bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does childhood trauma impact daily psychobiological stress in somatic symptom disorder? An ambulatory assessment study
Authors: Fischer Susanne , Ali Nida , Feneberg Anja C. , Mewes Ricarda , Nater Urs M. 
Published: September 2022

ObjectivesSomatic symptom disorder is characterized by excessive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors dedicated to bodily symptoms, which are often medically unexplained. Although 13% of the population are affected by this disorder, its aetiopathogenesis is not fully understood. Research in medically unexplained conditions (e.g., fibromyalgia) points to increased psychosocial stress and alterations in stress-responsive bodily systems as a potential contributing factor. This pattern has often been hypothesized to originate from early life stress, such as childhood trauma. The aim of this study was to examine, for the first time, whether individuals with somatic symptom disorder exhibit elevated levels of self-reported daily stress and alterations in the autonomic nervous system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, both in comparison to healthy controls and individuals with depressive disorders, and whether reports of childhood trauma influence these alterations.MethodsA total of N = 78 individuals were recruited into this study. Of these, n = 27 had a somatic symptom disorder, n = 23 were healthy controls, and n = 28 had a depressive disorder. All individuals underwent a 14-day measurement period at home, with five assessments of self-reported stress, salivary alpha-amylase, and cortisol per day. Childhood trauma was assessed by the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire.ResultsIndividuals with somatic symptom disorder exhibited higher daily stress levels (p = 0.063) as well as a less pronounced alpha-amylase awakening response (p = 0.050), compared to healthy controls (statistical trends). Moreover, they were characterized by significantly attenuated diurnal cortisol concentrations (p &lt; 0.001). A nearly identical pattern was observed in individuals with depression. In individuals with somatic symptom disorder and depressive disorders, childhood trauma was, by trend, associated with a more pronounced alpha-amylase awakening response (b = −0.27, p = 0.077).ConclusionsThis study provides preliminary evidence for elevated daily stress and blunted sympathetic and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity in individuals with somatic symptom disorder and depressive disorders. Further studies will help to uncover the conditions under which these dysregulations develop into medically unexplained vs. depressive symptoms.
The impact of social support on the quality of life among older adults in China: An empirical study based on the 2020 CFPS
Authors: Shen Tongtong , Li Dongju , Hu Zengyun , Li Jie , Wei Xi 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundAs aging issues become serious, how to guarantee and improve the quality of life among older adults has become a hot topic in China. This article is aimed to discuss the impact of formal and informal social support on the quality of life among older adults and the differences in gender and urban–rural areas.MethodsThe data used in this article are from the 2020 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). Quality of life is measured from three dimensions of life: satisfaction, self-rated health, and mental state. This article uses the ordered logistic regression model to analyze the impact of social support on life satisfaction and self-rated health, and the binary logistic regression model to analyze the impact of social support on the mental state. The method of Shapley value decomposition further analyzes the contribution of influencing factors to the quality of life.ResultsThe activities of daily living (ADL) and income significantly impact the quality of life among older adults. Formal and informal social support positively improved the quality of life among older adults, but the effect of informal social support is greater than that of formal social support. The male older adults are significantly better than the female adults across all three dimensions of quality of life. The mental state of urban older adults is better than that of rural older adults.ConclusionFormal and informal social support should be strengthened to improve the income of older adults. Older adults should be encouraged to participate in social activities and good interpersonal relationships should be established actively. Female older adults should be paid more attention. The proportion of female older adults participating in insurance should be increased, and the family and intergenerational care burden for female older adults should be reduced. The leisure life of urban older adults should be enriched. The basic social insurance and health service systems in rural areas should be improved.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on lifestyle patterns: Does gender matter?
Authors: Sultana Naznin , Asaduzzaman Md. , Mubarak Mahfuza , Hosen Ismail , Kaggwa Mark Mohan , Al-Mamun Firoj , Mamun Mohammed A. 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted individuals to deviate from normal lifestyle behaviors. But, there is a paucity of studies conducted in Bangladesh assessing how lifestyle patterns (i.e., smoking, drug use, physical exercise) have changed after the pandemic, which was investigated in this study.MethodsAn online-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among a total of 756 Bangladeshi young adults between April 1 and 13, 2020. Lifestyle patterns data were collected based on two periods from the COVID-19 pandemic inception point in the country, (i) ‘1 year before’, and (ii) ‘1 year after’. Basic descriptive statistics (i.e., frequency and percentages) and Chi-square tests were performed to examine the associations of the independent variables in relation to lifestyle patterns.ResultsA 0.2 and 4.7% reduction in smoking and physical exercise, respectively, was observed after the pandemic. But the prevalence of drug use was 1.5% before the COVID-19 pandemic, which rose to 1.9% during the pandemic; representing a 0.4% increment. The changes in lifestyle patterns before and during the COVID-19 pandemic was statistically significant only for physical exercise. Of the gender, male participants were more prevalent in smoking, drug use, and performing physical exercise in both periods.ConclusionIt is suggested to increase awareness concerning adverse effects of drug use and not performing physical exercise, where the gender-based focus is highly appreciated.
Patient satisfaction level and its determinants after admission in public and private tertiary care hospitals in Bangladesh
Authors: Begum Farhana , Said Jamaliah , Hossain Syed Zabid , Ali Md. Ayub 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionPatient satisfaction is an important indicator of the quality of care provided by health care facilities. The objective of this study was to investigate the rate of satisfaction and its associated factors among the patients admitted to tertiary care hospitals in Bangladesh.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in a public and two private tertiary care hospitals in Bangladesh in December 2019, including 923 consecutive patients admitted to medical and surgical departments. Face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire was conducted to collect patient-level data. Logistic regression models were used to determine the factors associated with patients' satisfaction.ResultsPatients' overall satisfaction level was 65% (51% in public and 75% in private hospitals) with a satisfaction rate of 63% in hospital staff courtesy, 56.5% in a hospital environment, 67% in physician care, 63% in general patient satisfaction, and 58% in patient's family care. Private hospitals (aOR 3.64, 95% CI 2.2–6.03), conservative management (aOR 3.34, 95% CI 2.10–5.33), shorter hospital stay (aOR 1.58, 95% CI 1.05–2.37) and perceived improvement after treatment (aOR 1.67, 95% CI 1.01–2.76) were associated with patients' satisfaction. In contrast, patients' accommodation on the floor (aOR 0.38, aOR 0.22–0.66) and high health care costs (aOR 0.97, 95% CI 0.95–0.99) were associated with patients' dissatisfaction with the in-patient service they received in both public and private hospitals.ConclusionAlmost two-thirds of the patients were satisfied with the inpatient service they received, though, the satisfaction rate was higher in private hospitals. Treatment modality, cost, and outcome, as well as hospital environment like accommodation, were associated with their satisfaction level.
Prolonged postoperative urine leakage due to a calyceal diverticulum mimicking a renal cyst: A case report and literature review
Authors: Yu Jun-jie , Yang An-qi , Du Yong-jun , Huang Tian-bao 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundThe calyceal diverticulum is a rare cystic cavity that communicates with the collecting system via a narrow neck or infundibulum. In clinical practice, part of the calyceal diverticula is difficult to differentiate from simple renal cysts even after contrast-enhanced CT. To date, there have been few kinds of literature works on the diagnosis and treatment of calyceal diverticulum combined with renal pelvis dilatation, especially concerning the treatment of prolonged postoperative urine leakage.Case descriptionA 53-year-old woman with calyceal diverticulum and renal pelvis dilatation mimicking a simple renal cyst suffered urine leakage after receiving laparoscopic unroofing of the renal cyst. A persistent urine leakage was observed immediately after surgery, with about 200 ml of drainage fluid per day. We first attempted to place a double-J ureteral stent and indwell a catheter. After failing that, conservative treatment was performed. The core idea of the conservative treatment is retaining the drainage tube for more than 1 month, then clamping the drainage tube for 1 week, and finally removing the drainage tube. By 3 weeks of follow-up, the urine leakage disappeared, and the CT scan showed hydronephrosis of the right kidney without perirenal exudation and the lower pole cyst of the right kidney shrank significantly.ConclusionThis case, we reported here, is to attract the attention of clinicians. Renal cysts should exclude the possibility of the calyceal diverticulum. If urine leakage is inevitable after surgical treatment, our conservative treatment strategy is also an alternative method.
Subsidised Start-Ups for the Unemployed in Less Developed Region: Effects Behind Efficiency
Authors: Šipikal Miroslav 
Published: September 2022

