Constraints to Participation in Outdoor Recreational Activities among Malay Females in Pulau Indah, Selangor, Malaysia

The study was carried out at four villages in Pulau Indah, Klang between December 2005 to March 2006. The data was collected by using a structured questionnaire. The purpose of this research is to identify the constraining factors affecting participation in outdoor recreational activities among Malay females. The objectives are to determine interpersonal, intrapersonal and structural constraining factors affecting Malay females level of participation in outdoor recreational activitiess at Pulau Indah, Klang, to identify the type of recreation activities Malay females are willing to participate in and to identify elements that would facilitate Malay females to participate in outdoor recreational activities based on their demographics profile and constraints. Interest in outdoor recreation and physical ability are the major factors in intrapersonal. Meanwhile for interpersonal constraints, the factors include friend’s participation, friend’s knowledge on the benefits of outdoor recreation and the respondent’s concern on accidents or injuries with the involvement of incompetent friends. Busy with commitment, do not have own transportation, do not have strong financial support and knowledge about the type of facilities provided which suit their preference are among the structural constraints for which the Malay females in Pulau Indah do not participate in outdoor recreation. The most serious constraint for Malay females in Pulau Indah is intrapersonal constraints. Respondents in Pulau Indah, Klang generally have the desire to participate in outdoor recreational activities, which are adventurous, challenging, and nature based such as rock climbing, trekking, jet skiing, sight-seeing and traveling. The different age group, occupation, marital status and education level provided the different types of outdoor recreation activity preferences. Malay females in Pulau Indah, reported that the key measure needed to encourage Malay females participation in outdoor recreational activities is through the dissemination of information concerning the benefits and importance of outdoor recreation. Activities offered should also be suitable with the Malay custom and culture, and that parks should provide good and comfortable facilities. Besides that, the parks also need to provide complete and proper equipments. Fitness, physical ability, the availability of time and safety also influence their participation in outdoor recreational activities. Respondents also suggested that Majlis Perbandaran Klang (MPK) provide quality recreational parks to attract their participation in outdoor recreational activities

Metal inducible activity of the oil palm metallothionein-like gene promoter (MT3-A) in prokaryotes.

Reporter gene activity under the regulation of the oil palm metallothionein-like gene, MT3-A promoter was assessed in prokaryotes. Vector constructs containing MT3-A promoter with (W1MT3-A) and without (W2MT3-A) five prime untranslated region (5'-UTR) fused to ß-glucuronidase (GUS) gene in pCAMBIA 1304 vector were produced. 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) using mRNA isolated from Escherichia coli and Agrobacterium tumefaciens harboring W1MT3-A confirmed that fusion transcripts of MT3-A 5'-UTR-GUS were successfully produced in both bacteria. Competitive PCR and GUS fluorometric assay showed changes in the level of GUS gene transcripts and enzyme activity in response to increasing concentrations of Cu²+ and Zn²+. The application of Cu²+ increased GUS activity and GUS mRNA level in both bacteria. In E. coli, a high level of GUS activity driven by W1MT3-A and W2MT3-A was observed in treatment with 25 μM Cu²+ resulting in an increase in the GUS mRNA level to 7.2 and 7.5 x 10⁻⁴ pmol/μl respectively, compared to the control (5.1 x 10⁻⁴ pmol/μl). The lowest GUS activity and GUS mRNA level were obtained for W1MT3-A and W2MT3-A in the presence of 100 μM Cu²+ in both bacteria compared to the control (without Cu²+). The application of different Zn²+ concentrations resulted in a strong decrease in the GUS activity and GUS mRNA level in E. coli and A. tumefaciens. These findings showed that the oil palm MT3-A promoter is functional in prokaryotes and produced detectable GUS transcripts and enzyme activities. This promoter may potentially be used in prokaryotic systems which require metal inducible gene expression

An efficient Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of strawberry cv. camarosa by dual plasmid system

An Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method was applied to introduce the luciferase reporter gene under the control of the CaMV35S promoter in the pGreen0049 binary vector into strawberry cv. Camarosa. The in vitro regeneration system of strawberry leaves to be used in the transformation was optimized using different TDZ concentrations in MS medium. TDZ at 16 µM showed the highest percentage (100%) of shoot formation and the highest mean number of shoots (24) produced per explant. Studies on the effects of different antibiotics, namely timentin, cefotaxime, carbenicillin and ampicillin, on shoot regeneration of strawberry leaf explants showed the best shoot regeneration in the presence of 300 mg/L timentin and 150 mg/L cefotaxime. Assessment of the different factors affecting Agrobacterium mediated-transformation of strawberry with the luciferase gene showed the highest efficiency of putative transformant production (86%) in the treatment with no preculture, bacterial OD600 of 0.6 and the addition of 150 mg/L cefotaxime in the pre-selection and selection media. The presence of the luciferase gene in the plant genome was verified by the luciferase reporter gene assay, nested PCR amplification and dot blot of genomic DNA isolated from the young leaves of each putatively transformed plantlet

