Search Results (1,742)

Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as persistent environmental contaminants due to their persistence, widespread distribution, and potential risks to the environment and human health. This review focuses on the sources of MPs, their potential environmental risks, and human impacts, as documented in the recent literature from 2020 to 2026. Recent studies focusing on pathways, environmental weathering, and toxicity were evaluated and synthesized into the analysis. Previous studies have demonstrated that microplastics are transported across and between environmental compartments. Environmental degradation, driven by ultraviolet radiation, mechanical fragmentation, and oxidation, can alter microplastics’ surface characteristics, which may affect microplastic mobility, reactivity, and the solid-state adsorption of contaminants. Human exposure occurs primarily through ingestion and inhalation, with dermal and occupational exposure also contributing under certain conditions. Emerging evidence from in vitro, animal, and human tissue studies suggests that smaller particles, particularly nanoplastics, may contribute to oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular injury; however, important uncertainties remain regarding environmentally realistic exposure levels, long-term health outcomes, and the extrapolation of experimental findings to real-world human health risk. Overall, the current literature highlights the need for standardized methodologies, improved integration of environmental monitoring and exposure assessment, and stronger evidence to support risk assessment and policy development. Full article

Cooperatives play a significant role within organizational models by providing essential services such as technical support, advocacy, information, knowledge, and guidance, which contribute to the production of high-quality animal products in a safe, efficient, and responsible manner. Furthermore, cooperatives aim to enhance the livelihoods of marginalized populations and address consumer needs. In this context, a study focusing on the status of women’s cooperatives in the Eastern Mediterranean offers valuable insights into women’s participation in economic and social life, as well as their challenges and expectations. This research aims to evaluate the status, perspectives, participation, activities, and expectations of women’s cooperatives in Lebanon and Turkey. The findings indicate that 90% of respondents in Lebanon and 45.5% in Turkey expressed satisfaction with their respective cooperatives. Additionally, 90% of Lebanese respondents and 59.1% of Turkish respondents would recommend that women establish their own cooperatives. The most common motivation for forming cooperatives in both countries was the belief that women are stronger when they collaborate. Furthermore, 75% of respondents in Lebanon and 45.4% in Turkey believe that cooperatives are suitable for conducting business, while those who disagreed emphasized the need for specialized traders to address specific business requirements. Respondents who expressed dissatisfaction with cooperative collaboration often mentioned difficulties in making joint decisions and challenges in group cohesion. These findings underline the importance of cooperatives in enhancing women’s roles in economic activities and the challenges they face in both Lebanon and Turkey. Despite these challenges, women’s cooperatives continue to be perceived as a valuable means of empowerment and a key strategy for fostering collaboration and economic growth. Full article

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) contain a diverse range of primary and secondary metabolites that determine their nutritional, storage, and defense characteristics. There has been an increasing number of metabolomics-based studies in potato breeding and stress assessments recently; however, there remains a lack of comprehensive studies addressing metabolite variation using multiple analytical techniques. Metabolomics offers valuable insights into these variations by enabling the identification of key metabolic markers, and the combined use of multiple analytical techniques on the same sample allows for broader metabolite coverage. This review provides an integrated understanding of how primary and secondary metabolism is influenced by environmental and developmental conditions across potato organs as characterized by various analytical techniques. Unlike existing reviews, this manuscript provides a critical evaluation of studies examining the effects of cultivation systems and potato plant developmental stages on primary metabolites across different organs while also emphasizing the role of newly characterized secondary metabolites in stress responses and offering a comparative assessment of extraction techniques. Metabolomic approaches assess the combined effects of multiple intrinsic and extrinsic factors, and through the integration of multi-omics datasets, enabled by the rapid advancement of bioinformatics tools, they enhance our understanding of potato physiology and support improved crop management and breeding strategies. Full article

