School gardening activities (SGA) combined with physical activities (PA) may improve childhood dietary intake and prevent overweight and obesity. This study aims to evaluate the effect of SGA combined with PA on children's dietary intake and anthropometric outcomes. We searched studies containing randomized controlled trials up to January 2021 in Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and the EBSCO database on this topic for children aged 7 to 12 years. Fourteen studies met the requirements for meta-analysis (n = 9187). We found that SGA has no obvious effect on improving children's BMI (WMD = -0.49; p = 0.085; I2 = 86.3%), BMI z-score (WMD = -0.12; p = 0.235; I2 = 63.0%), and WC (WMD = -0.98; p = 0.05; I2 = 72.9%). SGA can effectively improve children's FVs (WMD = 0.59, p = 0.003, I2 = 95.3%). SGA combined with PA can significantly increase children's FVs but cannot greatly improve weight status. Although more studies on this topic are needed to prove the effectiveness of this method, the results of our review show that both SGA and SGA combined with PA has a modest but positive impact of reducing BMI and WC outcomes but can significantly increase children's FVs.
The seasonal variation of spider assemblages in botanical garden was investigated. The spiders were manually collected by diurnal and nocturnal session between two seasons. A total of 19 families from 65 genera and 96 species were recorded. Richness-estimator indicates the inventory were 67% complete within the botanical garden. The capture rate for web-weavers were higher compared with non-web weavers. The comparison value showed the species composition and abundance were similar between seasons. Spider abundance was not affected between wet and dry season in tropical countries.
Inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables (FV) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in children has become a global public health problem. Therefore, school-based gardening and cooking (SGC) and sports participation (SP) interventions may be effective in improving children's FV intake and MVPA. The aim of this study is to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of SGC and SP interventions on FV intake and MVPA among Chinese children. In this cluster randomized controlled trial study, 237 children in grades 4-5 from six public primary schools from Changsha, Hunan Province, China will be randomly assigned to: (1) a SGC and SP combined intervention group; (2) a SP intervention group; (3) a regular practice group. The intervention clusters will be implemented for a period of 6 months and follow up will be carried out after 12 months. The outcome will be collected using a combination of self-reported and objective measures. Primary outcomes will include children's FV intake and duration of MVPA per day, and secondary outcomes will included frequency and attitudes of FV intake and SP, in addition to other measures. Finally, a process evaluation will be used to analyze the facilitators and barriers to intervention implementation. Trial Registration: (Registration Number: ChiCTR2200064141).
Background: One of the key importance of vegetable consumption is to obtain sufficient micronutrients, dietary fibre, and for the prevention of childhood obesity. Most Malaysian children did not meet the recommended intake of vegetable consumption, and this is especially vulnerable among the urban poor population due to food insecurity. Efforts are needed to promote vegetable consumption that fall short of the recommended intake level. Aim: This trial aims to examine the effectiveness of the "GrowEat" project, as a nutrition intervention programme integrated with home gardening activities to improve vegetable consumption among urban poor children in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Methods: This is a single-blinded parallel two-arm cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) that include 134 children. Two zones in Kuala Lumpur will be randomly selected, and three low-cost housing flats from each zone will be selected as the intervention and control groups respectively. The trial is designed based on the social cognitive theory (SCT). Children from the intervention group (n = 67) will attend a 12-week programme, which consists of home garden-based activities, gardening and nutrition education session. Assessment will be conducted for both groups at three time points: baseline, post-intervention and follow-up phase at 3 months after the intervention. Conclusion: We anticipate positive changes in vegetable consumption and its related factors after the implementation of the "GrowEat" project. The current intervention may also serve as a model and can be extended to other urban poor population for similar interventions in the future to improve vegetable consumption, agriculture and nutrition awareness.
Drought and pests are primary abiotic and biotic factors proposed as selective filters acting on species distributions along rainfall gradients in tropical forests and may contribute importantly to species distributional limits, performance, and diversity gradients. Recent research demonstrates linkages between species distributions along rainfall gradients and physiological drought tolerance; corresponding experimental examinations of the contribution of pest pressure to distributional limits and potential interactions between drought and herbivory are limited. This study aims to quantitate differential performance and herbivory as a function of species range limits across a climatic and floristic transition in Southeast Asia. Khao Chong Botanical Garden, Thailand and Pasoh Forest Reserve, Malaysia straddle the Kangar-Pattani Line. A reciprocal transplantation across a seasonality gradient was established using two groups of species ("widespread" taxa whose distributions include seasonally dry forests and "aseasonal" taxa whose distributions are limited to aseasonal forests). Growth, biomass allocation, survival, and herbivory were monitored for 19 months. Systematic differences in performance were a function of species distribution in relation to rainfall seasonality. In aseasonal Pasoh, aseasonal species had both greater growth and survivorship than widespread species. These differences were not a function of differential herbivory as widespread and aseasonal species experienced similar damage in the aseasonal forest. In seasonally dry Khao Chong, widespread species showed higher survivorship than aseasonal species, but these differences were only apparent during drought. We link this differential performance to physiological mechanisms as well as differential tolerance of biotic pressure during drought stress. Systematic decreases in seedling survival in aseasonal taxa during drought corresponded with previously documented physiological differences and may be exacerbated by herbivore damage. These results have important implications for tropical diversity and community composition in light of predicted increases in the frequency and severity of drought in hyperdiverse tropical forests.
