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Depression and anxiety, the most prevalent mental disorders worldwide, are among the top four mental disorders in Germany, and both impact life satisfaction. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and life satisfaction in different age groups has not been sufficiently examined. The present cross-sectional study of a non-clinical sample of a German-speaking population analyzes the links between age—specifically, certain life stages—as predictors for depression and anxiety symptoms and life satisfaction. Therefore, three age groups were formed from all the participants (N = 478): ‘Young’ (18–24 years), ‘Adult’ (25–39 years), and ‘Over-40s’ (40 years and older). The German versions of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7), and the German Quality of Life Questionnaire (FLZ-A) were used for our analysis. Our statistical analysis consisted of χ2 tests and an ANCOVA for determining the associations between categorical variables. The Over 40s age group showed statistically significantly higher life satisfaction than the ‘Adult’ age group. Comparing levels of depressive or anxiety symptoms, there were no statistically significant differences across the age groups. These findings highlight the significance of considering age as a factor in understanding mental health and well-being. Further research is warranted to investigate supplementary factors that could potentially contribute to the variations observed within the different age groups.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260602.].

Abstract Background Persons with hereditary cancer syndromes (carriers) have a higher risk of developing cancer early. They are confronted with decisions regarding prophylactic surgeries, communication within their families, and childbearing. The present study aims to assess distress, anxiety, and depression in adult carriers and identify risk groups and predictors; clinicians can use to screen for particularly distressed persons. Methods N = 223 participants (n = 200 women, n = 23 men) with different hereditary cancer syndromes affected and unaffected by cancer answered questionnaires measuring their distress, anxiety, and depression levels. The sample was compared to the general population using one‐sample t‐tests. The n = 200 women with (n = 111) and without cancer (n = 89) were then compared and predictors for increased levels of anxiety and depression were identified using stepwise linear regression analyses. Results 66% reported clinical relevant distress, 47% reported clinical relevant anxiety, and 37% reported clinical relevant depression. Compared to the general population, carriers experienced increased distress, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, women with cancer suffered from more depressive symptoms than those without cancer. Past psychotherapy for a mental disorder and high distress were identified as predictors for increased anxiety and depression in female carriers. Conclusions The results suggest that the psychosocial consequences of hereditary cancer syndromes are serious. Clinicians could regularly screen carriers regarding anxiety and depression. The NCCN Distress Thermometer can be combined with questions about past psychotherapy to identify especially vulnerable persons. Further studies are needed to develop psychosocial interventions.

Cellulose is a promising candidate for the fabrication of superinsulating materials, which would be of great interest for thermal management applications as well as for the scientific community. Until now, the production of strong cellulose‐based aerogels has been dominated by traditional manufacturing processes, which have limited the possibilities to achieve the structural control and mechanical properties seen in natural materials such as wood. In this work, we show a simple but versatile method to fabricate cellulose aerogels in intricate geometries. We take advantage of the 3D printing technique direct ink writing to control both the shape and the thermal‐mechanical properties of the printed cellulose‐based hydrogel inks. Moreover, the shear forces involved in the extrusion process allow us to impart an anisotropic nanostructure to the printed samples. By solvent exchange and supercritical drying, the hydrogel parts are then transformed into stable aerogels. Using X‐ray diffraction analysis, mechanical tests and thermal conductivity tests, our 3D printed aerogels are shown to exhibit directionally dependent thermal‐mechanical properties higher than those reported for earlier cellulose‐based aerogels. These characteristics enable us to fabricate customized structures that can be precisely tailored for their application as load‐bearing insulating materials for thermal management.

