Abstract

Obesity is a major public health concern worldwide, including Singapore. Bariatric surgery has grown in popularity to combat this situation, and innovations in this field have led to the emergence of new bariatric procedures. For the healthy growth of this specialized field of surgery, it is mandatory to audit the progress and state of bariatric surgery at regular intervals. An e-mail questionnaire survey was conducted in all the leading hospitals of Singapore practicing bariatric surgery between 2005 and 2009. All four hospitals to which the questionnaire survey was mailed responded. The responses from these hospitals were tabulated and analyzed. Between 2005 and 2009, a total of 278 bariatric procedures were performed on 151 men and 127 women with a mean age of 40.34 years (range: 18–64 years) by 12 practicing surgeons. The mean body mass index was 42.25 kg/m2 (range: 31.4–73 kg/m2). All the operations were performed laparoscopically. The most commonly performed procedure was adjustable gastric banding (81.65%), followed by sleeve gastrectomy (13.66%) and Roux en Y gastric bypass (3.95%). There is a flux of newer procedures in Singapore. Adjustable gastric banding, which was the only available procedure being performed in 2004, was gradually being replaced by other procedures such as sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in 2009.

Abstract

Application of the SCImago Journal & Country Rank (SJR), based on the database Scopus, of Elsevier, to analyze the scientific output of the major Asian countries and their global impact, measured by the number of citations received. It can be observed a production increase of the Republic of Korea, India and especially China

Abstract

The book is intended to be a landmark publication to showcase Singapore academics' and practising planners'work and thinking in the globalisation age. The book takes a reflective approach in reviewing the direction, impact and signifiance of sustainable development in Singapore planning and the future challenges facing the city-state looked upon by many developing countries as a model. The book analyses and provides an insight to Singapore's planning system and practices associated with sustainable development. It contributes and produces an impact on urban planning literature in a renewed perspective about Singapore that reflects the reality and need to address sustainability in the triangular relation ship of economic, environmental and social developmen

Abstract

Vertical Greenery Systems (VGS) applied on building has proven economic, environmental and social benefits which made it one of the widely accepted green building design strategies to support sustainable development. However, incorporating vertical greenery systems into innovative facades generates maintainability challenges. This paper highlights the best and good practices Design for Maintainability scoresheet, as well as the VGS defects and issues. The Design for Maintainability (DfM) assessment scoresheet will be beneficial in assessing and avoiding potential VGS defects leading to its maximum performance, longevity and sustainability. This research has established a list of best practice guidelines and measures with weighted scoring system for evaluating the maximum performance and efficient maintainability of VGS applications on facades while minimizing cost, risks, negative environmental impacts and consumption of matter/energy. The paper’s contribution will be the improvement of the designers’ decision making process, expanded library on vertical greenery systems defects as well as the importance of integrating maintainability of high-rise VGS facades in tropical conditions during its design inception.