Cross-border consumer conflicts — A French-German experience
The paper informs about and analyses the interim results of a joint initiative of European consumer associations to combat misleading marketing practices originating in Germany and directed towards French consumers. The traditional enforcement mechanisms have so far been unable to provide adequate remedies for cross-border complaints which will occur with more regularity the closer the internal market of the EC comes to completion. The author discusses strategies to take action against the tortfeasor in the country where the wrongful practices originate, rather than, as provided for by the traditional conflict rules, at the place where the injury occurs.ZusammenfassungDer Aufsatz berichtet und analysiert die Zwischenergebnisse einer gemeinsamen Initiative von europäischen Verbraucherorganisationen, die irreführende Wettbewerbspraktiken bekämpfen wollen, die ihren Ausgangspunkt in Deutschland haben und gegen französische Verbraucher gerichtet sind. Die herkömmlichen Rechtsdurchsetzungsmechanismen sind bislang ungeeignet, einen ausreichenden Rechtsschutz bei granzüberschreitenden Beschwerden zu gewährleisten, die mit der Vollendung des Binnenmarktes zunehmend um sich greifen. Der Autor diskutiert Strategien, um gegen den wettbewerbswidrig Handelnden im Verursachungstaat vorzugehen, d.h. dort, wo die Handlungen ihren Ursprung nehmen, und nicht erst dort, wie unter traditionellem internationalem Recht, wo sie ihre schädigenden Auswirkungen haben.
Cross-border collective redress in the European Union and private international law rules on jurisdiction
The story of cross-border collective redress in the EU is a story of confusion and missed opportunities: on the one hand, collective redress mechanisms are heterogeneous and often lack efficiency. On the other hand, studies show that important obstacles refrain cross-border litigation, such as the costs of proceedings and language differences. Although the European institutions have attempted to regulate collective redress, the persistent lack of political consensus has delayed the enactment of a binding legislative act. 
In light of the above, the present research project offers a theoretical framework for the analysis of cross-border collective redress actions in the EU. Its goal is to offer an appropriate forum, which facilitates the start of those actions. 
This thesis is divided into two parts: the first one describes and analyses the structural and procedural aspects of collective redress mechanisms adopted by EU Member States. The second part then deals with jurisdictional questions generated by cross-border collective redress actions. The last Chapter of this work suggests the creation of a specific forum for collective redress through the reform of the European private international law rules on jurisdiction.
Single step formation of biocompatible bimetallic alloy nanoparticles of gold and silver using isonicotinylhydrazide.
Manufacturing nanoparticles with controlled physicochemical properties using environment-friendly routes have potential to open new prospects for a variety of applications. Accordingly, several approaches have been established for manufacturing metal nanoparticles. Many of these approaches entail the use of hazardous chemicals and could be toxic to the environment, and cannot be used readily for biomedical applications. In the present work, we report a single step bio-friendly approach to formulate gold (Au), silver (Ag), and Au-Ag alloy nanoparticles with desired surface corona and composition using isonicotinylhydrazide (INH) as a reducing agent. INH also functioned as a stabilizing agent by enabling a surface corona around the nanoparticles. Remarkably, within a single step INH could also provide a handle in regulating the composition of Au and Ag in bimetallic systems without any additional chemical modification. The physicochemical and surface properties of the different nanoparticles thus obtained have been examined by analytical, spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Cell cytotoxicity (release of lactate dehydrogenase), cell viability and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays confirmed that the Au, Ag, and Au-Ag bimetallic nanoparticles prepared with INH are biocompatible. Finally, the presence of organic surface corona of INH on the nanoparticles was found to impart nanozyme activity and antimycobacterial sensitivity to the nanoparticles.