This article analyses two major dilemmas in contemporary Lebanon： Firstly, based on the theory of consociational democracy it identifies an increasing divide between the state that is building on a national security ...This article analyses two major dilemmas in contemporary Lebanon： Firstly, based on the theory of consociational democracy it identifies an increasing divide between the state that is building on a national security consensus among the power sharing elites and the society, which suffering from the political paralysis concerning reforms is depending on the market, the private initiative and the international donor community in coping with the challenges rooted in inadequate infrastructure, failing public services, corruption, and migration including the influx of Syrian refugees. Secondly, it discusses the contradiction between the cosmopolitan self-image of Beirut versus social exclusion of Palestinians, Asian and African migrant workers, and sexual minorities. Even if the Lebanese government points to terrorism and the refugees crisis as the biggest threats to the Lebanese state a closer analysis points to the increasing divide between state and society, which leads to a rise to a social crisis that involves all layers in the Lebanese society except the elite. Much of the discontent with this situation among Lebanese citizens and the Palestinians is today directed against the Syrians who are portrayed as the roots of the problems in Lebanon. It is an open question though that how long time the Lebanese society accept this narrative： the mass mobilization behind first You Stink movement in 2015 and then Beirut Madinati in 2016 indicates a political awareness in Beirut that holds the government and political system responsible for the huge problems and at the same time acknowledges that political reforms leading to a better economic distribution of Lebanese resources and power sharing not only for the elites but for the Lebanese society as such is the only way ahead and the best bulwark against a breakdown of the state.展开更多
A new series of quinoxaline 1,4-di-N-oxides were synthesized and evaluated for their antibacterial and antifungal activities. The best result was demonstrated by 3-amino-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-quinoxalinecarboxamide 1,...A new series of quinoxaline 1,4-di-N-oxides were synthesized and evaluated for their antibacterial and antifungal activities. The best result was demonstrated by 3-amino-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-quinoxalinecarboxamide 1,4-di-N-oxide 4e, MIC (0.24 μg/ml) against Aspergillus fumigatus, and (0.12 μg/ml) against Streptococcus pneumonia.展开更多
Rainfall data is probably one of the longest-recorded climatic parameters in Lebanon. On the central coast of Lebanon, the Beirut weather station started collecting rainfall data in 1876. However, the recorded data is...Rainfall data is probably one of the longest-recorded climatic parameters in Lebanon. On the central coast of Lebanon, the Beirut weather station started collecting rainfall data in 1876. However, the recorded data is not available at one data provider source. Published data is found in historical documents but it reaches the early 1970s and then appears a data gap till 1990. Still the data is available, but it might be found to be saved privately. This study investigated the SPI variability on annual time scale between the years 1876 and 2021. The SPI was computed using R-Stat software to compare every year between 1876 and 2021. The majority (about 70% of the years) of the years are near normal in the precipitation rate. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) demonstrated a normal distribution of years. Dry and wet years constitute about 15% of the total 146 years (1876-2021). Extremely dry years might appear in two consecutive years between 50 to 60 years count. After 1991, there were no wet years it was only near normal and few dry years. The last 30 years showed a trend of increasing drought years without any occurrence of wet years. This study demonstrated the importance of keeping records of at least rainfall data and it must be recorded on a daily basis or intensity on time. It is highly important on a managerial basis and for water security reasons to understand the drought event occurrence and investigate the changes in rainfall rates. Climate change scenarios always forecast a decrease in rainfall rates which will not appear without such studies.展开更多
Throughout history, design values have always underlined a given architectural style. The manner architects and architectural critics distinguish between them varies from that of the public. In fact a style welt perce...Throughout history, design values have always underlined a given architectural style. The manner architects and architectural critics distinguish between them varies from that of the public. In fact a style welt perceived by civil society was read as pathological by architectural academia. This paper examines the values and perceptions of contemporary architecture by architects and civil society. Through qualitative methodology, a project by each of the following leading contemporary architects - Renzo Piano, Norman Foster and Rem Koolhaas - was analyzed. The selected designs, all commissioned not more than a decade ago, vary in locations from Malta to Lebanon to India. The study concludes that design values and perceptions of architecture as read by members of the architectural profession do not tally with those of the public. The emphasis by architects is on the aesthetic whilst non-architects focus on the utilitarian dimension. Furthermore, the rhetorical language which architects use is not read as such by the public. The assessment of the public is based on the existential reality which they experience. The perception of civil society matters; it is at the core of architectural design values.展开更多
