Do educational inequalities affect Internet use? An analysis for developed and developing countries

This study investigates whether the existence of educational inequalities at the country level affects Internet use. Additionally, we explore the extent to which these impacts depend on countries’ economic development levels. We use a logit model and data set of 69 high- and middle-income countries for the period 2005–2015. We find a negative relationship between Internet use and education inequality for the whole sample. The results confirm that, in addition to the level of education and other socioeconomic variables, the distribution of formal education among citizens within a country is also important to explain Internet use. We also obtain that this distribution affects Internet use to a higher extent in middle-income economies in comparison with high-income ones. Unlike the positive influence of educational levels obtained in the academic literature, the existence of within-country educational disparities negatively influences Internet use. This study demonstrates the influence of countries’ educational structure in relative terms in explaining Internet use.     

Does the digital divide matter? Factors and conditions that promote ICT literacy

Individuals’ computer skills have long been noteworthy for both education and the labor market. Although the support provided through curricula in schools develops these skills to a certain extent, digital divide still exists for individuals with different socio-demographic characteristics. The concept of digital divide, used to define individuals who do not have equal access to digital technologies, has started to be seen as a determining factor for digital competencies with its expanding scope. The current study aims to take a perspective to investigate the effect of socio-demographic variables, which may cause digital divide, on students' ICT literacy. With this study, it is sought to explain the effect of current inequalities regarding digital access on students' ICT skills. To this end, the socio-demographic characteristics of the students in the sample of Korea and Chile from the participating countries of the International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS) were examined in the context of ICT literacy. The characteristics of the models created were compared for both countries. While parents’ level of education variable stands out for the Chilean model, the internet connection variable is remarkable for the Korean model. It is anticipated that the findings of the research will contribute to understanding the dynamics of the digital divide and its possible consequences, and can be a source for preventive policy steps to be developed.     

A highly linear CMOS transconductance amplifier in 180?nm process technology

The present article describes the design and analysis of an operational transconductance amplifier (voltage to current converter) with wide linear input range. The proposed configuration combines the techniques of signal attenuation and source degeneration in order to reduce the odd order harmonic distortion significantly. The proposed circuit is compared with several circuit topologies based on MOS differential pairs with respect to their achievable linearity, input referred noise and power consumption. The linear transconductor is designed and simulated in 180?nm CMOS process technology with 1.8?V power supply. Simulation results show third order harmonic distortion (HD ₃) of ?70?dB for 600?mV_pp input signal. For 1% transconductance variation the linear range is about 1.2?V_pp. The input referred noise of the transconductor is $70\,\hbox{nV}/\sqrt{\text {Hz}}$ at 10?MHz. The quiescent power consumption is only 450???W.     

Social media and political partisanship – A subaltern public sphere’s role in democracy

Social media, as a subaltern public sphere (Fraser, 1990), have a democratic function in providing an alternative platform for minorities and marginalized to defy mainstream discourses in the public sphere. However, social media have been found to have an echo chamber effect, which may be detrimental to democracy. They may help to accelerate the ascendancy of a “post-truth” era in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief. A study on political polarization, however, showed that selective exposure and avoidance in social media are weak indicators of polarization (Johnson et al., 2017). This study examines the role of social media in democracy and partisan politics. The authors considered that despite the echo chamber effect, social media have a limited part to play in the formation of polarized stances compared with other factors, such as demographics, political orientation, and mass media use. The study tested two main hypotheses: H1: Social media use is associated with political stance that is marginalized in the mainstream media; H2: Political orientation has a stronger relationship than social media use with the stance toward political values and social issues.The results supported both hypotheses. Social media are associated with political stance that is marginalized in the mainstream media. However, when compared with other factors, the relationship between social media and stance becomes less obvious. Although the echo chamber effect may reinforce the original stance, social media do not exhibit a strong relationship with the stance toward political values and social issues. Partisan orientation and use of partisan mass media are found to have stronger links with variations in stance. Social media, however, provide a subaltern public sphere for those excluded from the dominant public sphere, thus extending the public sphere to accommodate multiple opinions and perspectives.     

