Cytogenetics studies in domestic animal are
gaining importance because of their genetics and implication in
breeding programmes. The present study describes the
chromosome number and karyotypic characteristics of Ganjia
sheep and comparison between males and females breeds. We
adopt the method of cultivating somatic cells, and analyzed the
chromosome karyotype of the Ganjia sheep. The result
indicates the diploid chromosome of the Gangia sheep is 2n=54,
in which 26 pairs of autosomes and a pair of sex chromosome
were observed. Result indicates all autosomes are tip silk. The X
chromosome was acrocentric and largest except the first three
pairs that were metacentric. The Y chromosome was the
smallest, biarmed and probably metacentric chromosome.
Threadfin bream (Nemipterus japonicus) skin gelatin was enzymatically extracted for 6 or 12 hrs at 60°C, pH 8 in the presence of alcalase. The gelatin was analyzed for yield, gel strength, melting point, setting point, setting time, viscosity, solubility and molecular weight distribution. The gelatin was also compared with commercial gelatin. The 12 hrs extraction time yield 7.74% gelatin and the gelatin was more soluble while 6 hrs gelatin resulted in 5.69% yield. Gel strength of the extracted gelatin decrease with longer extraction time. The 6 hrs gelatin exhibited gel strength of 324.93g which was very close to the commercial gelatin (342.10g) while 12 hrs gelatin gel strength was 202.47g. Melting points of threadfin bream gelatin increased when the extraction time increased ranging from 25.53 to 29.42°C while commercial gelatin melted at 34.03°C. Threadfin bream gelatins set at lower temperature and longer time with increase in extraction time compared to commercial gelatin. The gelatin extracted for 6 hrs resulted in higher gel strength, viscosity, melting point, setting point and shorter setting time than the 12 hrs gelatin. This shows that the 6 hrs extracted gelatin is more suitable to be used in food production than the 12 hrs gelatin.
Nanocrystalline lead sulfide (PbS) thin films have been successfully grown on glass substrate using the chemical bath deposition technique. Microwave oven was used as a heating source to facilitate the growth process of the thin films. Aqueous solutions of lead nitrate Pb(NO3) and thiourea [SC(NH2)2] were used as lead and sulfur ion sources, respectively. Structural, morphological and optical analyses revealed good quality growth of nanocrystalline PbS thin films. This study introduced a facile and low cost method to prepare high quality nanocrystalline PbS thin films in a relatively short growth time for optoelectronic applications.
The demand for sustainable fuels on one hand and the shortage of conventional energy resources on the other hand, has led to the need for the development of alternative, environmentalfriendly fuels. Hence, the objectives of the current study were to produce a liquid fuel (bio-oil) from Empty fruit bunch (EFB) and to characterizes the bio oil by fast pyrolysis method, in a batch feeding and fixed bed reactor. The Temperature was set to 500°C for all the distillation experiments and the bio oil was collected from the condenser. The total yield of bio oil based on EFB was 66wt.%. The non-condensable gases obtained from the process were CO2, CO, CH4, C2H6, C2H4, C3H8 and C3H6. The higher heating value (HHV) was 27 MJ/Kg. The physical and chemical properties of the produced oil was also determined and discussed in this paper.The moisture, volatile mater and ash were determined and found to be around 1.4391wt %, 6.0182wt% and 1.3906wt%respectively.
The outcomes of this research demonstrated that the produced bio-oil could be considered as an eco-friendly fuel. However, further modifications are required to make it more efficient for industrial-scale (mass production) of EFBproduced bio oil in the near future.
We had successfully synthesised Mg-doped zinc oxide (MZO) and Cudoped zinc oxide (CZO) nanorod arrays (NRAs) on Al-doped ZnO (ZAO)-coated glass substrates using immersion method and investigated their structural properties. With the incorporation of the Mg dopant, the length and crystallinity of MZO NRAs is higher compared to that of the CZO NRAs. The average optical transmittance of MZO NRAs was slightly lower than that of the CZO NRAs over the visible wavelength region. With the incorporation of the Cu dopant, the morphology of the CZO sample was slightly different from that of the MZO NRAs. The CZO NRAs present granular with small sphere shape. On the other hand, the MZO NRAs exhibit a hexagonal shape structure with a flat-top facet. Rods with a diameter of 58.9-96.7 nm were uniformly grown on the ZAO-coated glass substrate. This paper presents the growth behaviors of the MZO and CZO NRAs.
