Digital Commons Network^™

The Role Of Artificial Intelligence In Enhancing Infection Control In Hospitals: A Systematic Review, Khalid M. Alquthami, Ali M. Alahdal, Sadiq A. Serdar, Mazin M. Kheyami, Mohammed A. Alwadani, Razaz A. Barashi, Mohammad M. Alkhozaee, Basem A. Jawa

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Medical Sciences

Hospital-acquired infections represent a critical global healthcare challenge, affecting 7–10% of hospitalized patients worldwide with 1.4 million annual deaths. This systematic review examines the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in infection control through predictive analytics, real-time surveillance, and antimicrobial stewardship. Analyzing 50 peer-reviewed studies, we demonstrate the effectiveness of AI tools in reducing infection rates by 35% and improving antibiotic utilization by 90%. We identify key implementation barriers, including data integration challenges, algorithmic bias, and ethical concerns. By synthesizing real-world case studies and proposing a three-phase implementation model, this review bridges the gap between technological capabilities and hospital infection control …

Strongyloides Stercoralis Infection In Humans, Shaymaa A. Abdalal

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Medical Sciences

Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis), commonly known as the threadworm, is a soil-transmitted helminth that infects humans and causes strongyloidiasis. Despite being a significant public health concern, it remains one of the most neglected tropical diseases. The infection is prevalent worldwide, except in Antarctica, and often results in asymptomatic chronic gut infections that can persist for decades. However, in immunocompromised individuals, particularly those on long-term corticosteroid therapy, hyperinfection syndrome can occur, leading to mortality rates as high as 87%. Challenges in managing strongyloidiasis include its wide range of clinical presentations, the lack of highly sensitive diagnostic tests, and the potential for …

Cesium-137 Accumulation In Marine Fish And Associated Dose Exposure: A Global Review, N.A.A. Kamarulzaman, M.S.M. Sanusi, H.N. Idris

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

Establishing baseline data for natural radiation exposure and radioactivity levels is essential for radiological health and safety programs, particularly during the implementation and development of nuclear power initiatives. This review evaluates gamma radiation exposure and anthropogenic cesium-137 (¹³⁷Cs) levels in the world’s oceans and marine fish, analyzing their radioecological impact. Data from 30 peer-reviewed publications indicate that ¹³⁷Cs activity concentrations in seawater range from 0.07 Bq kg^–1 to 6.4 kBq kg^–1, with fish values between 0.01–3.50 kBq kg^–1. Regression models developed from these studies predict the correlation between ¹³⁷Cs levels in …

Lead Bioremoval By Halotolerant Bacteria Isolated From Mangrove Rhizosphere Soils Of Saudi Arabia, Reda H. Amasha, Rawan A. Alhazzani

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

Bioremediation of hypersaline environments contaminated with heavy metals is challenging due to high salinity levels, particularly when using conventional microorganisms. This study aimed to isolate and identify halotolerant and halophilic bacteria from various mangrove rhizosphere soil samples in Saudi Arabia and to evaluate their ability to remove heavy metals under high-salinity conditions. Out of 27 isolated strains, LD57 and LR40 demonstrated the highest resistance to lead ions. Both isolates grew well at 37 °C in the presence of 3 M NaCl and recorded growth at varying concentrations of lead nitrate, ranging from 100 to 4500 ppm. The lead’s minimum inhibitory …

Molecular Docking And Antibacterial Activity Of Sesterterpenoids From Hyrtios Erectus, Hajer S. Alorfi, Nawal A. Albalawi

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

The search for new antibiotics remains urgent due to the continuous evolution of microbes and their resistance to currently available antibiotics. The organic extract of a specimen of the Red Sea sponge Hyrtios erectus collected off Jeddah coast was subjected to sequential chromatographic fractionation. Three sesterterpenoids (1–3) along with an indole alkaloid (4) were isolated from H. erectus. Structure elucidation of the isolated was accomplished using NMR, UV, and IR spectroscopy along with MS spectrometry. The antibacterial activity of the isolated sesterterpenoids (1–3) was assessed against a set of Gram-positive and negative …

A Systematic Literature Review Of Sustainable Ports Strategies And Initiatives In The Arabian Gulf Ports – Lessons For Saudi Arabia And Uae, Osayd Helal, Jane Haider, Jean-Paul Skeete, Sehwa Lim

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

This systematic review provides a comprehensive evaluation of sustainability strategies in Arabian Gulf ports, focusing on the interplay between technological advancements, green initiatives, and regulatory challenges. While Industry 4.0 technologies—such as automation, artificial intelligence, and electrification—have been integrated to enhance operational efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, the extent to which these innovations align with regional policy frameworks and geopolitical constraints remains insufficiently analysed.

