International Journal of Innovative Research and Scientific Studies

Study of the impact of climate change on economic growth in North African and Sahel countries

Said Khalfa Brika — 2025-04-24

This research paper aims to investigate the impact of climate change on economic growth, represented by GDP per capita, for a group of North African and Sahel countries during the period 1965-2020. As part of the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model approach, the study examined this relationship both in the short and long term. The short term utilized static analysis, while the long term employed co-integration analysis. These two analyses revealed a negative effect of temperature rise in the short term and a positive effect of precipitation in the long term. This necessitates that the governments of the sample countries respond appropriately to adapt to environmental phenomena that are harmful to their economies.

Catalytic conversion of palm acid oil and bulk cooking oil to biodiesel using Fe/aluminosilicate

Widayat Widayat — 2025-04-24

The conversion of palm acid oil and bulk cooking oil into biodiesel presents considerable opportunities while employing catalysts. The development of effective catalysts, which may improve both esterification and transesterification processes, is essential for optimizing biodiesel production from these feedstocks. This study investigates biodiesel production from a mixture of palm acid oil (PAO) and bulk cooking oil using an Fe/aluminosilicate catalyst synthesized via the wet impregnation method. Fe was derived from iron sand, while geothermal waste was employed as a source of aluminosilicate silica. The optimization of biodiesel conversion was conducted using the Central Composite Design (CCD) approach, with catalyst concentration, reaction temperature, and Fe/aluminosilicate molar ratio as the key variables. Catalyst characterization was performed using SEM-EDX and XRD to analyze its structural and elemental composition. The results indicate that the highest biodiesel conversion of 90.2976% was achieved under the optimal conditions of 2% catalyst concentration, a reaction temperature of 65°C, and an Fe/aluminosilicate molar ratio of 1:12. The findings demonstrate the potential of Fe/aluminosilicate catalysts derived from geothermal waste to improve biodiesel production efficiency while promoting sustainable industrial waste utilization.

EFL students’ chronic deficiency of semantic genericity and specificity of bare plurals and indefinite articles: The quantifying way as a contemporary solution

Adelina Asmawi — 2025-04-24

The purpose of the study is to address the persistent challenges non-native English learners face with article systems by introducing and evaluating a novel pedagogical method for teaching indefinite articles. The study developed a "quantifying method," grounded in the semantic premise of noun phrase (NP) countability and the interaction of quantifying elements within English articles. This method was applied to teach indefinite articles ('a/an' and 'zero/null') to 15 EFL students over two weeks. Pre-test and post-test performance scores were analyzed using paired sample t-tests to measure the method's impact. Findings revealed that the quantifying method significantly improved students’ overall acquisition of indefinite articles, with higher performance noted for 'a/an' compared to 'zero/null'. The results highlight the effectiveness of the quantifying method as a targeted instructional tool for overcoming the difficulties of teaching English indefinite articles. The implications of the study recommend a validated, innovative approach to EFL grammar instruction that can be integrated into language teaching practices to enhance learner outcomes.

The effectiveness of an awareness counselling program in improving the degree of compliance with traffic rules among university youth

Nouf A. ALSHEHRI — 2025-04-24

This study aimed to verify the effectiveness of an awareness guidance program in improving the degree of compliance with traffic rules among university youth. The study sample consisted of 20 male students at King Faisal University in Al-Ahsa Governorate during the second semester of the academic year 2021–2022. Participants were divided equally into experimental and control groups of 10 students. The study used a traffic rules compliance scale and an awareness guidance program (prepared by the researcher) that was used with the experimental group members. The study's findings revealed the success of the awareness guidance program in improving compliance with traffic rules among the young university drivers who were members of the experimental group. This improvement in compliance with traffic rules was still present even after a month of follow-up.

Optimal sizing of the PV-BESS energy system for off-grid electric vehicle charging station using deep reinforcement learning techniques

Kedsara Palachai — 2025-04-24

This research applies Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) techniques to determine the optimal sizing of PV systems and BESS for off-grid EV charging stations by comparing the performance of the PPO, A2C, and DQN algorithms. The study found that the PPO technique yielded the best results, reducing total costs and maximizing energy efficiency, thereby reducing electricity costs by 48.79%. In terms of economics, the project is investment-worthy with an NPV of 9.7 million baht, an IRR of 20.89%, a BCR of 1.804, and a payback period of 5 years. Environmentally, the system can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 1,383 tons over the 20-year project lifespan. The developed off-grid system helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels, enhances energy security, and promotes sustainable energy use. Therefore, the PPO technique is the most suitable approach for sizing energy production systems and evaluating the viability of off-grid EV charging stations.

