Displaying publications 121 - 140 of 543 in total

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  1. Fulltext Physiological implications of life at the forest interface of oil palm agriculture: blood profiles of wild Malay civets (Viverra tangalunga)
    Evans MN, Guerrero-Sanchez S, Kille P, Müller CT, Bakar MSA, Goossens B
    Conserv Physiol, 2020;8(1):coaa127.
    PMID: 33408869 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coaa127
    Agricultural development is a major threat to global biodiversity, and effective conservation actions are crucial. Physiological repercussions of life alongside human-modified landscapes can undermine adaptable species' health and population viability; however, baseline data are lacking for many wildlife species. We assessed the physiological status of a generalist carnivore, the Malay civet (Viverra tangalunga), persisting within an extensively human-modified system in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. We characterized hematology and serum biochemistry panels from civets sampled across a mosaic landscape comprising tropical forest fragments and oil palm plantations. Intra-population variation in certain blood parameters were explained by expected biological drivers such as sex, age category and sampling season. Furthermore, we determined several erythrocyte measures, immune cell counts and dietary biochemistry markers significantly varied with proximity to oil palm plantation boundaries. These findings were supported by a case study, whereby blood profiles of GPS collared male civets were contrasted based on their exclusive use of forests or use of oil palm plantations. These data provide robust and valuable first insights into this species' physiological status and suggest agricultural landscapes are impacting the persisting population.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seasons
  2. Diversity and population of thrips species on legumes with special reference to megalurothrips usitatus
    Zafirah Z, Azidah A
    Sains Malaysiana, 2018;47:433-439.
    Thrips (Thysanoptera) are common pests on legume plants, yet little is known about their ecology or diversity in Peninsular
    Malaysia. In legumes, thrips are typically found in flowers, where their feeding activity causes malformations that
    eventually lead to crop damage. In this study, we examined the diversity of thrips species, particularly Megalurothrips
    usitatus, in three selected legume farms around Peninsular Malaysia (Janda Baik, Pahang; Bestari Jaya, Selangor; and
    Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan). Each month from April 2013 to May 2014, depending on growing season, legume flowers were
    inspected for thrips in five random plots from each farm. Sampling was performed six times in Bestari Jaya and Jelebu
    and twelve times in Janda Baik. The most abundant thrips species on legumes was M. usitatus (89.97%) followed by
    Thrips parvispinus (9.77%), T. hawaiiensis (0.13%) and Ceratothripoides brunneus (0.12%). The abundance of M. usitatus
    was not different between long bean, French bean and winged bean which equally distributed among different arbitrary
    strata on legume plants. Temperature and light intensity were found to be positively correlated with the abundance of
    M. usitatus, but relative humidity showed a negative relationship. M. usitatus was found in large numbers during hot
    and dry months, but in lower numbers during raining season. This study suggested that wet season may help to regulate
    the populations of M. usitatus on legume plants.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seasons
  3. Evaluating the Performance of a Relative Humidity-Based Warning System for Sooty Blotch and Flyspeck in Iowa
    Rosli H, Mayfield DA, Batzer JC, Dixon PM, Zhang W, Gleason ML
    Plant Dis, 2017 Oct;101(10):1721-1728.
    PMID: 30676929 DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-02-17-0294-RE
    A warning system for the sooty blotch and flyspeck (SBFS) fungal disease complex of apple, developed originally for use in the southeastern United States, was modified to provide more reliable assessment of SBFS risk in Iowa. Modeling results based on previous research in Iowa and Wisconsin had suggested replacing leaf wetness duration with cumulative hours of relative humidity (RH) ≥97% as the weather input to the SBFS warning system. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the performance of a RH-based SBFS warning system, and to assess the potential economic benefits for its use in Iowa. The warning system was evaluated in two separate sets of trials-trial 1 during 2010 and 2011, and trial 2 during 2013-2015-using action thresholds based on cumulative hours of RH ≥97% and ≥90%, respectively, in conjunction with two different fungicide regimes. The warning system was compared with a traditional calendar-based system that specified spraying at predetermined intervals of 10 to 14 days. In trial 1, use of the RH ≥97% threshold caused substantial differences between two RH sensors in recording number of hours exceeding the threshold. When both RH thresholds were compared for 2013-2015, on average, RH ≥90% resulted in a 53% reduction in variation of cumulative hours between two identical RH sensors placed adjacent to each other in an apple tree canopy. Although both