Product packaging and consumers’ emotional response. Does spatial representation influence product evaluation and choice?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of different spatial representations (foreground and background) of a product image on the package on the consumer emotional state and intention to buy the product, drawing upon the construal level theory (CLT). Design/methodology/approach – Two between-subjects experimental designs were conducted. A face-reading software was used to measure the emotional reactions of participants while watching the stimuli. Findings – Empirical results showed that the foreground representation of the product, triggered by a lower perceived psychological distance between the subject and the product, generates more positive emotional responses compared to the background representation. However, the purchase intention did not significantly differ between the foreground condition and the background condition. Research limitations/implications – The study enriches the literature on CLT and provides some guidance to manufacturers and product managers for the understanding of the role of packaging in influencing consumer behaviour. Originality/value – The paper contributes to the research on the presence of the product imagery on the package. The focus is shifted from the presence/absence of the picture to its position (proximal or distal). This aspect has been neglected in previous studies. Moreover, it is the first application of face reading to support CLT basic assumption and enrich extant marketing research on packaging

Experimental Satellite Quantum Communications

Quantum Communications on planetary scale require complementary channels including ground and satellite links. The former have progressed up to commercial stage using fiber-cables, while for satellite links, the absence of terminals in orbit has impaired theirs development. However, the demonstration of the feasibility of such links is crucial for designing space payloads and to eventually enable the realization of protocols such as quantum-key-distribution (QKD) and quantum teleportation along satellite-to-ground or intersatellite links. We demonstrated the faithful transmission of qubits from space to ground by exploiting satellite corner cube retroreflectors acting as transmitter in orbit, obtaining a low error rate suitable for QKD. We also propose a two-way QKD protocol exploiting modulated retroreflectors that necessitates a minimal payload on satellite, thus facilitating the expansion of Space Quantum Communications

Experimental single photon exchange along a space link of 7000 km

Extending the single photon transmission distance is a basic requirement for the implementation of quantum communication on a global scale. In this work we report the single photon exchange from a medium Earth orbit satellite (MEO) at more than 7000 km of slanted distance to the ground station at the Matera Laser Ranging Observatory. The single photon transmitter was realized by exploiting the corner cube retro-reflectors mounted on the LAGEOS-2 satellite. Long duration of data collection is possible with such altitude, up to 43 minutes in a single passage. The mean number of photons per pulse ({\mu}sat) has been limited to 1 for 200 seconds, resulting in an average detection rate of 3.0 cps and a signal to noise ratio of 1.5. The feasibility of single photon exchange from MEO satellites paves the way to tests of Quantum Mechanics in moving frames and to global Quantum Information.Comment: 5 pages, updated versio

Unveiling the Dynamics of Censorship, COVID-19 Regulations, and Protest: An Empirical Study of Chinese Subreddit r/china_irl

The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified numerous social issues that warrant academic investigation. Although information dissemination has been extensively studied, the silenced voices and censored content also merit attention due to their role in mobilizing social movements. In this paper, we provide empirical evidence to explore the relationships among COVID-19 regulations, censorship, and protest through a series of social incidents occurred in China during 2022. We analyze the similarities and differences between censored articles and discussions on r/china\_irl, the most popular Chinese-speaking subreddit, and scrutinize the temporal dynamics of government censorship activities and their impact on user engagement within the subreddit. Furthermore, we examine users' linguistic patterns under the influence of a censorship-driven environment. Our findings reveal patterns in topic recurrence, the complex interplay between censorship activities, user subscription, and collective commenting behavior, as well as potential linguistic adaptation strategies to circumvent censorship. These insights hold significant implications for researchers interested in understanding the survival mechanisms of marginalized groups within censored information ecosystems

Experimental characterization of SLM and EBM cubic lattice structures for lightweight applications

This study carries out an experimental characterization of lattice structures that are based on cubic cells fabricated through selective laser melting (SLM) and electron beam melting (EBM). The lattice failure under compressive load is studied as a function of the process typology, material properties, and dimensional parameters of the unit cell. The bulk material is first characterized to evaluate the process stability. Three main failure modes of the lattice are identified, depending on the response of ductile/brittle material and the direction of crack propagation. The relationship between lattice geometrical parameters and mechanical strength is observed. The results of the modeling and experiments are suitable to validate the design of lightweight components built with AM processes. The structural performances related to geometrical features, material properties and technological constraints are well explained for further applications in structural design. The equivalent Young’s module of lattice samples with different cell size has been measured and compared with numerical simulations based on the homogenization method