Oil palm EgCBF3 conferred stress tolerance in transgenic tomato plants through modulation of the ethylene signaling pathway

CBF/DREB1 is a group of transcription factors that are mainly involved in abiotic stress tolerance in plants. They belong to the AP2/ERF superfamily of plant-specific transcription factors. A gene encoding a new member of this group was isolated from ripening oil palm fruit and designated as EgCBF3. The oil palm fruit demonstrates the characteristics of a climacteric fruit like tomato, in which ethylene has a major impact on the ripening process. A transgenic approach was used for functional characterization of the EgCBF3, using tomato as the model plant. The effects of ectopic expression of EgCBF3 were analyzed based on expression profiling of the ethylene biosynthesis-related genes, anti-freeze proteins (AFPs), abiotic stress tolerance and plant growth and development. The EgCBF3 tomatoes demonstrated altered phenotypes compared to the wild type tomatoes. Delayed leaf senescence and flowering, increased chlorophyll content and abnormal flowering were the consequences of overexpression of EgCBF3 in the transgenic tomatoes. The EgCBF3 tomatoes demonstrated enhanced abiotic stress tolerance under in vitro conditions. Further, transcript levels of ethylene biosynthesis-related genes, including three SlACSs and two SlACOs, were altered in the transgenic plants’ leaves and roots compared to that in the wild type tomato plant. Among the eight AFPs studied in the wounded leaves of the EgCBF3 tomato plants, transcript levels of SlOSM-L, SlNP24, SlPR5L and SlTSRF1 decreased, while expression of the other four, SlCHI3, SlPR1, SlPR-P2 and SlLAP2, were up-regulated. These findings indicate the possible functions of EgCBF3 in plant growth and development as a regulator of ethylene biosynthesis-related and AFP genes, and as a stimulator of abiotic stress tolerance

Developing an effective forest therapy program to manage academic stress in conservative societies: a multi-disciplinary approach

We conducted a multi-disciplinary research to develop a forest therapy program that could manage academic stress in students. The first part of the study comprised of a survey to develop a forest therapy program based on the expectations of students, and involved 412 students aged 19–24 years (21.73 ± 2.33 years). The second part was a field study to determine the sustained effects the forest therapy program had on the blood pressure of students, involving twenty-nine students aged 21–23 years (21.83 ± 0.711). The survey determined that students were suffering from academic stress but their fear of societal stigma prevented them from seeking assistance. The majority (57.26%) expressed interest in forest therapy, and wanted a half-day forest therapy program during the weekend. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure were used as measurement indices for the field study, and was conducted before breakfast, lunch and dinner. Readings were taken 3 days before (baseline values), during, 3, 5 and 7 days after the forest therapy program. The blood pressure reading 3 days prior to the program served as a representation of the participants’ every blood pressure levels. When compared to the everyday blood pressure levels (124/81 mmHg), both the SBP and DBP significantly decreased during the forest therapy (117/77 mmHg), and the decrement maintained 3 days (114/77 mmHg) and 5 days after (118/79 mmHg). There was no significant decrease in blood pressure between the everyday levels and 7 days after. In conclusion, a half-day forest therapy program is able to decrease students’ SBP and DBP, and the decrements were maintained for 5 days. The exit survey reaffirmed the blood pressure results, whereby the participants believed that forest therapy had reduced their stress

Recreational use of urban green space in Malaysian cities

To support green space provision and management, it is important to obtain accurate information about the recreational use of green space, regarding use frequency and types of use, visiting time and duration of visits, but also on how the characteristics of different users influence these. Although these studies have become more common in developed countries, developing countries are lagging behind. In Malaysia, major cities such as Kuala Lumpur (Peninsular Malaysia) and Kuching (Sarawak) have experienced growth and policy makers recognise the importance of their green spaces, but lack comprehensive user studies. This paper presents the results from a comparative study on the use of green spaces and visitor preferences for five selected parks in Kuala Lumpur and Kuching. The study comprised, among others, a survey among residents living within a two kilometre radius of the park boundaries. A total of 1,692 respondents answered the questionnaire. Results show that close to 9 out of 10 people living within a 2 km radius of the studied parks use them for recreational purposes. Most of the respondents visit the parks during weekends and typically travel by car, in spite of the short distance to the park. The study also identified differences in green space usage patterns according to different socio-demographic and economic factors, including ethnicity. Malaysians of Chinese descent, for example, have a greater preference for using parks during the morning compared to Malaysians of Malay and Indian descent. Differences were also found regarding motivations for using the parks. However, various similarities can also be noted, e.g. regarding length of use visiting together with family members. It is important for park management to recognise park use patterns and preferences, in particular also where different groups are concerned

