microsoft introduced a comparable "Quiet Hours" in Windows Phone 8.1 (April 2014) before evolving it into Focus Assist in Windows 10's Creators Update (April 2017), which suppresses notifications during full-screen apps or scheduled periods. Implementations vary by platform but share core mechanics: users can enable DND manually via quick settings toggles, schedule it (e.g., nightly from 10 PM to 7 AM), or link it to contexts like driving or work hours. In and macOS, later iterations under the framework (introduced and macOS Monterey in 2021) expand customization with multiple profiles for different scenarios, silencing apps per category while syncing across Apple devices. Android's version, rebranded in (August 2022) as part of "Modes and Routines," allows granular rules for conversations, apps, and media sounds. Windows Focus Assist prioritizes notifications by type and integrates with gaming or presentation modes to auto-activate. These evolutions reflect empirical needs for nuanced control, as blanket silencing proved insufficient for urgent communications, leading to hybrid models balancing accessibility with interruption minimization. Cross-platform consistency has grown, with DND-like modes now standard in distributions via tools like GNOME's Do Not Disturb toggle and in wearables such as smartwatches. Empirical studies on notification fatigue underscore its value: excessive alerts fragment , reducing task completion rates by up to 20% in controlled experiments, prompting OS developers to refine DND for causal interruption reduction without isolating users from critical updates. Despite variations, the feature's stems from user demand for device over reactive responsiveness.

Drag-and-drop

Drag-and-drop is a (GUI) interaction technique in which a selects a virtual object—such as an , file, or text—by pressing and holding a (or equivalent input like a gesture) while the cursor hovers over it, then moves the cursor to a target location before releasing the button to place the object there. This direct manipulation method enables efficient relocation, duplication, or reorganization of digital items without relying on menus or commands, simulating physical object handling. It typically involves three phases: initiation (selection and grasp), movement (dragging with real-time visual feedback like a semi-transparent "ghost" image of the object), and completion (drop, often with confirmation via cursor changes or animations). The technique originated in pioneering GUI research during the 1970s, with early implementations in systems like those developed at PARC, but gained commercial prominence through the Apple Macintosh, released on January 24, 1984, which integrated drag-and-drop for intuitive file and icon management on its . Subsequent operating systems, including Windows starting with version 3.0 in 1990, standardized it for tasks like moving files between directories or windows. In contemporary environments, such as macOS and (as of 2021 updates), drag-and-drop supports cross-application data transfer—for instance, dragging images from a into an —and extends to touch interfaces via gestures, though with adaptations for precision on smaller screens. Web browsers leverage the HTML5 Drag and Drop API, introduced in 2010 and widely supported by 2015 across major engines like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, to enable client-side operations such as reordering sortable lists (e.g., via JavaScript libraries like Sortable.js) or handling file uploads by dragging media directly onto web pages. User experience guidelines emphasize clear affordances, including hover states, drop zone highlights, and haptic feedback on mobile devices, to prevent errors like unintended drops; studies indicate it reduces task completion time by up to 20% for spatial reorganization compared to button-based alternatives, though it poses accessibility challenges for non-pointer inputs, necessitating keyboard fallbacks per WCAG 2.1 standards (updated 2018). In software development tools, drag-and-drop facilitates , as seen in environments like (supporting UI element placement since the 1990s) or no-code platforms, where users assemble interfaces by dragging components onto canvases, enhancing for non-programmers while abstracting underlying handlers for dragstart, dragover, and events. Despite its ubiquity—used daily by billions via desktops, mobiles, and tablets—implementation requires handling edge cases like scrollable containers or nested droppables to maintain reliability across resolutions and input methods.