Urbanisation increases the level of imperviousness in a catchment, and more runoff is converted from rainfall in urban areas. To mitigate this adverse situation, dispensed green infrastructure presents the best solution for delivering results in reducing stormwater impact. Green roofs and rain gardens are extensively studied and widely available in the literature, but this is not the case for green walls, which more often than not, are treated as ornaments. Thus, this study developed a computer-aided stormwater model that incorporates a green wall to investigate its effectiveness as an urban drainage system. The effectiveness of employing a green wall as a stormwater component is tested using USEPA SWMM 5.1 and the embedded bioretention cell interface. Four simulation models according to different conditions and precipitation input are tested, compared and discussed. The conditions include investigation of different soil types, average recurrence interval (ARI) and storm duration with design and observed rainfall. The results reveal that synthesis precipitation data, used in Scenario 1, 2 and 3, decreased runoff by more than half, at 55% on condition of one-year ARI and 5 minutes of storm duration. Meanwhile, Scenario 4 also shows a repetition of runoff reduction by half after the integration of the green wall using the observed rainfall data. Thus, it is verified that a green wall can be effectively used as an urban drainage system in reducing surface runoff.
The main objective of the present study was to provide a comprehensive LCI of medium scale composting of food waste
and yard waste at institutional level, based on substance flow analysis (SFA). A secondary objective was to present the
composition and assess the quality of the final compost product from composting of typical Asian organic waste (food
waste and yard waste). The experiments were designed to represent a batch situation in an institutional medium size
composting scenario with input material of food waste mixed with grass clippings and dried leaves. Two composting
runs were carried out with the intention to showcase the heterogeneity of organic waste and study the effect of windrow
size on the performance of the process. The input and output material were sampled and characterized in order to
quantify the substance balance of the process. SFA was performed by means of the mass balance model STAN 2.5 to
compute unknown parameters (gaseous emissions). SFAs have been performed for C, N, K, P, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb. The
composting windrows were fed with 212.4 and 393 kg, respectively. VS content reduction is greater in composting pile
with larger size (Run 2). The loss of C during composting was recorded in the range of 0.146-0.166 kg/kg ww. The C
losses via leachate were insignificant (0.02% of the total input C). The total N loss during the process was 0.005-0.012
kg/kg ww. The leachate generation was measured as 0.012-0.013 kg/kg ww. The flows of selected heavy metals were
assessed. Heavy metals were of minor significance due to low concentrations in the inputs (food waste and yard waste).
Heavy metals were found to be released to the atmosphere. However, majority of heavy metals remain in the finished
compost. The C/N reduction during the process was in the range of 10-23%. In general, the compost composition was
considered to be within the ranges previously reported in literature and thus ready for application in gardening. The LCI
presented in the present study can be used as a starting point for making environmental assessments of medium-scale
co-composting of food waste and yard waste in tropical environment. No major environmental problems were identified
from the process, except for the emissions of GHGs.
Urbanization requires the conversion of natural land cover to cover with human-constructed elements and is considered a major threat to biodiversity. Bee populations, globally, are under threat; however, the effect of rapid urban expansion in Southeast Asia on bee diversity has not been investigated. Given the pressing issues of bee conservation and urbanization in Southeast Asia, coupled with complex factors surrounding human-bee coexistence, we investigated bee diversity and human perceptions of bees in four megacities. We sampled bees and conducted questionnaires at three different site types in each megacity: a botanical garden, central business district, and peripheral suburban areas. Overall, the mean species richness and abundance of bees were significantly higher in peripheral suburban areas than central business districts; however, there were no significant differences in the mean species richness and abundance between botanical gardens and peripheral suburban areas or botanical gardens and central business districts. Urban residents were unlikely to have seen bees but agreed that bees have a right to exist in their natural environment. Residents who did notice and interact with bees, even though being stung, were more likely to have positive opinions towards the presence of bees in cities.
