An Analysis of Intra-ASEAN FDI Determinants in the Wake of ASEAN Economic Community

This research intends to uncover the determinants of intra-ASEAN FDI, specifically to verify whether the establishment of ASEAN Economic Community has had any contribution to the raising intra-FDI inflow. Result from the fixed effect model with cross-section effects, which was employed to dataset of 10 ASEAN member states from 2000-2013, indicates that market size, quality of infrastructure, as well as labor productivity, were significant, and positively attracted intra-FDI inflow. Meanwhile, macroeconomic stability and degree of openness were insignificant. In addition, trade barrier was significantly proven to have negative effect on intra-FDI inflow. Unfortunately, the latest ASEAN\u27s investment scheme was insignificant. Moreover, the country-specific effects were highly significant, proving that heterogeneity seems to have an important role in attracting intra-ASEAN FDI

Synthesis and characterization of porous biphasic calcium phosphate scaffold from different porogens for possible bone tissue engineering applications

By using the wet precipitation method, Biphasic calcium phosphate granules were synthesized with Ca/P ratio1.52 and controlled porosity, pore size distribution, and granule size. Microporosity was then obtained by adjusting sintering temperature while macroporosity was prepared by adding 1:3 wt% ratio of two normally used porogens (naphthalene and sugar) and 2 newly introduced porogens (sago and lentil). Samples from each ratio were pressed into pellets and were fired at 500ºC for 2 hours with 0.5°C/minute heating rate (for removal of porogens) and further sintered at 850°C for 2 hours with 5°C/minute before cooling down to room temperature. The granules were prepared by crushing and sieving BCP sintered pellets to get granules of sizes ranging from 250-500μm. X-rays diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), particle size and porosity analyses were employed in order to characterize the granules. A round to oval shape pores with 200-400 μm size were obtained and identical to the prepared porogens’ particle size. This approach gives the desirable properties near to normal bone leading to a perfect osteogenesis for the purpose tissue engineering

BJS commission on surgery and perioperative care post-COVID-19

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic by the WHO on 11 March 2020 and global surgical practice was compromised. This Commission aimed to document and reflect on the changes seen in the surgical environment during the pandemic, by reviewing colleagues experiences and published evidence. Methods: In late 2020, BJS contacted colleagues across the global surgical community and asked them to describe how severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) had affected their practice. In addition to this, the Commission undertook a literature review on the impact of COVID-19 on surgery and perioperative care. A thematic analysis was performed to identify the issues most frequently encountered by the correspondents, as well as the solutions and ideas suggested to address them. Results: BJS received communications for this Commission from leading clinicians and academics across a variety of surgical specialties in every inhabited continent. The responses from all over the world provided insights into multiple facets of surgical practice from a governmental level to individual clinical practice and training. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has uncovered a variety of problems in healthcare systems, including negative impacts on surgical practice. Global surgical multidisciplinary teams are working collaboratively to address research questions about the future of surgery in the post-COVID-19 era. The COVID-19 pandemic is severely damaging surgical training. The establishment of a multidisciplinary ethics committee should be encouraged at all surgical oncology centres. Innovative leadership and collaboration is vital in the post-COVID-19 era

BJS commission on surgery and perioperative care post-COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic by the WHO on 11 March 2020 and global surgical practice was compromised. This Commission aimed to document and reflect on the changes seen in the surgical environment during the pandemic, by reviewing colleagues' experiences and published evidence