To address this gap, this review synthesises insights from 25 peer-reviewed studies, employing a comparative framework to assess the adoption of sustainability practices in Arabian Gulf ports, focusing on their approaches toward sustainable port development. It is …

Assessment Of Microplastic Pollution In Economically Significant Fish Species From Libya’S Northeastern Mediterranean Coast, Mousa Kateesh, Tarek A. Temraz, Rafat Afifi Khattab

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

Microplastic pollution in marine ecosystems has become a pressing global environmental issue. However, there is limited information on the distribution of microplastics in Libyan territorial waters. This study investigates plastic waste pollution in five commercially important fish species from various marine habitats along the eastern Libyan coast (Ain El-Ghazala, Sousa, Ras Hilal, Alhaniyah, and Alhamama). A total of 75 fish specimens were collected, comprising 15 individuals from each species. The findings revealed that 38% of the sampled fish had ingested plastic debris, with microplastics being the predominant form. The Sousa region exhibited the highest contamination rate (54.46%), while Alhaniyah had …

Urbanization Impacts On Microplastic In Benthic Organisms And Sediment Of Small Islands, Andrio Wibowo, Suyud Warno Utomo

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

Indonesia is an archipelago country comprising thousands of islands, including small islands. Currently, small islands have experienced urbanization in the forms of land use developments and conversions from pristine ecosystems to settlements and tourism facilities, leading to the contamination of microplastics. Despite growing numbers of research on microplastic in water, there is still limited information about microplastic in the sediment and benthic, in particular in developed small island environments. This study compared the types of land use on the island from reserved areas, tourism, and settlement. The microplastics were characterized based on the shapes. The results confirm that land use …

New Fish-Based Multimetric Index For Appraising Shatt Al-Arab Ecological Quality, Laith Faisal Lazem

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

In recent years, there has been a growing need to develop biometric indicators that accurately reflect an area’s environmental quality and biological integrity. Various indicators have been developed and analyzed, focusing on functional, ecological, and organism-based indicators, particularly fish-related ones. The purpose of the current paper is to create the first fish-based multimetric index designed to evaluate the quality of water in the Shatt Al-Arab River (SAAR), known as Shatt Al-Arab Fish Index (SFI), which can also be applied to the Qarmat Ali River and other water bodies similar to the SAAR ecology. Data was collected from three stations along …

Trajectory Prediction Of Oil Spills In Sharm Obhur, Red Sea Using Hydrodynamic Modeling, Mohammed A. Bahattab, Gar Al-Nabi Ibrahim, V.R. Shamji

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

This research investigates the movement and impact of oil spills in Sharm Obhur, a coastal creek near Jeddah, in the Red Sea. Utilizing a high-resolution multi-beam echo sounder and the Delft3D-FLOW hydrodynamic simulation model, the study traces the oil spill trajectories, considering key factors such as meteorological conditions, spill volume, and oil properties. The model predicts the movement of the oil spill both within Sharm Obhur and its progression towards the Red Sea. Results from the model are intended to assist in the development of effective spill response strategies, improving navigation safety, protecting coral reefs, and preserving the local ecosystem. …

Preprocessing Improves The Edna Quality For 16s Rrna Metabarcoding Of Sediment Samples Of Solar Salterns, Jayanath Gopi, Bhavya Kachiprath, Solly Solomon, Sowmya P. Mohandas, Sajan C. Raju, Rosamma Philip

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

The present study examines the efficacy of pre- processing of sediment samples prior to DNA isolation to obtain high-quality eDNA for metagenomic analyses from crystallizer saltern pond in Goa during the salt harvesting phase. The quality of the extracted eDNA were confirmed through spectrophotometric analysis and PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA gene. The study showed that method 2 and 3 incorporating preprocessing of the sediment samples yielded better quality eDNA compared to the direct isolation protocol (method1). By adopting the best method i.e., preprocessing by sediment suspension- filtration, followed by DNA isolation, the eDNA was procured and subjected to …

