Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 276 in total

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  1. Electrochemical study of stainless steel corrosion by marine sulphate-reducing bacteria
    Fathul Karim Sahrani, Zaharah Ibrahim, Madzlan Aziz, Adibah Yahya
    Sains Malaysiana, 2008;37.
    Corrosion caused by sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) isolated from seawater nearby to Pasir Gudang has been studied. The test coupon was a AISI 304 stainless steel. Potential and corrosion rate measurements were carried out in various types of culturing solutions, with SRB1, SRB2, combination of SRB1 & SRB2 and without SRBs inoculated (sterilized). From Tafel plots a higher corrosion rate has been found in medium inoculated with SRBs than that of the sterilized medium (control). When SRBs were present in the medium, the Tafel plot shifted towards more negative values (Ecorr was shifted to much less anodic values) and increase in current density compared to that of the sterilized medium (control). Localized corrosion was observed on the metal surface, and it was associated to the SRB activity. X-ray analysis (EDAX) showed that the corrosion product has higher content of sulphur for medium containing SRBs than that of the sterilized medium. X-Ray Diffraction analysis carried out on corrosion products which showed the presence of iron sulphide. This indicates the influence of the presence of SRB in corrosion process.
    Matched MeSH terms: X-Rays
  2. Fulltext Optical absorption and photoluminescence studies of gold nanoparticles deposited on porous silicon
    Amran TS, Hashim MR, Al-Obaidi NK, Yazid H, Adnan R
    Nanoscale Res Lett, 2013 Jan 18;8(1):35.
    PMID: 23331761 DOI: 10.1186/1556-276X-8-35
    We present an investigation on a coupled system consists of gold nanoparticles and silicon nanocrystals. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) embedded into porous silicon (PSi) were prepared using the electrochemical deposition method. Scanning electron microscope images and energy-dispersive X-ray results indicated that the growth of AuNPs on PSi varies with current density. X-ray diffraction analysis showed the presence of cubic gold phases with crystallite sizes around 40 to 58 nm. Size dependence on the plasmon absorption was studied from nanoparticles with various sizes. Comparison with the reference sample, PSi without AuNP deposition, showed a significant blueshift with decreasing AuNP size which was explained in terms of optical coupling between PSi and AuNPs within the pores featuring localized plasmon resonances.
    Matched MeSH terms: X-Rays
  3. Fulltext Kinematics of mouthbrooding in Oreochromis niloticus (Cichlidae)
    Van Wassenbergh S, Joris I, Desclée M, Liew HJ, De Boeck G, Adriaens D, et al.
    J Exp Biol, 2016 05 15;219(Pt 10):1535-41.
    PMID: 27207955 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.131631
    Many species from several different families of fishes perform mouthbrooding, where one of the sexes protects and ventilates the eggs inside the mouth cavity. This ventilation behaviour differs from gill ventilation outside the brooding period, as the normal, small-amplitude suction-pump respiration cycles are alternated with actions including near-simultaneous closed-mouth protrusions and high-amplitude depressions of the hyoid. The latter is called churning, referring to its hypothetical function in moving around and repositioning the eggs by a presumed hydrodynamic effect of the marked shifts in volume along the mouth cavity. We tested the hypothesis that churning causes the eggs located posteriorly in the mouth cavity to move anteriorly away from the gill entrance. This would prevent or clear accumulations of brood at the branchial basket, which would otherwise hinder breathing by the parent. Dual-view videos of female Nile tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus) during mouthbrooding showed that churning involves a posterior-to-anterior wave of expansion and compression of the head volume. Flow visualisation with polyethylene microspheres revealed a significant inflow of water entering the gill slits at the zone above the pectoral fin base, followed by a predominantly ventral outflow passing the ventrolaterally flapping branchiostegal membranes. X-ray videos indicated that particularly the brood located close to the gills is moved anteriorly during churning. These data suggest that, in addition to mixing of the brood to aid its oxygenation, an important function of the anterior flow through the gills and buccal cavity during churning is to prevent clogging of the eggs near the gills.
