Case Study Research Articles

The Communicative Shape of Liveness: A Case Study of When Dylan Covered the Dead

ABSTRACT This paper provides a roadmap for the application of dialectics to the study of liveness. The roadmap incorporates the utterance chain from relational dialectics theory to describe live performance in terms of the discursive interplay it generates which gives it meaning. As such, this paper addresses a stated need in the literature on liveness for theoretical development and refinement. The paper also positions itself in approaches to liveness that emphasize relational and communicative elements of performance. It is presented as a case study of Bob Dylan’s Rough and Rowdy Ways World-Wide Tour where he surprised audiences by performing Grateful Dead material.

Research on the Impact of Digital Transformation on the High-Quality Development of Enterprises: A Case Study of the Manufacturing Industry

The manufacturing sector faces increasingly intense competitive pressures in its operational development. Adjusting production structures based on emerging technologies has become a crucial measure for the high-quality development of the manufacturing industry. It can activate the potential driven by big data elements to achieve economic transformation and innovative development in manufacturing. Digital transformation has brought new opportunities and challenges to the manufacturing industry. How to use digital technology to transform and upgrade cost management has become an urgent issue for the manufacturing sector. Based on this, this paper takes the manufacturing industry as an example, focusing on analyzing the impact of digital transformation on the high-quality development of enterprises and the optimization strategies.

Living at work: migrant worker dormitories in Malaysia

The COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia drew attention to the extremely poor living conditions of the country’s approximately 2.5 million migrants from South and Southeast Asia working in manufacturing, construction, services, and agriculture. International media reports throughout 2020 and 2021 highlighted the overcrowded, unsanitary, and unsafe accommodations provided by employers, including cramped hostels, stacked containers, and rented apartments. This article addresses how migrant worker accommodation in Malaysia is utilised by the state and by employers as a spatial mechanism of control to regulate migrant labour. This case study draws on over a hundred in-depth interviews with Nepali migrant workers, recruitment agents, employers, and policy officials in Malaysia. We detail how the Malaysian government’s requirement for migrants to live in employer-provided housing forms part of intensified immigration controls implemented by the federal government. This policy effectively transforms employers into ‘landlords’, bringing migrants’ ‘private space’ under their control, thereby enabling employers’ increased surveillance of their activities. We found that employers utilised the opportunity to discipline their workforces and intensify work regimes. We therefore argue that housing has become a double-layered regulatory tool to deepen labour control among migrant populations, perpetuate a state of temporariness, and reinforce visible boundaries between citizens and non-citizens. In the process, migrants’ living quarters (spaces of social reproduction) have been subsumed into the organisation of production, serving the demands of the low-wage, highly-controlled, political economy of Malaysia.

Scenario-Based Green Infrastructure Installations for Building Urban Stormwater Resilience—A Case Study of Fengxi New City, China

Global climate change has precipitated a surge in urban flooding challenges, prompting the imperative role of green infrastructure (GI) as the linchpin of sponge city construction to enhance urban sustainability and resilience. But the evaluation of urban stormwater resilience faces challenges due to the lack of a comprehensive evaluation framework taking the intrinsic features of the resilience system into account and the insufficient coverage of alternative scenarios’ performance under multiple rainfall return periods. This study, focusing on Fengxi New City, China, evaluates the suitability of GI (i.e., green roofs, rain gardens, and permeable pavements) and constructs a stormwater management model (SWMM) for urban stormwater hydrological simulation. This study also establishes a comprehensive urban stormwater resilience evaluation system and uses quantitative methods to unify the performances of scenarios under different rainfall return periods. Our analytical findings elucidate that the suitability of GI is predominantly concentrated in the northern and western areas of the study area, with the smallest suitable area observed for permeable pavements. Divergent GIs exhibit disparate performances, with rain gardens emerging as particularly efficacious. Importantly, the combination of multiple GIs yields a synergistic enhancement in resilience, underscoring the strategic advantage of adopting a diverse and integrated approach to GI implementation. This study facilitates a deeper understanding of urban stormwater resilience and assists in informed planning decisions for GI and sponge cities.

