The Changing Landscape Of Marketing Research: A Study Of Marketing Consultants

The field of marketing research is undergoing dramatic change as technology of various forms penetrates its realm. This study seeks to gather a snapshot of the U.S. marketing research industry in its current state of evolution.  Specifically, this study examines the mix of data collection methods, analysis techniques, targeted research participants, and project topics emphasized by today’s working consultants.  While findings confirm a rather expected major shift toward Internet-related means of collecting data, analysis techniques remain relatively unchanged over the last twenty years.  Furthermore, findings reveal that research design decisions are to some degree formed based on consultants’ perceptions of their own Internet self-efficacy and their firms’ orientations toward either B2B or B2C clients.  Implications for both practitioner and academic researchers are discussed

A flight test of laminar flow control leading-edge systems

NASA's program for development of a laminar flow technology base for application to commercial transports has made significant progress since its inception in 1976. Current efforts are focused on development of practical reliable systems for the leading-edge region where the most difficult problems in applying laminar flow exist. Practical solutions to these problems will remove many concerns about the ultimate practicality of laminar flow. To address these issues, two contractors performed studies, conducted development tests, and designed and fabricated fully functional leading-edge test articles for installation on the NASA JetStar aircraft. Systems evaluation and performance testing will be conducted to thoroughly evaluate all system capabilities and characteristics. A simulated airline service flight test program will be performed to obtain the operational sensitivity, maintenance, and reliability data needed to establish that practical solutions exist for the difficult leading-edge area of a future commercial transport employing laminar flow control

Parameter passing in algebraic specification languages

AbstractIn this paper we study the semantics of the parameter passing mechanism in algebraic specification languages. More precisely, this problem is studied for parameterized data types and parameterized specifications. The given results include the extension of the model functor (which is useful for correctness proofs) and the semantic properties of the result of inserting actual parameters into parameterized specifications. In particular, actual parameters can be parameterized and the result is nested parameterized specification. Correctness of an applied (matrix(int)) or a nested (bintree(string())) parameterized specification is shown given correctness of the parts. The formal theory in this paper is restricted to the basic algebraic case where only equations are allowed in the parameter declaration and parameter passing is given by specification morphisms. But we also give the main ideas of a corresponding theory with requirements where we allow different kinds of restrictions in the parameter declaration

New insights on neutral binary representations for evolutionary optimization

This paper studies a family of redundant binary representations NNg(l, k), which are based on the mathematical formulation of error control codes, in particular, on linear block codes, which are used to add redundancy and neutrality to the representations. The analysis of the properties of uniformity, connectivity, synonymity, locality and topology of the NNg(l, k) representations is presented, as well as the way an (1+1)-ES can be modeled using Markov chains and applied to NK fitness landscapes with adjacent neighborhood.The results show that it is possible to design synonymously redundant representations that allow an increase of the connectivity between phenotypes. For easy problems, synonymously NNg(l, k) representations, with high locality, and where it is not necessary to present high values of connectivity are the most suitable for an efficient evolutionary search. On the contrary, for difficult problems, NNg(l, k) representations with low locality, which present connectivity between intermediate to high and with intermediate values of synonymity are the best ones. These results allow to conclude that NNg(l, k) representations with better performance in NK fitness landscapes with adjacent neighborhood do not exhibit extreme values of any of the properties commonly considered in the literature of evolutionary computation. This conclusion is contrary to what one would expect when taking into account the literature recommendations. This may help understand the current difficulty to formulate redundant representations, which are proven to be successful in evolutionary computation. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Maturational Timing and Swim Performance in Collegiate Female Swimmers

The purpose of this study was to determine if maturational timing is related to collegiate swim performance. Maturational timing was estimated using age at menarche (AaM), which was determined retrospectively in collegiate swimmers (N = 273). Each swimmer’s best performance during the 2015-2016 NCAA season was obtained from the USA Swimming database and selected based on Power Point Score (PPS), a standardized score given to all performances in the database. Independent samples t tests were used to compare (i) PPS and body mass index (BMI; from selfreported height and weight) between earlier maturing (youngest 33% at menarche) and later maturing (oldest 33% at menarche) swimmers and (ii) AaM and BMI between lower performing (lowest 33% of PPS) and higher-performing (highest 33% of PPS) swimmers. The later maturers performed better than the earlier maturers (PPS 801.7 vs. 759.8, t = 2.10, P = 0.04, d = 0.33) and had lower BMIs (22.5 vs. 23.3 kg/m2, t = 2.41, P = 0.02, d = 0.36). The higher-performing swimmers were later maturers than the lower-performing swimmers (AaM 14.0 vs. 13.4 years, t = 2.87, P = 0.01, d = 0.45) and had lower BMIs (22.5 vs. 23.2 kg/m2, t = 1.97, P = 0.05, d = 0.31). These findings suggest that the relationship between maturational timing and swim performance may be due, at least in part, to physical traits common to both later maturers and better performers

Seven-Year Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) Observations: Planets and Celestial Calibration Sources

