Overcoming network overload and redundancy in inter-organizational networks:the roles of potential and latent ties

This paper builds on Granovetter's distinction between strong and weak ties [Granovetter, M. S. 1973. The strength of weak ties. Amer. J. Sociol. 78(6) 1360–1380] in order to respond to recent calls for a more dynamic and processual understanding of networks. The concepts of potential and latent tie are deductively identified, and their implications for understanding how and why networks emerge, evolve, and change are explored. A longitudinal empirical study conducted with companies operating in the European motorsport industry reveals that firms take strategic actions to search for potential ties and reactivate latent ties in order to solve problems of network redundancy and overload. Examples are given, and their characteristics are examined to provide theoretical elaboration of the relationship between the types of tie and network evolution. These conceptual and empirical insights move understanding of the managerial challenge of building effective networks beyond static structural contingency models of optimal network forms to highlight the processes and capabilities of dynamic relationship building and network development. In so doing, this paper highlights the interrelationship between search and redundancy and the scope for strategic action alongside path dependence and structural influences on network processes.

Affect networks:a structural analysis of the relationship between work ties and job-related affect

The relationship between organizational networks and employees' affect was examined in 2 organizations. In Study 1, social network analysis of work ties and job-related affect for 259 employees showed that affect converged within work interaction groups. Similarity of affect between employees depended on the presence of work ties and structural equivalence. Affect was also related to the size and density of employees' work networks. Study 2 used a 10-week diary study of 31 employees to examine a merger of 2 organizational divisions and found that negative changes in employees' affect were related to having fewer cross-divisional ties and to experiencing greater reductions in network density. The findings suggest that affect permeates through and is shaped by organizational networks.

Strong long-period fiber gratings recorded at 352 nm

We describe long-period grating inscription in hydrogenated telecom fibers by use of high-intensity femto-second 352 nm laser pulses. We show that this technique allows us to fabricate high-quality 30 dB gratings of 300 μm period and 2 cm length by use of a three-photon absorption mechanism. © 2005 Optical Society of America.

The breakdown of stainless steels in strong acids

A study was made of the corrosion behaviour in the ASTM standard Nitric acid and Oxalic acid tests, of two commercial AISI type 304L steels in the as received condition and after various heat treatments. Optical microscopy and SEM, TEM and STEM in conjunction with energy dispersive x-ray analysis, were used to correlate the corrosion behaviour of these steels with their microstructure. Some evidence of phosphorus segregation at grain boundaries was found. The corrosion behaviour at microstructural level was studied by examining on the TEM thin foils of steel that had been exposed to boiling nitric acid. Banding attack in the nitric acid and oxalic acid tests was studied using SEM and EPNA and found to be due to the micro-segregation of chromium and nickel. Using two experimental series of 304L, one a 17% Cr, 91 Ni, steel with phosphorus additions from 0.006% to 0.028%, the other a 20% Cr, 121 Ni steel with boron additions from 0.0011 to 0.00B51. The effect of these elements on corrosion in the nitric acid test was studied. The effect of different cooling rates and different solution treatment temperature on the behaviour of these steels was examined. TEM and STEM in conjunction with energy-dispersive x-ray analysis were again used to study the microstructure of the steels. Phosphorus was found to affect the corrosion behaviour but no effect was found with boron.

La politique linguistique et l'avenir du Francais au Mexique:etude du cas de l'universite de Veracruz

In a linguistic context where it seems the entire world is only interested in learning English, it is worth considering the idea of whether French still has a place in Mexico. In spite of the predominance of English, there is nevertheless a feeling that French remains alive in Mexico, and indeed in certain areas has retained its strength and appeal. This hypothesis was to put to the test by exploring the current linguistic environment prevalent in the state of Veracruz. An investigation in the form of questionnaires and interviews of all those connected to the teaching of French (including students, teachers and employees and directors of language schools) shows that the desire of the Mexican government of promoting English for everyone is not necessarily consistent with the desire and expectations of the general populace. This in turn suggest the need of adopting a policy that enables us not only to take into consideration what people seem to be telling us regarding the learning of foreign learning but also of what they are not telling us. If the teaching and learning of French as a foreign language remains strong in Veracruz, it is explained much more by the long and friendly relationship that people in the state have had with French people (and their culture) than it is by any instrumental needs of learning their language. This is seen in the fact that students here consistently describe their motivation for learning French from an emotional or affective standpoint rather than from professional one. It seems that the ties between the Mexican and French people remain solid. Another interesting characteristic of students of French in Veracruz is the positive attitude they seem to have regarding languages in general, which in turn enables them to take further advantage of the benefits made available from globalization. In reality, there exists no rivalry between French and English and therefore it is unnecessary to adopt measures that would address such struggle. It is however a matter of great urgency that authorities in the arenas of politics and academia take a closer look at the policies they design regarding the study of foreign languages in general, and that they consider, specifically, a wholly alternative to the one language model of teaching and learning of foreign language – in this case English-, a model that for all intents and purposes has failed. In the midst of a globalized world, and during this current period of increased linguistic activity, the aforementioned assertions serve not only to support my initial hypothesis, but also to help shake off the dust of some out-dated belief systems and lay down the framework for a new, better informed and well thought-out policy of foreign languages planning.

