The contextualization of divergent outlooks in a Greenfield master-planned community: a pathway towards reflexivity

Comprehensive design schemes and specifications have progressively shaped Master-Planned Communities (MPCs). The market largely predetermines these outcomes, with background input from communities. Therefore, this paper endeavours to define the fundamental structures that generate differences between market actors and residents within the North Lakes MPC. This study employs ‘habitus theory’, which is a sociological phenomenon describing the divergence of personal outlooks and expertise. The application of this theory is thus illustrative of the evolution of distinct observations within MPCs. Contemporary studies have under-researched these inherent gaps between communities, authorities, and critics, and these frictions could be exacerbated within restrictive developmental contexts. Epistemic and objectified content analyses collated over many years and sources will uncover the underlying differences between the relevant groups. These analyses will enable the progression of a framework for understanding power relation biases and how reflexivity can enhance current consultative methods.     

Effect of cellulase/glucanase/xylanase (Roxazyme G2) enzymes combination on nutrients utilisation of vegetable meal (Amaranthus cruentus) fed as sole dietary protein source in rat assay

Amaranthus cruentus vegetable meal (ACVM) had 23% crude protein. Ca, Na, K, Mg and Fe were abundant at 2.0 g kg^?1, 7.1 g kg^?1, 4.8 g kg^?1, 2.5 g kg^?1, 1109 mg kg^?1, respectively. P‐phosporous, oxalates and tannins were noticeable. Lysine, methionine and cystine were limiting. Weight gain for rats on the reference (casein) diet 2 at 6.30 g ±2.87 was highest (P < 0.05) followed by diet 6 (12% ACVM with enzyme supplementation) at 5.01 g ±2.42. Feed intakes were similar (P > 0.05) for rats on the reference diet and for rats on 10% and 12% with/without enzyme supplementation ranging from 42.90 g ± 4.52 in reference diet to 45.12 g ± 3.64. Nitrogen retention was highest for rats on reference diet but similar (P > 0.05) to rats on 12% enzyme supplemented diet at 0.53 ± 1.12 and 0.53 ± 2.10, respectively. Other investigated protein evaluation parameters revealed similar results among rats kept on reference diet and the rats on ACVM based diets with enzyme supplementations. Enzyme supplementation had a complimentary role in ACVM nutrition in rat trial.     

Using PLS-SEM technique to model construction organizations' willingness to participate in e-bidding

The push for the use of e-bidding is on the increase. In many countries, e-bidding has become part of the public procurement reform. However, previous studies have reported the low uptake of e-bidding in the construction industry. This study develops a theoretical structural model representing the impact six latent variables on the willingness of construction organizations to participate in e-bidding. Data from a questionnaire survey of 64 respondents from clients, contractors, consultants, and suppliers organizations was used to analyze the model. The result of the data analysis suggests that perceived barriers, cost, the perceived benefits of e-bidding and security concerns are the factors influencing willingness participate in e-bidding with perceived barriers being the most significant influencing factor. The perception about the adequacy of the existing traditional paper-based tendering and the perception about the non-readiness of business partners are the underlying barriers that need to be addressed when introducing e-biding. This study also discovers that when the respondents concern about the cost of e-bidding is high, their reported willingness to participate in e-bidding is higher when the perceived benefits is high that when the perceived benefits is low. To enhance the participation of the industry in e-bidding, public sector and large private clients would need to take leadership by making bidder's capability for e-bidding and e-project management at all project phases a criteria in bid evaluation. E-bidding developers and promoters need to use test project cases to monitor, measure, and document the benefits of e-bidding. To disseminate the perceived benefits, promoters would need to work closely with industry professional associations to develop promotional programmes linked to continuous professional development (CPD) points. The analytical approach used in this study should assist other researchers who might wish to address a similar research problem under a similar data and model constraints.     

Legal Framework for Alternative Dispute Resolution: Examination of the Singapore National Legal System for Arbitration

Effectiveness of any alternative dispute resolution (ADR) method depends on the national legal system to which it is subjected. In Singapore, the increasing growth in the use of ADR methods may be adduced to developments in the Singapore legal environment. This paper reviews the characteristics of the Singapore national legal system for arbitration. It examines how the legal system facilitates effective use of ADR. By its features, the Singapore national legal system ensures parties’ autonomy but deters parties from taking opportunistic advantage of the voluntary nature of ADR. It enables procedural flexibility, and confidentiality of arbitration proceedings. It insulates the arbitration process from intervention from the Singapore courts and from corruption; and it provides maximum judicial support in the arbitral process. Hence, it ensures that disputes can be brought to a conclusion within a reasonable amount of time, at a reasonable cost, as well as preserving business relationships. The Singapore legal system insures the integrity of arbitration and the independence of arbitrators and arbitral institutions by immunity provisions. In addition, the legal system enhances the use of mediation and conciliation in a sequential tier with arbitration by providing a time limit for mediation or conciliation to terminate should they fail to produce a mutually acceptable settlement. In Singapore, the court system is generally known to be efficient; hence, ADR faces the practical challenge of becoming lengthier than court proceedings. The continuing search for and use of expedited arbitration procedures by arbitral institutions such as the Singapore International Arbitration Centre should reduce this challenge. This paper provides useful information on how a national legal system may be designed to support the use of ADR methods and facilitate their effectiveness.     

