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اثر اقدام في الثلج
No full textA children's book, created by AUB students from the Education Department, for the course EDUC218 as a final project
Green Balconies: Enhancing urban spaces through social and environmental contribution
Get PDFUrban greening is receiving an increased interest in urban areas as a solution to address
and adjust to climate change. The contribution of urban greening can be assessed on 2
levels: environmental and human well-being. Various typologies of urban green spaces
have been explored; most of which are public and require large open spaces. In urban
settings where cities are becoming denser and streets narrower, there is a need for a new
approach. Vertical greening systems are a way to address this challenge. However, green
walls and facades need be established and maintained with significant resources and
coordinated efforts. Thus, there exists an underexplored, popular, practical, and
affordable private VGS typology: green balconies and terraces. Many tools are available
to assess the impact of horizontal green spaces by measuring canopy cover. However,
none of these methods have been used to assess the canopies of potted ornamental plants
typically used on balconies. The tool to measure canopy contribution of green balconies
will need to be suitable in that it should accommodate for the scale and setting of these
private green spaces. Also, literature is also lacking regarding the contribution of green
balconies to residents’ wellbeing. Thus, this study aims to 1) measure the canopy
contributed by green balconies to explore their potential impact on the urban environment
2) understand why urban residents plant their balconies. The outcomes of this research
will contribute to the development of a citizen-science tool, a mobile phone application,
that will allow residents to understand their contribution to the neighborhood and city
after they upload information about their balcony plants. The first objective is reached
through the 3D reconstruction of balcony plants using iPhone 14 laser. The second
objective is reached through a thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with
residents who have planted or not their balconies. Our results show that Alpha Shape
reconstruction method obtained a more accurate volume, considering trickier variations
in plant structure. Also, 3D point clouds obtained from iPhone 14 laser are affected by
environmental and physical factors. The most contributing specie to urban greening is
Schefflera actinophylla with a CV = 0.5 m3. By extrapolating this result to a typical
building in Greater Beirut, Lebanon, the building contribution could be equivalent to 6
SUTE. The thematic analysis of the GB interviews deduced the following themes:
constraints to green balconies, mental well-being, environmental well-being. The
thematic analysis of the NGB interviews deduced the following themes: personal
constraints, contextual constraints and suggested drivers to plant balconies. The findings
of this study prove that green balconies have the potential to contribute to the urban
environment as much as small urban trees as well as to the mental well-being of urban
residents, by providing private visual and physical accessibility
Opportunities and Challenges to Develop and Implement Climate Change Policies: The Lebanon Case
Get PDFClimate change poses significant challenges to various sectors in Lebanon, particularly the water sector, where the absence of climate change considerations in policies and strategies leaves the sector vulnerable to climatic hazards. In response, the Ministry of Energy and Water updated its National Water Sector Strategy (NWSS) in 2022, aiming to address emerging challenges and enhance resilience.This thesis examines the extent to which climate change is integrated into policies, focusing on the mainstreaming of climate change within the updated NWSS 2020-2035. Additionally, it evaluates the evolution of policies and strategies from NWSS 2010 to NWSS 2020-2035, including climate strategies aimed at enhancing water management practices.
