DETERMINANTS OF WOMEN LABOR FORCE PARTCIPATION IN STEM OCCUPATIONS

ABSTRACT  While traditionally men have made up a sizable majority of individuals employed in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), the participation percentage of women in these fields is relatively low. The objective of this study is to analyse the type of working environment desired by women in order to encourage them to enter in and survive the STEM industry. The study conducted a number of systematic literature reviews on women and the STEM work environment. This review is guided by the PRISMA Statement review method (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyzes). A systematic literature review, conducted using the Scopus and Web of Science database, identified 17 relevant past studies. Further analysis of these articles resulted in two main themes being identified; namely psychosocial working environment and physical working environment. The two themes were further analysed into a total of 11 sub-themes. Several recommendations are highlighted for future qualitative studies to be conducted on the working environment, on encouraging working women to participate in the STEM industry and on women employees sustaining themselves in the industry. Keywords: working environment, women, joining, sustaining, STEM 

Growth response of Heritiera simplicifolia (Mast.) Kosterm. and Scaphium macropodum (Miq.) Beumée ex Heyne due to abiotic factors in the nursery

In the earliest stage of development, non-dipterocarp wildlings require specific environmental conditions; they are only able to acclimate to harsher environmental conditions after this stage. As such, the environment acts as a limiting factor of early-stage development in non-dipterocarp shade-tolerant species. We examined the survival rates and growth rates of Heritiera simplicifolia and Scaphium macropodum from the family Malvaceae in the different sets of abiotic conditions. Three abiotic environmental factors medium type, greenhouse technique, and light intensity were varied. The experiment was conducted for six months in an area near Hulu Terengganu Hydroelectric Dam, at the edge of the Tembat Forest Reserve. Height, diameter, leaves numbers, and leaf area was recorded. Our results indicate that the wildlings preferred higher daytime relative humidity and natural air ventilation at night, and they grew more quickly under SN50 (358.74 Photosynthetically Active Radiation; PAR) than under SN70 (101.41 PAR). Subsoil supplemented with vermicompost improved wildling growth more consistently than subsoil supplemented with compost or burned mesocarp. The wildling’s height relative growth rate (HRGR) and survival were affected by all treatments. These results indicate that restoration efforts using young indigenous tree species at degraded sites, supply better growth environments and organic nutrients to the rhizosphere

Growth response of Heritiera simplicifolia (Mast.) kosterm. and Scaphium macropodum (Miq.) Beumée ex Heyne due to abiotic factors in the nursery

In the earliest stage of development, non-dipterocarp wildlings require specific environmental conditions; they are only able to acclimate to harsher environmental conditions after this stage. As such, the environment acts as a limiting factor of early-stage development in non-dipterocarp shade-tolerant species. We examined the survival rates and growth rates of Heritiera simplicifolia and Scaphium macropodum from the family Malvaceae in the different sets of abiotic conditions. Three abiotic environmental factors medium type, greenhouse technique, and light intensity were varied. The experiment was conducted for six months in an area near Hulu Terengganu Hydroelectric Dam, at the edge of the Tembat Forest Reserve. Height, diameter, leaves numbers, and leaf area was recorded. Our results indicate that the wildlings preferred higher daytime relative humidity and natural air ventilation at night, and they grew more quickly under SN50 (358.74 Photosynthetically Active Radiation; PAR) than under SN70 (101.41 PAR). Subsoil supplemented with vermicompost improved wildling growth more consistently than subsoil supplemented with compost or burned mesocarp. The wildling’s height relative growth rate (HRGR) and survival were affected by all treatments. These results indicate that restoration efforts using young indigenous tree species at degraded sites, supply better growth environments and organic nutrients to the rhizosphere

Squatter houses in the area of Johor Bahru

Even though Malaysia is a developing country, it also experienced the problems of squatter houses. The construction of these houses has sprouted like mushrooms. However, are the squatter houses houses safe to be occupied? From the initial survey, it was found that the squatter houses are built not conforming to the Building by-laws. Some of the buildings will pose danger to the residents. Therefore the aim of this study is to explore the problems of the squatter houses and steps to taken by the authorities to achieve Zero Squatter’s area. The objectives of this study are to study the requirement of the building by-law of the existing squatter area, to evaluate the problems faced by the residents of the squatter houses, to evaluate the reasons given by the residents regarding on relocating them and to identify the steps taken by authorities in order to achieve Zero Squatter’s Areas. The study is carried out in Kempas, Johor Bahru. The study is conducted through questionnaires, interviews and on site visit. A total of 94 questionnaires were distributed to the respondents and 57 questionnaires were returned duly answered. The data is analysed using the average index. From the study, it is found that there is no the requirement of the building by-law for squatter area since it is illegal housing area. The problems faced by the residents of squatter houses are the distance between one building to another is too close, therefore the risk of exposed to fire is very high. The area does not have an appropriate garbage can, i.e. garbage disposal. Other problems are social problems among teenagers and sewerage system difficult to pump out. The reasons given by the residents of squatter regarding on relocating the residents are the size of the house provided by the government is small; the location of the house is far away from the working places and the government providing a high-rise housing type to the squatters. i.e: PPR. Meanwhile high-rise housing is not suitable for senior citizens. The steps taken by the authorities to achieve Zero Squatter Area are providing the squatters with more PPR (Projek Perumahan Rakyat), providing more low-cost flats with soft housing loan offered and providing more low-cost housing and considering of giving Temporary Occupation License (TOL) to the squatter

A study of piezoelectric as electric transducer on asphalt pavement

Electricity is a major source of necessity in human life nowadays. Renewable and clean energy resources have become a demanded research area due to the problems facing energy shortage. Piezoelectricity is a type of technology used for electrical energy harvesting from mechanical pressure such as mechanical efforts of the vehicles. The objectives in this study is to determine the best type of piezoelectric, the instalment method of piezoelectric under the asphalt pavement and to observe the value of voltage produced. This study has been undertaken as systematic literature review (SLR) to collect the data and results from previous study. This study starts with identification process to find out the related journals to the topic and continued with screening process. The last is eligibility process which is important to achieve the objectives of this study. The results show that PZT5H is the best type of piezoelectric transducers because it can generate more energy and suitable for harvesting energy. The most depth used for the installation of this piezoelectric transducer is 40mm depth under the asphalt. This asphalt pavement has an ability to absorb higher energy from mechanical movement and 40mm depth is the best location to embed the piezoelectric transducer with vertical spacing 2.5m and horizontal spacing 1.875m in order to ensure the wheel fully acting on the piezoelectric transducer. The voltage value in this study is not same with each previous study because different load produced different voltage even use the same PZT and same depth

Perceptions of undergraduate pharmacy students towards online assessments used during the COVID-19 pandemic in a public university in Malaysia.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the perceptions of undergraduate pharmacy students towards online assessments used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered, validated and pre-tested online questionnaire. The data were collected from December 2020 to January 2021 and analysed using descriptive and inferential tests. Results: Of the 233 respondents (response rate: 72%), approximately 45% strongly disagree or disagree that online assessment is better than the conventional method of assessment. Only 23.6% were very satisfied or satisfied with online assessment, while 28.8% were very dissatisfied or dissatisfied. About 80% experienced problems with online assessment including failure of portal/online server (63.5%), slow or failure of internet connection (45.5%) and a problem with laptop/gadget (40.8%). Females, final year students, and those who have access to very fast internet speed had significantly better perceptions towards online assessment. Conclusion: Undergraduate pharmacy students have negative perceptions towards online assessment used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the students experienced difficulties with online assessment and this may affect their performances. The challenges identified should be addressed in order to improve the use of online assessment in the future