Search Results (233)

This study investigates the thermal dynamics and material behavior involved in the baking process for Lebanese flatbread, focusing on the heat transfer mechanisms, water loss, and dough expansion under high-temperature conditions. Despite previous studies on flatbread baking using impingement or conventional ovens, this work presents the first experimental investigation of the traditional Lebanese flatbread baking process under realistic industrial conditions, specifically using a high-temperature tunnel oven with direct flame heating, extremely short baking times (~10–12 s), and peak temperatures reaching ~650 °C, which are essential to achieving the characteristic pocket formation and texture of Lebanese bread. This experimental study characterizes the baking kinetics of traditional Lebanese flatbread, recording mass loss pre- and post-baking, thermal profiles, and dough expansion through real-time temperature measurements and video recordings, providing insights into the dough’s thermal response and expansion behavior under high-temperature conditions. A custom-designed instrumented oven with a steel conveyor and a direct flame burner was employed. The dough, prepared following a traditional recipe, was analyzed during the baking process using K-type thermocouples and visual monitoring. Results revealed that Lebanese bread undergoes significant water loss due to high baking temperatures (~650 °C), leading to rapid crust formation and pocket development. Empirical equations modeling the relationship between baking time, temperature, and expansion were developed with high predictive accuracy. Additionally, an energy analysis revealed that the total energy required to bake Lebanese bread is approximately 667 kJ/kg, with an overall thermal efficiency of only 21%, dropping to 16% when preheating is included. According to previous CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations, most heat loss in similar tunnel ovens occurs via the chimney (50%) and oven walls (29%). These findings contribute to understanding the broader thermophysical principles that can be applied to the development of more efficient baking processes for various types of bread. The empirical models developed in this study can be applied to automating and refining the industrial production of Lebanese flatbread, ensuring consistent product quality across different baking environments. Future studies will extend this work to alternative oven designs and dough formulations. Full article

In crisis-stricken economies, leadership effectiveness increasingly hinges not on technical expertise alone but on emotional competence. While emotional intelligence (EI) has been widely acknowledged as a catalyst for effective leadership and employee outcomes, its role in volatile and resource-scarce contexts remains underexplored. This study addresses this critical gap by investigating the impact of five core EI dimensions, namely self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills, on employee performance amid Lebanon’s ongoing multidimensional crisis. Drawing on Goleman’s EI framework and the Job Demands–Resources theory, the research employs a quantitative, cross-sectional design with data collected from 398 employees across sectors in Lebanon. Structural Equation Modeling revealed that all EI dimensions significantly and positively influenced employee performance, with self-regulation (β = 0.485) and empathy (β = 0.361) emerging as the most potent predictors. These findings underscore the value of emotionally intelligent leadership in fostering productivity, resilience, and team cohesion during organizational instability. This study contributes to the literature by contextualizing EI in an under-researched, crisis-affected setting, offering nuanced insights into which emotional competencies are most impactful during prolonged uncertainty. Practically, it positions EI as a strategic leadership asset for crisis management and sustainable human resource development in fragile economies. The results inform leadership training, policy design, and organizational strategies that aim to enhance employee performance through emotionally intelligent practices. Full article

With good reason, Vatican II encourages the Eastern ecclesial realities to preserve and, if necessary, to rediscover their own traditions (also, even if not only, for ecumenical reasons). There are, however, certain aspects of the heritage of the Eastern Churches that require urgent revision in a spirit of consistency with the teachings of the Council. This is undoubtedly the case with regard to the anti-Jewish elements so specific to the entire Christian tradition (more or less generalised insults and judgments; substitutionary and appropriative perspectives; a purely instrumental use of the Jewish scriptures) and, in the absence of full reception of the Council, still reflected in the public prayers of the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church, to the detriment of that spirit of respect, fraternity, and dialogue theoretically embraced throughout the Catholic world today. In the light of Nostra aetate §4 and the subsequent developments that flowed from it, I shall try in this contribution to outline some possible criteria for reforming the offices of Holy Week, aiming to show that—at least in this particular case—it is not enough merely to refer to the OE, let alone to use it to justify a comfortable tendency towards inertia. Apart from the fact that it is this very Decree that speaks of a possible and necessary organic progress, we cannot ignore the more general spirit of renewal of the Council and its other documents (the NA, the SC, the DV, the GS). The challenge would be to engender a creative fidelity, which—while preserving the best of tradition—surpasses certain of its contingent elements. Full article

