bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Continuity as Catastrophe: Origins of a Thesis in Walter Benjamin
Authors: Vandeputte Tom
Published: March 2023

In an unpublished fragment from the late 1930s, Walter Benjamin famously calls for a recasting of the idea of catastrophe and its relation to the progression of history. Catastrophe, Benjamin contends, is not to be understood as an exception to the regular course of history; rather than being conceived as a singular event marking the end of the world in its given form, catastrophe is to be located in its persistent continuity—the simple fact that “things ‘go on like this.’” This article traces the origins of this thesis to an earlier text: a 1923 manuscript that Benjamin wrote during a journey through Germany at the peak of the hyperinflation. Examining this text in relation to a treatise that was of particular significance to Benjamin—Erich Unger’s 1921 Politics and Metaphysics—this article offers a reconstruction of the image of catastrophic history presented here as well as its significance for Benjamin’s emerging political thought of the early 1920s. Through a commentary on both texts, the article seeks to contribute to a better understanding of the sources and meaning of the “continuity as catastrophe” thesis, sketching out how Benjamin’s singular vantage point could inform contemporary debates on catastrophe, apocalypse, and the politics of interruption.
Short Severe Energy Restriction with Refueling Reduces Body Mass without Altering Training-Associated Performance Improvement
Authors: BURKE LOUISE M. , WHITFIELD JAMIE , ROSS MEGAN L. R. , TEE NICOLIN , SHARMA AVISH P. , KING ANDY J. , HEIKURA IDA A. , MORABITO AIMEE , MCKAY ALANNAH K. A.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

We investigated short-term (9 d) exposure to low energy availability (LEA) in elite endurance athletes during a block of intensified training on self-reported well-being, body composition, and performance.

Methods

Twenty-three highly trained race walkers undertook an ~3-wk research-embedded training camp during which they undertook baseline testing and 6 d of high energy/carbohydrate (HCHO) availability (40 kcal·kg FFM−1·d−1) before being allocated to 9 d continuation of this diet (n = 10 M, 2 F) or a significant decrease in energy availability to 15 kcal·kg FFM−1·d−1 (LEA: n = 10 M, 1 F). A real-world 10,000-m race walking event was undertaken before (baseline) and after (adaptation) these phases, with races being preceded by standardized carbohydrate fueling (8 g·kg body mass [BM]−1 for 24 h and 2 g·kg BM−1 prerace meal).

Results

Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry–assessed body composition showed BM loss (2.0 kg, P < 0.001), primarily due to a 1.6-kg fat mass reduction (P < 0.001) in LEA, with smaller losses (BM = 0.9 kg, P = 0.008; fat mass = 0.9 kg, P < 0.001) in HCHO. The 76-item Recovery–Stress Questionnaire for Athletes, undertaken at the end of each dietary phase, showed significant diet–trial effects for overall stress (P = 0.021), overall recovery (P = 0.024), sport-specific stress (P = 0.003), and sport-specific recovery (P = 0.012). However, improvements in race performance were similar: 4.5% ± 4.1% and 3.5% ± 1.8% for HCHO and LEA, respectively (P < 0.001). The relationship between changes in performance and prerace BM was not significant (r = −0.08 [−0.49 to 0.35], P = 0.717).

Conclusions

A series of strategically timed but brief phases of substantially restricted energy availability might achieve ideal race weight as part of a long-term periodization of physique by high-performance athletes, but the relationship between BM, training quality, and performance in weight-dependent endurance sports is complicated.
Gait Variability Structure Linked to Worse Cartilage Composition Post-ACL Reconstruction
Authors: ARMITANO-LAGO CORTNEY , DAVIS-WILSON HOPE C. , EVANS-PICKETT ALYSSA , LISEE CAROLINE , KERSHNER CASSIDY E. , BLACKBURN TROY , FRANZ JASON R. , KIEFER ADAM W. , NISSMAN DANIEL , PIETROSIMONE BRIAN
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Aberrant gait variability has been observed after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), yet it remains unknown if gait variability is associated with early changes in cartilage composition linked to osteoarthritis development. Our purpose was to determine the association between femoral articular cartilage T1ρ magnetic resonance imaging relaxation times and gait variability.

Methods

T1ρ magnetic resonance imaging and gait kinematics were collected in 22 ACLR participants (13 women; 21 ± 4 yr old; 7.52 ± 1.43 months post-ACLR). Femoral articular cartilage from the ACLR and uninjured limbs were segmented into anterior, central, and posterior regions from the weight-bearing portions of the medial and lateral condyles. Mean T1ρ relaxation times were extracted from each region and interlimb ratios (ILR) were calculated (i.e., ACLR/uninjured limb). Greater T1ρ ILR values were interpreted as less proteoglycan density (worse cartilage composition) in the injured limb compared with the uninjured limb. Knee kinematics were collected at a self-selected comfortable walking speed on a treadmill with an eight-camera three-dimensional motion capture system. Frontal and sagittal plane kinematics were extracted, and sample entropy was used to calculate kinematic variability structure (KVstructure). Pearson’s product–moment correlations were conducted to determine the associations between T1ρ and KVstructure variables.

