Performance of a novel military shape compact tri-band textile patch antenna for short range communications applications

This paper introduces a novel design for a wearable tri-band textile patch antenna, integrated with the emblem of the Algerian Gendarmerie Nationale. The antenna is engineered to operate across three distinct frequency bands, making it suitable for various wireless communication applications. The first operational band targets the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) and Wi-Fi spectrum for Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) applications at 2.45GHz(2.37GHz - 2.52 GHz). The second band is centered at 4.42GHz(4.2GHz 4.5 GHz), while the third band covers the 6.58 GHz range (6.4 GHz - 6.8 GHz), catering to Wi-Fi 6 E applications. The design utilizes a commercially available flexible denim substrate with a compact footprint of 32×30×0.6 mm3 with a partial ground plane. We conducted extensive evaluations of the antenna’s performance under various bending conditions and its proximity to the human body. Results indicate that the antenna maintains satisfactory performance in both free-space and on-body scenarios. This low-cost, flexible antenna offers a promising solution for a range of wearable consumer electronics applications. Its potential extends to enhanced workforce management, secure access control, and identification systems

Digital innovation and knowledge management involvement:a study of Ghana’s economy

Purpose This study explores how firms in emerging economies engage in digital innovation, leverage internal and external knowledge and achieve their full potential through digital initiatives. It highlights the pivotal role of knowledge management in facilitating technology-driven transformation, specifically within Ghana’s evolving economic landscape.Design/methodology/approach Using a firm knowledge-based view framework, the study employs a qualitative research approach. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 150 managers across eight industries in Ghana. This method captures detailed insights into how firms utilize digital innovation and knowledge management to gain a competitive edge.Findings The research reveals that engagement in digital innovation enhances productivity and communication by effectively utilizing internal and external knowledge. Proactive involvement in innovation is strengthened through mentorship, firm support and external consultation, which bolster technological and knowledge capabilities. The study also underscores the importance of managing the human element – termed “human-aided utilization” – as critical for the execution of digital innovation, emphasizing the need for a balanced integration of technology and human capital.Originality/value This study offers a comprehensive framework for understanding the synergy between digital innovation and knowledge management, particularly in emerging economies. It provides practical insights for managers and decision-makers, emphasizing mentorship, collaboration and effective knowledge utilization as pathways to enhancing digital capacity. The findings are relevant to academics and practitioners seeking to understand knowledge-driven innovation mechanisms and to firms aiming to strengthen their competitiveness in digitally evolving markets

Understanding the psychosocial burden of living with advanced COPD in context of palliative care:a mixed methods study

People with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) face substantial physical and psychosocial challenges influencing their quality of life. This study explored the psychosocial aspects of people with COPD attending palliative care services. Concurrent embedded mixed methods study with 22 individuals was conducted. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews and McGill Quality of Life-Revised and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaires. Findings revealed a negative correlation between quality of life and psychological distress, emphasising that as disease severity increased, so did psychological distress. From interviews emerged three themes: adjustment to living with a debilitating disease, loss of identity and developing lifestyle coping strategies. To conclude, a biopsychosocial perspective to understanding the impact of COPD is essential in identifying mitigating factors which exacerbate disease burden and increase psychological distress of people living with COPD. Implementing a biopsychosocial framework can enhance care by furthering self-management, reducing psychological distress and promoting a person-centred approach

Effects of adverse geopolitical risk on price bubbles contagion from European natural gas prices to international energy prices

Purpose:The recent Russia-Ukraine conflict highlights the geopolitical importance of natural gas, especially in Europe. In this light, this study examines the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on the spread of price bubbles from European natural gas to international energy prices.Design/methodology/approach:The Generalized Supremum Augmented Dickey-Fuller (GSADF) test is employed to detect the occurrence of price bubble episodes while the Dynamic Logit Model is used to examine price bubble contagion between the two markets. Further, a tri-variate VAR model is used to examine the determinants of the price bubble.Findings:The findings reveal multiple bubble episodes in both European natural gas and international energy prices. Further, evidence of bilateral contagion between European natural gas and the international energy market is found. In addition, the Russia-Ukraine conflict triggers price bubble episodes in both markets. Finally, a counterfactual analysis suggests that the conflict increases the bubble contagion from the European natural gas market to the international energy market by about 40%. These findings imply that the Russia-Ukraine conflict is a significant driver of high upside risks to bubble occurrence and subsequent contagion to both European natural gas and international energy prices.Originality/value:To the best of our knowledge, this study contributes new empirical evidence that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict significantly impacts the spread of price bubbles from the European natural gas market to international energy markets.<br/

