Browse publications by year: 2020

Application of Nanotechnology in Wood-Based Products Industry: A Review

Jasmani L, Rusli R, Khadiran T, Jalil R, Adnan S

Nanoscale Res Lett, 2020 Nov 04;15(1):207.
PMID: 33146807 DOI: 10.1186/s11671-020-03438-2

Wood-based industry is one of the main drivers of economic growth in Malaysia. Forest being the source of various lignocellulosic materials has many untapped potentials that could be exploited to produce sustainable and biodegradable nanosized material that possesses very interesting features for use in wood-based industry itself or across many different application fields. Wood-based products sector could also utilise various readily available nanomaterials to enhance the performance of existing products or to create new value added products from the forest. This review highlights recent developments in nanotechnology application in the wood-based products industry.

MeSH terms: Lignin; Malaysia; Wood; Nanotechnology; Nanostructures; Economic Development; Forests
Fulltext The construction process for pre-stressed ultra high performance concrete communication tower

Lai VY, Hejazi F, Saleem S

PLoS One, 2020;15(11):e0238654.
PMID: 33147216 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238654

Towers are important structures for installing radio equipment to emit electromagnetic waves that allow radio, television and/or mobile communications to function. Feasibility, cost, and speed of the construction are considered in the design process as well as providing stability and functionality for the communication tower. This study proposes the new design for construction of segmental tubular section communication tower with ultra-high-performance fibre concrete (UHPFC) material and prestress tendon to gain durability, ductility, and strength. The proposed mix design for UHPFC in this study which used for construction of communication tower is consisted of densified Silica Fume, Silica fine and coarse Sand and hooked-ends Steel Fiber. The prestressed tendon is used in the tower body to provide sufficient strength against the lateral load. The proposed design allows the tower to be built with three precast segments that are connected using bolts and nuts. This paper presents a novel method of construction and installation of the communication tower. The advantages of proposed design and construction process include rapid casting of the precast segment for the tower and efficient installation of segments in the project. The use of UHPFC material with high strength and prestress tendon can reduce the size and thickness of the tower as well as the cost of construction. Notably, this material can also facilitate the construction and installation procedure.

MeSH terms: Construction Materials*; Telecommunications/instrumentation*; Compressive Strength
Fulltext Imidazole-rich copper peptides as catalysts in xenobiotic degradation

Begum SZ, Nizam NSM, Muhamad A, Saiman MI, Crouse KA, Abdul Rahman MB

PLoS One, 2020;15(11):e0238147.
PMID: 33147237 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238147

Laccases, oxidative copper-enzymes found in fungi and bacteria were used as the basis in the design of nona- and tetrapeptides. Laccases are known to be excellent catalysts for the degradation of phenolic xenobiotic waste. However, since solvent extraction of laccases is environmentally-unfriendly and yields obtained are low, they are less preferred compared to synthetic catalysts. The histidine rich peptides were designed based on the active site of laccase extracted from Trametes versicolor through RCSB Protein Data Bank, LOMETS and PyMol software. The peptides were synthesized using Fmoc-solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) with 30-40% yield. These peptides were purified and characterized using LC-MS (purities >75%), FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. Synthesized copper(II)-peptides were crystallized and then analyzed spectroscopically. Their structures were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR. Standards (o,m,p-cresol, 2,4-dichlorophenol) catalysed using laccase from Trametes versicolor (0.66 U/mg) were screened under different temperatures and stirring rate conditions. After optimizing the degradation of the standards with the best reaction conditions reported herein, medications with phenolic and aromatic structures such as ibuprofen, paracetamol (acetaminophen), salbutamol, erythromycin and insulin were screened using laccase (positive control), apo-peptides and copper-peptides. Their activities evaluated using GC-MS, were compared with those of peptide and copper-peptide catalysts. The tetrapeptide was found to have the higher degradation activity towards salbutamol (96.8%) compared with laccase at 42.8%. Ibuprofen (35.1%), salbutamol (52.9%) and erythromycin (49.7%) were reported to have the highest degradation activities using Cu-tetrapeptide as catalyst when compared with the other medications. Consequently, o-cresol (84%) was oxidized by Tp-Cu while the apo-peptides failed to oxidize the cresols. Copper(II)-peptides were observed to have higher catalytic activity compared to their parent peptides and the enzyme laccase for xenobiotic degradation.