Results

Lesser frontal plane KVstructure was associated with greater mean T1ρ ILR in the anterior lateral (r = −0.44, P = 0.04) and anterior medial condyles (r = −0.47, P = 0.03). Lesser sagittal plane KVstructure was associated with greater mean T1ρ ILR in the anterior lateral condyle (r = −0.47, P = 0.03).

Conclusions

The association between less KVstructure and worse femoral articular cartilage proteoglycan density suggests a link between less variable knee kinematics and deleterious changes joint tissue changes. The findings suggest that less knee kinematic variability structure is a mechanism linking aberrant gait to early osteoarthritis development.
Διδακτικές εφαρμογές για την παραγωγή κειμένων υποκειμενικής απεικονιστικής περιγραφής
Authors: Τσέκος Ευάγγελος
Published: March 2023

Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή επικεντρώνεται στην αξιοποίηση της κειμενοκεντρικής απεικονιστικής προσέγγισης, στη βάση του προτύπου μοντέλου της περιγραφικής κειμενικής ακολουθίας του Jean Michel Adam, στο οποίο προστέθηκε η παράλληλη ψυχική συμμετοχή του περιγράφοντος στη διαδικασία της περιγραφής. Η ερευνητική έμφαση της διατριβής και, συνεπώς, η ουσιαστική πρωτοτυπία της έγκειται στη διερεύνηση των στάσεων και απόψεων των εκπαιδευτικών των ανωτέρων τάξεων του Δημοτικού σχολείου (Έ και ΣΤ΄) και των πρώτων τάξεων του Γυμνασίου (Ά και Β΄), ως προς τη δυνατότητα αξιοποίησης του προαναφερόμενου προτύπου μοντέλου του Jean Michel Adam συνδυαστικά με την τριμερή διάρθρωση της ψυχής του περιγράφοντος και την τριμερή διάρθρωση του γραπτού λόγου κατά τη διδασκαλία του μαθήματος της Νεοελληνικής Γλώσσας στους μαθητές των αντίστοιχων τάξεων αναφοράς, με τελικό στόχο την υποκειμενική κειμενική απεικόνιση.
Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome among dentists: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kostares Evangelos , Kostare Georgia , Kostares Michael , Kantzanou Maria
Published: March 2023

Purpose: To estimate the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among dental surgeons and the effect of possible moderators on it.

Methods: A systematic literature search (Medline and Embase databases) was conducted independently by two reviewers. Only observational studies that examined specifically the prevalence rates of CTS among dentists were included. Quality assessment was performed. The pooled prevalence with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was estimated. Outlier and influential analysis were conducted. Moderator analysis was performed in order the effect of categorical and continuous variables on the estimated prevalence to be investigated.

Results: In total, ten eligible studies (3,547 participants) were finally included in this meta-analysis. Two of them were estimated as high quality (low risk of bias) and the remaining ones as moderate quality (moderate risk of bias). The overall prevalence of CTS among dental surgeons was estimated as 9.87% (95%CI 6.84%-14.03%) with significant heterogeneity between studies. No study was identified as influential. Potential sources of heterogeneity were not identified through the moderator analysis. In the subgroup analysis the prevalence was 12.47% (95%CI 6.38%-22.95%) for the group identified as having CTS through medical history and at least clinical examination or electrodiagnostic testing and 8.56% (95%CI 5.53%-13.01%) among those who identified solely through questionnaire (previously diagnosed).

Conclusions: Our findings are important to provide the pooled prevalence of CTS among dentists. Our results were based on highly heterogeneous studies. Our study reports a considerable prevalence, consequently, significance of awareness among dental surgeons regarding the etiology of this issue is more than necessary. More studies need to be conducted that could guide researchers in order this issue to be fully investigated.
A sampling strategy for genome sequencing the British terrestrial arthropod fauna
Authors: Crowley Liam , Allen Heather , Barnes Ian , Boyes Douglas , Broad Gavin R. , Fletcher Christopher , Holland Peter W.H. , Januszczak Inez , Lawniczak Mara , Lewis Owen T. , Macadam Craig R. , Mulhair Peter O. , Pereira da Conceicoa Lyndall , Price Benjamin W. , Raper Chris , Sivell Olga , Sivess Laura
Published: March 2023

The Darwin Tree of Life (DToL) project aims to sequence and assemble high-quality genomes from all eukaryote species in Britain and Ireland, with the first phase of the project concentrating on family-level coverage plus species of particular ecological, biomedical or evolutionary interest. We summarise the processes involved in (1) assessing the UK arthropod fauna and the status of individual species on UK lists; (2) prioritising and collecting species for initial genome sequencing; (3) handling methods to ensure that high-quality genomic DNA is preserved; and (4) compiling standard operating procedures for processing specimens for genome sequencing, identification verification and voucher specimen curation. We briefly explore some lessons learned from the pilot phase of DToL and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The genome sequence of the Ruby Tiger, Phragmatobia fuliginosa (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Boyes Douglas , Lewis Owen T. ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: March 2023

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Phragmatobia fuliginosa (the Ruby Tiger; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Erebidae). The genome sequence is 629.4 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 28 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the assembled Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.4 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 13,338 protein coding genes.
An audit review of midwifery qualifications and distribution in Zambia
Authors: Mwamba Bupe , Nyemba Dorothy C , Al-Nsour Esra'a Ahmad , Bombwe Sondashi , Yang Yutong , Ahinkorah Bright
Published: March 2023

Background

In Zambia, the last decade has seen the development of multiple midwifery qualification, including direct-entry midwifery, an advanced diploma in nursing and midwifery, or a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy in midwifery programme. Despite advancements in midwifery training, there is no research on different categories of midwifery qualifications in Zambia and their competencies. Therefore, there is a need to review midwifery qualifications and the distribution of midwives in Zambia. The aim of this audit review was to evaluate qualification categories of midwives currently registered with the General Nursing and Midwifery Council of Zambia and the distribution of midwives across Zambia.