A Combined Molecular Dynamics and Hydropathic INTeraction (HINT) Approach to Investigate Protein Flexibility: The PPARγ Case Study

Molecular Dynamics (MD) is a computational technique widely used to evaluate a molecular system’s thermodynamic properties and conformational behavior over time. In particular, the energy analysis of a protein conformation ensemble produced though MD simulations plays a crucial role in explaining the relationship between protein dynamics and its mechanism of action. In this research work, the HINT (Hydropathic INTeractions) LogP-based scoring function was first used to handle MD trajectories and investigate the molecular basis behind the intricate PPARγ mechanism of activation. The Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ (PPARγ) is an emblematic example of a highly flexible protein due to the extended ω-loop delimiting the active site, and it is responsible for the receptor’s ability to bind chemically different compounds. In this work, we focused on the PPARγ complex with Rosiglitazone, a common anti-diabetic compound and analyzed the molecular basis of the flexible ω-loop stabilization effect produced by the Oleic Acid co-binding. The HINT-based analysis of the produced MD trajectories allowed us to account for all of the energetic contributions involved in interconverting between conformational states and describe the intramolecular interactions between the flexible ω-loop and the helix H3 triggered by the allosteric binding mechanism.

On-farm crop diversity, conservation, importance and value: a case study of landraces from Western Ghats of Karnataka, India

Landraces are important genetic resources that have a significant role in maintaining the long-term sustainability of traditional agro-ecosystems, food, nutrition, and livelihood security. In an effort to document landraces in the on-farm conservation context, Central Western Ghat region in India was surveyed. A total of 671 landraces belonging to 60 crops were recorded from 24 sites. The custodian farmers were found to conserve a variety of crops including vegetables, cereals and pulses, perennial fruits, spices, tuber and plantation crops. The survey indicated a difference in the prevalence of landraces across the sites. A significant difference with respect to the Shannon-diversity index, Gini-Simpson index, evenness, species richness, and abundance was observed among the different survey sites. Computation of a prevalence index indicated the need for immediate intervention in the form of collecting and ex situ conservation of landraces of some crops as a back-up to on-farm conservation. The study also identified the critical determinants of on-farm conservation, including (i) suitability to regional conditions, (ii) relevance in regional cuisine and local medicinal practices, (iii) cultural and traditional significance, and (iv) economic advantage. The information documented in this study is expected to promote the collection and conservation of landraces ex situ. The National Genebank housed at ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi conserves around 550 accessions of landraces collected from the Central Western Ghats region surveyed in this report. Information collected from custodian farmers on specific uses will be helpful to enhance the utilization of these accessions.

A Comparative Analysis of the Level of Direct Commercial and Financial Relations: A Case Study of the Two Sides of the Taiwan Straits in the Past Ten Years

This research conducts a comprehensive analysis of the direct commercial and financial relations between Taiwan and mainland China over the past ten years, aiming to understand the depth, trends, and impacts of economic ties. The study employs a comparative analysis approach to leverage data from reputable sources such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and official reports from Taiwan and China. The analysis of trade patterns reveals a consistent increase in volumes, showcasing a maturing economic relationship marked by the diversification of traded goods. Cross-Strait investments, particularly in critical sectors like technology and finance, highlight strategic collaborations and sector-specific interdependence. Financial relationships, examined through IMF reports and national financial institutions, demonstrate a deepening integration of banking ties despite geopolitical complexities. The study employs theoretical frameworks such as Complex Interdependence Theory and Political Economy Theory to interpret findings. The data analysis includes time-series analysis techniques to identify seasonality, trends, and cyclical patterns, providing insights for policymakers and businesses. The study's significance lies in its contribution to understanding the multifaceted nature of cross-Strait economic relations, emphasizing the endurance of economic interactions despite political complexities. The findings provide a nuanced foundation for improved bilateral relations, offering policymakers insights for strategic adjustments and fostering sustainable economic collaboration. In conclusion, this research contributes to the academic discourse on Taiwan-China economic relations by providing a detailed and empirically supported analysis. It addresses the intricacies of trade, investments, and financial collaborations, shedding light on the dynamics shaping the economic ties between these two entities.