Government and military

Department of National Defence

The Department of National Defence (DND) is a federal government department of responsible for formulating and implementing national defence policy, as well as providing administrative, logistical, and operational support to the Canadian Armed Forces (). It operates under the authority of the National Defence Act and assists the Minister of National Defence in overseeing defence matters, including military procurement, infrastructure management, and international engagements. The department's core mandate focuses on protecting Canadians, upholding sovereignty, and advancing Canadian interests domestically and abroad through CAF capabilities across land, sea, air, and domains. DND was established on 1 January 1923 through the amalgamation of the Department of Militia and Defence (responsible for army matters) and the Department of Naval Services, under the newly enacted National Defence Act, which centralized control over 's nascent unified defence apparatus post-World War I. This restructuring aimed to streamline administration amid fiscal constraints and evolving threats, replacing fragmented pre-Confederation and early 20th-century military organizations. Since unification of the armed services in 1968, DND has evolved to encompass both military and civilian elements, with the former handling combat readiness and the latter focusing on policy, budgeting, and sustainment. The department's structure includes a for civilian oversight, alongside CAF leadership under the Chief of the Defence Staff, ensuring dual accountability to both administrative efficiency and operational effectiveness. DND manages key functions such as equipment acquisition (e.g., via major projects like the F-35 fighter jet program), base operations across 29 primary locations, and international cooperation, including commitments and defence partnerships. For fiscal year 2024-2025, DND's main estimates totaled $30.58 billion, representing about 6.8% of federal main estimates, directed toward personnel, operations, capital investments, and readiness enhancements amid geopolitical pressures. Personnel-wise, the broader Defence Team comprises approximately 94,516 CAF members (including regular and reserve forces) and additional DND civilian public servants, totaling around 123,000 individuals as of recent reporting. The targets 71,500 members and 30,000 reserves, but persistent recruitment shortfalls—exacerbated by processing delays where only about 1 in 13 applicants reach basic training—have left gaps of up to 14,000 qualified personnel, prompting reforms in streamlining and incentives. These challenges reflect broader pressures on retention and modernization, with DND prioritizing operational readiness over expansive commitments.

Health and organizations

Drugs for Neglected Diseases

The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) is a collaborative, non-profit organization dedicated to of treatments for , prioritizing patient needs over commercial interests. Founded in 2003 by (MSF), the (WHO), and research institutions from , , , , and —including the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation and the Kenya Medical Research Institute—DNDi addresses the in pharmaceutical R&D for diseases disproportionately affecting impoverished populations in low-income countries. Its model emphasizes access-oriented innovation, producing affordable, field-adapted medicines without reliance on patents for profitability. DNDi's core strategy involves partnering with public and private entities to fill R&D gaps, delivering treatments that are effective, safe, and suitable for resource-limited settings. The organization targets six primary neglected diseases: (sleeping sickness), visceral and , , and others including mycetoma and dengue, while also addressing related conditions like and filarial diseases such as river blindness. Since inception, DNDi has developed 13 new or improved treatments for these diseases, reaching millions of patients and contributing to reduced mortality rates in endemic regions. For instance, the nifurtimox-eflornithine for stage T2 , introduced in 2009, shortened treatment duration from weeks of intravenous administration to a seven-day regimen, improving and outcomes. Key achievements include the 2018 approval of , the first all-oral treatment for sleeping sickness, eliminating the need for hospitalization and intravenous delivery in many cases, which has treated tens of thousands since rollout. Other milestones encompass pediatric formulations for and combination therapies like ASAQ for , adapted for neglected contexts. DNDi's impact is evidenced by its high efficiency rating from evaluators like , scoring 90% based on accountability, finance, and impact metrics. The initiative has spurred broader ecosystem changes, including the Drug Discovery Booster platform launched to screen compounds from pharmaceutical partners for hit identification against multiple pathogens. DNDi operates through a decentralized structure with regional offices and relies on from governments, , and philanthropies, ensuring treatments are and distributed via WHO-prequalified channels for equitable . While effective in niche areas, its model highlights systemic challenges in R&D, where only 37 of 850 new drugs approved from 2000–2011 targeted neglected diseases, underscoring the need for sustained public investment.

Other uses

Dad 'n' Daughter

Dad 'n' Daughter is an occasional for a and his , appearing in select compilations without widespread standardized usage. This informal designation lacks formal institutional backing or prominent applications, distinguishing it from more established meanings of DND such as Do Not Disturb or Department of National Defence. Contexts invoking this abbreviation, if any, remain anecdotal and undocumented in primary sources, reflecting its marginal role in abbreviation lexicons.

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