International Journal of Innovative Research and Scientific Studies

Gemstone manufacturing in the Arab scientific heritage from the Umayyad Era to the end of the Mamlūk Era (41-923 AH/ 662-1517AD): A cultural historical study

2026-06-29T09:27:31-05:00

This research investigates the advanced experimental methodologies developed by Arabic chemists (8th-14th Calendar centuries) for the synthesis and imitation of gemstones, with a primary focus on the corpora of Jābir ibn Ḥayyān [1]. Diverging from traditional historiography that often relegates these works to the realm of allegorical alchemy, this study provides evidence of early "materials engineering" based on a sophisticated understanding of the optical and mechanical properties of inorganic substances. By analyzing historical recipes through the lens of modern solid-state chemistry, the paper reveals Arabic pioneering in four technical domains: First, refractive index tuning is done through the strategic incorporation of lead oxides into silicate glass matrices in order to enhance optical dispersion. Second, the management of redox potentials to precisely control the chromatic spectra of transition metal ions such as copper, iron, and manganese. Third, crystal growth via chemical vapor transport is evidenced by protocols involving the sublimation and condensation of arsenic sulfides to produce high-purity crystalline solids. Finally, colloidal and substrate engineering is utilized in order to plaster calcium-based carriers and organic binders to stabilize organometallic pigments. The findings demonstrate that these protocols functioned as "Standard Operating Procedures" (SOPs) aimed at engineering synthetic alternatives that replicate the specific gravity, hardness, and refractive indices of natural rubies, emeralds, and lapis lazuli. By achieving these objectives, the study contributes to a significant re-evaluation of the history of materials science, positioning medieval Arabic chemistry as a direct precursor to modern glass technology and solid-state physics.

A study on a hydrogen injection control method for fuel cell engines based on proportional valve polling

2026-07-06T11:35:26-05:00

As the core component of fuel cell engine hydrogen supply systems, hydrogen injection solenoid valves suffer from high switching frequency, excessive power consumption and shortened service life under traditional equal-distribution control, which raises system failure risks and maintenance costs. To solve these problems, this paper puts forward a polling control strategy based on PI closed-loop pressure regulation. The stack inlet hydrogen pressure is sampled in real time to calculate the overall hydrogen injection duty cycle, which is evenly assigned to six solenoid valves via sequential allocation and cyclic rotation to balance valve workload and cut single-valve actuation frequency and heat loss. Co-simulation of Simulink and AMESim is conducted to compare three control modes, and a durability test bench is built for experimental validation. The Parker model is adopted to evaluate valve life attenuation. Simulation and test results reveal that the proposed polling method effectively suppresses hydrogen pressure fluctuation under low-flow conditions and improves control accuracy. It reduces valve switching times, power consumption and operating temperature, slowing insulation and seal aging. Durability tests show its first-failure time and total service life exceed the equal-distribution mode by over 2.5 times with fewer faulty valves. This strategy optimizes pressure control and component durability, offering great engineering application value for long-life commercial fuel cell vehicles.

Can strategic sourcing drive supply chain agility? A field investigation

2026-07-06T23:31:26-05:00

This study examines at how supply chain agility (SCA), which is evaluated by flexibility, speed, responsiveness, and efficiency in commercial organizations, is affected by strategic sourcing (SR), which is represented by internal integration, supplier development, information exchange, and strategic purchasing. used SmartPLS 4 for structural equation modeling (SEM) with a sample of 166 participants that included managers from supply and procurement departments in several Arab nations. The study's findings showed that supply chain agility was significantly impacted by strategic sourcing. Findings showed that every aspect of supply chain agility was highly impacted by every aspect of strategic sourcing. Both supply chain agility and strategic sourcing attracted a lot of interest from commercial businesses. To increase supply chain speed and efficiency, the study suggests investing in digital technologies, strengthening internal cross-departmental integration, putting supplier development programs into place, and improving information-sharing mechanisms. The study recommends broadening the scope to include other economic sectors and investigating moderating factors like organizational culture and digital transformation for future research.

