Zinc selenide/graphene oxide (ZnSe/GO) composite is synthesized using hydrothermal method. Two different methods
such as direct and indirect route have been investigated to form the ZnSe/GO composite. In this research, the graphene
oxide used was in sheet and liquid form. The synthesized composite was then characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD)
for phase identification, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) for morphology analysis and ultravioletvisible
spectroscopy (UV-Vis) for optical properties. ZnSe/GO composite showed absorption peak ranging from 460 to
480 nm with the optical band gap obtained through Tauc equation. The optical band gap of the ZnSe/GO composite has
been tuned down to a smaller value as compared to the bulk ZnSe compound. The optical band gap has been reduced
to around 2.53 eV when liquid graphene oxide was used while around 2.23 to 2.32 eV when graphene oxide sheet was
used. The purity of ZnSe/GO composite synthesis via indirect hydrothermal method is higher than those synthesized via
direct hydrothermal method. The type of graphene oxide will affect the morphology of the composite where the ZnSe
compound was either wrapped by tiny thorn-like substance or graphene oxide layer.
Titanium dioxide (TiO2
) nanoparticles thin film has been successfully synthesized by a spray pyrolysis deposition method
by using an air compressor on a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate and was annealed at different temperature. TiO2
is the most common oxide as an electrode in dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) which still has chances of improvements to
increase its efficiency as an electrode. The efficiency of a DSSC was relatively low but modifications on every part of a
DSSC were currently in research progress and an increase in adsorbed dye molecules was considered a potential. Thus,
the influences of annealing temperature on structural and morphological properties of TiO2
have been studied using
X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), respectively, while the efficiency of
the films in a solar cell was studied by a solar simulator. The FESEM result showed several degrees of porosity obtained
by varying the annealing temperature. The crystallinity of TiO2 investigated by XRD showed that the crystallinity of the
TiO2
thin films was generally unaffected by the annealing temperature. The relationship between the properties and the
efficiency of the films as an electrode was also studied
Zinc selenide (ZnSe) quantum dots (QDs) have been synthesized through a hydrothermal method using ZnCl2
and Na2
SeO3
powder as the precursor in the presence of oleylamine as capping agent. The hydrothermal route was conducted at a
moderate temperature (150°C) for 8 h. Optical properties of ZnSe QDs were studied through ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy
(UV-Vis) and photoluminescence (PL) while the structural properties of ZnSe QDs were characterized using transmission
electron microscope (TEM). The photoluminescence (PL) characterization on ZnSe QDs showed that the QDs emit light in
blue range region at around 440 nm with optical band gap energy at 3.68 eV. The TEM results showed that the average
particle size is around 8.9 nm. It is a good candidates for optoelectronic devices such as light emitting diodes (LED).
Due to the increasing production and use of nanoparticles in various sectors such as electronic industries and healthcare,
concerns about the unknown effects caused by the presence of these materials in the natural environment and agricultural
systems were on the rise. Because of the growing trend of ZnO nanoparticles (nZnO) which is one of the most widely
used nanoparticles being released into the environment, it has attracted the attention for more studies to be done on
the effects of this nanoparticle on organisms. This study was carried out to investigate the phytotoxicity effect of nZnO
on groundnut seedlings in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. The experimental treatments of this study include eight
concentrations of nZnO (10, 30, 50, 100, 200, 400, 1000 & 2000 mg.L-1) added to MS medium and MS medium without
nanoparticles have been used as control treatment. For the first 6 days after sowing, germination percent and germination
rate index were calculated by counting the germinated seeds every day. Groundnut seedlings were incubated for 3 weeks
in optimum condition and after that, seedling characteristics such as length, wet and dry weight of radicle and plumule
were measured. The water content of radicle and plumule were also calculated. The results of this study showed that
radicle and plumule length of groundnut seedlings were affected by nZnO exposure, in a way that length of radicles in 50
mg.L-1 nZnO and higher concentrations was significantly lower than that of control treatment and the shortest plumule
length was observed in 2000 mg.L-1 nZnO concentration treatment. Both the radicle and plumule wet weight were also
decreased as the nanoparticle concentration was increased. However, despite the decreasing in radicle and plumule dry
weight with increasing in nZnO concentration, this increase was not significant. However radicle dry weight in 10 mg.L-1
nZnO was significantly higher than nZnOtreatments with 200 mg.L-1 concentration and higher concentrations. Moreover,
observations of this study did not show any significant difference between the water content of nZnO concentration
treatments and control treatment.
