Sponges are major source of numerous cytotoxic compounds that are used for defence as well as adaptation to the environment. Numerous studies have discovered compounds from sponge extracts that were effective against a wide range of cancer cells. In this study, a total of 23 sponges comprising of 19 species were collected from Northeast Borneo. Sponges were treated and extracted using modified Folch extraction method, followed by cytotoxicity assay to determine their effectiveness against different colorectal cancer cells. Our results demonstrate that Monanchora clathrata, Dysidea sp., and Jaspis sp. possess different degrees of cytotoxicity against a wide range of human colorectal cancer cells. Monanchora clathrata (KDT07), Dysidea sp. (KDT09), and Jaspis sp. (KDT18) are among the demosponges which possess significant cytotoxicity against colorectal cancer cell lines, including HCT116, LoVo, SW480, and SW620. KDT08 and KDT21 which fall under the same genus Dysidea, possess insignificant cytotoxicity against colorectal cancer cells suggested environmental factors (symbiotic organisms) play a role in biosynthesizing bioactive compounds. Presented results suggested the importance of intensifying research on isolating and purifying natural products from marine sponges for useful applications.
The massive growth of construction industry especially in the developing countries results in extensive quarrying activities which ultimately would lead to the depletion of natural resources. Apart from extensive extraction of the natural granite from the earth for concrete production, marble production industry is also majorly contributing to the quarrying activities. In addition, high volume of waste is generated by the marble production industry as 70% of marble is wasted during the production such as quarrying, cutting, processing and others which is environmental unfriendly. In a way to achieve sustainable construction, the present study is to utilise the waste marble in replacing the coarse aggregate in concrete production. The engineering performance including workability, compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) and chloride penetration were analysed. The raw waste marble obtained from the industry were crushed and sieved into maximum size 20 mm and used to replace the coarse aggregate at the level of 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% respectively. Results show that 60% of the replacement level has yield to optimum result by achieving the highest compressive strength and UPV at approximate 5% higher than the control. Meanwhile, the effect on chloride penetration resistance is more significant, i.e. approximate 19% better than the control. However, increasing the replacement level of waste marble has no significant effect on workability, although an increasing trend was observed.
The industrialized world has entered a new era of widespread automation, and although this may create long-term gains in economic productivity and wealth accumulation, many professions are expected to disappear during the ensuing shift, leading to potentially significant disruptions in labor markets and associated socioeconomic difficulties. Food production, like many other industrial sectors, has also undergone a century of mechanization, having moved toward increasingly large-scale monoculture production-especially in developed economies-with higher yields but detrimental environmental impacts on a global scale. Certain characteristics of the food sector and its products cast doubts on whether future automation will influence it in the same ways as in other sectors. We conceptualize a model of future food production within the socioeconomic conditions created by widespread automation. We ideate that despite immediate shocks to the economy, in the long run higher productivity can free up human activity to be channeled toward more interactive, skill-intensive food production systems, where communal efforts can reduce industrial reliance, diversify farming, and reconnect people to the biosphere-a realization of human well-being that resembles the classical philosophical ideal of Eudaimonia. We explore food production concepts, such as communal gardens and polyculture, and the economic conditions and institutions needed to underwrite them [e.g., a universal basic income (UBI)]. However, arguments can be raised as to why social-ecological systems would benefit from more labor-intensive food production. In this paper we: (1) discuss the current state of the food system and the need to reform it in light of its environmental and social impacts; (2) present automation as a lever that could move society toward more sustainable food production; (3) highlight the beneficial attributes of a Eudaimonian model; and (4) discuss the potential challenges to its implementation. Our purpose is to highlight a possible outcome that future research will need to refine and expand based on evidence and successful case studies. The ultimate aim is to promote a food system that can provide food security while staying within the safe operating space of planetary boundaries, produce more nutritious diets, enhance social capital, and reconnect communities with the biosphere.
