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From attributes to value: neural correlates of a front-of-package label on food decision-making – an fMRI study
No full textDiet-related chronic diseases remain a major public health concern worldwide, motivating policymakers to implement behavioral interventions such as front-of-package labels (FoPLs) to encourage healthier food choices. Although FoPLs like the Nutri-Score are increasingly used to communicate nutritional quality in a simple way, little is known about how they shape specific attributes of food perception and choice, and how these effects manifest in the brain.
This dissertation bridges behavioral economics and cognitive neuroscience to examine how a simplified color-coded frame, modeled on the Nutri-Score system, influences food-related decisions. Using a multi-method design, the project first established robust theoretical and methodological foundations through targeted pilot experiments. These confirmed that the chosen valuation paradigm and the operationalization of the color-coded frame reliably affect willingness-to-pay (WTP), perceived healthiness, and tastiness.
In the main fMRI experiment, forty healthy participants (28 females, age: M = 23.8 years, SD = 3.1 years) rated food products under control and treatment conditions while brain activity was recorded. Results showed that the color-coded frame systematically decreased WTP and tastiness ratings for less healthy items and aligned healthiness perceptions with the nutritional information implied by the frame. Neural data revealed distinct patterns of activity within valuation-related areas (e.g., ventromedial prefrontal cortex, anterior prefrontal cortex), regions linked to self-regulation and goal-directed behavior (e.g., dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, inferior frontal gyrus), and the thalamus, highlighting the interplay of reward processing, cognitive control, and homeostatic integration. Additional analyses examined how nutritional composition interacted with the label’s effect and explored whether FoPLs alter the supra-additive reward response to high-fat, high-carbohydrate foods. Finally, out-of-sample forecasting demonstrated that neural measures, particularly signals in the nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex, could predict binary choices for new products, underlining the added value of neural data beyond self-reports.
Taken together, these findings show that FoPLs can shift food choices by engaging affective and deliberative pathways, supporting a goal-directed decision-making process. This work offers new insights into the conditions under which labeling can alter habitual patterns and provides a neurobehavioral basis for designing nudges that promote sustained healthy eating
Possible futures of e-learning: the influence of technology in education
No full textThis qualitative study explored the use of technology in teaching and the future of e-learning at German universities after the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on a case study design involving purposive sampling, 10 bachelor's and master's students from seven German universities were interviewed to assess their experience with e-learning, hybrid models of learning, and conventional learning. Results showed that students' preferences depend on the particular strengths and weaknesses of every model. Direct contact is facilitated through traditional learning, whereas e-learning facilitates flexibility, convenience, and variability, which are applicable in the pandemic situation. The hasty shift towards online learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic accentuated the application of e-learning in ensuring that education goes on during a crisis and accelerated its implementation. Students recognized technology's potential to revolutionize higher education by new methods, although digital divides and participation gaps are still issues. Hybrid models proved to be a middle option, balancing flexibility with face-to-face contact. The study points out that technological innovation and global disruptions like pandemics are key drivers of e-learning's growth, suggesting its greater role in future education systems. However, it provokes further inquiry into long-term impact, fairness of access, and pedagogy to ensure maximum hybrid and online learning settings for inclusivity and quality within evolving educational settings
N-Heterozyklische Iodane und Iodoniumsalze - Synthese, Charakterisierung und Anwendungen
