• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.277-290
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• 2008

In the past two decades Mikania micrantha Kunth, a climbing plant species originating from tropical America, has spread across Taiwan. It can now be found frequently in the lowlands and lower mountain areas up to 1,000 m a.s.l. in the centre and south of the island. Mikania micrantha is considered a problematic invasive alien plant species which is said to cause economical as well as environmental damage. This study investigated the ecological site characteristics of M. micrantha in Taiwan. 112 vegetation surveys were carried out in habitats where the alien plant was present. A comparison between sites with a high and a low abundance was carried out in order to assess which factors especially influence the extensive spread of the plant. Furthermore, the influence of disturbances was examined. Results showed that Mikania micrantha grows very dense in habitats which are characterized by good light conditions combined with vertical structures, such as trees. Results revealed that this invader occurs most frequently in agricultural fallows and wastelands, but it could hardly be found in the intensively managed plantations in the investigation area. Results provide great evidence that the plant is strongly influenced by disturbances, but only if impacts occur rarely.

• THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE & LAW REVIEW
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• v.63
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• pp.133-156
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• 2014

With the development of Chinese commercial arbitration, there have been a large number of cases regarding the parties raised objection to the jurisdiction in arbitration and judicial practice. The argument relating to dealing with the subject matter, time limitation, identified subject of arbitration objection to the jurisdiction as well as the inadequate of Chinese Arbitration Law and relevant judicial interpretations has caused adverse impact on the conduct of the arbitration proceedings. This paper firstly look ar the overview of the arbitration jurisdiction objection, mainly on the arbitration jurisdiction objection determination and what is arbitration jurisdiction objection. The raise and abandonment of the arbitration objection to jurisdiction then will be analyzed in terms of subject, form, time and the legal consequences of giving up. The third part illustrates the handling of arbitration jurisdiction objection, main body, practices, procedures and whether the arbitration objection to jurisdiction is established. And the last part discuss how the condition of effectiveness on the arbitral agreement applies to through Chinese cases. Finally, the author suggests some cautions and countermeasures relates to arbitration agreement for domestic investors and traders dealing with the Chinese partner.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.79-95
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• 2023

An onshore dismantling yard is an important part in the supply chain of the offshore oil and gas decommissioning industry. However, despite having more than 500 offshore structures to be decommissioned in the Southeast Asia region, there are a very limited number of well-equipped dismantling yards to fully execute the onshore dismantling. Recent investigations discovered that shipbuilding and offshore structure fabrication yards are still potential options for upgrades to include dismantling. Despite the huge potential opportunities from upgrading to dismantling, research studies on this area are relatively scarce, and most past studies mainly focused on the North Sea region. To date, the potential opportunities of Southeast Asia and Malaysia yards to develop onshore dismantling capability are still unclear. The aim of this study is to identify the criteria to develop a technical preparedness checklist to evaluate an onshore dismantling yard; consequently, this will assist with assessing and bridging the gaps and identify the opportunity of developing an onshore dismantling yard in Southeast Asia region. Requirements for onshore dismantling and related rules and regulations have been investigated and summarized in the form of checklist. Findings from this study can help local oil and gas operators to pursue more local solutions and resilient supply chain performance.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2020.12a
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• pp.50-59
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• 2020

The 21st century is witnessing a rapid growth of tall buildings in urban centers globally to create more urban space for an anticipated urban population. Tall buildings, however suffer from incessant delays and sometimes total abandonment. Consequently, this study investigated and ranked the causes of delay in tall building projects, while focusing on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Initially, 36 common delay causes investigated globally were categorized into 9 groups, and then further ranked utilizing the Relative Importance Index (RII) through a questionnaire survey. Tall building professionals in the GCC countries (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar) were contacted. The respondents' categories include Consultants, Contractors, and Clients' Representatives/Facility Managers. The results reveal that the top three causes include "client's cash flow problems/delays in contractor's payment", "contractor's financial difficulties", and "poor site organization and coordination between various parties". The findings from this study could help construction professionals develop guidelines and controls for delay mitigation, as well as support them in risk-based decision making in the planning of tall building projects.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2015.10a
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• pp.477-480
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• 2015

