Private Partner Selection and Bankability Assessment of PPP in Infrastructure Projects

The use of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) for infrastructure projects has garnered much international attention over the past few decades. The inclusion of private investors and operators has expanded and improved the quality of public services. When entering a PPP, the most important decision for governments is the selection of the private partner. The selection process should identify and pre-qualify those prospective partners that have the best potential for the successful development and delivery of the proposed PPP project. A successful partnership should ensure that both partners, i.e. the public sector department and the private corporation, have an effective business relationship. While private partner selection is a critical factor, essential for the successful completion of PPP projects, there is a general lack of decision making tools available to assist governments in the selection process. This research aims to assist governments with such decisions by (1) identifying and studying the criteria for selecting the most appropriate private partners for PPP projects; (2) developing a model to select the best private partner; and (3) developing model(s) and a framework that can assess a project’s risk profile from the financing agencies’ perspective. This research proposes two integrated models. The first model is developed to select the best private partners for PPP infrastructure projects. The selection process is modeled using a fuzzy analytic network process (FANP) and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method to adequately handle the process’s imprecision, vagueness and uncertainty. This model takes into account the possible dependencies among selection criteria as well as between alternatives and selection criteria, providing a more realistic solution than deterministic models which ignore such interdependencies. The second model is developed to improve the credit evaluation procedure for evaluating private partners for PPP projects, wherein their bankability is assessed before accepting their request to borrow funds. Publicly-available financial information is utilized to drive a clear understanding and sound interpretation of a project’s free cash flow and its forecasted future free cash flow. In this model, a set of criteria are defined from a survey conducted with credit experts, and then the TOPSIS method is used to calculate the weights of the criteria. Four criteria are used to assess private partners' financial ability based on the detailed free cash flows in multiple scenarios. The developed framework is applied to six PPP projects in Africa where the private partners of these projects were analyzed, evaluated, and prioritized based on their bankability. The model’s result provides creditors with two benefits; it ranks the private partners according to their overall suitability based on the projects’ characteristics and creditors' requirements, and it calculates the maximum amount a creditor would be willing to pay as a loan to each of the partners. The developed framework is expected to contribute to the body of knowledge in four main aspects. First, it provides a structured tool for governments and decision makers to use to evaluate potential private partner's ability to achieve their strategic objectives, as well as identifying the partners’ strengths and weaknesses. Second, the decision-making tool accounts for influential factors other than the already widely-considered technical and financial aspects, such as safety, environmental, political and managerial concerns. Third, the bankability assessment model combines risk and credit analysis, which enables creditors to rank projects according to their overall suitability based on a projects’ characteristics and the creditors' requirements. Finally, the developed framework provides credit analysts with a tool to quantify the risks affecting projects, and to calculate the maximum amount a creditor would be willing to pay as a loan to each of the projects

Energy efficiency optimization of engine by frictional reduction of functional surfaces of cylinder ring-pack system

International audienceFriction reduction, lower oil consumption, and limitation of greenhouse gases emissions are the chief objectives of the automotive industry in order to improve the environmental efficiency of vehicle engines.In this paper, a strategy for ring-pack friction reduction through cylinder liner finish optimization based on coupling instrumented honing experiments and numerical prediction of elastohydrodynamic friction is proposed.The results show that honed surfaces produced by fine abrasion by honing stones yield the optimal elastohydrodynamic friction. They also demonstrate the limitations of ISO 13565 standard roughness parameters in giving a complete description of the functional performances of cylinder surface finishes

Rapidly Progressive IgA Nephropathy in One of a Pair of Identical Twins

Introduction: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common cause of primary glomerulonephritis worldwide. It was considered a benign condition for many years but long term follow up showed that it might progress to end stage renal disease (ESRD). The cause of primary IgAN is unknown and no consistent genetic abnormalities that predict the development or progression of IgAN have been identified. A variety of observations suggest an as-sociation to an unknown environmental antigen, familial clustering, or infectious agent. The patient presented here is the first report of a child with IgAN in Sudan. Case report: a seven years old boy was referred to our center for further evaluation and management of sudden onset macroscopic hematuria and renal impairment. He was born after an uneventful pregnancy and breast fed. He developed normally and was healthy before this illness. He had eight siblings who were all healthy, including his identical twin brother. Physical examination and laboratory tests led to the diagnosis of IgAN. The patient was treated with peritoneal dialysis and pulses of methylprednisolone for three consecutive days. He showed a remarkable response and regained normal renal function. He was then kept on alternate day’s steroids, ACE inhibitors, and Azathioprine. The other twin is being closely monitored. Conclusion: This report provides an indirect support for the hypothesis that environmental factors play a role in the pathogenesis of IgAN. However, follow up of the currently healthy twin is necessary, since affection with the disease may be expressed at a later time. Key words: IgA nephropathy, identical twins, macroscopic hematuri

EFFECT OF EDUCATIONAL GUIDELINES ABOUT PHYSICAL RESTRAINT ON NURSES PRACTICES AT PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL.