One of the tools that governments use to support entrepreneurship is to support entrepreneurship through subsidised start-ups for the unemployed. This tool attempts to solve two problems at once. It acts as an active labour market policy tool to reduce unemployment. On the other hand, as an economic policy measure, it seeks to promote the development of entrepreneurship. Most existing studies focus mainly on measuring the sustainability or effectiveness of this tool.
The aim of this article is to identify the pros and cons of this tool from the perspective of the beneficiaries of this support themselves. The research was conducted through interviews with the beneficiaries of the support as well as those institutions that are in some way involved in the process of this support. The interviews took place in the years 2019 -2020 in the Banská Bystrica Region in the Slovak Republic, which is one of the most underdeveloped regions in the European Union.
The results of the research show that the support itself also has a positive impact on other aspects of life than the business itself. A large proportion of respondents reported that they are happier in life than before and that their business is much more fulfilling than their previous job. At the same time, however, they point to a distinct form of inefficiency of the support as a tool for entrepreneurship support, with many beneficiaries not using this tool with the primary goal of starting a business. Some of the supported start-ups started their business only as a cover for black and dependent work or as a form of part-time work.
Supporting Innovation in Energy Sector: The SMEs Role and DIGIFED Success Cases
Authors: Gaffuri Gabriele , Chartier Isabelle , Ribeiro Pablo , Nastran Sonja , Volpe Margherita , Dor Isabelle , Murillo Gonzalo , Chanson Emmanuel , Gonzalez Iñigo , Hofer Marvin 
Published: September 2022