The goal of this paper was to present a series of limit theorems that characterizes independent double random variables
via four dimensional summability transformation. In order to accomplish this goal we began with the presentation of the
following theorem that characterize pairwise independent random variables: let [xk,l] be a double sequence of pairwise
independent random variables such that [xk, l] was uniformly integrable. Let [am, n, k, l] be a four dimensional matrix such that
≤ C for all ordered pair (m, n) and for some C and
converges to 0 in probability
Then (xk,l – E(xk,l) converges in mean to 0. Other extensions and variations via multidimensional transformation
shall also be presented.
Interest in the use of intelligent packaging systems for food products has increased in recent years. Intelligent packaging
systems are those that monitor the condition of packaged foods to give information regarding the quality of the packaged
food during transport and storage. The potential of HEC/PANI film as pH indicator and pH sensor were evaluated. HEC/
PANI film was prepared by solution blending and casting method. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed
that there was no chemical interaction between HEC and PANI. The film properties were retained chemically. The electrical
conductivity increment from 1.14×105 to 2.2 ×105
S/cm was observed when PANI was incorporated into the HEC film matrix.
Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) showed that the electrical conductance network of PANI was formed
in HEC/PANI film. The electrical sensitivity of the film has been studied with I-V characterization. The changes in color and
current of HEC/PANI film on interaction to pH buffer 1-14 shows its suitability as pH indicator and pH sensor for food.
The aims of this work were to investigate the characteristics of nanoscale zero valent irons (nZVI) coupled with mesoporous
materials (RH-MCM-41) adsorbent and to study the removal mechanisms of Pb (II) from synthetical solutions using full
pictorial design batch experiments. Synthetic nZVI coupled with RH MCM-41 as Pb (II) adsorbent were characterized
by XRD, TEM, BET and XANES. The results of XANES analyses confirmed the ability of RH-MCM-41 to prevent oxidations of
Fe0
to Fe2+ and Fe3+. XANES results also verified the oxidation states of Pb (II). The solution pH was the most significant
positive effect in controlling Pb (II) adsorption. The equilibrium and kinetic adsorption isotherms well fitted with the
Langmuir isotherm. The pseudo-second order kinetic adsorption indicated that the adsorption process is the rate limiting
step for Pb (II) removal. Furthermore, Langmuir-Hinshelwood confirmed the obvious Pb (II) adsorption at the active
site of adsorbents. The reduction rate constant (kr
= 5,000 mg/L.min) was higher than the adsorption rate constant (Kad
= 0.0002 L/mg). Regarding the research results, four pathways including: reduction process, adsorption on FeOOH,
adsorption on RH-MCM-41 and complex reaction between Fe and Pb ions were suggested for Pb (II) removal by nZVI
coupled with RH-MCM-41.
Hydroxy-ether-POo
was synthesised via alcoholysis reaction of epoxidized palm olein (EPOo
). The experimental design
was conducted using response surface methodology (RSM) based on 3 factors; reaction time, reaction temperature and
catalyst loading. Responses such as percentage of conversion and percentage of yield were determined using statistical
software ‘Design Expert 9’. Hydroxy-ether-POo
showed the presence of proton peak attached to the carbon of ether
(3.2, 3.5 ppm) and proton of the hydroxyl (4.8 ppm). The presence of carbon peak bonded to hydroxyl was detected at
chemical shift 75 ppm and carbonyl carbon of ether at 72 ppm.
