What have we learned from the time trend of mass shootings in the U.S.?

Little is known regarding the time trend of mass shootings and associated risk factors. In the current study, we intended to explore the time trend and relevant risk factors for mass shootings in the U.S. We attempted to identify factors associated with incidence rates of mass shootings at the population level. We evaluated if state-level gun ownership rate, serious mental illness rate, poverty percentage, and gun law permissiveness could predict the state-level mass shooting rate, using the Bayesian zero-inflated Poisson regression model. We also tested if the nationwide incidence rate of mass shootings increased over the past three decades using the non-homogenous Poisson regression model. We further examined if the frequency of online media coverage and online search interest levels correlated with the interval between two consecutive incidents. The results suggest an increasing trend of mass shooting incidences over time (p < 0.001). However, none of the state-level variables could predict the mass shooting rate. Interestingly, we have found inverse correlations between the interval between consecutive shootings and the frequency of on-line related reports as well as on-line search interests, respectively (p < 0.001). Therefore, our findings suggest that online media might correlate with the increasing incidence rate of mass shootings. Future research is warranted to continue monitoring if the incidence rates of mass shootings change with any population-level factors in order to inform us of possible prevention strategies.

Prensa y tecnología en la España de Franco: del secreto a la política atómica pública / Press and Technology in Franco's Spain: from secret to public atomic energy policy

Los discursos que circularon en España en los medios de comunicación impresos (ABC, La Vanguardia y el YA) y audiovisuales (NO-DO) con motivo de la primera Conferencia internacional de usos pacíficos de la energía atómica celebrada en Ginebra en agosto de1955, tuvieron un papel activo en el diseño de las políticas -no sólo nucleares- españolas y en la construcción de la representación pública de la energía nuclear. Las oportunidades y promesas que anunciaban los usos civiles de la energía atómica cautivaron a autoridades, científicos e industriales de la dictadura y también a los medios de comunicación. El tratamiento mediático de la conferencia contribuyó a la apertura del régimen franquista al tiempo que fue construyendo la imagen pública de lo nuclear. España compró e importó tecnología, métodos, prácticas experimentales, y también formas de popularización, políticas e ideología atómicas. En este artículo propongo una reflexión sobre prensa, tecnología y poder político (AU)

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The role of the media in influencing public attitudes to penicillin during World War II.

Penicillin's trajectory towards becoming an effective antibacterial chemotherapeutic agent took place during World War II. Its strategic military value was immediately recognised by the Allies, and mass production was undertaken with the prime objective of meeting the needs of the armed forces. News of its development came to be widely reported on in the media and is examined here. These reports frequently combined accounts of penicillin's prodigious clinical effectiveness with the fact that it was to remain unavailable to the civilian population essentially until the war had ended. More penicillin was to be made available to the civilian population in the United States than in Britain, but the sense that it was severely rationed remained as high. It was in response to this that the idea of "homemade penicillin" was hatched. News of this was also widely promulgated by both the British and American media. Although the numbers treated with penicillin produced in this way was never to be significant, knowledge of the existence of such endeavours may have served to assuage in some measure the feelings of frustration felt by the civilian population at penicillin's non-availability.

25 Años de comunicación y salud / No disponible

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Caciquismo y profesión médica: El caso de Alfredo Alegre, 1915-1924 / 'Caciquismo' and medical profession: the case of Alfredo Alegre, 1915-1924

Las reivindiciones profesionales y la reformas sanitarias que los médicos solicitaron el poder político a lo largo de la etapa constitucional del reinado de Alfonso XIII, fueron continuación de las del siglo XIX. Una de las demandas más importante fue que los médicos rurales dependieran directamente del Estado, especialmente en lo que se refiere a los salarios, y no de los poderes municipales detentados por lo general por caciques. Los problemas entre ambos eran constantes. En este trabajo se presenta el caso del médico del Pobo Alfrede Alegre, cuya condena puso en pie de guerra a los profesionales sanitarios, estudiantes y buena parte de la sociedad durante años que unieron a sus demandas de petición del idulto. Esta historia trágica, aparte de mostrar la importancia de la prensa diaria como fuente, pone de manifiesto las dificultades que ofrecía la práctica profesional en las zonas rurales sumidas en el pasado y la incapacidad de los políticos para resolver problemas durante una de las etapas más agitada de nuestra historia (AU)

