Practical Tips Research Articles

A Scientific Approach to Improving IELTS Speaking Scores: Best Practices and Techniques

Improving performance in the IELTS Speaking test is critical for non-native English speakers aiming for higher band scores. This article explores various strategies to enhance speaking skills, including understanding the test format, engaging in regular practice, expanding vocabulary, refining pronunciation, developing fluency and coherence, receiving constructive feedback, building confidence, and providing detailed responses. Through a combination of evidence-based methodologies and practical tips, this study aims to equip learners with the necessary tools to excel in the IELTS Speaking test. The findings suggest that a structured and consistent approach can significantly improve test outcomes.

When, where and how should we assess professionalism in undergraduate medical education? Practical tips from an international conference roundtable discussion

The assessment of professionalism in healthcare disciplines is a challenging and nuanced topic in medical education. The literature, although continually emerging, remains in its infancy in regards to the role of the assessment of professionalism, appropriate timing for assessment, methods to assess professionalism and the benefits and implications of assessment of professionalism. With emergence of healthcare professionalism in both undergraduate and postgraduate curricula and increasing awareness of professionalism’s pertinent role in developing as a healthcare practitioner, the concept of assessing this topic is being discussed regularly in international fora, but as yet there is no consensus decision in how best to proceed. The authors have over a decade of experience researching, promoting and delivering healthcare professionalism education. They presented a roundtable discussion to an international panel of medical educators at an international conference. The attendees represented multiple healthcare disciplines. Breakout rooms and pre-determined introductory questions were used to explore the international consensus on current thinking about assessment in healthcare professionalism. This paper presents these findings as practical tips for educators who are considering introducing or extending their assessment of undergraduate professionalism, all of which were taken from the main themes of the discussion. The aim of the paper is to support educators to think about their stance on this often divisive issue, consider their approaches and focus future research to clarify the remaining unknowns.

Airway management in pediatrics: improving safety

AbstractAirway management in children poses unique challenges due to the different anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology across the pediatric age span. The recently published joint European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care-British Journal of Anaesthesia (ESAIC-BJA) neonatal and infant airway management guidelines provide recommendations and suggestions to support clinicians in deciding the best strategy. These guidelines represent a framework with the most recent and up-to-date evidence, from the initial assessment to the management of normal and difficult airways up to the extubation phase. However, such guidelines have intrinsic limitations due to the lack of supporting evidence in various fields of airway management. Pediatric institutions should adopt guidelines after careful internal review according to the local circumstances, including caseload, equipment and expertise. The current narrative review focused on providing references and practical tips on pediatric airway management, which is still not completely elucidated. Moreover, the authors put particular emphasis on the influence of human factors on the overall success of tracheal intubation, the incidence of complications, and the outcomes for patients.

Reflecting With Teachers on Research-Based Tools: The ySKILLS Education Toolkit

This article focuses on the links between academic research and educational practices, examining how practitioners use, contextualize, and co-construct research findings on digital skills. To explore these issues, firstly we present an education toolkit developed within a European research project and aligned with normative and substantive guidelines for science communication. Aiming to grasp the potentialities and limitations of the toolkit in action, we then explore the perceptions of teachers from two educational settings in Portugal who employed it in their classrooms. Subsequent focus groups evidenced overall positive feedback from teachers, complemented by practical tips to improve the usefulness of the toolkit and adherence to it by teachers and students, thus adding layers of knowledge to the performative dimension of an evidence-based resource and building bridges between the academic and professional worlds.

Practical tips for teaching medicine in the metaverse

The metaverse is based on immersive technologies such as virtual and augmented reality, body tracking, tactile sensation, etc. A growing number of studies are demonstrating the potential of the metaverse as an attractive resource for learning medicine. However, in practice, medical teachers and students often encounter significant challenges when utilizing the underlying technologies, potentially leading to frustrating learning experiences. A significant part of the teaching time is often devoted to troubleshooting technical issues with the metaverse, and the medical content itself taking a backseat until students become proficient in navigating the metaverse environment. Therefore, it is essential to fit the metaverse's underlying technologies specifically for medical education, minimizing technical hurdles for both teachers and students. In this paper, we deal with this challenge and we present a collection of practical tips that serves as a guide for medical educators making decisions in this emerging field, where they may lack prior experience. Drawing on our observation with a cohort of 776 medical students, we conclude how to effectively identify, design, or implement educational applications tailored for efficient medical learning through the metaverse. Our work may support teachers considering metaverse learning platforms for their classrooms and it is a beneficial reference for the medical education community during the initial stages of implementing the metaverse for teaching.

