Current Trends Research Articles

Can Your Smartphone Save A Life? A Systematic Review of Mobile-Based Interventions For Suicide Prevention

Mobile health (mHealth) apps are handy tools for tackling stigmatized mental health issues, including suicide. Mobile-based interventions for suicide prevention are easily accessible, increase the likelihood of honest reporting on sensitive topics and reduce stigma as compared to face-to-face or traditional interventions. Many mHealth apps for suicide prevention exist. However, the persuasive strategies employed in these apps and their efficacy remains unknown. To address this gap, we reviewed 80 suicide prevention apps available on app stores and in academic journals. We identified different persuasive strategies implemented in these apps using the Persuasive System Design (PSD) model. We also identified current trends within these apps, most and least-dominant implementations of persuasive strategies, effectiveness of apps, evaluation methods, and app content. We found that Personalization (n = 32) and Self-monitoring (n = 29) were the most-dominant strategies and Social Comparison, Social Role were the least-dominant strategies in suicide prevention apps. Based on our findings we discuss three major concerns in developing suicide prevention apps and offer recommendations for mitigating them. Our results show that persuasive strategies are a promising tool that can be used for designing suicide prevention apps. Our conclusions and recommendations will guide future work in suicide prevention app development and enhance the usability, effectiveness, and user-experience of such apps.

Post-Mastectomy Breast Reconstruction – a review on current trends

Post-Mastectomy Breast Reconstruction – a review on current trends

Label‐free surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy coupled with machine learning algorithms in pathogenic microbial identification: Current trends, challenges, and perspectives

AbstractInfectious diseases caused by microbial pathogens remain a primary contributor to global health burdens. Prompt control and effective prevention of these pathogens are critical for public health and medical diagnostics. Conventional microbial detection methods suffer from high complexity, low sensitivity, and poor selectivity. Therefore, developing rapid and reliable methods for microbial pathogen detection has become imperative. Surface‐enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS), as an innovative non‐invasive diagnostic technique, holds significant promise in pathogenic microorganism detection due to its rapid, reliable, and cost‐effective advantages. This review comprehensively outlines the fundamental theories of Raman Spectroscopy (RS) with a focus on label‐free SERS strategy, reporting on the latest advancements of SERS technique in detecting bacteria, viruses, and fungi in clinical settings. Furthermore, we emphasize the application of machine learning algorithms in SERS spectral analysis. Finally, challenges faced by SERS application are probed, and the prospective development is discussed.

An industry perspective on current QSP trends in drug development.

2023 marks the 10th anniversary of Natpara's submission to the US FDA, which led to the first recorded regulatory interaction where a decision was supported by Quantitative and Systems Pharmacology (QSP) simulations. It had taken about 5 years for the timid QSP discipline to emerge as an effective Model-Informed Drug Development (MIDD) tool with visible impact in the pharmaceutical industry. Since then, the presence of QSP in the regulatory environment has continued to increase, to the point that the Agency reported 60 QSP submissions in 2020 alone, representing ~ 4% of their annual IND submissions [1]. What sort of industry mindset has enabled QSP to reach this level of success? How does QSP fit within the MIDD paradigm? Does QSP mean the same to Discovery and to Clinical Development projects? How do 'platforms' compare to 'fit-for-purpose' QSP models in an industrial setting? Can QSP and empirical Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic (PKPD) modelling be complementary? What level of validation is required to inform drug development decisions? This article reflects on all these questions, in particular addressing those audiences with limited line-of-sight into the drug industry decision-making machinery.