Acetaminophen, an analgesic drug was evaluated as potential chemical marker for wastewater contamination. Water samples of various sources were analysed using online solid phase extraction liquid chromatography with diode array detector. Acetaminophen was detected in the range of 0.17-1.29 ng/mL in surface water samples contaminated with wastewater. Relatively high concentrations (16.7-74.61 ng/mL) of acetaminophen were observed in water samples from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) treatment plant monitored from March to August 2014. Positive correlation was obtained between the concentrations of acetaminophen with the students’ population based on UiTM academic calendar.
Mild steel is the most common metal used in industry. However, mild steel easily corrodes when exposed to environment. One way to protect mild steel from corrodes is by coating it with more noble metal like copper and its alloys. In this study, copper and Cu-Ni alloys were successfully coated on the mild steel substrate by electrodeposition technique using alkaline citrate solutions containing Cu and Ni ions precursors. The reaction and mechanisms of the electrodeposition of copper and Cu-Ni alloys on the mild steel substrate were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry methods. Surface morphology of the coatings was examined by FESEM. The elemental compositions of the coatings were confirmed by EDAX analysis. The molar ratios of Cu-Ni solutions have affected the formation of the coatings. Corrosion study shows that copper coated mild steel can improve the corrosion resistance of the mild steel in 0.5 M NaCl. Cu-Ni coating prepared from Cu60-Ni40 showed the highest corrosion resistance. The order of the corrosion resistance of the samples in 0.5 M NaCl at 25 oC is Cu60-Ni40> Cu75- Ni25> Cu90-Ni10> Cu100> mild steel.
Seaweed kappa-carrageenan was used as host polymer to prepare biopolymer electrolyte films. Solid biopolymer electrolytes based on seaweed kappa-carrageenan were prepared by incorporation of ammonium nitrate in various weight percentage. The films were examined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy proved the occurrence of complexation between the biopolymer and the salt. The ionic conductivity of the electrolyte increased with increase salt concentration. The maximum ionc conductivity value of 1.41 × 10-4 S cm-1 was achieved for the film containing 50 wt % ammonium nitrate. The temperature-conductivity plot of the polymer electrolytes was found to obey Arrhenius equation
Radon gas has been known as one of the main factors that cause breathing complications which lead to lung cancer, second only after smoking habit. As one of the most commonly found Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM), its contribution to background radiation is immense, and its contributors, Uranium and Thorium are widely available on Earth and have been in existence for such a long time with long half-lives. Indoor radon exposure contributed by building materials worsens the effects. The probability of inhaling radon-polluted air and being surrounded by it in any buildings is very high. This research is focused on the detection of radon emanation rate from various building materials which are commonly being used in Malaysia. Throughout this research, common building materials used in constructions in Malaysia were collected and indoor radon exposure from each material was measured individually using Tight Chamber Method coupled to a Continuous Radon Monitor, CRM 1029. It has been shown that sand brick is the biggest contributor to indoor radon compared to other samples such as sand, soil, black cement, white cement, and clay brick. From the results, materials which have high radon emanation could be reconsidered as building materials and mitigation action can be chosen, suitable to its application.
The photodegradation rate constant and surface morphology of poly(vinyl chloride), upon irradiation with ultraviolet light was investigated in the presence of polyphosphates as photostabilizers. Poly(vinyl chloride) photodegradation rate constant was lower for the films containing polyphosphates compared to the blank film. In addition, the surface morphology of the irradiated poly(vinyl chloride) containing polyphosphates, examined by scanning electron microscopy, indicates that the surface was much smoother compared to the blank film.
