Case Analysis Research Articles

Organ-on-chip technology's development and usages: A comprehensive review

Organ-on-a-chip technology is a new development technology that has made great contributions to the field of biomedicine-medicine, which began to be studied in 1950 but has not achieved effective results. With the development of technology and the passage of time, the first successful organ-on-a-chip products were introduced in 1990. Organ-on-chip technology has broken through the limitations of human drug testing and pathological research, solved the problem of unsatisfactory efficacy after using animal simulation, and greatly promoted the development of pathology and pharmacology. Organ-on-a-chip refers to the cell culture of human organs on a chip to simulate the function and characteristics of human organs, providing a new way for disease treatment and drug research and development. The researchers began by trying to grow cells on artificial substrates to mimic the structure and function of human organs. Organ-on-a-chip technology can process cell cultures while improving the environment for human drug testing and pathology research, truly simulating and performing experiments on humans. Organ-on-a-chip is a cell culture analog that utilizes a microfluidic device in which microchannels are used to guide and manipulate the solution. In recent years, with the development of bio print technology, the research of organ chips has entered a new stage. Bioprinting allows cells and biomaterials to be arranged in predetermined patterns and structures to build tissues and organs with specific functions. At present, the research of organ chips can already help us complete the test drug and case analysis, the development time of this technology is very short, and there is still a lot of development and exploration space in the future.

Eighteen Years of Joint Master of Health Professions Education Between Geographically Distanced Partners Lessons from a Matured Partnership

Many educational partnerships between institutes never reach the stage of maturity, with students often bearing the costs of such discontinued partnerships. Reasons can be multifold, including a loss of ambitions, finances, or changing personal aspirations of stakeholders. In 2022 a joint curriculum in health professions education between two geographically and culturally distanced institutes reached its 18th anniversary. What can be learned from this particular partnership in terms of deliberate strategic choices, if any, to overcome the challenges identified in the literature? This article applies an instrumental, in-depth case analysis using a theoretical framework of factors that impact the sustainability of educational curriculum partnerships. By doing so, this paper intends to reveal successful strategies and managerial decisions that might be beneficial to those aiming for a sustainable partnership in higher education.

Return-to-play decision-making following ankle injury: a comprehensive case analysis of the functional hop test

Following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury of the knee, the functional hop test (an averaging of 4 component hop tests including single-hop, triple-hop, cross-over-hop, and 6-meter-hop) is commonly used by sports medicine physicians, doctors of physical therapy, and athletic trainers in return-to-practice and return-to-play decision making. In this case report, the functional hop test was applied to a 31-year-old recreational basketball player status-post full-tear of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) to examine the applicability of a standardized, efficient, and easy-to-administer functional test in making return-to-play decisions following an ankle injury. The functional hop test was administered 5 times across a treatment course of 11 physical therapy sessions emphasizing pain-free range of motion, baseline strength, weight-bearing loading, and sport-specific training. The functional hop test was found to be a helpful (albeit imperfect) tool for clinical decision-making following an ankle injury. Specifically, improvements in landing skill/confidence of single hop accounted for the greatest gains in total score in the early phase of rehabilitation, while momentum and plyometric skill/control of triple hop accounted for the greatest gains in total score in the later phase of rehabilitation. Modification of the functional hop test to include sub-component tests of strength, endurance, and/or lateral hops are discussed.

The Resolution of Disputes Concerning the Protection of Civilians in Areas of Engagement in Armed Conflict: Based on the Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions

The Resolution of Disputes Concerning the Protection of Civilians in Areas of Engagement in Armed Conflict: Based on the Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions

SUCCESSFUL CASES OF BRANDING THROUGH GRAPHIC DESIGN: ANALYSIS OF SPECIFIC CASES WHERE GRAPHIC DESIGN INFLUENCED BRAND SUCCESS

Over the past decade, graphic design has become a pivotal element in the formation and management of brands. Its influence on consumer perception is gaining increasing significance in saturated markets and growing competition. The research problem revolves around the necessity for a thorough analysis of specific cases where graphic design emerged as a key factor in achieving success for brands. The aim of this study is to explore the impact of graphic design on the success of brands through specific cases, analyzing elements that led to positive changes in consumer perception. The object of the study encompasses brands from various market segments, where graphic design played a decisive role in achieving a high level of recognition and success. The subject of the research includes specific elements of graphic design, such as logos, packaging, and visual components, which have influenced the creation of a strong brand image. To attain the objectives, qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed, including consumer surveys, interviews with designers and brand representatives, as well as an analysis of visual elements in graphic design. The findings of the research underscore the importance of graphic design in shaping successful brands.

