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Unveiling Media Implications: Examining Change in State-Citizen Dynamics During the Lebanese 2019 October Protests
Get PDFIn 2019, Lebanon witnessed a pivotal moment in its history as a series of protests erupted in the name of reform, expressing widespread discontent with corruption, economic instability, and sectarianism, and eventually led to a shift in Lebanese political, social, and economic perceptions. Media played an essential role in the uprisings, simultaneously shaping the dynamics between the state and the citizens. As mainstream media dominate the discourse, alternative media emerged as a powerful tool in amplifying citizens' voices, fostering a sense of unity, and challenging existing power structures. This study investigates the multifaceted ways in which media narratives influenced state-citizen relationships, from promoting transparency and accountability to navigating challenges such as misinformation and polarization. Employing qualitative methodology alongside content analysis as the method within the qualitative framework will allow to investigate how did the October protests challenge state-citizen relationships from a freedom of speech perspective. The research aims to investigate how media discourse in Lebanese society was re-ignited with the October 17 protests providing a comprehensive overview of the October protests and their transformative impact on Lebanon's socio-political landscape through the lens of media dynamics
Sarah's Big Adventure
No full textA children's book, created by AUB students from the Education Department, for the course EDUC218 as a final project.This is a story about a young girl named Sarah who faces an issue at school with her peers and is able to overcome it by the help of her sister and mother
Personhood and Artificial Intelligence: A Non-Binary Approach
No full textThe rise of artificial intelligence (AI), especially personal assistants and social robots, has prompted renewed interest in whether machines can be considered persons. However, this question remains highly contested, with significant ethical, legal, and
philosophical implications for developing and using these technologies. This thesis
explores how the notion of degrees of personhood can help us rethink our relations with
artificial intelligence, mainly social robots and personal assistants, and consider them as
persons. In this context, this thesis seeks to provide fresh perspectives by adopting a
non-binary notion of personhood, shedding new light on our perceptions of artificially
intelligent social robots and personal assistants, and ultimately arguing for their
recognition as non-human persons, which will prompt us to allocate degrees of moral
consideration to different entities around us, not only humans
Post-Fire Response of Partially Restrained Connections: Methodology and Application on Top and Seat Angles
No full textThe post-fire response of partially restrained steel connections is characterized by the
reduction in strength after exposure to a full heating-cooling cycle of a fire event. This
reduction in strength constitutes one of the crucial factors in assessing the structural
performance of partially restrained steel connections post-fire exposure. This study
proposes a methodology for investigating the post-fire response of bolted top and seat
angle connections, which are widely used in steel buildings. To achieve this, finite
element (FE) models are developed in ABAQUS. The methodology consists of, first, the
development of FE beam-to-column connection designed to survive a fire event. The
outcome is to compute the post-fire thermal axial forces while varying different geometric
and load parameters that impact the behavior. Second, the computed post-fire thermal
axial force, along with the post-fire mechanical properties, are both used in developing
FE component connection models, which are then subjected to loading until failure.
The results show that after a fire event, the load-bearing capacity of the top and seat angle
connection decreases with higher fire temperatures. The decrease in connection capacity
ranges from 30% to 87% of its initial strength after exposure to post-fire temperatures
ranging from 200℃ to 500℃, respectively.
This methodology represents a significant step in assessing the remaining capacity of
steel connections post-fire and offers preliminary data to support the development of
design guidelines, offering engineers guidance on assessing the need for replacement or
repair of structural members after a fire event. Further experimental work is
recommended to investigate different connection configurations, in order to gain a better
understanding of the percentage reduction in capacity for this type of connection
Repeated 24 Hour Dietary Recalls for the Assessment of Energy and Added Sugar Intakes: Methodological Considerations
No full textNon-communicable diseases (NCDs) pose a growing global health challenge, with Lebanon experiencing a high NCD-related mortality rate of 83%. The pivotal role of diet, such as excessive intakes of energy, fats, salt, and added sugar (AS), has been established by several studies as a major contributor to this public health crisis. It is therefore imperative to have proper ways of assessing dietary intakes at the population level. The limited availability of food composition databases (such as for AS) and the challenges associated with certain dietary assessment methods further complicate dietary assessment strategies.