the SBFS warning system and the calendar-based system resulted in equivalent control of SBFS, the warning system required fewer fungicide sprays than the calendar-based system, with an average of 3.8 sprays per season (min = 2; max = 5) vs. 6.4 sprays per season (min = 5; max = 8), respectively. The two fungicide regimes provided equivalent SBFS control when used in conjunction with the warning system. A partial budget analysis showed that using the SBFS warning system with a threshold of RH ≥90% was cost effective for orchard sizes of >1 ha. The revised warning system has potential to become a valuable decision support tool for Midwest apple growers because it reduces fungicide costs while protecting apples as effectively as a calendar-based spray schedule. The next step toward implementation of the SBFS warning system in the North Central U.S. should be multiyear field testing in commercial orchards throughout the region.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seasons
  4. Relationship between Breteau and House indices and cases of dengue/dengue hemorrhagic fever in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Sulaiman S, Pawanchee ZA, Arifin Z, Wahab A
    J Am Mosq Control Assoc, 1996 Sep;12(3 Pt 1):494-6.
    PMID: 8887232
    The relationship between the Breteau index, the House index, and the occurrence of dengue/dengue hemorrhagic fever in the 6 zones of Kuala Lumpur was studied throughout 1994. Cases of dengue/dengue hemorrhagic fever varied between zones and between months, ranging from 0 to 21 cases. In most of the zones in Kuala Lumpur, the occurrence of dengue/dengue hemorrhagic fever has no relationship with the Breteau and House indices. Cases of dengue/dengue hemorrhagic fever occurred in all zones despite the low Breteau and House indices.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seasons
  5. Field studies on populations of Aedes albopictus and Toxorhynchites species in bamboo pots in Malaysia
    Sulaiman S, Jeffery J
    J Am Mosq Control Assoc, 1994 Sep;10(3):460-1.
    PMID: 7807097
    Between April 1987 and March 1988, populations of immature Aedes albopictus and Toxorhynchites spp. in bamboo pots were sampled weekly. Populations of Ae. albopictus and rainfall varied from month to month. During the heavy rainfall months of September and October 1987, larval counts of Ae. albopictus were high, between 30.8 and 49.2 larvae per week compared to 16 larvae per week during the low rainfall month of January 1988. A higher population of Toxorhynchites spp. was associated with a low population of the vector.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seasons
  6. Fulltext Logic mining in league of legends
    Liew, Ching Kho, Mohd Shareduwan Mohd Kasihmuddin, Mohd. Asyraf Mansor, Sathasivam, Saratha
    Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2020;28(1):211-225.
    MyJurnal
    Since its debut in 2009, League of Legends (LoL) has been on a rise in becoming an extremely favoured multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game. This paper presented a logic mining technique to model the results (Win / Lose) of the LoL games played in 3 regions, namely South Korea, North America and Europe. In this research, a method named k satisfiability based reverse analysis method (kSATRA) was brought forward to obtain the logical relationship among the gameplays and objectives in the game. The logical rule obtained from the LoL games was used to categorize the results of future games. kSATRA made use of the advantages of Hopfield Neural Network and k Satisfiability representation. The data set used in this study included the data of all 10 teams from each region, which composed of all games from Spring Season 2018. The effectiveness of kSATRA in obtaining logical rule in LoL games was tested based on root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and CPU time. Results acquired from the computer simulation showed the robustness of kSATRA in exhibiting the performance of the LoL teams.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seasons
  7. Fulltext Minimal Agreement between Internal and External Training Load Metrics across a 2-wk Training Microcycle in Elite Squash
    James C, Dhawan A, Jones T, Pok C, Yeo V, Girard O
    J Sports Sci Med, 2021 03;20(1):101-109.
    PMID: 33707993 DOI: 10.52082/jssm.2021.101
    This study investigated the relationships between internal and external training load metrics across a 2-week 'in-season' microcycle in squash. 134 on-court and 32 off-court 'conditioning' sessions were completed by fifteen elite squash players with an average (±SD) of 11 ± 3 per player. During every session, external load was captured using a tri-axial accelerometer to calculate Playerload; i.e., the instantaneous rate of change of acceleration across 3-dimensional planes. Internal load was measured using heart rate (HR), global (sRPE) and differential RPE (dRPE-Legs, dRPE-Breathing). Additionally, HR was used to calculate Banister's, Edward's and TEAM TRIMPs. Across 166 training sessions, Playerload was moderately correlated with TRIMP-Banister (r = 0.43 [95% CI: 0.29-0.55], p < 0.001) and TRIMP-Edwards (r = 0.50 [0.37-0.61], p < 0.001). Association of Playerload with TRIMP-TEAM (r = 0.24 [0.09-0.38], p = 0.001) was small. There was a moderate correlation between sRPE and Playerload (r = 0.46 [0.33-0.57], p < 0.001). Association of sRPE was large with TRIMP-Banister (r = 0.68 [0.59-0.76], p = 0.001), very large with TRIMP-Edwards (r = 0.79 [0.72-0.84], p < 0.001) and moderate with TRIMP-TEAM (r = 0.44 [0.31-0.56], p < 0.001). Both dRPE-Legs (r = 0.95 [0.93-0.96], p < 0.001) and dRPE-Breathing (r = 0.92 [0.89-0.94], p < 0.001) demonstrated nearly perfect correlations with sRPE and with each other (r = 0.91 [0.88-0.93], p < 0.001). Collection of both internal and external training load data is recommended to fully appreciate the physical demands of squash training. During a training microcycle containing a variety of training sessions, interpreting internal or external metrics in isolation may underestimate or overestimate the training stress a player is experiencing.