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Electro persulphate oxidation for polishing of biologically treated palm oil mill effluent (POME)

Bashir MJK, Wei CJ, Aun NC, Abu Amr SS

J Environ Manage, 2017 May 15;193:458-469.
PMID: 28262420 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.02.031

Malaysia alone produces more than 49 million m3 palm oil mill effluent per year. Biological treated palm oil mill effluent via ponding system often fails to fulfill the regulatory discharge standards. This is due to remaining of non-biodegradable organics in the treated effluent. Thus, the aim of this study was to resolve such issue by using electro persulphate oxidation process, for the first time, as a post treatment of palm oil mill effluent. Central composite design in response surface methodology was used to analyze and optimize the interaction of operational variables (i.e., current density, contact time, initial pH and persulphate dosage) targeted on maximum treatment efficiency. The significance of quadratic model of each response was determined by analysis of variance, where all models indicated sufficient significance with p-value

Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
Fulltext The global flood protection savings provided by coral reefs

Beck MW, Losada IJ, Menéndez P, Reguero BG, Díaz-Simal P, Fernández F

Nat Commun, 2018 06 12;9(1):2186.
PMID: 29895942 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04568-z

Coral reefs can provide significant coastal protection benefits to people and property. Here we show that the annual expected damages from flooding would double, and costs from frequent storms would triple without reefs. For 100-year storm events, flood damages would increase by 91% to $US 272 billion without reefs. The countries with the most to gain from reef management are Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Mexico, and Cuba; annual expected flood savings exceed $400 M for each of these nations. Sea-level rise will increase flood risk, but substantial impacts could happen from reef loss alone without better near-term management. We provide a global, process-based valuation of an ecosystem service across an entire marine biome at (sub)national levels. These spatially explicit benefits inform critical risk and environmental management decisions, and the expected benefits can be directly considered by governments (e.g., national accounts, recovery plans) and businesses (e.g., insurance).

Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
Modeling and simulation of an enzymatic reactor for hydrolysis of palm oil

Bhatia S, Naidu AD, Kamaruddin AH

Artif Cells Blood Substit Immobil Biotechnol, 1999 Sep-Nov;27(5-6):435-40.
PMID: 10595445

Hydrolysis of palm oil has become an important process in Oleochemical industries. Therefore, an investigation was carried out for hydrolysis of palm oil to fatty acid and glycerol using immobilized lipase in packed bed reactor. The conversion vs. residence time data were used in Michaelis-Menten rate equation to evaluate the kinetic parameters. A mathematical model for the rate of palm oil hydrolysis was proposed incorporating role of external mass transfer and pore diffusion. The model was simulated for steady-state isothermal operation of immobilized lipase packed bed reactor. The experimental data were compared with the simulated results. External mass transfer was found to affect the rate of palm oil hydrolysis at higher residence time.

Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
Verification of equations for incipient motion studies for a rigid rectangular channel

Bong CH, Lau TL, Ghani AA

Water Sci Technol, 2013;67(2):395-403.
PMID: 23168641 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2012.580

The current study aims to verify the existing equations for incipient motion for a rigid rectangular channel. Data from experimental work on incipient motion from a rectangular flume with two different widths, namely 0.3 and 0.6 m, were compared with the critical velocity value predicted by the equations of Novak & Nalluri and El-Zaemey. The equation by El-Zaemey performed better with an average discrepancy ratio value of 1.06 compared with the equation by Novak & Nalluri with an average discrepancy ratio value of 0.87. However, as the sediment deposit thickness increased, the equation by El-Zaemey became less accurate. A plot on the Shields Diagram using the experimental data had shown the significant effect of the sediment deposit thickness where, as the deposit becomes thicker, the dimensionless shear stress θ value also increased. A new equation had been proposed by incorporating the sediment deposit thickness. The new equation gave improved prediction with an average discrepancy ratio value of 1.02.

Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical*
Fulltext Tools for integrated river flood management (hydraulics modeling and logical framework analysis)

Bong, C.H.J., Mah, D.Y.S, Putuhena, F.J., Said, S., Bustami, R.A.

ASM Science Journal, 2012;6(1):47-60.
MyJurnal

Hydraulics simulation can be used as a supporting tool for planning and developing a framework, such as Integrated Flood Management for river management. To demonstrate this, a hydraulics model for the Sarawak River Basin was run using InfoWorks RS software by Wallingford Software, UK. InfoWorks River Simulation (RS) was chosen because its applicability has been proven and widely used to model Malaysian rivers. The extraction of computed floodwater level and flood maps for different time intervals would produce the rate of floodplain submergence from river bank level. This information could be incorporated into a logical framework to support decisions on flood management measures. Thus, hydraulics models can be used as tools to provide the necessary decision parameters for developing logical frameworks which would act as to guide the planning when it involved various stakeholders’ participation.

Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
Fulltext The use of D-optimal mixture design in optimising okara soap formulation for stratum corneum application

Borhan FP, Abd Gani SS, Shamsuddin R

ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:173979.
PMID: 25548777 DOI: 10.1155/2014/173979

Okara, soybean waste from tofu and soymilk production, was utilised as a natural antioxidant in soap formulation for stratum corneum application. D-optimal mixture design was employed to investigate the influence of the main compositions of okara soap containing different fatty acid and oils (virgin coconut oil A (24-28% w/w), olive oil B (15-20% w/w), palm oil C (6-10% w/w), castor oil D (15-20% w/w), cocoa butter E (6-10% w/w), and okara F (2-7% w/w)) by saponification process on the response hardness of the soap. The experimental data were utilized to carry out analysis of variance (ANOVA) and to develop a polynomial regression model for okara soap hardness in terms of the six design factors considered in this study. Results revealed that the best mixture was the formulation that included 26.537% A, 19.999% B, 9.998% C, 16.241% D, 7.633% E, and 7.000% F. The results proved that the difference in the level of fatty acid and oils in the formulation significantly affects the hardness of soap. Depending on the desirable level of those six variables, creation of okara based soap with desirable properties better than those of commercial ones is possible.

Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
Fulltext Predicting the use of public transportation: a case study from Putrajaya, Malaysia

Borhan MN, Syamsunur D, Akhir NM, Yazid MR, Ismail A, Rahmat RA

ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:784145.
PMID: 25110744 DOI: 10.1155/2014/784145

Putrajaya is a new federal administrative capital of Malaysia which has been set to achieve a 70% share of all travels by public transport in the city area. However, the current modal split between the public transport and private transport is 15:85. In order to understand travelers' willingness to use the public transport, a conceptual model has been developed to determine the factors that affect them to use the public transport instead of travelling in their own cars. Various variables such as service quality, environmental impact, attitude, and behavior intention were analyzed and tested using structural equation model (SEM). Results indicate that the service quality and attitude are found to have positive effects on the behavioral intention of taking the public transport. Other than this, this study also shows that the service quality and environmental impact have some positive influences on the attitude to using the public transport. However, environmental impact has no significant, positive, and direct effect on behavioral intention. The results of this study demonstrate that the model that was developed is useful in predicting the public transport and it could provide a more complete understanding of behavioral intention towards public transport use.

Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical*
Fulltext Predictive analysis across spatial scales links zoonotic malaria to deforestation

Brock PM, Fornace KM, Grigg MJ, Anstey NM, William T, Cox J, et al.

