880 research outputs found
Sort by
APPLYING METAMORPHOSIS PHILOSOPHY TO REVIVE THE ABANDONED BUILDINGS
Get PDFThe metamorphosis philosophy is related to architecture, for instance this translation is showcased in the transformation of spaces in buildings that is either done by the destruction or modification of the architectural product. Unfortunately, many buildings, structures and spaces are left abandoned because of changing situations, war, or natural causes. These abandoned buildings can increase the crime rate and leave lands covered in leftover spaces which can have drastic consequences on the environment. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to propose a set of design approaches that can apply the philosophy of metamorphosis in the revival of abandoned buildings with the goal of discovering adaptive solutions for abandoned buildings through their transformation. Hence, to accomplish this aim, this paper will cover accordingly a literature review, desk research case studies and previous readings about the relation of metamorphosis to abandoned buildings. Through the analysis, the research will detect ways of applying space transformation to abandoned buildings and will test the role of metamorphosis in reviving a place. That being the case, the paper will highlight on the reuse of abandoned buildings in Mar Mikhael, Lebanon as a case study
INTERLEUKIN-16 RS4778889 POLYMORPHISM AND ITS INTERACTION WITH INTERLEUKIN-10 RS1800896 POLYMORPHISM INCREASE THE RISK FOR KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS IN THE LEBANESE POPULATION
Get PDFTo investigate the effect Interleukin-16 (IL-16) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) polymorphisms, and their interaction, on knee osteoarthritis (KOA) risk in the Lebanese population. Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) genotyping assay was performed to determine IL-16 rs4778889, rs11556218, and rs4072111 and IL-10 rs1800896 polymorphisms in 118 patients diagnosed with KOA ( ≥ 2 points on Kellgren-Lawrence (K&L) radiological classification scale) and 70 controls matched for age and gender (K&L score ≤ 1). After adjusting for age, gender, presence of metabolic disorders, smoking and drinking status, our findings suggest that rs4778889 TT genotype increases the risk for KOA compared to the combined CC and TC genotypes (OR=2.131, 95% CI 1.037 – 4.379, p = 0.04) and that the T allele increases KOA risk compared to the C allele (OR=1.8, 95% CI 1.008 – 3.212, p = 0.047). No significant associations with the disease risk were found for the other studied polymorphisms (p \u3e 0.05). Our data suggest that there is an interaction between IL-16 rs4778889 and IL-10 rs1800896 (p = 0.010). IL-16 rs4778889 TT genotype increases the risk for KOA only among individuals carrying IL-10 rs1800896 GG or GA genotypes (OR=4.821, 95% CI 1.847 – 12.583). None of the IL-16 haplotypes was associated with KOA risk in our study population (p \u3e 0.05). Our findings suggest that IL-16 rs4778889 T allele is associated with KOA and that there is an interaction between this polymorphism and IL-10 rs1800896 with regard to KOA
NOVEL FAST ANALYTICAL METHODS FOR THE ANALYSIS OF FLUOXETINE IN PURE AND PHARMACEUTICAL DOSAGE FORM
Get PDFNovel and accurate analytical methods were developed and validated for the characterization of Fluoxetine in its pure and pharmaceutical dosage form Prozac®. Fluoxetine was determined by IBA techniques (PIGE, PIXE and RBS). It has been also analyzed spectrophotometrically at 610 nm after oxidation with potassium permanganate in alkaline medium. In addition, Fluoxetine was kinetically determined using the initial rate method, the fixed absorbance method and the fixed time method. Moreover, a Gas chromatography - mass spectrometry technique is proposed for the investigation of Fluoxetine without a prederivatization phase. The spectrophotometric method was performed with a concentration array of 2-10 μg/mL at 610 nm and a regression coefficient (r) of 0.996. The fixed time method was the most suitable one to determine Fluoxetine with correlation coefficient value (r) of 0.9966. The Gas chromatography - mass spectrometry investigated the drug in a concentration range of 20-100 μg/mL and a regression coefficient (r) of 0.999. IBA analysis presented a precision of less than 3% and a very low limit of detection. Consequently, these proposed methods would be useful tools for determining Fluoxetine as all the assay results exposed satisfactory sensitivity, accuracy and reproducibilit
77 YEARS OF EVOLVING UNITED NATIONS
