Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted Impact of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Model Resin Composite Properties and Strategies for Optimisation(University of Manchester, 2025) Alayed, Abdulaziz Ali; Watts, David; Silikas, NikolaosZinc oxide nanoparticles (n-ZnO) have been widely used in various fields, including dentistry, due to their potent antibacterial properties. Additionally, their white colour closely resembles that of natural teeth, making them an attractive candidate for aesthetic restorative applications. However, despite these advantages, the incorporation of n-ZnO may adversely affect certain material properties, which require further investigation or optimisation. This thesis investigates the effects of n-ZnO additions into model resin-based composites (RBCs), with a focus on properties during polymerisation, optical and mechanical performance, and hygroscopic characteristics; aiming to evaluate their drawbacks and find strategies to improve them. Model RBCs were formulated using a trimodal dimethacrylate resin monomer system (Bis-GMA, TEGDMA, and UDMA) and inert barium glass powder, silica nanoparticles and systematically varied amounts of n-ZnO (0-5 wt.%). The photoinitiator systems consisted of camphorquinone (CQ), ethyl 4-(dimethylamino)benzoate (EDMAB), and diphenyliodonium hexafluorophosphate (DPI). The concentrations of each component were varied depending on the experiment. Depth of cure (DoC) and degree of conversion (DC) were measured using Vickers hardness and FTIR spectroscopy, respectively. Increasing n-ZnO concentrations significantly reduced DoC. However, it was found that the binary initiator system (CQ/DPI/EDMAB) enhanced DoC and the maximum rate of polymerisation (RPmax) compared to the unary system (CQ/EDMAB). Reducing photoinitiator concentrations also improved DoC. Light transmission (LT%) and shrinkage strain (SS) were measured under different irradiance conditions: 1200 versus 2000 mW/cm². n-ZnO significantly reduced LT% from 48–53.9% at 0 wt.% to 11.9–14.6% at 4 wt.%, depending on irradiance and time. Shrinkage decreased with increasing n-ZnO and glass powder loading, ranging from 6.9% to 5.1%. The irradiance mode significantly affected transmission but not material shrinkage. Water sorption, solubility, hygroscopic expansion and Zn2+ ion release were evaluated using multiple techniques. Long-term (168 days) water immersion experiments showed that n-ZnO reduced water sorption and solubility, although increasing hygroscopic expansion. The magnitudes of sorption and solubility remained within ISO 4049:2019 limits. Volumetric expansion ranged from 1.6% to 1.9%. ICP-MS analysis showed a gradual increase in Zn²⁺ release with increasing n-ZnO concentration, up to 675.1 ppb with 5 wt.% n-ZnO. Martens hardness (HM), indentation modulus (EIT), and indentation creep (CIT) were measured after 0 (baseline), 7 and 28 d water storage. At 1200 mW/cm², increasing n-ZnO up to 4 wt.%, increased HM to 355 N/mm² for baseline readings. In contrast, with 4 wt.% n-ZnO cured at 2000 mW/cm², HM significantly decreased to 207 N/mm². Water aging negatively affected HM and EIT, while CIT remained unaffected. These findings provide new scientific insights into resin-composite systems incorporating n-ZnO. They reveal the potential for fine-tuning property outcomes through choice of the photoinitiator system and light-irradiation conditions. These composites are essentially of the ‘flowable’ type and have depths-of-cure appropriate for base layers in deep cavities. But that is exactly where incorporation of powerful antibacterial agents such as n-ZnO are most needed.14 0Item Restricted Re-thinking East-West Encounters through Translation Lens: Salhi’s Occidentalism: Literary Representations of the Maghrebi Experience(University of Birmingham, 2025) Alroiei, Abdulhady; Cori, Paola; Daoudi, AnissaAlthough the translation of Maghrebi feminist literature has been largely overlooked in both academic studies and translation practices, this thesis addresses that gap by rethinking East–West encounters through the lens of translation. It presents an original Arabic translation of three chapters from Zahia Smail Salhi’s Occidentalism: Literary Representations of the Maghrebi Experience of the East-West Encounter (2019), foregrounding the under-explored intersection of feminist translation strategies within the Arabic literary and cultural context. While feminist translation has been extensively theorised in Western scholarship, a significant gap remains in exploring how these strategies can be adapted to Arabic translations of feminist-oriented