Scout, Snap, and Share: First Impressions of Plant Disease Monitoring Using Social Media

The social media platform Twitter was used to monitor corn and soybean diseases in the United States during 2016 and 2017 as part of a campaign to involve crop scouts, farmers, educators, and agricultural advisors in disease data sharing. The purpose was to explore the feasibility of providing farmers and crop consultants with an easily accessible, user-friendly, no-cost platform for sharing disease observations with rapid information transfer and early warning capabilities. Two Twitter accounts were created, @soydisease and @corndisease, as part of an accessible data collection method for later input into the Integrated Pest Information Platform for Extension and Education (iPiPE). Multiple methods were employed to create awareness and recruit users, which included writing articles for extension and popular farm news outlets and directly contacting potential agribusiness and extension stakeholders. From the creation of the accounts in February 2016 through September 2017, there were 738 followers and 8,668 profile visits for @soydisease; and 1,149 followers and 17,294 profile visits for @corndisease, with a variety of contributors including university extension, industry agronomists and service providers, students, a commodity group, and agricultural news. During the 2016 and 2017 growing seasons, use of the Twitter disease-monitoring campaign successfully helped track the movement of southern rust (caused by Puccinia polysora) of corn northward, allowing for advanced notice for scouting efforts. Although this is only an initial attempt, it shows that representatives from across a wide variety of agricultural sectors can contribute to a plant disease monitoring system using a common social media engine.

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Channels of Protection: Communication, Technology, and Asylum in Cairo, Egypt

Refuge ◽

10.25071/1920-7336.37504 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 31-42 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Nora Danielson

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Communication Technology ◽

Text Messaging ◽

Information Transfer ◽

Information Technologies ◽

Service Providers ◽

Institutional Support ◽

Urban Setting ◽

Southern City ◽

Oral Information

Communication between service providers and refugees about services, legal processes, and rights helps shape refugees’ experience of asylum but has, in Cairo, Egypt, been a source of misunderstandings and conflict. Based on qualitative pilot research, this paper explores the practices, challenges, and potentials of information technologies old and new in facilitating access to asylum in this southern city. Interviews with refugee and service providers and review of previous technology-based initiatives show that although service providers tend to rely on oral information transfer, other channels—print, phone, text messaging, websites, social media—hold significant capacity for growth. Existing practices and initiatives in Cairo demonstrate the potential for technology-based projects to overcome the geographic barriers of the urban setting and the range of literacy and languages in Cairo’s refugee communities. However, service providers and refugees require further funding and institutional support if this potential is to be realized.

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Kim Kardashian: the Leader of the Influencers

10.31227/osf.io/p6d4v ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Laila Fariha Zein ◽

Adib Rifqi Setiawan

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

The United States ◽

Armenian Genocide ◽

The Public ◽

Self Defense ◽

Global Commerce ◽

The World ◽

Social Media Platforms ◽

International Issues ◽

Global Influence

In today’s world, it is easier and easier to stay connected with people who are halfway across the world. Social media and a globalizing economy have created new methods of business, trade and socialization resulting in vast amounts of communication and effecting global commerce. Like her or hate her, Kimberly Noel Kardashian West as known as Kim Kardashian has capitalized on social media platforms and the globalizing economy. Kim is known for two things: famous for doing nothing and infamous for a sex tape. But Kim has not let those things define her. With over 105 million Instagram followers and 57 million Twitter followers, Kim has become a major global influence. Kim has travelled around the world, utilizing the success she has had on social media to teach make-up master classes with professional make-up artist, Mario Dedivanovic. She owns or has licensed several different businesses including: an emoji app, a personal app, a gaming app, a cosmetics line, and a fragrance line. Not to be forgotten, the Kardashian family show, ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ has been on the air for ten years with Kim at the forefront. Kim also has three books: ‘Kardashian Konfidential’, ‘Dollhouse’, and ‘Selfish’. With her rising social media following, Kim has used the platforms to show her support for politicians and causes, particularly, recognition of the Armenian genocide. Kim also recently spoke at the Forbes’ women’s summit. Following the summit, Kim tweeted out her support for a recent movement on Twitter, #freeCyntoiaBrown which advocated for a young woman who claimed to have shot and killed the man who held her captive as a teenage sex slave in self-defense. Kim had her own personal lawyers help out Cyntoia on her case. Kim has also moved beyond advocating for issues within the confines of the United States. As mentioned earlier, she is known for advocating for recognition of the Armenian genocide. In the last two years, her show has made it a point to address the Armenian situation as it was then and as it is now. Kim has been recognized as a global influencer by others across the wordl. We believe Kim has become the same as political leaders when it comes to influencing the public. Kim’s story reveals that the new reality creates a perfect opportunity for mass disturbances or for initiating mass support or mass disapproval. Although Kim is typically viewed for her significance to pop culture, Kim’s business and social media following have placed her deep into the mix of international commerce. As her businesses continue to grow and thrive, we may see more of her influence on international issues and an increase in the commerce from which her businesses benefit.

