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Eurobond Performance in Emerging Markets: Do Economic Freedom, Contagion Effects, and Strategic International Relations Matter?
Get PDFThis paper studies the factors moving the Eurobond prices and credit ratings issued by emerging markets. By observing a set of variables, including economic freedom, contagion effects and strategic international relations, the study was able to provide a thorough analysis of their impact on Eurobond performance. The research was able to identify significant determinants of Eurobond prices and credit ratings through utilizing panel data from 20 emerging markets over a period of April 2018 to September 2023 where we applied fixed effects linear regression and ordered logit models. The findings resulted that economic freedom, in specific enforcement of contracts, and strategic international relations significantly influence Eurobond performance. The robustness of the research results shows the importance of the mentioned variables in knowing the dynamics of Eurobond markets. The insights attained from this study can support policymakers in applying strategies to improve the financial stability and moderate risks related to Eurobond investments
The Effect of Pandemic Shocks on the Performance of Middle Eastern and African Firms: How Did the Debt Strategy Shape This Effect?
Get PDFThis paper studies the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on financial services firms operating in Middle Eastern and African (“MEA”) countries. The methodology utilized firm-level data from MEA countries, employing the panel regression techniques using fixed and random effects models to control for the potential omitted variable bias. The results of the study underlay that (1) With every 1% increase in new Covid-19 cases market capitalization for firms operating within financial services in MEA countries decreases by 0.11%. (2) Highly indebted financial services firms are more responsive to the Covid-19 pandemic, while low debt firms happen to be more resilient against external shocks (3) The monetary policy impact on corporate performance is more pronounced for firms with high debt levels, compared to firms with low debt levels. In this paper the researcher contributes to the growing literature by assessing how financial services firms operating in MEA countries are impacted by external shocks, namely the Covid-19 pandemic, shedding light on the difference in responses between firms with different debt strategies. Second, the paper provides a framework to be used by policy makers to understand and deal with the ramifications posed by a pandemic on firms operating within the financial services sector
POV: You’re an Egyptian Teenager at the Time of the 25 Jan Revolution
No full textThe story is about how the Egyptian Revolution of 25 Jan has inspired, shaped, and affected me and others from my generation, without even needing to attend the protests from the street
From Afar and Within: Reflections on the Egyptian Revolution
Get PDFThis Audio Feature is a representation of two Egyptian perspectives of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution. It shows the perspective of an Egyptian living abroad and an Egyptian living in Egypt during the revolution. In addition to my own input as not only an Egyptian living abroad during such a critical time, but as a child who does not remember much
A Machine Learning-Based Uplink Resource Allocation Technique for Mixed Traffic in Non-Terrestrial Networks
No full textThe integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and low earth orbit (LEO) satellites in communication networks is receiving increasing attention pursued in current research efforts. The UAVs, with links to LEO satellites, can be used as base stations to provide coverage in remote out-of-coverage areas. This paper proposes a machine learning (ML) based deployment of a single UAV that allocates uplink resources to cover mixed traffic demands. The UAV is positioned in the 3-D space and the resources are allocated to fulfill the requirements of all user equipment (UE) traffic profiles. These traffic profiles include the Ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (URLLC), the enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) and the Age of Information (AoI) sensitive traffic. Our proposed technique aims at obtaining real-time results close to the optimal bound of the solution at lower complexity. Simulation results show that the proposed solution achieves close-to-optimal results and outperforms benchmark techniques from previous studies
Design a well-dispersed Ag-based/CoFe2O4–CNT catalyst for hydrogen production via NaBH4 hydrolysis
No full textGreen hydrogen is a crucial element in the hydrogen value chain, encompassing hydrogen production, transportation, storage, and application. The production of green hydrogen via NaBH4 hydrolysis (SBH) entails a high cost. However, the fast kinetics of this process with a catalyst compensate for the substantial cost, especially in specific applications, such as local or intermittent use. Silver is known for its excellent catalytic properties. Its high catalytic activity is a key factor in achieving efficient hydrogen generation from (SBH). In this study, a nanocomposite catalyst composed of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), CoFe2O4, and carbon nanotubes (CNT) was investigated to demonstrate an effective catalyst design approach to achieve enhanced hydrogen generation performance. The H2 production rate in the presence of Ag-based/CoFe2O4–CNT was 320 mL min−1 g−1, and the apparent activation energy was 14.7 kJ mol−1, superior to that of Ag-based catalysts reported in the literature. Analyses of the observed outcomes revealed that the CNT was decorated with well-dispersed AgNPs and CoFe2O4 nanoparticles. The synergistic effects of AgNPs, CoFe2O4, and CNT were demonstrated by analyzing the kinetic behaviour of each component based on systematic comparisons. Furthermore, the paramagnetic property of CoFe2O4 enables harvesting of the catalyst using an external magnetic field, and it was verified that the reactivity of the collected catalyst was maintained throughout seven successive cycles. The outstanding catalytic performance of Ag/CoFe2O4–CNT should be attributed to the uniform dispersion of nanoparticles on the CNT surface. Furthermore, our key approach for developing efficient Ag-based carbon advanced catalysts for SBH in the future is to ensure their suitability for industrial applications
