Slight Positive Effect Research Articles

Numerical Simulation Study of Bearing Characteristics of Large-Diameter Flexible Piles Under Complex Loads

The majority of the existing calculation methods for determining the ultimate bearing capacity of steel-pipe piles using Chinese criteria are designed for piles with diameters smaller than 2 m. To investigate the bearing capacity of flexible steel-pipe piles with diameters larger than 2 m under combined loading conditions, reveal nonlinear interactions between vertical and horizontal loads, and propose bearing capacity envelopes, in this paper, a numerical method was used to study the bearing capacity of a flexible pile with a diameter of 2.8 m and an embedment length of 72 m under vertical and horizontal loading conditions. First, a numerical model was developed and calibrated using field test results. Then, the effects of vertical pressure on horizontal capacity and lateral force on vertical capacity and uplift capacity of the pile were analyzed. The results indicate that vertical pressure at the top of the pile can nonlinearly reduce its horizontal capacity, but this pressure initially has a slight positive effect on the horizontal bearing capacity before causing a rapid decrease. Conversely, horizontal force negatively impacts both the compressive and uplift bearing capacities of the pile. Finally, depending on the above results, bearing capacity envelopes for piles subjected to vertical and horizontal loads were proposed.

Bio-inspired MXene membranes for enhanced separation and anti-fouling in oil-in-water emulsions: SHAP explainability ML

Optimizing membrane performance for efficient water treatment is crucial for sustainable development and environmental protection, aligning with UN SDGs. This study involves experimental design, statistical reliability of small data, and explainable machine learning (ML) using SHAP (Shapley Additive Explanations). The research uses ML models and statistical tests to ensure data reliability and stationarity and investigate various membranes’ fouling and separation efficiency (MX-CM, PDMX-CM, and SPDMX-CM). Stationarity tests, including the Augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF) and Phillips–Perron (PP) tests, revealed that MX-CM is stationary at level (I(0)), while PDMX-CM and SPDMX-CM required first differencing (I(1)) to achieve stationarity. SHAP analysis showed that in the fouling study, higher values of PDMX-CM and MX-CM positively influenced model predictions, with SHAP values of +0.09 for Cycle, −0.06 for PDMX-CM, and −0.06 for MX-CM. In the separation efficiency study, Cycle had a neutral impact (0.00), PDMX-CM had a slight positive effect, and MX-CM had a slight negative impact. These findings highlight the importance of ensuring data stationarity and utilizing SHAP for model explainability in predicting membrane performance. Accurate preprocessing and model interpretation enhance decision-making and optimization in membrane fouling and separation efficiency studies, ensuring robust and reliable ML models.

Exploring the potent enhancement effects of plyometric training on vertical jumping and sprinting ability in sports individuals.

This meta-analysis examines the impact of different combinations of plyometric training (complexity, training volume, and rest intervals) on immediate vertical jump and sprint performance in athletes. A systematic search was conducted in four databases, and Cochrane guidelines were used to evaluate the quality of included studies. Review Manager 5.4 software was employed to analyze outcome measures. Nineteen randomized controlled trials involving 293 participants were included. Single plyometric training-induced post-activation potentiation (PAP) had a slight positive effect on vertical jump performance [SMD = -0.24, 95% CI (-0.38, -0.1), P = 0.0009]. Optimal results were observed with rest intervals of 0.3-4min (SMD = 0.30, P = 0.0008). Sprint performance showed slight improvement [SMD = 0.27, 95% CI (0.03, 0.52), P = 0.03]. Complex plyometric training had a moderate effect on vertical jump performance [SMD = 0.58, 95% CI (-0.86, -0.23), P = 0.002], with the best outcomes seen with rest intervals exceeding 8min (SMD = 0.77). Sprint performance also improved significantly [SMD = 0.8, 95% CI (0.01, 1.59), P = 0.05]. Single-session plyometric training did not significantly enhance vertical jump performance [SMD = -0.19, 95% CI (-0.41, -0.02), P = 0.07], but had a notable effect on sprint performance [SMD = 0.8, 95% CI (0.01, 1.59), P = 0.05], particularly with rest intervals exceeding 8min (SMD = 0.77). Multiple-session plyometric training improved vertical jump (SMD = 0.43, 95% CI [0.01, 1.59), P = 0.00001 < 0.05], with optimal effects observed at rest intervals of 5-7min (SMD = 0.64). Sprint performance also improved [SMD = 0.46, 95% CI (0.01, 0.81), P = 0.01 < 0.05]. Plyometric training as an activation method has significant enhancing effects, depending on training complexity, volume, and rest intervals.