    Matched MeSH terms: X-Rays
  4. Fulltext Determination of surface radiation dose and concentrations of uranium and thorium in soil at UiTM-Perhilitan research station Kuala Keniam, Taman Negara, Pahang
    Ahmad Saat, Nurulhuda Kassim, Zaini Hamzah, Ahmad Farisz
    Journal of Nuclear and Related Technologies, 2010;2010(2):49-54.
    MyJurnal
    Taman Negara is a famous tourism destination for nature lover in Malaysia. The area is well kept from human activities and disturbances. Since there is no data for human exposure to natural radiation, there is a need to do this study. It will give a baseline data for surface dose and radionuclide concentrations and one can estimate the external hazards index for the visitor to this unexplored area, i.e. UiTM-Perhilitan research station, Kuala Keniam, Taman Negara, Malaysia. The surface dose rate measurements were done in-situ using portable radiation survey meter at the surface and 1 m above the surface. The top soil samples were taken using hand auger up to 15 cm depth at nine locations around research station. Samples were brought back to the UiTM laboratory in Shah Alam, dried, ground to powder form, and sieved using 250 μm sieve. Then the uranium and thorium concentrations were analyzed using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF).The mean value for surface dose rates on surface were 0.164 μSv/hr while the mean value for surface dose rates on 1m above the surface were 0.161 μSv/hr. The mean concentration of thorium was 2.62μg/g while the mean concentration of uranium was 0.61μg/g.
    Matched MeSH terms: X-Rays
  5. Fulltext Method development for determination of sodium, potassium and calcium ions concentrations in hot springs water using EDXRF
    Zaini Hamzah, Nurul Latiffah Abd Rani, Ahmad Saat
    Journal of Nuclear and Related Technologies, 2013;2013(2):59-64.
    MyJurnal
    Measurement of major cation such as Na+, K+, and Ca2+ in water are normally carried out using
    AAS, ICP-OES or flame photometry. In this study, an attempt was made to measure these cations
    using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescent Spectrometry (EDXRF). Hot spring s water was taken from varies hot spring in Selangor and divided into two portions that is filtered and unfiltered. 5 mL of water samples were pipette into a special liquid cups (sample holders) which has a thin mylar film underneath. The MiniPal4 XRF instrument was used in this study. The resolution for the instrument use is 145 keV with energy resolution at 5.9 keV. The spectrum of cations were analysed by using MiniPal/MiniMate software to determine the cations concentration. For K+ and Ca2+, Al-thin filter was used and default filter was used for Na+. The concentration of Na+ obtained for filtered and unfiltered samples were ranged from 38.00 to 66.05 and 43.26 to 76.95 ppm. Meanwhile, concentrations of K+ for filtered and unfiltered samples were ranged from 2.42 to 8.07 and 6.18 to 29.28 ppm. Concentrations of Ca2+ for filtered and unfiltered samples were ranged from 2.59 to 10.94 and 3.18 to 12.99 ppm.
    Matched MeSH terms: X-Rays
  6. Fulltext Study of selective metals accumulation in green mustard (Brasissca rapa var. Parachinesis L.) from Cameron Highlands Farmlands, Pahang
    Zaini Hamzah, Marlinda Musa, Ahmad Saat
    Journal of Nuclear and Related Technologies, 2011;2011(1):1-5.
    MyJurnal
    There are many essential and non-essential elements including metals and radionuclides present in vegetables. Howeve r, the accumulation of the several metals and radionuclides might cause the contamination to vegetables itself. Green m ustard (Brasissca rapa var. Parachinesis L.) was selected to represent the vegetable in this study. Objectives of this stud y are to determine the concentration of metals and radionuclides in the samples and to calculate the enrichment factor ( EF) and also to estimate the uptake, base on biological accumulation coefficient (BAC), for the various parts of selecte d vegetables. Three farmlands in the Cameron Highlands were studied namely Bharat, Kg Raja and Bertam area. The g reen mustard and soil samples were collected during the harvest season. Samples were dried, ground and sieved prior t o analysis. Analyses for both samples were done by using X-rays Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) to measure the conc entration of Fe, Zn, Hg, U and Th. The concentration of all elements in the soils is lower than their concentration in the control soil, except for Zn, U and Th. The concentration of all elements in Green Mustard is lower than their concentrat ion in the soil where it was grown. The EF values in the Brasissca rapa var. Parachinesis L are lower than 2 except for U and Th, indicating some degree of contamination due to anthropogenic activities or naturally origin. The BAC values show that Zn and Hg were accumulated in the green mustard, depending on where the plant grows.
