Political risk in light rail transit PPP projects

Since 2003 public-private partnerships (PPPs) have represented between 10 and 13.5% of the total investment in public services in the UK. The macro-economic and political benefits of PPPs were among the key drivers for central government's decision to promote this form of procurement to improve UK public services. Political support for a PPP project is critical and is frequently cited as the most important critical success factor. This paper investigates the significance of political support and reviews the treatment of political risk in a business case by the public sector project sponsor for major UK-based light rail transit PPP projects during their development stage. The investigation demonstrates that in the early project stages it is not traditional quantitative Monte Carlo risk analysis that is important; rather it is the identification and representation of political support within a business case together with an understanding of how this information is then used to inform critical project decisions

Multinational corporations : a public accountancy and management consultant firm

There is no abstract available for this research paper.Thesis (M.A.

Vestibular Dysfunction and Comorbidities: A Population Based Perspective Using NHANES Database

Background: Vestibular dysfunction is a growing public health concern due to high prevalence in the geriatric population and the fact that it increases propensity for falls, leading to higher rates of morbidity, mortality and health care expenditure. The objective of this study was to determine the possible associations with vestibular dysfunction and other conditions that have been suggested in the literature such as low vitamin D serum levels, sedentary physical activity levels and low bone density in a population level database. Methods: Data from the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys (NHANES) of adults aged 40 years old and older was analyzed (n = 4,743). Vestibular dysfunction was defined by using Condition 4 of a modified Rhomberg balance test that was used during NHANES data collection. Condition 4 involved participants tasked with standing with their feet together for 30 seconds with eyes closed on a firm and compliant support surface to reduce the sensory input of both vision and proprioception. Those participants that were able to stand for 30 seconds passed the balance test and those that either opened their eyes or moved their feet in order to regain balance failed and we defined them as having “vestibular dysfunction”. Results: Rates of vestibular dysfunction increased with age for both males (37.5% vs. 68.7%) and females (36.1% vs. 69.9%) when comparing those under and over the median age, respectively. Vitamin D serum levels appeared to not have a statistically significant association with changing rates of vestibular dysfunction in any subset analysis, however trends of reducing rates of vestibular dysfunction as vitamin D levels increased existed in both females and males above the median age. Females with osteopenia had a 40% increased rate of vestibular dysfunction when compared to females with normal bone density (59.5% vs.83.7%, p \u3c 0.001). Those participants with at least some college education appeared to have a 50% reduction in rates of vestibular dysfunction (OR = 0.485, p \u3c 0.001), while those with diabetes had a 23% increase in rates of vestibular dysfunction (55.4% vs. 68.5%, p \u3c0.001). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest the importance of continued research into the possible association between low levels of vitamin D and reduced bone mineral density with increased rates of vestibular dysfunction. Targeted fall risk analysis of those people with conditions that appear to be associated with higher rates of vestibular dysfunction such as those with diabetes, low bone mineral density and low level of formal education, may improve the detection rate of vestibular dysfunction prior to dangerous falls

Ketamine Can Disrupt Episodic Memory (Hours to Days) Consolidation: Effects of Varying Dose and Retention Intervals

Memory consolidation is the process wherein short-term, episodic memories are converted into stable, long-term representations. Forebrain N-methy-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), particularly frontal cortical and hippocampal receptors, are thought to play a key role in neuronal plasticity and memory consolidation. Ketamine is an NMDA antagonist that disrupts memory, particularly encoding and retrieval processes. Previously we have observed no effect of post-acquisition ketamine treatment (50-100 mg/kg) on memory consolidation in rats performing a delayed-match-to place radial water maze task. The current study reexamined the effects of ketamine (25-100 mg/kg) on memory consolidation in this task over varying retention intervals (4, 24, and 48 hours). Consistent with previous data, no effect of ketamine treatment was seen at the four-hour retention interval. However, errors significantly increased at both the 24 and 48-hour intervals in rats treated with 100mg/kg ketamine. At 48 hours post-treatment, ketamine (25-100 mg/kg) produced a dose-dependent disruption of consolidation. These results indicate that a dose and delay dependent disruption of memory consolidation consequent of ketamine administration. In summary, these studies demonstrate that NMDA antagonism can disrupt consolidation of episodic memories

Genetic Algorithm Optimal Model For Slab Formwork Cost And Design

This paper introduces Genetic Algorithms technique to find an optimum formwork design, using optimum section of joists, stringers and shores along with their spacing, and satisfying minimum cost. Genetic Algorithms technique is based on the principles of natural selection and evolution, and it is used to solve optimization problems. This technique searches from a population of possible solutions that is limited by a set of constraints. The bending moment, shear, maximum deflection, and other imposed ACI code provisions, were used as constraints for the optimization problem. The Genetic Algorithms solution to the formwork design problem provides optimum design parameters such as the optimum cross section for form members, optimum spacing of form members, etc. The cost of material and labor involved in formwork erection are considered in the formulation of the objective function of the optimization problem. The method developed can be applied to the design of formwork for elevated slabs and high rise concrete elements

Causes For Delays In Construction Projects In Kuwait

The paper presents a study based on a research that analyzes and ranks the causes of delays in building and housing type projects undertaken by governmental agencies in Kuwait. The study was based on a survey with the parties involved in these governmental projects. A questionnaire containing 53 delay causes was distributed and the respondents were 23 governmental management and engineering personnel, 17 contractors and 8 designers representing A/E firms. The questions were prepared in which the causes were categorized into eight major groups: 1) client administration and organizational, 2) client's site supervision, 3) contractor related, 4) labor related 5) quality related, 6) design related, 7) project management, and 8) contractual related. The factors were measured and ranked under each group by the 'Relative Importance Index' for three parties. The results suggest that delays are attributed to poor project management factors and client's administration and site supervision practices. The paper presents recommendations for a better application of project management techniques and procedures being taken at both conceptual and detailed planning phases of projects