scholarly journals Forest and Wellbeing: Bridging Medical and Forest Research for Effective Forest-Based Initiatives

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilaria Doimo ◽  
Mauro Masiero ◽  
Paola Gatto
Keyword(s):  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Phase Method ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Human Wellbeing ◽  
Individual Traits ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Key Variables ◽  
Forest Managers

Research Highlights: This review gives an overview of existing literature on the emerging topic of human wellbeing-forest contact nexus and provides a preliminary framework linking forests to wellbeing by highlighting key variables affecting this relationship. Background and Objectives: Existing literature reveals the psychological, physiological and social wellbeing benefits of contact with forest ecosystems; however, the role of forests in this relationship remains largely unexplored. The objectives of this review are twofold: (i) to provide an overview of the contributions of forest experiences to human wellbeing and the related interplay with forest ecosystems and (ii) to identify knowledge gaps to inform future research and systematize information available for forest managers and planners to support the development of effective forest-based initiatives. Materials and Methods: A scoping review was performed with a five-phase method integrating a systematic approach on Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed databases and snowball search. Studies were analyzed using a descriptive-analytical method. Results: Overall, 93 papers were included in the review. These are mainly from health-related sciences providing limited information for forest managers, planners and practitioners. Four main underlying variables of the forest-wellbeing relationship are identified: interaction, forest features, sensorial dimension of the forest and individual traits and reactions. Conclusions: Forest-based initiatives provide good opportunities for supporting public health and time spent in contact with forests seems to have a “health-bonus”. Whether and to what extent forest management can contribute to this is still poorly investigated. There is the need to better study causal relationships between specific forest features, type of interactions, frequency and “dose” of experiences, individual reactions and needs and wellbeing effects to maximize benefits from forest-based initiatives.

scholarly journals The Status of Prunus padus L. (Bird Cherry) in Forest Communities throughout Europe and Asia

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rolf D. J. Nestby
Keyword(s):  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
National Level ◽  
Natural Antioxidants ◽  
Forest Community ◽  
Prunus Padus ◽  
The Status ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Wood Carving ◽  
Level Monitoring

Prunus padus L. (bird cherry) belongs to the Racemosa group in subgenus Padus in the genus Prunus L. It is a hardy invasive species, which makes it valuable for securing slopes, and for eco-design. It is a good solitary park tree with early flowering of white flowers in racemes, which have a pleasant smell. However, it may be attacked by cherry-oat aphid, and the small ermine moth, which may weave giant webs over the whole tree, which demonstrates the important role of P. padus in the food web of forest ecosystems. The species is in balance with these pests, other herbivores and diseases throughout Europe and Asia. Another threat is the competition against the invasive P. serotina, but it seems that P. padus is not strongly threatened, though they compete for the same habitats. Moreover, human interference of forest community ecology is probably the greatest threat. The tree is not only winter hardy; it can also survive hot summers and tolerate a wide variety of soil types. It may form dense thickets due to the regeneration of branches bent to the ground and basal shoots, and may be invasive. These characteristics are important in determining the ecological niche of P. padus, which involves the position of the species within an ecosystem, comprising both its habitat requirements and the functional role. It is also important that P. padus has effective dispersal of pollen and seeds. This, together with the previously noted characteristics and the fact that the tree can cope well with climate change, define it as a not threatened species. However, the ssp. borealis is threatened and national level monitoring is required. Prunus padus has been exploited by farmers and rural population, but is less used today. However, it is still used for making syrup, jam and liquor. Moreover, the wood is valuable for wood carving and making cabinets. All tissues are valuable as sources of powerful natural antioxidants. However, the interest in the P. padus fruit and other tissues is overshadowed by the interest in other wild species of edible and human health-related berries. Moreover, the tree is used in horticulture as an ornamental in gardens and parks, values that deserve a new focus.

Ecological and economic mapping the Republic of Tatarstan

2019 ◽  
Vol 943 (1) ◽  
pp. 146-155
Author(s):  
A.A. Pakina ◽  
N.I. Tulskaya ◽  
A.A. Karnaushenko
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Industrial Production ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Economic Welfare ◽  
Agricultural Lands ◽  
Human Wellbeing ◽  
The Republic

The world’s economic welfare is supported by its natural resources. Mapping ecosystem services (ES) is essential to understand how ecosystems contribute to human wellbeing and to support policies, which have an impact on nature. Mapping (ES) is an important tool in their assessment. ES mapping and assessment include ecosystem properties and conditions, ES potential, supply, flow and demand. Approaches to the assessment and mapping the role of Tatarstan’s natural and transformed ecosystems in the carbon dioxide’s balance are presented. The contribution of forest ecosystems to the species’ balance composition and age of forests are estimated. The crop photosynthesis and soils’ respiration are used for agricultural lands. Emissions from industrial production are considered. Fuel combustion and other processes contribute to the balance of carbon dioxide as well. Maps compiled for these purposes prove to be an important tool to assess carbon capacity.