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seasons
  8. Fulltext RF-Based Moisture Content Determination in Rice Using Machine Learning Techniques
    Azmi N, Kamarudin LM, Zakaria A, Ndzi DL, Rahiman MHF, Zakaria SMMS, et al.
    Sensors (Basel), 2021 Mar 08;21(5).
    PMID: 33800174 DOI: 10.3390/s21051875
    Seasonal crops require reliable storage conditions to protect the yield once harvested. For long term storage, controlling the moisture content level in grains is challenging because existing moisture measuring techniques are time-consuming and laborious as measurements are carried out manually. The measurements are carried out using a sample and moisture may be unevenly distributed inside the silo/bin. Numerous studies have been conducted to measure the moisture content in grains utilising dielectric properties. To the best of authors' knowledge, the utilisation of low-cost wireless technology operating in the 2.4 GHz and 915 MHz ISM bands such as Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) have not been widely investigated. This study focuses on the characterisation of 2.4 GHz Radio Frequency (RF) transceivers using ZigBee Standard and 868 to 915 MHz UHF RFID transceiver for moisture content classification and prediction using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) models. The Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) from the wireless transceivers is used for moisture content prediction in rice. Four samples (2 kg of rice each) were conditioned to 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% moisture contents. The RSSI from both systems were obtained and processed. The processed data is used as input to different ANNs models such as Support Vector Machine (SVM), K-Nearest Neighbour (KNN), Random Forest, and Multi-layer Perceptron (MLP). The results show that the Random Forest method with one input feature (RSSI_WSN) provides the highest accuracy of 87% compared to the other four models. All models show more than 98% accuracy when two input features (RSSI_WSN and RSSI_TAG2) are used. Hence, Random Forest is a reliable model that can be used to predict the moisture content level in rice as it gives a high accuracy even when only one input feature is used.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seasons
  9. Fulltext Southward shift of precipitation extremes over south Asia: Evidences from CORDEX data
    Suman M, Maity R
    Sci Rep, 2020 04 15;10(1):6452.
    PMID: 32296124 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63571-x
    Analysis of observed Indian Summer Monsoon precipitation reveals more increase in extreme precipitation (in terms of its magnitude) over south India compared to north and central India during 1971-2017 (base period: 1930-1970). In the future, analysis of precipitation from the Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment indicates a southward shift of precipitation extremes over South Asia. For instance, the Arabian Sea, south India, Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia are expected to have the maximum increase (~18.5 mm/day for RCP8.5 scenario) in mean extreme precipitation (average precipitation for the days with more than 99th percentile of daily precipitation). However, north and central India and Tibetan Plateau show relatively less increase (~2.7 mm/day for RCP8.5 scenario). Analysis of air temperature at 850 mb and precipitable water (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) indicates an intensification of Indian Ocean Dipole in future, which will enhance the monsoon throughout India. Moisture flux and convergence analysis (at 850 mb) show a future change of the direction of south-west monsoon winds towards the east over the Indian Ocean. These changes will intensify the observed contrast in extreme precipitation between south and north India, and cause more extreme precipitation events in the countries like Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, etc.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seasons
  10. Injury and illness epidemiology in professional Asian football: lower general incidence and burden but higher ACL and hamstring injury burden compared with Europe
    Tabben M, Eirale C, Singh G, Al-Kuwari A, Ekstrand J, Chalabi H, et al.
    Br J Sports Med, 2021 Jan 05.
    PMID: 33402346 DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2020-102945
    BACKGROUND: While football injury and illness epidemiology surveillance at professional club level in Europe is available, epidemiological data from other continents are lacking.