This study uses four repeated 24-hour dietary recalls (24 HRs), with the aim of assessing dietary energy intakes (EI) in a sample of Lebanese adults, comparing EI estimates to total energy expenditure (TEE) based on indirect calorimetry and physical activity (PA) assessment, and determining AS intake. Another objective is to evaluate the consistency of the four 24 HRs in terms of energy, macronutrients, and AS intakes, and to compare energy estimates generated by four vs. two 24 HRs. This will allow us to evaluate whether four 24 HRs are needed, or if two non-consecutive 24 HRs would be sufficient to assess the participants’ dietary intakes.
Conducted as an observational study on a convenience sample of 77 participants from AUB, the research spanned over a 4-week timeframe for each participant. Assessments included four repeated 24 HRs (including one weekend day), completion of forms and questionnaires, PA assessment using the IPAQ, as well as BMR and anthropometric measurements. Analysis of the four 24 HRs was done using the Nutritionist Pro (NutriPro) software (version 7.1.0, 2019, Nutritionist Pro, Axxya Systems, USA) to estimate energy and macronutrients’ intakes, while AS intake was determined using the 10-step approach published by Louie et al (given that comprehensive information on AS content is not available in the food composition database). Subsequent data analysis was conducted using SPSS.
Results showed that average EI was 2260.91 ± 875.073 kcal/day for the total population, 2690.026 ± 831.94 kcal/day for males, and 1670.88 ± 521.404 kcal/day for females. As for TEE, it was estimated at 2560.26 ± 676.61 kcal/day for the total population, 2926.73 ± 1100.98 kcal/day for males, and 2198.4 ± 427.26 kcal/day for females. AS sugar intake was estimated at 43.9 ± 27.32 g/day for the total population, 49.066 ± 29.093 g/day for males, and 36.8 ± 23.28 g/day for females, representing 7.83% of EI in the total population, 7.14% in men and 8.79% in women.
Data showed that when comparing the four different 24HRs, there was no significant difference in EI, AS or macronutrient intakes between the days. Similarly, no significant difference was observed when comparing two vs. four 24 HRs in terms of energy, macronutrients and AS intakes. Although there was a significant moderate correlation between EI and TEE (spearman correlation = 0.37), there was a significant mean difference between EI and TEE in women (-527.52 ± 641.52 kcal/day), individuals who have completed high school level education nor higher (-402.2 ± 1094.83 kcal/day), and individuals with a higher BMI (-707.94 ± 1208.78 kcal/day). Multiple linear regression was conducted to examine the predictors of the mean difference (EI-TEE). Results showed that only BMI remained significantly associated with the difference between EI and TEE [beta (95% CI): -869.18 (-1476.35; -262.02)] after the adjustment for other confounders, with 71.9% of people with high BMI having EI<TEE.
These study findings showed a consistency in the reporting of dietary recalls across four different days distributed along a month period, and suggest that two repeated recalls may be sufficient for the assessment of dietary intake in Lebanese adults. This was observed for total EI, macronutrient intakes as well as AS intake. Only BMI was identified as a significant predictor of the mean difference between EI and TEE in the study sample - a finding that has been reported by several previous studies conducted in other parts of the world. Larger and longer studies are needed to further confirm the results of this study
The Golden Ass and The Hundred and One Nights
No full textIn Metamorphoses better known as The Golden Ass, Apuleius narrates the transformation of Lucius into an ass and composes his work by compiling a string of tales. Apuleius intricately weaves popular tales in his narrative. Lucius is the narrator through whom the different tales are introduced: the tales are either witnessed by Lucius or are transmitted through what he has heard in his journey. Yet, the embedded stories and the frame story entwine together to create an oscillating relationship that punctuates and reflects the various narrative techniques, themes, subjects, messages and even philosophical approaches Apuleius aims to address in his narrative.
