How do technologies relate to the repertoire of information sources?

This study applies “channel repertoire” to information sources. Interviews were conducted with 251 residents of Pullman, Washington, and Moscow, Idaho, in which respondents were asked to assess how interested they were in two topics (sports and what's going on in the community) along with how useful traditional media sources (tv, radio, etc.) and technologies (VCR, PC, etc.) were for information about each source. Based on a regression that controlled for demographics, separate repertoires were found for each topic. Sports had only a traditional media repertoire that consisted of tv and newspapers while what's going on in the community had a combined traditional and technology repertoire of newspapers, radios, personal computers, and cellular telephones.     

How shall we satisfy the long-term educational needs of engineers?

After 50 years, it is time to seriously reassess some of the basic premises of engineering education. The long-term needs of engineers and society demand it. To keep up with the changes in both technology and engineering practice we have tried to add content to a more or less fixed-size program. There are three possibilities for a resolution: to lengthen the program, to do more in the same time, or to make it continuous. In fact, we must do all three, and those are the first three challenges. The issues are not all just quantitative, however. The qualitative, practical experience of “design under constraint” needs to become an integral part of engineering education, and we need to find a way to engage more faculty with personal experience in the practice of engineering. Likewise, we need to bring more diverse backgrounds to bear on engineering problems, to increase the creativity, and hence to engineer better. Hence the fourth and fifth challenges. Last, we engineering educators must accept the responsibility for ensuring a technologically literate citizenry     

Implementation of an SDR platform using GPU and its application to a 2?��?2 MIMO WiMAX system

Conventional communication systems have been implemented using digital signal processors (DSPs) and/or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), especially for software defined radio (SDR) functionality. We propose a scheme that uses a graphics processing unit (GPU) in place of the conventional DSPs or FPGAs for the implementation of an SDR-based communication system. The GPU, a high-speed parallel processor with multiple arithmetic logic units, is adopted for the signal processing of the physical layer required for the parallel processing in an SDR system. The compute unified device architecture (CUDA) based on the C language provides a software development kit (SDK) for the modem application of the GPU. Therefore we utilize the CUDA SDK to implement the real-time modem function. This paper presents an implementation of a 2 × 2 multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) WiMAX system employing a GPU as the real-time modem. By installing a radio frequency module on top of the GPU modem, we implement a real-time transmission system for video data. The performance of the proposed GPU-based system is demonstrated by comparing its operation time against that of the conventional DSP-based system.     

How significant is the assumption of the uniform channel phase distribution on the performance of spatial multiplexing MIMO system?

Spatial multiplexing (SMX) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems are promising candidates to enhance the achievable throughput and the overall spectral efficiency in future wireless systems. Performance studies of these systems over different channel conditions assume simplified models for the channel phase distribution. This paper highlights the impact of the channel phase distribution assumption on the performance of SMX MIMO systems. The Nakagami-m and the \(\eta -\mu\) fading channels are considered in this study. In existing literature, performance studies of SMX MIMO systems over Nakagami-m fading channel assume uniform phase distribution. Though, it has been reported recently that the Nakagami-m channel phase distribution is not uniform. In this article, we show that the assumption of the channel phase distribution has a major impact on the performance of SMX MIMO systems. The obtained results demonstrate that the performance of SMX MIMO systems significantly varies with different channel phase distributions. Furthermore, it is shown that uniform assumption of channel phase distribution is incorrect and leads to erroneous conclusions. Detailed performance analysis for more accurate channel models are provided and results are sustained through Monte-Carlo simulations.     

How to achieve the huggable behavior of the social robot Probo? A reflection on the actuators

Most robots have a mechanical look or are covered with plastic or metallic shells. Their actuators are stiff which gives them not only an unnatural look, but also an unnatural touch. The goal of the huggable robot Probo is to serve as robotic research platform for human-robot interaction (HRI) studies with a special focus on children. Since not only cognitive interaction, but also physical interaction is targeted a new mechatronic design must be developed. To give Probo a huggable and safe behavior a new set of actuators is developed together with a triple layered protection cover which is presented in this paper. Probo’s soft touch is introduced, on the one side by use of novel passive compliant actuators, Compliant Bowden Cable Driven Actuators (CBCDAs), and on the other side by combining custom made servo motors, Non Back Drivable Servos (NBDSs), with flexible components and materials such as springs, silicon and foam. The working principle of the novel CBCDA is extensively described, together with experiments in order to determine its level of compliance and its bandwidth.     