A threshold inverter quantization based folding and interpolation ADC in 0.18 μm CMOS

Data converters are needed to interface between the physical world of analog signals and the digital world of signal processing, computing and data processing. Full flash converter is considered as the fastest converter type. The problems associated with small signal and clock delays of larger size structures limit the accuracy and introduce distortion and therefore improved converter systems with a reduced chip area are desirable. With few comparators compared to flash, folding and interpolation architectures are good option for low-power implementations of medium resolution (4b to 10b), high speed (tens or hundreds mega samples per second (MSample/s)) analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). This paper describes the concept of threshold inverter quantization based folding amplifier. The reference ladder using resistors is replaced by inverters and as a result the area and static power dissipations are expected to be lower. Introduction of inverters would reduce the node capacitances and the transition of signals would be faster. The proposed method is very sensitive to process variations and their impact on the ADC performance is investigated.     

Identifying biometrics in the wild – A time,erosion and neural inspired framework for gait identification

This paper evaluates the performance of contemporary gait identification systems. A time, erosion and neural inspired framework (TEN-FE) for gait identification was proposed to augment the performance of gait identification systems. Performance of TEN-FE framework was evaluated using CASIA and OU-ISIR large population dataset. Proposed framework relies on CNN and Reinforcement Learning to restrict the impact of confounding factors like baggage and bulky clothing on the accuracy of gait identification systems. Difference in gait signature due to time was also considered and normalized. The results observed a clear increase in system’s performance with minimal complexity and least hardware requirements.     

Does conductance catheter measurement system give consistent and reliable pressure-volume relations in rats?

The conductance catheter technique was developed in the 1980s to measure instantaneous ventricular conductance. After converting measured conductance to volume signals by use of the classic Baan conductance-to-volume equation, real-time pressure-volume (PV) relations can be obtained. A nonlinear conductance-to-volume conversion equation was proposed by Wei in 2005 to improve the accuracy of the conductance catheter system. This study tested the in vivo applicability of the nonlinear conversion equation, particularly focusing on the effect of deviation in catheter position. By altering catheter position, PV loops obtained by using the classic Baan's equation and the nonlinear equation were compared. The comparison results show that the nonlinear equation indeed compensates for the errors introduced by catheter position deviation, and gives more consistent and reliable PV relations. Moreover, the effect of variations in blood resistivity was analyzed. To obtain consistent and reliable PV relations, the nonlinear equation is suggested for use, and changes in blood resistivity should be carefully monitored.     

Comparing open data benchmarks: Which metrics and methodologies determine countries’ positions in the ranking lists?

An understanding of the similar and divergent metrics and methodologies underlying open government data benchmarks can reduce the risks of the potential misinterpretation and misuse of benchmarking outcomes by policymakers, politicians, and researchers. Hence, this study aims to compare the metrics and methodologies used to measure, benchmark, and rank governments' progress in open government data initiatives. Using a critical meta-analysis approach, we compare nine benchmarks with reference to meta-data, meta-methods, and meta-theories. This study finds that both existing open government data benchmarks and academic open data progress models use a great variety of metrics and methodologies, although open data impact is not usually measured. While several benchmarks’ methods have changed over time, and variables measured have been adjusted, we did not identify a similar pattern for academic open data progress models. This study contributes to open data research in three ways: 1) it reveals the strengths and weaknesses of existing open government data benchmarks and academic open data progress models; 2) it reveals that the selected open data benchmarks employ relatively similar measures as the theoretical open data progress models; and 3) it provides an updated overview of the different approaches used to measure open government data initiatives’ progress. Finally, this study offers two practical contributions: 1) it provides the basis for combining the strengths of benchmarks to create more comprehensive approaches for measuring governments’ progress in open data initiatives; and 2) it explains why particular countries are ranked in a certain way. This information is essential for governments and researchers to identify and propose effective measures to improve their open data initiatives.     

