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Mycelium-based composites (MBCs) are biomaterials with scientifically proven potential to improve sustainability in construction. Although mycelium-based products are not entirely new, their use in engineering presents challenges due to the inherent properties of this fungal material. This study investigated professional architects' and interior designers' perceptions of MBCs, focusing on familiarity, aesthetic appeal, and willingness to use. The first phase of the survey explored respondents' views on material-related ecological design principles. In the second phase, respondents evaluated ten small architectural objects crafted from MBCs, focusing on form, detail, and visual appeal. The last phase of the survey measured their interest in using mycelium in their design work. The results revealed that MBCs were relatively unknown among the surveyed professionals; only every second respondent knew this material. Despite this, 90% found MBCs visually appealing after seeing the examples. Interestingly, the natural, unprocessed appearance of the material was assessed as less aesthetically pleasing, with thermal treatment improving its perceived value. Architects were more receptive to using MBCs in their professional projects for customers than for personal use. This observation points to a 'double standard': professional architects are more open to using MBCs in projects not intended for their own use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate innovation in psychology teaching in European Union (EU) higher education, Europlat partners were surveyed and 43 replies were received from 30 countries. Estimated use of e-learning and other technologies including e-books and journals, virtual learning environments, lecture recording, plagiarism detection, laboratory simulation and virtual world software is reported. A focus on the teaching of theory, key findings and research methods and on academic skills such as critical evaluation and academic writing emerged. Innovation is driven by rising numbers, technical change, and the need to find research time, but is also rooted in care for students' academic, personal and professional development. A thematic review of publications within the past five years about the learning and teaching of psychology identified 56 articles, mainly from two specialist journals, generating 120 codings to 16 themes. Results are discussed in relation to the changing higher education context and implications for the future importance of quality in learning and teaching are considered.

Copyright of Space & Form / Przestrzeń i FORMA is the property of West Pomeranian University of Technology, Department of Architecture & Urban Planning and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The pandemic has proven to be a particular challenge for healthcare workers, not only in the professional but also individual sense. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively influenced their well-being and caused psychological distress. Undoubtedly, direct contact with sick patients, the fight against the pandemic, and observing the epidemiological situation influenced the attitudes of this group towards COVID-19 and vaccinations. The aim of the study was to analyse the level of anxiety among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and to assess attitudes towards vaccinations against COVID-19. Methods: The cross-sectional study followed the recommendations of STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology). A convenience purposive sampling method was used and the study was led among nurses and doctors employed in healthcare facilities. The study used a survey and the Trait Anxiety Scale SL-C. Results: The study included 385 participants, with an average age of 48.41 ± 6.76 years. The nurses constituted 55% of the study group and the doctors 45%. A total of 70% of healthcare workers had over 10 years of work experience. Over half of the subjects (57%) became infected with COVID-19. A total of 85% of respondents have received vaccination. A total of 71% of respondents believe vaccinations are harmless. Frequently, the participants assessed their level of anxiety as moderate. Conclusions: Almost all surveyed doctors chose to be vaccinated, while the percentage of vaccinated nurses was significantly lower. As a result, it is possible to conclude that the employment position has a significant influence on the decision to get vaccinated against COVID-19. In self-assessment during the COVID-19 pandemic, most healthcare professionals experienced a moderate level of anxiety. Receiving the COVID-19 vaccination reduced the level of anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Recycling strategies demonstrate different life cycle environmental performance. In order to assess this performance, a life cycle assessment may be used. In such studies, the recycling should be linked with multifunctionality and allocation. This requires it to be modelled accordingly, especially in terms of environmental burdens and credits. The paper presents a case study of open-loop recycling. A flow of mixed post-consumer multi-material waste was reprocessed into another product with a new application—a fence board made of recycled material (secondary fence board). Although many allocation-related case studies are provided in the literature, no example of a comparison between different substitution scenarios for open-loop recycling has been found. In order to fill the gap, various hypothetical market-mix-based alternatives related to the virgin production and durability of products have been examined. The goal of the study is to assess the potential environmental impact of 1 m2 of secondary fence board modelled in different substitution scenarios. The paper is the second part of a two-part study. In Part 1, life cycle assessment results were presented for a baseline scenario (1A). Part 2 focuses strongly on allocation considerations. In order to ensure a consistency between the results of Part 1 and Part 2, the entire life cycle of the fence board has been taken into account in both calculations. The case study has shown that the results may be highly sensitive to the choice of substitutes and the choice of quality attributes impacting the reference flows (in our example, the durability of products). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the era of the circular economy, solutions aimed at increasing the circularity of materials and products are highly welcome. Eco-design and waste management strategies are crucial for ensuring circularity and resource-saving. Strategies should be driven by assessing life cycle-based environmental performance. Tools to measure this performance should take into account two recycling-oriented parameters: recycled content and recycling rate. This paper presents the results of a life cycle assessment case study for a secondary fence board (baseline scenario). The circular footprint formula has been used to allocate burdens and credits between the supplier and the user of recycled materials. The potential environmental impact and the most significant issues have been calculated, identified, and presented. A general recommendation for further environmental development of the secondary fence board is to improve the production-related energy efficiency of recycling processes and increase the recycling rate of the board (to avoid landfilling). