School leadership development in Saudi Arabia: policy-makers’ and participants’ perspectives

This thesis examines school leadership development in Najran, Saudi Arabia by conducting 35 interviews with principals, junior teachers, senior teachers and policy-makers. The study reveals mixed perceptions regarding the effectiveness of leadership development programmes conducted by the Ministry of Education. Policymakers claim that the Ministry is actively working on initiatives to enhance leadership capabilities through developing soft skills and fostering collaboration. Exchange programmes are utilised to facilitate collaboration and networking among teachers, although many of these events are perceived to lack a validated methodology for promoting leadership skills. The Tatweer programme offers some leadership development opportunities, but participation varies significantly across schools. Some schools developed their own successful leadership initiatives, while others lack sufficient support. Self-development emerged as a crucial factor for leadership development, particularly in schools with fewer formal opportunities. Overall, the study suggests that, while Ministry-led programmes are valuable, they need substantial improvement to address the leadership development needs of both junior and senior teachers

Integrating immersive technologies to architectural design studios

This research investigates the transformative potential of immersive technologies—Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR)—in architectural education, with a particular focus on their application within design studios. It addresses the evolution of architectural pedagogy from its classical origins, characterized by the master-apprentice model, through the formalized education systems of the traditional period, to the contemporary era where digital and immersive technologies play a pivotal role. The study is anchored in a mixed-method research design, integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of VR, AR, and MR on architectural education. Quantitative data were collected through pre- and post-experiment questionnaires administered to a diverse cohort of students and educators. Qualitative insights were garnered from in-depth interviews and case studies conducted across multiple educational institutions. These methods collectively facilitated a robust analysis of how immersive technologies influence teaching methodologies, student engagement, and educational outcomes. The thesis begins with a literature review that traces the historical context of architectural pedagogy, highlighting key developments and shifts that have shaped the design studio as the core of architectural education. The classical period, marked by the apprenticeship system and the Ecole des Beaux-Arts model, laid the groundwork for the studio-based learning approach. The traditional period saw the formalization of architectural education within academic institutions, influenced significantly by Donald Schon's theories on reflective practice and experiential learning. The core of the research focuses on contemporary architectural education and the integration of immersive technologies. The study identifies several key benefits of VR, AR, and MR in design studios, including enhanced spatial understanding, improved creativity, and more effective communication between students and educators. Immersive environments allow students to visualize and interact with architectural designs in a more tangible and realistic manner, fostering innovative problem-solving and design thinking. The research also explores the pedagogical implications of these technologies, demonstrating how they can support a more interactive and student-centered learning experience. However, the adoption of immersive technologies in architectural education is not without challenges. The thesis addresses critical issues such as the high cost of equipment, the need for specialized training for both students and educators, and the complexities of integrating these technologies into existing curricula. Despite these challenges, the findings indicate that the benefits of VR, AR, and MR far outweigh the drawbacks, providing a compelling case for their inclusion in architectural education. The research is guided by Bloom's Taxonomy, ensuring that the educational objectives align with higher-order thinking and deeper cognitive engagement. By employing Bloom's framework, the study emphasizes the importance of fostering creativity, communication, and confidence in students through the use of immersive technologies. The findings suggest that VR, AR, and MR can significantly enhance the quality of architectural education, preparing students for the demands of the modern architectural profession. The thesis concludes with practical recommendations for educators and institutions aiming to integrate immersive technologies into their curricula. These recommendations are based on the research findings and best practices identified through the case studies and interviews. The study advocates for a strategic approach to technology integration, emphasizing the need for adequate resources, training, and support to maximize the educational benefits of VR, AR, and MR. Overall, this research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the use of immersive technologies in education. It provides valuable insights into the potential of these tools to revolutionize architectural pedagogy, offering a roadmap for educators and institutions seeking to enhance their teaching practices and improve student learning outcomes. The research underscores the transformative potential of VR, AR, and MR, positioning them as critical components of the future of architectural education