Strong spectral filtering for a mode-locked similariton fiber laser

We propose a novel mode-locked fiber laser design that relies on attracting similariton solutions in fiber amplifiers with normal group-velocity dispersion and strong spectral filtering to compensate increased pulse duration and bandwidth. Stable high-energy, large-bandwidth pulses are obtained that can be linearly compressed, resulting in ultrashort pulses.

Strong localization of whispering gallery modes in an optical fiber via asymmetric perturbation of the translation symmetry

Recently introduced Surface Nanoscale Axial Photonics (SNAP) is based on whispering gallery modes circulating around the optical FIber surface and undergoing slow axial propagation. In this paper we develop the theory of propagation of whispering gallery modes in a SNAP microresonator, which is formed by nanoscale asymmetric perturbation of the FIber translation symmetry and called here a nanobump microresonator. The considered modes are localized near a closed stable geodesic situated at the FIber surface. A simple condition for the stability of this geodesic corresponding to the appearance of a high Q-factor nanobump microresonator is found. The results obtained are important for engineering of SNAP devices and structures.

How habits, social ties, and economic switching barriers affect customer loyalty in contractual service settings

While existing literature acknowledges positive effects of satisfaction and economic switching barriers for building customer loyalty, studies analyzing interactions of these antecedents reveal mixed findings. Prior research does not consider, as antecedents of switching barriers, either habits or social ties that result from shared service-usage within a family or community. This paper contributes to the literature, first, by replicating the effects of satisfaction, economic switching barriers, and their interaction with customer loyalty and word-of-mouth of subscribers to a contractual service. Second, the study empirically tests the role of social ties as a social switching barrier. Third, the study introduces and tests the effects of habits as a precursor of economic and social switching barriers. Results reveal significant positive effects of satisfaction, economic switching barriers, and social ties on customer loyalty and word-of-mouth. Additionally, economic switching barriers and social ties interact significantly with satisfaction and habits act as a precursor of economic switching barriers and social ties.

All-optical passive quasi-regeneration in transoceanic 40 Gbit/s return-to-zero transmission systems with strong dispersion management

A method of all-optical passive quasi-regeneration in transoceanic 40 Gbit/s return-to-zero transmission systems with strong dispersion management was described. The use of in-line nonlinear optical loop mirrors (NOLM) by the method was demonstrated. The quasi-regeneration of signals performed by NOLMs was found to improve the systems's performance.

Characterization of cationic liposomes based on dimethyldioctadecylammonium and synthetic cord factor from M. tuberculosis (trehalose 6,6′- dibehenate) - A novel adjuvant inducing both strong CMI and antibody responses:a novel adjuvant inducing both strong CMI and antibody responses

Incorporation of the glycolipid trehalose 6,6′-dibehenate (TDB) into cationic liposomes composed of the quaternary ammonium compound dimethyldioctadecylammonium (DDA) produce an adjuvant system which induces a powerful cell-mediated immune response and a strong antibody response, desirable for a high number of disease targets. We have used differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to investigate the effect of TDB on the gel-fluid phase transition of DDA liposomes and to demonstrate that TDB is incorporated into DDA liposome bilayers. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and cryo-TEM confirmed that liposomes were formed when a lipid film of DDA containing small amounts of TDB was hydrated in an aqueous buffer solution at physiological pH. Furthermore, time development of particle size and zeta potential of DDA liposomes incorporating TDB during storage at 4°C and 25°C, indicates that TDB effectively stabilizes the DDA liposomes. Immunization of mice with the mycobacterial fusion protein Ag85B-ESAT-6 in DDA-TDB liposomes induced a strong, specific Th1 type immune response characterized by substantial production of the interferon-γ cytokine and high levels of IgG2b isotype antibodies. The lymphocyte subset releasing the interferon-γ was identified as CD4 T cells.

Characterization of asymmetric filtered 40 Gb/s RZ-DPSK system-strong filtering considerations

We present the impact of frequency offsetting of strong (e.g. 35 GHz) optical filters on the performance of 42.7 Gb/s 50% RZ-DPSK systems. The performance is evaluated when offsetting the filter by substantial amounts and it is found that with an offset of almost half the bit rate there is a significant improvement in the calculated 'Q' (> 1 dB). We deployed balanced, constructive single ended and destructive single ended detection, so that we could investigate the physical origins of the penalty reduction of asymmetric filtering of 42.7 Gb/s 50% RZ-DPSK system.