Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 68 in total

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  1. Historical occurrences of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls in Manila Bay, Philippines, and in the upper Gulf of Thailand
    Kwan CS, Takada H, Boonyatumanond R, Kato Y, Mizukawa K, Ito M, et al.
    Sci Total Environ, 2014 Feb 1;470-471:427-37.
    PMID: 24140702 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.09.076
    Historical trends of the accumulation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in a typical tropical Asian environment were investigated using radio-dated sediment cores from Manila Bay, the Philippines and from the upper Gulf of Thailand. Vertical profiles indicated earlier usage of PCBs than of PBDEs which coincided with their industrial production. The increasing concentrations of total PBDEs and PCBs toward the surface suggested an increased consumption of PBDEs; and possible leakage of PCBs from old machineries into the aquatic environment in recent years. Current input of PCBs to the catchment of Manila Bay was supported by the analyses of air samples and plastic resin pellets. The vertical profiles of total PBDEs in the cores (i.e., rapidly increasing concentrations corresponding to the mid-1980s until mid-1990s, followed by a decrease until the early 2000s, and increasing again toward the surface) likely corresponded to the rapid economic growth in Asia in the 1990s, the Asian financial crisis in 1997, and the economic recovery since early 2000s. BDE-209 was predominant especially on the surface layers. BDEs 47 and 99 generally decreased toward the surface, reflecting the phase-out of the technical penta-PBDE products and the regulation by the Stockholm Convention in recent years. Increasing ratios of BDE-202/209, 206/209, 207/209 and decreasing % of BDE-209 down the core layers may provide evidence for the anaerobic debromination of BDE-209 in the sediment cores. Inventories in ng/cm(2) of total PCBs were higher than total PBDEs (92 vs. 34 and 47 vs. 11 in the Philippines; 47 vs. 33 in Thailand). However, the doubling times indicated faster accumulation of total PBDEs (6-7 years) and BDE-209 (6-7.5 years) than of PCBs (8-11 years). Furthermore, the temporal increase in BDE-209 was comparable to or faster than those reported in other water bodies around the world.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bays/chemistry*
  2. A simple technique for counting marine debris at sea reveals steep litter gradients between the Straits of Malacca and the Bay of Bengal
    Ryan PG
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2013 Apr 15;69(1-2):128-36.
    PMID: 23415747 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.01.016
    A size and distance-based technique was used to assess the distribution, abundance and composition of floating marine debris in the northeast Indian Ocean. Densities of floating litter (>1 cm) were greater and more variable in the Straits of Malacca (578±219 items km(-2)) than in oceanic waters of the Bay of Bengal (8.8±1.4 items km(-2)). The density of debris in the Straits was correlated with terrestrial vegetation, and peaked close to urban centres, indicating the predominance of land-based sources. In the Bay of Bengal, debris density increased north of 17°N mainly due to small fragments probably carried in run-off from the Ganges Delta. The low densities in the Bay of Bengal relative to model predictions may result from biofouling-induced sinking and wind-driven export of debris items. Standardised data collection protocols are needed for counts of floating debris, particularly as regards the size classes used, to facilitate comparisons among studies.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bays/chemistry
  3. Nutrient fluxes across sediment-water interface in Bohai Bay Coastal Zone, China
    Mu D, Yuan D, Feng H, Xing F, Teo FY, Li S
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2017 Jan 30;114(2):705-714.
    PMID: 27802871 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.10.056
    Sediment cores and overlying water samples were collected at four sites in Tianjin Coastal Zone, Bohai Bay, to investigate nutrient (N, P and Si) exchanges across the sediment-water interface. The exchange fluxes of each nutrient species were estimated based on the porewater profiles and laboratory incubation experiments. The results showed significant differences between the two methods, which implied that molecular diffusion alone was not the dominant process controlling nutrient exchanges at these sites. The impacts of redox conditions and bioturbation on the nutrient fluxes were confirmed by the laboratory incubation experiments. The results from this study showed that the nutrient fluxes measured directly from the incubation experiment were more reliable than that predicted from the porewater profiles. The possible impacts causing variations in the nutrient fluxes include sewage discharge and land reclamation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bays/chemistry*
  4. Composition and diversity of larval fish in the mangrove estuarine area of Marudu Bay, Sabah, Malaysia
    Rezagholinejad S, Arshad A, Amin SMN, Ara R
    J Environ Biol, 2016 07;37(4 Spec No):697-703.
