Mergers and Acquisitions as Vital Instruments of Corporate Strategy: Current and Historical Perspective

M. Jibran Sheikh,Mah-a-Mobeen Ahmed,Qudsia Arshad,Wajid Shakeel 한국유통과학회 2015 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.2 No.1

In this paper our main focus is to provide insight into the history of M&A’s for this purpose we have analysed the different waves of M&A. We have analysed these waves in context of available literature and fact and figures. During the study we realised that almost all of the waves of M&A’s ended because of financial crises, although impact and severity of that crises may differ. We analysed the impact of current crises on M&A in global context and in order to establish how companies have and in post crises era i.e. after crises of 2007 onwards how the companies have changed their corporate strategies to accommodate M&A’s. We have also analysed which factors fuelled M&A’s in past and were these factors present in post crises era M&A activities. By first quarter of 2011 the many firms saw new growth opportunities in M&A activities seemed to rebound as large companies used M&A’s as part of their corporate strategy but this was cut short by events like US debt ceiling, down grade of USA’s credit ratings along with fears about Eurozone’s financial health and their impact on future prospects of M&A’s would they continue to prosper or would they be weighed down by these events.

Histopathological and genetic changes proved the anti‑cancer potential of free and nano‑capsulated sinapic acid

Doaa A. Badr,Mohamed E. Amer,Wagih M. Abd‑Elhay,Mohamed S. M. Nasr,Tamer M. M. Abuamara,Harbi Ali,Aly F. Mohamed,Maha A. Youssef,Nasser S. Awwad,Yi‑Hsu Ju,Ahmed E. Fazary 한국응용생명화학회 2019 Applied Biological Chemistry (Appl Biol Chem) Vol.62 No.5

Cancer is known to be a fierce disease that causes a large percentage of the deaths worldwide. The common cancer treatments; chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are known for their severe side effects; therefore scientists are working on finding solutions to reduce these drawbacks. One of these treatment systems is the sustained released drugs formulations, these systems depend on the encapsulation of the chemotherapy within an emulsifying agent, in order to obtain a slow drug release of low doses over long time intervals. In this study, the anti-cancer effects of free and encapsulated sinapic acid was tested against lung (A549), and colon (CaCo2) cancer cell lines, along with normal fibroblast cells (HFB4) as a negative control. MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was performed for IC50 evaluation, also cell cycle assay was performed to detect cell cycle arrest status and related anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic; Blc-2, BAX, and P53 gene profile fold changes post cellular treatment. Data recorded revealed that encapsulated SA showed a lower toxicity than the free form to both cell lines and also to the normal cells. The cell cycle analysis showed a cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase post cell treatment with the free and encapsulated sinapic acid accompanied with up regulation of Bax and P53 and a down regulation of Blc-2 genes in both cell lines. The data suggest a promising anti-cancer and anti-proliferative potential of free and encapsulated sinapic acid. Also they show that the anti-cancer effect of free and encapsulated sinapic acid is quite close.

New ursane triterpenoids from Ficus pandurata and their binding affinity for human cannabinoid and opioid receptors

Amgad I. M. Khedr,Sabrin R. M. Ibrahim,Gamal A. Mohamed,Hany E. A. Ahmed,Amany S. Ahmad,Mahmoud A. Ramadan,Atef E. Abd El-Baky,Koji Yamada,Samir A. Ross 대한약학회 2016 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.39 No.7