Transmedia authorship as a media industries practice

This thesis offers an analytical framework to investigate transmedia authorship within the context of the media industries. Through the case studies of the Wizarding World and Star Wars, it transcends the dichotomy, prevalent in media authorship research, between viewing authorship as tied to individual genius or to the collaborative effort of numerous contributors. Challenging current understandings of transmedia authorship as relying on a central authorial figure (Jenkins, 2006; Evans, 2011; Freeman, 2016), the case studies demonstrate that transmedia authorship is mutable, like the texts to which it relates. The thesis uses paratextual analysis (Genette, 1997 [1987]; Gray, 2010), as well as the concept of performance in linguistics (Austin, 1975) and media authorship (Gray, 2010; Hadas, 2020), to show how a ‘transmedia author-function’ emerges from the performed relationships between a primary authorial figure and the other contributors to the fictional universe, as mediated through officially-branded material and public commentary by key creatives. The crux of the study lies in recognising the media industries as a key player in the construction of authorship and its fluidity. Accordingly, the thesis demonstrates that the performed relationships serve as a mechanism through which authorial authority can be bestowed or limited. The case studies show how media corporations contribute to shifts in the transmedia author-function; by showcasing or sidelining different authorial figures, IP owners can encourage a more or less collaborative conception of authorship, with the aim of pursuing different strategic objectives for the future of the transmedia universe as brand

Development of novel therapeutic agents designed to enhance insulin secretion through activation of the trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1)

Produced in the pancreas, insulin is widely considered the most important hormone involved in metabolic homeostasis. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease affecting 537 million people worldwide which results from a defect in insulin action, secretion, or both. Over time, existing antihyperglycemic treatments designed to control type 2 DM (T2DM) typically become ineffective due to changes in disease progression including weight gain and increased insulin resistance, highlighting the importance for the continued development of new therapeutic agents which exert their effects through diverse/ novel mechanisms. Trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) is a G protein-coupled receptor located in the brain, stomach, intestines and pancreatic β-cells which has roles in mediating neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders. Although most of the existing research into TAAR1 agonists has focused on their role within the central nervous system for application in schizophrenia treatments, studies have identified activation of pancreatic TAAR1 enhances insulin secretion, thus TAAR1 is a promising target for novel antihyperglycemic treatments for T2DM. This thesis reports the rational design, synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of a series of ligands intended to exhibit a peripherally restricted TAAR1 agonist profile, based on N-((1H-imidazol-4-yl)methyl)-4-chloro-N-isopropylaniline (RO5073012, 59), as part of a structure activity relationship study. The analogues are computationally predicted to be substrates of the P-glycoprotein transporter and experimentally predicted to have low blood brain barrier permeability through immobilised artificial membrane reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography, preventing the likelihood of inducing potential undesired on-target effects. The data obtained from high range rat insulin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (Mercodia) shows that the novel analogues enhance insulin secretion in control and glucolipotoxicity conditions designed to mimic an environment typically associated with patients with poorly controlled T2DM. We also demonstrate that one compound, N-((1H-imidazol-2-yl)methyl)-4-chloro-N-isopropylaniline (76c), upregulates the secondary messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) using the cAMP select ELISA (Cayman Chemical). This suggests 76c mediates its therapeutic effects via TAAR1 thus indicating a potential role for these molecules as novel therapeutic agents in the treatment of T2DM

Integrating stability and flexibility in complex socio-technical systems: the case of the GB rail system

Conventional approaches to operational safety management rely on centralised hierarchical control structures, emphasising strict adherence to standards to minimise risks and uncertainty. This method aims to maintain stability and reduce variability in processes and behaviours, creating a predictable operational environment. This centralised control approach is dominant in modern complex sociotechnical systems in which safety is critical. Researchers have challenged this approach, arguing that the complexity and uncertainty in modern systems render preestablished, standardised control measures insufficient. They advocate for developing adaptive systems capable of navigating complexity and uncertainty, arguing that flexibility to handle contingencies in context by local actors is crucial. These two approaches represent contrasting paradigms in operational safety management: one emphasising stability and central control, and the other prioritising flexibility and decentralised, local control. The challenge is to reconcile these contrasting approaches and find effective ways to integrate them. The Great British (GB) railway system offers a unique opportunity to explore this contradiction and a clear example of the importance of such integration. Rail is a complex sociotechnical system where operational safety is managed through a centralised control approach. With recent and upcoming sector reforms, budget cuts, and post-pandemic changes in service demands, the GB rail industry is facing unprecedented uncertainty and pressures, necessitating increased efficiency and flexibility. Thus, it is essential to explore ways to integrate the existing safety management approach with alternative methods directed to increase flexibility and adaptation. Overall, this doctoral research investigates that integration. The aim is to explore ways to increase flexibility in work processes and behaviours without compromising the system’s stability and safety. To do so, stability and flexibility are used as key concepts. The research adopts a dualist stance, investigating these concepts as separate yet not necessarily antithetical. A variety of qualitative methods were employed in this research, resulting in four studies. Study 1 (Chapter 5) uses document analysis and interview data to explore how standards provide users with the flexibility needed to adapt to specific contextual circumstances. Study 2 (Chapter 6) uses interview data and document analysis to describe the railway standards development process, demonstrating how central control and operational realities are bridged through collaborative rulemaking. Study 3 (Chapter 7) explores issues around stability and flexibility in railway operations management by interviewing individuals involved in rulemaking. The study draws conclusions regarding the risks, barriers, and preconditions of flexibility, highlighting important functions of centralisation. It also describes how the system faced and dealt with demands for high stability and high flexibility during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chapter 8 (Study 4) presents a case study conducted in a Rail Operating Centre. Using observations, interviews, and documents as data sources, the study examines the activities of rail infrastructure incident controllers, describing sources of stability and flexibility in real-life practice. Overall, the main findings relate to: • The system is performance-focused; safety is a quality and a precondition for performance. • The risks associated with flexibility and the importance of maintaining a holistic view of the system, the risks and the operation. Mechanisms to bridge centralisation and decentralisation are described. • The greatest barriers to increasing flexibility – and thus integrating both approaches – are social. The findings highlight the importance of interprofessional understanding and managing social processes to increase flexibility safely and efficiently. • While the research describes stability and flexibility-enhancing mechanisms, understanding the degree of stability and flexibility needed is crucial. A framework to consider the mechanisms available in relation to differing operational needs is proposed (Chapter 9) These findings have implications for both theory and practice, and the thesis concludes by reflecting on its contributions. The research provides insights useful for those involved in the safe and efficient management of rail operations. It also highlights issues that seem obvious to industry professionals but are often overlooked by researchers, provides empirical evidence to support safety research and theory, and offers a foundation for future investigations

