SACM - United Kingdom
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://drepo.sdl.edu.sa/handle/20.500.14154/9667
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Item Restricted Human Action Recognition Based on Convolutional Neural Networks and Vision Transformers(University of Southampton, 2025-05) Alomar, Khaled Abdulaziz; Xiaohao, CaiThis thesis explores the impact of deep learning on human action recognition (HAR), addressing challenges in feature extraction and model optimization through three interconnected studies. The second chapter surveys data augmentation techniques in classification and segmentation, emphasizing their role in improving HAR by mitigating dataset limitations and class imbalance. The third chapter introduces TransNet, a transfer learning-based model, and its enhanced version, TransNet+, which utilizes autoencoders for improved feature extraction, demonstrating superior performance over existing models. The fourth chapter reviews CNNs, RNNs, and Vision Transformers, proposing a novel CNN-ViT hybrid model and comparing its effectiveness against state-of-the-art HAR methods, while also discussing future research directions.19 0Item Restricted Addressing risk, challenges, and solutions in Megaprojects: A case study of Neom Smart City in Saudi Arabia(leeds beckett university, 2024) Alluqmani, Waleed Salem; Omotayo, TemitopeNeom Smart City is designed as a high-tech city with sustainable living and renewable energy sources such as solar power and autonomous transportation systems. The City aims to become an attractive destination for talents and investment Mega Projects are more common in the 21st century due to global population growth, urbanisation, and technological innovation that requires the establishment of big projects. The aim of this research is to focus on risks, challenges, and solutions that may occur at the Neom Smart City project in KSA, and provide insights for the effective management of megaprojects. A positivist philosophy and a deductive research approach was used in this research. The overarching methodology was quantitative. The data-gathering procedure involved questionnaire instruments. The sample involved twenty participants including project managers, while the data analysis technique used was descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS and crucial ethical considerations were confidentiality and informed consent. Descriptive analysis of the findings have revealed that the participants perceived financial risks to be the most important concerns, followed by legal and construction risks. The result from the study also shows poor planning, political failures, and the lack of high-performing teams were the most significant contributor to the failure of megaprojects. The inferential statistics have revealed that there is a significant positive correlation between design risks and legal risks, contractual risks, construction risks and operational management risks. Financial risks are linked to construction risks, political risks, and leadership risks. Empirically, financial risks are influenced by contractual risks, poor leadership, and poor planning. The outcomes also suggest that stakeholder collaboration has a statistically significant impact on construction risks.5 0Item Restricted Investigating the Implementation of Governance Through the Adoption of the Universities Law in Saudi Higher Education(ASTON UNIVERSITY, 2025) Alowaid, Othman; Hall, MatthewThis research investigates the implementation of the new Universities Law in Saudi Arabia and its implications for higher education governance. The primary aim is to develop a comprehensive governance framework tailored to Saudi universities' unique sociocultural, political, and economic context. This study provides a robust theoretical foundation for understanding governance dynamics within Saudi higher education by synthesising agency, stewardship, and stakeholder theories. There has previously been an in-depth exploration of adapting governance in Saudi higher education through the new Universities Law; hence, this research examines the two universities that first implemented the new law. The study explores the governance framework of Saudi higher education, the adaptation processes, and the challenges encountered. A qualitative case study approach allowed participants to describe their experiences. Data collection involved two main methods: document analysis and semi-structured interviews. The key documents analysed were the previous Higher Education and Universities Council Law and the new Universities Law. