Case Study Research Articles

Quantitative Evaluation of Sustainable Marketing Effectiveness: A Polish Case Study

Quantitative Evaluation of Sustainable Marketing Effectiveness: A Polish Case Study

The Adequacy of purposes for data: a paleoecological case study

The Adequacy of purposes for data: a paleoecological case study

HANSynergy: Heterogeneous Graph Attention Network for Drug Synergy Prediction.

Drug synergy therapy is a promising strategy for cancer treatment. However, the extensive variety of available drugs and the time-intensive process of determining effective drug combinations through clinical trials pose significant challenges. It requires a reliable method for the rapid and precise selection of drug synergies. In response, various computational strategies have been developed for predicting drug synergies, yet the exploitation of heterogeneous biological network features remains underexplored. In this study, we construct a heterogeneous graph that encompasses diverse biological entities and interactions, utilizing rich data sets from sources, such as DrugCombDB, PubChem, UniProt, and cancer cell line encyclopedia (CCLE). We initialize node feature representations and introduce a novel virtual node to enhance drug representation. Our proposed method, the heterogeneous graph attention network for drug-drug synergy prediction (HANSynergy), has been experimentally validated to demonstrate that the heterogeneous graph attention network can extract key node features, efficiently harness the diversity of information, and further enhance network functionality through the incorporation of a multihead attention mechanism. In the comparative experiment, the highest accuracy (Acc) and area under the curve (AUC) are 0.877 and 0.947, respectively, in DrugCombDB_early data set, demonstrating the superiority of HANSynergy over the competing methods. Moreover, protein-protein interactions are important in understanding the mechanism of action of drugs. The heterogeneous attention mechanism facilitates protein-protein interaction analysis. By analyzing the changes of attention weight before and after heterogeneous network training, we investigated proteins that may be associated with drug combinations. Additionally, case studies align our findings with existing research, underscoring the potential of HANSynergy in drug synergy prediction. This advancement not only contributes to the burgeoning field of drug synergy prediction but also holds the potential to provide valuable insights and uncover new drug synergies for combating cancer.

Investments, identities, and Chinese learning experience of an Irish adult: the role of context, capital, and agency

Abstract This case study aims to explore the foreign language (FL) investments of a highly motivated young Irish adult in learning Chinese across different contexts, encompassing classroom settings and daily life, both in Ireland and abroad. By analysing the interview data through the lens of Darvin and Norton’s model of investment, this study shows that the participant’s investments at different stages of her learning journey appear to be intricately intertwined with her identities and are mediated by the perceived likelihood of achieving her imagined identity. This study highlights the importance of present identity and linguistic capital in shaping and consolidating native English speakers’ FL-related identities.It provides insights into how FL learning investment and FL-related identitiesare influenced by learners’ first language (L1) in the era of globalisation. As powerrelations among individuals with different L1s are often unequal in the globallinguistic marketplace, learners’ L1 can be valuable capital that influences the return of foreign language learners’ investment.

A case study of a liver transplant-treated patient with glycogen storage disease type Ia presenting with multiple inflammatory hepatic adenomas: an analysis of clinicopathologic and genetic data

