A study of the Web visibility of the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda on university websites

Purpose Universities play an important role in the promotion and implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This study aims to examine the visibility of information about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on the websites of Spanish and major international universities, by means of a quantitative and qualitative analysis with an online visibility management platform that makes use of big data technology. Design/methodology/approach The Web visibility of the universities studied in relation to the terms “SDG”, “Sustainable Development Goals” and “2030 Agenda” was determined using the SEMrush tool. Information was obtained on the number of web pages accessed and the queries formulated (query expansion). The content indexed by Google for these universities was compiled, and finally, the search engine optimization (SEO) factors applicable to the websites with the highest Web visibility were identified. Findings The universities analysed are content creators but do not have very high Web visibility in Web searches for information on the SDGs. Of the 98 universities analysed, only four feature prominently in search results. Originality/value Although research exists on the application of SEO to different areas, there have not, to date, been any studies examining the Web visibility of universities in relation to Web searches for information on the 2030 Agenda. The main contributions of this study are the global perspective it provides on the Web visibility of content produced by universities about the SDGs and the recommendations it offers for improving that visibility.

Development of a fisheye-based information search processing aid (FISPA) for managing information overload in the web environment

Information technologies have proliferated at an unprecedented rate to provide access to information across geographical boundaries. However, this proliferation has led to an information overload. Information overload has adverse impacts on information use and decision quality. This research focuses on the overload problem resulting from a web search, and proposes a potential remedy. We develop the requirements of a system that makes use of clustering and visualization for browsing the results of a typical web search. Based on this model, we develop a prototype that visualizes search results by first organizing them into a hierarchy according to their individual contents. This system presents a visual overview of the groups in this hierarchy, and lets the users focus (zoom) on specific groups of interest. One general problem with zooming within hierarchical structures is the separation between the details and the context. To address this problem, we implement a fisheye zooming capability in our system. This paper describes a typology of the various components necessary for addressing the problem and then the proposed solution based upon a fisheye view-based visualization. Next, the specific visualization algorithm and the system implementation are described. We conclude with research questions for further development of such interfaces for presentation of the results from web searches.<br>

Development of a fisheye-based information search processing aid (FISPA) for managing information overload in the web environment

Information technologies have proliferated at an unprecedented rate to provide access to information across geographical boundaries. However, this proliferation has led to an information overload. Information overload has adverse impacts on information use and decision quality. This research focuses on the overload problem resulting from a web search, and proposes a potential remedy. We develop the requirements of a system that makes use of clustering and visualization for browsing the results of a typical web search. Based on this model, we develop a prototype that visualizes search results by first organizing them into a hierarchy according to their individual contents. This system presents a visual overview of the groups in this hierarchy, and lets the users focus (zoom) on specific groups of interest. One general problem with zooming within hierarchical structures is the separation between the details and the context. To address this problem, we implement a fisheye zooming capability in our system. This paper describes a typology of the various components necessary for addressing the problem and then the proposed solution based upon a fisheye view-based visualization. Next, the specific visualization algorithm and the system implementation are described. We conclude with research questions for further development of such interfaces for presentation of the results from web searches.<br>

Information-Seeking Under Threat: How the Characteristics of Web Searches Changed During the Pandemic

To adjust to novel and threatening environments people seek information. Here, we examine whether and how a threatening global event -–the pandemic– altered the characteristics of the information people sought out online. An analysis of queries submitted to Google search engine revealed that people were more likely to submit queries for information that could guide action (i.e., “How to” and “How do” searches) during the pandemic relative to before, controlling for total search volume. This tendency may have contributed to the rapid adaptation observed in response to the pandemic. Indeed, stress levels reported weekly by 17K individuals predicted the proportion of “How to” and “How do” searches, controlling for COVID-19 related confinement. Markedly, population stress levels were more strongly associated with this high-level feature of web searches than they were with searches for specific terms such as “anxiety” or “stress”. In contrast, COVID-19 related confinement, but not stress levels, was associated with the proportion of “What” and “Why” questions submitted to Google, suggesting that the confinement was related to increased desire for general knowledge. Key results were replicated across two countries (UK and US). The study suggests that in situations of high stress people ask questions that can guide action. An intriguing possibility is that tracking of this feature could be used to monitor population stress levels beyond the pandemic.

Google Trends as a predictive tool for COVID-19 vaccinations in Italy: a retrospective infodemiological analysis.

