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Empathy with Robots? Exploring Emotional Responses to Artificial Entities
No full textThe primary purpose of this dissertation is to investigate emotional and empathic responses to humans and to artificial entities. This thesis explores the similarities and differences in how we respond to each other, and to artificial entities. In addition, it uses research on human-artificial entity interaction to better understand what makes a response empathic and differentiates it from emotional responding. Finally, it examines how we emotionally and empathically respond to destruction of certain objects, and how responses differ based on the meaningfulness of the objects being harmed. This dissertation uses experimental results to explain how and why we feel emotions and empathy for things that are only sort of alive and what this means for us as humans in a world where our digital culture is constantly evolving
On the Isomer Problem of Mixed−Addenda and Heterogroup−Substituted Polyoxometalates
No full textPolyoxometalates (POMs) represent nanoscale metal−oxide clusters, conventionally constructed of early transition metals in high oxidation states (mainly V, Mo and W). POMs exhibit tunable physicochemical properties, which make them suitable for applications in catalysis, magnetism and preparation of nanostructured materials. The properties of POMs are predominantly tuned by the number, the type and by the arrangement of the involved building blocks in unique structural architectures. The stabilities and the properties rising from the arrangement of the building blocks define the problem of POM isomerism. In this thesis, density functional theory (DFT) and its time-dependent implementation (TD-DFT) are applied to shed light into the isomer problem of mixed−addenda and heterogroup−substituted POMs. The following problems were addressed: (i) Elucidation of the solution structure of the two reported polyoxoaurates [Au4Se4O16]4− and [Au4As4O16]8−. (ii) Understanding of the positional isomerism problem and structure-stability relationship in the mixed-addenda [NaAuxPd12–xAs8O40](x−15) and [NaAuxPd12–xSe8O32](x−7) polyoxoanions. (iii) Structure-stability relationship of the isomeric α–/γ–/β–[V14E8O50]12− and α–/γ–/β–[V14E8O42X8]12− (E = Si, Ge and Sn; X = S, Se and Te) heteropolyoxovanadates. (iv) Comparative study of the arsenate capped polyoxopalladates [Na2Pd22As16O76]26– and [Pd13As8O40]14–. (v) Study of anti–/syn–[Pt2(PW11O39)2]10− and their two electron oxidized species anti–/syn– [Pt2(H2O)2(PW11O39)2]8−
Market power versus efficiency defense in the European Commission's merger policy: Evidence on European airline mergers
No full textAccording to microeconomics, mergers result in a more concentrated industry. This fact is hardly questionable, but the discussion about whether concentration is good or bad for society leads us to a lively debate, called the efficiency defense: do mergers increase market power or efficiency? How does merger policy take market power and efficiency into consideration?
My work investigates the circumstances and consequences of merger appraisal in passenger airline markets in Europe between 1995 and 2015. The analysis tries to identify the role of consolidation driven by market power, efficiency and bankruptcy. The thesis introduces economic principles, models and policy choices behind the efficiency defense, and explains why the European Commission did not consider efficiency as a core criterion for their decision to allow or prevent takeovers.
In summary, efficiencies could be considered in the merger process under the total welfare approach, which also contains efficiency gains from producer surplus increase. The author believes that efficiency is the ordinary aim of companies, but the reason behind mergers is to increase market presence, market share or with other words: market power. Competition policy should therefore improve a transparent and smart framework to regulate market power
Smart Grids, the Governance of Information Management and Regulation
No full textInformation management is becoming a new stage in the electricity supply chain. The term information management here refers to the collection, processing, aggregation and distribution of data (e.g. from smart metering) in the electricity system. The primary driver for the development of this new task is the increasing share of renewable electricity supply (RES). Smart grids should deploy the efficient integration of RES into the energy system, i.e. information and communication technologies should be applied to the electricity distribution grids. The information management system should facilitate the data exchange within smart grids. This thesis takes an institutional perspective and addresses four key questions related to the governance of information management. Chapter 2 provides an analysis of the institutional environment of information management and discusses which role could become responsible for this new task. Building upon joined work with my colleagues I propose in chapter 3 a stakeholder-based governance approach for information management. The fourth chapter discusses whether a central or a decentralized governance approach for information management better facilitates innovation. Chapter 5 builds on the stakeholder based governance approach introduced in chapter 3 and discusses how the decision-making process could be designed to secure governance innovation and non-discrimination of third parties
The speciation and organic complexation of iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) in different marine hydrothermal vent systems
No full textFor many years, hydrothermal vents were neglected as sources of dissolved metals into the oceans; however ongoing research has shown that in addition to other metals, Cu and Fe are introduced to the world oceans and stabilized at elevated concentrations by hydrothermal venting, potentially transported thousands of kilometers away from its original source into the distal oceans, thereby contributing to the global oceanic metal budget. This is due to both inorganic (e.g. as sulfide nano particles) as well as organic complexation by small metal chelating molecules – the so called organic ligands. To date, the majority of research into this process has been carried out at deep-sea hydrothermal systems. At the beginning of this project, no studies investigating the speciation of Fe and Cu at marine shallow-water hydrothermal vents had been published.
