14129 research outputs found
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AI and learning experiences of international students studying in the UK: an exploratory case study
Full text linkPurpose
This study aims to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) tools influence the academic success and adaptation of international students in higher education. It examines the benefits, challenges and ethical considerations including academic integrity of integrating AI in learning environments.
Design/methodology/approach
An exploratory qualitative research approach was employed, utilising semi-structured interviews with postgraduate international students from diverse backgrounds.
Findings
The findings suggest that AI tools enhance academic performance by offering personalised learning, immediate feedback and efficient assessment. However, concerns about ethical use, over-reliance and the potential impact on critical thinking and academic integrity were prominent in the contexts of assessments and learning experiences.
Originality/value
The research offers unique insights by focusing on postgraduate international students, an often-underrepresented group in AI education studies. Their distinctive challenges, including adapting to new academic environments and overcoming language barriers, make them a particularly valuable sample for understanding the role of AI in higher education. This focus allows the study to contribute new perspectives on how generative AI (GenAI) tools like Grammarly and ChatGPT facilitate academic performance improvement, especially in enhancing writing proficiency and managing academic expectations. These findings extend the discussion by specifically addressing the experiences of international students in postgraduate studies, a demographic where AI’s impact has been less explored.Publishe
On Being Simultaneously Arab and “Modern”: Saloua Raouda Choucair’s Design Between Science and Sufism
No full textThis article discusses Saloua Raouda Choucair’s commitment to design through her combined interest in science and Sufism. Her artistic and design accomplishments portray her as a resolute and determined woman who actively pursued education, independence, and progress throughout her career. By looking into Saloua’s engagement with science, technology, and mysticism, this study seeks to unravel the nuanced intersections between tradition and modernity, craftsmanship, and technology in the realm of design production. The aim is to illuminate how her utilization of scientific knowledge and Sufism shaped her design thinking, challenging prevailing norms and contributing to a broader understanding of the dynamic relationship between gender, education, and design practice in Lebanon. This research aims to interrogate the intricacies of design production by challenging the conventional dichotomy that juxtaposes tradition against modernity and craftsmanship against technology.Publishe
A Central Finite Volume Surface Gradient Method for the Two-Layer Shallow Water Equations with Rigid Lid
No full textWe develop here a new formulation of the two-layer shallow water equations with rigid-lid on variable-bottom topography. This formulation is presented as a conservative system where the function describing the geometry of the waterbed or bottom topography is embedded within the divergence of the flux term. The resulting system is then solved using an adaptation of the unstaggered central scheme (UCS) we previously developed. To satisfy the lake-at-rest physical constraint, we blend the surface gradient method (SGM) with our UCS scheme. The resulting UCS-SGM scheme is then validated and successfully implemented, representing an extension of the method previously presented for shallow water equations (one-layer flow) to address the complexities of two-layer rigid-lid flows while ensuring well-balanced characteristics. The performed numerical tests confirm the potential of the proposed method to handle two-layer flow problems on either smooth or non-smooth bottom topographies and also to handle steady- and unsteady-state flow problems.vii, 217 pages : illustrations (chiefly color).Includes bibliographical references
Binary Classification of 3D Small-Scale Medical Images Using Video Vision Transformers
No full textThe applications of the pure Transformer model on sequences of image patches
achieved promising results, comparable to those of the Convolutional Neural Networks
(CNNs), the leading models of computer vision tasks. However, one of its
gaps is the need for large volumes of data for Vision Transformers, making it worth
looking into smaller scale datasets. Despite its fast advances and wide range of
application, it remains lagging when it comes to the field of 3D images. In general,
low-level resolution images pose problems in the model learning curve. Hence, this
study leverages Vision Transformers (ViTs) capabilities in capturing global linkages
and long-range interdependencies within an image, in the aim of achieving performance
comparable to the benchmark established by the MedMNIST3D v2 family of datasets - offering small-scale images of high and low levels of resolution. Previous
studies have demonstrated a plethora of methods in treating 3D images, increasing
the interest in applying ViTs models from scratch to that data modality, specifically
in small-scale datasets.
