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The Effect of Static Magnetic Field on the Behavior of Phase Change Material
No full textThe rate and reliability of thermal energy release in Phase Change Materials (PCMs) remain critical challenges in energy storage systems, particularly due to their typical reliance on temperature variation to trigger phase transitions. This study explores a novel, non-thermal pathway for influencing PCM behavior through the application of static magnetic fields. The thermal responses of four PCMs—octadecane, heptadecane, decanoic acid, and calcium chloride hexahydrate (CaCl₂·6H₂O) with and without the addition of NaCl as a nucleating agent —were investigated under magnetic field strengths of 91.3 mT, 149 mT, and 240 mT. Results show that PCMs with lower Prandtl numbers or higher electrical conductivity are more sensitive to magnetic field strength, exhibiting reduced heat flux and extended melting durations due to the decrease in convective velocity. Moreover, supercooling in CaCl₂·6H₂O was suppressed when 1.055% NaCl was combined with magnetic field exposure—a concentration that, without magnetism, failed to initiate crystallization. This shows that magnetism can complement or even enhance the effect of nucleators, offering a new route to trigger or control phase transitions. By enabling finer control over the timing and rate of thermal energy release, this work opens new possibilities for designing smarter, more responsive PCM-based storage systems. The findings are particularly impactful for applications involving salt hydrates, where supercooling is a persistent issue. This dual physical–chemical approach has the potential to significantly improve the efficiency, stability, and tunability of energy systems in buildings and renewable energy systems
The Tail Between Us
No full textA children’s book, created by AUB students from the Education Department, for the course EDUC218 as a final project.My book is a story about an 8-year-old girl living in Lebanon and feeling lonely. One day, while playing in the backyard she met a black cat and eventually they became friends. The cat really helped the girl deal with her emotions but soon after the cat felt lonely too and needed another friend that shares the same habits as him. So, the girl and the cat go to find the cat a new friend at the end of the research both the girl and the cat make new friends. The cat allowed the girl to open up to the world and meet a new friend
Assessing the Predictive Value of qSOFA in Early Detection of Sepsis/Septic Shock in Adult Medical Surgical Unit Patients
No full textProject. M.S.N. American University of Beirut. Rafic Hariri School of Nursing, 2025.Background: Sepsis and septic shock are significant causes of morbidity and mortality
in hospitalized patients, particularly in medical-surgical units. Timely recognition of
sepsis is crucial for improving outcomes, but early identification remains a challenge.
Screening tools such as the Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score
and the EPIC Sepsis Model (ESM) are commonly used to identify patients at risk for
sepsis. However, the predictive value of these tools during Rapid Response Team
(RRT) activation in medical-surgical units has not been fully evaluated
Aim: This study aims to assess and compare the predictive value of qSOFA alone
qSOFA and ESM together in identifying sepsis and septic shock among adult medicalsurgical unit patients at the time of RRT activation.
Methods: A retrospective observational cohort design was employed to analyze data
collected from January to April 2024 at a tertiary medical center (American university
of Beirut medical center). In addition, prospective data collection was utilized during
the Month of August 2024 to increase reliability of data collection. The predictive
accuracy of qSOFA and ESM was evaluated in the matters of sensitivity, specificity,
positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV). In addition, ROC
analysis, with Area Under the Curve (AUC) values calculated for each tool to assess
their ability to predict sepsis-related outcomes, including mortality, ICU admissions,
and sepsis progression.
Results: In total 146 charts were reviewed; Different thresholds of these two tools were
considered (qSOFA ≥2, ESM≥6, and ESM≥10) to compare the results of each tool in
comparison with the actual septic status of patients 24 hours after RRT activation. The
results of the retrospective analysis showed that qSOFA had a higher AUC (0.908) with
sensitivity = 75% and specificity = 92% compared to ESM (AUC = 0.704), which had
sensitivity = 88% and specificity = 42%. In the prospective analysis, qSOFA
demonstrated a superior AUC of 0.827, with sensitivity = 72% and specificity = 86%,
while ESM had a much lower AUC of 0.448, with sensitivity = 100% and specificity =
27%. These findings indicate that qSOFA was more effective in predicting sepsisrelated outcomes than ESM.
