Case Study Research Articles

Does mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease need a standard pulmonary rehabilitation program? A case report

Background: Patients with mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are usually not recommended for a standard pulmonary rehabilitation (PR)program based on the GOLD guideline in mild COPD GOLD A classification. Especially, the scientific evidence on exercise capacity that can be identified for recruitment in PR programs has been less reported. Thus, a preliminary case study to identify the exercise capacity under cardiopulmonary responses by aerobic exercise testing among patients in mild COPD GOLD A classification was the aim of this study. Objective: To evaluate the cardiopulmonary responses from exercise capacity testing in individual COPD patients with mild COPD GOLD A Classification. Materials and methods: Four participants with mild COPD GOLD A performed an exercise endurance capacity test at home using Spot Marching Exercise Test (SMT), marching on the spot with high hip and arm raising. The load of SMT was indicated by a controlled stepping rate at 70, 80, 90, 100, and 110 steps/min. Every participant performed Incremental SMT (ISMT) with every 3 min incremental load, and the Constant SMT (CSMT) at the peak load. Both exercise tests were terminated at symptom limit. Resting time between ISMT and CSMT was at least 30 minutes. Cardiopulmonary exercise responses, Borg perceived breathlessness (RPB) and exertion (RPE) were monitored every minute during the exercise test. The duration of exercises was recorded. Results: Peak exercise capacity using ISMT was low with the end exercise load at 70, 80, 80, and 90 steps/min which is equivalent to moderate to high intensity at 81%, 62%, 65% and 93% of age-predicted maximum heart rate (HRmax). The exercise test was stopped by breathlessness at RPB 7, 8, 6, and 5. Respiratory rates (RR) were 36, 26, 38, and 38 breaths/min. With CSMT, the results showed very short exercise duration 1.78, 4.60, 2.15, and 2.47 mins with RPB 7, 8, 5, and 5 and RR of 33, 27, 34, and 41 breaths/min respectively. Conclusion: This preliminary report reveals that all four mild COPD GOLD A show low exercise capacity and very poor exercise endurance that should identify the appropriated standard PR program in the future.

Flood risk evaluation of the coastal city by the EWM-TOPSIS and machine learning hybrid method

The frequent occurrence of floods and waterlogging has significantly impacted coastal cities. Effective mapping of flood risk can enhance the precision of disaster risk reduction strategies. However, there is room for improvement in fields such as flood inundation data, evaluation objectivity, and classification refinement. This study, using Xiamen as a case study, advanced flood inundation data accuracy by generating a frequency-based flood inundation map from multi-year remote sensing imagery. This study integrated the EWM-TOPSIS model with a neural network model to evaluate the flood risk. The EWM-TOPSIS model was employed to assess the flood vulnerability and flood exposure, while the multi-class neural network model to simulate the flood hazard. This combined approach reduced subjectivity in the flood risk assessment of Xiamen and achieved a finer level of risk classification compared to traditional binary neural networks. The results indicated that the flood vulnerable areas of Xiamen are concentrated along waterways distant from roads, with high flood exposure in Tong'an and Xiang'an districts. The flood-prone areas in Xiamen are primarily located along the coastal areas characterized by extensive impermeable surfaces. High flood risk areas are mainly distributed in Tong'an and Xiang'an subdistricts, particularly in Xiangping and Xindian. The method developed offers support for accurate flood risk identification and decision-making in cities with limited data resources.

Modelling diffusion of innovation curves using radiocarbon data

Archaeological data provide a potential to investigate the diffusion of technological and cultural traits. However, much of this research agenda currently needs more formal quantitative methods to address small sample sizes and chronological uncertainty. This paper introduces a novel Bayesian framework for inferring the shape of diffusion curves using radiocarbon data associated with the presence/absence of a particular innovation. We developed two distinct approaches: 1) a hierarchical model that enables the fitting of an s-shaped diffusion curve whilst accounting for inter-site variations in the probability of sampling the innovation itself, and 2) a non-parametric model that can estimate the changing proportion of the innovation across user-defined time-blocks. The robustness of the two approaches was first tested against simulated datasets and then applied to investigate three case studies, the first pair on the diffusion of farming in prehistoric Japan and Britain and the third on cycles of changes in the burial practices of later prehistoric Britain.

