The use of social media as a communication tool by international development organizations: a case study of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Egypt

This study investigates to understand how the United Nations development organizations in Egypt can manage social media as a communication tool to achieve their development objectives. A case study of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Egypt, is introduced. Using the Excellence Theory in Public Relations developed by Grunig (2002), this study examines how social media can contribute to the strategic management of the organization, rather than being a messaging, publicity, and media relations function. Through a content analysis of a number of social media pages of the UN organizations in Egypt, and in-depth interviews with four senior communication officers in four UN organizations operating in Egypt, the research shows that most UN organizations in Egypt still struggle with using social media for development purposes. UNICEF Egypt proved to be an “excellent” model for other development organizations to follow by putting clear strategies, planning their social media platforms in the light of the development objectives of the organization, and maintaining a balanced two-way communication mode with stakeholders and target audience. The strategic management of UNICEF Egypt’s social media platform has contributed to the achievement of the organizational objectives, and enhanced its role as a development organization at both local and international levels

The use of oral thiazoldinediones in correction of hormonal abnormalities among unmarried women with resistant PCO .

Background; Polycystic disease of the• ovary is complex of symptoms with virious clinical, hormonal and biochemical abnormalities. Setting; AL-Elwyia Maternity Teaching Hospital Aim; to test the ability of pioglitazone in correcting biochemical and hormonal changes among unmarried women with PCO. Design; Prospective Methods: 23 women with PCO in whom previous treatment with metformin has failed were recruited to participate in the study. All the women were single with chronic unovulation and menstrual abnormalities and hirsutism. They were put on pioglitazone 30 mg daily for 6 months. FSH, LH, LH/ FSH, fasting insulin level, free testosterone, estradiol, and serum sex binding globulin as well as mid luteal progesterone were assessed prior to treatment and six months later. Results; there was significant reduction in the mean serum fasting insulin level [53.08+12.75 vs. 22.43+4.29: P< 0.001]. In addition there was significant reduction in the mean serum free testosterone, LH and LH/ FSH ratio [3.21+0.36 vs. 1.68+0.43: P<0.001], [15.19+4.43 vs. 10.72+3.08: P<0.001], [2.41+0.23 vs. 1.71+0.12: P<0.001] respectively. In addition mean serum progesterone at mid luteal phase increased significantly [2.44+1.11 vs. 18.61+2.28: P<0.001]. No woman during the treatment course has shown any sign of liver impairment or toxicity. Conclusion; Pioglitazone is an insulin sensitizing drug which may be useful among women with PCO in whom previous treatment with metformin has failed. Yet, caution should be practiced in prescribing the drug until further studies confirm its safety and efficacy

One pot preparation of CeO2@Alginate composite beads for the catalytic reduction of MB dye: Effect of cerium percentage

This study focuses on the preparation of composite beads CeO2@Alginate using a one-pot method. Ce(III) was used as a crosslinking agent and then was modified with a base to transform it into CeO2 encapsulated in the alginate matrix. To study the catalytic behavior of this material the reduction of MB dye in the presence of NaBH4 was selected as a model reaction. Several parameters affecting the reduction of the MB dye were studied such as the effect of cerium content in the composite beads, the concentration of NaBH4 and the concentration of the MB dye. The results showed that the dispersion of alginate in a solution containing Ce(III) leads to the formation of hydrogel beads. The treatment of the beads with a basic solution leads to the in-situ formation of CeO2 inside the beads with a porous structure. The catalytic activity of composite beads has shown interesting results via the reduction of MB dye. The reduction of MB dye catalyzed by CeO2@ALG(2%) was total in 2 min and the associated rate constant was 2.3 min–1. The reuse tests were studied during five successive cycles, in which it was shown that the CeO2@ALG(2%) catalyst was stable without losing its effectiveness

M (M: Cu, Co, Cr or Fe) nanoparticles-loaded metal-organic framework MIL-101(Cr) material by sonication process: Catalytic activity and antibacterial properties