MeSH terms: Catalysis; Chromatography, Liquid; Copper/chemistry*; Pharmaceutical Preparations/chemistry; Fungal Proteins/chemistry; Imidazoles/chemistry*; Models, Molecular; Molecular Conformation; Peptides/metabolism; Peptides/chemistry*; Xenobiotics/chemistry*; Catalytic Domain; Databases, Protein; Laccase/chemistry*; Trametes/enzymology*
Fulltext Comparative analyses of new donor-π-acceptor ferrocenyl-chalcones containing fluoro and methoxy-fluoro acceptor units as synthesized dyes for organic solar cell material

Anizaim AH, Zainuri DA, Zaini MF, Razak IA, Bakhtiar H, Arshad S

PLoS One, 2020;15(11):e0241113.
PMID: 33147247 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241113

Two organometallic compounds known as (E)-1-ferrocenyl-(3-fluorophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (Fc1) and (E)-1-ferrocenyl-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (Fc2) are designed and synthesized for application in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) based on a donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) architecture. By strategically introducing a methoxy group into the acceptor side of the compound, Fc2 which has adopted a D-π-A-AD structure are compared with the basic D-π-A structure of Fc1. Both compounds were characterized by utilizing the IR, NMR and UV-Vis methods. Target compounds were further investigated by X-ray analysis and studied computationally using Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Time-Dependent DFT (TD-DFT) approaches to explore their potential performances in DSSCs. An additional methoxy group has been proven in enhancing intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) by improving the planarity of Fc2 backbone. This good electronic communication leads to higher HOMO energy level, larger dipole moment and better short-circuit current density (Jsc) values. Eventually, the presence of methoxy group in Fc2 has improved the conversion efficiency as in comparison to Fc1 under the same conditions.

MeSH terms: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Organometallic Compounds; Radiography; Spine; X-Rays
Fulltext Interferon Regulatory Factors IRF1 and IRF7 Directly Regulate Gene Expression in Bats in Response to Viral Infection

Irving AT, Zhang Q, Kong PS, Luko K, Rozario P, Wen M, et al.

Cell Rep, 2020 11 03;33(5):108345.
PMID: 33147460 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108345

Bat cells and tissue have elevated basal expression levels of antiviral genes commonly associated with interferon alpha (IFNα) signaling. Here, we show Interferon Regulatory Factor 1 (IRF1), 3, and 7 levels are elevated in most bat tissues and that, basally, IRFs contribute to the expression of type I IFN ligands and high expression of interferon regulated genes (IRGs). CRISPR knockout (KO) of IRF 1/3/7 in cells reveals distinct subsets of genes affected by each IRF in an IFN-ligand signaling-dependent and largely independent manner. As the master regulators of innate immunity, the IRFs control the kinetics and maintenance of the IRG response and play essential roles in response to influenza A virus (IAV), herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), Melaka virus/Pteropine orthoreovirus 3 Melaka (PRV3M), and Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection. With its differential expression in bats compared to that in humans, this highlights a critical role for basal IRF expression in viral responses and potentially immune cell development in bats with relevance for IRF function in human biology.

MeSH terms: Animals; Chiroptera/immunology*; Gene Expression Regulation/immunology*; Influenza A virus/immunology; Virus Diseases/immunology*; Orthoreovirus/immunology; Herpesvirus 1, Human/immunology; Interferon Regulatory Factor-7/immunology*; Interferon Regulatory Factor-1/immunology*; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus/immunology
Highly efficient dye removal and lysozyme purification using strong and weak cation-exchange nanofiber membranes

Huong DTM, Liu BL, Chai WS, Show PL, Tsai SL, Chang YK

Int J Biol Macromol, 2020 Dec 15;165(Pt A):1410-1421.
PMID: 33045299 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.10.034

