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Surfactants present in natural surface waters negatively affect the self-purification processes of water due to foaming, oxygen deficiency and eutrophication of water reservoirs. Consumed with water, they adversely affect human health. The purpose of the research conducted in the period from 2019 to 2022 was to determine the effectiveness of removing anionic and non-ionic surfactants in the process of artificial infiltration carried out at surface water intakes. The research was carried out on an experimental field installation located at the surface water infiltration intake. The experimental installation consisted of three metering wells (piezometers) located on the way between the infiltration pond and the collecting well. Water samples collected from the pond, from piezometers and from the well allowed to assess the change in concentrations of selected surfactants during the flow of water through the ground from the pond to the well. The analysis of the content of non-ionic surfactants was carried out by the method of iodobismutane determination with the final measurement of bismuth-thiourea (BiAS-thio) absorbance. A simplified method for the determination of anionic surfactants using methylene blue (MBAS) was used to measure the concentration of anionic surfactants. The presented studies carried out during the pandemic in 2019–2022 show a significant increase in the concentration of non-ionic surfactants in water collected from the infiltration pond. The presented research results indicate that artificial infiltration can be treated as a robust and effective barrier eliminating surfactants from treated water before the treatment plant technology. The main effect of surfactant removal occurs in the first section of the ground flow. Interpretation of the results allowed to conclude that the sediment layer at the bottom of the infiltration pond plays a major role in the removal of surfactants. Biodegradation is the main process responsible for the removal of non-ionic and ionic surfactants in the infiltration process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was initiated to identify the type of sources that online MBA students in a required marketing class cited in their final papers. It also sought to discover whether they included any of the Libraries' subscription databases in their bibliographies, especially IBISWorld and ReferenceUSA, which were the focus of two asynchronous video tutorials that were created for this course. The author used citation analysis to do this. Results showed that students overwhelmingly used Company websites. Then citations dropped to four other categories, Trade, Consumer, Government, and News. Some database subscriptions were cited, including the two covered in the tutorials. Video play data for each of these increased each quarter. There have been a few articles focusing on citation analysis and business information literacy. This study adds to the literature and provides some areas for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This research analyzes the International Master’s Program for Managers (IMPM) internationalization process through a partnership established with a Brazilian Higher Education Institution. IMPM was conceived by Henry Mintzberg in 1996 as a program strong enough to challenge traditional American MBA programs since Mintzberg proposes that “managers not MBAs” should prevail. A critical perspective is adopted here to investigate whether the IMPM privileges an Anglo-Saxon point of view or not. We used a qualitative approach involving ninety-six in-depth interviews with faculty members and directors from both institutions responsible for establishing this partnership and carrying out the Brazilian module of the program, eight of which are addressed in this paper. Professor Henry Mintzberg was one of the interviewees. The findings show that despite all the efforts to preserve local culture, an Anglo-Saxon logic prevails, and there is an imbalance between the initial proposition and the results. There are a lot of unexplored issues to solve considering this framework, and future studies should consider and propose the recognition of the local production of knowledge and cultural diversity as key elements for the success of international partnerships.

The conditions that significantly affect the biodegradability of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) based on previous studies were categorized. Among these previous studies, we focused on those that used activated sludge and river water as inocula in biodegradation studies. Analyzing the results of these studies revealed two types of methylene blue active substances (MBAS) removal curves in primary biodegradation, and the study conditions that differentiated the two types were analyzed, along with verification studies. The effects of the LAS concentration and interfacial activity during biodegradation were analyzed to set the concentration of LAS in this study. Surface tension was measured as an indicator of interfacial activity and biodegradation was measured by oxygen demand. Two widely used surfactants, alcohol ethoxylate and sodium dodecyl sulfate, were evaluated to clarify the significance of the effective concentration range of LAS. The concentration of LAS was set at 10 or 20 mg/L in the verification study. Acclimatization and the concentration balance of LAS and river water were the strongest factors in studies using activated sludge and river water, respectively. Our classification chart may be helpful in analyzing and comparing the conditions of previous and current studies. Such understanding of the study conditions and practical evaluation may aid in avoiding misleading environmental impact assessments of LAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of oil spills on seawater quality along the coastal waters of Karawang Regency. Several laboratories were involved in measuring water quality to get representativeness of the location of the exposed waters both spatially and temporally. The measurement of seawater quality was carried out in situ and in the laboratory. Seawater quality data were compared with quality standards and discussed descriptively. All key water quality parameters (total petroleum hydrocarbon, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, phenol, MBAS, and oil and grease) were below the detection limit of equipment, and a number of metals generally met quality standards. Only shortly after the oil spill in the vicinity of the spill source, the Ni metal exceeded the quality standard. However, after some time, spatially and temporally Ni has met the quality standard. Parameters not related to oil spills such as total phosphate generally did not meet quality standards. This might be related to the high activity on land, such as waste from domestic, industry, and agricultural activities entering coastal waters. Based on intertemporal data, the effect of an oil spill on water quality was temporary. This shows that the handling of the impact of the oil spill has shown good results and the quality of seawater remained quite good. Oil spills that float on the ocean surface were picked up, and those that washed ashore were cleaned up and collected.

