Media Penetration Research Articles

Determinants on the selection of rural households’ financial assets in China: marketization or financial literacy?

Financial literacy is an indispensable factor in household asset allocation, but market-oriented reforms are also an external factor that cannot be ignored. Using data from the 2013 and 2019 China Household Financial Survey (CHFS), this paper investigates whether the individual’s ability or the market system hinders rural households’ participation and asset investment in the financial market. Findings reveal that both marketization and financial literacy positively affect residents’ financial activities, but the roles of the two are not the same. Financial literacy is an essential factor in increasing participation in the financial market. Moreover, marketization and financial literacy significantly affect rural financial asset allocation decisions in four ways: changing risk preference, using the Internet, alleviating liquid constraints and increasing education expenditure on offspring. Besides, households’ financial behaviors exhibit a stronger correlation with improved network infrastructure, robust legal frameworks, favorable business credit environments, higher social media penetration, and enhanced human capital.

Social Media and Digital Inequity: Reducing Health Inequities by Closing the Digital Divide

As its usage has grown, social media has positively and negatively impacted public health. Although social media presents known harms to mental health and spreads misinformation, it also offers rapid dissemination of public health information, expanded access to health resources, and a robust source of health information. However, these benefits are not equitably shared due in part to the “digital divide” of unequal access and use of information and communication technologies. Measurable inequalities in digital access exist among regions, with an eight-fold difference between Central Africa (9.8% social media penetration) and Northern Europe (80.2% social media penetration). Digital inequalities also differ by gender, age, and socioeconomic classes within countries. Increased digital access has been positively associated with improved health information and outcomes related to chronic diseases, infectious disease outbreaks, and reproductive health. Given the expanding role of social media in public health and the emerging evidence on the health benefits of digital access, we argue for reducing digital inequities by (1) creating an enabling government policy and regulatory environment that views digital health access as a social determinant of health; (2) targeting public and private investments to expand digital access for underserved regions and populations; (3) making digital access and use affordable to low-resource populations; and (4) improving digital competency among these groups through digital literacy programs.

Investigation of the electrical quality and long-term stability of aluminum ground stud connections in automotive applications

The rapid advancement in the electrification of modern vehicles has led to a continuous increase in electrical consumers for various comfort and safety functions. Ground studs serve as the electrical interface between the conductive vehicle body and the onboard network. Drawn arc stud welding is an economical and established joining process for producing ground stud joints. The circuits in the onboard network are increasingly subject to greater demands regarding current-carrying capacity and long-term stability. Reliable signal and power transmission require minimal contact resistance at the electrical connection points of the ground stud system and must withstand various operating and environmental conditions over the entire service life. In this study, a ground stud made of AlMg5, with a ZnNi-coated steel cap nut was used on a 2.0 mm thick sheet of AlMg3. The electrical connection of the ground studs was made using tinned copper cable lugs and 35 mm² cables. To analyze the electrical resistance behavior in an accelerated test, the ground studs were subjected to a superimposed load with a cyclic current profile for 1008 hours under changing climatic conditions. The results show that under the chosen operational and environmental conditions, accelerated aging and intermittent resistance behavior occur. A characteristic drop in resistance during the test indicates the failure point of the electrical connection. The cause of failure can be attributed to media penetration into the electrical contact zone. A failure of the electrical connection was observed after 512 hours.

Analysis of Media Penetration and Economic Growth Nexus in South Africa

Analysis of Media Penetration and Economic Growth Nexus in South Africa

3D printed tinidazole tablets coupled with melt-extrusion techniques for formulating child friendly medicines

This study investigates the feasibility of fabrication of poly(1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (Kollidon®25)-mediated filaments for producing tinidazole (TNZ)-loaded, customizable, child-friendly tablets (with varying shapes and sizes) using hot melt extrusion (HME) coupled with fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology. Kollidon®25, chosen for its ability to enhance the dissolution of TNZ (a BCS Class II drug), was evaluated for polymer-drug compatibility through Hansen solubility, polarity, and interaction parameter analyses, confirming good miscibility and affinity between TNZ and Kollidon®25. Placebo- and TNZ-loaded filaments were prepared in different ratios using HME, followed by the development of 3D-printed tablets via FDM. The fabricated batches of placebo and TNZ-loaded 3D tablets were characterized, and it was found that they had an average weight variation of 270.41 ± 7.44 mg and 270.87 ± 9.33 mg, hardness of 155.01 ± 11.79 N and 265.3 ± 7.62 N, and friability of 0.1583 ± 0.0011 % and 0.2254 ± 0.0013 %. Amorphization was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a layer-by-layer pattern with tiny fractures on the tablet surfaces, which enhanced media penetration, resulting in improved dissolution profiles. The TNZ release profile showed complete 100 % release within 2.0 h in a gastric acidic medium. These findings support the potential of Kollidon®25 to create customizable, child-friendly, 3D-printed dosage forms with different shapes and sizes for TNZ delivery, offering a unique approach to paediatric medications.