    PURPOSE: Investigating injury and illness epidemiology in professional Asian football.

    STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive prospective study.

    METHODS: Professional teams from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) league were followed prospectively for three consecutive AFC seasons (2017 through 2019, 13 teams per season, 322 team months). Time-loss injuries and illnesses in addition to individual match and training exposure were recorded using standardised digital tools in accordance with international consensus procedures.

    RESULTS: In total, 232 665 hours of exposure (88.6% training and 11.4% matches) and 1159 injuries were recorded; 496 (42.8%) occurred during matches, 610 (52.6%) during training; 32 (2.8%) were reported as 'not applicable' and for 21 injuries (1.8%) information was missing. Injury incidence was significantly greater during match play (19.2±8.6 injuries per 1000 hours) than training (2.8±1.4, p<0.0001), resulting in a low overall incidence of 5.1±2.2.The injury burden for match injuries was greater than from training injuries (456±336 days per 1000 hours vs 54±34 days, p<0.0001). The two specific injuries causing the greatest burden were complete ACL ruptures (0.14 injuries (95% CI 0.9 to 0.19) and 29.8 days lost (29.1 to 30.5) per 1000 hours) and hamstring strains (0.86 injuries (0.74 to 0.99) and 17.5 days (17.0 to 18.1) lost per 1000 hours).Reinjuries constituted 9.9% of all injuries. Index injuries caused 22.6±40.8 days of absence compared with 25.1±39 for reinjuries (p=0.62). The 175 illnesses recorded resulted in 1.4±2.9 days of time loss per team per month.

    CONCLUSION: Professional Asian football is characterised by an overall injury incidence similar to that reported from Europe, but with a high rate of ACL ruptures and hamstring injury, warranting further investigations.

    Matched MeSH terms: Seasons
  11. Fulltext In-Season Repeated-Sprint Training in Hypoxia in International Field Hockey Players
    James C, Girard O
    Front Sports Act Living, 2020;2:66.
    PMID: 33345057 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2020.00066
    Repeated-sprint training in hypoxia (RSH) studies conducted "in-season" are scarce. This study investigated the effect of discontinuous, running-based RSH, on repeated-sprint treadmill performance in hypoxia in a team sport cohort, prior to international competition. Over a 6-week "in-season" period, 11 elite male players (Malaysia national team) completed eight multi-set RSH sessions on a non-motorized treadmill in a normobaric hypoxic chamber (FiO2 = 13.8%). Three testing sessions (Sessions 1, 5, and 8), involved three sets of 5 × 8-s sprints, with 52-s recovery between sprints and 4-5 min between sets. Training sessions (Sessions 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7) consisted of four to five sets of 4-5 × 8-s sprints. During testing sessions, maximum sprinting speed was recorded for each sprint with values averaged for each set. For each set, a peak speed and fatigue index were calculated. Data were compared using two-way repeated measures ANOVA (sessions × sets). Average speed per set increased between testing sessions (p = 0.001,


