SACM - United Kingdom
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Item Restricted Trade openness on economic growth across countries(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alsaeedi, Abeer; Rondina, LucaThis study examines the impact of trade openness on real GDP per capita for a panel of 20 countries from 1990 to 2020. The analysis addresses three main questions: What is the overall effect of trade openness on income growth?, Does this effect differ between developed and developing countries? and Does it vary with the quality of institutions? The dependent variable is real GDP per capita, expressed in natural logarithms. Trade openness is measured by trade as a share of GDP, while institutional quality is captured by the rule of law index. The models also include controls for investment, human capital (proxied by secondary school enrollment), labour force participation, population growth, inflation, and sectoral composition (agriculture, industry, and services). Fixed-effects regressions are employed to account for unobserved heterogeneity across countries. The results show that trade openness is positively and significantly associated with income growth in developed countries and in countries with strong institutions. In developing and weak-institution countries, the effect is weaker, often unstable, and sometimes negative depending on the specification. Overall, the findings suggest that the growth benefits of openness are conditional on the level of development and institutional quality.11 0Item Restricted Understanding Leadership Effectiveness in Multi-Campus Universities: Styles and Challenges(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alsulami, Amjaad; Imogen, LambertBackground: This review explores and examines literature on how different leadership styles shape effectiveness in public multi-campus universities. Aims and objectives: To enhance the work environment in multi-campus universities by identifying key themes relating to different stakeholder and contextual needs, in order to enable decision-makers to apply the most effective leadership style in particular cases. Method: Searching key academic databases (Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC, Social Science Premium Collection, and ProQuest) resulted in 4397 hits, subject to the PRISMA protocol for scoping reviews’ systematic search and screening process. Screening criteria were applied, progressively checking study titles, abstracts, and finally reading full texts, resulting in five studies included for thematic analysis using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-step framework, to guide the data analysis process. Findings: Three main themes were identified from the thematic analysis, relating to the challenges and styles of leadership in multi-campus context: “Leadership Styles and Effectiveness in Multi-Campus Universities,” “Communication and Institutional Relationships,” and “Equity and Inclusion Challenges.” Implications: There is no specific leadership style that can be adopted in all multi-campus universities, but leaders can analyse contextual factors to decide on the most appropriate leadership approach, as centralised leadership is not appropriate in multi-campus academic contexts.5 0Item Restricted Historical Theatre at Risk: Learning from Successful Public-Private Partnerships to Revitalise the Epstein Theatre in Liverpool, UK(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alshamrani, Abdulrhman; Gimalia, QuattroneThis dissertation examines the role of Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) in encouraging the sustainable reuse of historic theatres, focusing on the Epstein Theatre in Liverpool, which is currently labelled as “at risk” by the Theatres Trust. It explores how PPP frameworks can tackle financial, operational, and governance challenges while preserving the cultural and social value of heritage assets. Adopting a qualitative case study approach, the research combines analysis of the Epstein Theatre with two international comparisons: Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand, and the Tai O heritage hotel in Hong Kong. These cases illustrate how PPP models can deliver both economic viability and cultural sustainability through different frameworks. The study draws on literature, policy guidance, and heritage toolkits to evaluate the effectiveness of PPP models against Historic England’s regeneration criteria. Findings demonstrate that PPPs can provide essential diversification of funding, structured governance, and mechanisms for community engagement. Moreover, they highlight risks associated with conflicting stakeholder priorities and short-term contractual arrangements. Building on the analysis findings, the dissertation proposes two implementation roadmaps for the Epstein Theatre: a long-term Build-Own Operate-Transfer (BOOT) concession and a short-term modified Build-Operate Transfer (BOT) scheme. Both models are shown to be viable strategies for ensuring the theatre’s preservation and continued cultural contribution3 0Item Restricted Associations Between Living Arrangements, Changes in Lifestyle and Anthropometric Traits During the First Year of