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Lipid-Based Ionic-Liquid-Mediated Nanodispersions as Biocompatible Carriers for the Enhanced Transdermal Delivery of a Peptide Drug

Uddin S, Islam MR, Chowdhury MR, Wakabayashi R, Kamiya N, Moniruzzaman M, et al.

ACS Appl Bio Mater, 2021 08 16;4(8):6256-6267.
PMID: 35006923 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.1c00563

Lipid-based biocompatible ionic liquids (LBILs) have attracted attention as carriers in transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDSs) because of their lipophilic character. In this study, we report the formulation of a peptide-LBIL complex microencapsulated in an oil phase as a potential carrier for the transdermal delivery of leuprolide acetate as a model hydrophilic peptide. The peptide-LBIL complexes were prepared via a water-in-oil emulsion composed of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycerol-3-ethyl-phosphatidylcholine (EDMPC), a fatty acid (stearic, oleic, and linoleic acid)-based LBIL, and cyclohexane followed by freeze-drying to remove the water and cyclohexane. Then, the peptide-LBIL complexes were nanodispersed and stabilized in isopropyl myristate (IPM) using sorbitol laurate (Span-20). Ionic-liquid-in-oil nanodispersions (IL/O-NDs) were prepared with varying weight ratios of LBILs and Span-20 as the surfactant and the cosurfactant, respectively. Keeping the overall surfactant constant at 10 wt % in IPM, a 5:5 wt % ratio of surfactant (IL) and cosurfactant (Span-20) in the IL/O-NDs significantly (p < 0.0001) increased the physiochemical stability, drug-loading capacity, and drug encapsulation efficiency. The in vitro and in vivo peptide delivery across the skin was increased significantly (p < 0.0001) using IL/O-NDs, compared with non-IL-treated groups. Of all of the LBIL-based formulations, [EDMPC][Linoleate]/O-ND was considered the most preferable for a TDDS based on the pharmacokinetic parameters. The transdermal delivery flux with [EDMPC][Linoleate]/O-ND was increased 65-fold compared with the aqueous delivery vehicle. The IL/O-NDs were able to deform the lipid and protein arrangements of the skin layers to enhance the transdermal permeation of the peptide. In vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity studies of the IL/O-NDs revealed the biocompatibility of the LBIL-based formulations. These results indicated that IL/O-NDs are promising biocompatible carriers for lipid-peptide TDDSs.
Fulltext The obstacles to combat against COVID-19 pandemic and the remedies: Bangladesh scenario

Pervin MR, Parvin R, Babu MA, Ahmmed MM, Marzo RR

J Public Health Res, 2021 Nov 08;10(s2).
PMID: 34751531 DOI: 10.4081/jphr.2021.2271

BACKGROUND: Bangladesh has been going through the austerity of the unique COVID-19 for more than a year like several other nations in the world in spite of concerted efforts taken by the government along with other concerned authorities who have advocated compulsory guidelines involving social distancing procedures accompanied by lockdown to have control over the pandemic. In this paper, the barriers faced by the government to protect people from the COVID-19 pandemic have been investigated. Also, the number of daily infected people against the number of daily tests has been underlined to comprehend the overall pandemic picture in Bangladesh.
DESIGN AND METHODS: A descriptive study has been carried out to investigate the obstacles to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic for this country. The intensity of the outbreaks of the pandemic in this country is stated from March 8, 2020, to February 12, 2021. Secondary data have been employed from different sources to serve the goals of the study.
RESULTS: The poor management in the health sector of Bangladesh has been an issue of major concern during the early stage of COVID-19 which incorporates deficiency of medical equipment, lack of facilities for testing COVID-19, poor patient management, and uncertainty in the medication system. Finally, some recommendations have been proposed for the concerned organizations to tackle the current pandemic and as well in the future.
CONCLUSIONS: To control this COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to find the difficulties and discover the remedies which have been done in this paper for the Bangladesh perspective.
Fulltext Massive subcutaneous emphysema after a blunt neck injury

Mohamad, I., Md Shukri, N., Fauzi, M.H., Abdul Karim, A.H., Nik Hassan, N.F.H.