Parental Effect on Agronomic and Olive Oil Traits in Olive Progenies from Reciprocal Crosses.

Olive growing is undergoing a transition from traditional cultivation systems to a more technological model characterized by increased mechanization and a higher density of plants per hectare. This shift implies the use of less vigorous varieties that can adapt to the new system. Most traditional varieties are highly vigorous, and breeding programs can provide solutions to this challenge. This study investigates the parental effect on different agronomic and olive oil characteristics and its role in breeding programs. The objectives were to evaluate and characterize different agronomic and olive oil traits in the progenies from 'Arbosana' × 'Sikitita' cross and its reciprocal cross 'Sikitita' × 'Arbosana'. The results showed a high variability of the characters evaluated in the progenitors of the reciprocal crosses. The highest coefficients of variation were observed in traits related to ripening index, phenolic compounds, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and Δ5-avenasterol, with phenolic content exhibiting the greatest variability. No statistically significant maternal effect was detected for any of the evaluated traits, although a slight positive maternal effect was systematically observed in the mean values of the evaluated traits. These results suggest that the maternal effect on olive is quite subtle, although due to a slight tendency of the maternal effect in the descriptive analyses, future studies are suggested to understand in depth the possible maternal effect on olive breeding.

Response of sweet potato cultivars to Bacillus velezensis T149-19 and Bacillus safensis T052-76 used as biofertilizers

The global market of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) is continuously growing and, consequently, demands greater productivity from the agricultural sector. The use of biofertilizers facilitates plant growth by making essential nutrients available to crops or providing resistance against different abiotic and biotic factors. The strains Bacillus safensis T052-76 and Bacillus velezensis T149-19 have previously been inoculated in the sweet potato cultivar Ourinho, showing positive effects on plant shoot growth and inhibiting the phytopathogen Plenodomus destruens. To elucidate the effects of these strains on sweet potato growth, four different cultivars of sweet potato were selected: Capivara, IAPAR 69, Rosinha de Verdan and Roxa. The plants were grown in pots in a greenhouse and inoculated with the combined strains according to a randomized block design. A control (without the inoculation of both strains) was also used. A slight positive effect of the inoculation of the two Bacillus strains was observed on the aerial parts of some of the cultivars. An increase in the fresh weight of the sweet potatoes of the inoculated plants was obtained, varying from 2.7 to 11.4 %. The number of sweet potatoes obtained from the inoculated cultivars IAPAR 69 and Roxa increased 15.2 % and 16.7 %, respectively. The rhizosphere soil of each cultivar was further sampled for DNA extraction, and the 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding technique was used to determine how the introduction of these Bacillus strains influenced the rhizosphere bacterial community. The bacterial communities of the four different cultivars were dominated by Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) revealed that the rhizosphere bacterial communities of plants inoculated with Bacillus strains were more similar to each other than to the bacterial communities of uninoculated plants. This study highlights the contribution of these Bacillus strains to the promotion of sweet potato growth.

Fractal phototherapy: impact on the structure and function of the retina of rabbits with modelled retinal pigment epithelium atrophy

It is believed that in degenerative diseases of the retina, photostimulation by fractal dynamics signals activates neuroplasticity, thereby increasing the efficiency of visual rehabilitation. Previously, we showed a positive effect of fractal phototherapy (FF) on the electroretinogram (ERG) of healthy rabbits and demonstrated the safety of long-term photostimulation courses for the retina. The purpose of this work is to study the effect of FF on the functional activity and morphology of the retina in rabbits with a model of retinal pathology. Material and methods. We modelled an atrophy of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) on both eyes of 50 rabbits. 30 days after the administration of bevacizumab, the animals were divided into two groups of 25 animals each. In the main group, photostimulation was performed using a device for FF, while in the control group incandescent lamps were used that create radiation of constant intensity. In both groups, 20-minute binocular light stimulation sessions were performed daily, five times a week. ERG and optical coherence tomography of the retina were performed before and after courses of treatment which lasted 1 week, 1 and 3 months. Results. Long-term courses of FF were shown to be safe for the morphology of the retina of animals with the RPE atrophy model. In all periods of observation, biochemical studies revealed no statistically significant changes in the content of norepinephrine and dopamine in the tear as compared with baseline values. In the main group, a slight positive effect of FF on rod and cone ERG was found after 5 FF sessions, while a significant increase in the amplitude of the transient and steady-state pattern-ERG (PERG), most pronounced after a 1-month FF course, was observed. Conclusions. A positive effect of FF on the functional activity of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) may suggest that prescribing a course of FF lasting up to 1 month (20 sessions) in diseases accompanied by a pathology of RGC is advisable, whereas for patients with a pathology of the macular region, such as AMD, an effective improvement in the activity of photoreceptors and bipolar cells could probably be achieved through a 1-week course of FF, conducted under the control of electroretinography.

