Understanding and addressing the Contemporary Social issues and Challenges to effectively achieve and sustain the strategic Competitiveness in Singapore

This research dissertation aims to understand the contemporary social issues and challenges that are endemic to Singapore and to address these issues and challenges so as to achieve and sustain the strategic competitiveness in Singapore. The pursuit of high Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth aggressively by the Singapore government has resulted in welcoming foreign direct investments, technology and talents to exploit economic growth and address the greying population. Over time, this obsession has brewed a lethal concoction of contemporary social issues and challenges of elevated cost of living, widening income gap, reduced productivity and inflation. Mounting displeasure, job complacency and increasing social disquiet amongst the residents lead to unmotivated employees. This resulted in the firms hiring of foreign talent with lower remuneration which will replace the local native citizens. These burning issues have escalated into income disparity and social tensions which will threaten the political stability. With the rising operating costs, the firms do not upgrade their business operations or re-train their employees, leading to declining productivity. The critical findings are essential to understand and derive solutions to achieve and sustain the strategic competitive advantages and economic growth in Singapore. As the contemporary social issues and challenges are alarming, there is an urgency to undertake this research topic. To facilitate this management project, important references that had been cited and applied include Michael Porter’s competitive advantages, Porter’s Diamond models, SWOT Analysis, PEST analysis and Resource based view framework. Other sources consulted include newspapers, online journals, books and government websites to further appreciate the factual and empirical information from statistics and public opinions to support this research

Understanding and addressing the Contemporary Social issues and Challenges to effectively achieve and sustain the strategic Competitiveness in Singapore

This research dissertation aims to understand the contemporary social issues and challenges that are endemic to Singapore and to address these issues and challenges so as to achieve and sustain the strategic competitiveness in Singapore. The pursuit of high Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth aggressively by the Singapore government has resulted in welcoming foreign direct investments, technology and talents to exploit economic growth and address the greying population. Over time, this obsession has brewed a lethal concoction of contemporary social issues and challenges of elevated cost of living, widening income gap, reduced productivity and inflation. Mounting displeasure, job complacency and increasing social disquiet amongst the residents lead to unmotivated employees. This resulted in the firms hiring of foreign talent with lower remuneration which will replace the local native citizens. These burning issues have escalated into income disparity and social tensions which will threaten the political stability. With the rising operating costs, the firms do not upgrade their business operations or re-train their employees, leading to declining productivity. The critical findings are essential to understand and derive solutions to achieve and sustain the strategic competitive advantages and economic growth in Singapore. As the contemporary social issues and challenges are alarming, there is an urgency to undertake this research topic. To facilitate this management project, important references that had been cited and applied include Michael Porter’s competitive advantages, Porter’s Diamond models, SWOT Analysis, PEST analysis and Resource based view framework. Other sources consulted include newspapers, online journals, books and government websites to further appreciate the factual and empirical information from statistics and public opinions to support this research

Global expression analysis of nucleotide binding site-leucine rich repeat-encoding and related genes in Arabidopsis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Nucleotide binding site-leucine rich repeat (NBS-LRR)-encoding genes comprise the largest class of plant disease resistance genes. The 149 NBS-LRR-encoding genes and the 58 related genes that do not encode LRRs represent approximately 0.8% of all ORFs so far annotated in Arabidopsis ecotype Col-0. Despite their prevalence in the genome and functional importance, there was little information regarding expression of these genes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We analyzed the expression patterns of ~170 NBS-LRR-encoding and related genes in Arabidopsis Col-0 using multiple analytical approaches: expressed sequenced tag (EST) representation, massively parallel signature sequencing (MPSS), microarray analysis, rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) PCR, and gene trap lines. Most of these genes were expressed at low levels with a variety of tissue specificities. Expression was detected by at least one approach for all but 10 of these genes. The expression of some but not the majority of NBS-LRR-encoding and related genes was affected by salicylic acid (SA) treatment; the response to SA varied among different accessions. An analysis of previously published microarray data indicated that ten NBS-LRR-encoding and related genes exhibited increased expression in wild-type Landsberg <it>erecta </it>(L<it>er</it>) after flagellin treatment. Several of these ten genes also showed altered expression after SA treatment, consistent with the regulation of <it>R </it>gene expression during defense responses and overlap between the basal defense response and salicylic acid signaling pathways. Enhancer trap analysis indicated that neither jasmonic acid nor benzothiadiazole (BTH), a salicylic acid analog, induced detectable expression of the five NBS-LRR-encoding genes and one TIR-NBS-encoding gene tested; however, BTH did induce detectable expression of the other TIR-NBS-encoding gene analyzed. Evidence for alternative mRNA polyadenylation sites was observed for many of the tested genes. Evidence for alternative splicing was found for at least 12 genes, 11 of which encode TIR-NBS-LRR proteins. There was no obvious correlation between expression pattern, phylogenetic relationship or genomic location of the NBS-LRR-encoding and related genes studied.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Transcripts of many NBS-LRR-encoding and related genes were defined. Most were present at low levels and exhibited tissue-specific expression patterns. Expression data are consistent with most Arabidopsis NBS-LRR-encoding and related genes functioning in plant defense responses but do not preclude other biological roles.</p

