Academic literature on the topic 'Country-wide factors'

Adoption factors of Financial Technology (Fintech) services have been the subject of investigation in a growing body of extant literature. Macro-level as well as user-specific factors that contribute to the adoption of customer-facing fintech services have been studied. Emerging market studies mostly considered targeted demographic and socio-economic segments, limiting their ability to reflect a wide spectrum of relevant factors. We conducted a nationwide representative survey of 1282 individuals in Bangladesh. A total of 16 administrative districts from all 8 administrative divisions were included. Addressing sample imbalance with Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE), we deployed Recursive Feature Elimination (RFE) to reduce number of customer features down to the most important. Using Library of Large Linear Classification (LIBLINEAR) for multivariate Logistic Regression, we identified significant features that predict customer-facing fintech adoption among individual respondents. We found that customers were less likely to adopt fintech services if they had higher reported levels of concern with security, information secrecy, limited government control, and high levels of reported service intuitiveness obstacles. Our evidence suggests these concern factors constitute the prominent factor behind fintech adoption, as opposed to demographic variables, for example. Our findings hold insights for fintech services providers and policy makers.

This study examines the roles of country of origin in diners’ perceptions of a cuisine in relation to the moderating effects of culinary and institutional factors. Using the survey data on 247 adults in Seoul, South Korea, this study finds that the country of origin shows substantial impacts on diners’ perceptions of a cuisine. Korea, as a country of origin, functions negatively, whereas China, Japan, and France/Italy assume positive roles. Noteworthy is that the effects of the country of origin are moderated by culinary or institutional factors in accordance with a country’s context. Interestingly, in the case of Korea, where the country’s image is weak, culinary factors, such as menu development, help overcome the negative effects of the country of origin. Therefore, it is proposed that the dynamics underlying country of origin and culinary and institutional factors shape a wide range of formulae to transform diners’ perceptions of a cuisine.

Although treeline elevations are limited globally by growing season temperature, at regional scales treelines frequently deviate below their climatic limit. The cause of these deviations relate to a host of climatic, disturbance, and geomorphic factors that operate at multiple scales. The ability to disentangle the relative effects of these factors is currently hampered by the lack of reliable topoclimatic data, which describe how regional climatic characteristics are modified by topographic effects in mountain areas. In this study we present an analysis of the combined effects of local- and regional-scale factors on southern beech treeline elevation variability at 28 study areas across New Zealand. We apply a mesoscale atmospheric model to generate local-scale (200 m) meteorological data at these treelines and, from these data, we derive a set of topoclimatic indices that reflect possible detrimental and ameliorative influences on tree physiological functioning. Principal components analysis of meteorological data revealed geographic structure in how study areas were situated in multivariate space along gradients of topoclimate. Random forest and conditional inference tree modelling enabled us to tease apart the relative effects of 17 explanatory factors on local-scale treeline elevation variability. Overall, modelling explained about 50% of the variation in treeline elevation variability across the 28 study areas, with local landform and topoclimatic effects generally outweighing those from regional-scale factors across the 28 study areas. Further, the nature of the relationships between treeline elevation variability and the explanatory variables were complex, frequently non-linear, and consistent with the treeline literature. To our knowledge, this is the first study where model-generated meteorological data, and derived topoclimatic indices, have been developed and applied to explain treeline variation. Our results demonstrate the potential of such an approach for ecological research in mountainous environments.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of access to skilled labor in explaining firms’ sales growth subject to the controlling influence of a wide range of firm-specific characteristics and country-level economic and non-economic factors. Design/methodology/approach The analysis uses a consistent and large firm-level data set from the World Bank’s Enterprise Surveys that includes 138 developing countries. An instrumental variables model with a GMM estimator is used for estimating the impact of access to skilled labor on firm performance. In order to obtain more robust estimators, the analysis introduces country-level controls reflecting the influence of economic and institutional factors, such as economic and financial development, institutional governance, education and technological progress. Findings The results document a significant and positive association between access to skilled labor and firm performance in the developing world. The explanatory power of access to skilled labor remains broadly robust after controlling for a wide range of firm-specific characteristics: sectoral and geographical influences matter. The results also show that the association between labor skill constraints and firm performance is mitigated by country-level factors but in diverse ways. Development, institutions, education and technological progress exert various mitigating effects on firm-level behavior regarding access to skilled labor. Originality/value The paper’s novel contribution is threefold: first, it uses joint firm, sector and country-level information to analyze the role of access to skilled labor on firm performance; second, it uses consistently produced information at the firm level from 138 developing countries; and, third, it considers the controlling impact of a wide range of country-level factors that reflect a country’s overall development, institutions and evolution.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors which are instrumental to poverty reduction opposed to many factors that are considered as impediments to poverty reduction in a poor country like Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach This paper is an outcome of review of literature covered wide range of issues including sectoral contribution to economic growth but none has exclusively dealt with the instrumental role of the poverty reduction factors, insider’s view, long-term observations (1960-2014), and reviews of secondary data. Findings In order to reduce poverty, rather than attempting to change the “culture of poverty,” remove the “structural trap,” or “kin system as poverty trap” it can be achieved through harnessing the enabling factors of poverty reduction. Study argues that rather than focusing on “barriers” to poverty reduction, a country needs to identify and focus on its “potential” factors of poverty reduction. The dominant enabling factors for Bangladesh were agricultural development and remittance. The utilization of land and labor could bring a transformation in the rural economy of Bangladesh which was essential to poverty reduction. Practical implications The study shows that the individuals can escape poverty largely through their own effort where a proper policy support from the government is needed. The state needs to play the facilitating role rather than the instrumental in the case of poverty reduction. Originality/value The paper reveals instruments to poverty reduction where usual practice was to identify the barrier to development and to suggest the means of overcoming those barriers. It suggests how to look into the matter from other way round where instead of identifying the barrier attempt should be made to identify the enabling factors and to harness those enabling factors. The findings are based on the country-specific literatures but not generalized in the form as attempted here. The study shows a means of poverty reduction where country-specific strategy or home-grown model can be drawn out based on the identification of potential factors.

One of the most underrated factors in our pastoral development has been the humble seed. Rarely recognised, it has made a significant contribution in allowing farmers to increase production within the wide range of climatic and fertility environments encountered in our country. But now, the quality of New Zealand pastures is becoming internationally recognised and has been one of the main contributing factors in the development of our country, together with the drive and competence of our farming fraternity and the abundant use of fertiliser.

We study the determinants of differences in farm size across countries and their impact on agricultural and aggregate productivity using a quantitative sectoral model featuring a distribution of farms. Measured aggregate factors (capital, land, economy-wide productivity) account for one-quarter of the observed differences in farm size and productivity. Policies and institutions that misallocate resources across farms have the potential to account for the remaining differences. Exploiting within-country variation in crop-specific price distortions and their correlation with farm size, we construct a cross-country measure of farm-size distortions which together with aggregate factors accounts for one-half of the cross-country differences in size and productivity. (JEL D24, J24, J43, L11, O13, Q12, Q18)

Introduction In 2010, in a context of severe economic recession, the Basque Government launched the Strategy to tackle the challenge of chronicity in the Basque Country to transform the Basque health system to cope with the challenges of chronicity, ageing, health system fragmentation and sustainability in the long run. Methods A realist evaluation has been conducted, and through a combination of research methods, information has been analysed to identify context, mechanisms and outcomes. The research provides a snapshot of the experience of a system-wide, complex health system transformation, which aims to identify ‘what has worked, for whom and under what circumstances’. Twenty-two semi-structured interviews held between June 2015 and December 2016, allowed us to obtain both retrospective and real-time accounts on the transformation phenomenon. Results Research pointed out that system-wide transformation requires time, effort, leadership, vision and narrative, as well as commitment, inclusiveness, collaborative decision-making processes with local implementers, ‘muddling through’ and constant learning. Key levers to shake and shift the health and social care systems towards closer alignment, coordination and integration to meet the needs of people include promoting collaborative relationships between health professionals to ensure care continuity, developing new staff roles, investing in integrated electronic health records, stratifying the population by risk and facilitating bottom-up innovation. Discussion Research has shown that system-wide changes in health and social care have been viable in the Basque Health System, although the interplay between context, mechanisms and outcomes is more complex than expected, leading to many unexpected factors, patterns and relationships.