Implementation of sustainable waste management: a case study of waste banks in Kotabaru Village, Yogyakarta City

Kota Yogyakarta merupakan kawasan padat penduduk yang menghasilkan timbunan sampah setiap harinya. Sampah perlu dikelola untuk mencegah dampak negatif terhadap lingkungan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui implementasi pengelolaan sampah berkelanjutan melalui program bank sampah. Lokasi penelitian ini meliputi 4 bank sampah aktif di Kelurahan Kotabaru, Kota Yogyakarta. Pengumpulan data dilaksanakan selama bulan September – Okober 2023 melalui teknik observasi, wawancara, dan dokumentasi. Data yang didapat akan diolah dengan cara reduksi data, penyajian, dan penarikan kesimpulan. Pengelolaan sampah adalah elemen penting dalam upaya menciptakan kota berkelanjutan sesuai dengan SDGs 11, “Kota dan Permukiman Berkelanjutan” dan SDGs 12, “Konsumsi dan Produksi yang Berkelanjutan”. Menurut hasil penelitian, terdapat 3 faktor utama yang menjadi hambatan pengelolaan bank sampah, yaitu kesadaran masyarakat, sumber daya pengelola yang terbatas, dan sistem administrasi yang buruk. Implementasi pengelolaan sampah berkelanjutan melalui program bank sampah di Kelurahan Kotabaru sudah dilaksanakan dengan baik namun perlu dioptimalkan agar efektif dalam menangani sampah masyarakat.

Cultural heritage safeguarding through social entrepreneurship: a case study analysis in George Town UNESCO World heritage site, Malaysia

Cultural heritage safeguarding through social entrepreneurship: a case study analysis in George Town UNESCO World heritage site, Malaysia

Who Has Authority over Their Knowledge? A Case Study of Academic Language Use in Science Education

Who Has Authority over Their Knowledge? A Case Study of Academic Language Use in Science Education

BJLD-CMI: a predictive circRNA-miRNA interactions model combining multi-angle feature information

Increasing research findings suggest that circular RNA (circRNA) exerts a crucial function in the pathogenesis of complex human diseases by binding to miRNA. Identifying their potential interactions is of paramount importance for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. However, long cycles, small scales, and time-consuming processes characterize previous biological wet experiments. Consequently, the use of an efficient computational model to forecast the interactions between circRNA and miRNA is gradually becoming mainstream. In this study, we present a new prediction model named BJLD-CMI. The model extracts circRNA sequence features and miRNA sequence features by applying Jaccard and Bert’s method and organically integrates them to obtain CMI attribute features, and then uses the graph embedding method Line to extract CMI behavioral features based on the known circRNA-miRNA correlation graph information. And then we predict the potential circRNA-miRNA interactions by fusing the multi-angle feature information such as attribute and behavior through Autoencoder in Autoencoder Networks. BJLD-CMI attained 94.95% and 90.69% of the area under the ROC curve on the CMI-9589 and CMI-9905 datasets. When compared with existing models, the results indicate that BJLD-CMI exhibits the best overall competence. During the case study experiment, we conducted a PubMed literature search to confirm that out of the top 10 predicted CMIs, seven pairs did indeed exist. These results suggest that BJLD-CMI is an effective method for predicting interactions between circRNAs and miRNAs. It provides a valuable candidate for biological wet experiments and can reduce the burden of researchers.

Vortioxetine Exposure During Pregnancy and Lactation: A Japanese Case Study of Neonatal Implications and Quantitative Milk and Plasma Analyses.

Background: Information about influences of vortioxetine on pregnant women and neonates during perinatal period is almost unknown. Case Presentation: The case was a 28-year-old Japanese woman in her first pregnancy, treated for depression with vortioxetine (20 mg daily) among other medications. At 36 weeks of gestation, she was admitted for premature rupture of the membranes and delivered a girl with no apparent congenital anomalies. Immediately after birth, the neonate required brief respiratory support due to her dyspnea and poor muscle tone. Her respiratory condition improved in 6 days after delivery, and she demonstrated normal developmental progress afterward. Maternal plasma and breast milk samples, collected 4 days postpartum, revealed vortioxetine concentrations of 11.4 ng/mL and 9.3 ng/mL, respectively. The calculated relative infant dose (RID) was estimated at 0.32%. After discharge from hospital, the infant presented no detectable drug-related adverse effects, with over 50% of nutrition derived from breastfeeding. Conclusion: This case showed minimal transfer of vortioxetine into breast milk, reflected in a low RID. The findings suggest limited neonatal exposure to the drug, with no adverse developmental effects observed in the infant. However, the case also indicated the potential for vortioxetine use during pregnancy to contribute to the onset of severe neonatal asphyxia. Further research is needed for a comprehensive understanding of its impact on neonatal health.