The VesselMNIST3d dataset binary classification experiment was implemented by
treating the 3D image as video where the third dimension represents the number of frames. Therefore, initiating temporal information for the model to learn, enriching
more relationships across spatial information at a higher dimension. The study
provides a robustness experimentation to prove the high performing of the vanilla
Video Vision Transformer model scoring on average 0.877 for Area Under the Curve
(AUC) and 0.916 for Accuracy (ACC) across 30 independent experiment. The study
extends proof of pretraining the model at a higher resolution to improve the model’s
learning capacity at a lower resolution level in which succeeded to boost 3% AUC
score. The study transcends multiple levels of interpretation and caution for proper
inferential results in order to make the Vision Transformer model competitive in its
weak areas, at an alerting domain needing for growth
The Relationship Between Work-life Balance, Work Engagement, Thriving and Career Satisfaction, Moderated by Supervisory Coaching
No full textToday’s workforce is living in a fast-paced environment requiring increased efforts as well as prolonged connectivity. Consequently, Work-life Balance has emerged as a critical factor that shapes employees’ experiences and outcomes. In order to explain how Work-Life Balance influences employee outcomes, this study explores the sequential relationships between Work-Life Balance, work engagement, thriving and career satisfaction. It also examines moderation role of supervisory coaching between thriving and career satisfaction. This study bridges the gap identified in previous literature suggesting that limited research had examined the impact of Work-Life Balance on work engagement and other variables. It also contributes to the literature on an under researched topic of supervisory coaching. To test the hypotheses of this study, data was gathered from 252 participants through a link that was shared via email and social networks. SPSS software was used to analyze the collected data. Empirical data show that Work-Life Balance positively influences career satisfaction. Work-Life Balance also influences career satisfaction indirectly through the mediating role of work engagement and thriving. However, supervisory coaching did not moderate the relationship between thriving and career satisfaction. This study provides insights for researchers and managers on the impact of Work-Life Balance on employee outcomes. Limitations, practical implications and future research recommendations are also addressed
Beyond Sectarianism: Options for Reforms in Lebanon
No full textLebanon’s соnsосiаtiоnаl pоlitiсal systems, intended to preserve power balance on the country’s sectarian lines, have instead deepened the paralysis of government, cronyism, and corruption. This study addresses the failure of Lebanon’s sectarian system while analyzing alternative approaches to governance that can promote unity and stability without undermining the effectiveness of the state.
This study is grounded on the potential impacts of decentralization, independence of the judiciary, and electoral reform on governance enhancement, reducing sectarianism as studied in Belgium, Switzerland, Tunisia, and Iraq. It evaluates political restructuring challenges and opportunities, learns lessons from successful federal and quasi-federal public administration systems, and examines potential pitfalls due to previous poor coordination planning. The findings illustrate that Lebanon requires a contextualized, step-by-step reform model. Specifically, it starts with judicial independence and proceeds with municipal decentralization, electoral changes, and anti-corruption initiatives, which can together catalyze a long-term shift toward a secular legal administrative transformation. By comparing the successes of decentralization in Belgium and Switzerland and the failure of the sectarian politics of Iraq and the bottom-up reforms of Tunisia, the study provides actionable solutions for Lebanon’s reform path. This study advocates a gradual transition to а more inclusive and meritocratic political system that prioritizes national interests over sectarian differences. It does not propose radical constitutional amendments, but rather a realistic roadmap that ensures effective institutional performance, promotes a civil state, and enables gradual secular integration, fostering a stable and inclusive society
Women’s Leadership in the Early Church in Comparison with Current Christianity: A Case Study of the Coptic Church
No full textThis paper examines women's leadership roles in the Coptic Church by contrasting early church traditions with those of today's Coptic Church, historically referred to as the Church of Alexandria. Through the application of feminist lens to the history of early church, this research will bring to the light the role of women and its significance within the church, as well as the influence of Greco-Roman society on early Christianity, and how the church navigated the societal norms concerning women at the time. This approach will lead to a better understanding of church tradition and whether it has been shaped by prevailing cultural influences—insights that can help apply church tradition on women to the contemporary Coptic Church worldwide. The thesis applies servant leadership theory and thematic analysis to answer two main important questions. The first question examines the role of women in the early church within Greco-Roman society and to what extent it translated into leadership positions. Understanding this question will lead to a better comprehension and investigation of the role of women in the Coptic Church and whether the contemporary church is preserving the teachings and traditions or has been influenced by gender bias and patriarchy in society
Enacting discretion in a low discretion environment: an interview with Carlos Ghosn
Full text linkPurpose
This study examines the leadership journey of Carlos Ghosn to explore how managerial discretion operates in culturally restrictive environments. This study aims to understand how high-discretion leadership strategies can navigate institutional and cultural constraints, with a focus on Japan’s corporate context during Ghosn‘s tenure at Nissan.
Design/methodology/approach
The research employs a qualitative approach, drawing on an in-depth and lengthy interview with Carlos Ghosn. The paper is structured in a way where each thematic section is accompanied by a commentary offering theoretical insights and contextual analysis grounded in the literature on managerial discretion, cross cultural management and relevant theoretical discussions on CEOs. At the end, this paper presents a framework that shows managerial discretion in hybrid situations and discusses what this means.