Does information and communication technology and financial development lead to environmental sustainability in India? An empirical insight

This paper examines the relationship between CO₂ emissions, electricity consumption, financial development, Economic growth, Informational Communication Technology (ICT) from 1990 to 2018 in India. We have applied the structural break co-integration approach like Gregory Hansen approach to check long-term relations between the variables. ARDL bounds testing approach is used to know the long run and short-run elasticity. We find that electricity consumption is positively contributing CO₂ emissions or reducing environmental sustainability in India. However, ICT has negative and significantly improving environmental sustainability or reducing emissions when measured in both ICT internet connection (ICT_INT) and ICT mobile Phones (ICT_MOB). Similarly, financial development and CO₂ emissions are negatively related. The result indicates the existence of Environmental Kuznets Curve in India's case. Overall, environmental sustainability achieved in ICT and financial development sectors. Therefore govt. needs to focus more on the stringent policy in electricity production by investing more in the renewable energy sector to curb environmental degradation.     

Synthesis and optoelectronic properties of novel fluorene-bridged dinuclear cyclometalated iridium (III) complex with A–D–A framework in the single-emissive-layer WOLEDs

To explore the influence of push–pull chromophores on properties of emitter in organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs), an acceptor–donor–acceptor (A–D–A)-based dinuclear iridium (III) complex of (dfppy)₄Ir₂(dipic-FL) was synthesized via Suzuki coupling reaction, in which dfppy is 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)pyridine and dipic-FL is 2,7-di(5-pyridyl-2-carboxyl)-9,9-dioctyl-9H-fluorene. An intense emission peak at about 480 nm resulting from the (dfppy)₂Ir(pic) chromophore and a weak long-wavelength emission band at 580–660 nm attributed to intramolecular charge transfer transition were exhibited for (dfppy)₄Ir₂(dipic-FL) in dichloromethane solution. But a remarkably hypsochromic photoluminescence profile with an intense characteristical emission peak at 422 nm was observed, which is attributed to the intraligand (IL) π–π^∗ excited states in its thin film. White emission with a maximum luminance of 1040 cd/m² and current efficiency of 1.2 cd/A was obtained in its single-emissive-layer (SEL) OLEDs with a configuration of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/(dfppy)₄Ir₂(dipic-FL) (10 wt%):TCTA/TPBi/LiF/Al. To our knowledge, this is one of the best examples in term of dinuclear iridium complex as single dopant in the high-performance white-emitting SEL-OLEDs.     

Does social capital matter to the Millennials? Social capital and user engagements in online video platforms

User engagements in video platforms are considered critical for not only businesses in measuring attention, but also for understanding social, cultural dynamics of a form of information platform that has increasingly become influential. For instance, different generations may perceive and engage in online video platforms differently. This study investigates various factors influencing online video platform user engagements in the forms of showing empathy (e.g., “like”), commenting, and sharing. In addition to traditional motivational factors informed by the uses and gratification theory, the study explores how perception of video platforms as social platforms play a mediating role and whether such effects are moderated by generation. A moderated mediation model positing mediating role of social capital and moderating role of generational difference tested against the three types of engagement. Results indicate intriguing generational effect between the Generation X and the Millennials on social capital’s role in online video platform engagement.     

Does country culture influence consumers' perceptions toward mobile banking? A comparison between Egypt and the United States

This study provides insights into the potential impact of country culture on consumers’ perceptions toward usage of new innovative technological services. Focusing on mobile banking (m-banking), this work compares responses from three distinct consumer segments, including– 1) consumers living in Egypt, 2) consumers from Egypt who are living in the U.S. and 3) U.S. consumers. The study utilizes constructs from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) including, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, along with perceived risk, trust and social influence to examine the differences between these three distinct consumer segments’ usage intentions toward mobile banking. The hypothesized model was tested using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results indicate that country culture (both primary and secondary) can, to some degree, influence consumers’ perceptions and intentions toward mobile banking. Implications and future research suggestions are provided.     

A quarter century of microelectronics: what happened in analog electronics and what is ahead?

