Case Study Research Articles

Transforming Patient Care with IoT Integration: A Technical Perspective

The healthcare industry is experiencing a profound digital transformation through the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. This technical article examines how IoT is revolutionizing patient care by enabling real-time monitoring, data-driven treatment plans, and improved operational efficiency. The article explores the three-layer IoT architecture in healthcare: the perception layer that interfaces with physical environments, the network layer that ensures reliable data transmission, and the application layer that transforms raw data into actionable insights. The article further discusses critical implementation considerations including interoperability standards, security frameworks, and privacy protections essential for healthcare deployments. Technical applications such as real-time monitoring systems and automated medication administration demonstrate significant improvements in patient outcomes. Advanced analytics and machine learning integration enable predictive capabilities that anticipate clinical events before conventional detection, while specialized implementation strategies address the unique challenges of healthcare data pipelines. The case study on remote patient monitoring architecture illustrates how multiple technical components work in concert to deliver comprehensive care solutions. Through detailed analysis of implementation approaches and technological frameworks, this article provides a technical perspective on how IoT is transforming healthcare delivery across clinical, operational, and financial dimensions.

Gallery walk as research method in information science

Introduction. This paper argues that the gallery walks, a pedagogical technique traditionally used in educational settings, is an effective qualitative data collection strategy. Its interactive format stimulates discussion and ensures active participation, making it suitable for qualitative research. Background. Common qualitative methods like interviews, focus groups, and observations have limitations. The gallery walk technique leverages movement and interaction to deepen understanding, making it an effective tool for comprehensive and inclusive educational engagement. Gallery walk as research method. The gallery walk enhances data collection by balancing individual and group insights, encouraging participants to use their expertise and engage in meaningful discussions. This approach captures detailed information from each participant. Case study. We implemented the gallery walk in a study with 14 experts in satellite image analysis. Over two days, participants engaged with six thematic stations, discussing and annotating posters. The discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed, providing a rich dataset of individual and collective insights. Discussion and Conclusion. Our findings demonstrate the gallery walk's utility as a qualitative research method. Its structured yet flexible format enhances participant engagement and data richness. The gallery walk is particularly effective for studies involving expert participants, offering a comprehensive understanding of research topics.

Organizational Innovation: The Case of Netflix

In today’s era, where continuous change is considered as the only constant, the concept of innovation is a very important element in relation to achieving organizational success, survival and growth. At the same time, organizations are under constant pressure. The acquisition of significant resources (such as capital, etc.) may have been sufficient to develop a competitive advantage for organizations in the past, but in today’s era a significant paradigm shift has occurred (resource-based view to knowledge-based view). Organizations in the present time, cannot be satisfied with just acquiring essential resources, but must be able to respond to continuous changes, in innovative and creative ways. The modern problems that organizations face can be continuous, unpredictable and more complex than ever. At the same context, customers and interest groups are more informed than ever, on a continuous basis, and are able to access and analyze information that has to do with the business models, strategies and internal reality (to some extent) of the organizations. This environmental complexity has led to the emergence of the concept of innovation as a central, contemporary variable. Innovation and the ability to continuously achieve its outcomes, is considered to be a critical element in terms of managing uncertainty, competition that arises and developing a sustainable competitive advantage. Failure to achieve innovation can constitute a viable threat to the very existence of modern organizations. The research technique adopted was that of the case study.. The case study research technique is a qualitative method that focuses on an in-depth, contextual analysis of a specific “case” or phenomenon. This method is widely applied across disciplines such as education, social sciences, business, etc. enabling researchers to explore complex issues within their natural settings.

