THE CONSUMER’S RIGHT TO CANCEL THE DISTANCE CONTRACT IN LIGHT OF THE EUROPEAN CONSUMER RIGHTS DIRECTIVES

There has been massive prevalence of products and services being sold remotely. In such sale contracts, consumers are in the vulnerable side: they do not have enough chance to inspect and examine products/services subject of the contract, hence they finalize contracts based on the effect of advertising, and wherein specifications of products/services are exaggerated beyond what is real. Therefore, in many regulations, consumers are given the right to cancel such contracts. This paper defines the limits and justifications of such right to rescind. It also addresses legal nature and legal base of rescinding, investigates the positive impacts on consumers resulted from practicing the option of rescinding, In addition to this, the effects resulting from exercisingthe right to cancel the contract on both the consumer and the supplier. This paper also will review terms stipulated by European directive on consumer protection and laws that are made according to such directive. It searches into the extent to which legislatures have the right to make such laws in other countries. There is no doubt that the international nature of remotely concluded contracts requires that consumer protection be extended to countries all over the world in order to reduce legal obstacles that make it difficult to put into effect legal provisions that give consumers the right to rescind remotely concluded contracts

On-chip optical sensors

Adding more functionality to chips is an important trend in the advancement of technology. During the past couple of decades, integrated circuit developments have focused on keeping Moore\u27s Law alive More of Moore . Moore\u27s law predicts the doubling of the number of transistors on an integrated circuit every year. My research objectives revolve around More than Moore , where different functionalities are sought to be integrated on chip. Sensing in particular is becoming of paramount importance in a variety of applications. Booming healthcare costs can be reduced with early diagnosis, which requires improved sensitivity and lower cost. To halt global warming, environmental monitoring requires miniature gas sensors that are cheap enough to be deployed at mass scale. First, we explore a novel silicon waveguide platform that is expected to perform well as a sensor in comparison to the conventional 220 nm thick waveguide. 50 and 70 nm shallow silicon waveguides have the advantage of easier lithography than conventional 220 nm thick waveguides due to the large minimum feature size required of 1 µm. 1 µm wide waveguides in these shallow platforms are single mode. A multi-mode interference device is designed in this platform to function as the smallest MMI sensor, giving sensitivity of 427 nm / refractive index unit (RIU) at a length of 4 mm. The silicon photonic MMI sensor is based on detecting refractive index changes. Refractometric techniques such as the MMI sensor require surface functionalization to achieve selectivity or specificity. Spectroscopic methods, usually reserved for material characterization in a research setting, can be adapted for highly specific label-free sensing. Chapter 4 explores the use of a highly doped III-V semiconductor for on chip infrared spectroscopy. Finite element method and finite different time domain were both used to design a plasmonic slot waveguide for gas sensing. On chip lasers and detectors have been designed using InAs. While InAs is still considered more expensive than silicon, the electronics industry expects to start incorporating more materials in standard fabrication processes, including III-V semiconductors for their superior properties including mobility. Thus, experimental realization of this sensor is feasible. A drawback with infrared spectroscopy is that it is difficult to use with biological fluids. Chapter 5 explores the use of Raman spectroscopy as a sensing method. To adapt Raman spectroscopy for sensing, the most important task is to enhance the Raman signal. The way the Raman signal is generated means that the number of photons is generally very low and usually bulk material or concentrated fluids are used as samples. To measure low concentrations of a probe molecule, the probe molecule is placed on a surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate. A typical SERS substrate is composed of metal nanostructures for their surface plasmon resonance property, which causes a large amplification in the electric field in particular hot spots. By decorated silicon nanowires with silver nanoparticles, an enhancement factor of 1011 was realized and picomolar concentrations of pyridine were detected using Raman spectroscopy. In conclusion, this thesis provides new concepts and foundations in three directions that are all important for on chip optical sensing. First, silicon photonics is the technology of choice that is nearest to the market and a multi-mode interference sensor based on shallow silicon waveguides was designed. Further work can explore how to cascade such MMIs to increase sensitivity without sacrificing the free spectral range. Second, infrared plasmonics is a promising technology. Before semiconductor plasmonics, on chip devices operated in the visible or near IR and then microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum. By using highly doped semiconductors, it is possible to bridge the gap and operate with mid-infrared wavelengths. The implications are highlighted by designing a waveguide platform that can be used for next generation on chip infrared spectroscopy. Third, Raman spectroscopy was exploited as a sensing technique by experimental realization of a SERS substrate using equipment-free fabrication methods

Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Emulative Connections in Precast Concrete Walls

Grouted connections are widely used in the precast concrete construction. For instance, in precast concrete walls, they are used to connect assemblies of vertically stacked panels. The connection is comprised of a grout cylinder bound by a corrugated metallic duct, which is used to house a large diameter reinforcing bar bridging the horizontal gap of stacked panels. The connection is used to provide vertical continuity to the assembly, and to help resist tensile demands from in-plane bending. Current design guidelines consider such connections through a bar-in-concrete treatment, disregarding its composite nature and the confinement effect of the duct. This has resulted in excessively long connections that could induce planes of reduced stiffness in precast wall panels. In this thesis, a research program was tailored to investigate the disparity between the real behaviour of grouted connections and their current design code idealization to offer alternative more realistic design provisions. The experimental program was divided into three phases. First, an exploratory study of the bond behaviour of grouted connections under monotonic loads was conducted. Second, the behaviour of grouted connections was compared to bar-in-concrete specimens under monotonic loading. Third, the cyclic behaviour of the connections at various embedment lengths was examined under quasi-static loading. Knowledge gained in the experimental program was used in analytical treatments to develop a novel model that can accurately depict the behaviour of these connections. Results from the various experimental phases reveal that the bond failures developed in grouted connections are not characterized by brittle tensile splitting modes, irrespective of the level of bond stress along the assembly at different embedded lengths. It was observed that the presence of the corrugated duct offers a continuous restraining field against radial expansion of the grout, causing the bars to be mobilized in much shorter anchored lengths than those suggested by current standards. A numerical model was developed to reproduce the behavior of grouted connections with reasonable accuracy. Its accuracy and computational efficiency should allow modelling full-scale precast wall assemblies. In this thesis, a research program was tailored to investigate the disparity between the real behaviour of grouted connections and their current design code idealization to offer alternative more realistic design provisions. The experimental program was divided into three phases. First, an exploratory study of the bond behaviour of grouted connections under monotonic loads was conducted. Second, the behaviour of grouted connections was compared to bar-in-concrete specimens under monotonic loading. Third, the cyclic behaviour of the connections at various embedment lengths was examined under quasi-static loading. Knowledge gained in the experimental program was used in analytical treatments to develop a novel model that can accurately depict the behaviour of these connections. Results from the various experimental phases reveal that the bond failures developed in grouted connections are not characterized by brittle tensile splitting modes, irrespective of the level of bond stress along the assembly at different embedded lengths. It was observed that the presence of the corrugated duct offers a continuous restraining field against radial expansion of the grout, causing the bars to be mobilized in much shorter anchored lengths than those suggested by current standards. A numerical model was developed to reproduce the behaviour of grouted connections with reasonable accuracy. Its accuracy and computational efficiency should allow modelling full-scale precast wall assemblies

Economic Reform, Banks’ Efficiency and Market Structure in Egypt

Egypt during the period of 2000 until 2010 witnessed major activities of economic cycles, financial reform, bank reform, development and restructuring that changed the face, structure and size of banks and the banking industry. New regulations, new laws, and Nazif’s government that was appointed in 2003, fostered the change especially during worldwide recession, economic boom, tighter regulation on the financial sector and financial crises. This thesis assessed the changes that happened in the Egyptian-banking sector during the period of 2004 until 2010, in term of efficiency change and industry structure. The research investigated the hypotheses that the lower the number of banks and the larger capital available for them, the higher the efficiency. The research used Data Envelopment analysis (DEA) methodologies to test the hypotheses on 27 banks out of 39 banks in Egypt that account for 90% of banking activities in Egypt. The input variables were the available funds and the owners’ equity. While the output variables were net loans, securities, operating profits and net profit. Output oriented tests were conducted using the BCC (Banker – Charnes – Cooper), CCR (Charnes – Cooper – Rhodes) and Window analysis. In addition to the full sample, segmentation between private vs. public and international vs. local & regional were conducted. Moreover, the research also includes a descriptive analysis of the banking activities and changes that occurred during the period of study, and conducted a concentration index for the banking sector. The research indicates that there was slight improvement in efficiency during the period of study, and that having more funds, resources may lead to improvements in efficiency. Although the banking industry increased in size (deposits, loans, profits and branches), the concentration ratio increased slightly, which indicates the dominance of few banks on the sector. The thesis recommends that banks and the central bank could work on different dimensions to improve efficiency by having better reach, products and better assets utilization, and continue in the reform to reduce the concentration ratio, especially that the public sector still has ownership in 17 banks out of the sample of the 27 banks