Moderating Role of Trait Hope in the Relation Between Painful and Provocative Events and Acquired Capability for Suicide

Crisis ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 249-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean M. Mitchell ◽  
Kelly C. Cukrowicz ◽  
Jason Van Allen ◽  
Paige L. Seegan
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Support ◽  
Interpersonal Theory ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Significant Relation ◽  
Interpersonal Theory Of Suicide ◽  
Acquired Capability ◽  
Individual Traits ◽  
Trait Hope ◽  
Moderating Role

Abstract. Background: The interpersonal theory of suicide has gained empirical support as a conceptualization of suicide risk; however, little research has examined the role of individual traits, such as trait hope, within the interpersonal theory of suicide. Aims: The purpose of this study was to further investigate the role of trait hope components (i.e., pathways and agency) in acquired capability for suicide. Method: Participants were 711 college students who completed measures of acquired capability for suicide, painful and provocative events, and trait hope (i.e., pathways and agency). Linear regression was used to test the hypotheses. Results: As hypothesized, there was a positive relation between pathways and acquired capability. Contrary to our hypotheses, after controlling for gender there was a significant relation between agency and acquired capability. In addition, after controlling for gender, pathways did not moderate the relation between painful and provocative events and acquired capability, whereas agency did moderate this relation. Conclusion: Painful and provocative events should be assessed as a risk factor for acquired capability for suicide, and this may be more salient for individuals higher in the agency component of trait hope. Future research should consider examining the role of other traits within the interpersonal theory of suicide.

scholarly journals Perceptions, experiences and opportunities for occupational safety and health professionals arising out of the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Gold ◽  
Stuart Hughes ◽  
David Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Post Traumatic

AbstractThis study explored perceptions, experiences and opportunities for the occupational safety and health professional (OSHP) as a result of COVID-19. Using qualitative methods, interviews took place with OSHPs in two organisations to understand how their role developed during the pandemic. Additionally, seven focus groups were organised and met virtually, using the Zoom platform, each addressing a different topic identified by the researchers. Participants (n = 45) from 10 different countries were distributed among the focus groups. Topics were separated into four themes: impact on the workplace; the psychosocial dynamic; medical and health issues and occupational safety and health (OSH) issues. Results were subsequently divided into seven action categories and compared with the findings from the organisational interviews. Comparison pointed to an expanded role for the OSHP including business continuity, resilience and wellbeing in addition to assessing and controlling risks emerging during the pandemic. There is also the need for a means to adequately disseminate trustworthy information. Results indicated that there was no single ‘average’ role of the OSHP, demonstrating essential contributions as a member of the management team. Results also stressed that the pandemic carried three health-related co-morbidities, stress, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and burnout. Directions for future research included: the education of the OSHP to support a move away from compliance towards risk management; determining how mental health issues in organisations should be managed; expanded roles for OSHPs within business; and implications for professional bodies, membership institutions and academia in supporting the above-mentioned emerging roles.

scholarly journals How do we eat meat–the role of structure, mechanics, oral processing, and sensory perception in designing meat analogs

2021 ◽  
Vol 854 (1) ◽  
pp. 012036
Author(s):  
J Ilic ◽  
M Van Den Berg ◽  
F Oosterlinck
Keyword(s):  
Sensory Analysis ◽  
Sensory Perception ◽  
Quality Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Analog Design ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Mechanics Analysis ◽  
Meat Analog ◽  
Oral Processing

Abstract This study provides an overview of over 50 publications exploring the consumers’ motives for choosing meat analogs over real meat, how they perceive them, and what can be learned from meat structure, mechanics, oral processing, and dynamic sensory analysis for meat analog design. Meat analogs’ sensory perception is their main lack, while ethics, health, and environmental statements might be used to boost their promotion. Methods for meat structure and mechanics’ analysis are well established and translated (to some degree) to meat analog’s quality analysis. However, limited information is present concerning meat and meat analogs’ oral processing and dynamic perception, which can be seen as a chance for future research and improvement.