Phytochemical investigation of Ficus pandurataHance (Moraceae) fruits has led to the isolation of two newtriterpenoids, ficupanduratin A [1b-hydroxy-3b-acetoxy-11a-methoxy-urs-12-ene] (11) and ficupanduratin B [21ahydroxy-3b-acetoxy-11a-methoxy-urs-12-ene] (17), alongwith 20 known compounds: a-amyrin acetate (1), a-amyrin(2), 3b-acetoxy-20-taraxasten-22-one (3), 3b-acetoxy-11amethoxy-olean-12-ene (4), 3b-acetoxy-11a-methoxy-12-ursene (5), 11-oxo-a-amyrin acetate (6), 11-oxo-b-amyrinacetate (7), palmitic acid (8), stigmast-4,22-diene-3,6-dione(9), stigmast-4-ene-3,6-dione (10), stigmasterol (12), b-sitosterol(13), stigmast-22-ene-3,6-dione (14), stigmastane-3,6-dione (15), 3b,21b-dihydroxy-11a-methoxy-olean-12-ene (16), 3b-hydroxy-11a-methoxyurs-12-ene (18), 6-hydroxystigmast-4,22-diene-3-one (19), 6-hydroxystigmast-4-ene-3-one (20), 11a,21a-dihydroxy-3b-acetoxy-urs-12-ene(21), and b-sitosterol-3-O-b-D-glucopyranoside (22). Compound21 is reported for the first time from a natural source. The structures of the 20 compounds were elucidated on thebasis of IR, 1D (1H and 13C), 2D (1H–1H COSY, HSQC,HMBC and NOESY) NMR and MS spectroscopic data, inaddition to comparison with literature data. The isolatedcompounds were evaluated for their anti-microbial, antimalarial,anti-leishmanial, and cytotoxic activities. In addition,their radioligand displacement affinity on opioid andcannabinoid receptors was assessed. Compounds 4, 11, and15 exhibited good affinity towards the CB2 receptor, withdisplacement values of 69.7, 62.5 and 86.5 %, respectively. Furthermore, the binding mode of the active compounds inthe active site of the CB2 cannabinoid receptors was investigatedthrough molecular modelling.

Secreted Phosphoprotein 1 Promoter Genetic Variants Are Associated with the Response to Pegylated Interferon α Plus Ribavirin Combination Therapy in Egyptian Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

( Fahmy T Ali ),( Mohamed A M Ali ),( Mayada M A Elgizawy ),( Ahmed M Elsawy ) 대한소화기학회 2015 Gut and Liver Vol.9 No.4

Background/Aims: The T-helper 1 (TH1) immune reaction is essential for the eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) during pegylated interferon α (PEG-IFN-α)- and ribavirin (RBV)-based therapy in chronic HCV patients. Secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) was shown to be a crucial cytokine for the initiation of a TH1 immune response. We aimed to investigate whether SPP1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may influence sustained virological response (SVR) rates. Methods: Two SNPs in the promoter region of SPP1 at the .443 C>T and .1748 G>A loci were genotyped in 100 patients with chronic HCV genotype 4 infection using a TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. Results: Sixty-seven patients achieved a SVR, and 33 patients showed no SVR. Patients carrying the T/T genotype at the .443 locus showed a significantly higher SVR rate than those carrying the C/T or C/C genotype (83.67% vs 50.98%, p<0.001). At the .1748 locus, the SVR rate was significantly higher in patients with the G/G genotype than in those with the A/A genotype (88.89% vs 52.63%, p=0.028) and in patients with the G/A genotype than in those with the A/A genotype (85.29% vs 52.63%, p=0.001). Conclusions: SPP1 SNPs at .443 C>T and .1748 G>A loci may be useful markers for predicting the response to PEG-IFN-α-2b plus RBV therapy in Egyptian patients with chronic HCV genotype 4 infection. (Gut Liver 2015;9:516-524)

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Pistacia khinjuk in Different Experimental Models: Isolation and Characterization of Its Flavonoids and Galloylated Sugars

Ahmed Esmat,Fahad A. Al-Abbasi,Mardi M. Algandaby,Ashaimaa Y. Moussa,Rola M. Labib,Nahla A. Ayoub,Ashraf B. Abdel-Naim 한국식품영양과학회 2012 Journal of medicinal food Vol.15 No.3