Get PDFThe article illustrates the changes to the United Nations that incurred upon it as the result of world events during the 77 years since its establishment in 1945. After defining the events, the article articulates their effects. The events are the following: the liquidation of the colonial system, the rise and fall of the Soviet empire and, the emergence of a new world order under the leadership of the United States of America. The effects are the following. Certain articles fall into disuse by not being implemented or applied. Other articles were interpreted or applied in ways that the founders of the United Nations did not contemplate. Special organs and agencies were created. Supplementary or supporting treaties or agreements were concluded. The organs and procedures of the United Nations underwent an evolutionary growth through the process of trial and error. These events affected the system, structure, functions and roles of the United Nations, and the influence within. The article aims to prove that the 2022 United Nations is differently distinct than the 1945 United Nations
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: TOWARDS A LEGAL DEFINITION AN IN-DEPTH STUDY OF THE PHILOSOPHICAL FRAMEWORK OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FROM A COMPARATIVE LEGAL PERSPECTIVE
Get PDFTo this date, the term artificial intelligence does not have a definite and universally accepted legal definition, which creates sterile doctrinal debates and significant confusion in the legal field. To tackle this issue, this paper aims to provide a definition of the term artificial intelligence that covers all the legal and technical aspects of this concept. This research is based on an analytical approach and is divided into two sections. In the first section, the author provides a thorough overview of the concept of artificial intelligence, both from a technical and legal point of view. In the second section, the author discusses some of the main challenges posed by artificial intelligence in the legal field. The paper concludes with key recommendations including the necessity of adopting a normative definition of the concept of artificial intelligence as opposed to a descriptive one. Similarly, the paper stresses the importance of promoting an ethical stance and a proactive as opposed to a reactive approach when it comes to dealing with legal issues involving artificial intelligence. Normativity, ethics, and governance are the key words that must be focused on to better address the ever-evolving issues of artificial intelligence in the legal field
ANTIPROLIFERATIVE EFFECTS OF SOME MEDICINAL PLANTS ON COLORECTAL CANCER: A MINI REVIEW
Get PDFColorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the highly prevalent and deadly cancers worldwide. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the conventional treatment modalities for CRC; however, they cause adverse side effects and can be associated with cancer resistance and relapse. Currently, traditional herbal medicine is becoming increasingly studied and used in combination with conventional treatments in CRC. Various medicinal plants have shown promising anticancer effects against CRC concomitant with negligible side effects. For example, Annona muricata (soursop), Chenopodium quinoa (quinoa), Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile), and Moringa oleifera (moringa) have shown remarkable antiproliferative effects against CRC both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, it is warranted to document the recuperative role of these potential medicinal plants in CRC. It is also important to provide scientific explanations for these effects by establishing their effects on key signaling pathways implicated in colorectal carcinogenesis. In this review, a summary of key signaling pathways that are altered in CRC is presented. The antiproliferative effects of selected medicinal plants against CRC as well as their underlying mechanisms of action are also discussed
THE NEED FOR AN INTEGRATED PRESCHOOL EFL CURRICULUM IN LEBANON
Get PDFAn Integrated Curriculum for Preschool enriches the children’s linguistic environment that leads to better, more natural learning of the target language and concepts of different fields. This paper starts by reviewing available literature about child development, foreign language learning, EFL in this context, and the integrated curriculum. The development of a holistic curriculum for preschoolers in Lebanon is given taking into consideration the healthy cognitive, emotional, and psychomotor development of preschoolers
L’ART POST-CATASTROPHE : UN TÉMOIN ACTIVISTE