Background: Google Trends is an infoveillance tool widely used by the scientific community to investigate different user behaviors related to COVID-19. However, several limitations regarding its adoption are reported in the literature. Objective: This brief paper aims to provide an effective and efficient approach to investigating vaccine adherence against COVID-19 via Google Trends. Methods: Through the cross-correlational analysis of well-targeted hypotheses, we investigate the predictive capacity of web searches related to COVID-19 towards vaccinations in Italy from November 2020 to November 2021. The keyword "vaccine reservation" (VRQ) was chosen as it reflects a real intention of being vaccinated (V). Furthermore, the impact of the second-largest Italian national newspaper on vaccines-related web searches was investigated to evaluate the role of the mass media as a confounding factor. Results: Simple and generic keywords are more likely to identify the actual web interest in COVID-19 vaccines than specific and elaborated keywords. Cross-correlations between VRQ and V were very strong and significant (min r^2 = .460, P<.001, lag = 0 weeks; max r^2 = .903, P < .001, lag = 6 weeks). Cross-correlations between VRQ and news about COVID-19 vaccines have been markedly lower and characterized by greater lags (min r^2 = .190, P=.001, lag = 0 weeks; max r^2 = .493, P < .001, lag = -10 weeks). No correlation between news and vaccinations was sought since the lag would have been too high. Conclusions: This research provides strong evidence in favor of using Google Trends as a surveillance and prediction tool for vaccine adherence against COVID-19 in Italy. These findings prove that the search for suitable keywords is a fundamental step to reduce confounding factors. Additionally, targeting hypotheses helps diminish the likelihood of spurious correlations. It is recommended that Google Trends be leveraged as a complementary infoveillance tool by government agencies to monitor and predict vaccine adherence in this and future crises by following the methods proposed in this manuscript.

Google Trends as a Predictive Tool for COVID-19 Vaccinations in Italy: a Retrospective Infodemiological Analysis (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Google Trends is an infoveillance tool widely used by the scientific community to investigate different user behaviors related to COVID-19. However, several limitations regarding its adoption are reported in the literature. OBJECTIVE This brief paper aims to provide an effective and efficient approach to investigating vaccine adherence against COVID-19 via Google Trends. METHODS Through the cross-correlational analysis of well-targeted hypotheses, we investigate the predictive capacity of web searches related to COVID-19 towards vaccinations in Italy from November 2020 to November 2021. The keyword "vaccine reservation" (VRQ) was chosen as it reflects a real intention of being vaccinated (V). Furthermore, the impact of the second most read Italian newspaper on vaccines-related web searches was investigated to evaluate the role of the mass media as a confounding factor. RESULTS Simple and generic keywords are more likely to identify the actual web interest in COVID-19 vaccines than specific and elaborated keywords. Cross-correlations between VRQ and V were very strong and significant (min r² = .460, P<.001, lag = 0 weeks; max r² = .903, P < .001, lag = 6 weeks). Cross-correlations between VRQ and news about COVID-19 vaccines have been markedly lower and characterized by greater lags (min r² = .190, P=.001, lag = 0 weeks; max r² = .493, P < .001, lag = -10 weeks). No correlation between news and vaccinations was sought since the lag would have been too high. CONCLUSIONS This research provides strong evidence in favor of using Google Trends as a surveillance and prediction tool for vaccine adherence against COVID-19 in Italy. These findings prove that the search for suitable keywords is a fundamental step to reduce confounding factors. Additionally, targeting hypotheses helps diminish the likelihood of spurious correlations. It is recommended that Google Trends be leveraged as a complementary infoveillance tool by government agencies to monitor and predict vaccine adherence in this and future crises by following the methods proposed in this manuscript.

Worldwide evolution of vaccinable and non-vaccinable viral skin infections: a Google Trends analysis (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Most common viral skin infections are not reportable conditions. Studying the population dynamics of these viral epidemics using traditional field methods is costly and time consuming, especially over wide geographical areas OBJECTIVE To explore the evolution, seasonality and distribution of vaccinable and non-vaccinable viral skin infections through analysis of Google Trends. METHODS Worldwide search trends from 2004 through May 2021 for viral skin infections were extracted from Google Trends, quantified and analysed. RESULTS Time series decomposition showed that total search term volume for warts, zoster, roseola, measles, hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), varicella and rubella increased worldwide over the study period while the interest for Pityriasis rosea and herpes simplex decreased. Internet searches for HFMD, varicella and measles exhibited the highest seasonal patterns. The interest for measles and rubella was more pronounced in African countries while the interest for HFMD and roseola was more pronounced in East Asia. CONCLUSIONS Harnessing data generated by web searches may increase the timeliness of traditional surveillance systems and strengthens the suspicion that the incidence of some vaccinable viral skin infections such as varicella, measles, rubella may be globally increasing. CLINICALTRIAL Ethics approval for this type of study was not required as none of the queries in the Google database can be associated with any identity and/or physical location, as specified in Google’s privacy policy (www.google.com/privacypolicy.html).