The role of ontologies in machine learning: a case study of gene ontology

Introduction. Ontologies as knowledgebases have been heavily applied in computational biological studies by implementing into ML models for purposes such as disease-gene associations identification. Method. We conduct a case study using gene ontology (GO) annotation data and three ML models to replicate the prediction of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-causing genes. Analysis. Data were collected from GO and Simmons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI). The semantic similarities between GO annotation terms on gene products were calculated. Results. The best-performing model can reach an AUC of .85, which means using GO annotation data for ASD disease-gene prediction can receive a significantly accurate result. However, we stress the importance of constructing knowledgebases in adapting to LLMs and the role of LIS professionals in curating community knowledge for interoperability and reuse. Conclusions. Biomedical ontologies play a crucial role in the discovery of biomedical knowledge. Knowledge organization and computer science domains require more communication and synchronization in the face of emerging AI and ML technologies.

Inter-American Human Rights System and Social Change in Latin America

The role of human rights is increasingly subject to scrutiny and debate. However, historically, human rights functioned as powerful tools for social change. In this context, this paper explores the origin, evolution and impact of the Inter-American Human Rights System, analysing its impact from three perspectives. First, it reviews empirical studies that advocate distinguishing between compliance with the system’s orders and their broader impact. Case examples are presented to demonstrate how compliance with general orders, such as guarantees of non-repetition, can influence human rights practices across the region, even when compliance is only partial. The analysis highlights that impact extends beyond formal compliance, encompassing the strategies of human rights organisations, interactions between national and international spheres, and progress in the recognition and justiciability of rights, along with measures aimed at benefiting specific groups. Finally, the relationship between the region’s democratic development and the system’s relevance is explored, highlighting its remarkable adaptability to emerging realities and societal demands despite persistent challenges. In the face of prevailing scepticism, the system continues to function as a vital mechanism for promoting social transformation across Latin America.

Robotic-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection: defining selection parameters-a B-SAFE approach.

The objective of the study is to define selection parameters for RRPLND and evaluate the outcomes from cases selected via this method. Patients undergoing RRPLND from 2017 to 2023 (n = 57) were included. Initial criteria for robotic case selection were defined via 'B-SAFE' parameters. Safety was assessed via complication rate and oncological outcome. Analysis of both robotic and open RPLND outcomes including data from across the Anglican Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group was done. Mean lesion size was 30mm (9-72). No cases required open conversion. Positive margin rate was 5.2%. Median length of stay (LOS) was 2days (1-5). Overall complication rate was 15.7%. One patient required radiological intervention via embolization for a post-operative bleed. No in-field recurrences was observed at a median follow-up of 25months (1-81). Analysis of parallel open RPLND cohort (n = 57) showed some differences in LOS (2 vs 6 [p = < 0.05]) and bloods loss (130 vs 865 [p = < 0.05]) likely explained by case complexity. Nodal yield higher in RRPLND (23 vs 10 [p = < 0.05]). No significant difference in operation time (4.5 vs 4.6 [p = 0.5]), positive margins (5.2 vs 15.8% [p = 0.06]) or complication rates (15.7 vs 17% [p = 0.85]). This series proposed six parameters that can be used to appropriately select cases for RRPLND which we have defined using the 'B-SAFE' system. Our results using this framework are encouraging, with no instances of open conversion, excellent short-term oncological outcomes and no compromise of peri-operative morbidity with a short LOS. We also demonstrate an evolution in our practice towards more complex cases suggesting that as unit experience grows, initial selection criteria can be expanded to tackle more complex lesions.

Remote-Sensed Spatio-Temporal Study of the Tropical Cyclone Freddy Exceptional Case