Introduction: Nutrition literacy has garnered growing research attention worldwide, yet only a few instruments have been developed to specifically measure this construct among adolescents. Accordingly, the present research sought to examine the validity and reliability of the Adolescent Nutrition Literacy Scale (ANLS) within a group of Lebanese adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from December 2022 to March 2023, targeting a nationally representative sample. Results: Fit indices of the three-factor structure were good. Internal reliability was adequate for the following three subscales: Functional Nutrition Literacy (FNL) (ω = 0.88/α = 0.88), Interactive Nutrition Literacy (INL) (ω = 0.87/α = 0.86) and Critical Nutrition Literacy (CNL) (ω = 0.89/α = 0.89). Invariance was established across genders at configural, metric, and scalar levels. A significantly higher mean FNL and INL scores were found in males compared to females, with no significant difference between the two genders in terms of CNL. Higher FNL, but not CNL and INL scores were significantly associated with lower child food security. Conclusions: The Arabic ANLS has exhibited robust psychometric reliability, validity, and cost-effectiveness as a tool for assessing nutrition literacy. By utilizing the Arabic version of the ANLS, we can more efficiently and accurately assess the nutritional literacy of adolescents. Full article

Biodiesel, a renewable and environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels, has attracted significant attention due to its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, high production costs and complex processing remain challenges. Heterogeneous catalysts have shown promise in overcoming these barriers by offering benefits, such as easy separation, reusability, low-cost raw materials, and the ability to reduce reaction times and energy consumption. This review evaluates key classes of heterogeneous catalysts, such as metal oxides, ion exchange resins, and zeolites, and their performance in transesterification and esterification processes. It highlights the importance of catalyst preparation methods, textural properties, including surface area, pore volume, and pore size, activation techniques, and critical operational parameters, like the methanol-to-oil ratio, temperature, time, catalyst loading, and reusability. The analysis reveals that catalysts supported on high surface area materials often achieve higher biodiesel yields, while metal oxides derived from natural sources provide cost-effective and sustainable options. Challenges, such as catalyst deactivation, sensitivity to feedstock composition, and variability in performance, are discussed. Overall, the findings underscore the potential of heterogeneous catalysts to enhance biodiesel production efficiency, although further optimization and standardized evaluation protocols are necessary for their broader industrial application. Full article

Social media platforms have become essential tools for businesses aiming to engage audiences through innovative communication, particularly in the food and beverage industry. This study explores the impact of three core digital marketing strategies, namely, social media advertisements, electronic word of mouth, and digital influencers, on customer responsiveness in the Lebanese food and beverage sector. Based on a cross-sectional survey of 400 participants, the findings reveal that social media advertisements significantly and positively influence customer responsiveness (β = 0.227, p < 0.001). Likewise, electronic word of mouth strongly predicts customer responsiveness (β = 0.453, p < 0.001), affirming the power of customer-generated content in shaping brand perceptions. Furthermore, the presence of digital influencers emerged as a significant predictor of consumer reaction (β = 0.236, p < 0.001), suggesting that consumers regard influencers as credible sources when making food-related decisions. Among all predictors, electronic word of mouth demonstrated the strongest effect. Control variables such as gender, age, and social media usage intensity showed no significant effect on customer responsiveness. These findings underscore the strategic value of rich media content and peer influence in shaping consumer behavior in the food and beverage industry. The study offers practical insights for marketers seeking to enhance customer engagement and brand responsiveness in digital spaces. Full article

The subject of this article is the centuries-old religious heritage of Vilnius. The aim of the article is to analyse this heritage and its reflection in the gaze of tourists. In particular, it focuses on selected Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Jewish, and Karaite sites. The methods used in the empirical study include the analysis of reviews posted on the Tripadvisor website by tourists from different countries who visited five selected sites: (1) St. Anne’s Church, (2) Holy Spirit Orthodox Church, (3) Evangelical Lutheran Church, (4) Vilnius Choral Synagogue, and (5) Kenesa. The authors employed the method of desk research, which involves the analysis of existing data. The selection of objects was made by indicating the most commented sites of a given religious tradition for which the most comments were received. In the light of the pervasive influence of social media, it is noteworthy to observe the contemporary representation of multi-religious Vilnius that is disseminated through this medium. Urban sacred spaces are not only places of worship of interest to religious people, including local and foreign pilgrims. Furthermore, they constitute an attractive urban heritage for a significant number of cultural tourists. Committed tourists, including cultural tourists, meticulously document their impressions in various forms of narrative, offering either endorsement or criticism of a particular object. In this manner, they also interpret elements of the heritage in the local urban space. Full article

