Sukarelawan KMB santuni warga emas RSK Cheras, Selangor

SERDANG –Seramai 50 sukarelawan pelajar Kolej Tan Sri Mustaffa Babjee (KMB), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) telah menyantuni warga emas melalui program Healthy Ageing with KMB di Rumah Seri Kenangan (RSK), Cheras, Selangor baru-baru ini

Synthesis, characterisation and evaluation on the performance of ferrofluid for microplastic removal from synthetic and actual wastewater

Synthesis of ferrofluid without the addition of stabilizing agents or surfactants is an innovation of new method for microplastic removal. This study focuses on the ability of several types of oils as carriers and how they may improve the removal efficiency of the microplastic. The method is relatively low cost, simple and sustainable. The formation of ferrofluid involved the mixing of oil and iron oxide powder. The experimental work was commenced by adding 2 mm polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics into synthetic ferrofluid. Then, the removal efficiency of microplastics was examined by varying the elements of ferrofluid based on three specific parameters, namely type of oil, volume of oil and dosage of iron oxide to obtain a standard formulation of the optimum results. Overall findings of the study indicated that the optimum formulation for ferrofluid preparation was at a ratio of 1:2.5 (volume of oil: dosage of magnetite) using lubricating oil which has successfully removed 99% of microplastic from water media. Subsequently, the physical and chemical properties of the prepared ferrofluid were also analysed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Performance evaluation of the prepared ferrofluid on actual wastewater (laundry wastewater) revealed that 64% of microplastics were removed after treatment

Evaluation of Microleakage Between Different Post and Core Systems Under Gradual Loading: an In-Vitro Study

Svrha: Istraživanje je usmjereno na usporedbu u razlici spojnog prodora boja između svjetlovodnih kolčića everStick, Parapost XP i Parapost i kontrolnih skupina pod postupnim opterećenjem. Materijali i metode: Šezdeset osam ljudskih maksilarnih trajnih sjekutića podijeljeno je u četiri skupine. Svaki uzorak endodontski je tretiran tehnikom instrumentacije i pripremljen za svaki sustav kolčića prema eksperimentalnim skupinama. Nakon toga kolčić je cementiran u korijenski kanal. Oblikovane nadogradnje od kompozitnog materijala cementirane su u laboratorijski izrađene metalne krunice. Svi su uzorci termociklirani, osim onih u kontrolnoj skupini. Sve su skupine podvrgnute postupnom opterećenju od 0 N do 50 N u 100 ciklusa. Uzorci su poprečno prerezani i izmjerene su dubine penetracije boje uzduž kolčića. Podatci su uneseni u SPSS ver. 22 i analizirani dvosmjernim testom ANOVA-e. Rezultati: Nije bilo značajne razlike u spojnom prodoru boje ni u jednoj skupini (p – vrijednost > 0,05). No zabilježena je značajna razlika u postotku prodora boje između svih skupina (p – vrijednost 0.05). However, there was a significant difference in percentage of marginal dye penetration between all groups (p-value<0.05); post-hoc comparison showed significant difference between Fiber White and Control groups (p-value=0.009). Conclusion: All the groups showed dye penetration but the percentage was significant only between Parapost Fiber White and the control groups

Partial discharge investigation on palm oil using needle – plane electrode configuration and electric field distribution using ANSYS Maxwell

The Partial Discharge Inception Voltage (PDIV) and PD characteristic of mineral oil were described and compared with palm oil. The test was performed by needle-plane electrode configurations. Both mineral- and palm oil were investigated under AC voltage. A comparison study between PDIV and PD activities of the mineral oil Hyrax and palm oil were investigated with the total volume of the oil in the test cell was approximately 2 L. The 50-μm tip radius of tungsten needle electrodes were utilized as high voltage electrode. On the other hand, the grounded electrode with 30-, 40-, and 50 mm gap distances was represented by a 50-mm and 75-mm diameter copper plane electrode. Consideration on the oil conditions' effect on both PDIV and PD characteristics was also carried out. It was clearly shown that PDIV is dependent on the electric field stress of the electrode system and the test method based on the experimental results. In comparison to differences of gap distance, the 50-μm needle tip radius and 75-mm plane with gap distance of 30-mm electrode revealed the highest electric field stress and inversely exhibited the lowest PDIV value tested. Furthermore, simulation using ANSYS Maxwell on the electric field distributions of the electrode systems was also performed. In order to quantify electric field based on the finite element methods the ANSYS Maxwell was being utilized. In the simulation, the palm oil and mineral oil properties of its 2D modelling test cell was used. From the results, the PD characteristics of mineral oil and palm oil tested by needle-plane electrode system are known. To confirm the suitability of palm oil as a high voltage insulating medium, it is vital to analyse in-depth on its partial discharge activity and characteristics

Metabarcoding of Parasitic Wasp, Dolichogenidea metesae(Nixon)(Hymenoptera: Braconidae) That Parasitizing Bagworm, Metisa plana Walker (Lepidoptera: Psychidae)