Mi’at laylah wa-laylah or One Hundred and One Nights is a collection of tales whose motifs and themes are drawn out of various cultures. This book opens with Shaykh Fihras, a philosopher who was called out to the court of King Darim to narrate the tales of The Hundred and One Nights. Following this first frame, there is the introduction of the second narrator, Shahrazad, who narrates these different stories to her King. In this collection, a number of embedded tales were included which consequently reveal a set of techniques, themes, subjects, and messages that are woven into the narrative.
The Golden Ass and One Hundred and One Nights remain two different narratives, with remarkable similitudes and coincidences, yet they share one important form: framing-embedding structure. Both books unfold through the adoption of the frame narrative, and the relationship between the frame and enframed stories
Diabetes-Associated Colorectal Cancer: The Emerging Role of Microbiota
No full textDiabetes mellitus (DM) is a critical global health concern significantly contributing to morbidity and mortality due to its complexity in affecting the body’s metabolism and energy use. Disrupting these important functions has a wide range of consequences on body organs. Recent data has highlighted a link between type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer (CRC). CRC, the third most diagnosed cancer globally, is classified as an unconventional complication of DM. A cascade of physiological alterations that act as risk factors for colorectal cancer (CRC) are linked to DM. Chronic inflammation, increased insulin resistance, and elevated oxidative stress observed in DM can ultimately result in CRC. Diabetes also alters the gastrointestinal environment and thus the host's microbiota, resulting in an imbalance termed dysbiosis. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota, whether caused by diabetes or dietary modification, is a major risk factor for developing CRC. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of gut dysbiosis on the pathogenesis and progression of diabetes and CRC. A set of experiments were carried out to study our aim. The first study included FVB/NJ, MKR, which spontaneously develop type 2 diabetes, and CRC mice. CRC was chemically induced by treating mice with azoxymethane followed by dextran sulfate sodium. In parallel experiments, three animal models were used, comprising FVB/NJ, MKR, and CRC groups. Each group was inoculated with FMT from either healthy, MKR, or CRC mice after depleting their microbiota. Sham group was used as controls. Fecal samples were collected at different time points, the 1st and 2nd being before and after depleting the microbiota and the 3rd taken right before sacrifice. Urine collection was also performed. At sacrifice, blood was withdrawn, and colons were harvested for histological and molecular analysis. Our results show that treatment of T2DM mice or CRC mice with healthy FMT decreased colon injury, inflammatory markers including TNF-a and IL-6, and oxidative stress as assessed NADPH oxidase activity. Additionally, alterations in the gut microbiota of T2DM and CRC mice with CRC and T2DM FMT respectively increased collagen deposition and fibrosis, upregulated inflammatory markers including TNF-a and IL-6, and increased NADPH oxidase activity contributing to oxidative stress. These results suggest that alteration in gut microbiota affect the pathogenesis and progression of T2DM and CRC. Of interest, our data also suggests that microbiota depletion has an adverse impact on the pathogenesis of mice colons’ health. Gut microbiota dysbiosis is a major contributor to T2DM and CRC. To target these alterations, fecal samples compromising healthy microbiota could be used to restore colon health. FMT is a potential therapeutic intervention designed to alleviate dysbiosis-associated dysregulations caused by T2DM and CRC
Systematic Review on Overexcitability and ADHD in Gifted Learners (1990- 2023)
No full textThe proposed study intended tо соnduсt а соmprehensive systemаtiс review оf the literаture оf studies between the yeаrs 1990 аnd 2023 in concerning the relationship between оverexсitаbility аnd Аttentiоn-Defiсit/Hyperасtivity Disоrder (АDHD) in gifted leаrners. Оverexсitаbility, which is сhаrасterized by heightened sensitivity аnd intense emоtiоnаl experiences, hаd оften been identified in gifted individuаls, аnd АDHD is а neurоdevelоpmentаl disоrder frequently deteсted in сhildhооd. Аlthоugh bоth milieus hаve been expаnding tоpiсs, there hаd been аn inаdequаte understаnding оf hоw оverexсitаbility аnd АDHD оverlаp in the gifted pоpulаtiоn. This systematic review аimed tо bridge the identified gаp thrоugh а synthesis оf the existing literаture tо investigаte the links between these