Perceptions of forested watershed protection initiatives in highland tourism area: the case of Cameron Highlands

The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) is applied in the context of forested watershed protection initiatives in highland tourism area of Cameron Highlands. Public’ perceptions on protection initiatives, i.e the management of fertilisers and pesticides in agricultural activity, voluntarily engagement in combating forest encroachment, and participating in conservation campaign are investigated using the face-to-face interview with respondents from five regions in Cameron Highlands (n = 143). The protection initiatives for forested watershed are predicted from the basis of (i) attitude, (ii) subjective norm, and (iii) perceived behavioural control. The effects of demographic characteristics and publics’ perception on protection encroached forested watershed area are also analysed. TPB comprises of measurement for the direct effects, where the subjective norms is found to have significant explanatory factor when analysed using Pearson correlation models. Other measurements including, the attitude and control factors have smaller but mutually equal effects on the respondents’ intention to protect the forested watershed area after being encroached from intensive agriculture and other farming activities. Considering both direct and indirect effects via attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control, the influence of government is perceived stronger in encouraging public to be involved in sustainable agriculture –oriented programme, in order to protect forested watershed in Cameron Highlands. Meanwhile, the engagement in awareness campaign regarding the management of fertilisers and pesticides in agricultural activity is also perceived important though seen as the only minor part of the initiatives. The findings show that the policy makers should implemented the protection initiatives based on the publics’ attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control. This is especially vital to conserve and protect the aesthetic of Cameron Highlands as a favourable highland tourism destination

Selling the past in films: Shaw Brothers and the Japanese occupation of Malaya

This article aims to examine the representation of Japanese occupation of Malaya in films produced by Shaw Brothers during the Golden Era of Malay cinema, namely “Sergeant Hassan” (1958) and “Matahari” (1958). Currently, films depicting the past are relatively less prevalent in Malaysia, and scholarly analysis is comparatively less conducted on such films. Hence, the authors try to analyse how the films, in a given context, which reconstruct and reflect the historical past are experienced by the society at large. Bearing in mind that the films are based on a similar subject (Japanese occupation as its backdrop), it is important to determine why different receptions were registered from the audiences on both films. This prompted the authors to examine the reasons why these two films received a different level of popularity from their contemporary audiences (in the late 1950s). In this article, both the textual and contextual analysis will be employed: the former method is used to interpret the meanings constructed through the film’s text and promotional materials for both films. The latter would explore the historical circumstances that shaped both the production and reception of the films. This is mainly through promotional materials as well as secondary sources through interviews conducted by third party researchers who had interviewed Shaw Brothers and those who had experience working with them. The findings of this article indicate that the Shaw Brothers were ambitious with their films projects about the Japanese Occupation by widening the promotion of “Sergeant Hassan” to a wider audience and not limited it solely to the Malays1. By capitalising on the historical pasts that the contemporary audiences (in the late 1950s) had personally experienced, Shaw Brothers had embarked on the complex relationship of socio-political and economic conditions which had also shaped different receptions towards these films

Factors contributing to unsafe abortion among women in Ngami sub-district, Botswana

Unintended pregnancies are the root cause of unsafe abortions which place a major financial strain on the health care system. Access to comprehensive safe abortion care service packages by all women who need the service prevents complications of unsafe abortions. In countries where abortion is legally restricted like Botswana, women with unintended pregnancies opt for illegal and unsafe procedures which lead to maternal morbidity and mortality associated with sepsis, septic abortion and haemorrhage. As for the Ngami sub-district, little is known regarding the circumstances that lead to unsafe abortions among women, hence the need for research to gain a deeper understanding of the contributory factors to unsafe abortion and the development of measures to curb unsafe abortion. Aim: The purpose of the study is to gain in-depth understanding of the contributing factors to unsafe abortions in order to develop possible measures to reduce unsafe abortions among women in the Ngami sub-district. Methodology: In this study, a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory phenomenology research approach was used. Relevant permissions and consent to conduct the study were obtained for the study to be ethical. COVID-19 pandemic preventative measures were also adhered to ensure continuous mitigation of potential harm to participants. The population included women of all ages who resided in the Ngami sub-district and were admitted to the gynaecological ward for unsafe abortions during the data collection period from June 2021 to August 2021. Convenience sampling technique was applied. Collection of data was through audio-taped face-to-face semi-structured interviews and analysis was done using the five steps of content analysis. Data saturation was reached with the 12th participant. Study findings: Three themes and 18 sub-themes emerged from the interviews conducted. The major themes are participants' reasons for unsafe abortions, effects of unsafe abortions and interventions to reduce unsafe abortions. Factors contributing to unsafe abortion include fear of violating family values and women's lack of autonomy; family planning concerns; perceived lack of options; political viewpoint and human rights components; economic reasons; unstable relationships; and a desire to continue studying. Contribution to the body of knowledge: The insights that the study has brought out are a steppingstone to interventions that the district health management team (DHMT) in the Ngami sub district should consider going forward to mitigate the prevalence of unsafe abortions. Conclusion: Women in the Ngami sub-district have proposed psychosocial counseling, youth-friendly services, economic empowerment, and legalize abortion to reduce unsafe abortions and prevent unintended pregnancies. Life skills can help women gain confidence, advocate for their sexual rights, and avoid unexpected pregnancies. The policy implication brought out in this study is the need to review the laws on abortion in Botswana.Health StudiesM.A. (Public Health

