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The purpose of this study is to manufacture composites from sawdust and polymer high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with different loading from alum as natural and cheap flame retardant and subsequently characterized using standard analytical tools.

Artificial wood plastic composites (WPCs) were prepared by mixing HDPE with sawdust as a filler with constant ratio (2:1) using hot press. Polyethylene-graft-maleic anhydride (PE-g-MAH) used as a coupling agent between two parents of the composites with different ratios (2.5, 5, 7 and 10). Alum as a flame retardant was incorporated into HDPE with 5 phr polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PE-g-MAH) with different ratios (10, 15 and 20). Flame retardant efficiency was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis and the technique of ASTM E162.

The results revealed that the composite containing 5 phr from (PE-g-MAH) exhibited higher mechanical properties and this proved that (PE-g-MAH) act as an efficient coupling agent using the aforementioned ratio. The results also revealed that incorporation of alum as a flame retardant increased the thermal stability of the composites.

Artificial WPCs are ecofriendly materials with a wide range of applications in the constructions field. Moreover, they have high mechanical and physical properties with low cost. Evaluate alum as a natural and cheap flame retardant.

The purpose of this study is to check the effectivity of plasma in the natural dyeing of polyester fabric using four natural dyes – Turkey red, Lac, Turmeric and Catechu using plasma and alum mordant. The surface modification on the polyester fabric by plasma along with the use of benign mordant alum is studied. The enhancement of dyeability in polyester fabric with natural dyes is the main focus. Due to surface modification, the wettability increases, which leads to better dye uptake. Better dye uptake and better dye adherence are the main objectives.

Plasma-mediated natural dyeing is the main design of this research work. The effect of plasma treatment on surface modification of synthetic fabric polyester and its subsequent effects on their dyeing with different natural dyes, namely, Turkey red, Lac, Turmeric and Catechu are studied. The dyeability was further enhanced by the use of alum as mordant. The main focus is on the betterment of natural dyeing of polyester fabric using sustainable natural dyes resources for dyeing and to reduce wastewater contamination from the usage of toxic additive chemicals for cleaner production.

Plasma-mediated and alum-mordanted dyeing method facilitated very good dyeability of all the four natural dyes, namely, Turkey red, Lac, Turmeric and Catechu. Color strength (K/S) values and fastness properties of plasma-treated samples were far better than untreated samples. The synergistic effect of plasma and alum mordanting has made natural dyeing of polyester very easy with very good fastness results. Natural dyeing of polyester after 2 min of plasma treatment showed excellent and desirable results. The process is also easy to be adapted by industries.

As polyester is hydrophobic, natural dyeing of polyester fabric is not very easy, but with plasma-mediated natural dyeing, it becomes a very facile dyeing method; thus, there are no limitations. Use of plasma has reduced the need for any chemical additives which are usually added during the dyeing process.

This process of natural dyeing of polyester fabric can be scaled up to industrial dyeing with natural dyes. Plasma pretreatment of the fabric followed by premordanting with alum has facilitated the natural dyeing well.

Use of plasma in place of chemical modifiers can be a green and environmentally friendly approach for sustainable coloration of polyester fabric, providing a clean wet processing for textiles dyeing.

The synergistic effect of plasma-mediated and alum-mordanted natural dyeing of polyester has not been attempted by any researcher. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is for the first time that pretreatment with atmospheric plasma followed by alum mordanting of polyester fabric has shown very good dye uptake and fastness properties as the dye molecules could penetrate well after 2 min of the plasma treatment.

The purpose of this paper is to reveal the potential use of faba bean husk as natural dye, to create a color gamut and to observe the effect of different mordants. Dyeing properties of polyamide/elastane fabric using faba been husk were investigated. The effect of alum [KAl(SO₄)₂], iron II sulfate Fe(SO₄)7H₂O, tin II chloride (SnCI₂2H₂O), copper II sulfate (CuSO₄), citric acid (C₆H₈O₇), tartaric acid (C₄H₆O₆), oxalic acid (H₂C₂O₄), ammonium sulfate [(NH₄)₂SO₄], sodium acetate (C₂H₃NaO₂), combination of alum-iron, iron-tin and alum-tin were evaluated in terms of color yield, color coordinates and wash fastness.

Mainly, dyeings were conducted in accordance with a simultaneous mordanting method. However, pre-mordanted dyeings were also implemented with selected concentration (0.8 g/L) of metallic mordants to enrich color gamut. Control sample (without mordant) was used as a reference for examining the effect of different mordants. Dyed samples were compared mutually in the light of visual evaluation and color measurements and alternatives to metallic mordants were also assessed.

