Abstract:This study examines how intellectual capital (IC) affects the production efficiency of family owned manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan. Four key components of IC namely human capital, organizational capital, technological capital, and relational capital were analyzed to evaluate their influences on production efficiency. The findings indicated that organizational and technological capital have a strong and positive influence on production efficiency, showing the significance of structured processes and technological advancements in SME production efficiency. However, human capital exhibits a negative effect, potentially due to the presence of an unskilled workforce and ineffective workforce management. Relational capital does not show any significant impact. Furthermore, family ownership positively moderates the influence of human and organizational capital on production efficiency. However, it does not show a moderating effect on technological and relational capital on production efficiency. This study makes a unique contribution by distinguishing structural capital into organizational and technological capital, allowing for a more precise examination of their independent influence on production efficiency.
Abstract:This study aims to investigate the factors influencing the adoption of digital advertising among Gen Z. We analyzed survey data using PLS-SEM and found that how Gen Z feels about digital advertising is the critical factor in their intention to engage with it; what they think others expect, and how much control they feel they have over their online actions. Results also show how three key attributes influence how Gen Z responds to digital advertising: authenticity, interactivity, and societal connection. Marketers will find this helpful output for developing impactful advertising strategies; academics and researchers will find it valuable for future studies.
Abstract:Quantitative feedback theory (QFT) is effective for designing robust controllers. However, they are often over designed and the controller performance could be still improved. In this paper, a fuzzy-QFT controller that is robust to different load messes and environmental stiffnesses is designed for an electro-hydrostatic actuator (EHA). A QFT controller is synthesized according to specified specifications, it is next combined with fuzzy logic to obtain better performance. Simulation results show that the designed fuzzy-QFT controller can satisfy requirements. In addition, compared with the traditional QFT controller, the fuzzy-QFT controller can decrease the settling time by around 16% because of its self-tuning ability according to the varying working conditions.
Abstract:The goal of this research is to extract Methylene Blue 3 dye from an aqueous solution using environmentally safe, sustainable, and green adsorbents generated from palm fronds, a cheap and abundant natural resource in Sharurah, Saudi Arabia. Experimental activated carbon was made by calcining palm fronds in a muffle furnace for four hours at a heating rate of ten minutes at temperatures ranging from 100 to 800 degrees Celsius. The adsorbent was characterized using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and thermal gravimetry. Adsorption and Kinetics Dye equilibrium was investigated at 70°C. They assessed the adsorption isotherm. Because of its high surface area and porosity, the results show that more than 99% of the hazardous dye was removed from water sources. To follow the adsorption processes, two simplified kinetic models were used: pseudofirst-order and pseudo-second-order equations. The pseudo-second-order equation may provide the most accurate explanation of dye adsorption. The adsorption was exothermic and spontaneous, as shown by entropy, enthalpy, and Gibbs free energy. The study's originality reveals that palm fronds can be used as one of the highest-quality, most economical, conveniently available, and ecologically acceptable bio-sorbents, thereby benefiting the economy.
Abstract:Achieving the pollution-carbon co-reduction is of great significance for global environmental governance and addressing climate change. This study employs a coupling coordination model to evaluate the level of pollution-carbon co-reduction across 30 provinces and 280 cities in China from 2006 to 2021. It then utilizes a linear mixed-effects model to explore the drivers of pollution-carbon co-reduction. The key findings are: (1) The level of pollution-carbon co-reduction in China’s provinces and cities shows a slight downward trend; (2) The co-reduction at the provincial level is higher than that at the city level, indicating the need to further improve co-reduction efforts at the city level; (3) Economic development, population growth, environmental governance, and technological innovation have a beneficial effect on the co-reduction at both the provincial and city levels. (4) The industrial structure has opposite effects on the pollution-carbon co-reduction at the provincial and city levels, which helps improve the co-reduction in cities but reduces it at the provincial level.
Abstract:Background: This study explores the integration of digital forensic technologies – including online trial broadcasting – into Kazakhstan’s criminal justice system as a key driver of legality, rights protection, and judicial transparency. Drawing on Kazakhstan’s criminal procedure legislation and recent digital transformation initiatives, the authors examine the procedural framework governing digital evidence and prosecutorial responsibilities in a digital environment. Through comparative analysis with advanced international practices, the study identifies effective models for managing electronic evidence, incorporating artificial intelligence (AI), and conducting online trial broadcasts. The article reviews scholarly literature on digital forensics, AI applications in criminal justice, and the challenges of live-streaming court proceedings. Empirical data from Kazakhstan’s judiciary highlight both achievements and persistent legal gaps, particularly in regulating online broadcasts of high-profile criminal cases. Special attention is given to international approaches that successfully balance transparency, data privacy, and procedural fairness – serving as benchmarks for Kazakhstan’s ongoing reforms. From the analyzed sources, the authors extract key theoretical and practical insights to shape a comprehensive prosecutorial model tailored to Kazakhstan’s digital realities. This model aims to safeguard individual rights and public interests, ensure the admissibility and integrity of digital evidence, enhance prosecutorial decision-making through AI tools, and promote judicial openness via regulated online broadcasting. Strategic recommendations are proposed for legislative reform, technological integration, and capacity-building to strengthen prosecutorial effectiveness in Kazakhstan’s digital judicial transformation. Methods: To achieve the research objectives, the authors employed a multi-methodological approach, including: − Descriptive legal analysis to examine Kazakhstan’s legislative framework on digital and forensic technologies in criminal procedure, with emphasis on prosecutorial roles and the regulation of electronic evidence and online broadcasting. − Comparative legal analysis to identify and assess international best practices in digital evidence management, AI integration, and online trial broadcasting, evaluating their relevance to Kazakhstan’s legal and technological context. − Legal modeling to propose scenarios for integrating advanced forensic tools and AI systems into prosecutorial procedures, aiming to optimize evidence handling, enhance transparency, and uphold legal safeguards. − Empirical case studies of Kazakhstan’s judicial practices involving digital evidence and online broadcasts, revealing legislative gaps, procedural challenges, and technological limitations. This comprehensive methodology supports the development of targeted recommendations for reform and modernization within Kazakhstan’s criminal justice system. Results and Conclusion: the study recommends establishing a national digital evidence management platform incorporating AI and blockchain verification, alongside legal procedures for their use and unified cybersecurity standards. Forecasts suggest these measures could reduce criminal case durations by 20–25%, improve evidence analysis accuracy to 90%, and enhance public trust in the justice system. Adapting global best practices to Kazakhstan’s context provides a strategic foundation for modernizing criminal justice and reinforcing the role of public prosecutors.