Get PDFLe Liban, un pays riche artistiquement et intellectuellement, est la scène par excellence d’un enchainement de catastrophes depuis sa naissance jusqu’à nos jours. L’explosion du port de Beyrouth le 4 Août 2020 en constitue l’ultime épisode et peut-être le plus dramatique de tous. Un phénomène inédit s’est révélé suite à cette tragédie sans précédent : la scène culturelle s’est immédiatement mobilisée sans passer par une étape mnésique post catastrophe comme c’est en général le cas après un désastre. Que s’est-il passé ? Pourquoi une telle urgence ? Comment les artistes ont-ils utilisé leur créativité pour exprimer l’indicible, le penser, en témoigner, sensibiliser et commencer un processus de guérison des blessures traumatiques ? Afin de répondre à cette problématique, nous allons explorer une création post-catastrophe relevant des arts visuels. L’exposition L\u27Art Blessé présentée du 16 décembre 2020 au 16 janvier 2021 à La Villa Audi, propose une série d’oeuvres sinistrées provenant de collections privées beyrouthines. Les dommages subis vont engendrer une mise en abyme où les traces se métamorphosent en oeuvre dans l’oeuvre. La scénographie de l’architecte Jean Louis Mainguy, accompagnée de poèmes et de musique, est ancrée dans l’interdisciplinarité
IMPACT OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PRACTICES ON FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE: EVIDENCE FROM SELECTED MENA REGION COMMERCIAL BANKS
Get PDFNowadays, corporations are being held accountable for their actions that affect their surroundings. Thus, corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been integrated in their business models, which can impact their financial performances (FP). Previous researches regarding the relationship between CSR and FP have yielded mixed results. Thus, this research aims at identifying the impact of CSR practices in the environment (ENV), human resources (HR), products and consumers (PC) and community involvement (CI) on FP of 81 commercial banks operating in selected MENA countries for the year 2018. Data were gathered from CSR report and annual report for each bank. The multiple regression analysis reveals that there is a positive significant relationship between CSR practices in HR and PC and FP of MENA banks. However, there is a non-significant relationship between CSR practices in the ENV and CI and FP of these banks. Thus, MENA banks are encouraged to engage in CSR practices revolving around HR and PC in order to enhance their FP
EFFECT OF A COMMONLY USED VETERINARY ANTIBIOTIC ON OXIDATIVE STRESS AND ROOT TRANSPORTERS OF EDIBLE LEGUMES AND LEAFY CROPS
Get PDFAntibiotic accumulation in soil and plants is a rising problem in agriculture creating a serious threat to living organisms in the environment, hence needing huge attention. To this end, glasshouse pot experiments were conducted to simulate contamination by veterinary antibiotic at 150 mg kg-1 and 4800 mg kg-1 in a virgin soil in which lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), arugula (Eruca sativa Mill.) and cress (Lepidium sativum L.) were grown, aiming at evaluating the potential toxicity of antibiotic in plants roots during their growth period. Biomarkers of toxicity such as malondialdehyde and proline levels and antioxidative enzyme activity (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; and guaiacol peroxidase, POD) were analyzed in the roots of the four species. In addition, gene expression level of the antioxidant enzymes Cu/Zn-SOD and CAT4, IFS /IFR that are key enzymes in the isoflavone pathway, and four ABC transporters MRP2, MRP4, TT12, and PDR11 that are involved in detoxification processes were evaluated.
Among all four vegetables, chickpea had the highest antioxidant activity with reduced lipid peroxidation in roots treated with the highest antibiotic concentration suggesting its antibiotic tolerance. Cu/Zn-SOD was not the key player in SOD activity. High antibiotic concentration inhibited the antioxidant activity in lentil, arugula, and cress implying their sensitivity. In treated arugula, SOD and POD activities decreased synergistically while CAT increased; whereas, in treated cress, POD and CAT were induced at low antibiotic concentration and inhibited with the high one. Gene expression displayed tolerance of chickpea and sensitivity of arugula to the antibiotic added. Our results reveal toxic effect of antibiotic on lentil, arugula, and cress with chickpea exhibiting higher tolerance to high antibiotic concentrations
Among all four vegetables, chickpea had the highest antioxidant activity with reduced lipid peroxidation in roots treated with the highest antibiotic concentration suggesting its antibiotic tolerance. Cu/Zn-SOD was not the key player in SOD activity. High antibiotic concentration inhibited the antioxidant activity in lentil, arugula and cress implying their sensitivity. In treated arugula, SOD and POD activities decreased synergistically while CAT increased; whereas in treated cress, POD and CAT were induced at low antibiotic concentration and inhibited with the high one. Gene expression displayed tolerance of chickpea and sensitivity of arugula to the antibiotic added. Our results reveals toxic effect of antibiotic on lentil, arugula and cress with chickpea exhibiting higher tolerance to high antibiotic concentrations