Terrestrial anionic surfactants (AS) enter the marine environment through coastal region. Despite that, in general limited knowledge is available on the coastal AS transfer pathway. This paper aims to assess the distributions and exchange of AS in the Peninsular Malaysia coastal environments, adjacent to the southern waters of South China Sea and Strait of Malacca. An assessment case study was conducted by a review on the available data from the workgroup that span between the year 2008 and 2019. The findings showed that AS dominated in the sea surface microlayer (SML, 57%) compared to subsurface water (SSW, 43 %). AS were also found to have dominated in fine mode (FM, 71 %) compared to coarse mode (CM, 29 %) atmospheric aerosols. SML AS correspond to the SSW AS (p < 0.01); however, highest enrichment factor (EF) of the SML AS was not consistent with highest SSW AS. Direct AS exchange between SML and FM and CM was not observed. Furthermore, the paper concludes AS mainly located in the SML and FM and could potentially be the main transfer pathway in the coastal environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study determines the levels of surfactants at 12 stations located in the Melaka River Estuary. This river estuary is located within a tourism area of Melaka Historical City. The concentrations of anionic and cationic surfactants in the sea surface microlayer (SML) and sub-surface water (SSW) were determined by using two colorimetric methods, methylene blue active substances (MBASs) and disulphine blue active substances (DBASs), respectively. The results showed that cationic surfactants as DBAS (ranging between 0.19 and 0.25 μmol L−1) dominated the concentrations of surfactants in SML. The enrichment factor (Ef) between MBAS and DBAS in the SML and SSW ranged between 1.0 and 2.0, and 1.0 to 1.4, respectively. There was no significant correlation (p > 0.05) between MBAS and DBAS for both SML and SSW. Nevertheless, there were strong correlations (p < 0.05) between both MBAS and DBAS in the SML and SSW. The results showed the potential contribution of degradation processes of organic substances microorganisms in SSW towards the concentrations of surfactants in SML. Compared to previous studies, tourism-related activities may influence the concentrations of surfactants, especially DBAS, in this river estuary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the research made on the factors which influence the determination of LAS in sea water by MBAS and HPLC methods was summarized. These factors are purity of LAB and LAS, degradation, light, storage time, salinity and methods used for analysis. These factors were discussed and a modification on the MBAS method was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to determine the distribution of anionic surfactants in street dust samples from urban and semi-urban areas of Malaysia. The dust was collected from streets experiencing heavy traffic in both Kuala Lumpur, an urban location, and Bangi, a semi-urban location. The samples were separated into three particle size fractions (μm) using a laboratory test sieve, namely: fraction A (125 > X ≥ 63), fraction B (63 > X ≥ 45) and fraction C (X < 45). Anionic surfactants as Methylene Blue Active Substance (MBAS) were determined by the Colorimetric Method using a UV-Vis Spectrophotometer. Results indicated that anionic surfactants (MBAS) from fraction C showed the highest concentration (Kuala Lumpur 0.53 ± 0.04 μmolg and Bangi 0.49 ± 0.03 μmolg), followed by larger particles (fractions B and A). The cations detected followed the trend of Ca > K > Na > NH > Mg, whereas for anions, the trend was SO > Cl > NO > F, respectively. Results from principal component analysis and the multiple linear regression (PCA-MLR) of ionic compositions, clearly revealed that surfactants from the street dust at both sampling stations were primarily derived from anthropogenic sources. Examples of these sources include construction/industrial activity and vehicular emissions/biomass burning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Os rankings exercem significativas pressões institucionais sobre as IES fazendo com que elas ajustem suas estratégias. O objetivo deste estudo é o de verificar a existência dos grupos isomórficos das instituições de ensino superior a partir do conteúdo programático de seus MBAs, participantes o ranking da América Economia 2015. É uma pesquisa descritiva com o método de pesquisa documental, realizada no site dos programas de MBAs que constavam no ranking da América Economía do ano de 2015. É uma pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa com suporte de multidimensional scaling (MDS) para a análise dos dados que foi realizado com base no tripé da estratégia. Os resultados indicam a formação de três grupos e que existe um comportamento isomórfico entre as instituições, além de comportamentos complementares idiossincráticos de algumas instituições. Parece, também, indicar que a participação nos rankings é uma busca por legitimidade e que afeta o comportamento estratégico das organizações.

