This paper analyses the performance and environmental impacts of gas turbine plants operating on diesel and natural gas. It provides a comprehensive assessment of how varying ambient temperatures and fuel type affect gas turbine operation and pollutant emissions. This is done under identical turbine inlet temperatures and net power to eliminate their effects and to enable a clearer comparison. Based on a case study of the Tripoli West 167 MW simple-cycle power plant, a thermodynamic model developed in Excel is used to simulate GT performance. Results indicate that as ambient temperature changes, net exergy destruction is primarily influenced by the exergy destruction changes in the turbine (~45%) and the compressor (~40%), although the combustor is responsible for over 80% of the net destruction in the cycle. The results also highlight the relationships between specific fuel consumption, net thermal efficiency, and pollutant emissions. For every 10 °C rise in ambient temperature, the net thermal efficiency declines by 1.55% and 1.5%, the specific fuel consumption rises by 1.57% and 1.52%, and pollutant emissions rise by 1.58% and 1.53% for diesel and natural gas, respectively. This may link the changes in net thermal efficiency and pollutant emissions to the specific fuel consumption. Switching from diesel to natural gas significantly reduces net exergy destruction (~73%), attributed to reduced combustor exergy destruction, and boosts overall thermal efficiency by about 1%. Switching to natural gas also reduces CO2 emissions by (~24%) due to a lower carbon-to-hydrogen ratio (~15.2%) and lower fuel consumption (~10.2%). The emission factors determined by this study are 3.082 kg CO2/kg fuel for diesel and 2.612 kg CO2/kg fuel for natural gas. The change in emission factor between diesel and natural gas is similar to the change in carbon-to-hydrogen ratio between the two fuels (~15.2%). This relates the CO2 emission factor to fuel chemistry. The findings suggest that using natural gas is preferable, especially in warmer months. 

This study examined the direct and indirect associations between maternal parenting styles and multidimensional self-concept among Libyan Arab mothers ranging in age from 18 to 52 years (M = 31.47, SD = 8.26), reflecting associations between parenting practices and psychosocial functioning within Arab family contexts. Parenting practices were assessed using the Arabic adaptation of the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ), and self-concept was measured using the Arabic version of the Multidimensional Self-Concept Scale (MSCS). Findings indicated that authoritative parenting was positively associated with all self-concept domains, whereas authoritarian parenting was negatively associated with self-concept outcomes. Permissive parenting demonstrated weaker but generally positive associations with several self-concept dimensions. The path-analytic model supported theoretically meaningful direct and indirect associations between maternal parenting styles and multidimensional self-concept domains. Academic, social, and emotional self-concept emerged as important pathways linking parenting practices with broader competence and family-related self-concept outcomes. Specifically, authoritative parenting was associated with positive direct effects on competence and academic self-concept, as well as indirect effects on competence through academic self-concept and on family self-concept through social self-concept. In contrast, authoritarian parenting predicted negative direct effects on affective and competence-related self-concept, alongside indirect effects through affective and social self-concept domains. Permissive parenting showed weaker direct effects on social and competence self-concept, with modest indirect effects through academic and social self-concept. These findings support hierarchical models of self-concept associations and highlight culturally specific pathways linking parenting practices to psychosocial functioning in Arab family contexts. The study provides novel empirical evidence from an underrepresented population and underscores the relevance of parenting practices for family-focused policies, parenting education, and preventive interventions aimed at promoting healthy psychosocial functioning in collectivistic societies.

This study examined the psychometric properties and structural validity of a foreign language Classroom anxiety scale in an Arabic-speaking sample (N = 327; Mage = 25.87 years, SD = 7.15) drawn from universities in Libya and Saudi Arabia. Foreign language anxiety was assessed using the Arabic Foreign Language Anxiety Questionnaire (AFLAQ), alongside measures of psychological distress (DASS-8) and resilience (BRS). Confirmatory factor analysis supported a three-factor structure comprising Communication Apprehension, Fear of Negative Evaluation, and Test Anxiety, with acceptable model fit. Measurement invariance across gender was established, indicating that the scale operates equivalently for males and females. Rasch analysis further supported the scale’s reliability and item functioning. Structural equation modeling revealed that psychological distress was significantly associated with all dimensions of foreign language anxiety, whereas resilience showed no direct associations. However, resilience was indirectly associated with Communication Apprehension, Fear of Negative Evaluation, and Test Anxiety through psychological distress. In addition, resilience was negatively associated with psychological distress. Gender differences were observed, with females reporting higher communication apprehension and psychological distress, while males showed higher resilience. Overall, the findings support a multidimensional conceptualization of foreign language anxiety and highlight the central role of psychological distress, suggesting that resilience may be associated with foreign language anxiety indirectly through reductions in psychological distress. The study provides psychometric evidence for the AFLAQ and underscores the importance of integrating broader psychological factors in understanding foreign language anxiety in Arabic-speaking contexts.

