Preliminary Case Study Research Articles

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

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

Analysis of the Harmonious Development of the National Tourism Strategic Area and Tourism Master Plan

This article examines the harmony or suitability between the National Tourism Strategic Area Document (KSPN) and the Tourism Master Plan (RIP). The successful development of the tourism industry in development is required to have a common perception between the central government and local governments. The author pays special attention to these two documents for comparison and validation. This study aims to determine harmony, suitability, and similarity to obtain results to be concluded as recommendations. Literature study research with a qualitative approach uses a two-phase research design with preliminary studies and case studies. The results of this study indicate that the harmony and suitability of KSPN and RIP are harmonious and appropriate, but several indicators must be explained so that a common perception can be formed. Furthermore, the research results can be used by the central and regional governments in developing tourism areas with the spirit of sustainable tourism development.
 Keywords: harmony, tourism, KSPN, RIP

Environmental Refuges during Summertime Heat and Elevated Ozone Levels: A Preliminary Case Study of an Urban “Cool Zone” Building

The combination of extreme heat waves and ozone pollution is a major health hazard for urban populations in the summertime, particularly for the most sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, the unsheltered, and those with pre-existing health conditions. The “Cool Zone Program”, operated by the Salt Lake County Aging and Adult Services, identifies areas in the county and Salt Lake City facilities where members of the public can escape the summer heat, hydrate, and learn about available programs. We measured indoor and outdoor temperature and ozone for a pilot study at a designated Cool Zone location during the 22 August–6 September 2019 period and found that the building provided substantial heat relief and protection from more than 75% of the outdoor ozone. We observed a nearly 35 min delay for the outdoor ozone to be reflected on the indoor readings, providing an action window for ventilation scheduling changes to protect against the highest ozone levels during the day. Our findings show that it is critical to re-think and formulate action plans to protect vulnerable populations from excessive heat and pollution events during the summer.

Collecting language assessment data in the age of pandemic: a preliminary case study of Chinese EFL learners

Abstract This study reports a preliminary exploration of the online collection of language assessment data in the author’s PhD project under the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic. It describes the challenges the author met, details the adaptations she made, and delineates its implications. Specifically, the data collection in this project involved remotely delivering three vocabulary tests and one speaking task to EFL learners in mainland China and collecting the results of these tests. In this process, the author trialed, pilot-tested, and compared three test-administering modes: first an asynchronous mode (Wenjuanwang), then a synchronous mode (Tencent Meeting), and finally a return to an asynchronous mode (Super Star Learning). It is hoped that this exploratory investigation into these technology-enhanced online methods will add a different perspective and present a multifaceted view for data collection of language assessment research during and after this pandemic.

A STAKEHOLDER-PARTNERED APPROACH TO INEQUITIES AFFECTING HOME HEALTH CARE WORKERS, OLDER ADULTS, AND CAREGIVERS

Abstract Home health aides (HHAs) provide on-site support for homebound older adults with cognitive impairments, while lessening strain on familial caregivers. However, HHAs face structural challenges in work-related transportation. Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers partnered with community and corporate stakeholders to inform a study evaluating whether on-demand transportation for HHAs via Uber rides will: 1) Improve metrics among HHAs (total visits, total unique patients, hours/week and days/week worked, missed visit/no-show rates, work satisfaction); 2) Increase racial, ethnic, socioeconomic and geographic diversity of older adults with cognitive impairments receiving homecare. Community partner CCHERS (Center for Community Health Education Research Services) helps residents of public/publicly-assisted housing in high-need areas of Greater Boston gain training and entry-level employment in healthcare as HHAs. Through its collaborations with other groups (e.g., Mothers for Justice & Equality, HomeCare Aide Council, Mass HomeCare Alliance), CCHERS identified that lack of affordable, accessible, reliable transportation was among the most-cited barriers affecting HHAs and equitable homecare delivery. Corporate partner Uber Health, through work in preliminary social-impact case studies, identified the platform’s central ride-coordination approach as preferred by Black and Hispanic women in the 18-45y age group (~80% of the local HHA workforce). MGH researchers’ study goals and metrics were informed by input of partners. With its community-engaged approach, innovative partnerships, and focus on achieving equity objectives to benefit patients and homecare workers alike, this project has potential for strong local impacts and future implications for state and/or national policies to provide high-quality, equitable homecare by directly addressing employment transportation-related barriers.