BackgroundDespite remarkable progress, cancer remains a life-threatening disease for millions of people worldwide, also resulting in significant psychosocial limitations. High-quality, comprehensive cancer care requires patient and family involvement and the provision of needs-based, targeted psychosocial services. Although progress has been made in understanding the occurrence of mental comorbidity and psychosocial distress in cancer patients, comparatively little is known about the course of psychological comorbidity and psychosocial distress in early survivorship among patients and their families. We therefore aim to estimate the prevalence of mental disorders according to the DSM-5, psychosocial distress, perceived needs for psychosocial support and utilization of psychosocial support offers in newly diagnosed cancer patients and their relatives, taking into account potential contributing biopsychosocial factors for the occurrence of psychological comorbidity.Methods/designThis study follows a prospective multi-center observational cohort design across four measurement time points: within 2 months after cancer diagnosis (t1), and in the follow-up period at 6 months (t2), at 12 months (t3), and at 18 months (t4) after t1. Patients older than 18 years who have a confirmed initial diagnosis of a malignant solid tumor and are scheduled for cancer treatment at one of the participating cancer centers are eligible for study participation. Relatives of eligible patients are also eligible for study participation if they are older than 18 years. Patients are interviewed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Disorders (SCID-5-CV). In addition, patients and relatives receive a set of validated questionnaires at each measurement time point, covering comorbid conditions and functional performance, perceived psychological distress and quality of life, partnership aspects and social relationships, supportive care needs and use of psychosocial support services, health literacy, and health behavior and meaning in life.DiscussionThis prospective multi-center observational cohort study has a major focus on increasing quality of care and quality of life in cancer survivors through providing rigorous longitudinal data for the development and implementation of target group-specific psychosocial support services.Trial registrationNCT04620564, date of registration 9/11/2020; DKG OnkoZert: Registrier-No.: ST-U134, date of registration 5/11/2021.

Abstract Background Hospital physicians have an increased risk for post-traumatic stress caused by work-related trauma. This study examines the frequency of reported traumatic events (TE), post-traumatic stress (PTS) and its possible consequences for the mental state and work ability of physicians at a university hospital. Methods As part of the mandatory psychological risk assessment, n = 145 physicians (n = 56 female; 38.6%) were examined at a university hospital in Germany in a cross sectional study. TE, PTS and symptoms of depression and anxiety were assessed using the self-report questionnaires “Freiburger Screening Fragebogen to identify patients at risk for the development of a post-traumatic stress disorder in the group of severely injured patients” (PTBS-13), the “Patient Health Questionnaire” (PHQ-2) and the “Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale” (GAD-2). Work ability was assessed using a modified version of the questionnaire for workplace analysis (KFZA). The response rate was 52%. Results Traumatic events were experienced by n = 125 physicians (86.2%) throughout their whole career. Of these, 19 physicians (15.2%) reported PTS. PTS is reported by 12 of 56 female physicians (63.2%), compared to 7 of 89 reports of PTS by male physicians (36.8%). Physicians with PTS symptoms had higher depression scores (p = 0.007) compared to physicians without TE or with TE, but without PTS. Physicians with PTS reported significantly reduced work ability caused by constantly interrupted work (p = 0.03). Female gender was the greatest risk factor for the development of PTS. (p = 0.001). Conclusions Physicians – especially females – with PTS may have an increased risk of developing depressive symptoms. Therefore, interventions aimed at reducing trauma-related stress symptoms may be helpful in improving mental health of hospital physicians. Further studies with more physicians from different hospitals are necessary to support the results.

In the Russian Empire, the panoptic gaze and the panoramic view developed and were closely intertwined from the late eighteenth century onward. Both scopic regimes required a specific organisation of space and visibility in order to establish a dual relation between the observers and the observed, as was the case in the cinematograph that emerged later. This article aims to reconstruct their interconnection, starting from the “inspection trip” that Empress Catherine II made to Crimea in 1787 and drawing in descriptions and depictions from contemporary newspapers, travelogues, and paintings. During the early nineteenth century, the newly established public life of the promenades and parks in Saint Petersburg was captured by both viewing regimes; however, the distance between the observers and the observed was reduced. At the same time, a new form of moving panoramas emerged, such as The Promenade to Catherinehof on May 1, 1824-25 by Karl von Hampeln (Karl K. Gampel´n), who introduced various self-reflecting motifs of seeing and observing into his carnivalesque procession. The same visual and spatial phenomena were described also in contemporary city feuilletons about Saint Petersburg, dedicated to early tourist excursions, which were closely linked to the imperial and dynastic memory cultures. The author analyses a feuilleton about the Catherinehof promenade written by the journalist and publisher Fadei (Tadeusz) Bulgarin, who participated in it. After the suppressed Decembrist uprising in 1825, the distance between the observers and the observed again increased, as in the Panorama of Nevskii Prospect by Ivan A. Ivanov from 1830-35. Around 1900, when panoramas began to compete with the early cinematograph, the cinematic Panorama of the Trans-Siberian Railway in the Pavilion of the Russian Provinces at the World’s Fair in Paris conflated the imperial and the tourist gazes, exhibition and self-representation, the panoptic gaze and the panoramic view. Finally, the author traces both the scopic regimes in urban film and cinema trains during the 1920-30s and in Aleksandr Sokurov’s film Russkii kovcheg / Russian Ark (2002, Russia, Germany, Japan, Canada, Finland and Denmark).

