bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
QUANTUM COHERENCE IN NEUTRON SCATTERING ON PROTONS
Authors: KARLSSON ERIK B.
Published: May 2004

Several recent observations of closely spaced hydrogen nuclei in condensed matter systems — water, polymers and metal hydrides — indicate that they cannot be considered as independent quantum objects when observed over very short time intervals. According to these measurements, pairs (or possibly small clusters) of protons or deuterons seem to be quantum correlated, and are able to preserve their mutual quantum phase relations over times of the order of femtoseconds even in strongly perturbing liquid or solid environments. These new experimental results are mainly based on scattering of neutrons with time windows in the atto- and femtosecond range, but there also exists corroborating evidence from other spectroscopies. When the width of the observational time window is increased above a characteristic value, the quantum coherence effects are seen to disappear. This time limit marks the onset of decoherence as the mutual phase relations between the particles are gradually lost. Possible reasons for short-time entanglement of nuclei in condensed matter systems, as well as mechanisms for its decoherence will be discussed.
METRIC AND TOPOLOGICAL MULTIVALUED FRACTALS
Authors: ANDRES JAN , FIŠER JIŘÍ
Published: May 2004

Applying metric (Banach-like) and topological (Schauder-like) fixed-point theorems, the existence of metric and topological fractals is respectively proved as (sub)invariant subsets of the Hutchinson–Barnsley map generated by a multifunction system. Weakly contractive and compact multifunction systems are considered, but systems of more general multifunctions are discussed as well. The notions of hyperspaces and AR-spaces are employed for this goal.
A NONLINEAR DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION OF FRACTIONAL ORDER WITH CHAOTIC PROPERTIES
Authors: SEREDYŃSKA M. , HANYGA A.
Published: May 2004

A nonlinear differential equation of fractional order μ between two and three is studied. Existence, uniqueness and regularity are proved. For μ=3 the equation represents a chaotic dynamical system. As μ varies from 2 through 3 the dynamical system experiences period doublings and triplings and for two ranges of μ becomes chaotic. The attractor is represented by a trajectory which is dense in it and is studied by numerical estimates of its dimension and Lyapunov exponents. The infinite dimension of the state space (which is the history space) is taken into account.
CAN A THREE-DIMENSIONAL SMOOTH AUTONOMOUS QUADRATIC CHAOTIC SYSTEM GENERATE A SINGLE FOUR-SCROLL ATTRACTOR?
Authors: LIU WENBO , CHEN GUANRONG
Published: May 2004

Recently, we have investigated a new chaotic system of three-dimensional autonomous quadratic ordinary differential equations, and found that the system visually displays a four-scroll chaotic attractor confirmed by both numerical simulations and circuit implementation. In this paper, we further study the following question: Is it really true that this system can generate a four-scroll chaotic attractor, or is it only a numerical artifact? By a more careful theoretical analysis along with some further numerical simulations, we conclude that the four-scroll chaotic attractor of this system, which we observed on both computer and oscilloscope, cannot actually exist in theory. The fact is that this system has two co-existing two-scroll chaotic attractors that are arbitrarily close in the phase space for some system parameters, therefore extremely tiny numerical round-off errors or signal fluctuations will nudge the system orbit to switch from one attractor to another, thereby forming the seemingly single four-scroll chaotic attractor on screen display.
SUPPRESSING CHAOS FOR SOME NONLINEAR OSCILLATORS
Authors: LEUNG ANDREW Y. T. , LIU ZENGRONG
Published: May 2004

In this paper, a criteria of suppressing chaos for a kind of nonlinear oscillators is established by the theory of the strange attractor. The oscillators considered include Duffing, van der Pol, Duffing–van der Pol and pendulum. According to this criteria, we analyze the phase effect using two methods, one by adding the second external force term and the other by adding parametric excitation, both of which may be used to suppress chaos in the systems. Some examples are used to illustrate the validity of the criteria and the importance of phase effect in suppressing chaos.
ADAPTIVE CONTROL OF UNCERTAIN LORENZ SYSTEM USING DECOUPLED BACKSTEPPING
Authors: GE S. S.
Published: May 2004

In this letter, we reconsider the problem of controlling chaos in the well-known Lorenz system. Firstly, the difficulty in controlling the Lorenz system is discussed in the general strict-feedback form. Then, singularity-free adaptive control is presented for the Lorenz system with three key parameters unknown by exploiting the physical property of the system using decoupled backstepping design. The proposed controller guarantees the asymptotic convergence of the output and the boundedness of all the signals in the closed-loop system. Simulation results are conducted to show the effectiveness of the approach.
ON A CLASS OF VIRTUAL KNOTS WITH UNIT JONES POLYNOMIAL
Authors: SILVER DANIEL S. , WILLIAMS SUSAN G.
Published: May 2004

A collection of nontrivial virtual knots with unit Jones polynomial, obtained by virtualizing a single crossing of a knot diagram, contains no classical knots.
THE μ INVARIANT AND THE CASSON INVARIANT OF 3-MANIFOLDS OBTAINED BY SURGERY ON CLOSED PURE 3-BRAIDS
Authors: ARMAS-SANABRIA LORENA
Published: May 2004

