Dissemination Of Information Research Articles

Dynamic evolutionary analysis of opinion leaders’ and netizens’ uncertain information dissemination behavior considering random interference

Dynamic evolutionary analysis of opinion leaders’ and netizens’ uncertain information dissemination behavior considering random interference

Metadata of articles in the field of agriculture: complications in translating from Russian into English

The international information exchange opportunities including those in the field of agriculture have expanded due to the computer technology development. The metadata of domestic articles on agricultural themes are beginning to be translated into English. The Central Scientific Agricultural Library (CSAL) is directly related to the dissemination of agricultural information, including in English, as it prepares metadata of articles published in some Russian agricultural journals for indexation in the international agricultural information system AGRIS. Quality of these metadata translations from Russian into English has been analyzed. Data available in printed and / or electronic versions of some scientific agricultural publications collected by the Central Scientific Agricultural Library were involved. Typical shortcomings made by Russian-writing translators have been identified. This is excessive adherence to the original sentences; translation of individual words but not the total meaning; insufficient consideration of sectoral specifics during vocabulary choosing. The reasons for the appearance of these shortcomings are analyzed. Based on the generalization of the experience accumulated at the Central Scientific Agricultural Library in creating and editing such metadata, recommendations have been composed to improve the translation quality of titles and abstracts referring to agricultural articles. The nuances of using some terms, as well as working with abbreviations, names of organizations, and article titles are described. Editors are recommended to pay more attention to the compilation of English metadata and build the system of work in this direction.

HAPI: An efficient Hybrid Feature Engineering-based Approach for Propaganda Identification in social media.

Social media platforms serve as communication tools where users freely share information regardless of its accuracy. Propaganda on these platforms refers to the dissemination of biased or deceptive information aimed at influencing public opinion, encompassing various forms such as political campaigns, fake news, and conspiracy theories. This study introduces a Hybrid Feature Engineering Approach for Propaganda Identification (HAPI), designed to detect propaganda in text-based content like news articles and social media posts. HAPI combines conventional feature engineering methods with machine learning techniques to achieve high accuracy in propaganda detection. This study is conducted on data collected from Twitter via its API, and an annotation scheme is proposed to categorize tweets into binary classes (propaganda and non-propaganda). Hybrid feature engineering entails the amalgamation of various features, including Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency (TF-IDF), Bag of Words (BoW), Sentimental features, and tweet length, among others. Multiple Machine Learning classifiers undergo training and evaluation utilizing the proposed methodology, leveraging a selection of 40 pertinent features identified through the hybrid feature selection technique. All the selected algorithms including Multinomial Naive Bayes (MNB), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Decision Tree (DT), and Logistic Regression (LR) achieved promising results. The SVM-based HaPi (SVM-HaPi) exhibits superior performance among traditional algorithms, achieving precision, recall, F-Measure, and overall accuracy of 0.69, 0.69, 0.69, and 69.2%, respectively. Furthermore, the proposed approach is compared to well-known existing approaches where it overperformed most of the studies on several evaluation metrics. This research contributes to the development of a comprehensive system tailored for propaganda identification in textual content. Nonetheless, the purview of propaganda detection transcends textual data alone. Deep learning algorithms like Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) offer the capability to manage multimodal data, incorporating text, images, audio, and video, thereby considering not only the content itself but also its presentation and contextual nuances during dissemination.

A correlational study on the experiences of family members of trans and gender diverse people in Portugal

Introduction : Research on the experiences of family members of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people remains limited, despite their crucial impact on the well-being of TGD individuals. This study aimed to fill this gap, by investigating their experiences within the wider ecological context that influences them. Method : A sample of 87 parents, siblings, partners, children, and extended family members of TGD people (M age = 39.9) were surveyed through questionnaires about their reactions and concerns regarding the disclosure of their TGD relatives, experiences in education and health contexts, and perceptions of the Portuguese legal framework. Results: The results revealed largely positive reactions to disclosure, favorable experiences with healthcare services, and optimistic views of the Portuguese legal framework. Average scores were reported regarding distress and concerns at the time of disclosure and experiences with the education system. Additionally, results revealed a significant correlation between greater concerns and more negative reactions to disclosure. Discussion: These findings highlight the need for support and resources for family members of TGD people and wider dissemination of information on gender identity issues.

