Forecasting scenic preferences for urban streetscape using photographic simulation

The urban streetscape of Raja Laut is supported with multiple socio-cultural, administrative, educational, and economic activities. As such, awareness for a healthier environment can be promoted by encouraging more community involvement, including public participation in the landscape assessment exercise. It is believed that the charm and rich characters of the non-natural landscape components of the urban streetscape of Raja Laut should be protected, due to their scenic resources. Therefore, this paper documents the public's scenic preferences for future urban streetscape with an aim to identify the landscape components that have potential enhancing the scenic resources. Photographic simulation with small size sampling was used to assess the public's preferences. Interestingly, early findings indicate that colourful streetscape provide high scenic value. The insights also suggest that both natural and man-made attributes have equal scenic importance. Finding further explains the significant influence of natural attribute in the design and planning of the urban streetscapes in Kuala Lumpur and thus, should be further investigated

Slope failure analysis using chromaticity variables

Slope failure has become a major concern in Malaysia due to the rapid development and urbanisation in the country. It poses severe threats to any highway construction industry, residential areas, natural resources, as well as tourism activities. Thus, this study aims to characterise the relationship between chromaticity variables to be manipulated as indicators to forecast slope failure. The concentration of each soil property in slope soil was evaluated from two different localities that consist of 120 soil samples from stable and unstable slopes located along North South Highway and East West Highway. Indicators that could be used to predict shallow slope failure were high value of variable L*(62), low values of variables c* (20) and h* (66). Furthermore, the hues that indicate stable slope based on Munsell Soil Colour Chart are between 2.5YR and 5YR while the hues that indicate unstable slope are between 5YR and 10YR. The overall analysis leads to the conclusion that the reactions and distinctive changes of chromaticity variables between stable and unstable slopes were emphasised as results of significant differences between soil properties, the locations, slope stability and combinations of all interactions

New insights into carotenoid extracts: from chemical extraction, HPP TP SFE technology

Natural pigments are one of the most widely used in the food industry. Carotenoids, anthocyanins and betacyanins are among naturally occurring pigments that have always been incorporated into dietary requirements to make them colourful and attractive. The interest in these bioactive constituent pigments lies in the health enhancement effects of the diet. Carotenoids are an excellent source of colouring agent that is acknowledged for their bioactive compounds ability and pro-vitamin A and antioxidant properties. Carotenoids can be produced through various extraction methods, such as chemical extraction, alkaline method, soxhlet, ultrasound, oil extraction, or to more advanced technology such as supercritical fluid extraction. However, the applicability of the extraction methods used is a monumental factor in ensuring product quality. In this study, attention is given to carotenoids, with emphasis on chemical extraction, High-Pressure Processing Unit (HPP) and Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) technologies. Thus, in this review, the advantages and limitations of these natural pigment extraction technology were presented in relation to their physicochemical properties, reactivity and bioactivity

Landskap warisan dan khazanah ekologi hutan heath (kerangas) negeri Terengganu

Ekosistem hutan-hutan di Malaysia terkenal dengan kepelbagaian diversitI spesies flora dan faunanya. Ia telah diklasifikasikan sebagai salah satu daripada 12 negara megadiversiti di dunia. Terdapat lebih dari 14 jenis ekosistem hutan semulajadi di Malaysia. Selain hutan dipterokap, hutan bakau, hutan paya gambut dan hutan Pantai; hutan ‘heath’ atau kerangas adalah di antara ekosistem hutan yang boleh didapati di Malaysia. Kepupusan hutan kerangas telah diramalkan di Borneo pada tahun 2010. Ini terbukti bila mana daripada 66 882 km persegi hanya 48% sahaja kawasan hutan heath kerangas yang berbaki pada hari ini. Hutan kerangas merupakan khazanah landskap dan warisan ekologi negara yang terakhir untuk dipelihara khasnya di negeri Terengganu dari mengalami kepupusan akibat arus pembangunan dan pemodenan. Kepupusan disebabkan oleh aktiviti manusia adalah faktor terpenting yang boleh dielakkan sekiranya kesedaran kepada masyarakat berkaitan kepentingan hutan ini dapat disegerakan. Sehubungan itu, kajian ini dijalankan bagi mendedahkan serta mengenalpasti kepentingan dan keistimewaan hutan kerangas ini dari segi aspek ekologi, nilai fungsi, estetik, serta saintifik. Kerajaan juga harus mengambil langkah proaktif dengan menguatkuasakan akta-akta berkaitan pemeliharaan hutan supaya khazanah alam ini dapat dipelihara untuk generasi yang mendatang

Slope Failure Analysis Using Chromaticity Variables

Slope failure has become a major concern in Malaysia due to the rapid development and urbanisation in the country. It poses severe threats to any highway construction industry, residential areas, natural resources, as well as tourism activities. Thus, this study aims to characterise the relationship between chromaticity variables to be manipulated as indicators to forecast slope failure. The concentration of each soil property in slope soil was evaluated from two different localities that consist of 120 soil samples from stable and unstable slopes located along North South Highway and East West Highway. Indicators that could be used to predict shallow slope failure were high value of variable L*(62), low values of variables c* (20) and h* (66). Furthermore, the hues that indicate stable slope based on Munsell Soil Colour Chart are between 2.5YR and 5YR while the hues that indicate unstable slope are between 5YR and 10YR. The overall analysis leads to the conclusion that the reactions and distinctive changes of chromaticity variables between stable and unstable slopes were emphasised as results of significant differences between soil properties, the locations, slope stability and combinations of all interactions

Scientific study of physical and chemical properties of elemental carving for woodwork preservation

This study aims to investigate the physical and chem-ical properties of the woodcarvings that characterize their struc-tural indicator to resist the deterioration. The main objectives of this study are to identify the visual characteristics of the wood components and to examine the physical and chemical properties of the wood that characterize its structural integrity. The re-searcher conducted a scientific analysis of the selected wood components as specimens using magnification hand lenses (ma-croscopic method) and microscopic tests to determine the wood characteristics and physical properties. This included to charac-terize the physical properties of wood surfaces and to observe the types of wood in details via the instruments. The results show that Meranti (Shoreaspp) and Chengal(Neobalanocarpusheimii) woods were used for different types of woodcarving due to their distinctive properties and visual characteristics. Chengal wood which is classified as heavy hardwood has more durable proper-ties as compared to the Light Red Meranti which is classified as light hardwood. Furthermore, fiber structure in Chengal is more compact than those in Meranti. The study suggests that the wood carving made from Chengal provides specialized structure and it has high resistance towards deterioration