    Matched MeSH terms: X-Rays
  7. Fulltext Removal of copper from aqueous solution by adsorption using magnesium aluminium hydrogenphosphate layered double hydroxides
    Zaini Hamzah, Mohd Najif Ab Rahman, Siti Mariam Sumari, Yamin Yasin, Ahmad Saat
    Journal of Nuclear and Related Technologies, 2011;2011(2):60-67.
    MyJurnal
    Layered double hydroxide (LDH) with Mg/Al molar ratio of 4/1 (MAN-4) was synthesized by co-precipitation and followed by hydrothermal method. The compound was allowed to undergo ion exchange with K2HPO4 for 48 hours to produce MgAlHPO4 (MAHP-4). The solid produced was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Adsorption of copper solution by MAHP-4 was carried out using batch experiment by mixing the copper solution and the sorbent MAHP-4. The effects of
    various parameters such as contact time, pH, adsorbent dosage and initial concentration were investigated. The optimum pH for copper removal was found to be 4 and the optimum time of copper removal was found at 4 hours. The isotherm data was analysed using model isotherm Langmuir with the correlation coefficient of 0.999 was recorded. The maximum adsorption capacity, Qo (mg/g) of 142.8 mg/g was also recorded from the Langmuir isotherm. The remaining copper solution was determined by using EDXRF (Energy Dispersive XRay Fluorescence spectrometry) model MiniPal 4 (PAN analytical). The results in this study indicate that MAHP-4 has potential as an effective adsorbent for removing copper from aqueous solution.
    Matched MeSH terms: X-Rays
  8. Application of Bpw34 photodiode and cold white LED as diagnostic X-ray detectors: A comparative analysis
    Damulira E, Yusoff MNS, Omar AF, Mohd Taib NH, Ahmed NM
    Appl Radiat Isot, 2021 Apr;170:109622.
    PMID: 33592486 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2021.109622
    This study compares the real-time dosimetric performance of a bpw34 photodiode (PD) and cold white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) based on diagnostic X-ray-induced signals. Signals were extracted when both the transducers were under identical exposure settings, including source-to-detector distance (SDD), tube voltage (kVp), and current-time product (mAs). The transducers were in a photovoltaic configuration, and black vinyl tape was applied on transducer active areas as a form of optical shielding. X-ray beam spectra and energies were simulated using Matlab-based Spektr functions. Transducer performance analysis was based on signal linearity to mAs and air kerma, and sensitivity dependence on absorbed dose, energy, and dose rate. Bpw34 PD and cold white LED output signals were 84.8% and 85.5% precise, respectively. PD signals were 94.7% linear to mAs, whereas LED signals were 91.9%. PD and LED signal linearity to dose coefficients were 0.9397 and 0.9128, respectively. Both transducers exhibited similar dose and energy dependence. However, cold white LEDs were 0.73% less dose rate dependent than the bpw34 PD. Cold white LEDs demonstrated potential in detecting diagnostic X-rays because their performance was similar to that of the bpw34 PD. Moreover, the cold white LED array's dosimetric response was independent of the heel effect. Although cold white LED signals were lower than bpw34 PD signals, they were quantifiable and electronically amplifiable.
    Matched MeSH terms: X-Rays
  9. Fulltext The Effect of Welding Current and Electrode Force on the Heat Input, Weld Diameter, and Physical and Mechanical Properties of SS316L/Ti6Al4V Dissimilar Resistance Spot Welding with Aluminum Interlayer
    Taufiqurrahman I, Ahmad A, Mustapha M, Lenggo Ginta T, Ady Farizan Haryoko L, Ahmed Shozib I
    Materials (Basel), 2021 Feb 27;14(5).
