Do Maximizers Predict Better than Satisficers?

We examine the relationship between maximizing (i.e., seeking the best) versus satisficing (i.e., seeking the good enough) tendencies and forecasting ability in a real‐world prediction task: forecasting the outcomes of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In Studies 1 and 2, participants gave probabilistic forecasts for the outcomes of the tournament and completed a measure of maximizing tendencies. We found that although maximizers expected themselves to outperform others much more than satisficers, they actually forecasted more poorly. Hence, on net, they were more overconfident about their relative performance. Decompositional analyses of overall accuracy revealed that differences in forecasting abilities were primarily driven by maximizers' tendency to give more noisy estimates. In Study 3, participants played a betting task where they could choose between safe and uncertain gambles linked to World Cup outcomes. Again, maximizers did more poorly and earned less, because of greater noise in their choice‐based responses. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Why are maximizers less happy than satisficers? Because they maximize positive and negative outcomes

Although extant research suggests maximizing is related to objectively positive outcomes (e.g., job offers), I propose maximizing may be simultaneously and positively related to objectively negative outcomes (e.g., job rejections). Specifically, I argue maximizers bear more instances of positive and negative outcomes than satisficers, and that in spite of their positive outcomes—yet because of their negative outcomes—maximizers are less happy than satisficers. In Study 1, participants took the alternate uses test; as expected, maximizing was related to seeking alternatives, yet, maximizing was also related to seeking low‐quality alternatives. Moreover, the number of low‐quality alternatives partially mediated the relationship between maximizing and negative affect. In Study 2, the impact of maximizing on experiencing negative affect was further assessed by examining whether maximizing is related to seeking and choosing low‐quality alternatives. Participants played the Iowa Gambling Task; it was found maximizing was related to alternating among decks, and in particular, sampling bad decks; ultimately, maximizing was related to winning less money, and experiencing more negative affect. Finally, in Study 3, participants responded to questionnaires about positive and negative life outcomes; it was found that maximizing was simultaneously related to experiencing more positive and more negative outcomes, and that negative outcomes predicted happiness to a greater degree than positive outcomes. These findings suggest an irony of maximizing: It produces both positive and negative outcomes, contributing to literature explaining why maximizers are less happy than satisficers, and ultimately whether happiness is a matter of choice. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Crystal growth velocity in deeply undercooled Ni–Si alloys

The crystal growth velocity of Ni₉₅Si₅ and Ni₉₀Si₁₀ alloys as a function of undercooling is investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. The modified imbedded atom method potential yields the equilibrium liquidus temperatures T _L?≈?1505 and 1387?K for Ni₉₅Si₅ and Ni₉₀Si₁₀ alloys, respectively. From the liquidus temperatures down to the deeply undercooled region, the crystal growth velocities of both the alloys rise to the maximum with increasing undercooling and then drop slowly, whereas the athermal growth process presented in elemental Ni is not observed in Ni–Si alloys. Instead, the undercooling dependence of the growth velocity can be well-described by the diffusion-limited model, furthermore, the activation energy associated with the diffusion from melt to interface increases as the concentration increases from 5 to 10?at.% Si, resulting in the remarkable decrease of growth velocity.     

Linear instability signals the initiation of motion of a twin plane under load

This letter presents a study of the atomic mechanism of the initiation of motion of a static twin plane under applied mechanical load in a model shape-memory material. By tracking the deformation under load and using linear stability analysis, we find that the eigenvalues of the Hessian matrix provide an indicator of the initiation of motion of the twin plane. The initiation of motion is signaled by a linear instability and a drop in the lowest eigenvalue to zero as well as a sharp drop in higher eigenvalues. Additionally, by comparing with direct molecular dynamics, we see that the eigenmode associated with the zero eigenvalue is found to accurately predict the initial mode of motion. We also find that the initial motion occurs through the formation of a stacking fault just ahead of the existing twin plane and the broadening of the stacking fault drives further transformation.     

直肠间质瘤致下消化道大出血1例报告

胃肠道间质瘤是一种发生于消化道的少见的间叶肿瘤,直肠间质瘤更为罕见,在直肠肿瘤中的发生率0．1％以下。直肠问质瘤的临床表现无特异性,与其他直肠肿瘤相似,随肿瘤逐渐增大可表现为排便习惯改变、便血、排便困难等。临床确定诊断困难。手术治疗是能够治愈直肠问质瘤的唯一方法。格列卫作为一线化疗药物对术前降期及改善预后都有良好疗效。本例患者因下消化道大出血入院,肿瘤近肛缘,术中病理考虑为直肠闻质瘤,完整切除肿瘤后行保肛术。术后应用格列卫,随诊3个月无复发、转移。