An exploratory framework for mapping, mechanism, and management of urban soundscape quality: From quietness to naturalness.

BACKGROUND: Despite growing attention from researchers and governments, challenges persist in comprehensively assessing urban sound quality by integrating both quietness and naturalness aspects. GOALS: This study aimed to develop an innovative soundscape quality index that concurrently evaluates quietness and naturalness in urban soundscapes. Our objectives included conducting urban soundscape quality mapping, analyzing influential mechanisms, and identifying priority zones for sound environment management. APPROACHES: We collected sound pressure level (SPL) and raw audio data, from which we computed a normalized difference soundscape index (NDSI). With a dataset comprising 28 explanatory variables encompassing land use, built environment, vegetation characteristics, and temporal factors, we employed the random forest (RF) model to predict 10 indicators, including eight SPL-related indices, NDSI, and the QNS (quietness and naturalness soundscape) index. Crucially, we utilized SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) values to interpret the RF model. FINDINGS: Spatial variations in quietness and naturalness were evident, closely associated with road networks and vegetation, respectively, with discernible temporal variations. The top three variables influencing QNS were distance to major roads, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and proportion of tree coverage. Moreover, interaction effects highlighted dual negative or synergistic promoting effects on QNS from factors such as road width, human disturbance, vegetation configurations, and land cover. Notably, these mechanisms were successfully applied to six typical tourist attractions in Xiamen city, where five types of management zones were mapped based on priority considerations of population density and soundscape quality. Interestingly, natural soundscape reserves were highly correlated with city parks, high-risk zones predominantly overlapped with road networks, and potential zones comprised inner communities between streets. SIGNIFICANCE: The framework demonstrated effectiveness in mapping, exploring mechanisms, and guiding management strategies for the urban sound environment.

Type D personality and blunted cardiovascular stress reactivity: Role of task engagement.

OBJECTIVE: The underlying mechanisms for linking Type D personality to cardiovascular stress reactivity remain unknown. The present study explored the possible mediating role of cognitive appraisals of stress and/or motivational levels involved in stress in the association between Type D personality and cardiovascular stress reactivity. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. METHODS: Chinese version of Type D Scale-14 was administered to 154 undergraduate students who underwent psychosocial stress during which the physiological data were continuously monitored, and cognitive appraisals indexed by a ratio of perceived stress demands to perceived personal resources and motivational levels engaged in stress indexed by self-reported stress task engagement were immediately assessed after the stress exposure. RESULTS: Results indicated that Type D personality was related to blunted HR, SBP, and DBP reactivity to stress. Self-reported stress task engagement mediated the relation between Type D personality and blunted cardiovascular stress reactivity. The mediation effect of cognitive appraisals on this link was non-significant. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that motivational disengagement in the psychosocial stress task might be an important pathway linking Type D personality to blunted cardiovascular stress reactivity.