Sohar University (جامعة صحار ) was established in 2001 as the first private university in Oman.[citation needed] It was granted degree awarding powers by the Oman Ministry of Higher Education, with the authority to provide programs and courses whose successful completion leads to academic awards.
Fixed photovoltaic systems suffer from reduced irradiance capture and temperature-induced efficiency losses. This study presents the design, experimental evaluation, and numerical modeling of a water-cooled single-axis tracking photovoltaic-thermal system under tropical climate conditions. The system integrates east-west solar tracking with rear-surface water cooling to improve irradiance capture, regulate photovoltaic temperature, and recover useful heat. Outdoor experiments were conducted using a fixed photovoltaic panel as the reference system, and a semi-empirical model was developed and validated using independent test days. Results showed that the tracking system improved irradiance capture, with off-peak irradiance gain reaching 34.6%. The tracking photovoltaic-thermal system maintained surface temperatures within 38.6-60.5 degrees C under irradiance levels of 91.75-1090 W/m2. The system achieved peak electrical, thermal, and gross combined efficiencies of 11.9%, 70.42%, and 82.22%, respectively. After deducting the 5 W cooling-pump demand, the peak combined efficiency remained 76.72%. Second-law analysis showed a peak exergy efficiency of 12.82% and maximum entropy generation rate of 0.244 W/K. Model validation showed strong outlet water temperature prediction, with root mean square error below 0.08 degrees C, mean absolute percentage error below 0.20%, and coefficient of determination above 0.96. Combined efficiency was predicted with root mean square error of 1.48-3.62% and mean absolute percentage error of 1.90-4.58%. Break-even analysis showed that the additional electricity generation required to recover the added tracking and cooling cost decreased from 293.09 kWh/year at a 5-year recovery period to 94.28 kWh/year at a 25-year recovery period. The corresponding net carbon dioxide mitigation decreased from 211.48 to 64.37 kg CO2e/year over the same period. These results confirm that integrating singleaxis tracking with rear-surface water cooling improves photovoltaic-thermal performance under variable tropical outdoor conditions.
Introduction Air pollution from transportation contributes to environmental degradation and public health risks, particularly during severe smog episodes in Lahore. This study evaluates employees’ intentions to work from home (WFH) during smog using an integrated Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) and Norm Activation Model (NAM) framework. It examines the effects of perceived severity, vulnerability, response efficacy, self-efficacy, response cost, awareness of consequences, responsibility, personal norms, age, and job type on WFH intentions. Methods The questionnaire survey was conducted among employees in Lahore, Pakistan, and a total of 790 useable responses were collected. The questionnaire was designed primarily around the constructs of PMT and NAM. Confirmatory factor analysis and validation tests were performed to assess the reliability and validity of the constructs. A structural model was developed using the structural equation modelling method. Results Confirmatory factor analysis and validation tests confirmed the adequacy of the questionnaire scales and constructs. Awareness of Consequences (AC) and Ascription of Responsibility (AR) were positive and significant predictors of Personal Norms (PN), explaining approximately 79% of the variance in PN. Perceived Severity (PS), Perceived Vulnerability (PV), Response Efficiency (RE), Self-Efficacy (SE), and PN were positive predictors of Behavioral Intentions (BI) to WFH, whereas Response Cost (RC) was negatively associated with BI. Also, respondents’ job type and age were significant and positive predictors of BI. Together, the PMT and NAM constructs, along with job type and age, explained 66% of the variance in BI. Conclusions Environmental risk perceptions, perceived vulnerability, and awareness significantly influence employees’ intentions to work from home, with personal norms playing an important mediating role. Perceived response costs reduce the likelihood of WFH and therefore require attention from governments and employers. Promoting WFH could serve as an effective strategy to reduce transportation-related air pollution and improve public well-being, particularly in cities affected by severe smog.
For next-generation applications, recent developments in sensor fabrication technologies and innovative materials have rendered improved temporal response and spectral detection capabilities feasible. This work demonstrates a dual-mode sensor for simultaneous light and temperature detection. Vacuum thermal evaporation was used to deposit nanostructured polycrystalline TeO2-Li2O-ZnO-Nb2O5-Dy2O3 (TLZND) thin films (similar to 32 nm crystallites) on monolithic substrates. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy revealed surface morphology and roughness, while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy described postevaporation molecular structural changes. Optical characteristics, such as energy gap and dispersion parameters, were determined using UV-vis-near-IR spectroscopy. Dark direct-current conductivity showed three different activation energy regions, increasing from 6.33 & times; 10-5 to 2.14 & times; 10-3 Omega-1 cm-1. Three sensitivity regions with different linearities were shown by silicon-integrated TLZND heterojunctions between 303 and 473 K. Effective dual-mode sensing capability was confirmed by the sensor's fast response to halogen and multiwavelength laser radiation, which resulted in optimal infrared performance: 7.44 A/W responsivity, 6.82 & times; 1010 Jones detectivity, and 40 ms response time.
Environmental innovation (EI) and environmental partnerships (EP) are increasingly recognized as strategic mechanisms through which firms can enhance both sustainability and competitiveness. This study investigates how EI affects firm performance (FP) and whether EP amplifies that effect, with attention to firm-size differences. Using an unbalanced panel of 2025 firms across 17 European countries (2013–2022), we estimate panel regressions with firm and year fixed effects, clustered standard errors, and an interaction term (EI×EP) to test moderation. Performance is captured by return on assets, return on equity, and earnings per share. Results show EI is positively associated with all three proxies, and EP significantly strengthens the EI–FP link, indicating that collaboration with external stakeholders converts green innovation into superior outcomes. Size-split analyses suggest larger firms realize stronger gains, consistent with resource and network advantages. Theoretically, we extend the resource-based view by positioning EP as a complementary dynamic capability that enhances the productivity of EI. Practically, we outline implications for managers, investors, and policymakers seeking scalable pathways to align environmental and financial goals.
