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The more the merrier? Perceived forest biodiversity promotes short-term mental health and well-being: A multicentre study
No full text1. Forests can foster mental health and well-being. Yet, the contribution of forest
biodiversity remains unclear, and experimental research is needed to unravel
pathways of biodiversity–health linkages. Here, we assess the role of tree species richness, both actual and perceived, and how stress reduction and attention
restoration can serve as potential mediating pathways to achieve positive mental
health and well-being outcomes.
2. We conducted an experimental, multicentric field study in three peri-urban forests in Europe, employing a mixed design with 223 participants, that comprised
20-min stays in forests with either low, medium or high tree species richness or
a built control. Participants' short-term mental health and well-being and saliva
cortisol as a biomarker of stress were measured before and after the intervention.
3. Forest visits for 20 min were found to be beneficial for participants' short-term
mental health, short-term mental well-being, subjective stress, subjective directed
attention and perceived restorativeness compared with a built environment. No
differences were found for the physiological stress indicator saliva cortisol, which
decreased in both the forest and the built environments.
4. Increased perceived biodiversity—possibly linked to structural forest attributes—was significantly associated with well-being outcomes, while no association was found for differences in actual tree species richness. Structural equation modelling indicates that higher levels of perceived biodiversity had an indirect
effect on short-term mental health and well-being through enhancing perceived
restorativeness.
5. While we found no evidence of actual tree species richness effects, perceived
biodiversity was associated with positive short-term mental health and well-being
outcomes. Understanding these biodiversity–health linkages can inform conservation management and help develop effective nature-based interventions for
promoting public health through nature visits
The relation between biodiversity in literature and social and spatial situation of authors: Reflections on the nature–culture entanglement
No full text1. Understanding the nature–culture entanglement by combining the methods
of natural sciences and humanities is little approached in neither of the fields.
With a specific combination of methods from both digital humanities and ecology, we aimed at identifying several of people's life circumstances that relate to
their individual sensitivity towards biodiversity. The circumstances with a strong
correlation could be considered and targeted by decision-makers, for example
by developing specific education programmes for making people more eco-conscious or adjusting relevant regulations.
2. We applied machine learning techniques onto a database including information
about the frequency of biodiversity mentioned in creative literature (BiL) from
1705 to 1969 as response variable related to metadata about the corresponding works and their authors as predictors, including localisation, age, gender and
literature genre. The algorithm determined the response's dependency on each
predictor, which can be interpreted as the intensity of this particular sensitivity
parameter for biodiversity, and which we also related to time.
3. We recognised that gender, age, region and settlement size are predictors significantly correlated to BiL. Statistically, these predictors can be viewed as starting
points of the eventual individual level of awareness for biodiversity. For example, authors from villages exhibit a higher BiL than those from cities, which we
interpret as a signal for the dependence of awareness for biodiversity on spatial
distance from nature, which in turn can be addressed in urban development.
4. Our conclusion is that applying a machine learning technique on literary data
yields meaningful results, thereby showing potential for further similar investigations and the combination of methods from natural sciences and humanities to
achieve so far unattainable insights. With our study, these insights could contribute to ecologically based decision-making processes
Visualization of Tensor Invariant Spaces
No full textTensoren sind ein wichtiges mathematisches Konzept, das in der Physik dazu dient Materialeigenschaften, wie z.B. die Deformation und die Elastizität zu beschreiben. Tensorfelder beschreiben wie diese Eigenschaften innerhalb eines Materials variieren. Die Darstellung von Tensorfeldern stellt eine Herausforderung dar, da die Anzahl an Zahlenwerten pro Punkt im Raum die Möglichkeiten des direkt Darstellbaren übertreffen. Daher wurde der Fokus auf Tensorinvarianten gelegt, d.h. Eigenschaften eines Tensors, die unabhängig von der Wahl des Bezugssystems sind. Dies stellt eine Reduktion der Zahlenwerte dar, die das Problem aber noch nicht in den Bereich des direkt Darstellbaren rückt. Das Ziel dieses Forschungsprojekts ist es Methoden zu entwickeln, die der Untersuchung sogenannter Invariantenräume dienen. Diese Räume charakterisieren den Bereich und die Häufigkeit von Kombinationen von Invariantenwerten. Dabei wurden unter anderem Methoden entwickelt, um die Extraktion sogenannter Faserlinien und -flächen zu beschleunigen. Faserlinien und -flächen markieren alle Punkte im Raum, an denen die Invarianten eine bestimmte Kombination von Werten aus einer Menge an Werten, genannt Kontrollpolygon, annehmen. Faserlinien und -flächen verallgemeinern Isolinien und -flächen, die ebenfalls alle Orte markieren, an denen ein Feld einen vorgegebenen Wert annimmt, auf Felder, die die räumliche Variation von Wertkombinationen beschreiben. Die Arbeiten in diesem Projekt führten zu neuen Algorithmen, die die Extraktion von Faserlinien und Faserflächen insbesondere für große und komplexe Kontrollpolygone beschleunigtm so dass interaktive Untersuchungen des Invariantenraumes mit geringer Latenz ermöglicht werden. Ein weiteres Problem bei der Untersuchung von Invariantenräumen insbesondere hinsichtlich der Extraktion von Faserobjekten ist Rauschen in den Daten, welches zumeist