Policymakers and recreation site managers use changes in fee structure, either introducing park entrance fees or increasing existing ones, to generate revenues, improve services, and reduce damages associated with visitor’s overuse. The sudden increase in park usage fee, however, can make the park inaccessible to certain segments of visitors. Understanding park users' response to changes in fees and its implication on park use equity is, thus, important to achieving a park's full potential in a socially and environmentally responsible way. This information is crucial especially for developing countries, where the issue has received relatively less attention and underfunded. This paper contributes to the literature on park access fees by empirically assessing park use equity between and among international and local visitors visiting Putrajaya Botanical Garden, Malaysia and developing an approach for determining predictors and mean willingness to pay values for park entrance. Results of our survey-based approach show a positive willingness to pay values for park entrance and fee increases. Our results also show that it is possible to raise revenue without exacerbating existing park use differences.
Herein we examine the characteristics of date seed oil extracted from Chamaerops humilis L. var. humilis seeds (HSO) cultivated in a gardening zone in Tunisia. Its physicochemical properties, fatty acid composition, and thermal and antioxidant properties were evaluated and compared with those of seed oil from another variety of Chamaerops humilis. The results showed that HSO possessed higher contents of oleic (44%) and linoleic (20%) acids than the other seed oil. The total tocopherol and tocotrienol content was 88 mg/100 g oil, where α-tocotrienol (64%) was the major isomer. The total phenolic (91 μg/g oil) and flavonoid contents (18 μg/g oil) of the HSO were determined, and its antioxidant capacities, measured in terms of ABTS and DPPH radical-scavenging capacities, were 210 µM TEAC/g DW and 4.3 mM TEAC/g DW, respectively. The oxidative stability index (OSI) of the oil was 16 h at 110 °C. Furthermore, the OSI of soybean oil was significantly enhanced upon blending with HSO. HSO exhibited higher thermal stability than the other oils and significantly different thermal behavior. The determination of fatty acid composition, physicochemical properties, bioactive content, oxidative stability, and thermal behavior of HSO demonstrated that this renewable resource can be used for edible purposes.
The lack of understanding of Islamic principles in the design of public spaces has led to
the weakness of the function, aesthetic value and the identity of urban places. The study
seeks to identify the characteristics and elements of the Islamic urban space in
Putrajaya base on publics and expert perception and preference. A questionnaire
survey was conducted with approximately 500 civilians to analyse the public perception
of Putra Square and Astaka Moroco. A photo base interview was carried out with
approximately 100 professionals in the built environment field to evaluate the quality
of Astaka Moroco in comparison to Islamic gardens in the Middle East based on their
perception. The results indicate that the style of the Dataran Putra is the most preferred
by the public compared to the Astaka Morocco. The professionals inform that Astaka
Morocco is not comparable to the quality of Islamic gardens in the Middle East either
in terms of function or aesthetic value due to the lack of understanding of the Islamic gardens elements and principles. In addition, the public liked the Islamic garden style
that reflects the local identity and the functions as public spaces instead of just as an
exhibit or a model. The findings can be a good guide in designing the Islamic public
spaces which are favoured by the public.
A previously healthy 80-year-old woman presented with a history of a thorn prick injury over the
distal phalange of her left finger obtained while gardening two months ago. She claimed to have a
non-healing cut with a nodular lesion, which progressively increased in size, extending upwards
towards the region of her left arm. There was no fever or palpable lymph nodes in the axillary region.
She had been prescribed antibiotics from the local hospital but her condition did not improve.
The option of reusing greywater is proving to be increasingly attractive to address the water shortage issue in many arid and semiarid countries. Greywater represents a constant resource, since an approximately constant amount of greywater is generated from kitchen, laundries, bathroom in every household daily, independent of the weather. However, the use of greywater for irrigation in particular for household gardening may pose major hazards that have not been studied thoroughly. In this study, a 1-year monitoring was conducted in four selected households in Perth, Western Australia. The aim of the monitoring works is to investigate the variability in the greywater flow and quality, and to understand its impact in the surrounding environments. Case studies were selected based on different family structure including number, ages of the occupants, and greywater system they used. Samples of greywater effluent (showers, laundries, bathtub, and sinks), leachate, soil, and plants at each case study were collected between October 2008 and December 2009 which covered the high (spring/summer) and low (autumn/winter) production of greywater. Physical and chemical tests were based on the literature and expected components of laundry and bathroom greywater particularly on greywater components likely to have detrimental impacts on soils, plants, and other water bodies. Monitoring results showed the greywater quality values for BOD, TSS, and pH which sometimes fell outside the range as stipulated in the guidelines. The soil analyses results showed that salinity, SAR, and the organic content of the soil increased as a function of time and affected the plant growth. Nutrient leaching or losses from soil irrigated with greywater shows the movement of nutrients and the sole impact from greywater in uncontrolled plots in case studies is difficult to predicted due to the influence of land dynamics and activities. Investigative and research monitoring was used to understand greywater irrigation in households. Greywater quality is very site specific and difficult to predetermine or control except for the use of some recommended household products when using greywater. Investigative and research monitoring was indicated that greywater quality is very site specific and difficult to predetermine or control except for the use of some recommended household products when using greywater.