Nutrition, hydration and supplementation considerations for mountaineers in high-altitude conditions: a narrative review

Staying and climbing in high mountains (>2,500 m) involves changes in diet due to poor access to fresh food, lack of appetite, food poisoning, environmental conditions and physiological changes. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the principles of nutrition, hydration and supplementation in high-altitude conditions and to propose practical recommendations/solutions based on scientific literature data. Databases such as Pubmed, Scopus, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar were searched to find studies published from 2000 to 2023 considering articles that were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, narrative review articles, systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The manuscript provides recommendations for energy supply, dietary macronutrients and micronutrients, hydration, as well as supplementation recommendations and practical tips for mountaineers. In view of the difficulties of being in high mountains and practicing alpine climbing, as described in the review, it is important to increase athletes’ awareness of nutrition and supplementation in order to improve well-being, physical performance and increase the chance of achieving a mountain goal, and to provide the appropriate dietary care necessary to educate mountaineers and personalize recommendations to the needs of the individual.

Video Abstracts in Research.

Video abstracts can be useful in health research. A video abstract provides key messages about a research article and can increase public engagement, spark conversations, and may increase academic attention. A growing number of open source software programs make it easier to develop a video abstract. This viewpoint provides practical tips for creating a video abstract for health research.

Dos and don'ts for conducting mediation analysis: A commentary with practical tips to avoid common problems.

Purpose: Mediation analyses allow for exploration of causal mechanisms that explain how a predictor is related to an outcome. Tests of mediation are fundamental to addressing some of the most consequential questions in rehabilitation science. In recent decades, the development of easy-to-use analytical tools has made conducting statistical tests of mediation more accessible to researchers. Unfortunately, there are persistent problems in the conceptual underpinning of many tests of mediation. Even in cases where the statistical analyses are correctly run, problems with the underlying rationale for the mediational analysis will render the results inconsequential, in the best case, or misleading, in the worst case. Method: In this commentary, I summarize the uses of mediation analysis and through a series of six main types of errors provide practical, plain language guidance ("Dos and Don'ts") for conducting a conceptually robust mediation analysis. Results: The "Dos and Don'ts" laid out in this commentary highlight that there are persistent issues with lack of understanding of mediation, confusion about the differences between moderation, mediation, and covariates, lack of strong theoretical justification for mediation, and lack of attention to methodological issues (e.g., measurement) in many mediation analyses. Conclusions: Promoting the use of mediation analysis in rehabilitation research will advance theory and effective practice in our field. Researchers undertaking mediation analysis are encouraged to prioritize developing a strong theoretical framework that justifies use of mediation analysis, ensuring study methodology supports and enables tests of mediation, as well emphasizing a strong statistical approach to conducting the test of mediation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

1.C. Round table: Navigating the 17th European Public Health Conference: A Guide for First-Time Attendees

Abstract Are you attending the European Public Health Conference for the first time? If yes, this session is for you. Join us for an engaging session tailored specifically for first-time attendees of the 17th European Public Health Conference in Lisbon, Portugal. This session aims to provide newcomers with valuable insights and strategies to maximize their experience and effectively navigate the conference. Our seasoned conference veterans will share practical tips on a range of topics, including, but not being limited to: 1. Conference Navigation: Learn how to navigate the conference programme, the venue efficiently, locate sessions of interest, and make the most of your time between sessions. 2. Networking: Discover the importance of networking in the field of public health and gain strategies for initiating meaningful conversations, building professional relationships, and expanding your professional network. 3. Session Selection: Gain insights into selecting sessions and workshops that align with your interests, career goals, and areas of expertise. Learn how to prioritize your schedule and make the most of concurrent sessions. 4. Poster Presentations: Understand the significance of poster presentations and how to effectively engage with presenters. Discover techniques for synthesizing information and asking insightful questions. 5. Self-Care: Explore strategies for maintaining physical and mental well-being throughout the conference, including tips for managing fatigue, staying hydrated, and finding moments of relaxation amidst the hustle and bustle. Whether you’re a student, researcher, practitioner, or policymaker, this session will equip you with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the 17th European Public Health Conference with confidence and make the most of this invaluable opportunity for professional development and networking. Key messages • First-time attendee at the European Public Health Conference? Don’t miss this tailored session for essential insights and strategies to maximize your experience in Lisbon. • Join seasoned veterans for practical tips on navigating the conference, networking effectively, selecting sessions, engaging with poster presentations, and prioritizing self-care. Speakers/Panelists Robert Klarecki EPH Conference Office Jinane Ghattas Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium

Harm to myself or others? A qualitative study of the preferences of people who smoke for messages to be included in cigarette pack inserts.

