On Functions with a Conjugate

Harmonic functions of two variables are exactly those that admit a conjugate, namely a function whose gradient has the same length and is everywhere orthogonal to the gradient of the original function. We show that there are also partial differential equations controlling the functions of three variables that admit a conjugate.Comment: To appear: Annales de l'Institut Fourier, vol. 64 (2014

CR geometry and conformal foliations

We use the CR geometry of the standard hyperquadric in ℂP3 to give a detailed twistor description of conformal foliations in Euclidean 3-space

Can you resonate with prototypical brand extensions?

Brand prototypicality is an area that has had limited research in the past. With brand extensions becoming more and more relevant in the market, it is important to know how prototypical brands can extend their brand. Further, there is a lack of research that examines brand resonance, specifically in regards to prototypicality. This study replicates and expands upon previous research methodologies (Grhan-Canli & Maheswaran 1998; Matthiesen & Phau 2005). Using an experimental study, a 3 (congruency) x 2 (typicality) x 2 (motivation) x 2 (brand type) factorial design was developed. Preliminary research chose a brand category of watches, with four real brands. The research will create a uni-dimensional prototypicality scale to use as a manipulation device for the current study, and will be the first to provide a measure for prototypical brands

Effects of Product Prototypicality on Brand Resonance in Brand Extensions

This study investigates whether differing degrees of prototypical brands and brands that are either functional or symbolic in nature can undertake brand extensions, and if so, to what degree of congruency. The research uses a factorial design of 3 (congruency) x 2 (prototypicality) x 2 (motivation) x 2 (brand type) using four real brands. The study also creates a uni-dimensional prototypicality scale which is the first to provide a Likert type measure for prototypical brands

Cross-sectional study of risky substance use by injured emergency department patients

INTRODUCTION: Survey data regarding the prevalence of risky substance use in the emergency department (ED) is not consistent. The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of risky substance use among injured ED patients based on the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST v3.0). A secondary objective was to report on the feasibility of administering the ASSIST to this population, based on the time to conduct screening. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used screening data from a randomized controlled trial. Injured ED patients completed the ASSIST on a tablet computer, and an ASSIST score was computed that indicated the need for a brief or intensive treatment intervention (risky use) for alcohol and other substances. For a subsample, data on time to complete each step of screening was recorded. RESULTS: Between July 2010 and March 2013, 5,695 patients completed the ASSIST. Most (92%) reported lifetime use of at least one substance and 51% reported current risky use of at least one substance. Mean time to complete the ASSIST was 5.4 minutes and screening was considered feasible even when paused for clinical care to proceed. CONCLUSION: Estimates of risky substance use based on the ASSIST in our large sample of injured ED patients were higher than previously reported in other studies of ED patients, possibly due to the current focus on an injured population. In addition, it was feasible to administer the ASSIST to patients in the course of their clinical care.Published versio

An Analysis of Muon Neutrino Disappearance from the NuMI Beam Using an Optimal Track Fitter

Thesis (Ph.D.) - Indiana University, Physics, 2015The NOvA experiment is a long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment based out of Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory that uses two liquid scintillator detectors, one at Fermilab (the "near" detector) and a second 14 kton detector in northern Minnesota (the "far" detector.) The primary physics goals of the NOvA experiment are to measure neutrino mixing parameters through both the $\nu_{\mu}$ disappearance and $\nu_{e}$ appearance channels using neutrinos from the newly upgraded NuMI beam line. The NOvA $\nu_{\mu}$ disappearance analysis can significantly improve the world's best measurement of $\sin^{2}\theta_{23}$. This analysis proceeds by using the measured $\nu_{\mu}$ charged-current energy spectrum in the near detector to predict the spectrum in the far detector, and comparing this to the measured spectrum to obtain a best fit for the oscillation parameters $\sin^{2}\theta_{23}$ and $\Delta m^{2}_{32}$. Since this fit is governed by the shape of the energy spectrum, the best fit will be maximized by obtaining the best possible energy resolution for the individual neutrino events. This dissertation describes an alternate $\nu_{\mu}$ disappearance analysis technique for the NOvA experiment, based on the idea that estimating the energy resolution of the individual events will allow them to be separated into different energy resolution samples in order to improve the final fit. This involves using an optimal tracker to reconstruct particle tracks and momenta, and multivariate methods for estimating the event energies and energy resolutions. The data used for this analysis was taken by the NOvA experiment from February 2014 to May 2015, representing approximately $3.52 \times 10^{20}$ protons on target from the NuMI beam. The best fit oscillation parameters obtained by this alternate technique are $|\Delta m^{2}_{32}| = 2.49^{+0.19}_{-0.17}$~$[\times 10^{-3} {\rm eV}^{2}]$ and $\sin^{2} \theta_{23} =$~$0.51 \pm 0.08$ which is consistent with the hypothesis of maximal mixing, and with the results from T2K and MINOS+ published in 2015