The current study deals with the preparation and development of nanomaterials based on iron, copper, chromium or cobalt to study their antibacterial and catalytic properties. To achieve this, the different metals were dispersed in the material MIL-101(Cr) by an ultrasonic-assisted method and then treated by chemical reduction in order to produce corresponding metal nanoparticles (MNPs). The obtained nanocatalysts MIL-101(Cr)/MNPs were characterized by various techniques such as XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM, FTIR; TGA, XRF, Adsorption-desoprtion of nitrogen at 77 K and UV–vis DR. The results showed that the nanocatalysts consist of a mixture of metal phases and oxides. All the prepared nanocatalysts were evaluated based on their performance in reducing the methylene blue (MB) dye in the presence of NaBH4 as reducing agent, for selection of the optimal catalyst. The best catalytic activity was obtained by the MIL-101 (Cr)/CuNPs nanocatalyst in which 6 min was sufficient to reduce the MB dye and the recorded rate constant kapp was 0.503 min−1. The performance of this catalyst was evaluated by varying the effects of three important parameters such as catalyst loading and the concentration of NaBH4 and MB dye. The study of the effects of these three parameters on the reduction process reveals that more than 99% of MB dye was reduced using 0.6 mM of MB dye, 6.8 mM of NaBH4 and 3 mg of nanocatalyst. The kinetic study shows that the reduction of MB dye by the MOF-101(Cr)/CuNPs nanocatalyst follows pseudo-first order kinetics. In addition, the MIL-101(Cr)/CoNPs and MIL-101(Cr)/CuNPs samples demonstrated efficacy at inhibiting bacterial and fungal growth. Hence, it is concluded through this work that the nature, size and concentration of nanoparticles present in the MOF matrix are the key parameters that can influence the catalytic and antibacterial properties of these MNP-loaded MIL-101(Cr) systems

Change in BMI Accurately Predicted by Social Exposure to Acquaintances

Research has mostly focused on obesity and not on processes of BMI change more generally, although these may be key factors that lead to obesity. Studies have suggested that obesity is affected by social ties. However these studies used survey based data collection techniques that may be biased toward select only close friends and relatives. In this study, mobile phone sensing techniques were used to routinely capture social interaction data in an undergraduate dorm. By automating the capture of social interaction data, the limitations of self-reported social exposure data are avoided. This study attempts to understand and develop a model that best describes the change in BMI using social interaction data. We evaluated a cohort of 42 college students in a co-located university dorm, automatically captured via mobile phones and survey based health-related information. We determined the most predictive variables for change in BMI using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method. The selected variables, with gender, healthy diet category, and ability to manage stress, were used to build multiple linear regression models that estimate the effect of exposure and individual factors on change in BMI. We identified the best model using Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and R[superscript 2]. This study found a model that explains 68% (p<0.0001) of the variation in change in BMI. The model combined social interaction data, especially from acquaintances, and personal health-related information to explain change in BMI. This is the first study taking into account both interactions with different levels of social interaction and personal health-related information. Social interactions with acquaintances accounted for more than half the variation in change in BMI. This suggests the importance of not only individual health information but also the significance of social interactions with people we are exposed to, even people we may not consider as close friends.MIT Masdar ProgramMIT Media Lab Consortiu

Fiscal policy intervention : tax and foreign direct investment in developing countries : the cas of Egypt

