The Impact of Assets Structure and the Components of Cash Conversion Cycle on the Egyptian SMEs Financial Failure Predictability

This study investigates determinants of Egyptian SMEs financial failure predictability based on a sample of 32 failure SMEs and 28 non-failure SMEs for the period 2013 and 2019. The determinants of SMEs financial failure are categorized into four groups; Working Capital, Asset Structure, Liquidity, and Leverage. The factor and logistic regression analysis are employed to identify the most significant independent variables that classify between failure and none-failure Egyptian’s SMEs and determine the driver of SMEs financial failure. Our findings significantly show that failing SMEs suffer from long cash conversion cycles resulting from long inventory holding period, average collection period, and short average payment period, in addition to lower liquidity, excessive use of debt to assets, and lower fixed assets percentage, in contrast to non-failure Egyptian’s SMEs

Bond Behavior of MMFX (ASTM A 1035) Reinforcing Steel

This summary report provides a brief description of the research program and presents the research findings and recommendations. Detailed discussions of the research are documented in several publications prepared by different authors at the three institutions. These publications are listed in the appendix and can be obtained without charge from the indicated Web sites

Bond Characteristics of ASTM A1035 Steel Reinforcing Bars

The results of a coordinated research program on the bond characteristics of the high-strength steel reinforcing bars that conform to ASTM A1035 are presented. Concrete with nominal strengths of 5000 and 8000 psi (35 and 55 MPa) were used. Sixtynine large-scale beam-splice specimens were tested. Maximum bar stresses are compared with predictions obtained using the bond equations in the ACI 318-05 code provisions and those proposed by ACI Committee 408. Maximum stress levels of 120, 110, and 96 ksi (830, 760, and 660 MPa) were developed in No. 5, No. 8, and No. 11 (No. 16, No. 25, and No. 36) bars, respectively, not confined by transverse reinforcement. Providing confinement for No. 8 and No. 11 (No. 25 and No. 36) spliced bars using transverse reinforcement allowed stresses of up to 150 ksi (1035 MPa) to be developed. The ACI Committee 408 equation provides a reasonable estimate of the strength for both unconfined and confined splices using a strength reduction factor (f-factor) of 0.82 and design parameters (cover, spacing, and concrete strengths) comparable to those used in this test program. The design equations in ACI 318 are less conservative, with a large percentage of the developed/calculated strength ratios below 1.0, and should not be used for development and splice design with high-strength reinforcing steel in their present form

PAF1c treibt die MYC-vermittelte Immunevasion im duktalen Adenokarzinom der Bauchspeicheldrüse an

