AUB ScholarWorks (American Univ. of Beirut)
Not a member yet
33634 research outputs found
Sort by
Occurrence and Risk Assessment of Pharmaceuticals in Surface Waters of the Middle East and North Africa
Full text linkPharmaceuticals are classified as contaminants of emerging concern due to their occurrence and persistence in aquatic environment. However, scarce information is currently available about the long term-impacts and the associated environmental and human health risk of a large number of pharmaceuticals. In an attempt to address this issue, this study reviewed all openly published research conducted on the occurrence of pharmaceuticals in different water compartments from 2006 to 2022, with a primary focus on the MENA region. The review systematically identified, quantified, and categorized pharmaceutical compounds present in MENA water compartments, detailing their names, numbers, concentrations, and therapeutic groups.
In fact, 159 pharmaceutically active ingredients were detected in at least one of 14 MENA countries, with antibiotics being the most frequently detected therapeutic class (0.1–99,636 ng/L). To better understand the impact of this occurrence, an ecological, human health and antimicrobial risk assessment using minimum, median and maximum measured concentrations. 39 detected pharmaceuticals in MENA surface waters posed a possible ecological risk whereas a possible human health risk was registered for 8 out of 159 detected pharmaceuticals. 17β estradiol, diclofenac, metoprolol, ethinylestradiol, and carbamazepine calculated an alarming environmental risk (>1000), the magnitude of which will definitely needs further investigations and regulatory actions. Of all therapeutic classes, hormones registered the highest health risk quotient via both pathways: drinking water and fish ingestion. Moreover, among the antibiotics detected, ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin showed the highest antimicrobial resistance risk in the order of 40. Based on this data compilation, the highest frequently detected pharmaceuticals were to be selected for fate modeling in one of the most polluted MENA rivers using available software. This modeling effort aimed to assess the impact of pharmaceutical contamination in regions lacking expertise and economic resources. However, due to the insufficient geo-processed information available, the research was unable to progress beyond the review stage with the intention to further developing the model and expanding the analysis once the necessary data becomes available
Exploring the Triad: Mental Health, Substance Use, and Injury Occurrences among Young Adults in Lebanon
No full textBackground: Injuries remain a major public health concern globally, accounting for over 4.3 million annual deaths, with low- and middle- income countries bearing the greatest burden. In Lebanon, injuries account for 3.4% of total deaths. This study investigated the relationship between injuries and two key risk factors, mental distress and substance use disorders, particularly their co-occurrence, among a sample of young adults from Lebanon.
Methods: An online survey was conducted among 401 Lebanese adults aged 18–35, recruited via multiple social media platforms. Validated tools were used to assess mental distress (General Health Questionnaire-12) and potential substance use disorders (CAGE for alcohol; Drug Abuse Screening Test-10 for drugs). Data on injury occurrence, types, severity, and contexts were collected using an adaptation of the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP) form. Bivariate analyses and multiple logistic regression models examined associations between injuries and the predictors, adjusting for demographic variables.
