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Investigating the Association Between Obesity, Triglyceride Glucose Index, and Kidney Stones in a Lebanese Sample: Implications for a Kidney Stone Prevention Toolkit
No full textThe triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) is a marker of insulin resistance (IR), which is associated with kidney stones. Additionally, obese patients tend to have IR; therefore, they are at an increased risk of developing kidney stones. This study examined the associations between obesity, the triglyceride-glucose index, and kidney stones. The findings revealed that body mass index (BMI) and smoking were highly associated with kidney stones at a univariate level. Additionally, age, geographical location, calcium levels, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), demonstrated associations with kidney stones at both univariate and multivariate levels. Although previous literature suggests a link between triglyceride-glucose index and kidney stones, this study did not confirm the association due to the high percentage of missing data. These results highlight the importance of metabolic and demographic factors in kidney stone formation, warranting further research with more comprehensive datasets. We have proposed a kidney stone toolkit, based on our findings in the context of a sample from Lebanon
Metrics Depending on One Variable in D-Dimensional Einstein-Dilaton-Gauge Theories
No full textThis thesis investigates one-variable solutions in D-dimensional Einstein-Dilaton-Gauge theories, which are gravitational theories with anti-symmetric tensors and a coupled dilaton field. We focus on finding exact solutions to Einstein’s field equations with and without matter fields. Vacuum solutions are derived systematically in synchronous coordinates for arbitrary spacetime signature and dimensions. These results are extended to incorporate gauge and dilaton fields, producing families of solutions within Einstein-Dilaton-Gauge theories. We identify novel generalizations of the Kasner metric and related solutions, that reduce to vacuum solutions with ω=√g=τ or ω=1. Finally, example solutions are provided in the bosonic sector of various supergravity theories
Co-culture of Early and Late Passage Chondrocytes on Biomimetic Collagen-Alginate Sulfate Films Improves the Cartilage Phenotype of Cells Utilized in Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation
No full textThe limited regenerative ability of avascular articular cartilage poses challenges in treating cartilage damaged by injury or disease. Autologous chondrocyte transplantation (ACT) repairs cartilage tissues by reintroducing healthy chondrocytes from an autologous cartilage biopsy into the defect. However, a significant challenge is the tendency for chondrocytes to de-differentiate during monolayer cell expansion on tissue culture plastic (TCP), which is required to reach sufficient cell numbers for ACT procedures. The de-differentiated chondrocytes adopt a fibroblastic phenotype and produce inferior cartilage with weaker mechanical properties and altered tissue composition. This study aims to assess the effects of a co-culture system of early- and late-passage chondrocytes on biomimetic collagen-alginate sulfate (Col-AlgS) films to preserve the cartilage phenotype of monolayer-expanded articular chondrocytes as an optimized cell source for ACT. Col-AlgS films were prepared through layer–by–layer (LBL) deposition of type I collagen (Col1) and alginate sulfate (AlgS), with TCP and Col1 as control substrates. Primary bovine chondrocytes were serial passaged before Passage 1 (P1) and Passage 4 (P4) chondrocytes were seeded individually or in co–cultures on the 3 substrates as follows: P4 cells alone, a 3:1 ratio of P4 cells to P1 cells, a 1:1 ratio of P4:P1, a 1:3 ratio of P4:P1, and P1 cells alone. The viability and proliferation of cells was assessed using live/dead assay and trypan blue exclusion. Chondrocyte morphology was assessed through ImageJ processing. Gene expression was quantified using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (q-RT-PCR) and protein synthesis was assessed using western blotting. This work showed a 2-fold decrease in cell proliferation on Col-AlgS compared to TCP and Col1 controls (p<0.05). Conversely, there was an increasing trend in cell proliferation of the co-cultures compared to P4 on TCP (1.5-fold) and Col1 as well as Col-AlgS (2-fold) substrates (p<0.05). Col-AlgS increased the expression of relevant genes more than 3-fold, including type I collagen (Col1) and type II collagen (Col2) (p<0.01 and p<0.05 respectively) as well as lubricating superficial zone protein (SZP) (p<0.01), while decreasing pro-inflammatory interleukin 6 (IL6) (p<0.05). Similarly, the co-cultures increased gene expression of Col2 and SZP (p<0.05 for both), while decreasing IL6 (p<0.01). Moreover, microscopic images indicated that chondrocytes on Col1 and AlgS substrates were found to have a rounder morphology compared to those on TCP. Thus, we conclude that a co-culture system of early- and late-passage chondrocytes on Col-AlgS limits the de-differentiation of articular chondrocytes during monolayer-expansion. This system may therefore be used for an optimized chondrocyte source in cartilage tissue engineering applications as it addresses the issue of cell numbers obtained through serial passaging with preserved phenotype
Vitamin D Deficiency Does Not Affect Cognition and Neurogenesis in Adult C57Bl/6 Mice
No full textVitamin D deficiency is a global problem. Vitamin D, the vitamin D receptor, and its enzymes are found throughout neuronal, ependymal, and glial cells in the brain and are implicated in certain processes and mechanisms in the brain. To investigate the processes affected by vitamin D deficiency in adults, we studied vitamin D deficient, control, and supplemented diets over 6 weeks in male and female C57Bl/6 mice. The effect of the vitamin D diets on proliferation in the neurogenic niches, changes in glial cells, as well as on memory, locomotion, and anxiety-like behavior, was investigated. Six weeks on a deficient diet was adequate time to reach deficiency. However, vitamin D deficiency and supplementation did not affect proliferation, neurogenesis, or astrocyte changes, and this was reflected on behavioral measures. Supplementation only affected microglia in the dentate gyrus of female mice. Indicating that vitamin D deficiency and supplementation do not affect these processes over a 6-week period
A Case Study of Public-Private Partnerships in Lebanon’s Power Sector: Do They Deliver?
