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Triglyceride to High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio and its Association with Body Composition, Anthropometric, and Dietary Factors in a Sample of Lebanese Adolescents
No full textThe rising prevalence of pediatric and adolescent obesity in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has led to an increase in metabolic abnormalities, with insulin resistance (IR) being a key precursor to long-term health complications. While early IR detection is crucial, conventional diagnostic methods are often invasive and costly. The triglyceride-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio has emerged as a simple and accessible alternative biomarker for IR, yet its clinical significance amongst adolescents in the MENA region remains unexplored.
This cross-sectional study aimed at assessing the TG/HDL-C ratio in Lebanese adolescents (n=114; 15–18 years old), and examining its associations with anthropometric parameters, body composition, and dietary factors while proposing a TG/HDL-C cut-off value for predicting the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Anthropometric and body composition characteristics were measured at the department of Nutrition and Food Sciences (AUB), dietary intakes were assessed using the 24-hour recall approach, and fasting blood samples were obtained and analyzed for lipid profiles and glucose levels. The TG/HDL-C ratio was calculated, and MetS was diagnosed using the harmonized IDF definition. Elevated TG/HDL-C ratio was defined using two approaches, as follows: 1) TG/HDL-C ratio above the median; and 2) TG/HDL-C ratio above a previously published cut-off of 2.2. Regression analyses were conducted to examine the association of elevated TG/HDL-C with anthropometric, metabolic, and dietary factors.
Mean TG/HDL-C ratio was 1.61 ± 1.004, with a median of 1.324 (interquartile range: 1.07), and a range of 0.42 to 6.17 mg/dl. Results showed that an elevated TG/HDL-C ratio, a marker of IR, was significantly associated with BMI, body composition (FM, FMI, and %BF), WC, WHtR, and MUAC, but not with CC or dietary intakes. Obese participants had 4-5 times higher odds of having an elevated TG/HDL-C ratio based on both approach 1 and 2, respectively, after adjusting for potential confounders (OR= 4.001; 95%CI: 1.340-11.943 and OR= 5.575; 95% CI: 1.668-18.628, respectively). Similarly, central adiposity, as assessed by WC, was associated with approximately five times higher odds of having an elevated TG/HDL-C ratio based on approach 1, and after adjusting for confounders (OR= 5.145; 95%CI: 1.664-15.908). In addition, using both approaches 1 and 2, higher FM (OR = 1.063; 95% CI: 1.016-1.112 and OR = 1.049; 95% CI: 1.006-1.095, respectively), FMI (OR = 1.189; 95% CI: 1.044-1.354 and OR = 1.178; 95% CI:1.037-1.377, respectively), and %BF (OR = 1.050; 95% CI: 1.003-1.101 and OR = 1.072; 95% CI: 1.011-1.136, respectively) were all associated with higher odds of having an elevated TG/HDL ratio. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis identified a TG/HDL-C cut-off of 1.75 for predicting MetS, with 71.4% sensitivity, 71.67% specificity, and an AUC of 0.77 (95% CI: 0.48–0.96; p = 0.06). Adolescents exceeding this threshold had a 6.3-fold higher risk of MetS.
These findings highlight the TG/HDL-C ratio as a cost-effective and reliable marker for metabolic risk assessment, with potential applications in routine screening. Several anthropometric indicators were found to be significantly associated with an elevated TG/HDL ratio, highlighting the importance of such measurements in both clinical and public health practice. Future large-scale studies are needed to validate these results and refine screening strategies
Gut Diversity Atlas: Comparative Analysis of Healthy Gut Microbiota in the Lebanese Population
No full textIntroduction: The gut microbiota is a complex community of microorganisms residing primarily in the intestines. It functions as a pseudo-endocrine organ and plays a major role in both health and disease. To better understand its contribution to human health, this study characterizes the gut microbial composition of the healthy Lebanese population—a cohort that remains largely unexplored. Establishing a baseline profile of gut microbial diversity and composition will allow for future comparisons with both healthy individuals from other populations and those affected by diseases.
This study employed both culturomics and metagenomics. Culturomics enabled the isolation of bacterial strains, including fastidious or low-abundance organisms that are often undetectable by sequencing. Metagenomics provided a comprehensive overview of microbial community structure and taxonomic composition.
