Environmental sustainability strategies and impacts: A case study in Northport, Klang Malaysia

Environmental sustainability, a focal point for the government of Malaysia, is also important in developing business sustainability for businesses including ports. Following this, the research objectives of this study were threefold: 1) investigating the impact of strategies implemented by Northport, Klang in order to be environmentally sustainable, 2) ascertaining the priorities of these strategies and 3) determining the barriers or challenges faced by the port in its efforts of implementing the strategies. Using qualitative research design, data was collected through semistructured interview with the officers in charge of environment at the Northport, Klang, Malaysia. Findings indicate that strategies implemented by the port have been successful in their efforts to reduce emission and improve air quality, a big step in being environmentally sustainable. Several criteria were used to prioritize the strategies, chief among them being implementation cost and time, maintenance cost and reduction of carbon emission. In terms of priority, the first strategy was operational strategy in terms of vessel speed reduction initiative, followed by infrastructure and equipment strategy with equipment and engine replacement and emission control technology and lastly, image improvement strategy with the initiative of the implementation of green building. The biggest barrier in implementing these strategies was cost

FTIR Analysis on Phase Transformation of Rust In The Presence of Gambir

ABSTRACT The performance of gambir reacted with rust by means of FTIR was evaluated. The effects of gambir concentration, contact time and the addition of phosphoric acid in phase transformation of rust were studied. The FTIR spectra showed that the conversion of lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH) was the fastest, followed by magnetite (Fe3O4) and goethite (α-FeOOH) was the slowest. 10% gambir with 3 h contact time was found to be the optimum condition for the phase transformation. Addition of phosphoric acid gave a better performance in phase transformation of rust

Effect of Fast Pyrolysis Operating Conditions on Product Yield of Red Meranti Sawdust

Fast pyrolysis of red meranti sawdust was carried out in a bench-scale tabular furnace reactor for bio-oil production. In this work, the effect of pyrolysis temperature, N2 gas flow rate, retention time and feed particle size were studied. Results showed that the bio-oil achieved maximum yield about 63.2 wt. % at the temperature of 450°C, N2 flow rate of 25 L/min and retention time for feed particle size of 0.3 mm was 60 min. From analysis, it can be concluded that the temperature was the most influential parameter upon bio-oil yield, followed by N2 sweeping gas flow rate into the reactor and retention time of biomass in furnace. Feed particles size was insignificantly effect bio-oil yield. Gained bio-oil was analyzed using GC-MS to identify its compounds. Phenolic compound was dominant compound identified in bio-oil

Veganism sentiments and preferences among Muslims

Veganism has become a significant lifestyle which is being religiously practiced by people from across the globe as their routine. To date, the Muslims also followed suit with the trend of veganism in the quest of practicing a healthy lifestyle. Nonetheless, concerns arise on the degree of acknowledgement by the Islamic teachings on such diets which advocate for omitting animal products in one’s daily meal. Therefore, this paperwork seeks to identify the elements of veganism from the viewpoints of various perspectives of Muslims, based on their sentiments and personal preferences in order to examine the relevance of veganism as a lifestyle to be exercised by Muslims. Research data were collected from secondary sources which includes journals, books, papers and internet resources to retrieve information on veganism, vegetarianism and the Islamic theme regarding the issue. This research is important because it will resolve the existing conflict to understand whether the practice of veganism is present in Islam or otherwise. Two elements of veganism are animal rights and vegan diet. The concept of veganism is not existed in Islamic tradition but Islam has its own concept and practices on animal rights. Meanwhile, vegan diet is accepted to be practiced by Muslims as long as according to Islamic rulings

Biochar and sustainable environmental development towards adsorptive removal of pollutants: Modern advancements and future insight

Globally, environmental pollutants, involving emerging contaminants, are a developing issue. The tremendous growth of industry and the continuous emission of untreated effluents are significant challenges that pollute the ecosystem. Efforts are being focused on finding eco-friendly, cost-effective strategies to remediate various pollutants. Feedstock consists of organic wastes comprising food waste, compost, animal dung, agricultural residues, and sludge. Traditional treatment methods (primary and secondary treatment processes) are ineffective at mitigating or removing pollutants. Therefore, an effective, inexpensive, environmentally friendly tertiary treatment technique is urgently required. Biochar (BC) has intriguing uses in ecological functioning, such as pollutant removal, carbon emissions mitigation, and wastewater treatment. Various types of adsorbents (BCs), such as pristine and engineered BC, are utilized for the separation or remediation of heavy metals (HMs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine pesticides from polluted areas to promote sustainable development. This paper provides critical insight into BC derived from various biomass feedstocks for the adsorptive removal of pollutants. This article also examines numerous research that offers alternatives for environmental conservation and management, as well as the modern advancements of BC for environmental protection. The potential of various agricultural waste products and their ability to absorb contaminants was discussed. The challenges and future insight of research on the surface-based removal of pollutants were also explored

Using machine learning to predict the performance of a cross-flow ultrafiltration membrane in xylose reductase separation

This study provides a new perspective for xylose reductase enzyme separation from the reaction mixtures—obtained in the production of xylitol—by means of machine learning technique for large-scale production. Two types of machine learning models, including an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system based on grid partitioning of the input space and a boosted regression tree were developed, validated, and tested. The models’ inputs were cross-flow velocity, transmembrane pressure, and filtration time, whereas the membrane permeability (called membrane flux) and xylitol concentration were considered as the outputs. According to the results, the boosted regression tree model demonstrated the highest predictive performance in forecasting the membrane flux and the amount of xylitol produced with a coefficient of determination of 0.994 and 0.967, respectively, against 0.985 and 0.946 for the grid partitioning-based adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system, 0.865 and 0.820 for the best nonlinear regression picked from among 143 different equations, and 0.815 and 0.752 for the linear regression. The boosted regression tree modeling approach demonstrated a superior capability of predictive accuracy of the critical separation performances in the enzymatic-based cross-flow ultrafiltration membrane for xylitol synthesis

The influence of achievement orientation on player performance: Evidence from Malaysian sport schools.