Significant differences occurred in color coordinates of dyed samples. The biggest color difference and completely different color shades were achieved with tin II chloride. The type of acid did not create visible color differences. As alternatives to metallic mordants; all of them may be used instead of alum (0.8 g/L). Tartaric acid and oxalic acid, instead of iron II sulfate (0.2 g/L), and ammonium sulfate (0.2 g/L) and sodium acetate (0.8 g/L), instead of alum (0.8 g/L), can be used. Sodium acetate cannot be replaced with iron. A combination of alum-iron and iron-tin can be the alternative to 0.2 and 0.8 g/L copper, respectively. All the samples provided good wash fastness (4/5) values.

Valorization of industrial, agricultural and domestic wastes as novel natural dye sources is an ecological and sustainable approach. Moreover, the use of man-made fibers in natural dyeing is an issue that needs to be developed and expanded. Few literatures have been found concerning the use of husks of faba bean as a natural colorant. In this initial study, husks of faba been as a vegetable waste were utilized in natural dyeing of polyamide/elastane fabric. It is suggested that this waste can be turned into an economic value through its valorization in natural dyeing.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the current UK Prevent Agenda 2011 and the possible threat to local communities from such policies which may actually fuel further resentment and make communities less safe and more susceptible to radicalisation and extremism.

The paper presents a short qualitative study that involved members of the Alum Rock community in Birmingham (UK) that had experience of Prevent strategies. The study involved semi‐structured interviews which were conducted with Muslim community members who were involved either directly or indirectly with Prevent programmes in the area of Alum Rock.

The study found that overall Muslim communities within Alum Rock were suspicious of the role of law enforcement agencies and counter‐terrorism policies such as Prevent.

In a short qualitative study and with a small sample size there is clearly a need to do further research and deal with a larger sample size that would demonstrate a more representative view of the community.

This study can help inform and improve the counter‐terrorism policy framework which includes Prevent. For example, more emphasis is needed on getting views from Muslim communities through focus groups and interviews which could in turn help build trust between Muslim communities and law enforcement agencies.

There is currently little research on the Prevent Agenda 2011 and the present paper provides an important contribution in understanding the views of Muslim communities in an area which has been the subject of a number of high profile counter‐terrorism operations (for example, Operation Gamble involved a number of police raids aimed at foiling a plot to behead a Muslim soldier), Project Champion (where West Midlands police used overt and covert surveillance (CCTV) cameras in predominantly Muslim areas). The data collected could be used as a template for gaining a better understanding of how Muslims feel about Prevent and as such can improve relations between Muslim communities and the police.

Alumni provide a valuable marketing conduit for educational institutions to not only share program highlights but to illustrate the competencies learned that are positively impacting organizations. Alumni who are interested in giving back need a vehicle through which they can remain connected to their alma maters. Institutions can benefit greatly from building such bridges. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Capella University has created a virtual chapter affiliated with the International Society for Performance Improvement where alumni, learners, and faculty can network in meaningful ways to address the interests and needs of all parties. Five key considerations and 12 purposeful activities that have proven to be critical to the success of the collaborative, virtual chapter site are presented.

Providing a virtual site where collaborative partners can work on meaningful projects that address mutual needs has proven to be beneficial to all parties involved. The university has clearly benefited from the authentic advertising that alumni provide. Alumni have benefitted from opportunities to work with the university in meaningful ways that enhance their vitaes. Learners are motivated to persist in their academic programs. And faculty are inspired to witness the impact of their work via the alumni. The virtual chapter site has been a valuable resource that facilitates a positive return for all involved.

Virtual chapters that connect alumni, learners, and faculty fill a critical need in an economy where budgets tighten as competition increases in higher education.

The purpose of this paper is to show the dyeing effect of banana peel on polyamide fabric by using various mordants and to reveal alternatives to metallic mordants.

The simultaneous mordanting method was used in the dyeing process.

From environmental and economical points of view, this paper studies the use of a natural waste product in textile dyeing. Assessment of domestic organic wastes will provide new possibilities for valorization of biomaterials. It is concluded that colorimetric data are affected by the amount of plant used in extraction, amount and type of mordant and pH of dye bath. Tin II chloride ensured the lightest color shades. No alternative mordants could be presented to iron II sulfate and tin II chloride, as they generated completely different color shades. Acids can be an alternative to 0.8 g/L alum mordant. Ammonium sulfate and sodium acetate also generated similar colors to alum. Ammonium sulfate can be substituted for citric acid and alum. Banana peel can be considered as a natural dye source for polyamide elastane blend fabric.

