Browse publications by year: 2023

  1. Sohail A, Peng JX, Hidki A, Khalid M, Singh SK
    Sci Rep, 2023 Dec 09;13(1):21840.
    PMID: 38071389 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48825-8
    We theoretically propose a scheme to generate distant bipartite entanglement between various subsystems in coupled magnomechanical systems where both the microwave cavities are coupled through single photon hopping coupling strength Γ. Each cavity contains a magnon mode and phonon mode and this gives six excitation modes in our model Hamiltonian which are cavity-1 photons, cavity-2 photons, magnon and phonon in cavity-1, and magnon and phonon in cavity-2. We found that significant bipartite entanglement exists between indirectly coupled subsystems in coupled microwave cavities for an appropriate set of parameters regime. Moreover, we also obtain suitable cavity and magnon detuning parameters for a significant distant bipartite entanglement in different bipartitions. In addition, it can be seen that a single photon hopping parameter significantly affects both the degree as well as the transfer of quantum entanglement between various bipartitions. Hence, our present study related to coupled microwave cavity magnomechanical configuration will open new perspectives in coherent control of various quantum correlations including quantum state transfer among macroscopic quantum systems.
  2. Ng KS, Hudzaifah-Nordin M, Sarah ST, Wan-Hazabbah WH, Sanihah AH
    Prague Med Rep, 2023;124(4):421-434.
    PMID: 38069647 DOI: 10.14712/23362936.2023.32
    To evaluate the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness and choroidal thickness (CT) in Parkinson disease (PD) patients. A comparative cross-sectional, hospital-based study. 39 PD and 39 controls were recruited, who were gender and age matched. Subjects that fulfilled the inclusion criteria underwent optical coherence tomography for evaluation of RNFL thickness and choroidal thickness (CT). There was significant reduction of RNFL thickness in average (adjusted mean 88.87 µm vs. 94.82 µm, P=0.001), superior (adjusted mean 110.08 µm vs. 119.10 µm, P=0.002) and temporal (adjusted mean 63.77 µm vs. 70.36 µm, P=0.004) in PD compared to controls. The central subfoveal CT was significantly thinner in PD compared to controls (adjusted mean 271.13 µm vs. 285.10 µm, P=0.003). In PD group, there was significant weak negative correlation between the duration of PD with average RNFL thickness (r=-0.354, P=0.027), moderate negative correlation between the duration of PD with central subfoveal CT (r=-0.493, P=0.001), and weak negative correlation between the stage of PD with central subfoveal CT (r=-0.380, P=0.017). PD group had significant thinner average, superior and temporal RNFL thickness and CT compared to controls.
  3. Joiner A, Blewer AL, Pek PP, Ostbye T, Staton CA, Silvalila M, et al.
    BMJ Open, 2023 Dec 09;13(12):e077378.
    PMID: 38070908 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077378
    OBJECTIVES: Strengthening of emergency care systems, including prehospital systems, can reduce death and disability. We aimed to identify perspectives on barriers and facilitators relating to the development and implementation of a prehospital emergency care system assessment tool (PEC-SET) from prehospital providers representing several South and Southeast (SE) Asian countries.

    DESIGN: We conducted a qualitative study using focus group discussions (FGD) informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). FGDs were conducted in English, audioconferencing/videoconferencing was recorded, transcribed verbatim and coded using an inductive and deductive approach. Participants suggested specific elements to be measured within three main 'pillars' of disease conditions proposed by the research team of the tool being developed (cardiovascular, trauma and perinatal emergencies).

    SETTING: We explored the perspectives of medical directors in six low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) in South and SE Asia.

    PARTICIPANTS: A total of 16 participants were interviewed (1 Vietnam, 4 Philippines, 4 Thailand, 5 Malaysia, 1 Indonesia and 1 Pakistan) as a part of 4 focus groups.

    RESULTS: Themes identified within the four CFIR constructs included: (1) Intervention characteristics: importance of developing an contextually specific tool, need for generalisability, trialling in one geographical area or with one pillar before expanding; (2) Inner setting: data transfer barriers, workforce shortages; (3) Outer setting: underdevelopment of EMS nationally; need for further EMS system development prior to implementing a tool and (4) Individual characteristics: lack of buy-in by prehospital personnel. Elements proposed by participants included both process and outcome measures.

