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Article
Publication date: 9 April 2024

Kunal Kumar Singh, Santosh Kumar Mahto and Rashmi Sinha

The purpose of this study is to introduce a new type of sensor which uses microwave metamaterials and direct-coupled split-ring resonators (DC-SRRs) to measure the dielectric…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to introduce a new type of sensor which uses microwave metamaterials and direct-coupled split-ring resonators (DC-SRRs) to measure the dielectric properties of solid materials in real time. The sensor uses a transmission line with a bridge-type structure to measure the differential frequency, which can be used to calculate the dielectric constant of the material being tested. The study aims to establish an empirical relationship between the dielectric properties of the material and the frequency measurements obtained from the sensor.

Design/methodology/approach

In the proposed design, the opposite arm of the bridge transmission line is loaded by DC-SRRs, and the distance between DC-SRRs is optimized to minimize the mutual coupling between them. The DC-SRRs are loaded with the material under test (MUT) to perform differential permittivity sensing. When identical MUT is placed on both resonators, a single transmission zero (notch) is obtained, but non-identical MUTs exhibit two split notches. For the design of differential sensors and comparators based on symmetry disruption, frequency splitting is highly useful.

Findings

The proposed structure is demonstrated using electromagnetic simulation, and a prototype of the proposed sensor is fabricated and experimentally validated to prove the differential sensing principle. Here, the sensor is analyzed for sensitivity by using different MUTs with relative permittivity ranges from 1.006 to 10 and with a fixed dimension of 9 mm × 10 mm ×1.2 mm. It shows a very good average frequency deviation per unit change in permittivity of the MUTs, which is around 743 MHz, and it also exhibits a very high average relative sensitivity and quality factor of around 11.5% and 323, respectively.

Originality/value

The proposed sensor can be used for differential characterization of permittivity and also as a comparator to test the purity of solid dielectric samples. This sensor most importantly strengthens robustness to environmental conditions that cause cross-sensitivity or miscalibration. The accuracy of the measurement is enhanced as compared to conventional single- and double-notch metamaterial-based sensors.

Article
Publication date: 13 May 2024

Melis Baloğlu and Yüksel Demir

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how network theory and methods can provide insights into the forces shaping architectural learning agendas and knowledge construction…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how network theory and methods can provide insights into the forces shaping architectural learning agendas and knowledge construction in architectural schools.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology involves conceptualising learning as a constructivist process and the agenda as an interconnected network of actors, concepts and relations. Network analysis techniques, including centrality and brokerage metrics, are used to identify roles and knowledge flows using the data locally collected from Turkish universities as well as from the OpenSyllabus open-source database.

Findings

The analysis reveals the enduring influence of early modernists, signalling imbalanced canon formation in the architectural learning system. However, marginal voices highlight struggles in integrating unconventional perspectives. Limited integration of local figures indicates a consolidation of Eurocentric epistemes. Identifying these hidden forces is vital for reimagining learning agendas and socio-culturally engaged forms of learning. Pioneering figures demonstrate potential for synthesis when situated as brokers, not bifurcated schools.

Research limitations/implications

The outcomes are limited by the geographical and temporal boundaries of the data and the analysis method employed. Despite limitations, the diagnostic network framework reveals architectural learning as an open, contested ecosystem demanding pluralistic pedagogies concerning not only the global but the local, both canonical and marginal. Further research covering more data could enrich the understanding of qualitative complexities.

Practical implications

The network perspective prompts critical reflexivity about power, ideology and exclusion in knowledge construction. Strategic inclusion and diversification of voices provide pathways to bridge divides and ground learning locally.

Originality/value

This research offers a methodology model to examine forces and influences shaping architectural education by elucidating hidden and remote roles and knowledge gaps in learning agendas. Extending the techniques more widely can enable strategic interventions toward inclusive, impactful learning across disciplines, time and geographies.