Construction projects are high-risk activities. When undertaking such projects in an international setting, it can be complicated by foreign exchange (FOREX) fluctuation risk. This affects the construction business performance in various ways, namely its progress due to delays, which in turn create further problems, specifically cost overruns as a result of price increase in raw materials, disputes, arbitration, litigation and even, total abandonment. Thus, the effective management of FOREX fluctuations is crucial. Previous studies have focused on the need for contract safeguards, adequate insurance, careful planning and management, as well as foreign exchange futures hedging to address some of the risks triggered by FOREX fluctuations. An analysis of FOREX fluctuations in the international construction industry revealed that more often it was focused on project-specific issues. Currently, there is a relative lack of awareness on Organizational Capabilities (OC), the abilities that owned by the organization, which is essential in managing the impact of FOREX fluctuations. Where research has focused on OC, these are viewed in isolation. Therefore, this study attempts to close the gap by proposing a framework on managing the impact of FOREX fluctuations in the international construction industry, employing the OC perspective.

• Journal of English Language & Literature
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.1035-1056
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• 2009

Korean adoptee narratives have proliferated over the last ten years as adopted Koreans have begun to represent their own experiences of violent dislocation, displacement and loss in various forms of literary and artistic works, including poems, autobiographical works, novels, documentaries and films. These narratives by Korean adoptees have intervened in the current diaspora discourse to question further the traditional categories of race, ethnicity, culture and nation by representing the unique experiences of the forced and involuntary migration of adopted Koreans. For a long time, the adoption discourse has been mostly constructed from the perspectives of adoptive parents. Therefore the voice of adoptees as well as that of the birth mothers have not been properly heard or represented in adoption discourse. According to Hosu Kim, the U. S. adoption discourse, feeling pressured to deal with the stigma of the commodification of children, changed from viewing the adoptees as children who had been rescued from poverty and abandonment to considering them as a gift from the birth mothers. With the emergence of the gift rhetoric in transnational adoption, the birth mothers erased from adoption discourse have begun to be acknowledged as one of the central characters in the adoption triad. If Korean adoptees are the "the ghostly children of Korean history," the birth mothers are their "ghostly doubles" who "bear the mark of a repressed national trauma." Somebody's Daughter represents the female experiences of becoming an adopted child and of being a birth mother. In particular, the novel makes a birth mother, the forgotten presence in adoptee narratives, into a central figure in the triangular relationship created by international adoption. The novel historicizes the experiences of a Korean adoptee growing up in America as well as those of a mother who had suffered silently from feelings of unbearable loss, guilt, grief and from unforgettable memories. In addition, narrating the birth mother's story is a way to give humanity back to these forgotten women in Korean adoption history. Revisiting the site of loss both for a mother and a daughter through the novel is an act of collective mourning. The narratives about and by Korean adoptees force Korean intellectuals to reflect seriously upon Korean society and its underlying ideology which prevents a woman from mothering her own baby, and to take an ethical and political stand on this current social and political issue.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.71-81
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• 2018

In korea, the infantile abandonment is increasing recently. In this situation, present study aims to analyze german "confidential birth service"(vertrauliche Geburt) and to find out implications for korean practice. the results of the study are as follows. "confidential birthservice" is centered on pregnancy counseling center. Through this service, pregnant women in crisis are assured of their anonymity and can safely bring baby into the world. After the child is 16 years old, they can learn about personal information of their biological mother. These "confidential birth service" has received positive evaluation in terms of accessibility, sustainability and reliability of services, linkage and cooperation among agencies, quality of counseling and publicity. Implication for Korean pratice include the provision of legal and institutional devices for "confidential birth services", the establishment of implementing agencies, cooperation with related organizations, and the strengthening of the capacity of practitioners, as well as suggestions in the field of counseling and public relations.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.167-191
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• 1989

