Accelerating population and modernization has triggered a steady rise in energy demand and a significant rise in household waste, particularly municipal solid waste. In this context, waste-to-energy conversion has emerged as a sustainable solution. This study aims to maximize biofuel production yield using biomass-based banana peel catalyst waste by optimizing process parameters through machine learning models integrated with k-fold cross-validation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe increasing global demand for cleaner energy solutions highlights the need to combine hydrogen with advanced biofuels for use in low-temperature combustion (LTC) engines. This study experimentally investigates the performance and emissions of an LTC engine fueled with six test fuels: Diesel, Citronella biofuel, three hydrogen-enriched blends (H20, H40, H60) and H40E (H40 + 10%R-EGR). Among the tested fuels, the H40 blend demonstrated the highest brake thermal efficiency (BTE), surpassing that of conventional diesel.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Aim: The increasing human-wildlife interface due to urbanization and agricultural expansion has escalated the risk of zoonotic and interspecies disease transmission. Canine distemper virus (CDV), a highly contagious , has been documented in various carnivorous and non-carnivorous species. In 2019, Malaysia reported its first case of CDV infection in a wild Malayan tiger () named Awang Besul in Kampung Besul Lama, Terengganu.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTraditional loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays rely on a cold chain to preserve the stability of LAMP reagents during storage and transport. This requirement restricts the application of LAMP-based methods in resource-limited settings. To overcome this challenge, we developed a room-temperature stable, ready-to-use dried format of the LAMP diagnostic tool for detecting zoonotic malaria.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
May 2025
Pultruded glass fiber-reinforced polymer (PGFRP) composites are innovative materials used in high-rise transmission towers that undergo failure due to long-term static loading phenomenon. This research focuses on retrofitting PGFRP composite cross-arms with plug-in type sleeve reinforcements by employing a three-point bending (3 PB) test to analyze the cross-arm's elastic properties, flexural creep response, and deflection behaviour. The addition of the sleeve retrofit significantly improved the load-deflection behaviour and long-term creep resistance, by 45.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOral Radiol
May 2025
Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in detecting simulated bony changes in the mandibular condyle by assessing the sensitivity and specificity.
Methods: This review adhered to PRISMA guidelines. Following predefined eligibility criteria, a search was conducted in four electronic databases in June 2024.
Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) are versatile nano-carriers for wide range of applications. The advantages of SLNs include ease of preparation, low toxicity, high active compound bioavailability, flexibility of incorporating hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, and feasibility of large-scale production. This review provides an overview on the preparation methods of the SLNs, the micro and nanostructure characteristics of the SLNs, and the different factors influencing sustained release and targeted drug delivery.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLeptospirosis is an emerging zoonotic and neglected disease across the world causing huge loss of life and economy. In this study, we did whole genome sequencing of one Leptospira isolate and a comparative genomic analysis with 69 other species of Leptospira available in RefSeq database provided insight into taxonomic and evolutionary relationship between species. AAI and whole genome based phylogenomic analysis established 3 clusters of Leptospira i.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNon-volant mammals in Peninsular Malaysia face numerous threats, primarily driven by habitat loss, fragmentation and illegal hunting. These threats highlight the importance of conducting wildlife surveys in the available forested areas to enhance the current strategies for conservation and management, particularly for a threatened taxon like non-volant mammals. This study aimed to document and update information of non-volant mammals from four areas: Tasik Bera (Pahang state); Tasik Kenyir, Pulau Redang and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) Campus (Terengganu state).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThere is limited efficacy in vaccines currently available to prevent some animal diseases of bacterial origin, such as bovine respiratory disease caused by . Protective efficacy can potentially be improved if bacterial antigens that are expressed in the host are included in vaccines. During infection in the bovine host, biofilms become established, and the availability of essential iron is restricted.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe project aims to develop a sustainable smart irrigation system (SIS) for the indoor plant irrigation by integrating photovoltaic (PV), internet of things (IoT), and rainwater harvesting techniques. The addressed problem involves the inconsistency and tediousness of manual watering, emphasizing the need for a sustainable design for a SIS. The IoT system consists of soil moisture sensor with GSM module powered by PV and an algorithm was developed to adjust irrigation schedules based on soil moisture data.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWith increased manufacturing activities and energy sector development, monitoring of heavy metal ion (HMI) pollution is becoming increasingly pressing. The discharge of metals from industrial effluents into the waterways could cause major economic and environmental disruption. In situ and on-site detection methods of trace HMIs can be effective countermeasures before the toxicity spreads out to larger areas, affecting the ecosystem.