Dynamical processes during the different stages of evolution of tropical cyclones play crucial roles in their development and intensification, making them one of the most powerful natural forces on Earth. Given their classification as extreme atmospheric events resulting from multiple interacting factors, it is significant to study their dynamical behavior and the nonlinear effects generated by emerging structures during scales and intensity transitions, correlating them with the surrounding environment. This study investigates the extraordinary and record-breaking case of Tropical Cyclone Freddy (2023 Indian Ocean tropical season) from a purely dynamical perspective, examining the superposition of energetic structures at different spatio-temporal scales, by mainly considering thermal fluctuations over 12 days of its evolution. The tool used for this investigation is the Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD), in which a set of empirical basis functions is built up, retaining the maximum energetic content of the turbulent flow. The method is applied on a satellite imagery dataset acquired from the SEVIRI radiometer onboard the Meteosat Second Generation-8 (MSG-8) geostationary platform, from which the cloud-top temperature scalar field is remote sensed looking at the cloud’s associated system. For this application, considering Freddy’s very long life period and exceptionally wide path of evolution, reanalysis and tracking data archives are taken into account in order to create an appropriately dynamic spatial grid. Freddy’s eye is followed after its first shape formation with very high temporal resolution snapshots of the temperature field. The energy content in three different characteristic scale ranges is analyzed through the associated spatial and temporal component spectra, focusing both on the total period and on the transitions between different categories. The results of the analysis outline several interesting aspects of the dynamics of Freddy related to both its transitions stages and total period. The reconstructions of the temperature field point out that the most consistent vortexes are found in the outermost cyclonic regions and in proximity of the eyewall. Additionally, we find a significant consistency of the results of the investigation of the maximum intensity phase of Freddy’s life cycle, in the spatio-temporal characteristics of its dynamics, and in comparison with one analogous case study of the Faraji tropical cyclone.

Abstract A002: Immunotherapy responses in liver cancer: How TERT and TP53 mutations affect outcomes

Abstract Background: Genomic profiling has revolutionized therapeutic approaches and clinical management for liver cancer. However, the pathogenetic mechanisms, molecular drivers of recurrence, and predictive biomarkers remain only partially understood. An analysis of the United States Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) cohort from The Cancer Genome Atlas showed that common mutations are mainly located in the TERT promoter region, TP53, and CTNNB1 genes. Recent studies on smaller Chinese have also identified TP53, TERT, and CTNNB1 as the most frequently mutated genes among Chinese HCC patients. Our study further explores the correlation between specific genomic mutations (TERT, TP53), and immunotherapy response in HCC cases. Methods: The cBioPorta was used for genomic profiling in multiple cohort studies of hepatobiliary cancer cases. Only HCC cases with TERT and TP53 mutation, and patients who had received immunotherapy, were included. Cases involving cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), HCC with CCA, other genetic mutations, or patients treated with chemotherapy were excluded from this study. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were created to assess the median overall survival (OS) based on immunotherapy response, and we calculated pooled 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to determine the reliability and precision of our result. The log-rank P-value was used to assess differences in OS between mutated genes. Results: The total cases were 1915 of hepatobiliary cancer after excluding 873 cases remaining with HCC among them, 400 patients (45.8%) had mutations in TERT, and 403 patients (46.2%) had mutations in TP53. The finalized number was 65 (64.4%) with TERT and 43 (42.4%) with TP53 who received immunotherapy. The median OS differed substantially across mutation types: 42 months for TERT mutations, 37 months for TP53 mutations, and 58 months for cases with both mutations (p=0.5). Conclusion: Our study observed improved OS in patients with both TERT and TP53 mutations. Although patients with only TERT mutations had better OS compared to those with TP53 mutations alone. Further research is required to clarify the specific associations between TERT mutations and treatment outcomes. Citation Format: Ebtesam Al-Najjar, Bayan Khasawneh, Waseem Abdelrahim, Abdullah Esmail, Ala Abudayyeh. Immunotherapy responses in liver cancer: How TERT and TP53 mutations affect outcomes [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Functional and Genomic Precision Medicine in Cancer: Different Perspectives, Common Goals; 2025 Mar 11-13; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(5 Suppl):Abstract nr A002.