The profesional recognition and sanitary reforms that physicians sought from the political powers throughout the constitutional era of the reign of Alfonso XIII were a continuation of those from the XIXth century. One of the most improtant demands was that rural physicians should answer directly to the State, especially with reference to salaries, rather tan to municipal authorities generally held by caciques. There were constant problems between them. This wor present the case of the physician from El Pobo, Alfredo Alegre whose convicion put health professionals, students and most of society on the warpath, joining their demands to a petition for pardon. This tragic story, apart from showing the importnace of the daily press as a socurce, highlights th difficulties offered by profesional practice in rural áreas submerged int he past and the inability of politiocians to resolve problems during one of the most hectic periods of our history (AU)

The role of the media in influencing public attitudes to penicillin during World War II

Penicillin’s trajectory towards becoming an effective antibacterial chemotherapeutic agent took place during World War II. Its strategic military value was immediately recognised by the Allies, and mass production was undertaken with the prime objective of meeting the needs of the armed forces. News of its development came to be widely reported on in the media and is examined here. These reports frequently combined accounts of penicillin’s prodigious clinical effectiveness with the fact that it was to remain unavailable to the civilian population essentially until the war had ended. More penicillin was to be made available to the civilian population in the United States than in Britain, but the sense that it was severely rationed remained as high. It was in response to this that the idea of «homemade penicillin» was hatched. News of this was also widely promulgated by both the British and American media. Although the numbers treated with penicillin produced in this way was never to be significant, knowledge of the existence of such endeavours may have served to assuage in some measure the feelings of frustration felt by the civilian population at penicillin’s non-availability (AU)

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La televisión comunitaria en el oriente antioqueño: un ejercicio de construcción de tejido social y paz / The community television system in the eastern region in antioquia: an exercise of construction of the social fabric and peace

El presente artículo resultado de investigación, expone las diversas realidades que atraviesan los canales comunitarios del Oriente Antioqueño (Colombia). Para presentar los resultados el texto relaciona tres momentos: primero, aspectos jurídicos que en Colombia rigen la Televisión Comunitaria, normativas que ha regido a la televisión pública en el país y sus incidencias en el desarrollo de la televisión comunitaria local; dos, se ahonda en la necesidad de entender los modos de organización como asociaciones económicas y sus acciones colectivas (Actividades en Red) como estrategias co-operativas para el trabajo y tres, plantea el papel de la televisión comunitaria como órgano de expresión de las comunidades de esta subregión golpeada por la violencia, la exclusión y la impuesta llegada del desarrollo.

This current article, the result of a piece of research, introduces the various situations that the community channels, in the eastern region in Antioquia (Colombia), have to go through. In order to present the results, the text relates three moments: firstly, legal aspects governing the community television system, regulations that have controlled the public television in the country and its effects on the development of the local community television system; in Colombia; secondly, it delves into the need to understand modes of organization such as economic associations and their collective actions (Network Activities) as co-operative strategies for the work, and thirdly, it raises the role of the community television system as an organ of expression of the communities in this sub-region, struck by violence, exclusion, and the imposed arrival of development.

