Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 138-147). / xiv, 147 leaves, bound maps 29 cm

Lic.-avh. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, 2007. / Härtill 2 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, 2006. / Härtill 3 uppsatser.

Alternative energy technology has been used widely in rural electrification program (REP) all over the world for many years now. Renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind and biomass, are the preferred choices given the abundant resources available on site and the sophistication of the technologies involved. Combinations of two or more of the resources, together with an energy storage system and occasionally a conventional energy generator, create a hybrid system, which is reliable and durable. In Malaysia, solar photovoltaic (PV) base systems, implemented on a large scale, can provide round-the-clock electricity services for areas that are inaccessible by the electricity grid network. One of Malaysia s REP initiatives is solar PV-diesel hybrid systems for 160 schools in rural Sabah. The systems have been in operation for several years, but studies in the program are limited. Thus, understanding the system operation and functional is a highly valuable experience and lessons can be learned for implementation of the rural electrification program (REP). The overall aim of the research is to evaluate the REP in social, organizational, technical and economic aspects of the program that the findings can facilitate the stakeholders, such as the policy makers and implementers for current and future approaches, measures and decisions on REP activities and initiatives in Malaysia. This thesis has described the approaches on investigating the rural school s electrification program in Sabah. Analysis of system operation and function is conducted by examining and evaluating the recorded data from the system. A set of technical indicators is introduced in the form of system performance indicators and system reliability indicators. Furthermore, comparisons are made between the actual system operation and the optimum system configuration based on the actual data of the renewable energy resources, electricity energy consumption and costs in installation and operation. A field study was conducted at fifteen rural schools that use the solar PV system to determine the effectiveness of the program in transforming the rural schools to better learning environments and livelihoods. The findings indicate that most system components were found to be in good operation, and the operation of the solar PV system agreed to the indicators of system performance and system reliability. Additionally, the system reliability indicators can be seen as a vital tool not only to identify the values of the system capacity but also for prediction measures in analysing the durability of each component. The analysis of the actual system operation provides optimum values in terms of technical indicators, whereas the optimized system shows economic advantages. The findings show a high degree of responses from the end users in the level of satisfaction, appreciation, motivation and academic excellence. Nevertheless, several improvements are required to enhance the sustainability elements of the REP, especially from the organizational and governance perspectives. These includes effective coordination among the rural development-related agencies, the improvement on the transition between installation and maintenance work, efficient reporting process and training and awareness program need to be extended to every end user for sustainability in information and knowledge.

Population dynamics and spatial pattern of dipterocarp seedlings were investigated in lowland dipterocarp forest in Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah, East Malaysia. Seedlings (< 10 cm gbh) were enumerated in two areas (2.0 and 0.48 ha) within the tree enumeration plots established by the University of Stirling project, and surveyed over 22 months. Seedlings of the major canopy and emergent dipterocarps in the area were common: Shorea johorensis (Red Meranti); S. argentifolia, S. leprosula, S. parvifolia (Light Red Merantis, LRM) and Parashorea maleanonan, all light demanding species; S. fallax,S. pauciflora (Dark Red Meranti, DRM), more shade tolerant emergent species; and Hopea nervosa, Vatica dulitensis and V. sarawakensis, shade tolerant canopy species. Total seedling densities were 2000-2500 ha-1. Mortality rates varied from 0 to 16% yr-1 in different species, and were highest in the LRMs and lowest in the canopy species. Temporal and spatial variation in mortality rates was greatest in the LRMs. In both plots, seedling mortality rates were significantly positively correlated with basal area of conspecific trees ≥10cm gbh. Net growth rates were very variable, even within size classes in the same species. Median growth rates were highest in the LRMs and lowest in canopy species. Frequency distributions of growth rates were strongly leptokurtic in slow-growing species, with most seedlings having growth rates around zero, although individual seedlings could produce large increments. In fast-growing species, more seedlings achieved high growth rates. A significant proportion of seedlings suffered height loss due to falling debris, and almost half the seedlings showed evidence of previous stem damage. Large growth increments were recorded in most species in response to canopy openings, usually very small gaps caused by branch falls. Individual increments exceeded 1 m yr-1 in seven species. Growth and mortality rates were significantly positively correlated across species in Plot 1, but not in Plot 2. Seedling spatial patterns were examined in eleven species in Plot 1, and covered a wide range of degrees of aggregation. Seedlings of the light-demanding emergent species were we1l-distributed throughout the study area, though some showed aggregation at a small scale. DRM seedlings were strongly clumped around adult trees. Seedlings of two of the canopy species were very strongly aggregated around adult trees, while the third species, V. sarawakensis, had randomly distributed seedlings.