Malaysian Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2017;2(1):16-20.
MyJurnal

Subcutaneous emphysema can occur after a breach to the air-containing space. The classical condition will be ruptured alveolus in chronic lung disease. A disruption of the upper airway such as trauma to the laryngotracheal framework may lead to similar presentation. The amount of air leak varies depending on site and size of the breach. We report a case of blunt neck trauma after a fall from bicycle, which ended with massive subcutaneous emphysema, pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum requiring intubation.
Fulltext A descriptive study of decompression illness among scuba divers treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy at a military hospital-based recompression facility in Peninsular Malaysia

Fazriyati Jamharee, Abu Yazid Md Noh, Tuan Hairulnizam Tuan Kamauzaman, Ariff Arithra Abdullah, Junainah Nor

Malaysian Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2016;1(1):11-23.
MyJurnal

Background: Diving related illness has become a public health concern, as there isan increasing number of diversworldwide. However, the incidence of Decompression Illness (DCI), a medical disorder as a result of sudden reduction of ambient pressure, remainsgenerallylow. This paper describes the patternsof decompression illness treated in a military hospital-based recompression chamber facility in Peninsular Malaysiafrom year 2000 until 2010.Objective:The objective ofthis study is to determine the patternsof decompression illnesspatientstreated withHyperbaric Oxygen Therapy(HBOT)in a military hospital-based recompression chamber facility inPeninsular Malaysia.
Methodology:A retrospective descriptive study was carried out to utilizesecondary data from Hospital Angkatan Tentera Lumut, Perakfrom 1stJanuary 2000 to 31stDecember 2010. A total of 96 caseswere included in thisstudy.
Results:Most of the patients were male (94.8%), recreational divers (43.0%), non-smokers (56.3%),with no previous medical illness(85.4%), who had dived with compressed air (78.0%), had lessthan 5years divingexperience (56.3%), were non-instructors(75.0%),and had body mass index between 18.5 to 24.9kg/m2(59.4%). Interestingly,25% of the patients developing DCI dived to less than 10 meters depth, 35.4% of them went for a single dive and 71.9% performed safety stops.The majority of the patients had symptoms startingwithin 12 hours after surfacing (85.4%),mainly within the first 3 hours and many had neurological manifestation (61.5%).Only 16.7% of the patients treated withHBOThad therapycommenced within 6 hours from the onset of symptomsand 93.8% from this group had complete recovery. Overall,76.0% of patients had fullrecovery after HBOT.
Conclusion:Diving activities must be closely monitored. Medical surveillance as well as legislations related to diving activities in Malaysia areessential to improve SCUBA discipline and to reduce mortality and morbidity ofDCI in the future.
Fulltext Hereditary analysis and genotype × environment interaction effects on growth and yield components of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) over multi-environments

Khan MMH, Rafii MY, Ramlee SI, Jusoh M, Al Mamun M

Sci Rep, 2022 09 19;12(1):15658.
PMID: 36123374 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19003-z

This investigation was carried out to explore G × E interaction for yield and its associated attributes in 30 Bambara groundnut genotypes across four environments in tropical Malaysia. Such evaluations are essential when the breeding program's objective is to choose genotypes with broad adaption and yield potential. Studies of trait relationships, variance components, mean performance, and genetic linkage are needed by breeders when designing, evaluating, and developing selection criteria for improving desired characteristics in breeding programs. The evaluation of breeding lines of Bambara groundnut for high yield across a wide range of environments is important for long-term production and food security. Each site's experiment employed a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Data on vegetative and yield component attributes were recorded. The analysis of variance revealed that there were highly significant (p ≤ 0.01) differences among the 30 genotypes for all variables evaluated. A highly significant and positive correlation was identified between yield per hectare and dry seed weight (0.940), hundred seed weight (0.844), fresh pod weight (0.832), and total pod weight (0.750); the estimated correlation between dry weight of pods and seed yield was 1.0. The environment was more important than genotype and G × E in determining yield and yield components.A total of 49% variation is covered by PC1 (33.9%) and PC2 (15.1%) and the genotypes formed five distinct clusters based on Ward hierarchical clustering (WHC) method. The genotypes S5G1, S5G3, S5G5, S5G6, S5G8, S5G7, S5G2, S5G4, S5G10, S5G13, S5G11, and S5G14 of clusters I, II, and III were closest to the ideal genotype with superior yield across the environments. The PCA variable loadings revealed that an index based on dry pod weight, hundred seed weight, number of total pods and fresh pod weight could be used as a selection criteria to improve seed yield of Bambara groundnut.
Fulltext Path-coefficient and correlation analysis in Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea [L.] Verdc.) accessions over environments

