The role of social norms in the portion size effect: reducing normative relevance reduces the effect of portion size on consumption decisions

People typically eat more from large portions of food than from small portions. An explanation that has often been given for this so-called portion size effect is that the portion size acts as a social norm and as such communicates how much is appropriate to eat. In this paper, we tested this explanation by examining whether manipulating the relevance of the portion size as a social norm changes the portion size effect, as assessed by prospective consumption decisions. We conducted one pilot experiment and one full experiment in which participants respectively indicated how much they would eat or serve themselves from a given amount of different foods. In the pilot (N = 63), we manipulated normative relevance by allegedly basing the portion size on the behavior of either students of the own university (in-group) or of another university (out-group). In the main experiment (N = 321), we told participants that either a minority or majority of people similar to them approved of the portion size. Results show that in both experiments, participants expected to serve themselves and to eat more from larger than from smaller portions. As expected, however, the portion size effect was less pronounced when the reference portions were allegedly based on the behavior of an out-group (pilot) or approved only by a minority (main experiment). These findings suggest that the portion size indeed provides normative information, because participants were less influenced by it if it communicated the behaviors or values of a less relevant social group. In addition, in the main experiment, the relation between portion size and the expected amount served was partially mediated by the amount that was considered appropriate, suggesting that concerns about eating an appropriate amount indeed play a role in the portion size effect. However, since the portion size effect was weakened but not eliminated by the normative relevance manipulations and since mediation was only partial, other mechanisms may also play a role

Теоретичні засади методики оцінки ефективності виробничих і фінансових інвестицій

Исследуются общие экономические основы создания свободных экономических зон. Обоснованы предложения по усовершенствованию организационно-экономического механизма их функционирования в Украине.Досліджено загальні економічні засади створення вільних економічних зон. Обґрунтовано пропозиції щодо удосконалення організаційно-економічного механізму їх функціонування в Україні.The general economic bases of creation of free economic zones are investigated. It is proved offers concerning improvement of the organizational-economic mechanism of their functioning in Ukraine

Hysteretic clustering in granular gas

Granular material is vibro-fluidized in N=2 and N=3 connected compartments, respectively. For sufficiently strong shaking the granular gas is equi-partitioned, but if the shaking intensity is lowered, the gas clusters in one compartment. The phase transition towards the clustered state is of 2nd order for N=2 and of 1st order for N=3. In particular, the latter is hysteretic. The experimental findings are accounted for within a dynamical model that exactly has the above properties

Road centre line simplification principles for angular segment analysis

Angular segment analysis is one of the most fundamental analyses in space syntax practice that helps understand movement, land-use and other socio-economic patterns. It was initially applied in axial segment maps and later was used in road centre line maps as an attempt to overcome the 'segment problem' (Turner, 2005). Furthermore, the growing need to examine large urban systems has led to the wide use of road centre line maps instead of the previously hand-drawn axial maps. However, this transition to such datasets has lacked systematic studies on what is required to convert a road centre line map into a segment map, in order to produce reliable results of the angular segment analysis. To date, no consensual methodology has been developed within the space syntax community. This paper attempts to clarify what a road centre line segment represents spatially and suggests principles and rules to simplify a road centre line map to a segment map. Based on previous experience, the simplification mostly relies on the following two principles: reducing the number of nodes in the dual graph representation of a street network; optimising the angular change between adjacent nodes of the dual graph when space allows it. In addition to the above general principles, we discuss rules for special and complex cases, e.g. roundabouts, underpasses, bridges etc. To evaluate these rules and principles comparisons are carried out between traditional axial and RCL unsimplified and simplified segment maps, to develop a good understanding of how changes in dual graph representation of a street network can affect space syntax measure of 'choice'. Correlations of angular segment choice values are performed in order to evaluate which simplification technique can approximate better the axial representation of actual human activity. The results show that using a raw road centre line data set raises several inconsistencies in the analysis results, and the progressive application of the different simplification techniques brings these results closer to those of a traditional axial segment map, and thus to a better representation of socio-economic activity. The purpose of simplification is to minimise inconsistencies to ensure maximum accuracy in the results of angular segment analysis

Lesion Eccentricity Plays a Key Role in Determining the Pressure Gradient of Serial Stenotic Lesions:Results from a Computational Hemodynamics Study