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research background: In the context of Industry 4.0 and 5.0, competitiveness is intricately linked to innovativeness and ongoing technological advancements, posing a formidable challenge for countries and organizations aspiring to thrive in this environment. Within this framework, the significance of innovativeness is escalating, emerging as a crucial factor for the competitiveness of enterprises and economies alike. Purpose of the article: The article aims to present the structure and dynamics of research on the competitiveness of SMEs shaped on the basis of their innovativeness to further guide both research and management practice. Methods: This comprehensive bibliometric analysis delves into the Scopus database to uncover the leading authors, journals, and countries driving empirical research on SME competitiveness and innovation. The study utilizes the VosViewer software to graphically represent the overarching themes explored by researchers in this field. Additionally, an analysis of the selected articles identifies trends shaping the discourse on SME competitiveness and innovation. This multifaceted approach provides a holistic understanding of the current state of research in this domain, paving the way for future directions and insights. Findings & value added: In this study, the authors conduct a comprehensive analysis of the current research landscape on SME competitiveness and innovation in the digital transformation era. By identifying key challenges, opportunities, and strategies for SMEs, our findings offer valuable guidance for researchers, policymakers, and SMEs themselves in navigating the complexities of the digital transformation landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managers face challenges in leveraging people as a source of competitive advantage due to advancements in technology and the widespread availability of information, which have rendered other sources of competitive advantage less effective. In this context, social sustainability within an organization refers to the enduring relationships between employees and the organization, as well as their collective contribution to organizational goals. Strengthening social sustainability provides opportunities to achieve desired objectives through the efforts of employees. This study presents empirical findings that support the assumptions that sustainable leadership enhances social sustainability, and that micro-level corporate social responsibility (CSR) moderates this relationship. The data were gathered from a randomly selected sample of 516 employees in the healthcare industry, and regression analysis using structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to test the hypotheses. The results demonstrate a significant role of sustainable leadership on the establishment and development of social sustainability, with micro-level CSR positively influencing this relationship as a moderator. These findings hold both theoretical and practical implications. Given the labor-intensive nature of the healthcare industry and the interconnectedness of the three variables examined in this study, no prior research investigating these connections was found in the literature. Therefore, the research model proposed in this study and its subsequent findings represent a valuable contribution to the existing body of knowledge. The findings offer guidance to hospital administrators, emphasizing the importance of focusing on sustainable leadership and micro-level CSR to reduce turnover rates and cultivate long-term relationships with employees, thereby enhancing organizational effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Predicted distant health-related quality of life is one of the key elements in the long-term assessment of the effectiveness of therapy, and a factor to be taken into account when deciding upon the choice of therapeutic options in modern cancer surgery. To assess the quality of life of patients having undergone surgical treatment for renal cell carcinoma. Material and methods. This cross-sectional study was carried out in a group of 44 (17 radical nephrectomy [RN], 27 nephron-sparing surgery [NSS]) patients having received surgical treatment for renal cell carcinoma at the Department of Urology of the University Hospital no. 2 in Bydgoszcz. The control group consisted of 24 subjects within a matching age range. The standardized WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used as the study tool. Results. No statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed with regard to the subjectively assessed quality of life depending on the type of surgery performed, i.e. RN vs. NSS. A positive correlation was observed between the higher scores within the social (p = 0.0453) and environmental (p = 0.0156) domains and the laparoscopic approach. Lower scores within the somatic (p = 0.0023), environmental (p = 0.0189) and emotional (p = 0.0356) scale domains were observed in female patients. A statistically significant inverse relationship was observed between the cancer stage and the self-assessed overall health scores (p = 0.0025). Conclusions. Minimally invasive surgical techniques open up the potential for the achievement of better quality of life of patients after surgery. Clinical and demographic variables influence the long-term health-related quality of life scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Our study aimed to assess back pain in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer following anterior resection of rectum (AR), laparoscopic anterior resection of rectum (LAR), Hartmann's procedure (HART), or abdominoperineal resection of rectum (APR). The studied patients were examined three times: prior to surgery (I), six months after surgery (II), and one year after surgery (III). The analysis of study results revealed that an increase in the degree of disability and functioning impairment occurred in all groups between time points I and II. A reduction in low back pain was observed one year after the procedure in the LAR group. Purpose: Low back pain presents a serious challenge for numerous medical specialties. The purpose of this study was to assess disability due to low back pain in patients operated on due to colorectal cancer depending on the type of surgery performed. Methods: This prospective observational study was carried out in the period of July 2019 through March 2020. Included in the study were patients with