Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 229 in total

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  1. Evidence for the Higgs Boson Decay to a Z Boson and a Photon at the LHC
    Aad G, Abbott B, Abeling K, Abicht NJ, Abidi SH, Aboulhorma A, et al.
    Phys Rev Lett, 2024 Jan 12;132(2):021803.
    PMID: 38277607 DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.021803
    The first evidence for the Higgs boson decay to a Z boson and a photon is presented, with a statistical significance of 3.4 standard deviations. The result is derived from a combined analysis of the searches performed by the ATLAS and CMS Collaborations with proton-proton collision datasets collected at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) from 2015 to 2018. These correspond to integrated luminosities of around 140  fb^{-1} for each experiment, at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The measured signal yield is 2.2±0.7 times the standard model prediction, and agrees with the theoretical expectation within 1.9 standard deviations.
  2. Aerobic sludge granulation at high temperatures for domestic wastewater treatment
    Ab Halim MH, Nor Anuar A, Azmi SI, Jamal NS, Wahab NA, Ujang Z, et al.
    Bioresour Technol, 2015 Jun;185:445-9.
    PMID: 25851807 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.03.024
    With inoculum sludge from a conventional activated sludge wastewater treatment plant, three sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) fed with synthetic wastewater were operated at different high temperatures (30, 40 and 50±1°C) to study the formation of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) for simultaneous organics and nutrients removal with a complete cycle time of 3h. The AGS were successfully cultivated with influent loading rate of 1.6CODg(Ld)(-1). The COD/N ratio of the influent wastewater was 8. The results revealed that granules developed at 50°C have the highest average diameter, (3.36mm) with 98.17%, 94.45% and 72.46% removal efficiency observed in the system for COD, ammonia and phosphate, respectively. This study also demonstrated the capabilities of AGS formation at high temperatures which is suitable to be applied for hot climate conditions.
  3. Influence of high temperature on the performance of aerobic granular sludge in biological treatment of wastewater
    Ab Halim MH, Nor Anuar A, Abdul Jamal NS, Azmi SI, Ujang Z, Bob MM
    J Environ Manage, 2016 Dec 15;184(Pt 2):271-280.
    PMID: 27720606 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.09.079
    The effect of temperature on the efficiency of organics and nutrients removal during the cultivation of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) in biological treatment of synthetic wastewater was studied. With this aim, three 3 L sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) with influent loading rate of 1.6 COD g (L d)(-1) were operated at different high temperatures (30, 40 and 50 °C) for simultaneous COD, phosphate and ammonia removal at a complete cycle time of 3 h. The systems were successfully started up and progressed to steady state at different cultivation periods. The statistical comparison of COD, phosphate and ammonia for effluent from the three SBRs revealed that there was a significant difference between groups of all the working temperatures of the bioreactors. The AGS cultivated at different high temperatures also positively correlated with the accumulation of elements including carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, silicon, iron, aluminium, calcium and magnesium that played important roles in the granulation process.
  4. Fulltext Enhancing the urea-N use efficiency in maize (Zea mays) cultivation on acid soils amended with zeolite and TSP
    Ahmed OH, Hussin A, Ahmad HM, Rahim AA, Majid NM
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2008 Apr 20;8:394-9.
    PMID: 18454247 DOI: 10.1100/tsw.2008.68
    Ammonia loss significantly reduces the urea-N use efficiency in crop production. Efforts to reduce this problem are mostly laboratory oriented. This paper reports the effects of urea amended with triple superphosphate (TSP) and zeolite (Clinoptilolite) on soil pH, nitrate, exchangeable ammonium, dry matter production, N uptake, fresh cob production, and urea-N uptake efficiency in maize (Zea mays) cultivation on an acid soil in actual field conditions. Urea-amended TSP and zeolite treatments and urea only (urea without additives) did not have long-term effect on soil pH and accumulation of soil exchangeable ammonium and nitrate. Treatments with higher amounts of TSP and zeolite significantly increased the dry matter (stem and leaf) production of Swan (test crop). All the treatments had no significant effect on urea-N concentration in the leaf and stem of the test crop. In terms of urea-N uptake in the leaf and stem tissues of Swan, only the treatment with the highest amount of TSP and zeolite significantly increased urea-N uptake in the leaf of the test crop. Irrespective of treatment, fresh cob production was statistically not different. However, all the treatments with additives improved urea-N uptake efficiency compared to urea without additives or amendment. This suggests that urea amended with TSP and zeolite has a potential of reducing ammonia loss from surface-applied urea.
