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Copyright Law and Metaverse: A Comparative Study of Challenges and Opportunities of the Egyptian Copyright Law Entering The Virtual Era
Get PDFMetaverse invokes legal challenges of Intellectual Property Rights in a limitless world of imagination for both entertainment and business aspects. The virtual world requires special devices and technologies to be accessed such as VR (virtual reality) and AR (augmented reality) appliances. The creation and protection of these devices cannot operate without patents. Besides, the protection of their software and platforms goes through copyright protection. Moreover, this imposes a non-traditional sense of trademark protection for new categories of goods and services. The peculiarities of copyright in the metaverse lie in two main challenges: firstly, copyright in the virtual world is usually discussed under an exceptional dogma such as the fair use doctrine and the first sale doctrine which cannot extend to include all the emerging legal questions under the traditional view of copyright. Secondly, the human centralized view of copyright in most cases hinders non-human creativity from the protection of copyrights. This is manifested in discussing the copyrightability of NFTs that are totally created and circulated virtually. The matter becomes more complicated in the Latin law schools which maximize the human role in the creative work to amount to be copyrighted. The current discussions spark debates over the legal issues of copyrights in the virtual worlds but have not amounted yet to form a general theory of virtual copyright. Thus, this research investigates the current challenges of the comparative copyright laws through an analytical lens of the comparative judicial precedents in anticipation of diagnosing the opportunities for the Egyptian Copyright Law to enter the virtual era
The Principles of Islamic Moral Philosophy and the Possibility of Re-Conceptualizing Classical Islamic Aesthetics of Architecture
Get PDFThis study is primarily concerned with the intersection of the moral and aesthetic theories of Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī (d. 1111). Al-Ghazālī’s theory of aesthetics has been the subject of thorough scholarly investigations and diverse interpretations in the field of Islamic art history since the 1940s. This thesis critiques the premises upon which the use of al-Ghazālī’s writings in studies of Islamic art and architecture were built. It suggests that they lead to what could be described as “the contradiction of unethical beauty.” To overcome this contradiction, it offers a comprehensive interpretation of al-Ghazālī’s aesthetics through analyzing the concept ḥusn in both his writings on aesthetics and ethics. I argue that there is an interconnectedness between the beautiful and the good in al-Ghazālī’s theory, where both are two facts of the same concept of ḥusn. Finally, the study uses this comprehensive understanding of ḥusn to interpret al-Ghazālī’s writings on architecture as an attempts to open the door for excavating a Ghazālian theory of architectural aesthetics
Advanced Construction Scheduling: Capturing Conditional and Stochastic Relationships
Get PDFProper planning is a key factor in all business endeavors. This is especially important in the construction industry as a project is sensitive to countless factors that affect the project\u27s time and cost. This created the need for agile and flexible schedules for close monitoring and dynamic planning for construction projects. The currently prevailing scheduling techniques are CPM and PERT, which professionals in the field widely use. These methods create static schedules that are vulnerable to any changes in the schedule logic, which often happens during construction projects. In addition, these Scheduling techniques do not capture the uncertainties and complex relationships well, which makes them susceptible to cost and schedule overruns. Usually, to overcome this, decision-makers develop a recovery plan that takes time and effort, and even these plans typically take tremendous effort to develop and implement. Instead, if decision-makers had access to a tool that provided them with different scenarios in order to prepare proper risk response techniques that provided dynamic responses to emergencies, this would save a lot of time and resources. In the literature, limited work was found to provide a scheduling method that considers different execution scenarios and the corresponding implications.
Hence, there is a need to develop an innovative method which can increase flexibility and provide adaptation and agility to schedules. The goal of this research is to develop a novel scheduling method based on conditional relationships and stochastic inter-activity associations, which tackles the shortcomings of current deterministic and limited stochastic scheduling techniques. This research utilizes the discrete event simulation on AnyLogic software to model the behavior of activities in stochastic networks to determine the overall project completion. In this model, each activity is simulated by an agent that has certain parameters duration, probability of occurrence, predecessor, and successor. Those agents are then evaluated in the constructed network and this process is repeated for 100 runs. The findings of the model have been compared against the findings of another simulation technique using a case study for historical rehabilitation. While other stochastic models estimated the project duration to be 24.14 days and deterministic models estimated 20.55 days, the model developed in this study estimated a project completion time of 26.4 days, which is the closest to the actual project duration of 35 days.