(Abridged) We present WMAP seven-year observations of bright sources which are often used as calibrators at microwave frequencies. Ten objects are studied in five frequency bands (23 - 94 GHz): the outer planets (Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune) and five fixed celestial sources (Cas A, Tau A, Cyg A, 3C274 and 3C58). The seven-year analysis of Jupiter provides temperatures which are within 1-sigma of the previously published WMAP five-year values, with slightly tighter constraints on variability with orbital phase, and limits (but no detections) on linear polarization. Scaling factors are provided which, when multiplied by the Wright Mars thermal model predictions at 350 micron, reproduce WMAP seasonally averaged observations of Mars within ~2%. An empirical model is described which fits brightness variations of Saturn due to geometrical effects and can be used to predict the WMAP observations to within 3%. Seven-year mean temperatures for Uranus and Neptune are also tabulated. Uncertainties in Uranus temperatures are 3%-4% in the 41, 61 and 94 GHz bands; the smallest uncertainty for Neptune is ~8% for the 94 GHz band. Intriguingly, the spectrum of Uranus appears to show a dip at ~30 GHz of unidentified origin, although the feature is not of high statistical significance. Flux densities for the five selected fixed celestial sources are derived from the seven-year WMAP sky maps, and are tabulated for Stokes I, Q and U, along with polarization fraction and position angle. Fractional uncertainties for the Stokes I fluxes are typically 1% to 3%. Source variability over the seven-year baseline is also estimated. Significant secular decrease is seen for Cas A and Tau A: our results are consistent with a frequency independent decrease of about 0.53% per year for Cas A and 0.22% per year for Tau A.Comment: 72 pages, 21 figures; accepted to ApJS; (v2) corrected Mars model scaling factors, added figure 21, added text to Mars, Saturn and celestial sources section

Ornament and crime? From loos to Venturi & Scott Brown

[EN] In architecture, ornament has always been embroiled in controversy because, in many cases, it has been influenced by an ordinary reading of “Ornament and crime”, the well-known lecture by Adolf Loos in 1908. A deeper reading of his texts and the analysis of his work lead to an understanding of his position about the role of ornament and to the identification of those elements which were really being criticised by the Viennese master. It is not a direct criticism of ornament itself, it is more about the censorship of the improper use of ornament. His theories are illustrated by some examples such as the Café Museum or his building in Michaelerplatz, just like other contemporary masters like Otto Wagner or Frank Lloyd Wright. We must unlearn our prejudices about ornament to get a better understanding of Adolf Loos’ attitude. An attitude which has not lost any relevance in contemporary architecture[ES] El ornamento en arquitectura ha estado siempre envuelto de polémica, en muchos casos influenciada por una lectura banal de la famosa conferencia de 1908 de Adolf Loos titulada “Ornamento y delito”. Una lectura más profunda de sus textos y el análisis de su obra nos lleva a comprender su posición respecto al ornamento e identificar aquellos elementos que el maestro vienés estaba realmente criticando. No se trata tanto de una crítica directa al ornamento, como de la censura al uso inadecuado del ornamento. Los ejemplos del café Museum o su edificio en Michaelerplatz ilustran sus teorías, al igual que maestros coetáneos como Otto Wagner o Frank Lloyd Wright. Debemos despojarnos de nuestros prejuicios sobre el ornamento, para entender la postura de Adolf Loos. Una postura que no ha perdido vigencia en la arquitectura contemporánea.Arnau Orenga, PI.; Bruns Banegas, S.; Lozano Velasco, JM. (2017). ¿Ornamento y delito? De Loos a Venturi & Scott Brown. EN BLANCO. Revista de Arquitectura. 10(23):93-102. doi:10.4995/eb.2017.7969SWORD931021023Benevolo, Leonardo. Historia de la arquitectura moderna. Barcelona: Gustavo Gili, SA, 1974.Davies, Stephen. "Is Architecture Art?" In: Mitias, Michael. Philosophy and Architecture. Amsterdam; Atlanta, GA: Rodopi, 1994.Gombricht, Ernst. The sense of order: A Study in the Psychology of Decorative Art. Ithaca; New York: Cornell University Press, 1979.Gravagnuolo, Benedetto. Adolf Loos. Theory and Works. Preface by Aldo Rossi. Translated by C.H. Evans. Milan: Idea Books, 1982.Harries, Karsten. The Broken Frame. Washington: The Catholic University of America Press, 1989.Lloyd Wright, Frank. Writings and Buildings. Nueva York: Meridian Books, The World Publishing Company, 1960.Loos, Adolf. Escritos I. 1897/1909. Translated by Alberto Estévez, Josep Quetglas, Miquel Vila. Madrid: El Croquis Editorial, 1993.Loos, Adolf. Escritos II. 1910/1932. Translated by Alberto Estévez, Josep Quetglas, Miquel Vila. Madrid: El Croquis Editorial, 1993.Marx, Karl. Early writings. Introduced by Lucio Colletti. Translated by Rodney Livingstone and Gregor Benton. London: Penguin Books, 1975.Semper, Gottfried. Der Stil in den technischen und tektonischen Künsten oder praktische Ästhetik. Frankfurt am Main, 1860.Simmel, Georg. Untersuchungen über die formen der Vergesellschaftung. Berlin: Duncker & Humblot, 1908.Veblen, Thorstein. The Theory of the Leisure Class. An Economic Study of Institutions. New York: Macmillan Company, 1899.Venturi, Robert. "Diversidad, adecuación y representación en el historicismo, o plus ça change…/ con un alegato a favor del motivo repetitivo en arquitectura...". In Venturi, Rauch & Scott Brown. Barcelona: Gustavo Gili, 1986.Wagner, Otto. Die Baukunst unserer Zeit: dem Baukunstjünger ein Führer auf diesem Kunstgebiete. Viena: A. Schroll, 1914.Walzer, Michael. Spheres of Justice. A defense of pluralism and equality. USA: Basic Books Inc, 1983.Zevi, Bruno. Sapere vedere l'architettura. Torino: Piccola Biblioteca Einaudi, 1948.Zevi, Bruno. Saber ver la arquitectura. Translated by Cino Calcaprina y Jesús Bermejo Goday. Barcelona: Poseidon, 1976

