A network approach to studying research programmes : mobilizing and coordinating public responses to HIV/AIDS

Based on the analysis of the Medical and Public Health Research programme (Commission of the European Communities), the paper shows how new scientific communities are created in response to the HIV/AIDS problem. We analyze how actors are mobilized (three mobilization modes : public impetus, scientists'initiative, scientists' initiative with public networking) and how their work is coordinated. We defend the hypothesis that these new scientific communities are flexible cooperation networks. In the case of AIDS research, there are only a limited number of network types (the data collection structure, the forum, the thematic partition with harmonization of research practices, the starred around a central facility). The coordination of these scientific cooperative networks passes through fixed and circulating intermediaries. The management of these intermediaries is a major activity for involved actors. thus, our aim is not to study the wider social context, but to analyze networking in response to policy initiatives. (Résumé d'auteur

Ground state representations of loop algebras

Let g be a simple Lie algebra, Lg be the loop algebra of g. Fixing a point in S^1 and identifying the real line with the punctured circle, we consider the subalgebra Sg of Lg of rapidly decreasing elements on R. We classify the translation-invariant 2-cocycles on Sg. We show that the ground state representation of Sg is unique for each cocycle. These ground states correspond precisely to the vacuum representations of Lg.Comment: 22 pages, no figur

Limits of Gaudin algebras, quantization of bending flows, Jucys--Murphy elements and Gelfand--Tsetlin bases

Gaudin algebras form a family of maximal commutative subalgebras in the tensor product of $n$ copies of the universal enveloping algebra U(\g) of a semisimple Lie algebra \g. This family is parameterized by collections of pairwise distinct complex numbers $z_1,...,z_n$. We obtain some new commutative subalgebras in U(\g)^{\otimes n} as limit cases of Gaudin subalgebras. These commutative subalgebras turn to be related to the hamiltonians of bending flows and to the Gelfand--Tsetlin bases. We use this to prove the simplicity of spectrum in the Gaudin model for some new cases.Comment: 11 pages, references adde

Regge and Okamoto symmetries

We will relate the surprising Regge symmetry of the Racah-Wigner 6j symbols to the surprising Okamoto symmetry of the Painleve VI differential equation. This then presents the opportunity to give a conceptual derivation of the Regge symmetry, as the representation theoretic analogue of the author's previous derivation of the Okamoto symmetry. [The resulting derivation is quite simple, so it would be surprising if it has not been previously observed. Any references would be appreciated!]Comment: 14 page

Dynamical differential equations compatible with rational qKZ equations

For the Lie algebra $gl_N$ we introduce a system of differential operators called the dynamical operators. We prove that the dynamical differential operators commute with the $gl_N$ rational quantized Knizhnik-Zamolodchikov difference operators. We describe the transformations of the dynamical operators under the natural action of the $gl_N$ Weyl group.Comment: 7 pages, AmsLaTe

The Earning Gap of Criminality: Effects of Stigma, Length and Form of Incarceration

This paper shows that criminality causes a significant decrease in the earning potential of individuals. In addition, there is evidence to support that criminality has the same negative effect on earnings regardless of type of sentencing, whether probation or incarceration. Previous studies indicate that ex-convicts do not benefit from in-prison based programs. The purpose of this paper is to identify the short-term earning differentials between offenders and their law-abiding counter parts and offer insight as to how this can affect recidivism. Research shows that recidivists suffer the largest wage differentials, which significantly lowers their employment utility. This reduction of labor market outcomes may conversely promote the utility an individual receives from a life of crime

Governing radical change through the emergence of a governance arrangement

International audienceThis chapter investigates the process through which radical change is governed. While previous work has mostly focused on emergence, we focus on initial diffusion and the conditions under which potential breakthrough innovations can get out of the ‘protected spaces in which they have been tested. We are thus interested in the collective efforts that are developed to ‘shape markets’ and to create, following Fligstein, relevant ‘market infrastructures’, that is the set of rules (what actors are allowed to do), of norms (what they ought to do) and of values (what they want to do). We follow analysts on the central role of arenas as the settings in which “individual and collective actors interact to define the cognitive and normative dimensions of a problem”. But we show, through the example of nanotechnology, that any new breakthrough technology drives to the emergence of multiple arenas proposing each their approaches and tools for governing the new technology. Studying for nanotechnology their internal dynamics, the articulations and alignments between arenas that have taken place, we analyse the conditions of ‘success’ of arenas. Successful arenas as those than manage to enrol new actors, enlarge their initial remit while seeing their ‘outputs’ taken over by other arenas. Four aspects matter for the effective success of an arena - all linked to legitimacy: the degree of specificity, the degree of openness, the level of transparency and the degree of structuration. This drives us to propose the notion of governance arrangement to characterise the specific alignment between arenas and the robust compromise that enables the stabilisation of market infrastructures. Until the governance arrangement is set, existing uncertainties (technical or social) do not allow actors to move forward in the development of innovations and markets are not structured because the market infrastructures have not been agreed upon

How does Internationalisation affect the productivity of R&D activities in large innovative firms? A conditional nonparametric investigation

This work explores the relationship between multinational R&D and innovation productivity among top corporate knowledge and R&D producers by adopting a twofold concept of internationalisation: (1) the firm’s degree of R&D internationalisation, and (2) the firm’s geographic diversification. We model the patent production process with an appropriate and robust conditional Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) estimator, using a unique database of firms that matches financial indicators and patent information. Our results reinforce the fundamental role of internationalisation in the knowledge production process when the internationalisation process is properly and strategically managed. We interpret our empirical evidence through the theoretical lens of the learning theory of internationalisation, and we postulate that a high R&D intensity is a key driver to overcoming the challenges of internationalisation