An investigation of the corporate responsibility report assurance statements of the Big Four banks in Australia

The corporate responsibility report demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to sustainability. Currently, not much is known about the quality of the assurance statements of the corporate responsibility reports of banks in Australia. This research study fills the gap in the literature by investigating the corporate responsibility report assurance statements of the Big Four banks in Australia. The assurance statements are evaluated against the criteria provided by O’Dwyer and Owen (2005) and Perego and Kolk (2012). The results reveal that although the assurance statements, on average, meet the criteria highly, there are areas that need improvement. Keywords: assurance, bank, AA1000AS, ASAE 3000, ISAE 3000 JEL Codes:G21, M14, M4

Geotechnical Properties of Malaysian Organic Soils: Case Study in Batu Pahat, Johor

Subsurface exploration is required before any development project in order to gain an understanding of the characteristics of the material that one will encounter. The type of the tests and exploration are normally specified based on the design requirement in accordance to respective code of practice. In general, the physical properties and strength of the material are important in civil engineering applications. However, the chemical contents and organic contents are only specified sometimes when necessary despite the fact that the physical and strength of the material are closely related to its chemical properties and organic contents. In most construction works, the top soil and peat soil which are highly organic will be removed prior to carrying out construction work which resulted in exposing the bottom layer of soil. Hence, the aim of this study is to determine the geotechnical properties of the organic soils at the interface layer of peat soil and inorganic soil which normally exposed after removing top soil and peat soil at the surface. The physical & chemical properties, strength and organic contents of the soils are determined in accordance to the BS1377:1990 and BS ISO 13320:2009. Three locations which are identified to be rich in organic soils namely Parit Nipah, Parit Sidek and Batu Puteh of Batu Pahat, were chosen in this case study. These locations are found to be difference geographically. The soil samples were collected using a peat auger at Parit Nipah and Batu Puteh while undisturbed tube sampler was used at Parit Sidek because the soil is too stiff to be sampled using peat auger. The findings of this study showed that the physical properties of the soil are strongly correlated with its organic content. However, the chemical properties and strength of the soil is found to be site dependent and poorly correlated to its organic content.    &nbsp

Moth flame optimization maximum power point tracking algorithm for photovoltaic system under partial shaded conditions

This paper presents a study in maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique in solar photovoltaic (PV) using moth flame optimization (MFO) algorithm. Despite the solar PV is one of the most popular method for power generation, the effort to maximize the energy yield from the installed PV system remains a challenge. The study aims to identify the performance of MFO based MPPT algorithm under partial shaded conditions. A simulation model of MFO based MPPT algorithm was developed and implemented with DC/DC boost converter in MATLAB Simulink. For comparison, a well-established particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm was included in the study. Both MPPT algorithms were examined under MATLAB simulation as well as real-time hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) platform using HIL emulator and digital signal processing (DSP) card. Under 10 partial shaded condition test cases, the MFO has shown its capability in tracking for the maximum power operating point effectively, with zero steady state oscillation. Both algorithms in study have shown their capability in tracking for maximum power operating point with output efficiency up to 99% in both simulation and real-time platform

Numerical Simulation of undular bore evolution with chezy friction, 2015

This paper studies and simulates numerically the evolution of undular bore under the effect of damping in the framework of the perturbed extended Korteweg-de Vries equation. Here, we consider Chezy frictional term to be the damping term in the perturbed extended Korteweg-de Vries equation. Numerical simulations show that under the influence of the friction, the undular bore with thick leading wave will transform into KdV-like solitary wave as the leading wave of the undular bore. The amplitude of the "thick" leading wave will remain the same for some time even though there is dissipation effect

Complications and outcomes of tubeless versus nephrostomy tube in percutaneous nephrolithotomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

We aimed to perform a systematic review of randomized trials to summarize the evidence on the safety and stone-free rate after Tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) (ureteral stent/catheter, no nephrostomy) compared to Standard PCNL (nephrostomy, with/without ureteral stent/catheter) to evaluate if the tubeless approach is better. The inverse variance of the mean difference with a random effect, 95% Confidence Interval (CI), and p values was used for continuous variables. Categorical variables were assessed using Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel method with the random effect model, and reported as Risk Ratio (RR), 95% CI, and p values. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 and a 95% CI. 26 studies were included. Mean operative time was significantly shorter in the Tubeless group (MD-5.18 min, 95% CI - 6.56, - 3.80, p < 0.00001). Mean postoperative length of stay was also significantly shorter in the Tubeless group (MD-1.10 day, 95% CI - 1.48, - 0.71, p < 0.00001). Incidence of blood transfusion, angioembolization for bleeding control, pain score at the first postoperative day, the number of patients requiring postoperative pain medication, fever, urinary infections, sepsis, perirenal fluid collection, pleural breach, hospital readmission, and SFR did not differ between the two groups. Incidence of postoperative urinary fistula was significantly lower in the Tubeless group (RR 0.18, 95% CI 0.07, 0.47, p = 0.0005). This systematic review shows that tubeless PCNL can be safely performed and the standout benefits are shorter operative time and hospital stay, and a lower rate of postoperative urinary fistula.Universita Politecnica delle Marche within the CRUI-CARE Agreemen

Improving nitrogen use efficiency through overexpression of alanine aminotransferase in rice, wheat, and barley

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plants, but crop plants are inefficient in the acquisition and utilization of applied nitrogen. This often results in producers over applying nitrogen fertilizers, which can negatively impact the environment. The development of crop plants with more efficient nitrogen usage is, therefore, an important research goal in achieving greater agricultural sustainability. We utilized genetically modified rice lines overexpressing a barley alanine aminotransferase (HvAlaAT) to help characterize pathways which lead to more efficient use of nitrogen. Under the control of a stress-inducible promoter OsAnt1, OsAnt1:HvAlaAT lines have increased above-ground biomass with little change to both nitrate and ammonium uptake rates. Based on metabolic profiles, carbon metabolites, particularly those involved in glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, were significantly altered in roots of OsAnt1:HvAlaAT lines, suggesting higher metabolic turnover. Moreover, transcriptomic data revealed that genes involved in glycolysis and TCA cycle were upregulated. These observations suggest that higher activity of these two processes could result in higher energy production, driving higher nitrogen assimilation, consequently increasing biomass production. Other potential mechanisms contributing to a nitrogen-use efficient phenotype include involvements of phytohormonal responses and an alteration in secondary metabolism. We also conducted basic growth studies to evaluate the effect of the OsAnt1:HvAlaAT transgene in barley and wheat, which the transgenic crop plants increased seed production under controlled environmental conditions. This study provides comprehensive profiling of genetic and metabolic responses to the over-expression of AlaAT and unravels several components and pathways which contribute to its nitrogen-use efficient phenotype

Analysis of Second Order Dispersion on Free Space Optical Propagation

Free space optic (FSO) can be regarded as a potential and attractive option to fiber optic. FSO has the ability to go beyond the limit of fiber optics. Unfortunately, due to the dispersion effect in the atmosphere, FSO suffers from signal loss and attenuation. Thus, practical and detailed research is needed to improve the system. Simulation on FSO propagation using measured parameter values is important to gain better understanding and level of accuracy on the pulse behavior in free space. Using MATLAB as the simulation platform and with the help of experimental parameter values, an accurate model can be obtained and studied. This will allow some level of prediction on the behavior of the propagating light pulse in the atmosphere and subsequently the FSO performance can be further improve