The interfacial tension (IFT) is a critical parameter to inform our understanding of the phenomena of drop breakup and droplet–droplet coalescence in sheared water-in-diluted bitumen (dilbit) emulsions. A microfluidic extensional flow device (MEFD) was used to determine the IFT of the dilbit-water emulsion system for bitumen concentrations of 33%, 50%, and 67% by weight (solvent to bitumen ratio (S/B) = 2, 1, and 0.5, respectively) and two different pH values of water: 8.3 and 9.9. The IFT was observed to increase with the bitumen concentration and decrease significantly upon lowering the water pH. The time scale for achieving the steady state IFT increased with bitumen concentration and was less sensitive to the water pH. But the most important feature of our measurements is that the IFTs recorded were significantly smaller than the values reported in the literature. We recognized two important differences between our studies and prior investigations: measurement of the IFT of water drops in dilbit as opposed to dilbit drops in water in earlier studies, and time scales of measurement of IFT that ranged from hundreds of milliseconds to a few seconds, as compared to a minute or longer in past investigations. These differences were examined carefully, but neither was found to explain the low IFTs measured in our studies. Our work leads to the following hypothesis: the mechanical properties of the interface of a sheared water drop in bitumen are significantly different from a stagnant one.

Background: Scheduled caste is socially and economically disadvantaged population and contributes to one fifth of India's population. Population policy (2002), government of India, has set the task of addressing unmet need for contraception in order to achieve the medium term objective of bringing the total fertility rate down to replacement level by the year 2010. Methods: The data used for the paper has been taken from Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Survey round-II (2001-02) phase-I of Uttar Pradesh. Information of only scheduled caste women has been used for analysis. Bi-variate and logistic regression analysis was carried out. Results: There is positive relationship between knowledge of traditional methods, level of education and standard of living; which is expected to have inverse relationship. Use of contraceptive methods among these groups of women is substantially low, but it follows an expected trend. Government health care institutions remain the main source of contraception for scheduled caste women in the study area. Conclusions: Results from the logistic analysis give a clear picture that women with the information/knowledge are more likely to use the method in the near future.

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The goal of this research was to find out how Marks and Spencer are using social media channels to accomplish customer engagement and customer loyalty. In order to find out the same, this research has followed both primary data collection method and secondary data collection method. Primary data is collected by conducting surveys with 25 random consumers of Marks and Spencer. On the other hand, secondary data is presented by collecting information from authentic websites. It was found that customer engagement of the organization comes from its strong investment in social media marketing. The organization is conducting different types of campaigns and using different tools such as Style Finder and Instagram stories. These activities are allowing the organization to continuously communicate with its existing and potential consumers. In terms of customer loyalty, from primary data, it was found that the organization’s communication and engagement with consumers are ensuring customer loyalty. Therefore, customer engagement is playing a mediating role in social media communication and customer engagement for the organization.

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