Timber scaffold boards have been widely utilised in the offshore construction industry. However, technical specifications
and inspection procedure for the application of scaffold boards from a wood material were inadequate. In the development
of the standard requirements, evaluation of actual engineering practices could indicate the level of workplace safety. A
study was conducted to identify risk and safety measures concerning the use of timber scaffold boards in construction.
This article discusses on the occupational risks and ergonomics issues of the scaffolding application based on the physical
and mechanical conditions of tropical timber scaffold boards extracted from offshore oil and gas rigs. The boards were
exposed to a seasonal climate of East Coast monsoon of South China Sea between November and February. The scaffolding
application extended up to 20 m directly above the ocean surface and some boards were completely immersed below
the ocean surface particularly during elevated tidal waves. Some of the boards were installed as the on-deck platforms.
Forty scaffold boards fabricated from tropical timber species were evaluated. Physical characteristics of the boards
were described by natural and man-made factors. A three-point bending test was conducted to determine the maximum
load capacity of each board and the mode of fracture was evaluated. Timber identification test was conducted to identify
the groups of the timber being used. The microscopic observation confirmed the presence of hyphae which indicated the
biological deterioration has happened in some of the boards. Occupational risks were summarised based on the results
of the physical and mechanical assessments
MeSH terms: China; Climate; Engineering; Oceans and Seas; Physical Examination; Seasons; Wood; Workplace; Hyphae; Tidal Waves; Construction Industry
UKMR-1, a local variant of mutant Roselle strain (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is enriched with free radical scavenging polyphenols
such as anthocyanin, vitamin C and hydroxycitric acid. However, pharmacological actions of UKMR-1 are not fully known.
This study was conducted to determine whether supplementation of aqueous UKMR-1 calyx extract was able to protect
against nicotine-induced cardiac injury in rats. In this experimental study, healthy male albino rats were randomly
allotted into three groups (n=7 per group): control, nicotine and UKMR-1+Nicotine groups. Nicotine (0.6 mg/kg, i.p.)
was administered to both nicotine and UKMR-1+Nicotine groups for 28 consecutive days. UKMR-1+Nicotine group also
received 100 mg/kg UKMR-1 extract orally via gavage 30 min prior to nicotine injection, daily. UKMR-1+Nicotine group
had significantly (p<0.05) higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, as well as lower malondialdehyde content in
heart tissue homogenate than nicotine group, suggesting its cardio protective activity by inhibition of lipid peroxidation.
UKMR-1 also lowered (p<0.05) the blood pressure in nicotine-administered rats. In addition, UKMR-1 significantly (p<0.05)
restored activities of cytosolic superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase as well as
redox balance ratio (GSH:GSSG). In conclusion, UKMR-1 was a
Lung atelectasis caused by shallow breathing patterns is common after cardiac, thoracic and upper abdominal surgeries.
