Synthesis and evaluation of novel porous materials for environmental remediation

Porous materials have been widely used as adsorbents for water treatment due to their unique properties such as high surface area, excellent mechanical properties and good chemical stability. The work in this thesis aimed to develop novel porous materials for pollution remediation, with the focus being on materials that can be produced economically and environmentally friendly. The first part of this thesis covers two types of mesoporous carbon materials including mesoporous and magnetic mesoporous carbon materials which were fabricated through a soft templating method (Chapter 3). It has been shown that these porous carbon materials with monolithic form have high surface area, which is envisaged excellent adsorbent capacity. But there are some drawback which limit their use for water treatment as the preparation of these materials is time consuming, there are high operation cost and difficulties in regeneration and operation. Cellulose was considered as an attractive alternative material for preparation of porous materials for pollution remediation because it is naturally abundant, renewable, non-toxic and a lowcost biopolymer.In the second part of this work a cellulose-based hydrogel was successfully synthesized using hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) with divinyl sulfone (DVS) as a chemical crosslinker via a modified temperature induced phase separation (TIPS) method (Chapter 4). The HPC hydrogel obtained was characterised and the results showed that the properties of this hydrogel depended on the gelation temperature. The FTIR results confirmed the chemical cross-linking between HPC and DVS. HPC hydrogel demonstrated a flexible behaviour without breakage under compression tests. In addition, there were good shape recovery properties upon adsorption of water. The morphology of the cross-linked HPC hydrogel showed an interconnected macroporous network structure, which allowed application for water purification.Further work was then carried to develop a new and simple method to prepare a novel thermoresponsive HPC hydrogel with a graded pore size (Chapter 5). This method combined two approaches, varying the temperature between the upper and lower part of the hydrogel utilising the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) via the temperature induced phase separation (TIPS) method, which achieved a gradual change in pore geometry and pore size. The added inclusion of cryogenic treatment of the sample ensured a gradient porous HPC hydrogel was obtained with high permeability. Double network (DN) hydrogels have a structure that can effectively improve the adsorption capacity as the second network can introduce more functional groups into hydrogel structures, which is of great importance in the adsorption process due to improve the adsorption capacities. The DN hydrogels can also improve the mechanical strength of hydrogel materials, which makes it easier to regenerate. To this purpose, novel hybriddouble networks hydrogel was prepared in this work via mixing two types of crosslinked polymers, these were covalently crosslinked HPC with DVS and ionically crosslinked alginate with calcium ions (Chapter 6). Alginate was selected to be the second network polymer as alginate has carboxylate functional groups that can be used to remove cationic pollutant by electrostatic interactions, thus improving the adsorption capacity of the HPC single network (HPC SN) hydrogel. SEM images of the double network produced s confirmed that the hydrogel was composed of two independently cross-linked networks with a homogeneous interconnecting porous structure. The mechanical tests on the DN hydrogel showed that it was much stronger compared with HPC SN hydrogel. The adsorption and filtration of organic pollutants by HPC hydrogel were investigated through dye adsorption experiments (Chapter 7). The results were showed a great ability of HPC hydrogel for selective adsorption towards MB dye. In order to evaluate the possibility of reuse of HPC hydrogel, the recyclability of these materials was examined. The obtained results indicated that the reusability of the HPC hydrogel was at some cycles without any loss in its sorption behaviour. Therefore, the HPC hydrogel can be a good reusable and economical adsorbent to remove the cationic species. It is important to note that HPC hydrogel column was further used for the first time for selective separation of dye mixtures by simple gravity filtration and the hydrogel can be re-used multiple times. Despite being one of the most promising types of porous materials for environmental applications, their low adsorption capacity is a significant disadvantage for their use inthese applications. Adsorption of methylene blue dye (MB) on HPC/CA DN hydrogel was investigated through batch and column adsorption experiments and compared with HPC SN hydrogel (Chapter 7). The adsorption isotherms for both HPC SN and HPC/CA DN hydrogels fitted well with the Langmuir adsorption model and the maximum adsorption capacity of HPC/CA DN hydrogel was found to be 169.49 mg g-1, which is larger than for the HPC SN hydrogel (112.35 mg g-1). The results showed a significant pH-dependent equilibrium for the adsorption capacity of MB dye for both hydrogels in this study, which decreased dramatically with decreasing the pH of the MB dye solution. This meant that the MB-loaded HPC hydrogel could be easily regenerated under acidic conditions. The thermodynamic analysis of MB dye adsorption onto both HPC SN andHPC/CA DN hydrogels were also studied and the process was shown to be an exothermic and spontaneous process. An adsorption kinetic study was also carried out and the results obtained showed that the adsorption of MB dye adsorption on both hydrogels was well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. In the column study, the adsorbent reuse was investigated and the selective separation of a dye mixture was also studied through ten cycles. Both hydrogels columns showed efficient selective adsorbent for cationic dyes, with the removal of MB dye being very efficient, whilst extremely low removal of FL dye. However, the HPC/CA DN hydrogels column exhibited a higher adsorption capacity than HPC SN hydrogel due to the dual functional groups (hydroxyl and carboxyl groups) in HPC/CA DN hydrogel. Based on the selective adsorptiontowards cationic methylene blue over anionic sodium fluorescein dye, HPC SN and HPC/CA DN hydrogels columns could easily separate two dyes from aqueous solutions of dye mixtures by simple gravity filtration. Both HPC SN and HPC/CA DN hydrogel column showed high separation efficiency of more than 99%. It was also found that separation efficiency of the HPC SN decreased to 86% by the 10th cycle for this column, while no significant losses in the separation efficiency were detected even after ten cycles for the HPC/CA DN hydrogel column. These results show that the HPC/CA double network polymer hydrogels have great potential for improving the adsorption capacity with good reusability and would be a promising eco-friendly adsorbent for the treatment of dye wastewaters

