'We're all a bunch of nutters!': the production dynamics of Alternate reality games

Alternate reality games (ARGs) combine transmedia and pervasive storytelling, layering fictional narratives onto real world spaces and raising a number of production challenges in the process. This article will consider the key professional skills, working attitudes, and relationships that sit behind ARGs’ complex narratives by focusing on a case study example, Nottingham-based The Malthusian Paradox (TMP). It will focus on how flexibility and trust were manifested throughout TMP’s production process and shaped the dynamics of the production team. In doing so, the article will argue that emerging transmedia narrative forms that exploit the potential of digital technologies are reshaping working practices within the creative industries and requiring practitioners to evolve and revaluate their roles within the creative process

ACHIEVING EFFICIENCY AND EQUITY IN IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT: AN OPTIMIZATION MODEL OF THE EL ANGEL WATERSHED, CARCHI, ECUADOR

The objective of this paper is to address the problems of inefficiency and inequity in water allocation in the El Angel watershed, located in Ecuador's Sierra region. Water is captured in a high-altitude region of the watershed and distributed downstream to producers in four elevation-defined zones via a system of canals. Upstream and downstream producers face radically different conditions with respect to climate and terrain. A mathematical programming model was created to study the consequences of addressing chronic water scarcity problems in the watershed by shifting water resources between the four zones. The model captures the nature of water use by humans, crops and dual purpose cattle. Its objective function maximizes producer welfare as measured by aggregate gross margin, subject to limited supplies of land, labor and water. Five water allocation scenarios are evaluated with respect to efficiency in land and water use and equity in income distribution. Results reveal that although water is the primary constrained resource downstream, in the upstream zones, land is far more scarce. The current distribution of water rights does not consider these differences and therefore is neither efficient nor equitable. Improvements in efficiency (resource use) and equity (income distribution) are associated with (1) a shift of water to the lower zone, and (2) the use of lower levels of irrigation intensity upstream. Furthermore, the scenarios that result in the most efficient use of resources also bring the greatest degree of equity in income distribution, indicating that these may be complementary, not conflicting, goals.Mathematical programming, water allocation, efficiency, equity, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Layering engagement: the temporal dynamics of transmedia television

The last fifteen years have seen dramatic changes in the UK within both the television industry and televisual storytelling techniques. Rapid technological changes have not only increased the variety of screen devices, they have also changed the boundaries of the industry itself as the internet opened up distribution avenues and alternatives for viewer attention in the form of social media. The traditional pillars of the UK television industry, the major broadcasters and content providers such as the BBC and ITV, have responded to these changes by expanding their focus away from the television set and onto newer, more portable screen devices. This shift has had consequences both for the kinds of narratives emerging from television and the experiences that such narratives craft for their audiences. Increasingly, transmedia storytelling (Jenkins, 2006) techniques are becoming ‘quotidian’ (Grainge and Johnson, 2015), part of television programming’s standard repertoire of narrative techniques. This article examines the relationship between industry strategy and transmedia storytelling techniques. By considering how television studies can look to its own past and re-appropriate foundational models to understand these strategies, this article examines how the changes to television’s narratives exist in a context of both change and continuity

Layering engagement: the temporal dynamics of transmedia television

The last fifteen years have seen dramatic changes in the UK within both the television industry and televisual storytelling techniques. Rapid technological changes have not only increased the variety of screen devices, they have also changed the boundaries of the industry itself as the internet opened up distribution avenues and alternatives for viewer attention in the form of social media. The traditional pillars of the UK television industry, the major broadcasters and content providers such as the BBC and ITV, have responded to these changes by expanding their focus away from the television set and onto newer, more portable screen devices. This shift has had consequences both for the kinds of narratives emerging from television and the experiences that such narratives craft for their audiences. Increasingly, transmedia storytelling (Jenkins, 2006) techniques are becoming ‘quotidian’ (Grainge and Johnson, 2015), part of television programming’s standard repertoire of narrative techniques. This article examines the relationship between industry strategy and transmedia storytelling techniques. By considering how television studies can look to its own past and re-appropriate foundational models to understand these strategies, this article examines how the changes to television’s narratives exist in a context of both change and continuity

