Challenges in Managing Marine Bio-invasions via Shipping in Singapore

The economic, social and environmental impacts arising from the transfer and establishment of non indigenous marine species (NIMS) mediated through ship hull biofouling and ballast water discharges in the coastal marine environment require a regional approach to manage bio-invasions. As the coordinating body for maritime shipping affairs and protection of the marine environment, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has been working with member states to adopt and ratify global conventions aimed at preventing invasive species transfer through shipping. As a major shipping hub and port-of-call in Southeast Asia, Singapore faces multiple challenges in managing marine bio-invasions including managing the transit of high risk vessels to environmentally sensitive areas beyond national borders. In this article, global frameworks for managing bio-invasions and its challenges for marine invasive pest management are discussed

Practical guide in using insulin degludec/insulin aspart: A multidisciplinary approach in Malaysia

Insulin degludec/insulin aspart (IDegAsp) co-formulation provides both basal and mealtime glycaemic control in a single injection. The glucose level-lowering efficacy of IDegAsp is reported to be superior or non-inferior to that of the currently available insulin therapies with a lower rate of overall hypoglycaemia and nocturnal hypoglycaemia. An expert panel from Malaysia aims to provide insights into the utilisation of IDegAsp across a broad range of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (i.e. treatment-naïve or insulin-naïve patients or patients receiving treatment intensification from basal-only regimens, premixed insulin and basal–bolus insulin therapy). IDegAsp can be initiated as once-daily dosing for the main meal with the largest carbohydrate content with weekly dose adjustments based on patient response. A lower starting dose is recommended for patients with cardiac or renal comorbidities. Dose intensification with IDegAsp may warrant splitting into twice-daily dosing. IDegAsp twice-daily dosing does not need to be split at a 50:50 ratio but should be adjusted to match the carbohydrate content of meals. The treatment of patients choosing to fast during Ramadan should be switched to IDegAsp early before Ramadan, as a longer duration of titration leads to better glycated haemoglobin level reductions. The pre-Ramadan breakfast/lunch insulin dose can be reduced by 30%–50% and taken during sahur, while the pre-Ramadan dinner dose can be taken without any change during iftar. Education on the main meal concept is important, as carbohydrates are present in almost all meals. Patients should not have a misconception of consuming more carbohydrates while taking IDegAsp

An inter-site study of biofouling recruitment on static immersion panels in major ports of South East Asia and India

Limited knowledge of native marine biodiversity hinders effective biodiversity management to safeguard South and Southeast Asia’s marine coastal environment against the threat of invasive species transfer through shipping. In particular, sessile marine biofouling organisms in South East Asian ports are poorly known. Through the support of the ASEAN-India Cooperation Project on the Extent of Transfer of Alien Invasive Organisms in South/South East Asia Region by Shipping, a coordinated effort to examine diversity of biofouling organisms in major port areas in Southeast Asia and India was made using polyvinylchloride (PVC) panels as recruitment surfaces in a static immersion study for a period of 12 months. Not surprisingly, the study revealed that fouling patterns differed between ports possibly as a result of dissimilar hydrographic conditions. However, there were also underlying similarities that reflected a regional uniformity in the composition of fouling communities. At the same time, the alien Caribbean bivalve Mytilopsis sallei was detected in Manila Bay (Philippines), Songkhla Port (Thailand) and Singapore. This is a first simultaneous biofouling survey involving scientists and government stakeholders from India and ASEAN nations of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam

A STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF THE HOTEL INDUSTRY AND ITS STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS

Master'sMASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATIO

Machine learning assisted development of high strength iron-based alloy

High strength alloys are materials with alloying additions designed to produce a specific combination of mechanical qualities such as strength, toughness, weldability, formability as well as atmospheric corrosion resistance. One such example is the Iron-Aluminium (Fe-Al) based alloy that is highly favorable due to their properties of high specific yield strength, low cost as well as high corrosion resistance. However, initial methods of traditional alloy development have proved to be an extensive, time-consuming process. Studies of superalloy took nearly 40 years to understand the mechanical behavior even before development. The resources and manhours invested in development of alloys has therefore proved to be inefficient. With the use of Machine Learning, the development of alloys can be accelerated through assisted screenings and high throughout experimentation, thus reducing the overall duration as well as improving the experiment's efficiency. In this study, we attempt to demonstrate an alternative approach that utilizes Machine Learning (ML) algorithm that is trained on a given set of composition with given mechanical properties to predict novel alloy composition with high specific yield strength. Predicted novel compositions of Fe-Al will be validated with the developed alloy through a series of experimental test to determine the model’s accuracy.Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace Engineering

Strategic development of the institution of engineers, Singapore

This report would begin with a comprehensive introduction of IES, its history, organization structure, purpose of existence. The development of IES would be traced and discussed chronologically, with important issues highlighted and discussed. This report also assesses IES's performance in terms of its ability to attract and retain members, keep out of the red in its books and its contribution to society at large. The opinion of IES members as well as engineers outside the IES family were collected, analyzed and presented. These would assist IES in its future planning. IES underwent a major environmental change at about 1977/78 when its unique privilege of granting its members direct admission into the list of registered engineers in the Professional Engineers Board was revoked. IES did not respond adequately to fill the void left behind and began slipping in terms of rate of membership growth. Only after 1986/87 when IES, with the guidance of a Strategic Workshop, began to actively augment its service package to be of relevance to attract engineer membership. The desired results of these actions were more eminent only after a few years upon implementation. The fact that strategies designed and implemented by IES in due consideration of the recommendations made during periodic organizational strategic audits (1986 and 1991) reflected their usefulness and necessity. Recommendations were also made on how IES should manage its service offerings after considering its current environment, the survey feedback as well as input from other sources.BUSINES

Feasibility of harnessing nuclear energy in Singapore.

Nuclear energy has been harnessed around the world. Its increased usage has outlined its importance as an alternative source of energy to the deteriorating fossil fuels. The rising prices of fossil fuels have hastened our search for alternative sources of energy and the increasing demand for electricity has motivated us to explore nuclear energy, which offers a low production cost for electricity when compared to other sources. The purpose of the study is to investigate the feasibility of harnessing nuclear energy in Singapore to meet future energy demand and to determine whether Singapore should build one on its own or cost-share with neighboring countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia. The study recommends that Singapore should consider utilizing nuclear energy as current energy sources are not sufficient to meet growing energy demand and the choice of location of a nuclear power plant should be based on the cost structure. The findings and recommendations are relevant to the evaluation in harnessing nuclear energy. The quantitative calculations may act as a gauge for the cost involved before further plans are initiated.Bachelor of Art