Abstract Aims Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a common treatment option for patients with heart failure waiting for a donor heart. Living with an LVAD is associated with many burdens and worries. Patients often depend on the support of their relatives, usually their spouses. This can also put a strain on the spouses and be associated with psychological stress for both. In couples, communication proves to be an important form of emotional support. Besides verbal aspects of communication, the extent of emotional arousal (f0) that is vocally encoded plays an essential role as a non‐verbal aspect of communication. This study aims to investigate the psychological impact of LVAD on couples in investigating to what extent depression, anxiety, and fear of progression (FoP) differ between patients and partners, the intrapersonal and interpersonal associations of anxiety, depression, and FoP, and differences in emotional arousal. Methods and results In this cross‐sectional study, male LVAD patients and their female partners (N = 21 couples) responded to self‐report questionnaires on depression, anxiety, and FoP. Emotional arousal (f0) was evaluated during social support interactions between both spouses. Female partners experienced more anxiety than male patients (P = 0.016). No differences occurred in depression (P = 0.967) and FoP (P = 0.084). Regarding intrapersonal associations, for patients, correlations appeared between anxiety and depression (r = 0.859, P = 0.000), anxiety and FoP (r = 0.730, P = 0.000), and depression and FoP (r = 0.608, P = 0.004). For caregivers, correlations appeared between anxiety and depression (r = 0.906, P = 0.000), anxiety and FoP (r = 0.665, P = 0.001), and depression and FoP (r = 0.734, P = 0.000). Regarding interpersonal associations, correlations were found between patient's anxiety and caregiver's anxiety (r = 0.461, P = 0.041), caregiver's depression (r = 0.510, P = 0.018), and caregiver's FoP (r = 0.524, P = 0.015). Non‐significant correlations were found for caregiver's anxiety and patient's FoP (r = 0.404, P = 0.078) and patient's depression (r = 0.286, P = 0.236). Patient's depression was associated with caregiver's FoP (r = 0.526, P = 0.017), but not with caregiver's depression (r = 0.337, P = 0.146). No significant correlations were found between caregiver's depression and patient's FoP (r = 0.386, P = 0.084) and patient's depression (r = 0.337, P = 0.146). Patient's and caregiver's FoP showed significant associations (r = 0.482, P = 0.027). Patient's and partner's f0 were interrelated. Patient's f0 was positively related with his own and his partner's psychological distress. Partner's f0 showed associations to her own depression and FoP. Conclusions Findings indicate that women of LVAD patients are burdened similarly or even to a greater extent than men themselves. Women's psychological distress has an impact on patients' psychological distress and vice versa. Early interventions for both patient and partner represent a necessary intervention target.

IntroductionScreening questionnaires to assess psychological distress in cancer patients are well-established, but in practice there are difficulties in implementation screening up to referral to psycho-oncology. Interdisciplinary collaboration between psycho-oncology, physicians, and nursing is very important to this process. However, there are barriers and obstacles on all sides.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to capture in particular the barriers from the perspective of oncology nursing.Materials and MethodsSemi-structured interviews with nursing experts (n = 15; n = 10 female; 24–62 years) from different oncology departments of three university hospitals in Germanys were conducted and qualitative content analysis was carried out by two raters.ResultsThe Screening routine is variably well-integrated into daily clinical practice. Structural barriers such as time pressure and a lack of focus on mental distress in nursing are present. Barriers on the side of nurses are primarily a lack of knowledge and communication insecurities when dealing with patients.ConclusionsThere is a need for training and implementation of a disciplinary screening approach. The structural and organizational barriers, which are a challenge for the successful screening process due to unfavorable interdisciplinary team communication and clinical daily structure, should be addressed in further studies. Implications for Practice: In order to establish an interdisciplinary screening process and to overcome the barriers, trainings to deal with knowledge deficits and insecurities seem to be useful.