Oligogenic inheritance in severe adult obesity

Background/objective The genetic architecture of extreme non-syndromic obesity in adults remains to be elucidated. A range of genes are known to cause monogenic obesity, but even when pathogenic mutations are present, there may be variable penetrance. Methods Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was carried out on a 15-year-old male proband of Pakistani ancestry who had severe obesity. This was followed by family segregation analysis, using Sanger sequencing. We also undertook re-analysis of WES data from 91 unrelated adults with severe obesity (86% white European ancestry) from the Personalised Medicine for Morbid Obesity (PMMO) cohort, recruited from the UK National Health Service. Results We identified an oligogenic mode of inheritance of obesity in the proband’s family—this provided the impetus to reanalyze existing sequence data in a separate dataset. Analysis of PMMO participant data revealed two further patients who carried more than one rare, predicted-deleterious mutation in a known monogenic obesity gene. In all three cases, the genes involved had known autosomal dominant inheritance, with incomplete penetrance. Conclusion Oligogenic inheritance may explain some of the variable penetrance in Mendelian forms of obesity. We caution clinicians and researchers to avoid confining sequence analysis to individual genes and, in particular, not to stop looking when the first potentially-causative mutation is found

Increased Body Mass Index is Associated with Sarcopenia and Related Outcomes

Acknowledgement This study was supported by grant from the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS/1/2019/SKK02/UM/01/1).Peer reviewedPostprin

Northern Eurasia Future Initiative (NEFI): facing the challenges and pathways of global change in the 21st century

