Case Study Analysis Research Articles

Bringing a Systems Approach to Living Donor Kidney Transplantation

BackgroundLiving donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) is the best treatment option for patients with kidney failure. Efforts to increase LDKT have focused on micro-level interventions and the need for systems thinking has been highlighted. We aimed to identify and compare health system-level attributes and processes that are facilitators and barriers to LDKT. MethodsWe conducted a qualitative comparative case study analysis of three Canadian provincial healthcare systems with variable LDKT performance (Quebec:low, Ontario:moderate-high, British Columbia:high). Data collection entailed semi-structured interviews (n=91), document review (n=97) and focus groups (n=5 with 40 participants), analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. ResultsOur findings showed a strong relationship between the degree of centralized coordination between governing organizations and the capacity to deliver LDKT: 1) Macro-level coordination between governing organizations in British Columbia and Ontario increased capacities, while Québec was seen as decentralized with little formal coordination; 2) A higher degree of centralized coordination facilitated more effective resource deployment in the form of human resources and initiatives in British Columbia and Ontario, whereas in Québec resource deployment relied on hospital budgets leading to competition for resources and reduced capacity of initiatives; 3) Informal resource sharing through strong communities of practice and local champions facilitated LDKT in Ontario and British Columbia and was limited in Québec. ConclusionOur findings suggest that interventions that account for full-system function, particularly macro-level coordination between governing organizations can improve LDKT delivery. Findings may be used to guide structured organizational change towards increasing LDKT and mitigating the global burden of kidney failure.

PhD Thesis Citation Analysis to Evaluate the Success of Collection Development Policy Implementation: An Institutional Case Study

ABSTRACT This institutional case study analyses 1723 sources referenced in five PhD theses awarded at Alphacrucis University College between 2017 and 2021. The purpose was to demonstrate that the library’s collection development policy is successfully guiding purchasing decisions in order to provide students with the resources they need to complete their research at high levels. Sources were extracted from each thesis and grouped according to type. Library holdings were then checked, revealing that, overall, 70.2% of all cited sources were available from the AC library collection. This research-in-practice paper shows that AC library’s shift in focus for its collection development policy is adequately providing required resources to research students.

Características metodológicas de la enseñanza del razonamiento profesional en kinesiología: Estudio cualitativo

Background. The initial training of healthcare professionals has exhibited persistent declared dysfunction since the Alma Ata declaration, which exposed the difficulties of conditioned reasoning due to mimetic assimilation in problem-solving. Objective. To understand the methodological characteristics of the processes used by teachers in teaching professional reasoning (PR) to kinesiology students. Methodology. A qualitative interpretive study was conducted using a purposive sampling method, through semi structured interviews (SSI) with 9 expert teachers (ET) in PR from accredited universities. The interviews were recorded on the Microsoft TEAMS® platform. Data were collected during 2020-2023 in 5 selected Chilean Kinesiology schools based on curricular evidence and ranking. Results. The emerging themes identified in the interviews with teachers were transcribed and coded using the Atlas.ti® software. It was found that the characteristics of case study analysis in different applications stood out as the predominant methodology in teaching PR, while the most recurrent assessment instrument was the Rubric. Conclusions. There is a wide range of strategies used by ETs to teach PR. These strategies consist of both traditional methodologies and more student-centered active resources, with theoretical and practical aspects characterized by the formative moment, the selected model, and the imprecise taxonomic articulation of strategies and assessment instruments. This highlights the need for a greater integration of factors for the learning of PR.

AI-Powered Administration: The Role of Intelligent Tutoring Systems in Education

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into education is transforming traditional administrative processes and instructional methodologies. This paper examines the pivotal role of Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) in enhancing education administration through AI-powered solutions. By automating routine tasks, providing real-time analytics, and supporting data-driven decision-making, ITS contribute to more efficient and effective management of educational institutions.We explore several models that illustrate the diverse applications of ITS in administration, including automated workflow management, data-driven decision-making, personalized learning support, resource optimization, and enhanced student support services. Each model demonstrates the potential of ITS to streamline operations, improve resource allocation, and offer personalized educational experiences, thereby reducing administrative burdens and fostering a more adaptive and responsive educational environment.Through a comprehensive analysis of current implementations and case studies, this paper highlights the transformative impact of AI-powered ITS on education administration. The findings underscore the importance of careful implementation and continuous evaluation to address challenges such as data privacy and ethical considerations, ensuring that the benefits of AI are equitably distributed among all stakeholders in the educational ecosystem.