    PMID: 33673716 DOI: 10.3390/ma14051129
    Welding parameters obviously determine the joint quality during the resistance spot welding process. This study aimed to investigate the effect of welding current and electrode force on the heat input and the physical and mechanical properties of a SS316L and Ti6Al4V joint with an aluminum interlayer. The weld current values used in this study were 11, 12, and 13 kA, while the electrode force values were 3, 4, and 5 kN. Welding time and holding time remained constant at 30 cycles. The study revealed that, as the welding current and electrode force increased, the generated heat input increased significantly. The highest tensile-shear load was recorded at 8.71 kN using 11 kA of weld current and 3 kN of electrode force. The physical properties examined the formation of a brittle fracture and several weld defects on the high current welded joint. The increase in weld current also increased the weld diameter. The microstructure analysis revealed no phase transformation on the SS316L interface; instead, the significant grain growth occurred. The phase transformation has occurred on the Ti6Al4V interface. The intermetallic compound layer was also investigated in detail using the EDX (Energy Dispersive X-Ray) and XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) analyses. It was also found that both stainless steel and titanium alloy have their own fusion zone, which is indicated by the highest microhardness value.
    Matched MeSH terms: X-Rays
  10. Fulltext Data showing the effects of vibratory disc milling time on the microstructural characteristics of Coconut Shell Nanoparticles (CS-NPs)
    Ikumapayi OM, Akinlabi ET
    Data Brief, 2019 Feb;22:537-545.
    PMID: 30627604 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2018.12.067
    Coconut Shell (CS) as agricultural lignocellulosic biomaterial and agro-waste is predominantly available in India, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. It has proven to have effective durability characteristic, good abstractive resistance, high toughness, and good adsorption properties, and is most suitable for long standing use in many applications such as reinforcement, source of energy, fillers as well as activated carbon and its performance, efficiency and effectiveness depend wholly on whether is in form of nano-, micro-, and macro- particles. In this data, effects of milling time on morphological characteristics was experimented using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyses. The SEM images were taken at magnifications of 1.00kx, 2.00kx and 5.00kx which gives respective 50 µm, 20 µm and 10 µm in different milling time of 0, 20, 40 and 60 mins. Digital Vibratory Disc Milling Machine (VDMM) rated 380 V/50 Hz at 940 rpm was employed for the grinding and the morphology of the milled nanoparticles were characterised. It was revealed from the data collected that 0 min (i.e. 75 µm sieved) has the highest mean area value of 16.105 µm2 and area standard deviation of 200.738 µm2 with least value of a number of particle size distribution of 809 µm. In contrast, 60 mins milled has the lowest values for mean area and area standard deviation of 8.945 µm2 and 115.851 µm2 respectively with the highest number of particle size distribution of 2032 µm. It was observed that milling time increases the number of particle sizes distributions and reduces the area of particle size.
    Matched MeSH terms: X-Rays
  11. Fulltext Deep Mining Generation of Lung Cancer Malignancy Models from Chest X-ray Images
    Horry M, Chakraborty S, Pradhan B, Paul M, Gomes D, Ul-Haq A, et al.
    Sensors (Basel), 2021 Oct 07;21(19).
    PMID: 34640976 DOI: 10.3390/s21196655
    Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death and morbidity worldwide. Many studies have shown machine learning models to be effective in detecting lung nodules from chest X-ray images. However, these techniques have yet to be embraced by the medical community due to several practical, ethical, and regulatory constraints stemming from the "black-box" nature of deep learning models. Additionally, most lung nodules visible on chest X-rays are benign; therefore, the narrow task of computer vision-based lung nodule detection cannot be equated to automated lung cancer detection. Addressing both concerns, this study introduces a novel hybrid deep learning and decision tree-based computer vision model, which presents lung cancer malignancy predictions as interpretable decision trees. The deep learning component of this process is trained using a large publicly available dataset on pathological biomarkers associated with lung cancer. These models are then used to inference biomarker scores for chest X-ray images from two independent data sets, for which malignancy metadata is available. Next, multi-variate predictive models were mined by fitting shallow decision trees to the malignancy stratified datasets and interrogating a range of metrics to determine the best model. The best decision tree model achieved sensitivity and specificity of 86.7% and 80.0%, respectively, with a positive predictive value of 92.9%. Decision trees mined using this method may be considered as a starting point for refinement into clinically useful multi-variate lung cancer malignancy models for implementation as a workflow augmentation tool to improve the efficiency of human radiologists.