To cure sometimes, to relieve often, to publicise always: a case study of linguistic medicine landscapes in a (post)pandemic era

Hospitals serve as a public space for medical practice. They also serve as an educational space. Effective, transparent, and timely delivery of health information is important at all times but especially in times of pan/epidemics. A crucial part of the necessary information dissemination is language-in-use for multiple purposes (medical practice, education, research) among stakeholders. This study investigated the linguistic landscapes of hospitals in the People’s Republic of China (China) in the COVID (post)pandemic period, roughly 2019–2022, to consider health information as language-in-use. Specifically, we examine the linguistic landscapes of three Grade A Class 3 hospitals in a multilingual, ethnic minority region by analysing 2354 signs for multilingual combinations, functionality and the way translations were used. We consider the role of language awareness in the experiential dimension to understand the linguistic medical landscapes. Our findings detect potentially biases linked to translation and language awareness and leading to potentially misleading information. The analysis also suggests the importance of a socio-cognitive perspective of the experiential dimension for future LL studies.

Suboptimal micronutrient intake among children aged 6 to 23 months in Ethiopia: Further analysis of the demographic and health survey.

The recommended essential micronutrient such as food rich in vitamin-A or iron, multiple micronutrient powder or iron supplement, routine daily consumption of iodine, and vitamin-A supplement are deficient among children in Ethiopia. This has been a significant public health problem despite the government efforts. Although few studies have examined the micronutrient intake among children, they are limited in scope and methodological measurements. Analyzing the micronutrient intake among children across all regions and leveraging all essential micronutrient elements are crucial for generating improved evidence to better inform policy. Thus, we examined the micronutrient intake among children aged 6 to 23 months in Ethiopia. We used data from the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey. A two-stage stratified sampling technique was employed, and 1392 children aged 6 to 23 months were included in our analysis. We conducted a multilevel mixed-effect binary logistic regression analysis to identify determinants of micronutrient intake. In the final model, we used a p-value of less than 0.05 and Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with their 95% confidence interval (CI). We found that only 27.6% (95% CI: 26.8-31.6) of children aged 6 to 23 months were received the recommended micronutrients in Ethiopia. We identified that maternal educational status (Educated mothers (AOR = 2.09, 95%CI:1.23-3.58)), health facility delivery (AOR = 2.14, 95%CI:1.42-2.98), household wealth status (middle quantile (AOR = 1.80, 95%CI:1.01-3.21)), children's age (12 to 23 months age (AOR = 2.36, 95% CI: 1.33-4.21)), and mother's exposure to media (AOR = 1.70, 95%CI: 1.42-2.04) were increased micronutrient intake, whereas residing in the rural communities (AOR = 0.27, 95%CI: 0.21-0.34) decreased micronutrient intake. Nearly three-fourths of children aged 6 to 23 months did not receive the recommended essential micronutrients in Ethiopia. Therefore, there is a need to broaden strategies aimed at enhancing the intake by improving information and knowledge dissemination among mothers during facility visits and through media channels.

User perceptions of ICT-based library services in the universities of Bangladesh

PurposeThe main purpose of this study is to explore the existing information and communication technologies (ICTs) scenario in public and private university libraries in Bangladesh. The aim of the study was to determine the use and extent of ICT implementation for collection development practices of the said institutions.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on a structured questionnaire for university library users. Students' opinions have been encapsulated, and the data findings were analyzed and presented in light of the responses.FindingsFor students who responded to the questionnaire, their ICT-based knowledge usage experience is not up to the mark. In general, it was found that students had limited knowledge about ICT-based resources and services. Besides this, the study also showed how to improve the entire condition and services of these libraries by adopting modern technology. This investigation reveals the situation they encountered in applying information technology and puts forward necessary recommendations that may help improve their services in the information storing and dissemination process.Originality/valueThis study focuses on the user perceptions of ICT-based library services in university libraries in Bangladesh. It will prompt further research on user perceptions of ICT-based library services in academic libraries globally.

Unveiling the Influence of Media Platforms on Cultivating Brand Loyalty for Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP), Putrajaya

This study examines the impact of brand awareness, brand association, brand image, and perceived quality on brand loyalty for MAIWP in disseminating zakat-related information. A questionnaire was administered to 200 respondents from the Muslim community in Putrajaya, and data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results indicate that brand awareness, association, image, and perceived quality significantly influence brand loyalty. Higher awareness and positive associations contribute to increased loyalty, while a positive brand image and perceived quality enhance loyalty. These findings offer valuable insights for MAIWP in developing effective media platforms to foster engagement, trust, and seamless information dissemination.