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants from the two universities and the Universities Affairs Council, considered the body supervising universities. This study contributes to the theoretical discourse on higher education governance by demonstrating the novel combination of agency, stewardship, and stakeholder theories and revealing the limitations of existing governance frameworks when applied in isolation. This study addresses practical challenges universities face during the transition, providing insights crucial for successfully implementing governance reforms. By bridging the gap between theory and practice, this research supports ongoing efforts to improve governance in Saudi higher education, aligning with the broader goals of the Vision 2030 initiative. Additionally, it addresses practical challenges universities face during the transition, providing insights crucial for successfully implementing governance reforms. By bridging the gap between theory and practice, this research supports ongoing efforts to improve governance in Saudi higher education, aligning with the broader goals of the Vision 2030 initiative.6 0Item Restricted Heat shock protein 90 is a master regulator of HIV-1 latency(University College London, 2025) Noor Saeed, Somaya; Fassati, AribertoAn estimated 39.9 million people live with HIV-1 globally. While combined antiretroviral therapy has significantly reduce the mortality rate of HIV-1 patients by controlling the virus and preventing its spreading, interrupting the treatment causes the virus to rebound from a latent reservoir that is mostly present in memory CD4+ T cells. Therefore, treatment is not curative but rather lifelong. Alternative treatment strategies involve the use of pharmacological agents to Induce deep latency or stimulation of latently infected cells to facilitate immune-mediated clearance. The multifactorial nature of HIV-1 latency is associated with the infected CD4+ T cell's activation status. Hence to perturb latency, it is necessary to target several pathways simultaneously without compromising CD4+ T cell activity and function. HIV-1 latency has been demonstrated to be regulated by Hsp90, although knowledge on the pathways is limited. However, Hsp90 known to enhance the proper folding of numerous cellular proteins required for HIV-1 gene expression, for this reason, we hypothesized that Hsp90 might be a master regulator of latency. We tested this hypothesis using a polyclonal Jurkat cell model of latency and ex-vivo latently infected primary CD4+ T cells. Here we showed that Hsp90 is necessary for HIV-1 reactivation in the Jurkat model, which is mediated via the T-cell receptor, agonists of TLR-7 and TLR-8, phorbol esters, TNF-α, and FOXO-1 suppression. Additionally, in primary cells, targeting Hsp90 reduced HIV-1 gene expression induced by stimulation the TCR or in the presence of IL7/IL15 or a FOXO-1 inhibitor. The activation of the NF-kB, NFAT, and AP-1 signal transduction pathways was inhibited by chemically inhibiting Hsp90. We showed that Hsp90 inhibition for HIV-1 was mostly significant within the CD4+ T cell population, CDRA45+ CCR7+ “naïve” and CD45RA- CCR7- “effector memory” which did not perturb their phenotype or activation state. Our results indicate that Hsp90 is a master regulator of HIV-1 latency that can potentially be targeted in cure strategies.5 0Item Restricted Heterogeneous Catalysis Using Noble and Non-noble Metals nanoparticles supported on metal-oxide catalysts(Cardiff University, 2025) Aleyadah, Layla; Davies, PhilipThe main objective of this work is to use investigate non-noble metals with the aim of reducing the cost of noble metals catalysts while preserving effective performance across a range of applications.2 0Item Restricted Saudi Perceptions and Motives for Volunteering(Leicester university, 2025) Alghamdi, Hesham; Goodwin, JohnThis thesis explores the perceptions and motivations of Saudi individuals engaging in voluntary work within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Utilizing an ethnographic approach, the research delves into the nuances of volunteering in the Saudi context, examining the factors that shape perceptions among volunteers and the diverse motivations that drive their participation. The study also investigates the experiences of Saudi women in volunteering and considers the influence of cultural and social factors on voluntary engagement. By providing an in-depth analysis, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the dynamics of volunteering in Saudi Arabia.6 0Item Restricted Developing a Strategic Roadmap Toward Hydrogen energy Economy for energy mix integration In Saudi Arabia(Cranfield University, 2024) AlKaheel, Sultan Bin Thiyab; Luo, JerryThe present thesis provides a detailed analysis of the current situation in the landscape of hydrogen energy, underlining an advanced framework of DSS that can work on optimizing all stages of hydrogen production, deployment, and integration into the energy sector. This research, conducted within the larger context of transitioning global energy resources towards sustainability, investigates how DSS might empower leaders to master the complexities associated with transitioning toward a hydrogen-based economy balanced among economic, environmental, and logistical concerns. In this DSS framework, designed on MATLAB Web App Designer, nine strategic scenarios are analysed using MCDM and decision tree approaches, considering the dynamics of demand and supply, production costs, policies, and ecological