Online sentiment towards iconic species

Studies assessing online public sentiment towards biodiversity conservation are almost non-existent. The use of social media data and other online data sources is increasing in conservation science. We collected social media and online news data pertaining to rhinoceros, which are iconic species especially threatened by illegal wildlife trade, and assessed online sentiment towards these species using natural language processing methods. We also used an outlier detection technique to identify the most prominent conservation-related events imprinted into this data. We found that tragic events, such as the death of the last male northern white rhinoceros, Sudan, in March 2018, triggered the strongest reactions, which appeared to be concentrated in western countries, outside rhinoceros range states. We also found a strong temporal cross-correlation between social media data volume and online news volume in relation to tragic events, while other events only appeared in either social media or online news. Our results highlight that the public is concerned about biodiversity loss and this, in turn, can be used to increase pressure on decision makers to develop adequate conservation actions that can help reverse the biodiversity crisis. The proposed methods and analyses can be used to infer sentiment towards any biodiversity topic from digital media data, and to detect which events are perceived most important to the public.Peer reviewe

Kameradschaft IV

1954 entstand in Kärnten der erste Verein der Kameradschaft IV (K IV), der sich als Traditionsverband der Waffen-SS verstand. 1956 wurde der zugehörige Bundesverband gegründet. Ihre Mitglieder sahen sich als Veteranenverband eines „vierten Teiles der Wehrmacht“, um sich öffentlich als Soldaten der „guten“ Wehrmacht von der „verbrecherischen“ SS abzugrenzen. Ebenso wie diese war die Waffen-SS allerdings vom Internationalen Militärgerichtshof in Nürnberg als „verbrecherische Organisation“ verurteilt worden. Auf Basis von bereits existierenden Publikationen, Artikeln, Leserbriefen und Interviews untersucht diese Arbeit, warum die SS-Veteranen eine eigene Organisation gründeten, anstatt in anderen Veteranenorganisationen aufzugehen sowie ob und wie sie mit diesen vergleichbar ist. Erforscht wird das spezifische Milieu der K IV, ihre Integration in die Gesellschaft und ihre Verbindungen zu Politik, Militär, zu anderen Veteranenverbänden und in rechtsextreme Kreise. Ihre Positionierung in der Gesellschaft sowie Zweck und Ziele der Kameradschaft IV ähnelten dabei in vielen Punkten jenen anderer Veteranenverbände. Auch die Kontakte der K IV in das öffentliche Leben, zu Politik und Bundesheer deckten sich weitgehend. Die kollektive Opferthese in Österreich hat die staatliche Versorgung der SS-Veteranen wesentlich mitbestimmt. Die öffentliche Wahrnehmung erfuhr erst ab den achtziger Jahren einen allmählichen Wandel. Die K IV hat es nicht nur geschafft, sich in die „Opfergruppe“ der regulären Wehrmachts-Soldaten einzureihen, ihr gelang es sogar, sich durch das Urteil von Nürnberg als Opfer auf mehreren Ebenen darzustellen. 1995 sah sich der Bundesverein zur Auflösung gezwungen, die meisten regionalen Vereine blieben allerdings weiterhin bestehen. Sie bemühten sich zwar aktiv um Nachwuchs – im Gegensatz zu ihrem deutschen Pendant HIAG (Hilfsgemeinschaft auf Gegenseitigkeit der Soldaten der ehemaligen Waffen-SS), der seit den siebziger Jahren politisch und gesellschaftlich isoliert worden war –, konnten ihren Fortbestand allerdings nicht sichern. Auf Bundeslandebene besteht heute nur noch der K IV Landesverein Steiermark-Südburgenland. Diesem ist es gelungen, Mitglieder abseits der Kriegsgeneration anzuwerben. Untersucht wird auch der rechtsextreme Charakter der K IV. Dabei lassen sich eine Vielzahl von rechtsextremen Merkmalen, aber auch Parallelen zu und Anlehnungen aus dem Nationalsozialismus nachweisen. Die K IV kann damit also gleichzeitig als ein Veteranen- wie Traditionsverband wie auch als eine rechtsradikale und an den Nationalsozialismus anstreifende Vereinigung angesehen werden.The first veterans association of the Kameradschaft IV (K IV), which saw itself as a traditional association of the Waffen-SS, was founded in 1954 in Carinthia. In 1956, the corresponding federal association emerged. Its members defined the Waffen-SS as a „fourth part” of the German Wehrmacht to advance a more positive image of themselves, even though the Waffen-SS had explicitly been condemned as a „criminal organization” by the International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg. Regardless, they subsequently sought to distinguish their units from the SS which had been more widely regarded as criminal in the general public in Austria and elsewhere. On the basis of existing publications, articles, letters and interviews this study investigates why the Waffen-SS veterans formed their own organization rather than being merged into other veterans organizations, how the K IV compares to them and how the tradition of the Waffen-SS evolved after 1945. The study examines the environment in which the K IV existed, its integration into society as well as its connections into Austrian politics, the military, other veterans organizations and right-wing circles. The social positioning, purpose and objectives of the K IV largely resembled those of other veterans associations. The „Opferthese“, the collective notion of victimhood which had been commonplace in Austria until the 1980s, essentially helped to shape the less negative image of the Waffen-SS veterans in the public view. The members of the K IV succeeded not only in becoming a part of the „victim group” of regular Wehrmacht soldiers. They even managed to portray themselves as manifold victims due to verdict of the Nuremberg Tribunal. In 1995, the umbrella organization was forced into a dissolution, while most sub-associations remained intact. Unlike its German counterpart HIAG (Hilfsgemeinschaft auf Gegenseitigkeit der Soldaten der ehemaligen Waffen-SS), which had been politically and socially isolated since the seventies, the K IV attempted to ensure their survival by trying to reach out to younger people who had not participated in war. However, the only regional affiliate who succeeded in recruiting members apart from the war generation was the K IV in Styria-Southern Burgenland. Furthermore, the study examines the right-wing character of the K IV, which demonstrates a variety of right-wing traits but also parallels to the NS-Regime. The K IV can thus be simultaneously considered all at once a veteran and a traditionial, as well as a right wing and partially Nazi entity

