Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu

In this chapter, we examine the impact of ChatGPT on language learning and teaching. We explore how this AI tool can enhance student engagement, automate language assessment, and facilitate self-learning beyond the classroom. We discuss the affordances of ChatGPT in creating personalized learning experiences, generating diverse practice materials, and providing immediate feedback. However, we also acknowledge the challenges involved in integrating AI in education such as assessment integrity, technology acceptance, and equitable access. We argue that the integration of AI in education marks a new era, requiring a reimagining of traditional teaching methods and learning experiences. We conclude by urging researchers in language learning and teaching to embrace these technological advances to ensure the continued relevance of their field in the AI-driven educational landscape.

As China is building closer economic and geopolitical relations with oil-rich Arabian Gulf Cooperation Council countries, enthusiasm for learning and teaching Chinese is surging in the region. In Kuwait, whereas Chinese as a foreign language (CFL) education is emerging, research into this topical domain remains scarce, particularly on issues such as 1) how, beside English and Arabic, Chinese is construed as a means of employability and socioeconomic mobility, and 2) what competencies and skills are thought to be essential. The present study adopted an exploratory qualitative design, collecting and analyzing document data from mainstream Kuwaiti media and narrative data through oral interviews and written surveys from 19 administrators in the foreign language center at a Kuwaiti university. Results demonstrated that the rise of CFL education is strongly influenced by the bilateral economic cooperation between China and Kuwait. According to the participants, Kuwaiti learners invest in learning Chinese mainly based on their hopes to obtain economic benefit in the domestic job market. Administrators also exhibited limited knowledge of CFL education policies. These results provide insights for education policymakers, language instructors, and other stakeholders involved in CFL education in Kuwait. Implications and future research directions are also discussed.

We define English language policy distraction as the range of plannings, policies, rationales, discourses, frameworks and procedures within a particular English-in-education and/or English-in-society policy that centre the public and/or a certain collective (e.g. community, institution, group, etc.) attention on a specific, limited and confining set of surface issues and their ostensible solutions and reforms. It refers to the process of foregrounding particular conceptions of the supposed issues that overshadow and create a distraction from other more critical problems and more effective and impactful ways to remedy English language planning and policy. English language policy distraction precipitates solutions whose impact is limited and mediocre with concomitant high costs. Some policymakers, school leaders and educators may overemphasize a certain issue over others and call for some solutions as a way to produce an insubstantial effect that does not entail endangering their benefits. In this special issue, we critically reflect on politics, knowledges and discourses employed to legitimize, rationalize, develop, and implement distraction policies of the English language within diverse contexts. We demonstrate how English language policy distraction operates in contemporary societies depending on their historical, sociocultural and sociopolitical conditions, thereby pushing the scholarship of language planning and policy into a new direction.

Background: Dental caries is a significant global health concern, impacting around 2.5 billion people worldwide. Conventional methods for managing dental caries have evolved to prioritize preventive measures and minimally invasive treatment alternatives. One of these approaches involves the application of silver diamine fluoride. Although effective, the limited use of SDF is attributed to concerns about potential long-term complications and other adverse effects. Objective: This systematic review aims to assess the role of SDF in preventing and managing dental caries, evaluating its efficacy and adverse reactions. Material and methods: This review adheres to PRISMA guidelines. An electronic search was performed on PubMed, Google Scholar, and CENTRAL to include peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials published between 2014 and 2024. The Cochrane risk of bias and GRADE tools were employed to evaluate the trials and ensure the certainty of the evidence. Statistical analysis was conducted to examine the effectiveness of SDF at the individual, tooth, and surface levels. Results: Findings from 20 randomized controlled trials, which met the inclusion criteria, revealed that participants aged 1–50 showed promising results with follow-up intervals ranging from 1 to 30 months. The caries arrestment rate of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) varied from 25% to 99%. Conclusion: These results indicate that SDF could be an invaluable tool in combating dental caries, providing a less invasive and potentially more cost- effective alternative to traditional treatment methods. Nonetheless, further research is essential to comprehensively understand the potential of SDF in various settings and to optimize its application in clinical practice.

Based on sociocultural theory and pragmatism philosophical underpinnings, this study explores the classroom assessment practices of tertiary EFL practitioners, focusing on their alignment with contemporary constructivist assessment trends, methods, and approaches, rather than psychometrical assessments. The study extends knowledge on language teachers’ preparedness for implementing classroom assessment literacy. Participants were tertiary EFL instructors from four higher educational institutions in Saudi Arabia. Adopting an explanatory sequential mixed-methods research design, data were collected through self-reported questionnaires, classroom observations, and a review of assessment documents and artifacts. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data and thematic analysis qualitative data. The dominance of traditional over alternative assessment methods was demonstrated, indicating gaps in teachers’ classroom assessment literacy. The findings highlight the contradiction, discrepancy, and complexity of the relationship between teachers’ articulated and exercised assessment practices. They provide baseline data for L2 classroom assessment policy, a classroom-based assessment framework, and a guide for teachers’ professional development in language assessment literacy.

