The Determinants of Delisting Risk in the Egyptian Initial Public Offering Equity Market

The main objective of this thesis is to identify the determinants of delisting risk (comprises delisting rate and survival time) of the IPO companies that are listed on the Egyptian Exchange over the 1992-2009 period. This thesis consists of three specific objectives. The first two objectives are to identify the determinants of delisting rate and survival time, respectively. The third objective is to analyze the influence of some new variables on delisting risk, namely firm type, institutional ownership, and listing variables. Logit and probit regression models are used in the delisting rate analysis, while Cox nonproportional hazards regression model is employed in the survival time analysis. It is found that firm size, liquidity, growth rate in assets, cash coverage, operating performance, offering size, IPO activity, initial return, institutional ownership, and insider ownership variables have significant negative relationships with delisting risk, while financial leverage has a significant positive influence on delisting risk. In addition, delisting risk is significantly lower in firms listed on the Official Schedule, and those listed before August 2002. This study thus confirms the significant role of firm, signaling, offering, and listing variables in discriminating delisted and survived firms through a more robust statistical analysis

The preparation and characterization of chitosan/poly (vinyl alcohol) blended films : mechanical, thermal and surface investigations

In this study, blends of chitosan (CS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (CS/PVA) having various proportions were prepared and characterized by universal mechanical tester, the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and contact angle measurements. Studying the mechanical properties of the films showed that blending improved the tensile strength, which increased with increasing PVA content up to 40% while the elongation% at break of the blends was decreased compared to that of the pure components. The obtained results of DSC suggested that some interaction between chitosan and PVA mostly took place. Static water contact angle measurements showed an improvement in the wettability of the obtained films

Conductometric and volumetric study of copper sulphate in aqueous ethanol solutions at different temperatures

AbstractAn Anton Par Model 55 densimeter was used to measure the densities of copper sulphate solutions in H2O and EtOH–H2O at 298.15K, 303.15K, 308.15K, and 313.15K. The acquired information was used to ascertain the apparent molar volumes, limiting partial molar volumes, and transfer partial molar volumes of copper sulphate. These computed parameters were utilized to decipher the solute–solute and solute–solvent interactions of copper sulphate in an aqueous ethanol solution. The ion solvation behavior of copper sulphate in water and aqueous ethanol over the range of 298.15–313.15K was studied using the electrical conductivity principle. The Kraus–Bray and Shedlovsky models of conductivity were used to analyze the obtained conductance data. From the obtained data, the limiting molar conductance λ°m, association constant KA, energy of activation of the rating process (Ea), and related thermodynamic parameters were determined. The Walden product (λ°mη0) was determined. The standard thermodynamic parameters of association (ΔG°A, ΔH°A) were calculated and discussed. Increased ion–solvent and solvent–solvent interactions are indicated by limiting molar conductance values with an increasing amount of ethanol. The negative ΔG°A values indicate that the association processes in all of the studied systems are spontaneous processes. The negative estimation of (ΔH°A) demonstrates that the association processes is exothermic in nature

Impact of total quality management practices on innovation in service organizations

During the last two decades, service industries have contributed significantly to the increase of Gross Domestic Products nationally and globally in developed and developing economies. Innovation has significant role in adding the competitive advantage in the scenario. Innovation in service organizations has become an important subject in both theoretical and practical research agenda. The important of service innovation is delineated from the importance of service in manufacturing organizations. It has been proven that implementing Total Quality Management (TQM) system enhances innovation and its process through its practices. Many studies have investigated the relationship between TQM and innovation and mostly not in service organizations context. This study investigates the impact of TQM on innovation in service organizations. Most of those studies did not focus on the relationship between TQM and innovation in services organizations. In addition, most of those studies did not recommend specific TQM practices that may influence innovation more than the other practices. This study aimed to examine the impact of TQM practices on innovation and identify which practices may have more influence on innovation then to come out with a model to be recommended in this relationship. Data were collected using survey method from service organizations which operate in Malaysia under different service subsectors. Confirmatory Factor Analysis technique was used to validate the constructs included in the research model. The measurement model was validated using Goodness of Fit indices, Standardized regression Weight, Convergent validity, Content validity, Discriminant validity and Multicoleanarity assessment. Structural Equation Modeling using Analysis of Moment Structures software AMOS was used to test the hypotheses. Hypotheses testing revealed that practices of customer focus and people management are the highest TQM practices that positively impact innovation in the surveyed vi organizations. It also appeared that Radical Process Innovation and Radical Service Innovation are the most innovation types that positively influenced by TQM practices. This study has contributed with novel results characterized by unique TQM practices in service organizations. This study has come out with a model on the impact of TQM practices on innovation in service. The study has added the perspective of service organizations to the debate on the relationship between TQM and innovation. Results of this study are applicable in both private and public service organizations. Managers and practitioners in service organizations can use this study to employ TQM for innovation