works, particularly within the Maghrebi tradition. By integrating feminist translation theory with close textual analysis, this study introduces a nuanced approach that combines established strategies, such as supplementing, prefacing, and hijacking, with a newly proposed ‘neutralisation strategy’ designed to mitigate gender bias in Arabic. The thesis demonstrates that translation, far from being a neutral linguistic exercise, functions as a site of ideological negotiation with the potential to challenge patriarchal discourses and elevate marginalised female voices in Arabic literary spaces. In doing so, it positions feminist translation as a powerful tool not only for linguistic adaptation but also for socio-political intervention. In addition, a detailed analysis of key grammatical challenges—including tense, aspect, modality, passivity, number, and punctuation—highlights the complexities of translating between English and Arabic. It reveals that addressing these challenges requires both linguistic proficiency and a culturally sensitive approach attuned to the norms of the target language. This thesis ultimately makes an original contribution by bridging feminist translation theory and Arabic translation practice, offering context-sensitive strategies that promote both inclusivity and fidelity. It affirms translation as a transformative act—one that reshapes discourse, contests dominant narratives, and amplifies marginalised voices in cross-cultural literary exchange.8 0Item Restricted The Effectiveness of Exercise-Based Prehabilitation on Postoperative Outcomes in High-Risk Adults Undergoing Elective Colorectal Surgery: A Systematic Review(queen mary university london, 2025) ALHARBI, FAHAD OBAID; ABOTT, TOMAbstract Background: Exercise-based prehabilitation is increasingly becoming a critical pathway to improving postoperative outcomes in high-risk adult patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. In line with the dissertation objectives: to identify and evaluate the existing evidence, to synthesize the definitions and measurement of complications, and compare prehabilitation with standard care, this systematic review assesses the effectiveness of exercise-based prehabilitation on the elective colorectal surgery clinical outcomes. Methodology: A systematic review of 23 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was done, which focused on high-risk adults undergoing elective colorectal surgery. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases. The selection of studies was done according to predetermined eligibility criteria such as those only involving exercise-based prehabilitation interventions. RoB 2 tool was used to determine methodological quality. The data extracted involved the characteristics of the intervention, the definition of postoperative complications, and clinical outcomes in terms of complication rates and hospital length of stay (LOS). Results: Exercise-based prehabilitation programmes varied in terms of duration (2-12 weeks), intensity (moderate to high), and setting (home-based vs. supervised). Most of the studies showed a significant decrease in the total and severe complications (Clavien-Dindo III or more) with exercise-based prehabilitation, improved functional capacity (improved preoperative fitness and VO2 peak and postoperative recovery), reduced length of stay (LOS) (a mean reduction in LOS of 1.5 days (95% CI: -2.3 to -0.7) compared to standard care. Conclusion: Exercise-based prehabilitation has significant beneficial clinical effects on complications and recovery outcomes in high-risk adult colorectal surgery patients. Nevertheless, disparities in reporting outcomes indicate that standardised definitions and larger, high-quality trials are needed. These results suggest the inclusion of exercise-based prehabilitation in high-risk colorectal cancer recovery pathways with enhanced recovery pathways, but individualised interventions may be required depending on the risk of the patient and the surgical setting. Keywords: Exercise-based, Prehabilitation, elective colorectal surgery, postoperative surgery outcomes, high-risk adult patients, systematic review.20 0Item Restricted Modelling the spatial distribution of installed solar photovoltaic capacity(University of Sheffield, 2025) Alghanem, Hussah; Buckley, AlastairThe global transition toward decarbonized energy systems has intensified the need for accurate, spatially resolved data on installed solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity. However, inconsistencies in reporting, limited geographic granularity, and varying measurement standards pose challenges for