    Matched MeSH terms: X-Rays
  12. One pot synthesis, molecular structure and spectroscopic studies (X-ray, IR, NMR, UV-Vis) of novel 2-(4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl) amino acid ester derivatives
    El-Faham A, Soliman SM, Osman SM, Ghabbour HA, Siddiqui MR, Fun HK, et al.
    Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc, 2016 Apr 15;159:184-98.
    PMID: 26845586 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2016.01.051
    Novel series of 2-(4,6-dimethoxy,1,3,5-triazin-2-yl) amino acid ester derivatives were synthesized using simple one pot method in methanol. The products were obtained in high yields and purities as observed from their spectral data, elemental analyses, GC-MS and X-ray crystallographic analysis. The B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) calculated molecular structures are well correlated with the geometrical parameters obtained from the X-ray analyses. The spectroscopic properties such as IR vibrational modes, NMR chemical shifts and UV-Vis electronic transitions were discussed both experimentally and theoretically. The IR vibrational frequencies showed good correlations with the experimental data (R(2)=0.9961-0.9995). The electronic spectra were assigned based on the TD-DFT results. Intense electronic transition band is calculated at 198.1nm (f=0.1389), 204.2nm (f=0.2053), 205.0 (f=0.1704) and 205.7 (0.2971) for compounds 6a-i, respectively. The molecular orbital energy levels contributed in the longest wavelength transition band were explained. For all compounds, the experimental wavelengths showed red shifts compared to the calculations due to the solvent effect. The NMR chemical shifts were calculated using GIAO method. The NBO analyses were performed to predict the stabilization energies due to the electron delocalization processes occur in the studied systems.
    Matched MeSH terms: X-Rays
  13. Fulltext Fabrication and Characterization of High-Quality UV Photodetectors Based ZnO Nanorods Using Traditional and Modified Chemical Bath Deposition Methods
    Abdulrahman AF, Ahmed SM, Barzinjy AA, Hamad SM, Ahmed NM, Almessiere MA
    Nanomaterials (Basel), 2021 Mar 09;11(3).
    PMID: 33803274 DOI: 10.3390/nano11030677
    Ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors (PDs) based on high-quality well-aligned ZnO nanorods (NRs) were fabricated using both modified and conventional chemical bath deposition (CBD) methods. The modified chemical bath deposition (M-CBD) method was made by adding air bubbles to the growth solution during the CBD process. The viability and effectiveness of M-CBD were examined by developing UV PDs based on ZnO NRs. The ZnO nano-seed layer was coated on a glass substrate utilizing radiofrequency (RF) sputtering. The impact of the different growth-times on morphology, growth rate, crystal structure, and optical and chemical properties were investigated systematically using different characterization techniques, such as field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, UV-VIS double beam spectrometer, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), respectively. The Al/ZnO UV PDs based on ZnO nanorods were fabricated with optimum growth conditions through the two methods of preparation. This study showed that the synthesized ZnO NRs using the M-CBD method for different growth times possess better properties than the conventional method under similar deposition conditions. Despite having the highest aspect ratio and growth rate of ZnO NRs, which were found at 4 h growth duration for both methods, the aspect ratio of ZnO NRs using the M-CBD technique was comparatively higher than the conventional CBD method. Besides, the UV PDs fabricated by the M-CBD method at 5 V bias voltage showed high sensitivity, short response time, quick recovery time, high gain, low dark current, and high photocurrent compared with the UV PD device fabricated by the conventional CBD method.
    Matched MeSH terms: X-Rays
  14. Enhanced Catalytic Activity, Facile Synthesis and Characterization Studies of Spinel Mn-Co Aluminate Nano-Catalysts
    Bhavani P, Manikandan A, Jaganathan SK, Shankar S, Antony SA
    J Nanosci Nanotechnol, 2018 Feb 01;18(2):1388-1395.