Introduction A new method for valsartan (VST) estimation in pharmaceutical dosage samples by spectrophotometry was developed. Method The method was based on the formation of coloured dye by the diazotization reaction of 3-amino-2-naphthol with sodium nitrite in an acidic medium to form diazonium compounds, which were then coupled with VST in a basic medium. Results The drug sample showed linearity in the range 4.6 - 24.2 μgmL-1, and the λmax was found at 432nm. Sandell’s sensitivity (9.950×10-3), Molar absorbtivity (Ɛ= 4.377×104), regression equa-tion (y= 0.0775x + 0.0041), correlation coefficient (r2= 0.968), detection limit (DL= 0.668) and quantitation limit (QL= 2.024) were evaluated. Conclusion The percentage recovery of the drug samples was found to be 100%. This method successfully determined VST in Pharmaceutical dosage samples.

Background/objectives: Understanding the factors that influence physiotherapy (PT) service use among patients with nonspecific lower back pain (LBP) is necessary to optimize treatment strategies, healthcare resource allocation, and the planning of value-based initiatives. We report factors that influence the number of PT visits per episode of care (defined as a referral from a physician) for an LBP population in Saudi Arabia, and compare them with patients experiencing their first and recurrent episodes of LBP. Methods: LBP patients were retrospectively enrolled from a clinical dataset derived from an outpatient PT clinic in Saudi Arabia. The primary outcome variable was the number of PT visits performed per episode of care. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to examine the relationships between the numbers of PT visits per episode of care and independent variables. Results: The number of PT sessions per week (β 0.34, p < 0.001), compliance with PT sessions (β 0.31, p < 0.001), and pre-pain scores (β 0.29, p < 0.001) explained 41.8% (adjusted R² 0.32) of the variance in the total number of PT visits per episode of care (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Factors that might improve value-based care for LBP patients are reported. The more PT sessions per week, compliance with these sessions, and higher baseline pain scores predict a higher number of PT visits per episode of care among these patients. While reported for a Saudi Arabian population, there is no reason to believe that these findings do not apply internationally.

From early on, infants show a preference for infant-directed speech (IDS) over adult-directed speech (ADS), and exposure to IDS has been correlated with language outcome measures such as vocabulary. The present multi-laboratory study explores this issue by investigating whether there is a link between early preference for IDS and later vocabulary size. Infants’ preference for IDS was tested as part of the ManyBabies 1 project, and follow-up CDI data were collected from a subsample of this dataset at 18 and 24 months. A total of 341 (18 months) and 327 (24 months) infants were tested across 21 laboratories. In neither preregistered analyses with North American and UK English, nor exploratory analyses with a larger sample did we find evidence for a relation between IDS preference and later vocabulary. We discuss implications of this finding in light of recent work suggesting that IDS preference measured in the laboratory has low test-retest reliability.

For the purpose of analyzing the Omicron pandemic, we build a novel SEIaIsIoHR mathematical model. The fundamental properties of the model are studied, including boundedness, uniqueness, and existence. The boundedness of the model’s solution is examined by solving the fractional Gronwall’s inequality using the Laplace transform method. Using the Picard-Lindelöf theorem, we verify the solution’s existence and uniqueness. The next-generation matrix is used to compute Ro (the basic reproduction number), which is significant in the mathematical modeling of infectious diseases. It is demonstrated that both the endemic and disease-free equilibrium solutions are globally and locally asymptotically stable. We also conducted a sensitivity analysis of the parameters based on Ro . Moreover, the model is extended by employing optimal control theory to examine the effects of certain control strategies. Finally, numerical simulations are performed to validate the model.

This conceptual article aims to develop a flexible learning model for an applied science college and institute in Saudi Arabia. Although Saudi Arabia has witnessed a significant revamp of its education policies and practices as part of its Vision 2030 and Human Capability Development Program (HCDP), there remains room for developing a fully integrated and comprehensive framework to support lifelong learning at the post-secondary level. In the absence of a unified ecosystem for flexible learning pathways (FLP), and in view of the urgent need for Saudi higher education institutions to move forward in the current policy landscape, the authors of this article designed an FLP model which can be implemented at intra- and inter-institutional levels. Using a non-empirical approach, this conceptual articulation evolved from: (a) a literature review of best practices of FLP around the world; (b) alignment of learning pathways with the Saudi national qualifications framework; and (c) analysis of policies, regulatory frameworks and other enabling instruments within the applied science college and institute itself. The integration of these sources resulted in a six-level system of certification pathways which include a multiple entry and exit system, recognition of prior learning, flexible curriculum, delivery mode and pace, as well as a work-based experience and continuous education programme. The authors hope that this initial model will serve as a springboard for further in-depth articulation of competencies and partnership agreements with local and national industries, as well as with other non-formal learning providers who wish to implement scalable FLP from the ground up.

