Bioreactor Co-Composting Of Sewage Sludge and Restaurant Waste

Composting is an environmental-friendly method to tackle the disposal problem of sewage sludges and municipal solid waste. With appropriate nutrients, porosity, density and moisture content during composting, pathogens such as Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli etc. will be destroyed and the organic matter will be stabilized producing a compost product that can contribute directly to soil fertility and conditioning. Composting process system has been modernized from the heap or windrow system to the reactor system, which is a comparatively fast process. A 200 liters rotating drum bioreactor/composter was designed, fabricated and used in this cocomposting study. This bioreactor was designed in Universiti Putra Malaysia and was fabricated by Amsea Environment Sdn. Bhd. Three different types of dewatered sewage sludges, i.e. septic tank, oxidation pond and activated sewage sludges were successfully co-composted with municipal solid waste in a two-stage process. The physicochemical and biological characteristics of these municipal solid waste (restaurant waste) and sewage sludges were measured before being used as raw materials for the co-composting process. For the bioreactor composting, the raw materials were fermented for 7 days inside the 200 liters bioreactor before being matured outside the bioreactor in a windrow pile until fully matured and ready to be used. A 2:1 (w/w) ratio of municipal solid waste and sewage sludge was found to give the best initial C/N ratio for the composting process. The carbon content decreased and the nitrogen content increased towards the end of the composting process, which resulted in the reduction of C/N ratio during the composting process to below 20. The low C/N ratio of the final compost product was very important as the indicator of compost maturity and stability. The breakdown of organic materials inside the bioreactor did not increase the temperature to the thermophilic range (50-60°C), where breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms is at the optimum rate. In order to overcome the temperature problem, heated air was supplied to the bioreactor, increasing the temperature of the composting process. Shredded garden waste was added as bulking agent. Bioreactor co-composting took around 40-45 days to produce matured compost. The characteristics of the sewage sludge compost products were almost similar compared to commercial compost available in the local market and also complied with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) standard. By using bioreactor system the compost products were improved based on nutrient contents and duration of composting process. The planting out performance of spinach with the research compost showed satisfactory results

Consumer acceptance of Islamic home financing

Purpose – This study aims to examine the factors influencing the consumer acceptance on Islamic home financing products amongst clients of Islamic banks. For the purpose, the study extends the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) in explaining the Islamic home financing adoption along. Further, the study also intends to analyze the effects of “Islamicity of product” and seven demographic factors on the consumer acceptance of Islamic home financing products. Design/methodology/approach – Using the TPB model as a baseline theory, data are collected from bank customers in East Malaysia involving two cities, namely, Kota Kinabalu and Labuan, using self-administered questionnaires. A total of 300 questionnaires are distributed; however, only 278 are found usable. We use ordered probit model to analyze the effects of attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, Islamicity of product and demographic factors. Findings – Using the ordered probit model, this study finds that attitude, subjective norm, perceived control and Islamicity of product are instrumental in determining the consumer acceptance of Islamic home financing products. Concerned with demographic items, the study finds that marital status, ethnic, occupation and religion are influential. It is also discovered, however, that gender, academic qualification and monthly income have little effects on the consumer acceptance. Research limitations/implications – Three limitations are available for future studies. First, the current work does not include the experienced users who patronize Islamic home financing products. Second, the contribution of the present study is confined to the analyzed explanatory variables. Third, this study also has geographical constraint in which it is conducted in East Malaysia whilst samples from West-Malaysia are overlooked. These limitations, however, provide directions for further future research. Practical implications – Essentially, this study is a pioneering effort in applying the TPB model to the new context of Islamic home financing products in Malaysia. The study integrates the effects of Islamicity of product and demographic factors on the consumer acceptance on Islamic home financing products. The TPB model is proven valid and is reliable in predicting the consumer acceptance on Islamic home financing products. Originality/value – This study introduces Islamicity of product and demographic factors in explaining the consumer acceptance on Islamic home financing products. Most fundamentally, this study proposes a modified theoretical framework that is of paramount importance to predict the demand of Islamic home financing products in the future

Effect of Groundnut Plant Residues on Germination and Radicle Elongation of Four Crop Species

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) )yield has been reported to decrease by more than 50% with successive croppings. Filtrates from fresh and decomposed groundnut plant residues were bioassyed for their effects on germination and radicle elongation of four crop species. Results obtained indicated that the inhibitory substance(s)present in the residues is soluble in water; heat treatment or prolonged decomposition seemed 10 reduces or possible eliminate the inhibitory activity of the residues. The production of the inhibitor(s) also seem to follow a cycle and may also be associated with changes in pH of the residue filtrates.Delaying D planting of the subsequent crop is suggested as a precaution against poor germination and early growth if plant residue Were incorporated or left on Ihe soilsurface after harvest

Growth inhibition and stimulation by groundnut plant residue

Groundnut plant residue at different placements in the soil was tested for phytotoxic and other effects on the growth and development of groundnut and maize plants. Results indicated that the residue released substances during decomposition that inhibited growth and development of groundnut. Residues mixed with the soil or banded in a layer below the seed was the most inhibitory to the growth of groundnut. However, early maize growth was stimulated by the presence of residue on the soil surface or in the soil

Malady in the sky

Birds migrating across national and intercontinental borders can play a role in the spread of infectious diseases. Their capability to travel over long distances and through a diversity of habitats exposes them to a wide range of microorganisms such as bacteria, virus, parasite or drug-resistant organisms. Similar to wild birds, these migratory birds are hosts or natural reservoirs for many zoonotic diseases. Without showing any clinical signs, they act as a silent disease carrier by possessing pathogens that can threaten the well-being of other animals and humans, hence, raising concern on public confidence in health care, food safety, and security

Implementing gold investment for Malaysian Employees Provident Fund (EPF)

The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) was established under the Provident Fund Act 1991 (Act 452) which provides retirement benefits to its contributors under an efficient and trusted management appointed by the government. Both private and public sector employees are allowed to contribute; whereby EPF acts as a fund manager on behalf of the contributors and provides a guaranteed minimum dividend of 2.5 per cent per annum. Majority of EPF investments are of low risk financial instruments; and this is done as to ensure the contributors enjoy the minimum returns. As majority of EPF contributors are Muslims, two critical issues have risen, especially when EPF seems to be ignorant by not investing in shariah compliant instruments on top of its uncompetitive returns. As gold investment has so far shown to produce high long term investment return, we examined the suitability of introducing shariah compliant gold investment saving account as one of the EPF portfolio investment instruments. We suggested that EPF allocates around 15 per cent of its investment portfolio in shariah compliant gold account for the benefit of EPF contributors as to maintain their purchasing power after retirement. As gold hedges against inflation, investing in shariah– compliant gold investment account solves the dilemma of Muslim EPF contributors in non-permissible investment