Skin-centered strategies in food allergy prevention.

While the early introduction of food allergens in the infant diet has been shown to be effective at preventing the development of food allergy (FA), its implementation in real life has been associated with various challenges. Interventions aimed at correcting skin barrier dysfunction have been explored in recent decades as a distinct or complementary mean to prevent allergic sensitization through the skin and subsequent development of FA. Studies assessing the application of emollient from birth have yielded conflicting results, and meta-analyses have demonstrated either no effect or only a slight positive effect on FA prevention. However, a careful review of the clinical trials reveals that different emollients were used, which may have explained some of the discrepancies between study results. Emollient application protocols also varied widely between studies. While firm conclusions cannot be drawn with regard to their overall efficacy at preventing FA, the available data provide valuable insight into the characteristics that could be associated with a more effective intervention. Namely, successful trials tended to use emollients with an acidic pH of 5.5, applied over the entire body, and combined with topical corticosteroids in affected areas. Consensus on the optimal strategy to restore skin barrier function could help improve the homogeneity and clinical relevance of future trials on this topic. In the meantime, clinicians should avoid products associated with worse outcomes.

Resource recovery through bioremediation of fuel-synthesis wastewater in a biofilm photobioreactor using purple non-sulfur bacteria: A circular bioeconomy approach

In the current era of wastewater treatment, integrating reusable water production with resource recovery is a key goal. This study aims to treat fuel-synthesis wastewater (FSW), intending to recover various resources, including polyhydroxybutyrate (PHBs), single cell protein, bacteriochlorophylls, carotenoids, and coenzyme Q10 from suspended and biofilm growth to decrease the harvesting costs. The study considered the treatment process, biofilm growth, and resource recovery potential in a mixed-culture system enriched with purple non-sulfur bacteria for treating FSW. Specifically, the effects of four different FSW strengths (25–100 %) and nitrogen sufficiency (N+) or deficiency (N−) were evaluated in eight biofilm photobioreactors. This study observed a direct correlation between the concentration of FSW and PHB content; specifically, as the FSW content decreased from 100 % (undiluted) to 25 % the PHB content decreased. The undiluted condition achieved 17 % dry cell weight as PHB in the suspended growth and 22.6 % in the biofilm growth under N− condition. The protein content ranged between 33 and 44 %, and the presence of nitrogen had a slight positive effect on higher protein content. No trend was observed for carotenoids or bacteriochlorophylls in the N− condition. In contrast, for the N+ condition, the concentration of bacteriochlorophylls increased with decreasing wastewater concentration under suspended growth, while it decreased with decreasing wastewater concentration under biofilm growth. Coenzyme Q10 concentration was enhanced under the most growth-limited condition (25 %, N−). PHB and protein content of these resources seem most promising when using N− and N+ conditions, respectively.

Growth Acceleration Determinants in East Asia and MENA: Empirical Evidence from Mixed Effect Models

This study is aimed at studying the main factors that determine the process of accelerating economic growth in countries located in East Asia, the Middle East and North Africa between 1996 and 2019. The sample of countries included: Algeria; Bahrain; China; Egypt, Arab Republic; Hong Kong; Indonesia; Iraq; Japan; Jordan; Korea, Republic of; Kuwait; Malaysia; Mauritania; Morocco; Philippines; Qatar; Saudi Arabia; Singapore; Sudan; Thailand; Tunisia; United Arab Emirates; Yemen. The research is based on the methodology of Haussmann, Pritchett and Rodrik (2005), according to which 3 criteria of accelerated economic growth are used: 1) to characterize the process of acceleration itself growth of GDP per capita by 2%; 2) to characterize cases of rapid growth – annual growth rates for eight years are more than 3.5%; 3) to characterize the achievement of sustainable acceleration GDP per capita is greater than the highest level after the onset of the acceleration phase. As the main determinants of accelerated economic growth, the characteristics of institutional quality (the rule of law, control of corruption and the quality of regulation), factors of accumulation (the share of gross accumulation of fixed capital in GDP and characteristics of human capital through the measurement of the duration of education and the profitability of education), the openness of trade ( share of trade to GDP) and natural resources (share of revenues from natural resources to GDP). The research was carried out using Probit, Logit and Tobit models. Logit and Probit modeling made it possible to assess the impact on the acceleration of economic growth: changes in human capital as insignificantly positive; trade openness – as a minor positive, changes in natural resources as a significant positive, increase in the share of investment in GDP – as the largest positive. An increase in institutional quality does not lead to an increase in the chances of the studied countries (the rule of law index has a slight positive effect, the corruption control index has a slight negative effect, the only positive effect that deserves attention concerns the regulation quality index). The results of Tobit modeling demonstrate a statistically significant positive impact of institutional quality, regulatory quality, rule of law, investment and natural resources on the acceleration of economic growth. Thus, the acceleration of economic growth observed in the countries of East Asia, the Middle East and North Africa is a direct result of successful policies aimed at improving institutional quality, promoting investment and harnessing the positive impact of natural resources.

