abstract: Affection represents a positive and often intimate psychological state (Floyd & Morman, 1998) that is communicated through verbal, nonverbal, and social supportive behaviors. A formidable research literature indicates that receiving and expressing affection significantly benefits health. One form of affection that may produce these benefits is cuddling. Cuddling includes intimate, physical, and loving whole-body contact that does not necessarily include sexual activity and tends to be reserved for very intimate relationships. Working from affectionate exchange theory (Floyd, 2001), this study’s purpose is to examine the effects of cuddling on relational health for individuals living with their spouse. To test a causal relationship between cuddling and relational health, a four-week experiment was conducted. Eighty adults were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (1) a treatment condition in which individuals were instructed to increase cuddling behaviors with their spouse, (2) a comparison condition in which individuals were instructed to increase shared mealtime with their spouse, or (3) a control condition in which individuals were instructed to not change their behavior. Individuals in the treatment condition were predicted to experience significant improvements in relational health as outlined in the investment model (i.e., relational satisfaction, investment, quality of alternatives, and commitment) to a greater extent than individuals in the comparison or control conditions. A research question explored whether individuals in the comparison condition differed from those in the control condition. Planned contrasts were conducted to test the hypotheses. Results revealed that individuals in the treatment condition reported more relationship satisfaction and commitment and less quality of alternatives than individuals in the comparison and control conditions. Experimental conditions did not differ on reports of investment. Finally, individuals in the comparison and control conditions did not differ on any of the relational health markers. These findings support affection exchange theory and contribute to a growing literature identifying the benefits of affectionate communication. Moreover, the methodology and results of this study provide compelling evidence for a causal relationship between cuddling and satisfaction and commitment for relatively satisfied couples. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Communication 2017

abstract: Total digital media advertising spending of $72.5 billion surpassed total television Ad spending of $71.3 billion for the first time ever in 2016. Approximately $39 billion, or 54% of the digital media advertising spend, involved pre-programmed software that purchased Ads on behalf of a buyer in Real-Time Bidding (RTB) settings. A major concern for Ad buyers is sub-optimal spending in RTB settings owing to biases in the attribution of customer conversions to Ad impressions. The purpose of this research is twofold. First, identify and propose a novel experimental design and analysis plan for to handling a previously unidentified and unaddressed source of endogeneity: count/quality simultaneity bias (CQB). Second, conduct a field study using data for Ad response rates, cost, and observed consumer behavior to solve for the profit maximizing daily Ad frequency per customer. One large online retailer provided data for Ad impressions, bid costs, response rates, revenue per visit, and operating costs for 153,561 unique users over 23 days. Unique visitors were randomly assigned to one of seven treatment groups with one, two, three, four, five, and six impressions per day limits as well as a final condition with no daily impression cap. Ordinary least square models (OLS) were fit to the data and a non-linear relationship between Ad impressions and site visits demonstrating declining marginal effect of Ad impression on site visits after an optimal point. The results of the field study confirmed the existence of negative CQB and demonstrated how my novel experimental design and analysis can reduce the negative bias in the estimate of impression quantity on customer response. Second, managers interested in improving the efficiency of advertising spend should restrict display advertising to only the highest quality inventory through specific site targeting and by leveraging direct buys and private marketplace deals. This strategy ensures that subsequent impressions are not of lower quality by restricting the pool of possible impressions from a homogenous set of high quality inventory. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Business Administration 2017

