Current Practice Trends Research Articles

Preliminary insights: exploring irrigation practices during endodontic treatment among general dental practitioners in Malaysia.

Objective(s) This questionnaire study aimed to analyse the irrigation knowledge and current trends in irrigation practice during endodontic treatment among general dental practitioners (GDPs) in Malaysia.Materials and methods A three-part, self-administered questionnaire with multiple-choice questions was distributed to dentists in Malaysia. The survey comprised three sections: demographic data; irrigant selection and protocol; and other irrigation practices. Knowledge questions were marked based on a recommended answer by endodontists and the scores were analysed among various groups having different years of experience using the Kruskal-Wallis test.Results Out of 172 responses, the mean knowledge score of all respondents was 12.92 (standard deviation = 2.774) out of a possible total score of 18. For the scores of groups of practitioners with different years of experience, the Kruskal-Wallis test showed p = 0.069. Sodium hypochlorite appeared as the most used irrigant. Most respondents routinely practised smear layer removal using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Antibacterial capability and tissue dissolution were the main factors in irrigant selection. In total, 65.6% of the GDPs claimed to change their irrigation protocol to suit different pulpal and periapical diagnoses. There was considerable variation regarding the type of irrigants used, irrigation protocol, concentration, volume, time spent for irrigation, irrigation needle usage and additional adjunct methods used.Conclusion(s) Respondents of the survey were following the recommended irrigation practices in terms of irrigant selection but there is scope for improvement in other aspects of irrigation practice. Further investigation with a larger sample size is needed for more robust conclusions.

Current Status of Neonatal Music Therapy Services Within the US

Abstract Over the past 30 years, music therapy services in the neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) have expanded, yet there is still limited literature available that captures current practice trends in this setting. The purpose of this paper was to obtain descriptive data about current demographics, consultation, and clinical practice trends in NICU music therapy clinical practice in the US. A questionnaire was sent to 9,222 Board-Certified Music Therapists. Those providing music therapy services in the NICU and choosing to participate (N = 87) completed the questionnaire. Results showed that a majority of music therapists working in the NICU who responded to the questionnaire have completed additional training to provide specialized services. Most NICU music therapists reported spending less than 20 hr a week on the unit and providing a variety of family-centered interventions to infants starting at 28 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). Common diagnoses for referral besides prematurity were Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome and Chronic Lung Disease. Music therapists are well integrated within treatment teams with a majority reporting collaborating and/or co–treating with other therapies and/or clinical staff.

Challenges and Opportunities to Work and Industry Practice in Occupational Therapy: A Practitioner Survey.

Work and industry (W&I) is a vital yet underrepresented area of occupational therapy practice. Describing the current practice trends, challenges, and opportunities in W&I provides a foundation for future development and advancements. To describe the state of W&I occupational therapy practice and to identify challenges and opportunities in this specialty practice area. Cross-sectional survey conducted June 12 to July 17, 2020. Online survey distributed through direct email invitations and online platforms (i.e., CommunOT, LinkedIn). One hundred twenty occupational therapy practitioners who had worked in W&I within the most recent 5 yr. We used 30 multiple-choice, Likert-scale, and free-response questions across three topics: (1) training, resources, and research; (2) challenges and barriers; and (3) opportunities. Most respondents were occupational therapy practitioners working in clinical settings with >5 yr of experience; 29.2% identified as male. The most frequently provided services were ergonomic consultation and worksite evaluation; clinic-based W&I services were less frequently provided. Workplace injury prevention, management of psychosocial issues, and employee wellness programs were ranked as the top opportunities for occupational therapy in W&I. A shortage of accessible training and resources to support W&I practice was found, particularly mentoring and occupational therapy-focused research evidence. Maintaining referrals, competition from other professions, and limited support from professional organizations were key challenges. This study illustrates the evolution of W&I occupational therapy practice and highlights an urgent need for increased professional recognition and educational support to maintain occupational therapy's presence in this practice area. Plain-Language Summary: In this study, we describe the current practice trends in work and industry occupational therapy practice. We identify challenges related to resources and training in this practice area and provide insights into opportunities for future development. The study findings show the evolution of work and industry occupational therapy practice and highlight an urgent need for more professional recognition and educational support to maintain occupational therapy's presence in this practice area.

