Agenda setting and micro-blog use: An analysis of the relationship between Sina Weibo and newspaper agendas in China

The present study investigates the influence of micro-blogs on the major agenda-setting media in China in the immediate aftermath of a catastrophic railway accident. Study findings are based on a content analysis of micro-blog messages and traditional mainstream media reports that were published in the nine days subsequent to the July 23, 2011 bullet train crash accident. Results suggest that, in the immediate aftermath of a catastrophic train wreck, alternative online media played a decisive role in setting mainstream media agendas and providing a citizen forum on a sensitive issue that their conventional counterparts downplayed, ignored, or missed altogether. In particular, the traditional media’s agenda setting power is no longer universal nor singular within micro-blogging outlets. Instead, traditional media—once a monolithic establishment—are now just one of the role players among many competing influences

Super and massive AGB stars - IV. Final fates - Initial to final mass relation

We explore the final fates of massive intermediate-mass stars by computing detailed stellar models from the zero age main sequence until near the end of the thermally pulsing phase. These super-AGB and massive AGB star models are in the mass range between 5.0 and 10.0 Msun for metallicities spanning the range Z=0.02-0.0001. We probe the mass limits M_up, M_n and M_mass, the minimum masses for the onset of carbon burning, the formation of a neutron star, and the iron core-collapse supernovae respectively, to constrain the white dwarf/electron-capture supernova boundary. We provide a theoretical initial to final mass relation for the massive and ultra-massive white dwarfs and specify the mass range for the occurrence of hybrid CO(Ne) white dwarfs. We predict electron-capture supernova (EC-SN) rates for lower metallicities which are significantly lower than existing values from parametric studies in the literature. We conclude the EC-SN channel (for single stars and with the critical assumption being the choice of mass-loss rate) is very narrow in initial mass, at most approximately 0.2 Msun. This implies that between ~ 2-5 per cent of all gravitational collapse supernova are EC-SNe in the metallicity range Z=0.02 to 0.0001. With our choice for mass-loss prescription and computed core growth rates we find, within our metallicity range, that CO cores cannot grow sufficiently massive to undergo a Type 1.5 SN explosion.Comment: 15 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

A CASE STUDY OF ENGINEERING ETHICS: LESSON LEARNED FROM BUILDING COLLAPSE DISASTER TOWARD MALAYSIAN ENGINEERS

This paper presents the case study on the Hotel New World tragedy. The building collapsed on 15th March 1986 and an investigation was conducted to determine the main cause of this tragedy. There were several speculations made on the cause of the collapse such as internal explosion, bad concrete mixture and swampy land affecting the building’s foundations. However, after thorough investigations, these speculations were proved to be inappropriate and the main cause was found to be due to the engineer’s miscalculation during the designing stage which leads to this catastrophic failure of the building. Rescue operation was initiated immediately after the collapse to rescue the victims and the aftermath of this tragedy had led to multiple reclamations. These reclamations include the endorsement of Building Control Act 1989 along Building Control (Accredited Checkers) Regulations 1989 as a stricter quality control measure. The analysis shows that this case may be due to unwanted mistakes or negligence of the engineers in carrying out their duties. Several actions were taken according to the ethical theories and codes of ethics. However after the analysis and evaluation were done, duty ethics and right ethics were more relevant to the collapse of Hotel New World case as compared to the other ethical theories and thus reclamations were done based on duty ethics and right ethic

A CASE STUDY OF ENGINEERING ETHICS: LESSON LEARNED FROM BUILDING COLLAPSE DISASTER TOWARD MALAYSIAN ENGINEERS

This paper presents the case study on the Hotel New World tragedy. The building collapsed on 15th March 1986 and an investigation was conducted to determine the main cause of this tragedy. There were several speculations made on the cause of the collapse such as internal explosion, bad concrete mixture and swampy land affecting the building’s foundations. However, after thorough investigations, these speculations were proved to be inappropriate and the main cause was found to be due to the engineer’s miscalculation during the designing stage which leads to this catastrophic failure of the building. Rescue operation was initiated immediately after the collapse to rescue the victims and the aftermath of this tragedy had led to multiple reclamations. These reclamations include the endorsement of Building Control Act 1989 along Building Control (Accredited Checkers) Regulations 1989 as a stricter quality control measure. The analysis shows that this case may be due to unwanted mistakes or negligence of the engineers in carrying out their duties. Several actions were taken according to the ethical theories and codes of ethics. However after the analysis and evaluation were done, duty ethics and right ethics were more relevant to the collapse of Hotel New World case as compared to the other ethical theories and thus reclamations were done based on duty ethics and right ethic

A CASE STUDY OF ENGINEERING ETHICS: LESSON LEARNED FROM BUILDING COLLAPSE DISASTER TOWARD MALAYSIAN ENGINEERS

This paper presents the case study on the Hotel New World tragedy. The building collapsed on 15th March 1986 and an investigation was conducted to determine the main cause of this tragedy. There were several speculations made on the cause of the collapse such as internal explosion, bad concrete mixture and swampy land affecting the building’s foundations. However, after thorough investigations, these speculations were proved to be inappropriate and the main cause was found to be due to the engineer’s miscalculation during the designing stage which leads to this catastrophic failure of the building. Rescue operation was initiated immediately after the collapse to rescue the victims and the aftermath of this tragedy had led to multiple reclamations. These reclamations include the endorsement of Building Control Act 1989 along Building Control (Accredited Checkers) Regulations 1989 as a stricter quality control measure. The analysis shows that this case may be due to unwanted mistakes or negligence of the engineers in carrying out their duties. Several actions were taken according to the ethical theories and codes of ethics. However after the analysis and evaluation were done, duty ethics and right ethics were more relevant to the collapse of Hotel New World case as compared to the other ethical theories and thus reclamations were done based on duty ethics and right ethic

Production of short-lived radioactive nuclei in Super Asymptotic Giant Branch stars

Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Primordial to extremely metal-poor AGB and Super-AGB stars: White dwarf or supernova progenitors?

