SACM - Ireland

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://drepo.sdl.edu.sa/handle/20.500.14154/9656

Browse

Filter results by year or month

Now showing 1 - 20 of 999

Restricted
The Critical Success Factors for Security Education, Training and Awareness (SETA) Programme Effectiveness: A Lifecycle Model
(0022-09-30) Alyami, Areej Nasser; Sammon, David; Neville, Karen; Mahony, Carolanne
Security Education, Training, and Awareness (SETA) programmes are one of the most important cybersecurity strategies to protect the valuable assets of any organisation, raise awareness, change behaviour, comply with Information Systems (IS) security policy, and minimises IS security threats. The significance of SETA programmes is widely accepted by both academics and practitioners. However, more research is needed to improve SETA programme effectiveness in organisations. A review of the relevant IS/cyber security literature reveals a lack of research into the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for SETA programme effectiveness. Therefore, this research study explores the CSFs for SETA programme effectiveness. A multi-stage research design is adopted for this research study. Stage One involves the gathering and analysis of lived experiences (using semi-structured interviews) from 20 key expert informants. Emerging from this stage are 11 CSFs for SETA programme effectiveness. These CSFs are mapped along the phases of the SETA programme lifecycle (design, development, implementation, evaluation). Furthermore, 9 relationships between these CFSs are identified (both within and across the lifecycle phases). This research output is a Lifecycle Model of CSFs for SETA programme effectiveness. Stage Two of this research involves an evaluation of the importance of the 11 CSFs for SETA programme effectiveness (emerging from stage one). This evaluation is achieved through administering a short online survey questionnaire (completed by 65 respondents - IS/cyber security professionals) and a series of follow-up probing interviews (with 9 IS/cyber security professionals – 4 key informants for stage one, and 5 survey respondents for stage two). Emerging from this stage is a ranked list of CSFs and 5 guiding principles to overcome the challenges of delivering an effective SETA programme. This research output is an evaluated Lifecycle Model of CSFs for SETA programme effectiveness. Overall, this research provides a depth of insight contributing to both theory and practice and lays the foundation for further research.
54 0
Restricted
Deprescribing Falls Risk Increasing Drugs in Older Adults
(Trinity College Dublin, 2023) Kalim, Reham; Ryder, Sheila
Aim The purpose of this thesis was to examine the facilitators of, and barriers to, implementing deprescribing of falls risk increasing medicines (FRIDs) in healthcare professionals’ practices, by exploring the perspectives of multiple stakeholders and integrating them with the existing literature, with a view to future use of this knowledge to inform an intervention that could readily be integrated into clinical practice without the need for significant additional resources. Methods Two systematic reviews of the existing literature were undertaken. The first review investigated the role of pharmacists in medication management for older patients at hospital discharge. Scientific databases and the grey literature were searched systematically for randomised controlled studies addressing this topic. The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions guided the data analysis and reporting. The second was a systematic review of qualitative studies that investigated patients’ or carers’ opinions of deprescribing FRIDs. The data from these studies were coded to the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and the studies’ quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklists. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with hospital doctors, general practitioners and pharmacists in Ireland. The data gathered during the interviews were transcribed verbatim. Initial deductive analysis mapped the themes identified to the domains of the TDF, followed by inductive analysis to generate additional themes and subthemes. NVivo 12 software (QSR International Limited, UK) facilitated the process of analysis. A focus group was also conducted with older adults to explore the results of previous research from their points of view, and to determine their ideas about how older people feel about FRIDs deprescribing to reduce the risk of falls. All qualitative data were matched with behavioural change techniques to suggest possible interventions for implementing deprescribing in primary and secondary care. Results The first systematic review identified common interventions undertaken by pharmacists and their outcomes in hospital settings. Only mortality and healthcare use outcomes were eligible for meta-analysis. The rest of the outcomes were described and the results highlighted how pharmacists can preserve or enhance the quality of care for older adults with polypharmacy. The stakeholders’ qualitative interviews and systematic data syntheses resulted in a rich account of themes and potential target behaviours. The main themes arising from data analysis included: environmental challenges (in hospitals and general practice clinics), patients' and family members' involvement, pharmacists’ role in deprescribing, personal knowledge, concerns and reinforcement. Challenges and enablers were identified for each theme, supported by sample quotes. Commonalities across all stakeholder groups were identified. The data from all the above contributed to the design of a potential future intervention involving encouragement of patients to engage with their prescribers on the issues of deprescribing FRIDs, and concise education and reminder tools for healthcare professionals to facilitate more widespread consideration of deprescribing. Conclusion In this thesis the beliefs, concerns and potential roles of core stakeholders in the deprescribing of FRIDs were investigated and analysed. The resultant data lays the foundation for implementation of future deprescribing interventions in clinical practice.
8 0
Restricted
Development of Ultrasensitive Electrochemical Sensors Based on Nanocomposites for Environmental Applications
(Saudi Digital Library, 2023) Albalawi, Ibtihaj; Moore, Eric
Water quality assessment is an essential component of environmental monitoring, which affects not only aquatic life but the surrounding ecosystem as well. The presence of organic and inorganic micropollutants such as carbamate pesticides and heavy metals in water is a crucial water problem generated from industrial effluents, mining wastes, or domestic sewage, and the widespread use of pesticides in pest control in the environment. In the last years, heavy metals have risen significantly, especially in the developed country where most pollutants are used. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), with only 8 % of the world’s population, Germany, the United States, and Russia consume about 75 % of the most widely used metals in the world. The United States only consumes approximately 20 % of the metal pollutants and 25 % of the production of fossil fuels each year. Heavy metals such as lead, and cadmium are among the most critical pollutants and the focus of international legislative bodies because of their nonbiodegradability and toxicity and their long-term negative health effect. Carbamate pesticide use is extensively reported, and the trend in their use is anticipated to rise significantly in the next few decades. Among them, carbaryl is extensively applied in grain and has an adverse impact on the cellular metabolic mechanism and mitochondrial function. Moreover, the pH of the water solution is another vital factor affecting biological and chemical processes in water, which in turn affects the environment and human health. Typically, the used conventional analytical techniques are expensive and time-consuming due to sample transportation, trained personnel, and failure to deliver water quality parameters in real-time. Therefore, electrochemical sensing technology has the potential to change the way we see quality control analysis in the environment. It can provide a cheap, sensitive, portable, and easy-to-use method of application in quality control analysis. Thus, this research aims to develop multi-sensors based on screen-printed electrodes, which have characteristics of low cost, high sensitivity, selectivity, and rapid analysis. The novel methods in this research proved their efficiency to detect analytes of interest in environmental media with high sensitivity, excellent stability, short response time, and have the potential to be integrated into a multi-parameter system sensing for on-field monitoring.