Khan MMH, Rafii MY, Ramlee SI, Jusoh M, Al Mamun M

Sci Rep, 2022 01 07;12(1):245.
PMID: 34996953 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03692-z

In a breeding program, studies of genotypic and phenotypic relationships among agricultural crop traits are useful to design, evaluate, and develop selection criteria for desirable traits. Using path coefficient analysis, the present study was executed to estimate the phenotypic, genotypic, and environmental correlation coefficients between yield and yield-related traits and to determine the direct and indirect effects of yield-related traits on yield per plant. A total of 30 genotypes of Vigna subterranea were studied under tropical conditions at two sites over two planting seasons (considered as four environments). The experiment at each site used a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Data were collected on vegetative and yield component attributes. Based on analysis of variance, pooled results showed that there were positive and highly significant differences (p ≤ 0.01) among the 30 genotypes for all attributes studied. Highly significant and positive strong correlation at phenotypic level was observed for dry seed weight (0.856), hundred seed weight (0.754), fresh pod weight (0.789), and total pod weight (0.626) with yield in kg per hectare, while moderate positive correlations were observed for harvest cut (0.360) and days to maturity (0.356). However, a perfect positive correlation was observed for the dry weight of pods with seed yield. In contrast, days to 50% flowering (- 0.350) showed a negative significant relationship with yield per hectare. The dried pod weight attribute (1.00) had a high positive direct effect on yield. Fresh pod weight had the greatest indirect effect on yield per hectare, followed by the number of total pods by dry pod weight. As a result, dry pod weight, hundred seed weight, number of total pods, and fresh pod weight could be used as selection criteria to improve the seed yield of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea).
Fulltext A Miniaturized Antenna with Negative Index Metamaterial Based on Modified SRR and CLS Unit Cell for UWB Microwave Imaging Applications

Islam MM, Islam MT, Samsuzzaman M, Faruque MRI, Misran N, Mansor MF

Materials (Basel), 2015 Jan 23;8(2):392-407.
PMID: 28787945 DOI: 10.3390/ma8020392

A miniaturized antenna employing a negative index metamaterial with modified split-ring resonator (SRR) and capacitance-loaded strip (CLS) unit cells is presented for Ultra wideband (UWB) microwave imaging applications. Four left-handed (LH) metamaterial (MTM) unit cells are located along one axis of the antenna as the radiating element. Each left-handed metamaterial unit cell combines a modified split-ring resonator (SRR) with a capacitance-loaded strip (CLS) to obtain a design architecture that simultaneously exhibits both negative permittivity and negative permeability, which ensures a stable negative refractive index to improve the antenna performance for microwave imaging. The antenna structure, with dimension of 16 × 21 × 1.6 mm³, is printed on a low dielectric FR4 material with a slotted ground plane and a microstrip feed. The measured reflection coefficient demonstrates that this antenna attains 114.5% bandwidth covering the frequency band of 3.4-12.5 GHz for a voltage standing wave ratio of less than 2 with a maximum gain of 5.16 dBi at 10.15 GHz. There is a stable harmony between the simulated and measured results that indicate improved nearly omni-directional radiation characteristics within the operational frequency band. The stable surface current distribution, negative refractive index characteristic, considerable gain and radiation properties make this proposed negative index metamaterial antenna optimal for UWB microwave imaging applications.
Fulltext Simulation of streamflow for Sungai Ketil catchment using SWAT model

Atikah Izzaty Rosli, Md Rowshon Kamal, Nkululeko Simeon Dlamini, Mohd Syazwan Faisal Mohd