Transgenerational effects of triazole fungicides on gene expression and egg compounds in non-exposed offspring: A case study using Red-Legged Partridges (Alectoris rufa)

Triazole fungicides are widely used to treat cereal seeds before sowing. Granivorous birds like the Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa) have high exposure risk because they ingest treated seeds that remain on the field surface. As triazole fungicides can act as endocrine disruptors, affecting sterol synthesis and reproduction in birds several months after exposure, we hypothesized that these effects could also impact subsequent generations of exposed birds. To test this hypothesis, we exposed adult partridges (F0) to seeds treated at commercial doses with four different formulations containing triazoles as active ingredients (flutriafol, prothioconazole, tebuconazole, and a mixture of the latter two), simulating field exposure during late autumn sowing. During the subsequent reproductive season, two to four months after exposure, we examined compound allocation of steroid hormones, cholesterol, vitamins, and carotenoids in eggs laid by exposed birds (F1), as well as the expression of genes encoding enzymes involved in sterol biosynthesis in one-day-old chicks of this F1. One year later, F1 animals were paired again to investigate the expression of the same genes in the F2 chicks. We found changes in the expression of some genes for all treatments and both generations. Additionally, we observed an increase in estrone levels in eggs from partridges treated with flutriafol compared to controls, a decrease in tocopherol levels in partridges exposed to the mixture of tebuconazole and prothioconazole, and an increase in retinol levels in partridges exposed to prothioconazole. Despite sample size limitations, this study provides novel insights into the mechanisms of action of the previously observed effects of triazole fungicide-treated seeds on avian reproduction with evidence that the effects can persist beyond the exposure windows, affecting unexposed offspring of partridges fed with treated seeds. The results highlight the importance of considering long-term chronic effects when assessing pesticide risks to wild birds.

Investigations into Cracks Causes in Educational Building: A Case Study

Investigations into Cracks Causes in Educational Building: A Case Study

The Effect of Overdimension Overload (ODOL) Vehicles on Road Technical Life (Case Study: Enrekang Regency National Road Segment)

The Effect of Overdimension Overload (ODOL) Vehicles on Road Technical Life (Case Study: Enrekang Regency National Road Segment)

World heritage sites management as approach to improving quality of life: Memphis and its Necropolis as a case study

World Heritage sites face many challenges that affect the quality of life (QOL), it is thus empirical that more research studies shed light upon this important topic. This research examines the most important problems of Egyptian World Heritage Sites, with a focus on the Memphis site due to its outstanding universal value (OUV) and the posed threats that may affect its global value. The necessity of maintaining world heritage sites in accordance with UNESCO's guidelines has recently come to the state's attention so a supreme committee was formed, according to a presidential decree. Thus, this paper aims to present an applied strategy for managing Memphis site in an integrated manner to contribute to raising the QOL indicators while maintaining the OUV of the site through a multiphase research approach; first the theoretical approach, where a literature review and the basic concepts; second, an empirical desk-based literature review of similar sites. This in turn yielded quantitative and qualitative results and allowed for the measurement of the link between QOL and heritage sites management. Then a third phase which consisted of devising an applicable strategy management plan for Memphis site. The strategy has been proposed in light of the country’s vision, strategy for sustainable development: Egypt vision 2030, and the strategic plan for Greater Cairo Region 2050.