A Provincial Community of the Late Dynasty 6. A Preliminary Case Study Based on P. 10500 A and B

Abstract This paper presents the community registered in papyrus Berlin P. 10500 A–B, also known as the “Sharuna Papyrus.” It points out the presence of both men and women in the different accounts. People are also socially differentiated based on their titles and personal names (including their classifiers). Results demonstrate that the community from the “Sharuna Papyrus” resembles other groups of people in provincial context, including Sharuna.

Floor plan graph learning for generative design of residential buildings: a discrete denoising diffusion model

ABSTRACT Floor planning, as one of the most important considerations in building design, often involves intensive trial-and-error processes with many constraints considered simultaneously. Artificial intelligence (AI) generative design solutions being developed are hampered by two shortcomings. Firstly, the vast topological knowledge embedded in existing floor plans has been largely unexplored and is thus wasted. Secondly, an efficient methodological instrument to learn the topological knowledge for generative design is lacking. This paper aims to develop a graph learning methodology to learn graph knowledge from floor plans and generate knowledge ready for building generative design. A discrete denoising diffusion model (D3M) that can learn topology graphs via its bi-directional structure of ‘corruption and denoise’ is developed and trained using more than 80,000 floor plans from a large-scale dataset. It is found that the D3M can learn the knowledge from floor plans and present it as various building floor topologies, which are evaluated in a preliminary case study as reliable and useful for generating real-life building floor plans. The research provides a design knowledge management framework that can be further implemented in academic works and design practices through some mainstreaming or commercializing efforts.

The Effects of Strong Earthquakes on Built Heritage: A Preliminary Case Study of Rector’s Palace in Dubrovnik’s Old City

The Old City of Dubrovnik’s historical urban heritage architecture, consisting of poorly to well-built irregular stone masonry construction, is at high risk of earthquakes. It was enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage after the severely damaging 1979 Mw = 7.1 Montenegro earthquake. Retrofitting strategies to a certain degree of earthquake protection have been made to the monument heritage architecture after repeating destructive earthquakes for several centuries. The originally 13th-century Rector’s Palace underwent several major modifications throughout history after disastrous events: fire in 1435, a gunpowder explosion in 1463, and earthquakes in 1520, 1667, and 1979. The design and construction information were collected from historical records and studies performed by various researchers, including field measurements and laboratory tests. Based on the data gathered, the building’s resistance to destructive earthquakes in compliance with contemporary building codes was determined using simulations on a calibrated spatial structural model. The study revealed that the building’s critical parts are most susceptible to a certain degree of damage or even collapse. The presented case study is the basis for decision-making and implementing the building’s earthquake risk reduction measures. Additionally, it will serve as a guide for earthquake risk evaluation on similar buildings, even though they may differ in degree or detail.

The influence of combined treatment of municipal wastewater and landfill leachate on the spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment – A preliminary case study

Environmentally-friendly management of landfill leachate (LL) poses a challenge, and LL is usually co-treated with municipal wastewater in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The extent to which the co-treatment of LL and municipal wastewater influences the spread of antibiotic resistance (AR) in the environment has not been examined to date. Two WWTPs with similar wastewater composition and technology were studied. Landfill leachate was co-treated with wastewater in one of the studied WWTPs. Landfill leachate, untreated and treated wastewater from both WWTPs, and river water sampled upstream and downstream from the wastewater discharge point were analyzed. Physicochemical parameters, microbial diversity, and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) abundance were investigated to determine the impact of LL co-treatment on chemical and microbiological contamination in the environment. Landfill leachate increased pollutant concentrations in untreated wastewater and river water. Cotreatment of LL and wastewater could affect the abundance and diversity of microbial communities and the interactions between microbial species. Co-treatment also decreased the stability of microbial co-occurrence networks in the examined samples. The mexF gene was identified as a potential marker of environmental pollution with LL. This is the first study to explore the impact of LL on the occurrence of AR determinants in wastewater and rivers receiving effluents.