Journal of Advanced Research Design, 2017;28(1):12-20.
MyJurnal

Climate change influences over years clearly can affect a catchment area in terms of
quantity and quality of water. High annual rainfall in Malaysia does not solve water
scarcity problems during the El Nino phenomenon and can cause severe flooding
during La Nina. A simulation from year 1980 to 2006 has been done at Sg. Ketil
streamflow station at Kuala Pegang, Kedah in the North region of Malaysia according
to availability of data. The monthly streamflow later has been calibrated and validated
using SWAT-CUP. Water level data was obtained from an inventory water level station
recorded at the station. Land-use, soil type and slope are taken account to produce a
number of hydrologic response units (HRU). This study used developed gridded daily
hydrometeorological data set for Peninsular from 1980-2006using interpolation
technique. The results shown that the calibrated model is able to simulate the flow for
the river basin successfully with the R2
= 0.65 and NSE=0.52 and validated value of
R
2=0.5 and NSE=0.43. A recommendation is purposed to simulate the catchment using
hydrometeorological data set in the stations located in the area to compare the results
for further study.
Design, Synthesis, and Pharmacological Screening of Pyridazinone Hybrids as Anticonvulsant Agents

Partap S, Yar MS, Hassan MZ, Akhtar MJ, Siddiqui AA

Arch Pharm (Weinheim), 2017 Oct;350(10).
PMID: 28863231 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.201700135

A series of new hybrid benzimidazole containing pyridazinones derivatives were designed and synthesized in accordance with the pharmacophoric requirements essential for the anticonvulsant activity. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for anticonvulsant activity on mice by the gold standard maximal electroshock (MES) and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole (scPTZ)-induced seizure models. Among the compounds tested, SS-4F showed significant anticonvulsant activity in both the screens with ED50 values of 25.10 and 85.33 mg/kg in the MES and scPTZ screens, respectively. Compound SS-4F emerged as safer and effective anticonvulsant due to its several-fold higher protective indices. Further, the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) estimation result showed a marked increase in the GABA level (1.7-fold) as compared to the control, which was further confirmed by good binding properties with the GABAA receptor.
Fulltext Personal and psychosocial risk factor for low back pain among automotive manual handling workers in Selangor, Malaysia

Noor Sazarina Mad Isa @ Yahya, Baba Md Deros, Ahmad Rasdan Ismail, Mazrura Sahani

Int J Public Health Res, 2014;4(1):412-418.
MyJurnal

Introduction It is well known that low back pain among working population is a global
problem throughout the world. However, the current situation of occupational
low back pain in Malaysia is still vague due to limited number of studies
conducted locally.

Objective A cross sectional study was conducted among three automotive industry
workers in Selangor, Malaysia from October 2010 to April 2011.
Methods This study aims to determine the prevalence and risk factors of low back pain
among automotive industry workers performing manual material handling
tasks using self-administered questionnaire survey.

Results A modified Standardised Nordic Questionnaire was used to assess low back
pain problem, to obtain personal and psychosocial risk factors information.
The prevalence of low back pain showed increment in the point prevalence of
57.9%, 49.5%, and 35.1 % for 12 months, one month, and of 7 days
respectively. Working hour, frequency of overtime, stress at work, work
pace, and faster movement were found to be significantly associated with the
12 months prevalence for low back pain.

Conclusions This finding indicates that psychosocial risk factors are associated to the
occurrence of low back pain.
Fulltext On the Utilization of Pozzolanic Wastes as an Alternative Resource of Cement

Karim MR, Hossain MM, Khan MNN, Zain MFM, Jamil M, Lai FC

Materials (Basel), 2014 Dec 05;7(12):7809-7827.
PMID: 28788277 DOI: 10.3390/ma7127809

Recently, as a supplement of cement, the utilization of pozzolanic materials in cement and concrete manufacturing has increased significantly. This study investigates the scope to use pozzolanic wastes (slag, palm oil fuel ash and rice husk ash) as an alkali activated binder (AAB) that can be used as an alternative to cement. To activate these materials, sodium hydroxide solution was used at 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 molar concentration added into the mortar, separately. The required solution was used to maintain the flow of mortar at 110% ± 5%. The consistency and setting time of the AAB-paste were determined. Mortar was tested for its flow, compressive strength, porosity, water absorption and thermal resistance (heating at 700 °C) and investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The experimental results reveal that AAB-mortar exhibits less flow than that of ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Surprisingly, AAB-mortars (with 2.5 molar solution) achieved a compressive strength of 34.3 MPa at 28 days, while OPC shows that of 43.9 MPa under the same conditions. Although water absorption and porosity of the AAB-mortar are slightly high, it shows excellent thermal resistance compared to OPC. Therefore, based on the test results, it can be concluded that in the presence of a chemical activator, the aforementioned pozzolans can be used as an alternative material for cement.
Fulltext Microwave Imaging Sensor Using Compact Metamaterial UWB Antenna with a High Correlation Factor

