Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted Vascular Effects of Myopia in the Eye and Brain A Systematic Literature Review(Cardiff University, 2024) Alnawdal، Mohammed; Terry، Louise; Wright، Melissa; Mojarrad، NeemaAbstract OBJECTIVES This systematic review investigates the vascular effects of myopia, focusing on changes in ocular and cerebral blood flow. The review addresses two main objectives: understanding how myopia affects the vascular structure and function of the retina and choroid, and exploring potential systemic impacts on cerebral blood flow. This review synthesised existing evidence to understand these vascular alterations and their implications for clinical practice and future research. STUDY DESIGN A systematic search was conducted using databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and MEDLINE, following the PRISMA framework to identify and analyze relevant studies. A total of 41 studies were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Tools were employed to evaluate the quality of the included studies. Data extraction followed a standardised approach to ensure consistency and accuracy in capturing relevant findings. RESULTS The findings reveal significant alterations in ocular blood flow, particularly a reduction in retinal vessel density and choroidal thickness in highly myopic eyes. These changes are attributed to axial elongation and mechanical stretching, which disrupt normal vascular function. Such vascular changes may impair blood flow, thereby reducing the supply of oxygen and nutrients to vital ocular tissues. Additionally, evidence suggests potential links between myopia and altered cerebral blood flow, with neuroimaging studies highlighting reduced perfusion and possible neurovascular coupling dysfunctions in highly myopic individuals. CONCLUSION This systematic review highlights the ocular vascular changes associated with myopia along with potential associations with cerebral blood flow alterations. The observed alterations in blood flow and vascular function underscore the importance of early detection and management of myopia to prevent long-term complications. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies and diverse populations to further explore these vascular changes and their implications for clinical practice.19 0Item Restricted Toward a Resuscitation of Postcolonial Theory: Reshaping Homi Bhabha's Colonial Discourse Within an Arabic Context(University of Sussex, 2024) Althobaiti, Hissah; Masterson, JohnThis thesis explores the colonial/postcolonial discourse articulated by Homi Bhabha, with a specific emphasis on the concept of mimicry as it is performed in Arabic contexts. Departing from the conventional method of applying theory to literary texts, I utilise fiction to both challenge and augment Bhabha’s notion of colonial mimicry within the Arab world in light of his totalising tendency to broaden the scope of his study (both spatially and temporally) without adequate consideration or contextualisation. To achieve this, four writers and texts are selected: Ali Bader’s The Tobacco Keeper (2008; trans. 2011), Yasmina Khadra’s What the Day Owes the Night (2008; trans. 2010), Sahar Khalifeh’s The End of Spring (2004; trans. 2008), and Sayed Kashua’s Dancing Arabs (2002; trans. 2004). These emerge from diverse geo-political locations such as Iraq, Algeria and Palestine, with distinctive histories of colonialism and its afterlives. I investigate the extent to which Bhabha’s conceptualisations of ‘transitive’ and ‘intransitive’ resistance materially translate into effective forms of opposition for the colonised. In this, I seek to expose, what I, along with other critics, see as Bhabha’s mythologisation of some excessively abstract concepts. I do so by foregrounding and analysing the concrete hurdles that confront the mimic men featured in my chosen novels as they are performing and/or existing in various interstitial positions/locations. The thesis proposes that these writers and their work demonstrate some inherent complexities and/or risks when it comes to applying Bhabha’s resistance tool/s. They encompass, but are not limited to, the emergence of degrees of mimicry ranging from resistance to complicity, the conditions of mimicry, the act of authorisation, the distinction between mimicry and camouflage, and self-hatred as an aftermath of mimicry. These are all core preoccupations of this study. This thesis identifies the performance of mimicry within Arabic contexts as ensnared by hindering factors that directly impede its efficacy. It asserts that this