Communication Characteristics Research Articles

Evaluating the Effects of Capacity Building and Training (CBT) on Sericulture Practices of Farmers in Rajouri District of Jammu and Kashmir, India

This study examines the effects of capacity building and training (CBT) on sericulture farmers in Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir UT. The research focuses on socio-economic and communication characteristics of sericulture farmers and evaluates the impact of CBT on their farming practices. A total of 25 sericulture farmers from sub-district Nowshera in Rajouri district were selected using simple random sampling. Data on registered farmers were obtained from the Department of Sericulture, Government of Jammu and Kashmir. Paired t-tests was employed to analyze the impact of CBT after implementation. The findings reveal significant improvements in various aspects of sericulture after CBT intervention. There was a notable increase in average seed intake, cocoon production, total family income, and income from sericulture. Furthermore, the mortality rate of silkworms decreased significantly after CBT training. The area under mulberry plantation and the number of mulberry plants also witnessed substantial increases post-training. Additionally, the application of disinfectant and the number of government schemes availed showed significant improvements. Overall, the study highlights the importance of CBT in enhancing the technical capabilities of sericulture farmers and improving their farming practices. The results underscore the significance of providing training in modern technology, integrated pest management, and disease management to enhance production outcomes in Sericulture.

Serotonin drives aggression and social behaviors of laboratory male mice in a semi-natural environment.

Aggression is an adaptive social behavior crucial for the stability and prosperity of social groups. When uncontrolled, aggression leads to pathological violence that disrupts group structure and individual wellbeing. The comorbidity of uncontrolled aggression across different psychopathologies makes it a potential endophenotype of mental disorders with the same neurobiological substrates. Serotonin plays a critical role in regulating impulsive and aggressive behaviors. Mice lacking in brain serotonin, due to the ablation of tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2), the rate-limiting enzyme in serotonin synthesis, could serve as a potential model for studying pathological aggression. Home cage monitoring allows for the continuous observation and quantification of social and non-social behaviors in group-housed, freely-moving mice. Using an ethological approach, we investigated the impact of central serotonin ablation on the everyday expression of social and non-social behaviors and their correlations in undisturbed, group-living Tph2-deficient and wildtype mice. By training a machine learning algorithm on behavioral time series, "allogrooming", "struggling at feeder", and "eating" emerged as key behaviors dissociating one genotype from the other. Although Tph2-deficient mice exhibited characteristics of pathological aggression and reduced communication compared to wildtype animals, they still demonstrated affiliative huddle behaviors to normal levels. Altogether, such a distinct and dynamic phenotype of Tph2-deficient mice influenced the group's structure and the subsequent development of its hierarchical organization. These aspects were analyzed using social network analysis and the Glicko rating methods. This study demonstrates the importance of the ethological approach for understanding the global impact of pathological aggression on various aspects of life, both at the individual and group levels. Home cage monitoring allows the observation of the natural behaviors of mice in a semi-natural habitat, providing an accurate representation of real-world phenomena and pathological mechanisms. The results of this study provide insights into the neurobiological substrate of pathological aggression and its potential role in complex brain disorders.

Where do neurodevelopmental conditions fit in transdiagnostic psychiatric frameworks? Incorporating a new neurodevelopmental spectrum.

Features of autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, learning disorders, intellectual disabilities, and communication and motor disorders usually emerge early in life and are associated with atypical neurodevelopment. These "neurodevelopmental conditions" are grouped together in the DSM-5 and ICD-11 to reflect their shared characteristics. Yet, reliance on categorical diagnoses poses significant challenges in both research and clinical settings (e.g., high co-occurrence, arbitrary diagnostic boundaries, high within-disorder heterogeneity). Taking a transdiagnostic dimensional approach provides a useful alternative for addressing these limitations, accounting for shared underpinnings across neurodevelopmental conditions, and characterizing their common co-occurrence and developmental continuity with other psychiatric conditions. Neurodevelopmental features have not been adequately considered in transdiagnostic psychiatric frameworks, although this would have fundamental implications for research and clinical practices. Growing evidence from studies on the structure of neurodevelopmental and other psychiatric conditions indicates that features of neurodevelopmental conditions cluster together, delineating a "neurodevelopmental spectrum" ranging from normative to impairing profiles. Studies on shared genetic underpinnings, overlapping cognitive and neural profiles, and similar developmental course and efficacy of support/treatment strategies indicate the validity of this neurodevelopmental spectrum. Further, characterizing this spectrum alongside other psychiatric dimensions has clinical utility, as it provides a fuller view of an individual's needs and strengths, and greater prognostic utility than diagnostic categories. Based on this compelling body of evidence, we argue that incorporating a new neurodevelopmental spectrum into transdiagnostic frameworks has considerable potential for transforming our understanding, classification, assessment, and clinical practices around neurodevelopmental and other psychiatric conditions.

