Media representations of social conflicts: Identifying theoretical foundations for typology

The paper suggests integrated theoretical foundations for systemizing media representations of social conflicts and defining major roles attributed to media coverage of conflicts in current academic research. Using theoretical modeling, we identify the main types of social conflicts identified by Russian and foreign scholars, which is essential for revealing diverse media representations of conflicts. Then we show the key variables used by Russian and foreign media scholars to categorize the roles played by media in representation of conflicts, and discuss the results within broader media conflictology paradigm

Opportunistic microbiota of breast milk and antimicrobial activity of milk whey at different periods of lactation

Object of study. The evaluation of the interaction between breast milk opportunistic microorganisms abundance and the milk whey antimicrobial activity at different periods of lactation. Materials and methods. 100 samples of breast milk from healthy breastfeeding mothers were inoculated on solid selective media, and then pure cultures of microorganisms were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The antimicrobial activity of the whey against a model culture of Candida albicans was evaluated by spectrophotometry. Results. 270 isolates represented by 36 species of 13 genera of opportunistic bacteria were obtained. None of the 100 samples contained opportunistic fungi. Staphylococci (7 species) and streptococci (11 species) were predominant. The most common were staphylococci S. epidermidis (70.2%) and S. aureus (20.8%), and streptococci S. mitis (27.7%) and S. oralis (21.8%). The total contamination (median) of opportunistic bacteria in the colostrum was 79 103 CFU/ml, transitional milk 4 103 CFU/ml, mature milk 5 102 CFU/ml. The antimicrobial activity of colostrum whey was 87.489.4%; transitional milk 88.2%; mature milk 63.481.9%. The total contamination had a high inverse correlation with the lactation period (r = 0.806) and a high positive correlation with the antimicrobial activity of whey (r = 0.699). Meanwhile, a significant decrease in contamination was noted after 1 month from the beginning of lactation, while a significant decrease in antimicrobial activity was observed after 8 months. Conclusions. The decrease of the breast milk contamination by opportunistic bacteria during the lactation period was found to be primary compared to the decrease of the whey antimicrobial activity. Thus, changes in the whey antimicrobial protection factors occur in response to changes of the opportunistic microbiota abundance

Empire and communications: centrifugal and centripetal media in contemporary Russia

This book contains 18 chapters by media specialists on the growth of alternative media and the challenges they pose to large media corporations worldwide. Their essays develop a framework for analyzing alternative media, such as web discussion forums, feminist film, and indigenous communication, and its role in global struggles such as the antiglobalization movement

New forms of the digital divide

The article discusses the inequalities that emerged in parallel with, and as a result of, the rise of digital media across the world. The analysis of theoretical approaches to the digital divide in both global and national contexts proves that digital inequality is a multi-faceted issue that has been developing over the course of time and is noticeably affected by the changing realities of digital media today. The article broadens the discussion by adding the issue of multi-ethnicity to the theoretical context, looking at the digital divide in a national context, in this case Russia. The paper focuses on the empirical dimensions of digital inequality on a country-wide level, analysing the issue of the digital divide as both a theoretical and a practical phenomenon. Consequently, possible ways to overcome and to prevent the digital divide are discussed, with a focus on media policy and digital engagement through media literacy playing a crucial role in this process.Go to the full book to find a version of this chapter tagged for accessibility