    CONCLUSIONS: Through the CFIR framework, we identified several themes which can provide a basis for codeveloping a PEC-SET for LMICs with local stakeholders. This work may inform development of quality improvement tools in LMIC PEC systems.

    MeSH terms: Emergency Medical Services*; Humans; Pakistan; Vietnam; Focus Groups; Qualitative Research
  4. Chong CT, Ng JH
    Nat Commun, 2023 Dec 09;14(1):8156.
    PMID: 38071199 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44049-6
    Renewable jet fuel (RJF) is often touted as the only viable sustainable energy source for the aviation sector, given the difficulties faced by other low-carbon energy sources in overcoming technological barriers. Despite that, the sustainability of RJF is still in dispute due to the conflicting requirements in natural resource for producing the fuels. We introduce a holistic 25-indicator sustainability index encompassing the four domains of energy-water-food nexus and governance, that measures the potential impact of RJF production on 154 countries (and territories) through the oil-to-jet, alcohol-to-jet and gas-to-jet conversion methods. Countries and territories are ranked according to the composite index scores of the four domains. The sustainability index model provides insights on how RJF affords the aviation sector a clean slate in determining the manner of development in a sustainably and equitable way, while also marching towards the long-term goal of carbon neutrality, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.
  5. Balakrishnan P, Saravanan S, Vignesh R, Shankar EM
    Indian J Med Res, 2023 Nov 01;158(5&6):447-450.
    PMID: 38063301 DOI: 10.4103/ijmr.ijmr_1616_23
    MeSH terms: Humans; RNA, Viral; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; HIV Infections*; Lymphocyte Count; CD4 Lymphocyte Count; Point-of-Care Systems*; Viral Load
  6. Notz Q, Heyland DK, Lee ZY, Menger J, Herrmann J, Chillon TS, et al.
    Intensive Care Med Exp, 2023 Dec 08;11(1):89.
    PMID: 38063975 DOI: 10.1186/s40635-023-00574-8
    BACKGROUND: Recent data from the randomized SUSTAIN CSX trial could not confirm clinical benefits from perioperative selenium treatment in high-risk cardiac surgery patients. Underlying reasons may involve inadequate biosynthesis of glutathione peroxidase (GPx3), which is a key mediator of selenium's antioxidant effects. This secondary analysis aimed to identify patients with an increase in GPx3 activity following selenium treatment. We hypothesize that these responders might benefit from perioperative selenium treatment.

    METHODS: Patients were selected based on the availability of selenium biomarker information. Four subgroups were defined according to the patient's baseline status, including those with normal kidney function, reduced kidney function, selenium deficiency, and submaximal GPx3 activity.

    RESULTS: Two hundred and forty-four patients were included in this analysis. Overall, higher serum concentrations of selenium, selenoprotein P (SELENOP) and GPx3 were correlated with less organ injury. GPx3 activity at baseline was predictive of 6-month survival (AUC 0.73; p = 0.03). While selenium treatment elevated serum selenium and SELENOP concentrations but not GPx3 activity in the full patient cohort, subgroup analyses revealed that GPx3 activity increased in patients with reduced kidney function, selenium deficiency and low to moderate GPx3 activity. Clinical outcomes did not vary between selenium treatment and placebo in any of these subgroups, though the study was not powered to conclusively detect differences in outcomes.

    CONCLUSIONS: The identification of GPx3 responders encourages further refined investigations into the treatment effects of selenium in high-risk cardiac surgery patients.

  7. Wang X, Soh KG, Samsudin S, Deng N, Liu X, Zhao Y, et al.
    PLoS One, 2023;18(12):e0295531.
    PMID: 38064433 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295531
    OBJECTIVE: This study aims to meta-analyze the impact of high-intensity functional training on athletes' physical fitness and sport-specific performance.

    METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in five well-known academic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, and the Cochrane Library) up to July 1, 2023. The literature screening criteria included: (1) studies involving healthy athletes, (2) a HIFT program, (3) an assessment of outcomes related to athletes' physical fitness or sport-specific performance, and (4) the inclusion of randomized controlled trials. The Physical Therapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used to evaluate the quality of studies included in the meta-analysis.

    RESULTS: 13 medium- and high-quality studies met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review, involving 478 athletes aged between 10 and 24.5 years. The training showed a small to large effect size (ES = 0.414-3.351; all p < 0.05) in improving upper and lower body muscle strength, power, flexibility, and sport-specific performance.

    CONCLUSION: High-intensity functional training effectively improves athletes' muscle strength, power, flexibility, and sport-specific performance but has no significant impact on endurance and agility. Future research is needed to explore the impact of high-intensity functional training on athletes' speed, balance, and technical and tactical performance parameters.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Humans; Physical Fitness; Sports*; Muscle Strength/physiology; Young Adult; Athletes; High-Intensity Interval Training*
  8. Ahmad I, Ali I, Jan R, Idris SA, Mousa M
    PLoS One, 2023;18(12):e0294348.
    PMID: 38064451 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294348
    The study presents a meshless computational approach for simulating the three-dimensional multi-term time-fractional mobile-immobile diffusion equation in the Caputo sense. The methodology combines a stable Crank-Nicolson time-integration scheme with the definition of the Caputo derivative to discretize the problem in the temporal direction. The spatial function derivative is approximated using the inverse multiquadric radial basis function. The solution is approximated on a set of scattered or uniform nodes, resulting in a sparse and well-conditioned coefficient matrix. The study highlights the advantages of meshless method, particularly their simplicity of implementation in higher dimensions. To validate the accuracy and efficacy of the proposed method, we performed numerical simulations and compared them with analytical solutions for various test problems. These simulations were carried out on computational domains of both rectangular and non-rectangular shapes. The research highlights the potential of meshless techniques in solving complex diffusion problems and its successful applications in groundwater contamination and other relevant fields.
  9. Liu L, Song G
    PLoS One, 2023;18(12):e0295706.
    PMID: 38064522 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295706
    This study aims to investigate green finance's impact on the synergy between ESG and green innovation (ESGGI) performance and examine the potential influence played by stakeholders' green concerns on this impact. Hence, we calculated the synergy of ESGGI performance based on the entropy method and the coupled coordination degree model and conducted regression analyses on the data of 1143 Chinese companies from 2012 to 2020. The results reveal a remarkable inverted U-shaped relationship between green finance and the synergy of ESGGI performance. Additionally, the green concerns of the government and the media can efficiently moderate green finance's impact on the synergy of ESGGI performance. Further tests show that green finance's impact on the synergy of ESGGI performance of SOEs, HPEs, and HTEs is more significant. This paper demonstrates an association between green finance and the synergy of ESGGI performance, which yields new insights for companies to implement green transformation and sustainable development.
  10. Wang M, Yang J, Zheng S, Jia L, Yong ZY, Yong EL, et al.
    Environ Sci Technol, 2023 Dec 19;57(50):21038-21049.
    PMID: 38064758 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c06210
    Microplastic fibers from textiles have been known to significantly contribute to marine microplastic pollution. However, little is known about the microfiber formation and discharge during textile production. In this study, we have quantified microfiber emissions from one large and representative textile factory during different stages, spanning seven different materials, including cotton, polyester, and blended fabrics, to further guide control strategies. Wet-processing steps released up to 25 times more microfibers than home laundering, with dyeing contributing to 95.0% of the total emissions. Microfiber release could be reduced by using white coloring, a lower dyeing temperature, and a shorter dyeing duration. Thinner, denser yarns increased microfiber pollution, whereas using tightly twisted fibers mitigated release. Globally, wet textile processing potentially produced 6.4 kt of microfibers in 2020, with China, India, and the US as significant contributors. The study underlined the environmental impact of textile production and the need for mitigation strategies, particularly in dyeing processes and fiber choice. In addition, no significant difference was observed between the virgin polyesters and the used ones. Replacing virgin fibers with recycled fibers in polyester fabrics, due to their increasing consumption, might offer another potential solution. The findings highlighted the substantial impact of textile production on microfiber released into the environment, and optimization of material selection, knitting technologies, production processing, and recycled materials could be effective mitigation strategies.
    MeSH terms: Environment; Plastics*; Polyesters; Textile Industry; Textiles
  11. Roslan MAM, Omar MN, Sharif NAM, Raston NHA, Arzmi MH, Neoh HM, et al.
    NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes, 2023 Dec 08;9(1):95.
    PMID: 38065982 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-023-00463-8
    The human microbiome has emerged as a key player in maintaining skin health, and dysbiosis has been linked to various skin disorders. Amidst growing concerns regarding the side effects of antibiotic treatments, the potential of live biotherapeutic products (LBPs) in restoring a healthy microbiome has garnered significant attention. This review aims to evaluate the current state of the art of the genetically or metabolically engineered LBPs, termed single-cell engineered LBPs (eLBPs), for skin repair and disease treatment. While some studies demonstrate promising outcomes, the translation of eLBPs into clinical applications remains a significant hurdle. Substantial concerns arise regarding the practical implementation and scalability of eLBPs, despite the evident potential they hold in targeting specific cells and delivering therapeutic agents. This review underscores the need for further research, robust clinical trials, and the exploration of current advances in eLBP-based bioengineered bacterial chassis and new outlooks to substantiate the viability and effectiveness of eLBPs as a transformative approach in skin repair and disease intervention.
  12. Koo HC, Lim GP, Kaur S, Chan KQ
    BMC Nutr, 2023 Dec 08;9(1):144.
    PMID: 38066580 DOI: 10.1186/s40795-023-00807-9
    BACKGROUND: Whole grains have gained extensive attention for their contribution to optimal diet quality in the child population. However, little is known about the association between whole grain and sugar intakes. This study aimed to determine whole grain intake and its associations with sugar and other nutrients intakes in schoolchildren.

