Inflation Dynamics: The Case of Egypt

Inflation as a phenomenon has witnessed remarkable changes starting from mid-eighties of the last century. Inflation rates have become less persistent, less responsive to supply side shocks. In addition, the relative importance of demand pull inflation as one of the major determinants of inflation has decreased due to efficient monetary policies that have been adopted by central banks all over the world to reduce inflation based on anchoring inflation expectations. Moreover, the slope of Phillips curve has flattened as many factors have appeared to be more influential on inflation rather than output gap, namely inflation expectations. These changes constitute in the new economic literature what so called “Inflation Dynamics”. In this context, this study focuses on analyzing inflation dynamics in Egypt in (1980-2009) in order to identify to what extent “Inflation Dynamics” in Egypt is different from or similar to those witnessed globally. The study applied a Vector Auto Regressive model (VAR) and other econometrics models to analyze “Inflation Dynamics” in Egypt in three sub periods: the 1980s, the 1990s and the first decade of the new millennium. The study concluded that Inflation Dynamics in Egypt is completely different from those observed globally. Inflation rates in Egypt have become more persistent especially starting from 2000; Inflation shocks are now lasting longer and have a long-term impact on the future inflation paths. On the other hand, demand bull inflation still considers one of the most important inflation determinants, as it is solely responsible for explaining 30% of the changes in inflation rates. In addition, the study confirmed that inflation rates in Egypt have become more responsive to supply side shocks starting from 2006. As for the slope of Phillips curve, the study confirmed that similar to the changes observed globally, the slope of Phillips Curve for the Egypt economy has flattened reflecting the increasing importance of other inflation determinants rather than output gap.Inflation, Inflation dynamics, Inflation persistence, The Egyptian economy, Demand-pull inflation, Cost-push inflation, Inflation expectations, markets and prices rigidities, Phillips curve, Government debt, Monetary policies, Vector Auto Regression (VAR)

Energetic Cost and Physiological Trade-offs

Understanding how organisms allocate limited resources across physiological systems is a major challenge in biology. This study revealed that high energetic demand of electric signals of male electric fish (Brachyhypopomus gauderio) is matched by a metabolic trade-off with other cellular functions. We used thyroxine (T4) to modulate the fish’s signal metabolism, partitioned the energy budget pharmacologically, and measured energy consumption using oxygen respirometry. In males, total energy consumption was unchanged pre- and post-T4 treatment, while signal metabolism rose and the standard metabolic rate fell in an even trade-off. Total metabolism in females did the opposite. Under T4, the non-signal resting metabolism rose while the signal metabolismfell. These results reveal sex differences in metabolic trade-offs between signaling and cellular metabolism in electric fish and suggest that thyroid hormones regulate the allocation of energy between electric signals and somatic maintenance in favor of reproduction. To determine whether electric fish trade-off reproduction against innate immunity, as is common in vertebrates, we assessed changes in the bactericidal activity of plasma in B. gauderio challenged with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), before and after T4 treatment. Females did not modulate innate immunity with any of the treatments, while males elevated bactericidal activity of plasma by about a third following LPS injections, T4 implants, or both together, relative to sham treatment. This outcome was unexpected given that T4 increases the energy consumed by the male’s reproductive electric signals while lowering the rest of his metabolism. T4 also increased expression of Na+K+ATPase pump mRNA in the electrogenic cells of males but not females, consistent with previous findings that T4 differentially regulates signal metabolism in the two sexes. This sex difference in gene regulation suggests Na+K+ATPase underlies sexual dimorphism in electric signal energetics. The results provide further evidence that thyroid hormones play an essential role in the differential allocation of energy among metabolic functions. This body of work is the first to quantify an energetic trade-off between reproductive behavior and other metabolic functions. and implicates ion pumps, but not innate immunity, as molecular mechanisms underlying sex differences found in these energetic trade-offs

Effect of Patients' Education on Their Performance and Outcomes Regarding Lumbar Disk Herniation

Context: Lumbar disc herniation is a common condition in adults and can impose a heavy burden on both the individual and society. Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of patients' education on their performance and outcomes regarding lumbar disk herniation.Methods: Quasi-experimental design was used to achieve the aim of this study. The study was conducted at the orthopedic outpatient clinic at Benha University Hospital. A purposive sample of 60 patients of both genders aged from (18-60 years old) included in the study. Patients who were attending surgical operations regarding lumbar disk herniation were excluded. Three tools were used to collect the study data. These are structured interview questionnaires regarding the patients' demographic characteristics, medical data, patient knowledge regarding lumbar disk herniation, an observational checklist for patient's practice regarding lumbar disk herniation exercises, and a modified Oswestry low back pain & disability scale.Result: There was a statistically significant improvement in the total level of patient's knowledge, practices & outcomes immediately post and three months post-program implementation. Also, there was a significant statistical correlation between patients' knowledge and pain disability scale three months post-program implementation.Conclusion: The study results conclude that the educational program was effective and resulted in a significant improvement in patients' knowledge, practice, and outcomes regarding lumbar disk herniation. The study suggested equipping the orthopedic department with simple illustrated guidelines protocol covering lumbar disc herniation practices, knowledge; reapply this research on a more substantial probability sample acquired from different geographical areas in Egypt for generalization

The relationship between the UN Security Council and the International Criminal Court and its challenges to the independence of the Court

https://www.ester.ee/record=b536144

Contribution of vaginal infection to preterm premature rupture of membrane and adverse pregnancy outcome