Barriers, Challenges, and Benefits: Gender Diversity in Technology-Based New Venture Team Innovation

This paper introduces the early phase of research designed to unpack the phenomenon of gender diversity intechnology new venture teams including its barriers, potential benefits, and challenges. We present some preliminary casestudy findings from 13 interviews with team members from three technology new ventures in Indonesia. This researchsetting allows us to investigate a unique cultural context in a developing country. The present study addresses a significantresearch gap by elucidating various viewpoints of new ventures towards gender diversity within the same institutionalcontext, thereby enabling a nuanced understanding of their ability to leverage the potential benefits of gender-diverse teamsfor innovation. Specifically, our findings reveal that new ventures have different abilities to navigate the barriers andchallenges associated with gender diversity. This study identified three distinct barriers, namely the acquisition of genderbalancedapplicants, the mitigation of gender-specific bias, and the effective management of dynamics team composition.In addition to the potential benefits of having a gender-diverse team, such as enhanced collaboration, balanced thinking,and inter-group competition, our research has identified three significant challenges. These include the need to overcomecultural and social norms that hinder gender diversity, effectively managing diversity management practices, and improvingemployee engagement and a sense of belonging. The initial results of our study offer some practical and theoreticalimplications for enhancing the potential of new ventures to leverage the advantages of gender-diverse teams to promoteinnovation. These we aim to study further as the doctoral investigation advances further through more extensive case studyanalysis.

Policy Regime Analysis of Border Security Governance in Myanmar: A Preliminary Case Study of Myawaddy (2020–2021)

This study is a case-study research that explores the anatomy of Myanmar’s border security governance using the Myawaddy Township as an exploratory case study. To explore how the Burmese borderlands, represented by Myawaddy, have been governed, the policy–regime approach is adopted as a conceptual framework to illustrate the idiosyncrasies, including relevant parties and their interactions. It was found that the following actors are involved in the security governance of borderlands: ethnic armed organisation, local bureaucratic agencies, Border Guard Forces (BGFs) and foreign interest groups. Prima facie, civil government agencies have performed their duties of overseeing border activities; however, they appear to have only de jure authority, serving as soft infrastructures for the lawful border economy. Contrarily, Karen BGF leaders, appointed by the Tatmadaw (i.e. Myanmar armed forces), have held de facto authority, controlling and benefiting from the border’s shadow economy—which is marked by gambling businesses—as well as from running protection rackets. Still, the BGF units in Myawaddy have retained a considerable degree of autonomy without necessarily following the Tatmadaw’s order. In a nutshell, border security governance in Myanmar’s Myawaddy consists of several governing modes existing in parallel and, hence, it is prismatic in nature

REVIEW OF RISK MANAGEMENT IN RENT TO OWN (RTO) SCHEME IN MALAYSIA

This paper focuses on the review of risk management in Rent to Own (RTO) scheme in Malaysia. The objectives are to review the risk management factors in RTO scheme and the strategies to overcome the risk. This study employs a desktop study by collecting the research papers and data in the online databases. RTO Scheme is a concept that employs the rental market like Private Rented Sector (PRS) in the properties that allows ownership after the tenancy period has been expired. The RTO scheme is a type of financial schemes that allows property leasing for between twelve (12) months to five (5) years and ownership upon the maturity of the leasing period. This is an initiative by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (MHLG) to implementing the National Housing Policy 2018-2025. The RTO scheme is for home buyers to have financial planning to rent before they buy. The calculation of the mortgage loan for RTO Scheme is based on the rental income and the rental deposit. Additionally, preliminary case study has been conducted to the RTO schemes through onsite and interview with the Developer. The results are to review the risk factors in the RTO Scheme and the marketing strategies. The outcomes of the research are to give input to the house buyers to be confident to buy houses under the RTO Scheme.

