Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted Orthodontic Treatment and Psychosocial Well-being in Young People: A Scoping Review(Saudi Digital Library, 2024) AlZaher, Rabab H; Mishu, MasumaBackground: Adolescence and young adulthood (10–24 years) are critical periods of identity formation, during which dental appearance can significantly affect self-esteem, emotional well- being, and social functioning. While orthodontic treatment is often pursued for functional or aesthetic reasons, emerging evidence suggests potential mental health benefits. Aim: This scoping review explored the association between orthodontic treatment and psychosocial outcomes in young people, including self-esteem, emotional well-being, and social functioning. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across three databases, following the Arksey and O’Malley framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Empirical studies in English examining the psychosocial effects of orthodontic treatment in individuals aged 10–24 were included. Fourteen studies (cross-sectional, longitudinal, and one interventional) met the criteria. Results: The included studies reported improvements in self-esteem, emotional well-being, and social functioning, often measured with validated tools such as the PIDAQ, CPQ, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Qualitative findings further highlighted perceived gains in confidence and social acceptance. Nonetheless, some studies reported mixed or null effects, suggesting variability depending on individual factors such as baseline self-perception, treatment expectations, or exposure to bullying. Overall, the evidence indicates that orthodontic treatment may provide meaningful psychosocial benefits, though these are not uniformly experienced. Conclusion: Orthodontic treatment may offer psychosocial benefits for young people, though the evidence base is methodologically fragmented. Future research should use standardised, theory-informed tools and longer follow-ups. Clinicians should incorporate psychosocial considerations into adolescent-centered care.9 0Item Restricted CADM: Creative Accounting Detection Model in Saudi-Listed Companies(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Bineid, Maysoon Mohamed; Beloff, NataliaIn business, financial statements are the primary source of information for investors and other stakeholders. Despite extensive regulatory efforts, the quality of financial reporting in Saudi Arabia still requires improvement, as prior studies have documented evidence of creative accounting. This practice occurs when managers manipulate accounting figures within the boundaries of the International Financial Reporting Standards to present a more favourable image of the company. Although various fraud detection methods exist, identifying manipulations that are legal yet misleading remains a significant challenge. This research introduces the Creative Accounting Detection Model (CADM), a deep learning (DL)-based approach that employs Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks to identify Saudi-listed companies engaging in creative accounting. Two versions of the model were developed: CADM1, trained on a simulated dataset based on established accounting measures from the literature, and CADM2, trained on a dataset tailored to reflect financial patterns observed in the Saudi market. Both datasets incorporated financial and non-financial features derived from a preliminary survey of Saudi business experts. The models achieved training accuracies of 100% (CADM1) and 95% (CADM2). Both models were then tested on real-world data from the Saudi energy sector (2019–2023). CADM1 classified one company as engaging in creative accounting, whereas CADM2 classified all companies as non-creative but demonstrated greater stability in prediction confidence. To interpret these results, a follow-up qualitative study involving expert interviews confirmed CADM as a promising supplementary tool for auditors, enhancing analytical and oversight capabilities. These findings highlight CADM’s potential to support regulatory oversight, strengthen auditing procedures, and improve investor trust in the transparency of financial statements.8 0Item Restricted Computational Fluid Dynamics study of fixed bed adsorbers informed by 3D X-ray Computed Tomography(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alalwyat, Ahmed; Ronny, PiniA resolved 3D CFD transient multi-component solver was created, solving the 3D Navier-Stokes equations for the fluid phase and containing adsorption physics as boundary conditions within the surface of spherical particles. The geometry was reconstructed by X-ray computed tomography to be a 3D spherically packed bed and reduced to a packed cube with 11 mm long sides for a more reasonable computational cost. The mesh was created by background meshing initially with (64, 64, 60) cells in the 𝑥, 𝑦 and 𝑧 directions, respectively. The mesh of spherical particles was removed to retain the fluid mesh only and implement extra refinement levels around the spherical particles. Further smoothness was applied at