Benefits of Dielectric Oil Regeneration Systems in Power Transmission Networks: A Case Study

The criticality of transformers and reactors in the power transmission network and the paramount importance of ensuring their reliability through maintenance of the insulating oil is known. This paper presents a comprehensive examination of the efficacy and economic viability of a dielectric oil regeneration system, as implemented by the Transmission System Maintenance Department (TSMD) of the Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO), Greece’s sole transmission operator. Through a detailed chemical analysis and performance evaluation, we assess the impact of the regeneration system on treated insulating oil quality over multiple cycles. The study reveals that the electrical properties of the insulating oil are fully restored after regeneration, negating the need to fully replace it, while the investment becomes cost-neutral within weeks from the commissioning of the regeneration system. This economic analysis, coupled with the system’s environmental benefits of reducing waste oil generation, positions the dielectric oil regeneration system as a compelling solution for the maintenance of power transmission assets.

Marketing Strategies for Reading Promotion Activities in Academic Libraries:A Case Study of the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology

In the contemporary digital age,traditional reading habits have been compromised by digital media,a situation that has forced academic libraries to adopt proactive marketing approaches to promote reading among students and faculty.This article investigates the implementation of marketing strategies in promoting reading activities within academic libraries,taking the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology as a case study.The paper explores various marketing strategies employed by academic libraries,including market segmentation,utilization of new media platforms,and the creation of personalized content for readers.Drawing from an extensive literature review and real-world examples,the study establishes a framework for marketing reading promotion activities tailored to academic libraries.These findings underscore how effective marketing strategies can enhance user participation,expand library influence,and optimize resource utilization.

Study design in evidence-based surgery:What is the role of case-control studies?

Randomized controlled trials(RCTs) are the gold standard in terms of study design, however, in the surgical setting conducting RCTs can often be unethical or logistically impossible. Case-control studies should become the major study design used in surgical research when RCTs are unable to be conducted and definitely replacing case series which offer little insight into surgical outcomes and disease processes.

Glutathione S-transferases M1,T1 genotypes and the risk of gastric cancer:A case-control study

AIM Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs are involved in the detoxification of many potential carcinogens and appear to play a critical role in the protection from the effects of carcinogens. The contribution of glutathione Stransferases M1 and T1 genotypes to susceptibility to the risk of gastric cancer and their interaction with cigarette smoking are still unclear. The aim of this study was to determine whether there was any relationship between genetic polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1 and gastric cancer.METHODS A population based case - control study was carried out in a high-risk area, Changle County, Fujian Province, China. The epidemiological data were collected by a standard questionnaire and blood samples were obtained from 95 incidence gastric cancer cases and 94 healthy controls. A polymerase chain reaction method was used to detect the presence or absence of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes in genomic DNA. Logistic regression model was employed in the data analysis.RESULTS An increase in risk for gastric cancer was found among carriers of GSTM1 null genotype. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) was 2.63 [95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) 1.17-5.88], after controlling for age,gender, cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, and fish sauce intake. The frequency of GSTT1 null genotype in cancer cases (43.16%) was not significantly different from that in controls (50.00%). However, the risk for gastric cancer in those with GSTM1 null and GSTT1 nonnull genotype was significantly higher than in those with both GSTM1 and GSTT1 non-null genotype (OR = 2.77,95% Cl 1.15- 6.77). Compared with those subjects who never smoked and had normal GSTM1 genotype, Ors were 1.60 (95% CI: 0.62- 4.19) for never smokers with GSTM1 null type, 2.33 (95% CI 0.88- 6.28) for smokers with normal GSTM1, and 8.06 (95% CI 2.83- 23.67) for smokers with GSTM1 null type.CONCLUSIONS GSTM1 gene polymorphisms may be associated with genetic susceptibility of stomach cancer and may modulate tobacco-related carcinogenesis of gastric cancer.

Verbal Dyspraxia: A Case Study

Introduction: While approaching the aspect of learning disorders, particular attention is paid to verbal dyspraxia, a phenomenon that runs its course regularly over the last years. Verbal dyspraxia is inherent in the person without mental disorders and accompanies them throughout the whole spectrum of life. Comorbidity is an added issue. Although dyspraxia is met in homogeneous groups, some common elements such as intelligence, difficulty regarding linguistic skills, low learning performance and low self-esteem are present. Purpose: The object is to research how dyspraxia is manifested and how it affects a 6-year-old boy as well as the possibility of promptly interfering and simplifying his everyday life. Method: In the current case study, Achenbach’s questionnaire was used, combined with the use of expressive vocabulary. Results: The results of the research were unveiled through experts’ references in coordinance with the conferences conducted. Conclusion: Winding up, dyspraxia is a learning disorder that exists within the person through their lifespan. Immediate diagnosis, combined with experts’ personalized intervention programs (and perhaps, a differentiated curriculum, where applicable) can guide the person to live up to the educational needs. Family’s role is to be supportive, intending to eliminate possible emotional strains.