Effect of changes in organo-silicon electrolyte concentration and composition on SiO2 ceramic coating prepared by plasma electrolytic oxidation on 6061 aluminum alloy

An amorphous SiO2 ceramic coating with a thickness of ∼72 μm is prepared within 13 min in organo-silicon electrolyte, which is stable in strong acid solutions, reducing corrosion current density of 6061 aluminum alloy by 3 orders of magnitude. With the aim to reveal influence of the electrolyte concentration, NaOH content and additive (NaPO3)6 on microstructure and corrosion resistance of the coatings, SEM/EDS, XRD, electrochemical tests were used to characterize their thickness, surface and cross-sectional morphology and structure, and corrosion performance prepared by using different electrolytes under the same electric control parameters. The results show that they significantly affect the surface morphology, structure and corrosion resistance of the coatings. Dilution of the electrolyte results in a significant decrease in coating thickness and surface porosity, reduction of NaOH content leads to coating thinning, increased porosity but reduced pore size. Coatings with lower porosity or smaller pore sizes are more effective in resisting corrosive media penetration for long term immersion. Whereas, the additive (NaPO3)6 promotes coating thickening, widening of the transition layer, which helpfully improves the corrosion resistance of the coating.

Does Social Media Penetration Enhance Democratic Institutions? Evidence from Varieties of Democracy Data

AbstractWe examine whether social media enhances democracy using cross-sectional data from 145 countries. We used Facebook penetration as a proxy for social media. Also, based on the complex definition of democracy, high-level indices, such as egalitarian, participatory, liberal, electoral, and deliberative democracies, were used to capture democracy. Our endogeneity-corrected results documented that high social media penetration, on average, enhances all forms of democracy. In descending order, social media penetration has contributed more to enhancing democracy in high-income economies, followed by lower-middle and upper-middle income economies. In low-income economies, social media penetration has a negative effect on democracy indices. We also documented heterogeneity in the findings based on regions. Marginal analysis also revealed that the positive effect of social media on democracy is higher in countries with higher internet penetration. We suggest that with appropriate interventions, policymakers could leverage social media to enhance democratic institutions.

Deciphering the dynamics of human-environment interaction in China: Insights into renewable energy, sustainable consumption patterns, and carbon emissions

The increasing acknowledgment of the complex interplay between human actions and the natural world has generated a need to decipher human-environmental interdependence's ecological dynamics. The present research examines the intricate dynamics of the interplay between humans and the environment in China spanning 1975 to 2022. The results show that coal energy (i.e., -0.057, p < 0.050) and fossil fuel consumption (i.e., -0.766, p < 0.050) negatively affect renewable energy outcomes, highlighting the need for transitioning to cleaner energy sources. Conversely, energy use (0.006, p < 0.000), carbon pricing (0.480, p < 0.050), economic growth (0.0005, p < 0.050), and public awareness (0.040, p < 0.010) are positive drivers of renewable energy outcomes, suggesting the importance of policies promoting sustainable energy practices and raising environmental consciousness. Regarding sustainable consumption practices, materialistic practices (-0.0.004, p < 0.050), marketing strategies (-1.642, p < 0.000), and socioeconomic status (-2.026, p < 0.050) have adverse effects, while environmental awareness exhibits a positive influence. These findings underscore the significance of promoting environmentally conscious behavior and addressing societal factors that hinder sustainable consumption patterns. Furthermore, the study reveals that hedonic adaptation (0.036, p < 0.050) contributes to increased carbon emissions, indicating the need for strategies that mitigate the impact of changing living standards on the environment. Conversely, media penetration (-0.028, p < 0.010) and effective government communication are associated with decreased carbon emissions, underscoring the potential of media campaigns and informative communications to foster behavioral changes and encourage sustainable practices. Regulators may develop all-encompassing strategies to fight environmental damage and encourage a better tomorrow by providing incentives for using alternative energy sources, encouraging environmentally aware consumerism, and using the power of the press.