This research has various potential applications, both strategic and project-specific. Strategically, they can offer top management a decision support tool, supplying sufficient information for making long-term strategic decisions and preparing for different scenarios. At the project level, this tool enables project managers to simulate the complexities of construction projects, which often necessitate a proactive approach. This allows project managers to anticipate different scenarios from the project\u27s outset and develop mitigation plans accordingly
Evaluation of the Adoption of World Health Organization 10-Group Classification System for Cesarean Section in Egyptian Hospitals
Get PDFEgypt has seen a significant rise in Cesarean Section (CS) deliveries over the past decade. While CS is a crucial procedure that can save lives when medically indicated, its misuse poses risks to both mothers and infants, including potential mortality. To address this issue, the WHO introduced the 10-Group Classification System (TGCS) in 2015 to standardize CS monitoring, aiming to prevent overuse or underuse of CS and to enable comparisons across health facilities and countries. This tool was introduced in Egypt through a training session conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2021.This study examines the effectiveness of this WHO TGCS training. Eighteen obstetrics and gynecology practitioners from university and government hospitals across seven governorates in Upper Egypt, who had taken the training, were interviewed by phone. Interview questions addressed knowledge and implementation of the TGCS, as well as attitudes toward CS. The study revealed that while the WHO TGCS training effectively introduced the classification system, its application was limited. Only half of the participants implemented the system in their practice, and there was a noticeable lack of institutionalization of the tool. Additionally, more than half reported no official audit procedures in their hospitals. Despite medical professionals\u27 general preference for vaginal delivery due to the risks and recovery associated with CS, elective or unnecessary cesarean sections still occurred, reflecting a discrepancy between practice and consensus. These results suggest that to enhance the effectiveness of TGCS training, and ensure sustained application of acquired knowledge, there should be institutional endorsement of the TGCS within hospital policies and protocols. Furthermore, a comprehensive national strategy is needed, focusing on the formal integration of TGCS in hospitals, and providing adequate allocation of financial, human, and technological resources to support the effective application of training in clinical settings
Like a Fish Outside the Sea: An Ethnographic Exploration of Why and How Young Lebanese from El-Mina Migrate to Europe
Get PDFFollowing the Thawra in 2019, Lebanon’s initial optimism for political change has given way to a harsh reality. The country, troubled by hyperinflation, deteriorating state services, and worsening living conditions, coupled with corruption and sectarianism, is seeing an increasing number of Lebanese seeking alternative futures abroad, including in Europe. Be it via regular or irregular pathways, young Lebanese adults have been leaving the country, their families, their friends – their homes.
This ethnographic Master’s thesis, which was conducted during the Summer of 2023 in El-Mina, a port city in northern Lebanon, delves into the aspirations and capabilities that drive young Lebanese to migrate to Europe. Through fifteen semi-structured interviews, group discussions, and participant observation, the study examines the origins and the development of migration experiences in the context of El-Mina. It critically examines the resources crucial to migration decisions and the diverse actors and regulations involved in facilitating or constraining migration pathways.
By illuminating these dynamics, this thesis offers a nuanced understanding of how youth from a small port community navigate and overcome emigration challenges. The findings reveal that emigration decisions are driven by both intrinsic and instrumental aspirations and that there is never just one single motivation. Individuals with lower economic, social, and human capital were found to prioritize intrinsic aspirations, while those with greater capital focus more on instrumental goals, often having a more concrete plan for future accomplishments. Thereby, emotions and mental health proved to be central dimensions that should be given greater consideration in future research to enable a more comprehensive understanding of aspirations.
The thesis further illustrates that migration methods differ according to capital, with individuals possessing more capital typically emigrating through regular channels. In comparison, those with less capital often employ irregular means to reach Europe. However, people without access to (financial) capital are unable to emigrate.
The interviews highlight the complexity of emigration processes shaped by the Lebanese context, capital composition, and migration governance, and portray migrants as active actors rather than passive victims. While the macro-level context influences aspirations and capabilities in general, it is the individual situation that determines the composition and importance of different aspirations and dictates individual access to capital and resources, thus shaping the mode of migration. Thereby, this study contributes to filling gaps in the literature on the emigration trends of Lebanese youth and the impact of emigration policies, in the example of El-Mina
Family Business Brand Reputation in Egypt: Exploring Antecedents and Consequences
No full textPurpose This proposed study aims to investigate the antecedents and consequences of the image and reputation of family business brands in Egypt, a context where family firms dominate the private sector yet face unique cultural, economic, and institutional challenges. By focusing on Egypt—a collectivist society with strong familial ties and evolving market dynamics—the research seeks to uncover how family-specific attributes (e.g., generational legacy, ethical governance) and stakeholder perceptions shape brand reputation and translate into financial and non-financial outcomes. The study will employ structural equation modeling (SEM) to quantitatively analyze these relationships, offering insights tailored to the Egyptian context, where family firms are pivotal to economic stability but under-researched in academic literature.