Tobacco package inserts [TPIs] are a novel channel to transmit smoking cessation messages. Research has shown associations between inserts, intentions to quit and increased self-efficacy. In Israel, TPIs have been legislated, but not yet implemented. This study aimed to learn what kind of messages would appeal to people who smoke, for the purpose of developing effective TPIs. Semi-structured interviews with 25 people who smoke or formerly smoked, aged 18-67. An inductive and deductive thematic analysis was conducted to enable a dynamic process coding and identifying themes and categories across interviews. Two main themes identified were: harms of smoking and motivators for quitting. Many participants were averse to information about the harms of smoking but interested in specific information about the harm of smoking to others, particularly children, on comparative risks of different tobacco/nicotine products, and about how to address the challenge of addiction. There was a preference for motivational messages encouraging quitting, including how the body recovers, personal quit stories, practical quit tips, and information on cessation services. Adult who smoke were receptive to the idea of TPI, but considered some types of information superfluous. It is important to emphasize harm to others, provide information on quit services, and deliver information that is reliable, specific, and evidence-based regarding quitting, so that it can be encouraging, useful, and practical. The merits of providing information to people who smoke on relative risks of different nicotine and tobacco products should also be considered. The findings provide a basis for developing TPI content. A large proportion of adults who smoke are interested in quitting. Pack inserts with positive motivating messages, quitline details, and novel information about risks to people who smoke and particularly to others, should be developed and tested, and subsequently distributed nationally to reach all those who open a cigarette package.

Practical tips for teaching medicine in the metaverse.

The metaverse is based on immersive technologies such as virtual and augmented reality, body tracking, tactile sensation, etc. A growing number of studies are demonstrating the potential of the metaverse as an attractive resource for learning medicine. However, in practice, medical teachers and students often encounter significant challenges when utilizing the underlying technologies, potentially leading to frustrating learning experiences. A significant part of the teaching time is often devoted to troubleshooting technical issues with the metaverse, and the medical content itself taking a backseat until students become proficient in navigating the metaverse environment. Therefore, it is essential to fit the metaverse's underlying technologies specifically for medical education, minimizing technical hurdles for both teachers and students. In this paper, we deal with this challenge and we present a collection of practical tips that serves as a guide for medical educators making decisions in this emerging field, where they may lack prior experience. Drawing on our observation with a cohort of 776 medical students, we conclude how to effectively identify, design, or implement educational applications tailored for efficient medical learning through the metaverse. Our work may support teachers considering metaverse learning platforms for their classrooms and it is a beneficial reference for the medical education community during the initial stages of implementing the metaverse for teaching.

Rotor noise in non-axial inflow conditions

This paper presents an experimental study on characterising the aerodynamic and far-field acoustic performance of rotors operating in non-axial inflow conditions. The current experiments were carried out with a two-bladed rotor, operating with a tip Mach number of 0.56, approaching the practical tip Mach numbers expected of urban air mobility vehicles. Synchronous measurements of the aerodynamic force, far-field acoustics and blade phase angle were undertaken to provide insights on both the time-averaged and phase-averaged correlation between the rotor aerodynamic loading and the emitted noise. The far-field acoustic spectra are compared across a range of advance ratios (0.01≤μ≤0.04) and forward tilting angles (0°≤α≤30°). When the inflow velocity increases, both the tonal and broadband components increase. Moreover, higher harmonics of the blade passing frequency are observed to become more prominent at higher advance ratios. As the rotor tilts forward from edgewise flight conditions, the broadband noise component reduces significantly, with the tones at fundamental blade passing frequency and higher harmonics also reducing in magnitude, agreeing well with the steady and unsteady thrust coefficients measured. From the aerodynamic loading, acoustic spectra and the directivity results, a transition from near-edgewise to near-axial modes of operation can be discerned at a tilt angle of approximately 16°. More interestingly, the phase-averaged thrust and acoustic power results show notable variations of the blade loading and acoustic emission through one full rotor rotation. At higher advance ratios and shallow tilting angles, the phase location of peaks in the root-mean-square of the fluctuating thrust coefficient agrees very well with those from the acoustic power, suggesting a strong correlation between the flow unsteadiness and the noise at these non-axial conditions, contributing to higher overall sound pressure levels.

