Evaluating the variability of gafsa phosphate rock uptake by oil palm genotypes at nursery stage

The application of phosphate fertilizer in crops accounts for 90% of the total world’s mineral phosphate mined and the reserve of phosphate rock in the world continues to deplete. Thus, it is imperative to understand the potential of different oil palm genotypes in taking up added phosphate fertilizers in order to conserve this particular non-renewable resource. In this study, the P-32 reverse isotope dilution method was used in a greenhouse to assess nine different oil palm genotypes in taking up phosphate fertilizer (Gafsa Phosphate Rock) for a period of 6 months. The measurements of the dry weight and P accumulation in plant were conducted during the course of the study. However, the two measurements did not clearly show the difference in the phosphate uptake after the application of Gafsa Phosphate Rock. In more specific, the accumulation of phosphate in the different genotypes only demonstrated significant difference between the genotypes (25/49 x 2367/17 and 9/103 x 2318/17) in the first three months. However, the P-32 reverse dilution method revealed a significant difference in the phosphate fertilizer uptake for the genotypes at 0-3 and 3-6 months. Over the six months’ period, the genotypes were observed to take up around 14 to 46 percent of the phosphate added fertilizer. The potential of the different oil palm genotypes to take up phosphate from fertilizer, according to the P-32 reverse isotope dilution method, could be ranked as 2/35 x 2367/17 ≥ 19/19 x 2367/17 ≥ 2/209 x 2367/17 > 25/49 x 2367/17 ≥ 9/103 x 2318/17 ≥ 33/17 x 2318/17 > 14/34 x 2367/17 ≥ 23/34 x 2367/17 ≥ 1/39 x 2318/17. Therefore, the P-32 reverse isotope dilution method could serve as a useful means of assessing the phosphate uptake potential of oil palm seedlings. This study implies that oil palm seedlings, with better phosphate uptake efficiency from fertilizer, can help to reduce fertilizer wastage and contamination of water source, and obtain a better ability to coup with phosphate deficiency

Bayesian evaluation of three serological tests for the diagnosis of bovine brucellosis in Bangladesh

We evaluated the performance of three serological tests – an immunoglobulin G indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA), a Rose Bengal test and a slow agglutination test (SAT) – for the diagnosis of bovine brucellosis in Bangladesh. Cattle sera (n = 1360) sourced from Mymensingh district (MD) and a Government owned dairy farm (GF) were tested in parallel. We used a Bayesian latent class model that adjusted for the conditional dependence among the three tests and assumed constant diagnostic accuracy of the three tests in both populations. The sensitivity and specificity of the three tests varied from 84.6% to 93.7%, respectively. The true prevalences of bovine brucellosis in MD and the GF were 0.6% and 20.4%, respectively. Parallel interpretation of iELISA and SAT yielded the highest negative predictive values: 99.9% in MD and 99.6% in the GF; whereas serial interpretation of both iELISA and SAT produced the highest positive predictive value (PPV): 99.9% in the GF and also high PPV (98.9%) in MD. We recommend the use of both iELISA and SAT together and serial interpretation for culling and parallel interpretation for import decisions. Removal of brucellosis positive cattle will contribute to the control of brucellosis as a public health risk in Bangladesh

A Comparative Study of Turbulence Models on Aerodynamics Characteristics of a NACA0012 Airfoil

This paper presented a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of air flow past a 2D model NACA0012 airfoil at high Reynolds number (Re = 3.0 x 106) at various angles of attack (-10° to 15°). The simulations were undertaken to inform on how the fluid flowed around the airfoil by solving the steady state governing equations of continuity and momentum conservation that are combined with one of three turbulence models Spalart-Allmaras, Realizable k-ε and k-ω shear stress transport (SST). It is observed that the Realizable k- ε eliminates the small separation bubble on the upper surface of the airfoil and delaying separation flow.  Also, for the lift coefficient, CL and drag coefficient, CD investigated in this paper, the predicted data have good agreement with other published data

Rearward visibility assessment and a proposed performance scoring for ASEAN NCAP

Asia has the highest number of registered motorcycles globally and the recent data has shown that motorcycles fatalities has been the major accident and death cases in ASEAN Region. One of the major concerns is the visibility of motorcycles to other vehicles on the road. Thus, in this project, ECE R46 and FMVSS regulations have been referred as the base guidelines to establish a novel test protocols for vehicles rearward visibility assessment. Sixteen cars have been benchmarked and analysed in term of their rear-view mirror (Class I) and external mirror (Class III) performance. Motorcycles visibility to the vehicles’ Class I and Class III mirrors also been assessed by converting the measured data into number of motorcycles based on its width. A proposed performance scoring system for ASEAN NCAP has been developed based on that to address the Motorcycle Safety pillar