Dementia in Germany: Epidemiology, trends and challenges

Background: Dementia poses a growing challenge for individuals, healthcare, social support, and society amidst the ongoing ageing of populations. To evaluate the care requirements and social implications of dementia in Germany, reliable statistics regarding its current and future occurrence are necessary. Methods: Using existing data sources and recent research results, this paper compiles and analyses relevant statistics on the occurrence of dementia in Germany, presents protective and risk factors, and options for care provision. Results: Recent projections indicate a potential surge in the number of dementia patients in Germany, predicted to rise from 1.7 million at present to up to 3.0 million by the year 2070. Cognitive and motor deterioration and behavioural changes associated with dementia lower the ability to live independently. These changes are often tied to social exclusion and stigma and, particularly in the severe phase of the disease, necessitate extensive medical and care requirements. This contributes to dementia being one of the most costly diseases at old age from an overall societal perspective. Currently, there are no curative treatment options available. Conclusions: To reduce the increase in the number of dementia patients and associated costs in the future, preventive approaches, particularly promoting a healthy lifestyle, may prove effective. Simultaneously, the healthcare system, society, and caregivers must prepare for the increasing number of dementia patients. Improved diagnostics, new forms of therapy, and social innovations that support those who are affected and their relatives can help reduce the burden of dementia and its associated costs

How to address data privacy concerns when using social media data in conservation science

