Log supply in Peninsular Malaysia : is there a real cause for concern?

The future of the wood-based industry in Peninsular Malaysia is at stake as the industry is facing yet another general shortage of log supply. This paper analysed the log supply situation by comparing log production and domestic demand for logs in Peninsular Malaysia from 1990 to 2006. By year 1999, local demand for logs exceeded production. The gap would probably widen in the future as log production is expected to maintain its downward trend due to reduction in total forest lands harvested, decline in yield of log production, and irregular production of logs from rubber and forest plantations. Peninsular Malaysia will have to be dependent not only on the import of logs but also other wood-based products in the future

Marketing certified wood products to Malaysian consumers: exploring issues for the local wood-based industry.

The Malaysian domestic market has yet to be an outlet for certified wood products. Some issues are identified and discussed with the objective of stimulating interest and discussion in marketing of certified wood products to the Malaysian consumers. These are promoting and developing ecologically conscious consumption among the Malaysian public, determining willingness to pay for certified wood products by the consumers and "greening" of the wood products supply chain. The Malaysian consumers could be a market for certified wood products if these issues, and probably many others, are addressed by the country's wood-product manufacturing sector

BARRIERS AND ENABLERS OF WEIGHT LOSS MAINTENANCE AFTER BARIATRIC SURGERY

Weight loss maintenance following bariatric surgery is still a challenging task, with a great probability of failure and weight regain. Aims: This qualitative study aimed to use the socialecological model to better understand barriers and facilitators of weight loss maintenance in adult Emiratis who have undergone bariatric surgery. Methods: This qualitative research involved in-depth individual interviews of 35 adults who performed bariatric surgery at Altaie Center in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates between January 2018, and December 2019 (40 % male) with a mean age of 36.3±8.6 years. The only two surgeries included in this study were sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Rouxen- Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB). The questionnaire included different sections based on the Social Ecological Model (SEM). To assess patient experiences, thematic analysis was used. Qualitative data analysis software, NVIVO 12 was used to facilitate text-based analysis. Results: Participants (n = 35) were mostly female (60 %), had pre-surgery body mass index (BMI) (42.8± 4.9kg/m2), and had gastric sleeve surgery (65.7%). Five main themes emerged from the analysis: Motivators for bariatric surgery, Challenges after bariatric surgery, Enablers for maintaining weight loss two years after the surgery, Strategies and Suggestions. Participants mentioned that resolving comorbidities, particularly type 2 diabetes, and having low self-esteem encouraged them to get bariatric surgery. Participants experienced nausea/vomiting after overeating, heartburn, time constraints, and social eating problems. Enablers for maintaining weight loss included avoiding sagging skin and avoiding gastrointestinal discomfort. Family members and medical team support encouraged the participants to maintain their weight post-surgery. Participants used injections, pills, and weight loss surgeries to lose weight before deciding on bariatric surgery, but post-surgery some avoided fast foods, and fatty foods and some craved chocolates and fried potato chips more. The majority of participants reported that the food served at workplaces and schools is unhealthy. Conclusions: This is the first study to describe the enablers and barriers of weight loss maintenance two years after bariatric surgery among the adult Emirati population. These findings could help improve the long-term success and well-being of individuals who underwent bariatric surgeries. Moreover, the results will contribute to our understanding of the various challenges and enablers of weight loss maintenance following bariatric surgery in societal and cultural contexts

The Evolution of the Pan African Women’s Organization (PAWO): A Case Study of Women’s Involvement in Pan-Africanism

The thesis investigates how PAWO has engaged with and defined African cultural values and practices, while also examining the social and political challenges it has faced and its prospects as a social and political organization. The research explores the formation of PAWO during liberation movements in Africa, when women played pivotal roles in the creation of new nations. As the continent transitioned from liberation movements to government development, PAWO underwent significant transformations influenced by socioeconomic events and social developments. Key factors shaping PAWO\u27s evolution include the emergence of femnocrats as women gained formal political roles, a decline in local women\u27s participation, and ongoing political discussions and conflicts related to gender roles and sexuality. The thesis aims to address two central research questions: the establishment of PAWO and its evolution over time. By charting the historical trajectory of PAWO from its origins as the All African Women\u27s Conference to its current form, the study identifies significant epochs that have shaped the organization\u27s development. The research conceptualizes PAWO as a Pan-African organization, drawing on the perspectives of scholars like Sylvia Tamale and Grace Bantebya Kyomuhendo. In summary, the thesis argues that PAWO emerged during Africa\u27s liberation struggles, with women actively participating in nation-building efforts. As the continent transitioned to more established state systems, PAWO underwent substantial transformations. In addition to economic and political factors, broader societal changes, such as the rise of femnocrats, declining local women\u27s participation, and discussions on gender and sexuality, played a significant role in driving shifts and restructuring within the organization

The mystical doctrine of Abū-Ṭālib al-Makkī as found in his book Qūt al-qulūb

The purpose of this study is to examine the life and works of Abu-Talib al-Makkx, one of the greatest sufi writers of the fourth Islamic century, with special attention being paid to his mystical doctrine, as expounded in his chief work entitled "Qut al-Qulub fx mu'amalat al-mahbtib" .The thesis is divided into two parts. The first part, which constitutes the first chapter, deals with the biography of al-Makkx and examines the characteristic traits of his thoughts and personality.In the second part, which constitutes four chapters, the mystical doctrine of al-Makkx is studied under the broad based divisions of: The religious life (ch. Ii), the mystical doctrine (ch. Ill), the mystical life (ch. IV), the mystic path (ch. V).In analysing al-Makkx's mystical doctrine, detailed studies are made in relation to his concept of religious life as a preliminary basis for the higher mystical life, and his concept of mystical life with special reference to his concept of the heart, science of the heart, theory of knowledge, gnosis, and finally his concept of the mystical states and stations.This thesis shows the contribution made by al-Makkx, to the formulation of sufi theory and practice, during the most significant period of sufism, namely the period of formulation, systematisation, and documentation

Wooden household furniture: Does brand matter?