benefits. A DSS framework is an integrated system wherein data, modelling, analysis, and decision-making are systematically structured. Therefore, the present DSS framework acts as an important tool to arrive at informed, scalable, and flexible hydrogen production strategies. Keywords: Hydrogen economy; Market Penetration Feasibility; Production Capacity, Cost and Efficiency, Strategic Planning, Hydrogen Energy Influencing Factors.26 0Item Restricted comparative study of the framing of COVID-19 by the BBC and Al Arabiya(University of Leicester, 2024) Shbber, Saud; Qian, GongThe COVID-19 pandemic required public service media (PSM) outlets to respond swiftly and adapt their communication strategies. This thesis examines how two major PSM organisations—BBC in the UK and Al Arabiya in Saudi Arabia—framed the COVID-19 crisis, focusing on eight key news frames identified in the study: human-interest, vaccination safety/hesitancy, war, commitment and transparency, uncertainty, economic consequences, government handling; criticism vs. firm state control, and authority-centric frames. This thesis uses corpus linguistic analysis (CLA) to assist the framing analysis process, building two corpora from tweets and the attached full news articles on X (formerly Twitter) from both outlets. This method allows for a detailed comparison of how COVID-19 was communicated in the different political, social, and media contexts of the UK and Saudi Arabia. The findings show that BBC’s coverage often highlighted public engagement, transparency, criticism and economic impact, while Al Arabiya focused more on government authority and firm state control. The thesis also tracks how these frames changed over time, noting both similarities and differences between the two outlets. Early coverage in both media focused on uncertainty and health risks but later shifted to issues such as vaccination, economic recovery, and government handling. However, the degree to which each outlet emphasised these frames varied, reflecting the differences in media landscapes and political environments. This change shows how PSM adapted their messages as COVID-19 progressed. This thesis offers new academic contributions by providing fresh insights into the role of PSM in risk communication and how PSM frames health crises and demonstrates the value of integrating CLA with framing analysis. It provides valuable lessons for policymakers on how to effectively manage public health messaging during future global emergencies.4 0Item Restricted ASDLAF: An Innovative Framework for Adopting Learning Applications for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Saudi Arabia(University of Sussex, 2024) Almazni, Yahya; Natalia, BeloffBackground: Learning tools have been recognized as an effective approach to enhance the skills of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who face interaction, social and communication challenges. Relevant studies highlight that most of the ASD learning applications (LAs) are designed for children, but few investigate tools designed specifically for adults. Additionally, studies show that many applications are developed for the Western users which lack Arabic language support. Saudi Vision 2030 emphasises enhancing the quality of life including through digital transformation, which presents a promising opportunity to address the discussed challenges by investigating the factors that impact the adoption of ASD LAs. Aims and Objectives: The study aims at investigating the intention of the Saudi adults with ASD to use LAs by exploring the current challenges and barriers they face and identifying the most influential factors that impact the adoption of ASD LAs. These factors focus on three elements––technological, cultural and pedagogical which shape the ASD users’ engagement with LAs. To achieve this, the ASDLAF framework was developed to evaluate the 16 factors to assess the unique needs of ASD individuals. The thesis also captures the perspectives of the ASD caregivers who work closely with this population. Methods: This study employs a mixed-methods approach combining the quantitative (surveys) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews) methods. In the quantitative phase, a structured survey was distributed among ASD individuals gathering date from 412 respondents. Prior to the analysis, the validity and reliability of the survey instrument were assessed using SPSS software to ensure accurate analysis results. The descriptive analysis was conducted to provide an overview of the data gathered, which was followed by conducting the statistical analysis, aiming at assessing the significance of each factor within the ASDLAF framework. After that, 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted with ASD caregivers and experts to understand their perspectives into the adoption of ASD LAs. By integrating quantitative and qualitative data, the thesis was able to provide valuable recommendation and insights. Results: The results of this study reveal that ASD LAs are in their infancy within the Saudi context, though