Message Specification Research Articles

In Punishment We Trust: Analyzing Characteristics and Credibility of Rumor-Debunking Messages on Chinese Social Media

Research on fact-checking journalism has predominantly centered on Western countries, often overlooking how distinct political media systems in non-Western countries might influence its practices and effectiveness. This article addresses this gap by focusing on government-led fact-checking in China, referred to as “rumor-debunking,” and we argue that compared to the Western mode of fact-checking, rumor debunking differs significantly with its unique motives, targets, and outcomes within the context of an authoritarian regime. Employing content analysis (Study 1) and a conjoint experiment (Study 2), we empirically examined the characteristics and credibility perceptions of rumor-debunking messages on Chinese social media Weibo during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings of Study 1 reveal that rumor-debunking efforts in China were primarily driven by government-affiliated accounts and mainly targeting ordinary citizens. Study 2 shows that message specificity mattered in that detailing the rumors being debunked, providing evidence for the debunking, and including punitive actions against rumormongers significantly enhanced perceived credibility among the Chinese public. Additionally, we found messages that received higher social endorsement—reflected by a greater number of reposts, comments, and likes—boosted credibility. However, the presence of “recommended comments,” which indicate that the account holders curated the user comments under their debunking messages, did not affect credibility. The social and political implications of rumor-debunking in authoritarian regimes were also discussed.

Hyperfunctions of the Revival Text. On the Beginnings of the Modern Bulgarian Literary Language

This article is dedicated to the specificity of messages in texts from the Bulgarian National Revival period. The aim is to trace the complex relationship between content and speech in Revival texts. The paper presents current reflections related to the beginnings of the modern Bulgarian literary language, supporting a scientific hypothesis that has gained popularity in recent years. This hypothesis posits that the periodization of the modern Bulgarian literary language cannot be understood through the simple relationship of „from - to“ but must be entirely aligned with the dynamics of linguistic processes in their complex competition. At this stage, the idea of unfolding the reality of Revival texts through the lens of the relationship between the center and the periphery is proposed, with the emphasis being that, in view of the linguistic picture of the world, the boundaries between the two are not as clearly defined and tend to blur.

A Study Article of DLMS to IOT Protocol

Abstract: The DLMS (Device Language Message Specification) protocol plays a crucial role in energy metering and management. It provides a standardized communication framework for exchanging data between utility meters and data collection devices. The protocol enables interoperability, remote meter reading, and supports efficient management of energy consumption, billing, and grid operations. The DLMS protocol is essential for Internet of Things (IoT) applications as it provides a standardized method for communication between Internet of Things devices and energy meters. This facilitates the seamless integration of energy data into IoT platforms, enabling efficient monitoring, analysis, and management of energy consumption in smart grid and smart city deployments. To this end, we have developed a prototype DLMS to IoT gateway that is based on either STM32 or any other IoT module. However, we encountered a challenge in testing the prototype since we couldn't get any digital meter to conduct hands-on testing..

The Effects of Message Specificity on Outcomes of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Communication: Testing Perceived Social Distance as a Mediator

Despite growing scholarly attention to what determines effective corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication, consumers’ limited awareness of and attention to CSR messages remain critical challenges for organizations. This study aims to examine the effects of message specificity on an organization’s intended outcomes of CSR communication and to explore the mediating role of perceived social distance in these relationships by applying construal level theory (CLT). We conducted an online experiment (n = 293), and the results revealed that message specificity had a positive impact on consumer-company identification, word-of-mouth intention, and CSR participation intention. Moreover, perceived social distance significantly mediated the relationships between message specificity and the outcomes of CSR communication. Applying CLT, this study offers theoretical implications for the psychological mechanism of how message specificity generates desired outcomes in CSR communication. In addition, we tested these mediation effects in the context of the geographic proximity (close vs. remote) of the CSR communication to participants; the practical implication is that reducing perceived social distance through message specificity is even more effective for geographically distant CSR campaigns.