Design/methodology/approach A mixed-methods approach is proposed, combining quantitative surveys with SEM analysis to test hypotheses and qualitative interviews to contextualize findings. Data will be collected via structured questionnaires distributed to 400 stakeholders of Egyptian family businesses, including customers, employees, suppliers, and local investors. The questionnaire will measure: Antecedents: Family influence (generational involvement, family control), CSR activities (e.g., community support, environmental initiatives), communication strategies (emphasis on family legacy, transparency), and governance practices (e.g., succession planning). Mediators: Trust (in brand promises), emotional attachment (pride in associating with family brands), and perceived authenticity (alignment of actions with stated values). Consequences: Customer loyalty (repeat purchases, referrals), access to capital (ease of securing loans/investments), and employee retention (job satisfaction, long-term commitment).
Rationale: Cultural Capital: Reflects Egypt’s collectivist values, Islamic ethics (e.g., Zakat), and multigenerational narratives central to family firm identity. Corporate Legacy: Emphasizes the study’s focus on how family heritage and long-term orientation shape reputation. SEM Analysis: Highlights the methodological rigor. Socioeconomic Outcomes: Connects reputation to Egypt’s economic resilience (e.g., access to capital, employment stability).
SEM analysis using SmartPLS 4.0 will test hypothesized pathways, while qualitative interviews with 20 family business leaders will explore contextual factors (e.g., cultural values, economic pressures). The sample will target family firms in Cairo, Alexandria, and Mansoura across industries like manufacturing, retail, and agriculture.
Hypothesized Findings Antecedents: Family influence and CSR activities aligned with Islamic principles of Zakat will strongly enhance brand reputation. Communication strategies emphasizing family legacy will amplify trust, particularly in rural areas with strong communal ties. Mediators: Trust will mediate the relationship between reputation and customer loyalty. Emotional attachment will drive employee retention, especially in firms with multigenerational leadership. Consequences: Reputable family brands will impact customer loyalty. Smaller family firms will struggle to convert reputation into financial gains
Family business, Egypt, brand reputation, SEM analysis, stakeholder trust, Islamic CSR.
Paper type Research proposal.
Originality This study offers three novel contributions: Context-specific focus: First SEM-based examination of family business reputation in Egypt, addressing gaps in Middle Eastern/North African (MENA) research. Cultural integration: Incorporates Islamic ethics (e.g., Zakat) and collectivist values into the CSR-reputation nexus. Policy relevance: Connects family firm reputation to Egypt’s economic resilience amid inflation and currency challenges.
Social/practical implications For family firms: Leverage generational narratives in branding (e.g., “family since 1950”) to strengthen emotional ties in culturally rooted markets. Align CSR with Islamic principles (e.g., community iftar events, ethical supply chains) to enhance legitimacy. Formalize governance (e.g., succession plans) to mitigate skepticism among younger, reform-minded stakeholders. For policymakers: Design incentives (tax breaks, grants) for family firms engaging in CSR to bolster community development. Support training programs to help SMEs adopt digital tools for reputation management (e.g., social media storytelling).
Anticipated Limitations Regional bias: Findings may not generalize to non-Arab or less collectivist contexts. Economic volatility: Egypt’s inflationary environment (e.g., 33.7% inflation in 2023) may unpredictably influence stakeholder perceptions. Sampling challenges: Difficulty accessing family patriarchs/matriarchs due to cultural reluctance to share internal data.
Future research Cross-MENA comparisons: Compare Egyptian family firms with those in Gulf states (e.g., UAE) to isolate cultural vs. economic drivers. Crisis impact: Study how Egypt’s macroeconomic instability affects reputation-building strategies. Digital transition: Analyze how digitalization (e.g., e-commerce adoption) moderates family brand authenticity.
Conclusion By grounding the antecedents and consequences of family business reputation in Egypt’s unique socio-cultural and economic landscape, this study aims to provide actionable strategies for sustaining family enterprises—a cornerstone of the Egyptian economy. The integration of SEM with qualitative insights seeks to advance both theoretical rigor and practical relevance, ultimately supporting family firms in navigating globalization while preserving their heritage.
