USM Journal Management System (Univ. Sains Malaysia)
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Factors Affecting Export Demand for Malaysian Palm-Based Finished Products
Get PDFThe encouraging growth in volume and exports of palm-based finished products (PBFP) was directly related to an increase in their demand. It is thus important to investigate the factors influencing such demand. Our study attempts to elucidate this for the Malaysian PBFP in 10 major foreign markets, namely, Turkey, China, Iraq, Iran, Singapore, Romania, Australia, Pakistan, Russia, and Saudi Arabia. This study constitutes a panel data analysis for the 10 countries using data from 2007 to 2021 using the fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) method. Pedroni and Westerlund cointegration test indicates the presence of a long-term relationship between the variables under study. The empirical results show that gross domestic product (GDP) has a long-term positive influence on the demand for PBFP, with every 1% increase in GDP will increase the demand for palm oil by 0.9%. In addition, population size (POP) also shows a positive sign and is statistically significant at the 1% level, indicating that a 1% increase in POP will lead to a 0.3% increase in PBFP demand. Substitute oil price also has a long-run positive influence where for every 1% increase in the price of both commodities will increase the demand for PBFP by 0.1%. Meanwhile the price of PBFP has a long-term positive influence on its demand. Thus, information regarding the factors influencing the demand for PBFP from our findings may help industry player and policymakers in formulating strategies to improve the markets, and academicians may also benefit from sharing the knowledge gained from the study
Theatre with Children: Harnessing Creative Thinking and Meaningful Reflection
Get PDFThis article examines theatre as a tool to foster children’s creative thinking and engaging in meaningful reflection. Emphasising the term “theatre with children,” this paper identifies the children involved in theatrical projects as “active participants” who are able to express their thoughts, feelings, and reason through interactive theatrical activities. This article is based on two previous research projects focusing on theatre as a performative medium to explore children’s creativity in communicating their ideas and opinions, understanding and reflecting meaningfully on the issues that impact them. The pertinent question is, “How does theatre facilitate the development of creative thinking and self-reflection in children?” Building on Vygotsky’s Social Learning Theory, which highlights the importance of cognitive processes, motor skills, and socio-cultural interactions, this research aims to shed light on the role of theatre as a dynamic medium through which children can enhance their learning abilities. Specifically, the study focuses on the development of (1) cognitive capabilities through knowledge acquisition and understanding, (2) motor skills via observation and imitation, and (3) socio-cultural competencies through reflective thinking and reasoning. These projects utilised qualitative research methods to assess children’s creative thinking and reflective abilities. Data collection techniques included observation, group interviews, theatre and art-based activities, notes from facilitators, and entries from children’s journals. Despite the challenges associated with the aforementioned methods which will also be discussed in this article, the research revealed compelling findings: (1) children displayed a keen interest in theatre activities, showing a readiness to discover and learn; (2) the exploration of theatre activities with children fostered heightened motivation to improve their task performance; and (3) theatre culminates best practices while engaging with children, offering a “safe space” for them to exercise their rights, and acknowledged as active participants with a voice. This research not only answers the initial query regarding the impact of theatre on children’s creative and reflective capacities but also underscores the symbiotic relationship between educational theory and the practical application of theatre as a transformative tool for learning and development
Framing of Renewable Energies in Indonesian Media
Get PDFMany countris are turning to renewable energies as a result of the global problem of air pollution brought on by emissions from fossil fuels. The utilization of renewable energy as a remedy for climate change problems is covered by the media but earlier studies showed ongoing controversy over media coverage of renewable energies. The purpose of this study is to determine how renewable energy is framed in the media. What kinds of renewable energy get the most attention from the media, and is there any difference in how they are framed in old and new media? Entman\u27s framing concept—which includes "problems versus benefits," "the cause or reasons," "treatment recommendation," and "moral evaluation"—was used to conduct the quantitative content analysis. Using Google Search, articles from 2019 to 2022 were gathered. The findings indicate that there is no difference in framing between old and new media, with "problems-benefits" and "treatment recommendation" emerging as the most prevalent frames. The most frequently cited forms of renewable energies are hydropower and geothermal, and the media reports renewable energies more favorably than fossil fuels
Analysis of Trends in Land Utilization and Land Cover Dynamics in the Kwahu West Municipality, Ghana
Get PDFThe connection between people and the environment has been blamed for changes. Planning for sustainable development requires awareness of land use and land cover (LULC), its severity, causes, and implications. The purpose of this study was to generate maps that illustrate the land use and land cover within the Kwahu West Municipality and detect changes to identify and analyse overall patterns in LULC changes in the area. This research employed remote sensing techniques to assess land use and land cover alterations (LULC). This study used Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) images from 2001, Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) images from 2015, and Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) images from 2023 to detect and quantify LULC changes that occurred over a 22-year study period. Arc GIS 10.8 and ERDAS Envision 13 were used to pre-process the data. According to the study, built-up land and bare land rose in their respective areas and years by 10.675 km2 (or 2%), 18.421 km2 (or 5%), and 29.096 km (or 7%), respectively, between 2001 and 2015 and 2015 and 2023. The overall change from 2001 to 2023 was correspondingly 29.096 km. The results depicted a drastic change in the study area\u27s forest vegetation, which can be attributed to a sharp rise in population, urbanisation, and other infrastructure projects. These changes have been determined to cause biodiversity loss and water contamination. It is recommended that the Municipality\u27s Lands Commission initiate a public education campaign about creating local planning schemes for lands, especially in undeveloped and underdeveloped areas.