Detecting and classifying man-in-the-middle attacks in the private area network of smart grids

The sustainable development of smart grids requires the massive deployment of renewable energy, in a highly distributed manner, introducing new challenges for the system operation. Therefore, the integration of information and communication technologies in sites with Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) is needed to monitor and control the DERs operation. In this scheme, a local controller is installed at each DER site to interact with the centralized applications at the grid level and the power equipment at the site level. This local controller uses client–server protocols (e.g., Modbus TCP/IP and IEC 61850 Manufacturing Message Specification) to communicate with different power equipment in the Private Area Network (PAN) of the site. Such protocols often lack information confidentiality and integrity mechanisms. As a result, the smart grids become vulnerable to cyber-attacks. To safeguard smart grid applications, this paper proposes a Hybrid Network Intrusion Detection System approach (HNIDS), where machine learning-based anomaly and signature-based are combined. The proposed methodology detects and classifies Man-In-The-Middle (MITM) attacks in eavesdropping mode in PANs, without violating customer privacy. The ability to detect unknown MITM attack techniques, identify affected packets, and determine the victim device(s) are the major advantages of this approach. An experimental testbed has been used to collect real-life data and validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in smart grid applications. The proposed HNIDS is evaluated using a simulation as well as real-life laboratory experiments, demonstrating very high accuracy in detection rate, from 97.6% to 100%, with an average of the weighted F1-score over 98%.

Practical Implementation of Multithreaded Communication Protocols in Modern Protection Relays

Microprocessor-based protection relays that provide reliable and fast responses to abnormal conditions are of paramount importance to electrical grids. Modern numerical relays constitute communication protocols to facilitate data exchange among protection devices. Though it has become an integral part of electrical substation devices, there has not been any significant article that puts forth a detailed description of the preemptive multithreading implementation of multiple communication protocols for protection relays. Hence, this article is aimed at designing a preemptive multithreading system comprising IEC 61850 Manufacturing Message Specification (MMS), Generic Object-Oriented Substation Event (GOOSE), and Sampled Values (SV) along with Modbus TCP/IP and IEC 60870-5-104 communication protocols for protection relays. Latest products from prominent manufacturers of protection relays adopt preemptive multithreading on a real-time Linux operating system. In this work, the designed multi-protocol communication system is implemented on a real-time embedded Linux-based cortex-A7 core of the STM32MP157D-DK1 device. The designed system is verified by conducting an interoperability test with ABB REF615 and Thytronic NA11 protection relays.

An adaptive protection scheme for multiple single-phase grounding faults in radial distribution networks with inverter-interfaced distributed generators

Conventional zero-sequence current (ZSC) protection relays for low-resistance grounded systems (LGSs) are confronting challenges due to the risk of multiple single-phase grounding faults (MSGFs) and the ongoing increase in the penetration of inverter-interfaced distributed generators (IIDGs). Such issues concerning false or failure tripping require a reconsideration of traditional solutions. This paper presents a novel adaptive ZSC protection scheme using the current-compensation method for LGSs with IIDGs. The mechanism for in-phase MSGFs and out-of-phase MSGFs in LGSs with IIDGs is formulated. The ZSC calculation method for LGSs with IIDGs is introduced via the zero-sequence compensation factor, where the feeder ZSC generated by MSGFs is converted to its counterpart during a single fault. With the manufacturing message specification (MMS) protocol in IEC 61850 that is selected to help share IIDG information, the adaptive ZSC protection philosophy is implemented, which automatically amends the ZSC and sets the protection settings of all relays in real-time. The validity of theoretical analyses and the performance of the protection scheme have been demonstrated by using the PSCAD/EMTDC simulation under various scenarios.

Scenario-Based Messages on Social Media Motivate COVID-19 Information Seeking.

Communicating information about health risks empowers individuals to make informed decisions. To identify effective communication strategies, we manipulated the specificity, self-relevance, and emotional framing of messages designed to motivate information seeking about COVID-19 exposure risk. In Study 1 (N=221,829), we conducted a large-scale social media field study. Using Facebook advertisements, we targeted users by age and political attitudes. Episodic specificity drove engagement: Advertisements that contextualized risk in specific scenarios produced the highest click-through rates, across all demographic groups. In Study 2, we replicated and extended our findings in an online experiment (N=4,233). Message specificity (but not self-relevance or emotional valence) drove interest in learning about COVID-19 risks. Across both studies, we found that older adults and liberals were more interested in learning about COVID-19 risks. However, message specificity increased engagement across demographic groups. Overall, evoking specific scenarios motivated information seeking about COVID-19, facilitating risk communication to a broad audience.

Smart Metering Cybersecurity-Requirements, Methodology, and Testing.