An empirical Bayes model to assess deer-vehicle crash safety in urban areas in Iowa

Deer-vehicle crashes are a growing problem in Iowa. In 2008, deer-vehicle crashes represented 12% of all the crashes reported, which include 9 fatalities and 442 injuries. This is especially true in urban areas of Iowa, where the problem has been increasing. There has been quite a bit of research conducted on countermeasure action that could help solve this problem. However, there has been little previous work that attempted to model deer-vehicle crashes in urban areas using the two data sources available: deer carcass salvage reports and deer-vehicle crash reports. The objective of this thesis is to assess the safety of roadway segments using both deer-vehicle crash and deer carcass salvage data in an empirical Bayes model to predict crashes in select urban areas of Iowa. In this thesis, three cities were selected with long-running deer management programs for evaluation. Data were collected from both the deer-vehicle crash and carcass salvage data bases. Records were reconciled to help eliminate double counting. Count data models were estimated that examined crash frequency as a function of roadway and environmental factors. The count model estimates were used to develop safety performance functions as part of an empirical Bayes analysis to assess the safety of sections of state-maintained roadway. Results were discussed, limitations were examined, and recommendations were made for future work

A conceptual analysis of the effects of product prototypicality on brand resonance in brand extensions

Brand prototypicality is an area that has had limited research in the past. With brand extensions becoming more and more relevant in the market, it is important to know how prototypical brands can extend their brand. Further, there is a lack of research that examines brand resonance, specifically in regards to prototypicality. Thus, this study will examine the prototypicality on brand resonance of brand extensions. The study has three overriding research questions, as follows; 1) What impact does congruency of extension fit and parent brand prototypicality have on the enhancement or dilution of brand resonance, 2) To what extent does consumers' level of motivation processing moderate the enhancement or dilution of brand resonance, and 3) How does a functional (symbolic) parent brand influence the congruency of extension fit, parent brand prototypicality, and the moderating role of motivation processing on the enhancement or dilution of brand resonance

Complainers versus non-complainers retaliatory responses towards service dissatisfactions

The paper aims to investigate the different forms of retaliatory responses towards dissatisfactory service encounters experienced by Australian consumers. It further compares demographic and psychographic profiles of complainers versus non-complainers. 1200 mail surveys were sent out through a random list of addresses obtained from the White Pages. Data from 237 usable surveys (29.1%) were analysed using a series of statistical techniques including factor analysis to profile psychographic factors and discriminant analysis to identify complainers from non-complainers. It is found that both complainers and non-complainers engage in some form of retaliatory responses. Complainers have a high sense of justice, are less conservative and have a more positive attitude towards complaining than their non-complaining counterparts. Gender, income and education have no effect on complaining behaviour for both complainers and non-complainers.The high number of retaliation through 'exit' is a concern for Australian firms. Firms have to make an effort to identify the conditions exactly how each occurs and the strategies best available to rectify them. Mechanisms can be put in place to reduce these occurrences to improve the business as a whole. The paper matches the demographic and psychographic profiles of complainers and non-complainers with potential types of products and services and the related retaliatory responses