The mediating effect of organizational capabilities between sustainable leadership and strategic success in Yemeni private universities

2026-07-07T23:41:57-05:00

The study aimed to identify the mediating effect of organizational capabilities between sustainable leadership and strategic success in Yemeni private universities. Background Problem: In an era of accelerating technological change and intense global competition among universities, this study sheds light on the mediating role of organizational capabilities in the relationship between sustainable leadership and strategic success in Yemeni private universities. The novelty of this study lies in addressing a research gap by examining the mediating role of organizational capabilities in the relationship between sustainable leadership and strategic success. Research Methods: A quantitative approach was employed using a structured questionnaire distributed to 304 stratified, randomly selected employees across different administrative levels in 13 private universities in Yemen. Data were analyzed using SPSS-27 and AMOS-24, including structural equation modeling. Findings: The results reveal a significant impact of sustainable leadership on both organizational capabilities and strategic success. Furthermore, organizational capabilities were found to partially mediate the relationship between sustainable leadership and strategic success. The findings highlight the importance of sustainable leadership practices in building organizational capabilities that, in turn, contribute to achieving strategic success. This suggests that university leaders should invest in leadership strategies that foster long-term capacity building and institutional development.

Recent progress, design characteristics and future directions of thermal energy storage technologies

2026-07-08T10:49:41-05:00

Thermal energy storage (TES) technologies have gained significant traction across academic and industrial domains due to their capability to capture and subsequently release thermal energy with high throughput and efficiency. TES technologies are classified into sensible heat storage (SHS), latent heat storage (LHS), and thermochemical storage (TCEs). Despite their increasing uses in various applications such as district heating and cooling, and solar power, their efficiency depends on a variety of technical, economic and environmental factors. This review presents the recent development in TES technologies with emphasis on their technical, economic, and environmental implications. It also examines and compares these TES systems in terms of their designs, mechanisms, applications and suggests the optimal system for sustainable energy storage. More importantly, it addresses the recent challenges, opportunities and solutions to attain high performance TES devices with emphasis on material or medium selection, technical, economics, environmental and the uniform thermal characteristics. This critical review utilizes a structured design approach to collect the relevant data from Scopus database and analysed the TES technologies in terms of their designs, operation mechanisms, technical, economical and environmental implications. LHS and TCES have higher energy density and offer various benefits as discussed in this review, but the material selection and complex design, especially for TCES systems, hinder their transition from laboratory-based to industrial and scalable production. LHS based PCM nanomaterials (e.g. graphene, carbon, metallic and their hybrids) are anticipated to revolutionize the TES industry. This review is appealing to both researchers and engineers in the field as it provides the recent progress, mechanisms and future directions on TES technologies. Future studies should focus on developing integrated systems that integrate the high-density materials of LHS (e.g., PCMs) with the SHS and TCES systems to achieve reliable and robust TES system.

Compatibility of Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) grafting to increase production and drought stress tolerance

2026-07-13T01:59:24-05:00

This study investigates the compatibility of Jatropha curcas grafting and its impact on morphological, biochemical, and production traits under drought conditions. A split-plot design with three replications was applied, using three high-yielding scion accessions (IP-3A, PT-7, HS-49) and seven rootstock accessions (IP-3M, A-013, A-045, C-019, C-116, D-072, D-117). Evaluated parameters included morphological traits, yield components, oil content, leaf proline concentration, and graft union histology. Data were analyzed using ANOVA followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (5%). Grafting significantly enhanced growth and yield components compared to those of the non-grafted plants. PT-7 was identified as the most compatible and productive scion, while IP-3M was the most effective rootstock for promoting vegetative growth. Differences in leaf proline accumulation among the various graft combinations reflected variations in drought adaptation. Compatible graft combinations resulted in a narrower necrotic layer, stronger callus formation, and more rapid re-establishment of vascular connections. The PT-7/IP-3M combination demonstrates superior graft compatibility, growth performance, productivity, and drought adaptation. The identified graft combinations offer an effective strategy to enhance the productivity of drought-tolerant Jatropha curcas when cultivated on marginal and semi-arid lands, while simultaneously supporting a sustainable supply of biofuel feedstock amid global climate change.