Mitigating airborne infection risks in public transportation: A systematic review

Airborne infections pose significant challenges to public transportation systems which can result in significant decline in ridership levels and financial stress for operators. This systematic review presents a comprehensive overview of measures and strategies employed by ground public transportation agencies to protect passengers and staff while ensuring the uninterrupted operation. This study also conducted a bibliometric analysis to provide insights into key topics, publication patterns, and major contributors in the field of airborne transmission research in public transportation. We have included studies published from January 2003 to June 2024, which reported measures and recommendations for managing public transportation to reduce virus transmission. Of the 2848 initially identified studies, 69 met our eligibility criteria. Our review identified four key strategies to prevent virus transmission in public transportation, including air quality improvement, cleaning, mask-wearing, and social distancing in vehicles and stations. While social distancing poses a significant challenge to public transportation, the integration of crowd management techniques and technology-driven information dissemination can provide effective strategies for managing capacity. The adoption of technology-driven solutions, such as efficient filtration systems, automated mask detection mechanisms, ultraviolet disinfection devices, and real-time passenger information, is required to implement these strategies effectively. Transportation agencies can utilize an airborne infection risk calculator during pandemics and beyond to assess and mitigate the risk of airborne transmission in various modes of transportation. Lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic underscored the need for developing advanced technologies to enhance passenger and staff safety in public transportation vehicles and stations.

Ranking Edges by Their Impact on the Spectral Complexity of Information Diffusion over Networks

Ranking Edges by Their Impact on the Spectral Complexity of Information Diffusion over Networks

The model for the repeated propagation of information from constant spreaders based on individual cognition levels

On social media platforms, high-impact disseminators act as fixed sources of crucial news, consistently affecting information dissemination. Throughout the process of repeated information dissemination, the audience’s cognition gradually evolves, thereby shaping the pattern and effectiveness of information dissemination. In this study, we present a comprehensive analytical framework and a model for repeated information dissemination, to explain the dynamics of information flow from fixed communicators on social media platforms as well as the dynamic evolution of audience cognition. The model incorporates periodic information sources and considers the directionality of propagation. Through quantitative analysis, we assess the evolution of audience cognition during repeated dissemination and investigate the impact of source complexity, dissemination periodicity, audience psychological fatigue, and cognitive disparities on dissemination effectiveness. Theoretical analysis reveals periodic solutions and threshold conditions for persistence in information dissemination. Furthermore, our research finds that moderate propaganda frequency and intensity can enhance dissemination effectiveness; whereas excessive propaganda may induce fatigue and reduce audience cognition efficacy. Empirical validation of the model demonstrates its effectiveness, offering new perspectives and scientific basis for understanding mechanisms of social media information dissemination and optimizing strategies for news dissemination.

The coupled dynamics of information-behavior-epidemic propagation considering the heterogeneity of adoption thresholds and network structures in multiplex networks

During epidemics, individual responses to prevention and control information vary significantly, affecting the execution of preventive measures. This paper introduces a novel model to analyze the co-evolution of the information-behavior-epidemic dynamic, accounting for the heterogeneity in individual behavioral adoption thresholds and network structures. The model consists of three layers: the upper layer, utilizing scale-free social networks to represent the diffusion of information; the middle and lower layers, employing community networks, to illustrate individuals’ decision-making and epidemic transmission processes, respectively. We applied the Heaviside step function to depict the effects of information and local environmental factors on individuals’ decisions. Through the microscopic Markov chain approach (MMCA), we determined the epidemic threshold. Our methodology also included extensive Monte Carlo (MC) simulations to validate our theoretical predictions. Our results reveal several key insights: (i) reducing community mobility and the threshold for adopting preventive behaviors can significantly restrain the scale of the epidemic and delay outbreaks; (ii) the level of individual activity in the physical contact network has a significant influence on epidemic transmission; (iii) integrating individuals’ behavior adoption thresholds induces a two-stage phase change, deviating from the continuous phase transition typically observed in epidemic transmission.

Informing parents of newborns with sickle cell trait detected at neonatal screening: A northern France experience.