Discussion: The findings suggest that qSOFA is a more reliable tool for early sepsis
detection during RRT activation in medical-surgical units. ESM, while useful in ruling
out non-septic cases, yielded in higher false positive rates limiting its clinical utility in
this setting. The results underscore the importance of utilizing qSOFA for earlyintervention in sepsis management. This project suggests the ordering of serum lactate,
frequent monitoring and fluid administration for every patient with qSOFA ≥2 on RRT
activation. Further research is needed to optimize these tools for broader clinical
implementation and to explore the potential for combining predictive models with
biomarkers to improve accuracy in sepsis detection
The Lebanese Official Budgets Toward State Bankruptcy: A Comparative Approach to 2019, 2020, and 2021 Budgets
No full textProject. M.A. American University of Beirut. Department of Political Studies and Public Administration. Public Policy and International Affairs, 2025.The root causes of the Lebanese economic crisis extend beyond a mere financial issue. It is political and sociological, as the formation of sectarian divisions has been deeply
marred within the various socio-political systems of the country. Each power is exercised
through a particular religious faction, which has enabled the political elites to exploit state
apparatuses in their favor, serving their sectarian followers to the detriment of the
government and the general populace. Political leaders divert public spending for
infrastructure and social services toward intense clientelism. Instead of spending on social
welfare programs for citizens, leaders spend on buying loyalty by providing jobs, direct
aid, and other benefits to their followers. Such adverse practices by political clients
equally drain state apparatus resources, which in turn result in a budget deficit and the
imposition of exorbitant taxes on the general population to fund them. This led to
regressive tax policies, which, combined with existing wage stagnation, had devastating
impacts on lower- to mid-wage earners. At the same time, political elites and their cronies
financially enjoyed expensive privileges, resulting in unchecked, skyrocketing economic
disparity, which aspect shaved the state’s authority.
The Relationship Between the Lebanese Government and the Central Bank: Lebanon and
its government had a pre-established relationship with the Central Bank, which held a
somewhat autonomous position, playing a pivotal role in the political battlefield between
the parties. The Central Bank had different policies for currency issuance and external
debt servicing, which were not regulated by law and were thus politically charged.
Before the Collapse - The Lebanese government, along with the central bank, was already
in a cycle of accumulating debt, which continued to compound and ultimately led to an
economic collapse. Due to administrative inefficiency and corruption, the government
was operating with frequent budget deficits, which led it to depend on the central bank to
finance its expenditures. The Banque du Liban (BDL) employed engineering monetary
policy strategies by engaging in high-interest financial instruments, aiming to attract
foreign deposits and maintain the Lebanese lira’s peg to the US dollar. Although these
policies were able to provide some short-term stabilization to the economy, they created
a financial bubble that relied on capital inflows. To sustain their clientelist networks,
political parties were able to stabilize the economy and subsidize public sector
employment. Even then, this tactic was unfeasible due to a growing dependency on
foreign reserves that were not being provided by productive economic activity.
During the Collapse - When the financial crisis struck in 2019, the government was
unable to effectively manage the situation and address the structural flaws in the
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economy. The central bank’s policies of subsidizing essential goods, such as fuel,
medicine, and food, have cost the state over $15 billion. This unsustainable spending
drained foreign currency reserves, yet the government did not intervene to adjust policies
or introduce reforms. Instead, political leaders allowed the economic deterioration to
continue, likely because taking corrective action would have exposed their roles in the
financial mismanagement. The government’s inaction also allowed well-connected elites
and businesses to profit from the subsidies, buying subsidized goods in bulk and selling
them on the black market at higher prices. This phase of the crisis revealed the complicity
of both the government and the central bank in prolonging an unsustainable system at the
expense of ordinary citizens.