AbstractThis work has three objectives: first, to provide a comprehensive review of administrative fees; second, to construct a comparative data set for 53 countries; and third, to perform an empirical analysis that highlights the main determinants of pension fees from a world-wide perspective. The paper provides an econometric analysis by using panel data techniques. It finds the greater statistical significance of market size, result that is reinforced by mandatory pension schemes. Other factors, such as structural country conditions, market's vertical integration and the presence of an occupational pension scheme, seem to be less relevant.

The monograph first examines American public opinion as a major factor of social and political life in the period of the maturing of the Civil war (1861-1865 gg.). Special value it is given by the study of the struggle in the South and in the North, consideration of the process of formation of two socio-cultural models. On the wide canvas of the socio-economic and political history in the monograph analyses the state and development of public opinion in the United States, sequentially from the compromise of 1850, a small civil war in Kansas, the uprising of John brown, of the maturing of "inevitable conflict," the secession of the southern States to the formation of the southern Confederacy and the Civil war. Reveals a fierce struggle, which was accompanied by the adoption of the compromise Kansas-Nebraska and the Supreme court decision in the Dred Scott case of 1857, which annulled the action of the famous Missouri compromise. Special attention is paid to the formation of the Republican party and the presidential elections of 1856 and 1860 Shown, as were incitement to hatred between citizens of the same country, which were used propaganda and manipulative techniques. The totality of facts gleaned from primary sources, especially the materials about these manipulations give an opportunity to look behind the scenes politics that led to the outbreak of the Civil war in the United States, a deeper understanding of its causes. For students of historical faculties and departments of sociology and political Sciences, and anyone interested in American history.

The monograph is devoted to the analysis of the current topic of hybrid war, in which the thin red lines separating it from peaceful life can both turn into an impenetrable iron curtain, and become a bright and attractive advertisement for another country and culture, forcing you to immerse yourself in another world, and not perceive it as a rival. Neither international law, nor the tools for identifying all the figures of international relations involved in resolving issues of war and peace, nor culture can correct the mutual distortions of hybrid war and hybrid peace. And yet, it is possible to find such facts that help to remove hybrid layers and reach the true interests, goals and means of those geopolitical actors who benefit from such a complex hybrid game of war and peace. It is intended for specialists in the field of international relations, history, culture. It will also arouse the interest of a wide range of readers.

Throughout the period covered by this book there have been major contrasts between different parts of Scotland: in population change, migration, nuptiality, fertility, and mortality. Across all these variables, there have also been major and most often negative contrasts with England and other parts of north-western Europe. Compared with similar areas elsewhere, these contrasts were pervasive across the country and persistent over time. This suggests that, compared with England in particular, ‘Scottish-wide effects’ have underpinned them. A number of largely Scottish-specific employment practices, social and housing policies, and local government weaknesses have been important. But, above all, a shortage of opportunities relative to expectations, occupational insecurity, slow development of new manufacturing industries, and various factors undermining confidence in the future have been crucial. Scottish population has grown in the early twenty-first century. But maintaining positive demographic momentum remains a challenge.

This chapter looks at how country and western music has provided a way of making a living for several thousand people in New England over the course of the music's history in the region. Gift exchange and the spirit of community are important elements of the country and western event. And yet, for the New England country and western musician, it is also about the money. Modern-day New England country and western musicians who make a working-class “living” do so by augmenting their earnings from a day job with money earned from music, or they work as musical chameleons ready to adapt to a wide variety of musical shades. Country and western music actually provided a better income and a more cosmopolitan lifestyle than most working-class people could expect from factory, agricultural, woods, or maritime work.

A Troubled Sleep: Risk and Resilience in Contemporary Northern Ireland revisits one of the world’s most deeply divided societies more than 20 years after a peace agreement brought an end to the Troubles. The book asks if the conflict, while perhaps managed and contained, has been transformed—structurally and relationally—into a win-win situation for both sides. It addresses this question by drawing on ethnographic fieldwork, comparative research, and more than 110 hours of face-to-face interviews with politicians, activists, community workers, former political prisoners, former (and sometimes current) paramilitary members, academics, journalists, mental health practitioners, tour guides, school teachers, museum curators, students, police and military personnel, legal experts, and religious leaders across Northern Ireland. The heart of the book analyzes Northern Ireland’s current vulnerabilities and points of resilience as an allegedly “post-conflict” society. The vulnerabilities are analyzed through a model of risk assessment that examines the longer term and slower moving structures, measures, society-wide conditions, and processes that leave societies vulnerable to violent conflict. Such risk factors include the interpretation of conflict history, how authority in a country is exercised, and the susceptibility to social disharmony, isolation, and fragmentation. Resilience is examined from a survey of the countering influences, both within and outside Northern Ireland, that are working diligently to confirm humanity by reducing or reversing these vulnerabilities. The book concludes by examining the accelerating factors in contemporary Northern Ireland that may lead to an escalation of crisis as well as the triggering factors that could spark the onset of violent conflict itself.

The global scale of the cardiovascular disease epidemic is unquestionable, with cardiovascular disease causing a greater burden of mortality and morbidity than any other disease, regardless of country or population. With demographic change and ageing populations, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors is set to increase. The commonest cardiovascular diseases are atherosclerotic, affecting all arterial territories. The ‘burden of disease’ approach has highlighted the fact that cardiovascular disease and non-communicable diseases are not simply diseases of affluence but affect people of all countries, with enormous costs in terms of public health, healthcare, and overall economies. Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of mortality in all regions of the world apart from sub-Saharan Africa, followed by cerebrovascular disease. It should be noted, however, that there has been a major decline in cardiovascular disease mortality in Western Europe, the US, and Japan over the past 40 years. There are multiple factors underlying these favourable trends but understanding the epidemiology and characterizing individual risk factors for cardiovascular disease has been central in formulating preventive and treatment strategies. The INTERHEART study showed that 90% of cardiovascular risk can be explained by nine easily identifiable risk factors; an awareness of these, and the discovery of novel factors, will continue to serve in the fight to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease. Geoffrey Rose first championed population-wide approaches versus strategies which target only high-risk individuals. Prevention aims to ‘catch the disease’ upstream, therefore delaying, reducing, or eliminating the risk of coronary artery disease. Surrogate markers for coronary artery disease have emerged in efforts to detect disease at earlier stages, and in order to better understand the pathophysiology. For example, coronary artery calcium scoring is emerging as a marker of future risk of coronary artery disease. Risk stratification scores are increasingly used as tools to individualize a person’s future risk of coronary artery disease in order to better target treatment and prevention strategies.

Only since the 1970s have the variety of American musical styles and sounds have been allowed to stand on their own two feet in the academic world. Recent efforts to place American music-making within new or heretofore neglected contexts are diverse and inevitably shift our consciousness about music’s meaning and impact in culture. This volume contains a series of commentaries or glosses, chapters about American music broadly understood that seek especially to explore four critical factors beyond the the familiar categories defined by repertory or biography alone: the impact of performance; the role of patronage in the creation of musical objects and events; personal identity; and how larger cultural/ethnographic contexts (community values, ethnic markers, and social relations) determine certain musical results. A related concern in many of the chapters is the way music is disseminated within listening communities—how it was made “popular”—and how it continues to exert a lasting influence across the rest of the globe. The topics to be found here are wide ranging and include many genres and perspectives (hymnody, concert music, jazz, country music, hip-hop, Tin Pan Alley, and Broadway song and dance, among other types), but each chapter is focused on specific performers, patrons, works, conditions, or institutions within its cultural context.