No full textIn dieser Doktorarbeit wurde der Einfluss von N-Heterozyklen auf Iod(III) Verbindungen, sowie die sich daraus ergebenden Einsatzmöglichkeiten untersucht. Zunächst wurde das Potenzial von Hydroxy-N-Heterozyklus-substituierten Iodanen (Hydroxy-NHIs) für oxidative Transformationen von Alkoholen erforscht. Die Zugabe von Halogeniden (Chlorid) als aktivierendes Reagenz war der Schlüssel um die entsprechenden Carbonyle in hohen Ausbeuten und ohne Überoxidation zu isolieren. Ein Chlorid-aktiviertes NHI konnte als reaktive Spezies in der Reaktion nachgewiesen werden. Weiterhin wurde durch Addition von Alkinen an N-heteroaromatisch stabilisierte Iodane eine Bandbreite von (pseudo)zyklischen TIPS-ethinyl NHIs generiert. Deren Eigenschaften als elektrophile Gruppenübertragungsreagenzien wurden in Modellreaktionen untersucht, wobei quantitative Alkinylierungen und ein entscheidender Einfluss des Heteroaromaten auf die Reaktivität des Iodans festgestellt wurde. Zudem konnte eine selektive intramolekulare Reaktivität der Iodane beobachtet und zur gezielten Synthese neuer Strukturmotive genutzt werden. Zuletzt wurden N-Heterozyklen als Teil zyklischer Diaryliodoniumsalze eingebaut, sodass sechsgliedrige, N-heteroaromatisch-verbrückte Iodaziniumsalze in guten Ausbeuten über zwei Protokolle mit einer großen Bandbreite and Substituenten erhalten wurden. Die Einsatzmöglichkeiten als synthetischer Baustein wurden anschließend in vielseitigen Mono- und Difunktionalisierungen des hypervalenten Iodzentrums demonstriert. Konträr zu diesen Umsetzungen konnten weitere Funktionalisierungen am Kohlenstoffgerüst unter Erhalt des reaktiven hypervalenten Iodzentrums durchgeführt werden
iTEK - Innovative Technologies for European Disaster Response : part 2 ; Escape route: Technologies for First Responders
No full textThis second white paper of the iTEK series examines the technological dimension of disaster management. Building on the operational needs identified in the first publication, it maps key digital technology fields that support the work of first responders—ranging from data acquisition and processing to automation, infrastructure, and communication. The analysis draws on literature review, expert interviews, market research, and observations during large-scale exercises. Particular attention is given to interoperability, harmonized data formats, and resilient data spaces that enable the exchange of georeferenced information across organizations and borders. By synthesizing current developments and research trends, the paper outlines priorities for future innovation and highlights how integrated, standards-based technologies can enhance Europe’s disaster preparedness, response, and resilience
Template for the study information and informed consent in scientific research projects : Version 1.0, status: 2020
No full textThe Research Data Center (RDC) Qualiservice, together with the law firm MLS LEGAL GmbH - Rechtsanwalts- und Fachanwaltsgesellschaft, has drawn up legally compliant declarations of consent to safeguard your data processing, which covers both the collection and processing of data in the research process as well as the transmission to Qualiservice for further secondary scientific use and archiving. These are available for download on our website. With these declarations of consent, we would like to support you in the preparation of the various phases of data processing in your research project, but also in the preparation of preparation of a planned archiving and provision of the research data for secondary scientific use
Wellness and health trends in luxury tourism: An offer analysis to derive measures for German travel providers using the example of reisetopia
No full textDiese Arbeit befasst sich mit der Identifikation aktueller Gesundheits- und Wellnesstrends des Luxusreisemarktes, welche insbesondere postpandemisch an Bedeutung gewinnen. Ziel ist eine Maßnahmenableitung für deutsche Reiseanbieter am Beispiel reisetopias. Grundlage für die Forschung bildet eine Onlinerecherche von Luxusunterkünften und Anbietern, welche mithilfe von Experten eingegrenzt wurden. Die wichtigste Erkenntnis zeigt einen Trend zu Gesundheits- und Wellnessresorts, die holistische Angebote bieten, die Exklusivität, personifizierte Erlebnisse und Wohlbefinden auf mehreren Ebenen vermitteln. Es gibt eine Tendenz zur Ergänzung moderner medizinischer Behandlungen durch traditionelle Therapien wie Ayurveda oder TCM. Beliebte Destinationen sind Südasien, West- bzw. Südeuropa, die arabische Halbinsel sowie ausgewählte tropische Inseln. Unter den relevanten Hotelketten finden sich Six Senses, COMO und Soneva wieder. Den größten internationalen Luxushotelketten wie Hyatt oder Sofitel gelingt dieser individualisierbare und ganzheitliche Angebotsrahmen nicht. Als unabhängiges Wellnessresort gilt das Kamalaya Koh Samui als Vorreiter, gefolgt vom Ananda im Himalaya und der SHA Wellness Clinic in Spanien. Für deutsche Reiseanbieter ist somit eine Kooperation mit diesen Resorts empfehlenswert sowie eine Ausrichtung auf die genannten Destinationen. Reisetopia sollte sein Portfolio dementsprechend ergänzen. Aufgrund des auf Treueprogrammen basierenden Geschäftskonzepts ist in jenem Fall die Zusammenarbeit mit standardisierten Luxushotelketten allerdings nicht zu vernachlässigen
Immaterielle Schäden aus Datenschutzverletzungen: Eine systematische Rekonstruktion mit Auslegungsvorschlägen aus europarechtlicher Sicht
No full textDie vorliegende Dissertation bietet eine Neubetrachtung des Systems der zivilrechtlichen Haftung in Bereich von Datenschutzverletzungen unter besonderer Berücksichtigung immaterieller Schäden. Ausgehend von den jüngsten Entwicklungen in Rechtsprechung und Literatur liegt der Schwerpunkt auf solchen Schäden, die durch die unrechtmäßige Verarbeitung personenbezogener Daten entstehen, wobei Umfang und Grenzen der europarechtlichen Schadensersatzpflicht nach Art. 82 Datenschutzgrundverordnung (DSGVO) bestimmt werden.