Methods: Stool samples were collected from healthy Lebanese adults and preserved at −80°C. Gut microbiota profiling was performed using metagenomics and culturomics. Metagenomic sequencing was conducted using Oxford Nanopore (16S full-length) and Illumina MiSeq (V3–V4 region) platforms. Bioinformatic analysis included quality control, taxonomic classification, and diversity assessments. Culturomics was used to isolate diverse bacterial strains through serial dilution and anaerobic culturing on various selective media.
Background: Over the last decade, the importance of the gut microbiota in human health and disease has increased. The gut microbiota is composed of trillions of microorganisms. It has multiple roles ranging from the generation of vitamins and short chain fatty acids, bioconversion of nutrients, maintenance of the gut barrier integrity and providing protection against pathogenic microbes amongst other roles. There are numerous factors that interplay together to influence the composition of our gut, including our diet, genetics, age, mode of delivery at birth and usage of medications, especially antibiotics. Alterations in the normal composition of our gut is known as dysbiosis. Dysbiotic states have been shown to contribute to the pathophysiology and prognosis of numerous diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease or colorectal cancer.
The gut microbiota of the Lebanese population remains underexplored, with limited data in the current literature. The Lebanese population is a highly diverse group of people coming from different backgrounds, enjoying different lifestyles and having different dietary intakes. This diversity underscores the importance of studying the gut microbial composition and classification in order to highlight its importance in our health, and to investigate dysbiosis and its potential contribution to the pathophysiology of various diseases.
Aim:
• Molecular description of the gut microbiota of the healthy Lebanese population using two different platforms (Nanopore and Illumina)
• Creation of a strain collection bank (SCB) of bacteria isolated from the stool samples of healthy donors. This SCB will serve bacterio-therapy development for targeted diseases.
• Create a baseline reference of the gut microbial composition and diversity that will be used for comparisons with other populations and disease cohorts, as well as for future studies. Conclusion: This study provides the first in-depth characterization of the healthy Lebanese gut microbiota using both metagenomics and culturomics. Across samples, Bacillota emerged as the dominant phylum, with genera such as Faecalibacterium, Blautia, and Ruminococcoides consistently abundant. Culturomics enabled the isolation of 726 bacterial strains, including potentially novel species, enriching our local microbial library. Notably, metagenomic comparison between Oxford Nanopore and Illumina platforms revealed differences in taxonomic resolution and detection of low-abundance taxa. These findings establish a foundational gut diversity reference for the Lebanese population and support future development of targeted bacteriotherapies.
From Terra Nullius to Ethno-Public Land: Market Dependence and the Dispossession of Palestinian Bedouins
No full textThis thesis examines how the Israeli state restructures land relations in the Naqab through the Dead Negev Doctrine; a legal and discursive framework, employing colonial narratives and redemption myths to reclassify vast territories historically inhabited by Palestinian Bedouins as mawat, creating a localized iteration of terra nullius, understood as empty and uncultivated land. Drawing on Ellen Meiksins Wood’s Political Marxist framework of capitalism as a system of social-property relations rooted in market dependence, the thesis situates the doctrine within a broader settler-colonial and capitalist project. Rather than relying on classical privatization, Israel enforces dispossession and market dependence through a racialized system of public land management – an ethno-public land regime – as a flexible instrument of colonial capitalist power and intersection.
The analysis traces the historical evolution of land law from Ottoman and British precedents to Israeli legal innovations that invalidate communal landholding. The thesis shows how Zionist legal and planning institutions function as state-capitalist mechanisms to expropriate Bedouin lands, displace Indigenous communities, and facilitate Jewish settlement under the banner of public ownership and development. This regime recasts Bedouin ecological practices and kin-based governance as illegality or inefficiency, dismantling the non-market basis of Bedouin autonomy and forcing integration into wage labor, welfare dependence, and urban peripheries.