New Design Criteria for Long, Large-Diameter Bored Piles in Near-Shore Interbedded Geomaterials: Insights from Static and Dynamic Test Analysis

This paper presents an analysis of long, large-diameter bored piles’ behavior under static and dynamic load tests for a megaproject located in El Alamein, on the northern shoreline of Egypt. Site investigations depict an abundance of limestone fragments and weak argillaceous limestone interlaid with gravelly, silty sands and silty, gravelly clay layers. These layers are classified as intermediate geomaterials, IGMs, and soil layers. The project consists of high-rise buildings founded on long bored piles of 1200 mm and 800 mm in diameter. Forty-four (44) static and dynamic compression load tests were performed in this study. During the pile testing, it was recognized that the pile load–settlement behavior is very conservative. Settlement did not exceed 1.6% of the pile diameter at twice the design load. This indicates that the available design manual does not provide reasonable parameters for IGM layers. The study was performed to investigate the efficiency of different approaches for determining the design load of bored piles in IGMs. These approaches are statistical, predictions from static pile load tests, numerical, and dynamic wave analysis via a case pile wave analysis program, CAPWAP, a method that calculates friction stresses along the pile shaft. The predicted ultimate capacities range from 5.5 to 10.0 times the pile design capacity. Settlement analysis indicates that the large-diameter pile behaves as a friction pile. The dynamic pile load test results were calibrated relative to the static pile load test. The dynamic load test could be used to validate the pile capacity. Settlement from the dynamic load test has been shown to be about 25% higher than that from the static load test. This can be attributed to the possible development of high pore water pressure in cohesive IGMs. The case study analysis and the parametric study indicate that AASHTO LRFD is conservative in estimating skin friction, tip, and load test resistance factors in IGMs. A new load–settlement response equation for 600 mm to 2000 mm diameter piles and new recommendations for resistance factors φqp, φqs, and φload were proposed to be 0.65, 0.70, and 0.80, respectively.

Complexity-aware principles for agri-food system interventions: Lessons from project encounters with complexity

CONTEXTComplexity has long been recognised as a key feature of agri-food systems. Yet, it remains largely theoretical or poorly addressed in practice, hampering the potential of international development projects to address agriculture and food-related challenges in the Global South. OBJECTIVEThe paper identifies and examines six sources of complexity that can manifest in projects, namely: unpredictability; path dependencies; context-specific dynamics; power relations; multiple temporal and spatial scales. It then proposes and tests six agri-food system principles that could be drawn upon to more successfully navigate this complexity. The aim of the paper is to illustrate how these principles could help projects respond to the changing circumstances and unpredictable turns of agri-food systems contexts in a different way, which flexibly embraces complexity. This flexibility is essential in an age of uncertainty and transformation. METHODSComparative case study analysis of six projects implemented by the CGIAR: aflatoxin control in groundnuts in Malawi (1), pigeonpea in Eastern and Southern Africa (2), sorghum beer in Kenya (3), sweet sorghum for biofuel in India (4), precooked beans in Uganda and Kenya (5), Smart Foods in India and Eastern Africa (6). The projects aimed to either increasing smallholder farmers' incomes or addressing food and nutrition security, or both. They were specifically selected as all they were affected by some of the sources of complexity, which hampered the projects to different extents. This makes the cases relevant for not only illustrating manifestations of complexity, but also help reflect on alternative strategies to tackle it. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONThe analysis of the case studies reveals how complexity can frustrate objectives of development interventions under several aspects. It also serves to discuss how complexity can be more successfully navigated (within but also beyond the selected cases) by applying the set of proposed agri-food system principles. The principles are also presented as ways future interventions could avoid clinging to what is “known to work” and instead venture into more powerful pathways of change. SIGNIFICANCEThe following complexity-aware principle are proposed: Welcome surprises and openly discuss trade-offs; Shun orthodoxies; Engage with context-specificity; Expose patterns of power; Embrace the lengthy nature of change; Understand the multi-scale (in terms of space and time) nature of agri-food systems contexts. These principles could be used by project designers and implementors to cope with the complexity and uncertainty that will inevitably be encountered in agri-food system interventions, and can no longer be ignored.

