Effects of perceived physical and aesthetic quality of urban blue spaces on user preferences-A case study of three urban blue spaces in Japan.

Blue spaces, especially as important urban natural environments, provide various benefits. Despite the increasing number of relevant papers, most recent studies have focused on the association between blue space environmental quality and health, with limited research assessing the environmental quality and user preferences of urban blue spaces. This study establishes a relationship between preference and environmental quality by investigating visitors' perception of the environmental quality of urban blue spaces (physical and aesthetic). For this purpose, 296 questionnaires were collected from three urban blue spaces and a multiple linear regression analysis was executed. Model results indicated that six of nine environmental quality components had a significant effect on preference scores, with "harmony" demonstrating the highest and "visual spaciousness & diversity" the lowest effect. The current study shown that two scales provided were used to measure users' perceived levels of the physical and aesthetic quality of the Urban Blue Spaces were acceptable. These results can help in the effective use of these natural capitals in cities and provide guidance for the environmental design of blue spaces.

Verification of Psychophysiological Effects of Satoyama Activities on Older Adult Volunteers and Young People in Post-COVID-19 Society: A Case Study of Matsudo City, Japan.

Many scholars have focused on Satoyama, which is characterized by mountains or villages away from the urban spaces. Our objective is to verify its psychophysiological effects on people performing usual Satoyama activities in ignored, small urban green spaces to help people find ways to stay healthy in post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) society. In this study, 12 older adult volunteers from the "Forest around the Mountains" Nonprofit Organization and 12 young people from the university were invited as study subjects. They were asked to observe nature for 10 min and work for 30 min in the small green space "Forest around the Mountains". The Profile of Mood States 2nd Edition (POMS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventor (STAI) were used as psychological scales to detect their psychological restoration and blood pressure before and after the Satoyama activity. Their heart rate during the activity was used as the physiological indicator. The study showed that, as Satoyama volunteers, the older adults group had significant restorative psychophysiological effects during this experiment compared to the younger group; their systolic and diastolic blood pressure dropped significantly after Satoyama activities, On the other hand, the young group have been in the normotensive range before or after Satoyama activities The psychological indicators such as Anger-hostility, Confusion-bewilderment, and Tension-anxiety were significantly lower in the younger group but were still significantly higher than the indicators of the older adults. In general, this study found that Satoyama activities benefited young and older participants, especially older adults with high blood pressure. Satoyama activities in small urban green spaces are thus necessary and worth promoting in the post-COVID-19 era.

Low-temperature degradation of high-strength Y-TZP (yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal).

The objective of this study was to investigate the low temperature degradation characteristics of 2 types of high strength yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) in order to evaluate its suitability for implant body, implant superstructure or abutment. Disk-shaped conventional Y-TZP (0.25 mass% alumina) subjected to hot isostatic press treatment (HIP-Y-TZP) and Y-TZP/4Al2O3 with additional alumina (4.0 mass%) were mirror-polished. Accelerated aging tests with 134°C for 5 h at 0.2 MPa and 180°C for 5 h at 1.0 MPa were performed using an autoclave. Biaxial flexural strength and crystal phases were evaluated. Strength decreased as the proportion of monoclinic phase increased after accelerated aging treatment for both types of high-strength Y-TZPs. Despite the low alumina content, HIP-Y-TZP showed higher static strength and strength after accelerated aging treatment compared to Y-TZP/4Al2O3. However, both types of Y-TZP had adequate strength to be used as dental restorations even after accelerated aging treatment, therefore, its clinical suitability was considered high.

Physiological and Psychological Effects of Viewing Urban Parks in Different Seasons in Adults.

Although the health benefits of urban parks have gained significant attention, the effects of viewing park landscape on older adult residents have not commanded much research. This study aimed to investigate the physiological and psychological effects of viewing cherry blossoms in spring and fresh greenery in early summer at urban parks. The experiments were conducted in two viewing spots in the same park in Japan during different seasons, and included 12 participants in both spring (mean age, 66.4 ± 10.5 years) and summer (mean age, 65.75 ± 10.1 years). Participants sat and viewed an urban park and city landscape for 11-15 min. Blood pressure was measured before and after the seated viewing while heart rate was measured continuously. Then, they evaluated the psychological responses using the Profile of Mood States and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Viewing cherry blossoms and fresh greenery in urban parks led to lower blood pressure in spring and early summer than viewing city areas in spring and early summer. Moreover, the score of vigor-activity was significantly higher; tension-anxiety was significantly lower in spring; and the state-anxiety level was significantly lower in early summer. The results of this study suggest that viewing urban parks results in physiological and psychological relaxation.