Background: In psychiatric hospitals, aggressive and threats of aggressive constitute serious emergencies that may be difficult to control by nursing staff, the physical restraints are the best solution to protect patient and other. Study design: The one-group pretest-posttest pre-experimental design was practiced. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the educational guidelines about physical restrain on nurses? practices at psychiatric hospital.. Setting: This study was conducted at the two settings: Psychiatric department in the ZagazigUniversity Hospital and Al-Dar Hospital of Psychiatry and Addiction at Zagazig city- at El Sharkia- Egypt. Subjects: A convenience sample of 50 psychiatric nurses involved. Tools of the study:Physical restraint questionnaire was used which contains two parts; Part one: The Nurses\' Practices Regarding the Use of Physical Restraint and part two: Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. The results: The results demonstrates that about two third of studied nurses have an inadequate practice in applying physical restraints before the educational sessions, while, most of the nurses have an adequate practice in applying physical restrain after implementation of educational sessions and there is a positive significant difference in nursing performance of physical restraint before and after educational sessions Conclusions:It can be concluded that the majority of the studied nurses\' level of practices improved after implementation of educational sessions about guidelines to applying physical restraint, with a highly positive significant statistical differencebetween nurses\' level of practices in performing and applying physical restraint before and after educational sessions. Recommendations: Apply the educational sessions about guidelines of applying physical restraint to improve nursing performance in all psychiatric settings and increase awareness of the mental health team about the importance of the policy of applying physical restrain

Counseling Psycho-motor Program to Life Adaptation for Breast Cancer Women "Before and After Mastectomy"

Background: Breast cancer a form of major health and psychological crisis that affect women and its impact is similar to trauma, the patient psychological and social in a bad state. The main aim of this study was to assess the impact of the psycho-motor program to life adaptation for breast cancer women "before and after mastectomy". The participants were 45 female patients, recruited from the oncology department of the University Hospital in the Beni Suef Governorate. Data were collected on one tool consisting of three parts, sociodemographic questionnaire, post/traumatic stress disorder (PTTSD) questionnaire, and the psychological pressures questionnaire. Results indicated that, the highest statistically significant association was between psycho-motor program and life adaptation for breast cancer women "before and after mastectomy". Keywords: Counseling, Psycho-motor, Adaptation, Breast cancer, Mastectomy

Heteroaromatization with 4-phenyldiazenyl-1-naphthol. Part I: Synthesis of some new naphthopyrans and naphthopyranopyrimidines

Reaction of 4-phenyldiazenyl /or 4-(p-tolyldiazenyl)-1-naphthol (1) with various substituted α-cyanocinnamonitriles (2a-h) and ethyl α-cyanocinnamates (2i-p) afforded 2-amino-4-(aryl)-6-(phenyldiazenyl /or p-tolyldiazenyl)-4H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyrano-3-carbonitrile (3a-h) and ethyl 2-amino-4-(aryl)-6-(phenyldiazenyl /or p-tolyldiazenyl)-4H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyrano-3-carboxylate (3i-p). Reaction of compound 3a with Ac2O or PhCOCl and formic acid afforded N-acetylamino or N,N-dibenzoylamino and naphthopyranopyrimidine derivatives (4-8), respectively. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of IR, UV, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and MS data

New hosts and diagnostic characteristics of Orobanche crenata (Orobanchaceae) in Egypt

The holo-parasitic weed Orobanche crenata Forrsk. is a threat to economically important legumes and vegetables in Mediterranean countries, including Egypt. The crenate broomrape attacks several wild and cultivated plant species, and documentation of new hosts of the parasite is always required. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first report of parasitism of the crenate broomrape on two ornamental species, Arctotis fastuosa Jacq. and Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees. (Asteraceae). We also recorded for the first time its parasitism on the wild weeds (Ammi majus L., Lactuca serriola L., and Melilotus indicus (L.) All.) and the cultivated plant species (Carthamus tinctorius L. and Tropaeolum majus L.) from Egypt. The occurrence of O. crenata parasitism was confirmed by the attachment of its haustoria to the roots of host plants. The incidence of crenate broomrape disease was estimated for the seven species. The study also provides a morphological description of the polymorphic O. crenata on the samples from Egypt and determines the most useful characteristics for its easier identification in the field

Effect of Surface Charge and Hydrophobicity Modulation on the Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Potential of Magnetic Iron Nanoparticles

Unmodified magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) lack antibacterial potential. We investigated MNPs surface modifications that can impart antibacterial activity. Six MNPs species were prepared and characterized. Their antibacterial and antibiofilm potentials, surface affinity, and cytotoxicity were evaluated. Prepared MNPs were functionalized with citric acid, amine group, amino-propyl trimethoxy silane (APTMS), arginine, or oleic acid (OA) to give hydrophilic and hydrophobic MNPs with surface charge ranging from −30 to +30 mV. Prepared MNPs were spherical in shape with an average size of 6–15 nm. Hydrophobic (OA-MNPs) and positively charged MNPs (APTMS-MNPs) had significant concentration dependent antibacterial effect. OA-MNPs showed higher inhibitory potential against S. aureus and E. coli (80%) than APTMS-MNPs (70%). Both particles exhibited surface affinity to S. aureus and E. coli. Different concentrations of OA-MNPs decreased S. aureus and E. coli biofilm formation by 50–90%, while APTMS-MNPs reduced it by 30–90%, respectively. Up to 90% of preformed biofilms of S. aureus and E. coli were destroyed by OA-MNPs and APTMS-MNPs. In conclusion, surface positivity and hydrophobicity enhance antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of MNPs

Binding to CSA receptor is associated with asymptomatic and mild malaria: a preliminary study using P.falciparum field isolates from Sudan

Malaria imposes great socio-economic burden on humanity, and afflicts approximately 90 countries and territories in the tropical and subtropical regions, almost one half of them are in Africa, South of Sahara. Sequestration of parasitized erythrocytes within the small vessels of vital organs is a key event in the pathogenesis of malaria and responsible of virulence of Plasmodium falciparum parasite. To find out whether the ability of infected red blood cells (IRBCs) to adhere to a specific receptor is a risk factor for developing severe clinical manifestation of the disease, in-vitro cytoadhesion and inhibition experiments were performed on field isolates obtained from five symptomatic and five asymptomatic patients inhabiting Gazira State, Central Sudan. The results showed significant lower levels (