The existence of hydroelectric plants along Amazon River tributaries is a solution to satisfy the energy demand in Brazil. However, these plants are subjected to multiple risk events because of the geographic and socioeconomic characteristics of this region. In helping to address these escalating challenges, this paper presents a framework that assesses the risk events of service packs relevant to the plant. This framework presents a transparent approach for prioritizing risk events in large projects. The weights of importance of risk events are estimated using the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process. Chang’s extent analysis method takes into consideration the vagueness and imprecision of subjective human judgments. The convergence of decisions is evaluated using two aggregation approaches, namely the maximum-minimum method based on an arithmetic mean and a geometric mean. The performances of the original and modified extent analysis methods are compared using group Euclidean distance and distance between weights metrics. The degree of similarity between the evaluation metrics is examined using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and average overlap approaches. Due to the inconsistency of the reported results, the final rankings of the aggregation approaches are determined using a new aggregated multiple criteria decision making method. The results indicate that the original extent analysis method using the maximum-minimum method (arithmetic mean) is the best aggregation method. A Santo Antonio hydroelectric plant in Brazil is used to demonstrate the application of the proposed framework.

An efficient route, convenient and environmentally friendly procedure for the synthesis chromenes derivatives have been developed via a three-component coupling and one-pot reactions of various aromatic aldehyde with malononitrile or ethyl cyanoacetate and phenols in the presence N,N-dimethylpyridin-4-amine (DMAP) in reflux conditions. In simple reaction conditions, the use of DMAP is explored as an easy workup and a green catalyst for the one-pot three-component synthesis ethyl 3-amino-1-aryl-1H-benzo[f]chromene-2-carboxylate derivatives.

The characterization of project critical success factors is a multidimensional construction that relies upon numerous components. This investigation analyzes the various criteria and components that impact the accomplishment of the tasks in the human resource region of the development project. This examination utilizes a comparative method, the analytic network process method is used to recognize the significant weight of models lastly, the positioning is finished by the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution technique, to analyze 27 critical success factors in the human resource management in project, and thinks about a wide scope of progress rules and basic achievement factors. The outcomes and assessment of specialists illustrate, select increasing trust and certainty among employees and project team managers, and it has the most effect on the accomplishment of Human Resource Management in projects. Contributing to these factors will improve the effectiveness of the activities.

A simple one-step procedure for synthesis of new derivatives of phenolic acids was developed. As the starting materials salicylic acid, vanillic acid and alkyl haloalkanoates were applied. The reactions were carried out in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate. Conditions for regioselective synthesis of target compounds were established. The esters 3a-h were obtained in great yields and were characterized by MS, 1H and ¹³C NMR spectra. Their photoprotective activity was evaluated in vitro by spectrophotometric method. The study revealed that the tested compounds are moderate UVB absorbers, but could be used to augment the effect of other photoprotective agents. Their SPF values were in the range from 3.63 to 4.26 for salicylates 3a-d and from 3.03 to 3.51 for vanillates.

In general, certified project management professionals are perceived to enhance project performance. However, this narrative has quite often been challenged in previous literature. We investigate this controversy by including professionalism and psychological capital as intervening variables. The research is based on an empirical survey of certified project managers in the region of Rawalpindi/Islamabad. 373 data samples were collected and further analyzed on the basis of critical success factor theory. The impact of project management certification along with intervening variables were hypothesized and validated to have direct and indirect relationships with project performance. Responses from certified project management professionals in the region of Rawalpindi/Islamabad support the perception but reflect that professionalism plays a supporting role between certification and performance. However, the study dismisses the role of psychological capital between professionalism and performance. We conclude that project management institutes and associations should ensure professionalism in the certification process to actually enhance project performance. The findings contribute to the body of knowledge in predicting improved project management performance by employing certified project managers with strong professional skills. Consequently, the research will help professional institutes to review the conformity of the required professional skills rather than just focusing on just passing an exam.

An effective and expeditious method of the synthesis of a highly functionalized piperidines, catalyzed by nontoxic, recyclable and environment friendly sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), via one-pot multi-component condensation of aldehydes, amines and β-ketoesters in water at room temperature, has been developed. This new protocol has advantages such as moderate to high yields of products obtained after simple post reaction workup. Structure of the synthesized compounds 4a–4j have been elucidated based on the 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FT-IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis.

One of the most critical factors used to evaluate the efficiency of the portfolio selection process is the ability of the model to measure interdependencies among projects. Varieties of interactions among projects lead to several kinds of synergies in the whole portfolio, such as re-sources and knowledge interdependencies. There are few studies focused on project portfolio selection accompanied by modeling and estimating the impact of synergies between projects. Hence, this paper presents a model to select the best project portfolio applying a particular model to measure the effects of several types of interdependencies between paired projects. Then, the Promethee II method is used to prioritize projects. Then, the portfolio selection model, which is a non-linear integer model, is solved to find the best set of projects. Finally, numerical examples are addressed to illustrate the method results and validity.

This study aims to identify and evaluate the perception of major stakeholders on factors causing International Development Project (IDP) failure in the context of Afghanistan. The study adopts a quantitative cross-sectional survey research design. Thirty significant IDP failure factors included in the questionnaire were identified and shortlisted through literature reviews and validated by experts and IDP management practitioners. The survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire to investigate the most significant IDP failure factors, and various statistical tools were employed to evaluate the perception of the survey respondents. RII was used to examine the relative importance index of each failure factor. The failure factors were then grouped into five categories: Financial constraints, Ineffective recruitment, External forces, Project leadership, and Project management practices using EFA. The findings of the study will help the international development community and their IDP implementing partners, INGs and project management practitioners manage IDPs proactively and mitigate the risks of project failure. It will also contribute to the IDP management body of knowledge. The research is the first of its kind to examine the possible factors causing IDP failure in Afghanistan.

This study aims to investigate the antecedents of trust including Company Reputation, Website Design, Service Quality, and Security and Privacy Policy in an online environment within the Pakistani context. A pre-tested questionnaire survey is used in order to collect the response of e-shopper in three cities, Abbottabad, Haripur and Islamabad, from 200 Pakistani e-shoppers. SPSS was used to analyze the data and three techniques descriptive statistics, regression analysis and correlation analysis are applied. Findings revealed a positive direct relationship between the independent and dependent variables which validate the earlier studies.

This study synthesizes the use of chemicals to prevent one of common concrete durability problems, alkali-silica reaction (ASR), and can help researchers (i) identify widely used potential chemicals and evaluate these chemical solutions to prevent ASR with proper understanding of mechanisms, and (ii) to identify the research gaps in order to develop guidelines and implementation plan on the use of these chemicals for future research.