SACM - Australia
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://drepo.sdl.edu.sa/handle/20.500.14154/9648
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Item Unknown Enhancing Srcond Language Acquisition in Higher Eduacation in Sharura Province, Saudi Arabia Through AI Tools: The Case of ChatGPT(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Alkorbi, Alya Mubarak; Olav, KuhnThis study investigates how first-year university students in Sharura engage with and perceive ChatGPT as a supportive tool in their English language learning. The primary objectives were to explore students’ experiences with ChatGPT, identify the benefits and challenges of its use, and examine its potential role in enhancing second language acquisition (SLA) within under-resourced educational contexts. A qualitative research design was employed, involving a purposive sample of seven students, each representing one of seven different academic departments, to capture diverse disciplinary perspectives. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, which allowed for in-depth exploration of participants’ interactions with ChatGPT. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring patterns and key themes across the interviews, while learner trajectory analysis highlighted individual differences in how students’ use of ChatGPT evolved. The findings revealed five major themes: increased learner confidence and empowerment, concerns about dependency on AI tools, practical benefits related to time efficiency, skill-specific improvements in grammar and vocabulary, and mixed attitudes towards formal classroom integration of ChatGPT. Participants valued ChatGPT’s immediate feedback and emotional support but also expressed caution about over-reliance and the potential impact on critical thinking and independent learning. Based on these insights, the study recommends careful and guided integration of AI tools like ChatGPT into language education, emphasizing reflective practice, learner autonomy, and teacher mediation. The research contributes a valuable understanding of AI’s role in under-resourced educational contexts and offers practical implications for educators seeking to leverage technology to support language learning.3 0Item Unknown The role of time-of-day in variety-seeking behaviour: A self-control account(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Harmali, Sami Bakheet Ahmed; Keh, Hean TatThis research investigates an important factor, called time-of-day, and how it influences variety-seeking behaviour in the context of video and podcast consumption. Specifically, I propose that consumers seek less variety in the morning and more variety in the evening in video and podcast domains, and this prediction is moderated by consumers’ chronotypes, morning-types and evening-types. I argue that consumers have high self-control in the morning, but consumers have low self-control in the evening. Consequently, this drives greater variety-seeking behaviour in the evening but less variety-seeking in the morning. Across five studies (N = 1630), approved by Monash’s Research Ethics Committee (40003), I provide empirical evidence by recruiting participants via Prolific and MTurk platforms in the morning and evening. In Study 1 and Study 2, I found that consumers seek less variety in the domain of podcast consumption by selecting fewer choices of podcast categories in the morning but seek more variety by selecting a diverse set of choices in the evening. In Study 3 and Study 4, I extended the investigation by examining consumers’ variety-seeking in video context. Both studies demonstrated that consumers seek less variety in the morning and more variety in the evening. In relation to the self-control account, and across four studies, I utilised self-reported measures of self-control and a behavioural proxy measure, called time spend on survey, that is automatically recorded by Qualtrics survey. The mediation analysis shows non-significant results, except in Study 3, where time spend on survey mediated the relationship between time-of-day and variety-seeking behaviour in video context. Moreover, Study 5 (pre-registered at https://aspredicted.org/nqxw-68hb.pdf) examined the moderating role of consumers’ chronotypes by randomly assigning morning-type and evening-type participants to morning and evening sessions. The results show non-significant interaction effect. The results have theoretical and practical implications. It extends prior research on time-of-day by studying variety-seeking behaviour in the online domain. Managers are also encouraged to strategies their variety offerings across the day, such as playing more diverse music genres in their stores in the evening. Finally, limitations and future directions are discussed.15 0Item Restricted Examining the influence of organizational factors on Saudi’s healthcare reforms: Challenges and opportunities(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alrdadi, Eid Nazel; Shahidul, IslamThis study investigates the organisational factors influencing the implementation of healthcare reform in Saudi Arabia, with a particular emphasis