Plastic waste is a global issue of an increasing concern in aquatic ecosystems. Microplastics form a large proportion of plastic pollution in marine environments. Although microplastics are prevalent, their distribution along the coasts of tropical regions is not well studied. Microplastic pieces (1-5 mm) were collected from two distinct regions along the coastlines of Singapore, from the northern coast in the Johor Strait and the southern coast in the Singapore Strait. Microplastics were present in concentrations ranging from 9.20-59.9 particles per kg of dry sand sediment. The majority of microplastics identified were foam particles (55%) and fragments (35%). Microplastics were significantly more abundant on heavily populated beaches compared to pristine beaches. High throughput sequencing was used to profile the communities of bacteria on the surfaces of microplastic particles. The structure of the microbial communities was primarily characterised by Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes and were distinct across sites. Hydrocarbon-degrading genera such as Erythrobacter were dominant in areas with heavy shipping and pollution. Potential pathogenic genera such as Vibrio and Pseudomonas were also identified. This study highlights the diverse bacterial assemblages present on marine microplastic surfaces and the importance of understanding the bacterial plastisphere.
Allah (s.w.t) has created innumerable distinct creatures and mentioned to us about their special qualities through His revelation. The Qur’an is the ultimate source of guidance for its followers for all aspects of life including science. If one is to study nature scientifically there are countless observable facts that are parallel to the teachings of Islam. One of these facts is echolocation found in bats and dolphins. These animals generate ultrasonic signals and detect the echoes reflected back to them to map out their environment and catch prey. Modern health sciences have already adopted this phenomenon in the form of ultrasound imaging for diagnosis of certain diseases. However, there is room for improvement in the overall performance of this technique. This article highlights the technological developments directly inspired by nature i.e., crawfish/crayfish and relates echolocation characteristics of bats and dolphins with basic principles of ultrasound imaging. In-depth studies on the echolocation properties of these creatures can lead to further improvement in the current ultrasound imaging technique. Such as; the construction of a transducer which simultaneously generates multi-frequency ultrasound signals and development of new interpreting software. Moreover, reading verses of the Holy Qur’an heartily and enthusiastically will lead to the development of innovative ideas that can be translated into reality and applied for the betterment of humankind.
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a family of biodegradable and renewable biopolymers show a huge potential as an alternative to conventional plastics. Extractive bioconversion (in situ product recovery) is a technique that integrates upstream fermentation and downstream purification. In this study, extractive bioconversion of PHAs from Cupriavidus necator H16 was performed via a thermo-separating aqueous two-phase system to reduce the cost and environmental impacts of PHAs production. Key operating parameters, such as polymer concentration, temperature, and pH, were optimized. The strategy achieved a yield and PF of 97.6% and 1.36-fold, respectively at 5% EOPO 3900 concentration, 30 °C fermentation temperature and pH 6. The PHAs production process was also successfully scaled up in a 2 L bioreactor. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on extractive fermentation of PHAs from Cupriavidus necator utilizing a thermo-separation system to achieve a better productivity and purity of the target product.
This study was conducted to retrieve the land surface temperature (LST) from Landsat ETM+ data for Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia. The proposed technique employed a mono window LST algorithm for retrieving surface temperature from Landsat ETM+. The land surface emissivity and solar angle values were needed in order to apply these in the proposed algorithm. The surface emissivity values were computed based on the NDVI values. The LST values derived from ATCOR2_T in the PCI Geomatica image processing software was used for algorithm calibration. The results showed a high correlation
coefficient (R) and low root-mean-square error (RMS) between the LST values retrieved from the proposed algorithm and ATCOR2_T. This study indicated that the proposed algorithm is capable of retrieving accurate LST values and the derived information can be used in the environmental impact assessment for Al Qassim area.
Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are the principle dengue vectors in Malaysia. The presence and distribution of Aedes larvae were studied in three different localities in Kelantan, Terengganu and Sabah, Malaysia in October 2008, November 2008 and June 2009. Two hundred (200) ovitraps per locality were placed randomly indoors and outdoors, depending on the environment of each locality. The highest mean number of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus larvae per recovered ovitrap for both indoors and outdoors was obtained from Kg. Paya Rambai, Kelantan. The indoor populations of Ae. aegypti as well as the indoor and outdoor populations of Ae. albopictus in Kg. Paya Rambai, Kelantan were significantly higher than the other two study sites (p<0.05) by 1.03- and 4.67-folds, 2.36- and 5.84-folds and 1.98- and 4.00-folds, respectively. Both Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus were also found to breed within the same ovitraps placed indoors and outdoors in all study sites ranging from 15.22% to 31.82% of the total positive ovitraps. This study showed that both species could serve as the vectors of dengue in all study sites as indicated by the high populations recorded. The reliability and sensitivity of ovitraps in Aedes surveillance was also proven.