Comparison of listeriosis risk factors among three ‘at-risk’ consumer groups: pregnant women, older adults and chemotherapy patients

Introduction: Due to weakened immune function, listeriosis is particularly associated with ‘at-risk’ consumers, predominantly affecting pregnant-women, older-adults (aged ≥ 60 years) and people receiving chemotherapy. Sporadic incidence of listeriosis is frequently related to refrigerated ready-to-eat (RTE) food products stored/consumed in the domestic kitchen. Consequently, ‘at-risk’ consumers should implement safe food handling/storage practices, including time and temperature control of RTE-foods to reduce the risks associated with L. monocytogenes. Changes in UK epidemiology data indicate reduced pregnancy associated-cases and increased older-adult and chemotherapy associated-cases. Purpose: Determination and comparison of these ‘at-risk’ consumers’ food-safety reported behaviours and related cognitions may identify listeriosis risk factors and inform the development of targeted food-safety information. Such data is currently lacking in the UK. Methods: Quantitative survey methods (online/paper-based) ascertained food-safety knowledge, self-reported practices and attitudes towards domestic food handling/storage. The study involved pregnant/post-partum (≤12 months) women (n=40), older-adults (≥60 years) (n=100) and chemotherapy-patients/family-caregivers (n=172). Results: Awareness of recommended refrigeration temperatures were significantly more widespread(p0.05), with the majority (58-65%) reporting temperatures would ‘never’ be checked. Older-adults were significantly less knowledgeable of ‘use-by’ dates, had more negative attitudes (p<0.001) towards ‘use-by’ dates and were more likely to report consumption of foods beyond the ‘use-by’ date (p<0.005). Although older-adults’ attitudes were significantly more negative towards consuming RTE foods within two days of opening, no significant differences in knowledge and self-reported practices were determined, with majority of all ‘at-risk’ consumers (82-89%) reporting consumption beyond recommendations. Failing to adhere to recommended food storage practices may increase the risks associated with listeriosis among these ‘at-risk’ consumers. Significance: Significant differences in knowledge, attitudes and self-reported practices between ‘at-risk’ consumers may indicate why reduced pregnancy associated-cases and increased older-adult and chemotherapy associated-cases are reported in the UK. Study findings may be utilised for the development of targeted food-safety education to reduce risks of listeriosis

Video observation of hand-hygiene compliance in a manufacturer of ready-to-eat pie and pastry products

Food-handler hand-hygiene can be a contributory factor for food-borne illness. Cognitive data (knowledge/attitudes/self-reported practices), while informative, are not indicative of behaviour, and are subject to biases. Consequently, observation of behaviour is superior to survey data. However, researcher presence in direct observation increases reactivity, whereas video observation gives comprehensive analysis over a longer period, furthermore, familiarity reduces reactivity. Although video observation has been used to assess food safety at retail/foodservice, this valuable method is under-utilized in food-manufacturing environments. For the study, footage (24 h) was reviewed to assess compliance in a food-manufacturing site with company protocol. Video observation of food-handlers entering production (n = 674) was assessed; upon 70 occasions no attempt to implement hand-hygiene was observed. Of attempted hand-hygiene practices (n = 604), only 2% implemented compliant practices. Although 78% of attempts utilized soap, only 42% included sanitizer. Duration ranged from 1 to 69 s (Median 17 s). The study provides hand-hygiene data in an area that observational data is seldom captured

'We're all a bunch of nutters!': the production dynamics of Alternate reality games

Alternate reality games (ARGs) combine transmedia and pervasive storytelling, layering fictional narratives onto real world spaces and raising a number of production challenges in the process. This article will consider the key professional skills, working attitudes, and relationships that sit behind ARGs’ complex narratives by focusing on a case study example, Nottingham-based The Malthusian Paradox (TMP). It will focus on how flexibility and trust were manifested throughout TMP’s production process and shaped the dynamics of the production team. In doing so, the article will argue that emerging transmedia narrative forms that exploit the potential of digital technologies are reshaping working practices within the creative industries and requiring practitioners to evolve and revaluate their roles within the creative process

