Message Source Research Articles

Semantic Coding for Text Transmission: An Iterative Design

We consider the wireless text transmission using joint source-channel coding (JSCC). Classical source coding only considers the syntactic information based on probabilistic models, ignoring the meaning of source messages. Neural network based joint source and channel coders handle the source semantic information more efficiently. However, existing semantic transmission using end-to-end neural networks do not generalize well under varying channel conditions. To tackle this, we propose a semi-neural framework with an iterative architecture, named iterative semantic JSCC (IS-JSCC). Specifically, at each iteration, the remaining semantics is extracted from the intermediate decoded text and is then used as a priori information for the channel decoder in the next iteration. Instead of reconstructing text explicitly, we synthesize the semantics of candidate words in the embedding space, weighted by their posterior probability. This soft semantic synthesis alleviates the error propagation and reduces the complexity of iterative decoding as well. Results show that compared to full-neural designs, the proposed framework can improve the quality of text reconstruction by joint iterative decoding and exhibit better robustness over wireless channels.

Physical Layer Authentication With High Compatibility Using an Encoding Approach

This paper concerns the problem of improving compatibility in the tag-based Physical-Layer Authentication (PLA) without sacrificing robustness of the PLA schemes. The prior PLA schemes for improving compatibility often sacrifice robustness or introduce extra communication overhead and security vulnerabilities. The main objective of our approach is to reduce the modification ratio of the source message given the tag length via an encoding approach. Based on a tag-encoding function, we propose two encoded tag-based schemes for the scenario of a single block and the scenario of multiple blocks, respectively, which are named as the Encoded Tag-based PLA scheme for Single Block (ET-SB) and the Encoded Tag-based PLA scheme for Multiple Blocks (ET-MB), respectively. We theoretically analyze the performance of the proposed schemes over fading channels and derive the closed-form expressions of the performance analyses. We implement the proposed schemes and conduct extensive performance comparisons through simulations. Our simulation results show that the closed-form expressions of the theoretical results of the proposed schemes perfectly match the corresponding simulation results. When the SNR is 10 dB, the compatibility of the ET-SB and ET-MB schemes improves to 15.63% and 23.45%, respectively, compared to the prior scheme.

It’s Okay to be Not Okay: An Analysis of Twitter Responses to Naomi Osaka’s Withdrawal due to Mental Health Concerns

An increasing number of athletes are speaking out on different social issues. There is also a growing acceptance and expectations of athletes utilizing their influence to push for social change. In recent years, some athletes have started disclosing their mental illness and raising awareness of mental health. This study investigates Twitter user data on Naomi Osaka’s withdrawal from the French Open due to her mental health concerns, as well as examines how different Twitter sources or handles (e.g., athlete vs. news media) further shape public responses. Both thematic analysis and sentiment analysis were conducted on Twitter data to identify emergent themes and audience sentiment towards the case. Findings reveal growing positive reception of athletes’ mental health disclosures, athletes’ behavior as a form of advocacy, and utilization of social media to amplify activism efforts. The results also extend the athlete activism literature by showing how message sources shape public reactions differently. Findings provide implications for athletes and relevant stakeholders to effectively navigate through the situation by creating and delivering messages to their target audiences.

Using Program Design and Delivery to Support Participant Engagement in Programs Challenging Problematic Gender Norms Amongst Australian Men and Boys

This article explores how the design and delivery of programs challenging gendered norms amongst men and boys can support attitude and behaviour change through more conscious and deliberate engagement with program content. Sixty-seven past participants of programs delivered by five Australian organisations completed an online survey based on their experiences. The Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) was used to explore participants' perspectives regarding motivation and ability to elaborate on program content, evidence of elaboration occurring, and experiences of attitude and behaviour change post-program. Program strengths included highlighting the personal relevance of program content, eliminating distractions and message comprehensibility. Opportunities for improvement included increasing message repetition and the number of message sources. Evidence of elaboration was present across all program types, including single-session programs, and included reflections on social and emotional learnings. The findings demonstrate how program design and delivery can support processing program material at a deeper and more conscious level, including when dealing with resource and time constraints.

