34 research outputs found
Snapshot of migration to and from Lebanon in the last five years
No full textMaysa Baroud (Joint Visiting Fellow Middle East Council on Global Affairis & Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs
Country report and migration profile for Lebanon
No full textMaysa Baroud (Joint Visiting Fellow, Middle East Council on Global Affairs & Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and Intenational Affairs) ; published by: Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation, competence Center MENA Peace & Securit
Migration in the Eastern Mediterranean : commanalities and differences among Egypt, Lebanon, Greece and Cyprus
No full textAuthors: Maysa Baroud, Angeliki Dimitriadi, Amina Fahmy, Annagrace Messa ; published by: Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation, competence Center MENA Peace & Securit
Neuropeptide VGF Promotes Maturation of Hippocampal Dendrites That Is Reduced by Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms
No full textThe neuropeptide VGF (non-acronymic) is induced by brain-derived neurotrophic factor and promotes hippocampal neurogenesis, as well as synaptic activity. However, morphological changes induced by VGF have not been elucidated. Developing hippocampal neurons were exposed to VGF through bath application or virus-mediated expression in vitro. VGF-derived peptide, TLQP-62, enhanced dendritic branching, and outgrowth. Furthermore, VGF increased dendritic spine density and the proportion of immature spines. Spine formation was associated with increased synaptic protein expression and co-localization of pre- and postsynaptic markers. Three non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected in human VGF gene. Transfection of N2a cells with plasmids containing these SNPs revealed no relative change in protein expression levels and normal protein size, except for a truncated protein from the premature stop codon, E525X. All three SNPs resulted in a lower proportion of N2a cells bearing neurites relative to wild-type VGF. Furthermore, all three mutations reduced the total length of dendrites in developing hippocampal neurons. Taken together, our results suggest VGF enhances dendritic maturation and that these effects can be altered by common mutations in the VGF gene. The findings may have implications for people suffering from psychiatric disease or other conditions who may have altered VGF levels.Peer reviewe
Lebanon's refugee return agenda : negotiating global protection norms and responsibility sharing
No full textSince the onset of displacement from Syria in 2011, Lebanon has been lobbying international circles for prompt refugee return even though the conflict in Syria has not ended. As part of these efforts, Lebanese representatives have sought to reshape global understandings of key refugee protection norms, advocating for ‘gradual,’ ‘progressive,’ and ‘safe’ return in lieu of voluntary repatriation in safety and with dignity. Ongoing discussions of the EU-Lebanon Migration Deal announced in early May 2024 must not further these obstructive interpretations but rather focus on Lebanon’s calls for increased responsibility sharing
Photodegradation of organic dyes with nanotitania embedded in hydrogels, 2016
No full textThe objective of this research was to study the adsorption and photodegradation of Malachite Green (MG) dye by using poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) (PHEMA) hydrogel and nanocomposite TiO2PHEMA hydrogel. The nanocomposite gels were characterized by FT-IR and XRD. The adsorption of MG dye was examined through monitoring UV-Vis absorption. The kinetic study indicated that the adsorption follows the first order kinetics. The adsorption equilibrium data fit well to the Langmuir isotherm model. The photodegradation of MG dye was examined using TLC UV lamp and medium pressure Hg lamp. It was determined that the unloaded composite gels adsorb MG dye from the solution at the beginning while under the photochemical condition. The dye in the gel was eventually photodegraded, indicating that the photodegradation process is still effective to dyes in the gel system. The composite gels containing anatase/rutile mixed phase titania are much better photocatalysts than those containing pure phase titania (either rutile or anatse)
Readiness of healthcare providers for eHealth: the case from primary healthcare centers in Lebanon
No full textAbstract Background eHealth can positively impact the efficiency and quality of healthcare services. Its potential benefits extend to the patient, healthcare provider, and organization. Primary healthcare (PHC) settings may particularly benefit from eHealth. In these settings, healthcare provider readiness is key to successful eHealth implementation. Accordingly, it is necessary to explore the potential readiness of providers to use eHealth tools. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the readiness of healthcare providers working in PHC centers in Lebanon to use eHealth tools. Methods A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess participants’ socio-demographics, computer use, literacy, and access, and participants’ readiness for eHealth implementation (appropriateness, management support, change efficacy, personal beneficence). The study included primary healthcare providers (physicians, nurses, other providers) working in 22 PHC centers distributed across Lebanon. Descriptive and bivariate analyses (ANOVA, independent t-test, Kruskal Wallis, Tamhane’s T2) were used to compare participant characteristics to the level of readiness for the implementation of eHealth. Results Of the 541 questionnaires, 213 were completed (response rate: 39.4 %). The majority of participants were physicians (46.9 %), and nurses (26.8 %). Most physicians (54.0 %), nurses (61.4 %), and other providers (50.9 %) felt comfortable using computers, and had access to computers at their PHC center (physicians: 77.0 %, nurses: 87.7 %, others: 92.5 %). Frequency of computer use varied. The study found a significant difference for personal beneficence, management support, and change efficacy among different healthcare providers, and relative to participants’ level of comfort using computers. There was a significant difference by level of comfort using computers and appropriateness. A significant difference was also found between those with access to computers in relation to personal beneficence and change efficacy; and between frequency of computer use and change efficacy. Conclusion The implementation of eHealth cannot be achieved without the readiness of healthcare providers. This study demonstrates that the majority of healthcare providers at PHC centers across Lebanon are ready for eHealth implementation. The findings of this study can be considered by decision makers to enhance and scale-up the use of eHealth in PHC centers nationally. Efforts should be directed towards capacity building for healthcare providers
Time slot offering: the effect of various green labeling approaches on routing performance, considering customers' preferences: A case study at Crisp
No full textA relatively new concept within demand management for time window assignment is green labeling; time windows which contribute to improving the routing performance in terms of sustainability. Certain time slots are given a so-called green label. From literature, limited information is known about the choice preference with regard to green labeling and its impact on routing performance. Via choice modeling, certain attributes are estimated based on a data set from an e-grocer. Together with a beta estimate on green labeling from literature, the effect of green labeling on choice behavior is analyzed. The results are used for route optimization where the effect of various static and dynamic approaches are tested. Results show that dynamic green labeling has the most promising effect on routing performance in terms of costs and sustainability. Especially when customers are more nudged toward the largest time windows in less popular day parts. The CO2 emissions decrease by 127.4 CO2 per order and the costs decrease by 1.03 euro per order on average. These results are based on the specific situation of the e-grocer in the case study. With regard to choice modeling, this research is limited to only time window characteristics. The improvements in terms of costs and sustainability per green labeling approach, based on the attributes resulting from real-data choice modeling, contribute to more knowledge on the effect of green labeling on routing performance.Transport, Infrastructure and Logistic