Malaysian case studies on the relation between the use of green space and health promotion

This study explores the use of green spaces and visitors´ self-reported health for five parks located in Kuala Lumpur and Kuching, Malaysia. A survey was conducted among the residents living within two kilometres radius from the park boundaries. A total of 1692 respondents participated in the survey. The results indicate differences in self-reported health between people according to frequency of park use, apart from the differences explained by the sociodemographic factors. The results related to the differences in self-reported health according to the distance of the residence from the park were not statistically significant. Among the ‘health improving’ recommendations made to close friends and family members were going for a vacation and engaging in some exercise or sport activities. These were ranked higher than taking a break in a quiet and peaceful park or forest. Although this study offers some further evidence of the positive impacts of using green spaces on health, the results show some new findings as compared to similar studies conducted in Europe. Thus, more in-depth works are needed in order to provide information to Malaysian decision makers and green space manager

Physiological and psychological health benefits of urban green space in Kuala Lumpur: a comparison between Taman Botani Perdana and Jalan Bukit Bintang

This study explores physiological and psychological effects of urban green space by using measurements and self-reported psychological responses to an urban park compared to a city environment. Participants of this study were 20 homogenous male students. Taman Botani Perdana, an urban park in Kuala Lumpur, and Jalan Bukit Bintang, a commercial district in the city centre were chosen as the study areas for this study. On the first day, the participants went to Taman Botani Perdana, and to Jalan Bukit Bintang on the second day. In both areas, the participants were instructed to walk along a given route for 20 minutes. Saliva samples were collected before and after walking in both areas along with blood pressure measurements. Self-reported physiological responses were measured before and after each walking session. Results indicated that salivary cortisol concentration significantly increased in the city, whereas no significant change was found in the urban park. Diastolic blood pressure significantly reduced after walking in the urban park. In terms of psychological responses, Total Mood Disturbance among the participants were significantly lower when they were in the urban park compared to the city. Meanwhile, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) showed that positive effect significantly increased after walking in the urban park, whereas the participants' positive effects significantly reduced after walking in the city. These results indicate that urban green space has positive benefits physiologically and psychologically compared to urban environment

Oil palm leaves and roots differ in physiological response, antioxidant enzyme activities and expression of stress-responsive genes upon exposure to drought stress

The seedling stage is a critical period for survival under drought stress. To identify biochemical and molecular drought response changes, oil palm seedlings were exposed to different levels of drought severity. Total chlorophyll, total soluble protein and total proline content were measured while expression of stress responsive genes was quantified using qPCR. The diminishing total chlorophyll (chl) content and the ratio of chla to chlb (chla:chlb) were observed to be significant. The significant reduction of chla was closely related to photosystem II deficiency. Based on the effects of drought on chlorophyll content, the samples can be categorised into mild (7 days of water withholding; DWW), moderate (14 DWW) and severe (21, 28 and 35 DWW). Sample at 21 DWW was used to represent the severe stage. Genes encoding ethylene responsive binding protein, late embryogenesis abundant (LEA), dehydrin (DHN), cold-induced, heat shock protein 70 and metallothionein type 2 were differentially up-regulated in the leaves, while in the roots only LEA and DHN were up-regulated. The proline content increased gradually in both vegetative tissues, while the total soluble protein content was affected by increasing drought severity. The activity of catalase was highest in the roots at the severe drought stage, while guaicol peroxidase activity was shown to be highest in the leaves under mild drought. These findings provide new insights into stress tolerance mechanisms of oil palm seedlings and can be used to develop stress tolerant oil palm through classical breeding and genetic engineering

Somatic embryogenesis from scutellar embryo of oryza sativa L. var. MR219

Somatic embryogenesis is an efficient plant regeneration system and it is a potentially useful tool for genetic transformation. An experiment was carried out on somatic embryogenesis from scutellar embryo of rice var. MR219. High intensity of callus formation (100%) was initiated through culturing the scutellar embryo on modified MS medium, with the macro nutrients reduced to half-strength and supplemented with different 2,4-D concentrations (1,2,4 and 6 mgL-1). Meanwhile, the highest percentage of embryogénie callus formation (80%) was obtained on the modified MS medium containing 4 mgL-12, 4-D. The calli produced were yellowish and friable with nodular structures on the surface. Rounded cells with highly dense cytoplasm were also observed under an inverted microscope and their viability was confirmed based on the apple green fluorescence staining in the fluorescein diacetate (FDA) solution. High mean number of somatic embryos was also produced in this treatment, at 85 somatic embryos per expiant. Upon transferring the somatic embryos onto the modified MS medium with 2 mgL-1 BAP and 0.05 mgL-1 NAA for germination, 82.5% of the somatic embryos were germinated into the seedlings