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The disposal of wastewater containing silver is an environmental concern. Due to the toxicity of silver, treatment of such wastewater is necessary. Real wastewater contains a complex matrix of pollutants. The purpose of this paper is to study the adsorption behavior of silver in single and binary systems (with nickel) onto granular activated carbon.

The effect of silver ions concentration and the mass of adsorbent on the adsorption behavior were analyzed. Five two-parameter isotherms (Langmuir, Elovich, Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich and Temkin) were applied to investigate the adsorption mechanism. Both linear and nonlinear regressions were tested for the first three isotherms. The experimental data were also fitted to Redlich–Petersons, Sips and Toth models.

A direct relationship between the initial silver ion concentration and its adsorption capacity was observed, whereas an inverse relationship between the adsorbent mass and the adsorption capacity was documented. The Langmuir model was found to best-fit the data indicating monolayer adsorption behavior. The maximum uptake was 2,500 mg/g in the single adsorption system. This value decreased to 909 mg/g in the binary system. The adsorption was found to have an exothermic chemical nature.

The study of the silver adsorption in a single system is inaccurate. Real wastewater contains a complex matrix of pollutants. This research gives a clear insight into the adsorption behavior in binary systems.

This paper aims to empirically investigate the triadic relationship between internal integration, internal flexibility and external flexibility.

This research hypothesized the mediation effect of internal flexibility on the relationship between internal integration and external flexibility. Survey data were collected and analyzed using simple and mediation regression analysis to test the study hypotheses.

The research finding reveals that machine, labor and material handling flexibilities; being as internal flexibility dimensions mediate the relationship between internal integration and volume and mix flexibilities; being as external flexibility dimensions. The results provided insufficient evidence on the mediating effect of routing flexibility on the relationship between internal integration and both volume and mix flexibilities.

This research presents a new perspective for research studies to understand the factors that affect manufacturing flexibility. However, the nature of the surveyed sample and using of a single informant might limit the generalizability of the research findings.

This study provides useful insights for firms wishing to enhance their competitiveness through improving their flexibility. The companies should be aware of the importance of developing a suitable platform for coordinating inter-departmental activities to enhance its internal competencies, which, in turn, improve its customer-facing capabilities and boosts its competitiveness.

This paper contributes to knowledge by proposing and empirically testing the mediating effect of internal flexibility on the relationship between internal integration and external flexibility.

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the efficiency of organobentonite (OB) as reinforcing filler in acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR). The composites were prepared using different loadings of OB and studying in details their properties. A series of OB was modified using surfactant N-cetyl-N, N, N-trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) with concentrations 0.5, 1 and 2 cation exchange capacity (CEC) of bentonite.

The different bentonites were characterized using different analytical and spectro-photometric techniques, such as infra red, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy, while rubber vulcanizate rheological, morphological, swelling and thermal properties were examined using different standard instrumental testing and methods.

The study revealed that the modification of bentonite using CTAB showed significant enhancement on NBR properties, and the optimum filler loading was 12 phr for both 0.5CEC OB and 2CEC OB. These modified bentonites improved reinforcing properties to NBR vulcanizates. Also, results showed that composites exhibited remarkable improvements in tensile strength, elongation at break and hardness in the presence of modified bentonite and also an increase in thermal stability.

Na-B cannot be applied in rubber matrix without modification because it is incompatible with it.

The modified bentonite is considered as efficient reinforcing filler which can replace other fillers because it has lower surface energy and improved intercalating behaviour in rubber matrix.

These papered bentonites are cheap with relatively high purity, which make rubber/clay composites emerge as new class of material and can be used in different fields other than rubber.

• Develop an understanding of how to institutionalize a family business. • Define the dynamics of the family business decision-making process in emerging markets. • Assess the cultural differences between founders and successors in an emerging markets context. • Identify the role of intergenerational differences in deciding the future strategy of a family business in emerging markets.

This case addresses El Batraa Manufacturers for Chemicals and Paints S.A.E., a privately owned family business operating in the coloring paste industry in Egypt. The main dilemma of the case is the existence of different visions about the business between the old and new generations. Also, it addresses the importance of understanding family dynamics to resolve existing challenges. The necessity of having governance in a family business is highlighted, together with a clear succession plan to secure family unity and business sustainability. Sandra the main protagonist within the case is trying to arrive to a resolution that can guarantee a motivating environment for her to join the family business. Her main dilemma is whether to choose to join the family business, with all the existing challenges or not. Accordingly, she proposes some steps to make the family business more appealing.

Under Graduate and Master of Business Administration level.

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CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.