Motivational game design patterns of ’ville games

The phenomenal growth of social network games in the last five years has left many game designers, game scholars, and long-time game players wondering how these games so effectively engage their audiences. Without a strong understanding of the sources of appeal of social network games, and how they relate to the appeal of past games and other human activities, it has proven difficult to interpret the phenomenon accurately or build upon its successes. In this paper we propose and employ a particular approach to this challenge, analyzing the motivational game design patterns in the popular ‘Ville style of game using the lenses of behavioral economics and behavioral psychology, explaining ways these games engage and retain players. We show how such games employ strategies in central, visible ways that are also present (if perhaps harder to perceive) in games with very different mechanics and audiences. Our conclusions point to lessons for game design, game interpretation, and the design of engaging software of any type

Modelling sediment supply and transport in the River Lugg: strategies for controlling sediment loads

The River Lugg has particular problems with high sediment loads that have resulted in detrimental impacts on ecology and fisheries. A new dynamic, process-based model of hydrology and sediments (INCA- SED) has been developed and applied to the River Lugg system using an extensive data set from 1995–2008. The model simulates sediment sources and sinks throughout the catchment and gives a good representation of the sediment response at 22 reaches along the River Lugg. A key question considered in using the model is the management of sediment sources so that concentrations and bed loads can be reduced in the river system. Altogether, five sediment management scenarios were selected for testing on the River Lugg, including land use change, contour tillage, hedging and buffer strips. Running the model with parameters altered to simulate these five scenarios produced some interesting results. All scenarios achieved some reduction in sediment levels, with the 40% land use change achieving the best result with a 19% reduction. The other scenarios also achieved significant reductions of between 7% and 9%. Buffer strips produce the best result at close to 9%. The results suggest that if hedge introduction, contour tillage and buffer strips were all applied, sediment reductions would total 24%, considerably improving the current sediment situation. We present a novel cost-effectiveness analysis of our results where we use percentage of land removed from production as our cost function. Given the minimal loss of land associated with contour tillage, hedges and buffer strips, we suggest that these management practices are the most cost-effective combination to reduce sediment loads

Sport values, personal values and antisocial behavior in sport

A core aspect of morality concerns behavior towards others. To better understand this issue, we investigated the values-behavior relationship. In a cross-sectional study design, 165 team sport athletes rated the importance of Lee's sport values and Schwartz's basic personal values and reported their frequency of antisocial behavior in sport. With sport values, antisocial behavior was negatively correlated with moral values but positively correlated with status values. With personal values, antisocial behavior was negatively correlated with self-transcendence and conservation values but positively correlated with self-enhancement values. In terms of the relative importance of values, competence and moral were more important than status sport values, whereas self-transcendence and openness to change were more important than conservation and self-enhancement personal values. In terms of the conceptual link across contexts, comparisons of sport and personal values confirmed strong overlap between status and self-enhancement values, competence and openness to change values, and moral and self-transcendence values. In conclusion, antisocial behavior was related to both sport and personal values, and, in line with theory and evidence, the relationship between values and antisocial behavior resembled an unethicality profile

EV’s Leading in China, Ford is a Few Cars Behind

As the world is looking at sustainable energy sources, electric vehicles are likely to be a big part of the perceived future. China has 18.47% of the world’s population, is one of the highest emitters of carbon dioxide, and is the world’s largest market for electric vehicles (Country Meters). China’s GDP was USD 13.608 trillion in 2018 and is expected to increase substantially in coming years (Wang, 2019). With 25 million vehicles sold in 2019, China’s automobile market is the biggest in the world. With that, China accounts for 27.52% of the world’s CO2 emissions (Statista). To decrease that number, China stated in 2019 their goal was to have 60% of all automobiles sold in 2035 to run on electric motors (Tian, 2019). With car sales in China declining rapidly over the past 3 years, automobile companies are looking for a way to develop a sustainable competitive advantage. Ford Motor Company, a $156 billion global leader, has been struggling to compete in China and is now looking to the electric vehicle market as a way to expand. However, China’s EV market is hypercompetitive with over 400 domestic EV manufacturers, including some multinationals like General Motors. To differentiate themselves from the competition, Ford announced plans of building facilities that will specialize in creating technology for their EV’s. SYNC+ is a popular technological option available to enhance the consumers experience (Media Ford, 2019). However, investment in technology could raise the prices of their vehicles. With annual income in China at about 82,413 yuan ($11,727 USD), raising prices may not be an option for Ford (Statista). This case study discusses the many challenges that Ford faces in China and how it needs to change its marketing mix in order to succeed there. Keywords: Ford, China, Electric Vehicles, Pollution, Environment, Automobiles, Case Study, Emerging Markets, International marketin