Faith in the time of Coronavirus: A corpus-driven analysis

Abstract: Since the Coronavirus, numerous studies have examined ways in which people communicate news or information surrounding the pandemic. This specialized discourse can be seen particularly with regard to discussions from a political, economic or social view, but rarely are there research exploring how the virus is communicated from a faith-based perspective. This paper acts as a preliminary case study that describes one Islamic research institution and its efforts to compile writings on scholarly view of the pandemic shared freely on the internet. More specifically, the work explores language used in these writings that may be different to ones that are for a more general audience. Using the corpus linguistic approach, a collection of these articles are firstly compared against the Covid-19 corpus on Sketch Engine where keywords analysis reveal salient words that are more faith-based in terms of discussing the topic (e.g. words referring to God, acts of devotion and martyrdom). Further analysis includes examining collocations as well as investigating the use of certain words in more detail via concordancing (words in context). The main difference in language use between the two corpora is noticeable in the way that there are more words referring to God and the Prophet as well as words related to faith. Accordingly, these articles “tackle” issues relating to the virus in terms of the concept of ‘tawakkul’, which means reliance on or trust in Allah (or God), whether the virus is a punishment or a mercy, as well as how to deal with grief. Articles from this Islamic institution, although located in the United States, stimulate the faith-based discussion of how Muslims and non-Muslims alike can obtain information regarding the virus from the well-researched Islamic content provided and in turn, help readers to cope with the pandemic during these unprecedented times. 
 
 Keywords: Coronavirus, Covid-19, Corpus Linguistics, Sketch Engine, Islamic Views

Digital transformation in foreign language education: Examining the position of the EFL teacher in ICT literacy diffusion

Digital transformation and ICT adoption in Japanese higher education has lagged behind other developed countries. Drawing on Diffusion of Innovation theory, this preliminary case study examines the role of English foreign language (EFL) teachers as opinion leaders in information communication technology (ICT) literacy diffusion in the Japanese university context. The preliminary findings indicate EFL teachers enhance ICT literacy in breadth and depth for both teachers and students. With these findings this study proposes a tentative conceptual model that adds to the current scholarship on ICT utilization in Japanese higher education by illuminating how teachers can support digital transformation to expand the breadth and depth of ICT literacy, and cross-cultural diffusion of technology. Policy and pedagogical implications for in-service teacher professional development are discussed.Keywords: EFL; opinion leaders; Japan; digital transformation; ICT literacy; higher educationPart of the Special Issue Teaching practices in times of digital transformation <https://doi.org/10.21428/8c225f6e.ac86609b>

Strategi Pengembangan Bisnis Pariwisata Dan Ekonomi Kreatif Berbasis Website Vacancy (Vacation Fancy)

Tourism and the creative economy are sectors that are promising and have a great opportunity to support the economy, so they need to be a top priority. However, the reality is that the development of creative economy-based tourism potential has faced many problems, such as inadequate human resources and even insufficient promotion, so that many domestic and foreign tourists are not aware of the existence of unique and attractive destinations in East Java. Preliminary case studies have been carried out involving 25 communities to analyze the problems that occur in tourism and the creative economy in East Java Province. Based on the results of the study, the development of e-tourism-based promotions is crucial amidst the rise of technological developments. The Vacancy website is an e-tourism-based promotion that can accommodate the needs of tourism and the creative economy in East Java. In addition, promotion is also a major factor in supporting the introduction of creative economy-based tourism. This Vacancy website is able to provide accurate information related to tourism and the creative economy and facilitate accessibility to destinations with the support of various existing features such as recommendations, accommodation, regional culture, and other complete features.&#x0D;

Supercritical CO2 injection in moderate-tight hydrocarbon reservoirs, a preliminary case study

