The influence of demographic variables on solid waste minimization : a case study of Shah Alam City, Malaysia

With the increasing rate of urbanisation especially in developing countries, policy makers and planner s are faced with the challenge of sustainable solid waste management. The traditional method of waste management via landfills has some environmental and health challenges associated with it. Therefore, waste minimization through recycling, reusing and reducing the quantity of waste is one major way of achieving a sustainable solid waste management. This study investigates the influence of household attributes on waste minimization knowledge in Shah Alam city,Malaysia. Through a household survey, 100 respondents were randomly chosen from the three housing types (terrace, semi –detached, bungalow) in the study area. Findings from the study revealed that respondents’ knowledge on waste minimization was above average. However, the elderly and women tended to be more knowledgeable in terms of materials to be recycled and what the colour of each waste bin in the neighbourhood signifies

Analysis of the full-length WOX4 promoter activity in Arabidopsis thaliana

The understanding of vascular development in plants has been advanced rapidly in the last decades. Nevertheless, there are still many details to be elucidated about the early stages of vascular differentiation, which requires easily identifiable marker genes. The WUSCHEL-related homeobox 4 (WOX4) is a member of the WOX gene family (Eric van der Graaff, 2009) and it has been demonstrated that WOX4 is involved in cambial stem cell maintenance (Suer et al., 2011). Existing WOX4 expression analyses in Arabidopsis thaliana were conducted with a short WOX4 promoter-reporter construct, which contains 2.9 Kb of the 5′ flanking region and 0.6 Kb of the 3′ flanking region (Ji et al., 2010; Y Hirakawa et al., 2010; Suer et al., 2011; Shi et al., 2019). These studies describe a cambial cell specific expression pattern of WOX4 promoter in the root, shoot, cotyledons and leaves (Y Hirakawa et al., 2010). In upper part of the inflorescence stem, WOX4 activity was confined only to fascicular cambium, but at the stem-base its activity extends into the interfascicular region and forms a circular expression domain and this pattern was implied to be responsible for the radial outgrowth of the stem (Suer et al., 2011). However, by detailed sequence analyses in this study we demonstrate that the WOX4 sequence is spatially separated by long intergenic sequences, which contain several distal conserved regions. Moreover, by comparing phylogenetic shadowing results with published ATAC-seq data (Frerichs et al., 2019) we show the positions of these conserved regions are in open chromatin configurations, suggesting a possible regulatory role of these areas in WOX4 expression pattern. Hence, we have generated WOX4 promoter-reporter fusions, which contains 9.2 Kb upstream and 1.7 Kb downstream sequences from the WOX4 coding sequence and transferred into A. thaliana with the aim to find a full spectrum of WOX4 activity. Interestingly, the analyses of transgenic plants aligned with previously observed cambium cell specific WOX4 activity but additionally it marked novel WOX4 expression domains in the SAM, RAM, stem and leaves. In the stem, the full-length WOX4 promoter activity starts in groups of cells of the inflorescence meristem (IM), possibly marking the provascular cells of emerging primordia. Approximately 80-100 μm beneath the IM, the promoter activity was localized in a circular expression domain of subcortical region that prepatterns the vasculature of young stem. This circular WOX4 expression domain was found to exist throughout the inflorescence stem and intrusions in the circle marks 6 fascicular cambium and interfascicular mark strands. Our findings suggest that the full-length WOX4 promoter was active during the specification of provascular cells in the shoot apex, initiation of fascicular cambium in the young stem without losing competency in the interfascicular mark strands and then continuously active in the cambial ring of the matured stem. Additionally, its activity was also observed in the xylem parenchyma in different growth phases of the inflorescence stem. Similar to the shoot, the WOX4 promoter activity was also found to start in the RAM marking the QC and its adjacent meristematic cells. Then its activity was found to confined to the vascular system of root. In the leaf, the WOX4 promoter was active in the primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary veins, marking the cambial cells of the complete leaf vascular system. Additionally, it was also active in the xylem parenchyma of leaf vascular bundles and the sub-epidermal cells in adaxial side of the leaf, marking the palisade parenchyma. Taken together, our study indicates that the inclusion of distal conserved regions of the WOX4 promoter is essential to show the picture of WOX4 expression pattern in different organs of A. thaliana. Hence, the full-length WOX4 promoter-reporter constructs analysed in this study could further be utilised to elucidate the gene regulatory networks that control vascular development. However, the complete upstream region is too large to be used as a standard promoter, therefore further promoter dissection studies are needed to identify the cis-regulatory elements, which could then be used for engineering approaches