Visual outcomes of combined use of implantable collamer lens implantation and laser corneal visual correction for myopia over -18.00 diopters.

To explore visual outcomes in patients with extreme myopia receiving an implantable collamer lens (ICL) at -18.00 diopters (D), with central port, followed by bioptics by laser vision correction (laser in situ keratomileusis [LASIK] or photorefractive keratectomy [PRK]) to address residual myopia or myopic astigmatism. Clínica Baviera (Aier Eye Hospital Group), Bilbao, Spain. Retrospective analysis of cases. The study assessed uncorrected distance visual acuity, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), predictability, safety, efficacy, and patient satisfaction after implantation of the ICL and bioptics. The model implanted was V4c and EVO, with a correction of -18.00 D. Bioptics were performed at least 3 months after implantation, and patients were followed up for at least 3 months after LASIK or PRK. The analysis included 125 eyes from 90 patients. Of these, 51.2% underwent LASIK and 48.8% PRK. Mean time from implantation to bioptics was 5.9 ± 9.4 months. Patients were followed up for a mean of 40.2 ± 37.9 months after bioptics. Median manifest refractive spherical equivalent was -2.89 D before bioptics and -0.49 D after. Median CDVA was 0.18 logMAR before bioptics and 0.17 after. The mean safety and efficacy indices were 2.22 ± 1.88 and 2.06 ± 1.85, respectively. Visual outcomes and safety indices after ICL implantation and subsequent LASIK or PRK in patients with extreme myopia are excellent.

Research on Tax Management and Tax Risk Prevention Measures

Firstly, tax management is an important aspect of financial management, which involves the selection and calculation of taxes. However, tax management also carries various risks, and we need to adopt different approaches to avoid these risks. In this article, we will discuss the definition of tax management, the different stages involved in the tax management process, and the differences in tax management in different countries. Secondly, this article also conducted case studies on tax management and tax risk prevention strategies, in order to deepen the understanding of these issues and their impact on the company's financial health. This article first provides the definition of tax management and tax risk prevention strategies, and then delves into the different stages involved in the tax management process. At the same time, this article emphasizes the importance of tax risk prevention strategies in enhancing the financial health of companies, and conducts in-depth analysis of cases.

Analysis of the Impact of Spokesperson Marketing on Brand Influence in the Context of Social Media

With the increasingly fierce market competition, brand marketing and spokesperson marketing have become important means for enterprises to enhance competitiveness. However, how to choose the right spokesperson, formulate effective marketing strategies and avoid potential risks are important issues facing enterprises. By using the methods of literature research and case analysis, this paper deeply studies the type segmentation and operation mechanism of spokesperson marketing, and analyzes the marketing methods, effects and potential risks of spokesperson combined with specific cases. The results show that selecting the right spokesperson and formulating effective marketing strategies are important to enhance brand awareness and reputation. Enterprises need to establish a sound spokesperson management system and effect evaluation system to ensure the standardization and effectiveness of spokesperson marketing activities. At the same time, this study also takes X and W as examples to explore the huge commercial value they bring to the brand as popular artists, as well as the operation mechanism and characteristics behind them. Through in-depth analysis of the types and effects of its endorsement activities, the study found that the spokesperson played an effective role as a bridge between the brand and consumers, transmitting brand information and promoting the promotion of sales and brand image. In addition, this study also discusses the strategies and potential risks of selecting spokesmen, which provides wise decision guidance for enterprises.

A new strategy for groundwater level prediction using a hybrid deep learning model under Ecological Water Replenishment.