The study explores the opportunities and challenges associated with mainstreaming climate change in policy planning in Lebanon, categorizing them into three levels: individual, organizational, and enabling environment. By analyzing institutional barriers and opportunities, the research aims to identify key areas for improvement and propose recommendations to enhance climate resilience within the water sector. Furthermore, it provides insights into the role of policy integration and coordination in addressing climate change impacts effectively, aiming to foster a more resilient water sector in Lebanon amidst the challenges posed by climate change
Enhancing Interdisciplinary Team Dynamics to Ensure Effective Rapid Response in Critical Situations
No full textRapid response teams are initiatives created to enhance the safety of hospitalized patients experiencing rapid deterioration in their condition. These initiatives involve the identification of at-risk patients, immediate notification of a pre-trained response team, quick intervention by the response team, and continuous assessment and monitoring of the patient’s condition (DeVita et al., 2006). The initiation of rapid response is the responsibility of registered nurses, yet dependent on the utilization of a scoring system referred to as the Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS). MEWS serves as a straightforward bedside assessment tool, evaluating the patient's physiological condition through the assessment of six vital signs: heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, core body temperature, cognitive status, and urine output (Gardner-Thorpe et al., 2006). Multiple research findings indicate that the implementation of rapid response systems leads to positive outcomes in terms of patient morbidity and mortality (Al-Omari et al., 2019; Gong et al., 2020). However, the process of rapid response, like any complex healthcare system, is not without flaws and challenges. Miscommunication between medical-surgical nurses, intensive care nurses, and physicians during rapid response events is challenged, where communication failure is a leading cause of adverse events within the healthcare system (Dayton & Henriksen, 2007). Addressing these communication challenges is essential for patient safety, to improve the effectiveness of rapid response teams. Pursuing the above, it is essential to develop this project to improve communication between healthcare providers during an event.
At the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), the implementation of evidence-based practices to drive quality improvement and improve patient outcomes is fundamental for practicing health professionals and, more importantly, for nurses. Recognizing the importance of evidence-based practice in health care, this project aims to improve patient outcomes at AUBMC by addressing communication challenges and providing up-to-date knowledge and skills related to rapid response matters.
After gaining approval from the Clinical and Professional Development Center (CPDC) at the AUBMC, we will establish a multidisciplinary team comprising clinical nurse specialists, registered nurses, physicians, quality improvement personnel, and clinical educators. This team brings diverse perspectives and expertise to the educational initiative and will help disseminate the educational material.
The educational program will be designed to ensure that the rapid response team members have up-to-date knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential to enhance team dynamics and ensure effective communication between the designated members.
The timeline for the implementation of the project to enhance rapid response systems at AUBMC spans over 3 months. Beginning with project initiation and approval, the project progresses through phases such as team formation, revision of the available assessment tool, and development of an educational program. Implementation of the program, training, and evaluation follow, ensuring healthcare professionals acquire the knowledge and skills needed for effective rapid response.
Gagne’s instructional model (1985) will be used to guide the instructional process of this educational program, as this model targets five essential learning domains: content, intellectual skills, cognitive strategies, and psychomotor skills, such as physical assessment techniques and attitudes. The simulation will be integrated into the program to train health professionals on how to respond and communicate effectively during a rapid response scenario. A comprehensive literature review will be conducted to identify best practices and evidence-based approaches, thereby enhancing our daily practice. Evidence and insights gained from the search will be incorporated into the education plan.
Program evaluation ensues to include knowledge acquisition, practical application, and participants’ satisfaction with the program. Accordingly, the program will undergo assessments on several levels: initially, by measuring knowledge acquisition via simulated scenarios, followed by assessing the correct application by participants through mock codes, and finally evaluating participants’ satisfaction with the course material and instruction. Evaluating the implementation process of the updated rapid response will be done by direct observation from clinical nurse specialists, nurse managers, and nursing shift administrators during an actual event.
In conclusion, this project aims to enhance the efficiency of rapid response systems in healthcare, which plays a crucial role in safeguarding patients experiencing rapid clinical deterioration. Challenges related to communication persist, emphasizing the need for improvement. The project's goal is to improve team dynamics during rapid response events
Unraveling the Mechanism of Action of a Novel Anti-Epstein-Barr Virus Compound Extracted from Soil-Dwelling Bacteria
No full textIntroduction: Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is a member of the herpesvirus family that is also known as Human herpes virus 4 (HHV-4). EBV infects around 90% of the world population. It establishes latency, and hence indefinite infection, in memory B cells. Despite the innumerable approaches to develop potential vaccines and antiviral drugs, there are currently no available efficient ones to combat EBV. Therefore, our group investigated potential anti-viral natural products from soil-dwelling bacteria. We detected that QSB-12 C, a secondary metabolite produced by the QSB-12 bacterial strain, displayed effective anti-EBV activity with minimal cytotoxic effects. This was tested against an EBV-harboring virus producer cell line. The aim of the study at hand was therefore to establish de novo EBV infection in EBV negative cells to determine the mechanism of action of the novel anti-viral compound. We also aimed to scale up production of the compound for further testing.