This book provides the readers with a set of vivid studies of the variety of national approaches that were taken to responding to COVID-19 in the first few months of the pandemic. At its core is a series of reports addressing the national responses to COVID-19 in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa. Country reports present the actions, events and circumstances of governmental response and make an early attempt at producing insights and at distilling lessons. Eyewitness reports from civil servants and public managers contain practical points of view on the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. In different chapters, editors and contributors provide an analytical framework for the description and explanation of government measures and their consequences in a rich variety and diversity of national settings. They also situate the governmental responses to the pandemic in the context of the global governance agenda, stress the important relationship between governmental authorities and citizens, and emphasize the role of ideological factors in the government response to COVID-19. A bold attempt is made in the concluding chapter to model government strategies for managing the emergency of the pandemic and the consequences for trajectories of infection and mortality. As the editors argue, the principles of “good governance” are of relevance to countries everywhere. There was evidence of them in action on the COVID-19 pandemic all over the world, in a wide range of institutional settings. COVID-19 experiences have a lot to teach us about the governance capabilities that will be needed when future emergency situations occur, emergencies that might be created by pandemics or climate change, or various other global risks. Governments will need to be agile, able to learn in real time, good at evaluating evidence in fast changing and complex situations, and good at facilitating coordination across the whole-of-government and in partnership with citizens and the private sector.

Growing up in Diverse Societies provides a comprehensive analysis of the integration of the children of immigrants in England, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden, based on the ‘Children of immigrants longitudinal survey in four European countries’ (CILS4EU), including harmonised interviews with almost 19,000 14- to 15-year-olds. The book studies the life situation, social relations, and attitudes of adolescents in different ethnic minority groups, and compares these systematically to majority youth in the four countries. The chapters cover a wide range of aspects of integration, all addressing comparisons between origin groups, generations, and destination countries, and elucidating processes accounting for differences. The results challenge much current thinking and simplified views on the state of integration. In some aspects, such as own economic means, delinquency, and mental health, children of immigrants are surprisingly similar to majority youth, while in other aspects there are large dissimilarities. There are also substantial differences between ethnic minority groups, with the economic and cultural distance of the origin regions to the destination country being a key factor. For some outcomes, such as language proficiency or host country identification, dissimilarities seem to narrow over generations, but this does not hold for other outcomes, such as religiosity and attitudes. Remaining differences partly depend on ethnic segregation, some on socioeconomic inequality, and others on parental influences. Most interestingly, the book finds that the four destination countries, though different in their immigration histories, policy approaches, and contextual conditions, are on the whole similar in the general patterns of integration and in the underlying processes.

Abstract This book is for anyone broadly interested in Japan, for it is impossible to fully understand Japan without learning what basic economics has to say about it, which is much. To know Japan—or any country for that matter—is more than an ability to recite a litany of facts about its history, geography, institutions, and culture. Disciplined thinking is needed to organize the disparate facts into a coherent system that can be grasped whole. Modern economics is the academic discipline underlying this book. The book uses economics and explains it, but without presuming the reader has any prior knowledge of it. It starts with Japan’s economic history since the late sixteenth century through the twentieth century. It then addresses contemporary topics in Japan’s economy, beginning with ones that require an economy-wide perspective—economic growth and the business cycle, exchange rates, and the balance of trade. The discussion then moves on to sectors of the economy: the public sector, industry and trade, the financial system, the labor market, and more. The chapters can be read in any order, but four threads run through all the chapters and link them: Japan’s economic growth and development, Japan’s integration with the world economy, government policies and their effects, and peculiar economic institutions and practices.

Abstract As a result of the wide availability of social media, cheap flights and free intra-EU movement it has become considerably easier to maintain links with the country of origin than it was only a generation ago. Therefore, the language and identity formation among children of recent migrants might be significantly different from the experiences of children of the previous generations. The aim of this paper is to examine the perceptions of parents on the formation of national and transnational identity among the ‘1.5 generation migrant children’ – the children born in Latvia but growing up in England and the factors affecting them. In particular, this article seeks to understand whether 1.5 generation migrant children from Latvia construct strong transnational identities by maintaining equally strong ties with their country of origin and mother tongue and, at the same time, intensively creating networks, learning and using the language of the new home country. The results of 16 semi-structured in-depth interviews with the parents of these children reveal that the 1.5 generation Latvian migrants are on a path of becoming English-dominant bilinguals. So far there is little evidence of the development of a strong transnational identity among 1.5 generation migrant children from Latvia. Instead, this study observed a tendency towards an active integration and assimilation into the new host country facilitated by their parents or occurring despite their parents’ efforts to maintain ties with Latvia. These findings suggest that rather than the national identity of the country of origin being supplemented with a new additional national identity – that of the country of settlement – the identity of the country of origin becomes dominated by it instead.

In considering suicide prevention measures, it is important to consider potential economic risk factors, and the costs and consequences of suicide. We provide an overview of some areas where economics has played a role in the analysis of suicide and prevention strategies. Evidence on the wide-ranging socioeconomic costs and consequences of suicide is provided, including a reflection on the development of economic theories on individual motivations for suicide. Evidence from econometric models at cross-country and single country levels on the links between suicide and socioeconomic risk factors is reviewed. Cost-effectiveness is used as part of decision-making processes in health and other sectors. In respect to suicide prevention there is growing evidence of cost-effective measures. Incorporating economic analyses into future effectiveness studies is likely to help strengthen the case for investment in suicide prevention. There is also scope to look at the economic implications of interventions already shown to be effective.

Learning analytics has vast potential as a tool to further unlock the effectiveness of education in a digital age. The amount of data that can be gathered from varying access points can provide new insight and knowledge into how learners are interacting with course materials, learning systems and even fellow classmates. Research and experimentation is uncovering forms of best practice and possible factors on which to centre the analysis of students in an effective way, however learning analytics has yet to be comprehensively implemented country-wide in the United Kingdom.

Public health approaches to obesity are distinctly different, but complementary, to clinical management. The history of describing obesity as a public health problem is lengthy, preceding the 1990s high-income country ‘obesity epidemic’. Overweight and obesity now affect half to two-thirds of developed country populations, and rates are still increasing in middle-income countries. Patterns and socioeconomic correlates of obesity differ across countries at different stages of industrial development. In relation to health outcomes, obesity is consistently related to non-communicable disease, especially diabetes. Risk increases across all levels of obesity, but increases exponentially for extreme obesity. Population-wide increases are likely due to a complex system of environmental, societal, economic, and cultural factors, and these need to be addressed in implementing upstream primary prevention solutions. Working outside of the health sector will be required, posing challenge to the implementation of national obesity prevention plans.

Potato is one of the most important vegetable crops in India accounting for 20-25% of area under cultivation of vegetables and grown in a wide range of climatic conditions. It is grown in almost all states under diversified agro-climatic conditions. Nearly 80% of the crop is grown in Indo- Gangetic plains comprising Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar and other parts of India like Gujarat and Karnataka. Moreover, within the country, there is a lot of heterogeneity in potato productivity depending upon mostly on management and climatic conditions. The viability of commercial potato production is influenced by spatial and temporal variability in soils, agro climate, and the availability of water resources. The inter and intra-regional variations in productivity within the country are attributed to the variations in bio-physical factors vis-a-vis specific soil-climatic requirements of the crop. The present chapter discusses the impact of climate change on the land resources requirement for potato crop with reference to Indian context.

Potato is one of the most important vegetable crops in India accounting for 20-25% of area under cultivation of vegetables and grown in a wide range of climatic conditions. It is grown in almost all states under diversified agro-climatic conditions. Nearly 80% of the crop is grown in Indo- Gangetic plains comprising Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar and other parts of India like Gujarat and Karnataka. Moreover, within the country, there is a lot of heterogeneity in potato productivity depending upon mostly on management and climatic conditions. The viability of commercial potato production is influenced by spatial and temporal variability in soils, agro climate, and the availability of water resources. The inter and intra-regional variations in productivity within the country are attributed to the variations in bio-physical factors vis-a-vis specific soil-climatic requirements of the crop. The present chapter discusses the impact of climate change on the land resources requirement for potato crop with reference to Indian context.

Research and experimentation is uncovering forms of best practice and possible factors on which to centre the analysis of students in an effective way, however learning analytics has yet to be comprehensively implemented country-wide in the United Kingdom. The chapter explores the current impact of learning analytics in higher education at mome discusses and observes the current vacancies with which a framework enabled to function with data visualisation could be utilised. The deliverable seeks to design an initial framework that has the potential to be utilised in a higher education setting for more effective and insightful decision making with regards to learner retention and engagement. This framework will combine the theory and scientific action of predictive analytics with a comparison of the most suitable data visualisation toolsets that are currently available in open-source software.