Multidimensional barriers to implementing ‘one person, one vote’case study: Benadir municipality Somalia

2026-07-16T01:00:40-05:00

This case study examines the multidimensional barriers hindering the implementation of universal suffrage (One Person, One Vote) in Somalia’s Benadir Region, focusing on procedural, logistical, security-related, and institutional challenges. We employ a multi-method approach to analyze the interplay between clan dynamics, urban governance constraints, and security threats, revealing systemic gaps between policy targets and actual outcomes. The findings indicate that voter registration coverage remains limited (60–70%), while candidate nomination rejections (40%) and bureaucratic delays in polling station setup further disrupt electoral processes. Moreover, security incidents, particularly Al-Shabaab attacks, correlate strongly with electoral delays, as evidenced by incident data showing heightened violence during critical preparation phases. Public trust in electoral bodies is alarmingly low (25%), contrasting sharply with government aspirations (70–80% registration coverage), underscoring a significant perception-implementation gap. Furthermore, resource misallocation, climate-related displacement, and a 37% funding shortfall in humanitarian budgets exacerbate these challenges. The study highlights the need for integrated reforms addressing security stabilization, institutional capacity building, and public trust restoration. Its contribution lies in providing empirical insights into governance obstacles in post-conflict settings, offering actionable recommendations for electoral reform in fragile states. The findings are particularly relevant for policymakers and practitioners working on stabilization efforts in similar contexts, emphasizing the importance of multidimensional approaches to overcome implementation barriers.

Navigating academic integrity: The role of digital information literacy in preventing plagiarism

2026-07-16T23:40:57-05:00

This study investigates the influence of awareness, digital information literacy skills, and digital information literacy behaviors on students’ propensity to engage in academic plagiarism amid increasing use of digital technology. A quantitative approach was employed using survey data collected through questionnaires. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to analyze the relationships among awareness, literacy skills, literacy behaviors, and plagiarism tendencies. The findings reveal that awareness and digital information literacy skills have a significant negative effect on plagiarism behavior, indicating their role in reducing academic misconduct. In contrast, digital information literacy behavior has a positive and significant effect on plagiarism (β = 0.135), suggesting that frequent engagement with digital information sources may increase the risk of plagiarism when not accompanied by sufficient ethical understanding. The use of paraphrasing tools and ease of access to digital content may further obscure plagiarism practices. The results emphasize the need for higher education institutions to strengthen digital information literacy programs by integrating technical competencies with ethical awareness, particularly in copyright understanding and citation practices. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the paradoxical role of digital information literacy behavior in increasing plagiarism risk, thereby underscoring the importance of balancing technical skills with ethical competencies in digital learning environments.

Analyzing the influence of education and work experience on women’s wages distribution in Indonesia

2026-07-20T11:37:39-05:00

This study aims to analyze the determinants of women’s wages, with a focus on the heterogeneity of the effects of education, work experience, employment status, and region of residence across various levels of the wage distribution. The data used are from the Indonesia Family Life Survey (IFLS-5) for the years 2014–2015. The study sample consisted of 5,319 female respondents aged 15 years and older. The quantile regression method was employed, utilizing the Mincer Earnings Model to capture variations in the returns to education and work experience across wage groups from low to high. Descriptive analysis results indicate that the average wage for women remains relatively low, with a fairly high level of inequality. The quantile regression results show that education and work experience have a significant impact on women’s wages across all quantiles, with the greatest impact observed in the low-wage group. Employment status as a civil servant consistently increases women’s wages, while women living in rural areas earn lower wages compared to those living in urban areas. These findings underscore the role of human capital and structural factors in shaping wage inequality among women in Indonesia.