The Application of Empirical Methods and Kinematical Analysis to Assess the Stability of a Rock Formation – A Case Study

The Application of Empirical Methods and Kinematical Analysis to Assess the Stability of a Rock Formation – A Case Study

Investigating Sewer Parameters Leading to Manhole Corrosion: A Case Study from the City of Arlington, Texas

Investigating Sewer Parameters Leading to Manhole Corrosion: A Case Study from the City of Arlington, Texas

An Analysis of Student’s Recount Text: An SFL Approach

This paper reports on the results of a study aiming to investigate the student’s ability to write recount text of a university student in Bandung. The study was conducted using the theory of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL), especially functional grammar, in terms of the Transitivity, Mood and Modality system. The study used a case study on text analysis. A text, which is a recount text written by a higher achiever university student, was analysed using the Transitivity, Mood and Modality system. In terms of the Transitivity system, the result indicates the writer’s adequate syntactic compression and rich lexico-grammatical patterns. Moreover, in terms of the Mood and Modality system, the text shows the writer’s ability to infuse, temper, negotiate, and constrain the experiential meanings in the Mood that is in focus. Hence, the writer is categorized as a mature and critical writer, and the text is appropriate to be used as a model text. Research on text analysis using SFL of different genres of text and how the teaching of writing should be conducted to help improve students’ writing ability is recommended.

Finnish primary school students’ perceptions on water systems: Exploring sources and usage at home and in society

Previous studies have shown that making informed decisions about water issues requires socio-scientific reasoning (SSR), which is challenging for primary school students. This study focuses on third and fourth graders’ (n=101) perceptions regarding water systems, water sources and usage patterns both at home and within society. The primary school students participated in a water project that lasted for eight lessons. The study was a case study and the data consisted of audio recordings of group conversations on tasks given in the lessons. The students’ perceptions were analyzed using inductive content analysis and structure of observed learning outcome-taxonomy. Students discussed the significance of using water for drinking, food preparation, and maintaining personal hygiene. Students highlighted conservation, health, environmental and household aspects when discussing water conservation and water purification. There is a need to empower primary school students through building scientific literacy and SSR to inform evidence-based decisions related to water issues.

Roofing systems and energy efficiency in low-rise buildings: A comparative study across India’s diverse climates

The building envelope is the interface between the external atmospheric conditions and the indoor environment. It contributes to approximately 60%–70% of the heating and cooling load. The building envelope constitutes walls, fenestrations, and roofs from which thermal transfer from the roof is significantly very high compared to walls in low-rise buildings.This research paper aims to provide recommendations for energy-efficient roof design considering roof form, material, and external coating suitable for various climate conditions of India. The paper’s methodology consists of a literature review of related research papers, learnings from the roofing system of energy-efficient building case studies, and all possible energy-efficient roofing systems that would be simulated for energy efficiency and thermal comfort in five climate types of India. The expected outcome of this paper would be in the form of recommendations for roofing systems in different climate type and their potential for energy saving from the highest to the lowest. This research would be done in three stages viz, Step-1 Literature Review and case study of best practices: A review of the related literature and best practices examples would be done to formulate the maximum possible cases for the simulation. Step-2: The roofing systems, including building form, material (Thermal and insulation), and finishes (reflectance), would be simulated one by one for various climate types of India (composite, hot & dry, warm and humid, moderate and cold) to optimise energy efficiency and payback period. Step-3: Special roof types like Green roofs, cool roofs, Photovoltaic roofs, roof ponds, and the like would also be simulated and compared for their effectiveness in selected climate types. Based on the literature review, simulation results, and analysis, the recommendation would be framed for energy-efficient roofing systems in the selected climate type with respect to heat transfer through the roof and thermal comfort.