Interference at the Single Photon Level Along Satellite-Ground Channels

Quantum interference arising from superposition of states is a striking evidence of the validity of Quantum Mechanics, confirmed in many experiments and also exploited in applications. However, as for any scientific theory, Quantum Mechanics is valid within the limits in which it has been experimentally verified. In order to extend such limits, it is necessary to observe quantum interference in unexplored conditions such as moving terminals at large distance in Space. Here we experimentally demonstrate single photon interference at a ground station due to the coherent superposition of two temporal modes reflected by a rapidly moving satellite thousand kilometers away. The relative speed of the satellite induces a varying modulation in the interference pattern. The measurement of the satellite distance in real time by laser ranging allowed us to precisely predict the instantaneous value of the interference phase. We then observed the interference patterns with visibility up to $67\%$ with three different satellites and with path length up to 5000 km. Our results attest the viability of photon temporal modes for fundamental tests of Physics and Quantum Communications in Space.Comment: Version accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Let

Leveraging Large Language Models to Detect Influence Campaigns in Social Media

Social media influence campaigns pose significant challenges to public discourse and democracy. Traditional detection methods fall short due to the complexity and dynamic nature of social media. Addressing this, we propose a novel detection method using Large Language Models (LLMs) that incorporates both user metadata and network structures. By converting these elements into a text format, our approach effectively processes multilingual content and adapts to the shifting tactics of malicious campaign actors. We validate our model through rigorous testing on multiple datasets, showcasing its superior performance in identifying influence efforts. This research not only offers a powerful tool for detecting campaigns, but also sets the stage for future enhancements to keep up with the fast-paced evolution of social media-based influence tactics

The Effect of Social EWOM on Consumers’ Behaviour Patterns in the Fashion Sector

The study described in this chapter aimed to enhance knowledge on the influence of electronic word of mouth (eWOM) on consumer’s decision-making processes. eWOM emerged as a key driver in consumers’ decision-making processes given its greater impact on purchasing decisions compared to other communication channels. Specifically, the study focused on the reviews of fashion products on social networks (SNs) and built on the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) model in order to identify the determinants of social eWOM adoption and intention to buy the reviewed product. The survey method was used to gather data from 230 Italian consumers. Structural equation modelling was used to estimate the model proposed. Results revealed that when consumers seek information on fashion products, the user-friendliness of SNs and social cues (homophily and normative social influence) positively impact social eWOM (opinion-seeking), which in turn influences the intention to purchase the reviewed products. The study contributes both theoretically and empirically to the understanding of the role of social eWOM in influencing consumer behaviour. At the theoretical level, it supports the adequacy of the S-O-R model for explaining the consumer decision-making process in the context of social eWOM. From a managerial perspective, the findings highlight the importance of taking into consideration both structural (accessibility) and social relationship variables while developing social media marketing strategies

How Does Twitter Account Moderation Work? Dynamics of Account Creation and Suspension During Major Geopolitical Events

Social media moderation policies are often at the center of public debate, and their implementation and enactment are sometimes surrounded by a veil of mystery. Unsurprisingly, due to limited platform transparency and data access, relatively little research has been devoted to characterizing moderation dynamics, especially in the context of controversial events and the platform activity associated with them. Here, we study the dynamics of account creation and suspension on Twitter during two global political events: Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the 2022 French Presidential election. Leveraging a large-scale dataset of 270M tweets shared by 16M users in multiple languages over several months, we identify peaks of suspicious account creation and suspension, and we characterize behaviours that more frequently lead to account suspension. We show how large numbers of accounts get suspended within days from their creation. Suspended accounts tend to mostly interact with legitimate users, as opposed to other suspicious accounts, often making unwarranted and excessive use of reply and mention features, and predominantly sharing spam and harmful content. While we are only able to speculate about the specific causes leading to a given account suspension, our findings shed light on patterns of platform abuse and subsequent moderation during major events