Results: Approximately 34% of participants reported at least one injury in the past 12 months, with falls (28.3%) and burns (22.9%) as the most common. Mental distress was detected in 66.6% of participants, and 16% exhibited potential substance use disorders (alcohol and/or drug use). Controlling for sociodemographic, severe mental distress was associated with two-fold odds of injury, while potential alcohol use disorder was associated with a 2.5 increase in odds (p < 0.05). Our main finding highlights that the co-occurrence (vs. not) of mental distress and potential substance use disorders (alcohol and/or drug use) was associated with more than triple the odds of injury. Conclusion: Both mental distress and potential substance disorders significantly contribute to injury among young Lebanese adults, particularly when co-occurring. These findings underscore the need for integrated prevention strategies, including routine mental health screening and substance use interventions, as well as strengthened safety policies and public health infrastructure. Future research should employ longitudinal designs to establish causal pathways and refine targeted prevention programs
A Digital Twin Solution for Hybrid Ventilation Systems in Office Spaces
No full textThe digital twin technology is emerging as a cornerstone of intelligent systems, particularly for office buildings, to optimize various operations that address human wellbeing, comfort, and energy consumption. This work develops a framework and evaluates a real-time digital twin (DT) solution for an office space conditioned by hybrid ventilation system that combines mechanical cooling and natural ventilation. The DT framework is based on model predictive control (MPC) of the hybrid system for optimizing worker productivity, thermal comfort, and energy performance. The optimal setting is achieved by dynamically switching among 9 ventilation modes of the office: natural ventilation, mechanical non-cooling ventilation, or air conditioning mode with temperature setpoints ranging between 20 °C and 26 °C with 1 °C increment. The framework was applied to a case study in the Mediterranean climate where a building energy model, simulating a typical office cell, was developed and validated. This model informed the developed machine learning-based predictive DT model representing the hybrid ventilation behaviour. By integrating this data-driven model with real-time indoor conditions combined with forecasted weather conditions and pre-defined occupancy profiles, the system dynamically adjusted ventilation modes to balance indoor comfort and energy consumption. Experimental testing was conducted in the experimental cell, comparing the performance of the proposed DT model against a conventional rule-based control strategy. Results demonstrated a significant reduction in total energy consumption by 13.63%, alongside a 22.14% improvement in occupant productivity, attributed to improved thermal conditions. Throughout working hours, the average Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) shifted closer to thermoneutrality, maintaining comfort within the ASHRAE-defined neutral zone. These findings highlight the potential of MPC-driven digital twins as a viable pathway for intelligent building management, achieving cost-effective operation while enhancing occupant well-being
Kimo and Mimo’s Banana-tastic Friendship
No full textWhen Kimo starts at the Big School of Monkeys, he's full of excitement—but not everyone is kind. Just when he feels most alone, a brave little monkey named Mimo stands up and shows Kimo the true meaning of friendship. A sweet and silly story about being yourself, standing up for others, and the magic of banana cake
Between Condemnation and Exoneration: The Sunnī Scholarly Debate on Yazīd in Bilād al-Shām and Bilād al-Rūm (1300-1700)
No full textThis thesis examines the Sunnī scholarly debate surrounding Yazīd ibn Muʿāwiya, the controversial Umayyad caliph, by analyzing historical and theological perspectives from Bilād al-Shām (the Levant) and Bilād al-Rūm (Anatolia) between 1300 and 1700. Through a comparative study of seventeen primary sources authored by fourteen scholars, the research explores key themes such as the legitimacy of Yazīd’s caliphate, his moral character, his role in the martyrdom of al-Ḥusayn, and the permissibility of cursing him. The study reveals a stark contrast between the ahl al-baytist tendencies of Ottoman scholars, who overwhelmingly condemned Yazīd, and the more nuanced, often apologetic stances of Levantine scholars, who sought to balance criticism with historical and theological justifications. By situating these debates within their regional and intellectual contexts, the thesis argues that the portrayal of Yazīd was deeply influenced by local historiographical traditions. The findings challenge the notion of a monolithic Sunnī position on Yazīd, highlighting instead the diversity of scholarly opinions across time and space
Influence of the Socioeconomic Position and Health Literacy of Men on the Maternal and Child Health Outcomes of Households in Nigeria
No full textThe advancement of the highest possible wellbeing for women and children remains a foremost global health goal. Nigeria accounts for a significant proportion of the persisting burden of preventable maternal and child morbidity and mortality. Hitherto, the role of healthcare services and women-factors have been extensively studied worldwide and within the Nigerian context. However, there is little published understanding of how men-specific factors affect Maternal and Child Health (MCH). Given that men are statutorily positioned, culturally and socioeconomically, to exert influence on health-related decision-making and actions in households, this study conjectured that the stagnated improvement in the MCH indices of Nigeria could be partially attributed to unexplored factors of men.