Social media data are being increasingly used in conservation science to study human–nature interactions. User-generated content, such as images, video, text, and audio, and the associated metadata can be used to assess such interactions. A number of social media platforms provide free access to user-generated social media content. However, similar to any research involving people, scientific investigations based on social media data require compliance with highest standards of data privacy and data protection, even when data are publicly available. Should social media data be misused, the risks to individual users’ privacy and well-being can be substantial. We investigated the legal basis for using social media data while ensuring data subjects’ rights through a case study based on the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation. The risks associated with using social media data in research include accidental and purposeful misidentification that has the potential to cause psychological or physical harm to an identified person. To collect, store, protect, share, and manage social media data in a way that prevents potential risks to users involved, one should minimize data, anonymize data, and follow strict data management procedure. Risk-based approaches, such as a data privacy impact assessment, can be used to identify and minimize privacy risks to social media users, to demonstrate accountability and to comply with data protection legislation. We recommend that conservation scientists carefully consider our recommendations in devising their research objectives so as to facilitate responsible use of social media data in conservation science research, for example, in conservation culturomics and investigations of illegal wildlife trade online.Peer reviewe

Synthesis and Anticancer Activity of Long-Chain Isonicotinic Ester Ligand-Containing Arene Ruthenium Complexes and Nanoparticles

Arene ruthenium complexes containing long-chain N-ligands L1=NC5H4-4-COO-C6H4-4-O-(CH2)9-CH3 or L2=NC5H4-4-COO-(CH2)10-O-C6H4-4-COO-C6H4-4-C6H4-4-CN derived from isonicotinic acid, of the type [(arene)Ru(L)Cl2] (arene=C6H6, L=L1: 1; arene=p-MeC6H4Pri, L=L1: 2; arene=C6Me6, L=L1: 3; arene=C6H6, L=L2: 4; arene=p-MeC6H4Pri, L=L2: 5; arene=C6Me6, L=L2: 6) have been synthesized from the corresponding [(arene)RuCl2]2 precursor with the long-chain N-ligand L in dichloromethane. Ruthenium nanoparticles stabilized by L1 have been prepared by the solvent-free reduction of 1 with hydrogen or by reducing [(arene)Ru(H2O)3]SO4 in ethanol in the presence of L1 with hydrogen. These complexes and nanoparticles show a high anticancer activity towards human ovarian cell lines, the highest cytotoxicity being obtained for complex 2 (IC50=2μM for A2780 and 7μM for A2780cisR

Palmefugl for askekrukke: I anledning af reformationsåret 2017

Intet resum

Trajectories of disease-modifying therapies and associated sickness absence and disability pension among 1923 people with multiple sclerosis in Sweden

BACKGROUND: There is limited information on the trajectories of disease-modifying therapy (DMT) use and their association with sickness absence and/or disability pension (SADP) among people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). The objective of the study was to identify trajectories of DMT use over 10 years among PwMS, identify sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with the trajectories, and to assess the association between identified trajectories and SADP days. METHODS: A longitudinal register-based study was conducted, on a prospective data set linked across six nationwide registers, assessing treatment courses of PwMS with DMTs for the 10 years following multiple sclerosis (MS) onset. The study included 1923 PwMS with MS onset in 2007-2010, when aged 19-56 years. In each 6-month-period, their treatment was categorized as before treatment, high-efficacy, non-high-efficacy, or no DMT. Sequence analysis was performed to identify sequences of the treatment categories and cluster them into different DMT trajectories. Cluster belonging, in relation to demographic and clinical characteristics, was assessed through log-multinomial regression analysis. The association of trajectories/cluster-belonging with SADP net days was assessed using generalized estimating equation (GEE) models. RESULTS: Cluster analyses identified 4 trajectories of DMT use: long-term non-high-efficacy DMTs (38.6%), escalation to high-efficacy DMTs (31.2%), delayed start and escalation to high-efficacy DMTs (15.4%), and discontinued/ no DMT (14.2%). Age, MS type, expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score and the number of DMT switches were associated with cluster belonging. The youngest age group (18-25) were more likely to be in the escalation to high-efficacy cluster. People with primary progressive MS were more likely to be in the delayed start or discontinued/ no DMT cluster. Higher EDSS scores were associated to being in the other three clusters than in the long-term non-high-efficacy DMTs cluster. Higher number of DMT switches were associated with being in the escalation to high-efficacy DMTs cluster but less likely to be in the delayed start or discontinued/ no DMT clusters. Descriptive analyses showed a trend of fewer mean SADP days among PwMS using non-high-efficacy DMT than the other clusters about 9 years after onset. PwMS in the escalation to high-efficacy and discontinued/no DMT clusters had more SADP days. PwMS in the delayed start and escalation to high-efficacy DMTs cluster, started with fewer SADP days which increased over time. SADP days adjusted through GEE models showed trends comparable with the descriptive analysis. CONCLUSION: This study described the long-term real-world trajectories of DMT use among PwMS in Sweden using sequence analysis and showed the association of the trajectories with SADP days as well as sociodemographic and clinical characteristics