PurposeCancer can be a burden on the relationship and even lead to relationship dissolution. Previous studies about the impact of cancer on close relationships almost exclusively involve cancer patients. So far, little is known about the views of spouses. Therefore, this study focuses on partners or ex-partners of cancer patients.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, N = 265 partners or ex-partners of cancer patients are examined regarding a possible separation, the reasons for separation and the influence of the cancer on the relationship. In addition, predictors of separation and the positive or negative perception of the impact of cancer on the relationship were investigated.ResultsThe separation rate (23.4%) was marginally lower than in the general population in Germany (35.79%). The most frequent reason for separation was the death of the cancer patient (59.6%), followed by relationship problems (26.9%), and the cancer disease itself (9.6%). Among those who were separated, 57.4% reported that cancer contributed to the separation. On average, the influence of cancer on relationship dissolution is indicated with 82.9%. Also, for those who stayed together, 83.7% reported an impact of the cancer on the relationship, of which 55.9% reported a negative impact. Logistic regressions indicated that higher levels of depression were associated with greater odds of a more negative perception of the influence of cancer on the relationship, whereas a more satisfied relationship tended to be associated with a more positive perception. Those who had no psychological treatment in the past, lower anxiety levels and lower relationship satisfaction had an increased risk of separation. Overall, relationship satisfaction was significantly lower than in the general population in Germany.ConclusionIn particular, psychological factors such as depression and anxiety as well as relationship satisfaction appear to be factors influencing separation and the perception of the influence of cancer on the relationship as positive or negative. Therefore, it seems to be reasonable to consider these aspects in the psychosocial support and also to include the partners in order to achieve a stable and satisfied relationship which has a positive effect on health and psychological well-being.

Abstract Background Suffering from cancer confronts both the patient and their partner with a number of psychosocial challenges in various aspects of their life. These challenges may differentially impact on quality of life, coping ability and compliance to treatment. This especially holds true for haemato-oncological diseases. To date, psychological interventions have predominantly been developed for oncological patients however specific interventions for partners of haemato-oncological patients are rare. In this study we aim to conduct a psycho-oncological group-intervention for partners of patients with haemato-oncological diseases. The aim of the intervention is to significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in the partners and the patient, as well as enhancing dyadic coping. Methods The design of the INPART-study is an unblinded, randomised controlled trial with 2 treatment conditions (experimental and control) and assessments at baseline, 3 and 6 months. It will be conducted at three study centres: the university medical centre’s in Leipzig, Hannover and Ulm. The outcome criteria will be a reduction in depressive and anxiety symptoms as well as an improvement of dyadic coping. Discussion This trial shall provide information regarding the efficiency of a psycho-oncological intervention for partners of patients with haemato-oncological diseases and give references to the possible outcome in terms of dyadic coping and the reduction of mental strain. The study was supported by a grant from the German José Carreras Leukaemia Foundation. Trial registration ISRCTN16085028; 20/03/2019.

BackgroundCancer can cause physical changes and affect satisfaction with a persons' physical appearance, which in turn can affect overall quality of life. Previous studies have primarily focused on women with breast cancer and few is known about body image in patients with other cancers and especially men. The present study compares satisfaction with body image of patients with different types of cancer with the general population and across sexes and identifies risk factors for diminished body image. Additionally, patients that were diagnosed within the last year and those living with cancer for longer are compared.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, N = 531 cancer patients answered the German Self-Image Scale to assess body image. One sample t-tests are utilized to compare the body image of cancer patients with the general population. Stepwise regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with body image and ANOVAs with posthoc tests as well as t-tests were used to examine group differences.ResultsCancer patients showed diminished body image compared to the general population. For men, higher relationship satisfaction and lower cancer-specific distress were associated with more positive body self-acceptance (SA), whereas younger age, higher relationship satisfaction, and lower cancer-specific distress resulted in better perceived partner-acceptance of one's body (PA). In women, higher education, lower anxiety and cancer-specific distress were associated with more positive SA. Female cancer patients with breast/gynecological cancer reported better SA than those with visceral cancers. Higher relationship satisfaction and lower cancer-specific distress were found to be associated with more satisfactory PA in females. Time since diagnosis did not affect body image in this study.ConclusionsResults indicate that cancer patients regardless of sex tend to have decreased body image satisfaction. Future research directions include examination of additional entities of cancer, deeper research in men and the role of time since diagnosis.