process commences with the imposition of prerequisites, progresses through stages of exclusion and estrangement, and ultimately concludes with experiences of rejection and self-revulsion.8 0Item Restricted Circadian Patterns of Salivary Flow in Sjogren's Disease(Tufts University, 2024) Alsunni, Mouna; Sankar, Vidya; Singh, Mabi; Finkelman, Matthew; Papas, Athena; Sankar, VidyaAim and Hypothesis: Salivary flow follows a circadian pattern and is influenced by clock genes, which also regulate Aquaporins (AQPs), water channels responsible for salivary flow regulation in salivary glands. A deficiency in AQP5 in mouse salivary glands disrupted this pattern. We hypothesized that patients with Sjögren's Disease (SjD) do not exhibit the same circadian salivary flow pattern as healthy controls. The study compared salivary flow patterns in healthy individuals and SjD patients. To do this, we assessed stimulated whole saliva (SWS) and unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) patterns in SjD subjects compared with healthy controls. Methods: Thirteen subjects per group were required to achieve 80% power. SjD subjects met the ACR/EULAR2016 criteria. During the first visit, participants provided consent. They received instructions for saliva collection at home at two time points (5 AM and 10 AM) for unstimulated whole saliva (UWS, 5 minutes) and stimulated whole saliva (SWS, 2 minutes), with a third sample collected on-site at 3 PM. Friedman's test compared salivary flow within each group across time points, while the Mann-Whitney U test compared salivary flow between groups. Generalized linear mixed models assessed group-time point interactions. Significance was set at α=0.05. Results: The study analyzed 13 healthy controls (10 female, 3 male, mean age 48.9 ± 10.7 years) and 13 SjD subjects (all female, mean age 65.3 ± 8.4 years). In SjD subjects, SWS 0.84 ± 0.83 mL/min, 1.08 ± 1.13 mL/min, and 1.00 ± 1.12 mL/min (p = 0.037) respectively. UWS ranged from 0.17 ± 0.21 mL/min at 5 AM to 0.24 ± 0.22 mL/min at 3 PM (p=0.46). No significant differences in control SWS; p = 0.527, with respective means of 2.80 ± 1.41 mL/min, 3.25 ± 1.81 mL/min, and 2.70 ± 1.42 mL/min. similar results were found in UWS: 1.03 ± 1.24 mL/min at 5 AM, 1.16 ± 1.34 mL/min at 10 AM, and 1.07 ± 1.29 mL/min at 3 PM (p = 0.527). SjD subjects iii had significantly lower UWS and SWS rates than healthy controls (p<0.001). No significant group interactions were observed (p>0.05). Conclusion: The data do not support the hypothesis that SjD subjects have an altered salivary flow pattern compared to healthy controls. Neither SWS nor UWS exhibited a clear circadian pattern in healthy individuals, suggesting a need for further research into circadian influences on salivary flow in the healthy population.10 0Item Restricted SIMULATION AND EXPERIMENTAL VALIDATION OF AN ELECTROSTATIC DRUM FOR CLEANING PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS IN SAUDI ARABIA(Lawrence Technological University, 2024) ALBARADI, ABDURAHMAN RASHED J; Mynderse, JamesSaudi Arabia is dependent on oil and natural gas for energy generation and seawater desalination, which is the main source of drinking water in the country. Given Saudi Arabia’s abundant solar energy, the national renewable energy program aims to increase the share of renewable energy by 9500 MW in an effort to decrease carbon dioxide emissions and diversify the sources of government revenue. However, dust accumulation on photovoltaic (PV) modules of the region presents a challenge to solar power plants. Therefore, cleaning PV panels is essential to have the benefit of high insolation and mitigate the impact of dust accumulation. Among selfcleaning methods, electrodynamic screens (EDSs), embedded under the solar panel glass, have the highest increase of annual energy production in the dry regions of Saudi Arabia. However, EDSs can only remove 16-33% of the accumulated dust on PV panels, leaving residual dust that cannot be removed after EDS activation. This work analyzes five dust samples from near potential PV power plants locations in Saudi Arabia. The dust particles are analyzed for size distribution, shape, elemental composition, and chemical composition. After thorough cleaning with EDS, the residual dust is collected and characterized in the same manner as the original samples. Current EDS devices suffer from inherent problems such as the shadow effect of electrodes, a weak electric field between electrodes, and high initial cost. An electrostatic drum for PV cleaning is proposed to overcome the aforementioned