Electrospinning technology was applied for the preparation of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber membrane in this work. After hot pressing, alkaline hydrolysis and neutralization treatment, a weak acid cation exchange membrane (P-COOH) was prepared. By the covalent coupling reaction between the acidic membrane and aminomethane sulfonic acid (AMSA), a strong acidic nanofiber membrane (P-SO3H) was obtained. The surface morphology, chemical structure, and thermal stability of the prepared ion exchange membranes were analyzed via SEM, FTIR and TGA. Analytical results showed that the membranes were prepared successfully and thermally stable. The ion exchange membrane (IEX) was conducted with the newly designed membrane reactor, and different operating conditions affecting the adsorption efficiency of Toluidine Blue dye (TBO) were investigated by dynamic flow process. The results showed that dynamic binding capacity (DBC) of weak and strong IEX membranes for TBO dye was ~170 mg/g in a dynamic flow process. Simultaneously, the ion exchange membranes were also used for purifying lysozyme from chicken egg white (CEW). Results illustrated that the recovery yield and purification factor of lysozyme were 93.43% and 29.23 times (P-COOH); 90.72% and 36.22 times (P-SO3H), respectively. It was revealed that two type ion exchange membranes were very suitable as an adsorber for use in dye waste treatment and lysozyme purification process. P-SO3H strong ion-exchange membrane was more effective either removal of TBO dye or purification of lysozyme. The ion exchange membranes not only effectively purified lysozyme from CEW solution, but also effectively removed dye from wastewater.

MeSH terms: Acrylic Resins/chemistry; Adsorption/drug effects; Amsacrine/chemistry*; Cations/chemistry; Coloring Agents/isolation & purification; Coloring Agents/chemistry*; Ion Exchange; Membranes, Artificial; Muramidase/isolation & purification; Muramidase/chemistry*; Nanofibers/chemistry*
Fulltext Coping with COVID-19 and movement control order (MCO): experiences of university students in Malaysia

Kamaludin K, Chinna K, Sundarasen S, Khoshaim HB, Nurunnabi M, Baloch GM, et al.

Heliyon, 2020 Nov;6(11):e05339.
PMID: 33134570 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05339

This study examined how university students in Malaysia coped with the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on movement (also known as MCO). A total of 983 students participated in a survey conducted online between April 20 and May 24, 2020. The psychological impact was measured using Zung's Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). The students were assessed on the usage of adaptive (humanitarian and seeking social support) and maladaptive coping strategies (acceptance and mental disengagement). The results showed that the students used maladaptive coping strategies more than adaptive coping strategies to deal with anxiety caused by the pandemic and the effect of restriction of movement. Seeking social support and acceptance coping strategies were significantly associated with the level of anxiety. The student's gender, age, ethnicity, level and type of study, and living arrangement were associated with coping strategies. The students' selection of coping strategies mirrors typical Asian culture, that is, submissiveness. The study proposes several practical and professional suggestions to address students' mental health issues.

MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Ethnic Groups; Humans; Malaysia; Mental Health; Surveys and Questionnaires; Social Support; Students; Universities; Pandemics
Fulltext Development of Polysulfone Membrane via Vapor-Induced Phase Separation for Oil/Water Emulsion Filtration

Barambu NU, Bilad MR, Bustam MA, Huda N, Jaafar J, Narkkun T, et al.

Polymers (Basel), 2020 Oct 29;12(11).
PMID: 33137888 DOI: 10.3390/polym12112519

The discharge of improperly treated oil/water emulsion by industries imposes detrimental effects on human health and the environment. The membrane process is a promising technology for oil/water emulsion treatment. However, it faces the challenge of being maintaining due to membrane fouling. It occurs as a result of the strong interaction between the hydrophobic oil droplets and the hydrophobic membrane surface. This issue has attracted research interest in developing the membrane material that possesses high hydraulic and fouling resistance performances. This research explores the vapor-induced phase separation (VIPS) method for the fabrication of a hydrophilic polysulfone (PSF) membrane with the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) as the additive for the treatment of oil/water emulsion. Results show that the slow nonsolvent intake in VIPS greatly influences the resulting membrane structure that allows the higher retention of the additive within the membrane matrix. By extending the exposure time of the cast film under humid air, both surface chemistry and morphology of the resulting membrane can be enhanced. By extending the exposure time from 0 to 60 s, the water contact angle decreases from 70.28 ± 0.61° to 57.72 ± 0.61°, and the clean water permeability increases from 328.70 ± 8.27 to 501.89 ± 8.92 (L·m-2·h-1·bar-1). Moreover, the oil rejection also improves from 85.06 ± 1.6 to 98.48 ± 1.2%. The membrane structure was transformed from a porous top layer with a finger-like macrovoid sub-structure to a relatively thick top layer with a sponge-like macrovoid-free sub-structure. Overall results demonstrate the potential of the VIPS process to enhance both surface chemistry and morphology of the PSF membrane.