16 0
Restricted
Online Learning during COVID-19 Pandemic at Tertiary Level in Saudi Arabia: Challenges and Benefits from the Students’ Perspective
(2023) Almjlad, Amal; Walsh, Elaine
Due to the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, a temporary interruption of education activities occurred all over the world. The sudden and quick shift from face-to-face learning mode to the sole online learning mode affected the perceptions of students toward the online learning application. This study investigated the perceptions of students toward the online learning application. It involved sixty students studying in different colleges at Northern Border University in Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire survey was designed to obtain quantitative data and Interviews were used to obtain the qualitative data. The data were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. The quantitative data analysed using SPSS and the qualitative data were thematically analysed based on Braun and Clark's (2006) steps. The results discovered that the Saudi university female students showed positive attitudes and perceptions toward using online learning through attending online classes and doing their activities online because they viewed that online learning brought them many benefits referred to in detail in the results chapter. However, the students indicated that they faced a serious problem represented in the internet connection where most of them mentioned that they faced either frequent cut-offs in internet connection or poor quality in the internet connection negatively affected their attendance in their online classes and their performance in completing their online activities. Finally, the study provided some important recommendations for different stakeholders
46 0
Restricted
Development of rapid analytical separation methods for the detection of NSAIDs in wastewater
(Saudi Digital Library, 2023) Alatawi, Hanan; Moore, Eric
Recently, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been increasingly used in humans and animals. Despite being effective against a wide variety of diseases, they pose a threat to aquatic environments. Since NSAIDs are poorly degraded and highly water-soluble, they are able to pass through all-natural filtration processes. It has been well known that conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were not made to completely remove these compounds because they were not intended to do so. As a result, several pharmaceuticals are released back into the environment. It is essential to develop fast, simple, and reliable analytical methods for detecting NSAIDs in environmental water. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) has been used for many years to determine various classes of pharmaceuticals in various sample matrices due to its advantages of high separation efficiency and rapid analysis time. The interest in CE has led to the miniaturization of microchip electrophoresis (ME). ME has advantages over traditional analysis techniques, such as fast separation, high separation efficiency, low reagent volume, decreased waste generation, and low-power requirement (the maximum voltage that can be used is 3 kV), and its potential of portability and disposability. The goal of this project was to develop novel methods for rapid separation and detection of NSAIDs in wastewater using capillary and microchip electrophoresis with UV and C4D detections. The methods were validated using solid phase extraction (SPE), and two different cartridges (C18 and Oasis HLB) were optimized to enhance the recoveries. The results of the research project showed that NSAIDs compounds could be well separated in less than 1 min and had excellent analytical performances with LODs ranging between 0.125 and 0.5 mg/L. The microchip system has proved to be an excellent analytical technique for fast and reliable environmental applications.
19 0
Restricted
Symbiosis in bed bugs, Cimex sp. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)
(2023) Alhashdi, Dina; Wilkinson, Tom
Bed bugs (Hemiptera: Cimidicae) were mainly forgotten for over half a century but have recently become one of the most intensively studied insect pests in the world, prompted by the difficulty in preventing and effectively treating infestations largely as a consequence of insecticide resistance. The common bed bug Cimex lectularius harbours multiple symbiotic partners, at least one of which has been implicated in the supplementation of the vitamin-deficient blood diet. The focus of this thesis was the symbiosis between the bed bug and its primary and secondary endosymbiotic bacteria with an aim to better understand the intimate relationship between host and symbiont. In the first experimental chapter (Chapter 2), field samples of bed bugs were collected from residential buildings in Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia and examined for the presence of endosymbionts using diagnostic PCR. The bed bugs were identified as Cimex hemipterus and all samples contained the primary endosymbiont Wolbachia and the secondary endosymbiont BLS. A third endosymbiont torix-Rickettsia that has recently been described from some bed bug populations was not detected. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Wolbachia belonged to Wolbachia supergroup F in common with other Wolbachia strains detected in Cimex lectularius, but not in C. hemipterus. In the second experimental chapter (Chapter 3), the population dynamics of the cohabiting symbionts Wolbachia and BLS were explored in a laboratory colony of C. lectularius using quantitative PCR. Insects were reared on the same food supply throughout the study and all samples were generated from the same initial starting cohort of insects. The bacterial load of Wolbachia and BLS diverged over bed bug development stages, egg, nymphs and adults, indicating different mechanisms of insect control over the two symbionts, and the bacterial load of Wolbachia in particular was elevated in females allowed to mate, but conversely it decreased during periods of starvation. The various experimental manipulations had the greatest impact on the bacterial load of the primary symbiont Wolbachia, whereas the bacterial load of BLS was more consistent across treatments. Finally, in the third experimental chapter (Chapter 4) the salivary gland proteome of insects that had either been starved or had been fed antibiotics to eliminate Wolbachia was explored using label-free quantitative mass spectrometry. Significantly different abundant proteins were observed in both starved and symbiont-free insects that clearly separated them from the control groups, with proteins related to blood feeding such as nitrophorin and apyrase maintained in both starved and antibiotic-treated insects indicative of their importance in processing the blood meal. The Wolbachia-derived protein chaperone DnaK was differentially abundant in the salivary glands from control insects, whereas in starved insects the protein LD-carboxypeptidase, derived from the facultative endosymbiont BLS, was differentially abundant potentially indicating a novel function for this symbiont. The final chapter (Chapter 5) discusses these findings in relation to the limited knowledge regarding host-symbiont interactions in bed bugs, and the potential implications for exploiting the symbiosis as a novel method of insect control.