Full text linkThis paper explores Lebanon’s ongoing electricity crisis, exacerbated by the country’s severe economic crisis over the past five years. The electricity sector, which is central to any recovery plan, has long relied on public-private partnerships (PPPs) for both generation and distribution. Historically, PPPs have played a crucial role in bridging
supply gaps, managing assets, and rehabilitating infrastructure. Despite this, Lebanon’s national utility, Électricité du Liban (EDL), struggles to meet demand, providing only 2-4 hours of power daily. PPPs, such as independent power producers (IPPs) and distribution service companies (DISCOs), are recommended to address the chronic
supply shortage and inefficiencies in the grid. These partnerships offer the potential to leverage private expertise, enhance service delivery, and reduce reliance on Lebanon’s inefficient and polluting fossil fuel generation. However, the success of PPPs in Lebanon has been mixed, with concerns over unmet targets, subpar services and questionable performances. The research looks at different PPP contract types and projects, including concession contracts (e.g., Électricité de Zahlé), BOT contracts (e.g., Sustainable Akkar Wind Farm), PPA contracts (e.g., Karadeniz power barges), and O&M contracts (e.g., BUTEC Utility Services). In a country where political, regulatory and economic risks are high, the challenges of financing high-capital infrastructure projects amidst Lebanon’s defaults and weak
sovereign guarantees further complicate efforts. Despite these hurdles, PPPs remain emphasized as a key policy option for addressing Lebanon’s electricity supply challenges and to foster economic recovery. This study critically examines this recommendation, its implications for Lebanon’s energy landscape, and its contribution to an equitable, sustainable and efficient energy future
Building a Comprehensive Large Arabic Fact Checking Dataset Using Large Language Models
No full textLarge-scale fact verification poses a significant challenge in Arabic natural language
processing due to limited datasets and resources. This work introduces a new large-
scale dataset for fact-checking in Modern Standard Arabic, constructed through
an automated framework leveraging large language models (LLMs). We propose a
three-step pipeline: (1) claim generation from Arabic Wikipedia articles with sup-
porting evidence, (2) systematic claim mutation to create challenging counterfactual
statements, and (3) rigorous verification and labeling. The resulting dataset com-
prises 180,000 claim-evidence pairs labeled as Supported, Refuted, or Not Enough
Info. Human evaluation demonstrates strong inter-annotator agreement (κ= 0.89)
in Cohen’s Kappa for the Generation Task and (κ= 0.94) for the Refutation Task
on our testing sample, while our baseline models achieve 87% accuracy on the verifi-
cation task with respect to the expert annotator. Our approach employs specialized
prompt engineering and grammatical rules to address Arabic-specific linguistic fea-
tures. This provides the first large-scale benchmark for Arabic fact verification.Our
methodology presents a scalable approach for developing similar resources for other
low-resource languages. Through this work, we aim to advance the state of auto-
mated fact verification in Arabic and provide a foundation for future research in
multilingual fact-checking
The Evolution of International Humanitarian Action and the Ramifications of Increased Aid ‘Bunkerisation’ on Humanitarian Principles and Meeting Needs in Syria and Yemen
No full textThe international aid system has experienced significant growth, with billions of dollars mobilised each year to address humanitarian crises. However, the majority of this funding is concentrated in a few chronic conflict zones, such as Syria and Yemen, where the ability of aid workers to deliver support is increasingly constrained by security and administrative challenges. The rise of "bunkerisation," where aid workers are isolated in secure compounds and reliant on outsourced local organisations or private contractors, has raised concerns about the effectiveness and ethical implications of humanitarian responses. While local organisations are tasked with delivering aid, they are often under-resourced and face greater risks, as evidenced by the disproportionate number of national staff casualties compared to international workers. Despite efforts to innovate and improve operational strategies in these settings, the humanitarian system is struggling to meet the growing needs of populations in conflict-affected areas. This essay examines the evolution of the international aid system, focusing on the challenges faced by humanitarian actors in Yemen and Syria, and argues that current responses are increasingly inadequate, as the humanitarian system is being pushed beyond its core mandate and compromised by political agendas
