The Effect of Ownership Structure on Firm’s Financial Performance: An Empirical Study on the Most Active Firms in the Egyptian Stock Exchange

This paper seeks to examine the effect of ownership structure on firm financial performance in Egypt. Using a sample of 50 more active Egyptian companies listed on the Egyptian Stock Exchange of the non-financial sector covering the period of three financial years from 2007 to 2009. Ownership Structure is represented by Managerial Ownership, Institutional Ownership, Block holder Ownership and Free Float Ownership. Return on Assets (ROA) and Return on Equity (ROE) are used as a proxy for Firm financial Performance. Using multiple linear regressions as method of estimation, the results provide evidences that there is no significant relationship between ownership structure variables and firm financial performance measures by (ROA and ROE). This study provides many recommendations to the regulatory authorities in Egypt regarding ways to strengthen and reinforce the internal governance structure of companies especially ownership structure. Keywords: Corporate governance, Ownership structure, Firm Financial Performance, Egyp

Implementation and evaluation of semantic clustering techniques for Fog nodes

Growing at an extremely rapid rate, the Internet of Things (IoT) devices are becoming a crucial part of our everyday lives. They are embedded in almost everything we do on a daily basis. From simple sensors, cell phones, wearable devices to smart city technologies, we are becoming heavily dependent on such devices. At this current state, the Cloud paradigm is being ooded by massive amounts of data continuously. The current amounts of data is minimal compared to the amounts that we are about to witness in the near future, mainly because of the 5G deployment expediting and the increase in network intelligence. This increased data could lead to more network congestion and higher latency, due to the physical distance between the devices and the Cloud data centers. Therefore, a need for a new model is paramount, and will be essential in realizing the Internet of Everything (IoE) and the next stage in the digital evolution. Fog computing is one of the promising paradigms, since it extends the Cloud with intelligent computing units, placed closer to where the data is being generated to o oad the Cloud. This tackles the issues of latency, mobility and network congestion. In this work we present a conceptual Fog computing ecosystem, where we model the Cloud to Fog (C2F) environment. Then we implement two dynamic clustering techniques of Fog nodes to utilize combined resources, using a semantic description of the Fog nodes' resources and properties of the edge devices. Finally, we optimize the assignment of applications over Fog cluster resources, using Linear programming and a First Fit Heuristic Algorithm. We evaluate our implementation by analyzing the di erences between the two clustering techniques. We perform several experiments to evaluate our implementation, and the results prove that the heuristic optimization of task allocation is much faster and more consistent than the Linear programming solver, as expected. Moreover, the results show that clustering Fog nodes is bene cial in o oading the Cloud and reducing response times

Machine learning models for traffic classification in electromagnetic nano-networks

The number of nano-sensors connected to wireless electromagnetic nano-network generates different traffic volumes that have increased dramatically, enabling various applications of the Internet of nano-things. Nano-network traffic classification is more challenging nowadays to analyze different types of flows and study the overall performance of a nano-network that connects to the Internet through micro/nanogateways. There are traditional techniques to classify traffic, such as port-based technique and load-based technique, however the most promising technique used recently is machine learning. As machine learning models have a great impact on traffic classification and network performance evaluation in general, it is difficult to declare which is the best or the most suitable model to address the analysis of large volumes of traffic collected in operational nano-networks. In this paper, we study the classification problem of nano-network traffic captured by micro/nano-gateway, and then five supervised machine learning algorithms are used to analyze and classify the nano-network traffic from traditional traffic. Experimental analysis of the proposed models is evaluated and compared to show the most adequate classifier for nano-network traffic that gives very good accuracy and performance score to other classifiers.This work was supported in part by the ‘‘Agencia Estatal de Investigación’’ of ‘‘Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación’’ of Spain under Project PID2019-108713RB-C51/MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, and in part by the ‘‘Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca’’ (AGAUR) of the ‘‘Generalitat de Catalunya’’ under Grant 2021FI_B2 00091.Postprint (published version

Predictors of Angio access failure in end stage renal disease patients in Southern Egypt