Boko Haram Insurgency and Socio-Economic Impact on Host Communities in Adamawa and Borno States, Nigeria
Get PDFThe Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria has become a protracted war characterised by humanitarian and socioeconomic consequences for the survivors due to displacements that rendered many people refugees in Niger, Chad, and Cameroon while internally displacing several people across state capitals and environs. Thus affecting the livelihood condition of the survivors as well as striking negatively on Nigeria’s national development. The paper utilised both primary and secondary sources of data collection as methodology. Primary data were sourced from key informant interviews (KII) and focus group discussions (FGD) with major stakeholders in the state capitals of Maiduguri and Yola, which served as host to most of the displaced persons. Secondary data were also sourced through content analysis of relevant archival materials while relying on state fragility theory as the theoretical framework of the study. It was argued that the displacement of many inhabitants away from their abode negatively affected the socioeconomic well-being of the people and human security in Maiduguri and Yola, the state capitals of Adamawa and Borno States. The study recommends that the federal and state governments, as well as private individuals and other philanthropists, should increase their level of intervention and support for the survivors of insurgencies by providing food supplies in addition to shelter for them in Maiduguri and Yola. It further recommends that the Nigerian government expedite action on the resettlement of the survivors by securing their communities with early warning, detection, and response commands. This will give room for genuine reconstruction and resettlement of IDPs in their localities, thereby reducing the pressure on existing infrastructure and lowering the cost of living in the cities of Maiduguri and Yol
Method for Solving the Pareto Multi-Stakeholder Stable Solution Set of Multi-Objective Optimization for Land-Sea Intermodal Transport
Get PDFIntermodal transport involving both land and sea encompasses multiple stakeholders and objectives, often leading to mutually exclusive goals and discretely distributed optimal solutions. This complexity makes it challenging to generate stable intermodal transport schemes. To address this, the study proposes a method using Pareto correlation structure analysis to determine the stable solution set for multi-objective optimization in land-sea intermodal transport. By defining the Pareto solution space and employing dimensionality reduction and cluster analysis, a structured correlation model is constructed. This method utilizes projection and transformation operators based on stakeholder preferences to generate a stable Pareto solution set. Using the Shanghai-Qingdao intermodal transport as a case study, the Pareto solution set is generated through a multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm. Based on the preferences of various stakeholders, including consignors, carriers, and environmental departments regarding transportation objectives, a multi-stakeholder stable solution set is obtained. The results indicate that, compared to schemes derived through weighted summation, the transportation schemes constructed using the proposed method balance stakeholders\u27 multi-objective requirements, improving overall stability by approximately 30% to 60%. This approach generates stable optimized candidate schemes, facilitating the management of complex intermodal transport scenarios and supporting the selection of multi-stakeholder optimization solutions
Urban Soil Dynamics: The Relationship Between Soil Health and Urbanization
Get PDFUrbanization, combined with unsustainable agricultural practices, climate change, and pollution, poses a significant threat to soil health, leading to degradation with far-reaching impacts on ecosystems and human well-being. This article explores these challenges and specifically focuses on how urbanization affects soil health by degrading its quality and limiting its ability to sustain life. The study examines the dynamics of soil humification, the potential of urban soils to store carbon, and the critical impacts on food production and public health. Through a comprehensive analysis that includes geographical perspectives on soil-related issues, the article highlights innovative management strategies that can enhance the productivity and sustainability of urban soils. It emphasizes the urgent need to integrate soil science into environmental and urban planning to mitigate these negative impacts and promote a sustainable future
Diversity, Encounter Rate and Detection of Non-Volant Nocturnal Mammals on Two Malaysian Islands