a significant intention to adopt exists among ASD individuals. The findings also provide insights into the factors that most influence LAs adoption by highlighting the key aspects such as usability, accessibility, privacy and motivation, which positively impact the adoption intention. Recommendations based on these insights aim to guide LA developers and caregivers in designing and assessing technological tools. Additionally, they offer valuable insights for policymakers focused on enhancing the quality of life of ASD individuals.12 0Item Restricted Enhancing Knowledge Sharing Among Computer Science Academics: Implementing a Web-Based Teaching Experience Platform in Saudi Higher Education Institutions(Newcastle University, 2024) Alharbi, Malak Bakheet; Warrender, JenniferKnowledge sharing is crucial for organisations to obtain a competitive advantage, especially in knowledge-intensive environments like higher education institutions (HEIs). Knowledge sharing enables institutions to generate and maintain knowledge. Academics are a key source of knowledge in HEIs. HEIs’ success relies heavily on the quality and expertise of its faculty members and knowledge sharing between them is essential for the success of universities. To make better use of their academic knowledge and expertise, academics should thus be encouraged to share their knowledge with peers. However, many universities face difficulties in improving the sharing of knowledge accumulated by academics due to geographical and social constraints. Lack of knowledge sharing can impede the effective application of teaching skills, potentially impacting academic performance and leading to lower student achievement levels than could have been accomplished with better knowledge sharing. Although knowledge sharing management (KSM) has garnered substantial attention and implementation in numerous business entities in the Saudi context, the application of KSM within HEIs has been comparatively underexplored. This thesis examines the effective exchange of teaching-related knowledge through the incorporation of KSM in a web-based platform in Saudi HEIs. It focuses on facilitating teaching-related knowledge exchange among Computer Science (CS) academics in a virtual context. This research involves three phases. The first phase is problem identification. The literature reviews and three research investigation studies were conducted in this phase. The literature review findings indicate that most existing knowledge management systems (KMS) in HEIs have been developed for a generic knowledge context, leading to a lack of KSM related to teaching experience. The three research investigation studies assessed CS academics’ perceptions of knowledge sharing related to teaching at different Saudi universities. The first study investigated knowledge sharing related to teaching and learning through social media applications in by collecting quantitative data via questionnaires. The second study investigated CS academics’ perspectives on the factors that affect their willingness to share knowledge (WSK), again using questionnaires. The third study involved collecting qualitative data through interviews. It aimed to understand the perspectives of CS academics regarding sharing teaching related knowledge among colleagues. It also examined factors influencing knowledge sharing, such as motivation, barriers, and the technology used for knowledge sharing within the CS faculties at Saudi Arabian universities. vi The findings show that CS academics believed that exchanging teaching experiences can benefit them by resolving teaching issues, enhancing work procedures, and aiding the university in attaining its performance goals. However, they face a significant barrier in exchanging their teaching experiences with colleagues, as there is no efficient means of communication other than in-person engagement, which their substantial teaching responsibilities make hard to do. To address this issue, a prototype system was designed in the design phase, using a combination of soft systems methodology (SSM) and the joint application design (JAD) technique. A Teaching Experience Platform (TEP) system was successfully implemented and deployed in this phase. The TEP system enables CS academics to effectively record, store, access, and evaluate teaching experiences. In addition, it includes social and gamification tools to motivate CS academics to use the platform and share their knowledge with others. In the evaluation phase, the TEP system was tested in a real-world context within a community of CS academics in an experiment that took seven weeks. In the end, questionnaires and workshops were conducted to evaluate CS academics’ experience and perceptions relating to the TEP system’s usefulness. The empirical results show a highly favourable agreement on using the TEP system and the effectiveness of its functions and features to facilitate and motivate CS academics to share their knowledge among peers. Future research directions and recommendations are discussed at the end of the thesis.9 0