Die Macht des Defaults — Wirkung von Empfehlungen und Vorgaben auf das individuelle Entscheidungsverhalten

Zusammenfassung: Bei der Wahl vieler Produkte ist der Kunde mit Empfehlungen und Vorgaben der Hersteller und Händler (Defaults) konfrontiert. Bei der online-Konfiguration eines Erzeugnisses (z. B. Pkw) ist für alle zwingend erforderlichen Merkmale (z. B. Motor) jeweils ein Default (d. h. eine Ausprägung, z. B. 3.2 Liter) vorgegeben. Zudem geben die Anbieter Empfehlungen bezüglich bestimmter Merkmalsausprägungen ab, an denen sich die Nachfrager orientieren. Obgleich der grundsätzliche Einfluss von Defaults auf das Entscheidungsverhalten unbestritten ist, sind wichtige Fragen etwa nach dem Effekt unterschiedlicher Default-Varianten noch nicht beantwortet. Anhand einer empirischen Studie, in deren Mittelpunkt ein Car-Konfigurator steht, kann gezeigt werden, wie verschiedene Defaults das Entscheidungsverhalten der Individuen beeinflussen. Die Befunde erlauben Rückschlüsse über den Prozess der Herausbildung von Produktpräferenze

A Comparative Study of Qualitative and Quantitative Courses Across Three Educational Delivery Modalities

This study investigated differences in student satisfaction between qualitative and quantitative courses across three modalities: online, on ground and blended. With 21,000 respondents results indicate there are significant differences in student satisfaction between qualitative and quantitative courses. Satisfaction was higher for qualitative courses across all three modalities; it was highest for the online modify for both qualitative and quantitative courses

Towards a formal semantics for Ada 9X

The Ada 9X language precision team was formed during the revisions of Ada 83, with the goal of analyzing the proposed design, identifying problems, and suggesting improvements, through the use of mathematical models. This report defines a framework for formally describing Ada 9X, based on Kahn's 'natural semantics', and applies the framework to portions of the language. The proposals for exceptions and optimization freedoms are also analyzed, using a different technique

Determination of the Born–Oppenheimer potential function of CCl+ by velocity modulation diode laser spectroscopy

Over 70 transitions among the lowest six vibrational states of C35Cl+ and C37Cl+ have been measured between 1070–1210 cm^−1. The spectrum has been fitted to a sixth order Dunham expansion to yield an accurate mapping of the Born–Oppenheimer potential function of CCl+. The spectroscopic constants obtained are ωe = 1177.7196(8) cm^−1, ωexe = 6.6475(3) cm^−1, and Be = 0.797 940(3) cm^−1. The rotational constants for both CCl+ isotopes reported here show the results of the previous electronic emission studies to be incorrect. A fit of the data to a Morse function yields a dissociation energy D of 52 828(50) cm^−1. The rotational temperature has been determined as 540 K±30%. The increase in the effective vibrational temperature with vibrational excitation indicates that CCl+ is formed with high internal energy

Radiation shielding of protoplanetary discs in young star-forming regions

Protoplanetary discs spend their lives in the dense environment of a star forming region. While there, they can be affected by nearby stars through external photoevaporation and dynamic truncations. We present simulations that use the AMUSE framework to couple the Torch model for star cluster formation from a molecular cloud with a model for the evolution of protoplanetary discs under these two environmental processes. We compare simulations with and without extinction of photoevaporation-driving radiation. We find that the majority of discs in our simulations are considerably shielded from photoevaporation-driving radiation for at least 0.5 Myr after the formation of the first massive stars. Radiation shielding increases disc lifetimes by an order of magnitude and can let a disc retain more solid material for planet formation. The reduction in external photoevaporation leaves discs larger and more easily dynamically truncated, although external photoevaporation remains the dominant mass loss process. Finally, we find that the correlation between disc mass and projected distance to the most massive nearby star (often interpreted as a sign of external photoevaporation) can be erased by the presence of less massive stars that dominate their local radiation field. Overall, we find that the presence and dynamics of gas in embedded clusters with massive stars is important for the evolution of protoplanetary discs.Comment: 23 pages, 22 figures, 1 table, accepted for publication in MNRA

F.A.R.O.G. FORUM, Vol. 2 No. 3

https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/francoamericain_forum/1002/thumbnail.jp

Molecular structures and vibrations of neutral and anionic CuOx (x = 1-3,6) clusters

We report equilibrium geometric structures of CuO2, CuO3, CuO6, and CuO clusters obtained by an all-electron linear combination of atomic orbitals scheme within the density-functional theory with generalized gradient approximation to describe the exchange-correlation effects. The vibrational stability of all clusters is examined on the basis of the vibrational frequencies. A structure with Cs symmetry is found to be the lowest-energy structure for CuO2, while a -shaped structure with C2v symmetry is the most stable structure for CuO3. For the larger CuO6 and CuO clusters, several competitive structures exist with structures containing ozonide units being higher in energy than those with O2 units. The infrared and Raman spectra are calculated for the stable optimal geometries. ~Comment: Uses Revtex4, (Better quality figures can be obtained from authors

B-cell Zone Reticular Cell Microenvironments Shape CXCL13 Gradient Formation

Through the formation of concentration gradients, morphogens drive graded responses to extracellular signals, thereby fine-tuning cell behaviors in complex tissues. Here we show that the chemokine CXCL13 forms both soluble and immobilized gradients. Specifically, CXCL13+ follicular reticular cells form a small-world network of guidance structures, with computer simulations and optimization analysis predicting that immobilized gradients created by this network promote B-cell trafficking. Consistent with this prediction, imaging analysis show that CXCL13 binds to extracellular matrix components in situ, constraining its diffusion. CXCL13 solubilization requires the protease cathepsin B that cleaves CXCL13 into a stable product. Mice lacking cathepsin B display aberrant follicular architecture, a phenotype associated with effective B cell homing to but not within lymph nodes. Our data thus suggest that reticular cells of the B cell zone generate microenvironments that shape both immobilized and soluble CXCL13 gradient