    METHODS: A total of 415 healthy Malaysian schoolchildren aged 9-12 years were recruited in this cross-sectional study, through cluster random sampling. Nutrient and sugar intakes were assessed using 3-day 24-hour diet recalls. Whole grain intake was assessed using a validated whole grain food frequency questionnaire.

    RESULTS: In these 415 children (9.4-12.7 years), a total of 24 of them have been excluded due to over- and under-reported their dietary intake. Ultimate sample size was 391 children. Overall, consumption of whole grain, fiber, calcium and B vitamins were lower than the recommended intake. However, children consumed protein sufficiently. Whole grain intake was a significant predictor of calorie (β = 0.1011; p 

  13. Cooper DM, Yamaguchi N, Macdonald DW, Patterson BD, Salkina GP, Yudin VG, et al.
    Animals (Basel), 2023 Nov 22;13(23).
    PMID: 38066967 DOI: 10.3390/ani13233616
    Zoo animals are crucial for conserving and potentially re-introducing species to the wild, yet it is known that the morphology of captive animals differs from that of wild animals. It is important to know how and why zoo and wild animal morphology differs to better care for captive animals and enhance their survival in reintroductions, and to understand how plasticity may influence morphology, which is supposedly indicative of evolutionary relationships. Using museum collections, we took 56 morphological measurements of skulls and mandibles from 617 captive and wild lions and tigers, reflecting each species' recent historical range. Linear morphometrics were used to identify differences in size and shape. Skull size does not differ between captive and wild lions and tigers, but skull and mandible shape does. Differences occur in regions associated with biting, indicating that diet has influenced forces acting upon the skull and mandible. The diets of captive big cats used in this study predominantly consisted of whole or partial carcasses, which closely resemble the mechanical properties of wild diets. Thus, we speculate that the additional impacts of killing, manipulating and consuming large prey in the wild have driven differentiation between captive and wild big cats.
  14. Giulioni C, Mulawkar PM, Castellani D, De Stefano V, Nedbal C, Gadzhiev N, et al.
    Cancers (Basel), 2023 Nov 24;15(23).
    PMID: 38067266 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15235560
    BACKGROUND: We aimed to analyze the influence of near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) using indocyanine green (ICG) with standard robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) in patients with a kidney tumor (KT).