文摘This article analyses two major dilemmas in contemporary Lebanon： Firstly, based on the theory of consociational democracy it identifies an increasing divide between the state that is building on a national security consensus among the power sharing elites and the society, which suffering from the political paralysis concerning reforms is depending on the market, the private initiative and the international donor community in coping with the challenges rooted in inadequate infrastructure, failing public services, corruption, and migration including the influx of Syrian refugees. Secondly, it discusses the contradiction between the cosmopolitan self-image of Beirut versus social exclusion of Palestinians, Asian and African migrant workers, and sexual minorities. Even if the Lebanese government points to terrorism and the refugees crisis as the biggest threats to the Lebanese state a closer analysis points to the increasing divide between state and society, which leads to a rise to a social crisis that involves all layers in the Lebanese society except the elite. Much of the discontent with this situation among Lebanese citizens and the Palestinians is today directed against the Syrians who are portrayed as the roots of the problems in Lebanon. It is an open question though that how long time the Lebanese society accept this narrative： the mass mobilization behind first You Stink movement in 2015 and then Beirut Madinati in 2016 indicates a political awareness in Beirut that holds the government and political system responsible for the huge problems and at the same time acknowledges that political reforms leading to a better economic distribution of Lebanese resources and power sharing not only for the elites but for the Lebanese society as such is the only way ahead and the best bulwark against a breakdown of the state.
文摘A new series of quinoxaline 1,4-di-N-oxides were synthesized and evaluated for their antibacterial and antifungal activities. The best result was demonstrated by 3-amino-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-quinoxalinecarboxamide 1,4-di-N-oxide 4e, MIC (0.24 μg/ml) against Aspergillus fumigatus, and (0.12 μg/ml) against Streptococcus pneumonia.
文摘Rainfall data is probably one of the longest-recorded climatic parameters in Lebanon. On the central coast of Lebanon, the Beirut weather station started collecting rainfall data in 1876. However, the recorded data is not available at one data provider source. Published data is found in historical documents but it reaches the early 1970s and then appears a data gap till 1990. Still the data is available, but it might be found to be saved privately. This study investigated the SPI variability on annual time scale between the years 1876 and 2021. The SPI was computed using R-Stat software to compare every year between 1876 and 2021. The majority (about 70% of the years) of the years are near normal in the precipitation rate. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) demonstrated a normal distribution of years. Dry and wet years constitute about 15% of the total 146 years (1876-2021). Extremely dry years might appear in two consecutive years between 50 to 60 years count. After 1991, there were no wet years it was only near normal and few dry years. The last 30 years showed a trend of increasing drought years without any occurrence of wet years. This study demonstrated the importance of keeping records of at least rainfall data and it must be recorded on a daily basis or intensity on time. It is highly important on a managerial basis and for water security reasons to understand the drought event occurrence and investigate the changes in rainfall rates. Climate change scenarios always forecast a decrease in rainfall rates which will not appear without such studies.
文摘Throughout history, design values have always underlined a given architectural style. The manner architects and architectural critics distinguish between them varies from that of the public. In fact a style welt perceived by civil society was read as pathological by architectural academia. This paper examines the values and perceptions of contemporary architecture by architects and civil society. Through qualitative methodology, a project by each of the following leading contemporary architects - Renzo Piano, Norman Foster and Rem Koolhaas - was analyzed. The selected designs, all commissioned not more than a decade ago, vary in locations from Malta to Lebanon to India. The study concludes that design values and perceptions of architecture as read by members of the architectural profession do not tally with those of the public. The emphasis by architects is on the aesthetic whilst non-architects focus on the utilitarian dimension. Furthermore, the rhetorical language which architects use is not read as such by the public. The assessment of the public is based on the existential reality which they experience. The perception of civil society matters; it is at the core of architectural design values.