Morphometric, Physiological, And Environmental Health Assessments Of Enhalus Acoroides From The Southeast Coast Of Bali, Indonesia, Made Pharmawati, Luh Putu Wrasiati, Ni Made Gari

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

Seagrasses function as primary producers and as spawning grounds and shelter for marine biota. Regardless of their relevance, seagrasses are under threat due to anthropogenic impacts and an increasing frequency of extreme climate events. Enhalus acoroides is a species of seagrass that is spread in the east and southeast waters of Bali, from Sanur Beach to Nusa Dua Beach. This study aims to analyze the differences in morphometry and the chlorophyll, proline, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, a marker for oxidative stress in E. acoroides leaves at Pengastian Beach, Semawang Beach, and Samuh Beach, Bali. Samples were collected using line transect …

Latent And Sensible Heat Flux In The Red Sea And Gulf Of Aden Using The Nemo Ocean Model Simulation, Moaath Ghanem, Yassir Albouraee, Mohammed A. Alsaafani, Alaa Albarakati

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

The new configuration of NEMO (Nucleus for European Modelling of the Ocean) model in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden was presented for analyzing latent heat flux (LHF) and sensible heat flux (SHF) patterns in the region. The model was setup with 1/20° horizontal resolution and 30 vertical layers, using ERA5 atmospheric data for surface forcing. The model output for LHF, and SHF was compared with KAUST-Buoy observations and many reanalysis products (the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (IFREMER) surface turbulence fluxes, Japanese Ocean Flux Data Sets with Use of Remote Sensing Observations (J-OFURO3), Objectively Analyzed …

Optimizing Kappaphycus Alvarezii Seedlings: Acclimatization And Cultivation Methods For Sustainable Seaweed Seed In Lombok Kodek Bay, Dasep Hasbullah, Fahrurrozi Fahrurrozi, Gagan Garnawansah, Zaenal Arifin Siregar, Wahyu Purbiantoro, Moh. Awaludin Adam, Idham Sumarto Pratama, Nurhalis Tarmin, Balkam F. Badi, Abdul Wahab, Raismin Kotta

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

This study explores the combined[-10pc]AU: Please specify the corresponding author name. effects of cultivation methods and acclimatization durations on the growth performance of Kappaphycus alvarezii, a tropical seaweed widely utilized in biostimulants and bioplastics. Cultivation methods included monoculture of Spinosum (SNP), monoculture of Cottonii (DNP), and polyculture of Spinosum and Cottonii (PSP), while acclimatization treatments involved durations of 0, 2, and 4 days before planting (DBA). Results demonstrated that the SNP system achieved the highest productivity, with maximum weight (142.8 g) and relative growth rate (RGR) of 3.21% per day observed under 0 DBA. The 2 DBA treatment was …

Causal Functional Mediation Analysis With An Application To Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data, Yi Zhao, Xi Luo, Michael E Sobel, Martin A Lindquist, Brian S Caffo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

A primary goal of task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies is to quantify the effective connectivity between brain regions when stimuli are presented. Assessing the dynamics of effective connectivity has attracted increasing attention. Causal mediation analysis serves as a widely implemented tool aiming to delineate the mechanism between task stimuli and brain activations. However, the case, where the treatment, mediator, and outcome are continuous functions, has not been studied. Causal mediation analysis for functional data is considered. Semiparametric functional linear structural equation models are introduced and causal assumptions are discussed. The proposed models allow for the estimation of individual …

Accelerated Molecular Aging In Neighborhood Poverty: A Racial/Ethnic Comparison, Jennifer Robinette, Jennifer Smith

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

In the US, racial/ethnic health disparities are undeniable and partially stem from residing in low SES neighborhoods. Associations between neighborhood SES and health may have some underlying molecular mechanisms reflected in the epigenome. Yet, neighborhood characteristics are not always experienced the same way for all residents, and questions remain regarding whether those most exposed to low SES neighborhoods build greater resilience to, or embody greater harmful and cumulative outcomes from, such neighborhoods. The present study tested the hypothesis that greater neighborhood poverty would relate to accelerated epigenetic aging on the Horvath, Hannum, PhenoAge, and GrimAge clocks, and that these associations …

Toxic Chemicals Lurking In Our Personal Care Products: States’ Proactive Approach To A Pressing Problem, Savannah Stanley

Georgia Law Review

The average American uses a number of personal care products daily, but the safety of many ingredients commonly used in these products is debatable. While the FDA regulates most personal care products as “cosmetics,” it only bans eleven chemicals from use in covered products. The FDA has yet to prohibit chemicals of concern like parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, and PFAS (“forever chemicals”).

