HaLeiVi: I can’t answer that. The vast majority of the Achronim who ask the question on the Gemara about Bruriah do not give a similar answer to the Or HaChayim you mentioned. I would be willing to accept a S’vara similar to R’ Moshe’s on this (and that it increases the likelihood). I cannot accept that it is an absolute.
What do you mean by physical influence?
Randomex: Lichora the concept of Nekudas Habechirah is based on a Gemara in Kiddushin but a parallel Gemara in Moed Kattan seems to apply it in a way that does not quite fit with R’ Dessler.