L. angustifolia is a perennial shrub native to the Mediterranean region with multiple medicinal properties. In this study, we report on the chemical composition of L. angustifolia essential oil (LEO), its antibacterial, antibiofilm, and antioxidant activities against ten clinical isolates. Chemical constituents of LEO were identified using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). Its antibacterial activity was evaluated in vitro against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria using disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods. A growth inhibition assay was performed to determine the bacterial growth spectrophotometrically. The antibiofilm activity was assessed using a Crystal Violet assay. Finally, the activities of oxidative stress indicators, including Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT), were evaluated. GC–MS findings of the essential oil revealed the predominance of Linalool as the major compound. Antimicrobial tests demonstrated activity against Acetobacter aceti, Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterococcus faecium, Escherichia coli, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus haemolyticus and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Furthermore, LEO modulated bacterial growth over time, inhibited biofilm formation and eradicated pre-formed ones. Additionally, LEO significantly decreased the activities of the antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT. Our findings demonstrated the therapeutic potential of LEO against pathogenic strains and broad antibacterial efficacy. Full article

This study investigates the coupling between flow dynamics, acoustic response, and convective heat transfer in a rectangular impinging jet striking on a heated slotted plate at two closely spaced Reynolds numbers (Re = 3550 and Re = 3750). Velocity fields were obtained using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), and coherent structures were analyzed using Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) while acoustic measurements were used to characterize the tonal behavior. Infrared thermography was employed to determine local and mean Stanton numbers. The mean Stanton number increased by 6.6% when the Reynolds number increased from Re = 3550 to Re = 3750, while the sound pressure level decreased from 78 dB to 71 dB. At Re = 3550, the acoustic spectrum exhibited multi-tone behavior associated with distributed modal energy. In contrast, at Re = 3750, a single dominant frequency governed the flow dynamics. The energy of the first POD mode nearly doubled when passing from Re = 3550 to Re = 3750. The cross-correlation coefficients between the first POD mode and the acoustic field increase from 0.76 to 0.93 when changing from Re = 3550 to Re = 3750. These findings show that the dominant vortex mode which contains nearly 20% of the fluctuating energy (for Re = 3750), significant influences the energy transfer from the dynamic field to the acoustic field resulting in a strong noise reduction. Simultaneously, convective heat transfer increases, highlighting the key role of coherent flow organization on both acoustic and thermal behavior of the system. Full article

Student-initiated bullying against teachers has become an increasingly visible yet understudied issue in educational research, particularly in regions like Lebanon, where such dynamics remain largely unspoken. This mixed-methods pilot study explored the experiences of 53 educators working in Lebanese private schools, combining survey responses with in-depth interviews from a purposive subsample of 11 teachers across elementary, middle, and high school levels. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and the Power Relations in Education framework, the study examined how intersecting layers of influence, from classroom interactions to institutional cultures and broader societal norms, and patterns of student-to-teacher aggression. The findings revealed frequent occurrences of verbal defiance, emotional manipulation, and cyberbullying. Many teachers reported feeling unsupported by school administrations and constrained by cultural attitudes that silenced discussions about teacher vulnerability. Educators described emotional exhaustion, professional frustration, and a growing sense of disempowerment in the face of persistent aggression. Their voices underscored the pressing need for structural reforms, including clear policies, sustained training, and a cultural shift that reinforces respect for educators. This research contributes to a broader understanding of the emotional and professional impact of student bullying on teachers and highlights the need for inclusive, context-sensitive strategies that prioritize educator well-being and authority in the school environment. Full article

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for up to 85% of lung cancer cases, with activating EGFR mutations present in 10–15% of Western and up to 35% of Asian patients. EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have transformed management, with first-line osimertinib demonstrating a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 18.9 months and overall survival (OS) of 38.6 months in the FLAURA trial. However, resistance inevitably develops, most commonly via T790M mutations (~50% of cases after first- and second-generation TKIs), and after osimertinib, through diverse mechanisms including C797S mutations, MET/HER2 amplification, and histologic transformation. Emerging strategies to overcome resistance include next-generation TKIs, combination targeted therapies, downstream pathway inhibitors, immunotherapy approaches, and antibody–drug conjugates. Understanding these mechanisms is critical for optimizing patient outcomes and guiding personalized therapeutic approaches. This review discusses current strategies to delay or overcome resistance and highlights emerging therapeutic avenues with the potential to reshape the management of EGFR-mutant NSCLC. Full article

