Estimating the asymmetrical influence of foreign direct investment is the primary goal of the current study. In addition, further controlled variables affect environmental degradation in OIC nations. Due to this, current research employs the asymmetric (NPARDL) approach and the data period from 1980 to 2021 to estimate about viability of the EKC (environmental Kuznets curve) theory. The study utilized greenhouse gas (GHG) including emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), and ecological footprint as substantial parameters of environmental quality. A nonlinear link between foreign direct investments, trade openness, economic growth, urbanization, energy consumption, and environmental pollution with CO2, N2O, CH4, and ecological footprint in the OIC nations is confirmed by the study's outcomes, which however reveals inconsistent results. Furthermore, the results also show that wrong conclusions might result from disregarding intrinsic nonlinearities. The study's conclusions provide the most important recommendations for decision-makers.
The World Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Congress Asia 2013 held in Singapore from 19-21 March 2013 was attended by over 2000 industry attendees and 5000 registered visitors. The focus of the congress was to discuss potential uses of stem cells for various diagnostic and therapeutic applications, their market opportunity and the latest R&D, which would potentially find its way into the market in not too distant future. In addition to the traditional lectures presented by academic and industry experts, there were forums, discussions, posters and exhibits, which provided various platforms for researchers, potential industry partners and even various interest groups to discuss prospective development of the stem cell-related industry.
This paper examines the safety and efficacy of non-viral gene transfer in cartilage tissue engineering (TE) from the worldview of Islam. The first clinical trial treating adenosine deaminase deficient patients conducted in 1990 has triggered the development of gene transfer technology. The potential of gene transfer is further explored in TE field with the hope that it could prosper the regenerative medicine application. However, ethical issues become important when it comes to application of new treatment modalities, primarily in gene transfer because of genetic modification influences the basis of life - the DNA. Besides ethical issue, the application of gene transfer in treating diseases also attract views from religious context. The questions on the techniques to administer the gene in human, social acceptance of genetically modified cell and adverse effects from it are still debatable and unresolved. Apart from that dilemma, both safety and efficacy issues are raised due to the scientific uncertainty and social perception of the technology. Despite countless number of encouraging findings and recommendations by the proponents of
the technology, gene transfer is currently available only in the research setting. The established guidelines are used to complement and provide the necessary foundations in discussing the aspects involved in the incorporation of gene transfer with cartilage TE. Relevant Islamic input are identified and aligned to those particular guidelines. It is hoped that the integration of Islamic inputs in the existing guidelines could suggest the safest approach in treating cartilage degenerative disease through gene transfer and TE.
The two final decades of the 20th century saw a significant increase in ergonomics activity (and resulting publications) in industrially developing countries (IDCs). However, a few ergonomics papers from Singapore, for example, were published in 1969 and 1970. This paper reviews developments in ergonomics in industrially developing countries from 1969 relying heavily on published papers although their quality varies considerably. Some criticism of these papers is offered. Most were concerned with the use of work tools, workstation operations, material handling and working environments especially in tropical climates. The similar problems encountered in a variety of countries are discussed, and the importance of low-cost solutions stressed. This study presents an overview of er gonomics research in IDCs. It concentrates on ASEAN countries whilst recognising the valuable work done in other areas.
There is an urgent need globally to find alternative sustainable steps to treat municipal solid wastes (MSW) originated from mismanagement of urban wastes with increasing disposal cost. Furthermore, a conglomeration of ever-increasing population and consumerist lifestyle is contributing towards the generation of more MSW. In this context, vermicomposting offers excellent potential to promote safe, hygienic and sustainable management of biodegradable MSW. It has been demonstrated that, through vermicomposting, MSW such as city garbage, household and kitchen wastes, vegetable wastes, paper wastes, human faeces and others could be sustainably transformed into organic fertiliser or vermicompost that provides great benefits to agricultural soil and plants. Generally, earthworms are sensitive to their environment and require temperature, moisture content, pH and sometimes ventilation at proper levels for the optimum vermicomposting process. Apart from setting the optimum operational conditions for the vermicomposting process, other approaches such as pre-composting, inoculating micro-organisms into MSW and redesigning the conventional vermireactor could be introduced to further enhance the vermicomposting of MSW. Thus the present mini-review discusses the potential of introducing vermicomposting in MSW management, the benefits of vermicomposted MSW to plants, suggestions on how to enhance the vermicomposting of MSW as well as risk management in the vermicomposting of MSW.
Viewed through the micro focus of an interpretive lens, medical anthropology remains mystified because interpretivist explanations seriously downplay the given context in which individual health seeking-behaviours occur. This paper draws upon both the interpretivist and political economy perspectives to reflect on the ethno medical practices within the Korean-Australian community in Sydney.