BackgroundGlycogen storage disease (GSD) is a disease caused by excessive deposition of glycogen in tissues due to genetic disorders in glycogen metabolism. Glycogen storage disease type I (GSD-I) is also known as VonGeirk disease and glucose-6-phosphatase deficiency. This disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, and both sexes can be affected. The main symptoms include hypoglycaemia, hepatomegaly, acidosis, hyperlipidaemia, hyperuricaemia, hyperlactataemia, coagulopathy and developmental delay.Case presentationHere, we present the case of a 13-year-old female patient with GSD Ia complicated with multiple inflammatory hepatic adenomas. She presented to the hospital with hepatomegaly, hypoglycaemia, and epistaxis. By clinical manifestations and imaging and laboratory examinations, we suspected that the patient suffered from GSD I. Finally, the diagnosis was confirmed by liver pathology and whole-exome sequencing (WES).WES revealed a synonymous mutation, c.648 G > T (p.L216 = , NM_000151.4), in exon 5 and a frameshift mutation, c.262delG (p.Val88Phefs*14, NM_000151.4), in exon 2 of the G6PC gene. According to the pedigree analysis results of first-generation sequencing, heterozygous mutations of c.648 G > T and c.262delG were obtained from the patient's father and mother.Liver pathology revealed that the solid nodules were hepatocellular hyperplastic lesions, and immunohistochemical (IHC) results revealed positive expression of CD34 (incomplete vascularization), liver fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in nodule hepatocytes and negative expression of β-catenin and glutamine synthetase (GS). These findings suggest multiple inflammatory hepatocellular adenomas. PAS-stained peripheral hepatocytes that were mostly digested by PAS-D were strongly positive.This patient was finally diagnosed with GSD-Ia complicated with multiple inflammatory hepatic adenomas, briefly treated with nutritional therapy after diagnosis and then underwent living-donor liver allotransplantation.After 14 months of follow-up, the patient recovered well, liver function and blood glucose levels remained normal, and no complications occurred.ConclusionThe patient was diagnosed with GSD-Ia combined with multiple inflammatory hepatic adenomas and received liver transplant treatment. For childhood patients who present with hepatomegaly, growth retardation, and laboratory test abnormalities, including hypoglycaemia, hyperuricaemia, and hyperlipidaemia, a diagnosis of GSD should be considered. Gene sequencing and liver pathology play important roles in the diagnosis and typing of GSD.

The Effect of Water Shortage on Households Well-being in Kigali City: A Case Study of Kicukiro District (2019-2022)

The Effect of Water Shortage on Households Well-being in Kigali City: A Case Study of Kicukiro District (2019-2022)

Increased utilisation and quality: a focus on inequality and a learning health system approach—explaining Nepal’s success in reducing maternal and newborn mortality 2000–2020

IntroductionMaternal mortality in Nepal dropped from 553 to 186 per 100 000 live births during 2000–2017 (66% decline). Neonatal mortality dropped from 40 to 21 per 1000 live births during...

Buraku women, literacy as a path to empowerment

ABSTRACT Based on the analysis of the life histories of buraku women in the latter half of the 20th century, this paper explores the empowering potential of literacy classes and other educational activities. The paper focuses on the case study of Yamamoto Eiko, a woman born in the pre-war period in a poor buraku family in Kyoto who dedicated her adult life to the literacy movement and education. To have a deeper understanding of how multiple, interconnected factors such as buraku discrimination, poverty and gender have impacted buraku women’s life experiences, the paper adopts an intersectional perspective to look at education as a specific field of discrimination. I argue that literacy can become a tool for empowerment both on a personal level, making women more independent and raising their self-esteem, and on a societal level because it allowed them to participate more actively in the liberation movement and advocate for women’s needs. Still, buraku women’s experiences reveal the deep-rooted patriarchal social structure inside buraku communities and the gender discrimination they encountered inside the liberation movement itself.

Performance management system components and the role of the management accountant

Purpose While extant research does mention performance management systems as antecedent to a management accountant’s role, and that there is tension between both, there is little detailed research. Thus, this paper aims to investigate the extent to which a performance management system interacts with the role of a management accountant. Design/methodology/approach The study is a cross-sectional field study, using interviews with paired management accountants and operative managers in 16 multinational organisations in Germany. The perspectives of both management accountants and operative managers are analysed separately. The role episode model theoretically informs the study. Findings The findings reveal management accountants distinguish between three roles of scorekeeping, controlling and business support, similar to prior literature. By contrast, operating managers are concerned with the value-adding and non-value-adding character of activities and thus support a dichotomy of management accountants’ roles. Drawing upon the role episode model, this study elucidates the interplay between performance management systems and the roles of management accountants, which encompass both role-taking and role-making dynamics. Additionally, this study contributes to management control literature by operationalising the components of a performance management system framework and linking them to the role of management accountants, as proposed by role antecedents in previous literature. The study also uncovers factors influencing role-taking and role-making, alongside examining the repercussions of role consensus or conflict based on the interaction with the operating manager. Research limitations/implications This paper is subject to the normal limitations of case study research and generalisation. The findings may also be influenced by the cultural context of the study. Originality/value An updated role episode model is presented, highlighting further performance management systems’ components. The study also reveals factors enabling and/or inhibiting the management accountants’ business support role and the impact of role consensus/conflict.