Um die Fragen und Zweifel zu verstehen, die sich zwangsläufig dem italienischen Rechtsanwender stellen, untersucht die Arbeit die Diskrepanz zwischen dem traditionellen nationalen Deliktshaftungsmodell und dem der Verordnung zugrundeliegenden Modell. Diese entwirft ein Haftungsstatut, das in struktureller und funktionaler Hinsicht neuartig ist.
Das erste Kapitel ist allgemeinen und kontextbezogenen Überlegungen sowie Rekonstruktionen zur Struktur der deliktischen Handlung gewidmet, wobei es sich insbesondere mit der systematischen Verbindung zwischen Artikel 2059 und Artikel 2043 des italienischen Zivilgesetzbuches befasst. Besonderes Augenmerk wird auf jene Aspekte gelegt, die erklären, warum das in Artikel 82 der DSGVO definierte Modell der Haftung bei unrechtmäßiger Verarbeitung personenbezogener Daten im Zusammenspiel mit nationalem Recht Spannungen erzeugt.
Im zweiten Kapitel wird eine Rekonstruktion der Datenschutzgrundverordnung vorgenommen, um die zahlreichen in ihr geregelten Verhaltensvorschriften aufzuzeigen; außerdem die Prinzipien, Rechte und Pflichten, die die Funktionsweise der Verordnung prägen, darunter insbesondere das innovative Prinzip der Rechenschaftspflicht (accountability).
Ziel ist es, eine Analyse über den Rechtsbehelf nach Artikel 82 DSGVO und den Inhalt des „Rechts auf Schutz personenbezogener Daten“ zu entwickeln, die als Grundlage für die Ausführungen im dritten und vierten Kapitel dienen kann.
Im zentralen dritten Kapitel werden Natur und Funktion der Haftung für die unrechtmäßige Verarbeitung personenbezogener Daten im Detail untersucht, gefolgt von einer kritischen Analyse der jüngsten Urteile des Europäischen Gerichtshofs. Dieser hat in verschiedenen Entscheidungen seit dem 4. Mai 2023 Umfang und Grenzen von Artikel 82 GDPR definiert, deren Umsetzung Änderungen in der nationalen Dogmatik erforderlich machen.
Auf dieser Grundlage möchte die Arbeit folgende drei Fragen beantworten: i) Welche Bedeutung hat eine konkrete Verletzung von Persönlichkeitsrechten im Rahmen einer rechtmäßigen Verarbeitung? und ii) einer unrechtmäßigen Verarbeitung? iii) Welche Regelungen gelten für Datenverarbeitungen, die Verletzungen von Persönlichkeitsrechten außerhalb des Anwendungsbereichs der Verordnung beinhalten?
Besondere Aufmerksamkeit wird schließlich Inhalt und Umfang der Haftung einschließlich der Schadensbemessung gewidmet, die vom Grundsatz der nationalen Verfahrensautonomie ausgeht, die freilich durch die bekannten Prinzipien der Nichtdiskriminierung und Effektivität eingeschränkt wird. Zu diesem Zweck nimmt die Arbeit eine Auswertung der umfangreichen deutschen Rechtsprechung zum Thema vor.