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Capturing the surge of public interest towards Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin and BCG vaccine during COVID-19 Pandemic (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.19482 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Shabbir Syed-Abdul ◽

Shwetambara Malwade ◽

Sim-Mei Choo

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Specific Treatment ◽

Drug Effects ◽

The United States ◽

Bcg Vaccine ◽

Public Interests ◽

Treatment Regimes ◽

Appropriate Treatment

UNSTRUCTURED The outbreak of COVID-19 that started in December 2019, was declared a pandemic in March 2020. Currently, there is no specific treatment recommended and healthcare providers are struggling to find appropriate treatment regimes. Medication misinformation spread through social media has caused panic situations and self-prescription leading to harmful drug effects. The situation worsened following false propaganda via social media, leading to shortage of some medications. Our study shows the frequency of search for the medications Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), Azithromycin and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine in Google Trends, across 6 countries. Public interests from the United States, Italy and Spain leaned towards HCQ, whereas those from Taiwan, Japan and South Korea were keen towards learning about the BCG vaccine. Our article aimed to inform the general public of the adverse drug reactions to avoid self-prescription or yield to the assumptions of leaders and unanimous social media posts. Proactive participation and preventive measures such as social distancing, use of face masks and hand sanitizers are recommended to help curb COVID-19 and other infections.

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A survey of Instagram users with asthma to evaluate the acceptability of a planned clinical trial intervention (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.24005 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Kerry Spitzer ◽

Brent Heineman ◽

Marcella Jewell ◽

Michael Moran ◽

Peter Lindenauer

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Social Media ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

College Education ◽

The United States ◽

Survey Study ◽

Care Providers ◽

Healthy Behaviors ◽

Social Media Platforms ◽

Hispanic White

BACKGROUND Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects nearly 25 million individuals in the United States. There is a need for more research into the potential for health care providers to leverage existing social media platforms to improve healthy behaviors and support individuals living with chronic health conditions. OBJECTIVE In this study, we assess the willingness of Instagram users with poorly controlled asthma to participate in a pilot study that uses Instagram as a means of providing social and informational support. In addition, we explore the potential for adapting photovoice and digital storytelling to social media. METHODS A survey study of Instagram users living with asthma in the United States, between the ages of 18 to 40. RESULTS Over 3 weeks of recruitment, 457 individuals completed the pre-survey screener; 347 were excluded. Of the 110 people who were eligible and agreed to participate in the study, 82 completed the study survey. Respondents mean age was 21(SD = 5.3). Respondents were 56% female (n=46), 65% (n=53) non-Hispanic white, and 72% (n=59) had at least some college education. The majority of respondents (n = 66, 81%) indicated that they would be willing to participate in the study. CONCLUSIONS Among young-adult Instagram users with asthma there is substantial interest in participating in a study that uses Instagram to connect participants with peers and a health coach in order to share information about self-management of asthma and build social connection.

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Lawyers as Activists

10.1093/oso/9780190886172.003.0007 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Michael C. Dorf ◽

Michael S. Chu

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Social Media ◽

Social Change ◽

Civil Rights ◽

Rule Of Law ◽

The United States ◽

The Rule Of Law ◽

Court Action ◽

The Government ◽

Trump Administration

Lawyers played a key role in challenging the Trump administration’s Travel Ban on entry into the United States of nationals from various majority-Muslim nations. Responding to calls from nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), which were amplified by social media, lawyers responded to the Travel Ban’s chaotic rollout by providing assistance to foreign travelers at airports. Their efforts led to initial court victories, which in turn led the government to soften the Ban somewhat in two superseding executive actions. The lawyers’ work also contributed to the broader resistance to the Trump administration by dramatizing its bigotry, callousness, cruelty, and lawlessness. The efficacy of the lawyers’ resistance to the Travel Ban shows that, contrary to strong claims about the limits of court action, litigation can promote social change. General lessons about lawyer activism in ordinary times are difficult to draw, however, because of the extraordinary threat Trump poses to civil rights and the rule of law.