Design of Concrete Mock-Ups with Complex Defect Scenarios Using Numerical Simulations

The major objective when applying non-destructive testing (NDT) in civil engineering is the detection of defects such as honeycombs. Defects can impair the service life of structures and could lead in the worst case to fatal failures. All structures such as bridges, tunnels, locks etc. are unique objects with variation in geometry, dimensions, materials, environmental condition, load scenarios etc. Thus, the interpretation of NDT data is challenging and the validation of the NDT method, the training of inspectors and the reliability analysis of NDT rely on mock-ups with known defect situations mimicking the type of defect as realistic as possible. The considered defect sizes inside the mock-ups should cover the transition zone between detectable and non-detectable to properly evaluate the capability of the inspection system. However, knowledge about the limits of an inspection system is mostly non-existent. To overcome this limitation, this study applies realistic numerical simulations for ultrasonic testing in reinforced concrete performed with the elastodynamic finite integration technique (EFIT) to identify this transition zone. First, the study shows the development and the validation of a numerical representation of concrete considering the implementation of a qualitatively realistic noise level. Additionally, the accurate representation of the sources during ultrasonic testing is confirmed by an investigation of the radiation characteristic for dry point contact ultrasonic transducers. The simulation outcome enabled the design of a mock-up, which explores the detection limits for honeycombs during ultrasonic testing under different boundary conditions. A case study demonstrates the applicability of the design scheme based on numerical simulation. In the real specimen designed with the assistance of numerical simulations, 68%\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$68\\mathrm{\\%}$$\\end{document} of the implemented defects are detectable, proving the effectiveness of the design methodology.

Innovative approaches for amino acid production via consolidated bioprocessing of agricultural biomass.

Agricultural plantations in Indonesia and Malaysia yield substantial waste, necessitating proper disposal to address environmental concerns. Yet, these wastes, rich in starch and lignocellulosic content, offer an opportunity for value-added product development, particularly amino acid production. Traditional methods often rely on costly commercial enzymes to convert biomass into fermentable sugars for amino acid production. An alternative, consolidated bioprocessing, enables the direct conversion of agricultural biomass into amino acids using selected microorganisms. This review provides a comprehensive assessment of the potential of agricultural biomass in Indonesia and Malaysia for amino acid production through consolidated bioprocessing. It explores suitable microorganisms and presents a case study on using Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6051 to produce 9.56mg/mL of amino acids directly from pineapple plant stems. These findings contribute to the advancement of sustainable amino acid production methods using agricultural biomass especially in Indonesia and Malaysia through consolidated bioprocessing, reducing waste and enhancing environmental sustainability.

The changing dynamics of the creative city: Toward an inclusive, participatory, and place-based cultural policy in Wellington, New Zealand

ABSTRACT The policies and practices of creative cities are transitioning from a more externally focused and neoliberally oriented creative agenda toward local, place-based approaches that are grounded in the principles of social and cultural inclusion, participation, and diversity. However, little research has specifically examined the tensions, trade-offs, and opportunities cities might face in this transition. This research explores the creative dynamics of Wellington, New Zealand’s creative capital, pursuing a more inclusive and community-oriented policy. Using a case study approach, we identified seven key themes critical to supporting more inclusive and place-based creative city policies: affordability; availability of creative and cultural infrastructure; a supportive built environment; celebration of Indigenous culture and creative expression; support for inclusion and diversity; reliable funding resources and supportive regulations and processes; and grassroots community innovators. We developed these themes by considering both Wellington’s creative city policies and the existing creative dynamics of the city, which provide implications and recommendations for other cities experiencing similar transitions in their creative city policies.