The informativeness of investor communication with corporate insiders: Evidence from China

AbstractThis study examines the informativeness of individual investors in the stock market. Specifically, we study the EasyInteraction Platform administrated by the Shenzhen Stock Exchange of China. This public platform allows individual investors to openly ask corporate insiders questions and requires the corporate insiders to answer these questions. Conducting a content analysis on the investor–firm conversations, we find that the negative tones in the investor questions have a permanent negative effect on stock prices, followed by a lower degree of earnings surprises. This effect is robust after controlling for media coverage as well as firm‐specific financial variables, and after ruling out short‐sellers and the firm competitors as the source of the negative messages. Overall, our results suggest that individual investors disclose value‐related information through public communications with corporate insiders.

Exploring Source Credibility when Communicating about Agricultural Science on Twitter

Universities must strategically communicate agricultural science to effectively reach millennials skeptical of agricultural innovations and constantly assessing the credibility of online information. Universities are trusted information sources and must maintain credibility on social media platforms such as Twitter, used by millennials to receive and share information. Source credibility seeks to understand message source and recipient characteristics that influence recipients’ perceptions of a source’s expertise and trustworthiness. The purpose of this study was to explore differences in engagement when specific factors affecting source credibility were emphasized when communicating with millennials about agricultural science on Twitter. The purpose was accomplished by describing the level of engagement and the differences in engagement observed between perceived gender, race, and age of university scientists. Over seven months, researchers wrote press releases about published journal articles authored by two or more diverse, university-affiliated scientists. They published multiple tweets about each release, with the only difference being the scientists’ headshots. Scientists were categorized as perceived male versus female, White versus Non-White, and older versus younger. Descriptive analysis of engagement metrics from 32 tweets found those with females performed better than those with males. Non-White scientist tweets performed better with the exception of engagement rate. Tweets featuring younger scientists received more engagement than older. The exploratory results implied tweets featuring young, Non-White females may elicit higher engagement. Future studies should examine if engagement metrics are correlated with source credibility dimensions. Strategically featuring diverse scientists in research communication may be utilized to build engagement in universities’ social media.

A Paradigm Shift toward Semantic Communications

The last 70 years have witnessed the transition of communication from Shannon's theoretical concept to current high-efficiency practical systems. Classical communication systems address the capability-deficiency issue mainly by module stacking and technique densification with ever increasing complexity. From such a traditional viewpoint, classical source coding only utilizes explicit probabilistic models to compress data, regardless of the meaning of transmitted source messages. Also, channel coded transmission does not identify the source content. In this sense, state-of-the-art communication systems work merely at the technical level, as summarized by Weaver. Unlike the traditional system design philosophy, this article proposes a new route to boost the system capabilities toward intelligence-endogenous and primitive-concise communications. The communication paradigm upgrades to the semantic level, which is radically different since all the key techniques imply the use of meanings of transmitted data, thus deeply changing the design philosophy of the communication system. This paradigm shift unveils a promising direction due to its ability to offer an identical quality of service with much lower data transmission requirements. Different from similar works, this article constitutes a brief tutorial on the framework of semantic communications, its gain analyzed from the information theory perspective, a method to calculate the semantic compression bound, and an exemplary use case of semantic communications.

