Marine Fisheries and the World Economy

People in coastal countries depend on healthy fisheries for their livelihoods. Gross revenue globally from marine fisheries has been estimated during the last decade at $80 billion to$85 billion annually. This estimate, however, reflects only the landed, or market, value of the fish as they first leave the boat, and it underestimates the full economic impact of fisheries. A more accurate accounting of the value of the fishing industry to the global economy would incorporate the indirect effects on related industries that depend on well-managed fisheries

All That Wheezes Is Not Asthma

[West J Emerg Med. 2009;10(4):305-306.

Financing Low-Cost Housing in Malaysia

The purpose of this paper is to identify and analyse the methods of housing finance adopted by the low-income earners (both formal and informal) with a view to mitigating the hindrances faced by low-income earners (LIE) when accessing house loan in Malaysia. This was necessitated because low-income house-buyers faced severe problems in gaining access to credit at affordable rates from private banking institutions. Hence, this paper presents the part-findings of an ongoing study that reveals the various methods of financing low-cost housing (LCH) as adopted by LIE in Malaysia. To achieve this, data were collected via in-depth interviews and validated via secondary sources. Thematic analysis was adopted for the qualitative research and 3 themes (sources of LCH finance, encumbrances faced by LIE, and ways to mitigate) were generated. Four states and one territory in Malaysia were covered. The study categorised the sources of LCH financing into two (private and public sector credit institutions). From the findings, ineligibility, down payment, hidden charges and reluctance by banks to lend to LIE were identified by the participants as the major challenges of LCH finance facing the LIE in Malaysia. The supervisory role expected from Bank Negara Malaysia should be resuscitated with a view to ensuring that mortgage institutions total compliance to the mandate given to them in respect of house loan to LIE is accomplished. Also, 2011 Malaysian National Housing Policy should be fully implemented and monitored across the country by the appropriate agencies, among others were recommended

An Overview of Low-cost Housing Demand-Supply Gap in Malaysia: The Way Forward

The purpose of this paper is to assess the low-cost housing (LCH) provision with a view to suggesting ways to abridge the demand-supply gap in Malaysian LCH. The Malaysian government over the years have attempted to make home ownership for all households regardless of the household income monthly but it seems this is becoming an illusion because of the increasing gap between the demand and supply of LCH provision. Therefore, this paper presents the preliminary findings of an on-going study that is examining the demand-supply gap in Malaysian LCH provision as well as role expected by the 5-year housing plan. It is little wonder that both the public and the private sector providers of LCH have not been able to meet up with the planned (demand) LCH as against what was achieved (supply) over a long period of time. Hence, this paper serves as a basis for further research into establishing the actual demandsupply gap of LCH provision in Malaysia. Compliance by all stakeholders to Malaysian 2011 National Housing Policy can no longer be over-emphasised and long overdue. Also, increasing the supply of LCH via tax incentives, government grants, government guarantees for house loans, and Bank Negara Malaysia’s mandate investment lenders to lend to target group among others were recommended to abridge the demand-supply gap of Malaysian LCH

High-speed 850 nm VCSELs with 28 GHz modulation bandwidth for short reach communication

We present results from our new generation of high performance 850 nm oxide confined vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). With devices optimized for high-speed operation under direct modulation, we achieve record high 3dB modulation bandwidths of 28 GHz for similar to 4 mu m oxide aperture diameter VCSELs, and 27 GHz for devices with a similar to 7 mu m oxide aperture diameter. Combined with a high-speed photoreceiver, the similar to 7 mu m VCSEL enables error-free transmission at data rates up to 47 Gbit/s at room temperature, and up to 40 Gbit/s at 85 degrees C

How U.S. Ocean Policy and Market Power Can Reform the Coral Reef Wildlife Trade

As the world’s largest importer of marine ornamental species for the aquaria, curio, home décor, and jewelry industries, the United States has an opportunity to leverage its considerable market power to promote more sustainable trade and reduce the effects of ornamental trade stress on coral reefs worldwide. Evidence indicates that collection of some coral reef animals for these trades has caused virtual elimination of local populations, major changes in age structure, and promotion of collection practices that destroy reef habitats. Management and enforcement of collection activities in major source countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines remain weak. Strengthening US trade laws and enforcement capabilities combined with increasing consumer and industry demand for responsible conservation can create strong incentives for improving management in source countries. This is particularly important in light of the March 2010 failure of the parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to take action on key groups of corals

Increasing age and tear size reduce rotator cuff repair healing rate at 1 year : Data from a large randomized controlled trial

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

A qualitative approach to investigate leakages in low-cost housing provision in Malaysia

Over the years, Malaysian Government and housing developers have been providing low-cost housing (LCH) yet; shortage of homes for the low-income earners (LIEs) is high. Accessibility and affordability is a big issue in LCH scheme for the LIEs. Hence, this paper presents the qualitative approach to investigate LCH leakages in Malaysia. The purpose of this strategy is to explore the LCH leakage phenomenon from the participants. To achieve this, data were collected via in-depth oral interviews and validated via secondary sources. Thematic analysis was adopted and three themes emerged. Seven states and one territory in Malaysia were covered. From the findings, the participants agree on the high shortage of LCH. It is sadder that Malaysia is still experiencing LCH shortage after several years of LCH provision. Irregularities in auction of property, sales or rental within the moratorium period, non-compliance by housing developers with list of eligible buyers from the state government housing department, non-construction of LCH by developers because of unmerited waiver granted by state, politics in allocation of people’s housing program, allocation to non-eligible pro-government persons, and under-declaration of income by house-buyers were identified by the participants as the root causes of LCH leakages in Malaysia. Cumulative ruling for construction of LCH as against the conventional per project, joint task force comprises of planning office, land office, and state government housing department to monitor, engraved on LCH land title deed, functional open registration system (ORS), and central credit reference information system for eligibility check among others were recommended to mitigate LCH leakages