Month: July 2024

Characteristics of the vegetable oil debate in social-media and its implications for sustainability

Latest Results

Abstract

The global production and consumption of vegetable oils have sparked wide-ranging and often emotive discussions on sustainable development, especially on social media. Here we analyze over 20 million tweets related to vegetable oils to explore the key factors shaping public opinion. Coconut, olive, and palm oils dominate social media discourse not proportionally to their global production. Olive and palm oil discussions remarkably correlate with Twitter’s (now X) growth, while coconut shows more bursts of activity. Discussions around coconut and olive oils primarily focus on health, beauty, and food, while palm oil draws attention to pressing environmental concerns. Virality is related to environmental issues and negative connotations. In the context of the Sustainable Development Goals, this study highlights the multifaceted nature of the vegetable oil debate and its disconnection from scientific discussions. Our research sheds light on the power of social media in shaping public perception, providing insights into sustainable development strategies.

Characteristics of the vegetable oil debate in social-media and its implications for sustainability

Latest Results

Abstract

The global production and consumption of vegetable oils have sparked wide-ranging and often emotive discussions on sustainable development, especially on social media. Here we analyze over 20 million tweets related to vegetable oils to explore the key factors shaping public opinion. Coconut, olive, and palm oils dominate social media discourse not proportionally to their global production. Olive and palm oil discussions remarkably correlate with Twitter’s (now X) growth, while coconut shows more bursts of activity. Discussions around coconut and olive oils primarily focus on health, beauty, and food, while palm oil draws attention to pressing environmental concerns. Virality is related to environmental issues and negative connotations. In the context of the Sustainable Development Goals, this study highlights the multifaceted nature of the vegetable oil debate and its disconnection from scientific discussions. Our research sheds light on the power of social media in shaping public perception, providing insights into sustainable development strategies.

Transformer-based models for combating rumours on microblogging platforms: a review

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Abstract

The remarkable success of Transformer-based embeddings in natural language tasks has sparked interest among researchers in applying them to classify rumours on social media, particularly microblogging platforms. Unlike traditional word embedding methods, Transformers excel at capturing a word’s contextual meaning by considering words from both the left and right of a word, resulting in superior text representations ideal for tasks like rumour detection on microblogging platforms. This survey aims to provide a thorough and well-organized overview and analysis of existing research on implementing Transformer-based models for rumour detection on microblogging platforms. The scope of this study is to offer a comprehensive understanding of this topic by systematically examining and organizing the existing literature. We start by discussing the fundamental reasons and significance of automating rumour detection on microblogging platforms. Emphasizing the critical role of text embedding in converting textual data into numerical representations, we review current approaches to implement Transformer models for rumour detection on microblogging platforms. Furthermore, we present a novel taxonomy that covers a wide array of techniques and approaches employed in the deployment of Transformer-based models for identifying misinformation on microblogging platforms. Additionally, we highlight the challenges associated with this field and propose potential avenues for future research. Drawing insights from the surveyed articles, we anticipate that promising results will continue to emerge as the challenges outlined in this study are addressed. We hope that our efforts will stimulate further interest in harnessing the capabilities of Transformer models to combat the spread of rumours on microblogging platforms.

Exploring the lived experiences of pregnancy: a qualitative semiological study in a mid-/post-COVID-19 context

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Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected health systems and much research has been carried out to understand this virus, including its effects on pregnant individuals. However, there is a scarcity of research employing a qualitative approach to gain a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of pregnant women during this pandemic. This study aimed to compare the lived experiences of pregnant Greek women between the mid-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 periods. It was an interdisciplinary study informed by the theories of social semiotics and medical semiotics. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with 20 pregnant individuals (10 mid-COVID and 10 post-COVID) between March 2021 and June 2023. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed by combining interpretative phenomenological analysis and photo-elicitation. Following analysis, three main themes emerged: medical monitoring, physical condition, and emotional stability. How participants thought about these themes appeared to be customised and based on their specific circumstances. There was a decrease in physical activity and a misunderstanding about what constitutes proper physical activity. The term “birth plan” was misleading and created false expectations in the participants. The hermeneutic mode encompassed both the individual and social aspects of understanding, which involve the personal values and perspectives of the pregnant individual. The participants’ semiotic interpretations put scientific medicine in a wider context. The findings underscore the transformative impact of COVID-19, as it transcends into a social determinant of health, influencing various health outcomes and shaping the daily lives of pregnant women.

Social Media Profiling for Political Affiliation Detection

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Abstract

The notion of discerning political affiliations from users’ social media behavior instills a sense of unease in many. Democracy necessitates that individuals’ political affiliations remain private, and social media challenges this foundational principle of democracy. This study uses BERT, a pre-trained language model to analyze X’s (formally Twitter) users and their political affiliations to understand that how much it is easy now to find the political affiliation of people. We collect posts in both English and Urdu languages from different political leaders and their followers, which are used to fine-tune the BERT model. The model classifies the users’ profiles into Pro, Neutral, or Anti-government classes. To assess the performance of the proposed method, experiments are conducted to evaluate its accuracy, efficiency, and effectiveness. The findings of this study confirm the hypothesis that it is easy to detect the political affiliation of individuals using social media with high accuracy (69% for English and 94% for Urdu language) and it can undermine democracy.