Let P3 be the group of pure 3-braids and [Formula: see text] the set of closed pure 3-braids. We calculate the μ-invariant of the Z2-homology spheres obtained by integral Dehn surgery on elements of B, and the Casson invariant of the Z-homology spheres obtained by surgery on algebraically split, closed pure n-braids.
Stability Preserving Transformations: Packet Routing Networks with Edge Capacities and Speeds
Authors: BORODIN ALLAN , OSTROVSKY RAFAIL , RABANI YUVAL
Published: May 2004

In the context of an adversarial input model, we consider the effect on "universal" stability results when edges in packet routing networks can have capacities and speeds/slowdowns. A packet routing scheduling rule is universally stable if it is stable for any network and a network is universally stable if every "greedy" scheduling rule is stable on this network. In traditional packet routing networks, every edge is considered to have the same unit capacity and unit speed. We consider both static modifications (i.e. where the capacity or speed of an edge is fixed) and dynamic modifications where either the capacity or the speed of an edge can be dynamically changing over time. Amongst our results, we show that the universal stability of LIS (i.e. Longest in System packet gets highest priority) is not preserved when either the capacity or the speed is changing dynamically whereas many other common scheduling protocols do maintain their universal stability. The situation for static modifications is not as clear but we are able to show that (in contrast to the dynamic case) that any "well defined" universally stable scheduling rule maintains its universality under static capacities, and common scheduling rules also maintain their universal stability under static speeds. In terms of universal stability of networks, stability is preserved for dynamically changing capacities and speeds.
Oxygen-dependent and tissue-specific regulation of erythropoietin gene expression
Authors: Fandrey Joachim
Published: May 2004

Hypoxia-inducible expression of the gene encoding for the glycoprotein hormone erythropoietin (EPO) is the paradigm of oxygen-regulated gene expression. EPO is the main regulator of red blood cell production and more than 100 years of research on the regulation of EPO production have led to the identification of a widespread cellular oxygen sensing mechanism. Central to this signaling cascade is the transcription factor complex hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1). Meanwhile, it is known that HIF-1 controls more than 50 oxygen-dependent genes and is now recognized as the main regulator of oxygen homoeostasis in the body. In addition to hypoxic induction, expression of the EPO gene is tightly regulated in a tissue-specific manner. During ontogeny, production of EPO required for erythropoiesis is switched from the fetal liver to the kidneys. Here EPO is mainly synthesized in adulthood. Production of EPO has also been found in organs where it has nonerythropoietic functions: EPO is important for development of the brain and is neuroprotective, whereas it stimulates angiogenesis in the reproductive tract and possibly in other organs. Understanding oxygen and tissue-specific regulation of EPO production is of high relevance for physiology. Moreover, this knowledge might be useful for new therapies to treat human diseases.
Adrenomedullin modulates hemodynamic and cardiac effects of angiotensin II in conscious rats
Authors: Luodonpää Marja , Leskinen Hanna , Ilves Mika , Vuolteenaho Olli , Ruskoaho Heikki
Published: May 2004

We examined whether adrenomedullin, a vasoactive peptide expressed in the heart, modulates the increase in blood pressure, changes in systolic and diastolic function, and left ventricular hypertrophy produced by long-term administration of ANG II or norepinephrine in rats. Subcutaneous administration of adrenomedullin (1.5 μg·kg−1·h−1) for 1 wk inhibited the ANG II-induced (33.3 μg·kg−1·h−1 sc) increase in mean arterial pressure by 67% ( P < 0.001) but had no effect of norepinephrine-induced (300 μg·kg−1·h−1 sc) hypertension. Adrenomedullin enhanced the ANG II-induced improvement in systolic function, resulting in a further 9% increase ( P < 0.01) in the left ventricular ejection fraction and 19% increase ( P < 0.05) in the left ventricular fractional shortening measured by echocardiography, meanwhile norepinephrine-induced changes in systolic function were remained unaffected. Adrenomedullin had no effect on ANG II- or norepinephrine-induced left ventricular hypertrophy or expression of hypertrophy-associated genes, including contractile protein and natriuretic peptide genes. The present study shows that adrenomedullin selectively suppressed the increase in blood pressure and augmented the improvement of systolic function induced by ANG II. Because adrenomedullin had no effects on ANG II- and norepinephrine-induced left ventricular hypertrophy, circulating adrenomedullin appears to act mainly as a regulator of vascular tone and cardiac function.
Morphological Features of Cell Death
Authors: Ziegler U. , Groscurth P.
Published: May 2004

Cell death is discriminated into two main forms: apoptosis and necrosis. In contrast to necrosis, apoptosis is a regulated, energy-dependent form of cell death leading to phagocytosis of cellular remnants by neighboring cells. Characteristic morphological features of these two forms of cell death will be discussed and correlated to underlying molecular mechanisms.
Connexins Pave the Way for Vascular Communication
Authors: de Wit Cor
Published: May 2004

Coordinated behavior within arterioles is necessary for large resistance changes to occur and is reflected as a conduction of dilations/constrictions along arterioles. These responses arise from locally initiated hyper- or depolarizations that propagate via transmembrane channels formed by connexins (gap junctions). Mounting evidence indicates that gap-junctional communication contributes to the control of vascular tone.
Proteoglycans in Atherosclerosis and Restenosis
Authors: Wight Thomas N. , Merrilees Mervyn J.
Published: May 2004