colorectal cancer for scheduled surgeries including anterior resection of rectum (AR), laparoscopic anterior resection of rectum (LAR), Hartmann's procedure (HART), or abdominoperineal resection of rectum (APR). The Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire was used as the research tool. The study patients were surveyed at three time points: before surgery, six months after surgery, and one year after surgery. Results: The analysis of study results revealed that an increase in the degree of disability and functioning impairment occurred in all groups between time points I and II, with the differences being statistically significant (p < 0.05). The inter-group comparative analysis of the total Oswestry questionnaire scores revealed statistically significant differences, with the impairment of function being most severe within the APR group and least severe within the LAR group. Conclusion: The study results showed that low back pain contributes to impaired functioning of patients operated on due to colorectal cancer regardless of the type of procedure performed. A reduction in the degree of disability due to low back pain was observed one year after the procedure in patients having undergone LAR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are associated with a high risk of thromboembolic complications (VTE), despite the use of antithrombotic prophylaxis in the form of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). The occurrence of VTE requires, as in other diseases, full-dose antithrombotic treatment. Herein, we describe seven cases of soft tissue hemorrhagic complications in the form of spontaneous intramuscular hematomas (SMHs) in patients after SCI undergoing rehabilitation. Four patients received anticoagulant therapy due to previously diagnosed deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and three patients received anticoagulant prophylaxis. None of the patients had a significant injury immediately before the hematoma appeared, and the only symptom was a sudden swelling of the limb without accompanying pain. The hematomas in all patients were treated conservatively. In three patients, significant decreases in hemoglobin were observed; in one patient, a blood transfusion was required for this reason. In all patients treated via anticoagulation, the anticoagulation treatment was modified at the time of diagnosis of the hematoma; in three patients, oral anticoagulants were changed to LMWH in a therapeutic dose, while in one patient, anticoagulant treatment was completely discontinued. Conclusions: Intramuscular hematomas are rare complications after SCI. Each sudden swelling of a limb requires ultrasound-based diagnostics. At the time of diagnosis of a hematoma, the level of hemoglobin and the size of the hematoma should be monitored. The treatment or anticoagulation prophylaxis should be modified if necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking into account factors such as unfavorable climate changes, shrinking fossil fuel resources, low energy efficiency, and the pace of population growth, the transformation towards green and renewable energy is one of the most important goals and challenges facing the world. The energy sector is the source of about 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and energy-related emissions are reaching new record levels. For the energy transition to succeed, innovation at the level of technology, business processes and policies (local, national, and international) are necessary. Therefore, the aim of this article is to analyze the size, structure, and dynamics of research on innovations in the field of green and renewable energy in the last decade in order to identify the main topics and research trends in this field. The authors conducted a bibliometric review based on the PRISMA guidance together with visualization analysis based on the VOSviewer software. For this purpose, the Web of Science Core Collection (WoS CC) database was used, and based on defined inclusion criteria, the authors selected 1144 records for bibliographic analysis. The database was subjected to a performance analysis from the perspective of the number of publications per year, dominant countries, and journals. Further, science mapping was employed to analyze such features of the publications as co-citations, co-occurrences, and bibliometric coupling. Based on the results, gaps in green and renewable energy innovations were identified and issues for future research were defined and recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edible flowers are food products that are usually eaten fresh without prior heat treatment. Due to their chemical composition and low degree of processing, they can be an excellent breeding ground for microorganisms, and thus a source of infection. Methods of their preservation include proper packaging and storage at low temperatures. Therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of type of packaging (vacuum-sealed polyamide/polyethylene bag and polyethylene terephthalate box) on the microbial contamination of edible flowers including nasturtium, calendula, and daisy during refrigerated storage. The counts of selected pathogenic bacteria, total yeasts and moulds on the day of harvesting and after 1-3 days of refrigerated storage were determined. The results showed that the edible flowers did not contain Salmonella sp. or Escherichia coli (except nasturtiums), while all flowers contained both yeast and moulds at counts about 4-5 log cfu/g, and Staphylococcus aureus at numbers ranging from 1.89 to 2.72 log cfu/g. The differences in the counts of moulds and S. aureus were statistically significant depending on the type of flower. Neither the type of packaging nor storage time under refrigerated conditions influenced the degree of microbial contamination of the flowers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specific features of oculomotor signal and availability of high-end measurement equipment, as well as using modern IT techniques and tools creates the possibility of automatic processing of this type of data and extensive use of developed algorithms. Analysis of such data is a tedious and complex process so computer processing of the oculomotor signal makes the process less time-consuming, more precise and effective. The article discusses data filtering and removing noise, detection of saccades and fixations and determination of characteristic oculomotor parameters and then analysis using neural networks (unidirectional, two-layer neural network with backpropagation learning method and Kohonen’s self-organising network) and application supporting the analysis process. The proposed test method allows registration of a view path followed by its automatic analysis to obtain objective parameters characterising the movement of the eyeball. The motor apparatus of the eyeball, due to its high sensitivity to changes in the body, can serve as a measure of general health.