During the past several decades, the Earth system has changed significantly, especially across Northern Eurasia. Changes in the socio-economic conditions of the larger countries in the region have also resulted in a variety of regional environmental changes that can have global consequences. The Northern Eurasia Future Initiative (NEFI) has been designed as an essential continuation of the Northern Eurasia Earth Science Partnership Initiative (NEESPI), which was launched in 2004. NEESPI sought to elucidate all aspects of ongoing environmental change, to inform societies and, thus, to better prepare societies for future developments. A key principle of NEFI is that these developments must now be secured through science-based strategies co-designed with regional decision makers to lead their societies to prosperity in the face of environmental and institutional challenges. NEESPI scientific research, data, and models have created a solid knowledge base to support the NEFI program. This paper presents the NEFI research vision consensus based on that knowledge. It provides the reader with samples of recent accomplishments in regional studies and formulates new NEFI science questions. To address these questions, nine research foci are identified and their selections are briefly justified. These foci include: warming of the Arctic; changing frequency, pattern, and intensity of extreme and inclement environmental conditions; retreat of the cryosphere; changes in terrestrial water cycles; changes in the biosphere; pressures on land-use; changes in infrastructure; societal actions in response to environmental change; and quantification of Northern Eurasia's role in the global Earth system. Powerful feedbacks between the Earth and human systems in Northern Eurasia (e.g., mega-fires, droughts, depletion of the cryosphere essential for water supply, retreat of sea ice) result from past and current human activities (e.g., large scale water withdrawals, land use and governance change) and potentially restrict or provide new opportunities for future human activities. Therefore, we propose that Integrated Assessment Models are needed as the final stage of global change assessment. The overarching goal of this NEFI modeling effort will enable evaluation of economic decisions in response to changing environmental conditions and justification of mitigation and adaptation efforts

Influenza vaccination for immunocompromised patients: systematic review and meta-analysis from a public health policy perspective.

Immunocompromised patients are vulnerable to severe or complicated influenza infection. Vaccination is widely recommended for this group. This systematic review and meta-analysis assesses influenza vaccination for immunocompromised patients in terms of preventing influenza-like illness and laboratory confirmed influenza, serological response and adverse events

Emergence of extended spectrum beta-lactamases and carbapenemases producing Klebsiella spp. isolated from Hospital Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah

The emergence of extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and carbapenemases producing Klebsiella spp. in hospital settings is alarming as it leads to resistance to carbapenems, the last resort of antibiotics. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the antibiogram profile and identify the resistance genes present in Klebsiella spp. clinical isolates, encompassing specimens such as urine, sputum, blood and pus. The presence of β-lactamase genes; blaTEM-1 and blaCTX-M-1 and carbapenemases genes; blaNDM-1 and blaVIM-1 were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. A total of 85 isolates were collected from ill patients at Hospital Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah (HSAAS) between January 2022 and March 2023. The resistance profile of these isolates was analysed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method against various classes of antibiotics. The results revealed that all 85 Klebsiella spp. tested were resistant to ampicillin and ciprofloxacin. Furthermore, 78% of isolates were resistant to cephalosporins, suggesting that these strains were producing ESBLs. In terms of carbapenem resistance, the isolates were more resistant towards meropenem (80%) than imipenem (60%). These 85 clinical isolates were also resistant to kanamycin (52%). The presence of blaTEM-1 and blaCTX-M-1 genes were detected in the tested isolates, namely strain number 15,18,27,64 and 65. Moreover, the carbapenem-non-susceptible isolates were detected to have blaNDM-1 and blaVIM-1 genes. These findings highlighted a substantial proportion of isolates as ESBLs and carbapenemase producers. In conclusion, this study emphasised the urgent need for enhanced surveillance programs to combat the escalating threats of multidrug resistance Klebsiella spp. in clinical settings. Additionally, routine molecular screening for resistance genes along with rapid diagnostics for detecting these genes, should be implemented to enable doctors to prescribe the correct antibiotic