A common method used to address this problem is to encourage patients to perform breathing exercises using incentive
spirometers in the postoperative period. However, to be effective, this procedure must be repeated regularly so that
adequate lung volumes can be maintained to prevent atelectasis. Current models of single-use, low-cost incentive
spirometers do not have features that can track and store data on breathing exercises. This makes it difficult to monitor
patients’ breathing exercises effectively. We present here a device designed to be interfaced with the Spiro-ball incentive
spirometer and programmed to monitor the incentive spirometry performance. Laboratory based validation performed
indicate that there were no significant differences between the value obtained from the device and manual reading;
p-value > 0.05 and root-mean-square error (RMSE) is 3.882. The device was able to retrieve and display pertinent data
on incentive spirometry performance. It was also able to correctly track and register random sets of inspiration data
through different dates and timelines. Being a separate entity which is reusable, it does not add to the cost of the singleuse
incentive spirometer
Cofactor-independent phosphoglycerate mutase has been proposed as a therapeutic target for the treatment of
trypanosomatid diseases. In this paper, we report the identification of compounds that could potentially be developed as
selective inhibitors of cofactor-independent phosphoglycerate mutase from Leishmania mexicana (LmiPGAM). Virtual
screening was used in this search, as well as compounds identified by high-throughput screening. A ligand-based virtual
screen programme, ultra fast shape recognition with atom types (UFSRAT), was used to screen for compounds resembling
the substrate/product, before a structure-based approach was applied using AutoDock 4 and AutoDock Vina in a consensus
docking scheme. In this way eight selected compounds were identified. In addition, three compounds from the Library of
Pharmacologically Active Compounds (LOPAC) were selected from the published results of high-throughput screening of
this library. The inhibitory effects of these compounds were tested at a fixed concentration of 1 mM. The results showed
that seven compounds inhibited LmiPGAM activity and of these, two compounds (one each from high-throughput and
virtual screening) showed substantial inhibition (i.e. 14% and 49% remaining activity, respectively). Taken together, the
findings from this study indicate that these compounds have potential as novel inhibitors that specifically target LmiPGAM.
In order to examine differences of meat quality traits depending on pH values post-mortem, the pH range was classified
according to initial pH (pH45min) and ultimate pH (pH24hr) post-mortem. The differences of meat quality traits depending
on sex were not changed by a number of amount, except for backfat thickness and fat content. The value of pH45min was
positively correlated with pHdif, whereas pH24hr was negatively associated with lightness (CIE L*) and protein content. At
pH45min post-slaughter, collagen content, fat content, shear force, water holding capacity and yellowness (CIE b*) showed
lower values at the higher pH range of pH>6.7 than those of other ranges, but CIE L* and redness (CIE a*) presented
the lowest value at the intermediate pH range of pH6.3~6.7. Conversely, at pH24hr post-slaughter, fat and moisture
contents maintained the highest average values at the higher pH range of pH>6.1, but protein content showed higher
value at the lower pH range of pH<5.7. Higher pH24hr appeared significantly lower shear force, but higher water holding
capacity. CIE L*, a*, and b* values showed significantly higher values at the lowest region of pH24hr. Since meat quality
characteristics seemed to be favored by consumers in rather than at the range of pH5.7~6.1, which showed significant
differences of meat color, appearance, and meat juiciness, it is suggested that production of pork meat to appropriate
pH value is performed by pig breeders and control measures taken during pre- and post-slaughters.
MeSH terms: Red Meat; Animals; Collagen; Color; Meat; Swine; Water; Sus scrofa
Family Scolopacidae includes the sandpipers, shanks, snipes, godwits and curlews. Systematic classifications of shorebirds
at the higher level have been successfully resolved. Nevertheless, the phylogeny of shorebirds in the familial level is still
poorly understood. Thus, this phylogenetic study on Scolopacidae was conducted upon the framework provided by the first
sequence-based species-level phylogeny within the shorebirds to determine the phylogenetic relationships among family
members of Scolopacidae in West Borneo, Sarawak using combined gene markers, mtDNA Cytochrome Oxidise I (COI)
and nucDNA Recombinant Activating Gene 1 (RAG1). A total of 1,342 base pair (bp) were inferred from both COI and RAG1
gene from 45 sequences constituted of 15 species Scolopacidae sampled from Sarawak namely Xenus cinereus, Actitis
hypoleucos, Tringa totanus, Tringa glareola, Tringa stagnatilis, Heteroscelus brevipes, Calidris alba, Calidris ruficollis,
Calidris ferruginea, Calidris tenuirostris, Calidris alpina, Gallinago stenura, Gallinago megala, Numenius arquata, and
Numenius phaeopus. The phylogenetic tree was constructed with Charadrius mongulus derived as an outgroup. The
Bayesian Inference (BI) tree constructed supported grouping of species into several lineages of Numeniinae, Calidrinae,
Scolopacinae and Tringinae. The groupings of species into several lineages correlate with morphological features that
contribute to their adaptation and ability of the species to fit to their ecosystems.