University(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Alharbi, Ferdous; Speakman, John; Hambly, CatherineIntroduction: The transition into university is often accompanied by lifestyle changes that can influence weight and health behaviours, with evidence highlighting increased risk of weight gain during the first academic year. While the “Freshman 15” theory, coined in the United States of America (USA), has been widely discussed, referring to an average weight gain of around 6.8 kg (15 lb) during the first year of university, findings remain inconsistent, and less is known about how different living arrangements may shape these changes. This thesis examines the associations between living arrangements, lifestyle behaviours, and anthropometric changes among first-year university students, and compares these with patterns observed in non-university peers. Methods: Two longitudinal observational studies were conducted. Study 1 followed 78 participants at baseline, three, and eight months after entering University (across one academic year), including those living at home, in private accommodation, in halls of residence (University accommodation), and non-university peers. Study 2 tracked 40 of these participants in halls, private accommodation, and at home as they transitioned to the second year. Anthropometric traits (body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BF%), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and weight-for-age percentile (W/A)) were recorded. In addition, lifestyle behaviours (diet, physical activity, sleep, and stress) were assessed using questionnaires, complemented by objective assessments from the ActiGraph GT9X Link accelerometer (physical activity and sleep). Dietary intake was assessed via Intake24’s online 24-hour dietary recall tool and reassessed after excluding misreported records. Results: Most changes in weight, body composition and lifestyle behaviours occurred within groups across the academic year, with students living away from home showing the largest increases in weight, BMI and WHR. Although between-group differences were generally limited, living arrangements influenced the timing and magnitude of changes in diet, physical activity, sleep and stress, and WHR remained consistently higher among students in halls compared with those living at home or in private accommodation. Non-university participants also experienced behavioural and BF% changes, indicating that many challenges were not exclusive to university students. In the follow-up study after one year at university, similar within-group patterns persisted, suggesting that early behavioural and anthropometric changes tended to continue over time. Students who started university in halls and in private accommodation showed further increases in weight and BMI across the 12-month follow-up, while those living at home remained comparatively stable. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that early lifestyle and body composition changes among young adults are shaped more by within-group patterns than by large differences between accommodation types. By integrating self-reported and objective measures across two longitudinal studies, this thesis provides clearer evidence on how diet, physical activity, sleep and stress evolve from university entry through the first full academic year and after one year at university. The thesis directly addressed its research objectives and answered all research questions by identifying when behavioural and anthropometric changes occur, which groups are most affected, and how living arrangements influence these trajectories over time. The results highlight areas that may benefit from future preventive efforts to support students’ health during the transition into university, such as improving food environments in halls, supporting affordable healthy eating for students living away from home, expanding access to physical activity opportunities, strengthening stress-management and sleep-support resources during this life stage.21 0Item Restricted Flow electrochemical oxidative cyclisation for the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Gieman, Hanaa; Thomas, WirthOrganic electrochemistry has gained interest among the chemist community due to its unique reactivities that are not achievable through conventional organic synthesis. Electrochemical synthesis offers a green and atom-efficient approach for achieving selective redox transformations by employing electrons as reagents. In electrochemistry, flow microreactors have been used extensively to improve reaction productivity and overcome the limitations commonly associated with batch electrochemical cells. This work outlines the electrosynthesis of heterocyclic compounds using the Ion electrochemical microreactor.5 0Item Restricted Alignment, Optical Properties and Defect Formation of DSCG and SSY(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alshammari, Afaf; Gleeson, Helen; Nagaraj, MamathaThis thesis demonstrates the ability to achieve stable and uniform alignment in lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals (LCLCs) using surface-relief grating alignment, enabling detailed investigation of their optical properties and addressing a