Features of human capital development and communication

The purpose of this study is to study the sustainability of the personnel management system in the Russian Railways company by analyzing its personnel policy, as well as determining the impact of communication in the team and professional skills on the quality of management decisions. Based on the method of statistical observation of quantitative indicators of the personnel structure of the staff, the following indicators were determined: a change in the percentage of age groups, a change in the percentage of age groups and the level of education of employees. Based on the above indicators, it is possible to track the dynamics of the quality level of personnel management and its impact on the internal personnel processes of the company, and it is also possible to identify the relationship between professional competencies and communications on decisions made by employees. To achieve these goals, a study of generational guidelines, communication in the team, in particular between the immediate supervisor and a specialist, the impact of innovative approaches to training on improving the professional skills of employees, improving the quality of work and relationships in the team was conducted. We will consider various innovative teaching methods such as advanced training courses, retraining, distance learning system and their impact on the professional development of employees. It will also analyze how innovative approaches to learning contribute to the formation of a positive work environment and improve communication in the team. As a result of the research, it will be revealed which specific innovative methods can be most effective in achieving the goals of the organization. The optimal way of developing professional skills and competencies of employees, which can improve the quality of work, is also proposed. The choice of this topic is due to the inherent importance of human capital in the context of achieving the company’s strategic goals. In today’s business world, where competition is becoming more and more acute, the key factor for success is the quality of staff and their professional level. The introduction of innovative approaches in personnel management and building corporate culture is a necessary step to ensure competitiveness and successfully overcome the challenges of the modern market.

Application of Balint Intervention Groups in Professional Communication in Medical Science Education

Dear Editor The purpose of this research is to familiarize professors and students of medical sciences with the concept of Balint groups. Michael Balint created the Balint groups in 1957 in order to better understand the relationships between family doctors and their patients (1, 2). According to Michael Balint, in addition to medical education, doctors should also have proper communication skills and characteristics with patients (2, 3). Balint groups are one of the effective methods to improve therapist-client relationships in the form of 90-minute sessions, held weekly to monthly, over several years (4, 5). Each Balint group consists of 6 to 10 members with one to two leaders or facilitators. In these groups, usually, one person presents the desired topic, which can be the condition of a patient, in a period of 3 to 5 minutes, and the desired topic is discussed for an hour or more. All topics discussed in the group are confidential, and the leader emphasizes creating a safe environment that is based on trust and acceptance. The members of the group take turns expressing their opinions on the topic, and finally, the group leader summarizes the opinions, and the final result is obtained (6). Doctors in these groups have meetings to discuss their performance, the psychological aspects of their work, and the relationship between the doctor and the patient (1, 7). One of the goals of Balint groups is to increase one's knowledge by reporting on one's patient, discussing the topic in a safe environment, finding one's mistakes due to the feedback of others, and correcting one's emotional experiences in relation to the patient. Balint group members reveal their innermost feelings and experiences in order to be able to talk about a topic. In this way, members share their content with other group members in a non-judgmental environment. The group members benefit from the feedback of others and compare their experiences with the contents of other colleagues (8). Group discussions about feelings have the benefit of making people more aware of their feelings, thus enabling them to analyze and organize their information. Emotions and feelings in clinical work can be useful for patients if they are tolerated and understood by the doctor (9). Due to the rapid development of technology, the improvement of educational methods, and attention to the needs of patients, the importance of the Balint group should be given more attention due to the change in demographic characteristics (1). As a result, Balint groups have gradually been emphasized in medical education (10). In Balint groups, with the participation of students, the duration is shorter than in normal Balint groups, and the leader may be more active in describing their experiences (11). The presence of students in Balint groups leads to the development of empathy skills among medical students (12). For example, students are placed in a real and uncomfortable clinical situation to observe their reactions and increase their empathetic abilities, thus becoming more patient-centered (12, 13). Studies show that doctors who were part of Balint groups during their student period have a higher sense of control and satisfaction in their work environment. Also, these groups improve the skills of giving bad news in students (11). By attending these classes, students can use the professors' experiences with problematic issues in dealing with patients, which they have not observed during their studies. Improving doctor-patient relationships, reducing job burnout, and managing stress and anxiety are other benefits of participating in Balint groups (1). Medical schools should create an environment for students that will lead to progress in their socialization process (14). Therefore, it is suggested that Balint groups be used to improve teacher-student relationships in medical education.