Findings
Key findings highlight the tensions between high-discretion leadership, organizational politics and cultural expectations, offering insights into the complexities of hybrid discretion contexts.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to leadership and cross-cultural management literature by providing a nuanced understanding of managerial discretion in multinational settings. It offers practical insights for global business leaders navigating cultural and institutional challenges, particularly in hybrid discretion environments.Publishe
Evaluation of Metformin Loaded Polymeric Double Emulsion Nanoparticles as a Novel Repurposing Approach for Colon Cancer Therapy
No full textColorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of death in 2022 as depicted by the World Health Organization. It is estimated that by 2040, 2.9 million people will be affected by this pathology. Although several synthetic chemotherapeutic agents have been used to treat CRC, they do not specifically target malignant cells, which leads to severe side effects and substantial damage to healthy cells. While targeted therapies have emerged as more efficacious alternatives due to their selective action against cancer cells, their prohibitive cost remains a major limitation. Consequently, many alternative safer and cheaper therapies have been extensively studied against CRC mainly based on repurposing and nanoformulating drugs. Metformin, for example, is one of the most prescribed oral glucose-lowering drug (GLD) for type-2- diabetes mellitus and has been investigated owing to its therapeutic and pharmacological potential. Due to its multitargeting capabilities, metformin interferes with many tumorigenic pathways and inhibits carcinogenesis, malignant development, invasion, migration, and angiogenesis. Despite its promising therapeutic activity, metformin has not yet reached clinical trials as an anti-cancer drug, restricted by its short half-life, limited absorption, and low bioavailability. In an effort to address these issues, nanoparticulate systems, like polymeric nanocarriers, have improved metformin's bioavailability, controlled release, and capacity to bypass various biological barriers. Thus, the current study aims to design a polymeric double emulsion to ameliorate metformin anticancer effects. The double emulsion was prepared using the solvent evaporation technique and characterized according to its particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and surface charge. The results showed a nanometric size of metformin-loaded nanoparticles 130.93 ± 8.91 nm, unimodal particle size distribution 0.10 ± 0.03, and a positive charge of value +1.19 ± 0.58 mV. Moreover, metformin was successfully encapsulated within polymeric nanoparticles as it demonstrated an in-vitro significantly enhanced dissolution behavior. Furthermore, the cytotoxic behavior provided evidence that the anticancer effect of the loaded NPs on HT29 cells showed favorable effects at highest concentration being 5 mM after 72 hr in comparison to free metformin. Therefore, PNPs proved to be prospective nanocarriers that could be used for the delivery of repurposed drugs like metformin in CRC therapy
“Validity and Reproducibility of a Culturally Specific Diet Screener in Evaluating Diet Quality Indices among Adults in Lebanon”
No full textRationale: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a leading cause of mortality in
Lebanon, with diet playing a significant role in their prevention. Due to the high burden
of NCDs, accurate and culturally appropriate dietary assessment tools are needed. The
Modified Mediterranean Prime Screen (MMPS), a culture-specific dietary screener, was
developed to assess dietary intake associated with NCD risk in adults in Lebanon.
Methods: This study aimed to validate the MMPS against a reference Food Frequency
Questionnaire (FFQ) to evaluate its reproducibility and agreement in assessing diet
quality indices such as the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) and Dietary Approaches to
Stop Hypertension (DASH). Reproducibility and agreement were assessed through
Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs) and Cohen’s Kappa (κ). Results: The study included 214 adults (65% females, mean age 38.9 ± 13.4 years). For
the MDS components, the FFQ demonstrated excellent reproducibility for vegetables
and legumes and good to moderate for all the other components except for fruits (poor
reproducibility). The MMPS also showed excellent reproducibility for fish and good to
moderate reproducibility for all the other components except for cereals (poor
reproducibility). Agreement between FFQ and MMPS was good to moderate for all food
groups, however it was poor for the MDS total score (ICC = 0.435). For DASH
components, Cohen’s Kappa between FFQ1 and FFQ2 ranged from fair (fruits, κ =
0.357) to excellent (sweetened beverages, κ = 0.857). Reproducibility of the MMPS was
stronger, particularly for whole grains (κ = 0.761) and red and processed meats (κ =
0.685). In contrast, agreement between FFQ and MMPS was highest for sweetened
beverages (κ = 0.481) but slight to fair for most other components.
Conclusion: The MMPS demonstrated moderate reproducibility and poor agreement in
estimating key dietary quality indices, including the MDS and DASH