Details

Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2631-6862

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 April 2024

Jinwei Zhao, Shuolei Feng, Xiaodong Cao and Haopei Zheng

This paper aims to concentrate on recent innovations in flexible wearable sensor technology tailored for monitoring vital signals within the contexts of wearable sensors and…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to concentrate on recent innovations in flexible wearable sensor technology tailored for monitoring vital signals within the contexts of wearable sensors and systems developed specifically for monitoring health and fitness metrics.

Design/methodology/approach

In recent decades, wearable sensors for monitoring vital signals in sports and health have advanced greatly. Vital signals include electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram, electromyography, inertial data, body motions, cardiac rate and bodily fluids like blood and sweating, making them a good choice for sensing devices.

Findings

This report reviewed reputable journal articles on wearable sensors for vital signal monitoring, focusing on multimode and integrated multi-dimensional capabilities like structure, accuracy and nature of the devices, which may offer a more versatile and comprehensive solution.

Originality/value

The paper provides essential information on the present obstacles and challenges in this domain and provide a glimpse into the future directions of wearable sensors for the detection of these crucial signals. Importantly, it is evident that the integration of modern fabricating techniques, stretchable electronic devices, the Internet of Things and the application of artificial intelligence algorithms has significantly improved the capacity to efficiently monitor and leverage these signals for human health monitoring, including disease prediction.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 44 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 9 May 2024

Monica Mensah Danquah, Omwoyo Bosire Onyancha and Bright Kwaku Avuglah

The ranking of universities and other research-intensive institutions in global ranking systems is based on numerous indicators, including number of articles with external…

Abstract

Purpose

The ranking of universities and other research-intensive institutions in global ranking systems is based on numerous indicators, including number of articles with external collaboration, number of articles with international collaboration, number of articles with industry collaboration as well as co-patents with industry. The purpose of this paper is to examine university–industry research collaboration in Ghana, with the aim of exploring the relationship between the research output collaborations in the top four universities in Ghana and industry across different geographical scales.

Design/methodology/approach

This study’s data was obtained from the SciVal database, which drawn its data from the Scopus bibliographic and citation database. The bibliographic and citation data were extracted using a search of the publications affiliated to the University of Ghana, for the period 2011–2020.

Findings

Key findings demonstrate a constant rise in the number of research publications by the selected universities over time. Research collaboration intensity in the selected universities in terms of co-authored publications was higher as compared to single-authored publications. University–industry research co-authorships were, however, lower when compared to university–university research co-authorships. The university–industry research co-authorships occurred mostly with Europe, Asia-Pacific and North American-based institutions as opposed to African-based institutions. In Ghana, four industry-based institutions were engaged in intensive research with the selected universities.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates that, for each selected university, it is possible to measure the performance of individual universities in both intra-regional and international collaboration. Such results may be useful in informing policy as well as merit-based public funding of universities in Ghana.

Details

Information Discovery and Delivery, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-6247

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 May 2023

Thi Vinh Tran Nguyen and Seng-Su Tsang

The current study proposes a moderated mediation model to predict work-from-home engagement during an emergency such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic based on…

Abstract

Purpose

The current study proposes a moderated mediation model to predict work-from-home engagement during an emergency such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic based on the integration of well-known concepts, including inclusive leadership, organizational support and perceived risk theory.

Design/methodology/approach

An online questionnaire on the Google Forms platform was designed and distributed to Vietnamese employees using a convenience sampling method. A total of 794 valid questionnaires were used for data analysis. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the proposed model and hypotheses. The instrument's validity and reliability were tested and ensured.

Findings

The study found that inclusive leadership has direct and indirect effects on work-from-home engagement through the separate and serial mediating roles of perceived organizational support and employee motivation. The present study also revealed that the effects of perceived organizational support and employee motivation on work-from-home engagement are strengthened by employee risk perception. Moreover, the study showed that perceived organizational support and employee motivation performed the lowest of the four elements that were considered, while the importance of these two factors was the highest.

Practical implications

These findings suggest that in an emergency such as COVID-19, contextual factors should be given more attention. Based on these findings, several theoretical and practical implications for human resource management are highlighted.

