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Condensates of stearic (St), palmitic (Pa) or myristic (My) acids with polyethylene glycols (PEG) 300, 400, 600, 2000 or 6000, are utilized as emulsifiers for kerosene ∓ in ∓ water pigment printing pastes. Pastes based on condensates of PEG 300 or 400 are unstable while the others are stable. Rheology of stable pastes, aside from those based on a commercial emulsifier, are of a non ∓ Newtonian, shear thinning ∓ thixotropic flow. The order of the flow properties of pastes enhanced are found. Cotton pigment prints using the nine pastes are sharp and of comparable handle, colour strength and color fastness to those based on a paste of either a commercial emulsifier or synthetic thickener (except for Pa∓6000). The pigment prints of 65/35 cotton/polyester are sharp only upon using pastes of commercial emulsifier, synthetic thickener, St∓600, St∓2000, St∓6000 and My∓2000. After 7 days of storing, all pastes are stable with increased apparent viscosities and induced color strength on both cotton and blended fabrics.

Rosin‐modified polyesteramide resins are prepared covering a wide range of oil lengths by partial replacement of hydroxy ethyl fatty acid amides employed in resin formulations by rosin‐diethanolamine derivative without affecting the resin constants. This is followed by a study of the optimum amount of modifier which improve the resins performance and durability without affecting the other properties. Optimum modifier concentration and durability characteristics are then determined.

Optimal conditions for condensation of equimolar ratios of stearic acid (St) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400, i.e. 180°C, 8hrs and H₂SO₄, 4g/kg (reactants mixture), were utilized to condensate the equimolar ratio of stearic (St), palmitic (Pa) or myristic (My) acid with PEG 300, 400, 600, 2000 or 6000. Each of the fifteen condensates was formed by total conversion (83.5 to 84.1 %). Monoester–diester ratios of the condensates ranged from 4:1 to 49:1. FT – IR spectroscopy and hydrophilic lipohilic balances (HLB) of the condensates were also examined. The condensates had softening and hydrophilic properties of cotton fabric with no yellowing at concentrations of 30 and 50g/l in the presence or absence of DMDHEU (50g/l). The presence of DMDHEU improved the fabric resiliency.

However, the softening and hydrophilic properties of the fabric were inferior in the presence of DMDHEU rather than the absence. In comparison with a commercial softener, PEG 2000- or 6000-based condensates were higher in fabric wettability and pliability but lower in smoothness. Regarding CRA, only My-2000 was comparable to that of the commercial softener in terms of effect.

The dyeing of acrylic fabrics using C.I. Astrazon Basic Golden Yellow GLE is studied with both conventional (CH) and ultrasonic (US) techniques. The factors that affect dyeability, such as dye bath pH, US power, dyeing time and temperature, are studied. The colour strength values obtained are found to be higher with US than CH heating. Also, the fastness properties of the dyed fabrics are determined with. A comparative study using x-ray and scanning electron microscope (SEM) that is implemented on samples to explain for the better dyeability of acrylic fabrics with the US method. Dyeing kinetics and the time/dye-uptake isotherms reveal enhanced dye-uptake in the second phase of dyeing. The values of the dyeing rate constant, half-time of dyeing and standard affinity, and US efficiency are calculated and discussed.

The dielectric constant (E′), dielectric loss (E″) and power factor (tan §) were measured for various excess hydroxyl content resins (polyesteramide, alkyd/polyesteramide and alkyd resins) and also for their corresponding dry films. Measurements were conducted within the frequency band 105 to 107 Hz and temperature range 20–50°C. The various parameters affecting the dielectric behaviour of resin varnishes and their dry films are discussed. Also the effect of ageing at 110°C upon the dielectric behaviour of dry films is another parameter taken into consideration.

Various polyesteramide resins are prepared in which a stoichiometric amount of hydroxy ethyl fatty acid amides (diol) are replaced by the bifunctional nicotinic acid and aisonicotinic acid derivatives of diethanolamine and triethanolamine without affecting the resin constants. The inclusion of nicotinyl and isonicotinyl residues would expect to prevent microbial growth and may also act as corrosion inhibitor.

The aim of this paper is to revisit the Brazilian case in an effort to shed light on how state-business relations have been transformed in the contemporary era of globalization. Brazil has long been considered the archetype of “dependent development”, having served as the inspiration for the classic theory of the relationship between states and capital in the semi-peripheral states of the developing world. Since the theory of dependent development was initially formulated in the 1970s, however, both the Brazilian political economy and the global context in which it is situated have changed dramatically.

The analysis draws on 15 months of field research conducted in Sao Paulo, Brasilia, Beijing, New Delhi and Washington, as well as at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, involving 157 interviews with senior government officials, trade negotiators and representatives of industry and non-governmental organizations, ethnographic observation and extensive documentary research.

The author shows how the emergence of a highly competitive export-oriented agribusiness sector in Brazil has prompted the expansion and internationalization of domestic capital, leading to the emergence of an independent, private sector lobby with considerable influence on the Brazilian state. Driven by the rise of Brazilian agribusiness, the state and capital have allied together to aggressively pursue the expansion of markets for Brazilian exports, specifically through dispute settlement and negotiations at the WTO.

These findings challenge conventional understandings of state-business relations in emerging economies such as Brazil.

This study aims to develop a comprehensive framework for addressing delays in tunnel construction projects by leveraging predictable risk factors. Tunnel projects often encounter scheduling delays due to inherent complexities and uncertainties, necessitating a proactive approach to prevent project underperformance.