Access Restricted: A Study of Broken Access Control Vulnerabilities

Broken access control vulnerability is ranked No.1 in OWASP Top 10 list in 2021. This means that it is the most commonly used exploited weakness in the web applications by attackers today. Because if an attacker can exploit this vulnerability, they can gain control rights and potentially compromise the entire web application. From that point forward, the attacker can execute various attacks depending on their objectives. That’s what makes it the most purposeful. In this research, we will reveal the security vulnerability of the access control in a web applications system. We will explore case studies of real-world attacks that leverage broken access control, providing a contextual understanding of the impact and implications of these vulnerabilities. Through this research, we aim to contribute to the ongoing efforts to enhance web application security and mitigate the risks associated with broken access control vulnerabilities. We will examine vulnerabilities in web applications that attackers can use to compromise access. Finally, we discuss the protection and security measures that should be taken against attackers who use this vulnerability. Received: 2 August 2024 | Revised: 15 January 2025 | Accepted: 18 February 2025 Conflicts of Interest The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to this work. Data Availability Statement Data available on request from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Author Contribution Statement Sadeeq Jan: Methodology, Formal analysis, Supervision. Safi Ullah Khan: Conceptualization, Methodology, Software, Validation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Resources, Data curation, Writing - original draft, Writing - review &amp; editing, Visualization, Project administration. Abdul Wahab: Conceptualization, Methodology, Software, Validation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Resources, Data curation, Writing - original draft, Writing - review &amp; editing, Visualization, Project administration. Dr. Mohammad: Investigation, Project administration.

Renaming as representation of community onomastic interests: A case study of Alfred Duma Municipality

The renaming of places is a multifaceted phenomenon that reflects the dynamic interplay between historical, cultural and sociopolitical forces within a community. This article examines the renaming process as a lens through which to study the onomastic interests of communities at the Alfred Duma Local Municipality, in uThukela District Municipality, post-apartheid South Africa. The renaming of places considers a wide variety of elements that determine which places need to be renamed and why. Drawing upon social identity theory as the theoretical framework, this article investigates the motivations, mechanisms and implications of renaming initiatives at the Alfred Duma Local Municipality. This study also focuses on delineating an array of elements and backgrounds regarding the renaming of places. It addresses the topics of the deconstruction of a colonial legacy through place naming, the politics of renaming and the identity of a place in the post-apartheid era. This is a qualitative study with data collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Twenty-six participants were selected to partake in this study. The findings of the data were thematically analysed.Contribution: The findings of the study revealed that the community members were pleased with the renaming of places to isiZulu. However, they recommended implementing a more transparent process, as some members were not informed about the renaming process. The new place names represent the onomastic interest of the community as they are the place names the community relates to and are recognised for their historical significance and meaning.

Innovation hesitancy: exploring reluctance to digital innovation in the Swedish cultural sector

Introduction. This paper explores a challenge for any novel digital intervention: the hesitancy or reluctance among the designated user group. Purpose. The overall purpose is to better understand the hesitant reception of digital innovations through a specific case study. The aim is to further our understanding of resistance towards digital innovation as well as reflect upon the pro-innovation bias of digital development projects. Method. Multiple sources were combined: data collected within the case project and conducted document analysis of project documentation. Results. Labor and maintenance were the main reasons behind stakeholder hesitancy, as well as concerns regarding the hosting, funding, and local relevance of the proposed innovation. Conclusions. The assumption that digitization is inherently beneficial shaped the direction of the case project. Yet ongoing cultural changes and current adaptations must be understood to ensure a new digital solution is actually needed. As researchers we must pay enough attention to relevant local conditions by critically engaging with the innovation process of the project itself. This requires looking pass the pro-innovation bias.

Assessing construction safety risks in large urban complex projects: an interval ordinal priority approach