This paper addresses the current challenges in cybersecurity of smart metering infrastructure, specifically in relation to the Czech Decree 359/2020 and the DLMS security suite (device language message specification). The authors present a novel testing methodology for verifying cybersecurity requirements, motivated by the need to comply with European directives and legal requirements of the Czech authority. The methodology encompasses testing cybersecurity parameters of smart meters and related infrastructure, as well as evaluating wireless communication technologies in the context of cybersecurity requirements. The article contributes by summarizing the cybersecurity requirements, creating a testing methodology, and evaluating a real smart meter, using the proposed approach. The authors conclude by presenting a methodology that can be replicated and tools that can be used to test smart meters and the related infrastructure. This paper aims to propose a more effective solution and takes a significant step towards improving the cybersecurity of smart metering technologies.

The Efficacy of Virtual Reality in Climate Change Education Increases with Amount of Body Movement and Message Specificity

Climate change impacts are felt globally, and the impacts are increasing in severity and intensity. Developing new interventions to encourage behaviors that address climate change is crucial. This pre-registered field study investigated how the design of a virtual reality (VR) experience about ocean acidification could impact participants’ learning, behavior, and perceptions about climate change through the manipulation of the experience message framing, the sex of voice-over and the pace of the experience, and the amount of participants’ body movement. The study was run in 17 locations such as museums, aquariums, and arcades in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Denmark. The amount of body movement was a causal mechanism, eliciting higher feelings of self-efficacy while hindering learning. Moreover, linking the VR narrative about ocean acidification linguistically to climate change impaired learning compared to a message framing that did not make the connection. As participants learned more about the experience, they perceived the risks associated with ocean acidification as higher, and they were more likely to engage in pro-climate behavior. The results shed light on the mechanisms behind how VR can teach about ocean acidification and influence climate change behavior.

Data Interworking Model and Analysis for Harmonization of Smart Metering Protocols in IoT-Based AMI System

In the energy sector, since the adoption of remote device management for massive advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) devices and Internet of Things (IoT) technology using a representational state transfer (RESTful) architecture, a blurred boundary has been developed between traditional AMI and IoT. With respect to smart meters, the standard-based smart metering protocol, called the device language message specification (DLMS) protocol, still has a predominant role in the AMI industry. Thus, we aim to propose a novel data interworking model in this article that embraces the DLMS protocol in AMI using the most promising IoT protocol, the so-called lightweight machine-to-machine (LwM2M) protocol. We provide a 1:1 conversion model using the correlation of the two protocols with an analysis of the object modeling and resource management methods of both the LwM2M and DLMS protocols. The proposed model utilizes a complete RESTful architecture, which is the most beneficial in the LwM2M protocol. It improves the average packet transmission efficiency and packet delay on the plaintext and encrypted text (session establishment and authenticated encryption) by 52.9%p and 9.9%p, respectively, and by 11.86 ms for both cases, compared to the encapsulation method of the LwM2M protocol, KEPCO's current approach. This work provides the key idea to unify the protocol for the remote metering and device management of field devices into the LwM2M protocol, and it is expected that this work will improve the efficiency in the operation and management of KEPCO's AMI system.

Communicating corporate social responsibility: How fit, specificity, and cognitive fluency drive consumer skepticism and response

AbstractThis research examined consumer responses to a company's communication of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Two prestudies verified the impact of company‐cause fit and message specificity on consumer skepticism toward CSR initiatives. These studies also showed that the resulting skepticism mediated the consumer responses. The main study explored how company‐cause fit and message specificity jointly influenced consumer skepticism and how this could be mediated by cognitive fluency. The results demonstrate that company‐cause fit and message specificity interacted and influenced consumer skepticism. In addition, cognitive fluency was found to be the key factor that explained this joint impact. These results explain how skepticism influences consumer responses to CSR. Theoretical and practical suggestions for effective CSR communication are provided.

What should I believe? A conjoint analysis of the influence of message characteristics on belief in, perceived credibility of, and intent to share political posts

Abstract Research on misinformation and misperceptions often investigates claims that have already reached a critical mass, resulting in little understanding of why certain claims gain widespread belief while others fall into obscurity. Here we consider how various message features factor into why certain claims are more likely to be believed, perceived as credible, and shared with others. Using a conjoint experiment, we randomly assigned participants (N = 1,489) to receive an experimentally manipulated message describing an allegation of political misconduct. Results suggest that partisan cues play a significant role in influencing both belief and perceived credibility. Furthermore, message specificity, language intensity, and whether other users’ comments on the post refute or endorse the post also influenced belief judgment and credibility assessments. We conclude with a discussion of the theoretical and practical importance of these findings for understanding and combating the threat of misinformation.

