The article focuses on blockchain technology as a tool for supporting enterprises’ competitive potential. The subject of the theoretical considerations was the issues related to the competitiveness ...of enterprises in the face of market changes and contemporary trends, primarily events associated with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The main part of the publication was devoted to the determinants of the activity of enterprises on the Polish market concerning the implementation of blockchain technology. The empirical part indicated, among others, the essence and areas of application of blockchain technology in large enterprises and the possibilities of its practical use in the conducted business. The research undertaken aimed to analyse the possibility of treating blockchain technology as a factor in strengthening the competitiveness of enterprises. At the same time, it was found that large enterprises in Poland do not perceive the capabilities of blockchain-based technology, which may result from insufficient knowledge of its operation and functionality. Low awareness of the complexity and versatility of blockchain technology applications in the corporate sector may constitute a barrier to further disseminating this technology.
The aim of this study was to assess urban policies from the point of view of their impact on energy efficiency as a factor enhancing local competitiveness in Poland. To achieve this objective, we ...carried out an original study. The first step was to conduct a literature review. Next, an attempt was made to present the prevailing state of knowledge regarding the management of the competitiveness of cities and regions, as well as the functioning of energy efficiency in the economy. The development strategies of 18 selected cities serving as provincial capitals or playing other administrative roles at the regional level were also analysed. Importantly, the impact envisaged for municipal authorities to improve energy efficiency largely focuses on investments in the modernisation of public transport infrastructure and renewable energy sources. These investments certainly yield substantial cost savings, which are presented in the article. Nevertheless, it is essential to bear in mind that these are not the sole advantages of increased energy efficiency of local socio-economic systems. The investments also have the potential to enhance the perception of cities, increase the value of municipal real estate, and improve the health of urban residents by reducing emissions into the atmosphere. Still, a clearly discernible link between these arguments and a positive impact of cities’ energy savings on their competitive standing and competitive edge is absent from the analysed city development strategies.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
The aim of this analysis is to identify the possibility of treating eco-innovation in micro and small enterprises as a factor influencing the energy efficiency of the economy. In order to obtain an ...answer to such a research question, quantitative research was carried out among Polish enterprises from the SME sector (N = 400). Accordingly, the CATI technique was applied. The selection of enterprises was random and took place in the non-returnable drawing process. The criterion for selecting the sample was the size of enterprises, but in order to ensure the possibility of drawing conclusions based on a sufficiently large research sample, its structure (300 micro and 100 small enterprises) assumed the study of small enterprises in a proportion greater than their actual share in the population of enterprises. As a result of this research, the existence of a relationship between the improvement of the company’s competitive position and its activity in the field of eco-innovation implementation was confirmed. It is shown that the behavior and attitudes of entrepreneurs largely determine the very decisions regarding the use of specific types of eco-innovation, as well as the areas in which they brought about changes influencing the improvement of the competitive position of the surveyed companies. Differences in these decisions can be observed in micro and small companies. This article justifies the notion that the impact of the scale of micro and small companies is important in shaping the energy efficiency of the economy.
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In this study, we analyze the association of social isolation in the first phase of the pandemic with perceived stress among residents of Poland and Italy with a look at how these populations adjust ...to and comply with implemented regulations, guidelines, and restrictions.
Internet survey with Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and questions regarding mobility patterns, attitude, and propensity to adjust toward the implemented measures and current health condition was made among Polish and Italian residents (Cronbach's alpha 0.86 and 0.79, respectively). The sample size was 7,108 (6,169 completed questionnaires in Poland and 939 in Italy).
The Polish group had a higher stress level than the Italian group (mean PSS-10 total score 22,14 vs 17,01, respectively;
< 0.01). There was a greater prevalence of chronic diseases among Polish respondents. Italian subjects expressed more concern about their health, as well as about their future employment. Italian subjects did not comply with suggested restrictions as much as Polish subjects and were less eager to restrain from their usual activities (social, physical, and religious), which were more often perceived as "most needed matters" in Italian than in Polish residents.