PurposeTo meet an ever - increasing urbanization demand, urban complex projects have evolved to form the development type of HOPSCA (an acronym for Hotel, Office, Park, Shopping mall, Convention and Apartment, representing a new type of urban complex). Its integrated functions, complex structures and superior siting expose HOPSCA’s construction phase to higher and more uncertain safety risks. Despite this, research on construction safety risks of large urban complexes is scarce. This study addresses this by introducing the interval ordinal priority approach (Interval-OPA) method to build a safety risk assessment model for HOPSCA, targeting its construction safety risk management.Design/methodology/approachThis study initially identifies risk factors via literature review, field survey and three Delphi method rounds, forming a construction safety risk list of HOPSCA projects. Then, Interval-OPA is employed to create a safety risk assessment model, and its validity confirmed through a representative case study of an ongoing project. Lastly, uncertainty and weighting analyses of the model results identify the most probable major construction accidents, safety risk factors and targeted prevention strategies for the urban complex projects construction phase.FindingsThe findings reveal that (1) there are 33 construction safety risks in HOPSCA’s construction phase across 4 aspects: “man-machine-environment-management”; (2) object strikes are the most prominent of accidents and need to be prioritized for prevention, especially when managerial risks are arising; (3) falls from heights are evaluated with the highest level of uncertainty, which represents an ambiguous area for safety management and (4) the result of the risk evaluation shows that there are nine critical construction safety risk factors for the HOPSCA project and that most of the management-level risk factors have high uncertainty. This study explores and provides effective measures to combat these factors.Originality/valueThis study innovatively applies the Interval-OPA method to risk assessment, offering a fitting method for evaluating the HOPSCA project’s construction safety risks and accidents. The model aids decision-makers in appropriate risk classification and selection of scientific risk prevention strategies, enhances HOPSCA’s construction safety management system and even benefits all under-construction projects, promoting the construction industry’s sustainable development.

The Principal's Role in Improving the Quality of Islamic Religious Education in Junior High Schools/MTs

This study aims to analyze the role of the school principal in efforts to improve the quality of Islamic religious education at SMP PGRI 2 Selagai Lingga. Using a qualitative approach with a case study method, data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation. The findings reveal that the principal plays a significant role as an educator, supervisor, and manager through programs such as Quranic reading sessions, dhuha prayer, and religious sermons designed to improve student morality. Additionally, the principal involves the teaching council in supervision and skill enhancement, including the use of technology in learning. The implications of this study emphasize the importance of the principal's role in creating a conducive and integrated educational environment based on Islamic principles.

Should I stay or should I go? Leveraging data-driven approaches to explore the effect of various disaster policies on postearthquake household relocation decision-making.

Devastating earthquakes can cause affected households to relocate. Postearthquake relocation disrupts impacted households' social ties and, in some instances, their access to affordable services. Simulation-based approaches that model postearthquake relocation decision-making can be valuable tools for supporting the development of related disaster risk reduction (DRR) policies. Yet, existing versions of these models focus particularly on housing-related factors, which are not the sole driver of postearthquake relocation. We integrate data-driven approaches and local data to account for postearthquake household relocation decision-making within an existing simulation-based framework for policy-related risk-sensitive decision support on future urban development. We use household survey data related to the 2015 Gorkha earthquakes in Nepal to develop a random forest model that estimates the postearthquake relocation inclination of disaster-affected households. The developed model holistically captures various context-specific factors important to postearthquake household relocation decision-making. We leverage the framework to quantitatively assess the effectiveness of various DRR policies in reducing positive postearthquake relocation inclination, with an explicit focus on low-income households. We demonstrate it using "Tomorrowville," a hypothetical expanding urban extent that reflects important social and physical characteristics of Kathmandu, Nepal. Our analyses suggest that the provision of livelihood assistance funds is more successful when it comes to mitigating positive postearthquake relocation inclination than hard policies focused on strengthening buildings (at least in the context of the examined case study). They also suggest viable pro-poor pathways for mitigating disaster relocation impacts without the need to create potentially politically sensitive income-based restrictions on policyremits.