со-оссurring соnсepts. This study used а systemаtiс review methоdоlоgy, integrаting rigоrоus seаrсh сriteriа tо соlleсt relevаnt аrtiсles published in peer-reviewed jоurnаls between the yeаrs 1990 аnd 2023. Lastly, it aimed to assess the methodological qualities and accuracies of the studies. Six eleсtrоniс dаtаbаses, inсluding Eduсаtiоn Reseаrсh Соmplete, ERIС, Google Scholar, Sсоpus, PsyсINFО аnd Web оf Sсienсe were systemаtiсаlly seаrсhed emplоying three sets оf keywоrds tо ensure thаt there wаs а соmprehensive hаndling оf relevаnt literаture. The study аlsо аligned with the PRISMА, Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT), and the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADS-II) guidelines, where the inсlusiоn аnd exсlusiоn сriteriа were аpplied tо сhооse studies thаt mаtсh the study оbjeсtives. The study’s signifiсаnсe lied in its аbility tо infоrm eduсаtоrs, pаrents, аnd оther relevаnt stаkehоlders аbоut the соmplexity existing between оverexсitаbility аnd АDHD in gifted leаrners. The systematic review uncovered factors and patterns adding to the relation between ADHD and overexcitability in gifted learners, emphasizing diagnostic difficulties and examining the efficiency of targeted interventions. The implications of the systematic review included notifying the advancement of personalized educational interventions and support methods, helping doctors in examining and identifying ADHD in gifted children, encouraging parents to promote their children’s needs, and recognizing areas demanding future research. Also, recommendations for future studies were proposed in the last chapter
Landlordism in Hamra: Studying Urban Dynamics Through the Lens of Beirut’s Housing Rental Market
No full textThis thesis explores how the changing pattern of property ownership among landlords in the neighborhood of Hamra (Beirut, Lebanon) influences conditions of urban inhabitance and, in turn, urban transformation. Hamra is known for its large number of tenants as well as being home to a diverse group of residents, including students, university professors, elderly individuals, refugees, and migrant workers.To investigate Hamra's transformation, this research adopted the framework of landlordism, a relational approach to studying housing rental markets as the product of landlord-tenant relation (Hochstenbach 2023; Shiffer-Sebba 2020). Those relations are understood in the context of a wider interplay of economic, legal, and social determinants that impact who has access to the neighborhood and under what conditions. The research further located these patterns in relation to neighborhood life cycles, particularly the changing patterns of landlords’ profiles. The findings revealed that landlords have significant effects on the neighborhood, which, in the absence of a concerted neighborhood strategy or public policy, effectively explains the unfolding transformations of Hamra, which appear to be
pulled in several directions—all while likely explaining, at least partially, what has been described as the “neighborhood decline” evidenced in the dilapidation of its building conditions and public infrastructure.
Methodologically, the thesis developed a case-study approach that explored landlord-tenants' relations by investigating the profiles of landlords and tenants, the types of relations set in place through landlordism, and their impacts on changing the neighborhood profile and living conditions. The study mostly relied on quantitative methods based on data collection conducted in the summer and spring of 2023. Fieldwork included a survey of all 687 buildings in Hamra, followed by a statistically representative sample of interviews with tenants (244 surveys using the "City of Tenants" platform (a Beirut Urban Lab map-based knowledge platform) and the analysis of all available property records for the area (530). In addition, the analysis
relied on several existing datasets at the Beirut Urban Lab, previously published research, archives, and online resources.
By studying "landlordism" in Hamra, the thesis findings provide valuable insights about the influence of urban rental markets on conditions of urban inhabitance and, more generally, urban transformations which, in turn, contribute to efforts aimed at
achieving housing justice. Indeed, the thesis findings can inform activists and decision-makers about the realities faced by tenants and landlords, helping them develop more effective responses to housing issues. This research also informs policymakers about the impacts of existing policies and modes of interventions that can promote fair and sustainable housing practices, benefiting both tenants and landlords in urban contexts.
The thesis is part of a larger project exploring housing justice in Beirut (Lebanon) at the Beirut Urban Lab