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Challenges in the measurement and interpretation of risk-related behaviour and brain activity in lab studies
No full textMoral self-regulation across contexts:From pandemic responses to behaviors in the workplace
No full textThis dissertation investigates moral self-regulation across real-world contexts, examining how people navigate complex situations where moral standards guide their actions. Its goal is to offer theoretical and practical insights into people's efforts to align themselves with moral standards in a range of real-world situations, with the aim of bridging the gap between theoretical models and real-world implications. To this end, the three empirical chapters in this dissertation examine distinct yet related issues. Chapter 2 focused on moral self-regulation during the COVID-19 pandemic, investigating how individuals' moral standards changed in response to the threat of the pandemic and how individuals adjusted their behaviors accordingly. Chapter 3 investigated moral self-regulation in the workplace, examining how two aspects of moral identity, internalization and symbolization, relate to behaviors that are unethical yet may help the organization. Chapter 4 centered on organizational justice and employee wellbeing, investigating the role of job autonomy in situations where employees perceive violations of moral standards with regard to outcomes (distributive justice) and procedures (procedural justice)
Simple models for a complex mechanism:TFIIH & transcription stress in cells and C. elegans
Get PDFSafeguarding the structural and functional integrity of the genome is vital for sustaining life, , yet this is a constant challenge due to persistent DNA damage from both internal metabolic processes and external environmental factors. Failures in the pathways that ensure DNA repair and replication fidelity can lead to severe outcomes, including developmental and neurological disorders, cancer, and accelerated aging. To manage this, cells rely on the DNA damage response (DDR), a complex network that detects DNA damage, signals its presence, and coordinates appropriate repair mechanisms. Among these, nucleotide excision repair (NER) is critical for recognizing and removing bulky, helix-distorting lesions, particularly those caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation.This thesis focuses in three research parts on the mechanisms that govern NER and the consequences of its dysfunction. It combines genetic, proteomic, cellular, and imaging-based methods using in vitro models and the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. The first part presents novel experimental tools for studying NER. The second part centers on the TFIIH subunit TTDA (GTF-2H5). And the third part explores the molecular basis of various NER-related disorders, including xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), Cockayne syndrome (CS), XP-CS, and UV-sensitive syndrome (UVsS).<br/
Plea bargaining and penal orders:An empirical approach to disappearing criminal trials
No full textThe present dissertation investigates the global adoption and use of administratization mechanisms, which enable the imposition of criminal convictions without trial. In particular, it considers two administratization mechanisms, currently adopted worldwide: plea bargaining and penal orders. In doing so, it investigates 174 jurisdictions, showing that 125 of them currently allow for at least one administratization procedure, with plea bargaining being regulated in a total of 101 jurisdictions and penal orders in 51. Historical patterns are also explored, discussing the adoption of plea bargaining and penal orders in connection with the comparative success of inquisitorial and adversarial models in criminal procedure and with the more recent and global strive for efficiency in criminal law enforcement. The use in practice of administratization mechanisms is also explored, showing their prevalence over ordinary trials in Europe, the Americas, and Eastern Asia. Reasons driving the adoption of plea bargaining are analyzed in cross-country regressions, revealing the significant influence of legal origins, Sharia, democratic governance, and material resources. Legal origins and material resources, together with the existence of jury trials, also correlate with differing levels of use of plea bargaining across jurisdictions. Jurisdiction-specific factors influencing the use of administratization mechanisms are in turn explored with reference to Italy. The results of instrumental variable analyses show that longer trial delays and higher concentrations of lawyers reduce the use of both plea bargaining and penal orders in Italy. The favored explanation for the former finding is that the Italian criminal statute of limitations, by mandating the acquittal of defendants in the case of longer trial delays, provides defendants with strong incentives against the use of administratization mechanisms. Regarding the latter finding, when facing higher market competition, lawyers might advise their clients against the use of plea bargaining and penal orders, since ordinary trials yield higher financial returns for them. Overall, this dissertation shows that administratization mechanisms constitute an essential component for the functioning of contemporary criminal justice systems globally