    PMID: 29448597 DOI: 10.1166/jnn.2018.14112
    Undoped and Mn2+ doped CoAl2O4 (MnxCo1-xAl2O4; x = 0.0 to 1.0) spinel nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by a microwave heating method using glycine as the fuel. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) was confirmed the cubic spinel structure. The average crystallite size of the samples was found to be in the range of 16.46 nm to 20.25 nm calculated by Scherrer's formula. The nano-sized particle-like morphology of the samples was confirmed by high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) analysis. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) results showed the pure form of spinel aluminate structure. The band gap energy (Eg) of pure CoAl2O4 was estimated to be 3.68 eV from UV-Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and the Eg values increased with increase of Mn2+ ions, due to the smaller grain size. The magnetic hysteresis (M-H) loop showed the superparamagnetic nature, and the magnetization and coercivity values increased with increasing Mn2+ ions, which was confirmed by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). All compositions of the nano-catalysts were tested as catalyst successfully for the conversion of benzyl alcohol into benzaldehyde and observed good catalytic activity.
    Matched MeSH terms: X-Rays
  15. Aggressive diuretic therapy for a large solitary lung lesion
    Mohd Firdaus MAB, Zulkafli H, Said MR, Hadi MF, Sukhari S, Arjan Singh RS
    Med J Malaysia, 2020 11;75(6):750-751.
    PMID: 33219192
    Pseudotumour of the lung is a rare chest x-ray finding among patients who present with fluid overload. It is caused by loculated pleural effusion in the lung fissures. Unfortunately, the occurrence of pseudotumour can be misleading and sometimes can lead to unnecessary investigation and emotional stress to the patient. We present here a case of a 61-year-old gentleman with a known history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia who presented at University Malaya Medical Centre with symptoms of fluid overload and a right middle lobe mass on chest x-ray. The right middle lobe mass disappeared entirely after being treated with aggressive diuretic therapy. A diagnosis of pseudotumour was made and described in this case report.
    Matched MeSH terms: X-Rays
  16. 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.
    Matched MeSH terms: X-Rays
  17. Fulltext Treating More with Less: Effectiveness and Event Outcomes of Antituberculosis Fixed-dose Combination Drug versus Separate-drug Formulation (Ethambutol, Isoniazid, Rifampicin and Pyrazinamide) for Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients in Real-world Clinical Practice
    Lai JML, Yang SL, Avoi R
    J Glob Infect Dis, 2019 3 1;11(1):2-6.
    PMID: 30814828 DOI: 10.4103/jgid.jgid_50_18
    Introduction: Conventionally, a combination of four separate drugs (ethambutol, isoniazid, rifampicin, and pyrazinamide [EHRZ]) is the first-line pharmacotherapy for pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). In recent years, fixed-dose combination (FDC) formulation, where a single tablet contains the active ingredients of four aforementioned drugs, is gaining popularity due to its ease of administration.

    Objective: To compare the real-world effectiveness of EHRZ and FDC treatment groups on a cohort registry by investigating the sputum conversion rate and treatment outcomes of both groups.

    Methods: A total of 11,489 patients' data were extracted from the Sabah TB registry between January 2012 and June 2016, including EHRZ (n = 4188) and FDC (n = 7301) patients. Then, 1:1 propensity score matching was adopted to reduce the baseline bias. Caliper matching was conducted with maximum tolerance score set at 0.001. Confounders included in the propensity score matching were gender, nationality, diabetes, HIV status, smoking status, and chest X-ray status. Successful matching provided 4188 matched pairs (n = 8376) for final analysis.

    Results: In this matched cohort of 4188 pairs, the 2-month sputum conversion rate of FDC group was significantly higher than the EHRZ group (96.3% vs. 94.3%; P < 0.001) whereas 6-month sputum conversion of both groups showed no significant difference. Treatment outcomes such as noncompliance rate, failure rate, and success rate have no significant difference (P > 0.05) in both the treatment groups. There was an incidental finding of reduced death rate among FDC group compared to the EHRZ group (0.2% vs. 0.5%; P = 0.034).

    Conclusion: The FDC formulation has better sputum conversion rate at 2 months compared to conventional EHRZ regime as separate-drug formulation. It was also observed that FDC has a slight protective effect against all-cause death among TB patients. This protective effect of FDC, however, still needs to be proven further.

