Abstract: Corrosion of concrete sewer pipes induced by sulfuric
acid is an acknowledged problem and a ticking time-bomb to sewer
operators. Whilst the chemical reaction of the corrosion process is
well-understood, the indirect roles of other parameters in the
corrosion process which are found in sewer environment are not
highly reflected on. This paper reports on a field studies undertaken
in Austria and United Kingdom, where the parameters of
temperature, pH, H2S and CO2 were monitored over a period of time.
The study establishes that (i) effluent temperature and pH have
similar daily pattern and peak times, when examined in minutes
scale; (ii) H2S and CO2 have an identical hourly pattern; (iii) H2S
instant or shifted relation to effluent temperature is governed by the
root mean square value of CO2.
Abstract: Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) is a functional
capability that has been developed to allow the United Kingdom Fire
and Rescue Service to deal with ‘major incidents’ primarily involving
structural collapse. The nature of the work undertaken by USAR
means that staying out of a damaged or collapsed building structure is
not usually an option for search and rescue personnel. As a result
there is always a risk that they themselves could become victims. For
this paper, a systematic and investigative review using desk research
was undertaken to explore the role which structural engineering can
play in assisting search and rescue personnel to conduct structural
assessments when in the field. The focus is on how search and rescue
personnel can assess damaged and collapsed building structures, not
just in terms of structural damage that may been countered, but also
in relation to structural stability. Natural disasters, accidental
emergencies, acts of terrorism and other extreme events can vary
significantly in nature and ferocity, and can cause a wide variety of
damage to building structures. It is not possible or, even realistic, to
provide search and rescue personnel with definitive guidelines and
procedures to assess damaged and collapsed building structures as
there are too many variables to consider. However, understanding
what implications damage may have upon the structural stability of a
building structure will enable search and rescue personnel to better judge
and quantify risk from a life-safety standpoint. It is intended that this
will allow search and rescue personnel to make informed decisions
and ensure every effort is made to mitigate risk, so that they
themselves do not become victims.
Abstract: The study is a review of the literature concerning the
consequences of non-standard monetary policy, which are used by
central banks during unconventional periods, threatening banking
sector instability. In particular, the attention was paid to the effects of
non-standard monetary policy tools for financial markets. However,
the empirical evidence about their effects and real consequences for
financial markets is still not final. The main aim of the study is to
survey consequences of standard and non-standard monetary policy
instruments, implemented during the global financial crisis in the
United States, United Kingdom and euro area, with particular
attention to the results for the stabilization of global financial
markets. The study consists mainly of the empirical review,
indicating the impact of the implementation of these tools for
financial markets. The following research methods were used in the
study: literature studies, including domestic and foreign literature,
cause and effect analysis and statistical analysis.
Abstract: Life Cycle Cost (LCC) is one of the goals and key
pillars of the construction management science because it comprises
many of the functions and processes necessary, which assist
organisations and agencies to achieve their goals. It has therefore
become important to design and control assets during their whole life
cycle, from the design and planning phase through to disposal phase.
LCCA is aimed to improve the decision making system in the
ownership of assets by taking into account all the cost elements
including to the asset throughout its life.
Current application of LCC approach is impractical during
misunderstanding of the advantages of LCC. This main objective of
this research is to show a different relationship between capital cost
and long-term running costs. One hundred and thirty eight actual
building projects in United Kingdom (UK) were used in order to
achieve and measure the above-mentioned objective of the study. The
result shown that LCC is one of the most significant tools should be
considered on the decision making process.
Abstract: The Korean government has applied preliminary feasibility study for a new R&D program over about $50 Million since 2008 as a part of official process in budget planning. The investigations of technology, policy, and economics are carried out separately to arrive at a definite result: whether a program is feasible or unfeasible. This paper describes the concept and check-points related to technological analysis from a preliminary evaluation’s stand-point. First of all, the fundamental concept of technological analysis in evaluation systems such as Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Evaluation Methods by Department of Energy (DOE) in the United States, the Green Book in the United Kingdom are reviewed. After the review, customized questionnaire for technological analysis are developed. Conclusively, limitations and further research directions are provided.
Abstract: This paper analyzes the effect of a single uniform accounting rule on reporting quality by investigating the influence of IFRS on earnings management. This paper examines whether earnings management is reduced after IFRS adoption through the use of “loss avoidance thresholds”, a method that has been verified in earlier studies. This paper concentrates on two European countries: one that represents the continental code law tradition with weak protection of investors (France) and one that represents the Anglo-American common law tradition, which typically implies a strong enforcement system (the United Kingdom).