Las mujeres en la prensa deportiva: dos perfiles / Women in sports newspapers: two patterns / Mulheres nos esportes jornais: dois padrões

El propósito del presente estudio fue analizar la imagen que la prensa deportiva española transmite de las mujeres y cómo ha evolucionado en los últimos años (1979 - 2010). Para ello, se realizó un análisis de las informaciones donde al menos aparecía una mujer (n = 4877) en los cuatro periódicos deportivos de mayor tirada. Y dentro de las informaciones se analizaron a los protagonistas (hombres o mujeres) (n= 20928) y se examinando siete variables para determinar los perfiles de mujer (n= 12195) que protagonizan las informaciones: número de protagonistas por información, género, si es protagonista principal, la ocupación, su función en la información, la relaciones familiares mencionadas, cómo se presenta a esa persona en la información y si está directamente citada en el artículo. En general se distinguen dos perfiles de mujeres que protagonizan la prensa deportiva: la propia del 'Ámbito Deportivo', y "otras" que se han dado en llamar ‘Inviadas’, por lo general familiares, parejas, famosas o aficionadas. Se observa un aumento de la presencia de estas últimas a lo largo del tiempo lo que produce un aumento de la invisibilidad de las deportistas (AU)

The purpose of this study was to find out which image of women transmits Spanish sports newspapers and how it has evolved in recent years (1979-2010). Were analyzed all articles where a woman appeared (n = 4877) in the four largest circulation sports newspapers. And then, were analyzed the protagonists (men or women) (n = 20928) and seven items to determine the patterns of women (n = 12195) on the sport news: main character amount, gender, if main character, occupation (or charge), its role in the information, mentioned family relationships, how that person presents information and if it is directly cited in the article. The results show that there are two patterns of women in the Spanish sport news: the characteristic 'Sportswomen' and "other", that we have called "invited", usually they are families, couples, famous or lovers. We observed an increase in the presence of the "invited" woman over time, and this is one of de causes which increase invisibility of 'Sportswomen' (AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi descobrir qual imagem da mulher transmite jornais desportivos espanhóis e como ela tem evoluído nos últimos anos (1979-2010). Foram analisados todos os artigos em que uma mulher apareceu (n = 4877) nos quatro maiores jornais desportivos de circulação. E, em seguida, foram analisados os protagonistas (homens ou mulheres) (n = 20928) e sete itens para determinar os padrões de mulheres (n = 12.195) sobre a notícia do esporte: quantidade personagem principal, sexo, o personagem protagonista, ocupação (ou carga ), o seu papel na informação, indicado relações familiares, como pessoa que apresenta informações e se é directamente citado no artigo. Os resultados mostram que existem dois padrões de mulheres nas notícias do esporte espanhol: a característica "Atletas" e "outro", que temos chamado de "convidados", geralmente são famílias, casais, famoso ou amantes. Observou-se um aumento na presença da mulher "convidados" ao longo do tempo, e esta é uma das causas de que aumentam a invisibilidade dos "Atletas" (AU)

A 10-year analysis of the effects of media coverage of regulatory warnings on antidepressant use in The Netherlands and UK.

BACKGROUND: In 2003-2004 and 2007-2008, the regulatory banning of SSRI use in pediatrics and young adults due to concerns regarding suicidality risk coincided with negative media coverage. SSRI use trends were analyzed from 2000-2010 in the Netherlands (NL) and the UK, and whether trend changes might be associated with media coverage of regulatory warnings. METHODS: Monthly SSRIs sales were presented as DDDs/1000 inhabitants/day. SSRI-use trends were studied using time-series segmented regression analyses. Timing of trend changes was compared with two periods of media coverage of warnings. Annual Dutch SSRI prescription data were analyzed by age group. RESULTS: Trend changes in SSRI use largely corroborated with the periods of media coverage of warnings. British SSRI use declined from 3.9 to 0.7 DDDs/month (95%CI 3.3;4.5 & 0.5;0.9, respectively) before the first warning period (2003-2004). A small decrease of -0.6 DDDs/month (-1.2; -0.05) was observed in Dutch SSRI use shortly after 2003-2004. From 2007-2008, British SSRI use stabilized, whilst Dutch SSRI use diminished to -0.04 DDDs/month (-0.4;0.3). Stratified analyses showed a rapid decrease of -1.2 DDDs/month (-2.1; -1.7) in UK paroxetine use before 2003-2004, but only a minimal change in Dutch paroxetine use (-0.3 DDDs/month -0.8;0.2). Other SSRI use, especially (es)citalopram, increased during 2003-2004 in both countries. Significant reductions in Dutch paroxetine use were observed in pediatrics, adolescents, and young adults after 2003-2004. CONCLUSION: Changes in SSRI use (NL & UK) were associated with the timing of the combined effect of media coverage and regulatory warnings. Our long-term assessment illustrates that changes in SSRI use were temporal, drug-specific and more pronounced in pediatrics and young adults. The twofold increase in SSRI use over one decade indicates that regulatory warnings and media coverage may come and go, but they do not have a significant impact on the overall upward trend of SSRI use as a class in both countries.