Where your roots may grow:Nurturing equity in pregnancy outcomes for women with a vulnerable health status
Get PDFThis thesis examines how disparities in pregnancy outcomes can be addressed through a targeted intervention. It highlights the importance of preconception care for improving health outcomes for mothers and their children, especially for those with a low socioeconomic status who face increased health related risks. By focusing on ethical and effective healthcare practices, the research emphasizes the need to address inequities to promote health equity across generations. Central to this thesis is the development and evaluation of "Pregnant Faster," an mHealth application designed to encourage pregnancy preparation through behavioral nudges. The app combines education, daily reminders, and a rewards-based system to encourage healthy behaviors, such as folic acid supplementation and increased physical activity. Through qualitative studies and co-creation processes with target users, the app was developed to align with user preferences while upholding ethical principles and moral permissibility. By bridging healthcare gaps and fostering awareness among prospective parents and professionals, the thesis calls for the widespread adoption of standardized PCC protocols. It highlights the need for collaboration between midwives, obstetricians, and general practitioners to reduce barriers to care. Ultimately, the research underscores the value of tailored, equitable healthcare interventions in improving pregnancy outcomes and breaking the transgenerational cycle of social health inequities.<br/
Taking marketing seriously:A law and economics analysis of personalized marketing in the digital age
Get PDFImagine every ad, every price, and even every contract completely tailored to you personally — welcome to the age of AI-driven hyper-personalization.Today, vast amounts of consumer data can be collected and processed, creating consumer profiles that are individualized with ever-increasing precision. This has paved the way for one-to-one interactions that can be adjusted in real-time and lead to unparalleled behavior modification. Personalized marketing promises to respond more accurately to consumer needs and preferences, elevating the effectiveness of marketing communications to new heights. However, this seemingly customized digital world is accompanied by serious concerns about the alarming potential of personalized marketing to exploit consumers’ cognitive biases, heuristics, and vulnerabilities. The power of hyper-personalization to subtly bend consumer behavior to the will of companies and give marketers unprecedented control raises the question of the extent to which this could lead to a significant deterioration of consumers’ position in the market.This dissertation analyzes personalized marketing from a law and economics perspective to expose and contrast its promises and perils. In doing so, it examines the extent to which personalized marketing is regulated by the EU legal framework. The research shows that current European consumer policy can only partially protect consumers. A four-part policy approach is therefore proposed to adequately address personalized marketing and safeguard consumer autonomy, equity, and welfare.Regulating personalized marketing is a complex task characterized by a clear trade-off between efficiency and fairness. How much freedom do you give up in exchange for a hyper-personalized experience? How confident are you that the price you pay will not exceed what others pay for the exact same service? And what does it mean for your autonomy when an algorithm predicts your behavior better than you do yourself? This dissertation seeks to provide a starting point for further regulation and ultimately contribute to better consumer protection in the digital age.<br/
Where your roots may grow:Nurturing equity in pregnancy outcomes for women with a vulnerable health status
Get PDFThis thesis examines how disparities in pregnancy outcomes can be addressed through a targeted intervention. It highlights the importance of preconception care for improving health outcomes for mothers and their children, especially for those with a low socioeconomic status who face increased health related risks. By focusing on ethical and effective healthcare practices, the research emphasizes the need to address inequities to promote health equity across generations. Central to this thesis is the development and evaluation of "Pregnant Faster," an mHealth application designed to encourage pregnancy preparation through behavioral nudges. The app combines education, daily reminders, and a rewards-based system to encourage healthy behaviors, such as folic acid supplementation and increased physical activity. Through qualitative studies and co-creation processes with target users, the app was developed to align with user preferences while upholding ethical principles and moral permissibility. By bridging healthcare gaps and fostering awareness among prospective parents and professionals, the thesis calls for the widespread adoption of standardized PCC protocols. It highlights the need for collaboration between midwives, obstetricians, and general practitioners to reduce barriers to care. Ultimately, the research underscores the value of tailored, equitable healthcare interventions in improving pregnancy outcomes and breaking the transgenerational cycle of social health inequities.<br/