An overview of informal WEEE management in MTN Phone Village, Rumukurushi, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

In developing nations, the informal sector is frequently used for the management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), which presents serious threats to human health and the environment. This study carried out an overview of the informal WEEE management system adopted in MTN Phone Village in Rumukurushi, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, the associated problems, and measures to address the problems. This study highlights several issues by investigating how WEEE is currently collected, stored, disassembled, sorted, recycled, and disposed of. These issues include serious health concerns for workers, environmental contamination, financial limitations, and regulatory inadequacies. The results emphasise the necessity for more awareness, better infrastructure, stronger regulations, and financial incentives to transition informalrecyclers into the formal economy. The study proposed the restriction of the activities of informal recyclers to WEEE collection only, coupled with the application of the Just-in-time lean management principles. By tackling these problems, the study hopes to provide long-term solutions that lessen the negative effects of informal WEEE disposal, eventually safeguarding the environment and public health. The outcomes of the study identified a research gap in the field. It also contributes to the existing knowledge in the field of specialisation. Furthermore, the study recommended, restricting the activities of informal recyclers to WEEE collection coupled with the adoption of the Justin-time (JIT) lean management principles to the current WEEE management system in the location and other areas faced with similar challenges

Research approaches to qualitative studies:the case of crisis management in higher education women academics

This paper analyses approaches to qualitative research, with the focus on women academics’ narrative in the Higher Education in the UK. The authors have considered a number of different research strategies (case studies, ethnographies etc) and research designs (interviews, focus groups, surveys etc), in order to result in the appropriate approach to this particular research. The paper also covers information on research participants and the data analysis process, focusing on thematic analysis for this study

Fiscal stance, fiscal rules, and public debt dynamics in the United States

Public debt in the United States has continued to rise despite the implementation of various policy measures aimed at curbing its growth. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) and Dynamic Simulated ARDL models were used to examine the effect of fiscal stance and fiscal rules on the dynamics of U.S. public debt. The findings reveal that while fiscal tightening is useful in reducing public debt accumulation, the adoption of fiscal rules may be unbeneficial for curtailing public debt, implying that discretion, rather than rules, may be more desirable for public debt management in the United States

Ethical conduct of the UK Post Office in relation to the Horizon Scandal

This article will detail the Post Office and Horizon scandal (United Kingdom), from the implementation of the system to the wrongful accusations and fallout from the High Court case that found the system utterly unfit for purpose. Four ethical theories will be detailed: Foucault’s ethics, Utilitarianism, Deontology, and Sartrean Existentialism. The Horizon scandal represents a significant ethical failure within the Post Office, according to notions of accountability, transparency, and corporate responsibility. The primary ethical issue was the lack of accountability from the Post Office management. Despite repeated reports of problems with the Horizon system, the Post Office continued to rely on its data to prosecute sub-postmasters. This shows a disregard for the responsibility they held over the system's accuracy and the lives of their subpostmasters. In light of the Horizon scandal, and as a means to attempt to regain public trust, there should be reforms under four headings: Improved Oversight; Greater Transparency; Compensation and Rehabilitation; and Ethical Training. Compensation and Rehabilitation implies providing adequate compensation and support for those wronged by the scandal and ensuring that their reputations are restored. Ethical Training means implementing comprehensive ethical training programmes within the organization to foster a culture of accountability and fairness

Pricing dynamics in trade-in-enabled closed-loop supply chains under predetermined acquisition costs

Closed-loop supply chains (CLSC) have become pivotal in advancing sustainability within industries by encompassing the entire lifecycle of products, from production to recycling or remanufacturing. This study examines the role of trade-in programs in CLSC, where customers are incentivized to return used products in exchange for value. These programs are vital for minimizing waste and reducing production costs while enhancing corporate sustainability initiatives. However, challenges persist, particularly in setting optimal pricing strategies for remanufactured products. The study contributes to highlighting the critical role of acquisition cost, i.e., payments made to customers for returning products, influencing the demand and profitability of trade-in programs. A numerical and sensitivity analysis is conducted to explore the impact of varying acquisition costs on overall supply chain performance. The findings offer valuable insights for industries aiming to balance economic viability with environmental responsibility