Post-Collapse (2022-Present) - As Lebanon’s financial situation deteriorated, the general
public's outrage did not affect the relationship between the government and the banking
sector. To such an extent that even when the government declared a state of bankruptcy,
the banking sector was not held accountable. At this point, the Association of Banks in
Lebanon (Jamiyat al Masaref), a powerful and influential organization representing the
interests of banks in Lebanon, had strong relationships with the political dictatorship,
ensuring that depositors bore the brunt of the losses rather than the banks themselves.
During this period, banks imposed capital controls, which prevented citizens and bank
depositors from withdrawing their savings, but not those with influence and power, who
could freely move their assets abroad. During this period, no profound changes were
made in the banking activity or legal responsibility for embezzlement. The government
chose to do nothing by allowing the situation to fade into the background over time,
effectively using it as a means to normalize the crisis.
The Elimination of the Lebanese Lira: One of the most significant yet underdiscussed
outcomes of the economic collapse is the virtual de facto elimination of the Lebanese
pound (LBP) as the country’s official currency. In recent years, the LBP has lost nearly
all its power and value as a means of trade. Today, actual trade in Lebanon is conducted
almost entirely in U.S. dollars. This shift has eliminated the characteristics of Lebanon’s
official currency, converting the market into a dollar-based system without formal state
acknowledgment. The absence of consideration on this matter suggests that political
parties would likely prefer to avoid addressing the issue, as it would highlight their
responsibilities toward the subject and necessitate restructuring the entire monetary
system, as well as introducing reforms that could weaken their grip on economic power.
Conclusion: The Lebanese government’s failure to take action in response to the
economic crisis is, in itself, a deliberate strategy. By allowing time to pass without
implementing reforms, the government is relying on the population’s gradual adaptation
to the new economic realities. As people become accustomed to financial hardship and
the erosion of their purchasing power, their ability to mobilize against those responsible
diminishes. The public's growing disinterest in both the government and the banking
sector is a result of economic exhaustion, a lack of alternatives, and a fear of further
instability. Ultimately, the ruling elites have managed to maintain their influence by
ensuring that no structural reforms are implemented, instead relying on external factors,
such as foreign aid or regional political shifts, to provide temporary relief. This approach
has left Lebanon in a state of prolonged stagnation, where the population continues to
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bear the consequences of a crisis engineered by the very leaders who claim to represent
them.
This paper documents the chronological events that led to the collapse of the Lebanese
economy, it explores how the political, sectarian, and economic dynamics affected
Lebanon’s fiscal revenues and decision-making related to Lebanon’s public budgets by
conducting a comprehensive and contextual analysis of political and sectarian influences,
as well as other external influences that contributed to the economic collapse of the state,
Exploring how the Lebanese government handled state spending and expenditures vis-a
vis the declining economic situation and how this was incorporated into the official
budgets for 2019, 2020, and 2021.
What are the central policies that the government adopted or did not adopt to protect the
Lebanese pound and the economy, and how do these policies impact the public budget?
Do austerity policies do more harm than good, and is cutting public sector wages the best
solution for plugging a budget deficit in an economy that has suffered years of low
growth?
When analyzing the influence of political sects and parties, such as the Free Patriotic
Movement, Amal Movement, and Future Movement, on financial decision-making in
Lebanon from 2019 to 2021, it becomes clear that political leadership plays a significant
role in Lebanon’s economic crisis and decline. The governance model, which is heavily
influenced by the concept of sectarianism, prioritizes the interests of sectarian leaders
over the nation’s public and economic needs. This manipulation of benefits in favor of
the ruling class, rather than the people, is a stark illustration of the impact of political
influence on financial decision-making.