  5. Applied K fertilizer use efficiency in pineapples grown on a tropical peat soil under residues removal
    Ahmed OH, Ahmad HM, Musa HM, Rahim AA, Rastan SO
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2005 Jan 21;5:42-9.
    PMID: 15674449
    In Malaysia, pineapples are grown on peat soils, but most K fertilizer recommendations do not take into account K loss through leaching. The objective of this study was to determine applied K use efficiency under a conventionally recommended fertilization regime in pineapple cultivation with residues removal. Results showed that K recovery from applied K fertilizer in pineapple cultivation on tropical peat soil was low, estimated at 28%. At a depth of 0-10 cm, there was a sharp decrease of soil total K, exchangeable K, and soil solution K days after planting (DAP) for plots with K fertilizer. This decline continued until the end of the study. Soil total, exchangeable, and solution K at the end of the study were generally lower than prior values before the study. There was no significant accumulation of K at depths of 10-25 and 25-45 cm. However, K concentrations throughout the study period were generally lower or equal to their initial status in the soil indicating leaching of the applied K and partly explained the low K recovery. Potassium losses through leaching in pineapple cultivation on tropical peat soils need to be considered in fertilizer recommendations for efficient recovery of applied K.
  6. Towards sustainable use of potassium in pineapple waste
    Ahmed OH, Husni MH, Anuar AR, Hanafi MM
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2004 Nov 20;4:1007-13.
    PMID: 15578124
    Due to the 1997/98 haze problem in South-East Asia and the increasing need for sustainable food production and development, the usual management of crop residues (including pineapple wastes) through burning is prohibited. As a result, the need for alternative uses of pineapple wastes in pineapple production has been emphasized. This study investigated an environmentally friendly means of recycling pineapple leaves for agricultural use. Pineapple leaves were shredded and composted in a composting drum for 30 days. Part of the shredded leaves was ashed in a muffle furnace for 4 h. Humic acid (HA), K-fulvate, and K in HA and compost were analyzed using standard procedures. An ash to water ratio of 1:7 was used to extract 0.1 molar (M) KOH from the shredded leaves. The 0.1 M KOH contained 50% K and was able to extract 20% HA from the composted pineapple leaves. Percent K in the fulvate using 0.1 M KOH was 43. Besides serving as a foliar spray (supplement soil application K fertilizers), source of K for freshwater fish (e.g., tilapia), the HA produced can be used as a soil conditioner. Studies show that between 0.05-0.01 g of HA per kg soil retards runoff by 36% in sandy and sandy loam soils. The K-fulvate can be used as a fluid fertilizer. In addition, the pH of 2 of the K-fulvate suggests it could be used to dissolve phosphate rocks, particularly those in the arid regions where high soil pH does not facilitate the dissolution of these important rocks that serve as one of the sources of phosphorus fertilizer in agriculture.
  7. Fulltext Naphthalocyanine-Based NIR Organic Photodiode: Understanding the Role of Different Types of Fullerenes
    Alwi SAK, Hisamuddin SN, Abdullah SM, Anuar A, Abdul Rahim AH, Majid SR, et al.
    Micromachines (Basel), 2021 Nov 11;12(11).