By examining these dynamics through a historical materialist lens, the thesis demonstrates that Israeli settler colonialism is not merely a nationalist or demographic project but a capitalist one, transforming land relations to produce a dependent, proletarianized Indigenous population without conferring property rights. It argues that the Dead Negev Doctrine is not an anomaly, but a contemporary expression of primitive accumulation and capitalist enclosure, mediated by legal abstractions, racialized public institutions, and planning regimes. The study contributes to broader debates on settler colonialism, and the political economy of dispossession, offering a historically grounded framework to understand how colonial legal structures can be mobilized to create capitalist outcomes in the absence of private property
Characterization and Host Phage Interaction Analysis of Two Lytic Bacteriophages Targeting Anti-Microbial Resistant Escherichia coli
No full textBackground: Antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli (E. coli), represents a significant and growing public health threat, driven not only by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics but also aggravated by environmental factors such as pollution and insufficient wastewater treatment systems. This current situation highlights the urgent need for alternatives to antibiotics, particularly natural ones like bacteriophages, to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study reports the characterization of two lytic bacteriophages, EPIMAM01 (gb:PQ493298) and EPIMRB01 (gb:PQ657784), from untreated sewage in Beirut, Lebanon.
Methods: Isolated phages characterized by their bacteriolytic activity, their latency period and burst size determined by a one-step growth assay, their ability to clear bacterial biofilm post-formation, and their stability under different temperatures and pH values, alongside phage sequencing to identify the phage whole genome. We also demonstrated a genomic-driven approach to predict the phage-host susceptibility of the lytic phages EPIMAM01 and EPIMRB01 using a supervised machine learning model employing logistic regression. The model aims to identify E. coli strains susceptible to each phage, ensuring effective and targeted treatment.
Results: Both phages exhibited potent activity against E. coli ATCC 25922. One-step growth curve analysis revealed a relatively short latent period for both phages, with a high burst size for both phages. Stability tests demonstrated optimal viability at pH 7 and temperatures up to 50°C. In bacteriolytic assays, both phages exhibited dose-dependent E. coli lysis, with EPIMAM01 showing faster and more sustained lytic activity compared to EPIMRB01. Interestingly, while EPIMRB01 effectively disrupted mature biofilms, EPIMAM01 displayed no efficacy in this regard. Whole-genome sequencing classified both phages within the Myoviridae family and revealed the absence of lysogeny, virulence, or antimicrobial resistance genes, reinforcing their suitability for therapeutic applications. These complementary characteristics highlight the potential of EPIMAM01 and EPIMRB01 as a synergistic therapeutic duo, combining the high virulence of EPIMAM01 with the biofilm-clearing capacity of EPIMRB01. Host range analysis confirmed the phages’ virulence against clinical E. coli isolates, with efficacy-of-plating (EOP) values supporting their classification as highly virulent. A logistic regression analysis of bacterial genes influencing bacterial susceptibility to both phages identified yfcS_1, yfcS_2, mboIIM, repB and vgrG1as both susceptibility-enhancing and resistance-conferring features when modeling host–phage interactions.
Conclusion: These findings underscore the potential of EPIMAM01 and EPIMRB01 lytic bacteriophages as natural alternatives to mitigate AMR in E. coli, particularly in regions with a high prevalence of multidrug-resistant strains
Optimal Design and Feasibility Study of Utility-Scale Solar Power Plants in Lebanon
No full textLebanon’s crisis in 2019 has led to a near collapse of its energy sector, leaving the population to rely on private diesel generators and decentralized solar PV systems to meet the basic electricity needs. However, these temporary solutions are unsustainable in the long term, especially without a regulatory framework or incentives to support the development of a reliable, secure, and diversified energy sector. There is an urgent need to explore cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions that align with Lebanon’s commitments under the Paris Agreement. Henceforth, it is essential to perform a comprehensive evaluation of the feasibility and impact of utility-scale solar PV and CSP power plant deployment given Lebanon’s high solar potential. This study aims at identifying the most promising sites for utility-scale solar power plants in Lebanon for future development, while predicting the electrical yield and cost of generating electricity of at the chosen site. A comparative analysis will be performed between a solar PV farm with BESS and parabolic trough and power tower CSP power plants using molten salt as HTF. The technical performance and cost of the systems modeled will be evaluated, using the following criteria: system efficiency, annual electrical yield, and levelized cost of electricity. The proposed plants have been designed with the same nameplate capacity of 50MW.
