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TOWARDS A CREATIVE SUSTAINABLE PROMENADE IN INFORMAL SOUK ARCHITECTURECASE STUDY: MAR ELIAS CAMPS, IN BEIRUT, LEBANON
Get PDFInformal settlement and slums are from the past decades growing continuously with urbanization, where informal souk or small market propagate informally in slums. Mainly the informal settlement is defined as residential areas where a group of housing has been constructed on land to which the occupants have an illegal claim. These informal settlement maintain few shops in unorganized way which influence the economic conditions. There are also the lack of open spaces where small alleys are mainly allocated in these informal urban fabric. The main aim is to provide a new applicable and better living condition, by providing new retails and promenade path. For that reason, this paper focuses on the principles of how movement occurs within the slums, informal settlement and the built environment, and mainly presents a case study strategy which analyze in depth interviews, group discussion with residents, records, observations and measurements of informal settlement. Moreover the paper declares that the informally created open spaces and movement paths are formed on the basis of social relation, and economic practical problems. In conclusion, an analyzed new promenade path presented as an architectural souk in informal settlement based on theories and practices on movement architecture will be declared and analyzed
REITERPRETING THE TERRITORY-FRAGMENTATION THROUGH CREATING CULTURAL PROMENADECASE STUDY: POSSIBILITY TO REINTERPRET ZOKAK EL-BLAT DISTRICT
Get PDFThis paper focuses on tools and actions of urban planning that help the creation, enhancement, transformation or revitalization of cultural identity and historical meaning of central public spaces that suffer from urban disruption or fragmentation. This work uses the case study of a well-known district, Zokak el Blat, in Beirut, Lebanon, which has undergone noticeable changes in terms of morphology of the urban fabric as well as disparities in functionality. According to these facts, this district has a high potential for defining a strong central dynamic zone, where local character is reinforced, which creates a sort of fragmentation and discontinuity in the territory. This fragmentation, mainly caused by the development of road network, will lead to a significant decreasing from the cultural dimension as well as the local meaning of the district. As the study focuses its main branches of urban planning and design, the methodology is supported by several tools (graphs, maps, questionnaire, and other empirical studies). First, in order to determine the evolution of current characteristics of the territory, a detailed study of the historical background should be analyzed. Later, a deeper study of urban cores and dynamics should take place in order to define what territories are most suitable for preserving cultural and historical value. These studies are completed with physical methodologies, like field study, where local agents are asked to give a detailed feedback about the development of urban dynamics that they noticed. Then, the use of empirical analysis will set up the main promoters of the fragmentation of the space. Finally, a developed proposal for the studied area will reinforce the ability of creation, enhancement and transformation or rescue of historical identity and cultural meaning of Zokak el Blat district
NATURAL NARCOTICS: PHYTOCHEMICAL CONTENT ANALYSIS AND THEIR SOCIAL HAZARDS
Get PDFNarcotics can cause a wide range of adverse effects. The analysis of the narcotics phytochemical content utilizing rapid and efficient techniques have become of imminent need. The use of illegal drugs has been a long-standing problem in the world, a problem that has taken on a particular urgency in the last 30 years. The aim of the study is to develop comprehensive rapid technique in the field of phytochemical content analysis of narcotics, and to illustrate the role of the new narcotics on many psychological, physiological and social hazards, and giving recommendations on how to find solutions to these problems. Premature mortality, epidemiologic consequences, and economic costs of illness are all presently associated with alcohol or tobacco separately greatly outweighs the comparable measures for cocaine, heroin, and all other drugs combined. Concerns about criminal enterprises and fear of an insecure future are also considered from the psychological and social hazards of the new narcotics. The availability, unemployment, and illiteracy about the hazards of these narcotics; all contribute to self-poisoning and to the cost of the health services. Therefore, it is recommended to educate young people, and to make stricter border surveillance with longer prison sentences, and increased government spending on prevention, and enforcing anti-drug laws with more research about this important topic. In conclusion, RP-HPLC alone or in combination with GC-MS has shown to be a comparatively rapid and efficient method in detection of the phytochemical content of narcotics