In the digital economy, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face growing pressure to align digital transformation with sustainability-oriented value creation. Yet, it remains unclear how and through which mechanisms digital leadership is associated with sustainable digital innovation in resource-constrained and turbulent contexts. This study investigates whether digital leadership is associated with sustainable digital innovation directly and indirectly through digital capabilities and digital orientation, and whether strategic agility strengthens these relationships. Drawing on the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Dynamic Capability Theory (DCT), the study develops an integrated framework that explains sustainable digital innovation as a strategically managed outcome of digital economy transformation rather than a simple result of technology adoption. Using survey data from 423 employees in Lebanese SMEs, the hypotheses were tested through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings show that digital leadership is positively associated with sustainable digital innovation both directly and indirectly, with digital orientation emerging as the stronger mediating pathway compared to digital capabilities. In addition, strategic agility strengthens the association between digital orientation and sustainable digital innovation, while its moderating role on the digital capabilities path is not significant. These findings contribute to the literature by identifying dual transformation mechanisms and revealing an asymmetric boundary role of agility in sustainability-oriented digital transformation. The study also offers practical implications for SME leaders seeking to align digital strategy with long-term environmental, social, and economic value creation. Full article

Turnover is a major concern for hotel and hospitality industry on a global scale. This research focuses on Dubai 5-star hotels in terms of transactional leadership and how employees perceive its influence on climate and contract fulfillment. This research combines the premises of social exchange, organizational support, and psychological contract, and organizational climate theories to support the development of hypotheses. A total of 24 employee interviews from two 5-star hotels in Dubai were gathered using semi-structured interviews. The research used inductive qualitative approach via thematic network analysis using QSR NVivo software (version 14). Transactional leadership can stabilize the execution of services by clarifying roles, adequate monitoring, and contingent exchanges in the luxury hotel setting. The thematic qualitative evidence demonstrates that organizational climate is an immediate interpretive medium, while psychological contract fulfillment is an emergent factor that is formed through repetitive interactions between employees and leadership. The results provide an in-depth understanding of these dynamics in the luxury hotel context, which can be beneficial for both scholars and practitioners alike. Full article

Background: The SCOOHPI scale (Schizophrenia Coping Oral Health Profile and Index) assesses the coping strategies of schizophrenic patients in terms of oral health. In this article, we explore the sub-concepts assessed by the SCOOHPI scale to use it as a profile. Methods: We studied the internal consistency of the items of the SCOOHPI scale; then, the structural validity of this scale was examined using a principal component analysis. Finally, we studied the relationship between the SCOOHPI scale and sociodemographic and clinical variables. Results: The total sample consisted of 96 participants, including 72% men and 59% smokers. The SCOOHPI scale shows good internal consistency (α = 0.84). The principal component analysis reveals the existence of three sub-concepts assessed by the SCOOHPI scale. Conclusion: This study made it possible to examine the sub-dimensions of the SCOOHPI scale. This tool can contribute to a better assessment of the coping strategies of schizophrenic patients in terms of oral health. This study provides a preliminary validation of the SCOOHPI scale as a profile. Further confirmatory studies on independent samples are needed to confirm its factor structure. Full article

Let k be a positive integer. A polynomial $A\in {\mathbb{F}}_2\left[x\right]$ is called k-unitary perfectif the sum of the k-th powers of its distinct unitary divisors equals $A^k$. In this paper, we study the case $k=2^n$ and prove that every $2^n$-unitary perfect polynomial over ${\mathbb{F}}_2$ is even. Moreover, we completely classify all even $2^n$-unitary perfect polynomials having at most three distinct irreducible factors. In particular, we characterize all such polynomials of the form $A=x^a{(x+1)}^b{P}^h$, where P is a Mersenne prime over ${\mathbb{F}}_2$ and $a,b,h\in \mathbb{N}$. As a consequence, several explicit infinite families of k-unitary perfect polynomials over ${\mathbb{F}}_2$ are obtained. Full article

