Recent advances in semiconductors industry and microelectronics have created new opportunities for integrating various technologies in energy harvesting projects. These advancements have simplified the process of capturing energy from different sources, such as thermal energy, and converting it into electrical power. Thermo-Electric Generators (TEGs) are commonly used in many applications such as wearable devices. However Thermo-Electric Generators produce very low output voltages, which is insufficient for most low-power electronic circuits to operate. Therefore, a boost converter is essential to step up the voltage output from the TEG to a usable level. In this paper, a DC-DC converter with a high performance in terms of voltage gain is implemented. The proposed quasi-Z-source (q-ZSC) DC-DC converter not only offers high voltage gain but also several significant advantages. The proposed q-ZSC is capable of both boosting and regulating the voltage output efficiently, even under variable input conditions, making it highly suitable for low-power energy harvesting systems such as Thermo-Electric Generators . The design is simulated using MATLAB Simulink software, focusing on integrated circuits, with a strong emphasis on optimizing the circuit’s efficiency. This work underscores critical factors in improving energy harvesting circuits, enhancing their performance and effectiveness in low-power applications for wearable technology.

In modern communication systems, managing the Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR) remains a critical challenge, particularly in Orthogonal Time-Frequency Space (OTFS) systems. PAPR significantly influences the efficiency and performance of these systems, with high PAPR leading to signal distortion and reduced system reliability. This is especially problematic in high-speed mobility environments, such as high-speed railway systems, where OTFS modulation is favored for its robustness in dispersive channels. However, the high PAPR in OTFS systems can compromise the performance of power amplifiers, increasing signal distortion and Bit Error Rate (BER). This study introduces two novel PAPR reduction techniques: a hybrid approach combining the Improved Salp Swarm Algorithm (ISSA) with Partial Transmit Sequence (PTS) and an innovative Iterative Sub-block Phase Rotation (ISPR) method. The hybrid ISSA-PTS approach optimizes phase rotations to reduce PAPR, while the ISPR technique further enhances PAPR reduction by iteratively rotating sub-block phases without compromising BER. Simulation results demonstrate that both proposed techniques significantly reduce PAPR and improve BER performance, making them promising solutions for enhancing the reliability and efficiency of OTFS systems in high-mobility communication environments.

This study's objective is to identify the demands of elderly adults and the measurements that need to be taken quickly before the issue becomes exponentially worse. It is focused on determining the mental health issues faced by elderly adults. Using thematic analysis, exploratory qualitative research design was used to attain the study's objectives. Data was collected from Faisalabad and Toba Tek Singh districts of Punjab province of Pakistan from May 2022 to July 2022. The sample of this study was comprised of n=21 participants using a purposeful sampling technique. All the participants were selected to be aged≥65. The semi-structured interview methods were used for data collection. This study identified the numerous problems and needs of elder adults. Themes included in this study are “Elder adults face the problem of poor relationships,” “Older adults live alone,” “Face challenges and Struggle for financial need”, “Misbehavior of children with older adults”, “Worries increase in old age”, “Difficulties come with age”, “Needs basic requirements, love, and care” and “Pray that children should be obedient”. The findings were that older adults need care, love, and basic requirements and want a happy life with children. Older adults face the problems of loneliness and financial difficulties, and they worry about children's misbehavior. They pray that their children will be obedient, and must live with their parents. Therefore, as youngsters, we must focus on older adults for their needs and solve their problems. It is concluded that elderly people face various issues (personal, interpersonal, societal, and economics-related), and their needs are deprived when they experience loneliness at home and are not entertained by their family members properly.

Renewable energy systems, particularly photovoltaic (PV) systems, have been played important role in the reducing carbon emissions. A primary concern in the field of photovoltaics (PV) based on the design of the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is the capacity to accurately monitor power across many parameters in addition to ascertain the power production of solar cells or wind turbines and adjust the load to maximise power efficiency under varying weather conditions. On another hands, the hybrid smart system uses a wind catcher to reduce the amount of energy consumed by buildings from the grid, which is a historically significant architectural component for cross ventilation and passive cooling. This paper presents an updating of model that proposes improvements to the regulation of Spline MPPT with tuning PID controller by using Levy Invasive Weed optimization (LIWO)technique. A rapid, accurate, and straightforward approach for determining the (MPPT) of PV systems under consistent irradiation and partial shade, as well as wind turbines, is presented using the Spline- MPPT technique. The model of this paper employs LIWO in conjunction with a PID controller to improve the selection of PID gains. Moreover, is applied to generate the optimal values of duty cycle of the model. The comprehensive system design depicted has been simulated using MATLAB Simulink to verify the functionality of the system. The model has attained an accuracy of 93%. The outcomes of this model contribute greatly to our understanding of the suitability and efficacy of both AI and traditional MPPT controllers. This modeling will be beneficial to the renewable energy industry.