Abschließend wird der datenschutzrechtlichen Schadensersatzanspruchs für die Entwicklung eines zivilrechtlichen Haftungssystems der Europäischen Union untersucht, das auf neuen Kriterien für die Interessenabwägung und die Funktion der außervertraglichen Haftung beruht. Artikel 82 GDPR wird dabei als Vorreiter einer umfassenden europäischen Regelung der außervertraglichen Haftung verstanden
Observations and analysis of tropospheric BrO in the Arctic region
No full textTropospheric bromine monoxide (BrO), as an intermediate product of an autocatalytic reaction cycle, plays an important role in observing and analysing so-called “bromine explosion events” (BEEs), that are commonly observed in the Arctic and Antarctic during polar spring. These events involve the release of inorganic bromine from saline snowpack and sea ice surfaces into the atmosphere through a heterogeneous, autocatalytic, chemical chain reaction cycle, in which bromine reacts with tropospheric ozone, leading to the formation of BrO. As a result, BEEs often coincide with ozone depletion events (ODEs), since bromine catalytically destroys ozone molecules, sometimes to concentrations below the detection limit of the instruments. Because tropospheric ozone is a primary source of the important oxidizing agent OH, these events significantly impact the boundary layer chemistry by changing the oxidizing capacity and radiative forcing.
In addition to cold temperatures, which are needed for bromine explosion reactions, two types of meteorological conditions have been observed during ODEs. The first is low wind speeds and a stable boundary layer, which allows bromine to accumulate near the ground and efficiently deplete ozone there. The second condition is characterized by high wind speeds above approximately 10 m/s leading to blowing snow and a higher, unstable boundary layer. This condition often occurs in connection with polar cyclones, where bromine can be transported and recycled at higher altitudes on snow and aerosol surfaces, extending ozone depletion to higher altitudes as well.
The observation of bromine monoxide has been an ongoing research topic since the 1980s, when ODEs were first observed in combination with elevated bromide concentrations. Since the mid-1990s, BrO has also been monitored from satellite-based UV-visible instruments (e.g. GOME, SCIAMACHY, GOME-2), enabling observation of BrO on a global scale, including the large-scale tropospheric BrO plumes resulting from BEEs in polar regions. The launch of the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) in October 2017 enables high-resolution daily measurements of BrO, significantly improving our ability to monitor and study these events.
In this study, two approaches were taken to improve the observation and understanding of tropospheric BrO, with a focus on BEEs and ODEs in the Arctic spring. The first part focuses on deriving troposheric BrO from measurements of total BrO columns from TROPOMI by applying different stratospheric separation methods, so-called stratospheric corrections. While the majority of BrO is located in the stratosphere, only a small fraction is located in the troposphere, except during BEEs, when the tropospheric BrO columns can occasionally exceed the stratospheric BrO columns. To evaluate the quality of different stratospheric separation methods in this study, five different approaches are applied to the TROPOMI BrO dataset: (1) a constant stratospheric BrO value, (2) a high pass filtering method applied in near real time processing, (3) an empirical multilinear regression model from Seo (2020), (4) a climatology-based method developed by Theys et al. (2011), and (5) a recently developed method for the OMPS instrument by Chong et al. (2024). The different separation methods are compared to each other and the results of all five methods are validated utilizing airborne tropospheric BrO measurements. The airborne data was taken from the “Heidelberg Airborne Imaging DOAS Instrument” (HAIDI) during the “Chemistry in the Arctic, Clouds, Halogens and Aerosols” (CHACHA) campaign, which was conducted in Alaska in spring 2022 (Brockway et al., 2024). The comparison with the CHACHA data showed a fairly good agreement between the constant stratospheric BrO value, the Theys et al. (2011), and the Seo et al. (2020) methods, with the latter showing the best correlation with the HAIDI data. The near real time method significantly underestimated the amount of tropospheric BrO and the Chong et al. (2024) method showed large differences in the attribution of BrO to the troposphere.