Analysis of Environmental Issues with an Application of Civil Complaints: The Case of Shiheung City, Republic of Korea.

The aim of this study was to better identify the information generated by citizens and to explore the regional social phenomenon whereby higher quality urban services focused on understanding regional issues are promoted. Citizens voluntarily and continuously communicate with local government both online and offline. We wanted to determine how civic information can be applied to urban planning. We selected Shiheung City, Republic of Korea, as our study area, as the city is formed of various types of land use: industrial areas, agricultural land, and residential areas. This area is facing developmental pressure with released development-restricted areas, and has been environmentally damaged by industrial complexes. We conducted a semantic network analysis of the top 10% most commonly used nouns in civil complaints to determine the keywords. Each thematic map we created was based on geographical information to explain the temporary, continuous, and chronic issues. The chronic problems were discussed in relation to the regional development process. The process of identifying and analyzing local issues by analyzing information voluntarily provided by citizens plays an important role in government-led urban management planning and policy formation and can contribute to decision making in the development of future urban policies.

The Relationship Between Volunteer Motivations and Variation in Frequency of Participation in Conservation Activities.

Environmental conservation activities such as biodiversity and natural resource management are supported by many eager volunteers in many countries. Because it takes a great deal of time and effort to train new members, volunteer programs are important for preventing the burnout of volunteers and maintaining their motivations to participate. This study explored whether motivations that inspire the future frequency of participation, which volunteers prefer, differ depending on the previous frequency of participation in conservation activities. Online surveys were chosen as the primary social research method to collect the relevant data, and 1500 responses were obtained from Japanese citizens who had participated in conservation activities. The findings suggest that improvement of personal physical well-being can have an influence on the variation in frequency of participation in the episodic group that participates only about once a year. The results also indicate that improvement of personal mental well-being and well-being for a local community can have an influence on the variation in frequency of participation in the irregular group that participates about every 2 months. Additionally, this study shows that interaction with other people and enjoyment of cultural services from ecosystems can have an influence on the variation in frequency of participation in many groups including the regular group that participates every month. These results represent valuable information that can be used as a reference for conducting conservation programs aimed at encouraging people to learn about nature conservation and interact with others to improve their local community.

Translucency and flexural strength of monolithic translucent zirconia and porcelain-layered zirconia.

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of monolithic translucent TZP with different colors and porcelain-layered TZP by evaluating their colors and strengths. Different mixing ratios of Zpex to Zpex-Yellow as translucent TZP, conventional opaque TZP (TZ-3YB-E) (Tosoh, Tokyo) as a control, and veneering porcelain (CERABIEN ZR, body porcelain, Noritake, Tokyo) with shade A3 as a typical shade. Disk-shaped specimens of 13 mm diameter and 1.5 mm thickness were prepared. These specimens were observed under reflected and transmitted light, and the translucency parameter (TP) values were measured. Strength was also evaluated with flexural strength in a biaxial bending test. The TP values of the monolithic TZP, Zpex100>Zpex70>Zpex50>TZ3YB, were larger in this order. The flexural strength of all the monolithic TZP showed approximately 1,000 MPa. It is suggested that colored translucent TZP is clinically useful when used as monolithic restorations.

Dental implant treatment after improvement of oral environment by orthodontic therapy.

A 57-year-old man presented with mesial inclination of the lower right first molar caused by untreated loss of the second premolar. The occlusal relationship was restored by dental implant treatment following improvement of the intraoral environment by orthodontic therapy. At his initial visit, the interdental spacing in the molar-premolar region was inadequate, as the first molar had mesially inclined into the extraction space of the second premolar. The patient had also lost the second molar and complained of masticatory problems on the right side. It was considered necessary to restore the second molar and improve the occlusal relationship with the first molar to recover occlusal function on the right side. After orthodontic therapy to correct the position of the mesially inclined tooth, occlusal restoration was carried out by dental implant treatment. The patient's clinical condition has remained excellent at over 5 years 2 months post-surgically and the patient is satisfied with the treatment outcome. The combination of dental implant treatment and orthodontic therapy were effective in improving the intraoral environment in this patient, indicating the efficacy of interdisciplinary treatment planning and practice.

Immediate implant placement in the maxillary central incisor region: a case report.

PATIENT: A 67-year-old female with root fracture of the maxillary central incisor underwent implant placement immediately after extraction, with the goal of shortening the treatment period. The superstructure was placed on the implant after a 4-month healing period. Review 5 years after implant loading revealed no clinical problems. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The treatment time was shortened effectively by the flapless immediate post-extraction placement procedure. Immediate post-extraction implant placement based on proper examination and diagnosis would reduce the patient burden.