Construction Practices and Seismic Vulnerability of Buildings in the Indian Himalayan Region: A Case Study

Construction Practices and Seismic Vulnerability of Buildings in the Indian Himalayan Region: A Case Study

Planning scale flood risk assessment and prediction in ultra-high density urban environments: The case of Hong Kong

Climate change has significantly increased the risks associated with urban flooding. However, most research on flood risk assessment focuses on large-scale climate changes and impacts, leaving a research gap in the high spatial resolution of flood risk assessment in inter-urban areas. This gap makes it difficult to guide regional planning for the government. Therefore, this study aims to explore the risks of floods in ultra-high-density cities under climate change at the planning scale, using Hong Kong as a case study. We comprehensively assessed the flood risk index (FRI) in the built environment in 211 tertiary planning units (TPUs) from the three dimensions of vulnerability, exposure, and hazard from 2006 to 2021. We also employed a prediction model to forecast the spatial–temporal patterns of FRI in the next 5, 10, and 15 years and evaluated the uneven distribution of flood risks. The results show that the FRI of TPUs increased yearly, which poses higher threats to agglomerative areas of transportation and functional facilities. Additionally, future FRI will further impact coastal TPUs in western Hong Kong, resulting in more negative impacts on high-building areas. Therefore, urban planning should prioritize integrating flood management and risk mitigation measures.

Children And Adolescents With Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Treatment And Management.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder that causes stomach pain in children and adolescents. It may also impact one's quality of life. IBS is linked to gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhoea and constipation. Despite the identification of several potential pathophysiological pathways, the aetiology of IBS remained unknown. The aim of this paper is to discuss the diagnosis, pathogenesis, case studies and treatment of Irritable bowel syndrome in children and adolescents. This systematic review covered relevant papers from the previous ten years that were accessible in Science Direct, Elsevier, NCBI, and Web of Science related to the pathophysiology and function of pharmacological drugs such as antidepressants, antispasmodics, prokinetics, and antibiotics in children with irritable bowel syndrome. Only a few prospective therapy techniques have been investigated in children, and even fewer of those have been demonstrated to be effective. This article presents case studies including 50-59 children, which demonstrate a favourable acceptable impact that is more effective than a placebo in terms of reducing symptoms and improving the overall quality of life in children who have irritable bowel syndrome. Furthermore, the majority of the pathophysiological explanations and treatment options discussed are based on adult studies. These major issues arose when treating paediatric IBS, and they must be addressed in order to properly treat children with IBS. Trials that focus on many combinations of pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies seem to be more helpful. In recent years, a number of systematic reviews have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of medication treatments in children for IBS; however, the dependability of these systematic reviews needs to be further investigated owing to the various experimental designs and levels of evidence used. This article highlights paediatric therapy options, including pharmaceutical medications such as antidepressants, antispasmodics, prokinetics, and antibiotics. The goal is to alleviate IBS symptoms while also enhancing the quality of life for children with this illness.

An effective secondary personalization file system driven by FileForge module

Digital service platforms provided by academic support departments in Macao assist academic staff and students in various areas such as registry, student affairs, academic activities, and research. As the number of undergraduate students increases and new departments are established, academic staff often face the challenge of dealing with paperwork that contains similar content but different formats. This situation results in redundancies and a waste of time. This paper presents our endeavors to simplify administrative procedures in higher education by automating restructured documentation and developing secondary file systems. The paper presents two case studies: Scenario One focuses on streamlining the publication system for academic staff who submit papers in different formats. At the same time, Scenario Two aims to simplify the daily paperwork process for academic staff. Both cases involve transforming the distribution of administrative documents, transitioning from a standardized form with guidelines to a customized form with concise tips. This approach allows academic staff to handle only the necessary information, which may not be available in the database or requires verification. The case studies serve to demonstrate the effectiveness of this administrative simplification.