on the barriers and enablers affecting institutional transformation. Anchored in the context of Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program (NTP), the research responds to a critical gap in the literature by exploring how internal organisational dynamics shape the success or failure of ongoing healthcare reforms. A qualitative research design was adopted, involving semi-structured interviews with 13 senior healthcare leaders and decision-makers serving a variety of administrative and operational roles in the Saudi public healthcare sector. Data were collected from multiple regions across the Kingdom to ensure a diverse set of perspectives. Thematic analysis was used to identify core themes that reflect systemic challenges and institutional priorities related to reform implementation. The findings reveal seven interrelated themes: (1) strategic vision and governance, (2) administrative and organisational challenges, (3) digital transformation and technology integration, (4) collaborative healthcare models and public-private partnerships, (5) workforce challenges and sustainability, (6) financial aspects and resource management, and (7) managing transformation and future directions. These themes expose a system under pressure to decentralise, digitise, and optimise its services amid workforce shortages, misaligned administrative processes, and uneven infrastructure. Key recommendations arising from the study include the need for stronger leadership development, investment in digital health equity, improved administrative streamlining, and more strategic workforce planning. The research further underscores the necessity of shifting from reactive models to preventive, community-engaged care and promoting sustainable reform through coordinated intersectoral action. This study improves our theoretical understanding of organisational transformation in healthcare and provides practical insights for policymakers, institutional leaders, and reform stakeholders seeking to align systemic improvements with Vision 2030 goals. The findings also offer a platform for future research on reform scalability and sustainability in similar healthcare contexts.10 0Item Restricted Mortality and Prolonged ICU Stay Analysis in the MIMIC-III Database: A Dual Analytical(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Aldawsari, Fayez; Concha, Oscar; Welberry, HeidiAbstract Background: Understanding mortality patterns across ICU types and identifying patients at risk for prolonged stays is crucial for resource allocation and clinical decision-making. Objectives: This study examined (1) differences in in-hospital mortality across ICU types after risk adjustment, and (2) developed a predictive model for prolonged ICU stays using early clinical data. Methods: Using MIMIC-III database, we analyzed 61,533 ICU admissions. Propensity score matching with logistic regression compared mortality across five ICU types against MICU. XGBoost classification predicted ICU stays ≥7 days using first 24-hour clinical features. Results: Overall mortality was 4.6%, with 16.1% prolonged stays. After propensity adjustment, CSRU demonstrated significantly lower mortality versus MICU (OR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.16-0.29), while SICU, CCU, and TSICU showed no significant differences. The XGBoost model achieved excellent discrimination (AUC-ROC: 0.862, sensitivity: 0.264, specificity: 0.978). Glasgow Coma Scale mean score was the most important predictor, followed by vasopressor use and mechanical ventilation. Conclusions: Substantial mortality differences exist across ICU types after risk adjustment, with cardiac surgery patients showing superior outcomes. Early clinical data accurately identifies patients at risk for prolonged stays, enabling proactive resource planning.18 0Item Restricted Evaluation Of The Radiodensity Of Prosthetic Dental Materials For Head And Neck Radiotherapy(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Bahakam, Omar; Judge, Roy; Ungureanu, Elena; Sapkaroski, Daniel; Judge, RoyAbstract Background and Study Rationale: Head and neck cancers are among the most prevalent tumours worldwide, with more than 900,000 new cases reported each year. It is estimated that Australia records about 5000 new cases every year. Of the many choices of treatment, radiotherapy remains a viable option in managing tumours, as evidenced by the fact that around 78% of head and neck cancer patients received it1-3. Radiotherapy has also grown, and unlike three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy, radiation therapy now involve using intensity-modulated radiation therapy, volumetric-modulated arc therapy and proton therapy3. These advancements are made to improve the effectiveness of radiation and reduce its effects on other parts of the body and organs to reduce side effects. However, in patients with head and neck cancer, the problem with foreign bodies such as dental prostheses and restorations comes into play as they pose a challenge regarding radiation treatment planning and delivery owing to difficulties in dose distribution. Defining the image of a