6 0
Restricted
Some results concerning tableaux and sandpile models on the complete bipartite graph
(2023-03) Alofi, Amal; Dukes, Mark
This thesis presents several new bijections between combinatorial objects that are motivated by two different sandpile models on the complete bipartite graph. These bijections build on recent papers which have shown that these combinatorial objects are in one-toone correspondence with recurrent configurations of the Abelian sandpile model (ASM). Chapter 1 introduces the concepts and background material we use in this thesis. First, we recall some standard definitions and concepts in graph theory. Then we define two models, the first is the Abelian sandpile model (ASM) on the complete bipartite graph and some concepts related to it. Then we introduce the second model which is the stochastic sandpile model (SSM) on a general graph. Chapter 2 gives an overview of the combinatorial objects (EW-tableaux and parallelogram polyominoes) which we study in this thesis. We present and prove a bijection between rectangular EW-tableaux and the set of labelled ribbon parallelogram polyominoes. Chapter 3 introduces the notion of marked EW-tableaux. This allows us to lift the bijection presented in Chapter 2 to a more general level. Furthermore, we introduce and prove a direct bijection between the set of marked EW-tableaux and the set of all labelled parallelogram polyominoes. Chapter 4 gives a characterisation of stochastically recurrent states of the SSM in terms of graph orientations. We use and exploit this characterization to present and prove a connection between rectangular 0/1 tableaux and the stochastically recurrent configurations of the SSM on the complete bipartite graph. Furthermore, we introduce marked rectangular tableaux and explain the connection between the stochastically recurrent configurations and marked rectangular tableaux. Chapter 5 defines the lacking polynomial Lm,n(x) of the SSM on the complete bipartite graph Km,n. We derive exact formulae for the polynomials L_2,n(x) and L_m,2(x) for the graphs K_(2,n) and K_(m,2), respectively. We also investigate whether the sequence of coefficients of the lacking polynomial is log concave. Finally, we prove some upper and lower bounds on the stochastically recurrent states of the SSM on K_(m,n).
6 0
Restricted
Detecting and Quantifying TiO2 Size Distribution and Oversize in Ink Nanosuspensions by Resonance Light Scattering (RLS)
(2023-04-01) Alzahrani, Sarah; Ryder, Alan
Concentrated nanomaterials suspensions are currently being commercialized for numerous applications. To measure the properties of such suspensions, conventional characterization techniques may require extensive experimental procedures, including sample pre-treatment and/or dilution. Novel techniques need to be developed to measure the properties of concentrated suspensions sensitively and reproducibly without sample dilution. In this work, resonance light scattering (RLS) data was assessed as a promising tool to monitor the concentration and size of nanoparticles in concentrated commercial ink suspensions. This project aimed to develop a reproducible RLS method for concentrated nano-suspensions quantifying analysis using triangular or square cuvettes. Second, it used RLS to determine a simple, robust, reproducible method for assessing the size and concentration changes of TiO2 and white inks. Third, to identify a method to detect and measure oversized TiO2 nanoparticles in a matrix of smaller particles in the white ink nano-suspension. For single ink investigations, UVVIS absorption data were recorded to assess the optimum dilution factor (DF) of the TiO2 white inks. The results showed that the absorption spectra started to become smoother at a DF of 11,000, which was found to be the minimum DF required to obtain a reasonably smooth absorption spectra curve. As for DLS measurements, the value of the Z-average was exponentially correlated to the value of sample DF, with an R 2 value of 0.99. This correlation shows that DLS can be used as a reference calibration technique to track the concentrations of single ink suspensions. RLS spectra were recorded for diluted ink suspensions using two types of cuvettes, a square and a triangular cuvette. For both types of cuvettes, the maximum RLS intensity peak was recorded at a wavelength of 420 nm because such a peak originates from the emission of the bandgap transition in the TiO2 structure and does not depend on the geometry of the cuvette used. The intensity of this maximum peak was correlated to the DF values using a similar exponential equation to that obtained for the DLS data. The R 2 value of the maximum RLS intensity peak was 0.97 when the triangular cuvette was used. On the other hand, using the square cuvette led to a poor correlation, which may be explained by the overshadowing of particles to interior volumes of the concentrated suspension sample in the cuvette. The triangular cuvette was further used throughout the rest of the investigations for mixed ink suspensions. For mixed ink suspensions, a poor correlation was found between the maximum peak intensity values and the volume percent of the milled ink in the mixed ink samples. This indicates that RLS is still not a sensitive technique to differentiate between average sizes of TiO2 particles compared to DLS measurements, which showed a strong linear correlation between z-average values and the volume percent of the milled ink (R2 = 0.97). For spiked ink suspensions, the maximum peak could be correlated to the weight percent of the spiking suspension using an exponential growth function with an R 2 value of 0.94. The exponential growth curve shows a plateau beyond 0.2 wt.% for the spiking suspension. This shows that RLS can be sensitive to the presence of a few large particles in suspension; however, a II further increase in the concentration of oversized particles did not result in a corresponding increase in the value of the maximum RLS spectra intensity peak. This can be explained based on the overshadowing of larger particles to each other in suspension leading to weak or no contribution from the shadowed large particles to the RLS spectra. On the other hand, the Z-average obtained from DLS measurements showed an exponential increase in correlation with the weight percent of the spiking suspension, reflecting the sensitive nature of DLS. In summary, RLS was found to be a sensitive technique for the concentration of single ink suspensions and low weight percentages of spikes suspensions when the triangular cuvette was used. For highweight percent spiked suspensions, and mixed ink suspensions, RLS was not assensitive as DLS. To overcome the overshadowing problem in RLS, the design of the cuvette itself, the path length and probably the position of the detector needs to be investigated, which can be the topic of future studies.