Microbiome studies of the parasitoid wasp, Dolichogenidea metesae (Nixon) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) are important because D. metesae has potential as a biological control agent to suppress the pest, Metisa plana Walker (Lepidoptera, Psychidae). Three field populations of parasitic wasps with different Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices to control M. plana collected from Perak state (Tapah) and Johor state (Yong Peng and Batu Pahat districts) in Peninsular Malaysia were studied. Bacterial community composition and structure were analysed using α and β diversity metrics. Proteobacteria (83.31%) and Bacteroidetes (6.80%) were the most dominant phyla, whereas unknown family from order Rhizobiales was the most abundant family found in all populations followed by Pseudomonadaceae. Family Micrococcaceae was absent in Tapah. Rhizobiales gen. sp. and Pseudomonas sp. were abundant in all populations. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed the strongest correlation between individuals of Batu Pahat and Yong Peng (r = 0.89827, p < 0.05), followed by Tapah and Yong Peng with r = 0.75358, p < 0.05 and Batu Pahat and Tapah (r = 0.69552, p < 0.05). We hypothesise that low diversity and richness in Tapah might be due to direct and indirect effect of insecticides application. This preliminary data was the first study to do inventory of the microbiomes in the gut of the D. metesae

Behaviour of treated rubberised fiber concretes at higher temperatures

The fundamental aim of this study is to determine the effect of high temperature on the behavior of concrete consists NaOH treated rubber and steel fibers (TRSF-Con). During the experiment, four different concrete mixes were prepared; the first one is the control mix (CM) which was made with natural coarse and fine aggregates, cement, and water, while the other three concrete mixes were with the replacement rates of 10%, 20% and 25% of the natural coarse and fine aggregates by TRSF from used tires. The specimens were exposed for a period of 1 hour to design temperature-time curve up to 800°C followed by cooling to room temperature. Compressive strength, flexural strength, weight loss were determined and compared with that of control specimens. The ductility of the concrete increased with the increased of TRSF contents, increases the damping properties, and while the compressive strength of the concrete reduced with the increment of TRSF contents. Although data obtained in all parameters where lover than the control specimens, concrete containing treated rubber and steel fiber can be suitable for non-structural member in concrete and driveways or road constructions

Tourists’ Perceptions of Insects as the Determinants of Insect Conservation through Entomological Ecotourism

Insects are commonly featured in recreation and tourism around the world, despite the generally negative public perception surrounding them. Many people enjoy watching butterflies in insectarium gardens, observing and collecting dragonflies, and admiring the light displays of fireflies. In many cases, activities like these are becoming increasingly popular and these positive interactions with insects encourage public appreciation of insects, but vary acuities in their forms and approaches. Thus, understanding the pattern of insect appearances in recreation and tourism activities in a variety of discernments can provide important insights into effective ways of promoting insect conservation through ecotourism, which is often overlooked in biodiversity conservation strategies. However, these types of interdisciplinary studies are relatively new and remain limited in both entomology and tourism sciences. A field survey was carried out at Kangkawat Research Station, Imbak Canyon Conservation Area, where a 1 kilometre entomological ecotourism trail was designed and developed to incorporate insects in enhancing ecotourism at the reserve. Insects that can be found along the 1 kilometre trail were recorded and the collection was conducted using baited traps and sweep netting. Based on the insects survey, the Shannon Diversity Index (H’) of Kangkawat is 4.60 while Simpson Index is 176.72 with Fisher Alpha Index at 313.3 that concludes Kangkawat Research Station insect richness to be the second highest after the Crocker Range. In adressing the knowledge gaps between insect conservation and ecotourism, a survey on attitudes towards insects was designed and then completed by 384 tourists around Kota Kinabalu City. The standardized questionnaire known as the Personal Meaning of Insects Map (PMIM) was administered to tourists and their responses were elicited prior to and after observing insect photos. The results shows that “spider” had the 100% connectivity in response to the most detested insect based on their previous encounters with insects. This result shows that there is an existing entomology knowledge gap among the respondents, indicating the need for further interventions in terms of nature interpretation. Therefore a quality guided nature interpretation as an educational tool should take into account how the general public understands (or misunderstands) insects further and where interpretive information could be better applied if we are to develop management and educational tools that address human-insect encounters

Integration of Copperas and <i>Moringa oleifera</i> Seeds as Hybrid Coagulant for Turbidity and Ammonia Removal from Aquaculture Wastewater

The rapid development of the aquaculture industry has contributed to the high amount of nutrients in wastewater that subsequently led to eutrophication and deterioration of water quality. Aquaculture wastewater consists of uneaten fish feed, fecal and other excretion or residue of chemicals used. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the performance of hybrid coagulants of Moringa oleifera (MO) and copperas for aquaculture wastewater treatment. In this present study, different formulations of MO and copperas were explored in the coagulation treatment of aquaculture wastewater using a jar test experiment. The FTIR and SEM analysis are used to determine the morphology and surface of MO. This study focuses on the effect of coagulant aids formulation, coagulant dosage, the effect of initial pH and coagulation time on turbidity and ammonia removal in the coagulation of aquaculture wastewater. The finding shows that the highest removal of turbidity and ammonia was obtained with the use of 80% MO and 20% copperas at the condition of initial pH of 6 at 20 min of coagulation time, with the highest percentage removal of 66% and 91%, respectively. The coagulation isotherm of hybrid coagulant 80:20 is well described with the Freundlich isotherm model which describes the surface heterogeneity

BATS

A hundred species of bats, representing nine families, are now known from Borneo. Classifi ed as either frugivorous, nectarivorous or insectivorous feeder, their diets permit them to play important roles in the maintenance of ecosystem functions and dynamics, through their action as seed dispersers, pollinators and regulators of insect populations. Of these, the insectivorous bats of the families Hipposideridae, Rhinolophidae and Vespertilionidae contribute the most to species numbers