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Inhibition of return (IOR) is an attentional effect that has been much researched in the spatial domain, whereby people are slower to respond to stimuli presented in a previously attended location. Recently, Chao (2010) reported that participants were slower to respond to a negative schematic facial target compared with a positive facial target if they had previously viewed a cue with a negative expression, which he interpreted as IOR in the purely emotional domain. That is, once their attention is drawn away, people are slower to reattend to negative emotions. Here, we investigated whether this effect could be observed when controlling for the valence of the target and when using a more naturalistic human facial expression as a cue. We replicated Chao's findings using real face cues, observing slower responses for negative cues followed by negative versus positive targets, and faster responses for positive cues followed by positive versus negative targets. However, our reanalysis indicates that these effects are better accounted for by the valence (positive/negative) of the target, with responses being slower to negative compared with positive facial expressions regardless of the preceding cue. In conclusion, orienting in the emotional domain could not be measured using a cue-target task, as the effect of responding to emotional targets eclipsed any potential emotional cuing effect., ((c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).)

Background: Renewable energies are key to reduce CO2 emissions and other environmental impacts of fossil-fueled electricity generation. However, renewable energy systems can also cause negative environmental effects. In this paper, we analyze the potential environmental trade-offs associated with different spatio-technical (de)centralization options for a renewable electricity system. For this purpose, we first review the potential environmental life cycle impacts of key technologies for renewable electricity systems. Subsequently, we develop a framework identifying which factors determine actual environmental effects of renewable electricity systems. We apply the framework to four basic spatio-technical (de)centralization options for the future Germany electricity system. Results: Our analysis shows that all (de)centralization options are associated with potential environmental trade-offs. We find that the (de)centralization of the system is a relevant factor determining these trade-offs. For instance, the two more centralized options considered have lower environmental impacts related to PV, whereas the two more decentralized options have lower environmental impacts related to grid infrastructure. However, we also find that the trade-offs depend on the specific way (de)centralization is pursued. For instance, only in one of the two considered more decentralized development options, there is a potential environmental trade-off between higher impacts related to battery storage and lower impacts related to offshore wind power. Conclusions: Our analysis reveals that the spatio-technical (de)centralization of a renewable electricity system plays a role for its environmental trade-offs while further factors like the institutional and stakeholder management in place also shape the environmental trade-offs. Policy makers should acknowledge the identified potential environmental trade-offs and their influencing factors when making policies favoring certain spatio-technical (de)centralization options. Highlights: Review of potential environmental impacts of key renewable technologies Framework on determinants of actual environmental effects of electricity systems Review of electricity system (de)centralization scenarios for Germany Application of framework to four spatio-technical (de)centralization options Environmental trade-off analysis for the four (de)centralization options [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Renewable energy sources development has introduced wind farms as a regular landscape element. However, as human-made elements, wind farms influence on landscape's scenic beauty differently according to the socio-demographic characteristics of the beholder. Objectives: In this regard, the study analyses the population's visual perception of wind farms into Mediterranean landscapes with reference to three social variables: gender, age and education level. Method: People's preferences were assessed through two on-line surveys with several landscape photographs, with and without wind turbines. Subsequently, the score of each photograph was statistically analyzed regarding the landscapes showed and the respondents' socio-demographic variables. Results: The results demonstrate how vegetation had a positive effect in landscape' scenic beauty, especially forest, as well as people do not perceive negatively wind turbines presence. In fact, their implementation in deteriorated or low scored landscapes improves its scenic beauty. Lastly, despite the fact that gender, age and education do not influence on people's perception, there is a trend between these factors and wind turbines influence on landscape. Conclusions: In addition to reinforce the vegetation positive effects on landscape' scenic beauty, wind turbines have become a new landscape element that, in general, do not have a negative impact on its scenic beauty but, according to age, different consideration appeared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large scale of wind projects and wind turbines' height result in a high level of visibility in the surrounding environment. Urban environments and tourism landscapes are visually sensitive viewpoints with sensitive receptors that need accurate visual impact assessments for the prediction of new projects' effects on the existing landscape settings. In this study, distance, visibility, receptors sensitivity and view percentage that are four important criteria of visual impact have been used for impact assessment of Manjil wind farm's visual effect in the urban environment and tourist destinations of Manjil City in Gilan Province of Iran. The main asset of this study is applying the multi-criteria decision-making method and also using the receptor sensitivity factor which helps to the detection of the most fragile areas based on the sensitivity of the potential significant observers and prepares the possibility of calculating a more accurate extent of the affected areas according to the impact magnitude. Significant viewpoints were determined based on the land use maps and field study and the calculated visibility and view percentage of the points combined by interpolation methods to prepare criteria layers. Receptor sensitivity map developed with classifying the land use data according to the observers' sensitivity. The multi-criteria decision-making method and determined weights were used to calculate the visual impact magnitude. Significant viewpoints of the tourist destinations and buildings of the study area were affected by the high visual impact. Comparison of the calculated results from utilized techniques shows 84.73% similarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The health effects of visible wind turbine features on residents were investigated. Further, it was examined, if visual annoyance has an influence on residents' health, and if wind turbine visibility impacts residents' health independently of or in combination with acoustical aspects. Methods: Medical databases, Google Scholar, public health institutions, and reference lists were searched systematically (PROSPERO registry number: CRD42016041737). Two independent reviewers screened titles/abstract and full texts, extracted data, and critically appraised the methodology of included studies. Study findings were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Results: Seventeen studies from 19 publications of varying methodological quality were included (two cohort studies, fifteen cross-sectional studies). The pooled prevalence of high annoyance due to altered views and shadow flicker was 6% each. The results of other health effects were inconsistent, with some indications showing that direct wind turbine visibility increases sleep disturbance. Annoyance by direct visibility, shadow flicker, and blinking lights was significantly associated with an increased risk for sleep disorders. One study indicated reactions to visual wind turbine features may be influenced by acoustical exposures. Conclusions: In interpreting the results, the differing methodological quality of the included studies needs to be considered. Direct and indirect wind turbine visibility may affect residents' health, and reactions may differ in combination with noise. Further, annoyance by wind turbine visibility may interact as mediator between visual exposures and the health of local residents. To confirm the results, more high-quality research is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of retail stores and shopping environments is critical to attracting customers and maintaining profitability. Over the years, research on retail design and atmospherics has been almost completely focused on store interiors. This research shortfall is unfortunate given the increasing focus of savvy retail managers on brand building and the creation of sustainable competitive advantage through exterior store architecture, outdoor lifestyle centers, and urban shopping districts. In order to stimulate research in this important, yet under-researched topic area, we synthesize literature from a number of domains and provide a conceptual framework that examines the impact of outdoor atmospherics on shoppers' psychological and behavioral responses. After presentation of this framework, we discuss implications for practice and potential avenues for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]