SUICIDE AND CULTURE
Get PDFThe rates of suicidal ideation, attempts and mortality present a large intersocietal variation. This variation is usually attributed to the role of culture, but the issue is still poorly understood. How does culture contribute to the intersocietal or cross-cultural variation of suicidal behavior? How culture might be involved in the onset, maintenance and aggravation of suicidal tendencies? In this paper, I will be discussing possible mechanisms of culture for the onset, maintenance and aggravation of suicidal propensities. Specifically, I will be examining the role of religion, individualistic-collectivistic value orientations, self-construal and survival versus self-expression values for their relevance to suicidal behavior and its intersocietal variation. The article highlights some conceptual and methodological issues together with some future directions for research on the possible role of culture in suicidal process
THE FACTOR STRUCTURE OF MENTAL HEALTH: EXPLANATORY & CONFIRMATORY FACTOR STRUCTURE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING MEASURES
Get PDFPsychological distress (PD) is usually based on the level of anxiety and depressive symptoms while psychological well-being (PW) is usually conceptualized as some combination of positive affective states such as happiness, optimism, satisfaction with life, and hope. This paper addresses the question of whether psychological distress and psychological well-being are the opposite poles of the same axis of mental health or independent constructs that should be measured on two independent axes. Methods: The sample consisted of (510) Kuwait University students, (240) males with a mean age of (24.08 ±5.10) and (270) females, with a mean age of (21.68 ±2.70), (f=46.77, p\u3c 0.001). The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were administered to participants to assess Psychological Distress. In addition, the Oxford Happiness Inventory (OHI), the Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and the Adult Hope Scale (AHS) were administered to participants to assess Psychological well-being. Results: The explanatory factor analysis (PCA) extracted one bipolar factor with the following loading: (.88) for OHI, (.84) for LOT-R, (.81) for SWLS, (.74) for AHS, (-.70) for BDI-II, and (-.53) for BAI which explains 56.16% of the total variance. The Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) extracted one bipolar factor with the following loading: (.70) for OHI, (.81) for LOT-R, (.77) for SWLS, (.69) for AHS, (-.72) for BDI-II, and (-.44) for BAI which explains 48.88% of the total variance and was labeled psychological well-being vs. psychological distress. Factor Structural analysis confirms that these 6 scales can be viewed as components of two-dimensional latent constructs (psychological distress and well-being) which reflects a higher-order concept of mental health. Conclusions: We conclude that assessment of mental health in general populations should use concomitant measures of psychological distress and well-being
KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE REGARDING VAGINAL RING AS A FORM OF CONTRACEPTION AMONG LEBANESE WOMEN
Get PDFThis study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of Lebanese women concerning the vaginal ring as a contraceptive means, and to assess their attitude regarding the usage of this form of contraception.502 participants of ages 20-49 were recruited to complete a 10-minute questionnaire to assess their contraceptive knowledge, awareness, and attitude towards the vaginal ring. Knowledge was evaluated among those who had heard about the ring by completing 16 questions. While those of no previous knowledge of the ring were directed towards a brief description about it. All participants completed 7 questions to assess their attitude towards the vaginal ring, and whether or not they might consider using it. Of all the participants 79.8 % recorded having knowledge about different forms of contraceptives, but only 29.1% knew about the ring. Of the latter, 105 had a score less than 50, and were thus considered to have poor knowledge. Whereas, 34 participants had a score of 50 and above, and were considered to have sufficient knowledge. Of the participants, 66.5% would not consider using the ring in the future. Age, level of education and enrollment in the medical field among other factors had a significant impact on the attitude of women towards the vaginal ring. Lack of advertisement, poor counselling from medical professionals, and unavailability of the product had a significant role in the inadequate awareness towards it. The ring did not seem appealing for most of the participants
HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG ADOLESCENTS ATTENDING PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN NORTH LEBANON