The role of oral language in the dialogic primary classroom

ABSTRACT This article takes stock of the current trends in research, policy and practice regarding the role of language in the dialogic classroom. The article uses the policies of two different educational jurisdictions as counterpoints to highlight the different ways that oral language can be positioned within primary curricula. It reflects on current and recent research literature, exploring how language can promote the collaborative learning that is central to dialogic pedagogy, highlighting the value of less formal registers or less ‘certainty’ in the proposal of ideas. The article then offers a linguistic-ethnographic analysis of what this looks like in practice, drawing on classroom observational data gathered in English primary schools. Finally, these three strands of theory, policy and practice are brought together, scoping ways forward for the inclusion of language and dialogue in primary education.

Guideline concordant screening and monitoring of extrapyramidal symptoms in patients prescribed antipsychotic medication: a protocol for a systematic literature review and narrative synthesis

IntroductionGiven the increasing rates of antipsychotic use in multiple psychiatric conditions, greater attention to the assessment, monitoring and documentation of their side effects is warranted. While a significant degree of...

Longitudinal Changes in Emergency Medical Services Advanced Airway Management

Identifying longitudinal changes in advanced airway management by emergency medical services (EMS) is crucial for understanding practice patterns and optimizing care. To examine the longitudinal trends in endotracheal intubation (ETI) and supraglottic airway (SGA) utilization in a national EMS cohort. This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed 2011 to 2022 data from the ESO Data Collaborative, a national database of US prehospital electronic health records. The study included all 911 EMS events in which advanced airway management was attempted. Data were analyzed from November 2022 to January 2024. Advanced airway management attempts, including ETI, SGA, and surgical airways. The annual percentage of ETI and SGA attempts, stratified by underlying condition (cardiac arrest, nonarrest medical, nonarrest trauma, pediatrics). Among 47.5 million EMS activations, 444 041 (mean [SD] age, 60.6 [19.8] years; 273 296 [61.5%] men) involved advanced airway management, including 305 584 (68.8%) that used ETI and 200 437 (45.1%) that used SGA. The overall incidence was 9.3 per 1000 EMS events. In the cardiac arrest cohort from 2011 to 2022, EMS events with ETI attempts decreased from 2470 of 2831 (87.3%) to 40 083 of 72 793 (55.1%) and those with SGA attempts increased from 711 of 2831 (25.1%) to 44 386 of 72 793 (61.0%). In the pediatric subset, there were similarly large decreases in ETI attempts, from 117 of 182 EMS events (97.3%) to 1573 of 2307 EMS events (68.2%), and increases in SGA attempts, from 11 of 182 EMS events (6.6%) to 1058 of 2307 EMS events (45.9%). In the nonarrest medical and nonarrest trauma cohorts, ETI attempts decreased and SGA attempts increased but to a much lower extent. In this national cross-sectional study of EMS care episodes, there were marked shifts in advanced airway management practices, with the increased use of SGA and decreased use of ETI. These observations highlight current trends in EMS airway management practices.

Managing global supply chain teams: human resource strategies for effective collaboration and performance

This study examines the role of human resource (HR) strategies in enhancing collaboration and performance within global supply chains, an area of increasing importance in the context of globalized business operations. The primary objective is to identify and analyze current trends in HR practices that contribute to effective global supply chain management, focusing on adaptability, technological integration, sustainability, and ethical practices. Employing a systematic literature review and content analysis as its methodology, the study draws on academic journals, conference proceedings, and industry reports from databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Key findings reveal that adaptability and flexible work arrangements, supported by digital HR technologies, are essential for operational resilience and employee engagement. The integration of sustainability and ethical considerations into HR practices is identified as crucial for maintaining competitive advantage and ensuring regulatory compliance. Furthermore, the development of cultural intelligence and inclusive leadership within global teams is highlighted as vital for fostering effective collaboration across diverse cultural landscapes. The study concludes that strategic HR management plays a pivotal role in navigating the challenges and leveraging the opportunities within global supply chains. Recommendations for practitioners emphasize the importance of continuous learning, embracing digital transformation, and integrating sustainability into HR practices. The study also outlines areas for further research, including the impact of emerging technologies on HR practices and the long-term effects of sustainable HR strategies on organizational performance. This research contributes valuable insights into optimizing HR strategies to enhance global supply chain collaboration and performance.