Research and experimentation is uncovering forms of best practice and possible factors on which to centre the analysis of students in an effective way, however learning analytics has yet to be comprehensively implemented country-wide in the United Kingdom. The chapter explores the current impact of learning analytics in higher education at mome discusses and observes the current vacancies with which a framework enabled to function with data visualisation could be utilised. The deliverable seeks to design an initial framework that has the potential to be utilised in a higher education setting for more effective and insightful decision making with regards to learner retention and engagement. This framework will combine the theory and scientific action of predictive analytics with a comparison of the most suitable data visualisation toolsets that are currently available in open-source software.

The Information Technology (IT) application for medical services has developed in line with two major national level factors. One was the “E-Japan Project” which was proposed and implemented to revitalise the Japanese economy by introducing IT to a wide range of industries and sectors of the society and by promoting establishment of so-called IT infrastructure. The other was serious concern over the fast rising healthcare expenses in the country in the face of the coming aging society. First, the major efforts were, therefore, made for productivity improvement and const reduction in the health insurance bill claiming procedure and other related fields. These initiatives were followed by construction of medical information sharing and processing system first, and then developed further for regional collaborations among medical institutions. Other examples of the IT applications in the medical services can be found telemedicine to cope with the serious shortage of medical doctors.

This chapter explores the media coverage of violent conflicts and climate change issues in Nigeria from the perspective of human rights journalism. Nigeria has had a chequered history of violent conflicts, especially since it achieved self-rule from Britain in 1960. These conflicts have been wide-ranging and cross-cutting (political, ethnic, religious, communal, among others). The Nigerian media have equally had a long history of the coverage of these violent eruptions across the country. However, the mainstream media's approach to the coverage of these issues have tended to be on the physical coverage of the conflicts to, almost, neglect of some of the underlying causative factors, such as climate change. The phenomenon of climate change globally is significant, especially in developing countries, such as Nigeria. In recent times, the threats that are posed by climate change have been enormous. Some communities across the country have been sacked by its devastations, especially from the norther corridors of the country. This has therefore necessitated the forced migration of some of these communities, especially the Fulani herdsmen and their cattle to other parts of the country for greener pasture. This situation always resulted in conflict, which is often violent. This chapter argues that, although the federal government of Nigeria through its Ministry of Environment have come out with programs and policies/initiatives aimed at combating the menace of this phenomenon, and the media, apart from the fact that they have not fully keyed into these programs to step them down for the audience, there is the urgent need for them to review their approaches toward the coverage of these conflicts. This chapter advocates a human-rights-journalism-based approach to the coverage of these conflicts because of its diagnostic approach, which gives a critical reflection of the experiences of the victims of human rights violations in all its ramifications.

The design of public space and facilities in a country park aims to serve a wide scope of people with diverse needs and interests. Research on human factors should include users of different ages and capabilities. Children are often a forgotten category of users for collecting views and preferences in public design. Their voices and ideas are seldom heard and heeded. It is crucial to involve children in the design process to optimise outdoor recreational and educational experience in a country park. Playful Public Design by Children is a design research project which involved 1,023 children aged 3 to 18. They were guided to use a human factors (or ergonomics) approach to identify and solve problems in the real-life setting of Shing Mun Country Park in Hong Kong. The design research, spanning from 2019 to 2020, was conceived and co-led by a public design lab of a university and a group of art and design studios for children and teenagers. This paper reports an investigation of children’s perception of, observations on and concerns about the country park and the values underlying these concerns. Different phases engaged children in site research and visual-based design projects. For clarity and more in-depth discussion, this paper focuses specifically on children aged 8 -12. The projects allowed children to participate in observing the inadequacies of current park features such as space and facilities design. Research findings reveal children’s ability to embrace complexity in different design situations as they adopted the role as researcher, designer and change-maker. The common problem-solving strategies among their proposed design ideas reflect their concern for fun, fulfilment, adventure, action and harmony of different users (animals included) in the shared outdoor environment. Their proposed design solutions go beyond existing park design that covers only functional and physical aspects. Children’s perspective addresses other human factors such as psychological, emotional and social needs of different users resulting in an array of whimsical designs, such as zoomorphic gazebos, tree houses and observation towers for star-gazing, bird-watching, daydreaming and quiet reading. The significance of the research project is in the pedagogical practice that reveals children’s inherent creativity, design ability and potential as contributing citizens. The project changes urban children’s perception of nature, design and problem-solving strategies, and parents’ perception of design education in children’s creative development. Through the lens of children, designers can find a more well-rounded view inclusive of different human factors that can optimise users' interaction with the country park environment.

This paper aims to use a quantitative and visual method to evaluate the history, current, and future of publications regarding physiological measurement for user experience (UX). Since UX has attracted the attention of many disciplines, this field has accumulated numerous research outcomes. Therefore, it is important and timely to make a systematic and comprehensive evaluation of the research output of UX over the last decades. Citespace was used to identify and summarize the publications from WoS from 2010 to 2021. The publication time, country, institution, and author distribution of user experience physiological measurement were recorded and analyzed. Bibliometric maps of authorship, citation, co-citation, and network of co-occurrence of keywords are drawn. The research found that: (1) The international physiological measurement of user experience has gradually developed since 2010, and now it has become a topic of focus for scholars. (2) User experience physiological measurement involves a wide range of disciplines, with engineering and computational science as the main disciplines undertaking important tasks. (3) Physiological measurement of user experience will be more used in VR, AR, and adaptive aging in the future. This study provided later researchers with ideas on the physiological measurement of user experience.

В работе рассмотрены изменения, произошедшие во внешней торговле регионов России с 2000 по 2018 г. В рамках данного периода выделены 5 этапов, в зависимости от преобладавшего во внешней торговле всей страны тренда – спада или роста внешнеторгового оборота. Определены группы регионов, наиболее значительно увеличивших и уменьшивших свой вклад в общестрановую внешнюю торговлю как на протяжении всего периода с 2000 по 2018 г., так и на отдельных этапах. Сделан вывод о возможных факторах, определявших различия в динамике внешней торговли разных групп регионов на протяжении всего рассматриваемого периода. The paper examines the changes that occurred in the foreign trade of Russian regions from 2000 to 2018. Within this period, 5 stages are identified, depending on the prevailing trend in foreign trade throughout the country – a decline or growth in foreign trade turnover. Several groups of regions are identified that have most significantly increased or decreased their contribution to the country-wide foreign trade both during the entire period from 2000 to 2018, and at certain stages. The conclusion is made about the possible factors that determined the differences in the dynamics of foreign trade of different groups of regions for the entire period under review.

At present, there are hundreds of nuclear power plants in operation around the world. Anti-nuclear movements continue in many places, although the nuclear power plants have good operating records. It has some factors, and the first factor that the public knows little about nuclear industry, results in regarding the nuclear power plant mysterious. This condition relates to destructive scene by nuclear weapon with nuclear industry, deeming it unacceptable to take this risk. Secondly, construction of nuclear power plant and off site emergency may occupy large land. The public hopes to be rewarded more to offset the risk by their imagination. Last, it relates to the political environment of one country. Every country has its own situation, so the strategies of developing nuclear power plant are widely different. The public is not familiar with other nuclear engineering projects except nuclear power plants, and hence the boycott happens more frequently. Sino-French cooperation on nuclear fuel cycle project is the first large-scale commercial spent fuel reprocessing plant, which is the biggest cooperative project between China and France until now. AREVA is responsible for technology, and CNNC is responsible for building. Spent fuel reprocessing is the most important part of nuclear fuel cycle back end, which separates uranium and plutonium from spent fuel, and manufactures MOX fuel with recycled resources for using in nuclear reactor again. This will make the best use of the uranium resources. After that process, the fission products needed to be disposed reduce significantly. And it is good for environmental protection. The public protest happened in one of the candidate sites, when CNNC carried out the preliminary work of site selection. For meeting the enormous energy demands, the fossil energy may be exhausted in the future due to the greenhouse gases emission. Chinese government speeds up the development of new energy. Nuclear energy is the only technology with no emission of greenhouse gases and will be rapidly developed. Along with the nuclear power units continuing to increase, they become the critical factors in restricting the sustainable development of nuclear energy. That is efficient utilization of uranium resources, spent fuel intermediate storage, reprocessing, and geologic disposal of high level radioactive waste. To this project, it not only has a great current demand, but also closely relates to transition of energy structure. The public has different views in the project progressing, which results in wide concern and discussion. The article took this event for example, and analyzed the reason from all directions. Besides, the author put forward own views for the public acceptance events about nuclear engineering projects except nuclear power plant.