The present study was conducted to devlop and appropriate retirement home model for the elderly in terms of clothing and textiles; nutrition, health, and foodservice; housing and environment; and psychological adaptation. Specifically, the purposes of the study were: 1) to provide basic guidelines for clothing by comparing the clothing behavior of the elderly living in the retirement home and those living in their own homes with family, 2) to provide basic guidelines for balanced diet and effective foodservice, 3) to develop an ideal life space and facilities, and 4) to assess the psychological characteristics of the elderly. Questionnaires, observation, experimental method, and survey of literature were used for the study. Clothing behavior showed that the elderly were much concerned about clothing, and they preferred comfortable as well as fashionable designs. The elderly in the retirement homes complained of a lack of quantity and variety in clothing. They preferred natural fiber rather than blended fabrics. Flame resistance, thermal insulation, and flexibility of textile fabrics were found to be prime considerations in manufacturing and selecting clothing materials for the elderly. The health status of the surveyed elderly was generally good, but some poor eating habits were observed. Dietary nutrients intakes were generally sufficient, but several nutrients intakes were insufficient. The level of equipment in the kitchens of the institutions was low. Furthermore, the employment rate of dietitians in institutional settings was extremely low. This resulted in a lack of systematic foodservice management. Residents in the institution were generally satisfied with present life space and facilities but this was mainly because of abandonment, adaptation, and past experience. Optimal allocation of residents per bedroom and an adequate design for storage, bathroom, utility room, and dining room were recommended. The comparison of psychological status of the elderly living at home was more stable than those living in an institution. The emotional state of the elderly living in the institution was characterized by loneliness; they did not have close interpersonal relationships or future plans. An appropriate model for the elderly was developed on the basis of these findings.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.10 no.7
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• pp.67-79
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• 2009

Although readjustment of monitoring system for existing fill dam maintenance is needed by the sustainable increasing of the abandonment rate of monitoring devices by malfunction through the life-cycle of dam, monitoring plans for long-term dam safety has relied on the experience and the opinion of minor expert group without systematic and quantitative analysis on the failure modes and the priority order of monitoring devices on maintenance. In this study the priority order of monitoring devices of existing 5 fill dams was evaluated quantitatively based on the preceding study (Andersen et al, 1999) and the result recommended the establishment of real-time monitoring system for seepage, pore pressure and crest settlement as the readjustment plan for existing fill dam monitoring system. This readjustment plan matches well with the recommendation of PWRI (1984), JCOLD (1986) and the results from Bagherzadeh-Khakkahali and Mirghasemi (2005).

• English & American cultural studies
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.149-207
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• 2010

Written simultaneously with Prometheus Unbound, Shelley's "Julian & Maddalo" is a masterwork of dramatic poiesis, of doubling embedded in its couplets, dialogic debate on human nature and contrasted symbolic emblems. The emblems mirror each other and are themselves sites of generative paradox: the "heaven illumined" but "dreary tower" of the Maniac and the glorious sunsets on the "ever-shifting sand" of the Lido, a wasteland that is a place of self discovery but also of "abandonment" and barren mingling figured, inter alia, in its "amphibious weeds," a trope of the poem's personae. This essay also explores the poem's dramatic structure and various rhetorical devices, beginning with the Preface, a threshold of complex identity disguise that Shelley uses for veiled self-presentation, as in "Alastor," mirroring and literary references replete with nuanced ironies. I focus mainly on the complex figures of liminality Shelley uses to develop his own thoughts (as well as his ongoing debates with Byron) about man's potential for growth in thought, insight and empathy, in political reform and interpersonal and individual healing. Advancing Shelley's most optimistic ideas, Julian, escorted by Maddalo observes the Maniac, -- a living ruin whose pained eloquence reveals the link of eros to poiesis and the limits of the latter's ability to 'transform a world.' The Maniac is the core of muse-work (remembering, thinking and song) and Shelley presents him as its emblem. He also is prefigured in and reflects the quintessentially liminal Lido with its "barren embrace" of sea and land. Yet it is less the Maniac's feeling that his grief is "charactered in vain…on this unfeeling leaf" than Julian's rationales for leaving the site of pain that point to Shelley's final comment on poetry's transformative limits. As the primary haploids of the drama's meiosis re-combine and two of them, Maddalo and the maniac fall away, an analogy I briefly develop and embedded in the erotic dynamics of poiesis, Shelley suggests, as he did at the beginning of his poetic lyricism in "Alastor" and at its end in "the Triumph of Life"that images mislead and delude; that "the deep truth is imageless" and redemption is not in but beyond figuration.