Getting a better understanding of the evolution and nucleosynthetic yields of the most metal-poor stars ( Z ¿ 10 ¿5 ) is critical because they are part of the big picture of the history of the primitive universe. Yet many of the remaining unknowns of stellar evolution lie in the birth, life, and death of these objects. We review stellar evolution of intermediate-mass Z = 10 ¿5 models existing in the literature, with a particular focus on the problem of their final fates. We emphasise the importance of the mixing episodes between the stellar envelope and the nuclearly processed core, which occur after stars exhaust their central He (second dredge-up and dredge-out episodes). The depth and efficiency of these episodes are critical to determine the mass limits for the formation of electron-capture SNe. Our knowledge of these phenomena is not complete because they are strongly affected by the choice of input physics. These uncertainties affect stars in all mass and metallicity ranges. However, difficulties in calibration pose additional challenges in the case of the most metal-poor stars. We also consider the alternative SN I1/2 channel to form SNe out of the most metal-poor intermediate-mass objects. In this case, it is critical to understand the thermally pulsing Asymptotic Giant Branch evolution until the late stages. Efficient second dredge-up and, later, third dredge-up episodes could be able to pollute stellar envelopes enough for the stars to undergo thermal pulses in a way very similar to that of higher initial Z objects. Inefficient second and/or third dredge-up may leave an almost pristine envelope, unable to sustain strong stellar winds. This may allow the H-exhausted core to grow to the Chandrasekhar mass before the envelope is completely lost, and thus let the star explode as an SN I1/2. After reviewing the information available on these two possible channels for the formation of SNe, we discuss existing nucleosynthetic yields of stars of metallicity Z = 10 ¿5 and present an example of nucleosynthetic calculations for a thermally pulsing Super-Asymptotic Giant Branch star of Z = 10 ¿5 . We compare theoretical predictions with observations of the lowest [Fe/H] objects detected. The review closes by discussing current open questions as well as possible fruitful avenues for future research.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Media and information literate citizens: think critically, click wisely!

Can we improve our societies by clicking wisely? Content providers such as libraries, archives, museums, media and digital communications companies can enable inclusive and sustainable development. However, they do not always live up to these ideals, which creates challenges for the users of these services. Content providers of all types open up new opportunities for lifelong learning. But at the same time, they open up challenges such as misinformation and disinformation, hate speech, and infringement of online privacy, among others. Media and information literacy is a set of competencies that help people to maximize advantages and minimize harms. Media and information literacy covers competencies that enable people to critically and effectively engage with: communications content; the institutions that facilitate this content; and the use of digital technologies. Capacities in these areas are indispensable for all citizens regardless of their ages or backgrounds. This pioneering curriculum presents a comprehensive competency framework of media and information literacy and offers educators and learners structured pedagogical suggestions. It features various detailed modules covering the range of competencies needed to navigate today’s communications ecosystem. This resource links media and information literacy to emerging issues, such as artificial intelligence, digital citizenship education, education for sustainable development, cultural literacy and the exponential rise in misinformation and disinformation. With effective use of this media and information literacy curriculum, everyone can become media and information literate as well as peer-educators of media and information literacy

Hyperpolarized [1,4-13C2]Fumarate Enables Magnetic Resonance-Based Imaging of Myocardial Necrosis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine if hyperpolarized [1,4-13C2]malate imaging could measure cardiomyocyte necrosis after myocardial infarction (MI). BACKGROUND: MI is defined by an acute burst of cellular necrosis and the subsequent cascade of structural and functional adaptations. Quantifying necrosis in the clinic after MI remains challenging. Magnetic resonance-based detection of the conversion of hyperpolarized [1,4-13C2]fumarate to [1,4-13C2]malate, enabled by disrupted cell membrane integrity, has measured cellular necrosis in vivo in other tissue types. Our aim was to determine whether hyperpolarized [1,4-13C2]malate imaging could measure necrosis after MI. METHODS: Isolated perfused hearts were given hyperpolarized [1,4-13C2]fumarate at baseline, immediately after 20 min of ischemia, and after 45 min of reperfusion. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy measured conversion into [1,4-13C2]malate. Left ventricular function and energetics were monitored throughout the protocol, buffer samples were collected and hearts were preserved for further analyses. For in vivo studies, magnetic resonance spectroscopy and a novel spatial-spectral magnetic resonance imaging sequence were implemented to assess cardiomyocyte necrosis in rats, 1 day and 1 week after cryo-induced MI. RESULTS: In isolated hearts, [1,4-13C2]malate production became apparent after 45 min of reperfusion, and increased 2.7-fold compared with baseline. Expression of dicarboxylic acid transporter genes were negligible in healthy and reperfused hearts, and lactate dehydrogenase release and infarct size were significantly increased in reperfused hearts. Nonlinear regression revealed that [1,4-13C2]malate production was induced when adenosine triphosphate was depleted by >50%, below 5.3 mmol/l (R2 = 0.904). In vivo, the quantity of [1,4-13C2]malate visible increased 82-fold over controls 1 day after infarction, maintaining a 31-fold increase 7 days post-infarct. [1,4-13C2]Malate could be resolved using hyperpolarized magnetic resonance imaging in the infarct region one day after MI; [1,4-13C2]malate was not visible in control hearts. CONCLUSIONS: Malate production in the infarcted heart appears to provide a specific probe of necrosis acutely after MI, and for at least 1 week afterward. This technique could offer an alternative noninvasive method to measure cellular necrosis in heart disease, and warrants further investigation in patients