Impact of wholesale trade digitalization on Saudi economic growth: Reality and prospects

Rabeb Younes — 2025-04-24

Digitalization concerns almost all economic spheres, significantly changing their operational methods. It has become highly necessary to enhance competitiveness and contribute to economic growth. This study aims to evaluate the digitalization rate of the wholesale sector and identify its impact on economic growth in Saudi Arabia. It contributes to the recent scarce literature analyzing specifically the effectiveness of the digital transformation of the wholesale trade sector in the economy. This research work highlights the importance of digitalization in achieving economic objectives, investigates the digitalization of Saudi wholesale trade, and provides a comparative study before and during the adoption of digitalization in the Saudi wholesale sector. The evolutionary impact of digitalization in the Saudi wholesale sector on economic growth, assessed by GDP, has been stated and analyzed. The findings show that the wholesale trade sector is undergoing a continuous digital transformation, changing its business operating model, whereas the impact on economic growth remains moderate. The considerable efforts deployed by the Saudi government in the field of digitalization, as well as the implementation of suggested measures, constitute an advantageous framework for the economy to achieve the targeted growth objectives.

Structural change and sectoral interlinkages in the Saudi economy: An input–output analytical approach

Nourredine Khababa — 2025-04-24

Identifying the forces that create the structural transformation of the economic landscape of Saudi Arabia is key to developing appropriate policies and strategies. The difficulty of this task increases with the interdependencies inherent in a modern economy. To provide an understanding of the sources of structural change within the Saudi economy, an input-output analysis approach was employed. This methodological framework enabled the estimation of changes within individual sectors as well as inter-sectoral linkage changes. This analysis showed that there are considerable variations in the pattern of changes among the sectors. A firm’s self-reliance in the production of intermediate goods indicates that agriculture, water supply, and health services are largely driven by internal factors. In contrast, the information and professional services sectors show changes predominantly as a result of sectoral interactions with other sectors. The input-output analysis presented the different forms or sources of input-output structural change of different Saudi economic sectors, which are important for formulating sectoral strategies. Hence, it helps to devise such policies that would empower the economy to grow robustly while minimizing the adverse effects of internal and external changes on the synergies across the sectors of the economy.

Longitudinal study of meta-learning: Advancing pre-service teachers' professional growth

Nazym Ualiyeva — 2025-04-24

The relevance of the research is determined by the need to prepare pre-service teachers for continuous professional development in a rapidly changing educational landscape. This article examines the implementation of meta-learning as a tool that contributes to the formation of necessary competencies. To achieve this goal, a longitudinal study was chosen, during which 387 students from Kazakhstani universities were involved in meta-learning for a two-semester academic year. The research methods included qualitative surveys and in-depth interviews before and after the implementation of meta-learning, which allowed for the evaluation of changes in their competencies. The results showed significant growth in competencies related to continuous professional development, indicating the positive impact of meta-learning on the preparation of pre-service teachers. The conclusions emphasize the importance of integrating meta-learning into educational programs to enhance students' professional readiness. The prospects for further research involve a deeper analysis of various methods of meta-learning and their impact on other aspects of pedagogical training, as well as the study of long-term effects on the career development of the graduates.

Effect of lead toxicity on seed germination in wild plant species of Southern Kazakhstan

Zhaksylyk Pernebayev — 2025-04-24

This study evaluates the potential of four wild plant species (Centaurea pseudosquarrosa, Plantago lanceolata, Lamium purpureum, and Poa annua) for phytoremediation of lead-contaminated soils in Southern Kazakhstan, specifically assessing their germination vigor and tolerance to varying lead concentrations. Soil samples were collected from lead-contaminated areas in Southern Kazakhstan's industrial and mining regions. Seeds of the four selected wild plant species were cultivated in laboratory conditions on soils containing different lead (Pb) concentrations ranging from 0.01% to 10%. Germination rates and early growth parameters were systematically measured to determine toxicity thresholds and species-specific responses. Seed germination of Centaurea pseudosquarrosa and Plantago lanceolata decreased significantly with increasing lead concentrations, with a lethal dose determined at 7.0% Pb salt concentration. However, these two perennial species exhibited remarkable resilience during early growth stages compared to the annual species Poa annua and Lamium purpureum. Significant variations in plant responses were observed across all treatments, indicating species-specific tolerance mechanisms to lead toxicity. The study demonstrates differential lead tolerance among the four wild plant species, with perennial species showing greater potential for survival in lead-contaminated environments than annual species. The established toxicity thresholds provide baseline parameters for understanding plant responses to heavy metal stress, particularly in the context of Southern Kazakhstan's contaminated industrial landscapes. These findings serve as a scientific reference for developing phytoremediation strategies specific to lead-contaminated soils in industrial regions. The identified resilient species, particularly Centaurea pseudosquarrosa and Plantago lanceolata, could be candidates for further investigation in field-based phytoremediation applications, offering environmentally sustainable and cost-effective solutions for soil remediation in mining-affected areas of Kazakhstan.