Islam MM, Islam MT, Faruque MRI, Samsuzzaman M, Misran N, Arshad H

Materials (Basel), 2015 Jul 23;8(8):4631-4651.
PMID: 28793461 DOI: 10.3390/ma8084631

The design of a compact metamaterial ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna with a goal towards application in microwave imaging systems for detecting unwanted cells in human tissue, such as in cases of breast cancer, heart failure and brain stroke detection is proposed. This proposed UWB antenna is made of four metamaterial unit cells, where each cell is an integration of a modified split ring resonator (SRR), capacitive loaded strip (CLS) and wire, to attain a design layout that simultaneously exhibits both a negative magnetic permeability and a negative electrical permittivity. This design results in an astonishing negative refractive index that enables amplification of the radiated power of this reported antenna, and therefore, high antenna performance. A low-cost FR4 substrate material is used to design and print this reported antenna, and has the following characteristics: thickness of 1.6 mm, relative permeability of one, relative permittivity of 4.60 and loss tangent of 0.02. The overall antenna size is 19.36 mm × 27.72 mm × 1.6 mm where the electrical dimension is 0.20 λ × 0.28 λ × 0.016 λ at the 3.05 GHz lower frequency band. Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) measurements have illustrated that this antenna exhibits an impedance bandwidth from 3.05 GHz to more than 15 GHz for VSWR < 2 with an average gain of 4.38 dBi throughout the operating frequency band. The simulations (both HFSS and computer simulation technology (CST)) and the measurements are in high agreement. A high correlation factor and the capability of detecting tumour simulants confirm that this reported UWB antenna can be used as an imaging sensor.
Fulltext In-vitro comparative study of marginal leakage and penetration ability of moisture-tolerant and conventional resin-based pit and fissure sealants with different surface preparations

Thavamalar Marimuthoo, Nor Atika Md Asfar, Mariati Abd. Rahman, S. Nagarajan M.P. Sockalingam

Archives of Orofacial Sciences, 2017;12(1):12-22.
MyJurnal

This in-vitro study aimed to evaluate and compare the marginal leakage and penetration ability of
a moisture-tolerant (Embrace WetBondTM) and a conventional (ClinproTM) resin-based sealants under three
different enamel surface preparations (acid etched, acid etched and saliva contaminated and bur
preparation and acid etched). One hundred and twenty extracted caries free human premolars teeth were
cleaned and randomly divided into six groups of equal numbers, according to the type of sealants used and
surface preparations. All the sealed teeth were subjected to thermocycling and immersed in a methylene
blue dye. Each tooth was then embedded into acrylic resin before it was sectioned into four sections per
tooth. Marginal leakage and unfilled surface area (indicating penetration depth of resin) were then
measured using an optical 3D measurement device (Alicona Infinite Focus®). Both sealants exhibited
comparable proportion of marginal leakage on acid etched only surfaces. Moisture-tolerant sealant showed
the least proportion of marginal leakage on bur prepared and etched surfaces. Presence of saliva has
detrimental effect on adhesion of both sealants. Nevertheless, depth of penetration of sealant into the
fissures is comparable with both sealant types irrespective of the surface preparations.
Fulltext Enhancement of oxidative DNA damage and alteration of p53, Bax, and Bcl-2 protein expressions following low dose radiation exposure

Wan Mazlina Md Saad, Mohd Khairul Amran Mohammad, Muhamad Idham Mohamed, Hairil Rashmizal Abdul Razak

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2017;25(104):41-52.
MyJurnal