Regular yoga exercises and quality of life in women with low back pain - a pilot study

Back pain symptoms are one of prevailing disfunctions that determine lowering quality of life and functioning in work environment becoming not only a health problem, but also a social problem in developed countries. In available literature yoga exercises are more and more indicated as a method of leveling low back pain. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the effectiveness of 8-week yoga exercises on quality of life and back pain symptoms by it’s location and intensity in women with normal and excessive body weight. Twenty seven women completed both surveys (preliminary and evaluation), and systematically took part in yoga exercises for 8 weeks. The duration of a single yoga class was 45-60 minutes long. Yoga exercise program required attending to a conducted yoga classes (ashtanga yoga, yin yoga, hatha yoga, vinyasa yoga and yoga for hips and spine), at least twice a week for two months. After 8 weeks 92,59% of participants of program declared noticeable reduce in back pain intensity related to yoga exercises (including 22,22% of complete pain relief). Pain in the lumbar region of the spine was still dominating after 8 weeks (55,56%). It was observed that the majority of the SF-36 health domains scores increased values after 8-week yoga program, what could be related to the reduce of back pain intensity. After 8-week yoga program decrease in mean values of body mass were observed, however these changes were not statistically significant. Two-month yoga intervention may be recommended as a complementary physiotherapeutic method in low back pain treatment as well as to improve the quality of life for women. The relationship between yoga and prevention of obesity requires further research on larger group and the impact of obesity phenotypes is needed to be investigated

Quantification of the effects of ocean acidification on sediment microbial communities in the environment: the importance of ecosystem approaches

To understand how ocean acidification (OA) influences sediment microbial communities, naturally CO2-rich sites are increasingly being used as OA analogues. However, the characterization of these naturally CO2-rich sites is often limited to OA-related variables, neglecting additional environmental variables that may confound OA effects. Here, we used an extensive array of sediment and bottom water parameters to evaluate pH effects on sediment microbial communities at hydrothermal CO2 seeps in Papua New Guinea. The geochemical composition of the sediment pore water showed variations in the hydrothermal signature at seep sites with comparable pH, allowing the identification of sites that may better represent future OA scenarios. At these sites, we detected a 60% shift in the microbial community composition compared with reference sites, mostly related to increases in Chloroflexi sequences. pH was among the factors significantly, yet not mainly, explaining changes in microbial community composition. pH variation may therefore often not be the primary cause of microbial changes when sampling is done along complex environmental gradients. Thus, we recommend an ecosystem approach when assessing OA effects on sediment microbial communities under natural conditions. This will enable a more reliable quantification of OA effects via a reduction of potential confounding effects

Consequences of recreational hunting for biodiversity conservation and livelihoods

The widespread activity of recreational hunting is proposed as a means of conserving nature and supporting livelihoods. However, recreational hunting-especially trophy hunting-has come under increasing scrutiny based on ethical concerns and the arguments that it can threaten species and fail to contribute meaningfully to local livelihoods. We provide an overview of the peer-reviewed literature on recreational hunting of terrestrial birds and mammals between 1953 and 2020 (> 1,000 papers). The most-studied species are large mammals from North America, Europe, and Africa. While there is extensive research on species' ecology to inform sustainable hunting practices, there is comparably little research on the role of local perceptions and institutions in determining socioeconomic and conservation outcomes. Evidence is lacking to answer the pressing questions of where and how hunting contributes to just and sustainable conservation efforts. We outline an agenda to build this evidence base through research that recognizes diverse social-ecological contexts.Peer reviewe