An ensemble model for improving the accuracy and security of biometric identification

Lyailya Cherikbayeva — 2025-04-24

Face recognition is a key area in computer vision and artificial intelligence. With the advent of deep learning, novel methods have been developed that achieve high accuracy in this field. This study aims to enhance facial recognition accuracy by comparing two state-of-the-art algorithms – DeepFace and FaceNet – and proposing an ensemble approach that integrates their strengths. To this end, we conduct a comparative analysis of DeepFace’s deep convolutional neural network–based identification and FaceNet’s multidimensional vector embedding, then combine their output probabilities into a single ensemble model. Experimental evaluation on publicly available datasets under varying lighting conditions and head poses reveals that the ensemble consistently outperforms each individual algorithm, demonstrating superior accuracy and robustness to external factors. We conclude that this hybrid ensembling strategy significantly improves recognition performance, validating its potential for complex face matching tasks. These findings indicate that real-world applications – such as surveillance, identity verification, and biometric authentication – can benefit from adopting ensemble methods to achieve higher accuracy and resilience.

The rising tide of social engineering: Trends, impacts, and multi-layered mitigation strategies

Rami Almatarneh — 2025-04-24

In this paper, an analytical study explores the upcoming threat of social engineering attacks that will be presented. A comprehensive comparison among various types of social engineering, including phishing, spear phishing, vishing, pretexting, baiting, and impersonation, will be discussed in this study, highlighting their psychological manipulation tactics, increasing sophistication, and distinct operational dynamics. Historical data from 2016 to 2024 were analyzed to predict future trends and to reveal a significant rise in both the frequency and financial losses associated with these attacks. The study emphasizes the importance of human-centered mitigation strategies, particularly employee training programs combined with clear-cut security protocols, which could substantially reduce the success of attacks. In addition, in this paper, technical defenses such as domain monitoring and advanced fraud detection will be examined. The results also indicated that a multi-layered defense strategy that incorporated both technological solutions and human awareness could reduce social engineering incidents by up to 75%. Key insights from the study into the evolving landscape of cyber threats emphasized the need for continuous investment in comprehensive security measures.

Comparison of the stability and presentation of revenues during the application of IAS 18 and after the application of IFRS 15: Evidence from Jordanian services and industries sectors

Omar M. Alhawtmeh — 2025-04-24

This study aims to compare the stability and presentation of revenues under International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 15 in two key Jordanian sectors, industry and services. The objective is to determine the impact of transitioning from IAS 18 to IFRS 15 on revenue reporting practices in these sectors. To achieve the research objective, the study analyzed the annual operating revenue of selected companies in the industrial and services sectors over the period from 2013 to 2020. This period covers both the pre-implementation phase under IAS 18 and the post-implementation phase under IFRS 15. Quantitative analysis was conducted to examine differences in revenue stability and presentation before and after the adoption of IFRS 15, with statistical tests applied to evaluate the significance of these changes. The results indicate a positive statistical significance in the stability and presentation of operating revenues in the services sector following the adoption of IFRS 15, suggesting improved consistency and clarity in revenue reporting. Moreover, IFRS 15 had a notable effect on the value of reported revenues in Jordanian services firms. In contrast, the industrial sector showed a negative statistical significance in revenue stability and presentation when comparing the periods under IAS 18 and IFRS 15, indicating potential challenges or inconsistencies in applying the new standard within this sector. The implementation of IFRS 15 has had varying impacts on revenue reporting across different sectors in Jordan. While the services sector benefited from increased revenue stability and clearer presentation, the industrial sector experienced a decline in reporting stability, highlighting sector-specific differences in adapting to the new standard. These findings have important implications for regulators, auditors, and financial statement preparers. The results suggest a need for tailored guidance and training for industrial sector entities to better align with IFRS 15 requirements. Additionally, policymakers may consider sector-specific support to facilitate smoother transitions when future accounting standards are introduced.

The role of humanitarian aid in promoting tolerance and peace the UAE as a model

Bashayer Salem Alshareef Alharthy — 2025-04-24

This study aimed to explore the role of humanitarian aid provided by the United Arab Emirates in promoting the values of tolerance and peace at both local and international levels by supporting communities affected by crises. The study adopted a descriptive-analytical approach using a questionnaire distributed to a sample of 200 individuals from the Emirati community, in addition to a qualitative approach through semi-structured interviews with 7 experts and specialists. The study instrument included a questionnaire comprising demographic data and a scale to assess the role of humanitarian aid, whose validity and reliability were verified using Cronbach's Alpha and expert review. When analyzing the interviews, open and axial coding methods were used to extract ideas and themes. The questionnaire findings showed an overall mean score of 3.91, confirming that the Emirati community highly values the role of humanitarian aid in alleviating tensions and promoting tolerance. This reflects societal awareness of the importance of such aid in fostering understanding and peaceful coexistence. On the other hand, the experts noted that Emirati aid is a global model for increasing stability and security for beneficiary communities since this aid also contains awareness messages and promotes the culture of coexistence. According to these findings, the study recommended increasing global awareness of the importance of humanitarian aid in spreading tolerance and peace. In addition, it emphasized focusing on the sustainability of long-term humanitarian programs and strengthening partnerships with international organizations to guarantee that assistance benefits the maximum number of impacted individuals.