MeSH terms: Animals; Base Sequence; Bayes Theorem; Borneo; Cytochromes; DNA, Mitochondrial; Malaysia; Phylogeny; Genes, RAG-1; Ecosystem; Base Pairing; Charadriiformes
Burkholderia cenocepacia and Serratia marcescens are Gram-negative proteobacteria commonly found in the natural
environment and are also opportunistic pathogens that caused a number of human diseases. The fermentation culture of
Burkholderia cenocepacia yielded three compounds, 4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-phenol (1), Maculosin (2) and methyl myristate
(3). Compound 2 was also isolated together with cyclo(L-Leu-L-Pro) (4) from Serratia marcescens. Compound 1 was
isolated from a natural source for the first time and the first isolation of compounds 2-4 was also reported from both
Burkholderia cenocepacia and Serratia marcescens.
Endophytic fungi provide protection to their host plant and the fungi often produce antimicrobial compounds to aid the host
fighting off pathogens. These bioactive compounds were secondary metabolites which were often produced as waste- or
by-products. In the present study, endophytic fungi isolated from mangrove plants and soils were characterized and their
antimicrobial production and bioremediation potential of heavy metals copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were assessed. Twelve
(12) isolated and identified endophytic fungi belonged to seven species; Penicillium, Curvularia, Diaporthe, Aspergillus,
Guignardia, Neusartorya and Eupenicillium. Antimicrobial activities of these 12 fungal endophytes were tested against
Gram negative bacteria; Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Gram positive bacteria; Escherichia coli and fungi;
Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger among others. Two isolates (related to Guignardia sp. and Neusartoya sp.) showed
strong antimicrobial (and antifungal) activity whereas the rest showed no activity. Compounds were isolated from both
isolates and screened using HPLC. Both isolates displayed chemically very interesting chromatograms as they possessed a
high diversity of basic chemical structures and peaks over a wide range of polarities, with structures similar to Trimeric
catechin and Helenalin among others. For bioremediation assessment, the results showed maximum biosorption capacity
for two isolates related to Curvularia sp. and Neusartorya sp., with the former removing 25 mg Cu/g biomass and the
latter removing 24 mg Zn/g biomass. Our results indicated the potential of mangrove endophytic fungi in producing
bioactive compounds and also highlighted their potential for the treatment of heavy metal-contaminated wastewater.
The glutathione S-Transferase (GST) enzyme plays an important role in cellular detoxification. This multifunctional enzyme
is involved in Phase II detoxification pathways that protect cellular macromolecules from being attacked by harmful
compound. The study is an attempt to isolate glutathione transferase-expressing bacteria from the rhizospheric soil of
selected herbal plants. Screening showed nine positive isolates out of twelve bacterial samples from a large microbial
population in our soil collection. Crude extract from strain E1 which was isolated from Piper sarmentosum (Kadok)
showed the highest specific activity against 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitrobenzene substrates (5.78 × 10-06 µmol/min/mg). Based
on the carbon utilization of E1 assessed using Biolog system, the strain was identified as Comamonas testosterone E1.
Glutathione S-transferase purification using GST trap yielded two distinct subunits with molecular weights of 23 and 24
kDa as visualized on 1D SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified GST showed reactivity towards 1-chloro-2,
4-dinitrobenzene, 1, 2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene and ethacrynic acid with specific activity of 0.264 ± 0.038 nmol/min/
mg and 0.056 ± 0.002 nmol/min/mg and 10.500 ± 3.130 nmol/min/mg, respectively. However, no activity was detected
against p-Nitrobenzyl chloride, Sulfobromophthalein, trans-4-phenyl-3-butene-2-one, hexa-2, 4- dienal, trans-hepta-2,
4-dienal and trans-oct-2-enal in the study.