planning and assessment. This thesis addresses these challenges by developing spatial models to estimate, benchmark, and forecast installed PV capacity across global, regional, and subregional scales. Structured as a thesis by publication, the work comprises three core studies. The first develops a global model of installed PV capacity at the national level, identifying key geographic and socioeconomic drivers. The second estimates regional capacity across 36 European countries, including those lacking official regional data. The third focuses on Great Britain, modelling subregional capacity. Collectively, the models disaggregate national capacity, benchmark deployment, and forecast where future capacity is likely to be installed—supporting efforts to monitor generation, reduce connection delays, plan grid expansion, and address land-use conflicts by identifying areas where solar development may compete with other uses, including agriculture. The models exhibit strong performance across spatial scales. The Global Model estimates annual capacity additions with a global error of 9.7%. The European Model estimates cumulative capacity at the NUTS 2 level and achieves a national error of 19.5% when applied across all countries. In countries with available regional data—including the UK, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, and France—the error falls to 2.5%. The GB Model achieves a national MAPE of 5.4% at the NUTS 3 level. Across spatial scales, a shift in deployment drivers emerges. National capacity is shaped by socioeconomic factors, while regional and subregional deployment is driven by land-use characteristics, with artificial surfaces and agricultural areas as strong predictors. While solar irradiation is often assumed critical, the models show that structural and socioeconomic conditions are more influential, particularly in developed markets.3 0Item Restricted Evaluating Project Management in Saudi National Housing Programs: An Analysis of Causes Behind Project Delays from a Managerial Perspective(University of Sussex, 2025) abdulaziz, alrasheed; Tao, XiangmingThis study evaluates project management practices within Saudi Arabia’s national housing programs, focusing on managerial causes of project delays in selected Sakani projects. Using a qualitative case-study approach based exclusively on secondary data, the research analyzes regulatory, stakeholder, risk, resource, and change-management dimensions that affect schedule performance. Drawing on the Theory of Constraints, Stakeholder Theory, ISO/PMI-aligned Risk Management, the Resource-Based View, and Change Management models, the study finds that most delays originate from approval bottlenecks, coordination gaps between agencies and developers, insufficient risk translation from policy to project level, and limited capability alignment for modern methods of construction (MMC). The research proposes managerial levers including pre-submission triage, concurrent reviews with service-level agreements (SLAs), structured interface governance, escrow-linked risk milestones, and MMC-ready procurement frameworks. These recommendations align with Vision 2030 objectives by enhancing delivery reliability, strengthening consumer protection, and promoting industrialized construction as a systemic capability. The study contributes to project management and housing policy literature by integrating managerial theory with the operational realities of Vision-era housing delivery in Saudi Arabia.10 0Item Restricted The Arabian Beckett: The Influence of Samuel Beckett’s Plays on Modern Arabic Theatre(University of Reading, 2025) Alshihry, Ahlam Faiz; Matthews, StevenThis thesis explores the reception of Samuel Beckett’s drama, examining how critics and playwrights in the Arab world have interpreted his plays over time. The thesis opens with an examination of initial reactions to Absurdism, the idea under which Beckett’s work seems to have entered Arab Theatre, focusing principally on Tawfiq Al-Hakim’s attempts to create Absurdist plays rooted in Arabic culture. This study presents an exemplary instance of Beckett’s influence through the parallel reading of Beckett's and Al-Hakim’s absurdist plays. This groundwork encouraged other Arab playwrights, who then showcased a stronger influence from Samuel Beckett’s dramas in their own Absurdist creations. The thesis considers Beckett’s direct influence on the dramatists Salah Abdel-Sabour and Yusuf Idris from Egypt, along with Saadallah Wannous and Yousef Al-A’ani from the Levant. The thesis also traces the shift in Arab critical and theatrical engagement with Beckett’s work from Esslin’s to