tumour and its relationship with the surrounding anatomical structures is difficult in the case of gold, amalgam, and zirconia dental restorations1-5. Improvements in imaging techniques and algorithms used in radiation therapy treatment planning are still insufficient to accurately calculate the exact needed radiation dose due to dental restoration artifacts. The purpose of this work is to compare the effects of various dental prosthetic materials on the radiation dose distribution and to discuss possible strategies for reducing these artefacts. As a result, the study aims at enhancing the effectiveness of radiation therapy for head and neck cancer patients with a view of increasing the chances of accurate treatment planning and enhanced prognoses. Study Aims and Objectives: This study, which was carried out in collaboration with the University of Melbourne and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, assesses the radiodensity of commonly used dental prostheses and restorations. Through conducting a detailed examination of the radiographic properties of common dental materials, the research aims to determine the effects of these materials on the accuracy of the radiation dose delivery and their effect on the treatment outcome. At the end of the study, the research will offer recommendations that would help to reduce the impact of dental prosthetic materials in radiation therapy planning for patients with head and neck cancer. The study has three primary objectives: 1) To create a jaw model that accurately represents the radiodensities of a human jaw, which will be used to investigate dental prostheses. 2) Measure the radiodensity of commonly used dental materials; their effect on radiation therapy treatment planning will be analyzed to develop dental prosthetic artefact tables. 3) To develop a clinical protocol to improve the current radiation therapy treatment planning for head and neck cancer patients. The study has been rigorously reviewed and approved by the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Low and Negligible Risk Research Ethical Review Committee (LNRR-ERC), under HREC Reference: HREC/80541/PMCC. Methodology: This work entailed developing a jaw model that is incorporated into an anthropomorphic phantom, and measuring the radiodensity of various dental prostheses to assess their impact on radiation therapy (RT) planning. A) Model Construction: The process started with the acquisition of a stone dental cast which was used to produce a digital jaw model. Then, oral hard tissues including enamel, dentin and bone were virtually sectioned and modeled with the aid of different CAD software. CBCT scans of patients treated at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre were used to calibrate the radiodensity of the model to be as close as possible to real oral hard tissue. The physical model was then 3D printed using Iron PLA and PLA materials for the model’s construction. The dental prostheses of different types such as crowns and bridges were placed into the model for mimicing multiple clinical situations. B) Scanning and Data Collection: The second phase involved taking multiple CT scans with dental cone-beam CT (CBCT) and radiotherapy CT (RT CT). The scanning scenarios included scanning each prosthesis by itself and multiple prostheses together. Hounsfield Unit (HU) values were obtained in a very systematic manner to assess the effect of each prosthesis on image quality. Also, scans with and without laboratory putty were done to check the impact of laboratory putty on the image artifacts. Results: This study aims to know the effect of various dental prosthetic materials on the CT scan imaging quality between Radiation Therapy CT (RT CT) and Dental Cone Beam CT (CBCT). The outcomes are restricted to Hounsfield Unit (HU) values since they represent the image quality and the artifact severity in different materials and conditions. Gold Crown (#27):Gold crowns generated significantly higher artifacts in RT CT than Dental CBCT. Without other prostheses, RT CT recorded a mean HU of 20,265 compared to 15,980 in Dental CBCT, indicating a 21% reduction in artifacts for Dental CBCT (p < 0.001). With additional prostheses and the use of lab putty, the artifacts were further reduced by up to 64% in Dental CBCT compared to RT CT. Zirconia Crown (#26):RT CT generally produced higher HU values than Dental CBCT. In isolated scans, Dental CBCT recorded 33% higher values. However, in more complex scenarios, including multiple prostheses, the difference between RT CT and Dental CBCT became less significant, especially with the use of lab putty, which minimized the variance in HU values between the two imaging modalities. Amalgam Restoration (#25):Dental CBCT consistently yielded lower HU values, with a reduction of 59% in artifacts compared to RT CT. The use of putty further minimized artifacts, resulting in a 69% reduction in Dental CBCT compared to RT CT (p < 0.001). Lithium Disilicate Crown (#24):The difference in HU values between RT CT and Dental CBCT was relatively small for lithium disilicate crowns. The maximum recorded difference was approximately 