Methods

An audit review of midwifery qualifications and their distribution across Zambia was undertaken using the General Nursing and Midwifery Council of Zambia's register of nurses and midwives 2020. Data were extracted from the report and presented as frequencies.

Results

A total of 6112 midwives were registered by the General Nursing and Midwifery Council of Zambia at the time of data collection, of which the majority (87.6%) were women and registered nurse midwives (52.7%). The most common place of practice was a hospital (41.5%) and the greatest proportion of midwives worked in Lusaka (24.6%).

Conclusions

This audit review provides insights into midwifery qualification categories in Zambia and their distribution, and indicates that levels of practice should be clearly defined in terms of their competencies. With advancements in midwifery training, the authors believe there will be an increase in midwives' autonomy and their involvement in decision making at all levels of care.
Postpartum mothers' perceptions of factors that influence postpartum traumatic stress disorder in Cross River State, Nigeria
Authors: Agba Mathias , Osuchukwu Easter Chukwudi , Nwakwe Ndukaku Chinazaekpere , Edet Bamidele Olaide
Published: March 2023

Background/Aims

During pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period, a woman's risk of developing a mental disorder increases. These disorders can include postpartum traumatic stress disorder, maternal postpartum depression and maternal psychotic disorder. This study's aim was to explore postpartum mothers' perceptions of the factors that prevent or contribute to postpartum traumatic stress disorder at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital in Cross River State.

Methods

A cross-sectional descriptive survey approach was used with a sample of 138 women chosen at random from the study area. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data on the participants' agreement with statements regarding the influence of social support, economic status and professional support on preventing postpartum traumatic stress disorder. Responses on a Likert scale (strongly agree, agree, disagree, strongly disagree) to statements on each of the factors were converted to means, with a mean score ≥2.5 indicating a factor that had a positive influence on preventing postpartum traumatic stress disorder.

Results

Social support (mean score: 3.64), having a high economic status (mean score: 3.71) and receiving professional support (mean score: 3.83) were perceived to have a positive impact on preventing postpartum traumatic stress disorder. There was a significant link between the influencing factors and the impact on postpartum traumatic stress disorder.

Conclusions

A traumatic birthing experience can have a negative impact on postpartum traumatic stress disorder, which can be mitigated by support from friends and professionals, as well as by a family's economic status. Future research should explore this issue at other health facilities across Nigeria to ascertain the factors associated with postpartum traumatic stress disorder.
Walking as an intervention to reduce blood pressure in adults with hypertension: recommendations and implications for clinical practice
Authors: Mansoor Mohamed , Hamer Oliver , Sandrasekar Kirishan , Argent Candiss , Hill James
Published: March 2023

Hypertension affects more than 1 in 4 adults, equating to around 1.39 billion people worldwide. Hypertension is defined as an elevation in systolic blood pressure above 140 mmHg. This can increase cardiovascular and stroke risk. By lowering blood pressure, individuals can mitigate an increased risk of stroke and end-organ damage. While medications have proven beneficial to lowering blood pressure, they do have the potential for side effects. Other non-pharmacological lifestyle and dietary changes exist. This article critically appraises a systematic review, which assesses whether walking can reduce blood pressure.
Using Interactive Presentations to Promote Mathematical Discourse
Authors: Haj-Yahya Aehsan , Aegbaria Sondos
Published: March 2023

The current study investigated whether: (1) using an interactive presentation (IP) platform could affect the amount of usage of the practices of making orchestrating mathematical discourse- sequencing and connecting students' responses. (2) using an interactive presentation (IP) platform could affect the amount of narratives constructed by students. Fifty seventh-grade students participated in the study; those students were divided into control and experimental groups. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed based on voice recordings and field notes. The results revealed that the teacher using (IP) asked nearly three times more questions that connected students’ responses (i.e., questions that involved valuing students' ideas, exploring students' answers, incorporating students’ background knowledge, and encouraging student-to-student communication). We also saw that the students participated in the learning processes. The students in the experimental group presented three times as many narratives as those in the control group. We present several excerpts from the transcripts of the classroom discussions to illustrate our findings. Discussion of the implications and limitations of these results and make recommendations based on those results.
Developing and Validating a Contextualized Science Literacy Assessment for Adults: The Case of Parents of Hard of Hearing Children
Authors: Shauli Sophie , Baram-Tsabari Ayelet
Published: March 2023