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Social Media Use Among Foot and Ankle Orthopedic Surgeons

Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics ◽

10.1177/2473011420981926 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 247301142098192

Author(s):

Garret Garofolo-Gonzalez ◽

Cesar R. Iturriaga ◽

Jordan B. Pasternack ◽

Adam Bitterman ◽

Gregory P. Guyton

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Clinical Practice ◽

Media Use ◽

The United States ◽

Foot And Ankle ◽

Social Media Use ◽

Social Media Platform ◽

Orthopedic Surgeons ◽

Media Platform ◽

Social Media Presence

Background: Digital media is an effective tool to enhance brand recognition and is currently referenced by more than 40% of orthopedic patients when selecting a physician. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of social media among foot and ankle (F&A) orthopedic surgeons, and the impact of that social media presence on scores of a physician-rated website (PRW). Methods: Randomly selected F&A orthopedic surgeons from all major geographical locations across the United States were identified using the AAOS.org website. Internet searches were then performed using the physician’s name and the respective social media platform. A comprehensive social media use index (SMI) was created for each surgeon using a scoring system based on social media platform use. The use of individual platforms and SMI was compared to the F&A surgeon’s Healthgrades scores. Descriptive statistics, unpaired Student t tests, and linear regression were used to assess the effect of social media on the PRW scores. Results: A total of 123 board-certified F&A orthopedic surgeons were included in our study demonstrating varying social media use: Facebook (48.8%), Twitter (15.4%), YouTube (23.6%), LinkedIn (47.9%), personal website (24.4%), group website (52.9%), and Instagram (0%). The mean SMI was 2.4 ± 1.6 (range 0-7). Surgeons who used a Facebook page were older, whereas those using a group website were younger ( P < .05). F&A orthopedic surgeons with a YouTube page had statistically higher Healthgrades scores compared to those without ( P < .05). Conclusion: F&A orthopedic surgeons underused social media platforms in their clinical practice. Among all the platforms studied, a YouTube page was the most impactful social media platform on Healthgrades scores for F&A orthopedic surgeons. Given these findings, we recommend that physicians closely monitor their digital identity and maintain a diverse social media presence including a YouTube page to promote their clinical practice. Level of Evidence: Level IV.

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Stand against anti-Asian racial discrimination during COVID-19: A call for action

International Social Work ◽

10.1177/0020872820970610 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 002087282097061

Author(s):

Qin Gao ◽

Xiaofang Liu

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Social Media ◽

Racial Discrimination ◽

Asian Americans ◽

Well Being ◽

Political Rhetoric ◽

The United States ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Negative Impacts

Racial discrimination against people of Chinese and other Asian ethnicities has risen sharply in number and severity globally amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This rise has been especially rapid and severe in the United States, fueled by xenophobic political rhetoric and racist language on social media. It has endangered the lives of many Asian Americans and is likely to have long-term negative impacts on the economic, social, physical, and psychological well-being of Asian Americans. This essay reviews the prevalence and consequences of anti-Asian racial discrimination during COVID-19 and calls for actions in practice, policy, and research to stand against it.

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Characteristics of wipe sampling methods for antineoplastic drugs in North America: comparison of six providers

Pharmaceutical Technology in Hospital Pharmacy ◽

10.1515/pthp-2020-0016 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Claire Chabut ◽

Jean-François Bussières

Keyword(s):