Characterizing clinical patterns of physical therapy activities for post-stroke spasticity in stroke rehabilitation: looking into the "Black Box".

Physical therapy is considered to be an adjunctive therapy for the management of post-stroke spasticity. The insight of this study is to observe the current clinical practices of rehabilitation for post-stroke spasticity. For this purpose, an observational cross-sectional study was conducted. Data was collected by a standardized therapy documentation form for spasticity management. Fifty physiotherapists filled out that form. Almost all of them used subjective measures (modified Ashworth scale) for spasticity assessment and functional independence measure for level of independence. Readings were taken in the first, second, and third blocks of six-hour duration. Results showed that 42 (83.5%) physiotherapists measured spasticity at the initial session, while 47(94.6%) reported various multiple rehabilitation treatment preferences for spasticity management. Disparities exist in therapeutic management for post-stroke spasticity throughout rehabilitation which are mainly based on physiotherapists' clinical expertise. However, a better understanding of current trends in physical therapy clinical practices will assist in tailoring strategies to upgrade management for post-stroke spasticity.

Mindfulness and Yoga

More recently, counselors have been interested in mindfulness meditation and yoga practices. Although these practices may seem unconventional or alternative in some cultures, they actually fall under the umbrella of behavior therapy. Given the emphasis on skill building in behavior therapy, minfulness and yoga fit the the goal of reducingin distressing symptoms. To better understand these practices within the behavior therapy lens, this article reviews research concerning these interventions. Before synthesizing current trends in mindfulness meditation and yoga practices across contexts, we summarize the foundations and history of behavior therapy. Yoga, or physical activity, seems to be a great complement to Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) therapy, as well as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Mindfulness-based approaches are effective in reducing depressive symptoms, anxiety, dysphoria, burnout, and rumination. Furthermore, these interventions support the social and emotional skills associated with self-regulation. Of course, the therapy chosen depends on the client’s goals and the therapist’s training experience. If the client wants these outcomes and is open to mediation and yoga, a counselor trained in these modalities should not hesitate to implement this facet of behavior therapy. Implications for helping clients increase wellbeing through skill building are offerred.

Tranexamic Acid: Safeguarding Children with Craniosynostosis from Bleeding. A Review Article.

Craniosynostosis is a congenital condition characterized by the premature closure of one or more sutures in the skull after birth, often necessitating urgent surgical intervention. Nevertheless, cranial vault reconstruction surgery can cause rapid and massive blood loss. This procedure requires a blood transfusion, which entails potential hazards. In addition, the hemostatic system in children differs significantly from that in adults, resulting in increased bleeding during surgical procedures. We conducted a comprehensive literature review in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, referring to their inception for studies on the use of tranexamic acid in pediatric craniosynostosis surgery. Selection criteria were based on the relevance of tranexamic acid, its clinical efficacy, and its safety profile in pediatric populations. Authoritative reviews were considered to ensure a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge and practice trends in the field. We determined that a low loading dose of 10 mg/kg followed by a maintenance dose of 5 mg/kg/h is as effective as a high dose of 50 mg/kg followed by a maintenance dose of 10 mg/kg/h of tranexamic acid when administered after induction of anesthesia through skin closure and can reduce blood loss by up to 72% and total packed red blood cell transfusion by up to 85%. No difference in safety profile is observed. We concluded that a low dose of tranexamic acid, administered as a loading dose followed by a maintenance dose, is beneficial and safe for reducing blood loss and transfusion following craniosynostosis surgery.

New developments and trends in extended continental shelf delineation practices—An analysis of China's participation and response strategies

Rights and interests concerning the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles (extended continental shelf, ECS) are related to important aspects of a nation's marine utilization such as marine resource development, marine technological innovation, and the construction of marine ecological civilization. China is a country with a long coastline and has the right to delineate large areas of ECS according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). However, the process of confirming China's ECS rights under international law is particularly complicated owing to the complex maritime delineation disputes between China and its neighboring countries. From the perspective of international law, this study uses the method of historical analysis and case analysis to retrospectively explore the evolution of the international legal frameworks governing ECS and analyze its current characteristics and trends in practice. On this basis, the paper evaluates the major challenges of China's national practice in ECS delineation and puts forward suggested countermeasures for safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests related to ECS.