A Study on the Selection and Development of English Education A Case Study of China and Belgium

A Study on the Selection and Development of English Education A Case Study of China and Belgium

Antibiotic resistance pattern of <em>Salmonella enterica typh</em>i infection in paediatric population at a iertiary level hospital

Background: Enteric fever is an important public health condition in developing countries. Antibiotic resistance patterns in Salmonella enterica typhi (S. typhi) infections are constantly changing. Continual surveillance of resistance levels of S. typhi is critical for clinicians to update antibiotic options.Objectives: To evaluate the current trends in antibiotic sensitivity and resistance to S. typhi in children in developing countries.Method: A cross sectional observational study was carried out on 102 children aged 6 months to 5 years with culture positive S. typhi infection in a tertiary care hospital in North India. Antibiotic susceptibility information of S. typhi was collected and the pattern of antibiotic resistance was analysed.Results: S. typhi showed a sensitivity of 78.4% to ampicillin and 99% to trimethoprim+ sulfamethoxazole which were the previously used antibiotics. However, it showed 100% resistance to ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid. Of the currently used first line IV antibiotics, there was a 88.4% sensitivity to ceftriaxone and a 98% sensitivity to meropenem.Conclusions: The study concluded that there is reemergence of antibiotic sensitivity of S. typhi to earlier first line drugs like ampicillin and trimethoprim– sulfamethoxazole.

Results of an exploratory survey within ESTS membership in 2022 on current trend of robotic-assisted thoracic surgery and its training perspectives.

Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) is increasingly used in our specialty. We surveyed European Society of Thoracic Surgeons membership with the objective to determine current status of robotic thoracic surgery practice including training perspectives. A survey of 17 questions was rolled out with 1 surgeon per unit responses considered as acceptable. A total of 174 responses were obtained; 56% (97) were board-certified thoracic surgeons; 28% (49) were unit heads. Most responses came from Italy (20); 22% (38) had no robot in their institutions, 31% (54) had limited access and only 17% (30) had full access including proctoring. Da Vinci Xi was the commonest system in 56% (96) centres, 25% (41) of them had dual console in all systems, whereas RATS simulator was available only in half (51.18% or 87). Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) was the most commonly adopted surgical approach in 81% of centres (139), followed by thoracotomy in 67% (115) and RATS in 36% (62); 39% spent their training time on robotic simulator for training, 51% on robotic wet/dry lab, which being no significantly different to 46-59% who had training on VATS platform. There was indeed huge overlap between simulator models or varieties usage; 52% (90) reported of robotic surgery not a part of training curriculum with no plans to introduce it in future. Overall, 51.5% (89) responded of VATS experience being helpful in robotic training in view of familiarity with minimally invasive surgery anatomical views and dissection; 71% (124) reported that future thoracic surgeons should be proficient in both VATS and RATS. Half of the respondents found no difference in earlier chest drain removal with either approach (90), 35% (60) reported no difference in postoperative pain and 49% (84) found no difference in hospital stay; 52% (90) observed better lymph node harvest by RATS. Survey concluded on a positive response with at least 71% (123) surgeons recommending to adopt robotics in future.

HARMONY OF LIGHT AND SHADOW: KEY ASPECTS OF LIGHTING IN PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

The article analyzes the role of lighting in portrait photography, emphasizing how the harmony between light and shadow can affect the emotional depth and visual appeal of an image. Photography, presented as an art and science of light, requires not only professional skills, but also the talent and skill of the photographer. The skill of a photographer lies not only in technical execution, but also in the ability to convey life and emotions through the image, revealing the true character of a person. Thus, a portrait photographer should be able to capture the soul and inner world of the model, which is a sign of his or her true skill. The article pays special attention to lighting under artificial lighting. It further discusses such aspects as distance between the subject and the light source, directionality of light, the size of light source and the distance to the subject, as well as the importance of shape of reflector. The different types of lighting in portrait photography are also discussed: back, side, front, diffused, and hard light, each of which affects the final image. The study includes analysis of current trends and innovative lighting techniques in portrait photography. It emphasizes the importance of the photographer’s ability to use different light sources to create images that reflect uniqueness and personality of the model. This study aims to expand the theoretical knowledge and practical skills of photographers, striving to improve the quality and expressiveness of portrait images.