8%, and no significant statistical difference was observed between the two modalities. PFM Crown (#23):PFM crowns consistently generated higher artifacts in RT CT compared to Dental CBCT. In the most complex scenarios, RT CT recorded 78% higher HU values than Dental CBCT (p < 0.001). Lab putty significantly reduced the artifacts in Dental CBCT scans. Implant (#22):The implant model showed consistently better image quality and fewer artifacts in Dental CBCT, with artifact reductions ranging from 33% to 51% across various scenarios. Dental CBCT scans were consistently superior to RT CT scans for imaging implants. Maryland Bridge (#21 & #11):Dental CBCT recorded significantly fewer artifacts for both the metal wedge and ceramic pontic parts of the Maryland bridge compared to RT CT. Artifact reduction ranged from 25% to 46%, depending on the complexity of the scanning scenario. Lithium Disilicate Veneer (#12) and Composite Restoration (#14):Both lithium disilicate veneers and composite restorations produced lower HU values in both imaging modalities, with no significant difference observed between RT CT and Dental CBCT scans. PFM Bridge (#15-17):RT CT scans consistently recorded higher HU values compared to Dental CBCT. Dental CBCT reduced artifacts by up to 50% when combined with the use of lab putty. Among the different dental materials, Dental CBCT generated lower HU values, which consequently means less artifacts, and therefore suitable for use in radiation therapy planning especially when dealing with dental prostheses. Conclusion: This study involved the development of a 3D jaw model that accurately represented the radiodensities of various oral hard tissues. Additionally, the study demonstrated that dental Cone Beam CT (CBCT) generated significantly fewer artefacts and lower Hounsfield Unit (HU) values compared to Radiation Therapy CT (RT CT) when imaging dental prosthetic materials. The reduction in artefacts was particularly pronounced in scenarios involving multiple prostheses. Specifically, prostheses such as gold crowns, amalgam restorations, and zirconia crowns produced markedly fewer artefacts in Dental CBCT, thereby enhancing image clarity and improving the accuracy of radiotherapy planning. Furthermore, the utilization of dental lab putty effectively reduced the number of artefacts in both imaging modalities, with the most substantial decrease observed in Dental CBCT scans.24 0Item Restricted Time-to-Death Analysis and Prolonged ICU Stay Prediction Using MIMIC-III Data(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alanazi, Abdullah; Welberry, HeidiThis study investigated two critical questions in intensive care using the MIMIC-III database. First, we examined whether time-to-death differs across ICU types using survival analysis methods. Second, we developed a machine learning model to predict prolonged ICU stays (≥7 days) from early clinical features, addressing the class imbalance inherent in this outcome. Our survival analysis of 24,754 adult ICU admissions revealed significant mortality differences between ICU types, with SICU and TSICU patients showing approximately 50% lower hazard of death compared to MICU patients (adjusted HR 0.51, 95% CI: 0.44-0.60 and 0.51, 95% CI: 0.42-0.62, respectively). For prolonged stay prediction, our Random Forest model with balanced training achieved strong discrimination (AUC-ROC 0.84) and balanced accuracy (76.6%), outperforming traditional logistic regression. The most important predictive features were Glasgow Coma Scale measures, mechanical ventilation, and vasopressor use—all indicators of illness severity. These findings suggest that ICU type substantially influences mortality risk and that early prediction of prolonged stays is feasible using routinely collected clinical data.19 0Item Restricted An Investigation on Improving the Security of Remote Work to Secure Communication and Enhance Efficiency(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) ALBATEL, Yousef; AlDoghman, FirasThe rapid adoption of remote working has transformed organisational operations, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. While remote work offers significant benefits such as flexibility, reduced operational costs, and improved employee productivity, it has also introduced substantial challenges related to the security of communication systems. Remote workers increasingly rely on personal devices, unsecured networks, and digital collaboration tools, making organisational data and communication channels vulnerable to cyber threats such as phishing, malware, and data breaches. This research investigates the security challenges affecting communication in remote working environments and examines strategies that can be adopted to enhance both security and efficiency. Guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the study explores how perceived usefulness and ease of use influence the adoption of security technologies in remote work settings. A comprehensive review of existing literature is conducted to identify key cybersecurity risks and evaluate mitigation strategies, including encryption, virtual private