The proteoglycan versican is one of several extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules that accumulate in lesions of atherosclerosis and restenosis. Its unique structural features create a highly interactive molecule that binds growth factors, enzymes, lipoproteins, and a variety of other ECM components to influence fundamental events involved in vascular disease. Versican is one of the principal genes that is upregulated after vascular injury and is a prominent component in stented and nonstented restenotic lesions. The synthesis of versican is highly regulated by specific growth factors and cytokines and the principal source of versican is the smooth muscle cell. Versican interacts with hyaluronan, a long chain glycosaminoglycan, to create expanded viscoelastic pericellular matrices that are required for arterial smooth muscle cell (ASMC) proliferation and migration. Versican is also prominent in advanced lesions of atherosclerosis, at the borders of lipid-filled necrotic cores as well as at the plaque-thrombus interface, suggesting roles in lipid accumulation, inflammation, and thrombosis. Versican influences the assembly of ECM and controls elastic fiber fibrillogenesis, which is of fundamental importance in ECM remodeling during vascular disease. Collectively, these studies highlight the critical importance of this specific ECM component in atherosclerosis and restenosis.
“Busing It” in the City: Black Youth, Performance, and Public Transit
Authors: Fleetwood Nicole
Published: May 2004

In the years following the Civil Rights movement, the specter of racialized, specifically black, youth as thugs became a symbol of postindustrial anxiety and disappointment. Much of the activity of the young on mass transportation, which is interpreted as expressions of delinquency, is actually a performative engagement with adults' anxieties and with the cultural trope of urban, racialized youth as deviant.
Anna Halprin's Urban Rituals
Authors: Ross Janice
Published: May 2004

How do Halprin's urban rituals contribute to today's dance aesthetics? Halprin forged her genre of urban ritual in the early 1960s by incorporating real-life tasks and relationships into her performances. Understanding Halprin's educational and philosophical history is essential to the writing of any postmodern dance history that takes into account ritual as a performance methodology and strategy.
A Window on the World: A Remote Corner of Asia Puts on a Play about 9/11
Authors: Roy L. Somi
Published: May 2004

This installment of Critical Acts tours the apartment of Marvin Carlson, where Helen Paris, Leslie Hill, and Lois Weaver offer On the Scent, a piece of installation-theatre of smell-filled rooms; a sumaang leela performance about the events of 9/11 that toured the isolated state of Manipur, India, the home of one of the Trade Tower victims who worked at Windows on the World; and iMumbo Jumbo, a production by Third World Bunfight, a South African theatre troupe.
Quantitative DNA Fingerprinting May Distinguish New Primary Breast Cancer From Disease Recurrence
Authors: Schlechter Benjamin L. , Yang Qiong , Larson Pamela S. , Golubeva Arina , Blanchard Rita A. , de Las Morenas Antonio , Rosenberg Carol L.
Published: May 2004

Purpose

Approximately 10% of women with breast cancer develop a second breast tumor, either a new primary or a recurrence. Differentiating between these entities using standard clinical and pathologic criteria remains challenging. Ambiguous cases arise, and misclassifications may occur. We investigated whether quantitative DNA fingerprinting, based on allele imbalance (AI) or loss of heterozygosity (LOH), could evaluate clonality and distinguish second primary breast cancer from recurrence.

Methods

We developed a scoring system based on the AI/LOH fingerprints of 20 independent breast tumors and generated a decision rule to classify any breast tumor pair as related or unrelated. We validated this approach on eight related tumors (cancers and synchronous positive lymph nodes). Finally, we analyzed paired tumors from 13 women (bilateral cancers, primary tumors and contralateral positive axillary lymph nodes, or two ipsilateral tumors). Each pair's genetic classification was compared with their clinical diagnosis and outcome.

Results

Each independent cancer had a unique fingerprint. Every tumor pair's relationship was quantifiable. Six of eight related tumor pairs were genetically classified correctly, two were indeterminate, and none were misclassified. Among the 13 women with two cancers, four of five clinically indeterminate pairs could be classified genetically. In three of 13 women, the pair's classification contradicted the clinical diagnosis. These women had bilateral cancers genetically classified as related and disease progression. This challenges the paradigm that bilateral cancers represent independent tumors. Overall, women with tumors genetically classified as related had poorer outcomes.

Conclusion

Quantitative AI/LOH fingerprinting is a potentially valuable tool to improve diagnosis and optimize treatment for the growing number of second breast malignancies.
Subclinical Late Cardiomyopathy After Doxorubicin Therapy for Lymphoma in Adults
Authors: Hequet O. , Le Q.H. , Moullet I. , Pauli E. , Salles G. , Espinouse D. , Dumontet C. , Thieblemont C. , Arnaud P. , Antal D. , Bouafia F. , Coiffier B.
Published: May 2004

Purpose

To assess the cardiac status of the long-term survivors and to estimate the incidence and the features of subclinical cardiotoxicity induced after conventional treatment with doxorubicin for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Patients and Methods

We analyzed a group of patients who previously received doxorubicin-based chemotherapy for lymphoma. Echocardiograms were performed at least 5 years after therapy with anthracyclines. Clinical cardiomyopathy was defined by the presence of clinical signs of congestive heart failure (CHF). Subclinical cardiomyopathy was defined by decrease of left ventricular fractional shortening (FS) without clinical signs of CHF. Cumulative dose of doxorubicin, male sex, older age, relapse, radiotherapy (mediastinal or total-body irradiation), autologous stem-cell transplantation, high-dose cyclophosphamide, and cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, familial history of cardiac disease, being overweight, and smoking history) were evaluated as potential risk factors for the development of cardiac dysfunction.