The diversity of definitions of science literacy has resulted in a diversity of measurement tools. However, adult science literacy is mainly assessed on short standardized and non-contextualized questions, thus making the study of adult science literacy more qualitative than quantitative. Here we describe the rationale, development, and validation of a questionnaire that associates the use of science in the specific science-related setting of parents of hard of hearing children with general and topic-specific science knowledge. The questionnaire went through four developmental steps: (1) gathering input from hearing rehabilitation experts and parents, (2) testing the close-ended questionnaire (n=10), (3) open-ended questionnaire (n=24), (4) online close-ended questionnaire (n=91). These all assessed general science knowledge, contextual science knowledge in the field of hearing and parents' advocacy knowledge and attitudes. These steps and the resulting assessment tool can thus inform the further development of measures of adult science literacy in context. The findings suggest that although general science knowledge enables the application of science to everyday science-related problems it only explained a small proportion of the variance in contextual science knowledge. Thus, the results strongly point to the importance of measuring adults' science literacy in a context that is relevant to the responders. The findings also underscored the disappointing outcomes of secondary science education, in that formal scientific background predicted general science knowledge but did not account for contextual science knowledge at all. This should elicit concern as to the ability of students to use science knowledge in future personally important science related contexts.
Development of Online Local History Learning Media Based on Virtual Field Trips to Enhance the Use of Primary Source Evidence
Authors: Ofianto Ofianto , Erniwati Erniwati , Fitrisia Azmi , Ningsih Tri Zahra , Mulyani Fini Fajri
Published: March 2023

It is important for students who learn history to have the skills to think, read and analyze historical sources because past events can only be reconstructed and understood from these numerous resources. Various media methods are needed to support the development of these skills, especially in online learning. Therefore, this research aims to create a virtual field trip (VFT) based history learning media to help students improve their thinking skills using primary source evidence. It was carried out by using the research and development (R&D) method consisting of four stages, namely analysis, designs, conducting trials, and testing media effectiveness. The sample subjects consisted of six teams as expert validators, seven history teachers, 70 and 280 Class X students who assessed the product's practicality and determined the developed media's effectiveness. Data were collected through expert validation, student and teacher response questionnaire sheets, as well as description exams. The level of validity and practicality of the medium were determined using descriptive analysis, while the N-Gain approach evaluated the media's effectiveness. The expert validation result is very good, with an average score of 3.77. The teacher and student response tests showed an average score of 4.67, indicating that the VFT medium is practical for learning history. The N-Gain value of 72% showed that the students' abilities to use primary source evidence are increasing. Therefore, using VFT based history classes to develop explanation skills using primary source evidence is feasible, practical, and useful.
Representing Physical Education in Social Media: A Summative Content Analysis of A School Subject Through Big Data Analytics
Authors: Setiawan Caly
Published: March 2023

The purpose of the current study was to analyze social media content related to physical education. In the context of summative qualitative content analysis, I took advantage of big data analytics to access the data. Machine learning of this big data mapped the large content volume from four major social media platforms. The data was collected by extracting social media posts from January to December 2020. The big data analysis process sorted, categorized, and classified the enormous data into several preeminent topics regarding PE. These computerized analyzes were used to identify themes that were further analyzed using qualitative methods. The results revealed two overarching themes. These themes were (a) PE representation as a school subject and (b) the images of PE teachers on social media. The second theme consisted of three subthemes: masculine traits of PE teachers and negative and positive sentiments toward these teachers. I concluded that key aspects of PE discourse in virtually mediated reality share topical characteristics with what people have previously socially constructed. However, the themes offer a new addition to the literature in that the analysis offers a new perspective on ongoing debates about the social construction of PE through enormous large data sets.
How Students Generate Patterns in Learning Algebra? A Focus on Functional Thinking in Secondary School Students
Authors: Utami Nadya Syifa , Prabawanto Sufyani , Suryadi Didi
Published: March 2023

This research aims to describe secondary school students' functional thinking in generating patterns in learning algebra, particularly in solving mathematical word problems. In addressing this aim, a phenomenological approach was conducted to investigate the meaning of functional relationships provided by students. The data were collected from 39 ninth graders (13-14 years old) through a written test about generating patterns in linear functions. The following steps were conducting interviews with ten representative students to get detailed information about their answers to the written test. All students' responses were then analyzed using the thematic analysis software ATLAS.ti. The findings illustrate that students employed two types of approaches in solving the problem: recursive patterns and correspondence. Students favored the recursive patterns approach in identifying the pattern. They provided arithmetic computation by counting term-to-term but could not represent generalities with algebraic symbols. Meanwhile, students evidenced for correspondence managed to observe the relation between two variables and create the symbolic representation to express the generality. The study concludes that these differences exist due to their focus on identifying patterns: the recursive pattern students tend to see the changes in one variable, whereas the correspondence ones relate to the corresponding pair of variables.
Online Social Support and Psychological Well-Being of Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Napitupulu Lisfarika , Kurniawan Yohan
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of online social support (OSS) on the psychological well-being (PWB) of caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The role of gender as a moderator variable in the relationship between online social support and psychological well-being was also investigated. A quantitative research design was used to collect data from 154 caregivers of children with ASD in Indonesia using PWB and OSS questionnaires adapted into Bahasa Indonesia. Data were analyzed using SMART PLS 3.0. Online social support influences the psychological well-being of caregivers of children with ASD. At the dimension level, several OSS dimensions also affect PWB. The effect of online social support on psychological well-being is the same in both the male and female groups. This means that male and female groups benefit equally from online social support. Future research should combine the study with a qualitative method to gather data from caregivers on how OSS affects their PWB in order to gain a holistic perspective. It could be a suggestion to policymakers to provide beneficial online social media for caregivers of children with ASD.
MEDIAL MALLEOLUS: OPERATIVE OR NONOPERATIVE (MOON): A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL OF OPERATIVE VERSUS NONOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT OF ASSOCIATED MEDIAL MALLEOLUS FRACTURES IN UNSTABLE ANKLE FRACTURES
Authors: Carter T.H. , Oliver W.M. , Bell K.R. , Graham C. , Duckworth A.D. , White T.O.
Published: March 2023

