Visual Quality Analysis of Educational Institutions and Their Surroundings: A Case Study of Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey

The study aimed to analyze the visual quality of the Educational Institutions and their Surroundings (EITS) in the campus of Ataturk University in Erzurum city of Turkey. Visual Quality Analysis Questionnaire was applied to 74 students studying at the Faculty of Architecture and Design. The questionnaire consisted of 21 EITS. Results were analyzed using Variance and Duncan multiple comparison. It was determined that Faculty of Fishery (EITS13) had the highest visual quality score (3.243), followed by Agriculture Faculty (EITS1: 3.134) and the Divine Faculty (EITS2: 2.906). The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine had the lowest visual quality score (EITS11: 2.165), followed by High-Tech Research Centre (EITS20: 2.243) and Faculty of Law (EITS16: 2.315). Statistically significant relationship was found between the department of the students and the scores they gave to Sports Science Faculty (EITS1), Education Faculty (EITS4), Faculty of Medicine (EITS10), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (EITS11), Faculty of Fine Arts and Tourism (EITS15), and Rectorate Building (EITS19). Among the Visual Quality Criteria (VQC) of EITS, accessibility to the structure (VQC12) was the most effective criterion (2.927, p<0.05). This study recommended the correction of design deficiencies to compensate for the lack of visual quality of new buildings or to improve the entire landscape of the campus.

Comparison of the Health Cost of Organic and Conventional Vegetable Cultivation in Getasan Sub-district, Semarang, Indonesia

Environmental damage will disrupt the ecosystem to support life. Unsustainable agriculture can be a source of environmental degradation. Conventional agriculture may have an effect on the environment, thus the participation of various parties in sustainable agriculture is needed. Organic agriculture is developed as an environmentally friendly agricultural cultivation with many benefits. Compared to the attention on occupational health, safety and environmental problems, economic motives receive less attention. This study aims to calculate the costs arising from the health impacts of vegetable cultivation. There were 314 respondents interviewed in this study. There were significant differences in the sickness complaints felt by respondents; organic farmer groups have the potential to incur health costs of Rp. 30,333.33, while the conventional group is higher, with a cost of Rp. 103.303.57 (US$ 7.38). Organic farming has a better impact because it uses natural ingredients and is not bad for health. The potential losses arising from health cases also show a high and significant number (p <0.001).

Flood Disaster Risk Perception and Sense of Place Among Households Along the Ocoy River in Negros Oriental, Philippines

This quantitative study using a survey method aims to understand the relationship between flood disaster risk perception and the sense of place of people living in communities along a river. The survey covered a non-probability sample of 120 respondents from households located along with the downstream, midstream, and upstream sections of the Ocoy River in Negros Oriental. Generally, the respondents have very high flood disaster risk perception and sense of place scores which do not significantly differ across communities. But the significant positive relationship between these two major variables contradicts the common understanding that disaster makes people devalue particular places and relocate to safer areas. The majority who conditionally agreed to relocate may not proceed if they perceived a more difficult life in the resettlement site. Adaptive resettlement programs and policies are recommended where the desired characteristics of a place of flood survivors are reconstructed. At the same time, risk reduction and mitigation mechanisms are designed for those who decided to remain in riverside communities.

Social Acceptability of the Bioremediation Technology for the Rehabilitation of an Abandoned Mined-Out Area in Mogpog, Marinduque, Philippines

Rehabilitation of mined-out areas poses great challenge because nutrients are depleted and conditions are not conducive for the conditions necessary for the growth and survival of plants. Proper combination of mycorrhizal fungi, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, compost, and lime to support the growth of trees in the poor soil has been discovered by the University of the Philippines Los Baños National Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology. Having established a protocol using this formulation, a plant survival rate of 95% was achieved in a bioremediation project implemented by the Institute in a mined-out area in Capayang, Mogpog, Marinduque, Philippines. The social acceptance and adoption of this rehabilitation strategy was determined through a survey interview in the study area with the use of questionnaire. Six factors and nine variables were considered in the assessment. The bioremediation technology was acceptable to the community as indicated by the high percentage of respondents who gave an overall positive response (90%) and who were willing to adopt and recommend it for implementation in other mined-out areas (90%). Binary logistic regression showed that income and distance of residence from the rehabilitation site significantly influenced the respondents’ decision to accept the technology. Future bioremediation initiatives should also consider the participation and acceptance of stakeholders to ensure sustainability. Indigenous and endemic planting materials should be used in rehabiliation.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Practices in the Philippines: Meeting National and Global Targets at the Local Level