Hasan al-Turbi's approach to Qur'anic exegesis

Author of numerous books in Islamic Studies, Hasan al-Turabi is considered an eminent and influential figure in international Islamic movements as well as a controversial thinker. Among his most prominent and most recent works is his Qur’ānic exegesis entitled “al-Tafsīr al-Tawḥīdī”. This study discusses al-Turabi’s fundamental postulates in his exegesis. Applying analytic and inductive methodologies, the research concludes that although al-Tafsīr al-Tawḥīdī focuses on Islamic renewal and the establishment of an Islamic State, al-Turabi took this opportunity to express his general beliefs, which subsequently served as the foundation of his exegesis. The study also reveals that al-Tafsīr al-Tawḥīdī can be classified among the modernist exegetical trends in tafsīr as it claims that the Qur’ān is open to personal interpretation and advances the argument on the historicity of both the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) and the tradition of tafsīr

Study of MicroRNA192 as an Early Marker of Nephropathy in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous ubiquitous non-coding single-stranded (ss) RNA transcripts, frequently of 19–25 nucleotides in length. They alter the differentiation, growth, apoptosis and proliferation of cells by interfering with protein synthesis by either inducing mRNA degradation or repressing translation. miRNAs are expressed in many diseases and different cancers such as diabetes and have the potential to become new kinds of diagnostic markers. miRNA-192 is highly expressed in kidney especially in renal cortex. Many studies have confirmed that miRNA-192 played important roles in the fibrosis of kidney and liver. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the use of microRNA-192 as early predictor in cases of diabetic nephropathy. Patients and methods: This study was conducted on volunteers from Internal Medicine Department - Suez Canal Authority Hospitals. 80 subjects were divided into: 60 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who were further subdivided into (normal albuminuria group (n= 20), microalbuminuria group (n= 20), and macroalbuminuria group (n=20)), and 20 healthy control group. MicroRNA-192 was quantified in blood using Reverse Transcription TaqMan MicroRNA Assay.Results: There was a statistical significance decrease in micro RNA-192 level in macro-albuminuria group comparedto other groups and also in microalbuminuria group compared to normal albuminuria group and healthy control group. Conclusions: We concluded that there is a possible role of miRNA-192 in the pathogenesis and progression of diabetic kidney disease in humans. Also, blood miRNA-192 may be a useful biomarker for predicting the development and the stage of diabetic kidney disease

Enhancement of alpha amylase production by Aspergillus flavus AUMC 11685 on mandarin (Citrus reticulata) peel using submerged fermentation

Mandarin peel as submerged fermentation (SmF) source was tested for the production of alpha amylase enzyme by strain of Aspergillus flavus AUMC 11685. Incubation period, concentration of substrate, temperature, pH and size of inoculum were optimized to achieve the maximum production of alpha amylase enzyme by Aspergillus flavus using mandarin peel. The maximum production of alpha amylase enzyme by Aspergillus flavus was recorded at 4-5 days of incubation, 3% substrate concentration, inoculum concentration 10%, temperature 28-40°C and pH 4-5.5. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.81827

Hypophosphatemia and Hyponatremia in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients and Its Relation to Clinical Characteristic and Disease Activity

Background: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic auto-immune disease with diverse manifestations, ranging from mild rash or arthritis to severe organ-threatening involvement.Objective: The aim of the work was to find-out the possible association of hypophosphatemia and hyponatremia with disease activity in SLE patients.Patients and methods: A total of 100 patients with SLE were involved in this study and the serum level of sodium and phosphorus, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), leucocytic and platelet counts, and 24 hr. protein were measured. SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) score was assessed,Results: The majority of patients were females; 94 (94%) and 6 males (6%) (F:M 15.7:1). The age of the patient ranged from 17 to 63 years with a mean age of 34.23 ±11.19 years. The disease duration was 48±55.7 months. 7. 41% of SLE patients were hyponatremic and 49% showed normonatremic. There was a significant correlation between Na level, SLEDAI score, vasculitis and arthritis and insignificant correlation with ESR. 47 patients were hypophosphatemic  (47%) and 53 (53%) were normophophatemic. There was a significant correlation between phosphate level and SLEDAI, oral ulcers p=0.001 and arthritis p<0.0004 but negatively related with ESR.Conclusion: It could be concluded that hyponatremia and hypophosphatemia are significantly related to SLEDAI, so it could be used as indicators of SLE activity and sever inflammation