Surveillance as cultural practice.

This special section of The Sociological Quarterly explores research on "surveillance as cultural practice," which indicates an orientation to surveillance that views it as embedded within, brought about by, and generative of social practices in specific cultural contexts. Such an approach is more likely to include elements of popular culture, media, art, and narrative; it is also more likely to try to comprehend people's engagement with surveillance on their own terms, stressing the production of emic over etic forms of knowledge. This introduction sketches some key developments in this area and discusses their implications for the field of "surveillance studies" as a whole.

Advertising media and cigarette demand.

Using state-level panel data for the USA spanning three decades, this research estimates the demand for cigarettes. The main contribution lies in studying the effects of cigarette advertising disaggregated across five qualitatively different groups. Results show cigarette demand to be near unit elastic, the income effects to be generally insignificant and border price effects and habit effects to be significant. Regarding advertising effects, aggregate cigarette advertising has a negative effect on smoking. Important differences across advertising media emerge when cigarette advertising is disaggregated. The effects of public entertainment and Internet cigarette advertising are stronger than those of other media. Anti-smoking messages accompanying print cigarette advertising seem relatively more effective. Implications for smoking control policy are discussed.

Digital expression among urban, low-income African American adolescents.

Digital production is a means through which African American adolescents communicate and express their experiences with peers. This study examined the content and the form of the digital productions of 24 urban, low-income African American adolescents who attended a summer academic program. The content of student digital productions focused on academic experiences and friendships. Their production styles revealed that youth used perceptually salient production features, such as rapid scene changes and loud rap music. The results suggest that when placed in a supportive, academic environment and provided with digital production resources, students who traditionally face barriers due to cultural and economic inequalities digitally express to their peers an interest in academics and positive peer relationships, and that these youth communicate their experiences through a shared production style that reflects their broader cultural experiences.

Ghettos and enclaves in the cross-place realm: mapping socially bounded spaces across cities.

Since the early Chicago School, urban researchers have used residential proximity to assess contacts within and between racial and ethnic groups. This approach is increasingly limited. Diverse groups use email, social networking sites, instant messaging and mobile phones to communicate across urban zones and distant cities. These practices enable mutual support among far-flung family members and co-ethnics as they engage with an array of institutions throughout their day. Through interviews and observations that include women and men of diverse occupations, races and national origins, the author explores how and why cross-place enclosures of sociality and resources develop. Rather than framing the residential area as the locus of racial/ethnic concentration, the author focuses on cross-place concentrations in the technologically mediated workspace. This study enhances theorization of the structural negotiations, interpersonal pressures and group preferences that produce separate lifeworlds in globalizing cities.

Narrating consciousness: language, media and embodiment.