challenge that has limited their practical application compared to traditional thermotropic liquid crystals (TLCs). Achieving this excellent alignment allowed systematic investigation of the phase behaviour, optical properties, alignment mechanisms, and defect dynamics of two chromonic materials: Disodium Cromoglycate (DSCG) and Sunset Yellow (SSY). The materials were systematically characterized across different concentrations to produce phase diagrams, with further optical and physical property studies conducted on DSCG at 12 wt% and SSY at 32 wt% in the nematic phase using cell thicknesses of 12 μm. Small-angle X ray scattering revealed different molecular organizations: DSCG exhibited inter-columnar spacing of 43 Å with structural coherence (correlation length 64-79 Å), while SSY showed smaller inter-columnar spacing (25 Å) with reduced structural order (correlation length 33-43 Å). Both materials maintained consistent π-π stacking distances of 3.3 Å. Three surface treatments were systematically compared: untreated substrates, scratch alignment, and surface-relief grating alignment. Optical characterization demonstrated that surface-relief grating alignment enhances birefringence uniformity and provides stronger anchoring energies (7.38×10⁻⁵ J/m² for DSCG vs 2.10×10⁻⁵ J/m² for SSY) compared to traditional alignment methods. Surprisingly, despite DSCG's stronger surface anchoring energy (7.38×10⁻⁵ J/m²) and longer structural correlation length (64-79 Å), SSY achieved faster alignment times (15 minutes compared to 60 minutes for DSCG). 8 Tactoid formation during isotropic-nematic phase transitions revealed fundamental differences between the materials. DSCG exhibited unique "negative tactoids" (isotropic droplets embedded in nematic matrix) creating twist-induced birefringence, while SSY demonstrated conventional tactoid behaviour with morphological diversity (aspect ratios 1.05-1.65).4 0Item Restricted The Political Drivers of the Decline of Multilateralism: A Critical Analysis of Strategic Shifts Toward Bilateralism in Contemporary Global Governance(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alasiri, Abdulrahman Abdullah; Billerbeck, Sarah VonABSTRACT The global shift from multilateralism to bilateralism in international cooperation is not merely a strategic realignment but a politically motivated transformation driven by nationalist resurgence, populist governance, and intensified geopolitical rivalry. This dissertation investigates the political causes behind the observable decline in multilateral cooperation frameworks, such as the WTO and TPP, and the corresponding rise of bilateral agreements. It argues that states are not abandoning multilateralism due to functional inefficiencies alone, but because of deliberate political choices shaped by domestic ideological shifts, electoral pressures, and recalibrated national security priorities. The central hypothesis asserts that bilateralism offers greater sovereignty, immediacy, and political payoffs, especially under populist or nationalist regimes seeking to maximize domestic legitimacy. This study addresses a critical gap in existing scholarship. While previous studies have explored the outcomes of bilateralism or the institutional failures of multilateralism (Knio, 2022; Ruggie, 1993), few have engaged with the political causality that underpins the shift across diverse sectors. Most notably, literature tends to isolate economic reasoning while underestimating the strategic political narratives that delegitimize collective mechanisms. This dissertation, therefore, provides a comparative political analysis, rooted in international relations theory (realism, institutionalism, and constructivism), to explain why states strategically abandon multilateral platforms even when they offer long-term benefits. Using a qualitative, comparative case study design, the dissertation applies Mill’s Method of Difference and process-tracing techniques to three illustrative cases: the US–China trade war, the US withdrawal from the TPP, and the Abraham Accords in the Middle East. These cases span trade, economic governance, and security diplomacy, offering a cross-sectoral examination of political motivations. Evidence includes treaties, government statements, electoral campaign data, and multilateral institutional records. For instance, the Trump administration’s 2017 exit from the TPP was justified through populist rhetoric aimed at restoring "economic nationalism" (Haggard, 2020), while the Abraham Accords reflected a bypass of long-standing multilateral peace initiatives in favor of U.S.