20 0
Restricted
Development of An Electrochemical Immunosensor for Environmental Monitoring of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Soil Environment
(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-04-24) Alsefri, Samia; Maguire, Anita
Polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs are a type of chemical contaminant known as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). They consist of biphenyl molecules covalently bonded with one to ten chlorine atoms. PCBs pose a threat to ecosystems and food safety due to their high toxicity, long-term stability, poor degradation, and bioaccumulation. The current methods, although sensitive, have their limitations, for example, time-consuming, laborious, and costly. Further, the instrumentation cannot be used for on-site analysis. The aim of this research is to develop a novel electrochemical method that will be capable of providing a direct, portable, cost-effective, and easy method for analysing and monitoring PCBs in the environment. For the first time, a self-assembled monolayer was used to modify an electrode as a method for fabricating a transducer for detection of PCBs by using a gold electrode, it was modified with 11- mercaptoundecanoic acid (11-MUA), and the activation of the carboxylic acid terminal was performed by cross-linking 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hyrodsuccinmide (NHS). The electrochemical behaviour of the electrode was investigated by CV (Cyclic Voltammetry), LSV (Linear Sweep Voltammetry) and EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy) using a ferrocyanide/ferricyanide redox pair. It was found that the indirect competitive assay showed the best performance for Aroclor1254 detection, with a commercial Polyclonal chicken antibody (IgY) specific to PCB was used as primary antibody. The limit of detection was found at 0.20 ng/ml using bare gold electrode. However, the sensitivity of the sensor was increased after the electrode surface modification was found at 0.09 ng/ml. A novel electrochemical immunosensor method showed a good performance with a 3-fold decrease in sensitivity achieved after the surface modification. The electrode coated with coating conjugate was found stable for more than 25 days at 4 ˚C. In conclusion, this Ph.D. thesis demonstrates that the integration of electrochemical techniques with immunoassay methods can achieve detection limits as low as required for in-situ and real-time analysis of soil samples. It was found that the electrochemical immunosensor method showed better results compared to ELISA and that was verified with GC-MS. The usage of this a novel electrochemical immunosensor as a complement to the electrochemical studies not only enhanced the quality of the research but also contributed to the construction and improvement of immunosensors. As a result, they represent an accurate and a new robust method that can be applied to microsensors and microfluidic systems for the effective control and prevention of PCBs in the environment.
7 0
Restricted
The Impact of Missed Nursing Care on Organisational Commitment
(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-05-19) Alsubhi, Hattan; Meskell, Pauline; O’Shea, Deirdre; Doody, Owen
Missed Nursing Care has been described as a global problem for nursing practice, potentially affecting numerous nursing outcomes. The overall aim of this study was to investigate the psychological mechanisms through which missed nursing care impacts organisational commitment. A quantitative, longitudinal survey design was implemented with data collected using an online survey across four-time points from nurses working in Saudi hospitals across the five regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (N= 1,905 at time 1; N= 176 at time 4). Descriptive, correlation, ANOVA, and regression statistics were performed in SPSS 26. In addition, Hayes’ PROCESS Macro was used to perform a sequential mediation analysis of the relationship between missed nursing care and organisational commitment mediated by work meaning, professional identity and job stress. The findings showed that missed nursing care did not impact organisational commitment directly (LLCI = -0.11, ULCI = 0.11) and neither were they significantly correlated. In addition, work meaning (BootLLCI = -0.01, BootULCI = 0.01), professional identity (BootLLCI = -0.03, BootULCI = 0.012), and job stress (BootLLCI = -0.08, BootULCI = 0.02) did not mediate the relationship between organisational commitment and missed nursing care. Similar results were realised for work meaning and job stress (BootLLCI = -0.01, BootULCI = 0.00). However, professional identity impacted on job stress significantly (LLCI = -0.70, ULCI = -0.12) and could explain a 6 percent variance in job stress (ΔR2 = .06), while job stress impacted on organisational commitment negatively (LLCI = -0.48, ULCI = -0.14) and could explain 12 percent variance (ΔR2 = .12). Other results showed that nurses working in the general medical surgical nursing reported higher missed nursing care than nurses working in either emergency or critical care nursing or daycare/operation theatre nursing/obstetrics and labour room. Therefore, it can be concluded that job stress is one of the most critical factors for achieving organisational commitment among Saudi nurses. Although the prevalence of missed nursing care is not very high among Saudi nurses in general, nurses working in units associated with higher work meaning and professional identity based on clearly defined roles tend to have comparatively lower missed nursing care.