The term “middle income trap” was firstly used in the World Bank’s Report titled “An East Asian Renaissance Ideas for Economic Growth” (2007), which then swiftly gained wide currency. According to this report, some countries that failed to align themselves with the requirements of changes and diversification of 21st century would remain in their respective income bracket. As long as the labor force of a given middle income country is not gradually transferred from the agriculture sector operating with low levels of productivity into the manufacturing sector which produces high added value products thanks to innovation-based practices, it will be losing its competitive edge as compared advanced countries, leading it to reach a plateau at its given level of income. This study is dedicated to determining whether or not Turkey do suffer from middle income trap, and examining the factors responsible for such trap, if they do so. This study also analyzes the primary causes behind middle income trap by utilizing both social and economic data these countries such as real GDP, inflation, good and services export to GDP, agriculture sector to GDP, Gini coefficient and age dependency ratio utilizing Vector Error Correction Model.

The article examines the role of the Russian language which acts as a catalyst for the balanced development of the main activities of the Caspian Sea peoples. The authors emphasize the importance of Russian as a language of international communication, a language of friendship which, together with political, economic and social factors, can contribute to the unity of the cultural and educational space in the multiethnic Caspian Sea region. The study focuses on objectification of the key concept Russian language in the perception of non-native speakers from the Caspian states who come to study at Astrakhan State University. The article presents the results of an associative experiment, aimed at revealing specific features of the cognitive structure Russian language, formed in the foreign students’ minds, which has a significant impact on their country-through-language and linguocultural knowledge. The study scope includes the means of objectifying the concept Russian language and dynamics of its perception by nonnative speakers depending on the level of the students’ language training during the whole period of their studies at university, and a wide range of axiological judgments, expressed in the definitions given by the students during the associative experiment.

There is a high incidence of oral cancer in Brazil, with 150,000 new cases estimated for 2020-2022. In most cases, it is diagnosed at an advanced stage and are related to many risk factors. The Registro Hospitalar de Câncer (RHC), managed by Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), is a nation-wide database that integrates cancer registers from several hospitals in Brazil. RHC is mostly an administrative database but also include clinical, socioeconomic and hospitalization data for each patient with a cancer diagnostic in the country. For these patients, prognostication is always a difficult task a demand multi-dimensional analysis. Therefore, exploiting large-scale data and machine intelligence approaches emerge as promising tool for computer-aided decision support on death risk estimation. Given the importance of this context, some works have reported high prognostication effectiveness, however with extremely limited data collections, relying on weak validation protocols or simple robustness analysis. Hence, this work describes a detailed workflow and experimental analysis for oral cancer patient survival prediction considering careful data curation and strict validation procedures. By exploiting multiple machine learning algorithms and optimization techniques the proposed approach allowed promising survival prediction effectiveness with F1 and AuC-ROC over 0.78 and 0.80, respectively. Moreover, a detailed analysis have shown that the minimization of different types of prediction errors were achieved by different models, which highlights the importance of the rigour in this kind of validation.

Abstract A 5-well rig-less & explosiveness abandonment campaign by 2 project partners operator and service provider was made a reality in Morocco whereby a novel method of cementing squeeze of perforations and an annular fill-up were established in one single operation. This is called LEAN abandonment and the method was masterminded as a result of intense collaboration between both partners. The method is scale-able and has full merit to target existing legacy wells for abandonment in Morocco and world-wide where appropriate. In this LEAN approach the tubing and annulus were communicating via SSD / non-explosive created tubing punch by holding backpressure on the annulus till perforations squeezed or pressure lock-up and subsequently immediately opening the annulus and releasing the annular pressure whilst continuing pumping and filling the annulus with some 800 m of cement creating the firm additional barrier. Clinical planning by operator and service provider on a establishing a new abandonment process that is opening-up further in-country and beyond opportunities was the critical success factors in this work. It led to organic improvement on a well by well basis in the campaign, it resulted in safe and successful operations and achieving abandonment objectives cementing to surface in tubing and annulus. LEAN Abandonment forms a paradigm shift. It may be different in different down-hole settings and there is no single solution however like in our case working a bottoms-up approach has resulted the lowest cost solution and having done so ways to improve overall safety and efficiency were identified. The use of non-explosive technology is a very good example.

Purpose – Tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world, and many developing countries saw it as the chance of economic development accelerating. However, tourism potential is different among countries as well as within one country. The scope of this paper is to reveal the regional differences in business conditions considering tourism development in Serbia. Methodology – Instead of using a wide number of different individual indicators measuring regions’ tourism performances, it is more appropriate to use one composite indicator for depicting complex issues in regional tourism development - a composite index was developed using Data Envelopment Analysis. Data Envelopment Analysis is a sort of methodology that constructs an ‘efficiency frontier’ based on each region’s individual data using mathematical linear programming. It determines the best practice by measuring the relative position of each of the regions in terms of the value of the set of observed indicators. Such presentation of the existing region’s development in the tourism field and recommendations for possible improvement are clearer to the general public and non-scientific audience. The composite index is calculated as the weighted sum of the corresponding individual indicators, where the weights are endogenously determined by mathematical linear programming to obtain the maximum possible value. Findings – The results of DEA showed which parts of Serbia have the best business conditions for tourism development, considering the different factors (regional development index and subindexes). The results have been contrasted to chosen tourism statistics on the regional level, with a reference to the limitations during the research process. The proposed composite index is used to point the differences in regional business conditions which could be further influenced by government policies to tackle the specificities and needs of each separate region during tourism development. Contribution – DEA is a known methodology in regional development analysis, but it hasn’t been so much used in business conditions regional analysis before. Having different indicators which shaped business climate within one region, using DEA one tried to analyze the entrepreneurship possibilities with a spatial reference to the tourism development. This is an important contribution in the context of local economic and social development especially within poorly developed regions in Serbia

The world is facing energy difficulties for the future, in terms of security of supply and climate change issues. Nuclear power is virtually carbon free and it contributes to energy security, being a quasi-domestic source. Whilst it cannot provide a complete answer to these challenges, it is certainly capable of providing a significant component of the answer. However, nuclear power remains controversial. In order to gain public acceptance, it is widely recognised that a number of key issues need to be addressed, amongst which is resolution of the high-level radioactive waste (HLW) (including spent fuel) disposal issue. This is an important issue for all countries with an existing nuclear programme, whether or not it is intended that nuclear power should be phased out or expanded — the waste already exists and must be managed in any event. It is equally important for countries planning a new nuclear power programme where none has previously existed. Since nuclear power was first developed over fifty years ago, HLW arisings have been stored as an interim measure. It is widely believed by experts (though not by many opponents of the nuclear industry, nor by the public) that deep geological disposal, after a reasonable cooling time in interim storage, is technically feasible and constitutes a safe option [1] at an acceptable cost. The total volume of HLW from nuclear reactors is relatively small. A key issue, however, is the time-scale for developing such a final disposal solution. Considerations of security and inter-generational equity suggest that geological disposal should be implemented as soon as possible irrespective of whether or not new arisings are created. The question of managing HLW is not necessarily related to the issue of building new nuclear power stations. However, many opponents argue that there has been insufficient demonstration of the long-term safety of deep geological disposal. The same opponents also argue that there should be a moratorium on building new nuclear power plants (NPPs) until the issue of long-term management of HLW is resolved. These arguments have a powerful influence on public opinion towards both the construction of a waste repository and the building of new NPPs. The intent of this paper (developed from the current OECD NEA study on “Timing of High Level Waste Disposal”) is to identify and discuss some of the factors influencing the timing of the implementation of a HLW disposal strategy and to demonstrate to decision makers how these factors are affecting country strategies, based on current experience. Determining an optimum timescale of HLW disposal may be affected by a wide range of factors. The study examines how social acceptability, technical soundness, environmental responsibility and economic feasibility impact on the timing of HLW disposal and can be balanced in a national radioactive waste management strategy taking the social, political and economic environment into account. There is clear evidence that significant fractions of the public still have serious misconceptions with respect to the issues surrounding nuclear waste. The nuclear industry, together with governments in those countries who would like a component of nuclear power in their energy mix, has a responsibility for and a significant challenge in presenting its case to the public.