The Non-Agricultural Labour Productivity Effects of Working Time: South Africa’s Case

The purpose of the current study is to assess the impact of working time on non-agricultural labour productivity in the South African economy. To achieve this objective, the study utilised the Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model (ARDL) and correlation analysis to analyse the effects of different working time arrangements on labour productivity. The results of the study indicated that weekly working hours have a significant influence on worker productivity. Working between 30 and 39 hours per week was found to greatly enhance productivity both in the short and long term. Additionally, working between 15 and 29 hours per week showed a slight positive effect on productivity. Conversely, working more than 39 hours per week (between 40 and 45 hours) only increased productivity in the short term, while working less than 29 hours and exceeding 45 hours per week had a negative impact on labour productivity. These findings suggest that an optimal working schedule to maximise labour productivity is between 30 and 40 hours per week, with overtime not exceeding 5 hours per week. Establishing a proper schedule of weekly working hours is crucial for maximising labour productivity and reducing work-related stress, which can impede productivity.

Meta-analysis and machine learning reveal the antiobesity effects of melatonin on obese rodents.

Melatonin appears to be a promising supplement for obesity treatment. The antiobesity effects of melatonin on obese rodents are influenced by various factors, including the species, sex, the dosage of melatonin, treatment duration, administration via, daily treatment time, and initial body weight (IBW). Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis and machine learning study to evaluate the antiobesity effect of melatonin on obese mice or rats from 31 publications. The results showed that melatonin significantly reduced body weight, serum glucose (GLU), triglycerides (TGs), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and cholesterol (TC) levels in obese mice or rats but increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Melatonin showed a slight positive effect on clock-related genes, although the number of studies was limited. Meta-regression analysis and machine learning indicated that the dosage of melatonin was the primary factor influencing body weight, with higher melatonin dosages leading to a stronger weight reduction effect. Together, male obese C57BL/6 mice and Sprague-Dawley rats with an IBW of 100-200 g showed better body weight reduction when supplemented with a dose of 10-30 mg/kg melatonin administered at night via injection for 5-8weeks.

Numerical simulation of the interaction between mine water drainage and recharge: A case study of Wutongzhuang coal mine in Heibei Province, China

Water inflow poses a critical safety concern in coal mining. The pressing challenge in current mine water inflow research is the need to enhance the prediction of dynamic changes in mine water inflow across different mining stages. In this study, the hydrogeological conditions and aquifer structural characteristics of the Wutongzhuang Coal Mine in Hebei Province, China were analyzed, and the results were combined with pumping test and drilling data. A numerical model of groundwater flow in the study area was established using Visual MODFLOW and the model was calibrated and verified by comparing its results with the measured values to ensure that it realistically reflected the state of groundwater movement in the study area. The results of numerical simulation indicated that: (1) The water level of the Ordovician aquifer varies significantly by season. A large exposed area of Ordovician limestone in the western mountainous region receives a large amount of rainfall infiltration recharge in the summer rainy period that raises the water level of the Ordovician aquifer in the study area. (2) The groundwater system in the study area is in an equilibrium state, with the water inflow approximately equal to the outflow. (3) The recharge of mine drainage water has a slight positive effect on the Ordovician water level and the floor water inflow, with the impact on the water level of the aquifer decreasing as the distance from the recharge well and the import of Ordovician limestone water increase. In cases in which there is mine water recharge, the water level of the Ordovician aquifer is approximately 0.33 to 1.37 m higher than in cases without recharge, resulting in an increase in water inflow of approximately 10.6 m3/d. (4) In cases in which there is recharge of all drainage water, the maximum water inflow into the fifth mining area is 3,491.3 m3/d, which is 12.5 m3/d higher than in the case without recharge. These results provide important technical references for the formulation of mining schemes and water prevention measures in mining areas.