How does the Spanish regulation of NGN affect to final users? Effects on the deployment of new FTTH infrastructures

This article has the objective of obtaining detailed knowledge on the regulation of access to next generation networks (NGNs) and its effects on a specific country, specifically Spain, given that it can be used as a reference to gain a better perspective and draw several conclusions on what has been a global pursuit during a key period of time, 2007–2015, for the electronic communications market in the European Union, where the current and historical role and position of incumbent operators is critical. Focused on NGNs based on fibre to the home solutions and the collateral aspects that support their deployment (coexistence with older access networks based on copper pairs and maintained regulation regarding wholesale broadband transmission services), this paper takes up new issues: the opening of transmission infrastructure and installation and the regulation of new network infrastructures in buildings. In doing so, we obtain a model of infrastructure and service competition that is also regulated by price, which promotes the deployment of new networks. We have generically evaluated the effect of this model on the deployment of NGNs in Spain and its effects on coverage, access to broadband service and the market shares of the different operators. The conclusions describe a successful model to a large degree because except when addressing the strictly economic aspect of return on investment, the objectives proposed by the regulatory agency have been achieved to date (2015) and within a long-term horizon (2008–2023). Given that this phenomenon is not an exact science, the conclusions regarding the goodness of the model will always be subjective and nuanced; however, we indicate that it will be necessary to strengthen the path followed by the regulatory agency through the monitoring of resolutions that maintain a strong framework and sufficient security for operators and users. Certain issues that were not addressed should be studied, given that they have proven to be critical: geographical discrimination, fibre loop disaggregation, new prices for wholesale services that adapt reference offers and greater control of the replicability of retail services. We are facing an open model with a future, as the new measures (2015) of the Spanish regulatory agency show in terms of the near future.     

Ideological motives,digital divides,and political polarization: How do political party preference and values correspond with the political use of social media?

Social media provides new platforms for political participation and ideological categorization. However, little research has been done on how party preference is related to politically active social media use. We begin with a consideration of how political participation on social media has evolved between various socio-economic and demographic groups in advanced information societies and especially in Finland. In our empirical analysis we examine the general use of social media as well as its use for political purposes with the aid of a nationally representative dataset, collected in 2017–2018 from 3724 Finnish citizens. We argue that there are notable differences between parties when examining their supporters’ social media use for political purposes. The differences are related to the digital divides and political extremes. The results confirmed the idea that new political movements made up of younger and more educated supporters have been successful by leveraging social media. The study also revealed that the ideological gap between party supporters is greater in social media especially when examining new kinds of politics based on cultural questions, identity issues, and post-materialist values.     

How the intensity of the immersive experience impels the extent of Social Streaming App dependency? An empirical assessment with mediation and moderation effects

With the rapid growth and popularity of Social Streaming Apps (SSAs) worldwide, it is valuable for scholars to understand the links between immersive experience provided by SSA, users’ attitudes towards SSA, and the resultant SSA dependency. Although unexplored in the SSA context, previous research has indicated the significance of immersive experience and its influence on user’s specific behavior through user attitude. The present study employs Structural Equation Modelling, by using 459 samples from a survey, to explore how the intensity of immersive experience can influence the degree of user dependency on SSA. Results indicate that immersive experience is positively associated with users’ positive attitudes towards SSA, which would lead to SSA dependency. In addition, this study also found out that users’ favorable attitude partially mediates the relationship between immersive experience and solitary play dependency. Whereas, attitude fully mediated the relationship between five out of six dimensions of SSA dependency. Furthermore, to better comprehend the intervening relationships between immersive experiences, user attitude, SSA dependency, the study also conducted a moderation analysis taking frequency of use as a moderating variable. The results illustrate that a high frequency of use is a strong psychological indicator for SSA dependency. This supports the importance of considering actual behavior along with their psychological states when examining users’ immersive experience and their SSA dependency.     