The expression of the MYC proto-oncogene is elevated in a large proportion of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Previous findings in PDAC have shown that this increased MYC expression mediates immune evasion and promotes S-phase progression. How these functions are mediated and whether a downstream factor of MYC mediates these functions has remained elusive. Recent studies identifying the MYC interactome revealed a complex network of interaction partners, highlighting the need to identify the oncogenic pathway of MYC in an unbiased manner. In this work, we have shown that MYC ensures genomic stability during S-phase and prevents transcription-replication conflicts. Depletion of MYC and inhibition of ATR kinase showed a synergistic effect to induce DNA damage. A targeted siRNA screen targeting downstream factors of MYC revealed that PAF1c is required for DNA repair and S-phase progression. Recruitment of PAF1c to RNAPII was shown to be MYC dependent. PAF1c was shown to be largely dispensable for cell proliferation and regulation of MYC target genes. Depletion of CTR9, a subunit of PAF1c, caused strong tumor regression in a pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma model, with long-term survival in a subset of mice. This effect was not due to induction of DNA damage, but to restoration of tumor immune surveillance. Depletion of PAF1c resulted in the release of RNAPII with transcription elongation factors, including SPT6, from the bodies of long genes, promoting full-length transcription of short genes. This resulted in the downregulation of long DNA repair genes and the concomitant upregulation of short genes, including MHC class I genes. These data demonstrate that a balance between long and short gene transcription is essential for tumor progression and that interference with PAF1c levels shifts this balance toward a tumor-suppressive transcriptional program. It also directly links MYC-mediated S-phase progression to immune evasion. Unlike MYC, PAF1c has a stable, known folded structure; therefore, the development of a small molecule targeting PAF1c may disrupt the immune evasive function of MYC while sparing its physiological functions in cellular growth.Die Expression des MYC-Proto-Onkogens ist bei einem großen Teil der Patienten mit duktalem Adenokarzinom der Bauchspeicheldrüse (PDAC) erhöht. Bisherige Erkenntnisse in der Erforschung des ankreaskarzinoms zeigen, dass die erhöhte MYCExpression die Umgehung des Immunsystems bewirkt und die Progression der S-Phase fördert. Wie diese Funktionen vermittelt werden und ob ein nachgeschalteter Faktor von MYC für diese Funktion verantwortlich ist, blieb jedoch bisher ungeklärt. Jüngste Studien zur Identifizierung des MYC-Interaktoms haben ein sehr komplexes Netzwerk an Interaktionspartnern von MYC aufgedeckt, was die Notwendigkeit unterstreicht, die onkogenen Eigenschaften von MYC und seinen Interaktionspartnern unvoreingenommen und genau zu untersuchen. In dieser Arbeit konnte gezeigt werden, dass MYC die genomische Stabilität während der S-Phase herstellt und Konflikte zwischen Transkription und Replikation verhindert. Die Depletion von MYC und die Hemmung der ATR-Kinase zeigten bei der Induktion von DNA Schäden eine synergistische Wirkung. Ein siRNA-Screen, der Gene beinhaltete, die MYC nachgeschaltet sind, ergab, dass PAF1c für die DNA-Reparatur und die S-PhasenProgression erforderlich ist. Es zeigte sich außerdem, dass die Rekrutierung von PAF1c an RNAPII von MYC abhängig ist. Für die Zellproliferation und die Regulierung von MYCZielgenen ist PAF1c jedoch weitgehend entbehrlich. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Depletion von CTR9, einer Untereinheit von PAF1c, in einem murinen Modell des duktalen Adenokarzinoms der Bauchspeicheldrüse zu einer starken Tumorregression mit langfristigem Überleben einiger Mäuse führte. Diese Wirkung war nicht auf die Induktion von DNA-Schäden zurückzuführen, sondern auf die Wiederherstellung der Immunüberwachung des Tumors. Die Deletion von PAF1c führte zu einer Umverteilung von RNAPII und Trankriptionselongationsfaktoren wie SPT6, von langen Genen hin zu kurzen Genen. Dadurch wurden lange Gene wie zum Beispiel DNA Reparaturgene nicht vollständig transkribiert, kurze Gene wie MHC-Klasse-I-Gene hingegen schon. Diese Daten zeigen, dass ein Gleichgewicht zwischen der Transkription langer und kurzer Gene für die Tumorprogression wichtig ist und dass eine Verminderung der PAF1c-Konzentration dieses Gleichgewicht in Richtung eines tumorsuppressiven Transkriptionsprogramms verschiebt. Außerdem besteht ein direkter Zusammenhang zwischen der MYCvermittelten S-Phasen-Progression und der Umgehung des Immunsystems. Im Gegensatz zu MYC verfügt PAF1c über eine stabile und gut bekannte gefaltete Struktur. Daher könnte die Entwicklung eines kleinen Moleküls, das PAF1c hemmt, die Funktion von MYC zur Umgehung des Immunsystems stören und gleichzeitig seine physiologischen Funktionen für das Zellwachstum nicht beeinträchtigen

Development of an assessment and prediction framework for bridge expansion joints

Expansion joints (EJ)s are considered one of the weakest elements in bridges as their lifetime is considerably shorter than that of other elements. The objective of this research was to select an appropriate system for assessment and maintenance of bridges’ EJs. The system seeks to predict the conditions of EJs, with the aim of offering appropriate maintenance and repair strategies that extend their life spans. An EJ management system (EJMS) was developed that optimizes cost over time, targeting the optimum maintenance strategy for EJs, through visual inspections and a genetic algorithm to construct a unique Markov chain transition matrix capable of predicting EJ deterioration. The model was tested using case studies of existing bridges in Egypt and the results were compared against visual inspection, with the comparison showing deviations between 3.2% and 8.1%. The EJMS can help decision makers in selecting the optimum maintenance strategy that maximizes the overall conditions of EJs while meeting budgetary constraints