19 0
Restricted
Primary care reform: International evidence and primary care doctors’ perspectives within the context of health system reform in Saudi Arabia
(Saudi Digitial Liberary, 2023-06-01) Alyousef, Mohammed; Naughton, Corina; Bradley, Colin; Savage, Eileen
Background The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has launched and ambitious reform programme Vision 2030 including health system reform (Government of Saudi Arabia, 2016a). The health system challenges include the increasing burden of chronic diseases, inadequate access to healthcare, and health service fragmentation. The health strategy articulates a new model of care (MOC), targeting financial reform, provider reform, eHealth development, and public private partnerships. A strategic priority for the KSA health system is to strengthen primary healthcare (PHC) and to position primary care (PC) as the first point of access to healthcare. To date there is limited evaluation of the health reforms with a particular evidence gap on reform implementation in PC. The research aims: 1) to examine the international evidence on the implementation of PHC reform for chronic conditions in countries with high or very high human development index (Review 1); 2) to examine the qualitative evidence on PC doctors’ perspectives on PC reform within the context of health system reforms (Review 2); 3) to explore PC doctors’ perspectives on PC reform within the context of the health system reform in the KSA using a qualitative study design. Methods Review 1 was guided by the PRISMA statement including academic articles and grey literature from 1 March 2008 to 1 September 2020. Descriptive analysis and narrative synthesis were applied. Review 2 used a thematic synthesis of qualitative studies guided by Thomas and Harden (2008) three stage framework to identify descriptive and analytical themes. The qualitative study used interpretive description (ID) methodology. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 14 PC doctors (general practitioners (GPs) & family physicians (FPs)), recruited from primary health care centers (PHCC) in the Makkah region of KSA. Constant comparative analysis and Thorne (2016) six-steps was used to analyze the data. Results Review 1 included eight articles from four countries. It revealed a shift in chronic disease management from hospital to PC services involving new organizational and funding models (PC networks, commissioning of services, and shared governance structures). The need for leadership and engagement from PC doctors to support PC reform was identified. Review 2 included sixteen qualitative studies from eight countries. Three themes were identified: (1) Health system reform: lacking integrated and co-ordinated services; (2) Funding primary care: competition versus collaboration; and (3) GP/FP engagement in shaping primary care reform. The qualitative study on PC doctors’ perspectives on KSA PC reform identified five major themes: Changes in daily practice; Changes in the infrastructure of PC; Changes in Relationships, Gradation of awareness to understanding of the PC reform; and Barriers and enablers to engaging in PC reform. Participants observed changes in their daily practice with reference to chronic disease prevention and early intervention with a shift from hospital to PC management model. This corresponded to changes in infrastructure especially diagnostic services, access to medication, and information systems. Changes in relationships with patients were perceived as more patient/person-centred wile relationships between PHCCs were described as more collaborative which was attributed to the formation of health clusters as a collective of PHCC and acute hospitals serving a defined population. In contrast, participants’ viewed relationships with the hospital sector as largely hierarchical with no real collaboration. Participants’ understandings and engagement with the PC reforms as stakeholders varied. While there was some understanding of the MOC especially among FP participants, their understanding of financial reform and provider payments was limited. The GP/FP participants believed they had an important contribution to make to the reform agenda as frontline providers. Barriers and enablers to engagement related to trusted sources of information, education and leadership opportunities, and communication with policy decision making. Conclusion This thesis provides important insights from the literature reviews and the qualitative study into the crucial role that PC doctors as frontline health service providers can play in PC reform. PC doctors’ experiences need to be considered by policy makers to ensure successful implementation of PC reform that meets individual and population needs, and that are adequately resourced financially. There is a need for a deliberate process to engage with PC doctors to help them appreciate how observed changes link to policy and to support them as change agents rather than passive actors in the reorientation of the KSA PHC and wider health system.
8 0
Restricted
Development of Stationary Phase Materials and Methods for Analysis of Pharmaceuticals via High-Performance Liquid Chromatography and Electrochemical Detection
(2023-06-14) Alghamdi, Huda Ali Saleh; Glennon, Jeremy
In recent years there has been a significant research focus on developing more efficient chromatographic materials and methods for pharmaceutical analysis. Determination of pharmaceutically active compounds in pharmaceutical formulations requires the development of efficient, rapid and sensitive analytical methods. In addition to providing an overview of different analytical methods used for pharmaceutical analysis via liquid chromatography (LC) and electrochemical analysis at a boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode this research explores and characterises a novel polymer immobilised porous silica particle phase for fast LC analysis of selected pharmaceutical actives. In this thesis, a Nafion polymer-coated silica stationary phase material for the fast and efficient separation of pharmaceutical solutes is reported. Initially, quaternary amine functionalised fully porous and non-porous silica particles (3 μm) were prepared for subsequent coating with Nafion perfluorinated resin (2 % w/v in ethanol). Elemental analysis (CHN), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), zeta potential measurement and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray detector (EDX) confirmed the stepwise silica surface functionalisation. The Nafion-coated phases were evaluated for ion-exchange retention behaviour after they were slurry-packed into stainless steel columns (2.1 x 30 mm). These columns were applied to the separation of pharmaceutically-active tetracaine hydrochloride (TCH), oxymetazoline hydrochloride (OZH) and benzalkonium chloride (BAK) through the use of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Attention was then placed on the rapid separation and sensitive detection of the local anaesthetic TCH and the nasal decongestant OZH combining the high separation efficiencies and the short analysis time of core-shell silica particles with the sensitivity of a BDD electrode. The chromatographic separation was carried out using a poroshell 120 EC-C18 (2.1 × 50 mm, 2.7 μm) column, and isocratic elution is followed by ultraviolet (UV) and amperometric detection at the boron-doped diamond electrode. Rapid reversed-phase (RP) separation of TCH and OZH in nasal spray and ophthalmic formulations was achieved within 45 sec, by adjusting the ratio of organic solvent, mobile phase pH and detection potential. Limits of detections (LODs) of TCH and OZH with BDD electrode are 12 ng/mL and 20 ng/mL respectively, lower than that obtained with UV detection (60 and 89 ng/mL respectively). In addition, a sensitive detection method was developed for the detection of BAK (which is of importance as a preservative and antimicrobial agent in the pharmaceutical industry), using direct electroanalysis at a pristine BDD electrode. The detection limit of BAK homologs with the BDD electrode was 0.4 μg/mL lower than that obtained with a glassy carbon (GC) electrode (0.68 μg/mL) in a non-aqueous medium using square wave voltammetry (SWV). The method was extended to the detection of the C12 homolog in three ophthalmic formulations, and the results were validated by HPLC. The chromatographic separation of BAK homologs (C12, C14, C16, and C18) was carried out using reversed-phase HPLC with a poroshell 120 EC-C8 (2.1 × 50 mm, 1.9 μm) column. The HPLC results confirmed the presence of one single homolog (C12) in the three ophthalmic formulations. The research outcomes represent an advancement in the separation and detection of pharmaceuticals of importance in the pharmaceutical industry at a time when the number of samples and sample matrices in the pharmaceutical industry is on the rise.
