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Reframing Composition Discourse in the Age of Completion-Based Policy Reform
No full textWriting Program Administration, vol. 48, no. 2, 2025, pp. 80–99.Includes bibliographical references (pages 95-98)Appendix: pages 98-99.In conducting an institutional ethnography of Complete College Ohio (CCO), this study examines the discourse of completion education recommendations and writing administrators to understand how writing programs can amplify writing studies. In the State of Ohio, dual enrollment (DE) has allowed pre-college students to gain college credit for general education courses, particularly the composition series, in grades 7-12, without leaving their middle or high school settings, allowing students to bypass writing courses at the university completely. Examining the language of two data sets, CCO’s recommended reforms for DE and university administrators’ language on composition in the university, analysis concludes a managerial class has been implemented to surveil students and faculty to ensure degree efficiency while writing administrators omit complex talking points the higher order composing work of transfer, genre, and linguistic justice for lower-level acquisition of skills and transfer
The Role of Maternal Religiosity and Family Functioning as A Mediating Variable in the Psychological Well-Being of Elementary Students in Beirut
No full textThis study examines the relationship between maternal religiosity and elementary
students' psychological well-being in Beirut, Lebanon, with family functioning as a
mediating variable. Despite extensive research on parental religiosity's impact on
adolescent outcomes, limited attention has been paid to its influence on younger
children, particularly in non-Western contexts with religious diversity. Using
Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory and Family Systems Theory with
Baumrind’s parenting styles as theoretical frameworks, this quantitative correlational
study investigates how mothers' religious beliefs and practices influence family
dynamics and children's developmental outcomes in the Lebanese context.
Using a cross-sectional design and through multistage stratified cluster sampling, data
were collected from 101 mother-child dyads across four private schools. Maternal
religiosity was assessed using Khamis’s (2012) scale, family functioning was measured
with the General Functioning Scale (Epstein et al., 1983), and child well-being was
evaluated using Khamis’s (2001) well-being scale.
Results indicated significant positive correlations between maternal religiosity and both
family functioning (r = –0.17, p = 0.049) and child well-being (r = 0.27, p = 0.003).
Family functioning was also positively associated with child well-being (r = –0.22, p =
0.013). However, mediation analysis revealed that family functioning did not mediate
the religiosity-well-being relationship. Socioeconomic status (SES) moderated this
relationship, with religiosity having a stronger positive effect on well-being in lower
SES families.
The findings highlight the importance of culturally sensitive mental health practices that
consider religiosity as a potential resource, particularly for disadvantaged families.
Future research should employ mixed-methods approaches to explore how religiosity
influences parenting and identify specific pathways linking maternal religiosity to child
well-being. Limitations include a small sample size, reliance on self-reports, and the
exclusion of public schools, which may affect generalizability
Erasure at Sea: The Rhosus Ship and Violence in Lebanon
No full textThis thesis interweaves analytical elements from the disciplines of international affairs, law, and relations, as well as political anthropology and public policy to understand the case of the 2020 Beirut Port explosion. The case is not limited to the day of the blast, the 4th of August. It spans from the sailing of The Rhosus ship which brought the explosive ammonium nitrate to Lebanon in 2013 to the aftermath management of the blast up until today. Furthermore, I argue that the eruption of post-explosion violent clashes can be rooted in the untreated civil war legacy.
While the general discussion focuses on amnesia, my conviction is rather that the forgetfulness is intentional, not to say orchestrated. For instance, the Rhosus’ chronicles are erased first and foremost by its flag of convenience, which opens the way to contradicting supposed scenarios. This multiplicity leads to another layer of erasure, that of crime evidence, victims, and justice.
This layered erasure becomes the essential political issue to unpack and resolve. How Hizballah, a major constituent and political party of the Lebanese society, has been accused of destroying the capital on the basis of circumstantial analysis of accumulating tension remains an ingenious act of political discourse shaping. Therefore, this thesis is particularly interested in (re)constructing the elements of this narrative, not for the sake of pointing fingers, but to elucidate how we understand our Lebanese violence through the lens of what has been erased.