Methods: We determined the Multiplicity of Infection (MOI) ratio, crucial for establishing de novo viral infection without compromising cellular viability, in the EBV- negative BC-3 cells cultured at varying EBV loads. Subsequently, the dynamics of EBV replication and latency were assessed through the temporal profiling of BZLF and LMP2A relative expression, the lytic and latency phase marker genes respectively. This was followed by a Time-of-Addition Assay (TOA) to elucidate the mechanism of action of QSB-12 C. Moreover, a scale-up fermentation process was employed to increase the yield of the active antiviral compound, with subsequent bio-guided fractionation through High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to isolate potent compounds. Genomic characterization through whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was conducted to identify biosynthetic gene clusters associated with antiviral activity. Finally, the antiviral screening assay involved testing fractions obtained after column chromatography (CC) for their efficacy against EBV in the EBV-harboring P3HR-1 cells, coupled with cytotoxicity assessment using the trypan blue exclusion assay.
Results: An MOI of 3.5 successfully established de novo EBV infection in BC-3 cells, yielding substantial viral replication while preserving cellular viability. Following infection, BZLF relative expression exhibited a gradual increase during the initial incubation hours, peaking notably at hour 5, coinciding with the highest observed levels of EBV genome copies in the cells and supernatants. This was followed by a progressive decrease beyond hour 6 in BZLF and EBV genome copy levels which was concomitant with a steady persistent increase in the LMP2A relative expression, indicative of a shift
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from active replication towards viral latency within the infected BC-3 cells. This enabled employment of the TOA demonstrating that QSB-12 C primarily targets post-entry stages, particularly impeding the genomic replication and biosynthesis processes. The efficacy of this antiviral activity surpassed that of acyclovir by approximately 4 folds with minimal cytotoxicity. WGS allowed identification of the QSB-12 isolate as a Microbacterium species with 99% similarity, closely related to Microbacterium foliorum and belonging to the Actinomycetes phylum harboring unique biosynthetic gene clusters. Scaled-up fermentation from this isolate yielded fractions with significant antiviral activity, notably the chloroform fraction with a 6-fold decrease in the EBV DNA copies compared to the PMA-induced DMSO-treated control with negligible cytotoxicity. The HPLC chromatogram displayed 12 pure compounds, prompting additional sub fractionation via CC. Subsequent testing identified 3 subfractions, B, C and D with significant EBV inhibition without inducing cytotoxicity.
Conclusion: Altogether, the results underscore the potential of QSB-12 C as an effective antiviral agent against EBV, offering a promising avenue for further exploration in therapeutic development
Perceived Racial Discrimination and Health Outcomes in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2022 US Study
No full textBackground: Research has highlighted significant health disparities between Black Americans and their White counterparts in the U.S., attributing to racism and racial discrimination a variety of adverse health outcomes. Prior studies have linked perceived discrimination and elevated risks of cardiovascular diseases, psychological distress, and reduced cognitive function, among other conditions, with a particular focus on specific populations such as African Americans and Black women. To address this gap in understanding the effects of racism and racial discrimination on the broader U.S. population, our study aims to explore the relationship between perceived race-related discrimination—both emotional and physical—and seven health outcomes: Diabetes, Heart Attack, Asthma, Arthritis, Depression, Cognitive Decline, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), across a diverse demographic, irrespective of color or race.
Methods: In our cross-sectional study, we utilized Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data in 2022, to investigate the association between perceived race-related discrimination and a range of health outcomes among U.S. adults. The study focused on adults aged 18 and above, with cognitive decline assessed in individuals aged 45 and above, across a dataset of 445,132 records. We specifically analyzed four indicators for "Reactions to Race”, which encompassed experiences of racial treatment in general, at work, in healthcare settings, and physical symptoms resulting from race-related treatment. We also used a new predictor “Racism”, generated as a summative measure of the four aforementioned indicators of Reactions to Race. All these indicators were recoded as binary variables and their associations with our seven health outcomes were thoroughly examined. Frequency distribution and weighted percentages for these outcomes and predictors, alongside weighted logistic regression models were reported and employed, thereby providing insights into the broader implications of race-related discrimination on health outcomes within the general U.S. population.