problems. COMSOL simulation is used to identify optimum drum parameters such as drum diameter, drum to PV gap, drum thickness and applied voltage. The cleaning performance of the electrostatic drum is compared to existing EDS. Based on the optimal drum parameters from the simulation, a drum prototype was fabricated to examine the dust removal performance. The drum prototype is validated using five dust samples and the drum prototype cleaning performance and EDS cleaning performance from the literature are compared.14 0Item Restricted A Collaborative Approach to Speech and Language Therapy: Perspectives of Arabic and Non-Arabic Speaking Caregivers(University College London, 2024-08-31) Aleid, Deem; Filippi, RobertoParent Mediated Intervention (PMI) is a type of early intervention that provides evidence-based and systematic training to parents as part of their child’s speech and language therapy treatment. This intervention is oftentimes video-aided and communication-focused for young children with social (pragmatic) communication disorders or autism spectrum disorder. Research shows that this intervention can improve the child’s communication and overall family quality of life. PMI is one of the most cost-effective and ecologically validating approaches to promoting social communication in children with ASD and social communication difficulties. However, research on how parents perceive this experience is limited. There is even less research on the perspectives of multilingual and multicultural parents. This mixed methods study aims to explore parents’ perspectives of their participation in PMI. Specific research questions include (1) What are parents’ perceptions of parent mediated intervention? (2) Do Arabic and non-Arabic speakers hold differing perspectives on their experiences with parent-mediated intervention? Results from 3 parents of children with ASD indicate that parents generally had positive experiences with PMI with some variability with the degree of satisfaction. Bilingual parents, however, emphasised a desire for more individual time with the specialist, which may reflect cultural and linguistic considerations. These findings should be interpreted cautiously due to the small sample size, and warrants further research with a more diverse and larger sample.6 0Item Restricted Preparation of Biodegradable Lipid-based Indocyanine Green J-aggregate Nanoparticles for Photothermal Therapy(Queen’s University Belfast, 2024) Alotaibi, Hamoud; Al-Jamal, Wafa; Hatahet, TaherPhotothermal therapy (PTT) is an innovative, minimally invasive cancer treatment that utilises light-absorbing agents to convert near-infrared (NIR) light into heat, selectively targeting and destroying cancer cells. The utilisation of a biodegradable (PTT) agent such as indocyanine green J-aggregate (IJA) could potentially address the non-biodegradability issue associated with gold nanoparticles (NPs). Nevertheless, the scalability and development of this agent remain challenging due to several factors, such as the delicate nature of the aggregation, poor optical stabilities in aqueous and biological environments, short in vivo circulation with subsequent dissociation, and the sensitivity to formulation parameters, such as type of solvent, temperature, and surfactants. This thesis focuses on engineering a multifunctional biodegradable lipid-based system loaded with pre-formed-IJA (p-IJA) as a PTT agent. First, the p-IJA-loaded liposomes were prepared using the lipid film hydration method. The effect of formulation parameters, the physicochemical properties, and thermal activity of the p-IJA-liposomes were studied. It was shown that the processing parameters using rigid lipid (DSPC), cholesterol (50% mol), and PEGylation significantly enhanced p-IJA formation and stability into liposomes with superior heating capacity and nano-size formulation (> 200 nm). Second, the effect of lipid nanocapsules (LNC) shells on p-IJA formation and stability was investigated. The effect of formulation parameters such as hydrophilic, hydrophobic and cationic surfactants, alongside temperature and particle size were studies. The addition of a hydrophobic surfactant (Span 85) and cationic (DOTAP) to the LNC shell resulted in a stable p-IJA with a higher IJA892/ICG792 ratio. Finally, solidification of lipid nanoparticle by using solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) core was explored to improve the IJA892/ICG792 ratio and its heating capacity. Interestingly, higher melting points and solid core lipids such as (sodium stearate) were shown to enhance p-IJA-SLN heating