Forming an intention to act on recommendations given via online social networks

Online social networks (OSN) are technology-enabled relationship tools in which a user creates a profile, connects to other individuals, and shares user-generated content with them. One of the many features OSN offer is the ability to post messages in the form of product and service recommendations. Although word-of-mouth research has examined this type of personal communication to intentionally influence consumer decisions, limited understanding exists regarding when a user acts upon a recommendation received from one of their contacts. In this study, we draw on relationship theories and research on trust to analyze the impact relationship characteristics and behaviors of the OSN contacts have on trust in the recommendation that subsequently leads a user to act on this OSN contact’s recommendation. The results of a survey of 116 OSN users showed that closeness, excessive posting behavior, and past recommendation experience have a positive impact on trust and intention to act on the recommendation. One characteristic of the relationships, that is, similarity, however, does not affect recommendation trust in the context of OSN. The findings enhance our understanding of relationships and their defining characteristics in OSN. The results also provide insights into how companies might leverage OSN in their marketing efforts.     

Structural optimization of Z-axis tuning-fork MEMS gyroscopes for enhancing reliability and resolution

Inertial sensors such as gyroscopes and accelerometers are normally considered as the most important sensors in a navigation system. Especially in the underwater or under-ice applications, the accuracy of the entire navigation system has to mainly rely on the precision of the inertial sensors due to inapplicability of global positioning systems. For MEMS-based inertial sensors, fabrication variation and environmental disturbance are among the major error sources. To address these challenges, in this paper we propose an optimization methodology by using parametric analysis on a reference design for improving sensor reliability and resolution. Apart from studying the resolution improvement by deploying an alternative sensing scheme, the effects of changing location, shape, and size of critical cantilevers have been thoroughly explored. By using this method, we have derived an improved mechanical structure for tuning-fork gyroscopes. Our numerical analyses show that the bandwidth of the proposed structure, which is the most important stability measure in the vibratory gyroscopes with slightly mismatched resonant frequencies, is over 1.7 times more immune to fabrication imperfection than the other structural alternatives. The drive and sense resonant amplitude robustness against fabrication imperfection is also improved in the proposed structure. In addition, this structure is able to provide at least 2.3 times larger sense-mode capacitance response to external rotation compared to the previously published designs. More important, it is observed that there is always non-negligible room for improving performance of gyroscopes if our proposed structural optimization methodology is integrated into the conventional MEMS-based inertial sensor design flow.     

Giving too much social support: social overload on social networking sites

As the number of messages and social relationships embedded in social networking sites (SNS) increases, the amount of social information demanding a reaction from individuals increases as well. We observe that, as a consequence, SNS users feel they are giving too much social support to other SNS users. Drawing on social support theory (SST), we call this negative association with SNS usage ‘social overload’ and develop a latent variable to measure it. We then identify the theoretical antecedents and consequences of social overload and evaluate the social overload model empirically using interviews with 12 and a survey of 571 Facebook users. The results show that extent of usage, number of friends, subjective social support norms, and type of relationship (online-only vs offline friends) are factors that directly contribute to social overload while age has only an indirect effect. The psychological and behavioral consequences of social overload include feelings of SNS exhaustion by users, low levels of user satisfaction, and a high intention to reduce or even stop using SNS. The resulting theoretical implications for SST and SNS acceptance research are discussed and practical implications for organizations, SNS providers, and SNS users are drawn.     

Design and fabrication of a resonant pressure sensor by combination of DETF quartz resonator and silicon diaphragm

A new type of resonant pressure sensor is presented which is realized by combination of a double-ended tuning fork (DETF) quartz resonator and a silicon diaphragm. To examine the feasibility and investigate the performance of this innovation, theoretical analysis and finite elements method are employed to optimize the structure parameters. Micromachining technology are involved in the fabrication of the silicon diaphragm and the DETF quartz resonator, which are fabricated separately and bounded together afterwards. Performances of the sensor prototypes are experimentally investigated. Preliminary testing results demonstrate that the sensor features a high sensitivity of approximately 452.5 Hz/kPa in the operating range of 0–6 kPa at room temperature, with a non-linearity <0.035 % FS and a hysteresis of 0.055 % FS. In addition, the maximum zero-drift is about 0.5 Hz/h which reveals favorable frequency stability. Thus, the feasibility of this scheme is verified. Due to the excellent performances such as high accuracy, high sensitivity, low cost and simple fabrication, this novel resonant sensor provides a commendable solution for low pressure measurement.     

A novel MEMS tunable antenna with wide tuning range of frequency

In this paper a novel MEMS tunable CPW antenna with wide tuning range of frequency is presented. The antenna’s frequency tuning range increment is achieved by loading three novel large tuning range capacitors at radiation edge of antenna patch. Two techniques are employed for increasing the capacitors tuning range. First, dual gap technique is used to overcome the pull-in limitation and then two lateral beams are added in order to parallel movement of capacitive plate which increases the capacitance value. The simulation result shows that the resonance frequency tuning range of antenna increased from 1.96 GHz loaded by traditional capacitor to 6.89 GHz using the new capacitor structure. Also in resonance frequency, the antenna has a good impedance matching with transmission line even in high capacitance values.