Background:Pretermpremature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is the cause of approximately one third of preterm deliveries. Objectives: assess the relation of vaginal infections and their antimicrobial profile with PPROM and pregnancy outcome. Methodology: Case control study of 320 females with PPROM (case) and 320 females with normal pregnancy (control) at 28- 37 weeks of gestation. Vaginal examination, vaginal pH assessment and Whiff test were done. Vaginal swabs were collected and examined microscopically for diagnosis of different vaginal infections. Swabs were cultivated, identification and antimicrobial susceptibility of revealed bacteria were done. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were assessed. Results: Bacterial vaginosis and aerobic vaginitis were identified in 29.1% and 17.3% of all participants respectively. There was statistically significant difference regarding prevalence of different vaginal infections in case and control groups (p < /em><0.001). Aerobic vaginitis and bacterial vaginosis were risk factors for PPROM. Streptococcus agalactiae was the most prevalent organism. Erythromycin and ampicillin were the least effective antibiotics against Gram positive and Gram-negative isolates respectively. There was significant increase of all maternal and fetal adverse outcomes in cases with aerobic vaginitis. Conclusion: Different vaginal infections carry risk of PPROM and adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The variation in prevalence of bacterial isolates in different studies and localities notify the lack of standardized treatment for infected mothers. Accurate diagnosis of vaginal infection, precise medical treatment during pregnancy is essential for maintenance of maternal and neonatal health

Studying, Testing and simulating floor heating solar system

AbstractIn this research a floor heating solar system had been studied and installed in renewable energy lab in the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Faculty-Damascus University. The ssystem was simulated by using Trnsys program, and experimental results were compared with theoretical results given by Trnsys. Results were so close considering thermal losses and measuring faults. Finally project's feasibility was calculated in order to get saving rate and payback period were calculated

Faculty of Nursing, Kafrelsheikh University

Context: Health and well-being before marriage help to maintain the health of future children. Therefore, healthcare should begin before marriage through premarital care as it can recognize and modify health risk factors well-known to have adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes.Aim: The current research carried out to examine the effect of pre-marital care educational program on the knowledge and attitude of female university students. Methods: A quasi-experimental design (Pre-test/Post-test) was adopted to achieve the stated aim. A stratified sample of one thousand female students was recruited. The research was conducted at the Nursing and Commerce Faculties at Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt. Two tools were constructed by the researchers: A self-administered questionnaire and Pre-marital care attitude assessment scale.Results: The research findings revealed that 32.30% of nursing students have a high level of knowledge pre-program compared to 54.00% post-program, while 21.00% of commerce students have a high level of knowledge pre-program compared to 41.00% post-program. Moreover, there was a statistically significant difference between mean knowledge scores pre and post-program (p< 0.001). Concerning students’ attitudes, it was observed that positive attitudes expanded from 54.700% to 66.00 % among nursing students and from 49.00% to 57.500% among commerce students. As well, there was a statistically significant difference between pre-program and post-program attitude levels (p< 0.001). Conclusion: the research hypotheses were accepted as the knowledge and attitude of students were improved after receiving the program suggesting its effectiveness. The study recommended that university students should be equipped with adequate in-depth health information related to pre-marital care to expand the general population's mindfulness and impact their attitude toward pre-marital care

Measuring the Need of Using Virtual Laboratory Based on Multimedia Technology as a Teaching and Learning Tool for Colleges Students at Tikrit University

Over the years, virtual reality has become an essential part of education. Therefore, to determine the advantages and strengths of this technique and technology is understanding how can developed it and measured is crucial. In the same context, there has been changes in the educational field, Changing from the traditional lab environment to a virtual lab. Therefore, this study focuses on virtual laboratories. Indeed, the use of VL to remotely is to understand the practical part in an effective education. In other words, this study focused on educational research and student profiling in the virtual laboratory by making a qualitative analysis. So far, there is no research that provides student data connectivity in virtual labs and learning analytics. To develop this concept, the analysis for active learners and their learning understandings and knowledge was conducted at differents colleges of Tikrit University by using a qualitative method (discussion). To achieve that, this study aims to examine whether virtual laboratory is required in Tikrit University colleges to supporting traditional lab in the learning process. Finally, the results show that there is a strong need for the virtual lab to process the difficult practical aspects for some of the students in the sciences field such as medicine, dental, biology, and chemistry

Otosclerosis and complications of stapedectomy: CT and MRI correlation

No Abstrac

Verification of brain ring enhancing lesions by advanced MR techniques

Purpose: To evaluate the role of MR Spectroscopy in verification and differentiation of different brain ring enhancing lesions, for better diagnostic purpose and management outcome.Patients and methods: 25 patients were included in this study, 15 of them were males and 10 were females, with age ranging between 21 and 75 (mean 46 ± 14). All patients were presented with variable symptoms, some of them have known primary disease entity and others presented with headache, visual disorders or disturbed level of consciousness. MRI was done to all the patients including conventional and contrast sequences, as well as MR Spectroscopy. Some did MR perfusion and DTI in order to further characterize their nature.Patients and methods: Histopathological findings and results of clinical follow up were our reference standard.Results: Among the 25 patients, MR Spectroscopy was able to specify 22 lesions (88%), DTI was performed in 13 out of 25 lesions and MR perfusion was performed in 8 out of 25 lesions.Conclusions: Characterization of ring enhancing lesions of the brain has increased accuracy by applying advanced MRI techniques. In this study, MR Spectroscopy combined with DTI and MR perfusion sequences in some cases improved verification of different ring enhancing brain lesions