Navigating Digital Transformation: Current Trends in Digital Competencies for Open Innovation in Organizations

This study explored both the evolution and the integration of digital competencies within the context of open innovation, emphasizing the impact of technological advances across various sectors. The goal was to analyze documents indexed in Scopus from 2017 to 2023 using a quantitative and bibliometric approach. The methodology employed RStudio version 4.3.2 and Microsoft Excel 365 for data analysis, focusing on variables such as documents per year, h-index, total citations, and academic sources. The findings indicated a significant increase in research, highlighting a diversity of approaches, a trend towards international collaboration, and an evolution from basic concepts to complex applications, particularly the integration of digitization with sustainability and innovation. This research underscores the transformation of the business sector through digital competencies in open innovation and suggests further exploration into the effects of the pandemic on digital competencies, the role of artificial intelligence, the digital competencies–sustainable development relationship, and their application across different sectors.

Smart Strategies and Technologies for Sustainability and Biodiversity in Herbaceous and Horticultural Crops

Current trends in modern farming systems are moving in the direction of technical solutions for improving the sustainability and biodiversity of agroecosystems [...]

Bibliometric Review of Prefabricated and Modular Timber Construction from 1990 to 2023: Evolution, Trends, and Current Challenges

Due to its inherent characteristics, such as a light weight and ease of workability, timber is ideal for prefabricated and modular construction. However, since the research in this field covers a wide range of niches such as structural engineering, building physics, design for assembly and disassembly, and life cycle analysis, among others, and since there has been considerable development of the field in past years—boosted by new mass timber products and tall timber construction—it is difficult to critically analyze the current state of the art, current trends, and research challenges. Therefore, this research aimed to cover a systematic review of 409 articles to assess the field of prefabricated and modular timber construction critically. The methodology comprised a co-word network approach using the Science Mapping Analysis Software Tool (SciMAT, Version 3) to illustrate their evolution from 1990 to 2023. The findings show that the circular economy and digital technologies significantly impact the development of these technologies, which can potentially provide practical solutions for designing buildings with a circular approach and improving productivity and efficiency in the construction process. However, it is essential to acknowledge a notable deficiency in the research and understanding of these subjects. Therefore, various sectors must take the lead in conducting a thorough reassessment to enhance research and development in the field. Finally, the findings from this research can significantly contribute to existing knowledge and serve as a comprehensive platform for the further exploration of prefabricated and modular timber construction.

Current trends in the management of out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Sudden cardiac arrest remains a relevant problem with a significant number of deaths worldwide. Although survival rates have more than tripled over the last 20 years (4% in 2001 vs. 14% in 2020), survival rates with good neurological outcomes remain persistently low, representing a major socioeconomic problem. Every minute of delay from patient collapse to start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and early defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by approximately 10-12%. Therefore, the time to treatment is a crucial factor in the prognosis of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Research teams working in the pre-hospital setting are therefore looking for ways to improve the transmission of information from the site of an emergency event and to make it easier for emergency medical dispatch centres (EMDC) to recognise life-threatening conditions with minimal deviation. For emergency unit procedures already at the scene of the event, methods are being sought to efficiently and temporarily replace a non-functioning cardiopulmonary system. In the case of traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA), the focus is mainly on effective affecting non-compressible haemorrhage.

Declining magma supply to a poroelastic magma mush explains long-term deformation at Soufrière Hills Volcano

Volcano deformation studies traditionally consider melt-dominated magma reservoirs, often overlooking the significant role of poroelastic mush in modifying surface deformation. Here, we analyze the deformation of Soufrière Hills Volcano (SHV) with a focus on a mush-dominated, poroelastic magma reservoir, drawing on temporal deformation data from 14 continuous GPS stations during the ongoing intra-eruptive unrest period. We implemented a 3D Finite Element model and optimization to simulate the observed deformation. Our results reveal that the deformation is likely driven by ongoing, melt injection (Q = 1.1 m³ sec⁻¹) into a low permeability (k = 4.7 × 10⁻¹⁰ m²) reservoir with the injection to the base of the reservoir at 16.5 km depth below sea level. Our findings highlight temporal variations in the melt injection rate to fit the decreasing GPS-recorded deformation rates. An initial injection rate Qi = 1.9 m³ sec⁻¹ inferred at the start of our study period decreases to Qf = 0.3 m³ sec⁻¹ over a 12-year period (2010–2022). Exploratory forward modeling suggests that if current trends continue, the end of magma supply to our modelled reservoir could occur around June 2024 ± 2 years. However, this does not imply the end of associated volcanic hazards at SHV, as the poroelastic diffusion of melt will continue, causing redistribution of melt, surface deformation, and potentially initiating reservoir rupture. While our models offer new insights, inherent limitations in our simulations include interdependencies among our explored model parameters that would benefit from further refinement. Despite these limitations, the study offers crucial guidance on understanding and forecasting volcano deformation dynamics, particularly for volcanoes like SHV with crystal-rich magma reservoirs.