In response to FDA inaction amidst growing safety concerns, states began passing laws to prohibit certain chemicals from use in personal care products. California was the first state to act. In 2020, it passed the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act, banning …

Editorial, Niveditha K. Prasad

Socio-Legal Review

No abstract provided.

Front Matter, Socio-Legal Review

Socio-Legal Review

No abstract provided.

The Implementation Of An International Treaty Across A Small Island Developing State: The United Nations Convention On The Elimination Of All Forms Of Discrimination Against Women (Cedaw) In Cabo Verde, Lydia Landim

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

The UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979. To date, it is the most comprehensive international treaty for women’s rights. Cabo Verde, a small island developing state located off the west coast of Africa, ratified CEDAW in 1980. As an archipelago, Cabo Verde serves as a unique case study for treaty implementation, particularly, as literature on small island developing states has established that these states face unique challenges when it comes to implementation of laws, policy, and to governance overall, all of which heavily intersect …

Change In Community Composition And Structure On Subtidal Rock Walls In The Gulf Of Maine Over Four Decades Of Warming, Breck A. Mccollum

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

The Gulf of Maine (GOM) has faced many changes over the last 47 years from overfishing of its iconic cod fish stocks to the introduction on non-native species, but no change has been as dramatic as the warming ocean temperatures that began to increase rapidly in the 2010s. This thermal shift is due largely to the northward movement of the Gulf Stream current mixing with Arctic meltwater before entering the GOM. Average summer temperatures jumped by 3.35°C between the periods of 1980-1985 and 2015-2020. This warming trend, combined with an increasing frequency of marine heat wave events, has led to …

Intercontinental Variation In Population Genetics And Life-History Traits In Native And Invasive Populations Of The Aquatic Plants Myriophyllum Spicatum And Myriophyllum Sibiricum, Anastasia V. Mozharova

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

Biological invasions pose significant threats to freshwater ecosystems worldwide, and understanding their evolutionary, genetic, and biogeographic drivers is essential for effective management. My dissertation integrates microsatellite and ITS rDNA data to examine the dynamics of both invasive and native populations of two closely related aquatic plant species, Myriophyllum spicatum (Eurasian watermilfoil) and M. sibiricum (Northern watermilfoil).

Myriophyllum spicatum is native to Eurasia, where it inhabits a variety of freshwater aquatic habitats. Since its introduction to North America in the mid-20th century, it has become highly invasive, forming dense underwater mats that outcompete native vegetation, reduce biodiversity, and degrade water quality. …

The Non-Reciprocity Of Cultural-Ecological Resilience In Eastern Sumba, B. Retang Wohangara

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

Resilience is one key concept of culture and ecology. It highlights a particular system's adaptive and thriving capacities in facing various challenges. This research-based article investigates the reciprocity of cultural-ecological resilience in three traditional communities in Eastern Sumba. It starts with the examination of cultural resilience and ecological resilience using five and seven qualitative indicators, respectively. The last part of the discussion analyzes how culture and ecology reciprocate in the given communities. The research employs a descriptive qualitative method. Data are collected by conducting mini-ethnographic field research for interviews, documentation, and focus group discussions. Using the five and seven indicators …

Embedded Paradox : The Integration Of Internationalization And Localization In Sino-Foreign Cooperative Universities, Jiaxin Guo

Lingnan Theses (MPhil & PhD)

With the rapid development of Sino-foreign cooperative universities and their growing prominence in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), existing research has begun to focus on this niche sector. While prior studies have examined the tensions of global integration and local responsiveness in such institutions at a macro level, limited attention has been paid to students and faculty—the primary agents of educational practice. To address this gap, this study conducts fieldwork at CUHK-Shenzhen, a cross-border collaborative university in the GBA. This study adopted a qualitative research method and collected field data over six months, including teaching activities and campus …