A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma infection and its risk association among people having close contact with animals. A total of 312 blood samples were collected from veterinary personnel (veterinarian, technicians, and students) and pet owners from veterinary clinics and hospitals in the area of Klang Valley, Malaysia. About 4 cc of blood samples drawn from agreed participants were processed for measurement of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies as well as avidity test of Toxoplasma IgG by ELISA I, II, and III kits. Meanwhile, the demographic profiles and possible risk factors of these participants were also recorded in the standardized data collection sheets. Overall seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis was observed in 62 (19.9%) participants being 7 (18.4%) in veterinarians, 15 (33.3%) in veterinary technicians, 29 (14.9%) in veterinary students, and 11 (31.4%) in pet owners. Of 19.9% Toxoplasma seropositive samples, 18.3% was positive for IgG antibody, 1.0% for IgM antibody, and 0.6% for both IgG and IgM antibodies. Of three different IgG avidity ELISA kits, ELISA III showed high avidity in all five seropositive samples (IgM and IgG/IgM antibodies) indicating chronic Toxoplasma infection which is consistent with no evidence of clinical toxoplasmosis diagnosed during the time of this study. Univariate analysis showed that age group, gender, study population, gardening, task performance, and working duration were significantly associated with Toxoplasma seropositivity. Further analysis by multivariate analysis using logistic regression showed that age group of ≥30 years old (OR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.18-0.63, p = 0.001) and working or study duration of >10 years having close contact with animals (OR = 5.07, 95% CI = 1.80-14.24, p = 0.002) were identified as significant risks for Toxoplasma infection. Based on the results obtained, a comprehensive Toxoplasma screening and health surveillance program on toxoplasmosis should be implemented among people having close contact with animals in general and confirmed Toxoplasma seronegative individuals in particular to prevent seroconversion.
Little is known of Malaysian older people’s participation in physical activities, and the purpose of this pilot study is to explore their participation and the barriers. A self-administered questionnaire was given to 80 eligible respondents at the Kuala Lumpur Health Clinic of which 70 responded. Thirty-six (51.4%) were males and 34 (48.6%) were females. There were 26 (37.1%) Malays, 20 (28.6%) Chinese, 18 (25.7%) Indians and 6 (8.6%) of other ethnic groups. Forty (57.1%) took part in some form of physical activities and the remaining 30 (42.9%) reported no participation at all. The Chinese participated actively in physical activities (90%), followed by Indians (66.7%) and Malays (30.8%). The five common activities were walking (60%), tai chi (20%), gardening (12.5%), stretching (2.5%) and cycling (5.0%). Identified barriers to physical activities were lack of time (26.7%), having health problems (26.7%), was already fit (26.7%), no companion to exercise with (13.3%) and no exercise knowledge (6.7%). These findings indicated that emphasis should be given to the females and the Malay ethnic group when planning physical activity education for the older people as they were identified to be the least active groups.
Study site: Klinik Kesihatan Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
The inherent economic and social challenges in major cities have been known to foster stress among the urban population. Frequent stress over long periods may well have serious damaging outcomes, resulting in ailments such as burnout syndrome, sleeplessness and exhaustion, depression, feelings of panic, among others. Therefore, providing access to resources that may enable people to cope with the stress of urban life has become a crucial phenomenon in the twentieth century. Increasing empirical evidence indicates that the presence of natural areas can contribute to enhancing the quality of life in many ways. This study examines two historical Persian gardens from the residents' perspective in well-known, historic cities of Iran: Isfahan and Kerman. The data were collected through questionnaires (n = 252), semi-structured interviews (n = 20), and visual observation techniques. The findings demonstrate that nature, diversity and the gardens' historical background, and coherence motivate the residents' frequent visits to the gardens, which help to address their social, psychological, and physical needs. In addition, the residents' involvements and the variety of experiences that occur in the gardens lead to the creation of deeper meanings and values associated with the gardens. Subsequently, these construct functional and emotional attachment that evokes a sense of place and identity and may contribute to society's health and well-being.