MeSH terms: Emulsions; Humans; Patient Discharge; Permeability; Polyethylene Glycols; Polymers; Sulfones; Water; Porosity; Water Purification; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
Fulltext Polymer Ligands Derived from Jute Fiber for Heavy Metal Removal from Electroplating Wastewater

Rahman ML, Fui CJ, Ting TX, Sarjadi MS, Arshad SE, Musta B

Polymers (Basel), 2020 Oct 29;12(11).
PMID: 33137923 DOI: 10.3390/polym12112521

Industrial operations, domestic and agricultural activities worldwide have had major problems with various contaminants caused by environmental pollution. Heavy metal pollution in wastewater also a prominent issue; therefore, a well built and economical treatment technology is demanded for pollution-free wastewater. The present work emphasized pure cellulose extracted from jute fiber and further modification was performed by a free radical grafting reaction, which resulted in poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA)-grafted cellulose and poly(acrylonitrile)-grafted cellulose. Subsequently, poly(hydroxamic acid) and poly(amidoxime) ligands were prepared from the PMA-grafted cellulose and PAN-grafted cellulose, respectively. An adsorption study was performed using the desired ligands with heavy metals such as copper, cobalt, chromium and nickel ions. The binding capacity (qe) with copper ions for poly(hydroxamic acid) is 352 mg g-1 whereas qe for poly(amidoxime) ligand it was exhibited as 310 mg g-1. Other metal ions (chromium, cobalt and nickel) show significance binding properties at pH 6. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm study was also performed. The Freundlich isotherm model showed good correlation coefficients for all metal ions, indicating that multiple-layers adsorption was occurred by the polymer ligands. The reusability was evaluated and the adsorbents can be reused for 7 cycles without significant loss of removal performance. Both ligands showed outstanding metals removal capacity from the industrial wastewater as such 98% of copper can be removed from electroplating wastewater and other metals (cobalt, chromium, nickel and lead) can also be removed up to 90%.

MeSH terms: Acrylonitrile; Adsorption; Cellulose; Chromium; Cobalt; Copper; Electroplating; Hydroxamic Acids; Ligands; Nickel; Polymers; Waste Water
Fulltext Socio-Economic Factors Related to Drinking Water Source and Sanitation in Malaysia

Kong YL, Anis-Syakira J, Fun WH, Balqis-Ali NZ, Shakirah MS, Sararaks S

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2020 10 29;17(21).
PMID: 33137998 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17217933

Access to improved water and sanitation is essential. We describe these practices in Malaysia using data from a nationwide community survey and used logistic regression to assess the determinants. Of the 7978 living quarters (LQs), 58.3% were in urban areas. About 2.4%, 0.5% and 27.4% of LQs had non-improved water sources, non-improved toilet types and improper domestic waste disposal, respectively. Open burning was practiced by 26.1%. Water source was a problem for long houses (10.5%), squatters (8.5%) and shared houses (4.0%). Non-improved toilet types were 11.9% for squatters and 4.8% for shared houses. Improper domestic waste disposal practices were higher for occupants of village houses (64.2%), long houses (54.4%), single houses (45.8%) and squatters (35.6%). An increase in education or income level was associated with a decrease in improper domestic waste disposal methods. House type significantly affected water and sanitation after adjusting for the effects of other variables. Lower household income was associated with non-improved toilet types and improper domestic waste disposal. Lower education and rural location influenced domestic waste disposal. The water and toilet facilities in Malaysia were generally good, while domestic waste management practices could be improved. There remain pockets of communities with environmental challenges for the nation.

MeSH terms: Educational Status; Humans; Income; Malaysia; Residence Characteristics*; Rural Population; Sanitation*; Socioeconomic Factors*; Toilet Facilities; Urban Population; Water Supply*; Drinking Water*
Fulltext The Study of Plasticized Solid Polymer Blend Electrolytes Based on Natural Polymers and Their Application for Energy Storage EDLC Devices

Dannoun EMA, Aziz SB, Brza MA, M Nofal M, Asnawi ASFM, Yusof YM, et al.