Transformative organisational learning for sustainability in higher education: A literature review and an international multi-case study

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) play a critical role in the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SD). However, this contribution requires a significant transformation in HEIs, encompassing all their activities. In this regard, the main objective of this study is to understand the learning processes, paths, and practices that can contribute to this transformation, from the transformative and organisational learning perspectives. Specifically, this study seeks to investigate: (1) what the literature states on transformative and organisational learning for sustainability in higher education; (2) how top sustainable HEIs are embedding sustainability into their activities; and (3) the role of transformative and organisational learning for sustainability in higher education. For that, we combined a bibliometric review of relevant literature on the topic with fifteen case studies from thirteen cities of six different countries, conducted through in-loco observation techniques, in-depth interviews, and document analysis. The findings of this study contribute to the literature by mapping current trends on the topic and, from the experience of the most sustainable HEIs, it provides practical insights and frameworks which can inspire and guide other HEIs on their journey towards sustainability.

Visualization Process of International Trade and its impact on GDP through Multi-criteria Decision Model: A Case Study of India’s Merchandise Trade

When it comes to international trade, India is one of the most important nations. This paper intends to analyze the effect of International Trade on a nation’s GDP growth through the process of visualizing the current trends. For this research, some statistical (economical) data is considered and its effect on the GDP is analyzed for the previous accounting years ranging from 2015 to 2021. The data considered for this include – the monetary value of exports from India (in US$ Millions), the monetary value of imports from India (in US$ Millions), India’s share of exports to the nation out of all the nations, India’s share of imports to the nation out of all the nations in, export growth rate, import growth rate, currency exchange rate, Inflation rate. This paper examines and explains how these economic factors influence a country’s (India’s) GDP growth through the process of visualization.

Sludge‐based geopolymer materials: A review

AbstractSludge refers to the solid waste produced after sewage treatment. Unreasonable disposal of sludge can cause environmental pollution. Nonetheless, the sludge contains large amounts of silica‐aluminate, which has pozzolanic activity by treatment, and the sludge can be used as a sustainable building material. The previous studies have recommended that it is reasonable to produce geopolymers, that is, a green low‐carbon cementitious material with excellent mechanical and durability properties, from sludge. This article provides an overview of recent advancements in the study of sludge‐based geopolymer. It delves into the mechanisms behind alkali‐activated geopolymer, examines the feasibility of preparing geopolymer from sludge, and discusses various preparation methods. Additionally, it elaborates on the impact of incorporating different auxiliary materials on sludge‐based geopolymer. The comprehensive performance of sludge‐based geopolymer, encompassing mechanical properties, durability, and setting time, is thoroughly summarized. An environmental assessment is conducted, evaluating heavy metal leaching and the lifecycle of sludge‐based geopolymer. Finally, we briefly discuss some problems in the current research and development trends in the future on sludge‐based geopolymer. The aim of this article is to provide comprehensive support and guidance for both the research and practical engineering applications of sludge‐based geopolymer.