    PMID: 28779728
    The composition of fish larvae and their diversity in different habitats are very important for fisheries management. Larval fishes were investigated in a mangrove estuary of Marudu Bay, Sabah, Malaysia from October 2012 to September 2013 at five different sites. Monthly samples of fish larvae were collected at five sampling sites by a plankton net with a mouth opening of 40.5 cm in diameter. In total, 3879 larval fish were caught in the investigated area. The mean density of ichthyoplankton at this area was 118 larvae/100 m(3). The fish larval assemblage comprised of 20 families whereas 13 families occurred at St1, 16 at St2, 16 at St3, 12 at St4 and 16 at St5. The top major families were Sillaginidae, Engraulidae, Mugilidae and Sparidae with Sillaginidae consisted 44% of total larval composition. St3 with 143 larvae/100 m(3) had the highest density amongst the stations which was due to higher abundance of Sillaginidae. Shannon-Wiener diversity index represented significant variation during monsoon and inter-monsoon seasons, peaking in the months December-January and May-June. However, Shannon-Wiener index, evenness and family richness showed significant differences among stations and months (p < 0.05).
    Matched MeSH terms: Bays*
  5. Tracing the sources of lead (Pb) in Brunei Bay, Borneo by using integrated spectrometry ICP-MS and chemometric techniques
    Adiana G, Juahir H, Joseph B, Shazili NAM
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2017 Oct 15;123(1-2):232-240.
    PMID: 28865793 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.08.055
    The present study aims to define the possible sources that contribute to the level of Pb into the Brunei Bay, Borneo. The cluster analysis has classified the bay into the northern part with heavy and agriculture-related industries; the southern area with a moderate rural human settlement as well as the southwestern area with a more pristine environment and a low level of human settlement. The score plot of spatial discriminant analysis verified a significant influence of the river system toward the estuary, whereas the temporal discriminant analysis has discriminated the seasonal changes. In comparison to elsewhere, the stable Pb isotopic ratios in Brunei Bay showed a fingerprint similar to coal-related sources and of aerosol input. Briefly, even though Pb in the Brunei Bay ecosystem proved to be at a low level, the stable Pb isotopic ratios showed that human and industrial activities are slowly contributing Pb into the bay ecosystem.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bays/chemistry
  6. Spatial distribution of radioisotope concentrations in the offshore water and sediment of the Bay of Bengal (Indian Ocean), Bangladesh
    Bhuiyan MK, Siddique MA, Zafar M, Mustafa Kamal AH
    Isotopes Environ Health Stud, 2014;50(1):134-41.
    PMID: 24090093 DOI: 10.1080/10256016.2013.830613
    Concentrations of natural and fall-out radionuclides in the offshore seawater and sediment from some parts of the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh, were determined using a coaxial germanium detector. The average activities of (238)U, (232)Th, (40)K and (137)Cs were recorded as 31.2±5.8, 51.9±9.4, 686.4±170.5 and 0.5±0.6 Bq kg(-1) dry weight, respectively, for sediment, and 4.8±1.2, 5.4±1.2 and 39.1±8.6 Bq L(-1) for (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K, respectively, in seawater. The concentration of (137)Cs in seawater was below the detection limit. The concentration of sediment (238)U was found to be positively correlated with (232)Th ([Formula: see text], p<0.05) and (40)K (r=0.96, p<0.01), while (232)Th was positively correlated with (40)K (r=0.91, p<0.05). In sediment, the concentration of (238)U was negatively correlated (r=-0.86, p<0.05) with sea depth. In the seawater sample, the only significant relationship found was between concentration of (232)Th and water depth (r=-0.86, p<0.05). One-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the level of radioisotope concentrations of seawater and sediment was highly significant for (238)U (F=122, df=11, p=0.01), (232)Th (F=143, df=11, p=0.01) and (40)K (F=86, df=11, p=0.01). The results showed that the level of radioactivity decreased from coast to open sea. Imminent threat due to radioactivity was not observed in these parts of the Bay of Bengal.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bays
  7. A non-toxigenic but morphologically and phylogenetically distinct new species of Pseudo-nitzschia, P. sabit sp. nov. (Bacillariophyceae)
    Teng ST, Lim PT, Lim HC, Rivera-Vilarelle M, Quijano-Scheggia S, Takata Y, et al.