activity through single and multiple heating cycles. This thesis demonstrates the superior heating capacity of p-IJA loaded into a variety of lipid-based systems, enabling its PTT activity.5 0Item Restricted APPLYING MACHINE LEARNING (THE K-MEANS ALGORITHM) TO CLUSTERING AND ANALYZING SYNOVIAL FLUID CONTENTS AMONG DIFFERENT AGES AND GENDERS IN HEALTHY AND OSTEOARTHRITIS PATIENTS(Oakland University, 2024) Alabkary, Bader Eid; Zohdy, Mohamed AMachine learning, a subset of AI, has made a significant impact on the medical field by improving the speed and accuracy of test results. Among the many discrete ML tools, k-means is a type of data clustering that uses unsupervised ML to divide unclassified data into different groups with similar variances. This dissertation applied the k-means clustering algorithm to analyze synovial fluid compositions of healthy people and osteoarthritis (OA) patients, focusing on four components: hyaluronic acid (HA), chondroitin sulfate (C6S, C4S), and the C6S ratio. The main objective was to identify distinct patterns and clusters within these datasets based on age and gender. Data was extracted from two previously published research studies. The first dataset comprised 187 healthy participants, with ages ranging from 10 to 90 years. The second dataset consisted of 133 OA participants with ages ranging from 55 to 90 years. Applying ML algorithms, specifically k-means clustering, the MATLAB program was used for data analysis. The findings showed the k-means clustering successfully highlighted age- and gender-related synovial fluid concentration patterns. In addition, for both healthy and OA groups, younger people had higher levels of synovial fluid components, which decreased with age. In healthy people, HA levels were high among younger people but decreased with age. In the OA group, HA levels increased in older patients. These findings confirmed the potential of synovial fluid concentration in diagnosing joint health. These findings also asserted the utility of ML techniques, such as k-means clustering, in medical data analysis.7 0Item Restricted Organisational Development and Change Management(Kingston University, 2024) Almutlaq, Abdulaziz; Fragouli, EvangeliaThis report explores the challenges faced by Blue and Green Technology, a leading printing software and design company in Turkey, during its attempt to implement organisational change. Despite its market presence for over a decade, the company has struggled with a lack of clear organisational structure, poor communication channels, and undefined employee roles, which have hindered its professional growth and customer relations. Using Kotter's Change Management Model and Fogg's Behaviour Model as theoretical frameworks, the report identifies key issues such as the absence of a strategic vision, failure to remove barriers to change, and inadequate communication as primary reasons for the unsuccessful change initiative led by sales manager Neyla. The report further recommends a structured research approach using survey questionnaires and purposive sampling to gather insights from employees about their perceptions of the current organisational structure and barriers to change. Emphasizing the importance of clearly defined roles, transparent communication, and employee involvement, the report concludes with practical suggestions for improving the organisational structure and overcoming resistance to change. Implementing these strategies is expected to enhance the company's operational efficiency, employee morale, and overall business performance.4 0Item Restricted Muslim Women between Text and Context: An Exploration of Qurʾānic Exegesis with a Focus on Q 4:34(The University of Melbourne, 2024-08) Alshehri, Sahar; Saeed, Abdullah; Kamal, MuhammadThis thesis investigates and analyses the interpretations of the Qurʾānic verse 4:34 by selected classical and modern scholars, with a particular focus on qawwām, nushūz and ḍarb, using some key ideas associated with critical discourse analysis and adopting Abdullah Saeed’s contextualist framework for interpreting the ethical–legal texts of the Qurʾān. The thesis takes the position that the interpretation of the Qurʾān both in the classical and modern periods is influenced by the social and cultural contexts in which the commentators functioned and demonstrates this by examining a range of commentaries on Q 4:34. The thesis also explores how selected Saudi scholars understand Q 4:34 and the kinds of approaches they use in the context of today. This research contributes to the existing literature on Muslim women, gender