The SoCAP (Social Communication, Affiliation, and Presence) Taxonomy of Social Features: Scoping Review of Commercially Available eHealth Apps.

eHealth interventions have proven to be valuable resources for users with diverse mental and behavioral health concerns. As these technologies continue to proliferate, both academic researchers and commercial app creators are leveraging the use of features that foster a sense of social connection on these digital platforms. Yet, the literature often insufficiently represents the functionality of these key social features, resulting in a lack of understanding of how they are being implemented. This study aimed to conduct a methodical review of commercially available eHealth apps to establish the SoCAP (social communication, affiliation, and presence) taxonomy of social features in eHealth apps. Our goal was to examine what types of social features are being used in eHealth apps and how they are implemented. A scoping review of commercially available eHealth apps was conducted to develop a taxonomy of social features. First, a shortlist of the 20 highest-rated eHealth apps was derived from One Mind PsyberGuide, a nonprofit organization with trained researchers who rate apps based on their (1) credibility, (2) user experience, and (3) transparency. Next, both mobile- and web-based versions of each app were double-coded by 2 trained raters to derive a list of social features. Subsequently, the social features were organized by category and tested on other apps to ensure their completeness. Four main categories of social features emerged: (1) communication features (videoconferencing, discussion boards, etc), (2) social presence features (chatbots, reminders, etc), (3) affiliation and identity features (avatars, profiles, etc), and (4) other social integrations (social network and other app integrations). Our review shows that eHealth apps frequently use resource-intensive interactions (eg, videoconferencing with a clinician and phone calls from a facilitator), which may be helpful for participants with high support needs. Furthermore, among commercially available eHealth apps, there is a strong reliance on automated features (eg, avatars, personalized multimedia, and tailored content) that enhance a sense of social presence without requiring a high level of input from a clinician or staff member. The SoCAP taxonomy includes a comprehensive list of social features and brief descriptions of how these features work. This classification system will provide academic and commercial eHealth app creators with an understanding of the various social features that are commonly implemented, which will allow them to apply these features to enhance their own apps. Future research may include comparing the synergistic effects of various combinations of these social features.

Understanding the morpho-functional features of embryo-maternal communication in canine placenta through in vivo and in vitro studies; implications for canine placenta as a translational model.

Understanding the morpho-functional features of embryo-maternal communication in canine placenta through in vivo and in vitro studies; implications for canine placenta as a translational model.

Formation of communicative competence of massage therapists with visual impairments: A research study

BackgroundCommunicative competence for massage therapists with visual impairments is an important aspect in ensuring their successful integration into the profession and society. However, visually impaired massage therapists face numerous barriers to effective communication during their education, hiring process, and professional employment. AimTo study why communicative competence is important for students with visual impairments; to research features of communication of persons with visual impairments; to identify barriers and effective strategies for formation of communicative competence in the educational process. DesignA qualitative descriptive study with focus groups and semi-structured interviews. SettingsHigher education institution in Lviv (Ukraine) offering a nursing programme for students with visual impairments. ParticipantsThree groups of respondents, namely visually impaired alumni of Lviv Medical Academy, Ukraine (n = 6), alumni's employers and co-workers (n = 4), and experts in the education of visually impaired persons (n = 11), participated in the research. MethodsTwo focus groups and in-depth semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematic coding was used to analyze transcripts. ResultsFive themes arose: significance of communication for nurse massage therapists with visual impairments; features of communication of persons with visual impairments; barriers to communication of persons with visual impairments; tools and approaches to improve communicative competence of massage therapists with visual impairments; ineffective methods in teaching communication to visually impaired students. ConclusionsCommunication barriers faced by visually impaired nursing students include isolation in specialized institutions, parental hypervigilance, and the challenge of establishing eye contact, which impedes reading nonverbal cues. To enhance communicative competence, it is essential to implement interactive teaching methods, involve students in various activities, ensure educational accessibility, and adopt an individualized and empathetic approach. Both inclusive and special education have advantages and disadvantages. It is recommended to advocate for a “reasonable accommodation” model to ensure high-quality education for visually impaired massage therapists.