How do uncertainty reduction strategies influence social networking site fan page visiting? Examining the role of uncertainty reduction strategies,loyalty and satisfaction in continuous visiting behavior

Nowadays, it is common for people to find product or service information from various information sources on social networking sites (SNS). Among many embedded communication tools in SNS, our study focuses on fan pages and page followers, highlighting their continuous visiting behavior to company fan pages in the context of Facebook. Based on uncertainty reduction theory, our study proposes a research model examining the relationship between uncertainty reduction strategies and continuous visiting behavior, mediated by the low level of uncertainty. In addition, we employ the perceived usefulness of postings on fan pages as a mediator between uncertainty and visiting behavior. Lastly, we adopt two moderating factors: SNS satisfaction and SNS loyalty. To test hypotheses, we analyzed survey data from 189 Facebook users who have subscribed to at least one fan page on Facebook using a partial least squares (PLS) method. We found that uncertainty reduction strategies are positively associated with a low level of uncertainty about information regarding products or services on fan pages. In addition, perceived usefulness of postings is significantly accounted for by the low level of uncertainty. Both the low level of uncertainty and usefulness of postings explain continuous visiting behavior jointly. Our research findings also revealed that SNS satisfaction and SNS loyalty have significant moderating effects on the relationships between the low level of uncertainty/perceived usefulness and continuous visiting behavior. Based on research findings, implications and limitations are discussed.     

Participation – In what? Radio,convergence and the corporate logic of audience input through new media in Zambia

Recent literature has pointed to the way in which new media such as the internet and mobile phones have the capacity to enable more participatory and interactive communication, either through user-generated content or through a broader participation of audiences in mainstream media’s content production. This potential is celebrated even more in contexts in which there is deemed to be a lack of political accountability or limited consultation of citizens by government. This article investigates the extent to which new technologies have changed the quality of audience participation in radio content production in Zambia. Engaging with literature on participation in media studies as well as development studies and based on interviews with station managers, producers and presenters of six radio stations in Zambia, the article examines both the opportunities and limits of the use of internet and mobile phones in audience participation. It argues that there is a need to situate these practices within a broader corporate logic in which participation is not merely about adding more voices but also feeds into radio stations’ commercial strategies of increasing revenue and accessing personal data of listeners through SMS and social media.     

Digital technology and innovation trajectories in the Mediterranean region: A casualty of or an antidote to the economic crisis?

Weak macroeconomic conditions mean admittedly that government spending on Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is reduced and consequently that ICT-related policies are scrutinized for their necessity, efficiency and impact on growth. At the same time, such conditions bring into the spotlight and set priority to measures targeting the ICT sector and promoting ICT-based innovation as a means of pursuing economic recovery. The 2008 financial crisis affected severely several parts of the world and particularly the Mediterranean region, where, even today, several years after the start of this economic turmoil in Europe, finding an effective response to mitigating the consequences of recession is still pertinent. Building on previous literature that recognizes ICT-based innovation as a crisis mitigation enabler, this paper propels discussion on the association among ICT- and innovation-oriented indicators and the economic crisis context in four Mediterranean countries, namely Spain, Greece, Italy and Cyprus. In this respect, it leverages a set of open and credible indicators of both technological and economic character and attempts to reflect on the effects of the crisis on ICT or conversely seen the potential of the latter to enable the affected countries to come out of the crisis.     

Localization of the two constitutively expressed nitric oxide synthase isoforms (nNOS and eNOS) in the same cell types in the saccule maculae of the frog Rana pipiens by immunoelectron microscopy: evidence for a back-up system?