1 Introduction 1.1 The urgency of industrial decarbonization The last few years have seen several of the world’s largest carbon dioxide-emitting countries and leading heavy industry companies committing to mid-century net-zero targets (Buckley 2021; Denyer and Kashiwagi 2020; McCurry 2020; Myers 2020). Consequently, the discussion on economy-wide transition to net-zero is accelerating, with focus shifting from “if” to “when” and “how”, even for heavy industry sectors like steel, cement and chemicals. This makes it increasingly urgent to analyse not just whether it is technologically feasible to decarbonize heavy industry, but also investigate issues more directly related to practical implementation. This includes site-specific planning, infrastructure availability, and consultation with local authorities and other stakeholders. Many of the latter considerations are formalized as part of the permitting processes that are an essential vehicle to ensure that industrial interests are balanced against interests of society at large. However, doing this balancing act can turn out to be very complicated and associated with uncertainties as to their outcome, as well as being demanding in resources and time. At the same time, to ensure broad buy-in and support from society, the investments needed must be implemented in a way that takes a broad spectrum of sustainability concerns into account, not just climate change mitigation. A key question is if and how permitting processes can run more smoothly and efficiently while still ensuring inclusive consultations, fair procedures and adherence to legal certainty. This policy brief discusses this question from the starting point of Swedish conditions, but many of the points raised will be relevant for a broader international discussion on taking industrial decarbonization to implementation. 1.2 Industrial transition and permitting processes in Sweden Decarbonization of the industrial sector in Sweden essentially entails a relatively small number of investment projects in the cement, steel, petrochemical and refinery sectors, where the vast majority of carbon emissions are concentrated (Karltorp et al. 2019; Nykvist et al. 2020). However, while few in number, the size of these investments means that their implementation will by necessity become relevant to many other parts of society. In connection with the increasing focus on how to implement industrial decarbonization in Sweden, discussions about permitting processes have been brought higher up on the agenda. While there has been an active discussion on permitting processes in Sweden for quite some time, it has primarily been focused on aspects related to mining and wind power (Larsen et al. 2017; Raitio et al. 2020). The last few years have, however, focused increasingly on industrial projects, in particular related to a proposed – though eventually cancelled – expansion of an oil refinery in the southwestern part of the country (Blad 2020). In terms of political discussions, both the governmental initiative Fossil-free Sweden (2020) and the Swedish Climate Policy Council (2020) emphasize that permitting processes need to become faster in order for Sweden’s industrial transition to be implemented in line with the time plan set by the 2017 Swedish Climate Act. Business representatives and organizations are also voicing concerns about the slow speed of permitting (Balanskommissionen 2019; Jacke 2018). At the same time, criticism has been raised that much of the environmental damage done in Sweden comes from activities conducted within limits set by environmental permits, which could be a flaw in the system (Malmaeus and Lindblom 2019). Finally, recent public inquiries have also discussed permitting processes.

Evidence on the effectiveness of travel measures to prevent or slow the spread of Covid-19 and guidance on how and when to apply these measures is limited and the results are mixed. Given the social and economic disruptions that these measures can have, and their potential adverse effects on preventing the spread of the disease, WHO among others have cautioned implementing measures that are not supported by robust evidence. The scope of the search for this report was broad, covering all reported international travel restrictions to contain or slow the spread of Covid-19 and without geographical limitations. The results are therefore more general than restriction- or country-specific and more targeted studies may be omitted from the search due to these wide search parameters. There is general agreement across the literature that some form of travel restriction in the early stages of a disease or variant spread can lead to a slowing of the rate of infections in countries yet to be affected. The majority of studies conducted on travel restrictions adopt a modelling approach, and a systematic review conducted in December 2020 concluded that the quality of observational studies was low to very low (Bou-Karroum et al., 2021). Determining the specific effects of different travel measures is difficult as many studies examine the effects of combined measures. Few studies separate different types of restrictions and much of the modelling on international transmission rates uses data on the movements of people as a proxy for travel restrictions, therefore limiting the ability to observe how measures were implemented except for the timing of measures at different points in the pandemic. Limited country-level evidence was identified for this report and few global studies examine contextual factors that might affect the effectiveness of travel restriction measures. A targeted search for evidence on the effects of travel restrictions on different variants of Covid-19 did not reveal any studies making this distinction.

This rapid literature review finds that women have been disproportionately affected by Covid-19 in several ways. As the Covid-19 pandemic began, it was widely predicted that women would face worse outcomes than men in many spheres. This was based on evidence of pre-existing inequalities (e.g. the high share of women in informal work) and evidence from earlier disease outbreaks such as Ebola. Evidence from the past year and a half supports the idea that women have been disproportionately affected by Covid-19 in many of the issues investigated for this report. A wide-ranging World Bank review of evidence from April 2020 to April 2021 states that “women often appear to have lost out more than men economically and socially” (Nieves et al., 2021, p. 4). It was not possible to find evidence on the effect of Covid-19 on women’s role in the green economy and the effects of climate change (beyond calls for inclusive green growth), or on gender stereotyping in the media (although there is a small amount of literature on perceptions of women leaders during the pandemic). In all cases, the effect of Covid-19 and measures to suppress it have directly or indirectly continued or worsened pre-existing inequalities. In some instances, Covid-19 has created distinct difficulties for women (e.g. lockdowns and increased domestic violence). This report has found no evidence of Covid-19 improving the position of women in the areas of interest surveyed, beyond possible benefits from working from home for some women in high-income countries; and some suggestions that female leadership during the pandemic may lead to better perceptions of women (Piazza & Diaz, 2020). Studies also point to the intersection of gender with other factors, such as caste and ethnicity, leading to worse outcomes (Chen et al., 2021; Kabeer et al., 2021). In many cases, migrant women and women with disabilities are at an increased disadvantage. The report focuses on evidence from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and G7 members. It is not comprehensive but surveys the available evidence focusing on global, regional or synthesis evidence to provide a more representative coverage. It, therefore, does not cover every context or provide any country case studies and overlooks variations in some countries in favour of broader trends.

The article explores the key vocabulary of 2020 in the network space of Ukraine. Texts of journalistic, official-business style, analytical publications of well-known journalists on current topics are analyzed. Extralinguistic factors of new word formation, their adaptation to the sphere of special and socio-political vocabulary of the Ukrainian language are determined. Examples show modern impressions in the media, their stylistic use and impact on public opinion in a pandemic. New meanings of foreign expressions, media terminology, peculiarities of translation of neologisms from English into Ukrainian have been clarified. According to the materials of the online media, a «dictionary of the coronavirus era» is provided. The journalistic text functions in the media on the basis of logical judgments, credible arguments, impressive language. Its purpose is to show the socio-political problem, to sharpen its significance for society and to propose solutions through convincing considerations. Most researchers emphasize the influential role of journalistic style, which through the media shapes public opinion on issues of politics, economics, education, health care, war, the future of the country. To cover such a wide range of topics, socio-political vocabulary is used first of all – neutral and emotionally-evaluative, rhetorical questions and imperatives, special terminology, foreign words. There is an ongoing discussion in online publications about the use of the new foreign token «lockdown» instead of the word «quarantine», which has long been learned in the Ukrainian language. Research on this topic has shown that at the initial stage of the pandemic, the word «lockdown» prevailed in the colloquial language of politicians, media personalities and part of society did not quite understand its meaning. Lockdown, in its current interpretation, is a restrictive measure to protect people from a dangerous virus that has spread to many countries; isolation of the population («stay in place») in case of risk of spreading Covid-19. In English, US citizens are told what a lockdown is: «A lockdown is a restriction policy for people or communities to stay where they are, usually due to specific risks to themselves or to others if they can move and interact freely. The term «stay-at-home» or «shelter-in-place» is often used for lockdowns that affect an area, rather than specific locations». Content analysis of online texts leads to the conclusion that in 2020 a special vocabulary was actively functioning, with the appropriate definitions, which the media described as a «dictionary of coronavirus vocabulary». Media broadcasting is the deepest and pulsating source of creative texts with new meanings, phrases, expressiveness. The influential power of the word finds its unconditional embodiment in the media. Journalists, bloggers, experts, politicians, analyzing current events, produce concepts of a new reality. The world is changing and the language of the media is responding to these changes. It manifests itself most vividly and emotionally in the network sphere, in various genres and styles.