Subaortic Membrane Resection and Septal Myectomy

Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) caused by subaortic membrane (SAM) can result in increased left ventricle (LV) systolic pressure and wall stress and LV hypertrophy. This video presents the case of a nine-year-old male with severe subvalvular stenosis caused by a discrete SAM and interventricular septum hypertrophy. The surgical technique described by Yacoub et. al. was utilized including excision of subaortic membrane, mobilization of the left and right fibrous trigons, and extended septal myectomy (1).SAM is a common cause of subaortic stenosis that can lead to LVOTO, LV hypertrophy, increase in end diastolic pressure, oxygen demand and supply mismatch, and functional mitral regurgitation (MR). Treatment is achieved by excision of the membrane, mobilization of the trigons, and extended septal myectomy. The functional MR is improved as a byproduct of adequate sub valvular resection.In the presence of SAM, fibrous proliferation occurs on top of the left and right fibrous trigons due to the high turbulent velocity jet. As a result, the trigons become fused with the anterior mitral valve leaflet (AMVL), hindering its systolic anterior excursion. This not only increases the dynamic obstructive gradient across the LVOT, but also induces functional MR.Furthermore, the AMVL is also being actively sucked inside the LVOT because of the Venturi effect caused by the high velocity turbulent jet passing through the narrow LVOT. Hence, the mobilization of the fibrous trigones is essential for improving LVOT obstruction, AMVL systolic motion, and MR.Although an adjuvant septal myectomy is currently still controversial, it is sometimes considered fundamental because it helps to relieve the subvalvular LVOTO and decrease the incidence of recurrence of the SAM (2).The PatientThe patient is a nine-year-old boy from Egypt with shortness of breath (NYHA II) and an ejection systolic murmur at the upper right parasternal border radiating to the carotid arteries. A transthoracic echocardiogram showed subvalvular stenosis caused by a discrete SAM with a peak pressure gradient across the LVOT of 120 mmHg, concentric LV hypertrophy, moderate MR, and mild aortic regurgitation.The SurgeryThe patient underwent subaortic membrane resection via a median sternotomy. Cardiopulmonary bypass was initiated and the heart was arrested using antegrade cold blood cardioplegia. An oblique aortotomy was done to improve exposure of the aortic valve and subvalvular components. The surgical technique described by Yacoub et. al. was employed, including the steps of inspection, excision of sub-aortic membrane, mobilization of the left and right fibrous trigons, and extended septal myectomy (1).The procedure was completed successfully without any complications and the patient had an uneventful recovery. A postoperative echocardiography showed no residual LVOT obstruction and a peak pressure gradient of 20 mmHg. Anterior systolic motion of the MV was abolished and the MR improved dramatically as a byproduct.In addition to SAM resection for treating the fixed LVOTO, mobilization of the fibrous trigons during the procedure was essential for addressing the dynamic LVOTO caused by the splinted AMVL in systole. Extended septal myectomy provides additional relief of LVOTO and decreases the incidence of recurrence.Reference(s)1. Yacoub M, Onuzo O, Riedel B, Radley-Smith R, Hanley FL. Mobilization of the left and right fibrous trigones for relief of severe left ventricular outflow obstruction. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1999;117(1):126-133. doi:10.1016/S0022-5223(99)70477-02. Hirata Y, Chen JM, Quaegebeur JM, Mosca RS. The role of enucleation with or without septal myectomy for discrete subaortic stenosis. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2009;137(5):1168-1172. doi:10.1016/j.jtcvs.2008.11.039</p

Optical and infrared properties of lithium diborate glasses doped with copper oxide: Effect of gamma irradiation

398-404A series of lithium diborate glasses containing successive CuO contents have been prepared by conventional melt annealing technique. Optical and infrared spectral properties have been measured before and after successive gamma irradiation to study the effect of gamma irradiation on the prepared glasses. Cu-doped samples show the same strong UV absorption as the undoped sample beside a characteristic broad visible band around 772 nm with marked splitting into four peaks at 614, 656, 774 and 1064 nm in higher CuO contents. Gamma irradiation of undoped lithium borate glass causes the generation of induced absorption bands but the introduction of CuO content causes some shielding behaviour towards successive gamma irradiation. Infrared absorption spectra of the undoped and CuO-doped glasses show characteristic vibrational absorption bands related to triangular and tetrahedral borate units. The addition of CuO in lithium borate glasses causes minor changes on the intensities of the IR bands but their numbers and positions are retained. The same limited effect is observed with gamma irradiation on the measured IR bands

Serum YKL-40 (Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1) Compared to APRI and FIB-4 in Predicting Liver Fibrosis in Children with Chronic Hepatitis C

Background: Liver fi brosis is a critical factor for the treatment policy and its outcome in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Although liver biopsy represents the gold standard for evaluating fibrosis, it remains an invasive procedure with inherent risks. Thus, it cannot be performed frequently to monitor therapeutic outcomes specially in the pediatric population. For that, developing a non-invasive test that can predict liver fi brosis represents a growing medical need.Objectives: to investigate serum levels of YKL-40 and their relation to liver fi brosis in children with chronic HCV.Methods: Serum YKL-40 was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in 40 treatmentnaive children with proved chronic HCV and the levels were compared according to different laboratory and histopathological parameters. Liver histopathological changes were assessed using Ishak score and compared with aspartate transaminase-to-platelet ratio (APRI) and fi brosis-4 (FIB-4) indices as simple non-invasive markers of fi brosis. YKL-40 was measured in a group of 27 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.Results: YKL-40 was signifi cantly higher in patients than in controls (23.79±11.59 ng/ml vs. 17.67±5.49 ng/ml; P = 0.038). YKL-40 (r = 0.36, P = 0.022), but not APRI (r = -0.176, P = 0.328) or FIB-4 (r = -0.202, P = 0.259), had a signifi cant direct correlation with fi brosis stage. YKL-40 at a cutoff level of ≥24.82&nbsp; ng/ml could discriminate patients with signifi cant fi brosis (≥F3 Ishak) with 100% sensitivity and 80%&nbsp; specifi city.Conclusion: YKL-40 signifi cantly correlated with liver fi brosis and could discriminate those with signifi cant fi brosis with acceptable performance.</p