Certain aspects of communication with persons interrogated in court in criminal proceedings

The purpose of this study was to investigate the legal, psychological, and tactical forensic aspects of communication with witnesses during court interrogation, as well as to determine the impact of these aspects on the use of their testimony as evidence and the dynamics of the trial. The methodological framework of the study included the theoretical analysis of the communicative aspects of testimonies, a review of scientific publications on this problematic, and the application of the structural and functional method. The study examined the communicative features of judicial examination of witnesses in criminal proceedings as a valuable tool for obtaining information about the factual circumstances of a case. The study showed that the success of a communication act during interrogation largely depends on the ability of the person conducting it to manage the course of communication and establish psychological contact with the witness. The complex and multifaceted nature of witness interrogation, which requires compliance with procedural rules and the use of forensic recommendations, was confirmed. It was found that psychological aspects play a significant role in communication during judicial interrogation. The study examined the role of the prosecutor and the defence lawyer in establishing the circumstances of the case through effective communication with witnesses. The study summarised the legal, psychological, and tactical features of obtaining testimony during various types of judicial interrogation, especially direct and cross-examination, with an emphasis on asking questions, including leading questions. This study will contribute to the development of practical recommendations for prosecutors and defence lawyers on effective communication with witnesses and improving their professional skills

COMPARISON OF VISITS TO THE FACEBOOK WEBSITE USING THE FACEBOOK PROPHET AND SARIMA MODELS

Facebook is widely used across various segments of society and offers significant potential as a marketing tool due to its diverse content and communication features. This study aims to forecast visits to the Facebook website for the period of March 2023 to February 2024 using two forecasting methods: the Facebook Prophet and SARIMA models. We analyzed 167 data points representing the percentage of visits to the Facebook website from April 2009 to February 2023, sourced from Statcounter. Our forecasting results indicate that the Facebook Prophet model yielded a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 22.3% and a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 16.2%. In comparison, the SARIMA model achieved a MAPE of 6.31% and an RMSE of 5.02%. Based on these accuracy metrics, the SARIMA model is determined to be more suitable for forecasting the percentage of visits to the Facebook social media website in Indonesia. This finding underscores the importance of selecting appropriate forecasting models for accurate predictions in social media analytics

How are discussions linked? A link analysis study on GitHub Discussions

Software development requires collaborative efforts and consensus among developers, emphasizing the need for effective communication and knowledge sharing within the teams. In line with this, GitHub introduced GitHub Discussions, a collaborative communication feature for the community around an open-source or internal project. The user-friendly interface of Discussions facilitates easy sharing of links to different resources. Maintainers highlight this feature’s significance, enabling users to maintain a well-informed project environment. We hypothesize that link-sharing activities in Discussions contribute to disseminating project knowledge. To investigate this hypothesis, we conducted a mixed-method study combining qualitative and quantitative analysis based on a convenience sample of ten open-source projects. We aimed to gain insight into the scope and intentions behind these shared links. Our findings indicate that link-sharing activities are common in the Discussions. Users share links to resources directly or indirectly related to the project/repository. Discussions users share links to project documentation, source code, and issues, aiming to clarify concepts, provide supplementary information, offer context to questions, and suggest new features. These findings offer insights for project maintainers to understand Discussions usage better and enable the GitHub Engineering team to promote the feature adoption.

The Problem of Visual Complexity: Criteria for Analysis and Evaluation

The article analyses the concept of visual complexity, highlighted by different researchers as a significant characteristic of contemporary visual communication and culture. The problem of ambiguity of the concept and its dependence on different objective and subjective factors and perception variables is posed. Formal categories and criteria for assessing visual complexity are defined, its stable patterns in the subject area of corporate identity —logo, are revealed. With the help of the identified categories visual complexity is analyzed through specific formal universal attributes that can be systematized, which makes it possible to answer the question of what makes a logo complex. The concept of complexity of corporate identity is meaningfully revealed from the point of view of designers — its direct developers, who determine the visual-graphic, constructive and plastic character of the brand logo. For the first time in the Russian-speaking scientific space, an empirical study of the position of professional designers regarding the significance of the proposed criteria was conducted. The quantitative survey method allowed objectifying the point of view of the professional audience: the data is characterized by stability in comparison with the data obtained from the general audience. Visual complexity is thus conceptualized and empirically operationalized without a gap between the theory and practice of visual communication. It is concluded that, as an expressive design tool, visual complexity is a positive characteristic in contemporary media communication.