von numerischen Fehlern in Simulationen herrührt und auf das Faserobjekte sensitiv sind. Daher befasste sich das Projekt mit Möglichkeiten der Vorverarbeitung von Tensorfeldern, um kleinere Perturbationen der Daten, die aus solchem numerischen Rauschen resultieren, in ihrem Einfluss auf die Komplexität von Faserobjekten zu begrenzen. Da es für diese Vorverarbeitung nur wenig Vorarbeiten gibt, befasste sich das Projekt auch sehr grundlegend mit dem Zusammenhang der Änderung eines Invariantenfeldes auf dessen Faserobjekte. Bekannt war der Zusammenhang von bestimmten topologischen Strukturen wie der Jacobi-Menge und der Topologie von Faserobjekten, daher umfasst die von uns erarbeitete Lösung die Untersuchung wie die Jacobi-Menge den Beobachtungsraum zerlegt, wie man den entstehenden Komponenten eine Wichtigkeit zuweist, und wie das Invariantenfeld in der Reihenfolge der ermittelten Wichtigkeit verändert werden kann, um die Anzahl an Zusammenhangskomponenten der Jacobi-Menge zu reduzieren und damit die topologische Komplexität von Faserobjekten zu reduzieren.Tensors are an important mathematical concept, which is used in physics to describe material properties, e.g., deformation and elasticity. Tensor fields describe how these properties vary within a material. The depiction of tensor fields is challenging because the number of values at each point in space surpass the range of possibilities for direct visual representation. Hence, there is a focus on tensor invariants, i.e., tensor properties that are independent of the choice of coordinates. This presents a reduction of the number of values at each point, but is insufficient to reduce the problem to one that allows a direct visual representation. The goal of this research project is to develop methods that allow to study so-called invariant spaces, i.e. functions that characterize the range and frequency of combinations of invariant values. We developed methods to improve the speed of automatic extraction of so-called fiber lines and fiber surfaces. These fiber objects mark points in the domain where the invariants take on a specific combination of values from a set of values called the control polygon. Fiber line and fiber surfaces generalize the concept of isolines and isosurface, which also mark all points where a field takes on a given value, to fields describing the spatial variation of value combinations. The work in this project resulted in new algorithms that speed up the computation of fiber lines and fiber surfaces especially for large and complex control polygons such that interactive study of the invariant space becomes possible with low latency. Another problem arising from the study of invariant spaces, especially concerning the extraction of fiber objects, is noise in the data, often resulting from numerical errors in simulations and to which fiber objects are sensitive. Therefore, this project considered possibilities of preprocessing tensor fields to remove smaller perturbations in the data resulting from such numerical errors or limit their effect on the complexity of fiber objects. Since there is little previous work on this, the project was also concerned with the basic relationship of changes to the invariant field on its fiber objects. It was known that certain topological structures such as the Jacobi set relate to the topology of fiber. Hence our solution to this problem uses the Jacobi set to decompose the domain, assigns a measure of importance to each resulting component, and then perturb the function in the order of the importance for each component, to reduce their number and in doing so simplify the topological complexity of fiber objects
Polymorphs of 17O‑Implanted ST1 Spin Centers in Diamond and Spectroscopy of Strongly Coupled 13C Nuclear Spins
No full textThe so-called ST1 center in diamond is one of the very few known systems today that possesses properties similar to the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center. The ST1 enables spin coherent control at room temperature with even larger readout contrast than NV centers and is therefore promising for quantum information or sensing at 300 K. However, the nature and methods of on-demand creation of the ST1 were still unknown and a large dispersion of the optical, spin properties, and photostability was reported. Here, using two independent methods, we definitely evidence that the ST1 center is made of oxygen. Contrarily to previous studies where the ST1 centers were found scarcely (likely created unintentionally by oxygen-plasma treatments), the centers are created here reproducibly by oxygen implantation in several samples and enable a comprehensive study of their “bulk” optical and spin properties. Electron spin resonance line widths as low as 330 kHz were measured, indicating electron spin coherence time T2* in the μs range at 300 K. Further, we report on the hyperfine interaction with 17O and with nearby 13C nuclear spins. Twenty different coupling types with 13C larger than 2.5 MHz are found. This highlights the low symmetry of the ST1, the presence of at least one carbon vacancy in the ST1 structure, and the possibility to address a larger number of discernible 13C nuclear spins than with the NV center. These results open the way to the creation and use of quantum registers or nuclear spin memories with a long coherence time based on ST1 centers, which also have potential for quantum sensing
Theory and Examples of Catch Bonds
No full textWe discuss slip bonds, catch bonds, and the tug-of-war mechanism using mathematical arguments. The aim is to explain the theoretical tool of molecular potential energy surfaces (PESs). For this, we propose simple 2-dimensional surface models to demonstrate how a molecule under an external force behaves. Examples are selectins. Catch bonds, in particular, are explained in more detail, and they are contrasted to slip bonds. We can support special two-dimensional molecular PESs for E- and L-selectin which allow the catch bond property. We demonstrate that Newton trajectories (NT) are powerful tools to describe these phenomena. NTs form the theoretical background of mechanochemistry
Why Has Personality Psychology Played an Outsized Role in the Credibility Revolution?