Achievement orientation influences athlete participation in sports as athletes who have a competitive, goal and winning orientation will be able to adjust before and during the competition to compete to a greater degree. Coaches play an important role in determining the orientation pattern of athlete achievement in order to inculcate high fighting spirit, be positive, and be able to compete further. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify factors that influence the orientation of achievement on player performance in Malaysia. A total of 150 students’ athletes from the Malaysian Sports Schools were selected as respondents of the study. The findings show that all three components of achievement orientation, namely win, competitive and goal are reliable and valid, and the achievement orientation has an impact on player performance. In conclusion, the coach can play a role in improving the player's achievement orientation as well as their performance

Pristine and modified biochar applications as multifunctional component towards sustainable future : Recent advances and new insights

Employing biomass for environmental conservation is regarded as a successful and environmentally friendly technique since they are cost-effective, renewable, and abundant. Biochar (BC), a thermochemically converted biomass, has a considerably lower production cost than the other conventional activated carbons. This material's distinctive properties, including a high carbon content, good electrical conductivity (EC), high stability, and a large surface area, can be utilized in various research fields. BC is feasible as a renewable source for potential applications that may achieve a comprehensive economic niche. Despite being an inexpensive and environmentally sustainable product, research has indicated that pristine BC possesses restricted properties that prevent it from fulfilling the intended remediation objectives. Consequently, modifications must be made to BC to strengthen its physicochemical properties and, thereby, its efficacy in decontaminating the environment. Modified BC, an enhanced iteration of BC, has garnered considerable interest within academia. Many modification techniques have been suggested to augment BC's functionality, including its adsorption and immobilization reliability. Modified BC is overviewed in its production, functionality, applications, and regeneration. This work provides a holistic review of the recent advances in synthesizing modified BC through physical, chemical, or biological methods to achieve enhanced performance in a specific application, which has generated considerable research interest. Surface chemistry modifications require the initiation of surface functional groups, which can be accomplished through various techniques. Therefore, the fundamental objective of these modification techniques is to improve the efficacy of BC contaminant removal, typically through adjustments in its physical or chemical characteristics, including surface area or functionality. In addition, this article summarized and discussed the applications and related mechanisms of modified BC in environmental decontamination, focusing on applying it as an ideal adsorbent, soil amendment, catalyst, electrochemical device, and anaerobic digestion (AD) promoter. Current research trends, future directions, and academic demands were available in this study

Prognostic Factors for Bladder Cancer Patients in Malaysia: A Population-Based Study

Background: Malaysia has the third highest crude mortality rates of bladder cancer within Southeast Asia. We aimed to identify the prognostic factors for bladder cancer patients in Malaysia. Methods: A retrospective population-based study was conducted among patients diagnosed between 2007 and 2011. Death date until 31 December 2016 was updated. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed to examine clinical variables as prognostic factors of death. Results: Identified prognostic factors of 1828 analyzed patients were age groups, ethnicity, morphology, stage, and surgery. As compared to patients aged 15–44, the adjusted Hazard Ratio for those aged 45–54, 55–64, 65–74, and ≥75 were 1.59, 1.87, 2.46, and 3.47, respectively. Malay and other ethnic groups had 1.22- and 1.40-times the risk of death compared to Chinese. Patients with squamous cell carcinoma were at 1.47-times the hazard of death compared to urothelial carcinoma patients. Stages II, III and IV patients had 2.20-, 2.98-, and 4.12-times the risk of death as compared to stage I. Patients who did not receive surgery were at 50% increased hazard of death. Conclusion: Early detection and/or surgery, especially for those more than 75 years old, Malay, and squamous cell carcinoma could potentially improve survival. The findings could inform national cancer control programs

Challenges and emerging approaches in life cycle assessment of engineered nanomaterials usage in anaerobic bioreactor

Nanotechnology has wide applications in all areas such as agriculture, the environment, and industry energy pharmaceuticals. The use of nanoparticles (NPs) is increasing, positive and negative effects in various environmental areas, including air, water, and soil, have recently been discovered. Various types of engineered NPs (ENPs) have been used in the renewable energy production system. Anaerobic digestion (AD) process is cost-effective and waste-to-energy production. Different types ENPs are applied in the AD method for improving biogas yield with suitable conditions. ENPs have their excellent performance in understanding their presence, behavior, and impact on water is critical during the AD process. This study aims to understand the consequence of ENPs on the biogas production rate in the AD system. ENPs interaction with bacteria in the AD process for increasing biogas yield rate in the AD process has been discussed. Cost-effective ENPs production, life cycle assessment, and challenges have been elaborated. Finally, the positive effect of ENPs in the AD system for enhancing biogas yield has been conclud