    η


    p


    2


    = 0.49), with higher values in Session 8 (25.1 ± 0.9 km.h-1, +4 ± 3%, p = 0.005), but not Session 5 (24.8 ± 1.0 km.h-1, +3 ± 3%, p = 0.405), vs. Session 1 (24.2 ± 1.5 km.h-1). Peak sprinting speed in each set also increased across testing sessions (p = 0.008,


    η


    p


    2


    = 0.382), with Session 8 (26.5 ± 1.1 km.h-1) higher than Session 5 (25.8 ± 1.0 km.h-1, +1 ± 4%, p = 0.06) and Session 1 (25.7 ± 1.5 km.h-1, +4 ± 4%, p = 0.034). Fatigue index differed between sessions (p = 0.04,


    η


    p


    2


    = 0.331, Session 1; -6.8 ± 4.8%, Session 5; -3.8 ± 2%, Session 8; -5.3 ± 2.6%). In international field hockey players, a 6-week in-season RSH program improved average and peak, repeated treadmill sprint speeds following eight, but not five sessions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seasons
  12. Insights into size-segregated particulate chemistry and sources in urban environment over central Indo-Gangetic Plain
    Singh N, Banerjee T, Murari V, Deboudt K, Khan MF, Singh RS, et al.
    Chemosphere, 2021 Jan;263:128030.
    PMID: 33297051 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128030
    Size-segregated airborne fine (PM2.1) and coarse (PM>2.1) particulates were measured in an urban environment over central Indo-Gangetic plain in between 2015 and 2018 to get insights into its nature, chemistry and sources. Mean (±1σ) concentration of PM2.1 was 98 (±76) μgm-3 with a seasonal high during winter (DJF, 162 ± 71 μgm-3) compared to pre-monsoon specific high in PM>2.1 (MAMJ, 177 ± 84 μgm-3) with an annual mean of 170 (±69) μgm-3. PM2.1 was secondary in nature with abundant secondary inorganic aerosols (20% of particulate mass) and water-soluble organic carbon (19%) against metal enriched (25%) PM>2.1, having robust signature of resuspensions from Earth's crust and road dust. Ammonium-based neutralization of particulate acidity was essentially in PM2.1 with an indication of predominant H2SO4 neutralization in bisulfate form compared to Ca2+ and Mg2+-based neutralization in PM>2.1. Molecular distribution of n-alkanes homologues (C17-C35) showed Cmax at C23 (PM2.1) and C18 (PM>2.1) with weak dominance of odd-numbered n-alkanes. Carbon preference index of n-alkanes was close to unity (PM2.1: 1.4 ± 0.3; PM>2.1: 1.3 ± 0.4). Fatty acids (C12-C26) were characterized with predominance of even carbon with Cmax at n-hexadecanoic acid (C16:0). Low to high molecular weight fatty acid ratio ranged from 2.0 (PM>2.1) to 5.6 (PM2.1) with vital signature of anthropogenic emissions. Levoglucosan was abundant in PM2.1 (758 ± 481 ngm-3) with a high ratio (11.6) against galactosan, emphasizing robust contribution from burning of hardwood and agricultural residues. Receptor model resolves secondary aerosols and biomass burning emissions (45%) as the most influential sources of PM2.1 whereas, crustal (29%) and secondary aerosols (29%) were found responsible for PM>2.1; with significant variations among the seasons.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seasons
  13. Fulltext Modelling of hydrogen sulfide fate and emissions in extended aeration sewage treatment plant using TOXCHEM simulations
    Zwain HM, Nile BK, Faris AM, Vakili M, Dahlan I
    Sci Rep, 2020 12 17;10(1):22209.
    PMID: 33335267 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79395-8
    Odors due to the emission of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) have been a concern in the sewage treatment plants over the last decades. H2S fate and emissions from extended aeration activated sludge (EAAS) system in Muharram Aisha-sewage treatment plant (MA-STP) were studied using TOXCHEM model. Sensitivity analysis at different aeration flowrate, H2S loading rate, wastewater pH, wastewater temperature and wind speed were studied. The predicted data were validated against actual results, where all the data were validated within the limits, and the statistical evaluation of normalized mean square error (NMSE), geometric variance (VG), and correlation coefficient (R) were close to the ideal fit. The results showed that the major processes occurring in the system were degradation and emission. During summer (27 °C) and winter (12 °C), about 25 and 23%, 1 and 2%, 2 and 2%, and 72 and 73% were fated as emitted to air, discharged with effluent, sorbed to sludge, and biodegraded, respectively. At summer and winter, the total emitted concentrations of H2S were 6.403 and 5.614 ppm, respectively. The sensitivity results indicated that aeration flowrate, H2S loading rate and wastewater pH highly influenced the emission and degradation of H2S processes compared to wastewater temperature and wind speed. To conclude, TOXCHEM model successfully predicted the H2S fate and emissions in EAAS system.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seasons