Komunikasi Transendental Ritual Keagamaan Tarekat Qadiriyyah wa Naqsabandiyyah Pesantren Suryalaya Tasikmalaya

This study aimed to analyze transcendental communication in TQN religious rituals at Pesantren Suryalaya Tasikmalaya. The research was conducted with a constructivist paradigm and a qualitative approach. Data collection was carried out through observations, interviews, documentations, and literature study. The results of the study concluded that the source of transcendental communication messages came from theological (Al-Quran), prophetic (Al-Hadith), and authority (TQN principles, Tanbih manuscripts, and strands of pearl) messages that acted as wills, advices, and teachings from Abah Anom. By using the Lasswell communication model, it was found that the main communicators in this transcendental communication process were sheiks, murshids, and talqin guardians. The communication messages were the TQN principles, the Tanbih scriptures, and the Pearl Strand. The medium of communication were the uqudul juuman and distinctive practice based on the teachings of TQN. The communicants were TQN students, TQN congregations, students of educational institutions, and the general public. The feedback was in the form of practices which aimed at tazkiyatu an-nafs, taqarrub, mardhatillah, mahabbah, and makrifat

Memorable Messages About Fat Bodies Before, During, and After Pregnancy

ABSTRACT Weight bias is prevalent for people in large bodies who are trying to conceive, pregnant, or postpartum. Using the theory of memorable messages as a framework, we explored the sources, valence, and content of messages that fat individuals (N = 237) recalled about their bodies before pregnancy through the postpartum stage. The most common source of memorable messages was healthcare providers, and most (77.2%) messages were negatively valenced. Thematic analysis revealed four overarching themes (fat mothers are bad mothers, denial of competent treatment, weight-normative commentary on fat bodies, and weight-inclusive counter-narratives). Our findings illuminate the significance of patient-practitioner communication across the pregnancy trajectory and highlight how counter-narratives can disrupt negative messages about fat pregnancy.

Communication strategies: encouraging healthy diets for on-the-go consumption

PurposeUnhealthy (vice) on-the-go (OTG) dietary practices result in potentially serious health consequences. However, research on encouraging healthy eating intentions for OTG consumption is scarce. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating the role of message framing and source expertise in encouraging the healthy eating intention for OTG consumption.Design/methodology/approachTwo scenario-based experiments were conducted. Study 1 collected data from 136 Australian OTG consumers to examine the effectiveness of message framing (gain vs loss) in encouraging healthy OTG consumption. Study 2 collected data from 178 Australian OTG consumers to examine the interaction effects of message framing and source credibility on encouraging healthy OTG consumption.FindingsGain-framed messages were more effective than loss-framed messages in encouraging healthy eating for OTG consumption. This difference would be significant only if the gain-framed messages were from a high expert source rather than from a low expert source.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is a cross-sectional survey of Australian OTG consumers. Replicating this study in other countries may generalise the study’s findings.Practical implicationsPractically, this study provides insights to marketers and other relevant stakeholders to design effective advertising messages to encourage healthy eating for OTG consumption.Originality/valueThis is the pioneering study investigating the impact of message framing and source credibility in encouraging healthy eating for OTG consumption.

Are all CSR Activities in Your SNS Authentic? The Antecedents and Outcomes of Consumer Perceived Authenticity of CSR

Although corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities appear active on social networking sites (SNS), consumers increasingly suspect their authenticity. Based on attribution theory, this study examines consumers’ responses to SNS-based corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities by analyzing the impact of their perceptions of CSR attributes on their perceived authenticity of CSR (CPACSR) and participation intention (PI). We conducted a between-subjects experiment on a sample of 480 Korean undergraduate students to test all the hypotheses. Our findings suggest that the three CSR attributes positively affect CPACSR, partially moderated by the type of message source and CSR activity. These findings suggest several opportunities for future research that may further benefit marketers in CSR marketing decisions.

Who Says What in Which Networks: What influences Social Media Users’ Emotional Reactions to the COVID-19 Vaccine Infodemic?

This study aims to identify effective predictors that influence publics’ emotional reactions to COVID-19 vaccine misinformation as well as corrective messages. We collected a large sample of COVID-19 vaccine related misinformation and corrective messages on Facebook as well as the users’ emotional reactions (i.e., emojis) to these messages. Focusing on three clusters of features such as messages’ linguistic features, source characteristics, and messages’ network positions, we examined whether users’ reactions to misinformation and corrective information would differ. We used random forest models to identify the most salient predictors among over 70 predictors for both types of messages. Our analysis found that for misinformation, political ideology of the message source was the most salient feature that predicted anxious and enthusiastic reactions, followed by message features that highlight personal concerns and messages’ network positions. For corrective messages, while the sources’ ideology was still key to raising anxiety, the most important feature for triggering enthusiasm was the messages’ network positions and message quality.