This prospective randomised trial aimed to assess the superiority of internal fixation of well-reduced medial malleolar fractures (displacement □2mm) compared with non-fixation, following fibular stabilisation in patients undergoing surgical management of a closed unstable ankle fracture.

A total of 154 adult patients with a bi- or trimalleolar fracture were recruited from a single centre. Open injuries and vertically unstable medial malleolar fractures were excluded. Following fibular stabilisation, patients were randomised intra-operatively on a 1:1 basis to fixation or non-fixation after satisfactory fluoroscopic fracture reduction was confirmed. The primary outcome was the Olerud Molander Ankle Score (OMAS) at 12 months post-randomisation. Complications were documented over the follow-up period.

The baseline group demographics and injury characteristics were comparable. There were 144 patients reviewed at the primary outcome point (94%). The median OMAS was 80 (IQR, 60-90) in the fixation group vs. 72.5 (IQR, 55-90) in the non-fixation group (p=0.165). Complication rates were comparable, although significantly more patients (n=13, 20%) in the non-fixation group developed a radiographic non-union (p<0.001). The majority (n=8/13) were asymptomatic, with one patient requiring surgical reintervention. In the non-fixation group, a superior outcome was associated with an anatomical medial malleolar fracture reduction.

Internal fixation is not superior to non-fixation of well-reduced medial malleolar fractures when managing unstable ankle fractures. However, one in five patients following non-fixation developed a radiographic non-union and whilst the re-intervention rate to manage this was low, the longer-term consequences of this are unknown. The results of this trial may support selective non-fixation of anatomically reduced fractures.
SURGICAL RIB FRACTURE FIXATION IN THE NORTH OF SCOTLAND: EARLY OPERATIVE INTERVENTION IMPROVES OUTCOMES
Authors: Dixon J. E. , Rankin I. A. , Diston N. , Goffin J. , Stevenson I.
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to assess the outcomes of patients with complex rib fractures undergoing operative or non-operative management at our center over a six-year time period.

Retrospective analysis was performed to identify all patients with complex rib fractures at our center from May 2016 to September 2022. Outcome measures included mechanical ventilation, tracheostomy, pneumonia, and mortality at one year.

388 patients with complex rib fractures were identified. 37 (10%) patients fulfilled criteria for surgical management and underwent rib fracture fixation; 351 patients were managed non-operatively with anaesthetic block or analgesia alone. The fixation group had a significantly higher proportion of patients with flail chest (30 (81%) vs 94 (27%), p<0.001) and were significantly more likely to require ICU admission (30 (81%) vs. 16 (5%), p<0.001) than the non-operative group. At one year follow-up, no significant differences were seen for mortality between these groups (1 (3%) vs. 27 (7%), p=0.276).

Of the surgical management group, those that underwent fixation <72 hours post injury were significantly less likely to develop pneumonia than those who were delayed >72 hours (2 (18%) vs 15 (58%), p=0.038), with downward trends noted for ICU length of stay (6 vs 10 days, p=0.140) and duration of mechanical ventilation (5 vs 8 days, p=0.177); no significant differences were seen for tracheostomy (3 vs. 5, p=0.588) or mortality (0 vs 1, p=0.856).

Surgical fixation of complex rib fractures improves outcomes in selected patient groups. Early surgical fixation led to reduced rates of pneumonia and may improve other outcome measures.
Web Project Development: Emergency Management
Authors: Fedushko Solomiia , Trach Olha , Syerov Yuriy , Kryvinska Natalia , Calhoun Jennifer R.
Published: March 2023

Web projects are crucial to a company’s online presence and significantly impact its success. Risk management is a component of web project management to identify, assess and potentially control threats to the success of projects. The research methodology includes systematic and analytical analyses of the members’ management of risks associated with web project users. The results and implications reveal that assessing the intensity of risk management measures for the sustainability of web projects regarding risks is imperative. The capacity for emergency management in web projects is essential for identifying, assessing, and controlling potential threats, reducing the probability of project delays or failure. Emergency management offers several critical benefits to web projects, including improved data protection, increased continuity of operations, reduced downtime, enhanced reputation, and increased efficiency. Effective emergency management throughout the web project life cycle organization ensures that the project is completed on time, within budget, and to stakeholders’ satisfaction while being prepared for potential emergencies. This research develops best practices and standards for future projects, increasing project success rates.
Estrategia de competitividad turística de la República Dominicana
Authors: Villareal René , Van der Horst Andrés
Published: March 2023