Originality/value

By integrating inclusive leadership, organizational support and perceived risk theory to explore employees' engagement in working from home during an emergency, the present study demonstrated that in addition to traditional factors, leadership and contextual factors should be considered for studies on working from home in an emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study established that these factors might encourage employees' work-from-home engagement.

Details

International Journal of Manpower, vol. 45 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7720

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 March 2024

Weiyi Cong, Shoujian Zhang, Huakang Liang and Qingting Xiang

Job stressors have a considerable influence on workplace safety behaviors. However, the findings from previous studies regarding the effect of different types of job stressors…

Abstract

Purpose

Job stressors have a considerable influence on workplace safety behaviors. However, the findings from previous studies regarding the effect of different types of job stressors have been contradictory. This is attributable to, among other factors, the effectiveness of job stressors varying with occupations and contexts. This study examines the effects of challenge and hindrance stressors on construction workers' informal safety communication at different levels of coworker relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

A three-dimensional framework of informal safety communication is adopted, including self-needed, citizenship and participatory safety communication. Stepwise regression analysis is then performed using questionnaire survey data collected from 293 construction workers in the Chinese construction industry.

Findings

The results demonstrate that both challenge and hindrance stressors are negatively associated with self-needed and citizenship safety communication, whereas their relationships with participatory safety communication are not significant. Meanwhile, the mitigation effects of the coworker relationship (represented by trustworthiness and accessibility) on the above negative impacts vary with the communication forms. Higher trustworthiness and accessibility enable workers faced with challenge stressors to actively manage these challenges and engage in self-needed safety communication. Similarly, trustworthiness promotes workers' involvement in self-needed and citizenship safety communication in the face of hindrance stressors, but accessibility is only effective in facilitating self-needed safety communication.

Originality/value

By introducing the job demands-resources theory and distinguishing informal safety communication into three categories, this study explains the negative effects of challenge and hindrance job stressors in complex and variable construction contexts and provides additional clues to the current inconsistent findings regarding this framework. The diverse roles of challenge and hindrance job stressors also present strong evidence for the need to differentiate between the types of informal safe communication.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 31 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 February 2024

Jie Wan, Biao Chen, Jianghua Shen, Katsuyoshi Kondoh, Shuiqing Liu and Jinshan Li

The metallic alloys and their components fabricated via laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) suffer from the microvoids formed inevitably due to the extreme solidification rate during…

Abstract

Purpose

The metallic alloys and their components fabricated via laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) suffer from the microvoids formed inevitably due to the extreme solidification rate during fabrication, which are impossible to be removed by heat treatment. This paper aims to remove those microvoids in as-built AlSi10Mg alloys by hot forging and enhance their mechanical properties.

Design/methodology/approach

AlSi10Mg samples were built using prealloyed powder with a set of optimized LPBF parameters, viz. 350 W of laser power, 1,170 mm/s of scan speed, 50 µm of layer thickness and 0.24 mm of hatch spacing. As-built samples were preheated to 430°C followed by immediate pressing with two different thickness reductions of 10% and 35%. The effect of hot forging on the microstructure was analyzed by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, electron backscattered diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Tensile tests were performed to reveal the effect of hot forging on the mechanical properties.

Findings

By using hot forging, the large number of microvoids in both as-built and post heat-treated samples were mostly healed. Moreover, the Si particles were finer in forged condition (∼150 nm) compared with those in heat-treated condition (∼300 nm). Tensile tests showed that compared with heat treatment, the hot forging process could noticeably increase tensile strength at no expense of ductility. Consequently, the toughness (integration of tensile stress and strain) of forged alloy increased by ∼86% and ∼24% compared with as-built and heat-treated alloys, respectively.