A feasibility study of using Manufacturing Message Specification report gateway model for IEC61850 inter-substation type-1 messaging over Wide Area Network

This paper presents a feasibility study of using TCP-based MMS report gateway model for transmitting type-1 messages over WAN. In IEC61850-90-5:2012, the Standard suggests to use UDP-based R-GOOSE for exchanging the type-1 messages, i.e. trip signals and other fast messages defined in the Standard, over WAN. However, due to the cyclic retransmission inherited from GOOSE, R-GOOSE messages are repeatedly sent to the network and thus pose unnecessary traffic to the WAN. With the proposed model, unnecessary re-transmissions can be eliminated. It can preserve bandwidth for more IEDs being imposed on the existing smart grid. To achieve this task, two IEC61850-based gateways for translating GOOSE Messages to and from the MMS report over WAN have been modeled and implemented. The authors then make use of an HLA-complied co-simulation platform to simulate a distance protection scenario through the gateways to investigate the communication latency with different links speed and utilization rate of WAN. Simulated results show that the proposed MMS report gateway model works well for different WAN link speed from DS3 to 1000BaseX. Simulation results further indicate that introducing QoS control to the WAN routers is an effective method to warrant the latency for satisfying the IEC61850 standard requirement. The result from this feasibility study reveals that the TCP-based MMS report gateway model indeed can be used as an extended feature for transmitting type-1 messages between substations over WAN. Furthermore, this method is suitable for connecting more IEC61850-based DER to the existing smart grid involving WAN.

A formal analysis method for composition protocol based on model checking

Protocol security in a composition protocol environment has always been an open problem in the field of formal analysis and verification of security protocols. As a well-known tool to analyze and verify the logical consistency of concurrent systems, SPIN (Simple Promela Interpreter) has been widely used in the analysis and verification of the security of a single protocol. There is no special research on the verification of protocol security in a composition protocol environment. To solve this problem, firstly, a formal analysis method for composition protocol based on SPIN is proposed, and a formal description of protocol operation semantics is given. Then the attacker model is formalized, and a message specification method based on field detection and component recognition is presented to alleviate the state explosion problem. Finally, the NSB protocol and the NSL protocol are used as examples for compositional analysis. It is demonstrated that the proposed method can effectively verify the security of the protocol in a composition protocol environment and enhance the efficiency of composition protocol verification.

Design of a Substation Secondary Equipment-Oriented Error Prevention System Using Wireless Communication Technology and Edge Node Cooperation

In order to solve the error prevention problem of secondary equipment in intelligent substations, this paper designs the Substation Secondary Equipment- (SSE-) oriented error risk Prevention, Control, and Management (P&C&M) system. Firstly, the basic principle of SSE error prevention is reviewed. The SSE model is expanded based on the existing microcomputer error prevention system’s Substation Primary Equipment (SPE). Thereupon, the SSE status acquisition device is designed, and the overall architecture is implemented for SSE error prevention. Secondly, edge-node cooperation is analyzed along with the specific architecture of the edge gateway. Finally, the wireless communication network is designed based on the edge gateway. The delay and flow of different data streams are compared, and the error proof verification mechanism is introduced into SSE. The numerical results corroborate that when the Sampled Value (SV) traffic exceeds 32 Mbps, the maximum delay exceeds the specified delay (3 MS). The average flow of the Manufacturing Message Specification (MMS) message is 90 kbps, which can meet the requirements of the intelligent substation. The delay of star networking is higher than that of ring networking. Meanwhile, the proposed network analyzer has a measured flow closer to the calculated flow of SSE. In the 60-hour accuracy statistics, the proposed SSE-oriented error P&C&M system reaches an accuracy as high as 84%. Therefore, the proposed SSE-oriented error P&C&M has strong feasibility. The outcome provides a reference for the intelligent development of error prevention of secondary equipment in intelligent substations.