La présente recherche porte sur l'étude de l'aménagement de la fiscalité égyptienne en faveur de l'investissement direct étranger et l'adaptation du régime fiscal au contexte de compétitivité mondiale. La compétitivité, notion d'origine privée, semble aujourd'hui être l'objectif à court terme permettant à l'État d'atteindre le degré de croissance économique nécessaire afin de réaliser son objectif à long terme de développement. L'État doit être en mesure d'orienter le capital privé vers les domaines stratégiques dans le cadre d'un plan de développement, notamment dans les pays en développement. En effet, en raison de la faiblesse de l'épargne nationale dans les PED, le capital étranger, notamment celui dirigé vers des projets d'investissement direct, représente un intérêt fondamental. En Egypte, depuis 1952 et jusqu'à 1970, la politique économique nassérienne avait une tendance socialiste et la fiscalité ne constituait pas un outil important d'interventionnisme étatique. En 1971, l'Égypte adopte une idéologie économique libérale et rend ainsi au capital privé étranger et à l'outil fiscal leur importance au sein de la politique économique égyptienne. En effet, l'adhésion de l'Égypte à l'économie de marché, et à un nombre important d'accords internationaux et régionaux, limite le nombre d'outils d'intervention étatique auquel l'État peut avoir recours sans constituer un obstacle à la libre circulation des capitaux, des marchandises et des services. L'idéologie libérale permet à l'interventionnisme fiscal d'avoir un statut important au sein des outils d'interventionnisme étatique. L'orientation de l'IDE vers les domaines stratégiques dépend de la manifestation de la souveraineté fiscale de l'État à travers les législations fiscales. Cette recherche retrace le développement de la fiscalité égyptienne et de la politique d'incitation fiscale des IDE, tout en expliquant l'intérêt et les limites du recours à l'instrument fiscal. La décision d'implantation d'investisseur étranger dans un pays d'accueil ne dépend pas uniquement de l'élément fiscal mais surtout du contexte économique favorable dans ce pays. Ce contexte est influencé par le régime fiscal dans son ensemble mais aussi par le climat social et politique. La politique fiscale égyptienne doit établir un équilibre entre l'objectif de profit du capital privé et l'objectif de développement de l'Égypte. Pour les pays en développement, en plus de l'apport financier, l'IDE trouve son importance dans le transfert de technologie et la création d'emplois, qui permettent d'améliorer le contexte économique et d'attirer davantage l'IDE. Un PED doit planifier sa politique envers les IDE en fixant les objectifs stratégiques qui correspondent aux facteurs d'amélioration du contexte économique. Cette amélioration crée un cercle vertueux en augmentant l'attractivité du pays envers l'IDE. Pour conforter ce raisonnement, le FMI a récemment effectué un revirement idéologique en émettant une réserve au sujet de sa règle fondamentale de la libre circulation des capitaux. Il a déclaré qu'un contrôle des flux de capitaux est nécessaire et que la liberté non conditionnée des flux de capitaux peut présenter des risques notamment pour les pays dont le contexte économique est déjà en difficulté.This research focuses on the elaboration of Egyptian fiscal policy in favor of Foreign Direct Investment and adaptation of the tax system with global competitiveness. As a notion of private origin, competitiveness seems to be the short-term goal for the country to achieve the level of economic growth needed to achieve its long-term development. A country should be able to direct private capital to strategic sectors under a development plan, especially in developing countries. Due to weaknesses of the domestic resources in developing countries, foreign capital, especially that directed towards direct investment projects, is fundamental. Since 1952 and until 1970, economic policy in Egypt had a socialist Nasserite bias and taxation was not considered as an important tool for state intervention. In 1971, Egypt adopted a liberal economic ideology, thus recognizing the significance of foreign private capital and taxes in the Egyptian economic policy. Egypt hence followed the market economy, and joined a large number of international and regional agreements, which have limited the tools of state intervention without being obstacle to the free movement of capital, goods and services. Such liberal ideology allows the fiscal tools to have an important status in the state's intervention. The orientation of FDI to strategic sectors depends on the fiscal sovereignty of the state through tax laws. This research traces the development of Egyptian taxation and tax incentive policy of FDI, while explaining the benefits and limitations of using fiscal instruments. The decision to relocate foreign investors in a hosting country depends not only on the tax component but also the favorable economic environment in the country. This context is influenced by the tax system as a whole but also the social and political climate. Egyptian tax policy must strike a balance between rendering profit of private capital and the development plans. For developing countries, in addition to financial support, FDI is important in transferring technology and creating employment, which can improve the economic environment and attract more FDI. A developing country should plan its policy towards FDI by establishing strategic objectives that correspond with improving its economic environment. This is an improvement in increasing the country's attractiveness to FDI. Aforementioned position is also illustrated in IMF recent decision to alter its ideology regarding its fundamental rule of free migration of capital. Stating that control of capital flows is necessary and that unconditioned freedom of capital flows may present a risk especially for countries whose economies are already in trouble

Physiological &amp; behavioural responses of Ruditapes decussatus WHO

ABSTRACT The clam Ruditapes decussatus was used as a bioindicator for pollution to determine the toxicity of a herbicide (48% glyphosate, &apos;roundup&apos;) and an insecticide (50% chlorpyrifosmethyl, &apos;reldan&apos;). After estimating LC 50 (µl L -1 ) and LT 50 (days) of both organophosphrous pesticides over 60 days, the impact of ½ LC 50 of roundup (1.1µl L -1 ) and reldan (0.6 µl L -1 ) was measured. After two months of treatment, reldan reduced valve activity more than roundup; the rest period increased with increasing time of exposure. There was direct relationship between valve movement and metabolic heat output of respiration and excretion. The decrease in respiration rate was associated with a decrease in ammonia excretion. Thus valve-movement responses of R. decussatus to ½ LC 50 of the two pesticides are type-dependent. Both pesticides reduced physiological condition, but reldan is more potent than roundup and its effect is time-dependent. Respiration and excretion rates were components of the energy expenditure that accounted for the decline in metabolism and excretion with increasing the time of exposure to pesticides. This study highlights the potential use of behavioural and physiological response of a sentinel organism for monitoring the pesticides in the marine environment