Background: Hemodialysis (HD) seems to be the most often used Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) modality worldwide, and it is the primary modality in the majority of instances with extended RRT. The ability to provide our patients with high-quality HD treatment while also increasing their chances of survival is heavily reliant on the functionality of the vascular access (VA). Despite the fact that it is a very necessary component of all clinical practise standards, it is the most expensive individual component of RRT.Objectives: This study was aimed at comparing between the group with Angio access failure and group without Angio access failure and predicting Angio access failure among end stage renal failure patients in Southern Egypt.Subjects and Methods: a prospective cohort study among 125 patients with end stage renal failure at Aswan University. The research comprised patients who had NCVA placement [intra-atrial catheter (IAC) and trans-lumbar catheter (TLC)] between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020.Results: The duration of previous RRT was significantly higher among the Angio access failure than the group without Angio access failure. In multivariate analysis using logistic regression, the age, duration of previous RRT, diabetes, IHD (ischemic heart disease), PVD (peripheral vascular disease) and CVD (cardiac vascular disease) were significantly direct predictors of the Angio access failure in the first one year.Conclusion: In conclusion the failure of Angio access was positively associated with age, previous RRT and other comorbidities

FLOATING RANITIDINE MICROPARTICULATES: DEVELOPMENT AND IN VITRO EVALUATION

Objective: Rapid and inconsistent gastrointestinal tract (GIT) transit could result in reduced drug efficiency and the need for frequent dose administration, which usually result in patients' incompliance. Ranitidine hydrochloride (RH), as a model drug is freely soluble, moisture sensitive drug with a short biological half-life (~2.5-3 h) and narrow absorption window in the initial part of the small intestine. The present study aimed to develop ranitidine floating multi-particulates (RFM) using melt granulation technique and investigation of the effect of lipids and additives on the physicochemical properties. Methods: RFM were prepared using Compritol® 888 ATO, glyceryl behenate, Cutina® HR, Cutina® GMS, hydrogenated castor oil, glyceryl monostearate, and beeswax as lipids and ethyl cellulose, Povidone® K 90 and Aerosil® 200 as release modifiers. The effect of the preparation method and additives, as well as storage for 6 mo at 40 °C, on floating and release characteristics were evaluated. Results: Size distribution indicated that the prepared formulations exhibited reasonably small floating micro particulates; more than 90% of the prepared microparticles were less than 710 µm. Hausner ratios and Carr's compressibility indices ranged from 1.17 to 1.29% and 14.54 to 22.4 %, respectively, and the angle of repose values was ≤40 °, indicating good flow properties. RFM containing Compritol® showed a relatively higher release properties compared to hydrogenated castor oil. Increasing the proportion of the fatty component was accompanied by retardation in RH release. The tested additives (PVP, ethyl cellulose, Aerosil®) resulted in different degrees of retardation of drug release. The percent-floating of RFM was almost 100% in all formulations with the exception of formulations prepared using glyceryl monostearate. FT-IR and DSC studies indicated the compatibility of the excipients with RH. Stability results revealed an insignificant change in RFM properties over 6 mo. Conclusion: The prepared microparticles exhibited optimum particle size, good compressibility, and flow properties. RFM containing Compritol® showed a relatively higher release properties compared to hydrogenated castor oil. Increasing the proportion of the fatty component was accompanied by retardation in RH release. The percent-floating of RFM was almost 100% in most formulations. FT-IR and DSC indicated good compatibility of the excipients with RH and insignificant change in RFM properties over 6 mo's storage

Endovenous Laser Ablation, Radiofrequency Ablation and Flebogrif versus Conventional Surgery in Treatment of Primary Varicose Vein of the Lower Limb: Prospective Randomized Controlled Study