networks (VPNs), zero-trust architecture, identity and access management, and employee cybersecurity awareness training. The findings highlight that although effective security solutions exist, their adoption is often hindered by high implementation costs, performance limitations, and insufficient technical skills among employees. The study concludes that organisations must adopt a holistic approach combining technological solutions, organisational policies, and employee training to secure communication channels and enhance the overall efficiency of remote working. The research contributes to both academic literature and professional practice by providing insights into improving secure communication within modern remote work environments.6 0Item Restricted The Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Practices and Entrepreneurial Orientation in Saudi Arabia: A Crisis Risk Management Perspective(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alanzi, Sami; Ratten, VanessaThe COVID-19 pandemic is a disruptive event that presents both risks and opportunities to enhance corporate social responsibility (CSR) perspectives and practices among companies in the Saudi private sector. Additionally, it may foster positive change in the Saudi entrepreneurial ecosystem and change its orientation toward supporting digital entrepreneurship. The logic behind the research is that, based on the concepts of risk and crisis management, an effective response to a disruptive event could include changes in practices and orientation to mitigate the negative implications of the crisis and capitalise on opportunities. This research investigates the implications of the pandemic on CSR and Entrepreneurial Orientation in Saudi Arabia. The main focus is on examining an integrated theoretical perspective that combines Stakeholder Theory, Carroll’s Theory of the CSR Pyramid, and the Knowledge Spillover Theory of Entrepreneurship. This theoretical perspective positions changes in CSR and Entrepreneurial Orientation as organisational responses that have been driven by external institutional pressures, stakeholder expectations, and firms’ internal resource configurations. Supporting insights from Resilience and Crisis Management Theories further explain how Saudi firms adapted, reconfigured capabilities, and sought legitimacy during the crisis. The study aimed to assess how this combined theoretical perspective explains pandemic-driven shifts in CSR practices and entrepreneurial behaviour among Saudi corporates, and how these shifts contribute to organisational resilience and effective risk management. This study contributes to the body of knowledge on CSR and entrepreneurship by investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CSR perspectives and practices, as well as entrepreneurial orientation among private-sector corporations in Saudi Arabia from a risk management perspective. Specifically, the study contributes to the CSR theory, which refers to CSR as a voluntary, self-driven organisational practices by emphasising the role of CSR as a risk mitigation tool that could strengthen corporates position in the market and minimise the continuity risk it examines the role of CSR practices in mitigating the pandemic’s adverse impacts on stakeholders and their role in supporting business continuity during crises. Accordingly, the study suggests that CSR has become more essential rather than voluntary organisational practices. The study employs a qualitative approach, utilising semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis techniques to collect and analyse primary data related to the research topic and develop an in-depth understanding of the crisis impact on CSR and entrepreneurial orientation in Saudi Arabia. The interview sample included 34 participants (managers and entrepreneurs) from various Saudi business sectors, such as banking, oil and gas, energy, travel and tourism, and retail.The key findings indicate that the repeated lockdowns harmed business financial performance and led to a noticeable decrease in CSR allowance. However, a noticeable change was detected in CSR perspectives and practices, which, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, were primarily focused on charitable donations. Corporations became more open to various types of social contributions, utilising available resources and technical capabilities. Moreover, the findings highlighted that Saudi corporations resorted to technology and customised services to meet changes in customer needs and communication channels, creating opportunities for digital entrepreneurship. This transformation to more technology-based business models created opportunities for digital entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the findings highlighted the significant role of the governments, particularly in developing economies, such as Saudi Arabia, in stimulating and supporting CSR practices and directing the entrepreneurship orientation. The Saudi government provided the necessary guidance and technical capabilities to help corporations safely manage their staff and sustain their