politically charged interpretations. It shows how his plays have been reappropriated to critique authoritarianism and political repression, highlighting the adaptability of global theatre within specific cultural and political contexts.7 0Item Restricted Analytical and Numerical Approaches to Solving Black-Scholes Equation for European Options(Birmingham University, 2025) Almindili, Muath; Rajendran, MabelThis thesis investigates option pricing through both analytical and numerical approaches. On the analytical side, the Black–Scholes equation was derived and its closed-form solutions for European options were presented. To address more complex structures, numerical methods were explored, with a focus on finite difference schemes. A comparative study of the explicit, implicit, and Crank–Nicolson methods was conducted, highlighting their respective advantages and limitations in terms of stability and accuracy. The explicit scheme, while simple, was shown to be only conditionally stable. The implicit scheme achieved unconditional stability but at the cost of reduced accuracy. The Crank–Nicolson method, by contrast, combined unconditional stability with second-order accuracy in time, making it the most effective balance between robustness and precision. Overall, the thesis demonstrates how analytical and numerical frameworks complement one another, providing both theoretical insight and .practical tools for option pricing18 0Item Open Access Knee Joint Morphology and Biomechanics in Athletes and People Following ACL Reconstruction(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alotaibi, Sultan Saud H; Monty, Jason PatrickComprehensive understanding of knee biomechanics and bone morphology remains crucial for advancing treatment strategies for knee pathologies. Despite this importance, current research provides insufficient data on knee bone morphology and biomechanical function during activities of daily living, particularly regarding athletic populations and individuals following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) surgery. This thesis addresses these knowledge gaps through measuring and describing: (a) the structural profile (i.e. geometrical shapes) of knee bones (i.e. femur, tibia, and patella), and (b) the knee biomechanical profiles at the tibiofemoral (TF) and patellofemoral (PF) joints in athletic populations and individuals following ACLR surgery. The methodology employed precise measurement of patellofemoral and tibiofemoral joint kinematics (i.e. 6-degree-of-freedom motion) and arthrokinematics (i.e. condylar motion, location of TFJ center of rotation, and the location of the contact centers) parameters, during activities of daily living (i.e. level walking, downhill walking, and stair ascent). Advanced statistical-shape-modeling approaches were utilized, alongside linear measurements, to detect morphological differences. Four knee groups were analyzed: intact knees of athletes (HKA), intact knees of non-athletes (HKS), ACL reconstructed knees of athletes (ACLR), and their contralateral knees (Contra), through six comprehensive comparisons. The methodology includes a) one comparison between athlete and non-athlete knees [i.e. HKA vs control group (HKS)] to explore the structural & biomechanical profiles of the athletic knees, along with b) five comparisons to explore the structural & biomechanical profiles of the reconstructed knees [i.e. ACLR vs its control groups (Contra, HKA, and HKS)] and their contralateral knees [i.e. Contra vs its control groups (HKA and HKS)]. The morphological findings revealed distinct patterns of bone remodeling (i.e. bone shape changes) across knee bones, characterized by coordinated changes. ACLR knees exhibited ovoid femoral condyles, narrower intercondylar notches, increased distal sulcus angle, along with posteromedial tibial enlargement and greater patellar convexity. Contralateral knees displaying intermediate morphological changes that challenge the conventional use of the uninjured limb as a control reference. Healthy athletic knees demonstrated distinct morphological adaptations, including wider intercondylar notches and modified plateau slopes. Our comprehensive morphological assessment reveals remarkable plasticity of the knee joint complex, highlighting crucial implications for surgical planning, rehabilitation protocols, and long-term joint health management. The biomechanical findings, utilizing mobile biplane X-ray imaging system, revealed deviations from normal knee joints’ kinematics and arthrokinematics. Specifically, both ACLR and contralateral knees exhibited enhanced anterior patellar translation, greater