Environmental Monitoring ◽

Service Provider ◽

Sampling Methods ◽

Service Providers ◽

Limit Of Detection ◽

The United States ◽

Antineoplastic Drugs ◽

Wipe Sampling ◽

Pubmed Database ◽

Google Search

Abstract Objectives Several societies have published guidelines to limit the occupational exposure of workers. Several of these guidelines recommend periodic (once or twice a year) environmental monitoring of specific sites where antineoplastic drugs are prepared and administered. However, most of the guidelines provide no guidance concerning which antineoplastic drugs should be monitored, the preferred sampling sites, appropriate test methods or limits of detection. The aim of this study was to characterize providers that quantify antineoplastic drug measured on surfaces. Methods This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. To identify service providers offering environmental monitoring tests, we searched the PubMed database and used the Google search engine. We contacted each service provider by email between June 3rd and June 15th, 2020. We specified the objective of our study and described the information needed and the variables of interest with standardized questions. Additional questions were sent by emails or via teleconferences. No statistical analyses were performed. Results We identified six providers offering services to Canadian hospitals, either based in Canada or in the United States. Five of these providers were private companies and one was a public organization. Each service provider was able to measure trace contamination of 3–17 antineoplastic drugs. Five of the providers quantified drugs using ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MSMS), which allowed for lower LODs. The sixth provider offered quantification by immunoassay, which has higher LODs, but offers near real-time results; the surface area to be sampled with this method was also smaller than with UPLC-MSMS. The services offered varied among the service providers. The information about LODs supplied by each provider was often insufficient and the units were not standardized. A cost per drug quantified could not be obtained, because of variability in the scenarios involved (e.g. drug selection to be quantified, number of samples, nondisclosure of ancillary costs). Four of the six service providers were unable to report LOQ values. Conclusions Few data are available from Canadian service providers concerning the characteristics of wipe sampling methods for antineoplastics. This study identified six north-American providers. Their characteristics were very heterogeneous. Criteria to consider when choosing a provider include the validation of their analytical method, a low limit of detection, the choice of drugs to be quantified and the sites to be sampled, obtaining details about the method and understanding its limits, and price. This should be part of a structured multidisciplinary approach in each center.

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Effectiveness of Travel Social Media Influencers: A Case of Eco-Friendly Hotels

Journal of Travel Research ◽

10.1177/00472875211019469 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 004728752110194

Author(s):

Payal S. Kapoor ◽

M. S. Balaji ◽

Yangyang Jiang ◽

Charles Jebarajakirthy

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Federal Trade Commission ◽

Service Providers ◽

Digital Marketing ◽

Intention To Stay ◽

Argument Quality ◽

Related Information ◽

Sustainability Practices ◽

Tourism Service ◽

Primary Channel

With social media becoming the primary channel for travelers to acquire travel-related information, tourism service providers are increasingly partnering with social media influencers (SMIs) as part of their digital marketing strategy. The present study investigates the effectiveness of SMIs by examining the role that two message factors—argument quality and sponsorship status—have on travelers’ perceptions of a hotel’s commitment to sustainability and their intention to stay at the hotel. Results from four studies show that when eco-friendly hotels sponsor SMIs, an attribute-value message is more effective than a simple recommendation message in influencing travelers’ perceptions and intentions. Given the latest Federal Trade Commission regulations regarding sponsorship disclosure practices, the findings offer valuable insights for tourism providers using SMIs. The study findings suggest that SMIs should create sponsored messages that provide rational and objective information about the hotel’s sustainability practices to stimulate travelers’ related cognitions and persuade them to patronize the hotel.

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Exertional Heat Stroke Knowledge and Management among Emergency Medical Service Providers

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18095016 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (9) ◽

pp. 5016

Author(s):

Rebecca Hirschhorn ◽

Oluwagbemiga DadeMatthews ◽

JoEllen Sefton

Keyword(s):

Service Providers ◽

Heat Stroke ◽

The United States ◽

Knowledge Assessment ◽

Years Of Experience ◽

Exertional Heat Stroke ◽

Emergency Medical ◽

Previously Treated ◽

Stroke Knowledge ◽

Cooling Methods

This study evaluated emergency medical services (EMS) providers’ knowledge of exertional heat stroke (EHS) and assessed current EMS capabilities for recognizing and managing EHS. EMS providers currently practicing in the United States were recruited to complete a 25-item questionnaire. There were 216 questionnaire responses (183 complete) representing 28 states. On average, respondents were 42.0 ± 13.0 years old, male (n = 163, 75.5%), and white (n = 176, 81.5%). Most respondents were Paramedics (n = 110, 50.9%) and had ≥16 years of experience (n = 109/214, 50.9%) working in EMS. Fifty-five percent (n = 99/180) of respondents had previously treated a patient with EHS. The average number of correct answers on the knowledge assessment was 2.6 ± 1.2 out of 7 (~37% correct). Temporal (n = 79), tympanic (n = 76), and oral (n = 68) thermometers were the most prevalent methods of temperature assessment available. Chemical cold packs (n = 164) and air conditioning (n = 134) were the most prevalent cooling methods available. Respondents demonstrated poor knowledge regarding EHS despite years of experience, and over half stating they had previously treated EHS in the field. Few EMS providers reported having access to an appropriate method of assessing or cooling a patient with EHS. Updated, evidence-based training needs to be provided and stakeholders should ensure their EMS providers have access to appropriate equipment.

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