Originality/value

Hot forging can effectively remove the inevitable microvoids in metals fabricated via LPBF, which is beneficial to the mechanical properties. These findings are inspiring for the evolution of the LPBF technique to eliminate the microvoids and boost the mechanical properties of metals fabricated via LPBF.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 30 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 April 2024

Zhen Li, Jianqing Han, Mingrui Zhao, Yongbo Zhang, Yanzhe Wang, Cong Zhang and Lin Chang

This study aims to design and validate a theoretical model for capacitive imaging (CI) sensors that incorporates the interelectrode shielding and surrounding shielding electrodes…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to design and validate a theoretical model for capacitive imaging (CI) sensors that incorporates the interelectrode shielding and surrounding shielding electrodes. Through experimental verification, the effectiveness of the theoretical model in evaluating CI sensors equipped with shielding electrodes has been demonstrated.

Design/methodology/approach

The study begins by incorporating the interelectrode shielding and surrounding shielding electrodes of CI sensors into the theoretical model. A method for deriving the semianalytical model is proposed, using the renormalization group method and physical model. Based on random geometric parameters of CI sensors, capacitance values are calculated using both simulation models and theoretical models. Three different types of CI sensors with varying geometric parameters are designed and manufactured for experimental testing.

Findings

The study’s results indicate that the errors of the semianalytical model for the CI sensor are predominantly below 5%, with all errors falling below 10%. This suggests that the semianalytical model, derived using the renormalization group method, effectively evaluates CI sensors equipped with shielding electrodes. The experimental results demonstrate the efficacy of the theoretical model in accurately predicting the capacitance values of the CI sensors.

Originality/value

The theoretical model of CI sensors is described by incorporating the interelectrode shielding and surrounding shielding electrodes into the model. This comprehensive approach allows for a more accurate evaluation of the detecting capability of CI sensors, as well as optimization of their performance.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 44 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 22 May 2024

Daryl Mahon

Lived experience has increasingly been incorporated into service delivery across health and social care settings. One of the methods used to do this is through the provision of…

Abstract

Lived experience has increasingly been incorporated into service delivery across health and social care settings. One of the methods used to do this is through the provision of peer support work. While many people will have lived experience of an issue, condition and may even work in services, peers are markedly different insofar as they are employed specifically because they are using this lived experience to explicitly inform their way of providing an intervention. As we will see throughout this book, peers are not a homogenous group; however, they do use some of the same processes to engage and offer support to people with a variety of health and social vulnerabilities. This chapter contextualises these issues before delving into further chapters authored and co-authored by those with lived experience across multiple areas of peer support work.

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 19 March 2024

Jiayuan Zhao, Hong Huo, Sheng Wei, Chunjia Han, Mu Yang, Brij B. Gupta and Varsha Arya

The study employs two independent experimental studies to collect data. It focuses on the matching effect between advertising appeals and product types. The Elaboration Likelihood…

Abstract

Purpose

The study employs two independent experimental studies to collect data. It focuses on the matching effect between advertising appeals and product types. The Elaboration Likelihood Model serves as the theoretical framework for understanding the cognitive processing involved in consumers' responses to these advertising appeals and product combinations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper aims to investigate the impact of advertising appeals on consumers' intentions to purchase organic food. We explored the interaction between advertising appeals (egoistic vs altruistic) and product types (virtue vs vice) and purchase intention. The goal is to provide insights that can enhance the advertising effectiveness of organic food manufacturers and retailers.

Findings

The analysis reveals significant effects on consumers' purchase intentions based on the matching of advertising appeals with product types. Specifically, when egoistic appeals align with virtuous products, there is an improvement in consumers' purchase intentions. When altruistic appeals match vice products, a positive impact on purchase intention is observed. The results suggest that the matching of advertising appeals with product types enhances processing fluency, contributing to increased purchase intention.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the field by providing nuanced insights into the interplay between advertising appeals and product types within the context of organic food. The findings highlight the importance of considering the synergy between egoistic appeals and virtuous products, as well as altruistic appeals and vice products. This understanding can be strategically employed by organic food manufacturers and retailers to optimize their advertising strategies, thereby improving their overall effectiveness in influencing consumers' purchase intentions.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 126 no. 13
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

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