There is growing evidence for a nitric oxide/cyclic GMP pathway of signal transduction in the vestibular system. Recently, two isoforms of nitric oxide (NO) synthase (nNOS and eNOS) and NO itself have been identified at the light microscopic level in the vestibulocochlear system of mice using specific antibodies and a new fluorescence indicator. In order to acquire more information about signal transduction and tissue modulation in this neuroepithelium at the cellular and subcellular levels, ultrathin sections of London Resin White-embedded saccule maculae of the frog Rana pipiens were incubated with various concentrations of commercially available antibodies to nNOS and eNOS. The immunoreactivity was visualized by a gold-labelled secondary antibody and the amount of the immunoreactions per microm2 was quantified for the different cell types and subcellular regions. Significant eNOS immunoreactivity was identified in the hair bundles, cuticular plates and the rest of the cytoplasm of the hair cells as well as in different subcellular regions of the supporting cells. Gold-labelled anti-nNOS antibodies stained mainly stereovilli and cuticular structures of hair cells and supporting cells, whereas the number of the immunoreactions in the remaining cytoplasm of both cell types was near the background level. The spatial co-localization of the two NOS isotypes in the same cell regions of hair cells and supporting cells was confirmed in double-labelling experiments. The immunocytochemical findings are suggestive of a redundant system in which one NOS isoform can (partially) replace the other. The different subcellular localization of the NOS isoforms may allow for isoform specific regulation of NOS activity by different Ca2+ currents at the subcellular level, underlining the importance of NO-regulated processes in neuroepithelia of the inner ear.     

Should mobile Internet be an extension to the fixed web? Fixed-mobile reinforcement as mediator between context of use and future use

As the fixed and mobile Internet are converging, the question emerges whether consumers expect mobile Internet services to replicate services they know from the fixed Internet. Literature on reinforcement and displacement suggests that the use of new media depends on whether users are inclined to replace or reinforce their existing media use on a new device. This paper analyzes whether the importance that users attribute to using similar services on their mobile phone as on the fixed Internet can explain the intention to adopt mobile services. Specifically, we investigate if such fixed-mobile reinforcement could mediate the impact of personal innovativeness and several dimensions of context. We compare basic Internet services, entertainment services and transaction services. We find that especially the intention to adopt basic Internet services largely depends on the importance of using similar services in the mobile domain as on the fixed Internet. Several context-of-use predictors are partially or even fully mediated by fixed-mobile reinforcement. The results convey a positive message to operators that are betting on converged multimedia services that can be accessed from any device and from any fixed or mobile network.     

How does Facebook news use lead to actions in South Korea? The role of Facebook discussion network heterogeneity,political interest,and conflict avoidance in predicting political participation

Employing survey data collected in South Korea (N?=?470), this study investigated whether and how Facebook users’ news use promotes their offline political participation. Results showed that Facebook news use indirectly influenced political participation through discussion network heterogeneity. This indirect relationship was conditional on Facebook users’ political interest and conflict avoidance. For people who are highly interested in politics but less conflict avoidant, the frequency of Facebook news use is more likely to boost political discussions with heterogeneous others, which contributes to facilitating their participation in offline political activities. The implications of these results were discussed.     

Current-voltage characteristic and the spectrum width of electrons tunneling through W-WO2-(Au 147? )-Al2O3-Al and Nd-Nd2O3-(Au 55? )-Nd2O3-Nd nanosandwiches. Part II: Construction and analysis of 1D models for 3D nanosandwiches

This is the second part of the series of two articles devoted to the analysis of electron tunneling through magic nanoclusters of Au₅₅ and Au₁₄₇. Models of 1D projections of W-WO₂-(Au₁₄₇⁻)-Al₂O₃-Al and Nd-Nd₂O₃-(Au₅₅⁻)-Nd₂O₃-Nd 3D tunnel nanostructures are constructed with the use of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) levels E_HOMO^- E_{HOMO^ - } of the anions of the nanoclusters of Au₅₅ and Au₁₄₇, and the potentials of Au, W, Al, and Nd atoms calculated in the first part of this study. The levels of the bottom of the potential wells of 1D structures are chosen so that they include resonance energy levels coinciding with the anion level E_HOMO^- E_{HOMO^ - } for an appropriate 3D structure (Au₁₄₇⁻ or Au₅₅⁻). With regard to the potentials in the structures of a nanocapacitor and the image forces, the current-voltage characteristic (CVC) and the width of the resonance peak in the spectrum of tunneling electrons are calculated as a function of the potential difference across the external electrodes of metal-metal nanodiodes. A scheme of a hypothetical high-frequency nanoscale metal transistor is proposed that is based on a cluster of Au₁₄₇ that does not produce hot electrons.