Get PDFNocturnal mammals constitute a crucial component of tropical faunal diversity, but not much is known about the effects of anthropogenic disturbance on the habitat use and detectability of these species. We investigated which habitat and environmental variables impact the detectability of non-volant nocturnal arboreal mammals across varying habitat types at two tropical islands with different levels of anthropogenic development in Malaysia. We conducted night transect line and point count surveys following pre-existing paths in Penang Island and Langkawi Island between 2019 and 2020. We used a head torch with red filter and a thermal imaging device (FLIR) to enhance animal detection success. We calculated the encounter rates (individual km–1) for each species as a proxy for abundance. Overall, we detected 17 species, but did not find higher species diversity in intact forested environments compared to disturbed areas. Encounter rates of the most observed species were influenced by ‘time after sunset’ on the highly developed island of Penang, whereas on the rural island of Langkawi, detection was higher in sites with better canopy connectivity. Different species of non-volant nocturnal arboreal mammals use their respective habitats differently and thus, are differently impacted by varying levels of anthropogenic activities. Our results provided baseline data on the diversity, encounter rate, and detectability of these highly elusive species, which can also help to further improve methodologies for the detection of nocturnal wildlife
Investigating Drivers Impacting Carbon Stock and Carbon Offset in a Large-Scale Rubber Plantation in the Middle South of Thailand
Get PDFA large-scale rubber plantation in Southern Thailand is expected to capture a significant amount of carbon dioxide from emissions through carbon sinks in the vegetation and soil. The goal of this research is to create a carbon offset assessment for rubber plantations lasting for 30 years using a voluntary market contract approach. To evaluate the area of large-scale rubber plantations, this study evaluated major growing regions in five provinces in the middle-south region of Thailand (Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Satun and Trang) using an integrated RS-GIS technique that incorporated biomass allometric equations, soil series databases, and object-based classification. The classification of rubber plantation areas and the mapping of rubber stand ages were conducted to estimate the above-ground biomass of the rubber tree. Texture analysis was used in the rubber classification process, and NDVI was combined with texture analysis to separate vegetation areas from other land cover. Four groups of varying ages (1–6, 7–13, 14–20 and 21–30 years old) were evaluated for their capacity to generate carbon offsets. The equations of voluntary market contract revenue according to the contract method of the CCX were applied for this case study. This evaluation was used to estimate their annual value, total and net incomes in the carbon market price regarding the RGGI Allowance (RGA). Carbon offset income was then used to estimate the potential income (over a 30-year period) of the life of the contract. The results showed that the carbon stock potential of rubber plantations depended on the age of the trees and the soil carbon stock. The total carbon stock in the rubber plantations varied from 249.73 to 301.48 Mg C/ha (or equivalently 916.49 to 1,106.44 Mg CO2e/ha). Furthermore, the potential net income of the contract was estimated to be between USD5,378.32 and USD5,930.38 Mg CO2e/ha over a 30-year period according to the voluntary market contract revenue. These results suggest that the large agricultural land plot policy could create opportunities for carbon offsetting. The policy of large-scale rubber areas could be used as a tool and mechanism for farmers who are considering participating in carbon-crediting mechanisms. Then, farmers could use voluntary market contracts as a guide and foundation for their decision-making. The carbon offset credit strategy could assist Thailand in achieving its climate goals of transitioning to a low-carbon agriculture sector
Biochemical Characterisation and In vitro Antitumour Effect of Parotoid Gland Secretions of the Egyptian Toad (Bufo relgularis)
Get PDFThis study aims to determine the biochemical compositions and the in vitro antitumour effect of the parotoid gland secretions (PGS) of the Egyptian toad (Bufo regularis). The total protein, lipid, carbohydrate contents, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), the median inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), sodium dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) profile, amino acid analysis, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis and minerals were determined in PGS. The in vitro antitumour effect of PGS against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) and normal lung fibroblast (WI-38) cell lines were determined. The total protein, lipid and carbohydrate contents of PGS were 250 ± 15 mg/g D.W, 33 ± 3.2 mg/g D.W and 5 ± 0.65 mg/g D.W, respectively, while its TAC was 16.56 ± 0.12 mg/g D.W and the IC50 of DPPH was 51.95 ± 2.95 mg/mL. Six protein bands varied between 10 and 50 kDa were found in PGS. Among amino acid profile, arginine showed the highest content in PGS. GC-MS analysis showed that 11-octadecenoic acid methyl ester was the highest concentrations in PGS. The half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of PGS against HepG-2, MCF-7 and WI-38 cells were 131.82 ± 6.14, 189.71 ± 8.95 and 685.65 ± 33.1 ?g/mL, respectively. In vitro study showed that treatment of HepG-2 and MCF-7 cells with PGS increased the percentages of early and late apoptotic. While the percentages of early and late apoptotic WI-38 cells after treatment with PGS were 2.1% and 3.7%. Cell cycle analysis showed that PGS treatment arrested HepG-2 and WI-38 in S-phase, while arrested MCF-7 cells in G2/M phase. The present study concluded that PGS has a potent antioxidant activity with in vitro antitumour effect against HepG-2 and MCF-7 cells.