This paper aims to discuss the peculiarities of innovation approaches in the energy sector and examines success stories on how alternative sources of funding (such as cascade funding deriving from EU-financed projects) can effectively promote the role of SMEs in this environment. As digitalisation and smartification of the energy sector are key goals of the European Commission (EC), relevant legislative packages like the European Green Deal and other initiatives are actively promoting these priorities as enablers of the green transition. However, while large energy companies can afford to make substantial innovation investments, the SMEs innovation scenario is often characterised by a selected portfolio of start-ups and SMEs that get funded by large players only when functional to their business, leaving a significant portion of innovative SMEs out of this investment trend.
In this context, the EU-funded DigiFed project’s approach, supporting Application Experiments (AEs) for innovative products development, seems relevant to showcase alternative ways to support innovation in the energy sector. Indeed, in 2 years of implementation, DigiFed has structured and launched 3 Open Calls for AEs (cascade funding), succeeding in funding 71 companies and 46 AEs in several sectors, for an overall investment budget of € 3.6 M. The present paper focuses on two successful cases of TWIN AEs related to the energy sector, i.e., DYNAGRID and REDUXI. DYNAGRID aims at demonstrating an affordable, wireless and battery-free solution to digitise the New Caledonian electric grid, reducing maintenance and increasing grid capacity, representing a peculiar case of successful implementation with a long-distance collaboration. On the other hand, REDUXI is focused on developing a smart, plug & play building management system box, capable of forecasting energy consumption and its further redistribution, with high chances to quickly reach the market. Eventually, based on these success cases, the paper discusses the support provided by DigiFed and its benefits with respect to other forms of innovation financing.
Financial Innovation for Financial Inclusion: Mapping Potential Access to Finance
Authors: Rybakovas Egidijus , Zigiene Gerda 
Published: September 2022

The importance of access to finance as a significant problem for business development is considered one of the measures representing the level of financial inclusion. Developing financial innovations, such as crowdfunding, mobile payments, AI-based credit scoring systems, and even blockchain technologies has an immense potential to increase financial inclusion, increase access to finance for individuals and businesses, enabling the unscored or unbanked population to become active members of financial markets. Studies have shown the positive impact of financial technology on individuals' financial inclusion and access to finance, but the development of the Fintech phenomenon does not itself imply improved access to finance for businesses. The spread and adoption of Fintech are taken as evidence of financial innovation This research aims to explore the expected interaction between financial innovation and financial inclusion in selected European countries.
The data from the Global Fintech Ranking and Survey on the access to finance of enterprises (SAFE) is used in this study, examining them by comparing countries by their Fintech rankings and respective rank position obtained by measuring the importance of access to finance as a problem in business development.
The analysis of 29 European countries indicates that theoretically defined expectations are met in most cases: access to finance is not an important problem for the companies from the countries that are ranked higher in the Fintech rating report. But part of the sampled countries deviates from this trend. These findings indicate that besides financial innovation other factors also may determine the financial inclusion of the companies.
role of crowdfunding in delivering entrepreneurship within the hospitality sector: A case study analysis
Authors: Johnston Kate , Wang Kelly 
Published: September 2022

Over the last decade, crowdfunding, has emerged as a hugely disruptive force within the financial landscape worldwide. Crowdfunding, the process of raising relatively small sums of money from the crowd, via the internet, enables entrepreneurs, particularly at the innovative and new start-ups stage, to access much needed funding, overcoming a “funding gap”. The growth of crowdfunding has been phenomenal. In 2019, an estimated €14 billion was crowdfunded worldwide (Statistia 2020) and the forecast is for the sector to grow to €30 billion by 2025 (Mordo Intelligence, 2020).