Service quality in UUM sport centre and its impact on UUM students satisfactions

This research aimed to identify the significant relationship between quality of service at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) Sport Centre its impact toward UUM students satisfaction by using SERVQUAL model.A field survey of UUM Sport Centre service quality was conducted in Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) that located at Sintok, Kedah in which involved UUM students’ participation as the research target group.This study aimed to identifying which dimensions of SERVQUAL model has the greatest influence on UUM student’s satisfaction.The five SERVQUAL dimensions are tangible, responsiveness, assurance, reliability, and empathy as independent variables, while students’ satisfaction is the dependent variable. SERVQUAL model was tested to determine and measure their relationship with UUM student’s satisfaction.Over 200 questionnaires were distributed to respondents through judgment sampling.The finding shows that UUM students tend to be satisfied with UUM Sport Centre service quality whereby the score of mean and the regression indicated that assurance dimension as the highest influences of UUM students’ satisfaction.Therefore, UUM Sport Centre shall response aggressively in positive manner to improve the quality of service provided which focus more on assurance dimension of SERVQUAL. Recommendation for future research was also put forward

Nanocellulose from oil palm mesocarp fiber using hydrothermal treatment with low concentration of oxalic acid

Nanocellulose from oil palm mesocarp fiber (OPMF) was isolated using hydrothermal treatment at a pressure of 150 kPa and 120 C coupled with hydrolysis of low concentration of weak acid i.e. oxalic acid dihydrate (OAD). Two different concentrations of OAD i.e. 11 and 13 wt% were introduced in the acid hydrolysis process. Crystallinity index of the raw fiber increased from 39.5 to 70.4 and 70% for 11 and 13 wt% OAD, respectively. The average particles sizes of nanocellulose measured using TEM was approximately 25 nm for both concentrations of OAD which approximately equivalent to the one measured using dynamic light scattering (DLS). The values of zeta potential of the nanocellulose suspension isolated using 11 and 13 wt% OAD were _26 and _27.5 mV respectively. Isolation technique which is hydrothermal treatment coupled with low concentration of OAD was effective in producing OPMF nanocellulose at high crystallinity index, less than 100 nm size distribution, and it is a stable suspension

Twelve-month observational study of children with cancer in 41 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death. It is unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted childhood cancer mortality. In this study, we aimed to establish all-cause mortality rates for childhood cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the factors associated with mortality. Methods Prospective cohort study in 109 institutions in 41 countries. Inclusion criteria: children <18 years who were newly diagnosed with or undergoing active treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, retinoblastoma, Wilms tumour, glioma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma. Of 2327 cases, 2118 patients were included in the study. The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality at 30 days, 90 days and 12 months. Results All-cause mortality was 3.4% (n=71/2084) at 30-day follow-up, 5.7% (n=113/1969) at 90-day follow-up and 13.0% (n=206/1581) at 12-month follow-up. The median time from diagnosis to multidisciplinary team (MDT) plan was longest in low-income countries (7 days, IQR 3-11). Multivariable analysis revealed several factors associated with 12-month mortality, including low-income (OR 6.99 (95% CI 2.49 to 19.68); p<0.001), lower middle income (OR 3.32 (95% CI 1.96 to 5.61); p<0.001) and upper middle income (OR 3.49 (95% CI 2.02 to 6.03); p<0.001) country status and chemotherapy (OR 0.55 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.86); p=0.008) and immunotherapy (OR 0.27 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.91); p=0.035) within 30 days from MDT plan. Multivariable analysis revealed laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 5.33 (95% CI 1.19 to 23.84); p=0.029) was associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusions Children with cancer are more likely to die within 30 days if infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, timely treatment reduced odds of death. This report provides crucial information to balance the benefits of providing anticancer therapy against the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with cancer

Latent class evaluation of three serological tests for the diagnosis of human brucellosis in Bangladesh

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Mytravelbuddies – A sharing platform by travelers for travelers

This paper proposes a conceptual solution to help people plan their travelling smoothly by providing a variety of travel packages and useful information on travelling through a mobile application platform (MyTravelBuddies). MyTravelBuddies is a Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C) business model which aims to provide a platform for travel agencies to promote their travel packages to the customers as well as a One-Stop Center for the customers to find the best travel packages that suited their budget and travel plan. This system provides a platform for advertising travel package only, whereas the process of the transaction occurs outside this system. Nine blocks of Business Model Canvas (BMC) framework, Literature Review, strategy canvas, value proposition design canvas (VPC), environmental map and conducting interview/survey with potential customers to validate BMC/VPC have been used as the methodologies for this paper