    J Phycol, 2015 Aug;51(4):706-25.
    PMID: 26986792 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.12313
    A new species of Pseudo-nitzschia (Bacillariophyceae) is described from plankton samples collected from Port Dickson (Malacca Strait, Malaysia) and Manzanillo Bay (Colima, Mexico). The species possesses a distinctive falcate cell valve, from which they form sickle-like colonies in both environmental samples and cultured strains. Detailed observation of frustules under TEM revealed ultrastructure that closely resembles P. decipiens, yet the new species differs by the valve shape and greater ranges of striae and poroid densities. The species is readily distinguished from the curve-shaped P. subcurvata by the presence of a central interspace. The morphological distinction is further supported by phylogenetic discrimination. We sequenced and analyzed the nuclear ribosomal RNA genes in the LSU and the second internal transcribed spacer, including its secondary structure, to infer the phylogenetic relationship of the new species with its closest relatives. The results revealed a distinct lineage of the new species, forming a sister cluster with its related species, P. decipiens and P. galaxiae, but not with P. subcurvata. We examined the domoic acid (DA) production of five cultured strains from Malaysia by Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), but they showed no detectable DA. Here, we present the taxonomic description of the vegetative cells, document the sexual reproduction, and detail the molecular phylogenetics of Pseudo-nitzschia sabit sp. nov.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bays
  8. Basaloid Squamous Cell Carcinoma: An Unusual Ball-Valve Laryngeal Obstruction
    Tan SH, Hindi KW, Chandran PA, Chong AW
    Iran J Otorhinolaryngol, 2015 May;27(80):243-6.
    PMID: 26082908
    INTRODUCTION: A rare case of basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) of the larynx, which has not been previously reported, is described.

    CASE REPORT: A 60-year-old man was presented to the Otolaryngology Department with progressive dyspnoea and dysphagia to solids for over a period of 1 week. Direct laryngoscopy revealed a tumour at the laryngeal aspect of the epiglottis, which prolapsed into the laryngeal inlet each time the patient inspired. This resulted in an inspiratory stridor despite adequate glottic opening and normal mobility of the vocal cords.

    CONCLUSION: Therefore, in cases where a ball-valve lesion causes intermittent life-threatening airway obstruction, BSCC of the larynx, though rare, must be considered as a differential diagnosis.

    Matched MeSH terms: Bays
  9. Fulltext Dynamic cervical lung lobe herniation in a shih tzu dog
    Joanne, T.S.Y., Lim, M.L., Asnawi, O., Shamsul, M.A.H., Khor, K.H.
    Jurnal Veterinar Malaysia, 2019;31(1):38-42.
    MyJurnal
    An 8-year-old spayed female Shih Tzu was referred to University Veterinary Hospital (UVH) with history of chronic coughing for more than a year duration. Dry, hacking cough was heard and bilateral wheezing lung sound was noted upon physical examination. Auscultation of heart revealed left apical systolic heart murmur Grade III/VI. A soft, intermittent swelling was observed at ventral neck, cranial to thoracic inlet (protruded upon expiration and collapsed upon inspiration). Thoracic radiography taken showed presence of apical radiolucency at cervical region and bronchial pattern at caudodorsal lungs with left atrium enlargement and right-sided heart enlargement. Echocardiographic examination revealed myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) with mild regurgitation. Based on diagnostic imaging, this case was diagnosed as dynamic lung lobe herniation secondary to chronic coughing concurrent with myxomatous mitral valve disease. Other differential diagnosis that may lead to chronic cough such as of tracheal collapsed and bronchiectasis was not rule out.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bays
  10. Effects of environmental conditions and nutrients on the occurrence and distribution of potentially harmful phytoplankton in mesotrophic water
    Soon TK, Julian Ransangan
    Sains Malaysiana, 2016;45:865-877.