Cocos nucifera (L.) belongs to Arecaceae family is a type of highly valuable plant species due to its medicinal values. It is a widespread fruit at the area of Southeast Asia and commonly known as “coconut tree”. The fruit part of Cocos nucifera (L.) contains coconut water that have many pharmacological activities which can give benefits for human health and also give benefits for plant in tissue culture Therefore, coconut water has been associated very well in various tribes around the world with diverse biological effects for human such as anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antioxidant, renal protective and cardio protective activity. Besides that, coconut water was noted for its wide application in plant tissue culture due to its nutrients content. It was reported to be served as the organic additives for plant to enhance callus induction and proliferation, shoot and root elongation/regeneration and somatic embryogenesis in tissue culture. The present article will discuss the pharmacological activities of coconut water as well as its benefits for plant in tissue culture which had been proven based on recent scientific research.
The purpose of this study is to determine the concentration of the selected elemental composition in a multi-storey hostel. Dust samples were taken from three random rooms at each level of the student hostel by sweeping the floor. The concentrations of elements (Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn) were determined by using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICPOES) after digestion with nitric acid and sulfuric acid solutions. Dust samples analysis has shown the different levels of sampling point does not affect the concentration of the elements. The concentration of elements in investigated microenvironment was in the order of Fe > Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd. The correlation analysis was applied to elements variable in order to identify the sources of an airborne contaminant. It was discovered the strong positive correlation between Cu-Zn which indicates the sources come from traffic emission and street dust. This result was supported by the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) that revealed the presence of elements in the student hostel originated from the outdoor sources.
Wood-based Industries was known to generate various airborne pollutants such as wood and dust. This study was conducted to determine air quality in wood-based Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. The determination of total dust and respirable dust was conducted based on National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 0500 and 0600. Study found that 38.1% (n=16) of the total dust exceed 5 mg/m³ in Schedule 1 of USECHH 2000. None of the respirable dust concentration exceeds 5 mg/m3 of wood dust concentration by Schedule 1 of USECHH 2000 and OSHA but 4.8% (n = 2) had exceed 3mg/m3 by ACGIH. In conclusion, dust and total volatile organic compound was found in wood-based SME where few total dust concentrations for both workplace environment level had exceeded 5mg/m3 but none was seen for respirable dust concentration.
In this study, jackfruit cellulose was extracted by undergoing two steps; bleaching and alkaline treatment. The first step was the production of holocellulose by using bleaching method that removed the lignin from the jackfruit rind (JR). Next step was converting the holocellulose into cellulose by using alkaline treatment at room temperature. The percentage of cellulose extracted from JR in this study was 40% which was higher than the previous research. The characterizations of extracted JR cellulose were investigated by using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). FTIR confirmed that the removal of non-cellulosic components in the jackfruit fibre and the micrograph by SEM displayed a rough surface indicated the presence of the cellulose fibre. Based on this study, JR has the potential to be used as a reinforcement element in composite materials.
The use of surface geochemical exploration methods is based on the concept that all petroleum accumulations suffer some leakage to shallower intervals and eventually to the surface. The objective of this study is to analyze geochemical properties such as moisture content, grain size, and mineral properties of the outcrop sample. Subsequently to relate these geochemical properties with petroleum parameters such as porosity, permeability, fluid flow, type of rock, minerology, and chemical composition. Three samples were collected within 100m x 100m parameters to provide an average value result. The samples were taken 20cm below surface and on the shoreline of Pantai Bagan Lalang. The moisture content and organic content of the sample can be known as a percentage of its oven dried weight with its wet sample. The mechanical sieve method was conducted in accordance with ASTM D 422 for the grain size distribution analysis. Lastly, X-ray diffraction analysis was conducted to identify mineral composition based on the peak from a graphical result computed from the XRD machine. Water content analysis results was then related with the fluid flow of the samples while soil organic content was studied to identify shale deposition. Besides, grain size distribution analysis provided porosity range value and permeability overview when correlated with grain size and sorting of the samples. XRD analysis provided graphical data of mineral composition that can be correlated with sample history. In conclusion, Pantai Bagan Lalang indicates a negative quantitative value of a potential reservoir would have.