Neonatal screening for sickle cell disease (SCD) in France, targeted since 1995, indirectly detects newborns with sickle cell trait (SCT). Information about carrier status must be communicated to families in accordance with the 2006 National Consultative Ethics Committee recommendations; however, no national protocol for this exists. In the departments of Nord and Pas-de-Calais, the Regional Neonatal Screening Center transmits this information through a general practitioner (GP). This study aimed to assess the success rate of local practices in transmitting SCT information to parents. The secondary objectives included explaining transmission failures, evaluating post-information couple screening rates, and conducting a nationwide evaluation of SCT information dissemination. In this retrospective, multicenter study, family doctors were surveyed regarding newborns screened for SCT between January 1 and December 31, 2020, in the Nord and Pas-de-Calais departments. Among the 260 screened newborns, 197 were eligible for analysis. Results showed that 31.2% of newborns with SCT had their GP definitively sharing information with their parents. Based on this information, subsequent parental screening accounted for 13.6% of cases. The reasons cited by the GP for failing to convey information included elusive families (52.5%), unfamiliarity or refusal of the role (35%), limited SCD knowledge (25%), and ethical considerations (12.5%). This study highlights the difficulty and heterogeneity in transmitting carrier status information to parents of newborns with SCT. Our findings could serve as a foundation for the development of new methods for information transmission, given the generalization of neonatal screening for SCD by the French National Authority for Health.

Determinants of Blockchain Technology Adoption in the Australian Agricultural Supply Chain: A Systematic Literature Review

Blockchain technology (BCT) is emerging as a key enabler of sustainability in various sectors, including agriculture. This study explores the impact of BCT adoption on sustainability within the Australian agriculture sector. Through a systematic literature review (SLR) of studies published between 2015 and 2021, ten key themes influencing BCT adoption were identified: transparency, traceability, contract exchange, transaction efficiency, trade finance management, quality control, real-time information dissemination, security, trust, and legislative frameworks. The findings suggest that BCT adoption in agriculture can lead to improved sustainability outcomes. By enhancing transparency and traceability, BCT enables stakeholders to track the provenance of products, reducing the risk of fraud and ensuring compliance with environmental standards. The automation and efficiency gains afforded by BCT streamline supply chain processes, reducing waste and resource consumption. BCT enhances trust among stakeholders, fostering collaboration and information sharing to address sustainability challenges. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting how BCT can drive sustainability in agriculture through improved transparency, efficiency, and collaboration.

The political economy of mini-grid electricity development and innovation in Kenya

Accessible and affordable energy services are a prerequisite for socioeconomic growth and poverty reduction. Yet it is estimated that 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa will not have access to electricity in 2030. Recent research suggests that universal access to electricity will be achieved through a mix of centralized and decentralized systems and that the diffusion of these technologies is a socio-technical process involving multiple actors. These actors include firms, networks, energy users, and government agencies that interact within a political landscape to deliver innovation within energy service systems. Thus, factors related to the political economy can impact the process of innovation and warrant analysis. This study aims to provide an analysis of the political economy factors that can influence the emergence of mini grid electricity development in the African context exemplified in Kenya as a case study. The study uses the Technology Innovation Systems (TIS) lens as an analytical framework to provide a critical analysis of how political economy factors have influenced the development of mini grid electricity in Kenya. The result shows that despite the presence of some favorable conditions for innovation, political economy factors significantly impede the deployment of mini grids in Kenya. Power and vested interests have created negative competition between public and private developers, limiting knowledge and information diffusion between actors and stalling mini grid developments where they are most needed.

Main Criteria for the Classification of Disinformation and Attempts to Criminalisation of Its Spread in Ukraine

Based on the methodology of documentary review of scientific sources, available materials of public organisations, the judicial practices in investigating cases of disinformation spread, Ukrainian and foreign sources, the process of disinformation propagation has been researched. Using this approach, the main criteria for classifying disinformation by domains, objectives, methods, sources, forms, and channels were formulated. It was found that in Ukraine, there is still no unified legislative practice to counter disinformation, which leads to the uncontrolled application of manipulative processes and the dissemination of unreliable information by hostile intelligence services. Mass media and other channels of disinformation dissemination continue to evade the attention of law enforcement agencies, for instance, in the fields of economics, science, education, culture, and sports.

“The Right to Our Own Body Is Over”: Justifications of COVID-19 Vaccine Opponents on Israeli Social Media

Vaccines decrease morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, their benefits depend on public response. During COVID-19, vaccine hesitancy and refusal were rampant, threatening public health. A thorough understanding of opponents’ arguments is required to address the diffusion of unreliable information on social media and prevent vaccine hesitancy from developing into vaccine refusal. The focus on the opponents’ viewpoints and their justifications makes the study unique. Accordingly, textual content analysis of reader comments on three health-related Israeli Facebook pages was conducted. Data collection encompassed the Israeli COVID-19 vaccination period from October 2020 to May 2022. The comments were analyzed according to the health beliefs model (HBM). We found that vaccine opponents were characterized by low perceptions of the severity of the disease combined with high perceptions of the damages of the vaccine; low perceived benefits of vaccine compliance; vaccine hesitancy and fear along with public distrust as barriers to change; and call for action to resist the vaccine and spread related anti-establishment views on the web. Hesitancy was found to develop into public distrust in the state systems and escalate into conspiracy beliefs and anti-vaccination activism. These results are important and instructive that early detection is necessary to prevent future vaccine resistance.