Lebanon’s economic collapse is not a singular event, but a complex and ongoing crisis
that has been unfolding over several years. The correlation between political and sectarian
leadership and financial decision-making underscores how political mismanagement,
sectarianism, and corruption persist as root causes of the collapse of the Lebanese pound,
soaring public debt, and widespread poverty. Moreover, external events such as the
promises of petroleum revenue, Saad Hariri’s resignation, the October 2019 revolution,
and the CEDRE conference have only added to the complexity and severity of the crisis
Paws of Hope
No full textA children's book, created by AUB students from the Education Department, for the course EDUC218 as a final project.The story Paws of Hope follows a little boy named Karim, who fights cancer while showing great courage. The emotional and physical challenges of his illness become less difficult for him when his parents give him the golden-furred dog named Ginger. The dog Ginger transforms into a powerful symbol representing hope, strength, and unbreakable friendship. Karim discovers through their friendship that he always has someone by his side during the most difficult moments. The story follows how a child and his devoted companion form a bond that brings healing power and love, and demonstrates resilience
Blue-Green Infrastructure Approach to Urban Riverfronts Revitalization: The Case of Berdawni River in Zahle
No full textZahle, a city long defined by its deep cultural roots and iconic Berdawni River, has witnessed a growing disconnect between its people, its landscape, and its natural watercourse. Once a symbol of vitality and identity, the Berdawni River suffers from ecological degradation, physical disconnection, and a fading presence in the daily lives of its inhabitants. This thesis investigates whether a Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI) approach can serve as a viable framework for the river’s revitalization—ecologically, socially, and economically.
The thesis adopts research-by-design approach and a qualitative methodology, combining literature review, photography, sketching, archival research, mental maps, and semi-structured interviews with experts and local residents. National case studies provide contextual grounding for BGI strategies in Lebanon. Meanwhile, an in-depth urban analysis of Zahle’s morphology, topography, public spaces, and socio-economic landscape informs the design intervention. The project focuses on a single pilot site—Patch B, comprising the Parking Site and Hotel Sunken Tissue—selected for its spatial openness, ecological vulnerability, and urban significance. The proposed design reclaims the site through hydrological restoration, inclusive public space activation, and integration of heritage and economic reuse. It also envisions a framework for participatory governance, where both Lebanese residents and Syrian refugees play an active role in maintenance and programming, transforming the site into a platform for social and ecological repair.
What emerges is not only a site-specific design, but a broader vision for a more inclusive, resilient, and identity-driven Zahle—one where the river is no longer viewed as a forgotten edge, but as a central spine that weaves together ecology, community, and urban life. This thesis offers a framework and a call to action: to rethink our urban rivers not as obsolete infrastructure, but as catalysts for regeneration and belonging
Prevalence of Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria in Shouf-Aley Area
No full textBackground: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant global health threat, rendering standard treatments ineffective and leading to persistent infections, increased transmission, and elevated mortality rates. In 2019, AMR was directly responsible for at least 1.27 million deaths worldwide and associated with nearly 5 million deaths, underscoring its severe impact on public health. Carbapenems are a class of β-lactam antibiotics considered last-resort treatments for severe bacterial infections. They are particularly effective against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria due to their broad-spectrum activity and resistance to most β-lactamases. However, the emergence of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (CR-GNB) has compromised the efficacy of these critical antibiotics. CR-GNB, including species such as Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, have developed mechanisms to evade the bactericidal action of carbapenems. These mechanisms include the production of carbapenemase enzymes that hydrolyze the antibiotic, alterations in membrane permeability reducing drug uptake, and efflux pumps expelling the antibiotic from bacterial cells. Infections caused by CR-GNB are associated with limited treatment options, leading to higher morbidity and mortality rates. In this study, we utilize next generation sequencing (NGS)
Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility, and molecular resistance mechanisms of CR-GNB in Lebanese hospitals using phenotypic testing and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) while highlighting the discrepancy between hospital-based identification and sequencing results.