Intervention to address childhood undernutrition: A systematic review

Introduction: Childhood undernutrition while being a preventable condition remains a major public health issue because it contributes to the mortality and morbidity of children globally. Intervention strategies to improve the nutritional status of children include therapeutic food, cash transfers, antibiotics and nutritional education. The objective is to review the effects of various nutritional interventions in addressing undernutrition in children. Methods: Comprehensive search of literature in electronic databases were conducted in PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus containing the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and the title terms ‘Undernutrition’ OR ‘Malnutrition AND ‘Intervention’ OR ‘Management’ AND ‘Children’ OR ‘Childhood’ between January 2000 and August 2019. Of the 4358 studies that were identified, 17 studies matched the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Results: Therapeutic food is an integral part of nutritional interventions in majority of the studies along with cash transfers and nutritional education. The most consistent outcome in most of the studies was improvement in the nutritional status which subsequently reduces the undernutrition in children. Conclusion: Therapeutic food, conditional cash transfer and nutritional education yielded the best outcome in alleviating undernutrition in developing countries

Comparative study of gut microbiota in wild and captive Malaysian Mahseer (Tor tambroides)

Aims: The aim of this study was to identify and compare the gut microbial community of wild and captive Tor tambroides through 16S rDNA metagenetic sequencing followed by functions prediction. Methods and results: The library of 16S rDNA V3‐V4 hypervariable regions of gut microbiota was amplified and sequenced using Illumina MiSeq. The sequencing data were analyzed using Quantitative Insights into Microbial Ecology (QIIME) pipeline and Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt). The most abundant bacterial phyla in both wild and captive T. tambroides were Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Fusobacteria and Bacteroidetes. Cetobacterium spp., Peptostreptococcaceae family, Bacteroides spp., Phosphate solubilizing bacteria PSB‐M‐3, and Vibrio spp. were five most abundant OTU in wild T. tambroides as compared to Cetobacterium spp., Citrobacter spp., Aeromonadaceae family, Peptostreptococcaceae family and Turicibacter spp. in captive T. tambroides. Conclusion: In this study, the specimens of the wild T. tambroides contain more diverse gut microbiota than of the captive ones. The results suggested that Cetobacterium spp. is one of the core microbiota in guts of T. tambroides. Besides, high abundant Bacteroides spp., Citrobacter spp., Turicibacter spp., and Bacillus spp. may provide important functions in T. tambroides guts. Significance and impact of the study: The results of this study provide significant information of T. tambroides gut microbiota for further understanding of their physi-ological functions including growth and disease resistance

Challenges and recommendations to improve institutional review boards’ review of community-engaged research proposals: A scoping review

Academic and community investigators conducting community-engaged research (CEnR) are often met with challenges when seeking Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. This scoping review aims to identify challenges and recommendations for CEnR investigators and community partners working with IRBs. Peer-reviewed articles that reported on CEnR, specified study-related challenges, and lessons learned for working with IRBs and conducted in the United States were included for review. Fifteen studies met the criteria and were extracted for this review. Four challenges identified (1) Community partners not being recognized as research partners (2) Cultural competence, language of consent forms, and literacy level of partners; (3) IRBs apply formulaic approaches to CEnR; & (4) Extensive delays in IRB preparation and approval potentially stifle the relationships with community partners. Recommendations included (1) Training IRBs to understand CEnR principles to streamline and increase the flexibility of the IRB review process; (2) Identifying influential community stakeholders who can provide support for the study; and (3) Disseminating human subjects research training that is accessible to all community investigator to satisfy IRB concerns. Findings from our study suggest that IRBs can benefit from more training in CEnR requirements and methodologie

Reducing Liver Cancer Risk through Dietary Change: Positive Results from a Community-Based Educational Initiative in Three Racial/Ethnic Groups

Dietary behaviors and alcohol consumption have been linked to liver disease and liver cancer. So far, most of the liver cancer awareness campaigns and behavioral interventions have focused on preventive behaviors such as screening and vaccination uptake, while few incorporated dietary aspects of liver cancer prevention. We implemented a community-based education initiative for liver cancer prevention among the African, Asian, and Hispanic populations within the Greater Philadelphia and metropolitan New York City areas. Data from the baseline and the 6-month follow-up surveys were used for the assessment of changes in dietary behaviors and alcohol consumption among participants. In total, we recruited 578 participants through community-/faith-based organizations to participate in the educational workshops. The study sample included 344 participants who completed both baseline and follow-up survey. The Hispanic subgroup was the only one that saw an overall significant change in dietary behaviors, with the Mediterranean dietary score increasing significantly from 30.000 at baseline survey to 31.187 at 6-month follow-up assessment ( p \u3c 0.05), indicating a trend towards healthier dietary habit. In the African Americans participants, the consumption scores of fruits and poultry increased significantly, while vegetables and red meats decreased. In Asian Americans, the consumption of non-refined cereals, red meats, and dairy products decreased. Alcohol consumption decreased significantly among Hispanics while it did not change significantly among the other two communities. This community-based educational initiative generated different impacts in the three populations, further highlighting the needs for more targeted, culturally tailored efforts in health promotion among these underprivileged communities

