• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2017.10a
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• pp.73-79
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• 2017

Rapidly expanding population in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a massive impact to put pressure on the shortage of housing and existing infrastructure. With average population growth rate of 1,9% yearly, the population in Saudi Arabia is projected to increase from 31 million in 2015 to 37 million in 2025. According to the housing ministry, Saudi Arabia needs to provide 3.3 million units to meet the demand in 2025, which is about 300,000 unit a year. In the past 40 years, using the conventional construction method, the Saudi construction industry was only able to build about 150,000 units per year. To meet the demand gap for the housing shortage, a new approach and innovation in construction methods are needed. Industrialized construction as an approach in construction methods has been studied and implemented in some countries that experienced similar corncerns. Industrialized construction can be defined as the implementation of manufacturing methods to construction-related activities to improve quality, reduce cost and project duration. Compared to the conventional construction method, prefabrication as industrialized construction methods has reduced construction labor on-site by 9.5%, construction project duration by 20%, and construction waste by 56%. It improves the quality, durability and cost saving not only for construction project owners, but also construction contractors. This paper discusses the possibility of 'industrialization' of building system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a solution for the housing shortage. It is an initial part of a study aims to develop a framework to develop industrialized building system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The is paper based on extensive literature review and case studies.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1247-1250
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• 2015

Background: Psoriasis, a common cutaneous disorder characterized by inflammation and abnormal epidermal proliferation with a prevalence of 2-3% in the general population, may be linked to certain types of cancer. Several studies have reported an association between interleukin 10 (IL-10) variant polymorphisms and inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis vulgaris although the results vary according to the population studied. No studies have been performed in the Saudi population. The present study concerned novel variants and other genetic polymorphisms of the promoter and exonic regions of the IL10 gene in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis and potential differences in genotype compared to a group of healthy volunteers. Materials and Methods: Patients with moderate to severe psoriasis and healthy controls with no personal or family history of psoriasis were selected from the central region of Saudi Arabia. Polymorphisms of the IL 10 gene of both groups were genotyped. Results: We observed two novel variants in 5'UTR region of the promoter precursor with higher prevalence of the genotype with both wild-type alleles in patients compared to the healthy control group. The differences at positions -377 and -150 were significantly associated with disease, both the variants conferred strong protection against psoriasis in Saudi patients. Conclusions: This observation provides further support for the importance of the part that IL10 plays in the pathophysiology of this disease. Confirmation of our findings in larger populations of different ethnicities would provide evidence for the role of IL-10 in psoriasis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7091-7094
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• 2013

DNA repair capacity is crucial in maintaining cellular functions and homeostasis. However, it can be altered based on DNA sequence variations in DNA repair genes and this may lead to the development of many diseases including malignancies. Identification of genetic polymorphisms responsible for reduced DNA repair capacity is necessary for better prevention. Homologous recombination (HR), a major double strand break repair pathway, plays a critical role in maintaining the genome stability. The present study was performed to determine the frequency of the HR gene XRCC3 Exon 7 (C18067T, rs861539) polymorphisms in Saudi Arabian population in comparison with epidemiological studies by "MEDLINE" search to equate with global populations. The variant allelic (T) frequency of XRCC3 (C>T) was found to be 39%. Our results suggest that frequency of XRCC3 (C>T) DNA repair gene exhibits distinctive patterns compared with the Saudi Arabian population and this might be attributed to ethnic variation. The present findings may help in high-risk screening of humans exposed to environmental carcinogens and cancer predisposition in different ethnic groups.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.3667-3673
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• 2014

Background: colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancers and the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. In Saudi Arabia, CRC accounts for 8.5% of all tumors; it ranks first among all cancers in males and third among females. The aim of this study was to link between different PARP-1 mutations and risk of CRC in Saudi population and to determine common variants of PARP-1 in Saudi CRC patients and normal individuals. Materials and Methods: DNA samples were isolated from fifty CRC patients and from a comparable number of control subjects then sequenced to detect different variations present in exons 3, 17, and 21 of the PARP-1 gene. Results and Conclusions: When comparing the genotype and allele frequencies of all detected SNPs in CRC patients with those in controls, we found none were significantly different for all variants even the most common SNP in PARP-1 gene (Val762Ala). However, two novel alterations in exon 21 were found to be associated with increased risk of CRC. The variants identified as (1) Lys933Asn [p-value 0.0318] and (2) Lys945Asn [p-value 0.0257]. Our results suggest that PARP-1 Lys933Asn and Lys945Asn alterations could be associated with increased risk of CRC in the Saudi population.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.7 no.12
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• pp.677-682
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• 2020

To investigate the nexus between urban population, gross capital formation, and economic growth in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, yearly data was collected from the World Bank for the period 1974- 2018. Basic statistics test and correlation matrix was used to investigate the causal effect among the tested parameters, followed by Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) stationary test, co-integration analysis by Johansen test after that Vector Auto-Correction Model for both short-run and long-run and finally the Granger-Causality tests. Result of unit root test analysis shows that the urban population became stationary at I (0) level while economic growth and gross capital formation became stationary at I (1). Johansen co-integration analysis indicates that there is presence of both long-run and short-run relationship between the three variables in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The result of the VECM Model reflects that both economic growth and gross capital formation have a negative impact on urban population in the short run. According to the Granger-Causality tests, there is unidirectional causality with the urban population by both gross capital formation and economic growth. Also, the result of the Granger Causality tests show that there is unidirectional causality between economic growth and gross capital formations.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.5663-5667
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• 2015