Physiological and behavioural responses of Ruditapes decussatus to roundup and reldan

The clam Ruditapes decussatus was used as a bioindicator for pollution to determine the toxicity of a herbicide (48% glyphosate, ‘roundup') and an insecticide (50% chlorpyrifosmethyl, ‘reldan'). After estimating LC50 (µl L-1) and LT50 (days) of both organophosphrous pesticides over 60 days, the impact of ½ LC50 of roundup (1.1µl L-1) and reldan (0.6 µl L-1) was measured. After two months of treatment, reldan reduced valve activity more than roundup; the rest period increased with increasing time of exposure. There was direct relationship between valve movement and metabolic heat output of respiration and excretion. The decrease in respiration rate was associated with a decrease in ammonia excretion. Thus valve-movement responses of R. decussatus to ½ LC50 of the two pesticides are type-dependent. Both pesticides reduced physiological condition, but reldan is more potent than roundup and its effect is time-dependent. Respiration and excretion rates were components of the energy expenditure that accounted for the decline in metabolism and excretion with increasing the time of exposure to pesticides. This study highlights the potential use of behavioural and physiological response of a sentinel organism for monitoring the pesticides in the marine environment. KEY WORDS: LC50, glyphosate, chlorpyrifos-methyl, valve movement, oxygen consumption, ammonia excretion, energy lost. Egyptian Journal of Botany Vol.5 2003: 108-11

Technologically sensed social exposure related to slow-wave sleep in healthy adults

Objective: The aim of this study is to understand the relationship between automatically captured social exposure and detailed sleep parameters of healthy young adults. Methods: This study was conducted in a real-world setting in a graduate-student housing community at a US university. Social exposure was measured using Bluetooth proximity sensing technology in mobile devices. Sleep was monitored in a naturalistic setting using a headband sleep monitoring device over a period of 2 weeks. The analysis included a total of 11 subjects (6 males and 5 females) aged 24–35 (149 subject nights). Results: Slow-wave sleep showed a significant positive correlation (Spearman’s rho = 0.51, p < 0.0001) with social exposure, whereas light non-REM (N1 + N2) sleep and wake time were found to be negatively correlated (rho = −0.25, p < 0.01; rho = −0.21, p < 0.01, respectively). The correlation of median slow-wave sleep with median social exposure per subject showed a strong positive significance (rho = 0.88, p < 0.001). On average, within subjects, following day’s social exposure was higher when (slow-wave NREM + REM) percentage was high (Wilcoxon sign-ranked test, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Subjects with higher social exposure spent more time in slow-wave sleep. Following day’s social exposure was found to be positively affected by previous night’s (slow-wave NREM + REM) percentage. This suggests that sleep affects following day’s social exposure and not vice versa. Capturing an individual’s dynamic social behavior and sleep from their natural environment can provide novel insights into these relationships.MIT Media Lab ConsortiumMIT and Masdar Institute Cooperative Program (MIT/Masdar Collaborative Research Grant)Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (Masdar Institute Fellowship

CuNPs-loaded amines-functionalized-SBA-15 as effective catalysts for catalytic reduction of cationic and anionic dyes

This work involves the preparation of mesoporous silica SBA-15 functionalized by different amines in order to stabilize the copper nanoparticles and using the obtained materials as catalysts for the catalytic reduction of methylene blue (MB) and Orange G (OG) dyes in simple and binary systems. The obtained results clearly show that the nature of the functionalized amines significantly influences the size, dispersion and content of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs). Ultrafine nanoparticles were obtained by mesoporous silica SBA-15 functionalized by triamine (Cu@SBA-3). Several parameters which influence the reduction reaction such as the mass of catalyst, the nature of catalyst, the concentration of NaBH and the concentration of MB were investigated. The results showed that the material containing higher content and finer sizes of CuNPs was the best catalyst (Cu@SBA-3) for the reduction of MB dye. This catalyst showed a complete conversion of MB to Leuco-MB in a reaction time which does not exceed 3 min. The application of the catalyst Cu@SBA-3 for the reduction of OG dye in a simple and binary system (OG + MB) has shown encouraging results with selectivity via the MB dye. Lastly, the reuse of this catalytic system has shown interesting results during five successive cycles thus, confirming its stability.