Cybercrime Regulations In The National Criminal Code, Josua Sitompul

Indonesia Law Review

In early 2023, Indonesia promulgated the National Criminal Code, which will be effectively enforceable in 2026. The promulgation is considered a historical milestone in the development of Indonesia’s criminal law that has strategic consequences for the criminal justice system in Indonesia. This new code repeals criminal provisions from 29 different acts, including the Electronic Information and Transactions Act (EIT Act). Policymakers inserted and developed new concepts into the new code, one of which is the concept of cybercrime. Employing a doctrinal legal research method, this article analyses the approaches used in the new code to regulate cybercrime. The results showed …

Shifting Views, Shaping Outcomes: Exploring Relations Between Educators’ Neurodiversity-Affirming Perceptions And Their Autistic Students’ School Experiences, Josh Yen-Ho Chou

Graduate Masters Theses

School environments frequently serve as a source of socialization but also stigma and socioemotional distress for autistic students. Against this backdrop, teachers can be crucial sources of neurodiversity-affirming views and support. Teachers’ perceptions of students can also shape the quality of their relationships with students and students’ emotional and behavioral adjustment in school. This study focused on understanding how general education teachers perceive autistic students and how these perceptions shape their students’ school experiences. This study sought to investigate the degree to which teachers endorsed three dimensions of neurodiversity-affirming perceptions of their autistic students: (a) strength/deficit-based, (b) holistic/reductionist, and (c) …

Autistic Adults In-Session Experiences In Psychotherapy: A Qualitative Meta-Analysis Of Helpful And Harmful Factors From First-Person Perspectives, Elizabeth Kilgallon

Graduate Masters Theses

Autistic adults face heightened mental health needs yet encounter significant barriers in psychotherapy. Research on psychotherapy has often emphasized quantitative trials of specific modalities, while little attention has been paid to autistic adults’ own perspectives about in-session therapeutic processes. There is a need for clinical guidance that foregrounds autistic clients’ lived experiences of therapy, with emphasis on identifying what they find helpful or harmful, to inform accessible and affirming practice. In the present study, I conducted a qualitative meta-analysis that investigates autistic adults’ first-person accounts of psychotherapy. Thirty-three studies were included in the analysis. I used critical-constructivist grounded theory to …

Beyond The Self In Self-Compassion: Interdependent Values As A Moderator In The Mediated Relation Between Social Support, Self-Compassion, And Mental Health, Lisa Nakamura

Graduate Masters Theses

Psychological research often does not include diverse samples or focus on the experiences of people of color (POC). Western interventions have been created through an individualistic lens and are often not culturally responsive to the needs of POC. Despite the inclusion of common humanity and interconnectedness in the construct of self-compassion, research on self-compassion interventions has predominantly focused on self-oriented processes. Thus, the present study examined the associations between self-compassion, social support, and mental health outcomes, as well as the moderating role of interdependent values, among a sample of individuals who identify as POC at a U.S. university. Specifically, the …

Something To Say: Nativism, Prohibition, And The Loss Of Political Alignment In Davenport, Iowa’S German-American Community 1848-1922, Clayton R. Schuler

Graduate Masters Theses

This thesis ends with the municipal elections of 1920 in Davenport, Iowa. Amid the First Red Scare, the Socialist Party was swept into power. The party won under inauspicious national conditions thanks in part to a successful campaign on local concerns; the party had something to say. An examination of the years prior to the election, however, reveals that other factors contributed to political unalignment for the city’s large German descended population. Frustrated with Republican and Democratic parties that seemed to have no place for them, these voters had something to say as well. Ultimately the opportunity that this unalignment …

Empowering Youth In A Changing Climate: Design, Implementation, And Evaluation Of A Salt Marsh Summer Science Program, Dan Levesque

Graduate Masters Theses

Climate change presents not only environmental challenges but also emotional challenges for today’s youth. This thesis documents the design, implementation, and evaluation of a field-based summer science program aimed at empowering adolescents with coastal salt marsh ecology while addressing climate change emotions and science identity development. The program, based in a Massachusetts salt marsh, was adapted from existing public environmental curricula and guided by place- and experience-based learning principles. Over Spring and Summer 2025, 13 students (ages 13-18) participated in extra-curricular field trips, hands-on research activities, and reflective discussions about the environment and the emotions it brings forth. Pre- and …