Initially, crowdfunding gained prominence through funding creative and artistic projects, but over the last number of years, this appeal has spread across a diverse range of businesses and sectors (Bradford 2012 and Research and Markets 2022). In the wake of the 2007-2008 financial crisis and more recently the COVID-19 pandemic, crowdfunding offers entrepreneurs and businesses access to much needed seed funding, but also non-financial benefits in the form of market and product testing, media exposure and customer feedback.

Crowdfunding is a relatively new domain for businesses in the hospitality sector. As noted by Belavin, Marinesi and Tsoukalas (2020), crowdfunding offers huge potential for the sector, who often face funding challenges thereby limiting new innovative start-ups, critical for the sector’s long term viability. This case study examined how one entrepreneur in the hospitality sector, successfully crowdfunded an innovative business idea in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The case traces the idea and the factors that shaped the decision to crowdfund. Additionally, the case examines the benefits and challenges involved in successfully crowdfunding the business idea and closes with the entrepreneur reflecting on the key learning from the experience.

The contribution of this case study is twofold. Firstly, it serves to highlight the potential of crowdfunding as a funding source of enterprise development, particularly among new, innovative businesses. Secondly, it adds to the current debate, as noted by Belavin, Marinesi and Tsoukalas (2020), of the potential crowdfunding in fostering entrepreneurship and economic development within the hospitality sector.
Innovation as a Challenge for Peripheral Regions: an Israeli Case
Authors: Bar-El Raphael , Hadad Sharon , Maymoni Liran , Ben Malka Ran , Megidish Reut 
Published: September 2022

Peripheral regions are now confronted with the worldwide prominence of innovation and high technology driving economic growth. It is crucial that they integrate the new trends for their economic sustainability and for the narrowing of social gaps. Research has focused on factors influencing the concentration of technology in metropolitan areas. Other analyses have highlighted the advantages for peripheral or rural regions if they integrate into this process. In our article, we aim to contribute to the discourse by suggesting a unique approach, testing it empirically with a peripheral region in Israel.
Our approach contains the following elements: First, instead of considering innovation as knowledge creation or practical implementation (as generally considered), we prefer the indicator of a knowledge-based economy, as a better proxy for advanced economic growth. Second, we make a distinction between the changes in the economy of the periphery as indicated by prevailing types of occupations, and the changes in the economy of the resident’s workers as indicated by their actual occupations, working in or out of the region (as in the distinction between GDP and GNP).
Using time series for the last two decades, we compare the southern region of Israel and its main central region, using a classification of occupation types into three levels.
The results showed a positive response of the peripheral region to the technological trend challenge. They improved skills and reacted to public policy measures. The economic structure of the periphery improved, providing occupations at higher wage levels. However, such improvement did not sufficiently respond to the improvement in labor supply by resident workers, leading to an increase in dependence on employment of high-level workers from other regions. We also detected an increase of internal gaps within the periphery.
Innovative practices for pollution prevention and control implemented by companies in Romania
Authors: Militaru Andreea Maria Gabriela , Rotărescu Andreea-Mihaela , Fleacă Bogdan , Fleacă Elena 
Published: September 2022

This paper explores the practices of companies present on the Romanian market which are preventing and controlling the pollution in their areas of expertise. Many of the companies are trying to find solutions to implement the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, some of them pleading for the importance of keeping the environment safe, the ecosystems protected, and the degree of pollution at a lower level.
Given the massive use of fossil fuels and other non-renewable resources and the international commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, care for natural resources and pollution reduction becomes essential in ensuring access of future generations to a safe and healthy life. In today’s time, technology plays an essential role in the management of a company, naturally it cannot be absent from the solutions thought to reduce air and water pollution. Hence, the importance of the existing solutions which could be considered innovative measures.
The purpose of this paper is to determine the pollution situation and the factors that contributed to it. At the same time, it will present the evolution of the practices applied by companies to combat water and air pollution, so far. The methodology is based on an analysis of the public sustainability reports from the past years, of the activity of the companies on the Romanian market. Through sustainability reports, large companies present the evolution and results of the applied solutions. Anti-pollution practices can be classified according to their field of activity and type of activity. The study contributes to the review of the literature by focusing on the practices implemented by companies in relation to work and the natural environment at the borders of Romania.
Companies embrace the fight against pollution, including this as part of their sustainability strategy, as a goal which can be achieved only with teamwork, with the stakeholder’s involvement: employees, customers, suppliers, and all those stakeholders who stand for the same values, taking action and using concrete facts to follow the strategy to make an impact for the better.