Integration of Electric Vehicle Power Supply Systems—Case Study Analysis of the Impact on a Selected Urban Network in Türkiye

Undoubtedly, the transition to electromobility with several million new, efficient charging points will have consequences for the energy industry, and in particular for network operators of the distribution infrastructure. At the same time, in the coming years the energy landscape will change into a system in which an increase in decentralized systems based on renewable energy sources will take over the leading function. This transformation process will further increase the complexity and overall pressure for change in energy systems over the next decade. In order to be able to ensure the energy supply and the reliable system operation of the grids in the future as well, communicative networking of generators, storage systems, electrical consumers and grid equipment is indispensable. This study aims to investigate the consequences of including electric vehicles in Istanbul’s power system using a unit commitment simulation model. The presented considerations analyze how uncertain and managed charging strategies affect the power system in terms of operating costs and renewable resources. The presented simulations indicate that, in economic terms, the use of a managed charging strategy saves 2.3%, reducing the total cost from USD 66.71 million to USD 65.18 million. The recipients of the presented research are both the demand and supply sides of the future energy transformation based on the idea of synergy of electromobility and renewable energy sources within the framework of the smart city idea.

The Possibilities of Using Artificial Intelligence as a Key Technology in the Current Employee Recruitment Process

The current business environment faces numerous new challenges closely linked to the rapid development of information and communication technologies, which influence the corporate landscape. This article focuses on exploring the possibilities of integrating artificial intelligence, as one of the key technologies of today, into the recruitment process. Its aim is to examine the potential applications of artificial intelligence across various stages of employee recruitment. To achieve this goal, the authors employed various methods and techniques, including the PICOS framework, scientific mapping, and case study analysis. The outcome of this study identifies opportunities for leveraging artificial intelligence in the employee recruitment process within corporate settings. The results reflect the current research gaps concerning the analysis of the personnel processes and conceptualizing the implementation possibilities of artificial intelligence in these processes. The contribution of this article to the academic community lies in its conceptualization, providing a foundation for further research focused on analyzing the impacts of integrating AI into recruitment processes.

SDLC Big Bang dan Waterfall : Perbandingan Pendekatan dalam Pengembangan Perangkat Lunak

The development of software necessitates the selection of appropriate methodologies to ensure effectiveness and quality. This research aims to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the Big Bang and Waterfall methodologies through the analysis of diverse case studies. The Big Bang approach allows teams to begin work swiftly without detailed initial planning, yet it often results in products with inconsistent quality and susceptibility to bugs. Conversely, the Waterfall method provides a structured, sequential approach but lacks flexibility in accommodating changes. Choosing the right methodology should be tailored to meet the specific needs and characteristics of each project. It is essential for professionals to have a comprehensive understanding of each methodology to increase the likelihood of success in software development. This study lays a robust foundation for future advancements, emphasizing the importance of empirical research and exploring hybrid approaches.

Streamlining Change Control Processes in Regulatory Affairs: Best Practices and Case Studies

Change control is a critical component of regulatory affairs in various industries, particularly in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and biotechnology. This research paper explores the challenges associated with traditional change control processes and presents best practices for streamlining these processes to improve efficiency, compliance, and overall product quality. Through a comprehensive literature review and analysis of case studies from leading organizations, we identify key strategies for optimizing change control workflows, leveraging technology, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The paper also examines the impact of streamlined change control processes on regulatory compliance, product lifecycle management, and organizational performance. Our findings suggest that implementing these best practices can lead to significant reductions in change implementation time, improved regulatory compliance, and enhanced product quality and safety.

Attitude of Community Members towards the Capacity of the Village Land Councils in managing land use conflicts between farmers and pastoralists in Tanzania: A cross sectional Case study Analysis.