"Encumbered with useless graces": Ornamentation and Aesthetics in Eighteenth-century Scottish Music

Throughout the eighteenth century, a steady stream of Italian musicians travelled to Scotland, in search of artistic and commercial success. Inspired by the enterprise of their Scottish counterparts, many published collections of “Scots Tunes,” such that by the end of the century a rich body of repertoire had emerged. Italians and Scots alike valued this repertoire for various reasons: for some, these tunes represented an idealised vision of pastoral simplicity; for others, a fossilised record of the music of past generations; for others still, these tunes were a vehicle for the expression of nationalistic sentiment. This repertoire presents a challenge to Early Music practitioners today, who must contend with the fact that this music has been transmitted through textual sources and oral tradition. To this end, many musicians engage with elements of Scottish Traditional performance practice – a practice that often diverges from, and is at times incompatible with, dominant understandings of eighteenth-century performance practice. In this thesis, I summarise some of the ornamentation techniques employed by Scottish Traditional musicians, investigating their possible influence on Italian Scots Tunes sources. I contend that comparative analysis of these sources can inform performances of this repertoire, by revealing implicit relationships between notation, performance practice and aesthetic judgements. Further, I survey current trends in the historical performance practice of Scots Tunes, interrogating the ways in which this repertoire is framed by modern conceptions of “folk” music. I observe that this repertoire continues to be valued within a variety of aesthetic frameworks, which are themselves revealed, upheld, and reproduced through performance practice.

Diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases: from Averill A. Liebow to artificial intelligence.

Histopathologic criteria of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP)/idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) were defined over the years and endorsed by leading organizations decades after Dr. Averill A. Liebow first coined the term UIP in the 1960s as a distinct pathologic pattern of fibrotic interstitial lung disease. Novel technology and recent research on interstitial lung diseases with genetic component shed light on molecular pathogenesis of UIP/IPF. Two antifibrotic agents introduced in the mid-2010s opened a new era of therapeutic approaches to UIP/IPF, albeit contentious issues regarding their efficacy, side effects, and costs. Recently, the concept of progressive pulmonary fibrosis was introduced to acknowledge additional types of progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases with the clinical and pathologic phenotypes comparable to those of UIP/IPF. Likewise, some authors have proposed a paradigm shift by considering UIP as a stand-alone diagnostic entity to encompass other fibrosing interstitial lung diseases that manifest a relentless progression as in IPF. These trends signal a pendulum moving toward the tendency of lumping diagnoses, which poses a risk of obscuring potentially important information crucial to both clinical and research purposes. Recent advances in whole slide imaging for digital pathology and artificial intelligence technology could offer an unprecedented opportunity to enhance histopathologic evaluation of interstitial lung diseases. However, current clinical practice trends of moving away from surgical lung biopsies in interstitial lung disease patients may become a limiting factor in this endeavor as it would be difficult to build a large histopathologic database with correlative clinical data required for artificial intelligence models.

Green investments in agriculture: Modernization and sustainable development of the agricultural complex

Currently, green investments in various areas of human activity are understood as a set of current trends in modern Russia and world practice, associated both with the need to introduce the environmental agenda into business processes, and with the emergence and active development of new financial instruments that help in the implementation of ESG- strategies of global companies. At the present stage, “green” investments are a set of financial instruments based on private and public investments aimed at financing “green” projects. The purpose of this study is to examine modern approaches to green investment in the agricultural sector of the Russian Federation. The study also summarizes the results achieved in various countries in terms of investing in new mechanisms for environmentally sustainable development. A calculated forecast model was obtained, taking into account possible risks, characterizing the expansion of the scope of environmental policy in the country. Based on the study, conclusions were drawn about the need to improve the market for “green” securities and long-term lending.

Dental education and practice: past, present, and future trends.