Policies and Regulations for Sustainable Clean Air: An Overview

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Abstract

This chapter aims to give a thorough analysis of the laws and policies that are essential to maintaining sustainable clean air as the globe struggles with the growing problems caused by air pollution. Setting the scene, the introduction emphasizes the urgent need for practical solutions to address the growing threat through which air pollution impacts ecosystems, human health, and the planet’s overall well-being. To comprehend the intricate world of air quality management, the chapter presents itself as a vital resource, stressing the connections between industrialization, urbanization, and economic development. The examination of national and regional policies, which provides illuminating case studies from top nations and regions dedicated to clean air standards, forms the central focus of the conversation. These case studies offer proactive insights from various socioeconomic circumstances in addition to highlighting effective strategies. Policies that incorporate sustainability principles are given particular attention, acknowledging the critical balance between environmental protection and economic advancement. The chapter looks at how data-driven methods, emerging technology, and public involvement can help shape and implement air quality regulations to stay up-to-date with the always-changing environment. Case studies highlight creative approaches and effective technological implementations, highlighting the need for a multidisciplinary and cooperative approach. The chapter also highlights the difficulties in enforcing policies, such as cross-border pollution complexity, political and economic obstacles, and enforcement concerns, as the story progresses. The chapter concludes by synthesizing policy evaluations, research findings, and real-world case studies to provide a comprehensive overview of sustainable clean air policies and regulations. To address the changing nature of air quality challenges, it calls for further innovation, knowledge sharing, and reinvigorated international cooperation in its conclusion. The scope and complexity of this investigation supports a lively discussion aimed at promoting a better, more sustainable future for the quality of the air worldwide.

Human-induced warming accelerates local evapotranspiration and precipitation recycling over the Tibetan Plateau

Latest Results

Abstract

The Tibetan Plateau faces changing precipitation and environmental conditions affecting alpine ecosystems and downstream freshwater sustainability. While aerosol influence has been highlighted, how human-induced greenhouse warming impacts the plateau’s moisture recycling remains unclear. Here we show that the Tibetan Plateau’s recent precipitation changes result from enhanced precipitation recycling and moisture convergence that offset the decline in monsoon- and westerly-associated moisture transport based on 40-year Lagrangian simulations and water budget analyses. Local evapotranspiration is observed to increase faster in percentage than precipitation, a trend expected to continue in future warming scenarios according to climate projections. Greenhouse gas emission causes widespread wetting while weakening the southerly monsoons across the Himalayas, heightening the sensitivity of precipitation to evapotranspiration and thereby local land surface changes. This trend exacerbates vulnerability in the water cycle of high mountain Asia, calling for proactive management to address potential risks and ensure future water and food security in Asia.

Narco violence in Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico: media versus official data

Latest Results

Abstract

The Juárez, Chihuahua-El Paso, Texas metroplex is a potent illegal drug smuggling corridor into the U.S. This has had dramatic effects on the types and levels of violence experienced particularly in Juárez for the last several decades. This project examines gun violence episodes related to the drug trade in that city from 2019 to 2020 using a distinct media-based framework. We use descriptive Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping to compare comprehensive media coverage of ‘ataques armados’ (firearm-related attacks) and official criminal justice agency data on these events in Juarez. Results contribute to the growing research literature on Mexican narco-based violence, and the reliability of official and unofficial Mexican crime data. We find a high level of agreement between the two data sources, and discuss the implications of this finding.

Epistemic Injustice and Ideal Social Media: Enhancing X for Inclusive Global Engagement

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Abstract

This article examines the phenomenon of epistemic injustice within the global social media landscape, using Southeast Asia as a case study. It explores how X (formerly known as Twitter) holds the potential to cultivate a digital public sphere that embodies justice and equitable dialogue, compared with major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Beginning with an introduction to epistemic injustice, the article contextualizes its significance in Southeast Asia, highlighting the region’s digital challenges and opportunities. It then proposes characteristics necessary for ideal social media platforms, drawing on Habermas’s public sphere and Rawls’s justice principles to advocate for spaces that promote inclusive and rational discourse. The core analysis centers on X, suggesting that its features could make it a superior choice for fostering a just digital environment globally. The article recommends specific improvements for X to evolve into an ideal social platform, addressing challenges such as cyberbullying, echo chambers, and misinformation. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of prioritizing epistemic justice in social media platforms to achieve a more inclusive and fairer digital public sphere, with Southeast Asia serving as a representative example of a less-than-ideal environment where such platforms could thrive.