The article investigates functional techniques of extralinguistic expression in multimedia texts; the effectiveness of figurative expressions as a reaction to modern events in Ukraine and their influence on the formation of public opinion is shown. Publications of journalists, broadcasts of media resonators, experts, public figures, politicians, readers are analyzed. The language of the media plays a key role in shaping the worldview of the young political elite in the first place. The essence of each statement is a focused thought that reacts to events in the world or in one’s own country. The most popular platform for mass information and social interaction is, first of all, network journalism, which is characterized by mobility and unlimited time and space. Authors have complete freedom to express their views in direct language, including their own word formation. Phonetic, lexical, phraseological and stylistic means of speech create expression of the text. A figurative word, a good aphorism or proverb, a paraphrased expression, etc. enhance the effectiveness of a multimedia text. This is especially important for headlines that simultaneously inform and influence the views of millions of readers. Given the wide range of issues raised by the Internet as a medium, research in this area is interdisciplinary. The science of information, combining language and social communication, is at the forefront of global interactions. The Internet is an effective source of knowledge and a forum for free thought. Nonlinear texts (hypertexts) – «branching texts or texts that perform actions on request», multimedia texts change the principles of information collection, storage and dissemination, involving billions of readers in the discussion of global issues. Mastering the word is not an easy task if the author of the publication is not well-read, is not deep in the topic, does not know the psychology of the audience for which he writes. Therefore, the study of media broadcasting is an important component of the professional training of future journalists. The functions of the language of the media require the authors to make the right statements and convincing arguments in the text. Journalism education is not only knowledge of imperative and dispositive norms, but also apodictic ones. In practice, this means that there are rules in media creativity that are based on logical necessity. Apodicticity is the first sign of impressive language on the platform of print or electronic media. Social expression is a combination of creative abilities and linguistic competencies that a journalist realizes in his activity. Creative self-expression is realized in a set of many important factors in the media: the choice of topic, convincing arguments, logical presentation of ideas and deep philological education. Linguistic art, in contrast to painting, music, sculpture, accumulates all visual, auditory, tactile and empathic sensations in a universal sign – the word. The choice of the word for the reproduction of sensory and semantic meanings, its competent use in the appropriate context distinguishes the journalist-intellectual from other participants in forums, round tables, analytical or entertainment programs. Expressive speech in the media is a product of the intellect (ability to think) of all those who write on socio-political or economic topics. In the same plane with him – intelligence (awareness, prudence), the first sign of which (according to Ivan Ogienko) is a good knowledge of the language. Intellectual language is an important means of organizing a journalistic text. It, on the one hand, logically conveys the author’s thoughts, and on the other – encourages the reader to reflect and comprehend what is read. The richness of language is accumulated through continuous self-education and interesting communication. Studies of social expression as an important factor influencing the formation of public consciousness should open up new facets of rational and emotional media broadcasting; to trace physical and psychological reactions to communicative mimicry in the media. Speech mimicry as one of the methods of disguise is increasingly becoming a dangerous factor in manipulating the media. Mimicry is an unprincipled adaptation to the surrounding social conditions; one of the most famous examples of an animal characterized by mimicry (change of protective color and shape) is a chameleon. In a figurative sense, chameleons are called adaptive journalists. Observations show that mimicry in politics is to some extent a kind of game that, like every game, is always conditional and artificial.

