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The results of the corrosion of metals and alloys with the use of solvent mixtures covering a wide range of compositions are limited in the literature. These mixed solvent systems possess a wide range of viscosity, dielectric constant and acid‐base properties. With this view, a kinetic study on the corrosion of metals in different aquo‐organic solvent systems has been undertaken. The corrosion of metals and alloys is strongly affected by the presence of water, the latter being found to have a passivating effect and sometimes a passivity breakdown effect. It is therefore of much interest to study the influence of varying water concentration on the corrosion and electrochemical behaviour of metal and alloys. The present work is a continuation of our studies on the kinetic of corrosion of metals in mixed aqueous‐organic solvents. Also, the corrosion rates are correlated to the dielectric constant and the total number of moles (n1 + n2) of water and ethylene glycol. This latter new correlation is described by El‐Shazly et al. for calculating the chemical potential (Δμ*) from kinetic data and molar thermodynamic excess functions for binary mixtures.

Using an instant response device within the context of a controlled experiment, we find that people’s self‐assessment of susceptibility to normative influence (SNI) differs substantially from the actual, or true, degree to which they are influenced by the actions of others. Actual SNI, a subconscious reaction to the behavior of those around us, can be altered when participants (falsely) believe their peers differ in their willingness to sign a new lease under various rental reduction incentives when their landlord has defaulted on his mortgage. The results are insensitive to eight alternative measures of actual SNI. This study supports the behavioral finance literature relating to herding in that we show people are very much willing to follow the lead of their peers, even in situations where information gain is not the likely derived benefit. Instead, people appear to herd in our study for social reasons.

Galactomannan gum isolated from the seeds of sesbania is subjected to chemical modification via phosphorylation. This is conducted via heating moistened blends of the gum with a mixture of orthophosphate salt. Three different phosphate ester derivatives are prepared by changing the reaction time. The %P increases from 0.07 to 0.12 to 0.61 by increasing the reaction time from 30 to 60 to 90 minutes.

Modification of sesbania gum via phosphorylation increases the stability of their pastes to storing. Investigation of the rhelogical properties of these pastes indicate that they are characterised by non-Newtonian pseudoplastic behaviour. As the extent of the reaction increases, i.e. %P, the apparent viscosity of the pastes at a constant rate of shear decreases, while storing does not change the rheological characteristics of the pastes.

Utilization of these derivatives as thickening agents in printing wool fabrics by using acid dyes indicate that phosphate derivatives of sesbania seeds could be used as a thickening agent in printing wool fabrics with acid dyes, where the K/S slightly decreases less than the commercial thickening agent named (Meypro gum) while the overall fastness properties are nearly identical.

Summarizes three explanations put forward in previous research for the deviation of closed‐end fund (CEF) share prices from their net asset values and tests the theories based on market sentiment (noise trading) and market segmentation (market frictions). Analyses 1991‐1997 data on 18 UK CEFs (13 investing in the UK and 5 in the USA) to explore the pattern of cointegration and error corrected Granger causality between the fund discounts and indices which proxy for UK and US investor sentiment. Discusses the results, which support both theories for UK CEFs and show some evidence of cointegration and information transmission. Briefly considers consistency with other research and the implications of the findings.

Provides a comprehensive, critical review of failure prediction with cash flow information since Beaver (1966); and tabulates the methods and cash flow variables used, and the results produced. Describes the literature as “inconsistent and inconclusive” and discusses possible reasons why, e.g. the measurement and diversity of cash flows, lack of model validation, multicollinearity etc. Points out the importance of cash to solvency and dividend payouts; and the limitations it places on creative accounting. Summarizes the reasons for previous inconsistencies and considers possibilities for further research.

Explains the development of Israel’s welfare state, concentrating on the labour exchange system and housing. Links the development of the Zionist welfare state to economic and political conditions, in particular state‐building and the management of the Palestinian community within the state. Refers to literature on policy paradigms. Notes the stable institutional infrastructures developed by the Jewish community in Palestine and the Zionist labour movement, which led to an embryonic welfare state. Recounts the development of the labour exchange process and the public housing policy, describing how the policies reinforced statehood – settling immigrants into areas where Jewish presence needed strengthening and, at first, largely excluding the Palestinian community from access to housing and the labour process. Points out that, over time, the exclusion of Palestinians became unrealistic. Concludes that Israel’s welfare state was determined by political conditions of developing statehood – most importantly the exodus of Palestinians and the influx of Jewish immigrants.

A number of digital libraries have been set up in the course of various research and development activities in different parts of the world during the last few years. How do these digital libraries fair in terms of information retrieval features? This paper looks into this question by reviewing the information retrieval features of 20 digital libraries chosen from around the globe. The first part of the paper briefly describes the features of the chosen digital libraries in terms of their nature and content. The second part looks into the information retrieval features of each digital library. Unique features of some digital libraries have been indicated. Major areas of research that would improve the information retrieval features of the future digital libraries have been indicated.

Investigates urban bias in state policy making in Mexico. Refers to literature claiming that rural poverty in developing nations is a major problem because capitalism reflects an urban bias. Examines social security coverage for the rural poor in Mexico and notes that there are great variations depending on area, suggesting that social security coverage is politically negotiable. Outlines briefly the historical development of Mexico’s welfare state and uses a power resource model to demonstrate how groups with competing interests go about securing benefits from the state. Cites literature on dependency theory, indicating that rural groups have failed to mobilize politically and have therefore not secured the same state resources (such as social security benefits and housing) as urban groups, yet argues that this does not always apply in Mexico, partially due to party politics and bureaucratic paternalism. Explains how data was collected to examine regional variations in social security coverage among the rural poor and how the data was analysed. Reveal that workers in important international export markets (such as cotton and sugar) have greater political leverage in obtaining better social security benefits. Notes also that areas supporting the political party in power obtain better benefits. Concludes, therefore, that rural workers are not powerless in the face of urban capitalism and that urban bias and dependency theories do not reflect the situation in Mexico – rather social security benefits are politically negotiable.