Methods: A total of 521 Gram-negative clinical isolates were collected from three hospitals in Lebanon between August 2024 and March 2025. Antimicrobial susceptibility to meropenem was assessed using disc diffusion. Forty-one meropenem-resistant isolates were further analyzed using WGS via Illumina and Oxford Nanopore platforms. Resistance genes, sequence types (STs), and plasmid content were identified using the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD) and MLST tools.
Results: Of the 521 isolates, 7.9% exhibited meropenem resistance, with the highest rate observed in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients and at Ain Wzain Medical Village (21.89%). Resistant isolates included Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter hormaechei. WGS revealed the presence of key beta-lactamase genes (blaOXA-23, blaOXA-1, blaNDM-1, blaNDM-5, blaVIM-2) and efflux pump-related genes (adeK, adeJ, Mex, MarA, TolC). Many isolates harbored mobile genetic elements such as IncFⅡ and IncX3 plasmids, enhancing horizontal gene transfer potential.
Conclusion: This study highlights a concerning prevalence of CR-GNB in Lebanese healthcare settings, with high genomic diversity and multiple resistance mechanisms. The findings emphasize the need for nationwide genomic surveillance, improved diagnostic accuracy, and stricter antimicrobial stewardship. Integration of WGS into clinical microbiology workflows could significantly enhance AMR monitoring and outbreak control in Lebanon
Effect of Lebanese Plant Extracts on Stress-Resistant Escherichia Coli and Application of the Hurdle Technologies
No full textThe abundance of stress-resistant bacterial pathogens has been burdening food industries.
In addition, customers’ demand for clean-label products has directed research toward
finding suitable natural preservatives. Thus, this study investigated the antimicrobial
activity of four Lebanese wild plant extracts (Lavandula angustifolia, Origanum
marjoram, Ocimum basilicum, and Salvia fruticose) against eight Escherichia coli
isolates of different resistant profiles (non-resistant (NR), heat-resistant (HR),
antimicrobial-resistant (AMR), and isolates resistant to both heat and antimicrobial
drugs). This activity was evaluated using the broth dilution method to determine the
minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration
(MBC). Moreover, the effect of the plant extracts was evaluated against HR isolates in
combination with mild heat treatment at 65oC for 30 minutes and against AMR isolates
to assess the hindrance of antimicrobial resistance. The results showed that the essential
oils worked at an average concentration of 0.5% despite the resistance profile of the
isolates. However, the water extracts were ineffective against any of the isolates. Also,
the combination of 0.2% lavender EO and mild pasteurization significantly decreased the
bacterial counts of the HR isolates. Lastly, the resistance to antibiotics was not affected
by the EO treatment of E. coli
Turtle Boy
No full textA children's book, created by AUB students from the Education Department, for the course EDUC218 as a final project.Amer, a young boy became a target for bullies in his school because of his oversized green backpack. this bullying caused him a lot of harm over a long period of time, until a silent child in class approached Amer
Adaptation and Validation of Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale for Adults in A Lebanese University
No full textExecutive functioning (EF) plays a crucial role in self-regulation across various aspects of life, yet its definition remains varied within literature. This study aims to validate and adapt the Barkley Deficits in Executive Functions Scale – Adults (Self-Rating scale) for assessing EF deficits in adults aged 18 to 33, particularly within the Lebanese context. Given the scarcity of EF research, especially in Lebanon, this exploratory study focuses on AUB students as a representative sample.
Using a descriptive quantitative research design, we adapted the BDEFS-A scale and obtained expert review. Although challenges hindered piloting, the adapted scale was administered to a normative sample, yielding a final sample of 52 participants. Reliability analysis showed moderate to high internal consistency (α = 0.43 to α = 0.80). Construct validity analyses revealed no significant gender or education effects on EF deficits. However, age effects varied across subscales. Discriminant validity analysis showed differences in EF deficits between ADHD and non-ADHD students. Norms were developed for each subscale.
Despite limitations, this study underscores the reliability and preliminary validity of the adapted BDEFS-A among AUB students. Further research is warranted to establish robust validity evidence and expand the sample size