    Marudu Bay, north coast of Sabah is characterized with mesotrophic water body and typical environmental parameters
    throughout the year. The current study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of environmental parameters and nutrients
    in mesotrophic water on the occurrence and distribution of potentially harmful phytoplankton species. The samplings
    were conducted over a period of thirteen months, covering southwest monsoon (SWM), inter-monsoon (IM), and northeast
    monsoon (NEM), at ten stations throughout the bay. Physical parameters (temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen,
    current speed and secchi depth), biological parameters (cell densities of phytoplankton) and chemical parameters
    (phosphate, nitrate, silicate and ammonia) were examined. The results indicated at least eight potentially harmful
    phytoplankton species (Dinophysis caudata, D. miles, Ceratium furca, C. fursus, Prorocentrum micans, P. sigmoides, P.
    triestinum and Pseudo-nitzschia sp.) were detected in north coast of Sabah. However, the potentially harmful phytoplankton
    species contributed only about 1.3% of the total phytoplankton community. Under nutrient deprivation conditions, the
    potentially harmful phytoplankton species distribution was mainly influenced by the ability to utilize other nitrogen
    sources, cell mobility and toleration to low nutrients environments.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bays
  11. Fulltext Resting Cyst Distribution and Molecular Identification of the Harmful Dinoflagellate Margalefidinium polykrikoides (Gymnodiniales, Dinophyceae) in Lampung Bay, Sumatra, Indonesia
    Thoha H, Muawanah, Bayu Intan MD, Rachman A, Sianturi OR, Sidabutar T, et al.
    Front Microbiol, 2019;10:306.
    PMID: 30846977 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00306
    Margalefidinium polykrikoides, an unarmored dinoflagellate, was suspected to be the causative agent of the harmful algal blooms - associated with massive fish mortalities - that have occurred continually in Lampung Bay, Indonesia, since the first bloom event in October 2012. In this study, after examination of the morphology of putative M. polykrikoides-like cysts sampled in bottom sediments, cyst bed distribution of this harmful species was explored in the inner bay. Sediment samples showed that resting cysts, including several morphotypes previously reported as M. polykrikoides, were most abundant on the northern coast of Lampung Bay, ranging from 20.6 to 645.6 cysts g-1 dry sediment. Molecular phylogeny inferred from LSU rDNA revealed that the so-called Mediterranean ribotype was detected in the sediment while M. polykrikoides motile cells, four-cell chain forming in bloom conditions, belonged to the American-Malaysian ribotype. Moreover, hyaline cysts, exclusively in the form of four-cell chains, were also recorded. Overall, these results unequivocally show that the species M. polykrikoides is abundantly present, in the form of vegetative cells, hyaline and resting cysts in an Indonesian area.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bays
  12. Fulltext Enhancing the Permeate Flux of Direct Contact Membrane Distillation Modules with Inserting 3D Printing Turbulence Promoters
    Chang H, Ho CD, Chen YH, Chen L, Hsu TH, Lim JW, et al.
    Membranes (Basel), 2021 Apr 07;11(4).