Task engagement is increasingly recognized as an important facilitator of instructed second/foreign language (L2) learning, and a growing amount of research has been focusing on the concept of L2 task engagement. At the same time, however, there are still some methodological issues that need to be addressed to fully uncover the nature of engagement in L2 learning (Hiver et al., 2024). The colloquium aimed to (1) identify research trends of and methodological issues in L2 task engagement research through a systematic review of literature, and (2) discuss solutions and alternative approaches to researching task engagement in L2 learning. In this paper, we provide the details of each colloquium presentation and the discussions, including the points raised by both our discussant and the audience of the colloquium.

This article describes the comparative study of selected advanced tubing inspection nondestructive testing (NDT) methods of eddy current testing(ECT) & internal rotating inspection system (IRIS)for heat Exchanger equipment in the petrochemical industry. In this research tube material was SB 163 800 H (UNS 8810) and tubesheet material SB 564 800H (N08810). By utilizing two advanced tubing inspection methods of reporting, we can make adjustments to the process and extend the life of the heat exchanger by plugging tubes or retubing individual tubes or partial retubing or full retubing. The following data compares the suitability of ECT and IRIS for inspecting heat exchanger tubes. The capabilities of the considered NDT methods for tube inspections are presented in the study. Because of their high detectability and quick examination, nonferromagnetic materials like inconel should be tested by ECT. IRIS is ineffective on non-ferromagnetic materials like inconel based on experimentation and testing.

This study presents an experimental investigation of stainless-steel weld overlays on 10-mm-thick carbon steel plates (ASTM A 36) using different electrodes in the shielded metal arc welding process widely used in structural joints, pressure vessels and maintenance due to its versatility and simplicity. The weld overlay for sample 1 was created using electrodes of class E 309 L-16 and E 308 L-16, while sample 2 used electrodes of class E 309 L-16 and E 316 L-16. The selection of electrodes aimed to meet the procedure qualification records standards of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and Saudi Aramco Engineering Standard (SAES). Visual inspection, penetrant testing after each layer, and four side bend tests were performed for corrosion-resistant overlays (CRAs), while hard-facing overlays (HFOs) underwent visual inspection, penetrant testing, macroexamination and three hardness measurements per zone. Ferrite measurements and chemical analysis were conducted for both CRA and HFO as per SAES-W-014. Results indicated that both samples were acceptable based on visual inspection, penetrant testing, macroexamination and side bend tests. But, hardness measurements, ferrite measurements and chemical analysis tests preferred the E309L/E316L weld overlay (sample 2) over the E309L/E308L weld overlay (sample 1) for superior corrosion resistance in stainless-steel weld overlays.

The validity of the standard ideal L2 self scale has increasingly been called into question. This paper reports both quantitative and qualitative investigations into whether the ideal L2 self items tap into the intended construct of an actual-ideal discrepancy. Study 1 involved an experimental approach manipulating the items to explicitly refer to ability beliefs. Data from 1,362 participants across three countries (Austria, China, and Saudi Arabia) showed a lack of discriminant validity between original and manipulated items. Study 2 used cognitive interviewing to examine the thought processes of 24 Japanese university students as they responded to ideal L2 self items. Thematic analysis revealed that responses were dominated by reflections on current ability and expectations about using the language in specific situations, rather than envisioning an idealised future self. The findings of Studies 1 and 2 converge to indicate that the standard ideal L2 self scale does not successfully operationalise the intended theoretical construct of actual-ideal self discrepancies. Instead, responses are mostly driven by beliefs about ability to achieve the states described in each item. The results therefore challenge the validity of this widely-used scale, calling for a reinterpretation of its findings in the L2 Motivational Self System literature. ARTICLE HISTORY

The objective of this study is to maximize the efficiency of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) by using the desirability function approach to optimize the most critical input parameters. The study methodology involved selecting and conducting experiments using critical input variables such as the thickness of the titanium dioxide (TiO2) layer and electrolyte concentration. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to identify the most beneficial combination of input variables. Commercial-grade titanium dioxide nanoparticles, conventional electrolyte solutions, and typical dye compositions commonly employed in DSSC research were used. The result was presented in a visual format to effectively illustrate the optimized design space, highlighting the enhancements in output responses such as short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage, fill factor, and overall efficiency. Additional studies have confirmed the validity of the values, showcasing their effectiveness and reliability. This systematic approach significantly contributes to sustainability by providing insights into optimizing DSSC’s performance.