BackgroundThe diagnosis and treatment of cancer are associated with psychological distress that often leads to a significant reduction in emotional and physical well-being and quality of life. Early detection of psychological distress is therefore important. This study aims to assess the psychological distress of inpatient cancer patients using routine clinical data. Furthermore, variables and problems most strongly associated with psychological distress should be identified.Materials and MethodsN = 1,869 inpatients were investigated (mean age = 60.89 years; 35.94% female) using the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer and problem checklist to assess distress as well as multiple possible problem areas. Visceral oncological cancer (31.6%) was the most common tumor diagnosis, followed by skin cancer (26.2%) and urological cancer (21.7%).Results65.9% of the sample experienced high levels of distress (Distress Thermometer ≥ 5). Female sex, stage 4 of disease, and visceral and head and neck cancer emerged as risk factors for high distress. A younger age (

Psychological risk assessment is a legal obligation for companies and part of occupational safety and employment protection in Germany. However, data from psychological risk assessments in nursing staff are scarce, although this population is at increased risk for secondary traumatic stress by patient experienced trauma. Therefore, our study aimed at examining the frequency of reported secondary trauma events, secondary traumatic stress, and its possible consequences for psychological well-being and work ability in nurses. N = 320 nurses (n = 280 female) were assessed at a University Hospital in Germany as part of the psychological risk assessment. Secondary traumatic events, secondary traumatic stress, and symptoms of depression and anxiety were measured using self-report questionnaires (PHQ-2, GAD-2), and work ability was assessed using a modified version of the questionnaire for workplace analysis (KFZA). Of 320 nurses, 292 (91.2%) experienced secondary trauma, and 74 nurses (25.3%) reported secondary traumatic symptoms. Nurses with secondary traumatic symptoms reported higher depression (p < 0.001) and anxiety scores (p < 0.001) compared to nurses without secondary trauma experience, and to nurses with secondary trauma experience but without secondary traumatic stress (both p < 0.001). Further, nurses with secondary traumatic stress reported significantly reduced work ability, social support and control over work, and increased emotional strain and labor time. Nurses with secondary traumatic stress may be at increased risk of developing major depression and anxiety disorders, and particularly need support in overcoming secondary traumatic experiences. Psychological risk assessment is a useful tool to identify groups at risk, and pave the way to implement strategies to improve mental well-being and prevent work ability in high risk groups.

BACKGROUND:The Self-Image Scale is a self-report measure originally developed for use in women with cancer. Two subscales assess appearance satisfaction (self-acceptance) and perceptions of partners' acceptance of their appearance (partner-acceptance). This study aimed to increase the Self-Image Scale's utility by 1) confirming the two-factor structure of the German version of the Self-Image Scale, 2) testing measurement invariance across sex and age groups and validity, and 3) gathering general population normative data. METHODS:Confirmatory factor analysis methods were used to examine the proposed two-factor model in a random sample of adults from the general German population (N = 1367). Measurement invariance, scale reliability, and validity were assessed. RESULTS:The original factor structure and measurement invariance across sexes and age groups were supported. Women showed significantly lower self-acceptance than men. Adolescent and young adult women showed higher self-acceptance than senior women. For both sexes, partner-acceptance lowered across successive age cohorts. Internal consistencies were good. CONCLUSIONS:Results support the use of the German version of the Self-Image Scale in research and clinical practice. Research directions include validation in further diseases, collecting normative data across countries, and dyadic research, particularly exploring partner-acceptance across the life span.

During the period of nation building, the spirit of place (genius loci), attributing uniqueness to specific locations and ascribing to them close attachment to the nation, became a central vehicle for defending and appropriating territories and even for establishing a diaspora in exile. It was evoked through discursive practices reminiscent of religious rhetoric and around monumental works of art, thereby staging history as mythical sacred theatre. The process of establishing imagined national geographies during the long period of nation building from the nineteenth century to the post-communist period is analysed in comparative perspective in two multi-religious and multi-ethnical regions in southeast Europe—Kosovo and Bosnia. The leading question I will try to answer is why the Field of Blackbirds in Kosovo was successfully established as a national holy place in the collective memory of the Serbs, whereas similar efforts in Bosnia did not result in inscribing mythic places into national memory.