As national and global water, sanitation, and hygiene targets have been set and programs have been implemented, the study aimed to assess the attainment of these targets at the local level in selected areas in Davao region, the Philippines. Randomly selected households were assessed for water, sanitation, and hygiene indicators using a modified tool that combined national guidelines and global recommendations. Validated access to improved water source for drinking was below the targets in most barangays, while validated sanitary toilet coverages in all barangays did not meet the targets. Significant difference was observed between validated and reported access to improved water and sanitation services in some barangays. Approximately 87.5% of households had a handwashing facility, but only 51.2% of which had both water and soap available. Achieving the targets is challenged by the gap in monitoring due to a decentralized health system in the Philippines. There is a need to standardize indicators and optimize the tool to allow a comprehensive assessment of water, sanitation, and hygiene practices. This will help generate local data that are in line with national guidelines and global recommendations to enhance policy and to determine priority areas for improved water, sanitation, and hygiene service delivery.

Using Rose’ and Manning’s Equations to Spatially Quantify Soil Erosion in Lagawe River Sub- Watershed, Ifugao, Philippines

A dynamic, physical model was created to predict soil erosion of Lagawe River Sub-watershed, a sub-watershed of Magat River Watershed, Philippines. Tipping-bucket rain gauge was installed to gather event-based rainfall data and a water-level recorder was installed on a straight segment of Lagawe River to gather water depth. Sediment samples were taken during rainstorm events and were used to calibrate the model. Manning’s equation was used to calculate surface runoff and stream flow velocity. Rose’ and Freebairn’s Equation was used to calculate sediment mass. Geographic Information System was utilized as a tool for modelling using PCRaster Software. The model estimated a total of 57,905,000 m3 of eroded sediments which was generated during Typhoon Koppu (local name, Lando) in year 2015. A Welch Two Sample t-value of -0.25 and a p-value of 0.81 was achieved on the statistical analysis between the measured sediment yield and the output of the model. Since the p-value is greater than 0.05 (5%), there is no significant difference between the output of the physical dynamic model and the measured value for sediment yield. Likewise, the correlation analysis supports this conclusion with a linearly positive R2 value of 0.74.

Index Assessment of Household Social Vulnerability to Climate Change: A Case Study of Laguna Province, Philippines

This study empirically investigated the social vulnerability of two municipalities of Laguna Province, Philippines, on the impacts of natural disasters associated with climate change. Data were obtained from interviews with seventeen experts and surveys for thirty-seven households conducted in the two municipalities. The results of the index analysis, using the weight average method and ordered probit regression, can be summarized as follows: First, the characteristics of low educational attainment, low labor rate and lack of economic resources were crucial in determining the social vulnerability class of households. Second, the social vulnerability index is determined by multiple factors, and therefore, it should not be assessed by a single variable. Third, the weights for components of the vulnerability index were insignificantly affected by geographical features and the speciality and personal traits of the experts. This suggests that local governments should develop an information system that identifies socially vulnerable households and that this should be utilized to provide the residents with education about climate change and strategies for households to reduce their potential risks from severe climatic events.

Melanomacrophage Centers in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) as Biomarker for Carbamate Exposure

Melanomacrophage centers are aggregates of pigment-containing cells found in the animal’s hematopoietic tissues. Changes in its characteristics have been used to assess the influence of pesticide exposure, and as tools for potential monitoring for fish and environmental health. This study aimed to evaluate the pesticide-induced hepatic and splenic melanomacrophage center responses in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) following exposure to fenobucarb in varying lengths of exposure. Five test groups were exposed to constant dose of fenobucarb at 0.08 mg L-1at different periods (0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days). Fenobucarb only induced significant changes in the splenic melanomacrophage centers. Splenic melanomacrophage centers significantly increased in number in response to the increasing lengths of exposure. Increasing trend of size and cover was also observed, however, significant difference was only detected at 28 days exposure period. Significant difference in hemosiderin and lipofuscin pigments was also detected at 28 days exposure which suggests tissue destruction after prolonged exposure. This study confirms the potential of melanomacrophage centers as a sensitive biomarker for fenobucarb exposure indicated by the changes in its characteristics, particularly in the spleen.