Social comparisons at social networking sites: how social Media-induced fear of missing out and envy drive compulsive use

PurposeA major portion of our social interaction now occurs online, facilitated by social networking sites (SNSs) that enable people to connect and communicate at will. However, the characteristics of SNS communication can introduce problematic outcomes on otherwise healthy processes, one of which is social comparison. In this work, we investigate whether compulsive SNS use could be driven by two phenomena related to social comparison: the fear of missing out (FoMO) and envy.Design/methodology/approachUsing the stimulus-organism-response framework, we developed a model that was tested with data from a sample of SNS users (N = 330) based in the United States. The analysis was done through partial least squares structural equation modeling.FindingsOur findings show FoMO's association with the two forms of dispositional experienced envy, benign and malicious, as well as expected envy of others (expected envy). Interestingly, benign and expected envy were associated with SNS stalking and self-disclosure, but malicious envy had non-significant associations. Finally, both SNS stalking and self-disclosure were linked to compulsive SNS use.Originality/valueWe study the nuanced ways in which the two forms of experienced envy and expected envy can be triggered by FoMO and result in users' engagement with problematic SNS use. Our research provides evidence that, in addition to benign envy being an antecedent of compulsive SNS use, the wish to invoke envious feelings in others can also significantly drive compulsive use.

MACSFeD-a database of mosquito acoustic communication and swarming features.

Acoustic communication plays an important role during the courtship of many mosquito species. Male mosquitoes show strong attraction to female wing beat frequencies, mediated via spectral matching between female wing beat frequency and male ear mechanical tuning frequency. Such acoustic communication typically occurs within swarms, male-dominated aggregations with species-specific properties. Despite hundreds of relevant publications being available, the lack of a central platform hosting all associated data hinders research efforts and limits cross-species comparisons. Here, we introduce MACSFeD (Mosquito Acoustic Communication and Swarming Features Database), an interactive platform for the exploration of our comprehensive database containing 251 unique reports focusing on different aspects of mosquito acoustic communication, including hearing function, wing beat frequency and phonotaxis, as well as male swarming parameters. MACSFeD serves as an easily accessible, efficient, and robust data visualization tool for mosquito acoustic communication research. We envision that further in-depth studies could arise following the use of this new platform. Database URL: https://minmatt.shinyapps.io/MACSFeD/.

Empowering Collaborative Learning: Innovative Integration of Real-Time Communication Into Hololens-Based Learning System

This study primarily aims to investigate the effectiveness of the HoloLens-based learning system, RTCHoloLS, in enhancing collaborative learning skills in undergraduate photography courses. It provides empirical evidence showing how RTC-HoloLS addresses pedagogical challenges and improves collaborative learning outcomes, offering a holistic approach to photography education. Although Augmented Reality (AR) technology helps students theoretically understand camera operations in photography courses, it lacks in promoting collaborative learning skills during hands-on practice. To address this limitation, this study introduces the RTC-HoloLS, a HoloLens-based learning system with Real-Time Communication, and compares it to the conventional video streaming-based HoloLS (CVSHoloLS). The results indicate that RTC-HoloLS significantly enhances collaborative learning skills compared to CVS-HoloLS, highlighting the importance of integrating Real-Time Communication technologies in AR learning environments. Additionally, RTC-HoloLS was equally effective for both male and female students, whereas CVS-HoloLS showed greater benefits for male students. This suggests the need to consider gender differences in design and development to ensure the learning system accommodates all students. The findings have significant implications for instructional technology design and implementation, suggesting that educational institutions should prioritize real-time communication features in AR learning tools to enhance collaboration and interaction.