Roles of Case Studies and Case Reports in US East Asian Medicine:A Narrative-Medicine Perspective

Recorded stories of the clinical encounter stretch back to ancient times.Throughout their history,these narratives have been called by different names,reflecting changes in format,function,and audience.This paper examines and explains the differences in two related forms of clinical writing as practiced by East Asian Medicine clinicians in the United States today-the case study and the case report.Each has its strengths and weaknesses;each is suited to different roles.The case study is ideal for education and the practice of narrative medicine,whereas the case report has played a vital role in propelling East Asian Medicine into the arena of modern scientific research.

Offshore Software Maintenance Outsourcing Process Model Validation:A Case Study Approach

The successful execution and management of Offshore Software Maintenance Outsourcing(OSMO)can be very beneficial for OSMO vendors and the OSMO client.Although a lot of research on software outsourcing is going on,most of the existing literature on offshore outsourcing deals with the outsourcing of software development only.Several frameworks have been developed focusing on guiding software systemmanagers concerning offshore software outsourcing.However,none of these studies delivered comprehensive guidelines for managing the whole process of OSMO.There is a considerable lack of research working on managing OSMO from a vendor’s perspective.Therefore,to find the best practices for managing an OSMO process,it is necessary to further investigate such complex and multifaceted phenomena from the vendor’s perspective.This study validated the preliminary OSMO process model via a case study research approach.The results showed that the OSMO process model is applicable in an industrial setting with few changes.The industrial data collected during the case study enabled this paper to extend the preliminary OSMO process model.The refined version of the OSMO processmodel has four major phases including(i)Project Assessment,(ii)SLA(iii)Execution,and(iv)Risk.

Multicenter case-control study of the risk factors for ulcerative colitis in China

AIM:To evaluate potential risk factors in the development of ulcerative colitis(UC) in China.METHODS:A total of 1308 patients with UC and 1308 age-matched and sex-matched controls were prospectively studied in China.The UC cases were collected from 17 hospitals in China from April 2007 to April 2010.Uniform questionnaires were designed to investigate risk factors including smoking,appendectomy,stress,socio-economic conditions,nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs(NSAIDs),oral contraceptives,diet,breastfeeding,infections and family sanitary conditions.Group comparisons by each factor were done using simple logistic regression analysis.Conditional logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis.RESULTS:By univariate analysis,the variables predictive of UC included feeling stress,light and heavy alcoholic drinking,spicy food,sugar consumption and infectious diarrhea,while heavy tea intake and tap water consumption were protective against UC.On multivariate analysis,the protective factor for UC was tap water consumption [odds ratios(OR) = 0.424,95%CI:0.302-0.594,P < 0.001];while the potential risk factors for UC were heavy sugar consumption(OR = 1.632,95%CI:1.156-2.305,P < 0.001),spicy food(light intake:OR = 3.329,95%CI:2.282-4.857,P < 0.001;heavy intake:OR = 3.979,95%CI:2.700-5.863,P < 0.001),and often feeling stress(OR = 1.981,95%CI:1.447-2.711,P < 0.001).Other factors,such as smoking habit,appendectomy,breastfeeding,a history of measles,rural or urban residence,education,oral contraceptives,and NSAID use have not been found to have a significant association with the development of UC in the present study.CONCLUSION:Our study showed tap water consumption was a protective factor for UC,while spicy food,heavy sugar consumption and often feeling stress were risk factors for UC in this Chinese population.

