Design's factors influencing social interaction in public squares

This study provides a clear picture of effective use of public squares by taking into account the perceptions of users in Sabze Meydan of Qazvin (Iran). The study adopts a quantitative line of inquiry. The specific survey method used is cross-sectional survey design and a questionnaire survey. In the present study, the sampling method is non-probability (convenience) sampling with a sample size of 208 participants. The questionnaire includes a total of three constructs measuring design factors, social activity type and perception of users (about social environment of public square). Items in all scales used 5-point agreed-disagreed statements. In assessing the reliability of the questionnaire, the coefficient of Cronbach alpha was applied. The validity of the questionnaire, was tested using the content and construct validity. The structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesis and the finding of the research, which has the potential to enrich the body of knowledge among academicians as well as practitioners. In this study, new and un-established relationships have been hypothesized based on theory. The result revealed that the function of the public square has changed and there is a positive relationship between design factors, social activity and users' perception

Design's factors influencing social interaction in public squares

This study provides a clear picture of effective use of public squares by taking into account the perceptions of users in Sabze Meydan of Qazvin (Iran). The study adopts a quantitative line of inquiry. The specific survey method used is cross-sectional survey design and a questionnaire survey. In the present study, the sampling method is non-probability (convenience) sampling with a sample size of 208 participants. The questionnaire includes a total of three constructs measuring design factors, social activity type and perception of users (about social environment of public square). Items in all scales used 5-point agreed-disagreed statements. In assessing the reliability of the questionnaire, the coefficient of Cronbach alpha was applied. The validity of the questionnaire, was tested using the content and construct validity. The structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesis and the finding of the research, which has the potential to enrich the body of knowledge among academicians as well as practitioners. In this study, new and un-established relationships have been hypothesized based on theory. The result revealed that the function of the public square has changed and there is a positive relationship between design factors, social activity and users' perception

An elusive ectomycorrhizal fungus reveals itself: a new species of Geopora (Pyronemataceae) associated with Pinus edulis

Species of the genus Geopora are important ectomycorrhizal associates that can dominate the communities of some plant taxa, such as pinyon pine (Pinus edulis), a widespread tree of the western United States. Several members of the genus Geopora are known only from ectomycorrhizal root tips and thus have not been described formally. The sporocarps of some Geopora species occur infrequently because they depend on wet years for sporulation. In addition, Geopora sporocarps can be small and may be hypogeous at some developmental stage, limiting the opportunities for describing their morphology. Using molecular and morphological data, we have described a new species of fungus, Geopora pinyonensis, which produced ascocarps after unusually high precipitation at a northern Arizona site in summer 2012. Based on analysis of the ITS and nuLSU regions of the rDNA, G pinyonensis is a new species of Geopora. It has small sporocarps and ascospores relative to other members of the genus; however, these morphological features overlap with other species. Using rDNA data from sporocarps and ectomycorrhizal root tips, we show that the sporocarps correspond to an abundant species of ectomycorrhizal fungus associated with pinyon pines that is increasing in abundance in drought-affected landscapes and may promote drought tolerance

Snowy Laundry / Myedzatul Noradeela Azdi... [et al.]

Our company’s name is Snowy Laundry and we are provided laundry services to all students that are studying in UiTM Sabah. Our business location is at Blok A2, Kolej Kediaman Kluster A, UiTM Sabah, Beg Berkunci 71, 88997, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. We form a partnership business for this laundry service and have a task and responsibility on their own position whereby General Manager and the Administration Manager is Myedzatul Noradeela Binti Azdi, Marketing Manager is Nadhira Binti Lamit, Operation Manager is Nur Afieza Binti Halim and Financial Manager is Siti Nor Sakilah Binti Sumadi. Each of this position was very important to ensure the business objective, vision and mission can be achieved. In this partnership business we already make an agreement which is agreed by every member and this agreement is to prevent from any problem occur in future. Apart from that, we also have an incentive scheme for employee to encourage them to more responsible and have a high commitment in carrying their job. We had given incentive scheme like salary, employee’s provident fund (EPF), Social Security Organization (SOCSO), sick leave, bonus, and maternity leave. Other than that, we also have contribution among our members in term of cash, office equipment and fixed asset. Our cash contribution is RM20, 000 per partner. Besides that, we make a proper plan for each department to ensure the business objective can be achieved. Marketing plan involve the size market of the business, competitor, target market, strategies to promoting business and so on. The proper marketing plans know the best strategies to promote the business and also know how to compete with the other competitor. The strategy that we made to promote our business is through banner, signboard and also brochure. Furthermore, we also made a proper operation plan. Operation plan includes operation process planning, material planning, location planning and so on. Overall function of the operation plan is to ensure that the sources can be allocating in an effective and efficient way to prevent wastage of the resources and loss of production. In addition, choosing a strategic location planning is very important decision to make, because once the operation decided, it cannot be change and involve a lot of cost. Moreover, we also ensure that we make a proper financial planning. Through the financial planning we can determine the development and achievement of the business that we had planned. Financial will involve all of the cost needed from each department, such as administration budget, marketing budget and also the operational budget. All the data are very important to prepare financial projections for the current time and also in future. It is to provide a clear estimation of amount of money that needed to start and run a business. Therefore, each department perform an important task and responsibility in order to complete the business goals and the General Manager also have the most responsibility to planning, organizing, leading and controlling all the activities and employee to ensure that the business can run smoothly. Our laundry will provide the best laundry services to our customers and customer satisfaction is our priority