The advent of monolithic technology has brought about profound changes in the implementation of electronic signal processing functions and in the design of the associated circuity. In particular in the area of analog signal processing, essentially new system architectures as well as circuitry for basic functions have had to be conceived. By and large the methodology in the analog area has tried to follow the approaches that had proved their usefulness in digital system design. This paper focuses on two alternative approaches which present themselves as natural matches to the functional aspects of analog signal processing. A plea is made for enhanced emphasis on these methods in future work.     

Convergent News? A Longitudinal Study of Similarity and Dissimilarity in the Domestic and Global Coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

News coverage of the same events is simultaneously driven by homogenizing and heterogenizing influences. In this paper, we assess whether and when conflict news in different media become more similar or dissimilar by analyzing the coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in 13 leading Israeli, Palestinian, and international media over almost 10 years. We distinguish between drivers of enduring similarity, gradual convergence and temporary (dis-)alignments in the news, and relate them to the detected concept association patterns in over 200,000 news texts. We find a slow, context-dependent convergence trend in the news, and temporary alignments and dis-alignments in interpretation in response to major conflict events. Discussing the underlying, interacting influences, the study highlights implications for investigating current transformations in global journalism.     

A 22?mW 512?MHz CMOS continuous time sigma delta ADC in 1.2?V with 16?MHz signal bandwidth and 70?dB dynamic range

A wide bandwidth continuous time sigma delta analog-to-digital conversion is implemented in 130?nm process. The circuit is targeted for wide bandwidth applications such as video or wireless base-stations. The third-order continuous time sigma delta modulator comprises a third-order RC operational-amplifier-based loop filter and 3-bit internal quantizer operated at 512?MHz clock frequency. To reduce the clock jitter sensitivity, nonreturn-to-zero DAC pulse shaping is used. The excess loop delay is set to half the sampling period of the quantizer, and the degradation of modulator stability due to excess loop delay is avoided with this architecture. The sigma delta ADC achieves a 60?dB SNR and a 59.3?dB signal-to-noise-plus-distortion ratio over a 16?MHz signal band at an oversampling ratio of 16. The power consumption of the continuous time sigma delta modulator is 22 mW from the 1.2?V supply.     

Does excessive social media use decrease subjective well-being? A longitudinal analysis of the relationship between problematic use,loneliness and life satisfaction

Current literature suggests problematic social media use (PSMU) predicts reduced social and psychological well-being. Lonely people are more prone to experience the negative outcomes of PSMU, but only few studies have focused explicitly on how loneliness affects the relationship between PSMU and subjective well-being experiences. In this paper, we examine if loneliness influences the association between PSMU and life satisfaction. We used nationally representative cross-sectional data from Finnish social media users (N = 2991) and follow-up panel data (N = 2021). First, we tested if PSMU affects satisfaction with life indirectly through loneliness while controlling for a set of background variables. Next, we examined whether changes in PSMU and loneliness affect life satisfaction over time. First analyses showed that PSMU was associated with life satisfaction negatively, but the effect was largely confounded by loneliness. Longitudinal analysis revealed increased PSMU did not predict decreased satisfaction with life within individuals, but increased PSMU predicted increased loneliness, and increased loneliness predicted decreased satisfaction with life. The analyses indicate that loneliness is a crucial element that contributes to the relationship between PSMU and life satisfaction. In addition, earlier observations that PSMU might increase loneliness over time were confirmed.     

Does social media use really make people politically polarized? Direct and indirect effects of social media use on political polarization in South Korea

To help inform the debate over whether social media is related to political polarization, we investigated the effects of social media use on changes in political view using panel data collected in South Korea (N?=?6411) between 2012 and 2016. We found that, although there were no direct effects of social media use, social media indirectly contributed to polarization through increased political engagement. Those who actively used social network sites were more likely to engage in political processes, which led them to develop more extreme political attitudes over time than those who did not use social network sites. In particular, we observed a clear trend toward a more liberal direction among both politically neutral users and moderately liberal users. In this study, we highlight the role of social media in activating political participation, which eventually pushes the users toward the ideological poles. The implications of these findings are discussed.     

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.