This position paper explores the historical transitions and current trends in dental education and practice and attempts to predict the future. Dental education and practice landscape, especially after the COVID-19 epidemic, are at a crossroads. Four fundamental forces are shaping the future: the escalating cost of education, the laicization of dental care, the corporatization of dental care, and technological advances. Dental education will likely include individualized, competency-based, asynchronous, hybrid, face-to-face, and virtual education with different start and end points for students. Dental practice, similarly, will be hybrid, with both face-to-face and virtual opportunities for patient care. Artificial intelligence will drive efficiencies in diagnosis, treatment, and office management.

Regenerative Therapy in Erectile Dysfunction: A Survey on Current Global Practice Trends and GAF Expert Recommendations.

This study aimed to examine current global practices in regenerative therapy (RT) for erectile dysfunction (ED) and to establish expert recommendations for its use, addressing the current lack of solid evidence and standardized guidelines. A 39-question survey was developed by senior Global Andrology Forum (GAF) experts to comprehensively cover clinical aspects of RT. This was distributed globally via a secure online Google Form to ED specialists through the GAF website, international professional societies, and social media, the responses were analyzed and presented for frequencies as percentages. Consensus on expert recommendations for RT use was achieved using the Delphi method. Out of 479 respondents from 62 countries, a third reported using RT for ED. The most popular treatment was low-intensity shock wave therapy (54.6%), followed by platelet-rich plasma (24.5%) and their combination (14.7%), with stem cell therapy being the least used (3.7%). The primary indication for RT was the refractory or adverse effects of PDE5 inhibitors, with the best effectiveness reported in middle-aged and mild-to-moderate ED patients. Respondents were confident about its overall safety, with a significant number expressing interest in RT's future use, despite pending guidelines support. This inaugural global survey reveals a growing use of RT in ED treatment, showcasing its diverse clinical applications and potential for future widespread adoption. However, the lack of comprehensive evidence and clear guidelines requires further research to standardize RT practices in ED treatment.

Evolution of wireless communication networks from 5G to 6G future perspective

Industry 4.0 relies heavily on artificial-intelligence(AI) and cloud-computing(CC), both of which have been greatly aided by the 5th-generation mobile-network (5G). The arrival of 5G, however, is seen as a watershed moment that will radically alter the current global trends in wireless communication practices and the lives of the masses. 5G envisions a future where the digital and physical worlds merge. The 6th-generation (6G) wireless communication network will likely unite terrestrial, aerial, and maritime communications into a single, unified system that is both more stable and faster, and can accommodate a far larger number of devices with ultra-low latency needs. This research hopes to foresee a scenario in which 6G supersedes 5G as the dominant standard for wireless communication in the years to come. Several advances have been made, but the utopian period of instantaneous global communication, instantaneous global computation, and no latency has not yet arrived. This essay investigates the most significant obstacles and difficulties that the transition from 5G to 6G may encounter on the way to realizing these loftier goals. The vital goal of "technology for humanity" is to improve service to the world's most disadvantaged people, and this article lays out a plan for 6G that includes the enabling technology infrastructures, obstacles, and research directions that will get us there.

A system dynamics model and analytical hierarchy process: an integrated approach for achieving sustainable solid waste management system.