Protests have been important social phenomena for the wider Middle East, especially since the Arab Spring, with the potential to achieve dramatic change. Understanding the nature of uprisings in the region is important for our understanding of the present and the future. To this end, this thesis tried to make sense of the dynamics and processes that led to the emergence of three protests in the region, the 25th of January Revolution in Egypt, the Syrian Uprising, and the Gezi protest. It tried to analyze the different aspects in which they were comparable. Furthermore, it tried to analyze their representation in the media by uncovering the differences and similarities between the discourse of two Turkish newspapers, Sabah and Cumhuriyet, in their columns and news reports regarding these instances of protests. Critical discourse analysis was used alongside comparative case study to see the differences between social reality and the discourse of the newspapers. Also, the thesis tried to explain the discrepancies and commonalities between the discourse of the newspapers. When the protests were compared with the help of the existing literature, it was seen that the protests had some similarities in the aspects such as causes of protest, the performance of the protestors, and state reaction. Moreover,...

The LGBTI+ community in Turkey are regularly subjected to discrimination, threats andviolence. This study aims to analyze how two Turkish newspapers cover LGBTI+ in Turkey,with a time frame of the last ten years and a sub-focus on the ban of Istanbul pride in 2015. Ipresent a qualitative approach to the study based on framing analysis regarding mediacoverage. The analysis applies to articles and citations within these, using four different‘frames’ adapted from previous research; equality frame, victim frame, morality frame andpropaganda of homosexuality frame. The results show a decrease of LGBTI+ coveragewithin the examined time frame and a variation of frame usage. There are indications that thepride ban of 2015 may have been a shifting point for framing regarding both articles andcitations. The results also uncover a substantial decrease in the quantity of coverage on thetopic. The results of the two newspapers differ, indicating different media outlets portrayLGBTI+ people in diverse ways.

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This study explores the “push-pull” dynamics of Shia migration from southwestern Iran (Fars, Khuzestan and the Persian Gulf coast) to Kuwait during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Although nowadays Shias constitute thirty five percent of the Kuwaiti population and their historical role in building the state of Kuwait have been substantial, no individual study has delved into the causes of Shia migration from Iran to Kuwait. By analyzing the internal political, economic, and social conditions of both regions in the context of the Gulf sheikhdoms, the British and Ottoman empires, and other great powers interested in dominating the Gulf region, my thesis examines why Shia migrants, such as merchants, artisans and laborers left southwestern Iran and chose Kuwait as their final destination to settle. The two-way trade between southwest Iran and Kuwait provided a pathway for the Shia migrants and settlers into Kuwait. Moreover, by highlighting the economic roles of the Shia community in Kuwait, my thesis enhances our understanding of the foundation and contributions of the Shia community in Kuwait. Thus it fills a significant gap in Kuwaiti historiography. The research for this thesis draws from a variety of primary sources, including British government documents, the writing of western travelers, the Almatrook business archive, and oral-history interviews with descendants of Shia immigrants to Kuwait.

This study explores the “push-pull” dynamics of Shia migration from southwestern Iran (Fars, Khuzestan and the Persian Gulf coast) to Kuwait during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Although nowadays Shias constitute thirty five percent of the Kuwaiti population and their historical role in building the state of Kuwait have been substantial, no individual study has delved into the causes of Shia migration from Iran to Kuwait. By analyzing the internal political, economic, and social conditions of both regions in the context of the Gulf sheikhdoms, the British and Ottoman empires, and other great powers interested in dominating the Gulf region, my thesis examines why Shia migrants, such as merchants, artisans and laborers left southwestern Iran and chose Kuwait as their final destination to settle. The two-way trade between southwest Iran and Kuwait provided a pathway for the Shia migrants and settlers into Kuwait. Moreover, by highlighting the economic roles of the Shia community in Kuwait, my thesis enhances our understanding of the foundation and contributions of the Shia community in Kuwait. Thus it fills a significant gap in Kuwaiti historiography. The research for this thesis draws from a variety of primary sources, including British government documents, the writing of western travelers, the Almatrook business archive, and oral-history interviews with descendants of Shia immigrants to Kuwait.