When will government information be attractive? The effect of information features on the diffusion of government microblogs

Social media speeds up government information transmission between government agencies and citizens. Drawing on Elaboration Likelihood Model and Cognitive Fit Theory, we use cSEM package of R to examine how central information structure, peripheral information structure and information style influence the diffusion of government microblogs. We also explore how information topic moderates the main effects above. Analyzing data (n = 15,151) collected from six local government microblog accounts in China, we find that central information structure, peripheral information structure and information style indeed influences the diffusion of government microblogs. More importantly, our results show that government information topic (people’s livelihood - vs non-livelihood) plays a significant moderating role in the diffusion of government microblogs. The findings contribute significant and intriguing insights to the research and practice in government information dissemination.     

Can smartphones be specialists? Effects of specialization in mobile advertising

Based on the Computers Are Social Actors (CASA) paradigm, this study extends the expectations regarding the superiority of specialists over generalists to mobile technology by examining whether the specialization of a hardware agent (i.e., a smartphone) and a software agent (i.e., an application) has psychological effects on smartphone users who are exposed to mobile advertisements. Results from a between-subjects experiment (N = 80) show that specialist smartphones and applications induce greater trust in advertisements and an increased purchase intention toward the advertised products than generalist smartphones and applications. In addition, the effects of specialization on purchase intention are mediated by trust in advertisements. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.     

Can One Control the Vibrations of a Drum?

This paper considers the problem of constructing feedback stabilizing controllers for the wave operator on ⁿ (more generally AR systems determined by a hyperbolic operator). In order to accomplish this, it must first clarify the notion of an input-output structure on a distributed system, as well as what it means to interconnect two such systems. Both these notions are shown to be consequences of a structure which generalizes the standard causal structure of lumped systems determined by the flow of time. Given this apparatus, the paper then constructs feedback controllers which stabilize the wave equation along directions given by a proper cone in ⁿ.     

UCIN information net—Two years experience on the telecommunications market of the Ukraine and CIS

In this report we have attempted to summarize the practical experience gained as a result of engineering and maintenance of a commercial data network during the process of transition to market economy in the Ukraine and CIS.     

The impact of message appraisals of Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty on information seeking and electronic word-of-mouth intentions of US female consumers

The current study examines how an empowered public engages in information seeking and electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) behavior due to emotions elicited from their message appraisals of an inspiring branding campaign. Using cognitive appraisal theory as a framework, the current research assumes that the women with higher problem recognition and involvement will be more likely to engage in information seeking and eWOM behavior through positive affect. Using a representative sample (N = 530) randomly drawn from Qualtrics’ panel data, it uses a structural equation modeling approach to test the proposed appraisal-based behavior model. The results indicate that participants’ information seeking and eWOM behavior are adaptive responses to the emotions elicited by message appraisals. The results also show that situational variables influence the message appraisals of intrinsic pleasantness and goal-conduciveness dimensions.     

Impact of employees’ demographic characteristics on the awareness and compliance of information security policy in organizations

To protect consumer information, many countries have begun enforcing the Personal Data Protection Act. Organizations are required to comply with this Act, failure of which may result in hefty penalties. To ensure compliance, some organizations have introduced their own information security policy to protect consumer information. A review of the literature shows that many employees are either unaware of the policy or tend to ignore it, which increases the risk of non-compliance. To help organizations manage compliance among their employees, in this study, we used demographic factors to develop profiles of employees’ policy awareness and their intention to comply. By having an understanding of employee profiles, effective and targeted strategies can be devised to educate employees accordingly. Our data from 607 respondents show that age, working industry and education levels have significant effects on information security policy awareness and compliance.     

Toward a document evaluation methodology: what does research tellus about the validity and reliability of evaluation methods?

Although the usefulness of evaluating documents has become generally accepted among communication professionals, the supporting research that puts evaluation practices empirically to the test is only beginning to emerge. This article presents an overview of the available research on troubleshooting evaluation methods. Four lines of research are distinguished concerning the validity of evaluation methods, sample composition, sample size, and the implementation of evaluation results during revision     

Does Multitasking Increase or Decrease Persuasion? Effects of Multitasking on Comprehension and Counterarguing

This study examined the effects of multitasking on persuasion, including comprehension and counterarguing of persuasive messages, which were presented in three different contexts: (a) nonmultitasking with full attention paid to the message, (b) multitasking with primary attention paid to the message, and (c) multitasking with secondary attention paid to the message. Consistent with predictions, the results suggested that multitasking reduced the actual and perceived levels of comprehension and also reduced counterarguing. The implications for research on persuasion are further discussed.     