Specifically, the study assessed, quantified and determined the effects of the Socio-Economic Position (SEP) and Health Literacy (HL) of men on Maternal and Child Wellbeing (MCW) in Nigerian households.
Using a nationally representative, cross-sectional sample of Nigerian households obtained in 2018 by the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) Program, SEP, HL and MCW were systematically defined, operationalized and assessed based on literature evidence and novel approaches. Robust descriptive, bivariate, and multiple linear regression techniques were applied to ascertain relationships and effects.
Independently, the MCW index of Nigerian households was significantly predicted by the SEP and HL of men, with no interaction/joint effects. Higher SEP and HL among men were consistently associated with a higher MCW. Notably, the main effects of SEP and HL on MCW remained statistically significant following adjustment for household, women and other men factors, at the 95% confidence level.
These findings provide valuable new insights into the overall understanding of the influence of men on their families' health. It suggests that targeted reproductive, maternal and child health education of men can help improve MCH outcomes in Nigeria and similar contexts. Multi-sectoral policy changes to enhance the SEP of men and incorporate essential MCH knowledge into mandatory pre-nuptial counselling and school curricula at all levels are indicated in the medium and long-term. This study mainstreams the importance of scaling up research to routinely measure how male factors influence the health of women and children in all settings
Elevated Blood Pressure and its Association with Body Fat, Anthropometric Characteristics, and Dietary Intakes in a Sample of Lebanese Adolescents
No full textBackground: Elevated blood pressure (EBP) in adolescents is an emerging public health issue, largely driven by increasing obesity levels and dietary and lifestyle shifts. Obesity is a key risk factor for EBP, mainly through central adiposity and insulin resistance. While body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) are commonly used as adiposity indicators, alternative measures like mid-upper arm (MUAC) and calf circumferences (CC) may be useful in resource-limited settings. In Lebanon and similar countries experiencing a nutrition transition, poor diets and high levels of physical inactivity further increase the risk for EBP, highlighting the need for early, and context-sensitive screening approaches.
Objective: This cross-sectional study aims to: (1) determine the prevalence of EBP in a sample of Lebanese adolescents; (2) examine the associations of EBP with anthropometric indicators—specifically BMI, WC, CC, and MUAC, and with body composition —; and (3) explore the relationship between lifestyle and dietary factors and EBP in this age group.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 114 Lebanese adolescents aged 15–18 years old, recruited based on predefined inclusion criteria. Anthropometric measurements (including BMI, waist, mid-upper arm, and calf circumferences), body composition (via deuterium dilution and bioelectrical impedance analysis), and blood pressure were assessed following standardized procedures. Dietary intake was evaluated using a single 24-hour recall, and physical activity was assessed using an adapted questionnaire from the Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS). Blood samples were collected to measure fasting blood glucose and lipid profiles. EBP was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria (SBP ≥130 mm Hg and/or DBP of ≥85 mm Hg). Data were analyzed using SPSS, with logistic regression models used to examine associations between EBP and anthropometrics, lifestyle, and dietary factors.
Results: The prevalence of EBP was approximately 18%. Based on descriptive analyses, WC, MUAC, and CC were significantly higher in participants with EBP compared to their peers. However, the significance for MUAC and CC was lost after adjusting for age and sex. In contrast, waist circumference remained a strong predictor of EBP even after adjustment for confounders (OR = 3.89; 95% CI: 1.28–11.78). Additionally, BMI showed a significant association with EBP, with obese participants having approximately four times higher odds of developing EBP compared to those with normal weight (OR = 3.75; 95% CI: 1.01–13.79). This significance was lost after adjusting for confounders. Importantly, the presence of EBP increased the odds of having metabolic syndrome (MetS) by 13-fold after adjusting for confounders (OR = 13.29; 95% CI: 1.75–100.65). Physical activity demonstrated a protective effect, even after adjusting for age, sex, and BMI (OR = 0.09; 95% CI: 0.01–0.91). No significant association was observed between dietary intake and elevated blood pressure.