Risk factors for alcohol-related liver injury in the island population of China: A population-based case-control study

AIM:To investigate the association of alcohol dose, duration of drinking and obesity with abnormal alcohol-related liver injury indicators, the prevalence of alcohol-related liver injury in the island population of China.METHODS:Randomized multistage stratified cluster sampling from the island population of China was used in the population-based case-control study. Then interview, physical examination, laboratory assessments and ultrasonography were done. RESULTS:Daily alcohol intake ≥ 20 g, duration of drinking ≥ 5 years and obesity were closely related to alcohol-related liver injury (P < 0.05). The odds-ratio (OR) (95% CI) was 1.965 (1.122-3.442), 3.412 (1.789-6.507) and 1.887 (1.261-2.824), respectively. The prevalence rate of alcohol-related liver injury in ≥ 20 g daily alcohol intake group and < 20 g daily alcohol intake group was 37.14% and 12.06%, respectively. The prevalence rate of alcohol-related liver injury in ≥ 5 years drinking group and < 5 years drinking group was 34.44% and 8.53%, respectively. No significant dose-response relation was found between daily alcohol intake and abnormal alcohol-related liver injury indicators as well as between duration of drinking and abnormal alcohol-related liver injury indicators. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of alcohol-related liver injury between beer drinking group and yellow rice wine drinking group, hard liquor drinking group, multiple drinking group.CONCLUSION:The risk threshold of daily alcohol intake is 20 g and duration of drinking inducing alcohol-related liver injury 5 years in the island population of China. Liver injury induced by obesity should be concerned.

Risk factors of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in patients with hepatolithiasis:a case-control study

BACKGROUND:Why 3.3% to 10% of all patients with hepatolithiasis develop intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remains unknown.We carried out a hospital-based case-control study to identify risk factors for the development of ICC in patients with hepatolithiasis in China.METHODS:Eighty-seven patients with pathologically diagnosed hepatolithiasis associated with ICC and 228 with hepatolithiasis alone matched by sex,age (±2 years),hospital admittance and place of residence were interviewed during the period of 2000-2008.Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for each risk factor.RESULTS:Among the patients with hepatolithiasis associated with ICC,the mean age was 57.7 years and 61.0% were female Univariate analysis showed that the significant risk factors for ICC development in hepatolithiasis were smoking,family history of cancer,appendectomy during childhood (under age 20),and duration of symptoms >10 years.In multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis,smoking (OR=1.931,95% CI:1.000-3.731),family history of cancer (OR=5.175,95% CI:1.216-22.022),and duration of symptoms >10 years (OR=2.348 95% CI:1.394-3.952) were independent factors.CONCLUSION:Smoking,family history of cancer and duration of symptoms >10 years may be risk factors for ICC in patients with hepatolithiasis.

A nested case-control study of maternal-neonatal transmission of hepatitis B virus in a Chinese population

AIM:To examine the determinants of maternal-neonatal transmission of hepatitis B virus(HBV) METHODS:A nested case-control study was conducted in Changsha,Hunan,People's Republic of China from January 1,2005 to September 31,2006 To avoid potential maternal blood contamination,we collected vein blood of newborns immediately after birth and before initial hepatitis B vaccination to determine the HBV infection status of the newborn For each HBsAg-positive infant,one HBsAg-negative infant born to an HBsAg-positive mother was matched by hospital at birth(same),gender(same),and date of birth(within 1 mo) A faceto-face interview was conducted to collect clinical and epidemiological data Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the independent effects of various determinants on maternal-neonatal transmission of HBV RESULTS:A total of 141 HBsAg-positive infants and 141 individually matched HBsAg-negative infants were included in the final analysis Maternal first-degree family history of HBV infection,intrahepatic cholestasis,and premature rupture of membranes were risk factors for perinatal transmission of HBV,whereas systematic treatment and HBV immunoglobulin injections for mothers with HBV infection were protective factors for maternal-neonatal transmission of HBV,after adjustment for potential confounding factors CONCLUSION:For HBsAg-positive mothers,systematic treatment,HBV immunoglobulin administration,and controlling intrahepatic cholestasis and pregnancy complications may reduce the incidence of perinatal transmission of HBV.

Delivering Tram-Based Boulevards: Learning from Opportunities and Challenges in Three European City Case Studies

Increasing calls for zero-carbon cities invite transformative solutions for people and places within our cities around the world. Key to the transformation is cities and regions shifting in mobility away from fossil-fuel based car-oriented solutions. The paper investigates a range of case studies where “tram-based boulevards” have been planned or implemented to provide such opportunities. The case studies share a common broader policy objective: to transform the car-oriented or car-saturated areas to an intensified urban template based on a critical presence of dedicated mid-tier transit infrastructure and active transport. “Trams”, or mid-tier, mid-capacity transit when combined with Transit oriented development (TOD) along whole corridors can provide transformative pathways towards zero-carbon outcomes as well as multiple, strong urban benefits. However, many successful or instructive examples of this practice from non-English speaking countries, particularly in Europe, are underdocumented in the international literature. The paper addresses this gap by investigating opportunities and challenges evident in a range of European case studies. These are explored for insight towards policy learning particularly in New World cities seeking to transform into a zero-carbon and more transit-oriented template: How can decision-makers avoid repeating the identified pitfalls, and instead focus on emulating the successful approaches and outcomes? We conclude the need for recognition of the inherent synergies between transport and land use settings in any endeavour, and their translation into policy priorities in both fields of planning. We also conclude the importance of decision makers proactively identifying and critically appraising specific opportunities for change, concerning funding, technology, public opinion, stakeholder alliances or market dynamics, and capitalising on them at suitable moments in time.