    PMID: 33916991 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11040266
    Two geometric shape turbulence promoters (circular and square of same areas) of different array patterns using three-dimensional (3D) printing technology were designed for direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) modules in the present study. The DCMD device was performed at middle temperature operation (about 45 °C to 60 °C) of hot inlet saline water associated with a constant temperature of inlet cold stream. Attempts to reduce the disadvantageous temperature polarization effect were made inserting the 3D turbulence promoters to promote both the mass and heat transfer characteristics in improving pure water productivity. The additive manufacturing 3D turbulence promoters acting as eddy promoters could not only strengthen the membrane stability by preventing vibration but also enhance the permeate flux with lessening temperature polarization effect. Therefore, the 3D turbulence promoters were individually inserted into the flow channel of the DCMD device to create vortices in the flow stream and increase turbulent intensity. The modeling equations for predicting the permeate flux in DCMD modules by inserting the manufacturing 3D turbulence promoter were investigated theoretically and experimentally. The effects of the operating conditions under various geometric shapes and array patterns of turbulence promoters on the permeate flux with hot inlet saline temperatures and flow rates as parameters were studied. The distributions of the fluid velocities were examined using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Experimental study has demonstrated a great potential to significantly accomplish permeate flux enhancement in such new design of the DCMD system. The permeate flux enhancement for the DCMD module by inserting 3D turbulence promoters in the flow channel could provide a maximum relative increment of up to 61.7% as compared to that in the empty channel device. The temperature polarization coefficient (τtemp) was found in this study for various geometric shapes and flow patterns. A larger τtemp value (the less thermal resistance) was achieved in the countercurrent-flow operation than that in the concurrent-flow operation. An optimal design of the module with inserting turbulence promoters was also delineated when considering both permeate flux enhancement and energy utilization effectiveness.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bays
  13. Fulltext Learning critical thinking and critical thinking disposition among year 3 diploma nursing students of UMS
    Norkiah Binti Arsat, Segaran Ramodran, Farah RazeeraVidy, Nor Hafiqah Binti Mohd Taib, Dylela Lee Geem
    Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(105):33-0.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Nursing students have been educated with critical thinking in client care. However, nursing students are often considered to be lacking in critical thinking especially during their clinical experience. This is likely due to lack of knowledge of critical thinking as the opportunities for learning critical thinking (LCT) are limited and less en- couraged to use critical thinking during the teaching and learning process. Therefore, it contributes to poor learning outcomes.The aim of this study was to identify level of LCT and critical thinking disposition (CTD) among diploma nursing student of UMS. Methods: A cross sectional survey design using purposive sampling methods. Sixty (60) of 66 year3 nursing students completed aCTD Inventory for Chinese Medical College Students (CTDI-M) by Wang et al (2019) and The LCT Inventory (LCTI) and the Teaching Critical Thinking Inventory (TCTI) developed by van Zyl, M.A., Bays, C.L., & Gilchrist, C. (2013).Approval to conduct study obtained from Dean of faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UMS. Results: The data were analyzed through descriptive method using SPSS for window 21.0. Total score for CTD ranging from a low (M= 1.5) to a high (M=5.00), Mean value 3.86, (SD +/- .572). Total high-level CDT 58(96.7%). Total LCT scores ranging from a low (M=2.00) to high (M=5.00) and Mean value 4.02, (SD +/- .711). Total high level LCT 54(90%). The two subscale categories were analyzed for perceived LCT. Respondents reported significantly high level of both instructor helped in LCT 51(85%) and 56 (93.3%) provides support and encourage- ment in LCT, mean value 4.19 (SD+/-.713). Conclusion: The level of CTD and LCT was high, shows that nursing students perceive themselves as having a high level of critical thinking motivation, instructor providing guidance to assist and encourage to learn using critical thinking.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bays
  14. Reclamation of Hexavalent Chromium from Electroplating Effluents by Electroextraction
    Revathi M, Sivagaami Sundari G, Ahmed Basha C, Alam M, Sagadevan S, Ahmad N
    J Nanosci Nanotechnol, 2020 10 01;20(10):6547-6554.