13 0
Restricted
Impact of Chronic Pain on Adolescents’ School Functioning and Pain Management Interventions in the School Setting
(2023-07-19) Alsaggaf, Fatimah; Coyne, Imelda
Background: Chronic pain is a widespread issue in children’s health that has a widespread impact on daily activities including participation in school settings. Thus, effective pain management has been emphasised to lessen the impact of adolescents’ chronic pain on school functioning (World Health Organisation 2020). A systematic literature review revealed a need for further research to explore the impact of adolescents’ chronic pain on all aspects of school functioning and the effective school personnel’s responses to managing pain in schools. Furthermore, there was also a deficit of empirical research about adolescents’ experiences of chronic pain in Saudi Arabia. Aim: To explore the impact of chronic pain on adolescents’ school functioning and to identify interventions for managing adolescents’ pain in schools in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A multiple case study design based on Yin’s (2018) methodology was used. Purposeful and theoretical samplings were used to recruit adolescents (n = 10) aged 12 to 18 years who had experienced chronic pain for at least three months, their parents (n = 10), and school personnel (n = 20). Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with participants and through archival hospital and school documents. Data were analysed using constant comparative analysis and cross-case synthesis following Charmaz (2014) and Yin (2018) respectively. Findings: The findings were categorised into three themes: 1) Adolescents’ experiences of chronic pain; 2) Impact of pain on school functioning; and 3) School support and management of adolescents with chronic pain. All adolescents reported that a chronic condition caused their pain and their chronic pain impacted negatively on school functioning, including attendance, performance and competence, physical activity, and social interactions. Adolescents experienced both supportive and non-supportive responses from school personnel, however, when they received school support this helped them to manage their pain in schools and to mitigate their chronic pain’s impact on school functioning. Conclusion: This research provides an insight into adolescents’ experiences of chronic pain, the impact on their school functioning, and how their pain was managed in schools in Saudi Arabia. Chronic pain is a significant health issue that had a detrimental impact on adolescents’ functioning in schools. There is a need for effective communication between parents, healthcare providers, and schools to manage adolescents’ chronic pain effectively. Moreover, a professional development education for school personnel should be provided to enhancing school outcomes and overall health of adolescents with chronic pain.
38 0
Restricted
Exploring the Feasibility of an ASR Reading Tutor as a Supplemental Tool for English Language Learning to Enhance Pronunciation and Vocabulary among EFL Saudi Arabian Students
(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-08) Alharethi, Amal Ali Ahmed; Chiarain, Neasa Ni
The present dissertation delves into the realm of English language learning in the context of Saudi Arabia, with a specific focus on the feasibility of designing and integrating an Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) Reading Tutor as a supplemental tool. The primary aim is to enhance both pronunciation and vocabulary acquisition among Saudi Arabian students. This research seeks to address the challenges faced by English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners in Saudi Arabia, particularly in relation to effective pronunciation and vocabulary enhancement strategies. The study is structured around three fundamental research questions, all aimed at examining the influence of a bespoke ASR Reading Tutor. This personalized tutor serves as the central point of investigation, addressing specific aspects of English language learning within the context of this study. The first research question investigates the efficacy of the Microsoft Pronunciation Assessment tool within the ASR Reading Tutor app. A pre-pilot study using YouTube videos serves as an initial exploration of the tool's ability to identify unique pronunciation errors specific to Saudi EFL learners. The subsequent research question scrutinizes the extent to which pronunciation skills of Saudi EFL learners improve through a two-week pilot study, as discerned by a comparison of baseline ASR backend outputs from the initial and final weeks' errors. This question elucidates the potential for rapid enhancement within a limited timeframe. Lastly, the third research question probes the potential of the ASR Reading Tutor app (LinguaWiz), supplemented by additional features, to positively impact vocabulary size improvement among EFL students. This is gauged through self-assessment questionnaires, providing insights into the practical effectiveness of the tool in a broader language skill domain. Through the data collection and analysis, including ASR outputs from user engagement metrics and questionnaire responses, the study concludes in a thorough summary of the findings. The results indicate the potential of ASR technology in addressing key language learning challenges. The Microsoft Pronunciation Assessment tool exhibited proficiency in identifying specific pronunciation errors unique to Saudi EFL learners. Furthermore, the Reading Tutor app introduces promising outcomes in terms of both pronunciation enhancement and vocabulary acquisition. The user engagement metrics and self-assessment questionnaires indicate increased active involvement, improved pronunciation, and an expanded vocabulary. In conclusion, this dissertation contributes to the evolving landscape of EFL education in Saudi Arabia by demonstrating the potential of ASR technology as a supplemental tool for language enhancement. The findings underscore the efficacy of the app (LinguaWiz) in addressing pronunciation and vocabulary challenges. Future research can build upon these insights, potentially leading to more tailored and effective language-learning strategies for Saudi Arabian students. Ultimately, this study initiates a journey towards optimizing language acquisition methods through technological employment.