Characterization of Deformational Isomerization Potential and Interconversion Dynamics with Ultrafast X-ray Solution Scattering.

Dimeric complexes composed of d8 square planar metal centers and rigid bridging ligands provide model systems to understand the interplay between attractive dispersion forces and steric strain in order to assist the development of reliable methods to model metal dimer complexes more broadly. [Ir2 (dimen)4]2+ (dimen = para-diisocyanomenthane) presents a unique case study for such phenomena, as distortions of the optimal structure of a ligand with limited conformational flexibility counteract the attractive dispersive forces from the metal and ligand to yield a complex with two ground state deformational isomers. Here, we use ultrafast X-ray solution scattering (XSS) and optical transient absorption spectroscopy (OTAS) to reveal the nature of the equilibrium distribution and the exchange rate between the deformational isomers. The two ground state isomers have spectrally distinct electronic excitations that enable the selective excitation of one isomer or the other using a femtosecond duration pulse of visible light. We then track the dynamics of the nonequilibrium depletion of the electronic ground state population─often termed the ground state hole─with ultrafast XSS and OTAS, revealing a restoration of the ground state equilibrium in 2.3 ps. This combined experimental and theoretical study provides a critical test of various density functional approximations in the description of bridged d8-d8 metal complexes. The results show that density functional theory calculations can reproduce the primary experimental observations if dispersion interactions are added, and a hybrid functional, which includes exact exchange, is used.

Social Enterprise Transformation and Its Effects on Socio-economic Development: A Comparative Case Study of Developed and Developing Countries

Social Enterprise Transformation and Its Effects on Socio-economic Development: A Comparative Case Study of Developed and Developing Countries

Analyzing Neuroarchitecture to Enhance User Experience in Sacred Spaces

This paper explores the analysis of neuroarchitecture principles to enhance the user experience in sacred spaces, aiming to deepen spiritual engagement, emotional resonance, and overall well-being. Sacred paces play a pivotal role in human societies, serving as places for worship, contemplation, and community gathering. By integrating insights from neuroscience into architectural design, it is possible to optimize spatial layouts, sensory stimuli, and environmental factors to foster a deeper sense of connection, tranquility, and spiritual fulfillment. Through a multidisciplinary approach encompassing neuroscience, architecture, and environmental psychology, this research examines the impact of architectural elements on neural processes and subjective experiences within sacred environments. Case studies of sacred spaces from diverse cultural and religious traditions are analyzed to elucidate effective design strategies and best practices. The effectiveness of neuroarchitecture principles in enhancing the user experience and promoting a sense of connection, reverence, and transcendence in sacred environments is assessed through empirical studies and user feedback. The findings highlight the potential of neuroarchitecture to enrich the design of sacred spaces, offering insights that contribute to the creation of environments that inspire awe, foster contemplation, and deepen the human spirit.

High-Resolution 17O Solid-State NMR as a Unique Probe for Investigating Oxalate Binding Modes in Materials: The Case Study of Calcium Oxalate Biominerals.

Oxalate ligands are found in many classes of materials, including energy storage materials and biominerals. Determining their local environments at the atomic scale is thus paramount to establishing the structure and properties of numerous phases. Here, we show that high-resolution 17O solid-state NMR is a valuable asset for investigating the structure of crystalline oxalate systems. First, an efficient 17O-enrichment procedure of oxalate ligands is demonstrated using mechanochemistry. Then, 17O-enriched oxalates were used for the synthesis of the biologically relevant calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) phase, enabling the analysis of its structure and heat-induced phase transitions by high-resolution 17O NMR. Studies of the low-temperature COM form (LT-COM), using magnetic fields from 9.4 to 35.2 T, as well as 13C-17O MQ/D-RINEPT and 17O{1H} MQ/REDOR experiments, enabled the 8 inequivalent oxygen sites of the oxalates to be resolved, and tentatively assigned. The structural changes upon heat treatment of COM were also followed by high-resolution 17O NMR, providing new insight into the structures of the high-temperature form (HT-COM) and anhydrous calcium oxalate α-phase (α-COA), including the presence of structural disorder in the latter case. Overall, this work highlights the ease associated with 17O-enrichment of oxalate oxygens, and how it enables high-resolution solid-state NMR, for "NMR crystallography" investigations.