Quantitative determination of dodecyl sulfate and dioctyl sulfosuccinate has been performed with methylene blue dye in titration mode. The new approach consists in the titration of surfactant solution by standardized dye solution, simultaneously measuring absorbance at 660 nm with an immersion probe. Due to the formation of sparingly soluble ion pairs, the registered photometric titration curves are dependent on surfactant concentration. The analytical signal is the titrant volume needed to reach a certain absorbance value. The main advantage of the proposed method is that no toxic organic solvent is used. An additional advantage is that the analysis procedure can be carried out using an automatic titrator. The determination range is dependent on the end-point absorbance value. Standard deviation values fall in the range from 2 to 7 %. The method may be useful for routine process control in the surfactant industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Samples of sea-surface microlayer (SML) and sub-surface water (SSW) were collected from two areas-Kaohsiung City (Taiwan) and the southwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia to study the influence of SML on enrichment and distribution and to compare SML with the SSW. Anionic surfactants (MBAS) predominated in this study and were significantly higher in Kaohsiung than in Malaysia. Industrial areas in Kaohsiung were enriched with high loads of anthropogenic sources, accounted for higher surfactant amounts, and pose higher environmental disadvantages than in Malaysia, where pollutants were associated with agricultural activities. The dissolved organic carbon (DOC), MBAS, and cationic surfactant (DBAS) concentrations in the SML correlated to the SSW, reflecting exchanges between the SML and SSW in Kaohsiung. The relationships between surfactants and the physiochemical parameters indicated that DOC and saltwater dilution might affect the distributions of MBAS and DBAS in Kaohsiung. In Malaysia, DOC might be the important factor controlling DBAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reviews various methodologies to ensure engagement by MBA students. It analyses several theoretical models and identifies the most appropriate one for this purpose. It then evaluates and expands upon recent innovations developed at other business schools and presents a case study of inventive teaching techniques employed in workshops by this author to encourage a multifunctional and multidisciplinary approach to undertaking research. The article assesses the integral role imagination and reflection play throughout the process and explores gaming as a possible option for future instructive sessions with this group. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Highlights: [•] We determined the composition surfactants in SML around the estuarine area. [•] Anionic surfactants were found higher compared to cationic surfactants. [•] Surfactants recorded at higher concentration during rainy seasons. [•] Surfactants have significant correlation with total organic nitrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study has been conducted to determine the composition of surfactants in runoff water in the semi-urban area of Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. Runoff samples were collected from five different locations with contrasting functional activities and the colorimetric method was used to analyze the concentrations of surfactants as methylene blue active substances (MBAS) for anionic surfactants and as disulphine blue active substances (DBAS) for cationic surfactants. The results showed that the highest surfactant concentrations of MBAS and DBAS in runoff water were recorded in the samples collected at the residential area, with the concentrations of 3.192 ± 0.727 and 0.170 ± 0.028 μmol/L, respectively. Anionic surfactants as MBAS were found to dominate the concentration of surfactants in both runoff and rainwater. The concentrations of both anionic and cationic surfactants in runoff water were recorded as being higher than in rainwater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper explores the relationship between tuition fees charged by MBA programmes and the number of applications to these programmes, using a panel dataset comprising universities from countries across the world. Using Three-Stage-Least-Squares methods for simultaneous equations, we find a two-way relationship between tuition fees and applications: higher application numbers encourage universities to charge higher fees in the future, but higher fees in turn curtail application numbers. We find evidence that higher GMAT scores of existing students increase applications, as do higher post MBA salaries. Meanwhile, university and programme professional accreditations do not impact on student application choices, nor do alumni ratings of programme quality. Published MBA programme rankings appear to have little impact on applications, and where an effect can be identified, it appears that a better ranking discourages applications. Only US News rankings have a significant effect on applicants to US MBA programmes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Methylene Blue Active Substances (MBAS) and Linear Alkylbenzene Sulphonates (LAS) concentrations, together with