Investigating ApoE4-Mediated Molecular Alterations in H4 Neuroglioma Cells of Alzheimer’s Disease Using OrbiSIMS and LC-MS/MS.

Apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4) is the significant risk gene for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which is not only associated with the AD pathological features, including amyloid-β deposition, phosphorylation of Tau proteins and neuroinflammation; but also involved with metabolism, neuron growth, and synaptic plasticity. Growing clinical evidence has revealed that dysfunction of systematic molecular alterations in the brain occurs even twenty years before the onset of AD pathological features. Multi-omics such as metabolomics and proteomics have been applied widely in identifying key disease-related molecular alteration and disease-progression-related changes. Despite recent advances in the development of analytical technologies, screening the whole profile of metabolites remains challenging, due to many classes of compounds with diverse chemical properties that would need different extraction processes. In this study, we combined two omics (metabolomics and proteomics) to study the molecular alteration effected by ApoE4 in H4 neuroglioma cells. Typically, we first conducted metabolomics that uses Orbital trapping secondary ion mass spectrometry (OrbiSIMS) as a screening tool to gain a non-biased overview of metabolic alteration under ApoE4-carried neuroglioma cells. Sample preparation optimisation for H4 cells in OrbiSIMS analysis has been conducted under two conditions: freeze-dried and frozen-hydrated. The findings are subsequently followed by LC-MS/MS targeted metabolomics for further confirming specific metabolite classes. Then proteomics was also performed by using UHPLC-MS. Subsequentially, Gene ontology (GO) analysis has been applied to link the metabolomics and proteomics results. The initial OrbiSIMS approach has shown the advantages of detecting large numbers of metabolites with minimal sample preparation, small sample size and a relatively rapid analysis time, allowing 192 putatively annotated metabolites detected in our study. Overall, OrbiSIMS as screening tool then followed by LC-MS/MS is successfully developed to investigate cellular metabolomics, revealing the disruption of lipid metabolism (glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids) and amino acid metabolism. This includes alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, glutamine metabolism, and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism. Proteomics study further confirms the dysfunction of amino acids, tRNA aminoacylation metabolic processes, and reveals RNA splicing process affected by ApoE4. GO analysis suggests that nitrogen compounds, amino acids, tRNA aminoacylation metabolic processes play important roles in ApoE4 mediated molecular alterations in AD