Consumers evaluate a product based on various attributes when making a purchase decision. The attributes considered and their importance varies among individuals and differs between products. This paper reports the findings from an exploratory study on the importance of brands in wooden household furniture purchase decision among Malaysian consumers. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. Results indicated that the respondents are not concerned about brands, but are instead price-conscious and placed more importance on the tangible attributes ofthe wooden household furniture items. Brand familiarity among the respondents was low. This paper discusses how the wooden household furniture manufacturers can brand their product in an effective way

Timber use practices in Malaysia’s construction industry: single-family residential building sector

The importance of domestic timber market in Malaysia is recognised with the launch of the National Timber Industry Plan in 2009, which calls for promoting and encouraging the use of timber products by the local construction industry. A study was conducted to provide information on the current use of timber products in the single-family residential building sector as it is one of the major development projects undertaken by the construction industry. In specific, the study aimed to identify the types and to estimate the amount of timber products used in the construction and those installed in the completed single-family residential building units. Data for the study were collected using a self-administered, openended questionnaire sent to constructions firms in Selangor and the Federal territory of Kula Lumpur advertising the sale of their residential building units in the local newspapers and the internet during the survey period. The respondents of the study were project managers or quantity surveyors who were involved directly in the supervision and monitoring of the residential projects constructed by the construction firms. The amount of sawn timber and plywood used for the construction of the residential units ranges from 0.05 to 0.07 cu. m/sq. m. and 0.01 to 0.07 cu. m./sq. m., respectively. The most common timber products installed in the completed residential units are wooden/timber doors. Other traditional timber-based products are still being used but they are continually replaced by other building materials such as aluminium, steel and glass. Efforts to promote timber products to the single-family residential building sector should target on their uses in the completed residential building units

Perception of airport users' on environmental-friendly airport chair design in KLIA

Malaysia Airport Holding Berhad (MAHB) has taken several measures to spread environmental awareness among the staff and communities. Nevertheless, the awareness appeared to be lacking in the context of eco-design product. Eco-design integrates multifaceted design aspects and reflects the environment concept. Understanding consumers’ needs and desires is imperative in designing environmental-friendly product. As consumers’ expectation plays an important role in developing eco-products, a survey was carried out to evaluate the user’ (passengers) environmental-friendly perception and eco-design attributes on the current airport chair use in KLIA. In KLIA, airport chairs appear to be the significant facility used by the passengers. The results indicated that the most users rated that the existing airport chair did not apply environmental-friendly practices. Users viewed on attributes characteristics for eco-design chair was categorized into physical appearance (i.e.- attraction feelings, design and colour), sensational feeling (i.e.- physical, health, and usability) and physical characteristics (recycle, reusable, eco-material, reduce cost and reduce environmental impact). Based from these findings, this study contributed towards integrating environmental-friendly concept with users’ perception as part to promote sustainable product

Perception of airport users on environmental-friendly airport chair design in KLIA

Malaysia Airport Holding Berhad (MAHB) has taken several measures to spread environmental awareness among the staff and communities. Nevertheless, the awareness appeared to be lacking in the context of ecodesign product. Eco-design integrates multifaceted design aspects and reflects the environment concept. Understanding consumers’ needs and desires is imperative in designing environmental-friendly product. As consumers’ expectation plays an important role in developing eco-products, a survey was carried out to evaluate the user’ (passengers) environmental-friendly perception and eco-design attributes on the current airport chair use in KLIA. In KLIA, airport chairs appear to be the significant facility used by the passengers. The results indicated that the most users rated that the existing airport chair did not apply environmental-friendly practices. Users viewed on attributes characteristics for eco-design chair was categorized into physical appearance (i.e.- attraction feelings, design and colour), sensational feeling (i.e.- physical, health, and usability) and physical characteristics (recycle, reusable, eco-material, reduce cost and reduce environmental impact). Based from these findings, this study contributed towards integrating environmentalfriendly concept with users’ perception as part to promote sustainable product

Wooden furniture purchase attributes: a Malaysian consumers' perspective

Consumers evaluate a product based on various attributes when making a purchase decision. In this paper, the types of attributes important of Malaysian consumers when purchasing wooden living room furniture were investigated. Data were gathered from questionnaire survey of 115 mall-intercepted adult respondents on the perceived importance of five products and two store-related attributes. It was found that (in rank order) quality, design, and price of the wooden furniture were important product-related purchase attributes for Malaysian consumers. These consumers are expected to limit their purchase to neighbourhood outlets as the location of retail outlets is perceived as an important store-related attribute. Demographic characteristics of the respondents have an influence on the perceived importance of the attributes