Benchmarking the non-flow contributions to the elliptic flow parameter (v2) in proton-proton collisions
No full textThis manuscript reports on the elliptic flow parameter, v 2 , in proton-proton (p-p) collisions using PYTHIA8 event generator simulations. The typical event plane (EP) method v 2 (EP) as the one used for the real data analysis has been adopted to measure the v 2 of particles composed of different quark flavors, and produced at mid-pseudorapidity ∣η∣≤1 at center-of-mass energy s = 200 GeV and s = 13 TeV. The event plane has been constructed using the soft-charged particles with transverse momentum ( p T \u3c 2 GeV/c) produced in various η ranges. The pseudorapidity gap technique (Δη) between the particle of interest and the soft charged particles contributed to the event plane constructions has been utilized to benchmark the non-flow contributions. The v 2 π ± , π 0 , v 2 J ∕ ψ , ϒ , K , D , B , and the v 2 γ dir show similar pattern dependence on the transverse momentum for the same Δη, at both s = 200 GeV and s = 13 TeV. At each center-of-mass energy, the measured v 2 shows obvious dependence on the quark flavor contents where v 2 γ dir ≤ v 2 J ∕ ψ , ϒ , K , D , B ≤ v 2 π ± , π 0 for similar Δη gap. The measured v 2 shows slightly higher values at smaller s for particles of similar values of Δη gaps, particularly at small Δη gap. The measured v 2 for all particles shows systematic decreases with increasing the Δη gap as expected from the previous experimental results. Because PYTHIA8 simulations do not incorporate final state interactions, the v 2 ( EP ) values reported here primarily reflect the non-flow contributions and its dependence on the quark contents, pseudorapidity gap as a function on pT at each center of mass-energy. These contributions should be carefully subtracted from the signal in real data analysis that employs the same event plane determination algorithm
Egypt Genome: Towards an African new genomic era
No full textBackground: Studying the human genome is crucial to embrace precision medicine through tailoring treatment and prevention strategies to the unique genetic makeup and molecular information of individuals. After human genome project (1990–2003) generated the first full sequence of a human genome, there have been concerns towards Northern bias due to underrepresentation of other populations. Multiple countries have now established national genome projects aiming at the genomic knowledge that can be harnessed from their populations, which in turn can serve as a basis for their health care policies in the near future. Aim of review: The intention is to introduce the recently established Egypt Genome (EG) to delineate the genomics and genetics of both the modern and Ancient Egyptian populations. Leveraging genomic medicine to improve precision medicine strategies while building a solid foundation for large-scale genomic research capacity is the fundamental focus of EG. Key scientific concepts: EG generated genomic knowledge is predicted to enrich the existing human genome and to expand its diversity by studying the underrepresented African/Middle Eastern populations. The insightful impact of EG goes beyond Egypt and Africa as it fills the knowledge gaps in health and disease genomics towards improved and sustainable genomic-driven healthcare systems for better outcomes. Promoting the integration of genomics into clinical practice and spearheading the implementation of genomic-driven healthcare and precision medicine is therefore a key focus of EG. Mining into the wealth of Ancient Egyptian Genomics to delineate the genetic bridge between the contemporary and Ancient Egyptian populations is another excitingly unique area of EG to realize the global vision of human genome
Study of Photonic Platforms for On-Chip Refractive Index Sensing
No full textHere we present a rigorous study for the different integrated photonic platforms that can be used for on-chip refractive index (RI) sensing. The study includes the widespread silicon photonics platform, the silicon nitride platform and the silica platform. We compare these three platforms according to five parameters that determine the performance and reliability of the RI sensor. Finally, we conclude with the optimum platform for on-chip RI sensing according to the available technology and the aimed application
Thermal and Structural Performances of Screen Grid Insulated Concrete Forms (SGICFs) Using Experimental Testing
No full textThe demand for sustainable building materials and systems with the emphasis on energy efficiency is on the rise. Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs) are an example of such structural systems. Screen Grid Insulated Concrete Forms (SGICFs) are an innovative system that combines structural strength and thermal performance. ICF walls are commonly used in Western countries to provide high-level insulation and internal weather control. Accordingly, the current research conducts a comparative thermal analysis for a market-supplied ICF wall, a SGICF proposed design, and three typical brick walls used regionally in the Middle East. The heat transfer through the five walls is simulated by COMSOL Multiphysics and validated experimentally by utilizing a guarded hot box facility under the regulations of the ASTM C1363 standard. The market-supplied ICF walls showed better thermal insulation properties than the proposed SGICF walls, because of their higher thermal mass of concrete than in the SGICF walls. However, both walls had a remarkably higher insulation performance than the other three typical brick walls available in the market. The results reveal that the market-supplied ICF walls are overdesigned for use in the Middle East region, and SGICFs, with their comparative thermal transmittance, are a very good competitor in the Middle East market