Effects of the incorporation of Fe on the electromagnetic and microwave absorption performance of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3±δ

The pure perovskite structure La_0.7Sr_0.3Mn_1−χFe_χO_3±δ (χ=0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, and 0.35) powders were fabricated by the traditional solid state reaction method. Effects of the incorporation of Fe into La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO_3±δ on the permittivity and permeability were examined, and the microwave absorption performance was also investigated. The electromagnetic loss was notably enhanced, and the microwave absorption performance was improved after Fe doping. The absorbing peak shifted to the lower frequency after Fe doping. The 20 at% Fe-doped La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO_3±δ powders had the best microwave absorption property. The maximum reflection loss was −27.67 dB at 10.97 GHz, and the −6 dB absorbing bandwidth was 6.81 GHz with a matching thickness of 2 mm.     

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.     

Study of the Effects of Zn Content on the Interfacial Reactions Between Sn-Zn Solders and Ni Substrates at 250°C

The interfacial reactions of Ni with Sn-Zn alloys with 1 wt.% to 9 wt.% Zn at 250°C were examined. The Zn content greatly affected the intermetallic compounds formed and microstructural evolution. A continuous Ni₅Zn₂₁ layer was formed for the Sn-Zn/Ni couples with a Zn content higher than 5 wt.%. A stable reaction layer existed at the interface and grew thicker with time. When decreasing to 3 wt.% Zn, two thin reaction layers of Ni₅Zn₂₁ and (Ni,Zn)₃Sn₄ were simultaneously observed initially, and then an extremely large faceted Ni₅Zn₂₁ phase was formed near the boundary between the Ni₅Zn₂₁ layer and the solder. Furthermore, when the Zn content was lower than 2 wt.%, the dominant phase changed to (Ni,Zn)₃Sn₄. The Zn concentration of the solder gradually decreased with reaction, and thus the interfacial stability was reduced. Subsequently, a large amount of (Ni,Zn)₃Sn₄ grains were dispersed into the molten solder, and finally the reaction product at the interface changed to Ni₃Sn₄.     

Do social media matter? The effects of information seeking on COVID-19 psychological and behavioral processes

With the evolution of media technologies, social media have developed as a means to purposive and incidental use and subsequent benefits and detriments. This study investigates how individuals’ use of information via social media helps them achieve psychological and behavioral advances in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study’s novelty lies in its positioning of social media information seeking (SMIS) as a precursor to the staged behavioral processes of the Theory of Planned Behavior. This novel extension entails the testing of a conceptual model of the influence of SMIS on three psychological factors (i.e., attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control), which, in turn, predict behavioral intention. It implements cross-sectional data from a survey of adults in New York City in 2020 (N = 1,021). The structural equation models were well-fitting and generally validated by the data, including the posited two steps from SMIS to psychological factors to behavioral intention. Structural equation modeling underscores the role of SMIS as a core driver of wearing a facemask, with positive effects on attitudes and perceived behavioral control and subsequent mediated positive effects on behavioral intention. In terms of sheltering in place, there was evidence of positive effects of SMIS on perceived behavioral control and, in turn, from the three psychological factors to behavioral intention, but the mediation role of the psychological factors was weaker in this model. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.     

Investigations about the effect of annealing temperatures in the presence of oxygen flow on optical and electronic properties of titanium nano-layers by using Kramers–Kronig and DFT methods

Nano-layers of titanium were deposited on glass substrates by resistive evaporation at room temperature. Thickness of the layers was measured 66.8 nm, by a quartz crystal method. Deposition conditions such as deposition rate, vacuum pressure, incidence of angle and substrate temperature were the same for all layers. After producing pure Ti layers a post-annealing method was used in the presence of a uniform oxygen flow of 6 cm³/s and different 100 °C, 200 °C and 300 °C annealing temperatures. Optical reflectance and transmittance of the layers were measured in the wave length of 200–4100 nm by a spectrophotometer. Kramers–Kronig relations were used to calculate the optical constants. The influence of annealing temperature and oxygen flow on optical properties is investigated. Also to make the obtained optical results clearer, a full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) has been used. Comparison results confirm that in higher annealing temperatures the obtained structure is more similar to anatase crystalline one. According to AFM images, by increasing annealing temperature in the presence of oxygen flow, configuration of layers change and due to high annealing temperature and surface diffusion effect, void fraction increases. With increase in annealing temperature to 300 °C, anatase phase structure (A(004)) gets clearer and sharper also other phase structures are about to grow.     