Get PDFHealth-related quality of life (HRQoL) describes a person’s subjective evaluation of his health and well-being. The HRQoL and its associated factors have not been investigated among Lebanese adolescents. The aim of this study is to examine the association between socio-demographic characteristics, eating habits, physical activity, adherence to Mediterranean diet, and HRQoL among Lebanese adolescents. A total of 283 students (158 males, 125 females), between ages 11 to 18, were randomly chosen from private schools in the city of Tripoli, North Lebanon. Standard anthropometric measurements were taken. The participants completed questionnaires on Mediterranean diet (KIDMED), physical activity (physical activity questionnaires for older children [PAQ-C] and adolescents [PAQ-A]), and health-related quality of life (KIDSCREEN-27). Results of this study reveal that obese adolescents tend to express a poorer HRQoL. In Contrast, being physically active improves their HRQoL scores
A PROPOSED NEW CONTEMPORARY VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE AS AN EXPRESSION OF THE SPIRIT OF AGE-DESIGN PRINCIPLES: A CASE STUDY OF AJLOUN, JORDAN
Get PDFThe development in technology and economy has led to rapid changes in architectural products. This development has effects, not only on the modern countries, but also on the developing countries, which are historically and culturally rich. Jordan is one of them. This paper investigates vernacular architecture and its approaches as conservative and interpretative attitude to explore the definition of vernacular architecture in contemporary architecture in Jordan. This was achieved by analyzing the \u27Royal Academy for Nature Conservation’ building, which has been designed by the architect, Ammar Khammash. Royal Academy for Nature Conservation project has been nominated for Aga Khan Award. Aga Khan Award is considered one of the most respected international awards in the field of architecture. The Research is conducted primarily by visiting the site of The Royal Academy for Nature Conservation Building in Ajloun a governorate in Jordan, to carry out the required analysis for the Project. The analysis will guide us through integrated and dynamic approaches to ensure that the vernacular architecture affect and enhance our world
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF TRANSITION METALS MN,FE AND ZN DOPED NIO NANOPARTICLES
Get PDFThis work is a continuation of the characterization study of nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles (NPs) doped with transition metals (TM) like Mn, Fe and Zn, synthesized by the co-precipitation method. In this part, the effect of TM doping on the physical and mechanical properties of the NiO NPs is examined using a digital Vickers microhardness tester. The microhardness measurement results enable us to evaluate the important mechanical parameters including Vickers microhardness (HV), Young\u27s modulus (E), yield strength (Y) and fracture toughness (KIC), responsible for practical industrial applications. It was found that all the properties given above strongly depend on the type of TM doping element. Specifically, Vickers microhardness Hv values of the samples studied in this work were found to decrease by doping with Mn, Fe, and Zn. Moreover, the normal Indentation Size Effect (ISE) behavior was observed. The experimental results were analyzed according to Meyer\u27s Law, Proportional Sample Resistance (PSR), Elastic/Plastic Deformation (EPD) models, and Hays–Kendall (HK) approach. As a result, the Hays–Kendall (HK) approach is found to be the best model for the load-independent microhardness determination of the studied samples
CLINICAL EVALUATION OF SOFT TISSUE HEALING USING DIODE LASER VERSUS CONVENTIONAL SCALPEL AFTER MICRO-ENDODONTIC SURGERY
Get PDFMicro-endodontic surgery attempt to minimize trauma and enhance esthetics soft tissue surgical results. Wound healing monitoring is performed for early identification of signs and symptoms related to surgical complications. The aim of this study was to compare surgical wound healing of soft tissue flap after using conventional scalpel and diode laser in micro-endodontic surgery. Methodology: This study was carried out as a randomized controlled clinical trial after taking approval of BAU institutional review board. Fourteen healthy patients were indicated for root end surgery; full mucoperiosteal tissue flap incision was done by using Bard-Parker Blades (Group I) and(Group II) Diode Laser with a wavelength of 940 nm set at a power of 1.5 W. Follow-up assessment scale was used at the day of surgery (baseline) and days1, 3, 7 and 30. After surgery to monitor the following clinical parameters including pain, swelling, bleeding and wound healing. Result: The clinical parameters investigated were statically analyzed and showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the laser and scalpel groups during all follow-up days (P \u3e 0.05). Conclusion: Both Diode Laser and Conventional Scalpel yield same effect on wound healing. Moreover, careful training in oral hygiene, combined with a valid surgical technique is essential to obtain the best result of soft tissue healing after micro-endodontic surgery