    PMID: 32385012 DOI: 10.1166/jnn.2020.18562
    This investigation aims at the reclamation of Cr(VI) from synthetic electroplating industrial effluent by electroextraction process namely electrochemical ion exchange (EIX). An electrochemical ion exchange reactor of desired dimensions was fabricated with the help of ion-permeable membranes, stainless steel cathode and PbO₂ coated Ti expanded mesh anode. The performance of the reactor was studied in batch recirculation mode, continuous flow mode at different experimental conditions. The influence of various experimental factors, for instance, initial metal ion concentration (20, 300, 1000 mg/L of Cr(VI)), applied voltages (2.5 V, 5 V, 7.5 V, 10 V) and flow rates of the process stream (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 ml/min) on removal/reclamation efficiency was deliberated. For comparison purposes, an electrodialysis process was conducted at the same optimal conditions. It was found that the EIX process with three compartments has more removal efficiency at optimum experimental conditions than the electrodialysis process. The continuous flow process of the reactor with 300 mg/L of Cr(VI) as inlet concentration has studied to predict the breakeven point of the reactor. It was noted that Cr(VI) ion concentration in the treated wastewater is almost zero up to the discharge of 20 liters of treated rinse water.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bays
  15. Form and habit in species of malleus (including the "hammer oysters") with comparative observations on Isognomon isognomon
    Yonge CM
    Biol. Bull., 1968 Oct;135(2):378-405.
    PMID: 28368764 DOI: 10.2307/1539789
    1. Study of the structure and mode of life of Malleus regula provides the basis for consideration of the "hammer" species, M. malleus and M. albus.
    2. M. regula occurs byssally attached, vertically disposed on rocky substrates associated with mud and is widely distributed in the tropical Indo-Pacific.
    3. The distal two-thirds of the elongated shell is exclusively prismatic. By means of special pallial retractors the mantle lobes can be withdrawn within the nacreous region.
    4. The massive opisthodetic ligament has a short secondary extension of fusion layer.
    5. A promyal chamber on the right side proximal to the adductor increases water flow into the exhalant chamber.
    6. The long filibranch ctenidia provide a vertically extended food-collecting surface.
    7. The foot is concerned with planting of the massive byssus which emerges through a notch in the right valve but on the under ( i.e., dorsal) surface. There is also a unique and very long accessory foot, ventrally grooved, everywhere ciliated and in constant writhing activity due to blood pressure and intrinsic muscle. Moving freely throughout the lower mantle cavity it can only be concerned with cleansing.
    8. Pseudofaeces are ejected from the distal tip of the mantle cavity.
    9. M. malleus, the black hammer shell, occurs vertically embedded in coarse sand or sandy gravel. Byssus threads are attached to fragments within the substrate. The great anterior and posterior elongations of the hinge line (also exclusively prismatic) are separated by the byssal notch (now affecting both valves).
    10. Shells are usually excessively irregular due to the great exposure to damage and the almost unlimited powers of rapid repair by the three pallial extensions.
    11. M. albus, the white hammer shell, is stouter and inhabits muddy sand. During growth it loses the byssus with reduction of the foot and byssal retractors and closure of the byssal notch. The accessory foot is not affected. The animal becomes anchored in the substrate exclusively by the anterior and posterior extensions of the shell.
    12. Description of the typically rounded Isognomon ephippium leads to that of the elongated I. isognomon which occupies precisely the same habitat as M. regula.
    13. It lacks the pallial retractors, promyal chamber and accessory foot of Malleus, the nacreous region is more extended distally and the ligament is multivincular (the formation of which is discussed), producing some posterior, but never any anterior, extension of the hinge line.
    14. A remarkably dense mixed bed of M. regula and I. isognomon in Darvel Bay, Sabah (Borneo), is described. Different spawning periods, by preventing competition during settlement, may account for this complete intermixing of sympatric species, which, however, are generalized herbivores where numbers are not limited by food supply.
    15. From a basic epifaunal habit (Pteria, Isognomon, M. regula), members of the Pteriacea have become adapted for infaunal life within sponges (Vulsella, Crenatula) or within soft substrates ( M. malleus, M. alba and the Pinnidae).
    16. There is final discussion about elongation in monomyarians, i.e., in the genus Malleus and in I. isognomon.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bays
  16. Fulltext Infestation of parasitic rhizocephalan barnacles Sacculina beauforti (Cirripedia, Rhizocephala) in edible mud crab, Scylla olivacea
    Waiho K, Fazhan H, Glenner H, Ikhwanuddin M
    PeerJ, 2017;5:e3419.