Electrocardiographic Clues for Early Diagnosis of Ventricular Pre-Excitation and Non-Invasive Risk Stratification in Athletes: A Practical Guide for Sports Cardiologists.

Ventricular pre-excitation (VP) is a cardiac disorder characterized by the presence of an accessory pathway (AP) that bypasses the atrioventricular node (AVN), which, although often asymptomatic, exposes individuals to an increased risk of re-entrant supraventricular tachycardias and sudden cardiac death (SCD) due to rapid atrial fibrillation (AF) conduction. This condition is particularly significant in sports cardiology, where preparticipation ECG screening is routinely performed on athletes. Professional athletes, given their elevated risk of developing malignant arrhythmias, require careful assessment. Early identification of VP and proper risk stratification are crucial for determining the most appropriate management strategy and ensuring the safety of these individuals during competitive sports. Non-invasive tools, such as resting electrocardiograms (ECGs), ambulatory ECG monitoring, and exercise stress tests, are commonly employed, although their interpretation can sometimes be challenging. This review aims to provide practical tips and electrocardiographic clues for detecting VP beyond the classical triad (short PR interval, delta wave, and prolonged QRS interval) and offers guidance on non-invasive risk stratification. Although the diagnostic gold standard remains invasive electrophysiological study, appropriate interpretation of the ECG can help limit unnecessary referrals for young, often asymptomatic, athletes.

Runners injuries - main types of injuries of the musculoskeletal system of the lower limb and their treatment and prevention

Introduction and purposeRunning is currently one of the most popular physical activities practiced by people around the world, and the number of runners has been growing significantly for many years. The incidence of running-related lower limb injuries in runners ranges between 19.4% and 79.3% [1].The paper presents research results on the main types of injuries of the musculoskeletal system of the lower limb in runners, their risk factors, methods of treatment and prevention. The results indicate a significant relationship between regular training and the occurrence of injuries, and also emphasize the importance of prevention through rest, appropriate running technique and the selection of footwear. The work provides practical tips for runners and coaches that can help reduce the risk of injuries and improve the quality of training. Materials and methods The review was conducted by searching PubMed and other scientific databases focusing on currently available publications. The literature available in the PubMed database was reviewed using the following keywords: “running”, “running injuries”, “tendinopathy”, "running related injuries”, “running biomechanics”, “musculoskeletal injuries”. The analysis of 38 articles published between 2014-2024 was used to write the paper. Conclusions Running has many health benefits, but unfortunately it can also have a negative effect. The development of medical literature regarding appropriate prevention, knowledge of risk factors and treatment methods improves the prognosis of injuries in runners. Evolving diagnostic imaging, body monitoring, prevention, and adequate rest between activities are essential to long-term success in preventing running-related injuries.

Trends in the learning of early childhood education teachers. Review of foreign research.

The ongoing technological, socio-cultural and economic changes affect the work of early childhood education teachers. Therefore, educators should acquire new competences and develop the existing ones. The aim of this article is to review the latest trends in the learning of early childhood education teachers based on the analysis of foreign research in this area. This will allow for expanding knowledge and formulating practical tips for educators and educational decision-makers on the possibilities of using various methods and training programs.

Hierarchical porous metamaterial for sound absorption

Absorption of sound is of great importance in several engineering applications, from room acoustics to engine noise reduction. Porous media are practical and commonly used to address this issue. However, their performance is limited at large wavelengths, where more material is required. Inspired by recursive patterns at multiple scale lengths, typical of many biological systems, we propose here a new design based on hierarchical multilayered porous materials. Two hierarchical designs are investigated: periodic and gradient. In both cases it is found that the increase of the hierarchy level allows to simultaneously (i) increase the absorption, and (ii) reduce the quantity of porous material required. Both the cases of normal and oblique incidences are examined. The absorption coefficient is calculated via the transfer matrix method and the finite element method, supporting measurements in an impedance tube. The porous media are described through the JCA model. An optimization algorithm based on the metaheuristic Greedy Randomized Adaptive Search Procedure is developed to optimize the organization of the porous layers, and practical tips are given on the most suitable choice of parameters (static air-flow resistivity, angle of incidence) to obtain the highest absorption amplification at desired low frequencies.

Breast ultrasound knobology and the knobology of twinkling for marker detection.

