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This study reports on the abundance and distribution of mangrove gastropods from Kuala Selangor Nature Park, Malaysia (KSNP). The line transect method with quadrats (5m x 5m) was employed to sample the gastropods. Gastropods were collected from the leaves, branches, stems and roots of trees and the mangrove floor. Nineteen gastropod taxa from seven families were recorded from the Bruguiera, mixed (Bruguiera, Avicennia and Rhizophora), Avicennia and Rhizophora zones. Avicennia sp. recorded the largest Girth at Breast Height (GBH) (mean±sd=37.3±18.2 cm) while Bruguiera sp. recorded the smallest GBH (mean=22.36±8 cm). The overall density of the gastropods at KSNP was 0.85 no/m2. The gastropod density was higher at the Avicennia & Rhizophora zone (150-200m (closer to the mudflats) (0.064±0.084 no/m2) followed by the mixed zone (50-150m) (0.046±0.30 no/m2) and lowest at the Bruguiera zone (0-50m) (0.08±0.080 no/m2) (closer to the coastal bund). Gastropod density between sampling zones did not vary significantly (p>0.05) but generally increased from the bund towards the mudflat edge. Further studies of the role of gastropods in the coastal food chain, as bio-indicators of habitat change and as potential food source for local populace are needed.

Marine tourism is a growing industry in Malaysia, with most tourism infrastructure and development focused on famous islands and sandy beaches. Less well-known areas on the south-west coast of the Peninsular such as Sungai Pulai that feature coastal mangroves and seagrass meadows are unfortunately not given emphasis. This paper outlines the potential of the mangrove and seagrass habitats of Sungai Pulai for marine tourism as well as its possible impacts (positive and negative) on its local communities. It is essential that local communities within the tourism realm are actively involved and have a say in tourism development and that they stand to benefit economically. This paper uses the example of Mukim Tg Kupang, Johor as an area that has marine tourism potential, even though it does not fall into the ‘typical' expectation of sandy beaches and beautiful dive sites. Strategies to ensure local community participation and benefits include environmental awareness through education and enhancing communication skills of the locals in their efforts to preserve their marine habitat. A holistic approach to marine tourism via the understanding of their physical and biological environment as well as intellectual and aesthetic development creates the capacity to enhance marine conservation. Keywords: Local communities, environmental education, conservation, marine, tourism management

Background: Health-care service delivery is one of the components of six building blocks of World Health Organization Health System Framework. In order to monitor the progress of health-care service delivery, it is necessary to monitor its dimensions. Objective: The current study aimed to assess the health-care service delivery at the lowest health-care delivery post in Haryana. Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study conducted in 17 randomly selected subcenters of Block Shahzadpur, Haryana, from July 2019 to March 2020, an Evaluation Framework was developed to monitor health-care service delivery through its three parameters, namely, service delivery, service provision, and facility assessment. The pretested, semi-structured tools were designed on Epi collect online (version 5) application using the available validated tools. Results: The mean service delivery score for antenatal care assessment, postnatal care assessment, and immunization is 74.9 (78.9%), 24.7 (98.6%), and 40.2 (87.3%), respectively, with an overall score of 139.8 (84.2%). The mean service provision score as assessed by patients and their caregivers through exit interview on five elements was 97%. The mean total score for facility assessment parameter was 81.7 (86.9%). The overall health service delivery score calculated by adding scores of all three parameters was 318.4 (maximum attainable score = 360, 88.4%). Conclusion: A good correlation was observed between individual parameters with total score, indicating higher performance of health-care delivery system. The future studies should focus on understanding the gaps at grassroot level and lay down the dashboard indicators for objectively evaluating health-care delivery system.

To evaluate the effectiveness of topical application of honey on Oral Mucositis (OM) associated with chemotherapy. An observational blind study is performed upon a sample of 100 children receiving chemotherapy who developed oral mucositis. All children are divided into two groups (control and experimental) who received different regimens. Both groups received routine practice of analgesic and antiseptic gel application whereas children in experimental group also received the topical application of honey on oral mucosa for the management of OM. All children are monitored from the day they developed oral mucositis until the subsidence of signs and symptoms of oral mucositis. The severity of OM was assessed with WHO-STC (Stomatitis Toxicity Criteria) scale by a observer blind. There was statistically significant difference in reduction of severity of OM in both groups of children (p

A well structured environmental education programme should have objectives related to awareness creation, knowledge accumulation, positive attitude inculcation, problem solving skills acquisition and citizen participation. Environmental education works at both school (passive, interactive, experiential education and empowerment) and public levels (behaviour modification). Social marketing strategies include changing behaviour, overcoming behavioural barriers, and providing easy access and channels. The challenges include finance, plan effectiveness, behaviour modification, human resource needs, participating agencies and political will. The environmental message must be accessible and tailored to the existing knowledge and interests of the target audience and it must also be clear, uncomplicated and empowering.

Air samples for PM10 (dp

Surveys on the distribution of fish fauna in Keniam River, Taman Negara Pahang were conducted from 16th–22nd March 2011. Fish were sampled from 12 stations from 3 different zones of the river, namely, the upper reaches, middle reaches, and lower reaches. A total of 17 fish species belonging to 4 families were recorded. Analyses based on the number of individuals caught showed that 82% of total catch was represented by the Cyprinids. Mystus nemurus and Mystacoelucus marginatus were the most distributed within the Keniam River being present in the upper, middle and lower reaches of the river. Species richness (Margalef's D) for fish ranged from 2.33 to 2.96 while the Shannon-Weiner (H') Diversity index ranged from 1.80 to 2.07. The upper reaches recorded highest diversity (H'=2.07, D=2.96) as compared to the other zones of the Keniam River. Approximately 82% or 14 species of the fishes sampled were juveniles or sub adults based on the ratio of their mean standard length to their maximum attainable length.

Persistence and efficacy of bifenthrin (25 and 50 g ai ha(-1)), fipronil (50 and 100 g ai ha(-1)) and indoxacarb (70 and 140 g ai ha(-1)) has been studied in okra fruits. The initial deposits varied from 0.259-0.382 microg g(-1) at low and 0.461-0.688 microg g(-1) at high rate of application. The residues persisted upto 10 days with half-life of 1.32-1.58 days for bifenthrin, 0.65-1.12 days for fipronil and 0.58-1.02 days for indoxacarb. Based on ADI, the suggested waiting period was 1 day for bifenthrin and indoxacarb and 3 days for fipronil. All the insecticides were found effective against leafhopper and shoot and fruit borer.