scholarly journals Can Robots Earn Our Trust the Same Way Humans Do? A Systematic Exploration of Competence, Warmth, and Anthropomorphism as Determinants of Trust Development in HRI

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara Christoforakos ◽  
Alessio Gallucci ◽  
Tinatini Surmava-Große ◽  
Daniel Ullrich ◽  
Sarah Diefenbach
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Interaction ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Trust Development ◽  
Subjective Perceptions ◽  
Systematic Exploration ◽  
Key Variables ◽  
Design Factors ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Human Player

Robots increasingly act as our social counterparts in domains such as healthcare and retail. For these human-robot interactions (HRI) to be effective, a question arises on whether we trust robots the same way we trust humans. We investigated whether the determinants competence and warmth, known to influence interpersonal trust development, influence trust development in HRI, and what role anthropomorphism plays in this interrelation. In two online studies with 2 × 2 between-subjects design, we investigated the role of robot competence (Study 1) and robot warmth (Study 2) in trust development in HRI. Each study explored the role of robot anthropomorphism in the respective interrelation. Videos showing an HRI were used for manipulations of robot competence (through varying gameplay competence) and robot anthropomorphism (through verbal and non-verbal design cues and the robot's presentation within the study introduction) in Study 1 (n = 155) as well as robot warmth (through varying compatibility of intentions with the human player) and robot anthropomorphism (same as Study 1) in Study 2 (n = 157). Results show a positive effect of robot competence (Study 1) and robot warmth (Study 2) on trust development in robots regarding anticipated trust and attributed trustworthiness. Subjective perceptions of competence (Study 1) and warmth (Study 2) mediated the interrelations in question. Considering applied manipulations, robot anthropomorphism neither moderated interrelations of robot competence and trust (Study 1) nor robot warmth and trust (Study 2). Considering subjective perceptions, perceived anthropomorphism moderated the effect of perceived competence (Study 1) and perceived warmth (Study 2) on trust on an attributional level. Overall results support the importance of robot competence and warmth for trust development in HRI and imply transferability regarding determinants of trust development in interpersonal interaction to HRI. Results indicate a possible role of perceived anthropomorphism in these interrelations and support a combined consideration of these variables in future studies. Insights deepen the understanding of key variables and their interaction in trust dynamics in HRI and suggest possibly relevant design factors to enable appropriate trust levels and a resulting desirable HRI. Methodological and conceptual limitations underline benefits of a rather robot-specific approach for future research.

Coping Humor as a Mediator Between Emotional Intelligence and Job Satisfaction

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peizhen Sun ◽  
Jennifer J. Chen ◽  
Hongyan Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Satisfaction Scale ◽  
Primary School Teachers ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Regulation Of Emotion ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Overall Job Satisfaction

Abstract. This study investigated the mediating role of coping humor in the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and job satisfaction. Participants were 398 primary school teachers in China, who completed the Wong Law Emotional Intelligence Scale, Coping Humor Scale, and Overall Job Satisfaction Scale. Results showed that coping humor was a significant mediator between EI and job satisfaction. A further examination revealed, however, that coping humor only mediated two sub-dimensions of EI (use of emotion and regulation of emotion) and job satisfaction. Implications for future research and limitations of the study are discussed.

Faculty selection of textbooks: Key variables and the role of teaching experience

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aja Taitano ◽  
Bradley Smith ◽  
Cade Hulbert ◽  
Kristin Batten ◽  
Lalania Woodstrom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Key Variables ◽  
Faculty Selection ◽  
Selection Of

Public Administration in the Islamic World: Considering the Importance of Religion, its Values and Culture

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-38
Author(s):  
Daniel Hummel
Keyword(s):  
Public Administration ◽  
Core Values ◽  
Comparative Perspective ◽  
Religious Values ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Islamic World ◽  
Salient Region ◽  
The People ◽  
Comparative Public Administration

A small but growing area of public administration scholarship appreciates the influence of religious values on various aspects of government. This appreciation parallels a growing interest in comparative public administration and indigenized forms of government which recognizes the role of culture in different approaches to government. This article is at the crossroads of these two trends while also considering a very salient region, the Islamic world. The Islamic world is uniquely religious, which makes this discussion even more relevant, as the nations that represent them strive towards legitimacy and stability. The history and core values of Islam need to be considered as they pertain to systems of government that are widely accepted by the people. In essence, this is being done in many countries across the Islamic world, providing fertile grounds for public administration research from a comparative perspective. This paper explores these possibilities for future research on this topic.

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