Against Medical Advice Discharge: A Quality Improvement Project
No full textAgainst Medical Advice Discharge (AMAD) is a significant challenge in healthcare, often resulting in adverse patient outcomes, increased readmission rates, and legal risks for providers. This quality improvement project aims to standardize and enhance the AMAD process at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) by addressing inefficiencies, improving documentation, and integrating best practices. Using the Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control (DMAIC) framework, the study systematically evaluates the current AMAD process, identifies key gaps—including inconsistent documentation, unclear risk management involvement, and a lack of standardized workflows—and proposes targeted interventions. Key recommendations include the development of a detailed AMAD policy, refinement of the AMA documentation process within the Electronic Health Record (EHR), and the implementation of structured training programs for healthcare providers. These interventions are expected to improve patient safety, ensure legal compliance, and facilitate better tracking and analysis of AMAD cases
The Carbon Footprint of Agricultural Resilience Initiatives in North And East Lebanon, May 2023 to March 2024
No full textDevelopment projects that support Good Agricultural Practices are essential to promote
environmental vitality and sustainability. As such, this study quantifies greenhouse gas
emissions from training sessions, transportation, agricultural inputs, donated goods and
services, and operational energy use to assess the carbon footprint of a GAP-focused
project led by nongovernmental organizations in Lebanon. In addition to accounting for
emissions, the study investigates whether the amount of land cultivated by farmers under
GAP management is adequate to sequester carbon and balance these emissions. Although
the initiative helps with long-term sustainability, the amount of land available is not
enough to offset its CFP in a year, therefore, it will take at least two and a half years to
reach full carbon neutrality, according to the findings.
Additionally, an online survey was administered to trained farmers to gather information
about their experiences, challenges, and perceived advantages in adopting GAP. Results
showed that farmers faced challenges relevant to the high cost uncured, the limited access
to technical assistance, and marketing of produce. Still, they acknowledged the positive
impacts on soil productivity, and resource efficiency. As such, additional support and
financial incentives are needed to promote the shift towards sustainable agriculture.
Accordingly, this study provides a thorough assessment of the project's practical and
environmental effects by combining farmer input with CFP assessment. The results
highlight the need to promote and advance low-carbon agricultural practices, optimize
logistics, and use renewable energy sources to increase the project's sustainability.
Finally, it highlights the need for adopting a comprehensive approach that strikes a
balance between environmental responsibility, economic viability, and farmer resilience
to adopt and sustain good agricultural practices. As such, it provides insightful
information for project implementers and agricultural stakeholders
The Tragedy of the Grotesque: Understanding the Relationship Between Art, the Human Psyche, Mortality, and Time
No full textThe fascinating and complex nature of the grotesque has garnered a substantial body of literature throughout the years. The grotesque is an aesthetic paradox, existing at margins of beauty and horror, order and chaos, fascination and revulsion. It is a state of perpetual transformation, resisting fixed definitions and conventional boundaries. From its origins in the rediscovered frescoes of Emperor Nero’s buried Domus Aurea to its nineteenth-century manifestation, the grotesque has been a site of tension between the known and the unknown, the rational and the irrational. It unsettles and distorts forcing the viewer into an unrealized confrontation.
This thesis explores the complex relationship that the grotesque has with tragedy, the subconscious, the body, the art world, and time itself. Through these lenses, the grotesque emerges not merely as an ornamental style but as a profound aesthetic and existential mode – one that compels us to confront our fears and desires, our mortality, and the limits of representation. By tracing its evolution from Renaissance ornamentation to Romantic horror, this thesis situates the grotesque within a broader discourse on art, philosophy, and human psychology