The Mass Spectrum of the 2-dimensional Conformal String

We present the mass spectrum of the tensionless string in 2 dimensions where it has been found that the space time conformal symmetry survives quantization. A BRST treatment of the physical states reveals that the string collapses into a massless particle, a result which agrees with the classical treatment.Comment: 18 pages, latex, no figure

Classical Interactions for Tensionless Strings

Using an ``action at a distance'' formulation we probe the possible classical interactions for tensionless strings, (the $T\to 0$ limit of the ordinary bosonic string.) We find $G_{\mu\nu}$ and $B_{\mu\nu}$ type interactions but no dilaton interactions.Comment: 9 pages, Late

Determinants of customer satisfaction with socially responsible investments: Do ethical and environmental factors impact customer satisfaction with SRI profiled mutual funds?

Although much research has been published on green/ethical consumer behaviour, the question of how consumers evaluate pro-socially positioned products in the post-purchase stage is still virtually unexplored. This is troubling given the significance of post-purchase evaluations within general marketing theory. To address this gap in the literature, this study examines how a set of technical and functional quality attributes contribute to customer satisfaction in a socially responsible investment (SRI) setting. The results of the study show that perceived financial quality of the SRI mutual fund is the most important predictor of customer satisfaction. However, perceived social, ethical, and environmental (SEE) quality is also positively related to satisfaction for the SRI mutual fund. Based on these results, it is argued that although SEE quality is important to customers, marketers of pro-socially profiled products should primarily focus on conventional quality attributes, as a good SEE record unlikely to generate customer satisfaction alone.Customer satisfaction; ethics; perceived quality; socially responsible investment; mutual funds

Hamiltonian BRST Quantization of the Conformal String

We present a new formulation of the tensionless string ($T= 0$) where the space-time conformal symmetry is manifest. Using a Hamiltonian BRST scheme we quantize this {\em Conformal String} and find that it has critical dimension $D=2$. This is in keeping with our classical result that the model describes massless particles in this dimension. It is also consistent with our previous results which indicate that quantized conformally symmetric tensionless strings describe a topological phase away {}from $D=2$. We reach our result by demanding nilpotency of the BRST charge and consistency with the Jacobi identities. The derivation is presented in two different ways: in operator language and using mode expansions. Careful attention is payed to regularization, a crucial ingredient in our calculations.Comment: 33pp (LaTeX), USITP-94-0

Classical and Quantized Tensionless Strings

{}From the ordinary tensile string we derive a geometric action for the tensionless ($T=0$) string and discuss its symmetries and field equations. The Weyl symmetry of the usual string is shown to be replaced by a global space-time conformal symmetry in the $T\to 0$ limit. We present the explicit expressions for the generators of this group in the light-cone gauge. Using these, we quantize the theory in an operator form and require the conformal symmetry to remain a symmetry of the quantum theory. Modulo details concerning zero-modes that are discussed in the paper, this leads to the stringent restriction that the physical states should be singlets under space-time diffeomorphisms, hinting at a topological theory. We present the details of the calculation that leads to this conclusion.Comment: 34 pages, Latex, USITP 93-1

The amoebal MAP kinase response to Legionella pneumophila is regulated by DupA

SummaryThe amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum can support replication of Legionella pneumophila. Here we identify the dupA gene, encoding a putative tyrosine kinase/dual-specificity phosphatase, in a screen for D. discoideum mutants altered in allowing L. pneumophila intracellular replication. Inactivation of dupA resulted in depressed L. pneumophila growth and sustained hyperphosphorylation of the amoebal MAP kinase ERK1, consistent with loss of a phosphatase activity. Bacterial challenge of wild-type amoebae induced dupA expression and resulted in transiently increased ERK1 phosphorylation, suggesting that dupA and ERK1 are part of a response to bacteria. Indeed, over 500 of the genes misregulated in the dupA− mutant were regulated in response to L. pneumophila infection, including some thought to have immune-like functions. MAP kinase phosphatases are known to be highly upregulated in macrophages challenged with L. pneumophila. Thus, DupA may regulate a MAP kinase response to bacteria that is conserved from amoebae to mammals