Conclusion: This study underscores the important role of central obesity (measured by WC) in predicting EBP among Lebanese adolescents, and highlights EBP as a strong independent predictor of the metabolic syndrome in this age group. It also showed that MUAC and CC emerged as promising, simple screening tools for EBP risk. Physical activity was found to have a protective effect against EBP, which aligns with existing literature supporting its cardiovascular benefits. While this study provides valuable insights, it is important to acknowledge certain limitations, including the small sample size and cross-sectional design, which limit the generalizability of the findings. Despite these constraints, the results highlight the need for larger, more comprehensive studies to confirm and expand upon these associations
An Archive of their Own: Arab Identity Negotiation in Online Fandom
No full textOnline fandom has always been a space where queer voices congregate to find community. This thesis explores the significance of online fandom spaces for queer Arab individuals to express their sexual and gender identities. Through in-depth interviews with Arab fans, this study reveals several key reasons why these communities are vital for queer Arab fans. Firstly, Arab fans actively resist heteronormative and homophobic structures prevalent in their offline contexts through the creation of fan labor. Secondly, the queerness encountered within fandom, whether through interactions with other fans or via queer interpretations of fictional characters, serves as a resource for Arab fans in understanding and defining their own identities. Finally, the research highlights a paradoxical experience: while finding security in their identities within these online fandoms, Arab fans often report feeling othered within predominantly Western queer fandom spaces. These findings underscore the complex and multifaceted role of online fandom in facilitating queer Arab self-expression and identity formation, while also revealing the persistence of exclusionary dynamics within broader fan cultures
The Effect of Meropenem on Behavior, Cognition, and Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Adult Rats
No full textIntroduction: Neurogenesis is the process by which neural stem cells (NSCs) develop into functional neurons in the brain. It is comprised of five major phases: proliferation, differentiation, migration, axonal and dendritic targeting, and synaptic integration. It is a process that may be affected by multiple factors including stress, aging, brain injury, infection, and inflammation. Moreover, antibiotic administration may also be a negative factor as recent studies indicate. Meropenem (Merrem) is a broad-spectrum carbapenem antibiotic used to treat various inflammatory diseases. It causes inhibition of cell wall synthesis, hence targeting bacterial growth and halting it. Meropenem can penetrate most body fluids and tissues, cross the blood–brain barrier, and obtain a concentration within the cerebrospinal fluid close to that of blood plasma. However, no research has been conducted establishing a clear link between meropenem and its neurotoxic effects on neurogenesis.
Objective: This project aimed to investigate the neurotoxic effects of meropenem on rodents’ motricity, cognitive function, and hippocampal proliferation of neural stem cells.
Methods: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats received two intraperitoneal injections of meropenem every 8 hours for 1 week. The experimental group was divided into two groups: low-dose (177 mg/kg) and high-dose (354 mg/kg). The sham group was divided into two groups: low-dose and high-dose and received sterile saline, and the naïve group did not receive anything. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was injected 24 hours prior to euthanasia to assess hippocampal NSC proliferation. A thermal sensitivity test was performed on the abdomen to assess hyperalgesia. The rota-rod test was performed to assess motricity, and other behavioral tests were performed including the Y-maze test to assess spatial memory and novel object recognition (NOR) test to assess long-term memory of rats.
Results: High dose meropenem administration showed altered exploratory behavior in the NOR test and possible induction of anxiety-like behavior. Moreover, a significant decrease was observed in the number of proliferating NSCs and expression levels of the neurotrophic factor FGF2 and the receptor TrkB.
Conclusion/Future Perspectives: This study demonstrated that meropenem administration is associated with decreased proliferation of NSCs, hence altering neurogenesis. Clinically, this may provide insight to improve meropenem administration in humans and shed light on its possible negative side effects on the central nervous system