No full textPersonality is not the most popular subfield of psychology. But, in one way or another, personality psychologists have played an outsized role in the ongoing “credibility revolution” in psychology. Not only have individual personality psychologists taken on visible roles in the movement, but our field's practices and norms have now become models for other fields to emulate (or, for those who share Baumeister's (2016, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2016.02.003) skeptical view of the consequences of increasing rigor, a model for what to avoid). In this article we discuss some unique features of our field that may have placed us in an ideal position to be leaders in this movement. We do so from a subjective perspective, describing our impressions and opinions about possible explanations for personality psychology's disproportionate role in the credibility revolution. We also discuss some ways in which personality psychology remains less-than-optimal, and how we can address these flaws
Contrasting extremely warm and long-lasting cold air anomalies in the North Atlantic sector of the Arctic during the HALO-(AC)3 campaign
No full textHow air masses transform during meridional transport into and out of the Arctic is not well represented by numerical models. The airborne field campaign HALO-()3 applied the High Altitude and Long-range Research Aircraft (HALO) within the framework of the collaborative research project on Arctic amplification ()3 to address this question by providing a comprehensive observational basis. The campaign took place from 7 March to 12 April 2022 in the North Atlantic sector of the Arctic, a main gateway of atmospheric transport into and out of the Arctic. Here, we investigate to which degree the meteorological and sea ice conditions during the campaign align with the long-term climatology (1979–2022). For this purpose, we use the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) reanalysis v5 (ERA5), satellite data, and measurements at Ny-Ålesund, including atmospheric soundings. The observations and reanalysis data revealed two distinct periods with different weather conditions during HALO-()3: the campaign started with a warm period (11–20 March 2022) where strong southerly winds prevailed that caused poleward transport of warm and moist air masses, so-called moist and warm air intrusions (WAIs). Two WAI events were identified as atmospheric rivers (ARs), which are narrow bands of strong moisture transport. These warm and moist air masses caused the highest measured 2 m temperatures (5.5 °C) and daily precipitation rates (42 mm d−1) at Ny-Ålesund for March since the beginning of the record (1993). Over the sea ice northwest of Svalbard, ERA5 indicated record-breaking rainfall. After the passage of a strong cyclone on 21 March 2022, a cold period followed. Northerly winds advected cold air into the Fram Strait, causing marine cold air outbreaks (MCAOs) until the end of the campaign. This second phase included one of the longest MCAO events found in the ERA5 record (19 d). On average, the entire campaign period was warmer than the climatological mean due to the strong influence of the ARs. In the Fram Strait, the sea ice concentration was well within the climatological variability over the entire campaign duration. However, during the warm period, a large polynya opened northeast of Svalbard, untypical for this season. Compared to previous airborne field campaigns focusing on the evolution of (mixed-phase) clouds, a larger variety of MCAO conditions was observed during HALO-()3. In summary, air mass transport into and out of the Arctic was more pronounced than usual, providing exciting prospects for studying air mass transformation using HALO-()3
A Retrospective Cohort Analysis of Transarterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Cancer at a Tertiary Center in Switzerland
No full textBackground/Objectives: International guidelines recommend transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, it is used outside these recommendations and has proven beneficial in prolonging survival. Since the role of TACE outside BCLC stage B is unclear, the present study analyzed the results of TACE performed at a tertiary center in Switzerland for different treatment groups, and aims to highlight the treatment outcomes for these groups. Methods: This retrospective cohort study includes 101 HCC patients undergoing TACE at our center. Patients were further subdivided into groups according to therapy combinations (therapies applied before and after index TACE). Kaplan–Meier survival curves were calculated for the Barcelona Center for Liver Cancer (BCLC) subgroups. Results: After TACE, the median survival was 28.1 months for BCLC 0, 31.5 months for BCLC A, 20.5 months for BCLC B, 10.8 for BCLC C, and 7.5 months for BCLC D. A lesion size larger than 55 mm was negatively associated with survival (HR 2.8, 95% CI 1.15–6.78). Complications occurred after TACE procedures: Clavien–Dindo I + II = 30, Clavien–Dindo > 3 = 2. Conclusions: TACE was performed in a substantial part of our cohort outside of routinely used treatment guidelines. The combination of the survival data and complication rate in these patients suggests it was a safe and beneficial strategy. Furthermore, our data show that in our cohort, the survival benefit associated with TACE was restricted to patients with a lesion size smaller than 55 mm