patellar extension, persistent medial tibial shift, and increased anterior tibial translation. ACLR knees showed reduced tibial internal rotation along with "quadriceps avoidance" gait patterns, characterized by minimal flexion range changes. Condylar motion analysis reveals posterior displacement of the medial femoral condyle and a deficit in the natural femoral rollback mechanism in ACLR knees, while both ACLR and contralateral knees display reduced medial-lateral range of motion. Healthy athletic knees exhibit elevated lateral tibial shifts, superior patellar translation, and posterior condylar shifts. The center of rotation of the TFJ shifts posteriorly in ACLR, contralateral and athletic knees. Contact kinematics analysis shows that athletic populations demonstrate more lateral and superior femoral contact (in the medial compartment) while both ACLR and contralateral knees show greater medially-directed shift of femoral contact location (in the lateral compartment). Task-specific strategies during ramp descent and stair ascent revealed different kinematic patterns than level walking, emphasizing limitations of relying solely on level walking assessments in post-ACLR evaluations. These findings underscore the complex association between surgical intervention, athletic training, and joint mechanical adaptation, necessitating comprehensive rehabilitation accounting for TFJ and PFJ mechanics, bilateral adaptations, and task-specific demands. This PhD research provides insights into detection, diagnosis, and management of prevalent knee problems while serving as a foundation for future investigations into knee joint function and adaptation mechanisms.18 0Item Restricted Evaluating Emergency Evacuation Procedures during Hajj Pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia(Coventry University, 2025) Alanezi, Khalid; Parkinson, EmmaHajj is one of the largest mass gatherings globally held annually. It invites over two million pilgrims from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. An effective crowd safety and evacuation design is deemed relevant and should align with the logistical and behavioral challenges unique to the ritual sites. This professional paper looks at emergency evacuation procedures adopted during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. The research aimed to evaluate the current evacuation protocols, identify limitations, and suggest actionable strategies to prove safety at the pilgrim events. The study a post-positivist philosophical lens and employed a systematic literature review under the PRISMA framework. 27 scholarly sources were identified and analysed thematically. The findings show that Saudi authorities have implemented major structural and technological advances. However, the findings identify critical vulnerabilities persistent in the case of Hajj. Limitations emerging from the review are behavioral noncompliance, communication barriers and command structures that are over-centralized. The effectiveness of evacuation is also limited by technology over dependent systems. Cross-thematic analysis revealed the need for integrated, adaptive systems to take into account technical and human factors. The study serves a basis for theory development and practice improvement where emergency evacuation is framed as a socio-technical challenge that needs planning informed by behaviours as well as multilingual communication and localized decision-making authority.3 0Item Restricted العلاقة بين إدارة سلاسل الإمداد وكفاءة إدارة المخزون دراسة تطبيقية على مستشفيات التجمع الثاني بجدة(جامعة حلوان, 2025) الغامدي, سامي; عطيه, مبروكهدفت هذه الدراسة الى دراسة وتحليل العلاقة بين إدارة سلاسل الإمداد وكفاءة إدارة المخزون من خلال دراسة تطبيقية على مستشفيات التجمع الصحي الثاني بصحة جدة بالمملكة العربية السعودية، ومن خلال إتباع المنهج الوصفي التحليلي، وتحليل بيانات قوائم الإستبيان بإستخدام برنامج SPSS على عينة عشوائية مكونة من 368 مفردة من العاملين في المستشفيات محل الدراسة والبحث. توصل الباحث إلى وجود تأثير ذي دلالة معنوية عند مستوى معنوية أقل من 0.5% لإدارة سلاسل الإمداد في كفاءة إدارة المخزون في مستشفيات التجمع الثاني بصحة جدة بالمملكة العربية السعودية محل الدراسة، وأوصى الباحث القائمين على إدارة مستشفيات التجمع الثاني بصحة جدة بالمملكة العربية السعودية محل الدراسة والبحث بضرورة الإهتمام بإدارة سلاسل الإمداد أكثر بالموارد، حيث أن جميع أبعادها لها تأثير معنوي في كفاءة إدارة المخزون، مما يعود بالنفع على المستشفيات محل الدراسة من خلال قلة الإنحرافات في الأداء الفعلي عن المخطط سرعة الأداء، والتنظيم الجيد لعمل المركز، والتنوع في الخدمات المقدمة للمستفيدين، ورضا المستفيدين عن الخدمات المقدمة، وكذلك التحسين المستمر لعمليات تقديم الخدمة الصحية بالمستشفيات4 0