    PMID: 28674645 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3419
    Screening of mud crab genus Scylla was conducted in four locations (Marudu Bay, Lundu, Taiping, Setiu) representing Malaysia. Scylla olivacea with abnormal primary and secondary sexual characters were prevalent (approximately 42.27% of the local screened S. olivacea population) in Marudu Bay, Sabah. A total of six different types of abnormalities were described. Crabs with type 1 and type 3 were immature males, type 2 and type 4 were mature males, type 5 were immature females and type 6 were mature females. The abdomen of all crabs with abnormalities were dented on both sides along the abdomen's middle line. Abnormal crabs showed significant variation in their size, weight, abdomen width and/or gonopod or pleopod length compared to normal individuals. The mean body weight of abnormal crabs (type 1-5) were higher than normal crabs with smaller body size, while females with type 6 abnormality were always heavier than the normal counterparts at any given size. Sacculinid's externa were observed in the abdomen of crabs with type 4 and type 6 abnormalities. The presence of embryos within the externa and subsequent molecular analysis of partial mitochondrial COI region confirmed the rhizocephalan parasite as Sacculina beauforti. Future in-depth descriptions of the life cycle and characteristics of S. beauforti are recommended as it involves a commercially important edible crab species and the effect on human health from the consumption of crabs is of crucial concern.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bays
  17. Microplastics in Sediment Cores from Asia and Africa as Indicators of Temporal Trends in Plastic Pollution
    Matsuguma Y, Takada H, Kumata H, Kanke H, Sakurai S, Suzuki T, et al.
    Arch Environ Contam Toxicol, 2017 Aug;73(2):230-239.
    PMID: 28534067 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-017-0414-9
    Microplastics (<5 mm) were extracted from sediment cores collected in Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, and South Africa by density separation after hydrogen peroxide treatment to remove biofilms were and identified using FTIR. Carbonyl and vinyl indices were used to avoid counting biopolymers as plastics. Microplastics composed of variety of polymers, including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyethyleneterphthalates (PET), polyethylene-polypropylene copolymer (PEP), and polyacrylates (PAK), were identified in the sediment. We measured microplastics between 315 µm and 5 mm, most of which were in the range 315 µm-1 mm. The abundance of microplastics in surface sediment varied from 100 pieces/kg-dry sediment in a core collected in the Gulf of Thailand to 1900 pieces/kg-dry sediment in a core collected in a canal in Tokyo Bay. A far higher stock of PE and PP composed microplastics in sediment compared with surface water samples collected in a canal in Tokyo Bay suggests that sediment is an important sink for microplastics. In dated sediment cores from Japan, microplastic pollution started in 1950s, and their abundance increased markedly toward the surface layer (i.e., 2000s). In all sediment cores from Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, and South Africa, the abundance of microplastics increased toward the surface, suggesting the global occurrence of and an increase in microplastic pollution over time.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bays
  18. Fulltext Production of spray-dried Sarawak pineapple (Ananas comosus) powder from enzyme liquefied puree
    Pui, L. P., Ng. J. M. L., Wong, C. W.
    International Food Research Journal, 2015;22(4):1631-1636.
    MyJurnal
    Spray drying is used widely for converting liquid food products into powder form as the dried powder is known to have a longer shelf life at ambient temperature, convenience to use and low transportation expenditure. In this study, the Sarawak pineapple puree was spray-dried and the characterization of the resulting powder was performed. The process of enzyme liquefaction was optimized with Pectinex® Ultra SP-L and Celluclast® 1.5 L (single and combined treatment) at different concentrations (0–2.5 %) and incubation time (0-2.5 hours). The combined treatment with both enzymes (1.5% v/w Pectinex® Ultra SP-L + 0.5% v/w Celluclast® 1.5 L, 1.5 hour) was found to be the best parameter, which produced purees with the lowest viscosity of 67.98 ± 4.27 cp. Optimization of spray drying process was carried out using different inlet temperatures (150-180°C) and maltodextrin concentrations (15-30 % w/w). Results indicated that the spraydried powder produced at 160°C with 15% w/w of maltodextrin has the highest yield (31.63 %). The spray-dried powder was further characterized for the moisture content (6.00 ± 0.63%), water activity (0.36 ± 0.01 Aw), hygroscopicity (17.35 ± 0.64%), bulk density (0.46 ± 0.04 g/ cm3 ) and solubility (87.33 ± 2.08 seconds). The fruit powder of this study can be incorporated into different fruit added –value products, such as fruit juice, yogurt, jelly and other beverages.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bays
  19. Industrial radiotracer application in flow rate measurement and flowmeter calibration using 99mTc and 198Au nanoparticles radioisotope
    Mohd Yunos MAS, Hussain SA, Sipaun SM
    Appl Radiat Isot, 2019 Jan;143:24-28.