Impression Communication Management on Organizational Communication: LAZ Coal Case Study

This case study delves into the significance of impression communication management in influencing organizational communication at LAZ Coal, a prominent coal mining company. The findings provide valuable insights for scholars and practitioners in the fields of organizationalhis research explores the impact of strategic impression communication on stakeholder perceptions, information sharing, and the overall communication environment within an organization. The extensive body of research on impression management emphasizes its importance in projecting a positive organizational image and effectively managing stakeholder perceptions. In the same vein, studies on organizational communication highlight its crucial importance in promoting the sharing of information, teamwork, and the establishment of a unified organizational culture. This case study seeks to combine these two areas to explore how impression communication management and organizational communication interact with each other. This research utilizes a qualitative, multi-method design, following the case study approach proposed by RK Yin. We collected data by conducting in-depth interviews with key personnel, analyzing internal communications documents, and observing organizational interactions. The case study approach provided a thorough understanding of the phenomenon within the LAZ Coal setting, taking into account the context and various factors involved. The findings highlight how LAZ Coal's strategic approach to communication has had a significant impact on both internal and external dynamics. This includes their consistent messaging, selective information dissemination, and effective use of communication channels. As a result, employee engagement, stakeholder perceptions, and the overall communicative culture within the company have been significantly influenced. The case study highlights the significance of incorporating impression communication management into the overall organizational communication strategy. By acknowledging the interdependence of these two areas, LAZ Coal and similar organizations can improve their capacity to present a positive image, promote open information exchange, and foster a cooperative and effective communication environment. The findings provide valuable insights for scholars and practitioners in the fields of organizational communication and strategic management.

Climate Change Adaptation Strategies and Its Impact on Household Vulnerability to Food Insecurity: A Micro-Level Evidence from Southwest Ethiopia

Smallholder farmers in Ethiopia face increasing challenges from climate change and variability, which threaten their food security and livelihoods. This study examines how adopting single and combined climate change adaptation practices affects their vulnerability to food insecurity in Bench Maji Zone, southwest Ethiopia. Through multistage sampling, data were gathered from 390 rural households in four climate-prone districts. The study examines the impacts resulting from both individual and combined implementations of adaptation techniques. These techniques encompass crop management practices, soil and water conservation measures, and livelihood portfolio diversification strategies. The study employed the multinomial endogenous treatment effect regression model to address selection bias and endogeneity resulting from various sources of heterogeneity, whether observed or unobserved. The results show that farmers who adopted adaptation practices were less vulnerable to food insecurity than those who did not. The study also finds that adopting multiple practices has a more significant impact than adopting single practices. Our findings suggest that implementing climate change adaptation strategies can increase the resilience of smallholder farmers in the study area and decrease their vulnerability to food insecurity. The study recommends supporting farmers in adopting these strategies through research and development, information dissemination, and collaborations among farmers, researchers, and extension services.

Empowering new survivors with old lessons? Insights from the Bosnian war aftermath applied to upcoming Ukrainian post-realities

ABSTRACT In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, media narratives drew stark parallels with the violent disintegration of the former Yugoslavia, instigating discussions on historical similarities and current sociopolitical relations. This paper explores the responses of Bosnian war rape survivors and activists to the gender-based violence during the invasion and draws insights or potential lessons learned for application in Ukraine. As survivors and activists advocate for documentation and warn of the prolonged journey to justice, they navigate triggering narratives reminiscent of Bosnia’s past. Utilizing qualitative content analysis of English and Bosnian-Croatian-Serb language media articles from March to December 2022, the study identifies recurring themes and patterns, referencing the Bosnian conflict as a point of comparison. Using “post” as a temporal and analytical framework, the focus narrows to trauma narratives, the dynamics of breaking the silence, and the distinctive feature of mass digitization in the Ukrainian context. The empowerment of survivors through digital platforms is explored, shedding light on the evolving nature of information dissemination. The paper aims to provide a foundation for understanding the challenges and opportunities for post-conflict recovery and gender trauma healing in the Ukrainian context, based on social factors rather than clinical ones.