the edges of the packed cube and at the distorted cells due to the imperfect removal of the mesh of the spherical particles. The steady-steady solver was used to generate a maximum air velocity magnitude of 4.5 mm/s. The transient solver was used to generate CO2 mass composition maps depicting how CO2 flow replaces N2 gradually in porous media. The adsorption physics was implemented based on Henry’s and dual-site Langmuir’s equilibrium isotherms. A linear relationship between the rate of CO2 loading was confirmed for the Henry’s isotherm, while non-linear adsorption/desorption behaviour was noticed for the dual-site Langmuir’s equilibrium isotherms. The transient simulation with the dual-site Langmuir’s equilibrium implementation was computationally convergent by a grid convergence index study and validated to have 3% error from the analytical solution.9 0Item Restricted Medical devices Reporting to ensure the Safety of ICUs in King Saud Hospital in Unaizah(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) ALANAZI, AHMED SALEH; S.H. Ling, SteveIn the paced environment of care units (ICUs) a team of healthcare professionals works together to deliver top notch care to patients. Medical devices are vital, in ensuring patient monitoring, treatment and support in ICUs. However their use can also bring about risks and potential adverse events. The goal of this research is to assess the level of awareness among ICU nurses in Saudi Arabia regarding the reporting of events linked to devices. By exploring how often these incidents are reported and the obstacles faced in reporting them we aim to pinpoint areas where improvements can be made to enhance safety in ICUs. Additionally we will Compare two peer reviewed research papers from journals to gain a comprehensive insight into current practices and recommendations for reporting adverse events, in ICU settings.4 0Item Restricted Investment law in Saudi Arabia in atrracting FDI(Saudi Digital Library, 2023) Alghshian, Majed; David, CollinsThis research critically analyses Investment Law of Saudi Arabia in enabling the country to attract higher foreign investment, in alignment with the country's Vision 2030 objectives. The research identifies three key aspects of the country's legal environment crucial for foreign investment: consistency, predictability, and efficiency. Although Saudi Arabia's current Foreign Investment Law embodies principles of equality, protection, and sustainability, complexities and ambiguities are present too which deter potential investors. The research recommends simplification of regulatory provisions and a harmonized policy framework across all governmental bodies to mitigate perceived risks and complexities and improving Saudi Arabia's gravitation to foreign investors.18 0Item Restricted US sanctions impact on global cooperation between countries, and how do intergovernmental institutions work to mitigate these effects(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alsharif, Rafal; Sebastian, KoelherAbstract This dissertation explores the complexities of the impact of U.S. sanctions on global cooperation. It addresses the question, "How do U.S. sanctions affect global cooperation between countries, and how do intergovernmental institutions work to mitigate these effects?" The study challenges the mediating influence of intergovernmental organisations (IGOS) in this process. Moving beyond a basic evaluation of coercive capacity, it employs both Realist and Constructivist theories of international relations to analyse how sanctions reshape international alignments and influence the formation of state identity. Using a mixed-methods approach, the dissertation integrates in-depth analysis and case studies of India and Iran. The analysis reveals a complex interaction between economic dislocation, diplomatic restructuring, and institutional adaptation. This dissertation makes an original contribution to the study of sanctions and global cooperation by shifting the focus from the traditional emphasis on U.S. policy and the economic effectiveness of sanctions. Instead, it centres on how sanctioned states and their allies adapt, resist, and form new alliances in response to external pressures. Unlike much of the existing literature, which often perceives cooperation as mere alignment with U.S.-led initiatives or measures the success of sanctions solely based on economic disruption, this research systematically examines the diplomatic, strategic, and institutional adaptations among sanctioned states and those affected by sanctions, such as Iran and India. The evidence demonstrates that while sanctions certainly restrict trade and hinder economic growth in targeted states, they can also foster other forms of cooperation, as seen in the strengthened ties among BRICS countries and the development of techniques to evade sanctions. Most importantly, the analysis reveals the significant challenges that intergovernmental organisations (IGOs) face in managing these conflicting dynamics. The mandates for collective security that they are given often clash with the need to respect the sovereignty of member