The present study aimed at isolating and elucidating the structure of the main components of Pistacia khinjuk L. and exploring its potential anti-inflammatory effect in different experimental models. The extract was evaluated for antiinflammatory activity by measuring paw volume in three experimental models. Then, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) level, ear edema, tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, histopathology, nitric oxide (NO) level, and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) level were assessed. Seven phenolic compounds, mainly flavonoids and galloylated compounds, were isolated from the aqueous methanol extract: gallic acid (1), methyl gallate (2), quercetin-3-O-b-d-4C1-galactopyranoside (hyperin) (3), myricetin- 3-O-a-l-1C4-rhamnopyranoside (myricitrin) (4), 1,6-digalloyl-b-d-glucose (5), 1,4-digalloyl-b-d-glucopyranoside (6), and 2,3-di-O-galloyl-(a/b)-4C1-glucopyranose (nilocitin) (7). The anti-inflammatory activity was evidenced by decreased carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and PGE2 elevation. In the croton oil–induced ear edema model, MPO activity was significantly inhibited, and inflammatory histopathological changes were ameliorated. In the rat air pouch model, NO generation and TNF-a release were significantly inhibited. The isolation and nuclear magnetic resonance spectral data of compound 6 from the genus Pistacia are revealed for the first time. Also, P. khinjuk L. aqueous methanol extract possesses anti-inflammatory activity in several experimental models.

Management of Charcoal Rot of Sesame by Seed Soaking in Medicinal Plant Extracts and Hot Water

Ahmed, Hoda A.M.,Abdel-Razik, A.A.,Hassan, M.H.A.,Khaled, S.A. The Korean Society of Plant Pathology 2010 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.26 No.4

Macrophomina phaseolina causing charcoal rot was isolated from sesame seeds (cvs. Giza 32 and Shandawel-3) collected from different localities of Assiut, Sohage and El-Minia Governorates. The fungus was found in the highest frequently in samples collected from Assiut Governorate followed by Sohag and finally EL Minia Governorate. The obtained isolates were different in their virulence on the tested sesame cvs. Also, they differed in their growth nature including colony color and sclerotial production. The color of colonies of the pathogen seem to be correlated with density of sclerotial formation. Aqueous extracts of Majorna, Wild chamomile, Geranium oil and Nees plants were highly toxic to tested isolates of M. phaseolina, in vitro. On the other hand the rest of the tested aqueous extracts had no effect. Under greenhouse conditions in 2005 and 2006 seasons, soaking seeds of sesame before sowing in aqueous extracts of Eucalyptus, Nerium, Ocimum and Roesmary plants decreased the disease incidence. Aqueous extracts of Eucalyptus and Ocimum were the most effective treatment. Dipping sesame seeds in hot water at $60^{\circ}C$ for 5 minutes increased seed germination of Giza 32 and Shandawel-3 cvs. followed by $55^{\circ}C$, $50^{\circ}C$ and $45^{\circ}C$, while $40^{\circ}C$ treatment resulted the lowest seed germination rate. Dipping sesame seeds in hot water at different temperature before planting decreased seed, seedling and charcoal rots. Soaking seeds in hot water at $60^{\circ}C$ increased greatly plant height and decreased seed, seedling rot and charcoal rot followed by $55^{\circ}C$ and $50^{\circ}C$, under greenhouse condition.

Calcium nitrate (Ca(NO₃)₂)-based inorganic salt electrode for supercapacitor with long-cycle life performance

Cho, S.,Han, J.,Kim, J.,Jo, Y.,Woo, H.,Lee, S.,Aqueel Ahmed, A.T.,Chavan, H.C.,Pawar, S.M.,Gunjakar, J.L.,Kwak, J.,Park, Y.,Inamdar, A.I.,Kim, H.,Kim, H.,Im, H. ELSEVIER 2017 CURRENT APPLIED PHYSICS Vol.17 No.9