Does Timepoint of Surgical Procedure Affect the Outcome in Simultaneous Pancreas–Kidney Transplantation?: A Retrospective Single-Center Analysis over 20 Years
No full textBackground: Sleep deprivation and disturbances in circadian rhythms may hinder surgical performance and decision-making capabilities. Solid organ transplantations, which are technically demanding and often begin at uncertain times, frequently during nighttime hours, are particularly susceptible to these effects. This study aimed to assess how transplant operations conducted during daytime versus nighttime influence both patient and graft outcomes and function. Methods: simultaneous pancreas–kidney transplants (SPKTs) conducted at the University Hospital of Leipzig from 1998 to 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. The transplants were categorized based on whether they began during daytime hours (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) or nighttime hours (6 p.m. to 8 a.m.). We analyzed the demographics of both donors and recipients, as well as primary outcomes, which included surgical complications, patient survival, and graft longevity. Results: In this research involving 105 patients, 43 SPKTs, accounting for 41%, took place in the daytime, while 62 transplants (59%) occurred at night. The characteristics of both donors and recipients were similar across the two groups. Further, the rate of (surgical) pancreas graft-related complications and reoperations (daytime 39.5% versus nighttime 33.9%; p = 0.552) were also not statistically significant between both groups. In this study, the five-year survival rate for patients was comparable for both daytime and nighttime surgeries, with 85.2% for daytime and 86% for nighttime procedures (p = 0.816). Similarly, the survival rates for pancreas grafts were 75% for daytime and 77% for nighttime operations (p = 0.912), and for kidney grafts, 76% during the day compared to 80% at night (p = 0.740), indicating no significant statistical difference between the two time periods. In a multivariable model, recipient BMI > 30 kg/m2, donor age, donor BMI, and cold ischemia time > 15 h were independent predictors for increased risk of (surgical) pancreas graft-related complications, whereas the timepoint of SPKT (daytime versus nighttime) did not have an impact. Conclusions: The findings from our retrospective analysis at a big single German transplant center indicate that SPKT is a reliable procedure, regardless of the start time. Additionally, our data revealed that patients undergoing nighttime transplants have no greater risk of surgical complications or inferior results concerning long-term survival of the patient and graft. However, due to the small number of cases evaluated, further studies are required to confirm these results
Comparative Study of Systemic vs. Local Antibiotics with Subgingival Instrumentation in Stage III–IV Periodontitis: A Retrospective Analysis
No full textTo improve the clinical and microbiological outcomes of non-surgical mechanical periodontal therapy, the adjunctive use of antimicrobials has been utilized in treating moderate-to-severe periodontitis. In our study, the retrospective design included previously collected health-related patient data, obtained from the printed and digital charts of patients who received systemic or local antibiotic adjuncts to SI (subgingival instrumentation). A total of 34 patients (diagnosed with generalized Stage III/IV periodontitis) met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were evaluated. The samples were tested for the following bacterial strains: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A. actinomycetemcomitans), Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), Prevotella intermedia (P. intermedia), Tanererella forsythia (T. forsythia), and Treponema denticola (T. denticola). The inter-group comparisons of the bacterial species did not show statistically significant differences between groups. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical effects after SI and the adjunctive use of systemically administered (SA) AMX (amoxicillin) + MET (metronidazole) (administered for 7 days), with locally delivered (LDD) piperacillin + tazobactam in step 2 of periodontal therapy. Results: Overall, all parameters were improved in the groups, with a significant difference in inter-group comparison regarding the full-mouth bleeding score (FMBS) (p < 0.05) in favor of the SA group, and the p-value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Statistically significant PPD (probing pocket depth) reductions and CAL (clinical attachment level) gains were observed in both groups at the 3-month follow-up. In conclusion, within the limitations, the outcomes of this study suggest that SI, with adjunctive local or systemic antibiotic therapy, provided comparable clinical improvements. Systemic AMX + MET protocols were more efficacious with regard to the reduction in FMBS. Follow-up studies with larger patient numbers are needed to further investigate this effect