Develop an RS-485 Protocol for Arduino Boards Applied To Networked Real Time Control Systems

The Arduino microprocessor boards such as Mega 2560, UNO R3, Leonardo, Micro, and Nano are simple and low-cost tools for real-time measurement and control applications. These Arduino boards cannot be used in distributed systems because they lack the networking capabilities to transfer data across units. In this study, an RS-485 protocol for Arduino boards that operate in Master-Slave networks was developed. Network operations could be carried out independently on the main thread program, and devices in the network could react quickly to information received. This was made possible by the asynchronous serial communication feature and a high-speed timer provided in Arduino boards. The networks designed in this study were applied to an electric vehicle model with all-wheel drive and all-wheel steering capabilities for supermaneuverability as well as a saltwater intrusion early warning system installed in a river entry. The results showed that highly reliable and stable network operations could be achieved, thus extending the usage of popular Arduino boards for networked real-time applications.

Channel Characteristics of Hybrid Power Line Communication and Visible Light Communication Based on Distinct Optical Beam Configurations for 6G IoT Network

In the envisioned 6G internet of things (IoT), visible light communication (VLC) has emerged as one promising candidate to mitigate the frequency spectrum crisis. However, when working as the access point, VLC has to be connected with the backbone network via other wire communication solutions. Typically, power line communication (PLC) is viewed as an excellent match to VLC, which is capable of providing both a power supply and backbone network connection. Generally, the integration of PLC and VLC is taken into consideration for the above hybrid system for channel characteristics analysis. However, almost all current works focus on hybrid PLC and VLC, based on a conventional Lambertian optical beam configuration, and fail to address the applications of hybrid PLC and VLC based on distinct optical beam configurations. To address this issue, in this paper, the channel characteristics of hybrid PLC and VLC, based on distinct optical beam configurations, are explored and illustrated. Numerical results show that, for a central position of the receiver, compared with an achievable rate of about 194 Mbps for hybrid PLC and VLC with a baseline Lambertian optical beam configuration, the counterparts of a hybrid channel based on Rebel and NSPW optical beams are about 173.4 Mbps and 222.4 Mbps. Moreover, the effect of azimuth rotation is constructed and estimated for hybrid PLC and VLC, adopting a typical rotating asymmetric beam configuration.

On the development of criteria for determining the effectiveness of technical working groups: A case study about information processes in marine conservation and fisheries management in Belize

Use of scientific information in evidence-based decision-making is critically important in addressing coastal and ocean management concerns. In an ecosystem-based management context, ensuring that the “right” information (reliable) is available can be particularly challenging as the information often resides in different organizations with different management mandates. Many governmental and intergovernmental organizations have used a range of approaches, including technical advisory committees and working groups, to facilitate multidisciplinary input into the development of appropriate policies and management practices. This study examined the roles of multiple stakeholders participating in technical working groups that assist in decision-making for marine fisheries management in Belize, a coastal country in Central America. Through interviews with members of three working groups – the Spawning Aggregation Working Group, the Managed Access Working Group, and the National Hicatee Conservation and Monitoring Network – and decision-makers in the Belize Fisheries Department, information production processes and pathways for information uptake into policy were investigated. Major characteristics of communication at the science-policy interface associated with each working group were revealed. Important communication enablers and barriers were identified related to the operation of the working groups, such as membership commitment and resource availability, which influenced knowledge exchange within and outside the groups. Based on the results, a set of requirements for the creation and operation of effective working groups was formulated with regard to requisite inputs, the operational processes, and the types and uses of the information outputs of the groups. These requirements serve as a foundation for development of indicators of the effectiveness of working groups in environmental management contexts that support communication and decision-making at science-policy interfaces.

Problem Solving in Three-Dimensional Geometry: How Are Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers Mathematical Communication Characteristics?

Problem Solving in Three-Dimensional Geometry: How Are Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers Mathematical Communication Characteristics?

Внешние и внутренние угрозы как фактор риска для ведения эффективной политической коммуникации органов местного самоуправления

The article outlines the features of political communication of local governments in the context of new information challenges and threats. The role of municipal administrations in the formation of the information field is determined by the example of the Saratov region. The tasks facing the heads of local administrations in the process of information and communication support of their professional activities in social networks are analyzed. The risk factors for information support of the activities of local governments in the modern information space are identified. The article also examines information threats related to both internal processes and external factors of influence that local administrations of both large and small municipalities have to work with in the information space. The author also defines a number of criteria and recommendations that contribute to reducing information risks and threats, which significantly improve the effectiveness of political communication of local governments.