Purpose: In arterial disease, the presence of two or more serial stenotic lesions is common. For mild lesions, it is difficult to predict whether their combined effect is hemodynamically significant. This study assessed the hemodynamic significance of idealized serial stenotic lesions by simulating their hemodynamic interaction in a computational flow model. Materials and Methods: Flow was simulated with SimVascular software in 34 serial lesions, using moderate (15 mL/s) and high (30 mL/s) flow rates. Combinations of one concentric and two eccentric lesions, all 50% area reduction, were designed with variations in interstenotic distance and in relative direction of eccentricity. Fluid and fluid–structure simulations were performed to quantify the combined pressure gradient. Results: At a moderate flow rate, the combined pressure gradient of two lesions ranged from 3.8 to 7.7 mmHg, which increased to a range of 12.5–24.3 mmHg for a high flow rate. Eccentricity caused an up to two-fold increase in pressure gradient relative to concentric lesions. At a high flow rate, the combined pressure gradient for serial eccentric lesions often exceeded the sum of the individual lesions. The relative direction of eccentricity altered the pressure gradient by 15–25%. The impact of flow pulsatility and wall deformability was minor. Conclusion: This flow simulation study revealed that lesion eccentricity is an adverse factor in the hemodynamic significance of isolated stenotic lesions and in serial stenotic lesions. Two 50% lesions that are individually non-significant can combine more often than thought to hemodynamic significance in hyperemic conditions. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.).</p

Ion distribution and ablation depth measurements of a fs-ps laser-irradiated solid tin target

The ablation of solid tin surfaces by an 800-nanometer-wavelength laser is studied for a pulse length range from 500 fs to 4.5 ps and a fluence range spanning 0.9 to 22 J/cm^2. The ablation depth and volume are obtained employing a high-numerical-aperture optical microscope, while the ion yield and energy distributions are obtained from a set of Faraday cups set up under various angles. We found a slight increase of the ion yield for an increasing pulse length, while the ablation depth is slightly decreasing. The ablation volume remained constant as a function of pulse length. The ablation depth follows a two-region logarithmic dependence on the fluence, in agreement with the available literature and theory. In the examined fluence range, the ion yield angular distribution is sharply peaked along the target normal at low fluences but rapidly broadens with increasing fluence. The total ionization fraction increases monotonically with fluence to a 5-6% maximum, which is substantially lower than the typical ionization fractions obtained with nanosecond-pulse ablation. The angular distribution of the ions does not depend on the laser pulse length within the measurement uncertainty. These results are of particular interest for the possible utilization of fs-ps laser systems in plasma sources of extreme ultraviolet light for nanolithography.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure

The usability of Homelab, a digital self-service at a Dutch general practice, for diagnostic tests: pilot study with a questionnaire

Background: eHealth potentially can make health care more accessible and efficient and help reduce the workload in primary health care. Homelab is an eHealth tool implemented in a general practice environment, and it offers relatively simple laboratory diagnostic tests without the referral of the general practitioner. After logging in this eHealth tool, patients select and order a diagnostic test based on their symptoms. The test results are presented online to the general practitioner and the patient. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the use, usability, and user characteristics of Homelab. Further, it aims to evaluate whether Homelab replaces an appointment with the general practitioner. Methods: Homelab has been implemented since May 2021 as a pilot in a Dutch general practice. The number of requests and the ordered diagnostic packages are monitored. After using Homelab, patients are invited to complete a short questionnaire. The questionnaire contains demographic questions and assesses usability using the System Usability Scale (10 items). In addition, questions about requesting an appointment with the general practitioner without Homelab are included. All data were anonymous. Results: The questionnaire was filled by 74 individual patients. The mean age of the patients was 40.33 (SD 12.11) years, and half of them were females (39/74, 53%). The majority of the patients were highly educated (56/74, 76%) and employed (53/74, 72%). Approximately 81% (60/74) of the patients reported that they would use Homelab again in the future and 66% (49/74) reported that they would have gone to the general practitioner if they had not used Homelab. The usability of Homelab was perceived higher by the younger age group (mean 73.96, SD 14.74) than by the older age group (mean 61.59, SD 14.37). In total, 106 test packages were ordered over 1 year, and the most requested diagnostic package was "Am I still healthy? I want to do my annual health checkup." Homelab was used the most during the months of the COVID-19 lockdown. Conclusions: The use of Homelab, a digital self-service for ordering diagnostic tests, was monitored in this study, and its usability was perceived as above average. Our findings showed that patients are willing to use Homelab in the future and they would use it most of the time as a replacement for regular consultations. Homelab offers opportunities for more accessible and efficient health care for both the patient and the general practitioner.Prevention, Population and Disease management (PrePoD)Public Health and primary car

Ultrasound-triggered local release of lipophilic drugs from a novel polymeric ultrasound contrast agent

The advantage of ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) as drug delivery systems is the ability to non-invasively control the local and triggered release of a drug or gene. In this study we designed and characterized a novel UCA-based drug delivery system, based on polymer-shelled microcapsules filled with a mixture of gas and oil, for the local delivery of lipophilic drugs