The use of environmental planning tools for optimum solid waste landfill siting taking into account all environmental implications was carried out by applying Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) to enhance the research information obtained from initial analysis using Geographical Information Systems (GIS). The objective of this study is to identify the most eco-friendly landfill site by conducting a LCA analysis upon 5 potential GIS generated sites which incorporated eleven important criteria related to the social, environmental, and economical factors. The LCA analysis utilized the daily distance covered by collection trucks among the 5 selected landfill sites to generate inventory data on total energy usage for each landfill sites. The planning and selection of the potential sites were facilitated after conducting environmental impact analysis upon the inventory data which showed the least environmental impact.
Spatio-temporal land-use change modeling, simulation, and prediction have become one of the critical issues in the last three decades due to uncertainty, structure, flexibility, accuracy, the ability for improvement, and the capability for integration of available models. Therefore, many types of models such as dynamic, statistical, and machine learning (ML) models have been used in the geographic information system (GIS) environment to fulfill the high-performance requirements of land-use modeling. This paper provides a literature review on models for modeling, simulating, and predicting land-use change to determine the best approach that can realistically simulate land-use changes. Therefore, the general characteristics of conventional and ML models for land-use change are described, and the different techniques used in the design of these models are classified. The strengths and weaknesses of the various dynamic, statistical, and ML models are determined according to the analysis and discussion of the characteristics of these models. The results of the review confirm that ML models are the most powerful models for simulating land-use change because they can include all driving forces of land-use change in the simulation process and simulate linear and non-linear phenomena, which dynamic models and statistical models are unable to do. However, ML models also have limitations. For instance, some ML models are complex, the simulation rules cannot be changed, and it is difficult to understand how ML models work in a system. However, this can be solved via the use of programming languages such as Python, which in turn improve the simulation capabilities of the ML models.
Recently, unconventional methods especially microwave-assisted hydrodistillation extraction (MAHE) is being used as an alternative technique for extracting bioactive compounds from plant materials due to its advantages over conventional methods such as Soxhlet extraction (SE). In this study, bioactive compounds were extracted from Vernonia cinerea leaf using both MAHE and SE methods. In addition, the kinetic study of MAHE and SE methods were carried out using first- and second-order kinetic models. The results obtained showed that MAHE can extract higher yield of bioactive compounds from V. cinerea leaf in a shorter time and reduced used of extracting solvent compared with SE method. Based on the results obtained, second-order kinetic models can actually describe the extraction of bioactive compounds from V. cinerea leaf through MAHE with extraction rate coefficient of 0.1172 L/gmin and extraction capacity of 1.0547 L/g as compared to SE with 0.0157 L/gmin and 1.1626 L/g of extraction rate coefficient and extraction capacity, respectively. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the oil showed the presence of numerous heavy fractions in the oil obtained through MAHE as compared with the SE method. Moreover, the electric consumption and environmental impacts analysis of the oil suggested that MAHE can be a suitable green technique for extracting bioactive compounds from V. cinerea leaf.
The Sandakan Formation of the Segama Group is exposed across the Sandakan Peninsular in eastern Sabah. This Upper Miocene part of the Segama Group unconformably overlies the Garinono Formation and is conformably overlain by the Bongaya Formation. This formation was investigated with detailed logging of outcrops and microfossils analysis in order to map the depositional facies and sedimentary environment. This study showed the presence of seven lithofacies: Thick amalgamated sandstone; thin, lenticular interbedded HCS sandstones and mudstone; laminated mudstone with Rhizophora; trough cross-bedded sandstone; laminated mudstone; strip mudstone with thin sandstone and siltstone; and interbedded HCS sandstone and mudstone. Based on the presence of Rhizophora, Brownlowia, Florchuetia sp., Polypodium, Stenochleana palustris, Ascidian spicule low angle cross bedding, very fine grained sandstone, thin alternations of very fine sandstone, silt and clay layers showing cyclicity (muddy rhythemites), rocks in the Sandakan Formation are interpreted as mangal estuary and open marine facies. Three facies associations could be deduced from the seven lithofacies: Gradual coarsening upwards shoreface; abrupt change facies and prograding estuary facies association.