Higher activity level was found to be correlated with lower perceived stress, but the causality is unclear. Difference in adherence to restrictions between Polish and Italian residents suggests that introducing similar lockdown policies worldwide may not be as beneficial as expected. However, due to the applied method of convenience sampling and uneven study groups, one should be careful with generalizing these results.
Purpose and methods:
We surveyed a large sample of health-related sciences undergraduate students at the Medical University of Gdańsk (MUG), Poland in a pilot study to assess self-reported ...somatic/mental health-related issues, measure the level of burnout using Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), the presence of depressive symptoms with Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item (PHQ-9) and assess the problematic alcohol intake (CAGE questionnaire). Additionally, stress coping mechanisms were investigated.
Results:
A total of 864 students participated in the survey. The mean total OLBI and PHQ-9 scores equalled 43.3 ± 2.7 and 11.3±5.8 points, respectively. The CAGE questionnaire was positive in 21.6% of students. Three most prevalent stress coping mechanisms included TV binge-watching, binge-eating and cigarette chain smoking (51.0%, 45.0% and 28.0% respectively).
Conclusions:
Future studies are required to confirm the obtained results, assess, and monitor trends and set-up interventions to improve the welfare of health-related science MUG students.
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Use of Sertraline in Hemodialysis Patients Kubanek, Alicja; Paul, Przemysław; Przybylak, Mateusz ...
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania),
09/2021, Volume:
57, Issue:
9
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Depression and anxiety are the most common psychiatric disorders in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients treated with hemodialysis (HD) and may correlate with lower quality of life and increased ...mortality. Depression treatment in HD patients is still a challenge both for nephrologists and psychiatrists. The possible treatment of depressive disorders can be pharmacological and non-pharmacological. In our article, we focus on the use of sertraline, the medication which seems to be relatively safe and efficient in the abovementioned population, taking under consideration several limitations regarding the use of other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). In our paper, we discuss different aspects of sertraline use, taking into consideration possible benefits and side effects of drug administration like impact on QTc (corrected QT interval) prolongation, intradialytic hypotension (IDH), chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP), bleeding, sexual functions, inflammation, or fracture risk. Before administering the medication, one should consider benefits and possible side effects, which are particularly significant in the treatment of ESRD patients; this could help to optimize clinical outcomes. Sertraline seems to be safe in the HD population when provided in proper doses. However, we still need more studies in this field since the ones performed so far were usually based on small samples and lacked placebo control.
A new anion binding motif based on triptycene core has been synthesized from 2,7,14-trinitrotriptycene. Its well-defined binding pocket allowed for the selective recognition and sensing of dihydrogen ...phosphate in DMSO-d(6) + 0.5% H(2)O.
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During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (April to May 2020), 6,169 Polish and 939 Italian residents were surveyed with an online questionnaire investigating socio-demographic information and ...personality traits (first section) as well as attitudes, position, and efficacy perceptions on the impact of lockdown (second section) and various health protection measures enforced (third section).
The "health protection attitude score" (HPAS), an endpoint obtained by pooling up the answers to questions of the third section of the survey tool, was investigated by multiple linear regression models, reporting regression coefficients (RC) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).
Concerns for business and health due to COVID-19 were associated with a positive attitude toward risk reduction rules. By contrast, male sex, concerns about the reliability of information available online on COVID-19 and its prevention, along with the feeling of not being enough informed on the transmissibility/prevention of SARS-CoV-2 were associated with a negative attitude toward risk mitigation measures.
A recent literature review identified two social patterns with different features in relation to their attitude toward health protection rules against the spread of COVID-19. Factors positively associated with adherence to public health guidelines were perceived threat of COVID-19, trust in government, female sex, and increasing age. Factors associated with decreased compliance were instead underestimation of the COVID-19 risk, limited knowledge of the pandemic, belief in conspiracy theories, and political conservativism. Very few studies have tested interventions to change attitudes or behaviors.
