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Egyptian seaweed resources from the South Sinai coast to develop alginate-based biohybrid composites for enhanced lead(II) removal from industrial wastewater
No full textHerein, crosslinked-alginate (CAL) was extracted from Egyptian marine biowaste (brown seaweed discarded near seashore of Ras Sedr, Sinai). Novel biohybrid composites were fabricated by hybridizing CAL chains with either carbohydrate polymer (starch, St) or proteinaceous content (albumin, Alb). Physicochemical properties of such biocomposites were characterized using XRD, FTIR, Raman, DLS, SEM and AFM analyses. Compared to CAL, starch as hybridizing agent enthuses existence of stacking-oriented alginate chains of higher amorphicity and lower zeta-potential (−17 mV). Hybridization of alginate matrix with albumin chains yielded high negatively charged (−37.8 mV) crystalline biocomposite with smooth surfaces. Performance of St-CAL and Alb-CAL biocomposites toward Pb2+ removal from wastewater was scrutinized. The impact of pH, adsorbate concentration, contact time, and thermodynamic studies on Pb2+ removal using these biocomposites were estimated. Removal efficiency of St-CAL was superior to that of Alb-CAL yielding ∼ 70 % for 5 succussive runs. Pb2+ adsorption process over St-CAL was spontaneous with exothermic nature at room temperature and followed Freundlich model with pronounced adsorption energy and capacity. Fitness of kinetic models for St-CAL was ranked as pseudo-first-order with escalated intra-particle diffusion rates. Construction of oxygen-rich hybrid carbohydrate systems is willingly applied in future as green cleaner to wastewater from heavy metal ions
The Effect of Financial Inclusion on Inflation: Implications from Low and High Financially Developed Economies
Get PDFThis paper studies the effect of financial inclusion on inflation in high and low financially developed countries. The author utilizes country-level annual data of 83 world economies covering the period from 2004 to 2022. The Generalized Method of Moments is utilized to estimate the relationship between six financial inclusion indicators and inflation while combating the endogeneity and heteroskedasticity present in the data. Other macroeconomic variables are added to the model to limit the omitted variables bias. At a second stage, the same relationship is tested using a self-constructed financial inclusion index. The results of the study reveal that when testing the effect of the financial inclusion solely on inflation, as measured by the index, an increase in financial inclusion is associated with an increase in inflation in LFDCs whereas an increase in financial inclusion decreases inflation in HFDCs. The author’s contribution through this paper lays in tackling this specific relationship between financial inclusion and inflation that is still limited in the existing literature. Additionally, this paper studies world economies divided into LFDCs and HFDCs, not a specific country or world region. The author also develops a well-rounded measure for financial inclusion that is built upon the most relevant financial inclusion indicators used in previous studies. Lastly, the paper provides results that could be of great use for policymakers in assessing how their efforts and initiatives in the realm of financial inclusion would impact their ultimate goal, price stability
Navigating Structural Barriers; Syrians in Cairo
Get PDFThis research aims to study the strategies of refugees when they face structural challenges and barriers that hinder them from accessing their rights. The research shall analyze the relationship between the structure and agency of refugees and migrants in order to see how they act in the countries of asylum. The strategies and efforts of refugees will be analyzed in hosting communities that fill in the structural gap that refugees face. The study will focus on the Syrian population in Egypt and how they navigate their daily lives in the Egyptian context despite the lack of an asylum policy in the Egyptian framework and recent restraints and challenges for refugees to access rights and services. This research will analyze the efforts and strategies of the Syrian refugees in Egypt to navigate the Egyptian context in their daily and long-term lives, using theories such as human agency and autonomy of migration. The aim of this research is to look at the structural challenges that refugees and migrants face through the lens of human agency and analyze the solutions refugees and migrants create to deal with such barriers. This research will also look at the recent practices of the Egyptian government in enforcing residency regulations, how these practices relate to the integration of Syrian refugees and migrants, and how it impacts the strategies of Syrian refugees to navigate their daily lives in Egypt
Sustaining Private Higher Education Institutions’ Quality with Expandability and Inclusivity
Get PDFAbstract The private higher education sector in Egypt is rapidly expanding. The Government of Egypt (GOE) supports its growth by providing legislation and incentives with the main objective of offering high-quality higher education to the growing youth bulge. Private universities react to the successive economic crises by raising their fees in order to maintain the quality of education. In the absence of supporting financial schemes for individual students, the surge in fees perpetuates inequity in access to private higher education for the lower socio-economic strata of the Egyptian society. This paper aims to address a gap in research concerning the diversification of the revenue sources for private universities to support their expansion and the sustainability of education quality with inclusivity. By employing qualitative research tools, mainly semi-structured interviews and an open-coding process, the quality of education, inclusivity and expandability of four universities are examined: the American University in Cairo, Future University in Egypt, an International Branch Campus and El Sewedy University of Technology. Moreover, the paper investigates philanthropy as a revenue source for private universities by studying the case of the American University in Cairo, exploring the possibility of normalizing US higher education philanthropic activities to the Egyptian context. The study also explores the status of philanthropic activities at the other three universities. It concludes that more efforts are required to sustain the private universities quality of education. As for philanthropy, the research shows that sustaining philanthropic activities at universities requires an infrastructure that may not be achievable at these institutions. Therefore, the paper recommends several measures to be spearheaded by the GOE and the banking sector to support the sustainability of the quality of HEIs with inclusivity of talented students, regardless of their socio-economic strata, gender or geographic location