Research on Human Needs and the Valorization of Supply–Need Relationships in Ecosystem Services—A Case Study of the Southwest Karst Region

Human needs alter ecosystem services (ESs), which then affect human needs. Based on the human needs theory, human needs in ESs are classified into four major categories of needs. A monetization method was used to quantify the ecosystem service need value (ESNV), the ES value equivalent method was used to calculate the ES supply value (ESSV), and the correlation coefficient method was used to understand the relationships and mutual influences among human needs. Finally, the supply and demand relationships were compared to obtain the gap between the supply of and demand for ESs. Taking Hechi City, a city with a predominantly karst landscape, as an example, we found that: (1) the total area of high-value areas and generally high-value areas in Hechi City increased by 10,935.15 km2, whereas the total area of low-value areas decreased by 11,094.07 km2. (2) A positive correlation exists between the various demands. Spiritual needs and material needs are moderately significantly positively correlated, with a correlation coefficient of 0.54. Security needs are positively correlated with material needs, with a correlation coefficient of 0.6. (3) The ESNV and ESSV in Hechi City are slightly imbalanced. Du’an requires an external ecosystem supply of CNY 21.9192 million for living material, while Jinchengjiang has the potential to export a water supply value of CNY 22.9934 million to external ecosystems. (4) The centers of gravity of various types of supply and demand are distributed primarily within Jinchengjiang District, only the center of gravity of production material needs is in the northern part of Du’an County. The distance between the centers of gravity of the demand and supply for living materials increased by 2100.44 m, the distance between the centers of gravity of the demand and supply for oxygen security increased by 639.15 m. The results are complementary to current research on ESs from the perspective of ES demand. These findings can thus provide scientific foundational information to help decision makers understand the balance between the supply and demand of ESs in a region and promote the construction of a human-harmonious ecosystem.

Exploring the interlinkages between water and energy use in the lift irrigated agriculture of Uzbekistan

The water, energy, and food (WEF) nexus is being promoted as a conceptual idea for achieving sustainable development, that describes the interconnections and interdependencies between those three sectors. The main objective of this article is to operationalize the WEF nexus concept in lift-irrigated areas of Uzbekistan through involving local stakeholders, to investigate the WEF nexus within the lift-irrigated agriculture of the Kashkadarya region, an area heavily reliant on the Karshi Canal system. The study is grounded in the urgent need for sustainable development, with a focus on enhancing intersectoral cooperation between water, energy, and food sectors. A case study methodology was employed, incorporating semi-structured interviews with experts, alongside local farmers and scientists. Data were analysed using the qualitative analysis software, Atlas.ti. The results indicate significant challenges to intersectoral cooperation in the WEF nexus, including lack of trust, communication barriers, differing priorities, and insufficient political will. However, the findings also highlight the potential benefits of improved cooperation, such as enhanced resource efficiency, reduced operational costs, and mitigated risks from environmental stressors like drought. The study concludes that, according to stakeholders’ opinions, while the WEF nexus presents critical opportunities for advancing sustainable development in Uzbekistan, substantial barriers must be addressed to realize these benefits. Recommendations include promoting sustainable agriculture to reduce water dependency, improving energy security by diversifying energy sources, and raising awareness of the WEF nexus’s importance. Furthermore, fostering stronger stakeholder cooperation is crucial for achieving Uzbekistan’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

We are obligated to exercise due diligence-but what does this look like in practice?

Expert reports analyze medical malpractice in urology based on selected case studies and assess their medical and legal implications. Common sources of error include noncompliance with clinical guidelines, inadequate patient information, insufficient diagnostics, and alack of interdisciplinary coordination. The cases include, among others, incorrect biopsy techniques, delayed stroke diagnoses, failure to communicate pathological findings, and problematic coercive measures in pediatric patients. The legal assessments highlight the importance of thorough documentation and effective patient communication in mitigating liability risks. In several cases, diagnostic errors result in areversal of the burden of proof in favor of the patient. The expert report emphasizes the necessity of astructured, evidence-based, and interdisciplinary approach to minimize treatment errors and their consequences.