A Case-Control Study on Leisure Time Physical Activity (LTPA) during the Last Three Months of Pregnancy and Foetal Outcomes in Italy

The association between Leisure Time Physical Activity (LTPA) during pregnancy and foetal outcomes has been extensively investigated. However, epidemiological studies specifically referred to LPTA in the last months of pregnancy are scarce. We evaluated the association between LPTA and the risk of both preterm delivery and small for gestational age (SGA) during the last three months of pregnancy in Italy. A nationwide case-control study was performed in nine Italian cities. A total of 299 preterm delivery, 364 SGA and 855 controls were enrolled in the study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess socio-demographic variables, medical and reproductive history, life-style habits and LTPA referred to the last three months of pregnancy. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed in order to estimate Odds ratios and 95% CI. LTPA during the last three months of pregnancy decreases the risk of preterm delivery (adjusted OR = 0.56;95% CI 0.39 - 0.79). Among the different types of physical activity, walking, the most frequently referred activity, appears significantly protective against preterm delivery (adjusted OR = 0.53;95% CI 0.36 - 0.81). Moreover, a small protective effect of walking was evidenced against SGA (adjusted OR = 0.72;95% CI 0.51 - 1.00). In conclusion, a mild physical activity such as walking in the last three months of pregnancy seems to reduce the risk of preterm delivery and, at a lesser extent, of SGA, confirming the beneficial effects of physical activity along the whole pregnancy.

Case Study-Performances of a Masonry House-Energy Consumption and Air-Tightness

Air-tightness and energy consumption was measured in a one-family house built in 2009 and 2010.The air-tightness fulfilled the goals,which was set to 0.3 L/s·m^(2).The energy consumption was measured from the start in May 2010.The figures in this report refer to measurements between May 2010 and October 2013 and are well below the authority demand of 55 kWh/m^(2)·year.

TNF-α and IL-1RA Polymorphisms and Silicosis Susceptibility in Chinese Workers Exposed to Silica Particles:A Case-Control Study

Abstract Objective To assess the association of TNF-α and IL-1RA SNPs with the risk of silicosis in Chinese workers exposed to silica particles. Methods Case-control study design was used to enroll 68 silicotic patients induced by silica particles and 68 healthy workers matched for length of silica particle exposure as controls. Both cases and controls were from the same company in southwest China, and each of them was requested to complete a questionnaire. Blood samples were drawn for genomic DNA extraction from each participant. The genotyping of TNF-α （-238 and -308） and IL-1RA （＋2018） was performed using polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism （PCR-RFLP） and SYBR green-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction {qPCR）, respectively. Unconditional logistic regression model was used to estimate odds ratios （ORs） and their 95% confidential intervals （Cl） for SNPs. Results No significant differences were found between cases and controls in particles exposure length, body mass index （BMI）, and status of smoking and alcohol consumption except for age （P=O.O01） and blood type （P=0.042）. The frequencies of TNF-c（（-238） and IL-1RA （＋2018） genotypes in cases were significantly different from those in controls, （P=O.O01 and P=0.O02, respectively）, while a borderline significant difference was found in the frequencies of TNF-α（-308） between cases and controls （P=0.063）. The variants of three SNPs increased the risk of silicosis in the Chinese workers exposed to silica particles. The adjusted ORs of TNFα（-308）, TNF-α（-238） and IL-1RA （＋2018） were 2.8 （95% Ch 2.1-7.5）, 20.9 （95% Ch 2.8-236.4） and 4.0 （95% CI： 2.6-10.2）, respectively. Conclusion It is suggested that cytokine polymorphisms of TNF-ct （-238, -308） and IL-1RA （＋2018） are associated with the risk of silicosis in the Chinese workers exposed to silica particles. Further independent studies on the interaction between SNPs and exposure to silica particles with a larger sample size are therefore warranted.