Deep Neural Networks for Particle Identification in Simulated Proton-Proton Collisions at LHC and RHIC
Get PDFParticle identification is an essential part of experimental high-energy physics, which allows the study of the most fundamental constituents of matter. This thesis explores the use of deep neural networks for identifying particles in simulated proton-proton collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The deep neural networks were trained on LHC datasets which have various momentum ranges including regions of high transverse momentum above 3 GeV/c. The key findings of thesis include achieving an accuracy of 99.99%, 98.3%, and 90.14% for 3-5 pt, 5-7 pt and above 7 pt regions respectively for the LHC dataset. Another important finding is that the network generalizes perfectly to the RHIC set (lower center of mass energy) and achieves an accuracy of 99.99% for a regular test set. This thesis highlights the huge potential of neural networks in particle identification, even with relatively simple architectures like multilayer perceptron. Further modifications of the network’s structure can yield even higher accuracies, particularly for the critical high momentum regions
The Impact of Currency Depreciation on Egyptian Exports: A firm-level study
Get PDFThis study investigates the impact of real exchange rate depreciations of the Egyptian Pound on the intensive and extensive margins of firm-level exports in the years 2008, 2013, 2016, and 2020 using a comprehensive dataset of over 7,000 firms from the World Bank Enterprise Survey. Employing a firm-level fixed effects model, the study finds that real depreciation boosts export performance by 5.7 percentage points and 6.2 percentage points at the intensive and extensive margins respectively. Results also indicate a positive relationship between firm exports and firm size, foreign ownership, and firms with greater reliance on imports in their inputs. Additionally, firms with higher import intensity were able to leverage competitiveness gains more strongly than they were hurt by higher input costs following a depreciation. These findings highlight the importance of complementary policies—such as mitigating input-cost shocks, facilitating global market integration, and assessing Egypt’s sectoral competitiveness to fully leverage exchange rate adjustments for export promotion in Egypt
The Communal Lyric: Poetry in Devotional and Oppressed Communities
Get PDFThis thesis investigates the interaction between lyric and community; it asks what a communal lyric is, how it functions, and to what ends. In Chapter One, I compare Jonathan Culler’s performative model of lyric with the theory of Takhyīl as expounded by Arab philosopher-critics al-Farabi, Ibn Sina, and al-Qartajanni to argue that a communal lyric is a form of audience-oriented public discourse distinguished by formal features that prompt the poem’s (re-)iteration and establish an interpersonal relationship with the audience in order to influence them and make shareable value claims about the world. In Chapters Two and Three I provide close-reading analyses of selected poems to show two possible relationships that the communal lyric can establish between speaker and audience: apprenticeship and acknowledgement. In Chapter Two, I analyse selected psalms and ibtihālāt (supplications), poems by George Herbert and John Donne, as well as Al-Busiri’s Burda (Mantle Ode) to show how poems function liturgically in devotional communities by situating the audience in alignment with the speaker’s perspective as apprentices in faith through their distinctive use of temporality and modes of address. In Chapter Three, I analyse five poems by Claude McKay, Dennis Brutus, Eavan Boland, Keorapetse Kgositsile, and Mahmoud Darwish, each of which is embedded in a context of racial or colonial oppression, to show how poems of oppressed communities function differently for different audiences: for members of the oppressed community, they act through apprenticeship, while for non-members, and by performing a rhetorical argument, they confront their audience demanding that audience members acknowledge an experience in which they cannot partake. In the conclusion, I trace apprenticeship and acknowledgement in two contemporary communal lyrics, Shervin Hajipour’s “Baraye” (2022) and Refaat Al-Areer’s “If I Must Die” (2023), to show the wide-reaching impact of the communal lyric on today’s world
Challenges for Implementing a Health Security Model in the Ground Border Crossings in the MENA Region
No full textGround crossing borders in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are vital for trade, migration, and humanitarian relief, yet they remain critical weak points in global health security. Their vulnerability stems from fragile infrastructure, limited resources, and weak surveillance systems, exacerbated by conflict, climate-related disasters, and rising forced migration. These dynamics increase disease transmission and overwhelm national health systems. Although the International Health Regulation IHR 2005 require countries to build core public health capacities at Points of Entry (PoEs), implementation at land borders remains challenging due to their porous and complex environments. This study aims to identify key pillars of effective border health management, assess health core capacities on the land borders in selected MENA countries, and explore implementation challenges and solutions from expert perspectives.
A scoping review was conducted using Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, covering literature from 2005 to 2023 across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and UN databases. Forty-five eligible studies were grouped into eight thematic areas. These themes informed a descriptive exploratory survey targeting public health and border management professionals across the region. The survey assessed the current status of IHR (2005) core capacities through eight themes: Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), Coordination and Partnerships, Research and Data Sharing, Border Health Capacity, Planning, Communication, Legal Frameworks, and Services for At-Risk Groups. Responses were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively.