    PMID: 34832795 DOI: 10.3390/mi12111383
    In this work, we presented experimental observation on solution-processed bulk heterojunction organic photodiode using vanadyl 2,11,20,29-tetra tert-butyl 2,3 naphthalocyanine (VTTBNc) as a p-type material. VTTBNc is blended with two different acceptors, which are PC61BM and PC71BM, to offer further understanding in evaluating the performance in organic photodiode (OPD). The blend film of VTTBNc:PC71BM with a volumetric ratio of 1:1 exhibits optimized performance in the VTTBNc blend structure with 2.31 × 109 Jones detectivity and 26.11 mA/W responsivity at a -1 V bias. The response and recovery time of VTTBNc:PC71BM were recorded as 241 ms and 310 ms, respectively. The light absorption measurement demonstrated that VTTBNc could extend the light absorption to the near-infrared (NIR) region. The detail of the enhancement of the performance by adding VTTBNc to the blend was further explained in the discussion section.
  8. Knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19 and perceived challenges of working during the movement control order: a quantitative analysis among healthcare workers in a Malaysian northwestern state
    Anuar A, Ang WC, Ahmad Musadad NM, Abdol Wahab SN, Abdul Sukur N, Warijo O
    Curr Med Res Opin, 2022 02;38(2):327-338.
    PMID: 34719309 DOI: 10.1080/03007995.2021.2000738
    OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess COVID-19 knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) among healthcare workers (HCWs) in northwest Malaysia and recognize the challenges faced working during the Movement Control Order (MCO). Commonly referred to as "MCO", this order enforcement is a series of national quarantine and cordon sanitaire measures implemented by the federal government of Malaysia in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as of 18th March 2020. It is akin to a national lockdown.

    METHODS: A multi-centric cross-sectional web-based study was conducted from 29th May to 27th July 2020 among HCWs in Perlis, Malaysia using a 19-item validated questionnaire [Cronbach's alpha: 0.61 (knowledge domain), 0.74 (attitude domain), and 0.72 (practice domain)]. Challenges when working during MCO were identified from a self-rated five-point Likert scale of 14-item.

    RESULTS: There were a total of 373 respondents (response rate more than 40%); 48.0% were nurses, 14.7% were medical doctors, and 12.9% were administrative and technical support staffs. Majority of HCWs (90.1%, n = 336) had good knowledge, optimistic attitude (54.7%, n = 204) and good COVID-19 preventive measure practices (90.9%, n = 339). Multiple logistic regression demonstrated that profession was the single significant factor for good COVID-19 KAP. Though having lesser odds of good knowledge (aOR 0.07, 95% CI:0.01-0.36, p = .009), nurses showed greater odds of good attitude (aOR 3.14, 95% CI: 1.71-5.76, p = .011) and practice (aOR 10.69, 95% CI:2.25-50.86, p = .022) as compared to doctors and dentists. Main challenges identified when working during MCO were increased workload (44.5%, n = 166), difficulty going out shopping (48.3%, n = 180), to exercise (40.2%, n = 150) and meet with family members (64.3%, n = 240).

    CONCLUSION: Generally, HCWs in Perlis had good KAP with regards to COVID-19 infection and its preventive measures. Challenges underlined by HCWs while working during the MCO were increased workload, difficulty to shop for daily essentials, exercise and meet with family members. Should good COVID-19 KAP be sustained, they might contribute to success in combating this disease.

  9. Bibliometric analysis of immigration and environmental degradation: evidence from past decades
    Anuar A, Marwan NF, Smith J, Siriyanun S, Sharif A
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2022 Feb;29(9):13729-13741.