With my engaging and sometimes lyrical style, I aim for this thesis to become the cornerstone of a series of recollection of Lebanese chronicles from the perspective of what trends are brought by the waves of the Mediterranean Sea. Finally, I propose new trails of research, with the ultimate objective of broader mobilization for accountability
Heavy-Tailed K-Means, Linear Regression and PCA
No full textTraditional machine learning algorithms are formulated with the implicit assumption that the empirical data is ``well-behaved". However, this assumption fails when dealing with heavy-tailed data, where the underlying distribution may lack finite moments. Such heavy-tailed datasets are prevalent in fields like finance, telecommunications, and geophysics, where rare but impactful events dominate statistical behavior. In these contexts, classical methods such as linear regression, standard K-means clustering, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) fail. To address this limitation, we introduce and validate heavy-tailed versions of these algorithms designed specifically for such type of data in both scalar and multidimensional settings. Our proposed approaches rely on recently introduced robust measures of location and power tailored to heavy-tailed characteristics. Furthermore, we demonstrate through extensive evaluations that these novel algorithms outperform existing specialized techniques found in current literature
The Effect of Grains Orientation, Moisture, and Temperature on the Propagation of Guided Waves in Timber Structures towards Integrity Assessment
No full textTimber is a natural material widely used in various engineering applications, such as in
construction and infrastructure due to its availability in nature, durability, integration into
the environment, being renewable, and favorable mechanical properties. A very common
application is in timber utility poles. Timber poles are prone to several types of defects
such as fungus within the embedded part where moisture is high, and that leads to
complete material degradation of the heartwood region (heart rot). Any detrimental
change in the material properties firmly affects its performance and might yield structural
failure. Therefore, it is essential to assess the effect of temperature and moisture on the
timber material characteristics, in turn, assess its structural integrity. The application of
ultrasonic guided waves (UGW) proven to be a promising technique in structural
assessment due to their ability to propagate in complex structures and over long distances.
The propagation characteristics of UGWs are highly impacted by the mechanical
properties of the medium they are propagating in, especially when used for applications
such as timber utility poles. The scope of this work first focuses on understanding the
effect of moisture content (MC), temperature, and grain orientation on timber’s
viscoelastic properties. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) is employed to measure the
viscoelastic properties (storage modulus, loss modulus, and loss factor) of timbers with
0% MC to above the fiber saturation point (FSP) over -20ºC to 100ºC for longitudinal,
tangential, and radial specimens. Also, timbers with elevated MCs are considered, having
>100% MC and are studied over +20ºC to 100ºC. Following this, the effect of the
viscoelastic properties under critical moisture and temperature conditions on the UGWs
propagation were scrutinized. This work concentrates on dominant UGWs that are
effective and sensitive in structural health monitoring (SHM) of timbers using contact
and non-contact techniques. Numerical methods were used to explore a wide range of
MCs and temperature on the UGW (longitudinal and circumferential) propagation in
timber utility pole over a range of frequencies and are validated experimentally. The
numerical analysis is carried out using COMSOL Multiphysics, and Macro Fiber
2
Composites (MFCs) are used to excite and sense the GWs. Furthermore, the effect of
heart rot on the propagation characteristics of UGWs is investigated, with the aim of
identifying and localizing internal damage of varying sizes. In this experiment, various
actuation configurations are explored, including single actuation, 4-ring actuation, and an
8-ring actuation, since the MFC ring can tune and improve the propagating wave modes
in particular longitudinal modes and cancel the flexural modes.
The DMA results show that the storage modulus, loss modulus, and tan δ decrease with
increasing temperature and MC, and the reduction is larger transversely than
longitudinally due to the effect of grain orientation. The effect of MC is more pronounced
on the viscoelastic properties than temperature. Studying the effect of MC on GWs shows
that as timber’s MC increases, the propagating GWs arrive in longer times and reduced
velocities as a result of timber’s lower storage modulus. The A0 mode proved to be the
dominant GW. The prevailing effect of MC is also observed in numerical results, in
influencing both the propagation of GWs and the material properties of timber. Whereas
the temperature shows significance influence when timber’s MC increases above the FSP
due to high stiffness variations. This is seen as the group velocities of the longitudinal
and flexural waves (as well as the bulk wave (BW)) shifted more at MCs above FSP than
below FSP. Lastly, varying sizes of internal damage are identified and localized
experimentally using the reflection of L(0,1) mode actuated using 4-ring and 8-ring. The
MFC ring actuation is able to tune the propagating signal, and the L(0,1) mode converged
and arrived in a more stable and analyzable signal.
Based on the above results, the environmental conditions can highly impact the GWs
characteristics in timber structures, hence this should be carefully considered in the
application phase. From the results, the UGW shows high promise in terms of
characterizing viscoelastic behavior, with high sensitivity along various grain orientation.
Also, UGWs have a high potential for investigating and localizing internal damages in
timber utility poles
Exploring and Conceptualizing Brownout among Nurses: A Sequential Qualitative Study Using Grounded Theory and Cognitive Interviewing
No full textIn recent years, a less-known form of work-related stress has been recognized by career coaches and organizational psychologists alike: “brownout.” The phenomenon is assumed to pose a significant threat to nurses, as it leads to predictable consequences such as fatigue and burnout. Despite its critical impact, the concept of brownout remains undefined in existing literature, highlighting the need for a clear theory. Lebanon, ranked among the lowest country in nursing density in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, faces numerous challenges, including excessive nurse migration, low job satisfaction, poor retention, and high turnover rates. While studies in Lebanon and globally have primarily focused on burnout among nurses, there is a clear gap in exploring brownout. This study addresses this gap by investigating, conceptualizing, and characterizing brownout among nurses, offering a distinction between brownout and burnout.