Self-compassion is increasingly recognized as a core psychological resource within contemporary happiness and well-being research, particularly from a psychological perspective emphasizing optimal functioning, resilience, and personal growth. Using a cross-sectional design, this study examines the associations between self-compassion and indicators of psychological well-being (flourishing, hope, resilience, life satisfaction) as well as psychological distress and test an indirect effect model in which resilience mediated the relationship between self-compassion and positive well-being outcomes. A total of 318 Saudi Arab adults completed measures of self-compassion, flourishing, hope, resilience, life satisfaction, and psychological distress. Results supported the theorized six-factor structure of the Self-Compassion Scale–Short Form and showed that self-compassion was positively associated with flourishing, hope, resilience, and life satisfaction, and negatively associated with psychological distress. Structural equation modeling indicated that resilience exerted a significant indirect effect in the relationships between self-compassion and flourishing, life satisfaction, and hope. These findings are consistent with theoretical perspectives in positive psychology and self-compassion theory, suggesting that resilience functions as a key psychological mechanism linking self-compassion to well-being. From a practical perspective, the results highlight the potential value of interventions aimed at enhancing self-compassion and resilience to promote psychological well-being in Arab populations, particularly in clinical and educational settings.

Euphorbia glyptosperma Engelm is recorded for the first time as part of the flora of Libya. This widespread wild weed was collected during 2023–2024 from various locations, including regions in Sabha and Ariggiba (approximately 110 km southwest of Sabha city). To aid in its identification and facilitate future studies, a comprehensive description of the species, habitat information, a distribution map, and distribution data are provided. Additionally, a brief discussion highlights the most significant threats associated with this species. Keywords: Identification key, Ariggiba Region, Field work, Sabha taxonomy, Alena

The Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ) has not been validated in Arabic. The present study aimed to validate the Arabic ASQ Short Form (A-ASQ-SF) and investigate its associations with family functioning and religiosity. A total of 1173 Libyan participants completed a survey composed of ASQ, Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR), Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES-IV) and the Muslim Religiosity Scale (MRS). The sample was randomly split into two sub-samples. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) on the first sub-sample (n = 577) and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on the second sub-sample (n = 596) were performed. Twenty items were selected (EFA), and the CFA showed a good fit for the five-factor structure. The results showed a high convergent validity with the ECR, and significant correlations with the FACES-IV and MRS. The A-ASQ-SF is a valid and reliable questionnaire to measure the attachment dimensions in Arab populations. Cultural aspects have been discussed.

Gratitude is a multidimensional construct linked to flourishing, life satisfaction, hope, empathy, and self-compassion. However, validated Arabic instruments remain scarce.This study aimed to test psychometric proprieties of the Arabic version of the Gratitude Scale (GQ-6) and examined its associations with flourishing, life satisfaction, hope, empathic concern, and self-compassion in a mixed clinical and non-clinical Saudi sample A mixed clinical and non-clinical sample of 299 Saudi adults (79.9% female; mean age = 25.13, SD = 4.24) completed the Arabic GQ-6 along with validated Arabic measures of flourishing, life satisfaction, hope, empathic concern, and self‑compassion. Psychometric evaluation included confirmatory factor analyses, reliability testing, Rasch analysis, and multi-group CFA for gender invariance. Correlational and mediation analyses were conducted to assess construct validity and psychological associations. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a unidimensional five-item structure after removing one weak reverse-worded item, demonstrating excellent model fit, χ²(5) = 10.69, p = .058, CFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.06, SRMR = 0.03. Internal consistency was satisfactory (α = 0.75; ω = 0.76). Rasch analysis indicated acceptable item fit (infit/outfit = 0.96–1.09) and moderate person reliability (0.44). Multi-group CFA confirmed configural and metric invariance across gender, with all standardized loadings significant (p < .001) and adequate convergent validity (AVE = 0.51–0.53), indicating that gratitude is measured equivalently among males and females. Gratitude correlated positively with flourishing (r = .36), life satisfaction (r = .39), hope (r = .24), empathic concern (r = .29), and self-compassion (r = .32). Mediation analyses revealed that flourishing mediated the relationship between gratitude and life satisfaction, whereas self-compassion and empathic concern were nonsignificant mediators. The Arabic Gratitude Scale demonstrates strong reliability, factorial validity, and measurement invariance across gender. Findings highlight flourishing as a key psychological mechanism linking gratitude to life satisfaction in Arab cultural contexts, supporting the scale’s utility in both research and applied settings.

High concentrations of radioactive elements are an indicator of the risk of radioactivity. The cesium radionuclide is one of the most important radionuclides. This study investigates the concentration and radiological impact of Cesium-137 (Cs-137) in surface soils within the Al-Zawiya region, Libya. A total of 19 soil samples were collected from various locations in September 2024, including areas near the Al-Zawiya oil refinery. Samples were prepared by drying, sieving, and sealing in Marinelli beakers for 30 days. Activity concentrations were determined using gamma-ray spectroscopy with an n-type HPGe coaxial detector system (GR6022). The specific activity of Cs-137 was calculated from the 661.66 keV photopeak, and corresponding absorbed dose rates and annual effective doses were derived using standard conversion factors. Cs-137 was detected in 9 samples (47.37%), with activity concentrations ranging from 0.1338 to 2.4037 Bq/kg and a mean of 0.6727 Bq/kg. The highest values were not associated with refinery infrastructure, indicating a fallout origin from historical nuclear events rather than local contamination. The resultant absorbed dose rates (0.0041 - 0.0721 nGy/h) and annual effective doses (0.0050 - 0.0109 μSv/year) are orders of magnitude below the public dose limit of 1 mSv/year and negligible compared to natural background radiation.