    PMID: 34599441 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16470-1
    The aim of this paper is to examine immigration and environmental degradation using bibliometric analysis. This paper also analyzes sources of publication, authorship, citations, distributions publications and other bibliometric indicators. The study focuses on a total of 1372 articles published from 2000 to 2020. These articles were collected through an automated process from the Scopus database and later analyzed using techniques such as bibliometric indicators analysis, VOSviewer, and Perish or Publish. The research identified 991 articles from varieties of published sources. The topic of immigrants and environmental degradation has been an emerging topic since 1981. Starting in 2000, most of the scholars actively producing an articles pertinent to this topic. Most of the articles were published in journals, and English is the primary language of research. United States is the leading country in contributing the publications. Meanwhile, the most significant fields in which the sources were produced were environmental science, agricultural and biological sciences, arts and humanities and earth and planetary sciences. However, some limitations has been found. It has been suggested for future research, to lengthen this work to other databases, as well as bibliometric analyses of immigration and environmental degradation in developed and developing countries by adding a new keyword such as energy consumption and climate change. This paper aims to assess recent trends in the expansion of academic literature on immigration and environmental degradation using the bibliometric analysis method. Network visualization and bibliometric indicators are used in this paper to present the results.
  10. A study on the prevalence of soil transmitted helminths among lettuce leaves sold in local markets in Penang, Malaysia
    Anuar AK, Ramachandran CP
    Med J Malaysia, 1977 Jun;31(4):262-5.
    PMID: 562969
  11. The influence of host stage and sex upon the size and composition of the thelastomatids parasitic in the hindgut of Periplaneta americana L. and Neostylopyga rhombifolia (Stoll)
    Anuar AK, Rodzoh S
    Med J Malaysia, 1978 Sep;33(1):76-85.
    PMID: 750901
  12. Periplaneta americana (L.) as intermediate host of Moniliformis moniliformis (Bremser) in Penang, Malaysia
    Anuar AK, Paran TP
    Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1976 Sep;7(3):415-6.
    PMID: 1025741
  13. Fulltext Investigation on the conA binding properties of Klebsiella pneumoniae
    Anuar AS, Tay ST
    Trop Biomed, 2014 Dec;31(4):802-12.
    PMID: 25776607 MyJurnal
    Klebsiella pneumoniae is a healthcare-associated bacterial pathogen which causes severe diseases in immunocompromised individuals. Concanavalin A (conA), a lectin which recognizes proteins with mannose or glucose residues, has been reported to agglutinate K. pneumoniae and hence, is postulated to have therapeutical potential for K. pneumoniae-induced liver infection. This study investigated the conA binding properties of a large collection of clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae. ConA agglutination reaction was demonstrated by 94 (51.4%) of 183 K. pneumoniae isolates using a microtiter plate assay. The conA agglutination reactions were inhibited in the presence of 2.5 mg/ml D-mannose and 2.5 mg/ml glucose, and following pretreatment of the bacterial suspension with protease and heating at 80ºC. Majority of the positive isolates originated from respiratory specimens. Isolation of conA-binding proteins from K. pneumoniae ATCC 700603 strain was performed using conA affinity column and the conA binding property of the eluted proteins was confirmed by western blotting analysis using conA-HRP conjugates. Proteins with molecular weights ranging from 35 to 60 kDa were eluted from the conA affinity column, of which four were identified as outer membrane protein precursor A (37 kDa), outer membrane protein precursor C (40 kDa), enolase (45 kDa) and chaperonin (60 kDa) using mass spectrometry analysis. Several conA binding proteins (including 45 and 60 kDa) were found to be immunogenic when reacted with rabbit anti-Klebsiella antibody. The function and interplay of the conA binding proteins in bacterium-host cell relationship merits further investigation.
  14. Fulltext Dataset of gallic acid quantification and their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of different solvent extractions from Kacip Fatimah (Labisia pumila Benth. & Hook. f.) leaves
    Awang MA, Benjamin MAZ, Anuar A, Ismail MF, Ramaiya SD, Mohd Hashim SNA
    Data Brief, 2023 Dec;51:109644.