A Lactobacillus plantarum strain G1 was previously isolated from chicken crop and it was found to show interesting
probiotic properties. In this study, several microencapsulation combined materials were used to test their ability to protect
cells from gastrointestinal harsh conditions. The results on kinetics of cell release after exposition to acidic pH (2.0)
indicated that the efficiency of cell entrapment of the gels was as follows starting from the highest capacity to the lowest
one: sodium alginate, alginate-agar (AA), alginate-starch (AS) and κ-carrageenan. In addition, effect of bile salts on
cell release was also tested; the results showed that the efficiency of entrapment of the gels was different and as follows
starting from the highest capacity to the lowest one: AA, sodium alginate, κ-carrageenan, and AS. Moreover, viability of
free and alginate-microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum after exposure to acid, bile and pancreatic enzymes was
investigated; the results showed that microencapsulation was capable of protecting cells against the harsh conditions of
the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, microencapsulation enhanced the viability of Lb. plantarum during cold storage
for 2 weeks and during a range of heat treatments.
Litter decomposition is vital for carbon and nutrient turnover in terrestrial ecosystems, and this process has now
been thoroughly demonstrated to be regulated by various mechanisms. The total environment has been continuously
changing in recent decades, especially in high-latitude regions; these alterations, however, profoundly contribute to the
decomposition process, but a comprehensive recognition has not available. Here we reviewed the empirical observations
and current knowledge regarding how hydrological leaching and freeze-thaw events modulate early decomposition of
plant litter. Leaching contributes a considerable percentage of mass loss and carbon and nutrient release in early stage of
decomposition, but the magnitudes are different between species levels depending on the chemical traits. Frequent freezing
and thawing events could positively influence decomposition rate in cold biomes but also hamper soil decomposer and
there is no general and predictable pattern has been emerged. Further experiments should be manipulated to estimate
how the altered freezing and thawing effect on carbon and nutrient release from plant litter to better understanding the
changing environment on litter decomposition.
Interaction between the Red Palm Weevil (RPW) and coconuts will stimulate the plants’ early response by producing the
reactive oxygen species (ROS) which causes lipid peroxidation and membrane damage of the host plants. Thus, a multiple
defense lines, including both scavenging enzymes and molecular antioxidants have been evolved to promptly inactivate
these radicals. This study investigated the responses of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX),
α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid and carotenoids contents of three coconut cultivars which were PANDAN, MAWA and MATAG
against the RPW infestation. The infested PANDAN and MAWA exhibited higher CAT, POD and APX specific activities of 2.60
± 0.11, 5.0 ± 0.72 and 1.58 ± 0.20 units/mg protein for PANDAN whereas 1.13 ± 0.04, 39.38 ± 2.29 and 1.15 ± 0.16 units/
mg, protein for MAWA) compared with controls. However, MATAG cultivar showed no significant difference (p<0.05) in the
production of both enzymes except for POD specific activities. RPW infestations only managed to trigger the α-tocopherol
concentrations in the MAWA cultivar compared with the others. Infested MAWA and MATAG increased the ascorbic acid
concentrations, however, a contrast results was observed in infested PANDAN. All coconut cultivars exhibited higher
carotenoids content (2771.20 ± 263.90, 3043.20 ± 526.35 and 921.20 ± 281.10 µg/g.fwt of PANDAN, MAWA and MATAG,
respectively) compared with their respective controls (455.20 ± 135.10, 1408.40 ± 103.02 and 248.80 ± 110.39 µg/g.
fwt). The above results indicated that the oxidative stress induced by the RPW infestation would stimulate the activities of
enzymes and molecular antioxidants studied especially in infested MAWA. Thus, it may be suggested that MAWA cultivar
was more tolerance towards RPW infestation compared to MATAG and PANDAN. It is hoped that this finding will provide
clues on how plant respond toward stress during infestation, thus further action can be activated as soon as possible to
control the spread of R. ferrugineus.