    Matched MeSH terms: X-Rays
  18. Aging effects on physical and electrical properties of nano-structured MgZnO thin films for carbon nanotube applications
    Ahmad R, Salina M, Mamat MH, Teh AA, Kara M, Rusop M, et al.
    J Nanosci Nanotechnol, 2012 Oct;12(10):8153-7.
    PMID: 23421193
    This paper addresses the growth of nano-structured MgZnO thin films by sol-gel spin coating method which will be used as a template layer to grow carbon nanotubes. The nano-structured MgZnO films were deposited on platinized (100) silicon substrates. In this work, we focused on the effect of aging and Mg content on the film structure and resistivity. Sols with Mg content of 10, 30 and 50 at.% were subjected to aging times of between 3 to 240 hours. Results from scanning (SEM) and field emission scanning electron (FESEM) microscopes and surface profiler (SP) showed that the sol aging increased the thickness, grain size and surface roughness for aging up to 240 hours. The energy dispersive analysis by X-ray (EDAX) confirmed the element of Mg in the ZnO films. The electrical resistivity also increased with aging time as confirmed by four point probe method. The results suggest that appropriate aging of the sol is important for improving physical quality and electrical performance of MgZnO thin films derived from sol-gel technique.
    Matched MeSH terms: X-Rays
  19. Kajian Kakisan Seragam Menggunakan Radiografi Sinar-X (Uniform Corrosion Study Using X-ray Radiography)
    Abdul Razak Daud, Azleen Mohd. Zain, Azali Muhamad
    Sains Malaysiana, 1996;25.
    A single wall single image x-ray radiographic technique was adopted to investigate thickness variation of steel specimens caused by uniform corrosion. The ability of the 100 kV-160 kV x-rays to produce a meaningful film density for steel was also investigated. The thickness contour maps of corroded steel plates were found matching with the x-ray film density contour maps of the plates. The results confirm that x-ray radiography can be used to detect the thickness reduction of steel caused by uniform corrosion.
    Bagi mengesan perubahan ketebalan keluli akibat kakisan seragam maka radiografi sinar-x teknik imej tunggal dinding tunggal telah digunakan. Kemampuan sinar-x 100 kV-160 kV menghasilkan ketumpatan filem yang sesuai untuk keluli telah juga dikaji. Peta kontur ketebalan bagi spesimen kepingan keluli yang telah mengalami kakisan seragam didapati sepadan dengan peta kontur ketumpatan filem radiografi sinar-x bagi spesimen tersebut. Kajian ini menunjukkan radiografi sinar-x boleh digunakan bagi mengesan penipisan keluli akibat kakisan seragam.
    Matched MeSH terms: X-Rays
  20. Selective adsorption and recovery of volatile fatty acids from fermented landfill leachate by activated carbon process
    Talebi A, Razali YS, Ismail N, Rafatullah M, Azan Tajarudin H
    Sci Total Environ, 2020 Mar 10;707:134533.
    PMID: 31865088 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134533
    An adsorption-desorption process was applied on fermented landfill leachate to adsorb and recover acetic and butyric acid, using activated carbon. In this study, the first, volatile fatty acids adsorption process from fermented leachate was optimized, by investigating various affecting factors such as pH, time, agitation speed, activated carbon dosage, and temperature. The optimum condition for maximum adsorption of 88.94% acetic acid and 98.53% butyric acid, was 19.79 %wt activated carbon dosage, 40.00 rpm of agitation speed, in 9.45 °C and contact time of 179.89 h, while the pH of the substrate was kept fixed at pH:3.0. Results of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and zeta potential revealed that carbon is the dominant component in the adsorbent with a significant effect to remove organic impurities, and it was observed that the activated carbon after the adsorption process showed an amorphous structure peak with a large internal surface area and pore volume. The results exposed that the adsorption on the surface of activated carbon was due to the chemisorption, and the chemisorption mechanism was supported by covalent bonding. The kinetic study displayed excellent fit to Pseudo-second order kinetics model. The second phase of this study was to recover the adsorbed VFAs using multistage desorption unit, in which application of deionized water and ethanol (as desorption agents) resulted in 89.1% of acetic acid and 67.8% of the butyric acid recovery.
    Matched MeSH terms: X-Rays
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