  14. Fulltext The emergence of Miocene reefs in South China Sea and its resilient adaptability under varying eustatic, climatic and oceanographic conditions
    Mathew M, Makhankova A, Menier D, Sautter B, Betzler C, Pierson B
    Sci Rep, 2020 04 28;10(1):7141.
    PMID: 32346046 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-64119-9
    During the Miocene, extensive carbonate deposition thrived over wide latitudinal ranges in Southeast Asia despite perturbations of the global climate and thermohaline circulation that affected the Asian continent. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of its emergence, adaptability in siliciclastic-dominated margins and demise, especially in southern South China Sea (SCS), are largely speculative and remains enigmatic along with a scarcity of constraints on paleoclimatic and palaeoceanographic conditions. Here we show, through newly acquired high-resolution geophysical data and accurate stratigraphic records based on strontium isotopic dating, the evolution of these platforms from ~15.5-9.5 Ma is initially tied to tectonics and eustasy, and ultimately, after ~9.5 Ma, to changes in the global climate patterns and consequent palaeoceanographic conditions. Our results demonstrate at least two paleodeltas that provided favourable substratum of elevated sand bars, which conditioning the emergence of the buildups that inadvertently mirrored the underlying strata. We show unprecedented evidences for ocean current fluctuations linked to the intensification of the Asian summer monsoon winds resulting in the formation of drifts and moats, which extirpated the platforms through sediment removal and starvation. This work highlights the imperative role of palaeoceanography in creating favourable niches for reefal development that can be applicable to carbonate platforms elsewhere.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seasons
  15. Isotope constraints of the strong influence of biomass burning to climate-forcing Black Carbon aerosols over Southeast Asia
    Liu J, Andersson A, Zhong G, Geng X, Ding P, Zhu S, et al.
    Sci Total Environ, 2020 Jul 03;744:140359.
    PMID: 32688001 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140359
    Black Carbon (BC) deteriorates air quality and contributes to climate warming, yet its regionally- and seasonally-varying emission sources are poorly constrained. Here we employ natural abundance radiocarbon (14C) measurements of BC intercepted at a northern Malaysia regional receptor site, Bachok, to quantify the relative biomass vs. fossil source contributions of atmospheric BC, in a first year-round study for SE Asia (December 2015-December 2016). The annual average 14C signature suggests as large contributions from biomass burning as from fossil fuel combustion. This is similar to findings from analogous measurements at S Asian receptors sites (~50% biomass burning), while E Asia sites are dominated by fossil emission (~20% biomass burning). The 14C-based source fingerprinting of BC in the dry spring season in SE Asia signals an even more elevated biomass burning contribution (~70% or even higher), presumably from forest, shrub and agricultural fires. This is consistent with this period showing also elevated ratio of organic carbon to BC (up from ~5 to 30) and estimates of BC emissions from satellite fire data. Hence, the present study emphasizes the importance of mitigating dry season vegetation fires in SE Asia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seasons
  16. Fulltext Datasets on spatial and temporal distribution of heavy metals concentration in recent sediment at merang river system, Terengganu, Malaysia
    Zaini NM, Lee HW, Mohamed KN, Sabuti AA, Suratman S, Ong MC
    Data Brief, 2020 Aug;31:105900.
    PMID: 32642516 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2020.105900