Results

Of 141 assessable patients (median age, 54 years; median cumulative dose of doxorubicin, 300 mg/m2), only one developed CHF. Criteria of subclinical cardiomyopathy were found in 39 patients. In multivariate analysis, factors that contributed to decreased FS were male sex (P < .01), older age (P < .01), higher cumulative dose of doxorubicin or association with another anthracycline (P = .04), radiotherapy (P = .04), and being overweight (P = .04).

Conclusion

Cardiac abnormalities can occur in patients treated with doxorubicin for lymphoma in the absence of CHF, even in patients who received moderate anthracycline doses. Male sex, older age, higher dose of doxorubicin, radiotherapy, and being overweight were risk factors for the development of cardiomyopathy.
Quality of Abstracts Describing Randomized Trials in the Proceedings of American Society of Clinical Oncology Meetings: Guidelines for Improved Reporting
Authors: Krzyzanowska Monika K. , Pintilie Melania , Brezden-Masley Christine , Dent Rebecca , Tannock Ian F.
Published: May 2004

Purpose

To evaluate the quality of reporting in abstracts describing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) included in the Proceedings of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meetings and to propose reporting guidelines for abstracts that are submitted to future meetings.

Methods

Guidelines for reporting of RCTs in abstracts were developed by extracting key elements from published guidelines for full reports of RCTs, and modified based on an expert survey. Abstracts presenting results of RCTs with sample size ≥ 200 were identified from the ASCO Proceedings for the years 1989 to 1998. Information regarding the quality of each abstract was extracted, and a quality score (possible range, 0 to 10) was assigned based on adherence to the guidelines.

Results

Brief description of the intervention, explicit identification of the primary end point, and presentation of results accompanied by statistical tests were regarded by experts as the most important items to include in an abstract, whereas presentation of secondary and subgroup analyses was the least important. Deficiencies in reporting were present in almost all of the 510 abstracts; for example, only 22% of the abstracts provided explicit identification of the primary end point. The median quality score was 5.5 (range, 2.0 to 8.5); the quality score improved with time (P < .0001) and was better for oral or plenary presentations (P = .0003).

Conclusion

The quality of reporting of RCTs in abstracts submitted to Annual Meetings of ASCO is suboptimal. Although space precludes the inclusion of details required in the final report, abstracts could be improved through the use of explicit minimal guidelines, which are suggested in this article.
Effect of Dose on Immune Response in Patients Vaccinated With an HER-2/neu Intracellular Domain Protein—Based Vaccine
Authors: Disis Mary L. , Schiffman Kathy , Guthrie Katherine , Salazar Lupe G. , Knutson Keith L. , Goodell Vivian , dela Rosa Corazon , Cheever Martin A.
Published: May 2004

Purpose

To evaluate the safety of an HER-2/neu intracellular domain (ICD) protein vaccine and to estimate whether vaccine dose impacts immunogenicity.

Patients and Methods

Twenty-nine patients with HER-2/neu—overexpressing breast or ovarian cancer and with no evidence of disease after standard therapy received a low- (25 μg), intermediate- (150 μg), or high-dose (900 μg) HER-2/neu ICD protein vaccine. The vaccine was administered intradermally, monthly for 6 months, with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor as an adjuvant. Toxicity and both cellular and humoral HER-2/neu—specific immunity was evaluated.

Results

The vaccine was well tolerated. The majority of patients (89%) developed HER-2/neu ICD-specific T-cell immunity. The dose of vaccine did not predict the magnitude of the T-cell response. The majority of patients (82%) also developed HER-2/neu—specific immunoglobulin G antibody immunity. Vaccine dose did not predict magnitude or avidity of the HER-2/neu—specific humoral immune response. Time to development of detectable HER-2/neu—specific immunity, however, was significantly earlier for the high- versus low-dose vaccine group (P = .003). Over half the patients retained HER-2/neu—specific T-cell immunity 9 to 12 months after immunizations had ended.

Conclusion

The HER-2/neu ICD protein vaccine was well tolerated and effective in eliciting HER-2/neu—specific T-cell and antibody immunity in the majority of breast and ovarian cancer patients who completed the vaccine regimen. Although the dose of vaccine did not impact the magnitude of T-cell or antibody immunity elicited, patients receiving the highest dose developed HER-2/neu—specific immunity more rapidly than those who received the lowest dose.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, Alone or Combined With Opioids, for Cancer Pain
Authors: McNicol Ewan , Strassels Scott , Goudas Leonidas , Lau Joseph , Carr Daniel
Published: May 2004

Purpose

To assess the safety and efficacy of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), alone or combined with opioids, for the treatment of cancer pain.

Patients and Methods

Forty-two trials involving 3,084 patients met inclusion criteria: eight compared NSAID with placebo; 13 compared one NSAID with another; 23 compared NSAID with opioid, NSAID or opioid versus NSAID plus opioid combinations, or NSAID plus opioid combinations versus NSAID plus opioid combinations; and nine studies assessed the effect of increasing NSAID dose.