Risk of Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis among Patients with Coal Workers'Pneumoconiosis:A Case-control Study in China

The aim of this study was to estimate the association between occupational, environmental, behavioral risk factors, and active pulmonary tuberculosis（PTB） among coal workers＇ pneumoconiosis（CWP） patients. A matched case-control study was conducted in 86 CWP patients with active PTB and 86 CWP controls without TB. A standardized questionnaire was used for risk factors assessment. Conditioned logistic regression analysis was used to identify associations between the risk factors and active PTB among CWP patients. The results showed that the stage of CWP, poor workplace ventilation, family history of TB, and exposure to TB were independent risk factors for active PTB in patients with CWP with which recommendations for improving work environments, and for case finding activities in patients with CWP could be made.

Statin use and the risk of colorectal cancer: A population-based case-control study

AIM: To investigate whether the use of statins is associated with colorectal cancer risk. METHODS: We conducted a population-based case-control study in Taiwan. Data were retrospectively collected from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Cases consisted of all patients who were aged 50 years and older and had a first-time diagnosis of colorectal cancer between the period 2005 and 2008. The controls were matched to cases by age, sex, and index date. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: We examined 1156 colorectal cancer cases and 4624 controls. The unadjusted ORs for any statin prescription was 1.10 (95% CI = 0.94-1.30) and the adjusted OR was 1.09 (95% CI = 0.91-1.30). When statin use was categorized by cumulative dose, the adjusted ORs were 0.99 (95% CI = 0.78-1.27) for the group with cumulative statin use below 105 defined daily doses (DDDs); 1.07 (95% CI = 0.78-1.49) for the group with cumulative statin use between 106 and 298.66 DDDs; and 1.30 (95% CI = 0.96-1.75) for the group with cumulative statin use of 298.66 DDDs or more compared with nonusers. CONCLUSION: This study does not provide support for a protective effect of statins against colorectal cancer.

Mass screening-based case-control study of diet and prostate cancer in Changchun, China

Aim： To investigate possible correlation factors for prostate cancer by a population-based case-control study in China. Methods： We carded out a mass screening of prostate cancer in Changchun, China, using a prostate-specific antigen assisted by Japan International Cooperation Agency. From June 1998 to December 2000, 3 940 men over 50 years old were screened. Of these, 29 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer. We selected 28 cases and matched them with controls of low prostate-specific antigen value （〈 4.1 ng/mL） by 1：10 according to age and place of employment. A case-control study of diet and prostate cancer was then carded out. Results： After adjustment for education, body mass index （BMI）, smoking, alcohol consumption, marriage and diet, intake of soybean product was discovered to be inversely related to prostate cancer. Men who consumed soybean product more than twice per week on different days had a multivariate odds ratio （OR） of 0.38 （95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13-1.12）. In addition, men who consumed soybean products more than once per day had a multivariate OR of 0.29 （95% CI, 0.11-0.79） compared with men who consumed soybean products less than once per week. The P for trend was 0.02, which showed significant difference. There was no significant difference in P trend for any dairy food. Even when we matched the cases and controls by other criteria, we found that soybean food was the only preventive factor associated with prostate cancer. Conclusion： Our study suggests that consumption of soybeans, one of the most popular foods in Asia, would decrease the risk of prostate cancer.

Risk Factors of Low Back Pain among the Chinese Occupational Population:A Case-control Study

Objective To explore the risk factors of low back pain among the Chinese occupational population in several major industries. Methods A total of 7200 subjects （3600 cases and 3600 controls） were randomly sampled from a cross-sectional study, and they were investigated for individual and occupational factors of low back pain. The potential risk factors were first selected by using chi-square tests. Secondly, collinearity diagnosis proceeded by using the Kendall＇s rank correlation. Finally, binary logistic regression model was used for multi-factor analysis. Results Collinearity diagnosis showed that there was a severe collinearity problem among the potential risk factors of low back pain. Logistic regression model included 20 variables with statistical significance. Bending neck forward or holding neck in a forward posturefor long periods （0R=1.408） was the most important risk factor inducing low back pain in this study, followed by bending heavily with the trunk （0R=1.402）, carrying out identical work almost for the whole day （0R=1.340）. Additionally, suHicient normal break was a protective factor of low back pain. Conclusion Low back pain among the Chinese occupational population was associated with body height, occupation, work organization, physical work, working posture, and others. All these risk factors could be regarded as the indicators of low back pain, and some relevant preventive measures should be taken to reduce low back pain risk.

STROBE Statement—Checklist of items that should be included in reports of case-control studies STROBE声明:病例对照研究报告写作清单①对文题、摘要、引言、方法的写作要求

Ⅰ.Title and abstract标题和摘要1(a)Indicate the study's design with acommonly used term in the title or the abstract