Background: Earlier studies on the association between p53 codon 72 Arg>Pro polymorphism and cancer risk were inconclusive and conflicting for the Saudi population. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between the codon 72 Arg>Pro polymorphism and overall cancer risk in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: We searched all eligible published studies and data were pooled together to perform the meta-analysis. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated for homozygous, heterozygous, dominant and recessive genetic models. Results: A total of five eligible published studies covering 502 cancer cases and 784 healthy controls were included in the meta-analysis. No publication bias was detected in this study. The results suggested that the variant (Pro vs Arg: p=0.960; OR=1.004, 95% CI=0.852-1.183), homozygous (Pro.Pro vs Arg.Arg: p=0.970; OR=1.006, 95% CI=0.729-1.390), heterozygous (Arg.Pro vs Arg.Arg: p=0.473; OR=0.783, 95% CI=0.402-1.527) carriers were not associated with overall cancer risk. Similarly, dominant (Pro.Pro+Pro.Arg vs Arg.Arg: p=0.632; OR=0.886, 95% CI=0.540-1.454) and recessive (Pro.Pro vs Pro.Arg+Arg.Arg: p=0.269; OR=1.163, 95%CI=0.890-1.521) models also did not indicate increased risk of cancer. Conclusions: The current meta-analysis suggests that the codon 72 Arg>Pro polymorphism of the p53 gene might not contribute to cancer susceptibility in Saudi population. Future well designed large case control studies are needed to validate our findings.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.177-186
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• 2022

This study aimed to measure the impact of societal participation of Saudi banks on customer satisfaction and determine the statistical differences in customer satisfaction according to sex, age, income, education, and work type. Societal participation has economic and environmental dimensions. The study population includes all Saudis in the government, military, and private sectors reaching 3.58 million in 2021. The unit of analysis is Saudi customers of commercial banks. The 12 banks have societal programs. The research tool is a "Questionnaire," It is distributed face-to-face at places of work. The study concludes that economic participation has no impact on customer satisfaction; however, the impact of environmental participation on customer satisfaction is proved. The study shows no statistical differences in customer satisfaction according to mediators (sex, age, income, education, and work type). Despite the environmental participation being the tangible product by Saudi banks in the local market, the study concludes the positive relationship between societal participation and customer satisfaction. The study presents a set of recommendations for enhancing societal participation in the Saudi businesses environment.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.507-518
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• 2022

This study aimed to measure the monetary and non-monetary effects on brand awareness at hypermarkets in Riyadh. The independent variable consists of three sub-variables: price reductions, free samples, and purchasing vouchers. The research population has all Saudi and non-Saudi buyers in Riyadh. The figures show that the population size reached 3.87 million in 2019. The proportional stratification sampling technique and the recommended sample size were 387 buyers. The five-point Likert scale with the fully structured questionnaire was used. The study concldes the effect of free samples on brand awareness while there was no effect of monetary instruments. The results show that the three sales promotion incentives (price reduction, free samples, and purchasing vouchers) moderately affected brand awareness and a key role in explaining consumer behavior, so the significant impact was proved. In summary, this study showed that price reductions have the power of creating the perception of buyers at hypermarkets in Riyadh. Non-cash instruments were more effective than cash instruments in enhancing brand awareness at the hypermarkets in the Saudi market. So, the price reductions and purchasing vouchers have less power in conducting communication-based awareness. Building awareness and improving brand image through free samples were most visible in communication strategy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.3839-3843
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• 2016

Background: Cigarette smoking is a major public health issue in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in recent years, particularly among adolescents. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of cigarette smoking usage among adolescent students in the north of the country. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study investigated 305 adolescent students from the Northern KSA population, their ages ranging from 11 to 19 years old. Results: Of the 287 respondents, 56/287(19.5%) were found to be current smokers. Of the 56 current smokers, 14/52 (27%), 29/52 (55.8%), and 9/52 (17.2%) smoked 1-3, 4-10 and 11+cigarettes/day, respectively. For duration most had smoked for 26-36 months. Conclusions: The findings of the present study indicate that cigarette smoking use is still an important risk behavior among adolescent students. The findings of this study found a significant association of cigarette smoking usage and adolescents various believes and attitude for initiation of smoking and perception toward knowledge of other factors that contribute to the burden of tobacco use.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.9 no.7
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• pp.273-280
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• 2022

The study aimed to determine the impact of societal participation on the customer loyalty of Saudi banks and identify the statistical differences in customer loyalty according to sex, age, education level, and occupation type. The independent variable is corporate societal participation, and the dependent represents customer loyalty. Corporate societal programs have two dimensions: social participation and philanthropic participation. The research population consists of Saudi workers in three sectors: government, military, and private reached 3.58 million people in 2021. The unit of analysis is the Saudi employee in one formal industry and dealing with the Saudi banks that offered corporate societal participation programs. The research used the appropriate stratified sampling method, and the recommended sample size reached 387 respondents. A fully structured questionnaire is used. The study concluded that corporate social programs have not impacted customer loyalty, while corporate philanthropy programs strongly affected customer loyalty. On the other hand, there are no differences in customer loyalty according to demographics (sex, age, education, and occupation type). Finally, the study presents a set of recommendations in the field of corporate social responsibility and develops the local communities.