Using a sequential qualitative design, this study began with developing a grounded theory, guided by Charmaz’s framework, to explore nurses’ experiences, perceptions, and the meaning of the brownout phenomenon. Findings identified core domains of brownout—job distancing, exertion, psychosomatic indicators, and lifestyle and social disturbances—alongside its antecedents, barriers, and consequences. A substantive theory of brownout emerged, highlighting its attributes and dimensions, supported by participant excerpts. Building upon this theory, the study employed the DeVellis guidelines to develop an instrument measuring brownout, followed by cognitive interviewing to validate its content and structure. Feedback from cognitive interviews led to refinement, enhancing the instrument’s clarity, relevance, and applicability. The final instrument consists of 32 items targeting brownout and 16 demographic questions.
This study contributes a robust theoretical and empirical foundation for understanding brownout, distinguishing it from burnout, and developing an operational definition for its measurement. It lays the groundwork for future research to test the instrument's psychometric properties, explore predictors and outcomes of brownout, and design interventions aimed at mitigating its impact. The findings hold significant implications for addressing nurse retention, fostering a healthier healthcare workforce, and ensuring sustainable community care, particularly in Lebanon’s challenging healthcare environment
The Socio-Economic Dynamics of Syrian Refugees' Employment in Lebanon: Impact of Legal Residency and Documentation
No full textThis thesis investigates how legal residency and identity documentation affect the labor‐
market integration of Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Drawing on the 2021 Vulnerability
Assessment of Syrian Refugees (VASyR) survey and employing logistic and OLS
regression models, it examines the probability of employment, wage levels, and
household income as functions of legal status, document portfolios, and demographic
characteristics. Results demonstrate that holding a valid residency permit raises
employment odds by over 20 percent and that refugees with multiple forms of
documentation, including national IDs and passports, enjoy significantly higher wages
and household incomes. However, benefits are unevenly distributed, with male and
urban refugees capturing greater gains than female and rural populations, underscoring
the need for gender-responsive and spatially differentiated policies. These findings
inform four policy recommendations: sector-tied residency frameworks; mobile legal
aid and registration units; urban-rural employment diversification; and a skills-matching
platform that balances the economic advantages of formalizing low-skilled refugee
labor with safeguards for Lebanese workers. By illuminating the pivotal role of legal
and administrative barriers, this work offers empirically grounded guidance to develop
more organized and beneficial refugee integration strategies
لغة القلوب
No full textA children’s bookلغة القلوب قصّة ندى، فتاة صمّاء، تنتقل إلى مدرسة جديدة، حيث تتعرّف على صديق مميّز وداعم. هيّا بنا نشاركهما في المغامرات
A Systematic Review of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Implementation and Effectiveness in K–12 Settings (1990-2024)
No full textThis thesis presents a systematic review exploring the effectiveness of SEL programs in
enhancing academic performance and classroom behavior in school settings, with a
particular focus on global research and its applicability to Lebanon. The review examined
studies published between 1990 and 2024. However, following a rigorous selection
process using PRISMA guidelines, eighteen studies were included in the final analysis.
The selected studies were evaluated for methodological quality using the MMAT 2018
and CEC standards. Furthermore, this study systematically compares previous reviews
on SEL to the objectives and research questions of the current study to establish the
significance of conducting this study and highlight the unique contributions of this work.
The findings consistently highlight the positive impact of SEL interventions on students’
social-emotional competencies, classroom engagement, and behavior. Programs such as
You, Me and the Little Monsters and MindUP significantly improved emotional
regulation and peer connectedness, while SPARK Child Mentoring and Incredible Years
Teacher Classroom Management enhanced communication and behavior management,
particularly for students with behavioral challenges. Additionally, SEL programs
contributed to a more positive school climate and increased student engagement, as
demonstrated by Positive Action. However, some studies reported mixed outcomes, with
unintended consequences such as increased psychosomatic complaints. While SEL
interventions positively influenced student engagement and behavioral outcomes, their
direct impact on academic performance remains debated. Programs like Second Step
showed improvements in academic performance in high-need schools, whereas RULER
reported enhanced engagement and behavior without significant academic gains. The
review also identified key gaps, including the long-term sustainability of SEL benefits,
the need for contextual adaptability, and methodological inconsistencies in program
evaluation. Based on these findings, the study provides recommendations for integrating
SEL programs into Lebanon’s educational system, emphasizing teacher training,
culturally responsive frameworks, and robust assessment methods. Future research
should focus on longitudinal studies and standardized evaluation tools to better
understand SEL’s long-term effectiveness and optimize its implementation across diverse
educational settings. Additionally, it should evaluate the practical implementation of SEL
strategies in Lebanese schools, considering the socio-economic characteristics of students
and the challenges within the national education system