Since island arc hydrothermalism occurs at much shallower water depths than hydrothermalism at mid-ocean ridges for example, dissolved stabilized bioactive trace metals transported within the hydrothermal plume from the shallow vents are directly discharged into the surface waters and therefore into the photic zone. Within the photic zone, which represents highest primary production rates in the ocean, not only chemosynthetic processes, but also photosynthetic processes may influence and control metal transport and speciation. Since marine shallow, diffuse hydrothermalism has not gained much attention thus far, the role of this process in the oceans’ biogeochemical cycle of metals and the metals’ bioavailability may have been underestimated to date.
To address this research’s shortcoming, this thesis focusses exclusively on Fe and Cu speciation at different oceanic island arc hydrothermal vent systems, located in shallower water depths when compared with their well-studied deep-sea counterparts
Generalized Geometry Approaches to Gravity
No full textWe apply techniques in generalized geometry and graded geometry to aspects of gravity theories, reproducing the physical theories with novel mathematical structures underlying the framework. We propose a non-symmetric metric gravity theory from a deformation of a Courant algebroid in generalized geometry where the algebroid axioms remain preserved. This theory extends Einstein's general relativity, by including the kinetic term for a Kalb-Ramond field. In the context of graded geometry, from a particular type of deformation of the graded Poisson brackets, we obtain a teleparallel gravity action, while another type of non-trivial deformation features curvature besides the metric and a connection manifested in the graded Poisson structure.
Using the graded variables from graded geometry, we formulate Galileon theories elegantly in a more compact notation, in which we profit from the formalism in generalizing the theory to arbitrary spacetime dimensions, and arbitrary number and type of fields. The connection to linearised gravity is made by considering mixed-symmetry fields. The main goal is to ensure second order field equations for our Galileon theory.
Finally we end the discussion of the various actions in different theories with investigations on the solutions from Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet-dilaton theory. By studying the black hole solutions of this theory using a quasi-normal mode decomposition, we learn about the mode stability of the black holes, which turn out to be stable under linear pertubations. With data from the future higher sensitive gravitational wave detections, the current large class of modified gravity theory proposals can be strongly constrained, and either favoured or ruled out
Interaction of the Marine Bacterium Marinobacter adhaerens HP15 with the Diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii Analyzed by Proteomics Approaches
No full textBacteria and microalgae conduct close mutualistic interactions that might impact metabolic and physiological features in both partners. As microalgae play major roles in global primary production and carbon cycling in marine systems, knowledge about such interactions is directly linked to an understanding of large-scale carbon and nutrient turnover processes. The impact of bacteria that colonize microalgae has been the focus of a number of studies. However, an understanding of the basis of such interactions at an advanced molecular level, including the identification of ‘traded items’ between the interacting partners, remained scarce. In the present study, we analyzed a specific beneficial bacteria-diatom interaction by application of proteomics approaches. A bilateral model system formerly established for the analysis of such interactions was used, consisting of the marine γ-proteobacterium Marinobacter adhaerens HP15 and the ubiquitously occurring centric diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii. The present study focused on the proteome of M. adhaerens HP15. Alterations in the bacterial proteome during co-cultivation with the diatom in comparison to a reference treatment were identified. Results imply that free amino acids are probable those traded items provided by the diatom, taken up by the bacterium, and potentially used as carbon and nitrogen source. Furthermore, proteomic results indicated a favorable supply with nutrients, particularly with nitrogen. For prospective studies, we suggest including the analysis of the diatom’s proteome and recommend the application of proteomics in combination with metabolomic approaches.