Unsettled Aspects of the Digital Thread in Additive Manufacturing

In the past years, additive manufacturing (AM), also known as “3D printing,” has transitioned from rapid prototyping to making parts with potentially long service lives. Now AM provides the ability to have an almost fully digital chain from part design through manufacture and service. Web searches will reveal many statements that AM can help an organization in its pursuit of a “digital thread.” Equally, it is often stated that a digital thread may bring great benefits in improving designs, processes, materials, operations, and the ability to predict failure in a way that maximizes safety and minimizes cost and downtime. Now that the capability is emerging, a whole series of new questions begin to surface as well: •• What data should be stored, how will it be stored, and how much space will it require? •• What is the cost-to-benefit ratio of having a digital thread? •• Who owns the data and who can access and analyze it? •• How long will the data be stored and who will store it? •• How will the data remain readable and usable over the lifetime of a product? •• How much manipulation of disparate data is necessary for analysis without losing information? •• How will the data be secured, and its provenance validated? •• How does an enterprise accomplish configuration management of, and linkages between, data that may be distributed across multiple organizations? •• How do we determine what is “authoritative” in such an environment? These, along with many other questions, mark the combination of AM with a digital thread as an unsettled issue. As the seventh title in a series of SAE EDGE™ Research Reports on AM, this report discusses what the interplay between AM and a digital thread in the mobility industry would look like. This outlook includes the potential benefits and costs, the hurdles that need to be overcome for the combination to be useful, and how an organization can answer these questions to scope and benefit from the combination. This report, like the others in the series, is directed at a product team that is implementing AM. Unlike most of the other reports, putting the infrastructure in place, addressing the issues, and taking full advantage of the benefits will often fall outside of the purview of the product team and at the higher organizational, customer, and industry levels.

Information needs and experiences from pregnancies complicated by hypertensive disorders: a qualitative analysis of narrative responses

Background Incorporation of the patient voice is urgently needed in a broad array of health care settings, but it is particularly lacking in the obstetrical literature. Systematically derived information about patients’ experience with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), most notably preeclampsia, is necessary to improve patient-provider communication and ultimately inform patient-centered care and research. We sought to examine the information needs and experiences of individuals with pregnancies complicated by hypertensive disorders. Methods We conducted a qualitative content analysis of narrative-responses to an open-ended question from the Preeclampsia Registry (TPR), an online registry hosted by the Preeclampsia Foundation. Individuals were invited to enroll in TPR via social media, web searches, and newsletters. We restricted our analysis to participants who self-reported a history of HDP and responded to the open-ended question, “Is there any information that you could have had at the time of this pregnancy that would have been helpful?”. Available responses from July 2013 to March 2017 were included. Narrative responses were coded, reconciled, and thematically analyzed by multiple coders using an inductive approach. Our main outcome measures included participants’ expressed needs and additional concerns with respect to their HDP pregnancy. Results Of 3202 enrolled participants, 1850 completed the survey and self-reported having at least one pregnancy complicated by HDP, of which 895 (48.4%) responded to the open-ended question. Participants delivered in the United States (83%) and 27 other countries. Compared to non-responders, responders reported more severe HDP phenotypes and adverse offspring outcomes. We identified three principal themes from responses: patient-identified needs, management and counseling, and potential action. Responses revealed that participants’ baseline understanding of HDP, including symptoms, management, therapeutic strategies, and postpartum complications, was demonstrably lacking. Responders strongly desired improved counseling so that both they and their providers could collaboratively diagnose, appropriately manage, and robustly and continuously communicate to facilitate a partnership to address any HDP complications. Conclusions Participants’ responses regarding their HDP experience provide indispensable insight into the patient’s perspectives. Our study suggests that improved education regarding possible HDP complications and transparency about the consideration of HDP and its associated outcomes during an evaluation are needed, and efforts to implement these strategies should be sought. Trial registration The Preeclampsia Registry: NCT02020174