Prevalence and Causes of Blindness and Visual Impairment and Their Associated Risk Factors, in Three Tribal Areas of Andhra Pradesh, India

Objective: To assess the prevalence of blindness and visual impairment (VI), their associated causes and underlying risk factors in three tribal areas of Andhra Pradesh, India and compare this data in conjunction with data from other countries with low and middle income settings. Methods: Using a validated Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness methodology, a two stage sampling survey was performed in these areas involving probability proportionate to size sampling and compact segment sampling methods. Blindness, VI and severe visual impairment (SVI) were defined as per the WHO guidelines and Indian definitions. Results: Based on a prior enumeration, 7281 (97.1%) subjects were enrolled (mean age = 61.0+/−7.9 years). Based on the presenting visual acuity (PVA), the prevalences of VI, SVI and blindness were 16.9% (95% CI: 15.7–18.1), 2.9% (95% CI: 2.5–3.4), and 2.3% (95% CI: 1.9–2.7), respectively. When based on the Pinhole corrected visual acuity (PCVA), the prevalences were lower in VI (6.2%, 95% CI: 5.4–6.9), SVI (1.5%, 95% CI: 1.2–1.9) and blindness (2.1%, 95% CI: 1.7–2.5). Refractive error was the major cause of VI (71.4%), whereas, cataract was the major cause of SVI and blindness (70.3%). Based on the PVA, the odds ratio (OR) of blindness increased in the age groups of 60–69 years (OR = 3.8, 95% CI: 2.8, 5.1), 70–79 years (OR = 10.6, 95% CI: 7.2, 15.5) and 80 years and above (OR = 30.7, 95% CI: 19.2, 49). The ORs were relatively higher in females (OR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.0, 1.6) and illiterate subjects (OR = 4.3, 95% CI: 2.2, 8.5), but lower in those wearing glasses (OR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1, 0.4). Conclusions: This is perhaps the first study to assess the prevalence of blindness and VI in these tribal regions and the majority of the causes of blindness and SVI were avoidable (88.5%). These findings may be useful for planning eye care services in these underserved regions

Integrated sustainable household solid waste management using solid waste minimisation approach in Shah Alam, Selangor

Good solid waste management has emerged as a vital element in creating cities that offer a healthy and comfortable environment for living. Municipal solid waste poses an environmental problem particularly in cities that have experienced rapid growth. Solid waste minimisation is a way of reducing the amount of solid waste generated by households. This study investigates solid waste minimisation practice among urban households in Shah Alam, Selangor and provides insight on the roles of various stakeholders involved in waste management. The study also examines the influence of households socio-demographic characteristics on psychological factors, knowledge and behaviour affecting solid waste minimisation and the quantity and composition of solid waste generated monthly per household. The study employed both inferential and descriptive analyses. Findings revealed that knowledge on solid waste minimisation has statistically significant associations with 5 socio-demographic characteristics, namely age [F(4, 295) = 2.36, p = 0.05]; race [F(2, 297) = 2.84, p = 0.05]; marital status [F(2, 297) = 2.83, p = 0.05]; monthly income [F(3, 296) = 2.86, p = 0.037] and home ownership [F(2, 297) = 5.01, p = 0.007]. Results also showed that behaviour towards waste minimisation is significantly associated with marital status [F(2, 297) = 3.51, p = 0.031], gender [F = 7.328, p = 0.00] and home ownership [F(2, 295) = 7.57, p = 0.001]. In terms of solid waste generation, the results showed that 0.46 kg of waste generated per capita per day with a composition of 45.51% recyclable materials, 33.98% food and 20.51% non-recyclable materials. The study found that the various stakeholders (waste contractor, household, junkshop, local authority, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), Community Based Organisations (CBOs), educational institution, scavenger) act independently and there was no proper coordination existed among them in solid waste management. Therefore, local authorities should work on the collaboration with other stakeholders in providing systematic education to enhance solid waste minimisation. Based on the results of the study, a conceptual framework of Integrated Sustainable Household Solid Waste Management (ISHWM) was developed taking into account the current regulations