Proc Biol Sci, 2019 Jan 16;286(1894):20182351.
PMID: 30963872 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.2351

The complex transmission ecologies of vector-borne and zoonotic diseases pose challenges to their control, especially in changing landscapes. Human incidence of zoonotic malaria ( Plasmodium knowlesi) is associated with deforestation although mechanisms are unknown. Here, a novel application of a method for predicting disease occurrence that combines machine learning and statistics is used to identify the key spatial scales that define the relationship between zoonotic malaria cases and environmental change. Using data from satellite imagery, a case-control study, and a cross-sectional survey, predictive models of household-level occurrence of P. knowlesi were fitted with 16 variables summarized at 11 spatial scales simultaneously. The method identified a strong and well-defined peak of predictive influence of the proportion of cleared land within 1 km of households on P. knowlesi occurrence. Aspect (1 and 2 km), slope (0.5 km) and canopy regrowth (0.5 km) were important at small scales. By contrast, fragmentation of deforested areas influenced P. knowlesi occurrence probability most strongly at large scales (4 and 5 km). The identification of these spatial scales narrows the field of plausible mechanisms that connect land use change and P. knowlesi, allowing for the refinement of disease occurrence predictions and the design of spatially-targeted interventions.

Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
Fulltext Image-based 3D canopy reconstruction to determine potential productivity in complex multi-species crop systems

Burgess AJ, Retkute R, Pound MP, Mayes S, Murchie EH

Ann Bot, 2017 Mar 01;119(4):517-532.
PMID: 28065926 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcw242

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Intercropping systems contain two or more species simultaneously in close proximity. Due to contrasting features of the component crops, quantification of the light environment and photosynthetic productivity is extremely difficult. However it is an essential component of productivity. Here, a low-tech but high-resolution method is presented that can be applied to single- and multi-species cropping systems to facilitate characterization of the light environment. Different row layouts of an intercrop consisting of Bambara groundnut ( Vigna subterranea ) and proso millet ( Panicum miliaceum ) have been used as an example and the new opportunities presented by this approach have been analysed.
METHODS: Three-dimensional plant reconstruction, based on stereo cameras, combined with ray tracing was implemented to explore the light environment within the Bambara groundnut-proso millet intercropping system and associated monocrops. Gas exchange data were used to predict the total carbon gain of each component crop.
KEY RESULTS: The shading influence of the tall proso millet on the shorter Bambara groundnut results in a reduction in total canopy light interception and carbon gain. However, the increased leaf area index (LAI) of proso millet, higher photosynthetic potential due to the C4 pathway and sub-optimal photosynthetic acclimation of Bambara groundnut to shade means that increasing the number of rows of millet will lead to greater light interception and carbon gain per unit ground area, despite Bambara groundnut intercepting more light per unit leaf area.
CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional reconstruction combined with ray tracing provides a novel, accurate method of exploring the light environment within an intercrop that does not require difficult measurements of light interception and data-intensive manual reconstruction, especially for such systems with inherently high spatial possibilities. It provides new opportunities for calculating potential productivity within multi-species cropping systems, enables the quantification of dynamic physiological differences between crops grown as monoculture and those within intercrops, and enables the prediction of new productive combinations of previously untested crops.

Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
Microwave-assisted extraction of polysaccharides from Cyphomandra betacea and its biological activities

C SK, M S, K R

Int J Biol Macromol, 2016 Nov;92:682-693.
PMID: 27456125 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.07.062

Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the parameters for microwave-assisted extraction of polysaccharides from Cyphomandra betacea. The results showed a good fit with a second-order polynomial equation that was statistically acceptable at P<0.05. Optimal conditions for the extraction of polysaccharides were: extraction time, 2h; microwave power, 400W; extraction temperature, 60°C; and ratio of raw material to water 1:40 (g/mL). Under the optimized conditions, the yield of polysaccharides was found to be relatively high (about 36.52%). The in vitro biological activities of antioxidant and antitumor were evaluated. The IC50 value of polysaccharides was found to be 3mg/mL. The percentage of Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Our results showed that polysaccharides inhibited proliferation of MCF-7 (Breast carcinoma), A549 (Human lung carcinoma) and HepG2 (Liver carcinoma) with an IC50 of 0.23mg/mL, 0.17mg/mL and 0.62mg/mL respectively after 48h incubation. Polysaccharides were shown to promote apoptosis as seen in the nuclear morphological examination study using acridine orange (AO) and ethidium bromide (EB) staining. This is the first report on the effects of polysaccharides extracted from Cyphomandra betacea which exhibited stronger antioxidant and antitumor activities.

Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
Predicting the fluorescent enhancement rate by gold and silver nanospheres using finite-difference time-domain analysis

Centeno A, Xie F, Alford N

IET Nanobiotechnol, 2013 Jun;7(2):50-8.
PMID: 24046905

Metal-induced fluorescence enhancement (MIFE) is a promising strategy for increasing the sensitivity of fluorophores used in biological sensors. This study uses the finite-difference time-domain technique to predict the fluorescent enhancement rate of a fluorophore molecule in close proximity to a gold or silver spherical nanoparticle. By considering commercially available fluorescent dyes the computed results are compared with the published experimental data. The results show that MIFE is a complex coupling process between the fluorophore molecule and the metal nanoparticle. Nevertheless using computational electromagnetic techniques to perform calculations it is possible to calculate, with reasonable accuracy, the fluorescent enhancement. Using this methodology it will be possible to consider different shaped metal nanoparticles and any supporting substrate material in the future, an important step in building reliable biosensors capable of detecting low levels of proteins tagged with fluorescence molecules.

Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical*
A modelling study of the event-based retention performance of green roof under the hot-humid tropical climate in Kuching

Chai CT, Putuhena FJ, Selaman OS

Water Sci Technol, 2017 Dec;76(11-12):2988-2999.
PMID: 29210686 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2017.472

The influences of climate on the retention capability of green roof have been widely discussed in existing literature. However, knowledge on how the retention capability of green roof is affected by the tropical climate is limited. This paper highlights the retention performance of the green roof situated in Kuching under hot-humid tropical climatic conditions. Using the green roof water balance modelling approach, this study simulated the hourly runoff generated from a virtual green roof from November 2012 to October 2013 based on past meteorological data. The result showed that the overall retention performance was satisfactory with a mean retention rate of 72.5% from 380 analysed rainfall events but reduced to 12.0% only for the events that potentially trigger the occurrence of flash flood. By performing the Spearman rank's correlation analysis, it was found that the rainfall depth and mean rainfall intensity, individually, had a strong negative correlation with event retention rate, suggesting that the retention rate increases with decreased rainfall depth. The expected direct relationship between retention rate and antecedent dry weather period was found to be event size dependent.

Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical*
Fulltext Some numerical methods and comparisons for solving mathematical model of surface decontamination by disinfectant solution

Chai, Jin Sian, Hoe, Yeak Su, Ali H. M. Murid

MATEMATIKA, 2018;34(2):0-0.
MyJurnal

A mathematical model is considered to determine the effectiveness of disin-
fectant solution for surface decontamination. The decontamination process involved the
diffusion of bacteria into disinfectant solution and the reaction of the disinfectant killing
effect. The mathematical model is a reaction-diffusion type. Finite difference method and
method of lines with fourth-order Runge-Kutta method are utilized to solve the model
numerically. To obtain stable solutions, von Neumann stability analysis is employed to
evaluate the stability of finite difference method. For stiff problem, Dormand-Prince
method is applied as the estimated error of fourth-order Runge-Kutta method. MATLAB
programming is selected for the computation of numerical solutions. From the results
obtained, fourth-order Runge-Kutta method has a larger stability region and better ac-
curacy of solutions compared to finite difference method when solving the disinfectant
solution model. Moreover, a numerical simulation is carried out to investigate the effect
of different thickness of disinfectant solution on bacteria reduction. Results show that
thick disinfectant solution is able to reduce the dimensionless bacteria concentration more
effectively.

Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
Fulltext Sensing study of quinoxaline analogues with theoretical calculation, single-crystal X-ray structure and real application in commercial fruit juices

Chakraborty S, Goswami S, Quah CK, Pakhira B

R Soc Open Sci, 2018 Jun;5(6):180149.
PMID: 30110468 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.180149

Single-crystal X-ray structures of dimeric quinoxaline aldehyde (QA), quinoxaline dihydrazone (DHQ) and HQNM (Goswami S et al. 2013 Tetrahedron Lett.54, 5075-5077. (doi:10.1016/j.tetlet.2013.07.051); Goswami S et al. 2014 RSC Adv.4, 20 922-20 926. (doi:10.1039/C4RA00594E); Goswami S et al. 2014 New J. Chem.38, 6230-6235. (doi:10.1039/C4NJ01498G)) are reported along with the theoretical study. Among them, QA is not acting as an active probe, but DHQ and HQNM are serving as selective and sensitive probe for the Fe3+ cation and the Ni2+ cation, respectively. DHQ can also detect the Fe3+ in commercial fruit juices (grape and pomegranate).

Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
Simulation of left ventricle flow dynamics with dilated cardiomyopathy during the filling phase

Chan BT, Ong CW, Lim E, Abu Osman NA, Al Abed A, Lovell NH, et al.

Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc, 2012;2012:6289-92.
PMID: 23367367 DOI: 10.1109/EMBC.2012.6347432

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common cardiac disease which leads to the deterioration in cardiac performance. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach can be used to enhance our understanding of the disease, by providing us with a detailed map of the intraventricular flow and pressure distributions. In the present work, effect of ventricular size on the intraventricular flow dynamics and intraventricular pressure gradients (IVPGs) was studied using two different implementation methods, i.e. the geometry-prescribed and the fluid structure interaction (FSI) methods. Results showed that vortex strength and IVPGs are significantly reduced in a dilated heart, leading to an increased risk of thrombus formation and impaired ventricular filling. We suggest FSI method as the ultimate method in studying ventricular dysfunction as it provides additional cardiac disease prognostic factors and more realistic model implementation.

Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
A hazard rate analysis of fertility using duration data from Malaysia

Chang C

Res Popul Econ, 1988;6:137-59.
PMID: 12280927
Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical*
Fulltext Feature selection methods for optimizing clinicopathologic input variables in oral cancer prognosis

Chang SW, Kareem SA, Kallarakkal TG, Merican AF, Abraham MT, Zain RB

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2011;12(10):2659-64.
PMID: 22320970

The incidence of oral cancer is high for those of Indian ethnic origin in Malaysia. Various clinical and pathological data are usually used in oral cancer prognosis. However, due to time, cost and tissue limitations, the number of prognosis variables need to be reduced. In this research, we demonstrated the use of feature selection methods to select a subset of variables that is highly predictive of oral cancer prognosis. The objective is to reduce the number of input variables, thus to identify the key clinicopathologic (input) variables of oral cancer prognosis based on the data collected in the Malaysian scenario. Two feature selection methods, genetic algorithm (wrapper approach) and Pearson's correlation coefficient (filter approach) were implemented and compared with single-input models and a full-input model. The results showed that the reduced models with feature selection method are able to produce more accurate prognosis results than the full-input model and single-input model, with the Pearson's correlation coefficient achieving the most promising results.

Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
Fulltext Model of a critical size defect in the New Zealand white rabbit’s tibia

Che Nor Zarida Che Seman, Zamzuri Zakaria

International Medical Journal Malaysia, 2018;17(1):13-18.
MyJurnal

Critical size defects (CSD) in the long bones of New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) have been used for years as an experimental model for investigation of the effectiveness of a new bone substitute material. There are varieties of protocols available in the literature. This technical note attempts to present an alternative surgical technique of a CSD in the New Zealand white rabbit tibia. Methods: Thirty-nine New Zealand White rabbits were used in this study. A CSD of approximately 4.5 mm (width) X 9.0 mm (length) was surgically drilled at the proximal tibial metaphysis, approximately 1 cm from the knee joint. The surrounding of soft tissue was repositioned and sutured layer by layer with bioabsorbable surgical suture. Two x-rays of anteroposterior and lateral were taken before assessed under computed tomography scan at 6, 12 and 24 weeks. Results: This alternative method created CSD with less bleeding from the muscle observed. No mortality or other surgical complications observed within 6 weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks following surgery. Conclusion: A simple and safe method for performing CSD was demonstrated and recommended as an alternative approach for surgery on New Zealand White rabbits.

Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
A Filippov model describing the effects of media coverage and quarantine on the spread of human influenza

Chen C, Chong NS, Smith R

Math Biosci, 2018 02;296:98-112.
PMID: 29273381 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbs.2017.12.002

Mass-media reports on an epidemic or pandemic have the potential to modify human behaviour and affect social attitudes. Here we construct a Filippov model to evaluate the effects of media coverage and quarantine on the transmission dynamics of influenza. We first choose a piecewise smooth incidence rate to represent media reports being triggered once the number of infected individuals exceeds a certain critical level [Formula: see text] . Further, if the number of infected cases increases and exceeds another larger threshold value [Formula: see text] ( [Formula: see text] ), we consider that the incidence rate tends to a saturation level due to the protection measures taken by individuals; meanwhile, we begin to quarantine susceptible individuals when the number of susceptible individuals is larger than a threshold value Sc. Then, for each susceptible threshold value Sc, the global properties of the Filippov model with regard to the existence and stability of all possible equilibria and sliding-mode dynamics are examined, as we vary the infected threshold values [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] . We show generically that the Filippov system stabilizes at either the endemic equilibrium of the subsystem or the pseudoequilibrium on the switching surface or the endemic equilibrium [Formula: see text] depending on the choice of the threshold values. The findings suggest that proper combinations of infected and susceptible threshold values can maintain the number of infected individuals either below a certain threshold level or at a previously given level.

Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical*
Fulltext Augmenting CO2 Absorption Flux through a Gas-Liquid Membrane Module by Inserting Carbon-Fiber Spacers

Chen L, Ho CD, Jen LY, Lim JW, Chen YH

Membranes (Basel), 2020 Oct 22;10(11).
PMID: 33105658 DOI: 10.3390/membranes10110302

We investigated the insertion of eddy promoters into a parallel-plate gas-liquid polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane contactor to effectively enhance carbon dioxide absorption through aqueous amine solutions (monoethanolamide-MEA). In this study, a theoretical model was established and experimental work was performed to predict and to compare carbon dioxide absorption efficiency under concurrent- and countercurrent-flow operations for various MEA feed flow rates, inlet CO2 concentrations, and channel design conditions. A Sherwood number's correlated expression was formulated, incorporating experimental data to estimate the mass transfer coefficient of the CO2 absorption in MEA flowing through a PTFE membrane. Theoretical predictions were calculated and validated through experimental data for the augmented CO2 absorption efficiency by inserting carbon-fiber spacers as an eddy promoter to reduce the concentration polarization effect. The study determined that a higher MEA feed rate, a lower feed CO2 concentration, and wider carbon-fiber spacers resulted in a higher CO2 absorption rate for concurrent- and countercurrent-flow operations. A maximum of 80% CO2 absorption efficiency enhancement was found in the device by inserting carbon-fiber spacers, as compared to that in the empty channel device. The overall CO2 absorption rate was higher for countercurrent operation than that for concurrent operation. We evaluated the effectiveness of power utilization in augmenting the CO2 absorption rate by inserting carbon-fiber spacers in the MEA feed channel and concluded that the higher the flow rate, the lower the power utilization's effectiveness. Therefore, to increase the CO2 absorption flux, widening carbon-fiber spacers was determined to be more effective than increasing the MEA feed flow rate.

Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical

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