A comprehensive feasibility analysis was conducted using SAM by NREL. After performing parametric analysis and optimization of the modeled CSP plants, results showed that the performance of the power tower system is maximized at SM of 2.6 and 13h TES, while the parabolic trough system performs best with an SM of 2.4 and 6h TES. The technical and economic comparison of the optimized CSP plants and the solar PV farm with 8h BESS showed that the power tower CSP plant generates the highest annual energy generation (241.8GWh) with a capacity utilization factor of 55.21%. However, the PV farm had the highest solar to electric efficiency at 22.82% and the lowest required land area of 203 acres among the proposed power plants. Economically, the power tower CSP plant had the lowest LCOE at 14.85cents/kWh, with the parabolic trough power plant and PV farm following (18.81 cents/kWh and 26.98 cents/kWh respectively). Lastly, this study shows that the selection of the optimal solar power plant in Lebanon depends on priorities set by the government, investors, and policy makers. Moreover, this study provides useful guidelines for policymakers and investors and facilitates the transition towards a more sustainable and diverse energy sector in Lebanon
Energy Harvesting From 5G Using Reshaped Grid Antenna Arrays
No full textThe Internet of Things (IoT) connects physical devices, vehicles, household appliances, and other objects through embedded electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and network connectivity, enabling them to communicate and exchange data. This interconnected ecosystem has revolutionized industries ranging from smart homes and wearable technology to healthcare and manufacturing. However, the rapid expansion of IoT devices has introduced significant challenges, particularly in terms of energy consumption.
To address this issue, energy harvesting systems have been explored as a viable solution. These systems capture ambient energy from sources such as solar, thermal, vibrational, and radio frequency (RF) environments to power IoT devices sustainably.
This thesis focuses on harnessing the high data transfer capabilities of 5G mm-wave networks to optimize energy harvesting for IoT applications. A redesigned grid antenna array was developed, leading to a new antenna theory aimed at enhancing both performance and energy harvesting efficiency. A circularly polarized grid array antenna was designed, achieving a gain of 13.8 dBic across a broad frequency range (28.4–33.4 GHz).
To further improve efficiency, a new approach called "Octa Sequential Rotation" was proposed. Unlike traditional sequential rotation methods, this technique uses only eight antennas instead of sixteen, resulting in better gain performance and a more compact design. The implementation of this approach requires an 8-port feeding network, offering significant advantages over conventional designs, which typically require five separate 4-port networks.
In addition, a high-efficiency rectifier was designed to complement the antenna system. Operating between 28 GHz and 33 GHz, the rectifier achieves an efficiency of 30% at an input power of 20 dBm. It plays a crucial role in converting captured RF energy into usable DC power, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the energy harvesting system.
By combining circularly polarized antenna design, 5G network utilization, and efficient RF-to-DC conversion, this thesis offers a promising solution to the energy challenges faced by IoT devices. The developed system lays the groundwork for more sustainable and autonomous IoT ecosystems
Lebanon’s Drug Shortage Between Structural and Circumstantial
No full textProject. M.A.P.P.I.A. American University of Beirut. Department of Political Studies and Public Administration, 2025.This study explores the 2019 drug shortage in Lebanon by examining its structural and circumstantial causes through a qualitative, multi-source methodology. While international organization reports and academic literature attribute the crisis to economic collapse, foreign currency shortages, hoarding, and the COVID-19 pandemic, this
research highlights deeper systemic issues, notably monopolistic practices by pharmaceutical importers. Termed the "drug cartel," these entities control a significant share of the Lebanese drug market and have long operated with political backing. The study evaluates the impact of the Ministry of Public Health’s Resolution 119/2020 and
its amendments, which introduced a formula-based pricing system designed to increase fairness and transparency. Using case studies of five drugs, the research traces their pricing and supply chains, comparing local public prices to those in their countries of origin. Despite official pricing reforms, importers consistently refused to disclose procurement prices, pointing to ongoing opacity. While the reforms led to price reductions, questions remain about the
motives behind these changes and whether they reflect regulatory success or strategic pricing by manufacturers to maintain market dominance. Ultimately, this project calls for further research into price transparency and cartel influence to better understand and