Skin cancer, including melanoma and non-melanoma cancers (basal and squamous cell carcinomas), is the most common type of cancer. UV radiation, family history, and genetic predisposition are the main risk factors. Although surgical excision is the standard treatment, essential oils are attracting growing interest for their anti-cancer effects. This study tested the effects of Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb. (Cupressaceae), Lavandula vera DC. (Lamiaceae), and Salvia fruticosa (Mill). (Lamiaceae) essential oils extracted from Middle Eastern medicinal plants on HaCaT (normal), A5 (benign), and II4 (low-grade malignant) keratinocytes. Essential oils were extracted from Juniperus excelsa, Lavandula vera, and Salvia libanotica using steam distillation and then were chemically analyzed. The oils were sterilized, dissolved in DMSO, and prepared at concentrations of 0.75, 0.5, and 0.25 mg/mL. Human keratinocyte (HaCaT), benign (A5), and malignant (II4) cell lines were cultured in DMEM and treated with the essential oils for 24 or 48 h. Cell viability was assessed using the Trypan Blue Exclusion Test, while cell proliferation was evaluated using the MTT assay. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA with appropriate post hoc tests, considering p < 0.05 as significant. The results show that J. excelsa is cytotoxic but lacks selectivity, limiting its efficacy. In contrast, L. vera and S. fruticosa preferentially target malignant cells, particularly at low concentrations, while sparing normal cells. These oils have dose-dependent anticancer effects, with L. vera efficacy increasing as the concentration increases. In conclusion, L. vera and S. fruticosa are promising candidates for the treatment of skin cancer, although further in vivo studies are required. Full article

This study investigates the impact of transformational leadership and the work environment on teacher performance, with a particular focus on how the work environment moderates this relationship within crisis-affected educational settings. A quantitative, survey-based approach was adopted, utilizing a random sample of 509 teachers from various schools across Lebanon. Data analysis was conducted using Smart PLS 4 to assess direct and moderating relationships. The results reveal that while the work environment has a strong and significant positive effect on teacher performance, transformational leadership does not exhibit a statistically significant direct impact. This contrasts with prior studies conducted in stable educational settings, where transformational leadership has consistently been linked to improved teacher performance. The findings suggest that prolonged socio-economic and political crises shift teachers’ reliance more toward a supportive work environment, as basic stability and resource availability become more critical determinants of performance. In such conditions, leadership effectiveness appears contingent on the presence of a positive work environment. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the fundamental role of the work environment in shaping leadership effectiveness and teacher performance in crisis contexts. It offers empirical insights to inform leadership practices and policy interventions in fragile educational systems. Full article

This review investigates the potential application of polyphenols extracted from indigenous Malus species as natural stabilizers to enhance ice cream thermodynamic properties. Ice cream quality and stability face significant challenges in regions with unreliable electrical infrastructure, such as Lebanon, where temperature fluctuations compromise product integrity. Polyphenols derived from apple tissues and processing by-products demonstrate promising functionality through interactions with ice cream’s protein and fat components, improving stability, reducing melting rates, and enhancing overall thermodynamic properties. Extraction methodologies are critically evaluated, with emphasis on ultrasound-assisted extraction as an optimal approach balancing efficiency, yield, and the preservation of bioactive compounds. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of polyphenolic profiles across apple varieties and tissues, extraction methodologies, mechanisms of stabilization in frozen desserts, and potential sensory implications. The multifunctional approach addresses both technological challenges in frozen dairy products and evolving consumer preferences for clean-label ingredients while potentially adding nutritional value through the inherent bioactive properties of polyphenols. Furthermore, utilizing apple by-products aligns with circular economy principles, transforming waste streams into value-added ingredients. This approach shows particular promise for regions with cold chain challenges while supporting sustainable agricultural practices. Full article