    PMID: 37840993 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2023.109644
    The article presents data on the quantification of gallic acid (GA) and the assessment of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Kacip Fatimah (Labisia pumila Benth. & Hook. f.) leaves using various solvents. GA was quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. Total phenolic content (TPC) was assessed using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The antioxidant activities were evaluated using xanthine oxidase superoxide (XOD-Superoxide) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays, while anti-inflammatory activities were examined through lipoxygenase (LOX) and xanthine oxidase (XOD) inhibition assays. Results showed that the water-extracted sample had the highest GA and TPC among the solvents tested, along with the strongest inhibition activities in the XOD-Superoxide and DPPH assays. Both water and ethanol extracts showed significant inhibitory activities in the LOX assay but were inactive in the XOD assay. These findings suggest that the bioactivity of L. pumila leaf extract is associated with GA and TPC. GA and TPC strongly correlated with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, except for the XOD assay. The dataset highlights the potential dietary benefits of L. pumila leaves as a natural source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.
  15. Fulltext MUSiC: a model-unspecific search for new physics in proton-proton collisions at s = 13 TeV
    CMS Collaboration, Sirunyan AM, Tumasyan A, Adam W, Ambrogi F, Bergauer T, et al.
    Eur Phys J C Part Fields, 2021;81(7):629.
    PMID: 34727144 DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s10052-021-09236-z
    Results of the Model Unspecific Search in CMS (MUSiC), using proton-proton collision data recorded at the LHC at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV , corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb - 1 , are presented. The MUSiC analysis searches for anomalies that could be signatures of physics beyond the standard model. The analysis is based on the comparison of observed data with the standard model prediction, as determined from simulation, in several hundred final states and multiple kinematic distributions. Events containing at least one electron or muon are classified based on their final state topology, and an automated search algorithm surveys the observed data for deviations from the prediction. The sensitivity of the search is validated using multiple methods. No significant deviations from the predictions have been observed. For a wide range of final state topologies, agreement is found between the data and the standard model simulation. This analysis complements dedicated search analyses by significantly expanding the range of final states covered using a model independent approach with the largest data set to date to probe phase space regions beyond the reach of previous general searches.
  16. Fulltext Measurements of production cross sections of the Higgs boson in the four-lepton final state in proton-proton collisions at s = 13 TeV
    CMS Collaboration, Sirunyan AM, Tumasyan A, Adam W, Andrejkovic JW, Bergauer T, et al.
    Eur Phys J C Part Fields, 2021;81(6):488.
    PMID: 34727143 DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s10052-021-09200-x
    Production cross sections of the Higgs boson are measured in the H → Z Z → 4 ℓ ( ℓ = e , μ ) decay channel. A data sample of proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV , collected by the CMS detector at the LHC and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb - 1 is used. The signal strength modifier μ , defined as the ratio of the Higgs boson production rate in the 4 ℓ channel to the standard model (SM) expectation, is measured to be μ = 0.94 ± 0.07 (stat) - 0.08 + 0.09 (syst) at a fixed value of m H = 125.38 GeV . The signal strength modifiers for the individual Higgs boson production modes are also reported. The inclusive fiducial cross section for the H → 4 ℓ process is measured to be 2 . 84 - 0.22 + 0.23 (stat) - 0.21 + 0.26 (syst) fb , which is compatible with the SM prediction of 2.84 ± 0.15 fb for the same fiducial region. Differential cross sections as a function of the transverse momentum and rapidity of the Higgs boson, the number of associated jets, and the transverse momentum of the leading associated jet are measured. A new set of cross section measurements in mutually exclusive categories targeted to identify production mechanisms and kinematical features of the events is presented. The results are in agreement with the SM predictions.
  17. Fulltext Search for direct pair production of supersymmetric partners to the τ lepton in proton-proton collisions at s = 13 TeV
    CMS Collaboration, Sirunyan AM, Tumasyan A, Adam W, Ambrogi F, Bergauer T, et al.
    Eur Phys J C Part Fields, 2020;80(3):189.