address Lebanon’s pharmaceutical vulnerabilities
The mediating role of mental health treatment engagement on sociodemographic factors and treatment outcomes: A cross-sectional study using secondary real-world data in Lebanon
No full textSociodemographic factors impact individuals’ engagement in psychotherapy services. Engagement in turn influences treatment outcomes of psychotherapy. Research has previously defined engagement in therapy as being related to attending sessions or duration of treatment and has explored predictors of dropout. To our knowledge, no study has combined all these definitions to encompass a broader definition of engagement in psychotherapy. Previous research has also examined a variety of factors that influence engagement in psychotherapy such as demographic factors, education, employment, and therapist effects. This study derived its data from International Medical Corps (IMC), an NGO which provides free mental health services across primary health care centers (PHCCs) across Lebanon. In this secondary analysis, data on age, sex, marital status, nationality, and disability was explored. This cross-sectional study also explored engagement in psychotherapy as a mediator between sociodemographic factors and treatment success using PROCESS Macro Model 4. Results showed that sociodemographic factors predicted better engagement differently, and only marital status, disability, and nationality predicted treatment outcomes. Engagement partially predicted treatment outcomes and mediated the relationship between age, nationality, and disability with treatment outcomes. Further research is needed for more conclusive findings
Arab Art Audiences – Case Study at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art
Full text linkThis thesis explores the dynamics between Arab art and audiences, focusing on Mathaf:
Arab Museum of Modern Art in Qatar and its temporary exhibitions. Beginning with a
personal narrative that encapsulates my deep-rooted passion for Arab art, the work
reflects on the intersection of identity and culture in the context of Arab artistic
expressions within Arab art institutions. My initial outreach to acquaintances in Qatar
revealed a surprising disconnect between the local Arab community and their awareness
of Arab art history, a phenomenon I attribute to broader educational and cultural gaps.
Through a phenomenological lens, the research investigates how personal, cultural, and
institutional factors contribute to the perceived disinterest in local art.
Despite the rich tapestry of Arab art as validated by scholars, many in the community
remain largely unaware of significant artists and movements, often favoring familiar
Western counterparts. Through repeated visits to Mathaf, I document my evolving
understanding and appreciation of the relationship between visitors and the museum’s
exhibition processes, culminating in a critical reflection on the role of museums as
cultural intermediaries. The thesis posits that the process of engaging with Arab art is not
simply about fostering a sense of Arab identity but involves navigating complex layers
of history, locality, and personal experience. Ultimately, this project serves as both an
inquiry into audience engagement and a call to action for deeper cultural recognition of
audiences in Arab art institutions
Effect of Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) and Oregano (Origanum majorana L.) Essential Oils on Resistant Escherichia coli in Milk
No full textWith the increasing resistance of Escherichia coli, a natural alternative to harsh treatments and chemicals is necessary to inhibit or eliminate such bacteria. Therefore, the aim of this study was to study the antibacterial effect of Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) and Oregano (Origanum majorana L.) essential oils, BEO and OEO, were examined against resistant isolates of E. coli in milk. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of each EO was determined where different concentrations of OEO and BEO were used respectively, (1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, and 3%) and (2.5%, 3%, 3.5%, and 4%). Also, the concentration before the MICs of each EO was combined with heat, treated at 65°C for 30mins to test the effectiveness of the combination on the E. coli isolates. Lastly, the shelf life of the milk was tested with presence and absence of the EOs in room temperature (21-22°C) and refrigerated temperature (4°C) and samples were plated and enumerated for Total Bacterial Count (TBC) for 27 days. The MIC/MBC results were as follows: 2% for OEO and 3% for BEO, respectively. The combination of heat and EOs significantly inhibited the bacterial isolates. Also, the shelf life, where both EOs extended the shelf life of the milk at both storage temperatures. Both EOs showed significant antibacterial effect against the different E. coli isolates, where also upon combining the EOs with heat, the bacteria were completely inhibited. This shows that natural preservation of food using essential oils is an imperative preservation method that can be used in the food industry where further research and studies are necessary to be done on the effect of such EOs on the quality of the food