Complications of Melioidosis: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Melioidosis, also known as Whitmore disease, is caused by the gram-negative bacillus, Burkholderia pseudomallei and remains a public health concern in Southeast Asia and northern parts of Australia. This study attempts to identify all possible complications of melioidosis and its outcomes. Methods: Literature search was conducted from databases such as PubMed, Science Direct and Scopus from 1st January 2000 to 31st August 2019. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) search strategy was used with the terms ‘Melioidosis’ or ‘Burkholderia pseudomallei’ and ‘Complications’. Results: A total of 162 titles were identified and 22 articles were included in the review. Findings showed that among the 22 articles, the ratio of male to female melioidosis incidence was 2.3 to 1, with most cases (86.4%) aged older than 14 years old and showed a mean age of 46 years old. A third (7/22) of the papers reported the involvement of the nervous system as a complication of melioidosis followed by cardiovascular complications. Among the 23 cases reported, 13 had underlying medical conditions with most of them (84.6%) having diabetes mellitus or newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Overall, only one case (4.3%) had resulted in mortality, while 17.4% developed complications and 78.3% managed a full recovery after undergoing treatment for melioidosis. Conclusion: The most commonly found complication of melioidosis involved the nervous system but patient outcomes were favourable. Rare complications included mycotic aneurysm that can be fatal. Melioidosis can affect almost any organ leading to various complications

Inclusion of MUC1 (Ma695) in a panel of immunohistochemical markers is useful for distinguishing between endocervical and endometrial mucinous adenocarcinoma*

BACKGROUND: Distinguishing endocervical adenocarcinoma (ECA) from endometrial mucinous adenocarcinoma (EMMA) is clinically significant in view of the differences in their management and prognosis. In this study, we used a panel of tumor markers to determine their ability to distinguish between primary endocervical adenocarcinoma and primary endometrial mucinous adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies to MUC1 (Ma695), p16, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and vimentin, was performed to examine 32 cases, including 18 EMMAs and 14 ECAs. For MUC1, cases were scored based on the percentage of staining pattern, apical, apical and cytoplasmic (A/C), or negative. For p16, cases were scored based on the percentage of cells stained. For the rest of the antibodies, semiquantitative scoring system was carried out. RESULTS: For MUC1, majority of EMMA (14 of 18 cases, 78%) showed A/C staining, whereas only few ECA (2 of 14, 14%) were positive. The difference of MUC1 expression in the two groups of malignancy was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Staining for p16 was positive in 10 of 14 (71%) ECA and 4 of 18 (22%) EMMA. Estrogen receptor was positive in 3 of 14 (21%) ECA and 17 of 18 (94%) EMMA. Progesterone receptor was positive in 3 of 14 (21%) ECA and 16 of 18 (89%) EMMA. Vimentin was positive in 1 of 14 (7%) ECA, and 9 of 18 (50%) EMA, with median and range of 0 (0–6), and 1.5 (0–9) respectively. CONCLUSION: A panel of immunohistochemical markers including MUC1, p16, ER, PR, and vimentin is recommended, when there is morphological and clinical doubt as to the primary site of endocervical or endometrial origin

Risk of Recurrent Arterial Ischemic Stroke in Childhood: A Prospective International Study.

Background and purposePublished cohorts of children with arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) in the 1990s to early 2000s reported 5-year cumulative recurrence rates approaching 20%. Since then, utilization of antithrombotic agents for secondary stroke prevention in children has increased. We sought to determine rates and predictors of recurrent stroke in the current era.MethodsThe Vascular Effects of Infection in Pediatric Stroke (VIPS) study enrolled 355 children with AIS at 37 international centers from 2009 to 2014 and followed them prospectively for recurrent stroke. Index and recurrent strokes underwent central review and confirmation, as well as central classification of causes of stroke, including arteriopathies. Other predictors were measured via parental interview or chart review.ResultsOf the 355 children, 354 survived their acute index stroke, and 308 (87%) were treated with an antithrombotic medication. During a median follow-up of 2.0 years (interquartile range, 1.0-3.0), 40 children had a recurrent AIS, and none had a hemorrhagic stroke. The cumulative stroke recurrence rate was 6.8% (95% confidence interval, 4.6%-10%) at 1 month and 12% (8.5%-15%) at 1 year. The sole predictor of recurrence was the presence of an arteriopathy, which increased the risk of recurrence 5-fold when compared with an idiopathic AIS (hazard ratio, 5.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-14). The 1-year recurrence rate was 32% (95% confidence interval, 18%-51%) for moyamoya, 25% (12%-48%) for transient cerebral arteriopathy, and 19% (8.5%-40%) for arterial dissection.ConclusionsChildren with AIS, particularly those with arteriopathy, remain at high risk for recurrent AIS despite increased utilization of antithrombotic agents. Therapies directed at the arteriopathies themselves are needed