Accurate prediction of the groundwater level (GWL) is crucial for sustainable groundwater resource management. Ecological water replenishment (EWR) involves artificially diverting water to replenish the ecological flow and water resources of both surface water and groundwater within the basin. However, fluctuations in GWLs during the EWR process exhibit high nonlinearity and complexity in their time series, making it challenging for single data-driven models to predict the trend of groundwater level changes under the backdrop of EWR. This study introduced a new GWL prediction strategy based on a hybrid deep learning model, STL-IWOA-GRU. It integrated the LOESS-based seasonal trend decomposition algorithm (STL), improved whale optimization algorithm (IWOA), and Gated recurrent unit (GRU). The aim was to accurately predict GWLs in the context of EWR. This study gathered GWL, precipitation, and surface runoff data from 21 monitoring wells in the Yongding River Basin (Beijing Section) over a period of 731days. The research results demonstrate that the improvement strategy implemented for the IWOA enhances the convergence speed and global search capabilities of the algorithm. In the case analysis, evaluation metrics including the root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) were employed. STL-IWOA-GRU exhibited commendable performance, with MAE achieving the best result, averaging at 0.266. When compared to other models such as Variance Mode Decomposition-Gated Recurrent Unit (VMD-GRU), Ant Lion Optimizer-Support Vector Machine (ALO-SVM), STL-Particle Swarm Optimization-GRU (STL-PSO-GRU), and STL-Sine Cosine Algorithm-GRU (STL-SCA-GRU), MAE was reduced by 18%, 26%, 11%, and 29%, respectively. This indicates that the model proposed in this study exhibited high prediction accuracy and robust versatility, making it a potent strategic choice for forecasting GWL changes in the context of EWR.

Advancements in the Detection and Treatment of Rare ALK Fusion Mutations in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

This case report and comprehensive literature review highlights the significance of advanced molecular diagnostic techniques, particularly next-generation sequencing (NGS), in the identification and treatment of rare ALK fusion mutations in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Through a detailed analysis of a single patient case, accompanied by a review of existing literature, we underscore the diagnostic challenges and therapeutic potential associated with rare ALK fusions in HCC. Our findings demonstrate the superior capability of NGS, both DNA-based and RNA-based, in detecting these mutations, leading to targeted treatment approaches with ALK inhibitors. The case report illustrates the practical application of precision oncology in HCC, showcasing significant clinical benefit and improved treatment outcomes with the use of ALK inhibitors for rare fusion types. This study not only contributes to the existing body of knowledge by documenting a rare instance of ALK fusion in HCC but also advocates for the integration of comprehensive molecular profiling into standard clinical practice to enhance personalized treatment strategies and patient care.

Research on the Origin and Evolution of Hu Jia

The Silk Road originated from the Western Han Dynasty. The word Silk indicates that it was originally a trade route, which eventually developed into a bridge for economic, cultural, and artistic exchanges between the East and the West. It connected Central Asia, West Asia, and countries around the Mediterranean, allowing different countries and different styles of music and dance to collide, promoting music exchanges and development in the surrounding countries along the Silk Road. As for the introduction of musical instruments and music into the Central Plains, the Silk Road has undoubtedly had a positive impact on the development of Chinese music. It can be said to be a music canal that runs through the East and the West. Jia, with its mournful sound, is originally a musical instrument played by the Hu people. The wooden Hu Jia of the Han Dynasty was introduced to the Central Plains by Zhang Qian's expedition to the Western Regions, while the reed Hu Jia was popular in Mongolian ethnic regions. This ancient ethnic musical instrument has almost disappeared and has gone through a legendary journey. Its structure and changes are of great research value. This paper uses methods of literature analysis and case analysis to study the playing techniques of Hu Jia and its evolution from the Western Han Dynasty to the present. Through the argumentation in this paper, it is discovered that the three-hole Hu Jia used in the Xinjiang Altay region in 1985 was still the same as those used in the Western Jin Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty, indicating that Hu Jia has not been lost.