This title balances specificity (Egypt, SEM), theoretical depth (cultural capital, legacy), and practical relevance (socioeconomic outcomes), positioning the study as both contextually grounded and methodologically robust
Image-Based Models for Left Heart Flow Morphodynamics in Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy
Get PDFRelieving flow obstruction in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy is highly effective in reducing symptoms and promoting left ventricular remodeling. However, existing characteristics in the disease, such as the systolic anterior motion of the mitral, mitral regurgitation, and papillary muscle motion, and their effect on ventricular flow and vortex formation, have not been thoroughly addressed. This study aims to develop image-based computational fluid dynamics models to evaluate flow morphodynamics in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. A computational fluid dynamics model is constructed to investigate the interaction between inflow and outflow in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, with a focus on how the motion of the left ventricular wall influences the flow dynamics in the aortic root and valve. The findings highlight the importance of the Venturi effect in LVOT, the critical role of wall shear stress in the aortic valve and LVOT, and the need for improved preoperative strategies in septal myectomy interventions. Then a more efficient computational fluid dynamics is developed that utilizes spatiotemporal magnetic resonance data to investigate unusual flow patterns in the left heart in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy with inflow abnormalities, shedding light on alterations in flow morphodynamics. This has been achieved by employing a velocity mapping algorithm along with integrating 4D-CT-derived wall motion information, resulting in a significant reduction in analysis time. The research highlights the significant impact of wall shear stress due to mitral valve regurgitation on the left atrium, suggesting its role in structural changes and decreased mobility. Further enhancement of these frameworks may advance the understanding and modeling of cardiac flow dynamics, possibly helping in clinical decision-making
From Home to Abroad: The Intergenerational Impact of Household Member Migration on Women’s Economic & Social Empowerment in Egypt
No full textThis thesis investigates to what extent the migration of a household member to an Arab country leads to increased social and economic empowerment among Egyptian women of two age categories (15-35 and +35) over two waves. Determined through Principle Component Analysis (PCA) of panel data from Egypt Labor Market Panel Surveys in 2018 and 2023, composite indices of social and economic empowerment serve as dependent variables in an IV 2SLS regression model. The model assesses whether household member migration, proxied by migration prevalence on the district (qism) level as an IV, causes a significant increase in social and economic empowerment among Egyptian women while accounting for factors such as marital status, education, and household characteristics. The findings showcase that household migration to Arab countries decreases economic empowerment for Egyptian women, with significant impacts on younger women over both waves. Social empowerment is also affected by migration in which younger women experience increased empowerment in 2018 but declines in 2023, while older women face negative impacts in both years, specifically in mobility and autonomy
Criminalizing Domestic Violence in Egypt: Legal Gaps, Risk Consequences, and the Need for Reform
Get PDFThis thesis advocates for the implementation of domestic violence legislation in Egypt as a crucial legal and judicial reform necessary to prevent such violence and challenge societal norms that normalize it. It first examines the evolution of domestic violence legislation in line with international human rights standards, highlighting its applications worldwide and the role of states to interfere in an aim to combat such violence. The arguments for and against explicit criminalization are analyzed, emphasizing how legal frameworks can alter social behaviors that normalize violence. Following this, the thesis will focus on Egypt\u27s legal framework addressing domestic violence, showing how the lack of domestic violence legislation has created critical legal gaps that impede effective law enforcement and judicial responses. By treating domestic violence as a private matter, the current legal framework, particularly in criminal, family, and child laws, fails to provide sufficient prevention. This inadequacy is further compounded by patriarchal norms and misinterpretations of Shari’a, which shape law enforcement and judicial practices in ways that often justify domestic violence. The absence of such a criminal framework exacerbates risks for victims in Egypt, especially in impoverished and marginalized communities, where poverty and limited education perpetuate the cycle of violence and increase vulnerability to exploitation and further counter-violence. By linking legal, social, and economic factors, this thesis argues that specific legislation would enhance legal support and increase societal awareness, fostering protection and accountability as well as shifting the inappropriate cultural behavior that accepts domestic violence as justifiable
“I remember it...I feel it” Place’s Intangible Identity: Explorations through the Lens of Micro-phenomenology- Case Study of Al-Sultan Hassan Complex
Get PDFIn today’s contemporary architecture, the growing of anonymous and interchangeable spaces has diminished the distinctive character of the place, its individuality and experiential signification, fostering placelessness. This research argues that the framework of reconsidering place’s atmosphere offers a pathway to reconnect people with places through emotional, sensory, and embodied encounters. This research investigates the phenomenology of place, focusing on the atmosphere as an intangible identity that transcends physical attributes and engages people\u27s senses and feelings. By exploring the Al-Sultan Hassan complex, the study deepens the understanding of the transcendental quality of the atmosphere, it’s unfolding over time, and it’s associated atmospheric spatial attributes through people’s narratives. Following a core questions: How do people experience the atmosphere of a place? How atmosphere unfolds overtime? How do different spatial attributes influence people\u27s feelings and resonate in their memories? How are the atmospheric spatial attributes reshaped and redefined by people?
Using micro-phenomenology as the primary methodology, this research delves into lived encounters to uncover how atmosphere and atmospheric attributes are perceived, remembered, and reshaped by individuals. It proposes a framework for understanding atmosphere through the fusion of lived, mental, and material dimensions of place, addressing themes of subjectivity, embodiment, and dwelling as major ones from the perspective of phenomenology of place. The findings contribute to the discourse on the atmosphere in architecture. It also provides a framework for thinking and designing from an embodied perspective that transcend the limitations of placelessness. This framework can be used by thinkers, architects, urban designers, and policymakers to rejuvenate places with intangible identities based on people lived encounters