Countering the dangers associated the present extreme climate not only requires continuous improvement of local disaster
prevention engineering infrastructure but also needs an enhanced understanding of the causes of the disasters. This study
investigates the geologic hazard risk of 53 slopeland villages in Pingtung county of southern Taiwan. First, remote sensing
(RS) techniques were utilized to interpret environmental geology and geologic hazard zonation, including dip slope, fault,
landslide and debris flow. GIS map overlay analysis was used to further identify the extent of the geologic hazard zonation.
As a final step, field investigation is used to comprehend geologic, topographic conditions and the geologic hazard risk
specific to each locality. Based on data analysis and field investigation results, this study successfully integrates RS, GIS
and GPS techniques to construct a geologic hazard risk assessment method of slopeland village. The results of this study
can be used to promote support for future disaster prevention and disaster mitigation efforts.
The present study evaluates the petroleum source rock generation potential of the Neogene Bhuban shales from Bangladesh.
Organic geochemical and organic petrological methods were used for analyzing 11 drill core samples from 4 gas fields
in the basin. Source rock potential, maceral composition, organic matter abundance, biomarker distribution, thermal
maturity, hydrocarbon generation and depositional environment were evaluated. Kerogen in the studied shale samples
is classified mainly as Type III with lesser amounts of Type II. Vitrinite is the dominant maceral group observed in the
analyzed Bhuban samples followed by liptinite and inertinite. Vitrinite reflectance, Tmax and biomarker parameters
indicate the thermal maturity ranges from just pre-oil window to mid-oil window. Based on its total organic carbon
(TOC), extractable organic matter (EOM) and hydrogen index (HI), the analyzed Bhuban shales are ranked as mainly poor
to fair source rocks but with good gas generation potential. The dominant terrestrial environment prevailed during the
deposition of the studied Bhuban shales while the condition was sub-oxic as indicated by cross-plots of pristane versus
phytane and sterane versus pristane/phytane ratios.
Otoliths, which can be used for the evaluation of relationships between the environment and organisms, are structures
consisting of calcium carbonate. The aim of this study was to realize the shape analysis. In addition, it is to detect the
characteristics of otolith biometrics in order to determine the relationship between the fish size of Engraulis encrasicolus
L. from the Black and Marmara Seas. The samples were obtained from the Black and Marmara Seas between December
2013 and February 2014. The relationships between the TL (Total length) and OL (Otolith length), TL and OB (Otolith
breadth), and TL and OW (Otolith weight) were determined using the linear regression equation. Form factor, roundness,
circularity and rectangularity were used for shape analyses. According to the data, there was no difference between
localities (p>0.05). Moreover, there was no difference between the left and right otoliths of the individuals sampled from
the same locality (p>0.05). According to the regression coefficient for relationships of TL-OL, TL-OB and TL-OW, otolith
length was identified as the best index for estimating fish length (r
2
>0.70). It showed that index values were statistically
different between two populations (p<0.001).
Analysis of relationship between sea surface temperature (SST) and Chlorophyll-a (chl-a) improves our understanding on the variability and productivity of the marine environment, which is important for exploring fishery resources. Monthly level 3 and daily level 1 images of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Satellite (MODIS) derived SST and chl-a from July 2002 to June 2011 around the archipelagic waters of Spermonde Indonesia were used to investigate the relationship between SST and chl-a and to forecast the potential fishing ground of Rastrelliger kanagurta. The results indicated that there was positive correlation between SST and chl-a (R=0.3, p<0.05). Positive correlation was also found between SST and chl-a with the catch of R. kanagurta (R=0.7, p<0.05). The potential fishing grounds of R. kanagurta were found located along the coast (at accuracy of 76.9%). This study indicated that, with the integration of remote sensing technology, statistical modeling and geographic information systems (GIS) technique were able to determine the relationship between SST and chl-a and also able to forecast aggregation of R. kanagurta. This may contribute in decision making and reducing search hunting time and cost in fishing activities.