Examining city image construction through the lens of linguistic soundscape: a case analysis of Shenzhen

The study examined the role of linguistic soundscape in constructing city image. Previous studies paid inadequate attention to linguistic soundscape, an important branch of linguistic landscape. The authors applied the theory of City Identity System (CIS) and selected Shenzhen, the third wealthiest city in China, to discuss how linguistic soundscape in public space may shape people’s perceptions of a city. The public address announcements in the major metro stations, airport, and ferry terminal of Shenzhen were recorded and analysed based on their language pattern, functions, and gender of voice. It was concluded that despite issues such as an imbalance between informative and symbolic functions, the linguistic soundscape of Shenzhen generally exhibited positive influence and promising potential in the construction of city image.

Research on the innovative path of precise communication of Chinese Martial Arts under the background of the "One Belt and One Road"

Research on the innovative path of precise communication of Chinese Martial Arts under the background of the "One Belt and One Road"

The prefigurative politics of leadership education: Connecting our practice to broader movements.

Why develop leaders? What politics are implicit in our practice? This paper uses the history and practice of Popular Education as a comparative framework to survey the politics of intentional emergence leadership pedagogy, surfacing potential alliances for building social change movements. Using a case analysis, the article elucidates the ways the classroom embodies an opportunity to explore and enact a prefigurative politics of significant social change that upends traditional relationships to authority, hierarchy, and decision-making. Exploring the opportunities and dangers of connecting the classroom to broader social movements, the article concludes by advocating that such connections could offer a firmer and more explicit stance to the question: why develop leaders?

Educational attainment as a predictor of poverty and social exclusion: Empirical analysis of Serbian case

This study examines the impact of education on the risk of poverty and social exclusion in a single-country framework. Relying on household and individual level data from the annual EU-SILC survey obtained in Serbia in 2020, we estimate the market and non-market benefits of education in the context of combating poverty and social exclusion in developing countries. Based on a representative sample of the adult population in Serbia, we explore to what extent the risk of poverty and social exclusion can be predicted by the levels of educational attainment. Econometric estimations indicate that educational underachievement acts as a significant driver of poverty and social exclusion. Probit regression analysis indicates that the risk of experiencing poverty and social exclusion decreases substantially with higher education levels. We include three model specifications that calculate the predicted probability of being at risk of poverty, severely materially deprived and exposed to combined risks. Holding other predictors constant, the decrease in poverty and social exclusion probability attributed to a one level increase in educational attainment amounts up to 7.96% (for unemployed women with only primary education). The analysis confirms that the highest gains from schooling are materialized for the categories of respondents who are not active in the labor market and those with the lowest levels of educational attainment. Besides this, self-perceived health and labor market activity significantly affect the risk of poverty, material deprivation and social exclusion. The impact of age differs across our model specifications, indicating that age increases the probability of severe material deprivation and the combined risk of poverty and deprivation, while older age appears to go in hand with a lower risk of poverty itself. These results offer relevant information that should be considered when determining the optimal level of social investment in education.

Territorial Disparities in the Governance of Policies Promoting the School-to-Work Transition: An Analysis of the Italian Case

The school-to-work alternance responds to the critical issues linked to the mismatch between school learning and labour market needs, aiming to enhance adolescents’ employability. However, recent studies have shown that in Italy, school-to-work transition pathways are diversified at the territorial level, reflecting regional disparities in opportunities that risk increasing inequalities. In this regard, this paper presents the main evidence emerging from an analysis on multilevel governance of the Pathways for Transversal Skills and Orientation (PCTOs), which are mandatory for Italian students in their last three years of upper secondary schooling. This focus is part of the national research project “Evaluating the School-Work Alternance: a longitudinal study in Italian upper secondary schools”, that aims to evaluate this policy. This part of the study, conducted through semi-structured qualitative interviews at the national, regional, and local level with stakeholders of public institutions, has examined PCTO implementation strategies, pointing out the transition mechanisms between the school and labour market, as well as roles, activities, and way of coordination between public and private sectors. The different perspectives that emerged underline the complexity of establishing networks that relate central and local governance in education systems. The results of the analysis provide a dynamic portrait of the PCTO in Italy, identifying relevant aspects that could enhance future planning or implementation of this policy.

Economic and budgetary impact evaluation of isavuconazole (Cresemba®) versus voriconazole (Vfend®) for the treatment of patients with possible invasive aspergillosis from the perspective of the Brazilian supplementary health system.