equality and interpretation of the Qurʾān. The findings suggest that the contextualist approach in this research leads to a different understanding of the key concepts of qawwām, nushūz and ḍarb in Q 4:34. Additionally, this research explores how the socio-cultural contexts impacted the selected 50 commenters’ discourses as well as how their interpretive discourses were relevant to the context in which they live.16 0Item Restricted Leveraging Digital Platform-based Intermediation to Facilitate Knowledge and Technology Transfer Activities through University-Industry Collaboration: A Design Science Research Approach(University of Technology Sydney, 2024-12) Hakami, Maram; Pradhan, Sojen; Machet, TaniaUniversities play a crucial role in developing human capital for the knowledge-based economy (KBE) by fostering the creation, application, and spread of knowledge. Collaboration between universities and industry is paramount for deriving and enhancing innovation. Through such collaborative arrangements, referred to as University- Industry Collaboration (UIC), both universities and the industry access resources and transfer knowledge to each other. University technology transfer offices (UTTOs) and knowledge transfer offices (UKTOs) are examples of UIC facilitation mechanisms (intermediation). A comprehensive literature review highlights shortcomings in some geographical areas, including developing regions/countries, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, which have received limited attention in UIC research. Notably, there is a significant lack of studies focusing on the socio-technical applications of UIC in the MENA region that has recently demonstrated economic strengthening and an emphasis on knowledge-based activities. A closer look at the literature reveals several research gaps, including how different types of intermediaries manage knowledge-based activities. This study aims to develop and validate a socio-technical facilitation mechanism, specifically a digital platform- based intermediary, to enhance knowledge and technology transfer (KT/TT) activities within the UIC setting. A comprehensive framework that integrates UIC mechanisms with concepts from Social Capital (SC) theory is applied from a socio-technical perspective. It employs the Design Science Research (DSR) methodology to develop a platform-based intermediary. It is organised into five iterative phases, each aimed at progressively refining and validating the research outcomes, including problem identification, solution suggestions, development, evaluation, and conclusions based on reflection on the DSR process. Data collection includes primary and secondary methods. Secondary data comprises a comprehensive literature review and two targeted systematic reviews: one examining 60 journal articles on UIC in the MENA region and another focusing on theoretical and contextual insights from 23 studies on UIC. Primary data was collected in one of the leading countries in the MENA Region, Saudi Arabia, through 40 semi-structured expert interviews, additional iterative follow-up interviews, and a focus group for prototype feedback. A thematic analysis of the interview data is employed to discuss common themes and utilise SC theory to understand inter-organisational relationships and the role of embedded resources like trust and common understanding in facilitating UIC activities. This analysis helped identify key drivers and barriers to practical KT/TT-UIC activities, which informed developing a structured guidance model that defines essential design criteria for creating efficient intermediation tools, including design requirements, principles, and features. The significance of this research lies in its potential to enhance the efficiency and productivity of KT/TT activities within the UIC setting, thereby fostering innovation, industry advancement, and economic growth. By integrating social and technical aspects, it provides a comprehensive analysis of the phenomena, challenges, and potential solutions, offering valuable insights for stakeholders involved in UIC activities. The outcomes are also expected to benefit academics, industry professionals, and policymakers focused on enhancing UIC collaborations and could serve as a valuable reference for other regions facing similar challenges. In summary, this study contributes to the UIC literature by highlighting critical insights into drivers and barriers and demonstrating how digital intermediation mechanisms can help overcome existing barriers and improve collaborative inter-organisational relationships.20 0