<P>A novel water-soluble inorganic Ca(NO3)(2) salt electrode is investigated for its pseudocapacitance in an aqueous KOH electrolyte. Commercially available Ca(NO3)(2) salt is directly used as the key electrode material. The supercapacitor electrode contains Ca(NO3)(2) salt, carbon black, and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) in a ratio of 80:10:10. The Ca(NO3)(2)-based electrode demonstrates an exceptionally long life cycling stability, and a reasonably sound specific capacitance of 234 F/g is obtained at a current density of 3 A/g. Via chemical and electrochemical reactions, the in-situ activation of the Ca(NO3)(2) forms an intermediate CaO which contributes to the pseudocapacitance of the electrode. The electrode undergoes a reversible redox reaction between Cu2+ <-> Cu+ during the charge-discharge process. Superior rate capability and excellent specific capacitance retention of similar to 120% over 2000 cycles are achieved compared with other inorganic salt electrodes. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</P>

Temporal analysis of 16 STR loci in human blood drawn from two culicid mosquitoes cultured at different temperatures

Ahmed M.A. Ibrahim,Lamia A. ALRAKAN,Saleh Ahmed ALAIFAN 한국곤충학회 2015 Entomological Research Vol.45 No.5

Female mosquitoes feed on human blood, which can be collected to analyze human short tandem repeat (STR) sequences; these are specific to each human individual. Analysis of STRs might help in identification of a person found near a crime scene. Aedes aegypti and Culex pipiens mosquitoes fed on human blood were cultured at 18°C or 40°C (median temperature for summer and winter time in Riyadh governorate, Saudi Arabia) for 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h. In A. aegypti, human DNA concentration was reduced with time at both temperatures. At 18°C, we obtained full STR profiles up to 48 h post feeding on human blood while none of the 16 loci were obtained at 72 h. At 40°C, we missed six sites at 12 h after blood sucking, 12 at 24 h, and 15 at 48 h and 72 h. In C. pipiens cultured at 18°C, full profiles were developed up to 48 h following blood feeding while we could not amplify five sites at 72 h. At 40°C, mortality among females was 50% at 24 h and 100% at both 48 h and 72 h; however, we had full profiles in all samples including dead insects. This research addressed the possibility of using mosquitoes in forensic research by DNA genotyping by changing the mosquito culturing temperature and mosquito genus. Our findings proved that different types of mosquito change the temporal pattern of STR analysis and showed that the mosquito culturing temperature affects the integrity of DNA for STR analysis.

Measurement of Neutron Total Cross Section and Resonance Parameters of Natural Hafnium at Pohang Neutron Facility

A. K.M.M.H. Meaze,Guinyun Kim,Dongchul Son,Hengsik Kang,Hossain Ahmed,In Soo Ko,Jong Hwa Chang,Kun Joong Yoo,Moo-Hyun Cho,Tae-Ik Ro,Won Namkung,Won-Chung Chung,Young Seok Lee,Young-Ae Kim 한국물리학회 2005 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.46 No.2

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Detailed Design Procedures for PMSG Direct-Driven by Wind Turbines

Ahmed Hebala,Walid A. M. Ghoneim,Hamdy A. Ashour 대한전기학회 2019 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.14 No.1

This paper is committed to show a well-ordered system used to design a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG). The fundamental focus of this work is the generators which are in gearless configuration, and in the fragmentary or couple of kilowatts power range. A straight lumped-component based model is introduced, which is utilized for fundamental investigation and design. Later, a proposed comprehensive design strategy—stated with conditions, tables, design limits and practical recommendations—are presented in full details. Likewise, a flowchart is created to be later used as a Matlab M-File code for PMSG design. The outlined strategies are then authenticated through three case studies while being compared to the result from Finite Element Method (FEM) of Maxwell package. The three case studies are firstly, comparing the effectiveness of the procedures with a PMSG presented in literature. Secondly compared to a generator from the market. And finally using the procedure to implement a 1 kw prototype generator and validate the results with it. Such comparisons have validated the proposed procedures as a contributed step-by-step simple and reliable design tool for such cluster of PMSGs.