Augmented physical, mechanical, and cellular responsiveness of gelatin-aldehyde modified xanthan hydrogel through incorporation of silicon nanoparticles for bone tissue engineering

Bioactive scaffolds fabricated from a combination of organic and inorganic biomaterials are a promising approach for addressing defects in bone tissue engineering. In the present study, a self-crosslinked nanocomposite hydrogel, composed of gelatin/aldehyde-modified xanthan (Gel-AXG) is successfully developed by varying concentrations of porous silicon nanoparticles (PSiNPs). The effect of PSiNPs incorporation on physical, mechanical, and biological performance of the nanocomposite hydrogel is evaluated. Morphological analysis reveals formation of highly porous 3D microstructures with interconnected pores in all nanocomposite hydrogels. Increased content of PSiNPs results in a lower swelling ratio, reduced porosity and pore size, which in turn impeded media penetration and slowed down the degradation process. In addition, remarkable enhancements in dynamic mechanical properties are observed in Gel-AXG-8%Si (compressive strength: 0.6223 MPa at 90 % strain and compressive modulus: 0.054 MPa), along with improved biomineralization ability via hydroxyapatite formation after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF). This optimized nanocomposite hydrogel provides a sustained release of Si ions at safe dose levels. Furthermore, in-vitro cytocompatibility studies using MG-63 cells exhibited remarkable performance in terms of cell attachment, proliferation, and ALP activity for Gel-AXG-8%Si. These findings suggest that the prepared nanocomposite hydrogel holds promising potential as a scaffold for bone tissue engineering.

Scopus Indexed Indian Journal of Extension Education: Crafting Improvement Strategy through Altmetric and Bibliometric Analysis

The present paper includes a comprehensive bibliometric and altmetric analysis of the Indian Journal of Extension Education (IJEE), the first and only Scopus-indexed Indian journal from the discipline of Extension Education employing VOSviewer and R-packages. As the official journal of the Indian Society of Extension Education, IJEE covers diverse subject areas, including agricultural extension, rural sociology, information communication technology (ICT) application in agriculture, climate change, and other contemporary social issues. The study examined 543 authors and 263 organizations in co-authorship, considered 625 keywords in co-occurrence, evaluated 156 documents in the citation, and investigated 2849 cited references, 1416 cited sources, and 5203 cited authors in co citation. The results highlighted the influential papers and authors, providing insights into research trends and areas of significance by R-packages. It also explained the thematic map showing the emerging, developing, and already developed research topics in modern trends. The altmetric analysis of the 5 most cited papers from IJEE looked into the research paper’s citations, usage, captures, mentions, and social media penetration. While confirming conventional knowledge, the study identified unique situations indicating the growth of IJEE, contributing valuable perspectives for researchers and stakeholders in extension education and related fields.

A Narrative Review on Human Anxiety Detection in Social Media using Natural Language Processing

Currently, with the boundless proliferation of social media platforms, it is undoubted that the world is in the middle of a significant phase of social media evolution. These virtually created user environments allow users to create, share, and interact with content. Most people who interact with social media make a pitch to share their mood, tension, feelings, and behaviour unhesitatingly with the community. Mostly, these data can be taken as a mirror that reflects the mental health status of a person, such as stress, anxiety, and suffering. With increased social media penetration, people tend to share their disturbances rather than suffer alone. Anxiety can be taken as an ordinary human emotion which prepares the human body for potentially vulnerable situations. It would be beneficial if there were any system that could predict if a person is anxious before going through a critical situation that would have to be clinically treated. This study is a narrative review of anxiety detection over the past ten years. Furthermore, this qualitative study discusses an overview of anxiety detection using Natural Language Processing (NLP) and key concepts highlighting emerging trends. We conclude that the existing state-of-the-art social media anxiety detection mechanisms can be outperformed using deep learning based on large pre-trained language models. Furthermore, it can be safely stated that a specific pre-trained large language model for social media anxiety detection is a crucial necessity yet to be fulfilled.

Robust water-borne multi-layered superhydrophobic coating on concrete with ultra-low permeability

Concrete always suffers from deterioration under harsh conditions due to its hydrophilicity and porosity. Water and aggressive ions can easily penetrate the concrete which may result in safety concerns and tremendous economic loss. Coating protection can effectively prevent concrete from aggressive media penetration and improve concrete durability. Here, we fabricated a multi-layered superhydrophobic (MLS) coating with excellent superhydrophobicity and low permeability. The coating can maintain superhydrophobicity after heat treatment at 300 °C, 115-day outdoor exposure, and 500 cycles of Taber abrasion under a 1-kg load. Moreover, it has excellent resistance to chloride ions. We believe that the MLS coating has an interesting application prospect in concrete anticorrosion in bridges, ships, and other fields.

