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Arabic validation of the incharge financial distress/financial well-being scale and the new single-item financial stress scale
No full textInternational audienceBackground The current study aimed to investigate the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the Arabic adaptation of the InCharge Financial Distress/Financial Well-Being Scale, and to examine a newly developed single-item measure of financial stress, the Single-Item Financial Stress scale (SIFiS), in a sample of Lebanese adults. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 403 participants completed an Arabic-translated version of the IFDFW scale via an online survey. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to validate the scale. Results A one-factor structure was supported by the analysis. Internal reliability was excellent, with very high omega and alpha coefficients for the IFDFW scale ( ω = 0.95, α = 0.95). A significantly lower mean IFDFW score was found in males compared to females. On the other hand, no significant differences were found between males and females on the SIFiS scores. Greater financial burden was significantly associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Conclusion The findings confirm that the Arabic versions of the IFDFW scale and the SIFiS are valid and reliable. Their use is therefore recommended in various settings among Arabic-speaking adults. These simple and straightforward measurement tools may improve cross-cultural studies on financial well-being
Compte rendu de La montagne aux étoiles: Enquête sur les terres contestées de l'astronomie, de PascalMarichalar, Editions la Découverte, Paris 2024
No full texthttps://caktus.hypotheses.org/The book explores the central role of the American Museum of Natural History in raising ecological awareness in the United States in the last third of the 19th century. By developing a system of visual instruction for schools in the state of New York, this museum established itself as a key player in raising awareness of species conservation. Through the analysis of wildlife photography and taxidermy, often underestimated in the history of museology and environmental activism, the author traces the emergence of a national movement for the protection of wildlife.L’ouvrage explore le rôle central de l’American Museum of Natural History dans la prise de conscience écologique du dernier tiers du XIXe siècle aux États-Unis. Ce musée, en développant un système d’instruction visuelle destiné aux écoles de l’État de New York, s’est imposé comme un acteur clé de la sensibilisation à la conservation des espèces. À travers l’analyse de la photographie animalière et de la taxidermie, souvent sous-estimées dans l’histoire de la muséologie et du militantisme environnemental, l’auteur retrace l’émergence d’un mouvement national pour la protection de la faun
Genetic profiling of a hidden grapevine germplasm from the ancient terraces of Hadchit village, North Lebanon
No full textInternational audienceGiven the position of the Lebanese vineyards in the eastern Mediterranean and its long history of viticulture in various agroclimatic conditions, it is likely that this local germplasm holds a large substantial diversity. Nevertheless, it has not been adequately addressed yet. In this study, we shed light on the unnoticed high altitude Lebanese vineyards of Hadchit village (1500 m a.s.l.) in North Lebanon were examined. Based on interviews with local farmers,18 grapevine accessions were selected for the study and information on their traditional and present use, as well as the origin of genetic material was obtained. Genetic analysis was performed with 22 nuclear microsatellite markers widely used in other studies. The average allelic diversity was 6.18 alleles per marker. Genetic profiling yielded 13 different genetic profiles and comparison to international grapevine databases revealed cases of synonymy, duplication, and misnaming, and also showed that nine genetic profiles had no correspondence in these databases. The studied accessions are of interest because of their long history, and diverse modes of utilization. The study highlights the interest of exploring the traditional grapevine germplasm preserved on farm and how it contributes to the genotypic richness held in Lebanon
Unlocking financial peaks: board and audit roles in the GCC
No full textInternational audienceThis research explores the intricate relationship between the board of directors and audit committees, and the subsequent financial performances of companies listed within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The study unveils a pivotal correlation between the characteristics of a companys board of directors and its financial prosperity. A noteworthy finding is the negative correlation between board size and financial performance, while board independence is positively associated with financial outcomes. Furthermore, the investigation sheds light on a complex interaction between audit committees and boards of directors. Enhanced board independence positively impacts the dimensions of audit committees, whereas an increased board size appears to diminish audit committee autonomy. Additionally, the research emphasises the critical role of audit committee composition in financial performance, revealing that an audit committee with greater autonomy is congruent with enhanced financial results. This study not only contributes to the existing body of knowledge regarding corporate governance and financial performance but also provides practical insights for GCC-listed companies in structuring their boards and audit committees to optimise financial performance
Empathy and passion: keys to social entrepreneurship
No full textInternational audienceThis study examines the motivations influencing social entrepreneurial intentions among Tunisian students. Utilising Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Discriminant Analysis (DA), data was collected from 302 students at the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences of Sfax. The results reveal that both intrinsic motivations (such as those responding to needs, empathy, social innovation, and passion) and extrinsic motivations (including family background, relational networks, entrepreneurship education, national culture, and digital channels) positively impact students' social entrepreneurial intentions. The findings highlight the need to foster a social entrepreneurial mindset among Tunisian students, suggesting that dedicated training and academic programs in universities are crucial for promoting social entrepreneurship as a viable career option. This study underscores the importance of supporting social entrepreneurs to address pressing societal challenges and suggests further research on the actualization of social entrepreneurial intentions
Exploring the Mediating Role of Insomnia in the Relationship Between Fibromyalgia, Depression, and Anxiety in Lebanese Adults
