Jeremy Scerri, Barnaby Portelli, Ivan Grech, Edward Gatt and Owen Casha
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the feasibility of using micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) to convert a binary phase shift keying (BPSK) signal to a simpler…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the feasibility of using micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) to convert a binary phase shift keying (BPSK) signal to a simpler amplitude shift keying (ASK) scheme.
Design/methodology/approach
The prototype is designed within the SOIMUMPs® fabrication process constraints. The fabrication constraints imposed geometric limitations on what could be tested. These constraints were used to build a mathematical model, which in turn was used to optimize the response using MATLAB®. The optimized design was tested using finite element analysis with CoventorWare®, and finally lab tests on the fabricated device were performed to confirm theoretical predictions.
Findings
Theoretical predictions compared well with lab measurements on a prototype device measuring 2.9 mm2. The prototype was tested with a carrier frequency of 174 kHz at a BPSK data rate of 3 kHz and carrier amplitude of 6 V. With these parameters, ASK modulation indices of 0.96 and 0.94 were measured at the two output sensors.
Originality/value
This study provides a MEMS solution for BPSK to ASK conversion. The study also identifies what limits betterment of the modulation index and data rate. Such a device has potential application in wireless sensor network (WSN) nodes that have energy harvesters and sensors that are also built in MEMS. Being a MEMS device, it can facilitate integration in such WSN nodes and, hence, potentially reduce size and costs.
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Jeffrey Braithwaite, Kristiana Ludlow, Kate Churruca, Wendy James, Jessica Herkes, Elise McPherson, Louise A. Ellis and Janet C. Long
Much work about health reform and systems improvement in healthcare looks at shortcomings and universal problems facing health systems, but rarely are accomplishments dissected…
Abstract
Purpose
Much work about health reform and systems improvement in healthcare looks at shortcomings and universal problems facing health systems, but rarely are accomplishments dissected and analyzed internationally. The purpose of this paper is to address this knowledge gap by examining the lessons learned from health system reform and improvement efforts in 60 countries.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 60 low-, middle- and high-income countries provided a case study of successful health reform, which was gathered into a compendium as a recently published book. Here, the extensive source material was re-examined through inductive content analysis to derive broad themes of systems change internationally.
Findings
Nine themes were identified: improving policy, coverage and governance; enhancing the quality of care; keeping patients safe; regulating standards and accreditation; organizing care at the macro-level; organizing care at the meso- and micro-level; developing workforces and resources; harnessing technology and IT; and making collaboratives and partnerships work.
Practical implications
These themes provide a model of what constitutes successful systems change across a wide sample of health systems, offering a store of knowledge about how reformers and improvement initiators achieve their goals.
Originality/value
Few comparative international studies of health systems include a sufficiently wide selection of low-, middle- and high-income countries in their analysis. This paper provides a more balanced approach to consider where achievements are being made across healthcare, and what we can do to replicate and spread successful examples of systems change internationally.
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Debasis Pradhan, Vikram Kapoor and Tapas Ranjan Moharana
The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of user gender, celebrity gender, and celebrity-user gender congruity on celebrity personality-user personality (CP-UP…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of user gender, celebrity gender, and celebrity-user gender congruity on celebrity personality-user personality (CP-UP) congruity, and consequently, brand purchase intention (BPI). Additionally, it delves into the mediating roles of CP-UP congruity and brand personality-celebrity personality (BP-CP) congruity.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey research entailing a sample of 709 adult consumers was used to test the framed hypotheses by means of a structural equation modelling.
Findings
The results indicate that while celebrity and user gender have a significant positive effect on CP-UP congruity, celebrity-user gender congruity has a negative effect. The study shows a partial mediation of CP-UP congruity in the relationship between gender congruity and BP-CP congruity. Furthermore, BP-CP congruity is shown to have a full mediation effect on the relationship between CP-UP congruity and BPI.
Research limitations/implications
Consistency of the results of this study may be corroborated by employing other methods to estimate congruity scores. Also, the results of the present study may not be generalisable across different product classes with varied consumer involvement.
Practical implications
The findings have major implications for practitioners in understanding the significance of BP-CP congruity among celebrity-user-brand in the formation of purchasing intentions. The results of the study suggest a better CP-UP congruity when the gender of the celebrity is opposite to the gender of the user. This result questions the generalisability of the similarity theory that exhorts a prospect’s customary identification with a spokesperson of her/his own sex and further reinforces the selectivity hypothesis that indicates different information processing of males and females while they make judgements. Therefore, it might be a good idea for advertisers targeting female audiences to employ male celebrities in certain endorsements.
Originality/value
This is the first study that tests for the mediation effect of CP-UP congruity in the relationship between gender congruity and BP-CP congruity, and that of BP-CP congruity in the relationship between CP-UP congruity and BPI.