LABOR RELATIONSHIPS IN THE LIGHT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic, and government measures aimed at preventing the spread of the disease, have had a major impact on many areas, including tourism, aviation, hotels, restaurants, and factories, which have had an impact on work contracts in effect when the epidemic occurred. This paper exposes the most important effects of measures that countries have decided on to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Some of these measures led to the availability of the conditions of force majeure, in cases that lead to the impossibility of implementing labor contracts, whether it was a permanent or temporary impossibility, in whole or in part. On the other hand, other measures have created conditions for applying the theory of unpredictability that led to rebalancing the obligations and rights of employers and workers so that workers alone do not bear the all of the negative consequences of these measures, thus it is important to highlight the role of the state in compensating employers for their losses that were paid in workers’ salaries. This paper also includes the adequacy of the current labor and social security laws to address the effects of epidemics on workers and employers, and concludes with a number of recommendations related to amending labor and social insurance laws to fill the legislative deficiency related to labor relations and protect workers in times of epidemics

High speed operation design considerations for fractional slot axial flux PMSM

This paper discusses intensively the design considerations for the fractional slot axial flux permanent magnet synchronous (AFPMSMs) in order to work efficiently in the constant power speed range, also known as the field weakening (FW) region. The dominant parameter in the constant power speed region is called the characteristic current which equals the ratio of the magnet flux linkage over the synchronous inductance (− ψm/Ls). Several machine parameters is affecting the characteristic current including the machine geometry and the winding configurations. In this paper, the effect of many of these parameters on the FW has been discussed; including the outer diameter, inner to outer diameter ratio, magnet size, slot opening width, slots per poles combinations,and the multi phase configurations for the Axial flux permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM). Two main governors are considered to evaluate the parameters’ impact on the machine overall performance; the rated machine efficiency and the torque to weight ratio at the highest values. Selection of these governors is application driven where these governors are the most influencing factors on the axial flux PMSM design. The results of the present analysis show that the fine tuning of the discussed machine parameters would derive the motor to work in the required Constant Power Speed Region (CPSR) keeping the required high efficiency and torque to weight ratio. A previously proved analytical model has been used in this study to overcome the highly time consumption in the finite element model (FEM)

Different Methods to Decrease Seroma Formation Post Hernioplasty of Ventral Hernias

Background: Wounds can become infected associated with serous collection in the wound dead space in a condition known as seroma. After abdominal wall hernias correction, a variety of treatments have been tried to decrease seroma formation. Objective: To assess the rule of different modalities used in prevention of seroma formation post abdominal wall hernias repair. Patients and Methods: At Zagazig University Faculty of Medicine's General Surgery Department we carried out a clinical trial investigation. Transverse incisions and suction drains have been inserted in all patients undergoing hernioplasty and onlay mesh repair. The patients were divided into 4 groups: Group A: Classic hernioplasty for ventral hernia. Group B: Applying of histoacryl intraoperative after onlay mesh fixation. Group C: Applying of fibrin glue intraoperative after onlay mesh fixation. Group D: block closure of dead space after onlay mesh fixation. The patients were followed up in inpatients wards for 24 hours then discharged to continue their care and follow up in outpatient clinic at 1, 2, and 4 weeks. Results: When it came to the reduction of seroma production or other postoperative outcomes, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: Fluid buildup can be avoided with the use of sclerotherapy, a minimally-invasive procedure that eliminates empty space. Chemical agents, tetracyclines, and talc were used satisfactorily with minimal complication rates