WATERBORNE PARASITES IN TRINGGUS VILLAGES

Waterborne parasites have caused two million mortalities annually particularly among those children below five-year-old children. Accessibility to clean water supply is a fundamental and global issue considering that water contamination by pathogens constitutes high potential to massive outbreaks that can impact economic and social development. Based on the recent statistics by UNICEF, 88% of rural population in Malaysia received basic water supplies from improved sources (i.e. free from outside contamination, principally from faecal matter) in 2015. Within that percentage, there are many rural communities that do not receive piped portable water since they are located remotely from the nearest water treatment facilities. Rural communities which are socially and economically underprivileged such as lack of basic water supplies, can be exposed to various infections sourced from the untreated water

A Cognitive Approach To Designing Effective Implementation Of Industrial Policies : C-Solutions for Vehicle Maintenance Regulations (VMR) Implementation in Sarawak

Policy implementation science has moved from its traditional top-down ‘’how-to’’ approach that focuses primarily on the policy implementers while neglecting those affected by the implementation, to the hybrid ‘’what-and-how-to’’ approach, where the policy implementation mechanics incorporate the understanding of the ‘’meaning’’ and ‘’benefits’’ of the policy from the perspective of all the stakeholders - those who will be doing the enforcement, and those who will be impacted upon by the policy. Theories from the science of the mind, or cognitive science, such as the theories of social cognition and distributed cognition, have gained popularity in policy implementation science in the developed countries since a decade ago. This new approach however, is still at inception stage in many developing countries. This research explored the utility of cognitive science approach in designing the implementation of industrial policies, in the case of implementing the Vehicle Maintenance Regulations (VMR) regulations, a set of mandatory regulations passed to regulate safe and healthy vehicle maintenance industry in Malaysia. The benefits of the cognitive approach, over the ‘’implementer-oriented’’ rational choice theory approach conventionally adopted in policy implementation were explored. The cognitive science approach is expected to increase the effectiveness of the VMR policy implementation by integrating the ‘sense-making’ and ‘meaning-making’ of all stakeholders whose cooperation and cooperativeness are highly essential in ensuring successful implementation. This research yielded both, an industrial working model, and an academic model. The C-Solutions Model suggests a win-win implementation plan that could garner support from all VMR stakeholders – the car workshop operators, the car owners, and the government implementer agents. The ‘’Cognitive Model of VMR Implementation’ was produced to describe how understanding the cognitive functions of the stakeholders could be utilised to collect their best support for the VMR regulations implementation

Visualizing spatially correlated dynamics that directs RNA conformational transitions

RNAs fold into three- dimensional ( 3D) structures that subsequently undergo large, functionally important, conformational transitions in response to a variety of cellular signals(1-3). RNA structures are believed to encode spatially tuned flexibility that can direct transitions along specific conformational pathways(4,5). However, this hypothesis has proved difficult to examine directly because atomic movements in complex biomolecules cannot be visualized in 3D by using current experimental methods. Here we report the successful implementation of a strategy using NMR that has allowed us to visualize, with complete 3D rotational sensitivity, the dynamics between two RNA helices that are linked by a functionally important trinucleotide bulge over timescales extending up to milliseconds. The key to our approach is to anchor NMR frames of reference onto each helix and thereby directly measure their dynamics, one relative to the other, using 'relativistic' sets of residual dipolar couplings ( RDCs)(6,7). Using this approach, we uncovered super- large amplitude helix motions that trace out a surprisingly structured and spatially correlated 3D dynamic trajectory. The two helices twist around their individual axes by approximately 536 and 1106 in a highly correlated manner ( R = 0.97) while simultaneously ( R = 0.81 - 0.92) bending by about 94 degrees. Remarkably, the 3D dynamic trajectory is dotted at various positions by seven distinct ligand- bound conformations of the RNA. Thus even partly unstructured RNAs can undergo structured dynamics that directs ligand- induced transitions along specific predefined conformational pathways.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/62506/1/nature06389.pd

Accreditation Handbook

This handbook is a reference for the faculty, academic and administrative staff on the process and procedure involved in preparing and obtaining accreditation. This handbook also serves as a valuable guide for the faculty to develop an assessment plan in the process of the future accreditation