El turismo es la actividad económica más importante de República Dominicana que bien puede – como ha sido la experiencia exitosa de otros destinos turísticos- ampliar sus efectos positivos a una mayor equidad en la distribución del ingreso y desde luego a disminuir la pobreza.Dado que el turismo es el motor indiscutible del crecimiento económico y, sobre todo, una fuente importante de empleo con amplio impacto en las comunidades locales puede y debe contribuir a mejorar la calidad de vida de la población más pobre del país a través de su integración al desarrollo turístico.La estrategia general del  modelo para avanzar hacia una nueva etapa del desarrollo turístico competitivo y sustentable se detalla en el Plan Nacional de Competitividad Sistemática de República Dominicana (PNCS-RD), el cual fue presentado por el Presidente Dr. Leonel Fernández el 21 de marzo de 2007. En este artículo se presenta un panorama de la estrategia general sugerida para diversificar el modelo de desarrollo turística de la República Dominicana.
El Turismo Internacional en una Era de Cambio
Authors: Huéscar Martínez Augusto , Julian Michel
Published: March 2023

El turismo es una actividad de una importancia económica considerable: exportó en 2009 unos 2.700 millones de dólares diarios. Ese mismo año, el turismo internacional sufrió un decrecimiento de 4,2 por ciento superior a los tres únicos años negativos previamente registrados desde el año 1950: 1982 (-0,1%), 1991 (-0,3%) y 2003 (-1,5%). Es una corrección apreciable a la tendencia que el turismo internacional ha experimentado de forma sostenida. El turismo es vulnerable, pero se recupera. No obstante volver a la senda de crecimiento histórico en la que estaba instalada tomará su tiempo y es cierto que ha de desarrollarse con renovados criterios de gestión. El marco económico y social que se ha ido conformando en los meses pasados crea un nuevo entorno que hace necesaria, más que nunca, una reflexión sobre el rumbo que ha de darse al desarrollo del turismo. El año 2008 presentó un punto de inflexión hacia mediados del año. En sus seis primeros meses el turismo internacional aumentó un 6 por ciento, pero decreció en los meses posteriores. El año 2009 consolidó un retroceso del turismo internacional en todas las regiones, salvo en África; los datos iniciales disponibles muestran un mantenimiento y en muchos casos crecimiento del turismo interno. Los turistas siguieron viajando pero en su propio país o a destinos cercanos, y mantuvieron un comportamiento mucho más conservador en el momento del gasto. Para el año 2010 la Organización Mundial del Turismo (OMT) espera que la demanda internacional crezca un 4% o quizás algo más. El mercado se ha hecho más rígido, mucho más competitivo y más dependiente de los mercados de proximidad y de algunos de los emergentes.El presente artículo aborda las características actuales del turismo y analiza su evolución entre 2008 y 2010, haciendo hincapié en el Caribe.
El impacto del turismo en la economía de Curaçao
Authors: Jelsma Liselotte , Korteweg Maris Diana , Heijman Wim
Published: March 2023

Desde el 2010, Curazao es un país autónomo del Reino de los Países Bajos. El gobierno desea apoyar el desarrollo turístico, sin embargo existen varias estrategia de desarrollo posibles. Este artículo presenta cuatro escenarios de estrategias de marketing e inversión que afectarán el número de turistas provenientes de los Países Bajos y América del Norte de diversas maneras. Se utilizó un modelo multiplicador para calcular el impacto económico de los cuatro escenarios. Por medio de dicho procedimiento, este artículo muestra cómo la decisión del gobierno de Curazao de apoyar estrategias de marketing e inversión en particular podría tener ciertas consecuencias para el número de empleos en la industria del turismo en Curazao.
Tourism Reclaiming Urban Case Study: City Of Macau In The Pearl River Delta Region, China
Authors: Lima Miguel
Published: March 2023

El objetivo principal de este artículo es estudiar el uso de la reclamación territorial en el contexto de la construcción de espacios turísticos y su relación con regiones urbanas consolidadas y en crecimiento. En cuanto a los procesos involucrados, es relevante analizar la interacción del desarrollo turístico masivo que usa la urbanización basada en construcción rápida impulsada por tierras ganadas al mar. La “urbanización del agua” con propósitos turísticos crea irregularidades, sacando a relucir problemáticas del contexto urbano. Entre otros conflictos - en los límites y bordes, que contaminan y expanden el fenómeno que causa dicotomías controversiales que llevan a la construcción de la historia en detrimento de la consolidación de testimonios pasados – esto incluye patrimonio y aspectos culturales que han sido reemplazados, reinventados y recreados en contextos urbanos tematizados.
Gestión de competencias y graduados en turismo: los futuros líderes del turismo del Caribe
Authors: Lewis-Cameron Acolla
Published: March 2023