Zn(II) Complex Catalyzed Coupling Aquathermolysis of Water-Heavy Oil-Methanol at Low Temperature

A Zn(II) coordination complex was synthesized, characterized, and used for catalytic aquathermolysis of heavy oil at low temperatures for the first time. The effects of water content and catalyst concentration on aquathermolysis were investigated. And then a tri-component coupling aquathermolysis of waterheavy oil-methanol was designed and the reaction conditions were investigated. With the catalyst and methanol, the reaction occurred at temperatures as low as 180°C. The viscosity of the product was also substantially reduced from around 24 400 to 6420 mPa s by the decomposition of the large hydrocarbon molecules.     

Tris(dithiocarbamato)iron(III) complexes as precursors for iron sulfide nanocrystals and iron sulfide-hydroxyethyl cellulose composites

Iron(III) complexes of dimethyldithiocarbamate and imidazolyl dithiocarbamate were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, FTIR, UV–VIS and the ligands by NMR spectroscopy. The complexes were thermolysed as single molecule precursors at 180°C to prepare octadecylamine (ODA) capped iron sulfide nanocrystals and iron sulfide-hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) composites. UV–VIS, PL, FTIR, P-XRD, HRTEM, FESEM and EDS were used to characterize the iron sulfide nanocrystals and corresponding HEC nanocomposites. XRD confirmed iron sulfide nanocrystal (NP1) from dimethyldithiocarbamate to be hexagonal pyrrhotite-5H, Fe₉S₁₀ crystalline phase while iron sulfide nanocrystals (NP2) from imidazolyl dithiocarbamate is in pyrrhotite, Fe₁₁S₁₂ crystalline phase. TEM images show that the iron sulfide nanocrystals have particle sizes in the range 24–32?nm for NP1 and 18–25?nm for NP2 iron sulfide nanocrystals. The optical band gaps of the iron sulfide nanocrystals obtained from Tauc plots are 3.83 and 4.16?eV for NP1 and NP2, respectively. IR spectra, FESEM surface morphology and EDS spectra of iron sulfide/HEC composites confirmed dispersion of the iron sulfide nanocrystals within the hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) matrix.     

Synthesis of new flow improvers from canola oil and application to waxy crude oil

Several techniques are employed to mitigate the problems associated with the crystallization of paraffin during the production and/or transportation of waxy crude oil. One of these techniques is the addition of chemicals that depress the pour point of the oil and inhibit the formation of paraffin crystals. In this work, the chemicals, polyamine amide (PAA), are prepared by aminolysis and polycondensation from canola oil and polyamine as substrates. Nitrogen atoms are fixed in the main chain of the polymers to modify the polarity. The effectiveness of the PAAs on four crude oil was tested as pour point depressants as well as paraffin inhibiters. The highest pour point reduction depression was achieved as 12.6°C. Differential scanning calorimetry and paraffin crystal morphology studies were conducted on simulated crude oil to elucidate the mechanism of pour point reduction.     

“Used fuel” vectors and waste minimization strategies for VHTRS operating without refueling

Generation IV Very High Temperature Reactors (VHTRs) are well-known for their flexibility with respect to feasible fuel cycle options. In this paper, the LEU- and TRU-fueled VHTR configurations are analyzed accounting for their capabilities to attain an extended single-batch OTTO (Once-Through-Then-Out) mode of operation without intermediate refueling. The requirement of waste minimization is imposed as one of the design constraints defining possible system configurations and deployment strategies. The resulting “used fuel” vectors are examined considering anticipated disposal options as well as viability of fuel reprocessing. A Monte Carlo-deterministic analysis methodology has been implemented for coupled design studies of VHTRs with TRUs using the ORNL SCALE 5.1 code system. The developed modeling approach provides an exact-geometry 3D representation of the VHTR core details properly capturing VHTR physics. The presented analysis is focused on prismatic block core concepts for VHTRs. It is being performed within the scope of the U.S. DOE NERI project on utilization of higher actinides (TRUs and partitioned MAs) as a fuel component for extended-life VHTR configurations.