Banana peel can be suggested as a natural colorant with good wash fastness for dyeing of polyamide elastane blend fabric.

Chemical treatability of dairy wastewater originating from a dairy and dairy products plant at Istanbul was investigated on the basis of chemical oxygen demand (COD) parameter as a pre‐treatment alternative. FeCl₃, FeSO₄ and alum were used as coagulants in the jar‐test experiments of four sets of daily composite wastewater samples taken once every month. The effect of acid cracking has also been searched through acid addition and pH adjustment. Characterisation studies demonstrated that wastewater characteristics varied within a wide range in spite of no significant production changes at the plant during the experimentation period. Optimum coagulant dosage has been determined as 200mg l^–1 for all the coagulants with the optimum pH values between 4 and 4.5 for FeCl₃ and FeSO₄, and 5‐6 for alum. Maximum overall COD removal efficiencies were obtained as 72 per cent, 59 per cent and 54 per cent for FeCl₃, FeSO₄ and alum, respectively. Nevertheless, COD removal efficiencies were found to be inadequate to meet the current discharge standards of Greater Metropolitan Istanbul to sewer systems indicating that chemical treatment is insufficient for discharging chemically pre‐treated dairy wastewater to a sewage system, which was actually the main objective of the study. The results showed that the wastewater composition greatly influences the maximum removal efficiencies and also the conditions for optimum coagulation. However, attention to such chemical treatment studies on dairy wastewater has started to accelerate within the last decade in various countries of the world, such as United Arabic Emirates and Scandinavian countries where the targets of applying chemical treatment varied. In Scandinavian countries, biodegradable coagulants have been applied to use the sludge arising from the system for livestock feeding, leading to reuse of sludge. In Arabic Emirates, chemically treated dairy effluents are utilised for irrigation purposes. These recent studies point out that application of chemical treatment to dairy wastewater with various coagulants lead to a variety of utilities apart from being a pre‐treatment alternative.

In nature, thousands of different colours and shades exist. Basic set of dyes, namely, yellow, red, blue and green are necessary for a complete colour gamut. Creating a complete gamut with natural dyes with one common extraction and application procedure is not exploited hitherto. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

In this study, an attempt was made to create a complete colour gamut with easily available natural dyes with one common extraction and application procedure.

Silk fabrics were dyed using various natural dyes alone and in combination to yield various shades, namely, yellow, red, green, blue. Pre-mordanting of silk fabrics was carried out with mordants, namely, alum, ferrous sulphate, copper sulphate, stannous chloride, potassium dichromate followed by dyeing. The fastness properties and colour strength values of all the shades obtained were determined.

Creating a complete gamut with natural dyes with one common extraction and application procedure is not exploited hitherto.

The objective of this work is studying the use of chemicals to enhance primary treatment in municipal wastewater treatment plants, thereby reducing the cost of the secondary treatment stage. Jar tests using chemicals, polymers and sea water have been conducted to determine the best performing chemicals, alone and in combinations. The process performance parameters studied were pH, type and dosage of coagulant, mixing intensity, detention time, settling time and addition of coagulant aid. The efficiency of the process has been measured as percentage removals in COD, TSS, turbidity, settleable matter and removals of heavy metals. The results proved the improvement of removal efficiencies.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the impact the University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s (UNCG) Library and Information Studies Academic and Cultural Enrichment (ACE) Scholars Program has had on promoting diversity and adding value to the library and information studies profession.

This paper is presented as a case study in which three iterations of the ACE Scholars Program are discussed, including program design and suggested impact the program has had on educating and engaging diverse individuals for careers in the library and information studies professions.

Nearly 50 ACE Scholars program participants, representing ethnically, racially and socioeconomically diverse backgrounds, have graduated from UNCG with their Master of Library and Information Studies degrees since 2011. In the five years since the first ACE cohort graduated, Scholar alums continue to impact the Library and Information Studies (LIS) profession through their professional roles as well as through their community engagement, professional association memberships and leadership roles, professional presentations and numerous publications.

This paper presents a model that has helped to promote diversity in the LIS field in way that can be adapted by other graduate programs that are preparing individuals for successful and engaged careers as library and information studies professionals.