operations. Interestingly, the pandemic helped in achieving the Saudi Vision 2030 by accelerating digitalisation. The research’s managerial implications encouraged decision-makers in Saudi firms to integrate CSR into the organisation’s core strategies rather than treating it as a philanthropic activity. They should also consider internal stakeholders as critical organisational assets, prioritising employee health, safety, mental wellbeing, and work-life balance in their CSR planning. Moreover, managers are encouraged to leverage the vast transformation to digitisation to improve communication and engagement of different stakeholders and launch digital CSR initiatives, such as online awareness campaigns, which are key to effective CSR practices.7 0Item Restricted Multi-sensor assessment of vegetation phenology in Rawdat Khuraim oasis: climate controls and spatiotemporal dynamics(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alharbi, Raed; Dewan, AshrafThis study investigated the dynamics of vegetation phenology in the Rawdat Khuraim Oasis, Saudi Arabia, using a multi-sensor remote sensing approach to assess climate-driven seasonal patterns from 2014 to 2024. The research addressed critical knowledge gaps on phenological responses in Arabian Peninsula oasis ecosystems through an integrated analysis of remote sensing data from three satellite systems: the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Landsat 8/9, and Sentinel-2. Daily Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time series were reconstructed using hierarchical gap-filling and Savitzky–Golay filtering. Phenological metrics—Start of Season (SOS), End of Season (EOS), and Length of Season (LOS)—were extracted using threshold-based and derivative-based methods to ensure robust detection of seasonal transitions for shrub–grass communities. The analysis showed that Rawdat Khuraim exhibits a single-pulse phenological system driven mainly by the winter rainfall regime. Vegetation greening typically begins between late November and January, followed by senescence between March and early May, with growing seasons of 70–140 days depending on the timing and magnitude of rainfall. Cross-correlation analysis confirmed a lag of 2–8 weeks between peak rainfall and maximum NDVI response. Temperature was identified as the main limiting factor on season length, with land surface temperatures above 40 °C consistently triggering rapid senescence regardless of residual soil moisture. Climate–phenology relationships were quantified using multiple regression with precipitation from CHIRPS and temperature from the ERA5-Land reanalysis product. Early winter rainfall events and multiple rainfall pulses produced the strongest vegetation responses, whereas late or absent winter rainfall resulted in short growing seasons. Despite high interannual variability, Mann–Kendall trend analysis indicated no significant directional shifts in phenological timing, suggesting that year-to-year weather variability, rather than long-term climate trends, dominated during the study period. The multi-sensor framework successfully compensated for the limitations of individual platforms, with MODIS providing temporal continuity, Landsat contributing historical detail, and Sentinel-2 enhancing spatial resolution in recent years.10 0Item Restricted The Role of RIPK1 Pathways in Obesity and Circadian Rhythm Regulation(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alammar, Abdulaziz Mohammed A; Denuja, Karunakaran; Masaaki, SatoRIPK1 and MLKL are best known for executing necroptosis, yet emerging evidence implicates them in metabolic control. We tested whether modulating these proteins reshapes adipose biology and glucose regulation through non-lethal signalling. Using complementary in vivo and in vitro approaches, we combined adipose-targeted genetic manipulation with longitudinal metabolic phenotyping, depot-level endpoints, 3T3-L1 adipogenesis assays, and circadian profiling of hepatic clock-linked transcripts. Attenuating RIPK1 signalling aligned with reduced inflammatory tone in adipose tissue and indices consistent with improved insulin sensitivity, in keeping with RIPK1’s scaffolding of NF-κB pathways that antagonise insulin signalling. Effects on fat distribution favoured a relative reduction in visceral depots rather than a simple fall in total adiposity, suggesting qualitative remodelling of adipose function. MLKL influenced adipocyte programs beyond cell death: loss of MLKL impaired differentiation in vitro and pointed to altered lipid-handling pathways in vivo. Rhythmic analyses supported genotype-dependent modulation of hepatic transcripts, compatible with feedback between lipid status and clock-controlled transcription. Together, these data support a model in which RIPK1 and MLKL shape immunometabolic signalling and insulin sensitivity via context-dependent, non-necroptotic functions. The findings motivate depot-aware and time-of-day interventions and prioritise follow-up experiments coupling RIPK1 inhibition or MLKL manipulation with direct measures of PPARγ targets, adiponectin multimers, and responses to inflammatory challenge.25 0