    METHODS: We performed a literature search on 12 September 2023 through PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus. The analysis included observational studies that examined the perioperative and long-term outcomes of patients with a KT who underwent RAPN with NIRF.

    RESULTS: Overall, eight prospective studies, involving 535 patients, were eligible for this meta-analysis, with 212 participants in the ICG group and 323 in the No ICG group. For warm ischemia time, the ICG group showed a lower duration (weighted Mean difference (WMD) = -2.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -3.30--0.80, p = 0.011). The postoperative eGFR also favored the ICG group (WMD = 7.67, 95% CI = 2.88-12.46, p = 0.002). No difference emerged for the other perioperative outcomes between the two groups. In terms of oncological radicality, the positive surgical margins and tumor recurrence rates were similar among the two groups.

    CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis showed that NIRF with ICG during RAPN yields a favorable impact on functional outcomes, whereas it exerts no such influence on oncological aspects. Therefore, NIRF should be adopted when preserving nephron function is a paramount concern.

  15. Lee OZJ, Omar N, Tay JK, Lee VKM
    Cancers (Basel), 2023 Nov 24;15(23).
    PMID: 38067267 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15235563
    The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with various tumor types, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma and lymphoproliferative disorders. While much is known about EBV-related epithelial and lymphoid tumors, there is a paucity of knowledge concerning EBV-associated mesenchymal tumors. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of EBV-associated mesenchymal tumors, encompassing their clinical features, pathological characteristics, pathophysiology, prognostic factors, and current treatment approaches. Through an extensive literature search using the PubMed database, we were able to identify three distinct EBV-associated mesenchymal tumors: EBV-associated smooth muscle tumors, inflammatory pseudotumor-like follicular dendritic cell sarcomas, and EBV-associated osteosarcomas. Although this review extensively explored the different aspects of these mesenchymal tumors, our comprehension of the underlying pathophysiology in this context is still incomplete. Therefore, we hope that this review paper will not only serve as a valuable repository of information but also serve as a catalyst for prospective in vitro and in vivo research studies to bridge the existing knowledge gap surrounding pathophysiology, ultimately making an important contribution to shaping future therapeutic approaches.
  16. Kumar VR, Kampan NC, Abd Aziz NH, Teik CK, Shafiee MN, Menon PS
    Cancers (Basel), 2023 Nov 27;15(23).
    PMID: 38067311 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15235607
    Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (EOC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, mainly due to a lack of early detection and screening methods. Advanced immunoassay techniques, such as Luminex and proximity extension assay (PEA) technology, show promise in improving EOC detection by utilizing highly sensitive and specific multiplex panels to detect multiple combinations of biomarkers. However, these advanced immunoassay techniques have certain limitations, especially in validating the performance characteristics such as specificity, sensitivity, limit of detection (LOD), and dynamic range for each EOC biomarker within the panel. Implementing multiplexing in point-of-care (POC) biosensors can enhance EOC biomarker detection, with Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) being a versatile option among optical biosensors. There is no study on multiplex SPR biosensors specifically tailored for diagnosing EOC. Recent studies have shown promising results in the single detection of EOC biomarkers using SPR, with LOD for cancer antigen 125 (CA125) at 0.01 U/mL-1 and human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) at 1pM. This study proposes a potential roadmap for scientists and engineers in academia and industry to develop a cost effective yet highly efficient SPR biosensor platform for detecting EOC.
  17. Jiang Y, Wu H, Ho PCL, Tang X, Ao H, Chen L, et al.
    Molecules, 2023 Nov 28;28(23).
    PMID: 38067553 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237824
