The issue of fairness in strategic interactions.

The main aim of this doctoral thesis is to examine the issue of fairness in strategic interactions. More specifically, the research here presented investigated, through three main experimental studies and the replication of one of them at the University of Leiden, whether previous “experiences” could affect decisions in strategic games, such as the Ultimatum Game (UG, Guth et al., 1982) and the Dictator Game (DG, Kahneman et al., 1986). Furthermore, it was investigated whether this hypothesized effect was mediated by the emotional reaction elicited by these previous experiences and/or by emotions and beliefs strictly related to the decisions. The theoretical framework, within which the three experimental studies (and the replication of the last one) have been conceived, have been examined and the most important theories about fairness in social decision-making have been presented. Afterwards, the studies will be described. The UG and the DG have been included in a wider framework of interaction between two players and a two-stage paradigm was used. It was investigated only the role of proposer, since the thesis focused on the factors leading people to make fair vs. selfish choices. In conclusion, the theoretical and practical aspects of the results obtained in the four experimental studies have been discussed

Tales by Hearthlight

The following pages are a collection of short stories that fit together to tell the story of a world in peril and a manic wizard doing his best. My ultimate goal is to publish my first novel, and while these stories should work independently of each other, they will also serve as the foundation for a much longer work

Solar silicon from directional solidification of MG silicon produced via the silicon carbide route

A process of metallurgical grade (MG) silicon production is presented which appears particularly suitable for photovoltaic (PV) applications. The MG silicon is prepared in a 240 KVA, three electrode submerged arc furnace, starting from high grade quartz and high purity silicon carbide. The silicon smelted from the arc furnace was shown to be sufficiently pure to be directionally solidified to 10 to 15 kg. After grinding and acid leaching, had a material yield larger than 90%. With a MG silicon feedstock containing 3 ppmw B, 290 ppmw Fe, 190 ppmw Ti, and 170 ppmw Al, blended with 50% of off grade electronic grade (EG) silicon to reconduct the boron content to a concentration acceptable for solar cell fabrication, the 99% of deep level impurities were concentrated in the last 5% of the ingot. Quite remarkably this material has OCV values higher tham 540 mV and no appreciable shorts due to SiC particles

Teaching Thinking Skills: Can We? Do We?

In virtually every journal related to education, one can find an article pertaining to thinking skills. To say the least, the term is on the forefront in education. Likewise, its continued emergence in science education is not coincidental. After all, science is closely associated with logic and reasoning and should be a focal point for enhancing the development of the basic skills of thinking. The basic questions raised in this manuscript are Can we and do we teach thinking skills in the science classroom

Dragging Us Together: Exploring Media Representations of Drag as Coalition Building and Queer Resistance in We’re Here

After decades of being either silenced or portrayed in a villainous perspective, LGBTQ+ individuals are beginning to see more representation on television including shows that feature drag performers. While previous shows such as RuPaul’s Drag Race and Dragula have been released for several years, We’re Here offers a new and unique approach to portrayals of drag on television by omitting the competitive aspect of the prior two shows. Analysis reveals that We’re Here highlights drag as a political tool that can both resist hegemonic standards and create community amongst participants and audience members. A critical lens reveals implications for racialized trauma, anti-queer legislation, and religious influences regarding queer participants on the show of varying backgrounds and intersectional identities