Evaluation of augmented infiltration based LIDs for low lying urbanizing coastal catchments: a case study of Chennai city, India

ABSTRACT The study assessed the effectiveness of infiltration-based Low Impact Development (LID) techniques and augmented infiltration LIDs (such as recharge shaft) in a coastal urban catchment in India using a semi-coupled approach between numerical models VS2DI and Storm Water Management Model (SWMM). Site specific VS2DI modelling indicated that the infiltration LIDs resulted in more saturation excess runoff due to the soil’s insufficient hydraulic conductivity and increased lateral flow. Catchment-scale modeling indicated that LIDs significantly improved water retention (p ≪ 0.05), with a 35% reduction in total runoff volume. The recharge shafts were shown to be more efficient in reducing runoff volume and peak runoff, particularly for high runoff rates (more than 22 mm/hr). The study suggests that direct recharge to the aquifer through recharge shafts could be a suitable solution to manage runoff and meet the demand for domestic water supply during times of water scarcity in coastal urban catchments.

Reservoir temperature prediction based on characterization of water chemistry data—case study of western Anatolia, Turkey

Reservoir temperature estimation is crucial for geothermal studies, but traditional methods are complex and uncertain. To address this, we collected 83 sets of water chemistry and reservoir temperature data and applied four machine learning algorithms. These models considered various input factors and underwent data preprocessing steps like null value imputation, normalization, and Pearson coefficient calculation. Cross-validation addressed data volume issues, and performance metrics were used for model evaluation. The results revealed that our machine learning models outperformed traditional fluid geothermometers. All machine learning models surpassed traditional methods. The XGBoost model, based on the F-3 combination, demonstrated the best prediction accuracy with an R2 of 0.9732, while the Bayesian ridge regression model using the F-4 combination had the lowest performance with an R2 of 0.8302. This study highlights the potential of machine learning for accurate reservoir temperature prediction, offering geothermal professionals a reliable tool for model selection and advancing our understanding of geothermal resources.

Distribution and Main Controlling Factors of Gas and Water in Tight Sandstone Gas Fields: A Case Study of Sudong 41-33 Block in Sulige Gas Field, Ordos Basin, China

Distribution and Main Controlling Factors of Gas and Water in Tight Sandstone Gas Fields: A Case Study of Sudong 41-33 Block in Sulige Gas Field, Ordos Basin, China

Influence of Resource Planning on Project Performance in Rwanda: A Case Study of Construction of New Maternity Project at King Faisal Hospital in Kigali

Influence of Resource Planning on Project Performance in Rwanda: A Case Study of Construction of New Maternity Project at King Faisal Hospital in Kigali

Investigation of vegetation dynamics with a focus on agricultural land cover and its relation with meteorological parameters based on the remote sensing techniques: a case study of the Gavkhoni watershed

Investigation of vegetation dynamics with a focus on agricultural land cover and its relation with meteorological parameters based on the remote sensing techniques: a case study of the Gavkhoni watershed

Digital Twins in Agriculture: Orchestration and Applications.

Digital Twins have emerged as an outstanding opportunity for precision farming, digitally replicating in real-time the functionalities of objects and plants. A virtual replica of the crop, including key agronomic development aspects such as irrigation, optimal fertilization strategies, and pest management, can support decision-making and a step change in farm management, increasing overall sustainability and direct water, fertilizer, and pesticide savings. In this review, Digital Twin technology is critically reviewed and framed in the context of recent advances in precision agriculture and Agriculture 4.0. The review is organized for each step of agricultural lifecycle, edaphic, phytotechnologic, postharvest, and farm infrastructure, with supporting case studies demonstrating direct benefits for agriculture production and supply chain considering both benefits and limitations of such an approach. Challenges and limitations are disclosed regarding the complexity of managing such an amount of data and a multitude of (often) simultaneous operations and supports.

Unwelcome Migrant Churches—A Case Study of the Portrayal of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God in German-Speaking Online Press

Unwelcome Migrant Churches—A Case Study of the Portrayal of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God in German-Speaking Online Press

How to change workflow to enhance implementation of professional services in community pharmacies: A deprescribing case study

How to change workflow to enhance implementation of professional services in community pharmacies: A deprescribing case study