Time of Day-Dependent Alterations in Hippocampal Kynurenic Acid, Glutamate, and GABA in Adult Rats Exposed to Elevated Kynurenic Acid During Neurodevelopment

Hypofunction of glutamatergic signaling is causally linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, including psychotic disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Kynurenic acid (KYNA) has been found to be elevated in postmortem brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with psychotic illnesses and may be involved in the hypoglutamatergia and cognitive dysfunction experienced by these patients. As insults during the prenatal period are hypothesized to be linked to the pathophysiology of psychotic disorders, we presently utilized the embryonic kynurenine (EKyn) paradigm to induce a prenatal hit. Pregnant Wistar dams were fed chow laced with kynurenine to stimulate fetal brain KYNA elevation from embryonic day 15 to embryonic day 22. Control dams (ECon) were fed unlaced chow. Plasma and hippocampal tissue from young adult (postnatal day 56) ECon and EKyn male and female offspring were collected at the beginning of the light (Zeitgeber time, ZT 0) and dark (ZT 12) phases to assess kynurenine pathway metabolites. Hippocampal tissue was also collected at ZT 6 and ZT 18. In separate animals, in vivo microdialysis was conducted in the dorsal hippocampus to assess extracellular KYNA, glutamate, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Biochemical analyses revealed no changes in peripheral metabolites, yet hippocampal tissue KYNA levels were significantly impacted by EKyn treatment, and increased in male EKyn offspring at ZT 6. Interestingly, extracellular hippocampal KYNA levels were only elevated in male EKyn offspring during the light phase. Decreases in extracellular glutamate levels were found in the dorsal hippocampus of EKyn male and female offspring, while decreased GABA levels were present only in males during the dark phase. The current findings suggest that the EKyn paradigm may be a useful tool for investigation of sex- and time-dependent changes in hippocampal neuromodulation elicited by prenatal KYNA elevation, which may influence behavioral phenotypes and have translational relevance to psychotic disorders

Amplitude measurements of Faraday waves

A light reflection technique is used to measure quantitatively the surface elevation of Faraday waves. The performed measurements cover a wide parameter range of driving frequencies and sample viscosities. In the capillary wave regime the bifurcation diagrams exhibit a frequency independent scaling proportional to the wavelength. We also provide numerical simulations of the full Navier-Stokes equations, which are in quantitative agreement up to supercritical drive amplitudes of 20%. The validity of an existing perturbation analysis is found to be limited to 2.5% overcriticaly.Comment: 7 figure

Novel Schizophrenia Risk Gene TCF4 Influences Verbal Learning and Memory Functioning in Schizophrenia Patients

Background: Recently, a role of the transcription factor 4 (TCF4) gene in schizophrenia has been reported in a large genome-wide association study. It has been hypothesized that TCF4 affects normal brain development and TCF4 has been related to different forms of neurodevelopmental disorders. Schizophrenia patients exhibit strong impairments of verbal declarative memory (VDM) functions. Thus, we hypothesized that the disease-associated C allele of the rs9960767 polymorphism of the TCF4 gene led to impaired VDM functioning in schizophrenia patients. Method: The TCF4 variant was genotyped in 401 schizophrenia patients. VDM functioning was measured using the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). Results: Carriers of the C allele were less impaired in recognition compared to those carrying the AA genotype (13.76 vs. 13.06; p = 0.049). Moreover, a trend toward higher scores in patients with the risk allele was found for delayed recall (10.24 vs. 9.41; p = 0.088). The TCF4 genotype did not influence intelligence or RAVLT immediate recall or total verbal learning. Conclusion: VDM function is influenced by the TCF4 gene in schizophrenia patients. However, the elevated risk for schizophrenia is not conferred by TCF4-mediated VDM impairment. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Base