Polymers (Basel), 2020 Oct 29;12(11).
PMID: 33138114 DOI: 10.3390/polym12112531

In this work, plasticized magnesium ion-conducting polymer blend electrolytes based on chitosan:methylcellulose (CS:MC) were prepared using a solution cast technique. Magnesium acetate [Mg(CH3COO)2] was used as a source of the ions. Nickel metal-complex [Ni(II)-complex)] was employed to expand the amorphous phase. For the ions dissociation enhancement, glycerol plasticizer was also engaged. Incorporating 42 wt% of the glycerol into the electrolyte system has been shown to improve the conductivity to 1.02 × 10-4 S cm-1. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that the electrolyte with the highest conductivity has a minimum crystallinity degree. The ionic transference number was estimated to be more than the electronic transference number. It is concluded that in CS:MC:Mg(CH3COO)2:Ni(II)-complex:glycerol, ions are the primary charge carriers. Results from linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) showed electrochemical stability to be 2.48 V. An electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC) based on activated carbon electrode and a prepared solid polymer electrolyte was constructed. The EDLC cell was then analyzed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge-discharge methods. The CV test disclosed rectangular shapes with slight distortion, and there was no appearance of any redox currents on both anodic and cathodic parts, signifying a typical behavior of EDLC. The EDLC cell indicated a good cyclability of about (95%) for throughout of 200 cycles with a specific capacitance of 47.4 F/g.

MeSH terms: Charcoal; Electric Conductivity; Electrolytes; Glycerol; Humans; Ions; Magnesium; Methylcellulose; Nickel; Patient Discharge; Plasticizers; Polymers; X-Ray Diffraction; Electric Capacitance; Chitosan
Fulltext Antiviral and Immunomodulatory Effects of Phytochemicals from Honey against COVID-19: Potential Mechanisms of Action and Future Directions

Al-Hatamleh MAI, Hatmal MM, Sattar K, Ahmad S, Mustafa MZ, Bittencourt MC, et al.

Molecules, 2020 Oct 29;25(21).
PMID: 33138197 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25215017

The new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has recently put the world under stress, resulting in a global pandemic. Currently, there are no approved treatments or vaccines, and this severe respiratory illness has cost many lives. Despite the established antimicrobial and immune-boosting potency described for honey, to date there is still a lack of evidence about its potential role amid COVID-19 outbreak. Based on the previously explored antiviral effects and phytochemical components of honey, we review here evidence for its role as a potentially effective natural product against COVID-19. Although some bioactive compounds in honey have shown potential antiviral effects (i.e., methylglyoxal, chrysin, caffeic acid, galangin and hesperidinin) or enhancing antiviral immune responses (i.e., levan and ascorbic acid), the mechanisms of action for these compounds are still ambiguous. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work exclusively summarizing all these bioactive compounds with their probable mechanisms of action as antiviral agents, specifically against SARS-CoV-2.

MeSH terms: Animals; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use*; Forecasting; Honey/analysis*; Humans; Immunologic Factors/therapeutic use; Pneumonia, Viral/drug therapy*; Coronavirus Infections/drug therapy*; Pandemics; Phytochemicals/isolation & purification; Phytochemicals/pharmacology*
Fulltext Supporting Role of Society and Firms to COVID-19 Management among Medical Practitioners

Zandi G, Shahzad I, Farrukh M, Kot S

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2020 10 29;17(21).
PMID: 33138254 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17217961

Measurement of job stress and employees' commitment are few of the admired topics in the corporate world amongst business writers. With a principal aim to trial the blow of exposure to COVID-19 patients on doctors' job stress and commitment, in Pakistan; data have been collected through 7-10 min telephonic interview from voluntary participants and a sample of 129 responses were analyzed by Structure Equation Modeling-Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS) path modeling through Smart PLS 3.2. The results of the study indicated; direct positive & significant impact of Extent of Exposure on Job Stress while direct negative, significant association with Commitment. Job Stress also observed having direct negative impact on commitment. The Extent of Exposure-Job Stress relationship was also found stronger among group of doctors having Low level of Perceived Organizational Support and weaker among group of doctors having High level of Perceive Organizational support. Perceived Organizational Support showed a moderating effect on the Extent of Exposure-Job Stress relationship; while, Social Support showed no moderation. Researchers are required to investigate more and management of the medical services providers (both hospitals and government) needs to focus on doctors' perception about Organizational Support, as doctors show no concern about the support from society as long as their well-being is cared for by respective hospitals. This study is an effort to stimulate more empirical evidence towards the treating and handling of COVID-19 patients and the psychological well-being of doctors.