Village Land Councils have been established to resolve land use conflicts in rural Tanzania. The history reveals that Tanzania has been mostly affected with the endless land based conflicts between farmers and pastoralists.The presence of VLCs in rural Tanzania has brought significant changes in rural areas where farmers and pastoralists compete to utilize and possess scarce resources. However, rural dwellers have different opinions on the worthness of the respective local organs in resolving land use conflicts between farmers and pastoralists. This study therefore intended to explore attitudes from the community members towards the capacity of the Village Land Councils in managing land use conflicts between farmers and pastoralists. Sem-structured interviews were used to collect data where semantic differential scale was used as the appropriate tool for exploring attitudes from the respondents particularly: farmers and pastoralists who mostly rely on VLCs for mediation services. NVivo software was used for analyzing such data. The results indicated that majority of respondents (farmers and pastoralists) in Mbarali and Kilosa District Councils had positive attitude towards VLCs due to their performance in resolving land use conflicts between farmers and pastoralists. Similar response was obtained from the farmers operating in Tunduru District Council. However, some pastoralists in Tunduru District Councils had remained skeptical on the capacity of the VLCs to resolve conflicts and create conducive working environment for both conflicting parties. Their doubts relied on injustice practices such as corruption, nepotism and tribalism that were directly associated with VLC members. Based on the findings, the study suggests for more capacity building programs for enhancing the capacity of VLC members to act firmly and objectively and for the community members so that they develop a sense of responsibilities in supporting the VLCs’ operations for the common good.

The Jawi Wetan Christian Church in the Muslim community: SDGs perspective

This article examines the existence of the Jawi Wetan Mojokerto Christian Church in the Muslim community, not only the existence of its buildings and community, but its interaction and collaboration with the Muslim community in social activities which generally focus on the areas that are the main objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals. The religious life that is built is not just about tolerance, but spaces for harmony in social and humanitarian aspects have been created. Through qualitative research with descriptive presentation, case study analysis was used to reveal the social, economic and environmental impacts of this collaboration. The research object is GKJW Mojokerto, located in Sentanan Village, Kranggan District, Mojokerto City, which is less than 20 meters from the AL Muaishym Mosque. The four research sources are Koster GKJW Mojokerto, Chairman of the Mosque Takmir, a historian, former Bible teacher at GKJW Mojokerto, and the Sentantan Neighborhood RT Management. The concept and perspective of Sustainable Development Goals is the author's main focus in conducting the analysis. These findings lead to the conclusion that interfaith cooperation between Christians and Muslims is important in achieving the SDGs in Indonesia. Effective dialogue and collaboration in responding to crucial issues such as the environment, human rights and economic development. It is important to strengthen interfaith dialogue and cooperation efforts and establish sustainable dialogue forums to support the achievement of SDGs targets.

Promoting Cultural Heritage Preservation through Agrotourism in Saint Lucia

Summary Since Saint Lucia became an accessible and consolidated destination in the 1990s, the domestic agricultural industry suffered a sharp decline. Many communities abandoned their fields and aimed for better-paid jobs in the tourism sector. Over time, the nation’s tourism sector reached a point of stagnation, lacking innovation and differentiation from neighbouring islands. The increase in tourism favoured the importation of foreign products rather than the use of local products to cater to international guests. The identity of local cuisine and traditional farming practices have been gradually lost. Through a series of interviews with local tourism entrepreneurs, this case study analyses the initiatives, challenges, and opportunities for integrating elements of traditional agricultural heritage into the tourism industry as an element of differentiation and cultural preservation. Information © The Authors 2024

Utilization of Algorithms and Artificial Intelligence Tools in the Election Campaign in the Republic of Poland and the Republic of Slovakia – Analysis of Case Studies

The article focuses on the issue of using artificial intelligence tools and algorithms in parliamentary election campaigns in Poland and Slovakia. In the first part of the article, the process of the conceptualization of the terms artificial intelligence and microtargeting was carried out. This was followed by an analysis of the legal conditions related to the use of artificial intelligence in election campaigns. The empirical part of the paper presents the results of the conducted research, presenting examples of the use of artificial intelligence in the 2023 parliamentary campaign. Campaigns in Poland and Slovakia were the subject of analysis. The main research question of the paper is as follows: how does artificial intelligence influence democratic processes in Poland and Slovakia? For the purposes of the paper, several research methods were used: institutional-legal analysis, comparative method and empirical research – analysis of content published on the Internet.