Nanoscale Techniques for Characterizing Gemstone Coatings: A Case Study on Synthetic Moissanite

Nanoscale Techniques for Characterizing Gemstone Coatings: A Case Study on Synthetic Moissanite

Étude préliminaire de validation d’un questionnaire parental de dépistage d’un trouble neurovisuel chez l’enfant (QPD-TNV)

IntroductionSome children have visual difficulties that are not related to damage to the eye but to damage to the brain. This type of dysfunction of the visual brain pathways leads, for example, to difficulties in recognition, visuomotor coordination or visuo-spatial disorders. These very specific disorders are called "neurovisual disorders” or “cortical visual disorder”. Despite their real impact on the development of the child, these disorders are still poorly diagnosed in the French-speaking world. ObjectivesIn view of the lack of a valid tool in French, the aim of this study is to provide the results of a preliminary validation study of a parental questionnaire for screening children with warning signs of neurovisual disorders in French. MethodThe creation of this questionnaire was based on the literature, pre-existing questionnaires and a team of experts. A validation study was carried out on a group of 112 parents of children aged between 6 and 12 and a group of 25 parents of children of the same age for whom warning signs of neurovisual disorders had been identified. ResultsAfter some adjustments, the data collected allowed the questionnaire to be validated by demonstrating its good psychometric properties and by illustrating it through a case study. ConclusionThis study meets a real need among professionals in the field for a validated tool in French for spotting the warning signs of neurovisual disorders in children.

Efficacy of Y-90 TARE in advanced HCC: an experience with hybrid Angio-CT and glass microspheres

BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) involves selective intra-arterial administration of microspheres loaded with a radioactive compound like Yttrium90. Conventionally, C-arm based cone-beam computed tomography has been used extensively during TARE. However, Angio-CT is a relatively new modality which combines the advantages of both fluoroscopy and Computed Tomography (CT). There is scarce literature detailing the use of Angio-CT in Y90 TARE. MethodsThis was a retrospective study of primary liver cancer cases in which TARE procedure was done from November 2017 to December 2021. Glass-based Y-90 microspheres were used in all these cases. All the cases were performed in the hybrid Angio-CT suite. A Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography – Computed Tomography (SPECT-CT) done post planning session determined the lung shunt fraction and confirmed the accurate targeting of the lesion. Post drug delivery, PET-CT was obtained to confirm the distribution of the Y-90 particles. The technical success, median follow-up, objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were recorded. ResultsA total of 56 hepatocellular carcinoma patients underwent TARE during this period out of which 36 patients (30 males and 6 females) underwent Y90 TARE. The etiology of cirrhosis included non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) (11), hepatitis C (HCV) (11), hepatitis B (HBV) (9), metabolic dysfunction and alcohol associated liver disease (MetALD) (2), alcoholic liver disease (ALD) (1), cryptogenic (1) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) (1). The technical success was 100% and median follow-up was 7 months (range: 1 - 32 months). The median OS was 15 months (range 10.73 – 19.27 months; 95% CI) and the median local PFS was 4 months (range 3.03 – 4.97 months; 95% CI). The ORR (best response, CR + PR) was 58%. No major complications were seen in this study. ConclusionTARE is a viable option for liver cancers in all stages but more so in the advanced stages. The use of Angio-CT in TARE aids in the precise delivery of the particles to the tumour and avoids non-target embolization.

The Impact of Adversarial Attacks on Federated Learning: A Survey.

Federated learning (FL) has emerged as a powerful machine learning technique that enables the development of models from decentralized data sources. However, the decentralized nature of FL makes it vulnerable to adversarial attacks. In this survey, we provide a comprehensive overview of the impact of malicious attacks on FL by covering various aspects such as attack budget, visibility, and generalizability, among others. Previous surveys have primarily focused on the multiple types of attacks and defenses but failed to consider the impact of these attacks in terms of their budget, visibility, and generalizability. This survey aims to fill this gap by providing a comprehensive understanding of the attacks' effect by identifying FL attacks with low budgets, low visibility, and high impact. Additionally, we address the recent advancements in the field of adversarial defenses in FL and highlight the challenges in securing FL. The contribution of this survey is threefold: first, it provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the current state of FL attacks and defenses. Second, it highlights the critical importance of considering the impact, budget, and visibility of FL attacks. Finally, we provide ten case studies and potential future directions towards improving the security and privacy of FL systems.