Green roofs and thermal comfort: a comparative study of soil layers’ seasonal thermal performance integrated with ventilation in hot climate

ABSTRACT Green roofs’ (GR) positive impact on indoor thermal conditions in hot areas may have possible negative impacts during hot and cold weather. Most previous studies have focused on GR’s positive effects as a standalone strategy without mitigating these side effects of GR application. This study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of GR and how to mitigate the negative aspects by integrating it with other passive techniques (natural ventilation and thermal insulation). Therefore, this study experimentally compares the seasonal impact of various soil layer configurations, integrated with natural ventilation, on improving Indoor Thermal Comfort (ITC) throughout the day in summer and winter. Field experiments were conducted using two identical validated test boxes. The results revealed that clay soil reduced Indoor Air Temperature (IAT) during the daytime in summer by up to 4.7 and 4°C for low and high soil thickness, respectively. Increasing clay soil thickness improved average IAT during the daytime in summer and winter by up to 6.49% and 2.61%, respectively. Additionally, adding thermal insulation is preferred in winter, while uninsulated soil had a slight positive effect on IAT and Indoor Relative Humidity (IRH) in summer. The use of natural ventilation at night and closed-ventilated systems during the daytime in summer and winter is recommended. Clay soil could save cooling and heating energy by up to 34.8% and 12.18%, respectively. These findings might inform designers by adjusting different GR soil parameters and the importance of natural ventilation in improving multi-seasonal thermal and energy performance.

Indicators of slaughter and chemical composition of meat of commercial young meat poultry depending on live weight at daily age

The article presents the indicators of slaughter and the chemical composition of the industrial poultry flock of the meat direction of productivity in different age periods, depending on the body weight of the bird at the daily age. A general trend of a slight positive effect of the gradation of chicks by live weight at day old on the indicators of slaughter and the chemical composition of meat was revealed. It has been established that more valuable components of the carcass (breast, drumstick, thigh, wing) are obtained from birds with a higher weight at the day-old age. Indices of the chemical composition of the components of the carcass by groups in most cases did not differ significantly, with the exception of the content of phosphorus and iron.

A Method and Principle of Soft and Transparent Leather Manufacturing

For preparing a new kind of leather with transmittance and softness at the same time, glycerol was used to treat delimed and bleached split pelt. The softness, transmittance and mechanical properties were tested to evaluate the performance of soft and transparent leather (STL). FT-IR, SEM, XRD, DSC and TG were used to character the structure of STL and reveal the basic principle of STL manufacturing. The results showed that 25% glycerol based on limed pelt weight could make leather soft and transparent simultaneously. Pig pelt was more suitable for thin and transparent leather while cattle split was better for uniform and clear leather. Glycerol combined with collagen through multipoint hydrogen bonds, and the combination had slight positive effect on improving STL thermal stability. Fiber bundles of STL trended to disperse and collagen hierarchical structure including triple helix remained during transparent treatment. The soft and transparent leather could be a new choice for leather goods designers and might be a selectable substrate for high-performance electronic skin.

Scale development for measuring displacement in rural tourism gentrification: a resident perception perspective

ABSTRACT Displacement plays a central role in the gentrification process, but reliable instruments to measure the extent of gentrification-induced displacement from the perspective of resident perception have been scarce. Against the broader backdrops of frequent urban-rural interactions, securing community residents’ endorsement emerges as a pivotal avenue for advancing local development projects, exemplified by rural tourism development. Thus, this study used 35 interviews from three typical villages and 706 questionnaires from two regional scales to construct a 5-point Likert scale measuring displacement in rural tourism gentrification. The results revealed two dimensions, direct and indirect displacement, that had slight positive and strong negative effects, respectively, on community residents’ attitudes toward further tourism development. This study provides a window into the complex attitudes of residents and a practical instrument for assessing the risks associated with displacement in local development projects characterized by increased mobility, including rural tourism.

Examining the Long-term Spillover Effects of a Pay-for-Performance Program in a Healthcare System That Lacks Referral Arrangements.