Optimizing Your Position on the Operating Curve: How Can a Fab Truly Maximize Its Performance?

An empirically grounded model of a fab operating curve that is sufficiently accurate to make capitalization decisions has identified preferred domains of fab performance. This finding contradicts extant theory, which argues that all operating points on the same operating curve should reflect the same level of performance. The model is used to simulate the performance of a stylized fab that operates under realistic conditions. Results of the simulation show that significant additional revenue and profit can be generated by extending the lean approach to managing the operating curve that is practiced in most fabs today to an approach that is both lean and value driven.      

Effects of Doping of Lead Sulfide with Silver on the Lattice and Optical Properties of Pb1 –xAgxS Solid Solutions

Semiconductors - Single-phase cubic Pb1 –xAgxS limited solid solutions based on PbS with a metal sublattice doped with Ag are produced. The maximal relative content of Ag in the Pb1...     

Effects of Disordered Atoms and Nanopores on Mechanical Properties of β-Zn4Sb3: a Molecular Dynamics Study

Effects of disordered Zn atoms and nanopores on mechanical properties of β-Zn₄Sb₃ are studied by using the molecular dynamics (MD) method. Due to the influence of disordered Zn atoms in β-Zn₄Sb₃, the elastic modulus decreases from 90.85 GPa to 68.17 GPa, a decrease of 24.96%. The ultimate tensile stress decreases from 18.25 GPa to 9.96 GPa, a decrease of 45.42%. The fracture strain decreases from 32.7% to 20.8%, a decrease of 36.39%. Due to the influence of nanopores, the elastic modulus decreases with growing porosity, and the relationship between the elastic modulus and porosity leads to a scaling law. It seems that the porous radius and porous distribution are also important factors influencing the ultimate tensile stress and fracture strain, in addition to the porosity. However, our simulation results demonstrate that disordered Zn atoms and nanopores reduce the structural stability, dramatically decreasing the mechanical properties of β-Zn₄Sb₃.     

Effects of Cooling Rate and Composition on Mechanical Properties of Directionally Solidified Pb100?x -Sn x Solders

Pb_100?x -Sn _x solders (x = 5 wt.%, 10 wt.%, 20 wt.%, 35 wt.%, 50 wt.%, 60 wt.%, 61.9 wt.%, and 95 wt.%) were directionally solidified upward over a wide range of cooling rates $ \dot{T} $ (0.016 K s^?1 to 4.0 K s^?1) by using a Bridgman-type directional solidification furnace. Microstructure parameters (primary dendrite arm spacing, ?? ₁, and eutectic spacing, ?? _E) and mechanical properties (microhardness, HV, and ultimate tensile strength, ??) of the Pb_100?x -Sn _x alloys were measured. The dependences of the microhardness and ultimate tensile strength on the cooling rate, microstructure parameters, and composition were determined. According to experimental results, the microhardness and ultimate tensile strength of the solidified samples increase with increasing cooling rate and Sn content, but decrease with increasing microstructure parameters.     

What drives purchase intention on Airbnb? Perspectives of consumer reviews,information quality,and media richness

The owners of idle assets and their potential users create economic benefits through providing or sharing idle assets or skills, and this process has been formalized and monetized at large scales by companies such as Uber, Airbnb, USpace and others. This research seeks to understand the factors affecting the purchase intention on Airbnb users in terms of five key factors: rating, rating volume, review, information quality, and media richness. ANOVA and path analysis are used to test the relationships of these factors with perceived value, satisfaction and purchase intention. Results indicate that perceived value and satisfaction are key determinants of intention to buy, while rating volume, review, information quality, and media richness are important precursors. In addition, gender and usage experiences with Airbnb are also used to classify the sample to assess the difference between each classification. The results of this study can provide a useful reference to researchers and firms and individuals working in the sharing economy.