Nickel Oxide (NiO) nanoparticles (NPs), doped with manganese (Mn) and cobalt (Co) at concentrations up to 8%, were synthesized using the composite hydroxide method (CHM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the formation of a cubic NiO structure, with no additional peaks detected, indicating successful doping. The average crystallite size was determined to range from 15 to 17.8 nm, depending on the dopant concentration. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed mostly spherical, agglomerated particles, likely due to magnetic interactions. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the incorporation of Mn and Co into the NiO lattice, consistent with the XRD results. The dielectric properties exhibited a high dielectric constant at low frequencies, which can be attributed to ion jump orientation and space charge effects. The imaginary part of the dielectric constant decreased with increasing frequency, as it became harder for electrons to align with the alternating field at higher frequencies. Both the real and imaginary dielectric constants showed behavior consistent with Koop’s theory, increasing at low frequencies and decreasing at higher frequencies. Dielectric loss was primarily attributed to dipole flipping and charge migration. AC conductivity increased with frequency, and exhibited higher conductivity at high frequencies due to small polaron hopping. These co-doped NPs show potential for applications in solid oxide fuel cells.

Workplace bullying (WB) and workplace incivility (WI) appear to be the most alarming events with a potentially threat to the entire workforce and organization. Considering their implications, this research study is examining the effect of WB and WI on employee performance (EP) in the presence of psychological well-being (PW) among both relationships. Sample of the female employees (Nurses) working in the health care units and hospitals of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K), Pakistan was taken to collect the data. Data were collected from female nurses and their supervisors working in the public sector hospitals of AJ&K, Pakistan. The current study uses AMOS 21.0 for empirical analysis to estimate the “Structural Equation Model (SEM)”. The results of SEM show that WB and WI negatively influence nurses’ performance in Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s health sectors. Moreover, PW mediates the association between WB and EP. Similarly, the effects of WI decrease in the presence of PW. The current study provides theoretical and practical implications for Pakistan’s health sector regulators and other stakeholders. It also sheds highlight on the importance of a stress-free environment for health sector employees and postulates that employee productivity may be enhanced after eliminating bullying and incivility at the workplace. Further, the study guides managers to create stress-free environments and policies to enhance employee’s productivity.

This study examines the impact of emotional intelligence (EI) and employee motivation on employee performance within the telecommunication industry in the Sultanate of Oman. The target population consisted of 4344 non-managerial employees across nine telecommunication companies, including Omantel, Ooredoo, Vodafone, Oman Broadband Company, Awasr Oman & Co, TEO, Oman Tower Company L.L.C, Helios Tower, and Connect Arabia International. Employing a deductive research approach, finally data were collected via an online survey from 354 respondents. The hypotheses were tested using multiple regression analysis. The results indicate that all dimensions of EI self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills positively and significantly influence employee performance, with social skills having the strongest effect. Furthermore, both intrinsic motivation factors, such as work itself and career development, and extrinsic motivation factors, including wages, rewards, working environment, and co-worker relationships, significantly enhance employee performance. The interaction between EI and employee motivation was found to amplify these positive effects. Among control variables, age and education level showed significant impacts, while gender did not. These findings underscore the critical role of both emotional intelligence and motivation in driving employee performance. The study suggests that managers and policymakers should adopt integrated strategies that develop EI competencies and enhance motivational factors to optimize employee performance, thereby contributing to the success of organizations in the telecommunication sector.

This paper investigates the potential of a concept for the commercial utilization of surplus intermittent wind-generated electricity for municipal district heating based on the development of an electric-driven heat storage. The article is divided into three sections: (1) A review of energy storage systems; (2) Results and calculations after a market analysis based on electricity consumption statistics covering the years 2005–2013; and (3) Technology research and the development of an innovative thermal energy storage (TES) system. The review of energy storage systems introduces the basic principles and state-of-the-art technologies of TES. The market analysis describes the occurrence of excess wind power in Germany, particularly the emergence of failed work and negative electricity rates due to surplus wind power generation. Based on the review, an innovative concept for a prototype of a large-scale underwater sensible heat storage system, which is combined with a latent heat storage system, was developed. The trapezoidal prism-shaped storage system developed possesses a high efficiency factor of 0.98 due to its insulation, large volume, and high rate of energy conversion. Approximate calculations showed that the system would be capable of supplying about 40,000 people with hot water and energy for space heating, which is equivalent to the population of a medium-sized city. Alternatively, around 210,000 inhabitants could be supplied with hot water only. While the consumer´s costs for hot water generation and space heating would be lowered by approximately 20.0–73.4%, the thermal energy storage would generate an estimated annual profit of 3.9 million euros or more (excluding initial costs and maintenance costs).

Ecuador acknowledges the need to improve infrastructure and resources for educational inclusion, but it faces challenges in effective implementation compared to developed countries that have made advancements in this area. The objective of this research was to map the regulations and practices related to the implementation of inclusive infrastructure and educational resources at the international level, identifying knowledge gaps and opportunities for adaptation in Ecuador. An exploratory theoretical review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, using searches in academic databases and official documents. Qualitative and regulatory studies from the United States, Finland, Canada, and Japan were selected, analyzing 16 scientific articles and 11 official documents. The results reveal that Ecuador faces challenges in the implementation of inclusive regulations, particularly in infrastructure and resources, highlighting the need to establish national accessibility standards, invest in assistive technologies, and offer continuous teacher training to enhance educational inclusion. The research uncovered a negative cycle where the lack of effective implementation of inclusive regulations perpetuates inequality and reinforces institutional inertia. For successful reform, the regulatory structure, resource management, and educational culture in Ecuador must be addressed simultaneously.

The research utilizes a comprehensive dataset from MENA-listed companies, capturing data from 2013 to 2022 to scrutinize the influence of capital structure (CapSt) level on corporate performance across 11 distinct countries. This study analyzed 6870 firm-year observations using a quantitative research method through static and dynamic panel data analysis. The primary analysis reveals a positive correlation between the CapSt ratio and company performance using fixed effects (FE) techniques. Hence, the preliminary results were re-examined and affirmed using a two-step system generalized method of moment (GMM) estimator to address potential endogeneity concerns. This finding aligns with most studies conducted in advanced countries, indicating a positive correlation between CapSt and corporate performance. Furthermore, it is also consistent with some research conducted in less-developed markets. This research argues that, in the MENA region, the advantages of debt, such as tax saving, may outweigh the potential financial distress cost. Furthermore, it offers insights into the monitoring role of CapSt in MENA-listed companies. We strengthen our research results by employing various methodologies and using alternative measures of accounting performance and controlling size, notably panel quantile regression analysis.