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Submitted by Maike Costa (maiksebas@gmail.com) on 2017-07-18T11:53:08Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 2443488 bytes, checksum: a314649cc034958341f73f6d29f8c9ae (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-18T11:53:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 2443488 bytes, checksum: a314649cc034958341f73f6d29f8c9ae (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-03-01 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This work aimed to know the effect of psychological needs in human values, and the relationship pattern between the two variables. Specifically, they are conducted three studies. Study 1 aims to know the convergence between the needs proposed by Deci and Ryan (1985) and Maslow (1954). For the purpose, it udes 200 participants with an average age of 23.8 years (SD = 6.89) and 56.5% female. Initially gathered evidence of validity and reliability of the Basic Needs Satisfaction Inventory (BNSI) and the Basic Psychological Needs Scale (BPNS). At first, it was confirmed a factor penta structure as theorized. Together, the factors explain 52.54% of shared variance, Cronbach's alpha reliability indexes ranging from 0.86 (self-realization) to 0.67 (security). For the second instrument, admits to three-factor structure, as estimated, Autonomy (α = 0.71), Relationship (α = 0.71) and Competence (α = 0.68). Together, these factors explain 31.17% shared variance. The results of the convergent validity, corroborate the five research hypotheses. Study 2 had the goal of assessing the models of correlations between the values and needs and test the best confirmatory model. Is conjectured twenty-three hypotheses tested with 190 participants, the average age is 25.4 years (SD = 7.57) and 77.4% female. Bivariate Pearson correlations were performed. The results indicate that central and social values are more associated with the satisfaction of needs, compared with personal values. As for the models, based on Maslow's typology seems to be more adjusted (e.g. CFI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.06). Study 3 aims to know the needs of frustration effect on the amounts, by experimental investigation. For the realization prepared to twenty-six assumptions and participated 93 individuals divided into three groups: 21 in autonomy average age 20.1 years (SD = 2.2) and 66.7% women; 19 in relationship with an average age of 19.58 years (SD = 2.1), and 68.4% were female; 17 of competence, with na average age of 20.65 years (SD = 2.68), 70.6% of them are female. Another two control groups: with a result, 19 people with an average age of 21.7 years (SD = 3.6) and predominantly women (57.9%); without result, 17 subjects with an average age of 20.8 years and 76.5% were female. The results expose d experimental treatment effect of low or moderate Cohen, the implicit and explicit level. In this sense it is believed that the proposed objective is accomplished and that the results provide advancement for the study of human values. / A presente dissertação objetivou conhecer o efeito das necessidades psicológicas nos valores humanos, e o padrão de relacionamento entre as duas variáveis. Concretamente, são realizados três estudos. O Estudo 1 visa conhecer a convergência entre as necessidades propostas por Deci e Ryan (1985) e Maslow (1954). Contou-se com 200 participantes com média de idade 23,8 anos (DP = 6,89) e 56,5% do sexo feminino. Inicialmente, reuniu evidências de validade e precisão do Inventario de Satisfação das Necessidades Básicas (ISNB) e a Escala das Necessidades Psicológicas Básicas (ENPB). Para o primeiro, confirmou-se uma estrutura pentafatorial, como teorizado, explicando 52,5% da variância compartilhada, os índices de confiabilidade alfa de Cronbach variam de 0,67 (segurança) a 0,86 (autorrealização). Para o segundo instrumento, admitiu-se a estrutura trifatorial, como estimado, com alfa de Cronbach variando de 0,68 (competência) a 0,71 (Autonomia e Relacionamento). Em conjunto, os fatores explicam 31,17% da variância compartilhada. Os resultados da validade convergente, corroboram as cinco hipóteses de principais. O Estudo 2 teve a meta de avaliar os padrões de correlações entre os valores e as necessidades e testar o melhor modelo explicativo. Conjecturaram-se vinte e três hipóteses principais testadas com 190 participantes, a média de idade é 25,4 anos (DP = 7,57) e 77,4% do sexo feminino. Correlações bivariadas de Pearson foram realizadas. Os resultados indicaram que os valores centrais e sociais estavam mais associados com a satisfação das necessidades, em comparação com valores pessoais. Quanto aos modelos explicativos, o fundamentado na tipologia de Maslow mostra-se mais ajustado (e.g. CFI = 0,94; RMSEA = 0,06). O Estudo 3 pretende conhecer o efeito da frustração das necessidades sobre os valores, por meio de pesquisa experimental. Para a realização elaboraram-se vinte e seis hipóteses principais e participaram 93 indivíduos distribuídos em três grupos experimentais: 21 em autonomia idade média 20,1 anos (DP = 2,2) e 66,7% mulheres; 19 em relacionamento, com idade média de 19,5 anos (DP = 2,1), e 68,4% do sexo feminino; 17 de competência, sendo a idade média de 20,65 anos (DP = 2,68), 70,6% declararam-se do sexo feminino. Mais dois grupos controles: com resultado, 19 pessoas apresentando idade média de 21,7 anos (DP = 3,6) e predominantemente mulheres (57,9%); sem resultado, 17 sujeitos com idade média de 20,8 anos e 76,5% do sexo feminino. Os resultados expõem efeito de tratamento experimental d de Cohen baixos ou moderados, a nível implícito e explícito. Neste sentido, confia-se que o objetivo proposto é alcançado e que os resultados oferecem avanço para o estudo dos valores humanos.