16 0
Restricted
Labour Market Segmentation and Change: The Case of Female Workers in the Higher Education Sector in Saudi Arabia
(2023-08) Alqurashi, Bayan N.; Leka, Stavroula; O'Brien, Elaine; Beck, Matthias
Research indicates that female workers in the Middle East experience barriers in their labour market access and mobility. However, little is known about the impact of labour market modernization on the job and labour market experiences of this group of workers. This qualitative study was designed to explore, with a sample of female academics, the impact of labour market change on their jobs and working conditions. The rationale for this research emanates from the researcher’s desire to understand labour market change and the ways this change is impacting the job and labour market experiences of female workers. It was the researcher’s assumption that gaining a deep and holistic understanding of female workers’ job and labour market experiences would support the development of effective policy interventions that are attuned to the reality of female works in a changing segmented labour market and mitigate unintended negative consequences on their wellbeing. The purposefully selected sample was composed of 30 Saudi-national female academics who were drawn from different higher education institutions across Saudi Arabia. The primary data collection method was in-depth semi-structured interviews. The data was systematically coded and thematically analysed. Analysis and interpretation of findings were based on the literature review and answering the research three questions: (1) female workers’ mobility patterns and the labour market structure for female workers, (2) the ways institutional factors shape and impact academic jobs, and (3) psychosocial working conditions in academic jobs, their impact by labour market change, and implications for faculty wellbeing. This research found that female workers face a structural obstacle of limited job opportunity upon their entry to the labour market which forces them to compromise on the quality of their early career jobs. However, institutional change in the labour market is expanding their labour market opportunity. Second, public higher education institutions constitute internal labour markets where access to employment is controlled whereas private higher education institutions operate in an external competitive labour market where employment is subject to market factors. Third, the relationship the higher education institution has with state funding and the employment system followed in the employment of female academics differentiate compensation, employment stability, and employee training for this group of workers across the higher education labour market. Fourth, academic jobs are meaningful, include social support, and provide opportunity for development while at the same time lack job clarity in some areas, include restriction in job autonomy as well as time pressure. Nevertheless, academic jobs are considered good jobs by labour market standards and resourceful by organizational psychology standards and these characteristics combined render them supportive of faculty wellbeing. Recommendations are offered for future research, policy, and practice. Given the institutional complexity of the research context and acknowledging that context varies across cultures and economies, the research findings should be transferred to situations sharing key characteristics and the recommendations considered for their appropriateness for the situation of interest.
22 0
Restricted
IOT-BASED INDOOR AIR QUALITY MONITORING SYSTEM FOR ENHANCED OCCUPANT HEALTH AND COMFORT IN SMART BUILDINGS
(Dublin City Univercity, 2023-08-16) Altamimi, Mshal Baker; Intizar, Ali; Coyle, Shirley; Manzke, Mingming
IoT-based indoor air quality (IAQ) monitoring systems hold significant importance in enhancing occupant health and comfort within the context of smart buildings. The quality of indoor air directly impacts the well-being, productivity, and overall quality of life of individuals residing or working within enclosed spaces. Poor IAQ, characterized by elevated pollutant levels, can lead to a range of adverse health effects, including respiratory ailments, allergies, and chronic illnesses. This paper focuses on the experience and implementation of an IoT-based IAQ monitoring platform with three sensors. The platform uses the IoT Adafruit database dashboard and Telegram server to observe indoor air quality in a selected place, at any time. Based on IoT technology, the sensors are created to monitor air quality effectively and send data to the dashboard and Telegram through Internet. The project is made up of Esp32 microprocessor, sensors for pollution, and temperature humidity detection. The systems used in this study are made to measure the voltage levels of MQ4, MQ-135, and DHT11 to track the air quality and gas. After that, the project was tested successfully, where all sensors get the correct percentages.
3 0
Restricted
Assessment of measuring and monitoring safety in healthcare in Ireland and Saudi Arabia
(University of Galway, 2023-08-16) Kaud, Yazeed; O'Connor, Paul; Lydon, Sinéad
In the past two decades, governments worldwide have prioritised the improvement of health care quality and safety as a primary policy goal. However, progress towards achieving this goal has been limited. The provision of poor care and the prevalence of high levels of harm persist in hospitals. Measurement is considered a crucial and essential initial step in the process of improving patient safety. However, while measuring and monitoring patient safety is widely recognised, there is a lack of agreement on how to achieve it. In this thesis, a multi-method approach was taken to address the dimensions in the Measuring and Monitoring Safety (MMS) framework developed by Vincent et al. to provide a structure for understanding how safety is measured and monitored in hospitals in Ireland and Saudi Arabia. Study 1 is a scoping review of patient safety research carried out in the Republic of Ireland (RoI). It examines the extent, range, and nature of patient safety research activities carried out in the RoI; makes recommendations for future research; and considers how these recommendations align with the Health Service Executive’s (HSE) patient safety strategy. Study 2 considers how safety is measured and monitored in Irish hospitals and offers recommendations for how it can be improved. Study 3 is a scoping review that maps the quantity and nature of current patient safety research in Saudi Arabian hospitals, as well as identifies gaps in the existing literature. Finally, study 4 assesses the Saudi Arabian healthcare safety surveillance system in hospitals using the MMS framework. The findings from the four studies conducted in this thesis demonstrate the availability of an adequate amount of safety data, the availability of diverse methods for collecting safety data, and the expertise necessary to improve safety. The challenge is to identify the most efficient methods for generating key and high-quality data that can help multidisciplinary teams in developing effective interventions tailored to specific health contexts.