Unlocking the potential of digital twins: Transforming hospital practices for better care

Digital twins are virtual replicas of physical assets or processes and have emerged as a promising technology in various industries, including healthcare. This paper explores the application of digital twins in hospital operations and talks about their role in enhancing patient care and improving workflow efficiency. Through a comprehensive review of the literature and analysis of case studies, we examine how digital twins are revolutionizing traditional hospital practices and improving the delivery of healthcare services. The paper begins with an introduction to digital twins in healthcare, which provides an idea of the technology and its underlying principles. We then explore the many ways in which digital twins are being implemented across different areas of hospital operations, from patient monitoring in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to medication management in the pharmacy. Throughout this paper, we have included flowcharts that will help the reader better understand the idea we pitch. Furthermore, the paper discusses the challenges and considerations associated with adopting digital twins in hospital settings, including data privacy concerns, interoperability issues, and the need for better infrastructure. We also explore emerging trends and future directions in digital twin technology. We try to predict how this technology may continue to evolve and shape the future of patient care. In conclusion, this paper underscores the potential of digital twins to transform hospital practices and revolutionize the delivery of healthcare services. By using the power of digital twins, hospitals can improve operational efficiency, personalize patient care, and ultimately improve the overall quality of healthcare delivery.

Insights into peripheral giant cell granuloma: A case study analysis

Insights into peripheral giant cell granuloma: A case study analysis

Child citizenship and participation: Bottom-up level change from professional conversations with children

Hart's (1992) 'Innocenti Essay on Child Participation' advocated for increased involvement of young people as active participants in societal decision-making. This paper provides a historical overview of active child citizenship initiatives, using applied research insights from 'bottom-up' approaches and conversations with children and professionals. It explores how current practices exemplified through three case studies can enhance genuine child participation and citizenship. The case study analysis examines the conversational processes involving children in problem-solving and decision-making within their communities. Through these examples, the paper highlights practical strategies for meaningfully engaging children as stakeholders and empowering them as active citizens whose voices substantially influence matters impacting their lives.

Analysis of the Ghanaian Health System and Patients Safety within the IHI Triple Aim Framework

Objective: To analyze Ghana’s healthcare system challenges through the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Triple Aim framework encompassing population health, patient experience and per capita cost metrics. Method: Dimensional analysis of peer-reviewed papers, government data and case studies assessed population health indicators and equity, literature on patient perspectives regarding quality and responsiveness of care along with evaluation of cost trends and deficiencies driving expenditure growth. Results: Gaps persist in universal health coverage amid rural-urban disparities in access and financial protection. Care experiences vary significantly by socioeconomic status and geography. Rising costs attributed to inefficiencies in areas like procurement and prescriber practices. Scientific Novelty: Unique application of Triple Aim framework for structured health systems analysis in a lower-middle income sub-Saharan country enabling robust diagnosis of coverage, quality, sustainability gaps. Practical Significance: Demonstrates utility of balanced Triple Aim methodology for health policymakers in low-resource settings to systematically evaluate healthcare priorities across access, outcomes, experiences and costs.

‘Special issue-ization’ as a growth and revenue strategy: Reproduction by the “big five” and the risks for research integrity

ABSTRACT The exponential growth of MDPI and Frontiers over the last decade has been powered by their extensive use of special issues. The “special issue-ization” of journal publishing has been particularly associated with new publishers and seen as potentially “questionable.” Through an extended case-study analysis of three journals owned by one of the “big five” commercial publishers, this paper explores the risks that this growing use of special issues presents to research integrity. All three case-study journals show sudden and marked changes in their publication patterns. An analysis of special issue editorials and retraction notes was used to determine the specifics of special issues and reasons for retractions. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data. Findings suggest that these commercial publishers are also promoting special issues and that article retractions are often connected to guest editor manipulation. This underlies the threat that “special issue-ization” presents to research integrity. It highlights the risks posed by the guest editor model, and the importance of extending this analysis to long-existing commercial publishers. The paper emphasizes the need for an in-depth examination of the underlying structures and political economy of science, and a discussion of the rise of gaming and manipulation within higher education systems.

Artificial Intelligence Promoting the Inclusion of Students with Special Needs in Physical Education Classes

School Physical Education (PE), a crucial component for the integral development of students, faces the challenge of promoting the inclusion of students with special needs (SEN). Barriers such as the lack of adaptation of activities and the scarcity of adequate resources hinder the full participation of these students. This article investigates the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool to personalize teaching, adapt activities, and create inclusive learning environments in PE. Through the analysis of case studies and practical examples, it demonstrates how AI can be used to individually assess students, provide real-time feedback, develop adaptive platforms, recognize gestures and movements, create gamified activities, use virtual and augmented reality, translate sign language, implement virtual assistants, and prevent bullying. At the same time, the article discusses the ethical challenges and the need for teacher training to ensure the responsible and effective use of AI in promoting inclusion in PE.