Yugoslav writer, art critic and curator Oto Bihalji-Merin (1904–1993) lived in Berlin during the 1920s, where he joined the German Communist Party and published literary critique in the left-wing press. Born into a Jewish family, he moved to Czechoslovakia, France, Switzerland, and Spain after the rise of the Nazi regime. In this period, he established close contact with left-wing intellectuals from all over Europe. During the Second World War, he was imprisoned as a Yugoslav soldier by the Germans. After the war, he became the most important cultural theorist and administrator in Tito’s Yugoslavia. After Tito’s break with Stalin, he promoted the concept of naïve folk art as an authentic, primordial expression of proletarian and peasant creativity. His doctrine, destined to bridge the gap between socialist realism and Western non-figurative art, was inspired by Miroslav Krleža’s cultural theory of the Third Way and by the non-aligned movement.

Background: Coping with stressful health issues – e.g., organ transplantation – can affect interpersonal relationships.Objective: The study examines individual and dyadic coping (DC) in kidney transplant recipients and their partners under consideration of sex and role differences. The Dyadic Coping Inventory allows analyzing partners’ perception of their own DC and also of their partner’s behavior and investigating different perspectives with three discrepancy indexes (similarity, perceived similarity, congruence).Methods: Fifty-six kidney transplant recipients and their partners completed self-report questionnaires (N = 112) on DC, depression, anxiety, and relationship satisfaction. The average age of the patients was 58.1 years and of the partners 57.2 years; 64.3% of the patients were male; time since transplantation was on average 9.7 years.Results: (1) Individual and dyadic functioning: In couples with male patients female caregivers showed higher own supportive DC than the males. In couples with female patients, women reported higher own stress communication, supportive DC, total positive DC and total DC as well as depression compared to men. (2) Regarding the discrepancy indexes, in couples with male patients lower levels of similarity in DC reactions of the couple was associated with higher depression of the males as well as higher anxiety of the females. Moreover, lower comparability of the own DC with partner-perception was correlated with higher depression in males. In couples with female patients, higher comparability was associated with higher DC. Higher DC of the males was associated with lower own anxiety and better similarity in DC reactions. Lower levels of similarity of the male spouse showed correlations with higher depression and anxiety of the females. (3) Sex and role differences occurred. No significant differences between male patients and male partners occurred whereas female patients showed higher own stress communication, supportive DC, common DC, total positive DC, total DC and relationship satisfaction compared to female caregivers (role differences). The same differences were found comparing female with male patients. No differences occurred between male and female caregivers (sex differences). (4) Regarding male’s relationship quality, male’s DC total score and similarity index seem to be important predictors in couples with male patients.Discussion: The results demonstrate the relevance of DC in couples with kidney transplantation and show differences between males and females as well as between patients and partners.

The Quality of Marriage Index (QMI) is a 6-item internationally widely-used instrument assessing relationship satisfaction. This study aimed to evaluate (1) the psychometric properties of the German version in a representative sample of the German general population (N = 1431) as well as (2) effects of gender and age on relationship satisfaction. All participants were in a relationship. The German QMI demonstrates good item characteristics and excellent reliability (α = .94). The proposed one-factor solution was replicated. Differences in scoring on the QMI showed that males scored higher than females and differences between younger and older participants were found. The findings suggest that the German version of the QMI is suitable to reliably measure relationship satisfaction and may therefore be used as a brief screening instrument in a variety of settings and research questions. A cross validation in a sample of couples seeking help for relationship difficulties should be considered in future research. The limited number of items and the one-factor-solution do not suggest this instrument as a fine-tuned assessment tool for different dimensions of relationship satisfaction.

Mothers and children of single or unstable relationships have higher rates of mental health problems than those in stable two-parent families. Despite results that mothers and children of conflictual two-parent families also show impairments, most studies do not consider relationship quality. Therefore, the present study combines relationship status and relationship quality to a “family type.” The present study compares German mothers and children of two-parent families with high relationship quality to those from two-parent families with a low quality, single mothers, and unstable families. Data of n = 249 families from a 10-year follow-up longitudinal study show that mothers with a high relationship quality show the highest levels of mental health whereas all other groups show at least a 3.2 times higher probability of mental health symptoms. Children of mothers in unstable relationships show a 8.2 times higher probability to emotional or behavioral problems than children of mothers with high relationship quality. Therefore, not only relationship status but also relationship quality should be combined and this “family type” should be considered in future research.