Abstract:Studying the atmospheric environmental effects of the spatial structure of green innovation in urban agglomerations is important for the governance of atmospheric pollution in urban agglomerations. Based on panel data from 19 urban agglomerations in China from 2008 to 2022, we used a fixed-effects model to analyze the impact of the spatial structure of green innovation in urban agglomerations on atmospheric pollution. The research findings were as follows: First, a polycentric spatial structure of green innovation in urban agglomerations tended to have a more inhibitory effect than a monocentric structure on atmospheric pollution. Second, the atmospheric environmental effects of the spatial structure of green innovation were heterogeneous across different urban agglomerations. Third, upgrading the industrial structure proved to be the path through which the spatial structure of green innovation in urban agglomerations influenced atmospheric pollution.
Abstract:The increasing prevalence of water scarcity has emphasized the urgent need for effective management of water distribution systems, particularly in urban areas. To achieve rational management of facilities and ensure long-term customer comfort, water utilities on the worldwide are seeking solutions to find a good compromise to avoid the major problem of leaks in distribution networks. Several techniques exist to address this problem, including pressure modeling of distribution networks, which has become a widely used technique for reducing leak rates and extending the lifespan of installations. This work consists of proposing a methodology for optimizing leaks in a drinking water supply network in Bologhine city using hydraulic models and stochastic methods. Stochastic model namely BAT algorithm was employed to simulate various scenarios of demand fluctuations and pressure changes, allowing us to assess the risk and occurrence of leaks under different operational conditions. The optimization of pressure control was achieved by implementing a strategic pressure management system that dynamically adjusts pressure settings based on real-time demand data and identified vulnerabilities within the network. By employing these methodologies, cities like Bologhine can enhance their infrastructure resilience, reduce water loss, and promote sustainability in urban water systems.
Abstract:The current research examined the catalytic efficiency of ash derived from date palm fronds for the production of biodiesel by the ethyl transesterification of waste cooking oil. The optimal conditions for synthesizing the catalyst were determined by subjecting date palm fronds to various calcination temperatures (ranging from 300 to 700 ◦C). The catalyst produced was subjected to characterization using thermogravimetric analysis (TG-DTG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The ideal parameters were as follows: a temperature of 85 ◦C, a molar ratio of alcohol to oil of 9:1, a catalyst concentration of 7% (w/w), and a reaction period of 1.5 hour. These conditions led to the formation of biodiesel containing 81% ester content. The reusability of the catalyst was evidenced by its sustained catalytic performance, achieving an ester content exceeding 78% during the initial two reaction cycles. A sustainable and effective catalyst for biodiesel manufacture, the synthesis of a catalyst from date palm fronds has numerous benefits: it is low cost, readily synthesizable, and derived from generally accessible biomass waste.
Abstract:This research aimed to investigates the recycling of date seeds, which is a real practical example of the sustainable and integrated use of renewable material resources, providing innovative and sustainable solutions that can contribute to reducing environmental waste and maximizing the use of available natural resources. Highlighting the role of date seeds in supporting local industries as sustainable and safe alternative to cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. It illustrates the economical and medicinal value of date seeds waste as a natural source of active compounds. Date seeds oil was extracted, and it applications in cosmetics and nutrition were studied along with phytochemical screening tests, antioxidant and approximate analysis. Three types of extracts were prepared: methanol, aqueous, and oily. The aqueous extract was found to be rich in flavonoids (+4), tannins (+3), terpenoids (+3), saponins (+2) and absent of alkaloids (-). The approximate analysis showed moisture content (11.70%), ether extract (5.23%), fiber (75.3%), protein (8.7%), and ash (37.5%). The radical's percentage inhibition (PI) of DPPH was significantly obtained by dose IC50 = 1000 µl. Date seeds aqueous extract, with IC50 (80%) have values of 38.3, 78.9, 90.1, and 95.2 mg/mL, which contribute to its strong DPPH radical scavenging activity. Date seed oil was found to contain a high percentage of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant properties, which are used in many industries, such as cosmetics (skin and hair cream, soap, eyeliner, glycerin, and coarse and smooth sandpaper), nutrition, date kernel molasses and raw material for animal feeds.