Results

Sixteen studies lasted 1 week or longer and 11 evaluated a single dose. Seven of eight trials demonstrated superior efficacy of single doses of NSAID compared with placebo. Only four of 13 studies reported increased efficacy of one NSAID compared with another; four other studies found that one NSAID had fewer side effects than one or more others. Thirteen of 14 studies found no difference, or minimal clinical difference, when comparing an NSAID plus opioid combination versus either drug alone. Comparisons between various NSAID plus opioid combinations were inconclusive. Four studies demonstrated increased efficacy with increased NSAID dose, without dose-dependent increases in side effects.

Conclusion

Heterogeneity of study methods and outcomes precluded meta-analyses. Short duration of studies undermines generalization of findings on efficacy and safety. On the basis of limited data, NSAIDs appear to be more effective than placebo for cancer pain; clear evidence to support superior safety or efficacy of one NSAID compared with another is lacking; and trials of combinations of an NSAID with an opioid have disclosed either no significant difference, or at most a slight but statistically significant advantage, compared with either single entity.
Epothilones: Mechanism of Action and Biologic Activity
Authors: Goodin Susan , Kane Michael P. , Rubin Eric H.
Published: May 2004

Drugs that target microtubules are among the most commonly prescribed anticancer therapies. Although the mechanisms by which perturbation of microtubule function leads to selective death of cancer cells remain unclear, several new microtubule-targeting compounds are undergoing clinical testing. In part, these efforts focus on overcoming some of the problems associated with taxane-based therapies, including formulation and administration difficulties and susceptibility to resistance conferred by P-glycoprotein. Epothilones have emerged from these efforts as a promising new class of anticancer drugs. Preclinical studies indicate that epothilones bind to and stabilize microtubules in a manner similar but not identical to that of paclitaxel and that epothilones are effective in paclitaxel-resistant tumor models. Clinical phase I and early phase II data are available for BMS-247550, BMS-310705, EPO906, and KOS-862. The results suggest that these compounds have a broad range of antitumor activity at doses and schedules associated with tolerable side effects.
RRM1 and PTEN As Prognostic Parameters for Overall and Disease-Free Survival in Patients With Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Bepler Gerold , Sharma Swati , Cantor Alan , Gautam Ashish , Haura Eric , Simon George , Sharma Anupama , Sommers Eric , Robinson Lary
Published: May 2004

Purpose

RRM1 has important functions in the determination of the malignant phenotype. It controls cell proliferation through deoxynucleotide production and metastatic propensity through PTEN induction. It is located in a region of loss of heterozygosity in non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which is a predictor of poor survival. We hypothesized that RRM1 expression would be a significant predictor of outcome in NSCLC.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective data set of 49 patients and a prospective data set of 77 patients with resectable NSCLC were studied. RNA was extracted from tumor and normal lung tissue, and expression of the genes RRM1, PTEN, and RRM2 was determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results

RRM1 expression was significantly correlated with PTEN and RRM2 expression in tumor tissue. RRM1 and PTEN expression in tumor tissue was highly predictive of overall (P = .011 and .018, respectively) and disease-free survival (P = .002 and .026, respectively). Patients with high levels of expression lived longer and had disease recurrence later than patients with low levels of RRM1 and PTEN. In a multivariate analysis, high RRM1 expression was predictive of long survival independent of tumor stage, performance status, and weight loss.

Conclusion

RRM1 is a biologically and clinically important determinant of malignant behavior in NSCLC. Knowing the level of expression of this gene adds significant information to management decisions independent of the currently used outcome predictors of tumor stage, performance status, and weight loss. Future clinical trials should stratify patients based on expression of this gene to avoid unwanted biases.
The Situational Impact of Brand Image Beliefs
Authors: Batra Rajeev , Homer Pamela Miles
Published: May 2004

This study experimentally examines some situational influences on the formation and consequences of two brand image beliefs, pertaining to fun and sophistication (classiness). It tests McCracken's (1986) meaning transfer mechanisms and establishes that nonverbalized personality associations of celebrity endorsers on these dimensions can indeed reinforce equivalent consumer beliefs about a brand's fun and classiness benefits. However, this occurs only if a social consumption context is evoked, and only if the brand image beliefs are appropriate to the consumer schema for the product category involved. Moreover, under these facilitating conditions, such ad‐created brand image beliefs have an impact only on brand purchase intentions and not on brand attitudes. Results have implications for the growing literature on different types of brand imagery associations, as well as for future research on the processing of nonverbal stimuli, the measurement of nonfunctional brand beliefs, and consumer inference processes.
Terrifying Thoughts, Terrible Materialism? Contemplations on a Terror Management Account of Materialism and Consumer Behavior
Authors: Rindfleisch Aric , Burroughs James E.
Published: May 2004

This article provides a commentary on Arndt, Solomon, Kasser, and Sheldon's (2004) article on terror management theory and materialism. We focus our response on the two key linkages in their article: (a) the link between death anxiety and materialism and (b) the link between materialism and well‐being. Based on our own research, as well as concepts and findings from other scholars across a broad domain of disciplines, we offer a set of ideas and questions in regard to both linkages. In addition, we point to the changing nature of materialism and the implications that these changes hold for consumer psychologists.
Consumer Inference: A Review of Processes, Bases, and Judgment Contexts
Authors: Kardes Frank R. , Posavac Steven S. , Cronley Maria L.
Published: May 2004