Ecological and Evolutionary Interaction Network Exploration: Addressing the Complexity of Biological Interactions in Natural Systems with Community Genetics and Statistics

Symposium Pape

Behavioural Observation Of Human Stationary And Sustained Activities In Pedestrian Priority Streets Of Johor Bahru

Streets are considered to be major public spaces in the urban fabric. A pedestrian street is a street in which the carriageway space has been prioritised for pedestrian use. In Malaysia, due to enhancements of the streetscape and the promotion of the qualities of urban spaces, "pedestrianisation" has been suggested as a solution to recover space for pedestrian and non-traffic activities. A review of the literature has revealed that when people engage in a variety of activities, the streets become livelier. However, few empirical studies have addressed stationary and sustained activities in pedestrian streets. This research focused on pedestrian activities in Meldrum Walk and Segget Walk in Johor Bahru. Through behavioural observation, data on pedestrians of diverse age groups and genders, along with different types of activities and postures, were analysed. This study recommended that policy makers initiate conscious attempts to create diverse environments to attract a varied group of people to reside near pedestrian streets or attract visitors to frequent these streets. In addition, policy makers need to focus on interest groups, including children, senior citizens and/or disabled people, to make it easier for these groups to participate in activities in pedestrian streets

The vitality of a pedestrian street in Johor Bahru City

In Malaysia, similar to other parts of the world, majority of urban development occurs along the streets. On the other hand, streets involve much of public life in each city and creating successful streets has been always desired, since socially activating streets are crucial for the users and the sustainability of the cities, they belong. Considering the recent improvements of the physical contexts in a traditional street of Malaysia, this study aims to investigate the social vitality status of Meldrum Walk, in which the priority is given to non-motorised users. The main focus of the study is on the current users, the ways they participate and the activities they involve, together with the purposes of their involvement in that street. Structured behavioral observation and questionnaire survey are the two methods applied for this study

Heritage contribution in sustainable city

The concept of sustainability has been an integral part of development work since the late 1970s. Sustainability is no longer a buzzword but a reality that must be addressed by cities all over the world. Increasing empirical evidence indicates that city sustainability is not just related to technical issues, such as carbon emissions, energy consumption and waste management, or on the economic aspects of urban regeneration and growth, but also it covers social well-being of different groups living within increasingly cosmopolitan towns and cities. Heritage is seen as a major component of quality of life, features that give a city its unique character and provide the sense of belonging that lies at the core of cultural identity. In other words, heritage by providing important social and psychological benefits enrich human life with meanings and emotions, and raise quality of life as a key component of sustainability. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to examine the role that built cultural heritage can play within sustainable urban development

A path walkability assessment index model for evaluating and facilitating retail walking using decision-tree-making (DTM) method

Transportation is the major contributor of ever-increasing CO2 and Greenhouse Gas emissions in cities. The ever-increasing hazardous emissions of transportation and energy consumption have persuaded transportation and urban planners to motivate people to nonmotorized mode of travel, especially walking. Currently, there are several urban walkability assessment models; however, coping with a limited range of walkability assessment variables make these models not fully able to promote inclusive walkable urban neighborhoods. In this regard, this study develops the path walkability assessment (PWA) index model which evaluates and analyzes path walkability in association with the pedestrian's decision-tree-making (DTM). The model converts the pedestrian's DTM qualitative data to quantifiable values. This model involves ninetytwo (92) physical and environmental walkability assessment variables clustered into three layers of DTM (Layer 1: features; Layer 2: Criteria; and Layer 3: Sub-Criteria), and scoped to shopping and retail type of walking. The PWA model as a global decision support tool can be applied in any neighborhood in the world, and this study implements it at Taman Universiti neighborhood in Skudai, Malaysia. The PWA model has established the walkability score index which determines the grading rate of walkability accomplishment for each walkability variable of the under-survey neighborhood. Using the PWA grading index enables urban designers to manage properly the financial resource allocation for inspiring walkability in the targeted neighborhood.Scopu

A path walkability assessment index model for evaluating and facilitating retail walking using decision-tree-making (DTM) method

Transportation is the major contributor of ever-increasing CO2 and Greenhouse Gas emissions in cities. The ever-increasing hazardous emissions of transportation and energy consumption have persuaded transportation and urban planners to motivate people to nonmotorized mode of travel, especially walking. Currently, there are several urban walkability assessment models; however, coping with a limited range of walkability assessment variables make these models not fully able to promote inclusive walkable urban neighborhoods. In this regard, this study develops the path walkability assessment (PWA) index model which evaluates and analyzes path walkability in association with the pedestrian's decision-tree-making (DTM). The model converts the pedestrian's DTM qualitative data to quantifiable values. This model involves ninetytwo (92) physical and environmental walkability assessment variables clustered into three layers of DTM (Layer 1: features; Layer 2: Criteria; and Layer 3: Sub-Criteria), and scoped to shopping and retail type of walking. The PWA model as a global decision support tool can be applied in any neighborhood in the world, and this study implements it at Taman Universiti neighborhood in Skudai, Malaysia. The PWA model has established the walkability score index which determines the grading rate of walkability accomplishment for each walkability variable of the under-survey neighborhood. Using the PWA grading index enables urban designers to manage properly the financial resource allocation for inspiring walkability in the targeted neighborhood