    Heavy metal pollution in an aquatic environment has become of the main concern to the world due to their non-biodegradable properties, toxicity, persistence, and their ability to adsorb into food chains. With rapid industrialization and development nowadays, heavy metals are introduced continuously into the estuaries and coastal region through rivers, runoff, and land-based point sources. These heavy metals may degrade the aquatic environment and harm the living organisms and toward human indirection through secondary contact. The dataset provided is to give an overview of the spatial and temporal distribution of the heavy metals concentration in Merang River surficial sediment collected from September 2017 to July 2018, subsequently every two months dataset. Sediment samples were collected in 44 stations along the river and 20 stations in the coastal area, which total up to 64 stations. Teflon Bomb closed digestion method with mixed acid was used to digest the sediments. The concentration of heavy metals in the sediment were analysed by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). The spatial distribution of heavy metals shows the effect of monsoon and wet and dry seasons in the sampling area. Thus, this dataset reveals six months of information on natural and anthropogenic sources intrusion at the Merang River and may also help in monitoring the pollution in the area.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seasons
  17. Sources and trends of oxidized and reduced nitrogen wet deposition in a typical medium-sized city of eastern China during 2010-2016
    Cui J, Cui J, Peng Y, Yao D, Chan A, Chen Z, et al.
    Sci Total Environ, 2020 Jun 27;744:140558.
    PMID: 32711301 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140558
    Fluxes and composition dynamics of atmospheric nitrogen deposition play key roles in better balancing economic development and ecological environment. However, there are some knowledge gaps and difficulties in urban ecosystems, especially for small and medium-sized cities. In this study, both flux and composition (ratio of NH4+-N to NO3--N, RN) of wet-deposited dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN, sum of NO3--N and NH4+-N) were estimated and sources were identified at a long-term urban observation station in Tongling, a typical medium-sized city in eastern China during 2010-2016, respectively. Results showed that wet-deposited DIN fluxes were 33.20 and 28.15 kgN ha-1 yr-1 in Tongling city during 2010-2011 and 2015-2016, respectively. Compared to these two periods, both DIN and NO3--N fluxes decreased by 15.2% and 31.8% for a series of NOx abatement measures applied effectively, respectively. At the same time, the NH4+-N flux remained stable and ranged from 19.53 to 20.62 kgN ha-1 yr-1, and the RN increased from 1.7 to 2.2. Seasonally, winds from the southwest and west-southwest with higher frequencies and speeds in spring and summer brought more NH4+-N and DIN wet deposition from an ammonia plant, which could threaten the safety of regional hydrosphere ecosystems. On the whole, the wet-deposited NH4+-N was threatening regional ecosystems of both the hydrosphere and forest. The wet-deposited DIN including NH4+-N in Tongling city stemmed mainly from a combined source of coal combustion and dust from Cu extraction and smelting, ammonia production, and roads. Therefore, production lines should be updated for Cu extraction and smelting industries, thermal power generations and the ammonia plant, old vehicles should be eliminated, and the use of new energy vehicles should be promoted for regional sustainable development and human health in the medium-sized city.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seasons
  18. Fulltext Seasonal Variation of Particle Number Count (PNC) at the Coastal Environment in Peninsular Malaysia using Boosted Regression Trees (BRTs)
    SOBIRATUL NADIA ABDULLAH, NOOR ZAITUN YAHAYA, WAN RAFIZAH WAN WAN ABDULLAH
    UMT Journal of Undergraduate Research, 2020;2(3):57-66.
    MyJurnal