A methodology for the evaluation of the message transmission delay over IEC 61850 communication network — a real-time HV/MV substation case study

The growing intelligence of the nowadays distribution grids is due to the integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Such a development is converting the traditional grid into the smart grid concept. Communicating over a reliable ICT infrastructure, distributed Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) perform supervision, protection, and control of the smart grid. The communication network is not errorless, and any error of the underlying communication network can degrade the power grid performance or even cause instability in it. Hence, there is a necessity to obtain a modeling method to analyze its Quality of Service (QoS). One of the most important quality measures of the Substation Communication Network (SCN) traffic is the message transmission delay. Thus, this paper proposes a methodology to evaluate the message transmission delay through an analytical model. To estimate the transmission delay, a port connection model represents the message distribution model. Then a traffic-flow-source model, and a traffic-flow-service model are applied to characterize each flow while it is served through different ports. Finally, delay is calculated based on the corresponding flow and service information. The estimation model is applied on an IEC-61850-MMS (Manufacturing Message Specification)-based communication scenario for a load-shedding goal that is considered over a real reduced-scale HV/MV smart substation test bench. The estimated results are compared to the measured values by the Wireshark network analyzer that indicates an estimation error of less than 10%.

Performance evaluation of IEC 61850 MMS messages under cybersecurity considerations

IEC 62351-4 standard is published to address cybersecurity vulnerabilities of IEC 61850 Manufacturing Message Specification (MMS) messages. This standard includes a set of cipher suites that are recommended for securing MMS messages. However, these are only a set of recommendations. There is no work in the literature that implements them on an IEC 61850 MMS message and reports the performances. In order to fill this importance knowledge gap, this short communication reports results of implementing cipher suites recommended by IEC 62351-4 on IEC 61850 messages. In addition to implementation details, real message exchanges are demonstrated with lab experiments. Finally, changing certificate and message sizes are reported. The results show that cipher suite selection is critical as some suites have 29.67 % smaller certificate size than others. The novelty of this short communication is showing details of IEC 62351 application and relevant changes on message sizes and structures of IEC 61850 MMS messages. There is no similar work or publication showing such procedures and results.

Specificity of CSR Ties That (Un)Bind Brand Attachment

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) influences brand personality, trust, firm attitudes, and purchase intentions. Yet, little attention has been paid to its effects on brand attachment. This study integrated message specificity, self-identity, and attachment theories to explain how socially responsible communication can be used to influence brand attachment. We show that CSR boosted brand attachment when messages contained specific (rather than generic) information that fostered positive brand elaborations, but eroded it when specific information was interpreted negatively. This effect was present only when socially responsible engagement was personally relevant to consumers, pointing to significant variations in message effectiveness. CSR was also more effective when firms announced socially responsible support for the first time and less effective when firms already had a CSR track record, pointing to a ceiling effect.

Understanding environmental tweets of for-profits and nonprofits and their effects on user responses

PurposeOrganizations are communicating with the public about their thoughts and behaviors relevant to the environment via social networking sites. The purpose of this paper is to explore for-profit and nonprofit organizations' Twitter messages to understand their environment-related messages and their influences on the publics' responses.Design/methodology/approachThis study conducted a content analysis adopting four message classification systems: environmental message orientation, message specificity, message framing, and environmental issue. Guided by attribution theory, this study also explored how the organization's environmental messages influence social media (Twitter) user responses, likes, retweets, and replies.FindingsThe analysis showed that for-profits' messages tend to discuss their green products and manufacturing processes with specific numeric evidence, while nonprofits are disposed to describe a severely degraded environment. In addition, the study revealed that tweets yield a high number of likes and replies when the organizations are for-profits and the messages emphasize green products.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings of this study showed that the green message categorization systems are applicable to the social media context. But, this study focused on Twitter only. Future studies need to examine various social media platforms.Practical implicationsThe study findings recommend communication practitioners use substantive green messages highlighting actual pro-environmental performances. Also, practitioners might need to make a linkage between the discussed environmental issue and the organization (e.g. a water issue by a wildlife-related nonprofit, an energy issue by a home appliance manufacturer, an air pollution issue by a bicycle company). In addition, regarding the message specificity, infographics can be present specific information that audiences can readily understand because it is described visually.Originality/valueScholars investigated environmental messages in advertising and cautioned that environmental messages that are not substantive or specific can cause audiences to perceive the messages as greenwashing. However, these previous studies focused on conventional media, and they have not been replicated in the age of social media. Thus, it is important to explore the current status of organizational environmental messages on social media.