Although there has long been a division in studies of consciousness between a focus on neuronal processes or conversely an emphasis on the ruminations of a conscious self, the long-standing split between mechanism and meaning within the brain was mirrored by a split without, between information as a technical term and the meanings that messages are commonly thought to convey. How to heal this breach has posed formidable problems to researchers. Working through the history of cybernetics, one of the historical sites where Claude Shannon's information theory quickly became received doctrine, we argue that the cybernetic program as it developed through second-order cybernetics and autopoietic theory remains incomplete. In this article, we return to fundamental questions about pattern and noise, context and meaning, to forge connections between consciousness, narrative and media. The thrust of our project is to reintroduce context and narrative as crucial factors in the processes of meaning-making. The project proceeds along two fronts: advancing a theoretical framework within which context plays its property central role; and demonstrating the importance of context by analyzing two fictions, Stanislaw Lem's "His Master's Voice" and Joseph McElroy's "Plus," in which context has been deformed by being wrenched away from normal human environments, with radical consequences for processes of meaning-making.

La coerción disimulada: la propaganda radial de la eugenesia en la Argentina de entreguerras / The veiled coercion: the radio advertising of the eugenics in Argentina of interwars

Al hablar de coerción, estamos remitiendo a un concepto en torno al cual puede decirse que se estructuran las características de la eugenesia que más la apartan de la Declaración Universal de los Derechos del Hombre (1948), aquella básica carta programática que en el mundo accidental pasó a representar valores esenciales que eram tan incuestionables como su contracara identificada en los horrores del Holocausto. Pero la coercitividad no debe buscarse sólo en el del ejercicio directo de la violencia física sobre los cuerpos, sino también en la autocoacción individual instada por factores como la propaganda em medios masivos de comunicación. Repassaremos así algunas características de la eugenesia argentina de entreguerras y al hacerlo pretendemos iluminar el problema desde dos aristas: por un lado, la proyección social alcanzada a través de la propaganda moderna y por otro, el paso de una incicial dispersión ideológica de los impulsores de esa propaganda hacia la convergencia en un campo mayoritariamente adscripto a las políticas raciales de totalitarismos europeos.

La coerción disimulada: la propaganda radial de la eugenesia en la Argentina de entreguerras / The veiled coercion: the radio advertising of the eugenics in Argentina of interwars

Al hablar de coerción, estamos remitiendo a un concepto en torno al cual puede decirse que se estructuran las características de la eugenesia que más la apartan de la Declaración Universal de los Derechos del Hombre (1948), aquella básica carta programática que en el mundo accidental pasó a representar valores esenciales que eram tan incuestionables como su contracara identificada en los horrores del Holocausto. Pero la coercitividad no debe buscarse sólo en el del ejercicio directo de la violencia física sobre los cuerpos, sino también en la autocoacción individual instada por factores como la propaganda em medios masivos de comunicación. Repassaremos así algunas características de la eugenesia argentina de entreguerras y al hacerlo pretendemos iluminar el problema desde dos aristas: por un lado, la proyección social alcanzada a través de la propaganda moderna y por otro, el paso de una incicial dispersión ideológica de los impulsores de esa propaganda hacia la convergencia en un campo mayoritariamente adscripto a las políticas raciales de totalitarismos europeos. (AU)

La coerción disimulada: la propaganda radial de la eugenesia en la Argentina de entreguerras / The veiled coercion: the radio advertising of the eugenics in Argentina of interwars

Al hablar de coerción, estamos remitiendo a un concepto en torno al cual puede decirse que se estructuran las características de la eugenesia que más la apartan de la Declaración Universal de los Derechos del Hombre (1948), aquella básica carta programática que en el mundo accidental pasó a representar valores esenciales que eram tan incuestionables como su contracara identificada en los horrores del Holocausto. Pero la coercitividad no debe buscarse sólo en el del ejercicio directo de la violencia física sobre los cuerpos, sino también en la autocoacción individual instada por factores como la propaganda em medios masivos de comunicación. Repassaremos así algunas características de la eugenesia argentina de entreguerras y al hacerlo pretendemos iluminar el problema desde dos aristas: por un lado, la proyección social alcanzada a través de la propaganda moderna y por otro, el paso de una incicial dispersión ideológica de los impulsores de esa propaganda hacia la convergencia en un campo mayoritariamente adscripto a las políticas raciales de totalitarismos europeos.(AU)