Scientometrics and visualized analysis of 3D food printing: A boost to future food customized development

There has been an exponential growth of research on three-dimensional food printing (3DFP) in recent years. In this study, scientometric and visual analyses were performed on scientific publications about 3DFP from January 1, 2014, to June 30, 2023, aiming to characterize the evolution, hotspots, and emerging trends in this research area. Using "3D food printing" as the topic search term, 517 studies from 1,509 authors at 441 institutions in 56 countries/regions were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Scientometric analysis was performed using VOSviewer in terms of annual publications, countries/regions, institutions, authors, journals, highly cited papers, and keywords. A co-occurrence analysis of 105 keywords with a frequency greater than three was conducted, resulting in five clusters. In conjunction with the analysis of highly cited papers and hot papers, "hydrogels," "high internal phase emulsion," "bigels," "dysphagic food," and "4D printing" were identified as the latest high-frequency keywords and research hotspots, indicating the emerging frontiers of 3DFP. The clustered keywords were further discussed to assist researchers in determining the topic scope and planning their research directions. This study revealed the current trends, global collaboration patterns, fundamental knowledge, research hotspots, and emerging frontiers in 3DFP.

Analysis of the new market trends of UAVS for safe BVLOS operations

UAVs are currently conquering the skies as prominent tools for various data-intensive applications, in the economic, transport, military and civil sector. While initially found application in the military sector, technology progression allowed them to enter the recreational sector and are now gaining ground in the fringes of the commercial environment. In parallel, technical components and subsystems that are application-optimised focus on highly automated drones, benefit from expertise in other domains, especially when it comes to Electronic Components and Systems (ECS), such as the automotive one, to operate beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) with a rather high degree of autonomy. Such technological developments, as well as currents trends and societal needs have opened the way for an unparalleled expansion in the use of UAS for a great number of applications, where humans cannot reach or are unable to perform in a timely and efficient manner. This work aims to present a in-depth analysis of the current market trends that shape the existing landscape for the development of safe and reliable BVLOS operations.

Mapping trends and hotspots regarding the use of telenursing for elderly individuals with chronic diseases: A bibliometric analysis.

Telenursing is receiving extensive attention from scholars and medical staff. However, there are few studies on the knowledge structure of telenursing for elderly individuals with chronic diseases. This study aims to demonstrate current research status and development trend of telenursing for elderly individuals with chronic diseases through a visual analysis of CiteSpace, so as to provide a more comprehensive perspective for future researches. Literature about telenursing for elderly patients with chronic diseases from 2002 to 2022 was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection using CiteSpace 6.1.R3. A total of 375 records were obtained. Annual publication and citation frequency gradually increased over the investigated period, reaching a peak in 2022. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare was the most prolific and the most cited journal. The United States was the most productive country, the University of Melbourne was the most productive institution, and the author CHEN C ranked the highest in the number of publications. The most popular keywords were "care," "telemedicine," "management," "older adult," "chronic disease," "health," and "heart failure," which had a high frequency and centrality. The keywords "telehealth," "randomized controlled trail," "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease," "implementation" and "time" showed the strongest citation burst. The keywords were clustered to form 10 labels. The article published in 2010 by Chaudhry SI was cited the most. The top 3 cited journals were all special journal of telemedicine. This study revealed current research status and development trend of telenursing for elderly individuals with chronic diseases. The bibliometric analysis of telenursing expands the knowledge field of telemedicine and provides new insights into the management of elderly patients with chronic diseases.

Will environmental concern contribute to the transition of household cleaner cooking?

Access to clean cooking is a vital sustainable development goal, yet achieving it poses challenges within the current trend. We should now investigate whether the increasing environmental concern would drive a shift towards cleaner cooking or potentially lead to the abandonment of pro-environmental behaviors. Based on China's national micro survey data from 2012 to 2018, the results of multiple econometric models are: (1) Residents' environmental concern about environmental issues positively contributes to households use of non-solid clean cooking fuels. (2) Rising income levels and urbanization promote a smoother transition towards cleaner cooking. (3) Higher education and Internet access can reinforce the role of environmental concern. (4) The transition to cleaner cooking fuels has a net reduction in household expenditure, as it slightly increases fuel costs but significantly reduces health expenditures. The importance of environmental concern in household energy decision-making is highlighted, and suggestions are provided to promote the cleaner transition of household cooking energy.