Waste management in low-income countries faces challenges with an average cost of $35/ton approximately 51% collection efficiency. Despite investments in treatment, processing, and recycling, the system remains unsustainable owing to poor planning and policies. The current analysis of Lahore's solid waste management (SWM) system, selected as a major city of a low-income country as a case study, focuses on collection efficiency and waste generation. However, it neglects the complex and dynamic nature of SWM systems. To capture the complexities and dynamic nature of the SWM system, system dynamic (SD) modeling is proposed for its effectiveness in modeling complex and dynamic systems. Unlike previous attempts at SD modeling that mostly consider only some components of the SWM system with varying success, this study attempts to use a holistic approach by considering all aspects of an integrated SWM system. In addition, this study explores different financial and management policies, highlighting the weaknesses of the system through a quantitative comparison of three scenarios: (1) business-as-usual (BAU) which considers the current trends in waste generation and practices of collection and disposal to landfill, (2) waste treatment system (WTS) in which various waste treatment systems are included to reduce burden on landfill, and (3) introduction of user fee with awareness campaigns (UFAC) which encourages community participation towards reduction in waste generation and financially supports the SWM. All three scenarios use four indices: waste generation, waste ending up in landfill, uncollected waste, and annual budget deficit as performance indices. These scenarios were simulated over a 25-year period using an SD model, covering all six components of the SWM system. The BAU scenario shows a 16% increase in waste generation, a 173% increase in landfill waste, an 11% reduction in uncollected waste, and a 64% increase in the budget deficit over the simulation period, indicating an unsustainable SWM system. The WTS scenario exhibits a 16% increase in waste generation, a 155% increase in landfill waste, an 11% reduction in uncollected waste, and a 61% increase in the budget deficit, showing a significant reduction in landfill waste and a slight reduction in deficit but it remains unsustainable. The UFAC scenario, however, results in a 40% reduction in waste generation, a 67% decrease in uncollected waste, an 8% decrease in landfill waste, and a 59% decrease in the budget deficit. These results demonstrate that instituting user fees for SWM services and incentivizing community participation towards waste reduction and segregation can make the SWM system of Lahore sustainable. This SD model provides insights for policymakers, aiding what-if analyses and long/short-term waste management plans for metropolitan cities in low-income countries. To validate the sustainability judgments based on performance indices, the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) tool commonly used for ranking policy decisions based on competing criteria, was employed. It considered the same four criteria as in the SD model. The results of the AHP analysis aligned with those of the SD model, ranking the UFAC scenario as the most sustainable option.

Perioperative geriatrics: A bibliometric analysis of the top 100 cited articles in an emerging specialty.

The success of modern medicine has led to surgery being performed on an increasingly older, frailer and more comorbid population. As a result, perioperative geriatrics has emerged as an important specialty, relevant to both medical and surgical disciplines. Only a small number of papers have been published on the topic. A bibliometric analysis is used to identify themes and trends in current research and practice. To identify and describe research topics relating to perioperative geriatrics; to find themes and gaps in the current literature. Thompson Reuters Web of Science indexing database was searched for all manuscripts relating to perioperative geriatrics. Of these, the top 100 were subcategorised into manuscript type, age, theme, specialty, journal and citation rate. The highest cited article was by Bhandari et al with 294 citations. The highest citation rate was achieved by Partridge et al, with 23.75 citations/year. Across the series, the mean number of citations was 50.41 (range 294-12). The highest number of manuscripts were published between 2010 and 2019 (n = 55), with 70% of manuscripts published in journals with impact factor <5. The specialty with the highest number of publications was orthopaedics (n = 36). Most articles focussed on surgical management of geriatrics patients, followed by anaesthetic management. This is the first bibliometric analysis of the top 100 most cited papers in perioperative geriatrics. Only 395 papers were returned, indicating that this needs to be further researched as a topic. Key themes identified were surgical management of hip fractures and anaesthetic preoperative assessment. Emerging themes from this study highlight the need for perioperative publications in the fields of geriatric vascular, general, plastic and gynaecology.

Solution journalism - New trends in the current style of reporting practices

Purpose: The world of journalism is constantly evolving, with emerging practices and research trends. The purpose of this article is to learn about the birth and analyze the role of constructivist journalism in society and current trends in research and practice. Recently, many press agencies have noticed a trend in reporting style and redirected their efforts to change it. This new style is called solution journalism or constructive journalism. Method: This article systematically investigates the genesis, evolution, role, and emergent development trends of tectonic journalism, contextualizing it within the broader landscape of contemporary journalism research, practices, and development prospects. In doing so, it sheds light on how tectonic journalism is reshaping the field of journalism, and how it can be used to address the complex challenges facing journalism today. Results and discussion: Many journalism practice agencies and academic researchers have been studying and practicing this approach. For example, a 2017 report by the Solutions Journalism Network found that over 3,000 journalists have received formal training in solutions journalism. Therefore, they are Making it an increasingly popular and influential movement in the industry. Originality: This article is a vanguard for diversifying constructivist journalism research and promoting scientifically sound practices. It provides a much-needed platform for emerging voices and perspectives, and it challenges the status quo with rigor and evidence.