    PMID: 32226948 DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s10052-020-7739-7
    A search is presented for τ slepton pairs produced in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV . The search is carried out in events containing two τ leptons in the final state, on the assumption that each τ slepton decays primarily to a τ lepton and a neutralino. Events are considered in which each τ lepton decays to one or more hadrons and a neutrino, or in which one of the τ leptons decays instead to an electron or a muon and two neutrinos. The data, collected with the CMS detector in 2016 and 2017, correspond to an integrated luminosity of 77.2 fb - 1 . The observed data are consistent with the standard model background expectation. The results are used to set 95% confidence level upper limits on the cross section for τ slepton pair production in various models for τ slepton masses between 90 and 200 GeV and neutralino masses of 1, 10, and 20 GeV . In the case of purely left-handed τ slepton production and decay to a τ lepton and a neutralino with a mass of 1 GeV , the strongest limit is obtained for a τ slepton mass of 125 GeV at a factor of 1.14 larger than the theoretical cross section.
  18. Fulltext Toxocara seroprevalence and childhood asthma among Malaysian children
    Chan PW, Anuar AK, Fong MY, Debruyne JA, Ibrahim J
    Pediatr Int, 2001 Aug;43(4):350-3.
    PMID: 11472577 DOI: 10.1046/j.1442-200X.2001.01421.x
    BACKGROUND: The larva of Toxocara spp., a common animal roundworm, may infect non-compatible hosts, causing a profound immunological reaction with marked eosinophil and IgE responses, not unlike in atopy. In this study, we determined the seroprevalence of Toxocara exposure in 66 asthmatic and 58 non-asthmatic children.
    METHODS: Exposure to Toxocara was determined by examining the serum samples of the children for specific IgG antibodies to L2 Toxocara larvae, using a commercially available diagnostic kit.
    RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the mean age, sex, social class, residence type and presence of domestic pets at home between the two children groups. Children with bronchial asthma were observed to have higher Toxocara seropositivity than that of the non-asthmatic controls (21.2 vs 8.6%, P=0.047).
    CONCLUSION: The observed relationship between exposure to Toxocara infection and bronchial asthma in Malaysian children warrants further evaluation. An understanding of any possible contribution to the pathogenesis of childhood asthma provides a potential avenue for prevention.
    Study site: Paediatric Asthma clinic, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  19. Using game controller as position tracking sensor for 3D freehand ultrasound imaging
    Chan VS, Mohamed F, Yusoff YA, Dewi DEO, Anuar A, Shamsudin MA, et al.
    Med Biol Eng Comput, 2020 May;58(5):889-902.
    PMID: 31599379 DOI: 10.1007/s11517-019-02044-4
    Position tracking has been widely used in medical applications, especially in 3D ultrasound imaging, where it has transformed the 2D slice limitation into 3D volume with bigger clinical impacts. As a game controller can also produce position tracking information, it has the potential to act as a low-cost and portable position tracker for ultrasound probes. This paper aims to investigate the feasibility of a game controller to perform as a position tracker and to design its implementation in 3D ultrasound imaging. The study consists of data acquisition and 3D ultrasound reconstruction for visualization. The data acquisition is accomplished by capturing the 2D ultrasound frame and its relative positional and orientation data by using an ultrasound probe and game controller respectively. These data are further reconstructed to produce 3D ultrasound volume for visualization. Our experiments include game controller position tracker testing and 3D ultrasound reconstruction on baby phantom. The results have confirmed that the game controller performance was closely aligned with that of in a robot arm. Also, the 3D ultrasound reconstruction implementation has revealed promising outcomes. With these features, the function of the currently available ultrasound probes can be prospectively improved using a game controller position tracker effectively. Graphical Abstract.
  20. Microfilaria in hydrocele fluid cytology
    Chandran PA, Jayaram G, Mahmud R, Anuar AK
    Malays J Pathol, 2004 Dec;26(2):119-23.
    PMID: 16329565
    Filariasis, a parasitic infection endemic in parts of India, Myanmar, islands of the South Pacific, West and East Africa and Saudi Arabia can be diagnosed from various types of cytopathological specimens. This case documents the detection of filarial infection from hydrocele fluid cytology in a 30-year-old Myanmar migrant worker in Malaysia.
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