-mediated bilateralism driven by regional power realignment (Yossef, 2022). Findings reveal that political logic increasingly supersedes economic efficiency, and states view multilateralism as incompatible with their short-term political agendas. The erosion of multilateral trust, combined with the rise of transactional diplomacy, indicates a systemic shift in global governance. This research contributes to international relations theory by providing empirical evidence that populist regimes exploit bilateralism to sidestep multilateral accountability, confirming realist and institutionalist predictions under new global dynamics. Finally, this dissertation provides a theory-informed, evidence-based, and politically informed understanding of the decline of multilateralism. It provides an academic contribution to and policy-relevant analysis of the course of international cooperation in a time characterized by ideological disintegration and competitive nationalism.4 0Item Restricted The effects of different nutritional strategies on markers of inflammation, oxidative stress and gastrointestinal stress after exercise(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alhebshi, Abrar Hamzah; Clifford, TomThesis abstract Exercise elicits a transient physiological stress response, involving inflammation, oxidative stress, and gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances. Regular, moderate-intensity training is associated with low-to-moderate elevations in reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) and inflammatory mediators, which play a pivotal role in cellular signalling and adaptive responses in skeletal muscle. However, prolonged or unaccustomed high-intensity exercise can provoke a more pronounced acute-phase inflammatory reaction, oxidative stress and compromise GI barrier integrity that can be detrimental to both immune and muscular recovery processes. Hence, there is a growing body of research exploring the potential of numerous nutritional approaches for modulating inflammation, oxidative stress, and gut integrity. These interventions may provide a practical advantage in athletic settings where recovery windows are limited. Among these, (poly)phenols—bioactive compounds in plant-based foods—have attracted considerable scientific attention for their potential health-promoting effects. Within this group, curcumin, a pleiotropic compound derived from turmeric, has gained particular attention due to its ability to interact with multiple antioxidant and inflammatory signalling pathways as well as its gastroprotective properties. Besides these concentrated supplements, an increasing focus has shifted toward lower-dose (poly)phenol-rich meals that are thought to deliver a complex matrix of phenolic and non-phenolic constituents, which may enhance overall bioefficacy through additive or synergistic mechanisms. While curcumin and these high (poly)phenol diets have been extensively studied in vitro or in clinical populations, evidence from human exercise studies remains limited. Accordingly, the overarching aim of this thesis was to investigate whether specific nutritional strategies—including dietary proteins and (poly)phenol-based interventions—could attenuate exercise-induced markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and GI disturbances during the immediate hours post-exercise in healthy humans. Chapter 3 systematically evaluated the evidence from high-quality randomized controlled trials examining the effects of whole protein and commonly consumed amino acid-based supplements on biomarkers associated with inflammation and oxidative stress following exercise. The concluded evidence regarding the modulatory impact of dietary protein and amino acid supplementation on exercise-induced inflammation and oxidative stress remains insufficient and inconsistent. Consequently, the future experimental Chapters focused on exploring alternative nutritional approaches that are hypothesized to exert stronger anti-inflammatory effects. Chapter 4 aimed to explore whether short-term intake of an innovative formulation of curcumin supplementation could modify markers of inflammation and oxidative stress after intense exercise, and if this novel formulation was bioavailable. This study found that curcumin may, to some extent, modify the immune response by attenuating elevated systemic neutrophil concentrations. However, despite significantly higher plasma curcumin metabolites, the data suggested that curcumin exerted limited and inconsistent effects on other markers of inflammation and oxidative stress post-exercise, as evidenced by elevated granulocytes colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), vascular cell adhesion protein (VCAM)-1, and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels in curcumin group. Chapter 5 builds upon the data from Chapter 4, by evaluating specific markers of GI disturbance or integrity post-intense exercise after acute curcumin supplementation. The findings indicated that acute curcumin supplementation may have elevated GI damage markers immediately following exercise. Chapter 6 aimed to examine whether 4 days consumption of (poly)phenols, this time whole foods breakfast, prior to muscle-damaging exercise positively influences post-exercise inflammatory and oxidative stress markers. This study reported no consistent trend in the markers measured to suggest that increasing plasma (poly)phenol levels through whole foods effectively mitigates post-exercise changes in oxidative stress and inflammation, as reflected by low glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity and higher 8-OHdG concentrations in the supplemented group. Collectively, the findings in this thesis indicate that the ability of dietary protein, curcumin, or (poly)phenol-rich foods to modify exercise-induced markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, or GI stress (curcumin only) in humans is both limited and inconsistent. The potential benefits of these interventions in addressing post-exercise biological responses remains uncertain, and future research is needed to clarify their effectiveness in athletic populations and therefore efficacy to support recovery.6 0Item Restricted Investigating the role of culture in the development of informal sector: A case study of Riyadh(Saudi Digital Library, 2024) ALSufran, Salman; Slowak, AndreCulture is fundamental element in every society, organisation or a nation. Researchers have established that culture affects norms, values, beliefs and behaviour of an individual or a group of people. Its impact in the informal sector remains a fundamental basis for research considering the expansion globally. This research seeks to explore how culture influence and interface the informal sector in diverse dimensions and contexts. This is deductive research that adopts positivism in its overall approach. The quantitative method was adopted with use of questionnaire for the data collection. It was physically distributed in Riyadh with the need to read and assist some participants in the process. Snowball approach was used for participant recruitment while questionnaire was translated to some participants who struggled with the language. The data was analysed using statistical approach in terms of pie charts and tables together with correlation analysis. Overall, it was discovered that culture have some level of impact on participation and decision making in the informal sector. This impact can be negative or positive. Culture often influences the available opportunities and can cause barriers in the sector. Another finding is that culture can promote illegality by controlling the way that stakeholders behave in the informal sector. Lastly, culture influence the policy making which affect the informal sector. These policies have multidimensional impact on the informal sector which emphasise cultural impact through policy.0 0Item Restricted Regulation and Functional Role of H₂S-Related Enzymes MPST and TST In Vitro(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Alosaimi, Abdullah; Alexander, StephenHydrogen sulphide (H₂S) is a signalling molecule involved in cellular metabolism, redox homeostasis, and stress responses. It is produced enzymatically by cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (MPST), while its mitochondrial catabolism is regulated by sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase (SQOR), persulfide dioxygenase (ETHE1), and thiosulfate sulfurtransferase (TST). Although MPST and TST contribute to maintaining H₂S homeostasis, their precise regulatory functions in hepatic metabolism and stress adaptation remain insufficiently characterised. This study hypothesised that MPST and TST play key regulatory roles in liver sulphur metabolism and cellular adaptation to oxidative and metabolic stress. The research aimed to investigate their gene regulation, expression patterns, and functional impact in liver-derived models, with a focus on detoxification, H₂S generation, and cellular stress responses. An integrated approach was taken, combining bioinformatics and experimental methods. Promoter and enhancer analyses were used to identify transcriptional regulatory elements and transcription factor binding sites. The effects of metabolic stressors (including free fatty acids, altered glucose concentrations, and xenobiotic receptor agonists (PPARα, PXR, AhR, CAR)) on MPST and TST expression were evaluated in Huh7, HepG2, and McA-RH7777 cells. Stable MPST- and TST overexpressing Huh7 cell lines were generated via plasmid-based transfection and G418 selection to assess their roles in cell viability, proliferation, and stress responses. Protein expression and subcellular localisation were confirmed by Western blot and fluorescence microscopy. Enzyme activity and H₂S production were quantified using fluorescent probes (AzMC, SF7-AM, SSP4), while pharmacological inhibition was I used to probe functional relevance. Cell viability and proliferation assays were conducted under various stress and chemotherapy conditions. The results showed that MPST and TST are highly expressed in hepatic tissue. The expression of both genes is downregulated in response to xenobiotic receptor activation in Huh7 cells. Functional assays revealed that MPST activity was more consistently reflected by sulfane sulfur levels than by H₂S production in Huh7 cells overexpressing MPST. Overexpression of MPST and TST did not significantly alter proliferation in Huh7 cells or confer resistance to doxorubicin-induced cytotoxicity, suggesting limited involvement in chemoresistance under the tested conditions. In conclusion, this work provides new insight into the molecular regulation and functional significance of MPST and TST in liver sulphur metabolism. These findings suggest the potential influence of dietary factors on enzyme gene expression and highlight sulfane sulphur as a potentially reliable biomarker of MPST activity. Further studies are needed to explore their broader involvement in redox regulation, apoptosis, and liver disease progression.7 0