organic carbon and ions were measured in atmospheric coastal aerosols in the NW Mediterranean Basin. Previous studies have suggested that the presence of surfactants in coastal aerosols may result in vegetation damage without specifically detecting or quantifying these surfactants. Coastal aerosols were collected at a remote site (Porquerolles Island-Var, France) and at a more anthropised site (San Rossore National Park-Tuscany, Italy). The chemical data were interpreted according to a comprehensive local meteorological analysis aiming to decipher the airborne source and transport processes of these classes of compounds. The LAS concentration (anthropogenic surfactants) was measured in the samples using LC-MS/MS, a specific analytical method. The values were compared with the MBAS concentration, determined by a non-specific analytical method. At Porquerolles, the MBAS concentration (103 ± 93 ng m−3) in the summer samples was significantly higher than in the winter samples. In contrast, LAS concentrations were rarely greater than in the blank filters. At San Rossore, the mean annual MBAS concentration (887 ± 473 ng m−3 in PM10) contributed about 10% to the total atmospheric particulate organic matter. LAS mean concentration in these same aerosol samples was 11.5 ± 10.5 ng m−3. A similar MBAS (529 ± 454 ng m−3) – LAS (7.1 ± 4.1 ng m−3 LAS) ratio of ∼75 was measured in the fine (PM2.5) aerosol fraction. No linear correlation was found between MBAS and LAS concentrations. At San Rossore site the variation of LAS concentrations was studied on a daily basis over a year. The LAS concentrations in the coarse fraction (PM10–2.5) were higher during strong sea storm conditions, characterized by strong air flow coming from the sea sector. These events, occurring with more intensity in winter, promoted the formation of primary marine aerosols containing LAS from the sea surface microlayer. In contrast to LAS, MBAS concentrations in the coarse fraction peaked in summer. Therefore, different sources are suggested for the two classes of compounds. In summer, increased MBAS concentration could be an indicator of phytoplanktonic blows enriching the sea surface microlayer with biogenic surfactants. In winter, some spikes in MBAS concentrations in the coarse fraction could be related to LAS concentrations and sea storm events. Moreover, in the fine fraction MBAS have a large concentration maxima in winter, corresponding to air masses coming from polluted continental areas. It is concluded that MBAS concentration in the fine or the coarse fraction is not an appropriate surrogate measurement of LAS concentration in aerosols because of the significant contribution from other sources to the MBAS concentration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A study was done to determine the concentrations of surfactants on the sea-surface microlayer and in atmospheric aerosols in several coastal areas around the Malaysian peninsula. The concentrations of surfactants from the sea-surface microlayer (collected using rotation drum) and from aerosols (collected using HVS) were analyzed as methylene blue active substances and disulphine blue active substances through the colorimetric method using a UV–vis spectrophotometer. The results of this study showed that the average concentrations of surfactants in the sea-surface microlayer ranged between undetected and 0.36±0.34μmolL−1 for MBAS and between 0.11±0.02 and 0.21±0.13μmolL−1 for DBAS. The contribution of surfactants from the sea-surface microlayer to the composition of surfactants in atmospheric aerosols appears to be very minimal and more dominant in fine mode aerosols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As surfactants enhance the membrane transport of organic compounds, it has to be assumed that they decisively influence the absorption of pollutants from house dust. Sampling sites for the surfactant analysis include housing areas, each location of which has different surroundings such as rural, urban, construction, and industrial area. Three stations had been selected for each housing area and cooking and smoking activities were recorded for each house. The concentration of anionic and cationic surfactants was determined as Methylene Blue Active Substances (MBAS) and Disulphine Blue Active Substances (DBAS) methods each using an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer. The results indicated that the concentrations of MBAS and DBAS in indoor dust were much higher than the street dust. It is concluded that activities in the house itself contributed significantly to the high concentration level of MBAS and DBAS in indoor dust. Overall, the sequence of concentration level of an ions is as follows, Cl-> NO3-> SO42-. The correlation between MBAS with all the anions are weak (R²chloride=0.0072, R²nitrate = 0.2469, R²sulphate = 0.00004) signifying that there is only a little connection between surfactants and these anions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of exogenously added sodium dodecylbenzenesulphonate (SDBS) surfactant on biodegradation of a mixture of straight-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons (dodecane and hexadecane) and resulting cell surface hydrophobicity changes of Candida maltosa EH 15 were investigated. Results indicated that up to 75 