Several studies have examined the intended effects of pay-for-performance (P4P) programs, yet little is known about the unintended spillover effects of such programs on intermediate clinical outcomes. This study examines the long-term spillover effects of a P4P program for diabetes care. This study uses a nationwide population-based natural experimental design with a 3-year follow-up period under Taiwan's universal coverage healthcare system. The intervention group consisted of 7688 patients who enrolled in the P4P program for diabetes care in 2017 and continuously participated in the program for three years. The comparison group was selected by propensity score matching (PSM) from patients seen by the same group of physicians. Each patient had four records: one pertaining to one year before the index date of the P4P program and the other three pertaining to follow-ups spanning over the next three years. Generalized estimating equations (GEEs) with difference-in-differences (DID) estimations were used to consider the correlation between repeated observations for the same patients and patients within the same matched pairs. Patients enrolled in the P4P program showed improvements in incentivized intermediate clinical outcomes that persisted over three years, including proper control of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). We found a slight positive spillover effect of the P4P program on the control of non-incentivized triglyceride [TG]). However, we found no such effects on the non-incentivized high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) control. The P4P program has achieved its primary goal of improving the incentivized intermediate clinical outcomes. The commonality in production among a set of activities is crucial for generating the spillover effects of an incentive program.

Exceptionally Cold and Warm Spring Months in Kraków Against the Background of Atmospheric Circulation (1874–2022)

In the changing climate, exceptionally warm (EWMs) and dry spring months are increasingly observed. At the same time, exceptionally cold months (ECMs) are less frequent, although their impact on a warming climate becomes significant. Due to the role that such climatic anomalies play in the environment and their effects on human activity, it is very important to explain the causes of their occurrence. For this reason, in this study, the authors have attempted to determine the circulation conditions favourable to the occurrence of extremely cold (ECM) and warm (EWM) spring months in Kraków in the years 1874–2022. The study used the average temperature of individual spring months (March–May), as well as types of atmospheric circulation and air masses from the daily Calendar of Atmospheric Circulation Types for southern Poland. A distinct increase in spring air temperature (0.181 °C/10 years) and its individual months (0.162–0.191 °C/10 years) was confirmed. It was accompanied by a significant increase in the occurrence of EWM and a decrease in ECM. It was also found that the direction of air advection and the related temperature characteristics of air masses have the greatest impact on the occurrence of exceptionally cold or warm months. A slight positive effect of zonal circulation on the temperature increase at the beginning of the spring season and the advection of air from the south in April and east in May was found. In the case of the coldest months (ECMs), low temperatures most often developed in the presence of advection from the NW-N-NE directions.

Psychological and physiological effects of a wooden office room on human well-being: Results from a randomized controlled trial

Natural materials and elements are considered to support human well-being. Wooden interior well-being effects were studied using a randomized controlled trial with a cross-over design (n = 61) in two rooms: a room with wooden elements and a control room without wood. The participants first performed cognitive tasks by the computer to imitate typical office work and increase their stress level and then had a rest period in an armchair in the same room. The restoration felt, energy level, mood, anxiety, sustained attention, heart rate variability, and skin conductivity were measured in both rooms. The results were analyzed using a Bayesian approach. The anxiety felt was clearly lower at the end of the experiment in the wooden room than in the control, while the other psychological measures showed only a slight indication that the wooden room was more beneficial for relaxation. Performances in sustained attention to the response task were similar in both rooms. Contrary to expectations, the sympathetic nervous system was more active in the wooden room, during and after rest and at the beginning of experiment. Overall, the results support slight positive effects of wooden material on mood on humans in the office environment.

Socially conscious investment funds and home country institutions

We delve into performance and riskiness of socially conscious (SC) investment funds while considering the salient role of home country institutions as proxied by freedom indicators – namely, economic freedom with its five underlying component areas – in addition to the personal and overall human freedom of countries/regions as related to the home base currency of those funds. From a global perspective and including nonlinear considerations, evidence shows that advances in economic freedom and its constituent areas, as well as differences in personal freedom, have a consistent sizeable positive impact on the performance of SC funds but also a slight positive effect on their riskiness, attested to by various robustness tests. We articulate the added financial benefits to be gained when both socially responsible features and freedom infrastructure are present, confirming that freedom indicators matter. There is subtle evidence that changes in legal structure and security of property rights, as well as sound money, show a statistically and economically significant positive effect on performance across various specifications. In accord with widespread support for the importance of private property and the rule of law, this study shows that without sound money, a functioning legal system, and entrenched property rights, the performance of SC funds is stalled.