states. Ultimately, the study concludes that, despite their intended foreign policy objectives, U.S. sanctions tend to weaken the foundations of global cooperation and diminish the effectiveness of international institutions. This highlights the necessity for a more cautious and systematic approach in the use of these tools of statecraft.5 0Item Restricted Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC): Integration vs. Separation in the Government Sector of Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Altalhi, Shahad; Arslan, MelikeGovernance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) functions should be implemented effectively because organization performance and citizen trust in the public administration are critical (Makaš, 2023; Taufiq, 2023). The impacts of a poorly designed GRC system on a public institution can be disastrous, such as incurred delays in responding to crises, increased susceptibility to corruption and systematic inefficiencies, which undermine trust and prevent a country from progressing. The fundamental core components of GRC should be defined to comprehend GRC. The governance of the public sector entails how the government entities are guided and managed in terms of making decision and having authority and accountability (Abdelrahim, 2023). Good governance creates trust within the population hence having efficient use of resources, good implementation of policies, and ethics (Alhejaili, 2024). Risk management refers to the process of incident identification, assessment, and reduction, including financial management mishaps to data breaches (Almgrashi & Mujalli, 2024). Effective initiative-taking risk management protects common wealth and service and delivery. Lastly, Compliance refers to dealing with laws, regulations, and ethics (Abosaud, 2024; Mujahid, 2024). In the public sector, this is critical to the legal and ethical integrity, avoiding fraud, maintaining a position of public confidence, and necessitating strong controls to reconcile activities and needs. The concept of GRC has been changing in parallel with the evolution of public administration, especially after the 1980s New Public Management (NPM) reforms (Bracci et al., 2024). NPM focused on achieving efficiency and accountability in the public sphere using the management methods of the private business. With governments under pressure to become more open and responsive, GRC frameworks began to develop to manage governance, enterprise risk and regulatory compliance (Adeyinka et al., 2024). Through Vision 2030, transformative reforms are occurring in the government of Saudi Arabia, striving to achieve more transparency, accountability, and efficiency (Bracci et al., 2024; Omran, 2024). One of the main revisions is the betterment of GRC frameworks to successfully comply and manage risks (Alsulami & Chafai, 2024; Rehman et al., 2024). This background sheds light on the argument of separating and integrating GRC functions (Alqahtani & Abuanza, 2024). According to Taufiq (2023), the combination of GRC elements brings efficiency and harmony. In contrast, Sukomardojo et al. (2023) claim that apartness encourages expertise specialization, accountability, and avoids any conflict of interest. This study compares integrated with segregated GRC systems in the government sector in Saudi Arabia to provide viable recommendations to policymakers to promote good governance and compliance in line with Vision 2030.1 0Item Restricted THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SELF-REPORTED RECREATIONAL NOISE EXPOSURE AND HEARING LOSS AMONG ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Mattar, Doaa; Couth, SamuelAbstract Purpose: Recreational noise exposure is potentially a severe public health problem among adolescents and young adults. This study aims to determine the association between self-reported recreational noise exposure and hearing loss and to clarify the conflicting findings found in the current literature. Methods: The review builds on Elmazoska et al. (2024), who conducted a systematic review in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, systematically searching, screening, and synthesising literature on recreational noise exposure and hearing outcomes. In their review, a substantial proportion of studies were excluded because they relied on self-reported noise exposure measures rather than objective sound level data. For the present dissertation, all 66 studies from this exclusion group were re-screened. The same PEO (Population, Exposure, Outcome) criteria applied by Elmazoska et al. were used, with the key modification that studies measuring self-reported exposure were considered eligible if they employed validated, objective hearing outcome assessments. Results: Evidence indicates that self-reported recreational noise exposure is associated with early signs of hearing loss, particularly at higher frequencies. However, inconsistencies were observed across studies, primarily due to differences in study design, variability in exposure measurement (e.g., recall-based questionnaires vs. structured surveys), and inconsistent definitions of