Background: Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA), radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and mechanochemical ablation (MOCA) of primary varicose vein are thought to minimise postoperative morbidity and reduce work loss compared with the conventional surgical procedure. Objective: To determine, whether endovenous ablation methods (radiofrequency, laser and mechanochemical) have any advantages or disadvantages in comparison with conventional surgery, in the treatment of primary varicose vein. Patients and Methods: This was a prospective randomized study, conducted on forty patients presented at Vascular Outpatient Clinic for management of chronic venous insufficiency. All patients underwent clinical examination and duplex ultrasonography. Ten (10) patients were treated with ligation and stripping of the great saphenous vein (GSV). Ten (10) patients were treated with radiofrequency ablation. Ten (10) patients were treated with endovenous laser ablation. Ten (10) patients were treated with Flebogrif. Results: Compared with conventional surgery, endovenous ablation methods reduced postoperative discomfort and pain, with a lower complication rate after treatment for avoidance of a groin incision and dissection at the saphenofemoral confluence. Cosmetic demands were also better satisfied. Non-controlled clinical trials have shown that the ablation rate of GSV after EVLA is over 90%. However, risks of EVLA, RFA and Flebogrif remain in terms of recanalization and neoreflux via junctional tributaries. Conclusion: RFA, EVLA, and Flebogrif are minimally invasive procedures. Their potential early benefits, by avoiding groin dissection and GSV stripping, have been confirmed by the findings from this trial. Current evidence based on randomized trials consistently demonstrates significant early benefits after RFA, EVLA and Flebogrif in suitable patients with varicose veins

CXC ligand 13 in rheumatoid arthritis and its relation to secondary Sjögren’s syndrome

AbstractAim of the workThe aim of the present study was to measure the level of the chemokine CXC ligand 13 protein (CXCL13) in the plasma and unstimulated saliva of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in order to find out its role in the disease activity and its relation to secondary Sjögren’s syndrome (sSS).Patients and methodsThe study was conducted on thirty rheumatoid arthritis patients attending the Outpatient Clinic of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation department of Ain shams University Hospitals. The patients’ group had been classified into group (1) which included fifteen RA patients associated with sSS diagnosed according to the American–European Consensus Group Classification Criteria and group (2) which included fifteen RA patients not associated with sSS. Ten healthy subjects were included as a control group. Patients were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination, and laboratory detection of CXCL13 level in the plasma and saliva of patients as well as the control groups using ELISA technique. Assessment of disease activity in RA patients was done using the disease activity score (DAS28).ResultsPlasma levels of CXCL13 were significantly higher in RA patients than control group (p<0.001). Plasma levels of CXCL13 were significantly correlated with the RA disease activity (r=0.677, p<0.001) and disease duration (r=0.406, p<0.05), while the salivary levels were higher in those with sSS and correlated with sSS disease duration (r=0.536, p<0.05). A highly significant correlation was found between salivary CXCL13 and severity of sSS (r=0.816, p<0.001). Salivary levels of CXCL13 above 110pg/ml may diagnose sSS with sensitivity 80% and specificity 84%.ConclusionThe results of this preliminary study point out the importance of CXCL13 as a marker for RA disease activity, its role in diagnosing sSS, and estimation of sSS severity

The role of MR diffusion in differentiation of malignant and benign hepatic focal lesions

AbstractAimTo determine if focal liver masses could be differentiated as benign or malignant by DWI and ADC maps.Methods and materialsSixty focal liver lesions were scanned using 1.5T MRI. DWI was performed with b 0, b 500 and b 1000 gradients with ADC measurements. Comparison of mean ADC values between each benign and malignant lesion was done. Reference standard of diagnosis was obtained by correlating DWI with histopathologic findings and imaging follow-up. The accuracies of DWI and ADC values were assessed with the Student’s t test, and cut-off values were determined with receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.ResultsWhen ADC value of 1.0×10−3mm2/s was used as a threshold value for differentiation of malignant tumors from benign lesions, sensitivity was 90.3%, specificity 78.57% and accuracy 86.7%. The best result was obtained with the use of ADC cut off value (at b 500) of 1.5×10−3mm2/s and ADC cut off value (at b 1000) of 1.0×10−3mm2/s, with 90.3% sensitivity, 92.86% specificity, 91.1% accuracy, 96.6% positive predictive value and 81.3% negative predictive value.ConclusionDWI and ADC map is a useful tool in differential diagnosis of malignant from benign liver lesions