1.1 Macroeconomic summary Economic recovery has consistently outperformed the technical staff’s expectations following a steep decline in activity in the second quarter of 2020. At the same time, total and core inflation rates have fallen and remain at low levels, suggesting that a significant element of the reactivation of Colombia’s economy has been related to recovery in potential GDP. This would support the technical staff’s diagnosis of weak aggregate demand and ample excess capacity. The most recently available data on 2020 growth suggests a contraction in economic activity of 6.8%, lower than estimates from January’s Monetary Policy Report (-7.2%). High-frequency indicators suggest that economic performance was significantly more dynamic than expected in January, despite mobility restrictions and quarantine measures. This has also come amid declines in total and core inflation, the latter of which was below January projections if controlling for certain relative price changes. This suggests that the unexpected strength of recent growth contains elements of demand, and that excess capacity, while significant, could be lower than previously estimated. Nevertheless, uncertainty over the measurement of excess capacity continues to be unusually high and marked both by variations in the way different economic sectors and spending components have been affected by the pandemic, and by uneven price behavior. The size of excess capacity, and in particular the evolution of the pandemic in forthcoming quarters, constitute substantial risks to the macroeconomic forecast presented in this report. Despite the unexpected strength of the recovery, the technical staff continues to project ample excess capacity that is expected to remain on the forecast horizon, alongside core inflation that will likely remain below the target. Domestic demand remains below 2019 levels amid unusually significant uncertainty over the size of excess capacity in the economy. High national unemployment (14.6% for February 2021) reflects a loose labor market, while observed total and core inflation continue to be below 2%. Inflationary pressures from the exchange rate are expected to continue to be low, with relatively little pass-through on inflation. This would be compatible with a negative output gap. Excess productive capacity and the expectation of core inflation below the 3% target on the forecast horizon provide a basis for an expansive monetary policy posture. The technical staff’s assessment of certain shocks and their expected effects on the economy, as well as the presence of several sources of uncertainty and related assumptions about their potential macroeconomic impacts, remain a feature of this report. The coronavirus pandemic, in particular, continues to affect the public health environment, and the reopening of Colombia’s economy remains incomplete. The technical staff’s assessment is that the COVID-19 shock has affected both aggregate demand and supply, but that the impact on demand has been deeper and more persistent. Given this persistence, the central forecast accounts for a gradual tightening of the output gap in the absence of new waves of contagion, and as vaccination campaigns progress. The central forecast continues to include an expected increase of total and core inflation rates in the second quarter of 2021, alongside the lapse of the temporary price relief measures put in place in 2020. Additional COVID-19 outbreaks (of uncertain duration and intensity) represent a significant risk factor that could affect these projections. Additionally, the forecast continues to include an upward trend in sovereign risk premiums, reflected by higher levels of public debt that in the wake of the pandemic are likely to persist on the forecast horizon, even in the context of a fiscal adjustment. At the same time, the projection accounts for the shortterm effects on private domestic demand from a fiscal adjustment along the lines of the one currently being proposed by the national government. This would be compatible with a gradual recovery of private domestic demand in 2022. The size and characteristics of the fiscal adjustment that is ultimately implemented, as well as the corresponding market response, represent another source of forecast uncertainty. Newly available information offers evidence of the potential for significant changes to the macroeconomic scenario, though without altering the general diagnosis described above. The most recent data on inflation, growth, fiscal policy, and international financial conditions suggests a more dynamic economy than previously expected. However, a third wave of the pandemic has delayed the re-opening of Colombia’s economy and brought with it a deceleration in economic activity. Detailed descriptions of these considerations and subsequent changes to the macroeconomic forecast are presented below. The expected annual decline in GDP (-0.3%) in the first quarter of 2021 appears to have been less pronounced than projected in January (-4.8%). Partial closures in January to address a second wave of COVID-19 appear to have had a less significant negative impact on the economy than previously estimated. This is reflected in figures related to mobility, energy demand, industry and retail sales, foreign trade, commercial transactions from selected banks, and the national statistics agency’s (DANE) economic tracking indicator (ISE). Output is now expected to have declined annually in the first quarter by 0.3%. Private consumption likely continued to recover, registering levels somewhat above those from the previous year, while public consumption likely increased significantly. While a recovery in investment in both housing and in other buildings and structures is expected, overall investment levels in this case likely continued to be low, and gross fixed capital formation is expected to continue to show significant annual declines. Imports likely recovered to again outpace exports, though both are expected to register significant annual declines. Economic activity that outpaced projections, an increase in oil prices and other export products, and an expected increase in public spending this year account for the upward revision to the 2021 growth forecast (from 4.6% with a range between 2% and 6% in January, to 6.0% with a range between 3% and 7% in April). As a result, the output gap is expected to be smaller and to tighten more rapidly than projected in the previous report, though it is still expected to remain in negative territory on the forecast horizon. Wide forecast intervals reflect the fact that the future evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic remains a significant source of uncertainty on these projections. The delay in the recovery of economic activity as a result of the resurgence of COVID-19 in the first quarter appears to have been less significant than projected in the January report. The central forecast scenario expects this improved performance to continue in 2021 alongside increased consumer and business confidence. Low real interest rates and an active credit supply would also support this dynamic, and the overall conditions would be expected to spur a recovery in consumption and investment. Increased growth in public spending and public works based on the national government’s spending plan (Plan Financiero del Gobierno) are other factors to consider. Additionally, an expected recovery in global demand and higher projected prices for oil and coffee would further contribute to improved external revenues and would favor investment, in particular in the oil sector. Given the above, the technical staff’s 2021 growth forecast has been revised upward from 4.6% in January (range from 2% to 6%) to 6.0% in April (range from 3% to 7%). These projections account for the potential for the third wave of COVID-19 to have a larger and more persistent effect on the economy than the previous wave, while also supposing that there will not be any additional significant waves of the pandemic and that mobility restrictions will be relaxed as a result. Economic growth in 2022 is expected to be 3%, with a range between 1% and 5%. This figure would be lower than projected in the January report (3.6% with a range between 2% and 6%), due to a higher base of comparison given the upward revision to expected GDP in 2021. This forecast also takes into account the likely effects on private demand of a fiscal adjustment of the size currently being proposed by the national government, and which would come into effect in 2022. Excess in productive capacity is now expected to be lower than estimated in January but continues to be significant and affected by high levels of uncertainty, as reflected in the wide forecast intervals. The possibility of new waves of the virus (of uncertain intensity and duration) represents a significant downward risk to projected GDP growth, and is signaled by the lower limits of the ranges provided in this report. Inflation (1.51%) and inflation excluding food and regulated items (0.94%) declined in March compared to December, continuing below the 3% target. The decline in inflation in this period was below projections, explained in large part by unanticipated increases in the costs of certain foods (3.92%) and regulated items (1.52%). An increase in international food and shipping prices, increased foreign demand for beef, and specific upward pressures on perishable food supplies appear to explain a lower-than-expected deceleration in the consumer price index (CPI) for foods. An unexpected increase in regulated items prices came amid unanticipated increases in international fuel prices, on some utilities rates, and for regulated education prices. The decline in annual inflation excluding food and regulated items between December and March was in line with projections from January, though this included downward pressure from a significant reduction in telecommunications rates due to the imminent entry of a new operator. When controlling for the effects of this relative price change, inflation excluding food and regulated items exceeds levels forecast in the previous report. Within this indicator of core inflation, the CPI for goods (1.05%) accelerated due to a reversion of the effects of the VAT-free day in November, which was largely accounted for in February, and possibly by the transmission of a recent depreciation of the peso on domestic prices for certain items (electric and household appliances). For their part, services prices decelerated and showed the lowest rate of annual growth (0.89%) among the large consumer baskets in the CPI. Within the services basket, the annual change in rental prices continued to decline, while those services that continue to experience the most significant restrictions on returning to normal operations (tourism, cinemas, nightlife, etc.) continued to register significant price declines. As previously mentioned, telephone rates also fell significantly due to increased competition in the market. Total inflation is expected to continue to be affected by ample excesses in productive capacity for the remainder of 2021 and 2022, though less so than projected in January. As a result, convergence to the inflation target is now expected to be somewhat faster than estimated in the previous report, assuming the absence of significant additional outbreaks of COVID-19. The technical staff’s year-end inflation projections for 2021 and 2022 have increased, suggesting figures around 3% due largely to variation in food and regulated items prices. The projection for inflation excluding food and regulated items also increased, but remains below 3%. Price relief measures on indirect taxes implemented in 2020 are expected to lapse in the second quarter of 2021, generating a one-off effect on prices and temporarily affecting inflation excluding food and regulated items. However, indexation to low levels of past inflation, weak demand, and ample excess productive capacity are expected to keep core inflation below the target, near 2.3% at the end of 2021 (previously 2.1%). The reversion in 2021 of the effects of some price relief measures on utility rates from 2020 should lead to an increase in the CPI for regulated items in the second half of this year. Annual price changes are now expected to be higher than estimated in the January report due to an increased expected path for fuel prices and unanticipated increases in regulated education prices. The projection for the CPI for foods has increased compared to the previous report, taking into account certain factors that were not anticipated in January (a less favorable agricultural cycle, increased pressure from international prices, and transport costs). Given the above, year-end annual inflation for 2021 and 2022 is now expected to be 3% and 2.8%, respectively, which would be above projections from January (2.3% and 2,7%). For its part, expected inflation based on analyst surveys suggests year-end inflation in 2021 and 2022 of 2.8% and 3.1%, respectively. There remains significant uncertainty surrounding the inflation forecasts included in this report due to several factors: 1) the evolution of the pandemic; 2) the difficulty in evaluating the size and persistence of excess productive capacity; 3) the timing and manner in which price relief measures will lapse; and 4) the future behavior of food prices. Projected 2021 growth in foreign demand (4.4% to 5.2%) and the supposed average oil price (USD 53 to USD 61 per Brent benchmark barrel) were both revised upward. An increase in long-term international interest rates has been reflected in a depreciation of the peso and could result in relatively tighter external financial conditions for emerging market economies, including Colombia. Average growth among Colombia’s trade partners was greater than expected in the fourth quarter of 2020. This, together with a sizable fiscal stimulus approved in the United States and the onset of a massive global vaccination campaign, largely explains the projected increase in foreign demand growth in 2021. The resilience of the goods market in the face of global crisis and an expected normalization in international trade are additional factors. These considerations and the expected continuation of a gradual reduction of mobility restrictions abroad suggest that Colombia’s trade partners could grow on average by 5.2% in 2021 and around 3.4% in 2022. The improved prospects for global economic growth have led to an increase in current and expected oil prices. Production interruptions due to a heavy winter, reduced inventories, and increased supply restrictions instituted by producing countries have also contributed to the increase. Meanwhile, market forecasts and recent Federal Reserve pronouncements suggest that the benchmark interest rate in the U.S. will remain stable for the next two years. Nevertheless, a significant increase in public spending in the country has fostered expectations for greater growth and inflation, as well as increased uncertainty over the moment in which a normalization of monetary policy might begin. This has been reflected in an increase in long-term interest rates. In this context, emerging market economies in the region, including Colombia, have registered increases in sovereign risk premiums and long-term domestic interest rates, and a depreciation of local currencies against the dollar. Recent outbreaks of COVID-19 in several of these economies; limits on vaccine supply and the slow pace of immunization campaigns in some countries; a significant increase in public debt; and tensions between the United States and China, among other factors, all add to a high level of uncertainty surrounding interest rate spreads, external financing conditions, and the future performance of risk premiums. The impact that this environment could have on the exchange rate and on domestic financing conditions represent risks to the macroeconomic and monetary policy forecasts. Domestic financial conditions continue to favor recovery in economic activity. The transmission of reductions to the policy interest rate on credit rates has been significant. The banking portfolio continues to recover amid circumstances that have affected both the supply and demand for loans, and in which some credit risks have materialized. Preferential and ordinary commercial interest rates have fallen to a similar degree as the benchmark interest rate. As is generally the case, this transmission has come at a slower pace for consumer credit rates, and has been further delayed in the case of mortgage rates. Commercial credit levels stabilized above pre-pandemic levels in March, following an increase resulting from significant liquidity requirements for businesses in the second quarter of 2020. The consumer credit portfolio continued to recover and has now surpassed February 2020 levels, though overall growth in the portfolio remains low. At the same time, portfolio projections and default indicators have increased, and credit establishment earnings have come down. Despite this, credit disbursements continue to recover and solvency indicators remain well above regulatory minimums. 1.2 Monetary policy decision In its meetings in March and April the BDBR left the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 1.75%.