Expressing one’s feelings and listening to others increases emotional intelligence: A pilot study of Asian medical students

BackgroundThere has been considerable interest in Emotional Intelligence (EI) in undergraduate medical education, with respect to student selection and admissions, health and well-being and academic performance. EI is a significant component of the physician-patient relationship. The emotional well-being of the physician is, therefore, a significant component in patient care. The aim is to examine the measurement of TEIQue-SF in Asian medical students and to explore how the practice of listening to the feelings of others and expressing one’s own feelings influences an individual’s EI, set in the context of the emotional well-being of a medical practitioner.MethodsA group of 183 international undergraduate medical students attended a half-day workshop (WS) about mental-health and well-being. They completed a self-reported measure of EI on three occasions, pre- and post-workshop, and a 1-year follow-up.ResultThe reliability of TEIQue-SF was high and the reliabilities of its four factors were acceptable. There were strong correlations between the TEIQue-SF and personality traits. A paired t-test indicated significant positive changes after the WS for all students (n=181, p= .014), male students (n=78, p= .015) and non-Japanese students (n=112, p= .007), but a repeated measures analysis showed that one year post-workshop there were significant positive changes for all students (n=55, p= .034), female students (n=31, p= .007), especially Japanese female students (n=13, p= .023). Moreover, 80% of the students reported that they were more attentive listeners, and 60% agreed that they were more confident in dealing with emotional issues, both within themselves and in others, as a result of the workshop.ConclusionThis study found the measurement of TEIQue-SF is appropriate and reliable to use for Asian medical students. The mental health workshop was helpful to develop medical students’ EI but showed different results for gender and nationality. The immediate impact on the emotional awareness of individuals was particularly significant for male students and the non-Japanese group. The impact over the long term was notable for the significant increase in EI for females and Japanese. Japanese female students were more conscious about emotionality. Emotion-driven communication exercises might strongly influence the development of students’ EI over a year

A review of consumer food safety research to identify domestic risk factors associated with listeriosis

Introduction: Listeriosis is associated with the highest hospitalization and mortality rates of foodborne illnesses; listeriosis incidence has doubled in recent years in Europe. Consumer recommendations to reduce listeriosis risk factors include following ‘use-by’ dates on unopened ready-to-eat (RTE) food products, avoiding prolonged storage of opened RTE foods and ensuring safe refrigeration temperatures. Currently, data detailing consumer cognition and behaviour associated with listeriosis risk factors are lacking. Purpose: This study aimed to review consumer food safety studies to consolidate and cumulatively determine consumer cognitive and behavioural risk factors that may be associated with listeriosis in the home. Methods: Consumer food safety research data (n=200) were reviewed and analysed using a content analysis approach. Findings were summarized according to assessment of knowledge, attitudes, self-reported practices, and/or actual behaviours of listeriosis risk factors. Results: Overall, only 43% of studies assessed consumer cognitive or behavioural data associated with listeriosis risk factors; 27% assessed refrigeration practices, 23% determined storage length of opened RTE foods and 21% ascertain adherence of ‘use-by’ dates. Majority (71%) of studies utilized survey based data collection methods (questionnaires/interviews), consequently, the majority of findings were based on self-report (78%) and knowledge (59%). Observation (21%) and focus groups (8%) were less commonly used. Consequently findings of this study indicate that actual behaviours and attitudinal data relating to listeriosis risk factors are lacking. Although findings suggest consumers may deviate from recommended practices, a lack of observational data suggests a need to determine the actual behaviours of consumers in domestic kitchens in relation to listeriosis risk factors. Significance: This review reveals a need for in-depth research to determine food safety attitudes and actual behaviours of consumers in conjunction with self-reported practices and knowledge of listeriosis risk factors. Such data combined with review findings would inform development of targeted food safety education to reduce risks associated with listeriosis in the home