To improve attitude and compliance toward risk reduction norms, a key intervention is fostering education and knowledge on COVID-19 health risk and prevention among the general population. However, information on COVID-19 epidemiology might be user-generated and contaminated by social media, which contributed to creating an infodemic around the disease. To prevent the negative impact of social media and to increase adherence to health protection, stronger content control by providers of social platforms is recommended.
Mental Health Care in Poland Korolkiewicz, Paweł K.; Salloum, Amir; Gaba, Gursimran ...
Taiwan jing shen yi xue = Taiwanese journal of psychiatry,
03/2024, Volume:
38, Issue:
1
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Background: Like in other industrialized countries, the development of Polish psychiatry has followed a typical trajectory, initially marked by the establishment of large mental health hospitals ...using an isolation-based care model. Subsequently, there has been a decline in these institutions, characterized by a reduction in the number of hospital beds, and an ongoing evolution toward decentralized community psychiatry, specifically mental health-care centers. The hospitalizations are for emergency/acute care only. The authors describe how clinical services and personnel training in Poland that have been adjusted in response to societal changes and global trends in mental health care. Methods: The authors collected and critically reviewed information based on literature relevant to the organization of mental health care in Poland. In addition, official government publications such as reports from the Central Statistical Office and Ministry of Health were perused to gather data on the population structure, gross domestic product, and the organizational structure of the mental health care and relevant health-care indices. Results: Mental health care in Poland is evolving and gradually improving, providing more opportunities for collaboration and networking among nongovernmental organizations, patients' associations, and psychiatrists working toward common goals. Training curricula have been updated and/or modified, with new specialty and subspecialty trainings being offered to meet the demands of health-care professionals and patients alike. Conclusion: Demographic changes, the presence of Ukrainian war refugees, and global trends in psychiatry profoundly influence the delivery of mental health-care services in Poland.
Objectives: In this study, we intended to examine the psychological welfare, burnout, and stress-related coping mechanisms of medical students at the Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland. ...Under the hypothesis that depressive symptoms and screening for problem alcohol drinking would predict the risk of burnout, we intended to study the relationship between selected variables (e.g., demographic and socioeconomic) and burnout risk and the effects of abandonment of social isolation restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Methods: Medical students completed an online survey assessing general mental health and stress coping mechanisms. We used copies of the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item (PHQ-9); Cut-down, Annoyed, Guilty, and Eye-opener (CAGE) questionnaire; and the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), to quantify depressive symptoms, screen for problematic alcohol drinking, and assess the risk of burnout. Results: The mean total OLBI score ± standard deviation was 44.6 ± 7.3 (N = 700), with 91.1% of participants scoring ≥ 35 points. Female students had significantly higher total and exhaustion domain OLBI scores than their male counterparts (p ＜ 0.05). About 76% of all respondents reported high levels of studies-related stress and 44% of survey participants agreed/strongly agreed that they considered dropping out of university courses due to the stress. The suicidal/self-harm ideations were found in 33.6% of students. Most students (64.4%) were screened positively for moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms, and 19% of them for risky alcohol use. Students with OLBI scores ≥ 35 achieved notably higher PHQ-9 and CAGE results. The results of multivariate regression analysis showed that PHQ-9 (p ＜ 0.05) and CAGE (p ＜ 0.05) questionnaire significantly predicted the OLBI score. Conclusion: Medical students are a vulnerable group at risk of developing mental health problems. A great number of survey participants screened positively for the presence of depressive symptoms, risky alcohol use, and burnout. The PHQ-9, and CAGE results, was significant predictor of OLBI outcomes. The improvement of COVID-19 pandemic-related social isolation restrictions did not produce a marked improvement in somatic/mental health-related quantifiers as compared to the time of strict social restrictions.
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