El Caribe tiene el reto de seguir siendo competitivo en el escenario de un turismo mundial dinámico. La educación turística desempeña un papel fundamental en la preparación de las personas que pueda gestionar eficazmente esta industria, con el fin de obtener una ventaja competitiva. El objetivo de este estudio es la determinación de las competencias de gestión esenciales en los graduados de turismo. Los resultados revelan que el enfoque del programa de turismo debe producir graduados que sean flexibles, éticos y bien informados. Es responsabilidad de los educadores del turismo establecer una estrecha colaboración entre las principales partes interesadas, para asegurarse de que hay un entendimiento de lo que es de vital importancia en la preparación de los futuros líderes del Caribe.
El beneficio de la gestión de relación entre las empresas y turistas a través de las aplicaciones móviles como herramienta de marketing y elemento diferenciador de los destinos turísticos
Authors: Florido-Benítez Lázaro , Del Alcázar Martínez Benjamín , González Robles Eva María
Published: March 2023

Actualmente los destinos turísticos se promocionan a través de múltiples medios, aunque debemos reconocer que en estos momentos el más importante es internet y en especial las aplicaciones móviles, que están siendo el soporte por el cual el tejido empresarial turístico están canalizando su oferta para mejorar la experiencia del turista. En este trabajo de investigación exponemos la gestión de relación entre empresa-turista como el esqueleto de sujeción de la economía del destino a largo plazo. La competitividad entre los destinos turísticos ha obligado a todos los agentes implicados a ser más creativos, proactivos y sobre todo a saber diferenciarnos de los demás. La metodología utilizada en este proyecto de investigación, ha sido principalmente de carácter cualitativo, recopilando información sobre nuestro problema de estudio. El interés de esta investigación, se centra principalmente en analizar que beneficio tiene la gestión de relación entre empresa-turista a través de las aplicaciones móviles, estudiar este nodo como elemento diferenciador turístico y qué efectos está teniendo en esta actividad marketiniana.
De smart city a smart destination. El caso de tres ciudades canadienses
Authors: Khomsi Mohamed Reda , Bédard Bedard François
Published: March 2023

Varias ciudades en el mundo se autoproclaman  “inteligentes”  integrando, en diferentes grados las nuevas tecnologías en las diferentes esferas de la ciudad.  Sin embargo, a pesar de esta efervescencia alrededor de la ciudad inteligente, el concepto requiere más conceptualización por parte de los investigadores.  Esto es aún más importante cuando llega el momento de distinguir entre una ciudad inteligente y un destino inteligente.  La relación entre estos dos conceptos no es clara y la transición de ciudad inteligente a destino inteligente no es automática.  Esta situación se explica por el hecho que las características intrínsecas de sus respectivas poblaciones objetivo, tanto de los ciudadanos como de los turistas son diferentes.  En este orden, este artículo compara tres ciudades Canadienses de la provincia de Quebec, con el objetivo de demostrar que la realización de un proyecto de destino inteligente, requiere la adaptación de las estructuras de gobierno, la participación de todos los interesados y particularmente en turismo.
De la Turismofobia a la Convivencia Turística: El Caso de Barcelona. Análisis Comparativo con Ámsterdam y Berlín
Authors: Guitart Casalderrey Nuria , Alcalde Garcia Jessica , Pitarch Mach Anna , Vallvé Fernández Óscar
Published: March 2023

El fenómeno de la turismofobia y los problemas de convivencia turística son el objeto de estudio del presente artículo, realizado en base a un análisis comparativo de las ciudades de Ámsterdam, Barcelona y Berlín. El objetivo principal es estudiar el concepto turismofobia con la finalidad de conocer las características comunes que provocan la aparición de varios problemas de convivencia turística.Para el estudio de la extensión del fenómeno se ha llevado a cabo una búsqueda de cifras y artículos divulgativos con el objetivo de definir los problemas provocados por la actividad turística en las tres ciudades. Paralelamente se han realizado entrevistas a 27 personalidades del sector, pertenecientes tanto a la administración pública como a asociaciones vecinales, al mundo académico y al sector privado.Los resultados llevan a considerar que la concepción del término turismofobia, teniendo en cuenta su significado etimológico, se aleja de las líneas más extendidas. Las tres ciudades presentan distintos problemas de convivencia entre turistas y residentes provocados, principalmente, por la masificación de los espacios públicos y por la mala planificación del entorno, hechos que causan malestar entre la ciudadanía y que ha sido entendido como odio al turismo tanto por diversos actores del sector como por los medios de comunicación.
Self-supervised Blind2Unblind deep learning scheme for OCT speckle reductions
Authors: Yu Xiaojun , Ge Chenkun , Li Mingshuai , Yuan Miao , Liu Linbo , Mo Jianhua , Shum Perry Ping , Chen Jinna
Published: March 2023