mg/L SDBS improves the biodegradation potential of examined yeast. A decrease in hydrophobicity was observed when SDBS was supplemented in higher concentrations, having strong impact on biodegradation rates. Phase distribution of surfactant molecules was investigated using methylene blue active substances method (MBAS), accompanied by surface and interfacial tension measurements. Studies showed that portion of SDBS molecules adsorbed on cell surface may play significant role in interaction between anionic surfactant and yeast cells, having influence on biodegradation rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2004, after a year's leave, I started teaching a new Masters of Business Administration (MBA) subject called 'Leadership and Change' in what I hoped was a more critical way. In this article I explore my experiences of launching two versions of this subject—one in a full-time MBA and one in an Executive MBA programme. I describe what I did and what happened, including the obstacles encountered—in myself and the structures around me-how it felt and how students and the institution responded. By working experientially as well as critically, I aimed to create a space in which students could challenge their ways of thinking about leadership and all of us could experiment with different ways of 'doing' leadership in the group. The article is written with an emphasis on 'practical' reflexivity. By interweaving personal reflection with insights from critical theory, I make explicit the 'me' in this account—as power-holder; participant and observer; as mind, body and heart, dripping with and scoured by emotion at times. Neither pure narrative nor theoretical exploration, my desire is to excavate insight from points of intersection between critical theory and personal experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teamwork is considered a fundamental element of organizational success in the 1990s. Presents a method of evaluating the effectiveness of an outdoor workshop as a tool to speed the development of study groups (called learning teams) in an MBA programme. Two three-day residential outdoor workshops are evaluated that were conducted with two different MBA classes over consecutive years. The results presented indicate that such workshops can accelerate the development of teams. In addition, the evaluation methodology used is suggested as a significant contribution to the currently poor standard of measurement applied to such activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The final part in a series of three articles, discusses an evaluation of the Northern and Yorkshire region of the health services mentor scheme, linked to Durham MBA. Reports on the results of a survey of 42 health-service mentees who have just finished a two-year MBA course and their 42 mentors. Highlights issues raised by mentees and mentors, and discusses the implications of these for development and improvement of the scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The origins of total quality management (TQM) in manufacturing and its popular adoption as a panacea or fad have combined to limit its acceptability in higher education institutions (HEIs). A brief analysis of the characteristics of TQM shows the extent to which it can be implemented in HEIs. Many objectives of TQM are compatible with the work of HEIs which have used them – consciously or unconsciously – in their operations and in response to external quality assessment and audit. Nevertheless, TQM continues to be viewed by many as inappropriate to the culture of HEIs. A case study of one faculty – the Management School of Lancaster University – shows that successful academic innovation can be compatible with TQ principles. Such principles were not applied rigidly or in ways which ran counter to the established culture of an academic organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Este artigo fala da justificação e de elementos básicos de um método para trabalhos de conclusão de cursos de pósgraduação profissionais em administração - mas não limitado à circunstância "curso". O gênero seria qualitativamente diferente tanto do formato dissertação acadêmica quando dos trabalhos monográficos de natureza técnica, ambos, mencionados na Portaria nº 80/98 (BRASIL, 1999). Nesse contexto, chamá-lo-emos aqui: "estudos monográficos profissionais", ou simplesmente "estudos profissionais", sem pretender nem inovar na expressão nem falar de algo ainda não praticado. Busca-se apoio na lingüística e na filosofia da linguagem, ambas, de base pragmática. O ponto de partida é o de que estamos diante de um gênero específico de discurso, definido pelo contexto pragmático da interação simbólica com auditórios profissionais interessados em orientar-se estrategicamente e decidir-se em situações específicas. Isso define um jogo de linguagem típico, não-coloquial e com alto nível de justificação para aquelas intenções, o que lhe daria qualidade científica. Após uma esquematização da base teórica, o conceito de estudos profissionais em administração é posto e distinguido de outros gêneros discursivos próximos e em uso. Alguns pontos cruciais de seu método são levantados, a partir da experiência do autor. O ensaio se conclui por questões no horizonte teórico e institucional da proposta.