Cellulose nanofibril foams are cellulose-based porous materials with outstanding mechanical properties, resulting from the high strength-to-weight ratio of nanofibrils. Here we report the development of an optimized fabrication process for highly porous cellulose foams, based on a well-controlled freeze-thawing-drying (FTD) process at ambient pressure. This process enables the fabrication of foams with ultra-high porosity, up to 99.4%, density of 10 mg/cm3, and liquid (such as oil) absorption capacity of 100 L/kg. The proposed approach is based on the ice-templating of nanocellulose suspension in water, followed by thawing in ethanol and drying at environmental pressures. As such, the proposed fabrication route overcomes one of the major bottle-necks of the classical freeze-drying approach, by eliminating the energy-demanding vacuum drying step required to avoid wet foam collapse upon drying. As a result, the process is simple, environmentally friendly, and easily scalable. Details of the foam development fabrication process and functionalization are thoroughly discussed, highlighting the main parameters affecting the process, e.g., the concentration of nanocellulose and additives used to control the ice nucleation. The foams are also characterized by mechanical tests and oil absorption measurements, which are used to assess the foam absorption capability as well as the foam porosity. Compound water-in-oil drop impact experiments are used to demonstrate the potential of immiscible liquid separation using cellulose foams.

Nano-fibrillated cellulose was produced from flax and wheat straw cellulose pulps by high pressure disintegration. The reinforcing potential of both disintegrated nano-celluloses in a polyvinyl-alcohol matrix was evaluated. Disintegration of wheat straw was significantly more time and energy consuming. Disintegration did not lead to distinct changes in the degree of polymerization; however, the fibre diameter reduction was more than a hundredfold, creating a nano-fibrillated cellulose network, as shown through field-emission-scanning electron microscopy. Composite films were prepared from polyvinyl alcohol and filled with nano-fibrillated celluloses up to 40% mass fractions. Nano-fibrillated flax showed better dispersion in the polyvinyl alcohol matrix, compared to nano-fibrillated wheat straw. Dynamic mechanical analysis of composites revealed that the glass transition and rubbery region increased more strongly with included flax nano-fibrils. Intermolecular interactions between cellulose fibrils and polyvinyl alcohol matrix were shown through differential scanning calorimetry and attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The selection of appropriate raw cellulose material for high pressure disintegration was an indispensable factor for the processing of nano-fibrillated cellulose, which is essential for the functional optimization of products.

Due to their bio-based character, oil-based coatings become more and more prevalent in wood surface finishing. These coatings impart appealing optical and haptic properties to the wood surface, but lack sufficient protection against water and mechanical influences. The present study reports a simple green route to improve the performance of linseed oil coating by the addition of nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC). In order to achieve surface chemical compatibility with linseed oil, NFC was chemically modified with acetic anhydride and (2-dodecen-1-yl)succinic anhydride, respectively, using propylene carbonate as a solvent. NFC/linseed oil formulations were prepared and applied to wood substrates. The wear resistance of oil-coated wood surfaces was assessed by a newly developed test combining abrasive loading with subsequent contact angle measurement. As revealed by infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, as well as X-ray diffraction (XRD), NFC has been successfully modified without significantly affecting the structure of cellulose. In abrasion tests, all NFC-modified oil coatings performed better than the original oil. Interestingly, NFC only suspended in propylene carbonate, i.e., without chemical modification, had the strongest improvement effect on the coating’s wear resistance. This was primarily attributed to the loose network structure of this NFC variant which effectively prevents the oil from penetration into the wood surface, thus forming a protective NFC/oil composite layer on the wood surface.

We developed a paper coating for the potential application in food packaging based on polylactide and montmorillonite. It is applied to the paper in the form of a stable, water-based latex with a solid content of 25–28 wt %. The latex is prepared from a commercially available polylactide, surfactants, montmorillonite, a plasticizer, chloroform (to be removed later) and water by an emulsion/solvent evaporation procedure. This coating formulation is applied to the paper substrate by bar-coating, followed by hot-pressing at 150 °C. The coated papers achieved up to an 85% improvement in water vapor transmission rates when compared to the pristine papers. The coating latex is prepared from inexpensive materials and can be used for a solvent-free coating process. In addition, the ingredients of the latex are non-toxic; thus, the coated papers can be safely used for food packaging.