The aim of the study. In bipolar disorder (BD), evidence for both cognitive impairment and deficit in emotion recognition has been found. Several investigations indicate that cognition and face processing can be interrelated. In this study, we assessed the correlations between cognitive functioning and emotion recognition (face expression) in patients with BD during an acute manic and depressive episode as well as in remission using a large battery of neurocognitive tests. Material and methods Twenty-four manic subjects, 21 with bipolar depression, and 22 euthymics, age-, sex-, and education-matched were included. Cognitive functions were assessed by the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Trail Making Test (TMT, Stroop Color-Word Interference Test (SCWT), California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), Benton Visual Memory Test (BVRT), Rey-Osterreich Complex Figure Test (ROFT), d2 test and Verbal Fluency Test (VFT). For emotion recognition, the Penn Emotion Recognition Test and Penn Emotion Discrimination Test were employed. Results. In mania, performances on selected measures of the WCST, TMT, SCWT, CVLT, ROFT, d2 test, and VFT, achieved 19 positive correlations with better recognition of happiness. In depression, conducting these tests obtained 20 correlations with finer recognition of sadness. In remission, such performances acquired 18 correlations with greater identification of sadness (10 replicated those obtained in depression). Conclusions. Better neuropsychological performance can facilitate emotion recognition. In manic patients, this concerns mostly happiness, while in depression and remission, mainly sadness. We hypothesize that the identification of sadness could be considered a biological marker of mood disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: The onset and duration of the child's illness is a difficult test for the entire family. The stress, in which the family lives from this moment, influences the relationships within it, as well as external relations with the environment. The child's cancer fundamentally changes the way the family functions, the quality of interactions within the family, and life plans. (2) Patients and Approach: A population survey was run between 2015 and 2020. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 800 family caregivers of children with cancer during active treatment. The aim of the study was to assess changes in the family functioning in the opinion of parents of a child with cancer. (3) Results: Parents experience chronic anxiety (67%), nervousness (60%), and worry (64%). For 50% of parents, the illness of their child entirely changed their plans. As many as 75% of parents feel guilty for exposing their child to carcinogens. According to the parents, the child's illness is a psychological (89%), somatic (49%) and financial (77%) burden for them. Only 7% of children cause behavioural problems and 16% have trouble learning due to their sibling's illness. (4) Conclusions: Cancer is a great difficulty for all members of a family system. The disease disturbs the balance within the family and relations in the family, as well as more distant psychological, social, and material consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The empirical literature provides strong evidence supporting the relation of various innovation activities, including business innovation. The literature, however, continues to be limited in the context of developing countries, especially considering different types of business innovations. The aim of the present research is to fill the gap in the literature concerning the impact of research and development (R&D) cooperation and various types of investments in innovation for the creation of sustainable business innovation in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Particular emphasis in this study is placed on the differences in types of business innovations. The research is based on cross-sectional data (n = 406) collected by the CATI (Computer-Assisted Telephone Interview) method in a Polish peripheral region (Subcarpathian Voivodeship). To examine the relation between different innovation activities and the creation of business innovation, logistic regression was employed. The results show that the outputs of both R&D cooperation and investments are highly dependent on the innovation type. The outcomes suggest that R&D cooperation might be a driver of the implementation of development activities and organizational innovation, while the expenditures on machinery and equipment lead to a greater probability for the implementation of process innovation and development activities. We also found that expenditures on marketing activities and investments in the implementation of new solutions may have an impact on business innovation implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]