The effects of electricity load-shedding on the performance of small and medium enterprises in Pretoria, South Africa: A case study of Marabastad Business Community

South Africa has been experiencing electricity load shedding for over sixteen years and this has affected the performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the country, with devastating effects recorded in the post-Covid-19 era. SMEs are key drivers of the economy and their performance has a great influence on it, as they contribute 36% of gross domestic product (GDP). This case study of the problem used the qualitative research method, with data collected through interviews. This study established that, in the area studied, there is a decline in the performance of the entrepreneurs and working hours have been drastically reduced due to load-shedding. Proposals are made of measures that the SME implementers and the government of South Africa can take in order to prevent the situation from further deteriorating.

Going bananas! The scientific marketing of a ‘new’ fruit in early 20th-Century Sweden

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the introduction of the banana to Sweden in the early twentieth century and how “eating knowledge” of this new and exotic fruit was transferred to consumers through marketing that drew heavily upon scientific discourse. Using a case study of advertisements from Fyffes – the most dominant banana brand of the period – it employs multimodal social semiotics to identify a range of verbal and visual strategies that were adopted to turn the product into a core part of the Swedish diet. It argues that these strategies were critical in educating Swedish people about the link between food and health and shaped their (positive) attitudes toward bananas. The banana, thus, stands as a strong example of how marketing can transport, shape and transform knowledge about food, particularly at a critical time when it is first being introduced into a country.

Complex Transphincteric Fistula Treatment: A Case Study Demonstrating Swift Recovery and Innovative Techniques in Surgical Intervention

The target of this case report is to see the way of effective treatment for a transphincteric fistula in a 56 years old male patient who has not had any earlier surgeries despite this problem already exists for one year. What was remarkable about that was that the fistulogram with MRI demonstrated the interesting structure of the fistula: both openings – the send and the outflow – were at the 12 o’clock brightest place, hence a more precise treatment having to be employed. Utilizing methylene blue infiltration and metal probing for prompt and exact diagnosis, the next step was the formulation of a detailed treatment approach that would best suit the needs of our patient. As a part of treatment regimen , it was decided to use an Ayurvedic approach called kshara sutra therapy. the treatment had a planned part where we removed sections of the distal tract, and finally packing left intermittent openings. After a two-month-long remarkably successful treatment. Such impressive results reflect the effectiveness of the multifaceted approach. , this case marks a major step forward through introducing the specification of the new strategies that capable of controlling difficult fistulas. These observations in this study suggest tailored treatment and may lead subsequent planning of therapeutic interventions that should be similar for near future clinical conditionings. Futhermore, they are the main advocates of considering patients' needs and applying a holistic vision in medicine.

Employee Well-Being in Higher Educational Institutes of India –A Study of LPU Employees

With rising expectations for high-quality instruction, research output, and global competitiveness, India's higher education industry has seen significant change recently. Amidst these shifts, there is now more attention on the topic of employee well-being in higher education institutions. The nature of work in academia settings, with its high standards, demanding schedules, and frequently difficult workloads, calls for a closer look at the variables affecting the wellbeing of those who contribute to the mission of LPU using Lovely Professional University as an example, this case study offers a distinctive viewpoint on employee well-being in the context of Indian higher education. LPU's quick development, wide range of academia programmers, and dedication to building a lively community make it an engaging place to learn about the difficulties associated with employee well-being in the context of an evolving educational institution. In an environment where demands are high, and stress levels can be significant, prioritizing the wellbeing of faculty and staff is not just a moral support but also essential for maintaining productivity, creativity, and overall effectiveness organizational. Keywords: employee well-being, higher education, educational institutes.