Actions speak louder than words – strategic communication and (un)intentional signalling: a semio-pragmatic taxonomy

PurposeThe article tackles the under-defined notion of communication in strategic communication research and elaborates a taxonomy of semiotic processes, which distinguishes different types of communicative and signalling events. The purpose is to offer an improved analysis of the processes by which meaning emerges from strategic communication situations.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed taxonomy is based on a conceptual framework combining semiotics, linguistic pragmatics and signalling theory. Several real cases of strategic communication are analysed to exemplify the taxonomy.FindingsDifferent sub-types of signalling events are highlighted and explained. The communicative function of performed behaviours (i.e. when actions speak and do it louder than words) depends on how informative and communicative intentions are managed by the message source and inferentially interpreted by different receivers. It is suggested that the ways in which meaning is signalled can be best understood with an argumentative perspective that foregrounds the inferential processes of persuasion, interpretation and decision-making. The limitations of the transmission vs. ritual and the one-way vs. two-way theories of strategic communication are highlighted.Originality/valueThe article discusses strategic communication events with the under-considered perspective of communication theories in the fields of semiotics and pragmatics. Signalling phenomena are interpreted from a communicative viewpoint, emphasising the argumentative dynamics that constitute them.

Society Frowns Upon Spinning and So Do the Alleged Spin Doctors: Tests of Present and Future Crisis Communicators Responding to Spin in the Media

ABSTRACT Although spin pervades mass communication, crisis communicators claim that they share society’s aversion to spin. Grounded upon image repair theory and the practical model for ethical decision making, we report two experiments testing the reactions of crisis communicators exposed to a media interview in which a company spokesperson either spins or provides answers in line with normative crisis communication. Study 1 (N = 261 public relations practitioners and professional journalists) tests whether crisis communicators’ cognitions align with those working in the media and with normative theory. Study 2 (N = 315 public relations students aspiring to work in the industry) provides a replication of Study 1 concerning the processing of spin, and adds perceived competence as a theoretical variable. The studies indicate that present and future crisis communicators have positive attitudes toward the organization under scrutiny, sense more goodwill, and perceive the message source as more competent, when normative crisis messaging is used rather than spin. Mediation analysis demonstrates that increased goodwill leads to more positive attitudes toward the organization, which bolsters organizational reputation. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Maintaining the Effectiveness of Online Teaching and Learning In Elementary Schools in Blahkiuh Village through the Integration of Tat Tvam ASI in Google Classroom

This pandemic has forced teachers of elementary school to hold teaching and learning activities from home. Students and parents are also forced to be familiar with online teaching, and students should keep learning the material delivered by the teacher through teaching and learning platform. In this case, teachers should pay attention to the platform they used in order to keep students’ motivation and achievement in learning, and to maintain the effectiveness of online teaching and learning. The most common platform used by elementary teachers in teaching is Google Classroom. This platform is considered to be easy to use both by teachers and students. This research was aimed at finding out the effectiveness of the use of Tat Twam Asi Based Google Classroom in elementary schools in Blahkiuh Village. The research method used in this research was qualitative method. The data was collected through interview session with Elementary schools’ teachers and students in Blahkiuh Village. The research finding showed that integrating the concept of Tat Twam Asi in Google Classroom was effective with various limitation: the message recipients, contents, communication media, format, source, and timing.