Human vulnerability assessment based on bullet motion and cavity expansion model with tissue identification

In human vulnerability assessment, the wound characteristics are derived from a single soft media penetration experiment, and there is a lack of mathematical model or algorithm to accurately describe the bullet motion (consider bullet rolling) and temporary cavity variation during bullet penetration into different soft media. This paper derives a bullet motion and cavity expansion-contraction model for bullet penetration into soft tissue; Established a dynamic wound reconstruction model based on neural networks that considers tissue differences. Assessment of damage to tissues using the Abbreviated Injury Scale; Developed software for assessing human vulnerability based on dynamic wound reconstruction. Research results show that the bullet motion model and the cavity expansion-contraction model can predict the characteristic volume of the wound and the temporary cavity profile changes during bullet penetration more accurately; the maximum temporary cavity diameters of the muscle wound, the cardiac wound, and the muscle-cardiac-muscle coupling wound are 183.6, 158.06, and 174.74 mm respectively, and using the cavity in a single target as the basis for human injury assessment will introduce errors. The process of bullet penetration into soft tissue can be accurately described based on a predictive model that considers tissue differences. This paper provides the model that improves the accuracy of human injury assessment compared to existing penetration models.

Workplace learning and information exchange among gig workers: crowdsourcing and the social media advantage

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to understand the scope and nature of information sharing as a form of workplace learning among gig workers.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from public social media communities of gig workers in Thailand. In total, 338 posts and 3,022 comments on the posts were analyzed (data corpus N = 3,360). Thailand was selected for the context of this study given its high level of social media penetration, a high percentage of digital service consumption of internet users and the prevalence of app-based gig workers. This study used thematic analysis using inductive and semantic coding to generate themes.FindingsFindings showed two overarching themes of information sharing, which included on-the-job experience and inquiries. One surprising finding was the extent to which gig workers used social media to help others even when it potentially undermined their success.Research limitations/implicationsThis study adds evidence to the role of information sharing in workplace learning and illustrates how gig workers who do not have access to traditional training and learning opportunities use social media communities to fill this need.Originality/valueGiven the surge of digitalization and internet infrastructure leading to the rise of gig work worldwide, this study provides a closer look at how gig workers are using social media communities to facilitate workplace learning and support one another amid otherwise difficult and insecure working conditions. It also discusses the role that culture plays in facilitating a cooperative rather than a competitive environment among drivers.

Hubungan Sikap Dengan Pengetahuan Remaja Tentang Kesehatan Reproduksi

The globalization of information through the media has caused changes in the sexual behavior of teenagers in general. Sexual exploitation in television, magazines, video clips, online media and films influences many young people to engage in sexual activities freely. Media penetration of changes in adolescent sexual behavior due to not being accompanied by adequate sex education both at home by parents and at school by teachers. The aim of this research is to determine the attitude factor analysis of adolescent knowledge about reproductive health.&#x0D; This type of research uses quantitative research, this research uses a cross sectional research design, which is research that studies the correlation between exposure or risk factors (independent) and consequences or effects (dependent), with data collection carried out simultaneously at one time between risk factors and the effect (point time approach). The population and sample in this study were all teenagers who lived in the working area of the Padongko Health Center, Barru Regency, totaling 82 people and the sampling technique used was accidental sampling.&#x0D; The results of the research to look at the Chi-Square table, obtained (dk) or (df) = 1 and the significance level was set at 0.05, so the Chi-Square table value was 49.801. Based on the results of the Chi-Square test, it was found that the calculated Chi-Square value was smaller in the Chi-Square table (4,880 &lt; 49,801). Based on this value because the calculated chi-square value &lt; chi-square table, it can be concluded that adolescent knowledge is related to reproductive health. . Based on the results of the analysis of the asymp.sig value of 0.027 &lt; 0.05, it can be concluded that adolescent knowledge is related to reproductive health.&#x0D; Suggestions for the midwife profession can increase its role in providing health education and counseling regarding adolescent reproductive health.