As a low-coherence interferometry-based imaging modality, optical coherence tomography (OCT) inevitably suffers from the influence of speckles originating from multiply scattered photons. Speckles hide tissue microstructures and degrade the accuracy of disease diagnoses, which thus hinder OCT clinical applications. Various methods have been proposed to address such an issue, yet they suffer either from the heavy computational load, or the lack of high-quality clean images prior, or both. In this paper, a novel self-supervised deep learning scheme, namely, Blind2Unblind network with refinement strategy (B2Unet), is proposed for OCT speckle reduction with a single noisy image only. Specifically, the overall B2Unet network architecture is presented first, and then, a global-aware mask mapper together with a loss function are devised to improve image perception and optimize sampled mask mapper blind spots, respectively. To make the blind spots visible to B2Unet, a new re-visible loss is also designed, and its convergence is discussed with the speckle properties being considered. Extensive experiments with different OCT image datasets are finally conducted to compare B2Unet with those state-of-the-art existing methods. Both qualitative and quantitative results convincingly demonstrate that B2Unet outperforms the state-of-the-art model-based and fully supervised deep-learning methods, and it is robust and capable of effectively suppressing speckles while preserving the important tissue micro-structures in OCT images in different cases.
Opto-mechanical self-adjustment model of the human eye
Authors: Shahiri Mohammadali , Jóźwik Agnieszka , Asejczyk Magdalena
Published: March 2023

The eye has specific optical and biomechanical properties that jointly regulate the eye's quality of vision, shape, and elasticity. These two characteristics are interdependent and correlated. Contrary to most currently available computational models of the human eye that only focus on biomechanical or optical aspects, the current study explores the inter-relationships between biomechanics, structure, and optical properties. Possible combinations of mechanical properties, boundary conditions, and biometrics were specified to ensure the opto-mechanical (OM) integrity to compensate for physiological changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) without compromising image acuity. This study evaluated the quality of the vision by analyzing the minimum spot diameters formed on the retina and drew how the self-adjustment mechanism affects the eye globe shape by adopting a finite element (FE) model of the eyeball. The model was verified by a water drinking test with biometric measurement (OCT Revo NX, Optopol) and tonometry (Corvis ST, Oculus).
Optimization and characterization of toroidal foci for super-resolution fluorescence microscopy: tutorial
Authors: Lopez Lucía F. , Masullo Luciano A. , Szalai Alan M. , Edorna Florencia , Choque Florencia D. , Caprile Fernando , Stefani Fernando D.
Published: March 2023

Single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) has become an essential tool to investigate phenomena at the nanoscale. Among the different SMLM approaches, methods that interrogate the molecular position with an intensity minimum, such as minimal emission fluxes (MINFLUX) or the more recent raster scanning a minimum of light (RASTMIN), stand out for reaching true molecular resolution. To implement these methods, the phase of the excitation beam needs to be modulated to obtain a focus with a central minimum, i.e., a so-called toroidal or doughnut-shaped focus. In this tutorial, we explain the basis and experimental tricks to generate and optimize such beams, particularly in raster-scanning microscopes.
Low-dose imaging denoising with one pair of noisy images
Authors: Yang Dongyu , Lv Wenjin , Zhang Junhao , Chen Hao , Sun Xinkai , Lv Shenzhen , Dai Xinzhe , Luo Ruichun , Zhou Wu , Qiu Jisi , Shi Yishi
Published: March 2023

Low-dose imaging techniques have many important applications in diverse fields, from biological engineering to materials science. Samples can be protected from phototoxicity or radiation-induced damage using low-dose illumination. However, imaging under a low-dose condition is dominated by Poisson noise and additive Gaussian noise, which seriously affects the imaging quality, such as signal-to-noise ratio, contrast, and resolution. In this work, we demonstrate a low-dose imaging denoising method that incorporates the noise statistical model into a deep neural network. One pair of noisy images is used instead of clear target labels and the parameters of the network are optimized by the noise statistical model. The proposed method is evaluated using simulation data of the optical microscope, and scanning transmission electron microscope under different low-dose illumination conditions. In order to capture two noisy measurements of the same information in a dynamic process, we built an optical microscope that is capable of capturing a pair of images with independent and identically distributed noises in one shot. A biological dynamic process under low-dose condition imaging is performed and reconstructed with the proposed method. We experimentally demonstrate that the proposed method is effective on an optical microscope, fluorescence microscope, and scanning transmission electron microscope, and show that the reconstructed images are improved in terms of signal-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution. We believe that the proposed method could be applied to a wide range of low-dose imaging systems from biological to material science.
Capacity-achieving symbol distributions for directly modulated laser and direct detection systems
Authors: Kim Daeho , Kim Hoon
Published: March 2023

We investigate the capacity-achieving symbol distributions for directly modulated laser (DML) and direct-detection (DD) systems utilizing probabilistic constellation shaped pulse amplitude modulation formats. DML-DD systems utilize a bias tee to feed the DC bias current and AC-coupled modulation signals. Also, an electrical amplifier is commonly utilized to drive the laser. Thus, most DML-DD systems are subject to the constraints of the average optical power and peak electrical amplitude. We compute the channel capacity of the DML-DD systems under these constraints by using the Blahut-Arimoto algorithm to obtain the capacity-achieving symbol distributions. We also carry out experimental demonstration to verify our computation results. We show that the probabilistic constellation shaping (PCS) technique marginally increases the capacity of DML-DD system when the optical modulation index (OMI) is less than 1. However, the PCS technique allows us to increase the OMI larger than 1 without clipping distortions. As a result, we can increase the capacity of DML-DD system by using the PCS technique in comparison with the uniformly distributed signals.