The integrated risk prioritization and determination of activity-wise delay (IRPAD) framework is divided into four phases: identification and prioritization of risk factors, determination of activity-wise risk coefficients using MCDM-based methodology, obtaining the critical risk path, and developing an activity-wise risk matrix. Fault tree analysis (FTA) and event tree analysis (ETA) are employed to determine activity-wise risk coefficients based on expert responses.

The framework’s applicability in Indian tunnel projects is demonstrated through a real-world case study with 95% validation accuracy. The IRPAD framework enhances the delay analysis process and facilitates the provision of effective activity-wise mitigation measures.

The IRPAD framework predicts delays in infrastructure projects thus enhancing resilience and sustainability, supporting SDGs 9 and 11. It can be applied to a wide range of construction projects to improve project performance.

This research introduces novel concepts such as the three fold activity-wise risk matrix and the critical risk path, contributing to the development of the IRPAD framework for delay reduction. This framework offers valuable insights to practitioners in the construction industry.

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) have received wide publicity and many institutions have invested considerable effort in developing, promoting and delivering such courses. However, there are still many unresolved questions relating to MOOCs and their effectiveness in a blended-learning context. One of the major recurring issues raised in both academic literature and in the press about MOOCs is the consistently high dropout rate of MOOC learners.

In this study, we applied mixed methods as an exploratory case study, which prioritised the quantitative and qualitative approaches for the data collection processes. The data were collected using a MOOC Online Self-regulated Learning Questionnaire (MOSLQ) adapted and created from an existing measuring instrument. The quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS Version 22) tool to conduct descriptive analysis. The qualitative results obtained from the transcribed focus group interviews in this study revealed the various behavioural patterns of how undergraduate students self-directed their learning. This focus group interview was conducted to reveal the various ways students organised and strategised their learning patterns in order to derive satisfaction in their distinctive learning behaviours and encourage motivation within their study approaches. Quantitative data collected online included a 30 items survey of which 17 respondents completed the survey items in the blended-learning study. The online course survey included 19 items of which data were gathered from 11 respondents.

Across the data, it is noticeable and clear that time management and goal setting were among the dimensions that are highly rated close to high level among SRL skills investigated in this study. We found that goal setting and task strategies predicted much better attainment of individuals controlling personal course goals, while help seeking was associated with lower goal attainment among majority of the participants.

The study also identified several challenges. For example, there were some challenges in learners completing the survey questions even when several reminders were sent out forth nightly. At this preliminary stage, learners participated as lurkers without engaging fully with other non-academic and academic interactive activities such as surveys, in course quizzes and forums. Most of the participants in this course said they enrolled to know more about the new trend MOOC, to make friends, to have fun and so on. Although, these are some of their intentions for participating, some of the participants at some points contributed to discussion forums.

Our platform currently allows learners to direct their learning within the course and also allow the choice of content prerequisite in order to recommend resources necessary for their learning. This study indicates the necessity to support SRL skills and directing development of self-determination skills among the participants. This study when applied to a larger sample will demonstrate effective measurement on areas of reliability and validity as results from this small sample has indicated some high SRL skill levels for individual learners within the research.

However, the success of any e-learning or MOOC platform should consider the following best practices and objectives: the learners' entire learning experience, the strategies used in developing the course content, the planning of the course delivery and the methods of delivery. Therefore, all e-learning platforms should be designed with a primary focus on the way students learn to improve their own learning skills and help them regulate their own independent learning habits. In another related study, the success of any e-learning course implementation should be carefully considered with regards to the course's underlying pedagogy and how learners engage with the content.

There are many e-learning platforms in existence globally, but little has been mentioned about the development of a MOOC platform in general that could allow independent learning and also adequately demonstrating the components and features used in these MOOC designs. This research's implication is to aid instructional designers to apply best practices in the development of an online course. The best approach in designing a good course is to consider the learners and how they could engage with the course resources independently and develop the ability to self-direct their learning. One of the main goals of e-learning platforms is primarily based on developing learning resources that would be suitable for linear course structure as directed by the course developer or instructor.

The objective of this paper is to discuss some scientific challenges related to the production and use of biomass for transport, heat and electricity.

Specific attention is paid to the environmental assessment of liquid bio‐fuels for transport and to the discussion of causes of uncertainties in the assessment. Three main topics are taken as examples, in order to illustrate the complexity of environmental assessment of bio‐fuels and the difficulty in reducing uncertainties: agro‐environmental impact of bio‐ethanol (from sugar cane) in Brazil and bio‐diesel (from palm oil) in Malaysia. These two tropical countries were selected because of their role as leaders at world level and their strong export potential to the European Union), N₂O (Nitrous Oxide) emissions related to crop cultivation for bio‐fuels and land use change; and GHG emissions and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of bio‐diesel from palm oil in Malaysia. These three topics are discussed and complemented by considerations about biomass conversion issues.

The quantification of the degree of the sustainability of the production and use of bio‐fuels for transport is to a large extent related to the choice of farming practices during the feedstock production and their corresponding environmental impact.

Recommendations are formulated so as to reduce scientific uncertainty, for example through the development of internationally‐agreed sustainability certification systems with corresponding verification measures, or further research on emissions and indirect land‐use change.

The value of the paper on bio‐energy research challenges is related to the combined analysis of European and tropical constraints in the field of biomass.