Three-dimensional inkjet printing of electrically active materials

Additive Manufacturing (AM) for electronics (AME) offers the capability for a new generation of devices, with digitised customisation, remarkable design freedom, and low wastage. To achieve this, AM must enable excellent material properties, high resolution, multi-material processing, and scalability to attain industrial relevance. Inkjet printing (IJP) is one of the most mature technologies capable of such material properties and resolution, originating from graphical printing but now with several decades of research into functional materials behind it. IJP excels at multi-material processing and scalability, but major criticisms are the high anisotropy and inability to print truly 3D geometries, generally settling on 2.5D heterostructures instead. This work reports on a new finding that the anisotropy of conductivity in silver nanoparticle inks has been overestimated, and that it is mostly independent of the ink composition. Further, four polymer inks were investigated to pair with the silver ink as support and for high-quality dielectric contrast. Additionally, a novel method which requires no custom hardware – “Off the Grid” – was developed to remove aliasing which artificially decreases drop placement fidelity. This increases the accuracy of shape outlines and provides methods to control layer topology and negative space. This work was built upon to create 3D structures with uniquely complex geometries compared to previous IJP efforts, with single-drop-wide micropillars printed ≤ 4 mm high. After investigating the growth mechanism of the pillars, it was shown that they can lean without support, which enables the printing of helices and strut-based lattices. Finally, multimaterial prints are demonstrated with anisotropic silver elements within a dielectric matrix, which allows for easy control of the macro dielectric properties. Overall, this work pushes the boundaries of achievable geometries within AME and opens the potential for a wide range of functional devices to be inkjet-printed

Investigating the Aroma Chemistry of Dendrobium Stems (Chinese Name: Shihu)

People have consumed dried Dendrobium stems, known in China as Shihu, for thousands of years as food and traditional medicine. Shihu is valued for its potential health benefits and flavour attributes, and for this reason, it is well integrated into traditional Chinese cooking, and more recently, become a modern ingredient in nutraceutical drinks. Shihu contains a diverse range of volatile compounds and glucomannan polysaccharides. However, there are gaps in the knowledge of the compounds responsible for its aroma and their formation, and this thesis aims to investigate these important compounds through: 1) comprehensively investigating the aroma compounds of Dendrobium stems, focusing on 2) key aroma-active compounds, 3) assessing drying's impact on aroma formation and 4) evaluating flavour stability. Instrumental analysis was used to characterise and semi-quantify volatile aroma compounds, identify those responsible for the aroma, quantify flavour precursors, and evaluate aroma stability. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) identified 21 aroma compounds in commercially available dried Shihu. Varying oven drying temperatures and durations impacted both the aroma compounds and moisture content (Chapter 3). Although the drying process resulted in a 28.45 % reduction in glucomannans, the research primarily focused on flavour. GC-O (Olfactometry) analysis with 13 panellists indicated nine aroma compounds were aroma-active in dried stems (including 1-octen-3-one and 4-oxoisophorone)(Chapter 4). Carotenoids, amino acids, and monosaccharides were quantified using three Liquid Chromatography techniques, linking precursor loss during drying to aroma-active compound formation (Chapter 5). Shelf life testing indicated no significant changes in aroma-active compounds during storage (20-30 °C for 12 weeks), but higher storage temperatures caused further precursor degradation (Chapter 6). Multivariate analysis indicated aroma compounds as markers of storage and temperature mismanagement. This research provides a mechanistic understanding of flavour generation during Shihu drying, applicable to other plants with similar chemistry. Awareness of important aroma compounds and their changes during storage has the potential to improve product quality and enhance the global popularity of Shihu

Magnetic Induction Tomography using Vector Spherical Harmonic Magnetic Fields and Quantum Sensing

The work explores the use of spherical harmonic magnetic vector fields in magnetic induction tomography, an eddy current based non-ionising imaging technique. It uses the spherical harmonic magnetic fields as primary excitor fields, creating orthogonal sensitivity matrices ensuring efficient and accurate image reconstruction using two different algorithms. The thesis further explores the phase of the eddy current induced secondary magnetic fields and seeks to use phase in image reconstruction. Lastly, the thesis seeks to measure the eddy current induced secondary magnetic fields from low conductivity materials using quantum sensors known as optically pumped magnetometers

Success Comes in Waves: The role of neuronal oscillations in the modulation of visuospatial attention, perception and cortical excitability

The overall aim of this thesis is to contribute to investigations into the role that neuronal oscillations play in the top-down control of visuospatial attention, perception and more generally, cortical excitability. In the achievement of this, a range of studies have been conducted, attempting to both replicate current findings within the literature, as well as contribute new knowledge through the implementation of carefully designed studies. Open-science methods have also been adopted within this thesis, where secondary data has been utilised to conduct novel analyses that offer new insights into existing research findings. Prior to examining these though, it is first critical that several topics are outlined and explored so that a comprehensive understanding of the relevant background can be achieved; creating an important foundation of knowledge that the progression of this thesis relies upon. This general introduction chapter will aim to provide this, with an overview of neuronal oscillations, covering the history of their initial discovery to their use as an informative neural signal in modern research. It will then proceed to highlight important neuroimaging techniques that are cited in subsequent chapters, where all have been applied in the experimental studies that make up this thesis, to record or induce oscillations within the cortex