The scoping review identified eight interlinked themes essential for effective border health management. The survey findings revealed an average IHR (2005) readiness of 46% among selected MENA countries, with most thematic areas showing significant gaps. Stronger performance was linked to targeted investment in health security rather than overall economic strength. The most critical deficiencies were found in surveillance and data-sharing systems, indicating weak knowledge exchange and evidence-driven planning. Other thematic areas— including IPC, emergency planning, legal frameworks, and support for vulnerable populations—also showed substantial weaknesses, underscoring the need for systemic reforms.
Ground crossings in the MENA region are underprepared to manage cross-border health threats. Their complexity requires tailored approaches beyond the current IHR (2005) assessment tools. Strengthening IHR implementation will depend on context-specific strategies: revising assessment frameworks to reflect ground realities, expanding digital surveillance, building workforce capacity, and improving regional coordination. Sustainable funding and integrated, multisectoral approaches are essential to enhance health preparedness and migration response. This study offers evidence-based insights and actionable recommendations to improve health security at land borders in fragile settings
The Social Standing versus the Mind Standing of Older Adults in Egypt: Cross-sectional Analysis of the Relationship Between Social Capital and Cognitive Functions
Get PDFIntroduction: Egypt\u27s population, much like that of other countries, is expected to age considerably over the course of the coming decades. Although biological and socioeconomic predictors of cognitive function have been studied widely, personal level social capital remains unexplored, especially in LMICs.
Purpose: This study primarily investigates the relationship between individual social capital and cognitive functioning among older adults aged 65 years and older in Egypt using the structural and cognitive components of social capital, including group membership, civic engagements, and caregiving roles.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey on 363 older individuals in different geographical and demographic segments of Egypt using proportionate stratified sampling. Cognitive function was assessed using culturally adapted m-ACE tool, while individual-level social capital was assessed by SASCAT through a face-to-face interviewing method.
Results: Several aspects of individual social capital were significantly associated with cognitive function. Group membership (p =0.010), civic engagement (p \u3c 0.001), and caregiving responsibility (p \u3c 0.001) were all positively associated with m-ACE scores, irrespective of their socioeconomic status (SES) and other demographic factors. However, age and education level significantly predicted cognitive outcomes. Social capital has retained a strong independent effect on cognitive performance while considering SES and other covariates.
Conclusions: Individual social capital significantly increases cognitive health in older Egyptians. Evidence from this study can serve as support for designing inclusive, age-friendly policies and practices that create civic participation, social inclusion, and community engagement for older persons, among other areas. Accordingly, there is a pressing need for culturally informed measurement tools, tailored to LMIC environments. Moreover, the social determinants of cognitive aging need to be integrated into sustainable aging policies in Egypt and similar context countries
Comparative Analysis of Water Management Practices in Denmark, Egypt and Uganda: Implications for Sustainable Water Management in Uganda
No full textWater scarcity and mismanagement are escalating global challenges, with over two billion people lacking access to safe drinking water and projections indicating that nearly two thirds of the world’s population could face water shortages by 2050 (Jones et al., 2024). This thesis presents an analysis of water governance and management practices in Denmark, Egypt, and Uganda-three countries that exemplify diverse hydro-climatic conditions, socioeconomic realities, and institutional frameworks. The study explains how governance structures, technological innovation, stakeholder participation, and policy design shape water resource outcomes, and how lessons from Denmark and Egypt can inform more resilient and sustainable water management in Uganda. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates quantitative and qualitative survey data from 78 respondents and qualitative insights from 27 in-depth interviews with policymakers, technocrats and community beneficiaries. The analysis is structured on six thematic axes: Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), climate change adaptation, technology and innovation, environmental sustainability, community participation and transparency, and international cooperation. The findings demonstrate how Denmark’s decentralized, prevention-focused model showcases high public trust, advanced technology adoption, and robust stakeholder engagement; while Egypt’s centralized, Nile-dependent system demonstrates the complexities of transboundary resource management and the critical role of agricultural modernization. Uganda’s decentralized approach, though progressive in policy, faces significant policy implementation barriers due to limited resources, weak institutional capacity, and insufficient stakeholder engagement. Key findings reveal that Denmark excels in sector integration, funding and participatory governance; while Egypt demonstrates adaptability through strategic planning and international collaboration but struggles with rural accessibility and environmental pressures. Uganda’s challenges are rooted in limited funding, fragmented governance and insufficient technological capacity resulting in persistent gaps in service delivery and climate adaptation. The thesis proposes that effective water governance requires context-sensitive solutions, strong institutional foundations, and genuine community ownership. By adapting proven strategies from Denmark and Egypt, including robust regulatory frameworks, integrated planning, and participatory mechanisms, Uganda can advance toward more equitable and sustainable water management. This research highlights that cross-country policy learning, tailored to local realities, is vital for building resilient water governance systems capable of addressing current and future challenges