O método de identificação por minimização do erro de predição está relacionado com um problema de otimização não convexo. É comum utilizar algoritmos iterativos para resolver o problema de otimização. Contudo, os algoritmos iterativos podem ficar presos em mínimos locais da função custo ou convergir para a borda do domínio de busca. Uma análise da função custo e condições suficientes para garantir a convergência dos algoritmos iterativos para o mínimo global são apresentadas neste trabalho. Observa-se que estas condições dependem do espectro do sinal de entrada utilizado no experimento. Este trabalho apresenta ferramentas para melhorar a convergência dos algoritmos para o mínimo global, as quais são baseadas na manipulação do espectro do sinal de entrada. / The Prediction Error Method is related to a non-convex optimization problem. It is usual to apply iterative algorithms to solve this optimization problem. However, iterative algorithms can get stuck at a local minimum of the cost function or converge to the border of the searching space. An analysis of the cost function and sufficient conditions to ensure the convergence of the iterative algorithms to the global minimum are presented in this work. It is observed that this conditions depend on the spectrum of the input signal used in the experiment. This work presents tools to improve the convergence of the algorithms to the global minimum, which are based on the manipulation of the input spectrum.

A relação entre preço e posicionamento de produto nas prateleiras de varejo ainda tem espaço para descobertas na literatura de marketing. O objetivo central dessa dissertação foi identificar o efeito do posicionamento de produtos levando em consideração o seu preço e a escolha do consumidor; mais especificamente o efeito positivo do posicionamento lógico de preços (i.e produtos posicionados do menor ao maior preço nas prateleiras) na escolha final, facilidade de escolha e número de unidades vendidas. Dois estudos foram feitos em busca de resultados, o primeiro sendo um experimento online, no qual escolha e facilidade de escolha foram estudadas a partir do posicionamento de preço. O segundo estudo foi um experimento de campo, no qual unidades vendidas foram verificadas através do posicionamento de preço. Os resultados encontrados em ambos os estudos indicam que o posicionamento de produtos a partir de uma ordem lógica de preço afeta a escolha do consumidor, embora não através da facilidade de escolha, e, mais ainda, afeta positivamente a quantidade de produtos vendidos. Contudo, verificou-se que o posicionamento a partir de preço não tem como consequência a facilidade de escolha. / The relationship between price and product positioning on retail shelves still has room for breakthroughs in marketing literature. The main goal of this dissertation was to identify the effect of product placement, taking into account its price, and consumer choice; more specifically, the positive effect of product placement by a logical positioning of prices (i.e. products positioned from the lowest to the highest price on the shelves) on the final choice, choice easiness and overall number of units sold. Two studies were conducted to search for these results, the first one as an online experiment, which studied choice and choice easiness from price positioning. In this first study was found that there is a positive relation between logical price arrangement (i.e. positioning products from the cheapest to the most expensive one) and consumer choice. However, price positioning does not significantly affect the ease of choice. The second study was a field experiment, in which the overall number of units sold was verified through price positioning. The results found in both studies indicate that the positioning of products from a logical price order affects consumer choice, though not through easiness of choice and, moreover, positively affects the quantity of products sold. Yet, it has been found that considering primily price to choose a shelf position does not have as consequence easiness of choice.

Process modeling is an indispensable task in the discipline of Business Process Management. The process models created in this task help its readers in to acquiring a higher comprehension of a process, allowing for the discovery of opportunities for its improvement. However, the comprehension of a process model is not guaranteed, as process modeling is a complex task that depends on the proficiency of the process modeler to avoid the creation of badly designed constructs. Process modeling guidelines are an essential tool in this regard, though they are dispersed across the many studies of the literature and not all of them have empirical evidence validating their effects. In addition to this problem, it is still an open questions if a set of process modeling guidelines makes the process modeling task more challenging and how effective modelers are in using them. It is also unclear how receptive process analysts are to the modeling guidelines. This dissertation presents a systematic literature review we conducted to collect and analyze the modeling guidelines found in the literature. It investigated a total of 520 articles, extracting a total of 45 modeling guidelines spread across 4 different categories. These 45 guidelines were simplified into a set of 20 guidelines, based on their significance to create more comprehensible process models and their practicality. This dissertation also presents the findings of an empirical experiment performed by 13 subjects that compared the results of two process modeling tasks with and without the support of the 20 modeling guidelines presented by the review, in which it was possible to observe that the subjects recognize the usefulness of the guidelines, but find them difficult to understand and use.

