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Background: The use of ChatGPT among university students has gained a recent popularity. The current study aimed to assess the factors driving the attitude and usage of ChatGPT as an example of generative artificial intelligence (genAI) among university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on a previously validated Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)-based survey instrument termed TAME-ChatGPT. The self-administered e-survey was distributed by emails for students enrolled in UAE universities during September-December 2023 using a convenience-based approach. Assessment of the demographic and academic variables, and the TAME-ChatGPT constructs' roles in ChatGPT attitude and usage was conducted using univariate followed by multivariate analyses. Results: The final study sample comprised 608 participants, 91.0% of whom heard of ChatGPT while 85.4% used ChatGPT before the study. Univariate analysis indicated that a positive attitude to ChatGPT was associated with the three TAME-ChatGPT attitude constructs namely, lower perceived risks, lower anxiety, and higher scores on the attitude to technology/social influence. For the ChatGPT usage, univariate analysis indicated that positive attitude to ChatGPT use was associated with being male, Arab in nationality, and lower point grade average (GPA) as well as the four ChatGPT usage constructs namely, higher perceived usefulness, lower perceived risks of use, higher scores on the behavior/cognitive construct and higher scores on the ease-of-use construct. In multivariate analysis, only TAME-ChatGPT constructs explained the variance in attitude towards ChatGPT (80.8%) and its usage (76.9%). Conclusion: The findings indicated that ChatGPT usage is commonplace among university students in the UAE. The determinants of use included the perceived usefulness, lower perceived risks, cognitive and behavioral factors, perceived ease of use, while the attitude was determined by lower perceived risks, lower anxiety, and higher scores for attitude to technology/social influence. These factors should be considered for understanding the motivators for successful adoption of genAI including ChatGPT in higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients encounter many obstacles that affect their physical and psychological well-being. The primary objective of the present study was to investigate potential correlates of optimism/pessimism in a sample of patients with CKD, including socio-demographics, body appreciation and disordered eating symptoms. As a secondary objective, we proposed to examine the psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the Optimism–Pessimism Short Scale–2 (SOP2) before its use in our sample. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out between April and May 2023, enrolling 108 participants from three hospitals in Lebanon providing insights into their sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity levels, body appreciation, optimism, pessimism, and eating attitudes. Results: Results indicated that the Arabic-language adaptation of the SOP2 has good reliability coefficients. The two facets of the scale displayed a strong correlation to each other, and highly similar correlations with external study variables (i.e., household crowding index, physical activity, body appreciation, disordered eating), suggesting that the SOP2 can be interpreted as a unidimensional measure for the psychological dispositional optimism as proposed by the developers. Furthermore, findings revealed a strong positive correlation between body appreciation and optimism, suggesting that CKD patients who appreciate their bodies tend to exhibit a more optimistic outlook on life. Conversely, higher body appreciation is associated with lower pessimism, indicating that a positive body image may mitigate feelings of hopelessness and despair in CKD patients. Conclusion: This study contributes to the literature in two ways. First, it offers the Arabic SOP2 as an brief tool to administer, and psychometrically sound instrument that can be useful for clinical and research purposes. Second, it unveils a clear correlation between higher body appreciation and a more optimistic, less pessimistic mindset in patients with CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dysmenorrhea, characterized by painful menstrual cramps, significantly impacts the well-being of women globally. Despite its prevalence and adverse effects, dysmenorrhea is often underdiagnosed and inadequately treated. This study aims to validate the Arabic version of the Working ability, Location, Intensity, Days of pain, and Dysmenorrhea (WaLIDD) scale among Lebanese female university students aged 18– 45. Methods: This cross-sectional study, involving 729 participants, utilized a translated WaLIDD scale and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-8). Results: Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) confirmed the one-factor structure of the WaLIDD scale, demonstrating excellent fit indices, with good internal reliability. Concurrent validity analysis revealed significant associations between higher WaLIDD scores and elevated levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea in the study was estimated at 7.3%. Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of the WaLIDD scale as a reliable and valid tool for assessing dysmenorrhea among Arabic-speaking populations. The successful validation of the Arabic version facilitates its application in Lebanon and potentially other Arab regions, providing a universal tool to predict and assess dysmenorrhea and its impact. Further research is encouraged to explore the scale's applicability in clinical settings and tailor interventions for improved women's well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Locust Bean (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is an ancient Mediterranean fruit that is used to make locust bean gum from seeds, which is a popular ingredient in many foods today. Locust Bean fruit and Gum are rich in bioactive compounds that can be helpful in the treatment of conditions involving the digestive system, as well as cancer, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. The locust bean gum is a polysaccharide extracted from the endosperm of the locust bean seed through different thermomechanical or chemical processes. It is an approved food additive with the European number E410 and a number of different food uses. It is a galactomannan and it is frequently used in dairy products for its water-binding and thickening properties to improve their rheological properties. This review aims to study the functional, and nutritional characteristics of Locust Bean Gum, the extraction of Locust Bean Gum, as well as its applications in the food sector and its impacts on dairy product processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overcoming the limited bioavailability and extensive metabolism of effective in vitro drugs remains a challenge that limits the translation of promising drugs into clinical trials. Resveratrol, despite its well-reported therapeutic benefits, is not metabolically stable and thus has not been utilized as an effective clinical drug. This is because it needs to be consumed in large amounts to overcome the burdens of bioavailability and conversion into less effective metabolites. Herein, we summarize the more relevant approaches to modify resveratrol, aiming to increase its biological and therapeutic efficacy. We discuss combination therapies, derivatization, and the use of resveratrol nanoparticles. Interestingly, the combination of resveratrol with established chemotherapeutic drugs has shown promising therapeutic effects on colon cancer (with oxaliplatin), liver cancer (with cisplatin, 5-FU), and gastric cancer (with doxorubicin). On the other hand, derivatizing resveratrol, including hydroxylation, amination, amidation, imidation, methoxylation, prenylation, halogenation, glycosylation, and oligomerization, differentially modifies its bioavailability and could be used for preferential therapeutic outcomes. Moreover, the encapsulation of resveratrol allows its trapping within different forms of shells for targeted therapy. Depending on the nanoparticle used, it can enhance its solubility and absorption, increasing its bioavailability and efficacy. These include polymers, metals, solid lipids, and other nanoparticles that have shown promising preclinical results, adding more "hype" to the research on resveratrol. This review provides a platform to compare the different approaches to allow directed research into better treatment options with resveratrol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FexCu 1 0 0 − x binary alloys attracted much attention owing to their rich magnetic phase diagram and the challenges of achieving single phases in these systems. Despite early efforts put toward studying the physical properties of low-Cu doping in Fe–Cu alloys, a detailed understanding of the magnetic, structural and electrical properties of high Cu doping in Fe–Cu alloys remains not clear. In this report, we use X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, electrical transport and magnetic measurements to gain more insight into Fe 1 5 Cu 8 5 single-phase alloy system. Experimental findings show that the samples exhibit a second-order phase transition, which is consistent with the classical mean-field model. Moreover, negative magnetoresistance is observed at all temperatures and explained through classical models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to identify the perceived advantages and drawbacks of teleworking and their correlates, including health problems, among Lebanese workers holding a university degree. A web-based cross-sectional self-report questionnaire created on Google Forms was used to survey 230 participants through snowball sampling between October 2022 and March 2023. The majority of respondents recognized both the advantages (67.03%) and drawbacks (66.34%) associated with teleworking, suggesting mixed feelings toward this format. Despite the limited satisfaction with teleworking, respondents acknowledged the advantages associated with remote working; in particular, younger, less physically active, and more educated participants valued teleworking more than their counterparts. The mean perception of advantages and drawbacks of telework did not significantly change with participants' work status (hybrid, online, and in-person). The study revealed a high prevalence of consistent sleeping difficulty (35.7%), limited regular physical activity (60.4%), work-related musculoskeletal disorders (48.7%), back pain (5.7%), and visual disorders (48%) among Lebanese workers. Despite the limited satisfaction with teleworking, respondents acknowledged advantages such as cost and time savings. Older workers showed a preference against teleworking, potentially due to its impact on well-being. Factors such as education, career satisfaction, and prior teleworking experience influenced individuals' perceptions of telework benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]