Improving Community Behaviour Towards Sustainable Mobility for Liveable Neighbourhoods

Major challenges of sustainable environment are identifying the community and predicting the behaviour of each community in neighbourhoods. Many local authorities are eager to overcome these issues to improve their sustainability. The research focuses on the behaviour of community in neighbourhoods. The study is conducted with 135 samples. The main factors that contribute in successful relationship between the community behaviour factors towards sustainable mobility. Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient level showed all the factors exceeding 0.80 and all dimensions have a good reliability value. A contributing factor of community behaviour has been discovered to reduce the negative effects of congestion, crime and vandalism

Expatriates’ Psychological Distress Components of Malaysian Construction Company in Host Country

Psychological distress is pertaining to anything leads to human well-being and satisfaction of the individual. Individual adjustment is a degree of psychological distress that an expatriate faces during an assignment in the host country. Unhappiness with the organisation will contribute to leaving for a prospective employer. Psychological influences such as interaction, reward and, social life contribute to the success of the expatriate. Content analysis was used in the study. The study aimed to determine the factors which led to expatriate's physiological distress. The study had found that there was a need for psychological adjustment while working in the host country.   Keywords: Psychological distress; Expatriate; ConstructioneISSN: 2398-4287© 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open-access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer-review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.   DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v5i14.223

Socio-Demographic Influencing Behaviour against Solid Waste Minimisation in Shah Alam City, Malaysia

Waste management is one of the most challenging problems. This study investigates the influence of household attributes on waste minimisation behaviour in Shah Alam City, Malaysia. Through a household survey, 300 respondents were randomly chosen. Findings from the study revealed that respondents behaviour has statistically significant associations with 4 socio-demographic, namely gender [F(298) = 7.33, p = 0.00]; race [F(2, 297) = 3.22, p = 0.04]; marital status [F(2, 297) = 3.51, p = 0.03]; home ownership [F(2, 295) = 7.57, p = 0.00]. The results of this analysis will facilitate the implementation of policies for sustainable solid waste minimisation

Agricultural waste management (AWM) system in Mukim Ulu Telom, Cameron Highlands, Pahang / Nurul Syamimi Fauzi and Nor Eeda Ali

- Cameron Highlands is one of the largest area of agriculture sector in peninsular Malaysia because of the temperature are mild are very conducive to a wide range of sub-tropical crops. Nowadays, the volume of agriculture waste generation in Cameron Highlands are increased due to the increasing number of production of agriculture plantation. It happen because of agriculture waste management (AWM) system still very lack comprehensive especially on the understanding and involvement in the waste management system and the awareness on important of agriculture waste management in Cameron Highlands are in low level. Based on these issues came out with the aim which is to integrate the proper AWM system. The objective is to investigate the various stages that are involved in agriculture waste management system and examine the role of formal and informal stakeholders in agriculture waste management system and the policies and strategies involved in AWM system. A qualitative method was used for this research by observing the process (stages) of agriculture waste management system in study area. The outcome of this research is expected to assist the stakeholder involved, to enhance the proper AWM system and to increase the target of waste minimisation in Malaysia