    PMID: 30368049 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2018.10.008
    The flow rate or fluid velocity measurement is important to maintain fluid flow quality performance in the systems. This study focuses on determination of volumetric flow rate measurement and to calibrate the conventional flowmeter using industrial radiotracer approach in quadrilateral gas-liquid bubble column reactor. In this work, two different radioisotopes which emit γ-ray have been chosen as radioactive tracer which is 99mTc produced from 99Mo/99mTc radioisotope generator and 198Au nanoparticle form neutron activation at research nuclear reactor TRIGA Mark II. Both radioisotopes representing liquid and solid tracer purposely designed for tracing liquid flow. The peak to peak radiotracer method known as pulse velocity method was applied to determine the volumetric flow rate. The radiation signals were monitored using 4 unit NaI scintillation detectors located at 4 different points nearby the inlet and outlet of the quadrilateral bubble column reactor process stream. The water volume inside the bubble column reactor was fixed at 0.04 m3 and liquid flow rates in this reactor were specified on installed flowmeter at different reference value which is 4 lpm, 8 lpm, and 12 lpm, respectively. The experimental result shows very good linearity and repeatability by following the theoretical equations with less uncertainty in volumetric flow rate measurement. The obtained results also validated the effectiveness of the proposed method for the installed flowmeter calibration efficiency.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bays
  20. Two species of Southeast Asian cats in the genus Catopuma with diverging histories: an island endemic forest specialist and a widespread habitat generalist
    Patel RP, Förster DW, Kitchener AC, Rayan MD, Mohamed SW, Werner L, et al.
    R Soc Open Sci, 2016 Oct;3(10):160350.
    PMID: 27853549
    Background. The bay cat Catopuma badia is endemic to Borneo, whereas its sister species the Asian golden cat Catopuma temminckii is distributed from the Himalayas and southern China through Indochina, Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra. Based on morphological data, up to five subspecies of the Asian golden cat have been recognized, but a taxonomic assessment, including molecular data and morphological characters, is still lacking. Results. We combined molecular data (whole mitochondrial genomes), morphological data (pelage) and species distribution projections (up to the Late Pleistocene) to infer how environmental changes may have influenced the distribution of these sister species over the past 120 000 years. The molecular analysis was based on sequenced mitogenomes of 3 bay cats and 40 Asian golden cats derived mainly from archival samples. Our molecular data suggested a time of split between the two species approximately 3.16 Ma and revealed very low nucleotide diversity within the Asian golden cat population, which supports recent expansion of the population. Discussion. The low nucleotide diversity suggested a population bottleneck in the Asian golden cat, possibly caused by the eruption of the Toba volcano in Northern Sumatra (approx. 74 kya), followed by a continuous population expansion in the Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene. Species distribution projections, the reconstruction of the demographic history, a genetic isolation-by-distance pattern and a gradual variation of pelage pattern support the hypothesis of a post-Toba population expansion of the Asian golden cat from south China/Indochina to Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra. Our findings reject the current classification of five subspecies for the Asian golden cat, but instead support either a monotypic species or one comprising two subspecies: (i) the Sunda golden cat, distributed south of the Isthmus of Kra: C. t. temminckii and (ii) Indochinese, Indian, Himalayan and Chinese golden cats, occurring north of the Isthmus: C. t. moormensis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bays
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