Enhancing secrecy performance of energy harvesting NOMA systems using IoT user scheduling under untrusted users

In this work, multiple energy-limited Internet of Things (IoT) users are intended to communicate with their destination ( D u $D_{u}$ ). The scheduled IoT user harvests the energy from a source signal and uses this energy to forward a mixture of its message and the source message to the D u $D_{u}$ and the source destination based on non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA). Since the messages are transmitted at the same resource block, the far untrusted user (source destination) has the opportunity to access the message destined for the near user ( D u $D_{u}$ ) by successive interference cancellation. Therefore, an IoT user scheduling strategy is proposed to achieve the reliability and security of transmission in the network. To indicate the superiority of the proposed scheduling scheme and the impact of different parameters on the network performance under untrusted users, the secrecy outage probability of the system is derived by tracking exact and asymptotic analyses and then it is compared with that of benchmarks through simulations. The results reveal the crucial role of the near user threshold secrecy rate as the system's bottleneck and the negligible impact of the power allocation coefficients and the untrusted far user threshold rate on the secrecy performance with increasing the signal-to-noise-ratio.

Politics, Parks, and Pandemic: A Research Note

The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of parks as critical infrastructure for societal well-being; however, for much of the pandemic, the risk for disease exposure and transmission in these spaces was unclear. Public health messaging by parks continues to attempt to influence health-promoting behaviors, but the impact of advisories may vary due to the message source. In fall 2020, we surveyed park visitors in Virginia, U.S. across political affiliations to understand decision-making factors influencing visitation. Results indicate many similarities in decision-making factors across political affiliations, such as the perceived importance of health benefits derived from outdoor recreation. Significant differences in the perceived importance between message sources (i.e., Trump Administration) (ηp 2 = .104) and risk perceptions related to COVID-19 (ηp 2 = .228) across political affiliations were evident. These findings demonstrate the importance of attending to political affiliations when crafting messaging strategies, not limited to the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Never Waste a Crisis: How COVID-19 Lockdowns and Message Sources Affect Household Emergency Preparedness

Never Waste a Crisis: How COVID-19 Lockdowns and Message Sources Affect Household Emergency Preparedness

Joint Successive Cancellation List Decoding for the Double Polar Codes

As a new joint source-channel coding scheme, the double polar (D-Polar) codes have been proposed recently. In this letter, a novel joint source-channel decoder, namely the joint successive cancellation list (J-SCL) decoder, is proposed to improve the decoding performance of the D-Polar codes. We merge the trellis of the source polar code and that of the channel polar code to construct a compound trellis. In this compound trellis, the variable nodes corresponding to the information bits of the channel polar code and the variable nodes representing the high-entropy bits are merged into the joint source-channel (JSC) nodes. Based on the compound trellis, the J-SCL decoder is designed to recover the source messages by combining the source SCL decoding and channel SCL decoding. The proposed J-SCL decoder doubles the number of the decoding paths for each JSC node and low-entropy node, and then discard all but the <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$L$ </tex-math></inline-formula> paths with the smallest joint path-metric (JPM). For the JSC node, the JPM is updated considering both the channel decision log-likelihood ratios (LLRs) and the source decision LLRs. Simulation results show that the J-SCL decoder outperforms the turbo-like BP (TL-BP) decoder with lower complexity.

Message Source Credibility and E-Cigarette Harm Perceptions among Young Adults.

This study examined the effect of message source credibility on e-cigarette harm perceptions among U.S. young adults. An online experimental study was conducted where young adults (n = 302, Mage = 23.7) were randomized to an e-cigarette public health education message from an expert or a peer young adult. Then, participants answered questions about their perceptions about the message source and e-cigarettes. Results suggest that young adults rated experts as a more credible source (vs. peer) (b = −0.39, SE = 0.15, 95% CI [−0.67, −0.10], p < 0.01). Young adults reported greater perceived credibility of the expert message (vs. peer), which was associated with increased e-cigarette harm perceptions. Increased perceived source credibility mediated the association of increased e-cigarette absolute harm perceptions from viewing an expert message (b = −0.11, SE = 0.04, 95% CI: −0.20, −0.02). Source credibility should be considered when designing e-cigarette education messages for young adults.