Landslide Vulnerability Assessment (LVAs): a Case Study From Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

DOI: 10.17014/ijog.4.1.49-59The topic on Landslide Vulnerability Assessment (LVAs) in Malaysia is relatively new and received little attention from geoscientists and engineers. This research paper tries to formulate the concept of LVAs by taking into account the science and socio-economic aspects. A new approach in vulnerability concept is also introduced herein. To achieve this goal, a framework was designed for assessing the LVAs. The framework was formulated semiquantitatively through the development of database for the risk elements (human and properties) based on information from secondary data (technical reports), extensive review of literature, and field observations. The vulnerability parameters included in assessing LVAs are 1) physical implication (building structures, internal materials, property damage, infrastructural facilities, and stabilization actions), 2) social status (injury, fatalities, safety, loss of accommodation, and public awareness), and 3) interference on environment (affected period, daily operation, and diversity). Each considered parameter in the vulnerability assessment is allocated with a certain index value ranges from 0 (0 % damage/victims/period), 0.25 (1 - 25% damage/victims/period), 0.50 (26 - 50% damage/victims/period), 0.75 (51 - 75% damage/victims/period), and 1.00 (75 - 100% damage/victims/period). All of these parameters are compiled and analyzed with “Landslide Distribution Map” (LDM) to generate a “Landslide Vulnerability Degree map (LVD)”. The LDM was produced based on field studies and satellite image interpretations in order to locate the landslide locations in the studied area. Finally, three types of physical, human, and environment vulnerabilities were then classified into five classes of vulnerabilities, namely: Class 1 (< 0.20): Very Low Vulnerability; Class 2 (0.21 - 0.40): Low Vulnerability; Class 3 (0.41 - 0.60): Medium Vulnerability; Class 4 (0.61 - 0.80): High Vulnerability); and Class 5 (> 0.81): Very High Vulnerability. Results from this study indicate that a further study is needed to the areas of high to very high vulnerability only. This LVAs approach is suitable as a guideline for preliminary development planning, controlling, and managing the landslide hazard /risk in the studied area and potentially to be extended with different background environments

A Geographically Weighted Regression Kriging Approach for Mapping Swelling Potential of Garinono Formation Soil

The Beluran-Telupid road is notoriously known for its deterioration which sits on Garinono Formation soil and is rich with argillaceous melange. This contributed to inconvenience to motorists apart from being perilous when the subgrade of the road starts to degrade. A geographically weighted regression kriging was conducted along the road based on 25 samples to generate a swelling potential map. The results from the samples have reaffirmed the argillaceous nature of the soil due to the high composition of fine grains mainly clay, especially at the midsection. Nevertheless, after computation, most of the soils have medium swelling potential. After geographically weighted regression kriging was conducted, certain areas are defined as areas which have high swelling potential. Methodologies in this study increase the chances to validate swelling potentials and reduce the gap which is missing in the construction industry involving public road and geotechnical projects

WRAN system on ZBC TV: A new way to internet connectivity for rural areas in Zimbabwe

Wireless Regional Access Network (WRAN) is increasingly becoming the focus architecture for future rural and remote areas access network. In Zimbabwe, internet connectivity to the rural areas is crucial but is hindered by what is called the Zimbabwean problem. In this paper brief discussions of existing technologies deployed for rural communications elsewhere in the world and recent technologies such as cognitive radio (CR) networks are explored for solutions to the Zimbabwean problem. In the process, WRAN, which exhibits extended coverage range, increased cell capacity and utilises idle TV spectrum and saves on deployment costs, was identified as a suitable broadband access candidate for providing connectivity to the rural areas of Zimbabwe. A design network structure is proposed and a basic CR simulation in MATLAB, and employing, power spectrum density estimation model for sensing, to show the possibility of harnessing idle Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) TV channels using CR technology is successfully run. A number of implementation challenges such as the effect of antenna height on the hidden terminal problem, MIMO incorporation in order to mitigate for such effects in WRAN networks, the investigation and mitigation of interference contribution from remote television stations, WRAN networks and other primary stations and users are discussed

Lipid peroxidation in vivo : Evaluation and application of methods for measurement

Lipid peroxidation is thought to be an important factor in the pathophysiology of a number of diseases and in the process of ageing, but its measurement in vivo has been difficult. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate methods for measurement of lipid peroxidation in vivo that are suitable for clinical investigations, and to apply these methods in animal and human studies investigating basal conditions and situations associated with increased lipid peroxidation. The ferrous oxidation in xylenol orange assay for quantification of total plasma lipid hydroperoxides was re-evaluated regarding sample handling and storage. It was shown to be a useful tool for analyses of fresh but not stored plasma samples. A methodology for measurement of the total amount (sum of free and esterified) of an F2-isoprostane, 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α, in tissues using alkaline hydrolysis in combination with an existing radioimmunoassay was developed. High levels of 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α in rat liver tissue were quantified by this technique both at basal conditions and in an experimental model of increased lipid peroxidation induced by carbon tetrachloride. Supplementation with vitamin E to rats decreased both non-enzymatic and enzymatic lipid peroxidation as measured by 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α and a major prostaglandin F2α metabolite. This was verified both in the urine at basal conditions, and in the urine and liver tissue after carbon tetrachloride induced lipid peroxidation. In a randomised cross-over study in humans, a rapeseed oil-based diet with an increased proportion of easily oxidised polyunsaturated fatty acids was compared to a control diet rich in saturated fats. The rapeseed oil-based diet did not seem to increase the degree of lipid peroxidation in plasma and urine as measured by 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α, hydroperoxides and malondialdehyde, presumably due to a sufficient content of antioxidants in the rapeseed oil diet. In conclusion, the simultaneous measurement of several biomarkers of lipid peroxidation is a promising approach for future studies investigating the possible role of lipid peroxidation in vivo under basal conditions and in the pathology of diseases

A Geographically Weighted Regression Kriging Approach for Mapping Swelling Potential of Garinono Formation Soil

The Beluran-Telupid road is notoriously known for its deterioration which sits on Garinono Formation soil and is rich with argillaceous melange. This contributed to inconvenience to motorists apart from being perilous when the subgrade of the road starts to degrade. A geographically weighted regression kriging was conducted along the road based on 25 samples to generate a swelling potential map. The results from the samples have reaffirmed the argillaceous nature of the soil due to the high composition of fine grains mainly clay, especially at the midsection. Nevertheless, after computation, most of the soils have medium swelling potential. After geographically weighted regression kriging was conducted, certain areas are defined as areas which have high swelling potential. Methodologies in this study increase the chances to validate swelling potentials and reduce the gap which is missing in the construction industry involving public road and geotechnical projects