MeSH terms: Female; Humans; Job Satisfaction*; Male; Pakistan/epidemiology; Physicians/psychology*; Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology*; Quarantine; Surveys and Questionnaires; Social Support*; Organizational Culture; Occupational Exposure/prevention & control; Workplace; Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology*; Pandemics
Carriage of Haemophilus influenzae among children attending childcare centres in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in the post vaccination era: A cross-sectional study

Palaniappan PA, Mohamed Sukur S, Liow YL, Maniam S, Sherina F, Ahmad N

Vaccine, 2020 12 03;38(51):8232-8237.
PMID: 33139134 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.09.066

BACKGROUND: Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae) is a human upper respiratory tract colonizer which causes wide range of disease especially in children<5 years old and in the elderly. Although worldwide incidence in industrialised countries where Hib vaccination is commonly used has dropped sharply since implementation of H. influenzae type b (Hib) vaccination, there is limited data on the disease burden caused by H. influenzae in Malaysia post vaccination era. A change in predominant serotype from type b to non-b serotypes of H. influenzae in invasive diseases was reported worldwide. We investigated the carriage of H. influenzae post vaccination era among 2-4 years old.
METHODOLOGY: Randomly, we collected 436 oropharyngeal swabs from healthy children aged 2-4 years in 30 registered childcare centres in Kuala Lumpur (August 2018-May 2019). Informed consent and written questionnaires were obtained from parents. H. influenzae was identified by standard microbiological methods. Univariable analysis was carried out to describe variables associated with colonization. All variables with p 

MeSH terms: Aged; Carrier State/epidemiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Haemophilus influenzae; Humans; Infant; Malaysia/epidemiology; Vaccination; Haemophilus Vaccines*; Haemophilus influenzae type b*
Fulltext Nipah virus dynamics in bats and implications for spillover to humans

Epstein JH, Anthony SJ, Islam A, Kilpatrick AM, Ali Khan S, Balkey MD, et al.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2020 11 17;117(46):29190-29201.
PMID: 33139552 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2000429117

Nipah virus (NiV) is an emerging bat-borne zoonotic virus that causes near-annual outbreaks of fatal encephalitis in South Asia-one of the most populous regions on Earth. In Bangladesh, infection occurs when people drink date-palm sap contaminated with bat excreta. Outbreaks are sporadic, and the influence of viral dynamics in bats on their temporal and spatial distribution is poorly understood. We analyzed data on host ecology, molecular epidemiology, serological dynamics, and viral genetics to characterize spatiotemporal patterns of NiV dynamics in its wildlife reservoir, Pteropus medius bats, in Bangladesh. We found that NiV transmission occurred throughout the country and throughout the year. Model results indicated that local transmission dynamics were modulated by density-dependent transmission, acquired immunity that is lost over time, and recrudescence. Increased transmission followed multiyear periods of declining seroprevalence due to bat-population turnover and individual loss of humoral immunity. Individual bats had smaller host ranges than other Pteropus species (spp.), although movement data and the discovery of a Malaysia-clade NiV strain in eastern Bangladesh suggest connectivity with bats east of Bangladesh. These data suggest that discrete multiannual local epizootics in bat populations contribute to the sporadic nature of NiV outbreaks in South Asia. At the same time, the broad spatial and temporal extent of NiV transmission, including the recent outbreak in Kerala, India, highlights the continued risk of spillover to humans wherever they may interact with pteropid bats and the importance of limiting opportunities for spillover throughout Pteropus's range.

MeSH terms: Animals; Asia; Bangladesh/epidemiology; Chiroptera/virology*; Disease Outbreaks; Female; Humans; Immunity; Male; Models, Biological; Phylogeny; Zoonoses/immunology; Zoonoses/epidemiology; Zoonoses/transmission; Zoonoses/virology; Molecular Epidemiology; Nipah Virus/classification*; Nipah Virus/genetics*; Nipah Virus/immunology; Henipavirus Infections/epidemiology*; Henipavirus Infections/transmission*; Henipavirus Infections/veterinary*; Henipavirus Infections/virology*; Host Specificity
Fulltext Smart Helmet 5.0 for Industrial Internet of Things Using Artificial Intelligence