Real-time water quality forecasting in rivers using satellite data and dynamic models: an online system for operational management, control and citizen science

Increasingly scarce water resources and growing global populations have exacerbated the problems of water quality in river systems and freshwaters in general. New monitoring methodologies and tools to democratize access to water quality information are needed if we are to reach ambitious societal objectives such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the European Green Deal. Here we present a cloud-based system for producing publicly accessible real time water quality forecasts coupled to novel biosensor technology. Short term forecasts of water quality impairments, e.g., as cyanobacteria blooms, sediment plumes and toxic pollution incidents are increasingly relevant both to citizens and stakeholders. Here, we present a new cloud based system that utilizes satellite data to produce real time forecasts of flow and water quality using a chain of dynamic catchment-scale models at multiple locations in a river network. We demonstrate this new system using two case studies: the River Thames and the Essex Colne River (United Kingdom). These rivers are key water supply sources for London and South-East England, respectively and are of high interest to recreational water users. We show how the new system can predict and forecast water quality, estimate toxicity and connect to citizen science observations using an App (www.aquascope.com) for information synthesis and delivery

A nurse-led education and cognitive behaviour therapy-based intervention among adults with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes: A randomised controlled trial

Rationale, aims and objectives: Diabetes mellitus is associated with significant morbidity, mortality and escalating healthcare costs. Research has consistently demonstrated the importance of glycaemic control in delaying the onset, and decreasing the incidence, of both the short- and long-term complications of diabetes. Although glycaemic control is difficult to achieve and challenging to maintain, it is key to reducing negative disease outcomes.  The aim of this study was to determine whether a nurse-led educational intervention alone or a nurse-led intervention using education and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) were effective in reducing HbA1c in people living with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes compared to usual care.  Methods: Adults over the age of 18 years, with a confirmed diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and HbA1c outside of the recommended range (4-7%, 20-53 mmol/mol) for 12 months or more were eligible to participate.  Participants were randomised to either a nurse-led education intervention, a nurse-led education plus ACT intervention or usual care. One hundred and eighteen participants completed baseline data collection (N=34 education group, N=39 education plus ACT, N=45 control group). An intention to treat analysis was employed.  Results: A statistically significant reduction in HbA1c in the education intervention group was found (p=.011 [7.48, 8.14]). At 6 months, HbA1c was reduced in both intervention groups (Education group -0.21, education and ACT group -0.04) and increased in the control group (+0.32). A positive change in HbA1c (HbA1c reduced) was noted in 50 participants overall. Twice as many participants in the intervention groups demonstrated an improvement as compared to the control group (56% of the education group, 51% education plus ACT, and 24% control group.  Conclusions: At 6 months post intervention, HbA1c was reduced in both intervention groups with a greater reduction noted in the nurse-led education intervention

A nurse-led interdisciplinary approach to promote self-management of type 2 diabetes: A process evaluation of post intervention experiences

Rationale, aims and objectives  Self-management of type 2 diabetes through diet, exercise and for many medications, are vital in achieving and maintaining glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes. A number of interventions have been designed to improve self-management, but the outcomes of these are rarely explored from a qualitative angle and even fewer through a process evaluation.  Method  A process evaluation was conducted using a qualitative design with participants randomized to an intervention. Seventy-three people living with type 2 diabetes and hyperglycaemia for a minimum of 1 year, randomized to one of two interventions (n = 34 to an education intervention andn = 39 to an education and acceptance and commitment therapy intervention) completed stage one of the process evaluation, immediately following the intervention through written feedback guided by open-ended questions. A purposive sample of 27 participants completed semi-structured interviews at 3 and 6 months post intervention. Interview data were transcribed and data analysed using a thematic analysis.  Results  The majority of participants described an increase in knowledge around diabetes self-management and an increased sense of personal responsibility. Participants also described changes in self-management activities and reflected on the challenges in instigating and maintaining change to improve diabetes management.  Conclusion  The complexities of implementing change in daily life to improve glycaemic control indicate the need for ongoing support post intervention, which may increase and maintain the effectiveness of the intervention