The principal aim of this work was to compare chosen types of potatoes in terms of occurrence of potato scab and yield. Common scab is a wide - spread potato disease presently. Scabby marks represent the significant defect of consumption potatoes as well as seed potatoes, because they depreciate appearance and quality of potatoes. However, they don{\crq}t affect lower yields directly. The experiment was realized in a private garden. Five different types of potatoes were planted out and the experiment was repeated after two consecutive years. The experiment was evaluated partially at harvest in both years, than followed a particular statistical evaluation. On account of gained results it has been found out that the choice of potato type affects yield as well as the occurrence of potato scab.

The main theme of the thesis is a video sequence, its production and use in physics education at primary and secondary schools. Teaching enriched of short videos is dynamic and illustrative. Students see a situation that could otherwise only read in an austere entry in a textbook example. It is based on the assumption that the demonstration, in addition to teaching, is an appropriate means for obtaining and verification of theoretical knowledge. Moreover, if the children create it themselves, it will be suitable method to develop their skills and creativity, which is as important in the process of learning as knowledge itself.

A adaptação hedônica consiste na atenuação das reações afetivas decorrente da posse e do uso contínuos de um produto (WANG; NOVEMSKY; DHAR, 2009). Esse fenômeno depende da repetição do consumo (REDDEN, 2008) e explica por que as pessoas gostam menos dos produtos ao longo do tempo. Apesar dos efeitos da repetição serem conhecidos pela linha de pesquisa sobre adaptação hedônica, os impactos da percepção dos consumidores sobre a repetição de uso na previsão da adaptação hedônica ainda não foram investigados. Esta pesquisa procura suprir esta lacuna. Especificamente, os estudos experimentais testam se a saliência da repetição de uso leva os consumidores a preverem um prazer de consumo menor (adaptação mais acelerada). Com base na literatura sobre previsão afetiva (WILSON et al., 2000), este trabalho propõe, também, que o focalismo é o mecanismo subjacente da relação entre saliência da repetição de uso e previsão da adaptação hedônica. Para melhor compreender esse fenômeno, são testadas duas possíveis condições limitantes para sua ocorrência, o grau em que o produto chama atenção e a variedade do sortimento apresentado aos consumidores. Além de verificar o impacto da saliência da repetição na previsão da adaptação, esta pesquisa investigou se a saliência da repetição é capaz, também, de levar a mais escolha por uma opção que permita variedade no consumo. Os resultados mostram que a saliência da repetição de uso leva a previsão da adaptação mais acelerada e que o focalismo medeia essa relação. Além disso, a presença de variedade do sortimento anula o efeito da saliência da repetição na previsão da adaptação e a saliência da repetição de uso leva a mais escolha por uma opção que ofereça variedade. Não foram encontradas evidências para suportar a hipótese de que o grau em que o produto chama atenção influencia a relação entre saliência da repetição e previsão da adaptação. / Hedonic adaptation is the attenuation of affective reactions resulting from ongoing ownership and usage of a particular product (WANG; NOVEMSKY; DHAR, 2009). This phenomenon depends on the consumption repetition (REDDEN, 2008) and explains why individuals enjoy their products less over the time. Although the effects of repetitive consumption are known in the body of research about hedonic adaptation, the impact of consumer beliefs about usage repetition on hedonic adaptation prediction has not yet been investigated. Our research addresses this issue. Specifically, we test whether people predict less future enjoyment (faster adaption) with a product when the usage repetition is made salient. Based on literature about affective forecasting (WILSON et al., 2000), we propose that the focalism is the mechanism underlying the effect of salient usage repetition on the increased hedonic adaptation prediction. Aiming to understand this effect, we sought to provide evidence about two boundary conditions of the effect of usage repetition salience on hedonic adaptation prediction: assortment variety and how much the product draws attention. Moreover, we tested whether people prefer products that allow consumption variety when usage repetition is made salient. Our results show that participants are more likely to predict less future enjoyment when the usage repetition is salient, and they suggest that this effect occurs because of focalism. The assortment variety is a boundary condition of this effect, and the usage repetition salience explains why people prefer products that allow consumption variety. There is no evidence that how much the product draws attention affects the relationship between usage repetition salience and hedonic adaptation prediction.