Breast ultrasound utilizes various scanning techniques to acquire optimal images for diagnostic evaluation. During interventional procedures, such as ultrasound-guided biopsies or preoperative localizations, knowledgeable and purposeful scanning adjustments are critical for successfully identifying the targeted mass or biopsy marker or clip. While most ultrasound scanning parameters are similar across different vendors, detailed descriptions specifically addressing the scanning parameters-often referred to as "knobology"- for breast ultrasound is at best limited in the literature. This review highlights ten key operator-controlled adjustments (including transducer selection, beam focusing, power, depth, gain and time gain compensation, harmonic imaging, spatial compounding, dynamic range, beam steering, and color Doppler) that significantly influence image quality in breast ultrasound. Each adjustment is accompanied by an "In practice" section providing examples and practical tips on implementation. The last topic discusses color Doppler which is generally used in breast ultrasound for evaluating the vascularity of a finding. Color Doppler, or more specifically, color Doppler twinkling, can be leveraged as a technique to detect certain breast biopsy markers that are challenging to detect by conventional B-mode ultrasound. While the cause of color Doppler twinkling is still under active investigation, twinkling is a clinically well-known, compelling ultrasound feature typically described with kidney stones. A step-by-step guide on how to use color Doppler twinkling to detect these markers is provided.

Methods for applying blinding and randomisation in animal experiments.

Blinding and randomisation are important methods for increasing the robustness of pre-clinical studies, as incomplete or improper implementation thereof is recognised as a source of bias. Randomisation ensures that any known and unknown covariates introducing bias are randomly distributed over the experimental groups. Thereby, differences between the experimental groups that might otherwise have contributed to false positive or -negative results are diminished. Methods for randomisation range from simple randomisation (e.g. rolling a dice) to advanced randomisation strategies involving the use of specialised software. Blinding on the other hand ensures that researchers are unaware of group allocation during the preparation, execution and acquisition and/or the analysis of the data. This minimises the risk of unintentional influences resulting in bias. Methods for blinding require strong protocols and a team approach. In this review, we outline methods for randomisation and blinding and give practical tips on how to implement them, with a focus on animal studies.

Controlling spatial optical illuminations in optogenetics using an angled optical fiber tip

The advent of optogenetic tools has revolutionized neuroscience research through its spatiotemporally precise activation of specific neurons by illuminating light on opsin-expressing neurons. A long-standing challenge of in vivo optogenetics remains in delivering light to multiple brain sites simultaneously and maintaining high spatial resolution. Optical fiber-based technologies have been proposed to address these challenges. This work presents the fabrication and characterization of an innovative angled optical fiber probe based on a double-sided angled tip (DSAT) structure. A custom griding setup was used for the reproducible fabrication of a smooth DSAT probe. The designed probe enables precise spatial control of light propagation in brain tissue in which DSAT at angled tip 55° achieving a maximum lateral illumination position of ± 420 μm away from the optical axis and a peak irradiance of 478.5 mW/mm2, using a 5 mW of 473 nm laser light. Also, the designed DAST probe was simulated based on ray tracing method and obtained the practical tip angle to evaluate the propagation of light rays emitted from the DSAT at various input optical angles ranging from 0° to 12.5° to predict their irradiance and positions in the modelled tissue. The results indicate the probe generates two elliptical rings each containing two spots with higher optical concentration. Consequently, this device provides four optical spots with irradiance peaks that enable simultaneous illumination of four different locations in the brain tissue. Obtained experiment results are in good agreement with simulation results which can be used for multipoint illumination of brain tissue in optogenetics applications.

Trial‐and‐error: Securing field access for qualitative research in Vietnam

AbstractField access is frequently regarded as a mere practical step in the research process, with insufficient attention given to its broader implications. Numerous writings that focus on gaining field access offer just a collection of practical tips. While these recommendations are valuable, they are specific to each setting and individual experiences. Such an ad hoc approach fosters a limited understanding of the research permit application process and limits the discussion of access by disregarding its inherent uncertainty and its manifold consequences. In authoritarian contexts, obtaining field access remains highly uncertain and can be further complicated by arbitrary decision‐making. This article demonstrates that in Vietnam, social scientists, including anthropologists, must navigate ambiguous processes of trial‐and‐error to secure field access. With the term ‘trial‐and‐error’ we refer to an approach to problem‐solving in which various methods are attempted. Proceeding through trial‐and‐error involves familiarisation, networking, and improvisation. Based on 15 years of experience working in Vietnam we provide evidence that the process of trial‐and‐error is inherent in all three aspects. Beyond the issues surrounding access for foreign researchers, our observations also underscore the pivotal role of trial‐and‐error as a mechanism that Vietnamese citizens employ to navigate the uncertainties and arbitrariness associated with bureaucracy.