Summary. The research deals with the investigation of one alternative of carbon-dioxide utilization – underground storage – from a petroleum geoscience point of view. The basic assumptions and the results of the laboratory studies to be carried out later are based on a specific hydrocarbon field in Hungary. The previously measured and studied geological and petrophysical parameters of the reservoir (porosity, permeability, saturation, capacity, etc.) will be restudied and specified, based on the results of the new concept of laboratory experiments. By defining these parameters, a 3D geological model, a “Dynamic model” will be created to understand the effect of carbon-dioxide injection on the dynamic behavior of a moderate-tight sandstone reservoir. Based on the results of the dynamic model, the storage capacity will be defined. The carbon-dioxide injection laboratory experiments will contribute to understanding these underground geo-chemical reactions (e.g. carbonation ability, compositional variation) and flow characteristics. Összefoglalás. Korunk egyik legmeghatározóbb problémája az üvegházhatású gázok, különösen a szén-dioxid kibocsátásának csökkentése. Alapvetően két fő ágra oszlanak ezen törekvések: egyrészt a kibocsátásért felelős technológiák optimalizálására/„zöldítésére”, másrészt a már kibocsátott szén-dioxid hasznosítására (CCU), illetve befogására és letárolására (CCS). A kutatás a szén-dioxid hasznosítás egyik alternatívájával, a föld alatti letárolás lehetőségének vizsgálatával foglalkozik földtudományi aspektusból. A kézirat alap felvetései és a későbbiekben magmintákon elvégzendő laborkísérletek eredményei egy konkrét, Magyarországon található szénhidrogén mezőre vonatkoznak. Emiatt más szén-dioxid tárolására alkalmas földtani képződmény (sókaverna, széntelep, illetve sósvizes aquifer) vizsgálatára a tanulmány nem tér ki. A laborkísérletek eredményeinek segítségével az előzetesen a mérnöki gyakorlatban használt és ismert tárolói paraméterek (porozitás, permeabilitás, kapacitás, telítettség stb.) kerülnek pontosításra. Az elvégzendő labormérések: higany besajtolásos porozitás vizsgálat, centrifugális kapilláris nyomásgörbe és relatív permeabilitási görbék meghatározása, röntgendiffrakciós anyagvizsgálat. Ezen paraméterek ismeretében egy pontosított földtani modell kerül megalkotásra. A kutatás első fázisában a már meglévő, ipari gyakorlatban alkalmazott kőzetvizsgálati módszerek kerültek felülvizsgálatra, és egy új szemléletű, az eddigi módszereket pontosító eljárás került kidolgozásra a hazai geológiai formációkra vonatkoztatva. A későbbiekben a kőzetmintákon végzett tárolói paramétereket szimuláló szén-dioxid besajtolási kísérletek a föld alatti reakciók (pl. karbonátosodási képesség) és az áramlástani sajátosságok megértéséhez és modellezéséhez is hozzájárulhatnak. Feltételezhetően a föld alatti reakcióknak köszönhetően egy, a korábbi becslésektől eltérő tárolótérfogatot lehet meghatározni. Megállapításra került, hogy a szén-dioxid szuperkritikus állapotban besajtolva, rétegvízzel rendelkező zárt rétegekben egybefüggő „csóvaként” vándorol a porózus kőzeteken keresztül, amely a gravitációs szegregáció következtében vertikálisan kitágul a fedőkőzet alatt. Az oldalirányú szén-dioxid expanzió folyamatát a folyadékok csapdázódása korlátozza. Ezért a többfázisú áramlás és csapdázódás alapos vizsgálata elengedhetetlen a tárolókapacitás pontos meghatározásának érdekében. A szén-dioxid besajtolhatóságát és a tárolási kapacitást nagymértékben befolyásolja a szén-dioxiddal telített sóoldat relatív permeabilitása, amely erősen függ a kőzet heterogenitásától. Miljkovic (2006) sóoldattal telített homokkő minták szimulációs méréseit hasonlította össze, amelyek csak a heterogenitás tekintetében tértek el egymástól. Megmutatta, hogy a kis strukturálatlan heterogenitás, úgy tűnik, nem befolyásolja jelentősen a CO2 telítettségét és ennek következtében a tárolási kapacitást. Ezzel ellentétben Kuo és társai (2011) kimutatták, hogy a telítési profilt erősen befolyásolja a mag heterogenitása, és nagy injektálási sebességre van szükség ahhoz, hogy a heterogén közeg relatív állandó telítettségét elérje a homogénhez képest. Hozzájuk hasonlóan Shi és társai (2009) heterogén homokkő magokon szimulálták a szén-dioxiddal telített sóoldat elvezetését és beszívódását. Kimutatták, hogy a porozitás változása szignifikáns hatással volt a CO2 migrációs mintázatára alacsony kiszorítási sebesség mellett és ez fokozatosan eltűnik az injektálási sebesség növelésével. Fontos célkitűzésként jelenik meg a kutatásokban ezen tézisek vizsgálata, valamint a többfázisú áramlási kísérletek elvégzése a magyarországi CCS potenciális jelöltjeként számon tartott tároló magmintáin. A víz-gáz elvezetési relatív permeabilitási vizsgálatok szimulált tározókörülmények között szintén fontos új információkat fognak szolgáltatni, melyek lehetőséget teremtenek a CO2 front végső eloszlásának meghatározására, valamint javaslattételre a tárolási kapacitás pontosítására és a geokémiai változásokra az adott tárolórétegekre jellemző heterogenitás függvényében.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park and its Missing Black Visitors: A Preliminary Analysis on the Hidden Architecture of Landscape