The air supply velocity is an important factor affecting the spontaneous combustion of coal. The appropriate air velocity can not only provide the oxygen required for the oxidation reaction, but maintains the good heat storage environment. Therefore, it is necessary to study the influence of the actual air velocity in the pore space on the self-heating process of coal particles. This paper focuses on studying the real space piled up by spherical particles. CFD simulation software is used to establish the numerical model from pore scale. Good fitness of the simulation results with the existing results verifies the feasibility of the calculation method. Later, the calculation conditions are changed to calculate and analyze the velocity field and the temperature field for self-heating of some particles (the surface of the particles is at a certain temperature) and expound the effect of different air supply velocities on gathering and dissipating the heat.
This study describes the development of a multimedia environmental fate and transport model of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) at Sungai Sayong watershed. Based on the latest estimated DDT emission, the DDT concentrations in air, soil, water and sediment as well as the transfer processes were simulated under the equilibrium and steady-state assumption. Model predictions suggested that soil and sediment was the dominant sink of DDT. The results showed that the model predicted was generally good agreement with field data. Compared with degradation reaction, advection outflow was more important processes occurred in the model. Sensitivities of the model estimates to input parameters were tested. The result showed that vapour pressure (Ps) and organic carbon water partition coefficient (KOC) were the most influential parameters for the model output. The model output-concentrations of DDT in multimedia environment is very important as it can be used in future for human exposure and risk assessment of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) at Sungai Sayong Basin.
Development of hot spring touristic projects receives more interest in Malaysia in recent years since the country has a high potential of hot springs that are vital to the economy. However, such developmental activities could produce negative impacts if not accompanied with adequate knowledge of the subsurface conditions. Active multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) was applied to determine the subsurface shear wave velocities and Vs30. The inverted shear waves velocity models have then presented in both vertical cross-sectional plots and depth slices maps. Depth slices were chosen at about 5, 18.5 m and 32 m depths. Model obtained showed that the soil is stiffer near the highway side and turns to be softer as we go away in the scrub direction. Vs30 is also estimated and mapped to show the quality of the soil. Inverted parameters showed that the soil at the site ranges from soft soil to stiff one. Also, the result obtained proposed that the surface occurrence of the hot spring might be a result of intersection of faulted segments, where hot spring is located near the intersection points. Furthermore, the model helped in proposing a suitable for complex extension. The proposed is chosen such that it minimize any possible effects on the geothermal resources at the site.
Acetobacter xylinum strains are known as efficient producers of cellulose. A. xylinum is an obligate aerobic bacterium that has an oxygen-based metabolism. The dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration in a rotary discs reactor (RDR) is one of the most important factors that need to be observed during the cellulose synthesis by these bacteria. In this study, the effects of different discs rotation speed (5, 7, 9 and 12 rpm) and fermentation period (3, 4, 5 and 6 days) on the DO concentration and production of bacterial cellulose in a 10-L RDR were examined. The highest yield was obtained at 7 rpm with a total dried weight of 28.3 g for 4 days fermentation. The results showed that the DO concentration in the 10-L RDR increased in the range of 13 to 17% with increasing of discs rotation speed from 7 to 12 rpm. However, fermentation with high discs rotation speed at 12 rpm reduced the bacterial cellulose production. Analysis of data using Statistica 8.0 showed a high coefficient of determination value (R2 = 0.92). In conclusion, discs rotation speed gave more significant effect on the DO concentration and production of bacterial cellulose in 10-L RDR compared to fermentation period. This was further combined with synergistic effect from sufficient consumption of oxygen for the enhanced production of bacterial cellulose and providing the controlled environment for encouraging bacterial growth throughout the fermentation process.