New evidence of the relationship between media, culture industry, and mineral efficiency in high and low income asian economies

In addressing the current challenge, this research thoroughly investigates the intricate interplay between media, culture, and mineral efficiency in 23 diverse Asian economies, classified based on their income levels. Leveraging data spanning from 2005 to 2020 and utilizing logarithmic transformations, this study navigates the complex web of relationships. The results highlight a notable positive impact of media penetration on mineral efficiency, particularly in high and upper middle-income nations that boast advanced media infrastructure and higher levels of education. Concurrently, increased government expenditure on media amplifies mineral efficiency within these contexts. The influence of advertising, however, varies depending on consumer behavior, media infrastructure, and market maturity. Control variables bring to light the negative impact of population size and the positive correlation of clean energy with mineral efficiency in high and upper middle-income economies. Formulating tailored policies for media-driven enhancement of mineral efficiency is crucial for both income groups, with a focus on strategic campaigns, cultural initiatives, and educational programs.

BRAZILIAN TRANSLATION OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN VERNACULAR ENGLISH: GIVING VOICE TO THE AFRICAN DIASPORA

African-American Vernacular English has been simulated in literature through eye dialect or feigned orality at least since the time of Mark Twain and Joel Chandler Harris, lurching between realism, empathetic paternalism, and hostile caricature. More recently, Black authors and filmmakers have been foregrounding the connection between identity, speech, and code-switching, and African-American Vernacular English is becoming increasingly present in media. Combined with expanding global media penetration, this trend has created a situation that translators and subtitlers worldwide must address. Among the small body of research on the translation of dialect/orality in Brazil, specific analysis of African-American Vernacular English is lacking, which is surprising, since Brazil is a major consumer of imported American cultural products and home to the second-largest African diaspora community in the world. Because no race-based dialects exist in Brazilian Portuguese, three general translation strategies have been used to represent African-American Vernacular English: homogenizing, ruralizing, and urbanizing. Examples will be presented of each strategy, their limitations will be discussed, and translator justifications for their use will be explored. A recent apparent trend away from homogenization will also be discussed.

Does Social Media Moderate the Link Between Tourism and Economic Well-Being? Evidence From the Iterated Gmm Approach

The relevance of social media to tourism and, subsequently, economic well-being is demonstrable in the target marketing of tourism products and services to potential customers at tourist destinations. Using a dataset from the 40 most visited countries across different continents over the period 2009 to 2020, this study investigates the effect of tourism and social media on economic well-being. It also examines the role of social media as a moderating factor in this relationship. The study adopts the tourism-led growth hypothesis as the main theoretical rationale to explain the underlying relationship between tourism, social media, and economic well-being. The empirical analysis is conducted using the iterated generalized method of moments (GMM). The results show that tourism development helps to promote economic well-being, while social media has a dampening effect. Additionally, the findings indicate that a high level of social media penetration has a significant and positive moderating effect on the nexus between tourism and economic well-being. This suggests that social media-driven tourism can significantly improve the economic well-being of destination countries. Conducive macroeconomic conditions and political stability are also concurrent with the contributory effects of tourism on the economic well-being of destination countries.

More than Words: Leaders’ Speech and Risky Behavior during a Pandemic

This paper investigates whether the anti-scientific rhetoric of modern populists can induce followers to engage in risky behavior. We gather electoral information, credit card expenses, and geo-localized mobile phone data for approximately 60 million devices in Brazil. After the president publicly dismissed the risks of the COVID-19 pandemic and challenged scientific recommendations, social distancing in pro-government localities declined. Consistently, credit card expenses increased immediately. Results are driven by localities with higher media penetration levels, active Twitter accounts, and a larger proportion of evangelical Christians, a critical electoral group. (JEL D72, D91, I12, I18, L82, O15, Z12)

Social media and energy justice: A global evidence

Over the past decades, several advances have been made in the climate field because of human activities, economic situation, and shift in the recognition that the people suffer most from the adverse effects of climate change. According to COP27, it is now commonly acknowledged that the poorest countries—those that pollute the least—are those that experience the worst effects of climate change. This recognition raises the issue of justice in environmental matters: today we speak of environmental justice, which would consist of applying justice principles to energy policy, energy production and systems, energy consumption, and climate change. The objective of this study is to examine the cross-sectional impact of social media penetration, particularly Facebook, on energy justice in a panel of 70 countries. We build three sub-indicators of energy justice: distributive justice, procedural justice, and restorative justice. We use OLS, Oster (2019), Lewbel 2SLS (2012) and Kiviet (2020) instrumental variable techniques and the results show that Facebook penetration improves energy justice across countries. Precisely, Facebook penetration boosts distributive, procedural and restorative justice. Therefore, social media should be included to enhance low-carbon transitions awareness among the masses. Further, social media should be promoted to emphasize on social services equitability, climate-vulnerable economies to help civil awareness and energy resilience.