The financial valuation of professional football players is influenced by multiple factors that evolve throughout a player’s career. This study examines these determinants using Gradient Boosting Machine Learning models, segmented by three age categories and three playing positions to capture the dynamic nature of player valuation. K-fold cross-validation is applied to measure accuracy, with results indicating that incorporating a player’s projected future potential improves model precision from an average of 74% to 84%. The findings reveal that the relevance of valuation factors diminishes with age, and the most influential features vary by position—shooting for attackers, passing for midfielders, and defensive skills for defenders. The study adopts a dynamic segmentation approach, providing financial insights relevant to club managers, investors, and stakeholders in sports finance. The results contribute to sports analytics and financial modeling in sports, with applications in contract negotiations, talent scouting, and transfer market decisions. Full article

The Traditio Apostolica presents, within the context of Christian baptism, first the water baptism accompanied by a profession of faith, followed by prayer with the laying on of hands. The purpose of this initiation process is the forgiveness of sins, which is more strongly implied in the water rite, and the gift of the Spirit, which is implied in the laying on of hands. This sequence of baptism and laying on of hands, in connection with faith and Spirit reception, is also evident in Acts 19:1–7. Apart from Acts 8:5–25, however, it is the only passage that links baptism with laying on of hands followed by Spirit reception. Moreover, it is the only instance of a rebaptism within the Lukan double work. The focus of this article is not primarily on the question of the historicity of this rite during the New Testament period but on a narratological-intratextual analysis of the relationship between baptism and Spirit reception, that is, to what extent the reader, against the background of the preceding narrative in Luke-Acts, is led to an understanding of this relationship and its significance for becoming a Christian. The article argues that faith plays a decisive role in the Christian initiation process. Full article

Background/Objectives: As vestibular paroxysmia (VP) has recently been described in children, with an incidence of up to 4% of vertigo, and a promising therapeutic response to sodium-channel-blocking drugs has also been reported, the aim of this paper is to review the available literature on this topic and to provide the best possible guidance for diagnosis and treatment. Methods: PubMed, Medline, Cochrane, and Crossref databases were searched, and all studies on VP in children and sodium channel blockers were selected. Results: Only five articles reporting small case series or single case reports were identified. To date, oxcarbazepine (OXC) and carbamazepine (CBZ) are the only two molecules prescribed. The recommended doses were 300 to 360 mg/day and 50 to 200 mg/day for OXC and CBZ, respectively, for a total duration of 6 weeks. Fast efficacy (one week) was reported. Conclusions: VP has been identified in pediatric patients and appears to respond to sodium channel blockers in a manner similar to adults. Only a limited number of cases have been reported to date; thus, there is a need to raise awareness about this treatable cause of episodic vertigo in children. Full article

In this article, I explore deification in light of the practice of pastoral ministry in Lutheran settings, engaging the biblical witness and key features of the Lutheran theological tradition as sources for understanding deification from a Lutheran perspective. Through this study, I have come to view deification from a Lutheran perspective as our union with Christ in faith, individually and communally embodied, that is generated by the energies of the Holy Spirit working through the means of grace in the church for the sake of advancing God’s mission in the world. Full article

Background and Objectives: Drug permeability across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) remains a significant challenge in drug discovery, prompting extensive efforts to develop in silico predictive models. Most existing models rely on molecular descriptors to characterize drug properties. Feature selection algorithms play a crucial role in identifying the most relevant descriptors, thereby enhancing prediction accuracy. Methods: In this study, we compare the effectiveness of sequential feature selection (SFS) and genetic algorithms (GAs) in optimizing descriptor selection for BBB permeability prediction. Five different classifiers were initially trained on a dataset using eight molecular descriptors. Each classifier was then retrained using the descriptors selected by SFS and GA separately. Results: The results indicate that the GA method outperformed SFS, leading to a higher prediction accuracy (96.23%) when combined with a support vector machine (SVM) classifier. Furthermore, the GA approach, utilizing a fitness function based on classifier performance, consistently improved prediction accuracy across all tested models, whereas SFS showed lower effectiveness. Additionally, this study highlights the critical role of polar surface area in determining drug permeability across the BBB. Conclusions: These findings suggest that genetic algorithms provide a more robust approach than sequential feature selection for identifying key molecular descriptors in BBB permeability prediction. Full article