The Relationship Between Organic Carbon and Ca in the Profile of Luvisols: A Case Study of a Long-Term Experiment in Pulawy, Poland

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of multi-year variations in nitrogen fertilisation (N) and farmyard manure application (FYM) in two 4-year crop rotations, A and B—which differed primarily in terms of their organic matter management systems (A: poor vs. B: enrichment)—on changes in the content of calcium and soil organic carbon at three soil horizons of Luvisols, and on the dynamics of these changes over the past 40 years. Mineral N fertilisation was found to affect the movement of Ca in the profiles of both rotations. Most Ca accumulated in the soil layer at &gt;55 cm in the profiles of both rotations. The total Ca content was similar in both rotations; however, a correlation analysis revealed a stronger relationship between organic carbon and Ca in the enriched-cropping system (rotation B) compared to the poor-organic-matter system (rotation A). In the 0–30 cm soil layer, the correlation coefficient between organic carbon and Ca was r = 0.52 in rotation B, while in rotation A, it was lower at r = 0.23. In deeper layers, this relationship weakened or became non-significant. Under the climatic and soil conditions of Poland, where the phenomenon of nutrient leaching into the soil profile is prevalent, it is extremely important to manage these nutrients in a sustainable way in order to limit their loss. The predominantly sandy texture of the topsoil horizons (0–30 cm) of the Luvisols prevents any significant enrichment of these horizons in Corg, even over a very long period of time, i.e., more than 40 years.

Ecological risk evaluation of heavy metals based on hyperspectral: a case study of rice paddy soil in Xiangtan County, China

Heavy metal pollution in agricultural soils pose significant risks to food safety and human health, necessitating effective monitoring and assessment techniques. Recognizing characteristic spectral features is essential for accurately assessing the ecological risks associated with heavy metal pollution. To explore the potential of utilizing the hyperspectrum to evaluate ecologial risks of heavy metals pollution in paddy soil, the study investigated ecological risks and spectral characteristics (350 ~ 2500 nm) of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu) in rice paddy soil in Xiangtan County, Hunan Province, China. Potential ecological risk index (RI) was employed to evaluate pollution level, and derivative transformations (first derivative R′ and second derivative R″) were applied to eliminate the hyperspectral noise. Results identified Cd as the primary pollutant in the paddy soil of Xiangtan County, followed by Pb, Cu, and Cr. Serious heavy metal pollution concentrated in riverine and cropland areas. After applying spectral transformations, the correlation between spectral reflectance and ecological risks significantly improved. The R″ transformation demonstrated the highest correlations for Cd (r = 0.95) at 2046 nm in high ecological risk category, while the R′ transformation exhibited the strongest negative correlation for Cd (r = − 0.94) at 2059 nm. This study highlights the potential of hyperspectral analysis as an effective tool for estimating ecological risks posed by heavy metal pollution in rice paddy soils. The findings provide valuable insights for improving monitoring practices and informing risk management strategies in agricultural environments.

Adapting the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment: A Cross-Country Case Study of Improving Early Childhood Health Environments in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

Background: Child overweight and obesity is a critical global health issue with substantial individual and societal impacts necessitating early intervention to establish healthy habits. Health promoting early childhood education (ECE) settings are important as most young children attend ECEs in high- and middle-income countries. Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) is an evidence-based approach to support improvements to ECE environment for improving child health. While adapting proven child obesity prevention interventions from other countries offers efficiency, the process is frequently underreported and insufficiently documented. Methods: Guided by the ADAPT framework, this article describes the adaptation of NAPSACC in the United States (US), Australia (AU), and the United Kingdom (UK) from 2012 to 2023. Contextual differences in ECE systems in the US, AU, and UK and reflections on the process of adaptation were explored. Results: NAPSACC was successfully adapted, maintaining core theoretical components while allowing for implementation flexibility to meet varying contexts. The iterative adaptation process revealed that a flexible dynamic approach was essential for maintaining the relevance and effectiveness of the NAPSACC intervention in different contexts. Conclusions: Our experience highlights the importance of ongoing iteration, international collaboration, research, and responsiveness to evolving circumstances in adaptation processes. Strong and flexible leadership, such as that demonstrated by NAPSACC's founder, Dr. Dianne S. Ward, facilitates successful adaptation and continuous improvement of public health programs. Trial registration: This paper includes multiple registered trials - NCT02889198, ACTRN12619001158156, ISRCTN16287377, and ISRCTN33134697.