The research investigates a sample of 526 companies (6822 firm-year observations) during the years 2000 – 2013. The results are different for the two jurisdictions. This study demonstrates that a single set of accounting standards contributes to better reporting quality and reduces the pervasiveness of earnings management in France. In contrast, there is no evidence that a reduction in earnings management followed the implementation of IFRS in the United Kingdom. Due to the fact that IFRS benefit France but not the United Kingdom, other political and economic factors, such legal system or capital market strength, must play a significant role in influencing the comparability and transparency cross-border companies’ financial statements. Overall, the result suggests that IFRS moderately contribute to the accounting quality of reported financial statements and bring benefit for stakeholders, though the role played by other economic factors cannot be discounted.
Abstract: Phishing scheme is a new emerged security issue of
E-Commerce Crime in globalization. In this paper, the legal scaffold
of Malaysia, United States and United Kingdom are analyzed and
followed by discussion on critical issues that rose due to phishing
activities. The result revealed that inadequacy of current legal
framework is the main challenge to govern this epidemic. However,
lack of awareness among consumers, crisis on merchant-s
responsibility and lack of intrusion reports and incentive arrangement
contributes to phishing proliferating. Prevention is always better than
curb. By the end of this paper, some best practices for consumers and
corporations are suggested.
Abstract: Planning community has been long discussing emerging paradigms within the planning theory in the face of the changing conditions of the world order. The paradigm shift concept was introduced by Thomas Kuhn, in 1960, who claimed the necessity of shifting within scientific knowledge boundaries; and following him in 1970 Imre Loktas also gave priority to the emergence of multi-paradigm societies [24]. Multi-paradigm is changing our predetermined lifeworld through uncertainties. Those uncertainties are reflected in two sides, the first one is uncertainty as a concept of possibility and creativity in public sphere and the second one is uncertainty as a risk. Therefore, it is necessary to apply a resilience planning approach to be more dynamic in controlling uncertainties which have the potential to transfigure present time and space definitions. In this way, stability of system can be achieved. Uncertainty is not only an outcome of worldwide changes but also a place-specific issue, i.e. it changes from continent to continent, a country to country; a region to region. Therefore, applying strategic spatial planning with respect to resilience principle contributes to: control, grasp and internalize uncertainties through place-specific strategies. In today-s fast changing world, planning system should follow strategic spatial projects to control multi-paradigm societies with adaptability capacities. Here, we have selected two alternatives to demonstrate; these are; 1.Tehran (Iran) from the Middle East 2.Bath (United Kingdom) from Europe. The study elaborates uncertainties and particularities in their strategic spatial planning processes in a comparative manner. Through the comparison, the study aims at assessing place-specific priorities in strategic planning. The approach is to a two-way stream, where the case cities from the extreme end of the spectrum can learn from each other. The structure of this paper is to firstly compare semi-periphery (Tehran) and coreperiphery (Bath) cities, with the focus to reveal how they equip to face with uncertainties according to their geographical locations and local particularities. Secondly, the key message to address is “Each locality requires its own strategic planning approach to be resilient.--
Abstract: The implementations of green roof have been widely
used in the developed countries such as Germany, United Kingdom,
United States and Canada. Green roof have many benefits such as
aesthetic and economic value, ecological gain which are optimization
of storm water management, urban heat island mitigation and energy
conservation. In term of pollution, green roof can control the air and
noise pollution in urban cities. The application of green roof in
Malaysian building has been studied with the previous work of green
roof either in Malaysia or other Asian region as like Indonesia,
Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan and several other countries that have
similar climate and environment as in Malaysia. These technologies
of adapting green roof have been compared to the Green Building
Index (GBI) of Malaysian buildings. The study has concentrated on
the technical aspect of green roof system having focused on i) waste
& recyclable materials ii) types of plants and method of planting and
iii) green roof as tool to reduce storm water runoff. The finding of
these areas will be compared to the suitability in achieving good
practice of the GBI in Malaysia. Results show that most of the
method are based on the countries own climate and environment.
This suggests that the method of using green roof must adhere to the
tropical climate of Malaysia. Suggestion of this research will be
viewed in term of the sustainability of the green roof. Further
research can be developed to implement the best method and
application in Malaysian climate especially in urban cities and
township.
Abstract: Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a solid state welding
process invented and patented by The Welding Institute (TWI) in the
United Kingdom in 1991 for butt and lap welding of metals and plastics. This paper highlights the benefits of friction stir welding
process as an energy efficient and a green technology process in the
field of welding. Compared to the other conventional welding processes, its benefits, typical applications and its use in joining
similar and dissimilar materials are also presented.