This study aims to evaluate the cost-utility and the budgetary impact of isavuconazole compared to voriconazole in patients with suspected invasive aspergillosis (IA) from the perspective of the Brazilian supplementary health system (SHS). In this model, a decision tree was developed and included patients with possible IA. Efficacy parameters were extracted from the clinical studies. Drug acquisition, hospitalization costs and adverse events were also collected. Alternative 3- and 10-year time horizon scenarios were used. In addition, deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were simulated. A budget impact analysis of isavuconazole versus voriconazole was performed, assuming a time horizon of 5 years. In addition, sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the model. Results are reported in Brazilian Real (BRL), year values 2022. The economic analysis of the base case showed that isavuconazole is associated with a saving of 95,174.00 BRL per patient compared to voriconazole. All other simulated scenarios showed that isavuconazole is dominant versus comparators when considering a willingness to pay 40,688.00 BRL/Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALY). The results were considered robust by the sensitivity analyses. The budget impact analysis showed that the incorporation of isavuconazole generates savings to the SHS, compared to voriconazole, of approximately 20.5 million BRL in the first year. This reaches about 54 million BRL in the fifth incorporation year, considering the market penetration of 20% in the first year, and 50% in the fifth year. Compared with voriconazole, isavuconazole is regarded as a dominant treatment strategy for patients with suspected IA and generates savings for the SHS.

Failure Analysis on OPGW Cable During Short Circuit Test

A new type of ground wire used for communication lines in high-voltage power transmission systems is called Optical Ground Wire cable (OPGW). In addition to serving as a communication optical cable and standard overhead ground wire, it may also prevent lightning strikes and carry short circuit currents. The OPGW cable must fulfil the specifications for both construction and performance for the ground wire to work, the optical fiber integrity, and the optical transmission characteristics to be appropriate for the intended use. It is anticipated that OPGW cables will safeguard the optical fiber and that the cable’s temperature won’t rise to the point where the fiber’s parameters could deteriorate. This paper examines the analysis and review of OPGW cable failure cases during short circuit tests.

Revitalizing Colonial Architecture in Havana, Cuba: Balancing Preservation and Modernization

The revitalization of Havana’s colonial architecture embodies a delicate balance between preservation and modernization, reflecting the city’s rich cultural heritage and dynamic urban evolution. This paper explores the historical context, challenges, and initiatives surrounding the preservation and modernization of Havana’s colonial architecture. Through case studies and analysis, it examines successful revitalization projects, community engagement strategies, and the quest for a sustainable economic model. By embracing heritage conservation, fostering community involvement, and promoting sustainable development, Havana seeks to create vibrant, resilient neighborhoods that honor the past while embracing the opportunities of the future.

Safety Profile of Paxlovid in the Treatment of COVID-19.

With the urgent and widespread application of Paxlovid, a novel antiviral drug for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in clinical practice, concerns regarding its actual efficacy and safety have emerged. In order to provide more evidence to support its clinical application, we sought to perform a descriptive analysis of cases who experienced at least one Paxlovid-related adverse event (AEs) and reported to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) in the post-marketing period. Individual adverse event reports between January 1, 2022 and September 30, 2022, were downloaded from the FAERS website. We completed a descriptive study about the safety of Paxlovid in the treatment of COVID-19. Further, we also analyzed the onset time of Paxlovid-related AEs. As of 30 September 2022, 16,529 de-duplicated cases were submitted to the FDA, and 5,860 (35.45%) were female. The average age was 58.38 years (S.D. 15.50). Most reports (12,390, 74.96%) were submitted by consumers and 1,436 (8.68%) concerned serious outcomes. The most frequently reported AEs were disease recurrence (7,724, 16.23%), dysgeusia (2,877, 6.05%), and diarrhoea (1,448, 3.04%). The median onset time of Paxlovid-related AEs was 8 days (interquartile range,1-10 days), and most of the cases (2,629, 19.12%) occurred on the day after Paxlovid initiation. This study indicates that the most common AEs reported with Paxlovid in post-marketing experience are consistent with the safety assessment of antiviral drugs. Even without emerging apparent safety concerns, the incidence of serious outcomes was unexpectedly high, and a few cases of potential new AEs occurred.