Results: Our weighted adjusted analysis revealed significant associations between perceived racial discrimination (Racism) and increased odds of several health conditions, including Diabetes (OR= 1.686; 95% CI: 1.260-2.257, p < 0.001), Heart Attack (OR = 1.802; 95% CI: 1.261-2.575, p = 0.001), Asthma (OR = 1.396; 95% CI: 1.136-1.715, p = 0.001), Arthritis (OR = 1.365; 95% CI: 1.093-1.706, p = 0.006), Depression (OR = 1.504; 95% CI: 1.165-1.943, p = 0.002), Cognitive Decline (OR = 1.614; 95% CI: 1.014-2.569, p = 0.004), and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (OR = 1.692; 95% CI: 1.305-2.257). However, when examining the relationship between each of the indicators of Reactions to Race and health outcomes individually, the adjusted associations were not uniformly significant. Notably, significant relationships were identified between racial disparity in the workplace and Depression, Inferior Healthcare Experiences compared to other Races and Cognitive Decline, and Physical Symptoms Related to Race-based Treatment and health conditions such as Diabetes, Heart Attack, Arthritis, Depression, Cognitive Decline, and COPD. These results suggest that the impact of racial discrimination on health is multifaceted, with specific factors linked to particular outcomes. Additionally, our findings indicated that individuals who are financially secure and perceive themselves as well-supported may encounter or perceive less racial discrimination.
Conclusion: This study highlights the associations between perceived racial discrimination and adverse health outcomes, stressing the need for actions to eliminate racism. It calls for health equity promotion, mental health interventions, and equitable healthcare practices to reduce health disparities. Advocating for a collaborative approach among policymakers, healthcare systems, and communities, the findings emphasize a multi-layered strategy for fostering a healthier, more inclusive society for all
Intrinsic Properties of Basal-Ganglia Projecting Neurons Modulate the Spectro-Temporal Features of Zebra Finches’ Vocalizations
Get PDFWhile synaptic plasticity is widely recognized as the primary mechanism for information processing and storage in the brain, intrinsic plasticity represents another critical neural mechanism. The type and magnitude of ion currents expressed by a neuron significantly influence the number, timing, and patterns of action potentials generated in response to specific inputs, thereby shaping the neuron’s role in network dynamics. Despite their fundamental importance, the role of non-synaptic mechanisms in memory and learning remains poorly understood. The birdsong system has emerged as a prominent model for investigating the neural mechanisms that underlie vocal production and learning. However, the translation of neural impulses into precise motor behaviors governing the spectral and temporal features of the complex songs is still not well characterized. Cortical nucleus High Vocal Center (HVC) in songbirds plays a crucial role in song learning and production and is comprised of three major neuronal populations that have distinct anatomical and electrophysiological properties. One class of HVC neurons is the basal ganglia projecting neurons (HVCX), which are known to play crucial roles in motor control and learning, yet their specific contributions to the production of intricate vocalizations in songbirds remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the intrinsic properties of HVCX neurons and the spectro-temporal features of adult zebra finch vocalizations. Utilizing electrophysiological and mathematical modeling techniques combined with acoustic analysis of zebra finch songs, we first recorded the neural activity from a large set of HVCX neurons while simultaneously monitoring the birds' vocal output. We then constructed a mathematical model that replicates the firing patterns of HVCX neurons by varying the maximal conductances of the underlying ionic currents. Consistent with
recent electrophysiological results that showed a consistent pattern of homogeneity of HVCX intrinsic properties within individual adult birds and heterogeneity across birds, our mathematical model simulations indicated similar magnitudes in two principal ion currents that govern these neurons firing patterns, the Ca2+ - dependent K+ (SK) current
and the transient Na+ current. Strikingly, when we extracted the spectro-temporal features for the songs of each bird, we found a strong correlation between the 2D conductance space and the spectro-temporal space mapped by the mean pitch and the mean amplitude features. Our results demonstrate an explicit link between neuronal intrinsic properties and learned behavior and represent a shift from a solely synaptic focused perspective of learning to a more cellular-focused perspective. These results indicate that investigating the interdependent links between the synaptic and intrinsic properties governing neuronal dynamics will yield valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying birdsong learning