This animal modelling study aimed to investigate the effects of LDR exposure on cellular ROS production,
oxidative DNA damage, and alteration of cellular ultrastructure and apoptosis-related protein expressions.
Ten male ICR mice were randomly divided into two groups consisting of control (Cx) and radiation
(Rx) groups. On day 29 of post-acclimatisation, mice underwent total body irradiation with 100 µGy
X-ray. Liver and lung tissues were assessed for the levels of cellular ROS production and Apurinic/
Apyrimidinic sites generation. Ultrastructural alteration was detected using TEM, alteration of p53,
Bax, and Bcl-2 expressions was determined by western blotting. Results showed that exposure to LDR
significantly increased the levels of cellular ROS and AP sites in mice. Ultrastructure of the nucleus in
Rx showed nuclear blebbing and structural changes in morphology that indicate cell death. Meanwhile,
p53, Bax, and Bcl-2 proteins increased in expressions and altered the balance of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. These
findings may postulate that LDR exposure may enhance oxidative DNA damage and alter expression
of apoptosis-related proteins.
Fulltext The empirical evaluation of productivity growth and efficiency of LSEs in the Malaysian food processing industry

Yodfiatfinda, Mad Nasir, S., Zainalabidin, M., Md Ariff, H., Zulkornain, Y., Alias, R.

International Food Research Journal, 2012;19(1):287-295.
MyJurnal

This study investigates productivity growth and efficiency of Large Scale Enterprises (LSEs) in the
Malaysian food processing industry. Malmquist productivity index of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) was employed to five-digit panel data for the period of 2000-2006. The findings suggest that average Technical Efficiency (TE) of the LSEs was 0.683 during the period of observation, which indicates that the industries are able to expand their output as much as 31.7 percent by using the same level of inputs. Total Factor Productivity (TFP) growth was positive at 7.3 percent, which is contributed by a Technical Efficiency Change (EFCH) of 4.3 percent and Technological Change (TECH) of 3.0 percent. Sub industries of manufacturing alcohol and wine as well as the processing and preserving of meat and meat products shows the highest productivity growth at 84.8 percent and 47.5 percent respectively. On the other hand, the sub industries of processing and preserving poultry and poultry products together with the manufacturing of chocolate are those which have the lowest TFP growth at -30.5percent and -14.8 percent respectively. The significant determinants of the productivity growth, with a positive relationship are public infrastructure, IT expenditure and foreign ownership, while energy price is the determinant with a negative relationship. The main contributor to the TFP growth of the LSEs in the Malaysian food processing industry is EFCH, however, the LSEs can also improve the TFP growth by moving forward the production frontier as well.
Fulltext Planar sensors array for water contaminants detections

Aizat Azmi, Sallehuddin Ibrahim, Ahmad Amsyar Azman, Mohd Amri Md Yunus

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2017;25(101):267-274.
MyJurnal

Planar electromagnetic sensors are widely used in many applications due to its low cost, simple
architecture, and fast response. Currently, there are many types of membranes which have been introduced
to remove contaminants from an aqueous solution. Hence, the water quality could be maintained and
safe to consume. The objective of this paper is to apply and investigate the effectiveness of a selective
membrane in detecting nitrate, phosphate, zinc, and nickel ions by means of planar electromagnetic
sensors array (PESA). The samples have four different concentration levels, 5 ppm, 25 ppm, 75 ppm,
and 100 ppm. The selective membrane’s performance is evaluated based on absolute average sensitivity
(|Z%|). This performance is compared with conventional coating such as incralac. The developed
membrane consists of two elements which are polymer and solvent. Modified silica is selected as a
polymer material while N-(2-Aminoethyl)-3 Aminipropyltrimethoxysilane is selected as a solvent. The
selection of these materials is based on their ability to attract the contaminants in the aqueous solution
and hence increased the selectivity. The proposed sensor with a membrane shows its higher sensitivity
compared to incralac. The highest sensitivity is 338 % which observed in the presence of membrane
for the nickel detection. Meanwhile, the lowest sensitivity using membrane is 12 % for zinc detection.
Fulltext Enhanced time of use electricity pricing for commercial customers in Malaysia

Nur Azrina Mohd Azman, Md Pauzi Abdullah, Mohammad Yusri Hassan, Dalila Mat Said, Faridah Hussin