    Seahorse is a valuable marine-animal drug widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and which was first documented in the "Ben Cao Jing Ji Zhu" during the Liang Dynasty. Hippocampus kelloggi (HK) is the most common seahorse species in the medicinal material market and is one of the genuine sources of medicinal seahorse documented in the Chinese pharmacopeia. It is mainly cultivated in the Shandong, Fujian, and Guangxi Provinces in China. However, pseudo-HK, represented by Hippocampus ingens (HI) due to its similar appearance and traits, is often found in the market, compromising the safety and efficacy of clinical use. Currently, there is a lack of reliable methods for identifying these species based on their chemical composition. In this study, we employed, for the first time, a strategy combining gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) fingerprints and chemical patterns in order to identify HK and HI; it is also the first metabolomic study to date of HI as to chemical components. The obtained results revealed remarkable similarities in the chemical fingerprints, while significant differences were also observed. By employing hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA), based on the relative contents of their characteristic peaks, all 34 samples were successfully differentiated according to their species of origin, with samples from the same species forming distinct clusters. Moreover, nonadecanoic acid and behenic acid were exclusively detected in HK samples, further distinguishing them from HI samples. Additionally, the relative contents of lauric acid, tetradecanoic acid, pentadecanoic acid, n-hexadecanoic acid, palmitoleic acid, margaric acid, oleic acid, fenozan acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) exhibited significant differences between HK and HI (p < 0.0001), as determined by an unpaired t-test. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) identified seven components (DHA, EPA, n-hexadecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, palmitoleic acid, octadecanoic acid, and margaric acid) with high discriminatory value (VIP value > 1). Thus, nonadecanoic acid, behenic acid, and these seven compounds can be utilized as chemical markers for distinguishing HK from HI. In conclusion, our study successfully developed a combined strategy of GC-MS fingerprinting and chemical pattern recognition for the identification of HK and HI, and we also discovered chemical markers that can directly differentiate between the two species. This study can provide a foundation for the authentication of Hippocampus and holds significant importance for the conservation of wild seahorse resources.
  18. Mousa MA, Yussof MM, Hussein TS, Assi LN, Ghahari S
    Sensors (Basel), 2023 Nov 23;23(23).
    PMID: 38067735 DOI: 10.3390/s23239362
    Digital image correlation (DIC) is an optical technique used to measure surface displacements and strains in materials and structures. This technique has demonstrated significant utility in structural examination and monitoring. This manuscript offers a comprehensive review of the contemporary research and applications that have leveraged the DIC technique in laboratory-based structural tests. The reviewed works encompass a broad spectrum of structural components, such as concrete beams, columns, pillars, masonry walls, infills, composite materials, structural joints, steel beams, slabs, and other structural elements. These investigations have underscored the efficacy of DIC as a metrological instrument for the precise quantification of surface deformation and strain in these structural components. Moreover, the constraints of the DIC technique have been highlighted, especially in scenarios involving extensive or complex test configurations. Notwithstanding these constraints, the effectiveness of the DIC methodology has been validated as a strain measurement instrument, offering numerous benefits such as non-invasive operation, full-field measurement capability, high precision, real-time surveillance, and compatibility with integration into other measurement instruments and methodologies.
  19. Chew TW, H'Ng PS, Luqman Chuah Abdullah BCTG, Chin KL, Lee CL, Mohd Nor Hafizuddin BMS, et al.
    Materials (Basel), 2023 Nov 27;16(23).
    PMID: 38068108 DOI: 10.3390/ma16237365
    Activated carbon is the preferred adsorbent for gas and water treatment in various industry across the world due to its efficiency, reliability, and accessibility. Recently, in Malaysia, studies are mainly focused on the fabrication of activated carbon from lignocellulosic biomass-based precursors from agricultural waste such as coconut shell, rice husk, and palm kernel shell. Activated carbon fabrication is a two-step process; the precursor will first undergo carbonization, then, activation is carried out either physically or chemically to develop its porous surface for adsorption purposes. The main benefit of activated carbon is the customizable pore structure for different utilization, which can be easily achieved by the chemical activation process. The types and concentration of chemicals used for activation, pre-treatment of precursor, duration of the activation process, and the mass ratio of precursor to chemicals are proven to effectively influence the resulting pore structure. However, the chemicals used in the activation process can be harmful to the environment. Thus, the chemical recovery process is necessary after the activation process. Nonetheless, more in-depth research on producing activated carbon from abundant biomass materials with bio-based chemical agents for activation is needed to achieve an ecological and sustainable manufacturing process.
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