衛星解析と樹幹火傷観測に基づく日本の林野火災焼損度とその変動傾向の評価

Tohoku University風間聡課

Engineering cyanide-tolerant Arabidopsis thaliana

Cyanide is highly toxic as it inhibits respiration in aerobic organisms by binding to cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Plants naturally produce cyanide from the hydrolysis of cyanogenic glycosides and as a by-product of ethylene biosynthesis. β-Cyanoalanine synthase prevents self-poisoning by combining endogenous cyanide with cysteine in the mitochondria to form β-cyanoalanine, which is further hydrolysed to asparagine, or aspartate and ammonia, by plant nitrilase 4 enzymes. β-Cyanoalanine synthase activity enables plants to detoxify limited concentrations of exogenous cyanide. However, phytotoxicity and death occur from exposure to relatively low concentrations of exogenous cyanide. In contrast, some microorganisms have a high capacity for cyanide detoxification due to a number of metabolic pathways including the degradation of cyanide to formate and ammonia; or formamide, by bacterial cyanidase (CynD) and fungal cyanide hydratase (CHT), respectively. Environmental contamination caused by failure to contain cyanide from anthropogenic sources is an important global problem. Hydrometallurgical gold mining utilises cyanide as a lixiviant due to the high affinity of cyanide for gold and the stability of the resulting cyanometallic complexes in aqueous solution, and thus is a significant source of cyanide contamination of soil and water. Biological treatment methods for cyanide, such as phytoremediation, could provide alternatives to the currently used chemical destruction techniques with their associated disadvantages. The use of phytoremediation would require plants to tolerate high concentrations of cyanide in soil. Two attempts have previously been made, with some success, to increase cyanide tolerance in Arabidopsis by genetic engineering: the first, by augmenting the β-cyanoalanine synthase pathway using a microbial nitrilase; and, the second, by introducing a microbial detoxification pathway targeted to the chloroplasts while overexpressing the endogenous enzyme which metabolises the product of the cyanide detoxification reaction. The aim of the current study was to determine whether Arabidopsis thaliana could co-opt the CynD and CHT genes from the cyanide-degrading Bacillus pumilus and Neurospora crassa to detoxify higher levels of cyanide using the encoded enzymes, and whether targeting CynD and CHT to the mitochondria would confer a greater enhancement of cyanide tolerance on plants compared to targeting to the cytoplasm

History and perspectives of induction technology for agarwood production from cultivated Aquilaria in Asia: a review

Agarwood, the resinous product of Aquilaria spp. (Thymelaeaceae), is highly valued for medicinal and fragrant purposes. Unsustainable forest harvesting contributes to the declining population in the wild, threatening their existence. As a protection effort, cultivation occurred in range countries, mainly in Asia, effectively establishing mass plantations. The success of domesticating Aquilaria relies heavily on technological advancement in agarwood induction, without which the entire thriving industry will collapse. In this paper, we describe efforts since 1929 and current progress and variation in induction as practiced in Asia. The methods include traditional practices and artificial induction via inoculum and chemical inducer, experimented and patented or otherwise. Artificial induction methods are being developed to intensify agarwood production in terms of yield and quality. While traditional methods are commonly applied by rural planters, artificial methods with the use of specific agents/chemicals are seen as more appealing for inducing agarwood, and have a higher demand from entrepreneurs and plantation owners. Several issues related to induction technology faced by stakeholders in agarwood cultivation are presented, such as safety levels, cost, yields, and quality. We conclude by highlighting remaining challenges in induction methods and their associated technologies