Planning a wedding is not like planning a conference or a trade show, the organizer should take many correlated details into consideration, especially the party venue is usually one of the biggest challenges in wedding planning. Usually, it is difficult to find a place (Hotel, wedding hall or resort) that meets all requirements and provides the necessary facilities. Indeed, it is hard to find one place that collects all wedding services, usually each service is in a different place which requires time and an additional fee. Budgeting is the one most challenging aspect of event planning. Moreover, lots of little things change or unexpectedly come up during the event planning process because there is no planner that can organize from A to Z and there is no suitable collective place. More challenges such as having more guests or attendees than planned for. In addition, some hotels or wedding halls do not care enough for the comfort of the invited guests which required more facilities and supplies. For example, sometimes guests come from another city or country so, there is always a need of providing services for them ... The idea of this paper is divided into two connected goals. First: is to identify and study the needs that meet the couple's requirements for the wedding night and before, including the hall, restaurant, and accommodation. Moreover, the before wedding services for the bride and groom, like hair style and makeup, spa, and studio for photoshoots ... Second: is to study the interior layout which provide the continually and the uniqueness of these places which matches with the Saudi' traditions and culture.

Spiritual tourism has emerged as a unique and growing area of interest for tourism research. This paper presents a systematic literature review of academic literature related to spiritual tourism to identify key trends, influential authors, and major research themes. We identified 2076 papers published after 2019 using a systematic manual search method and selected 22 articles for an in-depth review that matched the predefined criteria for inclusion. The extracted data were based on spiritual tourism, medicine, healing, destination, experience, well-being, and healing. The results of a systematic literature review confirmed that research on spiritual tourism in relation to destination selection, experience, healing, and well-being is still in its infancy. Most articles focus on medical recovery from chronic illness, anxiety, and loneliness rather than health improvement and healing. By applying systematic literature review methods, this study elucidates the renewed focus and development of holistic health, encompassing facets of medicine and healing, within the context of post-pandemic recovery. This could potentially pave the way for individuals, particularly tourists, who visit specific destinations for emotional, physical, and spiritual rejuvenation.

Purpose: The underlining study’s main objective is to examine how networking structure (density and centrality) affects sustainable competitive performance in Pakistan’s SMEs. Design/methodology/approach: Hence, small enterprises a significant source of economic development, employment, and value creation. Therefore, on the base of previous literature, we developed hypothesis related government financial support and network structure, and data collected through structured questionnaires from top management of SMEs. Findings: The results indicate that density has a positive and significant effect on sustainable competitive performance, while centrality has an insignificant impact on SCP. Furthermore, government financial support strongly and significantly supports the relation between networking structure and SCP in Pakistan. Practical implications: This research has several recommendations for the government to adequately support small enterprises because owners have a networking system at the local and international level but have a lack of environment. Originality/value: Government plays a crucial role in small- and medium-sized enterprises boost performance and economic growth because it creates employment opportunities, poverty reduction, and economic development. Nevertheless, from the last decades, due to some organizational policies and environmental flexibility, SMEs face a lot of challenges which became a barrier such as lack of government subsidies, incentives, and taxes in emerging economies. To bridge the above challenges of SMEs, the current study is conducted because before this there was no such literature who underline the current challenges in emerging economies.

This study empirically investigates the linkage between boardroom independence and the financial performance of non-financial firms in an emerging market featured by family-controlled businesses and concentrated ownership. The relationship is tested in a sample of 152 non-financial firms listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange over a period from 2003 to 2018. Firms’ financial performance is measured through return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE), market-to-book ratio (MBR), and Tobin’s Q (TQ), while boardroom independence is measured through the proportion of non-executive directors on the corporate board. Using the dynamic GMM approach to address the possibility of endogeneity, it was found that boardroom independence is significantly negatively related to the financial performance of the sample firms. This negative impact is due to the reason of close ties of outside independent directors (non-executive directors) with dominant shareholders and management in personal, financial, and social terms. A significant negative influence of the board size and CEO duality on firms’ financial performance was also observed. The present study will add to the existing literature on corporate governance and firm financial performance using firm-level manually collected data. Further, our findings will also help the policymakers by providing empirical insights for strengthening corporate governance mechanisms in emerging market economies, specifically in the context of Pakistan.

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to examine the use of IoT platforms to deliver behavioral change interventions for people with Diabetes, with a primary emphasis on the Effectiveness of real-time feedback. The goal is to analyse how several IoT products, like the continuous glucose monitoring device and the smart insulin pens, improve how patients manage their blood sugar levels, make lifestyle changes to their regimens, and verify compliance with treatment regimens. Research / Methodology /approach – A quantitative research approach was employed in this study, tapping a large survey that was administered to people with Diabetes who employ IoT platforms in managing their Diabetes. The participants were recruited through an online surveying technique using a structured questionnaire, where 164 patient participants were recorded; age, type of Diabetes, and IoT usage frequency of patients would not be homogenous. Selfadministered quantitative and qualitative real-time questionnaires were also conducted to assess participants' experiences with real-time feedback, their utility in influencing behaviour change, and the difficulties of engaging in IoT devices. Findings – The study shows that real-time feedback given by IoT networks leads to increased activity on the part of the patient and contributes to changes in behaviours, including physical activities, diet, and administration of insulin. Those of the participants who were assigned to receive continuous feedback were found to have changed their lifestyles as soon as they began the program and had higher compliance with their diabetes regimes. Some of the challenges that were noted were the cost of the devices, technical issues, and questions about data security. Nevertheless, as this study has shown, there is a prospect of IoT platforms unleashing a new generation of Diabetes self-management based on individual patient control supported by analysis of big data.