Because products are rarely described completely, consumers often form inferences that go beyond the information given. We review research on the processes, bases, and the judgment contexts in which inferences are formed. The most basic processes are induction (inferences from specific instances to general principles) versus deduction (inferences from general principles to specific instances). Stimulus‐based inferences are formed on‐line (as information is encountered) using situationally available information, whereas memory‐based (or theory‐based) inferences are formed using prior knowledge and experience. Inferences can pertain to a single product judged in isolation (a singular judgment context) or to multiple products considered in relation to one another (a comparative judgment context). This 2x2x2 (Induction vs. Deduction x Stimulus‐Based vs. Memory‐Based x Singular vs. Comparative Judgment) theoretical framework suggests that there are 8 different types of inferences that consumers may form. Based on this framework, we identify gaps in the literature and suggest directions for future research.
The Effects of Personalized Product Recommendations on Advertisement Response Rates: The “Try This. It Works!” Technique
Authors: Howard Daniel J. , Kerin Roger A.
Published: May 2004

Three field experiments examined an information processing explanation for the effectiveness of a direct mail persuasion technique. Respondents received an ad in the mail accompanied by a hand‐written note of the form, “John, Try this. It works!” and signed using a common initial. In the first experiment, the technique increased (decreased) free sample requests when strong (weak) brand attributes were used. In a second experiment, the attribute quality interaction effect was found only for respondents who could not identify who sent them the ad. Those who knew the sender requested more free samples regardless of the attribute strength of the brand. A third experiment revealed that both the personalization and content of the note contribute to its effectiveness. Theoretical implications are discussed.
Dogmas and controversies in the handling of nitrogenous wastes: The effect of feeding and fasting on the excretion of ammonia, urea and other nitrogenous waste products in rainbow trout
Authors: Kajimura Makiko , Croke Sara J. , Glover Chris N. , Wood Chris M.
Published: May 2004

Ammonia and urea are the primary forms of nitrogen excretion in teleost fish. There exists, however, a discrepancy between the sum of ammonia plus urea nitrogen and total nitrogen, indicating that `unknown' nitrogen end products may play an important role in nitrogen metabolism. The current study analysed a wide range of nitrogen end products in both fed and fasted juvenile rainbow trout. Ammonia-N (53–68%) and urea-N (6–10%) were confirmed as the most important forms of nitrogenous waste, but an interesting finding was the considerable excretion of nitrogen as amino acids(4–10%), via the gills, and as protein (3–11%), probably via the body mucus. Use of anal sutures delineated an important role for the gastrointestinal tract in the production of ammonia-N and urea-N in fed fish, but amino acid-N and protein-N output by this route were both negligible. Alternative nitrogen products – trimethylamine,trimethylamine oxide, uric acid, and nitrite + nitrate – were not excreted in detectable quantities. Creatine-N and creatinine-N outputs were detected but contributed only a small fraction to total nitrogen excretion(<1.4%). Despite the wide scope of nitrogenous end products investigated, a considerable proportion (12–20%) of nitrogen excretion remains unknown. Possible alternative end products and methodological considerations are proposed to explain this phenomenon. The findings described above were used to recalculate the nitrogen quotient(NQ=ṀN/ṀO2)on trout that had been either fasted or fed various daily rations (1%, 3% or 5% dry food per unit wet body mass per day). Feeding increased oxygen consumption (ṀO2)and total-N excretion (ṀN). The NQ is often used as a measure of protein utilisation in aerobic metabolism and assumes that all protein (and amino acid) fuels are converted by oxidation to nitrogenous waste products that are excreted. However, the results showed that calculation of the NQ based on total nitrogen excretion may overestimate protein utilisation in aerobic metabolism because of significant excretion of N in the form of proteins and amino acids, whereas the use of summed ammonia-N and urea-N excretion probably underestimates the contribution of protein towards aerobic metabolism. These errors increase as ration increases, because the discrepancy between total-N excretion and ammonia-N + urea-N excretion increases.
Dogmas and controversies in the handling of nitrogenous wastes: Ammonia tolerance in the oriental weatherloachMisgurnus anguillicaudatus
Authors: Tsui T. K. N. , Randall D. J. , Hanson L. , Farrell A. P. , Chew S. F. , Ip Y. K.
Published: May 2004

The oriental weatherloach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus is an extremely ammonia-tolerant fish. Many ammonia-protection mechanisms have been reported in this fish. Six strategies used by this fish to deal with the problem of excess ammonia are described. The fish can (1) reduce ammonia production through reduction in protein and/or amino acid catabolism; (2)reduce ammonia production and obtain energy through partial amino acid catabolism leading to alanine formation; (3) detoxify ammonia to glutamine;(4) tolerate very high ammonia levels in its tissues; (5) get rid of ammonia as NH3 gas and, probably, (6) possesses background K+channels that are impermeable to NH4+. The effects of extracellular ammonia on the contraction performance of the heart from this fish were found to be the same as in rainbow trout, an ammonia-sensitive fish. It suggests that the hearts of most, if not all, fish species are protected against ammonia. MK-801, an NMDA receptor blocker, was found to have a protective effect against ammonia intoxication in the oriental weatherloach,which suggests that the NMDA receptor, as in mammals, is involved in ammonia toxicity.
Dogmas and controversies in the handling of nitrogenous wastes:Osmoregulation during early embryonic development in the marine little skate Raja erinacea; response to changes in external salinity
Authors: Steele S. L. , Yancey P. H. , Wright P. A.
Published: May 2004