The framing of national parks as "America's best idea" has undergone a multi-disciplinary critique for its failure to address the scarcity of racial minority visitors, particularly Black Americans. Slavery, segregation, and ongoing racial politics demand a process of unlearning and undoing by centering Black voices. This research seeks to re-examine Black Americans' motivations for and deterrents against visiting national parks using Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) as a preliminary case study. A review of archival documents (e.g., park history and promotional materials), interpretation programs, exhibits, and the racial composition of surrounding communities and park employees was conducted to identify gaps in Black Americans' representation within the core messages created and promoted by GSMNP. The results suggest that Black Americans are rarely seen in archival documents, and marginally represented in publicly accessible literature and exhibits. This legacy may send a message to Black Americans that the park is a "White" space, where their ancestors were treated as second-class citizens or excluded entirely. Under the shadow of Jim Crow laws, segregation, racism, and discrimination, this space may have been associated with danger or considered unsafe and unwelcoming. Our findings contribute to the broader understanding of how landscapes and institutions are racialized, and how the power of narrative can be used to dismantle racialization.

Using neural networks to solve linear bilevel problems with unknown lower level

Bilevel problems are used to model the interaction between two decision makers in which the lower-level problem, the so-called follower’s problem, appears as a constraint in the upper-level problem of the so-called leader. One issue in many practical situations is that the follower’s problem is not explicitly known by the leader. For such bilevel problems with unknown lower-level model we propose the use of neural networks to learn the follower’s optimal response for given decisions of the leader based on available historical data of pairs of leader and follower decisions. Integrating the resulting neural network in a single-level reformulation of the bilevel problem leads to a challenging model with a black-box constraint. We exploit Lipschitz optimization techniques from the literature to solve this reformulation and illustrate the applicability of the proposed method with some preliminary case studies using academic and linear bilevel instances.

Assessing place‐based identities in the early Middle Ages: a proposal for post‐Roman Iberia

Sociological models of place‐based identity can be used to better understand the social dynamics of local communities and how they interact with their surroundings. This paper explores how these theoretical models of belonging to a place, in tandem with communal cognitive maps, can be applied to post‐Roman contexts, taking the Iberian Peninsula in the Visigothic period (sixth–eighth centuries) as a preliminary case study. We argue that this approach can give us not only a more complex understanding of community agencies but also allows us to reconsider the social context for past social interactions. Furthermore, it will open a new archaeological perspective for future work on the relations between groups and individuals with their built, social, and natural environments.

Utilisation of High-Impact Educational Practises (HIPS) to Engage Undergraduates: A Preliminary Case Study

The purpose of this preliminary study is, firstly, to identify the most preferred high-impact educational practises (HIPs) among undergraduates and, secondly, to recommend best practises and strategies for implementing HIPs in higher education. This study included 61 undergraduates from a variety of degree programmes that implemented HIPs in one general studies course. Descriptive statistics and frequency were used to analyse the data. The findings revealed that the most popular HIP among undergraduates is service/community-based learning (SBL), and the least preferred HIP among undergraduates is Intensive Academic Writing (IAW). This study's findings are critical for preliminary understanding of the importance of learning styles in order to be effective and sensitive in teaching and learning, to have flexible and diverse instructional planning, and to diversify teaching methods. This was a preliminary case study that emphasised the significance of HIPs in the higher education curriculum and their implementation for a positive academic learning experience among undergraduates.