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGeopolymers have emerged as promising materials for their superior thermal and mechanical properties, offering sustainable alternatives to conventional coatings. This study investigates the potential of Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) as a raw material for fire-resistant geopolymer coatings. Through the optimization of POFA-to-alkaline activator (AA) ratios, NaOH concentrations, and curing temperatures, POFA-based coatings were synthesized and applied to mild steel substrates.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe E. coli strains harboring the polyketide synthase (pks) island encode the genotoxin colibactin, a secondary metabolite reported to have severe implications for human health and for the progression of colorectal cancer. The present study involves whole-genome-wide comparison and phylogenetic analysis of pks harboring E.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction Spinal fusion surgery with pedicle screws is commonly performed to stabilize the spine of osteoporotic patients. However, securing a strong screw fixation in osteoporotic bone presents significant challenges due to the reduced bone density. This study aimed to compare the biomechanical performance in an osteoporotic bone model of pedicle screws inserted using two different techniques, the Jamshidi needle technique and the pedicle probe technique, as well as the influence of tapping on both these techniques.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPoly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (PEVAc) is a copolymer that consists of non-polar polyethylene (PE) and a polar polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) monomer. PEVAc has high elasticity and is resilient, making it suitable for a variety of applications. However, the tensile strength of this copolymer needs to be improved for specific applications that require enough strength to tolerate high external tension or stress.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMalaysia, particularly Pahang, experiences devastating floods annually, causing significant damage. The objective of the research was to create a flood susceptibility map for the designated area by employing an Ensemble Machine Learning (EML) algorithm based on geographic information system (GIS). By analyzing nine key factors from a geospatial database, flood susceptibility map was created with the ArcGIS software (ESRI ArcGIS Pro v3.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFL. is a valuable multipurpose tree species widely planted for centuries due to its high medicinal value and antifungal, antiviral, antidepressant, and anti-inflammatory properties in the food industry. However, its cultivation is hindered by production constraints such as the unavailability of planting material and the inadequate number of high-yielding clones.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The management of extensive longitudinal data in cohort studies presents significant challenges, particularly in middle-income countries like Malaysia where technological resources may be limited. These challenges include ensuring data integrity, security, and scalability of storage solutions over extended periods.
Objective: This article outlines innovative methods developed and implemented by The Malaysian Cohort project to effectively manage and maintain large-scale databases from project inception through the follow-up phase, ensuring robust data privacy and security.
The detection of impact and depth defects in Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) composites has been extensively studied to develop effective, reliable, and cost-efficient assessment methods through various Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) techniques. Challenges in detecting these defects arise from varying responses based on the geometrical shape, thickness, and defect types. Long Pulse Thermography (LPT), utilizing an uncooled microbolometer and a low-resolution infrared (IR) camera, presents a promising solution for detecting both depth and impact defects in GFRP materials with a single setup and minimal tools at an economical cost.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Early diagnosis of biliary atresia (BA) is critical for best outcomes, but is challenged by overlapping clinical manifestations with other causes of obstructive jaundice in neonates. We evaluate the performance of the modified Simple BA Scoring System (SBASS) in diagnosing BA.
Methods: We performed a prospective, cross-sectional study on infants with cholestatic jaundice (June 2021-December 2022).
The global demand for an enhanced quality of life and extended lifespan has driven significant advancements in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. These fields utilize a range of interdisciplinary theories and techniques to repair structurally impaired or damaged tissues and organs, as well as restore their normal functions. Nevertheless, the clinical efficacy of medications, materials, and potent cells used at the laboratory level is always constrained by technological limitations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRoot-specific or preferential promoters are essential to genetically modify plants with beneficial root traits. We have characterised the promoter from an oil palm metallothionein gene (EgMT) and performed a serial 5' deletion analysis to identify the region(s) essential for transgenes expression in roots. Stable functional characterisation of tobacco transgenic lines using the T generation showed that a deletion construct, designated as RSP-2D (1107 bp), directed strong GUS expression at all stages of root development, particularly in mature roots.
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