Marine elasmobranchs retain relatively high levels of urea to counterbalance the osmotic strength of seawater. Oviparous species, such as the little skate Raja erinacea, release encapsulated embryos that hatch after about 9 months on the seafloor. To study the ureosmotic capability of skate embryos, we measured a variety of possible osmolytes and ornithine–urea cycle (OUC) enzyme activities in little skate embryos,and determined their physiological response to dilute seawater (75% SW)exposure relative to controls (100% SW). The urea:trimethylamine oxide (TMAO)+ other osmolytes ratio was 2.3–2.7:1. At the earliest stage of development investigated (4 months), there were significant levels of the key OUC enzyme, carbamoyl phosphate synthetase III, as well as ornithine transcarbamoylase, arginase and glutamine synthetase, providing evidence for a functional OUC. Embryos (4 and 8 months) survived and recovered from exposure to 5 days of 75% SW. There was a significant increase in the rate of urea excretion (five- to tenfold), no change in OUC enzyme activities, and significant decreases in the tissue content of urea, TMAO and other osmolytes in embryos exposed to 75% SW compared to 100% SW. Taken together, the data indicate that little skate embryos synthesize and retain urea, as well as a suite of other osmolytes, in order to regulate osmotic balance with the external environment. Interestingly, these ureosmotic mechanisms are in place as early as 4 months, around the time at which the egg capsule opens and the embryo is in more direct contact with the external environment.
Contributions of different NaPi cotransporter isoforms to dietary regulation of P transport in the pyloric caeca and intestine of rainbow trout
Authors: Sugiura Shozo H. , Ferraris Ronaldo P.
Published: May 2004

The anatomical proximity and embryological relationship of the pyloric caeca (PC) and small intestine of rainbow trout has led to the frequent assumption, on little evidence, that they have the same enzymes and transporters. In trout, the PC is an important absorptive organ for dietary nutrients, but its role in dietary P absorption has not been reported. We found that apical inorganic phosphate (Pi) transport in PC comprises carrier-mediated and diffusive components. Carrier-mediated uptake was energy-and temperature-dependent, competitively inhibited and Na+-independent, and greater than the Na+-dependent intestinal uptake. Pi uptake in PC was pH-sensitive in the presence of Na+. Despite the active Pi transport system in PC, high postprandial luminal Pi concentrations (∼20 mmol l–1)indicate that diffusive uptake represents ∼92% of total Pi uptake in PC of fed fish. The nucleotide sequence of a sodium-phosphate cotransporter(NaPi-II) isoform isolated from PC was ∼8% different from the intestinal NaPi cotransporter. PC-NaPi mRNA was abundant in PC but rare in the intestine,whereas intestinal NaPi mRNA was abundant in the intestine but scarce in PC. Dietary P restriction reduced serum and bone P concentrations, increased intestine-type, but not PC-type, NaPi mRNA in PC, and increased Pi uptake in intestine but not in PC. Intestine-type NaPi expression may be useful for predicting dietary P deficiency.
Activation patterns of the tongue-projector muscle during feeding in the imperial cave salamanderHydromantes imperialis
Authors: Deban Stephen M. , Dicke Ursula
Published: May 2004

Salamanders of the genus Hydromantes project their tongues the greatest distance of any amphibian to capture prey, up to 80% of body length or approximately 6 cm in an adult individual. During tongue projection on distant prey, the tongue is shot ballistically and the tongue skeleton leaves the body of the salamander entirely. We investigated an aspect of the motor control of this remarkable behavior by examining electromyographic patterns within different regions of the tongue-projector muscle, the subarcualis rectus (SAR). SAR activation is strongly modulated, and features of this modulation can be predicted by tongue-projection distance (i.e. prey distance). The strap-like buccal portion of the SAR is always activated first and for the longest duration, compared to any other region. It is in a position to transmit force generated by the posterior SAR to the floor of the mouth, where it originates. The posterior SAR encompasses and applies force to the epibranchial of the tongue skeleton, and its activation pattern gradually changes from a posterior-to-anterior wave of activation onset during short-distance projection to an all-at-once pattern during the most extreme long-distance (ballistic) projection. The duration of activity and EMG area of each recorded region of the SAR increase with increasing prey distance,showing greater muscle recruitment during long-distance projection. No effect of prey-capture success was observed in the EMG patterns, indicating that SAR activation is controlled in a feed-forward manner.
Dogmas and controversies in the handling of nitrogenous wastes: Is exogenous ammonia a growth stimulant in fish?
Authors: Wood Chris M.
Published: May 2004