This article examines collaboratively produced poems by displaced Lebanese and Syrian women created within a Participatory Arts-Based Research (PABR) project in Akkar, North Lebanon. The study asks how creative writing pedagogy and participatory research methods can reduce forms of ‘othering’ that may arise in top-down research on conflict and displacement. The project combined creative writing workshop practice with participatory research methods, including joint analysis workshops with NGO partners and participants. Writing prompts, group workshops, and subsequent collaborative translation resulted in reflective and creative texts drawn from lived experience. The work documents war, migration, economic hardship, and fractured social relations. Close readings show how metaphor, dialogue, and narrative fragments function as acts of self-narration rather than passive testimony. Participants describe writing as a way of thinking and coping, and several texts foreground storytelling as a relational process. The study argues that Creative Writing practice, based on the participatory tenets of the ‘workshop’ can support shared knowledge production and ethical engagement. The writings suggest that a counter-archive can emerge in which storytelling can resist victimising narratives and can instead, within a social literary practice participatory paradigm, model new forms of collaborative reflection. Full article

The manual annotation of images remains a major challenge in building robust classifiers, especially in the Big Data era where labeled data are limited. Graph-based semi-supervised learning (SSL) provides an effective solution by leveraging both labeled and unlabeled data. In this paper, we propose a novel graph-based SSL framework that integrates labeled samples with abundant unlabeled data through an adaptive graph structure. The proposed method jointly learns three components: an auto-weighted low-rank graph, soft labels for unlabeled data, and a discriminative latent subspace. By incorporating soft labels into the subspace learning process, the model enforces consistency between the graph structure and the data manifold. This leads to improved discriminative representation. Unlike traditional approaches that treat these components separately, our method optimizes them jointly within a unified framework. Experimental results on multiple benchmark datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, achieving superior performance under different labeling conditions. Full article

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is among the most frequent autoinflammatory diseases in populations originating from the area of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries. It is caused by mutations in the MEFV gene, which causes dysregulated pyrin expression and thus an immunologic anomaly. FMF is diagnosed by recurrent episodes of fever and serosal inflammation, predominantly peritonitis and pleuritis, as well as other systemic symptoms. Recent research is dedicated to searching for factors beyond genetic code contributing to how FMF evolves, the severity of its symptoms and response to conventional therapy—colchicine. These factors include epigenetic modifications of the MEFV gene and other environmental factors, such as cold exposure, stress, composition of gut flora and diet. Among these factors, vitamin D, best known for its classical role in musculoskeletal health, has emerged as a powerful immune modulator. It has been documented that vitamin D has been implicated in the regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and may modulate immune responses. Notably, in regions with some of the highest reported prevalences of MEFV mutations—likely reflecting Mediterranean populations more broadly—vitamin D concentrations are frequently low. This overlap raises the hypothesis that vitamin D deficiency may be associated with FMF pathogenesis, although current data are largely correlational and do not establish causality. In this review, we summarize current evidence on FMF pathogenesis, potential triggers, and vitamin D metabolism, and explore how vitamin D may modulate immune responses and intersect with key autoinflammatory pathways, considering whether adequate vitamin D supplementation could help reduce disease burden in some patients with FMF. Full article

Kindergarten toilet design influences children’s autonomy, hygiene behaviours, and psychological well-being. Yet systematic architectural evaluations in conflict-affected and developing regions remain scarce. This study conducts a comparative architectural audit of toilet facilities in ten kindergartens in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, assessing design features associated with child-centred principles. A literature-derived framework comprising four domains (Autonomy and Functionality, Health and Hygiene, Safety and Comfort, Aesthetics and Sustainability) was operationalised through 14 architectural indicators and assessed via a five-point rubric. Data sources included architectural drawings and systematic on-site observations. Overall design feature scores ranged from 3.1 to 4.3 (scale 1–5). While basic safety requirements were universally met, significant deficiencies emerged in inclusive design (accessible fixtures present in 3/10 facilities, 30%), advanced hygiene technologies (sensor-activated fixtures in 2/10, 20%), and aesthetic-environmental quality (mean score 2.4/5). Higher-scoring facilities demonstrated closer classroom-toilet proximity (≤6 m vs. >15 m) and distributed rather than centralised layouts. This study does not measure child outcomes or user experiences; it provides an architectural baseline. Current kindergarten toilet design in Erbil achieves functional adequacy but consistently fails to deliver inclusivity, technological innovation, and spatial quality. Policy revision beyond minimum compliance toward child-centred design standards is warranted, with priority given to accessible fixtures and classroom-adjacent layouts. Full article