MRSA is a major pathogen worldwide and its infections are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, in comparison with other S. aureus infections. The study was designed to characterize the mecA gene and staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCCmec) in methicillin resistance S. aureus (MRSA). A total of 20 presumptive S. aureus strains were collected from one of the teaching hospitals in Selangor. Using standard biochemical tests, all the isolates were verified as S. aureus. When tested against cefoxitin, 80% of the isolates were confirmed as MRSA. All the MRSA isolates were further subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the presence of mecA gene. Nine out of the 16 MRSA isolates (56%) were mecA positive, whereas the remaining four were mecA negative. The 16 MRSA with positive mecA gene were further subjected to SCCmec typing of type I, II, III, IV and V. The most frequent SCCmec types were type III (56%) followed by type II (33%), and type IV (11%). None of the isolates were of SCCmec type I or V. Our study indicates that SCCmec type III is predominant among the isolates which is in agreement with other studies conducted on clinical strains of MRSA.
Protease was extracted from the viscera of torpedo scad fish (Megalspis cordyla) to obtain the crude extract which was then partially purified in 70% ammonium sulphate. The collected precipitate was dialysed and subsequently immobilized in sodium alginate and calcium chloride solution. The optimum concentrations of sodium alginate and calcium chloride to produce the highest yield of immobilized protease was determined by using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). From the results, the optimum conditions obtained were 2.5% of sodium alginate and 0.25 M of calcium chloride achieving a yield of 55.52%. Thus, the utilization of 2.5% sodium alginate and 0.25 M calcium chloride as the immobilization media were able to produce yield of immobilized protease from torpedo scad viscera with the highest proteolytic activity.
Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been known as an innovative carrier for drug support and delivery applications. Herein, the modification of MWCNTs was carried out to improve dispersibility and biocompatibility levels. MWCNTs were functionalized by an aqua regia of concentrated nitric acid (HNO3) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) to produce functionalized MWCNTs (f-MWCNTs). Meanwhile, the salicylic acid was loaded on the f-MWCNTs by sonication technique and the resultant was coded as SA-MWCNTs. Dissolution analysis was carried out in the different medium of simulated body fluid (SBF), simulated gastric fluid (SIF) and simulated gastric fluid (SGF) to evaluate the profile of drug release of SA-MWCNTs. It was found that the release profile of aspirin displayed 2-stage of releases; (1) fast release within 1 to 5-hours followed by (2) sustainable release for up to 12-hours. Thus, showing the compatibility of the f-MWCNTs for salicylic acid controlled released system.
In a search for new potential AChE inhibitors, 31 selected medicinal plants from Perlis were collected gathered, air dried and successively extracted using hexane, dichloromethane, and alcohol. The dichloromethane and alcoholic extracts were screened for AChE inhibitory activity using Ellman's method. Out of 31 plant species, the methanol extracts of Rhapis excelsa leaves (97.03 ± 3.71 %), Diospyros blancoi leaves (95.80 ± 1.57 %) and Phyllantus elegans root (83.22 ± 3.08 %) showed the highest AChE inhibitory activity at the concentration of 100 μg/mL.
House dust was found to be a great indicator of metal pollutants for indoor air quality. This study aims to assess the level of metals in house dusts and identify the relationship between the composition of metals concentration in low cost apartment, Kuala Lumpur. Eight houses were selected randomly from four levels of low cost apartment buildings. The samples were collected using a brush and plastic pan and then the samples were digested. The compositions of metals were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES) and statistical analysis was used to analyze the data by using Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The results show that the highest concentration of metals obtained was Fe with the mean value of 1483.64 mg/kg followed by Zn with the mean value of 1197.07 mg/kg, while Cd recorded as the lowest mean value of 0.131 mg/kg. The trend distribution of metals in the investigated areas followed the order Fe > Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd. Statistical analysis indicates significant correlation between all the possible pairs of metals.