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2017;25(101):285-294.
MyJurnal

Malaysia has introduced a new Time of Use (ToU) tariff scheme known as Enhanced ToU (EToU) for
commercial and industrial customers. EToU is a more detailed pricing scheme where one day time frame
is divided into six period blocks as compared to only two period blocks in the existing ToU. Mid-peak
tariff is introduced to the existing peak and off-peak tariff. Off-peak rate for EToU is significantly lower
than the existing off-peak rate but the peak rate is much higher. EToU is designed to motivate users to
reduce their consumption during peak hours or shift the load to mid-peak or off-peak hours, which if
done correctly can reduce the electricity bill while maintaining electricity consumption. This new EToU
scheme will benefit consumers if they are able to shift consumption from peak-hours into mid-peak
or off-peak hours. This paper assesses the amount of load shifting that is required based on customers’
load profile and EToU rates. The load profile data of an office building in Putrajaya, Malaysia is used
as a case study.
Fulltext Dielectrophoresis and AC electroosmosis force on fluid motion in microfluidic using latex particles

Nurul Amziah Md Yunus, Mohd Nazim Mohtar, Almadhag, iKhaldon Mohammed, Izhal Abdul Halin

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2017;25(101):333-342.
MyJurnal

The use of electroosmotic is fast becoming a proven technique for manipulating particles in microfluidic
systems. Several approaches were experimented to improve the force and thus the moving particles in
the fluid. This paper will study the effect of microelectrode on the moving particles in latex using a
particle image velocimetry and to test the velocity of particles movement at various frequencies from
10kHz to 500kHz. The result shows the behaviour of latex particles at different frequencies varying
from low frequencies up to high frequencies under AC electrokinetic forces such as dielectrophoresis
(DEP) and AC electroosmosis (ACEO).
Fulltext Effects of preparation methods on the properties of pineapple fibers

Muhamad, I. I., Md Katan, N. S., Shaharuddin, S., Abang Zaideld, D. N.

Journal of Advanced Research Design, 2015;4(1):1-8.
MyJurnal

The present study reports on the preparation processes and characterization of fibers from pineapple cores. The effects of different washing techniques (tap-water and hot-water washing) and particle sizes (0.2, 0.5 and 1 mm) on two important characteristics of dietary fiber, i.e. water holding capacity (WHC) and oil holding capacity (OHC), were investigated. It was found that the washing pre-treatment significantly improved WHC. Meanwhile larger particle sizes of fiber gave better WHC and OHC for all types of fibers. Tap-water washing was the most appropriate pretreatment method compared to hot-water washing and unwashed method. However, there was no difference in morphologies of the fibers before and after being prewashed at different particle sizes. The fiber morphology was preserved best after the drying process using microwave freeze dryer (MFD) and microwave vacuum dryer (MVD). This study demonstrates the potential of pre-treatment and drying methods in functional fiber preparation for food enrichment.
Fulltext One-time prolonged ultrasound exposure during early pregnancy affects bone strength in young aged Oryctolagus cuniculus

Che Isa, I.N., Md Dom, S., Abdul Razak, H.R., Hashim, U.F.

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2017;25(1):359-370.
MyJurnal

The use of prenatal ultrasound has become controversial as it is increasingly being performed for business
and social interests rather than for medical use. This nonmedical use of the modality has violated the
US FDA guideline. Ultrasound scans have been proven to increase temperature in insonated tissue and
their effects have been investigated via phantom and animal experiments. Absorption coefficient of the
bone is the highest compared with any other structure. Thus, exposure to ultrasound, especially during
osteogenesis, can cause significant damage to developing foetus. Twenty-two pregnant does of known
gestation were enrolled in the control and experimental groups. No exposure was given to the control
group while the experimental groups were exposed accordingly to the prenatal ultrasound in the 1st,
2nd and 3rd stage for 30, 60 and 90 minutes respectively. A total of 142 subjects aged between 1 and 5
months were analysed for bone strength. The Tb.Th of the experimental group was reduced significantly
as compared to the control group. Po, TMD and empty lacunae were higher in the experimental group.
It is thus concluded that one-time prenatal ultrasound can affect bone strength in young subjects.

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