Traditionally, waterborne ammonia is considered a toxicant that decreases productivity in aquaculture. However, several recent studies have suggested,but not proven, that growth of salmonids might actually be stimulated by chronic exposure to very low levels of ammonia. In the present study, two 70–71 day growth experiments were conducted under rigorously controlled experimental conditions with juvenile rainbow trout at total ammonia concentrations ([TAmm])=0, 70 and 225 μmol l–1, pH 7.6. In the first series, a small-scale laboratory proof-of-principle study at 15°C, there was a significant stimulation of mass gain, gross food conversion efficiency, condition factor and protein production per fish at [TAmm]=70 μmol l–1, without an increase in voluntary food consumption or change in `in-tank' O2 consumption or ammonia excretion rates. These growth stimulatory effects were not seen at[TAmm]=225 μmol l–1, where the fish consumed more food, and excreted more ammonia, yet achieved the same mass and protein content as the controls. In the second series, a larger study conducted in an aquaculture facility at 6.5°C, growth rate, conversion efficiency and protein production per fish over 71 days were all significantly stimulated at [TAmm]=225 μmol l–1, but not at 70 μmol l–1, without any change in voluntary food consumption. These effects occurred despite an early inhibition of growth at both [TAmm] levels. When ration was restricted, growth was reduced and there were no longer any differential effects attributable to[TAmm]. While the effective levels of[TAmm] differed between the two series, in both, the PNH3 level stimulating growth was ∼23μtorr. The results are interpreted as reflecting either a stimulation of ammonia incorporation into amino acids and protein synthesis and/or a reduction in metabolic costs. The finding that low levels of exogenous ammonia can serve as a growth stimulant without altering food consumption may be important for aquacultural practice, and challenges traditional dogma that the effects of ammonia are detrimental to growth.
Sex-dependent effects of gonadal steroids and cortisol on cardiac contractility in rainbow trout
Authors: Farrar Richard S. , Rodnick Kenneth J.
Published: May 2004

The purpose of this study was to determine whether steroid hormones modulate cardiac function in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykissWalbaum). We assessed the effects of exogenously administered steroids on isolated ventricle strips and report that physiological concentrations of androgens, 17β-estradiol and cortisol rapidly (<10 min) enhance inotropism (30–40%) in a sex-specific manner. These effects were specific to the hormones studied, absent if animals were anesthetized chemically and dependent upon steroid concentration and contraction frequency. Based on the use of specific steroid receptor antagonists and key enzyme inhibitors, it appears that testosterone, 11-ketotestosterone and cortisol each act through specific intracellular receptors in males and that the positive inotropism requires the synthesis of polyamines and nitric oxide. Cortisol and 17β-estradiol, but not androgens, had similar effects in females and also involved similar signaling pathways. Androgen and cortisol effects were additive in males but cortisol and 17β-estradiol were not additive in females, suggesting sex differences in the pathways through which these hormones stimulate inotropism. In summary, gonadal steroids and cortisol promote ventricular contractility in a sex-dependent manner through mechanisms that appear multifaceted. Ultimately, steroid-mediated improvements in cardiac performance might involve non-genomic pathways and be physiologically important during migration, spawning or stressful periods.
How do cormorants counter buoyancy during submerged swimming?
Authors: Ribak Gal , Weihs Daniel , Arad Zeev
Published: May 2004

Buoyancy is a de-stabilizing force for diving cormorants that forage at shallow depths. Having to counter this force increases the cost of transport underwater. Cormorants are known to be less buoyant than most water birds but are still highly buoyant (ρ=∼0.8 kg m–3) due to their adaptations for aerial flight. Nevertheless, cormorants are known to dive at a wide range of depths, including shallow dives where buoyancy is maximal. We analyzed the kinematics of underwater swimming of the great cormorant(Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) in a shallow pool to discover and evaluate the mechanisms countering buoyancy while swimming horizontally. The birds maintained a very uniform cyclic paddling pattern. Throughout this cycle, synchronized tilting of the body, controlled by the tail, resulted in only slight vertical drifts of the center of mass around the average swimming path. We suggest that this tilting behavior serves two purposes: (1) the elongated bodies and the long tails of cormorants, tilted at a negative angle of attack relative to the swimming direction, generate downward directed hydrodynamic lift to resist buoyancy and (2) during the propulsive phase, the motion of the feet has a significant vertical component, generating a vertical component of thrust downward, which further helps to offset buoyancy. The added cost of the drag resulting from this tilting behavior may be reduced by the fact that the birds use a burst-and-glide pattern while swimming.
Dogmas and controversies in the handling of nitrogenous wastes: Excretion of nitrogenous wastes in human subjects
Authors: Kamel Kamel S. , Cheema-Dhadli Surinder , Shafiee Mohammad A. , Halperin Mitchell L.
Published: May 2004

Two major nitrogenous waste products, urea and ammonium(NH4+), are produced in humans when proteins are oxidized, and in this manuscript their excretions are examined from two perspectives. First, the specific physiology of each nitrogenous waste is reviewed and the current dogmas summarized. Second, their excretions are considered in the context of integrative physiology, i.e. the need to ensure that the urine composition is appropriate to minimize the risk of kidney stone formation. After the latter analysis, weak links in our understanding of the overall physiology become apparent and a conundrum is defined. The conundrum for the excretion of urea focuses on the fact that urea is not an effective osmole in the medullary-collecting duct when vasopressin acts. As a result, it appears that urinary urea cannot prevent a large decline in the urine flow rate and thereby minimize the risk of forming kidney stones in electrolyte-poor urine. The conundrum for the excretion of NH4+ is: high rates of NH4+excretion require a low urine pH, yet a pH ∼6.0 must be maintained in order to reduce the risk of precipitating uric acid in the urine. Possible ways of resolving these conundrums require novel physiological interpretations.