19 0
Restricted
The effect of Task-based Language Teaching on Developing Speaking Skills Among Saudi Arabian Female EFL learners at University Level
(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-08-23) Alsahli, Hanin; Siller, Barbara; Devlin, Anne Marie
In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the rate of women entering international workspaces has been increasing. However, due to the competitive nature of the job market, women are required to gain a high level of English proficiency. With this in mind, the current study takes a socio-cognitive theory to investigate the impact of task-based language teaching (TBLT) on the oral proficiency of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners at a Saudi Arabian female university. The aims of this study were threefold: a) to investigate the speaking challenges faced by female EFL learners at the university level, b) to explore the attitudes of one teacher and 16 Saudi EFL learners toward TBLT, and c) to examine the effect of TBLT on developing learners' oral language proficiency based on the complexity, accuracy, and fluency (CAF) measurement. Many previous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of TBLT over other teaching methods in a variety of teaching contexts. However, most of these studies have taken a sociocultural approach to their investigations. Thus, the current study offers new insights by investigating an understudied cohort of EFL learners from a socio-cognitive perspective. The study used a four-pronged design comprising a quasi-experimental teaching intervention, pre- and post-tests, a questionnaire, and semi-structured interviews. Under the quasi-experimental design, 32 learners were divided into an experimental and a control group, with 16 participants in each group. Both groups attended EFL classes for over a period of three months, but the experimental group followed the TBLT approach whereas the control group was taught according to the CLT approach, the conventional approach at the selected university. The learners of the experimental group completed a post-intervention questionnaire, two semi-structured interviews, and one pre- and one post-intervention speaking test, while the teacher of the experimental group only responded to one post-intervention semi-structured interview. Firstly, the pre-intervention interview was conducted to investigate learners’ speaking challenges. Then, a post-intervention questionnaire was followed by a semi-structured interview conducted with learners in the experimental group to further examine their attitudes toward TBLT in English speaking instruction. The second post-intervention interview set out to investigate the attitude of the experimental group teacher with respect to the TBLT approach in teaching speaking skills. Both interviews for the learners and the teacher were analysed using a thematic analysis through NVIVO software and SPSS was utilised to analyse a Likert scale questionnaire. Finally, pre- and post-speaking tests were administered to all of the participants in both groups (control and experimental) and were designed based on the TOEIC test. The data collected from the speaking tests were analysed using the CAF framework and subsequently computed through t-test to assess the differences between the two groups. The main findings of the research are that TBLT is more effective than the conventional teaching method in the EFL female Saudi Arabian university context. Regarding speaking challenges, the first interview revealed that some learners have several concerns when speaking (e.g. concerns about grammar or lack of vocabulary) despite demonstrating serious interest and awareness of speaking-development strategies. The results of the questionnaire and learners’ post-intervention interview revealed that learners have a positive attitude toward the use of TBLT, as they seem to believe it helps to increase motivational aspects, such as self-confidence, when interacting using the target language (TL). Likewise, the teacher also expressed a positive attitude toward TBLT, particularly because it encourages learners to use the TL in classrooms, which is in line with their learning goals. Meanwhile, the second post-intervention interview with the teacher also revealed a major concern surrounding the difficulty and time-consuming nature of the TBLT approach from the instructor’s standpoint. Finally, in terms of oral proficiency, the results of the pre- and post-test measurements showed that the experimental group experienced statistically significant improvements in several components of the CAF measurements (accuracy and fluency) compared to the control group. First, in terms of syntactic complexity, the experimental group showed significant reductions in the mean length of the C-unit and mean length of clauses, while the clauses per C-unit significantly increased. No significant changes appeared in lexical complexity, and the experimental group made significantly fewer errors and produced more errorless clauses post-intervention. Finally, regarding fluency, the number of silent pauses and repairs in the experimental group’s speech was reduced significantly, although the changes in filled pauses were not significant. Based on the above results, it has been concluded that the TBLT approach has a significant effect on developing EFL learners’ speaking skills, specifically, with regards to accuracy and fluency. Learners’ attitudes toward a particular pedagogical approach are essential in encouraging learners to participate in classrooms which should affect whether they develop the target language, such as speaking skills, or not. In this experimental study, the TBLT approach was shown to develop learners’ speaking skills. The study was, however, limited by the small sample size and brief duration. Therefore, it is recommended that the study be replicated with a larger sample over a longer intervention period. Furthermore, the effect of TBLT on learners at different proficiency levels is also worth exploring further.
50 0
Restricted
An examination of the policy and controversy in the greyhound industry in Ireland
(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-08-25) Alsahafi, Amjaad; O'Sullivan, Maureen
This study comprehensively examines the controversial issues surrounding the greyhound racing industry in Ireland. It delves into various industry elements from economic, cultural, and ethical perspectives, drawing on various sources, including media production, financial reports, animal welfare studies, and public opinions. The research examines the industry's institutional structures, financial support mechanisms, breeding practices, animal welfare measures, doping allegations, and export policies. Additionally, it assesses the industry's transparency and accountability, particularly concerning the number of greyhounds bred annually and their fate post-retirement. A key focus of this thesis is the critical assessment of whether the greyhound racing industry should be preserved or abolished, given the complex, multifaceted issues it presents. Ultimately, this impartial exploration of the industry's contentious issues aims to provide valuable insights and informed conclusions that contribute to the ongoing discourse and could guide future policy-making and industry practices.
13 0
Restricted
Consumer’s Perceptions and attitudes towards Halal market in Ireland
(Technological University Dublin, 2023-09-01) Alshaikh, Faisal; Hayas, Niall
This study aims to evaluate the relationship between various factors and their effectiveness on Muslims consumers’ perceptions to purchase from Halal shops. The concept of consumers’ perceptions is also central to debates regarding the development of various theoretical models, which aim to effectively explain different factors and their impact on consumer’s intention to purchase from Halal shops in Ireland. The primary focus of this study is to measure variables namely, behaviour, customer satisfaction, customer perceived, functional value, and emotional value in the context of Muslims consumer intention to purchase from halal shops. However, little is known about the direct relationship between factors influence Muslims consumers intentions to purchase in the context of Halal shops. This study aimed to address this gap by examining whether these factors are likely to impact on intentions to purchase from Halal shops among Muslims live in Ireland. Methods: The study addressed this gap by using a quantitative methodology, employing a questionnaire. Data comes from a cross-sectional survey with a total of 62 (n=62) individuals who completed the survey and were accessed in terms of their intentions to purchase from Halal shops. The survey structure was largely based on Likert scales adopted from the literature for simplicity, consistency, and reliability. Results: SSPS software was employed in the analysis. In order to minimize errors in the analysis process descriptive statistics analysis is applied. Descriptive analysis was used for all sections of the analysis, including respondents’ demographics, each variable; behaviour, customer satisfaction, customer perceived, functional value, and emotional value. The statistical results indicate that purchase intentions form Halal shops is associated with the proposed independent variables. Implication: This study does not provide any qualitative data, and hence, certain perspectives are not explored.
4 0