Beyond the Logics of Identity Politics: Voting Behavior in Lebanon’s 2018 Elections
Get PDFDue to the overriding presence of identity politics in the Lebanese context, analyses of
voting behavior have focused on sectarian cleavages and clientelistic practices as the main determinants that shape the voting choice, often overshadowing other important dynamics at hand. To better grasp why the Lebanese masses follow and reproduce the sectarian political elites beyond essentializing arguments that consider Lebanese citizens struck by the “herd effect”, this thesis presents a nuanced understanding of voting behavior in Lebanon’s 2018 parliamentary elections, with a focus on Beirut I and II electoral districts. Based on raw data from the 2018 election results as well as semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted with 21 voters, this thesis contends that understanding co-ethnic voting from a socio-political lens, rather than a sectarian one, can help us make better sense of Lebanon’s polarized politics. Looking at the apolitical discourse advanced by civil society voters, this thesis argues that the political is once again being buried alive in the context of an all-out rejection of politics by the anti-establishment voters. Finally, this thesis explores the intersectional ways through which sect, kinship, class, gender, geography, and milieu, among other social factors, mutually influence and shape individual’s complex identities, and thus in turn, their political behaviors
Involvement of Epstein-Barr Virus and Endosomal Toll-Like Receptors in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
No full textEpstein-Barr virus (EBV), a Herpesviridae family member, is associated with an increased risk of autoimmune disease development in the host. We previously demonstrated that EBV DNA elevates levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17A and that inhibiting Toll-like receptor (TLR) 3, 7, or 9 reduces its levels. Moreover, this DNA exacerbated colitis in a mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In the study at hand, we examined whether inhibition of TLR3, 7 or 9 alleviates this exacerbation. Mice were fed 1.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) water and administered EBV DNA. Then they were treated with a TLR3, 7 or 9 inhibitor or left untreated. We also assessed the additive impact of combined inhibition of all three receptors. Mice that received DSS, EBV DNA and each inhibitor alone, or a combination of inhibitors, showed significant improvement. They also had a decrease in the numbers of the pathogenic colonic IL-17A+IFN-γ+ foci. Inhibition of all three endosomal TLR receptors offered no additive benefit over administering a single inhibitor. Therefore, inhibition of endosomal TLRs reduces EBV DNA exacerbation of mouse colitis, offering a potential approach for managing IBD patients infected with EBV
Optimizing Wearable Bioimpedance for Enhanced Continuous Physiological Monitoring: A Comprehensive Analysis of Measurement Techniques and Predictive Capabilities
Get PDFBioimpedance (BioZ) is a versatile, safe, and non-invasive technique with significant potential across various biomedical applications, including cardiovascular health monitoring and muscle function assessment. This work investigates BioZ measurement approaches by exploring the effects of key factors such as signal frequency, electrode type, contact pressure, and measurement location. Through systematic variation of these parameters, we assess their impact on the reliability and stability of BioZ readings at both the wrist and forearm. The findings demonstrate that high-frequency BioZ measurements at the forearm show significant promise, and the choice of electrode material plays a crucial role in signal stability. Additionally, machine learning techniques were employed to predict hand grip strength (HGS), an established indicator of cardiovascular health, using BioZ data. The inclusion of other physiological health parameters in the measurement setup further enhanced the predictive model. Results indicate that combining wrist and forearm measurements improves prediction accuracy, with forearm-specific measurements showing a stronger correlation with HGS. This research not only establishes optimized protocols for BioZ measurement but also underscores its potential in wearable health monitoring systems. The findings support the broader application of BioZ in wearable biosensors, contributing to advancements in personalized healthcare and continuous physiological monitoring