Now or never: perceptions of uniqueness induce acceptance of price increases for experiences more than for objects

Seven studies test and support the prediction that consumers are more willing to accept a price increase for an experiential versus a material purchase; an effect explained by the greater uniqueness of experiences. Critically, the uniqueness model advanced here is found to be independent of the happiness consumers derive from the purchase. To gain a deeper understanding of the uniqueness mechanism, this investigation then advances and tests a four-facet framework of uniqueness (unique opportunity, unique purchase, unique identity, and counterconformity). Together, the findings converge on the conclusion that consumers perceive the opportunity to have a particular experience (vs. object) as more unique, and this unique opportunity increases their willingness to accept a price increase. Overall, this work extends the experiential versus material purchases literature into a new domain—that of pricing; identifies the dimension—uniqueness—and its precise facet responsible for the effect—unique opportunity; and demonstrates that this model unfolds in a pattern distinct from the oft researched model centered on consumer happiness. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Neptune Odyssey: A Flagship Concept for the Exploration of the Neptune–Triton System

The Neptune Odyssey mission concept is a Flagship-class orbiter and atmospheric probe to the Neptune-Triton system. This bold mission of exploration would orbit an ice-giant planet to study the planet, its rings, small satellites, space environment, and the planet-sized moon Triton. Triton is a captured dwarf planet from the Kuiper Belt, twin of Pluto, and likely ocean world. Odyssey addresses Neptune system-level science, with equal priorities placed on Neptune, its rings, moons, space environment, and Triton. Between Uranus and Neptune, the latter is unique in providing simultaneous access to both an ice giant and a Kuiper Belt dwarf planet. The spacecraft - in a class equivalent to the NASA/ESA/ASI Cassini spacecraft - would launch by 2031 on a Space Launch System or equivalent launch vehicle and utilize a Jupiter gravity assist for a 12 yr cruise to Neptune and a 4 yr prime orbital mission; alternatively a launch after 2031 would have a 16 yr direct-to-Neptune cruise phase. Our solution provides annual launch opportunities and allows for an easy upgrade to the shorter (12 yr) cruise. Odyssey would orbit Neptune retrograde (prograde with respect to Triton), using the moon's gravity to shape the orbital tour and allow coverage of Triton, Neptune, and the space environment. The atmospheric entry probe would descend in ~37 minutes to the 10 bar pressure level in Neptune's atmosphere just before Odyssey's orbit-insertion engine burn. Odyssey's mission would end by conducting a Cassini-like "Grand Finale,"passing inside the rings and ultimately taking a final great plunge into Neptune's atmosphere

Rhenium - occurrence in copper ore deposit, the production and its perspectives

W artykule przedstawiono na przykładzie renu problematykę związaną z wykorzystaniem pierwiastków towarzyszących w złożu rud miedzi monokliny przedsudeckiej. Ren jest jednym z pierwiastków występujących w złożu, wykazującym najwyższą koncentrację w stosunku do zawartości w skorupie ziemskiej. Odzyskiwany w skali przemysłowej od 2005 roku plasuje KGHM w grupie znaczących producentów tego metalu. Dotychczasowe rozpoznanie wskazuje, że podwyższona zawartość renu w złożu bilansowym, w ilości przekraczającej 1 ppm, a lokalnie 3 ppm, występuje głównie w południowej części złoża, a jego głównym rezerwuarem są łupki miedzionośne. Tymczasem złoża z OG Polkowice i Lubin-Małomice, a także części OG Rudna i OG Sieroszowice wzbogacone w ren, zostały w znacznym stopniu wyeksploatowane. Pozostała, północna część złoża zalegająca na głębokości poniżej 1000 metrów, odznacza się wydatnym zubożeniem w ren, na poziomie poniżej 1 ppm. W efekcie w ostatnich latach zawartość renu w koncentracie systematycznie się obniża, co nie pozostaje bez wpływu na ilość renu wprowadzanego do obiegu technologicznego.The paper presents, on the example of rhenium, the problem of utilization of accompanying elements occurring in the copper ore deposit on the Foresudetic Monocline. Rhenium is the element having the biggest concentration in relation to its content in the lithosphere. Recovered on the industrial scale since 2005 places KGHM among the significant producers of this metal. The hitherto conducted prospecting showed that increased rhenium content in mineable part of orebody, of ca. 1 ppm, and in some places even of 3 ppm, occurs mainly in the south part of deposit and its major reservoir are copper bearing shale. In the meantime the areas of Polkowice and Lubin-Małomice, as well as part of Rudna and south part of Sieroszowice, were considerably exhausted while the northern much deeper part of the orebody contains significantly less amount of rhenium, i.e. below 1 ppm. This resulted in lowering of rhenium content in the concentrate what in turn influenced the amount of rhenium introduced into the technological circuit

Genetic composition of cultured and wild mussels Mytilus from The Netherlands and transfers from Ireland and Great Britain

The genetic composition of wild and cultured mussel populations from the Oosterschelde, The Netherlands, is compared to representative samples of mussel shipments from culture sites in Ireland and Great Britain. A total of 2272 mussels from 27 samples were assayed for the nuclear DNA markers Me 15116, EFbis and M7. The three markers showed similar patterns of taxonomic consistency across the mussel samples. However, some variation between markers was observed. While, all samples were almost "pure" Mytilus edulis, nevertheless Dutch wild populations Were more admixed with M. galloprovincialis and M. trossulus alleles than those from eastern Ireland, Wales and southern England. The mixed allele genotypes (hybrids) indicate the pre-existing occurrence of non-indigenous Mytilus taxa or natural introgression into Oosterschelde. Our results demonstrated that at the genetic level. there is no immediate threat from the introduction of nonindigenous Mytilus taxa through import from the studied sites in Ireland and Great Britain into the Oosterschelde. However, it is possible that with the import of mussels, M. galloprovincialis will be translocated, especially in the face of expected climate changes in the future