The thesis additionally dealt with aspects of chemotaxis, combining chemosensing and motility, in the context of bacterial colonization of marine aggregates and microalgae.
As a further topic, features of heavy metal resistance in M. adhaerens HP15 and other members of the genus Marinobacter were analyzed
Characterizing Employee Proactivity: Antecedents of Other-Centered and Self-Centered Proactive Behaviors
No full textContemporary work lives are characterized by frequent changes in the work environment. Such changes refer to work processes, tasks, teams, or even jobs and often go along with negative consequences like stress, turnover intentions, and reduced performance. Past research has emphasized that individual proactivity can be a coping approach in these demanding situations. Antecedents of a wide range of proactive behaviors have been identified in numerous studies. Other studies focused on the categorization of behaviors. The present dissertation aimed to integrate previous literature and provides a more parsimonious classification model through comprehensive insights into the prediction of proactive behaviors. For this purpose, three studies were conducted. The first study applied an innovative approach to develop short measurement instruments for proactive personality and supervisor support as significant antecedents of proactive behaviors. The findings of the second study reveal that proactive behaviors can be simultaneously distinguished according to their form and type and their intended target of impact. As a consequence, other-centered and self-centered proactive behavior categories were identified. Whereas felt responsibility for change positively predicted both other- and self-centered proactive behaviors, personal values (other-centered and self-centered values) affected proactive behaviors differently. The third study found that the longitudinal positive relationship between proactive personality and proactive behaviors is partially mediated by psychological empowerment. However, a mediating effect only emerged for other-centered proactive behavior categories, whereas self-centered proactive behaviors were unrelated to psychological empowerment. The present dissertation thus extends the knowledge about proactive behavior characteristics and similarities and differences in the prediction of various proactive behaviors
Following your foodsteps: Exploring social modeling and food intake inhibition
No full textThe primary aim of this dissertation is to promote the knowledge about how social interactions can impact on and be impacted by the food intake of others. To this end, based on the normative framework on eating behaviors, this work investigates whether self-construals and self-esteem moderate social modeling and matching effects. Next, it examines whether intake matching fosters affiliation between people. Finally, it explores how social influence affects food intake, after people are left alone. The first two experiments, conducted in Brazil and in Germany, explored the possible moderating role of self-construals on informational intake norms. In both countries, participants modeled the informational intake norms. However, self-construals did not impact their tendency to model. Additionally, an effect size comparison showed cultural similarity in the extent Brazilian and German females modeled. The next study used a dyadic setting to examine whether matching intake would increase perceptions of mutual closeness. Participants matched their food intake, and also had similar evaluations of closeness and likability of each other. However, intake matching was unrelated to their evaluations. Besides, trait self-esteem was unrelated to matching in this study. The last experiment tested whether a non-eating observer could affect people’s food intake even when they were left alone. In the baseline period, all participants were accompanied by a non-eating confederate, while given access to food. Next, half of them continued with the confederate and the other half was left alone. Food intake increased among those who were left alone, but not with those who continued with the confederate. These present thesis provides important findings, by reinforcing the importance of modeling and matching effects, as well as revealing that social influences might impact intake even when we are alone
Simulation of energy transfer dynamics in light-harvesting complexes
No full textEfficient energy transfer in photosynthetic organisms is a known phenomenon since decades but some of its details are still unknown. Observation of quantum coherence in the light-harvesting complex (LHC) of photosynthetic systems has boosted interest in this field to explore this quantum behaviour as a candidate for this high efficiency. We used a semi-classical wave-packet dynamics approach to investigate the influence of environmental vibrations on the excitation energy transfer (EET) among the pigments of LHCs. In this method, a QM/MM approach on a classical molecular dynamics trajectory was employed to calculate the excitation energies and couplings to build the excitonic Hamiltonian. The method was validated with an exact density matrix approach using a two-level system model. Subsequently, the method was applied to investigate the EET in Fenna-Mathews-Olson (FMO) complex, the LHC of green sulphur bacteria, and the Pycoerythrin 545 (PE 545) antenna aggregate in marine algae. We have shown that the pigments in the FMO and PE 545 complexes are coupled to their respective environments with a similar coupling strength. The coupling stems, however, from different origins, i.e. intramolecular vibrations or environmental ones