    The concentrations of airborne particulate matter (PM) is often measured as a mass concentration. However, the other way to express particulate matter is by using the Particle Number Count ([PNC]) concentrations. This study aims to analyse the seasonal variation of airborne particulate matter in terms of [PNC] by using R packages and the Boosted Regression Trees (BRTs) technique. The study was conducted at IOES, Universiti of Malaya in Bachok, Kelantan. The monitoring was important to understand the variability of seasonal effects due to different seasons. In this work, only the datasets for three seasons (Inter Monsoon, North East Monsoon and South-West Monsoon) were analysed involving 25,958 data. The air quality monitoring equipment involved was the particle counter Environment Dust Monitor GRIMM Model 180 and a weather station for recording the meteorological parameters. The data analysis was completed by using R software and its package for evaluating seasonal variability and providing the statistical analysis. The relationship between variables was studied by using the Boosted Regression Tree (BRT) technique. The interaction between independent variables towards the [PNC] in different seasons was discussed. The best setting result of BRT model evaluation R² is 0.22 (North-East Monsoon), 0.87 (Intern monsoon 1), and 0.59 for South West Monsoon which indicated that the model developed is acceptable except for NEM and intern monsoon seasons. Temperature (57 %) and wind direction (67%) were found to be the highest factor influenced by the formation of [PNC] concentrations in this area. Finally, good results indicated that BRT technique is an acceptable way to analysed air pollution data.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seasons
  19. Fulltext SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE AND MONTHLY INCOME OF FISHERMENIN MARANG, TERENGGANU
    MIZA NURSYAZWIN, ALFIAN ZEIN
    UMT Journal of Undergraduate Research, 2019;1(1):49-57.
    MyJurnal
    This study was carried out in Marang, Terengganu. The objective of this study is to analyse the socio-economicprofileof fishermen and their monthly income. The Slovin’s formula was used to calculate thenumber ofrespondentsin Marang and the data was collected through a survey involving 50 respondents consisting of Malay fishermen. The results of the study showedthat the dominant types of fishing gear used were hooks and lines, gillnets and purse seines. The socio-economic profile showedthat a majority of the fishermen (35%) were aged between 40-49years, 36% of the fishermen had between 10-19 yearsof experience, and 55% of the fishermen hadbetween 2-5 children. The average monthly income of the fishermen was MYR1853.49 for those using hooks and lines, MYR2105.09 for gillnets and MYR2595.39 for purse seines. It appears that the use of purse seinesgenerated the highest income for the fishermen. Generally, the income was not fixed as it depended on the amount of catch for each fisherman’s trip, which was also affected by the season.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seasons
  20. Efficient transport of atmospheric microplastics onto the continent via the East Asian summer monsoon
    Wang X, Liu K, Zhu L, Li C, Song Z, Li D
    J Hazard Mater, 2021 07 15;414:125477.
    PMID: 33647626 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125477
    The presence of microplastics (MPs) in the atmosphere is a global concern because of its environmental and health impacts; however, the monsoonal transport of atmospheric MPs has not yet been investigated. To fully understand the effect of the monsoon on atmospheric MP transport, we conducted a study along the southeast coast of China during the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM). We found that the EASM transports atmospheric MPs back onto the continent at a flux of up to 212.977-213.433 kg/EASM/year. The backward trajectory and wind field results indicate that the EASM provides an effective MP transport pathway from Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia to southeastern China. This suggests that only some of the airborne MPs over the ocean enter the marine ecosystem. The average abundance of atmospheric MPs over the sampling area was 0.39 items/100 m3 (0.39 ± 0.43 items/100 m3) during the EASM season, with high variability among the sampling sites. This study improves our understanding of the impact of the EASM on atmospheric MP transport, which can help quantify the contributions of atmospheric MPs to marine or terrestrial ecosystems.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seasons
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