Campero-Jurado I, Márquez-Sánchez S, Quintanar-Gómez J, Rodríguez S, Corchado JM

Sensors (Basel), 2020 Nov 01;20(21).
PMID: 33139608 DOI: 10.3390/s20216241

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have contributed to advances in Occupational Health and Safety, improving the security of workers. The use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) based on ICTs reduces the risk of accidents in the workplace, thanks to the capacity of the equipment to make decisions on the basis of environmental factors. Paradigms such as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) make it possible to generate PPE models feasibly and create devices with more advanced characteristics such as monitoring, sensing the environment and risk detection between others. The working environment is monitored continuously by these models and they notify the employees and their supervisors of any anomalies and threats. This paper presents a smart helmet prototype that monitors the conditions in the workers' environment and performs a near real-time evaluation of risks. The data collected by sensors is sent to an AI-driven platform for analysis. The training dataset consisted of 11,755 samples and 12 different scenarios. As part of this research, a comparative study of the state-of-the-art models of supervised learning is carried out. Moreover, the use of a Deep Convolutional Neural Network (ConvNet/CNN) is proposed for the detection of possible occupational risks. The data are processed to make them suitable for the CNN and the results are compared against a Static Neural Network (NN), Naive Bayes Classifier (NB) and Support Vector Machine (SVM), where the CNN had an accuracy of 92.05% in cross-validation.

MeSH terms: Artificial Intelligence*; Bayes Theorem; Head Protective Devices*; Humans; Neural Networks (Computer)*
Fulltext Numerical analysis of thermal conductive hybrid nanofluid flow over the surface of a wavy spinning disk

Ahmadian A, Bilal M, Khan MA, Asjad MI

Sci Rep, 2020 Nov 02;10(1):18776.
PMID: 33139760 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75905-w

A three dimensional (3D) numerical solution of unsteady, Ag-MgO hybrid nanoliquid flow with heat and mass transmission caused by upward/downward moving of wavy spinning disk has been scrutinized. The magnetic field has been also considered. The hybrid nanoliquid has been synthesized in the presence of Ag-MgO nanoparticles. The purpose of the study is to improve the rate of thermal energy transmission for several industrial purposes. The wavy rotating surface increases the heat transmission rate up to 15%, comparatively to the flat surface. The subsequent arrangement of modeled equations is diminished into dimensionless differential equation. The obtained system of equations is further analytically expounded via Homotopy analysis method HAM and the numerical Parametric continuation method (PCM) method has been used for the comparison of the outcomes. The results are graphically presented and discussed. It has been presumed that the geometry of spinning disk positively affects the velocity and thermal energy transmission. The addition of hybrid nanoparticles (silver and magnesium-oxide) significantly improved thermal property of carrier fluid. It uses is more efficacious to overcome low energy transmission. Such as, it provides improvement in thermal performance of carrier fluid, which play important role in power generation, hyperthermia, micro fabrication, air conditioning and metallurgical field.

MeSH terms: Air Conditioning; Hot Temperature; Hyperthermia, Induced; Longitudinal Studies; Magnesium; Magnesium Oxide; Metallurgy; Silver; Nanoparticles; Physical Phenomena; Magnetic Fields
Fulltext Synthesis and characterization of rice husk biochar via hydrothermal carbonization for wastewater treatment and biofuel production

Hossain N, Nizamuddin S, Griffin G, Selvakannan P, Mubarak NM, Mahlia TMI

Sci Rep, 2020 Nov 02;10(1):18851.
PMID: 33139793 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75936-3

The recent implication of circular economy in Australia spurred the demand for waste material utilization for value-added product generations on a commercial scale. Therefore, this experimental study emphasized on agricultural waste biomass, rice husk (RH) as potential feedstock to produce valuable products. Rice husk biochar (RB) was obtained at temperature: 180 °C, pressure: 70 bar, reaction time: 20 min with water via hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), and the obtained biochar yield was 57.9%. Enhancement of zeta potential value from - 30.1 to - 10.6 mV in RB presented the higher suspension stability, and improvement of surface area and porosity in RB demonstrated the wastewater adsorption capacity. Along with that, an increase of crystallinity in RB, 60.5%, also indicates the enhancement of the catalytic performance of the material significantly more favorable to improve the adsorption efficiency of transitional compounds. In contrast, an increase of the atomic O/C ratio in RB, 0.51 delineated high breakdown of the cellulosic component, which is favorable for biofuel purpose. 13.98% SiO2 reduction in RB confirmed ash content minimization and better quality of fuel properties. Therefore, the rice husk biochar through HTC can be considered a suitable material for further application to treat wastewater and generate bioenergy.