hearing impairment (e.g., threshold shift cut-offs, inclusion of tinnitus as an outcome). These methodological variations limit the direct comparability of findings. Conclusions: While self-reported data provide valuable insight into listening habits and potential risk behaviours, objective audiological measures remain essential to determine the presence and severity of hearing impairment accurately. Future research should combine subjective and objective approaches to improve the accuracy of risk estimation for noise-induced hearing loss in youth populations.4 0Item Restricted Measurement of Microenvironmental pH Changes in Pharmaceutical Formulations Using pH-Sensitive Nanosensors(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Altemani, Mohammed; Aylott, JonathanPharmaceutical drug development is a long, costly, and high-risk process, often taking over a decade and requiring billions in investment to bring a single compound to market. A major source of failure arises not from biological inefficacy, but from fundamental physicochemical limitations, particularly poor stability, that compromise drug performance and delay regulatory approval. Stability testing is therefore a critical component throughout development, yet many challenges remain, especially in detecting and managing microenvironmental pH (μpH) within complex dosage forms. pH shifts, especially under acidic or humid conditions, can drive chemical degradation, salt disproportionation, and solid-state transformations that are difficult to detect using conventional methods. Traditional pH measurement techniques lack the spatial resolution, non-invasiveness, and in situ applicability required to monitor μpH inside solid or polymeric formulations. To address this gap, this thesis develops and applies pH-sensitive fluorescent nanosensors based on polyacrylamide hydrogels for real-time, spatially resolved μpH monitoring in pharmaceutical systems. The work is structured into three experimental chapters. First, a new nanosensor design is optimised for low-pH detection by incorporating difluoro-Oregon Green (DFOG) and replacing 5-(and-6) – carboxytetramethylrhodamine TAMRA with ATTO 655 as a more stable reference fluorophore. The resulting ratiometric configuration extends the functional detection range to pH 2.5 (p < 0.01) using spectrofluorometry and to pH 3.0 using fluorescence microscopy. These nanosensors are characterised using spectrofluorometry, fluorescence microscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential analysis. The second phase applies the nanosensors to solid-state dosage forms, allowing non-invasive tracking of internal pH shifts during storage. Spatial μpH mapping reveals how formulation components influence internal stability, and findings are supported by Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) to confirm solid-state transformations such as salt disproportionation. In the third application, nanosensors are integrated into alginate-based hydrogel particles for gastro-resistant drug delivery. Real-time imaging demonstrates how pH-modifying excipients and chitosan coating affect internal μpH and enhance omeprazole stability during simulated gastrointestinal transit. Overall, the research presented in this thesis has demonstrated that internal μpH plays a critical role in the chemical stability and performance of pharmaceutical formulations, particularly in systems containing acid-labile drugs or salts prone to disproportionation. Formulation factors such as the pHmax of the API, excipient selection, and environmental exposure conditions were shown to significantly influence internal pH behaviour and, in turn, drug stability. The use of pH-sensitive fluorescent nanosensors provided a non-invasive, spatially resolved, and real-time method for μpH measurement within intact dosage forms and hydrogel carriers. Unlike traditional analytical approaches, this method enabled in situ dynamic tracking of internal pH changes without the need for additional sample preparation or destructive testing. These findings highlight the value of fluorescence-based nanosensors as a practical and adaptable analytical tool for studying pH-related phenomena in drug delivery systems. Ultimately, this work supports the development of more stable, effective, and well-characterised pharmaceutical formulations.5 0Item Restricted OPTIMIZING STAFF SCHEDULING IN THE OPERATIONS ROOM STORE(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alshuaibi, Omar; Li, ZheningThis study examines the optimisation of staff roster within the logistic operations room store using a constraint-based mathematical programming model. The main objective was to develop and solve a mixed-integer programming (MIP) model of operational, contractual, and employee preference constraints that is fair, effective, and legally compliant. The research critically examined the available scheduling models, noting that they lacked in their capacity to deal with complexities among the workforce. Simulated data concerning roles, preferences, and contractual rules were used to implement and validate the model utilising Excel Solver8 0