No full textInternational audienceBackground: Several studies have emerged to understand the relationship between insomnia and mental health issues like depression and anxiety from a causative perspective. Lebanon is a small country tormented by war, social insecurities and economic challenges, making it the fertile ground to understand the interaction between these variables in this population, especially with chronic pain. This study aims to better understand the relationship between insomnia, depression and anxiety in fibromyalgia patients in the Lebanese context. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from October to November 2024 and involved participants from all over Lebanon. The questionnaire included sociodemographic questions and scales including the Widespread pain index (WPI), Symptom severity scale (SSS), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Results: The analysis showed that Insomnia mediated the association between fibromyalgia and depression; higher fibromyalgia was significantly associated with higher insomnia severity, whereas higher insomnia severity was associated with higher depression. Also, Insomnia mediated the association between fibromyalgia and anxiety; higher fibromyalgia was significantly associated with higher insomnia severity, whereas higher insomnia severity was associated with higher anxiety. However, depression and anxiety did not mediate the association between fibromyalgia and insomnia severity. Conclusion: This study focused on the mediating role of insomnia between fibromyalgia and development of depression and anxiety on a sample of 641 Lebanese individual. With the use of specific scales and guidelines of the American College of Rheumatology, we were able to clearly elucidate the relationship between the selected variables. These findings underscore the importance of addressing issues such as insomnia in chronic pain as well as the associated comorbidities which have been proven to play an important role in the course of the disease. Future research should further explore targeted interventions that could enhance overall wellbeing in individuals with FM, considering the multiple factors influencing one's condition
Influence of Initial Capital on Optimal Sizing of Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System: A case study in Tunisia
No full textInternational audienceThis research explores the incorporation of initial capital limitations into the design and optimization of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems, with a focus on their economic and environmental implications. Moving beyond traditional approaches that prioritize energy cost reduction alone, this study presents a unique framework that harmonizes financial viability with technical efficiency. The investigation is divided into three main stages: determining system size, managing excess energy, and analyzing economic outcomes. A case study conducted in Sousse, Tunisia, validates the proposed methodology, utilizing simulation tools such as HOMER and MATLAB. The results demonstrate that an optimal PV setup, featuring a 2.25 kW photovoltaic array, a 1.5 kW inverter, and a 1 kWh battery, becomes economically viable when investments surpass TND 8 million. The findings reveal that integrating financial limitations enables a more strategic approach to renewable energy deployment, lowering the energy cost to TND 0.130/kWh and reducing CO2 emissions from 2597 kg/year to 1490 kg/year. Additionally, the study offers insights applicable to other areas with comparable economic and environmental characteristics. This research provides a practical framework for policymakers and investors seeking to optimize PV systems under budget constraints, supporting the global shift toward sustainable energy practices
Path Planning for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Dynamic Environments: A Novel Approach Using Improved A * and Grey Wolf Optimizer
No full textInternational audienceUnmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) play pivotal roles in various applications, from surveillance to delivery services. Efficient path planning for UAVs in dynamic environments with obstacles and moving landing stations is essential to ensure safe and reliable operations. In this study, we propose a novel approach that combines the A* algorithm with the grey wolf optimizer (GWO) for path planning, referred to as GW-A*. Our approach enhances the traditional A algorithm by incorporating weighted nodes, where the weights are determined based on the distance from obstacles and further optimized using GWO. A simulation using dynamic factors such as wind direction and wind speed, which affect the quadrotor UAV in the presence of obstacles, was used to test the new approach, and we compared it with the A* algorithm using various heuristics. The results showed that GW-A* outperformed A* in most scenarios with high and low wind speeds, offering more efficient paths and greater adaptability
Federica Vezzani, Terminologie numérique : conception, représentation et gestion
No full textInternational audienc
The mediating effect of post-traumatic growth on the relationship between personality traits and resilience among a sample of Lebanese adults
No full textInternational audienceBackground: Resilience plays a crucial role in mental health promotion and prevention, and was shown to be more represented in individuals who exhibit high levels of extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. However, there is a lack of studies that comprehensively investigate the association between personality traits and resilience in Lebanon and Arab countries more broadly. The purpose of the present study was to complement the literature by investigating the direct and indirect effects between the five personality traits and resilience among a sample of Lebanese adults through the intermediary role of posttraumatic growth.Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out between May and July 2022, and enrolled 387 participants, all aged above 18 years old and recruited from all Lebanon governorates. The questionnaire used included socio-demographic questions, and the following scales: Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) to assess resilience, post traumatic growth (PTG), and Big Five Inventory (BFI-2). The SPSS software v.25 was used for the statistical analysis.Results: Post-traumatic growth mediated the association between extraversion / agreeableness / conscientiousness and resilience. Higher extraversion / agreeableness / conscientiousness was significantly associated with more post-traumatic growth. Higher post-traumatic growth was significantly associated with more resilience. Extraversion, but not agreeableness and conscientiousness, was significantly and directly associated with more resilience.Conclusion: Findings suggest that fostering PTG in individuals who experience adversity can help promote their resilience. Hence, it could be beneficial to design and apply programs aiming at supporting PTG among people who experience stressful and traumatizing situations, to consequently help them increase their sense of resilience