Removal Of Cobalt From Sulphate Solutions Using An Electrogenerative Process

An electrogenerative system is applied to removing cobalt from sulphate solutions. In this process, a chemical reaction takes place spontaneously in a divided cell where cobalt is reduced at the cathode and zinc is oxidised at the anode without an external supply of energy. In this work, two types of operating modes (batch reactor and batch-recycle reactor) were investigated

Integration of 21st Century Learning Skills (4C Elements) in Interventions to Improve English Writing Skill Among 3K Class Students

21st Century Learning is a student-centered learning process that has been introduced in Malaysia since 2014. This study aims to integrate the 4C elements, which are collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking in the interventions to improve English writing skill among 3K class students. Also, the study was conducted to determine how peer guidance can help 3K class students, who were weak in writing, to improve their English writing skills. The action research was carried out based on Kurt Lewin's Model. The research instruments involved were pre-test, post-test, and semi-structured interview. A total of 32 students sat for both pre-test and post-test before and after the interventions. A semi-structured interview consisting of five questions was conducted after the student completed the post-test. Descriptive statistics involving mean and percentage scores were used to analyze pre-test and post-test findings, while the interview findings were summarized. The results showed that there was an improvement in their English writing skills, where the mean score for the pre-test was 19.34, while the mean score for post-test was 22.66. The findings indicate that weaker students agreed that guidance of students who possess better writing skills helped them improve their English writing skills. The results of the pre-test and post-test showed that the intervention conducted has successfully helped 3K class students to improve their English writing skills

Cost-effective fabrication of bio-inspired nacre-like composite materials with high strength and toughness

A cost-effective one-step densification process based on bi-directional freeze casting was investigated to produce nacre-like alumina/poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites with a unique micro-layered (μL) architecture. This method has the advantage of shorter processing time, as it requires only sintering once instead of twice as in the fabrication of conventional brick-and-mortar (BM) composites via freeze casting. By tuning the processing parameters, composites with different ceramic content and layer thickness were obtained. The resultant mechanical properties of μL composites showed that ceramic content and wall thickness affected mechanical properties significantly. The μL composite with fine ceramic walls (8 μm) and relatively high ceramic fraction (72 vol%) exhibited an exceptional combination of high flexural strength (178 MPa) and fracture toughness (12.5 MPa m1/2). The μL composites were also compared with the conventional BM composites. Although the fracture behaviour of both composites exhibited similar extrinsic toughening mechanisms, the μL composites with longer ceramic walls displayed superior mechanical properties in terms of strength and fracture toughness in comparison with the BM composites comprising short ceramic walls (i.e. bricks), due to the effectiveness of stress transfer of load-bearing ceramic phase within the composites

Psychosocial Intervention in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic in Sarawak

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has been anticipating a greater need for mental health and psychosocial support with the rise in mental health issues when facing many struggles and uncertainties, testing the limits of our current health care system. In this paper, we aim to present a general view of the psychosocial support implemented in Sarawak during the COVID-19 pandemic from the lens of different socio-ecological systems in Sarawak which include the healthcare system, community organizations, and the policy makers. Firstly, this paper provides an overview of the COVID-19 situation in Sarawak in general for the past year. Worth to mention, Sarawak was the first state in Malaysia recorded fatality case resulted from COVID-19 and this inevitably triggered strong negative emotional response during the initial stage of the pandemic. Secondly, the combined efforts initiated by the local state government, the state health departments, several general hospitals and major health clinics were addressed. The delivery of health care service had to be modified according to the strict preventive and social distancing measures recommended by the public health system, including the shift of conventional service to the provision of tele-counselling and psychological first aid. Also, the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on mental health has brought the politicians’ attention. Lastly, the challenges faced in dealing with the mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic and the potential paths of the mental health movement were discussed

Surveillance of Broad-Spectrum Antibiotic Prescription in Singaporean Hospitals: A 5-Year Longitudinal Study

10.1371/journal.pone.0028751PLoS ONE612

Quality improvement of green saba banana flour Steamed cake

Gluten avoidance is becoming a popular diet trend around the world. In this study, green Saba banana flour (GSBF) was used to produce a gluten-free (GF) steamed cake. The effects of soy protein isolate (SPI) (0%, 10%, 15%) and Ovalette (0%, 3.5%, 7%) on the quality of the cake were investigated. Physicochemical properties of the flours were measured. The viscosity and specific gravity of the batters; as well as the specific volume, weight loss and texture profile of the resulting cakes were determined. Sensory evaluation was performed to compare the acceptance of the cake formulations. The macronutrient and resistant starch content of the cakes were determined. The use of an appropriate level of SPI and Ovalette was found to effectively enhance the aeration of the cake batter and improved the specific volume and weight loss of the cake. The presence of Ovalette was essential to soften the texture of the cake. GF cake supplemented with 10% SPI and 3.5% Ovalette obtained the highest sensorial acceptance. The nutritional quality of this sample was significantly improved, whereby it contained higher protein than the gluten-containing counterpart. GSBF also contributed to the high dietary fiber and resistant starch content of the cake.

Development of gluten-free steamed cake using green saba banana flour

Along with the increase of diagnosed Celiac patient, gluten-free (GF) foods have shown a significant increase in worldwide consumption. The removal of gluten and replacement with other ingredients to improve the palatability have caused unsatisfactory nutritional profile in GF foods. Green banana flour is known to content high resistant starch (RS) that is beneficial for human health. Saba banana is a locally grown banana, though widely available, but it has limited industrial applications. To add-value to Saba banana and addressing the issue of low nutritional quality of GF food, a steamed cake was developed using green Saba banana flour (GSBF), soy protein isolate (SPI) (0%, 10% and 15%) and a commercial cake stabilizer, Ovelette (0%, 3.5% and 7%). Characterisation of the flour (colour, oil holding capacity, water holding capacity, proximate content and resistant starch content) and cake batters (viscosity and specific gravity) were carried out. The specific volume, weight loss, colour, texture and sensory acceptance of the cake were investigated. GSBF was found to contain high RS and dietary fibre but darker in colour. Depending on the concentration, SPI and stabilizer increased the batter viscosity and affected the specific volume and colour of the cakes. The texture properties were generally improved with the additives used. The most acceptable formulation was identified from sensory evaluation; it contained higher protein, dietary fibre and RS than its gluten-containing counterpart. Results obtained show that appropriate amount of SPI and Ovelette could effectively improve the physical, textural and nutritional properties of the cake

CEMIP Promotes Osteosarcoma Progression and Metastasis Through Activating Notch Signaling Pathway

Cell migration inducing protein (CEMIP) has been linked to carcinogenesis in several types of cancers. However, the role and mechanism of CEMIP in osteosarcoma remain unclear. This study investigated the role of CEMIP in the progression and metastasis of osteosarcoma, CEMIP was found to be overexpressed in osteosarcoma tissues when compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues, and its expression was positively associated with a poor prognosis in osteosarcoma patients. Silencing CEMIP decreased osteosarcoma cells proliferation, migration, and invasion, but enhanced apoptosis in vitro, and suppressed tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, CEMIP promoted osteosarcoma cells growth and metastasis through activating Notch signaling pathway, silencing CEMIP would reduce the protein expression and activation of Notch/Jagged1/Hes1 signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo, activation of Notch signaling pathway could partially reversed cell proliferation and migration in shCEMIP osteosarcoma cells. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that CEMIP plays a substantial role in the progression of osteosarcoma via Notch signaling pathway, providing a promising therapeutic target in osteosarcoma