MeSH terms: Adsorption; Agriculture; Carbon; Charcoal; Reaction Time; Oryza; Silicon Dioxide; Temperature; Waste Products; Water; Porosity; Biomass; Biofuels; Waste Water
Fulltext Heavy Metal contamination of Dietary Supplements products available in the UAE markets and the associated risk

Jairoun AA, Shahwan M, Zyoud SH

Sci Rep, 2020 11 02;10(1):18824.
PMID: 33139833 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76000-w

A specific safety concern is the possibility that a dietary supplement could be contaminated with heavy metals. This research was undertaken to investigate the daily exposure levels of heavy metals in dietary supplements available in the UAE and to explore the factors associated with the contamination of dietary supplements with heavy metals. A total of 277 dietary supplement samples were collected from the UAE market and prepared for the analysis of selected heavy metal contamination. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine the presence of heavy metals. The average daily intake of cadmium was 0.73 μg [95% CI 0.61-0.85], compared to the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 6 μg; the daily intake of lead was 0.85 μg [95% CI 0.62-1.07], compared to the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 20 μg; and the daily intake of arsenic was 0.67 μg [95% CI 0.57-0.78], compared to the acceptable daily intake of 10 μg. Although the dietary supplements available in the UAE have low levels of heavy metal contamination, numerous individuals are consuming a number of different dietary supplements every day and thereby may experience a cumulative level of toxic exposure. Dietary supplements formulations (Categories), dosage forms and country of origin are strong determents of heavy metal contamination in dietary supplements products.

MeSH terms: Food Contamination/analysis*; Food Contamination/prevention & control*; Humans; Risk; Mass Spectrometry; United Arab Emirates; No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level; Metals, Heavy/adverse effects*; Metals, Heavy/analysis*; Dietary Supplements/adverse effects*; Dietary Supplements/analysis*; Food Industry; Food Safety*; Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points
Two new monofunctional platinum(II) dithiocarbamate complexes: phenanthriplatin-type axial protection, equatorial-axial conformational isomerism, and anticancer and DNA binding studies

Imran M, Rehman ZU, Hogarth G, Tocher DA, Chaudhry GE, Butler IS, et al.

Dalton Trans, 2020 Nov 10;49(43):15385-15396.
PMID: 33140800 DOI: 10.1039/d0dt03018j

The syntheses of two platinum(ii) dithiocarbamate complexes (1 and 2) that show quinoplatin- and phenanthriplatin-type axial protection of the Pt-plane are described. The Pt-plane of complex 2 is axially more protected than that of complex 1. Furthermore, both complexes adopt two different stereochemical conformations in the solid state (based on single-crystal X-ray structures) owing to the structurally flexible piperazine backbone; i.e., C-e,e-Anti (1) and C-e,a-Syn (2), where "C" stands for the chair configuration, "e" and "a" stand for the equatorial and axial positions and "Anti" (opposite side) and "Syn" (same side) represent the relative orientations in space of the terminal substituents on the piperazine ring. In complex 2, the C-e,a-Syn conformation may provide additional steric hindrance to the Pt-plane. Despite the lower lipophilicity of 2 as compared to that of 1, the in vitro anticancer action against selected cancer cell lines is better for the former revealing the superior role of the axial protection over lipophilicity in modulating anticancer activity. The activity against the cancer promoting protein NF-κB signifies that the mode of cancer cell death may be the result of hindering the activity of NF-κB in the initiation of apoptosis. The apoptotic mode of cell death has been established earlier in a study using Annexin V-FITC. Finally, DNA binding studies revealed that the complex-DNA adduct formation is spontaneous and the mode of interaction is non-intercalative (electrostatic/covalent).

MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents/metabolism; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry; DNA/metabolism*; Humans; Isomerism; Molecular Conformation; Organoplatinum Compounds/metabolism; Organoplatinum Compounds/pharmacology*; Organoplatinum Compounds/chemistry*; Phenanthridines/metabolism; Phenanthridines/pharmacology*; Phenanthridines/chemistry*; Thiocarbamates/chemistry*; NF-kappa B/metabolism; Cell Line, Tumor; Static Electricity; Coordination Complexes/metabolism; Coordination Complexes/pharmacology*; Coordination Complexes/chemistry*; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions

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