The second part of this study focuses on the influence of meteorological conditions and the amount of BrO on ODEs observed in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard. For this purpose, two long-term ozone data sets were evaluated: one from ozone sondes launched in Ny-Ålesund, and the second one from in-situ measurements taken on Zeppelin Mountain, located near Ny-Ålesund. Both data sets were analysed for the March to May periods of the years 2010 to 2021, and ozone concentrations below a certain threshold were identified as ODEs. To examine the prevailing weather conditions during these events, ERA5 reanalysis data were used and categorized according to whether ODEs were present or not. The evaluation of both data sets produced consistent results: during ODEs, lower pressure is observed east of Svalbard and higher pressure over Greenland, resulting in the transport of cold polar air from the north towards Ny-Ålesund. Additionally, higher wind speeds and a deeper boundary layer were identified, supporting the assumption that ODEs frequently occur in conjunction with polar cyclones. The analysis of tropospheric BrO VCDs from satellite showed elevated BrO values throughout the Arctic during ODEs in Ny-Ålesund, with particularly high concentrations north of Svalbard. This analysis demonstrates, that ODEs in Ny-Ålesund are to a large extent driven by meteorology and the transport of cold polar air masses to the measurement sites
Enhancing user engagement in online collaborative communities using artificial intelligence
No full textCrowdsourcing platforms are digital spaces where individuals contribute their ideas, skills, or resources toward a shared goal. These platforms have become essential tools in today’s connected world, taking different forms. For example, crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo help people and organizations raise money for creative projects, social causes, or new businesses. Innovation platforms like OpenIDEO give users a space to share and improve ideas to solve tough social and environmental problems. Labor marketplaces like Upwork connect businesses with freelancers who offer specific skills. Macrotask platforms like Arcbazar host design competitions where users submit solutions to particular challenges.
The success of these platforms depends on one key factor: user engagement. Engaged users keep the platform active, contribute work and resources, and build a strong, collaborative community. This active participation speeds up problem-solving, encourages new ideas, and creates a shared sense of purpose. However, keeping users engaged is challenging. Without strong engagement, even the best-designed platforms can slow down, with users losing interest, contributing less often, or leaving the platform entirely. This makes it crucial to understand what drives user engagement and to create strategies that keep users motivated, involved, and participating regularly over time. Hence, user engagement is the heart of crowdsourcing platforms. It transforms crowdsourcing platforms from simple tools into lively communities where innovation, teamwork, and creativity grow, helping these platforms remain relevant, effective, and successful in a fast-changing digital world.
This thesis explores the multifaceted nature of user engagement in crowdsourcing platforms, focusing on the challenges and opportunities that shape user participation. By examining factors such as intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, platform design, trust and transparency, and social influence, this research develops data-driven solutions to enhance engagement. It proposes the integration of AI-driven technologies, such as interactive chatbots for creative stimulation, machine learning models for long-term engagement, and transparency mechanisms for building trust in crowdfunding. Additionally, structured peer feedback systems and gamification strategies are introduced to improve user interaction. By addressing these challenges, this study offers a comprehensive framework to optimize user engagement in crowdsourcing environments, ensuring personalized, transparent, and interactive participation experiences. The findings contribute to the fields of human-computer interaction, AI-driven engagement strategies, and the optimization of crowdsourcing platforms
Multiple testing procedures for discrete -values and composite null hypotheses
No full textThis research considers randomized -values for testing composite null hypotheses in discrete
models. We assume throughout that a real-valued test statistic such that large values indicate
that the data is incompatible with the null model is available. We further let this test statistic
be discrete, and since the -values are a deterministic transformation of these test statistics, the
resulting -values will also be discrete. Furthermore, we consider distributions with the monotone
likelihood ratio (MLR) property in the test statistic , for example, any one-dimensional
exponential family of distributions.
Specifically, Chapter 2 considers the composite null hypothesis problem for a discrete model.
As earlier mentioned, the -value can fail to meet the uniformity requirement, among others,
when dealing with a composite null hypothesis or discrete test statistic. We propose a singlestage
randomized -value as a remedy. The single-stage randomized -value is based on the
least favorable parameter configuration (LFC) -value and only deals with the conservativeness
resulting from the composite nature of our null hypothesis. This randomized -value also
partially deals with the discreteness of the test statistic. As a further remedy, we propose a
two-stage randomized -value. Here, we randomize in the first stage to deal with the discrete
test statistic. The second stage of randomization deals with the composite nature of our null
hypothesis.
In Chapter 3,we extend our two-stage randomized -value to the case of an interval composite
null hypothesis, where the null hypothesis is decomposed into two one-sided hypotheses, leading
to two composite null hypotheses. In both Chapters 2 and 3, we illustrate and provide a
mathematical proof showing that the two-stage randomized -value is strictly increasing with
an increase in the sample size. We further illustrate in both chapters that the -value is less
conservative compared to the other three -values (LFC, UMP, and the single-stage randomized
-values). This conservativeness further reduces with an increase in the sample size. Finally,
we give a small-scale simulation study to illustrate that the two-stage randomized -value gives
the best estimates of the proportion of true null hypotheses in multiple testing when using the
Schweder and Spjøtvoll, 1982 estimator